Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Xi signs order to promulgate regulations enhancing reservist management Xinhua) 08:08, November 01, 2024 BEIJING, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, has signed a decree to promulgate a set of interim regulations on the management of reserve personnel. The regulations aim to facilitate the implementation of China's law on reservists. The regulations focus on establishing a systematic management structure for reserve personnel in the new era, detailing processes for their selection, rank promotion, role assignments, training, assessments, benefits and retirement from reserve service. An important outcome of China's military human resource reform, the promulgation of the regulations marks a key step to improve the legal, standardized and scientific management of reservists and develop a high-caliber, professional reserve force. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Traffic proceeds along Interstate 35 in San Antonio in this file photo. Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News We're past Halloween, but San Antonio drivers could face some scary traffic on portions of Loop 1604 and Interstate 35 this weekend, with the Texas Department of Transportation planning closures as part of its long-running construction work. TxDOT plans to close the right lane of Loop 1604 eastbound and its frontage road at the crossing with Interstate 10 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, according to a news release from the agency. MORE COVERAGE: San Antonio envisions a Wurzbach-like thoroughfare near Toyota manufacturing plant Advertisement Article continues below this ad The right lane of I-10 westbound will also be closed at the interchange, as well as the frontage roads of I-10 eastbound and westbound north of Loop 1604. The exit ramps from Loop 1604 westbound to I-10 westbound, and from I-10 westbound to Loop 1604 eastbound, will also be closed; as well as the cloverleaf ramps from I-10 eastbound to Loop 1604 eastbound, and from Loop 1604 eastbound to I-10 westbound. Detours will be available and local law enforcement will direct traffic, according to TxDOT. TxDOT also plans to close the southbound I-35 frontage road at the crossing with Rittiman Road for drainage work from 11 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday, according to a separate news release. Advertisement Article continues below this ad WEEKEND CLOSURE FRI (11/1) 11PM UNTIL 5AM MON (11/4) - the southbound I-35 frontage road at Rittiman Road will be closed for drainage work. Details https://t.co/nDmGiAc2iG Subscribe https://t.co/DR0c0BKM6n pic.twitter.com/mu2ZAmytt1 TxDOT San Antonio (@TxDOTSanAntonio) October 31, 2024 The Loop 1604 closures are part of the agency's $1.4 billion Loop 1604 North Expansion Project overhauling the stretch of Loop 1604 between Bandera Road and Interstate 35. The project is being done in six segments, with the final one set to be complete in 2028, according to TxDOT's website. Health Minister St. Clair Prince spoke of the Acute Care Hospital as another demonstration of his governments commitment to modernizing and strengthening the states health system. After months of planning, construction of the Acute Care Hospital at Arnos Vale is set to begin. The 32- month construction phase of the project is expected to begin in earnest following the groundbreaking ceremony held on October 26. Minister of Health St. Clair Prince, told the gathering at last Saturday event, "This Day has been long in coming and should be heralded with pride and nationalistic fervour, St. Clair Jimmy Prince, Minister of Health said. "It is indeed significant that on the eve of the 45th anniversary of Independence we are starting the flagship of our modern health system and the anchor project of the new city at Arnos Vale, he continued. According to Prince, the construction of the hospital is part of the continued modernization and transformation of the nations health system which was part of the governments wider vision to strengthen the nations health system its resilience while ensuring it is adaptive and responsive to emergencies, and founded on a sound public health infrastructure that was strongly rooted in primary health care. "Ours is a system which embraces quality, which embraces modernization and decentralization. And even as he looked to the future, the Health Minister reflected on what is, giving focus to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, the countrys lone tertiary level health care facility. "It was not designed originally as a hospital. constantly leaking...poor security prone to flooding hemmed by a cemetery to the West, Victoria Park and road no room for expansion, Prince admitted. In attendance at the ceremony was Taiwans Foreign Minister, Lin Chai-Lung who said that the construction of the facility was a milestone in the bi-lateral agreement between his country and St Vincent and the Grenadines. "As we break ground, we are also solidifying our friendship, and I am confident that we are not only contributing to the modernization of [the] health care but also creating numerous job opportunities, he said. Cecil Harris, Senior Engineer attached to the project, gave an overview of the new facility. He said, the 135-bed facility will offer a range of medical services and will: have five points of entry; withstand earthquakes and Category 5 hurricanes; have an electrical substation to provide independent power in the event of a VINLEC power outage, and an independent 5-day water supply; provide parking to facilitate 165 vehicles on the North; a heliport for patients being air-lifted, an administration block, mortuary, accident and emergency department, rehabilitation department, pharmacy, auditorium and a chapel. The construction of the Acute Care Hospital is financed by a $125 million loan from the Republic of China (Taiwan). Laverne Mc-Dowald-Thompson has personified what service to others is all about. The Brooklyn, New York-based umbrella Vincentian group in the United States, Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations, U.S.A., Inc. (COSAGO), on Sunday honored its former president Laverne McDowald-Thompson and Vincentian mas band in Brooklyn, Mas Productions Unlimited. The honours were bestowed during COSAGOs Gala 45th Independence Anniversary Luncheon. "I acknowledge our honorees, Laverne Mc-Dowald-Thompson, for her outstanding humanitarian efforts in the community and Mas Productions Unlimited for promoting the arts and culture, particularly among the youth, said COSAGO President Crispin Friday, who succeeded McDowald-Thompson. St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul General to the United States Rondy McIntosh, under whose auspices the Gala Luncheon was held, applauded COSAGO in recognizing "those among us who play vital roles in keeping the Vincy spirit alive. "Let me take this opportunity to congratulate your honorees, Mrs. Laverne McDowald-Thompson and Mas Productions Unlimited, for their love and enduring sacrifice, McIntosh said. McDowald-Thompson McDowald-Thompson, COSAGO president for 15 successive years, now serving as vice president, is a former public-school teacher in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She migrated to the United States in 1990, worked full-time and attended college in evenings, graduating cum laude with a Bachelors degree in early childhood education from City College of New York (CUNY). McDowald-Thompson said she started volunteering and giving back to her community at the tender age of 15, and began her leadership role in the St. Davids Anglican Church in her native Chateaubelair as a Sunday School teacher. She was president of the Anglican Youth Movement (AYM) and also the secretary of the North Leeward Teachers Union Branch. Prior to becoming president of COSAGO, she was vice president and chairperson of the Church Service Committee for two years. She currently serves as chairperson of the Fundraising Committee, and serves on the Brooklyn-based SVG Relief Committee of New York and the Vincy Day USA Committee. She also served as a member of the Brooklyn-based Caribbean American Renal Failure Relief Fund, founded in 2002 to assist Caribbean nationals suffering from renal disease, and on the SVG Diaspora Committee of New York. As president of the Chateaubelair Development Organization (CDO), McDowald-Thompson leads efforts in providing educational support to children and rendering humanitarian aid to natives in her home town. "Standing here today, its a privilege; its a privilege not because I have the right or because Im a member of the Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organization, or because Im being honored on the annual celebration of independence of our nation, SVG, it is because God has kept me, said McDowald-Thompson, who was introduced by her close friend, Curlina Hills, executive member of COSAGO. Mas Production Wesley Millington Mas Productions Unlimited (MPU) was founded in 1992 by a group of Vincentians, whose primary goal was to "reintroduce a Vincentian presence in the annual Labor Day Caribbean Carnival, and an overall goal of promoting all things cultural in the Vincentian community in New York, according to co-founder, band leader and designer Wesley Millington. Millington said the first mas band was produced in 1993, and that MPU has participated in the Brooklyn-based West Indian American Day Carnival every year since, with the exception of the two years that New York City was plagued with the COVID-19 pandemic. "This has made MPU the longest running Vincentian mas band in New York and, as a matter of fact, one of the oldest continuous participating bands in the New York Carnival, said Millington, who was introduced by executive member of COSAGO- OBrien Simmons. Millington said MPU has also participated in New Yorks Long Island Carnival, and has produced costumes for St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organization of Pennsylvania (SVGOP) for the Philadelphia Carnival. Additionally, Millington said MPU has had "association with the Brooklyn-based Dynamite Calypso Tent and several members of the Vincentian mas community, including Ricardo "Puzzle Grant, now MPUs resident builder; Kamal Aleem, formerly of Wizards Mas Band; Junior "Melbourne Constance; Ozzie Constance; and the late Vincentian mas designer and band leader Julian "Pilling Pollard. "Mas Productions Unlimited appreciates the support they have enjoyed thus far, and looks forward to the continued support of the community, as they strive to maintain a presence in the cultural life of the Vincentian Diaspora, Millington said. Patrons at Sundays ceremony were entertained by DJs SupaEyes and EZ Sounds, as well as by artistes Dennis Bowman and Abena Amory. Zavier Baryo Browne was found dead with one identifiable gunshot wound to his back. St. Vincent and the Grenadines has found itself in a spate of homicides between Friday 27th September to Thursday 3rd October, 2024. {more}} The count up to yesterday was six including, two in Petit Bordel and one each in Calliaqua, Sion Hill, Gibson Corner and Lowmans Leeward. As for the one in Gibson Corner, a man was discovered dead on the concrete roof of building that is used as a tourist lookout. Police are looking into a possible link between the death of Xavier Browne, aka Baryo of Chateaubeliar, the person whose body was found at Gibson Corner Wednesday morning, and an attempted armed robbery in Peruvian Vale on Tuesday night. The deceased was discovered sometime after 6am on Wednesday 2nd, October. He was sporting a cornrow hairstyle, and clad in a black long-sleeve sweater, a grey long pants and had a red bandana tied around his neck and a red hat hanging loosely around his neck. He was barefooted. Detectives at the crime scene could be seen removing his items from his pants pockets. The lawmen also took photos, most of which focused on the victims back. A police source told THE VINCENTIAN that Browne was discovered with froth coming from his mouth. He also had an injury to the back of his head that appeared to be a gunshot wound. Investigators are of the opinion that he might have been killed elsewhere and his boy dumped at Gibson Corner. A police report on the incident said that preliminary investigations indicated that the deceased sustained a single gunshot wound to the back, with no other visible injuries. A post-mortem examination was expected to determine the exact cause of death. The dead man was discovered hours after an attempted robbery at Peruvian Vale. According to reports, the robbery was allegedly foiled after a former police discharged his firearm at three masked bandits. Xavier Baryo Browne's death is listed as the 34th homicide do far for 2024. Sat. Vincent and the Grenadines recorded a record 55 homicides in 2023. On Tuesday, 29 October 2024, the Honourable Mme Justice Chantal Ononaiwu was sworn in as a Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), becoming the second Jamaican national to join the Bench of the regional Court. The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by the Governor General of Jamaica, His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, at Kings House, Kingston, Jamaica. In his remarks during the ceremony, the Honourable Mr Justice Adrian Saunders, CCJ President, noted that "Article IV(1) of the Agreement Establishing the Court requires that when the Court at least three [judges] must possess expertise in international law including international trade law. Mme Justice Ononaiwu is not merely an expert in international law, she is more specifically an expert in international trade law and an active practitioner in the field. She has appeared as counsel before the CCJ in many of the Courts seminal cases dealing with the CSME. She has experience in adjudicating WTO international trade disputes. The job she previously held involved negotiating international trade issues on behalf of the Caribbean Community. Indeed, she led the coordination of CARICOMs external trade policy. Caricoms undoubted massive loss is the CCJs gain, but I venture to suggest that the region would benefit even more greatly from her tenure on the Court. Mme Justice Ononaiwu was chosen from a pool of 12 applicants by the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC), an independent body of 11 individuals responsible for appointing the Judges and staff of the Court. Applicants must have either served as a judge for at least five years or have a minimum of 15 years of experience in the practice or teaching of law. Additionally, candidates are evaluated on criteria including high moral character, intellectual and analytical abilities, sound judgment, integrity, and an understanding of people and society. With over 20 years of legal experience, Mme Justice Ononaiwu brings specialist expertise in Caribbean Community (CARICOM) law and international law, including international trade law. Her varied legal background includes roles as an adjudicator, litigator, legal advisor, and university lecturer. Mme Justice Ononaiwu also has significant expertise in commercial law, having worked in the international business and financial services sector as the Director of Value Proposition Development at Invest Barbados. Additionally, she served as Vice-Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce Digital Standards Initiative Legal Reform Advisory Board. She has also lectured on international trade and investment law, public international law, and criminal law at The University of the West Indies. Prior to her appointment to the CCJ, she served as Director of External Trade at the CARICOM Secretariat and previously as a Trade Policy and Legal Specialist. In her remarks, Mme Justice Ononaiwu stated: "I am honoured to serve as a Judge of the regions highest court. Our Caribbean Court of Justice plays a pivotal role in advancing the rule of law in CARICOM and building Caribbean jurisprudence. I will work assiduously with my colleagues in service of the Courts mission to provide accessible, fair and efficient justice for the people and States of the Community. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves with three of the 2024 Prime Minister Gold Medal recipients (l-r): Jay-Anna Edwards, Kerese Coizer and Mya John. Inset: Halei Williams-Douglas who was out of the state at the time of the Rally. Hundreds of students from across the country converged at Victoria Park on Thursday 24th October for the annual National Schools Independence Rally, which was part of the activities to celebrate the 45th Anniversary of of independence. The event also served to recognise the nations top scholars assessed on performances in the 2023/04 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) as administered by the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC). This year a record 104 students received scholarships and bursaries from the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. These included 32 national scholarships, 21 exhibition scholarships, 49 bursaries and 2 special awards. But it was an occasion, moreso, to recognise and award the top four performing students who, in addition to their scholarships, received the Prime Minister Gold Medal award. The four. all females and Girls High School alumni were: Mya John, Kerese Coizer, Jay-Anna Edwards and Halei Williams-Douglas. The Prime Minister Gold Medal awardees each received a gold medal, $20,000 and a five-year scholarship to the University of the West Indies. Speaking at the rally, Deputy Education Officer, Jocelyn Blake Browne congratulated the students for their outstanding achievement. "Your hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence has set you apart and made your families, your school and your nation incredibly proud. Attaining these scholarships is not a small feat, it is a reflection of your diligence, perseverance and the support of your teacher, she told the students. Minister of Education Curtis King in describing the scholarships, said that the national scholarships will cover full university education costs for a period of five years; the exhibition scholarships cover a duration of 3 years; the bursaries are $25,000 grants for three-year University programme, and the special awards are full 3-year scholarships. Special awards, he explained, are awarded to students who are over the stipulated age for the other scholarships. Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves said that the scholarships will cost the government a significant amount of money but the money will be made available. "When I saw the number of scholarships ... I tell you I was full of joy, at the same time, as they say in your home, me belly hurt me, because is plenty money... and I promised you I have the money and I will find even more money. Its a hundred and four (104) now, if next year is a 120, so be it because that is the philosophy which I bring to the table with this matter, declared the Prime Minister. Gangs have returned to terrorise the capitals population even as a Kenyan-led security force operates there. A gang attack in Port-au-Prince forced residents to flee their homes on Saturday as the gangs operating in and around the Haitian capital ramp up attacks on areas they do not yet control. Smoke from gunfights billowed above the capitals Solino neighborhood, where fleeing residents strapped mattresses, furniture, cooking supplies and other possessions to trucks. Others fled on foot carrying what belongings they could. Gangs have been escalating their attacks on a number of towns in and around the capital, where much of the city and its suburbs are under the control of various violent armed groups united under a common alliance known as Viv Ansanm. In Solino, thousands of residents have been displaced in recent days, including people who had previously been displaced from other neighborhoods, the U.N.s World Food Programme (WFP) said in a press conference on Friday. The total number of displaced people in Haiti has doubled in the past three months to almost 700,000, the WFP said. "I cant count the number of times Ive left my house ... Every time I arrive in a new area, I run away, said one man who did not wish to be identified. Exasperated Solino resident Kettelie Morose, who said she suffers from hypertension and other illnesses, said that "bandits had kicked her out of her home. "Im responsible for several children and I dont know what to do, she said. Haitis security crisis continues to fuel the Caribbean nations humanitarian disaster. The World Food Programme said on Friday that 5.4 million Haitians, or roughly half of the population, is suffering from acute hunger, with pockets of famine-level hunger being reported among internally displaced people. A U.N. helicopter aiding humanitarian efforts was hit by gunfire on Thursday while flying over Port-au-Prince, later landing safely, the WFP said. William Holder was hit at a spot which he would have traversed on many occasions. A resident of Villa is this countrys latest road fatality. According to a report from the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, the (RSVGPF), it is conducting an investigation into a fatal traffic accident that occurred on October 28, 2024, in Calliaqua. "According to preliminary reports, police responded to an incident where a motor vehicle struck pedestrian William Holder, a 44-year-old male resident of Villa, while he was on the sidewalk, the police report stated. Holder sustained severe injuries to his lower extremities and was transported by ambulance to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), where he later succumbed to his injuries. In extending condolences on social media many highlighted the situation as unfortunate, some alleging that the deceased was in the right and his family should be compensated for the loss. A video circulated on social media showed Holder moments before his death. He appeared to be in excruciating pain and his bloodied feet looked to be mangled. Amidst allegations that a police officer might have been behind the wheel of one of the vehicles involved in the incident, THE VINCENTIAN reached out to the Public Relations and Complaints Department of the RSVGPF for verification. Personnel there promised to relay the information when it became available. However, a source who was at the scene told THE VINCENTIAN that a car moving at a fast pace and heading in the direction of Kingstown, attempted to overtake a vehicle and in the process of doing so hit a gold SUV, causing it to lose control and hit Holder on the sidewalk. "There was an ambulance passing with a patient, and the driver stopped to find out what happened. After he saw the serious nature of Holders injuries, he organized a private ride for the patient in the ambulance and assisted the nurses in getting him to the hospital. I really admired what he did, because somebody else might have passed straight, said the source, who added that he had been told, though she could not determine the veracity of the statement, that a nurse was a passenger in one of the vehicles involved but she left the scene without offering any assistance. Thousands defy protest ban in Martinique even as France sends forbidden anti-riot force to the island. News reports on October 23, 2024 told of protesters with automatic weapons targeting police and firefighters in the French Caribbean island of Martinique, during a fresh round of violent demonstrations. No injuries were reported, but the government said in a statement that authorities were prevented from helping people during the protests that erupted late Tuesday in the community of Schoelcher, near the capital of Fort-de-France. Flaming barricades were set up in the area as demonstrators once again protested against the high cost of living. By Wednesday 29 October, international news agencies were reporting that protesters had torched cars and attacked police in a new night of trouble on the French Caribbean. Indications were, said one report, that violent demonstrations over rising living costs showed no signs of abating. The Martinique administration said seven cars had been burned and police attacked with stones and Molotov cocktails during unrest from late Monday into early Tuesday. Four young people were arrested. The protests began in September and prompted France to deploy special anti-riot police, known as the Companies for Republican Security, to Martinique, where officials also have imposed curfews. Beatrice Bellay, a representative of the socialist party on the island, blasted the move, saying: "Martinique is not in a civil war, it is a social war. She called for an "open and transparent dialogue between protesters and the government. Last week, government officials, importers, distributors and others signed a protocol aimed at reducing the price of basic goods and boosting local production, among other things. The government said the move would lead to an average reduction of 20% among the most consumed goods in Martinique. Despite those measures, the protests have persisted, with one large activist group refusing to sign the protocol, saying the measures taken are insufficient. Getting the studentsready for the rendition of the special Independence song. Westwood Methodist School on Wednesday 23rd, put on a cultural extravaganza dubbed "De Gud Ole Daiz, as part of its activities to mark the 45th Anniversary of Independence. The event was held at the school ground in Coulls Hill where the students, staff and parents converged to partake in cultural activities, savour some local dishes and drinks and view items of past generations. Among the food on sale were doucana, breadfruit and jackfish, cod fish and bakes and local juices. Those comprising the cultural component of the event included the Rose Hall Drummers, Pan Man Supa and soca artiste Fonando. There were others activities such as ring games, a netball match and the reading of old time stories. A number of items on display helped to give the students an insight into the Vincentian history, prior to the country gaining independence on October 27,1979. Principal of the Westwood Methodist School, Pearlette Harry told THE VINCENTIAN, "We as a staff, we got together with members of the PTA executive, and we agreed on a programme of activities, and to showcase food and items from long ago. Parents and other persons brought in the items and the staff prepared the food and the drinks, Principal Harry disclosed. She pointed to the grass mats, scrap mats, and a patch sheet that were on display and explained, "Persons were not wealthy, and you couldnt afford to buy like store made mats, and ready-made sheets. So, persons would utilize items that were readily available, and less costly, or free. Principal Harry was especially pleased the school had composed a song for the occasion and declared, "It was a lovely day and everyone enjoyed it. Joenetta Ellis, Teacher/ Performing Arts Coordinator at the school that the event has been taking place for a number of years but "went down a bit but now we have revived it, adding, "We are proud and quite satisfied with the event. and appreciate the recognition from the guests and performers. She recognized the contribution from the New Testament Church and promised, "greater things coming on next year. Elizabeth Zavala covers federal courts for the Express-News. She can be reached at ezavala@express-news.net. Zavala is a veteran reporter who has been a journalist for nearly 40 years. She joined the Express-News in 2013 and covered the Bexar County criminal courts for nine years. Liz grew up on the near West Side. She graduated from Fox Tech High School and Texas Womans University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism. Liz has worked in various reporting and editing positions at five daily newspapers in Texas, including The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Denton Record-Chronicle. (TBTCO) - Sau cuoc hop voi Thu tuong tai hoi nghi Thuong truc Chinh phu cung cac ngan hang thuong mai, hang loat ngan hang a tung ra cac goi vay mua nha cho nguoi tre voi lai suat sieu thap va thoi han vay dai. Tuy nhien, voi gia nha cao nhu hien tai, viec vay e so huu ngoi nha au tien co the khien nguoi tre oi mat voi bai toan tai chinh ay thach thuc. Former President Donald Trump greets members of the National Guard on the U.S.-Mexico border in February. Trump has said "the enemy from within," a group he said includes former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is a greater threat to the country than Russia or China. Eric Gay/Associated Press National Guard members head toward the U.S. Capitol for a rehearsal for Joe Biden's presidential inauguration on Jan. 18, 2021. Former President Donald Trump has said that, if elected to a second term, he would use the armed forces to confront what he called "the enemy from within." Patrick Semansky/Associated Press Vice President Kamala Harris greets members of the military near a C-17 cargo plane after receiving a briefing on the damage caused by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. Harris says former President Donald Trump's recent statements about confronting "the enemy from within" show he is a threat to democracy. Chris Carlson/Associated Press Former President Donald Trump has said "the enemy from within," a group he said includes former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is a greater threat to the country than Russia or China. Evan Vucci/Associated Press Vice President Kamala Harris says Donald Trump's threats to go after "the enemy from within" show he is a threat to democracy. Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press Comments by Donald Trump that some have interpreted as a threat to use the armed forces against political adversaries have turned up the temperature in a tense campaign and prompted Vice President Kamala Harris to call the former president a threat to democracy. Trumps allies say Harris and her supporters are twisting his words and overreacting to rhetorical flourishes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The back-and-forth is of more than passing interest to one particular subset of the electorate: retired generals. The San Antonio Express-News asked a dozen of them for their assessment of Trumps comments and what they thought would happen if he, or any president, sought to mobilize the military against political opponents. Several of the generals said they took Trumps comments seriously and thought there was a risk he might try to use the armed forces to suppress opposition. But most said such concerns were overblown and that Trump would never do such a thing. All of them asserted that even if Trump tried to deploy the military to repress political opposition, commanders and subordinate officers would refuse to go along. The lone exception to this view was retired Marine Lt. Gen. Paul Van Riper, a famously iconoclastic former commander of the 2d Marine Division. Van Riper said the possibility that Trump, if elected to a second term, might try to use troops against what the former president has described as the enemy from within was keeping him up at night. He said he worried that after meeting resistance from top commanders, Trump would keep going down the chain of command until he found a weak link. "What I don't have a good feel for is what would the troops do," said Van Riper, 86, a Purple Heart veteran of the Vietnam War. "If they know it's an illegal order, would they obey him? I just don't believe any senior serving officer would follow it, but he'll find one ... I think anything's a possibility. It's a nightmare scenario." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Retired Army Gen. Mark Milley served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for a year under then-President Donald Trump. Now I realize hes a total fascist," Milley told journalist Bob Woodward. "He is the most dangerous person to this country. Susan Walsh /Associated Press 'Some very bad people' Concern about potential misuse of the military stems from statements Trump has made about the enemy from within. In an interview on Fox News on Oct. 13, Trump, when asked whether he expected unrest on Election Day, said: I think the bigger problem are the people from within. We have some very bad people. We have some sick people radical left lunatics. It should be very easily handled by, if necessary, the National Guard or, if really necessary, by the military. In a subsequent interview on Fox, Trump expanded on the idea that his political adversaries are enemies of the country and cited as examples two leading Democrats: former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, who was lead prosecutor in Trump's first impeachment trial in 2020. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We have two enemies, Trump said. We have the outside enemies, and we have the enemies from within, and the enemy within, in my opinion, is much more dangerous than China or Russia and all these countries, because if you have a smart president, he can handle them pretty easily The thing thats tougher to handle are these lunatics that we have inside. When you look at Shifty Schiff and some of the others, yeah, they are, to me, the enemy from within, Trump said. I think Nancy Pelosi is an enemy from within. Professional soldiers who served under Trump, notably retired Marine Gen. John Kelly and retired Army Gen. Mark Milley, have said the former president should be taken seriously when he hints at making the military an instrument of political retribution. Kelly was Trump's chief of staff; Milley was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for one year of Trump's presidency. 'I cannot go there' The retired generals interviewed by the Express-News differed on whether Trump might attempt to use the military in such a manner. But with the exception of Van Riper, they insisted Trump wouldn't succeed even if he tried. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I just can't imagine military people that are out there right now, and I know there are probably some that support Trump, but I can't imagine any of those guys being willing to shoot down American citizens," said retired Maj. Gen. Chris Divich, a former commander of the Air Training Center at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, which oversaw Air Force basic and technical training. "I could be wrong. It happens in other countries all the time. But I just don't think that's going to happen here," Divich said. Retired Army Maj. Gen. Alfredo Freddie Valenzuela, 76, of San Antonio, a former commander of U.S. Army South, also said he couldn't imagine commanders acquiescing in a crackdown on political dissidents. I am absolutely confident that theyll say no," he said. As for the comments by Trump that stirred concern, Valenzuela said, "I think its a bluff. I think its rhetoric. Democrats seem to kind of blow this all out of proportion." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Retired Army Maj. Gen. Charles Rodriguez, 71, a former adjutant general of the Texas National Guard, said Trump's apparent linkage between "the enemy from within" and military action should not be taken lightly. "Something that he says is certainly something he might do, so its of great concern," he said. But Rodriguez said he was confident Trump would not be able to carry out such a threat, even if wanted to. "It takes multiples of people to make things happen in the military," Rodriguez said. "Its not just those who are currently in positions of authority. They have mentors, they have friends, they have retiree buddies who are in positions all over the country, and so the sobriety network is very strong." Retired Army Maj. Gen. Sam Turk, an avowed Trump supporter, said fears that the former president would use the armed forces for political reprisals were unfounded. He said he doesn't believe Trump ever suggested he would. "I just dont believe hes that type of person to use the military against the citizenry of the United States of America," said Turk, 88, a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War and a former commander of the Texas National Guard. "I cannot go there." Another former Texas Guard commander, retired Army Maj. Gen. Wayne Marty, 83, of San Antonio, was of a similar mind. "There are going to be some changes if he gets in," he said. "But I dont think he would use the military to go after those people. I just dont think so. That would cause a great deal of problems. In my estimation, its really a non-story." Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. John Nichols, 67, said resistance to any unlawful order from a president would be vigorous. "I dont know how hed do it," Nichols said of Trump. "I mean, hed have to fire every general there is, because theyd say no. Maybe by the time hes fired everybody but the lieutenants, they might do it. But other than that, I think were ethically bound to support and defend the Constitution of the United States." The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 bars the military from being involved in civilian law enforcement. The Insurrection Act of 1792, however, permits exceptions: It allows the president to deploy military forces within the nation's borders to suppress "any insurrection, domestic violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy." The act has has been invoked sparingly in modern times by Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson to enforce court orders desegregating schools and other institutions, and by President George H.W. Bush in 1992 to quell riots in Los Angeles. To deploy troops under the Insurrection Act, a president must determine that federal constitutional rights are not being protected, that there is a threat to federal government operations or that governors or legislatures have requested help, said Geoffrey Corn, the George R. Killam Jr. chair of criminal law and director of the Center for Military Law and Policy at Texas Tech University School of Law. 'The Republic is continuing' Many of the generals interviewed by the Express-News cited with pride the military's tradition of staying out of partisan politics. Retired Brig. Gen. Michael Longoria, a Houston native and Lamar High School graduate who led Air Force close-air support operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, said that throughout his 30 years in uniform, he had kept politics out of all his interactions with troops and commanders. "I dont like it when Republicans politicize the military and I dont like it when Democrats do it. Ive been in the military a long time, and I never told one person who ever worked for me how to vote, who to vote for, and no one ever knew under my command whether I was a Republican or a Democrat because it didnt matter," he said. Nichols said the debate over Trump's intentions reflected the agitated state of the nation's politics. "How many elections have people said, if this persons elected its the end of America?" asked Nichols, who flew an F-16 fighter during the first Persian Gulf war. "How many times have we heard that? And each partys said it. Trumps first term, America didnt end. Obamas didnt cause it to end. Clinton didnt cause it to end, and Bush and Reagan didnt cause America to end. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund today (October 31) signed an agreement at 8th edition of FII in Riyadh with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) to work towards jointly anchoring a new investment fund, with a target size of $1 billion. Under the MoU, the fund would explore investment in manufacturing, renewables, fintech, and healthcare, supporting the localization of companies connected to Hong Kong and the Greater Bay area in Saudi Arabia. It would create highly skilled local jobs and drive economic growth by fostering regional champions in the target sectors. It would reinforce Hong Kongs position as one of the worlds leading financial hubs, leveraging its diverse talent pool, efficient financial infrastructure and deep liquidity. The signing of this MoU is a new milestone that underlines the economic ties between two leading institutions: PIF and HKMA. The proposed new fund aligns with PIFs economic diversification and sustainability strategy. This partnership has the potential to drive shared prosperity by investing in industries that will shape future economies. It combines HKMAs long-term investment expertise with PIFs strategy for the target sectors. The new fund would promote foreign direct investments via Hong Kong, providing a platform for companies to internationalize their businesses and access attractive investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia.-TradeArabia News Service Hong Kong-based AIFT, a global leader in cybersecurity and insurance technology, has forged two significant partnerships with two leading Saudi Arabian companies, at the recently-held Future Investment Initiative Summit in Riyadh, to enhance digital insurance solutions. The partnerships were sealed at the summit (October 29-30) in the presence of Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan. The first partnership was signed with Walaa Cooperative Insurance, a leading Saudi Arabian insurance company. Robin Scott, AIFTs General Manager of the Middle East, said: AIFT is expanding quickly in markets that have a clear focus on global mega trends like AI and Web3 such as Saudi Arabia. With these two partnerships we are delighted to strengthen our ties with our friends in Saudi Arabia. AIFT first announced that its insurance company OneDegree is working with Walaa in September at the 24Fintech Summit in Riyadh. The collaboration will see Walaa serve as a reinsurer for OneDegrees digital asset products globally. Johnson Varughese, the Chief Executive Officer of Walaa, said: We are pleased to reinforce our partnership with OneDegree. Walaa aims to be at the forefront of developments in the insurance industry. OneDegree, with their innovative digital asset products, is an ideal partner to pursue such cutting-edge progress. The second partnership was signed with Melon, an InsurTech company operating in Saudi Arabia. This partnership aims to establish a digital insurance agency in the Kingdom, initially focusing on delivering high-quality pet insurance solutions. Melon is currently working with the Saudi Insurance Authority to obtain a Managing General Agent licence. Through the collaboration with AIFT, Melon will gain access to AIFTs advanced insurance platform, IXT, which will be integrated with Melons own system. Nasser Alshikhnasser, CEO of Melon, said: AIFTs extensive market expertise and innovative digital tools are crucial assets as Melon enters Saudi Arabias growing insurance and InsurTech industry. Collaborating closely with the Saudi Insurance Authority, this partnership is set to address the rising demand for pet insurance, aligning with the nations Vision 2030 objectives. The partnership is positioned to make Melon a frontrunner in the emerging pet insurance market, supported by an initial investment from AIFT. - TradeArabia News Service Arab Bank Group has posted net income after tax of $748.6 million in the first nine months (9M) of this year compared to $630.3 million for the same period last year, an increase of 19%. The groups assets grew by 6% reaching $70.5 billion. At constant currency loans grew by 8% to reach $38.3 billion, while deposits grew by 7% to reach $51.9 billion. The group maintained its solid capital base with a total equity of $11.9 billion. Sabih Masri, Chairman of the Board of Directors, stated that the results reflect the successful and consistent execution of the groups growth strategy and its prudent approach towards managing risks, liquidity and capital to ensure achieving growth objectives despite challenging market environment. Growth milestones Randa Sadik, Chief Executive Officer, stated that the group continues to achieve growth milestones across different segments. Sadik highlighted that the banks net operating income grew by 12% driven by diversified core banking activities, and improvement of operating efficiency. She added that the groups performance in the first nine months of this year reflect its business model resilience to challenging market conditions with loan-to-deposit ratio at 73.9%, and credit provisions against non-performing loans above 100%, and capital adequacy ratio of 17.7%. Sadik emphasised the groups focus on digital transformation as a fundamental pillar of its innovation-based strategy; providing digital financial solutions across all channels to enrich customers experience. --TradeArabia News Service Tecom Group, the creator of specialised business districts and vibrant communities, reported a record nine-month (9M) result, with a 10% rise in revenue to AED1.7 billion and a 23% increase in net profit to AED943 million ($257 million). Underpinned by strong demand from existing and new customers, Tecom Group also reported its record third-quarter performance, with quarterly revenues increasing 12% YoY to AED611 million and quarterly net profit rising 20% YoY to AED340 million. Our record nine-month and third-quarter performance demonstrates Tecom Groups commitment to delivering sustainable, long-term growth by harnessing Dubais pro-business framework, said Abdulla Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer of Tecom Group. High occupancy We have achieved significant growth in revenue and profitability, driven by high occupancy rates across our diversified portfolio of premium commercial, industrial, and land lease assets. This performance further underscores our ability to attract and retain top companies across six vital sectors. Our prudent financial strategies and proactive cost management initiatives have also contributed significantly to our impressive bottom-line performance and enhanced our shareholder value. Revenue increase was driven by new customers, sustained growth in rental rates, and healthy occupancy levels across all business segments. Occupancy across the groups commercial and industrial assets grew YoY from 88% to 94%, while land occupancy reached 90% at the end of September 2024, driven by healthy demand for premium Grade-A office spaces, in addition to storage and logistics facilities, as Dubai continues to attract global businesses and talent. Customer numbers grew by 9% to reach more than 11,800, with global industry leaders such as Hisense and OZON Pharmaceuticals among the Groups new customers. Retention rates in the commercial and industrial sectors stood at 90% and 95% respectively as of September 30, 2024, highlighting the group's exceptional value proposition and its track record of exceeding customer expectations. Increase in EBITDA EBITDA increased by 13% YoY to AED1.4 billion with the EBITDA margin expanding by 2% to reach 79% in the first nine months of 2024, driven mainly by improved revenue quality and cost savings in line with groups strategy to optimise its core business. Net profit growth reflects positive financial performance across all areas of the business as Dubais growing attractiveness to investors. Funds from operations (FFO) grew by 20% YoY to more than AED1.2 billion, attributable to the improved performance of income-generating assets and enhanced operational effectiveness across the portfolio yielding positive results. Q3 2024 Revenue grew by 12% YoY to AED611 million in Q3 2024 the Groups highest third-quarter results as the Group responded to Dubais robust economic fundamentals and addressed growing demand for premium commercial and industrial real estate assets in the city. EBITDA noted YoY growth of 22% to AED500 million and EBITDA margin increased to 82% in Q3 2024, reflecting strong revenue growth and enhanced operational efficiencies. Net profit increased by 20% YoY to AED340 million in Q3 2024, underpinned by healthy revenue growth and the optimisation of operating costs, alongside lowered costs due to prudent cash management measures. Strategic asset investments highlights Tecom Group completed AED2 billion worth of strategic asset investments in the first nine months of 2024, including the acquisition of a land bank spanning 13.9 million sq.ft. for industrial leasing at Dubai Industrial City and two operational Grade-A office buildings, as well as the launch of Innovation Hub Phase 3 within Dubai Internet City, and the launch of Phase 2 of Dubai Design District (d3). The investments are aligned with the groups strategic roadmap for sustainable growth through targeted acquisitions and the development of high-quality commercial real estate. The investments were further uplifted by the acquisition of Office Park, which upon initiation during Q3 2024 raised Tecom Groups total asset investments during 2024 to AED2.7 billion. The group will continue to focus on project delivery across its business districts, with Phase 2 of Innovation Hub, which is fully leased out, on track to be handed over by the first quarter of 2025. The second phase of storage and logistics spaces under development at Dubai Science Park are set for delivery in Q1 2025. Pre-construction work is also underway on Phase 3 of Innovation Hub at Dubai Internet City and Phase 2 of Dubai Design District (d3).--TradeArabia News Service Folk Marine Services Company, a comopany of Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF, has announced the launch of a new regional shipping route "India-Arabian Gulf Service," connecting key GCC ports, including Dammam and Umm Qasr, with two major commercial ports in India, Nhava Sheva and Mundra. The new service began yesterday (October 30), departing from Dammam with the vessel "Asterius," which has a capacity of 1,827 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The service will shift to a weekly schedule by December, transporting imports from India to Umm Qasr. The route aims to strengthen trade ties with India; facilitate the flow of consumer goods, petrochemicals, and essential commodities; and support the expanding strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and India. The service also promotes regional and international market connectivity, with a focus on Asian, African, and European trade routes. Dammam Port, one of the top 10 ports in the Middle East with an annual throughput of 2.7 million TEUs, plays a crucial role in both regional and global supply chains. Folk Marine Services Companys chief executive highlighted that the new route addresses critical gaps in logistics and supports the companys mission of connecting major ports, industries, and shipping lines worldwide. The route aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to position Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub, enhancing Dammam's strategic role as a major logistics center. The milestone also marks Folk Marine as the first Saudi company to offer this service. GFH Financial Group (GFH), a leading financial institution with a strong focus on logistics sector based in Bahrain, has signed a Head of Terms with Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC), one of the regions top logistics providers. The collaboration will see GFH power GWCs expansion plans by developing 200,000 sq m Grade A logistics facilities across key locations in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. As part of the Head of Terms, GFH will finance and oversee the development of these state-of-the-art logistics spaces, tailored to meet GWCs specific operational requirements, while GWC will lead the technical development of these facilities while being the anchor tenant once completed. GWC will leverage its expertise in logistics and supply chain solutions to ensure the facilities are optimized to serve the clients needs. This signing is part of GFHs ongoing commitment to strengthening Saudi Arabias logistics infrastructure, which aligns with the kingdoms Vision 2030 objectives to diversify the economy and establish the country as a global logistics hub. On the deal, Razi Almerbati, the Chief Executive Officer of GFH Capital, said the group's collaboration with GWC marks a significant step in advancing Saudi Arabias logistics infrastructure. "By combining GFHs financial strength and focus on the logistics sector with GWCs logistics prowess, we are confident this development will further cement Saudi Arabias position as a logistics leader in the region," he stated. Matthew Kearns, Deputy CEO at GWC, said: "This Head of Terms with GFH will open the horizon to tailored supply chain solutions that meets the increasing demand for high quality logistics solutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, further supporting the Kingdoms 2030 vision." "GWC is proud to deploy its logistics and supply chain expertise, offering world-class logistics solutions for clientele across the Kingdom," he added. The Head of Terms states that GWC will be responsible for operating the logistics facilities to serve its expanding client base across the Kingdom, incorporating cutting-edge technologies, highest sustainability standards and optimal operational infrastructure to meet the highest industry standards. The facilities will provide GWC with the capacity to manage and optimize its logistics operations efficiently, supporting the companys growth and enhancing the countrys logistics capabilities.-TradeArabia News Service Emsteel, one of the largest publicly traded steel and building materials manufacturers in the region, has seen its nine-month (9M) revenues fall 9% to AED5.9 billion ($1.6 billion). This revenue decrease is primarily attributed to several market dynamics, including fluctuations in global steel prices, heightened competition, and evolving demand patterns influenced by economic uncertainties in key markets. However, Emsteel maintained overall steel production volumes in line with the rate attained for the same period of 2023. Low-priced Chinese steel Emsteel's profitability margins have been significantly impacted by a surge of low-priced Chinese steel exports, which have directly or indirectly influenced prices across many of the groups strategic markets, including GCC and Emsteel's key export destinations such as Europe and the US. For 9M, Emsteel recorded EBITDA of AED645 million, with an EBITDA margin of 11.0%, compared to 13.6% in 2023. The groups net profit before tax stood at AED101 million. Revenue from the groups Emirates Steel division totalled AED5.34 billion during the nine months period, generating a profit before tax of AED20 million. Emirates Steels performance was affected by adverse global market conditions and a one-off provision of AED83 million in relation to a legal claim which is subject to appeal. Revenue from the groups Emirates Cement division was AED537 million during the first nine months of 2024, with profit before tax of AED81 million. The net profit margin for Emirates Cement increased to 15%, compared to 14% during the first nine months of 2023. Robust liquidity position As of the end of Q3 2024, the group continued to maintain a robust liquidity position of AED623 million cash in hand compared to AED426 million as of December 31, 2023. The results demonstrate overall adaptability across the groups operations, showcasing the resilience of its Steel division (Emirates Steel) in navigating challenging market conditions, as well as the continued improvement of profitability of its Building Materials division (Emirates Cement). Strategic highlights The group has been awarded five prestigious "UAE Industry 4.0 Digital Leader" titles by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), demonstrating its unwavering commitment to advancing digital transformation in the steel industry. In September 2024, the group was appointed as co-chair of the Alliance for Industry Decarbonisation (AFID) led by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Emsteel will be co-chairing the renowned global industrial alliance alongside Siemens Energy, replacing TATA Steel within the alliance leadership role. Eng Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Emsteel, said: During 9M 2024, Emsteel continued to demonstrate resilience and adaptability in responding to challenging market conditions putting pressure on steel price, including declining global demand for steel, regional political instability and economic challenges, subdued activity and a surge in Chinese steel exports to international markets. With our continued focus on innovation and sustainability, we are committed to bringing advanced solutions to the market towards driving low-carbon products across the industry. Our pilot project with Masdar is one that we are particularly proud of and is key in decarbonising a hard-to-abate sector. We will continue to forge strategic partnerships and pioneer innovative solutions to build a better world for all.--TradeArabia News Service Global tech corporation FPT has announced the opening of its regional headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of its global expansion strategy to meet the rising demand for digital services and solutions. This expansion marks FPT the first Vietnamese firm licensed for regional operations in Saudi Arabia, reaffirming its dedication to the Kingdoms digital transformation and Vision 2030. The opening ceremony coincided with Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located in the heart of the regions largest economy, the Riyadh headquarters positions FPT closer to key clients and unlocks new business opportunities. By leveraging FPT's global network and extensive expertise in AI and semiconductors, along with deep insights in manufacturing, banking, government, transportation, and beyond, the regional headquarters strengthens the companys ability to expand its regional presence and enhance service delivery throughout the Middle East. Dang Tran Phuong, FPT Softwares Senior Executive Vice President said: "As we continue to expand our global presence and client base, the Middle East remains an important part of our strategy. Our strategic direction aligns closely with that of the region, particularly in AI." "With our extensive experience in this market, we understand the unique aspects of the business culture in the Middle East and are dedicated to actively collaborating with local companies and enhancing local recruitment. This commitment enables us to provide the best services for our clients while consistently supporting them on their digital transformation journeys," stated Phuong As the first Vietnam-based enterprise authorized for regional operations in Saudi Arabia, FPT is poised to meet the regions growing demand for advanced technology, he noted. With a young, tech-savvy population across the Middle East driving digital adoption in various industries, FPT is well-positioned to seize new business opportunities, foster local employment, facilitate cultural exchange, and promote knowledge transfer, said the top official. The new regional headquarters is also set to build sustainable partnerships with public and private entities, playing an active role in advancing Saudi Arabia and the regions technological ecosystem, he added. The International Geotechnical Innovation Conference (IGIC UAE) 2024 wrapped up a successful two-day event where industry leaders, academics, and geotechnical experts gathered to explore transformative advancements in the field. The conference, led by Dr Ala Sainak, Adnocs Geotechnical Lead, provided a robust platform for exchanging ideas on sustainable and innovative geotechnical practices vital to the regions infrastructure. The conference opened with a keynote by Prof Dr-Ing Rolf Katzenbach from the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany, discussing environmentally friendly geotechnical solutions to address climate challenges. Prof Dr Lyesse Laloui of EPFL presented bio-cementation as a cutting-edge approach for soil stabilisation in arid climates. Attendees engaged in a panel on foundation systems for high-rise buildings, moderated by Dr Ala Sainak, which addressed strategies for overcoming desert soil challenges and enhancing seismic resilience. Geotechnical monitoring Afternoon sessions showcased innovations in geotechnical monitoring, with Dr Tamer Al Hafez of Dubai Municipality discussing Dubais Deep Tunnels Program, and industry pioneers from EBI and Bauer Maschinen sharing advancements in soil density and stability techniques. The day concluded with discussions on sustainable coastal development, emphasising eco-friendly soil stabilisation and AI-driven optimisation. The second day offered real-world applications and case studies, beginning with a presentation by Astrid Aubury of ARQ Partners on dam construction over complex ground conditions in Oman. It continued with a session by Dr Khalid Al Bloushi of UAE University, who discussed geophysical studies supporting building permits in Abu Dhabi. An innovation showcase presented by Romain Clavaud of Fugro and Mohamed Wehbi of Geobear highlighted data-driven decision-making and geopolymer injections for GCC geotechnical challenges. The event closed with discussions on green construction and ground improvement case studies, emphasising eco-friendly practices and advanced modeling techniques. IGIC UAE 2024 delivered actionable insights for enhancing geotechnical resilience in the UAE and beyond, marking a pivotal step in the region's infrastructure and environmental stewardship.--TradeArabia News Service The Fort Bend County Justice Center is seen, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Richmond. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer A candidate for Fort Bend County constable who owns more than 150 vape stores across Texas is seeking a temporary restraining order against other local candidates, alleging they slandered his business practices and candidacy. Ali Sheikhani, the Republican candidate for constable in Precinct 3, filed the request for a restraining order alongside his company, the Sheikhani Group and Vape City, against five individuals, including Mo Nehad, candidate for Fort Bend County sheriff, Summara Kanwal, candidate for state House District 26 and Rehan Ahmed, candidate for Fort Bend ISD trustee. GUIDE TO NOV. 5: 2024 Texas Voter Guide covers key local and national races in the general election Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sheikhani alleges they have made false allegations that he is engaging in criminal activity, selling illegal Delta-9 products in his vape stores and owning adult stores, according to court records. The requested order filed in Fort Bend County district court last week urges the defendants to not defame or spread false information about Sheikhanis political candidacy and business practices. Sheikhani also wants a judge to order the defendants not to contact or try to influence Sheikhanis political backers and supporters with what he says is libel or slander about him. Christopher Meyer, the attorney for the defendants, whom Meyer called "Mo and his friends," declined to talk specifics about the order, but said he plans to request a jury trial to fight it. Meyer said a jury trial was tentatively set for Nov. 7, two days after Tuesday's general election. We are very confident in our legal position and look forward to presenting our case in court, Meyer said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sheikhani is the target of a federal lawsuit that accuses him and his company, the Sheikhani group, of selling illegal Delta-9 products to consumers at a store location in Tyler. Sheikhanis chain of vape stores is one of the largest sellers of Delta-8 pens across the state, with the product sold at over 150 retail locations, according to court records. Maliha Mian, an attorney representing Sheikhani in the federal suit, said Sheikhani is being "severely defamed" and is the target of a smear campaign of baseless accusations about him. The lawsuit, filed a year ago in the Eastern District of Texas, is still ongoing. Consumers allege that they bought what they thought were legal Delta-8 pens from Sheikhani, but they say the products contained illegal amounts of Delta-9 THC, according to court records. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That means consumers bought the vape pens assuming the products were legal, but they were unknowingly getting high and putting themselves at risk of failing drug tests. Luther Scutter, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs, said the case is about protecting consumers. He said some of his clients have lost jobs or been arrested. He [Sheikhani] is selling marijuana, Scutter said. Sheikhani dismissed the lawsuit as bogus, claiming all products he sells are legal and checked for certificates through an in-company compliance department. I try to follow the law because Im a police officer and the CEO of a company, Sheikhani said. Sheikhani, who works as a reserve police officer for the Hitchcock police department, has built his campaign on increasing public safety, with an emphasis on his background in law enforcement. Scutter said if Sheikhani was truly concerned about public safety, he'd re-test the products. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sheikhani said he believes hes being targeted and not just through litigation. Relatively new to the political scene and originally from Pakistan, Sheikhani's campaign for constable is funded by a loan of $1.5 million from his personal funds, and his campaign has spent more than $1.2 million since last January, according to public campaign finance reports. His opponent and the incumbent Democrat, Nabil Shike, has spent just over $43,000 by comparison. When I started, I didnt know how much it cost, so I put some money from my pocket because Im new to politics," Sheikhani said. "Im from Pakistan. I have to spend some money to show people my face. A lot of people make a fool out of me." He said owning vape shops is not wrong, and that he's a businessman who also invests in other types of products. Sheikhani is the CEO of an investment company, which touts involvement in an array of industries, such as retail and food, real estate, energy and gas, plus philanthropy in Pakistan. Sheikhanis opponent, Shike, said Sheikhani lacks enough law enforcement experience to run the constables office and has just a business mindset. Shike also said he feels Sheikhanis role in the smoke shop industry presents a danger to public safety. One of your duties as a law enforcement official is to keep our kids safe and keep them away from things like vaping and tobacco products. If hes in this position as constable, what kind of message is he sending to our kids? Shike said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Everyone in the GOP shouldve raised the question when [Sheikhani] came on. Both parties need to do a better job at vetting candidates." Sheikhani said he aims to shift his career focus through his run for office and plans to resign as CEO if he wins to focus on the constable's job. He said Precinct 3 is understaffed, has lost security contracts and has a "toxic work environment." He said said he plans to completely redo county law enforcement by bringing in a reserve deputy program, a new police chief, a new captain and a new team thats more experienced. He also said he would try to pull officers from HPD and the Harris County Sheriffs office. Lootah Biofuels, a pioneer in the circular economy producing biofuels from used cooking oils, has discussed potential collaboration with Savico Group, one of Vietnams largest companies in the circular economy and green tech sectors. The discussions took place during Lootah Biofuels' participation in the VietnamUAE Business Forum, organised by Vietnam's Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Vietnamese Embassy in cooperation with Dubai Chambers. The forum included the participation of Pham Minh Chin, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Abdulaziz Al-Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chambers; Mohammed Ali Rashid Lootah, Director General of Dubai Chambers; and a number of officials, business leaders, and investors from both nations. Bilateral cooperation At the forum, Yousif bin Saeed Lootah, Founder and CEO of Lootah Biofuels, and Dr Nguyen Thanh Hong, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Savico Group, discussed strategies to strengthen bilateral cooperation aimed at achieving sustainable development goals in the UAE and Vietnam. Lootah said: We are delighted to collaborate with Savico Group, recognised for its investment in green technology and renewable energy, including offshore wind projects, liquefied natural gas, hydrogen production, carbon certification, and sustainable aviation fuel production through alliances with leading international energy companies. We aim to deepen our partnership to contribute to advancing sustainable energy solutions, which aligns with the UAEs strategic vision and energy diversification goals in support of Net Zero targets. He added: The VietnamUAE Business Forum highlighted the importance of enhancing economic cooperation and promoting joint investments in critical sectors, with a focus on green economy opportunities, digital transformation, and innovation. We are committed to leveraging the opportunities presented by the sustainability and circular economy sectors as part of our ongoing efforts to support clean energy and advance the biofuel industry, contributing to the UAE Climate Neutrality Strategy 2050 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Innovative biofuel technologies In its pursuit of innovative biofuel technologies and sustainable energy solutions, Lootah Biofuels has entered strategic partnerships with leading global organisations such as FatHopes Energy in Malaysia and Deasyl SA. These partnerships aim to develop and distribute sustainable aviation fuel, along with other advanced biofuel solutions. Lootah Biofuels is also committed to supporting the UAE Circular Economy Strategy, which outlines sustainable practices for the private sector, and the National Biofuels Policy, which promotes sustainable fuel alternatives and energy diversification. The company has set a goal of increasing biodiesels share in the national fuel mix to 20% by 2050.--TradeArabia News Service ICT Industry leaders and experts have underscored how 5G-Advanced will be crucial in driving digital transformation and fostering regional economic growth. At the global Mobile Broadband Forum (MBBF) in Istanbul for the third Elite FWA Club roundtable, experts discussed the future of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and, in particular, 5G-Advanced FWA; its transformative impact in the development of regional digital economies, and its significance in meeting meaningful connectivity goals. The high-level roundtable, with Elite FWA Club rotating chairpersons of the FWA Working Groups sub-groups on Experience Management and Service Innovation, stc Kuwait and Omantel, respectively, alongside the leadership of Samena Telecommunications Council and Huawei, highlighted the GCC region's global leadership in 5G FWA implementation, assessed prospects of growth, and sketched a roadmap for 5G-Advanced technology adoption. Crucial platform Building on the momentum from its inaugural meeting, held in Dubai in December 2023, the Elite FWA Club, created to assist in accelerating FWA adoption across the Middle East and other markets where 5G deployment is in progress, has emerged as a crucial platform for knowledge sharing and strategic collaboration in advancing FWA technologies across the region. Bocar BA, CEO and Board Member of the Samena Telecommunications Council, highlighted how 5G-Advanced adds greater intelligence and security capabilities. Alongside enhanced machine learning capabilities, the technology supports applications such as extended reality, industrial IoT, and smart agriculture, which play direct roles in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). "FWA is instrumental in augmenting our efforts toward ensuring digital inclusion, connecting the unconnected more cost-effectively. In support of the ITUs initiatives and the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development recommendations, the Samena Council is supporting broadband infrastructure development through innovative funding approaches that it helped create. FWA presents a compelling option in this regard, BA stated. BA also highlighted various initiatives and platforms created to support the work of the Elite FWA Club. These include the Samena Elite, an FWA dedicated e-publication, and the FWA Info Series, comprising both video and written content, curated to empower professionals with the latest insights, survey findings, best practices, and innovation updates within the FWA market segment. Addressing climactic conditions Abdulaziz Al Deweesh from stc Kuwait, explored how 5G-Advanced helps address the unique climatic conditions in Kuwait and the Middle East, where homes and buildings are constructed to accommodate extreme weather conditions. Outdoor Unit (ODU)-based FWA services help overcome signal penetration challenges, resulting in notably higher customer satisfaction, retention, and utilisation rates than traditional 5G router users. "The enhanced capabilities of 5G-Advanced FWA, such as higher data rates, lower latency, and improved network capacity of the new spectrum, will have a significant impact on the end users when it comes to their daily usage and productivity. It will also open doors to new and emerging used cases such as AR, VR, cloud computing, and much more. Additionally, it will enable us to support critical IoT use cases that require ultra-reliable and low-latency communication," Al Deweesh added. Omantel has implemented a comprehensive 5G FWA strategy, focusing on advanced network optimisation through millimeter wave technology and carrier aggregation. Additionally, the operator has established strategic partnerships with device manufacturers to ensure device availability and compatibility across its network. Through market-specific pricing plans and customised service bundles, Omantel addresses the unique demands of the Omani market while investing significantly in customer education and support programs to enhance the overall user experience. Hani Al Mukhaini, Senior Manager of Network Design at Omantel, stated: "Our commitment to extensive network coverage and capacity optimisation has enabled us to deliver best-in-class experiences. We are now gearing up for 5G-Advanced to enhance network capabilities further and maintain our position at the forefront of technology development." Through comprehensive technological and strategic initiatives, Huawei has established itself as a key enabler of the 5G FWA ecosystem in the Middle East region. Through advanced network optimisation tools and zero-touch provisioning solutions, Huawei enables telecom operators to efficiently manage their 5G FWA networks while maintaining superior user experience. This technological leadership is complemented by strategic consulting and implementation support, helping regional operators achieve their business objectives through a deep understanding of local market dynamics. Unprecedented growth Edwin Wang, Vice President, Global 5G Marketing and Solution Sales at Huawei, said: "As we enter the 5G-Advanced and AI era, FWA is positioned to experience unprecedented growth by addressing traditional connectivity challenges. With the introduction of 5G-A CPE, were upgrading the FWA experience from Fiber like to Fiber same and enabling multi-service like 4K TV and Cloud Gaming Bundled to enhance the offer attractiveness; meanwhile, RedCap CPE/MiFi brings a significant reduction of device costs, targeting entry-level user and 4G Cat 4 CPE migration, effectively offloading 4G. Looking forward, CPE will be the Smart Home Hub portal, not only a device for connectivity but also with multimodal and AI function integration, providing camera/voice control/edge computing power. Participants at the FWA roundtable explored how the technology is enabling critical use cases across various sectors. In healthcare, this includes connected ambulances and remote patient monitoring. In education, virtual classrooms bring learning opportunities to impoverished areas with insufficient infrastructure. The technology also advances transportation systems and supports environmental sustainability initiatives through energy-efficient solutions and smart city development. The discussion brought to the fore how regional operators are aligning their 5G-Advanced initiatives with national visions, such as Kuwait Vision 2035 and Oman Vision 2040, particularly in areas of sustainability and digital transformation. Both stc Kuwait and Omantel shared their comprehensive approaches to sustainable practices, including energy-efficient infrastructure deployment and carbon footprint reduction initiatives.--TradeArabia News Service Schneider Electric, a leader in the digital transformation of energy management, automation, has announced the official launch of its new venture in Abu Dhabi - Taqana Energy Solutions - set up in partnership with Arab Development Establishment (ADE). The factory launch aligns with the UAEs 'Make it in the Emirates' initiative and builds on the nations commitment to bolstering local industries. It will play a pivotal role in manufacturing a range of highly advanced energy solutions designed to support the UAE's industrial growth. The facility highlights the companys commitment to enhancing in-country value and cultivating local talents, with dedicated training and knowledge transfer programs, further positioning the UAE as a regional and global industrial hub. The launch also aligns with the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy (ADIS), which aims to make Abu Dhabi the most competitive industrial hub in the region. Its key objectives include doubling the size of the industrial sector to AED178 billion by 2031, creating more than 13,000 skilled jobs, and enhancing trade ties with global markets. Located in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), the new facility was inaugurated in the presence of Omar Al Suwaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology; Yousef Mohamed Al Nowais, Chairman and Managing Director; Mohammed Ali Al Kamali, Chief Trade and Industry Officer, Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO); Mohamed Yousef Al Nowais, Executive Director, Taqana Board; Amel Chadli, President of Gulf Countries, Schneider Electric; Walid Sheta, President, MEA Zone, Schneider Electric; Mahmoud Nader, CEO of Taqana Energy Solutions; and other senior government officials. Al Suwaidi said the launch of the Taqana facility reflects the robust collaboration between the public and private sectors in the UAE and contributes to the in-country value in addition to developing an advanced and sustainable industrial sector. He reaffirmed that the ministry continuously supports all initiatives and projects that contribute to achieving national industrial goals and objectives. "Public-private partnerships, especially those that focus on knowledge transfers and technology adoption, are in line with the National Industry and Advanced Technology Strategy through their contribution to investment across the country," he stated. Also, such partnerships solidify the UAEs position as a global and regional industrial hub. The collaboration reinforces the countrys status as a competitive and reliable regional and international industrial hub, said AAl Suwaidi. "This project also comes as part of the ongoing cooperation between UAE-based and French companies under the umbrella of the UAE-France Business Council, established to promote business partnerships and launch projects in priority sectors, contributing to sustainable economic development," he added. Al Nowais said: "With the launch of the Taqana Energy Solutions factory, we are not only supporting the UAEs industrial sector but also advancing sustainable solutions that are crucial to the future of energy management." "Together with Schneider Electric, ADE is proud to be part of the UAEs vision for local production, positioning the nation as a leader in the global energy transition," he stated. On the launch, Chadli said: "We at Schneider Electric are not just manufacturing energy solutions; we are engineering the future of sustainable energy in the UAE and beyond. This facility marks a watershed moment in advancing the nations clean energy ambitions through innovative technologies that address the growing global and regional demand for sustainability." "This milestone highlights Schneider Electrics unwavering commitment to the UAE, as we support the rapid transformation of the nations manufacturing sector and remain dedicated to driving sustainable solutions," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Abu Dhabi Airports has announced the full transition of a new state-of-the-art preclearance facility to Zayed International Airport, eliminating the need for lengthy queues for all passengers upon arrival in the US from Abu Dhabi, ensuring a smooth and fast-tracked journey. The United States Customs and Border Protection (US CBP) facility underwent an extensive and thorough vetting process confirming all protocols, and readiness of systems, equipment and personnel, a statement said. The facility will allow passengers to complete all US immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections before departing from Zayed International Airport. The facility features a cutting-edge biometric technology platform, including facial comparison capture devices at dedicated CBP boarding gates, along with corresponding agent display devices, further enhancing security and efficiency. Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, said: On behalf of Abu Dhabi Airports, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to our team and our partners at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their exemplary and collaborative teamwork. This facility strengthens our ambition to be a leading travel hub, offering passengers a distinctive travel experience that is unparalleled in our region. We are incredibly proud to have completed the transition of the new U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility to Zayed International Airport. This is a unique offering that allows us to stand out in the region as the first and only US Preclearance and reaffirms our commitment to delivering world-class services and convenience to our passengers. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said: This milestone reinforces Abu Dhabis position as the most convenient gateway to the United States for travellers from across the Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Asia, and we are proud to offer our guests this unparalleled experience. With all Etihad flights now pre-clearing in Abu Dhabi, our guests can bypass arrival queues and, if connecting within the US, enjoy seamless transfers with minimal connection times through our partner airlines. Our guests consistently tell us they value the efficiency and security that clearing customs before they arrive in the US affords them, and this is one of the many reasons they choose Etihad. We are grateful to our partners at Abu Dhabi Airports and US Customs and Border Protection who have enabled the opening of Zayed International Airports new US Preclearance facility, he continued. - TradeArabia News Service Singapore-based Resorts World Cruises, a world-class cruise line, has arrived in Dubai with the 1,800-passenger Resorts World One commencing her first sailing from November 1, 2024. Special events marked the arrival of the cruise ship that will depart from the Port Rashid Cruise Terminal 2 in Dubai three times a week to destinations across the Gulf. The port-stay event included a series of special memento presentations with invitees having the chance to experience the onboard live performances, the wide array of cuisines and a guided ship tour of the ships accommodations, facilities and offerings. As part of the inaugural sailing celebration, guests can look forward to special added-value promotions. This includes receiving complimentary Food & Beverage Onboard Credits for sailings in November for both the 3-Night Oman Cruise and the 2-Night Qatar Cruise. During the deployment, the Resorts World One will provide new vacation options from Dubai for the weekend with the 2-Night Sir Bani Yas Weekend Cruise departing Fridays. Guests can also look forward to the 2-Night Doha (Qatar) Cruise departing Wednesdays and the 3-Night Muscat-Khasab (Oman) Cruise departing Sundays. For longer cruises, guests may combine the itineraries to become a 4-, 5- and 7-Night cruise. We have been counting down the days and we are delighted that the Resorts World One has arrived in Dubai and is ready to sail. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the local and regional governments, authorities, travel business partners, media and our guests for the support, said Michael Goh, President, Resorts World Cruises. We are looking forward to bringing unique experiences to the Gulf region and we are excited to launch our first cruise with a special onboard Diwali celebration for the entire week. Saud Hareb Almheiri, Cruise Tourism & Yachting Lead at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: Dubai extends its warmest congratulations to Resorts World Cruises on the successful launch of its new services, which it is proud to be the homeport for. This significant development underscores Dubai's ongoing growth as a premier cruise destination, attracting world-class operators, and providing exceptional experiences for global travellers seeking to explore the region, as envisioned by our leadership, and in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubais position as a leading global city for business and leisure. As we embark on an exciting new season, we would like to extend our gratitude to our partners and stakeholders, whose unwavering support has made this possible. Together, we look forward to further reinforcing Dubais position as the cruise hub of the region. The Resorts World One is certified by the highly reputable Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and The Standards and Metrology Institute with the ship offering certified Halal cuisines, including vegetarian/Jain cuisine; and Muslim-friendly onboard offerings, which will provide peace of mind for Muslim guests from the Gulf and across the region. TradeArabia News Service The total passenger demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometers), surged by 7.1% in September over last year, hitting an all-time high for the month, according to a report by International Air Transport Association (IATA). The total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 5.8% year-on-year. The September load factor was 83.6% (+1.0ppt compared to September 2023). According to IATA, international demand rose 9.2% compared to September 2023. Capacity was up 9.1% year-on-year and the load factor rose to 83.8% (+0.1ppt compared to September 2023). Domestic demand rose 3.7% compared to September 2023. Capacity was up 0.7% year-on-year and the load factor was 83.3% (+2.4ppt compared to September 2023). According to IATA, all regions showed growth for international passenger markets in September compared to the year before. Load factor was a mixed bag: Europe had the highest load factors, and Asia and African carriers also improved, but the Americas and the Middle East suffered falls, stated IATA in its report. Asia-Pacific airlines achieved an 18.5% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 17.7% year-on-year and the load factor was 82.6% (+0.5ppt compared to September 2023). European carriers saw a 7.6% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 7.4% year-on-year, and the load factor was 85.9% (+0.2ppt compared to September 2023). Middle Eastern carriers saw a 4.4% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 4.6% year-on-year and the load factor was 81.4% (-0.1ppt compared to September 2023). North American carriers saw a 0.5% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 1.9% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.4% (-1.1 ppt compared to September 2023). Latin American airlines saw a 12.4% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 13.9% year-on-year. The load factor was 84.3% (-1.1ppt compared to September 2023). African airlines saw an 11.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 6.6% year-on-year. The load factor rose to 76.0% (+3.6ppt compared to September 2023). "The years peak travel season ended with demand at an all-time high. This is good news not just for passengers but also for the global economy. Every flight creates more jobs and trade. But the air travel success story is bringing challenges," remarked Willie Walsh, the IATAs Director General. "We will soon face a capacity crunch in some regions which threatens to curtail these economic and social benefits. Governments will face a choice: lose out to more dynamic nations who value global connectivity, or forge a consensus for sustainable growth," he stated. "Airlines are making significant investments to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. That needs to be accompanied by an equally active political vision, backed-up by actions, to ensure we have efficient and sufficient airport and air traffic management capacity to meet the needs of citizens and businesses to travel," he added.-TradeArabia News Service U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks during a 2021 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to examine Texas's abortion law. Pool/Getty Images FILE - Demonstrators march and gather near the Texas Capitol following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, June 24, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) Eric Gay/Associated Press Texas politicians are sharing their thoughts on a ProPublica investigation that discovered a Houston mother died in 2021 after doctors delayed performing emergency services on her out of fear of being prosecuted under the state's strict abortion laws. Josseli Barnica, a 28-year-old mother of one, was 17 weeks pregnant when she began to miscarry, but doctors at a Houston hospital were unwilling to perform emergency services until her baby's heartbeat was undetectable, according to ProPublica's investigation. Doctors delayed providing her care out of fear of being civilly prosecuted under Senate Bill 8, also known as the Texas Heartbeat Act, which passed in September 2021. It bars physicians from intervening unless there is no fetal heartbeat or the mother is experiencing a "medical emergency," which some doctors say is not clearly defined in the law's text. Barnica's doctors were concerned about the law's gray area, and because she was in "stable" condition, she remained in a hospital bed with a dilated cervix, according to ProPublica. Experts told reporters that she was left with her uterus exposed to bacteria and an increased risk of developing an infection. Barnica died of infection three days after delivering her 17-week-old child. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "My heart breaks for the Barnica family," the Democrat wrote on X Wednesday. "Josseli Barnica should be alive today but because of Ted Cruzs cruel abortion ban, Texas women have been denied the life-saving health care they need." My heart breaks for the Barnica family. Josseli Barnica should be alive today but because of Ted Cruzs cruel abortion ban, Texas women have been denied the life-saving health care they need. We cant afford six more years of Ted Cruz. https://t.co/IdT6sy6CoQ Colin Allred (@ColinAllredTX) October 30, 2024 In an interview Wednesday, Cruz said Barnica's story is "heartbreaking" and a "tragedy." "The Texas law makes clear that any procedure that is necessary to save the life of the mother can be done and should be done," he said. "We don't know all the details of what happened here but it is critical that we do everything necessary to save the lives of moms and we grieve with the family at the tragedy that occurred here." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sen. @tedcruz responds, calls this case a "tragedy." "Any procedure that is necessary to save the life of the mother can be done." Abortions are allowed if the woman is at risk of death or serious injury. Some MDs have argued the exemption is too vague to act proactively. https://t.co/RRXr3fyBBA pic.twitter.com/tOBYLOfSJd Ryan Chandler (@RyanChandlerTV) October 31, 2024 Houston Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, a Democrat, said in a statement Wednesday that Barnica's death is a tragic reminder of how the state's "extreme abortion restrictions" put the lives of women at risk. "These laws, pushed by Greg Abbott and his MAGA cronies, dont just limit choicesthey actively endanger Texans by delaying or denying them critical medical care," her statement reads. "This is not healthcare; its a war on womens rights and their lives. We must fight to repeal these dangerous policies and replace them with compassionate, common-sense laws that ensure women can access the care they need without fear or delay. Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, another Houston Democrat, said in a Wednesday statement that miscarriage is common and management of miscarriages should not be up to the state Legislature. "The law that denied (Barnica) access the health care she needed urgentlyS.B. 8is neither pro-life nor pro-family. It is anti-science and anti-woman," Fletcher said. "This cruel law, which restricts doctors ability to care for their patients and simultaneously empowers total strangers to intervene in these matters, is an affront to all Texans. And it is important to remember, this law was enacted and this tragedy took place before the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade." Advertisement Article continues below this ad : Josseli Barnica should be alive today. Her story is heartbreaking and infuriating. The law that denied her access to the health care she needed urgentlyS.B. 8is neither pro-life nor pro-family. It is anti-science and anti-woman. (1/8)https://t.co/uyymWMt6up Lizzie Pannill Fletcher (@LizziePFletcher) October 30, 2024 Democratic state Sen. Molly Cook, a Houston native and registered emergency room nurse, expressed her concern about how state laws affect the decisions of hospital staff. "When someone is dying in my emergency department, it is my duty to do everything in my power to save their life," she wrote on X Wednesday. "Republicans have taken that power from healthcare workers serving pregnant people, and Josseli Barnica died because of it. Remember this when you vote." When someone is dying in my emergency department, it is my duty to do everything in my power to save their life. Republicans have taken that power from healthcare workers serving pregnant people, and Josseli Barnica died because of it. Remember this when you vote. https://t.co/WwPvCBn0Cn pic.twitter.com/YXib7DaNTI Senator Molly Cook (@MollyforTexas) October 30, 2024 Other GOP lawmakers did not make immediate public statements on Barnica's story. In an interview with the Chronicle, Joe Pojman, the executive director of Texas Alliance for Life, said the death "had nothing to do with Texas abortion law." Advertisement Article continues below this ad "We regret terribly that that poor woman died unnecessarily," Pojman said, adding that the law's "goal is to protect unborn babies from abortion while allowing treatment for miscarriage, for ectopic pregnancy, and allowing doctors to perform abortions to save women's lives." -Jeremy Wallace contributed to this story Country United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe The director general of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Francesco La Camera says transitioning to renewable energy is critical globally, adding that the circumstances of small island developing states (SIDS), such as those in the Caribbean, make it especially urgent. First of all, it is critical for all the world. But here, the conditions are even more critical because the small islands are mainly coastal zones; they are all in the middle of the ocean and here, there is also the confluence of the Gulf where the water is becoming warmer. So, we have the capacity to enhance the power of every storm that is coming to this area when we talk about the Caribbean, La Camera told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC). A cocoa farmer and co-owner of his familys estate was shot dead inside his vehicle in Paria on Friday night. He was one of four men murdered between Friday evening and yesterday. The murder toll for the year so far stood at 82 up to last night. Police said Javed Omardeen, 33, of Upper Gomes Trace, Brasso Seco, Paria, was meeting with someone while sitting in his vehicle around 6.15 p.m. when he was shot. A record 8.2 million new tuberculosis cases were diagnosed worldwide last year, the World Health Organization said -- the highest number since it began global TB monitoring in 1995. The WHO said its Global Tuberculosis Report 2024, released Tuesday, highlights "mixed progress in the global fight against TB, with persistent challenges such as significant underfunding". While the number of TB-related deaths declined from 1.32 million in 2022 to 1.25 million last year, the total number of people contracting the infectious disease increased from 7.5 million to 8.2 million. However, not all new cases are diagnosed, and WHO estimates that around 10.8 million people actually contracted the disease last year. "The fact that TB still kills and sickens so many people is an outrage, when we have the tools to prevent it, detect it and treat it," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement. "WHO urges all countries to make good on the concrete commitments they have made to expand the use of those tools, and to end TB." The increase in cases between 2022 and 2023 largely reflects global population growth, the report said. Last year the TB incidence rate was 134 new cases per 100,000 people -- a 0.2-percent increase compared to 2022. The disease disproportionately affects people in 30 high-burden countries. And five countries -- India, Indonesia, China, Philippines and Pakistan -- account for more than half of the global TB burden, with more than a quarter of the cases found in India alone. According to the report, 55 percent of people who developed TB were men, 33 percent were women and 12 percent were children and young adolescents. A preventable and curable disease, TB is caused by bacteria and most often affects the lungs. It is spread through the air when people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit. The WHO said a significant number of new TB cases were driven by five major risk factors: undernutrition, HIV infection, alcohol use disorders, diabetes, and, especially among men, smoking. "Global milestones and targets for reducing the TB disease burden are off-track," the WHO said. Only $5.7 billion of the $22 billion global annual funding target for TB prevention and care was available last year. "In 2023, TB probably returned to being the world's leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, following three years in which it was replaced by coronavirus disease (Covid-19)," the WHO added. I imagine by the time readers get through todays column, the Peoples National Movement (PNM) will have completed its processes and revealed its full slate of candidates minus Dr Keith Rowley, who, as far as I can translate what is happening, will not be prime minister but will remain political leader of the party. Yeah, I know: Ive just burdened you with a long-winded sentence; bear in mind that the narrative reflects what is actually happening on the ground. So, if people are confused by what is happening, hopefully they will not be confused by my writing. PHOENIX A Florida-based organization contends there are 1.2 million ineligible people on Arizona voter registration rolls. In a new lawsuit, attorneys for Citizen AG say their calculations show more than 1.6 million registered voters did not vote in the last two elections. They said those voters also did not respond to notices that election officials are legally required to send to find out if they are still eligible. The lawsuit claims that means they are dead or have moved. Attorneys for the organization acknowledged that 432,498 voters were removed following the 2022 midterm election. That still leaves the question of those remaining 1.2 million, they said. Citizen AG is asking a federal judge to force Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to respond to its demand for public records about what has been done to maintain the voter registration rolls. That information is required to be made available under the National Voter Registration Act, they said. But they told the judge, Steven Logan, the only response they got from Fontes office is that it has no records responsive to the groups request. Citizen AG wants the judge to do more than order Fontes to provide the documents. It wants Logan to order Fontes to immediately remove or direct county election officials to remove from the voter rolls anyone who did not respond to a confirmation notice and did not vote in either of the last two elections. And if thats not possible, they want those on the list to be allowed to vote only a provisional ballot, one that is set aside and subject to further legal challenge. Logan has scheduled a hearing on the issue for Friday morning. There was no immediate response from Fontes. Theres a complicating factor. The most recent figures show that more than 2 million Arizonans already cast early ballots. If they have been accepted meaning that election officials determined the signatures on the envelopes are valid then the ballots themselves have been separated and there is no way to determine who cast any individual one of them. Citizen AG made a request on Oct. 4 seeking voter history and information about the number of inactive voters to reactivated the registration by casting a vote in either the 2020 or 2022 elections after providing residency proof. The attorneys concede it is possible Fontes office is doing what federal law requires and maintaining accurate voter registration lists. But they said Fontes failure to respond to the records request makes it impossible to know. No one from Citizen AG returned messages seeking comment. And Arizona state Rep. Alexander Kolodin, who is serving as a local attorney for the Florida-based organization, said he could not comment on the litigation. Its website says it launched a citizen-led initiative where registered voters submit challenges to their respective county voter rolls. Citizen AG also has been involved in litigation in Georgia to remove voters from the rolls before this years election. The website also says that Mike Yoder, its executive director, created the nonprofit aimed at empowering citizens and safeguarding their freedoms against unlawful government overreach. It also says that Yoder has a history of filing federal lawsuits to protect Americans from losing their jobs due to vaccine mandates that conflicted with their religious beliefs. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code More than a year into the Gaza war, the Israeli army's reservists are exhausted and it is struggling to recruit soldiers just as it opens a new front in Lebanon. Some 300,000 reservists have been called up since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, according to the army, 18 percent of them men over 40 who should have been exempted. Military service is mandatory from the age of 18 for Israeli men and women, though several exemptions apply. Israel is waging a multi-front war against Hamas in Gaza and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. Since the military launched its ground offensive in Gaza on October 27 last year, it has lost 367 soldiers in the campaign, while 37 have died in Lebanon since Israel began ground operations there on September 30. Periods of reserve duty have been extended, and some reservists complain they are unable to go on with their normal lives for up to six straight months. "We're drowning," said reservist Ariel Seri-Levy in a social media post shared thousands of times. He said he had been called up four times since the October 7 attack, and called out those who want Israel to "stay in Lebanon and Gaza". "We have to end this war because we are out of soldiers," he said, adding that while he still believed in serving one's country, "the concessions have become too great". Another reservist and father of two told AFP under condition of anonymity that "to fatigue and moral exhaustion is added the fact that I lost my job". Many freelance workers have had to close shop because of the war, even if the government guarantees a minimum income for reservists. "The collective is still above the individual but the cost is too great for my family," the reservist said, adding that he spent nearly six months in Gaza this year. The ongoing war has inflamed the public debate on drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews, many of whom are exempted from military service. The ultra-Orthodox account for 14 percent of Israel's Jewish population, according to the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI), representing about 1.3 million people. About 66,000 of those of conscription age are exempted, according to the army. Under a rule adopted at Israel's creation in 1948, when it applied to only 400 people, the ultra-Orthodox have historically been exempted from military service if they dedicate themselves to the study of sacred Jewish texts. In June, Israel's Supreme Court ordered the draft of yeshiva (seminary) students after deciding the government could not keep up the exemption "without an adequate legal framework". Ultra-Orthodox political parties in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition called for such a framework before a vote on the budget at the end of the year. Aryeh Deri, leader of the Sephardi ultra-Orthodox party Shas, said he hoped "to solve the problem of the draft" for seminary students. Some 2,000 wives of reservists from the religious Zionist movement, which combines religious lifestyle with army participation, signed an open letter asking to "lighten the load for those who serve". "There is no contradiction between Torah study and military service, both go hand in hand," academic Tehila Elitzur, mother and wife of a reservist, told the Yediot Aharonot newspaper. Six men who had volunteered despite being eligible for exemptions were killed in combat between October 22 and 28, including a father of 10. David Zenou, a 52-year-old rabbi who fought for 250 days this year, including several weeks in Lebanon, said: "It's an honour to serve my country, and I will continue to do it for as long as I can. "Above all, let's not forget that this is war and we are short on soldiers," the father of seven and grandfather of six told AFP. Ginnie Graham Tulsa World Editorials Editor Follow Ginnie Graham 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 On Tuesday, my son will cast his first vote for president, and Im more excited than he is. Actually, he just decided a few days ago to make a mark for the highest office. When he turned 18 two years ago, he didnt want to vote at all. He argued. And argued. My vote doesnt matter, he repeated obstinately as only a teenager can. This attitude emerged even after going with me to the polls every election since he was a baby. He took advanced-level civics courses in high school and grew up in a household where current events are discussed daily. The only thing that drove him to participate in school board elections was his irritation with the lack of resources in his school. He agreed to vote when seeing that one board member had won by fewer than 10 votes the previous year. I drove him to the precinct. For municipal races, he was motivated after his hand-me-down car bottomed out on a pothole and more panhandlers approached him for money. I texted him candidate positions on those issues. Hint: Gen Z gets facts only from mobile devices. That time, he drove himself and had the I Voted sticker to prove it. I see how the local stuff matters. But the Electoral College in a state like Oklahoma means my vote doesnt matter for president, he said. I thought he was referencing the all-or-nothing slate of presidential electors. Then Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, had another interpretation he described during a panel discussion at last weeks annual town hall of the Oklahoma Academy for State Goals. Perhaps voters believe that no matter who wins, nothing will change. Add in the amped up division and anger over elections, and more people are opting out. I think its more than just voter apathy. I think its down to the point that simply says, I am disengaging from this hostile, toxic environment because of polarization, Thompson said. Weve got to get the American people back to voting. Weve got to get the people back engaged in democracy, and we do that by civil discourse. For the past couple of decades, the way elected leaders interact has been growing more combative. Thompson said that when he was first elected in 2014, bipartisan work was happening at the Oklahoma Capitol. Today, if you even indicate that youre working with the other side of the aisle, theres difficulty, and that polarization comes out, he said. Returning to a focus on ideas and policies instead of on people is a start. But more must be done to stop the stoking of fear-mongering among neighbors. A little bit of disagreement leads to democracy, Thompson said. The idea that if I ever disagree with you, then I am on the outs with you and your political party and not only on the outs with you, but Im going to try to destroy you in the future leads us to the apathy that we are involved in today. Making a significant difference in my sons attitude about voting were a few weeks of signature collection for a citizens petition. He saw how people could take civic change into their own hands. That citizens measure failed, but my son saw the power of a vote at the local levels. It took that hands-on experience. The principle that American people drive the direction of communities ought to be more of a comfort, former House Speaker Chris Benge said on the Oklahoma Academy panel. We ought to have a more optimistic view because, keep in mind that as long as the American Constitution is in place, there are three different branches, Benge said. We have checks and balances that could balance out some of the things that maybe we dont necessarily like about our current structure. Young people are passionate about the issues. Young people are the conscience of America, said former gubernatorial candidate and former state Rep. Joe Dorman, now CEO of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. They are the ones who are pushing politicians to make tough decisions. The more young people who get engaged, the better off were going to see our system, because it forces politicians to take tough stances. However, young voters dont vote in great numbers. Since 1964, 18- to 29-year-olds have had the lowest voter turnout. A bright spot came in the 2022 midterms, when 18- to 29-year-olds hit a 30-year high for voter turnover, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University. About half are expected to cast a ballot in this presidential election, according to a University of Harvard poll. Young generations always set new courses for the country. Gen Z is just now entering the voting pool, and their effect has yet to be felt. But rising costs of basic needs like housing and college are front of mind. Im voting for president now, and its about health care, my son said. Just as that generation gets news differently, they are much more shrewd about analysis. They dont believe much of what they read and see. Candidates making claims better bring the receipts. Young people are very tolerant, said Seth McKee, a political science professor at Oklahoma State University. They really dont like hate, and they dont like division. One of the most inspiring things for me over the years teaching is that just seems to be the case. I have a lot of faith in the youngest generation to not take the bait and not divide as much as these older generations have. Market surveillance forces conducted an unexpected inspection at Ho Chi Minh Citys iconic Ben Thanh Market in District 1 on Thursday, uncovering a large quantity of suspected counterfeit goods, including bags, watches, and sunglasses. Lots of stalls at the market were found to be offering watches, sunglasses, and bags that appeared to be counterfeit, lacked clear origin, and violated intellectual property rights. These items were believed to have imitated well-known brand names such as Rolex, Omega, Ray-Ban, Prada, LV, Dior, Gucci, Chanel, and Philippe. Many bags at Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City were found to have unclear origins or seemed to be counterfeit. Photo: Supplied The forces confiscated hundreds of suspected fake watches, bags, and sunglasses for further investigation. This inspection is part of a broader initiative by the Ho Chi Minh City Market Surveillance Department aimed at cracking down on counterfeit goods, preventing commercial fraud, and protecting intellectual property rights throughout marketplaces and shopping centers, particularly in District 1. The campaign focuses on businesses and individuals selling counterfeit items, including shoes, clothing, supplements, and jewelry, as well as products of unclear origin. A market surveillance officer checks a stall displaying watches and sunglasses at Ben Thanh Market in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, October 31, 2024. Photo: Supplied Before raiding Ben Thanh Market, the surveillance team had also inspected An Dong Market in District 5 and numerous shops and shopping centers across Ho Chi Minh City, uncovering multiple cases of counterfeit fashion and cosmetic products or goods with unverified origins. A representative from the Ho Chi Minh City Market Surveillance Department told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Friday that recent and upcoming inspections would focus on wholesale markets and major shopping hubs, particularly as the year-end shopping season approaches. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! The rise of online platforms has significantly transformed IELTS test preparation in Vietnam, prompting traditional training centers to struggle to compete with the convenience, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness of Internet-based preparation courses. ACET (Australian Center for Education and Training), a prominent English language center under IDP Education Vietnam, recently announced that it will completely cease operations in this Southeast Asian country from December 31 this year. After more than 20 years of English teaching in Vietnam, ACET will close operations on December 31, 2024, ACET said in a statement, adding that all students currently enrolled will be get support to finish their current course. A representative of IDP Education, an organization that administers IELTS tests in Vietnam, attributed the decision to close ACET to a decline in student numbers alongside rising operational costs. In addition, the demand for English learning and the teaching landscape in Vietnam have shifted, particularly in the IELTS preparation sector. The impending exit of ACET from the Vietnamese market highlights the intensifying competition in IELTS preparation, particularly between established centers and emerging small- to medium-sized institutions. Truong Le Quynh Tuong, who formerly served as a regional director at an online learning platform, elaborated that the shift to virtual learning has accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the surging number of online IELTS preparation courses, often run by individuals with high IELTS scores. Many students have opted for digital platforms that offer flexible, affordable, and personalized study options. Tuong noted that online IELTS courses have very low operational costs, while physical centers face substantial expenses for premises and facilities. A leader from a prominent English language center in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that enrollment in IELTS courses at their center has decreased over 30 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, the number of students in English courses for children and teenagers remains stable. Many IELTS instructors at the center have had to take on English communication classes for working professionals in addition to their regular courses. Highly qualified teachers alone are no longer enough to attract students to a language center, as more individuals are achieving high IELTS scores of 8.0-8.5 and starting their own classes, providing students with more options for IELTS training, the leader explained. Pressure to integrate technology Thien Thanh, a 27-year-old resident of Ho Chi Minh City, returned to Vietnam after earning his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Houston in the U.S. to teach English at various centers. He then launched his own online classes with a modest investment, upgrading to a premium Zoom account for less than VND500,000 per month ($20). As his revenue increased, Thanh reinvested it to enhance his social media presence on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, where he created content focused on English learning and IELTS preparation to promote his classes. Thanh also offers free online learning sessions to raise awareness about his courses. He added that the flexibility and low cost of Internet-based courses have made them increasingly popular among learners, posing a big challenge for traditional IELTS centers that resist embracing this trend. Lots of physical centers like Power English are incorporating technology to stay competitive, using hybrid platforms and tech-driven tools to help students improve specific skills, according to Power English CEO Nguyen Hong Tu. Adoption of AI-driven solutions AI-driven solutions have also challenged traditional IELTS training centers by offering innovative, adaptive, and highly-efficient approaches to test preparation. Truong Le Quynh Tuong highlighted the increasing influence of AI in teaching, elaborating that many centers have started using virtual assistants to support student learning. AI-powered tools can create customized learning paths for each student based on their strengths, weaknesses, and progress. She expressed her belief that centers that embrace a hybrid approach and incorporate AI-driven tools can attract more students. Apart from IELTS centers, English language centers in general are under pressure to adapt to modern technology, according to Associate Professor Pham Vu Phi Ho from Van Lang University in Ho Chi Minh City. Centers that are resistant or slow to adopt technology would find it hard to enhance their teaching quality and operational efficiency, he said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! PHILADELPHIA -- A Pennsylvania state judge said on Thursday he would not immediately move forward with a lawsuit that seeks to stop Elon Musk's $1 million voter giveaway ahead of the November 5 U.S. presidential election. At a hearing in Pennsylvania, Judge Angelo Foglietta said he would place the lawsuit on hold while a federal court considers whether to take up the case. Musk's bid to move the case frees him to continue the giveaway, because the matter likely won't be resolved until after Tuesday's election. The billionaire entrepreneur, who is spending heavily to back Republican Donald Trump, had been ordered to attend the hearing but did not appear. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is seeking to halt the giveaway less than a week before the tightly contested presidential election between Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris. Krasner, who championed progressive causes when running for district attorney, accuses Tesla CEO Musk and his political action committee America PAC of hatching an "illegal lottery scheme to influence voters." Musk has been giving $1 million checks to randomly selected people who sign a petition pledging support for free speech and gun rights. The offer is limited to registered voters in one of seven states that will likely decide the outcome of the November 5 election - Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Musk gave away the first $1 million at an October 19 America PAC rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's state capital. A table showing the links of Elon Musk's companies to federal agency contracts. After the hearing, Musk said "American Justice FTW" in a post on his social media platform X, using the abbreviation for "for the win." On Thursday afternoon, Krasner's office filed an emergency motion to return the case to state court, calling Musk's manuever a stunt designed to "run the lock until Election Day." The federal judge overseeing the case gave Musk's lawyers until Friday morning to respond. Krasner's October 28 lawsuit says the giveaway should be stopped because it amounts to an illegal lottery that violates consumer protection laws by using deceptive language. According to published reports, Krasner asked the court for added security for the hearing, saying social media users posted an "avalanche" of inflammatory posts, including antisemitic attacks toward him, and posted his home address. Musk said in a filing that Krasner's lawsuit raises questions of free-speech rights and election interference that belong in federal court. Prosecutor John Summers told reporters outside the courtroom that he would seek to have the case returned to state court. "This is a case that involves state law issues," he said. Musk's lawyer Matthew Haverstick accused prosecutors of naming Musk as a defendant to generate a "circus atmosphere" and said he should not be required to appear in court. Mr. Musk was named as a defendant as a publicity stunt," Haverstick said, arguing that America PAC should be the only defendant. Summers said the owner of the SpaceX rocket company could easily show up if he was inclined to do so. Hes not going to get in a rocket ship and take it to Philadelphia - lets be serious here, Foglietta said, drawing laughter in the courtroom. In the lawsuit, Krasner's office said Musk and America PAC have not published clear rules for the giveaway and has not said how they are protecting voters' personal information. He also said people who receive Musk's money are "not actually chosen at random," citing two winners who attended two pro-Trump rallies. The giveaway falls into a gray area of election law, and legal experts are divided about whether Musk could be violating federal laws against paying people to register to vote. Krasner filed his lawsuit in a state court and he does not allege the giveaway violates federal law. The U.S. Department of Justice warned America PAC the giveaway could violate federal law, according to media reports, but federal prosecutors have not taken any public action. Musk has so far given nearly $120 million to America PAC, according to federal disclosures, and the group has taken on much of the door-knocking work of ensuring Trump's supporters turn out to vote. The entrepreneur became an outspoken Trump supporter this year and has promoted the former president on his X social media platform. Researchers said on Wednesday that X has been ineffective in countering a surge in election misinformation. Trump in turn has said that if elected, he would appoint Musk to head a government efficiency commission. The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its great concern over reports that China is preparing infrastructure on Tri Ton Island, part of Vietnams Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago in the East Vietnam Sea, for the installation of a radar system there. Foreign ministry deputy spokesman Doan Khac Viet made the statement at a press meeting in Hanoi on Thursday. Vietnam is greatly concerned about this information and strongly objects to any activities that violate its sovereignty over Hoang Sa, Viet stated. The deputy spokesperson affirmed that Vietnam will resolutely protect its sovereignty by peaceful means in line with international law, especially the United Nations Charter and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Last Saturday, The Guardian, a British newspaper, cited analysis from the UK-based Chatham House, an institute for international affairs, as saying that China has significantly increased its activities on Tri Ton. Accordingly, the Chinese military is constructing a new counter-stealth radar system on the island, which would significantly expand its surveillance capabilities over the East Vietnam Sea. Analysis by Chatham House suggests China is upgrading its outpost on Tri Ton Island, on the south-west corner of the Paracel archipelago, building what may be a launching point for an anti-ship missile battery, as well as the sophisticated radar system, The Guardian reported. Similar counter-stealth radars, known as SIAR (synthetic impulse and aperture radar), have also been built illegally on Xu Bi (Subi) Reef, part of Vietnams Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago in the East Vietnam Sea. Tri Ton, the nearest island to Vietnam's shore, boasts the largest area among the islands and features in Hoang Sa. Hoang Sa is an integral part of Vietnam's sovereignty, yet it has been unlawfully occupied by China since 1974. For many years, the foreign ministry has consistently stated that Vietnam possesses ample historical evidence and a strong legal basis to affirm its sovereignty over both Truong Sa and Hoang Sa. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted Vietnams sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, requesting that China immediately release those Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen that were illegally detained, and provide sufficient compensation for any damage, heard a press briefing on Thursday. Hoang Sa belongs to Vietnam," deputy spokesman for the foreign ministry Doan Khac Viet stressed at the press conference in Hanoi. "Vietnam has repeatedly affirmed its indisputable sovereignty over the archipelago. He stated that the unlawful arrest of Vietnamese fishermen and vessels by Chinese coast guards around the archipelago is a grave violation of Vietnams sovereignty over Hoang Sa, infringing on the lawful rights and interests of the Vietnamese fishermen. Vietnam resolutely opposes Chinas wrongful acts and requests that China fully respect Vietnams sovereignty over Hoang Sa, release all illegally-captured Vietnamese fishermen and vessels, compensate for damage, and not repeat similar infringements, Viet asserted. On October 2, Vietnam expressed its discontent, concerns, and resolute opposition to Chinese law enforcements brutal treatment of Vietnamese fishermen operating in the waters near Hoang Sa. The action injured the Vietnamese fishermen and endangered their lives as well as damaged their assets, according to the ministry. The ministry said that it had sternly communicated with the Chinese Embassy in Hanoi, strongly protested the action of the Chinese law enforcement, and demanded that China fully respect Vietnams sovereignty over the group of islands. The ministry also demanded that the Chinese side promptly investigate the aforementioned incident and notify Vietnam of the results of its investigation. Hoang Sa consists of more than 30 islands, coral reefs, sandbars, and shoals in the East Vietnam Sea. The Vietnamese foreign ministry has repeatedly proclaimed that Vietnam has enough historical evidence and legal foundation to prove its sovereignty over Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa archipelagoes. It has always asserted that the Vietnamese sovereignty over Hoang Sa was established in the 17th century in accordance with international law and has been exercised peacefully, continuously, and publicly by successive administrations in Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani have agreed to elevate the bilateral relations to new heights, with economic, trade, and investment cooperation as an important pillar. The two officials reached the agreement during their talks in Doha on Thursday as part of PM Chinhs official visit to the Middle East country from October 30 to November 1. PM Al Thani praised Chinhs visit, calling it a significant milestone that added momentum to advancing the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries to a deeper level. PM Chinh, meanwhile, highly valued Qatars vision and capability for governance of national development, expressing his desire for stronger cooperation in the time ahead for the sake of the two countries and peoples. Reflecting on 31 years of productive cooperation, the two leaders agreed to soon elevate bilateral relations, focusing on economic, trade, and investment partnerships. They were committed to facilitating market access for each countrys key exports, such as Vietnams agricultural products, seafood, footwear, and apparel, as well as Qatars energy and chemical goods. PM Chinh also requested Qatars support in developing Vietnams Halal industry, particularly in experience sharing, technology transfer, production, and processing. He urged both sides to speed up negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and Qatar, as well as between the Southeast Asian nation and the Gulf Cooperation Council in the coming time. The Vietnamese government leader also hoped that Qatari investment funds would further increase their investment in Vietnam, centering on strategic infrastructure, energy, seaports, and agricultural and aquaculture production and processing. Chinh emphasized that Vietnam always supports and creates favorable conditions for Qatari investment funds and enterprises to invest and do business in Vietnam. He and AI Thani shared that security and defense, including cybersecurity, should become a pillar in bilateral cooperation. The host and guest also promised to foster collaboration in information technology, digital transformation, green transformation, sustainable development, and climate change response. Both sides emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges by boosting cooperation in culture, tourism, and education to strengthen friendship and solidarity, supporting the expansion of ties in other areas. PM Al Thani agreed to PM Chinhs proposal to increase scholarships for Vietnamese students and to ease the admission of Vietnamese workers, particularly those who are highly skilled and already residing in Qatar. The two officials also agreed to consider negotiating a visa exemption agreement for holders of ordinary passports to facilitate travel among people from the two countries. Following their talks, both leaders witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements between ministries and agencies of both countries. Earlier on the same day, PM Chinh had meetings with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Speaker of the Shura Council (Consultative Assembly) of Qatar Hassan bin Abdulla Al-Ghanim. Qatar and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1993, with their trade reaching US$497.2 million last year, according to Vietnams Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Middle Eastern country currently has one processing-manufacturing project in Vietnam with a registered capital of $3.23 million. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A guest reported finding a snail crawling on a plate of fresh vegetables, spoiled fruit, and tainted meat during a meal at a four-star hotel in Da Lat a tourist city in Vietnams Lam Dong Province. The Da Lat People's Committee on Thursday established an interagency team to conduct a comprehensive inspection of N.L. Hotels lodging and restaurant services. L.Q., a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City, who stayed at N.L. Hotel on October 28 and 29, reported to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that there was a snail crawling on a plate of fresh vegetables, spoiled fruit, and tainted meat being served during a meal at the venues restaurant. N.L. Hotel in Da Lat had no food samples at the time of the inspection on October 31, 2024. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre During an unannounced inspection into the hotel, a representative of N.L. Hotel admitted that the hotels fresh vegetables had a snail, adding that the incident resulted from the negligence of kitchen staff. As for the tainted meat, the inspection team had yet to make a final conclusion. A member of the interagency team (R) inspects the restaurant of N.L. Hotel in Da Lat, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre On Wednesday morning, Nguyen Van Coi, head of the health division in Da Lat, inspected N.L. Hotels kitchen himself, saying the hotel had not been storing any food. N.L. Hotels kitchen is situated next to a sewer that is not fully covered, emitting a foul smell. According to Coi, the kitchen was also messy and lacked appropriate food preservation and garbage treatment processes. A member of the interagency team inspects the kitchen of N.L. Hotel in Da Lat, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre The kitchen was found to have violations related to the operation of its cold and cool storage facilities. "There are numerous issues in the kitchen. As for food quality, we will take samples for analysis to ensure we have a solid basis for handling the situation according to regulations," Coi added. The interagency team conducts a comprehensive inspection of N.L. Hotel in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Promotional image for virtual event on HISD bond vote results Sharon Steinmann / Susan Barber Houston Chronicle Live is a series of live virtual events that peel back the curtains on our newsroom. Readers are invited to join us for VIP interviews, fascinating Q&As and on-the-record discussions on topical issues. Houston-area voters have spoken, and the controversial $4.4 billion Houston ISD bond has failed. What happens now? Will HISD try to hold a new election? Is there another way to pay for delayed building maintenance? Chronicle readers are invited to a private Zoom event at 11 a.m. CST on Thursday, November 7 with the Chronicle's education reporters to unpack Election Day results. We'll also cover tax rate increase election results in suburban districts like Spring, Alief, Montgomery and Magnolia. To join our free Zoom event, please register here, and don't forget to submit your questions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Megan Menchaca is a Houston ISD reporter and the author of The Report Card newsletter. Megan joined the Chronicle in 2023 after working as the higher education reporter for the Austin American-Statesman. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in journalism and government. Nusaiba Mizan is a Houston ISD reporter at the Houston Chronicle. She came to the Chronicle in 2023 as a business reporter, and previously worked at the Austin American-Statesman and the Green Bay Press-Gazette. She graduated from Southern Methodist University. Claire Partain is a Houston ISD reporter, exploring how the state takeover is affecting student achievement. She previously covered The Woodlands for the Chronicle, and held stints at digital startup Austonia and the Fairfield Recorder. Claire is a graduate of Texas State University. Elizabeth Sander is a Suburban Education Reporter at the Houston Chronicle covering ISDs, private and charter schools. Previously, Elizabeth was a Hearst fellow covering education, local politics and breaking news for the Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News. She received her bachelor's degree from Tufts University and went to graduate school at Columbia University. The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee has issued a set of regulations on the management and operation of metro lines ahead of the inauguration of its first metro link by the end of the year. Accordingly, passenger tickets will be divided into two categories single and presale. A single ticket will allow passengers to access only one metro ride within one day, while passengers can take rides for a day or longer with a presale ticket. The regulations require that ticket selling systems at metro line stations be designed to provide electric tickets, proactively adjust prices, and ensure passengers can use a variety of payment options, according to the municipal administration. They also stipulate that ticket prices shall be publicized and that the rates be dependent on the length of rides. Tickets that are not used may be returned or changed. As per the regulations, the ticketing systems must be public, transparent, and connected with the passenger operation information and monitoring system run by the Ho Chi Minh City Management Center of Public Transport. Only luggage that meets weight and size limits will be allowed on board. Train staff members are responsible for informing urban railway management units and the nearest station of cases in which passengers are too sick to continue their rides so that the ill passengers can receive prompt medical attention. Moreover, a customer feedback system will be developed. Passengers will be able to use alternative trains or other vehicles if their trips are cut short due to technical issues. Other regulations include policies ensuring that station names reflect local places, historical and cultural features, and traditional customs. The placement of bus stops, bus stations, and parking lots near metro stations must also be prioritized. On Monday, the Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) launched a campaign to finalize the work and procedures necessary to begin commercial operations of metro line No. 1 by December 22. The 50-day campaign was kick-started in response to the directions of national government and city leaders so that the metro line can officially operate by the end of this year after several delays. MAUR head Phan Cong Bang said that all relevant units would work without a day-off during the campaign to ensure its success. The first metro line is 19.7 kilometers long, including 2.6 kilometers of underground urban rail link and 17.1 kilometers of elevated track. It runs from Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc City a district-level administrative unit of Ho Chi Minh City through three underground stations and 11 stops above the ground. The line has a total of 17 trains, each capable of accommodating 930 passengers, including 147 sitting and 783 standing. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The administration in Binh Dinh Province, south-central Vietnam has just proposed a pilot plan to use electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, or flying taxis, to serve tourists. Nguyen Tu Cong Hoang, vice-chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, on Wednesday confirmed that the province had sent the proposal to the Ministry of Transport so that it could be submitted to the prime minister for approval. If approved, it would be the first time flying taxis have been used in Vietnam. According to the Binh Dinh administration, the flying taxi iniative is aimed at unlocking the provinces tourism potential, boosting the regions socio-economic development, and attracting investors. Binh Dinh Province, with its 134-kilometer coastline, offers diverse tourism attractions and is set to become a tourism hub for both the south-central region and Vietnam. The province's stunning landscapes provide excellent opportunities for the development of sea tourism. An aerial view of Quy Nhon City in Binh Dinh Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Dung Nhan Some of the most popular attractions include pristine beaches, such as Quy Nhon, Hai Giang, Trung Luong, and Cat Hai. Visitors looking to get off the mainland can enjoy the province's 30 stunning islands, including Nhon Chau, Hon Kho, and Yen. The province's majestic coastal bays and lagoons include Quy Nhon Bay, Thi Nai Lagoon, and Tra O Lagoon. Despite Binh Dinhs stunning natural beauty, there's currently no available transport that allows visitors to fully explore the province. According to the Binh Dinh administration, flying taxis, which are similar to helicopters but run on electricity, may soon change that. Each flying taxi can carry four to five passengers and offers an ideal way for tourists to enjoy aerial views of the province. According to the Binh Dinh administrations proposal, the flying taxis are designed to be eco-friendly and modern, providing convenient, affordable, and emission-free travel. The province hopes these flying taxis will help establish Binh Dinh as a premier destination in the region, supporting its goal of comprehensive, rapid, and sustainable tourism development. A flying taxi model of Chinas autonomous aerial vehicle technology platform company Ehang at an exhibition in Macao. Photo: Takashi KAWAKAMI Several countries, including China, the U.S., Germany, Singapore, and South Korea, have already been testing flying taxis. Tran Van Thanh, director of the Binh Dinh Department of Tourism, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that introducing flying taxis would significantly boost tourism in the province. In discussions with provincial authorities, potential foreign partners suggested operating the taxis at a maximum height of 30 meters and restricting flights to short distances. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Locals and tourists can enjoy free admission to the new Vietnam Military History Museum in Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi starting from Friday. The museum will be offering free admission from now until the end of 2024, according to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, head of the museum's public relations and education department. The Vietnam Military History Museum is home to over 150,000 exhibits, including four national treasures, namely two MIG-21 aircraft, a T54B tank, and a map. Other exhibits include aircraft of various types, tanks, weaponry, and artifacts. The left side of the new Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi showcases weapons used by the Vietnamese military, such as 85mm artillery, 57mm anti-aircraft guns, tanks, and aircraft. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre Originally, located on Dien Bien Phu Street in Hanois Ba Dinh District, the museum was recently relocated to a 38.6-hectare property straddling Nam Tu Liem Districts Tay Mo and Dai Mo Wards. Across the property's two squares, which span over 20,000 square meters each, visitors can check out historic aircraft, tanks, weaponry, and war relics. The museums exhibition areas focus on six themes related to the nations establishment, protection, and development. The museum is equipped with modern technologies such as 3D mapping and 3D films. Automated narration software detailing Vietnams heroic wartime victories is also available to guests. The right side of the museum displays various weapons and military equipment collected from Vietnams battles against colonialists. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre The museums main building features four stories and covers an area of 23,198 square meters. It has both indoor and outdoor exhibition areas, a spacious yard, a parking lot, and airy green spaces. The opening of the new museum marked the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People's Army, the 35th anniversary of the All-People's National Defense Day, and the 80th anniversary of the General Department of Political Affairs foundation day. A MIG-21 aircraft is on display at the new Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi. Photo: Nam Tran / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The fourth and effectively final season of Five Bedrooms will screen on 10 from Monday. This is the 2023 season which screened on Paramount+ but yet to run on Free to Air. In February creator Michael Lucas told TV Tonight producers looked to a conclusion in case it would serve as the finale. We thought it was a very strong likelihood that the fourth might be the end. So we absolutely ensured it might be a satisfying ending. If they rang us and said, Lets do another one, we would do it. Definitely there have been conversations with Paramount in Australia but thats just one piece of the puzzle. Theres also all the international broadcasters. Theres also the fact that shows get more expensive, the more seasons you go on because the cast are out of option, and all sorts of things like that. So its not that they havent rung, I think theyd be interested. Its just whether it can all be put together and the longer it goes.. Also there has been a change at Paramount+. We worked with (Drama exec) Rick Maier there who has now stepped into another role. When we had the wrap party we made sure we did all the big speeches looking at all 4 seasons. And in this day and age its amazing that we got 4 seasons. Dan Monaghan, SVP Content & Programming Paramount ANZ also told TV Tonight, Its sort of wrapped up really nicely. We havent commissioned one yet and if you saw the last episode of the fourth season it was lovely. We get so many calls to keep going. Its kind of got that Offspring mentality, albeit in a different time, where people just want more and more. Michael Lucas,added, I feel its most likely Season 4 was the end of Five Bedrooms but from our perspective if they managed to piece it together we would do more. 9:40pm Monday on 10. When MasterChef Australia contestants finish serving up dishes, excess food supplies go to food rescue organisation SecondBite. But on Dessert Masters, there are less dishes in the mix but food is not entirely wasted, as Melissa Leong explains. Once were done with judging, usually the process is that the food is sort of divvied up, and some of it goes to the control panel, because of course the story producers, and the other producers, need to be well informed of whats going on, certainly, she said. Then the rest of the crew are invited to have a little nibble, should they want to. I think its a really wonderful thing, because our crew work so hard across both MasterChef and Dessert Masters, and there isnt always the opportunity to taste these incredible dishes that theyre capturing for the benefit of our audience. So its really lovely to be able to share that with them. Its cruel and unusual this job in so many ways. If you think about it the crew can see it, they can smell it, but they dont often always get to taste it. And while viewers dont get to taste the treats, it surely whets their appetite to raid the pantry or fridge. Thats my job done well if people get hungry watching a show like this. Dessert Masters screens 7pm Sunday and 7:30pm Monday on 10. HA NOI Viet Nam's data centre industry is set for significant expansion, driven by recent investment reforms and a commitment to enhancing digital infrastructure. With a more open investment environment and a shift in regional focus from markets like Indonesia and Malaysia, Viet Nam is poised to become a key player in Southeast Asias data centre landscape. During a mid-October meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the chairman of Hyosung announced the Korean group's intention to invest an additional US$4 billion in Viet Nam, targeting the expansion of industrial data centres and high-tech materials production. This investment is expected to create around 10,000 jobs and boost the country's economic growth. Before Hyosung's announcement, foreign investors, including Alibaba, Google and an unnamed investor from Singapore, were also eyeing substantial investments in Viet Nam's data centre market. Data centres are crucial facilities that store and manage servers and data, supporting cloud computing, website hosting and IT operations. Ireland-based company Research and Markets predicts that Viet Nams data centre market will exceed US$1.26 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.8 per cent. The market's growth potential is substantial, especially as the country promotes a digital economy and attracts investment in semiconductor technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Currently, Viet Nam operates approximately 148 megawatts (MW) of data centre capacity, primarily in Ha Noi and HCM City, with an additional 80MW under construction, including STT's notable 60MW facility in HCM City. Viettel is set to further expand this capacity with a planned 560MW increase by 2030. Viet Nam has opened its cloud computing and data centre market to foreign companies with the updated Telecommunications Law 2023, which took effect on July 1, allowing foreign investors to fully own domestic data centres. According to BMI Country Risk & Industry Research, the removal of the 49 per cent foreign ownership cap has sparked investor interest and facilitated full foreign investment in the sector. This liberalisation, along with ambitious digital infrastructure reforms encompassing 5G, fibre optics and subsea connections has created a fertile environment for data centre and cloud investors. If investment patterns persist, Viet Nam may be on track to receive nearly 1GW of data centre capacity from local and foreign platforms, potentially making it the third-largest data centre market in emerging Southeast Asia, the research notes. Challenges Despite a positive outlook, challenges persist in obtaining US-made Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) for graphics and data processing and Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) for machine learning. However, alternatives like Huaweis Ascend chips provide viable solutions for enhancing local data centre performance. In addition, at the 2024 Investor Conference organised by VinaCapital early this month, CEO Don Lam disclosed a Singaporean investor's interest in investing over $1 billion in a Vietnamese data centre, provided that clean energy sources are used to distinguish it from competitors. Currently, the Vietnamese data centre market is dominated by domestic telecommunications companies like VNPT, Viettel IDC, FPT Telecom and CMC Telecom, which hold 97 per cent of the market share. However, international interest in this sector is on the rise. Vu Hoang Lien, chairman of the Vietnam Internet Association, attributes the growth of data centres to digitalisation, cloud computing, high data usage, 5G development and regulations on local data storage. "The Government is accelerating its digital transformation, aiming to convert 50 per cent of businesses to digital platforms by 2025. Viet Nam's 5G connectivity supports low-latency edge data centres," he said. "Viet Nam is a priority for investors and operators considering market entry. Its strategic location, dynamic policies, tech-savvy youth and increasing data demand make the Vietnamese data centre market highly promising in Asia." However, the influx of new data centres may challenge electricity usage. "Sectors like chip manufacturing and AI, which consume considerable power, will strain the existing grid. Therefore, upgrading the power grid is essential," said Trang Bui, CEO of Cushman & Wakefield Viet Nam. Experts caution that foreign investors remain hesitant due to electricity shortages, unattractive investment incentives, and inadequate internet infrastructure reliant on outdated submarine cables. However, as investors look to diversify in Southeast Asia, Viet Nam could capitalise on the cooling investment in Malaysia recent regulatory changes there aimed at sustainable development may deter further investments, encouraging investors to consider less saturated markets like Viet Nam and Thailand. VNS HA NOI Demand in the domestic market along with a series of new regulations and policies are supporting for the Vietnamese AI start-up community to develop. According to data from many reports, the number of Vietnamese AI start-ups is increasing rapidly, even the GenAI Fund predicts that with the current growth in scale and number of AI businesses, Viet Nam can surpass Singapore in AI start-up market share in the Southeast Asian region. Viet Nam is forecast to lead the ASEAN region in the number of AI businesses. Organisations and businesses in many fields such as education, healthcare, and especially e-commerce, are increasing the application of AI to reduce workload and improve efficiency," Prof. Dr. Chu uc Trinh, rector of the University of Engineering and Technology, under the Vietnam National University told Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam (Vietnam Economic Times). According to MarketsandMarkets research, the global artificial intelligence market is expected to grow from US$214.6 billion in 2024 to more than $1.3 trillion by 2030, with an annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.7 per cent during the forecast period. Rapid digital transformation across various industries, such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing and retail, needs AI applications to improve efficiency and customer experience. A report conducted by Google and Temasek said that Viet Nam's digital economy is expected to reach $45 billion by 2025 with AI technology playing a major role in this growth. These figures show a wide market at home and abroad for the Vietnamese AI start-up community to explore and affirm their capabilities. Many AI start-ups in Viet Nam agree that developed technology research will be the premise for creating innovative businesses, including in the field of artificial intelligence. This means that development needs to start from research institutes, universities and technology organisations. So far, Viet Nam has had about 50 universities specialising in information technology, more than 20 organisations having certificates of registration for scientific and technological activities granted by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and hundreds of other technology communities and associations. The growth of them has created a strong AI ecosystem. In addition, Viet Nam has recently signed many important economic cooperation agreements with many countries. This has brought opportunities to cooperate with leading international companies, and expand their operations to foreign markets. Meanwhile, in the domestic market, the demand for AI applications is also exploding. According to the report AI at work is here. Now comes the hard part published by Microsoft, 88 per cent of people surveyed in Viet Nam said they used AI at work, higher than the world level. Microsoft also noticed a trend of workers in Viet Nam equipping themselves with AI tools to use, instead of waiting for deployment from companies and organisations. Trinh believes that along with the advantage of a young population loving technology, Vietnamese businesses are also gradually recognising the benefits of integrating technology, including AI, into innovation in production and business activities. So, they are willing to put investment in technology to optimise processes and save costs. Demand from the domestic market is constantly increasing and seen as a 'delicious cake' that Vietnamese AI companies have competitive advantages to exploit. Nguyen Van Khanh, director of Information Technology of the Data Science Joint Stock Company, a business operating in the field of artificial intelligence in Viet Nam, said that the Government has made great strides in supporting and promoting the development of AI enterprises in Viet Nam. "These companies are benefiting a lot from the Government's policies, including tax incentives and paperwork support," Khanh said. However, to accelerate the development of the Vietnamese start-up ecosystem, including start-ups in the field of AI, the Government needs to add new financial support mechanisms, such as venture capital funds or preferential loan programmes for high-tech start-ups. These mechanisms will create favourable conditions for the AI companies to develop further. VNS HA NOI As the White House race enters its decisive phase, the markets attention shifts to how the upcoming US presidential election will affect Vietnamese stock performances. The contest between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump highlights significant policy differences. Harris is expected to support liberalised trade and international cooperation, maintaining many of President Biden's policies. Trump, on the other hand, advocates for bilateral trade agreements and protection of domestic industries. A recent analysis by Mirae Asset securities, which reviewed US election outcomes from 1944 to 2020, shows that post-election stock market performance varies depending on the party that wins. Statistics indicate that in 14 out of 20 elections, the S&P 500 rose three and six months after the election and rose in 13 of 20 cases one year later. However, there were declines in 11 of 20 cases at five days post-election (T+5) and 10 of 20 at ten days post-election (T+10). This trend suggests that the market generally requires time to digest the new administration's policies, with the second and third years of a presidency often reflecting a more substantial impact on stock performance. Currently, the S&P 500's price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) stands at 21.9, above the three-year average of 18.8 and the five-year average of 19.5. After the election, the US stock market may see some adjustments or slower growth until the new policies effects become visible in economic growth data. Limited impact on Viet Nam market The US election will likely have some impact on Viet Nams economy. Mirae Asset's analysis suggests that if Trump returns to power, his policies might include a mix of stringent trade protections and higher tariffs on imports from countries other than the US, including possible increases of 10-20 per cent tariffs. This could benefit Viet Nam as supply chains would likely shift away from China, but the country could also face risks from strict US trade policies. The US is currently Viet Nams largest export market, with key exports including electronics, textiles and garments. If Harris assumes office, she will likely continue Bidens policies, favouring multilateral cooperation and further US participation in international trade organisations. A re-entry into the CPTPP under her administration would benefit Viet Nam, a member of the trade pact, by boosting exports. Certain sectors in Viet Nam may experience varying degrees of impact post-election. Harriss policies would likely result in minimal disruption, but Trumps stance could produce mixed effects. For example, industrial real estate could gain from redirected foreign direct investment (FDI) away from China, while the oil and gas sector might benefit from Trumps support for fossil fuel development. However, textile, fisheries, electronics and furniture sectors, while potentially gaining from US shifts from Chinese goods, may face higher import tariffs when entering the US market. Generally, the election outcome may have limited direct effects on Viet Nams stock market. Nonetheless, with the VN-Index typically correlating with US stock movements, there could be slight short-term impacts. VNS HA NOI The agroforestryfishery sector posted a trade surplus of US$15.21 billion in the first 10 months of this year, representing a rise of 62.2 per cent over the same period last year, on robust exports, according to the latest updates of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Statistics showed that Viet Nam earned revenue of $5.91 billion from agro-forestry-fishery export in October, bringing the total export revenue in the ten-month period to $51.74 billion, an year-on-year increase of 20.2 per cent. Specifically, exports of agricultural products totalled $27.38 billion in the period, up 25.6 per cent, husbandry products $423.5 million, up 2.7 per cent, fishery products $8.33 billion, up 12 per cent, forestry products $14.05 billion, up 19.9 per cent and salt $4.6 million, a drop of 0.2 per cent. Asia is the largest export market of Viet Nams agro-forestry-fishery products which holds a share of 48.2 per cent, followed by American and European markets with shares of 23.5 per cent and 11.5 per cent, respectively. Exports to Africa and Oceania remained modest with shares of1.8 per cent and 1.4 per cent, respectively. In the period, exports to Asia rose by 17.2 per cent, America by 24.7 per cent and European by 34.1 per cent. The US is the largest export market of Viet Nam, accounting for 21.6 per cent of Viet Nams agro-forestry-fishery exports. China came second with 21.5 per cent, followed by Japan with 6.5 per cent. Exports to the US rose by 25.9 per cent, China by 11.4 per cent and Japan by 5.9 per cent in the period. The country imported $36.53 billion worth of agro-forestry-fishery products in the period, up 8.5 per cent. China, Brazil and the US are the largest suppliers of agro-forestry-fishery products to Viet Nam in the period with shares of 9.6 per cent, 8 per cent and 7.7 per cent, respectively. The import of agro-forestry-fishery products from China rose 28.3 per cent in the period, Brazil by 8 per cent and the US by 5.8 per cent. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung uc Tien said that if the current growth rate is maintained, Viet Nams agro-forestry-fishery exports are expected to reach $60-61 billion this year. VNS Sonia Garcia is a trending food reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at sonia.garcia@houstonchronicle.com. A Rio Grande Valley native, she previously was an editor and writer for the Austin digital news startup Austonia after graduating from Texas State University. She enjoys trying new restaurants in Houston, where she lives with her 14-year-old Chihuahua. HA NOI The State Treasury's deposits at three major banks have dropped by 40 per cent by the end of the third quarter, compared to the second. The total State deposits at Viecombank, VietinBank and BIDV were VN175.6 trillion ($6.9 million) at the end of September, compared to VN290 trillion ($11.5 billion) at the end June. This means that about VN115 trillion ($4.55 billion) was withdrawn from these banks, which are three of Viet Nams biggest, to serve public investment disbursement. Among these, BIDV, which is usually the bank chosen most frequently by the State Treasury for deposits, reported a treasury deposit balance of VN74.645 trillion ($3 billion) by the end of Q3. VietinBank is the second largest recipient of State Treasury deposits, with a balance of VN65.310 trillion ($2.58 billion). It was VN35.641 trillion ($1.4 billion) at Vietcombank. State Treasury bank deposits are subject to change over time since they are influenced by the pace of public investment disbursement. As of the end of June, the national public investment disbursement rate reached 29.39 per cent, with payments totalling VN196.7 trillion ($7.77 billion). By September 30, public investment disbursement was estimated at VN320.566 trillion ($12.67 billion), which indicates that an additional VN123 trillion ($4.86 billion) was disbursed in Q3. However, despite these positive signals, only 47.29 per cent of public investment planned by the Prime Minister was disbursed in Q3, lower than the same period in 2023. Efforts to accelerate public investment are forecast to continue in the final months of the year. VNS Viet Nam Military History Museum has moved to a new venue on the edge of Ha Noi. Covering 38.6 hectares, the museum offers a fascinating insight into the countrys military milestones. The site opens to the public this week, but we were given a sneak preview of whats in store for visitors. HA NOI Any professional or aspiring filmmaker of ASEAN nationality is invited to submit their creative work to vie for the ASEAN New Generation Short Film Award. The ASEAN-Japan Centres film award seeks short form films with a personal touch, aiming to share the stories of ASEAN with the Japanese population. This event is expected to provide a more emotive narrative, highlighting life in the ASEAN region and inspiring the Japanese audience to learn more about its individual countries and people. The film should be between two and three minutes long with theme revolving around two aspects the forward-looking and hopeful aspect, 'The World I Want to See', and the emotive and self-expressive aspect, 'Fall in Love with Us, Fall in Love with Me'. Organisers hope that finished works can encapsulate either one or both aspects, depending on the story being told. Applications are open now until November 30, followed by a first selection that will last from December 1 to January 31, 2025. Film makers will be rewarded for works that show originality and energy, with a message that truly moves peoples hearts, with winners selected based on whether they encompass a unique concept, a surprising idea and show deep expression. Ten short films will be selected for a final line up between mid-February to mid-March 2025, when they go to a public vote. The winner with the most popular film (decided by that public vote) will win a trip to Osaka to attend the Expo 2025 Osaka. Meanwhile all the top ten films will be featured on the ASEAN-Japan Centres official YouTube channel and official website. They will also be shown at the ASEAN Pavilion at the Expo 2025 Osaka and in Tokyo. Japan and ASEAN have had a long history of friendship and cooperation, with last year marking the 50th anniversary of friendship and cooperation. Moving forward, the ASEAN-Japan Centre aims to continue to build on this relationship by deepening the understanding of ASEAN and its ten member states and their people. VNS The Viet Nam Country Director at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), Eric Dziuban, who is nearing the end of his tenure which began in 2021, talked to the media about healthcare cooperation between Viet Nam and the US and how Viet Nam would be able to respond and adapt in the face of new emerging threats. Can you give us an assessment on Viet Nam's state/public-run diagnosis capacity, with regards to genomic sequencing. For example in the South, COVID strains or mpox are confirmed in the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in HCM City, in the North, maybe it's the National Institute Of Hygiene And Epidemiology? What can US CDC in Ha Noi and the ASEAN regional office can do to help us upgrade that capacity? Genomic sequencing, this is actually been a priority for us in the last couple of years, especially since COVID. I think you all know that Viet Nam and the United States signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last September, when President Biden came, met with the Vietnamese Party General Secretary and they agreed on a plan for a upgraded partnership between the countries to go forward. For the health plan with many specific goals that the countries want to work on together, it mentions genomic sequencing and the US CDC will work to help Vietnamese public hospitals and Bach Mai Hospital in Ha Noi in particular, to be able to perform this important laboratory work. The bad news is the equipment to do this kind of work is extremely expensive. But the good news is, the US Government during COVID was able to donate some of that equipment through the Department of Defence to Bach Mai Hospital. Other good news is this very hi-tech equipment doesn't just work on one type of disease, one virus at a time. It was useful for COVID. Now it will be used to do the genomic sequencing for things like mpox and other viruses. US CDC does a lot of training for these machines. It's complicated laboratory science, but you have strong laboratories in this country that are able to do this now and we look forward to seeing an increasing number of people with this skill set in Viet Nam, so that any part of the country will one day have this capability to do these diagnostics. So for me, personally, this is a clear example where just in the short time a few years I was in the country, I saw economic progress, clear progress on an important goal. And it's always exciting when you get to witness something like that. What are your personal plans to keep promoting the medical cooperation between two countries when you end your tenure as country director, especially as Viet Nam and US celebrate 30th anniversary of relations next year? The 30th anniversary between Viet Nam and the US is going to be a very special time next year, and I'm sad I won't be here personally to witness it, because I think it will be a real opportunity to look and see how far the relationship has come and how strong it is right now. And that's a pretty amazing thing in the world today to see that kind of progress over what's really a short time. I'm proud that health is a central part of that partnership and it's been a part since the very beginning, when there was no treatment for HIV available for people who were suffering, we worked together on that. And then we collaborated during the H5N1 outbreak in 2005. The 30-year anniversary will be an opportunity to look back and see everything that's been accomplished, but also to look forward and see that there's still a lot of opportunity to keep working together on our shared health goals and we know that these are priorities for both countries and that diseases don't stay in one country. They spread and they become global very quickly, like what we saw with COVID-19. So this work we're doing together, it makes Viet Nam stronger and safer. It makes America stronger and safer. It really helps the whole world, the whole population and so our leaders in both countries recognise that, and that's why this field continues to get priority. The upgrade to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is a very strong signal to the top levels of both leaderships about how much potential there is for us to continue to grow our health partnership, the seriousness of what we're doing together. It doesn't come with a cost. It's not something that is balanced against other interests. It's something that is creating good for Vietnamese people and American people and the relationship. And the more people that see that, the more support we can get to continue this work. After I leave Viet Nam, I will come back to the headquarters in Atlanta, and work at the global health centre. From that position, I'll have many opportunities to highlight the success that we're having here and help make sure that our agency in headquarters is supporting the work that happens in Viet Nam. What do you think are the biggest health threats facing Viet Nam right now? It's impossible to know for certain. I would say the rapid change in disease threats is the biggest threat, because the diseases and the risk change so quickly, and the systems have to be ready to adapt quickly as well. Otherwise, we're not prepared. COVID was a disease unknown to the entire world and look how quickly it spread to every single country. So we have to be ready for unknown threats and have systems that will be able to quickly adapt when something new comes along. One of the most important things Viet Nam is doing right now to be prepared for that is developing its own Viet Nam National CDC, which will be a part of the Ministry of Health and they can really focus on being prepared for threats like this. We're supporting Viet Nam with the development of the national CDC and all these other programmes like laboratories, emergency operation centers, public health workforce, those will be even stronger when they're part of one public health agency. They can really make sure the nation is prepared for any threat. How do you assess Viet Nam's response capacity to emerging health threats? One of the things that we saw in Viet Nam, and the whole world saw really, during COVID-19, was that Viet Nam has strong public health systems and they have acted very quickly, and especially in the first 16 months of the pandemic, kept an amazing amount of control over the spread of the virus in this country. Contact tracing, quarantine and testing regimes were very strong, and once the vaccines finally arrived, Viet Nam was quick to get people vaccinated. Something that we learned in Viet Nam is similar to a lot of countries is that the preparedness is not equal across all provinces/cities. We know it's important to have strong local resources available for different cities and areas, but also that there's a way to support provinces that don't have as many resources of their own. I was impressed to see how other health programmes were used very effectively to fight COVID. For instance, hospitals that were developed for patients with tuberculosis were quickly transformed into places for COVID patients. But of course, many of the routine health services were disrupted during COVID and now one of the main goals is to get those back to where they need to be, things like the rates of childhood vaccination for diseases like polio and measles, we need to reduce gaps so that people continue to be protected from those threats as well. We saw very strong efforts from local health workers to make sure people were still getting their services. I think especially I see a lot of what happens in the HIV programme. It was amazing how nurses from local clinics would go far out of their way to reach people with their medicine when the lockdowns were happening. How can the US CDC help Viet Nam in dealing with diseases associated with rapid economic growth such as obesity and diabetes? When countries are making fast economic progress, they start to see wonderful results in some of the disease threats of their past things like malnutrition, things like children dying from pneumonia or diarrhea those go down, but other diseases start to get worse. So I think what Viet Nam can learn from other countries who have experienced this previously, is which policies can be very effective so that the risk of those diseases and the prevalence of these conditions can be controlled. So as a country gets more availability of high-calorie foods, very sugary foods, policies that encourage healthy eating are going to reduce some of the chronic issues like diabetes and heart diseases. But there are other areas where we know that developing economies start seeing health problems, including more traffic accidents when you have more vehicles on the road, more air pollution when you have more industrial development and more smoking when people have money for cigarettes. I bring up these areas because these are specific places where we know that good public health policy can have strong health benefits. What we often see is that a policy can be very cost-effective at the same time, and $1 spent on preventing things like motor vehicle accidents or smoking can lead to many dollars saved with reduced medical costs and losses of life. What is the thinking behind putting the CDC ASEAN regional office in Ha Noi? Do you think the next pandemic could start in this region or in China, personally? That decision was made by very high levels of our government because of the strengthening relationship and that the US and Viet Nam are continuing to have more and more areas of cooperation. Of course, it's possible that the next pandemic could start in Southeast Asia. There's a large population here. We know there are emerging disease threats here, just like they are in all the other parts of the world. All of us in public health are working really hard to prevent that. We don't want the next major disease emergency to come from this part of the world. We're trying to make it so we can very rapidly respond when something is wrong and contain it before it becomes an international, or worse, a global problem. When a new threat comes, that's not the time you want to be starting a partnership. You don't want to be introducing yourself when you already have an emerging threat. This is why it's so important that we already have those established, trusted partnerships, so that when new challenges come, we're ready to jump in immediately and stop them before they become a threat to everyone. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs freshly ended six-day trip to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar has produced important outcomes, demonstrating the growing relations between Viet Nam and the three Middle-East countries, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son told the Vietnam News Agency. The visits to the three countries are of great significance, affirming the new mindset and new strategic vision as well as high determination of Viet Nams leaders in taking relations with the three key countries in the Gulf region into a new phase of stronger and more comprehensive development, deeper trust, and more opportunities, according to Son. He stressed that the visits elevated the relationship between Viet Nam and these three countries in particular, and the Middle East - North Africa region in general. The official upgrading of relations with the UAE to a comprehensive partnership has opened up new development space for bilateral ties, expanding Viet Nam's comprehensive partnership network to 13 countries. Meanwhile, Viet Nam agreed with Saudi Arabia and Qatar to promote the early elevation of relations to a new height in the coming time, thus creating momentum for the comprehensive development of friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Viet Nam and these countries, creating leverage to strengthen Viet Nams relations with other important partners in the Middle East - North Africa region. At the same time, the visits once again demonstrated Viet Nams strategic vision, strong commitment, and drastic actions in promoting multifaceted cooperation with the Middle East region. They have broadened the door for Viet Nam's exports, while attracting high-quality investment capital from leading investment funds and corporations in the world, expanding cooperation in priority areas of Viet Nam such as artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, clean energy, green transformation, digital transformation, innovation, and Halal industry development, bringing specific and practical benefits for the country's development in the coming time. Pointing to major outcomes of the visits, the FM said that during the trip through the three Middle East countries, the PM engaged in nearly 60 activities, including talks and meetings with senior leaders, ministers, leaders of major corporations and investment funds of the three countries. PM Chinh was the keynote speaker of the 8th Edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Saudi Arabia. He also delivered a policy speech at the UAEs Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, addressed the Viet Nam - UAE Business Forum, attended the launching ceremony of Vinfast's showroom in the UAE and the opening ceremony of FPT's office in Saudi Arabia. During the trips, members of his entourage also had dozens of meetings and working sessions with partners, Son added. The visits were a success, with all goals achieved, producing important results, contributing to strengthening and enhancing friendly relations and cooperation with the three countries, Son affirmed. He said that leaders of these nations welcomed the Vietnamese PM with many special exceptions, indicating that they highly valued their relationships with Viet Nam in their "Look East" policy and regarded Viet Nam as a key partner in Southeast Asia. The leaders expressed admiration for Viet Nam's heroic history and hailed the countrys development potential, achievements, and rising position and role. During meetings with the Vietnamese PM, leaders of the largest investment funds and major corporations from the three countries showed their interest in and highly valued Viet Nam's development potential, affirming their intention to send delegations to Viet Nam immediately to explore investment and business opportunities. Regarding the main results of the trips, Son said that several important documents were adopted, including the Joint Statement on upgrading the Viet Nam-UAE relations to a comprehensive partnership, the Joint Communique between Viet Nam and Qatar, and 33 cooperation agreements across various fields such as trade, investment, finance, energy, innovation, measurement and quality, education and training, sports, and business collaboration. These agreements lay the foundation for further strengthening cooperation between Viet Nam and the three countries. Secondly, the visits help deepen political trust and strengthen the positive personal relationships between high-ranking leaders of Viet Nam and the three nations, with their meetings and contacts affirming the commitments to develop bilateral relations in a substantive, effective, and sustainable manner. Thirdly, they yield significant breakthroughs in economic, trade, and investment cooperation. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE marks Viet Nam's 17th free trade agreement, aiming for a bilateral trade volume of US$20 billion in the coming time. With Saudi Arabia, both sides agreed on a trade target of $10 billion and to promote the Middle East nation as one of the top investors in Viet Nam. Regarding Qatar, both nations expressed their commitment to increasing bilateral trade, exploring the establishment of a joint trade working group, considering the possibility of setting up a Vietnamese product showcase centre in Qatar, and enhancing cooperation in the financial sector. Fourthly, Chinhs trips create new momentum and open up numerous opportunities for cooperation between Viet Nam and the three countries across various sectors, including emerging and promising fields. In addition to reinforcing traditional areas such as security, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchange as a solid foundation for long-term friendship and cooperation, Viet Nam identifies innovation, green transition, digital transformation, and the development of the domestic Halal industry as key pillars for future collaboration. Fifthly, in Saudi Arabia, the PM attended the eighth Edition of the Future Investment Initiative, themed Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow, where he delivered a message about Viet Nam's dynamism and readiness to engage with other nations in sharing investment initiatives for sustainable and prosperous development. During his meetings with the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and Egypt, and the Crown Prince of Jordan, they engaged in comprehensive discussions about enhancing relations and exploring measures to foster development in line with the potential and aspirations of Viet Nam and these countries, stated Son. The official went on to say that to materialise these results, it is necessary to intensify cooperation in all areas, and maintain regular and specific exchanges with the designated points of contact as agreed upon during the visits. He stressed the need to implement the signed agreements and commitments made by the high-ranking leaders, including the CEPA, and develop specific action plans to ensure the implementation progress and effectiveness at the highest level; and continue improving the investment and business environment and facilitating cooperation between Vietnamese enterprises and those from the three countries. Attention should also be paid to promoting people-to-people exchanges as well as cultural, educational, and tourism activities to foster mutual understanding; creating the best conditions for the Vietnamese community living, working, and studying in these countries to stabilise their lives and serve as a strong bridge of friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and the three nations, said Son. The official expressed his confidence that with strong determination, the outcomes of the PM's visits will be effectively put in place, contributing to advancing the friendship and comprehensive collaboration between Viet Nam and the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, thereby bringing about tangible benefits to their people and businesses, contributing to peace, stability, and development in the regions and the world, and propelling Viet Nam into a new era -- the one of the nations rise. VNA/VNS DOHA Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on October 31 hailed labour partnership between Viet Nam and Qatar as a traditional area of cooperation that leaders of the two countries have paid much attention to and the two sides can supplement each other. Receiving Qatari Minister of Labour Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri in Doha as part of his official visit to the Middle Eastern country, PM Chinh said that at his talks and meetings with the Emir, the PM and the Speaker of the Shura Council (Consultative Assembly) of Qatar, the two sides agreed on a number of specific orientations and measures to further enhance bilateral cooperation in the coming time, including the field of labour. The PM suggested that the two sides continue to effectively enhance labour cooperation, promote negotiations on a labour agreement and sign it at an appropriate time. He promised to send the Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to soon visit Qatar for specific discussions. The Vietnamese leader asked the Qatari minister to promote, cooperate and support the construction of training centres for Vietnamese workers before they go to work in Qatar. This will play an important role in improving the skills, qualifications, and cultural and legal understanding of workers, he said. PM Chinh expected that relevant ministries and agencies of the two countries will take drastic actions to implement agreements reached by high-ranking leaders. For his part, Ali bin Saeed expressed his delight that at the meetings and talks, the Vietnamese PM and Qatari leaders agreed on the direction to promote cooperation in various fields, including the labour sector. Praising significant achievements in labour cooperation between Viet Nam and Qatar, the minister noted that there remains considerable potential to be tapped as the number of Vietnamese guest workers in Qatar remains modest, at nearly 1,000. Given Qatars strong demand for foreign workers, the country is ready to expand labour collaboration with Viet Nam, which boasts a population of 100 million, and a abundant, young, and skilled workforce, he said. He stated that the two countries signed an agreement in 2008 stipulating the recruitment of Vietnamese workers for employment in Qatar. Over the next seven to eight years, Qatar will need a substantial number of workers for sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, education, and transportation. Ali bin Saeed committed to accelerating negotiations and signing of more agreements to increase the number of Vietnamese workers in Qatar. He said he welcomes his Vietnamese counterpart in Qatar to discuss measures to boost cooperation. The minister agreed with the PM on the importance of establishing workforce training centres in Viet Nam, suggesting that both sides collaborate with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to implement the scheme. VNA/VNS HA NOI Leaders of Brunei, the Philippines, Thailand, and Mozambique have extended their congratulations to Luong Cuong on his election as President of Viet Nam. Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah highlighted the traditional friendship and dynamic cooperation between the two countries in the areas of mutual benefits, and expressed his desire to further strengthen the bilateral comprehensive partnership. Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. noted his belief that under the leadership of President Cuong, the strategic partnership and cooperation between Viet Nam and the Philippines in ASEAN will be increasingly consolidated, meeting the aspirations of both countries to bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to their people, especially in the context that the two countries will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership in 2025 and the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations in 2026. Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn R. and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra appreciated the close relationship between Viet Nam and Thailand, and affirmed that the two countries are close friends and important partners of each other. They expressed their wish to maintain the close cooperation with the Vietnamese President to enhance the strategic partnership for mutual benefits in the coming time. Mozambican President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi also sent a congratulatory letter to President Cuong. VNA/VNS HA NOI President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro has highly valued the recent visit to Viet Nam by Delcy Rodriguez Gomez, member of the Political Bureau of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and Executive Vice President of the country, expressing the most sincere thanks to the key leaders of Viet Nam for their unceasing promotion of the traditional friendship between the two countries. Speaking on the national television channel, Maduro said during the freshly-concluded visit by Delcy Rodriguez, the Party, State, Government, and people of Viet Nam gave the high-ranking delegation of Venezuela special sentiments that only close comrades and brothers reserve for each other. The close-knit bonds were vividly reflected through the meeting and talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, and State Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan. In particular, within the framework of the expanded BRICS Summit in Kazan (Russia) a few days ago, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with Venezuelan President Maduro. This was considered a symbolic event as it took place outside the two countries, demonstrating their mutual respect and profound political trust. Maduro noted that accepting Party General Secretary Lams invitation and responding to the key Vietnamese leaders sentiments, he will soon pay a visit to Viet Nam to continue enhancing the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership between the two countries. In an interview granted to the national television station of Venezuela before wrapping up her visit to Viet Nam, Delcy Rodriguez said she had wonderful days in the Southeast Asian country, where she engaged in productive meetings with the key leaders of Viet Nam, witnessed socio-economic development miracles, and immersed herself in a millennia-old culture. She went on to say that at her meetings with the host leaders, the two sides reviewed the bilateral agenda. They affirmed the role of Viet Nam in Southeast Asia as well as that of Venezuela in the Latin American - Caribbean region, and sought measures for fostering relations between the two regions. At the Vice Presidents meeting with Party General Secretary Lam, both sides expressed their hope for new strides in bilateral relations following the visit, adding Vietnam and Venezuela will strengthen political trust through discussions at all levels, especially high level, and boost cooperation between the PSUV and CPV, particularly in sharing experience and theory and assisting each other in the Party building. In particular, as the two countries will mark the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic ties on December 18 this year, they will devise a detailed agenda to reinforce bilateral collaboration, including establishing working groups to discuss cooperation areas and mechanisms. Talking to the Vietnam News Agency after the visit by the Venezuelan Vice President, Vietnamese Ambassador to the Latin American country Vu Trung My described the trip and recent meetings between the countries leaders as a clear demonstration of the profound political trust as well as determination of the ruling parties, governments, and people of the countries to relentlessly consolidate the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership, which was set up in 2007 and becomes a precious heritage that late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Vietnamese leaders have nurtured for many decades. VNS PRETORIA A delegation from Hanoi led by Nguyen Thi Tuyen, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, paid a visit to South Africa from October 27-31, which aimed to explore opportunities for cooperation between Ha Noi and various South African localities through a series of meetings and economic, trade and investment activities. At a meeting with leaders of the the City of Tshwane, Tuyen expressed her delight at the progress in relations between Viet Nam and South Africa since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties in 1993, as well as the relationship between Ha Noi and the South African city since they signed a friendly cooperation agreement in November 2007. The two sides updated each other on their socio-economic situation, affirming their commitments to enhancing cooperation in promising areas such as trade, culture, education, and tourism, and increasing delegation exchanges. Ha Noi hopes to work closely with Tshwane's administration and the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa to foster connections between the two business communities and promote partnership opportunities. Eugene Modise, Deputy Mayor of Tshwane, emphasised the significance of the delegation's visit as a testament to their solid relationship and the desire to foster robust future cooperation. The Ha Noi delegation had a meeting with leaders of Western Cape province in Cape Town, during which the two sides briefed each other on their socio-economic conditions and urban management policies. Western Cape is focusing on infrastructure development, social welfare, and expanding foreign relations. The Ha Noi side expressed hope to further expand cooperation with Western Cape, especially in areas of the provinces strengths such as tourism, trade, clean energy, and high-quality agriculture. Ha Noi will provide more information for the local business community to explore cooperation opportunities in South African localities. Leaders of the two localities shared the belief that the visit would continue to lay a foundation for exchanges and expand extensive cooperation between the two sides in various fields. Within the framework of the visit, the Hanoi delegation had working sessions with Mtho Xulu, President of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) in Johannesburg, and John Lawson, Executive Director of the Cape Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry, during which the two sides discussed foreign investment attraction orientation as well as potential for economic and tourism cooperation between Ha Noi and South African localities in general and between the business communities of the two countries. Leaders of the chambers affirmed their commitments to fostering connections between South African businesses interested in investing in Viet Nam and Ha Noi. During their stay, the Ha Noi delegation also visited and worked with the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa. VNS HA NOI The two-day working visit to Vietnam by President of the National Assembly of Peoples Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez is expected to helped further enhance the traditional solidarity and special friendship between the two countries, which have always been treasured and nurtured via all channels, including parliamentary cooperation, by the two Parties, States, and peoples. The visit on November 2 - 3, to be made at the invitation of Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man, takes place on the thresholds of the 65th anniversary of the two countries diplomatic relations (December 2, 1960 - 2025) with a wide range of meaningful activities to be organised. Viet Nam - Cuba traditional solidarity, special friendship flourish Cuba was the first country in the western hemisphere to set up a full diplomatic relationship with Viet Nam, on December 2, 1960. With the foundation laid by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro, their solidarity and fraternity have been developing strongly over time. During Viet Nams resistance war for national liberation in the 1960s and 1970s, Cuba was always a symbol of and took the lead in the worldwide peoples movement of showing solidarity with and support for Viet Nams just struggle. The Vietnamese people always keep in mind Cuban leader Fidel Castros immortal remark: For Viet Nam, Cuba is ready to devote its blood. Meanwhile, Viet Nam has always worked hard to strengthen the countries solidarity and promote the effectiveness of comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and countries. Party and State leaders of both sides have repeatedly emphasised that the two countries relationship is a symbol of the era. For the last more than six decades, despite numerous challenges or ups and downs in the worlds situation, the solidarity and fraternity between Viet Nam and Cuba have been increasingly tightened in multiple spheres. Cuban Ambassador to Viet Nam Orlando Nicolas Hernandez Guillen said the two countries have always stood shoulder by shoulder, supported, and assisted each other in the most trying times as well as in the fight against the common enemy. He considered this as a forceful demonstration of the special fraternal friendship over the last nearly 65 years between the two nations that are half-of-the-earth distant from each other. Today, the Parties, States, and people of the two countries have continued exerting efforts to develop the traditional friendship and special friendship via all channels. In particular, the Party-to-Party ties have been intensified, serving as the political cornerstone guiding the development of the countries relations. Bilateral meetings and mutual visits at all levels, especially high level, have been maintained. According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long, since 2020, there have been more than 20 delegation exchanges between provinces, cities, and socio-political organisations between the two countries, along with cultural, educational, and health exchange programmes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Viet Nam donated a large amount of medicine and important supplies serving the disease combat to Cuba, which in turn also sent many types of pharmaceuticals and millions of vaccine doses it produced to Viet Nam. In 2023, the two countries held a wide range of meaningful activities marking major anniversaries, including the 60th founding anniversary of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Viet Nam (September 25, 1963), now the Cuba - Viet Nam Friendship Association; and 50 years since Cuba leader Fidel Castro first visited Viet Nam and the liberated zone in South Viet Nam (September 1973). In July 2024, Cuba declared three days of national mourning (July 20 - 22) for Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. President of the Cuban parliament Esteban Lazo Hernandez also came to pay the last respect for the late Vietnamese leader. Recently, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam paid a state visit to Cuba from September 25 to 27, reflecting the high priority that the Vietnamese Party, State, and people give to the traditional solidarity, special friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. As the two sides will mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, leaders of the two Parties and countries decided to designate 2025 as the Viet Nam - Cuba Friendship Year, with many practical celebrations to be organised. On the sidelines of the recent expanded BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla on October 24. At international forums, especially the United Nations, the two countries have always coordinated closely with and supported each other. They have also shared the stance on supporting the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law and the UN Charter. Close parliamentary cooperation Relations between the Vietnamese and Cuban legislatures have also been promoted in a substantive and effective manner. In April 2023, the two countries signed an agreement on establishing an inter-parliamentary cooperation mechanism. In September 2024, Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese NA Nguyen uc Hai paid a working visit to Cuba and co-chaired the first meeting of the two countries inter-parliamentary cooperation committee in Havana on September 24, a step to carry out the two parliaments cooperation agreement signed in April 2023. At that meeting, the two sides reaffirmed the determination to support and further reinforce the solidarity, friendship, and cooperation between Viet Nam and Cuba. They also underlined the importance of parliamentary cooperation in strengthening and bringing into play the countries special solidarity. In addition, they stressed the necessity to expand the bilateral inter-parliamentary ties, boost coordination in bilateral aspects as well as at international and regional forums, and improve the capacity of coordinating, promoting, and supervising the implementation of cooperation documents between their countries. Collaboration in multiple areas unceasingly strengthened The sound political - diplomatic relations have created momentum for economic and trade partnerships between Viet Nam and Cuba. Among Asian-Pacific countries, Viet Nam is currently the second largest trading partner and the biggest foreign investor in Cuba. The two sides are pressing on with implementing the bilateral trade agreement, signed in 2018 and taking effect on April 1, 2020, with many preferential treatments, benefiting the countries businesses and facilitating bilateral trade activities. Besides, Vietnamese businesses are also gradually expanding investment in Cuba, especially in the Mariel Special Economic Zone, in the fields of essential consumer goods, construction materials, and renewable energy. Some are considering more investments in agriculture and consumer goods manufacturing in the Caribbean nation. Regarding education - training, Cuba has granted many scholarships to Vietnamese students each year. Meanwhile, a large number of young people of Cuba have also received scholarships to learn the Vietnamese language and culture at the Vietnam National University, Ha Noi. Locality-to-locality collaboration and people-to-people exchanges have created strong bonds between the two countries while contributing to the solid foundation for bilateral political and economic connections. So far, five Vietnamese localities have inked cooperation deals with six Cuban localities. The upcoming working visit by the top legislator of Cuba aims to continue implementing the cooperation commitments of the two parliaments, helping enhance parliamentary ties as well as the traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. VNA/VNS Post Oak Grill, 1415 S. Post Oak, closed its dining room in September 2024. Bao Ong / Staff The original location of the Post Oak Grill, once considered a power-lunch spot frequented by the likes of President George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara, can now be counted among Houstons latest string of restaurant closures. A variety of factors, including a slowdown of business since the pandemic and the death of its charismatic owner Polo Becerra last year, contributed to the New American restaurant closing, said executive chef Marcelo Cardenas. The dining rooms last meal was served at the end of September, but the restaurant stayed open until about two weeks ago for delivery and to-go orders. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its the end of an era for the Post Oak Grill, which is located in the Uptown/Galleria area at 1415 S. Post Oak, since opening in 1989. One location remains open downtown, 1111 Louisiana, and Cardenas debuted an offshoot called Post Oak Grill Cafe & Catering, 5177 Richmond, earlier this year. I have great memories and met so many people in my 35 years working day and night there, Cardenas said. Its time to start a new chapter. HOUSTON EATS: The Chronicles top 100 restaurants A few months ago, the restaurant decided not to renew a lease, which also included closing for about a year for renovations, according to Cardenas, who added that a new location may open in a Houston suburb. The Houston Chronicle has reached out to Four Oaks Place, which is leased and managed by CBRE, and Jose Becerra, Polo Becerras son, who had been running the restaurant the past few years, for further details. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Before it became a hangout for the power-lunch crowd, restaurateur Manfred Jachmich opened the restaurant as Bistro on Post Oak before changing its name in July 1990 to Post Oak Grill. Polo Becerra, who died in January 2023, became the face of the Post Oak Grill over the years. Polo Becerra, who was born in Mexico and opened a restaurant in Puerto Vallarta, came to Houston in the late 1980s to improve his cooking skills and English. He ended up taking an entry-level job at the Post Oak Grill and never left as he rose through the ranks. Throughout the '90s and early aughts, the Post Oak Grill was considered one of Houstons buzziest lunch spots. George H.W. Bush, who lived down the street, was a regular and brought in a crowd of dignitaries and celebrities with him through the years. In 2002, Becerra bought the restaurant from Jachmich. He was known for greeting all his customers and giving back to the community, including serving meals to his workers and their families in the aftermath of Hurricane Rita in September 2005. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MORE FROM BAO ONG: Houstons longest-running Japanese-owned restaurant Nippon to close after nearly 40 years Post Oak Grill at 1415 S. Post Oak Lane, July 1, 1991. Metal drop lights cast a flattering, coppery glow over the main dining room, and miniature lights twined around grape vines "growing" across the ceiling give it a romantic atmosphere at night. Jerry Click/Houston Chronicle A fully-stocked bar adjoins the main dining room at the Post Oak Grill, July 1, 1991. Jerry Click/Houston Chronicle Executive chef Ethel Fisher at the Post Oak Grill, January 14, 1991. With partner Manfred Jachmich, she's been making sure the day-to-day operation at the eatery runs smoothly. During the dinner hour customers can find her cooking up Ethel's Grilled Salmon, fresh gulf trout meuniere and wienerschnitzel, just to name a few dishes. At 1415 S. Post Oak Lane King Chou Wong/Houston Chronicle For years it was a landmark in Houston as restaurants came and went, said Orlando Saldana, who had helped Becerra secure a loan to buy the restaurant. It was definitely a destination. Saldana recalls seeing former Secretary of State James Baker dining at the Post Oak Grill. On one occasion, he remembers turning around at the bar and chatting up one of President George H.W. Bushs sons. Cardenas, whose mother worked in the kitchen alongside Becerra, said he grew up in the restaurant. He shared similar stories during his 35 years at Post Oak Grill, where he prepared dishes like lamb lollipops and roasted Chilean sea bass. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Business started to slow down just before the pandemic and it never recovered, Cardenas said. While a robust demand for delivery and catering helped the Post Oak Grill stay afloat, fewer diners packed its dining room. Becerra, who battled cancer the last years of his life, died in January 2023. He was a mentor and friend to so many inside and outside the restaurant, Cardenas said. The Post Oak Grill has been gutted since its closing. Plywood covers the front entrance, and the forest-green awning could be seen in a trash bin surrounded by a fence. TOKYO The Vietnamese Embassy in Tokyo held an exchange with representatives of Tokyo-based Japanese offices on Friday. Initiated by the Liaison Council of Municipalities of Japan, the event served as a platform for the embassy to showcase Viet Nam's cooperation initiatives, policies and image, while expanding relations with Japanese localities to facilitate future collaborations. Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu seized the opportunity to propose concrete measures aimed at bolstering cooperation between the embassy and the council. He highlighted a strong desire among the Vietnamese community in Japan, many of whom either currently reside or previously worked in the country, to continue their stay or return there. This enduring relationship, he said, is a powerful catalyst for Vietnamese citizens seeking opportunities to live, study and work in Japan. Daisuke Nakaoka, representative of the Hiroshima Prefectural Office in Tokyo, said with over 10,000 Vietnamese residents, Hiroshima boasts the largest foreign community from Viet Nam. Recent milestones include the launch of direct Vietjet flights connecting Hiroshima and Ha Noi in May, and the signing of an official cooperation agreement between Hiroshima and Viet Nams Thanh Hoa province in June. Established by the Office of the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs in August 2017, the Liaison Council plays a crucial role in disseminating information to local authorities, enabling them to launch programmes aligned with Japans foreign policy while promoting joint projects across various fields at the local level. Today, the council boasts 75 members representing 47 prefectures and 20 central municipalities with offices in Tokyo. VNS inh Minh Hang HA NOI Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of its Commission for External Relations Le Hoaid Trung received newly-appointed Chinese Ambassador to Viet Nam He Wei in Ha Noi on Friday, believing that his extensive experience would be instrumental in bolstering the Viet Nam-China relationship. Trung affirmed the Vietnamese Party and States consistent policy of valuing the development of ties with China, considering it a top priority and a strategic choice. He suggested that both sides facilitate high-level exchanges and interactions, translate the high-level common perceptions into actions, and reinforce all-around cooperation in order to further boost their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and build the Viet Nam China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. He, for his part, underscored the guiding role of the Party-to-Party ties in the overall relationship between the two countries, particularly in light of the recent visits by the top leaders of both Parties and nations. The ambassador expressed a desire for both sides to continue joint work to deepen ties between the two parties and countries. He suggested enhancing theory research collaboration in Party building, the path toward socialism, and development of a socialist market economy tailored to each countrys characteristics. The guest said he wishes that both sides would promote communications work to solidify the social foundation of bilateral ties so that officials, Party members and citizens of both countries could gain a deeper understanding of the traditional friendship between the two Parties, nations and their people, as well as a bright future that lies ahead for their relationship. VNS NHA TRANG The sea and islands are an integral part of the nations sacred territory, an inseparable component that holds immense strategic importance for the country's development across economic, political, social, national defence and security spheres. Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education Vu Thanh Mai made the statement at the '2024 Conference on promoting Viet Nams Marine and Island,' held in Nha Trang City in the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa, attended by representatives from 28 coastal provinces and cities on Thursday. The conference was jointly organised by the commission, in collaboration with the provincial Party Committee, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Navy Command. The task of promoting awareness of marine and island issues was a long-term, ongoing responsibility that involved the entire political system. Thus, raising public consciousness about the role and significance of these territories was essential. Efforts to promote awareness of Viet Nams marine and island territories have yielded substantial results, playing a crucial role in enhancing public understanding and affection for these areas. That also encouraged the forces responsible for managing and protecting the nations maritime sovereignty, Mai said. The Party official also highlighted that the global and regional situations continued to evolve rapidly and complexly, with the trends of peace, cooperation and development facing numerous challenges. Domestically, political and socio-economic stabilised and the Partys external relations, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy were being actively maintained and strengthened, enhancing the nations prestige and position. Hostile forces continued to exploit issues surrounding national sovereignty over borders, seas, islands, ethnicity and religion to disseminate distorted narratives and fabrications aimed at undermining the State and fracturing traditional friendships with neighbouring countries. Under this context, he urged all levels, sectors and localities to deepen their understanding of the Party and States resolutions, strategies and regulations, thereby fostering consensus regarding the mission to safeguard maritime sovereignty. The conference served as an opportunity for the 28 coastal provinces and cities to update and assimilate crucial information and orientations regarding the situation in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) and the work of protecting Viet Nams maritime sovereignty, as well as the Partys perspectives, policies and laws related to marine and island issues. Participants at the conference also engaged in discussions, exchanging initiatives and experiences in promoting marine and island awareness, ultimately aiming to enhance local efforts in the area, thereby contributing to socio-economic development and the robust protection of the nations sacred sovereignty in the new situation. Vice Secretary of Nha Trang Province Party Committee Nguyen Khac Toan said in recent years, promoting marine and island awareness had been recognised as a significant task by local authorities. The mission had been implemented comprehensively, featuring diverse content and forms, particularly through coordinated efforts between localities and units, alongside the Navy Command and Coast Guard. The focus had been on effectively implementing the Marine and Island Promotion Coordination Programme between the Navy Command and the provincial Party Committee for the period 2023-25. During the conference, delegates concentrated on discussing several key issues, including the protection of Viet Nam's maritime sovereignty on political and diplomatic fronts. They considered recent results in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the current situation in the East Sea, along with predictions and directions for future tasks in safeguarding maritime sovereignty. VNS ONG THAP ong Thap Province is trying to encourage and create favourable conditions for labourer who work abroad to confidently return to the province to start their own business. Bui Thi Viko, from Cao Lanh City, said: "Realising that the opportunity to work abroad could help me accumulate experience and capital to return home to start a business, three years ago I made a breakthrough decision to work in Japan. "Through the guidance of the Employment Service Centre of ong Thap, I went to work under a contract in Japan for three years. After years of hard work, I have accumulated a lot of experience and capital. Realising that the demand for beauty in my country is increasing, I decided to use all my savings to open a beauty care service in ong Thap." Viko now owns two beauty care facilities in ong Thap and Binh Thuan Province's Phan Thiet City after a period of learning, cultivating and many failures. Viko has also taught many other workers in the localities the skills to open their own businesses. Trang Thi Hong Tham from Lai Vung District helped her family escape poverty and saved more than VN700 million (US$35,000) to pay off debts and build a new house for her family after four years of working in Japan. She was recruited after returning home by human resource companies to impart experience and teach Japanese for a stable income in HCM City. She is still hesitant about her own experience so she is not confident to start a business. To be able to start a business in the future, I will continue to equip myself with more knowledge about the operating procedures of a business to establish a foreign language centre, but in fact I do not yet fully understand business establishment procedures, preferential loans for investment and tax exemptions. Tran Van Pho from Lap Vo District said he had saved a large amount of capital after years of working abroad. He still had capital to start a business after helping his family escape poverty and build a house. However, he still did not have a clear direction for starting a business and did not know where to start. Pho hopes that ong Thap Province's leaders will have more specific measures and instructions to support workers who have returned home to implement their startup ideas. He also hopes that the provincial government will provide training courses on business management skills for workers like him. According to statistics from the Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, ong Thap Province has nearly 5,000 labourers working abroad under contracts that generate foreign currency revenue of more than VN1.2 trillion ($47.5 million) each year for the province. Therefore, in order to create favourable conditions for these workers to confidently start a business when returning home, the province has many policies and preferential loan programmes for starting a business in many fields, including maximum loans for individuals of VN300 million ($15,000), loans for groups of individuals of VN500 million ($25,000) and business loans of VN1 billion ($50,000). Mai Thanh Nghi, director of the Centre for Enterprise Support and Startups of the province, said: ong Thap Provincial government will create connections within business associations, with the mindset that large, leading businesses will accompany young entrepreneurs from their infancy to the next stage of development." Pham Viet Cong, director of the provincial Department of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, said that the province will continue to help workers to overcome difficulties and obstacles in starting a business by promptly providing incentive policies, training courses in start-up knowledge, consulting services and support capital, and connecting with organisations and incubators. VNS SYDNEY -- The number of Vietnamese tourists to Australia has grown significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 178,000 reported in the past 12 months to August 2024, according to an October 31 press release by the Australian Minister for Trade and Tourisms Office. Minister Don Farrell said that since launching Invested: Australias Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, a year ago, his country has been stepping up its efforts across Southeast Asia, and tourism with Viet Nam is shaping up to be a huge success story. Cooperation between the Australian and Vietnamese governments have delivered benefits for both countries, with Viet Nam becoming Australias fastest-growing inbound market and more Australians travelling to Viet Nam than prior to the pandemic. The Australian Government has provided funding for a number of initiatives designed to attract more visitors from Viet Nam, including the Viet Nam Host Programme, a new addition to the suite of online training courses delivered by the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC). ATECs programmes, which are designed by leading industry professionals, help Australian businesses understand the needs of Vietnamese travellers and how to attract them. ATECs Meeting Place conference on the Gold Coast, which took place earlier this week, is expected to continue building momentum with Southeast Asia, with expert panels and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) briefings to highlight the growing opportunities for the region. The government is supporting Australian businesses to embrace the enormous opportunities right on its doorstep, according to the press release. "Boosting tourism between our nations was a key topic of discussions when I visited Viet Nam last year for our annual Economic Partnership Meeting, and again earlier this month when Viet Nams Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son and Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung visited Australia. "It is very encouraging to see strong growth in visitors from Viet Nam to Australia, which is supporting Australian tourism businesses to succeed and grow, affirmed Don Farrell. -- VNA/VNS HA NOI Viet Nam is among the remaining 26 countries worldwide still facing iodine deficiency, according to a report from the Global Network for the Prevention of Iodine Deficiency Disorders. Only 27 per cent of households use adequately iodised salt, while WHO recommends over 90 per cent. The results of National Nutrition Survey in Viet Nam also revealed that the median urinary iodine concentration in children (over six years old) nationwide is 113.3 mcg/L, in mountainous children is 90.0 mcg/L, in women of reproductive age is 98.9 mcg/L, and in pregnant women is 85.3 mcg/L. WHO's recommended level for children and women of reproductive age is 100-199 mcg/L, and for pregnant women, it is 150-249 mcg/L. This shows that both the median urinary iodine concentration and the percentage of households using adequately iodised salt fall below WHO recommendations. Based on these findings, it is clear that the Vietnamese population has not reached the recommended daily iodine intake. With an aim to increase the micronutrients in food for Vietnamese people, on Thursday, Deputy Minister of Health o Xuan Tuyen chaired a meeting to gather input from organisations and businesses on the draft amendments and supplements to Decree No. 09/2016/N-CP, dated January 28, 2016, on enhancing the addition of micronutrients to food. Legal Department of the Ministry of Health reported that as of October 2024, the ministry received seven sets of opinions from organisations and business associations. Of these, seven out of seven organisations agreed on the necessity of issuing the decree. Four out of seven organisations, including WHO, UNICEF, Iodine Global Network (IGN), and HealthBridge Canada, fully supported the necessity and provided additional evidence to maintain the mandatory regulation of iodine fortification in salt, as well as the addition of iron and zinc to wheat flour. Three of the organisations, including the Food Industry Association, AmCham, and VASEP, offered comments on the draft decree. With these differing opinions, the Ministry of Health has considered and responded to each group of issues based on WHO recommendations, practical experience, and epidemiological studies. At the meeting, representatives of business associations raised various recommendations regarding the classification of products for which iodine fortification should be encouraged versus products where it should be limited, the increased costs for businesses in adding iodine to processed products, and the impact on the sensory qualities of traditional products, which poses difficulties for businesses. International organisations, as well as agencies and units under the Ministry of Health, addressed business concerns by providing concrete evidence from scientific research in many countries about the need and obligation to supplement food with micronutrients for public health. This provides the basis for the draft amendment to Decree No.09 requiring iodine fortification in salt for direct consumption and in food processing. Reports from the National Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism and the National Institute of Nutrition indicate that Viet Nam has not recorded any cases of iodine excess. Additionally, the Ministry of Health has not received any scientific evidence from businesses showing that iodine-enriched salt affects the colour, flavour, or has adverse health effects on consumers. Therefore, previous claims by businesses were inaccurate and lacked scientific basis, which delayed the implementation of Decree No. 09/2016/N-CP for eight years. During these eight years, Viet Nam has seen little improvement in public health related to micronutrients such as iodine, iron, and zinc. Based on this information, the ministrys Legal Department is drafting amendments following the opinions of WHO, UNICEF, the National Institute of Nutrition, the Institute for Health Strategy and Policy, and other public health organisations. The Deputy Minister requested that the Legal Department, which is leading the drafting of the decree, finalise the draft for submission to the government by November. Specialised agencies, such as the Institute for Health Strategy and Policy, the National Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, and Bach Mai Hospital, are to review research data and submit formal reports to the Ministry of Health (to be sent to the Legal Department) by November 2024. Deputy Minister o Xuan Tuyen assigned the Institute for Health Strategy and Policy to coordinate with related units such as the Institute of Nutrition, the Department of Food Safety, and the Department of Preventive Medicine to address the technical concerns of businesses regarding Decree No. 09/2016/N-CP. VNS QUANG NGAI -- A 26-year-old man, with the name V.N.T, was detained on Friday by Quang Ngai City Police for allegedly engaging in sexual abuse of two twin sisters, both minors aged 15. On November 1, the Quang Ngai City Criminal Investigation Police detained T. (resident of Nghia Chanh Ward, Quang Ngai City) on charges of engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor between the ages of 13 and 16, a form of child sexual abuse under Vietnamese law. He is accused of sexually abusing both sisters multiple times. The initial investigation revealed that N.N.B.Tr. and N.N.B.Tri. (both 15 years old, in Quang Ngai City) are twin sisters. On Facebook, Tri. exchanged messages with V.N.T., and a romantic relationship developed between them. Meanwhile, Tr., her twin sister, discovered the relationship and began messaging T. from her own account, which eventually led to a separate romantic connection with him. Between June and July 2024, V.N.T. reportedly exploited Tr.'s lack of understanding to engage in sexual relations with her multiple times. When Tr.'s parents became aware of the relationship, they intervened to stop her from continuing it with T. Following the parents intervention, T. redirected his attention to Tri., Tr.'s twin sister, and also engaged in sexual relations with her on several occasions. N.T. (37 years old), the father of Tr. and Tri., filed a complaint with Quang Ngai City Police, accusing V.N.T. of multiple incidents involving both of his daughters. After receiving the report, police determined that this was a serious case involving childrens safety and rights. During questioning, V.N.T. initially denied the accusations, but with substantial evidence gathered, he ultimately confessed. This case highlights the importance of guidance for minors navigating online environments. While the internet offers educational and social opportunities, it can also pose risks. Alongside preventive efforts by authorities, parents are advised to supervise childrens online interactions to reduce the risk of similar incidents. -- VNS NEW YORK Minister Counsellor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, deputy head of the Permanent Delegation of Viet Nam to the United Nations (UN), emphasised the importance of adhering to international law and the principle of non-appropriation of outer space, while representing ASEAN at the 13th meeting of the Special Political and Decolonisation Committee (Fourth Committee) of the 79th UN General Assembly on October 30. Nguyen affirmed ASEAN's stance on ensuring equal access to outer space for all countries, saying the bloc calls on them to enhance dialogue and improve the legal framework to promote cooperation in this field. As the bloc is marking the 65th founding anniversary of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), it expresses concern over challenges such as the arms race, weaponisation, waste pollution, and satellite collisions; and supports the UN's central role in coordinating international cooperation to address these issues. ASEAN particularly stresses the importance of sharing space technology and data to tackle environmental issues, promote innovation, and build capacity for post-disaster recovery, especially in the Southeast Asia region, the representative added. VNA/VNS A workshop on new approaches to attracting more overseas investment to Vietnam took place at the Vietnam National University in Hanoi on October 31. The event was organised by the VNU - University of Economics & Business in collaboration with the Party Central Committee's Economic Commission. Associate Prof. Nguyen Hong Son, Deputy Chairman of the Central Committee's Economic Commission said that in the five years since implementing Resolution No.39-NQ/TW and Resolution No.50-NQ/TW, FDI into Vietnam has increased, creating a lot of value for the economy and acting as an incentive to modernise. "Foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) have become an important part of the economy, actively contributing to the country's socioeconomic development," Son said. Particularly, although 2023 was a challenging year for the Vietnamese economy, registered foreign investment in Vietnam increased sharply to $36.6 billion, up 32 per cent on year, while global FDI capital rose by only 3 per cent. FDI disbursed was over $23 billion, accounting for 16 per cent of the total investment as a whole. According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, in 2023, FIEs contributed $18.3 billion to the state budget, making up about 25.4 per cent of total budget revenue and earned close to $260 billion from export value, equivalent to 73 per cent of total country's export turnover. This sector creates more than 360,000 jobs annually on average. In the first nine months of this year, total registered funding from abroad reached almost $24.8 billion, up 11.5 per cent on-year; while its disbursement was about $17.3 billion, up 9 per cent on-year. "Vietnam can expect to draw in about $39-40 billion in foreign investment in 2024, reflecting the resilience and attractiveness of Vietnam as an investment destination and trade partner," said Son. Prof. Nguyen Mai, chairman of the Vietnam Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises (VAFIE) agreed that 2024 could be a successful year in attracting investment. "In addition to the target of luring about $39-40 billion of FDI, Vietnam can achieve a record disbursement of $25 billion as the target set in Resolution No.50-NQ/TW of the Politburo. Vietnam has been successful in attracting investment thanks to the improvement in the business environment and related institutions, a stable political scene, and high economic growth potential," he said. Mai went on to express some concerns about the negative impacts of FIEs. Huong Vu, CEO of Ernst & Young Vietnam, said, "The transfer pricing situation in FIEs is still the most concerning issue." Vu pointed out some typical violations of transfer pricing regulations such as losses reported by businesses while still expanding operations; losses reported just as tax incentives end; affiliated companies selling assets to subsidiaries at prices higher than the market to raise profits abroad and increase depreciation costs in Vietnam; and paying service fees. Vietnam reports FDI jump of 11.6 per cent More than $24.78 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) flowed into Vietnam in the first nine months of 2024, climbing 11.6 per cent on-year, according to the Foreign Investment Agency. ASEAN reinforces position as a top FDI recipient in developing regions Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to ASEAN reached another historical level of $230 billion in 2023, reinforcing ASEAN's position at the top of FDI recipients among developing regions. Q3 FDI results improve on expectations Foreign investment is accelerating into the country, and expected to reach about $40 billion for the whole year. Chinese defense spokesperson denounces U.S. arms sales to Taiwan Xinhua) 08:13, November 01, 2024 BEIJING, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- A few pieces of U.S. weaponry will not close the cross-Strait military power gap, and they will definitely not stop the historical trend of China's reunification, a Chinese defense spokesperson said on Thursday. Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media inquiry on the United States' new plan to sell arms to China's Taiwan region, reportedly including the surface-to-air missile system and radar system. The U.S. arms sales to Taiwan severely violate the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and send very wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, Zhang said. "The United States has reneged on its own promise and is intensifying efforts to arm Taiwan, emboldening the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces and pushing Taiwan closer toward the abyss of military conflict," the spokesperson stated. It has been proven time and again that "Taiwan independence" separatists and foreign interference are the sources of chaos that undermine the status quo, cause cross-Strait crises, and disrupt regional stability, Zhang said. The spokesperson reiterated that the Chinese military will improve its combat readiness continuously, comprehensively enhance its capability to fight and win, and safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity firmly. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) A native of Beaumont, J.C. Reid graduated from the University of Southern California after studying architecture and spent his early career as an architect in New York City. He returned to Texas in 1995, retiring from architecture but creating his own Internet business in Houston. As his business became self-sustaining, he began traveling Houston and the world to pursue his passion: eating barbecue. He began blogging about food and barbecue for the Houston Chronicle in 2010 and founded the Houston Barbecue Project in 2011 to document barbecue eateries throughout the area. Just last year, Reid and others founded the Houston Barbecue Festival to showcase mom-and-pop barbecue joints in the city. The 2014 event drew 2,000 guests to sample meats from 20 restaurants. You can view more of J.C.'s work at jcreidtx.com. Conroe ISD Superintendent Curtis Null visits with a student on the first day of school at Annete Gordon Reed Elementary in 2022. Uncertified teachers are a growing trend in Texas and while some reports show this could negatively affect students, Houston-area school officials said it is necessary to fill positions and stay competitive. In Montgomery County, Conroe ISD has 102 uncertified teachers across all grade levels, according to information from the district. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Students walk past a back to school sign on the first day of school at Conroe ISDs Hines Elementary in 2023. Uncertified teachers are a growing trend in Texas and while some reports show this could negatively affect students, Houston-area school officials said it is necessary to fill positions and stay competitive. In Montgomery County, Conroe ISD has 102 uncertified teachers across all grade levels, according to information from the district. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Uncertified teachers are a growing trend in Texas and while some reports show this could negatively affect students, Houston-area school officials said it is necessary to fill positions and stay competitive. In Montgomery County, Conroe ISD has 102 uncertified teachers across all grade levels, according to information from the district. Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer New Conroe ISD teachers walk through various booths during orientation at Grand Oak High School in 2021. Uncertified teachers are a growing trend in Texas and while some reports show this could negatively affect students, Houston-area school officials said it is necessary to fill positions and stay competitive. In Montgomery County, Conroe ISD has 102 uncertified teachers across all grade levels, according to information from the district. Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Uncertified teachers are a growing trend in Texas and while some reports show this could negatively affect students, Houston-area school officials said it is necessary to fill positions and stay competitive. In Montgomery County, Conroe ISD has 102 uncertified teachers across all grade levels, according to information from the district. Conroe ISD is not alone in looking for uncertified teachers to fill positions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houston ISD has 2,097 uncertified teachers out of more than 10,000 teachers for 2024-25. That means roughly 1 in 3 of the 2,770 teacher vacancies at the end of the last school year were filled with teachers without proper credentials. State-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles said during an August press conference that those educators have two years to earn certification. Innovation trend part of hiring spike Uncertified teachers are most frequently hired through a state program adopted by the state Legislature in 2015. Under this program, school boards can designate themselves a district of innovation, which gives them more flexibility to skirt state regulations including school year calendars or requirements to hire certified teachers. The number of such districts has exploded. In the 2016-17 school year, the first year of the program, 26 districts participated. Now, 970 districts do, or 80% of all public schools. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2016, Conroe ISD became a district of innovation and Houston ISD approved the designation in December. Bethany Medford, deputy superintendent for Conroe ISD, said the districts priority is to continue to hire certified staff. However, lack of certification will not exclude an applicant. It allows us to hire the best applicant to teach students in courses and fill those subjects and courses that are difficult to fill, Medford said. The drive to have the certification provision was spurred by the need for Conroe ISD to expand its hiring process, she said. We needed a way to hire the very best candidate and be competitive in the surrounding area, Medford said. We dont want to lose out on some of those great people. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Medford said there are a variety of reasons a teacher is not certified including recently moving to Texas from out of state or they have a degree in a different subject. Superintendent Curtis Null said the process of hiring uncertified teachers is about timing. These are people who are going to be certified, Null said. Impact in the classroom According to a July Texas Tech University report, students with new uncertified teachers experience learning loss, losing about four months of learning in reading and three months in math, unless the teacher has previous experience working in a public school. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The latest data I have showed that uncertified teachers turnover at three times the rate as other teachers. And so part of it is that, 'OK, Ive never been in a classroom before. I dont know what classroom management looks like because Ive never seen it modeled,' the reports author, Jacob Kirksey, said. Shannon Burns, with the Texas Association of School Boards, said as districts look to uncertified teachers, districts should outline a plan of action to ensure these uncertified teachers can obtain their standard certificate. Burns said training and support is critical for uncertified teachers to be effective in the classroom. Key elements for teacher success include a comprehensive orientation program, mentorship from experienced teachers, targeted professional development, and regular check-ins. Teachers entering through non-traditional routes are generally less prepared and, unfortunately, twice as likely to leave the profession after their first year, Burns said. Staff replacement can be costly for a school district, so providing necessary support and guidance to these teachers can yield significant returns on investment. Shakari Briggs is a Quality of Life reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She focuses on issues in the rapidly growing suburbs and surrounding counties. Before joining the Chronicle in November 2023, Shakari worked for Spectrum News as a digital journalist based in her hometown. She has experience in broadcast reporting and producing as a former multimedia journalist and associate producer. The Dallas native has also worked at small to medium-sized newspapers throughout her career. Her reporting on the rise and fall of a shopping mall won an Arkansas Associated Press Managing Editors Contest award. She also earned an Arkansas Press Association award for freelance reporting. Vasily Nebenzya, Russias Permanent Representative to the UN: We would like to warn you straight away that there will be no repeat of the Minsk agreements scenario, no freezing of the front so that the Zelensky regime can lick its wounds, nor will Ukraine join NATO in one form or another. All the goals of our Special Military Operation, including the demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine, remain in force and are not changing. But what is changing, and rapidly, is the size of the territory remaining under the control of the Kiev regime. I advise all those who support their Ukrainian accomplices to remember this and think not about Zelenskys clique, but about the Ukrainian people, whose long-term interests lie in peace and good-neighbourliness with Russia. So far, our Western colleagues are not doing a very good job on this issue. Fire and rehire tactics criticised by Members of Parliament amid local strikes This article is old - Published: Friday, Nov 1st, 2024 An Early Day Motion in Parliament acknowledging the strike by Oscar Mayer workers in Wrexham and protesting the companys fire and rehire tactics, has been tabled by the MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr. Hundreds of workers at Oscar Mayer, on the Wrexham Industrial Estate, have been on strike amid concerns over pay and working conditions. The company is one of the major ready meal manufacturers in the UK and supplies large quantities of its products to Tesco, ASDA, Greggs, Aldi, Waitrose, Sainsburys and the Co-op. According to Unite workers are angry at the companys plans to remove some paid breaks, reduce other breaks and eradicate any enhanced payments and days off in lieu for working bank holidays. The union also states that the company is threatening to fire and rehire the workers on new contracts if they do not voluntarily accept the changes, which will see their take home pay plummet. Over recent weeks workers have been seen striking outside the Oscar Mayer factory, city centre supermarkets and the B&Q Roundabout. The fire and rehire tactics have been condemned by local Members of Parliament, Steve Witherden MP (Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr) and Andrew Ranger MP (Wrexham). Steve Witherden MP has now tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) in Parliament acknowledging the strike by Oscar Mayer workers in Wrexham, protesting the companys fire and rehire tactics. EDM 279 was tabled on 21 October 2024 and has since been signed by 32 Members of Parliament, gathering support from five parties as well as from independent MPs. He spoke in Parliament on the matter last week, calling for clarity on the timescales for reforms for unfair dismissal. The motion protests the companys intention to alter contracts by removing fully paid breaks, eliminating enhanced payments, and ending days off in lieu for working bank holidays, commends the efforts of Unite the Union in advocating for its members and launching a multi-million-pound legal case regarding potential breaches of the Employment Agencies Act 1973, and urges the Government to expedite the implementation of promised legislation banning fire and rehire practices. Mr Witherdens motion was sponsored by Andrew Ranger, Labour MP for Wrexham, and signed by MPs from Plaid Cymru, the Green Party, the SNP, and the DUP. Steve Witherden, Labour MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr commented: This motion puts on the Parliamentary record Oscar Mayers shameful attempt to force over a hundred of my constituents onto worse contracts and depreciate their pay. The governments Employment Rights Bill will outlaw fire and rehire and bring about the biggest upgrade of workers rights in a generation, but employees need help now. My office is doing all it can to stand up for those affected. Andrew Ranger, Labour MP for Wrexham added: I am proud to have sponsored this early day motion to acknowledge the strike by Oscar Mayer workers in my constituency, after visiting hundreds of them demonstrating in Wrexham earlier in the month. I want to see business and workers succeed together and I call again on Oscar Mayer to engage with workers and their representatives to come to a fair and ethical resolution. Oscar Mayer has previously disputed the claims that have been made and has described them as factually inaccurate. In September a spokesperson for Oscar Mayer said: We are disappointed by Unites decision to undertake industrial action and by their public claims to date, which have been factually inaccurate. We have engaged fully and constructively with our colleagues and their representatives throughout and have reached agreement with almost half of those impacted. We also have robust contingency plans in place and do not envisage any impact for our customers. The proposals have not been made lightly but we have made clear throughout that they are absolutely necessary to ensure a long-term sustainable business and protect the jobs we provide in the local community. These measures will also put us in line with the majority of other businesses in our sector and similar companies in the local area. Nonetheless, we have continued to engage with our colleagues to seek agreement on these proposals. North Wales emergency services issue firework safety plea ahead of Bonfire Night This article is old - Published: Friday, Nov 1st, 2024 North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is joining forces with the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust and North Wales Police in an appeal to help keep people safe this bonfire and fireworks season. Whilst there has been a drop in the number of incidents involving fireworks and bonfires across the region in recent years, this time of year typically sees an increase in calls and strain on the emergency services. Paul Kay, Head of Fire Safety for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said that more are choosing to attend organised displays rather than letting off fireworks at home. However he is urging those who are planning on setting off fireworks or have a bonfire to follow the advice below: Respect the Firework Code Remember that fireworks are explosives, and as such should be treated with respect and only used in accordance with the manufacturers instructions and the Firework Code. Please stay safe and follow the Firework Code. North Wales Fire and Rescue Services advice is: Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable, and ensure it finishes before 11pm. Only buy fireworks which carry the CE mark, keep them in a closed box and use them one at a time. Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary. Light the firework at arms length with a taper and stand well back. Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks. Never return to a firework once it has been lit. Dont put fireworks in pockets and never throw them. Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators. Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire. Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving. Respect the Emergency Services Judith Bryce, Assistant Director of Operations for the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust added: On what is a high-pressure night for all emergency services across the region, we are urging the public to help safeguard themselves, their families, neighbours and friends by staying safe and not taking risks. Burns injuries, especially, can be avoided by following the Firework code. If you do suffer a burn, ensure you: Get the person away from the heat source. Cool the burn with lukewarm or cool water for 20 minutes. Remove any clothing or jewellery thats near the burnt area. Make sure the person keeps warm. Cover the burn using a layer of cling film or a clean plastic bag. Use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Visit the Burns and scalds page on the NHS 111 Wales website. Use the emergency department for severe trauma, injuries or illnesses. Only call 999 for serious or life-threatening emergencies. Respect your neighbours Fireworks can frighten people particularly the elderly and children and animals. Make sure to tell your neighbours if youre a planning on letting off fireworks and avoid purchasing really noisy ones. Please be considerate when having a firework party and make sure the noise is over by 11pm. You must not set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except for: Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight. New Years Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am. Chief Inspector Siobhan Edwards of North Wales Police said: We hope that this year, as has been the case on previous years, people take a responsible attitude to Bonfire Night. We know the majority of people enjoy this time of year sensibly and we are not out to spoil their fun but unfortunately there is a minority who are intent on causing problems and use the period as an excuse to commit crime and act anti-socially. We want to work with our communities to ensure that they can enjoy themselves safely. Our teams, alongside partners, will be out and about across the region helping to educate, reassure and keep our communities safe. To stay updated and to help with our engagement, please register to receive Community Alerts Home North Wales Community Alert Demand on emergency services rise significantly during this time of the year. To help us keep our lines free for those who need us most, please ensure youre contacting the most relevant agency and using the most appropriate means of contact. Wreckage is seen at the site where a helicopter crashed into a radio tower killing four people Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in the Second Ward neighborhood in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer The families of three people killed in the fiery Oct. 20 helicopter crash that took down a 1,000 foot radio tower in Houston's Second Ward are suing the owners of the helicopter, the touring company that operated it and the owners of the structure, lawyers said Friday. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of the families of Cesar Lerma, Marie Alonso and their 9-year-old son Dylon Lerma, who died in the crash along with helicopter pilot Samantha Grandbouche. The suit accuses three businesses National Helicopter Solutions, Porter Equipment and SBA Communications of acts of negligence that contributed to the crash. Grandbouche is also named as a defendant. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Report: Helicopter pilot was on radio with air traffic control just before crash into East End tower The families are seeking more than $50 million in damages, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit came less than a day after the National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report about the crash. The report didn't draw any conclusions about what caused the crash, but did provide some new details. The report revealed that Grandbouche was speaking to an air traffic controller shortly before the crash, and had received directions to avoid another helicopter flying around downtown Houston. NTSB investigators could not confirm whether all the warning lights on the radio tower were flashing before the crash. In a news release announcing the lawsuit, attorneys questioned if tower was properly illuminated, if Grandbouche was properly trained, and if the helicopter was properly equipped to fly at night. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The families of Cesar, Marie and Dylon are devastated and seek both answers and accountability, attorney Randy Sorrels said in the release. We hope this lawsuit will answer many unanswered questions, bring about air-safety changes and prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again. The helicopter was being operated by National Helicopter Solutions, which earlier in October began offering flying tours from Ellington Airport in southeast Houston. The helicopter itself was owned by Porter Equipment, a Magnolia-based company. The lawsuit claims the helicopter was flying more than 100 mph when it hit the 1,000-foot tower standing in a field between Navigation Boulevard and Buffalo Bayou. The tower and the helicopter crashed near an apartment complex under construction and industrial businesses, but didn't cause any major damage to buildings. Nobody on the ground was injured in the crash. Jay Marroquin of MYSTUDIO HTX said he and his family were on the way home from College Station when and passed the scene of the Houston helicopter crash around 15 minutes after it happened. Jay Marroquin/MYSTUDIO HTX The tower was owned by SBA Communications, a real estate investment trust. SBA bought the tower from Univison in September. Before the crash, the tower was use to broadcast Spanish-language radio stations, including KLTN 1029.9 and KAMA 104.9. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After the crash, SBA said it had issued a "Notice to Air Missions," or NOTAM, because of possible issues with the tower's lights caused by the transfer of ownership. A NOTAM used to inform pilots of work notices, potential hazards or changes that may impact their flight. However, the company has said the notice was a precaution and told NTSB investigators that there "no outages with the tower flashing beacons," according to the preliminary report. The lawsuit accused SBA of failing to properly illuminate the tower. SBA and Porter Equipment Holdings didn't immediately respond to requests for comment . A public phone number for National Helicopter Solutions appeared to disconnected as of Friday. Update (11/1, 11:00 a.m.): Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks has determined that the January 8, 2023 shooting of Scott Kennedy and Jeremiah Graham by Reno Police Officers Steven Mayfield and Travis Look was justified and lawful under Nevada law. District Attorney Hicks has released a detailed 37-page report containing the facts of the case, photographs, witness accounts, and the legal analysis supporting the determination. You can find that report here. This determination is based on an extensive review of the investigation conducted by the Washoe County Sheriffs Office, which was submitted to the Nevada District Attorney's Office. The publication of this report was delayed until the ongoing criminal prosecution of Graham, stemming from the incident that led to the shooting, reached conclusion. The purpose of that delay was to maintain the integrity of the legal proceedings against Graham. The video incident of the report can be found on the Reno Police Department's YouTube channel. WARNING: Bodycam video is included and can be graphic at times. ORIGINAL REPORT: A Reno man will serve up to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. The defendant, 46-year-old Jeremiah Graham, will be eligible for parole after four and a half years. In January of 2023 police responded to an apartment complex on Sky Valley Drive to find a 31-year-old woman who had been beaten by Graham, who was her roommate. While officers helped the woman back into her apartment, they noticed several firearms inside. Shortly afterward, officers saw Graham and his brother, Scott Kennedy, return to the apartment, gather several guns and begin to leave again. When an officer attempted to speak with Graham and Kennedy, Kennedy began to shoot at the officer with a semi-automatic rifle, hitting the officer three times in the leg and abdomen. Officers returned fire, shooting both men, killing Kennedy and wounding Graham. The officer underwent several surgeries and is still recovering. An investigation found that while Graham was in possession of guns, he did not shoot them in the incident and did not directly cause injuries to the officer. At the time of the shooting, Graham was in possession of an AR-15 and a handgun, and multiple guns were found in a safe in Grahams apartment in his room. Graham has previously been convicted of three prior felonies, two battery with a deadly weapon offenses, and one felon in possession of a firearm offense and is therefore prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm. Blazers not diamonds are a womans best friend. Theyre power pieces that boost any outfit and your body confidence. How do I know? As a fashion editor, stylist and personal shopper for women over 50, I have a front row seat to womens wardrobes and fashion woes. The phrase What about a blazer? starts many conversations and ends many fashion dilemmas. From extra pounds and bulges to the I have nothing to wear issue, a jacket is often the best solution to putting together a stress-free outfit. The only decision is which one to choose. Wondering whether to go single or double breasted? Deciding between oversized, cropped or relaxed? Velvet or plaid? Check out the best new styles below and tips on how to choose and wear them. Members only Loft Faux Leather Relaxed Blazer in Black ($96, loft.com) (Left) and Everlane The Oversized Blazer in Buttersmooth in Heather Steel ($198, everlane.com) (Right) AARP (Loft, Everlane) 1. Choose the right style for your body and life. So, lets clarify a few things first, especially the term blazer. This used to mean a structured notch-collar jacket with buttons and pockets. It still does, but not exclusively. If youre shopping online, notice that the category of blazers now includes a variety of indoor jacket looks, fits and lengths including cropped, collarless, knit and open-front styles. While you can of course throw-on a blazer and dash outdoors in warm or mild weather, the blazers in this post emphasize indoor wear. For simplicity I am using the terms blazer, cropped and jacket. So, what am I leaving out? Any jacket that is labeled shrunken or cropped above the waist (too junior), ridiculously oversized blazers and those with obvious shoulder pads or puff sleeves (too costume-y). Here are the 10 you need to know better: Single-breasted blazers. This classic style now in relaxed fits with a modern aesthetic meshes with every wardrobe. Worn open or closed, a one-button blazer in a neutral color like the Lane Bryant Perfect Drape Blazer in Black ($120, lanebryant.com) has day or night versatility and pairs easily with jeans and a turtleneck or tailored pants and a crisp white button-down shirt. Own at least one and start with black. Oversized blazers. These have a looser straighter fit that varies from boyfriend silhouettes to more generously cut styles like Everlanes Oversized Blazer in Buttersmooth in Heather Steel, Black or Navy ($198, everlane.com). For a flattering look pair any roomy jacket with a slim base like straight-leg jeans or trim pull-on pants. Though the cut may tempt you to overdo the layering beneath dont, not unless you plan on wearing the jacket open. A stuffed look beneath a jacket does your body no favors. Double-breasted blazers. These sophisticated blazers also known as DB are trending in every variation from a minimalist two buttons across style to a double row of six buttons. Styles like the Boston Proper Modern Double-Breasted Blazer in Camel, Black or Olive Night ($150, bostonproper.com) emphasize and flatter curvy figures due to the graduated button placement. Hourglass blazers. Jackets with a nipped in waist suggest an hourglass silhouette and make the most of any indent you have going on at 50. Look for slightly longer styles that flare towards the hem such as the Future Collective Womens Nipped Waist Blazer in Charcoal Gray ($45, target.com) which looks like an elongated peplum. Leather blazers and crops. If you want the edgy vibe of a black leather biker jacket minus the tough route 66 effect, try a buttery one like the Loft Faux Leather Relaxed Blazer in Black ($96, loft.com). While a moto jacket may look great over jeans, tailored leathers with a notched collar or a cropped style can go casual or dressy and are more fun than another woven tailored blazer. Ponte blazers. Structured but stretchy, ponte knit blazers are tops for work and travel. Styles like the Spanx Asymmetric Ponte Knit Blazer in Classic Black ($228, nordstrom.com) absolutely do not wrinkle even after hours sitting at a desk, a long flight or an overnight being folded in a suitcase. If you wear business clothes, this is your next splurge. Plaid blazers. These are trending and come in lots of styles, but the most flattering is relaxed notch-collar blazers that are inspired by menswear. Look for small plaids, checks and herringbones in neutral colors like Madewells Kline Blazer in Cooper Plaid ($200, madewell.com) rather than large, exaggerated patterns for a tasteful chic look. Collarless blazers. Minus any lapels, streamlined blazers like the Banana Republic Factory Ponte Collarless Blazer in New Mallard Green or Black ($102, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com) are ideal for anyone who prefers a frill-free jacket or makes statement necklaces their signature look and wants an uncluttered backdrop to show them off. Cropped jackets. These feminine alternatives to notch-collar blazers are known as lady jackets though they mimic classic couture styles (especially those of Chanel). Cropped at the waist, they feature a boucle texture, multiple buttons and pockets for an upscale vibe. Choose a neutral white or black or a classy red like the J. Crew Isabelle Lady Jacket in Tweed - Radiant Ruby ($199, jcrew.com). Sweater blazers. Soft but tailored, notch-collar cardigans such as the J. Crew Factory Schoolboy Sweater Blazer in Roasted Cocoa or Hthr Acorn, Antique Navy or Black ($65, factory.jcrew.com) are perfect for those who prefer less structure more coziness with a professional attitude. Has Alexander the Greats purple tunic been discovered? According to a team of archaeologists, it has! In a paper published in the Journal of Field Archaeology, its been revealed the cloth was found in one of the famous Royal Tombs at Vergina, in Greece. The team, led by Antonis Bartsiokas and supported by the Democritus University of Thrace, used research to confirm the history-making discovery. Its been suggested that relatives of Alexander the Great had been laid to rest at the Royal Tombs, leading them to begin a new examination of three at the site: Tombs I, II and III. Several intriguing discoveries were made through this work. The team uncovered evidence that the remains of Philip II are in Tomb I, including four wounds, while Tomb II holds those belonging to Alexanders half-brother, Philip III. Tomb III was the burial site for the late Macedonian kings son, Alexander IV, who died as a teenager. These conclusions are of particular importance, as the identities of the remains have been a topic of debate for decades. There is also archaeological evidence to support this, Bartsiokas explained in an interview given to the Greek Reporter. For example, the skeleton in Tomb I shows a synostosis [fusion] on the thigh with the leg. This clearly indicates that this skeleton belongs to Alexanders father, as Philip II was limping. Additionally, archaeologists found a newborn in Tomb I, further evidence that it belongs to Philip II, he continued. Historical sources mention only one newborn, likely belong to Cleopatra, the youngest of Philips even wives. Philip II was assassinated by his bodyguard, Pausanias, while Cleopatra Eurydice and their baby were killed by Alexander the Greats mother, Olympias. Tomb II held more than Philip IIIs remains. Bartsiokas team also discovered a purple and white tunic, which, through testing, was determined to be made of cotton and dyed using a shade of purple only accessible to Macedonias elite. The team also concluded that the cloth corresponds to historical accounts of a ceremonial garment known as the sarapis, which Alexander took after his defeat of Darius III of Persia. Found with the tunic were a gold diadem, scepter and oak wreath, which have a possible link to ancient Persia. Theres a frieze in the tomb that features a hunter whos since been identified as Alexander the Great. Ancient sources describe a medium white tunic, and this one matches with their descriptions, Bartsiokas said to the Greek Reporter. If we examine the way they depict it in the frieze of Tomb II, we can see that the painting shows the tunic with two white lines. This corresponds perfectly with the layers of the material found inside the coffin. According to Bartsiokas, the tunic is the most precious object in antiquity. You might be wondering why items associated with Alexander the Great were in a tomb that never housed the late Macedonian kings remains? While theyre unsure of the definitive reason, the archaeology team believe it may be related to Philip III taking over the crown following his half-brothers death. Philip III Arrhidaeus, having been crowned king at the time of Alexanders death, took the tunic and scepter and brought them to Macedonia, Bartsiokas told the Greek Reporter. More from us: Scientists Decipher 3,000-Year-Old Map That Shows Location of Noahs Ark Want to become a trivia master? Sign up for our Today In History newsletter! Alexander the Greats gravesite has yet to be located. However, historians are certain he wasnt laid to rest at the Royal Tombs. Garrett Hardin, a former Harris County sheriff's deputy, stands during a break in his murder trial on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Houston. Hardin faces a murder charge in connection with a July 2022 shooting death of Roderick Brooks. Brooks was accused of shoplifting from a Dollar General. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Lt. Wallace Wyatt, a detective in the Harris County Sheriffs Office, homicide division, testifies during the murder trial of Garrett Hardin, a former Harris County sheriff's deputy, on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Houston. Hardin faces a murder charge in connection with a July 2022 shooting death of Roderick Brooks. Brooks was accused of shoplifting from a Dollar General. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Judge Lori Chambers Gray speaks to the attorneys trying the murder trial of Garrett Hardin, a former Harris County sheriff's deputy, on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Houston. Hardin faces a murder charge in connection with a July 2022 shooting death of Roderick Brooks. Brooks was accused of shoplifting from a Dollar General. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Prosecutor Vincent Tanzillo, left, shows a dismantled Taser being placed into evidence as he questions former Harris County Sheriffs Office investigator Shamir Rasheed in the murder trial against Garrett Hardin, a former Harris County sheriff's deputy, on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Houston. Hardin faces a murder charge in connection with a July 2022 shooting death of Roderick Brooks. Brooks was accused of shoplifting from a Dollar General. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Garrett Hardin, a former Harris County sheriff's deputy, stands with Daniel Werlinger one of his attorneys, as the jury comes into the courtroom as Hardin goes on trial facing a murder charge on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Houston. Hardin faces a murder charge in connection with a July 2022 shooting death of Roderick Brooks. Brooks was accused of shoplifting from a Dollar General. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Attorneys for former Harris County Deputy Garrett Hardin have suggested the alleged pain he felt as an accused shoplifter grabbed his Taser and pulled the trigger was justification enough to shoot and kill the man out of self-defense. A prosecutor stepped up Thursday to feel the effects of the Taser himself, like Hardin may have. The use of the weapon took front and center in the Harris County courtroom as a representative of Taser manufacturer, Axon, demonstrated for the deputys team of lawyers how the device was used in the July 2022 death of Roderick Brooks, who Hardin attempted to arrest after a reports of stolen laundry detergent from a nearby Dollar General. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Axon employee, Bryan Chiles, leveled a Taser inside the courtroom, aiming at the silhouette of a man feet from where a jury sat. The jurors were handed safety glasses and asked to watch closely as the wielder aimed a laser at the target and fired, with a loud pop erupting. Hardin's defense team orchestrated the Taser demonstration after laying out their side of the case earlier this week. Prosecutors waived their opening statements, preventing them from addressing jurors about their take on the evidence. Both sides concluded testimony later Thursday and are expected to return Monday for closing arguments. Hardin is accused of shooting Brooks to death while straddling his back during an attempt to apprehend him. Surveillance footage related to the alleged theft showed Brooks stuffing several bottles and pods of detergent into his pants, leading to a confrontation between Brooks and an employee at the exit. The two placed their hands on the other, with the employee walking after Brooks as he left, according to the video shown earlier this week. Hardin's body-worn camera footage, which authorities made public in 2022, showed the former deputy finding Brooks a mile away from the store and running after him. He attempted to shock him with a Taser to stop him, but the device failed to work as intended. Hardin tackled Brooks to the ground instead, causing the spent Taser to fall alongside them. Brooks grabbed the Taser during their struggle and may have pulled the trigger with the devices tangled wires sandwiched between the two of them, according to testimony. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hardin then shot Brooks in the back of the neck, killing him instantly. The wires were visibly sprawled across Brooks back and tangled around Hardins gun in the seconds that followed the shooting, according to the deputys footage. Chiles, who previously testified for prosecutors in a trial involving an acquitted Baytown police officer, compared a device log and the body-worn camera footage to suggest Brooks likely pulled the Tasers trigger during the struggle and that Hardin was shocked and felt pain when he did. He noted the deputys video did not outright show Brooks pulling the trigger Brooks head blocked the cameras view. If he did pull the trigger, Hardin, not Brooks, likely felt pain in what is known as a drive-stun which can be used to inflict localized pain. Brooks, meanwhile, never made a sound to suggest he was in pain, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I would expect someone who is feeling pain to change the tone of their voice, Chiles testified. With the lights off in the courtroom, jurors rewatched an enlarged version of Hardins footage on a projector screen. Chiles pointed to a faint red dot from the Taser's laser on the pavement, testifying that the circle was indicative that the Taser was armed and ready to fire seconds after Brooks grabbed the device. He admittedly overlooked the dot when he testified in October 2023 before a Harris County grand jury, who went on to indict the deputy on a murder charge. One of the prosecutors in this case, Vincent Tanzillo, who participated in the Taser demonstration, doubted the extent of the devices impact on Hardin before the shooting as the footage never showed the deputy making inadvertent movements, such as dropping his firearm or mistakenly firing it during the purported contact. He slipped off his suit jacket and went before the jurors. Defense attorney Justin Keiter handed him the Taser and the prosecutor touched his own leg with the device for about a second. Tanzillo made no sound and did not change his facial expression. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But he felt it. Tanzillo described the Tasers touch as unpleasant but not debilitating as the trial paused for lunch. As prosecutors pressed Chiles further, he declined to characterize a Taser as a deadly weapon but emphasized that it can be used to cause death or serious injury. Earlier testimony included an out-of-state policing expert who described Hardins actions as reasonable up until the moment he tackled him to the ground while still wielding the spent Taser, which he then lost control of. The former police officer, Nicholas Bloomfield, told jurors that Hardins decision seconds later to shoot Brooks was an unreasonable use of deadly force. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo joins Houston and federal officials in a press conference regarding recovery and assistance after last weeks storms Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Fonde Community Center in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo tours Benavidez Elementary School ahead of the districts $4.4 billion bond election, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and her fiance, David James, picked up their official marriage license at the County Clerk's office on Wednesday. Hidalgo shared the news of the event on social media that same day, adding that County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth had taken time out of a busy election cycle to be on hand. David and I got our Harris County Marriage License today! We went to the County Clerks office where the licenses are granted and were lucky that County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth joined us for our big moment! Thank you Clerk Hudspeth for taking time out of your VERY busy pic.twitter.com/z2WV8i0Nwt Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) October 31, 2024 Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner was one of the first public figures to offer his congratulations, responding to the judge's Instagram post, Congratulations to you both, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a statement to the Chronicle on Friday afternoon, Hidalgo said she and James plan to hold a wedding later this year. David and I are incredibly grateful to share this special milestone, Hidalgo said. Obtaining our marriage license this week is just one of many exciting steps leading up to making it official at our wedding later this year. We look forward to celebrating our love and commitment surrounded by loved ones as we begin this new chapter together. Since she was elected in 2018, Hidalgo has provided some glimpses of the relationship's timeline on her social media platforms. Last December she posted an attempted selfie with James and her cat, Meiloorun. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In February Hidalgo thanked James for her support in a Valentine's Day post. The couple announced their engagement in January, where Hidalgo shared that they met nine years ago. I am so grateful to everyone who celebrated with me, Hidalgo wrote. I felt so loved and it was truly one of my happiest days ever. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thrilled to share some personal news with all of you! David and I are overjoyed to announce our engagement! We met 9 years ago and through all these years and all kinds of challenges, hes been at the center of my world. pic.twitter.com/Kdew1rhxHt Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) January 30, 2024 In June, the couple cast their votes for Democrats Melissa Noriega and Pelumi Adeleke in the Harris County Appraisal District runoff election. Also in June, Hidago posted pictures from her engagement party on social media, which showed the judge celebrating with friends and family, and prompted mostly supportive responses from well-wishers as well as a comment from Houston Mayor John Whitmire, who referred to James, a civil rights and personal injury attorney, as a nerd. Wonderful, wrote Whitmire. He sure looks like a nerd. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The comment was deleted soon after, but not before it had gone viral and been captured in screen shots by users, including journalist Scott Braddock, who drew a red circle around Whitmires comment in an X post, formerly Twitter. Houston politics update: Harris County Judge @LinaHidalgoTX posts a picture with her fiance, Houston Mayor @whitmire_john comments that "he sure looks like a nerd" pic.twitter.com/SrCNCVMfwP Scott Braddock (@scottbraddock) June 25, 2024 In response, Hidalgo told Houston Public Media that she felt the mayors comment was cruel. Its such a happy time for me, Hidalgo said. So, I dont know why someone would do something so cruel, but obviously, you know, Ive been in politics long enough. Mary Benton, Whitmires chief of communications and senior advisor to the mayor, told the Chronicle then, "Whitmire was having a lighthearted moment and meant no harm." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hidalgo was a newcomer in 2018 when when she defeated a Republican incumbent in an upset that helped precipitate a Democratic turnaround in Harris County. Her win made her the first woman and first Latina to serve as the county's chief executive. Hidalgo, the daughter of Columbian immigrants, was reelected to serve a second term November 2022. In August 2023, Hidalgo sought treatment for clinical depression, and in October, spoke candidly about her diagnosis and her decision to make it public. Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday appointed the first Black Montgomery County district attorney when she named Azzie Oliver, a fixture in the DAs office for nearly 25 years, to the post. Oliver, who had been chief deputy district attorney prior to her appointment, held several roles in the office since 1998. Her appointment took effect immediately, succeeding Daryl Bailey, who retired earlier this month after three decades. I express my deep gratitude to Gov. Ivey for placing her trust in me to serve as Montgomery County District Attorney, Oliver said in a statement issued by the DAs office. I consider this appointment a blessing and an honor. I consider the ability to serve our community an honor. I have spent most of my career serving Montgomery County and am committed to leading the office in fighting for victims and making the Capital City safer for all citizens. In a statement, Ivey explained why she appointed Oliver to the job. Ensuring we have a safe Alabama begins with having a safe Capital City, so having our local officials embody that goal is critical. Azzie Oliver has dedicated most of her career to upholding the criminal laws of Alabama and by pursuing justice for the people of Montgomery County, so I am confident she will help us create a safer Montgomery, the governor said. Azzie has protected victims of crimes and prosecuted criminals, so she has become well respected by many from law enforcement officials to prosecutors. I look forward to working with her as our Capital Citys district attorney. Oliver first began her career in the DAs office as a part-time administrative assistant 1998 while getting her criminal justice degree as a senior at Alabama State University. She went on to pursue her juris doctorate degree at the Faulkner University Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, graduating in 2003. While in law school, Oliver was promoted to victim service officer in the Violence Against Women Unit (VAWU.) After passing the Alabama State Bar, she was promoted to deputy district attorney, where she was assigned to prosecute various cases for the office. Later that year, she was named senior prosecutor of the VAWU. After a brief departure from the office to work for Legal Services of Alabama, Oliver returned to the DAs office in 2013, where she was named chief of the Violent Crimes Unit. In 2014, she was sworn-in as chief deputy district attorney. Oliver left in August 2016 to serve in roles with the Alabama District Attorneys Association and in the Alabama Attorney Generals Office, where she was appointed chief deputy of the Criminal Trials Division. In 2020, Oliver returned to the DAs office as chief deputy district attorney. Dan Satterfield, who served for nearly two decades as chief meteorologist at Huntsville television station WHNT, is retiring after a dozen years at an East Coast station. The Oklahoma native left WHNT after 17 years to become the chief meteorologist for WBOC on the Delmarva Peninsula, which straddles Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. After 12 years in his latest role, Satterfield announced his retirement Thursday, according to WBOC. Dan is among the top meteorologists in the country when it comes to television, Draper Media President Craig Jahelka said. Weve heard from people who tell us that they think theyre alive today because of what Dan Satterfield and WBOC did to give them early warnings. Draper Media owns six television stations, including WBOC. While Satterfield will be retired, the meteorologist may occasionally be on the WBOC airwaves as a volunteer fill-in meteorologist if needed. Satterfield was praised at WHNT as a pioneer in weather coverage in the Tennessee Valley and as a leader in the consortium between WHNT, the University of Alabama in Huntsville and NASA that launched the first live dual polarimetric radar in the nation. ARMOR Doppler radar is the only dual pol radar in the Tennessee Valley. Authorities have released the name of a young woman who was killed when the SUV in which she was a passenger was hit by a train in Bessemer. The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the fatality victim as Claudia Mae Dreffs. She was 21 and lived in Hayden. The crash happened at 1:17 p.m. Wednesday at 32nd Street and Carolina Avenue. The Amtrak train was traveling south from Birmingham to New Orleans. Police said the driver of the Chevrolet Suburban was traveling westbound on 32nd and tried to pass as the crossing arms were down and lights flashing. Dreff and the driver, an adult male, were ejected from the SUV. Dreff was pronounced dead at 1:22 p.m., about 50 yards from the crossing. The driver was taken to UAB Hospital with critical injuries. Former President Donald Trump is leading in the polls- the Alabama prison polls, that is. A survey conducted by The Marshall Project found that the majority of Alabama inmates who responded would vote for Trump. The respondents included those who are legally barred from voting and those who could vote using an absentee ballot from behind bars. About 54,000 people were surveyed in 785 state prisons and local jails in 45 states and the District of Columbia. Nationally, about half of respondents said they would vote for Trump. Support for the former president by white inmates remained strong throughout the 2024 election cycle, with more than 60% saying they would vote for Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris. But some groups did change their opinions after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race. Nationally, just 17% of respondents said they would vote for Biden; but when Harris stepped in, that number rose to 33%. That trend continued in Alabama. The Marshall Project polled 900 Alabama inmates720 of those were in state prisons and about 158 were in jails, with 22 in other lockups. In Alabama, more than half of people-- 53%-- who took the first poll said they would vote for former President Donald Trump, according to data from The Marshall Project. About a third of respondents said they identified as Independent, while 26% identified as Republican and 18% as Democrat. The party affiliations were similar to a national average. The Marshall Project cautioned that the survey isnt representative of the overall prison population. The survey was conducted twiceonce while Biden was the Democratic nominee, and the second when Harris stepped in to fill the tickets top slot this summer. When asked if they approved of Bidens presidency, 66% of Alabamians who responded said no. And, 25% said they had no opinion. The disapproval number was about 10% higher than the national average. When asked their opinion on Harris, the results were split: 34% said they had a favorable opinion, while another 34% said they had an unfavorable opinion. Thats in addition to another third, who said they either had no opinion of the vice president or had never heard of her. About 38% of Alabama respondents said they didnt plan to vote. In the first survey, when Biden was the Democratic pick, just 13% said they would vote for Biden. Others wrestled between a third-party candidate or not voting at all. A woman who is locked up at Julia Tutwiler Prison told The Marshall Project she didnt support Harris. My personal opinion is I dont think she would be good. She is a people pleaser, said the woman, whose name The Marshall Project didnt publish. I and many other ladies are pro-life. Only incest or rape should be reason for an abortion and she isnt for the incarcerated. All she wants to do is bury someone under the prisons, so thats my views. In the second survey, after Harris replaced Biden as the nominee, Trumps hold on inmates lessened slightly. Approximately 48% of Alabama inmates polled said they would still elect Trump, but 33% supported Harris. First woman president? About half of those surveyed said the country is ready to elect the first woman president. I believe she is qualified...I just dont believe she is the right person for the job based on everything that is going on in the world at this time, said a white man who supports Trump and is incarcerated at G. K. Fountain Correctional Facility. One man, who was also behind bars at Fountain and said he would vote for a third-party candidate, said character mattered. Lets vote for a candidate who is going to lead by a moral framework, not political posturing. Most of the Alabama inmates who responded to The Marshall Projects survey, which was done on prison-provided tablets, were between the ages of 26-55. About 32% of respondents had a high school education or GED. Of those polled, 38% were ineligible to vote, 33% could vote (by absentee ballot), and 27% werent sure what their eligibility was. In Alabama, there are approximately 40 crimes that can make someone ineligible to vote. The state Constitution bans people convicted of crimes of moral turpitude the right to vote. The state does allow people convicted of certain disqualifying felonies to apply to have their voting rights restored if they have completed their sentences, parole and/or probationary period and paid all court fines and court-ordered restitution. When asked if Trump should be imprisoned following his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records in New York, 26% of Alabama inmates who responded said Trump should be locked up. A white woman at Tutwiler put it this way: Because he did the crime he should pay. Just like others have. Alabama Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D- Birmingham, has pre-filed her bill to ban devices in Birmingham that increase a weapons rate of fire. The bill, HB62, would ban bump stocks in Birmingham. The bills text defines a bump stock as any part, device, or accessory attached to a firearm that uses the weapons recoil energy to increase its rate of fire. If Givans bill is signed into law, owning a bump stock in Birmingham would become a Class C felony in Alabama, which carries a sentence anywhere between 366 days and 10 years. Givan previously told AL.com that she brought the bill in response to a call from Birmingham officials for legislators to take action. Police say a weapon with a Glock switch was used during the September shooting outside Hush, a hookah and cigar lounge in the popular Five Points South district of Birmingham. Four people were killed and 17 others wounded. At least 100 shots were fired in Five Points, Givan said in a news release. Thats not a crime scene, thats a war zone. A bump stock has one purpose and one purpose only; to kill or wound as many people as possible. In 2017, a gunman used rifles equipped with bump stocks when he killed 58 people and wounded 850 at an outdoor country music festival in Las Vegas, Cason reported. That led to a ban on bump stocks by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives under the Trump administration. But the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the ban in June, ruling that the agency had overstepped its authority. Givan previously pre-filed a bill to ban bump stocks statewide. Her new bill is a local bill and would apply only to Birmingham. The bill is scheduled for its first read in the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on Feb. 4. Former President Barack Obama has joined other nationally known Democrats in an effort to boost the campaign of their partys nominee in Alabamas pivotal 2nd Congressional District, Shomari Figures of Mobile. Obama recorded a message endorsing Figures, who worked in the Obama administration and in the Justice Department during the Biden administration. Figures faces Republican Caroleene Dobson, a Montgomery attorney, in Tuesdays election. Alabama, youve led the way in securing voting and civil rights for everyone in America, making journeys like mine possible, Obama said. Today, America needs you to lead the charge for change once again. By sending Shomari Figures to Congress, youll have someone committed to improving economic and healthcare outcomes for everyone. I know this because Shomari served in my administration, helping implement policies to make life better for all Americans, Obama explained. The message from the former president comes a day after U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, came to Montgomery to campaign for Figures. Jeffries' trip to Montgomery followed a visit by U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas, who on Sunday participated in a round table at a Baptist church and then later met with students at Alabama State University. A federal court redrew the 2nd District last year to favor Democratic candidates after a ruling that Alabamas previous map diluted the influence of Black voters. Republicans have held the seat since 2010. If Democrats could flip the seat it would help their efforts to erase the GOPs 220-212 edge in the U.S. House. I am humbled and grateful to President Obama for his support, and for the incredible opportunity I had to work and learn from him and his Administration, Figures said in a press release. His humility, integrity, decency, and historic leadership continues to inspire millions of people around the world, and I am thankful he gave a kid from Mobile, Alabama the chance to play a small part in such a historic and productive chapter in Americas story. For more on the Alabama Congressional District 2 race go here. An Alabama doctor has reached a confidential settlement in a lawsuit brought by a group of women who accused him of misconduct. The former patients in 2018 sued Michael Dick, who was an internist in Decatur, alleging that he groped and kissed them against their will during appointments. Eric Artrip, an attorney representing the 29 women, said the exact terms of the settlement are confidential, but told AL.com that Dicks former patients split the settlement equally. They were all very pleased with the result, said Artrip. Dick and his former patients reached a settlement in June through mediation, court records show. On Wednesday, Morgan County Circuit Judge Jennifer Howell approved the settlement and dismissed the lawsuit. The settlement does not indicate that the defendant acknowledges any wrongdoing and Dr. Dick has given sworn testimony that he did not engage in any wrongful conduct, said Joel Williams, attorney for Dick. Williams said confidentiality in lawsuit settlements is a standard provision not unique to this case. In addition to being sued, Dick was arrested and charged with harassment in 2017. A Morgan County jury in February found him not guilty of the criminal charges. The allegations against Dick first became public in 2018 after several patients said he inappropriately touched them or kissed them without consent. He had also been found not guilty of sexual abuse in 2022 in a case stemming from similar allegations. The civil lawsuit was initially brought by 36 former patients but ended up with 29 women after a few dropped out. While the resolution marks the end of civil litigation, some former patients recently gave testimony to the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners as Dick is in the process of trying to get his medical license reinstated. The board in 2019 suspended Dicks medical license after he was indicted. The board met to hear Dicks case last week and is expected to have a final decision next month. A Halloween night stabbing in southern Alabama left one man dead and another sought for murder. Ozark police were dispatched at 10:15 p.m. Thursday to a report of a stabbing in the 100 block of Frank Marshall Road. Officers arrived to find 43-year-old Eric Lamont Eutsey lying in the road. He had been stabbed multiple times, police said. Eutsey was rushed to Dale Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Police and Dale County Sheriffs Office investigators worked throughout the night to process the crime scene and interview witnesses. The probe included obtaining search warrants for a nearby home and vehicle. Witness statements and evidence led them to charge 58-year-old Marcus Lee Slater with murder. Investigators have not yet determined a motive. Police in a Friday news release said witnesses saw Slater running toward Faust Avenue after the attack. In response, law enforcement officers deployed tracking dogs and a helicopter to search for the suspect, but to no avail. We are committed to bringing justice to the victim and his family, and we will continue to pursue all leads in this investigation, police said in the news release. We ask the community to remain vigilant and assist us in locating Mr. Slater. Anyone with information is asked call 911 or Ozark police. A Virginia man is claiming that Huntsville Animal Services wrongfully killed a dog he had previously taken care of. Bill Hoyt, the executive director of the Strafford Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Stafford, Va., said that the dogs death was unnecessary and that he was unsuccessful in reaching shelter officials throughout multiple attempts to save the dog. Although Hoyt was not the owner of the dog, he said he sees him as his own after caring for him prior to his adoption. I am absolutely sick, and furious about the murder of our dog and the complete refusal of leadership to even acknowledge the mistake, own it, and deal with me like an adult, Hoyt said this week. Instead they circle the wagons and lie publicly. In a statement released this week, Huntsville Animal Services representatives say they were unable to speak with Hoyt or the man he had working to retrieve the dog in the area. During the time they had the dog, Jaxx, shelter officials say he displayed aggressive behavior, which made him unfit for adoption. Jaxx, a stray picked up by Madison County Animal Control was brought to Huntsville Animal Services on Oct. 1, the statement reads. Huntsville Animal Services held him for greater than the seven-day hold period for owner redemption, as required by state law. Unfortunately, during that period, he displayed aggressive behavior, which prevented him from being made available for adoption and led to his euthanasia on Oct. 10. Animal Services staff were unable to speak directly with parties who inquired about Jaxx before the decision to euthanize. This was an unfortunate situation, and aspects of this case are under review by Animal Services leadership. Hoyt said he was trying to save the dog that had been in his shelter up until his adoption in 2017. He was brought to Alabama sometime later. On Oct. 1, Hoyt said he was alerted that the dogs microchip had been scanned by Madison County Animal Control, who brought the dog to Huntsville Animal Services. A man apparently connected to Hoyt contacted the shelter on Oct. 9 and 10 but hung up after being put on hold, Huntsville Animal Services told News 19. Hoyt requested to speak to a supervisor on Oct. 10, the day Jaxx was euthanized, but Huntsville Animal Services said no one was available. In his investigation of Jaxxs death, Hoyt said his Facebook and email have been overrun with others detailing horrific experiences with the citys animals services. Huntsville is way too big, too wealthy, and too modern to be operating with that kind of draconian facility, management, and indifferent political cover, he said. From what Ive seen over the past 24 hours, as my inbox overflows, is that Im absolutely not alone. Apparently, this happens all the time, and is business as usual, which explains the absolute indifference of staff and management. No Kill Huntsville, a local animal advocacy group, recently claimed that euthanasia is at a 10-year high at the city shelter, according to a report from The Huntsville Times Scott Turner. The release stated that one in four dogs entering the shelter is destroyed even though fewer dogs enter the shelter now than five years ago. It is the position of city officials that no animals have been destroyed at HAS (Huntsville Animal Services) for space or convenience since the fall of 2014, the release said. With skyrocketing euthanasia rates, this claim is no longer believable. The group is pushing an ordinance it believes would help reduce the euthanasia rate at the shelter. The ordinance - called the Huntsville Animal Protection Act would codify some of the operations of Huntsville Animal Services, according to Turners report. Alabama is not a swing state, nor anywhere close to being one and Republican Donald Trump is expected to win big among the states voters in next weeks election over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. But all eyes will be on Alabamas 2nd congressional district contest between Democrat Shomari Figures and Republican Caroleene Dobson. The seat has been held by a Republican since 2010, but it was redrawn last year after federal court involvement that gives Black voters a competitive chance to elect a candidate of their choosing. Here are some things to consider when predicting the winner of the congressional race that includes a district with 13 counties in South Alabama stretching from Mobile to Montgomery. Likely Democratic National pundits have long labeled the race as likely Democrat. What does that mean? While not a slam dunk, a likely rating means that Figures is in the drivers seat. So if Dobson wins, it will portend a bad night for Democrats, said Kyle Kondik, manager editor with Sabatos Crystal Ball at the University of Viriginia Cener for Politics, which has also long labeled the 2nd district as likely Democratic. Certainly, if Democrats lost AL-2, it would be part of an overall bad election night for them Id have to imagine Republicans would be doing well overall if that happened, he said. As it stands now, the House (like the presidential race) appears very close and competitive. Cook Political Report also has the race as likely Democratic. Of the 539 likely Democratic races rated by Cook Political Report since 1984, only 22 have missed the mark a 97% success rate. The Washington, D.C.-based firm has a 96.2% success rate in U.S. House races that are labeled as likely Democratic. Its pretty rare, said Erin Covey, the House editor with Cook Political Report, on whether a likely rating is upended on Election Day. We define races as likely that are not considered competitive, but with the potential to be engaged, Covey said. The closer we get to Election Day; we know at this point where their races have been engaged. Are the parties spending a lot of money? Is there outside money going into the district. Regarding Alabamas 2nd district? We havent seen that. The national GOP did add Dobson to its Young Gun list of 26 Republicans in July, while Figures has been part of the Democratic Congressional Committees Red to Blue program since May. Figures, though, has far outpaced Dobson in fundraising in recent months and his candidacy has attracted some national Democratic figures in recent days. U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, will campaign with Figures Thursday. Alabamas Second should vote Democratic unless there really is a major turnout collapse and/or improvement by Republicans among Black voters, Kondik said. We have kept it as Likely Democratic, instead of Safe, just to account for this possibility, Kondik aid. Its rare for a party to lose a likely rated state or district, although it does happen from time to time. Other sites are giving Figures large odds for a win. The probability for a Figures win is 81% to 16% for Dobson, according to website Split Ticket, which conducts electoral analysis for the federal contests. The website notes that Biden won the 2nd district by 12.5 points. It predicts 2nd district voters backing Harris by 6.7 points. Its one in which Democrats remain clearly favored, with a sizable polling lead and an obvious partisanship advantage, said Laksyha Jain, CEO of Split Ticket. The only way in which they would lose this seat is if Black turnout is abysmal and if Black voters also swing to the right by a non-trivial margin. The combination happening is a possibility, of course, but I would not bank on that in a presidential year where voters generally tend to turn out, even though I think itll be closer than Bidens 12.5-point margin (we have Dems winning it by closer to 7). Reactions Shomari Figures speaks ahead of a panel discussion during a campaign event on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala.John Sharp Figures, while campaigning in Montgomery on Sunday, noted that Democrats often outperform Republicans in the newly drawn district. But there have been the few occasions when that hasnt happened, including in 2022 when Republican Gov. Kay Ivey received more votes within the 2nd district as she rolled to an easy re-election win. We need to keep our eyes on the prize, said U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, the only current Democratic member of the Alabama congressional delegation. This is our seat. Im going to be repeating that. This is a Democratic seat, and a Black Democratic seat. We have to go out and win that seat and weve earned the right to have (Figures) in Congress. We have to vote. Overall statewide turnout in the 2022 midterms, which featured no real competitive statewide contests, was 38 percent. The 2020 presidential race saw a statewide turnout over 62 percent. The Caroleene Dobson congressional campaign announced on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, a coalition of 345 women who will help her get voters to the polls during the Nov. 5, 2024, election.Image supplied by the Dobson campaign Drew Dickson, a spokesperson with the Dobson campaign, said the Democrats have tried every effort to tilt the contest in their favor. He said that Dobson has run a tireless campaign that should show results on Election Day. Despite every effort by the Democrats to tilt the balance toward their side, Caroleene has built a deep and effective grassroots network, she has shown impressive fundraising prowess for a first-time candidate, and she has spoken to every voter and shaken every hand she can find in cities, towns, and crossroads throughout the district, Dickson said. He added, We are confident that her tireless efforts and the efforts of her committed volunteers and supports throughout the district will result in a win for Caroleene on November 5. Biden factor FILE - President Joe Biden, right, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris campaign at the IBEW Local Union #5 union hall in Pittsburgh, on Labor Day, Sept. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)AP Covey said that had Biden remained on the ticket, it could have depressed turnout among Democratic voters. With Harris, turnout should be bolstered to typical presidential election levels. There was some concern that, pre-Harris, the Black turnout would be low, and that Republicans could hold onto it Covey said. Its light blue enough for Republicans to have a shot to win the seat. But I think the way things are moving now; Id be surprised if Republicans hold onto the seat. I dont think weve seen either party point to the seat as a full battleground, where the major House Super PACs are spending money here. She added, The House Majority PAC and the Congressional Leadership Fund, if they are spending money on the race, its generally because they view it as competitive. If they are not spending money on the races, its generally a race we have on the likely column. House majority The exterior of the U.S. Capitol building as pictured on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com). The real drama of the night is whether the House will flip from Republican control to Democratic. Allan Keiter, president of 270toWin, said that in addition to Alabamas 2nd district, the 6th congressional district in Northwest Louisiana is also expected to flip to the Democrats. On the flipside, three House seats in North Carolina are expected to flip from Democrat to Republican. In all these cases, a redistricting of the map for 2024 has led to the situation, Keiter said. The analysts say that anything can happen, and there are no guarantees on which party will emerge from Election Night in control of the House. Cook has 25 seats labeled as a Toss Up, where neither party is the favorite to win. Republicans hold a four-seat majority. Republicans have the slightest advantage, she said. But its incredibly narrow. There are a couple of seats on both sides Id expect to flip to the other party. Its tough to judge. Democrats have the higher ceiling with more Republican seats in a toss-up. But the toss ups are evenly divided, and republicans are favored in more seats than Democrats if you look at the ratings as a whole. Nathan Gonzales, a non-partisan analyst with Inside Elections, said the likely Democratic flip of the 2nd district represents an opportunity -- whether created by redistricting or not to get one step closer to a House majority. The fight for the House is about as close as the presidential race, which means, its very close, he said. Alabama isnt a swing state, but the 2nd district is an important piece of path to a majority for Democrats. Exactly how close is the battle for the House majority? It could come down to one seat which if won by Figures would be the result of a shocking U.S. Supreme Court ruling last summer that Alabamas Republican Legislature violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 when drawing the states congressional map. Thats why the Alabama map mattered so much, Covey said. The parties knew it could come down to this right now. Whoever controls the House in 2025 will have another narrow majority. From the archives, 2012: A female Houston toad is housed in the Houston Toad Conservation Quarantine Facility located inside the Houston Zoo. Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle Houston was once home to a species of toad that has long since vanished from the streets and bayous of Space City. Today, the Houston Toad is found in just a handful of Texas counties and was one of the first amphibians to be listed as an endangered species, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The species has suffered habitat loss brought about by expanding urban areas and repeated droughts throughout the sandy pine forests it calls home, according to the Brazos River Authority. Its a trend conservation experts hope to reverse. The Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy was recently awarded a $5 million grant that it hopes to use to restore some of the toads lost habitat. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houston toads are barely holding on in the unconnected pockets of habitat that remain, and for such a rare species, thats a recipe for disaster, said ARC Executive Director JJ Apodaca in a Thursday news release. This is an important leverage point for the toad and enables us to give this species its best chance at being delisted from the Endangered Species Act. The grant was awarded by the National Resource Conservation Service, and will fund the reconstruction of more than 8,200 acres of Post Oak Savannah in east central Texas. The region, once dominated by open grasslands and native flora, has become heavily forested as a result of fire suppression and improper land use, according to the ARC. Dense woodlands are unsuitable for Houston Toads, and the changing habitat has contributed to their decline. The grant was awarded to the ARC in collaboration with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and is geared toward bringing private landowners and conservation experts together through outreach programs and incentives. The majority of their historic habitat is on private lands, Apodaca said. The Houston Toads recovery can't solely occur in the places that already have protection, such as state parks and other public lands. The ARC hopes to equip individual farm and ranch owners with the assistance and funding needed to encourage conservation and habitat preservation on the local level. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Paul Crump is the state herpetologist a field of zoology specialized in reptiles and amphibians for TPWD and previously headed amphibian conservation efforts at the Houston Zoo. He said incentivizing conservation for individuals can often produce better outcomes than large-scale public initiatives. RARE ANIMALS: These rare and endangered species call Houston and Harris County home From what weve seen from past efforts, there is lots of interest from landowners in the Houston toads range for programs like this, Crump said. People generally view these incentives as a true win-win, helping them pay for needed projects while enhancing conditions for all wildlife that depend on open savannah conditions, including the toad. The Houston Zoo, which maintains a 1,200 square-foot facility dedicated to breeding the plucky amphibian, has been involved with the species recovery since 1981. As of 2022, the zoos recovery program has released more than 11 million eggs in ponds around Bastrop County one of the few areas where the toad can still be found. Advertisement Article continues below this ad An east Alabama woman has been sentenced to life in prison for the abuse of her stepdaughter, who had more than 50 signs of trauma covering her body and whose head had been shaved when she died three years ago. Haley Dee Metz, 33, in September entered a blind plea of guilty to aggravated child abuse of 3-year-old Aydah DiMaso. A blind plea means that there was no previously agreed upon sentence as part of the deal and a judge would decide her fate. Etowah County Circuit Judge William Ogletree on Friday handed down the life sentence with the possibility of parole to Metz. Metzs husband, 25-year-old Nikilas DiMaso, pleaded guilty earlier this year to capital murder and conspiracy to commit child abuse. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. We are so thankful for the outcome, said Aydahs grandmother, Shundra Powe Davis, following Metzs sentencing. Justice was served today. According to charging documents, Aydah was killed with DiMasos hands and/or fists in October 2021. She was found unresponsive in the bathtub after family members asked police to go to the DiMaso home on Crestview Drive Monday that afternoon for a welfare check. Family said DiMaso got custody of Aydah less than eight months before her death, despite her maternal grandparents fight to have her in their care. Attorneys for Aydahs family filed a lawsuit last year against the Alabama Department of Human Resources and individual caseworkers for their alleged roles in the girls death. The lawsuit, filed by Birmingham attorneys Tommy James of Tommy James Law and Jeremy Knowles of Morris Haynes, alleges multiple failures by DHR and caseworkers to protect Aydah from ongoing abuse and neglect. According to the lawsuit, Aydahs filthy living conditions included animal feces and urine throughout the home, reports of DiMasos drug use, particularly a heroin addiction, and observations of Ayda exhibiting sudden behavior changes. The suit alleges systematic failings and neglect that allowed the young child to remain in a severely harmful environment despite clear indications she was in danger. This case represents an egregious failure of the system that is supposed to protect our most vulnerable children, James said. Aydahs death could and should have been prevented. We are seeking justice for Aydah and accountability for those whose conduct resulted in her tragic death. Aydah was described in a 2021 GoFundMe as a sweet soul with an infectious giggle who was loved by her grandparents who had been fighting for custody of her. Davis said there wasnt a dry eye in the courtroom Friday. The pictures and text messages presented were so horrendous that my husband, my mom, and I had to step out, and even the judge eventually said he had heard enough, Davis said in a Facebook post in Justice for Aydah. She said the courtroom was packed with friends, family, Gadsden police office and Etowah County prosecutors. I am incredibly grateful to these remarkable individuals for ensuring Aydah received justice, she said. Davis said Aydahs family will do everything possible to keep Metz in prison. The fight is taking a new direction now, she said. With both of these individuals imprisoned, we can begin the important work of honoring Aydahs name through laws that protect other innocent lives from such tragedy. Staff Reports news@albanyherald.com MOULTRIE The Associated General Contractors of Georgia is partnering with JCI Contractors to host construction students from high schools in 33 local counties for the South + Southwest Georgia Workforce Development Alliances Skills Challenge. The event will be held on Nov. 14 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Sunbelt AG Expo (290-G Harper Blvd.). This Skills Challenge is one of eight regional events held throughout Georgia that will host more than 2,300 students from nearly 100 schools. Competitions held at the South + Southwest Georgia Workforce Development Alliances Skills Challenge are blueprint reading, carpentry, electrical, masonry, plumbing, team build and welding. As one of the host contractors, we are delighted to collaborate with the local industry and AGC Georgia in advancing careers in construction and providing our future with job security, Lyndy Jones, president of JCI Contractors, said. With more than 200 students participating in the South + Southwest Georgia Workforce Challenge, several hundred additional students will observe in hopes of competing in the future. These students also will benefit from conversations with construction industry professionals who host interactive activities for students to become more familiar with specific construction trades. Skills Challenges offer high school students in construction programs a chance to showcase their trade talents in an exciting atmosphere compared to a game day, AGC Georgia CEO Mike Dunham said. For most participants, this event provides a game-day atmosphere experience where they may even receive job offers from industry representatives in attendance. Each year, we are honored to collaborate with outstanding member contracting firms to highlight rewarding career opportunities in construction to both student competitors and observers. Students from construction programs in the following counties are invited to compete in the South + Southwest Georgia Workforce Development Alliances Skills Challenge: Atkinson, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, Charlton, Clay, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Grady, Irwin, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Sumter, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Ware and Worth. Students who are members of SkillsUSA Georgia and compete in carpentry, electrical, masonry, plumbing and welding at this event are eligible to earn a bid to the State Leadership and Skills Competition that will be held in February 2025. For more information about Skills Challenges, visit www.agcga.org/skills. English News Fujian's Zhangzhou sees prospering development of fishing-tourism integration Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 29 Octobre 2024 To further enhance collaborative marine management, Qianlou township has made Xiaxikeng village a central hub, partnering with neighboring Dingshang and Yecuo villages to establish an inter-village committee, Shen Haochao told People's Daily. Addressing environmental issues by dividing the area into distinct zones, the committee aims to further improve the marine ecological environment. By Shi Yu, People's Daily "Quick, quick, quick, it's up!" With a burst of cheers, Pu, a tourist from south China's Guangdong province, swiftly scooped up a freshly caught onespot seaperch with a net. Pu, along with other tourists, was enjoying a sea fishing experience on an oyster farming raft owned by Xu Meizhen, a resident of Xiaxikeng village, located in the waters off Qianlou township, Dongshan county, Zhangzhou, southeast China's Fujian province. "This place is near the sea and the environment is beautiful. There are so many fun activities. It's worth every bit!" said Pu, who's a fishing enthusiast living in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province. Staying at Xu's B&B hotel, he was taken by Xu together with other guests to join various seaside activities, including fishing, oyster harvesting, and fish net-making, to experience the lifestyle of local fishermen. Nestled amid mountains and the sea, Xiaxikeng village boasts picturesque scenery. "We were fully booked all summer, and business is still quite good now," said Xu, who began running the B&B business in 2019 using her vacant rooms. In recent years, her business has been thriving. "Our village has broad sea and clear waters. Who wouldn't love it?" she said. However, a few years ago, the waters around Xiaxikeng village were plagued by pollution from aquaculture. "The water was murky, and a strong fishy smell lingered near the shore," recalled Shen Haochao, deputy mayor of Qianlou township. Only pristine water attracts tourists. Starting in 2020, Xiaxikeng village has moved the coastal aquaculture zone 800 meters further offshore and reduced the density of aquaculture activities. Besides, villagers also replaced foam buoys with plastic ones to reduce marine litter. Embracing the change, Xu upgraded her oyster and seaweed farming facilities in 2022. "Gracilaria farming doesn't require feed, and it can even fix carbon dioxide. Xiaxikeng village produces over 100,000 tons of Gracilaria annually, which earns villagers not only money but also carbon credits," Shen explained. According to estimation on the village's annual carbon sequestration capacity, the village can generate a potential carbon trading volume of 946,000 yuan ($132,827). In 2023, the village sold 420,000 yuan worth of "blue carbon" credits. "Some of the revenue from carbon credits goes toward collecting marine litter to maintain our ecological environment," Shen said. Thanks to the joint efforts of local officials and residents, aquaculture zoning has improved, and the marine environment has noticeably brightened. During the peak tourist season from June to October, Xu is always busy with her B&B business, while from October to May, she focuses on aquaculture. "In the past, I could only earn money for half a year, but now I have work and income year-round," she said, smiling. Like Xu Meizhen, fellow villager Xu Yanfeng also offers a variety of marine experiences on his leisure fishing raft. "Visitors can enjoy over 10 activities such as speedboating, night fishing and crab trapping. Fishing on the raft and eating your catch right away is very popular," Xu Yanfeng said. In the past two years, Xiaxikeng village has welcomed nearly 500,000 tourists annually, generating over 20 million yuan in tourism revenue, according to Xu Guixi, the Party chief of the village. To further enhance collaborative marine management, Qianlou township has made Xiaxikeng village a central hub, partnering with neighboring Dingshang and Yecuo villages to establish an inter-village committee, Shen Haochao told People's Daily. Addressing environmental issues by dividing the area into distinct zones, the committee aims to further improve the marine ecological environment. Besides, the villages have invested capital, assets, and resources in programs that integrate fishery and tourism, so as to further increase the income for villagers. Dans la meme rubrique : < > China's economic resilience: overcoming challenges, advancing with confidence High-quality Belt and Road cooperation create opportunities for global growth China's new chapter in global innovation Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) Kamala Harris says that the idea of the American Dream was something that previous generations could count on. Not as much anymore. She sounds like an astute student of the obvious. When Americans have seen their disposable income go down during her tenure at the Naval Observatory, the obvious question must be, What makes you think that you know how to do anything about it? But more fundamentally, what is The American Dream? Democrats will come up with enough BS blather that would properly dress one of Kamalas word salads but really cant define the phrase. All they see is that grocery carts have become the most expensive vehicles to operate and they propose price controls on the businesses with the smallest operating margins. Are they really trying to turn the US into Cuba? Wait. Im sorry. Cubas immediate problem isnt the empty grocery store shelves. Its an utter failure of the power grid due togovernment controls. But thats a good thing since those coal and oil-fired power plants pollute the air with plant fertilizeroopscarbon dioxide. But I digress. Every politician talks about the American Dream. But none of them, not even Donald Trump, defines the term. So perhaps we should look to history for answers. In 1865, Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, famously said, Go West, young man, and grow up with the country. There were multiple reasons for the line, but they all revolved around economic opportunity. Image by AI. Oklahomans became known as Sooners because when the Territory was opened to settlement at noon on April 22, 1889, the people who got to prime land sooner than others could claim it for their homesteading opportunity. Pioneers took the dangerous treks along the Oregon and Santa Fe trails for the same reason. Even the third-class passengers on the Titanic were seeking opportunities. They didnt get it, but others did. The ledger at Ellis Island lists many thousands who risked their lives so their children would have better lives. America was known as the land of opportunity. Hector St. John de Crevecurs 1782 book Letters from an American Farmer may have been the first influential statement of this idea. Horatio Algers post-Civil War novels tapped into the same idea. Even the Statue of Liberty is inscribed with soaring verse for those yearning to breathe free. Free from what? The European monarchies had two primary classes of people: serfs and aristocracy. The aristocracy had great privilege and exploited it with minimal pushback. Just visit Versailles or Peterhof. Billionaires have nothing on the royalty who built those incredible palaces on the backs of people who had difficulty feeding their families. But thats what Kamala wants to reinstitute. Shes permanently in the aristocracy, with nothing to ever worry about. In contrast to that, America was Reagans shining city on the hill. Anything, even the risk of death, was better than the abject poverty and virtual slavery of Europe. Even though the Industrial Revolution offered little with its sweatshops, squalor, and disease, while you might not have even a park bench to sleep on when you got to America, you could see the light ahead. No Irish need apply just meant you left New York City to find work. America was big. America is still big. Just take an airline trip almost anywhere away from the coastal cities. America is incomprehensibly big. The potential opportunities are just as big, but the Democrat Party cannot allow you to live in a way that doesnt need them. If you do, you wont be feeding their aristocracy. So, they block your independent prosperity with rules. You cant be a hair braider without taking all sorts of classes and paying for professional and business licenses. Who does this protect? The people already in the business. Your doctor must be licensed by the state and follow rules created by the state. Who does this protect? The doctors who already have licenses. The number of incompetent doctors with state licenses is legion. We could go on with the litany of these abuses. Just visit the Institute for Justice. Do you want to build a home? Just ask Michael and Chantell Sackett of Priest Lake, Idaho. The EPA declared that a mud puddle on their lot in a development made it a wetland subject to government regulation. They paid a mortgage on the lot from 2007 to 2023 before the Supreme Court finally shut the EPA down. Litanies of such abuses fill volumes. The power-mad Javerts of the government never suffer for the evil they inflict on the little people, so they just keep doing it. Democrats know no boundaries. As Valerie Jarret said when Obama was elected in 2008, Well be ready to rule on day one. They truly believe that they have a divine right to rule over us. They want nothing more than the return of a monarchy, with them in positions of power. This is what theyve been pushing from the earliest days, as exemplified by Aaron Burrs attempt to steal the 1800 Presidential election. Evil never changes. And it always destroys. What was the dream that led (and leads) millions to take dangerous trips to America? They all wanted a better life than what they had under the heel of the aristocracy. And Democrats are perfectly willing to impoverish American citizens to import aliens who will find American poverty more tolerable than their current states of poverty elsewhere. Most of them are willing to put up with almost anything in the hope that their hard work will make things better for their kids. They dont realize that Democrats have no interest in that happening. And this brings us full circle. Pilgrims, mountain men, Sooners, and all the rest understood the American Dream. They were willing to risk their lives for it. And it is the singular source of Americas vitality and strength. The American Dream is the idea that you are free to bust your butt to make a better life and not have it stolen from you by the government. Democrats hate the American Dream. They have the Socialist (or Aristocratic or) Dream. Thats the idea that the government should steal what you busted your butt to make so they can give it to someone who wont get off their own butt. Welcome to Amerika. Ted Noel is a retired physician who posts on social media as Doctor Ted. His Doctor Teds Prescription podcast is available on multiple podcast channels. Were back with another American Thinker/Rasmussen Reports poll, this time of likely voters (LVs) in North Carolina, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. Donald Trump is leading in all three statesand in all three states, voters are worried about the economy and want aggressive action on immigration. In North Carolina, Trump leads Harris by three points (50-47%), and in Nevada and Pennsylvania, he leads by two points (49-47% in both states). However, in both North Carolina, where there is a gubernatorial race, and in Nevada, where theres a battle for the U.S. Senate, the Democrat candidate is in the lead. In the Pennsylvania Senate race, the two candidates are tied. In all three states, voters view Trump as more competent than Harris (49-46% in North Carolina, 47-45% in Nevada, and 49-46% in Pennsylvania). In both North Carolina and Pennsylvania, voters view Harris as a greater threat to democracy than Trump (51-45% in North Carolina and 49-48% in Pennsylvania, Nevada voters are more worried about Trump as a threat to democracy (48-46%). Image by AI. On the issues, voters in all three states rank the economy as their top concern (33% in North Carolina, 34% in Nevada, and 30% in Pennsylvania). Their second concern is border security (19% in North Carolina, 22% in Nevada, and 21% in Pennsylvania), with abortion coming up a distant third (14% in North Carolina and 16% in both Nevada and Pennsylvania). Voters in the three states split on what they think the incoming administration should have as its priority. In North Carolina, the top three spots went to rising prices (33%), illegal immigration (30%), and protecting our democracy (18%). However, voters in Nevada and Pennsylvania were more concerned about illegal immigration (30% and 31% respectively). Their next concern was rising prices (28% in Nevada and 27% in Pennsylvania), with Nevadans ranking abortion rights as their third concern (21%) and Pennsylvanians worried about protecting our democracy (22%). As has been the case in almost all states weve polled, LVs in North Carolina, Nevada, and Pennsylvania are very unhappy with the status quo and worried for their children. When asked if theyre better off than they were four years ago, 57% of LVs in each state polled said that they are not. Nor are they optimistic about their children, with all LVs believing that their children will do less well than their parents. In North Carolina and Nevada, 49% believe their children will not fare well, while the remaining voters are roughly split between doing well and not sure. In Pennsylvania, 50% of LVs worry about their childrens futures, with the remainder split between doing well and not sure. When asked to consider legal immigration into the US, the greatest number of LVs in all three states would like to decrease the number currently coming in (34% in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, 32% in Nevada). If it cant be decreased, theyd like a temporary cut-off (26% in North Carolina and 28% in Nevada and Pennsylvania). Regarding whether the flow of illegal aliens over the southern border constitutes an invasion, majorities in all three states agreed that the description is accurate (61% in North Carolina and Pennsylvania and 57% in Nevada). In each state, majorities either strongly or somewhat support using the United States military or National Guard to stop the influx of illegal aliens (65% in North Carolina, 60% in Nevada, and 64% in Pennsylvania). In all three states, the greatest number of respondents hold Biden to blame for illegal immigration (27% in North Carolina and 30% in Nevada and Pennsylvania). LVs in all three states are worried about election cheating, with all agreeing that its very or somewhat important to prevent cheating (93% in North Carolina and Nevada and 94% in Pennsylvania). Majorities also believe that mail-in voting is very or somewhat likely to increase cheating (63% in North Carolina, 58% in Nevada, and 55% in Pennsylvania). Majorities also think votes should be counted on election day (59% in North Carolina and Pennsylvania and 55% in Nevada). In North Carolina and Nevada, significant numbers of people have already voted early (48% in North Carolina and 51% in Nevada). However, in North Carolina, most did early voting in person (56%), while in Nevada, they were evenly split between in-person and by mail (35-35%). However, in Pennsylvania, most are wedded to voting in person on election day (61%). You can see more information about these poll results at Rasmussen Reports. Many Americans no longer rely on the legacy media when it comes to the news. More and more, they are using social media as a tool to access information and news. Pew Research found that daily newspaper circulation nationwide, including subscriptions and print circulation, fell to less than 21 million in 2022 when compared to 62 million in 1980. Another study showed that there has been a precipitous drop in audiences for local TV news broadcasts. Accompanying this trend is the rise of independent media. Pew found that more than a quarter of American adults get their news from YouTube. Specifically, 49 percent of YouTube watchers consume content from news organizations, while 42 percent consume content from independent news creators. The numbers paint a very clear picture. A significant number of Americans are moving away from the legacy media for a variety of reasons, most notably the blatant lack of fair and unbiased coverage. These days, it seems like journalists do everything but what they are supposed to do, and this election season has highlighted just how bad it is. From the allegations that 60 Minutes spliced and edited clips of an interview with Kamala Harris to obviously clear bias by ABC moderators during the Trump-Harris presidential debate, Americans are tuning out traditional news sources. This trend is further underscored by the Harris and Trump campaigns, as both candidates have moved to podcast interviews over legacy media to spread their messages. Both have recently appeared on popular podcasts: Harris on the Call Her Daddy podcast and Trump on the Joe Rogan Experience. This trend is obvious to everyone, perhaps most notably the owner of the Washington Post, Jeff Bezos. A week before the election, the Amazon founder wrote an op-ed in the Post explaining his decision to have the paper abstain from endorsing a presidential candidate, the publics clear lack of trust in the media due to bias, and the mainstream medias lack of credibility across the board. He went on to acknowledge that the Post and the New York Times only speak to certain elites, [M]ore and more, we talk to ourselves. Bezos ended his op-ed by stating his goals for the Post in the future, Now more than ever the world needs a credible, trusted, and independent voice. This realization from Bezos seems to follow a similar path of another famous billionaire, none other than Elon Musk. With Elons $44 billion acquisition of Twitter, now X, he set forth to protect free speech on one of the most important social media platforms. Musk has described himself as a free speech absolutist and wrote in a message to Twitter advertisers that he acquired the platform to ensure that Twitter remains a common digital town square, where a wide range of beliefs can be debated in a healthy manner. Additionally, Musk oversaw the release of the Twitter Files, which confirmed that the government and its various agencies had engaged in censorship of content on Twitter. The Twitter Files showcased the governments involvement in demanding COVID-19 misinformation on Twitter be removed, and revealed that the FBI was working in tandem with Twitter to promulgate certain narratives such as the suppression of Hunter Bidens laptop story leading up to the 2020 election. Since Musk bought Twitter, X has become a reliable outlet for the aforementioned independent journalists and news sources to reach an audience without censorship, post throttling, or biased factchecking. Between Elon Musks new X and Jeff Bezoss call for a new direction for the Post, it seems that a few in positions of power recognize that democracy requires vigorous debate and free speech in order to function as it should. The controversial issue of censorship and outright bias on social media platforms has been an ongoing battle in state legislatures and on the federal level since the height of censorship during the coronavirus pandemic. State lawmakers have addressed this problem by introducing legislation that would hold social media platforms accountable when they censor or deplatform constituents for viewpoint discrimination. In fact, since 2020, 70 bills have been introduced across the country in state legislatures with this purpose in mind. While these tech moguls waking up and taking a stand is a good step for the free speech movement, there is also much that citizens and state lawmakers can do to keep the momentum going. It is clear that Americans increased use of social media coupled with their distrust of the mainstream media, that the tide could be turning. Samantha Fillmore (sfillmore@heartland.org) is the senior state government relations manager at The Heartland Institute. Image: Lewis Ogden Up here, we celebrate Halloween. Down south of the border, they celebrate "Day of the dead" today and tomorrow. I have no idea if there is a connection between the two celebrations but there are lots of costumes. There are also floats and musical groups. This year, the day comes with more bad news about journalists killed. It's the first under "La Presidenta" and sadly won't be the last. Let's check the story from Melissa Castro: Mexico holds the dubious distinction of being the most dangerous country in the Americas for journalists. Unfortunately, that doesnt look like its a honorific that will be changing anytime soon. On Tuesday, Oct. 29, Mauricio Solis Cruz, publisher of media Minuto x Minuto Michoacan, and host of Uruapan local radio program La Jirbilla Night Show, was shot dead by as-of-yet unidentified armed assailants. Solis Cruzs murder is the first killing of a journalist under the new government of President Claudia Sheinbaum, albeit not the first attack on the media since she took office on Tuesday, Oct. 1. According to Reporters Without Borders more than 150 media members have been killed in Mexico in the last 30 years. It's more violence in a country where the leadership wants to tackle the bad guys with hugs rather than bullets. The government wants to hug but the bad guys use bullets. Are you surprised that Mexicans are questioning the policy? The good guys are getting killed and nothing is done to protect them. We don't know why Mauricio Solis Cruz was killed. As they say, let's wait for the investigation. Nevertheless, we do know that he was reporting something that some people did not want to see reported. They kill you for doing that in Mexico. Rest in peace Mauricio. Let's continue to support the journalists in Mexico who are actually doing journalism and risking their lives on a daily basis. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: PxHere For the world's crummiest anti-American dictators, sometimes it's not just the art of the deal for them in relations with President Trump. The left has criticized Trump for talking to dictators for deals, but now it's obvious that Trump as president was willing to do more than just talk. Actually, Trump could play as hard and dirty as the dictators do -- no deals, pal -- and in his first term, he did. According to Wired magazine, he targeted Venezuela, home to fraudulent elections and anti-American activity, unleashing the CIA on them. Wired spoke to eight former Trump and agency officials who had direct knowledge of the matter: ... the Trump administration amped up its efforts around the world to isolate and depose the Venezuelan leader, including by levying additional punishing sanctions against his regime. Much of that diplomatic maneuvering played out in public. But the administration also put into motion another, very much secret prong to the USs regime-change campaign: a covert CIA-run initiative to help overthrow the Venezuelan strongman. Which is basically what we have a CIA for. Trump dispatched the CIA to do what it does best, which is overthrow the hate-America regimes creating problems, so that we don't have to send in the Marines. It was about as legitimate a mission as anything ever commissioned by a U.S. president in that Maduro was a problem for us, driving millions of his nationals out of the country (even before Joe Biden's open borders crisis) and turning his government over to Putin's, Cuba's and Hezb'allah's puppet state in operations aimed at the U.S. He even infiltrated the rap music industry in the states, making an ex-Chavista high level official very rich in the process. That's far from all of it. What's more, protests, democratic elections, and non-violent resistance a la Gandhi, to change the government had all been useless nonsense, and had been so for about 15 years. With one stolen election after another, elections were useless: Anyone with a brain knew that Venezuelans would only be able to get that thug out of there by force. Force could be covert, or the U.S. could send in the Marines. Trump didn't like endless wars and their mountains-of-money consultant contracts, so he asked the CIA to just do its job and take care of the matter. It didn't. The opportunity came when by order of Venezuela's legislature, Juan Guaido was installed as Venezuela's acting president in 2019, following the fraudulent election of 2018. Trump and John Bolton at the National Security Council started thinking about using covert means of getting rid of Maduro, given that the popular momentum was there and the Venezuelans had lined up a guy ready to take over. According to Wired: The CIA quickly assembled a Venezuela Task Force. That group had its work cut out for it. Before the Trump administrations directive, Venezuela was a low priority at Langley, and capabilities had to be built from the ground up, according to the administration and former CIA officials. One of the task forces first goals: an expansion of efforts to hack Venezuelan government networks and other infrastructure targets for intelligence-gathering purposes. So far so good -- better that the CIA focus on dirtbag dictators than domestic pursuits. But the kinds of things it came up with were often bad: The agency launched a covert influence campaign to spread pro-democracy content online in Venezuela, spun up a democracy promotion program to secretly sponsor leadership trainings, and provided support to Venezuelan civic groups, according to former US officials. But as these efforts got under way, more cracks between the administration and the CIA started to show. Trump administration officials were unimpressed by the agencys democracy promotion efforts. The CIAs secret program appeared to be indistinguishable from pro-democracy initiatives carried out openly by other government agencies like USAID, according to four former officials. It was the most embarrassing bullshit ever, says a former national security officialnot even sinister, but purely lazy. To some Trump administration officials, the presence in Venezuela of a viable, legitimate opposition leader like Guaido, and the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the country, made the CIAs covert pro-democracy campaign appear farcical. This tactic might have been O.K. in the era of velvet revolutions in the early aughts, but to try that as a strategy, after Venezuelans had been protesting, and voting, and protesting and voting, over and over again for 15 or 20 years, never getting a different result, was inexcusable, a sign of an agency frozen in time. It most certainly was not a problem of poor goobers not understanding democracy. It was a problem of who counts the votes, and a bigger problem of a CIA that had no idea what was going on, having never updated their playbook from apparently about 2005. It was indeed stupid and lazy. It was actually worse than that. Bolton, speaking to Wired said there were a lot of them who didn't consider Venezuela an enemy, who were actually aligned with Venezuela, Cuba, or its admirers, which certainly would explain why they took as a given that Venezuela would fairly count its votes. (Sound like any other places you know?) No such thing as a fraud election, as electoral fraud is 'exceedingly rare,' right? There was resistance all over because so many of them were leftists with a secret crush on the dirty dictatorship and its vile allies: To some Trump-era officials, CIA executivesincluding CIA director Gina Haspelwere clearly opposed to the administrations directive. Haspel never bought into doing anything aggressive in Venezuela because she was still of the mind that we were ugly Americans, says a senior Trump-era official. Haspel declined to comment. "Part of the intelligence community is still traumatized by the Bay of Pigs invasion and failure. That's number one, Bolton says. Number two, other parts of it are still traumatized by the Obama administration view that we have no enemies in Latin America. Castro regime's OK. Chavez-Maduro regime's OK. They're not really threats. Ortega and Nicaragua was not really a threat. That wasn't my view." That's why the task force couldn't get its players to act with results in mind. They had problems getting just basic resources -- here is one example: Very quickly, the task force ran into roadblocks. It had to fightsometimes unsuccessfullyfor access to important resources, like elite CIA and NSA hacking teams. Those teams usually worked on higher-profile targets, according to a former agency official. In fact, when officials in the administration asked to have NSA hacking resources redirected to Venezuela, a former Trump-era official said top Pentagon officials pushed back hard. Would that have been Gen. Mark Milley? It would not surprise me. He didn't want to do it any more than Haspel did. The pair of them even formed their own group -- and shut out Bolton. At one point, officials created a working group focused on Venezuela. It included the CIA and the State, Treasury, and Defense departments. One group itintentionallydid not include: Bolton and his allies on the National Security Council, says a former State Department official. The CIA sort of thought they were dealing with Oliver North, another official says, adding that the spy agency reacted in an equal and opposite direction to what they felt was Boltons aggressiveness by trying to avoid any operations that could cause blowback for the CIA. Someone at the bloated agency must have felt the same way, denying them use of a device that could disrupt ship traffic, which could have screwed both Cuba and Venezuela as oil was transported: Cuba relies on oil from Venezuela. In return, US officials believe, the Cuban security services have helped protect Maduro, essentially serving as an on-the-ground praetorian guard for the embattled socialist autocrat. The Trump administration thought if the US could somehow intercept or sabotage the oil ships sailing from Venezuela to Cuba, it could strike a blow against both regimes. Senior administration officials held meetings with paramilitary experts to look at the mechanics of such an operation. At least one option involved the CIA, which had a mobile system that could covertly (and nonviolently) disable ships. Trump administration officials wanted the agency to move the system near Venezuela, to hit some of its fuel tankers. The agency balked. CIA officials explained that it only had one of these systems, that it was currently in another hemisphere, and they didnt want to move it to the northern end of South America. The idea was shelved. That was a shame. Why didn't the CIA, for all its cash, have two of those devices? And once they said 'no,' why didn't the CIA have an operative or two on the ground then to infiltrate the crew to sabotage those ships from the inside, or if that was impossible, then see about paying the Israelis or Colombians to do it? No imagination whatsoever, let alone will to win. CIA Director Gina Haspel seemed to be cut out of the same cloth as the Milley crew: Haspel, the source says, was absolutely not inclined to lean forward unless someone brought her into the Oval Office and said, You know, you have to do this. And it never reached that point. And over at State, Mike Pompeo, for less culpable reasons, shut down the U.S. embassy in Venezuela, fearing another Benghazi, after a series of Chavista thug threats. That hampered the task force's operations even more. So with nobody helping, not much got done at all. One operation that did go well came too little too late -- the CIA sent its hackers to break into military payments system and disrupt it -- an army marches on its stomach, after all -- and deprive the Maduro military that was holding him there in power of its paychecks. Unpaid militaries tend to drop their undying loyalty. They succeeded but it came after the climax moment of 2019 when Guaido asked Venezuelan troops to defect to his side, and most didn't. All the wind went out of the balloon then, and probably for the reasons Trump cited -- that Guaido was weak as a leader, too much of a believer in fair elections and legal processes same as some of these other characters, when the situation called for some kind of Pancho Villa type to rally around. The rough characters inside the Venezuelan military probably didn't want to defect over to a guy like Guaido, particularly since so many of them were involved in dealing drugs and other corruption crimes. It was too much to ask of them. All of that benefited Maduro, who ended up staying in power and went on to steal another election, even more brazenly than the election of 2018. He's out being a death-squad dictator now, murdering opposition leaders and dumping their bodies in ditches, which happened last week -- getting away with it. Trump apparently lost confidence in Bolton by September and acrimoniously fired him -- he has now joined Kamp Kamala, as one of its swamp thing allies. But if he couldn't even rally the swamp to get rid of a two-bit dictator, it's hard to see why he shouldn't have been replaced. Bolton bills himself as a Washington insider, but he got nowhere with Haspel and Milley, both of whom seemed to be throwing sand in his gears alongside Pompeo. The CIA had a grand chance to reclaim its credibility with this operation, as well as send all the world's tyrants a message that the U.S. has more than one means of getting rid of lowlife states who bother us but it blew it, raising questions as to why the taxpayers should be paying for it. If its personnel want to admire Maduro, or Hamas, or whatever evil leftist tyrants it admires, fine and dandy, but those stances come into direct contact with its mission at CIA, which is to get rid of bad guys before they know what hit them. The same goes for the Pentagon and State, both of which failed, too. Obviously, they have lost sights of their mission. Maduro would have been such an easy target to show off their chops with, and they couldn't manage even that. Agencies that botch their core operations need to be dismantled. It is hoped that Trump will send Elon Musk and Bobby Kennedy in to take care of that business. For now, the agency seems to be living up to its new logo -- in it only for its self-preservation alone, not the well being of the United States of America as its earlier logo had it. Image: logo // public domain Android Auto support has abruptly stopped for older phones. Google had previously revised the minimum version of Android required for the platform, but the company had allowed it to run on older versions of Android. Google stopped support for Android Auto on older versions of Android Android Auto is one of the most powerful platforms for in-car navigation. It allows using an Android phones functions via the infotainment console. Modern versions of Android have Android Auto baked in. However, older versions of Android and the platform had a dedicated and optional app. In other words, before Android 9, users had to download the Android Auto app from the Google Play Store and then sync it with their vehicles infotainment system. Google had ensured Android Auto worked all the way back on Android 6. However, back in July 2022, Google revised the minimum Android version required for Android Auto. From Android 6, the search giant mandated Android 8 as the lowest version of the OS. The same happened recently. Google has reportedly stopped supporting Android Auto on Android 8 and lower versions of the OS. What is the minimum version of Android needed to run Android Auto? Earlier this year, Google raised the minimum requirement for Android Auto to Android 9. It is, however, interesting to note that several Android 8 users were able to use Android Auto on their devices. This concession seems to have stopped. According to a Reddit thread, Google seems to be strictly enforcing the minimum requirement rule. In other words, smartphones running Android 8 are being greeted by a notification that says, This phone no longer supports Android Auto. It seems Google had been lenient, and it was not enforcing the requirement, presumably to offer people more time for an upgrade. Although the chances are rather slim, there could be a few Android smartphones running Android 8 in 2024. After all, the version arrived way back in 2019. Google could be enforcing the requirement because Android 9 and newer versions of the OS have Android Auto integrated within. This offers a streamlined experience. Additionally, it is possible that Google might be removing Android Auto from the Play Store as a standalone app, and keeping it as an updatable system app. Android Auto has had multiple bugs recently, and it even stopped functioning in one of the beta versions of Android 15. Moreover, the app could be breaching EU rules. Google could be enforcing the rule to limit such issues as ensuring backward compatibility is often very complex. Google continues to expand the availability of physical stores dedicated to Pixel and related products in the US. The Mountain View giant is about to open its fifth retail location. If you cant wait for the opening, here are some images showing what the new Google Store Oakbrook looks like. The Google Store Oakbrook is located in an outdoor mall. In fact, of the companys five physical stores, this is the first one that bets on this type of location. The store will open tomorrow (Friday) to start selling products from the Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit lineups. Essentially, it will stock nearly all the products available on the online Google Store. Google continues to expand its physical stores with the Google Store Oakbrook A few years ago, Google changed its strategy regarding Google Pixels. Initially, the company was betting on a completely online approach. However, the Mountain View giant has set out to make its products capture a larger market share, making them part of the mainstream rather than remaining niche. Opening multiple physical retail locations is part of this strategy. For the Google Store Oakbrook, images (courtesy of 9to5Google) show that the company has maintained the heavily wood-based aesthetic of the others. The wooden facade includes the name Google Store in a single color. Unlike previous years, the latest Google product boxes feature a monochromatic logo design. So, it seems that the brand is pursuing a more sober and minimalist aesthetic. A wood-theme store where you can buy, test products, and get help Returning to the Google Store, the wood-based theme is clearly visible from the outside through the windows. Upon entering, visitors will see large counters, shelves, and desks displaying the companys products. One of the benefits of physical stores is that potential buyers can try out devices. This always gives a greater sense of confidence before making a purchase. However, the store also allows you to buy products online and pick them up in person later. The Google Store Oakbrook will not only sell devices, but there is also technical support. If you have any problems, you can go to the Here to Help desk, where you can get advice and tips, or directly initiate device repair requests. The new physical Google retail location will be open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST, Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST. By now, many know that the relationship between the Russian government and Google is not the best. The Kremlin has repeatedly fined the Mountain View giant for issues related to blocking channels and state content on its media platforms (such as YouTube). Until now, all fines represented a small sum of money. However, now Russia has fined Google for $20,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. The company has already received big fines in the EU, but nothing comparable. Russia fines Google for the equivalent of $20 billion trillion trillion A Russian court imposed the 2 undecillion rubles, equivalent to a $20 billion trillion trillion (or $20 decillion) fine on Google, due to non-payment of the other multiple fines the company has been receiving. The courts decision also stems from Googles denial of requests to reinstate Russias state channels on YouTube. Google has blocked official Russian government media since the invasion of Ukraine began a few years ago. RBC, a Russian news outlet, specified that there are a total of 17 Russian TV channels blocked on YouTube. There are also other related media outlets that have been banned from the platform. Google has not only been blocking official Russian media but also videos and channels that glorify or otherwise approve of the invasion of Ukraine. Fine greater than the size of the world economy The exorbitant fine represents more than the bulk of money in the entire world. The world economy is worth around $110 trillion, according to estimates by the International Monetary Fund. Meanwhile, Alphabet, the company that owns Google, has a market value of around $2 trillion. However, Russia seems to be aware of this. A Russian government spokesperson referred to the fine as filled with symbolism. So, it doesnt seem like the Kremlin expects Google to pay that figure one way or another. At this point, it is difficult to determine Russias goal with the fine. Perhaps they want to finally drive Google out of the country for its repeated refusals to comply with state requests. Google has gradually decreased its operations in Russia since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. While many American companies have completely withdrawn from the country, services such as Search and YouTube remained available. However, as of today, Googles Russian subsidiary is completely inoperative. The Kremlin has already taken over the companys bank accounts, so it has declared bankruptcy. Google currently makes decisions regarding its tech operations in Russia remotely. Google does not fear a real financial impact Google has notified its investors about the fines it was receiving in Russia. Civil judgments that include compounding penalties have been imposed upon us in connection with disputes regarding the termination of accounts, including those of sanctioned parties, the company said. However, Google is confident that it will not have a significant impact on its accounts. We do not believe these ongoing legal matters will have a material adverse effect (on earnings), the brand stated. The latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite has integrated UWB hardware. However, not all phones with the flagship chipset will support the feature. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite has built-in support for UWB Apple allows precise location tracking. In fact, this is what makes Apples AirTags really good at locating misplaced belongings. Although it is getting better, Googles Find My Device network isnt as good, and the reason is that it lacks hardware support for UWB. Ultra-wideband, or UWB, is a short-range wireless communication protocol. It enables super-precise location tracking. It is an additional radio frequency apart from Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is one of the first chipsets to have integrated hardware support for UWB. This is because the SoC packs the FastConnect 7900 connectivity platform, which supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and UWB. Previous iterations of the FastConnect platform lacked UWB. This meant OEMs needed to add a separate UWB module. Needless to say, several device manufacturers chose not to because of costs and additional space requirements. Starting with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, OEMs do not need to add any extra UWB hardware, confirmed Qualcomm. FastConnect 7900 is a single-chip 6nm solution wherein, all features and capabilities are delivered as a single chip solution, boasted the company. Why wont some smartphones not support UWB? Despite the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite having integrated UWB support, some smartphones with this chipset wont support the feature. According to Android Authority, the OnePlus 13, the Realme GT7 Pro, and the Xiaomi 15 are powered by Qualcomms flagship chipset, but they do not support UWB. Moreover, some of these devices do not even declare the android.hardware.uwb flag, which means the installed Android OS believes theres no UWB hardware onboard. A Qualcomm representative has stated, Snapdragon 8 Elite devices can support UWB thanks to FastConnect 7900, but its up to the OEM to determine if they want to utilize the feature. In other words, device manufacturers will ultimately decide if they want to activate UWB or keep it dormant. One of the most plausible reasons not to activate UWB would be the varying and complex regulations, and the need to secure prior approval. UWB involves sending out radio waves, and device makers would need to go through the calibration, testing, and certification processes for every country. Since UWB isnt highly popular with Android device users, manufacturers might be trying to minimize regulatory hassles and costs. When Sony announced the PS5 Pro, many hoped that you would be able to use the console covers that were released for the PS5 Slim, as they appeared to be the same size. It turns out, you cant actually use those console covers. This is likely to be a letdown for some consumers, as surely there are people who had planned on getting some of the covers to replace the stock white ones on the PS5 Pro. Those plans must now change. A recent post on Reddit details that the PS5 Slim console covers will not work for the PS5 Pro. The user who created the post mentioned that they attempted to put the covers on their new PS5 Pro unit. To no avail, as they werent able to complete the swap. You might think this is because the covers arent actually the same size, but according to the poster, they are. PS5 Slim console covers use different interlocking latches than the PS5 Pro model For whatever reason Sony decided to use different interlocking latches for the PS5 Pro console covers than the ones you can find on the Slim. If youve never taken off your PS5s console covers before, the underside of them has these latches across the surface that you can slide into place. This locks the console cover onto the console. These are in different locations for the covers on the PS5 Pro. But only for the top half according to the poster on Reddit. The bottom half of the console cover seems to fit just fine, whereas the top half does not. The poster also mentions that the top part of the covers are the same size. So its just this relocation of the latches that prevents you from using the cover. IGN says that Sony has confirmed the Slim covers wont work for the Pro version of the console. So theres unfortunately no way to get around it. Sony plans to release covers for the Pro model later on While the covers for the Slim wont work for the Pro, Sony says that users will have a way to customize their console soon. Sony plans to release console covers for the PS5 Pro officially in the future. The company doesnt mention any specific release dates but when they do launch you will no doubt be able to get them via PlayStation Direct. Chances are they will be sold through other retailers as well, but Sony also tends to save a color or two for its own website. While the Google One subscription has lost some perks over time, its still pretty useful. The extra cloud storage alone has made it a must-have subscription for many people. However, customers also get other added benefits, such as special discounts on products in the Google Store. In line with this, it seems that Google is sending out a nice $150 discount for the purchase of a device in the Pixel 9 series in the United States. Currently, subscribers to Google One plans already receive a 10% discount when purchasing products in the Google Store. However, if you were interested in a Pixel 9 series device but were waiting for a good discount, Google seems to want to help you take the plunge. $150 discount code for buying a Pixel 9 device reaching some Google One subscribers In the last few hours, some users on Reddit have been reporting receiving a $150 discount for the purchase of Pixel 9 devices. The discount comes in the form of a coupon code via email to use during the checkout process, so its not applied automatically. The offer appears to be limited to Google One subscribers in the US. Also, it doesnt seem like everyone is receiving it, as reports about it are scarce at the moment. We dont know what parameters Google is using to decide which subscribers receive the discount coupon. One of the people who received the offer is a Google Pixel 7 user. Perhaps Google is attempting to encourage those who own older Pixel phones to upgrade to a new model. According to reports, the offer is available until November 14. Its noteworthy that current trade-in values to buy a Pixel 9 device are higher than usual. This particular promo started in October and will be available until November 7. The discount coupon can be combined with the trade-in offer for an even better price. Basically, some lucky folks could get a flagship phone for the price of a mid-range device. A couple of days ago, it was reported that the Apple iPhone 16 series sales have been banned in one country, and Google Pixel devices are now on that list too. The country in question is Indonesia. Google Pixel sales are now banned in worlds fourth-most-populated country For those of you who dont know, Indonesia is the fourth most populated country in the world, so this is kind of a big deal. Why did it happen, though? Well, the reason for both Apple and Googles products are the same. Indonesia requires a certain percentage of locally manufactured components in phones that are sold in the country. That percentage is not hit by either Apple or Google, which is why this happened. What is that percentage? Its 40%, so its not exactly low. The spokesperson of Indonesias industry ministry, Febri Hendri Antoni Arief, explained the rules to everyone. He specifically mentioned that Googles devices did not meet the requirement, at least not yet. Therefore, they cannot be sold in the country. He was specifically clear that the consumers can still use Pixel phones in the country, provided theyre bought abroad, of course. And in addition to that, the appropriate taxes are paid upon return. Unofficially imported devices could get deactivated The spokesperson also said that the authorities may consider deactivating phones that are imported unofficially. So, Indonesia is more than serious about the rules on the matter. By doing this, Indonesia is trying to boost local manufacturing and encourage tech companies to source components from domestic suppliers. The authorities are basically leaving phone manufacturers with little options on the matter. Local experts are not exactly happy with such rules. Bhima Yudhistirca, a director of the Center of Economic and Law Studies, said that such policies could be seen as a form of pseudo protectionism. He argued that they could push investors away. It is also worth noting that, in Indonesia OPPO and Samsung are the top dogs. Google and Apple occupy smaller market shares. Samsung continues to be mired in a crisis situation stemming from several fronts. While the company has a global leadership position in multiple segments, maintaining the current pace could lead to losing it in the near future. Amidst the difficult times, Samsungs CEO is urging employees to make desperate efforts to improve the companys products. Samsungs crisis stems from its semiconductor and memory chip divisions Samsungs current situation stems mainly from its SoC manufacturing and high-capacity memory chip divisions. Samsung Foundry, the companys division for SoC production, has not been up to par when it comes to producing high-performance hardware efficiently. According to reports, 3nm GAA wafers from Samsung Foundry show less than 30% yield rate, even dropping to 10% at their worst times. The extremely low yield rate makes producing 3nm chips economically unviable for the company. This led to the cancellation of the Exynos 2500 chip for the Galaxy S25 series. Although the company was working until the last minute to try to improve the situation, the launch of the next Galaxy flagship phones is too close, so there was not much time available. Anyway, the South Korean giant still has faith that it will be able to use the Exynos 2500 in the next-gen Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip. Low third-party demand for Samsung Foundry, another factor Another situation affecting Samsung Foundry is the low demand from important customers. The problems arising from the companys wafers have pushed big players such as Qualcomm and Nvidia to move to TSMC, a direct rival. In terms of memory chips, the companys HBM (high-bandwidth memory) hardware performance lags behind the competition. The HBM hardware is essential for the production of AI-focused chips. In todays tech industry, where artificial intelligence plays a fundamental role, offering the most competitive product can mark the present and future of a company. Names like AMD, AWS, Intel, and Nvidia are turning to other suppliers for components of their AI chips. Samsung CEO urges employees to make desperate efforts to improve products This year, Samsung Electronics is celebrating its 55th anniversary. During an event for executives and employees, CEO Han Jong-hee called for additional efforts to improve the companys products. Securing technology and quality for our customers is the foundation of our competitiveness and the only way we can lead the paradigm shift. Lets make desperate efforts to further strengthen our technology leadership, ensuring a level of quality that remains unmatched, he said. The executive even urged the company to explore other potential segments. More specifically, Han Jong-hee said that the company must identify new growth engines, beyond specific products or business lines. The recent launch of a slimmer Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition could fall in line with this. The past few years have been a bit of a struggle for Exynos chips. Low-yield issues with Samsung Foundry wafers have led to the loss of big customers. The demand for chip manufacturing at Samsung factories has been poor for some time now, with only Exynos SoCs and a few third-party contracts using them. Poor demand prompts Samsung to shut down chip factories, including some Exynos makers Many of Samsung Foundrys semiconductor factories were still active but not actually producing products. So, according to South Korean media Chosung, the company has decided to suspend operations at 30% of its 4nm, 5nm, and 7nm chip fabs. This is not a permanent shutdown, but a temporary one. In fact, the equipment will continue to receive power, but in a low-consumption mode to save electricity-related costs. According to the report, the percentage of semi-off fabs will increase to 50% by the end of this year. Among the mentioned wafers, only the 4nm one remains permanently active, manufacturing the Exynos 2400 and some Snapdragon S chips. However, third-party demand is so low that it is far from occupying the full wafer capacity. Samsung still hopes to improve the performance of its 3nm wafers Currently, Samsung Foundry is struggling with the low yield of its 3nm GAA wafers. The company even had to ditch the Exynos 2500 from the Galaxy S25 series. Reports claim that they are still working on trying to improve the performance of its 3nm wafers in order to implement the Exynos 2500 in the foldable Galaxy devices of 2025. On the bright side, the situation looks better for Samsungs 2nm process. The South Korean giant hopes to offer competitive factories that will attract the attention of big customers. Even Qualcomm has opened the door to working with Samsung again for flagship Snapdragon chips in the near future. Things got complicated for Samsung Foundry in 2021 Samsung Foundrys nightmare began in 2021 with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Qualcomm had designed the SoC with high expectations, for which it even debuted a name change. However, Samsung Foundry 4nm wafers ruined it, delivering chips with high power consumption and poor thermal management. Low factory yield was also an issue back then, with the percentage of usable chips produced being far from ideal. Qualcomm acted quickly to remedy things by moving chip production to TSMC for the second half of the year. The company used the same design but slightly increased the CPU clock speeds. The result was the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, one of the best chips in the companys history. At the time, Samsung Foundry was widely blamed as the source of the problems with the original chip. In fact, the Snapdragon 888, the predecessor of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, was already showing some signs that something was not quite right. While the chip did not exhibit the latters severe problems, it already presented worse thermal control and energy efficiency than usual. Nvidia, another big player in the tech industry, also switched from Samsung to TSMC. In this way, Samsung suddenly lost its main customers for the time. Ren Zhengfei, the founder of Huawei Technologies, said that the US forced Huawei to build its own technology. In other words, the US ban did that, as the company did not really have many options following a series of those bans. Huawei founder believes the US forced Huawei to build its own technology The companys founder attended the ICPC (International Collegiate Programming Content) coding competition for university students, where he said that. He also talked with students about Huawei, technology in general, future goals, and a number of other topics. At one point during the event, Zhengfei actually said that he believes Huawei can learn from the receptive culture of the US. He believes that it can make both Huawei and China advance in science and technology. These were his exact words: The US has set an example for all countries and companies worldwide on being open. If a country is closed off, it will fall behind. As many of you know at this point, the US sanctions landed in 2019, as security concerns were quoted. A number of additional roadblocks were set after that, though. Huawei is still blocked off from accessing tools to make chips and various other equipment. Those bans forced Huawei to be self-sufficient Huawei was forced to be self-sufficient, and it seemingly benefited the company in a way. Zhengfei said the following: American technologies and tools are very good [but] Huawei cannot use them; we had no choice but to create our tools. Open innovation and utilizing the advanced achievements of others is the true way forward for an enterprise. On top of everything, Huaweis founder also highlighted the importance of AI. He said that artificial intelligence is becoming unstoppable. He said that if Huawei uses it in the right way, it could achieve a lot of success moving forward. Huawei is expected to announce its 5nm processor made in collaboration with SMIC soon. That Kirin chip will be first used in the upcoming Huawei Mate 70 series. This 2019 file photo shows a Starbucks sign outside a shop in downtown Pittsburgh, Pa. Starbucks holiday menu will arrive at its stores across the country Thursday, the company announced. Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press Starbucks holiday menu will arrive at its stores across the country Thursday, the company announced. While Starbucks has decided to keep its menu under wraps at the moment, it did release information on a collection of holiday items for customers to purchase. Among the holiday items available for purchase are 24-ounce cups and keychains with gemstones, a six-pack of color-changing cups and a 40-ounce pink Stanley mug. The prices range from $3.95 to $54.95. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The holiday menu is not the only change coming to the Starbucks menu next week. Also starting Thursday, customers will not be charged extra for using non-dairy milk. Starbucks said that will result in a more than 10% reduction in cost for customers. Non-dairy milk is the second-most asked for request to personalize a drink, the company said. I made a commitment that wed get back to Starbucks, focusing on what has always set Starbucks apart a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather and we serve the finest coffee handcrafted by our skilled baristas, said Brian Niccol, Starbucks chairman and chief executive officer, in a statement. This is just one of many changes well make to ensure a visit to Starbucks is worth it every time. US actress Alexandra Daddario has announced the birth of her child by joking she thought the babys hospital bed was a weird bowl of candy. The Percy Jackson and White Lotus star, 38, shared a photo of the child swaddled in a blanket with various chocolate wrappers on the baby. Alongside the post on Instagram shared on Halloween, she wrote: I thought this was a weird bowl of candy. Emily In Paris star Lily Collins was among those to send their congratulations to the actress, writing: Omg congrats!!!!!!!!! Daddario announced she was expecting a baby with her husband Andrew Form, 52, in an interview with British Vogue earlier this year. The actress and her film producer husband got engaged in 2021 and married in June 2022. She rose to fame starring as Annabeth Chase in the Percy Jackson film series and has featured in a number of films and shows. Her role in the first series of hit drama The White Lotus earned her Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a limited or anthology Series or movie. Charities which are already in a dire situation could be hit by an estimated 1.4 billion rise in tax following the Budget, a body representing the sector has warned. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) said charities across the UK will be forced to make difficult choices in the coming months including reducing staff and cutting salaries. It comes after changes announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves which will see employers national insurance contributions increase. Reeves announced in Wednesdays Budget that the rate of employers national insurance (NI) will rise by 1.2 percentage points, from 13.8% to 15% from April next year. Our estimates show planned increases to employer national insurance contributions will cost the charity sector 1.4bn a year. Many charities will be forced to make difficult decisions to shoulder this heavy burden. Together with @ACEVO, were calling on @hmtreasury to take pic.twitter.com/IF7YxbxclX NCVO (@NCVO) October 31, 2024 The secondary threshold meaning the level at which employers start paying the tax on each employees salary will also be reduced from 9,100 a year to 5,000. The NCVO, a membership group of charities, voluntary organisations and communities, said this will amount to around 1.4 billion more tax paid by the charity sector. Charities employ about 3% of the UK workforce, the NCVO said. For the G11 Community Hub, a charity which provides training and education and other services for residents in Cam, Gloucestershire, the rise could cost 20,000 a year, the chief executive said. Indigo Redfern said: This year I was already looking at a deficit. I was really hoping there would be a waiver for smaller charities. Demand is just going up and up. We are responding to what the community needs. The charity runs a food bank and hosts social groups such as knit and natter. The problem is this is on top of a general funding squeeze, said Ms Redfern. Meanwhile, the RSPCA said the changes could cost the charity more than 1 million next year. RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood said: Were really concerned at the impact these employer national insurance rises will have for animal welfare. Failure to provide exemptions or allowances for charities when implementing these employer national insurance hikes risks placing additional pressure on what is already a challenging financial backdrop for so many charities. Sarah Elliott, CEO of NCVO, said the planned national insurance increase will be absolutely unsustainable for many charities. We know charities are closing because their own costs are going up, Ms Elliott told the PA news agency. Over the last few years charities have had to cut things to the bone. Public sector funding has been declining but also the public are understandably tightening their belts. People are giving fewer and smaller donations. The number of charities signing our letter to @hmtreasury is growing by the second. What's clear to us is not only the strength of feeling, but the real need for action. Am proud to see our sector come together in this way. If you haven't signed yet, there's still time to join! pic.twitter.com/eMMeTLnDZD Sarah Elliott (Vibert) (@sarahvibert82) November 1, 2024 The NCVO and the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) have written an open letter to the Chancellor urging her to address charities concerns and exempt them from the planned rise. At the time of writing, the letter has received nearly 300 signatures, the NCVO said. Ms Elliott added: Charities across the country are already in a dire situation, juggling a triple threat of rising demand, escalating costs, and falling funding. This additional cost, for which there is no headroom in budgets to cover, will be devastating. Ms Elliot welcomed the Chancellors increased investment in public services including hospitals and housing, but said charities will have to continue plugging gaps until the impact of new funding is felt. HM Treasury was contacted for comment. British actress Daisy Ridley and her screenwriter husband Tom Bateman are already cooking up another two film projects, because they loved the experience of working on upcoming thriller Magpie together. Ridley appeared at the UK premiere of the Sam Yates-directed production at the Odeon Luxe in London alongside Bateman, who wrote the neo-noir film for his wife and actor Shazad Latif. The Star Wars actress came up with this seed of an idea when the couple were first talking about making a movie together, Bateman told the PA news agency. Tom Bateman attends the UK Premiere of Magpie at the Odeon Luxe in central London (Ben Whitley/PA) We were inspired by quite a lot of different films in different tones, films like Tully, Memento, some Hitchcock stuff, so there was a real varied source of inspiration and I wanted to just pull it all together, because theyre my favourite kind of movies, he said. Bateman described working alongside his wife of seven years, who is one of my favourite actors in the world, as heaven, adding I loved it so so much. Its crazy to be standing here and sharing it with everyone, because it honestly just started me and her talking in the car, I was picking her up from the airport, he said. And then it was just us kicking it around in a house in the countryside, and me just writing pages in the morning, Daisy telling me what she thought, helping me steer it. Bateman said he catered the role for Ridley and one of his dear friends Latif, knowing what audiences expect of them and subverting it. Daisy Ridley attends the UK Premiere of Magpie at the Odeon Luxe in central London (Ben Whitley/PA) When asked about working on future projects with Ridley, Bateman told PA: Were already cooking up another two. One of them we might reveal pretty soon. Its kind of in final stages of being put together and the other one, Ive just handed her my second draft, she had a few notes, so it might be a little while but we loved it so much, were 100% going to work together again. In the film, Ridley and Latif play Anette and Ben, a married couple whose lives are upended when their daughter is cast in a film alongside a glamorous actress, Alicia, who Anette suspects Ben is infatuated with. Anette certainly is quite different to the other characters Ive played, Ridley told PA at the premiere. I think Im someone who finds those distinctions quite simple, as in quite easy to distinguish. Certainly with this because we created the film from scratch, I was so clear of who Anette was, and had built her so much through the development process that when it came to it, I really felt like I knew who she was. And then in between times I was also producing the film, so that also added a layer of switching out to get stuff done. Sam Yates attends the UK Premiere of Magpie at the Odeon Luxe in central London (Ben Whitley/PA) Meanwhile British director Yates, who recently directed Andrew Scott in the National Theatres production of Vanya, described Ridley as a wonderful actor. I think it was quite important to put down her producing roles just before she stepped on set as the lead of the film, he told PA. But she was wonderful, professional, very creative, incredible instincts for the material and we just tried to sort of keep it light and play and do various versions. She was very, very inside the role. Often times as a director, youre a fan on set. Theres nothing much I can do to help Daisy give the performance she gives. The UK financial watchdog has said Crispin Odeys response to allegations of sexual misconduct breached its rules and lacked integrity. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said in a new warning notice that it plans to take action against the hedge fund boss as a result. It reported that his behaviour towards both Odey Asset Management and the FCA lacked candour after allegations of misconduct were made against him. Founded in 1991, Mr Odeys firm made headlines for its big bets on the British economy, making hundreds of millions of pounds from the Brexit vote in 2016. His hedge fund empire quickly fell apart after the Financial Times (FT) newspaper reported sexual harassment and assault complaints in June 2023. They included claims from several women, who reportedly had social or professional relationships with Mr Odey, that they had been abused or harassed by him, with some alleging he sexually assaulted them. Mr Odey has previously denied the allegations against him, telling the FT they were rubbish. In May, he sued the FT for libel. He has called himself the victim of a witch hunt. The FCA launched an investigation into his conduct, which is ongoing. In the warning notice, the regulator did not comment on the accusations against Mr Odey, but was critical of his response to Odey Asset Management and the regulator. Mr Odey has the right to respond to the findings and appeal against them to the FCA. In the notice, it said Mr Odey used improper means to protect his own interests and achieve his objectives following the allegations. The FCA considers that during the relevant period Mr Odey demonstrated a lack of integrity in that his actions were deliberately designed to frustrate Odey AMs ongoing disciplinary process into his conduct, in order to protect his own interests, it said. The FCA also said he showed a reckless disregard for Odey AMs governance and caused Odey AM to breach certain regulatory requirements. The Government will act immediately on the central recommendations of a Tusla review into the disappearance of schoolboy Kyran Durnin, the minister for children said. Roderic OGorman received on Friday evening the detailed report from the child and family agency about its engagement with Kyran and his family. A spokesperson for Mr OGorman said the Department would engage with Tusla on the findings into the concerning case. Gardai launched a murder investigation in October into the disappearance of the Co Louth schoolboy, who was potentially missing for two years, unknown to authorities. Gardai suspect that Kyran may have died in 2022 when he was six. Tusla said it raised a significant concern about the missing child to police in August. Last week, investigators searched a former family home in Dundalk and adjoining land. Roderic OGorman said they would be acting on any central recommendations made by the review Irelands police chief has described the case as extraordinary and said he has never seen one like it in his 40-year career. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said on Friday that he is updated every day on the investigation. He said Gardai had received a huge amount of information from the public after several appeals. I can assure you that that investigation is very active, were pursing all the lines of inquiry that we have, he said, speaking in Co Laois. We have received a huge amount of information from the public, so all of that has to be processed, and were also engaging with Tusla and received a lot of information from Tusla as well. All of that feeds into the inquiry. It is a very complex and properly resourced investigation and is being assisted by national bureaux in terms of expertise around interviewing and the assessment of the witness accounts weve received so far. Mr OGorman said that he would receive a report from Tusla on its engagement with Kyran and his family. A separate report would be issued to Education Minister Norma Foley in relation to Tuslas Education Support Service about Kyrans interactions with school authorities. I and my department will engage with Tusla in terms of the implementation of any of the immediate recommendations for that report, Mr OGorman said. Its a detailed report and were very conscious that theres an ongoing Garda investigation, a murder investigation, ongoing right now, so Tusla wont be putting out anything that is any way prejudicial to an ongoing murder investigation. But importantly, this report will also go to the National Review Panel, thats the independent body that examines the death of any child who was known to Tusla, and the internal report from Tusla will be considered by the National Review Panel. But we will be acting immediately on any central recommendations that this review brings to us today. The National Review Panel, which conducts reviews of child deaths and serious incidents with the aim of improving the services, is prioritising the case. Tusla said its internal review of interactions with Kyran Durnin and his family would not be made public. A spokesperson said: In accordance with standard practice in sensitive situations, and in the context of the live investigation by An Garda Siochana and the highly sensitive nature of the personal information involved, the review cannot be published at this time. The Defence Secretary has warned of a growing alliance of aggression between North Korea and Russia, after intelligence reports confirmed the presence of North Korean troops near the Ukrainian border. John Healey said on Friday evening that UK Defence Intelligence had confirmed 10,000 North Korean soldiers had arrived in Russia, with a significant proportion heading for the Kursk region. In an intelligence update, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it was almost certain some have already deployed to the Kursk region, where Ukraine has been carrying out a counterattack. Mr Healey said: This growing alliance of aggression shows why we must continue to stand steadfast behind Ukraines fight for freedom. His statement comes after the US and Nato also warned that North Korea was likely to have sent troops to assist Russia, with Western leaders describing the move as a significant escalation. Meanwhile, North Koreas foreign minister Choe Son Hui visited Moscow on Friday for a meeting with her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov that South Koreas spy agency suggested could have involved discussion of Pyongyang providing additional reinforcements. The MoDs update said the countries had been looking to deepen their partnership, with Russias parliament agreeing a treaty that included a mutual defence clause on October 24. But Defence Intelligence added that Russian and North Korean forces would face interoperability difficulties as a result of not having trained together. It said: (North Korean) troops conducting combat operations would almost certainly have issues operating Russian equipment, integrating into Russias command and control structure, and working around the language barrier with Russian forces. Englands inexperience was ruthlessly exploited as a sloppy batting display lay at the root of an eight-wicket thrashing by the West Indies in their series-opening ODI in Antigua. With captain Jos Buttler out injured and several Test stars unavailable, England gave debuts to Jordan Cox, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton and John Turner but they were all out for an anaemic 209 in 45.1 overs. All of the top-six reached double figures but contributed to their own demise, unable to battle through tricky conditions where timing was an issue, with Liam Livingstones 48 off 49 balls their top score. The demise of Livingstone, captaining England for the first time, after a restorative 72-run stand in 84 balls with Sam Curran (37 off 56) led to the tourists losing their last six wickets for 44 runs. Defeat in the series opener. We will look to bounce back in the second match on Saturday. #WIvENG | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/GLRVjWguW2 England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 1, 2024 Gudakesh Motie took four of them in 15 balls, starting when Livingstone limply poked a return catch to the slow left-armer, who snared Mousley and Overton with successive deliveries before Curran holed out. After a 90-minute rain delay between innings, the Windies reached 81 for none in 15 overs before another downpour. When play resumed, Evin Lewis magnificent 94 off 69 deliveries helped them chase an adjusted target of 157 in 35 overs with 55 balls to spare to draw first blood in the three-match series. Turner initially caused problems, with his first delivery in international cricket thudding into the elbow of Brandon King, who was frequently challenged on both edges by the England rookie. But Lewis was irresistible, pummelling sixes at will seven of his eight were in the arc between long-on and long leg, with one hit off Adil Rashid going the distance despite having one hand off his bat. Batting might have seemed a fraction easier under lights but Lewis demonstrated his class, having returned to the ODI fold after three years out last weekend with an unbeaten century in Sri Lanka. After a shower and another hour-long delay, Lewis took 14 runs in four balls off Rashid on a rare off-day for the leg-spinner before Livingstone made the breakthrough when King pulled a drag down to Jacks on the boundary for 30. As the Windies crept towards victory, the only question was whether Lewis would reach three figures, but with 13 needed and going for the one big hit to get him to three figures, he directed Rashid to long-on. It mattered little as his belligerent innings underpinned a commanding win for a side who will not be at next years Champions Trophy and are instead looking at qualification for the 2027 World Cup. West Indies Evin Lewis hits a six from a delivery of Englands Adil Rashid Ricardo Mazalan/AP) They were perhaps given a helping hand by winning the toss, with England struggling to get to grips with a sluggish surface. Despite bringing in a quartet of new players, Michael Pepper was kept waiting for his ODI debut and a dream top-order partnership for headline writers with Phil Salt, who instead opened with Jacks. Englands openers were solid if unspectacular, each taking two fours in an over off Matthew Forde but struggling to pierce the infield off Jayden Seales, who conceded just eight from his five-over burst. His unerring accuracy also drew false shots. Salt, who averaged 19.2 last month against Australia, once again failed to get out of the powerplay as, on 18, he skied high and Alzarri Joseph took a fine catch running back and Gudakesh Motie held on at the second attempt when Jacks miscued up in the air on 19. Cox took 11 off his first 14 balls but collected six off his next 17, losing patience and skewing the last to Keacy Carty, and while Jacob Bethell showed another glimpse of his talent with three fours in an over off Alzarri Joseph, he got a leading edge to a pull to depart for 27. With 100 not yet up, senior all-rounders Livingstone and Curran initially accumulated in low-risk fashion, with wily off-spinner Roston Chase conceding just 27 from his first eight overs. Livingstone cast off the shackles with sixes in each of Chases last two overs and was put down on 44 by Shimron Hetmyer at short midwicket, but he failed to capitalise by falling in tame fashion five balls later as Motie got to work. England unravelled quickly from that point and only a couple of trademark wristy whips from Adil Rashid got them beyond 200 but it was not enough to stop them sliding to a 12th defeat in their last 18 ODIs. Master Builders Australias CEO says we cannot address labour shortages through domestic apprenticeships alone. Photograph: Michael Thomas/Alamy Leading construction bodies are urging the government to change its approach to skilled migration and bring in more migrants to ease the shortage of tradies. Industry bodies say a chronic shortage of workers across 12 different trades is impacting housing prices and affecting the flow of new homes into the market. Master Builders, the nations peak building and construction industry association, anticipates at least half a million workers must enter the construction industry by 2029 just to keep up with current construction demands. That number does not account for the government target of building 1.2m new homes for the national housing accord, the transition to net zero or any other goals. Related: Labor v the Coalition: who is leading in the polls? In March, BuildSkills Australia said 90,000 new tradies were needed between then and the end of 2024. But according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics the industry is falling well short, hiring just over half that number. The huge shortage in workers is the largest contributor to growing construction costs, according to Master Builders, and one of the key reasons the industry has been unable to build enough new homes to meet demand and ease the housing crisis. In an April survey of Master Builders members , 85% said it was a struggle to find suitably qualified workers and 66% said sourcing workers was the biggest issue facing the industry. Denita Wawn, the CEO of Master Builders Australia, said the industry was extraordinarily desperate for more workers, and that migrants were the answer in the immediate term. Labour shortages are currently the biggest handbrake on new home building and infrastructure projects. If were to have any hope of building 1.2m homes we need to get more skilled tradies into the country and quickly, she said. Skilled migration is a vital piece of the workforce puzzle in the building and construction industry. In the short term, we cannot address labour shortages through domestic apprenticeships alone. She said construction costs had blown out by 40% since the pandemic, and attributed a large portion of that increase to labour shortages. Wawn said she was perplexed that tradespeople were ignored by the governments migration strategy, unveiled in 2023. As part of the changes, a skills in demand visa was proposed, but the occupation list did not include any trades. That new system splits the pathways into three strands: specialist skills, essential skills and core skills pathways. Because trade workers cannot enter Australia through the specialist skills or essential skills pathways under the proposed system, Master Builders wants the government to add all building and construction trades to the core skills cccupation list. A spokesperson for the home affairs department said the government was currently considering advice from Jobs and Skills Australia on the Core Skills Occupation List and will release its final decision shortly. They also pointed to more than 11,000 skilled visas granted to workers in the construction industry for the 2023-24 program year under the old temporary skill shortage visa, the highest number in nearly 10 years. But the latest Housing Industry Association (HIA) trades availability index showed the shortage of tradies has been worsening, dropping to -0.54 in the September quarter from -0.49 the previous quarter. Matt King, a senior economist at HIA, said the lack of workers was a major problem. While the severity of shortages varies across Australian markets, all capital city and regional areas are experiencing a consequential shortfall in skilled trades, which is acting as a significant constraint on new home building, he said. Australia does not currently have enough tradies to build the number of homes needed to house the population and take pressure off housing costs. Trades prices are running at an annual growth rate of 3.4%, which is much higher than the 2.0% average over the decade prior to the pandemic. He pointed to the stiff competition for workers, including buoyant non-residential construction activity and the pipeline of government-funded engineering and construction projects. Related: Tucker Carlson claims a demon attack left him bleeding in bed The index showed bricklaying, tiling, plastering and carpentry were suffering the most acute shortages of skilled tradespeople. HIA and Master Builders are calling for a streamlining of pathways to get more Australians into the industry, but both groups see immigration as an essential short-term fix. Trent Wiltshire, the deputy program director of Grattan Institutes economic prosperity program, said it was important the government better recognise qualifications from non-English speaking countries. We dont often recognise the qualifications from most countries, and we require people from these countries to jump through more hoops to be able to work here. He said that mindset reflects the risk appetite of government. Recognising overseas qualifications, where we can, is a really key way we can streamline the process and get more construction workers in. It cost the Texas Railroad Commission $2.5 million to plug this well in Crane County that leaked super-salty toxic water for six weeks in December 2023 and January 2024. Sarah Stogner Texas oil and gas regulators requested more than $100 million in emergency funds from the state last week to address pressing problems related to uncapped wells and oil field wastewater. In a letter obtained by the Houston Chronicle, the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and gas industry, told legislators that emergent issues have developed since it submitted its annual budget request Aug. 30. Railroad Commission Executive Director Danny Sorrells wrote that his staff needs additional funds to address a growing number of leaking wells. Without the additional funds, he said, the commission cannot sufficiently protect the states groundwater from contamination. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The emergency request comes weeks after a 100-foot geyser erupted from a West Texas oil field plagued by earthquakes linked to wastewater injection. The geyser raised questions about whether the water fueling it was wastewater and, if so, how it got there. Leaking and erupting wells are eating up more of the commissions well-plugging budget, limiting its ability to get ahead of the problem by plugging wells before they begin to leak, it said in the letter. The additional funds would help alleviate that, the commission said in a follow-up statement. This is all part of our vigilant work to plug wells, it said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The surprise funding request underscores the growing nature of the problem simmering beneath the surface in West Texas. It increases the amount of state funds requested for well plugging by 72% compared to what was already budgeted. The Railroad Commissions original budget was $234 million for well plugging in 2026 and 2027, including $95 million in federal funds provided under a new Biden administration effort. The commissions budget noted that oil fields across Texas are aging, exacerbating the threat posed by neglected and orphaned wells without responsible owners to plug them. Orphaned wells, whose owners go bankrupt or dissolve, become wards of the state. They leave open holes in the ground that can allow wastewater to gush to the surface, requiring an emergency response from the commission. The commission spent nearly $10 million to plug 38 emergency wells during fiscal year 2023 alone, according to its budget request. Lawmakers have been warned that a new source of funds may be needed in order for the commission to do work that protects the states groundwater. The costs and number of emergency wells have increased sharply over the last several years, it said. The commission also requested an additional $2.7 million to hire 10 full-time employees to investigate the impacts of wastewater injection, a byproduct of fracking, on underground formations. Their job would be to understand the root causes of water blowouts and earthquakes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A history of substantial concerns The commissions new team of investigators wouldnt be alone in their efforts to understand how the oil industrys wastewater is impacting the underground environment. A rash of leaking wells, geysers and earthquakes fueled a petition from the environmental groups Earthjustice, Commission Shift and Clean Water Action earlier this year. The petition asked the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate the states regulation of oil field wastewater and its failure to protect drinking water. The petition raises substantial concerns, the EPA replied in a May letter in response. The agencys regional office in Dallas said in the letter it would need time for review. An additional letter from watchdog groups Environmental Integrity Project and Commission Shift last month raised more questions about why Railroad Commission data suggests wastewater wells were failing mechanical integrity tests at concerning rates. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The groups have said it is especially important to review issues with the states regulation of wastewater injection while the EPA considers a request from the Railroad Commission to regulate carbon dioxide storage wells, potentially placing an additional waste stream under the commissions jurisdiction as it contends with a host of issues related to industry wastewater. We noticed that the rate of mechanical integrity test failure was higher for carbon dioxide injection wells than it was for other wells, which is not totally a surprise, because carbon dioxide is so corrosive it can eat away at the pipes and the well bores, Abel Russ, author of the Environmental Integrity Projects letter to the EPA, said in an interview. If existing disposal wells for wastewater and carbon dioxide are failing, he said, it raises doubts about the success of a new kind of well that is intended to store carbon dioxide indefinitely. The EPA said in a statement Thursday that it was reviewing the concerns raised by the environmental groups. We look forward to countering the allegations by outside groups, the Railroad Commission said in a statement. We have already provided the EPA preliminary comments and will continue to provide them information proving our commitment to protecting the environment and residents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The commission said in its comments to the EPA that it was working to balance the economic realities of the industry with the need to address mounting underground pressure, blowouts and earthquakes. It added it was developing a multi-faceted produced water management strategy to address these challenges. The commission is approaching many of these issues on a regional basis rather than a well-by-well basis, it said in the letter. Crime Victims of burglary are being forced to wait up to five years for justice because of record court delays, a Telegraph investigation has revealed Nearly one in 10 victims of theft including burglary are having to wait more than two years from reporting their crime to police to the perpetrator being brought to trial, according to Ministry of Justice (MoJ) data analysed by The Telegraph. An alleged victim of an aggravated burglary in which eight men armed with machetes broke into her family home told The Telegraph she had been told the suspects would not be put on trial until 2026, even though she had already waited three years since the attack in October 2021. I am furious, she said. Thats how I have felt for the last three years because I am not sure I ever felt the police took it as seriously as they should have done. The attackers reportedly threatened her, her husband and two sons, demanding they hand over their valuables before the family fought back, forcing them to flee. Since the attack they have increased security, bought two guard dogs and, in the immediate aftermath, were too scared to let their youngest child go to school alone. Its turned our lives upside down. We are much less trusting. I suspect we are all really traumatised. Her MP Stella Creasy, who has raised the case in Parliament with Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, said: My constituents should not have to wait five years for justice. It is vital that we increase the capacity of the courts to be able to deal with serious offences such as this. The delays are the result of a backlog of Crown Court cases that has grown from 38,000 before Covid to a record 68,000. Shortages of legal professionals, the barristers strike, collapsing trials and the increase in complex cases such as rape are blamed for compounding the delays caused by the courts shutdown during the pandemic. They cover all types of offences, according to a breakdown by The Telegraph. Victims of sexual offences, including rape, wait the longest at an average of 2,307 days or six years. Specifically for rape, it is 1,381 days, or three years and nine months. Victims of fraud face the second longest waits at 1,647 days, or four-and-a-half years. As is the case with sexual offences, police investigations are long and complicated, often because one or more of the perpetrators may be based overseas. More than one in five (22.9 per cent) of fraud cases are more than two years old. They are followed by public order offences (668 days), drug offences (632 days), violence (509 days), possession of weapons (499 days), robbery (473 days), theft (458 days) and criminal damage and arson (443 days). The figures, however, exclude the thousands of cases that collapse as a result of victims withdrawing from prosecutions after losing faith in the criminal justice system because of the delays. Abandoned backlog target Baroness Newlove, the victims commissioner for England and Wales, said she was concerned that chronic and unacceptable delays were becoming ingrained in the system. It is understood the MoJ has abandoned a target of reducing the Crown Court backlog to 53,000 cases by March 2025. Instead, internal estimates suggest it could be as high as 64,000, just 4,000 below the current record level. These delays compound victims trauma, affecting victims mental health and family relationships. The continued delays can prevent them from moving on with their lives, said Baroness Newlove. This has real consequences for our justice system with many victims unable to last the distance, resulting in prosecutions having to be dropped. For victims, the problems can include last-minute cancellations even as they turn up at the doors of the courtroom. Shortage of barristers Every month, almost 700 trials are unable to go ahead on their scheduled day and fall back into the queue because of myriad logistical issues, including defendants not being transported from prison, a shortage of barristers and overbooked courts running out of time to hear cases, said Baroness Newlove. Almost 8,000 such ineffective trials were recorded last year making up a quarter of the total and the figure is expected to rise further. On any one day, as many as 170 courtrooms stand empty to save money or because of shortages of judges, staff or lawyers, according to the Criminal Bar Association (CBA). Mary Prior, KC, chairman of the CBA, said: The true cost of cuts and a failure to invest in the criminal justice system is that people stop believing in justice. People may well ask, what is the point of calling the police to report a crime if it takes between four and six years for the trial to be heard? How can any of the participants get on with their lives in the meantime? An MoJ spokesman said: This Government inherited a criminal justice system in crisis, with a record and rising Crown Court backlog. While we are bound by a difficult financial inheritance, we are committed to bearing down on the backlog. This Government has increased the number of crown court sitting days to 106,500, more than in six out of the last seven years. And we will soon extend magistrates sentencing powers from six to 12 months, freeing up 2,000 days in the Crown Courts to handle the most serious cases. Dianne Sandler designed beautiful sensory toys to help children connect to the world Photograph: none It was a 1978 book called The Children of Skylark Ward that set my wife, Dianne Sandler, on the path to a distinctive career. The book describes the restricted world of children with a range of complex physical, emotional and learning needs, who were confined to the back wards of long-stay hospitals. Its author, Ann Hales, illustrated how detailed observation and innovative, sensory teaching techniques could transform these childrens lives. After reading it, Dianne, who has died aged 68 of cancer, went on to become a play specialist and teacher, and a force for good. She worked consistently to make things happen for children and their families, and saw potential where others saw deficit. In 1981, Dianne joined Save the Children on an innovative project called Playtrac. She and her colleague Jill Hutcheson were tasked with driving a caravan full of play equipment to long-stay hospitals all over Britain, and found themselves in situations, and with young people, like those described in The Children of Skylark Ward. Dianne would return from these trips indignant but determined to connect her clients to the world. For one young man with severely restricted movement and visual impairment, she designed a brightly coloured, stylish waistcoat that featured all kinds of attachments and fasteners that he could explore. Jimmys Waistcoat became one of the first items she sold to TFH Special Needs Toys in the mid-80s. She also devised the Lollipop Jungle, a beautiful sensory toy, which remains a bestseller. Throughout the 90s, Dianne continued to work as a freelance play specialist in all kinds of settings. Her expertise as an advocate, enabling parents and carers to learn ways of supporting their childrens communication skills, came to the fore in her later work as a special needs teacher in Islington, north London, then for the borough of Hackney. As an early years coordinator in Hackney, she worked closely with staff across preschool and early-years provision, building a network that brought together professionals, parents and carers. In 2010, Dianne and Simone Griffin, a speech and language therapist, produced a book on developing and enhancing childrens communication skills, Motivate to Communicate, with more than 300 activities for children with autism. It became an important resource for teachers and families. Dianne was born and grew up in Leeds, the younger daughter of Max and Pamela Sandler. Max worked for the family business, Hurst and Sandler, clothing manufacturers. Dianne and her older sister, Gaye, both attended Charters Towers, a boarding school in Bexhill-on-Sea in East Sussex. Strong willed and independent, Dianne left to take her A-levels in Leeds, then studied for a degree in education at Manchester Polytechnic. Having qualified as a teacher, she took a job on an adventure playground in Manchester before moving to London in 1978 to work on a playground for children with disabilities. This was where I first met her. We were married in 1989, and in the early 90s our children, Joseph and Eleanor, became her chief toy testers. Dianne showed great courage after her diagnosis with cancer. She kept up her advocacy work, supporting families and former colleagues until the last weeks of her life. She is survived by Joe, Eleanor and me, and by her sister, Gaye. Campaigners against the assisted dying Bill have made their voices heard ahead of the MPs vote - Lucy North/PA One of Britains top former judges has warned current plans to legalise assisted dying are likely to fail. In the first major intervention in the controversial debate by the judiciary, Sir James Munby, former president of the Family Division, said there were insurmountable obstacles to the plans to require judges to approve assisted dying cases. The proposal that there should be judicial involvement in the process will be problematic, to put it mildly, said Sir James, who questioned whether judges should even be involved in deciding whether to authorise an act that would take someones life. In an article for the Transparency Project, he posed a series of practical questions including whether judges, like doctors, would be able to exercise a conscientious objection and opt out of deciding such cases. The private members bill by MP Kim Leadbeater will give doctors and courts a key role in ensuring terminally ill people seeking to end their lives are doing so lawfully and in line with the stringent criteria set out in the legislation. It is expected the cases would be handled by the family courts over which Sir James presided. Sir James Munby warns of insurmountable obstacles to plans to ask judges to approve assisted dying cases - Kirsty O'Connor/PA However, he questioned whether it was even right for a judge to be given a role, unprecedented in English law, to decide on such issues. Is this a proper function for the judges? Is this, indeed, truly a judicial function at all? Many would say that it is not, he said. Where else in our judicial system does one find a judge, sitting judicially as a judge, whose function is not to decide some disputed issue or (as with the declaratory jurisdiction) to resolve some controversy but only to certify, as it were, that some decision taken by a private individual complies with the law? That, it might be said, is not what judges do and not what judges are for. Sir Mark Hedley, a retired High Court judge and nominated Court of Protection judge, also raised a raft of issues. Speaking to The Telegraph, he warned that life and death cases can take colossal demands on the emotional life of the judge and he questioned if the whole purpose of the proposed judicial involvement in assisted dying was so that society somehow has a protection for its social conscience by interposing a very senior judge in the operation. Sir James said there was an even more fundamental dilemma in the proposed legislation, which is expected to mirror earlier plans by former Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer for doctors and judges to play a decisive role. Sir James said he was strongly of the view that every assisted dying hearing should be held in public, as was the case with decisions on switching off end-of-life treatment, with rigorous procedures to challenge the evidence and a judgment published at the end. A former judge has questioned whether it is even right for the judiciary to decide on a life or death case - Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty But this would create a dilemma. The very suggestion that the process should be private, confidential, shrouded in secrecy, is surely anathema to any judge who might be involved, he said. But the idea of these cases being heard in public, with all the details being published, is, I suspect, anathema to those who want to be able to slip away quietly and without fuss. The hard truth, I fear, is that we face an impossible choice: between an open and transparent process that may deter those for whom the scheme is designed, and a secret process destructive of the integrity of the scheme and corrosive of the judicial function. I am aware that the former High Court judge, Sir Nicholas Mostyn, expressed strong opposition to the involvement of the High Court bench in this process. He argues that the judge will be no more than a symbolic rubber stamp. I would not go that far, though agreeing that it would be disastrous if the judge were to be seen as no more than a rubber stamp. But unless all of my concerns are addressed and resolved and I doubt they can be there would appear to be insuperable obstacles to the proposal for judicial involvement. Christian groups are also against the Bill. MPs have a free vote on Nov 29 - Lucy North/PA Sir James also said the proposed legislation overturned decades of legal convention that while judges could rule on end-of-life cases, courts could not authorise the administration of treatment intended to kill. In an appropriate case, the court can decide that life-supporting treatment should no longer be provided. Fundamentally, the court cannot authorise the administration of treatment intended to kill. The Falconer Bill, and it would seem also the Leadbeater Bill, stand this fundamental and unchallenged principle on its head, he said. What is proposed is that a judge by court order should facilitate the administration to a patient of a drug intended to bring about the patients death. It is difficult to overemphasise the profound impact of this on what has hitherto been seen to be the proper role and function of a judge. Sir James also warned that if the conscientious objection clause did not apply to judges, it would leave them faced with the choice of compliance or resignation. But if judges were entitled to conscientious objection, he asked whether it was wholly incompatible with the very essence of the judicial function: the principle that a judge can refuse to hear a particular type of case on the basis of individual conscience. He added: It has never been accepted that a judge of the Family Division can choose not to hear some particular type of case because of a conscientious objection to, for example, divorce, sterilisation, abortion or surrogacy. And if the precedent is here established, where will the process end? Sir Mark told The Telegraph: Once you start introducing conscience clauses, where do you stop them? Because I belong to a fairly conservative Christian set-up. I have a set of personal values that do not reflect the vast majority of the people I dealt with in the course of my work. Therefore I have long since learned to work out intellectually whose responsibility is which, in terms of, where Im required to decide where Im not and so on. But if you have a blanket conscience clause, I dont quite know where wed all end up. MPs have been given a free vote on the second reading of the assisted dying Bill on Nov 29. The Church of England and Roman Catholic Church are opposed. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, and Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, have also said they will vote against it. The US Green party presidential candidate, Jill Stein. The party has been accused of being not serious. Photograph: Ross D Franklin/AP A coalition of European Greens have urged the US Green partys nominee, Jill Stein, to pull out of next weeks election and endorse Kamala Harris to stop Donald Trump from becoming president. Green parties in 16 European countries from Portugal to Ukraine distanced themselves from their US counterparts in a statement on Friday, and called for Stein to withdraw from the race. We are clear that Kamala Harris is the only candidate who can block Donald Trump and his anti-democratic, authoritarian policies from the White House, they wrote. The signatories include Green parties from several countries in which they govern as part of coalitions, such as Germany, Ireland, Belgium and Spain. The parties said there was no link between the Greens in Europe and the US. The US Greens are no longer a member of the global organisation of Green parties, they wrote. In part, this fissure resulted from their relationship with parties with authoritarian leaders, and serious policy differences on key issues including Russias full scale assault on Ukraine. The US electoral college system disadvantages small parties such as the Greens, which attract 1-2% of support in opinion polls. But their influence could still sway the overall outcome by drawing away support for the two main parties in key battleground states. As of 30 October, polls put Harris at 47% and Trump at 46% but analysis shows even minute shifts in voter behaviour can decide who ends up in the White House. In the US, the Green party has been called not serious by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the progressive Democratic congresswoman from New York. All you do is show up once every four years to speak to people who are justifiably pissed off, but youre just showing up once every four years to do that, youre not serious, Ocasio-Cortez posted on Instagram last month. To me, it does not read as authentic. It reads as predatory. Related: AOC calls the US Green party not serious can it be more than a spoiler in the election? The US Greens said the European Greens were reiterating intense partisan invective, smears, misinformation, and Democratic Party talking points. They criticised the Democrats for increasing oil and gas production and providing military aid to Israel. They also suggested the US Greens were drawing support from people who had no desire to vote for either of the two main candidates. European Greens can endorse whomever they please in a US election but we invite them to communicate directly with us to understand our positions and participation in elections, and to support our demand for a national popular vote by ranked-choice voting (RCV) for president, which would eliminate the alleged spoiler factor. The Democratic Party has ignored and rejected this demand, which leads us to suspect that Democrats would rather lose to Republicans like Trump than tolerate the presence of more than two parties in US elections. Trump has dismissed the climate crisis as a hoax and promised to scrap spending on clean energy while unleashing a wave of oil and gas expansion. During Trumps last term in office, the US became the first country in the world to pull out of the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change. The UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, in an interview with the Guardian on the sidelines of a biodiversity summit in Colombia this week, , compared the prospect of a second US departure from the treaty to losing a limb but surviving. We dont want a crippled Paris agreement, he said. We want a real Paris agreement. On Sunday, temperatures will rise to 34 in Parramatta, 32 in Sydney, 31 in Albury-Wodonga and Newcastle and 30 in Canberra, before easing on Monday. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP Soaring average temperatures and strong winds will lead to high and extreme fire danger warnings for parts of southern Australia this weekend. The Bureau of Meteorology said the elevated risk was caused by high temperatures in Western Australias interior up to 16C higher than the average being pushed eastwards across the country. On Saturday, we are expecting quite a jump in temperatures with a maximum of 35C in Adelaide and reaching up to 40C for western parts of the state, said Jonathan How, a meteorologist at the bureau. Were not expecting too much in the way of rainfall, but the wind will really start to ramp up. An extreme fire danger warning has been issued for South Australias west coast, extending to the Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Flinders, Mid North, Mount Lofty Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Riverland and Murraylands. An extreme rating means once a fire starts it is expected to spread quickly and become extremely dangerous. High fire danger warnings are also expected in parts of eastern Tasmania and north-western Victoria on Saturday. Heading into Saturday afternoon and evening, we will see the wind speeds really increase across Victorian and Tasmania, How said. We may be issuing damaging wind warnings [for] elevated parts of Victoria, as well as the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales. This burst of strong winds will move through quite quickly, so we are expecting much calmer conditions as we head into the later parts of Sunday. On Sunday, temperatures will rise to 34 in Parramatta, 32 in Sydney, 31 in Albury-Wodonga and Newcastle and 30 in Canberra, before easing on Monday. Related: Labor v the Coalition: who is leading in the polls? On Sunday, high fire dangers will push eastwards, this time into NSW, including Sydney and the Illawarra, Eastern Victoria and south eastern parts of Tasmania, including Hobart, How said. This weekends high temperatures come just days after the BoM and the CSIROs biannual state of the climate report confirmed temperatures have increase by 1.5C since 1910. Last month, mean temperatures were 2.51C warmer than the 1961-90 average, making it the second-warmest October on record. For Queensland, it was the warmest month, up 2.77C. For maximum temperatures, last month was the fourth-warmest October on average, with daytime temperatures 2.81C above the norm. For rain, the national area-averaged October tally was 18.4% below the 1961-1990 average. Only Western Australia was wetter than average, with all others states and territories drier than usual last month. Rainfall was below to very much below average (in the lowest 10% of all Octobers since 1900) for south-western Western Australia, and parts of NSW and Victoria, a BoM spokesperson said. For both Victoria and Tasmania area-averaged rainfall was the lowest since 2019, around 30% below the October average. Two people have been killed and seven injured after a gunman opened fire on a crowded street during Halloween celebrations in Florida. Police have arrested a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of carrying out the shooting in downtown Orlando in the early hours of Friday morning. CCTV footage shared by police shows the suspect, wearing a yellow T-shirt and Rick and Morty backpack, walking slowly through the crowd before turning around and opening fire. He appears to use a handgun to shoot an unidentified individual from just a few yards away. Authorities said that the first shots were fired just after 1am local time on Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue, and that a second round of gunfire was reported nearby minutes later. Footage shows the crowd scatter within seconds of the shooting, with terrified onlookers fleeing or diving for cover behind two police cars already stationed at the end of the street. A 26-year-old woman was injured as she was trampled in the chaos. Between 50,000 and 100,000 people had turned out for Halloween celebrations in Orlando, authorities believe. Footage from a different CCTV camera shows the gunman running in the direction of the police cars, slipping to the ground as the crowd surged around him. When he got to his feet, he was brought down for a second time by a police officer. X/@OrlandoPolice Get on the ground. Get on the ground right now, the officer shouts, in footage taken from his body camera. Not me, not me the suspect responds, before he is thrown heavily to the ground and handcuffed. I saw him shoot, the officer shouts as more police swarmed the suspect. X/@OrlandoPolice The individual was then pressed up against the police cars as officers searched him for the gun allegedly used in the shooting. Police said the suspect was arrested and taken into custody. He had previously been arrested for grand theft in 2023, according to NBC News. X/@OrlandoPolice The two individuals killed in the shooting were described by authorities as a 25-year-old black male and a 19-year-old white male. Six other people suffered gunshot wounds, in addition to the woman who was trampled. Police are yet to establish a motive. The wounded were taken to Orlando Medical Center for treatment, and are said to be in a stable condition. Eric Smith, the Orlando police chief, told reporters on Friday that 100 police officers were patrolling the area and managed to tackle the shooter soon after the shots were fired. Roads were damaged after Halloween night fires and fireworks on Hay Avenue - Alan Simpson/Alan Simpson Photography Halloween hooligans attacked police and members of the public with fireworks in chaotic scenes on Thursday. Bricks and fireworks were thrown at police vehicles in Edinburgh by rioters branded as despicable hooligans by a council leader. It came as dispersal orders were given by multiple police forces across the country ahead of Halloween, which this year fell on the same day as Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. The orders, which allow officers to disperse those believed to be involved in anti-social behaviour immediately, were put in place in multiple areas across the country including parts of London, Cardiff, Essex, Hartlepool and the Berkshire village of Datchet. In many cases, these orders were enforced pre-emptively as officers anticipated anti-social behaviour on Oct 31, while others were in response to incidents, such as a dispersal order in Benfleet, Essex, following reports of fireworks being set off irresponsibly. In Hartlepool, a dispersal order was put in place in Bishop Cuthbert, after reports of young people gathering and throwing fireworks. Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, a 14-year-old boy has been charged in connection with fireworks offences, according to broadcaster STV. Police vehicles and public transport in Hay Avenue were pelted with fireworks, bricks and missiles. A female officer was injured after a brick struck the vehicle she was in smashing a window. A warning sign being put up at Hay Avenue - Alan Simpson/Alan Simpson Photography Cammy Day, the council leader, told the BBC: I think its despicable behaviour from a minority of people. I understand two police officers were injured and 16 buses were damaged, including an open-top bus carrying young people with disabilities, after being attacked by these hooligans. Streets had to be closed off and city bins were set on fire. Mr Day added: Some people have experienced hard times, but we all experience hard times and we dont attack police officers and buses. I call on parents and families to help identify them and apprehend them. A Cleveland Police spokesman said on Nov 1: We received a number of reports of large numbers of young people causing ASB and criminal damage in the Bishop Cuthbert area of Hartlepool last night. Due to reports of incidents before yesterday, we have put a dispersal order in place and this 48-hour order can be immediately reinstated upon its expiry, with consequences for those who breach it. Officers attended incidents last night as they were reported to police; no arrests have been made at this stage and thankfully we have not received any reports of anyone having been injured. On social media on Thursday, Police Scotland said: We are responding to reports of disorder involving fireworks in the Hay Avenue area of Edinburgh. A number of people have targeted police vehicles and public transport providers with fireworks and missiles, including bricks. It added: Local officers are being supported by public order colleagues to bring the matter under control. Please avoid the area. Prosecutors allege Khalife collected and collated sensitive military information for Iran - Metropolitan Police/PA A former soldier accused of spying for Iran claimed he was inspired to try to become a double agent after watching the American television show Homeland. Daniel Khalife, 23, is alleged to have passed secret information to a foreign state but says he was only pretending to work for the Middle Eastern country in order to gain their trust. He allegedly escaped from HMP Wandsworth while awaiting trial on espionage charges by tying himself to the underside of a food delivery truck in September 2023. Giving evidence at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, Khalife said his escape showed what a foolish idea it was to put someone with his skill-set in prison. Khalife denies escaping and has also pleaded not guilty to charges under the Official Secrets Act and the Terrorism Act. The court heard that Khalife had marked a page in his diary with an asterisk after deciding he was going to break out of prison. Jurors were shown a page of Khalifes prison diary with an asterisk marking September 6 2023 the day he was to escape - Metropolitan Police/PA The court previously heard Khalife initiated contact with Iranian intelligence officers after he was told he couldnt pass developed vetting because his mother was born in Iran. Khalife told MI6 he wanted to be a double agent and he said in court he thought he would be congratulated but described his arrest as like a punch in the face. Khalife told jurors he came up with his elaborate plot after watching the spy thriller Homeland on Netflix. I had seen one of the characters had falsely defected to a particular country and utilised this position, he said. A female character in the American series fakes a defection to Iran, the court heard. The former soldier said that in hindsight he was embarrassed about the plot. Khalife said he was inspired to become a double agent after watching Homeland - Sifeddine Elamine Khalife told the court he was a patriot and said he loves his country and all he wanted to do was help. I never wanted to do any harm, I never did do any harm, he added. Khalife said he had decided to try to escape from prison as he wanted to be upgraded from a category B to a category A prisoner so he would be kept in a special unit when he was moved to HMP Belmarsh for his trial. Fellow inmates at HMP Wandsworth included prolific sex offenders and terrorists who wanted to harm him, and he was worried conditions at Belmarsh, outside of the special unit, would be even worse, jurors were told. After being taken to Wandsworth prison in January 2023, he was told he would be kept on a wing for vulnerable prisoners because there were terrorist offenders at Wandsworth who want to kill you, the court heard. Khalife was filmed on CCTV in a shop following his alleged escape - Metropolitan Police/PA Khalife told jurors that 95 per cent of those in the unit were serious sex offenders, rapists, paedophiles, that sort of thing. The former soldier told Woolwich Crown Court he was helped by a man in his unit to get a job in the prison stores. Asked if he expected to have to return the favour, Khalife said: I just thought he was trying to do me a favour. He certainly wanted something, he continued. This individual was a prolific sex offender, a homosexual one. After a show escape was not reported to senior prison staff, Khalife decided escaping for real was the only way to guarantee being kept in the high security unit, the court heard. The former soldier told the court that before his successful escape, he acted suspiciously around the food delivery lorry and was spotted by kitchen staff. Daniel Khalife was being held on remand at HMP Wandsworth - accused of passing secrets to Iran - before allegedly escaping - Elizabeth Cook/PA But Khalife was pretty shocked when the matter was not escalated to senior prison officers, and he faced no consequences, the court heard. Five days before his successful escape, he attached a sling to the underside of the lorry made from kitchen trousers and carabiners, the court was told. The sling wasnt spotted at Wandsworth gate or any other prison, he said. The former soldier said his escape had demonstrated what a foolish idea it was to have someone of my skill-set in prison. He added: What use was it to anyone? Khalife was arrested three days after he left the prison on the footpath of the Grand Union Canal in Northolt, west London. Khalife, from Kingston, south-west London, denies a charge of committing an act prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state under the Official Secrets Act between May 1 2019 and January 6 2022. He has also pleaded not guilty to a charge under the Terrorism Act of eliciting information about Armed Forces personnel on 2 August 2021, perpetrating a bomb hoax on or before January 2 2023 and escaping from prison on September 6 last year. The trial continues. Litten: noted for the precision of his speech and his tailoring, he sometimes arrived at Sunday Mass in spats Julian Litten, the historian who has died aged 76, dedicated much of his life to death and its rituals, embracing the idea of style in death with the sort of enthusiasm others devote to lifestyle; he was once described as Englands foremost funerary historian. His interest in interment was sparked in 1970 when he was involved in excavating a church in London which had been destroyed by fire: The agreement with the PCC was that we would not disturb any of the burial vaults, but the roof of one gave way and I fell in. Luckily for me it was an extensive chamber and, having recorded and published the contents, I subsequently received a number of requests to look at other vaults. By 1990 I had probably seen about 500 vaults in England and had sufficient information to put together a history of the post-Reformation coffin. This led to further research on the post-Reformation funeral trade. The result was the lavishly illustrated The English Way of Death: The Common Funeral Since 1450, a deft and amusing guide to the consumerism of death, in which Litten charted the history of the changing etiquette surrounding burial over the centuries. Litten (fittingly his name means corpse in Anglo-Saxon) showed himself unafraid to deal with the more macabre aspects of fashions in embalming, shrouds and coffins, and even the design of burial vaults the eternal bedchamber. Oooh, I love a good funeral, he told an interviewer. Death needs a champion. Would the same attention be paid if I had gone into baptisms, or some other branch of social history? Occasionally Litten took on the artistic direction of historically authentic funerals, reenactments and requiems. He was adviser for the 1984 requiem in Portsmouth Cathedral for a sailor from the Mary Rose, and in 1987 advised Westminster Abbey on how to display its royal funerary effigies. In 2002 he staged the re-enactment of the heraldic funeral in 1502 of Prince Arthur for Worcester Cathedral, and he advised on the re-interment of Richard III at Leicester Cathedral in 2015. He was scathing about the modern crematorium ritual, in which, he wrote, an unaccompanied funeral car glides noiselessly under the porte cochere, the coffin is transferred to a stainless steel hors-doeuvre trolley and wheeled into the chapel, which looks more like a waiting room in a ... hospital than a dignified setting for the disposal of the dead. Ten minutes later, to the accompaniment of slurred canned music, the curtains jerk their way noisily round the catafalque as the coffin sinks slowly through the floor, like a Wurlitzer organ at the Roxy Cinema, to the furnace below. We have only ourselves to blame for putting up with such banalities. Litten at work - Andrew Skelton/Church Monuments Society Nor, he pointed out, were crematoria at all green: burnt amalgam fillings in teeth release mercury into the atmosphere; smuts of fat percolate through chimney filters so that if you run your finger along the top of what look like nice shiny memorial stones ... you will find traces of lard; and there are noxious fumes from the burning of plastic coffin handles and sundry prostheses. From 1966 to 1999 Litten was on the curatorial staff of the Victoria & Albert Museum, and there was some surprise when his name did not appear in the catalogue for its 1992 exhibition The Art of Death, which was curated by Nigel Llewellyn, a lecturer in the history of art at Sussex University. The exhibition had first been scheduled to go on view in 1991 and the publishers blurb on Littens magnum opus described him as the co-organiser of the spring 1991 exhibition at the V&A. The show was delayed because it was thought it might offend sensibilities during the first Gulf War, although the museums crisis of confidence had become clear when, just weeks before its original scheduled opening, Litten had been dismissed from further involvement with the exhibition and barred from taking part in any publicity. Litten, a bon viveur with a fondness for claret and cigars, had a wicked sense of humour and liked to shock, coming out with remarks that would make the Woke tremble and everyone else fall about laughing. According to Mary Greene in the Independent, the V&A had feared his style would attact sensational publicity which it wished to avoid, and there seems to have been a clash of personalities between Litten and Nigel Llewellyn, who, in his own book, The Art of Death, paid Litten a rather barbed compliment by acknowledging his expertise on the subject, but wondering how it might have been gained this side of the grave. Julian William Sebastian Litten was born on November 6 1947 in Wolverhampton, then in Staffordshire, to Edwin Litten and Audrey, nee Murdoch, and educated at St Peters Collegiate Boys School, Wolverhampton, at North East London Polytechnic and at Cardiff University, where he took a PhD on Post-Reformation Vault Burial in English Churches, 1550-1850. He joined the staff of the V&A as a museum assistant, rising to be curator public affairs. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), a staff member who worked there in the 1990s recalled sharing an office with Litten, along with a skull called Pat Hogan and a mini coffin, and described him as sharing his knowledge generously over our daily gingerbread person in the V&As ace caff. After his retirement in 1999, Litten became a visiting lecturer in Built Heritage Conservation at Canterbury Christ Church University College, Kent. A Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, and of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, he was a member of the Royal Archaeological Institute and a director of the Council for British Archaeology. A dedicated High Church Anglican, Litten served on the Cathedrals Advisory Commission and on several cathedral fabric advisory committees, and in 2005 formed a civil partnership with Fr Anthony Couchman, the first Anglican priest to enter into such an arrangement. For many years Litten represented the Diocese of Chelmsford on the General Synod where, in 2007, he gave the churchs policy on civil partnerships (that marriage is the proper context for sexual activity, and that civil partnerships should be sexually abstinent), a vigorous drubbing. Neither Jesus nor the Civil Partnership Act mentioned gay sex, Litten declared: Our Lords greatest condemnation was not for gays, but for hypocrites. He had been with his partner for 31 years, longer than most marriages. . . How can this be a bar to receiving Holy Communion? Now in its fifth edition, The English Way of Death is an amusing guide to the consumerism of death and the etiquette surrounding it through the centuries As a founder member, and president (2001-06), of the Church Monuments Society, Litten was particularly interested in ledgerstones, the unassuming inscribed stone slabs laid into the floor of churches to commemorate or mark the place of the burial of an important person. He established the Ledgerstone Survey of England and Wales, with the aim of recording all such monuments, a programme which has now been taken over by the Church Recording Society. Litten and Fr Anthony Couchman shared a love of historic buildings and in later life they moved to Kings Lynn in Norfolk, where Litten became involved in local history activities, giving talks or displaying his impressive collection of historic funerary ephemera, and served as chairman of the St Margarets with St Nicholas wards of the town, as a trustee of the Lynn Minster Trust, as a governor of the towns Queen Elizabeth Hospital and churchwarden at All Saints South Lynn. He had an unmistakable way of speaking with precision, articulating every letter, and was precise, too, about his appearance, dressing in beautifully tailored outfits with a jewelled tie pin and sometimes arriving at Sunday morning Mass in spats. Litten was one of the founders, later chairman, of the Friends of Hardwick Road Cemetery, a large municipal cemetery on the towns outskirts and an early example of a Victorian cemetery landscape, editing Studies on Hardwick Road Cemetery, Kings Lynn, from 1849 to the Present Day (2022). Earlier he had founded the Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery and in 2004 he revealed that he had planned his own magnificent funeral and even booked a place at the cemetery, where he and Fr Anthony would be installed in lead-lined, oak coffins in a 12ft deep, 9ft long, brick-lined vault. Elaborating on his plans, he explained that he would be setting aside his dislike of cremation to enable up to 288 others to be laid to rest with him, and that his funeral, which would cost at least 16,000, would be a classic Anglican requiem followed by champagne and canapes for the mourners. His coffin would be draped with his coat of arms, featuring the Cross of St Julian and a skull, as well as his motto: Through Death to Life. Subsequently, however, Litten seems to have had a change of heart, and when Fr Anthony Couchman died in 2022, he was laid to rest in the churchyard at Thaxted, Essex (where for many years he had a holiday home), albeit after suitably elaborate obsequies, as his Church Times obituary recorded, a high mass of requiem the Thaxted Morris Men stood guard as his coffin was lowered into the ground. Over the last five years Litten had several heart operations, but he refused to give up cigars and claret until the last. His attachment to Fr Anthony was very touching and he never really recovered from his death. He will be buried with him. Julian Litten, born November 6 1947, died October 19 2024 Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch are the final two candidates to become the new leader of the Conservatives - Thomas Krych/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick have both said they would serve in the others shadow cabinet if they lost the Conservative leadership race on Saturday. The four-month contest to succeed Rishi Sunak finally comes to an end when the winner, selected by Tory members, is announced in Westminster. Bookmakers have Mrs Badenoch as the favourite to be the victor, with Tory membership surveys showing her in the lead, but both camps have insisted it is too close to call. The low turnout insiders in the two camps suggest fewer Tory members have cast a vote than in previous leadership contests has added to the unpredictability. But on the eve of the announcement, figures close to both candidates insisted they were willing to serve in the others frontbench in the case of defeat. An ally of Mr Jenrick told The Telegraph: He would serve. A figure close to Mrs Badenoch said: She would want to help if she can. Both candidates are understood to be preparing to offer shadow cabinet jobs to all five of the other Tory leadership contenders if they are victorious on Saturday. That means James Cleverly, Tom Tugendhat, Mel Stride and Priti Patel will all be offered shadow ministerial roles, in addition to the loser from the two final candidates. The approach echoes comments from all candidates during the contest about the importance of the party getting behind the eventual winner after years of infighting. But Mr Cleverly told the Financial Times in an interview published on Friday that he intended to step back from the shadow cabinet and return to the backbenches. It means the new Tory leader will lose one of the parliamentary partys most experienced MPs from the frontbench given Mr Cleverly was both foreign secretary and home secretary. Whoever wins between Mrs Badenoch, the former business secretary, and Mr Jenrick, the former immigration minister, a daunting task faces the new Conservative leader. The party suffered its worst general election result since the birth of modern British democracy in the 1830s at the hands of Sir Keir Starmers Labour in July. With the next general election as long as five years away, a gruelling period of parliamentary battles awaits, with Labour enjoying a vast House of Commons majority, making inflicting vote defeats very hard. The new leader will try to see off Reform, Nigel Farages party which peeled off votes to the Tories Right at the election, and win back trust from a disillusioned electorate. All candidates have spoken about the importance of the party getting behind the winner after years of infighting - Stefan Rousseau/PA Both Mrs Badenoch and Mr Jenrick issued messages of thanks at the end of the race, with voting closing at 5pm on Thursday and the result set to be announced around 11am on Saturday. Mrs Badenoch wrote on X: Polls have closed for the Conservative Party leadership contest. I want to thank all our party members who have taken the time to listen to pitches from all of the candidates, turned up to our hustings and hosted us in your associations and in your homes. The Conservative Party is much more to me than a membership organisation. It is a family. Thank you to all who voted, especially those who supported me and my campaign for Renewal 2030. Mr Jenrick wrote on the platform: A huge thank you to all the amazing Conservative members, supporters, and campaigners who joined my campaign and supported my vision for the future of the Conservative Party. Together we can put an end to the excuses, move past the drama, and unite our party. Jeremy Hunt, the shadow chancellor, will be stepping back from the shadow cabinet. He informed leadership contenders weeks ago he intended to return to the backbenches. Mr Sunak, who steps down as acting Tory leader on Saturday, has insisted he would not be leaving Parliament and intended to continue as the MP for Richmond. Chinese navy conducts dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for first time Xinhua) 08:20, November 01, 2024 The formations of Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carry out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea in late October 2024. The exercise was part of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation's regular real-combat training in the high seas, which concluded recently. (Photo by Chen Mengxi/Xinhua) QINGDAO, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- The formations of Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carried out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea, according to the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. Aiming to enhance the integrated combat capability of the aircraft carrier formations, the exercise was part of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation's regular real-combat training in the high seas, which concluded recently. The training was conducted in waters including the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea, featuring multiple subjects under real-combat circumstances, the navy said. Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, was delivered and commissioned to the PLA Navy in September 2012. The formation of Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning carry out a regular real-combat training in the high seas in late October 2024. The formations of Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carried out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea, as part of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation's regular real-combat training in the high seas, which concluded recently. (Photo by Pu Haiyang/Xinhua) The formation of Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning carry out a regular real-combat training in the high seas in late October 2024. The formations of Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carried out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea, as part of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation's regular real-combat training in the high seas, which concluded recently. (Photo by Pu Haiyang/Xinhua) The formations of Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carry out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea in late October 2024. The exercise was part of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation's regular real-combat training in the high seas, which concluded recently. (Photo by Pu Haiyang/Xinhua) The formations of Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carry out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea in late October 2024. The exercise was part of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation's regular real-combat training in the high seas, which concluded recently. (Photo by Sun Xiang/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris toured the U.S. border in September. Carolyn Kaster/AP Immigration policies Regarding In Texas, Donald Trump accuses Kamala Harris of ignoring migrant crime victims, (Oct. 25): The Biden administration has been an abject failure regarding the protection of American citizens from migrants who enter our country illegally. The president takes an oath to uphold the laws of the United States and the U.S. Constitution. As president, Joe Biden has the authority to control our borders but has failed or refused to do so. As vice president, Kamala Harris has been right alongside Biden in all of his actions and policies. U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Dallas) hasnt stood up to Biden enough when it comes to the border. In recent campaign ads, Allred states that U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has done nothing to protect the borders of Texas. Cruz has fought Biden on border policies. He is a U.S. senator and does not have the power to control the borders. What has Allred done to protect the Texas border? Since running for the Texas Senate position, it seems to me that he has changed his political stripes on so many positions to present an image of being a moderate or conservative. Allred is not all right for Texas! Advertisement Article continues below this ad How can anyone vote for Harris and Allred when they have supported policies with major negative impacts and that threaten our national security? Martin Shoquist, The Woodlands For years I parroted the Republican mantra about Democrats. Liberals: soft on crime, soft on border control. Looking at research conducted by nonpartisan, reputable, respected institutions, I have concluded that Democrats may not be so bad. Take immigration. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jessie Maynard, Houston Look in the mirror Regarding Trump has threatened to jail his critics. As one of them, should I worry? (Oct. 25): Maybe its time Chris Tomlinson packs it in if he insists on spouting such stupid stuff. Donald Trump is not a threat to democracy. (Well, hes a threat to the type of democracy the Democrats want to institute. Thats true.) In terms of gutting civil service, as Tomlinson writes, isnt it a presidents right and duty to appoint those well suited to certain plum positions? Lets hope, if Trump is reelected, he wont make the same mistake twice and keep Democratic appointees in these plum roles. They did him no favors last time. Why are they lackeys when Trump appoints people, but not when Democrats seem to blatantly use identity politics rather than meritocracy for these same positions? It says something, for example, when U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg absents himself for two months during a supply-chain crisis in which many American families were worried about feeding their families (an ongoing problem, by the way). When serving the public, private concerns might have to go on the back burner. As far as narcissism goes, Mr. Tomlinson needs to look in the mirror. I highly doubt anyone, let alone Trump, stays awake plotting ways to rid the world of Tomlinsons column. As long as he works for a liberal paper like the Houston Chronicle, hes safe. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jae Harris, Houston Newspaper endorsements Regarding The Washington Post and L.A. Times yanked their presidential endorsements. Why we didnt, (Nov. 1): As a registered Republican, I do look forward to your editorial endorsements and have used recent endorsements to select some Democrats. I disagree with the statement that there's a cable news network that is often promoting propaganda. You would be more accurate to say that most or many or even all cable news networks do. A much-needed service from your paper would be a full-page explanation and discussion on any sweeping legislation proposed by Congress especially if it is not bipartisan and has major implications for American debt. The recent infrastructure bill, for example. A simple outline of whats in the bill, the positives of the bill, plus any foreseeable negatives and any pork-barrel amendments attached to the bill, plus who submitted these amendments. Barbara Shepherd, Montgomery Advertisement Article continues below this ad Serious matters require earnest consideration. Some may be impacted by the volume of political ads saturating our airwaves intending to anger and distract. Others by some media outlet, a fiery pulpit-preacher or a flag-waving celebrity spokesperson. I rely heavily on spoken words and actions. False images are carefully created. Unscripted moments open curtains. I do not give full credit or blame for anything. Appointees do the heavy lifting. Their comments, along with those of friends, associates and family provide firsthand information. Finally, I struggle to determine the alignment to the Constitution and our cherished freedoms. A newspaper endorsement is simply a welcomed piece of this puzzle. Cliff Bodin, Humble Im one of the readers who regularly comments on your leftward bias, and I wont back off of those comments because theyre demonstrably true. To be fair, I applaud your process in state and local elections of personally interviewing candidates who agree to be interviewed, and Ive found your commentary from these interviews both fair and useful when I still lived in the area. As for national races, though, the left always seems to win in your eyes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I have another theory concerning the decision of some major newspapers and labor unions to withhold endorsements in this years presidential race, and that theory is that theyre choosing none of the above. Most of us can agree wed rather see different candidates running for both major parties, but we need to make a choice between the available options. Im voting for Donald Trump because I expect a repeat of his first term in office, which involved a prosperous domestic economy and a world with less armed conflict, but Im keenly aware of his objectionable traits that might be too much for some. If Im looking at the lesser of two evils, which we too often are, I view Trump as less dangerous to the future of the United States. I know we disagree. The one major factor youve overlooked, or at least failed to comment on, is that the POTUS is also the leader of the free world. This is where I believe Trump becomes necessary at this juncture in the worlds history. Foreign tyrants have been running amok since Trump left office, and theyll walk all over Kamala Harris should she ascend to the office of POTUS. Tyrants respect strength and exploit weakness. One need look no further than the state of the world with Trump as POTUS versus what weve seen since Joe Biden took over. Im much more concerned about avoiding World War III than I am in guaranteeing a womans right to abortion, and this is whats driving my vote. If that makes me deplorable or garbage, then so be it. Greg Groh, Peoria, Ariz. Amazing! Guess how many major news outlets are not endorsing presidential candidates this year? I thought you guys always followed the big boys who chose to stay neutral this year and let the people decide. Nice change on their part. Would be nice if the Houston Chronicle would do the same. Jack Holden in Kenrex - Manuel Harlan Jack Holden author and performer of the Olivier Award-nominated play Cruise, and acclaimed actor in such TV series as Marriage and Ten Percent is an ever-rising star of stage and screen. His reputation can only be enhanced by the extraordinary one-man show Kenrex. The play (which is premiering in Sheffield and is co-authored by Holden and Ed Stambollouian, who also directs) is based upon a true story that emerged in 1981 in the small town of Skidmore, Missouri. It tells the tale of the reign of terror visited upon the town by Ken Rex McElroy, a violent psychopath with a nasty predilection for underage girls. Performing on designer Anisha Fieldss ingenious, minimalist set, Holden plays no fewer than 11 characters, ranging from prosecuting attorney David Baird, to pub landlady Ida Smith and hilariously greasy lawyer Richard McFadin. In its wonderfully bold evocation of the townsfolk and its compelling portrayal of violence and terror, the drama seems like an unlikely collision between Under Milk Wood and For a Few Dollars More. Holden is helped in this ambitious endeavour by an audacious and atmospheric live soundtrack that is composed and performed by John Patrick Elliott. Imagine, if you will, a musical score created by the ghost of Johnny Cash in collaboration with the celebrated duo of Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, and you will have something approximating Elliotts remarkable combination of country and western with dystopian post-punk rock music. Holdens ability to evoke the unlovely town of Skidmore and its various inhabitants is nothing short of phenomenal. By the time we first encounter McElroy (who is, true to form, using his ferocious dog as a weapon of intimidation) we already have a remarkably vivid, bleakly comic sense of this town of guns, gossip and pick-up trucks. The actors skill lies not only in characterisation or his chameleon-like ability to shift between characters, but also in his impressive, tremendously sustained energy. In one moment, we see Holden in the role of law officer Baird responding to questions from FBI agent Annette Parker (represented succinctly by a disembodied voice emanating from a reel-to-reel tape recorder). In another moment, however, the actor is transformed from measured lawyer into an entire barn-full of people enjoying a vigorous hoedown. Throughout the production which boasts perfectly attuned use of lighting and sound the use of props and pieces of set is smart and economical. A rapidly assembled series of microphones on stands represent a gathering crowd. A door frame on wheels, illuminated by a neon red thread, is turned 180 degrees as Holden shifts from the character inside the room to the one entering it. Most memorable is the chilling moment in which the actor metamorphoses from McElroys distressed, teenage wife Trena McCloud into the dangerous, raging anti-hero himself. Astonishing in its conception and execution, Kenrex raises powerful moral questions about the meaning of justice. Most of all, it is a brilliantly theatrical, exhilarating and terrifying evocation of chaos. Until November 16. Tickets: 0114 249 6000; sheffieldtheatres.co.uk The aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday morning. Photograph: Mohammed Yassin/Reuters The US asked Lebanon to declare a unilateral ceasefire to revive stalled talks to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, according to a report later denied by the Lebanese prime minister Two unnamed sources, a Lebanese political source and a senior diplomat, made the claim to Reuters, saying the US envoy, Amos Hochstein, had communicated the proposal to Lebanons caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, this week. Related: Israeli assault has caused apocalyptic situation in northern Gaza, UN warns The Biden administration, which critics say has made a series of missteps in its handling of the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, has come up with a number of proposals to end the fighting in both conflicts, all of which have come to nothing. Top UN officials warned the situation in the northern Gaza Strip was apocalyptic as Israel pursues a military offensive against Hamas militants in the area, adding that large parts of the population were at risk of dying from hunger and disease. The latest flurry of US diplomacy, during which the secretary of state, Antony Blinken, again appeared more optimistic than parties to the conflict about bringing it to an end, comes against the backdrop of the US presidential election next week. Mikatis office, however, denied in a statement that the US had asked Lebanon to declare a unilateral ceasefire. He said his governments stance was clear on seeking a ceasefire from both sides and implementation of UN security council resolution 1701, which ended the last round of conflict between the two foes in 2006. Lebanons armed forces are not involved in the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which began firing rockets at Israeli military sites a year ago in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas in Gaza. Any effort to reach a ceasefire would need a green light from Hezbollah, which has ministers in Lebanons cabinet and whose members and allies hold a significant number of seats in Lebanons parliament. The US embassy in Beirut did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The sources said Washington had sought to persuade Beirut to take back some initiative in the talks, particularly given the perception that Israel was likely to continue military operations that have already killed most of Hezbollahs leadership and destroyed much of the countrys south. Diplomats mediate with Hezbollah through the groups ally Nabih Berri, the speaker of parliament. Hezbollah has said it backs Berris efforts to reach a ceasefire but that a deal must meet certain parameters without providing details. A unilateral declaration was seen as a non-starter in Lebanon, the sources said, because it would probably be equated with a surrender. Israeli officials have been pushing for a side letter from the US in which Washington would guarantee Israels freedom to take military action in response to any violation of a ceasefire deal by Hezbollah. Lebanese parties, including Hezbollah, are highly unlikely to accept such a letter. Talks about a ceasefire foundered as Mikati accused Israel of stubbornness in the negotiations, while the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said his priority was to impose security despite any pressure or constraints. The hostilities have eroded the prospect of a truce being reached before the US election on Tuesday. The claims emerged as Israels air force continued to bombard Beiruts southern suburb of Dahiyeh overnight, destroying dozens of buildings in several neighbourhoods, Lebanons state-run National News Agency said on Friday. Lebanese authorities said that 45 people were killed in airstrikes on villages in the Beqaa Valley. Israel has recently intensified its airstrikes on the north-eastern city of Baalbek and nearby villages, and parts of southern Lebanon. International mediators are increasing their efforts to halt the wars in Lebanon and Gaza, circulating fresh proposals to de-escalate the regional conflict. The UN warning over the catastrophic situation in northern Gaza was delivered in a joint statement signed by the heads of UN agencies, including the childrens agency Unicef and the World Food Programme, and other aid groups. The entire Palestinian population in north Gaza is at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine and violence, the groups warned, underlining growing international alarm over Israels intentions in the area. Israel began a wide military push in northern Gaza earlier this month. The US said it was watching to ensure its allys actions on the ground showed it did not have a policy of starvation in the north. Humanitarian aid cannot keep up with the scale of the needs due to the access constraints. Basic, life-saving goods are not available. Humanitarians are not safe to do their work and are blocked by Israeli forces and by insecurity from reaching people in need, the aid groups said. The Israeli military said on Friday it had killed a senior Hamas official, Izz al-Din Kassab, describing him as one of the last high-ranking members of Hamas responsible for coordinating with other groups in Gaza, in an airstrike in Khan Younis. Medics in Gaza said about 60 people had been killed and dozens injured overnight and into Friday morning in Israeli strikes on the city of Deir al-Balah, the Nuseirat camp and the town of al-Zawayda, all in central Gaza, as well as in the south. Agencies contributed to this report Frances Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau during a visit focused on drug trafficking in Rennes, western France - Damien Meyer/AFP France has reached a tipping point on drug-related violence, the countrys hardline interior minister warned on Friday, after hundreds of people took part in a massive shoot-out. The gunfight, which left a teenager fighting for his life and four others seriously wounded, erupted overnight in the western city of Poitiers. Police intervened at around 10.45pm after shots were fired outside a restaurant in the Couronneries district of the city and found the first casualty on the ground. Treated for a bullet wound to the head, the 15-year-old was taken to hospital and was in a critical condition, a police source said. A witness said the teenager was a customer caught in the crossfire. According to the same source, two other teenagers were shot, one in the shoulder and the other in the ankle, and were treated by the emergency services. Around ten 22-calibre shells were found on the ground by the investigators. What started as a shooting at a restaurant ended up in a fight between rival gangs that involved several hundred people. Im told by the local (state) prefect that four to six hundred people were involved, said French interior minister Bruno Retailleau, adding that police reinforcements were being sent to the city. Cyril Lacombe, the local prosecutor, countered the claim that up to 600 people were involved, confirming that 50 to 60 people clashed in a fight following the shooting. Macrons meagre response A total of five teenagers aged 15 and 16 were injured and an investigation into attempted homicide has been opened. The initial findings of the investigation suggest that the shooter had been selling drugs in the Couronneries area in the previous few days, Lacombe said. Mr Retailleau was due to travel later on Friday to the northwestern city of Rennes, where a five-year-old child was also between life and death after being shot in the head in another shootout on Saturday related to drug trafficking. He said: These shootings are not happening in South America, theyre happening in Rennes and Poitiers. We are at a tipping point and the choice is between a general mobilisation or the Mexicanisation of the country. The violence follows a recent hard-hitting French senatorial report, which warned that the country was submerged by drug dealing and that president Emmanuel Macrons response was meagre and not up to the task. It states: Contrary to the cliche that drug trafficking is the preserve of no-go zones stretching from the northern suburbs of Marseille to crack hill in Paris, and perhaps a few festivals, drug dealing has spread to medium-sized and even small towns and rural areas. Bigger slice of drugs business With cocaine flooding France from South America, consumption on the rise and historic bastions like Marseille saturated, organised crime is fanning out to the provinces in search of a bigger slice of an annual drugs business of between 3 billion (2.5 bn) to 6 billion (5 bn). Ofast, the French anti-drugs agency, warned: From Verdun to Valence, a number of sensitive neighbourhoods in medium-sized towns have been the scene of armed clashes. Theyve also added that smaller urban areas are no longer spared kidnappings, violence and even murder. Mr Retailleau has called for the fight against drug trafficking to become a national cause similar to that against terrorism. He wants the government to take up some of the senatorial report proposals such as the creation of a status for repentant drug traffickers and a dedicated national drugs prosecutors office. We are going to set up a task force to break up the ecosystem of drug trafficking, he said on Friday, stressing the importance of a global strategy to try to curb the phenomenon. Increasing youth violence There is rising public concern over the issue of youth violence, often drug-related. In Marseille, where a record 49 murders were committed last year, prosecutors warn that teenagers are increasingly involved in drug battles involving assault rifles and handguns, and even hit low-cost jobs. Two rival gangs DZ Mafia and Yoda are together blamed for most of the killings that have rocked the French port city of 860,000 people. Last month, a 15-year-old boy, apparently on his way to carry out a hit on behalf of DZ, was cornered by rivals, stabbed at least 50 times and then set on fire while he was still alive. Two days later, another 14-year-old hired to avenge his killing, instead shot dead Nessim Ramdane, a part-time driver for the taxi app Bolt. Mr Retailleau is due to travel to Marseille next Friday with Didier Migaud, the justice minister, to announce new measures. Amos C Brown at a rally for African-American rights. He has been an active campaigner in California for decades - AP Photo/Eric Risberg When Kamala Harris learned that she was about to be catapulted into the front seat of the presidential race in July, there was just one man she wanted to speak to. Pastor, I called because I want you to pray for me, Doug [Emhoff], this country, she told Amos C Brown, calling him shortly after he finished conducting a service at San Franciscos Third Baptist Church. Joe Biden had just dropped out of the contest after his disastrous debate performance, endorsing Ms Harris as his successor. The vice-president has often relied on her pastor, Dr Brown, for strength and spiritual guidance. We exchanged pleasantries, I congratulated her because shell be a great president, and we had prayer, Dr Brown told Sojourners Magazine. She was so gracious and thankful that I took the time. The man whose spiritual tutelage the presidential hopeful craves is a civil rights leader tutored by Martin Luther King with a history of controversial comments that are a potential source of embarrassment for Ms Harris as the race nears its conclusion. Kamala Harris with Dr Brown in 2022. She has known the activist for years - Patrick T Fallon/AFP via Getty Images Dr Brown outraged senior Democrats after the 9/11 attacks, when he appeared to blame the US for the terrorist atrocity that claimed the lives of almost 3,000 victims while speaking at a memorial service. America, is there anything you did to set up this climate?, local media reported him asking in September 2001, just days after the two planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. America, America. What did you do either intentionally or unintentionally in the world order, in Central America, in Africa where bombs are still blasting? Nancy Pelosi, the California congresswoman, was reported to have been left in tears and pushed back on the remarks when it was her time to speak. The act of terrorism on September 11 put those people outside the order of civilised behaviour, and we will not take responsibility for that, said Ms Pelosi, who would go on to become speaker of the House Representatives. Two other senior Democrats, the late California senator Dianne Feinstein and former California governor Gray Davis, walked out during his remarks. Paul Holm, the partner of Mark Bingham, who died while trying to storm the cockpit of a third plane hijacked by terrorists, was overheard saying: This was supposed to be a memorial service. Ms Harris had been associated with Dr Brown for years by this point, having been introduced to him by Willie Brown, the mayor of San Francisco and her former boyfriend, in the 1990s. Amos Brown with Jesse Jackson, Jane Brown and Derrick Johnson at the Africa America Institutes 65th Anniversary Gala - Bennett Raglin/Getty Images She subsequently advised him on campaigning for a seat on the citys board of supervisors. As she climbed through a series of elected offices Californias attorney general, senator, vice-president she maintained that relationship. Last year, she posted a photo of the pair of them on her Instagram account, saying it was an honour to spend time with my pastor. She added: He remains a source of inspiration to me always. Shortly after Ms Harris had accepted the Democrats nomination as presidential candidate at the party convention in August, Dr Brown headed onstage with the aid of a cane to deliver the closing prayer and round off the event. He prayed for blessings for Ms Harris, her running mate, Tim Walz, and upon the bright future they will bring to the future of America, as balloons and confetti drifted from the ceiling of the United Centre in Chicago. Amos Brown holding a baby during a baptism at Third Baptist Church San Francisco in 1980 - Clarence Gatson/Gado/Getty Images With the stakes higher than at any point in her political career, Ms Harris has not shied away from her pastor during the presidential campaign. At the same time, Dr Brown has not stopped courting controversy. Earlier this year, he issued an apology after allegedly threatening a local business owner when he criticised a local Democrat. Chino Yang had published a diss track on YouTube claiming that London Breed, mayor of San Francisco, was a clown and had turned the city into zombie land a reference to its public drug use and overdoses. In response, Dr Brown, a close ally of Ms Breed, threatened to turn the black community against him, Mr Yang claimed in a statement issued via a third party. He also appeared to suggest something could happen to Mr Yangs business or family, saying: If anything happened to Yangs small business or family, it wouldnt be Rev Browns fault, the San Francisco chronicle reported. Dr Brown, who leads a local chapter of the NAACP, the black civil rights organisation, denied threatening Mr Yang but apologised for his comments. No one need question Third Baptist and Amos Browns integrity and track record of working together with all people, with regard to race, creed, sexual orientation, he told the San Francisco Chronicle. In 2021, Dr Brown, a member of a reparations task force examining how to compensate African-Americans for slavery, declared: I know America. America is a racist country. Commentators have drawn comparisons between Dr Browns comments and those of Barack Obamas pastor, Jeremiah Wright. After the 9/11 attacks, Dr Wright, who officiated at the former presidents wedding, declared that Americas chickens are coming home to roost because the US had supported state terrorism against Palestine. In a series of provocative sermons, he also declared that African-Americans should sing God damn America instead of God Bless America, and said that the government had invented HIV as a way to commit genocide against minorities. Mr Obama cut ties with him ahead of the 2008 presidential election. Dr Brown has been approached for comment via his church. Nigel Farage said to have been threatened by a migrant has reacted to the detention of a suspect on arrival in the UK via a small-boat Channel crossing - Thomas Krych/Zuma Press An illegal migrant who allegedly threatened to kill Nigel Farage has been detained after arriving in Britain on a small boat, The Telegraph understands. The asylum seeker is believed to have arrived from France on Thursday in a boat with around 50 other migrants. In a video posted two weeks ago on TikTok, a man can be seen threatening Mr Farage telling the camera English man Nigel. Dont talk s--t about me. You not know me. I come to England because I want to be married with your sister. Dont talk about me more. Delete the video. It is not good my friend, you do not know me. I am going to come to England... He can then be seen making a hand gesture and shouting pop, pop, pop, before headbutting the camera three times and making another hand gesture. A man said to have threatened to Nigel Farage has been detained in Dover after arriving in Britain on a small boat - Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP via Getty The Metropolitan Police confirmed it had received a report on Oct 18 of malicious communications and threats to kill towards an MP in relation to a video posted on social media. A force spokesman said a man had been detained in Dover on Thursday for immigration offences. Detectives have launched an investigation and the Met is liaising with partners from Border Force. A statement from the force said: The Met takes the safety and security of MPs extremely seriously and we are committed to ensuring that they, their families and staff can go about their work and lives without feeling unsafe or intimidated. As part of Operation Bridger, the national policing operation that coordinates protective security advice, we work closely with the parliamentary authorities, local forces and the Cabinet Office in ensuring that the appropriate security measures are in place for all MPs. The Reform UK leader shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, purporting to be of the illegal immigrant crossing the English Channel on a packed boat on Thursday morning. Mr Farage told The Telegraph: This man will be of no benefit to our country. He should be deported immediately. He brandishes regularly on TikTok pictures of him with guns, drugs, hes threatened to kill a Member of Parliament and here he is. This BBC idea is that these are all poor desperate people, Im sorry, a lot of them are very aggressive young men. This highlights what is happening in the Channel, it is a national security emergency. Asked how he had personally felt about threats being made on his life, Mr Farage, 60, replied: Im not exactly thrilled, of course, Im not. I have a very, very deep worry that this mans going to be here for the rest of his life. The Home Office has been approached for comment. Andy Burnham discovered that Northern Rail continues to use fax machines to contact its train crews - Christopher Furlong/Getty Andy Burnham, Greater Manchesters mayor, was astonished to discover the other day that Northern Rail, the recently nationalised passenger operator, continues to use fax machines to contact its train crews. This is apparently because of a decades-old agreement with the trade unions. The managing director of Northern, Tricia Williams, told a meeting of Rail North that they couldnt switch to newer communications technology without renegotiating arrangements. Burnham huffed and puffed and couldnt see why it was so difficult to sort this out. But then he doesnt have to deal with the railway unions on a daily basis. Their obduracy arguably played a major role in damaging any prospects for the successful operation of the previous franchise of this part of the rail network. The late industrial relations academic, Allan Flanders, described union ambitions as joint regulation of the workplace. Rather than management deciding how to organise and reward work, powerful unions expect to have every aspect of the job subject to an agreement which management must adhere to. Any necessary changes have to be newly negotiated, a time-consuming process which typically expands from the issue ostensibly under discussion to other work issues, including complaints about the behaviour of bullying managers and grievances over 101 other matters. Years ago, probably long after most other organisations had started using faxes, the unions agreed to use this new-fangled technology instead of their previous means of communication (telegrams? carrier pigeons?). On past form they probably wont agree to a change without some concession from management, perhaps restrictions on the times they can be contacted, increased rest breaks, retraining to use laptops, subsidised mobile phones and so forth. So you can see why Northerns management team has let sleeping faxes lie. In most of the private sector, pettifoggery over simple matters reminiscent of Peter Sellers famous turn in the classic Im All Right Jack has gone the way of the steam engine. But it still remains the 1950s to the railway unions. Weve all heard stories of absurdities such as lunch breaks having to be restarted if a manager dares to speak to railway workers having their sausages and chips, and teams of engineers having to be sent to change a plug. Some of these anecdotes are probably twaddle, of course. But there is no doubt that on key issues such as rostering at weekends (in a changed post-Covid world where Saturdays and Sundays are now the busiest times on the railways), unnecessarily demarcated and outdated maintenance procedures, excessive staffing of ticket offices, unnecessary guards on commuter trains, and delays to accepting new rolling stock, unions resist changes which would boost productivity, improve service to passengers and help reduce the massive subsidies which taxpayers continue to shovel into the industry. Rail unions are prepared to use the strike weapon more frequently and effectively in defence of the status quo than most other groups. This militancy dates back well over a hundred years and disputes are often over surprisingly similar issues to those which motivated earlier generations of rail workers. Long-running national strikes by ASLEF drivers were bought off by a generous pay settlement from the new government. But these problems are not going away. Next week, unless Sadiq Khan can find extra millions in his cookie jar, London may see a more or less complete shutdown of the underground brought about by combined action by RMT and ASLEF. While common sense might suggest its long past time to reform the inefficient and expensive railways and reduce the powers of their overbearing unions, Labour seems to be going in completely the opposite direction. Pay deals are being made with no commitment to reform, and the government is bringing forward measures aimed squarely at increasing the power of the unions. It is going to be made easier to achieve union recognition. It is going to be made easier to call strikes as hurdles about voting turnout are removed and a strike mandate will now last for a year without the need for another vote. Unions are to be given the power to enter real and virtual workplaces to recruit members, and there will be more facility time for union representatives within businesses to promote equality, diversity and inclusion which will presumably involve attempting to tie management to commitments to meet union demands. So although the use of fax machines to alert drivers to changes in work scheduling may seem an amusing anachronism, it speaks of a continuing problem of reforming industrial relations and reconfiguring a huge industry which is in many ways still stuck in the last century. A GP surgery waiting room. Doctors have said many of them are already struggling to stay open due to historical chronic underfunding. Photograph: Julian Claxton/Alamy Services that support some of Englands most vulnerable people have warned that tax increases in the budget will lead to cuts and closures that could devastate the charity sector. Although the NHS and councils are protected from the impact of the rise in employers national insurance contributions (NICs) announced in Wednesdays budget, charities that provide services say the increase means they will face existential financial pressures. Family doctors and pharmacists who provide NHS-funded services as private providers also demanded they be exempted from the rise, saying the extra NICs costs could force a reduction in primary care services. Ministers are under pressure to intervene to prevent a financial crisis among charity providers, including those delivering high-cost care to adults with learning disabilities, severe autism, complex needs and severe physical disabilities. The backlash over NICs has thrown fresh light on the crisis facing social care, which took a backseat in the budget compared with the NHS. The health service got an extra 22.6bn, while councils in England received just 600m more to cover adult and childrens social care. The Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, has called for social care providers to be exempt from the NICs rises, while the Labour backbencher Rachael Maskell called on ministers to consider the impact of the increase on GPs, care providers and hospices. We know that these contracted health and care services have been through a lot of financial strain under the last government, and they too need to fix their foundations and build stability for the future, Maskell said. Kamila Hawthorne, the chair of the Royal College of GPs, called on ministers to protect family doctor services. We have very serious concerns about the impact of the increase in national insurance employer contributions on GP practices right across the country, many of whom are already struggling to keep their doors open and make ends meet due to historic chronic underfunding, she said. Although the government has said it will create a national care service, and has hinted it will set up a royal commission on social care to examine future funding options, there was frustration at the slow pace of change. Im not sure Labour really understands the political fallout of all this, one charity care boss said. The charity sector employs 1 million people and delivers around 17bn of services a year in areas such as social care, addiction, health, homelessness and hospice care. Charities estimate they face an extra bill of 1.4bn as a result of the changes. Sarah Elliott, the chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, said the NICs rises were the biggest shock to charities existence since the pandemic, and would have massive consequences for their users. She added: Charities across the country are already in a dire situation, juggling a triple threat of rising demand, escalating costs, falling funding. This additional cost, for which there is no headroom in budgets to cover, will be devastating. Charity social care providers, who have been in effect subsidising underfunded contracts for years, said they would be forced to hand back statutory care contracts if the local authorities that funded the services failed to meet the extra costs. One boss of a social care charity that provides care for thousands of disabled adults said: We all had a warm feeling this was a government that would listen. We werent expecting what we got, which is a kick in the teeth. Thats the surprise its the absolute beating they have given us. The chair of another charity, which provides learning disability services, said the rise had knocked everyone back, and raised the prospect of heartbreaking cuts to care services. Its existential for providers like us, he said. There are fears charities will revert to bare-minimum levels of service sometimes called warehousing for people with complex disabilities, with providers forced to cut nice to have quality of life services, such as staffing support for trips and social events. Related: Housing, social care and universities: who lost out in the UK budget? Although an NICs increase was anticipated, the unexpected lowering of the salary threshold at which they are paid will bring more part-time workers into the scope of the tax, doubling planned costs for some charities. Jim Kane, the chief executive of Community Integrated Care, one of the UKs largest social care charities, said it faced a 12m shortfall from next April as a result of both the NICs rises and a 6.7% boost to the national minimum wage, which could force the charity into a deficit position and jeopardise services relied on by 3,500 adults. Rachael Dodgson, the chief executive of Dimensions, which provides services for people with learning disabilities and autism, said: It is very clear that the actions taken in this budget do not match the rhetoric from the Department of Health and Social Care since the election about the need to fix the social care sector. A government spokesperson said: We have taken tough decisions to fix the foundations so a 22bn boost for the NHS and social care could be announced at the budget. The employer national insurance rise doesnt kick in until April, and we will set out further details on allocation of funding for next year in due course. Officials have pointed out that the government will soon enter contract negotiations with GPs, which could help mitigate the impact of the budget, although the Treasury has pushed back on suggestions they will be reimbursed. In 2021, the ICC sentenced Dominic Ongwen to 25 years in prison, which he is serving in Norway. Photograph: Sumy Sadurni/AFP/Getty Images Not a single country has contributed towards reparations for the victims and survivors of the Ugandan warlord Dominic Ongwen, despite the international criminal court awarding 52.4m (44m) in February, according to the ICC Trust Fund for Victims (TFV). The ICC reparations order the largest in the courts history was issued after a 2021 ruling in which the court found Ongwen, a former commander of the Lords Resistance Army militia group, guilty of various war crimes committed between 2002 and 2005, including murder, torture, sexual enslavement, the conscription of children into hostilities, and brutal attacks on four camps for internally displaced people in northern Uganda. Despite the high-profile ruling, and appeals by the TFV and the court, efforts to raise reparations for approximately 50,000 people have stalled. Survivors of Ongwens crimes, who have waited more than 20 years for justice, may have to wait a decade longer for redress, based on current targets. A number died before or during the trial, and many have spent their lives grappling with the mental and physical injuries, worsened by ageing, poverty and the trauma passed down through generations. The bulk of the reparations would go towards symbolic payments of 750 to each person. The rest would be used to provide community rehabilitation programmes, including access to education and healthcare, and to provide remembrance to victims through monuments and memorial activities. The biggest issue is that states say: Why should we pay for what Ongwen did? Why should we be covering this? said Deborah Ruiz Verduzco, the TFVs executive director. The answer to that is: states created the ICC with a notion of justice that includes the victims, and not being able to deliver on reparations puts the legitimacy of the court at risk. By the time the case went to trial in 2016, ICC prosecutors had been investigating for more than a decade. About 4,000 survivors gave harrowing testimony, detailing how children recruited to fight were forced to witness killings as part of their training, and were taught not to distinguish between civilians and combatants, or how women faced rape and enforced pregnancy under threat of execution. The court sentenced Ongwen to a 25-year prison term, which he is serving in a Norwegian jail. Related: Justice is served: relief at ex-Kony commanders conviction in Uganda When the perpetrator does not have any assets, as in Ongwens case and the majority of reparations cases handled by the court so far, payment falls to voluntary contributions by states, international organisations and private donors, which can depend on political goodwill. The reason these crimes were prosecuted is that they shatter the conscience of the international community as a whole, said Ruiz Verduzco. [The reparations] are a symbolic way in which the court, and therefore the international community, is recognising that what happened to the victims should not have happened. Ruiz Verduzco said the lack of proper policies on the reparations funding hampered their work. Out of five reparations orders the court has issued to date, only one, the Katanga case, with about 300 survivors and a reparations order of 770,000, has been fully implemented. The magnitude [of the Ongwen reparations] has [forced] us to ask, is this manageable, and how can it be achieved? said Ruiz Verduzco. We believe that its possible but it requires us to construct a lot of bridges that are not there yet. Renata Politi, a legal adviser for the UK-based rights organisation Redress, which has urged the international community to provide speedy, survivor-centred reparations, said: The Ongwen case is the ultimate test of whether the ICC can turn the reparations into a tangible reality for survivors. Members of Canterbury Leagues club were emailed to use your mobile phone to quickly tap and connect to a gaming machine which experts allege could be at odds with a ban on advertising poker machine gambling. Photograph: Loren Elliott/Reuters On day one of a gambling harm awareness week, one of the biggest pokies clubs in Australia reminded members they could earn rewards by using their machines. GambleAware week is an annual campaign run by the New South Wales government to raise awareness of gambling harm. It urges people to set limits, to stay sober while gambling, to balance gambling with other interests and not to chase losses. But on 21 October, Canterbury Leagues club, which has more than 600 poker machines, emailed members to promote a new digital tool allowing them to use your mobile phone to quickly tap and connect to a gaming machine a move experts allege could be at odds with a ban on advertising poker machine gambling. The service, known as TapIt, is described by its developer, Ebet, as a gamechanger for venues that provides a seamless gaming experience with players no longer needing a traditional membership card. Continue to earn engage rewards and status points while you play, no different to earning on your physical member card, said the email from Canterbury Leagues Club. The club offers one engage point for every $10 spent on poker machines, according to guidelines. Those points can be used to buy discount drinks and food at the venue. Status points determine the size of the discount. Related: Labor v the Coalition: who is leading in the polls? Associate professor Charles Livingstone, a gambling expert at Monash University, alleged the email appeared to be an advertisement for their gambling facilities and their loyalty program, which is possibly at odds with the prohibition on advertising [poker machine] gambling. The message that membership cards are now available using the app could have been made without the significant emphasis on maintaining ones gambling habit, and should have been, Livingstone said. Canterbury Leagues club was contacted for comment. The email did not reference GambleAware week. It is not known whether other emails were sent to members highlighted the campaign and its key messages. According to the NSW government, the TapIt tool does not allow funds to be transferred to gambling machines. But the Canterbury Leagues club website tells members it can be used to transfer funds to and from machines. Related: They have tentacles and taste great in pasta. What are the strange barnacles washing up on Australian beaches? Greens MP Cate Faehrmann, the partys spokesperson for gambling harm reduction, said she was concerned the tool might make it easier for people to gamble. TapIt claims that this new technology is a gamechanger for venues, which surely is code for it will get more money out of people, Faehrmann said. Ebet was contacted for comment but deferred questions to the NSW government. The Canterbury Leagues club is part of the state governments cashless gaming trial. The trial was criticised by the opposition earlier this month after confirmation only 32 active gamblers had taken part, with another 200 people registered. One in two venues that signed up the voluntary scheme have withdrawn. A spokesperson for the NSW minister for gaming, David Harris, said the trial was providing important learnings with results to be presented to an independent panel for assessment later this month. Fourteen venues and three technology providers have participated in the trial, with the technologies installed on 2,388 machines, exceeding the governments election commitment of 500, the spokesperson said. Police dogs Xtra (left) and Soldier died in the back of a force vehicle in Sydney this week. Composite: Supplied New South Wales police are investigating whether engine failure led to a police cars air conditioning failing and the subsequent death of two police dogs inside a special dog pod. The German shepherds Xtra and Soldier were found dead inside the police vehicle by their handler on Thursday at about 12.30pm. The dogs had been inside an air-conditioned pod at the back of a specially designed vehicle as their handler attended a development day in southern Sydney. The officer left the dogs in the vehicle at 10.30am to attend a lecture 300 metres away and when he returned to check on them two hours later the German shepherds were dead. Related: At least 18 federal passport office officials under investigation after scathing audit report NSW police said on Friday they believed an engine failure led to the air conditioning turning off inside the dog pod. An alarm was triggered but the handler didnt hear it. Unfortunately there was an alarm that goes off, it did go off but when police went down there it was too late, the assistant commissioner Stephen Hegarty told reporters. The primary cooling source would be the air conditioner, unfortunately when we returned to the motor vehicle it had ceased [running], which meant the air conditioner ceased as well. The state of the art cooling pod features were introduced in 2023. The temperature reached 27C in Lucas Heights on Thursday. There is no protocol stipulating how often dogs are checked inside the pods. Police did not believe the car ran out of fuel. Those dogs can be in the rear of the car at night-time for long periods of time, so its not unusual and [not] against any processes or training weve given the officers, Hegarty said. Changes have been implemented while the investigation was under way, the force said. They include increased use of kennelling and more frequent inspections of dogs kept in cooling pods. The NSW police commissioner, Karen Webb, said she was confident there was no human error involved. They were in specialist-designed pods, she said. Im confident there had been no human error and the vehicle has been towed for examination to check for any mechanical, technical and engineering issues. Webb earlier on Friday told ABC radio the dogs were two valuable members of our organisation. The thoughts of the whole police family are with them. We owe it to PD Xtra and DD Soldier to conduct a thorough investigation. The dogs handler was devastated, the commissioner told reporters on Friday. He had the very difficult task of going home yesterday afternoon to inform his wife and his two children about the passing of the two dogs because the two dogs reside with the family, she said. They are part of that family [and] with the officer 24/7. Xtra had been with NSW police since 2018. Soldier was 15 months old and started working with the force in February 2024 for training and development. A memorial was to be held for the dogs at a later date and they would be added to the police wall of remembrance. In September, Houstonian Andrea Castaneda-Lauver took her oath of U.S. citizenship. Courtesy Andrea Castaneda-Lauver In September, I took the oath to become a U.S. citizen. As I took the oath, I looked around and saw people of all cultures and all ages, making official on paper what many of us already felt in our hearts that we are American. As I raised my hand and repeated the words, I felt a deep sense of belonging and pride. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Ill join the ranks of 1 in 10 eligible voters who are naturalized citizens. The narratives surrounding this population (which has grown by an estimated 3.5 million since 2020) tend to frame us as a singular bloc, but this ignores the complexity of our motivations and diminishes our contributions to the democratic process. Like all voters, newly naturalized citizens have a wide range of political beliefs shaped by our experiences. What unites us is a profound love for our new country, one that stems from our understanding of hardship and the desire for a better future for our families. Advertisement Article continues below this ad My family emigrated from El Salvador when I was just 5 years old, seeking safety and opportunity amid the backdrop of a civil war that had torn our homeland apart. We fled not only threats of violence, but also the harmful effects of two back-to-back earthquakes that further destabilized our country. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was a lifeline for us. Established through bipartisan legislation in 1990 and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, TPS gives people who cannot return to their country because of extraordinary conditions such as armed conflict or natural disasters the interim ability to work, pay taxes and contribute legally to the U.S. without fear of deportation. Those on TPS are vetted, fingerprinted, pay $80 in application and biometrics fees (and, for work authorization, an additional fee of at least $470) and must periodically re-register to remain in the country. There is currently no pathway for recipients to become permanent residents and eventual U.S. citizens, despite many having put down roots and being longtime contributors. The most reliable alternate path is the one I took: I met my now husband while we were both studying to be pastors at an Oklahoma university in 2014. We got married in 2017, and due to his American citizenship, I was able to begin my journey to naturalization. My immigrant journey has profoundly shaped my perspective. When I say, Immigrants make our communities better, I picture the faces of my family and friends, each contributing their talents and resilience. This perspective is also informed by my experiences as a pastor in Texas for nearly a decade, where I witnessed the diverse challenges our communities face and the power of unity in overcoming them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In my current role, I help companies in our area utilize the National Immigration Forums citizenship services program, empowering their eligible employees to naturalize and reach their highest potential. This work underscores that becoming a U.S. citizen is not just a privilege but a responsibility one that I, like so many, take seriously. As I reflect on my journey, I recognize the importance of bridging gaps between immigrants and those who may view us with skepticism. And as I prepare to vote, I carry with me the hopes and dreams of my family and the lessons Ive learned from my faith. I am motivated to build bridges, connect with fellow citizens and advocate for a future where empathy and understanding prevail over division. To those who view immigrants through a lens of suspicion or negativity, I invite you to engage with our stories. Understanding the journeys that led us here can foster compassion and a sense of shared purpose. We are here to give, not to take to enrich the social tapestry of this nation, to contribute to its economy and to nurture the communities we call home. To quote a letter sent to President Ronald Reagan, which he referenced in his final speech as president: You can go to live in France, but you cannot become a Frenchman. You can go to live in Germany or Turkey or Japan, but you cannot become a German, a Turk, or a Japanese. But anyone, from any corner of the Earth, can come to live in America and become an American. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nigel Farage makes his maiden speech to Parliament - AFP As an elected MP, it is my duty to act in the interests of my constituents. That includes asking difficult questions in order to get to the truth about national issues. When it comes to the Southport attack, however, it has been extremely difficult to do this job. My faith in the ability of lawmakers to scrutinise responsibly has been badly shaken, as a near-blanket ban on discussing the case has been issued. The Starmer Government has been very effective in using fear to shut down public debate that it considers inconvenient. You only need to think back to the almost unprecedented way the state used rapid and harsh sentencing for those involved in the summer riots including those who wrote unpleasant things online. The overriding view was that the far-Right, whoever they may be, must be crushed. But the day after the tragic killings, I could see that certain key information about this atrocity had fallen into a vacuum. This led to unhelpful online speculation. It struck me as vital for the public to know more, not least about the suspect. That day, I recorded a short video. In it, I expressed my outrage at the attacks and I noted that Sir Keir Starmer was heckled when he visited Southport. I then pointed out: It shows you how unhappy the public are with the state of law and order in our country. I have to say there are one or two questions. Was this guy being monitored by the security services? Some reports say he was, others are less sure. The police say its a non-terror incident, just as they said the stabbing of an Army Lieutenant Colonel in uniform on the streets of Kent the other day was a non-terror incident. I just wonder whether the truth is being withheld from us. I dont know the answer to that, but I think it is a fair and legitimate question. My comments led to wholesale condemnation. I can only conclude that this was chiefly for political reasons. Everybody from the Deputy Prime Minister to Tory leadership candidates linked me to the riots. National newspaper editorials and media commentators also claimed that I was to blame. Supposedly, I had incited the British public. YouGov polling then found that 47 per cent of those asked believed that I held some level of responsibility for the unrest. Its extremely difficult for me not to regard that alarming statistic as the end result of what amounted to a concerted political smear. I wondered at the time: what were the media and political class so scared of? Although the name of the accused has been published and, as of this week, although we know that he was in court on new charges of possessing terrorist material and producing the toxin ricin, there is very little that anybody is allowed to say on this issue. I understand the importance of not prejudicing a future trial, but in the current climate, there appears to be no room to separate the ongoing legal process from the questions I posed over the summer. This is deeply troubling. In fact, on 15 September, Jonathan Hall KC, the Governments Terrorism Tsar, and Lord Carlile, a crossbench peer and former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, essentially backed up the comments that I had made. Speaking at a conference organised by the Counter Extremism Group think tank, Hall warned: One of the problems and the consequences of the Southport attack was that there was an information gap, a vacuum, which was filled with false speculation. He added: I personally think that more information could have been put out safely without comprising potential criminal proceedings Carlile echoed these words, saying: I think we should get out more information if we possibly can. We have learned from these events that when somebody is arrested, and there was a potential issue like this arising, the police probably need to tell the media who has been arrested and what their background is. My reading of the situation is that the bar as to what now counts as contempt of court has been lowered significantly. It used to be the case that somebody would have to say or do something that would seriously jeopardise a legal case for them to be in contempt. Now, the Contempt of Court Act appears to have been deployed as a tool of suppression. Despite ricin being found in the accuseds home days after the Southport attack, and despite the claim that he downloaded terrorist material, these allegations are not being linked to the triple child murder charge he faces, or the ten charges of attempted murder for the alleged attacks on eight other children and two adults. The chief constable of Merseyside police, Serena Kennedy, has said no evidence pointing to a terrorist motive has been discovered. Yet many people will wonder how this conclusion has been reached. How could anybody know what the motive for the killings was? This week, I asked the Home Secretary two written questions on this subject. The first asked if the suspect had ever been referred to the anti-terrorist Prevent programme; the second asked when she became aware of the discovery of ricin in the accuseds home. The questions will not be answered. With almost unbelievable timing, my colleague and Deputy Leader of Reform UK, Richard Tice, was lucky in the ballot and was able to ask Keir Starmer a question at PMQs on Wednesday. That morning, he received three panicked emails from the Commons authorities asking what the content of his question might be. Then, an hour before PMQs began, he received a telephone call in which he was told not to ask anything about the man accused of the Southport attacks. This point was reinforced strenuously by the Speaker in the Commons just before PMQs began. Parliamentary Privilege was effectively withdrawn. For now, therefore, it seems that nobody is allowed to ask in the proper forum when the Government first knew that the accused was to face the ricin and terror material charges. Likewise, nobody can know whether this man was known to the authorities in any way. Do we really want to live in a society where such crucial information is kept from the public? Who decided these details should remain secret? I believe this apparent suppression damages democracy. It certainly shreds public trust, leading me to ask myself: what is the point of being a public representative if even we are not allowed to ask what would previously have been considered reasonable questions? It is impossible to infer anything other than that the apparatus of state is being used to manage this situation. A criminal trial is planned for January. I hope that the full truth will come out then. I know a lot more than Ive been prepared to say already, but I suppose two-tier Keir and his heavy-handed justice system have caused us all to think twice. But the wider point is that our society is in a serious predicament. If Keir Starmer really thinks that by kicking the can down the road he will emerge from this situation with an enhanced reputation, he is in for a huge shock. Riots take place in Southport following the attack in July - Peter Powell Reform MPs have been banned from asking questions about the teenager accused of the Southport stabbings in Parliament, Nigel Farage has revealed, warning it will shred trust in democracy. Mr Farage has accused Sir Keir Starmer of using fear to shut down public debate that he considers inconvenient, after Axel Rudakubana was charged with a terror offence. Writing for The Telegraph, the Reform UK leader describes how MPs were silenced when they wanted to raise the matter in the Commons, including panicked emails and phone calls telling them not to ask questions about the case. He said: It is impossible to infer anything other than that the apparatus of state are being used to manage this situation. The announcement that Mr Rudakubana, 18, was being charged with possessing a military study of an Al-Qaeda training manual and producing the poison ricin has prompted a debate about the publics right to know following the killing of three young girls at a dance class in July. Axel Rudakubana has been charged with a terror offence - Axel Rudakubana/Reuters The attack triggered riots which Mr Farage and others blamed, in part, on a vacuum of information from the authorities about the identity and background of the suspect which allowed a false narrative to take hold. The police said at the time that the deaths of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alicia da Silva Aguiar, and the stabbings of eight other children and two adults, were not being treated as a terrorist incident. Police and prosecutors have not said whether or not the accused was ever referred to the anti-terrorism Prevent initiative one of the speculative questions Mr Farage has been asking since July. Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alicia da Silva Aguiar - Merseyside Police Mr Farage writes in The Telegraph: The day after the three Southport killings, I could see that certain key facts about this atrocity had fallen into a vacuum. This had led to unhelpful online speculation. It struck me as vital for the public to know more I understand the importance of not prejudicing a future trial, but in the current climate there appears to be no room to separate the ongoing legal process from the questions that I posed over the summer. This is deeply troubling. Mr Farage says he submitted a written question to Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, asking if the accused had ever been referred to the counter-terrorism Prevent initiative, but was told by the Commons authorities that he could not ask about the matter because of the ongoing court case. After the new charges were brought against the accused, police and prosecutors made clear the stabbings are not being treated as an act of terrorism. Sir Keir, a former director of public prosecutions, has not revealed when he and other ministers first knew of the discovery of terror material and ricin said to have been in Mr Rudakubanas possession. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK - Dan Kitwood/AFP via Getty Mr Farage said that on Wednesday his Reform UK colleague Richard Tice was selected to ask a question of Sir Keir at Prime Ministers Questions in the Commons. He writes: That morning, he received three panicked emails from the Commons authorities asking what the content of his question might be. Then, an hour before PMQs began, he received a telephone call in which he was told not to ask anything about the man accused of the Southport attacks. This point was reinforced strenuously by the Speaker in the Commons just before PMQs began. Parliamentary Privilege was effectively withdrawn. For now, therefore, it seems that nobody is allowed to ask in the proper forum when the government first knew that the accused was to face the ricin and terror material charges. Likewise, nobody can know whether this man was known to the authorities in any way. Do we really want to live in a society where such crucial information is kept from the public? Who decided these details should remain secret? I believe this apparent suppression damages democracy. It certainly shreds public trust, leading me to ask myself: what is the point of being a public representative if even we are not allowed to ask what would previously have been considered reasonable questions? It is impossible to infer anything other than that the apparatus of state are being used to manage this situation. Forensic officers attend the scene of the attack in Southport in July - Christopher Furlong/Getty The Governments terrorism tsar, Jonathan Hall KC, has said that more information could have been put out safely without comprising potential criminal proceedings. Lord Carlile, a crossbench peer and former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, has said that in circumstances such as those surrounding the Southport stabbings, the police probably need to tell the media who has been arrested and what their background is. Restricted in the scope of his questioning, Mr Tice asked the Prime Minister on Wednesday whether he agreed that it is important in incidents of terrorism that the authorities put out more information sooner in order to prevent an information gap. Sir Keir replied that MPs can either support the police in their difficult task or they can undermine the police in their difficult task. I know which side I am on. Mr Farage says that Sir Keirs Government has been very effective in using fear to shut down public debate that it considers inconvenient but that he cannot permanently dodge the questions that have arisen about the handling of the Southport attack. Ridicule is very powerful against oppressive forces. The Cane Toad Times collective: (from left) Matt Mawson, Stephen Stockwell, Deborah Brown and Johnny La Rue. Photograph: Natalie Grono/The Guardian A man whose pseudonym is Johnny La Rue is holding a yellowed magazine with two toad-headed lovers embracing on the front. He reads aloud a headline that would likely trigger a firestorm on social media were it written today. Who wrote that?! he exclaims. Definitely not me, his friend and collaborator, Steven Stockwell, says innocently. Instead hes pointing at a double-page feature. Its intent appears to be to track an ideological path connecting the first blood crazed Imperialist lackeys who commanded the penal colony of Brisbane to the sunshine states peanut-growing former premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen. But the article is largely obscured by the cartoon of a man with bulging eyes and sweat leaping from his face. The wash [the late cartoonist] Damien [Ledwich] put over my story on Queensland paranoia made it totally unreadable, Stockwell laughs. How ironic! Oooff, winces writer and cartoonist Deborah Brown, flicking through another faded edition. I wonder if this would fly these days? Would I have been cancelled for that? The magazines belong to the back catalogue of the Cane Toad Times, a satirical publication spawned in the febrile underground of 1970s Bjelke-Petersen-era Brisbane. As to whether or not it would be cancelled in this, the year 2024, La Rue, Stockwell, Brown and the rest of the knot of old toads behind the CTT are about to find out. Thats because 34 years after the magazine went into hibernation and this ragtag collective of cartoonists, writers and radicals pursued respectable careers, the toad has awoken. And this time, with a lick of artificial intelligence-powered art generators, the warty amphibians are pictured as giants being revived by defibrillators and sporting jackalope horns as they breathe fire and ride the four skeletal horses of the apocalypse. For this is the newly revived magazines end times edition. Mostly its a commentary on the ludicrous, the age of misinformation and disinformation, the climate crises, corporate greed, the post-truth world and the many, many things that we as young activists thought we would have fixed by now, Brown says. Like gender equality and racism and so on. But weve also all aged so much it might be our last hurrah! When not doodling cartoons and penning the odd pseudonymous insight into the maddening world of the modern academic campus, Brown moonlights as a philosophy professor at the University of Queensland. Her published books include Descartes and the Ontology of Everyday Life; among her chapters in collaborative works is Agency and Attention in Malebranches Theory of Cognition. Ive written on humour and the importance of ridicule as well, she says of her academic CV. Ridicule is very powerful against oppressive forces. While this professor took momentary leave from academia to work on a magazine to which she last contributed as an undergraduate, others had a bit more time on their hands. Stockwell has retired from his role as associate professor in journalism and communication at Griffith University and recently released a book of sonnets inspired by the ancient Phoenicians. Earlier this year, he gave a lecture entitled How to Be a Bard at a medieval festival in Caboolture. Stockwell played a pivotal role in the second revival of the magazine for its second run from 1983 to 1990 and says much of the fun of the 21st-century revival was getting the band back together. One of the best things we did was find Lisa Smith, who had been a very keen illustrator in the 80s, he says. Eventually, we tracked her down in Berlin. Other returning contributors included the biologist and award-winning science writer Tim Low. In 1985, Low wrote a guide to edible weeds in the CTT in this edition he contributes a guide to safely foraging while the radioactive dust of a nuclear apocalypse is still falling. Not to worry, Low writes. There are ample stores of starch secured deep within the trunks of palm trees. But just as rewarding, Stockwell says, was unearthing a new generation of contributors with totally new takes on cane toad themes. Jack Dalys done a couple of strips about The Enlightened Centrist, Stockwell says. And Mic Smith has these wacky ibis characters getting into all kinds of shenanigans. He says this is a continuation of the ethos of the CTT of the 80s. Related: The Melbourne wellness club where the wealthy breathe premium air and seek to defy ageing People were in their 20s and 30s and it was a good opportunity for a lot of people to try out their writing skills and their drawing, cartooning skills in a place where there wasnt a lot of judgment, he says. If things hung together, people would tell you: you got something happening here. It was a pretty positive environment to get your work out into the public eye. The CTT may have embraced modern technology in putting together this most recent edition, but that definition of the public eye remains unapologetically 20th century. Stockwell says, for now, the magazine will remain purely offline in an attempt to go back to the joys of the magazine. Im very happy with the way the physical object has come together, he says. It looks great on the eye and has its own distinctive smell. Those are the sorts of things you dont get on the internet. Elon Musk speaks on the stage as he joins Donald Trump at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Oct 5 - JIM WATSON/AFP The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is using staff to discredit fact-checking of accounts that support Kamala Harris on X, according to screenshots allegedly leaked from a Discord server. The DNC team is claimed to be using its activists social media platforms in a shadow war against Donald Trump on a platform owned by one of his most influential supporters. Reportedly leaked screenshots from a Discord server allegedly used by DNC staff seem to show a co-ordinated attempt to discredit community notes on the platform, formerly known as Twitter, that are directed at accounts that support Ms Harris. Community notes are a feature on X that allow users to fact-check content on the platform and provide greater context to video clips. Other users can mark the notes as helpful or not helpful. Community notes marked as helpful are more likely to remain underneath the original post and be seen by other users. Screenshots published by The Federalist, a conservative online magazine, appear to reveal the DNCs strategy on X a platform where support for Trump is commonplace, including in messages posted by its owner, Elon Musk. Leak from online group The magazine said the apparent leak had come from within an online group used by DNC staff and activists. In one reported message, Timothy Durigan, an official at the DNC, appeared to send a link to a post by @KamalaHQ, Ms Harriss official rapid response account. The post, a video of Trump describing Democrats as dangerous, had received a community note that suggested the former president was referring to a specific whistleblower from the State Department. According to the message, Mr Durigan asked: Can folks rate notes on this as not helpful? In another post, a different purported Democratic staffer posted a link to a negative community note on an X post by @RNCResearch, an official GOP account. Mr Durigan allegedly replied: Just rated helpful. Fierce online battle The alleged strategy comes amid a fierce online battle between supporters of Trump and Ms Harris, which has played out extensively on X during the 2024 election cycle. Videos posted by @RNCResearch were a major driver of stories about Joe Bidens mental state before he dropped out of the presidential race, signal-boosting his gaffes and slips on the world stage. Xs terms of service do not allow users to engage in platform manipulation, which is defined as using the site in a manner intended to artificially amplify or suppress information or engage in behaviour that manipulates or disrupts peoples experience on X. Election content on X has become even more widespread since Mr Musk, the companys owner and chief executive, endorsed Trump on July 13. The billionaire posts about Trump multiple times a day, and has appeared alongside him on stage at several events in the final weeks of campaigning. Posts by Mr Musk are especially popular on X, and drive users towards a network of Trump-supporting accounts on his platform. To fight back, the Discord screenshots suggest Ms Harriss team is spreading word about positive posts via a separate app, Reach, and passing on messages to be repeated online by her supporters. Earlier this month, a report by BetMGM Sportsbook Canada found that Trump has an advantage over Ms Harris on X. His posts receive more likes and reposts, and he gained more followers in the month of September. Much of the content about Trump is reposted from his own media platform, Truth Social, which he has long used to post his thoughts about the news and his campaign. On Aug 24, Trump made a return to X after more than two years of absence. He was banned in January 2021, before Mr Musk owned the platform, and returned to post his mugshot after being booked in the Georgia election interference court case. The DNC was contacted for comment. The Prince of Waless visit to Namibia six years ago inspired his ambitious Earthshot Prize - KensingtonRoyal The Prince of Wales will travel to Africa next week for the first time since a rhino-spotting trek in Namibia inspired him to launch the Earthshot Prize. At the time, six years ago, Prince William was frustrated by the pessimism and despair of the global debate over climate change, a Kensington Palace spokesman revealed. The divisive nature of political fighting contrasted sharply with the optimism and determination he witnessed in local communities during that 2018 tour of Namibia, Tanzania and Kenya, and the innovative solutions being created on the ground. A fleeting glance of a rare black rhino five hours into a 5am trek with a team of wildlife rangers planted the seed of an idea. Just one year later, the Earthshot Prize, the most ambitious environmental prize in history, was born. The prince at the first Earthshot Prize awards at Alexandra Palace, London, in 2021 - Yui Mok/WPA/Getty The Prince is now preparing to make a long-awaited return to the continent, where he will preside over the fourth annual Earthshot award ceremony in Cape Town. The star-studded event is said to go above and beyond anything he has done before. He has enlisted the help of supermodels Heidi Klum and Winnie Harlow to fly the flag for the awards at Cape Town. And as well as unveiling the latest cohort of Earthshot winners, the heir to the throne will seek to create a legacy that stretches well beyond his four-day visit, with packages of support to be unveiled for communities across the continent. Despite contributing the least to global warming and having the lowest emissions, Africa is the most vulnerable continent to the impact of climate change, a Kensington Palace spokesman said. Yet, in the face of these challenges, nearly all African countries are committed to enhancing climate action through reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience. Since 2021, almost 700 African solutions have been nominated for an Earthshot Prize, with nearly one in five of all finalists founded, or operating, in Africa. A third of this years finalists are from the continent. The Prince is said to be extremely excited to be returning to Africa, once fondly described as his second home, for what will be his first overseas trip this year. His aim is to highlight the innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity being harnessed across the region in a bid to tackle the environmental crisis. To that end, he will deliver two speeches and meet more than 100 young environmentalists as well as park rangers, conservationists and fishermen. The Earthshot Prize ceremony in Singapore in 2023, where five winners were rewarded for their environmental innovations - Chris Jackson/Getty He will have an audience with Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African president, play some rugby, attend a United for Wildlife summit, take to the water with sea rescue volunteers and enjoy some local cuisine at a traditional fish braai in Kalk Bay Harbour. The weeks set piece event, however, will be the award ceremony. For the first time, a bespoke eco dome has been built for the occasion and will play host to a 2,000-strong crowd. The totally reusable and recyclable outdoor venue has been erected on Green Point Shared Fields, overlooking the waterfront, and is powered by renewable energy from a local wind farm. The rhino-spotting trip in Namibia in 2018 that inspired the prince to launch the Earthshot prize - KensingtonRoyal The ceremony will be preceded by a green carpet event like no other, which will also be broadcast live on YouTube. The very lively 90-minute show will be hosted by Nigerian television presenter Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and South African rapper Moozlie, who have a combined social media following of 9.5 million, and will focus on sustainability, profiling innovations in green fashion. The effort to reach all corners of Africa will see the ceremony broadcast live across the entire continent for the first time. Hannah Jones, chief executive of the Earthshot Prize, said the show would be spectacular. In Namibia, the prince was impressed by the dedication of rangers protecting the rhino from poachers - KensingtonRoyal In a separate development, it emerged that Earthshot has partnered with British Airways, which will be highlighting next weeks events on its flights from London to South Africa in the coming days. The company is in talks with Earthshot finalists Notpla, about the potential use of its seaweed packaging for airline catering, and Enso, which could provide sustainable tyres for its fleet of electric vehicles. For the second consecutive year, the Prince will be flying solo after the Princess of Wales opted to stay at home to prioritise her recovery following cancer treatment. The Princess missed last years award ceremony in Singapore, citing the need to support Prince George through school tests. Reeves has previously observed how prominent female politicians have used fashion to great effect. Photograph: Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock It was a budget the chancellor said would match the greatest economic moments in Labour history, and for the occasion Rachel Reeves chose to wear a garment to match the moment: a pussybow blouse. The UKs first female chancellor knows more than most how the way female politicians dress can be picked over and weaponised. While researching her book Women of Westminster, a history of what women in parliament have achieved, she was struck by the way female MPs have used fashion and appearance to tell us something about them and their politics, often to great effect. Her choice of neckline is unlikely to have been an afterthought at such a historical moment. What should you wear when you are the first woman ever to present a budget? asked the writer and broadcaster Anne Perkins. Its quite an interesting challenge, isnt it? A close cousin of the necktie, the pussybow has historically been associated with women stepping into traditionally male spaces, such as the office. While it is Margaret Thatcher who is perhaps most famous for wearing a pussybow blouse among British politicians, Reeves is more likely to have had in mind the work and wardrobe of Barbara Castle Labours red queen, the woman Michael Foot once called the best socialist minister weve ever had. According to Perkins, Castles biographer, while it is impossible to say for sure whether Reeves was harking back to the former Blackburn MP, she does know her history extremely well. Castle, she explained, exploited her femininity, but at the same time she was always anxious to look serious. And I guess thats kind of what the pussybow does, isnt it? She may also have been referencing the early 20th-century Labour politician Ellen Wilkinson, who wore a proto-pussybow collar and whose photograph Reeves has above her desk. Wilkinsons march against soaring unemployment in the north-east would be a potent legacy to call on. Popularised by Coco Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent in the 1950s and 1960s, the pussybow blouse has a long history of stepping into the spotlight at high-drama, high-stakes moments. The US presidential nominee Kamala Harris wore one to make her vice-presidential victory speech in 2020. Kate Moss wore one to take the witness stand in the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial; Samantha Cameron wore one to Thatchers funeral; and Sara Danius a permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy (the bestower of the Nobel prize in literature) who was asked to resign over her handling of a #MeToo scandal involving a man with links to the academy sparked a movement with hers. The pussybow can, according to the fashion historian Bethan Bide, trace its origins back to the 17th century and the cravat. Cravats have military origins and evolved into the modern necktie, so have long been associated with military and masculine power. But, according to Bide, it isnt quite that simple. They are also highly decorative and about masculine adornment and a celebration of beauty. This makes it more complex than just saying that women wearing them are adopting masculine dress to symbolise status. Bide also thinks it is about showing that status can be decorative and aesthetic too just like menswear was in the 17th and 18th centuries. Away from the turbulence of politics, the pussybow blouse is also enjoying a quiet high street moment. Sienna Millers new second collection for M&S, which dropped this week, features white and zebra-print versions. But with politicians and high-profile women choosing to wear the talking-point style in talking-point moments, it wont have peace and quiet for long. The International Slavery Museum in Liverpool tells the story of the transatlantic slave trade - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Teachers on school trips to Britains leading slavery museum should acknowledge their white privilege, visitor guidance states. The International Slavery Museum in Liverpool tells the story of the transatlantic slave trade and provides sensitivity advice for educational visits. The guidance states teachers leading school trips to the taxpayer-supported museum should acknowledge their limitations if they are white privileged. White privilege is the controversial concept that white people enjoy societal advantages compared to other ethnicities. Teachers are advised: Acknowledge your own lack of lived experience and limited perspective (especially if you come from a white privileged background). The free museum provides sensitivity advice for educational visits - simon leigh / Alamy Stock Photo In 2021, the Tory government warned that the term white privilege could undermine the educational chances of white working-class children. The museums advice for creating a respectful environment appears in a document provided online to help schools have an enjoyable and productive visit, and the museum states it would strongly advise teachers or accompanying adults to read the document. It states: Dont allow pupils to reinforce stereotypes instead expose and challenge them. Teachers should acknowledge the key legacies of the transatlantic slave trade in cultural bias today, such as racism, the wealth generated through slavery and the disrupted development of Africa. Positive black role models should instead be provided to pupils, the guide states, who should also be instructed by teachers to use appropriate language. A guide to this language aimed at pupils provides a definition of white privilege, stating that it is an institutional (rather than personal) set of benefits granted to those of us who, by race, resemble the people who dominate the powerful positions in our institutions. It adds: One of the primary privileges is that of having greater access to power and resources than people of Global Ethnic Majority. Definitions are also offered for Black Lives Matter and cultural appropriation, which it defines as the taking of intellectual property from other cultures particularly when the source community is a marginalised group that has been oppressed or exploited. The resources are intended to ensure a smooth visit to the museum, which is based in the Albert Dock in Liverpool, which serviced ships used in the triangular trade that brought slaves from Africa to the Caribbean. The museum is part of National Museums Liverpool, a family of sites sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The International Slavery Museum will close in 2025 for a 58 million, three-year revamp of the site and the Maritime Museum. The museum advises that teachers should acknowledge the key legacies of the transatlantic slave trade - Paul Quayle/Alamy Stock Photo The entrance of the Slavery Museum will be moved into the Dr Martin Luther King Jr building. Once the Albert Dock Traffic Office, the structure was renamed in 2021 in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests and a renewal of interest in Britains links to the slave trade. It was reported following the recent Labour Budget that the Government was considering withdrawing 10 million of funding for the museum revamp. National Museums Liverpool told the BBC it would consult with colleagues in Government, ensuring the local, national and international significance of this project is understood. It added: National Museums Liverpool remains committed to this important and deeply impactful project, which has been years in development and has grown with the collaboration and guidance of many, including our community stakeholders. The group has been contacted for comment. Samantha-Jane Ramsay (left) with her sister Emma Wills. Photograph: Leigh Day Police dismissed a teenage girl who reported an alleged sexual assault by Mohamed Al Fayed in 1995, saying they would add her name to a pile of similar claims. Last month the Metropolitan police said the first report of sexual assault by the Harrods owner had been made in 2005. After the family of Samantha-Jane Ramsay, who has since died, came forward, the force said it had no computer record of her report but it may have been paper-based and not transferred. The young woman, known as Sam, also told her story to the News of the World in 1998. Her family has now contacted the law firm Leigh Day, which has received allegations of sexual misconduct against Fayed from more than 100 women. We know 100% my sister would have been speaking out if she was here, said Ramsays sister, Emma Wills. Ramsay began working in Harrods toy department at the age of 17. According to the account she gave to the News of the World, five days into her job she was summoned to Fayeds office and offered a promotion. At a second meeting, Fayed told her she would need to have a medical, kissed her, touched her inappropriately and handed her 200. She fled from his office in tears. She reported the incident to her supervisor, who just sighed and said another one, she told the News of the World. Soon after, she was sacked. The following day Ramsay reported the incident at Marylebone police station in central London. After the Met took no action, her family said they reported the alleged assault to their local police station in Hampshire. A statement was taken and sent to the Met, but the family heard nothing more. The alleged assault had a detrimental impact on Ramsays mental health and she tried to kill herself, her family said. She died aged 28 when she lost control of her car and crashed. Wills said: No one believed her or did anything about it and thats enough to make anyone go crazy. She reported what happened to her 30 years ago and he was allowed to continue for another 20 years. That must have played on her mind. She did all the right things to try and blow the whistle and had the bravery and courage to try to hold Fayed accountable but no one was interested, no one would help her If they had dealt with it properly, how many women could have been saved from his abuse? The Met has said it has found reports from 21 women who accused Fayed between 2005 and his death in 2023. The Justice for Harrods Survivors group said this week that 421 women had come forward to lawyers, alleging sexual misconduct by Fayed. Most related to Harrods, but there were also claims of misconduct at Fulham FC and the Ritz hotel in Paris, which Fayed also owned. A lawyer representing the survivors group said it was one of the worst cases of corporate abuse of women ever seen. Harrods has said it is in the process of settling more than 250 claims for compensation brought by women alleging sexual misconduct by Fayed. Emma Jones of Leigh Day said: The fact that [Sams] report to the police does not appear to be included in the 21 reports against Fayed that they have confirmed to the media, and indeed pre-dates those by a decade, raises even more questions about the actions of the police in this matter and further strengthens the calls for a statutory public inquiry. As Sams family have said, it also raises questions about how many women could have been saved from abuse if Sams complaints had been taken seriously and handled properly 30 years ago. Commander Stephen Clayman of the Met said: The way the Met works has moved on immeasurably in the last 30 years, and our teams have transformed the way we investigate rape and sexual offences We have made significant changes and progress to deliver better outcomes for victims. Goose barnacles usually cling to drifting debris, but occasionally wash up on shore. Photograph: Wyl Menmu Goose barnacles look as strange as their name, with a long, noodle-like stalk emerging from smooth white plates. The crustacean, also known as percebes, is also extremely expensive in Europe, where its enjoyed as a delicacy, a kilo might cost hundreds of dollars. And this week, a bunch washed up at Horseshoe Bay, south of Adelaide. [The pylon] was coated with what looked like udon noodles with cockles on the end, Martin Smee, from Port Elliots surf life saving club, told ABC Radio Adelaide. I had a closer look and there were barnacles, thousands of barnacles. A few days later, more were spotted on Bondi beach, Sydney. But while goose barnacles are undeniably strange in appearance, theyre a normal part of the natural marine environment, according to a Waverley council spokesperson. They are often found washed onto shore depending on winds and currents, they said. A crustaceans expert at the South Australian Museum, Dr Rachael King, said it is not surprising to see the goose barnacles drift ashore. Every now and then, she said, they attach themselves to objects floating in the water, like submerged lines and moorings and buoys. These live on things that drift in the ocean, and things drift in onto shore all the time, King said. Its really a cool experience to see things that you dont usually see. Theyre out there in the open ocean, and you just dont get to see them from where we are on shore so much. So its really nice to be able to see them coming in like these. Unfortunately, these animals wont survive because, you know, theyre supposed to be out there, floating on debris, living their best lives. King said the barnacles float around and create habitat for other animals in the open ocean, but can also be a vector for invasive species. They attach themselves to something, and they stay there their whole life, she said. Theyre more related to crabs and shrimp than they are to cockles or pippies. King suspects the reason the ones in South Australia were more translucent was because they were fresher, whereas the ones on Bondi appear as if they had been on shore for longer. When theyve been exposed [to the sun], they go darker, she said. Related: Paul Kelly: Most of the time when Im writing songs, Im boring myself The edible flesh looks like a dragon claw and, when boiled and cooked, has been described as tasting like a cross between lobster and clam. Gooseneck barnacles cling to rocks where there is a strong crashing surf. Growing in cold water along the tidal cracked rocks, harvesting percebes is a difficult and dangerous feat, writes the Brown Trading Company, a supplier of seafood in the United States. During low tide, when the rocks have been washed by waves, some barnacles can be stripped from the rocks by hand. Others, however, require a diver armed with a pry bar, the Brown Trading Company explains. They recommend steaming or blanching the barnacles to reduce the taste of salt, then removing the rough skin from the shell. The meat inside can be pulled out and eaten. While often added to soups, chowders, pastas, the meat is also served on its own with a variety of dressings garlic and butter, chilli and lemon or even a sherry cream sauce and wild greens. Robert F Kennedy Jr joins Donald Trump in Duluth, Georgia, on last week. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters Donald Trump has hurled insults at wind energy, calling it bullshit and disgusting and, if elected US president, may turn to another staunch opponent of offshore wind turbines to help stymie the nascent industry: Robert F Kennedy Jr. Kennedy has emerged as the leading foe of offshore wind in conservative circles and well-connected opposition groups, blaming new turbines, baselessly, for a spate of whale deaths and accusing former friends in the Democratic party of abandoning environmental ideals to the right. Allies see a perfect role for him in advising a new Trump administration crackdown on offshore wind energy. I would love to see that because of Robert F Kennedys background. He has so much to offer, hes a real free thinker, said Robin Shaffer, president of the anti-offshore wind group Protect Our Coast New Jersey, promoted by Kennedy earlier this year. He has a love for the environment, he clearly loves the outdoors. He comes with some insights you wouldnt get from a typical politician. Kennedy, who ended his own presidential run in August to endorse Trump, has already suggested he will help shape agricultural and health policy should the Republican nominee win. He did not respond to questions on a potential role to combat offshore wind, too, but the Trump campaign said it was proud to have his support. President Trump will choose the best people for his cabinet to undo all the damage dangerously liberal Kamala Harris has done to our country, said Steven Cheung, a campaign spokesperson. But formal discussions of who will serve in a second Trump administration is premature. Trump has ramped up rhetoric against wind energy in recent rallies, heightening the nervousness among climate campaigners and the wind industry before next weeks election. The former president has taken aim at offshore wind, saying he will cancel projects on his first day in office while accusing Harris, his Democratic opponent, of enabling the deaths of birds and whales. (Trump also, separately, told a child on Fox News recently that Harris wants to ban cows. She does not.) You want to see a bird cemetery? Just go under a windmill, you see thousands of birds dead, Trump has said. They are all rusting and disgusting looking. Its the most expensive form of energy there is. It sounds so wonderful, the wind, the wind, the wind. Wind is bullshit, its horrible. Its too expensive, it doesnt work. This stance chimes with that of Kennedy, who in the early 2000s, as a prominent environmental lawyer, helped kill off a proposed offshore wind farm near his familys compound in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Since endorsing Trump, Kennedy has appeared with the prominent rightwing figures Jordan Peterson and Tucker Carlson to further tie this cause to the former presidents campaign. Related: RFK Jr faces call for investigation into claim he chainsawed whales head off The Democrats are putting these offshore wind farms in, they are exterminating the whales, Kennedy told Carlson. They are about to extinguish the right whales, the last ones on Earth, with these monstrosities. Kennedy has few qualms about onshore wind but has said that offshore wind is a boondoggle and that green groups and Democrats have this fixation upon carbon alone. He told Peterson: Republicans are focused on protecting the environment, protecting habitat, protecting our children from these toxic chemicals, and the Democratic party and the associated environmental groups have forgotten about that mission. The US had just one relatively small offshore wind farm, off the coast of Rhode Island, when Joe Biden took office, but since then the presidents administration has approved 10 commercial projects along the Atlantic coast that, it says, will provide enough renewable power for more than 5m homes. About 2.6m acres (1.1m hectares) of federal waters, in total, have been leased for about 3,200 turbines that the administration considers to be critical in providing clean energy needed to shift from the fossil fuels causing the climate crisis. But the rise of US offshore wind has coincided with an apparent spike in whale deaths, with about 230 humpback whales found dead along the coast from Maine to Florida since 2016. Even more worryingly, as many as 20% of the worlds remaining 370 north Atlantic right whales, which are critically endangered, have been killed or injured in this timeframe. Federal government scientists have stressed there is no evidence that offshore wind turbines are responsible for the whale deaths. Whales have been killed by disease, or after being hit by ships or entangled in fishing nets, autopsies have confirmed, with the warming oceans possibly pushing the marine mammals to forage for food in different, riskier areas. Wind turbines can have direct and indirect effects upon marine life, according to Andy Lipsky, chief of the offshore wind ecology branch at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with their fixed structures either attracting or deterring different aquatic creatures. The noise of construction and attached electric cables may also add to what is an increasingly industrialized ocean, he said, but added that more research needed to be done to understand these interactions. Noise is a big concern for animals that spend time under water, but the operational noise of these turbines hasnt caused anything like a mortality event, said Lipsky. There is a lot of hard evidence that has examined the dead animals that show they have collided with vessels or tangled with fishing gear. We havent had any evidence linking these deaths to wind energy. Still, Kennedy has found common cause with several groups, some funded by fossil fuel interests, that have sought to slow the rollout of offshore wind amid some difficulties faced by the industry. Companies have been beset by rising costs, as well as opposition, with the Danish firm rsted canceling two projects off New Jersey last year. Meanwhile, in July, a 300ft-long turbine blade snapped off from the Vineyard wind project, prompting the closure of several Massachusetts beaches to swimmers as the debris washed ashore. Bonnie Brady, executive director of the Long Island Commercial Fishing Association, said she was thrilled to speak with Kennedy on his podcast about the alleged harm of offshore wind in June. No energy source wears a halo but the footprint [of wind] is so much dramatically larger than oil and gas, said Brady, who has ties to a conservative Texas-based group that opposes renewables and promotes oil and gas use. I hope whoever wins the election stops offshore wind, she said. These turbines are a perfect doomsday machine. They wont make anything better. They will destroy the ocean. But former allies of Kennedy have reacted with dismay to his alliance with Trump, who routinely mocks the dangers posed by the climate crisis and overturned dozens of environmental protections when he was president. Several green groups have condemned him as a conspiracy theorist who spreads toxic beliefs on vaccines and global heating. Its been truly horrifying to see because Bobby was such a commanding presence in the environmental movement. He went from Times hero for the planet to a scourge, said Dan Reicher, a lawyer and academic who got to know Kennedy through the Natural Resources Defense Council. The duo went kayaking and camping together in the 1990s. Ive never seen such a fall from being an environmental hero to being an outcast, said Reicher. Its sad to say but RFK Jr and Donald Trump are in perfect alignment now. Its scary because it could set us back decades on climate change. Its been such an extreme change, this is the last place I could imagine him ending up. I wouldnt be surprised if his father and his uncle are rolling over in their graves. The seemingly unlikely alliance between Kennedy, a scion of Democratic royalty who campaigned against river pollution from New York to South America, and Trump, a Republican property developer who has called environmental concerns a giant scam, has resulted in Trump admitting to some jarring inconsistencies when campaigning together. Hes going to straighten out our health and all of that stuff, Trump said of Kennedy at a rally in Nevada this month. I dont know if I can have him working too much on the environment, Im a little concerned about that with Bobby. I dont know if I want him playing around with the liquid gold under our feet. Bobby, work on health. I like the liquid gold, oil and gas. I think I like that a little bit more than Bobby. The Standard of the President of the Russian Federation flies above the Kremlin in Moscow, signifying the presence of Vladimir Putin. Ukraine will soon have a ballistic missile capable of reaching Moscow - Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP Belatedly fielding a powerful new ballistic missile that could strike as far away as Moscow, Ukraine is about to solve a vexing military problem. But its not the most urgent problem for Ukraine as Russias wider war on the country grinds toward its 33rd month. Ukraines Hrim-2 missile is nearly ready for action, Yehor Chernev, the chairman of Ukraines delegation to NATO, said recently. Believe me, there will soon be concrete results that not only Ukraine but also the Russian Federation will see, Chernev said. The Hrim-2 is a single-stage, solid-fuel ballistic missile that can carry an 1,100-pound warhead as far as 310 miles, presumably under inertial guidance. It represents a major step up from Ukraines best current battlefield rocket the 1970s-vintage Tochka. KB Pivdenne, a missile-maker in Dnipro, in eastern Ukraine, has been working on the Hrim-2 for a decade. It was a low priority in the years before Russia widened its war on Ukraine starting in February 2022: funding was a constant problem. After Russia widened its war on Ukraine, money was no longer a major problem but Russian attacks on industrial sites in Dnipro were. Working through the bombardment, Ukrainian engineers finally finished designing and building the first few Hrim-2s. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky announced the first successful test of a new missile the Hrim-2, apparently back in August. The Hrim-2 will give Ukraine its first heavy deep-strike capability and free the country from restrictions imposed by its most important allies. The United States, the United Kingdom and France have provided Ukraine with precision munitions ranging hundreds of miles. But all three countries bar Ukraine from firing these munitions at targets inside Russia. These rules have resulted in a firepower imbalance. Russia strikes Ukrainian cities, bases and industrial facilities with thousands of drones and ballistic and cruise missiles every month. The Ukrainians strike back infrequently with mere dozens of much lighter munitions drones, primarily. Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials have begged their American, British and French counterparts to lift the restrictions on deep strikes using foreign weapons, but to no avail. With the Hrim-2, the Ukrainians wont have to ask permission. The only limit on Ukrainian strikes on Russian targets up to and beyond Moscow will be the production rate. How fast can KB Pivdenne build Hrim-2s? As Hrim-2s begin reaching front-line units, expect to see more and more damaging Ukrainian attacks on targets inside Russia. Dont expect these attacks to have an immediate and obvious effect on the front line in Ukraine. A shortage of deep-strike munitions isnt Ukraines biggest problem. The biggest problem is a shortage of trained troops. Blowing up a Russian airfield, factory or oil refinery can suppress Russian air raids, gradually throttle the supply of heavy weaponry to Russian forces and squeeze the wider Russian economy. Russian president Vladimir Putin might even face the prospect of strikes aimed at him personally, in retaliation for Russias many attempts to eliminate Zelensky. But the Hrim-2 cant prevent Russian regiments from overrunning outnumbered and outgunned Ukrainian garrisons in cities and towns along the front line. As the wider wars fourth year looms, Russia has an enduring manpower advantage despite registering staggering battlefield losses that recently have averaged around 1,500 killed and wounded troops per day. Ukrainian losses are much lower, but in strategic terms it hardly matters. Russia is an autocracy with a population of more than 140 million. In control of the media and immune from political opposition, the Kremlin faces scant few constraints on its ability to generate fresh troops. It has consistently managed to sign up 30,000 recruits a month nearly enough to make good record-high recent losses. Ukraine, by contrast, is much smaller just 40 million people and, as a democracy, contends with serious political constraints. It took the Ukrainian parliament months to finally pass, back in April, a watered-down mobilisation bill that so far has failed to consistently generate the 20,000 or more fresh troops the countrys armed forces need to replenish war-weary brigades and form the new brigades it would need for any serious future offensive. Its not for no reason that Russian forces have been slowly but steadily advancing all along the front line in Ukraine for months now. There are just too many Russians for exhausted Ukrainian troops to hold back. Ominously, the Russians are now being reinforced by thousands of North Koreans. Its not that Ukraine shouldnt strike targets deep inside Russia. It should. And with the Hrim-2, it can. But these attacks, while empowering for the Ukrainians and embarrassing for the Russians, wont turn the tide of the war. Carlos Mazon pressed ahead with his scheduled engagements despite the flash floods Valencias president accepted a sustainable tourism award and posed for pictures on Tuesday despite a series of warnings of catastrophic flooding. Carlos Mazon is scrambling to save his political career after his regional government failed to send out emergency warnings until 12 hours after Spains meteorological agency issued its first red alert. Mr Mazon ordered the swelling number of volunteers wanting to help with the clean-up operation to return to their homes on Friday. The anger is palpable and trade unions have already called on Mr Mazon to resign, as Valencia opened a temporary morgue to deal with the dead. Valencia resident Hector Bolivar, 65, questioned why a text message alert was only sent out at 8pm when the heavy rain had begun several hours earlier. Spanish President Pedro Sanchez (pictured centre) and governor Carlos Mazon (centre right) both make a public appearance in Valencia - GTres / SplashNews.com/Splash News Carmen Molina, 55, another resident, said as tears rolled down her cheeks: I can be grateful because Im alive but that doesnt take away the responsibility of those people that in order to achieve votes, they tell us they will be with us because in the hour of truth, they are not. Lorena Silvent, the socialist mayor of the town of Catarroja, said the regional government had not given them enough resources. They are not up to what is needed in Catarroja at a critical moment like this, he said. At first, Mr Mazon, a member of Spains conservative Partido Popular (PP), tried to pin the blame on Pedro Sanchez and his socialist government. But as the death toll continued to climb on Friday as the rescue and clean-up operations continued, the evidence was building against the 50-year-old regional leader. He had plenty of warning that the storm, caused by the clash of cold air from the north moving over warm Mediterranean waters, was coming. The fire brigade carry out work as cars and debris block a tunnel after the recent flash flooding - David Ramos/Getty Images Europe On Monday lunchtime, Valencias interior ministry sent out a press release warning of the extreme weather. However, Mr Mazon decided to press ahead with every single one of his scheduled engagements on Tuesday. There were budget talks with business leaders and the launch of a new artificial intelligence-powered online healthcare assistant, the Politico website reported. He also picked up the sustainable tourism award, an ironic move as climate change is said to have exacerbated the cold drop storms that devastated Valencia. A photo was tweeted at noon showing Mr Mazon with his certificate. Credit: radiovalencia/X To make matters worse, at a press conference one hour later, Mr Mazon predicted torrential rain would ease by 6pm. He has since deleted a social media post repeating the prediction. It has also now emerged that Mr Mazon had assumed personal control of the Integrated Operational Coordination Centre set up on Tuesday afternoon, which has raised further questions over his leadership in the crisis. Spains meteorological agency (AEMET) issued an orange alert for the Valencia region at 6.42am on Tuesday, October 29. At 7.36am the warning was updated to the maximum red level, which means a risk to life. At 8am AEMET warned of extreme danger from more than 90 millimetres of rain forecast to fall within a single hour and urged locals to remain at home. But Mr Mazons regional government did not issue a warning telling residents to stay indoors until 8.12pm, far too late to prevent people from being trapped by the waters and after rivers and ravines were already overflowing. In one area, 45 minutes earlier, a bridge had been swept away by the raging waters. Trains from Valencia to Madrid and Barcelona had been cancelled at 7pm. By 7.15pm it was dark, and thousands of people were trapped on roads and in shopping centres but the alarm, and its recognisably discordant tone, were still not sent to residents smartphones for almost another hour. The error has been compounded by Mr Mazons efforts to dodge the blame. His government has claimed it was up to AEMET, which falls under the governments control, to issue the warnings and to ensure the correct protocols were followed. The regional government said its 8pm message was not as the start of the alert, but only as one more element of communication and it was when the Security Forces and Corps and the emergency services recommended it. This was flatly contradicted by Spains interior ministry, which said that civil protection plans were the responsibility of the regional government. Meteorologist Albert Martinez, from The Weather Channel in Spanish, compared the sluggish response in Spain to the United States. Hurricane Katrina was a turning point in the United States, he said. I asked myself: Why arent the media cutting off the programming like they do in the United States to alert the population? I saw that the alert arrived a little late. In the United States, constant alerts go out for anything, tornadoes, crimes committed in the area, he added. On Friday, Mr Mazon was backpedalling furiously. He put on a show of unity with Mr Sanchez in a joint press conference where both men refused to take questions. Thank you very much for your closeness and your quick response, he told Mr Sanchez. Any further resources you need, the Government of Spain is here. We are not going to leave the Valencians alone, the prime minister responded. We will support by land, sea and air for as long as it takes to find all the missing people. But it was already too late to prevent the tragedy from becoming another battleground in polarised Spains culture war between Left and Right. After travelling to the affected areas, PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo attacked Mr Sanchezs coalition of Left-wing parties. We are the majority in the Senate and the Government has not informed us of anything, he said. In a national emergency, in addition to humanity, collaboration is needed and we have not been informed. And when I say nothing, I mean nothing. Mr Feijoo has blamed the federal government-controlled AEMET and other state agencies for the high death toll, placing Mr Mazon in contradiction with his party chief and an even more invidious position. In a doomed effort to paper over the divides, and the growing sense of chaos attached to his government, Mr Mazon tweeted, I thank Nunez Feijoo for his support at all times during these days of so much pain. As he has said, 112 and CECOPI are managing this situation with the information offered by state agencies. HS2 is among the infrastructure projects with the most significant overspend in recent years - Getty/Leon Neal The chairman of the new Office for Value for Money has been barred from scrutinising the 67 billion bill for HS2 because he sits on the company board, it has emerged. David Goldstone was unveiled as the head of the quango in the Budget on Wednesday when Rachel Reeves said his job would be to help us realise the benefits from every pound of public spending. However, Mr Goldstone is blocked from looking at the expenditure on the major rail infrastructure project HS2 because he sits as a non-executive director on the board. It is likely to raise questions about his appointment to the new position because HS2 is among the infrastructure projects with the most significant overspending in recent years. The company in charge of the project, HS2 Ltd, has estimated that the total cost of the project will reach up to 67 billion. Its spiralling costs led to Rishi Sunak axing the second leg of the project from Birmingham to Manchester in October last year. David Goldstone was unveiled as the head of the Office for Value for Money - www.gov.uk He told the Conservative Party conference as he announced its cancellation that it was a scheme whose costs have more than doubled and for which the economic case has massively weakened. It comes after it emerged that Mr Goldstone will be paid 950 a day for an average commitment of one day a week for the role, totalling almost 50,000 a year. A Tory spokesman said of the appointment: What is the value of Labours new head of the Office for Value for Money if he cant oversee all government projects because of a conflict of interest? If Labour were really interested in delivering value for money they would have picked someone who was fit to serve at value for money for the taxpayer. The Prime Ministers deputy spokesman said that Mr Goldstone was a highly experienced public sector leader with a track record on working on complex high-value programmes. In a section of HM Treasury guidance on Mr Goldstones appointment entitled conflicts of interest, it said: David will remove himself from the discussion or determination of matters in which he has a financial interest. In matters in which he has a non-financial interest, he will not participate in the discussion or determination of a matter as chair where the interest might suggest a danger of bias. This includes not participating as chair in discussions or determinations relevant to issues related to his other roles, such as his role as HM Treasurys nominee member for the HS2 Board, and his role as non-executive director of the Submarine Delivery Authority. The Curzon Street construction site of the HS2 project in Birmingham - Darren Staples/Bloomberg Mr Goldstone has also served as an executive on the London 2012 Olympics and Parliaments restoration and renewal project, both of which overspent. Louise Haigh, the Transport Secretary, announced last month that spending on HS2 would be reviewed as the Government took measures to get a grip. The Chancellor also announced in the Budget that HS2 would terminate at London Euston, instead of Old Oak Common as set out under the previous government. The Treasury has been contacted for comment. Prahran MP Sam Hibbins said he had a consensual relationship with a staff member in his office that breached Greens party rules. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP The Victorian Greens leader, Ellen Sandell, says former co-deputy leader Sam Hibbins will never be welcomed back to the party room after he admitted to a relationship with a staffer that broke the partys rules. Sandell said Hibbins resigned from the party room this week after MPs suspended him. She said she had also requested his resignation as a Greens member, which he provided. Hibbins, the member for Prahran, announced on Friday morning he would quit the state party room after saying he had a consensual relationship with a staff member in his office. The Prahran MP released a statement saying the relationship ended some time ago but it was a breach of the partys rules. He will sit as an independent MP. Sandell said that neither she nor any Greens MPs or supervising senior staff had any knowledge of the relationship before it was brought to her attention this week. Related: How will the outcome of the US election affect Australia, Aukus and our region? The Member for Prahran has completely lost my trust, and the trust of his colleagues, and he will never be welcomed back to our party room, Sandell said. Hibbins, who is married with two children, said the relationship was a significant error of judgment and he understood the distress this has caused. I accept the consequences of my decisions that affect my personal and professional lives. I am working to make amends to the most important people in my life, my family and our community, he said. Ive always worked hard to advance the Greens cause, and know this is a distraction from my work and the work of the Greens, but I remain committed to serving my electorate of Prahran. In a video posted to Instagram, Hibbins said the relationship was short. I deeply regret whats happened. Ive made a very human mistake but I am working to find the best way forward, he said. In his statement, Hibbins said he understood this incident would shake peoples trust in politicians at a time when people are struggling and are already disengaged from politics. We are human, and we make mistakes, he said. The important thing is making amends and focusing on what really matters. For me, its my beautiful family. Hibbins said he would continue to fight for the fantastic community I love and live in, Prahran. Hibbins has been the MP for Prahran since 2014. He holds the seat on a 12% margin, on a two-party preferred basis. Sarah Jones has carried five babies for other couples as well as having three children of her own - Asadour Guzelian/Guzelian Last summer, a family group made an outing to Sherwood Forest, where they followed a hiking trail and enjoyed a pub lunch. It was a lively party: a woman, two men and four children between the ages of seven and 16. But this was not your usual gathering. Sarah Jones, 47, had given birth to all four of the children present but only Ellie, 17, and Alfie, 16, were hers. Jones had carried the other two siblings as a surrogate mother for the gay couple. Surrogacy is the process in which a woman carries and gives birth to a baby for another couple, either because the intended mother has a condition that makes pregnancy impossible or because two men would like to have a child together. In a few cases, the prospective parent is single. A surrogate mother and her intended parents (IPs in surrogacy parlance) dont always stay in touch. But Jones, a childminder from Doncaster, insists it has been this way with each of her deliveries. Before I agree to carry for anyone, I always get to know them and feel 100 per cent sure our friendship will continue after the baby is born, she says. They have to share my Left-wing politics and to laugh at the same things. All the relationships with my IPs have lasted. The kids love each other; they have a cousin-type relationship. My IPs give my children advice about school, for example. Jones has given birth to eight children in total three that are her own and five that she has carried for others. She has helped four sets of IPs, including the aforementioned gay couple and three sets of heterosexual partners. The UKs first surrogate baby was born in 1985 after former dancer Kim Cotton carried a child for an infertile Swedish couple. According to Natalie Gamble, a surrogacy campaigner and the UKs leading fertility lawyer, some 500 British families have a child through surrogacy each year: half of them at home and half of whom go abroad. Its always been hard to find a surrogate in the UK and there is no legal certainty, so there has been a massive rise in parents going overseas, she says. However the above figure only represents the births that are registered. Other commentators maintain that as many as 2,000 babies return to the UK with people who have travelled to use surrogates overseas. Because many of these women live in low-income countries, critics are concerned this opens up the system to exploitation and abuse. The laws around surrogacy vary depending on the country. The process is well-established in America, where it involves a legally binding agreement between the parents and surrogate. However, UK law is more woolly, as well see below. On the other hand, surrogacy is banned in countries such as France, Germany and Spain. Recently, Italy joined these countries by outlawing travelling abroad to have a baby through surrogacy after the practice was already banned domestically. Giorgia Meloni, the countrys conservative prime minister, described surrogacy as a symbol of an abominable society that confuses desire with rights and replaces God with money. Surrogacy has never been illegal in the UK. But it is a divisive topic that arouses a strong emotional response from people on both sides of the debate, as well as a slew of ethical concerns and legal grey areas. Those in favour argue passionately that its the only method for some loving couples to have a family; those against maintain that surrogacy is an abuse of the mothers rights, as well as the child. The conversation around the subject in the UK is about to go up a notch. In 2023, the Law Commission published a lengthy report on surrogacy, suggesting changes that would allow the process to become easier. Commentators believe Labours Government will start the process to turn these recommendations into law. Could a new culture war be about to erupt? Natalie Gamble started to represent surrogate-seeking parents after having two children with her female partner in the early 2000s. Back then, the law didnt even recognise my wife and I as legal parents, she says. I wanted to move family law into the modern world. Since 2009, Gamble has helped 2,000 families find happiness. Alongside her legal practice, she runs Brilliant Beginnings, a non-profit professional surrogacy agency. I am passionate about helping people build families in different ways that are ethical and responsible, says Gamble. People dont just do this because they feel like it they have no other option to conceive a baby. A child doesnt care what the family structure looks like, and it doesnt matter. What matters to them is that they are loved. Parents are not entering into this lightly, she says. When its done well, surrogacy is overwhelmingly positive and an incredible collaboration. The children are so wanted, and evidence suggests they thrive long-term. Gamble speaks with pride of the families she has helped create. People are always sending me the most wonderful photos, she says. I recently received a picture of a family Christmas from a couple whod had dozens of rounds of failed IVF before turning to surrogacy. The whole wider family was smiling at the camera the six-month-old baby at the centre laughing in his high chair, she says. What people dont realise is that surrogacy creates not just parents, but also grandparents and aunts and uncles. If it wasnt for surrogacy, this happy family would not exist. People dont just do this because they feel like it they have no other option, says Gamble - Natalie Gamble She feels very sad about the law change in Italy. Its part of a wider attack on LGBT families and infertile couples conceiving families in non-traditional ways. Measures to criminalise things never work, it tends to drive them underground and is counterproductive. Surrogate mother Sarah Jones is also upset. Its designed to hurt gay couples, but its also unfair on the children who have already been born it will stigmatise them, she says. Everyone involved in surrogacy should feel pride. Jones became a surrogate in her early 20s after seeing an advert for egg donors in the back of a magazine, I was already a single mum to Charlotte, my two-year old daughter, and at that point didnt want any more kids, she says. I knew I was blessed. I hadnt struggled to conceive and felt empathy for those who did. To me, it didnt seem much bother to change someones world. Egg donation didnt appeal to Jones, however, so she declined to respond. I didnt like the fact that it would be anonymous and I wouldnt know the baby. A few years later, she stumbled across Surrogacy UK, a website that talked about creating lasting friendships between the mother, her family and the intended parents. That appealed to me, she says, initially opting not to discuss her decision with relatives and friends. Jones attended an event held specifically for the purpose of matching mothers and prospective parents. As it is currently illegal to advertise surrogacy services, the agencies have to be creative. I sat next to a woman who would turn out to be my first IP we chatted for hours, she said. Shed had several failed IVFs. After getting to know her for three months, I decided to carry for her. I could see how much joy this would bring not only to her family, but to mine. Charlotte, six at the time, was fully on board. She insists that she had no doubts at any point in the process, either in this case or the pregnancies that followed the first three with her eggs and fathers sperm, another via IVF and the last using egg donation. The funny thing is that I dont really like being pregnant that much, she says. Im not an earth mother. I get grumpy and miserable. My view is that this is a small sacrifice, giving up a small part of my life that leads to something amazing. Jones recalls the first time she gave birth for someone else. The mum and dad sat next to me the entire time I was in labour, she says. As soon as the baby was born, I handed her to the parents for skin-to-skin contact. It was a wonderful thing to be part of. Although Jones has no regrets about her own surrogacies, she is opposed to the commecial side of the industry - Asadour Guzelian/Guzelian After two more surrogate births, Jones met her husband (they are now separated) and had two children of their own, followed by one more surrogacy. I marked my retirement with five tattoos, representing the star signs of each surrogate baby, she says. So no regrets then? When I first told friends and family about my plans, they were worried that I didnt understand what I was getting myself into, she says. They thought my IPs would be rich baby snatchers. But the reality is that its all very boring. When my babies were born, there was no drama. The parents just bought me tea and toast. I really dont understand why people cant just get their head around a woman having a baby and not wanting to own it, she says. Not every woman feels maternal at birth and not only women can feel maternal. This is a bond that grows with living with your child day to day, looking after him or her when they are sick. Jones is, however, opposed to commercial surrogacy, when large sums of money change hands to create a child. I dont think anyone should be paid for this, she says. By law, a surrogate is only allowed to receive reasonable expenses but the parameters around this are vague. For my first surrogacy journey, I was paid 5,000 and the second 7,200. Both times I was out of pocket, says Jones. This process is very expensive its not just the maternity gear, but petrol to and from the hospital, the parking and the loss of earnings. A surrogate mother only gets six weeks statutory maternity pay and I needed five weeks of bed-rest with one of my pregnancies, so I couldnt work. The major change that advocates are hoping for is the legal transfer of parental rights. At present, UK law states that the surrogate woman is the mother, and then there is a subsequent process to transfer legal parenthood to the intended parents. Its not enforceable and its based on trust, says Gamble. The uncertainties make everyone anxious not just the intended parents. Gamble says there needs to be a mechanism for intended parents to become legal parents at birth as happens in the US. In America, theres a contract. Its more transparent. But over here, problems arise, for example, if a couple has a baby in the US and its recognised over there but not in the UK children can be stuck abroad. Yes, there is some concerning practice overseas, particularly in places where surrogacy is new or unregulated, she says. The answer is to allow it to be done safely at home. We need sensible steps to make sure everyone is protected. We need a better structure, which includes counselling and legal advice. There should be informed consent so neither side takes advantage. Gamble understands the theoretical concerns surrounding surrogacy, but that most critics have little direct experience of it. When the process is managed responsibly, surrogates tend to be very clear they want to do it they have agency and find it rewarding, she says. Those who talk about babies being ripped from their mothers and causing trauma are taking nonsense. But what if the surrogate mother changes her mind? If I got into the weeds about this subject, Id start crying and never stop, says anti- surrogacy campaigner Helen Gibson. Britain is an outlier in allowing any surrogacy at all. In most countries in the world, you arent allowed to use someone elses body in this way. The whole thing is a scandal. In May 2023, Gibson founded Surrogacy Concern in response to the Law Commissions recommendation to liberalise domestic surrogacy. I come to this from a feminist perspective; I am not anti-LGBT at all, she says. I support the decision in Italy and dont see it as homophobic: 90 per cent of the couples from Italy were heterosexual. Gibson is concerned about baby farming in countries like Ukraine, Colombia and Mexico, where women are paid a pittance to carry children for wealthy Westerners. And while she concedes that there is less of a risk in domestic surrogacy, she is worried about this too. The surrogacy movement grooms a woman away from understanding she is the mother of her own child. Women are exploited, paid little, and the procedure is high risk. Research appears to back this up. A study published in September 2024 by McGill University in Canada suggests that surrogate mothers are more likely to experience complications such as postpartum haemorrhage, severe pre-eclampsia and premature birth than women who conceive naturally or via IVF. Gibson is dismayed by posts from surrogate mothers on X, formerly Twitter, describing themselves as just the oven and their pregnancies as extreme babysitting. My concerns about the impact of a child being taken away from their mother have solidified over the past year, she says. She shares a document with testimonies from surrogate mothers, who talk about being abandoned and discarded by their intended parents after the birth, despite promises to the contrary. It has been ten years since I made the biggest mistake of my life, all to help someone, writes Hannah, who has since been denied contact with her child. I believe I was lied to, manipulated and exploited because somebody needed my uterus. Most of all, Gibson fears for the babies born of surrogacy. This is never ok from the point of view of the child, she says. Mothers are not interchangeable; they arent like birds. A new baby craves a mothers chest to moderate his or her heartbeat, it recognises the mothers taste and smell. Handing over a newborn interrupts the bonding process. Research shows when a new baby is held too long by someone that isnt their mum, they go stiff and still and quiet. Gibson says she has nothing but has sympathy for people who want to be parents. But I have lots of support from gay men and infertile women, she says. We reject that this is a progressive way to have a family. For those who crave a child, Gibson feels that there is still the option of adopting or co-parenting, when gay people agree to conceive and raise a child together despite not being in a relationship with each other. If the law changes to allow advertising, it would suck in a whole group of young women who think they are being kind for 15 to 20,000 of expenses, she says. It would be grossly irresponsible for the Government to support this. And if they do, they will have the fight of their life on their hands from Britains feminist campaigners. Cats are natural predators. In fact, some scientists even believe that cats were not so much domesticated by humans, like dogs, cows, horses, and pigeons, but rather that they underwent a process known as self-domestication. Humans did not purposefully keep and breed cats the way the did with so many other animals to get specific traits (think dairy cows or hunting dogs). Instead, cats just naturally lived alongside humans because human agricultural activities attracted the pests that were these cunning predators favorite prey. You know, like rodents. Ironically, Guinea Pigs are a type of rodent that humans did domesticate for the purpose of raising for food in South America. Around here, though, we tend to think of them as mere pets, and never pests. Maybe thats why the orange cat intros video has no idea what to do with the one in front of him. The cat in this video is supposedly seeing a Guinea Pig for the very first time, and it appears to have broken his brain. Hes staring at it, eyes wide, head cocked, not sure if its a friend, a foe, or food. Related: Guinea Pig Who Loves Getting Kisses Has Stolen Our Hearts The Guinea Pig does not seem particularly worried about being made lunch, either. Yay, domestication! My kitten, who never missed a meal inter life, did let natural instincts take over after my apartment was invaded by mice when she was about six months old. She and my other cat caught and killed those mice, then left them for me like little thank you notes for all their lovely cans of food and bowls of kibble. Guinea Pigs might be on the large size for feline hunting instincts, though. Thank goodness. The Care and Keeping of Your Guinea Pig Guinea Pigs are popular pets because they are adorable, small, and they make the sweetest little grunting squeaks. They are highly sociable animals, and are gentle and easygoing, which make them wonderful pets, even for children. And apparently, you can even get your cat to like them, too. Perhaps its only natural that a cat would be attracted to a Guinea Pig. The one time I held one, I was amazed by its series of calming grunts and squeaks. Its vocalizations were so adorable that they struck me as second only to the purring of a cat when it came to nice sounds made by pets. (Third would be the coos from a pigeon or dove, but yall are not ready for that conversation.) If you would like to keep your Guinea Pigs alongside your cats, be aware that the hesitation the cat intros video exhibits is not necessarily he norm. After all, a predator is a predator and if you want a harmonious living arrangement, you have to carefully teach your cat boundaries when it comes to the resident rodent. Guinea pigs also need a fair amount of space for their enclosure and upkeep, Unlike cats, they are not as fastidious with their bathroom habits. Guinea pigs are also highly social animals who do well with lots of human or fellow animal interaction. In fact, they do best in pairs as the two guinea pigs can play with each other and keep each other occupied when their humans are not around. Or, if you can overcome their natural instincts and get your cat to befriend one, it would make for quite the story. Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. ORLANDO, Fla. Two people are dead and seven others were injured after a shooting in downtown Orlando early Friday as thousands celebrated Halloween, police said. Police arrested a 17-year-old on suspicion of carrying out the shooting. No motive has been established, and the identities of those killed and injured have not been released. Police said the victims ranged in age from 18 to 39, and the two people who were killed were 19 and 25. Police said six of the injured were shot and a 26-year-old woman had injuries from being trampled as the crowd fled. Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith said shots were fired just after 1 a.m. at Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue and more shots were fired nearby minutes later. People flee after a shooting in downtown Orlando, Fla., early Friday. Police said the suspect, Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, was arrested and taken into custody. He was later charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and six counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm. On Monday, the State Attorneys Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit said Edgar had been charged as an adult. He had previously been arrested on a grand theft charge in 2023, a crime that remains an active investigation. Smith told reporters Friday afternoon that the suspect has not been cooperative with police. Investigators are working to learn how he obtained the gun. Surveillance video released by Orlando police showed the suspect in a yellow shirt walking in the crowd. He appeared to raise his right hand and open fire. Crowds dispersed in all directions as gunfire rang out, according to the footage. The police video showed an officer knock down the suspect and three others ran to help arrest him. Smith said Halloween is one of the city's busiest nights of the year, with crowds between 50,000 to 100,000 people. About 100 police officers were patrolling the area and tackled the shooter soon after the shots were fired, Smith said. "The officers did a great job. They responded right when they heard the shooting, you know. So everybody else is running. Theyre not, theyre sitting in position looking for a shooter. They found a shooter. They took him down," he said. He said the suspect was determined to carry out the shooting and did not appear put off by the police presence. "Whatever his mindset was, he was going to shoot no matter what. He walked by multiple officers ... He walked by at least 10 officers, walked directly by them," Smith said. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced a local state of emergency in Orlandos downtown entertainment area and enacted a 1 a.m. curfew in the wake of the shooting. For the next seven days there will also be no alcohol sales after midnight. Dyer said the city had safety measures in place in the downtown area including coordinated entry and weapon screening. He said changes in the states concealed weapons laws have made it even easier for people to carry guns and bring guns downtown. Last year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation allowing residents to carry a concealed loaded weapon without a permit. Honestly, I am frustrated to have to stand in front of you all and again, share the news that we have senselessly lost another life due to gun violence, Dyer said. Near the scene of the shooting Friday morning, downtown workers and pedestrians went about their days without much sign of the violence that occurred hours before. About 10 feet of yellow police tape hung between a parking meter and a nearby business. Rocio Taylor, 70, who lives about three blocks from where the shooting occurred, said she doesnt go out past 7 p.m. on the weekends because the bar-and-club scene is too rowdy. She also mentioned the area often hosts festivals and draws a young crowd. Taylor, who works at a wedding dress shop, said she would like to see a bigger police presence. Its Halloween, she said. They drink too much alcohol. They go to nightclubs. Theyre out of control. Patrick Smith reported from London, Antonio Planas from Orlando and Marlene Lenthang from Los Angeles. In Alzheimers, nerve cells in the brain at some point start to dysfunction, leading to debilitating memory loss. The only approved treatments for Alzheimers disease are medications with limited effectiveness and a risk of severe, sometimes deadly, side effects. Thats why scientists search for therapies that could stop the disease, especially ones that dont involve drugs. One experimental therapy may slow the progression of symptoms, a small preliminary study suggests. Using a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) device, which is widely used to treat depression and other mental illnesses safely, researchers were able to target a key brain network that is involved in storing memories and is typically hit hard by the disease, according to the report presented Thursday at the Clinical Trials in Alzheimers Disease meeting in Madrid. Researchers found that when the device was aimed at the right spot in the brain, it could slow the development of symptoms, such as memory loss, compared to an inactive treatment. In Alzheimers, nerve cells in the brain at some point start to dysfunction, leading to the debilitating symptoms of memory loss. Previous research has indicated that the accumulation of two aberrant proteins, beta-amyloid and tau, damage the ability of neurons to form new connections and to maintain existing ones, said Dr. Giacomo Koch, a professor of human physiology at the University of Ferrara and one of the co-founders of Sinaptica, the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company currently developing the therapy. The goal is to restore connections between neurons by enhancing activity in certain areas relevant to the disease, Koch said in a Zoom interview with NBC News. This therapy is like training for the neurons. The idea is that just as exercise strengthens muscles, the electrical signals generated by the TMS might enhance the ability of neurons to make connections with one another. About 6.9 million people have Alzheimers in the U.S. That number could reach 13.8 million by 2060, according to the Alzheimers Association. The new study, a phase 2 clinical trial, included 32 volunteers with Alzheimers disease, aged 56 to 88 at the start of the study, who were followed for 52 weeks. Sixteen of the participants who got the treatment were women. At the start, the researchers determined the exact spot in the brains default mode network, which is involved in storing memories of life events, that would benefit the most from electrical stimulation by using TMS to ping various sites. When the right spot was nudged into action by the electricity, a signal would spread through the network like the ripples seen when a stone is tossed into a body of water. Next, 18 of the volunteers received weekly 20-minute sessions with the TMS while 14 received so-called sham treatments, in which participants were treated as if they were getting TMS therapy, but without the device being turned on, to rule out the placebo effect. The TMS device was crucial to the research because it allowed electrical signals to be generated in the brain without any sensation. It would be almost impossible to use an electrical current because it would be very painful, Koch said. In this case we can use very powerful magnetic fields, which are very well tolerated and safe to induce strong electrical currents in the brain. Side effects were fairly uncommon and included mild headaches, skin discomfort and neck pain. When the two groups were compared using standard cognitive tests, the researchers found the patients receiving TMS therapy had a 44% slower rate of symptoms worsening. To put that in perspective, two of the newer medications, lecanemab and donanemab, have been shown to moderately slow a decline in memory and thinking abilities by 27.1% and 22.3%, respectively. The treatments are monoclonal antibody infusions, given every two or four weeks and are costly $26,500 to $32,000 per patient per year. Both are associated with an increased risk of brain swelling and microhemorrhages. Whats more, during the yearlong TMS trial, participants receiving the experimental treatment showed little decline in their abilities to perform the activities of daily living. Thats important not only for the patient, but also for caregivers, Koch said. Koch and his colleagues are currently planning a phase 3 trial, which would be needed for Food and Drug Administration approval. Dr. Irina Skylar-Scott, a cognitive neurologist and a clinical assistant professor at Stanford Universitys Center for Memory Disorders, said the procedure in the study shows promise. As a field we are all excited about novel mechanisms and novel pathophysiological targets. However, there are significant limitations to the research. The trial size is small and involved only one location. Sinapticas weekly brain stimulation therapy is intended to strengthen connections in areas of the brain that control memory. The next step is to do a phase 3 trial across multiple centers to see if this bears fruit, said Skylar-Scott, who was not involved in the research. If it works it will be very exciting. The findings are very, very preliminary, said Dr. Lawrence Honig, a professor of neurology at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. On the face of it, if you look at the numbers, it did better on a number of scales compared to the sham treatment thats good. But as in any study, the devil is in the details. This is a small, single center study, Honig said. A multicenter trial would offer a little more hope of generalizability, he added, meaning it could apply to a broader group of people. Honig was not part of the new study. Honig would also like to see measurements of biomarkers in a future study, such as blood tests and brain scans to determine whether there are actual improvements in the disease, shown, for example by reductions in tau and/or amyloid in the brain, along with reducing symptoms. As for what he would tell his patients: On the basis of these results you cant say much about the utility of these treatments. The idea behind the new research is very cool, although limited by the small number of patients, said Dr. Ryan Darby, an assistant professor of neurology and director of the frontotemporal dementia clinic at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Another issue: Its not yet clear whether this method is something other centers will be able to easily adopt, said Darby, who was not part of the TMS research. But I think the results are exciting and worth pursuing. By Andrew Silver SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Just over a year ago, New Zealand customs officials started to intercept batches of injectable medications labelled Fitaro and Orsema, developed by a little-known Bangladeshi drugmaker, Incepta Pharmaceuticals. The injectable pens, 14 of which were seized at the border, contained semaglutide, a patented substance that helps control blood sugar levels and appetite and is the key ingredient in Novo Nordisk's blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, according to data from New Zealand's medicines regulator Medsafe, reviewed by Reuters. The Incepta drugs are part of an Asia-based supply chain manufacturing and exporting cheaper copies of Ozempic across the world, Reuters has found, driven by a spike in global demand for the drug. Ozempic was developed for type 2 diabetes but its active ingredient semaglutide is effective in promoting weight loss. The market for such weight-loss treatments, which Novo Nordisk is targeting with anti-obesity treatment Wegovy, is forecast to reach $150 billion by the early 2030s. According to a Reuters review, at least 106,000 packs of semaglutide-based medicines made in Asia by Incepta have been shipped to 12 foreign markets including countries like the United States and Britain where Ozempic is protected by patents. Incepta did not respond to multiple requests for comment about Fitaro and Orsema, which are approved for sale in Bangladesh, according to public records and information provided by a local regulatory official. The official with the Bangladesh Directorate General of Drug Administration, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said Bangladeshi regulators had given Incepta permission to export Fitaro or Orsema but only provided it had won approval from receiving countries. The injectable pens, which are not authorised for use in New Zealand, were referred to Medsafe between August 2023 and May 2024 and destroyed, data from the regulator showed. Medsafe told Reuters the Fitaro and Orsema batches that were destroyed appeared to be for personal use but did not comment on whether the medicines carried any health risk. "Medicines that have been imported from overseas will not have been assessed and approved by Medsafe, so carry a significant risk as there is no assurance they have been made to an acceptable level of quality," the regulator added in response to a Reuters query about imports of semaglutide-based drugs. Reuters has previously reported that semaglutide drugs from Bangladesh were sold on India-based online marketplace IndiaMART. The latest reporting shows that the international distribution of semaglutide drugs not made by Novo Nordisk is much wider. The data surveyed by Reuters came from pharmaceutical regulators in Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and the United States; information from a commercial customs data provider for Kenya, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates; and records of intercepted drugs from Britain, Switzerland and Ireland. In addition, an interview with a trade show exhibitor, a review of data from the commercial customs data provider, and from Brazil's Justice Ministry showed that six little-known companies, four of which are based in Asia, manufacture semaglutide-based medicines and that their products are shipped overseas. At least three of these firms imported the key ingredient from China and at least one of their products was promoted online and in person outside the country of origin, according to the commercial customs data provider's data, an interview with an employee at Chinese supplier Nanjing Hanxin Pharmaceutical Technology, and a website and social media app reviewed by Reuters. These players take advantage of global patent exemptions allowed for less developed countries and instances of loose patent enforcement in countries including in China, the Reuters review shows. Novo Nordisk told Reuters it is the only approved manufacturer of semaglutide globally, and it could not vouch for the safety or effectiveness of products claiming to contain semaglutide made by other manufacturers. Even though Novo Nordisk's semaglutide is protected by international licences, countries like Bangladesh and Laos, classified as least developed nations by the United Nations, enjoy exemptions from industry patent rules. The Danish firm, which has quickly become Europe's most valuable company with a market capitalisation of around $400 billion, states on its website that it does not enforce patents in less developed countries. Given the frenzied demand for Ozempic, the financial impact of possible patent infringement on Novo Nordisk is currently limited. "Illegal versions of the drugs today do not cannibalize Novo's sales given they are selling every dose they can produce," said Nicholas Anderson, portfolio manager and managing director at global asset management firm Thornburg Investment Management, which owns Novo Nordisk stocks. However, such copies are raising healthcare concerns. Medicines regulators in at least six countries including the U.S., Britain and Ireland have rejected, destroyed or seized some of Incepta's semaglutide-based drugs, according to drug regulator records and responses from regulators to Reuters' queries. In one case, unauthorised semaglutide was recalled in South Africa in December, because of potential health risks, according to a public notice posted in January by the local medicines regulator. The authority told Reuters the ingredient was sourced from a supplier in China not authorised to produce the ingredient in Ozempic, without providing more details. "The semaglutide, said to be found in this unauthorised substance, may contain unexpected impurities or degradation products which can have unknown effects on patients," the notice said. Reuters found no evidence that these products would have caused any harm to patients, but their spread could add to public health concerns about a sector also threatened by fake Ozempic. PARALLEL SUPPLY CHAIN The official with the Bangladesh Directorate General of Drug Administration said Orsema was approved in Bangladesh and considered safe. Fitaro is also approved for sale, public records show. A clinic in the capital Dhaka has prescribed Incepta's Fitaro injector pens to around 20 patients, all foreigners based in Bangladesh, according to a manager, who declined to be named or identify the clinic due to the sensitivity around the treatment. "When patients found out that Fitaro was available in Bangladesh at a maximum monthly cost of around $60 a month, (against) $650 in the U.S. (for Wegovy), they didn't seem particularly focused on who the manufacturer was," the manager said. In Laos, semaglutide-based medicines can only be legally produced and distributed for national use, Davone Duangdany, director of the drug and medical device control division within the Laos health ministry, told Reuters. But some Chinese companies have been promoting Laos-produced semaglutide tablets in China, where Novo Nordisk's patent is due to expire in 2026 or earlier if it loses a legal challenge. At an industry exhibition in Shanghai in June that Reuters attended, ingredient manufacturer Nanjing Hanxin Pharmaceutical Technology displayed boxes of Semagcare semaglutide tablets, manufactured by Laos-based Boten Elemento Pharma. Abdu Zoghbi, business development director of Nanjing Hanxin, told Reuters that his company provides semaglutide to the Laos-based drugmaker. "We don't know which countries (Semagcare is sold to) but we are doing the promotion because once they sell more, we sell more API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) to them," he told Reuters when asked about why it was showcasing the drug at the expo. Boten Elemento Pharma's Semagcare tablets appeared on sale on a Chinese language website and also a Chinese social media app, according to a Reuters review. Sales of semaglutide by a Chinese company could amount to an infringement of Novo Nordisk's China patent, said Frank Yang, senior associate at Marks & Clerk Intellectual Property Agency in reply to a Reuters query about possible licences breaches. A spokeswoman for Novo Nordisk said the company does not produce the ingredient in China. The China National Intellectual Property Administration declared the Danish drugmaker's patent invalid in September 2022. However, Novo Nordisk successfully appealed this decision. Novo Nordisk told Reuters it is now awaiting a court decision on a subsequent appeal. "We hope to see a continued trend in supporting and protecting innovation during patent invalidation proceedings," a Novo Nordisk spokesperson said in response to questions about whether it was enforcing its patent in China. Contacted by Reuters by fax, the Chinese medicine regulator did not reply to queries about quality controls at the Chinese firms making semaglutide. A second Chinese firm, Shanghai Longtide Biotechnology, which described itself as a biotechnology company, also displayed a box of Semagcare tablets at its booth at a separate trade show in Shenzhen that Reuters also attended. Reuters contacted Boten Elemento Pharma through its website but the company did not respond. A business registered as Shanghai Longtide Biotechnology did not reply to requests for comment. BENDING BOUNDARIES A third Chinese biotechnology firm, Zhejiang Peptites Biotech, is among the suppliers of semaglutide to Incepta, the data from the commercial customs data provider showed. The Bangladeshi drugmaker has imported at least 892 grams of semaglutide valued at about $805,000 between 2020 and 2024 from mainland China and Hong Kong, according to a Reuters calculation based on the customs data provider's shipment data for Zhejiang Peptites Biotech and other suppliers. Zhejiang Peptites Biotech also supplied at least 25.6 kg of semaglutide, valued about $2.8 million, to Russian drugmaker Geropharm in 2023 and 2024, according to Reuters calculations based on the customs data provider's data. Geropharm can use inventions protected by Russian patents to provide semaglutide-based medication to the local population without Novo's consent until the end of December, according to a Russian government decree issued in December 2023. The Russian company said Zhejiang Peptites Biotech's supply of semaglutide is carried out in accordance with a contract and it does not export the finished drug, Semavic, abroad. However, Semavic was exported from Russia multiple times to the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia, information from the commercial customs data provider reviewed by Reuters showed. Zhejiang Peptites Biotech did not respond to a request for comment on shipments of semaglutide to Incepta and Geropharm. The customs data showed that it was not only Chinese firms supplying semaglutide: Incepta has imported the ingredient from Swiss generic drugmaker Bachem. A spokesperson for Bachem said it produces semaglutide for pharmaceutical companies for research and development purposes only and declined to comment on its relationship with Incepta. Medicines regulator Swissmedic told Reuters Bachem was authorised to export semaglutide, but added Swissmedic was "not supervising patents". (Reporting by Andrew Silver; Additional reporting from Gleb Stolyarov in Tbilisi, Ruma Paul in Dhaka, Farah Master in Hong Kong, Fabio Teixeira in Rio de Janeiro, Daniela Desantis in Asuncion, Rishika Sadam in New Delhi; Vivian Sequera in Caracas, Editing by Miyoung Kim and Lisa Jucca) Weary Boeing (BA) investors are getting a lift on Friday after the planemaker and its main worker union, the International Association of Machinists (IAM), struck a tentative deal. Under the proposal, Boeing upped its pay hike to 38% over the course of the four-year contract, up from the last offers 30% raise; merged the prior $7,000 ratification bonus with a $5,000 lump sum payment for a total $12K into 401(k) plans or as a cash payout; increased its 401(K) match; and lowered health care premiums, among other things. Boeing stock is up nearly 4% in midday trade as traders and investors bet the new offer will seal the deal. It is time for our Members to lock in these gains and confidently declare victory, the IAM said to its 30,000 union members. We believe asking members to stay on strike longer wouldn't be right as we have achieved so much success. Boeings only statement with regards to the sweetened offer: We encourage all of our employees to learn more about the improved offer and vote on Monday, Nov. 4. Interestingly, Boeing committed to building its next airplane in the Seattle/Puget Sound region, where IAM is located, suggesting union members will assemble it. Boeing has a non-union plant in South Carolina, where some 787 Dreamliners are built. For Boeing, the resolution of this labor strike is tantamount. Last week, the company reported negative operating cash flow of $1.34 billion and a staggering third quarter net loss of $6.17 billion, bringing total losses in 2024 to nearly $8 billion. Will they vote "yes?" Boeing workers from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751 attend a rally at their union hall during an ongoing strike in Seattle, Washington, U.S. Oct. 15, 2024. (REUTERS/David Ryder/File Photo) (Reuters / Reuters) Boeing said negative operating cash flow reflected lower commercial plane deliveries as well as the impact of the work stoppage. Prior to the labor strike, Boeing was under heavy scrutiny to improve its safety culture following the Alaska Airlines door blowout in January, which was limiting the number of 737 MAX aircraft it could produce. Boeings dwindling cash position threatened the companys investment credit rating, which led to the company announcing earlier this week that it would launch a $19 billion share sale to boost its cash reserves. The financial impact of the ongoing labor strike, entering its sixth week, has been costly for Boeing, the industry, and its union workers. The Anderson Economic Group estimates union members lost $808.3 million in wages, with Boeing suppliers losing over $2.3 billion. With Anderson estimating losses for Boeing at nearly $5.6 billion, the research firm projects overall direct losses for all parties involved, and the Seattle Metro area, at $9.66 billion. Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram. Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks during a bus tour campaign rally at the Shiner Park venue on October 18, 2024 in College Station, Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Images Border crossing numbers are down to their lowest point in four years, but that isnt stopping U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz from hammering away at the issue in his closing message to voters as he crisscrosses the state. While most of his ads have attacked his Democratic rival, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, over transgender issues, Cruz is making clear he is still betting big on the border driving voters to reelect him to the Senate for another six years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Ive spent a lot of time at our southern border, Cruz told dozens of supporters at a warehouse in Georgetown earlier this week. If you have not been there recently, I promise you, as bad as you think it is, its worse. While border crossing numbers are down now, Cruz reminded the crowd that U.S. Customs and Border Protection still reported millions of encounters with migrants since President Joe Biden took office (a single migrant may have multiple encounters with border agents) and that doesn't factor in migrants who slipped through undetected. Its the worst illegal immigration in our nations history, Cruz said during an earlier stop this month in Waco. To fire up his crowds, hes focused heavily on crimes allegedly committed by migrants. Most notably Cruz has featured the murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray of Houston in ads and has talked about her death at nearly every stop of his 50-city bus tour of Texas in October. Two men, both of them Venezuelan nationals, have been arrested and are awaiting trial for capital murder in connection to Jocelyn's death in June. Studies have repeatedly shown that immigrants commit crimes at a lower rate than U.S.-born citizens, and the latest federal statistics show crime is declining overall. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cruz said if hes sent back to the Senate he will again support building the border wall in South Texas, which he insists Allred is against despite the Democrat's campaign statements. Cruz points to votes Allred made during his first term for legislation that would have blocked Trump from diverting funding from the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security to fund border wall construction. Allred has said he supports using physical barriers as part of the strategy for securing the border. While other Democrats nationally have largely avoided talking about border issues, Allred has tried to be more on offense on the issue. In a new 30-second ad hitting this weekend, Allreds campaign blasts the incumbent for opposing a bipartisan border bill in the U.S. Senate earlier this year that would have freed up money to hire more border agents and immigration judges to handle asylum cases faster. We're tired of the talk, Culberson County Sheriff Oscar Carrillo says in Allreds ad. We need action on border security. Earlier this year, Allred praised the Biden administration for restarting construction of about 20 miles of border wall, mostly around Starr County east of Laredo, even as Biden himself said he was only doing it because Republicans forced his hand. During Allred's first term in the U.S. House he voted for legislation that would have blocked Trump from diverting funding from the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security to fund the construction of a border wall. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Monthly border crossings have steadily declined since March, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. In September, the agency reported that just 26,000 migrants had been encountered in the five Texas sectors of the border with Mexico. That is lower than the final months of the Trump presidency, when they were encountering 44,000 people per month in Texas. Public polling shows why Cruz is returning to the issue of border security to turn out voters. Even as numbers have come down, voters continue to say it is a top issues driving them to get to the polls. A Texas Politics Project poll from the University of Texas at Austin in October asked 1,200 likely voters to identify the most important problem facing Texas. Nearly a third said immigration or the border, more than double that of any other issue. At the same time, Cruz has tried to walk a fine line on former President Donald Trump's vow to support a mass deportation plan if he wins back the White House. Immediately after taking the oath of office, I will launch the largest mass deportation program in American history," Trump said at a rally in Austin. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Speaking to reporters in Georgetown, Cruz said the overwhelming majority of Americans agree with deporting undocumented people in the country. Students and supporters rally in Los Angeles on the day the Supreme Court heard arguments in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program in 2019. When Camila Bortolleto was 9 years old, her parents brought her from Brazil to the U.S. Bortolletos parents are undocumented, but in 2013 she was approved for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which allowed her to get a job and, with it, job-based health insurance. Bortolleto, now 36 and living in Connecticut, left her job at a nonprofit in June, which meant losing her health insurance and leaving her with no other options: DACA recipients have been barred from receiving government-funded health insurance. That changed Friday, when tens of thousands of DACA recipients became able to sign up for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act for the first time. Camila Bortolleto was approved for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in 2013. The change which coincided with the first day of the ACAs open enrollment period marks a pivotal moment for the more than 535,000 active DACA recipients in the U.S. That lack of access, experts say, has led to high rates of uninsured among DACA recipients, sometimes referred to as "Dreamers." In May, the Biden administration finalized a rule that allows DACA recipients to apply for coverage through HealthCare.gov, as well as the state-based marketplaces, starting Nov. 1. It also lets them access subsidies that lower the cost of monthly premiums. Bortolleto said she plans to sign up as early as Friday. Several weeks ago, she said she was bitten by a dog. Although she was in severe pain, she said, she initially avoided the emergency room because of the cost. I wasnt going to go, Bortolleto said. But later in the morning, it just hurt, not just the dog bite, but everything hurt. The visit wound up costing her a couple of hundred dollars. It does give me a sense of safety that I will be able to get health insurance while I still look for the next job, Bortolleto said. Bortolleto said she plans to sign up government-funded health insurance as early as Friday. High uninsured rates DACA was an executive action signed by then-President Barack Obama in June 2012 that protected undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children from deportation and gave them work authorization. For many, the ability to work also meant access to health insurance. Without access to government-funded programs, insurance options are extremely limited for Dreamers who didnt get coverage through their jobs, said Drishti Pillai, director of immigrant health policy at KFF, a nonprofit group that researches health policy issues. Some turn to state programs for undocumented immigrants, she said. Others may go uninsured and rely on community health clinics that offer free or low-cost care. While people can buy coverage directly through an insurer, the cost is often exorbitant and usually not an option for undocumented immigrants, Pillai said. The limited options, she said, mean many DACA recipients cant get quality health insurance, resulting in high uninsured rates. A survey published last year by the immigrant rights nonprofit group National Immigration Law Center found that about 1 in 4 DACA recipients reported being uninsured. Now, they will have access to the same health insurance plans that other people do in the ACA, Pillai said. The change is expected to help more than 100,000 people get health insurance, according to a White House fact sheet. DACA recipients, however, still wont be able to get coverage through Medicaid or the Childrens Health Insurance Program, which offers free or low-cost insurance for kids and teens, Pillai said. Legal challenges In August, Kansas and 18 other states filed a lawsuit to block the ACA rule from taking effect. The suit was filed in a federal district court in North Dakota and was assigned to a judge appointed by former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit says that expanding coverage to DACA recipients will create additional resource burdens and harm to taxpayers. It also says it will encourage undocumented immigrants to remain in the U.S. in hopes of receiving health insurance through the ACA. Arthur Caplan, head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, described the lawsuit as just more anti-immigration politics. The lawsuit is obnoxious and in many ways counterproductive to public interest, he said. It makes sense to get people into health insurance because theyre here and theyre going to show up to the ER if they get sick and youre going to pay for them at higher prices. Its not like theyre not going to get health care anywhere, Caplan added. Theyre going to get it most likely in emergency rooms, which are the most expensive setting. In a statement, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who is leading the legal effort, said: The Biden administrations effort to give Obamacare benefits to illegal aliens at taxpayer expense plainly violates two different laws. That is why Kansas went to court, and that is why we expect to prevail. Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, deputy director of federal advocacy at United We Dream, an immigrant advocacy group, said the outcome of the presidential election could also threaten whether coverage continues, noting that Trump tried to eliminate the DACA program entirely. Macedo do Nascimento, 38, of Maryland, is a DACA recipient herself and currently gets health insurance through her job. But when she was 22 and uninsured, she had an ovarian cyst rupture, which required emergency surgery. The hospital bill for the procedure was around $30,000, she said. The bill was eventually sent to collections, where it was reduced to $13,000, a sum that took Macedo do Nascimento five years to pay off. We know a lot of folks who have DACA might not have the same access, she said. Folks who own their own businesses or who work for small businesses that are exempt from it would not have been able to access health care. This is my home Dania Sarahi Quezada, 27, a third-year law student at the University of Washington, plans to purchase a health insurance plan Friday. Quezada moved to the U.S. from Mexico when she was 5 years old and became a DACA recipient in 2012. She and other DACA recipients have asked the court to allow them to join the Kansas case, siding with the defense. Quezada is diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder. A full-time law student, she doesnt have health insurance. She is able to get by because her university offers one subsidized health care visit each quarter at the student clinic on campus. She uses that one-time visit exclusively to get her OCD medication refilled and pays for the prescription out of pocket. But if any sort of urgent health care issue arises, I deal with it on my own the best I can, Quezada said. She said that shes concerned about the lawsuit, but that shell continue to seek health care even if the Republican-led states are successful. This is my home, and I am going to fight to be allowed to live here, she said. Evacuations have been ordered for San Diego residents as first responders battle an active brush fire near the San Diego State University area on Thursday. The "large and growing" Fairmount Fire was burned at least 40 acres southwest of the campus, which is not under any threat, according to the San Diego Police Department. The blaze remains at 0% containment as of 4 p.m. local time. Officials have closed roads and ordered evacuations in effect until at least midnight. First responders from multiple agencies are on the scene battling the blaze, including air support dropping water and retardant, the San Diego Fire Department reported. Officials are ordering residents to avoid the area for the time being. A 40-acre brush fire burned southwest of the San Diego State University campus Thursday afternoon on Oct. 31, 2024. Smoke advisory issued, elementary school evacuated A smoke advisory has been issued for central and southeastern San Diego County as the Fairmount fire continues to blow southeast Thursday evening. While winds are expected to weaken overnight, smoke will fall near the ground impacting communities near Lemon Grove, Encanto, and Bonita, according to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District. "If you are near the affected communities and smell smoke it is advised that you limit physical/outdoor activity," the district wrote. "If possible, stay indoors to limit your exposure to fine particulate matter and ozone, especially those residents with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children. While the blaze poses no danger to San Diego State's campus, several schools like Hardy Elementary were evacuated to the university's Viejas Arena, local station KSWB-TV reported. "We ask for the publics patience" San Diego Police Lt. Dan Meyer told the station. "We have quite a bit of resources out here fighting this fire, many agencies involved and we need the roadways clear. I know its a delay for the public, but its absolutely needed." California fire map US Wildfire, smoke map This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Evacuations ordered as fire burns southwest of San Diego State campus A Florida bail bondsman allegedly targeted incarcerated female inmates and offered them bond in exchange for sex, the state's attorney general said. Russell Bruce Moncrief was charged with human trafficking and racketeering after prosecutors alleged that he used his position to prey on women being held on prostitution and drug charges, Attorney General Ashley Moodys Office said in a news release. Some of the inmates were being held at Orange County jail. Moncrief, the owner of Moncrief Bail Bonds in multiple Florida counties, allegedly offered to bond out the women "in exchange for sex." He also offered to bail out inmates "in exchange for sex from someone outside of jail" and allegedly sold women he bonded out to other buyers, Moody's office said. Moncrief targeted female inmates in Orange County jail. Prosecutors accused him of using threats of revoking, pulling or violating their bonds as a form of force, fraud or coercion. "After bailing his victims out of jail, he continued to use his power over them to sell the women for sex to others for his own financial gain," Moody said in a statement, calling it a "sickening scheme." Authorities learned of Moncrief's scheme while investigating former defense attorney John Gillespie for committing similar crimes, the attorney general said. Victims of Gillespie told investigators they had also been forced to perform sex acts with Moncrief, the office said. He faces up to 125 years of jail time. Attorney information was not listed for him in online court records. A Florida man was arrested after allegedly hiding radio-controlled explosive devices in the restrooms of a casino, local authorities said. Bryan Robert Eckley, 46, of Tampa, has been charged with two counts of making, possessing, throwing, projecting, placing or discharging a destructive device, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced Thursday. Eckley did everything he could to hide from law enforcement, the department's Tampa Bay Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell said in a news release. But thanks to the exceptional work of this investigative and forensic team, he will be held accountable for his actions. Eckley is currently being represented by the Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office. USA TODAY contacted the office on Friday but has not received a response. Authorities did not name which of Tampa's casinos where the explosives were hidden. How was Bryan Eckley identified? The investigation into Eckley began on Sept. 30 in Tampa after someone hid two of the radio-controlled explosives inside two restrooms in a local casino, according to the department. Employees found the devices before they caused any damage, the agency added. Several leads helped investigators narrow down the suspect as a male driving a white Ford Explorer. Interviews, surveillance and analytical work led to them identifying Eckley, according to the agency. Days before planting the explosive devices in September, Eckley was arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in an unrelated aggravated assault with a firearm case, the agency said. Forensic analysts tied evidence from that case to the explosives, according to the release. Eckley was arrested on Wednesday and booked into the Hillsborough County Jail. He does not currently have a bond and his pretrial detention hearing is scheduled for Nov. 5, inmate and court records show. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida man charged after explosives found hidden in casino restrooms WASHINGTON House Speaker Mike Johnson has said Republicans wont try to repeal the Affordable Care Act despite saying this week that GOP lawmakers have their eye on overhauling health care. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says not to believe it. Republicans have repeatedly tried to repeal the landmark 2010 health care law known as Obamacare, which is now highly favored by most Americans, Jeffries pointed out in an exclusive interview with USA TODAY. House Republicans have been obsessed with repealing the Affordable Care Act since 2010, the moment it was first enacted. It's clear as day to the American people, and that has now been affirmed by multiple members of House Republican leadership," Jeffries said. "They are determined to end the Affordable Care Act as we know it." The landmark health care law expanded Medicaid, forced insurers to cover patients with preexisting conditions and required coverage for preventative care. It also allowed young adults to stay on their parents' health insurance until the age of 26 and implemented a number of consumer protections for people buying individual insurance. While it was controversial when it passed, it's popular today. More than 60% of Americans have a favorable view of it. But what did Johnson say? In a video first reported by NBC, the speaker told attendees at a campaign event in Pennsylvania Monday night that health care reform would be a part of Republicans' agenda in the first 100 days of the new Congress, should Republicans win both chambers and the White House. No Obamacare? a crowd member asked Johnson after the speaker said the GOP wants to take a blowtorch to the regulatory state. No Obamacare, he replied. The ACA is so deeply ingrained, we need massive reform to make this work, and weve got a lot of ideas of how to do that." Johnson's comments have made the marquee health care law a campaign issue in the final days leading up to the election. Which party will win the House remains anybody's game, and both Johnson and Jeffries are traveling the country stumping for vulnerable lawmakers. Democrats have pounced on Johnson's comments as an indicator the party plans to try again to repeal the law, while Johnson has said he has made "no such promise." Johnson said Democrats have mischaracterized his remarks, and former President Donald Trump's campaign said he does not plan to end the ACA. Trump promised during his 2016 campaign to eliminate the law. In an interview with Fox News Thursday, Johnson told the outlet "What we were talking about is we are on a continual quest to lower the cost of health care for people, to protect those with preexisting conditions... to expand access to care and the quality of care," Johnson said, accusing Democrats of "lying" about his position. Jeffries told USA TODAY voters shouldn't believe that explanation. He cited a CNN interview in which National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Rep. Richard Hudson, said there are bipartisan things Congress can do to increase access and reduce health care costs before adding: "I agree with the speaker that we ought to take a hard look at our health care policies." Democrats have also proposed changes to current health care law, including Vice President Kamala Harris' plan to expand benefits for at-home senior care. But Jeffries told USA TODAY that "We're committed as House Democrats to protecting the Affordable Care Act." The most recent effort from Republicans to curb the Affordable Care Act was defeated in 2017, when Trump was president, by three Senate Republicans joining with Senate Democrats to quash the bill. This election cycle, Trump has remained vague about his health care reform plans should he be reelected to another term. "I'm going to keep the Affordable Care Act, unless we can do something much better," Trump said in August. "Well keep it. It stinks. Its not good. If we can do something better, were going to do something with it if we can do better, meaning less expensive and better health care for you." Other Republicans have continued pushing to end the health care legislation. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, reposted Johnsons comments on Thursday and wrote: Kill Obamacare now. Asked during the presidential debate in September to clarify his plan, Trump said he has "concepts of a plan" to change the ACA. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jeffries hits back after Johnson says GOP eyeing Obamacare changes Police in Colorado were searching for suspects Friday after an overnight shooting at a Halloween party left three people dead and left three others injured, officials said. Just after midnight on Friday, police responded to a report of shots fired at a house in Northglenn, a suburb of Denver. At the scene, officers learned gunfire had erupted during a large house party. One person was pronounced dead at the scene and five people suffering gunshot wounds were taken to area hospitals, the Northglenn Police Department said in a statement on social media. Two people were later pronounced dead. "Currently, there are no suspects in custody," the department said. "Officers remain on scene and there are no known threats to the public." In a statement, the police department said the names of the victims will not be released until the victims' families are notified. The incident prompted a temporary shelter-in-place order for the surrounding area. Elsewhere, two people were killed and six were injured in an overnight shooting in downtown Orlando, where tens-of-thousands of people in costumes were celebrating Halloween. This year, there have been at least 440 mass shootings in the U.S., according to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit that defines mass shootings as incidents involving four or more victims. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Halloween party shooting in Denver suburb leaves 3 dead Nine Republican operatives and canvassers connected to the Elon Musk-backed America PAC told NBC News that theyre worried the high-profile grassroots operation on behalf of Donald Trumps presidential bid may hamper his chances in states decided by slim margins. America PAC has been tasked with much of the pro-Trump canvassing operation as his campaign focuses its efforts on a more limited effort targeting so-called low-propensity voters. In turn, the Musk-backed organization is going door to door in all of the major swing states to help turn out Trump supporters and have them fill out surveys about their voting intentions. But the people who spoke to NBC News, many of whom have years of experience in GOP field operations, said the operation may not be the well-oiled machine many in the party might hope it is, especially considering how much money is behind the effort. In particular, they raised concerns about canvassers submitting an inordinate amount of suspect data. That data, some of which NBC News has reviewed, includes entries submitted far from the home or while canvassers are logged into Wi-Fi networks telltale signs that a door was not knocked on, sources said. In addition, a video explaining how to spoof ones location while submitting data drew attention in Nevada and Arizona, raising further concerns. I know its been flagged for America PAC that this has been transpiring, an operative formerly on the effort said. As some of that data spilled into public view last month, an operative close to the effort said: All hell has broken loose inside the PAC. Elon Musk attends a rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pa., on Oct. 5. The super PAC denied that the suspicious entries were debilitating the effort. America PAC provided a statement signed by leaders at all of the major canvassing vendors working under its umbrella, as well as the head of its data platform, that disputed concerns over their data, pointing to in-house auditing programs each company employs. Despite the lies being peddled by anonymous sources with agendas and a lack of knowledge of the facts, the America PAC field program is the most robust and effective outside canvassing effort ever, knocking on more doors with more people in more isolated terrain than has ever been done before, Drew Ryun of Campaign Sidekick, Chris Turner of Patriot Grassroots, Jefferson Thomas of Synapse Group, Josh Penry of Blitz Canvassing and Jon Seaton of Echo Canyon Consulting said in a joint statement. We are fully confident in the authenticity of our door counts thanks to the rigorous auditing infrastructure each canvassing firm deploys to supplement Campaign Sidekicks strong capabilities, and we are on pace to exceed every single one of our door goals. The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Theres going to be hell to pay This election cycle is the first in which so much of a presidential nominees get-out-the-vote effort and field operation have been outsourced to a super PAC a model that was attempted during Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis primary bid and is being replicated now for Trump. Many of those operatives who helmed DeSantis operation are now in charge at Musks super PAC, which is backed in part by roughly $119 million in investments from him. Door-to-door canvassing, a major component of what is known as the ground game, can make a difference in elections that are determined by 1 percentage point or less. With this election shaping up as one in which many and potentially all of the seven major swing states could be decided by that tight margin, the Musk-backed effort could be at the front of the line for plaudits should he win or topping the list of reasons he lost. Follow live updates on the 2024 election Those who spoke with NBC News ranged from on-the-ground canvassers to mid-level managers to senior operatives close to the PAC. They were granted anonymity to offer candid assessments and provide information without imperiling their professional prospects. There are enough bodies on the ground that there could still be, I think, a modicum of success, the operative close to the effort said. Maybe not quite the resounding success that Elon Musk was hoping he was investing in, but I do think that you can do a lot over the final sprint. In recent weeks, America PACs full canvassing portfolio has been divided among four firms: Blitz Canvassing, Patriot Grassroots, Echo Canyon Consulting and The Synapse Group, with each having certain states in its portfolio. Those groups, as is often the case in the paid canvassing universe, also subcontract out to other firms to take on part of their assignments. Elon Musk speaks at a town hall on Oct. 20 in Pittsburgh. The firm with the largest portfolio is Blitz, which oversees operations in Nevada, Michigan, Arizona and North Carolina. Through late October, America PAC had spent upward of $54 million on Blitzs services, according to Federal Election Commission filings more than the PAC has on the three other vendors combined. Phil Cox, who is heading the PAC, is also connected to Blitz. America PAC ended its relationships this summer with two other prominent GOP-aligned canvassing firms that were knocking on doors as part of its effort. The operative close to the effort added that if several of the key swing states come down to 10, 15, 20,000 voters, or even less, and it turns out many of the voters Blitz was aiming to contact were not reached, man, theres going to be hell to pay. Faulty data can mess up a candidates get-out-the-vote effort by giving a false impression of where it needs to target or who is or is not a supporter. Such cheating has been an issue in GOP survey and turnout operations for years, and canvassing insiders acknowledge that some level of fraud by canvassers takes place on virtually any effort in both parties. Yet operatives working on the America PAC effort, some of whom had experience working in races over the last few cycles, when canvassing operations were similarly plagued by suspicious entries, said the amount of flagged data surpassed even what they experienced then. Data reviewed by NBC News from Campaign Sidekick, the app America PACs door-knockers are using as they canvass, showed what sources described as an inordinate number of potentially suspicious data entries filed in recent weeks. In Arizona, nearly a quarter of data entries submitted in early- to mid-October were flagged in the apps unusual activity log. That trigger automatically fires when door-knockers submit entries more than 100 feet away from the homes they are marking off, or if their locations are marked as a flat zero feet away from the homes, which occurs when the app is connected to Wi-Fi which, in most instances, should not be the case for door-knockers walking around outside. In Nevada, more than 46,000 suspicious doors were entered into the system from Oct. 12 to Oct. 19. A person familiar with the effort said the PAC has a random audit program to guard against fraud, adding, Everyone gets an eyeball every few days. The PAC uses other analytical tools to identify potential anomalies and then issues physical audits off of the forensic audit, this person said, adding that canvassers are routinely fired for not doing the work or for fraudulently submitting data. Whats more, this person said, Campaign Sidekick isnt meant to be a fraud auditing app, and the PAC doesnt use it as such. Elon Musk joins former President Donald Trump during a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on Oct. 5. The reason the PAC is confident in its door metrics is because of the robust in-person and forensic auditing efforts each of its four canvassing firms deploy, this person said. How to cheat: 'You want to make it look realistic' Theres also a video that has rocketed around the canvassing world in recent weeks featuring a person demonstrating how to use a location-spoofing app to cheat in America PACs app. As part of the demonstration, the person submitted faulty data for two people in Nevada. A source with access to America PACs back end confirmed to NBC News that those names were actually entered into the system and were not initially flagged as suspicious, given that the location spoofing app placed the user close to the persons home. NBC News, which received the video from two separate Republican operatives, has not confirmed who created it. The person familiar with the effort said Blitz was able to identify the person in question by comparing data offered in the video with the back end of Campaign Sidekick and immediately fired the person on Sept. 30. The source said the canvasser in question submitted the data on Aug. 29, before Blitz had taken over the Nevada portfolio. As our auditing team came online, the individual in question, hired in this first hiring wave, was quickly identified and fired for spoofing, this person said. Our anti-spoofing and anti-fraud systems are industry-leading, and the termination of the individual in question is simply proof. In a separate statement, Turner, Thomas, Penry and Seaton addressed their capabilities for rooting out door data that has been submitted through location spoofing. The low propensity turnout programs are working, and early voting in the battleground states proves it, they said, pointing to an increased share of Republicans in the early vote in key states. Every door that is marked leaves unique fingerprints, and the fingerprints of a door marked with a spoofing app leave these fingerprints in neon colors. We have tech-enabled auditing and fraud prevention tools to identify and dismiss the bad apples, the client doesnt pay a dime, and the door gets knocked by the next canvasser. In the video, the person who offered the step-by-step guide to cheating said he baselessly fills out the door-to-door survey on voters behalf as being supportive of Trump and that they will vote early. GOP canvassing operatives said a further issue with door-knockers cheating is that the fake results they submit will most often be favorable to the client they are knocking for. This is what I do. I put Definitely Yes [for if they plan to vote]. Donald Trump. Early vote. End survey, the man doing the demonstration says in the video. So its pretty much that simple. You just keep bouncing between houses. And you dont want to go too fast. You want to make it look realistic. Id say its 30 to 40 seconds [for] each house. The video, which was first reported by The Guardian, raised fears that even the data reviewed by NBC News may have understated the level of potentially fraudulent door-knocking entries, sources said. In response to NBC News, another person familiar with the effort dismissed the concerns and said the America PAC canvassing effort is a well-oiled machine, and all you have to do is look at early returns in battleground states to see the impact Elon is having. But this program is high-demand and hard work; its not for everyone, this person said. There is no patience for the hucksters and prima donnas who are lying to the press because they couldnt hang with those of us working hard every day. Elsewhere, field organizers have suggested they will not be able to hit the door-knocking targets they have set. In Wisconsin, Alysia McMillan, a former state House candidate in Arizona who knocked for the PAC in multiple states before the group fired her, shared audio she recorded that was first shared with Reuters from an Oct. 8 training session in Wisconsin. During that session, a manager warned they were not going to be able to reach their goals. (The first person familiar with the effort said the PAC will outperform its metrics laid out in July in every state.) I havent seen it in writing, so Ive heard some people say 450,000 doors we have to knock from the 17th of September to Election Day, the manager said in the recording, adding, Were not going to hit 450,000, not with what weve got right now. Knocking on doors in a storm As data issues started to pop up, the super PAC was also dealing with a very different storm Hurricane Helene. Two canvassers who spoke with NBC News said they were made to knock in North Carolina as the storm rolled in on Sept. 27. Those canvassers said they were part of a team that was assigned to hit doors in Iredell County, north of Charlotte, as Helene, then a tropical storm, was barreling down on the state. One canvasser, who also shared a text chain from that day with their team, relayed that they learned they would be knocking after a Zoom meeting that morning in which leadership said canvassers could make calls instead of canvass but that their direct manager opted to go door to door, instead. If I go into the troubles that we went through just getting into the field, working, Im talking about soggy literature, right? this person said. Ponchos on ponchos. It was very bad, this person added. Weather and news reports from that day showed that multiple inches of rain fell, thousands of people lost power, trees fell, and roads were obstructed. The second canvasser said a lot of people quit right after that episode. Im knocking on peoples doors, this person said. Theyre looking at me like Im crazy. The manager who the sources said assigned them to knock that day did not respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, the first person familiar with the effort denied that any canvassers in the path of the storm were told to go door-knocking on Sept. 27, saying the PAC announced on the Zoom call that canvassers would be making phone calls rather than go door to door. Virtually the entire team was on the phones in the morning, but as weather allowed, a number of canvassers notified us they wanted to canvass, this person said. Safety was always emphasized, with the team being instructed to stay inside if there was any question. The second person familiar with the effort hit back against those claims, too, saying there was not a chance anyone was made to knock that day. Both canvassers and GOP operatives who spoke with NBC News said they were sharing the information not to hinder the pro-Trump effort but to save it, adding they were growing concerned it could hurt Trumps election chances. Were there for Trump, a canvasser said, adding, We were doing what we had to do for the passion of it. As NBC News detailed last year, GOP-aligned canvassing efforts have been afflicted with some of those issues for years. Donors have eagerly funded such efforts, which bring in millions to canvassing firms. But Republicans who spoke with NBC News, even those who expressed serious concerns, said that when they are done right, field operations are very important to campaigns and can make the difference in razor-thin elections. David Plouffe, a senior adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris campaign, said on CNN last month that door-to-door canvassing is going to be more important in this presidential race than any one I can remember in recent memory. Some of the people who spoke to NBC News noted that Musk himself is relatively new to the political arena as are many of the young canvassers working on the operation which has frustrated some of the more experienced operatives. I dont even know where some of these people came from. Some of these people came straight out of the comments of the Nelk Boys YouTube channel, an operative aligned with the PAC said, referring to the pro-Trump influencers. These are, like, broccoli-cut Zoomers. The operative formerly on the effort described a shock wave reverberating around the universe of operatives and canvassers currently or at one time close to the PAC as more information about the canvassing effort was made public over the last 10 days. Elon Musk is brilliant at what Elon Musk does, this person said. You would never ask a political consultant to build rocket ships. I dont think you should be asking someone that builds rocket ships to manage political operations when they dont 100% understand what theyre looking for. Martha Stewart and Charles Simonyi were romantically linked for 15 years, from 1993 to 2008 Getty Martha Stewart and Charles Simonyi attend The Russian National Orchestra's 15th Anniversary Gala at St. Regis Roof Ballroom on March 7, 2006 in New York City. Martha Stewart and Charles Simonyi the man behind Microsoft Word and Excel made quite the power couple when they dated in the 1990s and early 2000s. The two formed a friendship in the early 1990s, following the end of Stewarts 30-year marriage to publisher Andrew Stewart. At the time, Simonyi was the chief architect at Microsoft and was responsible for the creation of some of the companys most successful software. Stewart, meanwhile, was in the midst of growing her lifestyle empire, which eventually became Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. The company would make Stewart the first self-made female billionaire in the United States and Simonyi was by her side as it happened. Though the duo were always coy about their official relationship status, Simonyi also stood by Stewart as she faced criminal and civil charges for lying about a stock trade. They remained together while she served her five-month prison sentence, and resumed their romance upon her release in March 2005. But in 2008, after nearly 15 years together, Stewart and Simonyi split for good. Related: Who Is Martha Stewart's Ex-Husband? All About Andrew Stewart In the Netflix documentary about her life, titled Martha, Stewart called Simonyi a "total genius" and referred to their breakup as her second divorce." If I analyze my life, I think the work has taken precedence over the romance, Stewart told E! News about her love life in 2023. I have a hard time making room for both and it's not the highest priority that I have a boyfriend, but it would be nice. Here is everything to know about Martha Stewart's former longtime partner, tech billionaire Charles Simonyi. Simonyi was born and raised in Hungary Getty Charles Simonyi and Martha Stewart attend A Celebration for Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People Issue at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 19, 2005 in New York City. Simonyi was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1948. His father, Karoly Simonyi, was an award-winning engineering professor and physicist, while his mother, Zsuzsa, was a language teacher, according to the Seattle Times. Our childhood, especially before 56, was very pleasant, Simoyi said in a 2023 interview about growing up in then-Soviet-controlled Hungary. It was a good life. We were surrounded by books. However, as Simonyi became a teenager, he sought to broaden his horizons beyond Hungary. When he was 17 years old, he left the country on a short-term visa to work as a programmer in Denmark. From there, Simonyi made his way to the United States in 1968, where he studied engineering, math and computer science first at the University of California, Berkeley and later at Stanford, where he earned his Ph.D. My dream was to get out of Hungary, go to the West and be free, Simonyi told reporters in 2006 about his childhood aspirations, per the Seattle Times. Simonyi was one of the earliest employees at Microsoft Shutterstock Charles Simonyi and Martha Stewart at the White House State Dinner for Hungary on June 8th, 1999 in Washington D.C. In 1981, Simonyi left his job at Xeroxs Palo Alto Research Center for a start-up called Microsoft. He became the companys 40th employee, according to Forbes, and was hired by Bill Gates to develop software applications. Simonyi spent the next two decades at Microsoft, leading the teams that created the Microsoft Office applications including Word and Excel, The New York Times reported. During his tenure at the company, Simonyi rose to be one of its most senior employees, holding the title of chief architect for 12 years. Simonyi left Microsoft in 2002 to start his own software company, Intentional Software Corporation, which focused on creating platforms for productivity apps. In 2017, he returned to Microsoft when he sold Intentional Software to the tech giant for an undisclosed sum. Simonyi and Stewart were first publicly linked in 1997 Getty Martha Stewart and Charles Simonyi attend The Russian National Orchestra's 15th Anniversary Gala at St. Regis Roof Ballroom on March 7, 2006 in New York City. Stewart, who divorced her first husband, Andrew Stewart, in 1990, began a friendship with Simonyi in 1993. The duo sparked romantic rumors, however, in 1997, when Simonyi first spoke publicly about the media mogul to the Seattle Times. Martha and I are good friends, Simonyi told the outlet, per New York Magazine. We discuss modern architecture, modern art, and the coming cyber-economy. Though Simonyi referred to Stewart as his friend, the supposed couple were frequently spotted attending events together. The two went to a White House dinner together for the Hungarian president in June of 1999 and, one month later, were seen at film producer Joel Silvers wedding in Venice as each others date, according to New York Magazine. "We started to go everywhere together. It was a different kind of life," Stewart said in Martha of the beginning of her relationship with Simonyi. "He had his own jet, he was building a boat in Germany and I started working on the boat with him." Stewart and Simonyis rumored relationship continued to heat up in the early 2000s. During that time, Stewart spoke openly about traveling on Simonyis 230-foot yacht, according to The New Yorker, and also paid several visits to his $10 million home in Medina, Wa. which she was reportedly helping him remodel. She travels in many areas in search of ideas and style and yes, she visited this area many times, Simonyi explained to the Seattle Times. Simonyi stood by Stewarts side during her 2004 trial Getty Martha Stewart arrives at federal court on March 1, 2004 in New York City. During Stewarts highly publicized 2004 trial where she faced criminal charges for allegedly lying about a 2001 stock trade email correspondence with her rumored boyfriend, Simonyi, made its way into evidence. Prosecutors presented an email Stewart sent Simonyi in September 2001, where she wrote imclone is great sam did pull off a coup, according to the Seattle Times referencing the stake she had (and later sold) in ImClone Systems and the companys CEO, Sam Waksal. Despite Simonyis mention in the criminal fraud trial, the tech billionaire stood by Stewart throughout her case and eventual conviction. When she was found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction and two counts of lying to federal investigators, Simonyi told the Seattle Times that it was a sad day for the lifestyle entrepreneur and that he disagreed with the verdict. I do feel shes obviously being made an example and I dont think thats made very clear by, for example, the U.S. attorney, he said to the newspaper. Despite outside appearances, Stewart said in Martha that Simonyi only visited her once during her sentence and did not "like hanging out with somebody in jail." The documentary included a letter from Stewart to Simonyi which read in part, "I've not got an email or even a note from you for so long. I'd love to hear from you." Stewart added in the documentary, "He was out on his boat floating around the world and that was distressing to me." When she was released in March 2005, Simonyi reportedly sent a private jet to fly her from West Virginia, where she served her sentence, to her home in Bedford, N.Y., according to the New York Daily News. That October, Stewart appeared to confirm their relationship status during an appearance on Don Imus radio show. Is there anyone in your life? the radio host asked, to which Stewart replied, Yeah, a really nice guy who stuck by me. Stewart supported Simonyi when he traveled to outer space in 2007 Getty Former Microsoft software developer Charles Simonyi waves to a media after a press conference at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, 06 April 2007. Simonyi has made two trips to the International Space Station as a space tourist and Stewart was by his side as he embarked on his first mission in 2007. Prior to making his first venture into space, Simonyi consulted several trusted individuals, including his mother and brother, his former Microsoft coworkers Gates and Paul Allen, the first astronaut to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong, and his rumored girlfriend Stewart, according to the Seattle Times. All were supportive of his endeavor to be the first nerd in space, including Stewart. The cookbook author went as far as to travel to Kazakhstan in April 2007 to witness Simonyis launch, The New York Times reported. She also selected the meals he would dine on upon arrival at the ISS quail, duck breast and a semolina cake, all prepared by French chef Alain Ducasse and filmed his takeoff for her daytime television show. A trip to outer space is actually, for someone like Charles, a logical step, Stewart told The New York Times, while also describing Simonyi as intrepid, inquisitive, curious and actually very bold for pursuing the $25 million venture. Stewart and Simonyi reportedly split in 2008 Getty Charles Simonyi and Lisa Persdotter after their wedding on November 22, 2008 in Gothenburg, Sweden After 15 years of friendship and relationship rumors, Stewart and Simonyi reportedly split for good in February 2008. Stewart claimed in the Netflix documentary Martha that her post-prison life was less exciting and that was what led to the demise of their relationship. In August 2008, just six months after the two called it quits, Simonyi became engaged to Lisa Persdotter, the daughter of a Swedish millionaire, the Huffington Post reported. In Martha, Stewart opened up about learning that Simonyi was engaged. He said, You know, Martha, Im going to get married ... to Lisa, Stewart recalled in the Netflix doc. I said, Lisa who? He hadnt told me a word. She continued, I thought that was the most horrible thing a person could do. How can a man who spent 15 years with me do that? What a stupid thing to do to someone that you actually care about. Simonyi and Persdotter wed in Sweden in November 2008. The couple have two daughters together: Lillian, born in February 2011, and Livia, born November 2012. We were emotional crying, laughing, feeling joyful, and a bit anxious, Darragh Hannan, 39, and Jee Won Ha, 38, tell PEOPLE MyHeritage (L-R) Jee Won Ha and Darragh Hannan as children Sisters Darragh Hannan and Jee Won Ha were born 14 months apart in South Korea, and grew up having separate lives in different countries Decades later, the two found each other through MyHeritage DNA tests and they met in person for the first time on Friday, Oct. 25 Connecting with each other has answered a lot of questions for us," the sisters tell PEOPLE Two long-lost sisters just had a reunion that was almost four decades in the making. Darragh Hannan and Jee Won Ha were born 14 months apart in South Korea, but spent most of their lives apart, getting adopted by separate families and growing up in different countries. But on Friday, Oct. 25, the two sisters, now grown adults, met in person for the first time at an airport in Seoul. We were emotional crying, laughing, feeling joyful, and a bit anxious, Darragh, a 39-year-old project manager for a museum exhibits builder, and Jee Won, 38, who operates a knitting and sewing shop, tell PEOPLE in an email. Since then, its been a similar experience, in the best way, they say. We feel comfortable with each other and talk about deep things like our emotions and the impact of our journey, but we also joke around and have fun, laughing and sharing these unique moments together. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. When she was 8 weeks old, Darragh was adopted by an American family in Minnesota and grew up in Indiana, while Jee Won was eventually taken in by acouple in Belgium. We both knew we were adopted at a young age, but it wasnt until later, around puberty, that we started to wonder more about it, Jee Won tells PEOPLE, adding that Darragh felt similarly. Related: Retired and Childless Vietnam War Veteran Finds 'Insta-Family' Through MyHeritage DNA Kit For years, their questions remained just that, even as the sisters started trying to learn more about their roots. When Darragh took a MyHeritage DNA test in 2018, it yielded no connections. "I was like, okay, so Im guessing they dont have a huge East Asian database at that point," she recalled in a news release obtained by PEOPLE. Meanwhile, Jee Won was moved to take action after hearing a neighbor's incredible story. That neighbor, Kim Haelen, found her long-lost U.S.-based sister, Christine Pennell, through a MyHeritage DNA test, and their experiences became the subject of a 2019 documentary The Missing Piece. I heard about [Kim's] story when she found her sister, and it was such an overwhelming feeling, Jee Won said. I thought, Im gonna call her." Related: Woman Finds Biological Mom 50 Years After Being Placed for Adoption Then several years after her own DNA test yielded no results, Darragh received an email from Jee Won. "I opened my inbox one morning, and there it was: Hey, I think were sisters, Darragh said. Courtesy of MyHeritage Thirty-nine years later, Jee Won Ha (L) reunited with her sister Darragh Hannan at an airport in Seoul on Oct. 25, 2024 Video footage shared by MyHeritage shows the two sisters meeting for the first time at Seouls Incheon International Airport and tearfully hugging each other. Oh, youre really small, Jee Won even tells Darrah in the clip. Related: Couple with 3 Kids Find Out They're Cousins After Taking DNA Test 10 Years Into Marriage: 'I Was in Shock' Darragh and Jee Won tell PEOPLE that they're "both very grateful for our lives in the U.S. and Belgium, but there will always be a part of us that wonders what it would have been like to grow up in the places where we were born." Adoption isnt just about saving a child from their country of origin; it involves rerouting a childs entire life, which can bring a lot of deep questions and trauma," they add. Still, the overwhelming feeling they're experiencing right now is gratitude. Connecting with each other has answered a lot of questions for us its given us a sense of who were connected with and has shown us both the similarities from our shared nature and the differences shaped by our unique environments, nurture," they say. "Either way, its been incredible to get to know each other. Stolen cars are being used as "vessels" to commit other crimes in the City of Jackson, according to Police Chief Joseph Wade, who spoke with the Clarion Ledger about a potential solution he hopes will cut down on the problem. In August, the Jackson Police Department submitted their budget proposals for fiscal year 2024-2025 to the Jackson City Council. Among JPD's requests was to purchase license plate readers to be installed throughout the city. A license plate reader purchased from Flock Safety is seen in this file photo in Camarillo, California. The Jackson Police Department recently purchased 16 license plate readers from Flock Safety, though the locations will not be disclosed, according to Jackson Chief of Police Joseph Wade. In a recent interview, Wade said he was convinced of the necessity of the license plate readers after the June kidnapping of a 6-year-old girl from Louisiana and her 4-year-old sister, who was found dead in Jackson. Wade said JPD was able to catch the suspect after his vehicle was spotted by a license plate reader in Byram. "We've (Jackson) got to have that technology, too," Wade said. "We're way behind in the license plate reader technology. We should have had this technology probably 10, 15, 20 years ago." How many auto thefts/carjackings have occurred this year in Jackson? As of Oct. 7, the Jackson Police Department has responded to 755 auto thefts in Jackson, according to police documents the Clarion Ledger obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. That means on average nearly three auto thefts per day have been reported so far in 2024. Keeping that same rate, there will be close to 820 auto thefts by the end of October, which totals to 82 auto thefts per month. JPD also reports there have been 40 carjackings in Jackson so far this year. More on JPD crimefighting: 'We need this on the book like yesterday': Council approves 2 ordinances. What they did A carjacking is where a perpetrator confronts the driver of a vehicle, whereas an auto theft occurs when an unoccupied vehicle is stolen. Wade, who was formally a sergeant in JPD's Auto Theft Unit, said Jackson has a "serious" problem with auto thefts. On July 10, JPD recovered eight stolen vehicles in a single day, with one having been carjacked earlier in the morning. Increased auto thefts are a nationwide trend, according to data from the FBI. In 2023, 1,020,729 auto thefts were reported to law enforcement nationwide and entered into the FBIs National Crime Information Center. That is an increase from 1,008,756 auto thefts reported in 2022. According to a report released in May from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the top three stolen cars in 2023 were Hyundai Elantra, 48,445 thefts; Hyundai Sonata, 42,813 thefts; and Kia Optima: 30,204 thefts. Wade said a majority of the thefts in Jackson were also Hyundias and Kias. Plugging the 'hole in the middle' of the Jackson-metro area At the beginning of October, Wade said he visited the Mississippi Analysis and Information Center, also known as the Fusion Center. The center is used by law enforcement agencies throughout the state as "a centralized location for the gathering, analysis, and sharing of information from local, state, tribal and federal resources" to prevent crime, according to the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security. Wade said he had the opportunity to look at other municipalities' license plate readers that are connected to the center but couldn't help noticing "this hole in the middle." Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade, seen here in this Oct. 14, 2024 file photo, spoke with the Clarion Ledger about the Jackson Police Department's recently purchased license plate readers. Wade said the license plate readers will be used as a tool to fight back against auto thefts and carjackings in Jackson, as well as to locate missing persons. "That hole in the middle is Jackson, Mississippi," Wade said. "Now there will not be a hole anymore, we're moving to the 21st century." Other municipalities such as Ridgeland, Madison, Pearl, Clinton and Byram already have license plate readers in their crime fighting arsenal, Wade said. He visited with the police chiefs from each. "All of them told me the same thing, 'Chief I know who came into my city and I know when they leave my city,'" Wade said. "It's going to be so important, not only for auto thefts, but also missing persons." Now that Jackson has license plate readers, Wade said they will be able to coordinate with the surrounding areas to better catch criminals who may be driving out of one city and into another. Jackson's Blue Light Safety Initiative: A national law firm calls Jackson surveillance ordinance unconstitutional. See what they said In September, the Jackson City Council unanimously approved purchasing 16 license plate readers, $3,500 each, that will be located in crime hotspots throughout the city. The locations of the license plate readers will not be disclosed to the public, Wade said, but will be made available to local law enforcement agencies. Wade said he hopes to have the 16 license plate readers installed by the end of October, but said, "They will definitely be installed by the end of the year." Two additional license plate readers were also approved by the council in mid-October that will be attached to patrol cars. How do license plate readers work? Wade explained the license plate readers have a small camera attached that takes pictures of cars and car tags. Once captured, the tag number is run through a database that can show if a vehicle has been stolen or was involved in another crime. The readers also will be able to track the movements of the stolen vehicle, making it easier for officers to hopefully intercept. "Say your tag number is ABC-123 and that vehicle is stolen with that tag," Wade said. "Whenever that vehicle passes a LPR (license plate reader), it's going to snap a shot of it and it's going to triangulate the direction of travel. Now we have a chance of catching that vehicle, sending information out to our local partners or we can notify officers on the beat, 'Hey there's a stolen vehicle traveling south. He's heading in this direction. His arrival time should be at this intersection shortly. We need to make sure you're in the area to receive this vehicle.'" The license plate readers were purchased through a company called Flock Safety for a contract of two years. Assistant Chief Wendell Watts explained Flock has a nationwide database. Not only will JPD be able to identify stolen vehicles in Jackson, they will also be able to find vehicles that may been stolen from other states. For the license plate readers installed in patrol cars, Wade said they would have the capability to pass a car and tell if it has been stolen, which is helpful for patrolling parking lots where a lot of stolen vehicles end up being left behind by criminals, Wade said. Watts, speaking to the council during a September meeting, said they used the license plate reader technology in Gluckstadt, where he was formerly chief of police. "We tracked a guy that came from Florida all the way up to Gluckstadt, committed the crime, then went back down to Florida and we were able to get them in custody," Watts said. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: JPD to tackle auto thefts, carjackings. How many have occurred this year? From their pale skin and to their hypnotizing gaze to their charismatic looks, these male idols truly give off the aura of a vampire! Who's your favorite? NCT Taeyong taeyong actually needs to play a vampire in a movie bc wtf is he so fine for pic.twitter.com/LNNUz6VUi0 keke (@ltyfairy) March 2, 2022 Flaunting his fair complexion and alluring eyes, Taeyong as a vampire left everyone in a frenzy after cosplaying Edward Cullen from "Twilight" for the SMTOWN Halloween party in 2021. Not only did fans approve of his perfect digestion of the character, but the official social media account of "Twilight" officially acknowledged him! Stray Kids Felix i think about young master vampire felix a lot pic.twitter.com/P4lURpQLij jessica ang ~ (@valrani_skz) January 2, 2024 Known for his unique visuals, elegant vibe, and deep, sultry voice, Felix ingrained his vampire aura in the K-pop scene after his pictorial for the team's track, "Up All Night." Wearing attire from the 70s/80s, the male idol looks like a handsome young master who doesn't age! ZEROBASEONE Ricky READ ALSO: Kim Jiwoong Selects Ricky as Most Handsome ZEROBASEONE Member If the topic is vampire aura, then Ricky should not be really left out! From his eyes, hair, 'fit, height, and body, he is like a humanized vampire! His stare is super hypnotizing you wouldn't notice you are already deep down the abyss under Ricky's spell! ENHYPEN Sunghoon who created the "vampire" concept first atp.. dracula or sunghoon pic.twitter.com/3Ha0ohEBAi (@penghonie) October 7, 2024 With his cute fang-like teeth, don't be deceived by the 21-year-old Sunghoon's youthful appearance as he could be a real-life vampire! However, if this is true, fans wouldn't be running away from him, but would be shouting, "Bite Me" instead! ONEUS Keonhee blond vampire keonhee best thing to ever happen ever pic.twitter.com/lZchrxpGVi maria BOOKIE DAY!! (@jiniesuga) October 13, 2022 Last but not least, ONEUS Keonhee is also establishing his name as one of the most vampire-like idols. Aside from his hilarious urge of wanting to always bite his co-members, Keonhee also boasts a powerful energy you would want to stare at him even when he's just walking or standing. RELATED ARTICLE: ENHYPEN Sunghoon's Suited Visuals Leaves ENGINE in Frenzy Here's Why For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Eunice Dela Cruz During the first day of Daniel Pennys manslaughter trial in the death of Jordan Neely on the New York City subway last year, the prosecution and defense painted dueling portraits of Penny in opening statements. The prosecution said the former Marine went way too far and violated law and human decency by putting Neely, a homeless street artist, in a fatal chokehold. The defense countered Penny was responding to a threat, and his actions that day prove he is not someone who devalued human life under the circumstances. In their opening statement, the defense said while Penny held Neely in a chokehold, Penny did not squeeze him with force the entire time. Lawyers for Penny plan to argue Neely did not die from Pennys chokehold, but rather a combination of other factors including Neelys alleged drug use. Penny, 26, is facing second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges in Neelys death in May 2023. He has said his actions were an attempt to protect people on the subway. The trial touches on the hot-button issues of subway crime, mental illness, race relations and vigilante justice. Neely, who is Black, had boarded a crowded subway in Manhattan and was acting erratically and loudly yelling, according to witnesses. Penny, who is White, then grabbed Neely from behind and put him in a chokehold, and he maintained the hold for about six minutes, including after Neely stopped moving, according to prosecutors. Neely was later pronounced dead at a hospital. A medical examiner ruled his death a homicide. Several minutes of the chokehold were captured on bystander video, leading to protests and calls for Penny to be arrested. Others have defended Pennys actions and have donated over $3 million to his legal defense fund. Protesters stand on the train tracks at the Lexington Avenue/63rd Street subway station during a "Justice for Jordan Neely" protest on May 6, 2023. - Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images Penny surrendered to police on a manslaughter charge nearly two weeks after Neelys death, and the Manhattan District Attorneys Office announced an indictment at the end of the following month. Jordan Neely took his last breaths on the dirty floor of an uptown F train, Manhattan prosecutor Dafna Yoran said Friday in her opening statement. At the time he died he was 30 years old, homeless, suffering from mental illness. We pass people like Jordan Neely every day in New York City, on our way to the store, on our way to work, on our way back. Yoran continued. We are trained not to engage, to pretend that they are not there. Neely walked into a moderately packed subway car and began screaming threats. He talked about being hungry and thirsty. His voice was loud, the prosecutor said. In response, The defendant Daniel Penny took it upon himself to neutralize him. He wrapped his legs around Mr. Neelys body and held him there. Seconds later the train arrived at the train station, Yoran said. With no one left to protect, the defendant nonetheless kept Mr. Neely in a deadly chokehold for an additional 5 minutes and 53 seconds. He continued to choke Jordan Neely after Mr. Neely had lost consciousness. Penny has specialized training in chokeholds, so he knew that continuing to choke Mr. Neely once he had already passed out could and would lead to his death, Yoran said, detailing the defendants military background. The prosecutor said Penny went way too far. His indifference towards Mr. Neely the man whose life he was literally holding in his hands - caused him to disregard basic precautions, in contravention of the law and human decency. After releasing him from the deadly chokehold, Penny didnt look back, Yoran said. He went and picked up his hat that had fallen off, he dusted himself off and then he stood over Mr. Neely, waiting for the police. The prosecutor pointed out despite being trained in first aid, Penny never once attempted to help Neely. Yoran detailed some of the evidence that will be presented to the jury, including video captured by journalist Juan Alberto Vasquez, calling it the single most important piece of evidence. Yoran warned jurors will see Neelys life being snuffed out. Defense Attorney Thomas Kenniff in his opening statement told jurors Penny was responding to a threat on the subway when he moved to restrain Neely and put him in a chokehold. Kenniff said seething, psychotic Jordan Neely displayed unhinged rage, causing the passengers on the train men, women and children to cower in fear. As Neely screamed about being hungry and thirsty, Kenniff said, the environment changed when Neely took off his jacket, whipped it around his head and dropped it on the ground with such force the train fell silent. At that moment Danny sees a mother barricading her son behind a stroller just as Mr. Neely appears to go for them, Kenniff said. (Danny) hears the words, I will kill. When Jordan Neely threatened to kill, there was only one thing Daniel Penny could do. In a nod to the evidence in the case, as well as their defense strategy, Kenniff said while Penny held Neely in a chokehold, he did not squeeze him the entire time, noting that Neely never appeared to be choking and he did not say he couldnt breathe. Kenniff said evidence will show Neely did not die from the chokehold but rather from cardiac arrest caused by the use of drugs and likely the excitement of the event. Penny took actions anyone of us would want someone to take, Kenniff added. You stand up and protect thy neighbor. Thats what Daniel Penny did. Before opening statements, Penny, dressed in a navy blue suit, light blue shirt and dark tie, could be seen saying good morning to court staff before taking a seat at the defense table. Neelys father along with other supporters are sitting in the back of the courtroom. With protests outside the courthouse audible inside the courtroom, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Maxwell Wiley instructed the jury to not listen to the words being yelled. Anything you should hear outside the courtroom has nothing to do with this, Wiley said. If you hear people expressing opinions outside this court, ignore them. Police officers testify Body camera video from the first responding officer was introduced Friday as the initial piece of evidence in the trial. The several-minute-long video shows Neely lying motionless on the ground, his body limp, as more officers arrive at the scene. The officers check for Neelys pulse and eventually move to render aid. After opening statements, prosecutors called three of several police officers who responded to the scene. The prosecution introduced video captured by a body camera worn by Teodoro Tejada, who was one of the first officers on the subway platform. The video shows him running down into the subway from street level and arriving at the subway car to find Neely motionless on the floor as bystanders and Penny stand by. Tejada testified he checked Neely for a pulse. Initially he said he felt a faint pulse later on the stand, he said when checked again, Neely did not have a pulse. Other officers provided similar testimony. Tejada said as he was trying to aid Neely he did sternum rubs while another officer also checked for Neelys pulse and began shouting at him as if trying to rouse him from sleep. The second officer, Dennis Kang, a 6-year veteran of the NYPD, said Pennys eyes appeared to be open and closed at the same time. In the video, Neelys eyes appear slightly open, but his sight does not appear focused as he lays motionless and limp on the ground. When asked by the defense if he had felt a pulse on Neely, Kang replied, yes. Sergeant Carl Johnson, in charge of the public safety unit that day, also testified he arrived at the platform but he said he found Neely totally unresponsive. When I came down to the subway, I did not see Mr. Neely breathing, Johnson said. Johnson can be seen on video administering Narcan to Neely. During his testimony, the officer said although he did not know if Neely was a drug user, he administered Narcan while operating under the assumption he was a homeless person and a likely drug user who was possibly overdosing. I came in, we checked Mr. Neely, gave him some Narcan and I asked Mr. Penny what happened, Johnson said. Neelys father, sitting in the courtroom gallery on Friday, could be seen holding his head in his hands, wiping tears. As the video played, he bowed his head, looking away from the screen from time to time, shaking his head. The killing has polarized city residents, many of whom have personal experiences with disorder on the subways, and raised broader questions about the racial dynamics at play and how the city treats people with mental health issues. Former President Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News last week it was an awfully tough case. At jury selection over the last two weeks, most jurors said they ride the subway frequently and have witnessed outbursts from people acting erratically on the trains. Some said these outbursts made them feel personally threatened, while others said the outbursts did not. Penny has said Neely was acting in a threatening manner, and his attorneys have said they are confident a jury will find his actions were fully justified. Penny, who is out of jail on a $100,000 bond, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of manslaughter and up to 4 years if convicted of criminally negligent homicide. Jeremy Saland, a former prosecutor for the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, said the case touches on a lot of major issues and emotions. This is something that is relatable to so many people and thats why its enraged the passion on both sides, from Leave Penny alone, all he was doing was protecting the lives of fellow subway riders, and on the flip side, He needs to be held accountable for taking the life of another person. What happened on the subway The evidence is likely to focus on testimony from witnesses on board the train that day, as well as experts in medicine and restraint tactics. The defense has said they have not decided if Penny will testify. The fatal encounter happened on the afternoon of May 1, 2023, on a northbound F train at the Second Avenue station in Manhattan. Neely, a Michael Jackson impersonator, shouted at passengers that he was hungry, thirsty and tired of having nothing, and he threw his jacket on the trains floor, according to Juan Alberto Vazquez, a witness who filmed the incident. I dont care if I die. I dont care if I go to jail, Neely said, according to Vazquez. Penny then came up behind Neely and put him in a chokehold, and the two fell to the ground and remained there for several minutes. When police arrived at the subway station in Lower Manhattan before 2:30 p.m., they administered first aid to an unconscious Neely. In a court filing, prosecutors said witness accounts differed about Neelys exact words and actions prior to the chokehold. While a few witnesses stated they were fearful of Neely, others felt differently, including one person who described the moment as being like another day typically in New York. None of the witnesses said Neely had physical contact with anyone before Penny came up behind him, according to the prosecution filing. Many witnesses relayed that Mr. Neely expressed that he was homeless, hungry, and thirsty. Most recount that Mr. Neely indicated a willingness to go to jail or prison, the prosecutor wrote in the filing. Penny told police Neely was irate and threatening everybody and others on the train were afraid, according to court records filed last June. I just put him out. I just put him in a chokehold, Penny said. Penny also told the New York Post he was deeply saddened by the loss of life and the incident had nothing to do with race. Neelys family members to attend trial New York police officers respond to the scene of Neely's death on a subway train on Monday, May 1, 2023, in New York. - Paul Martinka/AP Penny is a veteran who served in the US Marines, according to law enforcement and military records. He was a sergeant and served from 2017 to 2021, and his last duty assignment was at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, military records show. Neely was known for his smooth Michael Jackson dance moves that entertained many yet he struggled after the trauma of his mothers murder in 2007, when he was 14 years old. Neely was on a New York City Department of Homeless Services list of the citys homeless with acute needs, sometimes referred to internally as the Top 50 list, a source told CNN last year. Donte Mills, the attorney representing Neelys family, said the street performers loved ones have not moved on from the subway killing and they never will. The fact of the case is this: Someone got on the train and was screaming, and someone choked that person to death, Mills said in a news conference October 21. Those things will never balance out, and theres no justification that can make those things balance out. Mills said there will be as many as 20 family members attending the trial. Saland, the former prosecutor, said a huge factor in the case will be those eyewitness accounts of the interaction and whether the use of force was justified. Was that threat real and imminent? Were basing that on a reasonable persons standard here, Saland said. This is why its not just going to rest on what Penny says but what these other people said in terms of their observations of what occurred. CNNs Rebekah Riess, Jessica Xing, Ray Sanchez, Sharif Paget and Veronica Stracqualursi contributed to this report. This story has been update with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Frances Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau during a visit focused on drug trafficking in Rennes, western France - Damien Meyer/AFP France has reached a tipping point on drug-related violence, the countrys hardline interior minister warned on Friday, after hundreds of people took part in a massive shoot-out. The gunfight, which left a teenager fighting for his life and four others seriously wounded, erupted overnight in the western city of Poitiers. Police intervened at around 10.45pm after shots were fired outside a restaurant in the Couronneries district of the city and found the first casualty on the ground. Treated for a bullet wound to the head, the 15-year-old was taken to hospital and was in a critical condition, a police source said. A witness said the teenager was a customer caught in the crossfire. According to the same source, two other teenagers were shot, one in the shoulder and the other in the ankle, and were treated by the emergency services. Around ten 22-calibre shells were found on the ground by the investigators. What started as a shooting at a restaurant ended up in a fight between rival gangs that involved several hundred people. Im told by the local (state) prefect that four to six hundred people were involved, said French interior minister Bruno Retailleau, adding that police reinforcements were being sent to the city. Cyril Lacombe, the local prosecutor, countered the claim that up to 600 people were involved, confirming that 50 to 60 people clashed in a fight following the shooting. Macrons meagre response A total of five teenagers aged 15 and 16 were injured and an investigation into attempted homicide has been opened. The initial findings of the investigation suggest that the shooter had been selling drugs in the Couronneries area in the previous few days, Lacombe said. Mr Retailleau was due to travel later on Friday to the northwestern city of Rennes, where a five-year-old child was also between life and death after being shot in the head in another shootout on Saturday related to drug trafficking. He said: These shootings are not happening in South America, theyre happening in Rennes and Poitiers. We are at a tipping point and the choice is between a general mobilisation or the Mexicanisation of the country. The violence follows a recent hard-hitting French senatorial report, which warned that the country was submerged by drug dealing and that president Emmanuel Macrons response was meagre and not up to the task. It states: Contrary to the cliche that drug trafficking is the preserve of no-go zones stretching from the northern suburbs of Marseille to crack hill in Paris, and perhaps a few festivals, drug dealing has spread to medium-sized and even small towns and rural areas. Bigger slice of drugs business With cocaine flooding France from South America, consumption on the rise and historic bastions like Marseille saturated, organised crime is fanning out to the provinces in search of a bigger slice of an annual drugs business of between 3 billion (2.5 bn) to 6 billion (5 bn). Ofast, the French anti-drugs agency, warned: From Verdun to Valence, a number of sensitive neighbourhoods in medium-sized towns have been the scene of armed clashes. Theyve also added that smaller urban areas are no longer spared kidnappings, violence and even murder. Mr Retailleau has called for the fight against drug trafficking to become a national cause similar to that against terrorism. He wants the government to take up some of the senatorial report proposals such as the creation of a status for repentant drug traffickers and a dedicated national drugs prosecutors office. We are going to set up a task force to break up the ecosystem of drug trafficking, he said on Friday, stressing the importance of a global strategy to try to curb the phenomenon. Increasing youth violence There is rising public concern over the issue of youth violence, often drug-related. In Marseille, where a record 49 murders were committed last year, prosecutors warn that teenagers are increasingly involved in drug battles involving assault rifles and handguns, and even hit low-cost jobs. Two rival gangs DZ Mafia and Yoda are together blamed for most of the killings that have rocked the French port city of 860,000 people. Last month, a 15-year-old boy, apparently on his way to carry out a hit on behalf of DZ, was cornered by rivals, stabbed at least 50 times and then set on fire while he was still alive. Two days later, another 14-year-old hired to avenge his killing, instead shot dead Nessim Ramdane, a part-time driver for the taxi app Bolt. Mr Retailleau is due to travel to Marseille next Friday with Didier Migaud, the justice minister, to announce new measures. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A Montana man found slain in his tent this month welcomed the suspect in his killing, a stranger, to his campsite and offered him a beer, the Gallatin County sheriff said Thursday. Daren Christopher Abbey, 41, was arrested this week and charged with deliberate homicide in the killing of Dustin Kjersem, 35, whose body was found in his tent near Big Sky on Oct. 12, officials said. It was a chance encounter at the campsite on the night of Oct. 10, and Abbey did not know Kjersem, Sheriff Dan Springer said at a news conference. Dustin Kjersem. Abbey had planned to camp at the site, but when he arrived that night he found Kjersem was already there, with a wall tent, beds and a stove, Springer said. Abbey in a confession to detectives, stated Dustin welcomed him to the campsite and offered him a beer, Springer said. At some point, this individual struck Dustin Kjersem with a piece of solid wood, stabbed him in the neck with a screwdriver and ultimately hit him with the ax, Springer said. The motives of this attack are still unknown. The state crime lab matched DNA from a beer can found in the tent to Abbey, Springer said. Abbey was arrested Saturday in Butte, around 80 miles northwest of Big Sky. He was interviewed by sheriffs detectives and Montana Justice Department investigators Tuesday and confessed to the killing, Springer said. Kjersem planned to spend the weekend at the campsite with his girlfriend. He set up the camp on Oct. 10, a Thursday, and he planned to pick his girlfriend up from work the next night, Springer said. Kjersem never arrived. The girlfriend and a friend drove to the campsite on Oct. 12, a Saturday, and found Kjersem dead in the tent, Springer said. Kjersems injuries were such that the person who reported discovering his body suspected he had been attacked by a bear, the sheriff's office has said. An autopsy confirmed it was homicide, not an animal attack. Abbey had been living in a couple of different areas but most recently had a residence in Basin, Montana, a small community in the mountains northeast of Butte, Springer said. He had been employed in the Big Sky area at various times, Springer said. Abbey was arrested on a probation violation in Butte but is charged with deliberate homicide in Kjersem's death, the sheriff's office said. State Corrections Department records show Abbey was on conditional release after a prison sentence for a 2020 repeat driving under the influence case. Abbey was being held in custody Thursday night without bond, jail records show. It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. The investigation could take months more. Springer said detectives will work to put together more pieces of what occurred, including what motive Abbey might have had. "We have a bit of his story, but we don't really know what the true story is," Springer said. "We have a story we just don't know if it's accurate." Springer said that after he killed Kjersem, Abbey removed items he may have touched or which could connect him to the crime, including a cooler and the ax. He returned the next night and took more items, Springer said. The sheriff's office previously said an ax, a Yeti cooler, a shotgun and a revolver were missing from the campsite. Courtesy Sotheby's "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." More than a century ago, New Jersey resident Annie M. McClymonds approached Tiffany Studios about a special commission. It was to be a magnificent stained-glass window that would honor the lifes work of her elderly uncle and aunt, John and Terressa Danner, and anchor the east wall of a new First Baptist Church in their hometown, Canton, Ohio. Courtesy Sotheby's When the dazzling 16-foot-high leaded stained- glass window arrived in Canton in 1913, it made front-page newsand postponed the new churchs dedication by a week because of a shipping delay. The paper of record, the Canton Daily News, noted on November 9 that it was probably the finest window in the city and described its luminous depictions of rugged fruit-laden apple trees and picturesque brookall emblematical of age and fruitfulness unifying the works of Mr. and Mrs. Danner during their half-century as members of the church. An inscription at the bottom of the window quoted the book of Matthew: Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Courtesy Sotheby's Next month, the Danner Memorial Window is set to yield fruit of a different kind. As the crown jewel in Sothebys Modern Evening Auction on November 18, the glowing Tiffany masterwork is expected to fetch anywhere between $5 million and $7 millionpotentially the highest price ever commanded by a Tiffany Studios work at auction. The window has so many hallmarks that really make it a masterpiece, says Jodi Pollack , chairman and co-worldwide head of 20th-century design at Sothebys. It has impressive scale and grandeur when youre standing in front of it; the composition is incredibly elaborate and complex; and the glass selection and the artistry that went into making it are really supreme. Those qualities, when coupled with past auction results, helped Sothebys specialists zero in on the multimillion dollar estimate. There has been nothing up on the market in terms of windows of this caliber, scale, complexity, artistry, Pollack says. Courtesy Sotheby's While the window is attributed to Tiffany Studios, the design was the handiwork of self-taught artist Agnes Northrup. Louis Comfort Tiffany functioned as the driving creative and commercial force behind Tiffany studios, but he relied on a group of women known as the Tiffany girls for the design and creation of the companys windows, vases, and lamps. Northrup was among them, hired by the studio in 1884 to serve as a window designer. In addition to designing the Danner window, Northrup designed some of Tiffanys most noteworthy pieces, including Linden Hall Windows and Autumn Landscape Window, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Hartwell Memorial Window, on view at the Art Institute of Chicago. The auction also marks the first opportunity for the public to get a glimpse of the Danner Memorial Window, which will be on display in New York from November 8 to 18, in more than two decades. Its current owner, billionaire Alan Gerry, founder of Cablevision Industries, purchased the window at auction in 2000 for $2 million at Christie's. Pollack has noted that there's been heightened interest in Tiffany works from private and institutional collectors across the globeproof that, more than a century on, the window continues to amaze. It kind of brings you to your knees, Pollack says. It is absolutely dazzling. You Might Also Like Amsterdam Two works by artist Andy Warhol were stolen during the night of Thursday to Friday from a gallery in the south of the Netherlands, while two other screenprints were abandoned nearby. The thieves used heavy explosives to break into the MPV Gallery in Oisterwijk in North Brabant province and took off with two screenprints showing former queens Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Margrethe II of Denmark, Dutch media NOS reported. Gallery owner Mark Peet Visser told The Associated Press that the thieves attempted to make off with all four works from Warhol's 1985 series called "Reigning Queens," which also features portraits of the then-queens of the Netherlands and the small African kingdom of Swaziland, which is now known as Eswatini. Four artworks depicting Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, part of a series titled Reigning Queens by Andy Warhol, (1985), are seen on exhibit at the former Royal Palace turned museum Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, in an Oct. 9, 2024 file photo. / Credit: Peter Dejong/AP Visser told the AP in a phone interview that the heist was captured on security cameras, and he called it "amateurish" for the brutish methods used to steal the prints. "The bomb attack was so violent that my entire building was destroyed," he told the news agency. "So, they did that part of it well, too well, actually, and then they ran to the car with the artworks and it turns out that they won't fit in the car... At that moment the works are ripped out of the frames and you also know that they are damaged beyond repair, because it is impossible to get them out undamaged." The works depicting former Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Queen Ntombi Tfwala of Swaziland were found abandoned on the street. "The entrance of the gallery was blown out and there was glass all around the building," broadcaster NOS said. Well-known Dutch art detective Arthur Brand said "it is strange that explosives were used." "That's not common for art thefts," said Brand, who has made headlines for recovering artworks including a missing Picasso and a stolen Van Gogh. The "Reigning Queens" series by Pop Art pioneer Warhol was on display in the gallery before going on sale at the PAN Amsterdam art fair, which runs from November 24 to December 1. "The works are worth a considerable sum," the owner of the gallery Mark Peet Visser told local media Omroep Brabant. Brand, however, told AFP the stolen artworks were "not unique and most likely tens of them were made." "This makes it easier to sell than unique works, but not that much easier," he said. La MPV Gallery did not instantly respond to a request for comment by AFP. The "Reigning Queens" series was created in 1985, two years before the American artist's death, when all four queens were in power. Trump says of Liz Cheney, "Put her with a rifle standing there with 9 barrels shooting at her" Trump uses garbage truck to needle Biden, Harris Sneak peek: Fatal First Date A crew of South American bandits wore elaborate disguises in a string of west coast bank heists. A brazen crew of South American bank bandits disguised themselves as construction workers and used blowtorches, cellphone jammers and other sophisticated tactics to snatch at least $4 million in a string of wild West Coast heists, according to federal authorities who busted them. The group of 11 thieves most of whom hail from Chile hit at least 29 banks and credit unions in California, Oregon and Washington between May and October, according to federal prosecutors. The alleged ringleader, Alex Moyano Morales, 24, is wanted by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement but there are no records of officials encountering him at the border meaning he could have slipped into the US as a gotaway or through a legal immigration program, according to federal law enforcement sources. In a scheme fit for a Hollywood screenplay, the bank heist crew allegedly sawed through the wall of a pet shop, smashed into bank vaults with sledgehammers and rented getaway cars on the black market, US Attorney Phillip A. Talbert said Thursday. The bandits used blowtorches and sledgehammers to break into the banks. U.S. Attorneyas Office They spent days scouting the banks and nearby businesses, used cellphone signal jammers to disable wireless security devices and rented Airbnbs nearby to pull off the heists, prosecutors said. During some of the scouting missions, the bandits wore medical-style face masks along with hard hats and yellow construction vests, prosecutors said. In a heist on Sept. 18, the crooks allegedly cut through the wall of a pet spa in Fresno, Calif., and climbed into a Wells Fargo before busting open an ATM vault and swiping $247,000, according to prosecutors. Before the break-in, one of the suspects was captured in surveillance footage distracting a shop employee while an accomplice in a hard hat tested the durability of a wall, prosecutors said. In another incident on Sept. 28, the thieves allegedly used blowtorches and saws to bust into Tri Counties Bank and its vaults in Fall River Mills, Calif. but were interrupted and fled, leaving behind their power tools. The crew pulled similar bank robberies or attempted robberies in more than two dozen other cases, including in the Los Angeles area and parts of western Washington state, prosecutors said. The suspects are accused of using blowtorches, saws and other power tools to access a bank in Fall River Mills, California. U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of California The bandits were arrested last week thanks in part to an Apple AirTag tracking device that was unwittingly left in a Chevrolet Suburban rented by Morales, the Los Angeles Times reported. In September, a driver unrelated to the robberies was pulled over in the car by police, who later learned Morales had previously rented it. Morales had no clue the car was equipped with the tracking device which revealed that the vehicles location history was linked to the robberies, the outlet reported. Investigators found robbery tools, disguises, fake identification documents and more than $100,000 in cash at several short-term rental properties in Oregon and Washington, according to prosecutors. Other alleged crew members arrested in connection to the bank robberies include: In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, and his daughter observe what it says a test launch of new intercontinental ballistic missile "Hwasong-19" at an undisclosed place in North Korea Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korea boasted Friday that the new intercontinental ballistic missile it just test-launched is the worlds strongest, a claim seen as pure propaganda after experts assessed it as being too big to be useful in a war situation. The ICBM launched Thursday flew higher and for a longer duration than any other weapon North Korea has tested. But foreign experts say the test failed to show North Korea has mastered some of the last remaining technological hurdles to possess functioning ICBMs that can strike the mainland U.S. The Norths Korean Central News Agency identified the missile as a Hwasong-19 and called it the worlds strongest strategic missile and the perfected weapon system. The official media outlet said leader Kim Jong Un observed the launch, describing it as an expression of North Koreas resolve to respond to external threats to North Koreas security. The color and shape of the exhaust flames seen in North Korean state media photos of the launch suggest the missile uses preloaded solid fuel, which makes weapons more agile and harder to detect than liquid propellants that in general must be fueled beforehand. But experts say the photos show the ICBM and its launch vehicle are both oversized, raising a serious question about their wartime mobility and survivability. When missiles get bigger, what happens? The vehicles get larger, too. As the transporter-erector launchers get bigger, their mobility decreases, Lee Sangmin, an expert at South Koreas Korea Institute for Defense Analyses. The Hwasong-19 was estimated to be at least 28 meters long (92 feet) while advanced U.S. and Russian ICBMs are less than 20 meters long (66 feet), said Chang Young-keun, a missile expert at Seouls Korea Research Institute for National Strategy. He suggested that the missile's size likely helped South Korean intelligence authorities detect the launch plan in advance. In the event of a conflict, such an exposure makes the weapon a target of a preemptive attack by opponents so there would be a big issue of survivability, Chang said. Lee Illwoo, an expert with the Korea Defense Network in South Korea, said North Korea may have developed a larger missile to carry bigger and more destructive warheads or multi-warheads. If that's the case, Lee said North Korea could have used liquid fuels as they generate higher thrust than solid fuels. He said some advanced liquid propellants can be stored in missiles for a few weeks before liftoffs. Lee said North Korea may have placed a dummy, empty warhead on the Hwasong-19 to make it fly higher. In recent years, North Korea has reported steady advancement in its efforts to obtain nuclear-tipped missiles. Many foreign experts believe North Korea likely has missiles that can deliver nuclear strikes on all of South Korea, but it has yet to possess nuclear missiles that can strike the mainland U.S. The hurdles it has yet to overcome, according to experts, include ensuring its warheads survive the heat and stress of atmospheric reentry, improving the guidance systems for the missiles, and being able to use multiple warheads on a single missile to defeat missile defenses. Acquiring reentry technology is currently the most important goal in North Koreas missile development, specifically for ICBMs, but they just keep increasing the ranges instead. This possibly suggests they still lack confidence in their reentry technology, Lee Sangmin said. Chang said Friday's state media dispatch on the launch lacks details on the technological aspects of the Hawsong-19 and focused on publicity. Other North Korean claims about its weapons capabilities have been met with wide outside skepticism. In June, North Korea claimed to have tested a multiwarhead missile in the first known launch of such a weapon, but South Korea said the weapon instead blew up. In July, when North Korea said it had test-fired a new tactical ballistic missile capable of carrying a super-large warhead, South Korea said the claim was an attempt to conceal a botched launch. North Korea's missile program is still a major regional security concern, with the country openly threatening to use its nuclear missiles against its rivals. In a joint statement Thursday, the foreign ministers of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan condemned the ICBM launch as a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and said they're committed to strengthening their efforts to block North Korea's illicit revenue generation funding its missile and nuclear programs. South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Friday it has imposed unilateral sanctions on 11 North Korean individuals and four organizations for their alleged roles in procuring missile components and generating foreign currency to fund Pyongyangs weapons program. The sanctions are largely symbolic given that financial transactions between the Koreas have been suspended for years. Also Friday, South Korea and the U.S. conducted their first-ever joint live-fire exercise using unmanned aerial vehicles as part of efforts to demonstrate their readiness. South Koreas RQ-4B Global Hawk reconnaissance aircraft and the U.S. MQ-9 Reaper strike drone were mobilized for the training, according to South Korea's air force. South Korea and the U.S. have been expanding their regular military drills to cope with North Koreas evolving nuclear threats. Observers say that Thursday's launch, the North's first ICBM test in almost a year, was largely meant to grab American attention days before the U.S. presidential election and respond to international condemnation over North Korea's reported dispatch of troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. North Korea's reported troop dispatch highlights the expanding military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. South Korea. the U.S. and others worry North Korea might seek high-tech, sensitive Russian technology to perfect its nuclear and missile programs in return for joining the Russian-Ukraine war. Elon Musk awarded Kristine Fishell a $1 million check at a town hall in Pittsburgh on Oct. 20. The handful of Americans who have won $1 million checks from tech billionaire Elon Musks super PAC have a few things in common. Per the giveaways stated rules, they are all registered voters, according to public records. They all live in presidential battleground states, according to the same records. And presumably they have all signed Musks petition in Favor of Free Speech and the Right to Bear Arms a requirement to win the lottery-style contest, although their signatures on the petition arent public. And an analysis of the winners shows at least one other similarity: Almost all of them are registered Republicans or appear to be Republican-leaning. Nine of the 14 winners so far are registered Republicans, according to state voter rolls. A 10th winner lives in a state that doesnt allow the public to view party affiliation, but she posts regularly on social media in support of former President Donald Trump. And four others reside in states where voters dont register to vote with a party affiliation, but one of them posts pro-Trump messages on social media and another describes himself in a video from Musks America PAC as a former Democrat. Another of those four said in an interview that he supports Trump and has already voted. Musk has said that party affiliation doesnt affect who wins. All you need to do is sign the @America petition in support of the Constitutional rights to free speech & bear arms to have a daily chance of winning $1,000,000! Musk said Oct. 20 in a post on X. You can be from any or no political party and you dont even have to vote, he said. None of the 14 winners, though, appears to be a registered Democrat or visible supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris. The winners list appears to give insight into who has been signing Musks petition, which has faced criticism for having the appearance of offering payment in exchange for Republican-leaning voter registration. Federal law bars paying people to register to vote. Its possible that no registered Democrats have won the giveaway because few of them have entered compared to the number of Republicans entering. Musk has promoted the contest to his followers on X, which has a conservative slant, and through other channels where its likely to be seen by Republicans. Plus, Democrats who have seen Musks petition may not want to sign it, even if it comes with a chance at winning the prize, either because it endorses the right to bear arms or for some other reason. Additionally, the super PAC has faced an accusation from Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner that its contest appears not to be random, as Musk has advertised it. Musk said Oct. 19 when he announced the giveaway that his America PAC would choose $1 million winners randomly each day through Nov. 5. He has also said that the contest pool is open to any registered voter regardless of party who lives in one of seven swing states and agrees to sign his petition. Krasner, whos suing Musk and America PAC over what he calls an illegal lottery, has alleged that the selection of winners appears not to be random. In his lawsuit, he noted that the first two winners, Oct. 19 and Oct. 20, were present with Musk at rallies when their names were announced. Both just happened to live near the locations of Musks pro-Trump rallies and both were in attendance at those rallies, the lawsuit says. Those winners appeared to be surprised when they came to the stage to be handed an oversized check. NBC News contacted all the winners, and all but one declined to comment or did not respond to requests for comment. Ron Conwell of Michigan, the 14th winner, said in a phone interview Friday that he found out he won when American PAC came to his home Thursday and delivered an oversized check just as he was getting ready to hand out Halloween candy. He said he didnt know the process the super PAC used to pick his name and didnt ask. Told that no registered Democrats had won the contest, Conwell said that didnt surprise him. He said he believes Democrats are not ideologically predisposed to sign Musks petition in support of the First and Second Amendments. If youre following your ideology and youre an informed voter and you say that youre a Democrat, youre most likely not a supporter of the Constitution, he said. Conwell, a teacher of computer science, said hes already cast his ballot for Trump. When it comes to party affiliation, I dont think theres a possibility that you can disaggregate American from Republican, he said. If you cant see that the Republican Party is doing all it can to make sure that this country thrives, I just think that youre uninformed. How Musks super PAC chooses the winners the exact process has been a mystery for weeks. NBC News asked the super PAC to share the process Oct. 22 and did not receive a response. On Thursday, a spokesperson for the super PAC declined to comment on the process. Asked if he wanted to offer a response to Krasners allegation that it appears not to be random, or a comment on the partisan makeup of the winners, the spokesperson again declined. The word random does not appear on America PACs website for the contest or in any of the organizations posts on X, although Musk did describe it that way when he announced the giveaway. On Friday, the super PACs pinned post on X said that winners are selected to earn $1M as a spokesperson for America PAC. Krasners lawsuit added that if their scheme actually did not involve a chance or random selection of winners, then they would be admitting to acting deceptively and in violation of the Commonwealths consumer protection law. The suit also alleges that Musks super PAC is leaving some parts of the contest unspoken: They have not published a complete set of lottery rules, the suit says. Krasners lawsuit is pending in state court in Philadelphia. Musk, the worlds richest person, has been one of Trumps most energetic supporters during the final stretch of this years presidential campaign. His super PAC has spent more than $140 million to support the Republican nominee, and Musk has made several in-person appearances across Pennsylvania to try to drive turnout for Trump. While it wont be clear how much of that super PAC spending is from Musks personal wealth until after the election, the most recent filings with the Federal Election Commission show hes given the group more than $118 million through mid-October. Democrats, though, have urged people on their side to sign the petition and enter the contest. Every Democrat I know supports the U.S. Constitution including the First and Second Amendments, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, said during an appearance on comedian Bill Mahers talk show last week. Go ahead and sign up, Polis said, urging them to take Elon Musks money. But Musk has also said that each winner is required to be a spokesperson for the petition in exchange for the $1 million prize. All 14 winners have either recorded videos for Musks super PAC, been photographed for the super PAC or both. Of the 14 winners so far, four live in Pennsylvania, three in North Carolina, three in Michigan and one each in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and Wisconsin. For the first several days of the contest, only Pennsylvania residents were eligible to win. The Prince of Wales is taking his Earthshot Prize's fourth awards ceremony to Cape Town, South Africa next week Chris Jackson/Getty Prince William at last year's Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony in Singapore on Nov. 7, 2023 Prince Williams annual Earthshot Prize Awards is headed to Cape Town, South Africa, with the ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 6 Organizers call this the Prince of Wales Superbowl moment, and this years show is expected to be bigger than ever After a trip to Namibia in 2019, Prince William was inspired to launch The Earthshot Prize the next year, in 2020 Prince William is preparing for his Superbowl moment his annual star-studded Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony, which promises to be even bigger (and greener!) this year. A vast, reusable Superdome arena will seat 2,000 people for the fourth iteration of the Prince of Wales' Earthshot Prize Awards, the centerpiece of William's visit to South Africa, which begins Monday, Nov. 4. The green carpet at this year's event is set to be the longest ever seen, organizers predict. It is on that carpet in Cape Town, South Africa on Wednesday, Nov. 6, that perhaps the biggest impact will be had: The Earthshot Prize hopes to highlight how fast fashion has brought damaging consequences to Africa, where millions of garments are buried in landfills every year. Hosted by Nigerian TV presenter Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and South African rapper and host Nomuzi Mabena, the 90-minute pre-show green carpet, which is being broadcast live on YouTube for the first time, will have a focus on dressing to celebrate sustainably, says Hannah Jones, CEO of The Earthshot Prize. Samir Hussein/WireImage; David Livingston/Getty; Francois Durand/Getty Prince William and Earthshot Prize presenters Heidi Klum and Nina Dobrev Fashion is one of the priority areas where The Earthshot Prize is looking for solutions to green the industry, which Jones says is responsible for 10% of all global carbon emissions and creates a huge waste footprint. It is a big issue in Ghana, where one of this year's finalists, Green Africa Youth Organization, are working to keep waste out of landfills through innovative methods. The Earthshot Prize has five key categories: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World and Fix Our Climate. The awards ceremony is described by William's aides as his annual "Superbowl moment." Kin Cheung - WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince William spreading the Earthshot message at the Earthshot Prize Innovation Camp for finalists in London in June 2024 Inside the Superdome which, in keeping with the event's sustainability theme, has already been used in many events across Africa the show will be hosted by Billy Porter and South African television presenter Bonang Matheba. Actress Nina Dobrev and model and TV host Heidi Klum are among the presenters. I think you will see a lot more dancing in the event than you did before, Jones adds. The show has a particular focus on Gen Z this year, and they will infuse "urgent optimism into the global narrative ... and spark the worlds imagination with an invitation to young people to join the climate creativity movement, solving the worlds problems one creative solution at a time, according to Jones. She says their guiding principal has been by Africa, for Africa to the world, and it will be shown live across Africa on Multi-Choice for the first time and broadcast live on Earthshot Prizes YouTube channel and on BBC iplayer in the U.K. It will be a poignant first trip to the continent for The Earthshot Prize, as it was on a trip to Namibia in 2019 that William was inspired by projects which were working to protect their environment and support local communities, says a Kensington Palace spokesperson. The prince was frustrated by the pessimism and despair of the global debate and wanted to find a way to spotlight and scale the innovative solutions he was seeing on the ground. Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Earthshot Prince William walks last year's green carpet with Hannah Waddingham in Singapore on Nov. 7, 2023 Prince William founded The Earthshot Prize the next year, in 2020. We are extremely excited to be hosting this event in Africa, where we will celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity from across the continent, which are contributing to efforts to protect the planet, the spokesperson continues. Despite having the lowest emissions, Africa is the most vulnerable continent to climate change. Even beyond the awards ceremony being held on the continent this year, nearly one in five of all Earthshot finalists have either been founded or operate in Africa, and one-third of this year's finalists are from Africa. There are 15 finalists (including three from the U.S.), all of which were unveiled by William in September. They are competing for a $1.3 million prize across the organization's five categories, and the prize money is used to scale their respective ventures. We search for proven solutions that, if scaled, could be transformative in their impact, Jones says. Nominations came from more than 149 countries, and Jones adds, Unlike most prizes, we dont give awards to people for what theyve already achieved. We reward for the future potential of their inventions. Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Earthshot Prince WIlliam chats with Donnie Yen, Nomzamo Mbatha and Robert Irwin at the 2023 Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony in Singapore Soon after he arrives on Nov. 4, Prince William heads to his first engagement, which will see the prince meet more than 120 young leaders who have traveled from across Africa and some countries in Asia. He will have an audience with South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa at his official residence on Nov. 5, and throughout his time there hopes to celebrate and spotlight African innovation and highlight young people and the next generation. Related: George, Charlotte and Louis Are on Break From School for Two Weeks And Are No Doubt Getting Ready for Halloween! William will also attend the global showcase for United for Wildlife, which was set up in 2013 by William and his Royal Foundation to tackle the illegal trade in wildlife. While there, William is set to make a speech on nature and conservation, and the event will bring leaders from law enforcement, governments and United for Wildlifes taskforce in finance, e-commerce and law to further the mission of combating the illegal trade. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Among other highlights of the visit, on his last day, Thursday, Nov. 7, William is to meet local fishermen in Kalk Bay Harbour and see the work of 2023 Earthshot Finalist Abalobi. Abalobi was founded in South Africa and aims to protect small-scale fishing communities and nurture their ocean stewardship while arming their customers with better information about where their seafood comes from. Olivia Pope & Associates is reuniting with the Grant Administration to support Americans in need. The cast of beloved ABC political drama "Scandal" and series creator Shonda Rhimes will participate in a virtual script reading later this month, actor Bellamy Young announced on Instagram. The fundraiser reunion seeks to raise money for western North Carolina communities devastated by Hurricane Helene, including Young's hometown of Asheville. One lucky donor will be chosen to join the call and read a role one alongside the cast, including star Kerry Washington. No previous acting experience is required. The actors have not yet confirmed which episode the cast will be reading. Joe Morton, Scott Foley, Bellamy Young, Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn, Jeff Perry, Darby Stanchfield, Joshua Malina, on stage for a "Scandal' panel on March 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. Cast announce reunion in virtual skit The reunion was announced through an Instagram skit that began with Young and Tony Goldwyn, who played Mellie Grant and Fitzgerald Grant, chatting on a Zoom call. "It's been so long since we had the whole "Scandal" fam together," Young tells Goldwyn. "Remember how we'd look forward to table reads. We'd find out everything that Shonda and the writers had in the store for us next. It was so crazy." He replies: "That was the best. Maybe we can get together for an online reading like do it for a worthy cause." Several actors then appear showing support for the event, including Scott Foley, Katie Lowes and Guillermo Diaz. Here's where to know about the reunion. When is the 'Scandal' cast reunion? The cast of "Scandal" will reunite for a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17. at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT. How to donate and register? A donation is required to watch the "Scandal" live script reading reunion on Nov. 17. To donate click here. All proceeds will go toward western North Carolina victims impacted by Hurricane Helene. Who is participating in 'Scandal' script reading? Along with "Scandal" creator Shonda Rhimes and producer Betsy Beers, the following cast members are confirmed to participate so far: Bellamy Young Kerry Washington Tony Goldwyn Jeff Perry Darby Stanchfield Guillermo Diaz Scott Foley Katie Lowes Joshua Malina Joe Morton George Newbern Cornelius Smith, Jr. Additional guest stars will be announced closer to the event. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Scandal' cast reunion reading: When, how to register, who is joining CHIVA, Spain. (AP) Mud cakes her boots, splatters her leggings and the gloves holding her broom. Brown specks freckle her cheeks. The mire covering Alicia Montero is the signature uniform of the impromptu army of volunteers who, for a third day Friday, shoveled and swept out the muck and debris that filled the small town of Chiva in Valencia after flash floods swept through the region. Spain's deadliest natural disaster in living memory has left at least 205 people dead with untold numbers still missing, and countless lives in tatters. As police and emergency workers continue the grim search for bodies, authorities appear overwhelmed by the enormity of the disaster, and survivors are relying on the esprit de corps of volunteers who have rushed in to fill the void. While hundreds of people in cars and on foot have been streaming in from Valencia city to the suburbs to help, Montero and her friends are locals of Chiva, where at least seven people died when Tuesdays storm unleashed its fury. I never thought this could happen. It moves me to see my town in this shape, Montero tells The Associated Press. We have always had autumn storms, but nothing like this. She says she barely avoided the floods when she was driving home Tuesday, and that if she had got on the road five minutes later she believes she would have been swept away like dozens of cars still stranded on the highway that crosses a flood plain between her town and the city of Valencia, about 30 kilometers (18 miles) to the east. Tractors roar through Chiva's narrow streets, only briefly stopping or slowing to allow people to toss broken doors, shattered furniture and other debris into the beds before churning their way up, away from the epicenter of the destruction. Residents and volunteers meanwhile shovel and sweep out the layers of mud that coat the floors of the ruined shops and homes, the air abuzz with frenetic energy. People carry buckets of water from a large ornamental pool in a town square to wash away the mire. Three young boys take a break to kick a soccer ball around on the slippery street. Newcomers are easy to spot because they are clean, but a few steps down Chiva's slippery cobblestones and they are quickly marked with mud. How many hours have we been at it? Who knows? Montero says, while taking a breather from cleaning near a gorge that was filled with a crushing wall of water just days earlier. We work, stop to eat a sandwich they give us, and keep on working. Death by mud As much mud in the streets as if the waters had but newly retired from the face of the earth, is Charles Dickens' description of 19th century London in his novel Bleak House. In Chiva and other parts of Valencia Paiporta, Masanasa, Barrio de la Torre, Alfafar mud has become synonymous with death and destruction. The mire flowed into houses and crawled into cars, smashing some vehicles apart and easily lifting and moving others. The storm this week unleashed more rain on Chiva in eight hours than the town had experienced in the preceding 20 months. The deluge powered a flood that knocked down two of the four bridges in the town, and made a third unsafe to cross. The waters have now receded and the Civil Guard divers are gone, but police keep searching the gorge, smashed homes and underground garages, concerned that the mud could be hiding more bodies. Entire houses have disappeared. We dont know if there were people inside or not, Mayor Amparo Fort told RNE radio. Citizens fill the void left by authorities There are so many people coming to help the hardest-hit areas that the authorities have asked them not to drive or walk there, because they are blocking the roads needed by the emergency services. It is very important that you return home, said regional President Carlos Mazon, who thanked the volunteers for their goodwill. The regional government has asked volunteers to gather at a large cultural center in the city Saturday morning to organize work crews and transport. Electricity was at last restored for Chivas 20,000 residents on Thursday night, and there is still no running water. Local governments have been distributing water, food and basic necessities in towns across Valencia affected by the flash floods, and the Red Cross is using its vast network of aid to help those affected. In Chiva, the Civil Guard police officers have been searching collapsed houses and the gorge for bodies, and directing traffic. Firefighters are helping ensure buildings were safe. Some 500 soldiers have been deployed in the Valencia region to deliver water and essential goods to those in need, and more are on the way. But so far no military units are in Chiva, where the wave of solidarity among average citizens underscores the dearth of official help. The vibe is one of townsfolk just getting on with it. A man weeps inside the Astoria Cinema, which has been transformed into a supply depot. The theater is filled with piles of water bottles and fruit. People make sandwiches. One group of young men arrive and drop off bottled water before picking up shovels and brooms and joining the fray. Just across a square at the town hall, a sign says everyone is allowed to take two bottles of water a day. Volunteers hand out baguette sandwiches. Cleaning out the bakery that has been in her family for five generations, Maria Teresa Sanchez hopes it can survive, but she is not sure if her 100-year-old oven can be salvaged. Chiva will take a long time to recover from this, she said. But it is true that we have not felt alone. We are helping each other. And at the end that is really what we embrace, that spirit of being a town that is isolated and nobody has come to help, yet see how we are all out in the street? That is the shining light to this story. ___ Medrano reported from Madrid. Associated Press writers Colleen Barry in Milan and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report. People wait in line to cast their ballots during early voting at a polling station in Black Mountain, North Carolina, on October 18, 2024. (Allison Joyce/AFP/Getty Images) Choosing when to vote is usually about finding that one block of time between your responsibilities at home and at work. But, in many states, your calculation might also include the fact that, by law, your employer must allow you some time off during the workday to vote, albeit with certain restrictions. (And if you could use free child care to enable you to get out to vote, there may be some options available to you where you live. More on that below.) Heres what you need to know: Which states have voting leave laws? There is currently no federal law requiring organizations to give their employees time off to vote during working hours. However, 28 states and the District of Columbia do have such laws. And a 29th state, North Dakota, has a law simply encouraging, but not requiring, employers to provide time off. The states requiring voting leave be granted are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The rules and allowances differ by state, according to law firm Fisher Phillips, which compiled a state-by-state guide for employers. (You can also look up specific state statutes at Justia.) How much time can I take? Among states with voting leave laws, they most typically require employers to allow either one, two or three hours off. But Kentucky allows up to four hours. Still, several states may disallow such leave if the polls are open for a few consecutive hours before or after an employees shift. In New York, for example, if employees have four consecutive hours between the time the polls open and the start of their shift or between the end of their shift and the time the polls close, they are considered to have enough time to vote outside of their work hours, Fisher-Phillips notes. Is time away from work to vote paid time? Most of the states requiring employers to permit voting leave also require that this time be paid. Among those that do not require that the time be paid are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts and North Dakota. In Wisconsin, employers may deduct time lost but cant penalize employees in any other way. Do I have to notify my employer about my plans? In many states, yes. For instance, the leave laws in New York and California require you to give at least two days notice. In Oklahoma, three days notice is required. Also, in New York and California, employers are on the hook to provide notice to employees before Election Day about their options. Most states, however, do not impose such a requirement on companies. Do the laws apply to all employers in all industries? It seems to be the case in most instances, but check your states specific law. In Massachusetts, for instance, the leave law applies just to manufacturing, mechanical and mercantile establishments. Do time-off laws apply to early voting too? Again, rules vary by state. If your state allows for early voting and, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 47 states do, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam voting leave rules may or may not apply. Some statutes explicitly say they apply to early voting such as in Georgia and Washington, DC. In Kentucky, eligible employees are entitled to take up to four hours of leave either to vote or to apply for or execute an absentee ballot, according to the states statute. And the absentee ballot as described here is a form of early voting. Oklahoma, too, allows time off for in-person absentee voting. Where is the best information about my options to take time off to vote where I live? Start by contacting your human resources department at work to find out about your employers policy about voting, said Jeanette Senecal, senior director of mission impact at the League of Women Voters. If you live in a state that does have a time-off-to-vote law, remember that state law is the floor, not the ceiling (of what is required), and your employer may have a more generous policy, Senecal said. Even if you live in a state without a voting leave law, your company may voluntarily permit time during working hours to vote. You also can find a state-by-state breakdown on a number of voting issues including time-off laws, polling hours, rules about absentee ballots, how to make a plan to vote, etc. at Vote411.org. If you have further questions pertaining to time-off laws or any other voting issues, Senecal suggests contacting the chief election officials where you live. That may be the state board of elections or the secretary of states office. They should have essential information on voting rights and rules. Free child care options to free up parents to vote in several states As first reported by The 19th, nonprofit organization Politisit and its partners are providing free Election Day child care options across a variety of states, including Alabama, California, Georgia, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas. The reason is simple, Politisit notes on its site: Making sure every eligible voter can vote is the bedrock of democracy. The cost of childcare can be a barrier to parents voting, especially when a long line or voter intimidation is expected. At Politisit, we believe that parents shouldnt have to choose between voting and care for their children. This story has been updated with additional developments and context. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com In the latest of an October spate of teen shootings in New York City, two 15-year-olds face charges and another two teens are dead. The first shooting happened the evening of Oct. 16, a New York Police Department spokesperson told USA TODAY. Someone called authorities about a male that had been shot. The victim, later identified as 18-year-old McNally Zamor, had been shot in the head. Emergency responders came and took him to the Brookdale Hospital Medical Center in Brooklyn, where his condition was initially listed as critical. The next day, authorities arrested a 15-year-old boy and charged him with second-degree attempted murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Zamor died from his injuries nine days after the shooting and the case is now considered a homicide, the NYPD said. The Brooklyn District Attorney's Office plans to upgrade the charges in the grand jury, a spokesperson for the DA's office told USA TODAY Friday afternoon. Halloween shooting: Halloween party incident in Denver suburb leaves 3 dead and 3 injured In another case, which claimed the life of 16-year-old Clarence Jones, a 15-year-old was charged with second-degree murder, the NYPD said. Jones was shot in the torso on Oct. 24. He was taken to NYC Health and Hospitals/Harlem, where doctors pronounced him dead. The 15-year-old arrested in his case was taken into custody Thursday night, the NYPD said. Multiple teen shooting victims reported in New York City in October According to the NYPD, there have been at least four other shootings involving teenagers recently, including: Malachi Deberry , 15, was killed on Oct. 25. Officers were called about an assault. Once at the scene, officers found Deberry, who had been shot in the head. He was taken to Maimonides Medical Center, where he eventually died. Taearion Mungo , 16, was shot on Oct. 26. Someone called the police that night about a male who was shot. Officers found the victim with a gunshot wound to the chest. Mungo was taken to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he later died. Tristan Sanders , 15, was killed Sunday, Oct. 27, authorities said. A caller contacted police Sunday night about a male who had been shot. Officers said the victim had been shot in his chest. He was taken to NYC Health and Hospitals/Kings County in critical condition, where doctors eventually pronounced him dead. Joshua Sparrow, 18, was killed on Monday, Oct 28. Police were called that night about a male who had been shot in the 41st Precinct. The victim had been shot in the head and torso. He was taken to NYC Health and Hospitals/Lincoln, where he was later pronounced dead. As of Friday afternoon, there have been no arrests in connection to any of these deaths, the NYPD said. Slain Brooklyn teen wanted to be a songwriter and was very loving The teenager who died on Oct. 25, McNally, liked writing songs and was very loving, said his father McNally Zamor Sr. while speaking to the New York Daily News. He graduated from Canarsie High School and he wanted to be a songwriter, his father told the outlet, adding that he was his youngest child. As his dad reflected on his son's death, he told the Daily News he was worried about gun violence in the area including Canarsie, a neighborhood in southeastern Brooklyn. Canarsie has always been a quiet, good place to live, the teens father said. It has been turned upside down now. And the city, too now theyre shooting all over. According to the outlet, police are not sure what led to the shooting but they are trying to see if it may be connected to an earlier shooting incident. 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: Two New York teens, aged 15, face charges in city's latest shootings WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Friday handed a loss to Republicans by allowing Pennsylvania voters who sent mail-in ballots that were flagged as being potentially defective to submit a separate provisional in-person ballot. The justices rejected, with no noted dissents, a Republican request to put on hold a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling from last week. The Supreme Court action marks "an important reaffirmation of the right to vote in Pennsylvania," said Ben Geffen, a lawyer who represented voters in the case. Justice Samuel Alito, one of the court's conservatives, wrote a brief statement saying that, although it is an issue of "considerable importance," there were several reasons for the court not to get involved at this stage. His statement was joined by two other conservatives, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Neil Gorsuch. The case, as Alito noted, arose from a dispute over two ballots submitted during the "long-completed" Democratic primary in Butler County this year. Although it is unclear exactly how many ballots the legal theory would affect if it applied to the general election, it could be several thousand and have major legal ramifications if any statewide contests are close in the key swing state. The Supreme Court action does not definitively resolve the legal issue, which could yet return to the justices. Many of Pennsylvania's counties, which administer elections, already allowed for voters to cast provisional ballots if their mail-in ballots lacked a secrecy envelope even before the recent state Supreme Court ruling. Some did not. The state court had concluded that mail-in ballots that machines detect as lacking secondary secrecy envelopes required under Pennsylvania law are void, therefore allowing the voter to cast a provisional ballot, a finding that Republicans had argued against. Such ballots automatically lead to voters in many counties being notified that there are problems with the ballots that can be remedied by voting in person. As a result of the state court ruling, all counties must now accept provisional ballots if a voter submitted a deficient mail-in ballot, Geffen said. However, he added, not all counties notify voters if there is a problem with their mail-in ballot. In another court ruling on Friday that further clarified the rules of the road heading into Election Day, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court made it clear that undated or incorrectly dated mail-in ballots will not be counted. Taken together, the two cases "take away a lot of the uncertainty regarding lawsuits over voting rules in Pennsylvania," said Rick Hasen, an expert on election law at the UCLA School of Law and an NBC News contributor. "While it's still possible for these issues to come back in the event of a very close election, the chances are now significantly diminished," he added. The Democratic National Committee and the Harris-Walz campaign welcomed the Supreme Court decision, saying in a joint statement that former President Donald Trump "and his allies are trying to make it harder for your vote to count, but our institutions are stronger than his shameful attacks." A Republican National Committee spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday night. In their filing at the Supreme Court, Republicans said that state law requires any ballots that do not meet the strict standards to be rejected and does not allow for voters to get a do-over. Under their interpretation of the law, that would include not just ballots lacking the secrecy sleeve, but also ballots that are not dated, not dated correctly or lack a signature. The state, which was not sued and is not a defendant in the case, filed a friend-of-the-court brief at the Supreme Court urging the justices not to intervene, saying the ruling from the top state court did not institute a dramatic change. Lawyers for the state wrote that Supreme Court intervention would only serve to prevent two votes in the Democratic primary from being counted months after the fact. The litigation raises a legal question of interest to conservatives on the Supreme Court about whether the ruling from Pennsylvania's high court unlawfully encroaches on the Legislatures authority to set election rules under the U.S. Constitution. The issue was the subject of a Supreme Court ruling last year that largely rejected the independent state Legislature theory, which says legislatures have unfettered authority over elections, while leaving the door open to revisit the matter in future. Republicans in the 2020 election repeatedly argued that Democratic officials and state courts inappropriately changed election rules, mostly to address health concerns raised by the Covid pandemic. Those cases provided fodder for then-President Donald Trumps failed efforts to overturn his election loss. Trump in 2020 also frequently railed against the expanded use of mail-in voting. The latest case arose when two Butler County voters, Faith Genser and Frank Matis, sent defective mail-in ballots in the Democratic primary election and were notified they would not be counted. They subsequently cast provisional ballots in person. They filed a lawsuit after being told that the votes would not be counted. The Republican National Committee then intervened. Genser and Matis lost in a trial court, but an intermediate appeals court and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in their favor, prompting Republicans to appeal again to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Republican National Committee and affiliated lawyers have filed a slew of lawsuits ahead of the 2024 general election in swing states, including Pennsylvania, with Trump among those fueling unfounded concerns of widespread election fraud. In 2020, President Joe Biden won Pennsylvania by just over 80,000 votes. Lil Sweet Treat gummies. Sometimes the lines grow so long outside a shop in Brooklyn, New York, the owners have to call in a bouncer. People walk out carrying bags stuffed with loot that they guard as if they were carrying prized possessions. Welcome to the Swedish gummies craze that has swept the United States, thanks to a hefty push from TikTok creators that has people salivating for a confection aficionados insist is a cut above the standard gummies fare. Since everyones obsessed with Swedish candy in New York, lets go to Bon Bon! creator Beca Michie said, standing outside the pink awning of Bon Bon Swedish Candy. Welcome to the Swedish gummies craze that has swept the U.S. The platform is alive with videos of people displaying their colorful Swedish candy hauls. This highly anticipated Swedish candy shop is finally open in the West Village, creator Becca Schneider said about Lil Sweet Treat. Leo Schaltz, a co-founder of Brooklyn-based Bon Bon, said he and his two business partners opened the shop because they found the options in the U.S. gummies space lacking. We felt that the American standards of candy didnt live up to what we grew up with, Schaltz said. Schaltz and his two co-founders are from Sweden, where they were allowed to indulge only one day a week when they were growing up on Saturdays. The Saturdays were holy, so we tried to relive that," he said. You can get goosebumps talking about it, like when I had the special ones I used to have when I was kid. Its incredible. Bon Bon co-founders Selim Adira, Leo Schaltz and Robert Persson. Schaltz and his team set out to recapture that magic and make every day a sweet Saturday. Bon Bon, which opened in 2017, now has four locations that stay open until midnight, as well as a booming website. Its popularity can lead to queues that wrap around the building. Sometimes the lines get too long, and then we kind of have to add reinforcement a candy bouncer, Schaltz said. Hes very friendly. He gives out samples. Hes not intimidating. So hes on brand for Bon Bon. Schaltz said TikTok might bring people to the store, but the quality of its ingredients keeps them coming back for more. Most of our candy is vegan. Theyre gluten free, Schaltz said. At the end of the day, its a quality product that comes from Sweden, which sort of adds an air of premiumness to it. Elly Ross with her father in 2002. Inspired by her Korean heritage and her travels, Ross sources candies not only from Sweden, but also from all over the world. The Swedish ingredients come together to make treats such as cotton candy skulls, foamy pear ovals known as bubs, sour cola pacifiers and black licorice a Swedish delicacy. Schaltz said theyre still trying to win over skeptical Americans with that one. It tastes amazing. You just havent had the right licorice, he said. We are cautiously optimistic, but still confident that we will change some hearts. Whether or not black licorice becomes an American staple, people are clearly ready to test their taste buds. Over the past year, I had seen that Swedish candy was going viral, said Elly Ross, owner and founder of Lil Sweet Treat. And to me, that signaled that there was a gap in the market of people who wanted to try new sweets, new textures and really just expand their palettes beyond what we have in convenience stores today. She was working at an e-commerce start-up when she walked past a small unit for rent in the West Village. I saw the layout and I said, this is Lil Sweet Treat, Ross said. This is the candy shop. She documented her journey on TikTok, posting updates on the renovation, candy stock ordering and more, gaining more than 28,000 followers. Elly Ross during the renovation of Lil Sweet Treat. She opened the shop this year and sold out of her entire stock in just a few days. Store supervisor Issy Victoriano said visitors from around the world come in to sample their candy. I have seen people that actually have flown just to come here and try it, she said. With business booming, Ross said she has not forgotten the candy-obsessed girl she once was. I immigrated to the States when I was young, and I grew up with Korean snacks," she said. "I would share that at recess and that camaraderie of sharing cultures through food was something that Ive always truly loved. Inspired by her Korean heritage and her travels, Ross sources candies not only from Sweden, but from all over the world. Her stock rotates weekly, but can include alligator bites from Sweden, smiling pumpkins from Germany and sour blue raspberries from Spain. She keeps a diverse inventory for loyal customers and TikTok followers, whom she calls candy connoisseurs. A candy connoisseur is anyone whos willing to try new items, willing to learn about different candies and just take that leap of faith into trying something new, she said. Ross, pictured as a child, said, "Something that I hear from our candy connoisseurs all the time is, You made me feel like a kid again.'" Aside from TikTok, candy experts said there could be another reason gummies are having a moment -- increased cacao prices. I think chocolate is going to remain expensive for a while. So I think thats good for the gummy candy industry, said David Branch, a commodities analyst for Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute. Its going to take a year or two for this market to really moderate, and cacao prices to come back down to their historical levels, so I think gummies are here to stay." Commodities aside, Schaltz and Ross said nostalgia is a key factor in their success. Something that I hear from our candy connoisseurs all the time is, You made me feel like a kid again,'" Ross said. "I think people are really looking for that extra bit of joy and a way to bring a little extra happiness to something as simple as grabbing a bag of candy. Schaltz said, "We're all kids at heart. Me and my co-founders, we truly believe that growing up is a trap. But owning candy stores definitely helps. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) predicts that if Vice President Harris wins the presidential election, there may be blood. Cohen joined NewsNations Dan Abrams on Thursday evening when he shared that hes worried about the aftermath of the election if Harris wins, which he thinks she will. I think Kamalas gonna win the popular vote by 5, 6 million votes at least. I think she gets the electoral vote, but I think Trump wont stop at anything. It will be in court; it will be in litigation. Hell be telling people, again, to go to the Capitol if you want to have a country and fight like hell, Cohen said. There may be blood, and theres some concern, he continued. Harris and former President Trump are set to go head-to-head in a matter of days in the general election. National polling, according to The Hill/Decision Desk HQ, shows Harris with a 0.7 percent lead over Trump. The vice president has seen a slump in recent weeks after riding high receiving President Bidens endorsement, becoming the Democratic Partys official nominee, and performing well against Trump in the debate. Harris gathered thousands of people in Washington for one of her final rally speeches. It was held at the Ellipse, where Trump spoke on Jan. 6, 2021, before his supporters attacked the Capitol. She tried to emphasize a key campaign message: that if he loses in the next few days, he will try to do it again. She then headed west to campaign in Arizona and Nevada, two critical battleground states. Trump also went west to campaign. He spent Thursday in New Mexico, Nevada and Arizona to gather last-minute support in the states that went to Biden in 2020. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Thousands of people gathered in Dublin, Ireland on Thursday night for a Halloween parade that was never going to happen. Videos and photos posted on social media showed large crowds gathered in central Dublin, but it appears they were all duped by what appears to have been an elaborate online hoax. "People waiting for a Halloween parade," one social media user posted Thursday, with a photo showing crowds lining Dublin's O'Connell Street, a main avenue in the capital. They noted that there were no police or event staff on the scene, and "no official announcement, people waiting on the wrong side of the road," concluding: "Someone did pull a big #hoax #Prank." People waiting for a halloween parade. #Dublin No Gardai around, no official announcement, people waiting on the wrong side of the road... Someone did pull a big #hoax #Prank pic.twitter.com/zTQUShZrya Artur Martins (@arturmartins) October 31, 2024 The non-event had been advertised on the website myspirithalloween.com, which promoted multiple Halloween events across the world, including in U.S. cities and in the U.K., Mexico and Australia. The website had advertised the fake Dublin parade, claiming it was organized by the real Irish performance group Macnas. The event was then touted by social media users on TikTok and Facebook, according to commentary posted online by Ciaran O'Connor, a senior analyst at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue think tank, which looks at the spread of misinformation online. The website was likely created to generate advertising revenue and included fake reviews, real photos from previous Macnas Halloween events, fake social media pages on Facebook, and AI-generated text, O'Connor said. Some of the events advertised on the site were real. The page on the site that had featured the details about the purported Dublin parade was altered as of Friday to say it had been "cancelled." The "site claims to be based in Illinois, but all signs point to person(s) behind it being based in Pakistan," O'Connor said in a post on X. In an effort to break up the crowds Thursday evening, Irish police posted a statement online saying: "Contrary to information being circulated online, no Halloween parade is scheduled to take place in Dublin City Centre this evening or tonight." "All those gathered on O'Connell Street in expectation of such a parade are asked to disperse safely," Ireland's national police said in a post on X. Irish state broadcaster RTE reported that the large crowds briefly caused disruption to Dublin's tram lines. Trump uses garbage truck to needle Biden, Harris Sneak peek: Fatal First Date Trump puts focus on Biden's "garbage" remarks Netflix's Hijack 93 tells the story of four young men who hijacked a plane in 1993 in protest of their government Netflix Hijack 93 Netflixs Hijack 93 fictionalizes the gripping true story of four young adults who hijacked a plane to protest their governments actions. On Oct. 25, 1993, Richard Ogunderu, Kabir Adenuga, Benneth Oluwadaisi and Kenny Rasaq-Lawal boarded a Nigeria Airways flight from Lagos to Abuja with a mission: to demand the restoration of democracy in Nigeria. Over the course of three days, they held over 100 passengers and crew members hostage while they made demands to the government. The hijacking ended with their arrest following a military raid, leading them to serve over nine years in prison. More than three decades later, theyve become the inspiration behind Netflixs movie adaptation, Hijack '93, directed by Robert Peters and released in October 2024. As for being the subject of a movie, Adenuga told The Nollywood Reporter in September 2023 that its a great initiative. The movie would go a long way in educating the youth of today, he said. This is a part of our history. I want them to be inspired in continuing to fight for a better nation. But, why did these four young men hijack a plane in 1993? Here is everything to know about the Nigerian Airways hijack and where the co-conspirators are today. What happened during the 1993 Nigerian Airways hijack? Netflix Hijack 93 In October 1993, the Associated Press reported that a Nigerian Airways flight carrying between 135 and 137 passengers, including government officials, had been hijacked by four men, per Neusroom. The hijackers initially aimed to land in Frankfurt, Germany, but low fuel forced them to land in Niger, where the Nigerian military prevented another takeoff. The hijackers held passengers and crew hostage, threatening to set the Airbus A310 on fire within 72 hours unless their demands were met which included the resignation of Nigeria's military-backed government. Ogunderu told The Nollywood Reporter in July 2023 that the demands were outlined on flyers he brought on board, including additional asks such as the government returning allegedly embezzled money to the state and the reopening of a closed newspaper company and universities. The hijackers released 129 hostages before the Nigerian Army and Air Force stormed the plane, capturing the hijackers and rescuing the remaining passengers and crew members, as reported by The New York Times. However, they also reported that one crew member was killed, and four or five others were wounded during the operation. Who were the four men responsible for the 1993 Nigerian Airways hijack? Netflix Hijack 93 The four young men responsible for the 1993 Nigerian Airways hijack were Richard Ogunderu, 19, and Kabir Adenuga, Benneth Oluwadaisi and Kenny Rasaq-Lawal, who were all in their early 20s. At the time, Ogunderu dreamed of becoming a marine engineer and had plans to further his education in Canada before he became involved in the hijacking through his association with Jerry Yusuf, founder of the Movement for the Advancement of Democracy (MAD), as he shared with The Nollywood Reporter in July 2023. In October 2024, Ogunderus father, Yemi, told Punch that he had no knowledge of his sons plan to hijack a plane. He had shared with Neusroom in June 2022 that he didnt even know Ogunderu had become a member of MAD, and finding out about the incident was his rudest shock. Imagine a young man of 19 without prior military training, now giving to violence, Yemi said. It was like the entire world was collapsing on me. Yemi continued that his son often tried to engage him in conversations about national issues, sometimes teasing his fathers generation for their perceived inaction. He would tell me You old men just sat there bemoaning your fate, wont you do something about this country? his father added. Although Yemi said he had never met the other conspirators, he shared that his son told him they became involved with one another over a common interest about the countrys political state, as they felt a sense of duty to do something. Why did they hijack the plane? Netflix Hijack 93 Ogunderu told The Nollywood Reporter that he and the three others were fighting in the name of democracy when they hijacked the plane. The hijacking followed the annulment of Nigeria's June 12, 1993, presidential election. Although Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) led his opponent Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC), military ruler Ibrahim Babangida annulled the results, sparking widespread outrage and unrest across Nigeria, per Neusroom. In a November 2020 interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Ogunderu alleged that the plan was conceived by Yusuf, who gathered the men and proposed the hijack after reading about a similar incident involving a toy gun. Yusuf allegedly suggested they could do the same here. What actually touched me was the objective: that we wanted to reclaim the stolen mandate, freely given to Chief M.K.O Abiola, by the Nigerian people, Ogunderu said. I just believed somebody just had to go and demand that the democratic rights of the people be respected. Where are the four men who hijacked the 1993 Nigerian Airways flight now? The end titles of Hijack 93 reveal that all four hijackers were arrested, tried and convicted in Niger, but they have all since completed their sentences. Adenuga told The Nollywood Reporter in September 2023 that life in prison was very terrible, adding that he had to make money from his skills to feed himself and the other hijackers he was imprisoned with. However, Ogunderu told The Nollywood Reporter in July 2023 that his time in prison was neither particularly good nor bad: It was just livable. He explained that he made friends, dedicated himself to Christianity, became a preacher and learned basic French to interact with the close-knit community around him. Yemi told Neusroom that his son, who spent over nine years in prison, became a well-known figure in Niger for organizing educational tutorials for inmates. He established an education programme in the prison, which reduced crime rates. When he was released, the Niger people didnt want him to return to Nigeria, Yemi said. In November 2020, Ogunderu told the Nigerian Tribune that he had been working to educate young people about democracy and political engagement through his initiative, the African Youth Organisation. When asked if had any regrets, Ogunderu said, I dont have any regrets taking that action. The only regrets I would have had would have been if I had died, without seeing this democracy that we clamoured for. He told The Nollywood Reporter in July 2023 that he met his fiancee, Maria Marello, while studying at Alliance Francaise in Yaba. He also studied French at the Nigeria French Language Village and attended the Government Science School in Kuru and Grammar School in Ilaje. Regarding his current life, Ogunderu said, I am quite happy. I believe we will achieve democracy in its full maturation. Meanwhile, Adenuga told The Nollywood Reporter in September 2023 that following his release from prison in 2001, he struggled with what he had done. It wasnt easy, but God didnt kill us, since we were convicted of the sacredness of what we did, he said. Little is known about Kenny and Benneth today, but Adenuga told The Nollywood Reporter that they had been communicating on and off on Facebook until he deleted his accounts and lost touch. I still miss them, he said. How accurate is the Netflix movie Hijack 93? Netflix Hijack 93 The Netflix adaptation Hijack 93 is based on the real events of the 1993 hijacking of a Nigerian Airways flight. Like the real events, top government officials were on the flight, and the hijackers held the crew and passengers hostage to protest the military rule in their country and support the Movement for the Advancement of Democracy. However, although it follows the same story line, director Peters fictionalized aspects to enhance the narrative, including additional onboard drama (nobody went into labor on the real hijacked plane), altered names for the hijackers and deepened backstories. Another change is that while the film sees the hijackers smuggle weapons on board secretly through a crew member, in real life, the gun the hijackers used to enter the cockpit was a toy gun, as Ogunderus father told Punch in October 2024. In a final twist of fate, the movie sees the hijackers release women and children and eventually surrender, provided their demands are fulfilled. But in actuality, although they had released many of the hostages over the three days, the hijackers never surrendered and were arrested after a military raid on the aircraft. Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Aug. 5. Last week, a video popped up on social media falsely claiming to show someone ripping up ballots in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. In a matter of hours, the clip went viral, pulling in hundreds of thousands of views after a now-deleted post on X. In a break with past practice, U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials decided to quickly issue a statement the day after the video appeared, saying Russian operatives manufactured and amplified the material as part of a wider campaign to divide Americans and raise unfounded questions about the integrity of the U.S. election. The swift response underscored how intelligence and FBI officials have forged a new strategy to combat the onslaught of false information from Russia and other foreign adversaries. Scarred by their experience eight years ago when a Kremlin election interference campaign caught federal authorities off guard, intelligence agencies and the Justice Department are moving faster to expose and disrupt disinformation operations to try to knock foreign actors off balance, according to current and former officials. Instead of relying on flagging suspected foreign disinformation posts to social media companies, U.S. authorities are declassifying information about foreign election interference in an unprecedented way, seizing web domains and issuing indictments that have exposed the mechanics of Russian and Iranian information warfare, officials and researchers said. Theres no question they are moving more rapidly and declassifying intelligence to try to get ahead of the problem, a congressional aide said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive issue. But its unclear whether the new playbook will prove effective amid a relentless wave of election-related false information coming from Russia, Iran, China and Cuba. For Russias spy services, the occasional outing of a disinformation campaign has little effect, said Paul Kolbe, former Central Eurasia division chief at the CIA. They see themselves as getting a free pass on most of this, Kolbe said. If it gets exposed, great. They havent lost agents, and they just shift to another platform. Its really easy: just keep playing, keep shifting, and keep us playing whack-a-mole. U.S. officials acknowledge there is no magic bullet that can defeat disinformation campaigns emanating from Moscow or Tehran, but they believe they have arrived at a formula that will help limit its impact. Project Good Old USA Last month, the Biden administration announced a series of actions against Russias disinformation campaign. The measures included an indictment against Russian agents alleged to have funneled funds to conservative influencers at a Tennessee media company while hiding the origins of the money. Officials also imposed sanctions on Russians accused of orchestrating the information warfare and announced the seizure of web domains used for fake news sites as part of Russias Doppelganger campaign. As part of an FBI affidavit for the takedown of the web domains, U.S. authorities released a trove of Russian internal documents lifting the lid on the Kremlins information warfare planning and deliberations. In an internal memo titled Guerrilla Media Campaign in the United States, organizers of the propaganda project outlined how to plant false stories through manufactured social media accounts and news sites. In order for this work to be effective, you need to use a minimum of fake news and a maximum of realistic information, the secret memo said. At the same time, you should continuously repeat that this is what is really happening, but the official media will never tell you about it or show it to you." Directors of Russia Today in their apparatus room in Moscow in 2018. The instructions were part of what the Kremlin-backed team called Project Good Old USA, a concerted campaign to spread false information across social media to promote Donald Trumps candidacy in the 2024 election, according to U.S. officials and court documents. U.S. officials believe that shedding light on Russias covert influence operations has complicated life for the Kremlin by exposing some of their tactics and partners and that it even embarrassed them by uncovering how they overstate their works impact to their Kremlin bosses. Matthew Olsen, the assistant attorney general for national security, said in a speech last month that exposing the disinformation efforts also sends an unmistakable message to our adversaries weve gained insight into your networks, we know what youre doing, and we are determined to hold you accountable. Although the Russian agents charged by U.S. authorities will most likely never appear in any U.S. courtroom, the work could deter Americans from accepting lucrative offers from the Kremlins information operators, said Bret Schafer, of the Alliance for Securing Democracy, which monitors foreign propaganda. The detailed exposure of the Russian operation has got to spook them a little bit in terms of how much the intelligence community knows about what theyre doing, Schafer said. Fake videos and millions of views After last months high-profile U.S. crackdown on the Kremlins fake news sites, Russia has resumed the Doppelganger operation. A dozen fake news sites that were pushed offline are now back with slightly tweaked URLs. As with much of Russias disinformation production, the inauthentic news sites have not attracted many eyeballs, and audience engagement has been negligible, according to experts and an NBC News review of social media. In terms of audience engagement, it seems that its very low, said Esteban Ponce de Leon, resident fellow at the Atlantic Council think tanks Digital Forensic Research Lab. There is a lot of content. They have been producing a lot of news articles in the past weeks. The question is who is reading those articles. However, like the manufactured video last week promoting the false claim that ballots were being destroyed in a key county in the swing state of Pennsylvania, some pieces of Russian disinformation gain traction and take off. A video posted on X this month purported to show a former high school student accusing Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz of sexually assaulting him when Walz was a teacher at a Minnesota high school decades ago. Fact-checkers discredited the video as a baseless smear. The man in the video, who mispronounces the name of the high school in the clip, is not who he claims to be, according to fact-checking reports. U.S. intelligence officials later said Russian influence actors were behind the false story. The video played into an entrenched lie seeded over the past eight years falsely claiming Democratic politicians are pedophiles. An Oct. 13 post on X featuring the fabricated video got 4.5 million views. The episode illustrates how foreign and domestic disinformation often reinforce each other, with Russia and other regimes seeking to jump on divisive narratives already circulating in the countrys political bloodstream. Not since the Vietnam era of the early 1970s has the U.S. provided such a rich target for foreign influence operations, with a deeply polarized society plagued by a growing distrust of government and other institutions, experts say. Homegrown lies As much as Russia and other countries are carrying out large-scale efforts to tilt U.S. elections, the biggest threat to the countrys democratic health comes from falsehoods created and promoted by Americans, according to former intelligence officials and researchers who study the issue. Trump and his online allies have broadcast falsehoods that are now accepted by a large number of his supporters. Experts say the most corrosive of those falsehoods is the baseless claim that the 2020 election was stolen and that this years election will be plagued by widespread fraud. According to a recent Gallup Poll, the number of Republican voters who have confidence in the accuracy of election results has steadily declined, with only 28% saying they have faith in the vote count, compared with 44% in 2020. But U.S. law requires federal authorities to take a hands-off approach to homegrown falsehoods under Americas free speech protections. And social media companies, under intense legal and political pressure from Republican critics, have scaled back or scrapped teams in recent years that used to take down inflammatory or conspiratorial content. The combination of homegrown falsehoods about stolen election conspiracies, surging foreign disinformation campaigns and a laissez-faire approach by tech firms threatens to undermine the foundations of American democracy, experts and lawmakers said. Democracies are based on common understandings, among them that rival political factions will accept election outcomes and work to win back power at the next opportunity, according to Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a professor the University of Pennsylvanias Annenberg School for Communication. If a large part of the population believes the countrys election results are illegitimate, the basis for our assumptions about how our system works has been called into question, she said. Now youre starting to call into question the underpinnings of a structure that, up to this point, survived the Civil War and survived Vietnam, Jamieson said. Thus US announced a new $425 million aid package for Ukraine. WASHINGTON The White House announced yet another military aid package for Ukraine Friday this time to the tune of about $425 million as Russia moves North Korean troops closer to the front lines and a bitterly contested US presidential election approaches. The latest package will include air-defense interceptors, munitions for rocket systems and artillery, armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons to assist Ukraine in its brutal battle to keep its sovereignty. The weapons allocated in this tranche including surface-to-air missile system munitions as well as TOW and Javelin anti-tank missiles look similar those of previous packages, with most designed to help Ukraine fight from the air and ground in the flat, rolling plains of the eastern Donbas region. HIMARS launches a rocket on the Bakhmut direction on May 18, 2023 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images The package was announced days after the Pentagon finally confirmed Ukrainian reports that North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia to bolster Moscows invasion. In a new report Friday by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), analysts suggested that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un likely wanted his forces to learn from a real-life ground war something the Hermit Kingdoms military hasnt fought in seven decades. (While the Korean War has still not technically ended, large-scale combat between North Korea and South Korea ended with an armistice agreed in 1953. North Korea likely hopes that its forces will have the opportunity to refine offensive doctrine, test their weapons systems against a Western-provisioned adversary, gain command and control experience, and learn how to operate drones and electronic warfare systems on the modern battlefield, the ISW analysts wrote. Pyongyang likely hopes that any skills its troops learn in the Ukraine war will give it an offensive edge in future conflicts, including on the Korean Peninsula, they added. However, it is unclear how Russia will deploy the extra North Korean forces who number anywhere between 3,000 to 12,000 troops Ukraine has been making impressive use of US-sent Stinger missiles. Getty Images The actual ability of North Korean forces to absorb, disseminate, and institutionalize lessons learned on the battlefield is entirely contingent on how the Russian command uses North Korean manpower, the ISW found. If Russia uses North Korean personnel as cannon fodder, the casualties that North Korean troops are sure to accrue will undermine whatever battlefield lessons Pyongyang hopes to learn. Early reports indicate that at least some of the North Korean forces are being used by Russia in that exact manner. A US-sent Stryker fighting vehicle drives down the street on Aug. 30, 2024, in Kursk Region, Russia. Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images Some of the first of Pyongyangs troops to arrive in Russias Kursk region where Ukrainian Defense Forces have successfully dug in appeared to be very young and inexperienced, according to Kyivs intelligence officials. The weapons for the latest assistance packages will come from Pentagon stockpiles, which will be replaced with new weapons using the $425 million in congressionally approved funds. ikea meatballs Writer Claire Finney tries Ikea meatballs for the very first time - Rii Schroer You know what this is? Its rude, my boyfriend once declared of Ikea Wembley, after what felt like 5,000 hours in the windowless home store. He was referring, of course, not to the staff or the stuff, but being trapped with a trolley-full of cushions, hungry for meatballs but with no sign of an exit. In the (eventual) end, the meatballs made everything better; they always do but we dreamt of a day when we wouldnt have to endure queues and endless white shelves to eat them. Thanks to Ikea Hammersmith City, that day has finally dawned: the newly revamped store has just opened a restaurant next door, purely for eating, and now all that stands between you and the entire range of Ikeas food is a simple touchscreen. I arrive at 2pm to find the place heaving, but large, light and airy enough to swallow families, couples, solo diners, gaggles of friends everyone youd expect in a fast-food restaurant at lunchtime on Friday. Its been open two days, and already there are regulars: many of whom came before, when it was just a small in-store cafe and couldnt quite believe their luck when they learnt it was becoming a large standalone eatery. Ikea opened its first standalone restaurant just this week in Hammersmith - Rii Schroer Theres talk of extending the opening hours (at the moment it opens from 8am to 8pm) to cater for those who want to have their dinner at Ikea. People are coming for breakfast with friends, and bringing their kids after school here, says operations manager Ella Dixon. Before it, was more of a takeaway, because there wasnt much space and it was in the shop, but now they can come and sit down, its become somewhere to meet up. The other night a group of ladies came here to have their sewing club, she continues, smiling. I think its rare in central London, to have so much space to socialise and eat. Its like being in a five star hotel, Ouidad, 48, laughs but without the price tag. She gestures to the rattan lampshades, the large windows, the white walls and view over bustling King Street: you can see the life, but you cant hear the noise. I love it, and the kids love the food. As if on cue, her 11-year-old daughter Noor appears, with her second meal. Shes had the salmon [with couscous and yoghurt] and now shes having the plant balls, because shes hungry. Its healthy, and its cheap and with the decor it feels like a home; theres no one asking if youve finished and want the bill. You come, you eat, you sit. Thats it. Mum Ouidad, (right) appreciates the healthier options offered to diners like her children Noor, (left) and Lina - Rii Schroer Though Ouidad loves Ikea everything in my house is from here, she enthuses she hasnt bought anything from the store today. In fact, looking around, I cannot spy a single Ikea blue bag. Everyone is here for the food. For Felix Ostman, the stores corporate PR specialist who worked for Ikea in Sweden before coming to Hammersmith, this isnt surprising: In Sweden, going to Ikea just for the food is common. People go with their parents, their grandparents, have a Christmas meal with colleagues there. From the very beginning, when the first Ikea opened in 1958, food was important. The founder [Ingvar Kamprad] realised people wont make a purchase on an empty stomach; that everyone enjoys shopping more when theres food. Of course, the menu is much more than meatballs and plant balls. There are hot dogs, the aforementioned salmon, tomato sauce on pasta, and the famed Daim bar cake, as well as cooked breakfasts and pastries. On the Friday I visit, fish and chips seems to be the popular choice. I dont normally like fish, says Cynthia, 37, whos having lunch with her mum before she starts her cleaning shift, but I like this. Were very happy this has opened. Its a nice place to sit. Dixon explains: We wanted to create something that was good for the community. Of course, they also hope diners will be drawn to the store next door but its as well they are happy to have a space in which people can meet over meatballs, because at the moment thats all they want to do. Cecilia, 62, (left) with her daughter Cynthia, 37 before the start of Cynthias shift - Rii Schroer Hes never had the meatballs! 21-year-old Spencer exclaims, pointing to the friend standing next to him, merrily swaying. Weve been drinking natural wine in the park, the friend, Rudolph, 22, explains, so weve come here to soak it up a bit. He asks if they sell alcohol, and Dixon replies in the negative though if they extend the hours, they may consider getting a licence. Rudolph doesnt seem to mind his meatballs have arrived, as have mine, and theres a lovely seat by the window at which to eat them: blissfully trolley, cushion and queue-free. 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. Zero trust segmentation vendor Illumio believes that in todays cyber security landscape, its important to assume a breach has already happened, even if one hasnt happened yet. Speaking to ARN, Illumio director of channel sales Johann Ramchandra and senior vice president of global partner sales and alliances Todd Palmer stressed that end-users must accept that breaches were inevitable, but managed service providers (MSP) play a valuable role in helping to always identify and protect their most critical assets. A spate of massive data breaches that have caused significant pain for organisations and an increased focus on government regulations and security frameworks has led to interest in segmentation. Visibility and segmentation are essential in these frameworks, regardless of whos creating them. In the last year, the reception from our partners has been phenomenal, said Ramchandra. Customers need help, with many having spent heavily on preventative technology, but companies are still getting breached and losing money, Palmer said. Theyre looking to integrate segmentation into the reference architectures theyre selling to their customers because its the missing piece in securing and de-risking their organisations, he said. Hakob Simidian said on Friday that Armenia was selected as the host for the conference, also known as COP17, with 65 votes. The other candidate was Azerbaijan, which is set to host a UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) later this month. During his working visit to Colombia earlier this week, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturian addressed the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, stating that holding COP17 in Armenia will be an excellent opportunity to advance multilateral efforts to protect global biodiversity. Armenia will spear no effort to make sure that the CO17 will be another important milestone in our global efforts for biodiversity preservation and sustainable use of natural resources, Khachaturian said. According to the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the 10th meeting of the commissions, headed by Armenias Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigorian and Azerbaijans Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, took place at the border of the two countries. The exchange of notifications took place in line with Article 7 of the regulations signed on August 30, the ministry said. The ministry also noted that the parties exchanged views on the sequence of sections/segments of the borderline for further carrying out delimitation works and discussed the drafts of respective guidelines for the procedures on carrying out delimitation works. The parties agreed to set the date and location of the next meeting through working-level consultations, it said, adding that following the meeting of the commissions, Grigorian and Mustafayev had a separate discussion on issues of transport communications. In a post on X on October 31, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller wrote that Washington commends Armenia and Azerbaijan for formalizing the rules of procedure for border delimitation, demonstrating that progress is possible through sustained dialogue. We support both sides work towards a durable, dignified peace for security and prosperity in the region, the U.S. official said. The enacted regulations outline how the delineation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border should be carried out. The document states that the process will be based, unless otherwise agreed, on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, in which newly independent ex-Soviet republics recognized each others Soviet-era borders. However, the regulations do not reference any specific maps. The agreement on the regulations was reached after Armenia handed four disputed border areas held by Armenian forces since 1991-1992 over to Azerbaijan in May and June. The land transfer that was strongly condemned by the Armenian opposition sparked angry protests in border villages in northeastern Armenia seriously affected by it. The protests continued in Yerevan, attracting tens of thousands of people at one point, but gradually fizzled out. The Armenian opposition insisted that Azerbaijan should also have withdrawn its troops from Armenian territories that it seized in 2021 and 2022. Baku denies occupying any Armenian territory. Armenias opposition has claimed that the ratification and enactment of the regulations of the border delimitation and demarcation commissions goes against the countrys national interests. On September 26, the Constitutional Court of Armenia confirmed the constitutionality of the regulations. 1 November 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. In less than a fortnight, Baku will host one of the worlds most significant conferencesthe UN Framework Conference on Climate Change (COP29). This event is anticipated to draw 70,000 to 80,000 attendees from around the globe, where participants will engage in discussions on climate change issues. While COP conferences are primarily UN-led initiatives, host countries play a vital role in shaping the agenda. In this context, Azerbaijan has committed to several obligations related to COP29. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 1 November 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more From November 11-22, 2024, senior Biden-Harris Administration officials from over 20 US departments and agencies will visit Baku, Azerbaijan, to represent the United States at the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), Azernews report, citing the US State Department. This high-level delegation, led by John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy, aims to advance US leadership on climate action and secure significant outcomes for global climate initiatives. The delegation will include prominent officials such as Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, and Ali Zaidi, White House National Climate Advisor, among others. Officials will cover various climate-related areas, including armed conflict, finance, food security, gender, global health, trade, youth issues, and more, underscoring the US commitment to comprehensive climate action. 1 November 2024 14:49 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Uzbekistan will participate in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Azernews reports, citing Uzbekistan's Energy Ministry. It is reported that Uzbekistan is actively preparing for COP29. It should be noted that COP29 will be held in Azerbaijan in November this year. The decision to hold the conference there was made at the COP28 plenary session in Dubai on December 11 of last year. Baku, which will become the center of attention, is expected to receive about 70,000 to 80,000 foreign guests. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the June 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The abbreviation "COP" stands for "Conference of the Parties," the highest legislative body that oversees the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. 1 November 2024 17:11 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more For foreign citizens arriving with a COP29 visa, the check-in time is set at 45 seconds, while Azerbaijani citizens will have a check-in time of 30 seconds. Major Nijat Cahidzadeh, a military officer of the command, conveyed this information to journalists during a briefing at the Border Control Command of the State Border Service (SBS), Azernews reports. He noted that the Border Control Command has been equipped with specialized technical and control equipment to ensure the swift processing of foreign guests arriving in Azerbaijan for the COP29 international conference. Necessary measures have been implemented, and all tasks have been completed successfully. "The workforce has been increased, and they will operate in enhanced mode. Additionally, appropriate measures have been taken to ensure the stability of the system and network in case of any emergencies during the COP29 event," said the State Border Service official. 1 November 2024 12:28 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more International Mugham Center has conducted a scientific-practical seminar on "The Role of Music in Society" with the support of the Culture Ministry's Scientific-Methodical and Specialization Center for Culture, Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts (ADMIU) and the International Mugham Center, Azernews reports. Professor Kamila Dadashzade, head of the ADMIU Department of Music History and Theory, Honored Art Worker, Sara Timurova, head Teacher of the Department, Vafa Abbasova, head of the Department, Associate Professor Maryam Babayeva, head of the Pop Art Department addressed the event. The experts who spoke about the ecology of traditional music culture, intersection points of modern music and society, synchronic and diachronic aspects of the problem of music and society, problems of teaching Azerbaijani popular music, and also answered the questions of the audience about the topics. At the seminar moderated by the honored cultural worker Saadat Tahmirazgiz, ADMIU students and tar player Ismayil Zulfugarov performed "Shur" mugham- "Tar boogie" composition. The Mugham Center was established on the initiative of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, in accordance with the presidential decree dated April 6, 2005. Since 2008, the center has successfully demonstrated the art of mugham, a unique form of traditional Azerbaijani music that holds deep historical roots. The design of the building was based on the elements and shapes of the tar, an Azerbaijani musical instrument used in performing mugham. The center was built with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The Mugham Center regularly organises large-scale music festivals and concerts by highly acclaimed cultural figures. The Center also takes important steps towards bolstering cultural ties with Turkiye, Poland, Brazil, Uzbekistan, Morocco, and other countries. The International Mugham Center is determined to further expand its work and promote Azerbaijani musical culture. 1 November 2024 16:13 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Azerbaijan National Art Museum invites art enthusiasts to enjoy an exhibition "Sattar Bahlulzade - a wonderful tale of nature" on November 7, Azernews reports. The exhibition is timed to the 115th anniversary of People's Artist Sattar Bahlulzade, a prominent representative of modern landscape painting. Co-organized by Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and National Art Museum, the exhibition will open in the framework of the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29). More than 40 paintings and graphic boards reflecting the Azerbaijani nature, unique color, harmony, and unfading beauty of the genius artist will be displayed at the exhibition, which lasts until January 31, 2025. Founded in 1937, the National Art Museum offers art connoisseurs some of the best examples of decoratively applied arts in Western Europe. Over 3,000 items in 60 rooms are on permanent display at the museum, and around 12,000 items are kept in storage. Here, you can see masterpieces of the Italian, French, German, and Polish masters of brush. The museum has successfully organized and hosted numerous high-level international exhibitions, showcasing the works of renowned artists. 1 November 2024 20:21 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more France's long-standing policy of claiming "motherhood" over Armenia continues unabated. Particularly, the periodic unfounded accusations against Azerbaijan from the French embassy in Armenia have become a habit, exacerbating the already existing tensions in the region. Recently, French Ambassador Olivier Decottignies explicitly portrays Baku as an aggressive country in an interview with the Armenian media outlet "Hetq," using baseless statements regarding Garabagh that lack any factual basis. His "opinions" against Azerbaijan regarding military actions and humanitarian conditions are completely biased and hypocritical. Ignoring the genocide and atrocities committed by Armenia on Azerbaijan's territory over the past 30 years, the ambassador refers to Armenians sent safely to Armenia and granted the right to live in Azerbaijan as "internally displaced persons," while discussing the importance of preserving their "centuries-old cultural heritage." Such statements from the ambassador reflect France's position in the region. They dismiss the expulsion of Azerbaijanis who once lived in Armenia, as well as the historical fact that Yerevan was the centre of the Azerbaijani Erivan Khanate. France also disregards the illegitimate establishment of the current Armenian state on Azerbaijani lands, which has contributed to the separation of Nakhchivan from the main lands of Azerbaijan. However, France is well aware of history. As affirmed by UN resolutions, the international legal recognition of Garabagh as Azerbaijani territory cannot be ignored. Ambassador Decottignies's reference to the term "Arsakh" is a sign of disrespect and impropriety. Beyond its biased policies, it is unacceptable for a state to dismiss another's natural rights, covering up Armenia's aggressive policies while slandering Azerbaijan. This not only challenges Azerbaijan's sovereignty but also contributes to escalating tensions in the region. Instead of contributing to the resolution of the conflict, France is engaged in sowing seeds of discord. It is clear that this activity is not intended for Armenia's prosperity. The Elysee Palace today is making calls for war and revenge rather than encouraging the Armenian side toward peace, claiming to support Armenia in the media while actually leading Yerevan to disaster. The victories of Azerbaijan in counter-offensive operations in 2020 and 2023 have long proven how helpless and isolated Armenia is in a real war, despite claims of support from French politicians, who continue to issue statements "encouraging" Armenians. Ultimately, it is the suffering Armenian people who bear the brunt, and the responsible parties are the Armenian authorities that have ignored Azerbaijan's repeated calls for peace and engaged in provocations at the border. As Azerbaijan and Armenia wish to continue peace talks after the war, the French government's actions that provoke scandal by violating international law, humanity, and professional ethics are a disgrace. Moreover, after its disgrace at the Summer Olympics, it is shameful for Paris to exploit every opportunity to claim that Azerbaijan is not a capable host for COP29, using this event for its own nefarious games. While many countries discuss the global climate crisis that poses a threat to the planet, Frances pursuit of the supposed ignored rights of Armenians returning to Armenia only reveals its deeply selfish nature. The Armenian government must understand that the sole purpose of its supposed ally and partner France is to seize Armenia in place of the colonies it lost in Africa. Paris, seeking to assert itself and expand its sphere of influence in the Caucasus, openly offers false promises and meaningless statements in a pretence of supporting Armenia. The reality is that France is the one that will abandon Armenia in times of danger. 31 October 2024 21:10 (UTC+04:00) On October 31, Mehriban Aliyeva, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and her family members visited the Azerbaijan State Pantomime Theatre to familiarize themselves with the current conditions. As reported by Azernews, citing Azertag, Minister of Culture Adil Karimli provided an overview of the theatre to First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva and her family. Established as a theatre-studio in 1994, the Azerbaijan State Pantomime Theatre is one of the countrys prominent theatre collectives. It operated under the auspices of the Theatre of Young Spectators for six years before being granted state status on March 6, 2000. Since 2005, the Azerbaijan State Pantomime Theatre has been located in the building of the former "Shafaq" cinema. Over the past thirty years, numerous works by various authors have been staged at the Pantomime Theatre. One of the main advantages of this genre is its lack of a language barrier. During this time, the theatre troupe has successfully represented Azerbaijani culture in Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Russia, and other countries. Today, the Pantomime Theatre is one of the most visited cultural institutions, having garnered great affection from audiences. The building currently housing the Azerbaijan State Pantomime Theatre was constructed in 1900 and is recognized as a local architectural monument. The First Vice-President was also informed about the necessary renovation works planned for the building. Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday concluded the 2024 Article IV consultation with Sierra Leone and approved a 38-month arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), in the amount of SDR 186 1 November 2024 11:05 (UTC+04:00) By Mazahir Afandiyev The idea of "let's not leave anyone behind" is seriously threatened in today's world of wars and conflicts, and the implementation of the global documents adopted to help people live better, more peaceful lives is unfortunately fraught with challenges. The implementation of the universal text known as the "Sustainable Development Goals" (SDGs), which the United Nations member states unanimously agreed upon in 2015, was one of the primary concerns on the agenda of the world powers. The SDGs cover 17 and 169 goals and it is still important to complete the tasks deriving from this document, even though there are now six years left until its execution is complete. Working closely on the principles of sustainable development should be the primary duty of societies today, as well as the political circles that govern them. However, achieving each of the SDG targets by itself not only keeps them relevant in various parts of the world, but it also forces the adoption of more urgent and serious measures. One of the most crucial strategies for preserving the ecosystem of our world today is the strategy put into place under the "fight against climate change," which was chosen as the 13th goal. In particular, the Paris Climate Agreement's requirements for the preservation of natural resources, the decarbonization of the economy, and the prevention of environmental degradation globally dictate the current situation and the handling of emerging difficulties. The fact that Azerbaijan will host the 29th Session of the Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), one of the primary forums for climate change, environmental balance, and global environmental protection, from November 1122 this year, is no accident. In addition to the work done on this platform in all areas, the topics of funding the areas that have been determined to be crucial for implementation and the support that developed governments provide to developing or needy states will be covered. Additionally, by examining the Sustainable Development Goals, their outcomes, and the difficulties that national governments will have in implementing them by 2030, the discussions will center on collaborative, consensus-based decisions regarding the implementation of the best possible policies. Azerbaijan has achieved significant progress in managing the SDGs since 2015. As a result, annual reports on the work done in the country covering 17 goals are prepared annually, and since 2016, Azerbaijan has been one of the leading countries to prepare four "Voluntary National Reports." The SDGs Dialogue series began in Azerbaijan in November 2022 to support the work done to reach the SDGs. In order to support the Azerbaijani government in implementing national priorities, a series of dialogues on sustainable development goals are being held within the framework of the Azerbaijan Strategy for Sustainable Development until 2030 and the 2030 Agenda. These dialogues aim to provide a platform for key stakeholders, including the government, UN, private sector, civil society, international financial institutions, and development partners, to implement best practices from around the world and offer creative solutions. Every SDG dialogue centers around a particular problem, which is then further expanded into a conceptual approach, an analytical note that includes a brief data analysis and occasions of advanced international practice, a section with useful policy recommendations, and an analytical note with a few data analysis examples. ADA University, which hosts regular meetings of international think tanks in Baku, hosted this year's 5th SDG dialogue on "Echoes of the future: climate action and coordination of efforts towards global goals" on October 31. I represented the Azerbaijani Parliament in addition to government officials, UN representatives, development partners, civil society organizations, and commercial sector partners. Prior to COP29, this conversation was especially crucial as a national forum to enable a thorough discussion of Azerbaijan's approach to supporting the SDGs and NDC, as well as methods for increasing climate funding to ensure the NDC is implemented successfully. As a result, Azerbaijan as well as the international community always respect the debates that take place on global forums and the decisions that are implemented by international organizations that are founded on the defense of universal values. The republic utilizes all of its assets to help create a more ideal and sustainable political structure for our world. The multicultural, tolerant, peace-based, and justice-based political beliefs of Azerbaijan are thus once again reflected in this. Mazahir Afandiyev is the Member of the Milli Majlis (the Azerbaijani Parliament). 1 November 2024 10:10 (UTC+04:00) On November 1, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev inspected the upgraded conditions following landscaping and reconstruction efforts in front of Baku Railway Station and the 28 May metro station, Azernews reports. Eldar Azizov, Head of Baku City Executive Authority, briefed the head of state on the improvements made in the area from the junction of Pushkin Street with Azadlig Avenue to its intersection with Dilara Aliyeva Streetin front of Baku Railway Station and the 28 May metro station. In this 3.5-hectare zone, the movement of passenger vehicles has been eliminated, replaced with modern bus, pedestrian, and bicycle lanes. Approximately 2,300 square meters of greenery have been created, with over 200 trees imported from Italy and more than 15,000 shrubs planted. Lighting improvements have been made, and modern seating arrangements have been installed. Additionally, two fountains and two bus stops that adhere to modern construction standards have been built, along with four charging stations for electric buses. 1 November 2024 10:35 (UTC+04:00) On November 1, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the credentials of Fathudin Ali Mohamed, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Azernews reports. The ambassador presented his credentials to the head of state. President Ilham Aliyev had a conversation with the ambassador. Congratulating Azerbaijan on hosting COP29, Fathudin Ali Mohamed noted that the President of Somalia would participate in this event, emphasizing that the upcoming meeting between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Somalia during COP29 would provide an additional impetus to the development of bilateral relations. The ambassador mentioned that bilateral cooperation is becoming stronger day by day. He touched upon collaboration in the fields of science and education, noting that many students from Somalia studied in Azerbaijan during the Soviet era and expressing interest in continuing these traditions. President Ilham Aliyev acknowledged the significant potential for expanding cooperation in trade, economy, and other sectors. During the conversation, they stressed the importance of contacts at various levels and praised the cooperation between the two countries within international organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. 1 November 2024 11:26 (UTC+04:00) On November 1, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the credentials of Cristina Latorre Sancho, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Spain, Azernews reports. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 1 November 2024 12:06 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Algerian People's Democratic Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune on the occasion of Algeria's national holiday - Revolution Day, Azernews reports. The letter reads: "Esteemed Mr. President, Dear Brother, On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I am pleased to sincerely congratulate you and, through you, your brotherly people, and to convey my best wishes on the occasion of the national day of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeriathe 70th anniversary of Revolution Day. November 1, 1954, is forever inscribed in the history of the brotherly Algerian people as a page of heroism, symbolizing the struggle for independence and freedom, as well as an indomitable will. Despite enduring over a century of brutal colonial policies, unprecedented violence, and crimes against humanity and war crimes, your people have never lost their determination for independence. Through great sacrifice and courage, they achieved their freedom at the cost of the lives and blood of millions of martyrs who gave their lives for the Motherland. Currently, the dynamic development of Azerbaijan-Algeria relations is gratifying. We place special importance on further expanding these relations and enriching our cooperation with new content, both bilaterally and multilaterally. I am confident that we will continue to make joint efforts to strengthen the friendship between our countries and fully leverage the potential of our mutually beneficial cooperation. On this significant day, I wish you good health, happiness, and success in your endeavors, and the brotherly people of Algeria everlasting peace and prosperity. Sincerely, Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku, 29 October 2024" 1 November 2024 16:52 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more Although Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijani territories lasted 30 years, the smear campaign since 2020 has only lasted 4 years. This is the fact that Garabagh is Azerbaijani territory and its liberation from Armenian occupation was actually welcomed unequivocally by the world community, however, the issue was still subject to various distortions due to the influence of Armenia, especially revanchist forces inside and outside the country. The so-called "Artsakh" and its supporters have always tried to create an artificial scene in the eyes of the world community by attracting international institutions to themselves based on financial interests. Perhaps such campaigns are still underway - but is anyone left to believe it? About two months ago, a number of politicians who became famous for their pro-Armenianism in the European Union and the United States of America were making false statements against a country they did not know well. The situation had even reached the point that some of them could not even determine the exact location of the South Caucasus region on a map. However, since money is sweet, it was commonplace for them to play any role, even act as clowns in the US Congress or the EU Parliament. Luis Moreno Ocampo is one of the pro-Armenian and corrupt officials who stands out with his most harsh statements against Azerbaijan. He is one of the most active participants in the smear campaigns initiated by the Armenian lobby after 2023. Ocampo, who made false statements every month, spoke on behalf of the so-called republic, dragged Armenians into provocations, and organized fake actions, accusing Azerbaijan of a policy of "ethnic cleansing". Today, as geopolitics in the region changes, Ocampo is also changing the situation - Ocampo has expressed the exact opposite of what he has said so far. Your browser doesn't support video. Please download the file: video/mp4 In an interview with an Armenian blogger, Ocampo admits that Armenia occupied the Azerbaijani territories, repeating the same as what the Armenian speaker, Alen Simonyan had told in the parliament. So, it means all the biased anti-Azerbaijan statements by such people so far have been under the dictate of the Armenian lobby. We remember very well that just two months ago, Ocampo, in his address to a group of separatist forces in Yerevan, stated that it was important to "continue the struggle". He stated that the "difficult days" were short and that Garabagh would be occupied again. Although Ocampo was biased towards Azerbaijan, he was right about one thing - those difficult days he mentioned were, indeed, very short. The Armenian people began to understand that a group of revanchists were simply mocking the people. The Armenian government is also trying to understand the truth and, by taking steps in this direction, is forcing a group of corrupt people to retreat from their biased positions. The truth about Garabagh is no longer a secret to anyone. As the murky waters calm down, the black PR players are also exposing themselves along with the change in geopolitics in the region. Ocampo refutes his lies and shamelessly admits the truth about Garabagh. This is the inside of real Armenian lobbying. Thirty years of occupation and 4 years of black campaigns. In the end, Azerbaijan is still strong and will remain the winner against all Armenian tricks. Today, Baku, which hosts COP29, is the target of some corrupt politicians like Ocampo, Anne Petel, Frank Sweibe, and Adam Schiff. For them, truth doesn't matter, what matters is bribes that bulge in their pockets. 1 November 2024 20:43 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva North Korea announced the launch of its latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-19, on Thursday. The missile reached a maximum altitude of 7,687.5 km and traveled more than 1,000 km, Azernews reports. According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, the missile launched by the DPRK was in flight for a record 86 minutes, reaching an unprecedented altitude of over 7,000 km. It covered a distance of 1,000 km before landing about 200 km west of the Japanese island of Okushiri, near Hokkaido, outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. On October 1, KCNA reported that the DPRK was conducting a "very important test," emphasizing that the launch of the ICBM was executed on the personal order of the country's leader, Kim Jong-un. This launch comes amid heightened tensions in the region, as North Korea continues to advance its missile technology. Analysts suggest that such tests serve not only to enhance North Korea's military capabilities but also to send a strategic message to both regional adversaries and global powers regarding its readiness to assert its interests. The international community remains watchful, as the developments may influence security policies and diplomatic efforts in Northeast Asia. Almost half of Baker County voters had returned their ballot as of Friday morning, Nov. 1, four days before election day, according to the Oregon Elections Division. The county clerks office mailed a record number of ballots for the Nov. 5 election 13,162. Ballots were mailed Oct. 16. Through Friday morning, a total of 5,852 voters had returned their ballots 44.5%. That exceeds the state average of 38%. The highest return rate among Oregons 36 counties was in Grant and Wallowa, both at 55.9%. The lowest was Clackamas, at 26.1%. The daily tally of returned ballots for Baker County: Oct. 21: 830 Oct. 22: 413 Oct. 23: 533 Oct. 24: 721 Oct. 25: 382 Oct. 28: 1,167 (Monday, includes weekend returns) Oct. 29: 547 Oct. 30: 779 Oct. 31: 359 Nov. 1: 121 (partial day) Ballot return by affiliation Republican 55.3% returned 3,294 of 5,952 Democrat 54.4% returned 1,001 of 1,840 Nonaffiliated 25.5% returned 1,120 of 4,399 Independent 50% returned 366 of 763 Libertarian 35.8% returned 28 of 81 The nonaffiliated category has grown much faster than any other over the past several years, largely due to Oregons Motor Voter law, which took effect in 2016. That law automatically registers people as voters after they visit a DMV office, unless they choose not to be registered. Newly registered voters are automatically deemed as nonaffiliated unless they choose a party. Ballot return rates for other Northeastern Oregon counties through the morning of Nov. 1: Wallowa: 55.9% Grant: 55.9% Union: 46.2% Malheur: 11.1% Umatilla: 35.7% Morrow: 38.9% Malheur: 36.1% Voting options Voters can go to the Courthouse, 1995 Third St., and fill out their ballots on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or on election day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can also drop off their ballots during those hours at the clerks office in the courthouse. Another option is to leave ballots in the drop box on the west (Fourth Street) side of the courthouse any time up to 8 p.m. on Nov. 5. Other ballot drop sites: Senior Center, 2810 Cedar St. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Election Day, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Halfway City Hall, 155-B E. Record St. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Election Day, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Huntington City Hall, 50 Adams St. E Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Election Day, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Richland City Hall, 89 Main St. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to noon Election Day, 8 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Fourteen young men and women from across Libya joined UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) experts from the Ceasefire Monitoring Component last Wednesday in Tripoli to share their ideas and recommendations on how youth can support the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement in Libya China reaffirms commitment to, support for cause of UN 08:24, November 01, 2024 By Zhao Jia ( China Daily Vice-President Han Zheng meets with Philemon Yang, president of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 31, 2024. (Photo/Xinhua) China has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening cooperation with the United Nations to consolidate the UN's authority and steer global governance reform in the right direction, as the world body gears up to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its founding next year. The pledge was made as Vice-President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met separately with Philemon Yang, president of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, in Beijing on Thursday. Yang, who is also former prime minister of Cameroon, started his five-day visit to China on Wednesday, his first since taking the UN office in September. Calling the UN the banner of multilateralism, Han said its role should only be strengthened, not weakened, and expressed China's support for the body in playing a core role in international affairs. China will always actively participate in the reform and construction of global governance to drive the global governance system toward a more just and reasonable direction, Han added. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Philemon Yang, president of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 31, 2024. (Photo/Xinhua) During his talks with Yang, Wang said China is willing to support Yang in his new role, and emphasized that China has always been a supporter and contributor to the cause of the UN. The foreign minister underlined the need for the UN to be a constructive force for multilateralism, calling for unequivocally opposing unilateralism and hegemony and resolutely resisting the wrong practice of taking a selective approach to multilateralism. He also highlighted the UN's responsibility to enhance the representation and voice of the Global South, balance the power of multilateral institutions and make decision-making more democratic, in order to ensure that more Global South countries benefit from development outcomes. Wang said he hopes the UN will be a just force in safeguarding world peace, and that it will take the lead in resolving hot spot issues through dialogue and negotiation, instead of conflict and coercion. The vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and the three China-proposed major global initiatives provide fundamental guidance for China's participation in global governance and in the UN's work, Wang added. Yang said that China enjoys both rapid economic development and a long-term stable society, with Chinese modernization continuing to achieve new accomplishments, making it a model for countries around the world to learn from. He expressed gratitude for China's long-standing, steadfast support for the UN and hailed China as a stable and constructive force in international affairs. Yang also commended China for providing selfless support to a vast number of developing countries, while pledging the UN's continuous commitment to the one-China principle. In September, the UN held the Summit of the Future and adopted the Pact for the Future to foster global cooperation, transform global governance, and navigate the pressing challenges that the world faces today. Yang said he believes China will continue to play an indispensable and critical role in implementing the pact and advancing cooperation in areas such as sustainable development and artificial intelligence. Founded in 1945, the UN is the most universal, representative, and authoritative international intergovernmental organization. It currently has 193 member countries. The People's Republic of China resumed its seat in the UN in 1971. Su Xiaohui, deputy director of the China Institute of International Studies' Department for American Studies, said that as a founding member of the UN and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has played the role of a responsible major country, contributing to world peace and development. She said that during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, China's position and wisdom were in the spotlight, prompting the international community to further build common understanding and seek solutions to shared problems. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The UN Security Council on Thursday unanimously extended the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for three months, until 31 January 2025 A whistleblower within Maine's Medicaid office provided a Maine news outlet with the immigration status of 18 Medicaid recipients who were non-citizens. The news outlet then compared that list with voter registrations and found six of them registered to vote in Maine and five of them who had actually voted. After publishing the findings, Maine's Democrat Attorney General first declared that these were serious felonies that needed to be investigated, but has since decided to do nothing. https://www.themainewire.com/2024/10/top-maine-democrats-decline-to-investigate-full-scope-of-noncitizen-voting/ One big concern is that while this is a small sample, it shows that fully one third of the foreign citizens were illegally registered to vote. If that percentage is representative of all foreign citiens in Maine, it is enough to throw quite a few elections in the state. Another concern is that legal foreign citizens are not supposed to qualify for Medicaid nor are illegal aliens with the narrow exception of Emergency Medicaid which is not supposed to be easy to get and is only temporary if they get it for 90 days. Meanwhile, a foreign national who is a citizen of China on a student visa to attend college, used his student ID to do same day registration in Michigan, signing a false statement that he is a US citizen, and voted. His vote cannot now be retrieved. He is facing two felony charges. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/10/chinese-student-attending-university-mi-voted-michigans-election/ Areas prone to natural disaster depend on the FEMA we have known in the past to be ready to provide major help in the recovery. In response to Hurrican Helene, people in western North Carolina found that FEMA had gone "woke" under Biden-Harris and its devotion to the radical DEI agenda has made it much less dependable. Now a whistleblower from inside FEMA is spilling the beans on what has happened to the agency under Biden-Harris.. Kelsey Goodman, FEMA Hazard Mitigation Manger for Region 4 says the agency is now focusing on DEI initiatives rather than disaster response. "There are higher priorities given to different racial groups," Goodman revealed, "The number one goal at FEMA is to instill equity in emergency management. It is not to save lives. It is not to create stronger communities to weather future disasters." Goodman expressed a desire for FEMA to get back to genuine disaster response.. "We have the resources," she said, "We have to get back to the basics and use them to actually help people." https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/10/breaking-fema-whistleblower-reveals-agencys-focus-dei-initiatives/ We in eastern North Carolina may need FEMA some day. It is essential that we vote out the Biden-Harris kooks who have politicized FEMA and put in President Trump who will get it back to its vital mission. No one else should have to suffer the way western North Carolina has from this woke DEI ideology. Steward owns Sharon Regional Medical Center, according to the report, and Stewardship Health provides physician services for the hospital, according to the report. Mercer County officials, along with MMC, want to avoid the closure of the offices that are affiliated with Stewardship Health, Stewards physician group that was recently sold to Nashville, Tenn.-based primary care provider Rural Healthcare Group, part of private equity firm Kinderhook Industries. Steward filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy May 6 to maintain operations at its existing locations and, in August, entered into a definitive agreement to sell the physician group for a reported $245 million cash deal. MMC is working to come up with a deal to preserve patient access to physicians in Sharon. According to the report, while Stewardship physicians were initially told they were a part of the deal, they were recently informed that Rural Health Group would not be buying the medical offices in Sharon. We are working with 10 individuals physicians and physician assistants. No agreement is in place, but conversations are continuing, Don Rhoten, MMCs vice president of consumer engagement, told The Meadville Tribune. We hope to have something completed soon, but as of now theres nothing. MMC has submitted a nonbinding letter of interest for the Sharon Regional Medical Center to the firm providing investment banking services to Steward, according to the report. Beckers has reached out to Steward Health Care and MMC and will update this story if more information becomes available. The 103,000-square-foot building is 85% occupied and is attached to, and integrated with, the 328-bed Atrium Medical Center. The property is anchored by Dayton, Ohio-based Premier Health, which currently leases 70% of the property. The cost of the transaction was not disclosed, according to the report. Here are five key points about this ASC expansion: 1. Geographically, the Sun Belt Texas, Florida and Southern California in particular has higher demand for outpatient care as spending increases and aging populations settle there, Arjun Gangakhedkar, a real estate and financial specialist for newly formed ASC chain Ker Medical and a principal at QHM Partners, told Beckers. 2. With the majority of baby boomers set to retire by the end of the decade, many are relocating to places like Florida and Texas, Mr. Gangakhedkar said. This trend supports new practices, and were here to address the real estate needs on the ASC side as demand grows in these areas. 3. California had the most new ASCs that Beckers reported on in 2023, adding 10 new centers. In comparison, Texas and Florida each saw the development of seven new ASCs in 2023. 4. Texas and Florida in particular have thriving ASC markets because neither state has certificate-of-need laws, which require healthcare providers, including ASCs in many states, to receive permission to build facilities. 5. Another Sun Belt state, South Carolina, is primed for an ASC boom. In October, South Carolina repealed the states certificate-of-need law, which had been on the books since the 1970s. The state is also seeing the highest population growth in the Sun Belt; the population grew the equivalent of 1.15% per year between 2008 and 2023, according to data from Pew. Small standalone hospitals are opting for Meditech and Epic EHR systems, an Oct. 31 report from KLAS found. The findings are based on data from KLAS' 2024 acute care EHR market share report, which tracks EHR choices among small, independent hospitals with 1 to 200 beds. Many of these hospitals face challenges, such as limited budgets and fewer internal resources, affecting their ability to adopt new EHR systems. As of 2024, 42% of these hospitals still use legacy systems. Between 2021 and 2023, KLAS validated EHR decisions made by 184 small hospitals, representing about 14% of the market. This report examines how a sample of these hospitals is adapting to new EHR systems, including insights on perceived value, usability, training experiences, and trends in future EHR purchases for small hospitals. Eight key findings from the report include: Nurses at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage raised concerns over the implementation of virtual nursing, arguing that the change could jeopardize patient safety, Anchorage Daily News reported Oct. 31. In October, Providence Alaska Medical Center launched a virtual nursing program in two patient care areas, assigning virtual nurses to manage tasks such as discharge planning, medication management and patient education. The hospital cited this initiative as a response to the registered nurse staffing shortage. However, a group of Providence nurses argues that virtual nursing will exacerbate the issue, increasing the patient-to-nurse ratio for bedside nurses and pushing an already-stretched staff beyond safe limits. "The work it takes to care for our assigned four patients on this unit amounts to hundreds of tasks a day," Madison Eckhart, a nurse in the hospital's progressive care unit, said at a rally near Providence. The rally attracted around 65 nurses and several elected officials who gathered to protest the change. Additionally, the nurses' union filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board in response to the virtual nursing roll out. A Providence spokesperson told Becker's that, given the nursing shortage, the organization had to be innovative and utilize all resources to provide the best, safest care possible for patients. The spokesperson cited a study by the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, which found that Alaska is projected to lead the nation in nursing vacancies with 23% of openings unfilled by 2030. "Co-caring and the move to a team-based model of care is one way to help address the current and looming healthcare worker shortage, especially with registered nurses," the Providence spokesperson said. "It is important to note that co-caring is a change from primary nursing one bedside nurse taking care of multiple patients to a team-based care model, which includes a bedside nurse, a virtual nurse and a patient care technician or certified nursing assistant." The spokesperson said that this team-based approach reduces the workload for each patient, resulting in an overall increase in the ratio of care team members to patients. "Providence Alaska Medical Center has offered the opportunity to negotiate the impacts of this change. The parties have already met twice to discuss this topic specifically, and Providence anticipates further meetings," the spokesperson said. "In fact, Providence implemented some of the union members' suggestions from these meetings. We are disappointed that the association has chosen this path instead of continuing negotiations." Chris Boukas, RN, has been appointed COO at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital in Smithtown, N.Y. Mr. Boukas has more than two decades of healthcare experience, according to an Oct. 31 news release from Rockville Centre, N.Y.-based Catholic Health. In the new role, he will oversee operational and administrative functions, set goals for clinical service line growth and performance, and ensure patient safety, the release said. Mr. Boukas most recently served as senior director of operations at New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health, the release said. He succeeds Randolph "Randy" Howard Jr., who was named COO of Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, Mass., in October. The American Medical Association has awarded Sacramento, Calif.-based UC Davis School of Medicine a two-year grant to create a medical school admission toolkit to help other schools boost the number of historically underrepresented medical students. UC Davis will work with Worcester-based UMass Chan Medical School on the project. The $60,000 grant will support the toolkit, support trainee engagement, meetings, workshops and focus groups and the evaluation and assessment of admission strategies created by the two medical schools. The UC Davis School of Medicine has focused on recruiting students from underserved areas, increased scholarships and pathways. As a result, it has boosted the number of primary care physicians and doubled the number of Alaska Native and American Indian students without lowering admission standards, according to an Oct. 31 system news release. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan (Kan.) acquired K+Stat Urgent Care's assets, effective Nov. 1, according to an Oct. 31 news release shared with Becker's. Here are six things to know: 1. Via Christi, sponsored by St. Louis-based Ascension, comprises six hospitals, 75 care sites and 6,400 employees in Kansas. 2. K+Stat is the largest family practice group in Manhattan (Kan.) and features family practice physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who provide emergency and urgent care, according to its website. 3. The urgent care facility will maintain its existing location and name, with its website and digital properties combined into the Via Christi Manhattan website. 4. All K+Stat existing employees were offered the opportunity to remain employed under Via Christi. 5. "This acquisition is critical to Via Christis commitment to expanding healthcare options in Manhattan and keeping care close to home for those in the community," Bob Copple, president of Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, said in the release. 6. Ascension comprises 139 hospitals, 2,600 care sites and more than 40 senior living facilities across 19 states. It has over 134,000 employees and 45,000 aligned providers. The American Nurses Credentialing Center announced recipients of its 2024 Magnet Nurse of the Year Awards. The awards recognize outstanding clinical contributions of nurses in each of the five magnet model components: transformational leadership; structural empowerment; exemplary professional practice; new knowledge, innovations and improvements; and empirical outcomes. Here are this year's awardees: Alaska, Missouri and Nebraska voters will decide whether workers in those states should earn paid sick leave. Here are seven things to know. 1. Alaska and Missouri's initiatives would also gradually increase the state minimum wage to $15 per hour, ABC News reported Oct. 11. 2. Fourteen states and Washington, D.C., currently guarantee sick days for workers, according to ABC News. Of those, 13 states and Washington, D.C., also require employers to offer paid family and medical leave. 3. If the three ballot measures are approved, workers would no longer fear losing wages or losing the job itself for getting sick, particularly in low-paying positions, KFF Health News reported Nov. 1. 4. If approved, many workers could accrue paid time off, potentially amounting to a week of paid leave each year. Employees at large organizations in Missouri and Nebraska could earn one day of paid sick leave after working 40 hours a week for six weeks, KFF reported. 5. Eligible workers in Alaska would be capped at 56 hours of paid time off each year. 6. Supporters of the ballot measures say they would benefit the broader public, minimizing the spread of infectious diseases when sick employees stay home, KFF reported. 7. Others, such as the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, oppose the measure, citing increased liability for employers. Adela Pop, Jay Patel and Prince Pagani at the opening of Muffin Break's first kiosk concept in Forestside, Belfast. Jay Patel from Muffin Break at the opening of the first kiosk concept in Forestside, Belfast. The third Muffin Break store in Northern Ireland has opened its doors in as part of a 150,000 investment as it trials a brand new concept. It marks an expansion for the popular bakery cafe chain and has created 12 new jobs at Forestside shopping centre in Belfast. The new kiosk cafe leaves a smaller footprint than traditional stores, with a focus on food-to-go a new concept for the brand which is owned by Australian firm FoodCo Group. The location was chosen as the home of the first venue of its kind due to the significant footfall there and the central location of the kiosk towards the south end of the mall. Adela Pop, Jay Patel and Prince Pagani at the opening of Muffin Break's first kiosk concept in Forestside, Belfast. Michael Johnson, franchise development executive at FoodCo UK said the firm has enjoyed a host of openings in NI in recent years including the franchised Jamaica Blue concept. Muffin Break has been particularly well received in central Belfast thanks to our premium coffee offering and freshly baked goods, so, when the opportunity presented itself to trial a new, smaller footprint model of Muffin Break store in a shopping centre that we knew well, the time was right to open our third Muffin Break outlet in Northern Ireland, he added. Jamaica Blue has been successfully trading in Forestside for the past three years and is the third location for Muffin Break in the region. Existing stores are operating in Belfasts Castle Court and the Buttercrane Shopping Centre in Newry, where customers are offered baked goods, coffee and lunch options. The first Muffin Break in the UK opened its doors back in 2001. There are now 68 outlets nationwide, including its cafes in NI. However Mr Johnson has hinted that that number could grow. We now have three Muffin Break outlets and two Jamacia Blue cafes in NI, and were actively looking for new sites and franchise partners in Northern Ireland," he said. FoodCo is a progressive hospitality franchise business with big ambitions. "Globally, there are over 550 locations across eight counties, and here in Northern Ireland, were keen to grow with the right partners. It follows a number of new openings at Forestside including the arrival of US fried chicken fast-food giant Popeyes. The business popularity drew more visitors to the centre than normal with increased demand for car parking space. Earlier this week the Forestside U-turned on a decision to hike staff parking fees from 1.50 to 5 a day after the Belfast Telegraph revealed plans for a huge increase in costs for workers. It also emerged that employees were being restricted over what car parks they can use, with staff at one business being informed they can only park at a small council-owned car park on the other side of the road, which only has around 50 spaces. But within hours of the news being revealed by this newspaper, the shopping centre announced a climbdown. In a statement, the management said: Feedback from staff has been taken on board and for the foreseeable future existing car parking charges will be maintained at 1.50 per day for Staff and not the 5 previously proposed. To further support the staff, we have secured off-site car parking of c.100 spaces, within a short walking distance of the centre, which will be for the sole use of Staff, free of charge. Power NI, Northern Irelands biggest electricity supplier, is putting up domestic prices by 4% in a move which adds 40 to a typical annual bill. The company, which has 450,000 domestic customers in Northern Ireland, said that from next month, average annual bills will reach 989. It said the 4% increase was a response to market operation and network-related charges, and would leave customers paying on average an extra 10p a day. It said the change in price had been approved by energy watchdog the Utility Regulator, which scrutinises its tariff decisions as Power NI is the biggest electricity supplier. William Steele, director of Power NI customer solutions, said: We work hard to keep our prices as low as possible. However, wholesale prices remain high and significant increases in third party market operation and network related costs have regrettably necessitated a tariff increase. In these challenging times, we have held off changing prices for as long as possible and we have been able to keep our tariffs below the equivalent Great Britain and Republic of Ireland average. The company advised that customers should make sure theyre on the most suitable billing plan, with monthly direct debit customers with online billing paying 930 a year instead of 989. It said that NIs average Power NI bill compared with the average electricity bill of 1,070 in Great Britain and 1,167 in the Republic. Mr Steele said Power NI worked to support those in need. We have a range of support available from tariff advice to energy saving tips and account support, so if anyone is worried about paying bills, please contact us directly, we are here to help. The bill increase does not apply to business customers, Power NI said. It said the average annual cost was calculated using the Power NI standard home energy rate and an average household usage of 3,200 units (kWh) per year. Following Power NI, the next biggest electricity suppliers are SSE and Budget Energy which are yet to announce any tariff change. Power NI announced a price cut of 6.3% in March. But commentators said that prices were still high compared to a few years ago, before energy markets were thrown into turmoil by Russias invasion of Ukraine and a surge in global demand post-lockdown. Aodhan ODonnell, founder of price comparison website Power to Switch, said at the time that the average annual bill in April 2021 had been around 570. So, this shows that we still have a long way to go to see bills fall back to more normal levels. Power NIs announcement follows another major development in NIs energy market, as Dublin-based company Yuno Group announced its acquisition of gas supply firm, firmus. Power NI is part of Energia Group, based in the Republic. Power NI has announced a price increase. Credit: Getty Images News Catch Up - Thursday 31 October Rosemary Nelson: There were some rogue police officers who would have been quite happy for her not to be around Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson claimed victory tonight in his High Court challenge to a block on plans to fly the Union flag permanently at war memorials in Ards and North Down. The oxygen masks dropped from the plane ceiling during the ordeal Conor using an oxygen mask on board the flight which had to return to Dublin A Co Down man has described not being able to breathe during a Ryanair flight which had a pressurisation issue after taking off from Dublin. Conor Curran (27) from Warrenpoint was travelling to Madrid on Thursday morning on the airline. He said he briefly closed his eyes only to wake up to an alarm sounding the phrase emergency descent repeatedly. The flight took off more or less on time and everything was fairly normal. Usual take off procedure and ascent, nothing out of the ordinary at all, he said. "I had been reading a book and had just closed my eyes, my girlfriend was asleep beside me, when the oxygen masks suddenly dropped and there was an alarm blaring the words emergency descent over and over. "We quickly tried to get our oxygen masks on and could see everyone else frantically trying to do the same. The crew were very quick to react and were helping some people who were struggling. "The flow of oxygen started from the masks but it was hard to breathe, so it was immediately apparent that there had been a loss of cabin pressure. Dublins Airport Authority, DAA, said Ryanair flight FR10, which was bound for Madrid, returned to Dublin Airport due to a technical issue. A Ryanair spokesperson confirmed the flight deployed oxygen masks and made a controlled descent back to Dublin. This flight FR10 from Dublin to Madrid (31 Oct) returned to Dublin shortly after take-off, due to a pressurisation system issue, they said. In line with standard procedure, the crew deployed oxygen masks, carried out a controlled descent and landed safely in Dublin where passengers disembarked normally. The oxygen masks dropped from the plane ceiling during the ordeal Conor explained during the landing he could smell burning and that the plane started to get very hot. "The plane quickly began descending and we were told it was making an emergency descent to an altitude where it was safe to breathe and that there had been a decompression/depressurisation of the cabin, he said. "You could smell burning and the crew advised us this was due to the oxygen bottles heating up, and the plane started to get very hot as all the air condition systems stopped working, again the crew advised us this was normal. "Once we reached a safe altitude we were advised we could remove the oxygen masks and were told we would be returning to Dublin and to would take us 40 minutes to get there. "The crew were very attentive and making sure we were all okay and as informed of the situation as we could be. Eventually we (landed) in Dublin. "We were then given the option to board another flight and return to Madrid. Conor added that despite the replacement flight offered, some passengers did not wish to board due to the incident. "I would say about 90% of the passengers did go on the next flight but some declined as they were too shaken by the experience. "It was definitely very scary and unexpected, when the masks dropped the plane went absolutely silent as people realised we were in a genuine emergency, and it was very scary not being able to breathe very well for a couple of minutes. A Ryanair spokesperson added: To minimise disruption to passengers, a replacement aircraft was arranged to operate this flight from Dublin to Madrid, which departed at 11:53 local time. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused. This article was amended on November 1 after clarification from Ryanair that, while an emergency was declared mid-air, no emergency landing was necessary. Love him or loathe him, Im flying the expat flag for my old friend Donald Trump, says former US radio host now living in Ireland Ex-DJ Chaunce Hayden, who has moved to Co Monaghan, recalls late night chats on air with Trump before he entered politics, and insists he is what American people need right now Chaunce Hayden Mark Bain Fri 1 Nov 2024 at 07:17 He may be more concerned about the state of his swing than the swing states these days, but Chaunce Hayden still keeps a close eye on the US election. The firearms were part of an illicit stash of weapons seized by the NCA (NCA/PA) The son of a UK boss of the Kinahan organised crime group has admitted helping his father in a plot to amass an arms cache to dupe authorities. Jack Kavanagh, 24, whose father is Thomas Bomber Kavanagh, was extradited to the UK last month. He had been arrested in May 2023 at Malaga Airport by officers from the Spanish National Police, as he was transiting from Dubai to Turkey. On Friday, Kavanagh, from Tamworth, appeared at the Old Bailey and pleaded guilty by video-link from Belmarsh prison to two charges of conspiracy to possess a firearm and two offences of plotting to possess ammunition. Judge Philip Katz remanded the defendant into custody to be sentenced on December 4. Last month, Irish national Thomas Kavanagh, 57, was jailed for six years for orchestrating the plot. He had hoped that by leading the National Crime Agency (NCA) to a buried stash of 11 fearsome weapons, he could influence his sentencing in a multimillion-pound drug smuggling case. Running the conspiracy from prison, Kavanagh enlisted the help of his son, as well as his brother-in-law, 44-year-old Liam Byrne, and associate Shaun Kent, 38, in the plan to deceive the NCA. Thomas, Kavanagh, left, Liam Byrne and Shaun Kent (National Crime Agency/PA) In May 2021, Thomas Kavanagh provided information to the NCA which led them to a field in Newry, Northern Ireland, where two holdalls were unearthed. They contained seven machine guns, three automatic hand guns, an assault rifle and ammunition. The plot was foiled after the NCA uncovered incriminating messages on encrypted EncroChat which had been cracked by French counterparts. Between January 2020 and June 2021, the defendants agreed to acquire as many arms as possible from the UK, Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Kavanagh had run the conspiracy from HMP Dovegate where he was serving a three-year sentence for possession of a stun gun and had been remanded on serious drug charges since March 2020. Those charges related to smuggling multiple kilos of cocaine and cannabis into the UK for which he was sentenced in March 2022 to 21 years in prison. Thomas Kavanagh admitted his part in the conspiracy last month (NCA/PA) In September, Kavanagh, Byrne, from Dublin, and Kent, from Liverpool, admitted two charges of conspiring to possess a prohibited weapon, and two charges of conspiring to possess prohibited ammunition, between January 9 2020 and June 3 2021. Kavanagh and Kent also admitted conspiring with others to pervert the course of justice. Byrne who fled to Majorca after the events was jailed for five years while Kent was handed a six-year prison sentence. Kavanagh will serve his sentence consecutive to his jail time for previous offending. The Israeli parliament voted to ban the United Nations main aid agency for Palestinians from operating in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem on October 28 . Because of Israels occupation and control of all Palestinian territories Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem the new laws amount to an effective ban on the agencys operations across Palestine as a whole. There has been widespread condemnation of the move, even from some of Israels closest allies. If implemented, the laws adopted today by the Knesset of Israel would likely prevent UNRWA from continuing its essential work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, with devastating consequences for Palestine refugees, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said following the parliamentary vote. The agency is often described as an essential lifeline for Palestinians, especially in the Gaza Strip. There is no alternative to UNRWA, Guterres said. Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he has discussed what steps can be taken at the UN level with his counterparts in Norway, Slovenia and Spain, countries which jointly condemned the new laws. What is UNRWA and how is it funded? UNRWA was founded in 1949 following the Nakba (Catastrophe), when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced from their homes during the Arab-Israeli war that led to the founding of the state of Israel. Many of those refugees make up the populations of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, living in refugee camps supported by the aid agency. Officially called the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA provides a wide range of services and employs around 30,000 people mostly Palestinians. It also operates in neighbouring countries Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, where many Palestinian refugees and their descendants live. UNRWA has two headquarter offices one in Gaza and one in Amman, Jordan. The agencys remit involves providing education, healthcare, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. In the school year of 2021/2022, UNRWA educated 291,100 children in its 189 schools in the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank, the agency educates around 45,000 children in 96 schools. UNRWA also operates 43 primary healthcare facilities in the West Bank, treating more than 895,000 patients annually. It is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states but also receives some funding through the UN budget and from private donors. The biggest donor by far has historically been the United States, followed by Germany and the European Union. Israel and UNRWA Israel has a long-held animosity towards UNRWA and UN institutions more generally which has only intensified during the war in Gaza that began in October 2023. In January 2024, Israel accused 12 UNRWA staff members of taking part in the Hamas-led attack on October 7 2023, leading many Western countries to temporarily suspend funding for the organisation. The United States was chief among those states that suspended funding and it remains paused despite most other countries reinstating their donations. In September 2024, a bill aimed at restoring the funds was introduced in the US Congress but it has not moved beyond the introduction phase. Ireland was among the countries that did not withdraw funding. In response to the October 7 accusations, UNRWA suspended 19 named workers (the number rose from 12 to 19 between January and April). A series of UN probes found some neutrality-related issues at the agency and determined that nine employees may have been involved in the October 7 attack, but found no evidence for Israels wider allegations. On August 5 this year, UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said he decided that in the case of these remaining nine staff members, they cannot work for UNRWA. At the time, UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq did not go into details about what their involvement may have been. For us, any participation in the attacks is a tremendous betrayal of the sort of work that we are supposed to be doing on behalf of the Palestinian people, he said. According to the BBC, an Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson said the report showed UNRWA had hit a new low. Israel also alleged that 10% of UNRWAs 13,000 workers in Gaza had connections to Hamas, a claim that remains unsubstantiated. The UN says Israel has not provided any evidence for its claims. In a year of war in the Gaza Strip, UNRWA says 233 of its workers have been killed in the territory. Only seven of its 27 health facilities in Gaza were operational as of October 24. In total, 190 UNRWA installations have been damaged or destroyed in Gaza since October 2023. Throughout the war, Israeli forces have repeatedly bombed UNRWA schools housing displaced people in Gaza and in some cases fired directly at UN aid vehicles. The Journals FactCheck is a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Networks Code of Principles. You can read it here. For information on how FactCheck works, what the verdicts mean, and how you can take part, check out FactChecks readers guide here. You can read about the team of editors and reporters who work on the factchecks here. Former soldier Daniel Khalife marked a page in his diary with an asterisk after he decided he was going to break out of prison, a court has heard. The 23-year-old escaped from HMP Wandsworth in the hope that he would be kept in a high security unit (HSU) at a different prison away from sex offenders and terrorists after his recapture, his trial was told. Jurors at Woolwich Crown Court were shown a page of Khalifes prison diary with an asterisk marking September 6 2023 the day he was to escape. An asterisk next to the date of September 6 in Daniel Khalifes prison diary (Metropolitan Police/PA) The former soldier tied himself to the underside of a food delivery truck using a sling made of kitchen trousers, the court heard. Khalife told jurors he planned a fake escape attempt for August 21 in the hope he would be moved to the HSU, but decided escaping for real was his only option after the incident was not reported to senior prison staff. Jurors were shown his diary entry for that day, which also had an asterisk as well as the word failed, which he told the court he wrote a few days later. The former soldier wanted to be kept in the HSU at HMP Belmarsh a prison-within-a-prison holding some of the countrys most dangerous criminals because he believed he would be safer there, the court heard. After being taken to Wandsworth prison in January 2023, he was told he would be kept on a wing for vulnerable prisoners because there were terrorist offenders who want to kill you, the court heard. Khalife told jurors that 95% of those in the unit were serious sex offenders, rapists, paedophiles, that sort of thing. Five days before his successful escape, he attached a sling to the underside of the lorry made from kitchen trousers and carabiners, the jury was told. The sling wasnt spotted at Wandsworth gate or any other prison, Khalife said. An asterisk and the word failed next to the date of August 21 in Daniel Khalifes prison diary (Metropolitan Police/PA) When the tail lift raised it covered me entirely. If the makeshift sling wasnt noticed, theyre hardly going to notice me, he added. While on the run, Khalife bought clothes from Marks & Spencer, a coffee from McDonalds and walked by the River Thames before being caught by police three days later. I accept that I left the prison and I didnt have any permission, he told jurors. I was never a real spy. I would do anything to go back to my career (in the Army). As well as the prison escape, Khalife also faces charges contrary to the Official Secrets Act and Terrorism Act, and is accused of perpetrating a bomb hoax. He denies all the charges, and the trial will continue on November 11. An artists impression of Daniel Khalife appearing at Woolwich Crown Court (Elizabeth Cook/PA) Daniel Khalife has told a court he escaped from prison so he would be kept in a high security unit away from sex offenders and terrorists who wanted to harm him. The former soldier, 23, is alleged to have escaped from HMP Wandsworth by tying himself to the underside of a food delivery truck using bedsheets in September 2023. Giving evidence on Friday, Khalife said he wanted to be upgraded from a category B to a category A prisoner so he would be kept in a special unit when moved to HMP Belmarsh for his trial. Fellow inmates at HMP Wandsworth included prolific sex offenders and terrorists who wanted to harm him, and he was worried conditions at Belmarsh would be even worse, jurors were told. Daniel Khalife (Met Police) After being taken to Wandsworth prison in January 2023, he was told he would be kept on a wing for vulnerable prisoners because there were terrorist offenders at Wandsworth who want to kill you, the court heard. Khalife told jurors that 95% of those in the unit were serious sex offenders, rapists, paedophiles, that sort of thing. He said: It was not a nice place to be people on that wing said strange things to me. The former soldier told Woolwich Crown Court he was helped by a man in his unit to get a job in the prison stores. Asked if he expected to have to return the favour, Khalife said: I just thought he was trying to do me a favour. He certainly wanted something, he continued. This individual was a prolific sex offender, a homosexual one. The sling under the truck used in the prison escape of Daniel Khalife (Met Police) Khalife told the court he was terrified of being kept in a similar situation at HMP Belmarsh should he be moved. I knew what Belmarsh was, he said, adding: I knew what type of clientele it had. The former soldier told jurors he wanted to be kept in the high security unit (HSU) a prison-within-a-prison holding some of the countrys most dangerous criminals where he believed he would be safer. After a show escape was not reported to senior prison staff, Khalife decided breaking out of the prison was the only way to guarantee being kept in the high security unit, the court heard. The former soldier told the court that before his successful escape, he acted suspiciously around the food delivery lorry and was spotted by kitchen staff. But Khalife was pretty shocked when the matter was not escalated to senior prison officers, and he faced no consequences, the court heard. He then decided escaping fully was his only option, the court heard. Five days before his successful escape he attached a sling to the underside of the lorry made from kitchen trousers and carabiners, the court was told. The hoax device (Met Police) The sling wasnt spotted at Wandsworth gate or any other prison, he said. When the tail lift raised it covered me entirely. If the makeshift sling wasnt noticed, theyre hardly going to notice me, he added. They did their normal checks they didnt find me. Khalife said he had no intention of leaving the country or to run away from these charges. I left, and I knew I would be classified as double category A. The former soldier said his escape had demonstrated what a foolish idea it was to have someone of my skillset in prison. He added: What use was it to anyone? I accept that I left the prison and I didnt have any permission. I accept that I shouldnt have done what I did. Khalife continued: I am the antithesis of these charges. I was never a real spy. I would do anything to go back to my career (in the Army). An asterisk and the word failed next to the date of August 21 in Daniel Khalifes prison diary, the date of his fake escape attempt (Metropolitan Police/PA) Earlier on Friday, Khalife admitted making the device found in his room after he absconded in 2023, but denied wanting those who found it to believe it was a real bomb, jurors heard. Prosecutors say Khalife prepared a bomb hoax to delay the search for him. Khalife told jurors he came up with his elaborate double agent plot after watching the TV spy thriller Homeland on Netflix. I had seen one of the characters had falsely defected to a particular country and utilised this position, he said. A female character in the American series fakes a defection to Iran, the court heard. The former soldier said he was embarrassed about the plot looking back now, and had been amoral when he thought it up. If I was a real spy it wouldnt have been difficult to defect, he said. A note was left near the device, which said: You can say with certainty that you will go to prison for a very long time. Your options are suicide or absconding. The note went on: Once in Iran you can manage life again and travel to interesting places freely. Daniel Khalife being arrested at Grand Union Canal towpath near Rowdell Road, Northolt (Met Police) Khalife told the court the note was intended to convince police to launch a major manhunt for him, which might convince Iran of his loyalty and allow him to continue working as a double agent. I wanted to continue to help our country, he said. After absconding from his barracks, Khalife lived in a van in the nearby town of Stone for 25 days, trying not to freeze to death, he said. As well as the prison escape and bomb hoax, he also faces charges contrary to the Official Secrets Act and Terrorism Act. He denies all the charges, and the trial will continue on November 11. A concrete roof above the entrance of a railway station in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad collapsed on Friday, killing at least 14 people with more feared buried under the rubble. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said that three people were rescued and admitted to hospital with serious injuries and that the death toll could rise further. He said that for those killed, death occurred on the spot. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic confirmed in a national address that 14 people had died, including a six-year-old girl and a citizen of North Macedonia. Mr Vucic said five of the victims still had not been identified. A large team of rescuers were dispatched to the station to assist with the rescue operation (Interior Ministry of Serbia via AP) The train station has been renovated twice in recent years, and critics of the authoritarian president attributed the disaster to corruption and sloppy renovations on the part of his administration. Members of the opposition planned to protest in front of the station on Saturday. However, Mr Vucic said the canopy had not been part of the recent renovations, and pledged to determine both the political and criminal responsibility for the collapse. Ambulances and other emergency teams were sent to the central station and bulldozers were removing the debris as people looked for survivors. Some 80 rescuers were at the scene as heavy machinery removed large parts of the rubble. Surveillance camera footage showed people moving in and out of the building and sitting on benches as the concrete structure suddenly collapsed. People and rescuers gather at the scene (AP) Serbias government declared November 2 a day of mourning. Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic said: This is a black Friday for us, for all of Serbia. Mr Vucevic said the roof was built in 1964 and that an investigation was underway to determine what happened and who is responsible for the tragedy. Serbias state railway company said the accident happened at 11.50am local time. The company said the structure above the station entrance was not touched during the recent renovation. Police officers cordon off an area where a womans body was found in Hong Kong (Bertha Wang/AP) A British businessman has been ordered to remain in custody in Hong Kong after being charged with murder over the death of an Indonesian woman at a waterfall in a park. Jamie Tzewee Chapman, 34, did not enter a plea during his court appearance on Friday and his lawyer did not request bail. The judge adjourned the case to January to allow time for further investigation. Chapman and his wife, a Hongkonger, were arrested on Tuesday when they returned to the city from mainland China. An unidentified person wearing a hood is escorted by police to the park where the body was found for a video reconstruction (Bertha Wang/AP) His wife had been held on suspicion of assisting an offender before being released on bail pending further investigation, police said on Thursday. Police said Chapman and the Indonesian woman went to a waterfall in a park on Hong Kong Island together on Sunday night. He left about half an hour later. Residents spotted the womans body in the pond below the waterfall on Monday morning, police said. She had been struck in the head and drowned. Mevi Novitasari, who was about 25, was a domestic worker in Hong Kong but did not work for the suspect, police said. She was from Cilacap in Central Java province, Judha Nugraha, the director of protection of Indonesian citizens and legal entities, said from Indonesia. Her employment agency and the Indonesian consulate will organise the repatriation of her body and the consulate general will continue to monitor the investigation, he said. The Shankill Butchers were notorious for torturing their victims with knives The body of Catholic man Joseph Donegan lies in an entry off the Shankill Road in West Belfast after being murdered by members of the Shankill butchers. The UVF began the 1970s with a campaign to cleans Catholics and Catholic owned businesses from Protestant dominated areas. As the 1970s wore on, and with the IRAs campaign at its height, the UVF moved from targeting nationalist and moderate political figures to simple sectarian murder many of its victims just teenagers. But the group also had capable bombers in its ranks their actions culminated in the Dublin Monaghan bombings and the McGurks Bar attack. The UVF was also aided by elements of the security forces with some of its members also being members of the UDA and RUC. And by the mid-1970s a notorious group emerged from the UVF which brought the savagery of the Troubles to a new level the Shankill Butchers. Aaron Edwards is a senior lecturer in defence and international affairs at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and author of UVF: Behind the Mask. He joined Ciaran Dunbar to tell some of the story of the UVF in the 1970s. AFP, October 28, 2024 By Susannah Walden and Aysha Safi Afghanistan's morality ministry is gradually introducing a ban on images of living beings in media, with multiple provinces announcing restrictions and some Taliban officials refusing to be photographed or filmed, journalists across the country told AFP. Since mid-October the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (PVPV) has held meetings with journalists in one province after another. They informed media workers that a ban on taking and publishing images of living things -- namely people and animals -- from a recent "vice and virtue" law would be gradually implemented. Television was completely banned under the Taliban's previous stint in power from 1996 to 2001, but a similar edict had not been imposed since they ousted the Western-backed government three years ago. Enforcement of many articles of the "vice and virtue" law, which codifies the Taliban government's strict interpretation of Islamic law and includes sweeping codes of behaviour, has been uneven. But journalists expressed concern over the possibility of a full crackdown, which would make Afghanistan the only Muslim-majority country to impose such bans. "I have a very bad feeling about it -- taking photos and images is an inseparable part of journalism," a journalist in central Daikundi province told AFP, asking not to be named for fear of repercussions. He said media in Daikundi had only been allowed to record audio at events following a recent PVPV announcement. "Besides that, with the full implementation of this rule, many people working in the media will lose their jobs," he added. A full ban has not been imposed yet, however, and many ministries and government officials in Kabul have continued to post pictures of people. "It seems the supreme leader (Hibatullah Akhundzada) and his allies in Kandahar want to apply the Taliban policy of the '90s, when images of living beings were forbidden," South Asia Desk head for Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Celia Mercier, told AFP. But "some Taliban officials seem to not necessarily agree with these new restrictions", she said. "And imposing more restrictions may lead to discontent among the population already affected by the ban on school for young girls, women's rights and many other measures." Implemented gradually PVPV has been spearheading a campaign to bring the law into force. On October 14, the ministry's spokesman Saiful Islam Khyber said the ban on images of living things "applies to all Afghanistan... and it will be implemented gradually". Since then, multiple events announced by Taliban officials -- primarily from PVPV but also from other ministries and governor offices, as well as some private events -- have explicitly barred photography and filming. On Wednesday, PVPV officials in the populous eastern province of Nangarhar told journalists that "every article of the law is determined by the light of Islam and all are obliged to implement it". Journalists in southern Helmand on Friday told AFP they had also been warned against taking photos and videos of living things. In Kabul, the PVPV ministry invited media to attend a meeting with community leaders -- similar to those held in five other provinces -- where only audio recording was allowed, and journalists were told to put their phones away. An organiser of a gathering in northern Badakhshan to honour the recently killed Palestinian Hamas chief told AFP the event was cancelled in part because PVPV officials had objected to Yahya Sinwar's image on a poster. And in neighbouring Takhar province, at least two provincial TV channels stopped broadcasting living things in mid-October, instead showing logos and landscapes with audio. The information ministry has not responded to requests for comment. Different times Three years since the Taliban's takeover, Afghanistan has slipped 56 places to 178th out of 180 countries in RSF's global ranking for press freedom. Officials in the Taliban heartland of southern Kandahar had long been barred from taking photos and videos at events. More recently in August, the Kandahar branch of state-run news programme RTA stopped broadcasting provincial news after the new law was announced, according to an RSF report published Thursday. Major Afghan broadcaster Tolo News continues to show people and animals, as does the national broadcast of RTA. While Mercier warned there was "a real fear there will one day be a total ban in the country", she noted that times have changed since the Taliban's first rule, with smartphones and TVs now ubiquitous. "What is quite paradoxical is that we see the Taliban leaders using audiovisual media to communicate and promote themselves," she said. Still some others appear to be adhering -- the spokesman for the higher education ministry has posted only pictures of buildings and landscapes since October 3. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. A local man shot and killed his sister outside his home on Crane Road in Windsor on Thursday then turned himself in, police said. STOCKBRIDGE A visit to the newly opened, nostalgia-filled Norman Rockwell Firehouse suite at the Red Lion Inn is like time traveling into mid-20th century Americana. The inn, led by third-generation family owner and Main Street Hospitality CEO Sarah Eustis, has gone all-out, creating a shrine to the famous artist-illustrator whose name remains linked to the town where he lived from 1953 until his death in 1978. The resulting special guest experience also reflects the history of the 1773 Red Lion Inn, the Fitzpatrick family that restored it and saved it from potential demolition in 1968, and the museum bearing Rockwells name. It was originally in the compact Old Corner House on Main Street before moving in 1993 to a spacious, pastoral property three miles west of town. "The goal here isn't simply to observe but to engage with history," Eustis suggested in a statement. "We want our guests not only to see what made Rockwell's works so impactful but also feel it to live it if only for a night or two." Depending on availability, guests can book a night or more in the old firehouse, depicted in Rockwells illustration, The New American LaFrance is Here, published by the Saturday Evening Post in 1971. The history of the firehouse is an interesting, serendipitous timeline of events, said Carla Child, director of project management at the Red Lion for 25 years. She serves as the innkeeper of the Norman Rockwell Firehouse suite and guided this reporters visit on Wednesday. Built in 1898 with an imposing red door and bell tower, time had caught up with the firehouse by the time Rockwell released his illustration. New, larger firetrucks no longer could fit, Child pointed out. The town sold the building on Elm Street to the Fitzpatricks in 1976 for the highest bid, $25,000 ($138,000 in todays money), the year after the new central fire station at Main and Vine streets opened. For five years the former firehouse housed the Gumdrop Square, a business owned by Ann Fitzpatrick Brown, daughter of Jack and Jane Fitzpatrick, that sold gingerbread house kits to high-end retailers. Then it became the mail-order site for the Norman Rockwell Museum. In the mid-1990s, the Fitzpatricks spent $120,000 renovating the firehouse as a two-story, one-bedroom suite for special stays, Child said. The first guest checked in on July 15, 1995. It continued as a getaway for visitors, a gathering place for meetings and a multipurpose destination for private functions. This year, Eustis, partnering closely with the museum, determined the best way to embrace Norman included a studio-type experience and an entire Rockwell immersion, Child explained. Signed Rockwells were gathered, and the museum helped developed interactive tools, such as a QR code beneath displayed prints allowing guests to download a guided audio tour for the images on their phones a high-tech museum-style tour. Pretty much everywhere you go in this small but splendid suite, you will encounter Norman, things that related to him, Child pointed out. The result: A time warp where the friendly ghost of Norman hovers throughout the suite, even in the kitchen with illustrated plates on display. After the final touches were completed, the first overnight guests seeking a deep immersion into all things Rockwell arrived on Oct. 3. Comparing what it was to what it is now, its alive again, Child observed. Theres an energy here now that wasnt, maybe its bringing all the art in and knowing that Norman had so much love for his craft and the townspeople here how meaningful he has made Stockbridge, it infuses and really adds to the experience you can have here. In partnership with the museum, the first-floor living room is bedecked with reproductions of his paintings, signed prints, an audio guide to some of the artists iconic images, archival photographs, a curated book collection, a typewriter for period authenticity, and two easels with art supplies so guests can channel their inner artist, as Eustis put it, and try their hand at self-created mementos. Theres a full kitchen and a lavishly appointed second-floor bedroom. The house is fully climate-controlled. Guests booking an upgraded "Firehouse Experience" can add a private Thanksgiving-style dinner served either in the suite or at the inns dining-room as well as tickets for two to explore the Norman Rockwell Museum. Noting that the inn has been a downtown mainstay for travelers for 250 years, Eustis pointed out that the collaboration with the museum yielded a unique guest experience where you can live inside a Norman Rockwell painting." She recalled that Rockwell was a frequent lunch companion, joining her grandparents, the late Jack and Jane Fitzpatrick. Their conversations and shared meals are part of the inns rich history, Eustis commented in a promotional online video for the suite. Today, you can still feel Rockwells presence throughout the town. The legacy of the firehouse building continues as part of the Red Lion Inn campus. The note left by the first visitors for the guest book: Thank you for this amazing place. If You Go . . . What: Norman Rockwell Firehouse Suite at the Red Lion Where: 30 Main St., Stockbridge How: Guests can book stays of one night or more by reservation at https://www.redlioninn.com/norman-rockwell-firehouse. The suite is pet-friendly. Daily Rates: From $499 (weekdays) to $749 (weekends and holidays). Massachusetts residents can get discounts Sundays through Thursdays. More information: 413-298-5545 or by email: info@redlioninn.com It is getting to be a regular occurrence. The U.S. Treasury runs out of money and warns Congress that they need more. Politicians on both sides strut and crow but delay until the 11th hour only to pass another "continuing resolution" for a few months. Will it ever end? Eagle Archives, March 13, 1957: Mr. and Mrs. Philip Wynne brought their family of three from Leeds, England, to Pittsfield in 1951, looking for security from nuclear fission and greater opportunity for their children. Six years later, they're not sure about the security; they are about the opportunity. You are the owner of this article. The lumber and building industry is reeling from President Trumps on-again, off-again threat to impose a 25 percent tariff on Canadian lumber. If tariffs are imposed April 2, industry members said lumber prices would rise, which could endanger housing production in the Berkshires, especially the creation of direly needed affordable housing. U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and his son, a lobbyist, have denied any wrongdoing in the wake of a recent media report that raises concerns about money paid to the younger Neal from his father's campaign war chest since 2020. The news website Politico last month reported that Brendan Neal received more than $196,000, and that he had lobbied about proposed legislation before the Springfield congressman's committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Oct. 24 Politico piece titled, They were lobbying on legislation before his committee. They were also employing his son, suggests unethical practices that saw clients of Brendan Neal, lobbying before the Ways and Means Committee, for which his father has served as a leader. The article, written by Benjamin Guggenheim, says that clients of Brendan Neal and his firm, Brendan Neal Strategies, saw favorable outcomes that give the appearance of unethical influence peddling. While the Politico report does not allege illegal practices, it points to the complexity of a Washington system that allows family members of lawmakers to receive money from lobbyists. That can be especially tempting for deep-pocketed special interests, the report says, who want to get around rules that limit PAC donations to $5,000, ethics experts say. In a statement to Politico, the congressman's communications director said that Neal was not aware that lobbying firms with tax issues before his committee were employing his son and does not discuss official business with him. With the weight of the Nov. 5 general election bearing down, Neals opponent, Nadia Milleron, of Sheffield, seized on the Politico article as more evidence of why she decided to run for Congress against the Springfield Democrat in the first place. Milleron held a news conference in Springfield to draw attention to the article on the day it was published. In a campaign email, Milleron said that it shows that Richard Neal and his son are working together to advocate for big corporations and special interests while enriching themselves instead of standing up for the interests and needs of Western Massachusetts residents. She is taking out loans to finance her campaign, she told The Eagle, and has been drawing attention to Neals finances to demonstrate what she alleges is an allegiance to industry. Milleron is challenging Neal on the ballot for representative of the Massachusetts 1st Congressional District, a seat Neal has held for 35 years. The Eagle last month endorsed Neal for reelection. The Politico story says it was a year after the Democratic congressman took the gavel of the House Ways and Means Committee, with far-reaching powers to shape the nations tax code, that Brendan Neal launched a one-person public affairs firm dedicated to political advice, lobbying, and strategic communications. Brendan Neal had worked as a lobbyist well before that year, the story also says. His father chaired the Ways and Means Committee for four years. The panel's work includes writing tax laws and overseeing programs like Social Security and Medicare. The elder Neal, the Politico report says, ascended the ranks by championing Democratic priorities like Social Security and expansions to the Child Tax Credit, but also legislative proposals pushed by the financial and insurance industries, which reliably help fundraise substantial amounts for Richard Neals campaign and political action committees. Neals campaign manager told Politico that Brendan Neal also earns $53,000 a year for part-time work for his fathers campaign committee on matters pertaining to Richard Neals district, Which hes very well qualified to do given his extensive experience in Massachusetts campaigns. Brendan Neal, in a statement to Politico, pointed to his over two decades of experience, saying that he takes pride in the achievements that stem from my own dedication and hard work. While close ties between lobbyists and lawmakers are not unusual in Washington, those who work on tax policy, as well as administration officials, the story said, express serious concerns about Brendan Neals lobbying and his clients interests in his fathers committee. One of those is Morris Pearl, the chair of Patriotic Millionaires, a coalition of high-net-worth individuals who advocate for higher taxes on millionaires and billionaires. Lobbyists sending huge amounts of money to the son of a particularly powerful politician, Pearl told Politico, who has a great deal of control over tax policy, just reeks of corruption. Another ethics expert told Politico that representatives whose family members are lobbyists should do everything possible to avoid appearances of undue influence. Both father and son defend their work as above board. Neals communications director said in a statement to Politico that Brendan Neal has never lobbied Congressman Neals office or Ways and Means Committee. Anyone looking to understand the congressmans values should look at the policies hes championed, the statement said, which have made a material difference in the lives of average Americans: tax credits for families with children and tax credits for green energy, new incentives to boost American manufacturing, and tax increases on the ultra-wealthy. Blog Archive: Mar 2025 (80) Feb 2025 (139) Jan 2025 (155) Dec 2024 (144) Nov 2024 (143) Oct 2024 (155) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (155) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) Stay up to date on Berkshires news with Berkshires in Brief, our free daily newsletter NORTH ADAMS The chair of the city's Airport Commission has resigned, halting at least for now any plan to finalize a proposal to lease a refurbished hangar to Michael Milazzo. Marc Morandi tendered his resignation shortly after the commission's Oct. 15 vote to accept the lease proposal. That decision prompted pushback from Mayor Jennifer Macksey, citing a city committee's recommendation that the proposal be rejected. Macksey did not say why exactly Morandi resigned, and he has not replied to multiple requests for comment from The Eagle, which has requested a copy of his resignation letter. The mayor said she refuses to accept his decision until she talks to him. He and his family have been away for a little bit, Im still trying to get him to call me back, she said. Im not bugging him, Im trying to give him space, but its on the top of my list. Milazzo was the subject of a 2021 police report alleging he and associate Brian Doyle vandalized the hangar with Milazzos excavator. What resulted was a yearslong rebuild of the hangar at Harriman-and-West Airport using city, state and federal dollars, amounting to $753,000. The commission accepted Milazzos proposal for the refurbished Northeast Hangar during its mid-October meeting. That decision went against a recommendation by a city committee, consisting of two commission members and two city officials, who examined his proposal on Oct. 2. Morandi was the lone no vote, with three yes votes and one abstention. In the weeks following that meeting, Macksey wrote a letter urging members to rescind their decision to accept Milazzos application. She made her argument mostly on procedural grounds, and on a recommendation from the Office of the Inspector General. Former hangar co-owners Derek and Jackie Rougeau have alleged to North Adams Police and airport officials that Doyle and Milazzo their former business partners were responsible for the damage to the hangar. No charges have been filed against the men. Milazzo admitted he brought his excavator, which was used to destroy the hangar, to the hangar and later removed it. He denies responsibility for carrying out the unsanctioned excavation. He has not responded to requests for comment from The Eagle. The commission had discussed meeting this week to finalize the deal with Milazzo and sign a contract, but there can be no movement until it finds a chair, and someone to organize the meeting. That meeting also depends on whether Macksey can change Morandis mind. Theres nobody clerically able to convene a special meeting on the commission, the mayor said. I havent pushed the issue because I want Marc [Morandi] to come back. GREAT BARRINGTON In an effort to protect themselves and the community, Great Barrington Police officers will now carry a shield in each cruiser that is lightweight but strong enough to block a bullet. The department bought 10 Vector Personal Protective Barriers and received training last week after voters approved the approximately $26,000 purchase at annual town meeting last year. The shields are a way, said Police Chief Paul Storti, to de-escalate situations in which there could be violence against an officer, and in turn, violence against a citizen or lethal force. It helps officers protect themselves, Storti added, while making room for communication and empathy. De-escalation is a cornerstone of modern policing, Storti wrote in a news release about the shields, saying they are a critical addition to our toolkit, offering protection to the public and officers during interactions while giving officers more time and space to calm volatile situations. He said this approach is particularly useful when interacting with individuals in crisis, where patience and safety are key to a peaceful resolution. Lenox Police and North Adams Police also use these shields, according to Storti. A Pittsfield Police spokesperson could not be immediately reached with questions about whether the department uses them. Boston Police and State Police also use them, according to Police1, a law enforcement news website. The shield's manufacturer, Vector Defensive Systems, says the lightweight shields were developed by a U.S. Army Special Forces medic to protect officers in a variety of situations like motor vehicle stops and when encountering blind angles during a call. The website notes FBI statistics that show that Officers are attacked and shot in the head, neck and upper chest where body armor does not cover. The shields are rated Level 3 by the National Institute of Justice, the website says, meaning They stop bricks, bottles, bats, knives, physical assaults, attacking dogs plus multiple strike handgun and rifle fire at close range. Storti said that the department decided to ask voters for shields after realizing they needed extra protection after responding to local schools during swatting incidents in which called-in threats turned out to be fake. As part of the rollout of this de-escalation tool, Storti reaffirmed the departments commitment to autism awareness. Vector also provided officers with Autism Awareness Responder Alert stickers for homes and other places where someone with autism lives. Officers have worked on training to understand and respond to situations involving individuals who have autism. They have trained to spot situations, Storti said, in which someone on the spectrum is stressed. By understanding the sensory sensitivities and communication differences often experienced by people with autism, Storti wrote in his release, we can better serve our community in ways that ensure dignity, safety and respect. STOCKBRIDGE With property values continuing to soar, residents can expect a lower tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year. The residential and commercial tax rate is projected at $7.09 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, Principal Assessor Michael Blay told the Select Board on Monday night during the annual tax classification hearing. Thats a decrease of 28 cents over the current $7.37 rate. Some property owners could see a lower tax bill, though the amount would depend on the style of home they own. The average home in the town is now valued at $723,184, Blay said. Thats up from $671,074 last year, and $600,000 in 2022. Once again, the board declined to vote on a residential tax exemption that would give full-time taxpayers a discount on their real estate bills. The exemption would not have applied to second-home residents occupying their homes for six months or less. The discount would have reduced the taxable amount on a property by 10, 20 or 35 percent, depending on the option selected by the board. By the numbers The following information was compiled by the Stockbridge Board of Assessors: Average home valuation, 2024: $723,184 Average home valuation, 2023: $671,074 Average home valuation, 2022: $600,000 Current tax rate: $7.37 per $1,000 Proposed tax rate: $7.09 per $1,000 Proposed average tax bill: $5,126 Total property value in town: $1.35 billion Seasonal homeowners: 50 percent But the result would be increased tax bills for part-time residents, since the total tax burden would remain the same $9.5 million to be raised by the town. No other community in Western Massachusetts have adopted a residential exemption, Blay pointed out. According to the state, the 16 communities that have adopted it include Boston and a few surrounding cities such as Brookline, Cambridge, Waltham and Watertown, as well as Provincetown, Truro and Wellfleet on Cape Cod, Tisbury on Marthas Vineyard and the island of Nantucket. The total value of all property in Stockbridge has topped $1 billion for the third time since the pandemic ended, Blay pointed out. The total tax valuation is $1.35 billion, about 90 percent of it residential properties. Its quite amazing that total valuation is over $1 billion on 2,000-plus properties, Blay said. He told The Eagle on Wednesday that about 50 percent of the towns homes are owned by seasonal residents, the same as in recent years. During public comment on the residential tax proposal at Mondays meeting, Bruce Auerbach an opponent stated that part-timers pay a greater share of property taxes compared to town services they use. Theyre happy to do that because taxes are not a la carte, and sharing equitably in the expenses of the town by subsidizing services they may not use is a demonstration of part-time residents full-time commitment to the town, he said. However, they should be appreciated for that and not told theyre not doing enough, which is the message the residential tax exemption sends, Auerbach asserted. Resident Anita Schwerner suggested trying the tax discount idea for a year in order to attract more full-time young families to the town. Advocating for a minimum 10 percent exemption, she noted that next year you could vote it out, or vote to increase it. A one-year trial is the only way to gauge the impact, she said. The goal, supported by the state, is to help older people stay in their homes through a tax decrease, said Schwerner. But resident Patty Caya argued that the exemption plan would be divisive for taxpayers. She contended that the proposal imposes a sweeping property tax increase based only on a perception of wealth, not any measure of it, and it provides tax relief without any determination of need. Residency status is not an indicator of need," she said. "Its just another way to divide people along arbitrary lines. After the public discussion ended, Select Board member Patrick White acknowledged that the exemption proposal is a hard decision, but not based on animus, division or negative feelings. He said the well-being of the local economy depends on the ability to attract residents who can afford to live in town. But his motion to adopt a residential exemption failed to gain a second from Jamie Minacci, who chairs the board this year, or from member Chuck Cardillo. The Select Board did approve a single tax rate for the town, applying to all residential properties and to a half dozen small commercial properties with 10 employees or fewer. By the numbers . . . The following information was compiled by the Stockbridge Board of Assessors: Average home valuation, 2023: $723,184 Average home valuation, 2022: $671,074 Average home valuation, 2021: $600,000 Current tax rate: $7.37 per $1,000 Proposed tax rate: $7.09 per $1,000 Proposed average tax bill: $5,126 Total property value in town: $1.35 billion Seasonal homeowners: 50 percent PM virtually inaugurates Merils advanced medtech manufacturing facility in Gujarat under PLI Scheme November 01, 2024 | Friday | News Focusing on Structural Heart, Vascular Interventions, Orthopaedics, and Endo Surgery Meril, one of Indias leading global medtech company, celebrated a significant milestone as Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated its state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Gujarats Chief Minister, Bhupendrabhai Patel was present in Vapi at the Meril headquarters during the inauguration. At the 2024 Vibrant Gujarat summit, Meril signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government, committing Rs 910 crore in new investments in the medical devices sector. To date, Meril has invested over Rs 1,400 crore, highlighting its commitment to Indias medtech ecosystem. This investment is expected to create 5,000 jobs and significantly reduce imports of critical medical devices. This new facility embodies Merils commitment to innovation and quality, enabling us to deliver advanced healthcare solutions globally across 150 countries. With 12 Meril Academies in India and abroad, we are equally dedicated to education and training, empowering healthcare professionals worldwide said Vivek Shah, CEO, Meril. Under the PLI scheme, four of Merils group companies operating in Structural Heart, Vascular Interventions, Orthopaedics, and Endo Surgery are included, supporting the production of essential devices domestically. Founded in 2007, Meril operates across five key segments: Cardiovascular, Orthopaedics, Endo Surgery, Surgical Robotics, and Diagnostics. With over 10,000 employees and operations in 150+ countries, Meril has established direct subsidiaries in 31 countries. Belfast mother-of-one Mary Ward had been in a "tumultuous relationship" with her former partner and died as a result of a "laceration to her neck" at her home, a court has heard. Ahmed Abdirahman, 31, who was arrested in Dublin and charged with murdering the young woman on September 25th at her house on Melrose Street in south Belfast, was refused bail on Friday. Advertisement He was located in the city on October 9th and was remanded in custody two days later. However, the accused, originally from Somalia, brought an application before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs at the High Court in Cloverhill, Dublin, to be released with rigorous conditions. On Friday, the judge noted that he had left the jurisdiction where the event allegedly occurred and had "no ties" in the Republic. The hearing was told the accused turned up at Dublin's Mater hospital on September 26th, a day after Ms Ward was last seen alive, with arm and leg injuries, saying he had fallen on broken glass. Advertisement The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) commenced a murder probe after the lifeless body of Mary Ward, 22, was discovered on October 1st in her home. The PSNI and An Garda Siochana conducted a joint investigation, and detectives attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) arrested Mr Abdirahman. At his first District Court hearing two days later, the accused, who had used an address at Kinlay House, Dame St, Dublin 2, was remanded into prison custody. Detective Sergeant James King had said Mr Abdirahman's reply to the charge was "Not guilty". Advertisement On Friday, in the High Court, Detective Sergeant King objected to the bail, citing flight risk concerns. He told Keith Branagan BL, for the State, that the accused travelled to this jurisdiction by bus late on the 25th or morning of September 26 and arrived in Dublin. It was established the young mother died from "a laceration of the neck", and a "bloodied broken piece of glass" was found at the crime scene. The court heard Mr Abdirahman turned up at the hospital in Dublin to be treated for wounds to his arm and left leg, and a piece of glass was removed. He allegedly told medical staff that he fell on broken glass the night before He was arrested after using a Revolut card in a Dublin city-centre shop; the court heard his account was linked to his phone allegedly found at Ms Ward's home. Advertisement Messages downloaded by the PSNI showed they had a "tumultuous" relationship, but Ms Ward's phone was not found. Fingerprint, DNA, mobile phone and CCTV evidence had been obtained. The court was told the accused originally came to the Republic in 2019 and had residency status due to a family reunification process with a half-sibling who has citizenship in Ireland. He had no prior convictions. Advertisement Defence counsel Oisin Clarke, instructed by solicitor Wayne Kenny, pleaded that rigorous bail conditions could alleviate the garda and court's concerns. The barrister submitted that an address was possibly available and his client would not have the means to leave the jurisdiction and go somewhere other than Northern Ireland. The court heard another person paid for his bus ticket to Dublin. The accused sat silently at the side of the court and was not required to give evidence. Ireland Man found with child sex abuse material had been f... Read More In her ruling, Ms Justice Biggs said she was satisfied that on the balance of probabilities, Mr Abdirahman would seek to evade justice if granted bail, and she said, "there are no conditions whatsoever that will allay my fear in that regard". Under the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act 1976, a person can be charged and tried in the Republic for offences allegedly committed in Northern Ireland. Earlier, the PSNI had issued a statement: "An Garda Siochana will now lead the joint investigation into the death of Mary Ward with continued support from the PSNI," it continued. An Garda Siochana also said it would continue to work closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on this investigation. Mr Abdirahman is also due before the District Court on November 15 and awaits the DPP's directions, and a book of evidence must be served before a return-for-trial order is granted. The High Court has appointed provisional liquidators to a Dublin recruitment agency specialising in the tech sector. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey appointed Declan Clancy of Status Corporate Advisory and Barry Forrest of Forrest & Company as provisional liquidators to Allen Recruitment Consulting Ltd, with registered offices at Pembroke Street Upper. Advertisement It followed a one side only represented (ex parte) application by Ross Gorman BL on behalf of the company whose directors are Brian Cunningham and Louise Allen. In its petition, the company, which was set up in 2000, said it provides temporary and contract staff for multinational firms, particularly in the tech industry. It grew slowly up to 2019, breaking even or making a modest profit. In January 2020, it had 16 administrative staff who placed its agency staff with client companies. At that point, it placed 111 agency staff with clients. Advertisement It grew very rapidly during the pandemic and placed more than 600 people in temporary employment during the pandemic and had 70 people directly employed in its Dublin office. By March 2022, it had a peak agency staff of 355 but demand for such staff then began to decline. The firm had warehoused a lot of debt to Revenue, which the court heard stands at some 5 million. An expansion into seven European countries in recent years, along with finance for office space and local employees, ultimately proved unsuccessful, the petition said. Advertisement The money loaned for that expansion was not recoverable. The decline in the number of agency staff it supplied continued and a survival plan, in which overheads were cut and its own office staff numbers were cut by 50 per cent, failed to turn the business around. It had also entered into an instalment arrangement in 2024 to pay off the 5 million warehoused Revenue debt. The company was clearly insolvent and given its current financial position, it said, it would not be in a position to pay staff for work they undertake in November. Agency staff get paid by Allen Recruitment the first week of the month after they have worked but it can be up to two months before the company is paid that money by its clients. Advertisement The company is due to be paid around 1.2 million by its clients for work done in September and October this year. If it does not pay staff their wages then clients will terminate their contracts and will not in turn pay invoices. As a result the directors made the decision to apply to have provisional liquidators appointed. Ireland Firm which operates Adare Manor reports losses for... Read More The directors have informed clients of the insolvency and are working to ensure agency staff are engaged by other agencies so that they can continue to work for clients, the petition said. The directors believe if there is a fairly seamless transition the 1.2 million is due from clients will be paid even if it goes into liquidation. Mr Justice Sanfey was satisfied that a controlled wind down of the company was appropriate and the appointment of the provisional liquidators with a view to conducting the affairs of the firm is the only way the assets can be protected and got in in a proper manner. He said the case could come back to court later this month. Gardai are seeing an upturn in blank pistols that have been modified to turn them into lethal weapons capable of firing live rounds, a murder trial has heard. Detective Garda Janette O'Neill said one such firearm caused the 2022 death of Sean McCarthy, whose body was left in a wardrobe for four days after he had been shot dead. Advertisement Dean Caffrey (38) denies Mr McCarthy's murder and is on trial at the Central Criminal Court. Det Gda O'Neill told prosecution counsel Kathleen Noctor SC that the firearm retrieved by gardai investigating Mr McCarthy's death was a Zoraki blank pistol that had been converted to a semi-automatic pistol capable of firing .32 inch calibre ammunition. The gun was in "fair condition" with slight rusting on the outside and heavy rust on the inside of the barrel. It measured 145 millimetres in length and weighed just under half a kilogram. The detective successfully fired a number of rounds using the gun and concluded that it was an illegal firearm under the Firearms Act. Advertisement Det Gda O'Neill told defence counsel Lorcan Staines SC that in its original form, the gun could have been used as a starting pistol at sporting events, as a theatre prop or for someone looking to get used to holding and firing a gun. At some point, it was deliberately modified with a new barrel to turn it into a firearm "capable of killing someone". The serial number had also been deliberately removed. Det Gda O'Neill said it is illegal to modify a gun in that way but she said such weapons "have become more popular" and appear to be coming in from Europe. She could not say if they were related to gangland activity. The markings left on the bullets fired from the gun in this case were analyzed and compared to a database of firearms used in other crimes. There were no matches, she said. Advertisement Dean Caffrey of Beaucort, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sean McCarthy on a date between August 2nd and 7th 2022, both dates inclusive, in the State. Ms Noctor has previously told the jury that following his arrest, Mr Caffrey told gardai that in return for a drug debt, he agreed to allow the deceased to use his apartment to store drugs. Mr Caffrey told gardai that Mr McCarthy later accused him of stealing heroin, came to his apartment with a gun and threatened that he would "leave in a body bag" if he didn't pay him 5,000. During a struggle Mr Caffrey said he managed to secure the firearm and discharged it in the direction of the deceased, inflicting the fatal wound. Advertisement However, the prosecution intends to prove that Mr Caffrey intended to kill or cause serious injury when he discharged the firearm and that he is guilty of murder. Gda Lorcan Byrne told Ms Noctor that he is a member of the Garda Water Unit and was tasked with searching the Tolka River near a footbridge in Griffith Park as part of the investigation into Mr McCarthy's death. From a bank near the bridge beside Woodville Road, Gda Byrne said he could see a pistol in about 30cm of water. He retrieved it and made it safe by removing the magazine and checking for a bullet in the chamber. There was no ammunition and no spent cartridges in the gun or the magazine, he said. Advertisement Ireland Man found with child sex abuse material had been f... Read More Gda Byrne showed the gun to the jury and demonstrated how it is loaded and made safe. Det Sgt Kieran Devine told Ms Noctor that on August 6th 2022, he became aware that Mr Caffrey had attended Ashbourne Garda Station and given information regarding the death of Mr McCarthy. He said he was later informed Mr Caffrey had told gardai that he had discarded the firearm in the stream at Griffith Park, close to a bridge. Gda Devine made sure the area was cordoned off to be searched the following day by Gda Byrne. The trial continues on Tuesday in front of Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven men and five women. People who are homeless are being encouraged to register to vote in order to see real, solid change on housing. Focus Ireland held voter registration events on Thursday to help people to register to vote. Advertisement Those who do not have a home address can use the Eircode of the area where they spend the most time to register and to receive their polling card. Louise Bayliss, campaign co-ordinator at Focus Ireland, said they were launching the campaign now because if an election is announced three weeks before polling day, it does not give people a lot of time to register. People can register to vote up to 15 days before the election date, excluding Sundays and public holidays. Were saying, lets jump ahead of it and make sure people have time to do it, Ms Bayliss said on Wednesday. Advertisement Were encouraging anybody young people, marginalised people, carers, people with disabilities, but especially people who are facing the worst of the housing crisis to come and register to vote now. There is a real sense of empowerment when you cast your vote and you feel more included in society. The number of people in emergency accommodation in Ireland rose to 14,760 in September, a 15 per cent increase on the same month last year. This includes 4,561 children and 2,133 families, according to the Department of Housing figures. Advertisement It is likely that the next official housing figures will be published on the same day as polling day Friday, November 29th. The housing charitys appeal to vote is not only for those facing homelessness, but those who were homeless at some stage, people who have received a notice of termination and people in receipt of a Housing Assistance Payment. Ms Bayliss encouraged people to attend Focus Irelands offices where staff will help them register to vote. Case workers will also reach out to people as part of their work and when asking the usual list of questions will ask if they have registered to vote. Advertisement They will also have supports on their website to help people decide how to vote. We have come up with what we believe are five solutions that will end homelessness, Ms Bayliss said. We have a tool being developed on our website, so when the election is called people will be able to go on to our website where they will be able to choose their constituency and then send an email to all candidates in their area, asking them will they support the five solutions, hearing the response back, and then allowing the person to choose who they want to vote for if their priority is homelessness and housing. She added: Im quite confident people do care about it, but we need to see real, solid change. A taxi driver who dislocated a man's shoulder after he clamped his car has been handed a suspended sentence. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Feliks Andrianov (54) of Corduff Green, Blanchardstown, Dublin, was found guilty after a trial of assault causing harm at McDonald's restaurant, Dublin Airport on July 5th 2019. Advertisement He has no previous convictions. Andrianov, who discharged his legal team after his trial, represented himself at the sentence hearing. At a previous hearing, he was remanded into custody for two hours after he raised his voice at Judge Elma Sheahan. When he returned to the courtroom, he was asked by the judge if he wanted to continue to represent himself or seek a new legal team. He was still representing himself when the sentence was passed down on Friday. Advertisement Judge Elma Sheahan said the accused was convicted following a trial of assault causing harm. She said the aggravating factor in this case was the seriousness of the offending. Judge Sheahan said that the mitigating factors were Andrianov's previous good character, his co-operation with the gardai, his long history of employment in Ireland, and his family's support. The judge said that this was an unusual case and that Andrianov had fought the case believing that CCTV and body cam footage had been tampered with. He also refused to accept the jury's verdict. Judge Sheahan sentenced Andrivanov to 18 months in prison but suspended it in full for 18 months. Advertisement Garda Paul Murphy told Derek Cooney BL, prosecuting, that Michael Norris began work as a security worker at 7am on the morning of July 5th 2019. He was working at McDonalds located across from Dublin Airport. Mr Norris was instructed that if he saw anyone park their vehicle and walk off the site, he should clamp it. The court heard that not long after 7.30am on the morning in question, Mr Norris saw a taxi driver park his car and leave the area to go to Circle K. Signs stating that cars parked here would be clamped were located throughout the area. Advertisement Mr Norris proceeded to clamp the car. A short time later, the taxi diver, who was later identified as Andrianov, returned to his car, and Mr Norris walked over. Andrianov was informed that this car park was for McDonalds customers only and not for Circle K customers. Mr Norris then turned on his body cam. The court heard that Andrianov looked down at the body cam, put his hand over it and then instigated an altercation by grabbing Mr Norris. Advertisement The security worker noticed that his left shoulder was injured, and he was unable to move it. He went into McDonalds and an ambulance was called. He was treated at Beaumont Hospital with an X-ray showing he had a dislocated left shoulder. During questioning, Andrianov told gardai that he had been struck first by the security guard. Gardai obtained CCTV and body cam footage, which showed that the security officer did not hit the taxi driver. A victim impact statement was read to the court by the prosecuting counsel, stating that Mr Norris had to leave this employment due to fear of being assaulted at work. He said that he was unable to work for a period of time due to his injuries. Ireland Growing number of blank pistols being converted in... Read More The court heard his partner gave birth 10 days after the assault, and he was unable to hold his baby and help his wife. He also had to sell his car and buy an automatic car due to his injury. The court heard that Andrianov came to Ireland over 20 years ago and has worked here for his entire time. He is a married man and father. He is originally from Lithuania. His mother still lives there and is dependent on him. Documents were handed into the court by Andrivanov, which outlined his work history, a medical report from when he was involved in a car accident many years ago and documents outlining the ill health of his mother. Andrivanov told the court: The truth will come out. An Australian judge has ruled that anti-immigration party leader Senator Pauline Hanson breached racial discrimination laws by crudely telling Pakistan-born Senator Mehreen Faruqi to return to her homeland. Ms Faruqi sued Ms Hanson in the Federal Court over a 2022 exchange on the social media platform X, then called Twitter, under a provision of the Racial Discrimination Act that bans public actions and statements that offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate people because of their race, colour or national or ethnic origin. Advertisement Following the news that Queen Elizabeth II had died, Ms Faruqi, deputy leader of the Australian Greens party, posted: I cannot mourn the leader of a racist empire built on stolen lives, land and wealth of colonized peoples. The 70-year-old leader of Pauline Hansons One Nation party replied that Ms Faruqi had immigrated to take advantage of Australia, and told the Lahore-born Muslim to return to Pakistan, using an expletive. Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi talks to the media outside the Federal Court of Australia, in Sydney (Bianca De Marchi/AAP Image/AP) Ms Hanson has been known for her views on race since her first speech to Parliament in 1996 in which she warned Australia was in danger of being swamped by Asians because of the nations non-discriminatory immigration policy. She once wore a burqa in the Senate as part of a campaign to have Islamic face coverings banned. Advertisement Ms Faruqi, a 61-year-old qualified engineer, moved to Australia with her husband in 1992 as skilled economic migrants. Justice Angus Stewart found that Hanson had engaged in seriously offensive and intimidating behaviour. The post was racist, nativist and anti-Muslim, he said. It is a strong form of racism, he said. Advertisement The judge ordered Ms Hanson to delete the offensive post and to pay MS Faruqis legal costs. He said he expected those costs would amount to a fairly substantial sum. Ms Faruqi welcomed the ruling as a vindication for every single person who has been told to go back to where they came from. And believe me, there are too many of us who have been subjected to this ultimate racist slur, far too many times in this country. Todays ruling tells us that telling someone to go back to where they came from is a strong form of racism, she told reporters. Today is a good day for people of colour, for Muslims and all of us who have been working so hard to build an anti-racist society, she said. Advertisement Hanson said she was deeply disappointed by the ruling and would appeal. The verdict demonstrated an inappropriately broad application of the section of the Racial Discrimination Act that she had breached, particularly in how that section impinged upon freedom of political expression, Ms Hanson said in a statement. Her lawyers argued that her post was exempt from the law because of constitutionally implied freedom of political communication. Ms Hanson said she considered the queens death a matter of public interest and that Ms Faruqis views on the death were also a matter of public interest. Advertisement The judge found Ms Hansons tweet did not respond to any point made in Faruqis tweet. Senator Hansons tweet was merely an angry ad hominem attack devoid of discernible content (or comment) in response to what Sen. Faruqi had said, he wrote in his decision. He described Ms Hansons testimony as generally unreliable, rejecting her claim that she did not know Ms Faruqis religion when she posted. Ms Hanson told the court she had called for a ban on Muslim immigration in the past, but she described that as her personal opinion rather than her minor partys policy. She conceded she had once said in a media interview she would not sell her house to a Muslim, but would not say whether she had meant what she had said. The party of Botswanas opposition candidate Duma Boko was declared the winner of the general election on Friday over incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi in a seismic change that ended the ruling partys 58 years in power since independence from Britain. Mr Masisi conceded defeat even before the final results were announced, with his Botswana Democratic Party trailing in fourth place in the parliamentary elections in what appeared to be a humbling rejection by voters and a landslide victory for the main opposition party. Advertisement Hours later, Chief Justice Terence Rannowane announced that the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change party had won a majority of seats in the election, making its candidate, Mr Boko, the next president of the southern African country, which is one of the worlds biggest producers of mined diamonds. Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) presidential candidate Duma Boko speaks to journalist after casting his vote during the elections in Gaborone (Themba Hadebe/AP) Mr Masisi said he had called Mr Boko to inform him he was conceding defeat. I concede the election, Mr Masisi said in an early-morning press conference two days after the election. I am proud of our democratic processes. Although I wanted a second term, I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process. I look forward to attending the coming inauguration and cheering on my successor. He will enjoy my support. Advertisement Mr Masisis BDP has dominated politics in Botswana for nearly six decades. The nation of just 2.5 million people will now be governed by another party for the first time in its democratic history. We lost this election massively, said Mr Masisi, a 63-year-old former high school teacher and Unicef employee. I have not packed a shoe. I did not expect it, he added. Mr Boko is a 54-year-old lawyer and Harvard Law School graduate who also ran in 2014 and 2019. He did not immediately comment but posted on his official page on X: Botswana First with a picture of a UDC campaign poster with the words Change is Here. Advertisement Botswana has been held up as one of Africas most stable democracies with its economy largely relying on diamonds. It is the worlds second-biggest natural diamond producer behind Russia. The mood for change was evident as a downturn in the global demand for diamonds badly hit Botswanas economy with unemployment rising to more than 27% this year as the government saw a sharp decrease in revenue from diamonds. Mr Masisi and his party had faced criticism for not having done enough to diversify the economy. A British businessman has been ordered to remain in custody in Hong Kong after being charged with murder over the death of an Indonesian woman at a waterfall in a park. Jamie Tzewee Chapman, 34, did not enter a plea during his court appearance on Friday and his lawyer did not request bail. Advertisement The judge adjourned the case to January to allow time for further investigation. Chapman and his wife, a Hongkonger, were arrested on Tuesday when they returned to the city from mainland China. An unidentified person wearing a hood is escorted by police to the park where the body was found for a video reconstruction (Bertha Wang/AP) His wife had been held on suspicion of assisting an offender before being released on bail pending further investigation, police said on Thursday. Police said Chapman and the Indonesian woman went to a waterfall in a park on Hong Kong Island together on Sunday night. Advertisement He left about half an hour later. Residents spotted the womans body in the pond below the waterfall on Monday morning, police said. She had been struck in the head and drowned. Mevi Novitasari, who was about 25, was a domestic worker in Hong Kong but did not work for the suspect, police said. She was from Cilacap in Central Java province, Judha Nugraha, the director of protection of Indonesian citizens and legal entities, said from Indonesia. Advertisement Her employment agency and the Indonesian consulate will organise the repatriation of her body and the consulate general will continue to monitor the investigation, he said. Israeli airstrikes on Friday killed at least 24 people in northeastern Lebanon, the countrys news agency said, raising the death toll from eight. It was the latest deadly toll in the area since the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah escalated last month. Advertisement Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) Lebanons state National News Agency reported four airstrikes in different villages across the countrys north east, saying rescuers were still searching for survivors in Younine, a town in the Bekaa Valley, from the rubble of a targeted building that was believed to have housed 20 people. In recent days, Israel has intensified its airstrikes on the north-east city of Baalbek and nearby villages, as well as different parts of southern Lebanon, prompting roughly 60,000 people to flee their homes, according to Hussein Haj Hassan, a Lebanese official representing the region. In an attack in the northeastern Baalbek-Hermel region, eight people were killed when a home was hit in the village of Amhaz and two more were killed in the village of Taraya, Lebanons state-run National News Agency reported. Israels military said in a statement that attacks in the area of Beirut had targeted Hezbollah weapons manufacturing sites, command centres and other infrastructure. Advertisement Smoke rises from a destroyed building hit by an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh (Hussein Malla/AP) Israeli planes also pounded Beiruts southern suburb of Dahiyeh overnight, destroying dozens of buildings in several neighbourhoods, according to the news agency. The early Friday airstrikes on Dahiyeh came after a four-day lull during which no airstrikes were reported in the suburb. There were no immediate reports of casualties. International mediators are ramping up efforts to halt the wars in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, circulating new proposals to wind down the regional conflict. A worker uses a bulldozer to remove the rubble of a destroyed building that was hit in an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh (Hussein Malla/AP) Lebanons health ministry said more than 2,800 people have been killed and 13,000 wounded since October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah began firing rockets almost daily into Israel, drawing retaliation. Advertisement The death toll from more than a year of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza has passed 43,000, Palestinian officials reported this week, without distinguishing between civilians and combatants. The war began after Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 250 others. Jens Laerke, of the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Aid, said there has also been a wave of displacement in recent days as tens of thousands of people have fled following warnings from Israels military that attacks were imminent. Hezbollah has been firing thousands of rockets, drones and missiles into Israel and drawing fierce Israeli retaliatory strikes since Hamas attack on Israel last year. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are backed by Iran, Israels regional adversary. Advertisement On Thursday, four Thai workers and an Israeli farmer were killed in an agricultural area in Metula, Israels northernmost town. The four were among seven people killed on Thursday in a series of barrages fired at Israel from Lebanon. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that his personal and heartfelt condolences went out to the government of Thailand, the Thai people and the families of those killed. Hezbollah-Iranian terrorism knows no limits and harms Israelis and civilians from all over the world alike, he said in a statement. Advertisement Cross-border attacks from Hezbollah have killed 41 civilians and 30 soldiers in Israel so far, according to government figures. Israel launched waves of deadly airstrikes across Lebanons north east that killed at least 45 people on Friday and transformed once-bustling neighbourhood blocks in Beiruts southern suburbs into smouldering ruins. The latest violence comes against the backdrop of the Biden administrations renewed diplomatic push, days before the US election, to reach temporary ceasefire deals. Advertisement Israel has broadened its strikes in Lebanon to bigger urban hubs, like Baalbek, in recent weeks after initially targeting smaller border villages in the south, where Hezbollah draws deep support. Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) Iran-backed Hezbollah doubles as a major political party and provider of social services in Lebanon. Hezbollah began firing rockets, drones and missiles from Lebanon into Israel in solidarity with Hamas immediately after the Hamas-led October 7 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered the war in Gaza. The year-long cross-border fighting boiled over to full-blown war on October 1, when Israeli forces launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon for the first time since 2006. Advertisement In Lebanons north east where small farming villages nestled between the countrys mountain ranges had largely been spared the worst of Israeli bombardment until last month Israel conducted a series of heavy airstrikes Friday, killing at least 45 people, driving more families to flee with whatever they could carry and sending thick plumes of smoke over the horizon. Intensified Israeli airstrikes on and around the north-eastern city of Baalbek this week have prompted 60,000 people to flee their homes and have emptied many small villages in the area, said Hussein Haj Hassan, a Lebanese official representing the region. Rescuers searched for survivors after airstrikes killed seven people in Younine, a town in the Bekaa Valley, said Governor Bachir Khodr. Smoke rises from a destroyed building hit by an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh (Hussein Malla/AP) The strikes brought down a building believed to be housing 20 people. Advertisement Further Israeli strikes in the north east killed 11 people in the village of Amhaz, five people in the town of Nahleh and 14 others across the Bekaa Valley, Mr Khodr added. Lebanons state-run National News Agency also reported that four others were killed in the small village of Ollak, bringing the total death toll from Fridays attacks on the Bekaa Valley to 45. There was no immediate comment from Israel on the deadly strikes. In Lebanons capital of Beirut, Israeli planes pounded the southern suburb of Dahiyeh overnight and early on Friday for the first time in four days, spreading panic after a rare lull. Advertisement The Israeli military, which warned residents to evacuate at least nine locations in Dahiyeh, said it hit Hezbollah weapons manufacturing sites and command centres. There were no reports of casualties from Dahiyeh, where fears of Israeli bombings drive a mass outflow of residents each night. A worker uses a bulldozer to remove the rubble of a destroyed building that was hit in an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh (Hussein Malla/AP) Bulldozers rumbled through clouds of dust and smoke on Friday, clearing rubble from the pulverised roads where Israeli warplanes had reduced dozens of buildings to their skeletal remains. Formerly home to families and businesses, mid-rise apartment blocks were left open to the breeze, walls blown off and furniture buried. Advertisement Hezbollah supporters in several locations raised the groups bright yellow banner atop the rubble. Since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted last year, more than 2,897 people have been killed and 13,150 wounded in Lebanon, the Health Ministry reports, not including Fridays toll. Health authorities say that a quarter of those killed were women and children. Overall, UN agencies estimate that Israels ground invasion and bombardment of Lebanon has displaced 1.4 million people. Residents of Israels northern communities near Lebanon, roughly 60,000 people, have also been displaced for more than a year. Hezbollah has continued firing rockets into northern Israel, with projectiles launched from Lebanon on Thursday crashing into agricultural areas and killing seven people, including four Thai farm workers. Three days after flash floods swept through several towns in Spain and killed at least 205 people, the initial shock was giving way to anger, frustration and a wave of solidarity on Friday. Spanish emergency authorities raised the death toll to at least 205 victims, 202 of them in Valencia alone. Advertisement Many streets are still blocked by piled-up vehicles and debris, in some cases trapping residents in their homes. Some places still do not have electricity, running water or stable telephone connections. Residents turned to the media to appeal for help. This is a disaster. There are a lot of elderly people who dont have medicine. There are children who dont have food. We dont have milk, we dont have water. We have no access to anything, a resident of Alfafar, one of the most affected towns in south Valencia, told state television station TVE. Advertisement No-one even came to warn us on the first day. The situation is unbelievable. Its a disaster and there is very little help, said Emilio Cuartero, a resident of Masanasa, on the outskirts of Valencia. We need machinery, cranes, so that the sites can be accessed. We need a lot of help. And bread and water. The security forces and soldiers are searching for an unknown number of missing people, many feared to still be trapped in wrecked vehicles or flooded garages. Authorities are repeating over and over, more storms are expected. The Spanish weather agency issued alerts for strong rains in Tarragona, Catalonia, and part of the Balearic Islands. Advertisement Meanwhile, flood survivors and volunteers are beginning the titanic task of clearing an omnipresent layer of dense mud. Vehicles are strewn across railway tracks after floods on the outskirts of Valencia (Alberto Saiz/AP) Residents in communities like Paiporta, where at least 62 people died, and Catarroja, have been walking miles to Valencia to get provisions, passing neighbours from unaffected areas who are bringing water, essential products or shovels to help remove the mud. Juan Ramon Adsuara, the mayor of Alfafar, one of the hardest hit towns, said the aid is not nearly enough for residents trapped in an extreme situation. There are people living with corpses at home. Its very sad. We are organising ourselves, but we are running out of everything, he told reporters. Advertisement We go with vans to Valencia, we buy and we come back, but here we are totally forgotten. Rushing water turned narrow streets into death traps and spawned rivers that tore through homes and businesses, leaving many uninhabitable. Social networks have channelled the needs of those affected. A civil guard searches for survivors in cars (Alberto Saiz/AP) Some posted images of missing people in the hope of getting information about their whereabouts, while others launched initiatives such as Suport Mutu, or Mutual Support, which connects requests for help with people who are offering it. Advertisement Others organised collections of basic goods throughout the country or launched fundraisers. Spains Mediterranean coast is used to autumn storms that can cause flooding, but this was the most powerful flash flooding in recent memory. Scientists link it to climate change, which is also behind increasingly high temperatures and droughts in Spain and the heating up of the Mediterranean Sea. Human-caused climate change has doubled the likelihood of a storm like this weeks deluge in Valencia, according to a partial analysis issued on Thursday by World Weather Attribution, a group made up of dozens of international scientists who study global warmings role in extreme weather. Spain has suffered through an almost two-year drought, making the flooding worse because the dry ground was so hard it could not absorb the rain. In August 1996, a flood swept away a campsite along the Gallego river in Biescas, in the north east, killing 87 people. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are set to host duelling rallies within seven miles of each other in Milwaukee as part of a fevered, final push for votes in swing-state Wisconsins largest county. Milwaukee is home to the most Democratic votes in Wisconsin, but its conservative suburbs are where most Republicans live and are a critical area for Mr Trump as he tries to reclaim the state he narrowly won in 2016 and lost in 2020. Advertisement One reason for his defeat was a drop in support in those Milwaukee suburbs and an increase in Democratic votes in the city. Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to the media after walking off Air Force Two in Madison, Wisconsin (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP) Both candidates recognise that the road to the White House runs directly through Milwaukee County, said Hilario Deleon, chairman of the countys Republican Party. The duelling rallies Mr Trumps in downtown Milwaukee and Ms Harriss in a suburb may be the candidates last appearances in Wisconsin before Election Day. Both sides say the race is once again razor-tight for the states 10 electoral votes. Advertisement Four of the past six presidential elections in Wisconsin have been decided by less than a point, or fewer than 23,000 votes. It was absentee votes from Milwaukee, which typically are reported early in the morning after Election Day, that tipped Wisconsin for President Joe Biden in 2020. Democrats know they must turn out voters in Milwaukee, also home to the states largest Black population, to counter Mr Trumps support in the suburbs and rural areas. Ms Harris is hoping to replicate, and exceed, the turnout from 2020 in the city, which voted 79% for Biden that year. Advertisement Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Macomb Community College (Paul Sancya/AP) Mr Trump is trying to cut into the Democrats margin. Mr Deleon called it a lose by less mentality. Before heading to Milwaukee, Ms Harris campaigned in the southern Wisconsin city of Janesville, where she talked up her support for organised labour in a speech at an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local. Nobody understands better than a union member that as Americans, we all rise or fall together, Ms Harris said. She promised to eliminate unnecessary degree requirements for federal jobs and push private-sector employers to do the same. Advertisement She called Mr Trump an existential threat to Americas labour movement. Ms Harris said Mr Trump is one of the biggest losers of manufacturing jobs in American history, hanging on the word loser as she was flanked by union workers in bright yellow T-shirts. Mr Trump, whose base includes working-class voters, has made sporadic efforts to reach out to rank-and-file union members, who have traditionally been core to the Democratic coalition. The former president was in the Detroit area, where he stopped at a restaurant in Dearborn, the nations largest Arab-majority city, to meet with supporters. Advertisement Many in the community remain distrustful after his first act in office in 2017 was to sign an executive order effectively banning travellers from predominantly Muslim countries. Were winding down. Nine years weve been doing it, and now were winding down, Mr Trump said later at the start of a rally in Warren, Michigan. And hopefully well be going to the next phase, which is turning our country around. Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event in Janesville (Kayla Wolf/AP) In Milwaukee, a lot of Democrats are anxious and cautiously optimistic, said Angela Lang, founder and executive director of Black Leaders Organising for Communities in Milwaukee. Especially given 2016, when there wasnt the same amount of energy, I think its clear Dems learned lessons about the importance of Milwaukee and Wisconsin as a whole, she said. In another late outreach effort targeting Black voters, former President Bill Clinton campaigned with local faith leaders on Thursday night at a centre for celebrating African American music and arts in Milwaukee. Hillary Clinton did not campaign in Wisconsin in 2016 after her primary loss, a mistake that Ms Harris is not repeating. The Friday stop will be her ninth in the state as a presidential candidate and her fifth to Milwaukee or its suburbs. It will be Mr Trumps 10th stop in Wisconsin, not counting the Republican National Convention, which was held in Milwaukee, and his third visit to the Milwaukee area. Wisconsin Republican Party chairman Brian Schimming said that Ms Harris having to return to the Democratic stronghold of Milwaukee shows she is on defence while Mr Trump is on offence. Republican presidential nominee former president Donald Trump (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) The Milwaukee Election Commission estimated on Thursday that it expects to receive more than 100,000 ballots by Election Day, but that lags early vote returns from the conservative suburbs. The question no one knows the answer to is who those voters are voting for, said Wisconsin Democratic Party chairman Ben Wikler. My feeling is that there may be some pleasant surprises for Harris. Ms Lang, the Milwaukee organiser, said it is a tradition for many voters her group contacts to cast their ballots on Election Day. And if they dont? Then were in a world of trouble, said Mandela Barnes, a former lieutenant governor and president of Power to the Polls, a group that has been working to boost turnout. Mr Trumps rally is being staged in the same arena where the Republican convention took place three months ago. The Harris rally, to be held at the state fair park in West Allis, will include the rapper Cardi B, who is slated only to speak, and performances by GloRilla, Flo Milli, MC Lyte, The Isley Brothers and DJ GEMINI GILLY. Tasha Layton - "Wake Up Its Christmas" | Merge PR NASHVILLE, TN. (OCTOBER 31, 2024) BEC Recordings' Tasha Layton will release a new holiday EP on November 15th featuring the brand new song and title track "Wake Up Its Christmas." The EP will also feature four additional songs including her song "Diddly Squat" which has made its way onto thousands of playlists. Pre-save the EP here. Layton's holiday catalog is a classic big-band, jazz, and pop collection that comes back year after year. Her holiday music has more than 15 million holiday streams and is featured on Spotify's playlists such as Christmas Jazz, Women of Christmas, Merry & Bright, Feel Good Christmas, and Christmas Spirit. Last week Layton joined the Grand Ole Opry in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month as the Opry went Pink. She performed her No. 1 single "Worship Through It" on the legendary stage. This No. 1 single is on its fifth consecutive week at the top. Next week, she will begin the "United We Worship" tour with Danny Gokey and Mac Powell, click here for dates and tickets. ABOUT TASHA LAYTON: Since first captivating radio audiences in 2020, Tasha Layton has become one of Christian musics most celebrated female vocalists. Her full-length debut, How Far, featured the hit single and No. 1 radio song and title cut "How Far," along with the No. 1 smash Look What Youve Done, and her breakthrough hit, Into The Sea (Its Gonna Be OK). In 2023 her song "Never" also charted in the top Christian songs for the year. Her 2024 song, "Worship Through It (feat. Chris Brown)" earned her another No.1 radio single, her third in her career. Her holiday albums, This Is Christmas and the GMA Dove Award-nominated album This Is Christmas (Live From Fisher Center) have also become season classics. Before her solo career, she appeared on Season 9 of American Idol and spent four years as a backup vocalist for pop superstar Katy Perry. Layton is also a published author with her guided prayer journal, Boundless: Moving Freedom From Your Head To Your Heart, and Look What You've Done, and the children's book A Big and Boundless Love. She and her husband Keith, share two children, Levi and Lyla, and reside in Springhill, Tenn., right outside of Nashville. The November 2 Edition Jockeys tend to be male, which is odd when you think about it, given the importance of weight to the sport, and the fact that women tend to weigh less than men. That can perhaps be chalked up to historical sexism, something captured brilliantly in the title of the biopic about trailblazing Aussie jockey Michelle Payne, Ride Like a Girl. But one of the most interesting snippets in Melissa Fyfes profile of another ground-breaking jockey, Jamie Kah, is how thats changing at the grassroots. In NSW, women made up 14 of the 20 apprentice jockeys employed in the past year, while Victoria welcomed 10 female and one male apprentice jockeys this year. The dangers inherent in the sport have perhaps also played a part in its male bias. Its sobering to read that, at only 28, Kah has already had two close friends die on the job. As Fyfe writes, shes also been penalised for not pushing into what she saw as a dangerous gap between horses in a race in August. Kah is the best female jockey in the world right now. All power to her for speaking up for the safety of riders without whom, as with horses, there would be no racing. Editor, Katrina Strickland. In April 2020, as the coronavirus took hold, Ricardo Barbaro fled Victoria in a white van hed rented from his fathers car hire company. But Barbaro wasnt fleeing the pandemic, but instead a murder scene inside an unassuming South Melbourne apartment where his girlfriend Ellie Price, 26, lay haemorrhaging blood from a deep gash to her neck. Ricardo Barbaro arrives at the Supreme Court on Friday for his sentencing for murdering Ellie Price. Credit: Simon Schluter On Friday, Barbaro, 38, was jailed for 28 years and ordered to serve 22 before he is eligible for parole for what a Supreme Court judge described as a senseless and cruel crime which had robbed Prices son of a life with her. Prices son was 4 when his mother was killed. Outside court, Prices mother Tracey Gangell said no prison sentence would ever be long enough to compensate for the loss of her daughter. The corporate watchdog allowed a trading house boss charged with criminal offences to continue working in the industry after deciding to ban only the mans business partner before launching its criminal case. Daniel Kirby, who in September pleaded guilty to three offences relating to the collapse of notorious trading house Berndale Capital Partners, has been legally working in the sector since 2022 for Sydney-headquartered Summit Auto Trading. Daniel Kirby (right), the former director of Berndale Capital Securities, now works at Summit Auto Trading. Credit: Facebook Kirbys former business partner at Berndale, Stavro DAmore, has pleaded not guilty to 16 charges of alleged dishonesty in the financial services industry, and has been committed to stand trial. In 2018, DAmore was banned for six years from working in financial service. Berndale was once Australias fifth-largest broker of high-risk financial betting derivatives known as contracts for difference. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has unveiled the cabinet team tasked with driving the new LNP state governments agenda, embarking on a major reshuffle despite vowing no change. A total of 19 cabinet members, including Crisafulli, were sworn into their roles on Friday afternoon, with briefings into the weekend before their first meeting on Monday. But the formalities then made way for the sacking of almost half the heads of the departments the new ministers will be responsible for. The first Crisafulli ministry poses for a photo with Governor Jeannette Young after being sworn in at Government House. Credit: Matt Dennien Ten new directors-general will be appointed into the public sectors 22 reshaped departments, with 12 others continuing under the new government. As the free world girds its loins for a new leader, it is unclear whether the next US president will be elected by a democratic vote or by the six Supreme Court judges unfailingly loyal to the Republican Party. Both candidates are lawyered up with hundreds of professional advocates retained on each side to challenge the ballots. Republicans have already brought 130 court actions about electoral arrangements. Before the result is certified by the president of the Senate next January, it may depend on a decision (predictably, 6-3) by the politically divided Supreme Court. Donald Trump knows theres a conservative 6-3 majority on the US Supreme Court bench. Credit: Illustration by Monique Westermann The politicisation of the American judiciary is usually traced to the case of Bush v Gore in 2000. The vote in Florida was too close to call Bush was a few hundred ahead on the voting machine totals, but there were demonstrable irregularities that discounted votes for Gore. The state Supreme Court, sensibly and fairly, ordered a manual recount, but five federal Supreme Court judges appointed by Republican presidents and contrary to precedent against meddling in state court decisions about state electoral law found pettifogging reasons for ruling it was too late for a recount. It awarded the presidency to Bush. Gore disagreed (as did most constitutional scholars). Unlike Trump whenever he loses, Gore accepted the result. This case is usually regarded as an example of party-lines jurisprudence. But this is not quite correct: among the four dissenters was a Ronald Reagan appointee, David Souter. He derided the majority opinion and upheld the order for a manual recount. He displayed integrity, a quality that should be required of all who hold judicial office. It is sought in Britain by having an independent Judicial Appointments Commission which does not enquire into the political allegiance of candidates, unless they are overt. But under the personal appointment power of an American president, they are determinative. So much so that the media, in reporting court cases with political ramifications, now routinely identifies the identity of the president who appointed the judge. Trump, in his previous term, was able to appoint 220 federal judges (three to the Supreme Court), as advised by the Federalist Society, right-wing lawyers who nominate judges of similar bent. A few were so intellectually challenged that the American Bar Association deemed them unqualified, but they were appointed nonetheless. The judge who stopped the slam-dunk prosecution of Trump for hoarding classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, on the astonishing grounds that the special counsel who brought it was illegally appointed, was herself a Trump appointee. The case has had to go on appeal, thus preventing his conviction before the election. Cambodia still reaps benefit from Xi's visit 08:27, November 01, 2024 By Yang Han ( China Daily Chea Munyrith, then director of the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, recalled that when President Xi Jinping arrived in Phnom Penh for a state visit to Cambodia on Oct 13, 2016, the institute's teachers and students were among the welcoming crowds. "President Xi's visit was celebrated across the country," said Chea, who is now president of the Cambodian Chinese Evolution Researcher Association. During his state visit, Xi held talks with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and then prime minister Hun Sen, agreeing that the two countries should continue to be "highly trusted friends, loyal partners, and a community of shared future", said Chea, who has worked on the translation of the Khmer-language edition of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China. While the two countries signed 31 cooperation documents during Xi's visit, the trip also demonstrated closer people-to-people ties. As planning and project director of Cambodia's Civil Society Alliance Forum, Chea has been working with Chinese nongovernmental organizations for years on projects to improve people's livelihood in Cambodia's rural areas. He cited the two countries' collaboration on poverty alleviation and healthcare, such as the Cambodia-China Friendship Village Project for Poverty Alleviation, the Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital, and the China-Cambodia Love Heart Journey, a program that provides free surgery for Cambodian children with congenital heart disease. In addition, China's support for Cambodia with advanced equipment to clear all land mines and achieve the goal of being mine-free by 2025 has helped ease people's safety concerns, Chea said. Cambodia is among the nations worst affected by land mines, with an estimated 4 million to 6 million mines and other unexploded munitions left behind during three decades of war and internal conflicts that ended in 1998. Since 2018, China has helped Cambodia clear more than 100 square kilometers of minefields and about 78,000 land mines, as well as explosive remnants of war. This has benefited over 1.5 million Cambodian people, according to Xinhua News Agency. Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, an arm of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said that since President Xi's visit to Cambodia eight years ago, "the relations and cooperation between Cambodia and China have broadened and strengthened in all sectors and at all levels". In a joint communique issued during Xi's visit, China and Cambodia agreed to raise bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2017. In 2023, a year after the China-Cambodia free trade agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement took effect, the total imports and exports between China and Cambodia exceeded $14.82 billion, according to China's General Administration of Customs. China has been Cambodia's biggest trading partner for 12 consecutive years. It is also the largest source of foreign direct investment for Cambodia, accounting for two-thirds of the total FDI in 2023, according to the Council for the Development of Cambodia. Neak Chandarith, director of the Cambodia 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Research Center, said that Cambodia has been supportive of China-proposed initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, because it sees the BRI as a catalyst for sustaining high economic growth. In 2019, Cambodia became the first country to sign an action plan to build a community of shared future with China. Last year, when China and Cambodia celebrated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the two countries agreed to deepen partnership under the "diamond hexagon" cooperation framework that focuses on six priority areas politics, production capacity, agriculture, energy, security, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Cambodia's participation in China-proposed initiatives has facilitated the country's integration into the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and ASEAN-China cooperation frameworks, as well as other regional frameworks, Neak said, noting that this integration enhances Cambodia's regional influence and promotes economic cooperation. With this year designated as the China-Cambodia People-to-People Exchange Year, Um Vuty, founder, and chairman of the Association of Cambodian Students in China, said he believes the younger generation will play a key role in deepening bilateral cooperation and mutual trust. When Xi visited Cambodia in 2016, Um Vuty was pursuing a master's degree at China University of Geosciences in Beijing. Witnessing the close exchanges between Cambodia and China, he founded his association in 2017 to help young people from Cambodia study and work in China. Um Vuty is now a government employee and also president of the Cambodia-China Youth Relations Association. "The things I learned in China have laid a solid foundation for my career and supported me in many tasks," he said. Following President Xi's visit in 2016, "There are now more Confucius Institutes and Chinese language schools in Cambodia, so young Cambodians can learn Chinese and use it for research and communication, and even in their own businesses", Um Vuty said. He added that he hopes to create more opportunities for Cambodian and Chinese students to communicate with one another. In May, in a clear sign of the strengthening bilateral bond, Phnom Penh's third ring road was renamed Xi Jinping Boulevard. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the move expressed gratitude for the historic contribution Xi has made to promoting Cambodia's development. Chea, from the Cambodian Chinese Evolution Researcher Association, said the renaming of the road was an important milestone symbolizing the growing bilateral friendship. According to Kin Phea from the Royal Academy, Cambodia-China ties are special, unbreakable, and a "unique role model" of interstate relations that can be replicated both regionally and globally. The two countries' ties will continue to grow stronger and diversify into all areas of common interest, he said, emphasizing that the ties will guide the "two iron brothers" toward greater achievements. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) ORANGEBURG, S.C. South Carolina State University will close for Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, to allow students, faculty and staff to easily take part in the democratic process. Voting is a core privilege and responsibility afforded to Americans by the U.S. Constitution, President Alexander Conyers said. We wish to remove any barriers that would make voting more challenging for the campus community. Closing the campus will allow many students who are registered to vote in their home districts to travel home to participate on Election Day, Conyers said. This also will give our employees ample time to vote during what is sure to be a high turnout on Tuesday. Classes will be canceled, and only essential employees will be required to report to work. Meal service for students will be provided on the schedule used during weekends. The universitys closure is in accordance with South Carolina Code of Laws:: Title 59-Education:: Chapter 1 General Provisions:: Section 59-1-370. Closing of educational institutions on general election day. We encourage all registered voters to exercise the right to vote on Tuesday if they have not already taken part in early voting, Conyers said. National, state and local elections are far too important to our way of life for Americans to sit on the sidelines. Your vote is your voice. SC State will resume normal operations on Wednesdaoy, Nov. 6. In its Hedonic Home Value Index (HVI) for October, home values in Sydney were found to have declined by 0.1% in October, with a similar result in Darwin. Canberra and Melbourne saw a decline of 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively, while Perth saw a rise of 1.4%. The numbers caused the HVI to rise by 0.3%, which entailed the 21st consecutive month of growth since the cycle began in February 2023. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Quash Split Rumors with Glamorous Gala Snapshot (Photo: REUTERS) After months apart, Prince Harry and Meghan are so desperate to repair their marriage that pals say they've bought a luxurious Portugal hideaway as a last resort. King Charles removed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, but they have preserved their European footing by apparently buying a $4 million holiday house on the Iberian Peninsula, The Economic Times reported. "This is a strategic move in many ways," a well-placed source tattled to GLOBE Magazine. "Not only are they looking for a way to put some life back in their marriage, they're also on a mission to save their royal titles. "And being closer to England is a key part of that plan, the insider added. "Harry's goal is to mend fences with his family and be able to spend more time in England, but in the meantime the hope is that having this place in Portugal will give him and Meghan a chance to reconnect and rekindle their romance after a period of stress and busy schedules. "They've fallen into a bit of a rut, with less couple time than they would have liked, and they're eager to break free from their routine and enjoy the freedom of being together without the constant media scrutiny in California," the informant continued. Britain's 75-year-old king and his successor, Prince William, 42, have seriously considered stripping the Sussexes of their titles since they left their royal duties in 2020 to move to California and land big-bucks agreements. However, GLOBE Magazine reported that the 40-year-old red-haired rebel prince has been making major efforts to return to the royal fold, including multiple solo trips back to England. Sources said he believes he needs to kiss up more in person to salvage his status. "Harry's aiming to be over in England even more in the coming months," a snitch spilled. "Ideally, he'd love to spend half his time there, but Meghan would never go for that." While her husband goes across the pond, the 43-year-old former Suits actress stays at their Montecito estate with their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, as per PageSix. The couple has been separated for at least 21 days amid allegations that their marriage is crumbling. "It's pretty obvious Meghan cares more about being Queen of Hollywood than anything else these days but, by all accounts, she's still keen to hang on to their royal titles," the spy dished. The insider called buying a Portuguese villa a "compromise" to acquire more face time with the royal family. "Harry has been talking about wanting to buy another property back home in England now that they don't have Frogmore, but rather than force the issue he's agreed to this place in Portugal," the source said. "It's just a short flight to London so Harry can make quick trips home to handle business while Meghan and the kids stay back in Portugal." According to the insider, henpecked Harry hopes the demanding duchess would visit Britain soon after Queen Elizabeth's burial in September 2022. "He wants to be able to bring Meghan and his kids back to see his family," an insider said. The insider insisted that he appealed the British government's decision to deny him and his family publicly sponsored police protection in England. Meanwhile, the source added, "Portugal offers them the perfect blend of security, privacy and adventure. If this doesn't help their marriage, it's likely nothing will." Global tech corporation FPT has inaugurated its regional headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of its global expansion strategy to meet the rising demand for digital services and solutions. This expansion marks FPT as the first Vietnamese firm licensed for regional operations in Saudi Arabia, reaffirming its dedication to the Kingdoms digital transformation and Vision 2030. The opening ceremony coincided with Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241030180146/en/ The ceremony was attended by Vietnams Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his delegation, as well as FPTs senior executives and clients (Source: VGP/Nhat Bac) Located in the heart of the regions largest economy, the Riyadh regional headquarters positions FPT closer to key clients and unlocks new business opportunities. By leveraging FPT's global network and extensive expertise in AI and semiconductors, along with deep insights in manufacturing, banking, government, transportation, and beyond, the regional headquarters strengthens the companys ability to expand its regional presence and enhance service delivery throughout the Middle East. This move aligns with the Regional Headquarters program, launched by the Saudi government as part of its Vision 2030 initiative, which encourages multinational companies to establish their regional headquarters in Riyadh, enhancing their operations throughout the Middle East and North Africa region. This initiative aims to position the nation as a leading business and investment hub, driving growth and fostering innovation. As the first Vietnam-based enterprise authorized for regional operations in Saudi Arabia, FPT is poised to meet the regions growing demand for advanced technology. With a young, tech-savvy population across the Middle East driving digital adoption in various industries, FPT is well-positioned to seize new business opportunities, foster local employment, facilitate cultural exchange, and promote knowledge transfer. The new regional headquarters is also set to build sustainable partnerships with public and private entities, playing an active role in advancing Saudi Arabia and the regions technological ecosystem. Dang Tran Phuong, FPT Software Senior Executive Vice President shared: As FPT continues to expand our global presence and client base, the Middle East remains an important part of our strategy. Our strategic direction aligns closely with that of the region, particularly in AI. With our extensive experience in this market, we understand the unique aspects of the business culture in the Middle East and are dedicated to actively collaborating with local companies and enhancing local recruitment. This commitment enables us to provide the best services for our clients while consistently supporting them on their digital transformation journeys. Our new regional headquarters symbolizes our firm commitment to Saudi Arabias journey to becoming the Middle Easts leading technology hub. FPT remains steadfast with our commitment to enabling speed, agility, and scalability for our regional customers and promoting cross-border collaborations, Rimah Ghaddar, FPT Software Middle East Chief Executive Officer pledged. FPTs strategic focus on AI, integrated into all its services and solutions, aligns with Saudi Arabias Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy, foster innovation, and enhance public services through technological advancements. Since establishing its first office in the Middle East in 2020, FPT has rapidly expanded its footprint, experiencing significant growth with key clients across various sectors. Leveraging its global expertise and technology, FPT is poised to drive transformative change and contribute to the Kingdoms and the regions ambitious development goals, while strengthening global partnerships and building strong regional collaborations. FPT's regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia is located at the Esplanade, Prince Turki Bin Abdulaziz Al Awwal, King Saud University, Riyadh, 12371, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. About FPT Corporation FPT Corporation (FPT) is a globally leading technology and IT services provider headquartered in Vietnam. FPT operates in three core sectors: Technology, Telecommunications, and Education. During over three decades of development, FPT has constantly provided practical and effective products to millions of people and tens of thousands of business and non-business organizations worldwide, establishing Vietnams position on the global tech map. Keeping up with the latest market trends and emerging technologies, FPT has developed the Made-by-FPT ecosystem of services, products, solutions, and platforms, which enables sustainable growth for organizations and businesses and offers distinctive experiences to customers. In 2023, FPT recorded a total revenue of USD 2.17 billion and 48,000+ employees. For more information, please visit https://fpt.com/en View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241030180146/en/ Kinaxis (TSX:KXS), a global leader in end-to-end supply chain orchestration, today announced Mark Morgan as president, commercial operations. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241030413286/en/ Mark Morgan, president of commercial operations at Kinaxis. (Photo: Business Wire) Morgan is a proven supply chain software executive who has scaled global commercial operations to well beyond a billion dollars in annual revenue, delivered double-digit SaaS increases within existing and new customers, and enabled hyper-growth through expanding partner ecosystems. He has more than two decades of executive and sales leadership experience in supply chain, including leading the commercial operations for Coupa and Blue Yonder, where he also held the role of interim CEO. In his new role, Morgan will manage Kinaxis sales teams in North America, EMEA and APAC, the global go-to-market & strategic operations team, global customer care and business consulting. Bob Courteau, executive chair at Kinaxis said, We have incredible dominance in the supply chain software market already and there is even more opportunity ahead of us. Our product is second to none, we have proven success in key verticals with companies of all sizes, alliances with world-class partners, and an incredibly talented team. Im thrilled to welcome Mark, and I look forward to working with him to take Kinaxis to its next incredible stage of success. Morgan added, Opportunities like this are rare: Kinaxis is the clear leader in planning & AI-driven supply chain orchestration with the largest blue-chip customers, deepest domain expertise, a robust and modern portfolio, and really exciting prospects. Im honored to join the team and cant wait to contribute to this success story. Kinaxis is a ten-time Leader in Gartners Supply Chain Planning Solutions Magic Quadrant and in the recent Gartner Voice of the Customer Survey, it was the only vendor to make the Customers Choice quadrant with 93% of customers willing to recommend Kinaxis. The company was also named by Nucleus Research as a Leader in the 2024 Transportation Management Technology Value Matrix. Its AI-infused orchestration platform Maestro combines proprietary technologies and techniques that provide full transparency and agility across the entire supply chain from multi-year strategic planning to last-mile delivery. To learn more about Kinaxis and its supply chain management solutions, please visit Kinaxis.com. About Kinaxis Kinaxis is a global leader in modern supply chain orchestration, powering complex global supply chains and supporting the people who manage them, in service of humanity. Our powerful, AI-infused supply chain orchestration platform, Maestro combines proprietary technologies and techniques that provide full transparency and agility across the entire supply chain from multi-year strategic planning to last-mile delivery. We are trusted by renowned global brands to provide the agility and predictability needed to navigate todays volatility and disruption. For more news and information, please visit kinaxis.com or follow us on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241030413286/en/ Avelino Ramirez, who worked as a canine officer for the California corrections department, is pictured during a school visit in 2014 in Rancho Cordova (Sacramento County). California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation For years, a canine officer assigned to Bay Area prisons seemed to have an extraordinary knack for sniffing out contraband being smuggled inside, vastly outperforming his colleagues by repeatedly locating drugs, weapons and cellphones. Federal prosecutors now say it was all a scam. On Thursday, a federal grand jury in San Francisco indicted the canine officer, Avelino Ramirez, saying he pretended to find prison contraband that he had planted himself, after preparing the packages in his basement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ramirez, who faces a charge of wire fraud, is accused of duping the state into wiring him paychecks that included $8,200 in overtime he worked to document bogus discoveries. Efforts to reach Ramirez for comment Friday were not immediately successful. A corrections spokesperson said he was hired in 2006 and has been on administrative leave since Feb. 27. The canine operation run by the California corrections department is budgeted to place two teams an officer and a dog in 34 prisons and other facilities, according to the programs website, with a mission to reduce the overall level of drug/contraband and criminal activity within the inmate population. Ramirezs indictment states that he worked from 2013 to 2022 at San Quentin State Prison before being promoted to K-9 sergeant in September 2022 and ending up at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville. Ramirez was prolific: In all of 2022, prosecutors said, contraband drugs were found 28 times at San Quentin. Ramirez was responsible for 20 of the discoveries, with no other officer recording more than two finds. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ramirez planted drugs, drug paraphernalia, tobacco, cellphones and weapons, placing them inside Ziploc bags, latex gloves, foil or tape, his indictment states. On multiple occasions, he allegedly planted packages of marijuana shake, a mix of leaves, stems and trimmings that Ramirez supplemented with foxtails and lawn trimmings. To further his scheme, Ramirez maintained, in the basement of his house, a jar of marijuana shake, latex gloves, salt, sugar, electrical tape, cellphones wrapped in plastic in the rafters, electrical tape, tinfoil, and Ziploc bags with a green seal, the indictment states. Grand jurors said he executed the scheme to hold himself out as a successful K-9 officer with the hope that it would help him obtain a promotion to K-9 sergeant and also to fraudulently inflate his salary through overtime pay for report writing following these false discoveries. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the Bay Area, many Black and South Asian women are confronting complex feelings about the historic candidacy of Kamala Harris, who was born in Oakland to an Indian mother and Jamaican father. If there is wide excitement and pride that Harris may become president, and a sense of new possibility in a country with complex histories of racism and sexism, there is also caution and even anger, depending on who you talk to in this liberal stronghold. While these women of color encompass a range of experiences, religions, languages and economic backgrounds, they are grappling with what they see as both the importance and limitations of representational politics. Their views are shaped not only by their personal stories but deeply held beliefs about crucial issues among them anti-Black discrimination in the U.S., Israels sustained attacks in the Gaza Strip, Americas relationship with India, and the reach of caste oppression, not to mention immigration, reproductive rights and climate change. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Black and Indian American women are seen as crucial in the election, and the campaigns for Harris and Donald Trump whose running mates wife could become the first Indian American second lady have each sought to appeal to them. From 2010 to 2020, the Indian American population grew by 50% to about 4.1 million people, more than 2.1 million of whom are eligible to vote. Indian Americans are now the largest subgroup of Asian Americans in swing states. While Harris replacement of President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee has yielded gains among Black voters, polling shows Harris does not appear to have as much support from Black voters as Biden did in the 2020 election. In October, Black and South Asian women in and around the Bay Area shared their thoughts on Harris and what it means to see their identities reflected in what is likely to be one of the most consequential votes of their lifetimes. Dhanya Ramanan, 15, Los Gatos Dhanya Ramanan says that she is excited to see a candidate who is both Black and Indian American: African Americans have been an integral part of this country much longer than Indians have. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle I think Kamala Harris is leaps and bounds better than our other option. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Indians in general are exuberant simply because as soon as they see a Brown person in American politics in any way, they jump on the bandwagon. While Im incredibly excited that there is an Indian woman running for office, the people from our community who are voting for Kamala Harris, and voting for the Democratic Party, vote for the BJP (Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party) in India. The reason that they are so proud that an Indian person is running for president is also a byproduct of that nationalism. They support the Democratic Party and yet back home, they support the systematic oppression of lower caste people, people with darker skin, and the mistreatment of Muslims, and other groups. There is a huge hypocrisy I see within the Indian community in that regard. While Im excited shes Indian, Im also excited that shes African American. African Americans have been an integral part of this country much longer than Indians have. Aimee Allison, 54, Oakland Aimee Allison, founder and president of the nonprofit She the People, says that to see Kamala Harris in all her identities is to see a possible future for America that I can believe in. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle It means that our imagination has great power. It means that we can, as women of color, not only envision a country led by Kamala Harris and women of color, but we can enact real change to make it happen. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That imagination has enabled me to dream and move forward in tangible ways that can be seen and heard. To see Kamala Harris in all of her identities, being a child of Oakland, being a woman herself with great dreams, is to see a possible future for America that I can believe in. Kamala Harris is proof that our faith in the country, a faith in multiracial democracy and my faith in a woman of color is well placed. If we hold that faith despite the challenges and we hold the joy deep in our heart, we can be great things and we can see great things, and thats what this moment means for me. Sunita Singh, 67, San Rafael Sunita Singh says the nation needs a woman who can actually get things in order as president. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle When Kamala Harris was nominated and she accepted the nomination, I was thrilled. I am hoping that our country is ready to fully support her. We need women in that office who can actually get things in order. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its been really heartbreaking to see all these people dying for no reason. I think we all need to be treated equally, and the way people in Palestine are being treated by even Americans our politicians are not doing a lot to protect them. And thats what worries me because (Harris) has not really changed her views on what Biden has been doing so far in Gaza. That is the only worry I have about her. Everything is so expensive. I would like her to say how she is going to tackle these things that are affecting Americans in our daily lives. Look how much homelessness has grown. People lost jobs. If they do hold a job, they dont make enough money to live in the Bay Area. Ayodele Abdul-Hadi, 25, San Francisco Ayodele Abdul-Hadi says she doesnt plan to vote for Harris because she has failed to invest in issues that I care about. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Growing up in the Bay Area, being a Black Muslim woman who wears a scarf and is in higher education, most, if not all, the spaces I occupy Im always the only one. I am aware of how impactful it can be to walk into a space and see someone who does look like you. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Just because Kamala shares some of my identity doesnt mean she shares my political and personal views and opinions. I still feel like shes part of the status quo. Theres a genocide going on, and the United States government has been funding billions of dollars in weapons to continue to violate and exterminate the Palestinian people. I feel like the Democratic Party has had ample opportunity in the past year to not continue to fund this, and to have a cease-fire. So thats a big issue that I have with her as she represents the Democratic establishment. Kamala has failed to invest in issues that I care about, specifically climate and environmental issues, civil rights issues, health care issues and incarceration. I dont think Im gonna vote for her, and I feel comfortable saying that. I feel like being a Black Muslim woman in America my identities put me at a very unique position to see the legacy of this country. Rep. Barbara Lee, 78, Oakland Congresswoman Barbara Lee at the Barbara Lee Center for Health and Wellness in San Leandro, Calif. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle This moment is so important for many reasons. First, it means that no longer will girls have to think twice about whether or not they can run for the presidency. And for me, when I look at all of the presidents in history, a woman, a Black woman, a woman of color is missing. This is a part of our democracy that has still not been fulfilled. Advertisement Article continues below this ad From working on the presidential campaign of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, to now helping get Vice President Kamala Harris elected president, the significance of this moment is not lost on me. It is transformative, it is historic, and it is what democracy is all about. Pranya Nagpal, 17, San Jose Pranya Nagpal says Harris candidacy made me feel excited for the future. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle It makes me feel hopeful. For the longest time, I thought, oh my gosh, were going to live in a Trump America for the next four years, and Project 2025 scared me. Then when Kamala Harris became the nominee for the Democratic Party, I was energized. I was like, OK, we can actually do this. If we win this, well start a chain. Shes the first South Asian nominee, South Asian president hopefully, first Black woman in office, first woman in office, period. Thats so amazing. And it made me feel excited for the future. I cant wait to see whats going to come about, and its much better than the alternative. So it makes me feel like we can get somewhere and progress rather than regress back into some America that none of us want to live in. Carole Porter, 60, Berkeley Carole Porter in front of a mural featuring childhood friend Harris, third from right, at Thousand Oaks Elementary School in Berkeley, which they attended together. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Its not surprising for her because I know her, but its stunning that its happening. Stunning. And in the way that its happening, her perseverance through all of the odds, the obstacles and challenges that being a Black woman entails just to live day to day. But yet to go after an office where she can uplift people all people in the United States to me is just a stunning opportunity. Kamala and I met in 1970. We met at the corner of Bancroft and Browning in West Berkeley, and we were the second class to desegregate Berkeleys public schools. Our mothers walked us to the bus stop. Shyamala was a scientist trying to cure breast cancer. My mother was a nurse, and they immediately had science in common. We had the same friend circles. And here I am today at 60, right past her 60th birthday, and were talking about my schoolmate, my neighbor, a woman who Ive always had so much regard and respect for at the precipice of being the president of the United States. And its a feeling thats indescribable. Im nervous. Im scared. Im anxious. Preeti Mangala Shekar, 43, Oakland Preeti Mangala Shekar says she feels conflicted voting for Harris because of the war in Gaza. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle I became a U.S. citizen on Jan. 6, 2021, a tumultuous day in American history. Ill be voting in my first presidential election (in November). Its a historic election in terms of political representation significant for me in so many ways. Kamalas South Asian ancestry goes back literally to my backyard near where I grew up in South India: Besant Nagar in Chennai. I live in Oakland and have deep ties to communities in Berkeley and Oakland. Yet I have mixed feelings about Harris candidacy. With regards to U.S. foreign policy and the ongoing genocide in Gaza, one can only unabashedly cheer for Harris if Palestinian lives dont matter. As somebody who is part of the progressive South Asian diaspora here, Palestine and Gaza is something that weve been focused on for the last year. I feel very conflicted to vote for her. I see whats going on in the news outside of the U.S. I think this is why we need to really go beyond representational politics. I would love to be able to vote for Kamala Harris with a free conscience. Shes from my hometown. Shes my girl. But its not possible. It just feels heartbreaking. Fredrika Newton, 72, Oakland Fredrika Newton, widow of Black Panther Party co-founder Huey Newton and co-founder of the Black Panther Party Museum in Oakland, says she is voting for Harris with my grandchildren in mind. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle As a Black woman in America, I am well versed on the ways in which this country has come up short for people who look like me. I grew up in the Bay Area, where my mother fought tirelessly for fair housing in our segregated and redlined communities. I was a rank-and-file member of the Black Panther Party, where I worked in the Panther schools to deliver quality education that the public school system refused to provide. I was a nurse at Kaiser Permanente for over 20 years, where I witnessed health care inequities from maternal death rates to drug addiction and chronic diseases. But I refuse to succumb to despair because my entire life has been about giving hope to the hopeless and serving my communitys body and soul. While there is much work to do, I feel encouraged by the hope my grandchildren see. Because of that, I am voting for Kamala Harris with my grandchildren in mind. I want them to grow up in a world with more hope than despair so they can envision where we go next just like the Black Panther Party did. We will not go back. Renu Singh, 40, Sacramento County Renu Singh and daughter Naina say they hope Harris will take a stand against caste oppression. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Kamala Harris comes from a Brahmin background. She comes from an upper caste background. Is that domain going to play a role in her presidency? Thats what my question and concern is. I want her to represent all South Asians, not just the upper caste. If shes representing herself as a whole, I wholeheartedly welcome this and will be voting proudly. But there have been community members who reached out, and she has not made any statements regarding this. Its clear to me that shes not going to take the position for the oppressed side. Its a very, very, very tough situation because we have Trump on one side, and we have Kamala on one side. Its very tough to decide at this time. I dont know. Naina Singh, 8, Sacramento I was happy because I recognized (Harris). I feel happy because my parents and (Harris) were in the same community. I feel like she stands for our community. I hope shell say shell stop caste (discrimination). Kimm Madison, 59, Oakland Kimm Madison, a former autism and behavior specialist at Oakland Military Preparatory Academy, says she hopes Harris can heal a broken nation. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Its about time that were even considering a woman and then on top of that a woman of color. I feel a sense of empowerment, a sense of hope and pride. As a grown woman, I see that, but imagine young girls seeing what is actually possible. My grandmother is almost 100, and shes like, I never thought Id see this. Seeing it through her eyes is really wow. I think that there are some Black men that arent ready for that. There are a lot of Black men who are just not ready to support a Black woman. Its hurtful because Malcom X has this thing where he says, the Black woman is the most disrespected and maltreated woman on Earth. And we feel that I feel that. Im hopeful she can bring us together, closer as people. Everyone not just Black people or Brown people but I think the United States is just really dealing with a lot, and were so divided and broken. Erica Webb, 18, Fremont Sisters JeNique Williams, left, and Erica Webb say they hope Harris can bring the change the nation needs. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle It gives me hope that I havent seen in a long time. When Trump was elected as president in 2016, I was in fifth grade and my heart dropped. It didnt feel good. It didnt feel like America. It didnt feel like being together, being a community. But with Kamala Harris running and hopefully becoming president, it feels more like we have a fighting chance, like we can do more for each other. It feels like we can, you know, become a better community for each other. JeNique Williams, 25, Oakland Oregons dairy industry is urging the states Occupational Safety and Health Administration to scrap a proposal requiring a minimum distance of 500 feet between livestock barns and farmworker housing. Imposing the restriction would disqualify a broad swath of the existing housing on dairy farms from meeting broader regulatory standards proposed by OSHA, said Tami Kerr, executive director of the Oregon Dairy Farmers Association. It would be devastating. I cant over-emphasize how devastating it would be to our farms, Kerr said. The distance restriction, which would go into effect in 2026, is among a suite of updated farmworker housing standards proposed by OSHA this summer after lengthy negotiations with growers and labor advocates. Roughly 80% of Oregon dairies have housing within 500 feet of livestock facilities and would be impacted by the rule, resulting in a major disruption to housing availability with no discernible benefit, she said. Theres no problem that needs to be solved. Nobody has gotten sick, Kerr said. We have pushed the issue, trying to find a scientific reason, but we really dont have one. Originally, the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cattle was mentioned as a justification for the distance restriction, but regulators have backed off from that explanation as the human risks have been determined to be low, she said. The other rationale cited by OSHA is the need to align state farmworker housing standards with those required by the federal government, but a legal analysis commissioned by ODFA undercuts that reasoning, Kerr said. According to the analysis from the Tonkon Torp law firm, federal regulations only require that temporary labor camps be located 500 feet or more from livestock barns, but that restriction doesnt apply to permanent farmworker housing. From a practical standpoint, its convenient for both dairy farmers and their workers to live near livestock facilities, as cattle require round-the-clock care, Kerr said. They need to be close to the animals for their welfare and safety. Thats our highest priority, she said. Existing housing less than 500 feet from barns hasnt caused any safety issues but relocating it would be financially or logistically impossible, she said. You dont move permanent homes, Kerr said. Public comments on the overall farmworker housing standards were due by Nov. 4, so Kerr hopes that concerns expressed by dairy farmers will convince state regulators to abandon the change. Most dairy farmers have their homes within 500 feet of their cattle, so its unclear if the proposal would affect their children or other family members who live and work on-site, she said. Depending on how broadly the regulation is interpreted, the restriction could also apply to beef producers or even 4-H and FFA members who raise livestock at home, Kerr said. Is that going to be illegal as well? Meanwhile, the proposal would likely uproot the very farmworkers who the housing standards are meant to protect, according to ODFAs legal analysis. Dairy employees who currently live in stable, affordable (often times free) housing will lose their current homes to an arbitrary rule. A spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, which oversees the state OSHA, said the proposal is meant to ensure that state standards are at least as effective as federal regulations. When asked about the distinction between temporary labor camps and permanent farmworker housing, the spokesperson said the agency hasnt yet analyzed the dairy industrys legal argument. Farmworker advocates also said the proposal was meant to ensure consistency with federal rules but said they were unfamiliar with the argument that only labor camps are subject to the federal distance restriction. This has not come up as a big issue in our rule-making discussion, said Martha Sonato, state legislative and policy advocate for the Oregon Law Center. However, a minimum distance between farmworker housing and livestock facilities would have benefits for sanitation and quality of life, said Ira Cuello-Martinez, political director for PCUN, a farmworker advocacy nonprofit. It does help reduce concerns about dust, ammonia and pathogens from animal waste, he said, noting that dairy cows can also generate unpleasant smells. Buffers can minimize some of those odor nuisances. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Oct. 31 rejected imprisoned cattleman Cody Easterdays claim that Tyson Fresh Meats reneged on an oral contract to split the profits from selling Codys Beef in Japan. The three-judge panel unanimously upheld a ruling by U.S. District Judge Stanley Bastian, who dismissed the suit. The appeals court agreed Easterdays vague claim and unclean hands barred him from pursuing damages. Easterday, 53, filed the lawsuit after he was sentenced to federal prison for defrauding Tyson out of $233 million by billing the meat-packer for what prosecutors called ghost cattle. Easterday neither expressed his understanding that the parties would share in the profits nor demanded payment from Tyson due to his fraudulent invoicing of ghost cattle, according to the unsigned opinion. Easterday had a contract to procure and raise cattle for Tysons beef-packing plant near Pasco in southeast Washington. Easterday billed Tyson for nonexistent cattle and pled guilty in 2021 to wire fraud. Easterday was sentenced to 11 years in prison by Bastian, but the sentence was reduced to 8 years, 9 months because of a change in federal sentencing guidelines. He is scheduled to be released in 2029 and is serving his sentence at a medium-security prison in Victorville, Calif., according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Easterday filed another post-conviction lawsuit against Tyson, claiming the company exploited its dominant position as a Northwest cattle buyer to force him to accept disadvantageous contract terms. Bastian dismissed the lawsuit. Former Alameda County District Attorneys Office Chief Inspector Craig Chew sued DA Pamela Price, above, claiming racial discrimination was the basis of his firing. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle A former top Alameda County law enforcement official sued District Attorney Pamela Price on Thursday, saying she wrongfully terminated him in January 2023 based in large part on his race as an Asian American. Former Chief Inspector Craig Chews employment discrimination lawsuit also raises questions about the propriety of Prices hiring of his successor. Prices office said Chew was an at-will employee, a categorization that means an employer can terminate an employee at any time for any reason, so long as the reasons are not illegal. Advertisement Article continues below this ad While the Alameda County District Attorneys Office does not comment on personnel matters, we can say that October 31, 2024, almost 2 years later, marks the first time that this office has heard this unfounded accusation from this former staffer, Paola Laverde, a public information officer for Price, said in a statement. Chew was hired in 2001 as an inspector and rose through the ranks over the years. He was promoted to chief inspector in 2021. The inspectors unit handles law enforcement matters for the office, such as arrest and search warrants. There were two main points of discord between him and Price that arose after she was elected in November 2022, the lawsuit states. Price tried to quickly hire two inspectors, but Chew explained a monthslong and strict background check process was necessary for inspectors, who are certified peace officers, according to the lawsuit. Price also wanted to share confidential information about cases with an attorney from the local American Civil Liberties Union chapter, but Chew explained that confidential and sensitive information about cases could not be shared with nonemployees. The lawsuit also accuses Price of racial bias against Asian Americans, a factor that Chew contends compounded the discord between himself and Price. The lawsuit references past allegations by former employees who accused Price of making anti-Asian remarks. Chew also says Price wanted to hire Black employees for leadership positions in her administration regardless of merit and qualifications. The lawsuit referenced the hiring of Chief Inspector Eric Lewis, who replaced Chew despite a history of findings of misconduct against him at the Oakland Police Department. The Chronicle previously reported that a 2021 administrative investigation found that Lewis, then an Oakland police captain, disparaged then-police Chief LeRonne Armstrong, his wife and then-Deputy Chief Drennon Lindsey, and other officers, then lied about it during the investigation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Under Prices direction, Lewis was hired in January 2023 through a vendor that assists with temporary staffing before he was hired as a county employee a month later, according to the lawsuit, which described the process as dubious, even illegal, given the strict background process for peace officers, such as inspectors. Chew also says the way he was fired shows racial animus on Prices part. Lewis announced to others he was the new chief inspector before Chew got confirmation of his termination. His termination letter set his last day two weeks out, but two days later, Price sent two inspectors to Chews home at night, to collect his county-issued car and other items that (Chew) had never even been issued, according to the lawsuit. In a follow-up letter to Chew, Price threatened to prosecute him, stating in part, Your conduct constitutes theft of county property and Criminal penalties will be considered, the lawsuit stated. Price, who took office in January 2023, faces a recall vote on Tuesday. Her campaign separately issued a statement that called Chews lawsuit a contrived and politically motivated performance by a disgruntled employee and a last-ditch effort to oust Price from office. Prices campaign also said Chew was a key figure in a county civil grand jury investigation last year that found that several employees in the district attorneys office inappropriately used work emails to support former District Attorney Nancy OMalleys reelection bid in 2018, when Price unsuccessfully challenged OMalley. The grand jurys report did not name employees. Prices campaign on Thursday released a copy of an email Chew received related to OMalleys campaign. The record shows Chew forwarded the email, but the recipient was redacted. In response to the campaigns comments, Chews attorney said Chews career in public service is not politics. It is real life for Mr. Chew, attorney Jon King said. He added: There is no substance to the wild accusations that Mr. Chew was a key figure in the grand jury proceedings or abused his position. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We look forward to presenting our case to a jury, King said. Prices campaign also argued that she has exposed the exclusion of Black and Jewish jurors in past death penalty cases and hired the first Chinese- and Hmong-speaking victim advocates, who, among other tasks, attend court hearings with families. No contemporary District Attorney has done more than Pamela Price to expose and remedy racial injustice and to expose corruption in the administration of justice in Alameda County, the campaign said. Chews lawsuit also places blame on the countys human resources department and the county counsels office. Both failed to protect Chew or investigate his termination and instead assisted with the unusual setup to hire Lewis, the lawsuit states. Chew, the lawsuit continues, wanted to retire, but his request was denied. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A DEFENDANT was 16 years old when he viewed images of children on a pornography site, Carlow District Court heard last week. The defendant, who cant be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to possessing the images after gardai were alerted about it in June 2022. The investigating garda told Judge Geraldine Carthy that gardai found 49 images and 18 videos on the boys phone. Solicitor Chris Hogan said that his client was 16 at the time and had been viewing a pornography site when he came across the illegal images. When he put it to the garda that his client was inquisitive and hadnt intended to look at images of children, the garda replied that she didnt know what his intentions had been and that particular website contained the illegal images of children. Mr Hogan continued that his client, who is from Co Carlow, went down a dark hole and, as a result, illegal images were on his phone. He said that while his parents didnt condone his behaviour, they were with him in court to support him and they had arranged for him to complete a course through Tusla about child safety on the internet. Mr Hogan said that his client had made a catastrophic mistake and that he didnt believe that he was a risk to society. He submitted to Judge Carthy not to impose a conviction and added that the defendant had a sum of money in court to pay as a donation. Judge Carthy said that she would consider all the documents that were involved in the case and adjourned finalising the matter until 5 November at Kilkenny District Court. A 22-YEAR-old motorist who fled from gardai, travelling at 170kph on small country roads and who also crashed his car on another occasion because he was drunk, was lucky to be walking away with his liberty when he appeared before Carlow District Court last week. Joshua Brennan 11 Rahin Road, Ballylinan was before Judge Geraldine Carthy, having pleaded guilty to motoring offences arising from two separate incidents on 3 June 2023 and 27 August 2023. Garda OHanlon told the court that he was on duty in Arles village when he spotted what he believed was an uninsured motorist driving a Lexus car. He said that he followed the driver, Mr Brennan, to Ballickmoyler and had to activate his blue light. He continued that Mr Brennan pulled into the farmyard gateway and, just as the squad car approached him, sped away. Garda OHanlon continued that Mr Brennan was driving dangerously as he followed him at one point travelling up to 170 kph while at another juncture he overtook a car and forced an oncoming car to take evasive action. He said that he discontinued the pursuit and that he issued a warrant for Mr Brennans arrest. He said that when he subsequently arrested the defendant, he was very compliant and showed him the Lexus, which was in poor condition. Arising out of that incident, Mr Brennan pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, endangerment and to driving without insurance on the N80 Ballickmoyler. Insp Tom Jones gave details about the incident that occurred on 27 August in Graiguecullen. He said that garda Kristina Beinar was on duty when she saw Mr Brennan driving a black BMW and when she followed him, she heard a loud bang as he crashed into another vehicle near Graiguecullen bridge. Insp Jones continued that garda Bienar suspected that he was drink-driving and that a subsequent urine test at Carlow Garda Station showed a positive result. The court also heard that Mr Brennan was put off the road in February this year for two years for dangerous driving, arising from an unrelated event, while he also has ongoing issues at Portlaoise Circuit Court. Solicitor Joe Farrell said that his client had gone through a period of offending over 12 months and that the evidence is damning. He continued that Mr Brennan had a very good work history and is now employed in Rosslare working long hours, so he didnt have time to get into trouble. Judge Carthy sentenced him to six months imprisonment for the garda Beinar offence, while for garda OHanlons offences, she noted that Mr Brennan had driven at up to 170kph on very bad roads. She then sentenced him to five months imprisonment, which she suspended for 12 months, and disqualified him from driving for four years for the dangerous driving charge. She also fined him 700 for driving without insurance and another disqualification, to run concurrently for two years. Youre lucky youre walking away with your freedom, Judge Carthy told Mr Brennan . By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA A process allowing Stormont Assembly to vote on whether to continue post-Brexit trading arrangements has been triggered by the Northern Ireland Secretary. Hilary Benn sent a letter to the Speaker of the Assembly on Thursday asking First Minister Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly to table a motion by the end of November. The vote must be held on Articles 5 to 10 of the Windsor Framework, which underpins the EU trade laws in force in Northern Ireland, before they expire. These have proved contentious, with unionists arguing that they threaten Northern Irelands place in the United Kingdom. The democratic consent process was a key part of the Brexit deal, giving elected representatives in Northern Ireland a say on the trade arrangements struck after years of EU-UK negotiations. Unlike other votes on contentious issues at Stormont, it does not require cross community support to pass. If it is voted through on a straight majority, the protocols are extended for four years and the UK government is obliged to hold a review of how the arrangements are working. If it wins the support of a majority of unionists and a majority of nationalists, then it is extended for eight years. Assembly speaker Edwin Poots said that if the Executive leadership do table the motion, they must also provide explanatory material. No one else can table a democratic consent motion in November, but if Ms ONeill and Ms Little-Pengelly do not table such a motion, any MLA can do so between December 1 to 6 inclusive. Should this happen, the Secretary of State must take reasonable steps to provide members with such explanatory materials as it is reasonable to provide in order to assist them when deciding the question, Mr Poots said. The Business Committee will schedule any motion for a consent resolution. If a motion for consent has been tabled by either the First Minister and deputy First Minister, or a member, but has not been decided before Tuesday December 17th 2024, the Assembly must sit on Tuesday December 17th 2024 to decide the motion. However, I would prefer that any such motion is debated at a scheduled sitting before this date. CARLOW author Maria ORourke has announced the launch of her new book Remembering Carlow, which captures everyday life in Carlow through the decades. The social history book will be launched on Tuesday 5 November at 7pm in Carlow library. Remembering Carlow paints a picture of a town called Carlow, which bears very little resemblance to the town by the same name which exists today. Having spoken to residents and businesspeople who lived and worked in the town from the 1940s onwards, Maria captured what everyday life was like through the decades a town full of small family businesses, shopkeepers, undertakers, publicans and a host of characters whom everyone knew by name. It was a town where front doors were left open, where children played on the street and lots of families lived over their shop. Remembering Carlow is not just a book which will delight all those with any connection to Carlow, it is also an important social history, which preserves the memories of Carlow people for generations to come. As Canadian author LM Montgomery said Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it. The book will make an ideal Christmas present for Carlow people. After a career in teaching spanning 30 years, Maria is now a dedicated writer, having completed a masters in creative writing at the University of Limerick. She draws on her own experiences in personal, work and family life to bring out what is universal in each individual experience. This is Marias second book. Her first, a novel entitled Defying the Curse, was launched in March of this year and has proved extremely popular. Well-known local writer and producer John MacKenna endorsed Marias new book, saying: Remembering Carlow is that most wonderful of things a book which is particular to a town, a time and those who lived there, but has that universal appeal of the human condition and experience. This is a book that says my town, our town, any town, every town. It speaks with the voice of a generation. Maria explained the significance of her new book, saying: My mother and grandmother always told stories of growing up in Carlow town, describing places and characters that are long gone. Im proud to have preserved the memories of so many Carlow people in Remembering Carlow and hope it prompts reminiscences in all who read it. A MAN who stole over 1,400 worth of brandy, champagne and other high-end drinks from Tesco in Carlow received a suspended sentence when he appeared before the local district court last week. Uncas Burcea, 30 Old Burrin, Carlow pleaded guilty to four counts of thefts from Tesco, Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow on 16 and 29 March and on 4 and 12 April this year. Insp Tom Jones told the court that Mr Burcea (34) was caught on CCTV taking bottles of Moet champagne, Remy Martin brandy and other high-end bottles of alcohol and that the alcohol, worth over 1,420, was stolen by him. He added that the defendant had 15 previous convictions, none of which were for theft. The court heard that five unopened bottles of champagne were found by gardai in Mr Burceas house. Solicitor Chris Hogan told the court that a person that Mr Burcea had been living with at the time had introduced him to the concept of stealing and that he hadnt put an awful lot of thought into what he was doing. Judge Geraldine Carthy convicted and sentenced Mr Burcea to nine months imprisonment, which she suspended for 18 months. She ordered him to engage with the probation service and to pay Tesco 700 in compensation. CARLOWS Woodford Dolmen Hotel is on cloud nine, having scooped two awards at the 2024 Irish Hotel Awards. The hotel was awarded the prestigious best four-star hotel in Leinster, along with the overall excellence in service at the gala event, which was held at the Johnstown Estate in Enfield, Co Meath recently. This honour recognises the Woodford Dolmen Hotels commitment to exceptional service, welcoming atmosphere and memorable guest experiences. We are honoured to have been chosen for two awards of such esteem as we constantly strive to provide every guest with an unforgettable stay, said Colin Duggan, general manager of the hotel. It is a great accomplishment and testament to the effort and dedication of our entire team. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Irish Hotel Awards for this recognition and to all the team at the hotel for their commitment and hard work, he added. The hotel was awarded its fourth star two years ago, so to achieve this honour is something special. The hotel was awarded its fourth star just two years ago and to win the title of best four-star in Leinster after such a short time reinforces our mission to exceed exceptional standards of service, Colin said. We look forward to continuing to deliver and improve our guests experiences. Sorry, your browser doesn't support embedded videos. Dams blocked Chinook salmon from the North Yuba River for more than a century. Now, scientists are injecting fish eggs into rocky streambeds in an effort to repopulate the river with salmon. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle DOWNIEVILLE, Sierra County Standing knee-deep in one of Californias famed Gold Rush rivers, a scientist gingerly held up a cheesecloth sack carrying 5,000 pink salmon eggs, each slightly smaller than a marble, with a big eye incubating within. A series of dams have long arrested the natural flow of water on the North Yuba River in the Tahoe National Forest, blocking the salmon from these spawning grounds for more than 80 years. State officials are trying to bring the threatened spring-run Chinook salmon back, starting this week with 300,000 eggs planted in the streambed. Bye bye, little guys, said Aimee Braddock, an environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, as she poured the eggs into a wide tube leading down to a hole she had dug in the gravelly streambed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Scientists prepare to inject salmon eggs into the Yuba River near Downieville on Monday. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle If nature had been left unsullied on the North Yuba River, spring-run Chinook salmon would fluff the gravel bed with powerful fins and plant their eggs a foot deep in the streambed. Fish would emerge as tiny fry and grow into juveniles in the cold, rocky climes of the North Yuba before instinctively heading downstream. But up and down California, rivers have been re-engineered and dammed to harness their power, trap sediment, control flooding and corral water resources. The salmons route between their mountainous spawning grounds and the Pacific Ocean is largely blocked. Once abundant, Californias Chinook salmon are now teetering toward extinction. But extraordinary efforts are under way up and down the state to save its once-mighty salmon runs. From left, scientist Aimee Braddock and senior engineering geologist Matt Meyers use a pipe and funnel to blast sediment before injecting salmon eggs into the Yuba River near Downieville on Monday. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Earlier this year, sonar equipment detected the first salmon in more than a century swimming near the California-Oregon border on the Klamath River, past a site where four dams long blocked passage. The Klamath had just begun flowing freely again this year after the largest dam-removal project in the country. Advertisement Article continues below this ad State officials are designing fishways to help them travel past dams. Hatcheries are boosting numbers and ensuring genetic diversity. Flora Cordoleani, associate project scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Southwest Fisheries Science Center in Santa Cruz and an expert on Californias spring-run Chinook, said reviving the states salmon population is critical for healthy rivers. They are also culturally important wildlife. Chinook salmon are an emblematic species, like the bald eagle, Cordoleani said. A healthy salmon population means a healthy ecosystem. The North Yuba River was once home to the states largest gold-mining operations and was severely impacted by sediment, mining debris and mercury. Now the Yubas northern reaches are the site of near-pristine wilderness and recreation. California Fish and Wildlife deputy director Kevin Thomas, left, and hydraulic engineer Beth Lawson work to clear sediment before injecting salmon eggs along the North Yuba River near Downieville on Monday. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle If all goes well on the river, the eggs will hatch and mature into 2- to 4-inch juveniles in cooler, upper elevation waters before instinctively heading downstream, said Michelle Forsha, senior environmental scientist with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife who is leading the North Yuba project. Scientists will return to trap juvenile fish starting in December and haul them in trucks south of the dams where they can resume their migration to the Pacific Ocean. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There are no plans to remove the New Bullards Bar or Englebright dams on the Yuba River, which flows into the Feather River and drains into the Sacramento River basin. Unlike the Klamath, where dams once housed hydropower systems, these dams provide critical flood control and water storage. Trucking juveniles downstream and adult fish upstream remains the long-term plan, said Colin Purdy, fisheries environmental program manager with the state Department of Fish and Wildlifes north central region. Salmon bring critical ocean nutrients to rivers and act as incredible engineers benefiting gravel streambeds by filtering out sediment. We want to have a self-sustaining population but until that is possible, we will step in, Purdy said. The North Yuba River, seen near Downieville, has been bereft of salmon for about 80 years. Now scientists are reintroducing the fish. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Fall-run salmon, named for the time of year when adults leave the ocean and return to rivers, remain more abundant than spring-run and are the only salmon allowed for recreational and commercial fishing in California. They were less affected by dams than spring- and winter-run salmon, in part because they return to rivers in autumn when temperatures are generally cooler and can spawn in areas below the dams. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But in recent years, stressed by drought, heat and water policies, their numbers have dwindled, too. For the past two years, California has barred both commercial and recreational salmon fishing to help the population recover. This month, the Golden State Salmon Association warned that the number of adult fall-run Chinook salmon returning to the upper Sacramento River was extremely low, putting Californias salmon fishery at risk of being closed for another year. Spring-run Chinook were once even more abundant and prized for their high fat content and large size, Cordoleani said. Reviving salmon populations in cooler high-elevation streams can help protect the species as a whole from further decline as climate conditions continue to make rivers warmer, even if that means busing fish around dams, she said. It seems like a lot of effort for sure, it seems crazy, Cordoleani said. But its for the whole ecosystem. San Francisco police said they arrested a suspected narcotics trafficker in the Tenderloin on Oct. 30 and seized narcotics and loaded firearms, including over a kilogram of fentanyl and a machine gun, from his Oakland home. San Francisco Police Department San Francisco police said they arrested a suspected narcotics trafficker in the Tenderloin and seized narcotics from his Oakland residence. Just after midnight on Wednesday, police said they arrested 22-year-old Axel Narniel Escoto Amaya at Fifth and Market streets and found him in possession of suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine. Amaya routinely sold fentanyl in the area of Sixth and Market, police said. Police obtained a warrant to search Amayas home on the 1100 block of 11th Avenue in Oakland and seized more than 1 kilogram of fentanyl, 100 grams of methamphetamine, 1.5 pounds of marijuana, a machine gun and other loaded firearms, high-capacity magazines, ammunition, an undisclosed amount of money and other items used to traffic and manufacture narcotics, police said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Amaya was booked into the county jail on charges including transportation of and possession for sale of controlled substances, unlawful possession of a machine gun, maintaining a premise where narcotics are used and sold, and manufacturing a controlled substance. Detectives with the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office Criminal Warrants Unit successfully apprehended Edward Anthony White on Thursday, wanted on multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder. Detectives initially spotted White operating a white sedan on Reggie White Boulevard and attempted a traffic stop. White attempted to evade law enforcement, leading to a brief pursuit. During the pursuit, HCSO detectives deployed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver, ending the chase in the 100 block of 38th Street.White was taken into custody without further incident. While fleeing, White discarded a handgun that was later recovered and confirmed to be stolen. He was also found in possession of various illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia. White was transported to the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center, where he was booked on his outstanding warrants and additional charges arising from the pursuit. Outstanding Warrants: Attempted first-degree murder Aggravated assault Domestic violence assault Vandalism New Charges: Felony evading Reckless endangerment Tampering with evidence Possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony Possession of marijuana Possession of drug paraphernalia Possession of fentanyl Driving on revoked license Theft of property Two teachers at schools in Signal Mountain and Hixson are among those Tennesseans for Quality Early Education announced as recipients of its inaugural Tennessee Early Educator Awards.Emily Adams, a kindergarten teacher at Nolan Elementary in Signal Mountain, and Eva Jenkins, a preschool teacher at Hixson UMC Child Development Center in Hixson, were selected in this statewide program that honored 20 "outstanding early childhood educators for their significant impact on the lives of Tennessees youngest learners."Each of the educators across the state were surprised in their classrooms, celebrating the moment with colleagues and students.Each award winner received a $1,000 cash prize, an all-expenses-paid trip to Nashville and a shopping spree at Lakeshore Learning to recognize their contributions to early education in the state.We are thrilled to recognize these incredible early educators, who are shaping the future of Tennessee one child at a time, said Blair Taylor, CEO of TQEE. By honoring their hard work, we not only celebrate their achievements but also spotlight their contributions to our children and communities.The Tennessee Early Educator Awards were established this year to highlight the critical role of early education professionals working with children from birth through third grade. Of the 20 recipients, 10 were recognized for their work in birth through preschool programs, while the other 10 were honored for their teaching in kindergarten through third grade.Officials said, "Backed by generous sponsors, including Lakeshore Learning, Ballad Health, Hyde Family Foundation, Niswonger Foundation, the Boyd Foundation, and Crisp Communications, these awards provide recognition to the early education profession and underscore the importance of high-quality early learning for the future success of Tennessees children and families."The 2024 Tennessee Early Educators Awardees are: Emily Adams | Kindergarten | Nolan Elementary | Signal Mountain Miriam Alvarez | 2nd and 3rd grades | Pi Beta Phi Elementary | Gatlinburg Carmen Davis | Ages 6 weeks - 5 years | Ms. Carmens Precious Moments | Nashville Seth Emmert | Ages 3-4 | Olive Tree Early Learning Academy | Knoxville Teresa Fleak | Kindergarten | Goodlettsville Elementary | Goodlettsville Franchesca Graffeo | 2nd Grade | Black Fox Elementary | Murfreesboro Misty Greenway | First Grade | Parsons Elementary | Decaturville Tanya Howard | Kindergarten | Smithville Elementary | Smithville Victoria Jackson | Ages 4 months - 3 years | MidCumberland Community Action Agency Headstart | Gallatin Eva Jenkins | Preschool ages 3-5 | Hixson United Methodist Church Child Development Center | Hixson Malorie Jezelle-Hullett | Preschool ages 3-5 | Creative Collegiate Academy | Cordova Whitney Kee | Kindergarten | Dogwood Elementary | Knoxville Jamaica Kirby | Pre-K age 4| Arlington Elementary | Jackson Kristi Morgan | Preschool ages 3-4 | Little Sprouts Learning Center | Alcoa Michelle Mullican | Pre-K age 4| Hickerson Elementary | Tullahoma Nathalie Murphy | Preschool ages 3-5 | Fort Sanders Educational Development Center | Knoxville Hannah Palmer | Kindergarten | Edgemont Elementary | Newport Jennifer Peek | Pre-K ages 3-5 | Sycamore Elementary | Cookeville Stephanie Sacco |Kindergarten | Idlewild Elementary |Memphis Beth Sutton-Peavler | Pre-K ages 3-4 | Camp Creek Elementary School | Greeneville Voters cast their ballots in the basement of San Francisco City Hall during the primary election in March. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle UPDATE: Daniel Lurie elected San Franciscos next mayor, in rebuke to Breed San Francisco has never chosen a mayor with an electorate as large as the one expected to cast ballots by Tuesday. Whether Mayor London Breed is re-elected could be decided by an additional 200,000 people compared to the citys last closely contested mayors race in 2018. Thats because this is the first mayoral election since voters moved such contests from odd-numbered years to even-numbered presidential election years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Supporters of the 2022 measure that shifted the election dates championed it as a way to boost turnout, and that much is guaranteed, based on historic data and the number of people who have already turned in their mail-in ballots this year. But no one knows how the larger number of mayoral election voters will affect the outcome or whether it will benefit Breed or one of her leading challengers. Will the increased turnout draw a surge of left-leaning voters to elect Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, who is courting progressives in his mayoral bid? Or will the high cost of campaigning during a presidential election benefit a moderate candidate with more money at their disposal such as Breed, nonprofit founder Daniel Lurie or former interim Mayor Mark Farrell? Which of the candidates will have an edge with first-time mayoral voters? The answers to those questions wont be clear until after polls close on Election Day. And the result may not be known for days, given the number of anticipated ballots and the fact that San Francisco uses ranked-choice voting in local races. In ranked-choice voting, voters can choose up to 10 candidates in order of preference; if no one gets a majority on the first round, candidates with the fewest votes are eliminated and their ballots are reevaluated to consider supporters next-highest preferences. The process repeats until one person gets a majority of continuing ballots. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lower turnout races can sometimes be more predictable, because you know that the same sets of voters are coming out election year to election year, said political data expert Paul Mitchell. There wont be any comparable election where youve ever had this many people voting in a (San Francisco) mayors race for the first time. Theres a lot of unknowns. Its such a different election. Mitchell, who is vice president of an analytics firm called Political Data, said he projects about 200,000 San Francisco voters will cast a ballot this year who have not voted in a mayoral election before. The difference between presidential and mayoral election turnout in recent years has been stark. About 450,000 people voted in San Francisco in the 2020 presidential election when Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump at the height of the pandemic. In 2016, about 415,000 people voted in the city when Trump beat Hillary Clinton. Advertisement Article continues below this ad By contrast, about 254,000 people cast ballots in 2018, when Breed won a hard-fought special election to fill the remaining term of the late Mayor Ed Lee. In 2019, when Breed won her first full term but faced no serious opposition, about 206,000 voters participated. The turnout disparity between presidential elections and past mayoral races was at the heart of 2022s successful Proposition H, sponsored by progressive Supervisor Dean Preston. He said at the time that he wanted more people to weigh in on the most influential citywide races, calling odd-year elections an institutionalized form of voter suppression. Even though Prop H gave Breed another year in office, she opposed the measure, saying it needed more public input. She also criticized the measure as a power grab by a group of democratic socialists, including Preston. Two years later, however, some of Breeds allies think the elections timing could give her an advantage as she seeks to fend off four major challengers. If were talking about younger, potentially more liberal or progressive voters or first-time voters I do think that it may help Mayor Breed, because she is a woman and a person of color and that dovetails along with this idea of electing the first female president who is also a woman of color, said Nancy Tung, chair of the San Francisco Democratic Party, which endorsed Breed. Tung said Breed may benefit from her very personal ties to Vice President Kamala Harris, who swore Breed into office as a city supervisor in 2013. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But Tung also acknowledged that the expanded electorate could draw voters who dont necessarily follow the intricacies of politics and are therefore more likely to blame the citys current problems on Breed and be looking for somebody who is not entrenched in city politics. Lurie, the nonprofit founder and Levi Strauss heir, is running as an outsider candidate and led in the Chronicles final poll of the race once likely voters ranked-choice preferences were accounted for. Farrell, Peskin and Supervisor Ahsha Safai, another mayoral candidate, are also urging voters to pick them as a change in leadership. Patrick Murphy, a politics professor at the University of San Francisco, said Breeds incumbency advantage could still help her. A lot of people have voted for her before and thats a really powerful thing, Murphy said. Yet, he also echoed Tungs sentiment that there will be an unknown number of voters craving a change. There is a theme in this election of frustration and anger, Murphy said. If we just look at our election nationally, theres a lot of tension, and that may cause people to say, To heck with it. Give me something new. Luries familial wealth has been a boon to his candidacy in a way that could prove particularly beneficial as mayoral candidates compete for voters attention during a costly national election cycle. Hes put more than $8.6 million of his own money into his campaign, and hes also being aided by a separate political action committee partly financed by his wealthy mother. Taken together, spending on Luries candidacy as of last week had reached $13 million and made the current mayoral race the most expensive in recent San Francisco history. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lurie and the PAC backing him are far from the only big spenders in the race. Breed has raised the second most of the leading mayoral candidates, and a PAC supporting her has received major contributions from the billionaires Michael Bloomberg and Chris Larsen. Farrells deep-pocketed backers include the conservative donor Bill Oberndorf. The dramatic expansion of the electorate fuels the dramatic expansion of spending to reach those voters, said progressive consultant Eric Jaye, who supports Peskin. If theres 50% more voters, it means there needs to be 50% more junk mail and 50% more TV ads and 50% more texts, and all of that costs money. Jaye has been working on a political action committee thats raised more than $830,000 to boost Peskins mayoral campaign, with major donations from unions representing hospitality workers, government employees and health care workers. But PACs backing other candidates have pulled in far more especially the pro-Lurie committee, which has raised about $6.5 million. Theres a massive asymmetry in the ability of the moderates to fund these efforts versus the progressives and the liberals who dont have billionaires on their side, Jaye said. Despite the very noisy environment created by mayoral campaigning during a presidential election, Jaye is convinced Peskin has a path to come out on top. His rivals allies and advisers feel similarly. The Breed, Lurie, Farrell and Safai campaigns are all hoping that first-time mayoral voters or people just turning their attention to the local ballot amid the chaos of the presidential race will break in their candidates favor. No matter the outcome, Murphy, the USF professor, said the increased participation should give the public confidence that the winner of the mayors race reflects the desire of a large swath of the city. A Chattanooga man was sentenced Thursday in Federal Court to 54 months in prison for firearms and explosives violations. Anthony Christopher Lively, 41, appeared before Judge Travis McDonough. Following imprisonment, Lively will be on supervised release for three years. As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, Lively agreed to plead guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm silencer and unregistered destructive devices, in violation of the National Firearms Act. According to filed court documents, in August of 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Livelys Chattanooga home. Investigators located and seized a Grand Power Stribog, Model SP9A1, 9-millimter, short-barrel rifle (8-inch barrel length) equipped with a foldable stock and a fully loaded magazine; multiple firearm magazines; multiple lists detailing explosive components and parts; and assorted ammunition. Further investigation revealed that prior to the execution of the warrant, Lively enlisted a family member to remove contraband from his home.From that family members home, law enforcement located and seized a firearm silencer; improvised explosive devices, commonly referred to as pipe bombs and Molotov cocktails, an improvised incendiary device, commonly referred to as a Molotov cocktail, and various fuzes, initiators and other explosives-related components. Lively later admitted to purchasing and modifying the short-barrel rifle and firearm silencer and constructing the pipe bombs and Molotov cocktail. He also admitted that he directed his family member to remove the items from his home.The firearms and devices were not registered, to Lively or otherwise, in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required by the NFA.U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee made the announcement.The criminal indictment was the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations-Chattanooga Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Chattanooga Field Office; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Chattanooga Police Department Bomb Squad and Special Victims Unit; and the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office.Assistant United States Attorney Kevin T. Brown represented the United States.This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center announces the awarding of the 2024 Katie Fields Bell Teacher Fellow during its recent Celebration of Valor attended by Medal of Honor Recipient Britt Slabinski.Supported by the Fields and Bell families, the Heritage Centers Teacher Fellowship Program included 19 Teacher Fellows from Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama this year. Hamilton County Schools teacher, Brittany Haynes, from Loftis Middle School was recognized as the 2024 Katie Fields Bell Teacher Fellow awardee.We believe education is a community effort, and we see it as our duty to support both teachers and students throughout the learning process, said Maranda Wilkinson, director of education at the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.We launched our Teacher Fellowship Program last year as a means of investing in educators, connecting them to the stories of Medal of Honor Recipients, and supporting their efforts to weave Recipient stories and the values associated with the Medalcourage, commitment, integrity, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotisminto lessons and materials aligned with state standards.The Heritage Centers Teacher Fellowship Program is a year-long commitment, and fellows are compensated for their time. Fellows participate in book studies, field trips, lesson and activity crafting and various other professional learning opportunities throughout the year. The program culminates with educator workshops hosted by fellows at the Heritage Center, where they introduce the lessons and activities they have crafted.Ms. Wilkinson continued, Each year we select an outstanding Teacher Fellow as the Katie Fields Bell Teacher Fellow in honor of Katie Fields Belllate wife of General B.B. Bell. She was dedicated to supporting childrens education, and when she saw a need, she took action. Naming an awardee this year was far from easy. This cohort is full of passionate educators who care deeply about their students and content, and narrowing this prestigious award to one fellow took painstaking efforts. Brittany poured herself into this program and crafted a creative lesson based on a fifth grade Trail of Tears standard. She included Medal of Honor Recipient Dwight Birdwell, a member of the Cherokee Nation and attorney, and worked to connect students to a career rolea law clerk.Several other awards were presented during the Heritage Centers Celebration, and educators across the region were recognized:? Above & Beyond Award | Jessica Holloway and Becky Dubose, Hamilton County Schools;? Big Stories | Linda Moss Mines and Rita Lorainne Hubbard, Hamilton County Historians;? Big Energy | Bailee Cox, Hamilton County Schools, and Scott Saunders, Heritage Center Historical Interpretation; and? Big Impact | Annette Johnson, Franklin County School District.This recognition is not given lightly said General B.B. Bell. These teachers are true professionals, and their passion for educating the next generation of leaders is encouraging. Katie was an advocate for educational opportunities among other worthy causes, and I am proud there are educators like Brittany who share a passion for elevating others akin to Katies.The Heritage Center aims to inspire all generations, through the stories of Medal of Honor Recipients, to be the best versions of themselves. Here at the Heritage Center, we share the BIG stories of Medal of Honor recipients through our BIG energy programming, said Ms. Wilkinson. Our hope is that all who walk through our Centers doors to tour our galleries or participate in any of our programs recognize they, too, are capable of making a BIG impact in their spheres of influences just as Medal of Honor Recipients did.To learn more about the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, its mission, or its programs, visit www.MOHHC.org or call 423-877-2525. John Michael Tim Champlin left this earth and went to be with family and friends in heaven on October 24, 2024, at the age of 87. He done his damndest. These final words, on an old west tombstone, were discovered and recalled while doing research for one of his many western novels. He was born on Oct 11, 1937, in Fargo, ND to John Burnla Champlin and Elizabeth Hushaw Champlin. He was the second child of five children. His father was a large animal veterinarian working for the USDA, which required him to move every couple of years. Some of those locations were Lincoln, NE, Jefferson City, MO, Phoenix, AZ, eventually settled in Nashville, TN in 1955. He moved to Fort Oglethorpe, GA in 2012 to be closer to family. His formative years were spent in Lincoln, NE, entertaining himself with flaming arrows, seining for minnows at a nearby creek, and digging foxholes in the side yard. He grew up in a time of radio in the depression and claimed later in life that he missed out on his share of bacon during the war, and he was trying to make up for the loss at Sunday brunch. He owned at least 9 sailboats over the years. He enjoyed the solitude of being out on the lake and riding his bike through the Chickamauga Battlefield. He graduated from Saint Marys High School in Phoenix, AZ and immediately moved to Nashville, TN in 1955. He attended Vanderbilt University for a short time before being encouraged to enroll elsewhere. He graduated from Middle TN State College with a degree in English. At 17 he enlisted in the Navy Reserves where he spent 8 years serving while going to college. He went on to earn a masters degree from Peabody College, now part of Vanderbilt. He worked for 30 years for the Veterans Administration in Nashville before retiring. He loved to write and sold and published his first western novel in 1984. He would go on to publish 44 novels, mostly historical fiction, and just as many articles in various magazines from Sailing to American Way. To this day, a shelf is labeled with his name at the local McKays used books in Chattanooga. A quick Google search is very revealing of his writings. He loved to read, was full of obscure knowledge and was a deeply humble man. He was a devout Catholic and never forgot the golden rule to love thy neighbor as thy self. He rarely spoke a word of unkindness about anyone. He was a living example of Live and Let live. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Elizabeth Champlin of Lawrenceville GA, His sister Shirley Kelly of Tucson, AZ, sister Rene Bundy, and brother Patrick Champlin of Nashville. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Ellen Hosey Champlin, sister Peggy Tyndall of Phoenix, AZ, son Kenneth Champlin (Angela Turner), grandchildren Ruby, Brennan, Susanah, Alice Champlin and son Christopher Champlin (Jane) Abigail (Cal) Burton, great grandchildren Maggie and Jack, grandchildren Sawyer Champlin, Spencer Sutton, Trent Sutton, Paul Champlin, Mary Champlin. He is also survived by his best friend of 68 years Kenneth Donnelly of Nashville and son in law Patrick Tiedemann of Lawrenceville, GA. His funeral Mass will be held at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Nashville, TN on Friday November 8, 2024, at 12 pm. Visitation with family and friends will be at 11:30am. He will be buried at Calvary Cemetery in Nashville immediately following. CNE, a non-profit developer dedicated to creating vibrant communities, announces that its innovative Missing Middle housing strategy has been recognized with the Jack Kemp Excellence in Affordable and Workforce Housing Award by the Urban Land Institute Terwilliger Center for Housing. The Jack Kemp Award recognizes developments that demonstrate creativity in expanding housing opportunities, particularly for middle-income earners. CNEs Missing Middle strategy aligns with this goal, providing much-needed housing options for a critical segment of Chattanooga residents. We are thrilled to announce that our Missing Middle housing strategy has been recognized with this prestigious award, said Martina Guilfoil, CEO of CNE. This innovative approach effectively integrates affordable and market-rate units, enhancing neighborhoods and expanding housing choices for all residents. The Jack Kemp Excellence in Affordable and Workforce Housing Award recognizes developments that use creative approaches to provide attainable mixed-income housing. CNEs Missing Middle strategy exemplifies this by constructing 182 units of infill housing on 50 scattered vacant lots in Chattanooga's historic Highland Park and Ridgedale neighborhoods. The new construction features a mix of duplexes, quadplexes, and a small-scale apartment building, with a unique cottage courtyard made possible through the collaborative efforts of CNE, the city of Chattanooga, Benwood and the Lyndhurst Foundation. This project serves as a centerpiece for revitalizing neighborhoods known for their walkability and proximity to downtown. MS. Guilfoil emphasizes the broader impact of this award-winning strategy: The Missing Middle strategy is not just a concept; it is a vital tool in the affordable housing toolbox. By promoting mixed-income developments, we can create vibrant, inclusive communities that cater to diverse populations. I encourage cities and housing developers across the nation to adopt this model and work towards a more equitable housing landscape. Together, we can make a significant impact on the availability of affordable housing. For a detailed look at CNEs award-winning Missing Middle strategy, please visit: https://www.cneinc.org/creating-homes CNE CEO, Martina Guilfoil, will appear on the National Press Clubs panel in Washington D.C. on Dec. 4 at the Solutions for Affordable Housing convening. The panel session is titled The Missing Middle: Strategies for Expanding Housing Options. The November meeting of the MacDowell Music Club will be held at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church at 1505 North Moore Road next Wednesday at 11 a.m.The concert is free, and guests are welcome.Included on the program are local artists Allyson Ford, soprano, and Dr. Alan Nichols at the piano, as well as the Poiema Trio, a performing group currently on tour in the Chattanooga area.Ms. Ford is president of the Walker County Chamber of Commerce and is the director of music at Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church in Lookout Mountain, Ga. Dr.Alan Nichols is a professor of music at Chattanooga State Technical College and is the pianist for the Chattanooga Symphony. Members of the Poiema Trio include Ann Yu - violin, Nathan Francisco - cello and Anran Qian - piano. Ann Yu and Anran Qian are graduates of the Juilliard School, and Nathan Francisco is currently enrolled there.The MacDowell Music Club provides an opportunity for talented local musicians to perform in public and is intended for individuals who want to contribute toward the advancement of music in the Chattanooga area for future generations. Walker County detectives and Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents are investigating a late Thursday night homicide at 1694 Johnson Road, Chickamauga, Ga. 30707 according to Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson. The sheriff said a 911 call was received around midnight concerning a medical call at the residence; however, upon arrival by deputies, they discovered the victim had been shot. The victim has been identified as Dakota Austin Bottomlee, 25, of the Johnson Road address. Investigators are working to identify two men who were seen in the area earlier Thursday. Investigators are requesting for anyone to contact them if they heard shots in the area between 9-11 p.m. on Thursday. Contact Detective Daniel Stephenson at 706 670-1938 or leave a tip at www.walkerso.com, or Georgia Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477). Ali Nicole Kirby, 28, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, went to heaven on Tuesday, October 30, 2024. Ali was born in Fort Oglethorpe, on April 15, 1996, the daughter of Linda Kirby-Harris and biological father, Gregory Scott Kirby. Ali had amazing compassion for others. She was a talented artist and loved poetry. She loved to draw. She was wise beyond her years and always offered great advice. Ali enjoyed hiking and found peace in nature. She enjoyed campfires, friends, and music. Also, she enjoyed lying in her hammock watching beautiful sunsets and admiring the stars. Ali loved music festivals and singing. Ali had given her heart to Jesus and she loved to sing his praises, even on the hard days. In addition to her parents, survivors include her maternal grandparents, Jim and Virginia Watts; paternal grandparents, Donna Mitchell (Rodger) and Roger Kirby; uncle and aunt, Jason and Jeanne Harris; her cousins, Ryan Harris, Abby Johnson (Ethan), and Mark Harris; and her beloved dog, Tucker. A Celebration of Life will be on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home with JC Groves officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home. Visit the online obituary www.heritagechattanooga.com to post tributes and share memories. Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel. Prince Harry and the royal family continue to spark rumors of a reconciliation based on Harrys recent actions; one former royal staffer thinks things could soon improve. Prince Harry and the rest of the royal family have not been on great terms in recent years. Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped back from their roles as senior royals in 2020, and ever since, things seem to have only become worse between Harry and his relatives. Although there has been no true example of the rift healing, one former royal employee does think there have been subtle signs, calling out one recent move by Harry as being the potential impetus for a reunion. Prince William and Prince Harry | Daniel Leavl-Olivas/Pool Getty Images Former royal butler believes Prince Harry might ultimately reconcile based on one sign Harry and Meghan stepped away from the royal family in favor of a different life, and they have been living in Montecito, California, since 2020. The two welcomed their second child, Princess Lilibet, in the United States about a year later, and Harry and Meghan dont seem to have any plans to return to royal duties any time soon. Still, Harry and Meghan did recently purchase a vacation home in Portugal, and former royal butler Grant Harrold thinks this is the most telling sign that a reconciliation could happen. Ive always said that I think Harrys relationship with the royals will improve over time, Harrold told the New York Post. Its been quiet for quite a while which is a good sign, so I think any move to Europe even if its not the UK, Portugal is not that far could mean that its easier for Harry to spend more time in his home, the UK and its quite possible its a sign that he is getting closer to his family again. Harry and Meghans Portugal purchase was recently leaked, though the two have not confirmed the buy. I would imagine we would see some of the family members visiting Harry and Meghan, Harrold added. Prince William has publicly mentioned Prince Harrys name twice since September Earlier this year, there were rumors that William had banned the mention of Harrys name in the home. However, in September, William and Kate Middleton publicly wished Harry a happy 40th birthday on their Instagram account, which they had not done since 2021. After that, in October, William mentioned a memory he shared with Harry in his new homelessness documentary, and people were shocked to hear Harrys name anywhere in the film. Although it doesnt signal much, it does mark a change in Williams public attitude toward his brother. Its hard to tell where it could lead, but it appears to be subtle improvement. The race for president between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris can be watched at a raft of parties around the bay. Evan Vucci/AP, Kent Nishimura/Getty Let the nail biting begin! Its time to cast your vote as the general election is upon us, and its going to be a heck of an occasion. With Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump seemingly neck and neck in the polls, its anyones guess in whose favor the scale will tip. So cover your eyes and peek between your fingers folks, because the showdown is about to start. Here are the top community watch parties and election-focused events to check out around the Bay Area. Saint Josephs Arts Foundation Election Day Open House Drop in and view the current exhibition, Packing and Cracking: The Art of (and Response to) Gerrymandering and engage in a collaborative quilting project led by artists Catherine Sherman and Joe Cunningham, with Shermans Hexagon Project. No prior sewing experience required to lend a hand-stitch to the projects Lone Star quilt. Bring your I Voted sticker for a complimentary sweet treat. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Noon-5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. Free, reservations recommended. Saint Josephs Arts Foundation, 1401 Howard St., S.F. www.saintjosephsartssociety.com Andres DeRosales, 45, of San Rafael, watches the presidential debate watch party at Chicken and Waffles in Oakland on Sept. 10. Vice President and Bay Area native Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump faced off in their only debate. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle 7th West Election Night Watch Party Hang out together in cozy indoor and festive, heated outdoor spaces and watch the results of the 2024 election unfold. Political enthusiast and casual observers alike are welcome at this family-friendly event. It will include live election coverage on multiple screens. An I Voted sticker gets you a complimentary beer or a hot cocoa. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Regina Wilson-Henry, of Oakland, and an AKA Oakland chapter member, joins others as she attends the presidential debate watch party in Oakland on Sept. 10. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Cinelounge Election Day Viewing and Dinner Experience a watch party for the most consequential presidential election of our lifetime on Cinelounges three big screens featuring the main bout, down-ballot fights and local measures. Enjoy the comfortable seating and a delicious buffet dinner while watching history happen. Kamala vs. Trump: the Function SF Election Night Watch Party Join a night of excitement watching the election results roll in. Grab a drink at one of S.F.s newest bars. Cheer or boo at the action as it plays out on multiple screens. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 4-midnight Tuesday, Nov. 5. Free, reservations recommended. The Function SF, 1414 Market St., S.F. www.thefunctionsf.com U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, right, shakes hands with former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Sept. 10. Saul Loeb/Getty Images USF Votes Election Watch Party Enjoy games, snacks and camaraderie while watching the primary results for the general election as they come in live. 4:30-10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. Free, reservations recommended. University of San Francisco, University Center 1st Floor Atrium, 2130 Fulton St., S.F. 415-422-5555. www.usfca.edu Advertisement Article continues below this ad Curio Presidential Election Watch Party Enjoy food and drink specials and live presidential election results coverage on multiple screens. 5-11 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. Free. Curio Bar, 775 Valencia St., S.F. 415-551-7306. www.curiobarsf.com Supporters cheer for Vice President Kamala Harris, as she takes the stage to deliver her Presidential nomination acceptance speech, during a Democratic National Convention watch party at Mannys event space on Aug. 22 in San Francisco. Loren Elliott/Getty Images Mannys Election Night Watch Party Join a special election night party in San Franciscos Mission District. Watch the election results unfold live on a large, inflatable, outdoor viewing screen. The non-partisan event is set to include balloons, upbeat music and a festive atmosphere with Mission Street closed to vehicular traffic between 15th and 16th streets Advertisement Article continues below this ad Election Night Watch Party at the Academy SF Election Day is finally here. Join in solidarity and witness history in the making. The event will offer food, drinks and live results on screens throughout the club. 5-10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. $20, reservations required. The Academy, 2166 Market St., S.F. 415-624-3429. www.academy-sf.com Server Ravell Sweetwyne wears a Kamala T-shirt that states, Chucks and pearls will save the world, during a presidential debate watch party at Chicken and Waffles in Oakland on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Presidential Election Watch Party at the Executive Order Fitting to its American history theme, the San Francisco bar dotted with presidential memorabilia and offering drinks with names like the George Washington will host an election night watch party featuring happy hour specials. 5-10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. Free, reservations recommended. Executive Order Bar, 868 Mission St., S.F. 415-699-6545. www.executiveorderbar.com Fluid510 Election Night Watch Party Check in and hang out with the community in Oakland on election night for a watch party featuring all-night happy hour specials and $2 off food purchase with an I Voted sticker. Regina Wilson-Henry, of Oakland, and an AKA Oakland chapter member, joins others as she attends the presidential debate watch party in Oakland on Sept. 10. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Pizzaiolo Election Night Watch Party Its better together and even more so with pizza, oysters, arancini and a cash bar. 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. $25, includes snacks; reservations recommended. Pizzaiolo, 5008 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 510-652-4888. www.pizzaiolooakland.com D.I.R.T. Festival: Dance in Revolting Times Featuring a curation of diverse and multigenerational artists setting intentions of peace and justice for the upcoming election, the 13-day performance activation included outdoor and indoor presentations. Its culminating program scheduled to be held on Election Day will feature a healing circle led by Vicki Noble with Carolyn Brandy, performances from the Sarah Bush Dance Project, George Lammam, Dance Brigade and a presidential election returns community watch area. KALW Election Night Watch Party Join radio journalists Rose Aguilar, Hana Baba, and the KALW news team for a live election night watch party. The event will include experts and reporters from locations throughout the Bay Area and around the country, to discuss election issues as they unfold and returns come in. Come early for free food from Joyride Pizza. 6-10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. $10-$20, reservations recommended. 111 Minna Gallery, 111 Minna St., S.F. 415-634-2251. www.kalw.org Folks attend the presidential debate watch party at Home of Chicken and Waffles in Oakland on Sept. 10. Vice President and Bay Area native Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump faced off in their only debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The watch party in Oakland was hosted by Harris childhood friend Derreck Johnson, owner of Chicken and Waffles. Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle Election Night Silent Roller Disco at the Church of 8 Wheels Its not only election night at the Church of 8 Wheels, its the 11th anniversary of the creation of the roller rink. The event will include a silent disco with three live DJs playing at the same time for you to choose from. Live election results will be playing up on the spaces big screen. 8-10 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. $15-$20, reservations recommended. Church of 8 Wheels, 554 Fillmore St., S.F. 415-752-1967. www.churchof8wheels.com Election 2024: The Voters Have Spoken Who won or lost and which party will claim control of Congress, statehouses and the White House? Will there be a peaceful transition of power? Join a post-election edition of the Commonwealth Clubs Week to Week political roundtable. A social hour with wine and light bites precedes a panel discussion with political experts. Luther Rice College & Seminary in Lithonia, Georgia. | Luther Rice College & Seminary Facebook page A Christian college in Georgia is challenging a state commission over its decision to prohibit students from accessing financial aid for their education. Earlier this month, Luther Rice College and Seminary filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division. The suit names members of the Georgia Student Finance Commission and the Georgia Student Finance Authority as defendants. The lawsuit contends that Georgias public tuition assistance programs unjustly exclude private schools classified as a school or college of theology or divinity. Despite Luther Rice meeting the qualifications for Georgias student aid programs, state officials have excluded the college due to its offerings being heavily religious-based, impacting even non-religious degrees that are intertwined with the schools religious mission, the plaintiff claim. The complaint highlights that this exclusion prevents Luther Rice students from receiving Georgia student aid for any undergraduate degree or course, including those in general studies or psychology. Additionally, Georgia high school students cannot receive dual credit at Luther Rice. According to the lawsuit, other religious schools are allowed to participate in Georgias programs, whereas Luther Rice is not. Luther Rice is unique as its the only excluded nonprofit school in Georgia accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) that also awards undergraduate degrees, thereby otherwise qualifying for the states student aid programs, the college explained. Luther Rice is represented by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a nonprofit legal organization specializing in religious liberty cases. ADF Legal Counsel Andrea Dill expressed her belief that it is unconstitutional for the government to deny a religious school a public benefit solely for its religious beliefs. Dill emphasized the constitutional rights of people of faith to not face discrimination for attending schools aligning with their beliefs. She argued that the U.S. Constitution does not prevent states from including religious organizations in funding programs and, on the contrary, prohibits the exclusion of religious organizations from public benefits because of their religious character. Given that Luther Rice College otherwise qualifies for Georgia student aid programs, Dill stated that Georgian officials cannot exclude Luther Rice students from such programs because of the religious character of the school they chose to attend. According to The Christian Post, the outlet sought comment from the Georgia Student Finance Commission, but a spokesperson declined to comment on pending litigation. This legal challenge follows a significant Supreme Court decision from June 2022 in the case of David Carson et al. v. A. Pender Makin, where the court ruled that Maines state tuition assistance program could not bar parents from using funds for schools that provide religious instruction. Bishops enter to lead the opening worship service at the United Methodist Church (UMC) General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 23, 2024. | Mike DuBose/UM News The United Methodist Churchs highest court has ruled that congregations wishing to leave the denomination over theological disagreements cannot utilize a church closure provision to do so. On October 26, the United Methodist Judicial Council issued a ruling known as Decision Number 1512, clarifying that congregations may not exit the UMC via Paragraph 2549. The decision highlighted that the UMCs Trust Clause, which asserts that all church properties are held for the benefit of the entire denomination, cannot be overlooked by using Paragraph 2549 for disaffiliation. Connectionalism is a bedrock principle of United Methodist constitutional polity, and the Trust Clause is its foundational element, the ruling stated. Additionally, it noted, Disaffiliation is a radical departure from connectionalism, and, therefore, church property can be released from the Trust Clause only to the extent authorized by Church law. The Judicial Council further clarified that Paragraph 2549 cannot be construed or used as legislation permitting the gracious exit of local churches because it applies to church closure and the sale of property, not disaffiliation. The ruling continued, Paragraph 2549 does not give an annual conference disciplinary authority to close a local church and then provide all of the assets to the exiting congregants. It emphasized that Paragraph 2549 is not an appropriate provision of the Discipline for exiting with property. The provisions of 2549 do not align with what is being asked for, which is disaffiliation and asking that the trust clause be broken. This ruling arose from an official inquiry by the UMC Kentucky Conference and the UMC Alabama-West Florida Conference. Following the Judicial Councils decision, the Kentucky Conference expressed in a statement on Tuesday that it is unable to offer a path to separation from the United Methodist Church for local churches. For decades, the UMC has grappled with changing its rules concerning the blessing of same-sex unions, the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals, and the financial support of LGBT advocacy groups, eventually making such changes at the General Conference earlier this year. In February 2019, delegates at a special session of the General Conference voted to add Paragraph 2553 to the Book of Discipline, which provided a process for congregations to exit the UMC amid the sexual ethics debate. However, this measure expired at the end of 2023. Despite this expiration, approximately 7,500 congregations disaffiliated from the UMC, with many continuing to leave via Paragraph 2549, which pertains to church closures. According to the measure, a district superintendent may recommend the closure of a local church if it no longer serves the purpose for which it was organized or incorporated. Subsequently, conference leadership can declare the property closed and retain, sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of the property of a closed local church in accordance with the direction of the annual conference, if any. Kenny Eliason/ Unsplash A recent ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has determined that California cannot prevent Orthodox Jewish parents from using state funds to enroll their children in special education programs with a religious focus. This decision challenges the existing interpretation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act which currently bars state funding for religious schools. The ruling, delivered by a three-judge panel, was penned by Circuit Judge Kim Wardlaw. She noted that California could not substantiate its claim that the "nonsectarian requirement is narrowly tailored to serve that interest" of maintaining governmental neutrality. Judge Wardlaw explained, Parent Plaintiffs are required to choose between the special education benefits made available through public school enrollment (and subsequent referral to a [non-public, non-sectarian school]) and education in an Orthodox Jewish setting. Despite the broader ruling favoring the plaintiffs, the Seventh Circuit did not rule entirely in the Loffman family's favor. Judge Wardlaw emphasized that the complaint contains insufficient factual allegations to plausibly demonstrate that the nonsectarian requirement has any effect on their childs educational placement. The case has been remanded to the district court, with instructions to reconsider the plaintiffs' complaint claims and to lift the previous denial of their motion for a preliminary injunction. Becket Law, an organization dedicated to religious liberty that represented the parents, expressed their satisfaction with the unanimous decision. Eric Rassbach, the vice president and senior counsel at Becket commented, This is a massive win for Jewish families in California." He added, It was always wrong to cut Jewish kids off from getting disability benefits solely because they want to follow their faith. The court did the right thing by ruling against Californias bald-faced discrimination. The initial lawsuit was filed in March the previous year. The defendants named in the complaint include the California Department of Education, Tony Thurmond, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Anthony Aguilar, chief of special education, equity and access, alongside the Los Angeles Unified School District. The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants violated the First Amendments Free Exercise Clause and the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause by denying funds for special needs education at Orthodox Jewish schools. California Education Code requires schools receiving federal IDEA funding to be nonsectarian. Previously, in August of the past year, U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton ruled against the plaintiffs. Her decision was based partly on the assertion that the complaint mischaracterizes the nature of the available benefits and that Californias nonsectarian requirement applies to schools, not IDEA-eligible children and their parents. Judge Staton explained, California's NPS(Non-Public School) system is not a mechanism for subsidizing the education of IDEA-eligible children at private schools." Instead, she described it as a framework where the state contracts out its educational responsibilities to private institutions, adhering to IDEA requirements and the same educational standards that apply to local public education agencies. Home News Ad rips Kamala Harris for posing with anti-Catholic drag troupe A Catholic advocacy group is drawing attention to footage of Vice President Kamala Harris posing with members of a drag troupe known for cosplaying as nuns and performing sexually suggestive dances with a cross. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is an LGBT activist group comprised of drag performers who wear religious habits. Critics have referred to the organization as an anti-Catholic hate group, accusing its members of making a mockery of the faith. On Monday, CatholicVote released a six-figure ad campaign that includes footage of then-U.S. Sen. Harris posing with SPI member Michael Williams (Sister Roma) and LGBT activist James Mitchell (Saint Honey Mahogany) during a 2019 San Francisco pride event. Williams has been a member of SPI since 1987, according to the Catholic advocacy group. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe In addition to showing Harris on stage during the LGBT event, the ad shows a montage of clips, including one of a highly sexual dance routine featuring a man on a cross. One of the performers is seen posed on a cross in an imitation of Jesus crucifixion while another half-naked man dances suggestively. Last year, one of the groups former members, Clinton Monroe Ellis-Gilmore, was arrested for allegedly exposing himself in the drivers seat of a parked car. Authorities said multiple witnesses saw the 53-year-old man sitting in his truck with the door open and masturbating for an hour. Why is Kamala Harris posing with the founder of an anti-Catholic hate group? They mock our faith, a voiceover in the ad asks. Another voice recording in the ad explains, The sisters are men who dress in lewd imitation of Roman Catholic nuns that intentionally mock and degrade Christians. Describing what took place in one of their performances, Bishop Robert Barron of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota lamented, A drag queen comes in and sort of pulls Jesus off the cross. For Catholics, its hard to imagine anything more offensive. In a statement provided to The Christian Post, CatholicVote said it plans to text the ad to 1 million Catholic voters in swing states. The advocacy group also intends to share it with their 750,000 highly engaged activist networks. CatholicVote called on Harris to condemn SPI and its disgusting anti-Catholic behavior. As CatholicVote President Brian Burch told CP, the drag troupe is no ordinary LGBT activist group. Burch stressed that SPI regularly holds Hunky Jesus competitions, where adult drag performers dressed as Jesus or the Virgin Mary simulate sex acts or engage in stripteases. He also recalled an incident in which SPI members tricked a Catholic archbishop into providing the Holy Eucharist, only to desecrate it later in a mock Mass. This kind of hatred and bigotry cannot be tolerated, much less celebrated by anyone wishing to lead our nation, Burch stressed. Kamala Harris must publicly condemn these sacrilegious actions and any group that exists to mock and defile what is most sacred to Catholics or any person of faith. Harris campaign did not immediately respond to The Christian Posts request for comment. Leaders of pro-life and faith-based groups have raised concerns about how a potential Harris administration would address their needs. During an interview with Harris last week, NBCs Hallie Jackson asked the presidential hopeful whether she would consider religious exemptions to a nationwide abortion mandate. Harris responded, I dont think we should be making concessions. In an X post following the interview, the pro-life advocacy group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America cited the vice presidents remark as evidence of her intention to federally steamroll Americans into taking part in abortions against their will. CatholicVote also published an X post in response to the vice presidents comments, sharing a clip of the interview and asking why Christians would vote for Harris. Kamala Harris admits she would deny religious exemptions for abortions forcing Christians to kill unborn children and seemingly doubling down on weaponizing the government to jail pro-lifers who pray outside abortion facilities, the group stated. Home News Dallas Jenkins on bringing the Gospel to mainstream audiences through The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Its a classic tale familiar to generations: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Barbara Robinson's story of the ragtag Herdman children whose disruptive antics somehow evolve into the most memorable Christmas pageant the town has ever seen. Known for its humor, charm and overt Gospel message, the book, written in 1972, has been read aloud in classrooms and adapted for the stage in theaters worldwide. But for Dallas Jenkins, creator of The Chosen, this wasnt just a family favorite. It was a story he felt compelled to bring to the big screen one he waited 20 years to make. After reading the story with his children, Jenkins was struck by the books portrayal of the Nativity story as a clear Jesus message yet with such mainstream charm and subtlety that it reached into hearts without overt preaching. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe When I got to the end, Jenkins said, I was weeping. [My wife] Amanda had to take over reading to the kids because we were both getting so emotional. After that reading, Jenkins felt an unshakeable calling to turn The Best Christmas Pageant Ever into a film. Yet, for years, his requests to acquire the rights were repeatedly denied as studios lined up their own productions. But Jenkins persisted, contacting the rights holder periodically. Finally, a stroke of fate brought an unexpected twist: the rights became available just as Jenkins was making waves with The Chosen, his hit series chronicling the life of Jesus and His followers. The producers mother had recently watched 'The Chosen' and told him, You better let him do this book. At that moment, Jenkins' 20-year vision was set in motion. Hitting theaters Nov. 8, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever stars Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, Lauren Graham and several of The Chosen cast members and follows six misfit children who volunteer to star in their town's Sunday school Christmas pageant and end up teaching the town the true meaning of Christmas. Transitioning from the historical narrative of The Chosen to a comedy like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever was, as Jenkins acknowledges, a tonal shift, but one rooted in similar themes. While The Chosen brings a reverent and often intense approach to the Gospels, Jenkins found ways to inject humor into even its most serious scenes. In The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the dynamic flips: comedy takes center stage, but with poignant moments that ground the story in humanity and faith. Jenkins told CP that both cinematic endeavors work as vehicles for a deeper message: connecting with the life of Jesus in ways that feel real, breathing and authentic. The comedic surface of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever allows audiences to relax, but then, as Jenkins said, the emotions hit hard, mirroring the simple, yet powerful impact of the original book. One memorable scene in the film highlights Grace Bradley, played by Greer, who observes, Jesus was born for the Herdmans as much as he was for us. Jenkins told CP this line represented the Gospel distilled a universal message that didnt require forceful delivery to resonate. It doesn't feel like some cheesy Christian message that we crowbarred into a normal movie, and it just stands out, and you're like, oh, great, here's the part where you preach at me, he said. I mean, it's Judy Greer, who's a great actress, delivering this line in a movie where it feels like a natural extension of the story. And I think that's why so many people who've seen it already, who aren't traditional churchgoers or believers the message of the movie, the message of the Gospel, feels natural and normal in this mainstream Christmas comedy. The Herdmans the infamous gang of unruly, underprivileged children bring unexpected depth to the film's portrayal of the Christmas story. By casting these rough-around-the-edges children as Mary, Joseph, the wise men and the angel, Jenkins hopes audiences reconsider the traditional narratives they might have taken for granted. These poverty-stricken, outsider-status kids are playing the parts of Mary and Joseph and the wise men and the angel of the Lord seem like the unlikeliest people who could play these roles, he said. They seem the most underqualified. Well, you remember that throughout the Bible, the people who were chosen to do God's work were often also underqualified [] and that includes Mary and Joseph [] They were outsiders, they were in poverty, and they were unlikely choices for delivering the greatest story ever told and the greatest delivery ever given to the world. Not only are the Herdmans the unlikely choice, but they're actually, at the end of the story, I think, the obvious choice, the best choice, and they bring something to the story that we, as Americans in our suburban environment, might not always understand or might take for granted. Jenkins also sees the Herdmans journey as an important lesson for the Church today: Maybe we are to look beneath the surface of these kids, or even adults that we sometimes judge or we assume we understand, or we can reject because they're mean, maybe we need to just look under the surface, understand the why of how they got here, and that they need Jesus as much as we do. And that also, we need the story of Jesus as much as they do as well, even though we've heard it. The films release marks a redemptive chapter for Jenkins after the disappointment of his 2017 film The Resurrection of Gavin Stone. The films lack of commercial success brought Jenkins to a point of surrender, willing to give up his filmmaking ambitions in exchange for a spiritual purpose. I was truly willing to give everything up, Jenkins shared, noting that since that experience, his focus has shifted from personal success to a deep commitment to his faith and craft. His dedication has paid off, yet Jenkins remains steadfast in his priorities. The multiplication of the loaves and fish is not up to me. Im only responsible for the five loaves and two fish that I can provide. What happens after that is in Gods hands. As the holiday season approaches, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is set to hit theaters, promising a Christmas tale as accessible to families as it is meaningful to believers. I hope audiences laugh, cry and leave with a renewed sense of the Christmas storys simplicity and depth, Jenkins said. When God calls you or rebukes you or heals you, just like in the in the show The Chosen, He does it specific to you. He wants a relationship with you specifically. He is an intimate God. And so you, I think you see that in 'The Chosen.' I think you're going to see that in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. He is a God of intimacy, and He knows the specific hearts of everyone that He is trying to reach. Home News 'Evangelicals for Harris' claims Franklin Graham lawyers attempting to remove ads from social media The political action committee Evangelicals for Harris claimed that lawyers associated with evangelist Franklin Graham have been attempting to get their ads featuring his father removed from social media. "Knowing he'll lose in court, [Franklin Graham's] lawyers are now sending repeat letters to trigger automatic blocks on our accounts. He's fear [sic] Christians sharing the truth. But we keep winning," the Evangelicals for Harris X accounted tweeted Friday. The PAC also claimed that Meta, formerly known as Facebook, restored their page on the platform after it was disabled amid intellectual property reports. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Knowing he'll lose in court, @Franklin_Graham lawyers are now sending repeat letters to trigger automatic blocks on our accounts. He's fear Christians sharing the truth. But we keep winning: "I understand that you recently had your Page disabled due to one or more intellectual pic.twitter.com/7Kv9JjW5bY Evangelicals For Harris (@Evangels4Harris) November 1, 2024 Last month, legal counsel for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association sent a cease-and-desist letter to Evangelicals for Harris after they rolled out a $1 million ad campaign in September using footage of the late Rev. Billy Graham to attack former President Donald Trump. The ads feature clips from historic Graham sermons intercut with clips from Trump to suggest that the former president falls short of Graham's Gospel message. A spokesperson for BGEA told The Christian Post at the time that the Charlotte, North Carolina-based nonprofit generally avoids commenting on current or potential disputes but confirmed that Evangelicals for Harris had been notified of alleged copyright infringement. "We have communicated directly to this group our concerns about the unauthorized, political use of BGEA's copyrighted video, and we will continue taking appropriate steps to address the matter," the spokesperson said. The BGEA spokesperson suggested that Graham himself, who expressed regret for getting too close to some politicians, would have taken umbrage at his sermons being used to promote any political candidate. "It may be worth noting that, in all of his years of ministry and across relationships with 11 U.S. presidents, Billy Graham sought only to encourage them and to offer them the counsel of Christ, as revealed through God's Word," the spokesperson said. "He never criticized presidents publicly and would undoubtedly refuse to let his sermons be used to do so, regardless of who is involved." In response to the letter, Evangelicals for Harris released a formal legal response claiming that "limited use of Billy Grahams speech falls squarely within the fair use protections afforded by Section 107 of the Copyright Act." The Graham family has become a recurring theme regarding Evangelicals for Harris, with Franklin Graham's niece, Jerushah Duford, delivering messages in support of the PAC and endorsing Harris while publicly attacking her uncle. Duford, whose mother is Billy Graham's eldest daughter, recently penned an op-ed in Newsweek endorsing Harris and claiming Trump is "a megalomaniac." The Christian Post has reached out to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for comment about the most recent claim from Evangelicals for Harris and will update this story if they respond. Customers dine at B44 Catalan Bistro in San Francisco in 2020. It and sibling restaurant Cafe Bastille closed in October. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle The following is a list of notable Bay Area restaurants that closed in October. For a list of September closings, click here. Two former San Francisco hot spots for European fare have closed. SFGATE reported that French restaurant Cafe Bastille and Spanish restaurant B44 Catalan Bistro, both located in the Belden Place alley known for al fresco dining, have closed. (The Chronicle and SFGATE are both owned by Hearst but operate separate newsrooms.) The restaurants manager, Sabina Antonova, told the outlet that a lack of foot traffic and declining lunch crowds had made operating the restaurant challenging. EL Cerritos Cafe9Ine, a local favorite for coffee, sandwiches and breakfast burritos, is now closed. Chef-owner Merceda Crosby announced the closing of her strip mall cafe through an Instagram post citing high food and labor costs. Watching this dream end is profoundly difficult, and I am incredibly grateful to each of you who have been part of this experience, the post reads. Crosby is currently crowdfunding in an effort to move on without any business debt. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A bowl of ramen at Orenchi, as photographed in 2014. The Santa Clara restaurant is now closed. John Storey/Special to The Chronicle Orenchi Ramen, a Santa Clara stop for bowls of brothy noodles, has permanently closed after 17 years. The business announced the closing on Instagram, but did not cite any specific reasons. The restaurant was known for its tonkotsu ramen, but also served tan tan noodles and vegan ramen bowls. An Orenchi location in Los Altos still remains in service. Downtown San Francisco top sandwich stop Aurora Centro is now closed. Owner Dario Barbone previously told the Chronicle his lease at Salesforce Tower, part of the citys Vacant to Vibrant program, was ending on Oct. 31. Aurora Centro offered sandwiches stuffed with mortadella and other fillings on baguettes from Midwife and the Baker. Barbone will soon open a new restaurant, Studio Aurora, in the Mission District. Staff cook quesabirrias at El Garage in Richmond. The breakout Mexican restaurant is now closed. Kelsey McClellan/Special to The Chronicle Birria sensation El Garage in Richmond closed after years of serving juicy, beefy tacos and gooey, cheesy quesatacos. In an Instagram message, the family-operated restaurant announced operations had become unsustainable. El Garage was a hit among the Chronicles restaurant critics for both its birria tacos and potato tacos. With the restaurant closed, El Garage is now hosting popups and is also catering events. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ice cream lovers wont be able to get their fix at the original Humphry Slocombe location in San Francisco anymore. The Bay Area chain closed its original shop at 2790 Harrison St. in the Mission District on Oct. 30. The location launched in 2008 with creative flavors, most notably its Secret Breakfast made with cornflake cookies and bourbon. Nine other Bay Area locations remain. Customers sit inside the main dining room at Mourad in San Francisco. The acclaimed restaurant is now closed. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to The Chronicle San Franciscos acclaimed Moroccan fine dining restaurant Mourad served its last diners on Oct. 26. Court records show the restaurant had not paid $63,000 in back taxes and racked up $25,000 in penalties. Owner Mourad Lahlou first announced the closing on Instagram, simply citing a bitter dispute with the city, and thanked customers for their support. One of Napa Valleys most prolific catering companies is now closed. Elaine Bell told the Chronicle her company, Elaine Bell Catering, closed so she can retire. The Culinary Institute of America alumna ended all operations on Oct. 31, laying off 164 staff members across its kitchen and administrative staff. The company was the go-to for weddings in Wine Country. Home News Charles Goff, former Texas megachurch youth leader, arrested after confessing attraction to child porn Charles Goff, a former volunteer youth leader at Beltway Park Church, a Baptist Evangelical multi-site megachurch in Abilene, Texas, who admitted to struggling with pornographic videos of teenage girls, has been arrested and charged Wednesday with possession of child pornography. Court documents cited by KTXS 12 said Goff, 24, confessed to a church member that he particularly struggled with pornographic videos of 14- to 15-year-old girls and the police were called in. When detectives interviewed Goff, he allegedly told them he had been asking teenage girls for nude pictures on various social media platforms. Three pornographic videos of young girls were later discovered on Goff's phone, and he was booked into the Taylor County Jail with a $100,000 bond. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe David McQueen, the churchs lead pastor, subsequently released a statement Wednesday noting that the church is cooperating fully with the investigation and noted that Goff had passed multiple background checks. McQueen said Goffs confession about his struggles with underage teen porn was made in June, and they had been working with law enforcement since then. In June 2024, we were made aware that a former volunteer with our youth ministry confessed to soliciting inappropriate photos and videos of minors online. Upon receiving this report, we immediately notified the proper authorities. We have and will continue to cooperate fully with the investigation, McQueen said. Although we do not know all the specific details about which charges have been filed or the findings of the authorities, here is what we know: This former volunteer had been a youth volunteer in our church for approximately three years, until this past summer. As part of our normal safety protocols, this individual passed a background check before he was an active volunteer in 2022 and then again as part of our standard volunteer protocol in 2024, McQueen explained. He further noted that prior to Goffs confession in June, he had been in good standing at the church and there were no complaints about him. We currently have no indication that any minors from our church were involved in any inappropriate activity with this former volunteer. If you have information that would help the authorities in their investigation or any questions about their findings, we encourage you to contact the Abilene Police Department at 325-673-8331, McQueen said. We remain committed to doing everything in our power to support the ongoing investigation. We have tremendous grief for any children in any location who may be proven to have been harmed by this persons actions. In Barnas recently released research report, Beyond the Porn Phenomenon, produced in partnership with Pure Desire Ministries, a majority of practicing Christians, including pastors, admitted to viewing pornography and a large share say they are comfortable with the habit. Researchers found that pornography use is so prevalent among all demographics and the gap in use among Christians and non-Christians, as well as men and women, has grown narrower over the last eight years. While many churches may not be running specific programs to help porn users, 75% of U.S. pastors said they are individually ministering to those who struggle with porn. They reported that half of those who've sought help from them, 51%, are married men. Some 67% of pastors also reported having a personal history of porn use, with 18% saying their struggle with porn is current. An overwhelming majority of pastors or 86%, also believe that porn use is common among Christian pastors. Almost 90% of youth leaders said they wish parents would talk to their teenagers about sexual health and behaviors, but 70% of them say they believe friends and social media have the biggest influence on what young people learn about sex today. The researchers noted that the study presented a series of conflicts. More porn than ever, but fewer come across it unintentionally; more disapproval of porn generally, but less discomfort with its presence personally; more usage, but less acceptance. These contradictions highlight the intricate dance among societal norms, personal behaviors, and moral judgments. But what can be done to reconcile them? Perhaps an analogy to junk food offers some insight, they noted. It added, ... the allure of porn, combined with societal permissiveness and accessibility, can lead individuals to engage in behavior they know to be unwise. Recognizing this complexity underscores the need for nuanced discussions and solutions regarding pornography, conversations that acknowledge both its potential harms and the realities of human behavior. Home News Town ordering man to remove 'offensive' Halloween display, bloody handprints at daycare spark debates A mothers concerns about bloody handprints at her childs daycare and a town ordering a man to remove a Halloween display deemed too offensive have sparked debates worldwide about whether some scary Halloween decorations go too far. North Carolina resident Scott Feaver has hung a fake body from a tree as part of his haunted Halloween decor for the last three years, but town officials recently ordered its removal for the first time because of its location. Feaver creates the fake body by stuffing and painting a tarp that he then wraps in large chains and hangs with a rope from a tree. The town of Wake Forest ordered him to remove the Halloween decoration this year after receiving multiple complaints. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe On Monday, Oct. 28, we received complaints about an offensive Halloween decoration suspended from a tree in front of a residence, the Town of Wake Forest said in a statement to The Christian Post. Town staff investigated and determined that the homeowner hung the decoration, not from a tree on his private property, but from a street tree on town property. The town informed Feaver that the mummy was on public property and he had until 3 p.m. on Tuesday to remove it, according to the statement. After the man claimed he couldn't remove the decoration from the tree by that deadline, the town removed it for him and left the mummy on his porch. Feaver has since rehung the decoration from a tree on his private property, CBS 17 reported. According to Feaver, the inspiration for the mummy came from the cover of a 1995 Sonia Dada album titled A Day At The Beach, which shows a body wrapped in a tarp and chains being thrown from a bridge. Some residents, however, felt a chained-up mummy hanging from its feet by a rope was "too over the top. According to WRAL, one person who filed a complaint called it offensive. Whether you're hung by your neck or hung by your feet, what's the difference?" a resident said. "It's still offensive." Feaver disagreed with the accusations, arguing that he had set up the same display for years without issue and that people usually ask for pictures of his decorations. "As residents of the Wake Forest historic district since 2013, and participating in Halloween every year since then, we were disappointed to learn our decorations offended someone, he said in a statement to WRAL. Another controversial Halloween display involved a Melbourne mom concerned about a KinderCare class for 3-year-olds decorating a window with bloody handprints. The Australian website Kidspot shared the story, including an example photo of what the mother might have seen at her child's daycare center. In a Facebook group, the mother said the bloodied handprints adorning the windows belonged to children in the class. The mother noticed that it looked as if someone had dragged their hands down the glass, which suggested some sort of suffering. "I get they want to get into the spirit (again no pun intended) of things, the mother wrote. But there are plenty of other decoration ideas they can resort to that doesn't portray some sort of child harm. "Not to mention this can be triggering to people to have lived through trauma or abuse, she added. One woman who sided with the mother warned that parents shouldn't dismiss certain parts of Halloween as just being a bit of fun and should be mindful to protect their children. "The parents being killed in kids' movies, the dark nursery rhymes, this Halloween ... there is so so much we need to rethink from the way we are all indoctrinated to take part and [normalize] many warped things, she wrote. Others, however, didn't see the bloody handprints as problematic, with one person saying that children will likely see far worse when they go out trick or treating. One woman seemed to find the discussion ridiculous, dismissing the idea that the decoration would harm children because its only paint. "Many shops have far worse, the woman wrote. Stop hiding your children and teach them fake fun from real-life and they won't get [traumatized] by it." Another commentator who sided with the KinderCare mom said she should speak out about the bloody handprints in case the center decides to do something bigger and scarier next year. The commentator also questioned why anyone would think Halloween is appropriate for children, citing the tradition of taking candy from strangers. Home News Tucker Carlson claims 'physically mauled' by demon while at Fox News 'Ephesians 6 is real,' Carlson tells CP Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson confirmed to The Christian Post that he believes he was attacked by a demonic spirit in his bed while he was still employed at the network. "Ephesians 6 is real," Carlson told The Christian Post, referencing the chapter in the New Testament that teaches mankind is engaged in warfare "against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Carlson also told CP that the alleged demonic attack that left him bloodied took place on Feb. 20, 2023, two months before he was unceremoniously fired from Fox News, though he added that God "wins in the end." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe In a clip posted by the Christianities? YouTube channel, footage of Carlson went viral on X Thursday, during which he claimed he had "a direct experience" with supernatural evil. .@TuckerCarlson: 'I Was Mauled By A Demon!' Clip from my upcoming doc @ChristianitiesXpic.twitter.com/tyrK4sw3Hs Scooter Downey ?? ???????? (@scooter_downey) October 31, 2024 After First Things Foundation director John Heers asked if "the presence of evil is kickstarting people to wonder about the good," Carlson replied, "Thats what happened to me." Carlson claimed that he was attacked in his bed at night by what he assumed was a demonic entity. "I got attacked while I was asleep with my wife and four dogs and mauled, physically mauled," he said. "In a spiritual attack by a demon?" Heers asked. "Yeah, by a demon," Carlson replied. "Or by something unseen that left claw marks on my sides." Carlson said after he inspected his body following the attack, he "had four claw marks on either side underneath my arms and on my left shoulder, and theyre bleeding." Carlson said the physical marks from the attack remain, and that it pressed him to read the Bible. When asked if he believes God allowed the demonic attack, Carlson said, "I have no idea what happened. No one has to believe me, I dont care, but that happened to me." Carlson also noted that he called an Evangelical friend after the incident, who explained to him that such incidents can occur. "That happens, people are attacked in their bed by demons," Carlson's friend told him, to which he replied, "What are you even talking about?" Since his ouster from Fox News, Carlson has been outspoken about what he claims is the spiritual nature of the battle afflicting the country. "This is not flesh and blood at all," he told an audience last March in Fort Worth, Texas. Carlson's claims about his demonic attack come weeks after former Fox News host Glenn Beck torched Fox News as a source of spiritual evil during a conversation with Carlson in Salt Lake City, Utah. Three months after Carlson was fired, Beck exposed that the Fox Corporation was willing to match employee donations to The Satanic Temple, though the company pulled the tax-exempt organization from their giving portal after The Blaze broke the story. ????BREAKING UPDATE???? Fox News is no longer matching potential employee donations to the Satanic Temple following our exclusive story exposing their support for far-left charities. #DumpFoxpic.twitter.com/Z7PpuTCjlH TheBlaze (@theblaze) July 24, 2023 A source with knowledge told Vanity Fair that former Fox Corporation Co-Chair Rupert Murdoch was especially upset by Carlson's speech at the Heritage Foundation's 50th anniversary gala just three days before he was fired, during which he presented the nation's political battles in spiritual terms of good versus evil. Murdoch, who reportedly broke off his engagement with his fiance shortly after she called Carlson "a messenger from God," found Carlson's speech "too extreme," according to the source. Heated Abortion Debate Among Christians, UMC Launches LGBT Heritage Project, Spains Devastating Floods link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:23 07:23 Top headlines for Friday, November 1, 2024 In this episode, we examine the heated debate sparked by Pastor Mark Driscoll's controversial statement on pro-choice Christians and Heaven, and hear a contrasting perspective from Pastor Dwight McKissic. We also cover the devastating floods in Valencia, Spain, and how the local Evangelical community is calling for global prayer and support. Furthermore, we explore the United Methodist Church's progressive step in establishing a resource center at Drew University dedicated to the experiences of LGBT-identified Methodists. Lastly, we confront the startling statistics surrounding pornography consumption among practicing Christians, including pastors, and the broader implications on faith and personal values. ?Follow Us on Social Media ?Get the Edifi App ?Subscribe to Our Newsletter ?Links to the News Home Opinion Next Tuesday's election will mark major fork in road on this issue Next Tuesday Americans will make a fateful decision about the future direction of our country as we cast our ballots for president, 435 congressmen, and approximately a third of the U.S. Senate. Every indication is that it will be a close election reflecting the evenly divided electorate at the national level. We, as a country, are deeply divided at this moment in our history on many issues. However, I want to focus on the one issue I believe is paramount in this electionthe sanctity of human life. Few issues so deeply divide our society. Next Tuesday will mark a major fork in the road on this issue. If Vice President Harris wins, she is committed to what she and her supporters call reproductive freedom, which is a euphemism for unrestricted abortion in all 50 states for all nine months of pregnancy with no restrictions based on gestational age on the unborn baby. In other words, abortion up to full-term birth. Currently, nine American states and the District of Columbia already have such laws in place (Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont). Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe A Harris Administration will pursue such radical policies on a national level and Vice President Harris has said she would even oppose exemptions for religious conscience for doctors and nurses who had religious convictions that would prevent them from performing abortions. A Trump Administration has indicated that they would leave the issue of abortion largely up to the voters and legislators of each stateinadequate but better than the alternative. At least Trump will generally nominate judges and justices more in sync with the pro-life cause, not to mention more pro-life Justice and Health, Education, and Welfare officials. As has often been observed, politics is downstream from culture and culture is downstream from religion. The pro-life cause must not weary in welldoing. The pro-abortion movement has been the great threat to our culture since slavery. Just as the pro-slavery movement denied the humanity of the slaves, the pro-abortion movement denies the humanity of our unborn citizens. In addition to the deaths of tens of millions of our unborn babies, the pro-abortion movement has spawned a culture or cult of death expanding like a deadly virus from the delivery room to the intensive care unit to assisted living facilities. Just as the anti-slavery movement engaged in a titanic struggle for the hearts and minds of their fellow countrymen, we must do everything we can to dramatize the humanity of our unborn countrymen. Before the Civil War, Harriett Beecher Stowe wrote the novel Uncle Toms Cabin, which became a runaway bestseller dramatizing the plight of slaves. Later when President Lincoln met Ms. Stowe, he reportedly said, So this is the little lady who started the great war. We in the pro-life movement are engaged in a life-and-death struggle to save unborn babies and to rescue our nation from becoming a country given over to child sacrifice. Make no mistake about itAmerica will not remain where she is on the issue of abortion. We will either get much worse or much better, depending on who wins the struggle for hearts and souls. Right now we are one of the most pro-abortive countries in the world, with several of our states (as noted earlier) as pro-abortion as any country on earth. As a Christian, I am aware that God forbade child sacrifice in the Old Testament (Lev. 13:21; 20:2-5; Deut. 12:31; 18:10; 2 Kings 16:3, 17:17, 31; 21:6; Jer. 7:31; 19:5) and severely judged and punished His chosen people whenever they followed their pagan, idolatrous neighbors in engaging in this heinous practice. Do not think that God will not punish us as a nation ever more severely if we allow this abomination of abortion on demand to continue and expand. Do we not realize how far we have already fallen? In the providence of God, I had the great blessing of being raised in a devout Christian home. Both of my parents were Sunday School teachers. Every Sunday after church, we went home for our Sunday meal. As we ate dinner, my parents would ask my younger brother and me about the Sunday School lesson that day. Whether we received our portion of dessert depended on whether we answered their questions correctly. I will never forget one particular Sunday (it must have been about 1958, judging by how old my younger brother, who was born in 1950, appears in this memory). I would have been twelve. I didnt even wait to be asked this particular Sunday. I said, Daddy, today we learned about how Gods chosen people, the Israelites, were taking their babies down into the Valley of Gehenna and sacrificing them in burnt sacrifice to the pagan God Molech! How could they do that? I asked. My dad responded, I dont know, son. Thats awful, isnt it? As we sat around our dining room table in Houston, Texas in 1958 none of us could have imagined that my brother and I would live to see approximately 70 million American babies sacrificed to the pagan gods of social convention, economic cost, or mere inconvenience since 1973. Can we not see from whence we have fallen? Next Tuesdays election will not decide this issue. But let us not fool ourselves. The president we elect will either make the struggle more difficult or less so. And God will hold each of us responsible individually and our nation responsible collectively for how we respond. Home Opinion A Christians duty this Nov. 5th A month after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, late-night comedian Bill Maher alleged on his show "Real Time" that the recent violence in Washington, D.C., was the result of magical religious thinking. The events of January 6 were a faith-based initiative, Maher said. Its because theyre religious. Theyve already made space in their heads for [expletive] that does not make sense. Although no one should expect nuanced reflections on religion from Bill Maher, his assertion that Christian nationalism motivated the Jan. 6 attack has since been repeated ad nauseam. This has contributed to a surge of discussions and publications warning about the dangers of Christian nationalism, including nearly a dozen books on the topic in the past few years. Much of the conversation about Christian nationalism turns on its hotly debated definition, and those who most frequently wield the epithet rarely bother to define it. It is notable that those who most vociferously denounce Christian nationalism often seem to be the ones intent on keeping Christian voices out of politics. When opposition to radical gender ideology and permissive abortion laws are labeled as Christian nationalist attempts to impose theocracy, it should immediately undermine the legitimacy of the critique. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Thus, although believers should avoid conflating their political identity with their Christian faith, the alarmist rhetoric around Christian nationalism ought to be seen for what it is: a scare tactic meant to silence the voices of Christians concerned about our cultures moral decline and suppress their political engagement. In short, many on the Left are attempting to cast doubt on the motives and beliefs of Christians by labeling anyone espousing conservative views (be they Christian or not) as Christian nationalists. However, Christian engagement in politics is not nefarious or subversive. Historically, Christian engagement in the public square has led to significant advancements in human flourishing. For example, Christians opposed the Roman practices of infanticide and child abandonment, advocated for the dignity of women, founded the first hospitals, opened the first universities and colleges, and worked for the abolition of slavery. There seems to be an assumption in some Christian circles that politics is inherently defiled and that political activism is inappropriate for those serious about the Gospel. This view is what theologian Wayne Grudem calls the Do Evangelism, Not Politics approach to civic engagement. Adherents of this view think Christians should focus exclusively on sharing the Gospel; because political engagement does not directly lead people to faith in Christ, they do not consider it a priority. However, a closer examination of Gods Word reveals that Scripture has much to say about civic responsibility. The Do Evangelism, Not Politics approach fails to acknowledge that Christians duty to steward the blessings and opportunities entrusted to them includes the blessing of voting. Christians living in a society that affords them the right to vote should seek to steward that vote in a way that honors God and advances the well-being of their neighbors. It is also important to remember that the Bible teaches that government is appointed by God. In Romans 13:1-7, the apostle Paul refers to the governing authorities as ministers of God, explaining they have a duty to administer civil justice. Although God is sovereign, He chooses to use human governments to carry out His will. A biblical basis for government is also found in Genesis 9, where God provides general authorization for action against murderers (Gen. 9:5-6). The Bible provides examples of faithful political engagement. For example, in the Old Testament, Joseph and Daniel both served in foreign governments and used their influence to implement policies that benefited society. In the New Testament, when Paul faced charges of sedition, he invoked his rights as a Roman citizen and appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:10). Evidently, the apostle was comfortable working within the political and legal system of his day to pursue justice against false accusations. Significantly, Paul instructs believers to pray for those in authority: First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (1 Tim. 2:1-2). As Christians, one of the most important political acts we can engage in is to pray for our leaders whose decisions can advance or inhibit our ability to lead godly and dignified lives. In a constitutional republic like the United States, the government derives its authority from the people. As Alexander Hamilton explained in Federalist Paper 22, the consent of the people is the pure original fountain of all legitimate authority. This principle is foundational to our American government and provides citizens with incredible opportunity and responsibility. Unlike many people around the world, Americans control their political future through the ballot box. Indeed, we are stewards of it, as we are stewards of everything else God has given us. Voting is also a practical way that Christians can love their neighbors. Consider two direct consequences of the upcoming presidential election. By casting a vote for president, Americans will have a direct say in who will appoint nearly 200 ambassadors and who will make hundreds of lifetime appointments to the federal judiciary. Will abortion, under the euphemism of family planning, be funded overseas by American taxpayers? Will Americas embassies be bastions of LGBT activism around the world? Will the courts be filled with activist judges who undermine First Amendment protections? The implications of these questions should compel Christians to consider what governing ideology we want to control the levers of power in our nation. Compelled by love for our neighbors and a desire to steward our God-given responsibilities, American Christians should engage in the political process. This will require grappling with the moral issues of our day, operating within the reality of Americas two-party system, and following our Christian convictions to their logical end by voting for candidates and referendums that most closely approximate biblical values. Tony Perkins is president of Family Research Council. David Closson is director of the Center for Biblical Worldview at Family Research Council. Home Opinion The problem in Pentecostal circles with spiritual declarations In recent decades, there has been a rising trend, especially within charismatic and Pentecostal circles, to emphasize the practice of making declarations and decrees. Many believe that simply speaking a word whether healing, the election of a political candidate, or even the end of a pandemic will produce immediate, visible results. The COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, saw numerous high-profile leaders decreeing an end to the virus or claiming political outcomes, only for those proclamations to go unrealized. This phenomenon invites a deeper theological examination, especially when contrasted with the biblical practice of intercession and waiting on Gods will. I believe declarations often fall short when made presumptuously without the foundational work of intercession, faith, and understanding of Gods specific will. This issue is not with declarations themselves but with the assumption that one can bypass the deeper processes of discernment and prayer. Hence, making declarations presumptuously often shortcircuits the process of Spirit-led intercessory prayer, which leads to a breakthrough. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Furthermore, some people mistakenly believe that simply because they hold the title of apostle or prophet, they possess the inherent authority to make declarations that God is bound to fulfill based on their position alone. This assumption confuses an assumed spiritual function with spiritual authority. However, God is not obligated to honor declarations made apart from His purpose, regardless of the individuals ecclesial position. The biblical basis for making declarations The idea of speaking things into existence or calling those things that are not as though they were (Romans 4:17), is frequently cited by proponents of decrees. Abraham, after all, is a model of this practice, confidently declaring that he would father a great nation. However, Abrahams confidence was not in his declarations but in a specific promise from God. God had explicitly spoken to Abraham, ensuring him that he would have a son, and this divine assurance laid the groundwork for Abrahams faith-filled words. Similarly, when Jesus cursed the fig tree (Mark 11:12-14), it was not an arbitrary act of power. Jesus often spent entire nights in prayer and operated out of deep communion with the Father. Isaiah 50:4 highlights how, morning by morning, God gave Jesus the wisdom and words needed each day. Jesus only did what He saw His Father doing (John 5:19), indicating that His actions, including the fig tree incident, flowed from an intimate knowledge of Gods will. This is an essential distinction. Declarations are effective only when aligned with Gods revealed purpose, obtained through a life of prayer and intercession. The power and process of intercession In contrast to the quick-fix approach of decrees, intercession involves a patient and often sacrificial process of seeking Gods will. It is not simply about presenting requests, but about standing in the gap, mediating between Heaven and earth, and aligning ones spirit with the Holy Spirits leading. I contend that the modern church has largely lost this art of intercession, replacing it with superficial prayer lists or quick proclamations. True intercession requires time, discernment, and the willingness to wait for a breakthrough. As we pray, the Holy Spirit often gives us insight into what God is doing and how we should pray. Romans 8:26-27 speaks to this, reminding us that the Spirit helps us in our weakness, interceding through us according to Gods will. Without this discernment, declarations can become hollow, mere words without the backing of Heavens authority. I remember that in the early 1990s, a Category 5 hurricane headed toward Puerto Rico. Sensing an urgent burden from God, our local church engaged in hours of prayer and intercession, seeking Gods purpose for the island. We felt empowered to declare that the hurricane would divert only after gaining a deep sense of faith. And indeed, the storm unexpectedly shifted course, sparing Puerto Rico. This account underscores the principle that declarations should follow intercession, not precede it. Declarations must be rooted in Gods will The core problem with many contemporary declarations is that they are based on human desires rather than divine directives. The Bible encourages believers to have faith and speak with authority (Mark 11:23-24), but Jesus teaching also emphasizes the need to believe in the heart before speaking with the mouth. Faith is not a presumptuous optimism but a confident assurance that comes from hearing Gods voice. Romans 10:17 reminds us, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Without first hearing from God, declarations become empty rhetoric. Unfortunately, many believers today want to bypass the labor of prayer and intercession, opting instead for quick declarations in hopes of immediate results. However, faith is not developed through shortcuts. The spiritual authority to declare comes after the investment of time in Gods presence, discerning His will, and allowing faith to be stirred in the heart. The importance of Spirit-induced faith At the heart of effective declarations is spirit-induced faith, a faith that arises from the Holy Spirits leading and the Word of God. It is not enough to quote Scripture or speak positively. There must be a spiritual alignment between the believers words and Gods will. This is what makes declarations powerful. When the words spoken are filled with Gods authority and backed by faith, they carry the weight of heaven. But they often produce little to no results if they are made hastily, without the groundwork of abiding in Christ, prayer, and intercession. The story of Jesus cursing the fig tree and commanding mountains to move (Mark 11:23) only makes sense in light of His constant connection to the Father. Before Jesus performed miracles or made decrees, He spent time in solitude, in prayer, and intimate fellowship with God. This model shows that spiritual authority flows from relationships, not formulaic declarations. The contrast between decrees and intercession is critical for the church today. While declarations have their place, they are not a substitute for intercessions slow, intentional work. Declarations should be based upon a Spirit-induced faith in Gods will. Without a foundation of intercession, where the believer waits on God, listens for His voice, and discerns His purposes, declarations risk being mere empty words. In an era where quick fixes and fast solutions are prized, the call to return to intercession is more relevant than ever. The Church must recover the art of waiting on God, seeking His will, and allowing spirit-induced faith to shape their declarations. Only then will the words we speak carry the authority to bring about the will of Heaven on earth. Home News Abortionist admits late-term abortions are performed during healthy pregnancies Despite the claim that late-term abortions only happen due to medical emergencies or fetal abnormalities, a longtime abortionist is making headlines for offering to help a woman seeking an abortion at eight months because of a recent breakup. Curtis Boyd, an 85-year-old abortionist who started performing abortions in the 1960s and said in 2009 that he knows abortion kills a human being, was recently at a book signing in Washington, D.C., where he offered his assistance in helping a woman seeking a late-term abortion. In his book, We Choose to: A Memoir of Providing Abortion Care Before, During, and After Roe, Boyd tells the story of operating abortion businesses alongside his wife and co-author, Glenna Halvorson-Boyd, a counselor. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Earlier this month, Students for Life Action released an undercover video of their government affairs coordinator, Savanna Deretich, seeking Boyds advice on behalf of a fictitious friend she said was eight months pregnant and considering an abortion because her boyfriend had left her. Pro-choice activists, politicians and Planned Parenthood have often claimed that late-term abortions only happen in cases where the mothers life is at risk or the parents received news about a fetal anomaly. Boyd, however, offered to help the hypothetical woman obtain a third-trimester abortion for a non-life-threatening reason. He explained that hes retired but suggested the friend contact Matthew Reeves, the chief executive officer of the DuPont Clinic, which advertises that it legally performs abortions throughout all stages of pregnancy. Boyd offered to provide Reeves contact information and said that Deretichs friend should mention his name if she wants to get good care at the facility. His wife, Glenna, also offered advice about how Deretichs friend could have a late-term abortion, noting that at eight months, an abortionist will likely question whether he or she can safely perform the abortion. As the conversation continued, the pro-life advocate made it clear that her friend wasn't seeking an abortion due to a medical issue or a fetal anomaly. Still, the couple offered advice about how the fictional woman could obtain an abortion, with Boyd eventually recommending Warren Hern in Colorado. During an interview with The Atlantic last year, Hern was direct about his willingness to perform an abortion at any stage, even if there are no health concerns, arguing that [e]very pregnancy is a health issue. When discussing limitations on abortion with Deretich, Curtis Boyd assured the undercover pro-life advocate that Hern is the one abortionist that will stretch it. Late-term abortions not only happen, but theyre also embraced by the abortion radicals active in this presidential election cycle, SFLA and SFLAction President Kristan Hawkins said in a statement shared on the organization's website. If weve learned anything in this election, its that late-term abortions are one of the goals of the Democratic Party, as they will name no limit and will embrace all deaths by intentional abortion, she added. Once again, we have proof that abortion for any reason and at any time in pregnancy is possible in America. During another part of the book signing event, a different pro-life advocate asked Boyd about the National Abortion Federations 2024 guidelines. Boyd was involved in establishing the NAF. Zach Sprouse, SFLA Virginias regional coordinator, asked Boyd why NAFs guidelines state that an ultrasound before a chemical abortion is not a requirement. Sprouse then asked if Boyd thought this was dangerous, as a woman who is about to take abortion-inducing drugs might have an undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy that requires medical attention. In response, Boyd said that abortion facility workers inform women about the potential risks beforehand and that women can call back any time for advice if they experience any medical issues. Regarding tubal pregnancies, Boyd conceded that they sometimes are dangerous, but he insisted most of them resolve and they just go. Sprouse asked another question about NAFs guidelines and why the association doesn't recommend RhoGAM shots after chemical abortions to minimize the risk of infertility for Rh-negative women. According to the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the RhoGAM shot is typically administered to pregnant women who are Rh-negative to stop their bodies from making antibodies against Rh-positive blood cells. These antibodies may cross the placenta and attack the baby's blood cells, resulting in health complications for the mother and child. Boyd, however, asserted that there is almost no risk during the early stages of pregnancy of the babys blood transferring to the mother. The National Abortion Federation did not respond to The Christian Posts request for comment. Dr. Ingrid Skop, vice president and director of medical affairs for the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute, emphasized the need to screen pregnant women for complications that can threaten their health, such as ectopic pregnancies. The abortion industrys cavalier actions in removing recommendations for ultrasound and Rh testing/RhoGAM provision prior to first-trimester medication abortion provision, based on very little evidence, demonstrates conclusively that they are willing to risk the lives and future fertility of women in their goal of readily accessible self-managed abortion, Skop stated. Skop, an OB-GYN with over 30 years of experience, warned that a ruptured ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of maternal death in the first trimester. She also cited the complications associated with Rh isoimmunization, which include brain damage and death. Injured women and children are the collateral damage those who promote abortion are willing to accept in pursuit of their ideologic goals, Skop declared. Home News At Seoul worship service, US pastor warns against moral decline, calls for revival through prayer Brian Chappell, a prominent American pastor and theologian, delivered a heartfelt message to a gathering of over 2 million Christians at a worship gathering in South Korea, highlighting the power of prayer at a time when immorality is rampant. Speaking on Reformation Sunday at a massive joint worship service in Seoul, Chappell, the stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church in America, expressed solidarity with South Korea's Christian community and shared a stark assessment of the moral decline he believes is rapidly reshaping American society. We join our hearts with yours, knowing that the blood of our Savior unites us into one family of God, Chappell began, addressing the crowd gathered both in person and online. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The 69-year-old pastor expressed gratitude for the prayers of South Korean believers, framing his message as a call for revival and repentance. Chappell warned that in the U.S., secularization has led to a loss of our youth, disrespect for biblical marriage, breakdown of our families, and the polarization of our people along political lines. We confess that the American church has been affected by the moral decline of our secular society, he said. Chappell pointed to the erosion of biblical values as a cautionary tale for Korean Christians. We have been humbled by how quickly and deeply immorality has spread, he said, emphasizing that these changes have led to a visible decline in family structures and the Churchs influence on young people. The pastor called on the Korean church to resist similar changes by staying true to traditional teachings on marriage, family and faith. Now we require the reviving work of the Holy Spirit. So we claim the promise of Scripture, he declared. Chappell expressed hope for spiritual renewal, pointing to the biblical promise that if we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, then He will lift us up. This verse, from 1 Peter 5:6, framed his appeal for a revival grounded in humility and commitment to Gods design. We do not claim that we deserve this blessing, he said. Still, we glorify God because He sent Jesus to lift His people from the guilt and power of sin. Chappell added that Christians could only experience Gods love when they live according to His design. The pastor went on to pray for a fresh anointing of commitment to biblical principles in Korea, hoping that their example might ignite a similar flame in the U.S. and beyond. Chappells message culminated in a passionate call to prayer, underscoring what he described as the transformative power of faithful intercession. May the world know Gods true love by the prayers that you offer this day, he prayed. We pray that the Holy Spirit will light a flame of faithfulness in your nation today. In urging Korean Christians to hold fast to their values, Chappell reflected on the October prayer movement of 1989 in Leipzig, Germany. He recounted how thousands of Christians gathered at St. Nicholas Church to protest the oppressive Communist regime. Despite government intimidation, these prayer gatherings sparked a movement that, within a month, contributed to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Reflecting on the power of prayer, Chappell quoted a former Communist official who later admitted, We were prepared to fight against guns and bombs, but we were not prepared to resist hymns and prayers. Chappell reminded the Korean church of prayers potential to shape society, likening their commitment to faithfulness today to the Leipzig Christians commitment decades ago. Do not fear, he urged. Pray, knowing that prayer is the power of the Church. He assured the audience that through prayer, the flame of Korean faithfulness could become a fire of faith across all nations. As the worship service concluded, Chappell challenged listeners to combat moral decline through prayer and steadfast faith. So pray in the name of Jesus Christ, then His Kingdom will come and His will shall be done, reflecting his hope that the faith of those in attendance would inspire a global movement. Home News 'It's all God': Couple who survived Hurricane Helene by floating on couch praise the Lord A North Carolina couple who survived Hurricane Helene by using their couch as a flotation device thanked God for protecting them and revealed how their faith has buoyed them amid the aftermath of the disaster that ravaged their community. In September, the hurricane made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region before sweeping through Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia and Tennessee. Helene, which initially made landfall as a Category 4 storm, brought catastrophic devastation to communities in various states. Howard Ray and his wife, Lisa, are amazed they survived after floodwaters swept through Pensacola and swamped into the trailer while they were inside. Yet they believe God enabled them to escape. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe I just want people to understand that you cant give up; youve got to push no matter what, Howard told Queen City News. I dont understand. We shouldnt be alive; theres no way, its all God. Queen City News also shared a short video clip Lisa took with her phone of the now barren property where their home used to stand. When the water started filling the trailer with the couple still inside, Lisa thought they were going to die. The trailer started filling up, and its like, its like [God] opened a piece up and I just had to sit down on that couch, and we floated out, she said. As the water dragged the pair along the Cane River, they held onto the couch like a flotation device. The water line at this point was at least 25 to 30 feet above average, but the couple held onto their makeshift raft. While she was still on the couch, I remember just holding onto her, Howard recalled. And I remember her saying, Were going to drown. And I was like, No, if were going to drown, were going to drown together.' Howard remembered floating on the couch for 400 yards before he told his wife to jump. After hearing her husbands instruction, Lisa grabbed a barbed wire fence and used it to pull herself up. The sharp wire cut her hand, but they still used it as a lifeline, eventually taking shelter in a garage. Lisa and her husband remained in the garage for a few hours and waited for the water to subside. Howard, a lieutenant with the Pensacola Volunteer Fire Department, eventually returned to Pensacola to see how he could help. I walked back to Pensacola to go help my boys because I aint leaving my boys no matter how much Im hurting, he recalled. Lisa was later hospitalized due to the cuts on her left hand, and the couple continues to heal from other wounds as a result of the disaster. During her hospital stay, Lisa learned that her friend, Michelle Quintero, who worked as a captain with the Madison County Sheriffs Office, had died in the floods. I just collapsed, Lisa recalled. She was a good person; shes a great mother. She had one grandbaby and one grandbaby on the way. Due to the flooding, Lisa and Howard lost their home and their cars. In the aftermath, they're working hard to get back on their feet. Despite what they've endured, however, the couple hasn't lost faith in the God Who rescued and provided for them in their time of need. Pleasant Valley Baptist Church is using donations from a disaster relief fund to pay for the couple's stay at an Airbnb for the next year, Queen City News reported. Two days after the storm, they were reunited with their dog, Saddi, who had been waiting for them next to the Jeep where their house used to stand. While Lisa knows they're still alive because God has a purpose, she admitted that she is unsure of what it is. Her husband believes God saved them because of what they're doing now shows people that there is a God. I know I might have lost everything but that doesnt mean that I stop and that Ive got to quit and just give up, Howard said. Thats not who I am. Last week, The Christian Post interviewed a Christian chaplain with Cajun Navy 2016 assisting with the relief efforts in western North Carolina. The nonprofit, also known as Pinnacle Search & Rescue, is among several organizations that descended on devastated areas. Chaplain Mitch Collier was critical of the federal response to the hurricane, claiming that the Federal Emergency Management Agency was especially slow to respond to the area. Collier, who has helped with relief efforts in almost every major storm in the United States since 2017, counted the destruction he witnessed due to Helene as the worst he has ever seen. "It's been tough," Collier said. "Luckily, I have the strength of the Lord in me, because some people wouldn't be able to handle the things we've seen, some of the things we went through, some of the devastation that we looked at while trying to help people." "God is good. God sent us up here. I found some people that God steered me to. One man told me that I saved his life. I said, 'God saved your life.'" The dining room at Jo's Modern Thai in Oakland. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle One of the Bay Areas top Thai restaurants is in turmoil and remains temporarily closed after its acclaimed chef abruptly resigned and a group of former employees spoke out about working conditions in a scathing public letter. Intu-on Kornnawong, who was a semifinalist for the James Beard award for best chef in California last year and is known for her punchy, California-inflected Thai food, announced in a brief Instagram post last week that she was no longer working at Jos Modern Thai in Oakland. In an interview, she said that she and owner Kao Saelee had different directions for the vision of the restaurant. We had a multitude of differences but mostly didnt see eye to eye on the communication and treatment of our staff, which ultimately led to my departure, she said in a statement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But the letter, backed by a group of 14 former Jos Modern Thai workers and published this week anonymously, describes a restaurant in disarray. They allege issues, as first reported by East Bay Nosh, including understaffing, high turnover, poor communication and the owners failure to support an exceptional staff until they reached their breaking point. This prompted several workers to leave; now, about half of them remain, according to Saelee. The restaurant industry is notoriously rife with problems, from wage theft to long hours. Former Jos employees said the recent events at Jo's are commonplace. What's unusual, however, is so many workers banding together to talk about them publicly. We do not write this letter seeking pity, as unfair labor practices in service are the norm, the grievances we air are a dime a dozen for the restaurant industry, the letter reads. The restaurant industry has historically been extremely under-represented, well known for intense and poor conditions with few to no unions. Chef Intu-On Kornnawong (right) cooks during one of her popups in 2020. She recently left Jo's Modern Thai in Oakland. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Saelee declined an interview request. In an email, he wrote: I care deeply for my team and have always tried to go above and beyond to make Jos a place where our employees feel valued. Running a restaurant, especially here in Oakland, isnt without its challenges, and Ive put everything I have into this business. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Saelee, a second-generation restaurant owner, opened Jos Modern Thai with Kornnawong as chef-partner in 2021. Kornnawong had previously cooked at Michelin-starred San Francisco Thai restaurant Kin Khao and drew a following at her popular Isaan Thai pop-up Intu-on. The employee letter blames Saelee for the state of the business. They wrote that they stand by Kornnawong, who they said consistently advocated for her staff and she was always met with opposition from Kao. Saelee declined to comment on this allegation and did not respond to questions about how he may have responded to any previous staff concerns. He said Jos biggest labor challenge was having a mostly part-time staff. On Oct. 22, Jos suddenly announced that it was closed temporarily, writing on Instagram that the restaurant would be shuttered for two weeks due to unforeseen circumstances and to complete important upgrades to our space. Several days before, front-of-house staff were notified in a message sent through their scheduling app that the restaurants last day of service would be Oct. 27, and that it was moving into an exciting new chapter, according to a screenshot included in the open letter. Employees were unsure if this meant that would be their last day, or whether Jos was closing permanently, according to the letter. The message asked workers to submit resumes and reapply if they wanted to continue their employment. While this marks the end of one phase, its also the beginning of a transformation, the message reads. This sparked confusion and unease among front-of-house staff, according to the letter. On Oct. 19, workers reached their breaking point during what they said was an inadequately staffed Saturday night service so much so that Jos shut down early at 7 p.m. The next day, the restaurant didnt open and Kornnawong resigned. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The squid salad with a sesame shrimp cracker at Jo's Modern Thai in Oakland. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Saelee wrote in an email to the Chronicle he decided to temporarily close Jos to make changes to ensure we deliver the high standard of service our customers expect from us. Sous chef Claire McCann, who started at Jos when it opened as a line cook, gave notice after the recent events. She said she supported the public letter as a signal to restaurant owners that to create relationships with the people that work hard at your business is really important and to see them as people. Over the last decade or two, things have slowly been changing as far as hours and working conditions and hierarchy and how employees are treated, she said of the dining industry. I want that to continue. Kornnawong said she plans to take a break, then work to open her own restaurant in the Bay Area. Her vision is to serve Thai food with Japanese influences. She was also supposed to be the chef at the Peach, a new, much-delayed brunch restaurant Saelee is set to open in Oakland this month. He has said he also plans to open a Thai bar next to Jos and a taqueria in Oakland. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Home News Historic black church tied to Civil Rights Movement receives preservation award A prominent African American church in Alabama that was deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement has been honored with an award for its historic preservation. Sixteenth Street Baptist Church of Birmingham, which was the site of an infamous 1963 Ku Klux Klan bombing in which four black girls were killed, was honored by The National Trust for Historic Preservation on Monday. Specifically, the church received the Trustees Emeritus Award for Historic Site Stewardship for its successful efforts to preserve and renovate its historically significant property. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Sixteenth Street Baptist Church has successfully restored its buildings and become a shining example of preservation, cultural revitalization, and social activism, stated the National Trust. Today, the church remains committed to serving the community, as well as the more than 100,000 tourists who visit annually to tour the redesigned educational spaces and multi-media museum experiences that focus not only on the bombing and its aftermath, but also on the aesthetic significance of the church's design by African American architect W. A. Rayfield. The National Trust presented awards to other individuals and groups for their labors in preserving history. We are deeply honored to accept this recognition on behalf of the Birmingham community, said the Rev. Arthur Price Jr., pastor of Sixteenth Street Baptist, as quoted by Bham Now. Our sanctuary is a sacred space in every sense, and we are proud to continue on its legacy and history. The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium took to Facebook to celebrate the news of 16th Street Baptist Church receiving the honor. Consortium board member Ted Debro, who also serves as chair of the board of trustees for Sixteenth Street Baptist, accepted the stewardship award on behalf of the congregation. This honor celebrates the churchs steadfast role in civil rights history and the powerful legacy it upholds, the Consortium said in a statement on Tuesday. From being a beacon of resilience in the movement to a national landmark of hope and remembrance, this church continues to inspire and educate generations. A church known for coordinating civil rights work, in 1963, members of the KKK planted a bomb at the building, with the attack killing four girls: Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Addie Mae Collins. It also injured several others, including Sarah Collins Rudolph, Addies sister. It was a shocking, terrifying day in the history of Birmingham and a day that forced white leaders to further come to grips with the citys bitter racist reputation, recounted the church on its website. The tragedy of that Sunday produced outpourings of sympathy, concern and financial contributions from all parts of the world. More than $300,000 was contributed for the restoration of the damaged church. The tragedy gave international attention to the civil rights struggle and became a rallying point for many activists in the United States. The church reopened for worship on June 7, 1964. Last September, the city of Birmingham and the church held a series of events to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the tragedy, with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first black woman to sit on the nations highest court, giving a speech. Home News Generation Indoctrination podcast explores nightmare impact of gender ideology on families In a new episode of the "Generation Indoctrination" podcast, The Christian Post's Brandon Showalter delves into the experiences of families impacted by gender ideology, focusing on parents navigating the challenges and seeking support for what many describe as "the worst nightmare" of their lives. The episode, titled Whats Being Done to Help Families Harmed, Obliterated by Gender Ideology, reveals what many parents characterize as otherworldly anguish as they attempt to navigate a landscape of affirming healthcare systems and school policies that bypass parental rights. One mother, Amy Kreit, recounted her journey in the episode, recalling her shock when her teenage daughter began identifying as trans. I remember being up in her room and she said, Im trans, and I need a new name, Kreit said. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Soon after, Kreit received a text from her pharmacy, notifying her that a testosterone prescription was ready for pickup. There was no psychological evaluation, nothing, Kreit said, highlighting the ease with which her daughter accessed cross-sex hormones without parental consent. Where does our species go if you can cut off your body parts like this? Kreits story is featured in the independent 2022 documentary Dead Name, which examines the impact of gender transitions on families. In Generation Indoctrination, Kreit described the experience as guttural suffering and expressed her determination to speak out, hoping her story might encourage other parents to voice their concerns despite societal pressures. We have to get our children used to the struggle, she said. Uncomfortable feelings are part of life. The episode highlights a growing legal movement by parents challenging school district policies that allow children to "socially transition" without notifying their parents. Attorney Luke Berg, deputy counsel at the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, represented parents in the Kettle Moraine case, where school officials decided to allow students to identify as the opposite sex at school without informing their parents. A judge ruled that parents had a fundamental liberty interest in the decisions regarding care, custody and control of their children, a verdict Berg described as groundbreaking. This was an issue that many parents became interested in when they saw what was allowed to happen in schools without their knowledge or consent, Berg explained on the podcast. Its stunning as well, he added, reflecting on how the policy had effectively kept parents in the dark about their childrens gender identity in the classroom. "Generation Indoctrination" also underscores parents frustration with the mental health fields role in endorsing "gender-affirming care" for minors. Pamela Garfield Yeager, a licensed social worker and author of A Practical Guide to Gender Distress, expressed her concern that therapists were emotionally manipulating parents, encouraging a treatment path she says is often irreversible. Parents are doubting themselves because theyre getting such conflicting messages, Yeager told Showalter. But just because everyone is doing it doesnt mean its right. Concerns over gender identity and parental rights have united individuals from across the political spectrum, according to Showalter. He recalled interviewing a Connecticut mother who described her parent support group as a diverse mix of folks of every political stripe [] no one cares about politics anymore, Brandon, we just want to save our kids. In addition to providing a voice for parents, the episode highlights potential legal implications and explores the growing national attention to parental rights. Berg noted a shift in public sentiment around school policies that aim to support students gender transitions independently of parental knowledge. After we initiated that lawsuit, and it got some of the press that it did, we started getting calls from parents constantly on this issue, he said. As awareness spreads, the podcast suggests, more parents are questioning the rush toward medical transition for minors. The "Generation Indoctrination" podcast, Showalter said, brings to light the experiences of families in what has become a contentious national issue. When it comes to protecting kids from medical experimentation, all differences seem to fade away, Showalter said. Ask any parent who was unnerved by allowing their kids to undergo an experimental cocktail of drugs that may render them sterile and surgeries to remove their healthy body parts, they'll tell you that trans ideology doesn't just damage their kid's health and bodies. it fractures family bonds and shatters relationships. For those seeking further information, Dead Name can be viewed at DeadNameDocumentary.com. Home News Revival, the Great Commission, Israel, and Gaza: A Lausanne recap From the global state of the church to an analysis of the Great Commission, the Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization was a conference filled with fascinating speeches and discussions. Timothy Goropevsek, executive editor of Christian Daily International, was recently on the ground covering the event in Incheon, South Korea, and he joins "The Inside Story" to discuss what he witnessed. Plus: he addresses some of the controversies, including a debate over a speaker's comments about Israel and Gaza. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Listen to this episode to hear more and follow all of CDI's Lausanne coverage here: The Inside Story takes you behind the headlines of the biggest faith, culture, and political headlines of the week. In 15 minutes or less, Christian Post staff writers and editors will help you navigate and understand whats driving each story, the issues at play and why it all matters. Listen to more Christian podcasts today on the Edifi app and be sure to subscribe to The Inside Story on your favorite platforms: Home News Texas pastor returns to pulpit 3 months after arrest on sexual assault charges A Texas pastor is back in the pulpit just three months after surrendering to authorities on charges of sexual assault and indecent assault involving a female church member. Ronnie Goines, the lead pastor of Koinonia Christian Church in Arlington, resumed his duties during a Bible study session last Thursday night and a Sunday service, though he didn't directly address the allegations against him. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The church announced Goines' return in a promotional video posted on YouTube Thursday. This revival, Ive been praying about it, looking forward to it, for weeks, Goines said. The charges against Goines stem from incidents reported in March 2023, when a female church member alleged that he made unwanted sexual advances toward her. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the woman claimed that Goines had asked her to drive to his apartment, citing car troubles. Once there, she told authorities that he began kissing her neck, rubbing her legs, and attempting to remove her clothing, despite her objections. After the first encounter, the woman met Goines again as planned, where she alleged he repeated the unwanted advances. She reported the incidents to Arlington Police in late July, leading to Goines' arrest. Goines has denied the allegations, asserting that their interactions were consensual and that they only hugged, not kissed. His return comes days after executive pastor James Ray Taylor abruptly announced his resignation last week, a move which Taylor said was at the request of Goines and church leadership. During Sundays service, Goines expressed gratitude toward Taylor for his support during Goines' absence. "I love you, I honor you and I thank you, because for seven weeks you did what not too many people could do, Goines told Taylor during an on-stage segment. You held it down from this pulpit. At the Thursday Bible study, Pastor R.A. Vernon invited Goines to join him at the front of the congregation, demonstrating solidarity as the church navigates the ongoing situation. The church is too quick to just throw their leaders away, he said. I'm not justifying certain behavior. I'm really not. But for you to make me give up on my past and you have to show me something real. Goines was arrested in July after surrendering to Tarrant County authorities on one count of indecent assault and one count of sexual assault. He was released from Tarrant County Jail after posting $20,000 bond for the sexual assault charge and $3,000 for the indecent assault charge, the Dallas Express reported. In addition to his pastoral duties, Goines formerly served as a chaplain for the Arlington Police Department and a co-chair for the Arlington Unity Council. Home News Young COGIC leaders call on Donnie Swaggart to repent for rebuking black church Scores of young leaders in the Church of God In Christ, Americas largest black Pentecostal denomination, have called on evangelist Donnie Swaggart to publicly repent for his recent rebuke of the black church and Bishop John Drew Sheard, the presiding bishop and chief apostle of COGIC, for endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris and president along with an unbiblical and anti-God agenda. Swaggart, who is a pastor at the Family Worship Center Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the only son of televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, was acknowledged by former President Donald Trump as a talented guy during the National Faith Summit on Monday. We are well aware that the Scriptures speak of the last days as a time when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths (2 Timothy 4:3-4), the young COGIC leaders argued. Tragically, Pastor Swaggart has, at least in the instance of his viral commentary, positioned himself squarely within verses 3 and 4 of that passage. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Earlier this month, Swaggart took aim at COGIC and the black church, in general, after Sheard publicly revealed his endorsement of Harris campaign to become the first female president of the United States. When the largest African American Pentecostal denomination, when that leader stands up and said I endorse that woman, he was saying, I endorse murder, I endorse homosexuality, I endorse lesbianism, I endorse transgenderism, I endorse every evil that Hell could prosper or bring up to [be] right. That's wrong folks! Swaggart said to applause. The black church votes predominantly for the party that is anti-God. What's going on here? What's going on? he asked. Why will not the African American Church stand up for righteousness and stand up for the Word of God? Come on Church, come on! You can call me a racist, you can call me every name under the sun, but I am right! I come against you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. You don't vote for somebody just because mama voted for them or daddy voted for them, but you vote according to the Word of God. The young COGIC leaders argued that Swaggarts reductive view of the black church based on political allegiance is not only an oversimplification of the faith but a theological distortion that borders on idolatry. The Gospel is not the handmaiden of any political party or political movement, and the Kingdom of God is neither Republican nor Democrat. Such a mishandling of the Gospel is erroneous at best and heretical at worst, the leaders asserted. The black Church exists as a byproduct of a nation that refused to acknowledge the inherent value of black lives. It was birthed in an era that actively rejected the sound doctrine of Christ, replacing it with doctrines that upheld segregation and inequality. To see the black Church disrespected and maligned by a figure who claims to preach the Gospel is not only deeply offensive but is a reprisal of the same spirit of exclusion and oppression that the black Church has fought against for centuries, they added. The leaders further noted that despite Swaggarts suggestion that black churches in America are mishandling their duty to vote by making arbitrary and ill-informed decisions, its quite the contrary. To be clear, we have never had the luxury of taking our vote lightly. Our ancestors fought, bled, and died for the right to vote not just to be counted as citizens, but as human beings. We, therefore, dont vote out of convenience; we vote as an act of resistance, as an act of survival, and as an act of prophetic witness, the young leaders said. The Black Church doesnt align itself with a political party and fully recognizes that the Gospel is countercultural and supreme over all. We extend to Pastor Swaggart a very public and very clear invitation to not only retract his words but to repent from the totality of his error. Read the complete letter below: Archbishop Steve Wood (Photo: ACNA) Before he was elected as the third archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, Steve Wood was one of the earliest Covid-19 patients in the United States, placed on a ventilator for 10 days in March 2020. Two years earlier, as bishop of the Carolinas and rector of St. Andrew's Church in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Wood watched as his church building was engulfed in a fire. "I wouldn't trade any of those experiences for where I am right now, because God has been so extraordinarily gracious to me through every one of them," said Wood. In adversity, he said, he's learned to trust God's faithfulness. And while he readily admits the denomination isn't perfect, he sees the Anglican Church in North America, which formed in 2009 after splitting from the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada, as another testament to the graciousness of God. During his term as archbishop, he hopes that message will be not only reinforced in the pews, but shared widely throughout the continent. On the heels of denominational dustups over women's ordination to the priesthood and accountability for the misconduct of clergy in particular bishops Wood is beginning his five-year term as archbishop focusing on transparency and compassion as the young denomination continues to mature. A week ahead of his investiture, or formal installation, in South Carolina on October 30, Wood spoke to Religion News Service about where the ACNA has been and where it's heading. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. As you step into this role, is there a word or theme you hope will guide your work as archbishop? The ACNA determined some years ago that its principal vision was to reach North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ 130 million people in North America don't know Jesus, and that is the compelling motivation in ministry for me, to hold forth the good news of Christ to the continent. I also want to tell good stories. Our Matthew 25 Initiative is extraordinary; they're ministering to people on the margins of society. The work we're doing with church planting is spectacular, but it's not being talked about. When you look back at the past 15 years, what are some of the things you think ACNA has done well, as a denomination? I find enormous satisfaction looking back over the last 20 years and saying the Lord established us, preserved us, and he's growing us. That's extraordinary, coming out of a meltdown of the Anglican world in North America. We're not perfect by a long shot. But at one level, 20 years into this process, we've made it. The other thing the ACNA has really done well is brought people together across the spectrum of Anglicanism. You'll have low church Protestants, high church Anglo Catholics, people in the middle, and the ACNA has really created a place where all of those folks find a home. I think the other thing is, a number of church plants that started, they went into a community with a vision to make a long-term commitment to live there and become incarnate in that. And for me, that's classic Anglicanism. In the run-up to the June Assembly, nearly 300 ACNA clergy and a diocese voiced opposition to women's ordination and said disagreements on the subject imperil the denomination. Do you believe ACNA's approach to women's ordination is still up for debate? During your term as archbishop, do you foresee any changes to ACNA's strategy of allowing dioceses to individually decide how they approach women's ordination? Probably no, as to how we're structured. In the constitution and the canons this is our governance structure, and the dioceses have the authority to make those decisions. And so, short term, it's not practical to think that the constitutions and canons are going to be changed anytime soon. That being the case, the question for me then becomes, how do we live together? And I prefer a more irenic, compassionate voice. I'm big on having conversations. I encourage others to listen, not to defend a position, but to hear where the other person's coming from. Do I think it's a threat to the ACNA? No, but I do think it's going to be an ongoing conversation point, and I think how we have the conversation is critical. Last year, my understanding is a Governance Task Force committee made of lay folks and clergy recommended a complete revision of Title IV. Can you catch us up to speed on what happened to that recommended overhaul, and if and when we can expect it to be considered for ratification? I would say it never got to the point where a recommendation was made. The last time I saw it in January, the College of Bishops had a presentation on it. The presentation was not finished, and I think Governance Task Force decided not to advance it because it wasn't ready. So they put their energy into completing the Title I revision, another part of our canons that deals with disciplinary matters. One of the groups that were not fully included in last year's discussion were the bishops and the chancellors, who are the ones principally responsible for enforcing Title IV. I've asked all the diocesan bishops and their chancellors for current evaluations of Title IV, and I expect that process will be done in the next few months. That report will go to the Governance Task Force, which will evaluate the current Title IV in light of that input. GTF will come back to the executive committee, and I'd like them to make a presentation to Provincial Council this summer, get input from those two bodies, and come up with more of a proposal by the fall. That way, when we come back into our College of Bishops meeting next year, they can put something before us. Then we can start the sign-off process with all the different bodies. We're growing up as a church, and the canons need to grow up with us. I've heard some concerns that the review of Title IV is starting again from scratch. But I'm hearing you frame this as another layer of input? We're not throwing anything out. This is not a replacement, this is supplemental information. We have a very good GTF, and I know they had a very good process. And the draft copy that I saw last year, I was pleased with it. I'm very happy we revised Title I, and I would be very happy to have Title IV on the table as well. ACNA has the unique feature of including nongeographic dioceses united by affinity, rather than region. Do you think this approach has been successful? Historically, Anglicanism has been geographically based, not necessarily affinity based. But we're in a missional era right now, and my goal is to have as many people in the fields working for the harvest as possible. We can sort out the geographical issues downstream. I don't think we should create any more nongeographical dioceses, and I do anticipate a day when these things get sorted, but today we're a new denomination, 15 years old, still trying to reach North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ. That takes precedent. This year we also saw open letters asking for increased transparency and expediency regarding trials for bishops. Can you talk about changes that have already been made, and any you'd like to see, regarding the pace of and communication around bishop trials? I am a fan of transparency. I've begun implementing quarterly provincial letters bringing people up to date. Sometimes people don't understand the limits of authority. For instance, the archbishop cannot demand that the court do anything, but the archbishop can request. The first request I made of the court elected this June was that they would publish their rulings and schedule on the provincial website, which they agreed to. I'm thrilled with that. Timeliness I'm certainly concerned about, but I'm more concerned about justice. I'd rather go slower and get it right than rush to something and get it wrong. Having said that, things need to be timely. We had two trials (involving bishops) up simultaneously, but our system only allows one at a time to proceed. That was another element I communicated this summer in my provincial letter. In recent years, many Anglican churches in the Global South have voiced concern about perceived liberal drift in the Church of England. What's your view on what some have called a "crisis" in the Anglican Communion? What role, if any, might the ACNA have to play in this moment? The internal affairs of the Church of England are the internal affairs of the Church of England. Now, how that affects the global church I care about. I do think ACNA will continue to play a role in helping to reshape global Anglicanism. Most of our churches lost everything to come out of the Episcopal Church. They showed what's possible when you follow your understanding of the gospel. You look at the growth of the ACNA, it's been nothing other than extraordinary. And I think that is a very good example for the Global Communion, for other people in other countries that are still having to deal with, we might lose everything. Well, you also might gain everything, right? I think the ACNA can communicate to a larger Anglican world that God is faithful. Religion News Service Adam Smith-Connor was convicted for praying silently in an abortion clinic buffer zone. (Photo: ADF UK) People who pray silently outside abortion clinics may not necessarily be committing a crime, the Crown Prosecution Service has said. It has published guidance in relation to new 'safe access zones' that came into effect outside abortion clinics on 31 October. The buffer zones establish a 150-metre boundary around all clinics and hospitals offering abortion services in England and Wales. They make it a criminal offence to "influence any person's decision to access or facilitate abortion services at an abortion clinic", obstruct individuals from accessing abortion clinics, or "cause harassment, alarm or distress to any person in connection with a decision to access, provide or facilitate abortion services at an abortion clinic". The Home Office said that the police and prosecutors "will consider each case individually based on the evidence" but that the regulations "could also cover prayer", including "silent prayer", vigils and "any behaviour where someone is intentionally trying to or recklessly acting in a way that might influence a person accessing the service". Breaking the new laws carries an unlimited fine. The guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service suggests that praying silently within an abortion clinic buffer zone may not always be treated as a criminal act. "A person who carries out any of these activities [including silent prayer] within a safe access zone will not necessarily commit a criminal offence," it states. "Prosecutors will need to consider not only all the facts and circumstances of the particular conduct but also the context in which the conduct takes place." The guidance has been issued just weeks after the UK's first conviction for silent prayer. Adam Smith-Connor was sentenced to a conditional discharge and ordered to pay 9,000 in costs for praying silently for a few minutes within an abortion clinic buffer zone in Bournemouth. Jeremiah Igunnubole, Smith-Connor's legal counsel at the Alliance Defending Freedom UK, has expressed concern that the new laws will be used to crack down on silent prayer or innocent, consensual conversations between adults. "The right to hold a consensual conversation, or engage in silent prayer, constitute the most basic of human rights. They are protected robustly by international legal provisions relating to freedom of thought and speech," he said. "The entire premise of censorial buffer zone legislation is that women should be able to choose to access abortion without hindrance. The legal elephant in the room should be obvious to see. If the law states that a woman can choose to abort their unborn child without hindrance, even the 'hindrance' of lawful alternatives to abortion, how can the law criminalise women when they choose to engage in lawful, harmless and consensual conversations? "This is a watershed moment for British freedoms, and one the public must not take lightly. A failure to protect thought and peaceful speech anywhere creates a threat to these rights everywhere. Buffer zones or otherwise, we should uncompromisingly safeguard the rights on which our democracy is based." (Photo: Getty/iStock) I had the badge. You know, the one for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. I was a committed member of the anti-nuclear movement and proudly wore my badge. Sometimes I wore it to political meetings where it served as a reminder that I was 'on the right side of history' and suitably 'progressive/socialist'. I haven't seen that badge, except on old hippie vans, for many years. As an issue it doesn't even register in our elections. But there is another symbol, another cause which if you don't support you are clearly beyond the pale. What is it? Let's start our story in my own turf of Australia. A strange thing happened in the State of Queensland in the past month. The ruling Labor party seemed on course for a crushing defeat in the State elections, when the Premier Stephen Miles decided to make abortion an issue. Taking a leaf out of the Kamala Harris playbook he suddenly started arguing that 'women's reproductive health rights were at stake'. Although the opposition Liberal party had no proposals for changing the current law, even the suggestion of a threat was considered to be a vote winner. It may have been, but the Labor party still lost, and the new Liberal State government has just been sworn in. Meanwhile in the US Kamala Harris, facing a downturn in polls (although they are so close that it is anyone's guess who is really ahead) decided to play again what she considers to be her winning ticket abortion. Together with Michelle Obama and Beyonce, she has upped the rhetoric claiming that any restrictions on abortion are a 'healthcare crisis' and that, what she incorrectly calls 'Trump's abortion ban' is killing women. Apart from the fact that she conveniently ignores the fact that more than 20 women have died because of the abortion pill, she also makes numerous false claims that need fact checked see my earlier article on this. Meanwhile the Scottish government, which is also struggling, agrees that abortion is a vote winner. Last month new legislation was enacted which prevents any kind of protest, prayer or even presence within a 200m 'excluded' zone outside an abortion clinic (a similar law exists in England). Such is the zeal with which this order is being enforced that The Daily Telegraph reported it could be a crime to pray in your own home. A letter was sent to residents within an Edinburgh exclusion area warning them that while the offences in general only applied in public places, "however activities in a private place (such as a house) within the area between the protected premises and the boundary of a zone could be an offence if they can be seen or heard within the zone and are done intentionally or recklessly." The letter warned that regulation breakers could be fined up to 10,000. Religious preaching, prayer or silent vigils could be subject to prosecution if they are done with "intent or recklessness". As a preacher I have no idea how to preach without intent! And I fear that much of my preaching might be called "reckless". After all, were not the early Christian preachers accused of 'turning the world upside down' (Acts 17:6) because they dared to speak words which were not acceptable to the authorities of the day? If I live in a so-called exclusion zone and we are singing Hark the Herald Angels Sing with the line 'offspring of a virgin's womb', what if someone found that offensive? What if I write on my Facebook that that day I had been praying Psalm 139 how I was knit together in my mother's womb - and someone reading it said: wait a minute, that is within the exclusion zone of the abortion clinic I work at that is intentional and reckless! What a state that Scotland - once known as the 'land of the people of the Book' has come to that private prayer within a private home can now be criminalised. There is a deep contradiction here. Humza Yousaf, the short-lived First Minister of Scotland, recently tweeted on the anniversary of the Scottish government setting up a book of remembrance for babies miscarried before 24 weeks. He stated that the parents were grieving because they had lost a baby a member of their family. On the one hand he was saying that it was a reason to grieve because a child had been lost; on the other he defended the right of the family to take the life of their own child. So why is there this obsession with abortion? How have we moved from 'it should be safe and rare' to it now being a badge of honour? When did questioning abortion and arguing for the right of the baby to live, become a badge of fascism? I think part of what is going on is that our society, having abandoned its Christian principles - which are principles of life - has ended up endorsing a culture of death. In our desire to be as God and to be in control modern society calls it autonomy and freedom we want to be able to determine which of our children we should let live and, with the push towards assisted suicide, when we or our parents can die. And it won't end there. The right to die will become the duty to die. The right to abort can easily become the duty to abort I have personally known people who were put under enormous pressure to abort their child because it would be 'the right thing to do'. Abortion is now way more than a desperate measure required in the most horrendous of circumstances. In a society where we are worrying about the birth replacement rate and the subsequent depopulation threat, how does it make sense to encourage the killing of healthy babies? Is it not ironic that Scotland's population is about 400,000 below what it should be almost exactly the number of babies aborted since the 1967 Abortion Act. Over 96% of abortions in the UK are carried out for social/economic/mental health reasons not for severe disability, rape, or threat to the mother's life. Where is the Church in all of this? In September 2021, Pope Francis declared that, "Abortion is more than an issue. Abortion is murder." He has also stated, "How can an action that ends an innocent and defenceless life in its blossoming stage be therapeutic, civilised or simply human? Is it right to hire a hitman to solve a problem?" Many Catholics are right behind the Pope in this and are commendably active in defending the unborn. But many are not whether it is President Biden who flatly calls that which his Pope calls murder, 'a human right', or the extraordinary behaviour of the Australian Catholic University. When Joe de Bruyn, an important trade union leader and figure in the Labor party was awarded an honorary doctorate at the ACU last week, in his acceptance speech he mentioned abortion while encouraging Catholic students to uphold Catholic doctrine at a Catholic university. There was a widely reported mass walkout from some students and staff. The vice chancellor apologised and offered any students attending who were offended a refund of their graduation fee and counselling. The poor wee souls couldn't cope with what was a mild statement of Catholic belief. One shudders to think what therapy they would need if they heard the Pope's views. What amazes me is the stunning silence from many Protestant and Evangelical church leaders although there are also honourable exceptions - who will assure their congregations in private that they are opposed to abortion, but they say nothing in public. After all, why should we be caught breaking the Unholy State's blasphemy laws? I seem to recall that there was once a powerful king who ordered that all people must obey his laws on prayer and when a young Jewish man refused, he ordered him thrown into the lion's den. The next day, expecting to be collecting his bones, he was astonished to find him still alive and promptly gave the lions their meal by throwing in his accusers. The lesson is obvious. It's time for the Church to stand by the sacrament of life - baptism - and reject the secular sacrament of death. They can threaten us with their equivalent of the lion's den, but we all know that in the end, love wins. David Robertson is the minister of Scots Kirk Presbyterian Church in Newcastle, New South Wales. He blogs at The Wee Flea. (Photo: Getty/iStock) The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews reminds Christians that they are surrounded by a great "cloud of witnesses." (NRSV) That "cloud" has continued to grow in size since then. In this monthly column we will be thinking about some of the people and events, over the past 2000 years, that have helped make up this "cloud." People and events that have helped build the community of the Christian church as it exists today. The start of a deep story: a "city on a hill"? The famous Mayflower settlers at Plymouth Colony, in 1620, were the first of a series of waves of what we now often simply call 'Puritan' settlers who colonised New England. Most of the 'godly' emigrants to North America travelled there between 1630 and 1640. This has become known as "the Great Migration." Among these waves of Puritan colonists perhaps the most important migration occurred in 1630, when John Winthrop led the so-called Winthrop Fleet, with 700 colonists travelling on eleven ships. This great movement led to the founding of Boston and Massachusetts colony. The fundamental nature of this new colony was made clear by Winthrop's manifesto, A Model of Christian Charity. It declared, "We are a Company professing ourselves fellow members of Christ, in which respect only, though we were absent from each other many miles, and had our employments as far distant, yet we ought to account ourselves knit together by this bond of love, and live in the exercise of it...We must be knit together in this work as one man." It is abundantly clear, from Winthrop's words, that this was not going to be just another commercial venture. It was going to be spiritually distinct and an example to the world. For, as Winthrop explained to his companions on the sea voyage to North America, their colony should be a "City upon a hill" (quoting Jesus in Matthew 5:1416). That phrase would run and run in the North American context. The settlers at Massachusetts Bay thought that they were founding a beacon of godliness, Bible commonwealths in which all life would be lived in line with the Christian scriptures. It is not hard to see how this has fed over the centuries into a belief in "American exceptionalism". In addition, other attitudes also began to coalesce around a sense of divinely sanctioned purpose. And some of these had and have characteristics far-removed from the graciousness of that borrowed gospel phrase. Where the story went next A sense of being in line with God's providence inspired a supreme sense of confidence as the early settlers stamped their ownership on the land. Some spoke of the colonies as constituting an "American Israel," a new expression within God's providential plan. This spiritual self-confidence also revealed itself in an increasingly negative attitude towards those who (in their opinion) did not form part of the 'godly' enterprise. This also connected to the belief in being conquerors of an "American Canaan," in a way that combined New Testament spiritual designations (the "city on a hill") with Old Testament strategies (conquest). This combination would have long-lasting consequences. As the settlers in Massachusetts Bay expanded inland, conflicts grew with local Native American tribes. And when they did, they assumed an almost exterminatory character which was rooted in their selective use of the Bible (almost always the Old Testament). This attitude first revealed itself in their view of the Native American mortality in the face of European diseases. In parts of New England this had resulted in mortality rates of 90 per cent. This was interpreted as a sign of God's providence. John Winthrop expressed this view in a letter he wrote in 1634, "God hath hereby cleared our title to this place." John White, who supported the settlements but never made it to America, referred to providential "defoliation," which had left the eastern coastlands "void." The image was that of 'weeds' cleared to make room for a 'better growth.' Two worlds were on a collision course. It was accelerated by a settler attitude which rapidly assumed prior rights to any land they desired. The New England Puritan writer, Increase Mather, wrote in 1676 of "the Heathen People amongst whom we live, and whose Land the Lord God of our Fathers has given to us for a rightful possession." Well before he wrote this, violence had already occurred. In 1636, war broke out between the New England settlers and the Pequot tribe. In 1637, a Pequot settlement on the Mystic River was destroyed in an action which saw no mercy extended to non-combatants. The Native American allies of the English were shocked; this was a new kind of war. They would soon experience much more of it. In 1675 resentment at English behaviour and loss of land led several tribes to join together in what became known as King Philip's War. It raged from 1675 to 1678, and saw about twelve frontier towns destroyed, and large numbers of homesteads burnt. The war rapidly spread across what is now Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and as far north as Maine. Only Connecticut survived without devastation comparable with other areas, due to its alliance with local tribes holding firm. Large numbers of settlers were killed across New England, but these numbers were dwarfed by the massacres of Native Americans and the enslavement of survivors. It was an exterminatory policy. It was an indication of things to come as the colonies later expanded westward. And this was accompanied by a sense of cultural and, indeed, spiritual superiority. This was not inevitable. In Pennsylvania, Quakers (themselves persecuted in New England) had a much better relationship with Native Americans. Extermination was not the only option on the table. But it would become the option of choice as the years unfolded. This fear of 'the other' and intolerance of 'difference' became a feature of the semi-theocracy established at Massachusetts Bay, in which church ministers enjoyed huge political influence. This idea of a separate Church and state but one in which the churches expect a place at the table when it comes to political decision-making continues to be a marked characteristic of the US. The godly experiment in semi-theocratic government was brought to heel by the British crown. In 1684 the Massachusetts Bay charter was annulled by royal decisions in London. Then, from 1686, the various colonies of New England were unified as the Dominion of New England. In 1689, power was briefly wrested back to the colonies but, in 1691, King William III issued another charter which unequivocally unified the colonies under royal authority. This area was styled the Province of Massachusetts Bay. More fundamental for Puritan politics than a name and boundary change was the decision imposed on the province which extended voting rights to non-Puritans. This was a game-changer. The move effectively put an end to the godly semi-theocracy. But it would not erase it from the cultural and mythological national memory of the US. The idea of godly American exceptionalism would help flavour the eventual rebellion against British rule and the US Constitution which accompanied it. It would also influence the idea of "Manifest Destiny," as the US expanded westward in the 19th century, at the expense of Native Americans. The afterlife of a founding myth The idea of godly exceptionalism, as declared by Winthrop in 1630, continues to echo in US politics. Ronald Reagan famously referred to "a shining 'city on a hill'," when articulating his vision for the US in 1980. In 1989, he referred again to "the shining city," in his farewell speech to the nation. John F. Kennedy had done this earlier, in 1961, stating that "we shall be as a city upon a hill the eyes of all people are upon us." These politicians appeared to connect to the aims of the 17th-century Puritans. Perhaps a New Jerusalem really might be raised in the context of the New World? It was a powerful contribution to the concept of American exceptionalism, and it continues to resonate today. Since 1960, Winthrop's text of 1630 has been referenced by presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. The modern prominence of the words of Winthrop owes a great deal to the writing of Perry Miller (19051963), a mid-century Harvard scholar of history and literature who argued that US self-understanding started with the Puritans; and who found this best represented in Winthrop's sermon of 1630. Before Miller, the text had slipped out of the spotlight. In his Inauguration Address, in January 2017, Donald Trump declared: "We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example. We will shine for everyone to follow." The reference evoked the same tradition that can be traced back to Winthrop's sermon in 1630. However, in the bitter politics of contemporary America, it is telling that Joe Biden reflecting on an election campaign, in 2016, which he described as having been ugly, divisive and coarse remarked: "So much for the shining city on the hill." So, where does that phrase and concept sit today in the deeply divided US? Arguably, the enduring concept of the "city on a hill" assumes that there is a peculiarly Christian nature to the nation. But history is rather more complex. A 'battle for the soul of America'? As far back as 1802, Thomas Jefferson spoke of "a wall of separation between Church and State." This clear principle is contained in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, of 1791. Article Six of the US Constitution also specifies that "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States." The Treaty of Tripoli, between the US and Tripolitania, which took effect in 1797, states (in a way that would shock many modern US Christians): "As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion... and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan [ie Islamic] nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries." Nevertheless, an outlook developed during the 19th century that there is something peculiarly Christian about the US, despite there being no state Church or theocratic foundation, and in spite of freedom of thought and expression being enshrined in the US Constitution and its First Amendment. The US was, it seems clear from the evidence, founded as a secular republic and yet Christianity has had a huge impact on political conversations and decision-making. It continues to do so. As a result, today few nations 'do God' so openly as the US. The contribution of New England and the "city on a hill" motif to the political and cultural DNA of the US lives on - as does the debate over what this means. In 2017, former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee asserted that: "I believe Trump's historic battle for the White House in 2016 metaphorically reminds us that America too is in a historic battle not only for its political future but also for its very soul." That particular view continues to attract many adherents. But there are deep questions. Do Trump and the MAGA movement represent such a mission? Most US evangelicals believe so. Others would strongly disagree. More generally, how should Christian principles influence a nation? Does the New Testament support a model of 'dominionism' and semi-theocracy, if Christians are close to the centre of power, or one of humble service, example, and persuasion? Is there any role for law and coercion in support of Christian ideology? And can any one section of society impose its faith outlook on a diverse and multi-cultural modern community? Readers will, no doubt, differ in their answers to these pressing questions. What is undeniable is that, in 2024, a battle is going on for 'the soul of the USA' and this includes the question of whether a "city on a hill" can/should be asserted through political power? And if so, how? Much will be decided during this conflicted and turbulent autumn in the US. As well as debates about the economy, immigration, and the southern border, at the core is a heated conversation concerning what kind of nation the US is and should become. Is it still a "city on a hill" and what does that mean in the complex nation of the 21st century? How does Christian faith speak into this US debate? And which form of Christian faith (for believers are as polarised as their nation)? Whatever the result in November, the words of 1630 continue to echo in the US of 2024. Martyn Whittock is a historian and a Licensed Lay Minister in the Church of England. The author, or co-author, of fifty-six books, his work covers a wide range of historical and theological themes. In addition, as a commentator and columnist, he has written for several print and online news platforms and been interviewed on TV and radio news and discussion programmes exploring the interaction of faith and politics. These have included being interviewed on news platforms concerning the religious dimension to current US politics, Christianity and the Crown in the UK, and the war in Ukraine. His most recent books include: The Secret History of Soviet Russia's Police State (2020), Daughters of Eve (2021), Jesus the Unauthorized Biography (2021), The End Times, Again? (2021), The Story of the Cross (2021), Apocalyptic Politics (2022), and American Vikings (2023). His interest in the 17th-century Puritans and their continuing impact on the modern world, especially in the USA, is explored in: When God was King: Rebels & Radicals of the Civil War & Mayflower Generation (2018), Mayflower Lives (2019) and Trump and the Puritans (2020). Philadelphia ensemble strikes symphony of friendship in "epic" China tour Xinhua) 08:34, November 01, 2024 The Philadelphia Orchestra stages the premier concert of its ongoing China tour at the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 31, 2024. (NCPA/Handout via Xinhua) BEIJING, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Philadelphia Orchestra staged the premier concert of its ongoing China tour in Beijing on Thursday, celebrating the U.S. ensemble's half-century bond with China. Calling the trip an "epic tour," Matias Tarnopolsky, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra, told Xinhua that "the relationship is now in its second 50 years. We value the connections that we started in 1973, now through multiple generations." As the first American orchestra to visit China after the founding of the People's Republic of China, its historic tour marked a thaw in China-U.S. cultural exchange. Chinese and American leaders have commended the orchestra as an active cultural envoy, instrumental in strengthening China-U.S. ties. The orchestra is scheduled to present nine concerts on its China tour from Oct. 31 to Nov. 10, as China and the United States celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties. In addition to Beijing and Tianjin, the orchestra will make its debut in Chengdu and Haikou. The entire orchestra joined the visit, which is so important to build people-to-people connections, meaning greater understanding and connections between two cultures, Tarnopolsky said. On Thursday, famous symphony pieces including Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" played by the orchestra's 100-plus musicians led by conductor Marin Alsop resonated with enthusiastic audiences in a concert hall of 2,000-seating capacity of China's National Center for the Performing Arts, tugging the heartstrings of philharmonic lovers. Chinese elements will be added to the orchestra's subsequent performances on this China tour, including traditional Chinese musical instrument, the pipa, and musical works from across the world inspired by ancient Chinese poems and lyrics. On Saturday, the orchestra is scheduled to premiere "A Night of Flowers and Moonlight by the Spring River," based on the Tang Dynasty (618-907) masterpiece by poet Zhang Ruoxu, at the third Beijing concert of the ongoing China tour. The symphonic edition was produced by composer Mason Bates, who is reputed for integrating electronic sounds and technology into classical music. "This piece is a special gift to the Chinese audience," Tarnopolsky said. In 2023, the orchestra organized its 13th China tour to commemorate its 50th-anniversary concert in Beijing. Since 1973, the orchestra has visited schools, universities and hospitals, engaging with young Chinese musicians through various associations and developing musical bond with Chinese people across generations. Two of the troupe's musicians were part of the 1973 tour to China. One of them, American violinist Davyd Booth, 74, said that he joined every one of the orchestra's 14 trips to China, during which he made many Chinese friends and stayed in touch with them through social media. "Although we play all over the world, there is no other country that we have become so close with and developed such a close and enduring relationship," he added. Wang Yiwei, professor at the School of International Relations, Renmin University of China, said that the Philadelphia Orchestra's China visit rekindles the memory of the past chapter of the Sino-U.S. ties, proving that the foundation of China-U.S. friendship lies in the people-to-people exchanges, which boasts immense potential. The Philadelphia Orchestra stages the premier concert of its ongoing China tour at the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 31, 2024. (NCPA/Handout via Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Mussels escabeche with aioli and pickled pepper at Verjus in San Francisco. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Beau Soleil oysters at wine bar Verjus. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle A selection of wine bottles from Verjus, which is run by the owners of Michelin-starred Quince and Cotogna. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle When Verjus opened in San Francisco in 2019, it managed to capture the magic of stumbling into a random wine bar in Paris. Groups crowded into cozy window seats sipping glasses of natural wine, then ran into more friends and decided to stay for a late dinner of oysters and boudin blanc in the next-door dining room. With a dramatic, lacquered red ceiling and illuminated marquee sign displaying the menu above the kitchen, the vibe was spirited, loud and vibrant. It closed during the pandemic and stayed that way for four years. But on Friday, the popular French-inspired bar and restaurant will again light up with music and clinking glasses at 550 Washington St., on the edge of the Jackson Square neighborhood. Fans can expect a similarly French and natural-leaning wine menu and classic French bistro food from Michael and Lindsay Tusk, the owners of Michelin-starred Quince and Cotogna, plus a brand-new cocktail menu created by San Francisco bar star Thad Vogler. While much will feel the same, Verjus is returning at a very different time for the city, and for wine in San Francisco. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It wasnt until last month that the Tusks felt confident the neighborhood had bounced back enough from the pandemic to reopen Verjus. It hasnt been until September of this year where you feel density, where you see people walking down the sidewalk, you see people going out to lunch and you see lights on in peoples offices, Lindsay Tusk said. It felt so quiet for so long. Baguette served with Beurre de Baratte butter, local anchovies and radishes at Verjus in San Francisco. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Verjus front windows look out onto the Transamerica Pyramid, which recently completed a $400 million renovation, and a new public park filled with redwood trees, cushy chairs and a ping pong table. Soon, two restaurants from a notable Miami chef will open in an adjacent building. The arrival of Postscript, a market and cafe around the corner on Jackson Street, felt like another indication that the area was turning around, Lindsay Tusk said. (The Tusks are central to the neighborhoods vitality, too: In addition to Verjus, they run the three-Michelin-star Quince, the more casual Italian restaurant Cotogna and a private events space called Officina. They are also opening a gelato shop and cafe nearby next year.) Verjus itself will likely be a draw. It was an instant hit when it opened in 2019. At the time, natural wine had yet to fully explode in the Bay Area. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Verjus food menu will still focus on modernized French bistro cuisine, Lindsay Tusk said. Small dishes include pommes dauphine (deep-fried potato puffs, $12), and a Boursin omelet ($15). The kitchens popular pate en croute ($22), meat encased in pastry, will make a comeback. Larger plates range from housemade pork sausage studded with manchego cheese ($27) or petrale sole for two ($58) to grilled beef with matsutake mushrooms and bearnaise sauce ($42). For dessert, there will be banana mille-feuille ($14) and pain perdu ($15), or French toast. Romanesco and cauliflower with colatura di Alici, raisins, capers and hazelnuts at the newly reopened Verjus. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Now that theres more competition in the local wine scene, we didnt want to be just another natural wine bar, wine director Matthias Cattelin said. Verjus will still focus on low intervention, organic wines that pair well with food, but with a much deeper bottle list than many of its peers thanks to the resources of a Michelin-starred hospitality group. Cattelin, a native of Brittany, France, is also using his connections to bring in producers that he says people likely havent seen before in the U.S., including new-generation Champagnes. For the first time, Verjus will now serve cocktails, thanks to a full liquor license. Vogler, of San Franciscos celebrated, now-closed Bar Agricole, put together a menu of simple cocktails like a French 75 and Gibson. (Hes also consulting on the bar programs at Quince and Cotogna.) Verjus, a popular French-inspired wine bar, reopens in San Francisco Nov. 1. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Verjus will continue to be a largely walk-in business geared toward casual eating and drinking. The Tusks, known best for austere fine dining at Quince, had to abandon all restaurant rules at Verjus, Lindsay Tusk said. The space is still split into two large rooms, which customers moved between without hesitation so frequently that employees often lost track of diners, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What I think people really liked about Verjus and we really wanted to capture that essence again was that you could come for a glass of wine at 5 p.m. and be here at 10 p.m. with a full dinner and not know how your night was going to unfold, she said. It will still have that social energy, that gusto. The former wine shop side will now only have seating, and it also doubles as a private dining space. (The owners plan to bring back retail next year.) They kept the distinctive, lacquered red ceiling but added some new decor, including a dramatic steel 1970s chandelier that Lindsay Tusk bought at an auction in Paris, and abstract white fiberglass panels she discovered at a French flea market. Mostly, the owners just want people to have fun again at Verjus. What used to be a cozy table built into one corner has been turned into a DJ booth with stacks of vinyl records to play music late-night. We hope people dance, Lindsay Tusk said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming an endless number of industries and business processes, a fact not lost on cyber security threat actors. AI is already being used by cyber adversaries of all kinds, from amateurs to nation states. A popular technique is to use AI to craft more believable phishing and spearphishing content. By gathering information easily available in sources such as social media posts, AI can craft malicious emails, documents and websites that are both targeted to individuals, and highly credible. The goal is to make it even harder for employees to reliably spot these fakes, so that the attacker can penetrate the network faster and easier. It is axiomatic that end users struggle to consistently identify phishing emails and fake websites, even with periodic security awareness training. The attacker only needs to be successful once to get in, and many staff roles (accounts payable, public-facing government employees) require that emails from unknown sources be opened. Given that successful phishing attacks were common without AI, the conclusion must be that new approaches are required to cope with the avalanche of AI-enhanced attacks. Zero trust protection against AI-enhanced attacks The rise of AI-enhanced social engineering attacks necessitates a Zero Trust approach. All incoming email, or clicks on untrusted websites, must be considered risky. This is exactly the assumption used by HPs Threat Containment technology. This approach assumes all such content cant be trusted, and therefore only opens them in isolated micro virtual machines (micro-VMs) created in software on the endpoint PC. A micro-VM, enforced by the CPUs hardware, is opened for each webpage tab or email attachment. The micro-VMs tightly controlled attack surface makes it next to impossible for an attacker to compromise the endpoint PC, or any other device on the network. When the task completes, the micro-VM is destroyed, taking the malware instance with it. Five crucial benefits Unlike other cybersecurity technologies, Threat Containment delivers five benefits that span risk management, user experience, and operational efficiency: Inherent protection Protects by default, without attempting to detect attacks. By assuming all content is malicious, Zero Trust security is achieved, including against AI-based attacks. Visibility Monitors activity within the micro-VMs and transmits threat intelligence information to the centralized Wolf Controller. This facilities analysis and integration with threat intelligence analysis platforms using industry standards such as STIX and TAXII. Positive user experience Users are relieved of the burden and anxiety associated with trying to spot phishing attacks or fake websites designed to steal credentials. They can work without worry knowing that HP Threat Containment will prevent attackers from using social engineering to trick them. Security operations efficiency Lowers the volume of urgent tickets due to false positives caused by detection technology failures. It also lowers the amount of remediation required for compromised endpoints. Lastly, there is less reliance on security awareness training to spot phishing, so training time can be re-purposed to highervalue objectives. Efficient compliance control Compliance and audit directives require proof that security controls are continuously active. Threat Containment works without a complex process, making it trivial to operationalize, and therefore to demonstrate compliance when requested by auditors. Conclusion: a superior defense against AI-enhanced attacks AI is empowering threat actors with more credible content at increased volume and velocity. HPs Threat Containment used in Sure Click Enterprise and Wolf Pro Security is well-suited to defeating such attacks. Its Zero Trust, hardware-enforced isolation of content assumes everything is suspect, eliminating the impossible task of accurately detecting each and every attack. It also provides comprehensive benefits across visibility, user experience, security operations, and compliance. Organizations of all sizes seeking to improve their defenses against AI-based attacks should consider HPs Threat Containment for the best combination of protection and operational efficiency. Read here to discover how HP can help boost your endpoint protection. Email Toate Articolele Va rugam sa activati javascript in browser-ul dvs. pentru a putea trimite acest formular Kamala Harris speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 22. No one could have foreseen her rise to the cusp of the presidency a year ago. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle After covering politics in California for more than 30 years, I cant say that a lot surprises me. But I have to admit to pausing for a bit when I heard Kamala Harris announce that she was the proud owner of a Glock. Ive never seen a poll on this, but Ill bet most Glock gun owners are not officially opposed to the death penalty, a stance Harris holds thats rarely come to light in this irascible race for the White House. Still, thats not even the biggest shocker of this campaign. That would come if Harris actually pulls off this presidential run, and the country elects a liberal Democrat from the Bay Area as the next commander in chief. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If you asked any political pundit a year ago if they saw Harris at the top of the ticket, they would have said you were crazy. And if Harris wins and someone writes that they saw this scenario from afar, they should be required to stick to fiction. Not only that if Harris wins, she will have altered the state of California politics for the next decade while the presumed next logical Democratic presidential candidate, Gov. Gavin Newsom, sits on the sidelines waiting for this plot twist to play out. In 1976, Jerry Brown, then the charismatic and quixotic governor of California, made his first attempt at a presidential run, only to fall so short that he couldnt even win the U.S. Senate seat that he believed to be a safe holding place for the family name. And once Ronald Reagan traded in his Screen Actors Guild card for a residence in Washington, there was never a thought that a left-leaning progressive would ever again emerge from the Bay Area and have a viable shot at the White House. I know just how unlikely this all is because I was there at the beginning, when Harris sought her first political office, challenging her then-boss, Terence Hallinan, in his desire to seek another term as San Francisco district attorney. And I know this better than most, because I wrote the Chronicle editorial boards endorsement for Harris in 2003, a task I was likely handed because I spent the previous six years as a Chronicle news columnist railing against Hallinans wayward policies and politics. Hallinans downfall came only after he made the incredulous decision to indict the entire command staff of the San Francisco Police Department based on the premise that it tried to cover up the details of a drunken brawl involving off-duty police officers. In the end, Hallinan, a one-time amateur prize fighter, kayoed himself. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Harris hasnt changed her stripes much in the ensuing years, though she is a bit less guarded and more self-assured since her first campaign. But no one would ever doubt her ambition shes been running for her next job since that 2003 campaign and has never stopped, finally getting her dream shot in the most unlikely way. About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies But no one saw this: A liberal Democrat from the much-maligned Bay Area coming within a few states or possibly a few thousand votes of winning the presidency. That she would be at the top of the Democratic ticket is remarkable. That she could be the first Black, mixed-race woman to ascend to the White House is certain to be viewed as legendary. Over 1,000 charities have signed a letter urging chancellor Rachel Reeves to intervene after recently announced increases in employer national insurance contributions (NICs) will create an extra bill of 1.4bn per year for the sector. Umbrella bodies NCVO and ACEVO published an open letter to Reeves yesterday evening, voicing concerns over the impact of this weeks budget announcements, which has since garnered more than 1,000 signatures from charities and voluntary organisations. NCVO estimated that the increase in employer (NICs) will cost charities an annual additional 1.4bn overall, with the Daily Mail using this figure on its front page today. The open letter says charities of all sizes in the UK, which collectively employ almost one million people, will be impinged by this. Ahead of the budget, we have been clear that charities are in a dire situation as they try and meet the demands of rising need in communities while their own costs escalate and funding declines, the letter reads. The decision to increase employer NICs and not to carve out an exemption for them will place another major strain on charities at a time when we are already struggling. The harsh reality is that many organisations may be forced to reduce staff, cut salaries, and most importantly, scale back services for the very people they strive to support. Biggest shock to the sector since the pandemic Sarah Elliott, NCVOs chief executive, said: Since the budget on Wednesday, we have received countless messages from worried charity leaders. This is the biggest shock to the sector since the pandemic. Changes of this magnitude to employer NICs will have massive consequences. Our data shows that the changes will create an additional strain on the sector of 1.4bn. Charities across the country are already in a dire situation, juggling a triple threat of rising demand, escalating costs, falling funding. This additional cost, for which there is no headroom in budgets to cover, will be devastating. Addressing these concerns is vital to ensuring charities can continue to deliver vital services to the people and communities that rely on them. Hopes for meaningful discussion with government ACEVOs chief executive Jane Ide said she hoped that a recent meeting with prime minister Keir Starmer and culture secretary Lisa Nandy could lead to some government support over NICs increases. We are hearing from our members that the effect of the employer NICs increases, combined with the continuing financial pressures experienced by many civil society organisations, are causing great concern for sector leaders who have limited choices in how to ensure their operations adapt to absorb the impact, she said. We trust that the recent words from the prime minister and secretary of state emphasising their belief in the value of a strong civil society will mean that the doors are open to meaningful discussion of these issues. RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood said the NICs rises could cost his charity more than 1m next year. The charitable sector already delivers vital services utilising its expertise and resources to help people and animals alike which often takes the strain away from the public purse. But failure to provide exemptions or allowances for charities when implementing these employer national insurance hikes risks placing additional pressure on what is already a challenging financial backdrop for so many charities; and could end up costing the taxpayer more if charitable services are cut. A HM Treasury spokesperson told Civil Society: Our tax regime for charities, including exemption from paying business rates, is among the most generous of anywhere in the world with tax reliefs for charities and their donors, worth just over 6bn for the tax year to April 2024. The government will protect the smallest businesses by increasing the employment allowance to 10,500 which means that next year 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all. Ive signed up to this open letter to the Chancellor about the impact of the increase in NI Employers contributions to charities-I know many local partners in the @age_uk network are concerned about this at a time when demand on our services have never been higher. https://t.co/LcBd08tYgV Paul Farmer (@paulfarmerceo) October 31, 2024 Local community organisations have seen rising demand by dealing with a series of crises and a reduction in their income. We're hearing significant impacts from members on the increased costs and we agree that more Government support urgently needed to support vital services https://t.co/JnY2KQCNYW Tony Armstrong (@antlondon) November 1, 2024 Editors note: This article has been updated on 4 November to include the Treasury's statement. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, A long-term decline in funding from the government has left the charity sector vulnerable, the president of NCVO has told members of the House of Lords. Baroness Delyth Morgan, who has served as president of the sector body since June and was chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, made the remarks yesterday during a debate on the importance of contributions of the charity and voluntary sector. Revealing new figures from the NCVOs upcoming UK Civil Society Almanac 2024, Morgan said that government funding accounted for 26% of the sectors income in 2021-22, down from 30% the previous year. Morgan said this decline formed part of a long-term decline of government funding into the sector, which she said she hoped was about to change. Crisis upon crisis leaving sector struggling Morgan revealed that there are now around 166,000 charities around the UK, according to the upcoming almanac, with eight out of 10 of these charities having annual incomes below 100,000. From 2021-22, the sector contributed 1% of GDP to the British economy and generated 69.1bn, with the public contributing 48% to this through donations, legacies and trading in charity shops, she said. The previous 2023 almanac highlighted that charity sector income overall had shrunk for the first time since 2013. Morgan said that crisis upon crisis had left many charities struggling. More people than ever are turning to charities for the support that they cannot get elsewhere, she said. According to the latest VCSE barometer from the Pro Bono Economics observatory, most charities expect demand to rise for their services. One in three charities do not expect to be able to meet this demand, which is very concerning. This is especially true for smaller charities, Morgan said, which are heavily reliant on local government support support that has been continuously cut over recent years. However, Morgan said she hoped for an improvement in the relationship between the charity sector and government, which she described as having become truly strained in recent years. Discussing the planned Civil Society Covenant between the government and sector, helmed by NCVO and ACEVO, Morgan said the new initiative offers a vital opportunity to redefine how we all work together and has a real chance to build meaningful, long-term partnerships for social change. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Los Angeles County has sued beverage makers PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, accusing them of polluting the most populous U.S. county with plastic bottles and misleading the public about the environmental impact and recyclability of their containers. The county in a lawsuit filed on Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court said the companies were contributing to plastic pollution with their single-use plastic bottles and were engaging in a campaign to deceive consumers into believing they were recyclable. According to the Democratic-governed countys lawsuit, the companies did so despite knowing the plastic in their bottles cannot be recycled at a scale meaningful enough to offset the environmental harms of the containers, most of which end up at landfills or as litter. The county contends the plastic pollution traced to products made by the companies constitutes a public nuisance that they must be forced to redress. According to the lawsuit, Pepsi and Coca-Cola should be required to pay penalties for engaging in unfair and deceptive business practices. Coke and Pepsi need to stop the deception and take responsibility for the plastic pollution problems your products are causing, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Lindsey Horvath, a Democrat, said in a statement. The companies did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday. In response to similar lawsuits in the past, they have denied making misleading statements and have said they were working toward environmental sustainability. The case marks the latest in a string of lawsuits by U.S. state and local governments and environmental advocates against companies that make and market plastics. Pepsi is currently fighting a plastic pollution lawsuit filed by New Yorks attorney general last year, and Californias attorney general in September similarly sued oil company Exxon Mobil, which produces polymers, which are used to make single-use plastic. Both attorneys general are Democrats. An appeals court in Washington, D.C., in August revived a lawsuit filed in 2020 by the environmental group Earth Island Institute accusing Coca-Cola of misleading consumers into believing its business was environmentally sustainable. More than 400 million tons of plastic waste is produced globally every year, with less than 10% of it being recycled, according to the UN Environment Programme, choking landfills and despoiling oceans. According to the new lawsuit, plastic accounted for 246,124 tons of all waste materials produced by residences in Los Angeles County in 2024 and 628,211 tons of all commercial waste in the community. (Reporting by Raymond in Boston; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Will Dunham) Abbott Laboratories and a unit of Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc were cleared by a jury over claims they hid risks their premature-infant formulas can cause a bowel disease that severely sickened a baby boy. It was the companies first trial win in litigation over the products. Jurors in state court in St. Louis reached the verdict Thursday, ending the latest trial of more than 1,000 lawsuits alleging the formulas can cause necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, a bowel ailment that has been linked to deaths and brain damage. Other juries earlier this year held the companies liable in separate trials, including a nearly $500 million verdict against Abbott in July in the same St. Louis courthouse. The jury deliberated for less than a day before rejecting claims that formulas made by Abbott and Reckitts Mead Johnson caused NEC in Elizabeth Whitfields son. Abbott shares rose about 5% in after-hours trading. Reckitts shares jumped as much as 11.7% on Friday, the biggest increase in 24 years, helping to reverse what had been a 13.6% fall this year at Thursdays close. The deluge of suits against Abbott and Reckitt have raised concerns among stock analysts that a series of court losses will weigh down shares. Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Holly Froum and Diana Gomes said in an Oct. 29 note that the companies face as much as $2.5 billion in liability exposure over the litigation. The victory Thursday will provide Abbott and Reckitt with some settlement leverage, although the companies may wait to settle federal cases until motions to bar experts are decided, said Froum. Investors had not been expecting a win, which makes the outcome that much more surprising, said JP Morgans Robbie Marcus in a note. The win could decrease the total liability for Abbott by $500 million to $1 billion, said Marcus. Abbott said the panels finding was consistent with years of studies that found its preterm baby formula was safe. The verdict reinforces the idea there is no reliable scientific evidence the cows milk-based formula causes NEC, Scott Stoffel, an Abbott spokesman, said in an emailed statement. A spokesperson for UK-based Reckitt said in an email that jurors agreed with arguments that there is a scientific consensus there is no established causal link between the use of specialized preterm hospital nutrition products and NEC. Abbott CEO Hopeful Abbott said in July it may have to pull Similac for premature infants off shelves if juries continue to reject the companys arguments. Abbott Chief Executive Officer Robert Ford has said in the past hes hopeful the product can stay on the market. The trial, which lasted more than a month, was the first time jurors weighed allegations about both Abbotts Similac formula and Reckitts Enfamil in a single case. The hospital where Whitfields son was treated was also named as a defendant. Whitfields son was born prematurely at 28 weeks weighing little more than two pounds and was diagnosed with NEC after consuming some of both companies formulas while in a St. Louis hospitals intensive-care unit. The child, now seven years old, has been diagnosed with developmental delays and severe gastrointestinal problems. In addition to the July verdict against Abbott, an Illinois jury in March awarded $60 million to the family of a baby who developed NEC after being fed Reckitts product. The companies have appealed the verdicts. 40 Years Rebecca Fitzpatrick, one of Abbotts lawyers, told the Whitfield jury that Similac for premature babies has been sold in the US for more than four decades. After 40 years, that formula hasnt suddenly become a dangerous product, she said in her closing argument. Phyllis Jones, a lawyer for the Reckitt unit, told jurors Whitfields son got little more than an ounce of the companys Enfamil formula and that such a small amount couldnt have caused NEC. In addition, the child had a lot going on with his health before he was diagnosed with NEC, Jones told the panel. He had to deal with in-utero infections, and tests showed that his family may have been genetically pre-disposed to develop the bowel disease, Jones said. Arguments that Reckitts product played a role in his disease simply fail, she said. Attorneys for the Whitfield family argued the companies concealed what they knew about the formulas risks while they spent millions of dollars marketing their products at hospital intensive-care units and among doctors who treat such at-risk children. Abbott and Reckitt have been putting profits over preemies for decades, Tim Cronin, one of the familys lawyers, told the jury. They are preying on premature babies and their parents. The case is KW v. St. Louis Childrens Hospital, 2222-CC-06214, 22nd Judicial Circuit of Missouri (St. Louis). Top photo: An Abbott Nutrition manufacturing facility in Columbus, Ohio, US, on Sunday, July 28, 2024. Abbott Laboratories is considering pulling infant formula for premature babies off the market, Chief Executive Officer Robert Ford said, amid investor concerns about lawsuits over its safety. Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Attendees calling for a cease-fire in Gaza demonstrate as President Joe Biden delivers the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 19. Joe Lamberti/Washington Post In the 2000 presidential election, a significant number of voters, frustrated with the two major candidates, cast their ballots for Green Party candidate Ralph Nader. Many intended to signal dissatisfaction with the political status quo. But after the dust settled, some blamed these voters for tipping the election in George W. Bushs favor, particularly in the pivotal state of Florida. This kind of voting, often referred to as protest voting, is when people vote not for a candidate they expect to win, but to voice dissatisfaction with the system, the candidates or the direction of the political process. Its an act of dissent, rather than a calculated choice aimed at affecting the elections outcome. This years Democratic primary included a dramatic protest voting movement: the Uncommitted campaign. Organizers encouraged those critical of President Joe Bidens continued support for Israel to submit blank ballots in the primary. In Michigan, more than 100,000 voters left their ballots blank, sending shockwaves through the Democratic establishment. Their message was loud and clear: Were here, and were not satisfied with the direction of the party. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Unlike the primary, were now heading into a close and highly consequential presidential election. Many voters oppose Kamala Harriss stance on Israel and other key issues but then theres Donald Trump, whose platform brings a range of grave concerns. At this critical moment, is it wrong to cast a protest vote? The answer depends on how you think about the ethics of voting. One approach suggests voting should be outcome-focused: Choose the candidate who will, on balance, lead to better overall results. Even if both candidates are deeply flawed, the thinking goes, you should still vote for the one who does the least harm. Its akin to a classic thought experiment in philosophy: faced with a runaway trolley, you pull the lever to save five people on one track by diverting it to kill one person on another. You may dread the decision, but you act to minimize harm. An alternative view frames voting as an expressive act. Here, your vote is more than a calculation its a statement. Casting a vote isnt just about numbers but also about expressing your values, like chanting at a protest or putting an in this house, we sign in your yard. Just as its wrong to express bigoted attitudes, its wrong to express your commitment to those attitudes by voting for a bigoted candidate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Often, expressive and outcome-based considerations point toward the same choice. But sometimes they diverge, especially when supporting the lesser evil candidate runs against your principles. What should guide your choice in those cases? Many voters set moral boundaries. They wont back a candidate who crosses certain ethical lines, no matter what the practical consequences might be. Some may refuse to vote for anyone they see as guilty of sexual violence, blatant racism or undermining democracy. These boundaries vary by person, shaped by our values and experiences. Returning to the trolley analogy: Imagine that instead of pulling a lever, youre faced with the option to push someone onto the tracks to save five lives. For many, this crosses a moral line. Here, the ethics shift away from a strict outcomes-only calculation. Some voting choices can feel like this where the ends no longer justify the means, and values, rather than outcomes, take precedence. When these moral lines are crossed, protest voting offers a way of expressing your values. Protest voting, especially when organized, can also affect outcomes, shaping the political landscape and pushing candidates or parties. The Uncommitted movement in the Democratic primary embraced precisely this approach, aiming to shake the party into rethinking its support for Israel. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But if our aim is not merely to express our values but to change the world, we must ask: How effective is protest voting at shifting the status quo? Will it be more productive to push for change or to block a harmful candidate in the short term? The interplay between voting strategies becomes even more interesting when your vote is unlikely to affect the outcome a situation many Americans, especially Californians, face thanks to the Electoral College. Outside the key swing states, its almost certain that your vote wont sway the elections result. So, if youre disillusioned with both major candidates, and your vote probably wont count, whats your move? One understandable route is to cast a protest vote. Doing so may allow us to more closely express our values and to effect change down the line. Thinking about the ethics of protest voting also reshapes how we judge and blame others for their decisions. We may be inclined to dismiss protest voters as irresponsible, throwing away their vote instead of supporting a viable candidate. But this view misses the expressive side of voting and the moral lines some voters simply cant cross. Reflecting on where these lines lie opens up space for meaningful conversations about our values. Advertisement Article continues below this ad About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies On the flip side, we shouldnt condemn all voters who vote for flawed candidates. Voting is rarely a blanket endorsement of a candidate, and though one may have serious concerns about a candidates character or policies, they still choose them as the lesser evil. Rock climber Jason Crist, shown at Joshua Tree National Park in 2022, faces nine felony charges filed by the San Mateo County district attorney, including forcible rape, sodomy and oral copulation, records show. Courtesy photo A Bay Area rock climber was arrested Wednesday at his home in Pacifica and charged with a raft of sexual assault crimes. Jason Crist, 38, of Pacifica faces nine felony charges filed by the San Mateo County district attorney, including forcible rape, sodomy and oral copulation, allegedly committed between March 2019 and October 2023, records show. Prosecutors also charged a number of enhancements that could increase the potential punishment if Crist is convicted. On Saturday, Pacifica Police said that the alleged assaults occurred in Pacifica as well as various national parks, with multiple victims identified. One of the alleged victims told the Chronicle in an interview that the accusations were related to encounters with three female climbers in the Presidio as well as Yosemite and Joshua Tree national parks, in addition to Pacifica. The Chronicle generally does not name alleged victims of sexual assault. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I can confirm that this is a multi-jurisdictional investigation that involved other entities outside of San Mateo County and it has been ongoing for several years, Pacifica police Capt. Bill Glasgo told the Chronicle on Friday. An arrest warrant for Crist was issued Oct. 25. Once we got that, he was taken into custody, Glasgo said. Detectives with Pacificas police department have been conducting an investigation since January 2022, police said Saturday. Crist worked at Movement San Francisco, an indoor rock climbing gym in the Presidio, from 2021 to July 2024, according to his LinkedIn profile. He was at one time listed as an ambassador for the Canadian outdoor gear company Arcteryx, according to a company Instagram account. A desk clerk at the Movement gym could not confirm details about Crists employment there and said a manager was not available Friday afternoon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For some climbers, the charges against Crist were reminiscent of the recent case of North Bay climber Charles Barrett, whose sexually abusive behavior persisted for years before he was convicted of aggravated sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact, and sentenced to life in prison. Barrett used his status as a prominent climber to assault women in the rock-climbing community, U.S. Attorney Phillip Talbert said in a June statement during Barretts sentencing. Shortly after his arrest Wednesday, Crist posted a $500,000 bail bond and was released from custody, said San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe. The Pacifica Police Department said it would issue a statement on Crists arrest in the next few days. The Chronicle attempted to reach Crist but was unsuccessful. Pacifica police asked anyone with information related to the case to contact their department and reference case 22-0053. Apple CEO Tim Cook (C) joins customers during Apple's iPhone 16 launch in New York on September 20, 2024. Apple's second-largest division after the iPhone has turned into a $100 billion a year business that Wall Street loves. In Apple's earnings report on Thursday, the company said it reached just under $25 billion in services revenue, an all-time high for the category, and 12% growth on an annual basis. "It's an important milestone," Apple CFO Luca Maestri said on a call with analysts. "We've got to a run rate of $100 billion. You look back just a few years ago and the the growth has been phenomenal." Apple first broke out its services revenue in the December quarter of 2014. At the time, it was $4.8 billion. Apple's services unit has become a critical part of Apple's appeal to investors over the past decade. Its gross margin was 74% in the September quarter compared to Apple's overall margin of 46.2%. Services contains a wide range of different offerings. According to the company's SEC filings, it includes advertising, search licensing revenue from Google, warranties called AppleCare, cloud subscription services such as iCloud, content subscriptions such as the company's Apple TV+ service, and payments from Apple Pay and AppleCare. On a January 2016 earnings call, when the reporting segment was relatively new, Apple CEO Tim Cook told investors to pay attention. "I do think that the assets that we have in this area are huge, and I do think that it's probably something that the investment community would want to and should focus more on," Cook said. Over the years, Apple has compared its services business to the size of Fortune 500 companies, which are ranked by sales, to give a sense of its scale. After Thursday, Apple's services business alone, based on its most recent run rate, would land around 40th on the Fortune 500, topping Morgan Stanley and Johnson & Johnson. Services appeals to investors because many of the subscriptions contained in it are billed on a recurring basis. That can be more reliably modeled than hardware sales, which will increase or decrease based on a given iPhone model's demand. "Yes, the the recurring portion is growing faster than the transactional one," Maestri said on Thursday. Apple's fourth-quarter results beat Wall Street expectations for revenue and earnings on Thursday, but net income slumped after a one-time charge as part of a tax decision in Europe. The stock fell as much as 2% in extended trading. New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference at the Office of the Attorney General in New York on February 16, 2024. With four days until the presidential election, U.S. government officials are cautioning against reliance on artificial intelligence chatbots for voting-related information. In a consumer alert on Friday, the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James said it had tested "multiple AI-powered chatbots by posing sample questions about voting and found that they frequently provided inaccurate information in response." Election Day in the U.S. is Tuesday, and Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris are locked in a virtual dead heat. "New Yorkers who rely on chatbots, rather than official government sources, to answer their questions about voting, risk being misinformed and could even lose their opportunity to vote due to the inaccurate information," James' office said. It's a major year for political campaigns worldwide, with elections taking place that affect upward of 4 billion people in more than 40 countries. The rise of AI-generated content has led to serious election-related misinformation concerns. The number of deepfakes has increased 900% year over year, according to data from Clarity, a machine learning firm. Some included videos that were created or paid for by Russians seeking to disrupt the U.S. elections, U.S. intelligence officials say. Lawmakers are particularly concerns about misinformation in the age of generative AI, which took off in late 2022 with the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT. Large language models are still new and routinely spit out inaccurate and unreliable information. "Voters categorically should not look to AI chatbots for information about voting or the election there are far too many concerns about accuracy and completeness," Alexandra Reeve Givens, CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology, told CNBC. "Study after study has shown examples of AI chatbots hallucinating information about polling locations, accessibility of voting and permissible ways to cast your vote." In a July study, the Center for Democracy & Technology found that in response to 77 different election-related queries, more than one-third of answers generated by AI chatbots included incorrect information. The study tested chatbots from Mistral, Google , OpenAI, Anthropic and Meta . "We agree with the NY Attorney General that voters should consult official channels to understand where, when, and how to vote," an Anthropic spokesperson told CNBC. "For specific election and voting information, we direct users to authoritative sources as Claude is not trained frequently enough to provide real-time information about specific elections." OpenAI said in a recent blog post that, "Starting on November 5th, people who ask ChatGPT about election results will see a message encouraging them to check news sources like the Associated Press and Reuters, or their state or local election board for the most complete and up-to-date information." In a 54-page report published last month, OpenAI said that it's disrupted "more than 20 operations and deceptive networks from around the world that attempted to use our models." The threats ranged from AI-generated website articles to social media posts by fake accounts, the company wrote, though none of the election-related operations were able to attract "viral engagement." As of Nov. 1, Voting Rights Lab has tracked 129 bills in 43 state legislatures containing provisions intended to regulate the potential for AI to produce election disinformation. WATCH: More than a quarter of new code is now AI-generated Peopl walk outside Steve Jobs Theater at the Apple Park campus before Apple's "It's Glowtime" event in Cupertino, California, on Sept. 9, 2024. Apple will buy Pixelmator, the creator of image editing apps for Apple's iPhone and Mac platforms, Pixelmator announced Friday in a blog post. Pixelmator, a Lithuanian company, was founded in 2007, and in recent years has been best known for Pixelmator and Pixelmator Pro, which compete with Adobe Photoshop. It also makes Photomator, a photo editing app. Apple has highlighted Pixelmator apps over the years in its keynote product launches. In 2018, Apple named Pixelmator Pro its Mac App of the year, citing the company's enthusiastic embrace of Apple's machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities, such as removing distracting objects from photos or making automated color adjustments. "We've been inspired by Apple since day one, crafting our products with the same razor-sharp focus on design, ease of use, and performance," Pixelmator said in its blog post. Apple does not acquire as many large companies as its Silicon Valley rivals. It prefers to make smaller acquisitions of companies with products or people that it can use to create Apple features. Neither Pixelmator nor Apple provided a price for the transaction. Pixelmator said in its blog post that there "will be no material changes to the Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, and Photomator apps at this time." Earlier this week, Apple released the first version of Apple Intelligence, a suite of features that includes photo editing abilities such as Clean Up, which can remove people or objects from photos using AI. Apple has acquired other popular apps that received accolades at the company's product launches and awards ceremonies. In 2020, Apple bought Dark Sky, a weather app that eventually became integrated into Apple's default weather app. In 2017, it bought Workflow, an automation and macro app that eventually became Shortcuts, the iPhone's scripting app, as well as the groundwork for a more capable Siri assistant. San Francisco Mayor London Breed campaigned in support of Proposition 1, a measure that provides bond funding for new mental health facilities. Breed says the measure will fund new housing and treatment facilities for conservatees. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Last year, San Francisco Mayor London Breed issued a bold order: She directed her administration to aggressively compel more people into involuntary mental health and drug treatment. A new state law had just expanded the population eligible for conservatorship, a sweeping legal arrangement that lets the government make decisions for people deemed unable to care for themselves. Breed wanted San Francisco to take full advantage. Her approach drew praise from Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is under pressure to address the mental health crisis on California streets. While Newsom slammed other counties for waiting, he said the expansion in San Francisco and San Luis Obispo the only two counties to implement the law in 2024 would be critical and lifesaving. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But roughly a third of the deputy public conservators who have worked or currently work in San Francisco since the law took effect told the Chronicle it is not delivering on its promises. In interviews, they described immense difficulty finding appropriate placements for people conserved under the law from locked psychiatric facilities to supportive housing options especially for those battling both drug addiction and mental illness. They said conservatees still periodically end up on the street, or continue to rotate through emergency rooms and jail, a cycle conservatorship is designed to stop. Breeds decision to charge ahead is straining an already overburdened system, they said. I cannot think of one case where it has actually helped, one deputy conservator told the Chronicle. I feel in some ways this is actually taking away resources from other clients because its more people competing for the same services. Like previous efforts to address the mental health crisis on California streets, the rollout has been plagued by problems with execution, limited funding and the reality of trying to help a population with complex and challenging needs. The Chronicle spoke with seven current and former deputy conservators to learn how the system has changed under the new law, including six who have worked there in the past year. The Chronicle granted them anonymity, in accordance with its policy on confidential sources, because they feared professional repercussions for speaking out. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a statement in response to the Chronicles reporting, Breed spokesperson Jeff Cretan touted the citys work in leading the state to implement the new law. Our goal is to be as aggressive as possible in getting people off the street, Cretan wrote. We are seeing the benefits, but also tackling challenges that all counties will face as they join San Francisco in implementing Senate Bill 43. He pointed to a 29% increase in temporary conservatorships granted this year compared with the same period last year. The laws expansion to apply to more people with severe substance use disorder has helped steer more people into residential treatment programs, he said. The number of people seeking residential treatment has increased 30% in the past year, he said. Cretan acknowledged that the city needs more treatment beds, and pointed to Breeds advocacy for Proposition 1, a mental health bond that passed earlier this year that will provide more funding to expand facilities that can house conservatees. Some deputy conservators drafted a letter to Breed, imploring her administration for help, though they have not yet sent it. In the letter, provided to the Chronicle, they argue growing caseloads and lack of appropriate placements prevent them from carrying out their legal mandate to provide conservatees with shelter, food and clothing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It is ethically, morally and legally impossible for us to do our job in a safe and responsible manner, they wrote. Many of their concerns are echoed by others with close contact with the conservatorship system. Families with loved ones who are conserved said that even before the expansion, the city struggled to deliver appropriate care. Several medical professionals who work with this group said it can be difficult to find appropriate placements for people in this population. Over the summer, deputy conservators told the Chronicle that staff departures and an increased number of conservatees caused the offices average caseload to balloon to about 65 conservatees per deputy conservator. That gave San Francisco one of the highest caseload ratios among large Bay Area counties. Around the same time, Santa Clara County conservators had average caseloads of about 52. That number was about 28 in Alameda and 23 in Contra Costa, according to data from those counties. In San Mateo, it was about 62. Since then, San Francisco has hired several new deputy conservators, which has reduced the average caseload to about 50, according to data from the city. San Luis Obispo, the only other county that has implemented the law, SB43, has average caseloads of about 20. Star Graber, the countys behavioral health director, said even that average caseload is challenging. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Despite nearly a year of public pressure from Newsom, no other counties have implemented the law. Officials in many counties have said they lack the facilities and funding to treat people newly eligible for involuntary care. But starting in 2026, all counties will be required to expand, meaning the issues emerging in San Francisco could soon develop in other areas. San Diego County plans to implement SB43 in January. The countys behavioral health director, Luke Bergmann, said preparing has been a challenge. He said expanding the population of people eligible for involuntary care threatens to strain resources in emergency departments and other levels of care. Any jurisdiction that is managing to the best outcomes, unencumbered by political pressure, would actually take as much time as possible to prepare, Bergmann said. Any thoughtfully managed jurisdiction would aim to delay because of the potential harm. Pursuing cases proactively and aggressively For years, Breed has called for a tougher approach to dealing with the misery on the citys streets. She has said those dying in plain view, too sick to accept help, should be forced into treatment, calling the situation unacceptable and not humane. She lamented that state law hasnt given her the power to force people to accept help. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She had hoped a prior state law passed in 2020 would let the city force hundreds more people into care. But that program ultimately helped just four people, frustrating Breed and her allies. SB43 lowered the threshold for when someone can be deemed gravely disabled and therefore eligible for temporary involuntary holds or conservatorship to include those whose mental illness or drug addiction prevents them from keeping themselves safe and accessing medical care. The measure faced passionate opposition from disability rights and civil liberties groups, who argue it will deprive mentally ill people of their civil rights and wont be as effective as robust voluntary care. Some groups representing behavioral health systems also raised concerns because of the lack of capacity in the states existing system to accommodate more people. The same day Newsom signed SB43 into law, Breed issued an executive directive to implement it on Jan. 1 the day the law took effect. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the expansion of conservatorships in San Francisco and San Luis Obsipo the only two counties to implement SB43 in 2024 would be critical and lifesaving. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle She directed city departments to maintain lists of potential conservatees. She told staff to err on the side of making a referral when unsure and asked the city attorney to pursue cases proactively and aggressively. Since Breeds directive, city agencies have identified 352 people who may be eligible for conservatorship, Cretan said. He said the city first works to get people on the list into voluntary treatment before pursuing a conservatorship. Breed told the Chronicle in April the rollout of SB43 was going well. We definitely did what we needed to do in order to prepare, and well continue to do as much as we can to get as many people the help and support they need, she said. Breed rejected the idea that San Francisco does not have the resources to expand its conservatorship system. She said more money to build housing and treatment facilities for conservatees will become available under the states new mental health bond. But in the meantime, we have the resources for the people that we are trying to help, she said. Angelica Almeida, who formerly worked on adult behavioral health services for the San Francisco Department of Public Health, acknowledged earlier this year that the city has trouble finding placements for people with severe addiction issues. The system lacks enough available beds at all levels of care, so that people can move easily to more or less restrictive settings as warranted, Almeida, who recently moved to a new job at San Francisco General Hospital, a public hospital within the Department of Public Health, said in April. But she rejected the reasoning other counties have used to delay implementing the law that they should wait to expand conservatorships until they have more treatment options. We should never not pursue a conservatorship if its clinically indicated, just because there might be complications around placement, Almeida said. I think that is our ethical and legal responsibility. People conserved by the city of San Francisco live in a range of settings, from locked psychiatric wards at Napa State Hospital to community placements in single-room-occupancy hotels in the city. Some people are conserved for their whole lives, while other conservatorships are brief. Conservatees often have severe mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or a schizophrenia spectrum disorder that cause them to lose touch with reality. These are people that the system is aware of, people who are actively in crisis, people who are incredibly vulnerable and not able to provide for their own basic needs, said Jill Nielsen, deputy director of disability and aging services programs for San Francisco. Conservators are responsible for ensuring conservatees receive psychiatric care and a safe place to live. They communicate with the facilities where they live and help coordinate hospital stays. In many cases, they also help conservatees buy clothes and handle insurance issues. When people are first referred to the office and placed on a temporary conservatorship, they often require intensive management while a conservator investigates whether someone should be placed in a more permanent arrangement. The San Francisco Public Defenders Office, which represents people referred for conservatorship, declined multiple requests for an interview. The office instead provided a statement expressing concerns about SB43 implementation in the city. The increase in these petitions continues to be very concerning, said Deputy Public Defender Roberto Evangelista, who leads the offices Mental Health Unit. Our states mental health treatment system is already overburdened and unable to provide even basic care for individuals who have been conserved. Internal documents obtained by the Chronicle show the number of conservatees managed by the county increased from 685 at the end of last year to a peak of 715 in May. The city had an average caseload of 578 people in fiscal year 2018, according to data the agency provided earlier this year. Conservators said the people newly referred under SB43 are particularly challenging to manage because they typically have severe substance use disorder and are often homeless. There arent locked facilities to treat people with substance abuse disorders, however, so even if someone is conserved, theres no place for them to go for treatment where conservators can ensure they stay. One deputy conservator described the system as inundated at all levels, whether its finding social workers who can help conservatees coordinate their medical care or beds in emergency psych wards. The state did not give cities and counties additional money to implement the new law, in contrast with the way it has approached Newsoms signature mental health program, CARE Court. San Francisco received $4 million from the state to implement CARE Court, which seeks to encourage people into treatment but cant force them into care. San Francisco has received 42 CARE Court petitions since the programs launch in October 2023. About half have been dismissed. As of last month, just five had resulted in court-ordered treatment plans. San Francisco has 14 deputy conservators, according to the city. This year, the city has made new hires, but just as many have left. The city is currently working to fill four more positions in the office, spokesperson Joe Molica said. Current and former staffers said there is not enough staff to handle the new people being conserved. A woman whose sister has been conserved in San Francisco for more than five years said the deputy conservator assigned to her sister had changed six or seven times. Ive lost track, said the woman, who asked that her name be withheld because she worries she or her sister will be retaliated against. Im frustrated. Having this revolving door of social workers is annoying. It affects the care of the person whos conserved. The intense nature of the job is a major factor in the overall turnover, current and former employees said. Trying to shepherd people through the overburdened system means conservators often have to watch the people entrusted to their care deteriorate because theres no space to get them needed care, one said. Were watching people die, they said. Housing and treatment options scarce Patients deemed gravely disabled because of their drug use present a particular ethical challenge, said Dr. Maria Raven, chief of emergency medicine at UCSF. Thats true for both conservatees and people who are brought in on temporary holds. Once patients sober up, she said, the emergency room cant hold them because they no longer meet the criteria for being gravely disabled. Sometimes the emergency department can send people to temporary housing and treatment programs. But spaces in those programs are scarce and homeless shelters are often full. When conservatees end up in the emergency room, Raven said, staff sometimes cant reach their conservator. We definitely do discharge people back to the street because we have no other option, she said. She couldnt give an estimate of how often that happens to conservatees, but said its a common practice in general. Im sure it happens on a daily or weekly basis. After hospitals discharge conservatees, conservators sometimes cant find them, some of the deputy conservators said. It means dozens of conservatees spend periods of time effectively homeless, they said. Ideally, conservatees would be stabilized in the emergency room, then moved to some type of intermediate level of care where they would be forced or supported to take the right medications to manage their psychiatric symptoms. Theyd move to a lower level of care when appropriate. But backlogs and wait lists in every single part of the system prevent it from working that way, one deputy conservator said. City Supervisor Rafael Mandelman said hes cautiously optimistic that SB43 is helping more people. But he said the city still doesnt have enough treatment facilities. There are people who are getting conserved and we dont actually have a placement, he said, noting that some people are still in single-room-occupancy hotels or on the street, where they cant get the care they need. If we do have dozens of people being conserved but theyre on the street, thats not most peoples notion of what conservatorship is about. A Bay Area woman whose brother has been conserved in San Francisco for more than a year said she has been frustrated with the program and his level of care. When her brother was conserved, she expected that he would get one-on-one therapy to address his paranoia and trauma. That didnt happen, she said, even though she offered to pay. She said that the conservators initially assigned to her brothers case didnt respond to her questions and that one was rude to her. Her brother has since been assigned a new conservator who has been much more responsive, said the woman, who asked to remain anonymous because she worries criticizing the system could jeopardize his care. She said she was shocked to learn how high conservators caseloads are. ASEAN leaders at the group's summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sept. 5, 2023. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has continued to emerge as an economic winner of increasing geopolitical tensions between China and the United States, though risks from fragmentation remain, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says. According to the U.N. agency, the region has long benefited from decades of globalization, building strong trade links with China and the United States, the world's two largest economies. Though U.S.-China tensions have been deteriorating in recent years, ASEAN has adapted and continued to integrate with the global economy, the IMF said in its latest Asia-Pacific Outlook report, released Friday. "Despite geopolitical tensions, ASEAN has continued to strengthen trade and investment links with both China and the U.S.," the report said. Data from the IMF showed that since 2018, ASEAN economies have increased their market share of both Chinese and U.S. imports, with the superpowers absorbing a greater share of the region's value added. Foreign direct investment from both countries has also increased in ASEAN. "[T]he region has even been able to take advantage of trade diversion opportunities caused by US-China trade tensions," the report added. Former U.S. President Donald Trump kicked off a trade war with China by placing a series of tariffs on thousands of Chinese imports in 2018 and 2019, prompting retaliation from Beijing. The Biden administration has kept most of those tariffs in place and even set additional levies in May. Empirical analysis shows that several ASEAN economies have seen exports of products targeted by Chinese or U.S. tariffs grow faster than other exports, the IMF said. It added that ASEAN has seen exports of these tariffed goods increase to countries outside China and the U.S., which suggests it has not only benefited from trade diversion but also realized economies of scale. Trade between members of the political and economic union has also increased, according to the report. Overall, the IMF says these trends have contributed to ASEAN increasing its share of inward foreign direct investment, world exports and global value added. However, the financial agency noted that gains from the China-U.S. tariffs have not translated into stronger overall exports for all ASEAN members. Whereas some members, like Vietnam, experienced strong export growth relative to the global average since 2018, export growth slowed in others, like Thailand, or stagnated, as in the case of the Philippines and Singapore. CNBC has previously reported that Vietnam has emerged as one of the top destinations for firms diversifying supply chains away from China amid heightened geopolitical risks, along with other Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. Still, the IMF warns that the intensification of geopolitical pressures could harm the region in the future. For example, global economic fragmentation is likely to reduce activity in ASEAN's major trading partners, such as the U.S. and China, and could thus lower external demand for goods from the heavily export-dependent region. The IMF's outlook on Friday raised its 2024 and 2025 growth prospects for the entire Asia-Pacific region by 0.1%, up from its last forecast in April. However, despite the markup, it also warned that growth is facing more risks, reflecting "rising geopolitical tensions, uncertainty about the strength of global demand, and potential for financial volatility." Kim Vaccarella was so confident in her business idea that she emptied her children's $60,000 college fund to bring it to life. The move backfired dramatically. Today, Vaccarella, 54, is the CEO and founder of Secaucus, New Jersey-based Bogg Bag, a waterproof tote bag-maker on track to top $100 million in annual sales this year, she says. But in 2008, she was a mom of two with an idea for a more practical beach bag. After finding a manufacturer who built a prototype, Vaccarella created two limited runs of stock first 300 bags, then 600 which "flew off shelves," she says. DON'T MISS: The ultimate guide to earning passive income online The early success gave Vaccarella the courage to try something more rash in 2012: putting all her cash, including her kids' college savings, into ordering more than 1,000 bags. Every single bag arrived perfectly functional but aesthetically defective, bearing ugly black streaks. The manufacturer refused to waive payment, and her lack of liability insurance left her with no recourse, she says leaving her with inventory she "couldn't sell" and no ability to buy more. I went for broke and spent my kids' college money and bought a full container's worth [of bags], and they were all bad, so my heart sank," Vaccarella tells CNBC Make It. "The realization that I didn't know what I was doing really kind of came in fast." The pivotal 'oh s---' moment Around that same time in 2012, the U.S. East Coast was battered by Hurricane Sandy. Vaccarella decided to load her defective Bogg Bags with supplies and give them away to local families in need, convinced that the act of charity would mark the end of her business. "Six months to a year later, all those people who received them as donations started reaching out, and they were like, 'Where can I get more? I need more of these,'" she says. "It was one of those 'oh s---' moments [where I was like], I have to do this." Vaccarella, who was working full-time as a real estate lending controller, spent the next year saving money for a trip to visit new manufacturers in China. She found a factory, secured $120,000 from a family friend to replenish her inventory and put her business "back on the scene" in 2016, she says. Two years later, Vaccarella's company brought in more than $1 million in annual sales, she recently told Entrepreneur, and she quit her job to run Bogg Bag full time. The sturdy, easily washable bags went viral on TikTok and Instagram earlier this year, contributing to another significant boost in sales. The $120,000 investment became "a $10 million windfall" for that family friend, says Vaccarella. 'Somewhere in my mind, I think that I can do anything' Top Chinese research institutions linked to the People's Liberation Army have used Meta's publicly available Llama model to develop an AI tool for potential military applications, according to academic papers and analysts. Top Chinese research institutions linked to the People's Liberation Army have used Meta's publicly available Llama model to develop an AI tool for potential military applications, according to academic papers and analysts. In a June paper reviewed by Reuters, six Chinese researchers from three institutions, including two under the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) leading research body, the Academy of Military Science (AMS), detailed how they had used an early version of Meta's Llama as a base for what it calls "ChatBIT". The researchers used the Llama 2 13B large language model (LLM) that Meta META.O released in February 2023, incorporating their own parameters to construct a military-focused AI tool to gather and process intelligence, and offer accurate and reliable information for operational decision-making. ChatBIT was fine-tuned and "optimized for dialogue and question-answering tasks in the military field", the paper said. It was found to outperform some other AI models that were roughly 90% as capable as OpenAI's powerful ChatGPT-4. The researchers didn't elaborate on how they defined performance or specify whether the AI model had been put into service. "It's the first time there has been substantial evidence that PLA military experts in China have been systematically researching and trying to leverage the power of open-source LLMs, especially those of Meta, for military purposes," said Sunny Cheung, associate fellow at the Jamestown Foundation who specializes in China's emerging and dual use technologies including AI. Meta has embraced the open release of many of its AI models, including Llama. It imposes restrictions on their use, including a requirement that services with more than 700 million users seek a license from the company. Its terms also prohibit use of the models for "military, warfare, nuclear industries or applications, espionage" and other activities subject to U.S. defense export controls, as well as for the development of weapons and content intended to "incite and promote violence". However, because Meta's models are public, the company has limited ways of enforcing those provisions. Abbott Laboratories shares jumped Friday after the Club holding picked up a surprise victory in a trial over the safety of its formula for premature babies. The news Abbott Labs' specialized formula is not responsible for a young baby boy developing a severe intestinal illness known as necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, a jury in Missouri state court found Thursday night wrapping up a roughly five-week trial closely watched by investors. The jury also cleared Mead Johnson, a subsidiary of Reckitt Benckiser , and St. Louis Children's Hospital from liability in the case. Plaintiffs had argued that Abbott and Mead Johnson's formulas used to treat premature babies in neonatal intensive care units raised the risk of developing NEC, and that the companies did not properly disclose that risk. For their part, Abbott and Mead Johnson strongly deny the allegations and defend the products as medically necessary treatments for babies in certain instances when breast milk cannot be used. "We are pleased with the jury's decision," Abbott spokesperson Scott Stoffel said in a statement to CNBC on Friday morning. "The decision reinforces what we, the medical community and regulatory bodies have said: that preterm infant nutrition products are safe, and there is no reliable scientific evidence that they cause or contribute to cause NEC. Abbott stands by the vital role its preterm infant formula and human milk fortifiers serve in the hospital in nourishing premature babies." ABT YTD mountain Abbott Laboratories' year-to-date stock performance. Big picture Investors were on edge ahead of Thursday night's verdict because both companies had lost similar cases this year Mead Johnson in March, followed by Abbott Labs in late July. The March defeat suffered by Mead, in particular, put the NEC issue firmly in the spotlight, causing a steep and prolonged sell-off in the shares of both companies. We bought additional shares of Abbott Labs on the way down on multiple occasions, believing the magnitude of the market value decline did not adequately reflect the potential damages the company would have to pay if its legal fight went poorly despite the medical community on its side. That includes a trio of major U.S. health agencies, which last month put out a statement in support of the specialized infant formulas like Abbott's. The legal overhang on Abbott Labs has been real, even if shares have found some traction in recent months. Through Thursday's close, the stock was up around 13% from its 2024 lows set on July 18. Abbott's highest close of the year, at $120.96 a share, came on March 8 before NEC concerns became prevalent. Based on Friday's premarket gains, the stock was on track to approach those levels. Bottom line Abbott Labs still faces other cases over its specialized formulas across the country, but Thursday night's win is significant. The stock reaction makes that clear, gaining more than 4.5%. "They won a case they were supposed to lose. ... The day of the plaintiffs taking it to Abbott is over," Jim Cramer said Friday on CNBC. "That stock is dirt cheap," he added. Abbott shares traded around 22 times forward earnings estimates Friday, below their five-year average of 24, according to FactSet. One reason this win is such a big deal: The venue for this case was generally considered friendly to plaintiffs, Cramer has repeatedly pointed out that the case Abbott Labs lost in July was also in Missouri state court. Those worries were compounded during the October trial when the judge did not allow a recent statement from U.S. health agencies to be shown to the jury. "There is no conclusive evidence that preterm infant formula causes NEC," the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health wrote in an October statement . At the time, we heralded that statement as a win for Abbott, only to need to temper our expectations after the judge made his decision. Still, we figured Abbott Labs may lose this case, but at least as trials began in other states, the company would most likely be able to use the supportive statement from the FDA, CDC and NIH to buttress its defense. With victory in hand, Abbott Labs will now begin the next phase of its legal fight on much stronger ground. The hope is that, eventually, the conversation about Abbott Labs becomes squarely focused on its attractive fundamentals, which were on display last month in its third-quarter earnings report . When that happens, health-care investors should like what they hear. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long ABT. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Stacey Wescott | Chicago Tribune | Tribune News Service | Getty Images Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk, who supports Republican presidential nominee former U.S. President Donald Trump, gestures as he speaks about voting during an America PAC Town Hall in Folsom, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 17, 2024. A Pennsylvania federal judge on Friday returned to state court a lawsuit against billionaire Elon Musk and his political action committee over their $1 million daily giveaway to registered voters. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner's request to block Musk and his America PAC from awarding any more prizes to voters in Pennsylvania will be heard Monday morning by a judge in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, according to a docket entry. A hearing on Krasner's request began in that state court Thursday morning. But the hearing soon ended after a judge there said Musk's removal of the case to federal court prevented any action in the state court. Krasner accuses Musk and the PAC of operating an illegal lottery and of trying to influence voters in the presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Musk and the PAC, who are backing Trump, also are accused in the suit of violating state consumer protection laws. U.S. District Judge Gerald Pappert in his ruling Friday returning the case to the Court of Common Pleas dismissed arguments by Musk's lawyers that the suit should be handled in Philadelphia federal court because it references the upcoming presidential election. "But federal question jurisdiction does not turn on a plaintiff's motivations in filing suit; it turns on whether the legal issues arising from the claims originate in federal or state law," wrote Pappert, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama. Pappert said the defendants had not identified "any question of federal law" that must be resolved in the DA's favor "in order to prove either state-law claim." Here are Friday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Goldman Sachs reiterates Apple as buy The firm said it is sticking with the stock after its solid earnings report on Thursday. "With AAPL achieving another record iPhone and all devices installed base, and the upcoming Apple Intelligence features being rolled out in the next few months (October 2024, December 2024, April 2025), we continue to expect a step-up in normalized iPhone sales and AAPL earnings power in F2025/26." Citi reiterates Amazon as buy Citi said the e-commerce giant has "multiple catalysts for growth" following earnings on Thursday. "We emerge from Amazon's 3Q24 results incrementally confident that the company can invest in growth while delivering significant margin expansion." Gordon Haskett upgrades Uber to buy from hold The firm said investors should buy the dip in Uber following earnings on Thursday. "The shares have come under pressure due to slowing growth concerns; however, with the majority of the slowdown in the Mobility segment attributable to tough comparisons, we think concerns are overblown and investors are putting too much focus on near-term dynamics." Goldman Sachs initiates Penguin Solutions as buy Goldman Sachs called Penguin a "high performance hardware solutions for enterprise AI at an attractive valuation." "We initiate coverage of Penguin Solutions (PENG) with a Buy rating and 12-month target price of $21." Wells Fargo downgrades Estee Lauder to equal weight from overweight Wells Fargo downgraded the stock following a disappointing earnings report on Thursday. "This isn't about the stock being down or even lingering Asia weakness per se. Rather, we think EL may not fully grasp its core issue, which is solving industry-worst op deleverage, instead saying it'll spend." KeyBanc upgrades Atlassian to overweight from sector weight KeyBanc upgraded the software company following earnings. "Atlassian posted very solid F1Q Cloud growth of 31%, coming in meaningfully above consensus of 27.2%, largely driven by better than expected paid seat expansions and migration activity." Goldman Sachs adds Evercore to the conviction buy list Goldman Sachs added the investment banking firm to its top ideas list. "We add Evercore (EVR), Meritage Homes (MTH), and Suncor Energy (SU) to the US Conviction List, while removing Enphase (ENPH), Kinder Morgan (KMI), and SLB (SLB)." Morgan Stanley reiterates Arista as overweight Morgan Stanley said the network equipment company is well positioned heading into earnings next week. "Continue to favor ANET for ability to benefit from networking / Ethernet growth potential with AI." Bank of America reiterates Nvidia as buy The firm said in an analysis of presidential election outcomes on the semis industry that Nvidia is well positioned in the "race to Artificial General Intelligence" no matter who is in the White House. "We see TAM [total addressable market] to reach $280bn by CY27E and NVDA to maintain 75%+ share over time." Bank of America reiterates Datadog as buy The firm said it is sticking with the stock ahead of earnings next week. "We expect strong Datadog (DDOG) results on Thursday 11/7, but believe the bar is also high." Citi upgrades YPF to buy from neutral The firm said the Argentinean oil and gas company has a slew of positive catalysts ahead. "The Argentinean government is YPF's controlling shareholder, owning 51.01% of its total capital." UBS reiterates Intel as neutral UBS said it is seeing "slow progress" following the company's earnings report on Thursday. "Viewed through a lens of low expectations, Intel's guidance was solid and commentary on its traditional CPU {central processing unit] markets was reasonably constructive. Broadly, though, there was not enough here to sway the debate." Mizuho upgrades Idacorp to outperform from neutral Mizuho said shares of the electric power generation company are undervalued. "We are upgrading shares of IDA to Outperform from Neutral following their impressive 3Q update on 10/31." CFRA reiterates Berkshire Hathaway as buy The firm said it is bullish heading into the company's earnings report on Saturday. CFRA also raised its price target on the stock to $525 per share from $512. "CFRA believes Berkshire's insurance-centric diversified revenue and earnings model is a positive for the shares." Jefferies upgrades Xcel Energy to buy from hold The firm said in its upgrade of Xcel that it sees accelerating growth for the energy company. "Our investment thesis includes; 1) increased EPS CAGR guidance to 6-8% from 5-7% indicates confidence; 2) making strides on wildfire mitigation and de-risking efforts; 3) attractive risk-adjusted rate base CAGR to 9.4% from 9.0% with over $10Bn of upside potential." Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk attends a rally for Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. president Donald Trump, at the site of the July assassination attempt against Trump, in Butler, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 5, 2024. Brian Snyder | Reuters Nine Republican operatives and canvassers connected to the Elon Musk-backed America PAC told NBC News that they're worried the high-profile grassroots operation on behalf of Donald Trump's presidential bid may hamper his chances in states decided by slim margins. America PAC has been tasked with much of the pro-Trump canvassing operation as his campaign focuses its efforts on a more limited effort targeting so-called low-propensity voters. In turn, the Musk-backed organization is going door to door in all of the major swing states to help turn out Trump supporters and have them fill out surveys about their voting intentions. But the people who spoke to NBC News, many of whom have years of experience in GOP field operations, said the operation may not be the well-oiled machine many in the party might hope it is, especially considering how much money is behind the effort. In particular, they raised concerns about canvassers' submitting an inordinate amount of suspect data. That data, some of which NBC News has reviewed, includes entries submitted far from the home or while canvassers are logged into Wi-Fi networks telltale signs that a door was not knocked on, sources said. In addition, a video explaining how to "spoof" one's location while submitting data drew attention in Nevada and Arizona, raising further concerns. "I know it's been flagged for America PAC that this has been transpiring," an operative formerly on the effort said. As some of that data spilled into public view last month, an operative close to the effort said: "All hell has broken loose" inside the PAC. The super PAC denied that the suspicious entries were debilitating the effort. America PAC provided a statement signed by leaders at all of the major canvassing vendors working under its umbrella, as well as the head of its data platform, that disputed concerns over their data, pointing to in-house auditing programs each company employs. "Despite the lies being peddled by anonymous sources with agendas and a lack of knowledge of the facts, the America PAC field program is the most robust and effective outside canvassing effort ever, knocking on more doors with more people in more isolated terrain than has ever been done before," Drew Ryun of Campaign Sidekick, Chris Turner of Patriot Grassroots, Jefferson Thomas of Synapse Group, Josh Penry of Blitz Canvassing and Jon Seaton of Echo Canyon Consulting said in a joint statement. "We are fully confident in the authenticity of our door counts thanks to the rigorous auditing infrastructure each canvassing firm deploys to supplement Campaign Sidekick's strong capabilities, and we are on pace to exceed every single one of our door goals." The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk speaks at a rally for President-elect Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden in New York on Oct. 27, 2024. Angela Weiss | Afp | Getty Images 'There's going to be hell to pay' This election cycle is the first in which so much of a presidential nominee's get-out-the-vote effort and field operation have been outsourced to a super PAC a model that was attempted during Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' primary bid and is being replicated now for Trump. Many of those operatives who helmed DeSantis' operation are now in charge at Musk's super PAC, which is backed in part by roughly $119 million in investments from him. Door-to-door canvassing, a major component of what is known as the "ground game," can make a difference in elections that are determined by 1 percentage point or less. With this election shaping up as one in which many and potentially all of the seven major swing states could be decided by that tight margin, the Musk-backed effort could be at the front of the line for plaudits should he win or topping the list of reasons he lost. Those who spoke with NBC News ranged from on-the-ground canvassers to mid-level managers to senior operatives close to the PAC. They were granted anonymity to offer candid assessments and provide information without imperiling their professional prospects. "There are enough bodies on the ground that there could still be, I think, a modicum of success," the operative close to the effort said. "Maybe not quite the resounding success that Elon Musk was hoping he was investing in, but I do think that you can do a lot over" the final sprint. In recent weeks, America PAC's full canvassing portfolio has been divided among four firms: Blitz Canvassing, Patriot Grassroots, Echo Canyon Consulting and The Synapse Group, with each having certain states in its portfolio. Those groups, as is often the case in the paid canvassing universe, also subcontract out to other firms to take on part of their assignments. The firm with the largest portfolio is Blitz, which oversees operations in Nevada, Michigan, Arizona and North Carolina. Through late October, America PAC had spent upward of $54 million on Blitz's services, according to Federal Election Commission filings more than the PAC has on the three other vendors combined. Phil Cox, who is heading the PAC, is also connected to Blitz. America PAC ended its relationships this summer with two other prominent GOP-aligned canvassing firms that were knocking on doors as part of its effort. The operative close to the effort added that if several of the key swing states "come down to 10, 15, 20,000 voters, or even less, and it turns out" many of the voters Blitz was aiming to contact were not reached, "man, there's going to be hell to pay." Faulty data can mess up a candidate's get-out-the-vote effort by giving a false impression of where it needs to target or who is or is not a supporter. Such cheating has been an issue in GOP survey and turnout operations for years, and canvassing insiders acknowledge that some level of fraud by canvassers takes place on virtually any effort in both parties. Yet operatives working on the America PAC effort, some of whom had experience working in races over the last few cycles, when canvassing operations were similarly plagued by suspicious entries, said the amount of flagged data surpassed even what they experienced then. Data reviewed by NBC News from Campaign Sidekick, the app America PAC's door-knockers are using as they canvass, showed what sources described as an inordinate number of potentially suspicious data entries filed in recent weeks. In Arizona, nearly a quarter of data entries submitted in early- to mid-October were flagged in the app's "unusual activity" log. That trigger automatically fires when door-knockers submit entries more than 100 feet away from the homes they are marking off, or if their locations are marked as a flat "zero" feet away from the homes, which occurs when the app is connected to Wi-Fi which, in most instances, should not be the case for door-knockers walking around outside. In Nevada, more than 46,000 suspicious doors were entered into the system from Oct. 12 to Oct. 19. A person familiar with the effort said the PAC has a "random audit program" to guard against fraud, adding, "Everyone gets an eyeball every few days." "The PAC uses other analytical tools to identify potential anomalies and then issues physical audits off of the forensic audit," this person said, adding that canvassers are routinely fired for not doing the work or for fraudulently submitting data. What's more, this person said, Campaign Sidekick "isn't meant to be a fraud auditing app, and the PAC doesn't use it as such." "The reason the PAC is confident in its door metrics is because of the robust in-person and forensic auditing efforts each of its four canvassing firms deploy," this person said. Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk reacts next to Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. president Donald Trump during a campaign rally, at the site of the July assassination attempt against Trump, in Butler, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 5, 2024. Brian Snyder | Reuters How to cheat: 'You want to make it look realistic' There's also a video that has rocketed around the canvassing world in recent weeks featuring a person demonstrating how to use a location-spoofing app to cheat in America PAC's app. As part of the demonstration, the person submitted faulty data for two people in Nevada. A source with access to America PAC's back end confirmed to NBC News that those names were actually entered into the system and were not initially flagged as suspicious, given that the location spoofing app placed the user close to the person's home. NBC News, which received the video from two separate Republican operatives, has not confirmed who created it. The person familiar with the effort said Blitz was able to identify the person in question by comparing data offered in the video with the back end of Campaign Sidekick and immediately fired the person on Sept. 30. The source said the canvasser in question submitted the data on Aug. 29, before Blitz had taken over the Nevada portfolio. "As our auditing team came online, the individual in question, hired in this first hiring wave, was quickly identified and fired for spoofing," this person said. "Our anti-spoofing and anti-fraud systems are industry-leading, and the termination of the individual in question is simply proof." In a separate statement, Turner, Thomas, Penry and Seaton addressed their capabilities for rooting out door data that has been submitted through location spoofing. "The low propensity turnout programs are working, and early voting in the battleground states proves it," they said, pointing to an increased share of Republicans in the early vote in key states. "Every door that is marked leaves unique fingerprints, and the fingerprints of a door marked with a spoofing app leave these fingerprints in neon colors. We have tech-enabled auditing and fraud prevention tools to identify and dismiss the bad apples, the client doesn't pay a dime, and the door gets knocked by the next canvasser." In the video, the person who offered the step-by-step guide to cheating said he baselessly fills out the door-to-door survey on voters' behalf as being supportive of Trump and that they will vote early. GOP canvassing operatives said a further issue with door-knockers cheating is that the fake results they submit will most often be favorable to the client they are knocking for. "This is what I do. I put 'Definitely Yes' [for if they plan to vote]. 'Donald Trump.' 'Early vote.' End survey," the man doing the demonstration says in the video. "So it's pretty much that simple. You just keep bouncing between houses. And you don't want to go too fast. You want to make it look realistic. I'd say it's 30 to 40 seconds [for] each house." The video, which was first reported by The Guardian, raised fears that even the data reviewed by NBC News may have understated the level of potentially fraudulent door-knocking entries, sources said. In response to NBC News, another person familiar with the effort dismissed the concerns and said the America PAC canvassing effort "is a well-oiled machine, and all you have to do is look at early returns in battleground states to see the impact Elon is having." "But this program is high-demand and hard work; it's not for everyone," this person said. "There is no patience for the hucksters and prima donnas who are lying to the press because they couldn't hang with those of us working hard every day." Elsewhere, field organizers have suggested they will not be able to hit the door-knocking targets they have set. In Wisconsin, Alysia McMillan, a former state House candidate in Arizona who knocked for the PAC in multiple states before the group fired her, shared audio she recorded that was first shared with Reuters from an Oct. 8 training session in Wisconsin. During that session, a manager warned they were not going to be able to reach their goals. (The first person familiar with the effort said the PAC will outperform its metrics laid out in July in every state.) "I haven't seen it in writing, so I've heard some people say 450,000 doors we have to knock from the 17th of September to Election Day," the manager said in the recording, adding, "We're not going to hit 450,000, not with what we've got right now." SpaceX and Tesla founder Elon Musk speaks during a town hall for Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump at the The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center & Fairgrounds on October 18, 2024 in Oaks, Pennsylvania. Alex Wong | Getty Images Knocking on doors in a storm Check out the companies making headlines before the bell: Amazon The e-commerce giant popped 7% after posting stronger-than-expected earnings and robust cloud and advertising growth. Revenue for its Amazon Web Services grew 19% on a year-over-year basis. Apple Shares dropped 1.6% even after the technology giant surpassed top- and bottom-line estimates for the recent quarter and showed 6% revenue growth. Net income declined as the company paid a one-time charge connected to a tax decision in Europe. Atlassian The stock surged more than 21% on the heels of the software company's better-than-expected quarterly results for the fiscal first quarter. Atlassian earned 77 cents per share, excluding items, on revenue of $1.19 billion. Analysts polled by FactSet had penciled in 64 cents per share and $1.16 billion in revenue. The company also raised its revenue growth forecast for the full year. Intel Shares rallied more than 5% on stronger-than-expected earnings and upbeat guidance . The chipmaker posted adjusted earnings of 17 cents a share on $13.28 billion in revenue. That topped the 2 cent loss per share and $13.02 billion in revenue expected by analysts polled by LSEG. Abbott Laboratories Shares of the biotech company rose 5% after a jury in Missouri cleared Abbott of liability in a baby formula case. There are still other similar cases pending against Abbott. Boeing Shares gained 2% after the company agreed to a new offer with its union as it hopes to bring an end to a seven-week-long strike. The deal would include 38% raises over the next four years, with a vote on the proposal slated for Monday. Avis Budget The car rental company slipped 1.5% after posting third-quarter earnings that fell short of Wall Street's estimates. Earnings per share came in $1.53 below the $8.18 estimate from analysts polled by LSEG. The company reported revenue of $3.48 billion per share, versus an LSEG estimate of $3.53 billion. Chevron The oil giant's stock rose 2%. Chevron topped Wall Street's third-quarter estimates and returned more than $7 billion to shareholders during the period through buybacks and dividends. Super Micro Computer Shares of the artificial intelligence server maker lost 3%, building on their more than 38% week-to-date loss after disclosing that Ernst & Young had resigned as its auditor due to concerns over its accounting practices and the independence of its board. Exxon Mobil Shares of the oil giant added nearly 2% after Exxon beat Wall Street's third-quarter earnings expectations, reaching its highest production level in more than 40 years. Exxon posted earnings per share of $1.92, excluding items, while analysts polled by LSEG expected $1.88 per share. The company's revenue of $90 billion came out slightly short of analysts' forecast of $93.94 billion, however. Juniper Networks Shares dipped slightly. Juniper Networks posted preliminary third-quarter earnings and revenue that topped estimates, but did not provide financial guidance for 2024, citing its pending acquisition by Hewlett Packard Enterprise . Juniper Networks earned 48 cents per share, on an adjusted basis, more than the StreetAccount consensus estimate of 45 cents in earnings per share. Revenue of $1.33 billion topped the FactSet estimate of $1.26 billion. CNBC's Jesse Pound, Sean Conlon, Pia Singh and Sarah Min contributed reporting. The Washington Post office in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, June 27, 2024. Days before the presidential election, former President Donald Trump and his campaign have launched legal actions against two major media outlets, claiming that they are illegally helping Vice President Kamala Harris through their news coverage and advertising. Legal experts said Trump's efforts are frivolous. The Republican's campaign on Thursday filed a Federal Election Commission complaint accusing The Washington Post of making "Illegal Corporate In-Kind Contributions" to Harris. The campaign based its accusation on a Semafor report which said that the Post, as part of a ramped-up paid advertising campaign on social media, highlighted numerous articles critical of Trump versus more neutral coverage of the Democratic nominee. The FEC complaint alleges that Semafor's report indicates that the Post "is conducting a dark money corporate campaign in opposition to President Donald J. Trump." That claim is "completely preposterous," Columbia Law School Professor Richard Briffault told CNBC. "There is no evidence in the allegations of any coordination between the Post and the Harris campaign," said Briffault, who specializes in campaign finance regulation and political law. The Post's ads "at most" constitute independent expenditures protected by the Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. FEC, which broadened the rules on corporate election spending, he said. "And as the Trump letter acknowledges there is no express advocacy of Harris so the Post's actions don't count as independent expenditures," Briffault added. "This is litigation by press release and not more serious than that." A spokesperson for the newspaper told CNBC in a statement Friday, "As part of The Washington Post's regular social media marketing strategy, promoted posts across social media platforms reflect high-performing content across all verticals and subjects." "We believe allegations suggesting this routine media practice is improper are without merit," the spokesperson said. Also on Thursday, Trump filed a federal civil lawsuit against CBS Broadcasting, seeking $10 billion in damages over the network's editing of a "60 Minutes" interview with Harris that aired in early October. The 19-page suit, which accuses CBS of unlawfully interfering in the election to help get Harris elected, is solely based on the network airing two different portions of Harris' answer to the same question. In an excerpt of the interview that aired on CBS' "Face the Nation," Harris is shown delivering one part of the answer. But "60 Minutes" showed a different portion of Harris' response. Trump has repeatedly claimed on social media and at campaign rallies that the editorial move constitutes the "biggest media scandal in broadcast history." He has demanded that CBS lose its broadcast license, which is issued by the federal government. "60 Minutes" on Oct. 20 slammed Trump for accusing the program of deceitful editing, calling his claim "false." A version of this article first appeared in CNBC's Inside Wealth newsletter with Robert Frank, a weekly guide to the high-net-worth investor and consumer. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox. A growing number of wealthy Americans are making plans to leave the country in the run-up to Tuesday's election , with many fearing political and social unrest regardless of who wins, according to immigration attorneys. Attorneys and advisors to family offices and high-net-worth families said they're seeing record demand from clients looking for second passports or long-term residencies abroad. While talk of moving overseas after an election is common, wealth advisors said this time many of the wealthy are already taking action. "We've never seen demand like we see now," said Dominic Volek, group head of private clients at Henley & Partners, which advises the wealthy on international migration. Volek said that for the first time, wealthy Americans are far and away the company's largest client base, accounting for 20% of its business, or more than any other nationality. He said the number of Americans making plans to move abroad is up at least 30% over last year. Follow : Election 2024 live updates: Trump and Harris await Presidential election results David Lesperance, managing partner of Lesperance and Associates, the international tax and immigration firm, said the number of Americans hiring him for possible moves overseas has roughly tripled over last year. A survey by Arton Capital, which advises the wealthy on immigration programs, found that 53% of American millionaires say they're more likely to leave the U.S. after the election, no matter who wins. Younger millionaires were the most likely to leave, with 64% of millionaires between 18 and 29 saying they were "very interested" in seeking so-called golden visas through a residency-by-investment program overseas. Granted, the interest in second passports or residencies has been rising steadily among the American rich since Covid-19. Whether it's retiring to a warmer, cheaper country or being closer to family abroad, the wealthy have plenty of nonpolitical reasons to want to venture overseas. The ultra-wealthy also increasingly see citizenship in one country as a concentrated personal and financial risk. Just as they diversify their investments, they're now creating " passport portfolios " to hedge their country risk. Others want a non-U.S. passport in case they're traveling to dangerous countries or regions hostile to the U.S. Yet the elections and the political climate have accelerated and added to the push by wealthy Americans to consider a Plan B abroad. Lesperance said that for more than three decades, his American clients were mainly interested in moving overseas for tax reasons. Now, it's politics and fear of violence, with next week's election turbocharging those fears. "For some of them, the primary thing is 'I don't want to live in a MAGA America,'" Lesperance said. Others are worried about violence if Donald Trump loses, or Vice President Kamala Harris' plan to tax unrealized capital gains for those worth more than $100 million. While tax analysts say the unrealized gains plan has little chance of passing Congress, even with a Democratic majority, Lesperance said it's still a risk. "Even if there is only a 3% chance that it happens, you still want to take out insurance," he said. Attorneys say the wealthy also cite mass school shootings, the potential for political violence, antisemitism, Islamophobia and the government's soaring debts as reasons to leave. When it comes to destinations, Americans are looking mainly to Europe. According to Henley, the top countries for Americans looking for residency or second citizenships include Portugal, Malta, Greece, Spain and Antigua. Italy has also become popular for Americans. "The love affair between Americans and Europe has been going on for very long time," said Armand Arton, of Arton Capital. "It comes with a price, and they are totally fine investing couple hundred thousand dollars or a half million into a property or a fund." The rules and costs, however, are changing fast. While mass immigration has become a hot-button political issue across the world, some politicians in Europe have started to push back against golden visas that give the wealthy citizenship or residency purely based on investments. Portugal, for instance, faced a backlash after a flood of foreigners poured in the Algarve and bought beach properties as part of the golden visa program. With property prices soaring by 15%, the government changed the rules, increasing minimum investment thresholds and removing residential property as an investment category. Italy this summer doubled its flat tax on the overseas incomes of wealthy foreigners who transfer their tax residency to Italy, to 200,000 euros ($217,000). The change followed a wave of wealthy new migrants who came for the program and drove up Milan property prices. For now, Malta remains the go-to second passport for the American rich. While expensive, at about $1 million to $1.2 million all-in, Malta's investment citizenship program offers citizenship and unrestricted travel and residency in Malta and by extension the European Union, according to immigration attorneys. The EU has been challenging the Malta program in court, but most immigration attorneys expect the country to prevail. The Caribbean is increasingly popular for Americans who simply want a second passport. Buying an approved piece of real estate in Antigua and Barbuda for more than $300,000 puts you on a path for citizenship, which allows freedom to travel to Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, the U.K. and Europe, among other countries. St. Lucia is also increasingly popular, attorneys say. Americans with ancestry in Ireland, Italy and dozens of other countries can apply for so-called lineage citizenship, which is typically far cheaper than an investment visa. Some countries, like Portugal, also offer retirement visas, which allow entry and a path to citizenship. Don't expect to get any citizenship or residencies right away. With attorneys and countries inundated with so many applications, and so many different background checks and approvals required, the process can take months or even a year or more. And that waiting list could grow longer depending on the election results. "It's getting crowded," Lesperance said. "And I'm sure I'm going to get a bunch more on Nov. 6 or 7." Ferragudo, Portugal. Gonzalo Azumendi | Stone | Getty Images Pedestrians move past a billboard along Fell Street near Divisadero in San Francisco which reads, That car wash should be affordable homes. Bilal Mahmood will fix it, referring to a defunct car wash lot that has been targeted to be developed into affordable and market rate housing. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle In the next few weeks San Francisco planners are poised to sign off on development of the former Touchless Car Wash, a 203-unit project on the long-blighted corner of Oak and Divisadero streets. Thanks to a YIMBY-backed state law passed in 2022, the approval will be swift, and for San Francisco, uncharacteristically apolitical. There will be no hearing at the Planning Commission. There will be no appeal to the Board of Supervisors. There will be no environmental studies or legal loopholes through which neighbors could sue to stop it. The intense community negotiations that have led to the project being delayed several times over the last decade are no longer part of the political landscape. Planning Department Chief of Staff Dan Sider called the approval process not exciting in the best of ways. The property owner is using AB2011, a 2022 law requiring ministerial, or by right approval, within 180 days of the application for multifamily housing on wide streets in commercially zoned neighborhoods. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We are incredibly eager for development to happen there, he said. The site is transit rich. Its amenity rich. We are overdue for humans to live there. Yet, despite the propertys likely smooth path to approval, the history of the site, and the fact that it remains fenced-off and undeveloped nine years after it was first proposed for housing, has become one of the hottest disputes in the race for District 5 supervisor, where incumbent democratic socialist Dean Preston has become target No. 1 for business-friendly groups, including an independent expenditure committee called Dump Dean, which raised $300,000 to defeat him. Last summer, the moderate political group GrowSF, which opposes Preston and supports opponent Bilal Mahmood, put up a billboard on the 400 Divisadero St. property line declaring That car wash should be affordable homes. Bilal Mahmood will fix it. The car wash closed in 2021. While the billboard was an attempt to tap into Prestons history of often fighting market rate development, and opposed legislation reducing fees for builders, it is misleading on a number of fronts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For one thing, because of new staunchly pro-development state laws, like AB2011, the District 5 supervisor, whether the incumbent Preston, the top challenger Mahmood, or another candidate, will have no power to fix or influence the redevelopment of the car wash. The current developer, 4Terra Investments, submitted its application on June 4, which means the permits must be granted by Dec. 4, of this year. In addition, the project approved for the site in 2019 which the original developer walked away from in 2021 called for a 186-unit development with 37 affordable units, or about 20%. The current proposal is for 20 affordable units, or about 10%. Both proposals were overwhelmingly market rate. The development of the former Touchless Car Wash at the corner of Oak and Divisadero streets in San Francisco has been delayed several times over the last decade. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle While the percentage of affordable units has been cut in half since the last iteration, it was Preston who, in 2023, negotiated a deal for the city to fund the acquisition of the site by the nonprofit affordable housing builder Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp., or TNDC. Depending on who you believe, the deal was scuttled for either bureaucratic or political reasons. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Mayors Office of Housing and Community Development, which oversees the expenditure of affordable housing money, said Preston and TNDC had not gone through the proper open and competitive procurement process, which involves issuing a notice of funding availability and evaluating projects based on site capacity, funding availability, citywide geographic equity of sites, according to spokesperson Anne Stanley. (400 Divisadero St.) was not submitted for consideration in recent NOFA issuances, which is the most direct pathway for the City to support the acquisition of sites by a non-profit partner, she said. Instead, after the NOFA was issued, five other sites were approved including 650 Divisadero St. a few blocks to the north of the car wash, and projects in the Sunset District, Potrero Hill and Forest Hills. Preston claims 400 Divisadero was not submitted because Mayor Breeds administration made it clear that the site would not be selected. Its no secret that the mayor and billionaire-funded political PACs like GrowSF have been playing politics with affordable housing in this district, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Preston said the Breed administration torpedoed the project, which was a done deal. You couldnt find a better example of our office going to bat for affordable housing than 400 Divisadero, he said. The current political landscape, where a bevy of new state laws dictate that most housing proposals dont need Planning Commission approval and therefore cant be appealed to the Board of Supervisors, means that many of the land use battles that have long played out on sites like 400 Divisadero will be increasingly rare. A pedestrian with a dog walks past the fence surrounding the former Touchless Car Wash in San Francisco, a site that has become a political point in a race to become a city supervisor. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle But that doesnt mean that politicians from progressives like Preston to moderates like Mahmood will stop using housing as a wedge issue. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mahmood maintains that the car wash saga gets to the core of the philosophical difference between me and Dean on housing. Dean has consistently been an obstructionist on delaying housing for basically fantastical levels of affordability that are impossible to build, he said. The net result is that no housing has been built on the car wash site. He keeps arguing for 100% (affordable), and now we are at 10%, he said. Preston said he is always asking for more affordable housing, if given the chance, but that the organization he led before he was elected, Affordable Divisadero, was unsuccessful in raising the number of below market units at the car wash and cant be blamed for delaying the development. He said 2,037 units have been proposed, approved, or built in District 5 during his tenure, 81% of which have been affordable. Housing Action Coalition Executive Director Corey Smith defended the billboard as good political messaging, although he acknowledged that it would have been more accurate if it had specified that it was housing, rather than affordable housing, that should have been built there. He said that Preston and his allies push to increase the amount of affordable units before he was on the board he pressed for 33% of apartments to be affordable and then increased that to 50% was instrumental in delaying a rezoning that was required for it to go forward. Developer David Kriozere says he held 1,000 community meetings in the four years leading to the 2019 approvals. Were it not for community opposition, led by Preston, the rezoning would have gone through in 2015 and we catch that economic cycle and the housing gets built. While the new iteration of the project is set for approvals, its unclear whether the property owners, Pat and Roy Shimek, are simply looking to entitle it and sell, or whether the development team they have brought on, 4Terra, actually plans to build. Neither the Shimeks nor 4Terra responded to calls and emails seeking comment. At least seven people, including five schoolchildren and a policeman, were killed while 17 others were injured on Friday in a remote-controlled blast targeting a police van in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province.The blast occurred at 8.35 am near a girl's high school at the Civil Hospital Chowk of the Mastung district of the province, media reports said."It was an IED (improvised explosive device) used in the blast, and the target apparently was a police mobile parked near the school," Kalat Division Commissioner Naeem Bazai said.He said the IED was apparently attached to a motorcycle and detonated when the police mobile came close to it.A police van and several auto-rickshaws were damaged in the explosion."The blast was so powerful that schoolchildren who were going to the school at that time were hit by the explosion," he added.Mastung District Police Officer (DPO) Miandad Umrani confirmed that five schoolchildren, one police official and a civilian were killed in the blast.The explosion injured 17 others, among whom were schoolchildren between the ages of eight and 13, as well as policemen. Umrani added that 11 of those injured had been moved to the Quetta Trauma Centre for treatment.Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti took to X to condemn the blast, calling it inhumane.He said terrorists had now targeted innocent children along with poor labourers in an apparent reference to a recent attack by unidentified gunmen at a dam construction site in the province's Panjgur district, which killed five workers and injured two others.He added that terrorists had targeted children, deeming them to be a soft target, according to the Dawn newspaper.In the aftermath of the blast, an emergency was declared across all Quetta hospitals, Geo News reported, quoting the provincial health department spokesperson, adding that all doctors, pharmacists, staff nurses and other medical staff were summoned. 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. Roland Li covers commercial real estate for the business desk, focusing on the Bay Area office and retail sectors. He was previously a reporter at San Francisco Business Times, where he won one award from the California News Publishers Association and three from the National Association of Real Estate Editors. He is the author of Good Luck Have Fun: The Rise of eSports," a 2016 book on the history of the competitive video game industry. Before moving to the Bay Area in 2015, he studied and worked in New York. He freelanced for the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and other local publications. His hobbies include swimming and urban photography. Upwork leaders and company officials celebrate the company's IPO in 2018. Now, Upwork is conducting layoffs. Richard Drew/Associated Press Several prominent tech firms in the Bay Area, including Coursera and Kraken, announced substantial layoffs in October, impacting hundreds of employees across the industry. Heres a roundup of the companies, and reasons for their workforce reductions. Coursera Coursera, the online learning platform, revealed it will lay off 10% of its workforce, approximately 150 employees, as part of a strategy to better align costs with its business goals. The decision came amid declining revenue projections for 2024, which have also affected the Mountain View companys stock price, according to its third-quarter earnings report. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The challenges facing Coursera stem from two primary issues: Its enterprise business, which thrived during the pandemic, is now faltering, and while new course enrollments remain robust, many users are not maintaining their paid subscriptions as long as they once did. Alongside the layoffs, Coursera plans to cut overall expenses and focus on key initiatives that support long-term growth. The company anticipates saving at least $30 million annually, which will allow for targeted investments and improved profitability. The staff reductions were first noted by Class Centrals The Report. In its results, Coursera reported a revenue increase to $176.1 million, up 6% from the previous year, alongside improved gross profit margins. However, it still posted a net loss of $13.7 million, an improvement from the $32.1 million loss recorded the prior year. Our strong bottom-line performance continues to demonstrate our commitment to driving sustainable growth while expanding profitability, no matter the environment in which we operate, said Ken Hahn, Courseras chief financial officer. Kraken Kraken, the cryptocurrency exchange, announced plans to lay off up to 15% of its workforce following the appointment of Arjun Sethi as co-CEO. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The San Francisco company did not specify the exact number of job cuts but expressed gratitude for the contributions of affected employees and pledged support during the transition. In a blog post, Sethi and co-CEO Dave Ripley emphasized the need for the company to become leaner and faster. Making organizational changes is never easy, and we understand their profound impact on peoples lives, they wrote. In 2022, Kraken made headlines when former CEO Jesse Powell made incendiary comments about diversity, equity and inclusion that sparked an internal conflict at the company. dYdX Trading dYdX Trading, known for its decentralized crypto exchange, has laid off 35% of its workforce as newly reinstated CEO Antonio Juliano indicates a strategic shift. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Juliano, who returned to the CEO position on Oct. 10 after stepping down in May, stated the need for a renewed focus on the San Francisco companys direction and said he was going into founder mode to run the company personally. Today, I made the incredibly difficult decision to lay off 35% of the dYdX core team, he wrote in a blog post. Its become obvious to me we need to revitalize the company or we will fade. Miro Miro, a San Francisco startup recognized for its productivity software, announced on Wednesday that it will lay off approximately 18% of its workforce, equating to about 275 employees, according to The Information. Valued at $17.5 billion, Miro is facing challenges as businesses become more selective in their spending on niche software solutions. The company gained significant attention during the pandemic when its online whiteboarding tool became essential for remote collaboration, but business has fallen off as more employees have returned to the office. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Upwork Upwork, the Bay Area company connecting freelancers with job opportunities, has revealed plans to lay off 21% of its workforce. While the exact number of layoffs is unclear, Upwork reported approximately 800 employees at the end of 2023, suggesting 160 positions could be affected. We are making ourselves a more streamlined and efficient organization, continuing our successful focus on durable, profitable growth and delivering value for our customers and shareholders, said Hayden Brown, the companys president and CEO. This is a continuation of our ongoing strategy to invest in growth levers that are high-return and high-potential while demonstrating proactive cost discipline. The company filed a WARN notice with California, indicating that 67 layoffs will occur at its Palo Alto office, including eight vice presidents and several directors and managers, with separations planned for Dec. 23. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If someone at the beach yells shark, its unlikely someone else is yelling back, What kind? Everybody is probably scrambling for shore without any curiosity about the species in question a survival instinct thats generally aided humans well. Thats because, when we think of sharks, we think of the kind that attack. Those certainly are the ones that get the most coverage, with friendly sharks getting precious little airtime come Shark Week. There are, though, a variety of sharks that can be not only safe, but pleasant to swim next to. Here are five of those full-on sweethearts 5 Whale Shark Shutterstock A whale shark anywhere near the beachs edge, given their size, is a much bigger problem for the shark than the swimmers. Theyre the largest fish in the ocean, at 45 feet long and 41,000 pounds. Now, sure, on its face, the idea of a 40,000-pound shark does seem threatening, the kind of thing that could eat you in one bite. Except, they cant bite, because they dont have teeth. Theyre filter feeders like whales, so the biggest threat they pose is accidentally swimming into their mouth and bouncing off their baleen. Even if they did have the teeth of their cousins, theyre friendly and gentle, with tourists often welcome to swim beside them. 4 Greenland Shark Hemming1952 Are Greenland sharks dangerous? It seems the answer is no, with zero verified reported attacks on humans. Are they unsettling? Thats an arguable yes. First of all, theyre the longest living vertebrate, living literal hundreds of years. Sizewise, theyre no whale shark, but are a little bigger than a great white. Their meat is also toxic, which probably helps with the whole living for hundreds of years thing. Advertisement Speaking of meat, these sharks are indeed carnivores, so theoretically they could attack humans, but theyre perfectly content to do their own thing and let us do ours. I wouldnt recommend trying to pet one, though. 3 Leopard Shark Shutterstock Right off the bat, leopard sharks are a whole lot less threatening based purely on their weight class. Unlike the multiple-ton behemoths above, they punch in right around 40 pounds. On top of not exactly being equipped to win a fight, they're also non-aggressive, and are more likely to run away than you are. Youre probably in more danger walking by a poorly socialized Shih-Tzu than you are a leopard shark. Advertisement Advertisement 2 Bamboo Shark Shutterstock If even the little Leopard Shark still sends chills down your spine, may I offer you the adorable creature known as the bamboo shark. Forget 40 pounds, you could easily weigh these guys on a deli scale. The biggest bamboo sharks are no more than maybe 4 feet long, and theyre the only animal on this list that you could feasibly keep as a pet (if youre not a supervillain, that is). Theyre so little and adorable that the stupid part of my brain is trying to tell me, Theyre not really a shark, then, are they? Its not uncommon for The Simpsons annual Treehouse of Horror episodes to get political. Usually, this is due to the shows frequent proximity to U.S. presidential elections, hence why we once got an episode in which Bob Dole and Bill Clinton get stripped naked and shot into the cold vacuum of space. Play While you might not expect these episodes to be taken seriously in a court of law, several Treehouse of Horror episodes were nearly part of a billion dollar defamation trial involving allegations of electoral fraud. As you may recall, in 2021, Dominion Voting Systems sued Fox News for $1.6 billion, alleging that the cable news network purposely aired false claims about the companys role in the 2020 presidential election in order to boost ratings. Fox eventually settled the case for $737 million, perhaps because their key source for the election fraud claims was a woman who claims to be a ghost that can talk to the wind. Don't Miss But before the settlement was reached, Fox had a solid plan for how to make their case in court: playing old episodes of The Simpsons. In 2023, NBC reported that Foxs lengthy list of trial exhibits included four clips from the long-running cartoon, including the opening to Season 20s Treehouse of Horror XIX, in which Homer attempts to vote for Barack Obama, but the electronic machine keeps changing his selection to John McCain before eventually killing him. They also planned to show the beginning of Treehouse of Horror XXXI from 2020, which illustrates how a dystopian hellscape forms after Homer neglects to vote. Advertisement They also selected two non-Halloween electoral themed online shorts in Homer Votes 2012, Homer casts his electronic ballot for Mitt Romney (since he did invent Obamacare) only to, again, be dragged into an evil voting machine. Advertisement Advertisement In Homer Votes 2016, he attempts to support Hillary Clinton (and not the guy who really likes his daughter), but runs into Vladimir Putin at the polling site. It wasnt exactly the franchises finest hour. Advertisement What point was Fox News trying to make with these assorted clips? Its unclear. Were they trying to illustrate that voting machines sometimes murder people? Or were they going to argue that they should only be held up to the same journalistic standards as a literal cartoon? Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps this irrelevant evidence was part of some cunning strategy. Like when The Simpsons blue-haired lawyer character asked a jury to debate the attractiveness of Tom Cruise and Mel Gibson (it was the 90s) because he was so confident in the defendants guilt, he could waste the courts time by rating the super hunks. Well never know what the plan was because a settlement was ultimately reached possibly because Dominions lawyers caught most of an episode of Matlock in a bar with the sound off. Advertisement You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this). Microsofts announcement this week that it is adding support for two new security standards in Exchange Online is seen by experts as encouraging news as long as CISOs and email administrators get the complex implementation details right. The announcement should encourage all email administrators and vendors of email solutions to add the capabilities to their solutions, experts told CSO Online. But, they caution, adding the two protocols DNS-based Authentication of Named Entities (DANE) for SMTP and Domain Name System Extensions (DNSSEC) isnt easy, even if they are Exchange Online customers. DANE provides a safe way to detect if a remote mail server supports TLS (Transport Layer Security), and which certificates it uses to encrypt and authenticate the connection. Microsoft further explained in its announcement that SMTP DANE with DNSSEC provides a secure connection between sending and receiving mail servers that is resistant to both TLS-downgrade attacks and adversary-in-the-middle attacks (a form of eavesdropping where the communication is monitored or modified by a bad actor). Cullman City Schools superintendent Kyle Kallhoff recently delivered a quarterly update to the Cullman City Council on the achievements and current demographic of the district. Kallhoff began his update Monday, Oct. 28, with news that signs of completion for the final phase of construction at Cullman Middle School are beginning to emerge. He said plumbing and electrical rough-ins have been completed as work continues to complete the buildings interior slab. Email newsletter signup Work is also ongoing to complete the schools new drive and parking areas. However, they will not be available for public use until the project has been completed. New sidewalks along 2nd and Oak streets will be opened to the public once they have been completed. Kallhoff also noted a prestigious recognition from the U.S. Department of Education which named East Elementary a National Blue Ribbon School for 2024. East Elementary was one of five Alabama schools to earn the recognition this year. Kallhoff said the last time the district had received such an honor was in 2009 when West Elementary earned the National Blue Ribbon School award. Enrollment across the district has increased by 74 students from 2022. Kallhoff also said an emerging trend among those students has been increased participation in the districts career tech. programs. Were proud to say that our students enrolled in career tech programs at Cullman High School has also increased over the last four years. In 2022, we had 67 percent of those students enrolled in career tech programs and this year weve had 73.6 percent, Kallhoff said. Thats something weve worked hard on and were going to continue to work hard on because there has to be a workforce as we bring all of this industry into Cullman. Kallhoffs report came a week after the Cullman City School Board conducted the annual restructuring of its officers. The board elects new officers each October and Tuesday, Oct. 22, it was decided that Cheryl Harrison will no longer serve as the boards president after a two-year stint in the position. Former board president Amy Carter, who spent one year in the role from 2021 to 2022 and one year as vice-president from 2022-2023, was nominated to take the reigns with the boards newest member, Jill Bradberry, serving as vice-president. Bradberry was nominated to fill a vacancy created by current Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce president Joey Orr in July 2023. In other business the school board: Increased each members pay from $600 to $900 per month in accordance with Alabama Act 2024-331. Approved a bid from S & G Waldrop Electric to relocate fiber optic wiring from the central office to Cullman Middle, Cullman High and Cullman City Primary schools for $183,000. Approved a revised contract with Beth Wooten to provide auditory-verbal therapy. Salvaged 12 piano stand and six piano benches at Cullman Middle School. Approved for the Cullman High School Dance Competition Team to travel to Disney World in Orlando, Florida to participate in nationals from Jan. 30 Feb. 4, 2025. Accepted the resignations of Payton Golden, instructional assistant at Cullman Primary School, and Ashley Hasenbein, CHS junior class sponsor. Reassigned Vanessa Bagwell to a kindergarten resource room on the campus of Cullman City Primary School for the remainder of the school year. Reassigned Tiffany Whitesell from child nutrition worker at Cullman City Primary School to interim child nutrition manager at Cullman City Primary School. Approved the following transfers: Alisha Eaton: from instructional assistant at Cullman City Primary School to instructional assistant at West Elementary School. Amy Emmert: from child nutrition program manager at Cullman City Primary School to interim child nutrition program operations associate at the central office. Samantha Patterson: from instructional assistant at Cullman City Primary School to an instructional assistant at Cullman Middle School and East Elementary School. Approved the conditional employment of the following personnel: Anna Chambers: intervention teacher at Cullman City Primary School. Kimberly Frazier: teacher at West Elementary School. Payton Hays: bookkeeper at Cullman City Primary School. Hali McDonald: child nutrition program worker at Cullman City Schools. The Berkeley Food Network serves 2,400 Berkeley households and distributed more than 2 million pounds of food to East Bay residents in 2023. Banan is a graduate student in UC Berkeleys Department of Anthropology. Contact the opinion desk at opinion@dailycal.orgor follow us on X. The MND: Several pieces of US weaponry will not close the cross-strait military power gap 08:40, November 01, 2024 By Xu Zhanwu and Wu Mingqi ( China Military Online Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a regular news conference on Thursday. Question: It is reported that the US Department of Defense recently approved arms sales worth US$1,988 million to Taiwan, including the surface-to-air missile system and radar system. What is your comment on that? Zhang Xiaogang: The US arms sales to China's Taiwan region severely violate the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques. This move seriously undermines China's sovereignty and security interests, disrupts China-US relations, undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and sends very wrong signals to the"Taiwan independence"separatist forces. We strongly condemn and firmly oppose it and have lodged solemn representations to the US side. The US has reneged on its own promise and is intensifying efforts to arm Taiwan, emboldening the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and pushing Taiwan closer toward the abyss of military conflict. The DPP authorities purchased weapons to solicit US support, allowing the US to exploit the hard-earned money of the people in Taiwan to feed its military-industrial complex. Records have proven time and again that the "Taiwan independence" separatists and foreign interference are the source of chaos that undermine the status quo, cause cross-strait crisis, and disrupt regional stability. The Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. China urges the US to fully recognize the severe consequences of arming Taiwan which would surely backfire, and not to go further down the wrong path. Several pieces of US weaponry will not close the cross-strait military power gap, still less stop the historical trend of China's reunification. The PLA will continuously improve its combat readiness, comprehensively enhance the military capability to fight and win, and firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) To say Amanda Howard has some unusual pen pals is an understatement: the best-selling true crime author and podcaster has a room in her Sydney home filled with correspondence from scores of serial killers around the world that she has been writing to over the past 20 years. The notorious line-up includes Richard Ramirez, the Night Stalker who terrorised California in the 1980s; David Berkowitz, known as Son of Sam, who killed six people in New York in the 1970s and the Backpacker Murderer, Ivan Milat, who was convicted of killing seven young people in NSW between 1989 and 1992, whose bodies were found, partially-buried, in the Belanglo State Forest. Howard has dedicated her career to understanding what makes murderers tick. And so successful has she been in probing the deviant mind that in criminology circles, she has become known as 'the Serial Killer Whisperer'. Police officers, psychiatrists and lawyers have beaten a path to her door, seeking advice on murder cases. She has also advised the families of victims, media outlets seeking commentary and even actors taking on roles as killers. It might surprise you to know how readily convicted killers have responded to Howards approaches. She puts it down having a clinical degree of self-centredness. We live in a world on narcissism, she said recently. Everybody really likes talking about themselves. Exchanging letters with these monsters is no mere exercise in macabre curiosity: it has made Howard an expert in identifying the personality traits psychopaths have in common, and what sets them apart from the rest of society. Surprisingly, Howard didnt set out to study serial killers: in the late 1980s, ready to embark on a career, she planned on being a dancer. Then, a ghastly series of slayings put her on a new course. Like much of Australia at the time, Howard was captivated by the pursuit of a shadowy figure the media dubbed the Granny Killer, who turned out to be married, middle-aged pie salesman John Wayne Glover. Amanda Howard (left) has been pen pals with the Night Stalker, Son of Sam and the Backpacker Murderer, which explains how she got her own distinctive nickname: the Serial Killer Whisperer. (Right: piles of Amanda's correspondence with imprisoned serial murderers) English-born Glover murdered six women aged from 60 to 93 during a 14-month reign of terror on Sydney's lower north shore which ended in March 1990. He attacked his victims in their homes, hitting some over the head with a hammer and strangling others with their own pantyhose. Until the Granny Killer was revealed to look just like the suburban father he was, Howard had a vastly different picture in her head of a man who could commit such atrocities. 'Like many, I had an image of what the unknown killer would look like,' she tells me. 'Some creepy guy, rotten teeth, snarling, drooling, but when he was arrested and he just looked like an average dad, I was shocked. 'I could not believe that a serial killer looked like everyone else. I was hooked. I needed to know more. So, my dreams of spotlights and sequins were replaced by killers and crime scenes.' Howard might have become one of the millions of amateur experts around the world who are fascinated by serial killers, simply devouring books and listening to podcasts. But she was hooked: she enrolled on a Bachelor of Criminology course, wanting to understand fully the psychology behind these homicidal social deviants 'and never looked back'. The mother-of-two, from Sydney's west, is far from a 'murder groupie', a woman who gets a kick out of connecting with killers. Her extensive research as a criminologist, body language analyst, author of 29 books and co-host of the popular podcast Monsters Who Murder: Serial Killer Confessions has made her a respected and internationally recognised authority on humans who hunt humans. In Australia, Howard has exchanged letters with backpacker killer Ivan Milat, nursing home mass murderer Roger Dean, the 'Frankston Serial Killer' Paul Denyer, and 'the Granny Killer' John Wayne Glover (left), who some speculate may have been motivated to kill by the rage and hatred he felt for his own mother Frida (right), with whom he had a complicated relationship One of the key things she has learned is how wrong the popular perception of serial killers as lonely sociopaths the way they are often portrayed in movies and books can be . 'People think they cannot feel real feelings, but they can,' she says. 'It's just sometimes different to how "normal" people feel them. 'This is where their facade comes into play. It's unlikely you would be able to pick a serial killer in a crowd. In all honesty, they are just like the rest of us. Think about it, would a hitchhiker get into a car with someone who was scary? No. 'They may not be perfect, but they will be normal enough to fit in,' she adds. 'This is why they have partners, spouses, siblings and children, without any of them realising their loved one is a killer.' Serial killers are generally skilled at keeping their capacity for cruelty hidden, until it is time to use it: 'They can compartmentalise the two sides of their lives,' she says. Their killer persona gets locked away while they live in reality. When it is time to kill, they swap it out. 'It is not a clear-cut Jekyll and Hyde switch, but it is what they do to survive and live and avoid detection.' Many people will be fascinated to learn that ordinary people can share personality traits with killers. Psychopathy presents on a spectrum. At the more normal end what we might call 'ordinary psychopaths' - sometimes our colleagues, friends or spouses - will possess the same narcissism, superficial charm and lack of empathy as sadistic criminals, but don't carry out acts of violence. Howard does not use words such as 'maniac' or 'animal' when talking to Daily Mail Australia about the subjects of her scrutiny, but her revulsion for some of them is obvious. 'Nearly every single serial killer comes with a level of detachment and a superficially nice guy persona,' she says. 'They really try to disarm those around them by being charming. They repeatedly use your name when they speak to you. It is as though they do it to remind themselves to be friendly, but it can have the opposite effect. 'It is a facade and though they try, it can fall away easily if you push them into a conversation or place that they don't want to be in.' Signs of an 'ordinary psychopath' Not every psychopath is a monster who preys on the innocent. Many seemingly ordinary people have a 'psychopathic personality' that blunts their empathy without leading them down a path of violence. There are six tell-tale signs that the toxic person in your life could share the same psychological 'DNA' as some of history's worst killers... They repeatedly say your name when speaking to you This is often a sign that someone has a facade. It is the psychopath's way of reminding themselves to be friendly - something which does not come naturally to them. Yes, it could be a sign they are simply 'fake' or trying to butter you up. They may also be a harmless person who has read too many self-help books about social interaction. But it's also a known trait among psychopaths because it's a textbook example of their superficial charm, which is strongly associated with psychopathy. They quickly drop the 'nice guy' act under pressure Nearly every serial killer Amanda has spoken to - minus the repulsive Richard Ramirez - possesses a superficial 'nice guy' persona. Everyone knows a nice guy: they remember your name, they smile, they ask questions, they listen in return. It's easy to see why women fall for them. If they're a genuine nice guy with nothing to hide, these warm gestures are just part of their good nature. But if they are a psychopath in disguise, you'll soon find out it's all front. Everyday psychopaths are known for their superficial charm, but show their true selves when backed into a corner. They rely on social habits like calling you by your name to mimic friendliness. And they can't stand anyone else having the last word (stock image) The moment you push them into a conversation or situation where they don't feel 100 per cent in control, they drop the 'nice guy' act fast. This is when the mask slips and they reveal their true selves - and it's your cue to run. They seem normal... but never get it quite right When the law finally catches up to a psychopath, those around them will often say they weren't perfect, but they were normal enough to fit in. So often we imagine psychopaths as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde-type characters. But Amanda emphasises there is no abrupt 'personality switch'. They instead find ways to adapt when in company to avoid detection - but even the most accomplished actors can't deliver a perfect performance. If your gut tells you someone is trying too hard to appear normal, there's a good chance you're right. They love the attention 'Non-killing psychopaths' want to be the most exciting person in the room. When they lay on the charm, it isn't subtle, by any means. They command attention because it gives them a sense of control, which they crave. They are so convincing with their charm, many won't even know it's a facade. They always demand the last word One observation Amanda has made during her years of correspondence with serial killers is they usually want the last word in an argument, especially if they feel shamed or slighted. This often serves as the perfect opportunity to unleash their vitriol - in the hope you will be too blindsided to offer a response. They adopt a fake persona We all have a public face - the one we use at work, for example - which is different to our 'normal' self - who we are with family and friends. For most people, the public persona isn't fake; it's just a socially acceptable front. But for psychopaths, the public persona is a total sham. It's purpose is to deceive others and disguise the wearer's true personality. One way to bring the psychopath out from behind this 'mask of sanity' is to not give them the attention they crave. Starve them of attention and you will soon see their cruel and vindictive side. Advertisement The first serial killer to respond to one of Howard's letters was Arthur Shawcross, who in 1972 raped and killed a 10-year-old boy and eight-year-old girl in Jefferson County, New York. After serving 14 years in prison Shawcross began targeting prostitutes in the Rochester area on Lake Ontario, killing at least 11 women between March 1988 and December 1989. Shawcross, aka. the Genesee River Killer or the Rochester Strangler, sent Howard a poem. 'Why is there a commonality to people like us,' he wrote. 'Can it be our independency and self-sufficiency that keeps our subsequent bizarre behaviour or the rush?' In addition to Shawcross, Howards American mailing list features the likes of Charles Manson, and Dennis Rader, who dubbed himself the BTK Killer for 'blind, torture, kill'. In Australia, Howard has exchanged letters with Ivan Milat, the so-called Backpacker killer whose home, she realised chillingly when he was arrested, she could see from her own Roger Dean, who killed 11 elderly residents in a nursing home, and Paul Denyer, known as the Frankston Serial Killer, who killed three young women in Melbourne in 1993. Milat agreed to correspond with her to protest his innocence. He believed it, she says, but I can tell you no one else did. Howard is now working on a book about Ivan Milat, 'breaking down his thoughts, his lies, his family connections', as well as an 'accidental confession' he gave to her. She firmly believes Milat did not act alone and is convinced he was in fact the less dominant killer in a partnership. 'People always expect Milat to be in charge,' she says. 'He's not smart enough, not as cold-blooded. I have photos of the victims. There is more there than just Ivan.' Milat is among the killers with whom Howard can no longer correspond. He died of stomach and oesophageal cancer in Sydney's Long Bay Jail aged 74 in October 2019. Not all Howard's interactions with killers have gone smoothly: some do not like to be challenged. 'I called one killer dull and boring, and the threats I received from him for being so frank were pretty scary. That was the first threat I received,' she says. 'I've had plenty since then and it's just part of the job now.' Others insist on getting in the last word in one final letter then block Howard's responses if they feel their false front has broken down. 'I see behind the mask,' she reveals. 'And many of them do not like it.' Howard does not hesitate when asked to name whom she considers the 'worst of the worst' of all the serial killers she has encountered. 'Richard Ramirez,' she says. 'Without a doubt.' Texan drifter Ricardo Leyva Munoz Ramirez killed at least 13 men, women and children in greater Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area between April 1984 and August 1985. Most of the murders took place as part of evening burglaries, earning him the epithets the Walk-In Killer and Valley Intruder, as well as the Night Stalker. Ramirez shot, stabbed, bludgeoned and strangled his victims, who were aged nine to 83. He raped many of the women and mutilated some of their bodies. Sentencing the drug-addled Satanist to death in 1989, a judge said Ramirez had acted out 'cruelty, callousness, and viciousness beyond any human understanding'. Ramirez had never shown any remorse for his unspeakable savagery and remained utterly detestable in his letters to Howard. 'He was revolting and gross,' Howard says. 'Even writing to him, his responses were sexually explicit and horrible. 'As I said, "most" serial killers are charming. Ramirez is the exception to every rule. 'He thought he was a rock star, but he was extremely dumb, lazy and uncontrolled.' Howard does not believe Ramirez deserves any credit for being 'real' in his letters to her instead of making the effort to be superficially polite as others have done. 'Nope, not at all,' she says. 'This wasn't his reality, it was just the persona he wanted to use. He wanted shock value and basically it was a pathetically obvious attempt that failed to impress or shock me.' Of the female killers with whom Howard has exchanged letters, among the most loathsome was Theresa Knorr, who is serving two life sentences at the California Institution for Women in Chino. Knorr, who shot her first husband dead in 1962 but was acquitted of murder on the grounds of self-defence. She went on to torture and kill two of her six children in 1984 and 1985. She shot one teenage daughter and left her to lie in a bath tub while the wound turned septic, then ordered two of her sons to help drive the girl to a remote location where she was set on fire. She later forced another daughter into prostitution and, after accusing her of passing on a sexually transmitted disease via a toilet seat, locked her inside a closet where she died. 'Knorr felt threatened by her daughters,' Howard says. 'She was driven by needing to be the centre of attention. 'Even talking to her now, she wants to talk about how amazing she is and wants me to buy her makeup and hair products to doll herself up in prison. 'She spoke at length about her various husbands and how she blamed them for everything. She takes no responsibility for her daughters dying.' Another mother who for decades was labelled Australia's worst female serial killer aroused completely different emotions in Howard from the start. Kathleen Folbigg spent 20 years in prison after being convicted of three counts of murder and one of manslaughter over the deaths of her four infants in the NSW Hunter Valley between 1989 and 1999. Folbigg has always maintained the children died unexpectedly of natural causes, but the prosecution cited entries in her diary as evidence she had smothered them in periods of frustration. A judicial inquiry eventually found that scientific advances showed there was 'reasonable doubt' about Folbigg's guilt. She was released in June last year and in December her convictions were quashed. 'I spent years talking to Kathleen Folbigg and never doubted her innocence,' Howard says. She focused on the Folbigg case for her Masters of Criminology, reading court files and going through all the forensic evidence include autopsy results. 'It really was extremely obvious she was the victim of an outdated and erroneous belief that sudden infant deaths were unlikely to occur a second time in a family,' she says. 'Today it is proven that subsequent children are at a higher risk of sudden death.' For obvious reasons, Howard is careful about what she reveals in her correspondence. 'The concern is that they share letters and details with other prisoners and some of those will be released and will come looking for you,' she says. 'I've needed to change my post office boxes several times because I've been found.' In recent years, Howard has kept working despite crippling grief after her husband, Steve, whom she had known since high school, took his own life in 2017. This year alone, she has released two publications, Killer Minds Vol 2 and A Date with Death, which features crime-related events for every day on the calendar. With a full-time job working in data and analytics on top, the 50-year-old keeps ungodly hours, starting her days at 4am and going until 11.30 most nights. Howard's academic study of serial killers, coupled with her personal communications with many of those who have been caught and convicted, have given her rare insight into their minds. 'It's a hard job to keep up with it all and it takes a toll,' she says. 'Having a child killer give you all the graphic details of what they have done, it does soak into your soul sometimes.' Some of Howards correspondents have passed on: Richard Ramirez died of blood cancer aged 53 in June 2013 while awaiting execution at San Quentin State Prison in California and Arthur Shawcross suffered a fatal cardiac arrest aged 63 in November 2008 at Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, NY. Ironically, she never heard from John Wayne Glover, the so-called Granny Killer, who began her fascination with murder. She wrote to him several times, but he did not respond. Glover hanged himself at Lithgow jail aged 72 in September 2005 while serving six life sentences. Topping the list of those with whom Howard would still like to strike up some sort of conversation is Rose West, one half of Britain's most prolific killing couple. Rose West collaborated with her husband Fred in the torture, rape and murder of at least nine women between 1973 and 1987, having killed her eight-year-old stepdaughter in 1971. Fred West killed himself in 1995, while the couple was awaiting trial, and his 70-year-old widow has so far ignored all Howard's overtures to talk from her cell in HM Prison New Hall in West Yorkshire. 'I have attempted to contact her a number of times, but she has refused every attempt,' Howard says. 'I want to sit and talk to her, to analyse everything she says - and the things she doesn't say. I want to see her manipulation tactics, her mannerisms, and how a mother can be such a sexual deviant.' 'I am fascinated by the West case, and the dynamics involved. I have spoken to a number of killer pairs, but she is kind of my "white whale".' Given Howard's tenacity in getting other killers to reveal their darkest secrets to her, Id say it is still possible that one day she will pick up her mail and find a letter postmarked West Yorkshire. Howard could have become one of the millions of amateur experts around the world who are fascinated by serial killers, devouring books and listening to podcasts. Instead, she enrolled in a Bachelor of Criminology to properly understand the psychology behind these homicidal social deviants 'and never looked back'. She has fought crippling grief after her husband took his own life in 2017, but this year alone has released two publications, Killer Minds Vol 2 and A Date with Death, which features crime-related events for every day on the calendar. While Howard still loves to dance, more of her time these days is taken up talking to and researching serial killers, assorted other murderers and child predators. With a full-time job working in data and analytics on top of all that, the 50-year-old keeps ungodly hours, starting her days at 4am and going until 11.30 most nights. Howard's academic study of serial killers, coupled with her personal communications with many of those who have been caught and convicted, have given her rare insight into their minds. 'It's a hard job to keep up with it all and it takes a toll,' she says. 'Having a child killer give you all the graphic details of what they have done, it does soak into your soul sometimes.' American serial killer Richard Ramirez, known as 'The Night Stalker', smirks and gestures to a photographer after his guilty verdict in 1989. Amanda Howard described him as 'without a doubt' the most vile criminal she has ever had correspondence with Ramirez, a drug-addled Satanist who was sentenced to death in 1989, tried to shock Howard with his 'horrible' and 'sexually explicit' letters (one example is seen here). He didn't even try laying on the superficial charm that some psychopaths do when writing to journalists Howard does not use words such as 'maniac' or 'animal' when talking to Daily Mail Australia about the subjects of her scrutiny, but her revulsion for some of them is obvious. 'Nearly every single serial killer comes with a level of detachment and a superficially nice guy persona,' she says. 'They really try to disarm those around them by being charming. 'They repeatedly use your name when they speak to you. It is as though they do it as a way to remind themselves to be friendly, but it can have the opposite effect. 'It is a facade and though they try, it can fall away easily if you push them into a conversation or place that they don't want to be in.' The first serial killer to respond to one of Howard's letters was Arthur Shawcross, who in 1972 raped and killed a 10-year-old boy and eight-year-old girl in Jefferson County, New York. After serving 14 years in prison Shawcross began targeting prostitutes in the Rochester area on Lake Ontario, killing at least 11 women between March 1988 and December 1989. Shawcross, aka. the Genesee River Killer or the Rochester Strangler, sent Howard a poem. 'Why is there a commonality to people like us,' he wrote. 'Can it be our independency and self sufficiency that keeps our subsequent bizarre behaviour or the rush?' Chillingly, his poem warned that psychopaths walk among ordinary people. 'If you see me in agitation, insanity, furor, excitability, delirium, violence or plain evil, then I suggest you take a deep look in the mirror,' he wrote. The first serial killer to respond to one of Howard's letters was Arthur Shawcross, the Rochester Strangler, who wrote her this poem. 'If you see me in agitation, insanity, furor, excitability, delirium, violence or plain evil, then I suggest you take a deep look in the mirror' Howard has since learned that many of the popular perceptions of serial killers based on movies, books or pseudo-psychology can be wrong. 'People think they cannot feel real feelings, but they can,' she says. 'It's just sometimes different to how "normal" people feel them. 'This is where their facade comes into play. It's unlikely you would be able to pick a serial killer in a crowd. This is how they continue to have "normal" lives.' Howard knows all about the crimes her interview subjects have committed before she writes to them in jail, but warns their true nature would not necessarily be obvious on the outside. 'They may not be perfect, but they will be normal enough to fit in,' she says. 'This is why they have partners, spouses, siblings and children, without any of them realising their loved one is a killer.' Howard observes serial killers are skilled at keeping their capacity for cruelty hidden from those to whom they do not want to reveal their secret identities. 'They can compartmentalise the two sides of their lives,' she says. 'Their killer persona gets locked away while they live in reality. When it is time to kill, they swap it out. 'They let fantasies and ideas run rampant, most of them can control these urges within reason. 'It is not a clear-cut Jekyll and Hyde switch, but it is what they do to survive and live and avoid detection.' Pictured is a selection of letters Amanda Howard received from backpacker killer Ivan Milat during his incarceration at Goulburn's maximum security prison For many killers, asserting their innocence is the primary focus of what they tell Howard. 'Look at Milat,' she says of the NSW backpacker killer. 'He always protested his innocence - believed it - but I can tell you no one else did. Not all Howard's interactions with killers go smoothly and some do not like to be challenged. 'I called one killer dull and boring, and the threats I received from him for being so frank were pretty scary. That was the first threat I received,' she says. 'I've had plenty since then and it's just part of the job now.' Other killers will insist on getting in the last word in one final letter then block Howard's responses if they feel their false front has broken down. 'I see behind the mask,' she reveals. 'And many of them do not like it.' Howard does not hesitate when asked to name whom she considers the 'worst of the worst' of all the serial killers she has encountered. 'Richard Ramirez,' she says. 'Without a doubt.' Texan drifter Ricardo Leyva Munoz Ramirez killed at least 13 men, women and children in greater Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area between April 1984 and August 1985. Most of the murders took place as part of evening burglaries, earning him the epithets the Walk-In Killer and Valley Intruder, as well as the Night Stalker. Ramirez shot, stabbed, bludgeoned and strangled his victims, who were aged nine to 83. He raped many of the women and mutilated some of their bodies. Sentencing the drug-addled Satanist to death in 1989, a judge said Ramirez had acted out 'cruelty, callousness, and viciousness beyond any human understanding'. Ramirez had never shown any remorse for his unspeakable savagery and remained utterly detestable in his letters to Howard. Howard is writing a book about Ivan Milat, better known as the Backpacker Killer. She firmly believes Milat did not act alone and is convinced he was in fact the less dominant killer in a partnership 'He was revolting and gross,' she says. 'Even writing to him, his responses were sexually explicit and horrible. 'As I said, "most" serial killers are charming. Ramirez is the exception to every rule. 'He thought he was a rock star, but he was extremely dumb, lazy and uncontrolled, and that is how he liked it.' Howard does not believe Ramirez deserves any credit for being 'real' in his letters to her instead of making an effort to be superficially polite like other killers do. 'Nope, not at all,' she says. 'This wasn't his reality, it was just the persona he wanted to use. 'He wanted shock value and basically it was a pathetically obvious attempt that failed to impress or shock me.' Of the female killers with whom Howard has exchanged letters, among the most loathsome was Theresa Knorr, who is serving two life sentences at the California Institution for Women in Chino. 'Theresa Knorr is a nasty one,' Howard says. Knorr, who shot her first husband dead in 1962 but was acquitted of murder on the grounds of self-defence, tortured and killed two of her six children in 1984 and 1985. She shot one teenage daughter and left her to lie in a bath tub while the wound turned septic, then ordered two of her sons to help drive the girl to a remote location where she was set on fire. She later forced another daughter into prostitution and, after accusing her of passing on a sexually transmitted disease via a toilet seat, locked her inside a closet where she died. 'Knorr felt threatened by her daughters,' Howard says. 'She was driven by needing to be the centre of attention. 'Even talking to her now, she wants to talk about how amazing she is, and wants me to buy her makeup and hair products to doll herself up in prison. 'She spoke at length about her various husbands and how she blamed them for everything. She takes no responsibility for her daughters dying.' Another mother who for decades was labelled Australia's worst female serial killer aroused completely different emotions in Howard from the start. Kathleen Folbigg spent 20 years in prison after being convicted of three counts of murder and one of manslaughter over the deaths of her four infants in the NSW Hunter Valley between 1989 and 1999. Folbigg has always maintained the children died unexpectedly of natural causes but the prosecution cited entries in her diary as evidence she had smothered them in periods of frustration. A judicial inquiry eventually found that scientific advances showed there was 'reasonable doubt' about Folbigg's guilt. She was released in June last year and in December her convictions were quashed. 'I spent years talking to Kathleen Folbigg and never doubted her innocence,' Howard says. 'I've spoken to hundreds of killers, many of them claim to be innocent, but she is the only one I knew was wrongly convicted.' Howard focused on the Folbigg case for her Masters of Criminology, reading court files and going through all the forensic evidence include autopsy results. 'It really was extremely obvious she was the victim of an outdated and erroneous belief that sudden infant deaths were unlikely to occur a second time in a family,' she says. 'Today it is proven that subsequent children are at a higher risk of sudden death.' Milat is among the killers with whom Howard can no longer correspond. He died of stomach and oesophageal cancer in Sydney's Long Bay Jail aged 74 in October 2019 (pictured in his last public sighting in May 2019) Howard always knew from her correspondence with Kathleen Folbigg that she was innocent. Folbigg was wrongfully convicted in 2003 of murdering her four infant children, only to be pardoned after 20 years behind bars. 'I've spoken to hundreds of killers, many of them claim to be innocent, but she is the only one I knew was wrongly convicted,' Howard says Howard never discloses how she finds killers she writes to - 'not that it's hard' - and is conscious of what she tells them about herself in her correspondence. 'The concern is that they share letters and details with other prisoners and some of those will be released and will come looking for you,' she says. 'I've needed to change my post office boxes several times because I've been found.' Howard does not have a standard way of addressing a prisoner when she first writes to them behind bars. 'It depends on the person,' she says. 'Kathleen Folbigg, I think, I began with "Ms Folbigg" but Charles Manson, he was Charlie. 'When you speak to someone for 20-odd years, of course, the relationship changes. Some knew a lot about me but most I keep at a distance. 'It is a cat-and-mouse game for many of them, but sometimes I'm the mouse and sometimes I'm the cat.' Howard is now working on a book about Ivan Milat, 'breaking down his thoughts, his lies, his family connections', as well as an 'accidental confession' he gave to her. She firmly believes Milat did not act alone and is convinced he was in fact the less dominant killer in a partnership. 'People always expect Milat to be in charge,' she says. 'He's not smart enough, not as cold-blooded. I have photos of the victims. There is more there than just Ivan.' Milat is among the killers with whom Howard can no longer correspond. He died of stomach and oesophageal cancer in Sydney's Long Bay Jail aged 74 in October 2019. Richard Ramirez died of blood cancer aged 53 in June 2013 while awaiting execution at San Quentin State Prison in California. Arthur Shawcross suffered a fatal cardiac arrest aged 63 in November 2008 at Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, NY. Howard wrote to John Wayne Glover, the Granny Killer, several times but he never responded. Glover hanged himself at Lithgow jail aged 72 in September 2005 while serving six life sentences. Howard describes Rose West, one half of Britain's most prolific killing couple, as her 'white whale' because of the number of times she has attempted to contact her without success. Rose West collaborated with her husband Fred in the torture, rape and murder of at least nine women between 1973 and 1987, having killed her eight-year-old stepdaughter in 1971 Topping the list of those with whom Howard would like to strike up some sort of conversation is Rose West, one half of Britain's most prolific killing couple. Rose West collaborated with her husband Fred in the torture, rape and murder of at least nine women between 1973 and 1987, having killed her eight-year-old stepdaughter in 1971. Fred West killed himself in 1995 while the couple was awaiting trial and his 70-year-old widow has so far ignored all Howard's overtures to talk from her cell in HM Prison New Hall in West Yorkshire. 'I have attempted to contact her a number of times, but she has refused every attempt,' Howard says. 'I want to sit and talk to her, to analyse everything she says - and the things she doesn't say. I want to see her manipulation tactics, her mannerisms, and how a mother can be such a sexual deviant.' 'I am fascinated by the West case, and the dynamics involved. I have spoken to a number of killer pairs but she is kind of my "white whale".' Given Howard's tenacity in getting other killers to reveal their darkest secrets to her, it is still possible that one say she will pick up her mail and find a letter postmarked West Yorkshire. October 31, 2024: South Korea reports that North Korea has sent 1,500 of its soldiers to fight alongside Russian troops. About 10,000 more North Korean soldiers are to follow. The North Koreans are wearing Russian uniforms and using Russian weapons. Russia and North Korea are providing bilingual officers who speak Korean and Russian. North Korea also sent a morale officer to encourage the troops to do their duty and help a useful North Korean ally. The soldiers headed for Ukraine usually travel by air in Russian transports. Because of the language differences, the North Korean troops will probably serve together in two or three independent brigades. It appears that a decision has not been made yet. Aside from a few commando operations, North Korean soldiers have not been at war for 71 years. The Korean War with UN forces ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty, in 1953. Back then China and Russia were North Koreas main backers. Russia sent munitions and China was forced to send half a million soldiers to prevent North Korea from being overrun in 1952 after the initial North Korean attack force of 75,000 troops and several T-34 tanks was counterattacked. American soldiers and marines responded within a month. UN forces began arriving a few months later. Since 2022 Russia has been purchasing thousands of missiles and other weapons from North Korea and paying in cash and food. North Korea desperately needs both of those forms of payment. Russia and Ukraine are two of the largest food exporters in the world and, despite the Russian invasion, Ukraine continues to export food, as does Russia. Because Russia needs North Korean weapons and soldiers, food exports to North Korea were increased. This has alleviated another bad year for North Korean farmers. South Korea has spent billions to improve South Korean agriculture. As one of the wealthiest nations in the world, South Korea can import all the food it needs. China frequently sends food aid to North Korea but over the last few years Chinese food production has slumped because of floods and other natural disasters. China is also wealthy and can afford to import more food. At the same time China is sending less food to North Korea. Russia stepped in with more food that is paid for with North Korean weapons and soldiers. North Korea has lots of soldiers to lease to Russia. The North Korean armed forces (Inmun Gun) have about 800,000 soldiers but are considered by American and South Korean intelligence agencies as ineffective because of corruption, famine and lack of money to maintain their aging weapons and equipment. The North Korean Army currently has most of its weapons pointed south and stationed on or near the DMZ. North Korea has the means to be dangerous, for a little while anyway. Fuel shortages, elderly equipment and lack of maintenance means that a lot of this gear would not stay operational for long. As an example, the past 30 years or so of deferred or no maintenance on tube artillery pieces, including the guns on tanks, means almost all of those can only fire one round because their recuperator seals have deteriorated so much. North Korea has two armored divisions, 12 motorized infantry and 23 non-motorized infantry divisions used only for static defense along the DMZ. These troops also serve as border guards to prevent civilians or soldiers from leaving the country via the DMZ. Most of the best educated North Korean troops are in the rear areas, where their parents, bribes and instinct for self-preservation put them. The troops along the DMZ know this and are expected to lose some of their enthusiasm as a result. A growing number of North Korean refugees arriving in South Korea, who served along the northern side of the DMZ, confirm all this. They also confirm that the growing culture of corruption in the military leadership and bureaucracy is seeing more and more of the food and fuel meant for front line troops diverted by corrupt officers and sold in the markets. No wonder so many parents are willing to pay bribes to make sure their sons never get assigned to one of those units. The Russian need for weapons and troops have, for the moment, saved North Korea and its threadbare military. Russia is bankrupting itself to sustain its military effort in Ukraine, where the Ukrainians still receive massive military and economic aid from NATO countries. Russia thought the additional North Korean troops would help but has discovered that many of the North Koreans are more interested in defecting to NATO nations or Ukraine than in fighting Ukrainians. Russia may decide to just use the North Koreans as rear area support troops. There is a need for troops to help with supply and engineering work. The North Koreans would still be in a combat zone but it would not be as dangerous. The North Koreans would not be as desperate to desert and avoid the horrific losses Russian troops are suffering. This week, we published a shockingly honest account of what it's like being married to an extremely well-endowed man - and how bigger isn't always better in the bedroom. When Bridget Zyka met husband Aldo, she soon discovered that being with someone whose penis is twice as large as the average isn't the winning lottery ticket to orgasm-fuelled sex. Quite the opposite, in fact. She says intimacy often leaves her feeling delicate for days afterwards, adding: 'Hand on heart, there are intimate moments when I just grit my teeth and bear it.' Bridget isn't alone. There are millions of women out there experiencing discomfort due to their partners' size. Not only do these women often avoid seeking help out of embarrassment - but when they do, some have been told to use 'numbing cream', 'deprioritise intimacy' or 'grin and bear it'. Here certified sexologist Kiki Maree offers her advice, explains why all hope is not lost and why the above options are absolutely NOT the solution. As a sexologist, I often hear people describe sexual issues that are rarely discussed openly, and having a partner with a large penis is one of them. For many, the cultural narrative reinforces the idea that 'bigger is better,' but for some, the reality can be quite challenging. While people may think you're fortunate, the truth is that having a partner who is well-endowed can lead to a range of physical and emotional challenges. After 10 years of being in this situation, your body might feel like it has reached its limits - and that's completely valid. If no doctor or expert has been able to provide lasting help, it's important to know that you're not alone. Here's how to navigate this experience. 'While people may think you're fortunate, the truth is that having a partner who is well-endowed can lead to a range of physical and emotional challenges,' says Kiki (pictured) 1. Focus on your pelvic diaphragm health One of the most crucial factors in managing discomfort from a large penis is pelvic diaphragm health, also known as pelvic floor health. The muscles of your pelvic diaphragm are responsible for supporting your internal organs, including your vagina, and play a key role in sexual comfort. Tight pelvic floor muscles can exacerbate discomfort during sex, especially with a larger partner. Solution: I recommend consulting with a pelvic floor physiotherapist who specialises in sexual health. They can guide you through exercises to strengthen and relax your pelvic floor muscles, which can significantly improve your ability to accommodate your partner more comfortably. These sessions can also help you learn techniques for easing into penetration, making sex less painful. 2. Communication is key Open communication with your partner about what feels good and what doesn't is essential for maintaining intimacy and preventing pain. Sometimes, you may feel guilty for not being able to physically accommodate your partner, but it's important to remember that a healthy sexual relationship should prioritise mutual comfort and satisfaction. IF you push your body beyond its limits, you could exacerbate the problem by creating fear or penetration, and fear feeds pain. This week, we published a shockingly honest account by Bridget Zyka of what it's like being married to her extremely well-endowed Aldo - and how bigger isn't always better Solution: Be transparent with your partner about your limits and explore alternative forms of intimacy that don't involve penetration. Mutual masturbation, oral sex and sensual massages are just a few ways you can still connect without pain. Remember, intimacy isn't only about intercourse, and there are countless ways to keep your relationship fulfilling. 3. Consider a 'penetration detox' If intercourse has become consistently painful, taking a break from penetrative sex can help you reconnect with your body and relieve some of the physical pressure. Many couples feel that sex must involve penetration to be 'complete' but taking that off the table for a while can help you rediscover intimacy in different ways, such a dry humping and mutual masturbation. Solution: Consider going on a temporary 'penetration detox'. This gives you both time to explore other forms of intimacy, pleasure, and emotional connection. It can also be a great opportunity to refocus on your emotional bond, which is equally vital for a healthy sex life. 4. Experiment with different positions The positions you choose during intercourse can have a big impact on how comfortable the experience is. Some positions may allow for deeper penetration, which could be painful, while others can help you control depth and pace. Solution: Positions like spooning or being on top can give you more control over penetration depth and speed. Using pillows for support can help adjust the angle to reduce discomfort. Take time to explore what works best for both of you, and make it a joint effort to find positions that keep sex pleasurable rather than painful. Sometimes, you may feel guilty for not being able to physically accommodate your partner, but it's important to remember that a healthy sexual relationship should prioritise mutual comfort and satisfaction 5. Lube, lube, lube! Adequate lubrication is essential, especially when engaging with a partner who is larger. Even if your body produces its own natural lubrication, it is oftentimes not enough to prevent friction and discomfort. Solution: Invest in high-quality, water-, oil- or silicone-based lubricants and use them liberally. Reapply as needed throughout intercourse. Don't hesitate to stop and add more lubricant if you start to feel any discomfort - it's a small step that can make a world of difference. The importance of countering the 'bigger is better' mentality A study from Monash University has interviewed men about an under-studied aspect of body image - their penis. The research, led by Associate Professor Gemma Sharp and published in the journal Body Image, studied how positive genital body image could be fostered in collaboration with study participants, young men. The study found that - despite the presentation of scientific literature highlighting that penis size is often not important to intimate partners - most participants remained adamant that penis size did indeed matter. 'The idea that "bigger is better" and "size matters" for penis size is often propagated through mainstream and social media, including widely available pornography often encountered by young people, as well as joke-like remarks or teasing regarding smaller penis sizes among peers, as well as through mainstream or social media,' Associate Professor Sharp said. Trevor's Story: 'I have a penis that isn't straight and wondered if I was normal for years' 'At around age 13, I started to become concerned as to whether my erect penis was "normal" in terms of size and shape. I was especially concerned that my penis wasn't completely straight, and wondered if this was "normal". 'As I matured, I came to think that penises varied, and mine was probably not that different from average. However, I don't think I was fully reassured until I had my first sexual experiences at age 18. 'I think it would have been very valuable to have to have an educational video shown to me at school when I was around 13 as it probably would have allayed at least some of my concerns. Given that pornography is so accessible these days, the video might help to show teenage boys that not all penises are so large as in pornography.' James' Story: 'I had penile augmentation at 34 because I felt my size was inadequate' 'When young men start being introduced to porn, it instantly creates issues with penis size for all the obvious reasons. It was on my mind for many years but I lived with it. Then my wife (at the time) and I had kids and that was when I really started noticing that unfortunately I didn't feel adequate anymore. 'So I dived into the research and forums and found the procedure. It was reversible, low risk, relatively non-invasive, so why not give it a go. The results were instantly impressive across the board. I felt more confident in and out of the bedroom. Unfortunately, for many different reasons, the marriage inevitably fell apart. 'From that point on, and I think penis size did have a contributing factor, my life became amazing. I started dating women again, my confidence exploded, I stood taller, I dived into self help books, embraced becoming healthier, fitter, I learned about women, communication, healthy relationships, sex, my business skyrocketed and I sold it for eight figures and ultimately met the woman of my dreams two and a half years ago. 'All of the work I did, plus my larger penis gave me the confidence to talk to her for the first time and the rest is history. '[However] I have two boys and as they enter their teenage years I plan on talking to them a lot about being comfortable with their bodies and staying as far away from porn as possible. 'Watching porn is honestly the worst thing for their developing brains. This becomes their first insight into what sex should be as they watch men with huge penises disrespecting women, who are very attractive, and then use those references in the real world. 'Teenagers would instantly think that their penises are too small and also have difficulty getting aroused because their partners in the real world are not as attractive nor do they behave in the same way as the porn stars on the screen. 'Eventually guys become too lazy to go out and meet girls because staying home with the screen with an endless smorgasbord of visual stimulation beyond their wildest dreams is available to them. It's bad.' Source: Monash University Advertisement 6. Consider using a dilator For some women, using a vaginal dilator in their own time can help to gently stretch and relax the vaginal muscles, making it easier to accommodate a larger partner. This can be especially helpful if you're experiencing ongoing pain or tightness. Vaginal dilators are designed to help with pelvic pain conditions like vaginismus and those who struggle with penetration or tampon insertion. They are plastic or silicon rods, sold in a set, that are inserted into the vagina to gradually open (dilate) or stretch the tissue. It's held in the vagina for around 30 minutes each day, though takes around three to six months to be effective. They are sold online and by pelvic floor physiotherapists, but should always be used under the guidance of a professional. You can find a real-time guide here. As an alternative, you could also bring in sex toys in the bedroom, starting with smaller toys and gradually increasing them in size. Solution: You can work with a pelvic floor therapist or a sexual health professional to use dilators safely and effectively. This process is gradual and should be done without pressure - your comfort comes first. 'Sexual health is complex, and every body is different. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself, seek support, and explore new paths to a satisfying and fulfilling sexual relationship,' Kiki says 7. Consult a sexologist When it feels like no one has been able to help, seeking the advice of a sexologist may be a valuable next step. Sexologists specialise in sexual health, relationships and intimacy, and they may offer alternative perspectives that other medical professionals might not explore. Solution: If you haven't already, consider booking a consultation with a sexologist who can guide you through personalised strategies to enhance comfort and intimacy. Sometimes, just having a neutral party involved to guide you and your partner through the process can be an enormous relief. The bottom line Living with a partner who has a large penis can be challenging in ways that aren't often talked about. But it's important to know that you deserve pleasure, comfort and emotional support in your sexual relationship. Your pain is not something you should simply accept or push through, and there are steps you can take to improve your experience. With the right combination of physical adjustments, communication and professional guidance, it is possible to find solutions that work for you both. Sexual health is complex, and every body is different. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself, seek support and explore new paths to a satisfying and fulfilling sexual relationship. There's nothing creepier than somewhere that used to be bustling and full of life now completely empty. While the world is full of abandoned pockets, the spookiest are always where life stands stuck in time, or where its inhabitants have been forced to flee in a panic. From towns whose populations gradually dwindled until they were completely void of people due to natural disasters wiping out whole cities, these structures and buildings sit still, capturing a moment in time - until someone dares explore them. With brave explorers diving into the danger, fascinating pictures and videos of these places can help tell a tale of the past. Here, FEMAIL has rounded up some of the eeriest places worldwide. Picher, Oklahoma Picher, Oklahoma was once a thriving mining town for lead and zinc ore until mining ceased in 1967, and it became America's most toxic town. After decades of mining, lead and iron waste began to infiltrate water and soil and the town became part of the Environmental Protection Agency's Tar Creek Superfund Site, which they documented on their website. In 1979, the town caught the attention of the state government and the EPA when the water started flowing from underground mines and into Tar Creek. There are also chat hills throughout the town, which is a hazardous byproduct of lead and zinc mining. As per the CDC, lead exposure can cause damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and development, learning and behavior problems and hearing and speech problems. According to the Picher Historical Society, health and safety concerns in the town continued to grow and the federal government offered buyouts to residents and business owners, though many people initially opted to stay. However, in 2008 a tornado tore through the town resulting in six deaths and destroying more than 160 homes, with the EPA evacuating the town. The federal buyout process was completed in 2009 and municipal operations ceased not long after. Picher, Oklahoma was once a thriving mining town for lead and zinc ore until mining ceased in 1967, and it became America's most toxic town The federal buyout process was completed in 2009 and shortly after the town ceased municipal operations San Zhi, Taiwan The pod houses located in San Zhi, Taiwan are abandoned and never-completed pod-shaped buildings. According to Architectuual, construction of the buildings began in 1978 with the initial intention of a vacation resort. However, the buildings were plagued with tragedies and abandoned in 1980 following investment losses and deaths during construction. There were several rumors as to why some strange deaths occurred during construction. This included the site being "haunted," as it was a burial ground for Dutch soldiers and another that suggested the misfortunes were brought upon anyone who entered due to the workers destroying a Chinese dragon statue at the entrance of the site for road widening, as noted in Rethinking The Future. The eerie pods, which look more like an abandoned alien abduction site rather than a resort, were completely demolished in 2010. The pod houses located in San Zhi, Taiwan are abandoned and never-completed pod-shaped buildings Kennecott, Alaska When it was established in 1903, the Kennecott mine site in Alaska was a hive of activity, becoming the richest copper mine site and resulting in the nearby village, McCarthy, becoming a bustling town. However, mine abruptly closed in 1938 after its copper ran dry Kennecott suddenly became a ghost town; leaving a slew of buildings totally empty and located in an extremely remote area and surrounded by shuttered mines. After sitting totally abandoned for 30 years, the area was declared a designated National Historic Landmark in 1998, as per the National Park Service. People can visit Kennecott today, with the area featuring many interpretive exhibits at the various structures, with the town of McCarthy still home to a few residents, as per Atlas Obscura. While it's not necessarily haunted, the historic area gives visitors a glimpse into the past, and what a working mining town looked like. The now-abandoned Kennecott mine site in Alaska is now a National Historic Landmark District Presidio Modelo in Cuba Presido Molelo in Cuba was a model prison built between 1926 and 1928 by President-turned-Dictator Gerardo Machad. There are a total of five eerie cylindrical buildings. In each building, the cells are built around the curved walls of the five-story towers with a single, elevated watchtower in the middle. The design idea was that prisoners would always feel like they were being watched. Presidio Modelo has been closed for over 55 years and is now a national monument. It also hosts a museum in its old hospital wing, as per Atlas Obscura. Presido Molelo in Cuba was a model prison built between 1926 and 1928 by President-turned-Dictator Gerardo Machado Presidio Modelo has been closed for over 55 years, following riots and hunger strikes. It is now a national monument and hosts a museum in its old hospital wing Pripyat, Chernobyl, Ukraine The city of Pripyat, in northern Ukraine, was evacuated after the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster in 1986, and despite once being home to nearly 50,000 people, has not been inhabited since. Haunting snaps taken by thrill-seekers show a city stuck in time; with pictures of a once populated nursery, complete with rows of cots, mattresses and dolls still eerily in place. Other photographs show thousands of gas masks lying abandoned on the floor and theme park rides which are now being overtaken by nature. Radiation contamination later forced abandonment even outside the 18 mile zone around the plant, and the exclusion zone is expected to be in place for at least the next 20,000 years - as the uranium gradually degrades. The city of Pripyat, in northern Ukraine, was evacuated after the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster in 1986 Scattered amongst the discarded gas masks, a treasure trove of personal items were also found, including a children's picture book (left) and a baby's cot (right) which has rusted away over the years Wittenoom, Western Australia The country town of Wittenoom, Western Australia, once boasted a population of 20,000 people and a booming mining industry. The Wittenoom mine, which once exported blue asbestos to the world, was closed in 1966 and is blamed for causing the deaths of at least 2,000 workers and their families who breathed in the deadly fibers, with many diagnosed with mesothelioma, as type of deadly lung cancer as cited on the mesothelioma information website. The town was declared a contaminated site in 1966, and in 1978, the State Government began encouraging residents to relocate due to concerns over health risks from the presence of airborne asbestos fibers, as the noted on the government website. Now, the town has been taken off maps and is no longer marked by road signs. The country town of Wittenoom, Western Australia, once boasted a population of 20,000 people and a booming mining industry The Wittenoom mine which once exported blue asbestos to the world was closed in 1966 The town was declared a contaminated site in 1966, and in 1978, the State Government began encouraging residents to relocate Yungay, Peru In 1970, a small town in Peru was completely erased in a matter of minutes after an earthquake struck and destabilized a glacier sitting high up on the mountains above the town, burying it in a landslide. According to the Air Mobility Museum, the earthquake claimed 74,000 people that day, and over 25,000 were declared missing. The only things that remain are four palm trees, the church steeple; a bus, twisted into the ground; and the cemetery. In 1970, a small town in Peru was completely erased on a matter of minutes Four Lost Towns of the Quabbin Reservoir, Massachusetts In Massachusetts there are not one - but four 'lost towns' of the Quabbin Reservoir. However, these ghost towns - Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott - don't exist how they once did - because they're now underwater after the area was turned into a reservoir. The New England website notes the Quabbin Reservoir was settled in the early 1700s, and by the 1920s had become earmarked by the Metropolitan District Water Supply Commission to help supply water to the eastern part of the state. In order to construct and expand the Quabbin Reservoir, it required evacuating the towns of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott. In order to do this, it required relocating people and the homes, schools, churches, and shops and exhuming and relocating 7,613 bodies from local cemeteries. Today, a large part of metropolitan Boston get their drinking water from the Quabbin Reservoir. The town of Prescott, Massachusetts in 1927 Greenwich, Massachusetts, before its inhabitants were relocated Gen Z is getting work done younger than ever and they're not afraid to open up about it, unlike past generations. They flock to social media to talk about their procedures, whether it's influencers like Alix Earle discussing her breast augmentation or Kylie Jenner discussing getting and subsequently removing lip fillers. To find out how celebrities opening up about these procedures has influenced the rest of Gen Z, between 12 and 27, FEMAIL reached out to plastic surgeons about the biggest trends, the celebrity photos they bring in, and the potential dangers. Double-board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lesley Rabach, based in New York City, told DailyMail.com patients often bring in pictures of Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Kaia Gerber, and Sophia Ritchie as inspiration. The LM Medical co-founder said the biggest plastic surgery trends for Gen Z in her practice include lip lifts, neck and jawline liposuction, and blepharoplasty, a subtle eyelid procedure that lifts the face. Young women flock to social media to talk about their procedures, including influencers like Alix Earle, above, discussing her breast augmentation Double-board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lesley Rabach, told DailyMail.com that Gen Z patients often bring in pictures of Kendall Jenner, above The Ivy League trained surgeon explained she thinks these particular procedures are popular because Gen Z sees these trends on social media. Dr. Rabach thinks that Gen Z patients are 'seeking more permanent procedures' 'Gen Z patients also tend to do a lot more Botox and filler as well as chemical peels, microneedling, and radio frequency because they want to prevent things from happening at a much higher rate than the older generations,' Dr. Rabach explained. Dr. Rabach thinks that Gen Z patients are 'seeking more permanent procedures,' like lip lifts, which means they won't need filler, as it can migrate. A lip lift shortens the distance between the nose and the upper lip, and is said to result in a more youthful appearance. Dr. Cory Goldberg told DailyMail.com, 'The biggest trend is that it's becoming not just acceptable, but commonplace or even expected that people in their twenties will get non-surgical and surgical treatments done as part of their standard beauty routine.' 'Previous generations looked at these kinds of treatments as the exception rather than the norm,' Dr. Goldberg explained. The Toronto-based surgeon also believes the beauty standard has changed. According to Dr. Goldberg, people are no longer simply seeking out ideal symmetry and aesthetic ratios - they want to look even better than ever. Reality star Kylie Jenner told The Wall Street Journal in 2023 that she 'never touched' her face, although she opened up about getting her breasts done when she was 19 Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague candidly reflected on her 'filler scandal' as she celebrated being 'injection free' for almost five years 'Some common names we hear in the office are Alix Earle, Kylie Jenner, Cindy Kimberly (above), and Daisy Keech for more surgically focused enhancements,' Dr. Barrett said Gen Z women bring in pictures of influencer Daisy Keech (above) as inspiration for plastic surgery procedures Dr. Goldberg told FEMAIL that each generation is starting cosmetic procedures younger - Baby Boomers started in their 50s, Gen X started in their 40s, Gen Y (millennials) in their 30s, and now, Gen Z is starting in their 20s. However, if these young women aren't seeing the right practitioners it can be dangerous, as Dr. Goldberg warned, 'This trend is concerning with the inherent risk of these kinds of treatments and potential long-term consequences of some of them.' One aspect that he worries about is buccal fat removal to get a 'snatched' look, which he thinks could lead to 'hollowed cheeks that make them look skeletal and aged' twenty or thirty years from now. From Dr. Goldberg's experience, his patients don't bring in one specific celebrity aspiration, but instead multiple features from models, 'looking for a mix and match with a custom order.' Dr. Daniel Barrett in Beverly Hills, California, told DailyMail.com, 'Gen Zs approach to plastic surgery focuses on subtlety and preventative care, shifting away from over-filling with hyaluronic acid fillers toward more natural-looking enhancements.' Dr. Barrett explained that lip fillers, neck liposuction, and chin implants are popular, which all lead to a more 'snatched' look. Many patients come in with photos of influencers, instead of traditional celebrities. 'Some common names we hear in the office are Alix Earle, Kylie Jenner, Cindy Kimberly, and Daisy Keech for more surgically focused enhancements,' Dr. Barrett said. He's also seen a rise in liposuction, 'skinny BBLs,' and blepharoplasties, for 'youthful' and defined features, adding, 'It seems like we are shifting back to more of that 1990s beauty standard.' Dr. Barrett does believe that 'certain trends like hyaluronic acid filler in your twenties may not age well,' because 'using filler to fix problem areas can sometimes backfire, especially when going to unqualified injectors.' 'Over-filling can create a "pillow face" effect, which actually makes people look older,' Dr. Barrett said, explaining that 'young celebrities and influencers are constantly facing criticism on social media for this' with many 'speaking out about dissolving their fillers, like Kylie Jenner and Molly Mae.' A back and neck surgeon is sounding the alarm on the dangerous Dancing With The Stars leg lift trend that is making waves on social media - as it could potentially lead to a serious injury. The move was performed by this season's contestant Danny Amendola and his partner, Witney Carson, as he lifted her from the ground by the ankle. The elaborate choreography has now gone viral on TikTok, with thousands of people trying it out for themselves at home - including last season's DWTS contestant Ariana Madix, Nick Cannon and Summer House stars Amanda Batula and Kyle Cooke. However, although this dance move may look pretty, it could cause a whole host of problems for your neck and back, according to board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Rahul Shah out of New Jersey's Premier Orthopaedic Associates. Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Dr. Shah explained why the move is so dangerous, and warned that it could result in serious injury. The move was performed by this season's contestant Danny Amendola and his partner, Witney Carson , as he lifted her from the ground by the ankle The elaborate choreography has now gone viral on TikTok , with thousands of people trying it out for themselves at home Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Dr. Rahul Shah explained why the move is so dangerous, and warned that it could result in serious injury 'In the process of going from a laying down to a standing position, muscles that folks dont typically use may be recruited, potentially resulting in injury,' Dr. Shah told DailyMail.com. 'Specifically, if one doesnt have enough core strength to allow the individual pulling on the leg, one may torque through the spine and cause injury,' he added. 'Additionally, the one who is pulling the leg may also not have enough strength or enough of a stable platform off of which to pull the leg, and this may result in injury for either or both parties involved.' Dr. Shah said that the choreography could potentially 'overload' the lower back and hips, which could lead to a herniated disc. 'If one overloads the lower back or hips, one can over torque the back, hips or pelvis, resulting in injuries that can encompass a muscle pull to a herniated disc, or even a fracture if one falls while executing the maneuver,' Dr. Shah explained. People who have 'underlying back or hip injuries' should especially be cautious of trying these moves at home. And, those who have weak cores should also avoid trying the fancy leg lift out for their TikTok viewers. 'Additionally, if one has a slippery floor or an unstable platform, such moves should be avoided,' he added. Dr. Shah said that the move could potentially 'overload' the lower back and hips, which could lead to a herniated disc People who have 'underlying back or hip injuries' should especially be cautious of trying these moves at home Dancing With The Stars, which has been running since 2005 and is currently on its 33rd season, pairs celebrities with professional dancers and has them competing live, on-air each week. It has seen stars such as Kim Kardashian, Mark Cuban, Denise Richards, Kelly Osbourne and Wendy Williams as contestants, just to name a few. But although entertaining, Dr. Shah admitted to DailyMail.com that he still has some concerns about the show's moves in general. 'I have concerns about the lay person trying to execute the advanced maneuvers in DWTS without appropriate training or practice as such moves, done by a beginner, may lead to injury,' he shared with DailyMail.com. So, the next time you watch Dancing With The Stars, you may want to keep the moves on-screen, and not to your real life. The photographer who captured King Frederik's infamous night out with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova has revealed how the scoop unfolded. The Danish king's Australian-born wife Queen Mary is enjoying a solo Australian holiday 12 months after rumours exploded about her husband having an affair when he was pictured with Genoveva in Madrid. Mary has been spotted soaking up the sun in Sydney this week, taking a walk at Bronte Beach alongside her 13-year-old daughter Josephine on Wednesday and enjoying a dip with friends at Balmoral Beach on Thursday. Queen Mary's last visit to Australia - also without her husband - came just weeks after the photographs of Frederik and Ms Casanova were published by Spanish magazine Lecturas. Now her latest visit on the anniversary of what has been dubbed the Danish Monarchy's greatest scandal has added fuel to rumours the couple's marriage is yet to recover. Genoveva and the then Crown Prince Frederik were photographed by Pepelu Duenas as they walked around Buen Retiro park in Madrid. She has denied the claims of an affair but the popular royal wasn't the photographer's initial target. In fact, speaking to Danish tabloid BT a year on, he revealed he didn't recognise Frederik at all - only the local celebrity he was with, Genoveva. Mary has been spotted soaking up the sun in Sydney this week, enjoying a dip with friends at Balmoral Beach on Thursday Fans couldn't help but notice the queen wasn't wearing a ring The couple have faced malicious rumours since October last year Pepelu was picking up his son when he noticed the socialite and TV personality. He had just finished work but had his camera gear so decided to take a few shots. 'She was accompanied by a man I had not seen her with before,' he explained. Facial recognition software revealed the mystery man was in fact the future King of Denmark. This was confirmed once the photographer forwarded the photos to an agency, sparking the beginnings of Denmark's biggest ever scandal. Speaking to the team at behind Spanish TV documentary 'Paparazzi', he said he had followed the friends back to Genoveva's apartment, where they stayed for two hours. While they were holed-up inside he called for backup. His friends and fellow paparazzo's Jon Arrillaga and Ana Baraja were quickly on the scene. The rumours all go back to his night out in Madrid with Genoveva Casanova The photographers followed the friends to the Corral de la Moreria restaurant. Pepelu said the friends were ushered to a private, screened table at the back of the exclusive restaurant. He claims the friends emerged at 1am, entered the same car and went up to the 47-year-old model's apartment. He explained the 56-year-old royal was first out of the car but appeared to walk down the street. His friend, Genoveva, then went to her apartment and opened the door. At this point the photographer claims Frederik turned around and followed the model inside. The couple appeared to block each other out in their first public appearance after the Madrid photos were published Mary was seen without her wedding ring for the second time this week The photographer and his friends had a stakeout and said King Frederik, whose wife was on official Palace business in New York, emerged the next morning. Twenty minutes later a car picked him up, the photographer said. Genoveva has since slammed any affair rumours as malicious and untruthful. She claims she has many friends in common with the married royal and was simply giving him a tour of the city. The Danish Palace have dubbed it a 'private visit' but otherwise refused to speak about the nature of the meeting. Eagle-eyed fans noticed Queen Mary wasn't wearing her wedding ring as she spent time with her daughter on the beach. Her secret trip to Australia comes after experts revealed the Madrid scandal would endure for the rest of Frederik's time as King. 'It was a huge case, and in principle it will never be forgotten either. It will lie lurking just below the surface for many years,' communications expert Anna Thygesen told BT. 'It doesn't take much for it to flare up again.' Recently I hosted afternoon tea for six new friends, four of us women in our late-50s, and two chaps in their mid-60s. We had initially met at the local gym and I was delighted as everyone got to know each other over scones and sandwiches. But then this peculiar feeling hit me; it was as if I was watching myself from the other side of the room. I saw a 57-year-old woman, with a new circle of friends, living her new life, and panic gripped me. I was flooded with an overwhelming sense of dread, my heart pounding and my mouth dry. Because what I was seeing was a preview of a life that would be mine in the not-too-distant future. A life with new beginnings, of trying to make the best of things. Life as a new widow. Emma Parsons-Reid with her husband Kevin, who was diagnosed in 2020 with cancerous tumours on his lungs I'm not 'her' . . . yet. This was a trial run at life after my husband dies. And, as the resulting panic attack shows, it's something that at times feels almost impossible to come to terms with. For the past four years, I've known that my beloved husband, Kevin, is living on borrowed time. In 2020, aged 59, he went for what was, by then, a routine check-up having earlier had a lucky escape from kidney cancer. We assumed this scan would show the same as the others, that Kev was still in remission. It didn't. The scan showed four cancerous tumours on his lungs and, this time, there were no hopeful promises of a successful battle to come. The doctors didn't sugar-coat it; even with treatment, he had just three to five years to live. When Kev came home, white as a sheet, and told me the news, it rendered me so utterly numb with shock and distress I couldn't even cry. In the years since, I have ricocheted between worrying about my husband and worrying about myself and worrying whether I'm allowed to worry about myself. Because when a loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness, rightly, we put their needs and wants first. We say how unfair it is that their life is being cut short. And everyone checks in to ask them how they are. But what seems to be a far lesser consideration is how what's happening affects the person who will be left behind. And whether, when you know that your partner's death is a certainty, you can start thinking even planning what your life will be like without them? For me, this question has been a constant battle, one that has seen me raging and sniping at my husband one minute and dissolving into tears the next. Since we learned Kev's fate, I've experienced guilt, fury, grief and the realisation that, though you'd like to think you would always treat a spouse dying of cancer with kindness, in practice it's impossible to become impervious to all the little frustrations that troubled you prior to their diagnosis. Yet amid the pain, there have been moments of the purest happiness and peace you'd never think possible. Suffice it to say, it's been completely overwhelming. As trite as it sounds, at 57, I don't feel old enough to deal with this. Most days I successfully ignore the axe that is hanging over us. Yet on others the reality of what's to come will just hit me like at my tea party for my new friends, which is one of my attempts to piece together the foundations for some sort of life when Kev, now 63, has gone. Having taken early retirement from my job in the civil service in my late 40s, I won't have the routine and community of work to sustain me. And all my existing friendships are so tied up in being part of a couple that I know there's a chance they won't sustain once I'm a party of one. So, as well as the gym membership and organising regular 'girls' nights out', I've joined the WI, who have been incredibly welcoming and flattered me last month by voting me in on the committee. I declined. I haven't the mental capacity to take on new responsibilities right now but would definitely consider it in the future. That future. The practical me says it's only good sense to lay these foundations now, so I'm not hit by a wall of loneliness when the day finally comes. The terrified, still happily married me finds these preparations obscene and unthinkable when my husband is still alive. Emma and Kev renewing their wedding vows in 2021 Emma and Kevin walking out of the church on their wedding day in 2006 Am I being selfish? And, in the circumstances, is it unavoidable? Most of the time Kev doesn't want to talk about it, so I'm left to fill the void, swinging between being a 'tiger wife' hungrily and aggressively researching everything about his condition in order to give him one more month of life, one more day with me and thinking of the single woman I will soon become. When we have discussed my future without him, Kev says he wants me to be happy, and that he thinks I'll need to find another relationship in order to achieve that. In a way he's right; I do love to be part of a couple. But I'm a different person to the one I was before I met Kev 22 years ago. And how do you follow your 'great love' anyway? I know that I enjoy men's company they're such great listeners, far better than women, I've always found and would definitely want male friendships at least. As for romance, I used to think I'd feel guilty being with another man. At the beginning, even letting myself think about the possibility was incredibly difficult let alone the idea of talking about it openly. But if I was the one leaving Kev alone, I'd hate the thought of him miserable and lonely, so I accept what he says is true and is not just selflessness on his part. Now, I realise that it's only natural to start contemplating a possible romantic future in this situation. But that doesn't make it any easier. Where would I even start? For one thing, the dating world has changed beyond recognition since I was single, with much of it done online now. I met Kev on a blind date set up by a friend in 2002. He was so gentle and adoring, I intuitively knew he'd be the love of my life. The year after we found out his diagnosis, we even renewed our vows to further celebrate and honour this love. A lot of my friends have tried online dating but with little success. It seems all the good men of our age have been snapped up. One of Kev's friends an average-looking, solvent man in his 60s got divorced recently and, since joining a dating site, he has had a virtual tsunami of women throwing themselves at him. I was horrified by the sheer number of widows among those messaging him. Some were even happy for him to see other women at the same time as dating them. It terrifies me that there was such desperation among these women to have a man in their lives again. Will that be me? Being able to have these frank conversations is a huge step for Kev and me. After the prognosis, the first few months were hard. We tried to carry on as normal, but even something as simple as him kissing me goodnight would see tears running down my cheeks. I'd sob into my pillow, very quietly, grief-stricken in the knowledge we wouldn't grow old together, and that I would be alone and without my best friend. Filled with anxiety, I became increasingly needy for his company, wanting to spend 24 hours a day together. Yet, not wanting to talk about his cancer, Kev disappeared inside himself, somewhere I couldn't reach him. He'd even go out to escape me. I felt shut out and probably the loneliest I'd ever felt in my life. I tried hard to respect his boundaries; he was the one with cancer, so what right did I have to push him? But whenever I thought about losing him my stomach would plunge into my feet as if I was stuck in a fast lift. I wanted to share my feelings and talk it through with my best friend, but that person was Kev and he would shut me down, making me feel guilty in the process. I tried to talk to friends and family though Kev and I never had children together, I have a daughter from a previous relationship but they were only interested in how Kevin was feeling. Even if they did ask me, I couldn't answer them because I didn't actually know. And, although they would understand if I said I was scared, saying that I was scared for myself would be another thing all together. Things were difficult enough without worrying that my friends and family were judging me; better to say nothing. Frustratingly, though, other people seemed to have no such qualms about saying the 'wrong' thing. Friends would say inane things like 'My [perfectly healthy] husband could die tomorrow, no one knows when their number is up, do they?'. I could've screamed, 'But I do know, you imbecile!' Yet I just keep quiet because another thing I've learned nobody really cares once the initial drama of diagnosis has passed. They get on with their lives, just grateful it's not them. They don't spend five years watching the clock tick down, one day at a time. It was five months after Kev's prognosis that I inevitably lost it with him over his complete refusal to communicate with me about what was happening. Something trivial had happened and I saw red. I told him he was cold and how hurt I was to be shut out, and that if he wanted to do this on his own then I'd leave him to it. I have no regrets about that argument because something lifted between us; we both cried and finally talked to each other. Since then, we have both accepted what we are facing head on, having some serious conversations about what lies ahead, from will bequests to funeral arrangements, as well as those discussions about my future life. There have even been some moments of surreal humour; I've been ordering various books on cancer, and one day we'd just got home from Kev's first immunotherapy treatment, when we noticed there was a flashing notification on Alexa. Kev said 'play notification' and then came the announcement that the new book on cancer I'd ordered How Long Have I Got? was arriving today. There was horrible silence as he looked at me and then we both burst out laughing. Though you have to dig deep, there are some benefits to a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. It gave me a new-found appreciation for daily life. There's a sense of euphoria to be found in a simple lunch out together, or a cuddle on the sofa, watching a film with the cats. I encouraged Kev to retire from his job as an engineer after the prognosis, so at least once a month we go away for a couple of days. It feels wonderful just to be us, to enjoy a good meal, chat and indulge in the physical side of our relationship, which is still so important to us. I believe this new-found joy in the everyday is the gift we are given once the terminal diagnosis shock wears off. And life does have to go on. These days, I won't let Kev use cancer as a 'get out of helping out around the house' card. Any moaning, and I'll remind him that he isn't dead yet! I can't be a victim of cancer and I won't let him be one either. Maybe that sounds terrible, but I feel I have to be strong for the both of us. We've come too far and seen too much to give up on life now. The doctors initially treated Kev with immunotherapy but he developed type 1 diabetes as a result. He ended up in A&E in April last year after his pancreas stopped working, and we were told it never would do again. He later had to have a year's break from the treatment in order to recover from a near diabetic coma. So far, tumours have been found in his lungs and lymph nodes, and it feels like a waiting game now to see what organ the cancer will hit next. He was offered radiotherapy on a lymph tumour earlier this year but we declined because the success rate was just 40 per cent and the treatment could damage his heart. Doctors also discussed the possibility of removing a third of his lung to remove three of the four tumours, though in the end they didn't operate to save him becoming breathless. Kev has lost three stone in weight in the past year, though that's because of the diabetes. He has immunotherapy every fortnight and takes a cocktail of drugs including cancer growth inhibitors every day, which can leave him exhausted. There are alarms going off multiple times a day. Alarms for medication time, glucose alarms if Kev's sugar levels are too high or low. I don't think we've finished a conversation, never mind watched a film all the way through, without this sort of interruption. I still have occasional bad days, where my assortment box of thought processes keeps being added to, surprising me with their diversity and suddenness. I lurch from the depths of gloom, wondering what will become of me without my person, to being positive and convinced he could go on for years. While the doctors aren't saying anything beyond the initial prognosis, I know that means, at best, I've got my husband for another year. I've even allowed myself the odd pang of resentment, thinking that if I had married someone else I wouldn't be dealing with all this angst. After all, four years is a long time to live like this. These feelings don't last long but they are there. All we can do is take things one day at a time. And, while I am savouring every last moment I have with Kev, I must continue building the foundations of my life without him. That way, when the time comes, though who I am now will die with him, a new me will survive to live on. Sarah Palin divided NewsNation viewers after donning a revealing outfit on Chris Cuomo's self-titled show this week, 'Cuomo Town Hall.' The former Governor of Alaska, 60, also raised eyebrows by showing off two tattoos on her wrist. The controversy started when Palin stepped onto the stage alongside Bill O'Reilly to discuss gender playing a role in the 2024 presidential election. The glamorous Going Rogue author turned heads in a pair of black knee-high leather boots and a short black mini-dress with a plunging neckline. Her choice of attire outraged a number of NewsNation viewers, with some accusing John McCain's former running mate of being dressed inappropriately. Sarah Palin sparked backlash after donning a revealing outfit during an appearance on NewsNation this week The glamorous Going Rogue author turned heads in a pair of black knee high leather boots and a short black mini-dress with a plunging neckline 'Her outfit was absolutely a shame and disgrace,' one person wrote. 'Think the men were uncomfortable and she definitely was. She was trying to hide and cover the exposure. Shameful.' Another added, 'I have always defended Sarah, but I was horrified when I saw her outfit!!! WRONG for the occasion!!! Did she think she was going on a blind date???' Despite the backlash, Palin also had many supporters in the comments. 'Forgetting about the outfit, she looks FAB! 60-years-old now and whatever she's had done is subtle,' one wrote. 'She looks fab! Dont be jelly,' someone else added, while another wrote, 'Palin looking good as always.' On top of that, Palin also sparked conversation around what appears to be two small tattoos on her wrist. The alleged inkings were brought up by political commentator Dave Smith, who debated Palin on an episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored earlier this week. The former Governor of Alaska, 60, also raised eyebrows by showing off two tattoos on her wrist During the NewsNation discussion, Palin declared: 'I personally don't think that gender is a big darn deal in this race.' Pictured at Sirius XM Studios last month 'Are you tatted up?' Palin's alleged inkings were brought up by political commentator Dave Smith (pictured), who debated Palin on Piers Morgan Uncensored Reflecting on the debate on his self-titled podcast the next day, a stunned Smith said, 'She had a tattoo on her hand that I noticed at one point.' He added, 'Are you tatted up? Really? Sarah Palin?' His co-host, Robbie Bernstein, responded, 'I think she's out divorced, partying it up right now. I think she's doing a whole new thing.' During the NewsNation discussion, Palin declared: 'I personally don't think that gender is a big darn deal in this race.' When confronted with polls that show that men were overwhelmingly voting for Donald Trump, while women were voting for Kamala Harris, Palin had an interesting take. 'I believe that poles are really good for strippers and cross-country skiers, but not for a whole lot of other things!' she said. The Alaskan politician and her husband of 31 years Todd Palin finalized their divorce in 2020. Todd filed in 2019, citing 'incompatibility of temperament between the parties such that they find it impossible to live together as husband and wife.' Palin later found love with legendary ex-NHL star Ron Duguay, who she's been dating since 2021. DailyMail.com has contacted Palin for comment. Kmart Australia shoppers reluctant to fork out hundreds of dollars on a designer handbag have discovered a $22 'dupe' of a $650 luxury tote bag. Fashion blogger, known as Kmart Insider, has found what she believes to be an affordable alternative of Tory Burch's Ever-Ready handbag. 'A designer looking tote without the splurge?! It's a hard YES,' the blogger said. The purse-friendly printed style features a detachable coin bag, carry handles, a snap button closure, a main compartment and a zippered pocket. The brown mono handbag is made from synthetic plastic. The blogger also pointed out the $22 item is a great option for those who can't afford a Louis Vuitton handbag, which can cost upwards of $3,000. Many were impressed by her comparisons of Kmart and Tory Burch's handbags - with one saying: 'I literally spotted the Kmart bag today... Might have to go back for it.' Another said: 'Ohh wow... this is so cool.' Kmart Australia shoppers reluctant to fork out hundreds of dollars on a designer handbag have discovered a $22 'dupe' (left) of a $650 luxury tote by Tory Burch (right) The purse-friendly handbag appears 'expensive' but costs just $22 Meanwhile, those who own an expensive Louis Vuitton handbag admitted they can never fully enjoy it because they're afraid of damaging it. 'To be honest, I have an LV bag that's like new because I hardly use it. It's just sitting there in its cloth cover. Meanwhile my go-to daily bag is a Kmart one,' one said. Last month, Kmart shoppers were obsessing over a $10 item that looked almost identical to a $200 pair of Birkenstock sandals. Bargain hunters said the Kmart sandals were an affordable alternative to the pricey brand's classic Arizona with gold buckles. The cheaper slides have been flying off the shelves across Australia - with fans claiming they are 'better than Birks' - especially given their extremely low price. Both designs of the shoes appear similar - but despite the huge price difference, there are many key features the Kmart version doesn't have. Kmart shoppers have been obsessing over a pair of $10 slides (left) that looks almost identical to a $200 pair of Birkenstock sandals (right) Birkenstock is widely known for its high-quality, sturdily constructed and long-lasting sandals that provide unparalleled comfort and support due to its contoured footbed. The shoes are made from a mixture of natural cork, latex and real leather. The budget-friendly slip-on slides have received a near-perfect rating - with an average of 4.7 stars out of 5. Many claim the sandals are surprisingly comfortable - and it's a 'great alternative' for those who can't afford the pricier version. 'I love these, super comfy but still look good with most types of clothes. They run a tiny tad small I think so keep that in mind,' one said. 'Comfy sandal and colour goes with most outfits. Looks very similar to Birkenstock sandals,' another raved. 'This looks very similar to the original Birkenstock. It is very comfortable and I wear it everywhere. It's amazing and looks beautiful too,' one added. Like many of you, my jaw hit the floor when I saw those photos of British actress Kate Beckinsale at Variety's 2024 Power of Women event last week. At 51, Kate is arguably one of Hollywood's most beautiful women. But she seems to have traded in her naturally striking features for a brand-new face - and body - that makes her look like a carbon copy of every reality star and Insta influencer out there. The woman in the photos wasn't the classy Hollywood star who I'd always found so sophisticated in that English rose sort of way, but a woman who'd been nipped, cut, stretched, injected, prodded, sucked and plumped into something unrecognisable. I'm not a plastic surgeon (although I wish I was, I'd have a much more impressive property portfolio) so I won't list all the cosmetic procedures I think she's had... but if I was a betting girl, I'd guess a face lift, neck lift and 'fox eye' surgery for starters. Let me make this clear: I've long been a champion of a woman's right to do whatever the hell she wants to do to her body to look and feel good. Hell, I've done it! And Kate does look stunning - certainly better than me on a good day. But what I wonder is... does it feel good to look this way, Kate? Are you happier? And are you doing it for you? Or are you doing it to keep up with the ridiculous standards Hollywood - and society in general - puts on woman who dare to age past 50. My guess is no. Like many of you, my jaw hit the floor when I saw those photos of British actress Kate Beckinsale at Variety's 2024 Power of Women event, writes Amanda Goff The woman in the photos wasn't the classy Hollywood star who I'd always found so sophisticated in that English rose sort of way, but a woman who'd been nipped, cut, stretched, injected, prodded, sucked and plumped into something unrecognisable I can't help but wonder whether Kate's appearance is her trying to keep up with the ridiculous standards Hollywood - and society in general - puts on woman who dare to age past 50. (Kate Beckinsale is pictured in the 2006 move Click, when she was about 32 years old) My belief is - and I can say this from my own experience plastic surgery doesn't necessarily make you happier. In fact, in some cases, it can make you feel even worse. It can make you feel even more insecure and self-critical. I'm no stranger to going under the knife. I've worked in two careers where looks were important - as a beauty editor on glossy magazines and in the adult industry. (Believe it or not, it was the magazine job I wore more make-up for. Men who paid for my services didn't care about plastic surgery half as much as other women do.) I'm 50, and during those years I'll admit I have taken surgery a little far. Here's my list and counting: a nose job, lower face lift, an upper blepharoplasty, a labiaplasty (Google it), five boob jobs, and, of course, Botox and fillers, the latter of which I stopped and had dissolved two years ago. Just like Kate, I also look unrecognisable compared to the fresh-faced young twentysomething I used to be. I can't deny that - which is why I don't judge her at all. My belief is - and I say this from my own experience - plastic surgery doesn't make you happier. I hope whatever work Kate has had done, she did for the right reasons, says Amanda (pictured) Just like Kate, I also look unrecognisable compared to the fresh-faced young twentysomething I used to be. I can't deny that - which is why I don't judge her at all, says Amanda (pictured left after a surgical procedure, and right in a photo taken at the age of 29) I had my nose done thinking it would change my life. It didn't. I actually miss my Persian hooter - as seen in this classic shot with Peter Andre - because it gave my face character But here's what I am willing to admit: absolutely none of it made me happier in the long-term. In fact, I have some profound regrets. My surgeons were all fantastic - the best in their field. They explained to me the risks of each procedure meticulously, and I had several consultations before I was allowed to go ahead. This is actually law in Australia: patients need to have a GP referral before undergoing any cosmetic or plastic surgery and be proved to be mentally fit. I also filled out a form asking questions of my mental health and body dysmorphia. So the issue wasn't my surgeons or the procedures. The problem was me. The number-one reason why I know plastic surgery can never make you truly happy is because, regardless of what you have done, it will never be enough. Never. I had numerous boob jobs (bigger and bigger) thinking it would change my life. It didn't. Having big boobs actually made life more complicated - certainly with men. They stared, fixated, obsessed and drooled - or smirked - at me. I became a bimbo with big boobs more than a woman with a brain. And they were never big enough. Even after my last boob job a few years ago, from a neat B cup to a DD, I was already planning the next one. I had a lower face lift, which looks great, but now I am already wondering when an acceptable time would be to get another quick nip and tuck. My eyelids were drooping with age so I went under the knife as a 50th birthday present to myself. But now I'm noticing a tiny droop is coming back so I'm thinking of going back already. The labiaplasty, again, was great - but no one is seeing my nether regions these days. I choose celibacy over casual sex. Honestly, I'd rather have a cup of tea than get naked with someone. I had my nose done thinking it would change my life. It didn't. It just changed the shape of my nose. I actually miss my Persian hooter as it gave me character. I had a lower face lift, which looks great, but now I am already wondering when an acceptable time would be to get another quick nip and tuck I had numerous boob jobs thinking it would change my life. It didn't. Having big boobs actually made life more complicated - certainly with men. They stared, fixated, obsessed and drooled - or smirked - at me. I became a bimbo with big boobs more than a woman with a brain Get my drift? You will never, ever be satisfied. Because the tweaks don't last forever, and because you will catch yourself in the mirror one day and fixate on a feature that isn't perfect, and realise, assuming you have the funds, that you can fix it quite easily and before you know it you're having a consultation again. I remember crying in my car after a breast enlargement. I was in a lot of pain, I felt terribly low and it dawned on me that nothing had changed in my life except the size of my boobs. 'What's wrong with me?' I sobbed to a girlfriend. Ladies, use me as a cautionary tale. You may think having that procedure, that tweak, that lift, those silicone balloons - or, heaven forbid, a Brazilian butt lift - will make you happier, will change your life, will make you feel complete, like I thought it would with me. But believe me, it really doesn't. It may change the way you look physically or the way clothes fit on your body - but you will still be the same person inside. And if you don't like that person, fake boobs or a bigger bum isn't going to fix that. Kate, you look amazing - but, of course, you always did. I just hope you're okay where it counts on the inside. How could a cocky blond 20-year-old upstart from Australia be about to win the most prestigious surfing competition in the world: the 1978 Banzai Pipeline Masters in Hawaii? This gruelling competition takes place in 'one of the most dangerous, snarling tubular masses of water on the planet', which has killed more surfers than all the other surfing spots in the world combined. The Hawaiians, possessive of their own world-beating surfing prowess, did not like what they were seeing. They gawped as the young, fearless Larry Blair won heat after heat, reached the final and then had the audacity to win the competition, thanks to what he describes as 'the added wiggle, making sure to spend more time in the deepest, nastiest caverns of the tube.' Reading Larry Blair's exhilarating memoir, brilliantly put into words by his friend and co-surfer Jeremy Goring (hotelier to the Royal Family), is like riding a liquid roller coaster in itself. It would be gripping enough if it were simply about how a boy with a surfing obsession became a global champion. The descriptions of being inside a vast wave ('a liquid cathedral') are mesmerising as well as terrifying, and Larry's love affair with surfing makes you understand the addictive magic of the sport. Reading Larry Blair's exhilarating memoir, brilliantly put into words by his friend and co-surfer Jeremy Goring (hotelier to the Royal Family ), is like riding a liquid roller coaster in itself. Pictured: Larry Blair Aged just 19, Larry won the Australian 'Surfabout' competition, earning him a huge cash prize. And the next year, he won the Banzai Pipeline Masters in Hawaii But that's only half the story. The other half is that Larry's mother Patricia and his stepfather Frank 'Baldy' Blair were two of Australia's most hardened thieves, and Larry grew up as their well-trained apprentice. Their family home in Sydney 'looked like Harrods or Saks Fifth Avenue': full of stolen goods. His parents would sit up all night planning their crimes: how they would 'liberate' $200,000-worth of goods in their next heist. Young Larry knew no other lifestyle. His parents dressed him in silk and cashmere. He gratefully accepted the ill-gotten gifts that Frank ('a gnarled bundle of scar tissue' whom he calls 'Dad') gave him one of which was a 7ft 6in red spear-shaped surfboard: 'To this day the finest thing I've ever owned and the only inert object I've ever truly loved.' At first, Larry describes the criminal underworld he grew up in as a bundle of fun: his effervescent mother's 'good looks, sparkly openness plus resourcefulness and guile made her especially good at thievery', and she often invited Larry along to help her in the art of distraction. But the crimes grew more audacious. Frank's armed gang started targeting banks, and 'anywhere you could point a gun at someone'. Then, aged 12, Larry overheard them plotting the biggest armed robbery in Australian history: an armoured van carrying cash. Taking the drivers by surprise at gunpoint, when their van door was open during the lunch hour, Frank and his gang ran off with over half a million dollars in cash. 'The World's Most Expensive Lunch Break,' blared the headlines. After hiding the cash in a betting shop ceiling, Frank took the family out to a Chinese banquet. Then they had to go into hiding in the desert for a while. Frank comes across as a lovable, big-hearted, rogue. He paid a terrible price. One of his co-robbers gave him up, and he was hunted down by a gang of even more ruthless criminals known as the Toe-Cutters, who kidnapped him and cut each of his toes off one by one, asking him where he'd hidden the loot. Then they killed him, and dissolved his body in a barrel of acid. Their family home in Sydney 'looked like Harrods or Saks Fifth Avenue': full of stolen goods. Pictured: Surfers at Bondi Beach in Sydney From then on, Larry's mother Patricia became a criminal in her own right, running an efficient network from her house. When Larry was in his mid-teens, she and her friend John started a scam redirecting dole payments into fictitious accounts. Larry took part in this. In a good week, $1,000 could be paid into his fake account. But the police were on to them, and they had to run away again this time to the UK, where Patricia joined the British crime network Larry didn't take to Britain. He decided to use his funds to buy a ticket to Hawaii where he fell in with the global surfing community, of discontented viscounts, druggies, misfits and escapees like him. On return to Australia he was arrested and freed, but the fright that gave him marked the end of his criminal career and the start of his surfing one. The descriptions of the tower-block-tall Hawaiian waves in this book are unforgettable: giant swells of water colliding with the islands' steep volcanic peaks. The waves echo tempests that happened 3,500km to the north several days ago. A slight holding back of energy at the last moment 'creates a final, mighty concentration of power'. Aged just 19, Larry won the Australian 'Surfabout' competition, earning him a huge cash prize. And the next year, he won the Banzai Pipeline Masters in Hawaii. The global fame went straight to his young head. By his own admission, he 'drank, partied, sh*gged and crashed cars' all over Sydney. No girlfriend could stick with him for long: he was too obsessed with surfing. There was darkness at the heart of the world of competitive surfing. 'Localism,' he explains, 'is one of surfing's ugly secrets.' Larry naively blurted out in a magazine interview that he intended to win five Pipeline Masters victories. That was the catalyst for the revenge of the locals. Larry didn't take to Britain. He decided to use his funds to buy a ticket to Hawaii where he fell in with the global surfing community, of discontented viscounts, druggies, misfits and escapees like him. Pictured: Australia's Tyler Wright takes part in Hawaii's Banzai Pipeline At his third attempt at the Banzai, in 1980, he was hounded and chased off the waves by a gang of three or four Hawaiian surfers. 'I felt like a seal hunted by orcas.' He crashed out of the competition. 'That irritating swagger had become my Achilles heel,' he writes. 'It had made me a target.' He decided to quit competitive surfing for good. He made his living doing TV adverts and taking roles in TV soaps, before becoming a chef. He now lives happily in Bali with his wife, Nyoman. As for his mother Patricia, in 1980, she and her friends planned and executed the most brazen jewel theft in Australian history: the Goloconda diamond, or 'Glonda', which was on temporary display in a glass case in Sydney town hall. They pretended to be the diamond-cleaners. Once they'd stolen the diamond, they didn't know what to do with it. To this day it is listed as missing. Patricia died of a brain tumour aged 48. Mother and son had matched each other in audacity. Her theft of the 'Glonda', Larry writes, was 'the high point of her mad, dangerous, hilarious and utterly incomprehensible career. It was 'her Pipeline.' BOOK OF THE WEEK: THE OUTSIDE, by Larry Blair and Jeremy Goring (Penguin Random House Australia 17.99, 320pp) November 1, 2024: In 2023 an American company has begun production of a 21st century version of the World War II PBY Catalina patrol aircraft. The new Catalina weighs 14.5-tons and is powered by two turboprop engines. The new Catalina can carry up to 34 passengers or 5.5 tons of cargo and has a smaller crew. This version also has modern avionics and is built to land and take off in rougher seas than the original aircraft. Deliveries of the new Catalina are expected to begin in 2029. Most of the new Catalinas will be used for civilian applications, like transport to areas lacking airfields or performing rescue work at sea. Like the World War II version, the new Catalina will also be able to carry passengers and cargo. Maximum range is 2,700 kilometers. The peace time crew is only four personnel and, for long-range flights, only half a dozen passengers, plus some cargo, can be carried. A military version of the new Catalina will weigh 18 tons and be used for patrols in combat zones as well as delivering and retrieving personnel in remote areas. U.S. SOCOM (Special Operations Command) is interested in procuring some new Catalinas to support activities in remote areas. Catalina can land on rough airfields as well as lakes and rivers. The Catalina can fly low, slow and quietly to destinations in remote areas while avoiding localities where someone might fire on them. The original Catalina was a 16-ton amphibious aircraft that was 19.5 meters long with a 32 meter wingspan. The wartime crew of eight consisted of a pilot, co-pilot, bow turret gunner, flight mechanic, radioman, navigator and two waist gunners. The aircraft was powered by two radial piston engines and had a cruise speed of 201 kilometers an hour and a range of 4,000 kilometers. The Catalina could stay in the air for about 19 hours at a time. This depended on the cargo or bomb load of two tons. Between 1936 and 1945 3,308 Catalinas were built, 27 of them in the Soviet Union. During World War II Catalina were used for maritime patrol as well as search and rescue. Hundreds of downed military pilots were rescued by Catalina, which could land at sea and take the air force or navy aircrew on board. Sometimes Catalinas carried supplies or personnel to remote areas in the Pacific. The aircraft could return with sick or injured personnel. The maritime patrols searched for German submarines in the Atlantic. Catalinas could carry depth charges and bombs to use against targets, as well as flares to light up ships at sea during hours of darkness. After World War II, some Catalinas were used for very long distance flights, some of them taking two days to complete. The aircraft could stop along the way to take on or discharge passengers and cargo. Currently there are no more World War II Catalinas in flying condition, but some are still able to taxi in the water and give people a close up look at a World War II aviation legend. The new Catalina will be produced in smaller quantities but will perform many of the same missions as the original Catalina. There are still at sea rescue missions to be carried out as well as maritime patrol work. For Coast Guards and Border Patrol agencies, the new Catalina offers needed surveillance and transport services. Crown Prince Haakon spoke to press at the opera in Norway on Thursday The heir to the Norwegian throne has said the family are taking 'care of each other' amid his stepson's legal battles. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, 51, spoke to press about the 'demanding situation' when attending the Opera on Thursday evening. Haakon's stepson, Marius Borg Hiby, 27, faces assault charges against former partners following his arrest in August. 'I understand that there are many questions about this. It is, of course, as you surely understand, a demanding situation,' the royal said to NRK when translated to English. According to Sweden Herald, the future monarch added: 'There is an ongoing police investigation, and I don't think it's right to say too much about individual aspects of it. Crown Prince Haakon (pictured in September with Crown Princess Mette-Marit) said the family are caring for each other amid his stepson's legal battles Often called the 'black sheep' of the Norwegian Royal Family, Marius Borg Hiby has found himself in headlines again as he continues to deny allegations of assault. Borg Hiby, who is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, has denied criminal liability for abuse in close relationships against two women - Nora Haukland and Juliane Snekkestad - and claims himself to be a victim. The 27-year-old has reportedly been questioned over the allegations in eight police interviews, and was taken into custody earlier in October after breaching a restraining order. The restraining order was for the protection of Rebecca Helberg Arntsen, whom Borg Hiby admitted to assaulting in a booze and drug-fuelled attack on 4 August, which saw him arrested for the first time and held in a police cell overnight. The order was not made immediately after the attack, but after Borg Hiby reportedly contacted the victim on several occasions following the assault. Meanwhile, assault charges against the royal have recently expanded to include three more alleged victims, two of whom have been named as his ex-girlfriends Juliane Snekkestad and Nora Haukland. However, Borg Hiby has denied the charges, with his defence lawyer claiming the 27-year-old had faced abuse in a past relationship himself. The scandal comes at a difficult time for his immediate family, as his mother Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 51, was last month placed on sick leave due to side effects of her chronic lung disease. The heir to the Norwegian throne (pictured with Marius Borg Hoiby in December, 2017) said the family is facing a 'demanding situation' Marius (pictured with Mette-Marit in June, 2022) is facing assault charges against former partners following his arrest in August The Norwegian Royal Court confirmed to Femail that 51-year-old Mette-Marit is taking some time out, saying: 'H.K.H. The Crown Princess is on sick leave. 'Due to side effects of the medication that Her Royal Highness is using for her chronic lung disease, she is on sick leave, initially for a week. Her official program during this period will be cancelled or postponed.' Last month, the court warned that Mette-Marit's current course of treatment for pulmonary fibrosis may interfere with her planned duties over the coming weeks. The Crown Princess' health condition was first made public in 2018, when it was revealed Mette-Marit had been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis or the thickening of lung tissue. At the time, Mette-Marit issued a statement explaining that the condition 'means my working capacity will vary' to accommodate her treatment including 'periods of time without an official programme'. 'For a number of years, I have had health challenges on a regular basis, and now we know more about what is involved,' the mother-of-three said. 'The condition means that my working capacity will vary. 'The Crown Prince and I are choosing to make this public now partly because in future there will be a need to plan periods of time without an official programme to accommodate treatment and when the disease is more active.' Mette-Marit and the Crown Prince share two children together, and the Crown Princess also has a son, Marius Borg Hiby, from a previous marriage Marius Borg Hiby (seen in 2021), now 27, is currently embroiled in scandal after he sensationally admitted to assaulting a woman he called his 'girlfriend' while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine In the wake of the scandal, the Norwegian Palace confirmed Hiby (seen in 2022) would not attend the wedding of Princess Martha Louise to self-proclaimed shaman Durek Verett in Geiranger Fjord on August 31 Pulmonary fibrosis is incurable and worsens over time, but the Norwegian royal's doctor, Professor Kristian Bjro at the National Hospital, said they'd been monitoring her condition for several years and the 'disease progression has been slow over this period'. Not much is known about the unusual variant of fibrosis that was detected in Mette-Marit's lung but, according to the Royal House, 'there is broad consensus that, unlike other more common types of pulmonary fibrosis, it is not related to environmental or lifestyle factors'. The fact that the disease was detected at an early stage improves Mette-Marit's prognosis, as per the Palace's official statement. 'Even if such a diagnosis will limit my life at times, I am glad that the disease has been discovered so early. My goal is still to work and participate in the official programme as much as possible,' the mother-of-three said. According to the NHS, the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis include shortness of breath, loss of appetite and weight loss, extreme tiredness, a persistent dry cough, and swollen fingertips. Queen Camilla, 77, will appear in a new documentary later this month Queen Camilla is set to star in a new documentary about domestic abuse next week - as part of her ongoing work to tackle the problem. The royal, 77, will appear in a new documentary, The Queen: Behind Closed Doors, which will share details of her work to raise awareness and combat domestic and sexual violence. The 90-minute programme will air on Monday 11th November 2024 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Highlighting the queen's pioneering work in the sector, the documentary will showcase one year of engagements and meetings with survivors of domestic abuse. In a newly released preview for the series, Camilla can be heard saying: 'I want to do something about this.' Queen Camilla (pictured) is set to star in a new documentary about domestic abuse next week - as part of her ongoing work to tackle the problem The royal, 77, will appear in a new documentary, The Queen: Behind Closed Doors, which will share details of her work to raise awareness and combat domestic and sexual violence During the beginning of the video, the queen can be heard saying 'I don't know where you'd like me to begin' before revealing a number of shots from different engagements and meetings across the year. In one shocking scene, one woman - presumed a survivor of domestic abuse - said 'He pointed the gun at my chest and told me he loved me and pulled the trigger'. Camilla has been a passionate campaigner on the issue for over a decade, working with organisations to break the taboo around the issue and support survivors. One in 5 adults are victims of domestic abuse in the UK, including a quarter of women. The wife of King Charles has done pioneering work in the sector, meeting survivors undertaking visits to Sexual Assault Referral Centres across the country, and even launching the wash bag scheme. In the new film, viewers are expected to see various examples of the queen's work to tackle to issue, including scenes of her hosting a roundtable with teenagers, and celebrating International Womens Day at Buckingham Palace. It is also set to explore the root of perpetrators abuse and how the cycle can be stopped in its tracks. The film has been directed by Angela Byrne and Kerene Barefield. When it was first announced that the royal would be taking part, Kerene said it was a 'privilege' to work alongside Camilla. 'It has been a privilege to have been entrusted to produce this film and observe firsthand Her Majesty The Queen's work in the field of domestic abuse,' she said. 'Our aim was to not only highlight the devastation caused by domestic abuse in the UK, but also give a voice and re-empower the victims. The 90-minute programme will air on Monday 11th November 2024 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX In one shocking scene, one woman - presumed a survivor of domestic abuse - said 'He pointed the gun at my chest and told me he loved me and pulled the trigger' 'The Queen is not alone in trying to 'obliterate' this curse, and we have been honoured to work with charities and services who work on the frontline to support survivors, rehabilitate victims and campaign for change. 'We are humbled that our brave survivors have told their stories on camera. It is our belief that by sharing them in this film, we can help people understand what abuse looks like in 2024.' 'If we understand what it looks like, together we will be able to tackle domestic abuse and make a difference.' As part of her extensive ongoing work in the sector, in 2013, Camilla started the Wash Bags project to provide survivors of sexual assault with toiletries, including soap and shampoo, to use following forensic examination. The project aimed to offer comfort and familiarity to victims at what can be a very sensitive and dehumanising time. In 2024, The Wash Bags project was relaunched to celebrate In Kind Direct, of which Camilla is a patron. She has also visited numerous centres internationally, including in the USA, India and the Balkans in 2014. She was also made patron of the Mirabel Centre - Nigerias first Sexual Assault Referral Centre. At a speech earlier this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service, the queen said she hoped the 'horrific' scourge of domestic abuse would be 'obliterated' in the next 50 years, while making a speech at a domestic abuse charity. Camilla has been a passionate campaigner on the issue for over a decade, working with organisations to break the taboo around the issue and support survivors One in 5 adults are victims of domestic abuse in the UK, including a quarter of women In 2013, Camilla started the Wash Bags project to provide survivors of sexual assault with toiletries, including soap and shampoo, to use following forensic examination During a six-day visit to Australia alongside King Charles earlier this month, Camilla attended a Women's Forum along along with key Commonwealth figures leading change on domestic abuse in their own countries at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel in Samoa. She previously admitted it was a 'gritty' subject that many have shied away from, but that she was keen to continue work for the issues, which affects millions in the UK. It was revealed in January earlier this year that the royal would be taking part in a documentary on the subject of domestic abuse - made the the company Love Monday. It comes after another royal released a documentary earlier this week. Airing on Wednesday and Thursday, the Prince of Wales released his documentary about homelessness. The documentary, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, focused in on his campaign, Homewards, which has set up six flagship locations across the UK to combat homelessness. Oprah has unveiled her Favorite Things for 2024 - which many people believe signifies that holiday season has finally arrived. Oprah's shoppable gift guide has catapulted many brands to major success since she kicked off the classic segment in 2002.This year, the Queen of All Media's lengthy list includes $149 heirloom popcorn, $395 sneaker heels, and a $1,549 espresso machine, along with more affordable offerings like a $48 LED color-changing evening bag and a $30 eyewear and jewelry case. The 70-year-old media mogul is spotlighting major brands like Telfar, Ninja, Ray-Ban, Beats, and Cozy Earth, as well as some lesser known creators, with 116 items in total. Many of the unique gifts come from small businesses, as well as women-owned, Black-owned and other minority-owned businesses across the United States. Oprah has unveiled her Favorite Things for 2024 - which many people believe signifies that holiday season has officially arrived Oprah's shoppable gift guide has catapulted many brands to major success since she kicked off the classic segment in 2002 One standout recommendation from the talk show host is Sneex, a sneaker stiletto from Spanx founder Sara Blakely meant to revolutionize high heels One standout recommendation from the talk show host is Sneex, a sneaker stiletto that's meant to revolutionize high heels and finally make them comfortable. The brand was founded by billionaire Spanx creator Sara Blakely and it promises to combine 'the style of a traditional high heel with the performance and comfort of a sneaker.' However, the funky footwear was quite controversial when it was released, as commenters on social media described the shoes as 'very 2000 and just overall not wearable.' British brand Sole Bliss also made the list with its Wonder Boots, which are made from luxury Italian leather with a shearling lining. The boots, available in three colors, also include retractable stainless-steel studs, which can flip up and down for icy days. Sole Bliss is already a favorite of A-listers like Julia Roberts, Drew Barrymore and Helen Mirren, and members of the Royal Family, including Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton. Now, its equally beloved by Oprah and her best friend, Gayle, who wore the brand's platform heels to the Mission Impossible premiere. Another celebrity favorite is the $248 Eberjey Renew Plush Long Robe, which Oprah says 'wraps a person in a cloud of softness.' The female-founded loungewear brand also counts Jessica Alba, Jennifer Lopez, Molly Sims, Meghan Markle, Selena Gomez and Nicola Peltz as fans. For those looking to spoil people with a lavish gift, Oprah named this $495 ballet music box that plays Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake music with ballet dancers of different skin tones Funboy - famous for its inflatable pool toys celebrities adore posing on for thirst traps - is also featured for its snowmobile sled, which Oprah called 'a real step up from the models most of us grew up with' and a hit with 'kid-at-heart adults' because 'it can carry up to 250 pounds' In the accessories department, Oprah also called out a $48 LED handbag that changes colors and a $176 Birkin-inspired bandana handbag. Funboy - famous for its inflatable pool toys celebrities adore posing on for thirst traps - is also featured for its snowmobile sled, which Oprah called 'a real step up from the models most of us grew up with' and a hit with 'kid-at-heart adults' because 'it can carry up to 250 pounds.' For those looking to spoil people with a lavish gift, Oprah named a $495 ballet music box that plays Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake music. 'You can choose ballet dancers of different skin tones so the recipient can see themselves,' Oprah said in her description, calling it 'an heirloom to hand down.' For tech lovers, she calls out the advanced $249 Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, which have an innovative open ear design for comfort. Food lovers can indulge in the limited edition holiday Bella Cucina Sweet Heirloom Popcorn Gift with White Truffle Salt for $149, which includes olive oil, heirloom popping corn, wild oregano and sage salt, and a dried mango wood bowl. Other lavish gifts include a $1,549 espresso machine, which Oprah admits, 'I know, this ones a splurge,' but says, 'for certain caffeine-aholics, the math might mean it pays for itself within a year.' A popular influencer and podcaster has stunned her followers with her incredible booty transformation. Sofia Franklyn, who used to co-host the Call Her Daddy podcast, shared before and after photos showcasing the drastic difference. The 32-year-old also implied that mental health struggles were to blame for her old physique, which was less toned and muscular compared to her looks now. 'TODAY vs. one of the darkest times in my life,' she captioned the photos, before tagging her personal trainer Noah Gannon. 'I was drowning in anxiety and depression and it showed today I'm continuing to build muscle and working out is VITAL to my mental.' Influencer and podcaster Sofia Franklyn has stunned her followers with her incredible booty transformation The 32-year-old posed for a photo with her personal trainer Noah Gannon At her lowest, Sofia said that she weighed less than 93lbs, but is now up to 103lbs with significant muscle gain. While she admits that she has 'good genes', Sofia shared on her podcast that she's always suffered from a shapeless derriere. 'The way that my butt was shaped, as you guys know, was kind of soggy diaper, had zero muscle, had no shape to it, was kind of long, flat and basically that,' Sofia explained. 'I didn't think that my butt could really change,' she confessed, stating that she thought it would take 'years' in the gym just to see 'teeny' progress. 'I didn't realize that you could completely transform your body, whatever genes you're working with.' Sofia also said that her trainer was inspired by Bret Contreras' book The Glute Lab. The brunette beauty's fans were quick to praise her transformation, with one gushing, ''You look at lot healthier and happier.' Sofia shared photos of her newly muscular derriere following her health and fitness kick 'The way that my butt was shaped, as you guys know, was kind of soggy diaper, had zero muscle, had no shape to it, was kind of long, flat and basically that,' Sofia explained At her worst, Sofia said that she weighed less than 93lbs (pictured) 'Omg Sofia. Long time listener since 2018. You look amazing and strong and I'm so proud of you!' 'Yesssss baby! You look amazing. I'm so glad you're on the brighter side of your journey and taking care of Sofia.' Sofia first shot to fame in 2018 as the original co-host of the Call Her Daddy podcast with Alex Cooper. The pair had a falling out in 2020 over contractual issues, with Sofia leaving the network while Alex remained on as the sole host of Call Her Daddy. One year later, Cooper signed an exclusive $60million deal with Spotify, before moving over to SiriusXM in August, 2024, for a reported $125million. Sofia first shot to fame in 2018 as the original co-host of the Call Her Daddy podcast with Alex Cooper, but now hosts her own podcast called Sofia With an F Alex told The Hollywood Reporter that the move would give her 'new ways to evolve' and help 'provide her listeners with the best experience.' 'I am beyond excited to work with SiriusXM,' she gushed in a statement. 'The Daddy Gang will always be my top priority, and with SiriusXM we will continue to find new ways to evolve and provide my listeners the best experience. 'The Daddy Gang wants more, so we're getting ready to give them more I can't wait for this new chapter to begin.' Meanwhile, Sofia launched her own solo podcast called Sofia with an F. An elite, celebrity-loved private school has found itself in hot water after comedian Jerry Seinfeld blasted it for saying it would allow 'emotionally distressed' kids to take the day after the election off. The Ethical Culture Fieldston School, which has three locations across New York City, became embroiled in scandal earlier this week after the New York Times obtained an email sent out by principal Stacey Bobo that said students could excuse themselves from classes next Thursday. The message left Jerry, 70, outraged, who told the publication that his two sons had attended the school but that his youngest, Shepherd, now 19, had transferred away due to 'decisions like this one.' And this isn't the first time that the institution has found itself in the midst of controversy, as it has endured eyebrow-raising comments made by teachers, accusations of bullying, and major leadership changes in recent years. But even so, it has become a favorite among the wealthy, thanks to its 'progressive' teaching style and 'inclusive' structure. An elite private school has found itself in hot water after comedian Jerry Seinfeld blasted it for saying it would allow 'emotionally distressed' kids to take the day after the election off The Ethical Culture Fieldston School prides itself on its dedication to teaching kids how to 'be ethical and responsible members of society' - but it comes at a steep price, costing roughly $65,000 a year in tuition. It requires all of its students to enroll in ethics courses from an early age so they can become prepared to 'take care of our world, ourselves, and each other.' 'Our goal is to create a comprehensive experience for students to engage in activism, centered around raising awareness, advocating for social issues, engaging with service projects, and supporting causes within the surrounding community and beyond,' its website reads. 'Our tenets of progressive education focus on the whole child, ensuring that education is responsive, relevant, experiential, and playful, among other traits.' The institution - which teaches kids from pre-K to 12th grade across two campuses in Manhattan and one in the Bronx and currently has roughly 1,700 students - first started in 1878, and has had a slew of famous faces walk through its hallways. Numerous Hollywood legends, successful entrepreneurs, and powerful leaders have attended the school, including actresses Rita Gam and Louise Lasser, former deputy mayor of NYC Patricia Harris, and Star Trek alum Walter Koenig. In addition, actor Zach McGowan, New York State Senator Dan Squadron, Oscar-nominated film editor Andrew Weisblum, and New York State Assemblyman Keith L. T. Wright are amongst its alumni. The school also encourages its students to 'continually explore their identity' and holds monthly 45-minute meetings so the kids can 'talk about race, ethnicity, and ethics.' The Ethical Culture Fieldston School became embroiled in scandal earlier this week after the New York Times obtained an email sent out by principal Stacey Bobo (seen) 'We are proud to be one of the only schools in New York City to start these conversations at such an early age,' the school said. 'Supporting children in their awareness of each others similarities and differences and connecting them positively to their own identity is essential in helping them grow into confident, compassionate, and healthy young adults.' It said students could excuse themselves from classes next Thursday, and the message left Jerry (seen), 70, outraged In addition, it has a 'robust' art program and offers 'training' in acting, dance, directing, choreography, stagecraft, design, writing, drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, printmaking, and architecture, among other things. For those interested in music, there's classes on 'electronic music, music theory, and composition, as well as a variety of small- and large-group performing ensembles.' The school holds yearly fashion shows, where some of the kids are tasked with making their own dresses - but aren't allowed to use fabric. Instead, they're forced to turn household objects into fashion pieces, and the event previously caught the attention of Teen Vogue, who gushed that there wasn't an empty seat available after attending one of the yearly shows. But the private school has certainly had its fair share of negative press as well. Back in 2019, the school came under fire after guest speaker Kayum Ahmed, a director at the Open Society Foundations philanthropic organization, compared what Jews endured during the Holocaust to violence against Palestinians in Israel during an assembly. And this isn't the first time that the institution has found itself in the midst of controversy, as it has endured accusations of bullying and major leadership changes in recent years But even so, it has become a favorite amongst the wealthy, thanks to its 'progressive' teaching style and 'inclusive' structure The Ethical Culture Fieldston School prides itself on its dedication to teaching kids how to 'be ethical and responsible members of society' A spokesperson for the school told DailyMail.com afterwards: 'We do not tolerate antisemitism and stand against all forms of hate.' Then, in January 2020, a teacher was fired for criticizing Israel in class and on their personal X account. Earlier this year, the school became engulfed in 'infighting among parents, students, faculty and alumni' over pro-Palestine activism, the New York Times reported. Parents accused the school of being a 'hotbed of Jew-hate,' with one mom, named Dr. Logan Levkoff, claiming that her son experienced anti-Semitism while attending the school. She said that he was called an 'ethnic cleanser' and 'colonizer' during his time as a student. Amidst the tension, the head of the school Joe Algrant resigned in August, with school officials saying at the time that he left to 'pursue other personal and professional goals.' Shark Tank star Mark Cuban has proved he's really just a normal guy, despite his reported $5.7 billion net worth, because he shops at everyone's favorite retail store, Target. The 66-year-old businessman confirmed in August 2023 that he 'knows Target very well' because he shops there, but now he's revealed what he actually buys when he goes to his local store. Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Cuban said it's 'so convenient' for him to shop at Target because it's located 'about a mile' from his house in North Dallas, Texas. 'I can buy birthday and holiday cards, T-shirts, some electronics and toys,' the billionaire said, before adding: 'Basically stuff you realize you need in the middle of the day.' The father-of-three, who recently sparked fury with comments he made on The View, told Axion News last year that he shops at Target - but categorically denied owning part of the retail corporation. Billionaire Mark Cuban has revealed what he likes to buy when he goes shopping at Target Fans can currently see Cuban on the 16th season of reality TV series Shark Tank, but this is actually the final series he'll be investing in after confirming the news that he was quitting back in November 2023. When asked how he feels about leaving the ABC program, which he has been a part of since 2011, Cuban told DailyMail.com: 'I love the show in every way. It has inspired a generation of entrepreneurs and yes, I will miss it.' Explaining why he decided to quit his role as a shark, Cuban added: 'I wanted to spend time with my kids before they are on their own,' referring to his three children; Alexis, 21, Alyssa, 18, and 15-year-old son Jake, whom he shares with his wife Tiffany Stewart. His comments come just one day after he was heavily criticized for something he said about women during an appearance on The View this week. Cuban stunned the daytime show's hosts by claiming that Donald Trump does not surround himself with 'intelligent women' - and sparked a furious backlash from the former president's inner circle. Trump's supporters tore into the businessman for his shocking comments on the ABC show just two days after President Joe Biden referred to MAGA fans as 'garbage'. 'Donald Trump you never see him around strong, intelligent women, ever. It's just that simple,' the prominent Kamala Harris supporter said from inside one of his private jets. 'It's just that simple. They're intimidating to him. He doesn't like to be challenged by them.' Mark said it's 'convenient' for him to shop at Target and he likes to buy birthday and holiday cards, T-shirts as well as 'some electronics and toys' Mark made the decision to quit TV series Shark Tank because he wanted to 'spend time' with his three children 'before they are on their own' The billionaire sparked a backlash this week over some comments he made about women during an appearance on The View Host Joy Behar disagreed with Cuban, saying even Stormy Daniels 'was smart', and others were quick to hit out at the Shark Tank star. Trump's campaign immediately seized on the remarks as evidence to back its claim that Democrats, including Kamala Harris, despise voters who support the former president. Following the backlash, Cuban took to X - formerly known as Twitter - on Thursday and posted: 'When I said this during the interview, I didn't get it out exactly the way I thought I did. So I apologize to anyone who felt slighted or upset by my response. 'As I said, it wasn't about Trump voters, supporters or employees. Current or former And, I set myself up for the 6 sec soundbite. No excuses. Can't nail every interview. 'My skin is thick enough. What bothers me though is that so many of the comments or media, in support of, or against me, has some level of insult attached to it. Not just here. But everywhere. 'I'm not blaming anyone. We are where we are. Here is hoping that changes at least a little bit in a week. In the spirit of joy... I have to add that all the AI memes of me with the long hair crack me up. So there is a positive!' he added. The UK sourdough pizza chain responded to the backlash on social media Franco Manca has revealed they are on a mission to source stemmed wine glasses after customers hit out at the UK chain for serving wine in a tumbler glass. The pizza restaurant claimed that the glasses embrace the tradition of 'sprezzatura' - an Italian word that refers to performing a challenging task but making it appear easy. However, following lighthearted complaints from customers questioning why the restaurant serves wine in a glass that one might also drink water from, Franco Manca revealed that they will source new glassware. For instance, food blogger Hayley, who goes by @hayleyeatsaround on social media, 'loves' the food at the UK chain, but she looked surprised at being served her wine in a tumbler. 'Franco babe, I love you. But WTF????' she questioned, in a video posted on her TikTok account. UK pizza chain Franco Manca is sourcing stemmed wine glasses following complaints from customers regarding its tumbler wine glasses Elsewhere, Milly Bolt from London follows a BYOWG rule when visiting the restaurant - 'bring your own wine glass'. She added in the captions: 'Can someone please explain why Franco Manca serves wine in a water glass.' Following the TikTok clips, the sourdough pizza chain has arranged a nationwide offer - whereby anyone who mentions the name Hayley or Milly when purchasing two large glasses of wine will receive the rest of the bottle on the house until 10 November. Franco Manca also shared a clip on their Instagram account of an employee jokingly planning the brand's new stemmed glass range. Femail took to the experts to question whether it is acceptable to sip vino in a tumbler or whether one should one always opt for a stemmed glass, and the answer isn't what it seems. While Gen Z drinkers have been quick to slam drinking wine from a tumbler glass, the wine experts have revealed that, in certain instances, it is to be expected. Wine expert Jim Dawson from House of Assets, who has sold wines for over four decades, said: 'It is entirely acceptable to drink wine from a tumbler glass. 'In England it is the belief that the nicer the glass, the more upmarket the venue and the better the wine, the vast majority of us are therefore wine glass snobs.' 'If you go anywhere in the Mediterranean, you will be served wine in a tumbler. There is no problem with this whatsoever as it's a glass and holds a purpose.' Food blogger Hayley (pictured), who goes by @hayleyeatsaround on TikTok, was left disgruntled after being served her wine in a water glass The sourdough pizza chain teased the new design on Instagram with the words: 'Prototype incoming...?' Jim explained that utilising stemmed glasses holds a practical reason, saying: 'The reason you have stems with glassware is to avoid, particularly with white wine, warming [the drink] up with the heat of your hands.' He added that the glasses used in a given restaurant is dependent on the style of the location, saying: 'If it's a basic French bistro, you will likely be served wine in a little tumbler. 'If you're in a fine dining restaurant... a different glass will be presented for different drinks.' For example, he said: 'A bulbous wine glass for red wine, one you can get your hand round and warm it up, a smaller glass with thinner stem for white wine'. He concluded: 'What you get with a glass is the visual presentation, aesthetics, and appeal. A real wine connoisseur will drink good quality wine out of anything.' Meanwhile, drinks writer and broadcaster Helena Nicklin, who goes by @helenasips, explained that, while she does agree with Dawson, she 'cannot stand stemless glasses'. She explained: 'There's enough snob factor with wine already so I always think people should drink it out of whatever they like best.' 'However, it is true that wine needs space in the glass to be swirled around and open up. This is hard in a tumbler. You will never get all the beautiful elements of wine from a tumbler. You miss so much. 'Tumblers have a time and a place with rustic, accessibly priced house wines and pizza, absolutely. For fine and expensive wines - no. 'Stemless glasses are better as you can swirl them a bit, but they get covered in fingerprints easily and warm up the wine too quickly. 'Wine is also very expensive to drink in restaurants these days so if people are paying a premium to ''drink in'', they probably want that experience elevated -not the opposite, which is what tumblers do. Helena concluded: 'I always prefer a voluminous stemmed glass because wine always tastes better - and it's more experiential.' Wine expert Danielle Whitehead, who works for English sparkling wine brand Roebuck Estates, explained that, when it comes to sparkling wine, there is a right and wrong answer. 'At Roebuck Estates, we always serve our vintage sparkling wines in tulip-shaped glassware, as this accentuates the flavours and encourages a slow release of bubbles, providing the ideal taste experience for sparkling wine. 'To enjoy a perfectly chilled glass of sparkling, we recommend using a sparkling wine glass with a stem, so the natural warmth of your hands doesn't increase the temperature of the wine whilst enjoying it. 'Stemless glassware is a fun and fashionable alternative to the traditional stem and often perfect for a more informal setting. However, the glassware used in premium restaurants often relates to the scale of the wine offering, 'So, you'll find that fine-dining restaurants use different glassware depending on the wine style and colour, which affects the taste and overall drinking experience. 'Cellar-aged wines certainly need greater aeration to show at their optimum drinking potential. And using a larger glass with a wide bowl helps achieve this. In addition, a finer rim to your glassware helps the wine flow in a more controlled manner.' The NHS should stop recruiting physician associates on paediatric wards because of concerns over safety, children's doctors say. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has called for an immediate 'pause' until there are clearer guidelines on how they are deployed. It follows a 'comprehensive consultation' with its members on their views and experiences of physician associates (PAs), who undergo less rigorous training than doctors. Over 2,000 paediatricians in the UK responded to a survey, with 80 per cent of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that 'PA recruitment should be halted whilst the NHS develops structures for appropriate deployment of PAs'. Some 94 per cent said the NHS should centrally define a training framework and scope of practice for PAs across their specialty work areas. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has called for an immediate 'pause' until there are clearer guidelines on how they are deployed The move comes after the Royal College of General Practitioners and British Medical Association also formally opposed their use PAs only have to complete a two-year postgraduate course, rather than a medical degree The move comes after the Royal College of General Practitioners and British Medical Association also formally opposed their use. PAs only have to complete a two-year postgraduate course, rather than a medical degree. Some courses let students join after studying geography, human resources or English literature. Their role is to 'support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients' and they can be deployed across GP surgeries and hospitals. The NHS has revealed plans to expand the role as a way of coping with growing demand for care. However, they have come under scrutiny in recent years following the 2002 death of Emily Chesterton, who suffered a pulmonary embolism at the age of 30 after being misdiagnosed by a PA on two occasions. Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool has sparked controversy for the way it deployed PAs and has since stopped using them in its safeguarding team. It admitted earlier this year that the Crown Prosecution Service and police did not feel able to rely upon examination reports produced by a PA in cases of physical abuse and neglect. The NHS has revealed plans to expand the role as a way of coping with growing demand for care A PAs role is to 'support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients' and they can be deployed across GP surgeries and hospitals The RCPCH said: 'Having a well-supported and skilled multidisciplinary team (MDT) is beneficial for children and young people and supports the robustness of the paediatric workforce. 'Clarity about the different roles within the MDT is important - for team members, for patients, and for PAs themselves. 'Clinical directors and service leads should ensure they and their paediatric teams are aware of the supervision arrangements for PAs in their teams. 'In addition, all health professionals should have a clear training pathway that meets a nationally led and understood scope of practice for that role, which is underpinned by professional regulation. 'Whilst local training structures might be in place for some PAs working in paediatrics currently, no central structures exist. 'RCPCH recognises that PAs can provide important contributions to multidisciplinary teams. 'However, while this work is undertaken, we would once again remind local systems that PAs must not replace the role of paediatricians in the delivery of care to children and young people.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'Physician associates play an important role in the NHS, as they have for over two decades, but we are clear they should be supporting, not replacing, doctors and should receive the appropriate level of supervision by healthcare organisations. 'The NHS has issued clear guidance on the deployment of physician associates, which we expect Trusts to follow.' A range of Tesco Finest mince pies have been removed from sale after tests found the Christmas treats were laced with fragments of dried glue. A recall notice issued by the supermarket giant said packs of Tesco Finest 6 All Butter Pastry Mince Pies (6-pack) with specific date codes had been withdrawn. The warning added that there was the 'possible presence of small pieces of dried glue from the packaging' in the pies. The packs affected are those with four best before dates 4/10, 26/10, 02/11 and 10/11 of this year. Tesco advises customers who've bought the mince pies in question not to eat them, and instead return them to store where they'll receive a refund. It comes days after weight loss brand Slimming World issued a major recall on several of their products due to fears they were contaminated with peanuts. Some 1 in 50 children and 1 in 200 adults in the UK suffer peanut allergies, which can prove fatal if patients come into contact with the allergen. The Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) have been working to remove the affected items from shelves. Tesco has advised anyone who has bought the pies to return them to store for a full refund. The full list of recalled items are as follows: Slimming World Burger Pasta - All date codes up to and including BB: 01/05/25 Slimming World Cajun Chicken Pasta - All date codes up to and including BB: 16/11/2025 Slimming World Cajun King Prawn Pasta - All date codes up to and including BB: 25/05/2025 Slimming World Chicken Balti Biryani - All date codes up to and including BB: 22/02/2026 Slimming World King Prawn Bhuna - All date codes up to and including BB: 05/02/2026 Slimming World Lasagne - All date codes up to and including BB: 06/06/2025 Slimming World Naked Katsu Chicken - All date codes up to and including BB: 18/02/2026 Slimming World Pasta Bolognese - All date codes up to and including BB: 19/06/2025 It comes after food business FGS Ingredients Limited which supplies a number of major food brands recalled all products they supply to retail or food manufacturers containing mustard, as it contains spice products including curry powders and spice blends from India. The baby formula brand used by the Princess of Wales when Prince Louis was born is launching a low-price 'affordable' version, after criticism over cost. The firm behind Kendamil Organic formula, which sells at 15 per tub twice the price of some other brands was accused last year by experts of price gouging. All baby formula must contain the same nutritional composition by law, so cheaper options have all the nutrients babies need. Such is the concern, Kendamil maker Kendal Nutricare was singled out by the market watchdog after its profit margins more than quadrupled in two years. Amid this criticism, today the company announced the launch of a new product, Bonya, which at 8.45 a tub, puts it among the cheapest around. The move comes after reports of hard-up parents struggling to buy formula, with some skipping meals to afford it or watering it down, putting babies' health at risk. Charity Sebby's Corner, which supports struggling families in London and the South East, said it had seen a 42 per cent increase in requests for baby formula this year. Three out of four UK babies are bottle-fed by the time they are six weeks old, according to the charity Unicef. Amid criticism, today Kendamil announced the launch of a new product, Bonya, which at 8.45 a tub, puts it among the cheapest around The firm behind Kendamil Organic formula, which sells at 15 per tub twice the price of some other brands was accused last year by experts of price gouging The baby formula brand, which was used by the Princess of Wales when Prince Louis was born is launching a low-price 'affordable' version, after criticism over cost Kendamil estimates around one in three formula-fed babies in Britain consume its products. The brand got a huge boost in when it was revealed that Catherine, The Princess of Wales opted for it after Prince Louis was born in April 2018. The new product will be available from Monday in Tesco and Sainsburys. The price is nearly 10 less per box than the most expensive formula on the market, Aptamil Advanced, which costs 18 for 800g. It can also be bought using Healthy Start vouchers, a weekly 8.50 voucher from the Government to help parents on low incomes feed their children. The cheaper Aldi Mamia formula (7.09 per 800g) and SMA Little Steps (7.95 for 800g in most supermarkets) can also be bought with the vouchers. Markets watchdog the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been looking into the formula industry after prices rose by 25 per cent between 2021 and 2023. Manufacturers have been accused by independent experts of 'greedflation' - a price gouging tactic of artificially raising prices to maximise profits. Industry experts have warned profit margins on formula milk sold in the UK were some of the highest in the food industry Three out of four UK babies are bottle-fed by the time they are six weeks old, according to the charity Unicef, but many parents struggle with high prices The launch of Bonya comes ahead of the publication of the CMA's interim report into its findings, which is due imminently. In a previous report last year, the CMA warned profit margins on formula milk sold in the UK were some of the highest in the food industry. It singled out Kendamil as an example, highlighting how the company's profit margin had jumped from around four per cent to nearly 20 per cent between the 2020 and 2022 financial years. Its net profits soared six-fold from 1 million to 6.7 million over the same period, it reported. And between April 2023 and May 2024, while all other major UK powdered infant formula brands lowered prices or kept them static, the price of Kendamil Organic rose slightly from 14.75 to 15, according to analysis by the infant public health charity First Steps Nutrition Trust. But its Kendamil Classic formula remained 12 for an 800g tin cheaper than market leading brands Aptamil and SMA. HOW THE FOMULA BRANDS COMPARE ON PRICE Aldi Mamia - 7.09 for 800g SMA Little Steps - 7.95 for 800g* Bonya by Kendamil - 8.45 for 800g Cow & Gate 1 - 10.50 for 800g Kendamil Classic 1 - 12 for 800g Aptamil 1 - 13.50 for 800g HiPP Organic 1 - 13.50 for 800g SMA 1 - 13.50 for 800g Kendamil Organic 1 - 15.00 for 800g Aptamil Advanced 1 - 18.00 for 800g *In major supermarkets, otherwise 9.75. Advertisement The company insists it will use profits from its Kendamil brand to allow it to offer Bonya at a rock-bottom price, and donate one box of Bonya to food banks for every ten sold. Bonya costs less to make because it is packaged in a box instead of a tin and uses added milk fats as an ingredient, instead of processing whole milk. The formula is vegetarian, kosher and halal, and does not contain fish or palm oils which are present in some other brands. But unlike Kendamil, which is the only formula brand made in the UK, Bonya will be manufactured in Europe and will not use British milk. Co-founder Will McMahon said: 'This is a game-changing low price for a formula product parents can feel good about. 'Families on low incomes are forced to buy lower-priced formulas. 'We think there is more this industry could do [to help] so we are leading by example in trying to offer the best product at lower prices.' Kendamil is investing 40 million in tripling the size of its factory so it can produce more formula, after several instances of shortages of the brand in recent months. The CMA estimates families could save more than 500 in the first year of a baby's life through buying cheaper formula. But research has shown parents are often pushed into buying more expensive options as clever marketing presents some formula as being 'better' for babies even though they are all nutritionally the same. Dr Vicky Sibson, director of First Steps Nutrition Trust, said the launch of cheaper products was a positive step. Manufacturers have been accused by independent experts of 'greedflation' - artificially raising prices to maximise profits She added that the composition of infant formula was strictly controlled and there was 'a lack of evidence' that adding ingredients like milk fats had any health benefits. 'Parents might not want to buy products containing items like palm oil for environmental reasons,' she said. 'But infant formula is nutritionally complete, which means every brand must have the same balance of things like fats, protein and essential vitamins and minerals. 'These nutrients may come from different sources but all the ingredients are heavily processed into similar constituent parts before being put together to make formula.' November 1, 2024: In September China had one of its new Zhou class Type 041 submarines sink at a pier. The cause was human error. This Type 041 submarine was the first of its class and easily identified because it had an X shaped rear rudder. The 041s displace 3,000 tons and are powered by an AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) system. Initially it was believed the 041 used a nuclear reactor. Then someone realized that the shipyard the 041 was being built in was not equipped to install nuclear reactors. A US Navy nuclear submarine under construction, the Guitarro (SSN-665), sank in a similar accident in 1969. A failure of communication between two teams at opposite ends of the sub led each to simultaneously fill fore and aft ballast tanks until it sank at dockside. The Type 041 is a third generation Chinese submarine that has VLS tubes for at least half a dozen anti-ship and land attack missiles. Torpedoes are also carried. Crew size is about 70 and endurance is several months. Since the 1970s, China has been trying to develop and build nuclear submarines competitive with Russian and Western boats. Their latest nuclear submarines, the Type 096 SSN and Type 094 SSBN, appear to have closed the quality and performance gap with similar Russian subs. The U.S. Navy confirmed the improvements, which makes the Chinese subs more formidable adversaries. Currently only six Type 093 SSNs and six Type 94 SSBNs are in service. The first (of six) 094 SSBN entered service in 2007 while the first (of six) 093 SSN entered service in 2006. Their replacements, the 095 SSN and 096 SSBN, are expected to enter service during the late 2020s. Two Type 041 AIP submarines are also under construction and one of these recently sank accidently at pier side. This first Chinese Type 091 sub entered service in 1974 after being under construction for nearly a decade. It was retired in 2000 but three of the other four o91 SSNs remain in service, undergoing numerous upgrades. In 2013 Chinese media declared that in 42 years of operation no Chinese nuclear sub has ever suffered a nuclear reactor accident. This was an indirect dig at the Russians, who are the only nation with nuclear subs to have suffered nuclear accidents, in part because most nuclear subs ever built were Russian. During the first 60 years of existence several hundred billion dollars has been spent on developing and building nuclear powered submarines. Some 400 have been built so far, most of them Russian. In the 1990s China began investing heavily in building warships. By 2021 they had the largest fleet in the world in terms of numbers of warships and expect to increase the size of their fleet nearly 30 percent by the end of the decade while the Americans were having problems maintaining the force that China just passed in terms of number of warships, but not yet in total tonnage. China still has some more fundamental naval needs. For example, China has never demonstrated any talent or enthusiasm for anti-submarine warfare. Considering the number of nuclear and conventional subs arrayed against it, anti-submarine warfare should have higher priority in China. Another serious shortcoming is mine-clearing capability. The Chinese Navy is well equipped to plant mines off hostile shores and in defense of its own waters but there is not a lot of capability to clear enemy mines. Many navies share this shortcoming but for a major maritime trading nation like China, it would be sad to see all that trade shut down by a few hundred naval mines. China has three fleets. The Northern Fleet faces Korea and southern Japan. It currently has 66 warships, including an aircraft carrier, 18 attack submarines, four of them nuclear powered SSNs and the rest diesel-electric, 13 destroyers, 12 frigates, 12 corvettes and 15 fast patrol boats armed with anti-ship missiles. There are also five amphibious ships that can carry tanks and other vehicles onto a beach. The Eastern Fleet faces the East China Sea and Taiwan. It has over 140 ships including 18 diesel-electric submarines, 13 destroyers, 23 frigates, 24 corvettes and 38 fast patrol boats armed with anti-ship missiles. There are also 24 amphibious ships that can land tanks and other vehicles onto a beach plus three larger amphibious ships with a flight deck. The Southern Fleet faces Taiwan and the South China Sea. It has about 110 warships including an aircraft carrier and a new base for carriers and subs. There are 22 submarines including 14 diesel-electric and two SSNs. There are also six SSBN (nuclear powered ballistic missile) subs. There are ten destroyers, 14 frigates, 20 corvettes and 14 fast patrol boats armed with anti-ship missiles. There are also 15 amphibious ships that can land tanks and other vehicles onto a beach and five larger amphibious ships with a flight deck. The Northern Fleet must deal with the two largest and most formidable fleets in the region; South Korea and Japan. The Eastern Fleet has the longest coastline to defend and the new coast guard comes in handy to help, often using retired and repurposed corvettes. The Eastern Fleet also must assist the Northern Fleet against South Korea and Japan as well as any attack on Taiwan. The Southern Fleet is currently concentrating on the South China Sea, as well as contributing forces for any attack on Taiwan. In addition to new nuclear sub designs, the Chinese Navy has innovated in other ways. For example, during 2022 China introduced the Zhu Hai Yun, a 2,000-ton ship that carries up to fifty unmanned submarine, surface and airborne drones. Zhu Hai Yun is operated remotely to get it out to the high seas, where the ship operates autonomously to carry out a variety of missions it is capable of. China is depending on its AI (Artificial Intelligence) software to effectively carry out its mission and then signal that it is returning. The U.S. Navy has similar but smaller (145-ton) unmanned surface ships that do not carry and operate other autonomous vehicles but can stay at sea for up to sixty days carrying out ASW (anti-submarine warfare) missions. The navy has also developed larger autonomous cargo ships to move supplies long distances. Smaller armed and unarmed autonomous vessels have been in service for decades to patrol ports and coastal areas. China believes it has a lead in AI control software and the Zhu Hai Yun is an effort to test that. The Americans are depending on less ambitious technologies that have produced impressive results so far, while a new Orca autonomous submarine takes those proven concepts further than ever before. Currently China has about 65 diesel-electric and nuclear submarines in service versus 42 operated by Japan and South Korea, each with 21. Malaysia and Indonesia each have two and Australia has six. The United States has about 30 nuclear attack subs in the Pacific versus a dozen Chinese SSNs and SSBNs. The anti-China coalition also has a large array of surface and aerial ASW forces. Last month JC Smith visited the McDonald's he had gone to countless times with his wife and ordered his usual a Quarter Pounder hamburger. But a few days later on October 3, the 88-year-old Colorado native and marine veteran became severely sick, experiencing bloody diarrhea and dizziness so severe he couldn't walk. He was rushed to the hospital and admitted for four days where lab results revealed he had E.coli, a deadly bacterial infection. A health department official interviewed the family and said they were investigating an outbreak of E.coli - but the Smiths claim they weren't told of the source. So the family didn't think to avoid returning to McDonald's, where Mr Smith once again ordered his favorite burger. Within days Mr Smith became violently sick, with excruciating stomach pain that became so bad he would thrash his arms and legs around. His daughter, Debbie Bonnell, said during these episode they would hold his hand and pray. He died on October 20 and public health officials announced the outbreak two days later and revealed the likely source of the E. coli was the onions in the Quarter Pounder. JC Smith, pictured above, showed no sign of slowing down despite his 88 years, his daughter said Mr Smith is pictured above with his wife Doris, who said she now feels guilty because she used to give him the onions from her burger And while both Mr Smith and his wife, Doris Smith, had the fast-food giant's famous Quarter Pounder, Mrs Smith doesn't like onions and she gave hers to her husband. Mrs Smith told CBS Colorado: 'I took mine off and gave mine to him. I feel guilty now because I gave him some onions.' At least 90 people in 13 states have been sickened in the outbreak; 27 people have been hospitalized and Mr Smith is the one death connected to the outbreak. At least two individuals a 15-year-old girl and an 88-year-old woman have developed serious kidney complications, which could leave them needing treatment for the rest of their lives. Officials have now revealed the chopped onions in the McDonald's Quarter Pounders were likely the source of the outbreak. The onions are sourced from Taylor Farms, based in California. The company recalled their produce and McDonald's removed the Quarter Pounder from the menu. The burger has now returned, but in 700 restaurants it is currently being served without the onions. Earlier this week, DailyMail.com revealed one of the victims in the outbreak was 17-year-old Silas Mayes. The lively teen who lost 10lbs due to his infection has been left struggling to carry out daily tasks. In Mr Smith's case, his illness left him so sick he couldn't walk, his daughter said. She added: 'My mother had been up all night. He had been in the bathroom all night and he had the bloody diarrhea and he was so weak. 'When I got here, he was so weak he couldn't walk.' Mr Smith died on October 20, with public health officials revealing the outbreak and its likely source chopped onions two days later Mr Smith is pictured above riding a horse. During his second illness, he was described as being in excruciating pain Your browser does not support iframes. Mr Smith was in the ER for four days receiving treatment, and upon discharge was interviewed by the county health official. Ms Bonnell said: '[The health department worker] asked where did my parents eat because there was some type of outbreak. 'But they were not going to say where yet. She didn't tell [us] not to go out to eat anymore.' The family was not aware there were any restaurants they should avoid so they returned to McDonald's. It wasn't until two days after Mr Smith died that the health department informed the public of a possible outbreak. Now, the Smith family has said they are sharing their story out of concern for others. Mr Smith's grandson Jim Smith said: 'If you are out there in that line of work and you lose a level of concern or become complacent, accidents happen. 'Then you're going to be held accountable. And when you talk about taking people's loves ones and changing their lives permanently, others need to know.' While the Smiths have said they do not yet plan to take legal action, the restaurant chain is already facing several lawsuits over the outbreak. McDonald's said previously that the cases were 'devastating'. A spokesperson added: 'We know that people and families have been significantly impacted, and the well-being of our customers is deeply important to us.' READ MORE: I was paralyzed from listeria after eating a turkey sandwich A food poisoning outbreak that sickened nearly 50 people was caused by a bacteria in a homemade noodle dish, officials revealed. On October 21, 46 workers at NAFCO Wholesale Fish Distribution Facility in Maryland were sickened about three hours after eating lunch. When first responders arrived, they found workers sitting at picnic tables outside the plant, some slumped over with their heads down. At least 26 employees were taken to a local hospital with food poisoning symptoms, though all of them fully recovered. This week, the Maryland Department of Health announced the workers were sickened by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria, a usually harmless bacteria that lives on skin. Though it normally doesn't cause illness, it can spread to food from unwashed hands. If that food isn't thoroughly cooked or sits out for too long, it can cause bacteria to multiply and produce toxins responsible for food poisoning and serious infections like toxic shock syndrome. The experts said the illnesses were caused by a traditional Filipino noodle dish called pancit, which one employee brought in for their coworkers to eat. It is comprised of rice noodles, mixed vegetables, chicken or pork, stock, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Dozens of workers at the NAFCO seafood factory in Maryland were left hospitalized after a packed lunch led to an outbreak of food poisoning Officials confirmed the illnesses were caused by a traditional Filipino noodle dish called pancit, comprised of rice noodles, mixed vegetables, chicken or pork, stock, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar Your browser does not support iframes. NAFCO told The Baltimore Banner this was an isolated incident and the meal was prepared at the worker's home and not supplied by the company. It was also served outside and not inside the factory. NAFCO, which is one of the largest seafood distributors in the mid-Atlantic region, said no consumers or outlets have been affected by the incident. A company representative said: 'NAFCO maintains the highest standards of food safety and regularly undergoes rigorous inspections by health authorities. 'Its products continue to be safely produced and consumed by customers nationwide, and there are no issues related to its supply chain.' They added: 'It's unfortunate because we are in the food business, but this happened in our parking lot. 'If there's a positive here, we have a huge food safety staff here and all of these contingencies.' About one in three Americans carry S. aureus on their skin or in their noses. Though generally harmless, the bacteria can produce enterotoxins, harmful proteins that target the intestines. In addition to infections like toxic shock syndrome, these enterotoxins can lead to rapid-onset food poisoning symptoms like violent vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. About 120,000 Americans are sickened by S. aureus every year, and 20,000 die. It's unclear exactly what about the pancit caused the illnesses, though it's possible the worker who made it didn't properly wash their hands, improperly cooked the meat in the dish, or stored it at an unsafe temperature. It's also unclear if the dish was made with chicken or pork. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and pork should be cooked to 145 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the cut. Many commenters on social media highlighted this is the reason they do not share food in the workplace and partake in potlucks. One Facebook user wrote: 'And this is why I don't do potluck anymore; I haven't for years. 'You can't trust the cleanliness, or lack thereof, of others, especially not after the trifling that came out about people during Covid. Animals on counters... People not bathing for days / weeks on end...' Another commenter mused: 'This [kind of thing] is rare really. Let's be honest. 'That does not mean you should let your guard down but if you have your doubts about a dish or its source, trust your gut. (Pun intended).' Americans are outraged Covid-era mask rules have started creeping back into daily life, with an entire hospital system issuing a new mandate and a public subway suggesting face coverings be worn. One hospital system in Monterey, California, which treats nearly 400,000 patients a year, this week reinstated its face mask mandate for visitors and patients. Meanwhile several counties in San Francisco's Bay Area have also brought back mask rules in healthcare facilities ahead of flu season. And this week, New York City's health department again began recommending people mask-up while using public transport as the nation heads into winter. But the new recommendations in Monterey and NYC prompted furious reactions from many residents, who demanded health officials 'move on' from the Covid era. One New Yorker declared 'tired of this' on an Instagram post shared by the NYC health department that said 'Mask up, NYC!' Another commenter added 'This is a joke right? Masks don't work', while another wrote: 'You're still pushing this?' And in response to the face mask mandate at a California hospital, one resident told KSBW news: 'I think it's good for everybody to kind of go back to normal and move on.' The mandates come as the US heads into the annual flu season, which tends to start in October and peak through December and February. New York City's health department is among those urging people to wear face masks as the flu season approaches. It has provoked anger online from some residents RETURN OF THE MASKS: Officials in the US are quietly reintroducing mask rules (pictured: a woman in Australia in September 2021 Officials in California said the mandate was especially important because of falling uptake of the Covid and flu vaccines. Official surveillance shows there is yet to be a surge in the flu, Covid or other respiratory viruses this year. Cases of a mild form of pneumonia have picked up among children, however. The test positivity rate for flu peaked at eight percent on August 10, data shows, but in the latest week had fallen to 6.6 percent. Revealing the mask mandate for the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, its infection specialist Dr Martha Blum said: 'Now is the time to really make these preparations and be reminded of what we can do to prevent things from really taking off at a sharp increase. 'As we like to say, Noah built the ark before the flood.' Urging people to wear masks, New York City's Health Department said: 'Wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings can help protect you from viruses like Covid and the flu this season. 'Masking up also protects others if you're sick.' Your browser does not support iframes. Mask mandates became a staple in many Democrat states during the Covid pandemic as a way to stop the virus spreading. But studies have failed to show they reduced infections or deaths. A major review by the Cochrane Institute found they make 'little to no difference' to someone's risk of catching Covid. A woman is pictured masked up in Sheep Meadow, New York, in May 2020 A woman is pictured wearing a face mask on the New York City subway in September 2022 The above shows flu surveillance by the CDC. The proportion of tests that detected the virus has remained steady for the past three weeks that data is available The CDC's map of flu activity by state shows all have low or moderate levels of the virus At the same time, some research suggests Covid measures like masking and social distancing may put people especially children more at risk of severe infections. They say it robs children of exposure to diseases early in life, which means their immune system may not develop correctly. Some have reacted positively to the news, however, with one saying online: 'Immunocompromised here. It means a lot to us when people wear a mask.' A second said, 'thank you for this messaging!', and a third added, 'Wish this was normal. Let's take care of our health and each other please'. Flu surveillance by the CDC shows that the proportion of flu tests that detected the virus has remained level for the latest three weeks that data is available, at 0.6 percent. The CDC also publishes a map of the impact of flu by state, which currently shows almost every state has minimal activity of the virus. Only three Indiana, Ohio and Virginia have low activity. Terrified shoppers say they've chucked out unopened tins of tuna after a 'scary' public health warning that some cans contain a toxic metal. Concerns were raised earlier this week after tests on 150 cans purchased in five countries found half contained in excess amounts of the toxin mercury. The French study also found that all tins including some UK bought contained the metal, which, in large quantities, can harm brain health and may cause cancer. Now, shoppers have taken to social media to express their concerns over the potential health risks with some saying they've binned brand-new cans as a result. 'I eat an average of 2-3 cans of tuna a week and I'm going to stop,' wrote one internet user on Facebook. 'I will throw away my tins then,' replied another. 'I would. It states they are being removed (from supermarkets),' said a third. Others looked to the health service for guidance, commenting: 'The NHS website even advises to minimise tinned tuna intake.' One social media commented simple wrote: 'It is quite scary to read this.' Terrified shoppers say they've chucked out unopened tins of tuna after a 'scary' public health warning that some cans contain a toxic metal Studies have found that in very high doses, some forms of mercury can trigger the development of several types of tumours in rats and mice Methylmercury - the toxic metal found in canned tuna bought from shops in France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Britain - has been previously linked to cancer. Studies have found that in very high doses, some forms of mercury can trigger the development of several types of tumours in rats and mice. But the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found that there was not enough evidence to determine whether mercury could cause cancer in humans. The metal can also damage the kidneys and nervous system, trigger issues with vision and raise the risk of cardiovascular disease. And according to the World Health Organisation, mercury can also cause neurological and behavioural disorders if it is inhaled, eaten or if the skin comes into contact with it. Symptoms include tremors, insomnia, memory loss, headaches and cognitive and motor dysfunction. Current NHS guidance states that pregnant women shouldn't eat more than two tuna steaks or four tins of tuna a week due to the potential harm it can cause to their unborn baby's brain. Other fish also contain mercury - with some types, like swordfish, packed with particularly large amounts. Despite this, doctors say for most, tinned fish is fine in moderation. The NHS advises people to eat at least two portions of fish a week in order to reap its nutritional benefits like protecting against heart disease and bone-boosting vitamin D. Studies have shown it is unlikely that the average person will consume enough mercury via fish to cause them serious harm. THE ELEMENTS OF MARIE CURIE: HOW THE GLOW OF RADIUM LIT A PATH FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE by Dava Sobel (4th Estate 22, 336pp) The Elements of Marie Curie is available now from the Mail Bookshop When Marie Curie wins her second Nobel Prize the first person to do so, and the only Nobel laureate still to have been awarded the prize in two different branches of science youd expect her to be feted at the ceremony in Sweden. Far from it instead the Nobel committee tries to persuade her to stay away from the annual black-tie celebration followed by a sumptuous dinner. Her crime? The Press have just revealed her relationship with the scientist Paul Langevin (he, of course, suffers no criticism despite the fact he was the one who was married, while she was widowed). Curie refused to back down and attends the prestigious event. I believe, she tells the committee, there is no connection between my scientific work and the facts of private life. But as Dava Sobel outlines in her new book, the scientific community and the world at large disagreed: a woman scientist was judged differently. And so rather than tell a conventional life story, Sobel, the best-selling author of Longitude and Galileos Daughter, decides to focus on the role that gender played in Curies life and, in particular, the fact 45 aspiring female scientists spent time in the Curies lab. It is a meditation on the struggle that different women have faced to be recognised as scientists. And also, what a difference it makes when men support them. Still, there is plenty of interesting biography in here, explaining how a Polish governess named Marya Sklodowska transformed herself into a French physicist named Marie Curie. The Sklodowskas were a high-achieving family Maries parents were teachers, Marie, her sister Bronya and brother Jozef all finished top of their class at school and then attended a clandestine Flying University so-called because classes moved from place to place to avoid detection by the Russians at that time ruling Poland. Marie and Bronya cooked up a plan: she would work as a governess to support her sisters medical studies in France; once Bronya had qualified she would support Marie in the Sorbonne for her scientific studies. There, in Paris, the young Maries career takes off: shes placed first in her class of more than 2,000 (only 23 of whom are women), wins a scholarship and meets a young man studying in a similar area called Pierre Curie. Neither of them was looking for love but the marriage was a huge success. Modern Marriage: Marie and her husband Pierre Curie Whats remarkable here is quite how ahead of their time the Curie men were. Pierre offers to relocate to Poland for Marie, and he insists she is named in their Nobel Prize for Physics citation in 1903 for the discovery of radioactivity. The committee wanted to give it just to him. Even his father moves in to babysit their daughters Irene and Eve so Marie could continue working at the lab. The Curies behaviour is completely at odds with the sexism that Marie and the young female scientists she worked with regularly encounter. As well as the fuss over her second Nobel Prize (she wins the second for discovering radium and polonium, as well as determining radiums atomic weight) the Royal Society wont grant her a fellowship because she is a wife. The prestigious French Academie des Sciences does not want to award her a place as a woman because of immutable tradition. When she goes to America on tour, at the height of her fame in 1921, the director of Yales chemical laboratory, Bertram Boltwood, patronisingly describes her as quite keen on scientific matters . . . I felt sorry for the poor old girl, she was a distinctly pathetic figure. Sobel chooses to examine around half of the female scientists who passed through the Curie lab in an ironic visual metaphor, the lab was so makeshift (described by one observer as a cross between a stable and a potato cellar) that it had an actual glass ceiling. These include names such as Harriet Brooks, the first Canadian female nuclear physicist, Ellen Gleditsch from Norway, who established the half-life of radium, and Sybil Leslie, a working-class girl from Yorkshire, who was put in charge of a British government lab in Liverpool during the First World War after her work on manufacturing explosives. Professor Ellen Gleditsch established the half-life of radium Each one gets a chapter named after her and a corresponding element in the periodic table, although for many the detail is brief. Curie dominates in this book, just as she has in public consciousness ever since, despite Sobels best efforts. The subtitle of the book is How The Glow Of Radium Lit A Path For Women In Science. And certainly, its an eyeopener as to just how crucial some of these women were in pioneering work around radioactivity. But the path wasnt one that opened up readily: Brooks decides that science isnt compatible with marriage and gives up; even though Gleditsch became a university professor in Norway, the institution would not grant her lab space or tenure for years. As expected from a Pulitzer Prize finalist, Sobel writes beautifully and with clarity about the science that Curie specialised in, making clear the achievements that her lab brought about in the discovery of polonium and radium. And yet despite the restrictions that women still face, the book ends on a note of hope. While Irene, her daughter, became the second woman to win a Nobel Prize for chemistry, another protege has the honour of having the final chapter named after her. Marguerite Perey joined Curies Radium Institute in 1929 and went on to discover the element francium. Three decades later, she became the first woman admitted to the Academie des Sciences succeeding where her mentor was kept out. Everything I have done, she once declared. I owe to Marie Curie.' CURTAIN CALL TO MURDER by Julian Clary (Orion 20, 336pp) Curtain Call To Murder is available now from the Mail Bookshop A prince of panto, not to mention an award-winning comedian and childrens novelist, Clary has now turned his hand to crime fiction with delightful results. His debut is a charming, funny, striking mystery, but it is far from conventional. The murder itself does not take place until after halfway as the cast of a new play, Leopard Spots, tour the country before arriving at the London Palladium for a West End run. The cast includes an ageing lothario and an amateur psychic all watched carefully by dresser Jayne. As Clary notes: Its not so much a whodunnit as a who is gonna do it and to whom. He carries that off with aplomb in this engaging tale. Spot-on, sassy murder-mystery from Clary The Grey Wolf is available now from the Mail Bookshop THE GREY WOLF by Louise Penny (Hodder & Stoughton 20, 432pp) Penny's detective Chief Inspector Gamache, head of homicide for the Surete in Quebec, Canada, is her finest creation. Now in his late 50s, he is suddenly faced with a threat that could end the lives of thousands of innocent people as the result of a plan to poison the water supply to millions of homes. As the story unfolds, told in Pennys atmospheric prose, so it emerges that the tentacles of the threat extend deep into the highest echelons of Canadas political life. Subtle, compelling storytelling at its elegant best. WHITE CITY by Dominic Nolan (Headline 20, 464pp) White City is available now from the Mail Bookshop IN THE early hours of May 21, 1952, a Post Office van carrying mail bags packed with cash from Paddington Station was hijacked by seven men in two cars. The van was driven away with 287,000 in cash, making it the biggest heist in British history and it remained so until the Great Train Robbery 11 years later. No one was ever charged with the crime and the proceeds were never recovered. This is the starting point for Nolans epic story of the aftermath of the robbery and its impact on two gangster families set against the backdrop of a bleak London still recovering from the Second World War. Its a tale of robbery, race and the Notting Hill riots, as sweeping as anything by James Ellroy. Dark, threatening and at times violent, it depicts brutal times of Teddy Boys, flick knives and slums. Quite breathtaking. THE UNDOING OF VIOLET CLAYBOURNE by Emily Critchley (Zaffre 16.99, 400pp) The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is available now from the Mail Bookshop A stern boarding school, a dilapidated country mansion and an old-fashioned asylum are the gloomily atmospheric settings for a gothic-tinged story that explores the troubled minds and volatile emotions of the Claybourne sisters and their erstwhile friend, the impressionable Gillian Larking in 1930s England. Unloved by her surviving parent, staid, sensible Gilly meets Violet at Heathcomb School. Violet is eccentric, an overly imaginative, sensitive and passionate girl, who enacts a series of rituals to ward off danger, but whose adventurous spirit appeals to the stolid Gilly. Invited back to Thornleigh Hall for the holidays, Gillys swayed by the cool glamour of older sister Emmeline and fashionable, flighty Laura Claybourne and begins to betray Violet in the worst way. Taut, tense and melancholy, its a brilliantly claustrophobic study of gaslighting and manipulation, as a familys ambitions overwhelm their better impulses. WHAT WILL PEOPLE THINK? by Vedashree Khambete-Sharma (Corvus 17.99, 400pp) What Will People Think? is available now It's 1970s in Vile Parle, a gossipy suburb of middle-class Mumbai, and the location for Mrs Bendres increasingly desperate search to find suitable, rich husbands for her four dowry-less daughters. Theres beautiful, kind Juee, flighty Bollywood-obsessed Latika, earnest Mary and the brilliantly opinionated Ila, the narrator of this affectionate homage to Pride And Prejudice. Ila has embraced feminism, eschewed the idea of a traditional marriage and is determined to carve out her own career ideas that are anathema to her mother. But like her fictional antecedent, the independent Elizabeth Bennet, Ila is about to learn that pride can be problematic, as revealed by her argumentative exchanges with handsome, equally imperious Aniruddha. Fresh, funny and with vivid footnotes on Maharashtrian food, culture and attitudes courtesy of sarcastic, observant Ila, What Will People Think? is a lively reinterpretation of a timeless classic. BLACK WOOD WOMEN by Michael Stewart (HQ 16.99, 352pp) Black Wood Women is available now from the mail bookshop The grim and the glorious rub shoulders in this uneven journey into a dark, tempestuous period in English history. Its 1649, and the repercussions of the Civil War are playing out across a country rife with religious persecution, and where the horror of witches has taken hold of an already fearful population. At the heart of this tale is Caragh, an orphaned Irish girl who flees her Yorkshire safe-haven after the brutal murder of her parents, and heads east in search of refuge. As she slinks through field, forest and marsh on the way to an unexpected encounter with a coven of women, her trek is mirrored by the plight of a pregnant lone wolf - and both of them are hunted by a vengeful ex-soldier. Stewarts descriptions of nature are superb, but the violence meted out tells a more gruesome story. When Marie Curie wins her second Nobel Prize the first person to do so, and the only Nobel laureate still to have been awarded the prize in two different branches of science you'd expect her to be feted at the ceremony in Sweden. Far from it instead the Nobel committee tries to persuade her to stay away from the annual black-tie celebration followed by a sumptuous dinner. Her crime? The Press have just revealed her relationship with the scientist Paul Langevin (he, of course, suffers no criticism despite the fact he was the one who was married, while she was widowed). Curie refused to back down and attends the prestigious event. 'I believe,' she tells the committee, 'there is no connection between my scientific work and the facts of private life'. But as Dava Sobel outlines in her new book, the scientific community and the world at large disagreed: a woman scientist was judged differently. And so rather than tell a conventional life story, Sobel, the best-selling author of Longitude and Galileo's Daughter, decides to focus on the role that gender played in Curie's life and, in particular, the fact 45 aspiring female scientists spent time in the Curies' lab. It is a meditation on the struggle that different women have faced to be recognised as scientists. And also, what a difference it makes when men support them. There is plenty of interesting biography in here, explaining how a Polish governess named Marya Sklodowska transformed herself into a French physicist named Marie Curie The prestigious French Academie des Sciences does not want to award her a place as a woman because of 'immutable tradition'. The prestigious French Academie des Sciences does not want to award her a place as a woman because of 'immutable tradition'. Pictured: Rosamund Pike as Marie Curie in a scene from 'Radioactive' Still, there is plenty of interesting biography in here, explaining how a Polish governess named Marya Sklodowska transformed herself into a French physicist named Marie Curie. The Sklodowskas were a high-achieving family Marie's parents were teachers, Marie, her sister Bronya and brother Jozef all finished top of their class at school and then attended a clandestine 'Flying University' so-called because classes moved from place to place to avoid detection by the Russians at that time ruling Poland. Marie and Bronya cooked up a plan: she would work as a governess to support her sister's medical studies in France; once Bronya had qualified she would support Marie in the Sorbonne for her scientific studies. There, in Paris, the young Marie's career takes off: she's placed first in her class of more than 2,000 (only 23 of whom are women), wins a scholarship and meets a young man studying in a similar area called Pierre Curie. Neither of them was looking for love but the marriage was a huge success. What's remarkable here is quite how ahead of their time the Curie men were. Pierre offers to relocate to Poland for Marie, and he insists she is named in their Nobel Prize for Physics citation in 1903 for the discovery of radioactivity. The committee wanted to give it just to him. Even his father moves in to babysit their daughters Irene and Eve so Marie could continue working at the lab. The Curies' behaviour is completely at odds with the sexism that Marie and the young female scientists she worked with regularly encounter. As well as the fuss over her second Nobel Prize (she wins the second for discovering radium and polonium, as well as determining radium's atomic weight) the Royal Society won't grant her a fellowship because she is a 'wife'. The prestigious French Academie des Sciences does not want to award her a place as a woman because of 'immutable tradition'. As expected from a Pulitzer Prize finalist, Sobel writes beautifully and with clarity about the science that Curie specialised in, making clear the achievements that her lab brought about in the discovery of polonium and radium. Pictured: Rosamund Pike as Marie Curie in a scene from 'Radioactive' When she goes to America on tour, at the height of her fame in 1921, the director of Yale's chemical laboratory, Bertram Boltwood, patronisingly describes her as 'quite keen on scientific matters . . . I felt sorry for the poor old girl, she was a distinctly pathetic figure'. Sobel chooses to examine around half of the female scientists who passed through the Curie lab in an ironic visual metaphor, the lab was so makeshift (described by one observer as a 'cross between a stable and a potato cellar') that it had an actual glass ceiling. These include names such as Harriet Brooks, the first Canadian female nuclear physicist, Ellen Gleditsch from Norway, who established the half-life of radium, and Sybil Leslie, a working-class girl from Yorkshire, who was put in charge of a British government lab in Liverpool during the First World War after her work on manufacturing explosives. Each one gets a chapter named after her and a corresponding element in the periodic table, although for many the detail is brief. Curie dominates in this book, just as she has in public consciousness ever since, despite Sobel's best efforts. The subtitle of the book is How The Glow Of Radium Lit A Path For Women In Science. And certainly, it's an eyeopener as to just how crucial some of these women were in pioneering work around radioactivity. But the path wasn't one that opened up readily: Brooks decides that science isn't compatible with marriage and gives up; even though Gleditsch became a university professor in Norway, the institution would not grant her lab space or tenure for years. As expected from a Pulitzer Prize finalist, Sobel writes beautifully and with clarity about the science that Curie specialised in, making clear the achievements that her lab brought about in the discovery of polonium and radium. And yet despite the restrictions that women still face, the book ends on a note of hope. While Irene, her daughter, became the second woman to win a Nobel Prize for chemistry, another protege has the honour of having the final chapter named after her. Marguerite Perey joined Curie's Radium Institute in 1929 and went on to discover the element francium. Three decades later, she became the first woman admitted to the Academie des Sciences succeeding where her mentor was kept out. 'Everything I have done,' she once declared. 'I owe to Marie Curie.' The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science, by Dava Sobel (4th Estate 22, 336pp) THE CLIFFS by J. Courtney Sullivan (Abacus 9.99, 384pp) The Cliffs is available now from the Mail Bookshop GROWING up in a chaotic household in Awadapquit, Maine, bookish introvert Jane Flanagan finds refuge from her alcoholic mother in the grounds of an abandoned Victorian mansion overlooking the ocean. She heads off to college and an archivist's job at Harvard, and with her marriage to David, a kind, loving academic, she seems to have left her troubled past behind. But one night she wrecks her marriage and her career with a drunken meltdown and retreats to Awadapquit, where she finds the mansion has been bought by a wealthy couple. As Jane explores the history of the house, its unquiet ghosts reveal their dark secrets. Blending self-discovery with hidden stories of the past, J. Courtney Sullivan's elegant novel is a Reese's Book Club selection. THE GOOD LIARS by Anita Frank (HQ 9.99, 352pp) The Good Liars is available now from the Mail Bookshop IN 1920, the Stilwell family of Darkacre Hall is in mourning. Hugo, the dashing heir, was killed in the war and his brothers, Maurice and Leonard, suffered terribly. Maurice has shell shock, while Leonard is a double amputee. Despite their war service, they are unpopular in the local village - especially Maurice's glamorous wife, Ida, who can't find anyone to help run the house. Salvation arrives in Sarah Hove, a mousy but efficient young woman who restores calm and comfort to Darkacre. But more trouble is on the way. The case of a boy who disappeared in 1914 has been reopened and a police officer arrives to interview the family, his war-mutilated face half-hidden by a metal mask. A brilliantly claustrophobic, bestselling murder mystery. HERCULE POIROT'S SILENT NIGHT by Sophie Hannah (Harper Collins 9.99, 384pp) Hercule Poirot's Silent Night is available now from the Mail Bookshop IT IS the week before Christmas and the dapper Belgian detective and his loyal assistant, Inspector Edward Catchpool, receive an unwelcome visit from Catchpool's mother, Cynthia. She is a formidable character, who has decided that Poirot and Edward should join her at a Christmas party at Frellingsloe, a grand house on the Norfolk coast belonging to a former teacher, Arnold Laurier. Arnold is terminally ill, and his dying wish is to meet Poirot - and solve the murder of a local postmaster, Stanley Niven. Intrigued, the pair begin their investigation, only for a second murder to occur. Fiendishly plotted, this is a triumphant festive treat. This green and pleasant land is devoted to its farmers. Agriculture is the only industry which has an exclusive daily bulletin on the BBC Farming Today, a long running radio soap opera The Archers, a TV series Emmerdale, and a prime slot on Sunday night viewing in the shape of Countryfile. As an industry, its contribution, put at 13.9billion or 0.6 per cent of the nations output, is relatively modest. But the family-owned farm is critical to the UKs culture. In August this year, when on holiday, I went in search of my first home, Dewbrook Farm in Horam, East Sussex. There was no trace of the long, tree-lined driveway, the apple orchard or the chicken runs. Idyllic: A combine harvester harvesting a field near Ashford in Kent. As an industry, farming's contribution is relatively modest. But the family-owned farm is critical to the UK's culture Just a farmhouse bearing the same name and a housing estate. It may not be the intention but the levy imposed by Rachel Reeves on farms valued at more than 1million may prove a fast track to releasing land for Labours housebuilding. Or it could turn out to be the Chancellors pasty tax, suffering the same fate as George Osbornes levy when he sought to impose VAT on ambient foods in 2012. There is a myth that farmers in their tweed, cords and Land Rovers are plutocrats living high off the hog. Admittedly, there are tycoons, such as billionaire inventor James Dyson, who have sheltered some of their wealth in agricultural land. Naturally the taxman is anxious to reap some of the gains when this real estate cascades down the generations. But most farms are not owned by engineering pioneers or City titans. They are in the hands of modest, hard-working families, helping to preserve the landscape and supply our food needs. These are working people, labouring around the clock seven days a week, for whom working from home means disposing of sludge, doing the milking, collecting the eggs or looking after the strawberry tunnels. The loss of inheritance tax breaks for medium-sized farms will mean many being sold off or broken up. It will hurt organic produce and make the UK ever more dependent on overseas imports, worsening the nations trade balance. Labours failure to understand rural Britain may prove to be a defining blunder of Reeves budget. Gas sprint Shell's strategy of doubling down on fossil fuel production rather than bowing to a climate change agenda looks to be paying off. The groups focus on liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, enhanced by the oil giants 47billion purchase of UK exploration firm BG Group a decade ago, is proving hugely valuable. In the third quarter, when refining profits plummeted by 70 per cent, LNG came racing to the rescue with a stonking 13 per cent rise in profits. As a result, overall earnings in the third quarter came in at 4.6billion, marginally down on a year earlier. Under Wael Sawan, Shell has, like US rivals such as Exxon, decided there is plenty of life in fossil fuels and that delivering for shareholders and taxpayers is the main objective. The group has extended its share buybacks and the debt levels at 26.9billion are at their lowest since 2015. Labour needs to be careful that it doesnt alienate Shell and for that matter BP in its zeal to green Britain by 2030. Shell has indicated in the past that if the environmental, social and governance agenda in the UK becomes too intrusive it might even consider changing its domicile. It would be a catastrophe if one of the FTSE 100s top constituents were to be driven offshore by green fanaticism. Pumped up Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will doubtless be dancing in the aisles as British households buy into the heat pump revolution. The latest data shows that UK certified installations have hit 250,000. The stampede is terrific for Swedish manufacturer Aira, with the groups UK boss Daniel Sarefjord celebrating the improved incentives for boiler upgrades. This is all terrific, but the objective of Great British Energy, launched by Labour this year, was to create tens of thousands of green manufacturing jobs to compensate for cancelling the North Sea. The ambition is great, but unfortunately many of the new jobs are elsewhere, with Aira choosing a lower cost Polish factory. The new UK jobs tax, following the national insurance rise, will hardly encourage new foreign investment. One fears no one in the Government understands business. MBABANE Pastor Bakhe Dlamini recently appeared on TBN Meets, one of Africas leading television channels dedicated to Christian content. TBN Meets offers diverse programming that includes ministry, lifestyle, music, youth and childrens shows, documentaries and films. Since its launch in March 2016, TBN Africa has expanded its reach, now broadcasting to over 50 countries across the continent, with a commitment to inspiring Christian values through impactful content. In his appearance earlier this week, Pastor Bakhe, alongside his wife, Nokwanda Dlamini, discussed their personal relationship journey and the initiatives they are spearheading across Africa to empower couples. Kissing One intriguing moment from the interview was Pastor Bakhes anecdote about their dating experience, which included refraining from kissing until after their wedding vows were exchanged. We were only able to kiss just after the priest had said, You may kiss the bride. Until then, we dated without any physical intimacy, he shared. This traditional approach may resonate deeply with many followers of marriage therapy, particularly within the cultural context of Eswatini. Pastor Bakhe is a Community Psychologist and Marriage Therapist, serving a diverse clientele that includes individuals from South Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Botswana, Eswatini and beyond. In addition to operating his practice, he delivers highly sought-after marriage seminars in South Africa, focusing on facilitating healthy relationships. Recently, he was conferred a Doctorate in Transformational Leadership by Myles University in Sandton, South Africa, highlighting his dedication to the field. Prominent This recent feature on TBN Meets marks another significant milestone for Pastor Bakhe, following his previous appearances on other prominent platforms. Earlier this year, he was featured on South Africas eNCA channel, discussing the topic of interracial marriage. His recognition in this space underlines his commitment to supporting individuals and couples in navigating the complexities of relationships. Moreover, he previously appeared on Mzansi Magics popular series Married at First Sight in June, showcasing his expertise in a widely-viewed format. This exposure, particularly as it pertains to relationships, contributes valuable insights for couples in Eswatini, where marriage and family dynamics play a crucial role in society. Pastor Bakhes work not only inspires those in his immediate circles but also sparks dialogues among couples throughout the region. For followers of marriage therapy in Eswatini, his insights and experiences may offer guidance and inspiration in cultivating resilient and loving partnerships. Advertisement Electric cars, they're just too pricey. That's one of the big arguments put forward by drivers refusing to consider buying one right now. But in recent months we've been given a glimpse of what a future with affordable battery-powered vehicles could look like with a flurry of small, silent models being unveiled. Hyundai is the latest car maker to join the budget EV conga line with its new Inster - a model the Korean brand says will 'redefine ultra-small EVs' thanks to a super-practical interior, bounty of big-car equipment and a party trick or two. While it's not due to arrive in the UK until mid-January, This is Money has been given early access to drive a pre-production car on Oxfordshire's country roads to determine if this could be the low-cost EV that changes Britain's mind about finally ditching the internal combustion engine... Could this be Britain's first Inster-famous small EV? Hyundai's new Inster is due to arrive in UK showrooms in January. But before it does, MailOnline and This is Money Motoring Editor Rob Hull has tested a pre-production example to see if it might be the 'affordable' electric car that changes Britain's mind about finally ditching the internal combustion engine The facts: What you need to know First off the bat, this isn't a brand-new car; Hyundai's been selling it in Korea since 2021 under a different guise. And it's only just recently converted it to an EV. Called the 'Casper' (officially the company's smallest ever model), it has been sold in Hyundai's home nation with a 1.0-litre engine and a very modest starting price that converts to around 7,800 (not inclusive of import taxes and charges, of course). But for 2024, it's been retrofitted with an electric drivetrain and rebranded for the European market (though still produced in a Korean factory). Hyundai hasn't just tinkered with the namebadge [clearly trying to appeal to Gen Z social media fans]; it's also tweaked the styling with EU customers in mind. But more on that later. The Inster isn't actually that new. It has been sold - with a petrol engine - as the Casper in Hyundai's home nation, Korea. And it has proved incredibly popular It will initially be available in the UK in two guises: Standard Range with a 42kWh battery, 71kW electric motor and range of 186 miles; and Long Range with a larger 49kWh battery pack, more potent 86kW e-motor and 229 miles of full-charge driving To keep things simple, only two trim levels are available: 01 and 02. However, the level of equipment even in the most basic specification is extensive 2025 Hyundai Inster: Will it fit in my garage? UK deliveries: January 2025 Price: from 23,495 for Standard Range (25,045 Long Range) DIMENSIONS Length: 3,825mm Wheelbase: 2,580mm Width: 1,610mm Height: 1,575mm Front head room: 1,028mm Rear head room: 982mm Front leg room: 1,050mm Rear leg room: 885mm Luggage space: 238 litres (up to 351 litres with rear seats slid forwards) PERFORMANCE Battery capacity: Standard: 42kWh / Long-Range: 49kWh Power: Standard: 71.1 kW and 96bhp / Long-Range: 84.5 kW and 113bhp Acceleration 0-62mph: Standard: 11.7 secs / Long-Range: 10.6 secs Top speed: Standard: 87mph / Long-Range: 93mph Range: Standard: over 186 miles / Long-Range: 229 miles AC charging time: Standard: 4 hours / Long-Range: 4 hours 35 mins 10-80% fast charging: 30 mins In the UK, it will be sold with two drivetrain options: Standard Range with a 42kWh battery, 71kW electric motor and range of 186 miles; and Long Range with a larger 49kWh battery pack, more potent 86kW e-motor and 229 miles of full-charge driving. Their respective starting prices: 23,495 and 25,045. Not exactly cheap then, is it? They share the same 11kW on-board charger, battery heating system and high-efficiency heat pump. As such, charging from 10 to 100 per cent using an 11kW wallbox at home takes around four hours (4hrs 35mins for the Long Range). And when you're caught short for range en route, a half-hour blast on a 150kW ultra-rapid public device will top it up from 10 to 80 per cent capacity. To keep things simple, only two trim levels are available: 01 and 02. Basic equipment is extensive: 15-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and same-size touchscreen infotainment display with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection (though not wireless), rear parking sensors with rear view camera, cruise control, auto headlights and keyless entry. Air conditioning with climate control is standard too, as are heated door mirrors. Pay an extra 1,700 for the 02 spec and you get bigger 17-inch alloys, front parking sensors, the same heated multifunction steering wheel with LED lights you find in a Kona Electric, heated front seats and a wireless charging pad for your smartphone. Fast charging using a 150kW public device will see the battery upped from 10% to 80% in half an hour. Using a home wallbox, it's closer to four hours for a near full charge (10-100%) Hyundai's also equipped it with the full suite of driver assistance tech it bestows its much bigger cars. Forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assistance, blind spot warning and driver attention monitoring; all of it is crammed into this compact package as standard. In terms of dimensions, Inster falls into the 'A Segment' category, which is the smallest there is. Think Fiat 500, Toyota Aygo and VW Up! for reference. At 3,825mm long, it's about a metre shorter than an average UK parking space. And at 1,610mm (excluding the mirrors), it's 80cm narrower too - so no fear of clattering its doors into the motor next to you at Asda or Tesco. However, it's the height department where Inster is blessed; at 1,575mm, it's on par with a Nissan Juke crossover but without the jacked-up suspension. First UK customers can expect to take delivery in early February and a rugged-looking Inster Cross is due later in 2025, offering barely any off-road capability but some outdoorsy features, including a 'roof basket' - at a premium price, of course. An onslaught of affordable EVs: What will Inster's competition be? Just like buses, we've been waiting for what feels an eternity for a budget-friendly EV to show up - then they've all come along at once. So, here's a whistle-stop tour of rivals the Inster will go head-to-head with in the next couple of years. Let's start with the cheapest of all, the Dacia Spring. Launched earlier in 2024, it is priced from just 14,995 in the UK. It comes with a 26.8kWh battery and range up to 140 miles. Not bad for 15k, right? Well, there is one issue: questionable crash protection. When safety body Euro NCAP tested one in 2022, it came back with scores of just 49 per cent for Adult Occupant protection and a mere 56 per cent for Child Occupant shielding. Had the Inster been launched a year ago, Hyundai wouldn't have any competition in this compact EV segment. But today, there's quite a lot of choice, including the 15,000 Dacia Spring. However, the Romanian electric car does have a major sticking point... Leapmotor's T03 is a newcomer from China with a 16,000 asking price. That's genuinely cheap by new car standards, but it is a bit of a red herring for now Arguably the most direct rival to the Hyundai Inster is the new Citroen e-C3, which costs from 22,000. It has similarly boxy proportions and a decent range The Fiat 500e is the old guard of the competition, but we consider it a genuine rival because the Italian brand is currently shaving 3,000 off the RRP, meaning it starts from 22,000 today How about the next option from newcomer Leapmotor? It's a Chinese car firm you've probably never heard of but one that's just done a deal with Fiat and Vauxhall's parent group Stellantis so the 15,995 T03 can be sold in the UK. It has a 37.3kWh battery pack and range of 165 miles. But is a bit of an unknown entity. Think of it as the red herring of the Inster's competition. Next on the list is Citroen's e-C3. Ah, a brand you do know. It's quite a significant jump in price, on sale now from 21,990. Battery size is almost on par with the Hyundai at 44kWh, offering a range of 199 miles. You can also throw the Fiat 500e (44kWh battery and 199-mile range) into the mix, when taking into account the 3,000 'E-Grant' subsidy bringing the price down to 21,995. That said, the grant is due to expire at the end of the year. Glance a little further into the distance and Skoda and Volkswagen promise their own compact EV offerings - the Epiq and ID.2 respectively - both of which should ring in around 22k and provide driving ranges in excess of 200 clicks. It means the Inster is likely to be the priciest of the lot. Side-by-side, you can see how Hyundai's design team has tried to replicate some of the bigger Ioniq5's (left) features in the much dinkier Inster (right) Honey, I shrunk the Ioniq5! Now, to the most pointless section of any car review - discussing its looks. With beauty in the eye of the beholder, I'm only going to talk facts, not subjective opinion on styling. Despite measuring in around 20mm longer than the Casper, it has the same silhouette: tall, short overhangs front and back, and curves that have been drawn with a ruler. Boxy, it definitely is. Hyundai hasn't steered too far away from its Korean cousin's features either: the Inster's oval LED lights with headlamps set inside, squared-off window frames, right-angled arches, bulging rear wings and roof bars are all carried over. Where the design team tasked with tailoring it to European customers have [barely] earned their wages is the addition of the pixel cluster lights you'll recognise from Hyundai's Ioniq 5. The ones at the front are just indicators; to the rear it's the full shebang. While this keeps the design language consistent with electric Hyundais we're accustom too, these retrofitted panels feel a little flimsy and plasticky when prodded. Where we will pay compliment is the placement of the charging port - at the front, where it is most practical. Once seated, you'll be basking in feline-swingable space thanks to its Tardis-like qualities. Up front, it feels anything but cramped with an abundance of head room and a clever bench-seat design Generally speaking, all the switches feel durable. And while there are scatterings of hard plastic, the major touchpoints - like the insets for the door cards - are padded and enjoyably tactile. Even the inside of the metal door handles have grooves in them so you can grip easier The Tardis of small EVs No matter what your opinion on the exterior, I'm pretty confident most customers in this market will be bowled over by the practicality and quality of Inster's cabin. Once seated, you'll be basking in feline-swingable space thanks to its Tardis-like qualities. Up front, it feels anything but cramped with an abundance of head room. A clever seating design also provides a wider driver's chair base that moulds against the passenger seat to form a bench. Not only is this comfortable for individuals of larger proportions but will also help you get out of a tight squeeze; if the driver's door were to be pinned shut by an inconsiderate motorist parking too close, you can easily shuffle across to exit on the other side. My only critique is the double cup holder positioned within the bench seat. Use these to transport boiling hot beverages with loose lids at your peril! My one major gripe with the front seats is the very low cup holders. Use these to transport boiling hot beverages at your peril For such a small car, there's an incredible amount of leg room in the back. This image is with the clever sliding rear seats in their furthest-back position. With no transmission tunnel (which you find in petrol and diesel cars) running down the centre of the interior, there is genuinely more than enough space for six footers to sit comfortably Even with a six-footer at the wheel, adults of above-average height aren't going to be wanting for space in the back either - granted you can only transport two of them (it's too skinny to have a narrow third middle seat). This is partly thanks to the raised ceiling and a clever sliding rear seat setup that Hyundai has pinched from the first-generation Toyota Yaris from 1999. It allows users to choose between having extra rear legroom or a more capacious boot compartment. Unfortunately, it is only available on the higher 02 trim, though I think the flexibility it offers is worth every penny of the additional 1,700 outlay. The quality of the cabin is impressive, too. Our EU-spec prototype is equivalent to a UK 02 trim (minus the electric sunroof, which unfortunately won't be available in either trim level). It has lovely houndstooth fabric seats, which, I imagine, are far nicer than black cloth you get as standard. The higher-grade trim also has the choice of 64 ambient lighting options. Unfortunately, our test car had this deactivated, quickly extinguishing my excitement at the prospect of turning the Inster into a miniature nightclub on wheels. Generally speaking, the switches all feel durable enough to survive the test of time and while there are scatterings of hard plastic, the major touchpoints - like the inserts for the door cards - are padded and enjoyably tactile. Even the inside of the metal door handles have grooves in them so you can grip easier. None of it feels cheap in any way. And the same can be said about the displays. The driver's cluster is clear and has adjustable settings so you can flutter between classic dials, more futuristic clocks and racier instruments The infotainment screen, while still a little buggy in this pre-production example, has a simple menu layout and felt responsive enough for a vehicle at this price point Fortunately, Hyundai has taken a commonsense approach to the main controls by using buttons rather than bunching the functions in the infotainment screen The driver's cluster is clear and has adjustable designs so you can flutter between classic dials, more futuristic clocks and racier instruments. The infotainment screen, while still a little buggy in this pre-production example, has a simple menu layout and felt responsive enough for a vehicle at this price point. Fortunately, Hyundai hasn't fallen into the trap of bundling all of the main control functions into the touchscreen, instead sticking to the old-school format of easy-to-reach buttons for temperature settings and audio adjustment. Bravo! Hidden at the bottom of the centre console are the controls to operate Vehicle-to-load (or V2L), which switches the Inster's battery into an energy source to power your electronic devices, like a kettle or laptop. The Dacia Spring has this too, but it's still surprising to see the feature on another budget-end EV. With the rear seats slide as far back as possible, there's a limited 238 litres of boot space. However, compromise on rear passenger legroom and it can extend to 351 litres, which is far more useable In terms of the boot, it's not the same tale of space. At 238 litres as standard, any thought of transporting a suitcase will quickly go out the window. However, if you've chosen the 02 trim with the sliding rear bench, you can extend the compartment to a far more usable 351 litres (granted your rear-seat passengers won't thank you for doing so). A hidden under floor section is there too, but this will mostly be occupied by the charging cables. Fold the back seats completely flat and the luggage capacity explodes to 1,059 litres. And if you've opted for the pricier spec, you can also fold the front seats too (though you will need to remove the headrests first). This is the Inster's big party piece. With all the seats flush, you can fit a mattress over the top and use it as a two-birth motorhome. How many owners plan to sleep in their Insters, I'm not sure. Slide me Here's the Inster's party trick: All four seats can be folded flat to provide a completely flat area - ideal for sleeping if you have a roll-out lightweight mattress. It should be around the size of a king-size bed How does it drive? Given that I was entrusted with a pre-production car not in UK specification, the bods at Hyundai urged caution that this particular example might not drive or have the battery performance of those arriving in UK showrooms in three months' time. But an hour-and-a-half behind the wheel is still enough to build an impression of how dynamically capable the Inster will be. First things first, lots of adjustment in the steering column (reach and height) and seat means finding the prime driving position for any stature is a doddle. Many small cars tend to scrimp in this department, so it should be applauded here. While it won't be winning drag races anytime soon, the Inster's acceleration is usable in the real world. When departing a 30mph zone for a national speed limit, a punch of the throttle has you effortlessly pulling away from combustion engine cars behind. So, it's quick enough Having a battery anchor such a small car to the road does make the Inster feel surprisingly stable in the corners, even despite its lanky body. A few circulations of roundabouts at pace failed to trigger understeer, body-roll or the car to wildly pitch to one side Now on the move, let's first turn attention to acceleration, which, by EV standards, is pedestrian on paper. The Long Range version I drove has a slightly quicker 0-to-62mph sprint time of 10.6 seconds (versus 11.7 in Standard Range), so it doesn't take off at warp-speed like something more potent, say a Tesla Model 3. That's no bad thing - especially for a car designed primarily for use in urban settings. Of the four driving modes available - Normal, Eco, Sport and Snow - Normal is the best compromise, with Eco too sluggish and Sport too range-draining. While it won't be winning drag races anytime soon, its usable in the real world. When departing a 30mph zone for a national speed limit (in Normal), a punch of the throttle has you effortlessly pulling away from combustion engine cars behind. So, it's quick enough, I think. Top speed is restricted to 93mph (87mph in Standard Range), but you'll never need - or want - to put this statistic to the test. At lower speeds, the cabin acoustics do an adequate job of making the interior feel cossetted. However, from 50mph and above, tyre and wind noise both begin to intrude into the cockpit - and I imagine at motorway speed it could become quite a rowdy affair. Inster's suspension is most definitely on the firm side. Small imperfections in the tarmac, like a shallow pothole or rumble strip, are dealt with adequately but more pronounced speed bumps can fling you around in your seat In terms of ride comfort, it's definitely on the firm side. Small imperfections in the tarmac, like a shallow pothole or rumble strip, are managed quite well. However, approaching anything more pronounced - like one of those raised square speed hump islands - at anything but a crawl will fling you around in your seat. This, I believe, is a consequence of the larger 17-inch wheels on this 02-spec test car, heavy batteries laden into the floor and inexpensive suspension components pushed beyond their capabilities of ironing out these effects. However, having a battery anchor such a small car to the road does make the Inster feel surprisingly stable in the corners, even despite its lanky body. A few circulations of roundabouts at pace failed to trigger understeer, body-roll or the car to wildly pitch to one side. Steering, while far from engaging, is effortlessly light, and the brakes offer decent levels of bite despite the typical initial sponginess from a regenerative system. Finally, front three-quarter visibility is pretty good, though over-the-shoulder checks are met with a thick C-pillar at the back, which isn't ideal in some scenarios, like trying to judge traffic speed when navigating a motorway entry slip road. While the Inster is impressive roomy and packed with kit, the truth is that a starting price of 23,500 isn't going to be cheap enough to convince Britain's general car-buying public to dip into their own purses Hyundai Inster: The Cars & Motoring Verdict Without question, the Inster is an impressive package. For such a small car, it's hugely roomy and loaded with quality materials and kit you'd usually expect to find in bigger cars. But this latter point, I fear, might also be its downfall. Had Hyundai done away with some features that generally aren't necessary for such a compact car, they could have created an EV that's truly affordable. Because the vast majority of electric car drivers are financing or leasing their motors, a model's residual value (which determine how much you pay over the contracted period) arguably becomes more important than its list price. And with more equipment typically comes slower depreciation. But had the company scaled back luxuries like V2G, heated steering wheel, two digital displays and so forth, the Inster might possibly have boasted a starting price closer to petrol city cars (Dacia's Sandero is the cheapest from 13,795) and what is sure to be its biggest EV rival, the 15k Dacia Spring. The truth is 23,500 really isn't cheap for such a small vehicle, especially if you're expecting the general car-buying public to dip into their own purses - and when the competition is some 8,500 (or 36 per cent) less expensive. As such, Hyundai's latest arrival probably won't be Inster-famous in Britain. Shell is calling for certainty on Labours oil and gas policy after Rachel Reeves launched a tax raid on the sector. The energy giant said it would lobby the Government for alternative fiscal regimes after the Chancellor raised the windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas producers from 35 per cent to 38 per cent. It came as the FTSE 100 firm yesterday beat expectations to report 4.6billion profit in the third quarter in a boost for chief executive Wael Sawans strategy refocusing on fossil fuels. Plea: Shell said it would lobby the Government for alternative fiscal regimes after the Chancellor hiked the windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas producers Its shares leapt 3.5 per cent, or 88p, to 2578.5p after it beat analyst estimates of 4.1billion profit. And Shell said it would give more returns to investors by buying back 2.7billion of its shares. But it came after the North Sea oil and gas industry was dealt a major blow in the Budget as Reeves announced plans to raise the windfall tax. She will also extend the tax which was introduced by the Conservatives in response to soaring energy prices following Russias invasion of Ukraine to 2030. And she removed the investment allowance, which lets companies offset tax from capital that is re-invested. Elected officials just have to balance budgets in the best way they see fit. We have to look for policies that provide certainty, Shells finance chief Sinead Gorman said yesterday. We invest over the long term. We have seen a number of changes in fiscal policy in the last few years, but continue to engage constructively with the Government on alternative fiscal regimes to support the future of the North Sea and energy transition in the UK. Despite the forecast-beating profits, total earnings were down 3.1 per cent on last year, amid a less favourable macroeconomic environment. Brent crude prices have remained low over the past six months, and weaker demand for oil worldwide has hit margins at Shells refineries. Maurizio Carulli, an energy analyst at Quilter Cheviot, said: There have been headwinds, with lower oil prices and weaker refining margins, so this is an impressive result. Shell weakened several carbon reduction targets this year, following other oil and gas giants in placing higher emphasis on financial returns. It comes amid pressure from investors for Shell to close the valuation gap with US rivals Chevron and ExxonMobil. Russ Mould at AJ Bell said: The focus under Sawan has been on streamlining and simplifying the business, taking a more hard-nosed approach to energy transition. Sales slump: Estee Lauder counts actress Ana de Armas (pictured) among its ambassadors Estee Lauder has suffered another slump in sales due to a slowdown in China. The US beauty giant, whose brands include Clinique and MAC Cosmetics, is the latest to be hit by waning demand. The firm, which counts actress Ana de Armas as an ambassador, brought in sales of 2.6billion in the three months to September down 4 per cent on the same period last year. Trading plunged by double digits in China, where a property crisis has hit demand for goods from cosmetics to fashion, despite a recent stimulus package to revive the second largest global economy. Outgoing boss Fabrizio Freda said yesterday we anticipate still strong declines near term for the industry in the country. Shares trading in New York crashed by 25 per cent before recovering slightly. Amazon and Apple raked in nearly 200billion of revenue in just three months as they continued their push into artificial intelligence (AI). In a bumper week for US tech, Amazon reported an 11 per cent rise in sales to 123billion for the three months to the end of September, as Apple posted a 6 per cent jump in the same period to 73.6billion. It came after Microsoft and Meta warned they were forking out more for AI infrastructure as demand rises. AI boost: Amazon reported an 11% rise in sales to 123bn for the three months to the end of September. Apple posted a 6% jump over the same period (to 73.6bn) Amazon profits grew 55 per cent to 11.9billion while Apple profits fell 35 per cent to 11.4billion due to a European court ruling it must pay more than 11billion in taxes. Apples AI tools for the iPhone were launched for some users this week, while Amazon has a generative AI expert shopping assistant called Rufus. Amazon president Andy Jassy said theres so much more coming with new AI capabilities to be announced in December. Apple boss Tim Cook said its Apple Intelligence sets a new standard for privacy in AI and supercharges our lineup heading into the holiday season. Ministers have been urged to get on with building mini-nuclear reactors in the UK after the rollout was delayed again. The Government yesterday pushed back a decision on selecting a company to build the new technology in a blow to Britain's nuclear ambitions. The latest setback comes amid fears that the UK could fall behind in the global race to pioneer mini nuclear power stations. Design: An artist's impression of a Rolls-Royce mini-nuclear power station. Mini-nukes are cheaper and faster to construct than full-sized nuclear power stations Energy Secretary Ed Miliband was accused of 'kicking the can down the road' after the process was pushed back. Mini-nukes or small modular reactors (SMRs) are cheaper and faster to build than full-sized nuclear power stations and are seen as critical in the net-zero push. Ministers will choose the winner of a long-running SMR design competition in spring. A decision was expected by the end of this year but was delayed partly due to the general election. A shortlist of four firms including UK engineering giant Rolls-Royce will be invited to negotiate with Government agency Great British Nuclear. They will then submit final tenders to be evaluated by the Government. Tom Greatrex, head of the Nuclear Industry Association, said: 'Whilst it's good to see the competition reach this stage, what is critical is reaching a decision as soon as possible without further delays to the now published timeline. 'Confidence in the UK Government's pronouncements on support for SMRs rests on fulfilling commitments made today. It is vital for supply chain confidence, as well as driving the wider nuclear ambition.' A Rolls-Royce spokesman said: 'We have been calling for pace for several years now and have seen recent examples of decisions being taken quickly.' It has made breakthroughs in other European countries including Sweden, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic pushing ahead with SMRs. And Silicon Valley giants Amazon and Google recently announced investment into developing the technology. Setback: Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has been accused of 'kicking the can down the road' Tory energy spokesman Claire Coutinho said: 'It seems that SMRs are good enough for Google, Amazon and the Czech Republic, but not for Britain under Labour. 'Ed Miliband's go slow on nuclear means he's kicked the can down the road on a source of cheap, reliable energy. There was nothing new in this Budget for nuclear except delays. This is a disaster for growth and for our energy security.' US-Japanese alliance GE-Hitachi and US firms Westinghouse and Holtec are also in the running in the competition announced in 2015. But it was not until 2023 that Great British Nuclear began the design race. Six contenders were announced that October, but French firm EDF pulled out of the race and American firm NuScale was eliminated in September. An Energy Department spokesman said: 'There are now four companies shortlisted in this competition and, as confirmed in the Budget, Great British Nuclear has commenced contract negotiations.' The junior market breathed a sigh of relief this week after Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that an inheritance tax (IHT) exemption on AIM stocks is here to stay. Well partially anyway. Reeves slashed the IHT exemption, which is currently worth 40 per cent, down to 20 per cent. There were fears leading up to her debut Budget that the exemption would be removed entirely, so the softer touch taken by the Chancellor was a sweet enough pill for the market to swallow. The AIM All-Share index surged from 718 to 744 immediately following the Wednesday Budget announcement and closed the week 2 per cent higher. Beneficiary: Analysts highlighted that the government's commitment to social housing development aligns with Galliford Try's portfolio of public and regulated-sector projects According to analysts at brokerage Panmure Liberum, Galliford Try Holdings plc is a likely beneficiary of Reeves' Big-State Budget, which included a substantial 24.6billion boost in capital investment. Analysts highlighted that the government's commitment to social housing development aligns with Galliford Try's portfolio of public and regulated-sector projects. The government also earmarked 6.6billion for education investment for 2026, with 1.4billion set aside for rebuilding over 500 schools, which Panmure Liberum also expects Galliford Try to benefit from. Gaillford Try's shares closed the week 6 per cent higher at 390p per share. For green fertiliser producer Atome plc, it was far from the worst Budget for the junior market. Olivier Mussat, chief executive of Atome, stated: 'Even with the reduction to inheritance tax exemption, AIM will still offer a unique way for investors to support homegrown, early-stage UK companies such as Atome - the only UK-listed green fertiliser producer. 'The recent speculation on tax changes has impacted share prices but now the market has certainty, I expect we will soon see a recovery.' North Sea windfall tax hikes announced in the Budget did nought to dissuade investors in North Sea oil exploration company Jersey Oil and Gas plc, whose shares rolled up 38 per cent this week. Numerous other energy companies made handsome gains too, including United Oil & Gas plc, which added 33 per cent, and Orcadian Energy plc, which added 30 per cent. In the alternatives space, hydrogen storage investor EnergyPathways plc rallied more than 20 per cent, reflecting Reeves' announcement that the UK's clean energy sector will benefit from 3.9billion of funding in 202526. This briefly spurred shares in green hydrogen electrochemical specialist Ceres Power Holdings plc into action too. Ceres immediately bounced 8 per cent higher following the announcement, although a sharp retracement followed suit. Not all energy companies had decent week though. Tlou Energy Ltd shares fell 45 per cent following a quarterly activities report. Its cash position of A$944,000 (480,000) likely spooked investors. Tlou's mentioned that its largest shareholder is willing to provide a loan facility to the Company up to A$5million to support its gas-production operations. Mosman Oil & Gas, which published its full-year results this week, fell 23 per cent. Chief executive Andy Carroll hailed a 'significant year' for Mosman as it aims to start drilling at its helium projects before the end of 2024. Other energy fallers included Empyrean Energy plc, which fell 17 per cent and Europa Oil & Gas, which was off 12 per cent. AIM-listed translation and localisation services provider RWS Holdings tumbled 15 per cent on Tuesday as it cautioned sales would be flat in the current twelve months marking two years of static revenues. RWS managed to stage a recovery later in the week, but shares failed to escape the red zone come Friday. In the tech space, shares in semiconductor wafer specialist IQE plc slumped 20 per cent after announcing that chief executive Americo Lemos had left the company with immediate effect. IQE has been trading lower in recent weeks following a warning that trading performance will be worse than expected this year. Touchstar plc also warned on profits. The mobile data solutions provider's shares dropped 12 per cent after the company announced that its 2024 revenue is likely to fall below previous forecasts due to delayed orders and slower conversion times. Finally, the AIM delisting of the week was brought to you by Eckoh plc. The board agreed to a takeover by private equity suitor Bridgepoint for a total value of 169.3million. The AIM-listed payment solutions provider, which has been looking for a deal since last year, has been mulling the offer since August. Shares surged 24 per cent following the announcement. Wealthy families could face a 'double tax hit' on inherited pensions of up to 70.5 per cent under new rules announced in the Budget. Chancellor Rachel Reeves plans to make pensions liable for inheritance tax like other assets such as property, savings and investments starting from April 2027. But if a saver is aged over 75 when they die, their beneficiaries are still going to have to pay their normal income tax rate of 20 per cent, 40 per cent or 45 per cent on pension withdrawals too, warn finance experts. Unspent pensions: Government wants to end the practice of using them to pass wealth down the generations Family legacy plans have been upended by the news in the Budget, because retirement pots are treated generously by the taxman when people die at present, especially if that is before age 75 when they are tax free. They have therefore become widely used as a way to pass wealth down the generations, and are often spent last (if at all) by people whose estates could be hit by inheritance tax at 40 per cent. This will reduce the allure of cascading pension pots down generations Craig Rickman, Interactive Investor But pensions are supposed to fund retirement not bequeath wealth, and the Government explicitly states it wants to end this practice in its Budget announcement. This says it is 'removing the opportunity for individuals to use pensions as a vehicle for inheritance tax planning' by bringing unspent pots into the scope of inheritance tax. It expects this to affect around 8 per cent of estates each year, and raise 640million in 2027/28, 1.34billion the following year, and 1.46billion by the third year the new rules are in place. Meanwhile, money experts point out that the move will also affect certain death benefit lump sums. It is also likely to cause a massive paperwork headache for beneficiaries, who will have to chase up details from multiple pension providers before they can work out and pay an inheritance tax bill. This has to be done before you can apply for probate, which releases funds in an estate for distribution, and already forces many cash poor beneficiaries to take out loans or pay inheritance tax in instalments before they get their hands on any money. Below, we round up experts' views on what the inheritance tax raid on pensions could mean for families. They say pensions could return to being mostly spent during people's lifetimes, and explain how a new 'double tax' could decimate large inherited pots. How much is inheritance tax and who pays? Inheritance tax is levied at 40 per cent on estates above a certain size. You need to be worth 325,000 if you are single, or 650,000 jointly if you are married or in a civil partnership, for your loved ones to have to stump up inheritance tax. A further allowance, the residence nil rate band, increases the threshold by 175,000 each - so 350,000 for a married couple - for those who leave their home to direct descendants. This creates a potential maximum joint inheritance tax-free total of 1million. This own home allowance starts being removed once an estate reaches 2million, at a rate of 1 for every 2 above the threshold. It vanishes completely by 2.3million. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said in the Budget these thresholds will be frozen until 2030. > Essential guide: How inheritance tax works > How are inherited pensions taxed at present What could tax changes on inherited pensions mean for you? 'With pension assets having overtaken property as the largest source of private wealth in the UK in recent years, this measure is certain to draw many more estates into the web of inheritance tax,' says Jason Hollands, managing director of Evelyn Partners. 'This development will require a major rethink of financial plans for some people, who had been prioritising their pension pots as a means of passing wealth on to their children and grandchildren.' Got a tax question? Heather Rogers, founder and owner of Aston Accountancy, is This is Money's tax columnist. She answers your questions on any tax topic - tax codes, inheritance tax, income tax, capital gains tax, and much more. Check out her previous columns to see if she has already solved your tax conundrum. Or, you can write to Heather at taxquestions@thisismoney.co.uk. Craig Rickman, pensions expert at Interactive Investor, says: 'Reevess move to scrap the inheritance tax exemption on unspent pension savings is bold, and will be a blow to savers who have beefed up their retirement pots to harness the estate-planning perks. 'This will reduce the allure of cascading pension pots down generations.' Julie Hammerton, a partner at Hymans Robertson Personal Wealth, says: 'These changes will have a big bearing on how people approach passing on wealth to their loved ones. 'With pensions coming into the inheritance tax regime, its more likely that they will be accessed for an income in retirement, rather than a means through which wealth can be passed on to future generations. 'From a financial planning perspective, the order in which people access their long term savings will likely change. 'This sequencing is something that those in the fortunate position to have savings will need to get their heads around. 'The positive is that pensions remain a very effective means through which to save for the future. We shouldnt lose sight of that.' Will you face a 'double tax hit' if you inherit a pension? 'Currently, most pensions are passed on after the age of 75, at which point those inheriting the pension need to pay income tax on the money they receive,' says Alastair Black, head of savings policy at Abrdn. 'Adding inheritance on top of this could see the estate and the recipient paying tax twice between them on a proportion of the same pounds.' How a 70.5% tax on an inherited pension pot could work Andrew Marr gives the following example. Bill died with 4million in his pension scheme, Marr writes. He had 2million of non-pension assets and inherited a 175,000 inheritance tax residence nil rate band from his late spouse to go with his own band of the same amount. His daughter, Jill, has a 45 per cent marginal income tax rate and opts to take everything out of the fund. Here, the pension administrator will have to immediately pay 1.6million of inheritance tax, leaving 2.4m in the fund. This remaining fund would then be paid to Jill, after withholding 45 per cent tax. Therefore, Jill will end up with 1.32million from the original 4million. This represents a 67 per cent tax rate. It gets worse, however, because the pension scheme assets also have the effect of tapering 350,000 of residence nil rate band down to nothing. This is effectively equivalent to another 140,000 of inheritance tax on the pension scheme, meaning an effective tax rate of 70.5 per cent. He adds: 'There is a real risk that this stirs up some controversy if its seen as double taxation.' Andrew Marr, managing partner at tax consultancy Forbes Dawson, says: 'This measure is only set to come in from 6 April 2027 and the impact is huge. 'It seems that beneficiaries will still have to pay income tax when they take out benefits.' He says for a 45 per cent taxpayer this represents a 67 per cent tax rate. But he adds the tapering of the residence nil rate band down to nothing adds to the inheritance tax due on the pension, meaning an effective tax rate of 70.5 per cent - see his example on the right. 'For many people who feel like they have done the responsible thing by paying into pension schemes this will be a kick in the teeth,' says Marr. 'The very wealthy may now seek to leave the UK and look for opportunities to empty their pension schemes without paying tax. 'This shows how dangerous it is to engage in very long-term tax planning, because different governments mean that taxpayers can have limited faith in the long term outcome.' Marr adds: 'As there is a consultation period before any legislation is drafted, perhaps there is a small chance of a government U-turn here before these rules are enacted (could this be a ruse to rile people up and then drop it to win favour in over two years time a kind of political hedge?). 'In the meantime, this really does tip the balance on the decision of whether 25 per cent tax free lump sums should be withdrawn from pensions. 'Anybody who thinks that they will leave unused pension funds should consider taking out the lump sum and gifting it. Even if they do not gift it, their beneficiaries would be saved a double layer of tax in the scheme when they die.' Jon Greer, head of retirement policy at Quilter, says: 'The removal of the inheritance tax exemption will result in a double tax hit for beneficiaries, although the normal exemption for spouses and civil partners will continue to apply. 'For families inheriting larger pension pots, this will lead to significant tax liabilities, depending on the recipients income tax bracket.' What is the impact on death benefits? Discretionary death benefits are also going to be brought into estates for inheritance tax purposes from April 2027, says pension consultant LCP. It explains that this will put discretionary benefits, where trustees decide who will receive them, and non-discretionary benefits where members choose who will get them and which are already chargeable to inheritance tax, onto an equal footing. This is in many ways the biggest pensions story of the Budget 'Although the measure has been brought about because of the inheritance tax planning opportunities that defined contribution arrangements provide, it is also to apply to defined benefit schemes. 'Nearly all such benefits across the defined benefit and defined contribution space, including lump sum death benefits typically paid from a defined benefit scheme on death in service will be caught, whether or not the beneficiary is ultimately chosen at the trustees discretion. 'This is a huge change for death benefits which will go far beyond disrupting those with estates above the inheritance tax threshold who were planning on passing on some of their pension wealth to others free of inheritance tax. 'For example, it could impact unmarried couples where one moderately earning partner dies in their 20s or 30s and a lump sum death benefit of say four times their salary is paid. 'It could also operate on the death of a single parent. As such, this is in many ways the biggest pensions story of the Budget.' LCP says the change will surely delay payment of death benefits while pension schemes liaise with the deceaseds personal representative to work out what they need to hold back for inheritance tax purposes. What will you need to declare to the taxman? 'The Budget decision to include pensions and pension death benefits within estates for inheritance tax could lead to massive bureaucracy and delays for grieving families,' warns Steve Webb, former Pensions Minister and This is Money's retirement columnist. 'Inheritance tax bills have to be paid before probate can be secured. Although organisations such as banks or National Savings & Investments can be asked to make payments towards the inheritance tax bill direct to HMRC from the assets of the deceased person, this can be of limited value if the bulk of the estate is the value of a property. The whole thing could turn into a bureaucratic nightmare for grieving families 'Obtaining probate itself can take many months, meaning finalising the financial affairs of a loved one can already be a drawn out process.' Webb, who is now a partner at LCP, goes on: 'Including pensions within the scope of inheritance tax will add greatly to the burden which families face. 'People will need to know which pension schemes to contact, will have to rely on the efficient administration of pensions with the whole process on hold until the slowest scheme has replied and then potentially wait months more before death benefits and pension balances can be released by the scheme. 'The whole thing could turn into a bureaucratic nightmare for grieving families. 'If this proposal is to go ahead, the Government will need to come up with a much more streamlined process than is currently proposed.' What should you do if you planned to bequeath pensions to loved ones? 'Pensions have been one of the most tax-efficient investments available to savers, with tax relief on personal contributions, tax-free growth and pension funds remaining outside of your estate for inheritance tax on death,' says Gary Smith, financial planning partner at Evelyn Partners. 'That means some retirees have prioritised using other savings and assets to fund retirement before their pensions. 'Retirees and savers have 18 months to review their long-term plans. As defined contribution pension funds could now be subject to up to 40 per cent inheritance tax on death, we will probably see greater withdrawals from pension pots. 'Pension withdrawals are subject to income tax, so some savers in drawdown will have an eye on the frozen 50,270 threshold at which point their overall income from all sources will be taxed at 40 per cent.' Hannah English, head of defined contribution corporate at Hymans Robertson, says: 'With pensions assets now liable for inheritance tax from 2027 the implications for some defined contribution members may be that savers start spending more of their pension pots now. 'This further reinforces this Government's clear intent that tax incentives for pensions are there to encourage individuals to receive a pension. 'The policy aim was never to encourage intergenerational wealth accumulation for the few. 'The announcement today will reinforce people to save into their pension and live independently while, and for as long as, they are alive. 'This should stimulate spending and a better quality of life and in turn economic growth; in simple terms the incentive is to spend rather than store.' But James Norton, head of retirement and Investments at Vanguard Europe, cites a survey by his firm which shows 43 per cent of older people with pensions plan to pass on at least some of their money. It polled people aged 50-70 with 75,000-plus in private pensions, or a minimum income of 30,000 if retired and 40,000 if not retired. 'With inherited pensions now falling within inheritance for the first time, individuals may wish to reconsider spending strategies in retirement,' says Norton. 'Wed also remind individuals that there are several tax-efficient ways to invest for growth for the next generation. 'For instance, Junior Isas let you save and invest up to 9,000 tax-free on behalf of a child under 18. 'They can be opened by a parent or legal guardian and anyone including parents, relatives or friends can contribute up to the allowance.' Rachel Reeves' maiden Budget saw the first-ever female chancellor make 40billion of sweeping tax rises in to plug funding gaps in the NHS and schools. While it left many of us with something to be miserable about when it comes to our money, there were also some important dodged bullets, as Simon Lambert, Georgie Frost and Helen Crane discuss on this week's podcast. Among the Autumn Budget losers were landlords, investors and those who have stashed wealth in their pension, as stamp duty, capital gains tax and inheritance tax all came under the spotlight. Your browser does not support iframes. The attack on the middle classes was perhaps to be expected from a Government which has told us those with the broadest shoulders must bear a bigger burden. But aside from a rise in the minimum wage and 1p off a pint, did the Budget give enough of a boost to 'working people' - and will changes to employers' National Insurance Contributions indirectly hit them in the pocket anyway? Given growth was the buzzword of the Labour election campaign, did Reeves miss an opportunity to get people excited about British industry and entrepreneurship? We also dig into what wasn't announced in the speech, including a not-so-fond farewell to the short-lived British Isa, and a child benefit change that could have helped single parents found itself on the scrapheap. Changes: Rachel Reeves introduced 40bn of sweeping tax hikes in this week's Budget More than 22million savers hold National Savings and Investments (NS&I) Premium Bonds in the hope of winning a big prize in the monthly draw. Monthly prizes range from 25 to 1million, with the winning numbers chosen by ERNIE, NS&I's electronic random number generator. There are two 1million jackpot prizes, and in the October draw there were 88 100,000 prizes and 177 50,000 prizes. These are the two largest prizes in the draw after the top 1million prize. Currently, the odds of any 1 bond winning a prize are 21,000 to 1, with the Premium Bonds prize fund rate or the average prize payout per year standing at 4.4 per cent. But the odds of winning a Premium Bonds prize will lengthen to 22,000 to 1 in the December draw as NS&I announced it would cut the Premium Bonds prize fund rate to 4.15 per cent. What are the odds?: Just 0.8 per cent of Premium Bonds holders won 50,000 or 100,000 prizes with holdings of 500 or less since April 2020, making it an unlikely proposition Each month, in addition to the coveted 1million jackpot prize winners, we keep an eye out for the luckiest Premium Bonds holders who manage to bag big prizes (the 50,000 and 100,000 prizes in addition to the 1million prize) with tiny holdings. Of course, the more you hold, the better the odds of winning big. But, contrary to a common myth, you do not need to own the maximum holding of 50,000 to bag a big prize. Even someone with only a small savings pot who has just opened their account has a chance - albeit a very small one - of winning big. Nothing quite embodies this as much as the 2004 1million jackpot winner from Newham in London, who won with a mere 17 in Premium Bonds which they purchased in February 1959. More recently, in the October draw, three Premium Bonds holders scooped 50,000 and 100,000 prizes with small holdings of 500 or less. A Premium Bonds holder based in Gloucestershire bagged a 100,000 prize with a tiny holding of just 275, while two other winners, from North East Scotland and Lincolnshire, bagged 50,000 prizes with holdings 300 and 500 respectively. Dr Michael Dunne-Willows It prompted us, and This is Money readers, to ask: What is the likelihood of bagging a big Premium Bonds prize with a tiny holding of 500 or less? We decided to seek the guidance of a statistics wizard to help us understand the odds of this, and how the amount someone holds in Premium Bonds changes those odds. We asked Dr Michael Dunne-Willows, a statistician and ambassador for the Royal Statistical Society, to crunch the numbers. The probability of winning a 1million jackpot prize with a 50 holding is 1 in 1.2billion. As the odds of winning a prize get better the more you hold in Premium Bonds, those who hold 100 have 620 million to 1 odds of winning the 1million jackpot. These odds narrow to 250 million to 1 if you have 250 in Premium Bonds. If you hold 500 you have a 1 in 120 million chance of winning a 1million prize. The likelihood of winning at least 100,000 in the Premium Bonds prize draw with a 50 holding is 1 in 27 million. If you have a holding ten times that, at 500, the odds are 1 in 2.7 million. Those who have 100 in Premium Bonds have a 1 in 13 million chance of winning at least 100,000 and if you hold 250 your odds are 5.5 million to 1. When it comes to 50,000 prizes, Premium Bonds savers who hold 50 have a 1 in 9.5 million chance of winning at least 50,000. If you have 100 in Premium bonds the odds of winning at least 50,000 are 4.7 million to 1, narrowing to 1.8 million to 1 if you hold 250. Holding 500 in Premium Bonds would mean you have a 1 in 940,000 chance of winning at least 50,000. Odds of winning a big Premium Bonds prize with small holdings Holding Chance of winning at least 50,000 Chance of winning at least 100,000 Chance of winning 1,000,000 50 1 in 9.5million 1 in 27 million 1 in 1.2billion 100 1 in 4.7million 1 in 13 million 1 in 620million 250 1 in 1.8million 1 in 5.5million 1 in 250million 500 1 in 940,000 1 in 2.7million 1 in 120million To bring these odds to life, This is Money also analysed NS&I data from the past 54 Premium Bonds draws, stretching back to May 2020 when the Pandemic Premium Bonds boom took hold, to see how many people have managed to scoop one of the big prizes with a tiny holding. Out of 6,070 winners of the biggest Premium Bonds prizes in that time, 46 holders won 50,000 or 100,000 prizes with holdings of 500 or less - that's 0.8 per cent. Twenty of the 100,000 prizes were won by NS&I customers with a holding of 500 or less and 26 of the 50,000 prizes were won by those who had a holding of under 500. The most unlikely of these winners was a Norwich-based winner who bagged a 50,000 prize with a holding of just 5 in the December 2023 draw. They purchased their winning bond in April 2004. No 1million jackpot winner won their prize with a holding of 500 or less since May 2020, but 12 people holding 1,000 and less have scooped the 1million jackpot prize since 1994, when the first 1million prize was launched. James Blower, founder of website Savings Guru said: Theres approximately 1.2million Premium Bond holders with the maximum 50,000 holding. Therefore, around 60billion of the almost 126billion saved in Premium Bonds is from those with the maximum holdings just under 50 per cent. 'Given there are 177 50,000 prizes each month, it isnt surprising that some have been won by those with smaller holdings. Similarly, there are 883 10,000 prizes each month so the odds do favour that smaller holders have a chance of winning at least some of those. 'There were 47,682 10,000 prizes in that period so it isnt a shock that 20 were won by lower value holdings. However, there are only two 1million prizes a month so it is not at all surprising that the odds dont favour smaller holders winning at all. Anna Bowes, co-founder of website Savings Champion said: The very fact that some people have won with a tiny amount will keep many invested. 'The risk to 500 earning no interest is maybe 25 a year at current best buy rates. There will be people prepared to risk that for the chance of winning big or indeed winning something at all. The classic advice on choosing a degree is to follow your heart: the more interested you are in your subject, the more successful you will be, both academically and in later life. But, in today's job market, does that hold true? Get your decision right and you're on course for a satisfying, well-paid career with a manageable loan repayment. Get it wrong and you're saddled with poor job prospects, crippling HECS debt and a degree that's barely worth the paper it's printed on. If you're the parent of a teenager - especially one considering an arts or humanities subject - take a look at the numbers. You might get a shock. Australia's worst-performing universities in terms of graduate starting salaries (generally speaking) are the ones that offer humanities degrees. This is true even if the institutions are considered prestigious. Creative arts degrees have some of the lowest median graduate salaries and the poorest prospects for full-time work, with years of study leading to a job with typical full-time pay of just $59,500, based on data from the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching's graduate outcomes survey. This is well below the $71,000 mid-point salary for all students four to six months after graduating. Of Australia's 41 universities looked at in the Department of Education-funded research, 22 had median salaries below the overall mid-point, three were right in the middle and 16 were above that level. Australia's worst-performing universities when it comes to graduate salaries are more likely to teach humanities subjects (pictured is the University of Sydney Queer Action Collective) Of that list, five universities had mid-point graduate salaries below Australia's median salary of $67,600, which covers both full-time and part-time workers. Maurice Newman, who was Macquarie University chancellor from 2002 to 2008, says arts graduates are often unsuited to private-sector employment because they have been taught to despise society's traditions. 'Perhaps that's because these days, arts degrees have become so polemical, graduates are less suited to profit-making ventures,' he tells me. Degrees with the lowest - and highest - graduate salaries The average graduate salary is $71,000... will your degree leave you behind? Degrees that pay well... Dentistry: $94,400 Medicine: $85,000 Social work: $77,300 Engineering: $75,000 Teaching: $75,000 Middle of the pack... Computing and IT: $74,400 Law and paralegal studies: $73,000 Agriculture and environment: $71,100 Psychology: $71,000 Rehabilitation: $71,000 Health services and support: $70,800 Nursing: $69,400 Humanities and culture: $69,400 Business management: $69,200 Science and mathematics: $69,000 Degrees to avoid... Veterinary science: $67,400 Architecture: $66,000 Communications: $65,000 Tourism: $65,000 Creative arts degrees: $59,500 Pharmacy: $55,500 Advertisement But Andrew Norton, a professor of higher education policy at the Australian National University's Centre for Social Research and Methods, points out that arts graduates historically had lower salaries than those doing a vocational degree such as nursing or teaching even before the courses became more 'woke'. 'They don't have a lock on any well-paid occupation, unlike say nursing or teaching or these other degrees that lead to particular jobs,' he says. 'Employers generally prefer a particular degree, and as a result [arts and humanities graduates] always lose out compared to graduates who do have a degree that is directly linked to an occupation. 'The skills they have are not as immediately valuable to employers as the people who have done more vocationally-orientated courses.' Australia's worst performing universities The worst-performing universities when it comes to graduate salaries include Bond University, a private higher education centre on the Gold Coast that offers a Bachelor of Creative Arts, and a mid-point graduate salary of just $60,300. Torrens University, in Adelaide, is the next lowest with a median graduate salary of $62,600, and online courses including a Bachelor of Branded Fashion Design. The prestigious University of Melbourne has the third lowest median graduate salary of $65,300 and offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. It also has a Bachelor of Creative Arts, now being phased out, offering the study of 'radical fiction'. 'This subject will examine the concept of radical fiction in creative writing in order to recognise the ways radical fiction can critique and subvert dominant cultural regimes,' the University of Melbourne handbook states. 'Through reading and discussion in these areas, and through drafting and exercises, students will be expected to produce their own radical work.' RMIT University, also in Melbourne, has the fourth lowest graduate salary of $66,800, and offers a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Creative Writing. Unis with the lowest graduate salaries BOND UNIVERSITY: $60,300 TORRENS UNIVERSITY: $62,600 MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY: $65,300 RMIT UNIVERSITY: $66,800 UNIVERSITY OF WA: $67,300 DEAKIN UNIVERSITY: $69,300 WESTERN SYDNEY UNI: $69,400 VICTORIA UNIVERSITY: $69,400 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY: $69,400 UNIVERSITY OF SA: $69,400 QUT : $70,400 UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY: $70k UTS : $70k UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE: $70k MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY: $70k WOLLONGONG UNIVERSITY: $70k UniSC : $70k UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME: $70k GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY: $70k FLINDERS UNIVERSITY: $70k ACU : $70k QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY: $70,900 UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE: $71k UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA: $71k AVONDALE UNIVERSITY: $71k Advertisement Unis with the highest graduate salaries UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND: $80,000 CENTRAL QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY: $78,300 UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA: $78,000 CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY: $75,700 UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND: $75,300 CURTIN UNIVERSITY: $75,000 UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES: $75,000 CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY: $75,000 JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY: $73,100 MONASH UNIVERSITY: $73,000 SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY: $72,500 EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY: $72,000 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY: $72,000 SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY: $72,000 FEDERATION UNIVERSITY OF AUSTRALIA: $71,400 MURDOCH UNIVERSITY: $71,100 Advertisement The University of Western Australia has the fifth lowest graduate salary of $67,300 and it offers a Bachelor of Arts with a Fine Arts major 'to establish your career in the field of contemporary art and culture'. Communications, an arts degree often done by aspiring journalists, is also on the lower side at $65,000 - the same level as tourism and hospitality. This is worse than nursing and science/mathematics graduates, who have starting salaries of $69,400 and $69,000, respectively. Media qualifications are particularly woke, often requiring students to do cultural studies subjects on queer theory, gender studies and postmodernism. Macquarie University, which has lower graduate salaries of $70,000, specialises in 'critical studies of gender, sexuality and power'. Arts degrees have below-average graduate salaries, with those studying humanities, culture and social sciences typically earning just $69,400 after finishing university. But they do better than business and management graduates on $69,200. Architecture and built environment was also on the lower side at $66,000, as was veterinary science on $67,400. Surprisingly, pharmacy has the lowest median graduate salary of $55,500. The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia notes the average wage for early career pharmacists with less than 10 years' experience is just $66,955, or $32.77 an hour, 'making them one of Australia's lowest remunerated, tertiary educated health professions'. Maurice Newman, who was Macquarie University chancellor from 2002 to 2008, says arts graduates are often unsuited to private-sector employment because they have been taught to despise society's traditions (RMIT graduates are seen in Melbourne's CBD in December 2014) Pharmacy has the lowest median graduate salary of $55,500 (stock image) At the other end of the spectrum, dentistry graduates are the highest paid at $94,400, even putting it ahead of medicine on $85,000. Social work has a surprisingly high median graduate salary of $77,300 but it is an example of how government-funded roles are often better remunerated to encourage graduates to work in regional and disadvantaged areas. Engineering is also on the higher side at $75,000, on par with teaching but ahead of computing and IT on $74,400, law and paralegal studies on $73,000 and psychology and rehabilitation, both on $71,000. Agriculture was also right near the middle at $71,100, as was health services and support on $70,800. Highest graduate salaries The University of Southern Queensland has the highest graduate salary of $80,000 and is one of the few places offering a Bachelor of Aviation that teaches a student how to fly a Boeing 737 or an Airbus A320, via a simulator, with a view to becoming a commercial airline pilot. The University of Central Queensland in Rockhampton is second on the list with a median graduate salary of $78,300 and it offers a Bachelor of Oral Health. The University of Tasmania is third highest with a median graduate salary of $78,000, and teaches a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery. That degree gives students a mix of training in Hobart and regional centres in Launceston and Burnie. Charles Sturt University is fourth on the list with a median graduate salary of $75,700, offering a Bachelor of Dental Science. At the other end of the spectrum, dentistry graduates are the highest paid at $94,400, even putting it ahead of medicine on $85,000 (stock image) Course satisfaction In another twist, the degrees that produce the best-paid graduates for an undergraduate degree have some of the lowest course satisfaction scores. The overall score for all bachelor degrees was 76 per cent. But for dentistry, the degree with the highest graduate salary, just 60.7 per cent are satisfied with their course. Pharmacy degrees produce the lowest-paid graduates but they have above-average satisfaction levels of 81.3 per cent. Creative arts graduates report a 72.7 per cent course satisfaction rating, ahead of 73.4 per cent for communications graduates. Full-time work prospects When it comes to full-time work, just 53.5 per cent of creative arts graduates work at least 35 hours a week. This is well below the 79 per cent level for all degrees. Communications degrees have just 64.9 per cent working full-time, likely due to the troubled state of the media industry. But with Australia suffering from a doctor shortage, 95.6 per cent of medicine graduates work full-time. Pharmacists may be the lowest paid graduates but 98.4 per cent of them are working full-time - the highest of any degree. Dentistry, the best paid after graduating, has 83.2 per cent working full-time. The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching study of 363,248 graduates covered 130 educational institutions, including 42 universities, with results published for 41 of them. MBABANE Some of the people arrested for the facata scam claimed they were sent to withdraw money from ATMs or MoMo agents, unaware they were participating in the scam. One of them is Bongiwe Dlamini (36) of Mbadlane in the Lubombo Region. She and her four co-accused, are facing 21 counts of theft by false pretences and contravening the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011. She appears in 12 of the charges and the money involved is E140 115.16. Bongiwe was arrested together with Nkosephayo Dlamini (18) of Thulwane, Ncamiso Tsabedze (26) of Malindza, Nobuhle Zwane (18) of Mbadlane and Phiwayonkhosi Gwebu (33) of Malindza. They appeared at Manzini Magistrates Court on Wednesday and were remanded in custody. Bongiwe filed an application for bail at the High Court. She was represented by Sinakekelwe Mhlanga of Mabila Attorneys. Her bail was fixed at E50 000. She was ordered to pay E8 000 in cash and the balance to be in the form of sureties. The matter was heard by Judge Sabelo Masuku, yesterday. In her application, Bongiwe informed the court that in January this year she moved to Manzini to look for employment. She said she met one Phumlani Mabuza and Nqaba Motsa, who were also looking for employment and were sharing a one-room flat at Ngwane Park. Job Bongiwe said they offered her a place to stay with their friend, one Nobuhle Zwane. They introduced me to Nobuhle Zwane and she agreed to stay with me as she was also looking for job opportunities in Manzini. They then offered to teach me skills in order to be self-employed and self-sustained. Phumlani Mabuza and Nqaba Motsa were self-employed, they were builders and ran a spaza shop in the area. Nobuhle Zwane would braid hair and do several beauty techniques and would also supply salons with different beauty products. They would take me with them and I would help where I could and they would remunerate me, she narrated. She pointed out that during that period, anyone of them would, on several occasions, send her to withdraw Unayo vouchers from Standard Bank ATMs as they were busy focusing on their businesses. I would withdraw money on the strength that it was their money and I became used to doing these favours for them as they had also helped me stand on my feet. At all material times, I laboured under the belief that the money belonged to them and that their clients were paying them for the work they had done for them. I was just assisting them as they often sent me when they were busy and couldnt do these errands themselves. I believed that I was withdrawing payments as I had been working with them for a few weeks and had seen that they all had many clients, she submitted. Bongiwe said she was surprised when she was arrested by the police, who told her that they had video footage of her at Standard Bank ATMs. She said, if she had known that what she was doing was a crime; she would have refused to withdraw the money on their behalf. This is a clear demonstration that I was not aware that my actions amounted to a criminal offence. I must bring it to the attention of the court that I did not intentionally commit any offence or benefitted from the said offences. Bail She argued that it would not be in the interest of justice to deny her bail and to allow her detention to continue. She said there was no likelihood that if she is released on bail, she may endanger the safety of the public or any particular person or may commit an offence listed in Part II of the First Schedule. The accused also said there is no likelihood that if released on bail she may attempt to evade trial, as she is firmly rooted in the Kingdom of Eswatini, without any other citizenship. Phumlani Mabuza also told the court that he was sent to withdraw Unayo vouchers by a colleague who was injured and unable to walk on his own. He said he was surprised when the police arrested him for the theft of various amounts of money totalling E31 520. Mabuza was earlier in the week released on bail. A mum-to-be who was almost killed in a car crash with a teenage driver has revealed the desperate fight to save her unborn baby, after already suffering the tragedy of five earlier miscarriages. Tattooo artist Haylee Loccisano, 24, was coming home from work with her mum and young niece in May when their ute was struck by a teenage driver allegedly rushing to her netball game. 'A Toyota RAV4 and a Toyota HiLux were travelling in opposite directions along Ipswich Boonah Rd at Purga, south-west of Brisbane, when they collided about 5.45pm,' police said at the time. Six people three from each vehicle were hospitalised, including Ms Loccisano who was seriously injured, along with her unborn daughter. 'I was six-months pregnant at the time of the accident,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'My unborn daughter Celeste had to be delivered via emergency caesarean at 26 weeks. 'Tragically, after 30 minutes of attempted resuscitation, she passed away. Hayley Loccisano (pictured alongside husband Connor) nearly died in the horror crash Haylee Loccisano spent months in hospital and had eight laparotomy surgeries 'She was my first child, I'd already had five miscarriages due to a rare genetic condition I have called NCAH (Nonclassical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia).' Ms Loccisano spent a week in an induced coma in intensive care, and underwent six laparotomy surgeries in a matter of days while still unaware she'd lost her long awaited miracle child with husband Connor. 'My life will never be the same, they cut me open from my sternum to my pubic bone and have had eight laparotomy surgeries to date,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'I have been permanently disfigured and have a 45cm scar down my whole abdomen, since my abdominal muscles tore off the abdominal wall on impact. 'I have no core strength and cannot lift more than 20kg for the rest of my life.' Ms Loccisano claims the teenage driver, who was 17 at the time of the accident, has yet to be charged over the crash and shown no guilt for her role. 'The police officers told my mum that she [the young driver] hasn't shown any remorse following the accident,' she said. A Toyota RAV4 and a Toyota HiLux were travelling in opposite directions along Ipswich Boonah Rd at Purga, south-west of Brisbane, when they collided last May Haylee Loccisano has been left permanently disfigured witg a 45cm scar down her abdomen Haylee Loccisano no longer has core strength and cannot lift more than 20kg for the rest of her life 'I don't know if she was in shock, but one witness said that when he approached her car, she was just carrying on that she was about to miss her netball game.' Haylee believes by speaking out about the tragic accident she is giving her unborn dead daughter a voice. 'I just feel like because she was in my stomach, she's not really getting the justice that she deserves,' she said. She and her husband married four years ago after dating as teenage childhood sweethearts from the age of just 14. Despite all the heartaches of their miscarriages and now the horror crash, they still hope to one day have a child together. 'The doctors nearly gave me a hysterectomy but thankfully the bleeding stopped so they didn't have to,' she said. 'We're gone some normality back to our lives now but we would really love to have a baby again one day.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Queensland Police for comment. EXCLUSIVE A shock twist in the alleged double-murder case against accused killer cop Beau Lamarre-Condon means taxpayers could now foot his astronomical legal bill. The ex-Sydney police officer is charged with murdering Ten presenter Jesse Baird and his lover Luke Davies at Baird's Paddington home in Sydney's east on February 19. Lamarre-Condon is then accused of dumping their bodies by a remote roadside in the Southern Highlands. But a surprise late twist could mean massive legal delays and may cost taxpayers almost $1million if the 28-year-old decides to plead not guilty. His solicitor, John Walford, a former detective who spent 20 years in the NSW Police Force, was set to appear on Lamarre-Condon's behalf next Monday. A plea could have been entered at the hearing in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court and the case could then be committed for trial. But Legal Aid NSW has now told Mr Walford that it has taken over Lamarre-Condon's defence after he applied for public funding. Until now, Lamarre-Condon's family has been paying for his representation but they are said to be unable to afford to fund a long trial which could cost up to $800,000. Beau Lamarre-Condon, the former cop accused of double murder, has applied to Legal Aid to fund what could end up being a four month trial costing $800,000 Police allege Lamarre-Condon shot dead Luke Davies (left) and his partner Jesse Baird (right) at a Paddington home in February and then dumped their bodies in the NSW Southern Highlands They recently applied for Legal Aid funding and that request now appears to have been granted. Sources told Daily Mail Australia that if Lamarre-Condon, currently behind bars on remand, pleads not guilty and went to trial the hearing could last up to four months. With a defence team of a senior and junior counsel and a solicitor, he would be facing an estimated legal bill of at least $800,000. Lamarre-Condon is charged with murdering former Studio Ten presenter Baird and his Qantas flight attendant partner before turning himself into police four days later. The men's bodies were found eight days after their deaths, wrapped in surfboard bags, at a rural area in Bungonia, 180km south-west of Sydney. Mr Walford had represented Lamarre-Condon for just over eight months and has said his client was was struggling to adjust to life behind bars as his legal team waited for the rest of the prosecution's brief against him to be served. Lamarre-Condon, who was moved from Silverwater jail's protection wing to Australia's most top secret jail, the Special Purpose Centre at Long Bay, had 'mental health issues and he's declining', Mr Walford said in July. It is likely Legal Aid will have to start from scratch with its case defending Lamarre-Condon, meaning that a trial date might not be set until next year, and not proceed until 2026. Lamarre-Condon had an 'off and on' romance with Jesse Baird (pictured, above, together) but Mr Baird had not wanted to pursue a relationship Jesse and Luke were allegedly shot dead inside Mr Baird's Paddington home (above) and their bodies put in surfboard bags and driven 180km southwest to rural Bungonia Lamarre-Condon's family (pictured, above, Beau with his mother Coleen and sister Jamila) have funded his legal bills, but could not afford to pay the massive cost of a four month trial In July, Lamarre-Condon was hit with an additional charge of aggravated break and enter and the murder charges were specified to be related to domestic violence. Mr Walford had told Daily Mail Australia that he hoped the case could be resolved swiftly. 'It was an interesting position to be in, to be asked to do the job and we did a very good job, we thought, to the point where he had to change his plan,' he said. 'I'm happy with what we've done thus far. We wish the family all the best in relation to it. It's a difficult matter. 'It's a tragedy and the quicker it gets before a court, I think, the better.' There are already more than 20,000 pages of evidence which could be produced at trial. Lamarre-Condon, a one-time celebrity chaser who posted pictures of himself with international stars on social media (left, with Katy Perry in 2014 ), joined the NSW Police Force in 2019 Mr Baird and Lamarre-Condon had previously had what police described as an 'off and on' romance but Mr Baird had not wanted to pursue a relationship. Lamarre-Condon, a one-time celebrity chaser who posted pictures of himself with international stars on social media, joined NSW Police Force in 2019. The former senior constable was sacked by NSW Police Force on March 22. Mr Walford has previously said the murder charges 'could be' defendable and that Lamarre-Condon's mental health would likely feature in any case he presented in court. 'Mental health is something we expect to come into play,' he said in March. 'It certainly seems there are things we have to look at in that way.' Daily Mail Australia sought confirmation of Lamarre-Condon being granted funding from Legal Aid NSW. It responded: 'The Legal Aid Commission Act prevents staff from disclosing information about whether legal aid has, or has not, been granted or disclosing information about the extent to which aid has been granted.' A distraught pet owner has spent more than 20,000 and travelled 10,000 miles across the UK to try to find her dog. Heartbroken Mel Clements, 54, has vowed to never give up searching for her beloved three-year-old chihuahua named Piglet who vanished seven months ago. She believes he went missing in a burglary on a boat where she was staying with friends in Harefield, near Uxbridge in west London, on March 28 this year. She has been living in her Volvo for much of the time since, travelling the length and breadth of the country to hunt for Piglet and put up posters - from northernmost John o' Groats in Scotland to Land's End in Cornwall. Ms Clements, from Derbyshire, has also sent posters to Royal Mail offices across the country - and wellwishers have rallied to help by putting up posters where they live while also sharing pleas for information on Facebook pages. Mel Clements, 54, has appealed for help finding her three-year-old chihuahua Piglet The heartbroken pet owner from Derbyshire has been travelling across the country trying to trace the dog which went missing in March this year Posters urging anyone with information to get in touch have been pasted in locations across the UK as well as being shared on Facebook groups While staying on a friend's barge moored at Coppermill Lane lock in Harefield, she had paid a visit to a dentist - returning to find the boat had been broken into and her dog was no longer there. Ms Clements delayed going back to her home in the Derbyshire Dales, living in her car for three months while scouring the area looking for her beloved pet. She was so desperate, she even spent nights in woods and fields hoping she might come across him. She also walked for miles and miles up and down the Grand Union Canal where the barge had been moored, having only meant to stay there for two nights. Faced with losing her job as a cook as well as her home, she eventually went back to Derbyshire but has continued a relentless campaign in the hope of being reunited with the pet she calls 'my boy'. She has driven all over the UK, putting up posters which show Piglet's picture and promote the fact that there is a 4,000 reward available to try to get him back. She said: 'The first three days, I walked for 118 miles. 'Most days in the first three months, I walked all day and night - looking for him and putting up posters. Non stop. Alone. What else could I do?' Ms Clements, who estimates she has driven 10,000 miles and spent more than 20,000 in her mission, has won the support of animal lovers across the country after joining more than 1,500 Facebook groups in order to spread the word. Mel Clements has vowed never to give up the search for missing chihuahua Piglet Her pet dog Piglet is three years old and cost her 1,400 when adopting him The dog went missing when Mel Clements had been staying on a friend's barge moored at Coppermill Lane lock in Harefield, near Uxbridge in west London She fears that Piglet could have been stolen by burglars raiding the boat seven months ago Ms Clements, 54, has been sharing photographs of her pet Piglet - with animal lovers posting messages of support in response Mel Clements has travelled across the country to put up posters appealing for help, including at northernmost John o' Groats in Scotland She has also travelled to the other end of the UK, Land's End in Cornwall Wellwishers have sent gift tokens, mailed the posters to veterinary practices and Royal Mail offices to display and also contributed to a GoFundMe page which has so far raised almost 4,000. Ms Clements has thanked people for their support while vowing to continue her efforts to track down Piglet, who cost her 1,800 when she adopted him. She said: 'I've driven everywhere, physically putting posters up in all the motorway service stations too. 'I've also been travelling around the country to all the different canal networks, putting posters up. 'I have never stopped shouting for my boy. Without him, I am nothing. He spoiled me every day. He deserves nothing less.' She says Piglet had been spotted several times near the canal side in the first week after his disappearance, leading her to think he could have run off due to being terrified at the presence of the intruders. She is unsure whether someone has since kept Piglet for themselves, giving him refuge without knowing she is frantically looking for him, or has sold him to someone else who is unaware of the circumstances. In her latest Facebook update today, she wrote: 'Where is my boy? Someone somewhere has the answers. 'I'm not sure which scenario is worse. If his "jailer" is aware of my search, they can't have a heart and my poor boy can't be being cared for as he should be. Mel Clements, pictured with Piglet in a photo she shared on Facebook, said: 'I have never stopped shouting for my boy. Without him, I am nothing' She added of Piglet (pictured): 'He spoiled me every day. He deserves nothing less' She says Piglet was spotted several times near the canal side in the first week after his disappearance, leading her to think he could have run off after being terrified by intruders While staying on a friend's barge at Coppermill Lane lock in Harefield, she had paid a visit to a dentist - returning to find the boat had been broken into and her dog was no longer there 'Or maybe just maybe they don't know I'm looking for him or who he is. If that's the case what chance do I have of ever seeing him again.' Ms Clements, who has said she would be 'happy to walk a million miles if I have to', said of Piglet: 'He is my life. I have no next of kin. He really is my only family member. 'Every Thursday, I relive the whole scenario of my return to the boat. Face swollen and numb from three fillings, I couldn't wait to see my boy for kisses. Instead, all I've had since then is a feeling of dread, heartbreak and emptiness.' She appealed for anyone with information to send her a message on on the 'Find stolen Piglet, Harefield UB9' Facebook group. Buying a holiday park caravan might seem like a smart investment if you are heading into retirement or hoping to make money renting it out to holidaymakers. But many owners are finding their new purchases come with a string of surprise costs, from pitch fees and cleaning charges to maintenance, insurance and everyday bills. For others, the pain comes in hidden contract clauses they never knew they signed up to, which in some cases may prevent them from lending their own home to friends or family without permission from the park owners. And when they come to sell, the money they are paid is much less than they originally shelled out. Below, experts and experienced caravan owners tell MailOnline what you need to know before parting with your hard-earned money. A MailOnline graphic detailing some of the hidden costs of owning a static caravan What hidden costs could I have to pay? New static caravans start at around 30,000, making them a relatively affordable option for holidaymakers looking to buy somewhere they can come back to year after year. But regardless of whether you plan to keep the caravan for your own use or rent it out, you could be liable for other costs totalling as much as 10,000 annually. Saddat Abid, CEO of Property Saviour, said: 'We're seeing a surge in panicked caravan owners desperate to sell up after being hit with eye-watering hidden fees and charges they never saw coming. Many feel completely trapped. 'We've had retired couples in tears on the phone, saying they sank their life savings into what they thought would be their dream holiday home. Now they're drowning in debt just trying to keep up with all the charges,' he said. Here are some of the charges you should look out for - 1. Pitch fee When buying a caravan through a holiday park, buyers are commonly required to pay an annual 'pitch fee'. Businessman Andrew Goodwill, who has owned caravans for 16 years, says the amount is effectively dictated by the park company. The annual pitch fee for a static caravan varies from around 2,000 to more than 10,000 in popular areas like Devon and Cornwall - so watch out. 2. Insurance Holiday park bosses usually require caravan owners to be insured against threats including fire, severe weather and crime. Insurance for a static caravan costs around 130 a year in the UK, but more expensive models could cost more. Your claims history will also affect the price of your premium. 3. Gas and electricity When owning a caravan on a holiday park site, you are commonly required to go through the holiday park for utilities - allowing them to charge more than it actually costs. Utility bills vary but are typically around 400 and 800 per year, according to website My Holiday Caravan. 4. Cleaning fees If you rent your caravan, holiday parks companies sometimes insist cleaning services are organised through them, so they can charge you more and make a profit. One caravan owner, Fred, warns MailOnline that buying a mobile home without considering the extra costs is a 'very expensive mistake' for buyers. 'If you own one on a holiday site [...] you have extortionate site fees plus electricity, gas, water, cable, yearly electric and gas checks, landlords insurance, cleaning,' he says. Fred reveals these fees cost him 10,000 a year. 5. Maintenance - especially flooring Andrew Goodwill says the biggest issue to consider when maintaining a static caravan is flooring. Usually made out of wood, the flooring reportedly gives way after around 10 years, and costs as much as 6,000 to replace. Jim Green and his wife Lorraine (pictured) bought a caravan at Parkdean Resorts Wemyss Bay in 2013, but said they were offered just 4,000 for it when going to sell Saddat Abid, CEO of Property Saviour, says static caravans can provide a 'nice lifestyle', but you should do your research before buying one 6. Letting your caravan through the site Many sites require you to rent your caravan through them, so they can make a profit. Mr Goodwill claimed a site can take as much as 78 per cent of your rental profits, describing the entire process as 'restrictive' to the buyer. He tells MailOnline: 'When you buy a caravan from a site, you are under a siting agreement. 'A lot of these siting agreements I don't think they've ever been tested in law, and I think a lot of them would be found to be lacking. The reason I say that is because they're restrictive.' He adds: 'The whole caravan park industry needs looking at. People are being ripped off left, right and centre. 'You should never buy a static caravan as a financial decision; it will just lose you money. 'We're not talking of hundreds of pounds people lose - it's thousands.' 7. Selling your caravan 'If I sell my caravan, I have to offer my caravan to the site first,' says Mr Goodwill. The businessman says that if he decides to sell a caravan to a private buyer without offering it to the site first he has to offer the site 20 per cent of his profit. Many despairing buyers have told MailOnline about losing tens of thousands of pounds when selling their caravan back to the site owner due to its depleting value. Some even claimed that after buying back the caravan for a significantly reduced price, the company then went on to sell it again for much more. 'Buying a holiday home or caravan should be an exciting time, but as with any large purchase, it's crucial you take the time to do your research, says Lisa Webb, Which? Consumer Law Expert Can I hope to make a profit? Mr Abid advises anyone considering buying a static caravan in the hope of making a profit to think very carefully. He says: 'Factor in the true cost over 10 years, including site fees, maintenance, and depreciation. For most people, it's financial madness. Mr Abid concludes: 'Park homes can offer a nice lifestyle for a few years, but as an investment they're an absolute disaster. 'Do your sums carefully or you could end up trapped in a very expensive mistake.' Will my caravan hold its value? Unlike houses that typically increase in value, experts say caravans are more like cars - which become less valuable from the moment you buy them. For this reason, they suggest you should prepare to have to sell yours for much less than you bought it for. Andy Jenkinson, who has written 16 books on the UK caravan industry and runs the YouTube channel @caravanindustryexpertandyjenk, says the market for caravans has also been hit by a glut of supply resulting from overproduction during Covid. 'The market dictates what you get and with holiday homes at the moment there's a problem with oversupply,' he explains. Mr Abid adds: 'A normal house will likely increase in value over time. A park home is guaranteed to lose money - it's that simple.' How can I avoid a decision I regret? Mr Jenkinson has one key piece of advice for buyers: know exactly what you are signing up to. While buying a caravan might seem like a straightforward purchase, he warns that contracts with holiday parks often contain hidden clauses that limit your freedom of action. 'For example, you need to look at whether the park allows you to have relatives to stay, because there could be an instance where you let relatives use the holiday home and the park owners ask them to pay. 'It's like buying a house - you'd never do it without a solicitor. There are so many ins and outs so you have to be so careful.' According to Which?, there isn't one regulating body for holiday parks, although some are signed up with either the National Caravan Council (NCC), or the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA) He also advises making sure you understand all the 'rules and regulations' of the park you are buying in - as these can often be onerous. 'Some don't allow pets - or you might be able to have one dog and not two - so you have to go through everything with a fine toothcomb. 'A solicitor might cost you a few hundred pounds but it could save you thousands down the line.' Ibraheem Dulmeer, of Park Homes Law, agrees with the need to take specialist advice before purchasing. 'Someone should check over the paperwork and check if there are any onerous terms,' he tells MailOnline. 'People need to do their due diligence to make sure they are not caught out. If there's a dispute that happens after an you haven't got legal advice previously you can be really stuck.' Lisa Webb, Which? Consumer Law Expert, tellsMailOnline: 'We've previously found that dodgy sales tactics are rife in the caravan park industry, and we've heard of countless people who have said they were misled about the terms of their purchase, and have ended up thousands of pounds out of pocket as a result. 'Buying a holiday home or caravan should be an exciting time, but as with any large purchase, it's crucial you take the time to do your research. 'If something sounds too good to be true it usually is, so interrogate any spurious claims like promises of guaranteed rental income from your property, or promises that a holiday home can be resided in full time.' Are holiday parks regulated? According to Which?, there isn't one regulating body for holiday parks, although some are signed up with either the National Caravan Council (NCC), or the British Holiday & Home Parks Association (BH&HPA). A spokesperson from BH&HPA said: 'Many people choose to buy a holiday caravan every year, but as with any major purchase, it's really important that buyers fully understand the Licence Agreement they are signing. 'At the British Holiday & Home Parks Association, we provide our member parks with model agreements, written in plain English, which uphold the principles of fairness and transparency. 'These clearly set out things like the cost of annual pitch fees and when they are reviewed, whether sub-letting to other holiday guests is permitted, the transfer fee payable to the park if the holiday caravan is sold and the procedure for addressing any customer concerns.Have you run into trouble with your caravan? Contact katherine.lawton@mailonline.co.uk Jill Stein was never going to budge. During the final days of the 2024 campaign, the Green Party presidential candidate spoke with DailyMail.com and suggested there was nothing Vice President Kamala Harris could have done to push her from the race. The physician and activist is running on a third party ticket, and any votes she receives have the potential to upend what could be one of the closest elections in history. A thousand ballots cast for Stein in one of six battleground states where she appears on the ballot - she's not competing in Nevada - could tilt the election. Democrats fear that it will hurt Harris' chances of taking the keys to the White House if Stein is successful Tuesday night. With America bitterly divided and the U.S. involvement in the Gaza war a source of anger for millions, the left-leaning Stein could be perceived as a viable alternative. While Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was convinced by former President Donald Trump to abandon his independent presidential bid in exchange for a role in a Trump 2.0 White House, Stein said no such overtures were made. Nor would she have accepted them. 'We would never have trusted them to have backed off the genocide. We would not have trusted them to do that,' she said in a phone interview Thursday. 'So we would have remained in that race as a watchdog and as a threat against their backsliding.' Dr. Jill Stein spoke by phone with DailyMail.com Thursday morning from Pittsburgh. For the third time, she's running as the Green Party's presidetial nominee and has attracted voters angry over the U.S.'s support for Israel's war on Gaza The genocide Stein is referring to is Gaza and the 'they' she speaks of is Harris and the even-more-guilty Democratic National Committee, 'which is the real mouthpiece for the shaming and blaming of independent voters.' While Stein ran for president in 2012, it was in 2016 when she became more memorable due to the condemnation she received after Hillary Clinton lost, as more people voted for the Green Party hopeful than Clinton lost by in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Clinton herself wrote in her memoir: 'There were more than enough Stein voters to swing the result, just like Ralph Nader did in Florida and New Hampshire in 2000.' But Stein threw cold water on that sentiment. 'If you look at the data in 2016, the exit polls showed that people who voted for our campaign would not have otherwise come out,' she explained. 'So this charge that we stole votes is really a very self-serving piece of propaganda, essentially.' She said that her supporters found it 'ludicrous and offensive' that they would have backed Clinton. 'And ludicrous that they were ever supporting Joe Biden and then when Kamala Harris failed to distinguish herself from Joe Biden, she never had these voters either,' Stein said. Harris - who took over the Democratic nomination from Biden in July - has found herself in an impossibly tricky situation politically when it comes to the war in Gaza. Her rhetoric has been more sympathetic to the Palestinian civilians being killed - and she talked tough after her meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just days after Biden's withdrawal - but Harris has not backed an arms embargo, as many on the left want. It wouldn't matter if Harris had, said Stein. Green Party presidential hopeful marches with pro-Palestinian protesters in St. Louis, Missouri in April 'Would I have bowed out? No,' Stein said. 'Because power concedes nothing without a demand, right? If we bowed out, that's the end of the Green Party, not just in this election, but period. 'Because you have to maintain your ballot status in order to jumpstart your next race,' she continued. 'You want to get the best result you possibly can because of the way ballot access rules are written. You have to come out of there with the highest percentage of the vote possible in order to roll over your ballot access.' When RFK Jr. suspended his campaign in August he initially told his supporters in swing states to back Trump. He told those in safe red or blue states to vote for him. Would Stein have ever instructed her supporters to do the same for Harris had the Democrat been more supportive of an arms embargo and the Palestinian cause? 'Well I would say that, you know, what are the odds that Harris would have done that?' Stein asked. 'The odds that Harris would have ever done that, you know, are pretty much non-existent,' she continued. 'From the intensity of the support by Harris and Biden for Netanyahu. Effectively Netanyahu is our commander-in-chief right now.' While Stein's Green Party has become a place for many Muslim and Arab-American voters to now call home, Jewish Insider reported this week on comments her running mate, Rudolph 'Butch' Ware, made celebrating violence against Israelis - especially on or marking October 7. Green Party presidential hopeful Jill Stein has attracted a coalition that includes a number of Muslim and Arab-Americans who are frustrated with the Biden administration's handling of the war in Gaza, as thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed When asked if there's 'daylight' between her and her running mate on the subject, Stein said: 'So in my view, October 7 is part of a long exchange. That basically began with massacres even before the founding of the state of Israel.' 'And I think that's easily lost sight of when people take a position on October 7,' she said. 'So truth to tell I avoid being distracted by October 7. It's just the latest in a series of exchanges.' 'There's also a lot of fog of war around what happened on October 7,' the Green Party candidate said. She then added, 'not that it wasn't horrible.' 'It was horrible, I abhor all violence against civilians,' Stein said. 'At the same time, according to international law, there is a right of resistance. There is a right of armed resistance from an occupied people,' she argued. Stein also said she disagreed with the framing that October 7th caused the current Israeli assault on Gaza. Dr. Jill Stein speaks at a rally in Dearborn, Michigan earlier this month. She'll end her presidential campaign back in Dearborn, which became the first Arab-majority city in the U.S. in 2023 'You can put the goal post wherever you want,' she said. 'The problem began when Zionists came with the intention of violently displacing Palestinians. So if you need to put a goal post, I would put it there.' When asked if Stein understood why some people might be offended by her running mate's comments about October 7, she replied: 'People are going to get upset.' 'This is a very controversial issue. Our opposing genocide is extremely controversial,' she said. 'I think Jews are a traumatized people. Many Jews having come out of the anti-Semitism of Europe and the Holocaust.' Stein, herself, is Jewish. 'And you know, as a Muslim himself, he has a different set of sensitivities and you know, history of trauma. And as an African-American himself, he has a whole other history of trauma,' Stein added. 'I think we're not the same person, and we can have different views, and our views are controversial because we are opposing a system of economic and political elites that are doing all they can to try to drum up fear campaigns and smear campaigns against us,' she also said. In particular, Stein bristled at comments made by progressive Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who discouraged Green-curious voters by saying the presidential hopeful hasn't done anything to build up the party between election cycles. Dr. Jill Stein throws up her first at a campaign stop Monday in Phoenix, Arizona. Stein appears as a candidate on six of the seven battleground states' ballots including Arizona. She won't be on the ballot in Nevada 'If you have been your party's nominee for 12 years in a row, and you cannot grow your movement, pretty much at all, and can't peruse any successful strategy...and all you do is show up every four years to speak to people who are justifiably p***ed off, you're not serious,' AOC said in an Instagram story last month. 'To me, it does not read as authentic, it reads as predatory.' Stein brought up Ocasio-Cortez unprompted. 'And, by the way, the AOC thing is a lie. That is a lie,' she said. 'We have, we had, we've elected over 1,500 local elected officials and have currently 150 in office. So we don't go away. The big media goes away.' Stein was talking to DailyMail.com from Pittsburgh Thursday morning, but she was headed to California - a deep blue state - over the weekend before spending her final hours campaigning in Dearborn, Michigan. 'So as you can see, our strategy goes well beyond swing states,' Stein said. 'It's really where there are real hotbeds of political activism.' Dearborn became the first Arab-majority city in the U.S. in 2023 and Michigan is the likeliest of the six battlegrounds where Stein competing could have an impact. During the Michigan Democratic primary held in February, 101,623 voters said they were 'uncommitted' instead of backing President Joe Biden, a protest vote over his handling of Gaza - showing its potency as an issue in the Wolverine State. A Marist poll of Michigan published on Friday morning has Harris ahead by three percent, with one percent backing another candidate. The Real Clear Politics polling average on Friday has Harris up by 2.4 points over Trump, with Stein receiving an average of 1.8 percent of Michigan's vote share. Nationally, Stein is polling at 1.1 percent, according to the RCP average. A speaker at a recent event headlined by Stein in Dearborn openly admitted they had no expectations of winning the White House. 'But we do have a real opportunity to win something historic. We could deny Kamala Harris the state of Michigan.' former Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant told the crowd. As for what success looks like for Stein Tuesday, she answered that will be 'what comes out of it.' 'Are we establishing new parties? Do we have more candidates running for office?' 'And as horrific as this genocide is, you know, and the climate crisis, it is a big wake-up moment now for so many Americans,' she said. 'And this is why the Democrats are running scared. This is why they are taking out ads against us. They're absolutely terrified and they have no one to blame but themselves,' she said. 'But Kamala Harris could have earned those votes back in a heartbeat by, you know, by agreeing to an embargo,' Stein said. But Stein, of course, would have remained on the ballot. Advertisement The winners of the 2024 Royal Air Force Photographic Competition have been announced. With over a thousand images and videos submitted, the 11 judges found themselves spending close to a week narrowing down their final choices, before selecting a first, second and third place as well as a Highly Commended. But the pinnacle of the RAF Photographic Competition is the RAF Photographer of the Year award, which was won this time around by Mr Andrew Wheeler of RAF Cranwell for his portfolio of six images. And a selection of 12 images have been chosen to go head-to-head in the annual Peoples' Choice category. The general public can vote for their favourite over the next two weeks via the Royal Air Force's official Facebook page with the result announced at the RAF Photographic Competition Awards in RAF Bentley Priory on November 14. See some of the winners and other 'high calibre' entrants below. The winners of the 2024 Royal Air Force Photographic Competition have been announced, with one of the standout entrants pictured showing the Royal Air Force Falcon Display team touching down on their last display for the 2024 at RAF Waddington last month A Royal Air Force F-35B Lightning performs at the Old Buckenham Airshow under the call sign YODA Squadron Leader John Bond, Red 1 and team leader of the Red Arrows in his cockpit during pre-season training in Tanagra airbase, Greece RAF Photographer of the Year award was won this year by Andrew Wheeler of RAF Cranwell with his portfolio of six images. One, seen, shows a Typoon at RAF Syerston Air & Space Camp Families day The Red Arrows beginning the journey home from their Canadian tour, Maple Hawk, in September The Aurora Borealis shines brightly above the Hawk T1 jets of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, at Narsarsuaq Airport in Greenland Sgt Collins of the RAF Falcons jumping from the ramp of a C17 over the Royal International Air Tattoo in RAF Fairford F-35 Lightning Jet of 617 Squadron under the Northern Lights in the Vest Fjorden, during Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER Red Arrows seen in an acrobatic transit to Blackpool during a weekend of public displays This portrait is an in camera created double exposure to show a member of personnel looking through their hands. The idea of this portrait was to highlight that Mental Health issues are often something kept from the world and that people obscure behind a mask - keeping their true selves hidden, leading a double life One of 7 SSquadron's Chinook helicopters leading the British Army and RAF flypast on June 15 as part of the King's Birthday Parade A portrait taken at TDS Riding Centre: Tong of a horse and owner in the stables An A400M awaits departure from RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus in support of ongoing operations, taken with a long exposure If 2016 was the education election, when voters divided depending on whether or not they had been to college, then 2024 is shaping up to be a battle of the sexes. The full extent of the gender divide in America is laid bare in the latest DailyMail.com/J.L. Partners. It found that former President Donald Trump has widened his lead with men, and now has a 22-point advantage over his opponent among male voters. At the same time, Vice President Kamala Harris has extended her lead among female voters, and is up by 14 points with women. It is an extraordinary number in a race that has been otherwise tight. J.L. Partners polled 1000 likely voters. The results showed a stark gender gap And the differences are clear in the language the two sexes use in describing the candidates. When women are asked for a one-word summary of Trump, the most common words are: Corrupt, strong, and crazy. Idiot, arrogant, and dangerous come next. For men they are: Strong, corrupt, and competent. When men describe Harris, the most frequent words are: Incompetent, liar, competent. For women they are: Strong, fake, and competent. The divide was on full display Thursday, when Harris attacked Trump for saying that he would protect women whether they 'like it or not.' 'He simply does not respect the freedom of women or the intelligence of women to know what's in their own best interests and make decisions accordingly,' she said on stage in Phoenix, Arizona. 'But we trust women.' Trump has leaned into the divide, focusing his attention on podcasts with overwhelmingly male audiences. Harris supporter Mark Cuban stoked Republican anger during an appearance on The View. When female voters were asked for their one-word summary of Trump, the top terms were: Corrupt, strong, crazy. The results are displayed in the word cloud above Kamala Harris has the support of a majority of women. But is it enough to win? Women have a more positive view of Harris, as seen in this word cloud 'Donald Trump you never see him around strong, intelligent women, ever. It's just that simple... They're intimidating to him,' he said. 'He doesn't like to be challenged by them.' J.L. Partners polled 1,000 likely voters across the nation to assess how the electorate broke down by gender. It found that 59 percent of men said they would vote for Trump, compared with 37 percent who said they could put their cross next to Harris' name. For women, 54 percent said they would vote for Harris, 40 percent for Trump. The gap is the biggest yet, as undecided voters made up their minds. 'These numbers show a huge chasm of political behavior between men and women,' said James Johnson, co-founder of J.L. Partners, comparing it with 2016, when college educated voters went for Hillary Clinton, and non-college educated voters went for Donald Trump. Trump has leant into his appeal to young men, appearing on bro-friendly podcasts The Harris campaign is banking on high female turnout to power her to the White House 'The gender gap was there somewhat in 2020, with men favoring Trump by five points while women backed Biden by 12 points. But Trump now leads by 22 points with men, and Harris by 14 points with women. 'I hear it when I interview voters too. I can't count the number of times a man Ive interviewed has said his wife is voting differently, or vice versa.' The overall results of the poll show Trump leading Harris by three points, suggesting he could be on course to win the national popular vote. Johnson said it could be tempting to see women as Harris's secret weapon, energized by the repeal of Roe v Wade and the abortion debate. But looking at these numbers, we cant also ignore the fact that men have swung to Trump since 2020, actually by a greater amount than the swing to Harris amongst women,' he said. 'That to me says Trump could win this election regardless of losing women by double digits. 'Trump can reach the White House on these numbers - if he can turn out them out. If Trump's male army turns up to the polls, he wins the election regardless of how women vote.' The poll was coupled with a separate survey that probed attitudes, asking people whether and why their attitude to either candidate had changed. Woman after woman detailed Trump's behavior and use of language. Others flagged what they said were vague plans for Social Security and lowering costs. 'He keeps calling everyone names,' was one response from a 36-year-old caregiver in the swing state of Michigan, who did not vote in 2020 but plans to vote for Harris this year. The Manhattan woman who allegedly attacked a Muslim Uber driver with pepper spray has been identified as a public relations assistant and former sorority girl. Jennifer Guilbeault, 23, is accused of unleashing mace on 45-year-old Shohel Mahmud, during a hate-fueled late-night ride in Midtown Manhattan on July 31. Now Guilbeault, through her lawyer, has snapped back after she was charged with a hate crime - vehemently denying the ordeal was motivated by race or religion. Originally from Northbridge, Massachusetts, the woman attended Manhattan College, where she earned her bachelor's degree in public relations, advertising and applied communication. She served as the VP Social Chair of her sorority, Sigma Delta Tau, and during her college years, she was pictured dressing up for formals with her glamorous pals, spending a semester abroad, and receiving scholastic honors. After graduating, she worked for D Pagan Communications - a public relations firm based out of Melville, New York - who confirmed her employment was terminated. Jennifer Guilbeault, 23, the woman who allegedly unleashed pepper spray on a Muslim Uber driver in Manhattan, has been unmasked as a PR assistant She allegedly sprayed mace on 45-year-old Shohel Mahmud, during a late-night ride in Midtown Manhattan on July 31 The company took to LinkedIn to condemn the incident, saying: 'We are aware of the actions of this former employee and we dont condone this behavior.' Her lawyer, Michael J. Alber, told DailyMail.com his client 'should not be charged with a hate crime' after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced her indictment Monday. 'This matter should not be charged as a hate crime. Ms. Guilbeault was not motivated by race, religion, national origin, or any other discriminatory factor,' Alber said. 'This case needs to be looked at with all surrounding circumstances which include assessing all of the evidence and lack of evidence,' adding that he and his client 'look forward' to examining the facts of the case. 'We look forward to working with the District Attorney's office to fully vet all of the facts in the proper forum, which does not embellish or exaggerate the claims, especially where the integrity and credibility of claims can properly be tested. 'A full and fair review of the evidence is going to show a crime was not committed in this matter, and that a rush to judgment is not appropriate, and is hurtful to all those involved,' Alber added. Guilbeault (right), originally from Northbridge, Massachusetts, attended Manhattan College, where she served as the VP Social Chair of her sorority, Sigma Delta Tau Guilbeault (second from left), was arraigned in August on assault charges and assault as a hate crime but denied the crime was racially motivated, Bragg said Guilbeault 'senselessly assaulted' Mahmud, who called 911 after experiencing painful burning and redness from the pepper spray. 'As alleged, Jennifer Guilbeault senselessly assaulted a Muslim Uber driver while he was just doing his job. 'The victim is a hardworking New Yorker who should not have to face this type of hate because of his identity. Everyone is welcome to live and work in Manhattan,' Bragg added. Dramatic dashcam footage captured the entire incident as Guilbeault allegedly lunged toward Mahmud and sprayed him in the face before pulling his arm back as he tried to push her off, while her friend sat in the backseat stunned by her actions. Guilbeault and her friend sat in the backseat of the car as Mahmud spoke Arabic while stopped at a red light. Guilbeault allegedly then snuck up from behind him and shoved the pepper spray in his face, as he tried to fight her off, repeatedly saying: 'What? what?' She then attempted to hold his arm down inside the car as Mahmud managed to unbuckle himself and hopped out the driver's door. As he did so, Guilbeault continued to point the mace at him while her confused friend said: 'Jen, Jen, what the f***?!' Guilbeault then climbed in the front seat as the driver tried to sit back down, but soon ran out. Guilbeault is seen at the scene of the attack with her friend The driver (pictured) suffered injuries to his neck, back and shoulder, along with impaired vision in his right eye Mahmud held the door open as he stood outside of the vehicle, while Guilbeault repeatedly said 'get him out' as her friend held her back. The panicked driver then asked her why she attacked him, as Guilbeault opened the backseat door and exited the car. Afterward, her friend was heard yelling 'Jen, Jen, Jen! Why did you do that?' before the two women grabbed their bags and left. Mahmud suffered injuries to his neck, back and shoulder, along with impaired vision in his right eye, according to The New York Times. Driving since 2017, he said this was the first time he was attacked. Mahmud returned back behind the wheel in late September. Following the announcement of hate crime charges, CAIR-NY, a chapter of the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the country, said it 'welcomed' Guilbeault's indictment. Guilbeault pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on Monday. She is set to return to court in January. (Pictured: Guilbeault, left, with her 'little' from Sigma Delta Tau) 'We welcome the hate crime charges in this case and thank law enforcement authorities for sending a clear message that those who allegedly carry out bias-motivated attacks will face the consequences,' CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher said Tuesday. Guilbeault was indicted in New York State Supreme Court on one count each of second-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree assault as a hate crime, and second-degree aggravated harassment. She was arraigned in August on assault charges and assault as a hate crime, as Mahmud, a father of three from Queens, believes her actions were racially motivated. Guilbeault denied that allegation. Guilbeault pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on Monday. She is set to return to court in January. Following President Vladimir Putins approval of new rules governing the use of nuclear weapons, the world has rarely been closer to World War III. Putin yesterday signed into law a revised doctrine that would permit the Kremlin to authorise a nuclear strike if Russia is attacked by any country that is supported by a nuclear power after Ukraine fired an American-supplied, long-range missile into Russia for the first time. Since his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the despot has consistently threatened to deploy Moscows fearsome arsenal but his latest move brings the spectre of a nuclear holocaust ever closer. So what might happen if Putin pushed the button and dropped a nuclear bomb on London? Monday, January 20, 2025 7.30am: From his nuclear bunker deep inside the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin gives the order. Six hundred miles north of Moscow, engineers working at Site 16 the nuclear facility within the Plesetsk Cosmodrome leap into action. It will take them exactly 30 minutes from receiving the order to launching a nuclear warhead. The onboard navigation system accurate to within a yard is set to Trafalgar Square, London. The hypersonic weapon is travelling at over 9,000 mph. It cannot be stopped. 7.50am: The Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence urgently try to contact their Russian counterparts but their calls go unanswered. Something is seriously wrong. A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launched in Oblast by Russia last month 8am: A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) equipped with a nuclear warhead with a range of 7,500 miles is launched, soaring into the sky. The onboard navigation system accurate to within a yard is set to Trafalgar Square, London. The hypersonic weapon is travelling at over 9,000mph. It cannot be stopped. 8.01am: In London, Tube carriages are packed and the roads are busy in rush hour. None of the commuters has the faintest suspicion that in just five minutes, much of the capital will be obliterated. The UKs air defence system, Sky Sabre, is powerless to protect London. Its Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles travel at 2,300 mph but are effective only against fighter jets, drones and certain laser-guided missiles. 8.03am: Nato raises the threat level to the UK from credible to likely and Britains Ministry of Defence restricts access to base transceiver stations, preventing domestic mobile phones from sending messages. 8.04am: The Home Office sends a signal to every device with a SIM card in the UK warning of the imminent threat: BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND. SEEK SHELTER. The UKs air defence system, Sky Sabre, is powerless to protect London. Its Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles travel at 2,300mph but are effective only against fighter jets, drones and certain laser-guided missiles. Even the worlds most effective anti-ballistic-missile system, the USs Ground-Based Midcourse Defense, is thought to be over a decade away from true reliability in the face of an ICBM. 8.05am: Confusion seizes the city. Londoners wonder where the missile is headed and if they should or can flee. Some are sure the message is a mistake. The Prime Minister, along with his closest advisers and immediate family, is evacuated from his private office in No 10 and taken to a nuclear shelter beneath Whitehall known as Pindar. Built during the Cold War, the bunker takes its name from the only house left standing when Alexander the Great razed the city of Thebes in 335 BC. 8.06am: All radio and TV broadcasts cease and stations instead carry a recorded warning to take shelter. Confusion changes to panic. Tens of thousands of Londoners rush to take shelter in Tube stations. The first deaths occur as children and the elderly are crushed in the stampede. Others stand in the open, staring in awe at the bright dot that has appeared in the sky to the east. A mother with two young children collapses on the pavement, cradles her loved ones and closes her eyes. 8.08am: Impact. The warhead detonates in Trafalgar Square. It has a yield of 800 kilotons equivalent to 800,000 tons of TNT and more than 50 times the strength of the Little Boy bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. A huge white flash, brighter than the Sun, explodes over the West End. It can be seen hundreds of miles away, as far north as Edinburgh and as far south as Paris. Anyone within the M25 experiences flash blindness. For many, this will last just a few hours. Others will be blinded for life, the atomic flash having burnt through their retinas. Those wearing glasses suffer unimaginable pain because the lenses magnify the flash. Less than two seconds later, a second flash as light trapped behind the blasts shockwave escapes. The pressure wave an unstoppable battering ram of compressed air travelling at almost 800 mph, faster than the speed of sound roars through the capital. Anyone within seven miles who hasnt been immediately killed will have their eardrums burst. Nelsons Column, the four lions at its base, and the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields are gone in a millisecond. In their place, a crater measuring 600 ft across and 150 ft deep, like the gateway to hell itself, stretches between where the National Gallery and Admiralty Arch once stood. The Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and half of Mayfair simply cease to exist reduced to dust and smog. People are obliterated in their tens of thousands. The pressure wave an unstoppable battering ram of compressed air travelling at almost 800mph, faster than the speed of sound roars through the capital. Anyone within seven miles who hasnt been immediately killed will have their eardrums burst. 8.09am: One minute after impact, the Heavy Blast radius stretches a mile and a quarter from Ground Zero. Within this radius, fatalities are 100 per cent. Even buildings made from reinforced concrete are destroyed, stripped to their foundations, exposing ugly twisted metal. The so-called Moderate Blast radius reaches three miles from Trafalgar Square, as far as Kensington, Camden and Whitechapel. Within this zone, most residential buildings have collapsed; thousands of electrical fires break out in those left standing. The Light Blast radius stretches seven miles, as far as Brentford, Stratford, Wood Green and Wimbledon. Windows have smashed, impaling some of those who were looking out to investigate the mysterious bright flash. In a video message to his generals, Vladimir Putin claimed his countrys nuclear arsenal would be used only as an extremely exceptional measure It would take engineers working the nuclear facility exactly 30 minutes from receiving the order to launching a nuclear warhead 8.10am: Fires are raging across the capital. Half a million Londoners are dead. 8.11am: In a state of shock, the PM considers from the Pindar whether or not to retaliate against Russia, knowing that to launch a counterstrike would mean certain death for countless millions but not to do so would be a failure of his duty. Communication lines to Washington are downed. A bottle of single malt whisky, kept in the bunker is opened by the Defence Secretary. 8:12am: In the North Atlantic, one of Britains four nuclear-armed Trident submarines is halfway through its nine-month patrol. The Commander receives a message alerting his crew to the strike on London. They attempt to contact Downing Street via a reserved radio frequency. There is no response. 8.13am: Electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) emitted by the blast cause voltage surges, destroying components in electrical devices. As the living try to contact loved ones, mobile phones die. Calls to 999 either fail or go unanswered. In Soviet Russia, steam trains were kept in case a nuclear attack caused an electrical outage on the rail network. The UK has no such backstop, meaning all rail transport in and out of London has ceased. The roads are choked. Electric cars within 15 miles fail to start: the electromagnetic pulse has rendered them useless. 8.15am: The citys major hospitals, including St Thomas and Chelsea and Westminster have been destroyed. The nearest working hospitals, in Tunbridge Wells, Crawley and Luton, are placed on high alert and begin to prepare for an influx of patients. 8.20am: Radioactive debris begins to rain down on the capital. Composed of displaced earth, building materials, and even vaporised human flesh, the fallout is lethally radioactive and constitutes a major biohazard. It will fall for at least 24 hours. Anyone who ventures outside will involuntarily inhale the microscopic plutonium, melting the body from the inside out. Thirty minutes after exposure, Londoners in Richmond and Wembley begin vomiting, closely followed by explosive diarrhoea and a loss of consciousness. An agonising death is hours away. 8.30am: The cloud of radioactive fallout is travelling northeast on the wind; it will reach as far as Norwich before whatever is left settles in the North Sea. Anyone caught outside in East Anglia will inhale fallout. Over the coming months, they will suffer weight loss, internal bleeding, and hair loss. Many will go on to develop deadly cancers. 8.35am: The capital is a death zone. Anyone still alive above ground within two miles of the point of impact has suffered agonising third-degree burns to their skin. Radiation poisoning will likely kill them within hours. In the Underground network, chaos has broken out. Most of the entrances have been choked shut by falling debris and rubble. 8.45am: The lights have failed and panic breaks out in the dark. The temperature rises among densely packed bodies and with no water, some older people start to pass out, joining those already trampled on train floors and platforms or fallen on the tracks. 8.50am: The Prime Minister orders the army to seal all routes in and out of the capital, turning the M25 into a perimeter fence to prevent the spread of radioactive people and materials. Army personnel are provided with P2-grade face masks and iodine tablets to stop radioactive iodine binding to the thyroid and killing them. The Prime Minister gives the shoot-to-kill order for anyone who tries to cross the perimeter. 9am: An hour after the blast. The BBCs Wood Norton nuclear bunker in Worcestershire, which has access to super high-frequency satellites, begins transmission. The message is simple across the UK: Go in. Stay in. Tune in. 9.15am: With crisis management already in operation, the Prime Minister initiates the second part of the governments emergency response protocol to a level 3 Catastrophic Emergency: Consequence Management. Military reservists and police officers from outside the Met begin to coordinate the rescue effort for those trapped in the city. The first step will be to set up tents where Londoners can be cleansed of radioactive particles before being evacuated. 9.30am: From the Wood Norton bunker, the BBC broadcasts old recordings, including Vera Lynn, in an attempt to raise morale. The broadcasts are punctuated every 30 seconds by the command to: Go in. Stay in. Tune in. 10am: Two hours after the blast. Three-quarters of a million Britons are dead. Over two million are seriously injured. The vast majority will never receive the emergency care they need. The governments priority is to prevent the spread of radioactive fallout. London is a mausoleum. 10.15am: After more than two hours trying to contact the Prime Minister, Trident has received no response. The Commander walks calmly over to a locked console in the corner of the command room and enters the code. He withdraws the letter of last resort and opens it. Inside is a simple handwritten message. If Britain is attacked and the Prime Minister cannot be located by this Trident submarine, I authorise a retaliatory strike. Beneath it is the PMs signature. Submariners are called to their attack stations. Many believe it to be another drill. But once in place, the 132-strong crew knows this is for real. The Commander picks up the orange trigger, modelled on the grip of a Colt handgun. He nods towards his crew, shuts his eyes and pulls the trigger. 11am: Communications with Washington have been established by satellite phone. The Prime Minister knowing he will have the US Presidents consent invokes Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. America launches its own attack on Russia from the South China Sea, striking at strategic targets and nuclear launch sites. Russia fails to retaliate with any further nuclear strikes. Monday, February 3, 2025 8:00am: Its exactly two weeks since a nuclear bomb struck London. The capital is deathly quiet except for the careful footsteps of hundreds of soldiers dressed in hazmat suits and the rasping sounds of their respirators. It is three days since Army personnel first entered the capital to search for survivors. In that time, not a single person within a mile of Ground Zero has been found alive. The vast majority were vaporised on impact. Hundreds of thousands more died on the day of the blast from radiation poisoning. 8:15am: At one of 50 Nightingale Hospitals set up in the Home Counties to accommodate survivors, doctors are still treating patients for horrific burns and life-changing injuries. Up to two million people were caught up in the radiation radius of the bomb, and many will go on to develop fatal cancers as a result. Scientists disagree about when London will be habitable again if ever. But one thing is for sure: this once great city, founded by the Romans two millennia ago, is now nothing more than a terrible monument to the darkest day in human history. A cancer sufferer who travelled to Dignitas to die alone recorded a heartbreaking final message pleading for a change to the UK's law criminalising assisted dying. Paola Marra, 53, who was the ex-wife of Blur drummer Dave Rowntree, ended her life at the controversial Swiss clinic in March having fought breast and bowel cancer. In a poignant clip, released after her death at Dignitas, she called for people to have the right to 'end their suffering on their own terms'. Ms Marra said that although 'when you watch this, I will be dead', 'you watching this could help change the laws around assisted dying'. In an accompanying letter, she told party leaders in Westminster she had been forced to die alone because she did not want her loved ones 'to be questioned by the police or get into trouble'. This week, Rowntree spoke out about his ex-wife's death for the first time, echoing her final plea. Paola Marra said she felt she had no choice but to travel to the Dignitas site in Switzerland in March Blur drummer Dave Rowntree (pictured) slammed 'psychopathic' laws on assisted death in the UK Paola Marra, 53, who was the ex-wife of Blur drummer Dave Rowntree, ended her life at the controversial Swiss clinic in March having fought breast and bowel cancer Although the couple divorced in 2000, Rowntree, 60, had supported Ms Marra before her final journey. The drummer slammed the 'psychopathic' laws on assisted death in the UK, saying they leave people facing the 'brutal' dilemma of wanting to end their lives, but not being able to legally ask others to help them. Rowntree's comments came just weeks before a new bill is published proposing changes to the law on assisted dying in England and Wales under strict controls. At present, a person suspected of assisting a death can face up to 14 years in prison in the UK. Speaking to The Guardian for the first time about his wife's ordeal, Rowntree said the law as it stood was unfair to those who are suffering and terminally ill. He said: 'This is psychopathic where we are now, because the whole point of this is to try and make things easier for the real victim in this the terminally ill person.' Rowntree, who is a trained lawyer and practiced for five years before pursuing a music career, added that any change to the law should operate under tight restrictions. 'I certainly wouldn't support any bill that allows anyone to kill anyone else,' he said. A file photograph of a bed in the Dignitas assisted dying clinic in Pfaffikon, Switzerland Rowntree, top centre, with fellow Blur members Alex James, Graham Coxon and Damon Albarn Paola Marra stands outside the London Underground station in East Finchley, where she lived One of the family photographs of Paola Marra in the video released after her death Rowntree said the current law results in people who wish to end their lives 'creeping around like criminals'. What are the UK laws on assisted suicide? Assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. In Scotland, it is not a specific criminal offence but assisting the death of someone can leave a person open to murder or other charges. It is currently legal in Switzerland, as well as several US states, Australia and New Zealand. Advertisement He added: 'Not only that, but when the time comes, if they do decide to die with dignity, and end their life in a time of their choosing, and in a way of their choosing, they have to do it unsupported by anyone, on their own, not able to hold anyone's hand, not able to hug somebody and say goodbye.' Back in March, Ms Morra teamed up with renowned photographer Rankin to create her heartbreaking message. In full, she said: 'When you watch this, I will be dead. I'm choosing to seek assisted dying because I refuse to let a terminal illness dictate the terms of my existence. 'The pain and suffering can become unbearable. It's a slow erosion of dignity, the loss of independence, the stripping away of everything that makes life worth living. 'Assisted dying is not about giving up. In fact, it's about reclaiming control. It's not about death. It's about dignity. 'It's about giving people the right to end their suffering on their own terms, with compassion and respect. 'So as you watch this, I am dead. But you watching this could help change the laws around assisted dying.' Ms Morra, who worked in the music industry and charity sector, was born in Canada but lived in London for more than 35 years. She first found she had breast cancer in 2017, then bowel cancer was also discovered three years later - and she was told it was incurable by 2021. In a film released after her death in March, Paola Marra used a series of family photographs to illustrate her life The Dignitas assisted dying clinic is located in Pfaffikon, near Zurich in Switzerland (file image) A waiting room in the Dignitas assisted dying clinic in Pfaffikon, Switzerland (file picture) She described her treatment as 'brutal' and said she could no longer take many painkillers. Assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. In Scotland, it is not a specific criminal offence but assisting the death of someone can leave a person open to murder or other charges. The situation is different in Ms Marra's former home of Canada, which legalised assisted death in 2016 for people with a terminal illness under its 'Medical Assistance In Dying' (Maid) programme. This was expanded in 2021 to people with incurable, but not terminal, conditions. Terminally-ill broadcaster Esther Rantzen is an advocate for reform in the UK, as are a swathe of other well-known names including author Terry Pratchett and actors Susan Sarandon and Patrick Stewart. But critics say any reform could open the way for 'state-sanctioned killing'. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater's private member's bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales will get its second reading, involving an MPs' vote, on 29 November. NGOMANE A three-hour search by the police for the man who is suspected to have killed his girlfriend at Ngomane, yielded no results. The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) launched a full-scale search for the suspect in the thick forests of KaMagwazipalishi, yesterday morning. According to the search party leaders, there is an assumption that the murder suspect might have taken his own life after committing the brutal murder. They said this was because the suspects bag had an open packet of a pesticide. When hacking his girlfriend, Lindiwe Dlamini, he is believed to have been carrying a small container, with a liquid substance, which was later found to be the pesticide. They said on the day of the incident, some of the investigating officers inspected the crime scene and surroundings, including the area where the suspect went when he fled the scene. They said the police found the said container, but there was little of the pesticide, which made them suspect that maybe he ingested it after murdering his girlfriend. The police also suspected that he might have committed suicide, because he last communicated through his cellphone around 3pm on Tuesday. When the search for his body began, some members of the search party highlighted that if indeed the man ingested the pesticide, they should find his body not very far from where the container was found. After searching for about an hour and a half without success, they took a short break to re-strategise. Search They decided to search in another forest, which is opposite the crime scene. The search took another hour and a half, but again in vain. Some of the members of the search party suggested that by leaving the empty container at the scene, the man was trying to divert the attention of the police. Maybe he was just buying time to escape. He knew that when we find the container, we will assume that he committed suicide and search for his body instead of hunting him down and also listing him on the police wanted list, they added. They even suggested that his picture should be published on the police wanted list and his details should be sent to Interpol, because maybe he has already skipped the country. Troubling bodycam footage shows police struggling to care for a lawmaker found lying face down outside a nightclub after a boozy conference function. Alameda City Councilmember Trish Herrera Spencer attended the California Cities Conference in Long Beach, Los Angeles, on October 17. Local politicians from around the state then moved on to a party at Bo Beau Kitchen & Roof Tap at 4pm, which Spencer said she left at 11pm. Just an hour later, Spencer collapsed in front of the Alegria nightclub and was unable to stand when Long Beach police were called at 12.12am. Police bodycam footage obtained by DailyMail.com under Freedom of Information showed Spencer passed out on the sidewalk when police found her. She was lifted onto a stretcher by paramedics and taken to St Mary Medical Center, where other bodycam video showed her belligerent and uncooperative, hurling abuse at doctors and insisting 'f**k you, no, I'm fine'. Alameda City Councilmember Trish Herrera Spencer, still wearing her conference name badge, refused to answer most police questions and when she did speak her words were heavily slurred, bodycam footage showed The bodycam footage, from the perspectives of five cops at the scene and one in the hospital, began at 12.36am when the first officer arrived outside Alegria nightclub A police report also released referred to her as 'intoxicated' and said the passerby who called police 'said it looks like she has feces on the back of her pants'. '[The caller] tried to help her walk to the Metro station after she fell on the sidewalk, but she refused any help from [him],' it stated. Over the next 15 minutes, Spencer, still wearing her conference name badge, refused to answer most police questions and when she did speak her words were heavily slurred. Spencer last week said she believed she 'was the victim of a crime' and through a friend on Friday disputed that she was drunk. However, police maintained there was no indication a crime occurred, and officers in the videos and the police report refer to her as 'heavily intoxicated'. 'She's not a victim of crime, she's just effed... whatever is wrong with her she's keeping to herself,' one policeman said to another in the footage. Another cop in the hospital said: 'I'm letting the staff deal with her right now, she's uncooperative and she's heavily intoxicated.' The bodycam footage, from the perspectives of five cops at the scene and one in the hospital, began at 12.36am when the first officer arrived outside Alegria nightclub. Several officers kneeled down and tried to ask Spencer questions, but much of what she said was indecipherable over the booming nightclub music Spencer was found lying face down outside a nightclub after a boozy conference function and had to be taken to hospital on a stretcher The female officer poked her leg and announced who she was to see if Spencer was conscious, but she was completely unresponsive. 'She was out when I came, completely out... her pupils are super dilated,' she later told a colleague of the condition she found Spencer in. The policewoman eventually roused Spencer and helped her get on her side, and partially sitting up on her hands and knees. 'I'm all good,' Spencer insisted, but seconds later admitted 'I'm scared'. Spencer answered 'no' or shook her head when asked if she was lost, had been drinking, or took any drugs that night. 'You were passed out,' she said. 'You're not in trouble, we just want to make sure you're OK. What's going on? I saw you earlier at 7-Eleven.' The policewoman later explained to colleagues that she and her partner encountered Spencer at the convenience store nearby, while she was still coherent and walking around. 'She looked a little weird, she looked out of place - she just kept saying "thank you, thank you" for our service and that was it,' she said. Several officers kneeled down and tried to ask Spencer questions, but much of what she said was indecipherable over the booming nightclub music. Spencer appeared to be wearing some jewelry in the bodycam footage, and police told her they put her phone in her bag and kept both safe The policewoman eventually roused Spencer and helped her get on her side, and partially sitting up on her hands and knees A male officer noted she was bleeding from her eyebrow, but she said she didn't know how she fell and suffered the injury. As the officers questioned her, Spencer gripped the fence of the nightclub's outdoor seating, swayed her head back and forth, and tapped her right foot on the sidewalk. Spencer was lifted onto the stretcher at 12.45am by two paramedics and loaded into the back of an ambulance to be taken to hospital. The policewoman then went to speak to the Alegria bouncers, who denied Spencer entry moments before she collapsed outside. 'I don't know, she wasn't speaking,' he said, when asked what Spencer said as she tried to go inside. 'Some guy was trying to walk to her hotel... Hyatt, that's what he said,' he continued, explaining they they made it to the corner and then she collapsed. 'She didn't speak to us, I just thought I can't let her in, I thought they were a couple but the dude was just trying to walk her [to the hotel].' The other bouncer added: 'They were walking and then she collapsed, that's when we had somebody call.' As the officers questioned her, Spencer gripped the fence of the nightclub's outdoor seating, swayed her head back and forth, and tapped her right foot on the sidewalk Spencer was lifted onto the stretcher at 12.45am by two paramedics and loaded into the back of an ambulance to be taken to hospital The bodycam footage from the hospital began at 12.57am and was blurred once the policeman walked through the doors. Spencer could be heard resisting treatment form doctors, and seen writing around on the hospital bed to the point where she had to be held down. 'I'm not going to answer,' she said when asked her date of birth. 'No comment... who the f**k do you think... f**k you, no, I'm fine.' Spencer repeatedly insisted 'nothing happened' and replied 'where the f**k do you think?' when asked where she was. 'Do you drink every day or just a little too much today?' one of the doctors asked, but she didn't reply. The officer eventually walked over to her and attempted to get her date of birth, but she refused to answer him. 'I'm actually gonna call chief Joshi,' she said, referring to Alameda Police Chief Nishant Joshi. The cop asked Spencer several times if she had been drinking, but she refused to answer. He eventually gave up and walked away. Spencer could be heard resisting treatment form doctors, and seen writing around on the hospital bed to the point where she had to be held down The officer eventually walked over to her and attempted to get her date of birth, but she refused to answer him Spencer in the days after her medical emergency became public clarified that she was not arrested, and was able to catch her flight back to Alameda, a small city south of Oakland, later on October 18. 'I have little recollection of the event. I believe I was the victim of a crime. I am still suffering from my injuries, including a concussion,' she said. 'Notwithstanding my injuries, I was able to catch my scheduled flight home on Friday afternoon and began follow-up treatment early the next morning. 'Follow-up treatment at a local hospital ER department documented a concussion and abrasions and bruising to the top and side of my head as well as bruises on the inside and outside of my arms. 'My medical provider explained that she was required by law to file a Suspicious Injury Report, which is required when there's a reasonable suspicion that my injuries were from an assault or abusive conduct by a third person against me, etc. 'Some of my valuable personal belongings, including jewelry, are missing.' Spencer appeared to be wearing some jewelry in the bodycam footage, and police told her they put her phone in her bag and kept both safe. 'I want to make sure your stuff doesnt get stolen,' one told her. Spencer also had a purse strapped to her the stayed on until she was in the ambulance. In a statement, Spencer said she had suffered a concussion that had left her with 'little recollection' of the incident Spencer forwarded questions from DailyMail.com to her friend, retired lawyer Paul Foreman, who said they 'quarreled' with her being 'heavily intoxicated'. 'The videos showing Trish at the scene of the incident and at the ER do not provide any consistent evidence of intoxication,' he claimed. 'They are just as consistent with a concussion and other injuries which would produce shock. 'It is also important to note that on one video the officer is asking her if she is injured. Thus it is clear that the officer at that time had no knowledge of the extent of her injuries and their cause.' Foreman said Spencer did not remember anything new about how she got into such a state, and still had 'no memory of the police encounter and limited memory' of her hospital visit. 'She did not become aware that she might have been attacked until well after the incident when she noticed that she was missing personal effects,' he said. 'Medical personnel at her subsequent visit to a Bay Area ER the next day advised that her injuries raised a suspicion that she had been attacked which required that they report that to the police.' Long Beach Police said there was no indication a crime occurred. It is not known whether Spencer was tested for alcohol or drugs in hospital. Spencer was previously elected mayor of Alameda, serving from 2014 to 2018 Alameda City Council will at a November 6 meeting debate a motion to admonish Spencer over the incident. 'The inappropriate conduct of a Councilmember undermines the publics trust in all matters that come before the Council,' the motion argued. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft, in adding the item to the agenda, argued her conduct violated part of the City Council Code of Conduct. 'Members are constantly being observed by the community every day that they serve in office,' the code read. 'Their behaviors and comments serve as models for proper deportment in the City of Alameda. 'Honesty and respect for the dignity of each individual should be reflected in every word and action taken by members, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is a serious and continuous responsibility.' The incident is poorly time for Spencer as she is up for reelection on Tuesday, with five candidates competing for two council spots. Kamala Harris' closing argument that Donald Trump wants to be a dictator has resonated with independent voters, according to a DailyMail.com poll. It was the top reason given by independents when asked what was the most persuasive reason not to vote for the former president. The revelation came in our final national poll carried out by JL Partners. It found that 19 percent of independents cited the dictator claim. In the poll 12 percent of independents said Trump being a convicted felon was the most convincing reason. Ten percent said they would be most persuaded by the argument that Trump would represent a return to division. Another 10 percent said Harris would find most success making the case that Trump would roll back women's rights. Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump speaks to the media at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport on October 30, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin Vice President Kamala Harris holds a campaign event rally at the Walnut Creek Amphitheatre on October 30, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Voters in the United States will cast their ballots on Nov. 5, 2024 Overall, the poll revealed Trump has overtaken Harris. He holds a three-point lead over the vice president, 49 percent to 46 percent. The poll suggested Trump is currently on course to become the first Republican candidate since George W. Bush in 2004 to win the popular vote. The vice president held a one-point lead when the poll was last conducted in September. Trump opened up a three point lead over Harris How different groups answered in the poll Among all voters, the dictator argument was also the most persuasive. The poll found that 16 percent of the 1,000 voters surveyed believed it to be the most compelling reason not to vote for Trump. It showed 11 percent of all voters cited Trump's felony conviction, and 8 percent rolling back women's rights. Harris has focused her closing argument on Trump being a threat to democracy. The strategy has been questioned by some Democrats who had urged her to spend more time elaborating on her own policies. Trump has overtaken Harris in the poll The gender gap was clear in the results Harris has a clear lead among female voters The latest poll was taken between October 26 and 29 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 points. Harris had a two-month honeymoon after taking over from Joe Biden as the Democratic standard bearer. Amid a renewed wave of Democrat enthusiasm she went up in the polls. However, recently, the race has tightened to become one of the closest in history. Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie delivered a stunning rebuke to ABC host Patricia Karvelas after she tried to accuse the Opposition of being in cahoots with Australia's richest person, reminding her that a strong mining industry helps fund the national broadcaster. The opposition transport spokeswoman was defending leader Peter Dutton after it emerged his office had approached mining giant Gina Rinehart to provide him with a private plane free of charge to a Bali Bombing Memorial in November 2022. 'What does Gina Rinehart expect for that generosity?', Karvelas asked Ms McKenzie on her RN Breakfast show on Friday. The Nationals Senator dismissed the idea that Mrs Rhinehart, who is Australia's richest person, would expect a 'quid pro quo' arrangement. Instead, she sought to throw the criticism back on the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is facing damaging allegations that he received Qantas upgrades on numerous occasions. 'Peter Dutton got a flight that saved the Australian taxpayers $40,000 to a work event to commemorate the Bali bombing,' Ms McKenzie said. 'The Prime Minister may have sought - or not - flights for his family overseas while he was the Transport Minister protecting Qantas' market share.' But Karvelas continued with her line of questioning, repeatedly asking whether Mrs Rinehart would expect anything in return. Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie (pictured) delivered a stunning rebuke to ABC host Patricia Karvelas after she tried to accuse the Opposition of being in cahoots with Australia's richest person, reminding her that a strong mining industry helps fund the national broadcaster 'What does Gina Rinehart expect for that generosity?', Karvelas asked Ms McKenzie on her RN Breakfast show on Friday An audibly frustrated Ms McKenzie cut across the ABC host to say 'Rinehart is not the problem' and to suggest it was just an attempt to generate 'clickbait'. Ms McKenzie then pointed out that the Coalition made no secret of its desire for a 'strong, prosperous and sustainable mining industry'. 'I can be really, really upfront with you. The Coalition are the friends of our mining and resource industry,' she told Karvelas. She added: 'It is the basis of our strong economy. It is the basis of your public health system, and it funds our public education system, and things like the ABC. 'Great public institutions that are free to access to all Australians are funded because we have such a successful resource industry. 'I don't think we need Gina Rinehart to influence us to be very, very clear as a Coalition, to state our support for a sustainable resource industry now, you know, and I think that's important to state.' The ABC received a record $1.137billion in taxpayer funds for the last financial year. Most of this funding comes from general government revenue, which is generated primarily through taxes on wages and, to some extent, from taxes on mining companies, the country's largest export industry. The latest ATO Corporate Tax Transparency Report showed that Australia's mining industry continues to be the nation's biggest taxpayer, paying $43.1 billion in company tax for 2022-23. The comments came after a week where the travel perks scandal dominated the political discussion. A new book called The Chairman's Lounge by journalist Joe Aston alleges that Mr Albanese got 22 upgrades from economy on Qantas flights by personally requesting them from the airline's then CEO Mr Joyce. The Prime Minister denied the claims in a carefully-worded statement on Wednesday. 'The prime minister did not ever call Alan Joyce seeking an upgrade,' the statement said. The scandal has also engulfed the Opposition with Mr Dutton facing questions over his $40,000 free flight from MRs Rinehart. On Tuesday, the Opposition Leader told journalists neither he nor his office had approached Ms Rinehart for a private flight taken in November 2022, but he backflipped on his answer two days later. Peter Dutton has confirmed his office requested a private plane from Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart (pictured together) Mr Dutton said that at the time he was travelling to Rockhampton and needed to travel to Sydney for a Bali memorial ceremony and was unable to source a commercial flight, which would then be needed to take him to Mackay. 'We asked the government for a RAAF flight, they played games and they didn't offer that flight, and at that point I think we had a charter estimate, which was about $40,000 to fly from Rockhampton to Sydney and then back to Mackay,' he said. 'I thought that was very expensive and the cheaper option for the taxpayer was for my office to speak to Mrs Rinehart's office, as to whether the plane might be available.' He took a parting shot at Mr Albanese stating: 'That was at zero cost to the taxpayer.' Ms McKenzie has also been caught out, admitting to the ABC she was wrong to be 'so emphatic earlier this week' when claiming she had never received a flight upgrade. She has now requested a full database of flights she has taken and has vowed to declare any upgrades. Atlanta rapper Young Thug will be released from prison after pleading guilty Thursday to gang, drug and gun charges. The 33-year-old Grammy-winning artist, whose given name is Jeffery Williams, admitted to six counts - including one gang charge, three drug charges and two gun charges - following a lengthy trial that first began last November. He also entered a no contest plea to another gang charge and a racketeering conspiracy charge, meaning that he decided not to contest those charges but can be punished for them as if he had pleaded guilty. 'I take full responsibility for my crimes and my charges,' Williams told Judge Paige Whitaker ahead of sentencing, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. 'I hope that you allow me to go home, and trust in me to do the right thing.' Jeffery Williams, aka Young Thug, will be released on probation after pleading guilty Thursday to gang, drug and gun charges Williams had entered his pleas without reaching a deal with prosecutors after negotiations between the two sides broke up, leaving it up to the judge to determine how long he should be sentenced to. State prosecutors recommended a sentence of 45 years, 25 of which would be behind bars and 20 years probation. They had previously presented a more lenient deal of just 15 years probation if Williams agreed to special conditions and would 'take ownership and responsibility for being the leader of YSL,' his record label, that prosecutors claimed was also a street gang, the New York Times reports. But Williams denied the offer, with his lead attorney, Brian Steel, saying they 'vehemently disagree' with many of the statements prosecutors have made, and arguing that it was 'offensive' that the state was using Young Thug's lyrics against him. Steel went on to say the evidence against his client is weak and accused prosecutors of misrepresenting and hiding evidence. 'His whole being is trying to break the chains of poverty for others and it has been spun in this courtroom with false statements and allegations against Mr. Williams at every turn,' Steel argued, as he accused authorities of having 'tunnel vision' in trying to take down a famous rapper. Steel even said he told his client he thought they were winning the trial and should go through to a jury verdict. "But he told me, `I cant wait another three months if there is any possibility I could go home because I have children that are hurting. I have things to do,'" Steel said, claiming Williams accepted the guilty plea because the lengthy trial was 'holding this man hostage.' The judge ultimately sentenced him to 15 years probation, and imposed several conditions including staying away from the city of Atlanta for 10 years - except for weddings and funerals, according to the Journal Constitution. Prosecutors had claimed that Williams ran a street gang in Atlanta even as his music career was taking off Cameras caught Williams' arrest in May last year and his admission to Fulton County Jail Williams was charged in May 2022 along with more than two dozen other people of conspiring to violate Georgias anti-racketeering law by furthering the goals of YSL, Williams' record label that authorities claimed doubled as a gang. The rapper was also charged with drug and gun charges, and faced 120 years in prison on all charges. Jury selection at the courthouse in Atlanta began in January 2023 and took nearly 10 months. Opening statements in his trial then began nearly a year ago, in November 2023, when prosecutors described Williams as a gangster that went by the name of King Slime, the leader of a gang that terrorized the streets of Atlanta with gang warfare, robbery and drug deals for nearly a decade before his music career took off. Prosecutors have since called dozens of witnesses, as they argued that Young Thug was pulling the strings as the chief financier of the YSL street gang, whose dominance and influence was both enhanced by and lent credibility to its members rap careers. They had sought to prove that disputes between YSL and the local Bloods gang led to more than 50 violent encounters since 2015 - focusing on the murder that January of Donovan Thomas Jr, also known as Nut, in a drive-by shooting. Prosecutors focused on the 2015 shooting death of Donovan Thomas Jr, also known as Nut The state had claimed that Thomas - a one-time friend and ally of YSL - had been the leader of the Inglewood Family Bloods. Even though Deamonte Kendrick, of Yak Gotti, and Shannon Stillwell, or SB or Shannon Jackson, were charged with his murder, prosecutors attempted to prove Williams authorized the shooting, renting the car they used and then providing safe harbor in Miami for those responsible. They also claimed the two sides regularly engaged in retaliatory shootings across the city in the years that followed. Defense attorneys, however, insisted that YSL was simply a successful rap crew born out of poverty and struggle in violent neighborhoods, which they exaggerated into a gangster image for their music and videos in an effort to get sales. They unsuccessfully fought to prevent prosecutors from using rap lyrics as supporting evidence, but Adriane Love, the chief deputy district attorney for Fulton County, argued: 'We didn't chase the lyrics to solve the murder, we chased the murder and found the lyrics,' as she pointed to lines from Young Thug's music that her office claimed corresponded to real-world violence. Judge Paige Whitaker sentenced Young Thug on Thursday to 15 years probation Yet the trial continued to be plagued by the jail stabbing of Stillwell, and a stream of relcutant and obfuscating witnesses. At one point, the judge in the case had to recuse himself, and was replaced by Judge Whitaker - who indicated she wanted to swiftly end the trial. It was again halted last week following the state's questioning of Wunnie Lee, a rapper who performs as SlimeLife Shawty. He was asked to read aloud an Instagram post that was submitted as evidence, but it was not properly redacted, which defense attorneys argued provided prejudicial information about one of the defendants. Prosecutors and defense attorneys then spent days negotiating plea deals, leading three other co-defendants to also pleaded guilty this week. Nine others had accepted plea deals before the trial began, and prosecutors dropped charges against one defendant after he was convicted of murder in an unrelated case. Meanwhile, Kendrick and Stillwell say they plan to continue taking their cases to trial. 'Yak Gotti has rejected the state's latest plea offer and fully intends to take this to the jury and get our not guilty verdicts and go home,' said his lawyer, Douglas Weinstein. Tucker Carlson reveals in a new documentary that he was 'clawed and bloodied' by a 'demon' during a terrifying attack. Carlson, who has commented on the supernatural in the past, was interviewed for Christianities, in which host John Heers travels the world to learn about various Christian beliefs, according to the film's Indiegogo page. Heers speaks to the former Fox News host in a clip about his experience about a year and a half ago with what he describes as either a 'demon' or 'something unseen.' The conservative firebrand tells Heers he initially believed he was having 'the weirdest dream I've ever had' until all of a sudden, blood started to show on his bedsheets and marks on his body. 'I had four claw marks on either side, underneath my arm and left shoulder. And they were bleeding,' Carlson said Tucker Carlson claims he was 'clawed and bloodied' by a 'demon' in a terrifying attack in a new documentary Even stranger, Carlson claims that his wife and their four dogs were sleeping with him at the time but none seemed to awaken from the attack. 'It didn't make any sense and it doesn't now,' he added. This isn't the first time the current X host has posited theories of supernatural phenomena. In April, he told Joe Rogan UFOs and their pilots might not be 'extra-terrestrials' from a distant planet at all, but 'spiritual entities' who have inhabited Earth for as long as humanity itself. 'There's a ton of evidence that they're under the ocean and under the ground,' Carlson told Rogan's listeners during the show's usual, sprawling, three-hour-long chat format, adding: 'They've been here for a long time.' Carlson has also brought up possible demonic possession in conversations with Vladimir Putin but he's not trying to convert anyone. 'No one has to believe me, I don't care. But that happened to me,' he tells Heers as they film in the middle of the woods. Most recently, as the presidential election arrives in just days, Carlson has premiered a new docuseries Art of the Surge. UFOs and their pilots might not be 'extra-terrestrials' from a distant planet at all, but 'spiritual entities' who have inhabited Earth for as long as humanity itself - according to Fox News vet and one-time MSNBC host Tucker Carlson who spoke this week on The Joe Rogan Experience The fascinating glimpse behind the scenes is part of a new series produced by Carlson's network that even features the assassination attempt at Butler, with the filmmakers on the scene as the terrifying carnage unfolded. It comes as the Republican candidate is leading in every swing state, according to the averages taken by Real Clear Politics. Meanwhile the betting odds imply a 64 percent probability that he wins on November 5, putting his chances on par with those seen in the aftermath of the first assassination attempt. GB News was handed a 100,000 fine yesterday for breaching impartiality rules in a programme featuring Rishi Sunak. It follows an appearance by Mr Sunak on a February 12 broadcast called People's Forum: The Prime Minister, where he was asked questions by a studio audience. An earlier investigation by Ofcom found that 'an appropriately wide range of significant viewpoints was not presented and given due weight'. Yesterday the media watchdog said that 'we concluded that the then Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, had a mostly uncontested platform to promote the policies and performance of his government in a period proceeding a UK General Election'. Ofcom revealed it had also directed GB News to broadcast a statement of the findings. But GB News is challenging Ofcom's original ruling in the courts. The fine follows an appearance by Mr Sunak on a February 12 broadcast called People's Forum: The Prime Minister, where he was asked questions by a studio audience Nigel Farage is pictured above on his show on GB News. Ofcom revealed it had also directed GB News to broadcast a statement of the findings. But GB News is challenging Ofcom's original ruling in the courts The broadcaster yesterday said the sanctions are 'unnecessary, unfair and unlawful'. Ofcom said it would not enforce the sanction until the legal case was resolved. GB News chief executive Angelos Frangopoulos said: 'We believe these sanctions are unnecessary, unfair and unlawful. 'The High Court has already granted GB News permission to bring a judicial review to challenge Ofcom's decision that the programme was in breach of due impartiality requirements. 'The sanction proposed by Ofcom is therefore still subject to that legal challenge. 'The plan to sanction GB News flies in the face of Ofcom's duty to act fairly, lawfully and proportionately to safeguard free speech, particularly political speech and on matters of public interest.' Ofcom said in its sanctions announcement: 'Given the seriousness and repeated nature of this breach, Ofcom has imposed a financial penalty of 100,000 on GB News Limited.' GB News chief executive Angelos Frangopoulos (pictured) said: 'We believe these sanctions are unnecessary, unfair and unlawful' Yesterday the media watchdog said that 'we concluded that the then Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak (pictured), had a mostly uncontested platform to promote the policies and performance of his government in a period proceeding a UK General Election' It added: 'We have also directed GB News to broadcast a statement of our findings against it, on a date and in a form determined by us. 'GB News is challenging our original breach decision in this case by judicial review, which we are defending. 'Ofcom will not enforce this sanction decision until those proceedings are concluded.' Pauline Hanson made a racist comment when she told a Muslim senator to pack her bags and go back to Pakistan, a judge has found. Friday's ruling marks a win for Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi in a Federal Court lawsuit against the One Nation leader. Justice Angus Stewart found Senator Hanson engaged in 'seriously offensive' and intimidating behaviour through the September 2022 social media post that breached the Racial Discrimination Act. The post was racist, nativist and anti-Muslim, the judge said. The proceedings involved a post by Senator Hanson on Twitter, now known as X, telling the Greens deputy to 'piss off back to Pakistan'. 'It is a strong form of racism,' Justice Stewart said on Friday. The post was in response to a one from Senator Faruqi on the day Queen Elizabeth died. The Greens deputy leader wrote she could not mourn the passing of the leader of a 'racist empire built on stolen lives, land and wealth of colonised peoples'. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson (pictured) made a racist comment when she told a Muslim senator to pack her bags and go back to Pakistan, a Federal Court judge has found Friday's ruling marks a win for Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi (pictured arriving to court in April) in a Federal Court lawsuit against the One Nation leader Senator Hanson's claim that she did not know her Greens rival was a Muslim when she sent the tweet was rejected by the court. Similarly her argument that she merely engaged in political discourse by pointing out hypocrisy from the Greens deputy in criticising the monarchy while benefiting from moving to and living in Australia was also shot down. 'Her tweet was an angry personal attack on Senator Faruqi,' Justice Stewart said. Senator Hanson has been ordered to delete the tweet within seven days and to pay the Greens deputy leader's legal costs of running the lawsuit. The judge did not make an order proposed by Senator Faruqi that the One Nation leader pay an amount in damages to charity. Even before the dust has settled on Chancellor Rachel Reeves's Budget, it is becoming increasingly apparent that it will be disastrous for Britain. Imposing tax increases on a scale rarely seen outside of wartime, recession or pandemic, and embarking on a colossal borrowing binge to fund public services, she has taken a huge gamble with the economy. By throwing obstacles in the way of business, she risks replicating the stagnation afflicting Europe's major economies eking out meagre growth at best. The most damning verdict came from the respected Institute for Fiscal Studies yesterday, which warned Britain faces a 'decade of high taxes' without any grip on spending. Even as the Chancellor admitted that, yes, workers would actually be poorer thanks to her National Insurance hike, the Left-wing Resolution Foundation think-tank was warning that living standards would dwindle. The Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) has taken a huge gamble on the British economy by introducing some of the highest non-wartime taxation increases ever seen The International Monetary Fund (IMF) praised the Chancellor's budget as 'sustainable' It spoke volumes that the one organisation to pat Ms Reeves on the back was the International Monetary Fund, which praised her eye-watering tax rises as 'sustainable'. But the IMF is simply cock-a-hoop to have a Left-wing government in Britain. While the Tories were in power, its predictions were excessively negative (and usually wrong). The organisation is wedded to the social democratic nostrums of a big state, high taxes and stifling regulation, and has no time for spending cuts. In Sir Keir Starmer's socialist Labour party, it has a kindred spirit. Still, it's useful for Ms Reeves to cosy up to the IMF. If the economy goes into freefall, we might need to beg it for a bailout just like the hapless Labour government in 1976. A threat to farming: SIR Keir Starmer went to great lengths before the election to win over Britain's rural communities. Labour understood the concerns of the traditionally Tory shires, he said. 'Every day seems to bring a new existential threat to farming.' How ironic that the threat now comes from Sir Keir's government. The countryside is up in arms after Ms Reeves scrapped inheritance tax relief on agricultural land. This means most farms will be forced to pay large sums in death duties. Many will have no option but to sell up to pay the bill, destroying businesses held by families for generations and destabilising food security. One of the biggest bones of contention with this week's Labour budget was the scrapping of inheritance tax relief on agricultural land Tuesday's budget signified Rachel Reeves' first as Chancellor, but it will not be the only time we see her hike taxes, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies But why would Labour be bothered? They calculate their voter base is predominantly urban, so it does little political harm. And if it means green fields can be sold off for solar farms or new housing, all the better. Farmers work back-breakingly hard to keep society fed. Their hours are long. And because of their careful stewardship, our countryside remains a precious asset. Any fair-minded government would shower them with rewards, not hit them a punishing and pernicious new tax. As Sir Keir, while schmoozing the rural vote, himself said: 'Farmers deserve better.' Australia's Indian community have renewed calls for people to get a day off to celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali, just like Easter, Christmas and Australia Day. The festival of lights, also known as Deepavali, was celebrated by almost a million Indian Australians last Friday. Hindu Council of Australia President Sai Paravastu told Daily Mail Australia the annual event should be recognised as a national public holiday or a long weekend. 'It gives other multicultural communities an opportunity to come and see what we are celebrating and what this is all about,' Mr Paravastu said. 'This will promote more participation, harmony and connectedness within the community.' Mr Paravastu said the move will also provide economic benefits as local businesses across the country embrace the festivities. 'The Indian community has come a long way in establishing ourselves and Australia has welcomed that,' he said. 'They have seen our culture and arts and they have appreciated that. Australia's Indian community has renewed calls for the annual Hindu festival of Diwali to be celebrated as a holiday across the country (pictured people celebrating Diwali) 'This celebration means more to us now as the Indian population continues to grow in Australia.' Federal Labor MP for Parramatta, in Sydney's west, Andrew Charlton backed calls for Aussies to celebrate Diwali as a public holiday in a parliamentary speech last month. 'From Darwin to Hobart, people right across Australia celebrate Diwali as one of the most joyous events of the year and the reason for that is because behind all the colour and movement and lights and food and celebration, Diwali is a recognition of fundamental values,' Mr Charlton said. 'It's what has made the Indian diaspora in Australia such an incredibly important part of the Australian community and so today is a good opportunity to recognise the importance of Diwali in the Australian annual calendar.' Diwali is celebrated among Hindus by lighting candles and lamps outside their homes and symbolises how light triumphs over darkness. The event is usually marked for five days in India and people gather together to share food and gifts. The Indian-born population is the second largest migrant community in Australia according to figures from the Department of Home Affairs. As of June 2022, there were 753,520 people born in India living in Australia, which is more than double the number recorded a decade earlier. 'Hindus have migrated from more than 30 countries and now call Australia home and are proud Australian Hindus,' Mr Paravastu said. The move would enable Diwali to join other national public holidays that are celebrated in Australia such as Australia Day (pictured Aussies celebrating Australia Day) The move comes as calls continue to grow to recognise festivals such as Eid and Lunar New Year as public holidays to celebrate Australia's multicultural communities. Figures from the 2021 Census revealed that around ten per cent of Australia's population reported being affiliated with a religion other than Christianity. A report written for the Lowy Institute indicated that the inclusion of more public holidays celebrating various festivals is an appropriate way to recognise Australia's diverse communities. 'As our population becomes increasingly diverse, we should be recognising many other significant cultural and religious days as public holidays to reflect this change,' the report stated. ANGELA Rayner received 3,550 worth of work clothes from the millionaire Labour donor at the centre of the partys freebies row, it emerged last night. The Deputy Prime Minister had previously declared the gift from Lord Alli as a donation in kind for undertaking parliamentary duties. But she has now finally disclosed that the purpose was for work-related clothing used while undertaking my duties on the Parliamentary Register of Interests. Lord Allis gifts to senior Labour figures have come under the spotlight in recent weeks, overshadowing the partys annual conference in September. The Prime Minister received clothing donations worth 10,000 in October 2023 and 6,000 in February 2024, taking his total clothing gift value to 32,000. Sir Keir Starmer also received 2,400 from Lord Alli for glasses, and the use of an 18 million London penthouse during the election campaign - valued at 20,437 for a near seven-week stay. Deputy PM Angela Rayner received over 3,000 worth of work clothes from Lord Alli, it has been revealed The Deputy Prime Minister had previously declared the gift from Lord Alli as a donation in kind for undertaking parliamentary duties In the wake of the controversy, the Prime Minister, Ms Rayner and Chancellor Rachel Reeves vowed to no longer accept donations of clothing. Sir Keir has paid back more than 6,000 worth of gifts and hospitality received since the election in light of the row, while the peers Downing Street pass - obtained shortly after Labour entered government - has been handed back. But Lord Allis generosity expanded beyond ministers wardrobes. He gave Ms Rayner the use of his luxury flat in New York last winter along with her partner Sam Tarry, who was a Labour MP at the time. Sir Keirs deputy said she did not believe she had broken any rules by not declaring Mr Tarry stayed in the flat, and added that Lord Alli would not receive anything in return for his donations. She added: I get that people are frustrated, in particular the circumstances that were in, but donations for gifts and hospitality and monetary donations have been a feature of our politics for a very long time. People can look it up and see what people have had donations for, and the transparency is really important. The Deputy PM was also granted free use of Lord Alli's luxury New York flat in recent times In the wake of the 'freebies' controversy, the Deputy PM has sworn to not accept donations of clothing in future He has also donated a total of 17,650 since last year to support [Rayner] in her capacity as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, according to the Register. Lord Alli, a former chairman of clothing retail giant Asos, was also revealed to have funded a 40th birthday bash for Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson last year. Last month the peer was referred to the Lords standards commissioner over a potential breach of the code of conduct. They recommended he apologise for failing to properly register his interests in a series of businesses and a charitable foundation. Ms Rayner is understood to have initially declared the donation within the appropriate time limit before seeking further advice from officials on whether she should disclose further information. Only now has the Register been updated to reflect this. MBABANE - A recent notable judgment by the Industrial Court has thrown a spanner in the works of governments disciplinary processes. The judgment, which was issued by Judge Manene Thwala, potentially frees numerous civil servants who have been suspended for extended periods, without being taken to a disciplinary hearing in over six months. The court, in a case involving an Eswatini National Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (ENFRES) employee, ruled that government is bound by a six-month time limit to initiate and conclude disciplinary hearings. Any delay beyond this period, the court determined, violates the Constitution and the Public Service Order Act. This ruling has far-reaching implications, particularly for high-profile cases like that of the five senior health officials, who were facing charges related to the recent medical drugs and supplies shortage. Their disciplinary hearing was abruptly halted after their lawyer cited this Industrial Courts judgment. Suspected One of the senior health officials is Assistant Director of the Central Medical Stores (CMS) Themba Motsa, who was suspected of allegedly initiating a supported payment of E9 million for donated trial drugs, without a tender document and purchase order. Motsa was also accused of alleged gross negligence, in that in various occasions between 2020 and 2022, he allegedly failed, without proper cause, to perform the proper care that was required. It is alleged that he allowed or facilitated orders and deliveries of drugs and medicine with short shelf-life. This is said to have resulted in wasteful expenditure, which amounted to E83 million. Senior Pharmacist Yoliswa Zwane is another health official whose hearing will have to stop due to the judgment. She is, among other charges, accused of contravening the Public Service Act in that on February 8, 2023, she allegedly colluded with AMB Medicals to accept surgical gloves, which had a seven-month shelf-life, contrary to the established practice for accepting drugs.The judgment has also brought attention to a long-standing issue, the numerous civil servants who have been suspended for years without their disciplinary hearings being concluded. Some of these individuals have reportedly been receiving their salaries for up to a decade, despite their suspension. With the new precedent set by the Industrial Court, government is now compelled to either expedite disciplinary proceedings or reinstate suspended civil servants, who have been waiting for over six months. This development is expected to have significant financial and administrative consequences for the public service. As government grapples with the implications of this ruling, there are concerns about the potential impact on public service delivery and accountability. Review Legal experts suggest that government may need to review its disciplinary procedures, to ensure compliance with the courts decision and to avoid future legal challenges. The recent case where the judgment was used was in the disciplinary hearing of one of the health officials. The lawyer argued that six months had elapsed since his client was suspended without a hearing, therefore, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) cannot proceed with same, because it was time barred. In this matter, Judge Thwala declared the arraignment of the firefighter, Sizwe Dlamini, before the CSC, as per notice of invitation to attend the disciplinary hearing dated August 5, 2024, as irregular and of no legal force or effect. Dlamini was suspended at his workplace, ENFRES, at Siphofaneni, for allegedly kidnapping and assaulting a supervisor in 2021. However, his disciplinary process was only initiated last month. The firefighter was charged with absenteeism, kidnapping and assault of the supervisor. He approached the Industrial Court to nullify the delayed disciplinary process. Dlamini argued that his charges emanated from a period in excess of three years. He cited Section 194(4) of the Constitution, which states that the matter of a public officer who has been suspended shall be finalised within six months, failing which, the suspension shall be lifted. Regulations The Public Service Regulations of 2019, under Regulation 65(1) states that: All acts of misconduct by public officers shall be dealt with under these regulations within the confines of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini, which is six months. The interested party may move an application before the Public Service Commission, should the time frame stipulated in the Constitution prescribe. According to Dlamini, this was presented to the chairperson of his disciplinary hearing, but he was adamant to proceed with the matter. Judge Thwala determined that the CSC must institute disciplinary proceedings and complete them within six months after having suspended a public servant. If this does not happen, they lose the right to discipline the civil servant. This, according to a legal expert, will affect a number of cases. In the matter before Judge Thwala, the applicant submitted that on March 16, 2001, he allegedly arrived at the Siphofaneni station of the ENFRES and went for the Station Officer, Samson Maseko. When he arrived, he registered a grievance emanating from action that was taken by the supervisor against him. The supervisor had apparently identified the firefighter as one of the employees who had absented themselves during a perceived industrial action. The firefighters had embarked on a strike to try and force the employer to yield to certain demands. The supervisor later reported to his superiors that his subordinate had locked him inside his office and manhandled him. He further alleged that he was struck with a stapler by the subordinate, who was using intimidating language against him. During that skirmish, the supervisor was said to have been grabbed by his waist belt and banged against the wall. Suspension The court heard that on April 28, 2021, Dlamini was arraigned for a pre-suspension hearing. The outcome of the hearing was a letter dated June 3, 2021, which placed him under suspension with full pay. Dlamini, during the same period of the pre-suspension hearing, was also invited to a preliminary investigation inquiry for misconduct. The committee that conducted the investigation concluded its report by making a finding to the effect that there existed a case of misconduct for Dlamini to answer. This recommendation was issued by the committee on April 11, 2022. Despite the conclusion of the preliminary investigation, the attorney general (AG) is said to have failed and/or omitted to action the matter further, until April 11, 2024. The AG is said to have caused a letter to be issued, inviting Dlamini to appear before the CSC, to show cause why his terms of suspension should not be varied from full pay. Judge Thwala noted that it appeared that the CSCs actions also prompted the principal secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to act, because it also caused charges of misconduct to be preferred against the firefighter. It is the legality of this invitation to appear before the chairman of CSC to answer for the alleged acts of misconduct that were put to question in court. For his part, Dlamini, who was represented by Siyabonga Zwane of CJ Littler and Company, averred in his papers that he attempted to raise this point at the first sitting of the disciplinary hearing, but was overruled by the CSC chairman. Dlaminis arguments before court was that his arraignment for misconduct, which took place over six months ago, was invalid, for being in violation of Section 194 (4) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini. The court said this section must be read together with Regulation 37 (1) of the Civil Service Board (General Regulations), 1963. Hearing Government, which was represented by Kim Magagula, argued that no disciplinary proceedings were pending before the CSC, at least prior to the issuance of the letter of invitation to attend a disciplinary hearing on August 20 and 21, 2024. Judge Thwala said the notice of invitation was dated August 2, 2024. Of course, it is not correct to say that there is no matter that is pending before the Civil Service Commission against the applicant (Dlamini). Applicants founding affidavit is clear that he (applicant) was invited, (on two separate occasions), to attend before a preliminary investigation committee on allegations of misconduct. The first of these letters of invitation is dated December 21, 2021 and the last one is March 22, 2022. It is also interesting to note that the line ministry, i.e. Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, did complete and cause to be forwarded to the Civil Service Commission, the said report together with recommendation, reads the judgment. Judge Thwala said the court was of the firm view that, having been served with the report, which recommended the institution of disciplinary proceedings against Dlamini, it was remiss of the CSC not to take disciplinary action against him promptly and as soon as possible. Assaults on prison officers have reached a new high and reoffending rates have increased, figures showed yesterday. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) also disclosed a record number of freed criminals called back to jail, as well as a surge in the number of recalled offenders still on the run. The troubling data shows a criminal justice system in crisis and raises fresh questions about Labour's decision to free thousands of inmates in its early release scheme. The MoJ said there were a record 10,281 assaults on jail staff, up 30 per cent on the previous 12 months. Some 974 of these were serious assaults, a 24 per cent jump. Reoffending rates the proportion of convicted criminals who go on to commit new crimes were up one per cent to 26.4 per cent overall. Assaults on prison officers have reached a new high and reoffending rates have increased, figures showed yesterday (file image) The huge numbers being sent back to jail is expected to pose a serious problem for Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood (left, pictured with Governor Sarah Bott, during a visit to HMP Bedford in Harpur, Bedfordshire) The authorities recalled 9,782 inmates to jail between April and June, a 44 per cent increase on the same period last year. Prisoners are recalled if they commit new crimes or breach the terms of their release. The huge numbers being sent back to jail is expected to pose a serious problem for Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood. She is freeing thousands of inmates including some violent offenders after they serve 40 per cent of their sentence to free up space in overcrowded jails. But higher numbers of offenders being sent back means the policy could create less space than expected. Meanwhile, the MoJ figures covering England and Wales showed there are 2,605 criminals on the run after being recalled to prison. The figure, covering offenders who have absconded between 1984 and June this year, was up 318 in a year, and up from about 1,000 ten years ago. Of the total, 362 had originally been serving a prison sentence for violent crimes and 74 were sex offenders. Some of those categorised as on the run may be dead or abroad. The number of offenders being monitored in the community by so-called Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (Mappa) was 93,436 at the end of March. The number of Mappa offenders who were charged with serious further offences was 216 up by a third year-on-year and the highest since 2017/18. Self-harm by prisoners rose 13 per cent to a new peak of 76,000 incidents in the year to June, while there were 88 self-inflicted deaths in custody in the year to September, down four per cent. The MoJ said there were a record 10,281 assaults on jail staff, up 30 per cent on the previous 12 months. Some 974 of these were serious assaults, a 24 per cent jump A spokesman for the Prison Governors' Association said: 'These levels of violence are indicative of the current crisis in our prisons and clearly show the scale of the crisis prior to the last election. 'Prisons must be safe places to live and work if they are to serve their primary purposes to punish offenders, protect the public and to be places of rehabilitation. 'We are failing in this respect and without focus and investment from Government will continue to do so.' Prisons minister Lord Timpson said: 'These statistics yet again illustrate the scale of the prison crisis this Government inherited and how prisons are failing their basic function to cut crime. 'Attacks on our hardworking staff have reached endemic levels and the rate of self-harm has peaked at a depressing high both indications of the system's failure to rehabilitate. 'This new Government has already taken urgent action to save the prison system from the point of collapse and we will now make the reforms necessary so that prisons are safer and make better citizens, not better criminals.' Britain's car finance market finds itself at the centre of a major mis-selling scandal after judges ruled 'secret' commission payments to dealers are unlawful. The bombshell finding forced firms to suspend new borrowing deals amid fears buyers, possibly more than seven million, have not given 'informed consent' to car dealers being rewarded for securing loans. The industry could face a compensation bill of 16billion, making it the costliest consumer banking scandal in Britain since the mis-selling of payment protection insurance (PPI), which cost some 50billion. Investment bank RBC Capital Markets said Lloyds Banking Group alone could be in for 3.2billion with Santander facing a bill of 1.4billion, Barclays 400million and Close Brothers 320million. Lloyds said it is 'assessing the potential impact' of the judgment while others, including carmaker Honda and BMW, halted sale though both have resumed deliveries after assessing the ruling. Honda Financial Services have 'took the decision to pause funding finance business to assess this ruling' and customers could now be owed thousands. Britain's car finance market has found itself at the centre of a major mis-selling scandal after judges ruled 'secret' commission payments to dealers are unlawful What is happening? The Court of Appeal last week ruled salesmen must tell customers if they receive a bonus, commission or fees as an incentive when arranging car loans. Dealerships have responded by pulling bonuses as loan providers work out how to re-draw their sales documents so that they abide by the new rules. Does it mean I can't buy a car? Not at all. No one is stopping you but unless you have cash you may struggle to get a loan sorted out through the dealership. You could take out a loan from your bank or another lender. What loans are affected? Personal contract purchase (PCP) or hire purchase (HP) agreements are involved. These are used by nine out of ten drivers buying a new car. A PCP deal lets you drive a new car for around three years, during which time you start to pay off the loan. At the end of this, you hand back the keys and stop payments or upgrade. Banks do not typically offer such loans. Will a car loan now cost more? Not necessarily. Greater transparency may eventually lead to motorists getting a better deal. But it is likely many were in the first place and so improved transparency will make no difference. You could wait for the market to settle in the next few weeks or still buy the car by getting the loan from elsewhere. Consumer site Money Saving Expert suggests looking at deals from providers such as Tesco Bank, M&S Bank and TSB, offering loans of 15,000 to 20,000 for between 6.1pc and 6.2pc APR. The Court of Appeal last week ruled salesmen must tell customers if they receive a bonus, commission or fees as an incentive when arranging car loans (stock) Will this loan market collapse? Possibly. The Court of Appeal judgment came as a bolt from the blue and has sent shockwaves to the sector. Lloyds Bank, one of the major financiers through its Black Horse brand, is not the only one to pull bonuses. Honda Finance Europe has banned motorists from picking up vehicles until the problem gets sorted out. This behaviour could create a 'loan famine' that does some serious damage to the car market in the short term. But loan providers are already working to adapt. Should I start panicking? Definitely not. It might actually work in your favour unless you are in a desperate rush to buy a car. Dealerships do not want motors gathering dust. Greater transparency may eventually lead to motorists getting a better deal. But it is likely many were in the first place and so improved transparency will make no difference Is this part of a bigger scandal? Yes and one that could lead to a payout of hundreds of pounds for more than seven million motorists. The practice, exposed by Money Mail and dubbed PPI on Wheels, has led to an FCA probe into how many new car buyers have unwittingly signed up to a 'discretionary commission arrangement' since 2014. How can I claim compensation? Start by asking your dealership if it had a discretionary commission arrangement when you bought the car. Use a letter template to make sure you are provided all the details at moneysavingexpert.com. Chase the provider to ensure it has your claim details. Decisions are expected next year. Have you been affected by this issue? Email: toby.walne@dailymail.co.uk Online grooming has reached record levels in the UK with the annual number of offences exceeding 7,000 for the first time, the NSPCC has said. New data compiled by the children's charity reveals that 7,062 offences for sexual communication with a child were recorded by police last year - an 89 per cent increase since 2018. Girls are the main target for online grooming making up 81 per cent of cases in 2023 to 2024, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children said. Shockingly, the youngest victim of online grooming last year was a boy aged just five. Meanwhile, parents have been warned that Snapchat is the preferred platform for predators with the messaging app used in almost half of cases. Girls are the main target for online grooming making up 81 per cent of cases in 2023 to 2024, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children said (stock image) While Snapchat was used in 48 per cent of cases, WhatsApp figured in 12 per cent, Facebook in ten per cent and Instagram in six per cent, according to the findings While Snapchat was used in 48 per cent of cases, WhatsApp figured in 12 per cent, Facebook in ten per cent and Instagram in six per cent, according to the findings. Video games and online chat rooms are also used by predators to groom children before they are encouraged to continue talking on encrypted messaging apps where abuse can proceed undetected. The findings come as a man who abused at least 70 children online and drove one to suicide was last week sentenced to at least 20 years in a jail following one of the biggest 'catfishing' investigations in the world. Prosecutors said Alexander McCartney, 26, had targeted about 3,500 children aged between 10 and 16 in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand and had caused 'catastrophic damage' to young girls all over the world. Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips described online grooming and child sexual abuse is a 'vile crime that inflicts long lasting trauma on victims'. Ms Phillips said that the Online Safety Act will force tech giants to crack down on this behaviour, adding: 'Social media companies have a responsibility to stop this vile abuse from happening on their platforms.' The Online Safety Act, passed a year ago, will mean tech giants face multi-million pound fines if they fail to protect users from harmful content. However stricter controls on social media firms will not come into force for several months, as regulator Ofcom is still consulting on its codes of practice and guidance. In response to its findings the NSPCC called on Ofcom to strengthen the rules that social media firms must follow to tackle child sexual abuse on their platforms. Prosecutors said Alexander McCartney (pictured), 26, had targeted about 3,500 children aged between 10 and 16 in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand and had caused 'catastrophic damage' to young girls all over the world Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips described online grooming and child sexual abuse is a 'vile crime that inflicts long lasting trauma on victims' The charity urged the regulator and the Government to change focus from acting after children have been harmed to a proactive approach that would ensure features built in to social media apps are not contributing to abuse. Sir Peter Wanless, NSPCC chief executive, said: 'One year since the Online Safety Act became law and we are still waiting for tech companies to make their platforms safe for children. 'We need ambitious regulation by Ofcom who must significantly strengthen their current approach to make companies address how their products are being exploited by offenders. 'It is clear that much of this abuse is taking place in private messaging which is why we also need the Government strengthen the Online Safety Act to give Ofcom more legal certainty to tackle child sexual abuse on the likes of Snapchat and WhatsApp.' Becky Riggs, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for child protection and abuse investigations, described the NSPCC's findings as 'shocking'. She added: 'It is imperative that the responsibility of safeguarding children online is placed with the companies who create spaces for them, and the regulator strengthens rules that social media platforms must follow. 'Policing will not stop in its fight against those who commit these horrific crimes. We cannot do this alone, so while we continue to pursue and prosecute those who abuse and exploit children, we repeat our call for more to be done by companies in this space.' A Snapchat spokesman said: 'Any sexual exploitation of young people is horrific and illegal and we have zero tolerance for it on Snapchat. 'If we identify such activity, or it is reported to us, we remove the content, disable the account, take steps to prevent the offender from creating additional accounts, and report them to the authorities. 'We have extra protections including in-app warnings to make it difficult for teens to be contacted by strangers, and our in-app family centre lets parents see who their teens are talking to, and who their friends are.' Labour could tax milkshakes to help tackle obesity and save the NHS, it was revealed yesterday. Ministers are eyeing a levy on milk-based drinks to treat them the same as soft drinks which are subject to a sugar tax. But the Tories said it was a further blow to farmers after the Budget made some liable for inheritance tax. The Budget book states: To help tackle obesity and other harms caused by high sugar intake, the government will ensure that the Soft Drinks Industry Levy increases to maintain incentives for soft drinks manufacturers to reduce their sugar content. The government will also review the current sugar thresholds and the exemption for milk-based drinks. Ministers are eyeing a levy on milk-based drinks to treat them the same as soft drinks which are subject to a sugar tax Sir Keir Starmer has suggested that further nanny state interventions are on the table and has repeatedly spoken out about the damage that sugar poses to childrens teeth A Soft Drinks Industry Levy - known as the Sugar Tax - was announced in 2016 and introduced in 2018 to tackle childhood obesity The Budget states: The government will also review the current sugar thresholds and the exemption for milk-based drinks' Sir Keir Starmer has suggested that further nanny state interventions are on the table and has repeatedly spoken out about the damage that sugar poses to childrens teeth. A Soft Drinks Industry Levy - known as the Sugar Tax - was announced in 2016 and introduced in 2018 to tackle childhood obesity. However, the tax did not apply to milk-based drinks because they are a source of calcium and other nutrients. After the sugar tax was announced, some soft drinks manufacturers threatened legal action as they found the tax to be anti-competitive and could breach EU rules. Shadow environment secretary Steve Barclay said: The Milk Tax, proposed by Labour and backed by the Liberal Democrats, will drive up the costs of everyday goods, and put the livelihoods of thousands of Britains dairy farmers at risk. Labour need to can this latest charge, keep their hands off our milk, and get on the side of our farmers. Outraged farmers have warned that the Government's brutal inheritance tax hike could put Britain at risk of food shortages. The agricultural sector is so fed up with the Budget, they've even threatened to converge on London for a rally against Labour's new policies which they say could end family farming in the UK. New rules introduced by Rachel Reeves in the Budget mean inheritance tax will be levied at an effective rate of 20 per cent on the value of business and agricultural assets over 1million - axing a previous exemption. Many called the move 'bonkers' and warned that unaffordable tax bills faced by the inheritors of family farms will lead to them going under. Now, farmers have warned that some family farms may have to be sold off, which could lead to a dramatic drop in food production and supplies running low. Gareth Wyn Jones who runs Tyn Llwyfan Farm in Wales said the new policies 'feels like another kick in the bullocks'. Speaking to The Sun he said: 'Im sure Labour couldve found a better way to find money than targeting working class family farms.' Mr Jones believes some families will have no choice but to sell up which would in turn increase dependence on foreign produce. Jeremy Clarkson said farmers had been 'shafted' as he broke his silence on Labour's inheritance tax hike announced in the Budget on Wednesday Kirstie Allsopp has accused Chancellor Rachel Reeves of leaving all farmers 'f***ed' following her inheritance tax raid during an explosive broadside online He said: 'Affordable food is produced by farmers. 'What were going to do is lose land. If these family farms are hit with a big bill after a bereavement, theyll have to sell.' Diddly Squat farm owner and Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson said farmers had been 'shafted' by Labour's inheritance tax hike, while presenter Kirstie Allsopp accused Ms Reeves of 'destroying' the traditional family farm. Emma Gray, a shepherdess from Argyll and Bute on the west coast of Scotland, declared the policy 'a disgusting land grab'. 'A lot of family farms are going to go under when they have to pay the death duties,' she said in a TikTok video. 'And you might think a farm being worth 2million sounds like a lot of money, but a lot of the time the person who has the farm has already been paying out siblings who also have a stake in the farm. 'So they spend their whole life paying it off and are ready to pass it on to the next generation - but now they're going to be hit with inheritance tax, which is going to make the whole thing completely unaffordable. 'What's going to happen is farmers won't be able to pass their farms onto the next generation - at least not easily - so they'll come onto the market and be snapped up by non farmers like those big corporations who want to offset their carbon.' Arable farmer Clive Bailey from Staffordshire said the farming sector could unleash 'massive disruption' in response to the Budget. New rules introduced by Rachel Reeves in the Budget mean inheritance tax will be levied at an effective rate of 20 per cent on the value of business and agricultural assets over 1million - axing a previous exemption Emma Gray, a shepherdess from Argyll and Bute on the west coast of Scotland, took to TikTok to declare the policy 'a disgusting land grab' He told Times Radio: 'When people find themselves in situations where they have nothing to lose they become quite dangerous people.' Meanwhile, industry leaders accused the Government of breaking 'clear promises' not to tamper with exemptions for agricultural property. The National Farmers' Union predicted the change axing Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief on farms worth more than 1million would 'snatch away the next generation's ability to carry on producing British food' and could lead to higher prices. And the Country Land and Business Association said the move, from April 2026, would hit 70,000 farms calling it 'nothing short of a betrayal' which would 'jeopardise the future of rural businesses'. Previously those owning farmland benefitted from Agricultural Property Relief, meaning they were exempt from inheritance tax. And the Country Land and Business Association said the move, from April 2026, would hit 70,000 farms calling it 'nothing short of a betrayal' which would 'jeopardise the future of rural businesses'. But now for those with farms worth more than 1million, the 'death tax' will apply with a 50 per cent relief at an effective rate of 20 per cent from April 2026. The rural community is up in arms over the changes to tax relief on farmland, with MPs in Britain's farming heartland already being bombarded with furious letters. A Florida real estate developer has been hit with a felony homicide charge stemming from a 2022 boat crash that killed a 17-year-old girl and left another disabled. Miami-Dade prosecutors now believe George Pino, 53, committed 'vessel homicide,' a crime that could land him prison for up to 15 years if he's convicted. On September 4, 2022, Pino was driving a 29-foot Robalo boat with 13 others on board, including his daughter Cecilia Lianne Pino, who was celebrating her birthday. The majority of the passengers were Cecilia's teenage friends. Pino eventually struck a channel marker in the Upper Keys near Boca Chita Key, causing the boat to flip upside down and throw everyone overboard, according to prosecutors and officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Almost everyone was injured, but 17-year-old Lucy Fernandez died and Katerina Puig, who was 18 at the time, was left with debilitating and permanent injuries that will preclude her from living an independent life. George Pino, 53, has been charged with vessel homicide in connection with the boat crash on September 4, 2022 The vessel capsized, and all 14 people onboard ended up in the water Pino was initially charged with three misdemeanor counts of careless boating, which he has pleaded not guilty to. The homicide charge he now faces comes after Kathya and Rodolfo Puig, the parents of Katerina Puig, filed a lawsuit against Pino and his wife Cecilia. The Puigs sued them for negligence, claiming Pino was drinking before the crash and had provided the teens on board with alcohol. Cecilia, 49, was ordered in May by Circuit Court Judge Migna Sanchez-Llorens to pay the Puig's $16 million with .934 percent interest. An FWC incident report said authorities found 61 empty alcohol bottles and cans, one empty champagne bottle and a half-empty liquor bottle on the boat, NBC 6 reported. Despite this, no one admitted to consuming the alcohol and Pino refused to take a breathalyzer test because he didn't have an attorney present. Lucy Fernandez, left, died in the crash, while Katerina Puig survived but was left with severe, lifelong disabilities Katerina (pictured in wheelchair), now 19, will likely never have the possibility of living independently A final FWC report released around a year after the crash concluded that Pino showed no signs of impairment, but that he 'did operate his vessel in a careless manner by violating four navigational rules.' For instance, he was piloting the boat at 45-47 miles per hour, which was a factor in the crash according to the FWC. An attorney representing the Fernandez family told NBC 6 that prosecutors took another look at the case when a Miami-Dade firefighter who responded to the crash came forward. The firefighter told prosecutors alcohol was a factor in the crash, contradicting the FWC report, according to the Fernandez lawyer. The Fernandez family thanked Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle in a statement Thursday, praising her and her team for their 'perseverance and dedication.' Pino was driving this 29-foot Robalo boat. The right side of the vessel was torn open in the crash Howard Srebnick, the lawyer for the Pinos, said the new charge took him by surprise. 'I am dismayed by the States surprise-decision to file this new charge more than two years later,' Srebnick said in a statement. 'Officers on the scene of the crash determined that Pino was not intoxicated; Pino did not exceed any posted speed limit, Pino had the required number of Coast Guard-approved life preservers on board the vessel, and despite sustaining a head injury himself (requiring fifteen stitches), Pino made heroic efforts to rescue the injured passengers, including diving under the capsized boat. This was an accident, not a crime, much less a felony,' the statement continued. The Puig family also reacted to the new charge against Pino. 'The Puig family is grateful for the States continued efforts in prosecuting Mr. Pino for his reckless operation of his vessel while transporting 12 teenage girls and resulting in the death of Lucy Fernandez,' according to their statement. A killer boyfriend has been slammed for showing no remorse for his 'senseless and cruel crime' as he learnt his fate for the brutal slaying of his stripper girlfriend. Ricardo Barbaro, 38, returned before the Victorian Supreme Court on Friday morning as he was jailed for 28 years over the murder of his girlfriend Ellie Price in April 2020. But outside court, Ms Price's tearful mother Tracey Gangell said he should have been jailed for life. 'A life for a life - if he can take a life away from someone, his life should be taken away as well,' she said. 'He's still breathing, he still gets to see his family - I don't get to see my daughter anymore.' Wearing all black, he greeted his brother Harley Barbaro with a grin and a wave from the dock - the pair were prevented from touching by court security. Ellie Price, 26, laid dead in the blood-soaked bedroom of her South Melbourne apartment for five days until she was discovered by police Ricardo Barbaro's DNA was found under Ellie Price's fingernails Ms Price, 26, laid dead in the blood-soaked bedroom of her South Melbourne apartment for five days until she was discovered by police in a welfare check initiated by her concerned mum. She had suffered six stab wounds, three of which could have been fatal, including the slashing of her throat. Barbaro was captured on CCTV leaving Ms Price's apartment in her Mercedes in the early morning of April 29 never to return. He was arrested in NSW after fleeing Victoria, receiving a lift from his father Giuseppe 'Joe' Barbaro after dumping the vehicle at a Diggers Rest property. Three scratches on Barbaro's arms, Justice Kaye said, were consistent with being scratched by Ms Price as 'she attempted to defence her self against your violent attack'. Barbaro was found guilty at his third jury trial in September last year after the first was aborted due to juror misconduct and the second thrown out so his defence could review new evidence. A member of a prominent gangland family, the court was told Barbaro suffered from complex PSTD after a chaotic upbringing and members of his family being murdered. Justice Kaye told the court Barbaro and Ms Price had begun dating in October 2019, with their short relationship 'volatile' and marred by violence. Earlier incidents of violence, the judge said, provided evidence the 'grave acts of violence' on June 29 did not occur out of the blue. Ms Price was a young mum from Tasmania Ellie Price's mother Tracey Gangell fought back tears as she faced the media after Barbaro was sentenced for her daughter's murder. As details of the violent attack were read to the court, Barbaro showed little emotion and closed his eyes at times, scratching his beard and shifting in his seat. At trial, Barbaro's barrister Rishi Nathwani SC labelled the case a 'whodunit' and sought to frame brothel owner Mark Gray as an alternative suspect the police failed to investigate. Prosecutors, on the other hand, argued Mr Gray was a hapless romantic who was in denial about being Ms Price's sugar daddy. Barbaro will be eligible for parole after serving 22 years. Ms Gangell said Barbaro would still have time to enjoy his life if released on parole, while Ms Price's son - now aged eight - had to live the rest of his life without a mother. 'I don't think it's enough,' she added. More than 100 Labour MPs for rural areas are set to face the wrath of constituents when they head home this weekend after Rachel Reevess tax raid on family and tenant farmers. As a backlash against the scrapping of exemptions for agricultural property grew, critics accused the Chancellor of class war on those perceived to be wealthy landowners. They also warned the move was a national security threat because many family farms will be forced to sell land to pay HMRC, meaning domestic food production could plummet. Campaigners estimate that the change, axing Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief on farms worth more than 1million, could affect 70,000 farms. This is because farms would only have to be around 67 acres to be affected. But the average UK farm is 217 acres, sparking warnings that family farms will eventually be killed off. Sir Keir Starmer's government delivered some of the largest non-war time tax increases in the UK's history, with farmer's bearing the brunt Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) has been heavily criticised for her first budget in power Meanwhile, Environment Secretary Steve Reed has been missing in action while he attends a United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Colombia. Tory business spokesman Kevin Hollinrake warned Labour MPs: The members who are thinking of going back to their seat for a pint in a local pub and a chat to local farmers, I think I would think again. Greg Smith, Tory MP for Mid Buckinghamshire, described the Budget as a full-frontal financial attack on our farmers as the issue was repeatedly raised in the Commons yesterday. From April 2026, the first 1million of combined business and agricultural assets will continue to attract no inheritance tax. But for assets over 1million, inheritance tax will apply with 50 per cent relief, at an effective rate of 20 per cent. Tory business spokesman Kevin Hollinrake (pictured) has warned Labour MPs: The members who are thinking of going back to their seat for a pint in a local pub and a chat to local farmers, I think I would think again Analysis by the Country Land and Business Association (CLBA) found that 114 Labour MPs represent rural constituencies following Labours election victory in July. Before this, they represented 22. It means Sir Keir Starmer could face a considerable backbench rebellion. Last December, Mr Reed assured the National Farmers Union that Labour had no plans to axe the tax breaks. But Tory MP Jerome Mayhew, who represents Broadland and Fakenham in Norfolk, said: This Government has shown how little its word is worth. They broke their promise to farmers and left family farmers of all sizes at risk of a mammoth inheritance tax bill. The CLBA said: The fear and anger felt by farmers and rural businesses cannot be overstated. A school's explanation for why they removed a memorial dedicated to a 12-year-old girl who took her own life has been exposed as a 'flat out lie'. Year 7 student Charlotte O'Brien took her own life in September after experiencing relentless bullying while attending the Catholic school, Santa Sabina, in the inner-west Sydney suburb Strathfield. Following the 12-year-old's tragic death, Charlotte's heartbroken family set up a memorial on a tree near the school with a small plaque, a picture and flowers. But the shrine was removed by the school only a few days later, leaving her bereaved family devastated. 'Words cannot express how devastated we were,' Charlotte's aunt Melinda Rodgers said. Paulina Skerman, principal at Santa Sabina, originally said the memorial had been removed in the interests of students. 'On the advice of mental health experts including Headspace, who are working with the College, we removed the memorial because of the concerns that were raised about the impact this could have on other young people,' Ms Kerman said. But 2GB radio host Ben Fordham contacted Headspace, who challenged the principal's version of events. The year 7 student tragically died by suicide in September Following the 12-year-old's tragic death, Charlotte's heartbroken family set up a memorial on a tree near the school with a small plaque, a picture and flowers (pictured: Charlotte's grandfather, Bill, pictured at the memorial site) But the shrine was mysteriously removed only a few days later, leaving her bereaved family devastated (pictured) 'Headspace did not recommend Santa Sabina or Paulina Skerman remove the memorial dedicated to Charlotte. To say that they did is a straight-out lie,' Fordham told his listeners on Friday morning. He added: 'It never ever happened. Headspace did not advise Paulina Skerman or anyone at Santa Sabina to take it down.' Ms Skerman told Fordham she had been referring to 'previous written advice shared with the school about an appropriate memorial for Charlotte'. Daily Mail Australia approached Santa Sabina and Headspace for comment. The principal Ms Skerman previously explained the school was working 'with Charlotte's family to find a permanent and loving way to remember Charlotte' and promised the 12-year-old would 'not be forgotten'. Despite this, Charlotte's father Mat said he was 'running out of words' to describe his feelings about the situation. 'From the school's perspective, If I was given advice to remove those things, I wouldn't have touched them,' he told 9News. Charlotte's family have been critical of Santa Sabrina College following her death. They claim the school could have done more to stop the bullying Charlotte experienced before she took her own life, despite the issue being raised multiple times. Paulina Skerman (pictured), principal at Santa Sabina, originally said the memorial had been removed in the interests of students on advice given by mental health app Headspace But Ben Fordham branded this a 'straight up lie' after Headspace denied ever giving that advice 'She wrote a goodbye note specifically mentioning the bullying she received at the school,' Charlotte's mother said. 'She said life was too difficult for her to continue. 'When the most recent case of bullying was raised, the school simply said it was investigated and the girls denied it. That's it. Case closed. Move on. 'Well my beautiful daughter's life won't move on and I'll never get to say goodbye. 'These issues cannot be swept under the carpet. I will not let my daughter's memory be swept under the carpet either. 'How many more children need to lose their lives before they get it? How many parents need to feel the pain of never being able to pick up their child from school again before they get it? 'We're broken forever.' Mat said it had taken weeks to organise a meeting with Ms Skerman following Charlotte's death. 'That glimmer of hope that anything positive to come from that meeting was squashed the moment we arrived,' he said. 'We had to navigate ourselves across the school grounds, surrounded by other girls in their school uniform, knowing that we will never see our daughter again. That was incredibly hard for us,' he said. A memorial for Charlotte (pictured) outside the school was removed on Monday, further fuelling her parents' grief 'We arrived there and met with the principal. When I shared the feedback, she wasn't interested in receiving that. The feedback was interrupted. It was discounted. It was disagreed with. 'I sat across the room from a lady (the principal) that showed myself and the rest of the family no emotion or empathy at all.' When asked if the principal made any sort of apology for the death of their daughter, Mr O'Brien said 'there was no accountability at all'. 'The questions we wanted answered were simply not answered at all. We were left to show ourselves out of the school ground,' he said. Santa Sabina College has defended its handling of bullying, saying their anti-bullying policy was available on their website. 'In the past week, I have been overwhelmed by the number of emails and messages from our families that talk about their children feeling safe and cared for at Santa Sabina College,' Ms Skerman said. She said parents 'objected to the portrayal of our College as failing to deal with matters that cause distress among our students'. Help is available at LIFELINE AUSTRALIA 13 11 14 BEYOND BLUE 1300 22 46 36 Elon Musks controversial daily $1 million handouts to voters continued yesterday after he secured a court victory against Democrats who claim the sweepstake is illegal. Pennsylvania District Attorney Larry Krasner, an elected Democrat, sued Musk and his pro-Trump fundraising committee alleging a breach of lottery laws. But Judge Angelo Foglietta moved the case to a federal court - likely delaying it until after the election and so allowing the handouts to continue. The decision marked a success for Mr Musk, who faced being told to halt the giveaways, and came even though he ignored the judges demand that he attend the hearing. His refusal to attend risked a charge of contempt of court, but Judge Foglietta decided not to sanction him. Mr Musk has been giving $1 million checks to randomly selected people who sign a petition pledging support for free speech and gun rights. The petition is ostensibly open to all voters, but the petition centres on issues prioritised by Republicans. Elon Musk awarded Kristine Fishell with a $1 million cheque. Mr Musk has been giving $1 million checks to randomly selected people who sign a petition pledging support for free speech and gun rights Musk, 53, who also owns X, formerly Twitter, has thrown his millions, time and considerable influence into backing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump since endorsing him in July Musk, the worlds richest man, has reportedly donated $118 million to his political action committee, an organisation which collects funds for elections The offer is limited to registered voters in one of seven states that will likely decide the outcome of the election - Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Critics have claimed the move is a breach of election law. The case brought by Mr Krasner said it is an illegal lottery scheme to influence voters. Musks lawyer, Matthew Haverstick, said yesterday that Mr Musk is an extremely busy man who could not simply materialize in the courtroom hours after the hearing was scheduled on Wednesday. Prosecutor John Summers said the owner of the SpaceX rocket company could easily show up if he was inclined to do so. But the judge drew laughter in court as he responded: Counsel, hes not going to get in a rocket ship and land on the building. Hes not going to get in a rocket ship and take it to Philadelphia - lets be serious here. He moved the case to a federal court after Mr Musks lawyers argued that the case involves claims of federal election interference which can only be heard at a higher court. Musk, 53, who also owns X, formerly Twitter, has thrown his millions, time and considerable influence into backing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump since endorsing him in July. Musk, the worlds richest man, has reportedly donated $118 million to his political action committee, an organisation which collects funds for elections. A new documentary exposing one of the biggest bribery scandals in history is set to hit Stan this month. The documentary is fronted by award-winning journalist Nick McKenzie and chronicles his worldwide investigation into the bribes, crimes and corruption rife in the oil industry, and the company owned by the Monaco-based Ahsani family at the centre of it all. The investigation came to light after McKenzie helped smash open bribery allegations at Australian engineering giant Leighton Holdings (now CIMC). McKenzie revealed: 'This story started with an anonymous letter in the mail and led to one of the biggest international bribery probes in the world. This doco takes people inside what was one hell of an investigative journalism adventure. From the outside, the Ahsani familys company Unaoil had a highly respected veneer they hosted glittering fundraisers and rubbed designer-clad shoulders with royalty and politicians. A gripping new feature-length documentary, Revealed: Bribe, Inc. fronted by multi-award-winning investigative journalist Nick McKenzie (pictured) premieres on Stan on Sunday Armed with 317,000 leaked files, McKenzie and Figaro delved into the business dealings of the secretive Ahsani family Ata Ahsani and his sons Cyrus and Saman The family had created the illusion of being generous above reproach and had long denied any involvement in corrupt activity. Then McKenzie received intel from a whistleblowing former employee known only as Figaro. This unleashed the greatest expose of bribery and corruption in modern history. Armed with 317,000 leaked files, McKenzie and Figaro delved into the business dealings of the secretive Ahsani family Ata Ahsani and his sons Cyrus and Saman. The pair discovered Unaoil had paid multi-million dollar bribes to some of the biggest companies across Europe, North America and Australia. The documentary revealed how McKenzie and Figaro untangled the Ahsani's web of deceit. They tracked the money trail and chased down the criminals in an exhaustive manhunt spanning the globe from Iraq to Monaco, Rome, London, Australia, and the U.S. The documentary revealed how McKenzie (pictured) and Figaro untangled the Ahsani's web of deceit and tracked the money trail and criminals in an exhaustive manhunt spanning the globe from Iraq to Monaco, Rome, London , Australia, and the U.S The investigation eventually involved the US Department of Justice and the FBI, and triggered a $12 million police investigation as authorities worked tirelessly to bring the Ahsani family to justice. Revealed: Bribe, Inc. is the eleventh in Stan's Revealed series and the fourth fronted by McKenzie. The 14-time Walkley award winner had previously produced Ben Roberts-Smith: Truth On Trial, Trafficked and Amongst Us: Neo Nazi Australia for Stan. Revealed: Bribe, Inc premieres on November 3 on Stan. A prominent restaurateur who was arrested for displaying a Nazi symbol at a pro-Palestine rally before getting cut from the hospitality group he co-founded is fleeing to an Indian ashram ahead of sentencing next month. Al Yazbek caused national outrage after holding a sign made to look like the Israeli flag, but with a swastika the Star of David in the middle and the words 'Stop Nazi Israel'. He was arrested following marches on October 6 marking one year since the beginning of the war in Gaza. A new statement provided by a crisis communications agency has revealed the former Nomad group co-founder will now seek spiritual enlightenment overseas. Al Yazbek is booked to depart for an ashram in India, returning for his sentencing on December 10, the statement reads. Rebecca Yazbek claimed her husband was no longer involved in the management of the business and on Friday announced a restructure of the company. The hospitality group will be rebranded as Edition Hospitality, with Rebecca as its sole director. The hospitality group will be rebranded as Edition Hospitality, with Rebecca Yazbek as its sole director Al Yazbek pictured holding Nazi swastika superimposed on an Israeli flag at a protest in Hyde Park in Sydney's CBD Nomad Group is already a successful company, I am confident this new structure will work towards our future success, Ms Yazbek said in a statement. This is the right time to move towards a new phase for my business.' Celebrity accountant Anthony Bell, founder & CEO of Bell Partners has been appointed as a business adviser to the restaurant group. Weve spent some time putting this new structure together and as I listened to Rebecca articulate her vision for the business and her plans for the future, I knew I wanted to be involved and jumped at the chance to join her as an advisor. Bell said. Last week, it was announced Mr Yazbek was no longer a part of their hospitality group after the angry community backlash. 'We are in the process of restructuring the business and hope to be able to make an announcement on that in the next week,' Ms Yazbek said last Wednesday. She previously acknowledged that he behaved in a way that offended a lot of people. Celebrity accountant Anthony Bell, founder & CEO of Bell Partners has been appointed as a business adviser to the restaurant group. Yazbek will depart for an Indian ashram Nomad restaurant in Sydneys Surry Hills 'We deeply regret the impact his actions have had on the community, and for that, we sincerely apologise,' she said. 'As both his wife and business partner, I was furious with his actions and heartbroken by the harm they caused. 'I fully understand the disappointment and frustration felt by those affected, and I am committed to doing everything possible to restore your trust.' The couple built their high class restaurant group over the last decade with restaurants Nomad Sydney and Nomad Melbourne, as well as Reine & La Rue. The death of two German Shepherds inside a police vehicle was reportedly caused by a 'technical issue' with specialty built air conditioner pods. The bodies of police dog Xtra and development dog Soldier were found in the NSW Police vehicle at about 12.30pm on Thursday after they attended a command development day at a Lucas Heights facility with their handler. It's understood before their deaths, the two dogs were 'exercised' and went through a routine check before their bodies were discovered. The dogs were taken to the specialist veterinary clinic but were unable to be revived. While the cause of death is yet to be confirmed, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb told ABC Radio Sydney it was likely due to a 'technical issue' with specialty built air conditioner pods that had been in operation 'for a few months'. 'What we do know is that we suspect a technical issue and no human error,' she said, adding the investigation will 'see if that's the issue and why in fact that happened because that's not meant to happen at all'. Ms Webb called the discovery a 'very sad day' for the dog unit and described Xtra and Soldier as 'two valuable members of our organisation'. 'The thoughts of the whole police family are with them,' she said. 'We owe it to PD Xtra and DD Soldier to conduct a thorough investigation.' PD Xtra, a German Shepherd, was accredited as a general-purpose dog in July 2018 and attached to the Newcastle and Central Coast dog unit. The deaths of two police dogs are believed to have been caused by a 'technical issue' with specialty built air conditioner pods inside a police vehicle (Xtra is pictured) Police dog Xtra and development dog Soldier (pictured) died in a NSW Police vehicle on Thursday DD Soldier, also a German Shepherd, began service with the dog unit in February 2024 for training and development. Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty said the loss of the dogs would be felt deeply by the police. 'Our focus is on the welfare of all staff involved with ongoing support services made available to them,' he said. Foul-mouthed Hollywood actor Billy Eichner resurrected his show Billy on the Street to scream at voters about Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the presidential election. He and Will Ferrell, both ardent Harris supporters, took to the streets of the New York City in the new clip as 'loud white men for Kamala,' wearing matching t-shirts. They then screamed in the faces of several New Yorkers walking down the streets and asked them who they were voting for and even if they would 'sleep with a Trump voter.' 'We are out here today to represent a very important voting demographic, loud white men for Kamala Harris,' Eichner says as the video begins with Ferrell by his side. They then run around and screamed at several men and women who they asked to 'join the call.' Billy Eichner and Will Ferrell took to the streets to yell at New Yorkers about Kamala Harris BILLY ON THE STREET IS BACK with WILL FERRELL!!! LOUD WHITE MEN FOR KAMALA!!! LETS GO!!!!!!! https://t.co/KPfEcr5aSZ pic.twitter.com/OiyDsqLBC1 billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 29, 2024 Many of those who they spoke to expressed their support for the vice president to take the highest office in the nation, as they encouraged one man to scream, 'I support Kamala.' Another told the celebrities he already submitted a mail-in ballot for Harris. At another point, Eichner joked that Harris would make 'Buddy the Elf Secretary of Christmas,' referring to Ferrell's role in the Christmas film Elf. They even asked two women whether they would ever 'sleep with a Trump voter,' to which one woman replied 'no,' and another made a grunting sound. The video has garnered more than 100million views across social media, and was made possible via a partnership with Vote Save America and Swing Left, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Billy Eichner took to Instagram last week to encourage people to get involved in the Harris campaign It has been over two years since Eichner resurrected his man-on-the-street franchise - which ran for five seasons - in a one-off-bid to promote his film Bros. His publicist told The Hollywood Reporter that he decided to resurrect the bit to 'do everything we possibly can to protect Americans from Donald Trump in these crucial final days of Early Voting and exactly one week before Election Day.' Both Eichner and Ferrell have been vocal about their support of Harris, with Eichner taking to Instagram last week with a video sharing his thoughts. 'It's time to f***ing panic - and not just panic, but to do something about it,' he said. Eichner went on to call former President Donald Trump a 'rapist' and 'nepo baby.' Both Eichner and Ferrell have publicly expressed their support for the vice president to take the highest office in the country 'We cannot let what happened with Hillary in 2016 to happen again,' he said, adding: 'The polls are not good.' 'Please do what you can because we'll live to regret it if we don't.' The caption to the video read, 'We cannot let Donald Trump run this country. We must vote Harris/Walz.' Ferrell also recently teamed up with the Harris campaign for an ad to get out the vote. Barack Obama mocked his daughter Malia after she decided to drop her famous surname to break into the movie business. The former president, 63, poked fun at his daughter and called her 'stubborn' in an appearance on the Pivot podcast, after it was revealed she will go by 'Malia Ann' on the credits of movie The Heart, which she made with megastar Donald Glover. Despite some critics crying nepotism, Obama said Malia, 26, and sister Sasha, 23, 'go out of their way to not try to leverage' their familial status, but indicated he was supportive of their decision to do so. 'The challenge for us is letting us give them any help at all,' he told host Ryan Clark. 'I mean they're very sensitive about this stuff. They're very stubborn about it.' Malia Obama , 26, used the pseudonym Malia Ann when she made her directorial debut at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. She is pictured at the opening ceremony of the 50th American Film Festival in Deauville, France on September 6, 2024 Malia is credited as the writer and director of The Heart, described on its IMDB as the story of 'an unexpected request and a terrible loss that bring attention to the intense and complex relationship between a mother and her son.' The film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, however Barack joked that Malia's attempt to use her middle name 'Ann' to anonymize herself was always ambitious. 'I was all like, "You do know they'll know who you are,"' Barack said on the podcast. 'And she's all like, "You know what? I want them to watch it that first time and not in any way have that association".' The former president explained that he will 'be a dad' and 'brag a little bit' about his daughters' successes, but also has tried to keep their lives private as much as possible. 'Growing up, the press was pretty good,' Barack recalled, explaining how he 'made a deal' with the White House press corps that they could follow him around, speak to him and 'do whatever they need to do' as long as they agreed to one rule. 'Leave my children alone. Because they have the right to grow up. They didn't choose this,' he said. 'Let them grow up.' Barack Obama, appearing on The Pivot podcast on Tuesday (pictured), says he warned Malia that people would still know who she was even if she dropped her last name, but claims both she and her younger sister Sasha 'go out of their way to not try to leverage' their familial status While Obama proudly boasted of his daughters' attempt to go out on her own, online critics panned Malia's efforts. 'It's still nepotism,' one internet commenter said in response. Another commenter said 'Nepo baby,' while a third suggested Malia had dropped her surname professionally to avoid being associated with dad Barack's foreign policy decisions while in office. Posters highlighted the advantages Malia has enjoyed, including the ability to score an internship with a since-disgraced Hollywood icon. 'I will never forget the time her parents set her up with a college internship with Harvey Weinstein. Now, she had Secret Service protection, but still,' the commenter said. Others were more supportive and said they admired Malia for not trying to use her iconic family name to build a career. President Obamas daughters Malia & Sasha will always be known as Michelle & Barack Obamas children. It seems like the ultimate cheat, but its something neither of the girls want. Malia didnt even use her last name while working on a project with Donald Glover. The former pic.twitter.com/RWg8U7n3bg Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 30, 2024 Barack and his wife Michelle, pictured in 2021 with their two children, tried to keep their daughters out of the press while the family resided in the White House. Barack says the media respected their wishes, but now that Malia and Sasha are older they are battling 'paparazzi' Malia received criticism over her attempt to separate herself from the Obama name when the film debuted earlier this year, with many social media users branding her a 'nepo baby'. Malia is pictured at the American Film Festival in Deauville, France on September 6, 2024 Malia wrote and directed 'The Heart', a short film about the relationship between a mother and her son. It was her first film to appear at Sundance. She is pictured at the film's Sundance premiere at Prospector Square Theatre on January 18, 2024 in Park City, Utah Malia previously received criticism over her attempt to separate herself from the Obama name when the film debuted earlier this year, with many social media users branding her a 'nepo baby'. 'Obama's daughter trying to sneak past nepo baby discourse by not using her last name. Bro you are Obama's daughter,' one X user wrote at the time. They added: 'Like if you wanna be a filmmaker that's cool but we all know who you are, you're Obama's daughter. You can't hide that.' 'Calling yourself "Malia Ann" is not going to avert any Nepo Baby criticisms, Miss Former First Daughter,' another said. But one X user pointed out the paradox, saying: 'So they can't get ahead using their name but if they try to get ahead on their own merits they'll be called out on pretending? Brilliant logic.' Another said: 'I'm so proud of Malia. I noticed she's also going by her middle name. It's amazing to see people create their own lane. I'm sure she will be a great storyteller.' 'I salute her for her work. And not capitalizing on her last name. Go Malia. Hope you win a prize,' echoed another. Malia became 'first daughter' in 2008 when Obama was elected for his first term. The Obama family is pictured after the election Malia spent eight years living in the White House while her father was president. She is seen celebrating with her father after he accepting the presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention in 2012 Malia moved into the White House with her family in 2008 and stayed through Obama's second term until 2017. She is pictured with her parents and sister in 2022 Even actress Whoopi Goldberg - whose real name is Caryn Elaine Johnson - rushed to Malia's defense. 'Apparently some folks online are criticizing her for it, claiming everyone knows she's an Obama, so it's pointless to hide it,' Goldberg told her talk show The View in February. 'If she knows she's an Obama, why do you care? Why do you care what she calls herself? If she wanted to call herself Jeanette MacDonald, she has the right to! If I can be Whoopi Goldberg, she can be whoever the hell she wants to be!' The former first daughter wrote and directed 'The Heart', a short film about the relationship between a mother and her son. It was her first film to appear at Sundance after she interned on HBO's Girls and worked for Harvey Weinstein's production company. Since the Obamas left the White House in 2017, Malia and her younger sister Sasha have kept a relatively low profile. Both attended college - Malia to Harvard and Sasha to the University of Michigan - and have gone on to start their own careers. Malia and Sasha grew up in the limelight but have since maintained a relatively low profile. The sisters are pictured with their parents in 2016 Malia, pictured with her father and sister at the White Rose in 2015, has completed several internships in film and now works as a staff writer Malia started off as an intern on Halle Berry's CBS sci-fi series, Extant, when she was just 15, and then went on to intern on HBO's Girls when she was 17. She also won an internship for Harvey Weinstein's production company when she was 19, in the months before the sex abuse scandal broke in 2017. She then worked as a staff writer on Donald Glover's Amazon Prime series, Swarm. Glover said to Vanity Fair in 2022: 'She's just like, an amazingly talented person. She's really focused, and she's working really hard. 'I feel like she's just somebody who's gonna have really good things coming soon. Her writing style is great.' Prosecutors have revealed a major development in their case against an air force pilot charged with the murder of his wife following a suspected ride-on mower 'accident'. Robert John Crawford has been in custody for the past month since being charged with murdering his wife, Frances Elizabeth Crawford, at their Upper Lockyer property in Queensland, in July. Ms Crawford, 49, was found dead at the foot of a retaining wall at the back of the property, near a ride-on mower. Police charged Mr Crawford, 46, on October 10 with her murder and misconduct with a corpse - alleging he moved his wife's body on or about the same date. During a further mention on Friday, Crown prosecutor Chris Cook said 65 witness statements had been provided to Mr Crawford's lawyer Andrew McGuinness. Ipswich Magistrates Court was told further evidence was due to be received in the coming weeks, including a 'biomedical engineering expert report'. A pathology statement was also due in January, Mr Cook said. Mr Cook said samples had been delivered to Forensic Services Queensland for DNA testing, but he clarified there was no estimated return date due to well-known issues with DNA testing. Frances Elizabeth Crawford (pictured) was found dead at the foot of a retaining wall at the back of the couple's Upper Lockyer property, in south east Queensland, in July 'In summary, we expect a complete brief of evidence by February,' he said. 'But we'll continue to disclose material as we receive it.' Mr McGuinness told the court the brief was 'scant' and 'almost without any information' to support the charge of murder. He said no forensic evidence nor a cause of death had been provided. Mr McGuinness said there was clearly further information in the possession of the prosecution that needed to be disclosed. Air force pilot Robert John Crawford (pictured) has been in custody for the past month after he was charged over his wife's murder The court was told the brief referred to 'evidence of inconsistencies with the defendant's versions of the scene' and the injuries suffered of the victim. Mr McGuinness said the brief stated it was supported by forensic evidence and 'activity on electronic devices', which he said had not been disclosed. The matter was adjourned to November 8 for a further mention. Mr Crawford has also lodged a bail application in the Supreme Court, which is due to be heard in Brisbane on November 14. Emergency services found Ms Crawford at the base of her property's retaining wall about 3.40am on July 30. Mr Crawford had phoned triple-0 and was initially assisting police with their inquiries. Outback Wrangler Matt Wright and his model wife Kaia have built a seemingly idyllic life in the Top End on the back of their hit show's success. Their social media feeds, which command a combined audience of almost a million people, are chock-full of pictures of their adventurous - and often glamorous - outback lifestyle with their two young children. In a recent photo, for example, 45-year-old Wright grins while holding an enormous Spanish Mackerel with his adoring wife by his side on a recent family fishing trip. Meanwhile, her own social media page is flooded with similar happy family shots, boat excursions and sponsored posts for protein powder or skin products. The casual observer would have absolutely no idea that both of them have been charged over an airboat crash that left a woman with a fractured skull and seven others seriously injured. The boat crashed near Sweets Lagoon in the Bynoe region of the Northern Territory, about 118km south-west of Darwin, on May 10, 2023. Wright and his influencer wife, 35, are listed as directors of Top End Safari Camp adventure company which could be fined more than $5million in total over the incident, after being charged by NT WorkSafe. Mr and Mrs Wright have been charged with three breaches of the Act and face combined penalties of up to $700,000 each. Outback Wrangler Matt Wright and his model wife Kaia have built an idyllic life in the Top End on the back of the hit show's success - but it all now hangs in the balance Kaia Wright is the glamorous mother-of-two social media influencer who combines croc wrestling with beauty tips - and has her own 5.5-metre pet crocodile called Tripod Kaia and Matt Wright (pictured with son Banjo, 4) first met when the TV star suddenly landed his helicopter near her while she was with friends on a boat off Rottnest Island in 2014 It leaves yet another potentially costly legal case hanging over their heads. The airboat crash is not related to a helicopter crash in February 2022 in which Mr Wright's Outback Wrangler co-star Chris 'Willow' Wilson died and pilot Sebastian Robinson was also seriously injured. Wilson, 34, was dangling from a helicopter to retrieve crocodile eggs in West Arnhem Land when the aircraft collided with trees and crashed to the ground, killing him. In 2023, Mr Wilson's widow, Danielle, commenced proceedings in the Federal Court seeking damages for personal injury as well as for the loss of her husband's income. Wright will face trial on charges related to the helicopter accident investigation, from July 7 next year, which expected to last eight weeks. The Netflix celebrity pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice following the crash that killed Wilson. The single charge relates to alleged behaviour in the aftermath of the crash where Mr Wright was allegedly one of the first on the scene. Not that you would be aware of any of this if you were to look at Ms Wright's Instagram feed. On Friday, the day after it was revealed she could face a $700,000 personal fine for alleged safety failures, Ms Wright shared a series of shots of herself and her family enjoying a stay at Brisbane's five-star Calile Hotel. They lounged by the pool during the day before enjoying drinks and oysters in a glamorous rooftop bar. It is understood the keen sportswoman and her family are travelling on to Noosa where she will take part in the region's world-famous triathlon on Sunday. Ms Wright, who is a towering 183-cm-tall, has never her husband's side throughout their many ordeals after they first met in fairytale fashion eight years ago. Kaia was sipping champagne on a boat off Western Australia's Rottnest Island in 2014 as she rued her shocking love life to some close friends. 'I'll just hope an angel will fall from the sky,' she told them. And then fate stepped in. 'Randomly, this chopper just flew in and landed in front of us,' she later told Stellar magazine about that first meeting with her future husband. 'He was all booted up. He changed into some shorts and jumped out.' Kaia Wright's followers on social media are constantly updated on her thrilling and glamorous life in the outback Kaia Wright's Instagram is a unique combination of outback wildlife and beauty products They exchanged numbers on the first date - she put his next to 'Big Kid', he put hers next to 'Legend' - and a whirlwind romance followed. They got engaged in 2016 and married in 2017. The couple now have a sprawling home in the remote NT outback which they share with their two children, 15 rescue crocs, three pigs - Pepsi, Truffle and Cola - two dingoes, Ernie and Albie, seven snakes and a collection of green tree frogs. Kaia had grown up in WA's Kimberley region where her parents worked in community development in Broome and Derby before she attended high school in Perth. She studied journalism at university in Sydney - and later wrote her husband's best-selling life story - before moving into advertising. She now combines her family role with TV demands and a burgeoning social media following which is closing in on 100,000 people who are kept updated on her thrilling and glamorous life in the outback. Her Instagram account is a unique combination of outback wildlife and beauty products, leaping from one subject to the other in every other picture. It details her outback life, wrestling crocs one moment, then extolling the latest hair care product the next as a brand ambassador. Its popularity has soared on the back of Wright's National Geographic adventure show which has been running for 10 years. The series is shown in 100 countries where Wright's daredevil exploits have made him a household name for many. Its success has now sparked a multi-million dollar deal with Netflix for the first 10-episode season of his new show, Wild Croc Territory, with a second season planned. The new production sees Wright combine his onscreen adventures with a lucrative off-screen executive producer role, alongside his wife's agent Nick Fordham, brother of 2GB's Ben Fordham. They also run Top End Safari Camp, 120km south of Darwin, a luxury $895 a night glamping experience in ritzy tents to give tourists a taste of Wright's outback life. Wright's Outback Wrangler show on National Geographic has been running for 10 years and is shown in 100 countries The Wrights also run Top End Safari Camp, 120km south of Darwin, a luxury $895 a night glamping experience in ritzy tents to give tourists a taste of Wright's outback life The couple are also building a lavish new luxury designer-home in Darwin which was revealed in an artist's impression (pictured) posted on social media by their architect The couple are also building a lavish new luxury designer-home in Darwin. 'For us it's pretty interesting living between so many different worlds,' she told Escape magazine. 'We'll have to go to events and do the whole city thing, but it makes you appreciate so much more what you have up here.' Voters in Virginia have been left confused just days before the election as a Democrat congressional candidate is repeatedly mixed up with his famed identical twin brother. Candidate Yevgeny 'Eugene' Vindman, running for Virginia's 7th District, has often been confused during his run for office for his twin Alexander Vindman, known for testifying against Donald Trump at his first House impeachment. Speaking to voters in Fredericksburg, Virginia this week, the Washington Post found scores of voters who believed they were voting for the whistleblower brother. One voter, Jerry Stokes, 81, had just shaken hands with Eugene when he said he was impressed with his 'immense strength and leadership' during the impeachment hearings in 2019. When told that Eugene was not his whistleblower brother Alexander, Stokes said he was 'mistaken' and admitted he even finds it hard to tell the difference between his own twin sons. Virginia congressional candidate Yevgeny 'Eugene' Vindman (right) has been repeatedly confused by voters with his brother, famed Trump impeachment whistleblower Alexander Vindman (left) While Eugene Vindman (right) is not his whistleblower brother, the two men notably have strikingly similar faces, voices and names that has left some voters scratching their heads While Eugene Vindman is not his whistleblower brother, the two men notably have strikingly similar faces, voices and names, and Eugene did also play a role in the congressional hearings . The twin brothers were both working for the National Security Council (NSC) at the time as the House launched an impeachment probe into claims Trump instructed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to open an investigation into Joe Biden. On a phone call listened into by Alexander, then the NSC's head of European Affairs, Trump threatened to withhold military aid to Ukraine if Zelenskyy refused, leading Vindman to report the conversation. His brother Eugene, then an ethics lawyer across the hall at the NSC, then helped his brother run the report up the food chain in congress and prepare him for the hearings. Alexander's testimony was seen across the nation and his national profile grew, leading to his brother's current electoral predicament. After Trump was acquitted by the senate, he fired both Vindman brothers from their roles on the National Security Council. Vindman, pictured before his bombshell testimony on November 19, 2019, shot to national prominence in 2019 when he testified against President Donald Trump at his first impeachment hearings Vindman testified that then-President Donald Trump instructed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to open an investigation into Joe Biden Candidate Eugene joked in a statement that 'it would be hard for voters to mistake (him with his brother) because I am unequivocally the better-looking twin' With Eugene now campaigning in Virginia, the Washington Post said they found at least eight voters at 10 of his campaign events that believed he was his elder twin. Just as they were in 2019 when Trump's impeachment rocked the nation, voters in Virginia were split on whether this mix-up was a positive or negative for Vindman's candidacy. Real estate agent Elena Lane said she was supporting Vindman because 'Trump lied and Mr. Vindman came and said: Thats not true', adding that she 'watched it on MSNBC.' McKendree Fulks, a grain farmer, countered that in his eyes, 'many of the things he said in the hearings were lies.' In a statement regarding being mixed up with his whistleblower brother, Eugene Vindman made light of the issue just days before voters decide to elect him or not. 'It would be hard for voters to mistake us because I am unequivocally the better-looking twin,' he quipped. 'My very real brother knows that I stand for what the voters care about: abortion rights and against MAGAs Project 2025.' How the day started and how it finished. @YVindman touching every corner of #VA07 talking to door knockers, voters at a fair, and attending the Dumfries Mayors Ball. Hes working hard! pic.twitter.com/1adLBBl2cG Alexander S. Vindman (@AVindman) October 20, 2024 Vindman's opponent, Republican Derrick Anderson (pictured), responded to the claims that it is 'no surprise that voters are confusing him with his brother because hes literally hiding from voters' Alexander has also notably joined his brother on the campaign trail a few times, including tweeting a day they spent together 'touching every corner' of the 7th District. 'He's working hard!' he said of his brother, alongside smiling selfies they took together out on the trail. Vindman is facing Republican Derrick Anderson in a closely watched race for an open seat vacated by Democrat Abigail Spanberger, who is running for governor of Virginia. Anderson took the opportunity to take a shot at his opponent when asked about the Vindman brothers' confusion. 'Its no surprise that voters are confusing him with his brother because hes literally hiding from voters he has dodged all the TV debates and a number of local TV interviews,' campaign spokesman Riley Ploch said in a statement. 'He barely even appears in his own false TV ads.' One person died and at least two others were injured when a gunman opened fire at a shopping mall in Washington state, according to police. The shooting occurred Thursday evening at Vancouver Mall, and police are asking people to avoid the area as they conduct an investigation. The Vancouver Police Department initially wrote on X that they were responding to a 'disturbance' but later confirmed that it was in fact a shooting. 'There is currently no active threat inside the mall and police are making contact with people who were sheltering in place inside the mall,' the police department wrote around 8:30pm PST. 'Anyone that has been sheltering in place inside the mall can leave through any open exit.' The two known surviving victims were transported to a local hospital, according to police, but their condition wasn't divulged. Pictured: The Vancouver Mall in Vancouver, Washington The mall had hosted a Halloween event earlier in the day The Vancouver Fire Department told KGW8 that they dispatched four to five units to the mall after they got word of the shooting. One person already died by the time they made it. As of 9 pm PST, Vancouver police said they were still working to clear the mall and make contact with anyone still inside. A reunification area was set up outside the Hobby Lobby for people who got separated amid the chaos. Vancouver, not to be confused with the city in Canada, is a city in Clark County with a population of nearly 200,000 people. It is directly across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon. The Vancouver Mall, where the shooting occurred, is an indoor shopping complex with stores such as Gold's Gym, H&M, JCPenney, Macy's, AMC, Hobby Lobby, Round One, and Old Navy. It remains unclear where in the mall the shooting took place. The Columbian, an outlet based in Clark County, reported that the mall was hosting trick-or-treating for all ages from 5 to 8pm PST. The newspaper also spoke to two people at the mall, neither of who witnessed the shooting but were forced to evacuate. Pictured: The entrance to one of the mall's parking lots Vancouver-native Ryan Tomlin, 18, was out in the parking lot near Macy's a little after 8pm. Tomlin said he and his friends heard someone yelling Shooter, shooter! Active shooter!' They saw three police cars on the west end of the mall. Gregory Iiams of Vancouver was at Round1, a bowling alley and arcade, with his wife and two kids after doing some trick-or-treating. The family was bowling when they saw people running out of building. 'I grabbed my two kids and put them behind me,' he said. Once outside, Iiams said he heard someone say something about an active shooter as well. A young Aussie has been left fighting for life in hospital with critical brain injuries after a horrific motorbike accident in Bali. Dylan suffered 'extensive and life-threatening injuries' in the crash on October 29 and is currently on life support in a Balinese hospital. He will undergo critical surgery to remove a large blood clot putting pressure on his brain as his desperate family work to bring him home. A GoFundMe has been created to help with the costs of Dylan's surgery which is estimated to be upwards of $40,000. The campaign has raised over $120,000 in just 24 hours. 'Dylan may be able to come home after this surgery and that would be a huge positive step for him and his family,' organiser Steven Brown wrote. 'But bringing him home will cost between $50,000 to $100,000 so your donations to help with this mean the world to us. 'We desperately want our beautiful kind son and brother home and alive.' Dylan is currently on life support and requires critical surgery to remove a large blood clot after a horror motorbike accident in Bali (he is pictured in hospital) Dylan was on holiday in Bali when he sustained critical brain injuries in the crash on October 29 Dylan is seen poolside and posing with family members in holiday snaps from before the accident shared on the GoFundMe. In the latest photo, he is seen hooked up to a variety of tubes in a hospital bed where it's understood he will be prepared for surgery. Mr Brown expressed his gratitude to those who had donated, with a special mention to an anonymous donor who contributed $40,000. 'To all the donors so far and to the large anonymous donor. We are in tears of thanks for your generosity,' he said. You can donate to Dylan's GoFundMe here. An elderly Louisiana woman was partially eaten by her neighbor's dogs after she fell in the driveway. The unidentified woman was walking down on her driveway on Randall Avenue in Livingston Parish on Tuesday when she fell, neighbor Randall Averette told WBRZ. While she was trying to get back up, her neighbor's dogs attacked her, he said. 'When I went over there, she was laying on the ground, paramedics bandaging her up,' Averette recounted, describing her injuries as 'graphic.' 'The paramedics said she was torn up pretty good around her calf, her right leg was bit, her arm was bit and the dog bit her on the back of her neck.' A Louisiana woman was badly injured after she was attacked by her neighbor's dogs on Tuesday The unidentified woman was walking down on her driveway on Randall Avenue in Livingston Parish on Tuesday when she fell Another neighbor also said she witnessed the dogs attack, and called 911 as soon as she saw the woman on the ground. 'She had to stand there and watch it,' said the neighbor's daughter, Cheryl Boudreaux. 'She was like, "Y'all need to hurry up and get here. Hurry up and get here. They are eating this woman."' 'Then, Mama said the lady wasn't moving and Mama thought she was dead.' The woman was instead brought to a local hospital. Her condition remains unclear. Meanwhile, Maria Vincent has been arrested and charged with negligent injuring and dogs not to run at large for her pets' actions. 'You can be charged with negligent injuring and you can be sued by these homeowners for medical bills,' Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard warned other dog owners. 'It's going to come back to bite you, that's what's going to happen.' Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard warned that irresponsible dog owners can be charged with negligent injuring But Ard noted this was not the first time Vincent's dogs attacked a person, saying she had been cited before for a past incident in which one of the canines bit a person. Unfortunately, in that case, investigators were unable to determine which dog was involved. 'She's been through the system already, she's been fined,' Ard said of the dog owner. 'Here we are again, same dog, same situation. 'Now someone's seriously hurt, something has got to change.' Bourdeaux also claimed her mom has been bitten twice by the same dogs, but was afraid to speak up. 'My mom is 85 years old, both times she required medical attention,' the worried daughter said. All three of Maria Vincent's dogs were taken to the Livingston Parish Animal Control Center on Wednesday She argued that it was not right that multiple people had to get injured for something to change. 'We're just furious, you know, because we don't understand why it had to get to this,' she told the news station. 'They finally took the dogs away, that's the first time.' Ard also confirmed that all three dogs were taken to Livingston Parish Animal Control Center on Wednesday, saying the owner surrendered two of them. The fate of the surrendered dogs remains unclear. But Ard said people should protect themselves when they come face-to-face with a dangerous dog. 'You do whatever you think is necessary,' Ard suggested. 'You have a right to protect you, your property, your kids.' Donald Trump has sparked outrage after asking how Liz Cheney would feel with 'guns trained on her face' while speaking at a campaign event just days before the election. Trump appeared in Glendale, Arizona with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson on Thursday night when he called Cheney a 'dumb war hawk' and suggested she face a firing squad. 'She's a radical war hawk,' Trump began. 'Let's put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, okay, let's see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face.' Trump had mentioned Liz Cheney's father, former GOP Vice President Dick Cheney, before he unleashed the diatribe. 'I don't blame him for sticking with his daughter. But his daughter's a very dumb individual, very dumb,' Trump said. 'She's a radical war hawk,' Trump began before speculating about a possible firing squad Trump appeared in Glendale, Arizona with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson 'You know they're all war hawks when they're sitting in Washington in a nice building saying, oh gee, well let's send 10,000 troops right into the mouth of the enemy,' Trump said. Harris' campaign quickly responded by posting Trump's comments on X, with social media users responding angrily. Trump's campaign responded that he 'was talking about how Liz Cheney wants to send America's sons and daughters to fight in wars despite never being in a war herself.' The remark from Trump was just his latest attack on Cheney, a former Republican member of Congress, since she joined Kamala Harris on the campaign trail. Back in March, Trump called for Cheney to be jailed over her role in investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that Cheney should 'go to jail along with the rest' of the select January 6 House committee. Your browser does not support iframes. Cheney joined Harris on the campaign trail and said Trump is 'not fit to lead' Cheney is just one of multiple Republicans who have been out campaigning for Harris After recent appearance at a Harris rally in Michigan, Trump called Cheney a 'warmonger,' claiming she wants to invade 'practically every Muslim country.' 'Kamala is campaigning with Muslim-hating warmonger, Liz Cheney, who wants to invade practically every Muslim country on the planet. And let me tell you the Muslims of our country, they see it, and they know it,' Trump said at a rally in Michigan. Cheney is just one of multiple anti-Trump Republicans who have been out campaigning for Harris ahead of the election. 'I was a Republican even before Donald Trump started spray tanning,' Cheney joked at an October 3 event in Wisconsin. 'I am proudly casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.' She has noted that she likely disagrees with the VP on some policy matters but said she has the right principles that guided her dad and should be in the White House over Trump. 'I think that we are facing a choice in this election. It's not about party, it's about about right and wrong,' Cheney said during an October 21 appearance with Harris. Cheney has become a fierce advocate for Harris on the campaign trail Cheney lost her seat in Congress after becoming one of only two GOP members of the January 6 committee. She has spoken on the campaign trail about the attack on the Capitol and what Trump's closest aides told her about the tragic events of that day. 'They said while the attack on our capitol was happening Donald Trump was handed a note informing him that a civilian had been shot at the door of the chamber of the United States of Representatives,' Cheney recalled during an appearance with Harris in Ripon, Wisconsin. 'Donald Trump put the note down on the table in front of him, continued to watch the attack on television and still refused to tell the mob to leave the Capitol.' 'That is depravity and we must never become numb to it,' she said. Harris has praised Cheney for her 'extraordinary courage' for speaking out post January 6 despite what she called the 'undercurrent that is violent in terms of the language and the tenor.' 'I've seen Republicans come up to her and from my vantage point, she's not alone,' Harris said. It comes as Harris has welcomed a number of high profile backers to bring star quality to her campaign and try to lure voters to back her. Singer Jennifer Lopez made her campaign trail debut Thursday night at a rally at the Craig Ranch Amphitheater in Las Vegas, calling it the 'most important stage I've ever been on.' 'I believe in the power of women,' JLo said. 'Women have the power to make the difference in this election.' Jennifer Lopez (left) waves to supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris (right) as the Democratic nominee came onstage during her Las Vegas, Nevada rally Thursday night The singer and actress expressed outrage at the Puerto Rico dig made by MAGA-aligned comic Tony Hinchcliffe at Trump's Madison Square Garden rally, in which he labelled the US territory a 'floating island of garbage.' 'It wasn't just Puerto Ricans who were offended that day, it was every Latino in this country,' she said. 'It was humanity and anyone of decent character.' She also told the thousands of Harris supporters - some dressed in Halloween costumes, 'I am Puerto Rican.' 'And yes I was born here and we are Americans,' Lopez said to cheers. 'You can't even spell American without Rican,' she quipped. With just days to go until the election, polls have suggested that the race is extremely tight between the two candidates. The final DailyMail.com/J.L. Partners national poll before Election Day however showed that Trump has overtaken Harris, with the former president holding a three-point lead over the VP. Both candidates have shored up their bases, but Trump has done better at picking up support from independents and undecided voters in the final push, according to the data. The poll of 1,000 likely voters, which has margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent, shows that Trump is trending up, with the support of 49 percent to Harris' 46 percent. The race is still close. Yet, with five days to go, the numbers mean Trump is currently on course to become the first Republican candidate since George W. Bush in 2004 to win the popular vote. The vice president held a one-point lead when the poll was last conducted in September. A mini twister has been filmed sweeping across Brisbane amid wild weather bringing severe thunderstorms and giant hail to parts of Queensland. The gustnado, which is a small whirlwind different to that of a tornado, was seen on the Brisbane River at Kangaroo Point amid dangerous winds and heavy rain on Friday afternoon. The weather phenomenon was captured by Channel Seven weather presenter Tony Auden. 'From what I can tell this isn't a fully fledged tornado, but more likely a 'gustnado' that is a more transient feature on the leading edge of the storm. Still looked like it had some strong winds in it though!' he wrote on X. The severe weather in Kangaroo Point saw a tree fall down and strike a 22-year-old man, leaving him with ankle and head injuries. Several weather warnings are in place for eastern parts of the state including a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of Gympie, the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay. Residents are told to expect damaging winds and hailstones up to 7cm wide. 'A moist and unstable airmass combined with a southeasterly wind change moving up the coast is leading to the development of severe thunderstorms through southeast Queensland,' the Bureau of Meteorology said. Twister on the Brisbane River!!! From what I can tell this isnt a fully fledged tornado, but more likely a gustnado that is a more transient feature on the leading edge of the storm. Still looked like it had some strong winds in it though! Credit: Hayden Oakley pic.twitter.com/SD6V8GoU5T Tony Auden (@TonyAuden) November 1, 2024 The gustnado, which is a small whirlwind different to that of a tornado, was seen on the Brisbane River at Kangaroo Point amid dangerous winds and heavy rain on Friday afternoon Severe thunderstorms have been lashing down on Brisbane on Friday Huge hailstones battered parts of Queensland's southeast on Friday Severe thunderstorm warnings are in place along the Sunshine Coast 'Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones over the next several hours in parts of the Wide Bay and Burnett and Southeast Coast districts.' The BOM said hailstones as large as 7cm in diameter were spotted in Flagstone, in Logan, just after 3pm on Friday. Cooroy, in Noosa's hinterland, recorded 99mm of rain in just 24 hours. Meteorologists have warned of more storms on Saturday for Queensland but the weather is expected to ease by Sunday. More to come The IDF has killed the Hamas commander responsible for killing a British-Israeli citizen who died while defending partygoers at the Nova Festival on October 7 by chucking seven Hamas grenades back at the terrorists. The military said last week that Mohamed Abu Itiwi, commander of the Nukhba force, Hamass elite military unit, was killed in central Gaza. Itiwi is said to have been responsible for leading the mass slaughter at the Nova Festival, along with the subsequent kidnapping of hundreds of young revellers on October 7 from the Re'im party. He was seen on dashcam footage cornering 22-year-old Aner Shapira, whose mother is from Oxford, and several terrified attendees in a small concrete building, into which he chucked several grenades. But Shapira, who at the time of his death was serving in an elite unit in the IDF's Nahal Brigade, was seen catching the grenades and throwing them back at the Hamas fighters. He managed to do this seven times, before the eight grenade tragically killed him. Chilling footage caught by a dashcam in a car parked outside the shelter appears to confirm this, with the video filmed just after 8am showing several armed terrorists swarming the shelter and firing shots through the entrance. The video filmed just after 8am on October 7 showed several armed terrorists swarming the shelter and firing shots through the entrance Aner Shapira (pictured) fought in the IDF at the time of his death Mohamed Abu Itiwi (pictured), commander of the Nukhba force, Hamass elite military unit, was killed in central Gaza The terrified people inside the bunker cannot be seen in the footage, which was shared by the First South First Responders group on the Telegram messaging app. The clip opens with the group of terrorists standing around the entrance, with one shirtless man who has been captured sitting on the floor. Two cars one of which is from where the video was filmed are pulled up outside. One of the terrorists throws the first grenade through the door, prompting a person inside to make a break for it across the road. As he runs, the Hamas gunman fire shots at him. While it is not seen in the footage, it is presumed that he was shot. The gunmen are then seen attempting to assault the bunker. Some are seen firing shots through the door, while one throws grenades. However, each time he does, the explosives are sent right back at him, as Shapira throws them back out the door, causing confusion and panic. The terrorist then appears to call for back-up, and other Hamas gunmen come running to the entrance of the shelter. They too are seen firing shots through the door and throwing grenades into the shelter. Mr Shapira is said to have put himself in the firing line when Hamas gunmen approached, blocking the entrance to the hideaway and throwing back grenades launched by the terrorists Aner Shapira, 22, was tragically killed by the eighth grenade that was thrown into the shelter in which he was hiding with a group of around 30 others The same grenades are seen being tossed back out of the bunker's entrance, causing the terrorists to scatter before the explosives detonate. In total, the terrorists are shown in the video throwing eight explosives into the bunker throughout the course of the four-minute video. Seven grenades are seen being thrown back by Shapira until tragically the eight one doesn't return. At the end of the video, a huge blast erupts from the doorway, followed by smoke and dust. The grenade blew up in Shapira's hands. 'Shapira eventually died of wounds sustained while holding off the terrorists, as he fought to save the lives of his fellow party-goers,' South First Responders wrote when posting the video. 'Some of those he shielded survived the shelter attack to tell his heroic story.' Shapira's mother told Israel's Kan News that her son stood by the entrance of the bomb shelter, tossing the grenades back outside as they were thrown in one-by-one. 'He stood at the entrance, and threw the grenades out and he managed to save so many people,' she told the outlet. Shapira's grandmother Yamima Ben-Menahem said at the time that he 'took leadership' during the crisis and tried to calm everyone else down. Shapira was among the more than 300 people killed at the Supernova festival on October 7 Hamas gunmen can be seen throwing in a total of eight grenades, seven of which are thrown back out of the bunker. Tragically, the eighth blew up in Shapira Chilling footage caught by a car's dashcam parked outside the shelter shows several armed terrorists swarming the shelter and firing shots through the entrance at people inside He then put himself in the firing line when Hamas gunmen approached, blocking the entrance to the hideaway and throwing back grenades launched by the terrorists. He has been hailed by a survivor of the attack as the 'angel who guarded us' who 'saved our lives and deserves a medal of honour'. After seeking shelter with the group, Mr Shapira reportedly made an effort to calm down the terrified festivalgoers. 'He said the army was only half an hour away and he was sure that everything was going to be okay,' Ms Ben-Menahem told the broadcaster. Then, as armed Hamas terrorists approached the hideaway, he used his body to act as a barrier between the gunmen and the group. 'When they [Hamas] started throwing grenades into the shelter, he said "I'm going to throw them back and if I miss one you do the rest of the work",' she shared, adding: 'He stood there and threw back one grenade after the other'. After he died, Hamas reportedly went into the shelter and took five or six hostages before shooting the rest of the group, Ms Ben-Menahem has claimed. It reportedly took several hours for aid to arrive and only 'those who were not injured severely' survived. After the incident, Ms Ben-Menahem said that some of the survivors reached out to their family to say that Mr Shapira 'saved our lives'. Another posted a tribute on Facebook, writing: 'Aner Shapira saved our lives and he deserves a medal of honor for being an angel who guarded us.' Hamas launched their deadly assault into Israel from Gaza on October 7, with the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Reim among their first targets. Other terrifying footage from the festival showed the terrorists flying into Israel from Gaza on hand gliders, and riding in on other vehicles, before opening fire, killing some 1,200 people - mostly civilians - and abducting 250 others. Since then, Gaza has been plunged into war following Israel's counterinvasion. Since then, the death toll from more than a year of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza has passed 43,000, Palestinian officials reported this week, without distinguishing between civilians and combatants. An elderly couple were conned out of half a million pounds by a 'wicked' banking scam that saw them manipulated by fraudsters and fleeced of their life savings. Nine pensioners were among those targeted and then 'controlled' by organised criminals who tricked them out of 1.5 million. One couple, in their 80s, lost 563,000 due to the scam orchestrated by Azeem Mohammed and had been saving the money to help support their grandson. Serial conman Mohammed, 33, who orchestrated proceedings from his Salford apartment, has now been jailed for six years for his 'leading role' in the conspiracy. At his sentencing hearing at Manchester Crown Court, details were revealed of the lengths Mohammed and his accomplices went to convince the victims they were fraud investigators from high-street banks. Azeem Mohammed (pictured) and his accomplices posed as fraud investigators from high-street banks Mohammed ran the operation from his Salford apartment (pictured) and scammed nine pensioners out of 1.5 million The court heard of the enormous financial and psychological impact the offending had on their now fearful and mistrusting victims who include a former bank manager and whose lives and future plans have now been turned upside down. An elderly couple, alone lost more than half a million pounds as part of the offending led by Mohammed. The wife received a call on her landline from a man saying someone had tried to order an Amazon Parcel that was supposed to be delivered to Manchester for 600 and had tried to pay using her Barclays bank account. The following day, she received a call from a man posing as a fraud investigator from the bank, who later put her onto a 'colleague' going by the name of Steven Cunningham, an identity that has now been linked to Mohammed. After gaining her trust, he persuaded her to install an app called Team Viewer on her computer, which gave the scammers control of it, and access to her bank accounts and email address. They told her she needed to buy a new iPhone and to send it to them at an address in Glasgow, which she did. Packages then started arriving at their home, including one containing gold bars, which it was claimed were 'ruses' and which they were also instructed to forward on. They opened three new bank accounts in her name which she did not have access to, and transferred the couple's savings into them. The victims had no idea what had happened until police turned up at their home in June last year. Loans have since also been taken out in their name, with police and the courts having to intervene to have them cancelled. In total, they were defrauded of 563,000. In a heartbreaking victim impact statement read to the court, the woman said: 'Shocked is an understatement when I found out our life savings had been wiped out. 'I cannot think of printable words to describe what has happened to us. We were saving for our grandson. 'We lost our daughter three years ago to cancer and this was supposed to help his education. 'Our spending has been curtailed. We don't have the financial freedom we were supposed to have.' Mohammed has been jailed for six years at Manchester Crown Court (pictured) The second victim, a widower in his late 70s, whose wife died in 2022, lost 40,000 after they contacted him posing as investigators from his bank Lloyds. They again installed Team Viewer and took control of his computer for the day. They also persuaded him to set up a new account and to make two 'test' transfers into them. He eventually became suspicious and alerted the authorities. 'It's very seriously affected me. I was really shocked when I suddenly clicked late that afternoon that I'd been doneI'd been scammed,' he said. 'I live on my own and I'm still coming to terms with the loss of my wife. And you don't have somebody else around who you can say to 'I've had this strange phone call, what d'you think of it?' 'This has affected my basic confidence in dealing with people and dealing with third parties. It has really shaken me to the core how easily I was deceived and taken for a ride by these criminals. 'I've got over the anger but I haven't got over the shock, I haven't got over the fear and I feel that it's going to take a long time for me to get over this.' One of the victims, an 84-year-old man who, along with his wife, lost 65,000, was a bank manager for 38 years and went through numerous checks with fraudsters, who used various phone numbers, a fake website and an address linked to his bank to convince him. He spoke of the unrelenting pressure they put on him whilst on the phone to him and giving him instructions. 'I'm not a technician, and I felt that I was being very harshly treated,' he said. 'I wasn't being given any breaks, I wasn't able to take food and I gradually was getting very worn down, very tired.' 'I felt somewhat ashamed that I had been caught by this fraud,' he added. 'Particularly because of my experience in the bank, thirty-eight and a half years, and I felt that I should have been able to suss it out a little bit better. I felt that I had let downthe bank, I had let down my family and I'd also very much let down myself. 'I now really don't trust anything, anybody or any financial transaction without re-checking it. 'This is not a character that I have been in the past, but now I feel that it's so relevant and important to do this and not to have trust again.' Another couple lost 143,000 after the fraudsters tricked them into opening new accounts, including one where their money was converted into Euros. 'For me, the sight of my wife transferring her savings to the fraudster believing that she was protecting her money will never leave me,' the husband said. 'I just feel that I've let her down by not seeing through the deception at the outset. 'This crime cruelly took away our self-generated financial cover and until some funds started being recovered by the bank, we felt utterly bereft, and this very negative scenario continues to this day.' The court heard another couple were seemingly being watched by the group, who are said to have used tracking and listening devices. As they passed their branch of Lloyds in Gillingham, Kent, the man linked to Mohammed opened a line on the new iPhone they had been tricked into buying and screamed down the new iPhone 'Don't go into the bank!' The wife said she was 'furious' and that the crime had also upset her children 'enormously.' Mohammed was caught after he 'made a mistake'. In April 2021, he rang HSBC with the account and sort code of a suspected victim but gave his own name whilst apparently under the influence of booze or drugs. After an investigation by the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit, a nationwide unit policing unit which works with the banking industry, he was arrested near his flat in Wilburn Basin on Ordsall Lane, Ordsall. A phone containing SIM cards of three numbers linked to the scam was found. He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to one count of conspiracy to commit fraud. He admitted in a basic of plea to defrauding nine victims over the course of three years - April 2021 to April 2024 - to the tune of 958,949. The court was told the 'wider conspiracy' raked in more than 1.5m. Banks refunded some of the victims' money, but not all. Mohammed has a previous conviction for almost identical offending. He was part of an 'international organised crime gang that targeted elderly Scottish people' in a 'series of elaborate scams' for which he was jailed in 2013. On Thursday (October 31), Judge Suzanne Goddard KC sentenced him to six years and nine months. She told him: 'This is the most sophisticated and complex banking fraud against individuals I have seen in my 38 years in the criminal law.' She said the impact on the victims had been 'devastating', adding: 'It is telling they have found the stoicism to carry on with their lives and make the best of things, despite the enormous financial loss they have suffered. 'It is perhaps a testament to the stoicism of people of their generation.' A dog groomer who says her 90,000-a-year business went bust because of interference from a rival is locked in a High Court fight with her over rights to the name 'Wash Wiggle and Wag'. Laura Thurgood and Danielle Laight are battling in court over who is allowed to use the distinctive title for their competing dog grooming businesses in the West Midlands. Ms Thurgood claims the 'Wash Wiggle and Wag' name is hers and that her former colleague unfairly used it when they parted ways, 'destroying' her business amid allegations of a 'vicious' online smear campaign. The pair are now locked in a legal dogfight, with a judge considering Ms Thurgood's claim for damages for the loss of her sunken business. Ms Thurgood's barrister Ian Silcock told Judge David Stone that she set up her thriving dog grooming business under the 'Wash Wiggle and Wag' name in 2018. Dog grooming business owner Laura Thurgood claims the 'Wash Wiggle and Wag' name is hers and that her former colleague unfairly used it when they parted ways Ms Thurgood has claimed at London's High Court that her 90,000-a-year firm went bust because of interference from former colleague and rival Danielle Laight (pictured) She bought a special mobile grooming salon to ply her trade, covering a 30-mile orbit around Redditch, Solihull and Birmingham from the back of a van. In June 2018, she and other family members teamed up with Ms Laight, another local pet groomer, to help grow the enterprise - using her as a contractor as part of a business agreement, she says. Ms Laight insists the arrangement was a partnership, London's High Court was told. Ms Thurgood says her business began to take off over the next two years as Wash Wiggle and Wag's reputation took root in the community, pulling in more than 700 clients, with Ms Laight carrying out about 2,600 grooming sessions for the firm. But in May 2020, the two women's working relationship fell apart when Ms Laight left a letter in Ms Thurgood's van terminating the arrangement. Mr Silcock said that, after that, the 'Wash Wiggle and Wag' name was pinched by Ms Laight for her own business. Ms Thurgood also claims she was 'viciously' libelled by her former working partner on Instagram, Facebook and in a series of texts which accused her grooming of having 'resulted in a number of dogs being injured and their owners incurring large bills from vets to treat the injured dogs'. But the defamation allegations were not given permission to proceed to trial after a judge in February this year ruled that the cost of trying those accusations would be greater than any potential benefit to Ms Thurgood should she win. Ms Thurgood claims Ms Laight, 28, has damaged the 'goodwill' associated with her company and stolen a name which had been uniquely associated with her business profile. Laura Thurgood (pictured) bought a special mobile grooming salon to ply her trade, covering a 30-mile orbit around Redditch, Solihull and Birmingham from the back of a van Ms Laight (pictured) says the working arrangement she previously had with Ms Thurgood was a partnership, London's High Court was told But giving evidence at London's High Court last week, Ms Laight insisted she had every right to use the name, denying claims of 'misrepresentation'. Getting the case under way, the judge Mr Stone noted: 'Ms Laight doesn't suggest that she hasn't used the name "Wash Wiggle and Wag", but says that's not misrepresentation.' Ms Laight told the court: 'My argument is that I began using the name "Wash Wiggle and Wag" independently.' She said she had worked on her own as a groomer for two years before linking up with Ms Thurgood. Ms Laight added: 'Before working with the claimant I had already built up a reputable grooming business at home. 'I wanted more experience so I started working with the claimant, but I was always very clear with the claimant that I would ultimately want to work on my own. 'They would have understood that while working with them I would still be working at home separately, and independently offering different services. 'I acknowledge that the name was associated with the claimant when we worked together, but I adopted that name when working independently as a self-employed contractor.' Danielle Laight has denied claims of 'misrepresentation' over the disputed company name The battle between the two dog groomers is being heard at London's High Court (pictured) She also told the court that Ms Thurgood's business had presented a confusing image over its name as 'it was trading under three different names including "Doggy Style".' Mr Silcock said Ms Thurgood's company had given her a van to use for valeting sessions which had the name 'Wash Wiggle and Wag' on the side of it. Ms Laight replied that her bosses had told her to use the brand name 'Scruffy 2 Fluffy' with customers and not the disputed name. She accepted that she had contacted some of the claimant's regular customers before they parted ways, but insisted: 'Contact was made with customers who were expecting me to turn up that week. 'I felt it was my reasonability to let them know that I would not be providing services under the name, "Scruffy 2 Fluffy".' Mr Silcock asked her: 'When they found out what you were doing they demanded the van back, didn't they?' But Ms Laight denied that, adding: 'The dogs I was doing independently would not be involved in the claimant's business because I was dog grooming for two years before.' At an earlier hearing, Mr Silcock had claimed the alleged defamatory publications were the beginning of the end for Ms Thurgood's dog grooming service, which was driven out of business. Danielle Laight (pictured) told London's High Court: 'My argument is that I began using the name "Wash Wiggle and Wag" independently' He said she would be claiming damages for the loss of profits, pointing out that Ms Thurgood had projected an annual turnover of about 90,000 going forward. Ms Thurgood's claim had been for passing off, defamation, malicious falsehood and breach of database rights, but is now proceeding as a passing off claim alone. One of the issues is whether Ms Thurgood and Ms Laight were partners in business, with Ms Laight telling the judge it had been discussed but never put into writing. After a day in court, Judge Stone reserved his ruling in the case, which has already run up five-figure legal costs. This is the terrifying moment a shocked homeowner opened the door to a stranger who told him: 'I'm wanted for murder.' A gas engineer, 32, who did not want to be named, came face-to-face with the dishevelled visitor at his door when he delivered his dark admission. In the brief exchange, caught on camera by a Ring doorbell, the uninvited guest anxiously knocks seven times before blurting out: 'Hello - I'm wanted for murder'. When asked to repeat himself, he replied: 'I'm wanted for murder, yeah.' The homeowner then hurried to shut the door, insisting to the stranger, 'You better go' - before the visitor pleaded 'Listen, listen, listen' then staggered off. A strnager appearing at a homeowner's front door in Baildon, West Yorkshire, said to him: 'I'm wanted for murder, yeah' The incident unfolded late on Thursday last week in a quiet residential neighbourhood in Baildon, West Yorkshire, and has now prompted an immediate police response. The resident, whose partner was sleeping upstairs, said: 'I was sat playing Xbox with my brother and the doorbell rang. I thought, "Who is this, at this time?" 'I opened the door and soon as I looked at him, I could tell he was sketchy. 'He was fumbling his words and he said, "I'm wanted for murder". 'I couldn't believe what he said, so I asked him to repeat what he said, and he said the same thing again. 'I looked him up and down and told him to go away, and closed the door on him. 'I came back inside and looked out of the window and saw him staggering down the street. 'I found it weird - not intimidating, but if it had been an older person or a woman, they'd probably have been terrified. The dishevelled man repeated the claim before wandering away down the street 'God knows what his intentions were - I wasn't going to entertain him to find them out, to be honest.' The homeowner contacted police, while neighbours did similar after spotting the apparently worse-for-wear man loitering on the street. Officers swooped minutes later and arrested a man on suspicion of breaching a restraining order. But West Yorkshire Police said there was 'no suggestion he was wanted for murder'. The homeowner posted a clip of the exchange on Facebook to warn neighbours to be alert, writing: 'Just had this bloke knocking on the door claiming he's wanted for murder. 'Clearly off his head and even drunk, he then staggered off down the road so if you get a random knock at the door just be cautious. 'No idea what he wanted but wasn't going to entertain him. 'Anyone know him tell him to sort his life out, the junkie.' The mystery encounter was captured on the homeowner's Ring doorbell camera Recalling the incident, the householder later said: 'Apparently he was stood by the car next door before he knocked on our door. Their dog was stood in the window barking at him. 'I reported it to the police on 101 and five minutes later, the police drove past with their sirens on. Someone told me he was arrested at the end of the street. 'He struck me as someone who was off his head, drunk. I don't really know what he was thinking, to be honest. 'It's the first time I've ever experienced anything like it living around here. Somebody posted on Facebook to say that they'd seen him in the hospital earlier in the day, screaming his head off and singing Christmas songs. 'Whether he's mentally unstable or just off his face - I don't know. 'He might be wanted for murder - you just don't know. It took me back. 'What did he expect someone's reaction to that to be? It was really bizarre. My brother and I were laughing about it for an hour afterwards. The householder posted a clip of the exchange on Facebook to warn neighbours to be alert, writing: 'Just had this bloke knocking on the door claiming he's wanted for murder' 'But had an old dear answered the door, it would have been terrifying for them. 'I'd have more chance defending myself than a pensioner or a young lass. 'His opening line, "I'm wanted for murder" is not something I thought I'd hear opening the front door.' West Yorkshire Police said officers had arrested a 37-year-old man on suspicion of breaching a restraining order. A British businessman will remain in custody in Hong Kong after being charged with murder over the death of an Indonesian woman believed to be his mistress. Jamie Tzewee Chapman, 34, and his wife were arrested on Tuesday after the victim's body was found at the bottom of a waterfall in Waterfall Bay Park on Hong Kong island on Monday morning. According to the South China Morning Post, Mevi Novitasari, who was around 25 and a domestic worker from Indonesia, was having an affair with the Brit, but was not employed by him. Police said Chapman and the domestic worker went to the waterfall park together on Sunday at around 11pm, but the Brit was seen getting into a taxi alone around half an hour later. One version of events is that the pair met at the the waterfall where Chapman tried to end their relationship, but a heartbroken Novitasari jumped into the waterfall to her death. 34-year-old Jamie Twezee Chapman, who is British, was arrested on Tuesday in Hong Kong over the death of a domestic worker The domestic worker Mevi Novitasari was found dead at the bottom of Waterfall Bay waterfall in Hong Kong on Monday morning Residents spotted the woman's body floating in the pond on Monday morning with severe head injuries, police said. Preliminary examinations also revealed minor wounds to her limbs. The following day, Chapman and his wife were arrested when they returned to the city from mainland China. Superintendent Sin Kwok-ming said that the case was being treated as murder because the suspect had done 'many unreasonable things, including not contacting police'. His wife, a Hong-Kong native, had been held on suspicion of assisting an offender before being released on bail pending further investigation. According to the South China Morning Post, Mevi Novitasari, who was around 25 and a domestic worker from Indonesia who had moved to Hong Kong, was having an affair with the Brit, but was not employed by him Meanwhile, Chapman did not enter a plea deal during his court appearance today and his lawyer did not request bail. The judge adjourned the case to January to allow time for further investigation. Novitasari was from Cilacap in Central Java province, Judha Nugraha, the director of protection of Indonesian citizens and legal entities, said from Indonesia. Her employment agency and the Indonesian consulate have will organise the repatriation of her body and the consulate general will continue to monitor the investigation. Ministers are likely to have been told 'within hours' that ricin had been found in the home of the Southport 'killer', experts said today amid continuing claims of a 'cover up'. Counter terrorism and biological weapons experts said that confirmation the toxin had been discovered would have been briefed to ministers due to fears about its potential use by terrorists. Police revealed on Tuesday that Axel Rudakubana, the 18-year-old suspect in the Southport stabbing, has been charged with producing the biological toxin ricin and possessing information about an al Qaeda training manual. In response, both Conservative leadership candidates said the Government had questions to answer about the disclosure amid claims the information had been kept from the public. Number 10 has insisted it is 'not correct' to say ministers had withheld facts and it was the role of the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to 'speak for their investigations and charging decisions'. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper walking along Downing Street yesterday Police revealed on Tuesday that Axel Rudakubana, the 18-year-old suspect in the Southport stabbing, has been charged with producing the biological toxin ricin and possessing information about an al Qaeda training manual On Wednesday it emerged that senior government law officers knew 'weeks ago' of the possibility that Rudakubana could face new charges under the Biological Weapons Act. Meanwhile, Downing Street has refused to say if and when ministers - including Home Secretary Yvette Cooper - were informed about the discovery of the ricin and the military study of a terrorist training manual, a former counter-terror officer today insisted this would have happened 'right away'. 'It would go to the top right away and should do so. I cannot see why it would not get fed into the Home Office the same day that they found it,' they told the Telegraph. 'That's definitely what would happen. You cannot find ricin with a suspect that you are already investigating for triple murder and not tell the Home Office.' The source, who was not named, reportedly said the information would have been passed to the counter-terrorism police in the north west who would have informed Matt Jukes, chief of UK counter-terrorism police, who would have then told the Home Office. Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former British Army Colonel who commanded the UK's Joint Chemical, Biological and Nuclear Regiment, agreed that the information about ricin would have been quickly passed to ministers. 'Once a biological chemical weapon has been identified a bit like Novichok at the Salisbury event then that would have been whacked up the chain of command very quickly,' he said. Ms Cooper has urged the public not to speculate on the case in order to ensure the victims' families get justice. Rudakubana is already charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, who were stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Hart Street, Southport, on July 29, as well as the attempted murder of eight other children, instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes, and possession of a knife. On Wednesday it emerged that senior government law officers knew 'weeks ago' of the possibility that Rudakubana could face new charges under the Biological Weapons Act Downing Street insisted the timing of the latest charging announcement was purely a decision by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). But Tory leadership candidate Robert Jenrick said he was concerned facts may have been withheld from the public. He said: 'Any suggestion of a cover-up will permanently damage public trust in whether we're being told the truth about crime in our country. 'Keir Starmer must urgently explain to the country what he knew about the Southport attack and when he learned it. 'Across the board the hard reality of mass migration is being covered up. We need the truth and we need to change.' His Tory rival Kemi Badenoch said there were 'serious questions to be asked of the police, the CPS and also of Keir Starmer's response to the whole situation'. Writing on X, formerly Twitter, she added: 'Parliament is the right place for this to happen. 'While we must abide by the rules of contempt of court and not prejudice this case, it is important that there is appropriate scrutiny.' Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, meanwhile claimed he had been calling on the authorities to reveal more details about the case to 'stop the online speculation'. The teenager is accused of murdering three young girls - Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and Bebe King, six Downing Street denied the Government had been involved in the timing of the charging announcement. A spokeswoman said: 'No, charging decisions and when those are made are for the CPS.' Ms Cooper meanwhile warned against speculating about the case, adding: 'The most important thing is to get justice for Bebe, Alice and Elsie and their heartbroken families, and all those affected by the attack, and nobody should put that at risk.' The latest charges came after searches of Rudakubana's home in Banks, Lancashire, Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said at a press conference on Tuesday. The alleged terror offence relates to a PDF file entitled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual. Searches were carried out in the days after the attack, although it was not confirmed when the ricin was found. According to the charges, authorised by the CPS on Tuesday, the toxin was produced on or before July 29, and Rudakubana was charged with possessing the document between August 29 2021 and July 30 2024. Rudakubana is alleged to have entered the school holiday dance class at a small business park in Southport shortly before midday on July 29. Police at the cordon of the incident in Southport in July The day after the attack, thousands of people turned out for a peaceful vigil in the town but later a separate protest erupted into violence outside a mosque in the town. In the following week, protests took place in dozens of towns and cities across the country and descended into violence and rioting, with asylum centre hotels in particular targeted. More than 1,000 arrests have since been made and hundreds of people have been charged and jailed. A provisional trial date for Rudakubana has been set for January next year. Two people have been killed and six injured after a gunman opened fire in Orlando while thousands of people were out celebrating Halloween. A 17-year-old suspect, Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, has been arrested after gunshots were heard in two different locations and he was tackled by police, according to police Chief Eric Smith. Edgar was previously arrested for grand theft in 2023. 'He pretty much walked into downtown, walked into the street and did what he did,' Chief Smith said, adding that the teen suspect did not walk into any clubs. Horrifying video shows hundreds of people running for their lives after gunshots were heard in the downtown area of the city. The dead have not been named but are a 25-year-old black male and a white male aged 19, Orlando Police have said. A 17-year-old suspect, Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, has been arrested after he shot dead two people in Orlando, according to police Video released by FOX35 shows crowds of people running away after hearing the gunshots Panicked partygoers are seen in the streets of downtown Orlando last night Cops are seen tackling the suspected attacker while people take shelter nearby The other victims are a white male aged 18 who was shot in the lower leg, a white female aged 39 shot in the left land, a 24-year-old Hispanic female shot in the left leg, a black male aged 20 with a bullet graze to the head, a Hispanic male, 26, shot in the right foot, a 19-year-old Hispanic female shot in the upper back and a 26-year-old Hispanic female who was trampled but not shot. The individuals injured are in stable condition, police added. Young people - many wearing Halloween costumes - had been out partying Thursday night in the area before the horror unfolded. An emergency call came in just after 1am, with reports that several people had been shot around Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue, according to the Orlando Police Department. A second call came in from out of Washington Street and Orange Avenue, Smith said. Police had already been present at the scene and ran towards the gunfire, Smith said, allowing the suspect to be arrested quickly. 'Shortly after reported shots fired, a shooting suspect was located and taken into custody at Washington and Orange,' Smith said in his briefing this morning. No firearms were used in the arrest, according to reports, with the only shots being fired by the gunman during the incident. Dozens of police cars and scores of cops were seen attending the scene in the early hours of this morning. Crowds are seen running after the shooting in Orlando just after 1am last night Dozens of police cars and scores of cops were seen attending the scene in downtown Orlando in the early hours of this morning 'The Orlando Police Department is conducting a shooting investigation in Downtown Orlando,' the force said in a statement. 'We are still gathering information and interviewing witnesses. We will have more information later this morning.' Officials said they are considering charging the suspect as an adult. They are looking into a motive for the shooting. Anywhere between 50,000 to 100,000 people are believed to have been downtown at the time of the shooting, judging by views of the huge Halloween crowds, Smith said. A separate shooting in Washington State last night saw one person killed at a shopping complex which was hosting a trick-or-treat Halloween event. Nationwide sampling survey on 2024 population changes kicks off 09:38, November 01, 2024 By Liu Caiyu ( Global Times Children tap the legs of local seniors at an elderly care center in Deqing County of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 10, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua) The National Bureau of Statistics is set to launch a nationwide sampling survey on 2024 population changes beginning on Friday, with multiple regions recently releasing specific survey procedures. Demographers told the Global Times that as China undergoes a significant demographic transition, this survey holds increasing importance. There was an expectation of a slight baby boom in the Year of Dragon and this survey to some extent can help verify that expectation. The annual survey is crucial for formulating national economic and social development plans, improving relevant policies, and promoting high-quality population development, demographers said. Three percent of Beijing's 21.8 million residents will be surveyed. The survey will be conducted either through in-home registration by surveyors or by residents filling out the information independently via a WeChat mini-program. Surveyors, equipped with official identification, will visit homes to conduct the survey to carry out their work, Beijing Daily reported citing Beijing Municipal Bureau of Statistics. To accurately reflect the population changes, the Liaoning provincial government increased the sample size for the population change survey from 0.1 percent to 0.5 percent this year. In 2023, Liaoning recorded a net inflow of 86,000 people from other provinces, reversing the trend of continuous net outflow that had persisted since 2012, the Liaoning Daily said. The survey will be conducted by households, and the survey content was the basic information of the population and households, including name, citizen ID number, gender, age, ethnicity, education level, migration and mobility, work, marriage, childbirth, death, and housing, Liaoning Daily reported. This annual population change sampling survey, launched by the National Bureau of Statistics in the late 1980s, involves sampling one-thousandth of the national population to calculate and publish various demographic indicators each year, Chen Wei, a professor at the Center for Population and Development Studies, Renmin University of China, told the Global Times. As China undergoes a significant demographic transition, with rapid changes in marriage, fertility, and population structure, this survey has gained increased importance. It provides essential foundational data for monitoring these shifts, analyzing population trends, and evaluating fertility support policies, Chen noted. According to the National Census Regulations, a national population census is conducted every ten years, and typically, a one percent population sampling survey is conducted midway between censuses, usually in years ending in 5. In other years, a 0.1 percent population sampling survey is conducted. Additionally, Chen mentioned the survey could help determine whether 2024, known as the Year of Dragon in the Chinese lunar calendar, will see a modest increase in births as many demographers forecasted. However, since the survey was conducted in November, births from November and December, months that often see high birth rates, were only partially included. January of next year will also fall within the Year of the Dragon, he added. "The Year of the Dragon ushered in a baby boom. Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center is presenting special commemorative envelopes for 'Dragon babies,'" Yangcheng Daily reported earlier in October. Zhai Zhenwu, a professor at Renmin University of China, said that the Chinese population holds a special fondness for the ''Dragon'' zodiac sign. During the last Dragon Year in 2012, there was a slight peak in birth rates. A modest increase in births is anticipated for 2024. While zodiac sign preferences can influence birth rates, their effect on broader population trends is relatively minor, demographer Yuan Xin told the Global Times. He said the key lies in enhancing young people's willingness to marry and have children, as well as significantly reducing the burden of childbearing and upbringing on families. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Rachel Reeves has slapped down farmers furious at Budget plans to hike inheritance tax on agricultural land, saying it is a 'fair' way of raising money. The Chancellor defended her decision to reform the way death taxes affect farms amid fury from the industry and high-profile celebrities like Jeremy Clarkson and Kirstie Allsopp. From April 2026, inheritance tax will be levied at an effective rate of 20 per cent on the value of business and agricultural assets over 1million in a shake-up of Agricultural Property Relief (APR). Previously, farmers' families could claim up to 100 per cent APR on the agricultural value of the land they owned, with no threshold. Campaigners have warned that the decision will affect almost all family farms, slamming the Government for breaking 'clear promises' to protect the industry. Ms Allsopp was the most outspoken, accusing Ms Reeves of having 'f***ed all farmers' and 'destroyed their ability to pass farms on to their children'. Meanwhile, Tory MPs warned that it would damage UK food security and hinder efforts to make farming more environmentally friendly. But the Chancellor last night insisted that almost three-quarters of farms would be unaffected and said farmers were getting a far better deal than everyone else paying IHT at the full 40 per cent rate. She told Channel 4 News: 'On top of the normal inheritance tax threshold that you can pass on - a couple of million pounds including a house - to your descendants, in addition, agricultural property relief will now provide another million pounds of tax-free allowance and then above that there is a 50 per cent discount on inheritance tax compared with what everyone else pays. 'We have got to raise money. I feel we've done that in fair and balanced way - 73 per cent of farmers won't be paying a single penny more in inheritance tax.' The Chancellor defended her decision to reform the way death taxes affect farms amid fury from the industry and high-profile celebrities like Jeremy Clarkson and Kirsty Allsopp From April 2026, inheritance tax will be levied at an effective rate of 20 per cent on the value of business and agricultural assets over 1million Kirstie Allsopp has been the most outspoken about the decision, accusing Rachel Reeves of having 'f***ed all farmers' and 'destroyed their ability to pass farms on to their children' Jeremy Clarkson, whose show Clarkson's Farm follows his efforts to run a 1,000-acre farm in the Cotswolds, posted on X: 'Farmers. I know that you have been shafted today. But please don't despair. Just look after yourselves for five short years and this shower will be gone.' The National Farmers' Union predicts the change will 'snatch away the next generation's ability to carry on producing British food' and could lead to higher prices. And the Country Land and Business Association said the move, from April 2026, would hit 70,000 farms calling it 'nothing short of a betrayal' which would 'jeopardise the future of rural businesses'. Ms Allsopp said the Chancellor 'had f***ed all farmers, she has destroyed their ability to pass farms on to their children, and broken the future of all our great estates, it is an appalling decision which shows the Government has ZERO understanding of the what matters to rural voters.' While Mr Clarkson, whose show Clarkson's Farm follows his efforts to run a 1,000-acre farm in the Cotswolds, posted on X: 'Farmers. I know that you have been shafted today. 'But please don't despair. Just look after yourselves for five short years and this shower will be gone.' But Downing Street is confident that changes to inheritance tax on farms will not affect food security and insisted there was adequate financial support available to farmers. Asked if ministers were confident the changes would not hurt food security, a No 10 spokesman this morning said: 'Yes. We are committed to supporting farmers. 'There is an increase in the agricultural budget, there is also an increase in environmental schemes that support sustainable farming and food production. 'So, we would encourage farmers to get in contact where they have concerns so we can ensure everyone is receiving the support and schemes available to them, and also that they have the full details of how the agricultural property relief system works.' The spokesman said the Government's message was 'clear that we are committed to supporting farmers', adding: 'It is expected that almost three-quarters of estates are expected to be unaffected by this.' Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey joined the chorus of those attacking the IHT raid today. During a visit to Maidenhead in Berkshire, he said: 'The Government is at risk of creating a lost generation of farmers. Young people will lose the opportunity to keep the farms their families have run for generations, while at the same time they are seeing government support for farming slashed. 'Hitting British farmers who put food on our tables only risks making the cost of living crisis worse. After years of being taken for granted by the Conservative Party, rural communities should have been properly supported in this Budget.' Meanwhile, Tory MPs warned that it would damage UK food security and hinder efforts to make farming more environmentally friendly. Your browser does not support iframes. The Budget also reduced cash for the Environment Land Management Scheme (ELMS). It was set up after Brexit to replace the EU Common Agricultural Policy, which subsidised measures including 'local nature recovery' habitat creation on farms. Former minister George Freeman, MP for Mid Norfolk, said: 'Family farming is under attack from this government. The changes to APR will make it harder for family farmers of all sizes to pass on their proud agricultural tradition to the next generation. 'How we manage our land is integral to tackling climate change, reversing biodiversity loss and ensuring our food security. But, combined with a trailed cut to the ELMS budget next year, the Government is playing fast and loose with family farms, our environment, our food security, and the local rural economy.' Patrick Spencer, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, said: 'If Labour is serious about its pledges to protect the environment, farmers and food security, it cannot go ahead with these changes to APR. 'Farmers are the custodians of our countryside and their relationship with our land, unlike the Chancellor's own economic whims, spans generations, not just news cycles. Cutting the nature-friendly farming budget next year, as implied in this Budget, would be a fool's errand for a government supposedly wanting to fight climate change, protect nature and support British farmers. 'In her misguided attempt to ''tax the rich'', she risks delivering a major blow to Britain's proud family farming tradition and the UK's environmental ambitions.' A British father and son have been left injured after a fire tore through an apartment block in Thailand in the early hours of Friday morning. The relatives, named by police as Victor Misell, 73, and son Daniel, 51, fled from the property when a glass window exploded from the heat, sending shards towards them. Paramedic Thaksin Tienkhao, 25, was also injured while helping to evacuate residents from the View Talay Residence 5 in the Jomtien area of Pattaya. The room owner, Daniel, suffered from smoke inhalation, while his father Victor sustained burns on parts of his body. Both of them are being treated in hospital. Police Colonel Navin Thirawit, superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, said: We sent officers to inspect the scene and found that the source of the fire was at room 612, which was severely damaged before the flames spread to other rooms.' The View Talay Residence 5 in the Jomtien area of Pattaya (pictured) was seen ablaze this morning Residents were rescued in the early hours of the morning by emergency services Firefighters sprayed hoses for around 30 minutes before successfully extinguishing the fire Many victims of the fire suffered injuries as a result of smoke inhalation Rescuers used a truck with a boom lift to evacuate some of the residents before providing first aid and taking them to the Pattaya City Hospital for treatment As for injured victims, two foreigners received burn wounds on their bodies, many victims suffered from smoke inhalation, and a rescuer was injured from a glass cut.' We are investigating the cause of the fire and will contact the forensic police to join the inspection of the premises.' Officers said they received an emergency call on November 1 at 2.46 am. Police and firemen arrived at the popular seven-storey condominium and evacuated dozens of British residents, many of whom were choking on smoke. Authorities also found scared tourists, using flashlights to ask for help. Firefighters sprayed hoses for around 30 minutes before successfully extinguishing the fire. Rescuers used a truck with a boom lift to evacuate some of the residents before providing first aid and taking them to the Pattaya City Hospital for treatment. Four naturalized citizens have sued Iowa's top election official for allegedly infringing on their right to vote by his new directive to stop voter fraud. The lawsuit accuses Secretary of State Paul Pate of violating the 14th amendment by directing county election workers to challenge the voter registrations of more than 2,000 individuals who once identified as noncitizens. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, which filed the complaint in federal court late Wednesday on behalf of four naturalized citizens who were flagged potential noncitizens, contends that targeting individuals based on their national origin and naturalized citizenship status is discriminatory. The complaint comes just one day after the Supreme Court granted Virginia's emergency request to kick hundreds of suspected noncitizens off its voter roll. Concern about elections being undermined by noncitizen voting has been a focus of political messaging this year from GOP nominee Donald Trump and other Republicans, even though such voting is rare in American elections. This year's nail-biter White House race between Trump and Kamala Harris has seen a deluge of lawsuits from both parties. Republican complaints have primarily been focused on preventing non-US citizens from voting, while Democrats have filed dozens of suits seeking to protect mail-in voting, overseas ballots and increase the number of ballot drop boxes. Four naturalized citizens have sued Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, pictured last month, for allegedly infringing on their right to vote by his new directive to stop voter fraud Citizens in Des Moines, Iowa cast their ballots during early voting on October 16, 2024 Naturalized citizens Orcun Selcuk, Alan David Gwilliam, Tingting Zhen and Michael Brokloff allege that Pate infringed upon their rights when he directed Iowa election workers to challenge some voters' ballots, the complaint states. Pate's office said last week that it provided county auditors with a list of 2,022 people who told the state's Department of Transportation that they are not citizens but subsequently registered to vote or voted. Since those individuals may have become naturalized citizens in the lapsed time, Pate's office told county elections officials to challenge their ballots and have them cast a provisional ballot instead. They would have seven days - one more than usual because of a federal holiday - to provide proof of their citizenship status so that their ballot is counted. The suit also names some of Iowa's county auditors, who are tasked with facilitating elections. Selcuk is a new voter who registered last year, a day after he became a US citizen, and has since voted in elections without issue. He voted early this month but recently received a letter stating that his ballot was being challenged. Now, the native of Turkey who settled in Decorah fears other new citizens will be intimidated. 'As a political science professor, I understand and feel deeply about the importance of voting in a democracy,' he said. The ACLU is also representing the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, of Iowa. Concern about elections being undermined by noncitizen voting has been a focus of political messaging this year from GOP nominee Donald Trump, pictured during his Thursday night campaign rally in Glendale, Arizona This year's nail-biter White House race between Trump and Kamala Harris, pictured Thursday at her rally in Las Vegas, has seen a deluge of lawsuits from both parties It is illegal for non-US citizens to vote in federal elections, but there is no evidence that it is occurring in significant numbers, though Iowa and some other states have identified dozens of such cases. Before the lawsuit was filed, Pate told reporters at a news conference Wednesday that the DOT list is the 'only list that we have available to us' without access to federal immigration records. 'We're balancing this process. We want everyone to be able to vote. That's why none of them have been taken off the voter rolls,' he said. But 'we do owe an obligation to make sure that they are citizens now.' With early voting well underway and just days to go before the Nov. 5 election, the lawsuit asks for the list to be rescinded and voters on it to not be challenged on this basis. It alleges Iowa's election officials are burdening the right to vote and discriminating against naturalized citizens, treating these voters differently from others in violation of their constitutional right to equal protection. Rita Bettis Austen, ACLU of Iowa's legal director, said Thursday that Pate is 'spearheading an effort to disenfranchise Iowa US citizens' when he should be protecting voting rights. 'He is fueling a false narrative about voter fraud by noncitizens and laying the groundwork to undermine confidence in the election,' she said. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said in a statement that LULAC is attempting a last-minute effort to 'let noncitizens illegally vote.' 'I am fighting to defend our long-standing election integrity laws and ensure Iowans can maintain trust in our elections,' she said. Pate's office has been approached for comment on the ACLU's lawsuit. Rita Bettis Austen, (pictured in 2018) the ACLU of Iowa's legal director, accused Pate of 'spearheading an effort to disenfranchise Iowa US citizens' when, she says, he should be protecting voting rights Election officials routinely check voter lists for anyone who might not be eligible and remove them under processes set by federal and state laws. Some state's efforts to remove people from voter lists close to the election have been challenged. Since no voter has been removed from Iowa's lists, Pate tried to differentiate Iowa from other states, such as Virginia, where more than 1,600 voters were purged from the voter registration list in the past two months in a program enacted through an Aug. 7 executive order from Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. The Justice Department and a coalition of private groups sued Virginia earlier in October, arguing that state election officials violated federal law's 90-day 'quiet period' ahead of elections. The National Voter Registration Act requires that quiet period so that legitimate voters are not removed from the rolls by bureaucratic errors or last-minute mistakes that cannot be quickly corrected. The US Supreme Court's conservative majority said Wednesday that Virginia could continue, overruling a federal judge that said the state's purge was illegal. A federal appeals court had previously allowed the judge's order to remain in effect. In a similar lawsuit in Alabama, a federal judge this month ordered the state to restore eligibility for more than 3,200 voters who had been deemed ineligible noncitizens. Testimony from state officials in that case showed that roughly 2,000 of the 3,251 voters who were made inactive were actually legally registered citizens. In eastern Johnson County, Iowa, home to more than 110,000 registered voters and the University of Iowa in Iowa City, county auditor Erin Shane said Thursday that her office is working to confirm the citizenship status of the 295 names they received. Democrats have filed dozens of suits seeking to protect mail-in voting, overseas ballots and increase the number of ballot drop boxes A man dressed as Elvis Presley cheers for Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally at Lee's Family Forum on October 31, 2024 in Henderson, Nevada Shane, who was named in the lawsuit because one of the voters lives in Johnson County, said officials have notified each person and so far confirmed that 63 people are US citizens; one person 'was referred to law enforcement for additional clarification,' she said. 'We still have 232 people left to confirm and it is unfortunately happening when our office is in its busiest season,' she said. 'The people who have received our letters are coming into our office with a range of emotions from disappointment to understandably angry.' The 2020 US presidential election saw dozens of legal challenges by the losing candidate Trump, summarily tossed out by the courts. This year's race has also seen a deluge of lawsuits from both parties. Democrats claim Republicans are setting the stage for Trump to contest the results if he loses and declare victory anyway - as he did four years ago. 'Trump uses litigation to create a grievance structure that will allow him to claim he is a victim when he loses fair and square,' Marc Elias, a top Democratic Party election lawyer, said on X. Republicans say they are bringing the suits in the name of 'election integrity' with Trump alleging that the only way Harris can win on Tuesday is if Democrats 'cheat.' 'I know, better than most, the rampant Cheating and Skullduggery that has taken place by the Democrats in the 2020 Presidential Election,' he said in a Truth Social post. Trump has never conceded the election he lost to Joe Biden and a defeat this time could pave the way for the former president to be put on trial on federal and state charges of conspiring to overturn the 2020 results. The Republican National Committee, which is co-chaired by Trump's daughter-in-law Lara, (pictured at the Republican National Convention in July) has filed more than 130 cases, mostly focused on the seven swing states that could decide the election The Republican National Committee (RNC), which is co-chaired by Trump's daughter-in-law Lara, has filed more than 130 cases, mostly focused on the seven swing states that could decide the election: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The suits filed by the RNC and allied groups have targeted ballot-counting procedures, voting machines, voter registration, absentee ballots, the certification of results and a host of other issues. In several states, they have targeted the rules for mail-in ballots, which Democrats have historically used at far greater rates than Republicans. Democrats have filed dozens of suits of their own aimed at protecting mail-in voting, overseas ballots and increasing the number of ballot drop boxes. They have also recruited an army of lawyers to litigate pre- and post-election disputes. A shocking timelapse video has revealed the devastating frequency of lightning strikes hitting Spain's southern and eastern coast as the country is battered by flooding that has already killed more than 200 in Valencia alone. The video, shared by WxNB, a weather mapping service, showed tourist hotspots including Malaga, Marbella and Murcia being inundated with lightning strikes at around 3am on Tuesday night as heavy rains poured down. Lightning was then seen moving up the east coast of Spain, pounding Alicante and Benidorm, before ending up in Valencia, which was devastated by floods that night. Storms also moved further inland from the south coast, bombarding Seville, before eventually passing over Madrid and Zaragoza, as another cell briefly hit Barcelona. Parts of the Valencia region in eastern Spain were deluged by more than a year's worth of rain in just eight hours on Tuesday causing monstrous flash floods. The torrents of water destroyed whole villages and an unknown number of people are still missing with the death toll only expected to rise. The video, shared by WxNB, a weather mapping service, showed tourist hotspots including Malaga, Marbella and Murcia being inundated with lightning strikes Lightning was then seen moving up the east coast of Spain, pounding Alicante and Benidorm, before ending up in Valencia No country in the world has recorded as many lightning strikes as Spain in recent days. pic.twitter.com/IHDrNlwuKe Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) October 31, 2024 Images taken on Thursday show wrecked cars abandoned on highways stained with brown mud and other bits of debris. 'Unfortunately, there are dead people inside some vehicles,' Spain's transport minister Oscar Puente warned today. A 71-year-old British man who was suffering from hypothermia was identified as one of the dead on Wednesday afternoon. Walls of rushing water turned narrow streets into death traps and spawned rivers that ripped into the ground floors of homes and swept away everything in its path. The aftermath, which has seen streets piled high with vehicles and water streaming down usually busy roads, looks eerily similar to the damage left by a strong hurricane or tsunami. Aerials photographs have revealed the apocalyptic scale of destruction caused by the Valencia floods Aerial picture shows mud-stained roads near Valencia covered in wrecked cars and other debris Wrecked vehicles, tree branches, downed power lines and household items all covered in a layer of mud covered the streets of Utiel, just one of dozens of towns in the hard-hit region. Police revealed today that looters have taken advantage of the catastrophic floods, robbing abandoned stores of high-value goods including computers, mobile phones and perfume. Thirty nine suspects have been arrested in the Valencia region so far as the Civil Guard continues to crack down on people hoping to gain from the chaos. Meanwhile desperate families have resorted to taking food and water from supermarkets, with heart-wrenching pictures showing children picking through the aisles of wrecked food stores. The army has been brought in to manage the search and rescue operation with 1,000 members of the Spanish Armed Forces mobilised yesterday. One terrifying clip shows an entire bridge in Valencia being washed away in the floods. A boat is stranded in a field following flash floods in the Valencia region Aerial photo shows destroyed Albufera rice fields in an area affected by the heavy rains Paiporta bridge in the town of the same name was left completely devastated as the river beneath burst its banks and continued to rise. Horrified onlookers watched in horror as the concrete structure crumbled into the deluge. The scenes in Paiporta - where at least one baby was counted among the dead - are among many to have been captured by locals. Rainfall in the town of Chiva in Valencia reached a staggering 491 litres per square metre on Tuesday, according to Spain's meteorological agency. The town, just 20 miles west of Valencia, endured this amount of rain in just eight hours - the typical amount of rain seen in a full year and an 'extraordinary accumulation', the agency added. The Government has ordered a fresh review into a controversial HRMC tax crackdown that has been linked to ten suicides. HMRC's Loan Charge has been heavily criticised in the past for how it chased after around 60,000 workers caught up in tax-avoidant schemes. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the inquiry in a follow up document after her budget speech, saying the independent report would 'help bring the matter to a close for those affected, whilst ensuring fairness for all taxpayers'. Those affected had entered into dubious tax saving schemes marketed by firms, meaning their wages were paid out to them tax-free as loans, supposedly with no legal requirement to pay it back. But in 2017, HMRC introduced the loan charge - ordering those using the schemes to pay a single tax bill on all the loans they received - leaving some with six-figure back tax fees levied at the highest 45 percent rate. The government has ordered a fresh review into a controversial tax crackdown, that has been linked to ten suicides Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the inquiry in a follow up document after her budget speech, saying the independent report would 'help bring the matter to a close for those affected, whilst ensuring fairness for all taxpayers' Most of these cases took places in the 1990s and early 2000s by people who believed they were taking part in HMRC compliant schemes. This meant that the tax office was then pursuing workers, such as nurses and teachers, for bills they could not afford, years after they had happened. Those subject to the charge face paying back all the tax avoided in one go, with bills for some running into six figures. A debate in Parliament earlier this year saw MPs likened the Loan Charge to the next Post Office Horizon scandal with the crackdown linked to suicides, bankruptcies and family breakdowns. Following on from a review by Lord Morse into the Loan Charge, the Government agreed to reduce the tax bill of 30,000 people caught up in the loan charge. Critics say people caught up in the saga are victims of mis-selling and HMRC should have gone after the recruiters who actively encouraged workers to be paid in this way. Mr Wilson, co-chairman of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on the loan charge and taxpayer fairness, said it appeared as if HMRC is going after people who they regard as 'easy targets' rather than the promoters of such schemes. Those subject to the charge face paying back all the tax avoided in one go, with bills for some running into six figures (stock) The MP for East Antrim also said the loan charge should be repealed as it is 'not fit for purpose', before saying: 'I would ask the minister to grasp this nettle and ensure that we don't have another Horizon scandal.' The Loan Charge Action Group said it was a 'momentous' day but that there was 'still a way to go before justice is finally achieved for victims'. In one case, a consultant engineer in his late 60s took his own life after telling his family he feared he would go to prison. His daughter Gayle, who did not want their family name published, told the BBC: 'I don't think he could see any light at the end of the tunnel at all.' Steve Packham, a spokesperson for the group said: 'It is hugely positive that the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has made good on her promise to commission a fresh, independent, review of the Loan Charge. 'We thank her and James Murray for this and for actually listening to those whose lives have and are being ruined by the Loan Charge scandal.' Three male students at one of Australia's most prestigious universities have sparked outrage after tearing up a report on sexual violence and loudly declaring 'no one cares' during a student council meeting. An annual meeting of members of the University of Sydney's Student Representative Council was held on Wednesday night where the issue of sexual violence and hazing at Australian universities was mentioned. SRC Women's Officers and current Sexual Violence Officers, Ellie Robertson and Martha Barlow, handed out copies of The Red Zone Report - which focuses on systemic toxic cultures at Australian universities. But in footage from the meeting, which was live-streamed to USYD's student newspaper Honi Soit, two male students were seen tearing up copies of the report. One of them shouted out 'no one cares' while a third male student threw scraps of the report at another student council member. Other students loudly booed and shouted 'shame'. It is understood that all three men are connected to the campus' Young Liberals-aligned political group. 'We have seen more instances of hazing, bullying and sexual violence. This is a continuing result of the elitist culture of these institutions,' Ms Robertson said as Ms Barlow handed out the reports. Three male students at the University of Sydney have sparked national outrage after tearing up a report on sexual violence during a student council meeting on Wednesday Some other students were heard chanting: 'Racist, sexist, anti-queer, Liberals are not welcome here', after the report was torn up. Ms Barlow said the young male students' response to the report was 'horrific, but perhaps not surprising'. 'It is a quite frankly reprehensible display of misogyny to so blatantly laugh...[at the] victim-survivors [in the report], and an incredibly telling one,' she told news.com.au. 'Just like the colleges themselves, these student representatives would prefer to ignore the problem of sexual violence altogether and pretend it doesn't exist. To this we say that the time is long past to sweep this under the rug.' The University of Sydney's Annual Report on Sexual Misconduct revealed that 246 reports of sexual assault or harassment were filed by staff and students in 2023. That number had more than doubled from 121 in 2022. The University of Sydney students declared that 'no one cares' about sexual violence immediately after two women delivered a presentation on the topic The 200 page Red Zone Report was commissioned and published by End Rape on Campus (EROC) in February 2018 It featured graphic photos, screenshots, police reports and stories from victims of rape and hazing from within universities' residential colleges. Lead author, Nina Funnell, and EROC founder, Sharna Bremner, said in a statement that the incident at the University of Sydney had 'disgusted' them. 'To hear current students remark 'no one cares' as they laughed about rape and hazing is not a slap in the face to us as The Red Zone authors,' they said. 'It is a slap in the face to those who were harmed in the colleges and survived, and to the loved ones of those who didn't.' USYD Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joanne Wright, said an 'immediate inquiry' had been launched into the incident. 'Any behaviour that mocks victim-survivors or ignores the impact of trauma resulting from sexual misconduct is absolutely unacceptable,' Professor Wright told the publication. NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman also said the students would be investigated. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the University of Sydney's Young Liberals-aligned political group for comment. Up to 700,000 middle-class families could lose child benefits under Labour's budget, it was claimed today. The previous Conservative government had planned to change the rules to expand the current child benefit allowance, enabling more parents to access the system. But Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget on Wednesday made no mention of child benefit, with documents stating the proposal was too expensive to implement. Under current legislation, parents receive 25.60 per week for their eldest child, and 16.95 per week for younger children - but once a parent begins earning above a certain level, payments are reduced. In his March budget, Jeremy Hunt raised the level at which people stopped receiving benefit to 80,000. Chancellor Rachel Reeves ' Budget on Wednesday made no mention of child benefit, meaning 700,000 households are set to miss out Currently, two high-earning parents who just miss the threshold can receive more child benefit than a single parent who meets it He had also pledged to move to a system in which the benefit was calculated on a household and not individual basis, to avoid single parents being unfairly penalised for earning more. Currently, two high-earning parents who just miss the threshold can receive more child benefit than a single parent who meets it, despite their households earnings being almost double that of the single parent in total. The benefit tapers off between 60,000 and 80,000, but plans to shift the system to a household cap rather than highest earner cap have been shelved. This would have meant households with a total income of 120,000 would still receive the full amount of child benefit cap, tapering off up to 160,000. It was estimated that 700,000 middle-income households would receive an average benefit of an extra 1,480 per year. But the Treasury said it couldn't afford the 1.4 billion cost - despite raiding Britain's purses in a 40 billion tax grab. The Budget document published on Wednesday said: 'The government will not proceed with the reform to base the HICBC on household incomes. This is because it would have come at a significant fiscal cost of 1.4 billion by 2029-30 if setting the threshold to 120,000-160,000, where no families would lose out.' Money saving expert Martin Lewis criticised the move, saying it was 'bad news for single-parent and single-earner families'. He added it would 'leave inequity rife'. Charities have also criticised the government's stance on child benefit, and had called for Labour to scrap the two-child cap. Reacting to the Budget, Joseph Howes, CEO of Buttle UK and Chair of the End Child Poverty Coalition said it 'will only go so far towards lifting children, and their families, out of poverty in the UK. 'The government could have chosen to scrap the two-child limit to benefit payments a policy which drives families into poverty. 'This opportunity for the government to take quick and decisive action has been missed. More children will be drawn into poverty as a result, on a daily basis. 'Now focus is on the publication of the child poverty strategy in Spring 2025, which must include scrapping this cruel policy. Children affected by this should not have to wait, and need support now.' This is the horrifying moment a man in Magaluf tells a young female undercover reporter that 'being 15 doesn't count on holiday' and jokes about wanting to inspect her hymen. Journalists Ellie Flynn and Emily Birtley wore hidden cameras for the new Channel 4 film 'Magaluf Undercover: Predators and Parties' to expose the predatory underbelly of the Majorcan tourist hotspot. They both spent time on the infamous Punta Ballena 'party strip' where they pretended to be drunk to see whether men would attempt to take advantage of their state. In one particularly unsettling scene, they were filmed speaking to a pair of men outside a hotel bar when Emily, who is really in her twenties, said she was just 15 years old and on her first holiday with friends. One of the men began hitting on Emily, prompting his friend to call him a 'nonce'. He immediately retorted: 'It's okay bro, we're on holiday, it doesn't count... doesn't matter if she's 15, it doesn't count.' The girls played along, clearly hoping he was joking, but the man then made an outrageous statement. 'If she's got a full hymen I'll know...' he said. He initially tried to play it off, laughing when the journalists, clearly taken aback, pressed him on it. But moments later he doubled down: 'I said, I want to see if she's got a fully developed hymen or not!' Journalists Ellie Flynn and Emily Birtley went wore hidden cameras for the new Channel 4 film 'Magaluf Undercover: Predators and Parties' to expose the predatory underbelly of the Majorcan tourist hotspot One man began hitting on Emily, prompting his friend to call him a 'nonce'. He immediately retorted: 'It's okay bro, we're on holiday, it doesn't count... doesn't matter if she's 15, it doesn't count.' The girls played along, clearly hoping he was joking, but the man then made an outrageous statement. 'If she's got a full hymen I'll know...' he said The documentary exposed the predatory behaviour women are subjected to in Magaluf The skin-crawling incident was just one of many that unfold in the documentary as Ellie and Emily find themselves repeatedly being approached by men wanting to take advantage of them. Another disturbing scene captured the moment local men shamelessly preyed on Ellie as she pretended to be passed out on a sun-lounger, forcing her to call in security to escape. In the clip, a man can be seen walking over to the British reporter, who buries her face in her hands in an attempt to seem drunk. 'Hey, are you good? Sorry, are you good?', he asked Ellie as he leaned over her. The reporter proceeded to tell him she was fine, but instead of leaving her to it, he asked her if she wanted 'to talk a little bit'. The interaction takes a dark turn when Ellie shook her head no, to which the man responded: 'You are my last chance. Do you want to kiss a little bit?'. Ellie told him no again, and the man momentarily walked off - only to tell his friend that 'she's completely wasted', to which his friend responded: 'Let's go for it! Let's go for it.' 'If you want, I can keep you company', the friend said after approaching Ellie and sitting next to her on the lounger. 'Where are you from?', he asked. Ellie then stood up, explaining in her narration of the film how she felt 'genuinely scared', despite having a camera crew and security watching her. Journalist Ellie Flynn went undercover for the new film 'Magaluf Undercover: Predators and Parties' to expose the 'predatory underbelly' of the Majorcan tourist hotspot - in which she pretended to be a drunk reveller alone on a beach Shocking footage showed how a group of men shamelessly preyed on Ellie and tried to take advantage of her Pictured: Ellie Flynn, the undercover reporter who filmed her experiences in Magaluf She was seen signalling for help, and a female security guard rushed to her rescue and pulled her away. 'Sorry, that just scared me...I didn't see him coming', a relieved Ellie declared. 'I had seen the first two together, but the sudden appearance of another and having no idea at the time if they were together - was enough for me to signal security to get me out'. Ellie went on to describe how she felt like she had 'experienced an orchestrated attempt to target drunk women alone on a night out in Magaluf'. But her frightening encounter with the three men on the beach was not an isolated event. Over the course of three days, Ellie - who was accompanied by a film crew while she disguised herself as a drunken reveller - secretly filmed in clubs, on the strip and on Magaluf beach after dark. The crew documented the several sinister instances in which Ellie was followed and harassed by men. The documentary also revealed that 48 cases of rape were reported to the police in Magaluf in 2023 alone. Things take a dark turn when a man asks a seemingly intoxicated Ellie: 'Do you want to kiss a little bit?' The man that first approached Ellie goes up to his friend and informs him she is drunk. 'Let's go for it!', his friend responds, before he approaches Ellie himself The second man approaches Ellie and sits next to her on the lounger - a moment that she later said left her feeling frightened Ellie is then forced to signal for help from a female security guard who was on standby Ellie said she noticed a 'pattern' in the behaviour of some men in the party destination. One night, Ellie said she was watched for ten minutes by a group of men as she slumped outside a fast food shop before one of them told her he had a car. 'Why would this man, who has been watching me for several minutes and can see that I am seemingly drunk, be trying to get me into a vehicle', she wrote in The Sun. 'He repeatedly asked why I was alone, where my mates were and suggested he could help me - all while telling me that I'm beautiful, and standing much closer than I was comfortable with'. But it is not just Channel 4's upcoming documentary that details the trend of women being preyed on in Magaluf. Over the summer several instances of rape were reported at the tourist hotspot. One female British tourist was allegedly raped by a man twice her age who intercepted her as she returned to her holiday apartment from a boozy night out with friends in Magaluf. Another British woman was raped and robbed on a beach after she became separated from friends in the resort's Punta Ballena party strip. The suspect was said to have picked her up and carried her to the beach where he allegedly raped her before stealing her mobile phone. The Majorcan region of Calvia, where Magaluf is situated, has the highest number of reported sexual assaults per inhabitant in the whole of Spain. The party resort on the Spanish island of Majorca is famed for its drink-fueled culture, which is often perpetrated by foreign tourists - in particular British and German. A massive shootout linked to drug trafficking has left a teenager and four others, including two teenage girls, seriously wounded in western France, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said on Friday, in the latest such gunfight to injure children. The shootout erupted in front of a Poitiers restaurant, reportedly the 'L'Othentik' kebab shop, overnight after shots were 'fired from a passing car injuring a number of people', the minister said. French police told Le Figaro that 'at least 12' bullet holes, believed to have been 22-calibre rounds, were seen on the facade of the restaurant, while weapons were found at the scene. 'What started as a shooting at a restaurant ended up in a fight between rival gangs that involved several hundred people', Retailleau said. Cops said that between 400 and 600 people were involved in the violence that escalated in the aftermath of the shootout, which reportedly came 'against a backdrop of tensions between the Maghreb and Guadeloupean communities.' The 15-year-old boy who was shot in the head was between life and death, he said. A massive shootout linked to drug trafficking has left a teenager and four others seriously wounded in western France, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau (pictured) said on Friday The shootout erupted in front of a Poitiers restaurant, reportedly the 'L'Othentik' kebab shop (pictured), overnight French newspaper Le Parisien reported that the boy's family has been informed that he was left in a state of 'brain death', after he was rushed to the nearby Poitiers University Hospital. The newspaper also reported that the other four injured, three 16-year-olds and another 15-year-old, were also rushed to hospital after they suffered shots to the shoulder, head, ankle and feet, though they are in a less serious condition. Cops were 'set upon' by '80 to 100' people in the crowd, and were forced to arrest dozens to restore calm by around 2:30am. Police in the city said they were sending reinforcements to calm tensions. The minister warned that the country was at a 'tipping point' when it came to drug trafficking violence. 'These shootings are not happening in South America, they are happening in Rennes, in Poitiers, in this part of western France once known for its tranquility', he starkly said. 'We are at a tipping point and the choice we have today is a choice between general mobilisation or the Mexicanisation of the country,' he said, citing Mexico's deep problem with cartel violence. Leonore Moncond'huy, the mayor of Poitiers, said the incident was 'a new episode of violence unacceptable for the neighbourhood'. Fusillade a Poitiers: "Entre 400 et 600 personnes impliquees", declare le ministre de l'Interieur Bruno Retailleau pic.twitter.com/A3v7Bc7NhN RMC (@RMCInfo) November 1, 2024 Une fusillade aux Couronneries a Poitiers a fait 5 blesses hier soir. Des tensions entre groupes ont eclate necessitant lintervention de la police et de la gendarmerie. Le Prefet sest rendu sur place. Des renforts de police seront deployes des aujourdhui. pic.twitter.com/ebwVuRBho4 Prefet de la Vienne (@Prefet86) November 1, 2024 'The youth of the victims and those involved is particularly striking and worrying. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured, and I call on everyone's responsibility to maintain peace in the city', she added. 'The City of Poitiers salutes the security forces for their intervention and their upcoming reinforced presence. She also welcomes the mobilization of the Maison de district des Couronneries. 'The City calls for the investigation to clarify the precise circumstances of the event as quickly as possible, and to allow the identification and arrest of the perpetrators.' Retailleau added that he was planning to travel later in the day to the northwestern city of Rennes, where a five-year-old child was also between life and death after being shot on Saturday in another fire exchange related to drug trafficking. The drug trade in France has long centred in major cities such as Marseille, where at least 17 drug-related killings have been reported since the start of the year. But the problem is increasingly moving out to other cities and towns around France, including to areas normally associated with tourism. A grandmother who was robbed by a cyclist in broad daylight and dragged along a street is now too scared to leave her house alone. Anh Huynh, 84, had her bag snatched by a cyclist while she was walking along Thanet Street in Brooklyn Park, Adelaide, around midday on October 25. Shocking footage showed the man cycle up behind Ms Huynh and rip the bag from her hand. She was then knocked to the ground and dragged along the pavement as she tried to hold on. The bag fell onto the sidewalk in the process and as Ms Huynh was left writhing in pain on the ground, the man came back for a second time to sift through the items. The cyclist then fled the scene with the bag, prompting police to launch a manhunt. A nearby tradie, Jesse Martin, watched the robbery unfold and helped Ms Huynh to her feet and escorted her home. 'She was distressed and probably quite concussed, she was a little bit wobbly on her feet,' Mr Martin told 9News. Police are searching for a man who robbed 84-year-old Anh Huynh in broad daylight along Thanet Street in Brooklyn Park, Adelaide , around midday on October 25 Ms Huynh thanked Mr Martin for his help but told the publication that she now feared leaving the house alone and was also hesitant to catch the bus. She was left battered and bruised, including suffering a lump to her head, but says she is now 'okay'. Police are actively searching for the thief who they claim has distinctive tattoos on his arms. Mr Martin estimated the man was likely between the ages of 45 and 50. 'I was a bit shocked that someone of that age and maturity could be doing something like that,' he said. Madrid, Nov. 1 (UNI) The death toll from the flash floods devastating parts of east and southern Spain rose to 205 on Friday, according to the Center of Coordinated and Integrated Operations in the Valencian region. Since Thursday, 50 additional fatalities have now been confirmed, bringing the total tally to 202 in the Valencian region. Three more deaths were recorded in neighboring Castilla-La Mancha and the southern region of Andalusia. The Valencian regional government has announced that the Valencia Congress Center would be used as a temporary mortuary to accommodate the victims' bodies. A man has slammed easyJet after being hit with a 48 fine for his bag being too large - despite the fact it fitted perfectly into the airline's baggage size checker. Jake Hughes was attempting to board his flight at Manchester Airport on Wednesday but clashed with a member of staff who insisted his hand luggage was too big. Despite demonstrating to staff that this wasn't the case, Jake claims the budget airline threatened to 'terminate' his boarding pass if he didn't cough up with the money and made him delete all the footage he had taken. Video filmed by Jake shows the bag - a small grey holdall - inside one of the metal frames used by easyJet to measure cabin bag size, fitting neatly into the space. Jake tells the member of staff he bought his bag 'especially because' it's an easyJet bag Jake Hughes was told he had to pay 48 for his bag being too large at Manchester airport In a video on his TikTok account, he shows his holdall fitting into the measuring space Jake points at it and says: 'This bag fits perfectly in here. easyJet flight.' The staff member, who appears to work for an external handling company on behalf of the airline, asks him to remove it. He initially reaches for it but decides to leave it in and asks to speak to somebody more senior. He says: 'No, I'm actually going to leave it in there. I need a manager to see this. Someone higher up than you to see this.' A queue of passengers can be seen waiting with their bags to his side. He gestures to the size frame on the other side, but the staff member claims it is only for passengers entitled to 'speedy boarding'. Jake repeats: 'So this is my bag, I need a manager here.' The staff member suddenly claims that he himself is the manager and asks Jake to remove his bag. Jake says: 'Where's the manager status on you? Come on man, I'm not trying to be difficult, I'm just saying 48 for that is ridiculous. 'I bought this bag especially because it's an easyJet bag.' After being asked again to remove his bag because there are other passengers waiting, Jake finally relents. He adds: 'You saw it fits though, yeah?' The staff member replies: 'No.' Clearly exasperated, Jake insists it does and moves to put it back in. The footage then cuts to Jake filming the staff member from his seat on the plane. He claims the man charged the majority of passengers and told them that they couldn't board the flight if they didn't pay. Jake then spotted the man who had charged him on his flight and claimed he had been made to delete all his videos before boarding He adds that staff had reportedly started to 'terminate' his boarding pass before he gave in and paid - but not before he was allegedly made to delete all the footage he had taken. However, he appears to have backed up or recovered it and shared this video to social media on Wednesday (October 30) with the caption: 'easyJet staff made me delete all of this footage or I wasn't allowed to board.' It has since received over 53,000 likes and more than 3,000 comments from Brits left outraged at the situation. One said: 'Do they get commission or something?' Another wrote: 'Same thing happened to me. '[The] Woman said I had to pay because I 'forcefully pushed' my bag in so it would fit, and that the rule is the bag has to 'comfortably' fit the dimensions. 'Utter bulls**t.' A third commented: 'This may well be criminal by easyJet. Gaining money by deception. It's fraud.' Another said: 'We had this same problem last week, they charge[d] us 48 going out the country and I think it was 42 on the way back, it's disgraceful.' A fifth added: 'I refuse to fly easyJet or any of those other 'low cost' airlines. I've got enough headache[s] in my life to be dealing with their nonsense.' Earlier this year a holidaymaker slammed Ryanair staff for charging him 75 extra for his suitcase being 'too big', despite him having travelled with it for three years with no problems. Speaking today, a spokesperson for easyJet said: 'We are investigating with our ground handling provider at Manchester airport to understand why Mr. Hughes was charged for his bag which appears to be in line with his allowance, and we have been in touch with him to refund the charge.' Have you been caught out by excess baggage charges? E-mail tom.lawrence@newsquest.co.uk . A murderer who killed his mother and brother when he was 15 has killed two more people just four months after finishing his sentence, police say. Dustin Caudill was 15 when he was arrested for the deaths of his mother Karen Caudill, 33, and younger brother Nicholas, 10, in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, in 1994. Police at the time said Caudill shot his brother after an argument. He then shot his mother dead when she got home later that night. Caudill, now 43, was released in 2020 after serving 27 years in prison but was arrested again in 2023 for violating his parole. Police now say that just four months after his release, Caudill murdered Blake France, 41, and Anthony Garret, 43, before burning down a home in Elizabethtown. Dustin Caudill, who served nearly 30 years in prison for killing his mother and little brother, has allegedly shot dead two people just four months after his release Caudill was 15 when he was arrested for the deaths of his mother Karen Caudill, 33, and younger brother Nicholas, 10, in 1994 The victims were found shot dead inside the burned home, leading police to launch an investigation into both arson and murder Witnesses said they saw a gold pickup truck leaving the murders scene which led them to Caudill. The killer was found at a nearby motel and was seen getting rid of a gun, according to police. The victims were found shot dead inside the burned home, leading police to launch an investigation Caudill 'specifically admitted to shooting the victims and intentionally setting fire to the residence,' according to Elizabethtown police spokesperson Chris Denham. He also allegedly confessed to stealing the victims' wallets and throwing them away at a gas station, as well as trying to shoot a third person. Caudill is charged with one count of arson to the first degree, two counts of murder, one count of tampering with physical evidence, one count of wanton endangerment to the first degree, one count of robbery to the first degree and one count of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. Cops have yet to share a possible motive for the latest bloodbath. The victims were found shot dead inside the burned home, leading police to launch an investigation into both arson and murder. Victim Blake France is pictured Caudill 'specifically admitted to shooting the victims and intentionally setting fire to the residence,' according, per officials. Victim Anthony Garrett is pictured Back in 1994, the killer claimed his mother smoked marijuana and beat him, adding his family was always 'jumping on him and beating on him,' as reported in local media at the time. Caudill told police that on the night of the murders he 'just snapped.' 'We was playing some cards and we was talking and then he started acting stupid. He just started acting like a little brother,' the killer told police of the moments before he killed his little brother. Caudhill was filmed being bundled into a police car as a baby-faced teenager. But he now has a terrifying array of face tattoos. Idaho has welcomed an influx of Californians and Washingtonians who have fled their liberal homelands for the deep-red state. Just over 32,000 people moved Idaho from the Democrat states in 2023, according to data from the Census Bureau. The Gem State drew in around 17,338 Californians, 14,655 Washingtonians and 7,458 people from Oregon last year, Idaho Statesman reports In total the Gem State, which has a population of two million, gained 81,708 new residents last year. Many say they have been driven out by a high cost of living, soaring crime rates or their home state's liberal policies. Idaho is one of America's most conservative states, but some locals fear the combination of newcomers and proposed new election laws could turn the state purple, or even blue. Idaho's famous Sawtooth Mountains. The famously beautiful state has seen a huge influx of newcomers from California and Washington this year Husband and wife Nick Kostenborder and Ashley Manning are among those who moved with their baby to Sandpoint to escape Portland, Oregon. Kostenborder pointed to the homeless problem in his old city as something that swayed his decision to up and leave. 'You're worried about someone else besides yourself. So you start to notice threats more. 'Like, it's no longer charming to have the homeless guy asleep in front of the grocery store. Now it's like, all right, this actually might be dangerous,' Kostenborder told Fox News earlier this year. Disillusion in Democrat-run Oregon has grown so strong that several counties have voted for a ballot on seceding from their home state and joining Idaho. The Greater Idaho Movement seeks to move the Oregon border so that 14 counties and several partial counties would become part of Idaho and be subjected to the state's more conservative laws. Meanwhile, an increased number of Arizonians made the move to Idaho in 2023 compared to the year before. The Grand Canyon State elected Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs in 2022. Many Californians have fled to Idaho to escape its liberal politics and crime. A woman shoots up close to San Francisco's notorious open-air drugs market in January 2022 In recent years, Idaho has become a haven for retired California servicemen looking to get more mileage out of their pensions. According to comparison website, My Life Elsewhere, California is around 27 percent more expensive that Idaho. Many transplants have also pointed to the Golden State's liberal policies as a driving factor behind their moves. Among them was Melvin Galang and Coree Ray who said they wanted to leave California for a more conservative state. The family relocated to Idaho Falls, which boasts a crime rate 26 percent lower than the national average. In contrast, the City of Angels has a crime rate 52.4 percent higher than the national average, with roughly 370 crimes daily, just under a quarter of them violent, per statistics from the FBI. The Golden State has been battling problems with rising homelessness and open drug abuse in its major cities in recent years. Homelessness jumped 6 percent to more than 180,000 people in California last year, federal data shows. Since 2013, the numbers have exploded by 53 percent. Melvin Galang and Coree Ray moved to Idaho in 2021 seeking a state more aligned with their conservative values. However they have since returned to California. These numbers help explain why Idaho - a landlocked locale located 450 miles from the Golden State - surfaced as a top relocation choice for Californians during the pandemic. This proved particularly true between 2021 and 2022, when spikes seen during the first year of the crisis persisted and worsened in many cases. However, after three years in Idago Galang and Ray revealed they had chosen to move home to California after struggling to 'fit in' with their more rural neighbors. They added to the 65,000 people who left Idaho for a different state in 2023. Most people relocated to Washington, followed by Utah and Texas. Jerry Seinfeld has blasted his children's former private school after they said they would allow 'emotionally distressed' kids to take the day after the election off. Children attending Ethical Culture Fieldston School, which costs $65,540 a year in fees, will be allowed to excuse themselves from classes next Thursday. In an email titled 'Election Day Support', Stacey Bobo, principal of the upper school said it 'acknowledges that this may be a high-stakes and emotional time' for them. The email, seen by The New York Times, added: 'No matter the election outcome, [the school] will create space to provide students with the support they may need.' Speaking with the Times, the 70-year-old comedian said it was decisions like this one that irritated his family, and forced him to transfer his son out. The 70-year-old comedian said it was decisions like this one that irritated his family, and forced him to transfer his son out The school, seen here, has said they will allow children to be excused from classes next week due to the election In an email principal of the upper school Stacey Bobo, seen here, said it 'acknowledges that this may be a high-stakes and emotional time' for them He said: 'This is why the kids hated it. What kind of lives have these people led that makes them think that this is the right way to handle young people? 'To encourage them to buckle. This is the lesson they are providing, for ungodly sums of money.' Parent John Couchman, who has two daughters in the school, told the Times that he thought the plan from the school was wise. He said: 'I think its absolutely the right decision. These students are very astute. I think their rights are on the line, whether its on election night or in five years, and they know it.' The email continued that no homework would be assigned on Election Day, and no assessments would take place on Wednesday. Absences will be allowed on Wednesday or whenever the full election results are announced, for students who are unable to 'fully engage in classes'. The outlet reported that the school included readings which included on from Child Mind Institute about the election and helping kids with 'election-related anxiety'. The school, which has two campuses in the city, is home to around 1,700 and was divided earlier this year over pro-Palestine activism. That behavior led to the resignation of the head of the school Joe Algrant in August, with the schools saying he left to 'pursue other personal and professional goals'. Seinfeld is seen here with his wife Jessica, and children Julian, Shepherd and Sascha Seinfeld in May 2017 Absences will be allowed on Wednesday or whenever the full election results are announced, for students who are unable to 'fully engage in classes' The school, which has two campuses in the city, is home to around 1,700 and was divided earlier this year over pro-Palestine activism Parents had accused the school of being a 'hotbed of Jew-hate', with Dr. Logan Levkoff saying her son experienced anti-Semitism while attending the school. The sex and relationship expert claimed her son was called an 'ethnic cleanser' and 'colonizer' during his time as a student. When her son organized a Holocaust survivor to come speak, Levkoff claimed in a post to Instagram that a group of students tried to 'cancel' the event. In January 2020, teacher J.B. Brager was fired for criticizing Israel in class and on their personal X account. During an assembly in November 2019, guest speaker Kayum Ahmed, a director at the Open Society Foundations philanthropic organization, compared what Jews endured during the Holocaust to violence against Palestinians in Israel. 'I use the same example in talking about the Holocaust. That Jews who suffered in the Holocaust and established the State of Israel today perpetuate violence against Palestinians,' Ahmed said. A spokesperson for the school previously told DailyMail.com: 'We do not tolerate antisemitism and stand against all forms of hate.' An RAF policeman has been dismissed after slapping a female colleague on her bottom so hard she had to check for bruises. Air Specialist Jonathan Wood was 'showing off' in a bar when he struck the woman on the behind as she walked past him, a court martial has heard. He has now been dismissed from the military after pleading guilty to three counts of disgraceful conduct of an incident kind. In two other incidents the 23-year-old, who was based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, touched other women in a 'flirtatious' way whilst on drunken nights out. Sentencing AS1 Wood at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, Assistant Judge Advocate General Andrew Smith said 'unwanted touching' of women is a 'problem across all the armed forces' and described slap as 'an attempt to humiliate' the victim'. Air Specialist Jonathan Wood (pictured) has been dismissed from the military after pleading guilty to three counts of disgraceful conduct 23-year-old, who was based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, touched women on drunken nights out 'Your intention was to be flirtatious, you did not pick up the signs she was not interested 'You were showing off to the other people with whom you were drinking. 'The explanation you put forward was you did it out of the blue, you thought it was appropriate to slap her hard on the buttocks. 'It was not pre-planned but this was not a sexual entreaty that was misunderstood but an attempt to humiliate her.' He continued: 'Unwanted touching of females is a problem across all the armed forces, there is a zero tolerance policy. 'Taking account of your age and service people being held to higher standards, and service police in particular, we regret to inform you that this is so serious that dismissal is the only option.' Army Captain Ciaran Rafferty, prosecuting, described the three offences of 'unwanted touching' carried out by the RAF policeman against his victims, none of whom can be named for legal reasons. He said one took place during a 'social drinking session' when he touched the thigh and leg area of a female colleague 'despite her never giving an indication she was receptive'. As well as being dismissed Wood was sentenced to a 12 month community service order Of the slapping incident - which took place on a night out several years later - Capt Rafferty said: 'The slap was of the level she needed to check for bruising. 'He said he slapped her on behalf of a friend who had a crush on her.' The final incident took place in Canada, Capt Rafferty said, when AS1 Wood placed his hand on the leg and the back of another female colleague and she said no. The woman challenged him the next day and he did apologise, the court heard. Capt Rafferty said AS1 Wood was in a 'position of trust and responsibility' as a military policeman. He said: 'These actions were intentional, he did them of his own volition and they were indecent. 'This caused some level of distress and harm to the victims. 'The biggest [aggravating factor] is the position of responsibility and trust the defendant was in, he was a member of military police staff. 'It is not unreasonable to expect a higher level of conduct from the police. Common to all three offences is the presence of alcohol.' Capt Rafferty also read statements from two of AS1 Wood's victims who said they were 'angry' and feared he would do the same to others. The woman he slapped on the bottom said: 'Almost 18 months ago I was put in a tenuous position, this resulted in a police investigation.' She said she did not want to participate at first but later changed her mind. She said: 'I realised I had a moral and professional duty to assist because he is RAF police. 'I believe he should be held to a higher standard. I found it degrading. 'I have had time to reflect and I am extremely angry.' The woman he 'unwantedly touched' in Canada added: 'I believe I am quite resilient but this affected how I felt, it left me worrying this could happen to someone else.' Nick Saunders, defending, said AS1 Wood had stopped drinking spirits since his actions came to light, recognising his problematic relationship with alcohol. 'He was part of the police unit, AS1 Wood accepts higher standards are expected of him, he is disappointed in his own behaviour,' Mr Saunders added. 'The strongest mitigation is his young age, he is only 23 now and at the time of the first offence he was only 19. 'He realises there is an emotional impact on these women, he realises this may impact them longer term. 'He has shown insight into his behaviour, part of that is recognising a problematic relationship with alcohol, alcohol plainly played a big part in these offences. 'He no longer drinks spirits and rarely drinks to excess.' As well as dismissal he was sentenced to a 12 month community service order with 15 rehabilitation days. A mother has branded a popular pushchair model 'dangerous' after its brakes allegedly failed, causing her toddler son to suffer a head injury. Holly Lansdowne, 30, said the buggy suddenly 'rolled away' towards a reservoir when she was out on a family walk and flipped over before reaching the water. Her son Oscar, two, suffered a bruised eye, bleeding nose and cut to his head in the frightening incident. Ms Lansdowne is speaking out after discovering similar complaints about the Hauck Runner pushchair brakes from other mothers on social media. She believes the German manufacturer should recall the product to investigate to prevent further incidents. Holly's son Oscar (pictured) suffered a bruised eye, bleeding nose and cut to his head The Hauck Runner pushchair that 'spun around and flipped over' with Ms Lansdowne's two-year-old son strapped inside Holly Lansdowne, 30, (pictured) has issued an urgent warning after her son's pushchair allegedly malfunctioned The incident happened last Saturday when Ms Lansdowne took Oscar and his brother Charlie, four, along with their dogs for a walk at Cod Beck Reservoir near Osmotherley, North Yorkshire. She said she applied the pushchair brakes and bent down to clear up after one of her springer spaniels who 'did their business' when the 'brake failed.' 'It rolled off and saw it go past me. I just dropped everything and tried to grab it but couldn't. It happened so quickly. A couple who were nearby saw it too and shouted as well. 'The pushchair spun around and flipped over. I'm not sure how far it rolled, probably about 8ft or so.' 'It all happened so quickly, the only thing that I thought was 'oh my goodness, is it going to go towards the water?' 'If it hadn't flipped when it did, it would've gone into the reservoir.' Oscar was 'screaming the place down,' she said. She said she was grateful the incident didn't happen near a busy road. The couple who witnessed it luckily had an ice pack in their car, which helped reduce her son's swelling and he was soon smiling again. Ms Lansdowne was concerned about the boy's eye and took him to hospital to be checked, but he didn't require treatment. Oscar suffered bruising and cuts after the 'buggy incident' but has since made a full recovery Cod Beck Reservoir near Osmotherley, North Yorkshire, where Oscar was injured She bought the pushchair, which is described on the Hauck website as 'robust all-terrain', for 150 from Argos in June. The mother said she was shocked to later discover this was 'not an isolated incident' and other mothers had complained to Hauck about similar incidents. 'I 100 per cent applied the brakes properly. I think this product should be recalled as in my opinion it's clearly dangerous,' she said. A spokesperson for Hauck said the company worked hard 'to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children'. 'All items are tested by independent test houses to ensure they meet or exceed the strict European safety standards for baby products,' they said. 'We will contact the consumer directly to arrange collection and inspection of the product to identify the root cause of the incident.' Evidence on social media suggested there was an issue with the model's brakes. Oscar, two, was taken to hospital but did not require treatment Ms Lansdowne has decided to issue a warning about the Hauck Runner pushchair (pictured) after discovering complaints about the brakes from other mothers on social media In an online discussion about the Hauck Runner buggy, one mother warned three years ago: 'Don't buy this buggy.' She said the brake mechanism 'wasn't safe,' and added: 'Every time I tried to apply the brake I would have to roll the buggy back and forward until it was safe to secure itand now I have a buggy that's useless.' Last year another mother wrote: 'The quality is diabolicalI always check and double check the brakes every time I apply them, making sure they click firmly into place, but they come off without rhyme, reason or warning, this has led to the buggy rolling into the road on two separate occasions, my son narrowly missed being hit by a car on one of those occasions.' A third commented in July: 'Please don't buy this product. My son (2) rolled backwards into the road today whilst my husband turned to lock the door. I'd already expressed concerns to the company about the dodgy brakes that don't seem to clip in properly.' While an anonymous post in August stated: 'The brakes failed and my baby rolled down the hill and fell over. The brakes have failed numerous times since (but I was obviously more prepared). I only bought this product five months ago.' Ms Lansdowne has also contacted Trading Standards at North Yorkshire Council and Argos to raise awareness. Head of Trading Standards Jo Boutflower said: 'The safety of all consumer products, whether they are sold as new or second-hand, is controlled by strict regulations. 'If a product is inherently unsafe, it can be subject to a recall, suspension or withdrawal from the market.' Civilian staff employed by the Metropolitan Police will vote on whether to strike over increased office working that the force argue will help fight crime. The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) said its 2,400 members who 'support the day-to-day work of police officers' are being ordered back to the office in the new year. These roles include Vetting Officer, Production manager, Intel Officer, Criminal Investigator, forensic support, Case management admin, Intel Analyst, Child safeguarding hub, HR, Finance and Corporate services. Depending on where they work, the increase in office attendance is from 40 to 60 per cent, from 60 to 80 per cent or from 80 to 100 per cent - meaning one day a week more in the office. The union claims revised work patter would 'disproportionately affect women, part-time workers and those with disabilities', while staff are 'working perfectly well' from home. Civilian staff employed by the Metropolitan Police will vote on whether to strike over working an extra day each week in the office The Public and Commercial Services union's 2,400 members' roles include Vetting Officers, Intel Officers and Criminal Investigators PCS members working at the Office of National Statistics have previously voted for strike action over compulsory office attendance, while members at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government are campaigning for a four-day working week. PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: 'Yet again we are seeing an arbitrary figure chosen to decide how many days a week our members have to come into the office, when they are working perfectly well from home. 'There is no evidence people work better in the office. In fact, the opposite is true because workers are more productive when they have a better work-life balance, not having a stressful commute and able to spend more time with their family at home before and after work. 'It's not too late for the Met to change their mind and return to the blended working model that has been so successful for many years.' The ballot opens on November 6, with the result expected on December 10. A Met spokesperson said: 'Our purpose is to serve London, putting communities and victims at the heart of everything we do. 'Police staff are critical to this mission and we will succeed only by connecting better with the public and our colleagues. We have asked staff to increase their time in the office from two to three days per week because we think this will improve how we fight crime, support the front line, collaborate and improve public trust. 'If strike action goes ahead we have contingencies in place to ensure we can continue to keep London safe.' Republican voters who left the Democrat stronghold of California for neighbouring Nevada could help win the swing state for Donald Trump, supporters and a senator have claimed. Some 150,000 Californians have moved across the border since 2020, and now make up 20 per cent of the state's population. It is not clear how many of these are Republicans, but the gap between registered Democrats and GOP members has been narrowing - from 111,000 in 2020 to 71,000 in 2023. There is a rising demographic of Californian ex-pats in Nevada who dislike their home state's politics, with many actively against Kamala Harris and the measures she brought in as attorney general, according to Republicans. Nevada state senator Jeff Stone, a former California state legislator who now runs the website Help Me Flee CA, told Politico that he thinks Californian ex-pats 'could certainly be a significant help' to Trump. Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives to a campaign event in Henderson, Nevada, on October 31 US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 31 While many Nevadans begrudge what they see as liberal Californians moving to their state shifting its politics to the left, the rising number of Republican voters may suggest a different reality in many cases. Republican consultant Chuck Muth said: 'There are Californians who fled California and moved to Nevada because they wanted to get away from [Harris] types of policies.' Explaining why he upped sticks and moved to Reno, former California resident Jim DeMartini said: 'California just got to be a communist state.' The retiree, who previously ran a farm outside Modesto in California for 46 years, said he had been paying $200,000 a year in state income tax, and had moved across state lines in 2020. '[It was] Kamala Harris, it was Governor Newsom, it was a leftist, anti-business legislature who just felt they had to control everything. They even went so far as banning straws,' he told Politico. The Silver State has long been a swing state and the race there appears to be as close as can be. Like the other six battleground states, it looks set to be a nail-biter. FiveThirtyEight.com on Thursday said Harris has a 51 percent chance of winning the state, while Trump has a 49 percent chance. A CNN/SSRS poll released Tuesday showed Trump with 48 percent of the support of likely voters in Nevada and Harris with 47 percent. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. A sign in support of Trump and Vance seen in rural Dyer, in Esmeralda County, Nevada's least populous county, on October 17, 2024 An image of US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is seen on The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 31, 2024 Analysis suggests that more Republicans than Democrats have already submitted a ballot in the state. The last time Nevada voted for a Republican in the presidential race was George W Bush in 2004. However President Joe Biden only won the state by 33,596 votes in 2020. Such a narrow margin means that the growing number of registered Republicans could give the Democrats cause for concern. More people turned out in the last election than in 2016 when Clinton won the state by a similar margin over Trump or 27,000 votes. Nevada has six electoral votes up for grabs and has elected both Democrats and Republicans statewide in recent years, making it one of the more likely swing states to potentially go red in 2024. Your browser does not support iframes. The Real Clear Politics average of recent polls has Trump up by nearly a point at .9 percent as of Oct. 31; Harris had been up by 1 point earlier in the month. But an Emerson College poll out Nov. 1 had Harris leading by a point, 48-47. The poll's margin of error is 3.6 percent. It was estimated that around $24 million would be spent on the 2024 presidential race in Nevada in the final month of the race. The state's economy, which relies heavily on the service industries, was devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. In 2022, voters ousted their Democratic governor and elected Republican Joe Lombardo by just 13,000 votes even as Democrats managed to hold the Senate seat. Republicans were helped in the state by independent voters. A female investment manager who took her company to court after a joke about a hole in her trousers has lost her sexual discrimination tribunal case. Jessica Liew, 32, alleged that her finance firm's vice-president Magnus Zuther responded to her 'wardrobe malfunction' by calling it 'one way to get a promotion'. Employment judge Natasha Joffe described the remark as a 'clearly gendered' jibe and suggested she had been sexually discriminated against at worldwide investment company Aurelius Group. But two other employment tribunal panel members, both men, have disagreed and said she should have reported it at the time if anything happened - and her claims of sexual discrimination have now been rejected by a central London court. Ms Liew, who had a 115,000 a year salary, was the first and only woman in a team of more than 100 at the company - where she said there was a 'toxic and misogynistic' work environment. Jessica Liew, 32, told a tribunal that her finance firm's vice-president Magnus Zuther responded to her 'wardrobe malfunction' by calling it 'one way to get a promotion' Aurelius Group has its main HQ in Munich (pictured) though has bases in the UK She gave examples of her boss thanking her for getting 'all dressed up for me' at a meeting and commenting that the hole in her trousers was 'some air conditioning going through your pants'. Yet the panel's majority verdict ruled that the promotion comment was not said and that Mr Zuther pointing out the hole was simply a 'humorous way of addressing an awkward issue'. The Central London Tribunal Court hearing was told Ms Liew started working for the investment group in September 2021. Ms Liew, originally from California, worked predominantly in Doncaster. The case heard that Mr Zuther 'regularly' commented on her appearance and said she looked 'nice'. In late 2022, she said he told her, 'You look very nice', during a meeting, before adding, 'Thanks for getting all dressed up for me'. Despite earning 80 per cent of her available bonus and being handed another 3,000, she was hauled in for a performance review meeting in January last year which she described as 'unfair'. The panel heard that during a hot meeting in May last year, Mr Zuther saw a hole in the side of her trousers and said: 'Well, it looks like you have some air conditioning going through your pants. I guess that is one way to ask for a promotion.' The hearing was told the hole - on the seam of her trousers - was small, about the size of a 10p coin. Ms Liew claimed that for Mr Zuther - who denied making the comment - to have noticed it so quickly, he must have been 'staring at my body intently'. In June last year, her contract was terminated by bosses and she was sent a letter informing her she was to receive a 14,307 bonus - however, when she took them to a tribunal, this was rescinded. Employment Judge Joffe has now ordered Aurelius to pay the bonus but Ms Liew's claims of sex discrimination and harassment were dismissed. Judge Joffe said of the alleged 'promotion' comment: 'It was too singular a remark to have been a misunderstanding of something else said by Mr Zuther. 'She was, at the time this incident occurred, hoping to move to a new role away from Mr Zuther and it was understandable that she would want to keep her head down. 'We considered that a suggestion that exposing part of the body might be a way of seeking a promotion was clearly gendered. The case was heard by the Central London Employment Tribunal (pictured) Multinational investment company Aurelius Group terminated Ms Liew's contract in June 2023 'There is a common trope that women use sex to achieve job promotion (the 'casting couch') and we considered it improbable that Mr Zuther would have made a similar remark about a man.' But she said the panel did not have 'the sort of broad evidence' required to make any finding on whether there was a 'toxic and misogynistic' culture as claimed. Regarding the 'dressing up' comment, the panel were split. The judgment said: 'We bear in mind that it is often difficult to raise a complaint of this sort and that [Ms Liew] said that she did not want to rock the boat as she was hoping to move on in the company. 'Ultimately the majority (Mr Madelin and Mr de Chaumont Rambert) reached a different conclusion from the minority (Judge Joffe) on this issue, in circumstances where the entire panel felt we were working with very limited evidence and that the conclusion was finely balanced.' The two male panel members considered the lack of contemporaneous complaint by Ms Liew to be 'significant'. However, Judge Joffe - who found that the remark had been made - said: 'There was nothing about her evidence which suggested she would simply invent these incidents. 'In context what was said was probably intended, misguidedly, to be a pleasantry by Mr Zuther.' On the hole in trousers comment, the panel's judgment said: 'The tribunal majority considered that they were not satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the remark about promotion was made, although, like the minority, they accepted that the remark about "air conditioning" was made. 'It was a jokey way of referring to a wardrobe malfunction. 'The fact that [Ms Liew] said she had stopped biting her tongue by this point but did not raise the remark with anyone else was a significant factor in rejecting her account about the promotion remark.' The two male panel members said due to the 'the strength of feeling of the remark was said to have caused', she 'would have mentioned it' if it at the time if it actually happened. However, Judge Joffe found 'the most likely reason' for the different accounts was that Mr Zuther had forgotten what he considered an inconsequential piece of 'banter' at the time. The panel unanimously found the air conditioning comment had been made and was a 'humorous way of addressing an awkward issue'. They said: 'We were satisfied that Mr Zuther had benign and non-gendered reasons for raising it, although on Judge Joffe's alternative finding, he then went too far in making a joke about promotion which was sex-specific.' The Valencia flood death toll has reached 202, as survivors have been pleading for aid as they have no food or water to live on, amid warnings that Spain will be battered by another round of storms. Residents of the decimated city told local media that they are terrified for their lives, as authorities try to count the dead. 'This is a disaster. There are a lot of elderly people who don't have medicine. There are children who don't have food. We don't have milk, we don't have water. We have no access to anything,' a resident of Alfafar, one of the most affected towns in south Valencia, told state television station TVE. 'No-one even came to warn us on the first day.' Juan Ramon Adsuara, the mayor of Alfafar, one of the hardest hit towns, said the aid is not nearly enough for residents trapped in an 'extreme situation'. 'There are people living with corpses at home. It's very sad. We are organising ourselves, but we are running out of everything,' he told reporters. More than 200 people have so far been killed by the flooding People remove mud from the street on November 1, 2024 following the devastating effects of flooding on a residential area in the town of Massanassa, in the region of Valencia, eastern Spain This picture taken on November 1, 2024 shows the devastating effects of flooding on a residential area in the town of Massanassa, in the region of Valencia, eastern Spain 'We go with vans to Valencia, we buy and we come back, but here we are totally forgotten.' Residents in communities like Paiporta, where at least 62 people died, and Catarroja, have been walking miles to Valencia to get provisions, passing neighbours from unaffected areas who are bringing water, essential products or shovels to help remove the mud. Social networks have channelled the needs of those affected. Some posted images of missing people in the hope of getting information about their whereabouts, while others launched initiatives such as Suport Mutu, or Mutual Support, which connects requests for help with people who are offering it. Others organised collections of basic goods throughout the country or launched fundraisers. It comes as Spanish authorities have warned citizens to brace for more heavy storms, which could push the already-high death toll even further. Alerts for strong rains, like those experienced in Valencia, have been issued in Tarragona, Catalonia, and part of the Balearic Islands. Members of the fire brigade, which are part of a search and rescue unit, carry out work as cars and debris block a tunnel after the recent flash flooding in the nearby municipality Benetusser on November 1, 2024 in the Benetusser municipality of Valencia, Spain Floods swept cars and vans and dumped them across the city Spain's Mediterranean coast is used to autumn storms that can cause flooding, but this was the most powerful flash flooding in recent memory Spain's Mediterranean coast is used to autumn storms that can cause flooding, but this was the most powerful flash flooding in recent memory. Scientists link it to climate change, which is also behind increasingly high temperatures and droughts in Spain and the heating up of the Mediterranean Sea. Human-caused climate change has doubled the likelihood of a storm like this week's deluge in Valencia, according to a partial analysis issued on Thursday by World Weather Attribution, a group made up of dozens of international scientists who study global warming's role in extreme weather. Spain has suffered through an almost two-year drought, making the flooding worse because the dry ground was so hard it could not absorb the rain. In August 1996, a flood swept away a campsite along the Gallego river in Biescas, in the north east, killing 87 people. More to follow. North Korea will stand by Russia until its victory in Ukraine, Pyongyang's foreign minister said in Moscow Friday, as the US has warned thousands of North Korean troops could be sent to combat in the Ukraine conflict in the coming days. North Korea's Choe Son Hui was in Moscow as the West believes up to 10,000 North Korean troops are training in Russia and on the brink of entering the more than two-year conflict on Russia's side. US intelligence has said some of the troops have made their way to the Kursk border region, with Washington and Seoul warning North Korea to withdraw its army. 'We will always stand firmly by our Russian comrades until victory day,' Choe declared in Moscow after talks with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. She said North Korea had no doubt in the 'wise leadership' of President Vladimir Putin, who signed a mutual assistance pact with Pyongyang this summer and massively warmed ties with the reclusive state. In this photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry press service on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, and North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui attend an unveiling ceremony of the plaque to mark Kim Il Sung's 1949 visit to USSR Her comments come after President Vladimir Putin signed a mutual assistance pact with Pyongyang this summer Choe called Moscow's more than two year offensive in Ukraine a 'sacred struggle.' She also vowed that North Korea will continue to develop its nuclear arsenal, with Pyongyang widely suspected of wanting nuclear technology from Russia in exchange for military support. Neither country has denied the troop deployment reports, with Son Hui and Lavrov also not mentioning them in their statements after their talks. Lavrov did however laud 'very close ties' between the two countries 'armies and special services.' 'This will also make it possible to solve significant security aims for our citizens and yours,' he added, without giving details. Lavrov said Russia was 'deeply grateful' for North Korea's 'principled stance' on Ukraine. Russia's Ukraine offensive, launched in February 2022, severed its ties with the West, while North Korea and Iran have emerged as Russia's main backers, with both believed to be supplying Moscow's troops. 'I really appreciate today's opportunity to talk frankly in a comradely manner,' Lavrov said, evoking Soviet-style language. Russia has massively warmed ties with its North Korean neighbour, with Moscow and Pyongyang now among the most sanctioned countries in the world. It comes after a video allegedly showing North Korean soldiers in Russia surfaced earlier this month Kim Jong Un has reportedly dispatched 12,000 troops to support Russia's devastating invasion of Ukraine Lavrov said Putin's July visit to Pyongyang launched a 'new stage' of relations. North Korea is already believed to have sent weapons to Moscow but troops on the ground would mark a major escalation. The US said Thursday it has not yet seen troops sent into combat but that this could happen 'in the coming days.' But its Defense Secretary Llyod Austin said that the 10,000 North Koreans believed to be on their way 'will not come close to replacing the numbers that the Russians have lost.' He said the US will announce new military aid for Kyiv soon. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday denounced what he called inaction by his allies on North Korean troops and said he was surprised by the 'silence' of China. Kyiv urged Western partners to 'lift all the restrictions' on firing long-range missiles into Russia after the 'true escalation' with North Korea. North Korea's Choe Son Hui vowed in Moscow that the country will not give up advancing its nuclear programme and accused the West of escalating tensions in the Korea peninsula. This image, taken on October 2, shows North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (centre L) inspecting a training base of the Korean People's Army's special operations forces She spoke a day after North Korea said it test-fired one of its newest and most powerful missiles to boost its nuclear deterrent, in a move slammed by the West. 'I once again assure you that our country will in no way change course on the straightening of its nuclear forces,' she said. 'The security situation of our nation is in a very dangerous and unstable state because of the machinations of the US and its satellites,' she said. 'The situation on the Korean Peninsula could become explosive at any time,' she added. South Korea has said that North Korea's deployment to Russia could escalate security threats on the Korean peninsula, and that Pyongyang will likely ask for Russian technology transfers to aid its weapons programs. This is the first picture of a 17-year-old public schoolboy who tried to murder two sleeping students and a teacher by attacking them with hammers. Thomas Wei Huang wore only his boxer shorts in the attack at 45,000-a-year Blundell's School in Devon and used weapons he had collected to prepare for a zombie apocalypse. Huang was detained for life last month following a trial at Exeter Crown Court, and an anonymity order preventing him from being named has now been lifted. The teenager was born in Malaysia to a wealthy family with a London home near Battersea Power Station, and joined Blundell's in 2020. In court, he admitted assaulting the two boys and the housemaster, but claimed he had been sleepwalking. However, a jury rejected this account and found him guilty of three counts of attempted murder. Thomas Wei Huang is pictured for the first time in a mugshot released by police Chilling images shared by police show three claw hammers used in the attack Two police officers stand in the doorway at the scene of the attack at Blundell's school After the attack his parents flew to the UK to be told what had happened and accompanied him during the trial. Prosecutor James Dawes KC said the youth had carried out the attacks in a 'killing rage' after he had researched serial killers and different ways to kill. The jury had been told Huang had fallen out with the youngest victim because he thought he had slighted him during a science lesson by laughing at him. There was also tension between them over the attentions of a 15 year old girl at the co-educational school. During the moments before his attack, Huang had been listening to Robin Hustin's song 'Light It Up'. The judge said Huang played the song to 'gee yourself up' to produce the adrenaline 'to do what you did'. One of his young victims made an excellent recovery while the older boy victim suffered brain damage - and the court was told he may have been subjected to a double beating as he crawled along his bunk bed trying to escape the hammer blows. The judge said Huang - who had autism - became increasingly isolated and 'retreated into the online world'. In that world he researched high profile murders like those of John Lennon, schoolboy Rikki Neave, Sarah Everard who was kidnapped, raped and murdered by policeman Wayne Couzens, soldier Lee Rigby and the Moors murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley. Sentencing Huang, Mrs Justice Cutts said experts were unable to say how long the Malaysian born defendant would pose a risk to the public and imposed a sentence of detention for life with a minimum term of 12 years. 'You planned your offences and used hammers you had bought as weapons,' she said. 'You knew full well if you hit the boys multiple times with the hammers they would die. 'You are an intelligent boy and I am satisfied you knew the difference between right and wrong. 'In my view there remains a significant risk that you could behave in this way again. I consider that you pose a high level of danger to the public because of the nature of your offences.' Huang had armed himself with three claw hammers and waited for the two boys to be asleep before attacking them. The two pupils were asleep in cabin-style beds in one of the co-ed school's boarding houses when the defendant climbed up and attacked them shortly before 1am on June 9 last year. Housemaster Henry Roffe-Silvester, who was asleep in his own quarters, was woken by noises coming from the boarding house and went to investigate. Police at Blundell's school in Tiverton following the horrific incident When he entered the bedroom where the attack had happened, he saw a silhouetted figure standing in the room, who then turned towards him and repeatedly struck him over the head with a hammer. Another student heard Mr Roffe-Silvester shouting and swearing as he fled the bedroom and dialled 999 believing there was an intruder. The two boys were discovered in their beds a few minutes later. They had suffered skull fractures and injuries to their ribs, spleen, a punctured lung and internal bleeding. The court heard both are living with the 'long-term consequences' of the attack but have no memory of the incident. One boy suffered permanent brain damage. Mr Roffe-Silvester received six blows to his head but made a full recovery. During the trial, Mr Dawes KC told jurors: 'The investigation has uncovered an obsession that the defendant had with one of the boys, an obsession with hammers as weapons, and an obsession with killing and killers and the killing of children. 'Mr Roffe-Silvester said he thought the defendant appeared to be 'on a mission' and afterwards his face and body relaxed.' But one expert told the jury the boy would have been sleepwalking. Dr Mark Pressman described the attack on Mr Roffe-Silvester as 'a textbook example of sleepwalking violence'. Another expert, Dr John O'Reilly, said he did not believe Huang was asleep because a sleepwalker does not initiate violence because it is triggered by noise or touch. Giving evidence, Huang said he kept two hammers by his bed 'for protection' from the 'zombie apocalypse'. Huang added: 'I feel very terribly sorry for all three individuals because of what I did to them.' Kerim Fuad KC, defending, described the incident as a 'tragic and extraordinary case' and said Huang has since been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Blundell's School in Tiverton He said Huang was struggling from a combination of difficulties, including exams, issues in his personal life and an 'unhealthy interest in violence and violent films'. 'This was a very unhealthy cocktail of extreme stress,' he added. Mr Fuad said Huang was being blackmailed by a female in a case of sexploitation, with the boy fearing she would send naked photos he had sent her to all his contacts unless he paid her money. Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Dave Egan said: 'The assaults were both brutal and savage and I have no doubt that his intent was to kill.' The family of one of the teenagers said: 'We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have assisted in our son's recovery.' The family of the other boy said: 'I am looking forward to my family moving on now that the trial is over, and I hope my son will continue his recovery and have a good future ahead.' Bart Wielenga, the head of Blundell's School, said: 'We will continue to make counselling available to any staff or pupils who feel in need of additional support. 'I have been very clear with the pupils that this is not an incident we whisper about or have to be ashamed of. It is part of our narrative, our shared story.' Headmaster Bert Wielenga wrote to parents last month as Huang was being sentenced. He wrote: 'You have stood by each other, and I have sensed no anger, bitterness or rancour. In all things you have conducted yourselves in a spirit of admirable optimism and grace.' He said Huang - 'who was once a pupil amongst us....will have to confront that reality'. He added: 'I have been very clear with the pupils that this is not an incident we whisper about or have to be ashamed of. It is part of our narrative, our shared story. 'We are allowed to talk about it openly and we can express our emotions safely.' And he wrote: 'Undoubtedly, there are challenges ahead, especially with the imminent introduction of VAT on school fees, but even so, it feels like Blundell's is in an especially good place.' David Crisafulli's LNP has promised not to alter any laws Five hundred people rallied for abortion rights in Brisbane Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets of Brisbane to rally for abortion rights, after the topic was hotly debated ahead of the Queensland election. The Keep Abortion Legal rally took place outside the old Treasury Casino in the city's CBD on Friday evening, with as many as 500 demonstrators showing up. Organisers said there was anger directed at the Liberal National Party over their stance on abortion. LNP leader David Crisafulli became the Queensland Premier last Saturday at the state election, the first time in nine years Labor was defeated. Mr Crisafulli had insisted there would be no changes to abortion laws if he was voted in as premier in the lead up to the election. He did vote against a 2018 bill that dropped abortion from the Criminal Code and allowed women to undergo the procedure as late as 22 weeks of gestation. Protesters in Brisbane on Friday night demanded the government keep abortion legal and make it free and accessible. Demonstrators marched throughout the CBD starting at George Street before circling their way through the city and returning to Brisbane Square. About 500 protesters showed up to support abortion rights in Brisbane after it became a contentious topic in the recent state election The event was hosted by groups the National Union of Students and Children by Choice. Speakers included Children by Choice CEO Jill McCay, a general practitioner and University of Queensland Union Women's Officer Alyssa Roser, among others. 'I think the feeling was just really anger and outrage at the Liberal government,' rally chair, Ella Gutteridge told the Courier Mail. 'I think their election means that there's not a second to waste in getting organised to fight back.' Ms Gutteridge said a 'very diverse crowd' showed up for the rally which shed light onto other issues such as the rights of First Nations people. Abortion became a key point during the heated election between Mr Crisafulli and former Labor premier Steven Miles. Mr Crisafulli was asked about the issue more than 130 times on the campaign trail and he repeatedly stated the LNP had no intention to alter abortion laws. The firestorm started after Robbie Katter, who is state leader of Katter's Australian Party, said he would introduce laws to repeal or amend abortion laws on October 8. Mr Katter's announcement paralysed the election and took away from Mr Crisafulli's key promise to solve youth crime in the state. Brown-colored water and notices of toxic bacteria in the water supply have left residents of a small Texas town gravely concerned for their health. Dozens of homes in Floresville, outside San Antonio, have been dealing for nearly two years with their drinking and bath water running brown, smelling of chlorine and recently testing positive for dangerous E.coli. The presence of E.coli in the water was discovered in September, according to notice sent from the company that owns the well supplying water to residents. 'Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal waste,' a September notice sent by Central States Water Authority alerted residents The current population of Floresville, Texas (pictured) is 8,656 based projections of the latest US Census estimates 'Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal waste,' the notice reads. 'These bacteria can make you sick and are a particular concern for infants, young children and people with weakened immune systems.' Worried for her and her children's health, Floresville resident Brandi Knighton called the well's owner, Central States Water Authority (CSWA), looking for clarity as their only water source was tainted with the harmful bacteria. 'I call the company, and I ask them, 'What is going on? Do I boil my water? Is this safe for them to drink? And nobody can answer me. Even in speaking to the supervisor, she couldn't tell me if my water was safe for consumption for my six children,' Knighton told KSAT News. Knighton and her husband, Jason, have installed a whole-house filtration system as a more cost-effective solution, rather than constantly buying bottled water as other have been forced to do. 'Everybody in this neighborhood is having to buy bottled water. So who is paying for this?' one concerned resident, Carrie Wilcoxson, said. Other residents are having to run their sink and tub faucets for several minutes to flush out the discoloration. Worried for her and her children's health, Floresville resident, Brandi Knighton, called Central States Water Authority looking for clarity as their only water source was tainted with a harmful bacteria. Pictured: Brandi beside her husband, Jason Knighton Even with the filtration system, Jason says he needs to replace the filters monthly, if not more frequently. 'These filters should last at least six months and up to a year, but we are changing our filters now at least once a month,' he said 'Everybody in this neighborhood is having to buy bottled water. So who is paying for this?' resident Carrie Wilcoxson said Even with the filtration system, Jason says he needs to replace the filters monthly, if not more frequently. 'These filters should last at least six months and up to a year, but we are changing our filters now at least once a month,' he said. 'I feel disgusted. If I didn't have this system, my water would look worse than that. When my kids are bathing or when were showering, what we're drinking, what we're cooking with. How do you feel clean with that? That's the water going into your house,' Jason added. Other residents have expressed concern over the strong odor of chlorine - which is often used in trace amounts during the water purification process to kill harmful bacteria. 'I'm the first house off the well. It's so strong that you cannot breathe it, let alone drink it. I have asthma, and it's just too much,' Wilcoxson said. She added that there are no notices to boil the water when the discoloration appears. 'The water company is saying, "It may seem unpleasant, but it's safe to drink." I don't care what they're saying. This water is not safe to drink. That sediment is rusting our hot water heaters, and it's galvanizing to other metals. So how can it be safe for our stomachs?' Wilcoxson said. The neighbors created a Facebook group to update one another on the situation. 'Four days ago we took a poll of whose water smelled like strong chlorine. It shows 16 people, which is about 70 percent of the neighborhood,' Wilcoxson said. Residents' bills are also piling up as a result. 'CSWR bought the well in 2020. Back in 2021, we started to see brown water and highly chlorinated water frequently. And yet, in 2022, the water company CSDR applied to increase their rates,' Wilcoxson said. Pictured: CSWR's water well and filtration system in Floresville Wilcoxson says her porcelain toilets are stained from the discolored water constantly running through faucets and plumbing 'CSWR bought the well in 2020. Back in 2021, we started to see brown water and highly chlorinated water frequently. And yet, in 2022, the water company CSDR applied to increase their rates,' Wilcoxson explained. 'Our bill went up. And so you think maybe the quality of your water is going to go up or add filtration, and it hasn't. So our bills gone up, but our water has gotten worse,' Knighton added. CSWR-Texas told KSAT News this week that it would 'assess potential solutions such as installing automatic flushers, which would reduce the need for residents to manually flush their lines at their own expense.' The company added that its team was on site to test and review the systems weekly, further stating that 'all disinfection equipment at the water system is fully operational and running effectively.' The statement failed to address a well-filtration system resident's water-bottle expenses. Also this week, the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality confirmed that it is conducting an investigation into the complaints it has received from residents. Wilcoxson has also filed a case with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office and has been in contact with State Senator Judith Zaffrini, who she said is helping with possible long-term solutions. Four young girls suffered potentially life changing injuries after a suspected explosion at a burger restaurant on Halloween. The 12-year-olds, who remain in hospital, were burned when fire broke out in the toilets at Wendy's in Brighton. The blaze sparked a mass emergency service response in the city at around 8.30pm on Thursday evening. Sussex Police continue to investigate the cause of the fire as social media users reported hearing what they believed was a fireworks 'explosion' at the restaurant. However, it is understood fireworks were not the cause of the incident. Four 12-year-old girls suffered potentially life changing burns after a suspected explosion at Wendy's in Brighton, which emergency services are seen outside last night Emergency services including police descended on the scene and cordoned off the restaurant on Western Road (pictured) Footage shared online shows commotion outside the restaurant with lights blaring from the emergency vehicles Social media users reported hearing what they believed was a fireworks 'explosion' nearby but it is understood fireworks did not cause the blaze A spokesman for the force said: 'Four 12-year-old girls sustained potentially life-changing burns following an incident at Wendy's in Western Road, Brighton, around 8.30pm on Thursday October 31. 'They remain in hospital at this time, and our enquiries to establish the cause of the fire are ongoing. 'While we are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident, anyone with any information is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 1241 of 31/10.' No arrests have been made. Sussex Police said the incident took place in the toilet area of the restaurant. Western Road was temporarily closed to allow for emergency services, including East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, to attend the scene last night. A spokeswoman for the fire service confirmed they were called to attend a fire at the restaurant. Footage shared online shows commotion outside the restaurant as emergency service members stood outside the entrance with the road cordoned off. The American burger chain opened in Brighton in March 2022 shortly after the brand first opened in the UK. A Wendy's spokesperson said: 'Our thoughts are with those recovering from this incident in our Brighton restaurant. 'The safety of our customers and employees is our highest priority. We are continuing to work with the local police authorities on their investigation.' An migrant who was arrested at the border for crossing illegally before being cut loose has been charged with raping a five-year-old girl on Long Island. Wilson Castillo Diaz, 26, of Westbury, is accused of raping the young victim at an undisclosed location on October 16, according to Nassau County Police. Diaz, who illegally crossed the US border near Rio Grande, Texas in April 2014, was arrested by US Border Patrol agents and then released. He later failed to appear for a hearing in immigration court. Details about the circumstances of the alleged rape, including the relationship between Diaz and the victim, were unavailable. The child was taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation. Diaz was arrested on October 22 and arraigned the next day on charges of rape, attempted rape and endangering the welfare of a child, police said. Wilson Castillo Diaz, 26, was charged with rape, attempted rape and endangering the welfare of a child Diaz, who had illegally crossed the US border near Rio Grande, Texas , in 2014, was released by border patrol after being issued a notice to appear in immigration court, which he did not attend He is currently being held on a $200,000 bond. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have been notified of the arrest. This incident follows the high-profile killing of nursing student of Laken Riley, 22, in Georgia, allegedly at the hands of an illegal migrant. The suspect, Jose Ibarra, from Venezuela, had crossed into the US in El Paso, Texas in September 2022. He was released by authorities due to a lack of detention space. Riley was going for a run at the University of Georgia's campus in Athens when Ibarra inflicted blunt-force trauma to Riley's head and 'asphyxiated her in a manner unknown to jurors,' according to his indictment. It also states that Ibarra 'seriously disfigured her head by striking her head multiple times with a rock.' Immigration has emerged as a major campaign issue ahead of the November 5 presidential election after an unprecedented migrant surge strained budgets in cities including New York, Chicago and Denver. Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, has dialed up his anti-immigrant rhetoric by suggesting migrants are committing crimes more often than US citizens, even though the evidence does not back up those claims. In late September, Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris walked a stretch of the US-Mexico border and called for further tightening of asylum restrictions as she sought to project a tougher stance on illegal migration and address one of her biggest vulnerabilities in the election. She balanced tough talk on policing the border with calls for a better way to welcome migrants legally. The Border Patrol's El Paso Sector, which includes El Paso and all of Southern New Mexico, is currently the third busiest in the nation, with only Tucson and San Diego having more encounters. Laken Riley, 2,, was found dead on the University of Georgia campus on February 22 Riley's accused killer, Jose Ibarra, had crossed into the United States from El Paso, Texas in September 2022 This part of the border has become increasingly deadly for migrants, many who have dropped dead of extreme heat. In May, 23,478 migrants were encountered by US officials in El Paso. Nationwide, 241,022 migrants were stopped trying to enter illegally into the US. At least 2.2 million migrants have pass through the US' borders in fiscal year 2024, according to federal statistics. An illegal California Halloween event ended in horror after a driver plows into a crowd injuring multiple people. Sickening footage shows the moment the deranged motorist slams into a group of spectators at a street takeover. Several people were knocked to the ground, while multiple people got pinned under the vehicle which continued driving over the top of them. The chaos unfolded at around 2am on Friday on Orangewood and State College Blvd. Anaheim police confirmed to The Mirror that two 19-year-old pedestrians were hospitalized during the incident. A California Halloween event ended in horror after a driver plowed into a crowd injuring multiple people Sickening footage shows the moment the deranged motorist slams into a group of spectators at a street takeover The dramatic video shows smoke billowing as a car performs a donut maneuver around a group of revelers. But suddenly the vehicle veers directly into their path, prompting the person filming to start shouting. The vehicle then slams into multiple people before other spectators begin to rush towards it. But the driver keeps going, flattening several people who get dragged under the vehicle. The car continues to rev as the angry mob try to stop it from moving, with several people jumping up and down on the car's windscreen. 'There's still a guy under it!' Someone shouts as the crowd continue kicking and pummeling the vehicle. The two people who were hospitalized were described as in a 'stable condition' as of Friday morning and no arrests had been made yet, police said. The unruly scenes are the latest example of the lawlessness on display at street takeovers, where motorists meet to show off their vehicles by performing dangerous stunts. Police confirmed that at least two people were hospitalized following the chaos At one point the driver pinned several people under the vehicle and continued to keep revving the engine The crowd then rushed at the vehicle in an attempt to stop it and began pummeling the car California Governor Gavin Newsom recently unveiled measures to crack down on the sideshows. The bipartisan legislation brought in increases penalties and accountability and increases law enforcement's ability to combat the events, Newsom said. 'Sideshows are reckless, criminal activities that endanger our communities. We have seen too many people killed or hurt at these events,' he added. 'We are sending a clear message to anyone considering participating in or attending a sideshow: stricter penalties are in place, including the potential loss of your vehicle.' DailyMail.com has contacted Anaheim police for comment. Families fear they will be forced to leave their homes after one of the UK's biggest charities put an entire street of 24 homes up for sale for 1.6million. Dock Road in Sharpness, Gloucestershire, is set to be auctioned next week by the Canal and River Trust, who has owned Sharpness Dock for 150 years. The single lot consists of 12 terrace houses, eight semi-detached and two detached properties, according to property auction house Allsop, which is handling the sale. Currently, the 'rare unbroken street' generates rents of roughly 168,000 per year for the Canal and River Trust. A spokesman for the trust explained how all the properties will be sold together as a single lot to a single buyer and it will bring 'no change to the residents' tenancy agreements', meaning 'nobody is required to leave their home'. Tenants, however, who were informed of the sale through a letter from Allsop, are 'shocked and worried' that a new owner would likely increase rents which would force them to leave. Families fear they will be forced to leave their homes after the Canal and River Trust put Dock Road, pictured, up for sale The street in Sharpness, Gloucestershire, is due to be auctioned on Thursday November 7 with a guide price of 1.6million Resident Amanda Cawston, 54, said: 'We thought we would be here forever and now we don't know what the future holds' Dave Morse, who is 78-years-old, fears whoever takes the sale will increase the rent Amanda Cawston, 54, who has lived in the same house for almost three years with her husband and son, fears she will be forced to leave her family home. 'We thought we would be here forever and now we don't know what the future holds,' she said. 'It is a shock - we have spent a lot of time getting the house the way we like. We might not be able to afford this home in the long term. 'It is a real concern. We have Christmas in the horizon. This is a lovely community and everybody gets along with each other. 'We may have to move again. We are not in a position to buy and rents are expensive - we really don't want to leave if we don't have to. 'I can't imagine the rents will stay the same, they will maybe increase in line with private landlords.' Ms Cawston added that she is scared her son, who is 19 and works two minutes away from the house, will have his 'independence' taken away. 'It is fantastic for him because he doesn't drive - everything is on his door step,' she explained. 'They are all very old houses here and there are some damp issues so it would be nice to have a landlord who cares about it.' Dave Morse, 78, who has been a resident for 25 years, said his biggest concern is that whoever takes the sale will increase the rent and 'put a lot of dos and don'ts'. He said: 'I would be sad to lose it here because I have done a lot of work inside and outside the house and I would be disappointed if I had to leave.' The single lot consists of 12 terrace houses, eight semi-detached and two detached properties Currently, the street generates rents of roughly 168,000 for the Canal and River Trust James Cooke, 27, who lives with his parents, said: 'We have lived up here all of our lives. We want the dock to be what it is' Jack Meredith, 29, who only moved to the street one month ago, said it was a 'bit of a shock' to see it go for sale Zoe Walker, 45, explained how if she is forced to leave she has 'nowhere to go' Jack Meredith, 29, who only moved to the street one month ago, added: 'It is a bit of a shock but we all knew it was going to happen after the sewage been done. 'It is a lovely little site down here - it is perfect for everyone and most people down here work in the docks anyway so this is ideal. 'I do like living here - my work is just around the corner two minutes from here.' James Cooke, 27, who lives with his parents, told: 'We have lived up here all of our lives. We want the dock to be what it is. 'My parents are in their 60s and they don't want to be stressed out about moving out. We agreed to take this house as it was because the price was slightly cheaper.' Zoe Walker, 45, moved to her house on Dock Road in 2006 and explained how if she is forced to leave she has 'nowhere to go'. 'I have been on the council list for a long time but if you have a roof above your head you can't do anything about it,' she said. 'There is a lot of uncertainty with rent and how much it is going to go up by, if we are actually going to be kept as tenants. Nobody knows. We have just got to wait and see. 'It could be a good thing or a bad thing - it depends who takes them on. They do need a lot of work so it is inevitable that they are going to put the prices up.' Suze Ashford-Barnes, 42, has been living in the same street for seven years. She said she was not shocked with the landlords decision of auctioning the street, however, she stated that it wasn't 'very nice' to get the letter as she would have preferred to being told personally. She said: 'They couldn't sell the houses because of the sewage system. So when they started to fix the circular sewage system that meant the houses could be sold. 'If the prices go up - so be it really. We like living here as long as they fix the damp problem. We are fine with it because it is difficult to find anywhere else to rent. 'We like it and we accept that it is cheaper here and we don't intend to move anywhere else. 'The houses were built by hand by the dock workers - there is a lot of history. It is a real attachment for us - we are lucky to live here.' A spokesman for the trust explained how all the properties will be sold together as a single lot to a single buyer The charity also reinforced how the sale will bring 'no change to the residents' tenancy agreements', meaning 'nobody is required to leave their home' Tenants, who were informed of the sale through a letter from Allsop, still remained worried about increased rent A tenant, 37 who lives with her mum and kids says the neighborhood is a 'nice area to live' and she doesn't want to move out of there. 'It is a bit sad that they are auctioning if off and hopefully will have this mended and repaired,' she said. 'We worry that the cost we are renting might go up. We would have to move out if the rent goes up as we can't afford to pay it.' Sharpness is located at the seaward end of the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. The Canal and River Trust, one of the UK's biggest charities who cares for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs, is the statutory harbor authority for Sharpness Port and has owned Sharpness Dock for 150 years. A spokesman for the Canal and River Trust Said: 'Our charity is in contact with residents about the sale of the properties along Dock Road. The sale will be via an auction at the beginning of November. 'Our intention is that all the cottages will be sold together as a single lot to a single buyer. 'We understand that a change of ownership might seem unsettling, but in practice, whilst there will be a change of owner there won't be a change to our resident's tenancies i.e. nobody is required to leave their home and the properties will be sold on the same terms as the tenants have in place. 'We'll keep in touch with our tenants as the sale process progresses.' Dock Road is due to be auctioned on Thursday November 7 with a guide price of 1.575million. The sale of the lot also includes two semi-detached mixed use buildings, a single-storey workshop, three garages and 1.7 acres of vacant land. One of the buildings was the Sharpness Post Office. This is the horrifying moment a 17-year-old opened fire on a Halloween crowd in Orlando and killed two, before being taken down by a hero cop. Jaylen Dwayne Edgar was arrested after he killed two people and injured six others in downtown Orlando early on Friday, officials said. Shocking footage released by police shows the suspect in a yellow shirt calmly walking through the crowd of Halloween revelers before he turns around and fires his gun. Crowds flee in terror as the muzzle flash lights up the dark street. The suspect is seen running with the crowd towards two police cars, getting meshed with the innocent bystanders that were fleeing in panic. As he pulls out the gun again, a hero cop spots him and quickly tackles him to the ground, disarming him before other officers assist in the arrest. Shocking footage released by police shows the suspect in a yellow shirt calmly walking through the crowd of Halloween revelers before he turns around and fires his gun Jaylen Dwayne Edgar was arrested after he killed two people and injured six others in downtown Orlando early on Friday, officials said As he pulls out the gun again, a hero cop spots him and quickly tackles him to the ground, disarming him before other officers assist The suspect could be seen protesting his innocence and appeared to be trying to blend in with other bystanders fleeing for their lives. The dead have not been named but are a 25-year-old black male and a white male aged 19, Orlando Police have said. Officers responded to a report of shots fired in the citys downtown shortly after 1am. A second shooting minutes later happened within a short distance of officers and they quickly made an arrest, the citys police Chief Eric Smith said during a briefing Friday morning. The six wounded, who range in age from 19 to 39, were transported to a hospital for treatment and were in stable condition, Smith said. Smith showed video from street security cameras and a police body camera showing the two shootings and the suspects arrest at the second shooting location. The suspect was wearing a yellow shirt, jeans and a backpack when he opened fire Edgar was previously arrested for grand theft in 2023 Police used security video to put out a description of the suspect, but the second shooting happened near police and officers saw the attack, Smith said. Young people - many wearing Halloween costumes - had been out partying Thursday night in the area before the horror unfolded. 'He pretty much walked into downtown, walked into the street and did what he did,' Chief Smith said, adding that the teen suspect did not walk into any clubs. 'Whatever his mindset was, he was going to shoot no matter what,' Smith added, noting that the suspect's motivation is part of the ongoing investigation. There were more than 100 officers patrolling the crowds estimated between 50,000 and 100,000 people who were out celebrating Halloween on Thursday night and early Friday morning. Cops are seen tackling the suspected attacker while people take shelter nearby Florida State Attorney Andrew Baine said charging the teen suspect as an adult is a possibility but his agency would await further information from the police investigation. Edgar was previously arrested for grand theft in 2023. Police have not revealed the victims' names as their families are informed. Trade union RMT says it has suspended planned strike action on the London Underground this week after 'intense' negotiations to avert crippling walkouts. The union was set to order engineering and maintenance staff to walk out tonight, with other workers in control rooms, emergency response and stations following with their own action over the next week. However, the RMT says it has told members to go to work as usually following what it called a 'significantly improved' offer from Transport for London (TfL). However, action by Aslef members - including train driver walkouts that will bring the London Underground to a grinding halt on November 7 and 12 - is still going ahead as of this afternoon. The union has been contacted for comment. The RMT row erupted around a plan by TfL to shake up pay grades amongst staff - a plan union boss Mick Lynch he 'would not accept'. RMT strike action on the London Underground has been suspended after the union said it had been offered a better deal The RMT strike action across November (above) has been suspended today after a new pay deal was offered by Transport for London but Aslef action remains on the table The RMT says 'progress has been made' following talks with TfL but that further discussions were on the cards An RMT spokesperson said: 'Following intense negotiations with London Underground management and a significantly improved offer, we have suspended the strikes scheduled to start this evening. 'London Underground have sensibly abandoned their proposed changes to pay structures which now means all our members will receive the same value in any pay award. 'Further discussions will take place next week regarding the pay offer but progress has been made which would not have been possible without the fortitude and industrial strength of our 10,000 members on London Underground.' Claire Mann, TfL's Chief Operating Officer, said this afternoon: 'We are pleased that the RMT has suspended its planned industrial action on the London Underground network to allow further talks. 'We believe that our offer is fair, affordable, good for our colleagues and good news for London. 'We will continue to work closely with all our trade unions, and urge Aslef to also call off its planned action next week. 'If it goes ahead customers should check before they travel as during their strikes on November 7 and 12 there will be little to no service.' The average Tube driver salary as of November last year was 63,901, according to a freedom of information response issued by TfL, though many are paid in excess of 70,000. Social workers refused to take action into the family of 10-year-old Sara Sharif before she was murdered despite teachers repeatedly spotting bruises on her face, a court heard. Sara's school had referred the family to social services after she gave different explanations to different members of staff about bruises to her face. Six days after the referral was made to Surrey social services, staff had already decided not to intervene and Sara was withdrawn from school within four weeks. Four months later was found dead at her home in Hammond Road, Woking, on 10 August 2023. Sara had at least 71 external injuries inflicted on her and was tortured and regularly beaten in the months before she died, the Old Bailey has heard. Father Urfan Sharif, 42, stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and uncle Faisal Malik, 29, are accused of carrying out a weeks-long campaign of abuse against the 10-year-old girl, culminating in her death last year. Sara Sharif, whose body was found under a blanket in a bunk bed at her home in Woking, Surrey, on August 10 During proceedings, the court was shown pictures of the families Surrey home Stepmother of Sara, Beinash Batool, 30, who is charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of a child Cab driver Urfan Sharif, stepmother Beinash Batool, and uncle, McDonald's worker Faisal Malik, all deny murder and causing or allowing the death of a child. Jurors were today read entries relating to Sara from her school's child protection online monitoring system. On 6 June 2022 a teacher submitted an entry that Sara had been seen with a bruise under her left eye. Sara at first would not explain how she got the injury, before saying that another child had hit her. On 10 March 2023 a report was entered about a member of staff spotting a bruise on Sara's chin and a dark bruise on her eye. Reading agreed facts to the jury, prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones said: 'Sara said her eye was just very itchy and the mark on her chin was from falling on roller skates. 'The head teacher spoke to her and Sara lowered her head and refused to lift her head or show her head.' Sara then gave a different explanation for the bruise, saying that a child had punched her. Mr Emlyn Jones said: 'She was reluctant to talk and kept her face lowered and only spoke with her face buried with her arm on the table. 'The school contacted their point of advice and a social services referral was made. 'Beinash Batool was made aware of the social services referral.' Sara was found to have ten spinal fractures and further fractures to her right collar bone, both shoulder blades, both arms, both hands, three separate fingers, bones near the wrist in each hand, two ribs and her hyoid bone in the neck CCTV footage captured a car arriving at Heathrow short stay car park with Urfan in the driver's seat Sara Sharif's family were caught on CCTV passing through passport security at Heathrow Airport in London on August 9 last year On 16 March 2023, six days after the bruise was spotted, social services made a decision to take no further action into the family, Mr Emlyn Jones said. The records showed that on 28 March 2023 Batool approached Sara's class teacher and told them Sara had a mark on her cheek which had been caused by her playing with a pen. The teacher recorded that the bruise seemed consistent with a pen mark. At 9.40am on 17 April 2023 the school received an email from Urfan saying Sara would be homeschooled with immediate effect. Continuing to read the facts agreed between the prosecution and defence, Mr Emlyn Jones said that a woman named Hannah Newham who cleaned the flat above the Sharif home said she on occasion heard the sound of 'a male voice raised in anger' coming from the flat. Sara was found to have ten spinal fractures and further fractures to her right collar bone, both shoulder blades, both arms, both hands, three separate fingers, bones near the wrist in each hand, two ribs and her hyoid bone in the neck. After the killing Sharif, Batool and Malik fled to Pakistan, leaving Sara's body in the three bedroom house in Woking. They were arrested more than a month later on September 13 last year at Gatwick Airport having flown back from Dubai. Sharif, Batool and Malik, all deny murder and causing or allowing the death of a child. The trial continues. An Eton-educated hipster has poured salt over the statue of Mahatma Ghandi in London as part of Just Stop Oil's latest stunt. Casper Horton-Kitchlew, 32, from Hackney, is descended from someone who was imprisoned with Ghandi, and claimed the Indian independence activist 'would support Just Stop Oil is he was alive today'. After wrapping a bright orange shawl around the statue on Parliament Square this morning, Mr Horton-Kitchlew said the government is 'pouring salt on Ghandi's legacy' by locking up peaceful non-violent protestors. He added: 'There are 40 political prisoners in the UK right now, including 24 jailed for Gandhian, nonviolent direct action in support of Just Stop Oil.' He was joined by another Just Stop Oil member as they held speech bubbles up to the anti-colonialist's figure reading 'be the change' and 'just stop oil'. Just Stop Oil activists have poured salt over the statue of Mahatma Ghandi in Parliament Square, London The stunt was led by Casper Horton-Kitchlew, an Eton educated 32-year-old from Hackney The eco campaigner claimed Ghandi 'would support Just Stop Oil is he was alive today' In September, two Just Stop Oil activists were sentenced to two years in jail for pouring soup over Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers and are among those which Mr Horton-Kitchlew sought to compare to Ghandi today. They followed five eco activists including the group's founder Roger Hallam who were jailed in July for conspiring to organise protests that blocked the M25 motorway. But many objected to the comparison some between those protestors and the Indian activist, as well as questioning the latest means of protest. One X user said: 'The first of Ghandi's 11 principles is Ahimsa, which removes jealousy, hatred or the desire to do harm towards others. Not sure how blocking roads to stop ambulances and other emergency vehicles getting to jobs is exactly Ahimsa.' Another commented: 'Why didn't you walk 240 miles instead?' Mr Horton-Kitchlew, a marketing manager, is the great great nephew of Saifuddin Kitchlew, an Indian independence activist who spent time in prison with Ghandi in 1919. He said: 'The doublethink that allows the British state to both venerate past resistance and imprison those demanding change today is the same as their acknowledging the climate crisis, but continuing to burn oil and gas.' While the Just Stop Oil member's relative was locked up with Ghandi, British Indian forces massacred hundreds protesting against Kitchlew's arrest on the instruction of brigadier general R. E. H. Dyer. 'Lives are at risk again,' Mr Horton-Kitchlew said, 'as innocent people in south and eastern Spain become the latest victims of oil and gas.' The death toll after unprecedented floods across Spain has now hit at least 202, with scientists saying climate change is linked to the disaster. Today's stunt referenced Ghandi's Salt March, a 24-day non-violent independence march while India was under British rule which saw taxes on salt hiked to historic levels to benefit UK traders. After wrapping a bright orange shawl around the statue on Parliament Square this morning, Mr Horton-Kitchlew said the government is 'pouring salt on Ghandi's legacy' by locking up peaceful non-violent protestors Mr Horton-Kitchlew is the great great nephew of Saifuddin Kitchlew, an Indian independence activist who spent time in prison with Ghandi Mr Horton-Kitchlew (pictured) is a marketing manager, it was revealed in March He is pictured celebrating with JSO activists after a previous case was dismissed A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said: 'In 1947 the Indian Independence movement achieved an end to British Rule, something that was previously considered unthinkable. This was achieved through mass civil disobedience. 'In 2024, we must also achieve the unthinkable and bring an end to the oil and gas era, before it ends us.' The activism group are demanding for an end to extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030. Mr Horton-Kitchlew previously scattered orange confetti over Labour politician Emily Thornberry during a speech. He and another campaigner, Genevieve Shanahan, interrupted the then-Shadow Attorney General's address by demanding she leave Labour if the Party fails to revoke Tory oil licences granted since 2021. Mine is bigger than yours! A deli clerk in Argentina sent a knife-wielding bandit fleeing on Thursday after flashing an even bigger blade at the would-be robber. Surveillance video showed the suspect walking up to the deli's cashier counter and pulling out a knife in the northern Patagonia town of Cipolletti. He is seen flashing the blade and stepping around the corner of the counter before backing away and tucking the knife into his pants. A bandit flashes a kitchen knife while attempting to rob a deli in Cipolletti, Argentina and then decided not to when he was confronted by a female worker holding a larger knife Thursday The young Argentine woman smiled while holding up the butcher's knife she use to prevent a knife-wielding suspect from robbing El Estribo, a deli located in the northern Patagonian city of Cipolletti The suspect then made beeline for the exit when, as the video showed, the satisfied clerk emerged waving a much larger knife with a smile spread across her face. Users on social media users were immediately smitten with the clerk after the video went viral One went as far as reaching out to the deli in the hope of connecting with the worker on social media to set up a possible date after falling in love with her 'psychotic smile.' The suspect stared down deli workers while holding a knife in the botched robbery attemp The outsmarted suspect was seen placing his small knife in his waistband moments after a female deli worker confronted him with a butcher's knife Some social media users fell in love with the young woman who prevented the deli where she works at from being robbed by standing up to a knife-wielding suspect with a butcher's knife Another user posted a still image of the grinning clerk, commenting: 'I'm going to call my mom and tell her that I fell in love.' Others called on the store's management to compensate the employee for stopping the crime. 'I think that girl deserves a raise, or at least a bonus,' one person said. Police sources said the deli didn't file an incident report. The suspect was still on the run as of Friday morning. Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump placed bets on who would sleep with Princess Diana first, an author claims. Michael Wolff said that the 'sex-obsessed' friends had a competition over who could bed the most women. Trump chronicler Wolff said he regularly interviewed disgraced financier Epstein for his three books about the former president before his suicide while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges. He painted a picture of Trump and Epstein's playboy lifestyle and told DailyMail.com sleeping with a Royal was considered the ultimate achievement. 'Diana and the royal family seemed to represent some ultimate 'get' for Epstein and Trump, and an ultimate competition,' Wolff said. Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump placed bets on who would sleep with Princess Diana first, according to an author who interviewed the late financier at length Trump chronicler Michael Wolff reported a series of explosive accusations about Trump which he says were made by Epstein 'At that moment in time Diana was the world's most famous woman. There was no greater 1980 status symbol. 'And, partly because sex seemed to be their singular focus, I believe they thought they could sleep with any woman they wanted to, including a princess.' At the time of the wager, Princess Diana, who was once the most photographed woman in the world, was married to the UK's now-King Charles III. The disclosure was made by Wolff during his podcast Fire and Fury, which bears the same name as his 2018 book on the Trump presidency. During the episode, he also released audio of Epstein discussing the inner working's of Donald Trump's administration. Wolff said the tape was made in a Manhattan restaurant in 2017. 'His people fight each other,' Epstein is heard telling Wolff, 'and then he [Trump] poisons the well outside.' Wolff claimed that their playboy braggadocio extended to Prince Diana, with the two competing to see who could bed her first Wolff also produced audio of Epstein detailing the inner workings of the Trump administration' Epstein and Trump became friends in the 1980s. However, Trump's team has said that he distanced himself from the convicted pedophile after allegations of sexual abuse against him emerged. In 2019, Trump said the two had a falling out and had not spoken in 15 years and stated he was, 'not a fan'. But before this, Wolff claimed that the men had once shared a girlfriend, although he did not name the woman. Wolff alleged that Trump was jealous of Epstein's girlfriends including model Stacey Williams, who has alleged that Trump groped her in 1993. Wolff references the duo's playboy lifestyles but alleges that Epstein told him Trump had 'no scruples'. 'I think they saw themselves as embodying this moment, which was money, women, and status,' Wolff said. 'We now see Epstein as the sexual monster. But certainly, at least in Epstein's telling, he and Trump were, in this regard, brothers in arms.' However, the relationship eventually soured and Epstein suspected that it was Trump who turned him in for soliciting from a minor which led to his conviction in 2008, Wolff said. But the author's critics have been quick to point out disputes over the accuracy of his reporting in his trilogy of Trump books. Trump's team strenuously denied Wolff's claims in a statement. 'Michael Wolff is a disgraced writer who routinely fabricates lies in order to sell fiction books because he clearly has no morals or ethics,' Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung said. 'He waited until days before the election to make outlandish false smears all in an effort to engage in blatant election interference on behalf of Kamala Harris. He's a failed journalist that is resorting to lying for attention.' The sound of a two-year-old boy in Florida shooting himself with his parents' flare gun was caught in haunting ring doorbell footage. The toddler, named only as Justin, was airlifted to the hospital after the flare gun burnt his finger and ricocheted off his chest in West Little River in Miami-Dade on Thursday afternoon, NBC Miami reported. He remains critically-ill. A neighbor's ring doorbell camera captured a loud and quick bang in the near distance - seemingly recording the moment the child accidently set the gun off. Miami-Dade police were called to a home on Northwest 103 Street and Northwest 32 Place at around 12.30pm where Raul Pozo, Justin's grandfather, was carrying him, CBS News Miami reported. The little boy got a hold of a flare gun while in the backyard with his father who was cleaning their boat in preparation for a fishing trip the following day. Justin, a two-year-old boy in Florida, got ahold of his parents' flare gun and accidently shot himself - the flare burning his fingers and ricocheting off his chest A neighbor's ring doorbell camera captured a loud and quick bang in the near distance which appeared to be the moment the little boy shot himself Possibly mistaking the dangerous device as a toy, Justin grabbed the gun out of the boat right before it went off. Pozo noted how it was a 'terrible accident' but Justin was able to remain calm - not even shedding a tear during the incident. Justin was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition, but is expected to be recovering quickly and may be returning home soon. Flare guns are a VDS device - a visual distress signal - which is an essential tool to have while out on the water in the event of an emergency. The handgun-looking piece of equipment discharges flares, blanks and smoke to produce a distress signal in times of need. The flares that are ejected from the gun draw attention to the boat - indicating that help is needed and giving rescue vessels a way to locate you. Raul Pozo, Justin's grandfather, noted how it was a 'terrible accident' but Justin was able to remain calm - not even shedding a tear during the incident In Florida, VDS devices are required on all boats when sailing through coastal waters, including the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. These devices can include handheld flares, aerial flares or an electronic signaling device. Despite being a necessary tool for boating, they can pose as a danger if not handled properly. It is not immediately clear what type of work was being done on the boat or if Justin was being supervised at the time of the accident, NBC6 reported. But Miami-Dade police have not filed any sort of charges following the horrifying incident. Miami-Dade Police Department responded to the home in West Little River where Justin's grandfather was seen carrying him Justin was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition, but is expected to be recovering quickly and will be returning home soon Under Florida law, firearms must be kept in a locked box or container that is secured with a trigger lock. But because flare guns are not considered firearms in the state, the same rules of storage don't apply - making this case just a scary accident. Justin was injured just a month after a 5-year-old boy accidently fired a flare gun in his face while inside the car in Wichita, Kansas, KSN News reported. While his mother stepped outside of the car to talk to his grandmother, he fired the gun, hitting his forehead and then exited the car which caught fire after the bang. He was taken to the hospital and suffered a head injury as well as burns, but was also expected to make a full recovery. A gym fanatic said she regrets her 'vain decision' of a liquid BBL as a quick fix in her quest for the 'ideal bottom' - as she nearly died when she began 'rotting from the inside out'. Charlotte Booth says she used to visit the gym seven days a week but opted to fork out nearly 2,500 for a 'non-surgical' Brazilian Bum lift with 100ml of injectable filler in May 2023. The 36-year-old claims she was given no aftercare instructions and that within 12 days she had such severe abscesses she 'passed out in pain' and took herself to hospital. She has even been registered as medically disabled - as she hardly has the energy to walk her three dogs or even get up the stairs as she has 'no buttock muscle left'. The business owner claims the NHS refused to treat her at first so she returned to the original clinic in Manchester but left the clinician concerned when 'pus and filler rolled down her leg'. With wounds that looked like 'burned chicken skin', Charlotte was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery, where she says her notes show she was just hours from death due to sepsis, gangrene and necrotic abscesses. Now she regrets the 'vain decision' that 'ruined' her life and left her with a bum that 'none of us wants' as she claims it looks like a machete wound on one cheek and like she's been shot in the other. Charlotte Booth, 36, nearly died when she began rotting from the inside out after a BBL injection She said her wounds looked like 'burned chicken skin' and at one point pus and filler started rolling down her leg Charlotte had previously been a gym fanatic but now struggles to walk and has been registered as medically disabled Taking to social media, the business woman has urged people to sign a petition advocating for the creation of 'Alice's Law' that calls for a ban on liquid BBL procedures from the high street. This follows the tragic death of mum-of-five, Alice Webb, on September 24, after having the treatment. Charlotte, who lives in Manchester, Greater Manchester said: 'The decision to have butt filler completely and utterly ruined my life. 'I was hoping it was going to my quick fix to having the ideal bottom. Unfortunately it turned out to be the very long fix that nearly killed me and left me with a bum that none of us want. 'I've now got the smallest bum I've ever had that looks absolutely disgusting. 'I look like I've been hit with a machete on one side and shot on the other. 'I have the biggest hip dips you've ever seen in your life where I literally have no buttock muscle left. Literally skin and bone. It needs to be banned.' Her injection of 100ml of filler was reportedly performed by a company renting a room in the beauty clinic in Greater Manchester which she'd previously had other procedures in. Charlotte said: 'At the time there was lots of stuff in the news about people going over to Turkey and having implants and liposuction. 'That's something I'd obviously researched and then not gone ahead with. I'd then looked into liquid bbl and there wasn't a huge amount online. 'There were minimal aftercare instructions. I thought 'oh well, if there's no bad press or news stories that you'd expect to see it must be fine'. 'If you look at some girls they have up to 1,000 ml of filler put in. I only had 100ml put on each side. Not even a can of coke full. 'I was sent away with no aftercare instructions, no phone number and was just told I'd be sore for a bit and to drink as much water as I can because the filler absorbs water. 'Because I'd not been given any aftercare instructions I'd gone onto the internet and looked at the aftercare and how long could potentially be in pain for. It said anything up to two weeks. 'After about five days my skin started going really hot, really red and really pink. I thought 'is this because I've drank too much water?' 'I suffered for a few more days because I thought if it's still sore after two weeks like I'd read online that's when I'll get back in touch with them.' Charlotte Booth said the decision to have filler 'completely and utterly' ruined her life Charlotte with her one-year-old dog Arlo, who she says she now struggles to walk After noticing abscesses on her buttocks and 'passing out' from pain twelve days after her treatment Charlotte took herself to hospital and claimed 'judgemental' doctors turned her away. She then went back to the clinic to have filler dissolver and left with 'pus and filler dripping down her leg'. Charlotte said: 'By the time we got to day 12 I'd actually passed out at home in pain. 'I went to the hospital and they had completely and utterly judged me. They sent me away. 'I had a heart rate of 160 and a temperature that was being controlled by paracetamol and very obvious abscesses on both buttocks. 'I was told there was nothing the NHS could do for me. I had to recontact the clinic who'd done the filler and get it dissolved and I was sent away with a packet of antibiotics. 'I then spent three days trying to get in touch with the clinic who'd done it. They then contacted me and put the dissolver in on the Sunday. 'I walked into the dissolver appointment with a pair of loungewear jogging bottoms on. I had to leave the dissolver clinic with just my knickers on because my trousers were full of pus. 'I'd literally had pus and filler rolling down my leg. It was absolutely horrific.' The consultant claims she was hours from death when she went in for emergency surgery and discovered she had sepsis, gangrene and necrotic abscesses. Charlotte said: 'I was literally delirious. I'd literally only sat down for 30 seconds and someone came and got me and said 'this is really serious'. 'Loads of doctors started coming through saying 'you need to be operated tonight, I don't think you're going to last through til the morning. We might have to put a stoma in to give your bowels some rest'. 'On my clinical notes I've got gangrene, necrotic abscesses and sepsis. My consultant was absolutely horrified that his colleagues had sent me away five days earlier. 'Pre-surgery, where that hole was on my left-hand buttock, it was all black and crispy. It looked like burned chicken skin. I had puss rolling down both sides of my legs. 'It was disgusting. The consultant said he'd never seen anything like it. He said I was 'foaming out of both buttocks'. 'It was like a fountain of pus that came out. The filler was coming out with it. It was just horrific. 'You could actually see the black in one of the abscesses. I was literally rotting from the inside out. 'My entire left buttock was affected. I hardly have any left buttock left because it all rotted away and they had to remove a large amount of it.' Charlotte with two of her dogs. She says she is not well enough to walk all of her dogs together Before her procedure, Charlotte was at the gym seven days a week. Pictured: Charlotte doing pole fitness before taking liquid BBL After successful surgery, Charlotte was forced to spend nine days 'screaming' in hospital having her dressings changed because the pain was 'worse than childbirth'. She then returned home and district nurses visited her twice daily for five months to change her dressings. Charlotte said: '[The doctor] said 'don't say this to any mum but that's worse than childbirth what you've just gone through'. 'I've never, ever experienced pain like that in my life. Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.' She is still suffering the consequences of the procedure 18 months later and doctors are concerned with how 'skinny' she is. Charlotte said: 'One little vain decision and 18 months later I'm still really struggling. I'm still a long, long way of being fully recovered. 'I manage to get the dogs out once a day and by the end of the day I'm struggling to get upstairs again. I've absolutely ruined my health. 'I never used to appreciate my good health. Pre-butt filler I was at the gym seven days a week. 'I take my dog to the secure dog field everyday because I'm not physically well enough to walk all three dogs for an hour. 'I still struggle to climb up stairs on occasion. I've lost 20% of my body weight. I've vomited thousands and thousands of times. 'I was sick 50 times a day every single day and I'm still being sick now 18 months later. 'I didn't get out of bed for five months. I couldn't sit down. I still can't sit in a lot of seats. 'My GP is looking after me. He's concerned with how skinny I am at the moment. I was a size eight to 10 before butt filler. Now I'm aged 11 in clothes. 'I'm trying desperately to put weight on but nothing's working. My body is putting all the energy into recovery rather than trying to gain weight.' Charlotte's stomach after losing weight from the BBL liquid, she says she has lost 20% of her body weight She has now been registered as medically disabled and says she struggles to walk up stairs. Pictured: Charlotte Booth's disability card She now urges people 'not to go anywhere near' the procedure and wants it to be banned following the tragic death of Alice Webb. Charlotte said: 'It's absolutely horrific. They need to stop it before more people suffer like me or more people die. 'Don't have it done. Don't take the risk. From what i've now discovered liquid BBL's are actually more risky than going to Turkey and having the implants done. 'What I didn't realise is that your bottom is that vascular that if they're injecting filler without ultrasound it's massively dangerous. 'My advice is not to go anywhere near it. Do some extra squats. It's not worth risking your life and ruining your health. 'Anyone that I can show those photos to and put off having a liquid bbl I will do. If any good comes of it it saves another life and saves someone else going through all that pain and suffering I did. 'I couldn't believe that someone lost their life over it. It's just so sad. It needs stopping. 'That poor lady dying, it doesn't matter if I'm embarrassed. If it stops someone else suffering like I did or dying, I don't care. 'It's been the worst 18 months of my life. Worst decision ever.' Guards are using prison work assignments at correctional facilities across the United States to lure and rape female inmates, a shocking investigation by the Associated Press has found. While female prisoners have long been victims of sexual violence, the number of reports against correctional staff has exploded across the country in recent years. Many complaints follow a similar pattern: Accusers are retaliated against, while those accused face little or no punishment. In all 50 states, the AP found cases where staff allegedly used inmate work assignments to lure women to isolated spots, out of view of security cameras. The prisoners said they were attacked while doing jobs like kitchen or laundry duty inside correctional facilities or in work-release programs that placed them at private businesses like national fast-food restaurants and hotel chains. 'The only thing you're thinking about when you're coming into intake is, 'How am I going to stay safe?'' said Johanna Mills of Just Detention International, a nonprofit organization working to end sexual violence behind bars. Former inmate April Youst said that she was told to report to the work release center's laundry room at her facility, where she said correctional officer James Widen was waiting for her This March 6, 2018 booking photo shows former Huntington Work Release Center correctional officer James Widen When she was incarcerated, she said her boss smashed her in the head and raped her after bringing her to an empty gym one night to do electrical work. 'It never occurred to me to watch my back from the supervisor,' she said. As part of a two-year investigation that has exposed everything from multinational companies benefiting from prison labor to incarcerated workers' lack of rights and protections, AP reporters spoke to more than 100 current and former prisoners nationwide, including women who said they were sexually abused by correctional staff. The AP also scoured thousands of pages of court filings, police reports, audits and other documents that detailed graphic stories of systemic sexual violence and cover-ups from New York to Florida to California. Those cases prompted a bipartisan Senate investigation two years ago that found prisoners were sexually abused by wardens, guards, chaplains or other staff in at least two-thirds of all women's federal prisons over the past decade. But a backlog of thousands of cases has impeded the Bureau of Prison's ability to hold employees accountable, government investigators said. The Prison Rape Elimination Act, passed more than 20 years ago, created a channel for filing reports that resulted in a threefold increase in the number of allegations of staff sexual misconduct involving male, female and transgender inmates from 2010 to 2020 at jails and prisons nationwide. Just over a month ago, U.S. lawmakers held a hearing to discuss how to better safeguard inmates. One woman, Bonnie Hernandez, testified that she was raped repeatedly and violently by officer Lenton Hatten in a Florida federal prison after he made her clean the recreation area as part of her work detail. 'It got to the point where I feared for my life and had no choice but to report him, even though I was terrified to do so,' she said. In response, she said she was sent to isolation, then transferred to a facility with greater restrictions and no access to video calls with her daughters. Youst said she had no concerns about Widen when she first arrived at the Huntington Work Release Center (pictured) Still, it was one of the rare cases that led to prosecution, boosted by DNA evidence. Hatten faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. He received only three months last year after pleading guilty to sexual abuse of a ward. 'What you allow is what will continue,' Sen. John Kennedy, a Republican from Louisiana, said after her testimony. 'Three months for rape is absurd. - That's not justice.' Sometimes, even a confession isn't enough to lead to punishment. At another federal facility in Florida, a guard who had sex with women on landscape duty was among at least six men who were not prosecuted even though they admitted to the misconduct during an internal investigation, according to the Senate report. That was in part because, by law, government employees cannot be criminally charged if they are compelled to make statements. Former inmate April Youst told the AP that she was told to report to the work release center's laundry room at her facility, where she said correctional officer James Widen was waiting for her. He had just called her name over the intercom, so April Youst rose from her bunk, careful not to wake the other incarcerated women sleeping in the dorm. When she got downstairs, she said Widen offered to save her some money by opening 'the cage,' a little room with free washers and dryers reserved for new prisoners who hadn't yet started their jobs. She gratefully stepped inside, but said she then realised things were not as they seemed. 'He's rubbing himself,' she said, while reminding her of all the little favors he'd done for her. 'He was like - "It's time to pay."' Youst said Widen offered to save her some money by opening 'the cage,' a little room with free washers and dryers reserved for new prisoners (pictured) Her account of that night to the AP mirrors, almost word for word, the complaint she filed with police eight years ago. Widen was charged two years later and pleaded not guilty, but the case continues to crawl through the criminal court system. He vehemently denied the allegations to the AP, contending he was set up. Internationally, prison rape is recognized as a form of torture. While it is illegal in the U.S, correctional officers have argued in some states that - despite the clear power imbalance - inmates gave their consent. Laws vary widely. For example, sexual abuse of an inmate can be a misdemeanor in Kentucky with a maximum sentence of 12 months, but prison rape is a felony in Pennsylvania, carrying up to seven years behind bars. Correctional staff often quit or retire before internal investigations are complete, sometimes retaining pensions and other benefits, experts say. With no paper trail and severe staff shortages, some are simply transferred or hired at other facilities or they land positions overseeing vulnerable populations like juveniles, the AP found. Officer Widen took a job in West Virginia after resigning from a women's prison in neighboring Ohio. According to an internal investigation submitted as part of civil court filings, he had delivered a ring from an inmate to a former prisoner. He told the AP there was no sexual contact and that he quit after upsetting prison officials by launching his own investigation into heroin smuggling at the facility, transporting the ring in exchange for information from the inmate. Youst said she had no concerns about Widen when she first arrived at the Huntington Work Release Center. In fact, she said he was a favorite among many of the men and women living there, sometimes sneaking them cigarettes or warning them about shakedowns. She said he also helped make a write-up against her go away after she was caught with a contraband cellphone - an incident that could have gotten her sent back to prison and farther away from her young daughter, who was living just down the street. Youst, pictured earlier this month, said she had no concerns about Widen when she first arrived at the Huntington Work Release Center As a guard, Widen held incredible power over the women. They had earned their places at the program, allowing them to dip a toe back into the free world. Though work assignments inside prisons may pay only pennies an hour, outside opportunities - which easily can be taken away - allow women to earn a little more money before their release. Youst had been in and out of the system for years for crimes stemming from her addiction. She was working days at a local mattress company when she was called down to the laundry room that night in early 2016. She told police - and the AP - that Widen started touching himself over his pants. Then, she said, he told her the cameras couldn't see what he was about to do. 'He's already pulling his pants down,' she said. 'You can hear his belt.' She said she desperately tried to reason with him, stressing that someone could walk in on them and that the women upstairs in the dorm might miss her if she was gone too long. And then, echoing the account she gave police, she said, 'He just pretty much bent me over the washing machine.' Youst said she is baffled by how the case has dragged on. Widen has been free since posting bond after his arrest in 2018. He told the AP that all allegations of sexual misconduct at the work release center are untrue, labeled Youst 'a career criminal' and said the police were unjustly after him. 'My rights have been violated every which way,' he said. 'I've got nothing to hide. I didn't do anything I was accused of. West Virginia is crooked.' West Virginia, a rugged swath of Appalachia that has been home to the country's highest overdose death rate for a decade, has experienced one of America's sharpest spikes in female incarceration rates, with a more than 200 percent increase in state prisons between 2000 and 2016 - which is precisely when lawyers started fielding sexual abuse complaints. AP reporters met with current and former prisoners inside correctional facilities and at their homes in mountain communities, some of whom said staff members often started out being nice - bringing them fast food or makeup - and then raped them, peeped at them in showers or forced them to strip and perform sex acts on other prisoners while the guards watched. Most female victims locked up nationwide were abused before being incarcerated, research shows. They rarely report assaults, fearing they won't be believed or will be punished, ranging from losing their jobs to being placed in solitary confinement or denied contact with their children. And many on work release have only a short time left to serve and are wary of doing anything that could send them back to prison or add time to their sentences. In most cases nationwide, internal investigations determine that allegations are 'unsubstantiated.' And in the cases that have enough evidence to wind their way through the legal system, only 6% of the nearly 1,000 staff who reportedly engaged in sexual misconduct with male and female inmates in 2019 and 2020 were convicted, according to the latest Department of Justice figures. Without prosecution, perpetrators also can avoid placement on sex offender registries. This September 2023 booking photo shows Jose Figueroa-Lizarraga, a former Arizona state prison guard who was sentenced to two years probation after pleading guilty to a lesser charge of committing unlawful sexual acts by a custodian In West Virginia, Amanda McGrew, the state's compliance director for the Prison Rape Elimination Act, said some prisoners use the act to file complaints unrelated to sexual abuse because they know it will trigger the removal of an officer until an investigation is completed. Police are alerted when accusations are substantiated and it's up to prosecutors to take a case forward, she said. And even when staff resign, she added, investigations continue. But there is another route: Huntington-based attorney Michael Woelfel has sought restitution through a stream of civil suits. Woelfel, who also is a Democratic state senator, said he has settled 127 cases in which women accused guards of abuse in the past 15 years, forcing the state's insurance carrier to pay out millions of dollars. He said he first started receiving calls from women jailed for crimes linked to their addiction after judges took a hard line, locking them up to try to straighten them out. He had known some of them since they were girls, appearing before him when he oversaw preliminary juvenile delinquency cases that sometimes involved sexual or physical abuse at home. Most lawyers wouldn't touch their prison rape claims, and not just because they are hard to win due to qualified immunity - a high bar that helps protects people in law enforcement from liability resulting from misconduct. 'There is a certain element of people that think if you go to prison, you sort of get whatever you get in there,' Woelfel said, adding that while he is still contacted by women alleging sexual misconduct, the slew of lawsuits has helped pressure the state to crack down. 'That taboo of rape or sexual assault - it's so commonplace that people still joke about that.' Women have been targeted from their days on slave plantations, when they were raped by their owners, to the decades-long period that followed emancipation and involved leasing convicts out to private companies. Widespread reports of abuse eventually led to the creation of reformatories, where women no longer were overseen by men. Youst said she stepped inside 'the cage' in the facility's basement that night in early 2016, but soon realised things were not as they seemed That began to change in the 1970s after anti-discrimination laws opened the door for cross-gender supervision, just as the number of women being locked up started to rise. Though they now represent only about 10 percent of the nation's overall prison population, female incarceration rates have jumped from about 26,000 in 1980 to nearly 200,000 today. Some guards believe women with substance abuse issues are accustomed to using sex as a commodity on the streets, seeing them as partly responsible for their own victimization, said Brenda Smith, a law professor at American University and one of the country's top experts on prison rape. 'They're viewed as sort of the lowest of the low,' she said. 'They're not really women - they're just other things.' Youst said her case appears to bear that out. She's out of prison and said she's working to stay clean, holding down a busy job while building a new life. Even before the languishing criminal case, Youst and three others from the Huntington work release center came forward to file civil suits against Widen. The cases were settled by the state's insurance carrier for $240,000 in 2019, with no admission of any wrongdoing, Woelfel said. The AP interviewed three of the women. The fourth died of an overdose before the agreement was reached. Widen contended the women were driven by a payday and plotted together, saying, 'Me, too! Me, too! Me, too!' But Alesha Canfield, who was among the four women filing suit, said she talked to no one about Widen at the center. She said she was worn out from working morning and afternoon shifts at two major restaurant chains, but still struggled to sleep at night, worried that Widen would tap her on the shoulder in the dorm and summon her to the center's basement. 'I was terrified. I did what I was told,' she said to the AP, noting that she waited to file a rape report until after leaving the facility because she feared retaliation. 'I'm the criminal,' she said. 'He's the cop. So why are they going to believe me anyway?' Canfield, who related the same story in civil court filings, said it's hard to understand why abuse behind bars isn't taken more seriously. 'We're all women,' she said. 'Just because we made a mistake and got caught once in our lives doesn't mean that we should be treated any different than any other woman in this world.' A recent spike in scandals, cover-ups and lawsuits linked to women's facilities nationwide has prompted congressional investigations and scathing Department of Justice reports that cited a 'culture of abuse.' Things were so bad at FCI Dublin (pictured) in California that prisoners and staff named it 'the rape club,' a 2022 AP investigation found Experts say powerful unions sometimes work to shield staff from allegations of misconduct. And in some cases, correctional officers who speak out are retaliated against. Things were so bad at FCI Dublin in California that prisoners and staff named it 'the rape club,' a 2022 AP investigation found. At least two men who pleaded guilty to sexual abuse were work supervisors: Nakie Nunley targeted at least five female prisoners who worked at the federal government's call center, where inmates are employed by companies to do jobs like telemarketing and customer service. And Andrew Jones abused women who worked for him in the kitchen. The correctional facility was recently shut down; Nunley and Jones have been imprisoned along with at least five others, with another case still pending. Brandy Moore White, who heads the union representing nearly 30,000 correctional staff in federal prisons, condemned sexual abuse inside facilities and pointed to a need for more resources amid 'catastrophic' staffing shortages. 'The most e*cient way to provide security and oversight is not cameras and technology, it is sta*ng,' she told lawmakers during a recent Senate subcommittee hearing, noting that employees also face sexual violence and harassment from inmates. 'If you have 10 staff supervising 500 inmates, there is time for people who have ill intentions to do things that they shouldn't do.' Many accusations note that guards took special care to avoid surveillance video. A civil lawsuit filed in September said that officer Jose Figueroa-Lizarraga moved cameras in an Arizona state facility and raped a prisoner who was on a job assignment, forcing her inside the guard's control room. After reporting the incident, the woman was attacked again, the suit said - alleging that the second time, even her request for emergency contraception was ignored. She became pregnant and nearly died after hemorrhaging during childbirth. Figueroa-Lizarraga also was prosecuted on criminal charges and pleaded guilty to a lesser crime of attempting to commit unlawful sexual conduct by a custodian. He was sentenced to two years probation in August. In some cases, the allegations of abuse extend beyond prison walls. Correctional officer Anthony Martin kept his job at New York City's Rikers Island jail even after several female inmates alleged he sexually abused them by creating special work assignments. Then in March, while off-duty in Queens, he was arrested for allegedly raping a woman in the community. In that case, the district attorney moved swiftly. Martin was indicted by a grand jury in August for first-degree rape and faces up to 25 years if convicted. 'This disparity sends a chilling message - that the dignity and rights of the incarcerated are worth less than those on the outside,' said attorney Anna Kull, who is representing a woman who alleges Martin abused her while she was locked up. Other correctional officers accused of abuse sometimes transition into working with even more vulnerable populations. Youst said it was Widen possibly taking a new job that ultimately spurred her to act. 'I heard him say something about juveniles - you know, working in a juvenile facility. That's when I knew I had to say something,' she said. Youst believed she had something that might stop him from going anywhere else. She told police that Widen didn't use a condom that night and pulled a handful of napkins out of his coat pocket when he was done. 'He gave them to me and stood in front of me and made me wipe myself off,' she said to the AP, as she previously had told police. 'I threw them in the trash can, and he's like, `No, give them back to me.'' As soon as he stepped aside, she said she raced back upstairs to her dorm, pulled off her fleece pajamas and black T-shirt and hid them. She tried to avoid being alone with Widen again, but said the abuse continued. One winter morning, she said she stuffed a plastic bag containing the clothes from that night into her coat and left the work release center for her job. She called the one person she had heard could help - attorney Michael Woelfel. He met her at the mattress factory and took the bag to the police, handing it over for DNA testing in a state where prisoners cannot legally consent regardless of circumstances. Though questions were raised at the lab about the chain of custody, it was a match for Widen. April Youst enters the kitchen of a restaurant where she now works in West Virginia Widen was working in West Virginia's juvenile services department when he was charged with two counts of felony sex acts against a prisoner - Youst. His bail was set at $25,000, and he was released on bond six years ago. He told the AP that his DNA could have come from somewhere else in the center - or even from his disgruntled ex-wife. Since being charged, Widen has been assigned three defense lawyers by the state. The original judge retired. And a new prosecuting attorney, whose office declined comment, is now on the case. Widen has attended multiple hearings at the Cabell County courthouse and is expected to appear again this month. A trial date has not been set. Just down the street sits the building that once housed the work release center. It was shut down seven years ago due to disrepair, and today operates as an addiction wellness center. Nothing looks the same from Youst's time there - except the laundry room and the cage in the basement corner. Former Marine Daniel Penny is facing 15 years in prison for the choking death of a black homeless man who was acting erratically on a New York City subway. The Long Island native was 24 years old when he had the fatal encounter with troubled former Michael Jackson impersonator, Jordan Neely, on an F train in Manhattan in May, 2023. His trial for second-degree manslaughter and criminally-negligent homicide opened in Manhattan Friday. Penny and several witnesses said Nelly, 30, had been issuing deadly threats before he jumped to action, but prosecutors claim Penny deserves punishment for using what they consider unnecessary lethal force against a black man. Former Marine Daniel Penny is facing 15 years in prison for the choking death of a black homeless man who was acting erratically on a New York City subway The veteran's fatal encounter with Neely came as Penny was seemingly trying to find himself, after serving four years in the Marines and dropping out of college for architecture. Penny wrote in a job-seeking site that he dropped out of college to travel central America after being inspired by the novel Don Quixote. 'Don Quixote so inspired by adventure, he leaves his normal life to pursue his dreams despite being called a madman. During the travels I rediscovered my love for interacting and connecting with people,' he wrote, as reported by the New York Post. Penny, a star Lacrosse player in high school, grew up in West Islip in southern Long Island with his three sisters and parents. Those who knew him have described a good kid who was always eager to help those around him. His cousin Justine Baldwin told the Post Penny was known as a 'handsome, fun kid who could always be counted on when you needed help.' Penny's military service, which included two deployments, earned him various ribbons and awards, and he reached the rank of sergeant before leaving active duty in 2021. He came from a military family, with his grandfather serving in the Navy and his uncles in the Merchant Marines. Shortly after leaving the Marines, Penny 'decided to drop out of school and backpack throughout Central America,' as he wrote on the website for people seeking work. Penny, a former infantry squad leader said he did not mean to kill Neely but that he felt like he needed to step in to protect fellow passengers Penny's military service, which included two deployments, earned him various ribbons and awards, and he reached the rank of sergeant before leaving active duty in 2021. He is seen with his three sisters and his mom The veteran's fatal encounter with Neely came as Penny was seemingly trying to find himself, after serving four years in the Marines and dropping out of college Penny added that he dreamed of bartending in Manhattan, and his travels had reminded him of his love 'for interacting and connecting with people. 'Being able to serve and connect with the most interesting and eccentric the world has to offer, is what I believe I am meant to do,' he wrote. After dropping out of college, Penny spent several months working at a surf shop in North Carolina near the military base where he was last stationed, Camp Lejeune. Sam Santaniello, who worked with Penny at the shop, told the New York Times that Penny loved 'anything surfing related.' 'Hes a people person. Hes a very easygoing person. Not a lot stresses him out.' Santaniello added. When Santaniello was asked about Neely's death, he replied: 'Knowing Danny and knowing his intentions, it was to help others around him.' Jordan Neely, 30, was a Michael Jackson impersonator whose mental health deteriorated in recent years, according to his family At one point, Penny lived inside his van, former neighbors told the Post. The neighbors added that Penny also spent some time living with his father in West Babylon, but that the two appeared to have a strained relationship. Prosecutors said on Friday during opening statements that while Penny did not intend to kill Neely, he 'went way too far' in trying to neutralize someone he saw as a threat and not as a person. An anonymous Manhattan jury is deciding the manslaughter case surrounding Neelys 2023 death, which prosecutors call a reckless killing but Penny claims was self-defense. Penny's lawyer Steven Raiser told DailyMail.com Penny would be devastated if convicted. Penny held Neely in a chokehold on the subway car floor while others assisted on May 1, 2023 'What is at stake for Danny is clear. He is facing a lengthy prison term,' Raiser said. 'A conviction would be devastating for him both by serving a prison term, but perhaps even more his being labeled a convicted felon, responsible for the death of someone when he risked his own life to help others. Raiser added that the outcome of the trial will have consequences for more than just Penny. 'A conviction would have a ripple affect with all New Yorkers sense of security,' he said. 'A conviction would mean every New Yorker would be less likely to intervene in a dangerous situation out of fear of being imprisoned. It will embolden criminals with violent tendencies to be more aggressive and less fearful of civilians standing up for one another. The case has rattled fault lines surrounding race, homelessness, perceptions of public safety and bystanders responsibility. Penny once said he dreamed of bartending in Manhattan, and his travels had reminded him of his love 'for interacting and connecting with people Pennys critics see him as a white vigilante killer of a black man who was behaving erratically and making dire statements but wasnt armed and hadnt assaulted or even touched anyone in the subway car. Supporters credit the 25-year-old Penny with taking action to protect frightened subway riders action that he has said was meant to defuse, not kill. Neelys life was tattered by mental illness and drug use after his mother was murdered and stuffed in a suitcase when he was a teen, his family has said. By 30, he sometimes entertained subway riders as a Michael Jackson impersonator, but he also had a criminal record that included assaulting a woman at a subway station. Republicans are much more skeptical than Democrats that election officials will accurately count ballots cast in the presidential election, a new poll has found. Only a quarter of registered GOP voters say they have at least 'quite a bit' of trust that the vote will be accurately counted accurately nationwide, according to the survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Republicans, however, are more trusting of their local election officials with roughly 50 per cent saying they have 'a great deal' or 'quite a bit' tallies will be accurately counted. Roughly three-quarters of Democrats say they have at least 'quite a bit' of confidence that votes in the nationwide count, in their state or by their local election officials. Concern about elections fraud has been a focus of political messaging this year from GOP nominee Donald Trump, who has constantly promoted falsehoods about his 2020 election loss, and other Republicans. Election experts have warned that Trump, who has never conceded the election he lost to President Joe Biden, may be laying the groundwork to once again challenge the election if he loses. Republicans are much more skeptical than Democrats that election officials will accurately count ballots cast in the presidential election, a new poll has found (file photo) Concern about elections being undermined by noncitizen voting has been a focus of political messaging this year from GOP nominee Donald Trump, pictured during his Thursday night campaign rally in Glendale, Arizona Voters generally show more distrust toward nationwide voting results compared to the tallies done by their own local election offices, the new poll revealed. About 6 in 10 voters have 'a great deal' or 'quite a bit' of confidence that votes in the 2024 presidential election will be counted accurately by their local election officials or in their state, while about half say this about votes counted nationwide. About one-quarter in each case have 'a moderate amount' of confidence. About 3 in 10 say they have 'only a little' or no confidence in the nationwide count, while fewer say that about the tally in their state or by local officials. Roughly 75 per cent of Republicans do not believe the national voting tally will be accurately counted. Around 4 in 10 say the same about the vote count in their state. While Conservative voters have expressed more trust in their local counts than state or national tallies, their overall level of trust in all three is lower than it is among Democratic voters. Drew Inman, a 31-year-old Republican working in law enforcement in New Jersey, said he is skeptical that votes will be counted accurately at all levels, but especially in counties outside his own. 'I definitely trust my vote to be counted at a local level more than I trust the national vote count,' he said. '... When you go national, there's a lot more people involved and that can create corruption.' Voters generally show more distrust toward nationwide voting results compared to the tallies done by their own local election offices, the new poll revealed Vice President Kamala Harris takes the podium to speak during a campaign rally at Craig Ranch Regional Park in North Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday Three-quarters of Democrats say they have at least 'quite a bit' of confidence that votes in the nationwide count, in their state or by their local election officials. Pictured are Kamala Harris supporters at her rally in Reno, Nevada on Thursday While ballots can include races for federal offices such as president or Congress, the US does not run national elections in the same way that other countries do. In America, all elections are run by the states and administered by local election offices in thousands of townships, cities and counties. Election officials have recognized that many skeptical voters tend to point to other jurisdictions with false claims of fraud. Some groups have tried to counter this perception by emphasizing that elections in every state are run at the local level. 'What is difficult is when we have national elections, oftentimes people will maybe throw election professionals under the bus from another state, and that is not helpful,' said Tammy Patrick, a former election official now with the National Association of Election Officials. Older voters have more faith in the vote count at all levels than younger voters, including the count conducted by local election officials. About half of 18- to 29-year-old voters have at least 'quite a bit' of confidence that votes will be counted accurately in their state or by their local election officials, compared to around 7 in 10 voters ages 60 and older. The gap is smaller for the nationwide vote count, though: About 4 in 10 18- to 29-year-old voters have at least 'quite a bit' of confidence, compared to about half of voters ages 60 and older. Bill Sanchez, a 29-year-old criminal defense attorney in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, said older voters have been watching and participating in the election process for longer, giving them more time to build trust. 'Younger voters have less experience voting and have spent a lot of their lives surrounded by this kind of misinformation that we're seeing more and more of,' Sanchez said. '... It just sets the base for younger voters to be more distrustful.' Democrats and Republicans differ most sharply over whether mail ballots that are returned via the US Postal Service or a drop box will be counted accurately (file photo) Your browser does not support iframes. About 6 in 10 Republicans say people voting who are not eligible is a major problem in US elections, compared to 2 in 10 Democrats. Democrats and Republicans differ most sharply over whether mail ballots that are returned via the US Postal Service or a drop box will be counted accurately. About 6 in 10 Democrats are 'extremely' or 'very confident' that mail ballots that are returned by these methods will be counted accurately, compared to around 1 in 10 Republicans. David Farrington, a 78-year-old conservative in Fort Worth, Texas, said he distrusts mail-in ballots and ballot drop boxes, both common targets for claims of voter fraud and election conspiracies attempting to sow distrust in election results. 'It's not the vote count that I'm worried about,' Farrington said. 'I have every faith in all the precincts and their ability to count the ballots that are there. But the ballots - we don't know if they're legitimate or not.' Conversely, Ruth Edwards, a 28-year-old kindergarten teacher in Tampa, Florida, said she has 'never seen evidence that elections are rigged.' 'It's just people who are upset about their candidate losing who are now claiming it's rigged with no evidence,' said Edwards, a Democrat. 'It's ridiculous.' Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Democrats, meanwhile, are much more concerned about voter suppression than Republicans. About half of Democrats say voter suppression is a major problem, compared to about one-third of Republicans. And about 4 in 10 voters are concerned about other countries tampering with US voting systems or election results, which is down slightly from when the question was last asked in February 2020. This is something that independent voters are at least slightly more likely to be worried about than Democrats or Republicans. Sanchez, the attorney from Pennsylvania, said he is more concerned about voter suppression than widespread fraud or ballots being miscounted and called for the expansion of early voting and mail ballots to 'make voting as accessible as possible.' He also worries about the potential that false claims of voter fraud could incite violence and unrest, and said he hopes election officials' attempts to inform voters ahead of the election will help. 'There's a lot of misinformation and disinformation about election security from bad faith actors who are trying to build distrust and take advantage of the fact that people don't always understand everything about the process,' Sanchez said. 'And when we don't understand things, we end up fearing it.' The Republican National Committee, which is co-chaired by Trump's daughter-in-law Lara, (pictured with Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention in July) has filed more than 130 cases, mostly focused on the seven swing states that could decide the election The 2020 US presidential election saw dozens of legal challenges by losing candidate Trump summarily tossed out by the courts. This year's nail-biter of a White House race between the former president and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris has seen a deluge of lawsuits from both parties even before Election Day. Democrats claim Republicans are setting the stage for Trump to contest the results if he loses and declare victory anyway - as he did four years ago. Republicans say they are bringing the suits in the name of 'election integrity' with Trump alleging that the only way Harris can win on Tuesday is if Democrats 'cheat.' The Republican National Committee (RNC), which is co-chaired by Trump's daughter-in-law Lara, has filed more than 130 cases, mostly focused on the seven swing states that could decide the election: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The suits filed by the RNC and allied groups have targeted ballot-counting procedures, voting machines, voter registration, absentee ballots, the certification of results and a host of other issues. Republicans have been particularly focused on preventing non-US citizens from voting, wildly exaggerating what watchdog groups say is a very rare occurrence. In several states, they have targeted the rules for mail-in ballots, which Democrats have historically used at far greater rates than Republicans. Democrats have filed dozens of suits of their own, seeking to protect mail-in voting, overseas ballots and increase the number of ballot drop boxes. They have recruited an army of lawyers to litigate pre- and post-election disputes. The parents of a special-needs girl were found guilty of murder after leaving her to die in excrement-covered squalor at their South Carolina home. David and Bobbie Jo Barnard, along with their 21-year-old son Edward Vincent Baynard, were convicted Thursday of murder, felony child abuse, and unlawful neglect of a child in the death of their daughter, Heather Baynard, 15, who suffered from cerebral palsy. The parents were sentenced to life in prison, while the son was sentenced to 60 years. Heather passed away at Spartanburg Medical Center on April 11, 2022, after being brought in unresponsive. The girl was in critical condition and had cold, gray, and disintegrated skin, according to 7th Circuit Solicitor Barry J. Barnette. Heather passed away at the hospital after being brought in critical condition, with cold, gray, and disintegrated skin David and Bobbie Jo Barnard, along with their 21-year-old son Edward Vincent Baynard, were convicted of murder, felony child abuse, and unlawful neglect of a child in the death of their Heather Baynard Edward, Heather's personal care aid for 18 months, was employed by Axcess Home Care. Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler revealed that Heather's health conditions required daily medical attention, which had likely been neglected 'for many, many months.' According to Barnette, Heather's exposure to urine and feces at the home in Gaffney had severely damaged her skin and tissues. A hospital witness described her legs as resembling raw meat. She died that night, succumbing to her injuries and infections. On April 12, 2022, deputies conducted a search of the Baynard home, where they found more than 40 animals roaming around the house. One of the animals was found dead, while two puppies has to be euthanized due to their declining health. 'In the home, the dogs contributed to the deplorable conditions. A lot of feces in the home, both from the cats and the dogs; urine, which created a huge ammonia-type smell,' Cherokee County Sheriff Steve Mueller told Fox 8. He called it one of the worst cases of neglect his office had ever seen in the county. Deputies conducted a search of the Baynard's home, where they found more than 40 animals roaming around the house 'In the home, the dogs contributed to the deplorable conditions. A lot of feces in the home, both from the cats and the dogs; urine, which created a huge ammonia-type smell,'the local sheriff said When the Baynards brought their daughter to the hospital that night, they displayed no emotion or urgency, WYFF News 4 reported. David, after leaving Heather with medical staff, sat in the waiting room, seemingly unconcerned about his daughter and looking through his phone. According to Heather's obituary, she had been 'defying the odds since her birth, she deeply touched all who came into her path.' She also 'adored her Daddy and brother as well as her "people" aka anyone that took the time to talk to her,' the obituary said. Video of the moment that police boarded a plane and detained Sara Sharif's alleged killers has been played in court, with the 10-year-old's stepmother telling officers: 'I think you're looking for us.' Beinash Batool, 30; Sara's father, Urfan Sharif, 42; and her uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, had fled to Pakistan the day after Sara died at the family home in Woking, Surrey, on August 8 last year. Jurors have viewed CCTV footage of the family as they prepared to board a flight from Heathrow Airport. Surrey Police had found Sara's body in a bunkbed after Sharif called from Pakistan to say that he had beaten her 'too much' for being 'naughty'. The little girl had suffered dozens of injuries, including burns and human bite marks, in what the prosecution allege was a campaign of abuse culminating in her death. This is the moment Beinash Batool, 30; Sara's father, Urfan Sharif, 42 (pictured); and her uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, were arrested at Gatwick Airport on September 13 The trio were arrested while on board a plane at Gatwick Airport having flown back from Dubai Faisal Malik, brother of Urfan Sharif and uncle of girl Sara Shariff, being arrested at Gatwick Airport Sara Sharif, whose body was found under a blanket in a bunk bed at her home in Woking, Surrey, on August 10 On September 6 2023, a press conference in Pakistan was broadcast featuring Sharif and Batool, who complained that family were being harassed. On September 13 last year, police received information that the three defendants would be arriving at Gatwick airport on a flight from Dubai that evening. On Friday, jurors were shown clips from officers' body-worn video capturing the moment police boarded the plane and detained the defendants, who were flying business class, at 7.42pm, seven minutes after touch down. As officers approached, Batool raised her hand and said: 'I think you're looking for us.' Sharif, who had been sitting next to her, was asked if he had any items or bags on the flight and replied that he did not. After being taken off the plane, the defendants were arrested and put into police vans. The following day, each defendant was interviewed by police but chose to make no comment. Earlier today it was also revealed that social workers refused to take action into the family of 10-year-old Sara Sharif before she was murdered despite teachers repeatedly spotting bruises on her face, a court heard. Urfan Sharif being arrested at Gatwick airport after police received information that the three defendants would be arriving on a flight from Dubai Father Urfan Sharif, 42, stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and uncle Faisal Malik, 29, are accused of carrying out a weeks-long campaign of abuse against the 10-year-old girl, culminating in her death last year Sara's school had referred the family to social services after she gave different explanations to different members of staff about bruises to her face. Six days after the referral was made to Surrey social services, staff had already decided not to intervene and Sara was withdrawn from school within four weeks. Four months later was found dead at her home in Hammond Road, Woking, on 10 August 2023. Sara had at least 71 external injuries inflicted on her and was tortured and regularly beaten in the months before she died, the Old Bailey has heard. Father Urfan Sharif, 42, stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and uncle Faisal Malik, 29, are accused of carrying out a weeks-long campaign of abuse against the 10-year-old girl, culminating in her death last year. Cab driver Urfan Sharif, stepmother Beinash Batool, and uncle, McDonald's worker Faisal Malik, all deny murder and causing or allowing the death of a child. Jurors were today read entries relating to Sara from her school's child protection online monitoring system. On 6 June 2022 a teacher submitted an entry that Sara had been seen with a bruise under her left eye. During proceedings, the court was shown pictures of the families Surrey home Stepmother of Sara, Beinash Batool, 30, who is charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of a child Sara at first would not explain how she got the injury, before saying that another child had hit her. On 10 March 2023 a report was entered about a member of staff spotting a bruise on Sara's chin and a dark bruise on her eye. Reading agreed facts to the jury, prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones said: 'Sara said her eye was just very itchy and the mark on her chin was from falling on roller skates. 'The head teacher spoke to her and Sara lowered her head and refused to lift her head or show her head.' Sara then gave a different explanation for the bruise, saying that a child had punched her. Mr Emlyn Jones said: 'She was reluctant to talk and kept her face lowered and only spoke with her face buried with her arm on the table. 'The school contacted their point of advice and a social services referral was made. 'Beinash Batool was made aware of the social services referral.' Sara was found to have ten spinal fractures and further fractures to her right collar bone, both shoulder blades, both arms, both hands, three separate fingers, bones near the wrist in each hand, two ribs and her hyoid bone in the neck CCTV footage captured a car arriving at Heathrow short stay car park with Urfan in the driver's seat Sara Sharif's family were caught on CCTV passing through passport security at Heathrow Airport in London on August 9 last year On 16 March 2023, six days after the bruise was spotted, social services made a decision to take no further action into the family, Mr Emlyn Jones said. The records showed that on 28 March 2023 Batool approached Sara's class teacher and told them Sara had a mark on her cheek which had been caused by her playing with a pen. The teacher recorded that the bruise seemed consistent with a pen mark. At 9.40am on 17 April 2023 the school received an email from Urfan saying Sara would be homeschooled with immediate effect. Continuing to read the facts agreed between the prosecution and defence, Mr Emlyn Jones said that a woman named Hannah Newham who cleaned the flat above the Sharif home said she on occasion heard the sound of 'a male voice raised in anger' coming from the flat. Sara was found to have ten spinal fractures and further fractures to her right collar bone, both shoulder blades, both arms, both hands, three separate fingers, bones near the wrist in each hand, two ribs and her hyoid bone in the neck. After the killing Sharif, Batool and Malik fled to Pakistan, leaving Sara's body in the three bedroom house in Woking. They were arrested more than a month later on September 13 last year at Gatwick Airport having flown back from Dubai. Sharif, Batool and Malik, all deny murder and causing or allowing the death of a child. The trial continues. Iran's leadership and allies are bracing for what they would regard as a dreadful outcome of the imminent U.S. presidential election: A return to power of Donald Trump. Opinion polls suggest the Republican Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris remain locked in a close contest. But Iranian leaders and their regional allies in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen are concerned that Trump could well triumph on November 5 and this could spell more trouble for them. Iran's main concern is the potential for Trump to empower Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to strike Iran's nuclear sites, conduct targeted assassinations and reimpose his 'maximum pressure policy' through heightened sanctions on their oil industry, according to Iranian, Arab and Western officials. They anticipate that Trump, who was president in 2017-21, will exert utmost pressure on Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to cave in by accepting a nuclear containment deal on terms set by himself and Israel. This potential change in U.S. leadership could have far-reaching implications for the Middle East balance of power, and might reshape Iran's foreign policy and economic prospects. Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump gestures during a campaign rally at Lee's Family Forum, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks as he attends a ceremony for the 70th cohort of military combat officers, at an army base near Mitzpe Ramon, Israel, October 31 A satellite image shows Khojir rocket motor casting facility, near Teheran, Iran October 24, 2024 Analysts argue that whether the next U.S. administration is led by Harris or Trump, Iran will lack the leverage it once held - largely due to Israel's year-old military campaign aimed at degrading the Islamic Republic's armed proxies, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, Trump's stance is perceived as more detrimental to Iran due to his more automatic support for Israel, they added. 'Trump will either put very tough conditions on Iran or let Israel carry out targeted strikes on its nuclear facilities. He is fully endorsing a military action against Iran,' Abdelaziz al-Sagher, head of the Gulf Research Center think-tank, said. 'It's Netanyahu's dream day to have Trump back in the White House,' he told Reuters. A senior Iranian official who declined to be named told Reuters Tehran was 'prepared for all scenarios. We have (for decades) consistently found ways to export oil, bypassing harsh U.S. sanctions..., and have strengthened our ties with the rest of the world no matter who was in the White House.' But another Iranian official said a Trump victory would be 'a nightmare. He will raise pressure on Iran to please Israel..., make sure oil sanctions are fully enforced. If so, (our) establishment will be economically paralysed.' In an election speech in October, Trump stated his unwillingness to go to war with Iran, but said Israel should 'hit the Iranian nuclear first and worry about the rest later', in response to Iran's missile attack on Israel on October 1 Israel retaliated with airstrikes on Iranian military targets, especially missile production sites, on October 26. Iran's choices are limited going forward, analysts say. 'The reality is: Trump is going to support Netanyahu and give him the green light to do whatever he wants,' said Hassan Hassan, an author and researcher on Islamic groups. 'Trump is much worse (than Harris) for Iran.' Hassan noted that Washington has delegated a substantial share of responsibility to Israel in the conflict with Iran and its proxies, with Israel leading the way. 'The U.S. is involved enough in that it's backing Israel, may be more so than before. 'This time it's just things are really bad for Iran. Iran is seen as a problem by both Republicans and Democrats.' This satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows damaged buildings at Iran's Parchin military base outside of Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 Iranians walk past an anti-Israeli and US billboard depicting pictures of Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian and Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps military commander General Mohammad Bagheri (L) with a title of 'Veteran' and US president Joe Biden and Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) with a title 'warmonger' at the Valiasr Square in Tehran, Iran, 27 October 2024 During her campaign, Harris called Iran a 'dangerous' and 'destabilising' force in the Middle East and said the U.S. was committed to Israel's security. She said the U.S. would work with allies to disrupt Iran's 'aggressive behaviour'. But Trump's re-election would be a 'poisoned chalice', for Khamenei, according to two regional officials. If he were to reinstate stringent sanctions, Khamenei may be forced to negotiate and accept a nuclear pact more favourable to U.S. and Israeli term to preserve theocratic rule in Iran, which is facing growing foreign pressure and has been buffeted by bouts of mass protest at home in recent years. A U.S.-Saudi defence pact tied to Riyadh's establishing diplomatic relations with Israel, now in its final negotiating stages, poses a significant challenge to Khamenei too. This alliance threatens to shift the regional balance of power by creating a more unified front against Iran, impacting its geopolitical standing and strategy in the Middle East. Hassan said recent attacks on Iran and its allies have been widely perceived as a significant success for Israel. They offered insights into what a limited strike on Iran might look like, setting a precedent and altering assumptions that military action on Iran would inevitably spark a wider Middle East war. A senior Arab security official said that Tehran could 'no longer brandish its influence through its armed proxies' in the wake of Israel's deadly strikes on Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. For its own part, Iran has every reason to fear another Trump term. It was Trump who in 2018 unilaterally pulled the U.S. out of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and ordered the killing of Qassem Soleimani, Khamenei's right-hand man and mastermind of overseas attacks on U.S. and allied interests. Trump also imposed punitive sanctions targeting Iran's oil export revenues and international banking transactions, which led to extreme economic hardship and exacerbated public discontent in the Islamic Republic. He frequently said during his presidential campaign that President Joe Biden's policy of not rigorously enforcing oil export sanctions has weakened Washington and emboldened Tehran, allowing it to sell oil, accumulate cash and expand its nuclear pursuits and influence through armed militias. In March, he told Israel's Hayom newspaper in an interview that Iran could have a nuclear weapon in 35 days and that Israel - which deems Iran's nuclear activity an existential threat though is widely thought to have the region's only nuclear arms - was in a 'very treacherous and dangerous neighbourhood'. An Arab government adviser noted that Tehran recognises there is a 'new architecture in the making', but also that Trump despite his tough rhetoric realises there is no alternative to a deal with Iran given its accelerated uranium enrichment program. 'Trump might aim for a new nuclear agreement, he could say I tore up the 2015 agreement because it was incomplete and replace it with a long-lasting agreement, touting it to 'make America great again' and preserve U.S. interests,' the adviser said. As the 2015 deal has eroded over the years, Iran has escalated the level of fissile purity in enriched uranium, cutting the time it would need to build an atom bomb if it chose to, though it denies wanting to. Iran Online, a state-run news website, stated that when Trump left office, Iran was capping enrichment at 3.67 percent under the deal, far below the 90 percent of weapons grade. Now, Iran has 'enriched uranium to 60% with IR-6 advanced centrifuges' and could achieve nuclear weapons capability 'within a few weeks ... Completing the nuclear deterrence cycle is Iran's greatest trump card against Trump,' it said. Arab and Western officials warn that the more Iran hints it is nearing development of an atom bomb, the more they incite the need for Israel to strike. 'If Trump reassumes power, he will support Israeli plans to strike Iranian nuclear facilities,' a Western official said. Hundreds of furious farmers will hold a major demonstration in central London amid rising anger at Labour's Budget death tax raid on their land. The National Farmers Union is to hold a major Westminster rally next month after Rachel Reeves revoked farmland's exemption from inheritance tax (IHT). From April 2026, it will be levied at an effective rate of 20 per cent on the value of business and agricultural assets over 1million in a shake up of Agricultural Property Relief (APR). The move has sparked fury and warnings that it could kill off family farms, damage food security and set back environmental protection work, including from TV property guru Kirstie Allsopp. Farmers are threatening to attend the November 19 demo with their tractors and other large machinery, which could grind the capital to a halt. Farmers last demonstrated in London in March over food security fears. But the Chancellor and No10 have defended the change, saying little more than a quarter of farms will be affected, and even then they will pay at half the regular 40 per cent IHT rate. Last night Ms Reeves risked sparking fresh anger when she said the change was a 'fair' way for the government to raise money for public spending. She told Channel 4 News: 'On top of the normal inheritance tax threshold that you can pass on - a couple of million pounds including a house - to your descendants, in addition agricultural property relief will now provide another million pounds of tax-free allowance and then above that there is a 50 per cent discount on inheritance tax compared with what everyone else pays. 'We have got to raise money, I feel we've done that in fair and balanced way - 73 per cent of farmers won't be paying a single penny more in inheritance tax.' But the president of the NFU has said he is 'absolutely baffled' at the Government's decision to 'double down'. Tom Bradshaw, who is meeting Environment Secretary Steve Reed on Monday, said the current plans to change agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) 'need to be overturned and fast'. The National Farmers Union is to hold a major Westminster rally next month after Rachel Reeves revoked farmland's exemption from inheritance tax (IHT). Farmers last demonstrated in London in March over food security fears (pictured) The Chancellor defended her decision to reform the way death taxes affect farms amid fury from the industry and high-profile celebrities like Jeremy Clarkson and Kirsty Allsopp. From April 2026, inheritance tax will be levied at an effective rate of 20 per cent on the value of business and agricultural assets over 1million. Ms Allsopp was the most outspoken, accusing Ms Reeves of having 'f***ed all farmers' and 'destroyed their ability to pass farms on to their children'. And Mr Clarkson, who fronts the highly popular Clarkson's Farm series following his rural travails in the Cotswolds,posted on X: 'Farmers. I know that you have been shafted today. But please don't despair. Just look after yourselves for five short years and this shower will be gone.' Mr Bradshaw spoke of 'the tension, the anger, the frustration' among farming communities. But Mr Reed said that the plans outlined in Wednesday's Budget are a 'fair and balanced approach that protects family farms while also fixing the public services those same families rely on'. According to Budget papers, from April 2026 farmers will be able to claim a 100% relief from inheritance tax on the first 1 million of combined agricultural and business assets, falling to 50% beyond that. The Government is 'restricting the generosity of agricultural relief' to make the inheritance tax system 'fairer'. Writing for The Daily Telegraph on Friday, Mr Reed said: 'I completely understand farmers' anxiety at any changes. But rural communities need a better NHS, affordable housing and public transport we can provide if we make the system fairer. 'That is why the Labour Government has announced plans to reform agricultural property relief. 'Only the richest estates will be asked to pay, not small, family farms as some misleading headlines have claimed. 'Look at the detail and you'll see that the vast majority of farmers will not be affected at all. 'They will be able to pass the family farm down to their children just as previous generations have always done.' After reading Mr Reed's article, Mr Bradshaw said: 'Looks like they've decided they're going to double down, which I'm absolutely baffled by.' Previously farmer's families could claim up to 100 per cent APR on the agricultural value of the land they owned, with no threshold. Campaigners warned that will affect almost all family farms, slamming the government for breaking 'clear promises' to protect the industry. Ms Allsopp was the most outspoken, accusing Ms Reeves of having 'f***ed all farmers' and 'destroyed their ability to pass farms on to their children'. Meanwhile, Tory MPs warned that it would damage UK food security and hinder efforts to make farming more environmentally friendly. The National Farmers' Union predicted the change would 'snatch away the next generation's ability to carry on producing British food' and could lead to higher prices. And the Country Land and Business Association said the move, from April 2026, would hit 70,000 farms calling it 'nothing short of a betrayal' which would 'jeopardise the future of rural businesses'. Ms Allsopp said: 'Rachel Reeves had f***ed all farmers, she has destroyed their ability to pass farms on to their children, and broken the future of all our great estates, it is an appalling decisions which shows the government has ZERO understanding of the what matters to rural voters.' Your browser does not support iframes. And Mr Clarkson, who fronts the highly popular Clarkson's Farm series following his rural travails in the Cotswolds,posted on X: 'Farmers. I know that you have been shafted today. 'But please don't despair. Just look after yourselves for five short years and this shower will be gone.' But Downing Street is confident changes to inheritance tax on farms will not impact food security and insisted there was adequate financial support available to farmers. Asked if ministers were confident the changes will not hurt food security, a No 10 spokeswoman this morning said: 'Yes. We are committed to supporting farmers. 'There is an increase in the agricultural budget, there is also an increase in environmental schemes that support sustainable farming and food production. 'So, we would encourage farmers to get in contact where they have concerns so we can ensure everyone is receiving the support and schemes available to them, and also that they have the full details of how the agricultural property relief system works.' The spokeswoman said the Government's message was 'clear that we are committed to supporting farmers', adding: 'It is expected that almost three-quarters of estates are expected to be unaffected by this.' Lib dem leader Sir Ed Davey joined the chorus of those attacking the IHT raid today. Speaking on a visit to Maidenhead he said: 'The Government is at risk of creating a lost generation of farmers. Young people will lose the opportunity to keep the farms their families have run for generations, while at the same time they are seeing government support for farming slashed. 'Hitting British farmers who put food on our tables only risks making the cost-of-living crisis worse. After years of being taken for granted by the Conservative Party, rural communities should have been properly supported in this Budget.' Meanwhile, Tory MPs warned that it would damage UK food security and hinder efforts to make farming more environmentally friendly. The Budget also reduced cash for the Environment Land Management Scheme (Elms), set up after Brexit to replace the EU Common Agricultural Policy, which subsidised measures including 'local nature recovery' habitat creation on farms. Former minister George Freeman, the MP for Mid Norfolk, said: 'Family farming is under attack from this government. The changes to APR will make it harder for family farmers of all sizes to pass on their proud agricultural tradition to the next generation. 'How we manage our land is integral to tackling climate change, reversing biodiversity loss and ensuring our food security. But, combined with a trailed cut to the ELMS budget next year, the government is playing fast and loose with family farms, our environment, our food security, and the local rural economy.' Patrick Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, said: 'If Labour is serious about its pledges to protect the environment, farmers, and food security, it cannot go ahead with these changes to APR. 'Farmers are the custodians of our countryside and their relationship with our land, unlike the Chancellor's own economic whims, spans generations, not just news cycles. Cutting the nature-friendly farming budget next year, as implied in this Budget, would be a fool's errand for a government supposedly wanting to fight climate change, protect nature, and support British farmers. 'In her misguided attempt to ''tax the rich'', she risks delivering a major blow to Britain's proud family farming tradition and the UK's environmental ambitions.' An inquest into the death of a soldier who took his own life will investigate fears of a 'suicide cluster' within his battalion. Nicki Hart, 33, who had a history of mental health struggles, died at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire in February 2022. An Army Service Inquiry Report found there were 'several missed opportunities' which 'significantly' hindered the efforts to help him. It also raised concerns over a possible 'suicide cluster' after four sudden deaths in the Fourth Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland between 2018 and 2022. Now an inquest into the father-of-three's death will begin on Monday, as his family say they hope to receive 'much needed' answers. Nicki Hart, 33, died at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire in February 2022 An inquest into his death is set to investigate fears of a 'suicide cluster' within his battalion An Army Service Inquiry Report found there were 'several missed opportunities' which 'significantly' hindered the efforts to help Nicki Hart (pictured) Mr Hart's heartbroken widow Sara, 38, speaking ahead of the inquest, said: 'Nicki was my world and to lose him so suddenly and in such tragic circumstances continues to affect me every day. 'To know our children will have to navigate through life without their devoted dad is something I'm still struggling to come to terms with, but I'll make sure they know how much he loved them. 'I always believed more could have been done to help Nicki when he needed it. 'While the Service Inquiry Report provided us with some of the answers we needed, we're hopeful that the inquest, no matter how tough, will help us honour Nicki's memory and help ensure no other family has to go through what we have. 'He was the best husband and dad, and I'll miss him for the rest of my life..' The inquiry report stated that Mr Hart, who was found dead at his base in Catterick Garrison, had previously attempted suicide in 2012 and 2014 after drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. His mental health began to deteriorate shortly after his friend Ryan MacKenzie took his own life at the garrison in 2021. He is one of eight Catterick-based soldiers to have died suddenly or by suicide since 2018. Nicki Hart's mental health is said to have begun to deteriorate shortly after friend Ryan MacKenzie (pictured) took his own life at the garrison in 2021 Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan, 33, was found dead on 23 January 2020 - three weeks after he was last seen Catterick Garrison is home to several Army units, including the 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment and the Royal Lancers They include bullying victim Lance Cpl Bernie Mongan, 33, who lay dead inside his room for almost three weeks before being found and Private Thamir Mbarushimana, 18 - who had been at the Infantry Training Centre only a matter of months - was found dead by railway tracks in Manchester in February 2022. Mr Hart was assessed a month after his friend's death but 'his presentation was deemed not related to mental health'. It was only after he told officers in 2022 of three recent suicide bids that he was referred for mental health support. But after he was found dead in his barracks, the inquiry report highlighted a 'significant shortfall of psychiatrists leading to a longer waiting list for appointments.' Following his death, Sara and Mr Hart's sister Jamie Hart-Dobbs, 39, instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate. Ms Hart-Dobbs added: 'Accepting that Nicki is gone is something I don't think I'll ever be able to do. I'd do anything to have him back in our lives but I know that's not possible. 'All I can hope for now is that we get the remaining answers we're looking for and we can try our best to move forward knowing we've done everything we can to help other soldiers who may be struggling with their mental health like Nicki was.' One of the 41 recommendations in the inquiry report states the 'possible requirement to investigate all recent deaths within the unit from the period 2018-2022 in order to identify whether the unit had experienced a suicide cluster'. An inquest previously heard how Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan,complained to his bosses about feeling suicidal over Christmas in his single living accommodation Private Thamir Mbarushimana, 18, who also served at Catterick, was found dead on railway tracks in his hometown of Wythenshawe, south Manchester, in February 2022 Ayse Ince, the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family, said: 'It's been two-and-a-half years since Nicki died, and Jamie and Sara understandably remain devastated by their loss. 'While the Service Inquiry Report has been published, Nicki's loved ones continue to have questions and concerns surrounding his death. All they want is for no stone to be left unturned and most thorough investigation to be held so all possible lessons can be learned to support Armed Forces personnel. The inquest is the next phase of this.' A 10-day inquest has been set to begin next Monday at Northallerton Coroners Court. For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit www.thecalmzone.net/get-support Ahead of one of America's most polarizing presidential elections, a new poll reveals the Democrat-favored catchphrase that may be turning Latino voters toward Republicans. The term 'Latinx' is often used by liberals as a gender-neutral term to refer to people of Latin American descent or cultural identity. But new research suggests that not only do many Latinos dislike the word, the term itself may even be pushing them to vote for Donald Trump. High-profile politicians like Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden have used the term during public statements attempting to appeal to the Hispanic voting bloc using promises of inclusivity and progressive policy. Protestors and supporters faced off outside the Anaheim Convention Center as Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump spoke inside during a rally on May 25, 2016 in Anaheim, California Ahead of one of America's most polarizing presidential elections , a new poll revealed the Democrat catchphrase that may be turning Latino voters in favor of Republicans Even after 'Latinx' gained substantial traction through its use by boldface liberal names, Republicans seldom use the term, if at all. Between 2019 and 2021, during the 116th Congress, half of Democratic representatives used the word on social media, while Republicans didn't use it once, Newsweek.com reported. A recent survey showed 75 percent of Latinos familiar with 'Latinx' feel that the term should not be used to describe the Hispanic population. The survey, conducted by the Pew Research Center, also showed that 36 percent believe the Democratic catchphrase has negative connotations. Another study, revealed in October, found that the label not only alienates Latino voters, but it may also actively push them toward Republican candidates. Former President Donald Trump arrives for a roundtable rally with Latino supporters at the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona on September 14, 2020 'Latinos and Hispanics often dislike the term and, as a result, are more inclined to support the Republican party or withdraw support for Democratic candidates,' Marcel F. Roman, one of two university professors conducting the study, told Newsweek. Part of the backlash originates from the idea that 'Latinx' is associated with progressive gender and LGBTQ+ issues, which may not sit well with more socially conservative sectors of the larger Latino community, Roman said. 'The label "Latinx" has become emblematic of the Democratic disconnect with Latino cultural values,' Evelyn Perez-Verdia, a communications and cultural context strategist and founder of We Are Mas, a South Florida social-impact organization, told the publication. 'The consequences of the Democrats' use of triggering messaging and symbols, and not addressing the concerns of our expat communities, will continue to be revealed as more Hispanic Democrats jump off the ship,' she added. Young Latinos are set to exert strong influence over the current election cycle, with 17.5 million expected to vote on Tuesday. The October study revealed that young Latino men are the most likely to reject the term. Pictured: Protestors and supporters faced off outside the Anaheim Convention Center in 2016 Young Latinos are set to exert strong influence over the current election cycle, with 17.5 million expected to vote on Tuesday. The October study revealed that young Latino men are the most likely to reject the term. 'This trend of young men, including Latinos, showing more conservative leanings is happening broadly. It might reflect difficulties men face adapting to changing social dynamics, like the progress of women in education and the workforce,' explained Amanda Sahar d'Urso, the other professor who worked on the study. As the election nears, the Latino community has stepped into the spotlight with Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump trying to ease heightened tensions after a Trump-endorsed comedian made a racist joke at a recent New York rally. Meanwhile, Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris rallied Latino megastars Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and Bad Bunny to her side of the political coin. Now, just days ahead of the November 5 election, a UnidosUS poll shows Harris leading Trump among Latino voters. But her 59-percent support is slightly below the 61 percent Joe Biden secured in 2020. A married British businessman charged with murdering a woman found dead at the bottom of a waterfall, who reports suggest had been his mistress, has been pictured. Hong Kong resident Jamie Tzewee Chapman, 34, did not enter a plea when he made his first appearance in court on Friday, and no request for bail was made. MailOnline has established that Chapman has been living on the former British colony for more than ten years where he has run a coffee shop called Givres with his locally born wife. They were both arrested on Tuesday after travelling to mainland China but then returning to Hong Kong after the lifeless body of Mevi Novitasari, 25, was found on Monday morning. Passers by raised the alarm after spotting her floating in a pond at the bottom of a waterfall in Waterfall Bay Park in the seaside community of Aberdeen. Officials said Mevi and Chapman had been seen entering he beauty spot together late on Sunday but he then left 30 minutes later on his own. Jamie Tzewee Chapman, 34, did not enter a plea when he made his first appearance in court on Friday The domestic worker Mevi Novitasari was found dead at the bottom of Waterfall Bay waterfall in Hong Kong on Monday morning Chapman has been living in Hong Kong for more than ten years where he has run a coffee shop called Givres with his locally born wife Travel records show he and his wife left Hong Kong for China but then returned on Tuesday when they were initially both arrested but his partner was later released. Mevi, originally from Indonesia, was found with severe wounds to her head and police are working on the theory she was pushed off the edge and then drowned. Local Hong Kong media have speculated Mevi and Chapman were having an affair but she did not work for him. Chapman and his 36-year-old wife were held on Tuesday at West Kowloon railway station after travelling back from China. Superintendent Sin Kwok-ming said that the case was being treated as murder because the suspect had done 'many unreasonable things, including not contacting police'. His wife had been held on suspicion of assisting an offender before being released on bail pending further investigation. Chapman is believed to be originally from London and he was educated at Loughborough University where he graduated in 2011 before moving to Hong Kong. Publicly available company records in Hong Kong show he set up Givres in 2015 and Chapman lives with his unidentified wife in Ap Lei Chau, around a mile from the waterfall. 34-year-old Jamie Twezee Chapman, who is British, was arrested on Tuesday in Hong Kong over the death of a domestic worker On its website Givres which is based by the famous mid-level escalators in Hong Kong says: 'Be sure to try our signature handcrafted gelato roses and speciality coffee. 'We aim to serve not only the best coffee in Hong Kong but also the best ice cream in Hong Kong!' It adds the 'concept' was born in London and adds it is 'topped off with Great British customer service'. The coffee shop has a number of high-end clients including Tiffany & Co, Tissot, Dior and Salvatore Ferragamo. Givres has a four-star rating on TripAdvisor although the latest review from 2019 says 'staff could be a bit happier though'. Chapman was remanded in custody and is next due in court in January. The United States and Russia are very close to engaging in 'direct military conflict,' Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned in an interview published Friday in a Turkey daily, just days ahead of a US presidential election. 'Under the current president (Joe Biden), who has taken the downward spiral of Russophobia in the US to its logical conclusion, our countries are on the brink of direct military conflict,' he told the Hurriyet daily, without elaborating. Asked about next week's US election pitting former Republican president Donald Trump against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, Lavrov said the outcome would make little difference to Russia. 'We have no preference. When the Trump administration was in power, it adopted the highest number of anti-Russian sanctions compared to its predecessors,' he said. 'No matter who wins the elections, we don't think the United States' anti-Russian bent can change.' The United States and Russia are very close to engaging in 'direct military conflict,' Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned Lavrov said US President Joe Biden was to blame for the escalation of tensions between the two nations In this photo taken from video distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is test-fired from the Plesetsk launchpad in northwestern Russia Although Trump has previously made clear his fondness for Russia's Vladimir Putin, the two men are not close and have maintained a deliberately ambiguous relationship. Last week, the Russian president said his relationship with Washington would depend on what attitude it adopts after the vote, as he welcomed as 'sincere' Trump's remarks about wanting to end the Ukraine conflict. In September, Microsoft claimed Russia operatives had ramped up their disinformation operations to malign the Harris campaign through conspiracy-fuelled videos, raising concerns over foreign influence operations targeting the vote. Lavrov's comments come just days after Putin staged a mock nuclear war, aunching scores of missiles capable of unleashing a 'massive' strike in a stark warning to the West. The major new exercises spanned Russia, with Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launches from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the northwest to the Kura test range in Kamchatka in the far east. Defence Minister Andrei Belousov warned the West that the exercise was to show how Russia could deliver 'a massive nuclear strike by strategic offensive forces in response to a nuclear strike by the enemy'. Donald Trump became the first of the two main candidates to visit the so-called Muslim capital of the nation when he stopped in at a halal cafe in Dearborn, Michigan, to court Arab-American voters. 'This is Trump country,' shouted a guest as the former president toured The Great Commoner restaurant. Trump told reporters traveling with him that the visit was part of an effort to make inroads with Lebanese people and Muslim voters. It was an extraordinary moment for a man still hated by many Arab-Americans for the 'Muslim ban' imposed when he took office in 2016. But the war in Gaza has turned the politics of Dearbornwhere the population is 55 percent Muslimupside down. Former President Donald Trump visited the Great Commoner restaurant in Dearborn, Michigan, Friday. He is seen here alongside owner Albert Abbas There are votes to be won in an area that had long been reliably Democratic. Many voters are hostile to Joe Biden's support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war in Gaza, and are so far unconvinced by Kamala Harris' efforts to change the messaging. The Trump campaign senses an opportunity with young voters such as Ali Hamie, 21, a medical assistant who arrived early at the restaurant to stake out a spot. He sat eating a burger as he explained how things had been better during Trump's presidency, including peace in the Middle East. 'The economy was great. He's a strong leader. Gas prices. I've never seen so many people at the mall before. Now that's kind of how it used to be,' he said. He sat with Joseph Hamed, 21. Both said their families came from Lebanon, which has been on the receiving end of Israeli airstrikes in recent weeks. Both said the region would be in safer hands under Trump than Harris. 'What's happening with Biden right now is he's given them all these billions of dollars. That won't happen. I don't see Trump handing them billions and billions of dollars for war,' said Hamed. 'I see him giving billions of dollars in aid for the people that are actually dying, not to, not the Israeli forces and stuff like that, to keep going and killing kids.' Metro Detroit is home to the country's biggest Arab-American population, with much of it centered in Dearborn. With four days until the election, Trump was courting the Arab-American vote in Dearborn not BILLIONS like kamala and biden Ali Hamie (@ahamie0702) November 1, 2024 They could decide the outcome of the vote in a state that swung from Donald Trump in 2016 to Joe Biden in 2020. During the Democratic primary, thousands stayed home rather than back Biden in a protest vote against his handling of the war in Gaza. In a state decided by such thin margins (barely 10,000 votes in 2016), Trump does not to win over many disaffected Arab-Americans. He may just need them not to bother voting. Which is just as well. The divisions in the community were on display as Trump's motorcade pulled up outside the historic brick facade of The Great Commoner. Fawzy Mohamad appeared from nowhere in billowing white dishdasha. 'Free, free Palestine,' he chanted in the middle of a pro-Trump crowd of bystanders. A handful of young men on the far side of the street answered with their own: 'Free, Free, Palestine. Mohamad went further, shouting: 'F*** Trump,' much to the consternation of the red, MAGA-capped majority who made up the rest of the crowd. 'It's still a free country,' said Mohamad, 'Isn't it?' Trump signed a hat and posed for selfies during the visit Fawzy Mohamad unfurled a Palestinian flag as part of a protest outside the Trump visit Hassan Abdallah, 25, was among the supporters who turned out to see the former president Later he explained to DailyMail.com that he planned to vote for Green Party candidate Jill Stein. 'If you are a true Muslim, if you are have any decency, you will not vote for Kamala Harris,' he said. 'You will not vote for Trump either, because both of them are the whole problem.' The visit is not the only part of the push. Earlier in the week, Trump wrote a letter to the American Lebanese community promising to 'stop the suffering and destruction in Lebanon' But after Trump headed off for a rally in Warren, it emerged that several Arab-American leaders had refused meetings with him. Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, a Democrat who has offered no endorsement this year, and Arab American News publisher Osama Siblani both said no, according to the Associated Press. Kamal Mustafa, 57, who used to own a restaurant on the site of the Great Commoner, watched proceedings unfold with a wry smile. 'Only in America,' he said, explaining how it was a southern Lebanese, Shia faction of business owners that supported Trump in Dearborn. Other groups may not like Harris much but it would be a stretch to see them vote for the president who limited travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries, separating families until the courts intervened. 'Me? I'm just in the middle,' he said. Liberal media executives are panicked that another Donald Trump presidency will be the 'death of mainstream media', alleging that if he wins the White House it means the press 'lost' its influence over the American public. Network bosses are worried that Americans will 'avoid' the news if Trump, whom they allege 'undermines trust in the media', serves a second term, anonymous executives told New York Magazine's Intelligencer. The insiders claim there is a 'huge amount of anxiety' that there will be a decline in TV ratings and readership if the GOP nominee becomes the next president. Other cited concerns included journalist burnout, inability to fact-check Trump due to a lack of resources, and that covering him would take investigative teams away from other important stories. The report, which largely references the chaos that sparked at The Washington Post after owner Jeff Bezos halted the paper's endorsement of Kamala Harris for president, also claims there is 'growing concern in many newsrooms about how executives are going to handle a potential Trump presidency'. The Post lost at least 250,000 subscribers - roughly 10 percent of its digital following - since announcing last Friday that it would not endorse a candidate for president. Liberal media executives are worried that Americans will 'avoid' the news if Donald Trump, pictured at his campaign rally in Nevada on Thursday, serves a second term, anonymous sources told New York Magazine's Intelligencer The report, which largely references the chaos that sparked at The Washington Post after owner Jeff Bezos halted the paper's endorsement of Kamala Harris for president, also claims there is 'growing concern in many newsrooms about how executives are going to handle a potential Trump presidency' (file photo) Media executives, who admit that during Trump's first term they received the so-called 'Trump Bump' in TV ratings and surging readership, believe less Americans will keep up with the news cycle throughout his potential second term. 'There's a huge amount of anxiety over whether, if he wins, people just put their head in the sand for four years and wait it out,' one insider told Intelligencer. 'The interviews that have happened this year have been fine; they haven't been 'holy shit' numbers. My sense is if he wins, it'll be more news avoidance than Trump Bump.' Another source claimed that due to the 'fall of local news' and 'fall of advertising revenue' news operations may not have the staff or resources to fact-check Trump as frequently as they did in 2017. A political reporter, anonymously quoted in the report, expressed worry that investigative teams would be forced to help political units in their coverage of Trump, taking journalists away from other potentially groundbreaking stories. If he is trying to turn America into an autocracy, could [investigative reporters] embark on a series about sexism in girls sports? Could that be what they use their considerable firepower for?' the reporter questioned. 'Maybe, but I think if there's actual things to investigate with a president, it would be hard to use those sorts of resources for much other than that.' The insiders claim there is a 'huge amount of anxiety' that there will be a decline in TV ratings and readership if Trump, pictured at a rally in New Mexico on Thursday, becomes president There is also concern that journalists may be took 'fatigued' to cover Trump, who the insiders say puts 'pressure on everything' and 'undermines trust' in the media with his 'brand damaging' fake news narrative. Similarly, one TV executive warned that bosses are too 'afraid of losing their own jobs' to prioritize maintaining journalistic integrity. 'They're all looking at bottom-line issues and trying to figure out how to cater to Trump,' the source said, adding that 'there is nobody in charge ready to speak up' and everyone is 'just trying to prepare for massive cuts'. The report comes as thousands of readers cancelled their Washington Post subscriptions after Bezos blocked the paper's endorsement of Harris. The billionaire, who owns the Post, said presidential endorsements create a perception of bias at the newspaper while having little real influence on how readers vote. His said his only regret was making the decision known when passions are heated so close to Election Day; the paper's editorial staff had reportedly prepared an endorsement of Harris. 'A lot of people would have forgotten about the Harris endorsement slated to run in the newspaper,' the Post's media critic, Erik Wemple, wrote. 'Few will forget about the decision not to publish it.' The Post's executive editor, Matt Murray, told employees in a staff meeting that there were 'several positive days' of new subscribers signing up, although he didn't mention any numbers, the newspaper reported. Some of the Post's angry digital readers have also already paid for a year's access, and will retain that until their subscriptions expire. Jeff Bezos, (pictured in March) who owns the Post, said presidential endorsements create a perception of bias at the newspaper while having little real influence on how readers vote 'After another month or so, the election will have ended, and there may be people who say that `I need the Post more than they need me and come back,' said Rick Edmonds, media business analyst at the Poynter Institute. The Post also saw a big increase in subscribers during Donald Trump's presidency from people attracted to the newspaper's aggressive coverage, raising the possibility of a repeat if the man that the newspaper wasn't prepared to endorse is returned to office. In the meantime, Edmonds said, 'it's very bad.' After losing readers during the Biden administration, the Post had reportedly seen positive signs of growth - until this week. Another non-endorsement last week has caused thousands of Los Angeles Times readers to cancel subscriptions, although not nearly at the Post's level. Prince Andrew has officially been financially cut off by the King, marking a new low in relations between the brothers. An updated biography by acclaimed royal writer Robert Hardman, serialised by the Mail, reveals that despite the Duke of Yorks attempts to call the monarchs bluff, Charles has acted decisively. In recent weeks he has instructed his Keeper of the Privy Purse, the monarchys finance director, to sever his beleaguered younger brothers annual personal allowance - believed to be in the region of 1 million a year - and no longer pays for his seven-figure private security detail. The duke is no longer a financial burden on the King, confirms a source. Prince Andrew has now officially been financially cut off by the King, marking a new low in relations between the royal brothers An updated biography by acclaimed royal writer Robert Hardman, serialised by the Mail, reveals that Charles has acted decisively The King, who has also long made clear his wish to see Andrew move out of his vast 30-room mansion at Windsor, Royal Lodge, has now placed the ball firmly back in his brothers court. In doing so, he has, Hardman also reveals for the first time, made good on his late mothers determination to solve the Andrew issue once and for all. Indeed, impeccably placed sources reveal that had she lived another year, Queen Elizabeth, who had long been accused of being reluctant to take action against her rumoured favourite son, would have forced him to leave his family home and downsize to Frogmore Cottage, the former home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. An updated edition of Hardmans best-selling biography, Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story, which was published earlier this year, is now being brought out in hardback with extra material and three new chapters packed with fascinating detail. Among the new revelations is how Prince Harrys determination to doggedly pursue legal action against the Home Office over its decision to withdraw his round-the-clock security when he quit royal duties has driven a wedge between father and son. The King fears that if he repairs his relationship with Harry he could be dragged into the case, placing him in legal jeopardy. Royal insiders have also hit back at suggestions that they failed to help Meghan when she joined the Royal Family, saying she threw their offer back in their faces. They insist, far from throwing the Duchess to the wolves, as she has suggested, they did everything in their power to help her - and it was she who said no. Sources say the King is not against some sort of rapprochement with the Sussexes despite the barrage of criticism he had received. But it has not been an easy process. Impeccably placed sources reveal that had she lived another year, Queen Elizabeth would have forced Andrew to leave his family home, Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park She would have made him downsize to Frogmore Cottage, the former home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex Among the new revelations is how Prince Harrys determination to doggedly pursue legal action against the Home Office over its decision to withdraw his round-the-clock security when he quit royal duties has driven a wedge between father and son When Harry returned to the UK in May the two did not meet. The prince was offered a room at Buckingham Palace but instead chose to stay in a hotel. We were told it was for security reasons, says a member of the Kings staff. Im not sure you could get anywhere more secure than the Palace. As for Andrew, it can now be revealed that his attempts to play a dangerous game of high-stakes poker over Royal Lodge against his brother have backfired. Sources close to the Duke of York have long argued that he has a cast-iron, long-term lease on the late Queen Mothers former home in Windsor Great Park. Although he no longer undertakes royal duties, has been stripped of his patronages and military associations and is effectively barred from using his HRH title in public over his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the Duke has been determined to cling to the vestiges of his former life, most notably his home. Andrew has been stripped of his patronages and military associations and effectively barred from using his HRH title in public over his association with Jeffrey Epstein He has made clear to the Kings advisers that they have no right to force him to downsize and has firmly rejected suggestions that he move to nearby Frogmore Cottage, which although smaller at five bedrooms, appears adequate for his needs and has the added benefit of being inside the Windsor Castle security ring of steel. Now that the King has effectively called his brothers bluff, Andrew is going to have to find the money for the upkeep of his vast property, as well as his security detail, with no visible sign of independent income. According to Hardman, this apparently includes the cost of protecting several valuable and historical works of art and pieces of furniture borrowed from the Royal Collection, the treasure trove of antiques held in trust by the monarch on behalf of the nation. Andrew has repeatedly asserted that he can continue to pay for his own upkeep, claiming to have found other sources of income related to his contacts in international trade, sufficient to cover all his costs. But His Majesty will be watching with interest. If he can find the money, then that is up to him, but if not, he will find that the King does not have unlimited patience, adds an insider. Family friends say although the matter has been temporarily resolved, Andrews obstinacy has soured family relationships. This is the shocking moment a man caught cleaners at a five-star Greek holiday resort drinking from his bottle and rummaging through his belongings. Tommy Hudson, of Willington, County Durham, says he felt unsafe in his room on his Jet2 holiday to the Elios Hill hotel in Crete after recording staff snooping in his family's possessions. The dad-of-one splashed 4,600 on a break at the newly opened hotel with wife Joanne and their two-year-old daughter Elsie in early August, hoping for a relaxing break. Mr Hudson, 42, said: 'It took over what should have been a nice family holiday. 'Instead, we were talking about it every day and checking cameras in case something else had happened.' This is the shocking moment a man caught cleaners at a five-star Greek holiday resort drinking from his bottle Tommy Hudson, of Willington, County Durham, says he felt unsafe in his room on his Jet2 holiday to the Elios Hill hotel in Crete after recording staff snooping in his family's possessions The dad-of-one splashed 4,600 on a break at the newly opened hotel with wife Joanne and their two-year-old daughter Elsie in early August In one clip a male cleaner is seen looking into a WHSmith bag the family left in the room and rummaging through belongings on the shelves. Another video captured later in the holiday, a cleaner takes a sip from the family's bottle of Sprite before returning it. He then appears to take a key card to the room. There is no claims any item was stolen from the room but Jet2 said the 275-room hotel has dealt with the staff in question and had apologised to Mr Hudson and would provide an 'appropriate gesture of goodwill'. But he says an offer of 320 cash compensation isn't good enough and is now escalating his complaint to Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). 'They've come back to us offering 320. It doesn't seem like they have taken it very seriously at all,' ex-Navy man Mr Hudson said. 'On the second to last day, he was drinking out of our water bottle and took our key card. We had to go and get our keys changed in case he tried to come back into the room. The camera wasn't even hidden, it was just in the corner of the room. 'We spoke to the hotel manager and they said the staff had been relieved from their duties. 'We felt unsafe in the room, we were having to check it on the camera every day.' There is no claims any item was stolen from the room but Jet2 said the 275-room hotel has dealt with the staff in question Mr Hudson took the camera with him after he said he read a review online by a traveller claiming they had items go missing from their room. The hotel offered them a trip to a beach club including transportation, food and drink to apologise plus late checkout on their last day after he complained about the first instance, but he then caught the cleaner drinking from their pop bottle on the second-last day and he involved Jet2. 'We don't know if he has spat back into the bottle,' the dad added. 'It turns my stomach to think my daughter could have drank it as his saliva could be inside and around the edge. 'I was told by them that due to it being our last day in the resort they couldn't really do anything for us. 'The slogan they have on the side of their aeroplanes is 'package holidays you can trust'. When something like this happens you can't really trust them any more. 'It's really put us off booking another holiday through Jet2. It saddens me as our last eight holidays have been with Jet2 and have all been fantastic. 'I just want people to be aware this happens.' A Jet2 spokesperson said: 'We would like to offer our sincere apologies to Mr Hudson for this experience. We understand that the hotel has investigated fully and taken appropriate action with the staff in question. 'We have been in contact with Mr Hudson to apologise, and to provide an appropriate gesture of goodwill.' The Elios Hill Hotel did not respond to a request for comment. The bodies of a mother who killed herself and her two children by jumping off Niagara Falls may never be recovered. Chianti Means, 33, stepped over the guardrail at Luna Island on Monday night, with her two kids Roman, 9, and Mecca, four months. Police said on Wednesday that after sweeping the area thoroughly for days that search and rescue efforts were unsuccessful. DailyMail.com has contacted cops for further comment. Based on previous incidents, it is entirely plausible that her family may never be reunited with the bodies of their loved ones. Many of those who have jumped to their deaths in Niagara Falls or fallen in by accident have never been recovered from the bottom of the waterfall, over which 3,610 tons of water rage every second. Some are pushed far from the falls by its ferocious currents, with one man who fell to his death discovered 140 miles away in Lake Ontario years later. Based on previous incidents, it is entirely plausible that her family may never be reunited with the bodies of their loved ones The mother of two stepped over the railing at Luna Island on Monday night, with her two kids Roman, right, and Mecca,left Vincent C. Stack, of Buffalo, New York, went missing in the state park in 1990 at the age of 40. His remains were found in April 1992, and were said to have been 'badly decomposed and mostly skeletal'. After years of remaining unidentified, a DNA profile was found 'to be a familial match' to DNA collected from his family. Cops say his remains went over the falls, before traveling 15 miles to the mouth of the river before then drifting 130 miles across Lake Ontario to the shores of Oswego. In another case in 1981, the body of Hesham Sayegh, who was eleven months old, was never found after his mother dropped him into the churning waters. His mother Dunia Sayegh was charged with manslaughter over his death, before the case was thrown out, according to a UPI story from 1982. The New York State Police launched unmanned aircraft systems, aviation and underwater recovery unites to aid in the search for Means and her children. The New York State Police launched unmanned aircraft systems, aviation and underwater recovery unites to aid in the search for Means and her children Means' friends say they are 'sorry you didn't feel like you could turn anywhere else' Since her passing, previous Facebook posts she had made have resurfaced online in which she expressed a desire to get back with the father of her daughter. Just days before jumping to her and her kids' deaths, Means marveled about her daughter, writing online that she was beautiful. On October 14, Means expressed regret that she and her daughter's father were no longer together. 'Cause I was a dumb ass pregnant b**** who swore up and down I ain't want him,' she wrote about the breakup. I need all the positive energy I can get,' she said. Several of Means' friends have posted tributes on Facebook for the mother of two. 'You really never know what anybody is going through.RIP, said Niesha Eukeya. 'I cant even bare to write a post about her and share memories,' wrote Mich Molina. Means, who lived in Niagara Falls with her family, worked as a domestic violence counselor, according to her LinkedIn Means, along with her two children, are understood to have crossed over the 'safety guild rail' at Luna Island around 9pm on Monday night (stock image of the rail) 'I am literally sick to my stomach and I cant even deal with the emotions I am feeling. Just know her and her children are dearly loved by me and my children.' Means, who lived in Niagara Falls with her family, worked as a domestic violence counselor, according to her LinkedIn profile. Luna Island is a small island between the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls that, along with the Horseshoe Falls, make up the popular tourist draw. Niagara Falls State Park is run by the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation and open to tourists 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More than 8 million people visit the park each year, according to the recreation department. New footage has emerged of police putting a stop an e-bike riding phone robbery gang and recovering thousands of pounds worth of tech in the process. In the dramatic video shared on the London Metropolitan Police's social media feed, the gang can be seen robbing the phones of multiple unsuspecting pedestrians on the capital's streets. However, it ends with their just rewards, as officers can be seen entering a London pub and confronting one of the gang members before placing him under arrest. The gang, consisting of two teenagers and a 21-year-old man, had been involved in a spate of phone robberies in the Greenwich and Bermondsey areas of London last summer. Responding to community concerns, officers within the Met Police set up an investigation into the gang's activities which ultimately led to the thieves' identification and arrest. Upon the arrests of the trio, hoards of stolen phones were found by officers, with 30 already having been returned to their rightful owners. The trio of thieves can be seen in footage released by the Met Police robbing scores of mobile phones across London The gang are said to have stolen tens of thousands of pounds worth of tech off unsuspecting pedestrians In the dramatic footage, the brazen thieves can be seen riding off on e bikes following their robberies 30 of the stolen phones have so far been reunited with their rightful owners Police bodycam footage shows the moment one of the gang was apprehended inside of a London pub Phone robberies by thieves on e-bikes have become common place on the streets of London in recent times, with certain hotspots identified in a recent MailOnline investigation. The Mayfair and Marylebone areas of central London were highlighted as particular hotspots, with robberies frequently reported along Oxford Street and Bond Street. Tourists have also been targeted by the group, specifically in the environs of Hyde Park which makes for a perfect getaway location for the crooks. Met Police data supports this worrying trend, with the number of reported phone thefts on London streets skyrocketing by almost 100 per cent between 2013 and 2018 to over 94,000 per year. Other hotspot areas highlighted by the Met Police hierarchy include Westminster, Lambeth and Newham. Moreover, for those concerned about this worrying uptick in phone theft, authorities have shared three key things you can do to help. These include being aware of your surroundings at all times, utilising your phone's security features and also learning your device's IMEI number to help identify it in the event it is stolen. A newspaper columnist has stormed off a live broadcast and rage quit after an angry exchange with two colleagues. Washington Post contributing columnist Hugh Hewitt was discussing the election on a Post Live segment on Friday morning with Jonathan Capehart and Ruth Marcus. Capehart, the show's host, brought up a judge's ruling to extend a postal ballot deadline in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, about 20 minutes in. Donald Trump's campaign sued the county after voters waiting in line to apply in-person for a mail-in ballot were turned away at 5pm on Tuesday. Washington Post contributing columnist Hugh Hewitt was discussing the election on a Post Live segment on Friday morning with Jonathan Capehart and Ruth Marcus Hugh Hewitt quits the Washington Post and leaves in the middle of the show pic.twitter.com/YRJ4ZKZkjP HOT SPOT (@HotSpotHotSpot) November 1, 2024 'Is it me or does it seem like Donald Trump is laying the groundwork for contesting the election,' Capehart asked Marcus. 'By claiming that cheating was taking place, but suing Bucks County for alleged irregularities.' Marcus agreed that the former president had been 'laying the ground work' to contest the election result, if he lost, for months. 'Jonathan, I've gotta speak up,' Hewitt interjected, but was told to let Marcus finish talking first. When it was his turn, Hewitt said he disagreed with framing the Bucks County ruling as an example of Trump trying to contest the election result. 'Bucks County was reversed by the court and instructed to open up extra days because they violated the law and told people to go home,' he said. 'We are news people, even though we have opinions, and we have to report the whole story if we bring up part of the story. 'So, yes, he's upset about Bucks County, but he was right and he won in court. That's the story.' Hewitt, infuriated, ripped his headset off, declaring 'I wont come back, Jonathan, Im done' Election officials were supposed to let everyone who joined the line before 5pm submit their application, even if they were still waiting at the cutoff. Capehart attacked Hewitt out of nowhere, instead of arguing with his point or clarifying the issue. 'I dont appreciate being lectured about reporting when, Hugh, many times you come here saying lots of things that arent based in fact,' he said. Hewitt, infuriated by the accusation, ripped his headset off, declaring 'I wont come back, Jonathan, Im done'. He disappeared from the split screen, leaving an empty chair, but continued to rage at the situation. 'Im done. This is the most unfair election ad Ive ever been a part of. You guys are working, thats fine, Im done,' he was heard saying off screen. The New York Post reported Hewitt not only left the show, but resigned from the newspaper entirely. Hewitt also hosts a three-hour syndicated breakfast radio show. He is a staunch conservative with a Twitter account that shares and re-tweets non-stop Trump-friendly talking points. Hewitt with Kimberly Atkins as guests on Meet the Press in 2020 Judge Jeffrey Trauger ruled in a one-page order on Wednesday that Bucks County voters who wanted to apply for an early mail ballot now had until the end of Friday. Huge lines meant voters waited about three hours to get inside the polling office and submit their applications. Bucks County, like other counties in Pennsylvania, allows voters to apply for a mail-in ballot in person at the elections office and receive it there. Applying is a time-consuming process strained to the limit by Trumps exhortations to his supporters to get out and vote before Tuesdays deadline. Voters can also fill it out and hand it in at the office. Neighboring Lehigh County applied to have the window extended to the end of Wednesday due to not having enough resources, which was granted. The criminal case against MP Mike Amesbury - who was suspended from the Labour Party for sucker-punching a constituent - has moved a step forward after police handed a dossier of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The CPS today confirmed it had received a file from Cheshire Police. Due to his role as an MP, it will be handled by their special crime division who will now decide whether he should be charged with a crime. Mr Amesbury, elected Labour MP for Runcorn and Helsby but suspended over the incident in Frodsham, voluntarily met with police but has not been arrested. CCTV footage showed the politician laying into father Paul Fellows, 42, in the early hours of Saturday morning. CCTV footage showed the politician laying into father Paul Fellows, 42, in the early hours of Saturday morning Mike Amesbury MP for Runcorn and Helsby seen out in Yorkshire after being suspended by the Labour Party It is not clear what the pair were talking about - although Mr Amesbury claimed he was 'threatened on the street following an evening out with friends'. They had been rowing in the taxi queue over Labour's plans to means test the winter fuel payment and the closure of the Sutton Weaver swing bridge moments before the fracas. Cheshire Police said a 55-year-old man was voluntarily interviewed under caution and 'released pending further enquiries'. Mr Amesbury released a statement on Saturday, saying: 'Last night, I was involved in an incident that took place after I felt threatened on the street following an evening out with friends. 'This morning, I contacted Cheshire police myself to report what happened during the incident. 'I will not be making further public comment but will, of course, cooperate with any inquiries if required by Cheshire police. 'I remain fully committed to working hard for the people of Runcorn and Helsby, and am determined to remain an open and accessible MP for our community.' In July last year, a 56-year-old man was convicted of stalking Mr Amesbury at his constituency office. Prosecutors said he was seen staring through the glass and asked guards about their level of security. Paul Fellows (pictured), 42, was attacked while he was waiting for a taxi in Frodsham, Cheshire, at 2.15am on Saturday Amesbury is pictured here on the campaign trail with Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the CCTV footage as 'shocking' and insisted the Labour Party had moved 'swiftly' to suspend the MP, who will now sit as an independent. Suspending the Labour whip in the Commons, a party spokesman said: 'Mike Amesbury MP has been assisting Cheshire Police with their inquiries following an incident on Friday night. 'As these inquiries are now ongoing, the Labour Party has administratively suspended Mr Amesbury's membership of the Labour Party pending an investigation. Previously revellers waiting in a nearby carpark revealed they intervened and forced Amesbury and the constituent apart. One of the Good Samaritans was a woman who had been in the taxi queue with her partner. She spoke to Amesbury following the attack and told MailOnline: 'There were people shouting at him that he'd lost his job and abusing him for hitting the other guy. 'I had a quiet word with him afterwards and said 'mate, what have you done. You've messed up everything.' 'He replied, 'No I haven't, he was on at me constantly and wouldn't leave me alone - what was I supposed to do? Was I not supposed to snap?' The woman said she waited with Amesbury until her cab arrived. Amesbury (pictured outside Downing Street) became MP for Weaver Vale in 2017 before the constituency was renamed as Runcorn and Helsby, and was in the Shadow Cabinet until 2022 She said Mr Fellows got up off the floor around 20-minutes later and tried to confront the MP again. The eyewitness continued: 'He was grinning like a Cheshire cat. I asked the man if he knew who Mike was and he said he did. 'He seemed intent on confronting him again but we pushed him away. I asked the staff in the taxi office if they could let Mike in because he was getting grief and they agreed. 'The man who was punched didn't have a mark on him. I felt that maybe he was milking it a bit. 'He seemed to have a friend with him who was filming him talking to Mike but who did absolutely nothing when he was punched except continue filming on his mobile phone. 'I think the man had antagonised Mike and he bit. But you cannot go around hitting people. Especially if you're in a position of power like an MP.' One woman, whose sister was waiting for a taxi at the same time, told The Times Mr Amesbury was 'just drunk and beat someone up.' She said: 'He is trying to get out of it now. He was trying to beat him to a pulp. My sister tried to intervene and pull him off. You have seen the video of how drunk he was.' Hugo Deynham, a Tory councillor on Chester West and Cheshire Council, whose ward covers Frodsham, told the Mail 'single punches kill people' and such acts of violence should be condemned in the strongest terms. 'From what you can see on the video it looks pretty brutal, there is no condoning it,' Mr Deynham said. 'We need to send a message that single punches do kill people and the full force of the law must come down on those guilty of such offences. 'We don't know what led up to this and we need to wait for the police to complete their investigation. But if Mike Amesbury is found to be guilty of an offence, then I believe he should be forced to stand down and a by-election should be called.' A pastor whose wife died in a notorious suicide has had his South Carolina home raided by the FBI. Bureau officials searched the Myrtle Beach home of John Paul Miller Friday, six months after he announced wife Mica's suicide in a bizarre sermon. Agents told WBTW they are 'conducting court authorized law enforcement activity' at the lavish property, but refused to comment further. Neighbors said they'd been told agents were there to execute a search warrant, with Miller not believed to be at home when law enforcement arrived. FBI agents raid the Myrtle Beach home of John Paul Miller Friday, six months after his wife Mica killed herself Pastor Jonathan Miller, left, had his Myrtle Beach home raided by the FBI Friday, six months after wife Mica's suicide (Mica pictured right) In haunting final images, Mica Miller was seen in surveillance footage at a remote gas station just before she was found dead in a lake in Lumber River State Park on April 27 Multiple trucks were pictured outside Miller's home as the raid began, with agents wearing uniforms that said 'Evidence Response Team.' They could be seen donning gloves an bringing bags from one of the trucks while preparing to enter the home. Mica shot herself dead in Lumber River State Park in Robeson County, South Carolina, in April. Haunting surveillance footage showed her buying a gun at a pawn shop shortly before her death, then driving into the remote area where she ended her life. There's no suggestion Miller was directly involved in his wife's death. But allegations of abuse and infidelity began to swirl shortly after he announced Mica's passing at Market Common Church. In May this year, DailyMail.com revealed how Miller's church has a property portfolio worth at least $5.59 million, and a four-seat plane worth $430,000. Scrutiny has been mounting on Solid Rock Ministries after it was revealed that church leaders plan to allow John-Paul Miller back to the pulpit following allegations of 'sexual encounters' with underage girls. She pulled her car up to a gas pump, walked in the store, bought an energy drink and walked out before filling up her tank and driving away Mica's husband John-Paul Miller shocked his congregation when he announced her death as a suicide at the end of a service at Solid Rock at Market Common Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Solid Rock Ministries in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has a multimillion-dollar portfolio and owns four properties with a total taxable value of $5.59million The church also registered this four-seater 2007 Cessna SR-22 with the FAA on May 9, after purchasing the plane in January 2023. It is estimated to be worth around $430,000 Mica's sister Sierra also filed legal documents accusing Miller and Solid Rock of 'colluding' to 'defraud and deprive' the 30-year-old of her fair share of property after he 'sold' their home to the church. Public documents obtained by DailyMail.com show that Solid Rock Ministries was granted tax-exempt status in 2015 according to IRS filings. Miller's home address in Horry County is now owned by Solid Rock Ministries he sold it to them in December 2023, two months after Mica initially filed for divorce and asked that the property be split equally between them. Filings by Sierra's lawyer accuse Miller of selling the property for $169,331.31, which they argue is 'significantly less' than the true value of the property. Records seen by DailyMail.com show that the taxable value of the property is $240,000, around $70,000 more than what Miller sold it for. Last month it emerged that Miller had filed court documents to set up a new religious movement Living Water Church at Market Common, Newsweek reports. Developing story, check back for updates... A butcher chased down and stabbed a customer who complained about the meat he bought at a supermarket in Brazil. The incident unfolded on October 24 after the unidentified victim went to the market in the city of Aparecida de Goiania to complain about the meat he had previously purchased. Surveillance video footage showed the disgruntled customer removing the meat from a bag and slamming it on a counter before tossing the bag at the 25-year-old butcher. The employee then chased the victim down an aisle as frightened shoppers looked on. Surveillance video footage showed the disgruntled customer removing the meat from a bag and slamming it on a counter before tossing the bag at the 25-year-old butcher The wife of the victim (pictured) said that her husband worked as a butcher for 30 years The victim could be seen stepping back near a produce display, when the butcher stabbed him in the chest, puncturing his lung. He was rushed to a local urgent care facility and then transferred to Aparecida de Goiania State Hospital, where he underwent surgery. 'It was his 23-year-old son's birthday, and he went to buy some meat at the supermarket. When he got there, he asked for a certain type of meat and, when we got home, he went to look at the meat,' the victim's wife told TV Anhanguera. 'But it wasn't the meat we had ordered, especially since he has been a butcher for 30 years, so he knows meat very well.' The victim remains hospitalized but has been feeling better and is responding to the medication, his wife said. The 25-year-old butcher was arrested on October 25 The knife used by the butcher to stab a disgruntled customer The butcher was arrested at his home on October 25 during a joint operation between the Goias Military and Civil Police departments. 'It drew attention to the futility of almost taking someone's life,' Civil Police chief Thiago de Oliveira said, as quoted by O Popular newspaper. The butcher appeared before a judge on October 26 and was released on bail. He is required to wear an electronic ankle monitor as he awaits the start of his trial. Police detected a pulse on homeless man Jordan Neely after he was put in a chokehold by Marine veteran Daniel Penny, bombshell new bodycam footage reveals. The video became public today as Penny's manslaughter trial began in Manhattan. Penny, then 24, is accused of killing Neely by putting him in what prosecutors say was a fatal chokehold. The May 1st 2023 incident sparked uproar in America - BLM says it was the racist killing of a mentally ill black man by an overzealous white military faithful. Others say Penny is a hero, a modern-day batman who stepped in when Neely made aggressive threats on the subway, including to a toddler boy whose mother shielded him with a stroller. Marine veteran Daniel Penny arrives at the Manhattan courthouse on Friday for the first day of his manslaughter trial New bodycam shows two police officers checking Neely for a pulse - and finding one During opening statements today, bodycam footage of the moment cops found Neely was shown. NYPD officers arrived on the train at Fulton Station at 2.33pm. Two police officers confirmed that Neely still had a pulse when they arrived. 'I got a pulse,' one said. A second police officer confirmed that he too felt a pulse. Neely was unconscious, lying on the subway car floor. When asked how Neely ended up there, Penny replied: 'I put him out.' Despite initially detecting a pulse, they issued Narcan - the drug used to reverse opioid overdoses - to Neely - and started CPR at 2.38pm. Paramedics from Northwell Health arrived on the train at 2.48pm - 15 minutes after the police. At 3.13pm - almost 45 minutes after police first arrived - Neely was still on the train, by then surrounded by paramedics. The bodycam released by the court today ends then. A subway passenger filmed the moment Penny put Neely in a chokehold Penny, left, waited for police to arrive. He told them: 'I put him out,' when asked how Neely ended up unconscious He was not pronounced dead until he arrived at Lenox Health Hospital in Greenwich Village later that afternoon. Among witnesses on the first day of evidence was an NYPD Sergeant who testified that none of his team performed mouth-to-mouth on Neely because he was a 'drug user'. 'He seemed to be a drug user.. he was an apparent drug user. He was very dirty. I didnt want them to get hepatitis. 'If he did wake up he would have been vomiting. I didnt want my officers to do that. 'He was filthy. He looked like a homeless individual. You have to protect your officer, 'I wouldnt want my officer to get sick if the person throws up,' he said. In opening statements, Manhattan prosecutors said: 'Jordan Neely took his last breaths on the dirty floor of an uptown F train. He was 30 years old, homeless, mentally ill. 'He quite literally, went for the jugular,' Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran said. The prosecution accepted that Neely had been 'menacing' passengers on the train. But she said the entire exchange, from the time Neely got on the train, to the time the doors opened at the next station, lasted just 30 seconds. The May 2023 incident sparked uproar in America - BLM says it was the racist killing of a mentally ill black man by an overzealous white military faithful. It was Pennys choice to keep Neely restrained for a further five minutes and 53 seconds that formed the basis of the states case. He, quite literally, went immediately for the jugular, she said. We pass people like Jordan Neely every day. As New Yorkers, we train ourselves not to engage, not to make eye contact, to pretend people like Jordan Neely dont exist. Yoran told jurors that another man who helped to get Neely to the ground repeatedly told Penny that he could let go because he had a strong grip of his arms. The defendant has specialized training in chokeholds. A person passes out and you have to immediately let go a green belt Marine is taught, and clearly knows. He pushed Mr Neely to the point of no return, certain to die. When he did let go, he left Neely on the floor and didnt look back. He picked up his hat, dusted himself off, and stood over his body. Yoran said Pennys defense that he was acting to protect other, vulnerable passengers on the train cant be considered beyond the point that all the passengers had fled the train. [The level of force] may have been reasonable initially, [Neelys behavior] would justify an initial use of force. But at the point that Penny killed Mr Neely, there was no one to protect. At that point there was no excuse or justification for the deadly use of physical force. While the state intends to argue that Penny never let up the initial pressure he placed on Neelys neck, the defense insists he made several attempts to loosen his grip, and that only had a light hold on Neely by the time he stopped fighting back. Black Lives Matter protesters outside the Manhattan courthouse on Friday This struggle did last five to six minutes. But Danny was not, and could not, have been squeezing his neck. We know that because if he was, Neely would have passed out in the first minute, Kenniff said. Opening statements began on Friday after a grueling two-week process of selecting the 12-person jury. An initial search was conducted of Neelys body and jacket, which was nearby. No weapons were found, and the only possession he had at the time was a muffin stuffed into his jacket pocket. Police initially felt a faint pulse, and a shot of Narcan was administered. Once the pulse disappeared, officers began performing CPR, and then issued another shot of Narcan. At no point did Neely regain consciousness. Kenniff argued that Penny had only intended to intervene until police could come and take over. Something that took way longer than expected, he said. From the time police received the dispatch call, it took seven minutes for first responders to arrive. It was then another 10 minutes before emergency services arrived with a defibrillator and more resources. Danny was desperately waiting for police to show up and help him the way he had helped other passengers on this train, Kenniff said. The trial is expected to last up to six weeks, and will call upon medical experts, first responders, and other passengers who were on the train that day. A killer transgender pedophile who brutally raped a three-month-old baby is asking to be released from prison to attend an Indigenous ceremony. Tara Desousa, 43, has applied to the Federal Court in Canada to have a decision by the Fraser Valley Institution that denied her 'temporary absences' overturned. Desousa, then known as Adam Laboucan, was 15 when in 1997 she sexually assaulted an infant she was babysitting in Quesnel, British Columbia. Due to the horrific nature of her crime, the baby had to undergo reconstructive surgery to repair injuries sustained in the diabolical attack. During her trial she also confessed to drowning a three-year-old boy when she was 11, with her crimes seeing her labelled as Canada's youngest 'dangerous offender'. In a filing in October, she said she first applied for escorted leave to attend a ceremony at the Anderson Lodge 'healing center for women' in August 2023. Tara Desousa, 43, has applied to the Federal Court in Canada to have a decision by the Fraser Valley Institution that denied her 'temporary absences' overturned In a filing in October, she said she first applied for escorted leave to attend a ceremony at the Anderson Lodge 'healing center for women', seen here, in August 2023 The lodge is run by the Circle of Eagles Lodge Society, an Indigenous backed organization. Speaking with The Canadian Press, CEO Merv Thomas said that he couldn't comment on individual offenders. He added that 'a lot of people 'coming into our facilities are dealing with a lot of historical trauma'. Thomas added that the society looks to take a 'holistic' approach to helping people heal through ceremonies. According to the CEO the group 'leaves the final judgement to the creator', and that there are strict conditions and protocols in place for offenders. He added: 'I understand and I see both sides and its very difficult a lot of times to put our judgments aside. 'But at the same time, we work with them and we believe that everybody has an opportunity for change.' Desousa underwent so-called 'gender-affirming surgery' while behind bars in 2018 and is currently serving an indefinite sentence. Imposing her sentence, Judge Victor Curtis ruled there was no foreseeable 'time span in which Adam Laboucan may be cured'. The lodge is run by the Circle of Eagles Lodge Society, an Indigenous backed organization It is unclear when her transition started. Her trial heard that she showed 'everything from transsexual to pedophilic tendencies' He wrote: 'In doing so, I do not intend that Mr. Laboucan be kept in prison for many years with no hope for release. 'What is intended, and what must happen is that Mr. Laboucan be kept only so long as it is necessitated by the risk he poses.' As well as the indefinite sentence, she was also placed under dangerous-offender status, which is reserved to those who pose a threat to the life of others. After transitioning in 2018, Desousa was granted permission to move to a women's ward inside the Fraser Valley Institution. In a previous Reduxx report, inmates told the outlet that she frequently menaced mothers by making suggestive comments and staring at their children. The outlet reported that she had also turned up at prison events where children were present and was reportedly 'staring' at them. It is unclear when her transition started. Her trial heard that she showed 'everything from transsexual to pedophilic tendencies' according to CBC. After transitioning in 2018, Desousa was granted permission to move to a women's ward inside the Fraser Valley Institution, seen here During her trial she had also confessed to the the drowning of a three-year-old boy when she was 11. Her prison pen pal profile is seen here Subsequent images from a prison pen pal profile show pictures of Desousa dressed as a woman and with breast implants. Her profile had previously said: 'I am a transgender woman and I was born a man but now after surgery I became a full woman. 'I have a vagina, not a penis, and also have 720ccs DD gel implants', but it has been changed in recent times. She has had several attempts for parole denied, with the most one coming in June of this year. The Parole Board of Canada said her victim had suffered 'pain, anxiety and anguish and long-term emotional impacts resulting from your offending'. Another parole board rejected her in 2010 and cited 'bizarre sexual behavior', that they felt posed a threat to the public. A dog who was rescued by a Pennsylvania family after Hurricane Helene saved their lives just two weeks later. Rusty got a new lease on life after surviving Hurricane Helene when the Bannon family chose to adopt him from the hundreds of lost dogs they tried to find new homes for in the wake of the devastation. Little did the Bannon family know that Rusty would return the favor when just two weeks later, he alerted Gabby Bannon, 29, of a growing fire in their kitchen in Eddystone. 'It's almost as if he was meant to come into our lives and meant to be there to save us,' she told Fox 29. Gabby made the decision to travel to North Carolina, where half of the deaths from Hurricane Helene occurred. Rusty, a shelter dog in North Carolina, was rescued by a Pennsylvania family after Hurricane Helene and returned the favor by saving their lives just two weeks later Two weeks after joining the family, the 3-year-old pup alerted Gabby Bannon, 29, of a growing fire in their kitchen Gabby Bannon made the decision to travel to North Carolina alongside her husband, Michael, 39, to help deliver supplies to the affected areas 'I'd been watching news coverage and seen the devastation of what's happening and said I really want to help,' Gabby said. Her husband, Michael, 39, wrote on Facebook that the pair would being traveling to North Carolina to deliver supplies to the affected areas. 'My wife is coordinating with a local rescue to gather supplies prior to the trip!' he wrote. 'This is what it means to be human - to help out when you can!' The pair traveled alongside LaMancha Animal Rescue to deliver pet food and other essentials to the areas that were hit the hardest in the wake of the deadly storm. Three rigs, trucks and trailers full of supplies were transported to the Livestock Center in Canton. The very next day, they went to the local Humane Society to gather 35 shelter dogs and take them back to Pennsylvania to find them families. But a certain three-year-old pup immediately stole their hearts. The couple went to the local Humane Society to gather 35 shelter dogs and take them back to Pennsylvania to find them families - but a certain dog immediately stole their hearts The dog got a new name - Rusty - and fit right in with the family, including Michael, her two-year-old son, and Wesley, her six-month-old baby boy He was such a perfect dog that the couple thought he had belonged to a family that was displaced during the natural disaster 'I took him out of his crate and there was something special about him,' Bannon said. 'From there it was game over. He's definitely coming home with us.' He was such a perfect dog that the couple thought he had belonged to a family that was displaced during the natural disaster. They were originally prepared to drive him back down to North Carolina, but after checking, they realized that the sweet pup was a stray. He got a new name - Rusty - and fit right in with the family, including Michael, their two-year-old son, and Wesley, their six-month-old baby boy. Rusty's love and thankfulness for his new family was proven just two weeks later when he began pacing around and barking while Gabby and her children were taking a nap in the upstairs bedroom. She knew something was wrong when Rusty started to jump and tug relentlessly on her sleeve with no signs of stopping. 'When I opened my bedroom door, smoke filled the hallway,' she said. Rusty's love for his new family was proven just two weeks later when he began pacing around and barking while Bannon and her babies were taking a nap She knew something was wrong when Rusty began to tug relentlessly at her sleeve with no signs of stopping - and when she opened the door, she saw the hallway filling with smoke The good pup got a nice steak dinner for his diligence Gabby acted quickly to get her children and pets safely outside before rushing back in to put the flames out. Thankfully, Rusty made her aware of the situation before it got any worse, but the outcome could have been very different if he didn't. 'I don't like to think about what that would have looked like,' she added. 'Potentially we could have been trapped upstairs.' She said that she will forever be grateful to their rescue pup who ended up rescuing them in the end. An urgent appeal has been issued to find the owner of a wedding ring that was mysteriously found 'hidden' inside an air conditioning unit at a Scottish hospital. Engineers uncovered the band of gold in a technical room that supports an MRI scanner at University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie, Lanarkshire. Radiographer Scott Robinson said the ring was handed to staff and he has been trying to locate the owner since the discovery. But staff told him they suspect the item could have been there for at least four years. Mr Robinson said: 'The engineers removed one of the doors on the unit and found the ring. Although the ring may not be worth much money, it could have a huge sentimental and it has a distinctive gold pattern Undated handout photo issued by NHS Lanarkshire of the wedding ring. People are desperately trying to find the owner Pictured, the air conditioning unit at University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie, where a wedding ring was found inside 'We've no idea how it got there or how long it's been hidden under the cabinet, which stands on the floor in the MRI tech room. 'The air conditioner is serviced annually so it might have been there only a year. 'But the engineers were having a closer look inside it than normal this year because they were trying to find a small water leak. 'So it's possible the ring's been there for around four years, since the equipment was installed.' Mr Robinson suspected the ring could have belonged to a member of staff so he sent an email, but to no avail. So, the engineer believes it may have belonged to a patient or visitor but no one knows how the band ended up in the unit. He added: 'We can only guess at how it came to be there. We thought a colleague may have dropped it so I put an email round the staff and several contacted me but it doesn't match the description they gave. 'So it could belong to a visitor or a patient. The tech room is on the ground floor near the Emergency Department and lots of patients go past on their way to and from the wards. 'Could it be that a patient on a trolley had removed their ring and it fell and rolled through the gap under the tech room door and then under the air conditioning unit?' Although the ring may not be worth much money, it could have a huge sentimental value and so Mr Robinson is desperately trying to reunite the ring with its owner. It is a small gold ring described as quite old and has a distinctive pattern. If the gold band rings a bell with you, please email info@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk including your contact details. Israel has killed one of the last senior Hamas leaders remaining in the Gaza strip, an official announced on Friday evening. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement that Izz al-Din Kassab, a member of Hamas' political bureau had been 'eliminated' during an airstrike in Khan Younis. According to the IDF, Kassab was responsible for national relations within the organisation and oversaw the 'coordination and connection between Hamas and other terrorist organisations in Gaza'. He was additionally responsible for Hamas' strategic and military relations with other factions in Gaza. The IDF said Kassab 'held the authority to direct the execution of terrorist attacks against the State of Israel.' Izz al-Din Kassab, a member of Hamas' political bureau and one of the organisation's last remaining senior leaders has been 'eliminated' during an airstrike in Khan Younis The IDF announced the assassination of Kassab on Friday evening The IDF released dramatic footage of the moment a truck carrying Kassab and Ayesh was struck with precision as it travelled along a dirt road in the Gazan city The car carrying Kassab, who was responsible for national relations within Hamas, is seen exploding into flames According to the IDF Kassab 'held the authority to direct the execution of terrorist attacks against the State of Israel' Acrid smoke filled the air in the aftermath of the strike on Friday in Khan Younis According to Reuters, Hamas mourned the death of the senior leader in a statement, adding that he was killed alongside his assistant, Ayman Ayesh, in the strike. On Friday night, the IDF released dramatic footage of the moment a truck carrying Kassab and Ayesh was struck with precision as it travelled along a dirt road in the city of Khan Younis, which now lies largely in ruins after more than a year of military operations. Kassab's death comes just weeks after Israel assassinated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was widely considered to be the chief architect of the October 7 attacks which saw 1,200 people killed and 250 taken hostage by terrorists. After confirming his death, the IDF released the last moments Sinwar was alive as filmed by a drone that entered the shelled-out building where he was hiding. Sitting on a dust-laden chair, his head covered in a scarf to hide his identity, Sinwar can be seen peeking through the small gap in the wrapping encasing his face to look directly at the drone, with his right hand wounded by bullets. HIs last act was to throw a stick at the device just seconds before he was assassinated by Israeli forces in Gaza. In September, Israel assassinated Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah during a massive strike against the terrorist group in Lebanon. A slew of other Iran-backed militant commanders have also been killed in recent months. Assassinated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was widely considered to be the chief architect of the October 7 attacks on Israel Israel said earlier this year that it had killed Mohammed Deif, Hamas's military chief, in a strike, though the Palestinian group has not confirmed it. Deif stood accused of working with Sinwar to plan the October 7 attack. Kassab's assassination today comes in the wake of a vow made by Israel to eliminate Hamas' entire senior leadership. Hospital staff are appealing to the public to help them solve the mystery of a wedding ring found inside an air conditioning unit. Engineers working at University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, found the band of gold when they were servicing the unit in a technical room supporting an MRI scanner earlier this year. Superintendent radiographer Scott Robinson said the ring was handed to staff and he has been trying to trace the owner ever since. He said: The engineers removed one of the doors on the unit and found the ring. Weve no idea how it got there or how long its been hidden under the cabinet, which stands on the floor in the MRI tech room. The air conditioner is serviced annually so it might have been there only a year. But the engineers were having a closer look inside it than normal this year because they were trying to find a small water leak. Hospital staff were left puzzled after the ring was retrieved from an air conditioning unit Radiographer Scott Robinson believes the ring may have lain in this unit for up to four years The ring appears to be old and has a distinctive pattern So its possible the rings been there for around four years, since the equipment was installed. We can only guess at how it came to be there. We thought a colleague may have dropped it so I put an email round the staff and several contacted me - but it doesnt match the description they gave. So it could belong to a visitor or a patient. The tech room is on the ground floor near the Emergency Department and lots of patients go past on their way to and from the wards. Could it be that a patient on a trolley had removed their ring and it fell and rolled through the gap under the tech room door and then under the air conditioning unit? He said the small-sized gold ring looks quite old and has a distinctive pattern. Mr Robinson added: It may not be valuable in monetary terms but it may have great sentimental value for the owner or their family. HospAnyone with information or who believes the recently found gold band belongs to them is asked to email info@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf are at the centre of a tax row after it emerged theyd both set up private companies to handle lucrative earnings from outside politics. Critics have raised concerns over whether the arrangement allows the two former First Ministers to avoid paying the punishing tax rates with which they clobbered hard-working Scots. The set-up could allow them to pay Westminster-controlled corporation tax, currently set at 25 per cent, on their outside earnings instead of the Scottish rate of income tax. Last night Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: Humza Yousaf was Nicola Sturgeons continuity candidate to replace her as First Minister, and now hes following her lead again by setting up a company for his outside earnings. While this may help him avoid paying the higher tax rates the pair of them inflicted on hard-working Scots, I doubt that any memoir of his time in Bute House will be anywhere near as lucrative as his mentors. Critics have suggested the former First Ministers have made arrangements to avoid the punitive tax rates they expect hard working Scots to pay Both Ms Sturgeon and Mr Yousaf have set up companies to handle outside earnings After resigning as First Minister, Ms Sturgeon, who is still paid a salary of 72,196 as a backbench MSP, set up Nicola Sturgeon Limited to handle her outside earnings. An update to her register of interests showed that she received a payment of 25,000 plus VAT from ITV for appearing as a pundit on ITVs general election night programme, when she was heavily critical of her partys performance. Mr Yousaf has also now set up a private company, H & N Yousaf, to handle outside earnings. A certificate of incorporation lists the firms registered address as his fathers accountancy business in Glasgow. The company, set up at Companies House on September 6, has two directors and shareholders - Mr Yousaf and his wife Nadia El-Nakla, a Dundee councillor. Mr Yousafs Scottish Parliament register of interests says that the company will provide business support service activities. It also shows the new firm received a payment of 2,400 for presentations focused on issues related to Scotlands experience of devolution over the last 25 years delivered at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue in Geneva on September 23. In addition, Mr Yousaf declared that travel and board was provided by the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, with the estimated cost of travel listed as 660, as well as 430 for accommodation. A triple whammy of income tax measures was introduced by the SNP Government earlier this year when it was led by Mr Yousaf. This saw the threshold for paying the 42p rate frozen at 46,663, as well as the introduction of a new 45p advanced rate on earnings above 75,000 and an increase in the top rate, charged on income above 125,140, to 48p. Mr Yousaf's government introduced a triple whammy of tax measures earlier this year Scots earning more than 28,850 already pay more income tax than those based in other parts of the UK. Individuals can legally reduce their tax bill by receiving income through private companies, which pay corporation tax on 25 per cent of profits. Shareholders can extract profits as dividends, with the tax rates controlled by the UK Government and charged at 8.75 per cent for the basic rate, 33.75 per cent for the higher rate and 39.35 per cent for the additional rate. A spokesman for Ms Sturgeon said that any payments made to her personally by her company will be taxed as income in the normal way but added that the former First Minister has not received any income from her company. Pressed on whether she will commit to paying the full Scottish rate of income tax on all earnings received outside of politics, the spokesman repeated that she has not received any income from the company. Mr Yousaf failed to respond when asked if he could confirm whether full income tax would be paid on his outside earnings. The investigation into the disappearance of a teenager more than a quarter of a century ago will be reopened by Police Scotland. Kenneth Jones, 18 went missing in Fife in 1998 and was last seen in the Ancrum Court area of Glenrothes. After saying goodnight to their son as usual, Kenneths parents, Maryanne and Allan, discovered that he was missing the following morning and have not had any contact from him since. Initially, his parents assumed he had gone for a run or stayed at a friends house, but police were later alerted and a public appeal issued. However, while extensive enquiries were undertaken by police to help trace the man, no confirmed sightings have ever been made. Kenneth Jones went missing in 1998 aged 18 from his home in Glenrothes, Fife. A photofit of what he may look like now has been created to help with the search Kenneth, who would now be 44 years old, is described as white, 6ft 2in, with short, dark-brown hair. He was last seen in a black leather zip-up jacket, wearing black jeans and green trainers. Detective Inspector Chris Mill has urged for anyone who has not yet spoken to the police to get in touch to help finally provide his family with some much needed closure. DI Mill said: We regularly review unsolved missing person cases and there have always been unanswered questions around Kenneths disappearance. His family have never given up hope of finding him and have worked closely with the charity Missing People.org to try and keep his disappearance in the public eye. They produced an image of him a few years ago which gives an artists impression of what he may have aged to look like. If anyone recognises Kenneth from this picture, or has any information that can help our enquiries, please contact us. Missing People teamed up with Kenneths family in 2018 to issue an e-fit image of him to mark the 20-year anniversary of his disappearance. In the years since Kenneth was last seen, his family have also continued to speak publicly about the devastating impact of his mysterious disappearance almost 26 years ago. In 2018, Kenneths mum told the Daily Record that life without her son was like living with ghosts and that she had never washed the dressing gown that was still hung up in the family home. In a heartfelt message, Kenneths aunt, Mary Dodds added: I have looked for you all over Britain. My one wish for you is that you are happy with a family of your own. Kenneths unusual disappearance is not the only case within Glenrothes. Allan Bryant, 23, was reported missing after leaving a nightclub in the same area exactly 15 years to the day that Kenneth disappeared. The date, however, is the only known link between the two cases. In a plea for public support and assistance in finding their missing sons, both Kenneths mum, Maryanne, and Allan Bryants mum, Marie Degan, made a joint appeal in 2015, but no progress in either inquiry was made. Now, Police Scotland are asking that any person with information relevant to Kenneths disappeaarance contacts local officers via 101, or speaks anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Avengers! Assemble! To record an excruciatingly awkward Kamala Harris endorsement video. Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Danai Gurira, Don Cheadle and Paul Bettany released a collaboration half cringe and half comedy. The stars from the Marvel 'Avengers' series wanted to make their political endorsement of the Democrat known just ahead of the election. In the nearly two-minute video, the Hollywood actors discuss coming up with a new slogan for Harris and eventually settle on the purposefully ill-conceived: 'Down with democracy.' The comedy stint didn't seem to land well and users on social media mercilessly tore into the obviously scripted political stunt immediately. 'Down with democracy,' Johansson cheers in the bizarre campaign ad Your browser does not support iframes. 'The cast of the Avengers, who all now look like they have terminal illnesses... Say 'down with democracy' and 'tear down democracy' in support of Kamala,' comedian Tim Youg wrote on X. 'This doesn't quite hit the way they intended it to.' 'This gave me so much second-hand embarrassment,' X user Dr. Sydney Watson posted. Another girl Blaire White wrote: 'Oh look, the people who are literally paid to lie have thoughts about our upcoming election.' 'Chris Evans - You're Captain America - Not Captain Communist.... Beyond sad,' another account said. 'Sounds like we know where Hollywood stands. This is embarrassing, fake and cringe,' another wrote. A large number of 'Avengers' cast members endorsed Kamala Harris in a strange video Johansson appears like the organizer of the video Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo Mark Ruffalo, who plays the Hulk in the 'Avengers', cheers as Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speak to supporters at The Alan Horwitz 'Sixth Man' Center on October 27, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, bottom center, greets 'Avengers' actors Don Cheadle, top center left, and Mark Ruffalo, top center right, after speaking during a community rally The video begins with Johansson: 'Hi you guys. 'Hi Avengers!' 'Woah, woah, woah, I think you mean, assembling!' Cheadle lamely jokes. Following some clearly scripted back and forth between the actors the group begins floating ideas for a catch phrase for Kamala Harris. After all, Robert Downey Jr., a.k.a. Iron Man, suggested it. Later the actor who plays the robot voice JARVIS in the series, Paul Bettany comes up with a bright idea. Many of the stars talked over each other during the recording Scarlett Johansson plays Black Widow in Avengers - Age Of Ultron - 2015 'How about 'I'm down with democracy.'' he suggests. 'It's just clean and simple.' After some joking back and forth among the stars they begin joking Kamala Harris is 'down with democracy.' Mark Ruffalo - the Hulk - then chimes in noting the phrasing sounds a little bit off. 'I don't know if that sounds the way we want it to sound, though,' he petitions. The stars continue to joke with the phrase before the video ends telling the audience to vote in the November 5 election. Chris Evans made a cameo Cheadle also began leading chants The strange video with the stars endorsing Harris days before the election is just the latest group of celebrity support brought in by the Democratic campaign. Recently Harris has done stops with Beyonce and Bruce Springsteen. Megastar Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez have also endorsed Harris. A man born in jail after his mother was wrongly convicted of a notorious arson attack has been given just a month to live following a devastating cancer diagnosis. Joshua Carter-Hewins was separated from his mother Annette Hewins at birth after she was wrongly accused of causing the deaths of a mother and her two children in 1995. She was just three months pregnant with Joshua at the time of her arrest and gave birth to him while she was in custody. Following Joshua's diagnosis with a rare form of cancer in June, his family told MailOnline they are 'devastated' as he has had 'such a hard life'. They are now desperately trying to raise money to treat his Burkitt lymphoma with medicines not available on the NHS. Joshua Carter-Hewins, 27, has been given just a month to live following a devastating cancer diagnosis Joshua Carter-Hewins was separated from his mother Annette Hewins at birth (pictured together) Joshua's family told MailOnline they are 'devastated' by his diagnosis as he has had 'such a hard life' Annette's brother-in-law, Matthew Lacey said: 'We are just devastated as a family. Joshua has had such a hard life. 'He was born in jail and everything has gone wrong for him. 'We have now been told that he has just one month to live. We are all beside ourselves at the moment. The 44-year-old from Swansea continued: 'Joshua wasn't allowed to stay with his mother who was wrongly convicted of arson. 'This trauma hasn't helped Joshua and he has faced massive difficulties growing up. 'Everyone is just trying to help as much as possible because Joshua has just been through so much.' Annette was arrested along with two other women following the deaths of Diane Jones, 21, and her two daughters, Shauna, two, and Sarah Jane, one in October 1995. Annette Hewins arrives at the High Court sitting in Cardiff, March 6, 2006, where she began a civil case against South Wales Police for malicious prosecution Annette was wrongly convicted of arson with intent to endanger life at Cardiff Crown Court in June 1997 and given a 13-year sentence All three victims died in an arson attack on Jones' house on the crime-laden Gurnos housing estate in Merthyr Tydfil in Mid Glamorgan, Wales. Annette was wrongly convicted of arson with intent to endanger life at Cardiff Crown Court in June 1997 and given a 13-year sentence. The original trial heard Annette, 31 at the time of the deaths, had supplied the petrol that had started the deadly fire leading to the triple murder. Annette's niece, Donna Clarke, was also handed a 20 year jail sentence. She had been romantically linked to Diane Jones' boyfriend, Shaun Hibbard, who was the father of her two daughters, which detectives considered a motive for the deadly attack. Although Annette's conviction was eventually quashed in 1999, around two years into her sentence, she struggled to cope with the miscarriage of justice. She died in February 2017, less than 24 hours after being detained in a mental health unit. Annette Hewins speaks after her case in Cardiff back in 2006 Now Joshua, who is suffering from Burkitt lymphoma, has been told the intensive chemotherapy he has been on is not working. The 27-year-old from Pembroke, Wales, recently married his partner Beth Carter-Hewins, who he met in secondary school. She told WalesOnline: Josh is probably the bravest, most selfless, amazing person I have ever known. 'He would do anything for anybody, in fact, what he's going through now - he's not even thinking about himself, he's thinking about other people. 'He's one of a kind. I know I'm biased because I'm his wife, but I'm sure anyone who has ever crossed paths with him would say the same thing as well.' Joshua first became unwell in 2021 when he was diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis, which is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. He later developed chronic liver disease and underwent a liver transplant in 2022. Joshua recovered but began to feel unwell again while on holiday in the summer, leading to his cancer diagnosis. No other drugs are currently available to Joshua on the NHS but his family have found two potential treatments that could be used against the lymphoma. The family have set a fundraising target of 100,000 after reaching 50,000 in a matter of days. The GoFundMe page is available here. It is through a childs eyes Sabina Kadic -Mackenzie recalls the signs of creeping conflict in her former hometown in Bosnia: the school friends who shunned her; the Serb soldiers who began appearing on the streets. Old men, neighbours who used to fish with her father and had watched her grow up would spit obscenities when she passed in the stairwell of their apartment block. She remembers helping her neighbour and best friend Bojana make colourful confetti for her birthday party and the hurt she felt when she wasnt invited to the celebrations held within earshot of her familys apartment. The little girls had mixed since they were babies; Sabina, an ethnic Muslim and Bojana, a Christian grew up together decorating Easter Eggs and celebrating each others religious festivals of Christmas and Eid. Sabina said: My best friend was a Serb but it had never mattered before. No one took any notice of what you believed in, which God you prayed to or your ethnicity. Sabina Kadic-Mackenzie, right, with her twin sister Almina, who fled the ethnic cleansing in Bosnia Sabina visits the memorial to the victims of the Srebrenica massacre Then came the rise of Serb nationalism following the collapse of the former Yugoslavia. The proclamation of Bosnian independence in 1992 provoked outrage in Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic who saw the country as belonging to the ethnic Serbs. He ordered a campaign of ethnic persecution against the Muslims known as Bosniaks, which brought sectarianism, hatred and division; neighbour was turned against neighbour. Sabina said: As children we couldnt understand how we could have gone from one day being best friends, next day to not. It really affected us. Of course, things were happening behind the scenes that we didnt understand would change our lives forever. War was coming. We would be sent to our bedrooms to play but we would peek round the door and all the adults would be watching the TV and the footage of soldiers and tanks. They watched for hours, night after night. The women cried. The men stood in silence, in disbelief. Gradually it became ordinary. The worry on everyones faces seemed like it had always been there. As Sabina sifts through her memories we are sitting in a bustling street cafe in the old town in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, eating baclava and sipping coffee from a traditional fildzan a small, handle-less cup. Bullet holes still mark the walls in the Bosnian town Sabina, 40, has taken time away from the West Lothian home she now shares with her husband Stuart and two small daughters, to lead a delegation from Scotland to Bosnia; the mission is to spread awareness of the genocidal war waged in the country between 1992 and 1995. She works as a strategic PR but is also vice- chair of the charity Beyond Srebrenica in Scotland. A few times a year, she brings groups, including politicians, educators and church leaders from Scotland to bear witness to the stories of ethnic cleansing and genocide perpetrated in this country only a two hour flight from the UK. She said: Delegates come and they leave but it is different for me, the history of this country is woven into the fabric of who I am. No city, town or village emerged from the war unscathed and more than 100,000 civilians were killed and two million displaced. Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic pictured in 1995 The single worst atrocity took place in the town of Srebrenica in 1995 when 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were systematically murdered by Serb forces over one bloody week in July. The genocide was the most heinous atrocity in Europe since the Holocaust. The crime may be only a heartbeat away in history but a campaign of denial is now gathering a terrifying momentum. Serbian leaders say that the mass graves of Srebrenica were a fabrication; that there was no genocide. In July this year Serbias president, Aleksandar Vucic stood in the United Nations, wrapped in his national flag and protested the marking of the Srebrenica atrocities. Vucic, backed by Russia, has frequently hailed the perpetrators of the Balkan mass murders as heroes. Critics say he is glorifier-in-chief of the perpetrators of war crimes. The leaders of Republika Srpska one of the two entities that make up Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the ethnic Serb Mayor of Srebrenica, also refuse to acknowledge the genocide. General Ratko Mladic, commander of the Bosnian Serb army Sabina is aware that if ever there was a time to reawaken the world to the horrors of Bosnia it is now, before the truth is buried like the murdered. Sanski Most the hometown which saw Sabina displaced when she was nine years-old, lies 150 miles northwest of Sarajevo. Most of her relatives have gone now; ejected or swept away in the ethnic cleansing. She has rarely been back since she left on April 15 1992; it hurts too much. They left just in time. The Serb army occupied the town the day after she fled with her mother, Beisa, her twin Almina, older sister Azra and three year-old cousin. On May 31, the Bosnian Serb army massacred 19 Bosniak civilians on the towns Vrhpolje bridge. The men and boys were ordered to remove most of their clothes and then jump off the bridge, while the soldiers competed to shoot them mid-air. As we sit in Sarajevo, a fascinating and beautiful city, you could be fooled into thinking that Bosnia has successfully moved on from this violence and hate. Tourists wander in balmy sunshine through cobbled streets, ticking off the citys sights; taking selfies by the Ottaman fountain in Pigeon Square; haggling in bazaars; shopping in Coppersmith Street which for five centuries has heard the tapping of artisans hammers crafting trinkets and souvenirs. Mass graves are still being discovered in Bosnia Outside the old town, there are the chic boutiques, the restaurants and bars of Ferhadija Street where trendy youngsters drink beer in front of grand 19th century Austro-Hungarian buildings. A few feet from the citys Latin Bridge and Miljacka river is a museum marking the spot where in 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, sparking the First World War. But the people of Sarajevo dont need a museum and sepia photographs of conflict to comprehend the wrecking ball of war; their own horror is within living memory. For almost four years the city was besieged by the Serbs; its population a sitting target for the reinforced artillery positions perched above in the surrounding hills. More than 300 shells pounded Sarajevo every day; schools, hospitals, and homes were not spared; people were starved of food and medicine; left with no electricity and little water. From tower blocks and the hills, riflemen made a sport of shooting civilians as they darted for essentials and the targeted boulevards were daubed by the Sarajevans with warnings of Sniper Alley. A woman weeps as she searches for her relative among the coffins of the victims of Srebrenica at the memorial centre at Potocari Only eight years before, the city had been hailed for playing the perfect host to the winter Olympics but the facilities were soon destroyed by war; the Serbs bombed the Zetra stadium where Torvill and Dean won gold for Great Britain. Sabina takes the delegation on an alternative route to a typical tourist map; to see the citys battle scars; many marked by Sarajevo Roses; the craters in concrete made by mortar shells, later filled with red resin to memorialise areas where multiple people were killed. There are 200 Sarajevo Roses spread throughout the city. Sabina takes the delegation to the burned-out Olympic bobsleigh track on Trebevic mountain overlooking the city which was a Bosnian Serb artillery stronghold; then to the War Childhood Museum where donated objects like toys; comics; a romper suit and a swing reflect memories of youth blighted by conflict. Of the 11,541 killed in the Sarajevo siege, 643 were children. In the museum tears pool in Sabinas eyes; now she has her own children she understands the terror her mother must have felt. Sabina said: She shrunk as a person. She protected us so much that she took on all our pain as well as her own. Now that I am a mum, I know that you dont worry about yourself, only your children. Forensic workers remove soil in the search for further mass graves in the area Their life had been so content before the war; her father Sadik ran his own engineering business and they lived in a comfortable apartment in multi-ethnic Sanksi Most, a town of lush green which sits on nine rivers. They went on ski trips; swam in the rivers; at weekends, they would visit the tiny village of Stari Majdan where both sets of grandparents lived. Sabina said: It was a happy childhood; it was a content childhood. It was unremarkable in the best possible way. Then the soldiers came, school and normality stopped and their world became a place of danger. Sabina said: I remember we had drawn a multicoloured hopscotch with chalk we had found at the empty school building. Our game stopped the minute we noticed the soldiers walking towards us in full uniform, smiles beaming, holding up three fingers. Traditionally used to represent the Holy Trinity, the three fingered sign became a gesture for a Serb pledge to: kill a third; displace a third and leave a third to suffer, as they cleansed Bosnia of the Muslim population. The family left Sanski Most with only a few basic possessions to stay with an aunt in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. She had already taken in so many fleeing relatives, 16 of them were crammed into a two-bedroom apartment with no money and little food. Fadila Efendic, President of the Association of the mothers of Srebrenica Sadik stayed behind in Sanski Most. He watched his whole world drive away in a bus the morning we left, said Sabina. As happened to most Bosniaks, the soldiers arrived at Sadiks door days later and ordered him to leave, giving him no time to pack. His apartment was given to a Serb family. A neighbour called after him as walked away, broken to leave the precious home he had worked so hard to provide for his family. You forgot to leave the spare set of keys, said the neighbour. After six months, Beisa managed to get her family on a refugee list with UK Christian charity Alert which took them by bus from Slovenia to North Yorkshire. The charity brought them to a disused court building in Harrogate which had been converted for refugees and the family moved in with one carrier bag of possessions between them. Sabina remembers looking from the window of the bus which took them from Dover to Harrogate and being mesmerised by the unfamiliar sight of cats eyes on the motorway. She said: The roads looked like they had glitter on them. It was magical. It was all so strange and new. When I got off the bus someone said hello and I didnt know what the word meant. A Bosnian woman cries between the graves of victims of the Srebrenica genocide It was in the UK that Sadik reconnected with his family. They slept in the offices once occupied by court staff and were grateful. They had their lives and the generosity of the community around them. Within eight months, Sadik got an engineering job and he found his family their own home. The children quickly learned English and became excellent students and Sabina and her twin both chose to study journalism at university; inspired by the war correspondents they had seen reporting from Bosnia. On the first night of freshers week at her new university of Stirling, Sabina met Stuart and her future became rooted in Scotland. They made their home in Linlithgow. The Mackenzies two girls Elsa, 10, and Olive, 8, treasure a white-collared tartan dress that Beisa bought Sabina when they first moved to the UK. Sabina said: I think quite often about how fortunate my girls are and how different my childhood could have been how different it should have been. They say that childhood is the first casualty of war and I wouldnt dispute it. On the day before they leave Bosnia Sabina takes the delegation the three-hour trip to the memorial marking the Srebrenica genocide. Stark white obelisks mark 6,721 graves of those murdered. Many more are still missing or unidentified. Thousands fleeing the Serb attacks on villages had gone to Srebrenica for refuge after the UN declared it a safe zone. It was to prove a fatal misplacement of trust as the Dutch peacekeepers did nothing to protect the population while Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladic ordered the men and boys to be rounded up and murdered. The UN barracks are now a museum. Sabina cant bear to watch the footage shown on a loop from a trophy video of Bosniak men being shot by Serb police unit, the Scorpions. Arms tied behind their backs, they walk stiffly through a meadow to wait for the crackle of murderous gunfire, as one by one they are shot in the back. Sabina Kadic-Mackenzie meets Almasa Salihovic in Srebrenica After the war the genocidal forces dug up mass graves containing the bodies of the executed and reburied them as far as 50 km from the original site to cover their crimes. Bones from the dead are separated and scattered across multiple sites. Families must exhume and reburying their dead when additional bones of their loved ones are found. In 2017 Mladic was jailed for life for his part in the genocide but the number of convictions have been pitifully small. Old enmities simmer across Bosnia as victims are forced to live beside perpetrators. Sabina said: Genocide and acts of hatred happen to ordinary people. I think its important to remember though that ordinary people make them happen. To this day, most of the ordinary people who perpetrated the atrocities in Srebrenica and across Bosnia are walking free; often in the neighbourhoods where the horrors took place against ordinary families like mine who were one day just living their lives and the next, fleeing to save themselves. Healing will only happen if we recognise the past, learn from it and hold accountable those who, to this day deny genocide ever happened. Without that, never again is just an empty promise. Travelers looking to have a Stranger Things experience can stay at the legendary home of the Byers family. The iconic house where Stranger Things characters Will, Joyce, and Jonathan Byers lived for the first three seasons of the show is available to rent on Airbnb. The three-bedroom property in Fayetteville, Georgia features several Stranger Things-themed rooms inspired by the popular Netflix series. So far, standard rates for rental start around $350 a night during the week and about $750 a night on weekends, according to WDEF. The new listing comes months after the Seattle-based company Arrived announced its plans to turn the property into a rental home. The famous Fayetteville, Georgia, house featured in the first three seasons of Stranger Things is available to rent on Airbnb The three-bedroom property features several Stranger Things-themed rooms The famous Stranger Things home is only 15 to 20 minutes from downtown Atlanta, Georgia, and the two-bathroom property has room for six beds. The Airbnb host described the property as having an 'eerie ambiance' that would transport visitors to Hawkins, Indiana, circa 1983. 'This isn't just a place to stay - it's a one-of-a-kind destination to make unforgettable memories in a setting that blurs the line between fiction and reality,' the listing description reads. 'The Byers House is a fan-driven project and not affiliated with Netflix. However, we are dedicated to honoring the spirit of the show.' Standard rates for the Airbnb start around $350 a night during the week and about $750 a night on weekends The host pointed out that the property's exterior was used to film all scenes set at the Byers' property and that it influenced the design of the show's interior sets. 'We've meticulously designed the home interior as an immersive vacation rental inspired by the show, complete with authentic '80s decor,' the description reads. 'Fans will instantly recognize iconic details and hidden Easter eggs from the series, making it a must-visit destination for Stranger Things superfans.' The listing adds that 'dozens of fans and professionals' worked for over a year in designing the house and curating things like VHS tapes and vinyl records. 'The experience is built to be period-appropriate, including many different installations and technologies (both old and new) that may be in different stages of use and functionality,' it says. Little touches like a 1950s-styled lampshade and a 1960s CRT television were also added in, along with all-new appliances and a 75-inch TV. The Airbnb host described the property as having an 'eerie ambiance' that would transport visitors to Hawkins, Indiana, circa 1983 The property is only 15 to 20 minutes away from downtown Atlanta The 1,846-square-foot home was first put up for sale by its old owners in September 2022 for $300,000. The property was once owned by seven siblings, who, according to Michael Smith of EXP Realty LLC, didn't have the capacity to 'fix it up and turn it into an attraction or an Airbnb.' The 100-year-old property was initially a fixer-upper, and its repairs were expected to cost between $50,000-$100,000. Once Arrived purchased the property, its homeowners announced that anyone could be partial owners for 'as little as $100.' Today, there are over 3,400 investors, and the remaining investment amount is almost $1 million. The entire police force of a small town in Oklahoma resigned on Thursday without explanation leaving the place in turmoil with locals demanding answers. The mass resignation along with two city council members was announced in a Facebook post in which locals were told that an acting police chief would still remain to police the tiny town. Geary, with a population of about 1,000, is now being covered by forces from neighboring Blaine and Canadian counties. But the announcement has left locals puzzles with the original statement shedding little light on what was behind the mass walkout. Geary Police Chief Alicia Ford posted an announcement following the resignation of the police force suggesting the Geary City Council may have been behind her decision to quit The entire police force of Geary, a small town in Oklahoma, resigned on Thursday without explanation leaving the place in turmoil 'To the Citizens of Geary. We regret to inform you, and we are sad to say that our entire Police Force resigned this morning at 10:00am,' Geary Public Information Officer Terryl Allen said in a statement. 'Considering this information, we were able to quickly secure an interim Chief of Police effective immediately, so the City of Geary is being taken care of without delay.' Locals appeared baffled by the sudden resignation with little to be gained from reading Facebook comments. 'But why did they all resign?' asked one. 'I think an explanation as to what happened is what everyone wants. The entire towns police force just quit all at the same time and no explanation?' asked Robert Binswanger. Geary, with a population of about 1,000, is now being covered by forces from neighboring Blaine and Canadian counties 'Sounds like to me. You need to recall the Mayor..all you need to do is get a petition going around town. He sounds like a corrupt leader,' added Houston Mitchell. Others suggested that the town's city council might be behind the decision. 'Most likely the council wouldn't let the chief run the town and violate rights. When entire departments quit it tells you you had a gang not a police force. Good riddance and good job city council!! Now hire good cops if you can find any. Good luck with that!!', wrote Thomas Cannon. Another comment suggested the council were to blame for the quitting. 'It's the city council...has nothing to do with the police department or its officers. Most the time the city council does illegal and unethical things that police are backed up into a corner. They are followers of the law. It's not their fault. It's corrupt city officials,' stated Emily Abernathy. 'Ever since I've lived here it's been one drama after another and it worries me for this town like we should be building up, not falling down,' local resident Sonja Luquette said to KOCO 5. 'We need to figure out what the problem is and we need to fix it. It needs to be fixed and it needs to start at the top,' she added. Geary Police Chief Alicia Ford also posted her own announcement following the resignation suggesting the Geary City Council may have been behind her decision to quit. The sudden announcement of the Geary Police Department was posted on Facebook on Thursday 'Thank you citizens of Geary for allowing me (Alicia Ford) to serve as your chief for the past year. It is with great sadness that I and the rest of the Geary Police Officers will no longer be serving this community,' she wrote. 'This choice was very difficult to make, but it was the right decision for me and the other officers. I have watched the officers serve this community selflessly, working hard to protect and provide the best quality of service possible. They have been an amazing team that was always willing to sacrifice for this community.' Ford, who took over in 2023, went on to say how she encouraged members of the community 'to take the time to get to know your council members and to be as involved as possible in the city, especially attending the city council meetings.' 'Your voices are stronger when you stand together as one, and you all have the ability to affect the change you want to see in your community,' Ford added. Acting chief, JJ Stitt, will Ford's position in the meantime although the appointment also raised eyebrows after Stitt had been hired by the city council to perform an audit on the police department. Ford took over in 2023 after the former Police Chief Cecil Harrall had been fired by the council after an affair. Of the two City Council members who resigned, Rocky Coleman said that his core values didn't align with the direction of the city. City Councilwoman Kristy Miller said she quit because she didn't think the mayor was acting in the city's best interest. A lawyer who helped to investigate Mohamed Al Fayed yesterday called for a public inquiry into how the Harrods tycoon ran 'a criminal enterprise' for decades. Libel lawyer David Hooper, who defended Vanity Fair magazine in a legal action brought by the former Harrods boss, said a public inquiry was needed to examine Fayed's conduct, including allegations of rapes and sexual assaults on women, intimidation of former employees and alleged police corruption. Decisions by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) should also be subjected to public scrutiny, he said, alongside the actions of doctors who carried out intimate medical examinations on women. Mr Hooper spoke as it emerged that more than 400 people have now come forward to say they were victims or witnesses to sexual misconduct by Fayed, following a BBC documentary. Lawyers for women who say they were abused by Fayed said some of the tycoon's 'enablers' were still alive, meaning they could potentially still face justice. Fayed ran Harrods for more than two decades until he sold it in 2010. There is no suggestion of wrong-doing by the world-famous store's current owners or managers. Fayed died last year, aged 94, but questions remain over how his conduct went unchecked for decades David Hooper who is calling for an inquiry into the Met police potential cover up of Al Fayed sexual offences Speaking exclusively to the Mail, Mr Hooper said it would take a public inquiry to reveal the full scale of the billionaire's iniquity, which he condemned as 'wrongdoing on an industrial scale'. He said: 'Here was London's leading store, owned by Fayed between 1986 to 2010, operating as a criminal enterprise. 'There were payments to police, enormous sums being paid out illegally to employees and third parties, tax evasion, bugging of phones and flats, getting employees falsely arrested, unlawfully breaking into safety deposit boxes at Harrods as well as female employees being sexually assaulted and subjected to unlawful intimate medical examinations. 'The police were getting cash and gifts to the extent that John Macnamara, a former Met Chief Superintendent and Fayed's head of security, boasted to an informant who worked directly beneath him, 'It's amazing what they will do for a few readies'. Later he complained 'how greedy the police were getting'.' Mr Hooper, a libel lawyer, investigated Fayed when the tycoon sued Vanity Fair magazine over an article that alleged he was a serial abuser and a racist, and that he spied on his staff using phone bugs and hidden cameras. In the wake of Princess Diana's death in 1997, the case was shut, both sides absorbing their own costs with no damages paid out. Fayed died last year, aged 94, but questions remain over how his conduct went unchecked for decades, despite serious allegations being made to a Parliamentary committee and to police. Detectives have been accused of turning a blind eye to the scandal after it emerged that 21 women had lodged complaints about him but the Metropolitan Police sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) over charging him in just two of the cases. He was never charged with any sexual offence. Scotland Yard and a second police force are also facing claims that its officers helped Fayed to intimidate members of his staff, including a young woman who had rejected his sexual advances. Hermina da Silva, a former nanny to Fayed's children, threatened to sue for sexual harassment after she was propositioned at his family home in Oxted, Surrey. She was arrested by Met Police on suspicion of theft reportedly following a complaint from Fayed's head of security John Macnamara, and released without charge the following day. A complaint was made to the Met's internal corruption service about one of the officers involved. Fayed ran Harrods for more than two decades until he sold it in 2010. (Harrods department store in London) Scotland Yard and a second police force are also facing claims that its officers helped Fayed to intimidate members of his staff Libel lawyer David Hooper defended Vanity Fair magazine in a legal action brought by the former Harrods boss Fayed later paid Miss da Silva 12,000 to settle her industrial tribunal claim. A High Court libel trial brought against Fayed by Conservative MP Neil Hamilton heard evidence that several former employees were wrongfully arrested after crossing the Harrods boss. They included letting agent Sandra Lewis-Glass, who handled rentals on luxury flats belonging to Fayed in Park Lane, West London. She was fired in September 1995 after she refused to lie to Westminster Council on Fayed's behalf to save him from paying extra business rates. Four days later she was arrested at her home in Croydon, South London, after Mr Macnamara told police she had stolen two floppy disks worth around 80p, the High Court was told. She was released without charge the next day and sued Fayed for wrongful dismissal. Mr Hooper said her arrest was 'pure intimidation' and said 'concocted allegations' had been used in many cases, adding: 'It was diabolical what happened.' Further allegations of police corruption are contained in a 52-page statement drafted in 1997 by Bob Loftus, who worked under Mr Macnamara at Harrods. Mr Macnamara died in 2019, aged 83. A draft copy of the statement was kept by Vanity Fair's then editor, Henry Porter, who told the Guardian earlier this month that some Met Police officers had been 'important enablers' for Fayed. The Vanity Fair case was settled out of court in 1997 following the death of Fayed's son Dodi and Princess Diana in Paris car crash. Separately, the Parliamentary select committee on standards and privileges heard submissions on Fayed's behaviour, including claims that several of his former employees were wrongfully arrested after crossing him. A former nanny to Fayed's children threatened to sue for sexual harassment after she was propositioned at his family home in Oxted, Surrey Fayed made a 'false allegation' of bribery to police after Mr Jones told the head of the Bank of England about alleged irregularities within Harrods Bank Mr Hooper said an inquiry was needed to examine all aspects of Fayed's conduct They included his former chief financial executive Graham Jones, who was said to have been the victim of a 'vindictive and dishonest campaign' by Fayed to discredit him. Mr Jones was arrested on board a Qantas flight to Sydney, Australia, as it waited to depart from Heathrow Airport in June 1990. Fayed made a 'false allegation' of bribery to police after Mr Jones told the head of the Bank of England about alleged irregularities within Harrods Bank, and assisted Fayed's long-time business rival Tiny Rowland. The select committee's report in 1997 detailed claims that Mr Macnamara was at Guildford police station when Mr Jones was interviewed, and that another Fayed associate had 'persuaded' police to make the arrest. It also included a meeting between Mr Jones' lawyer and a police officer said to have 'implied that the police were under great pressure from Fayed to arrest Jones'. A Surrey Police spokeswoman said: 'We have checked Force records, but have not uncovered information about this arrest in 1990 in order to be able to comment further on it at this time. We take any suggestion of undue influence extremely seriously, and we will continue to make enquiries.' Mr Hooper said an inquiry was needed to examine all aspects of Fayed's conduct. He told the Mail: 'There was a consistent pattern, wrongdoing on an industrial scale. With so much wrongdoing and so many people involved, the question is who knew about this and when? A public inquiry would help prevent this happening again.' Mr Hooper said the inquiry should also look at the conduct of the police, the CPS, and the doctors who performed intimate examinations on young female employees at Fayed's request. Bruce Drummond, a barrister representing the Justice for Harrods Survivors group, said: 'The Government should investigate how a system of abuse was allowed to continue for 25 years.' n David Hooper's book Buying Silence, detailing Fayed's criminal activities and cover ups, will be published by Biteback Publications in February 2025. Many will Marvel at the brave actions of two police officers who swooped on a gang and seized drugs and cash while dressed as superheroes on Halloween night. The unusual scene, filmed in the Peruvian capital of Peru on Thursday, involved two agents dressed as Deadpool and Wolverine storming a building suspected of being used by the gang. A video shows the pair holding large sledgehammers over their shoulders before breaking into the building and climbing through a hole to gain access. The crime-fighting duo are then seen searching through wardrobes and drawers in what appears to be residential accommodation inside the premises. Officers from the Policia Nacional del Peru's specialist anti-drugs unit, Escuadron Verde, gathered at the bust as it occurred in the Rimac district of the capital. Many will Marvel at the brave actions of two police officers who busted a drugs ring while dressed as Wolverine and Deadpool A woman was seen being escorted away by an officer dressed as superhero Deadpool Authorities discovered a hefty load of illegal drugs worth thousands inside the premises Once inside authorities discovered a hefty load of illegal drugs worth thousands. The officers seized 54 bags of cocaine, 850 packets of coca base paste, and 2,000 Peruvian soles (approximately 410), according to local media. All the seized items were displayed on a table during a press conference, which featured the officers still wearing their colourful costumes. Four people were arrested in the operation. This is not the first time Peruvian police have donned costumes to fight crime. Last December, a pair of drug dealers were busted for dealing cocaine and marijuana out of a home in Lima by an undercover police officer dressed as Santa Claus. Footage released by the Peru National Police showed a crime-fighting Saint Nick knocking down the residence door with a sledgehammer just a few days before Christmas. His partners from a special unit, known as the Green Squad, could be seen in the background climbing up a ladder to the second floor to prevent the dealers from escaping. The officers seized 54 bags of cocaine, 850 packets of coca base paste, and 2,000 Peruvian soles (approximately 410), according to local media Four people were arrested in the operation, which took place in Lima, Peru on Thursday night Prior to the arrests, a video showed officers holding large sledgehammers over their shoulders before breaking into the building and climbing through a hole to gain access The seized items were displayed on a table, while the suspects lined up during a press conference, which featured the officers still wearing their colourful costumes A government report released last June found the land used for the purpose of growing coca leaves increased by 18 percent in 2022. Pictured: Officers and suspects gather after the raid The cop lost his bearded mask as he pounded the heavily secured metal door about five times before they were able to enter the residence. The suspects, Luis Cordoba, 25, and Jhordan Carhuachin, 32, had been under surveillance for and sold drugs to undercover cops at least three times in the previous week. Both men had prior arrests for armed robbery. Authorities recovered 600 packages containing cocaine paste - a crude extract of the coca leaf - 150 bags stuffed with marijuana and 30 bags of cocaine. Cops also donned Thor, Spiderman, Captain America and Black Widow outfits during a November 2022 raid that resulted in the arrests of four members of a neighborhood drug gang in Lima. That time police found 3,500 packages of cocaine paste, 287 bags of cocaine and 127 that were filled with marijuana during a search. Peru is considered one the world's largest producers of coca leaf and cocaine, according to the United Nations. A government report released last June found the land used for the purpose of growing coca leaves increased by 18 percent in 2022. Most of the cultivation took place in protected lands and indigenous Amazon villages close to the borders with Brazil and Colombia. Coca leaves have traditionally been chewed for energy or as an antidote for altitude sickness and is legal for such uses. But analysts and government officials estimate that at least 90 percent of the South American country's crop is used in the illicit drug trade and its cultivation has been growing yearly since 2015. Four others have been rushed to hospital Woman was declared dead at the scene A woman has died and four others have been rushed to hospital following a horror crash in Queensland's Bundaberg region overnight. The Forensic Crash Unit have launched an investigation after two-vehicles collided in Kalkie at about 8.20pm on Friday night. A Mazda CX-8 crashed with a Nissan Pathfinder on Fe Walker Street according to initial investigations. A 57-year-old Bargara woman from the Mazda suffered critical injuries and was declared dead at the scene. A 63-year-old man, a 30-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman - all occupants of the Mazda from Bargara - suffered serious injuries. They were all rushed to hospital along with the 46-year-old Nissan male driver, from Norville, who also suffered serious injuries. Investigations remain ongoing as police urge anyone with information to come forward. The death marks the 245th life lost on Queensland roads this year, compared to 231 deaths this time last year. When the date of the Coronation of King Charles III was announced in October two years ago, there was a sigh from jewellery lovers across the world. The prospect of a sea of sparkling tiaras, last seen at the late Queen's coronation seventy years previously, would raise the nation's spirits. Bets were made on about which tiara the newly minted Princess of Wales might wear: would she choose her favourite, Cambridge Lover's Knot? Or go for something even more regal and rare? Would Princess Beatrice wear her great great grandmother, Queen Mary's 1919 Fringe Tiara that she wore for her wedding in July 2020, worn by her grandmother at her wedding in 1947? Would her sister, Eugenie, wear her bridal Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara. What would the Princess Royal wear to the Coronation of her brother? After all, her aunt wore the Cartier Halo Tiara to her sister's 1953 enthroning - which Kate famously wore in the Abbey in 2011. And the Royal Duchesses of Edinburgh, Gloucester, Kent and so forth? We haven't even touched on the foreign Royals; - in 1953, Princess Martha of Sweden wore Empress Josephine's Emerald Tiara - would Crown Princess Victoria follow suit? And Princess Mary? Her spectacular Danish Ruby Tiara, that looks like a gorgeous garland of flowers? There was no tiara for Kate at the King's Coronation. Instead she wore a Jess Collett bespoke headpiece Kate wore the Cartier Halo tiara with her Alexander McQueen wedding dress when she married Prince William in 2011 Princess Margaret wears the Cartier Halo tiara, at the State Banquet given by the Queen in honour of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, in 1954 Princess Beatrice's wedding was the biggest hit of all as she not only wore one of her grandmother's dresses but also wore the same Queen Mary 's 1919 Fringe Tiara, worn by her grandmother at her own wedding in 1947 Queen Elizabeth leaves Westminster Abbey after her wedding ceremony wearing Queen Mary's Tiara Kate delighted everyone when, in November 2023, she wore the Queen Mother's Strathmore Tiara for a visit by the president of South Korea The Queen Mother wore her tiara in a much lower position on her head, in keeping with the fashion of that time Of course, in the end it was a collective 'Oooh', almost louder than the rain on Westminster's Abbey roof. Kate wore, an albeit beautiful, costume jewellery floral headpiece alongside Princess Charlotte - and the rest of the guests were in hats or fascinators. Of course there were some spectacular jewels. The King was carefully considerate in the Dress Code for his Coronation - after all, very few of the previous peers and peeresses were invited - many of whom no longer have the 'family fender' (as my ancestor the 6th Marchioness of Londonderry called it - see below); they have either have sold them (you can still buy the exquisite Anglesey Tiara from Hancock's on St James's Street, London) or had them broken up and made into jewellery more wearable today. Some, such as the Portland Tiara, have been stolen. State Banquets still ring for diamond diadems, and Kate delighted us all when in November 2023 she wore the Queen Mother's Strathmore Tiara for the visit of the President of South Korea - and the national papers - who put the tiara, unseen for over a century, firmly on the front page. Tiaras hark from a bygone world - a world that so many Royals have covered in dust sheets Let's look at their history to understand why, in the 21st century, they still have the power to impress. Napoleon Bonaparte might have been Europe's enemy number one at the turn of the 19th Century, but he did succeed in reintroducing the bejewelled head ornament, which became de rigeur throughout the continent. Until he decided to dress up his family - and particularly his wife, later Empress, Josephine - in diamond diadems, these exquisite head ornaments had been almost non-existent since Ancient Greece and Rome. Napoleon wanted to revive the pomp and ceremony of the Ancient World - to which he looked for inspiration; in emblems, iconography and his family's fashions. in Napoleon's eye, with no crown jewels, tiaras transformed the Bonapartes into bona fide royals. It's important to note that despite Le Petit Corporal taking the credit for tiaras, there are sketches of a young Queen Charlotte wearing diamonds set in diadems during the 1760s. And the spectacular Spencer Tiara, famously worn by Lady Diana Spencer during her 1981 wedding, was in fact created in 1767 for an ancestor, Viscountess Montagu. The tiara's undulating diamond set scroll work, meeting in the middle as a heart, was replicated in the early twentieth century when, in the 1930s, Garrard reset some of the diamonds. It is Queen Charlotte's granddaughter, and namesake, Princess Charlotte, who is to thank for the tradition of adding a tiara to the bridal trousseau - up until then, it was strictly married women who wore them. For Princess Charlotte of Wales's marriage in 1816, she wore a tiara set with brilliant diamonds to secure her veil. And at the coronation of her father George IV, for whom the inimitable Diamond Diadem was created for the occasion, 'coronets, tiaras, circlets, aigrettes' were worn throughout the Abbey. Quickly the British Court cottoned on and the tiara became a status symbol, an investment and part of a 'uniform', that married women of the aristocracy were expected to wear to formal occasions, from generation to generation. Napoleon decided to dress up his family - and particularly his wife Josephine - in diamond diadems The Empress Josephine Tiara from 1890, which was found in the collection of the Houston Museum of Natural Science Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing the Spencer family tiara and diamond and sapphire earrings, when she attended a banquet at Ajuda Palace Lisbon in 1987 A close-up of the Spencer Tiara Princess Diana wore on her wedding day when it was on display at Sotheby's in 2022 Princess Diana's tiara was more visible to the crowds after the marriage as the veil was pulled back and the diamond headpiece was on show Kate looked stunning in her Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara at an evening reception at Buckingham Palace The Queen reportedly loaned the Lover's Knot Tiara to Princess Diana as a wedding gift. Diana opted instead to wear the Spencer Tiara, a family heirloom, on her big day Guy Burton of Hancocks, where the magnificent Anglesey tiara, that belonged to the eponymous dancing Marquess, is available to buy, describes it as a truly magnificent piece and, needless to say, jewellery of this provenance and story rarely appears on the open market. Tiaras during the reign of Queen Victoria were substantial sparklers. The young monarch turned her aunt Queen Adelaide's diamond fringe necklace into a tiara. When my paternal grandmother's ancestor, Theresa, married the 6th Marquess of Londonderry, she inherited some spectacular pieces - and called them 'the family fenders'. Many of the Londonderry Jewels are now on permanent loan to the V&A, and are perfect examples of their formidability. The Londonderry Tiara was commissioned in 1854 from Garrard and set with existing diamonds belonging to the family, including those taken from a belt worn to the Coronation of George IV. In the 1880s my ancestor Theresa (nee Chetwynd-Talbot - daughter of the 19th Earl of Shrewsbury), a formidable hostess, was photographed in a series where she is wearing the tiara - she also wore it as part of her costume at the Devonshire House Ball in 1897. At the Coronation of Edward VII she wore this tiara with enormous baroque pearls attached to the top (it is said that she wanted to stand higher than Queen Alexandra). It became so top heavy that when she needed to visit the loo in the Abbey, the half-a-century-old tiara toppled off her imposing head into the loo. She wasn't called a 'highwaywoman in a tiara' for nothing. Helen Molesworth, jewellery curator of the V&A whose book PRECIOUS was published in the summer, says: 'They form a fascinating record of jewellery history. From the stately crown-like creations in heavier gold and silver settings of the nineteenth century, to the lighter platinum aigrettes and bandeaus of the early 1900s.' The latter of which suited the dramatic haircuts of the era. Who can forget Lady Mary Crawley appearing with a slick bob in season five of Downton, and causing such a sensation? Tiaras had to adapt to fit this new trend - and so the bandeau appeared. The Strathmore Tiara, when worn by Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, was worn low on her forehead, whereas when the Princess of Wales wore it last year, she wore it above her hairline as is traditional these days. Will there every be an era when the tiara is out of fashion? I for one hope not! Scientists have revealed the personality traits that typify more than 260 job roles. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh sifted through data from 68,540 people. They found that actors, journalists, town planners, authors and graphic designers are among those that tend to be more neurotic. Meanwhile, PR managers, marketers, psychologists, dental assistants and film directors are generally more extraverted. 'People often have stereotypes about the personality traits typical of different jobs, and it turns out that many of these intuitions are quite accurate,' said study author Dr Rene Mottus at the University of Edinburgh. 'But this is the first time a scientific study with such a large sample and such detailed assessments has confirmed these patterns.' So, what does your job say about you? Use MailOnline's interactive tool to search your profession and find out. According to the study, estate agents tend to be disagreeable, while managers are conscientious and actors are neurotic To try MailOnline's interactive tool, which compiles the new data together, enter your occupation in the search bar and click on it when it appears. You will be presented with the typical values for five different personality traits neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness and conscientiousness. For each one you will be presented an average for that trait that will be around about the 50-mark, probably a bit higher or a bit lower. A score above 50 indicates this occupation scores higher than average on that trait, while a score below 50 indicates it scores lower. For example, searching 'journalist' reveals we score above average on neuroticism extraversion and openness, but below average for agreeableness and conscientiousness. Additionally, 'N', meaning number, reveals how many people in that particular profession were assessed. To gather the data, Dr Mottus and colleagues at the University of Tartu in Estonia recruited people 68,540 from the Estonian Biobank, a large collection of personal data from volunteers in the country. 'This sample represents about seven per cent of the Estonian adult population,' study author Katlin Anni at the University of Tartu told MailOnline. Your browser does not support iframes. Participants were assessed for their levels of the 'big five' traits openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism. The 'big five' personality traits are the best accepted and most commonly used model of personality in academic psychology. Researchers found that creative jobs such as artists, writers and designers tend to attract people with openness, meaning they are open to new experiences, imaginative and curious. Salespeople and PR professionals are generally extraverted, so they enjoy social interactions and thrive in people-oriented environments. Managers, while also extraverts, often score high on conscientiousness, meaning they tend to be organized, responsible, careful and diligent in their work. Also, managers tend to be less neurotic or emotional, allowing them to cope with the demands of the role. But many managers and salespeople, alongside real estate agents, can also be disagreeable, as these jobs involve complicated and sometimes even confrontational interactions with others. Meanwhile, software developers tend to be introverted, while chefs tend to be less than agreeable and pilots are among the least neurotic. For neuroticism, the highest mean scores characterized actors, artists, designers, composers, writers, translators, and journalists Overall, professions with the most neurotic people include actors, journalists and various other creative professions. Researchers are not sure whether the nature of jobs attract certain personality types during the recruitment process, or if the roles accentuate personality traits once they've been hired. For example, an extraverted actor may have wanted to become an actor in the first place partly because they are so extraverted, but the nature of the job may also have made them more extraverted over time. Researchers say the findings, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, paint the most detailed picture yet of which personality traits are more common in certain jobs. However, they admit that results are based solely on people in Estonia, so further studies may aim to take a global sample. 'The findings generalizability may be limited due to our reliance on a sample drawn from Estonia,' Ms Anni told MailOnline. 'At least broad patterns in the findings generalize to other liberal Western democracies with industrialized free market economies, such as Estonia. 'Yet more work with diverse samples representing many world regions is required to establish the universals and specifics of how personality varies with jobs.' Spain has been left reeling from its deadliest natural disaster in decades as devastating flash floods swept the country's Eastern coast. In Valencia, entire communities were plunged beneath the water as the region received a year's worth of rain in just eight hours. Now, shocking satellite photos lay bare the true extent of the devastation. The images, taken by the Copernicus Earth monitoring program, show areas where thousands have been trapped inside their homes. In the south of Valencia, huge swathes of the countryside were still submerged two days after the flooding began. And near the coast, you can see the vast plume of mud washed into the ocean by the torrents. Copernicus estimates that 11,000 people have been affected in the town of Algemesi alone, where more than 60 miles (100km) were flooded. Across the region, 158 deaths have already been reported - with the number only expected to rise over the coming days. Slide me These satellite images show Valencia's water treatment plant before (left) and after (right) the deadly flash flood swept through Slide me These photos show the Paiporta district of Valencia before (left) and after (right) the flood. You can see how the Paiporta bridge was destroyed by the raging waters Satellite imagery taken by the EU's Copernicus satellite programme has revealed the true extent of Valencia's disastrous flooding. In this image taken on October 31, the areas marked blue were flooded Valencia's flooding began on October 29 as the region was hit by an unprecedented storm. The resulting flash flood poured through Valencia and its nearby towns, leaving hundreds trapped in their homes, with many even forced to climb trees, scale lampposts and sprint desperately to the upper floors of buildings to escape. It is the worst flood-related catastrophe in Spain since 1996 when 87 people died and 180 were injured in a flash flood near Biesca in the Pyrenees. In one image taken by the Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite, you can see the flood levels as they stood on October 31. The areas shaded blue represent areas that were still flooded at the time the satellite passed overhead. As you can see, the area around the Albufera Lake has been badly flooded, with the waters extending as far south as the town of Sueca. Within the city of Valencia itself, the flooding has been more concentrated - largely affecting the area around the Turia River which was rerouted in the 1960s as a flood defence. Closer inspection reveals a range of smaller flooding hotspots around the city, mainly following roads and large streets which allowed the water to run freely. In this image taken by the Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite, you can see the vast plume of brown mud swept out to sea by the force of the flooding Search and rescue teams have begun to search for survivors (pictured), 155 people have already been confirmed dead The city of Valencia (pictured) and the surrounding area were hit by Spain's deadliest natural disaster in decades as flash flooding turned the streets into rivers A second image, taken on October 30 shows the staggering extent of the floodwaters in their true colours. In the satellite photograph, you can see a vast area of brown water extending south of Valencia towards the town of Cullera. This massive expanse of water is what was left behind as the rains swept through the region. Copernicus says: 'The massive amount of sediment poured into the Mediterranean Sea by the rivers in the Valencian Community is clearly visible in this Copernicus Sentinel-3 image.' In the sea near Valencia, you can see the brown smudge of mud which was dumped into the ocean. The majority of the sediment is being deposited near the mouth of the Turia where the flood waters were most concentrated. Another satellite photograph by NASA's Earth Observatory shows that the worst of the devastation is concentrated to the south of the Turia. In these areas, entire streets, neighbourhoods, and towns have been covered by the dark brown floodwaters. Slide me These satellite images taken by NASA's Earth Observatory show the region before (left) and after (right) the flood submerged entire towns beneath the water Valencia received a year's worth of rain in just eight hours, causing waters to rise several meters in some areas of the city People walk through an affected area of Paiporta, Vallencia. The streets have been filled with flood sediment and broken cars by the force of the water These satellite observations also allow scientists to begin understanding the true scale of the devastation in the region. Using satellite measurements, Copernicus estimates that 2.2 square miles (5.68 kilometres square) were submerged by water. The flooding is believed to have directly affected the homes of 11,000 of the 27,000 people in the town as well as covering 60 miles (100km) of road and four miles (6.4km) of railway. In the wider Valencia region, Copernicus estimates that more than 100,000 homes have been left without power. As cleanup efforts continue, the exact levels of loss will become clear but it is already clear that these floods have been utterly devastating. In the town of Paiporta, a shocking video showed a bridge collapsing under the weight of the floodwater. Terrified onlookers screamed as the concrete pillars cracked and eventually gave way and plunged into the water, its streetlamps were seen flickering briefly before they were abruptly extinguished and lost beneath the raging floods. The first fatalities were confirmed by Valencia's political leader Carlos Mazon in the early hours of Wednesday with news of 'several fatalities' in the town of Letur. A satellite image of Valencia clearly shows where the worst affected parts of the city as the brown flood waters cover vast regions of land south of the city A man rides on a bike past broken cars in the Sedavi district of Valencia, it is estimated that more than 100,000 homes are currently without power in the region The Spanish government has convened a crisis committee and deployed 1,000 soldiers to the region. The true scope of the devastation will likely only become apparent in the days to come. Pictured, the Sedavi region of Valencia It is now believed that at least 158 have been killed in the Valencia region, but rescuers expect more bodies to be found as the water recedes. This morning, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez sought to reassure victims that the government 'would not abandon' them. 'All of Spain weeps with all of you. Our absolute priority is to help you... We won't abandon you,' Sanchez said in a televised address. Spain's government announced the creation of a crisis committee - the equivalent of Britain's Cobra emergency response committee - as the size of the disaster became apparent. Defence Minister Margarita Robles said earlier this morning more than 1,000 members of the Military Emergencies Unit UME, a branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, had been mobilised to help with rescue efforts in Valencia province. Spooky 'ghost forests' are spreading rapidly through North Carolina, becoming so pervasive that they are visible from space. A pair of satellite images from October 2005 and October 2024 show the spread of the dead trees in Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula, home of the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. In the images, the ghost forest appears light brown and stands out against the bright green healthy forest. NASA's data shows that in the last 20 years, the watery remains of a once verdant woodland have grown substantially larger, stretching further inland. A 2021 study found that 11 percent of forestland in the state's largest coastal wildlife refuge became ghost forest from 1985 to 2019. This is due to rising seal levels that are pushing seawater into the soils and fresh groundwater that trees rely on for sustenance. The salty water slowly poisons the trees, leaving behind ghoulish, lifeless forests. Even North Carolina's iconic bald cypress forests, which are among the oldest trees in the US, are falling victim to this trend. Slide me Satellite images taken in October 2005 (left) and October 2024 (right) show the expansion of ghost forest in North Carolina's Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula Sea level along North Carolina is rising by about three to four millimeters per year, about three times faster than the global average, according to NASA Earth Observatory. 'However, the death of forests in the Alligator River Wildlife Refuge hasnt tracked exactly with the rate of sea level rise,' the space agency shared. 'Instead, these forests saw a particularly large die-off in 2011 following a severe drought and a direct hit by Hurricane Irene.' This is according to the 2021 study, which was published in the journal Ecological Applications. The researchers concluded that the formation of ghost forests peaked between 2011 and 2012. 'The drought reduced the flow of rivers and allowed saltwater to flow upstream and through irrigation canals, killing trees in the process.' As saltwater encroaches upon coastal forests, trees are shedding their foliage and bark and becoming pale, leafless snags. Eventually, these trees fall and decompose. But while still standing, they have a distinctly ghoulish appearance. This is because saltwater damages roots, leaves and contaminates the resources that trees need to survive. In this 2024 image, the ghost forest appears light brown and stands out against the bright green healthy forest Excessive salt levels in soils can harm a tree's roots, making it difficult for them to absorb water an nutrients. This leads to nutrient imbalances and deficiencies that can make trees sick and eventually kill them. Saltwater can also draw water out of leaves faster than trees can replace it, causing them to turn brown and drop prematurely. This hinders a tree's ability to absorb energy from the sun. And when saltwater replaces fresh groundwater, trees lose their water source, suffering from drought stress even when there is plenty of water underground. 'The closer a forest is to sea level, the greater the risk of tree death and the detection of ghost forests,' Xi Yang, an environmental scientist at the University of Virginia told NASA Earth Observatory. Rising sea levels are killing large swaths of coastal cypress and pine forests, causing them to shed their foliage and bark and become pale, leafless snags And land development is making this problem even worse. 'You can also see the effects of climate change collide with human development in Landsat images like this,' Duke University ecologist Emily Bernhard told NASA Earth Observatory. 'Marshes shift locations over time as sea levels rise, but there's nowhere for cypress forests to go. They're already hemmed in by farmland or other development, so these iconic wetlands are getting squeezed and dying off in mass mortality events instead,' she added. The combination of these pressures is so harmful that it's killing trees that have survived everything nature has thrown at them for thousands of years. North Carolina's bald cypress trees are among the oldest in the US. Known for their reddish-brown bark, green needle-like leaves and clusters of knobby 'knees' around their trunks, these enormous trees thrive in freshwater swamps and can reach heights over 100 feet, according to NASA Earth Observatory. But now, these ancient trees are being reduced to lifeless ghosts as saltwater invades the wetlands they call home. North Carolina isn't the only state seeing the rise of ghost forests. These haunting trees are popping up throughout the East Coast, from Florida to Maine. Healthy coastal forests serve as natural buffers against storm surges and erosion. But as rising global temperatures increase the stress put on these trees, North Carolina and other East Coast states are losing that protection. Fears of an alien invasion in the US took hold in the 1960s and 70s after reports of UFOs hovering over military bases flooded the nation. Now, decades later, a UFO expert has claimed that the extraterrestrial spaceships did visit 'every major nuclear missile base' and continue to do so to this day. Robert Hastings, who has interviewed many Army personnel about the bizarre sightings, said: 'The ones that are currently operational, have been visited repeatedly year after year according to the sources that I have interviewed.' Hastings recently made waves when he revealed more than 120 former service members had come forward about their encounters with flying objects near nuclear weapon storage and testing grounds. 'A public, grassroots effort must be made in the interim to understand as best as possible, using the data gathered thus far the nature and intentions of those who pilot the UFOs,' Hastings penned in his recent book recounting the interviews. 'Or perhaps they have a use for our planet, let's say for scientific purposes, and know that global nuclear warfare will disrupt their data-gathering and/or experiments.' In his book, UFOs and Nukes, he revealed that investigators are prevented from properly probing the cases because of dubious layers of classification. One thing is for sure, however, it is 'obvious' that if there are extraterrestrial visitors, they are 'greatly interested in our nuclear weapons.' A UFO expert claimed that UFOs have long visited nuclear bases and continue to do so. For at least 17 nights in December 2023, swarms of small 'drones' were seen penetrating the highly restricted airspace above Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. Hastings' comments echo a study released in June that analyzed over 500 of the best-supported UFO cases from the heights of the Cold War, which concluded that 'this intelligence understands atomics, and they understand atomic weaponry.' UFO reports over America's nuclear arsenal appeared to shift from sites where the bombs were made to missile silos and US air bases as the Cold War arms race grew. The study was conducted by a retired US Air Force staff sergeant, data analyst affiliated with Harvard's UFO-hunting Galileo Project Ian Porrit and a research team. The group focused on official military and police reports of UFOs from 1945 to 1975, avoiding poorly supported accounts and ambiguous newspaper stories, to focus on cases with multiple witnesses and signal evidence, like radar. Their study, which only covered US cases, also used reports of UFOs spotted above non-nuclear army bases and nearby civilian centers to act as control groups to test against their findings of any UFO trends at America's sensitive nuclear installations. The team found that data from 1948 through 1975, showed support to the idea that extraterrestrials, or some other intelligence, has methodically surveilled America's rise to a nuclear power. 'This intelligence understands the developmental cycle. They have some contextual knowledge of what they're looking at and what they're looking for,' Hancock told DailyMail.com, given these shifts in reported UFO sightings over time. From 1948 to 1952, as America's production of atomic weapons first ramped up, waves of UFO sightings began cropping up over Washington state's Hanford nuclear production complex, as well as Los Alamos and other sites for the Manhattan Project. Hastings' recent claims come just weeks after new government records surfaced other UFO waves near military sites, including Joint Base Langley-Eustis (pictured) 'What we know now is that inside the Air Force for the first seven to 10 years they sincerely believed it was the Russians,' Hancock told DailyMail.com. 'And when they couldn't prove that,' he said, 'it became very political.' From 1952 onward, their study found cases of UFOs probing near active nuclear weapons took precedence, with a wave of sightings around America's new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) starting in the 1960s. 'When you get to those ICBM bases, from about 1965 to 1975, these things are occurring at night,' Hancock pointed out. 'And they are they are much more intrusive. They're very low altitude, they penetrate the security perimeters of the base,' he added. Hastings' recent claims come just weeks after new government records surfaced other UFO waves near military sites, including 17 nights in December 2023 when swarms of UFOs were tracked over Joint Base Langley-Eustis. These brazen penetrations over Langley home to at least half the Air Force's F-22 Raptor stealth fighters led to two weeks of emergency White House meetings. To date, Langley's mystery UFOs have eluded identification by the Pentagon, police and even NASA's high-altitude research plane, the WB-57F, called in to investigate. General Glen VanHerck, the commander with North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD), who led the mission to take down the infamous Chinese spy balloon in February 2023, described that Langley wave as unlike any other known case. 'If there are unknown objects within North America,' General VanHerck told the Wall Street Journal, 'go out and identify them.' Senior ex-Pentagon security official Chris Mellon told DailyMail.com last week that the UFOs were 'swarms of smaller craft' released by 'motherships.' He explained that was 'part of a much larger pattern affecting numerous national security installations.' 'Two of the notable aspects,' he said, 'are the fact our drone signal-jamming devices have proven ineffective and these craft are making no effort to remain concealed.' Mellon told DailyMail.com: 'I make no claims regarding their origin, perhaps many are Chinese drones.' '[But] in some instances,' Mellon took pains to emphasize, 'it is clear they want to be seen as though taunting us.' Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this article are selected by our writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, Daily Mail Australia will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information. A popular Australian brand known for its 'flattering' bikinis for every body shape has unveiled a new swimwear range that's already flying off the shelves. Moana Bikini, the brainchild of Queensland designer Karina Irby, has launched The Fiji Files, featuring bold, tropical prints and comfortable, versatile styles. The much-loved swimwear label is selling eight vibrant, exclusive prints across 12 bikini tops, 12 matching bottoms, four one-pieces and more - with prices ranging from $82 to $135. What sets the stunning swimwear range apart from every other brand on the market is its unique seamless and reversible design. The pieces are designed to mix and match, depending on your mood - whether you prefer a daring plunge top or a cheeky high-cut bottom. The fan favourite Siren Song Surf Suit has sold out three times now - but shoppers looking to get their hands on the sought-after piece can join a waitlist. The new Coastal Current swimwear designs have been hugely popular - including the 'perfect' simple one-piece set that's almost sold out. Moana Bikini's fan favourite Siren Song Surf Suit has sold out three times now - but shoppers looking to get their hands on the sought-after piece can join a waitlist The swimwear brand has launched The Fiji Files, featuring bold, tropical prints and styles Whether you're lounging by the pool or surfing the waves, this 'must-have' summer collection is set to make every moment feel like a 'dreamy tropical getaway'. Fans of the brand have expressed their excitement over the latest range - with many saying they are 'obsessed' with every piece. 'Gimme gimme gimme. Panicking and not staying calm in the slightest. HOLY WOWZERS,' one said. 'I need it now,' another gushed. 'This drop is honestly incredible,' one shared. 'This is the coolest bikini range I've ever seen! Are you kidding? You should be so proud of yourself,' another added. The much-loved swimwear label is selling eight vibrant, exclusive prints across 12 bikini tops, 12 matching bottoms, four one-pieces and more One of the brand's sell-out bikinis is the Polly Pocket Set. 'Absolutely obsessed with this bikini! I didn't think it would suit me but it is the most flattering bikini I've ever worn,' one said. 'This bikini set is to die for. So happy they brought it back. Love the little cut out in the top, good support too... True to size, material is very soft. It's a must. Everyone nerds this bikini,' another raved. 'My absolute dream set. Obsessed. I love the fit of as it's so comfortable. The top is really supportive and you can wear it two ways. The bottoms are super flattering and don't dig in anywhere as they have the cute sides. This set isn't a want it's a need,' one added. The pieces are designed to mix and match, depending on your mood - whether you prefer a daring plunge top or a cheeky high-cut bottom The new Coastal Current swimwear designs have been hugely popular - including the 'perfect' simple one-piece set that's almost sold out Moana Bikini, an Australian owned and based swimwear label, has a huge following - with more than 570,000 fans from around the world following the brad on Instagram. '16-year-old me wouldn't believe this was her future.' founder Karina Irby said recently. 'She would roll her eyes while sobbing if I told her that one day she would build a bikini brand that represents all the things women are insecure about. 'Moana Bikini truly did save her.' Over the years, Karina has gained a legion of fans by proudly sharing bikini pictures of herself that showcase her severe eczema and cellulite. To shop the new Moana Bikini's The Fiji Files range, click here. SHOPPING Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this Mail Best article are selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, DailyMail.com will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information. Nothing beats the nightlife in New York, and now, thanks to RTA, nothing will beat your outfit either. RTA (aka Road to Awe) is an L.A.-based clothing brand that creates one-of-a-kind fashion for both men and women inspired by people and places. Their latest drop coined The Red Light Collection, pays homage to some of the greatest urban landscapes around the world, including our beloved New York City. The innovative collection pushes the boundaries with bold prints, colors, and textures. Pulling from nightlife city scenes, the vast collection features pieces filled with energy, from graphic tees to unique skinny jeans. The gender-neutral collection attracts those looking to express themselves and make a bold statement this season. Whether you are riding the MTA or venturing into after-hour clubs, RTAs Red Light District Collection will keep heads turning. LIAM SHORT SLEEVE TEE This bold print comes in three colors and a hoodie form! Go neon like the neon signs of your favorite city with this pick. By far the brightest piece in the collection this tee feels like the heart of the 'Red Light District.' The comfortable material is durable and breathable for flexibility throughout your day and night. Shop JORDAN HOODIE This warm hoodie is bold and ready to make a statement with every wear. It comes in three colors and can be paired with the Liam tee for a matching set. If you are looking for the ultimate Urban Life ode the Jordan Hoodie is the pick for you! The Jordan hoodie is the big-bro to the Liam tee and we are here for it. Shop COLIN OVERSIZED SHORT SLEEVE TEE Keep it low-key with this tee! The Colin tee is a staple in the collection available in white and black. Whether you are pairing it with a flannel, leather jacket, or wearing it by itself it is an easy go-to. Shop DION HOODIE Nothing says city like a little contraband. This sleek hoodie incorporates some of the worlds most notorious contraband including weed and cigarettes. The design pays homage to the 'Red Light District' we feel more than any other piece in the collection. This hoodie is great for the subtle statement makers. Shop LAWRENCE LONG SLEEVE TEE We found your next staple long sleeve tee. This black simple long sleeve rocks a simple design on the back and an even smaller logo on the front. You can rep RTA without the loud colors or wild prints and still look effortlessly urban. Shop OWEN SWEATPANT These ultra-soft sweatpants are perfect for lounging at home or for a night out with their sleek design. We suggest pairing them with the Colin tees for a color blocked look or with the Jordan Hoodie for a 'wow' factor. Even city-dwellers love to live life in comfort! Shop BRYANT SKINNY JEAN The pants of our Rock N Roll dreams. RTA is known for their iconic cross symbol and these skinny jeans have them front and center! Enjoy these acidic washed light jeans for everyday wear from Sunday brunch to late night bar hopping and beyond. These jeans are snug and for those looking to have their curves hugged. Shop It is said the final stretch of railway to Penzance was completed only after a local landowners request that trains should not operate during the cocktail hour. Luckily, a deal was struck, and in 1852 the first Truro service began, connecting to Plymouth seven years later when Isambard Kingdom Brunels Royal Albert Bridge across the Tamar between Devon and Cornwall opened. The Cornish Riviera, as Great Western Railway quickly dubbed it, was up and running. Cornish Riviera Expresses soon set forth trailing steam, and the county was never the same again. Penzance, being the terminus, was naturally at the heart of it all. And it still is, with Night Riviera sleepers from London Paddington. Penzance (population 21,000) is not, however, merely a summer destination for its beaches and the much-loved Jubilee Lido. In the autumn/winter months the town offers bracing coastal walks, cheaper hotels and cosy, welcoming inns. High and dry: Visitors to Cornwall's Penzance can reach nearby St Michaels Mount (pictured) by causeway or boat For the latter, the Admiral Benbow on Chapel Street, with its chaotic nautical paraphernalia and proud boast of serving pirates, smugglers and rum since 1685, feels the go-to spot. Theres also the Turks Head, the Dolphin, the Dock Inn, the Navy Inn, the Yacht Inn and many more along the hilly, higgledy-piggledy lanes in short, theres a lot of pubs, many with live music. Chapel Street runs down to the Isles of Scilly ferry port and houses the extraordinary Grade-I listed Egyptian House, built in 1836 with ancient Luxor-esque columns. 'In the autumn/winter months the town offers bracing coastal walks, cheaper hotels and cosy, welcoming inns,' says Tom Chesshyre about Penzance From Penzance, you can walk the 15 miles to Lands End (seen here), reveals Tom Exotic: Penzance's Grade-I listed Egyptian House Nearby youll find the excellent Acorn Theatre and Penlee House Gallery and Museum, home to wonderful Newlyn School of Art works by Stanhope Forbes and Lamorna Birch, as well as the important fishing port of Newlyn. A four-mile tramp past the station takes you to St Michaels Mount, the castle-island and inspiration of many a picture. Its sometimes reachable across a causeway, or else by boat. Plenty of other leisurely walks are to be had to the village of Mousehole (three miles) or Lands End (15 miles), though you may instead be tempted to stay put and browse the bookshops, antique shops or even hit the cocktail hours of the pubs. WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at the delightful and stylish Chapel House hotel are from 200 (chapelhousepz.co.uk). Night Riviera from 179pp return, two sharing a cabin (gwr.com); or 91 return day-time trains. For more, see visitcornwall.com. Advertisement Leave the battle with overtourism behind next year when you go on holiday in Europe and head to one of these 'overlooked destinations'. That's the advice from Time Out, which has produced an eye-catching ranking of the 21 most underrated European destinations for 2025. The influential guide says: 'This summer saw a series of anti-tourism demonstrations in European hotspots, as locals reached breaking point with years of overtourism; Amsterdam is cracking down on new hotels, Venice is set to double its tourist tax in 2025. 'So there's never been a better time to think outside the box for your travels especially when so many incredible European spots are getting overlooked.' It adds: 'These destinations have got everything you want from your next holiday, with the added bonus of far fewer people jostling to see the same attractions.' Scroll down for the ranking in full - which spot would you most like to head to? 1. ULCINJ, MONTENEGRO, THE MOST UNDERRATED PLACE OVERALL: Time Out describes Montenegros coastline as spectacular and Ulcinj Old Town (above) as occupying the most dramatically situated spot in the country 2. AARHUS, DENMARK: This bijou university town in Jutland has cobbled streets, world-class coffee and a positive, hygge outlook on life 3. GERES, PORTUGAL: Peneda-Geres National Park is in a beautiful corner of Portugal and home to thousands of animal species, including roe deer, wild Garrano ponies, wolves and birds of prey 4. GOZO, MALTA: Malta is an archipelago that includes two smaller islands Comino and Gozo. Time Out writer Liv Kelly describes Gozo (above) as the highlight of her visit 5. VESTMANNAEYJAR, ICELAND: Vestmannaeyjar, an archipelago with a population of just 4,000, is probably Icelands best kept secret, says Time Out, which adds: Here you can jump on a speed boat through the islands caves (and see the famous Elephant Rock up close), rent a mountain bike to explore its volcanoes and learn about the Eldfell eruption at the Eldheimar museum. And it's got some of the best food in the country 6. PLOVDIV, BULGARIA: This city has a 'remarkable' range of historical attractions and curiosities and 'an impossibly gorgeous warren of cobblestone streets' 7. LEVI, FINNISH LAPLAND: 'For the purest snow and the freshest air in the inhabited parts of the world as measured by its local meteorological lab youve got to go to Levi,' says Time Out, which points out that it's 'presided over by Finland's most popular ski slopes' 8. BERGEN, NORWAY: This 'clean and cool' city's 'close proximity to spectacular nature makes it perfect if youre looking for a holiday that combines a city break with the great outdoors', says Time Out 9. CLUJ-NAPOCA, ROMANIA: 'The largest city in Transylvania makes a compelling case for being the most fascinating city in Romania,' says Time Out, describing its centre as an 'outdoor museum' with 'monuments and quite magnificent churches' 10. EMILIA-ROMAGNA, ITALY: 'The region of Emilia-Romagna has all of Italys best bits rolled into one,' says Time Out, noting that its ancient city of Ravenna has eight Unesco World Heritage Sites and culinary hotspots that include Modena, Parma and Bologna. Above is the region's San Leo medieval castle 11. TARTU, ESTONIA: You'll find 'lively cafes and experimental architecture' in Tartu, which Time Out describes as the 'creative, intellectual centre of the Baltics' 12. EXTREMADURA, SPAIN: Extremadura, on the Portuguese border, is home to wandering Iberian pigs, three biosphere nature reserves and a Unesco-recognised geo-park, notes Time Out 13. FAROE ISLANDS: Visit this archipelago and you'll be treated to 'pinch-me-Im-dreaming views around every corner' 14. VILNIUS, LITHUANIA: This city celebrated its 700th anniversary last year and has a 'fascinating' but 'often tumultuous' history. Plus great nightclubs, including 'prison-turned-cultural space Lukiskes 2.0, 'the best offering this side of Berlin' 15. BANJA LUKA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: Here 'lively cafe terraces abound' and 'English-speaking staff are a common feature'. There's also a 'relaxed sightseeing agenda spanning 2,000 years'. Above - the Orthodox Cathedral of Christ the Saviour 16. IMOTSKI LAKES, CROATIA: 'Across most of the Dalmatian hinterland that separates Croatia from Bosnia and Herzegovina,' says Time Out, 'youll only find goats and old locals wandering the barren terrain. Interrupting this moon-like landscape are two bright lakes, each named after their water colour, fringing the solitary yet thriving town of Imotski.' They are the swimmable Blue Lake (above) and the iron-oxide saturated Red Lake ('admired from above') 17. DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS: With its 'chocolate-box pretty' medieval harbour and indie shops and restaurants, Dordrecht is 'the perfect spot for a bite-size Dutch city break' 18. LANDES, FRANCE: Tucked between Bordeaux to the north and the Basque Country to the south, Les Landes has swathes of maritime pines, 100km (62 miles) of Atlantic coastline and 300km (186 miles) of cycle paths, notes Time Out 19. ISLES OF SCILLY, UK: With 'miles of unspoilt beach and hidden coves', a seaside break to this archipelago off Cornwall's coast will be one 'unlike youve ever imagined', declares Time Out 20. PAMUKKALE, TURKEY: Here, visitors can immerse themselves in 'mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down white travertine terraces' (above) and explore Roman ruins 21. PONZA, ITALY: 'Ponza has somehow flown under the radar as international travellers flock to the more well-known Italian isles of Capri, Sicily and Sardinia,' says Time Out, adding: 'More fool them. [Here], swimmers take to natural pools and dip into ancient grottoes; sunbathers fill sandy beaches in crescent-shaped coves, and diners enjoy fresh seafood at harbourfront restaurants' The BBC has confirmed the future of an 'absolutely brilliant' new murder mystery series, which has been dubbed the 'next Jonathan Creek'. Ludwig, which stars David Mitchell, 50, and Anna Maxwell Martin, immediately captivated viewers, becoming the most popular arrival on the channel since 2018. And now the broadcaster has revealed it will be returning for another series. The binge-worthy show followed John 'Ludwig' Taylor, played by David, an introverted and reclusive puzzle setter. Against his better judgement, he is dragged into an exciting adventure after his identical twin brother goes missing. BBC have confirmed the future of an 'absolutely brilliant' new murder mystery series, which has been dubbed the 'next Jonathan Creek' Ludwig, which stars David Mitchell, 50, and Anna Maxwell Martin immediately captivated viewers And now the broadcaster has revealed it will be returning for another series after it became the most popular comedy series on the channel since 2018 He is recruited by his sister-in-law (played by Anna) and the two start the hunt to find him. The show sees David's character impersonate his police detective twin brother in order to find out more about his disappearance. But in a shock turn of events, he excels at solving crime and soon becomes absorbed into his brother's life. For the new season, David returns as Ludwig, alongside Anna who will reprise her role as the wife of John's missing brother James, Lucy Betts-Taylor. David revealed he is excited to get started on another series of the show. He said: 'I'm delighted that John 'Ludwig' Taylor has failed to escape the clutches of the Cambridge police and will have to continue to face up to the city's alarming conundrum-based crime wave.' Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy Commissioning, echoed the star's feelings. He said: 'The blend of top-tier British comic talent, a gripping mystery, and brilliantly crafted crime storylines had viewers hooked from day one. 'We had high hopes for Ludwig, and it's safe to say this comedy-detective series with a twist has become a true standout. We can't thank Mark Brotherhood, David Mitchell, Anna Maxwell Martin, and the entire cast and crew enough for creating something so special. 'We're eagerly awaiting series two, though it's a bit of a shame we'll have to spoil the surprises for ourselves by actually reading the scripts first!'. All episodes have been released on iPlayer so viewers can catch up before the start of the new series. After sinking their teeth into the comedy, viewers took to X to write: 'Ludwig is the Jonathan Creek for a new generation. It's all about formula and logic. It's so simple and absolutely brilliant. Love it! #Ludwig.' 'Ludwig is very enjoyable. Bit like Jonathan Creek in that the solving of the crime bit is very entertaining but you know it'll all fall apart in court after the episode has ended.' 'Watched #Ludwig this evening and it's fab. It's the first thing to make me smile in three days and provided distraction from this depression. Good one, BBC.' 'I have finished #Ludwig & really enjoyed it. Several laugh-out-loud moments, murders of the week and some fun puzzles along the way. 'Not a gritty crime drama, but thank God for something lighter after all the scandi-inspired stuff. Not quite Jonathan Creek but well worth watching.' The show sees David's character impersonate his police detective twin brother in order to find out more about his disappearance He is recruited by his sister-in-law (played by Anna Maxwell Martin) after his detective twin brother goes missing and the two start the hunt to find him After sinking their teeth into the comedy, viewers have taken to X to praise it 'Well, that was bloody good TV #Ludwig.' 'Just watched the first three episodes of #Ludwig and it's brilliant. Right up my street. Some good laughs combined with an utterly ridiculous set of circumstances and characters make this an easy watch. Loving the incidental Beethoven variations too. Mitchell is brilliant.' 'Can we just talk about how good #Ludwig is. David Mitchell is brilliant.' 'Absolutely LOVED the first episode of #Ludwig! It feels like David Mitchell was born to play this role.' 'Well that has us really hooked #Ludwig loved every moment of it - original different, brilliant in so many ways, funny and sad - Glad we watched it and that was an hour well spent - not going to watch on iPlayer as we want to have a treat each wee.' The BBC's Jonathan Creek, which aired between 1997 and 2016, followed a magician with a natural ability for solving puzzles, who teams up with an investigative journalist to solve crimes. David told The Radio Times at a recent Q&A that he's always enjoyed murder mysteries. He said: 'Some of my happiest viewing memories are as a child watching Miss Marple with Joan Hickson - I mean, she was in it, she wasn't in the room and Inspector Morse, and that sort of thing. I love that kind of program.' He added that he put a comic spin on his tale to add some levity after revealing he didn't like watching things that were too gritty. The BBC's Jonathan Creek, which aired between 1997 and 2016, followed a magician with a natural ability for solving puzzles, who teams up with an investigative journalist to solve crimes David told The Radio Times at a recent Q&A that he's always enjoyed murder mysteries He explained that he achieved this by emulating Agatha Christie and that his latest show is littered with references to her stories In Ludwig, the actor explained that the person that's murdered is never seen and as a result the audience isn't invested in them, which allows the story to be more light-hearted Anna Maxwell Martin, who also stars in the show, has undergone quite the transformation to play David's sister-in-law He said: 'I don't love watching things that are horrific and gritty and sort of remind you of the frailty of the human life.' He explained that he achieved this by emulating Agatha Christie and that his latest show is littered with references to her stories. David revealed that he used one of the writer's greatest tricks. In Ludwig, the actor explained that the person that's murdered is never seen and as a result the audience isn't invested in them which allows the story to be more light-hearted. He added that all Agatha Christie stories are puzzles and to honour the queen of the murder mystery David ensured that Ludwig used her winning formula. David said: 'So you get the overarching narrative, but you also get the reward of a puzzle, a murder each week. So I thought it was a great idea.' Anna Maxwell Martin, who also stars in the show, has undergone quite the transformation to play David's sister-in-law. The Line Of Duty actress, 47, will play Lucy Betts-Taylor in the six-part detective series. The Motherland star swaps her usual blonde locks for a short brunette bob with minimal makeup. Derek Jacobi, Felicity Kendal, Rose, Karl Pilington, Allan Mustafa, Paul Chahidi and Hammed Animashaun are among the guest stars in the series. Ludwig is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now. Social media was sent into a frenzy after eagle-eyed fans noticed that one model has appeared in almost every Australian fashion campaign. She has become a very recognisable face around Australia for becoming the face of a whole range of top brands' fashion campaigns. The under-the-radar star has modelled for the likes of White Fox, Babyboo, Beginning Boutique and Hello Molly, among many others, and often appears on their websites. And one shopper took to TikTok this week to share their surprise after noticing it was the exact same woman they kept seeing in the numerous different brands' shoots. They asked others for help identifying the recognisable model, with many then taking to the comments to share their shock they didn't already know who she is. The TikTok user captioned the now-viral post: 'Who is this woman and why is she the face of everything? We all recognise her right?! Who is she?' 'Like are all these brands the same actually or is she just such a baddie they all need her to model?! Help,' they added in a caption. But do you know who she is? Social media was sent into a frenzy after eagle-eyed fans noticed that one model has appeared in almost every Australian fashion campaign... but do you know who she is? @gpaigexd Like are all these brands the same actaully or is she just such a baddie they all need her to model?! Help original sound - The name behind the very recognisable face is Emily Venz. The Sydney-based model was identified by eagle-eyed shoppers in the comments, who insisted she has become a modelling household name Down Under. One wrote: 'Emily Venz!!! My clothing site queen, shes a 10/10 and minds her business.' Another questioned: 'How do u not know Emily Venz?' while a third said: 'Emily Venz and Crystal Belotti are basically more famous to me atp then Beyonce herself.' A fourth said: 'She is the face of OUTCAST like she's all over their page too.' While a fifth remarked: 'I see her more than I see the outside world, I just know she's getting PAIDDDDD.' 'I am so glad someone's finally saying this because she's EVERYWHERE,' another added. Speaking about the now-viral video of herself, Emily told Daily Mail Australia she was 'shocked' to see her career becoming such a topic of conversation online. She shared: 'I was honestly quite shocked when my friends sent me the video and I couldn't believe how quickly it gained so many views. It's Emily Venz! She has modelled for the likes of White Fox, Babyboo, Beginning Boutique and Hello Molly, among many others, and often appears on their websites Speaking about the now-viral video of herself, Emily told Daily Mail Australia said she was 'shocked' to see her career becoming such a topic of conversation online 'I've been so busy lately as work has really picked up for me so it was really nice to see so many people had noticed and were so supportive of my modelling.' 'I had no idea that my campaigns had reached so many people in Australia and across the world so it has been very surreal to see,' she added. Emily, who is from the Gold Coast, also revealed exactly how many brands she works with amid the speculation that she is taking over the Australian fashion market. 'Contrary to what people may think. I don't work with a huge amount of brands. I work with around eight brands on a regular basis,' she explained. 'It's difficult to say yes to everything when you have consistent jobs coming in from those you already have relationships with. 'I'm fortunate to work with some of the best brands in Australia right now. In saying that, I'm always open to new exciting opportunities that arise!' Of how she manages to secure work with so many different brands, Emily said she 'keeps her options open' and has been freelance throughout her whole career. 'I try to say yes to as many jobs as I can. It's not everyday you get this many amazing opportunities,' she went on. Emily, who is from the Gold Coast, also revealed exactly how many brands she works with amid the speculation that she is taking over the Australian fashion market She has racked up a huge list of celebrity connections during her career and is followed by the likes of Nadia Bartel, Pip Edwards, Skye Wheatley and Anna Paul on Instagram 'Exclusivity conversations do pop up from time to time but when you love the industry as much as I do, you prefer to keep your options open. 'I have been freelance my whole modelling career which is quite a time consuming job in itself, however, I love building close-knit relationships with brands so I've found this works best for me!' One brand she has her eye on working with but hasn't yet is House of CB, with Emily admitting they are one of her favourite clothing brands currently on the market. Despite her huge success in modelling, Emily said she is aware that people's time in the industry can be short and said she is trying to just enjoy it while she can. 'I'm well aware this career can be shorter than most, so I'm just trying to make the most of it whilst I'm young,' she said. 'It was during Covid where I really began to transition from Instagram jobs to more modeling work and quickly realised I could do this for a living.' Of her future plans, Emily said she has never modelled on a runway before but admitted it looks like 'fun', adding: 'Never say never!' Emily has racked up many credits since she first became an influencer in 2016, when she started modelling for smaller clothing and bikini brands Emily has racked up a whole host of modelling credits since she first became an influencer in 2016, first started modelling for smaller clothing and bikini brands. She now models full-time and has recently worked with swimwear brand Glassons, clothing brand Tiger Mist and athleisurewear shop Crop Shop Boutique. She has racked up a huge list of celebrity connections and is followed by the likes of Nadia Bartel, Pip Edwards, Skye Wheatley and Anna Paul on Instagram. Of her celebrity connections, Emily shared: 'The industry is a lot smaller than people think. 'I have been working in it for close to 10 years with my social media before I started modelling. 'I've met some really inspirational people along the way and made a lot of friends too.' Elizabeth Hurley is the star of this season's first major Christmas TV advert for former high street staple Debenhams. The model and actress, 59, joins Glow Up host Leomie Anderson, 31, comedian Ellie Taylor, 40, and model and podcaster Hannah Cooper-Dommett, 35, in the festive promo, which acts as a reminder Debenhams is now a flourishing online retailer. Mother-of-one Elizabeth dons a sparkling green gown while lying on a sofa uttering the brand's new tagline 'Duh, Debenhams', as she lauds the ease of online ordering instead of traipsing around the shops amid the chaos of Christmas. The 'gifts to impress, minus the stress' theme continues with Ted Lasso favourite Ellie, who is seen hovering above a couch in a meditation pose while wearing a pink suit before she, too, delivers the brand's new slogan. Supermodel Leomie ends the promo wearing a bejewelled black gown holding up her phone before cheekily saying 'Still shopping on the high street? Duh, Debenhams' as the camera pans back to models including TV star Joel Dommett's wife Hannah at a festive party. Elizabeth Hurley is the star of this season's first major Christmas TV advert for former high street staple Debenhams The model and actress joins Glow Up host Leomie Anderson, comedian Ellie Taylor and model and podcaster Hannah Cooper-Dommett in the festive promo Victoria's Secret model Leomie wore a festive cream minidress with silver buttons and feathery cuffs in the Christmas advert Former Strictly star Ellie wore one of this season's hottest trends, velvet, in a dress which also featured gold embroidery Speaking about her cameo in the advert, Elizabeth said: 'I'm absolutely delighted to be part of 'Duh, Debenhams' this Christmas, my favourite time of year. 'This campaign beautifully embodies the joy of the festive season, blending humour with style. 'There's nothing quite like celebrating with loved ones at holiday parties, and Debenhams makes it easy to find the perfect outfits and gifts that elevate every gathering.' The advert is accompanied by the classic Carol of the Bells track, with an added fresh spin on the festive favourite, blending memorable carol notes with the campaign's playful expression, 'Duh.' Party dresses featured in the promo include the Coast Sequin Wrap Dress, Warehouse Premium Taffeta Feather Cuff Suit, Warehouse Velvet Sequin Blouson Mini Dress and the Misspap Boucle Feather Trim A-Line Dress. The latest beauty products floating into shot are Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum, Estee Lauder Bronzer Goddess, YSL Loveshine Lipstick, Clarins Lip Oil and the Dyson Air Wrap. Plus luxurious fragrances including Prada Paradox, Hugo Boss Absolu, Chloe Intense, Lancome La Vie Est Belle, Armani Si Passione and Marc Jacobs Daisy. Everything is available at the click of a button at Debenhams online. Elizabeth bared her slender legs in a sparkly green dress which she paired with silver stilettos for the festive season Supermodel Leomie ends the promo wearing a bejewelled black gown holding up her phone before delivering the 'Duh, Debenhams' slogan Mother-of-one Elizabeth dons a green gown while lying on a sofa uttering the brand's new tagline 'Duh, Debenhams' Wearing a hot pink silk suit with feathery cuffs and her hair styled in loose waves, Ellie modelled in the advert, holding a luxury fragrance as she smiled for the camera TV presenter Joel Dommett's wife Hannah smouldered in a sequin green minidress she accessorised with a gold belt and black platform heels The stars of the TV advert posed in their festive best as they toasted to the Christmas season with cocktails On Monday, Elizabeth posted a cheeky video on Instagram of herself getting ready for the Harper's Bazaar Women Of The Year Awards in Madrid. She put on a busty display in a white dressing gown before her followers saw numerous stylists and makeup artists take over to get her ready for the glitzy overseas bash. The actress later descended onto the red carpet alongside her son Damian, 22, at the star-studded event, wearing a dazzling figure-hugging ensemble as she flaunted her tiny waist and age-defying looks. Actor and model Damian bared his chest as he went shirtless in the bright red suit and black patent shoes. The mother-son duo looked happier than ever as they posed at the photocall before heading into the ceremony, where Elizabeth received the Commitment to a Cause award for her dedication to raising awareness for breast cancer. Liz recently appeared on Loose Women for an emotional episode when she revealed two of her friends are currently battling breast cancer as she discussed the topic close to her heart amid Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The model also detailed how she was inspired to join the breast cancer awareness fight 30 years ago after her grandmother died of the disease. Discussing how attitudes towards it have changed from when her grandmother was ill, she said: 'When my grandmother was suffering and dying, nobody spoke. But I remember it really clearly. As women we sometimes put ourselves last and it seems indulgent to take care of ourselves.' Courteney Cox has attempted to contact her late costar Matthew Perry multiple times since his death last year. The Friends actress, 60, has gathered loved ones for Ouija board evenings as she reportedly believes there are unanswered questions about his life and death. Perry died, aged 54, in October 2023 after he was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his LA home. Courteney has gathered a bunch of friends over multiple times and has organized Ouija board evenings to get in touch with Matthew, an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively. She believes there are still many unanswered questions about his life and death, and she wants to get to the bottom of it. Courteney Cox has attempted to contact her late costar Matthew Perry multiple times since his death last year, insiders have told DailyMail.com Perrys death was determined to have been caused by 'acute effects of ketamine, which is used as an anesthetic and a treatment for depression, anxiety and pain. In August, five people who allegedly supplied Perry with the drug were arrested. Doctors Salvador Plasencia, 42, and Mark Chavez, 54, alleged drug dealers Jasveen 'Ketamine Queen' Sangha, 41, and Eric Fleming, 54, and Perry's live-in assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, have all been charged. The source claimed Coxs attempts to make contact have failed, but she is determined to keep going. So far the Scream star hasnt managed to contact Matthew, she plans to continue the seances until she does, they added. Cox is no stranger to the supernatural having previously taken part in a seance with song writing legend Carole King. The actress once moved into a house in Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles previously owned by King and Gypsy Rose Lee which she believed was haunted. So Carole King came over to my house, and she said that there had been a divorce that was really ugly and there was a ghost in the house, Cox told Jimmy Kimmel in March 2022. Courteney has gathered a bunch of friends over multiple times and has organized Ouija board evenings to get in touch with Matthew, a source said (pictured together in 2002) The actress, 60, paid tribute to Perry on the first anniversary of his death this week. 'Missing you today and always,' she captioned her post (pictured) She said she moved out the day after a UPS driver claimed he knew the house was haunted because he could see a figure standing behind her when she answered the door to him. The Scream actress was among Perrys costars marking the one-year anniversary of his death on Monday. Cox shared a throwback picture of herself and the late actor on Instagram and wrote: Missing you today and always. Jennifer Aniston, 55, also posted a series of never-before-seen pictures alongside the name of his foundation and the words: '1 year.' Matt LeBlanc, 57, was pictured looking disheveled hours after the anniversary, marking one of only a handful of public appearances he has made since Perry died. The images sparked concerns that he may be 'unravelling.' DailyMail.com reported that the former Joey star has quietly retired in the wake Perrys death which reaffirmed how ready he is to reevaluate his life. Perry pictured alongside (L-R) Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow, Cox, Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer (pictured on the set of Friends in 1994) 'Matt is still upset over the loss of Matthew,' a source said. 'Such an important part of his life and a good friend is gone. 'It has made him rethink his life. He wants to focus on other interests as thats what is important to him right now.' LeBlanc has not appeared in any film or TV projects since the Friends HBO reunion special in 2021, previously saying he was 'taking some time off.' His last acting gig was as Adam Burns on CBS series, Man with a Plan, between 2016 and 2020. Travis Fimmel looked worlds away from his Calvin Klein modelling days when he attended the world premiere of HBO's Dune: Prophecy in New York on Wednesday. The 45-year-old Australian actor proudly sported scruffy hair and a shaggy salt-and-pepper beard as he walked the red carpet. The Vikings star looked incredibly sharp in a grey suit with an untucked navy button-up shirt. Travis is the male lead in the Dun prequel series, portraying Desmond Hart alongside actress Emily Watson. The new look is very different from his sleek modelling ads. Travis was the Aussie hunk who once heated up billboards and magazines with his sultry underwear ads back in 2002. The Victoria-born star made a name for himself in 2002 as the first male model to land a six figure deal to pose exclusively for Calvin Klein for one year. He appeared on dozens of billboards across LA, causing traffic jams in the area due to the raunchy nature of his images. Travis Fimmel (pictured) looked worlds away from his Calvin Klein modelling days when he stepped out to attend the world premiere of HBO 's Dune: Prophecy in New York on Wednesday The character of Jerry 'Smith' Jarrod from Sex and the City is said to have been inspired by Travis, who also appeared in spreads and on the covers of magazines like W. Since then, Travis has turned his attention to acting. He first made waves in the acting world in 2003 after landing the leading role in Warner Bros. series Tarzan. The 45-year-old Australian actor showcased a distinct new look as he walked the red carpet Looking sharp in a grey suit, the Vikings star's outfit was complemented by his shaggy salt-and-pepper beard and a longer goatee that highlighted his rugged features The new look is very different from his sleek modelling ads from the 2000s However it wasn't until 2013 when Travis really hit the big time, scoring the iconic role of Ragnar Lothbrok in the hit TV series Vikings, which aired between 2013 and 2017. He went on to appear as Anduin Lothar in Warcraft (2016) and starred in the science fiction series Raised by Wolves (2020). In 2023, he appeared in two Stan Original series - Black Snow and Caught. He shot back into the limelight recently when playing the role of drug dealer Lyle Orlik in the hit Netflix show Boy Swallows Universe. While Travis is based in LA, he spends plenty of time in Australia and even recently his own Aussie lager brand Travla with MasterChef judge Andy Allen. His latest project Boy Swallows Universe has earned rave reviews form audiences. Adapted from Trent Dalton's iconic novel, Boy Swallows Universe is an extraordinary tale that explores the trials and tribulations of two brothers - Eli and Gus - who grow up in 1980s suburban Brisbane. The series was released in full on January 11, and plenty of Netflix subscribers have already binged their way through all seven-plus hours - hailing the show as 'beautiful and brilliant.' Staying true to its Aussie roots, the series stars an A-List lineup of Australian actors, including Phoebe Tonkin as Frances Bell, Eli's mother. Dynamic duo Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner made jaws drop as they channeled The Simple Life stars Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie for Halloween. The pair looked identical to the iconic socialites and matched the original series' sexy cover art down to the pitchfork and blonde hair. On Thursday, Bieber doubled as Richie donning half-buckled denim Reformation overalls that teased her pink pushup bra and bust. The 27-year-old model wore her golden locks loose and teamed her look with the same iconic pearls the reality star donned. She tied her costume together with a farmer's pitch fork as she posed behind the barn background. Jenner, 28, stepped into the shoes of Hilton wearing a lace-up denim corset and miniskirt while carrying a Yorkshire Terrier pup in her arm. Dynamic duo Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner made jaws drop as they channeled The Simple Life stars Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie for Halloween She wore a side parted blonde wig to match the businesswoman, and perfected the costume with a rose adorned choker. Bieber posted the snap on her Instagram Story and captioned the iconic recreation: 'Happy Halloween from Paris and Nicole @kendalljenner.' She also took to her TikTok account to reenact a scene from the hit 2003 E! series in which she lip syncs to an audio of Richie threatening to fight someone for calling her and her bestie 'stupid.' Jenner stood behind the model, looking glamorous as she pet the adorable pup in her arms. The video was a hit with the cover girl's 13.9M followers, racking up 108.7K likes and thousands of comments from supportive fans praising the duo's dazzling costumes. And it earned a like from Paris Hilton herself, who commented, 'Icons recognize icons, obsessed with this!' 'i didnt even recognize yall at first. YOU ATE!!!' one follower penned. Another chimed in, 'The way you memorize the line and didnt stutter! Mama H is a star. The series' cover art served as an ode to American Gothic, a 1930 painting by Grant Wood that is now on display at the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The Simple Life celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, with the original series running from 2003 until 2007. It saw the Hilton heiress and the fashion designer famously trade in Hollywood glitz for small-town America. Its premise revolved around taking the two rich socialites out of their comfort zones and putting them in everyday working-class situations, creating culture clash comedy. The socialites were seen taking on laborious jobs like cleaning, doing farm work, and food service. For the landmark anniversary, Hilton posted a number of throwback photos of herself and Richie on Instagram. 'Happy 20th anniversary to [the] show that started it all, The Simple Life! Filming this series with @NicoleRichie was one of the most special, hilarious, and iconic times in my life. Im so lucky to have these amazing memories!' she wrote in the caption. Richie also marked the occasion, sharing a reel of some of her and Hiltons Simple Life highlights. '20 years ago, not only did we become television stars... we became songwriters,' she humorously wrote in the caption. 'Happy Anniversary Sill @parishilton.' Back in May, Richie and Hilton teased a new project togetherwhile on Good Morning America. Although the project will not be a Simple Life reboot, it will be the first time the best friends team up again in 20 years. The Simple Life celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, with the original series running from 2003 until 2007; Nicole and Paris seen in 2003 The show's premise revolved around taking the two rich socialites out of their comfort zones and putting them in everyday working-class situations, creating culture clash comedy; Paris and Nicole seen in 2003 The socialites were seen taking on laborious jobs like cleaning, doing farm work, and food service; Paris and Nicole seen in 2003 Hilton celebrated the show's 20th anniversary by sharing a collage of throwback photos of herself and Richie on Instagram 'We have worked together to create something very special and exciting,' the Rochie said. 'I can't say much but I can't wait for it to come out.' Hilton took to Instagram to confirm the reboot with a post of a static TV screen in a living room, tagging her best friend. 'New Era. Same Besties Coming soon to Peacock,' she captioned it. The project, Paris & Nicole: The Encore, will premiere on Peacock on Thursday, December 12, 2024. Young Thug will remain on probation until at least 2039 after he agreed to a 15-year probation period as part of a guilty plea in an Atlanta court to gang, drug and gun charges Thursday. The Atlanta native, 33, whose full name is Jeffery Williams, was released from prison after two years Thursday after reaching the agreement, Variety reported. The Grammy-winning rapper received the sentence from Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker, crediting him with time served on five years in the criminal case, TMZ reported. Should Young Thug violate the terms of his probation, he faces a 20-year prison sentence, the outlet reported. Whitaker said the latter part of the sentence would be commuted if Young Thug finished his probation with no complications, according to the outlet. Young Thug, 33, will remain on probation until at least 2039 after he agreed to a 15-year probation period as part of a guilty plea in an Atlanta court to gang, drug and gun charges Thursday The Grammy-winning rapper received the sentence from Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker, crediting him with time served on five years in the criminal case Young Thug pleaded guilty to one gang charge, three drug charges and two gun charges. He also entered a no contest plea to another gang charge and a racketeering conspiracy charge, meaning that he decided not to contest those charges but can be punished for them as if he had pleaded guilty. Young Thug's attorney Brian Steel petitioned the court the musical artist be permitted to maintain associations with a pair of his fellow defendants - his brother Quantavious Grier, and Sergio Kitchens, according to TMZ. The relationships are essential to his musical career, Steel said. Young Thug entered his pleas without reaching a deal with prosecutors after negotiations between the two sides broke down, lead prosecutor Adriane Love said. Prosecutors had asked for the rapper to serve at least 25 years in custody in what was the state's longest-ever trial, the outlet reported. Young Thug's plea comes two-and-a-half years after he was arrested and charged and nearly a year after the prosecution started presenting evidence in the problem-plagued trial. Jury selection at the courthouse in Atlanta began in January 2023 and took nearly 10 months; and prosecutors called dozens of witnesses since opening statements last November in the trial of six defendants. The trial has faced many delays, including in July when the original judge was removed after two defendants sought his recusal, citing a meeting the judge held with prosecutors and a state witness. The judge heard from Love and from defense attorney Brian Steel before making a sentencing decision. The Atlanta native, whose full name is Jeffery Williams, is potentially eligible for immediate release as result of his legal agreement Thursday Young Thug pleaded guilty to one gang charge, three drug charges and two gun charges. He also entered a no contest plea to another gang charge and a racketeering conspiracy charge Love outlined for the judge the evidence she would have presented to prove Young Thugs guilt, including some of his rap lyrics. She asked the judge to sentence him to 45 years, with 25 years in prison and the remaining 20 years on probation. Steel said they 'vehemently disagree' with many of the statements Love made and said it was 'offensive' that the state was using Young Thugs lyrics against him. Steel said his client was was 'falsely accused' and that the evidence against him was weak, accusing prosecutors of misrepresenting and hiding evidence. Steel said he told his client that he thought they were winning the trial and should go through to a jury verdict. Steel said Young Thug told him, 'I cant wait another three months if there is any possibility I could go home because I have children that are hurting. I have things to do.' A tremendously successful rapper, Young Thug started his own record label, Young Stoner Life or YSL. Prosecutors have said he also co-founded a violent criminal street gang and that YSL stands for Young Slime Life. Young Thug's attorney Brian Steel said his client was was 'falsely accused' and that the evidence against him was weak, accusing prosecutors of misrepresenting and hiding evidence The Atlanta native was released from prison after two years Thursday after reaching the agreement He was charged two years ago in a sprawling indictment accusing him and more than two dozen other people of conspiring to violate Georgias anti-racketeering law. He also was charged with gang, drug and gun crimes. Three of his co-defendants had already pleaded guilty this week after reaching deals with prosecutors. The pleas leave the fates of two other co-defendants still undecided. Nine people charged in the indictment accepted plea deals before the trial began. Twelve others are being tried separately. Prosecutors dropped charges against one defendant after he was convicted of murder in an unrelated case. Victoria and David Beckham have reportedly plotted a secret multi-million pound career move to launch daughter Harper into the spotlight. Harper has already made known she wants to follow in the footsteps of her fashion designer mother and hopes to create an 'amazing brand' when she's older. And it appears her famous parents are edging her one step closer by setting up a business to funnel any future earnings for the rising star. According to The Sun, Victoria has incorporated a business called H7B Limited, which matches the teenager's full name, Harper Seven Beckham. H7B also has the former Spice Girl and a solicitor listed as a director. Victoria, 50, and David Beckham, 49, have plotted a secret multi-million pound career move to launch daughter Harper, 13, into the spotlight (pictured with Kim Kardashian) Harper has already made known she wants to follow in the footsteps of her fashion designer mother and hopes to create an 'amazing brand' when she's older The clever move could be prepping Harper for her successful career ahead, with a number of brands already reaching out to collaborate. A source told the publication: 'So far, Harper has been kept quite private. But there is huge demand from brands who see her as someone lots of other teens would look up to. 'Posh and Becks can see her potential and she wants to try some things out in the public eye. The wheels are in motion to slowly book some jobs for her.' The Sun also claimed that a source close to the Beckhams said: 'Right now, this is purely an administrative thing. David and Victoria have no immediate plans for anything commercial. 'Its simply an exciting and fun option for Harper further down the line.' MailOnline have contact David and Victoria's representatives for a comment. Although Harper heavily features on her famous family's social media, she currently doesn't have her own account. But to ease her into the industry, Victoria has previously posted videos of Harper filming makeup tutorials with her mother's brand. And it appears her famous parents are edging her one step closer by setting up a business to funnel any future earnings for the rising star Victoria has incorporated a business called H7B Limited, which matches the teenager's full name, Harper Seven Beckham The clever move could be prepping Harper for her successful career ahead as brands are interested in collaborating with the teen Although Harper heavily features on her famous family's social media, she currently doesn't have her own account At Victoria's launch party for her latest perfume Reverie in New York, Harper headed to the sensory immersion exhibit to write down their dreams and put them on a wall To play on the product's name Reverie - meaning to daydream - Harper wrote on two pieces of card she hoped she would 'create an amazing brand when I'm older' At Victoria's launch party for her latest perfume Reverie in New York, Harper headed to the sensory immersion exhibit to write down their dreams and put them on a wall. To play on the product's name Reverie - meaning to daydream - Harper wrote on two pieces of card she hoped she would 'create an amazing brand when I'm older'. The teenager also wished for 'everyone to happy in life'. Delighted at Harper dreams of achieving her very own brand, Victoria wrote: 'Harper Seven following in mummy's footsteps and putting her hopes and dreams out there'. Her passion for fashion was cemented from an early age as she accompanied Victoria on shoots and mingling amongst a host of top designers. Over the summer, Victoria revealed that Harper created a PowerPoint presentation to try and convince her to let her have a perm. In an interview with Grazia, she shared how Harper is wanting to start and try some beauty treatments. She told how she created the presentation on the computer and showed it to her and David in the hopes of letting her take a trip to the hairdressers. Last month, Harper's older brother Romeo, 22, made his Paris Fashion Week catwalk debut after he walked the Balenciaga show as he cemented his foray into fashion - after ditching his football career Harper has long straight blonde hair and a perm uses chemicals to make naturally straight hair curly. However despite Harper going to the effort of making the PowerPoint - Victoria admitted that her response to the request was 'absolutely not'. Victoria explained her negative response was born from a bad personal experience of having a perm when she was a teenager. Last month, Harper's older brother Romeo, 22, made his Paris Fashion Week catwalk debut after he walked the Balenciaga show as he cemented his foray into fashion. It was revealed that Romeo had reportedly left his Premier League football club, despite being offered a new contract by Brentford FC in June, to pursue a fashion career. Fully committing to fashion, Romeo recently signed with top Paris fashion agency Safe Management. A promising football prospect in his youth, Romeo drifted away from the game after being released by Arsenal in 2015 and turned his attention towards a career in tennis. However, Romeo announced he intended on a return to football in 2020 before joining dad David's MLS franchise Inter Miami the following year. Romeo's first big break in the fashion world came when he was just 10-years-old as he took his first modelling assignment for Burberry. Meanwhile, David and Victoria's eldest son and budding chef Brooklyn, 25, recently announced the launch of his new condiment brand Cloud23, which is now available exclusively at Whole Foods shops in the UK Following in his mother's footsteps from a young age, Romeo was undaunted on set as was described 'amazing, incredible and a little joy' who kept everyone entertained as he was 'bouncing around'. Meanwhile, David and Victoria's eldest son and budding chef Brooklyn, 25, recently announced the launch of his new condiment brand Cloud23, which is now available exclusively at Whole Foods shops in the UK. Cloud 23 is named after the No.23 jersey his father David Beckham wore at Real Madrid and LA Galaxy. 'I did my research and I just felt like there was this hole in the market with luxury condiments, especially for a really good price,' he told Delish magazine, explaining why he was drawn to launching a range of hot sauces. Gwen Stefani embraced the spirit of spooky season by dressing up as an iconic Disney princess while celebrating Halloween with her son Apollo. The No Doubt frontwoman, 55, who was recently seen hunting for Halloween goodies, took to Instagram on Thursday to share an adorable video from their festive celebration, where she dazzled in a classic Snow White costume. Looking ageless in a blue bodice and vibrant yellow skirt, Gwen perfectly channeled Snow White with her signature red headband and jet-black hair. The post featured delightful snippets of the celebration with her 10-year-old son and a few of his friends, although her older boys, Kingston, 18, and Zuma, 16, appeared absent from the family festivities. She shares all three sons with ex-husband Gavin Rossdale. Gwen Stefani embraced the spirit of spooky season by dressing up as an iconic Disney princess while celebrating Halloween with her son Apollo The No Doubt frontwoman, 55, who was recently seen hunting for Halloween goodies , took to Instagram on Thursday to share an adorable video from their festive celebration, where she dazzled in a classic Snow White costume This whimsical soiree follows Gwens recent appearance on NBC's The Voice, where she caused quite a stir with her unrecognizable new look. The pop star traded her signature icy platinum locks for a stunning warm blonde hairstyle, complete with soft waves and bold bangs. However, fans swiftly noted that something about her appearance seemed altered beyond just her hair and dress, particularly commenting on her fuller and smoother facial complexion. Dr. Corey Maas, a facial plastic surgeon based in San Francisco, speculated that her enhanced facial volume could be attributed to fillers, which effectively diminish wrinkles and restore youthful fullness. He also suggested that Gwen might have undergone a lower facelift, as he observed no loose skin on her jawline, which is typically expected at her age. Dr Maas told DailyMail.com after viewing the images of Gwen on The Voice: 'It's true that with the bangs, if you pull them down, they lead people to focus on the mid-face and below the eyes more, which does make [the cheeks and mid-face] look a bit fuller. 'But I also wouldn't expect [this area] to be so full in someone her age, so she's probably had some filler.' He added: 'Her jawline is also really indicative of some work, a 55-year-old woman just doesn't have a jawline like that. The posts featured delightful snippets of the celebration with her 10-year-old son and a few of his friends Gwen's older boys, Kingston, 18, and Zuma, 16, appeared absent from the family festivities She shares all three sons with ex-husband Gavin Rossdale Gwen Stefani is pictured above in 2006, left, and then earlier this week on The Voice. Plastic surgeons have suggested she has had filler in her face and lips. In the left image, she is 37 years old - and on the right, she is 55 'I think she may have had a lower facelift, because that does a really nice job of tightening the jawline and chin, and hers are nearly perfect.' Earlier this month, Gwen showed that her relationship with Blake Shelton is still going strong as she wished him a happy 55th birthday. The couple started dating in 2015 after meeting on the set of The Voice. They got engaged in October 2020 and tied the knot on July 3, 2021, in an intimate ceremony at Blake's Oklahoma ranch Aussie funnyman Jim Jeffries has spilled the beans on Brad Pitt's hilarious 2020 BAFTAs speech. Speaking with Mick Molloy and Mark Geyer on Triple Ms Mick & MG in the Morning on Friday, the comedian revealed that he was responsible for the jokes delivered by Aussie actress Margot Robbie in the now viral acceptance speech. Brad had picked up the best supporting actor role for his turn in Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood, and asked his co-star to deliver his speech should he win as he was unable to attend. His speech raised eyebrows as he joked about Brexit, saying, 'Hey Britain. Heard you just became single. Welcome to the club!' The speech also included jokes about about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leaving the UK for Canada - saying he plans to call the award Harry because he was looking forward 'to taking it back to America'. And Jim revealed that he was behind the jokes that were delivered in front of Prince William and Kate Middleton. 'Here's a fun one for you,' he told the radio hosts. 'A joke that I wrote got mentioned in Prince Harry's book. 'I can say this now, it's been year's since this happened. I wrote a lot of the jokes for Brad Pitt when he won the Oscar for Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood.' Aussie funnyman Jim Jeffries has spilled the beans on Brad Pitt 's hilarious 2016 BAFTAs speech The comedian continued: 'He was meant to do the BAFTAS but he had some family issue or something so he didn't go to England for the BAFTAs so Margot Robbie had to read out his acceptance speech.' Jim then recounted the joke about Harry, which was met with roars of laughter from the hosts. 'Brad would've said this: "I'm going to call this trophy Harry because I'm going to take it back to America and you'll never see it again."' Speaking with Mick Molloy and Mark Geyer on Triple Ms Mick & MG in the Morning on Friday, the comedian revealed that he was responsible for the jokes, that were delivered by Aussie actress Margot Robbie , in the now viral acceptance speech Margot repeated Jim's joke in the speech saying Brad planned to call the award Harry because he was looking forward 'to taking it back to America'. He added that he was equally chuffed to see Prince William enjoying the subtle dig, after he discovered in Harry's memoir Spare that the brothers were arguing just days before the event. 'Turns out in the book Harry and William had had a day that day, or a couple of days earlier,' he said. 'They'd had a scuffle and to see William laughing at that joke... predicted it.' Appearing on Good Morning America after the speech, Margot revealed she had been 'so panicked' about standing in for the hunky star. The situation had her so flustered that the Australian actress, who was nominated for two roles, forgot to prepare an acceptance speech for herself in case she won. Margot repeated Jim's joke in the speech saying Brad planned to call the award Harry because he was looking forward 'to taking it back to America'. 'Turns out in the book Harry and William had had a day that day, or a couple of days earlier,' he said. 'They'd had a scuffle and to see William laughing at that joke... predicted it.' 'He, like the night before, was like Can you do my speech for me? I cant be there, and I was so panicked about his speech that I didnt even think about preparing one for myself,' she said. 'I was up for two, for both films in my category, and it wasnt until I was in the car on the way there that I was like Oh my gosh, I hope I dont win because I dont have anything to say,'' she added. Robbie had been nominated twice in the best supporting actress category, for Bombshell and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, but lost out to Oscar favorite Laura Dern for Marriage Story. It's not the first time that Jim has collaborated with the Hollywood A-Lister. Brad was a frequent guest on Jim's Comedy Central show, delivering hilariously apocalyptic weather reports on the satirical show. Jade Thirlwall and her boyfriend Jordan Stephens looked iconic as they dressed up as Toy Story's Bo Peep and Mr. Potato Head at Maya Jama's Halloween party at at Electrowerkz on Thursday. The Little Mix star, 31, went all out for this year's festivities as she arrived in an enormous pink and white dress, while holding a blue shepherd's crook. Jade wore a dazzling blue corset, pale pink cowboy hat and added a touch of glamour with a cut-out portrait of Woody. Her Rizzle Kicks star boyfriend Jordan pulled out all the stops as he wore a hilarious Mr. Potato Head hat. The couple linked arms as they departed the star-studded Halloween bash in London. Jade Thirlwall, 31, and her boyfriend Jordan Stephens looked iconic as they dressed up as Toy Story's Bo Peep and Mr. Potato Head at Maya Jama 's Halloween party Her boyfriend Jordan pulled out all the stops as he wore a hilarious Mr. Potato Head hat Jade looked completely unrecognisable as she covered her face with special FX makeup, to give the effect of a plastic doll. Jade and Jordan have dated for four years after they started messaging during the coronavirus lockdown. In July 2020 they were spotted out in public together for the first time and by September 2020 they'd made it Instagram official with comments on each others posts. Jade's dinner comes after she graced the cover of Beat Magazine - her first solo magazine cover. She had covered several magazines with girl group Little Mix which she was a member of from 2011 to 2022. In Beat, Jade talked about Angel Of My Dreams which follows Jesy Nelson's Boyz in 2021, Leigh-Anne Pinnock's Don't Say Love in 2023, and Perrie Edwards' Forget About Us in April. She said of the song: 'I wanted Angel Of My Dreams to feel like a relentless, huge, fat pop punch in your face.' And said of its creation: 'I was in LA and I was feeling a bit lonely anyways, and then someone called to say that the head of my label, the man who signed me, was leaving. I spiralled hard. Jade looked completely unrecognisable as she covered her face with special FX makeup, to give the effect of a plastic doll The Little Mix star went all out for this year's festivities as she arrived in an enormous pink and white dress, while holding a blue shepherd's crook Jade wore a dazzling blue corset, pale pink cowboy hat and added a touch of glamour with a cut-out portrait of Woody Underneath the enormous Bo Peep dress, Jade wore a sexy glitzy corset Before heading to the Halloween bash, Jade had a photoshoot Jordan went as Mr Potato Head from the franchise Jade's outing comes after she graced the cover of Beat Magazine - her first solo magazine cover, having covered many magazines with former group Little Mix 'I went to the studio thinking about how fickle the music industry is, and thinking about how much I love this job but also how much I hate it, too. I explained the concept to [producer] Mike Sabath, where its this kind of love-hate with the industry but making it sound like its a relationship.' Jade explained that at first she wanted the song to be about a loving yet toxic relationship but decided to be more explicit in the lyrics. She also shared that she is obsessed with pop and wants to be the next big thing, but found it difficult to step out of the safety net that came with being in a girl group. Jade aims to follow in the footsteps of S Club's Rachel Stevens who enjoyed solo success with songs such as Some Girls and Sweet Dreams My L.A. Ex. Her former group Little Mix formed on and won The X Factor in 2011 - the first group to do so in the talent programme's seven-year history. Originally a four-piece, Jesy left Little Mix in 2020 to protect her mental health, and the girl band officially disbanded two years later. She was known for being one of Hollywoods most successful and iconic women, whose fame has continued to live on many years after her death. But Audrey Hepburn never wrote an autobiography because she considered her life too boring according to her son. Ms Hepburn made her name in films such as Breakfast at Tiffanys, Roman Holiday and My Fair Lady, becoming one of the most recognisable actresses of all time. She was also five-times nominated for an Academy Award and was awarded Best Actress in 1953 as well as winning a record three BAFTA awards for Best Actress. Now her son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer, has opened up about his mother on the Lament Of Hope podcast. Audrey Hepburn never wrote an autobiography because she considered her life too boring according to her son She was also five-times nominated for an Academy Award and was awarded Best Actress in 1953 as well as winning a record three BAFTA awards for Best Actress Shes more famous today than when she was alive, without a single doubt, worldwide, he said. There are over 300 books written about her, which are a variety from what would Audrey do to what hat she would wear. She had a pretty normal and boring life, which is why she never did a biography about her life, even though she was offered millions by legendary agent Irving Swifty Lazar. Because she really got up early, went to work, did her thing, didnt live in Hollywood, and at the peak of her fame she gave up her career to be a normal person again, and at the end of her life she did the UNICEF work and changed the face of UNICEF. Ms Hepburn married American actor Mel Ferrer in 1954, eight months after they met. They had their son Sean Hepburn Ferrer in 1960 who is now a film producer and author of a book about his mother. Ms Hepburn went on to marry Italian psychiatrist Andrea Dotti in 1968 and had her second son Luca Andrea Dotti in 1970. Soon after she moved to Switzerland to concentrate on being a mother and give up Hollywood, where she could be away from the paparazzi and work as a UNICEF ambassador. Ms Hepburn married American actor Mel Ferrer in 1954, eight months after they met. They had their son Sean Hepburn Ferrer in 1960 who is now a film producer and author of a book about his mother Ms Hepburn made her name in films such as Breakfast at Tiffanys, Roman Holiday and My Fair Lady, becoming one of the most recognisable actresses of all time Mr Ferrer said the world now needs someone like his mother. He said: Every child of friends of mine, of people that I know, come to me with starry eyes and say Are you really Audrey Hepburns son? What was she really like? It makes you feel a bit like royalty at times. Maybe Hollywood royalty. And whats nice is that shes really touched so many people, and when you know who she was its for the right reasons. In a world of Kardashians, we need an Audrey Hepburn. Advertisement Heidi Klum looked unrecognizable as she transformed into E.T. for her Halloween couple's costume with husband Tom Kaulitz. On October 31, the supermodel, 51, made her grand arrival at her famous, annual Halloween soiree alongside the musician, 35, dressed as the alien from the 1982 cult classic movie, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The pair transformed into E.T., from Steven Spielberg's film, before and after touching down on Earth and being dressed up by the young children, Elliot and Gertie. She proved the Queen of Halloween crown is still hers as she walked the red carpet at her bash, which was held at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City. Now in her 23rd year, she attempted the monumental feat of topping her countless, incredible costumes from many Halloweens past. Some of her most memorable and recent looks include her hyper-realistic, slithering worm look from 2022 and her 2023 transformation into a stunning peacock with the help of nine acrobats dressed as her claws and feathers. Heidi Klum looked unrecognizable as she transformed into ET for her Halloween couple's costume with husband Tom Kaulitz On October 31, the supermodel, 51, made her grand arrival at her famous, annual Halloween soiree alongside the musician, 35, dressed as the alien from the 1982 cult classic movie, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial The supermodel's E.T. was dressed in a sheer, floral-patterned slip dress and sported a platinum blonde wig, slightly similar to her real hair, with a black bowler hat on top. She also had a brown, fur scarf wrapped around her long neck, just right underneath the folds where Klum's face was positioned. Additionally, from the cult classic movie, her version of E.T. was also wearing a scarlet red shawl and was sporting dramatic makeup. Meanwhile, Kaulitz's E.T. was fully 'nude,' much like how the alien is when it is discovered by the young children on Earth. During their costume unveiling, Kaulitz and Klum both used the remote control mechanics to wave and point their fingers as they reenacted the iconic scene from the movie. The 'outerworldly' couple also made their grand entrance with their alien fingers intertwined. This year, Klum started preparing for her party in the early hours of Halloween and kept her fans updated as she teased her highly anticipated reveal. In a short clip shared on Instagram, she had prosthetics all over her face in a rippled, wavy design. The pair transformed into ET before and after touching down on Earth and being dressed up by the young children, Elliot and Gertie The supermodel's E.T. was dressed in a sheer, floral-patterned slip dress and sported a platinum blonde wig, slightly similar to her real hair, with a black bowler hat on top. She also had a brown, fur scarf wrapped around her long neck, just right underneath the folds where Klum's face was positioned Additionally, from the cult classic movie, Klum's version of E.T. was also wearing a scarlet red shawl and was sporting dramatic makeup 'We have begun,' she said in her post before asking her prosthetic designer, Mike Marino, how much longer to complete the look. His jaw-dropping response was 'six more hours.' While continuing to get ready, she also shared what appeared to be a massive phalange. She also shared another video of what appeared to be a cracked and wrinkly appearing headpiece. She said 'what MIke's created has never been done before' and revealed she had been planning this costume since November last year nearly immediately after she debuted her peacock look for Halloween 2023. She said the 'hundreds of prosthetics' that will make up her look this year took a total of eight months to create. During her Amazon livestream, she said that her outfit will be one of her most uncomfortable costumes to date and will be similar as her worm look in the aspect that her hands will be completely covered so her red manicure had to be removed. Klum's famous Halloween party has been held on the holiday every year since 2000, barring 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The mechanics of the costume allowed E.T.'s eyes to flutter and mouth to smile as Klum's did too from the behind the prosthetics Meanwhile, Kaulitz's E.T. was fully 'nude,' much like how the alien is when it is discovered by the young children on Earth During their costume unveiling, Kaulitz and Klum both used the remote control mechanics to wave and point their fingers as they reenacted the iconic scene from the movie The 'outerworldly' couple also made their grand entrance with their alien fingers intertwined Heidi's face was covered in layers of prosthetics, similar to her stomach-churning worm costume from 2022 Another impressive costume was her 2013 effort, in which she dressed as an elderly woman. In 2018, she was Princess Fiona and Tom Kaulitz dressed as Shrek In 2019, Heidi went gory as a Frankenstein's monsterlike alien, while Tom was an unfortunate astronaut In 2015, she turned herself into a cartoon character by transforming into Jessica Rabbit. Heidi was unrecognizable in her 2017 costume, which made her look like the werewolf Michael Jackson briefly transforms into in his iconic thriller video Klum's daughter Leni Klum also joined them on the red carpet, dressed as a futuristic, sexy version of an extra-terrestrial The 20-year-old model donned a strapless, metallic silver bodysuit complete with over-the-knee boots and painted her skin a milky white. She also had antennas attached to her white, pixie cut wig Most impressively, her eyes were hard to place as she had placed dark, beady lens in the shape of eyes over her own, blending them in with prosthetics She also had prosthetics on her face and ears for her costume Kaulitz's brother, Tokio Hotel frontman Bill Kaulitz, was also a part of their universe in a dazzling, galactic-inspired outfit Klum looked ecstatic after her unveiling and as her family joined their own little world at her star-studded bash Barney The Dinosaur made a surprise appearance at Heidi's party Heidi cuddled up to a blood soaked Nicole Scherzinger Klum's daughter Leni Klum also joined them on the red carpet, dressed as a futuristic, sexy version of an extra-terrestrial. The 20-year-old model donned a strapless, metallic silver bodysuit complete with over-the-knee boots and painted her skin a milky white. She also had antennas attached to her white, pixie cut wig. Most impressively, her eyes were hard to place as she had placed dark, beady lens in the shape of eyes over her own, blending them in with prosthetics. Kaulitz's brother, Tokio Hotel frontman Bill Kaulitz, was also a part of their universe in a dazzling, galactic-inspired outfit. Klum looked ecstatic after her unveiling and as her family joined their own little world at her star-studded bash. Klum's iconic party also featured a star-studded guest list with many A-listers dressed in their best, A-plus Halloween costumes. Kelsea Ballerini and her boyfriend Chase Stokes dressed up as Sandy and Danny from the musical movie Grease. The country pop singer slipped into a skin-tight jumpsuit with an off-the-shoulder neckline for her costume. Her blonde tresses were styled in bouncy ringlets and she rocked a bold, red lip to complete her look. Kelsea Ballerini and her boyfriend Chase Stokes dressed up as Sandy and Danny from the musical movie Grease The country pop singer slipped into a skin-tight jumpsuit with an off-the-shoulder neckline for her costume. Her blonde tresses were styled in bouncy ringlets and she rocked a bold, red lip to complete her look (L-R) Bethenny Frankel as Wonder Woman and Jonathan Cheban as Karl Lagerfeld The New Yorkers were joined by publisher Jason Binn Karl Lagerfeld, who died in 2019, was a German fashion designer, photographer, and creative director For her Halloween costume, Nicole Scherzinger wore her Norma Desmond stage costume for her Broadway play Sunset Boulevard She wore a black slip dress and had fake blood around her mouth and running down her chest Nicole was on fine form as she pulled off a number of dramatic poses before heading into Heidi's highly anticipated star-studded bash at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City In fitting with the main antagonist from the adaptation of Billy Wilder's 1950 film, Nicole went barefoot, while sporting slicked-back locks The blood-drenched star enjoyed a drink at the star-studded bash Nicole also posed up a storm alongside Barney the Dinosaur The performer was in good company on the night as he fiance Thom Evans , 39, [centre] was also in attendance, with the rugby ace donning a gold ensemble and brunette wig as he posed with pals Diego Rodriguez and Tom Francis The trio were on fine form as they pulled off a number of poses in their eye-catching outfits which channelled the Bee Gees' gold lame look they wore in 1977 For her Halloween costume, Nicole Scherzinger wore her Norma Desmond stage costume for her Broadway play Sunset Boulevard. She wore a black slip dress and had fake blood around her mouth and running down her chest. At the star-studded soiree, Bethenny Frankel, 53, arrived looking incredible, dressed as superheroine Wonder Woman. The reality TV personality who shared a post earlier in the day about wearing colored contacts for her costume donned the sexy, strapless leotard for her costume, complete with a gold Lasso of Truth rope and red knee-high boots. Standing in a power pose, she also showed off the iconic gold tiara featuring a red star gem tiara atop her bouncy, voluminous ringlets. Charli D'Amelio was glammed up in heavy makeup and modeled a black tutu for her Black Swan-inspired costume. The TikTok star paired a strapless, lace corset with white tights, satin-covered heels and a bejeweled tiara. She had her face painted in dramatic makeup just like Natalie Portman's character did in the 2010 thriller. Questlove arrived carrying a teacup and was dressed up as the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland. Charli D'Amelio was glammed up in heavy makeup and modeled a black tutu for her Black Swan-inspired costume. The TikTok star paired a strapless, lace corset with white tights, satin-covered heels and a bejeweled tiara. She had her face painted in dramatic makeup just like Natalie Portman's character did in the 2010 thriller Questlove arrived carrying a teacup and was dressed up as the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland Valentina Sampaio dressed up as Christina Aguilera in her music video outfit from Dirrty Alex Consani put on a racy display in sheer lingerie as she dressed up as the sexy version of Gru from The Minions Alexina Graham opted for a hot version of Snow White and chomped down on an apple as she arrived at the soiree. The model wore a low-cut, minidress version of the princess' iconic look and donned a black, bobbed wig YouTuber Joey Graceffa dressed up as the friendly faun Mr. Tumnas from the Narnia book series Alexina Graham came dressed as Snow White in a sexy version of her iconic blue and yellow dress Journalist Tamsen Fada, who is an author of a book about menopause, dressed up as a common symptom of perimenopause hot flash Ice-T and his wife Coco Austin dressed up as clowns from a horror slasher movie The blonde bombshell donned a black and white wig teamed with a sexy leotard for her outfit Valentina Sampaio dressed up as Christina Aguilera in her music video outfit from Dirrty. Alex Consani put on a racy display in sheer lingerie as she dressed up as the sexy version of Gru from The Minions. Alexina Graham opted for a hot version of Snow White and chomped down on an apple as she arrived at the soiree. The model wore a low-cut, minidress version of the princess' iconic look and donned a black, bobbed wig. YouTuber Joey Graceffa dressed up as the friendly faun Mr. Tumnas from the Narnia book series. Aria Addams put on a glamorous display as Morticia from The Addams Family in a skintight dress with flowing sleeves. Journalist Tamsen Fada, who is an author of a book about menopause, dressed up as a common symptom of perimenopause hot flash. Ice-T and his wife Coco Austin dressed up as clowns from a horror slasher movie. The blonde bombshell donned a black and white wig teamed with a sexy leotard for her outfit. For the annual bash, Sofie Dossi and Zach Justice made their arrival in a cute couple's costume The contortionist was decked out in white feathers as a chick hatching from a egg while the social media personality dressed up as Colonel Sanders, the founder of KFC For Rachel Smith's look, the TV host, 39, dressed up as Beyonce's iconic look from her Cowboy Carter album cover She sported a full body, leather bodysuit with a silver wig and the satin sash L-R) Jacob Rott, Bene, Julien Brown, Tim Schaecker, Luis Freitag of the Elevator Boys became the Spice Girls Nic Kaufmann transformed into Freddie Mercury while Benji Krol dressed as Red Hood Sex And The City icon Mario Cantone channelled the devil in a red suit and sheer black shirt For the annual bash, Sofie Dossi and Zach Justice made their arrival in a cute couple's costume. The contortionist was decked out in white feathers as a chick hatching from a egg while the social media personality dressed up as Colonel Sanders, the founder of KFC. For Rachel Smith's look, the TV host, 39, dressed up as Beyonce's iconic look from her Cowboy Carter album cover. She sported a full body, leather bodysuit with a silver wig and the satin sash. Paul Mescal and Fred Hechinger appeared to be in jovial spirits as they were seen enjoying a bite to eat while out in Sydney on Friday. The Gladiator II co-stars are currently Down Under promoting their new movie and attended its star-studded Australian premiere on Wednesday night. But they enjoyed some downtime exploring Sydney after their work duties as they got lunch at Paddy Chans Chinese restaurant in Kensington. Irish actor Paul, 28, showed off his signature sense of style during the outing as he stepped out in an edgy beige checkered jumper. He teamed his fashionable item with a white T-shirt and black jeans, while he completed his look with a pair of chunky black boots. The Normal People star appeared to be in jovial spirits as he was seen laughing and joking with Fred, 24, outside the popular restaurant. Fred, who plays villain Emperor Caracalla in Gladiator II, looked equally stylish in brown trousers and a black T-shirt, worn underneath an open white shirt. He completed his smart outfit with a pair of black loafers as he avidly chatted to Paul, who takes on the starring role of Lucius in Gladiator II. Paul Mescal and Fred Hechinger appeared to be in jovial spirits as they were seen enjoying a bite to eat while out in Sydney on Friday They enjoyed some downtime exploring Sydney after their work duties as they got lunch at Paddy Chans Chinese restaurant in Kensington While the pair appeared to enjoy a relatively low-key outing in the city, some nearby fans appeared to have spotted them and snapped photographs of the stars. During his trip to Australia, Paul has spoken about how it felt to 'lose' his anonymity amid his stratospheric rise to fame in Hollywood. Paul first rose to prominence alongside Daisy Edgar Jones in an adaptation of Sally Rooney's novel Normal People and has since starred in an array of high-profile releases. He has racked up credits in Aftersun, Foe and All of Us Strangers, and told GQ Magazine that though he misses his anonymity, he wouldn't trade in his Hollywood career for anything. 'I do miss anonymity, but I don't miss a life before getting the opportunities that come with making films,' he shared. 'I love this job more than I miss anonymity, because I'm not naive to assume that you can really have one without the other, mourning that is less useful. 'Some parts of this life are, and will probably forever be, incredibly stressful and frustrating, but there are also parts of it where we get to sit here. Irish actor Paul, 28, showed off his signature sense of style during the outing as he stepped out in an edgy beige checkered jumper and black trousers The Gladiator II co-stars are currently Down Under promoting their new movie and attended its star-studded Australian premiere on Wednesday night (Paul is pictured at the premiere) 'I make incredible friends through this job, and I work with people like Ridley Scott, so it's all good.' Paul is currently busy promoting the upcoming sequel to Russell Crowe's smash hit 2000 movie Gladiator, in which he takes on the leading role. Discussing filming the epic while in Australia, Paul admitted he couldn't bring himself to give up drinking or smoking while working on his ripped physique for the role. 'I was petrified that they were going to take away everything, like drinking and I smoke. Everything fun,' he told The Project earlier this year. Paul confessed that he asked his fitness trainer Tim Blakeley to help him work drinking and smoking into his rigorous training regime. 'I very earnestly was like, "Look, Tim, I'm going to keep drinking and smoking for a little bit if I can,"' Paul recalled. 'He very kindly incorporated them, not into the workout routine, but just into my life.' As a gladiator in the first movie, Russell Crowe, 60, boasted a muscular physique, and playing the lead in the sequel, Paul had to also build a heftier frame. Earlier this year, footage of Paul's Gladiator workout was widely circulated on TikTok and showed the actor doing dumbbell shoulder raises for a solid 23 seconds. Fred plays villain Emperor Caracalla (pictured) in Gladiator II, the upcoming sequel to Russell Crowe's smash hit 2000 movie Gladiator Paul underwent a gruelling workout routine to get fit for the leading role and worked with a team of trainers to build up his muscular frame During filming, Paul claimed he was told to give up running in the months leading up to filming because his team's focus was building muscle. In an interview with Capital FM, Paul praised his 'great trainer' for helping him build his physique for the film as well as a team of nutritionists who told him when and what to eat. Gladiator II takes place several decades after the first instalment, and features Lucius (the son of Connie Nielsen's Lucilla) who is now living in Numidia, a region of northern Africa. Although he was sent to Numidia as a child, the film follows Lucius' return to Rome to reunite with his motherand coming into conflict as he does so. Gisele Bundchen is sidelining herself from the modeling industry as she expects her third child. The Brazilian supermodel, 44, is taking 'a step back from work to focus on her pregnancy' with boyfriend Joaquim Valente, 37, sources told TMZ Thursday. Bundchen was working steadily until earlier this month on projects for fashion campaigns and magazines, the outlet reported, as she last appeared on the catwalk in 2015. Bundchen, who was seen exercising at a Florida gym Tuesday, will pause modeling industry projects until she feels fully confident to begin working again, sources told the outlet. Bundchen and ex-husband Tom Brady, 47, share two kids: 14-year-old son Benjamin and 11-year-old daughter Vivian. Brady is also father to son John Edward Thomas Moynahan, 17, with actress Bridget Moynahan, 53. Gisele Bundchen, 44, is sidelining herself from the modeling industry as she expects her third child. Pictured in Geneva in April Bundchen and Brady divorced from in 2022 after a 13-year marriage, and share custody of their kids. Bundchen told Brady she was expecting prior to going public with the news, sources told TMZ, estimating that she's five to six months along. Brady was reportedly 'stunned' upon hearing the news, an insider told Page Six Wednesday, as 'it just wasnt something that was on his radar. 'So when Gisele broke the news to him he was stunned, to say the least ... Tom knew that things were serious between Gisele and Joaquin but he never imagined they would be having a child together.' Bundchen and Valente are putting off finding out the baby's gender until birth, according to the outlet. Insiders told the outlet earlier this month that Bundchen had been invited to appear in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York City but passed on the offer. Bundchen has a history with the lingerie brand, as she was a Victoria's Secret Angel in the years from 1999 to 2006. (The October 15 show saw cameos on the catwalk from Tyra Banks, Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid and Ashley Graham.) An insider told People earlier this week 'Gisele and Joaquim are happy for this new chapter in their life and they're looking forward to creating a peaceful and loving environment for the whole family.' The Brazilian supermodel is taking 'a step back from work to focus on her pregnancy' with boyfriend Joaquim Valente, sources told TMZ Thursday. Pictured in March in NYC Bundchen, pictured in NYC in March, and Valente are putting off finding out the baby's gender until birth Bundchen last appeared on the catwalk on April 15, 2015 in Sao Paulo, Brazil Bundchen and Valente, a professional Jiu-Jitsu instructor, have been seeing one another since June of 2023, a source told the outlet. They were initially spotted with one another in November of 2022 during a trip to the Costa Rican coastal area of Provincia de Puntarenas. Bundchen 'is secure and happy, and so busy with her life that she doesn't have time to dwell on the negatives out there,' an insider told the outlet in June. Bundchen's most recent modeling stint on a catwalk came on April 15, 2015 at the Candido Portinari Park in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with Brady in attendance. Bundchen, whose catwalk retirement came after a year in which Forbes ranked her as the top-earning model worldwide, had been walking for labels including Chanel, Carolina Herrera and Pantene at the time. 'Today after 20 years in the industry, it is a privilege to be doing my last fashion show by choice and yet still be working in other facets of the business,' Bundchen said on Instagram at the time. 'I am grateful that at 14, I was given the opportunity to start this journey.' An iconic reality TV couple looked almost unrecognisable as they showed off their Halloween outfits on Friday. They are known for sending their fans wild with their impressive Halloween costumes and they certainly did not fail to disappoint this year. They took to Instagram to show off their costumes as they dressed up as the King Of Rock Elvis and his first wife Priscilla Presley. So can you guess who this celebrity couple is? That's right, it's none other than Chrishell Stause and G Flip. The Selling Sunset star, 43, and the musician, 30, opted to dress as the iconic couple, complete with Pricilla's iconic beehive and Elvis' sunglasses and slick suit. G Flip wore a polka dot dress while Chrishell dressed in Elvis' iconic white ensemble as they posed alongside one another. The couple also put on a loved-up display as they sat in a white retro convertible for a series of photos. An iconic reality TV couple looked almost unrecognisable as they showed off their Halloween outfits on Friday That's right, it's none other than Chrishell Stause and G Flip Music icon Elvis - who died, age 42, in 1977 - enjoyed a six-year marriage to Brooklyn-born beauty Priscilla, who welcomed his only child Lisa Marie in 1968. Notoriously, Elvis was a 24-year-old US Army private when he first fell for 14-year-old Priscilla during a 1959 party at his Bad Nauheim home while he served with the third Armored Division in Germany. Meanwhile, G Flip, whose real name is Georgia Flipo, and Chrishell tied the knot in a surprise Las Vegas wedding in May, 2023. The newlyweds told People magazine the intimate ceremony included a 'very small group' of people. The pair surprised fans with the unexpected news of their nuptials in an Instagram post, alongside a snap of their first kiss as a married couple. G Flip wore a polka dot dress while Chrishell dressed in Elvis' iconic white suit as they posed alongside one another The couple also put on a loved-up display as they sat in a white retro convertible for a series of photos Chrishell first confirmed her romance with G Flip on the Selling Sunset reunion in May 2022, but the pair first met back in October 2021. G Flip has since revealed that the pair both want a family and 'cherish' the idea of becoming parents. 'They (my future kids) can do whatever they want,' they told The Daily Telegraph when asked if they'd like their future kids to be musicians. Bt they have revealed that the couple have no plans yet to establish a 'permanent' home since Chrishell has a career based in the U.S.. G Flip explained: 'I think, just with work, it's actually impossible for me to be based (anywhere) because I'm always on tour'. 'So I just feel like I live out of a suitcase, so I don't really have a base. But I do have 2 beds to rest my head, and one's in LA, and one's in Australia,' they said. Lindy Klim cut a downbeat figure on Friday when she was spotted going shopping in Melbourne with her 18-year-old mini-me daughter Stella. The Balinese princess, 45, who recently split from her second husband, British property developer Adam Ellis after six years of marriage, looked to have a lot on her mind as she made her way down the street. She rocked an effortlessly chic look in a black unzipped jacket paired with a tan blouse. Lindy completed her slich look with denim jeans, white sneakers, and a designer brown handbag. Her brunette hair was tied back in a bun and she highlighted her natural beauty with a light layer of nude makeup. She was accompanied by her daughter Stella, 18, who looked glamorous in a figure-hugging grey strapless blouse paired with jeans and black shoes. The budding influencer had her hands full with a shopping bag from Nadia Bartel's upmarket fashion brand Henne, and looked engrossed in a conversation with her mother. The day out looked to be a nice distraction for the mother-daughter duo as they strolled down the scenic street in the upmarket suburb of Prahran. Lindy Klim cut a downbeat figure on Friday when she was spotted going shopping in Melbourne with her 18-year-old mini-me daughter Stella The Balinese princess, 45, who recently split from her second husband Adam Ellis after six years of marriage, looked to have a lot on her mind as she made her way down the street She rocked an effortlessly chic look in a black unzipped jacket paired with a tan blouse Lindy completed her slich look with denim jeans, white sneakers and accessorised with a designer brown handbag Lindy has just moved back to Australia from Bali after her and Adam's separation and shared photographs of her moving into her new home in Melbourne on Monday. In the Instagram post, Lindy admitted she was 'literally starting from scratch again' after relocating to Melbourne in the big change. She also shared a photo of the first meal she enjoyed in her new home with her friends and family. 'Christening the new house with dirty take out,' the image was captioned. Rumours of a break-up between Lindy and Adam emerged earlier this month when she posed for a picture with her four children - with no sign of her husband. After posting the image to Instagram, eagle-eyed followers noticed that Lindy was also no longer wearing her engagement ring. An insider later claimed the pair have been well and truly over for some time. 'They have also not been seen together for a number of months. Plus he isn't in any of her social media photographs,' an insider told Confidential. Her brunette hair was tied back in a bun and she highlighted her natural beauty with a light layer of nude makeup She was accompanied by her mini-me daughter Stella, 18, who looked glamorous in a figure-hugging grey strapless blouse paired with jeans and black shoes Stella had her hands full with a shopping bag from Nadia Bartel 's upmarket fashion brand Henne, and looked engrossed in a conversation with her mother The day out looked to be a nice distraction for the mother-daughter duo as they strolled down the scenic street in the upmarket suburb of Prahran Daily Mail Australia was the first to reveal a potential marriage breakdown between Lindy and Adam after the celebrity fashionista posted the tell-tale photo to social media. Followers were quick to note Ellis' absence in the photo, as well as the missing ring on her finger. Lindy shares three children with her ex-husband, Australian Olympic swimmer Michael Klim, Stella, 18, Rocco, 16, and Frankie, 13, and one with her second husband, Goldie, seven. The Indonesian princess first made her mark on the catwalks for Gucci, Chanel and Louis Vuitton at the age of 20, then in glossy editorials for fashion industry bibles Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Last month, speculation of a break-up between Lindy and Adam emerged when she posed for a portrait with her four children - with no sign of Ellis After posting the image to Instagram, eagle-eyed followers noticed that Lindy was also no longer wearing her engagement ring Now, an insider has claimed the pair have been well and truly over for some time She amicably co-parents the children she shares with Michael - two years after her divorce from him in 2018, Lindy married Ellis in a Tuscan ceremony. Stella, the daughter of Australian champion swimmer Michael and his glamorous ex wife Lindy, is the latest nepo baby taking social media by storm. The 18-year-old influencer has now accumulated an even bigger following on TikTok than her model mother, as she engages her thousands of followers with beauty tips. Stella, the daughter of Australian champion swimmer Michael Klim and his glamorous ex wife Lindy, is the latest nepo baby taking social media by storm Katherine Ryan has revealed she was taught to fear men from a young age after her friend was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. The comedian, 41, was just 19 when she worked as a waitress in her hometown of Sarnia in Ontario, Canada alongside her friend Jessica Nethery. Katherine told how she was left traumatised when Jessica didn't show up for work one day and she later learned her boyfriend - who she'd recently broken up with - killed her. Speaking to The Mirror, she said: 'I found out she died when she never showed up for work that day. It was traumatic for everyone in the town - because its a small place, everyone knows everyone. 'It really affected me, and it informed, I think, a lot of my behaviours. I proceeded very vigilantly (afterwards).' Katherine Ryan has revealed she was taught to fear men from a young age after her friend was murdered by her ex-boyfriend Katherine told how she was left traumatised when her friend Jessica Nethery was killed by her ex-boyfriend She added: 'I told my mother, and I remember my mom was very calm and she said to me: Sometimes, if you leave them, theyll kill you. And I went, What? Katherine said because this happened when she was so young and her 'brain was still growing', it had a huge impact on her. Jessica Nethery was 21 when she was killed by her former partner Jeremy Molitor, then 24. He attacked her in a car park and stabbed her 58 times. He was given a life sentence for the attack but was released on parole in 2019. It comes after Katherine shared the cutting message she sent to former male colleagues who got in touch after she revealed there was a 'dangerous male comic' on the circuit. The comedian claimed last year that there is a 'dangerous comic' working in British showbusiness. During her speech at the Glamour Awards, Katherine revealed that a host of men she had worked with previously got in touch after her admission - all seeking 'proof messages' that she wasn't talking about them. 'So I had to copy and paste like a hundred times "Do you really think you should be texting me after everything that happened between us",' Katherine said as she revealed how she replied, sparking huge laughs from the female crowd. Katherine said last year that she 'wrestled' with the decision about whether to work with 'someone who I believe to be a perpetrator of sexual assault' or turn down jobs. Referencing said male comic in her speech, Katherine began: 'After some soul-searching I though "Why should I stay home? He's be there in his unnecessarily tight jeans, he'll be there wearing beanie indoors or w***ing off a Tibetan monk for views, or whatever he gets up to." The comedian claimed last year that there is a 'dangerous comic' working in British showbusiness Katherine attended the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards with her husband Bobby Kootstra 'And so I accepted the gig but every time I had to speak to him I would say stuff like "I'm not getting paid enough to be here, especially for how many times my face will be on the news when your victims come forward" and fun banter like that. 'It happened so long ago we were still using the word victim by the way, we say survivor now which would have been a very different Destinys Child song, less empowering.' Katherine went on to say that everyone in the industry already knew this man was a predator, but that the survivors didn't feel comfortable speaking out. 'I wasn't trying to get him cancelled because everyone knew,' she said. '"Why didnt you tell a journalist Katherine", everybody knew. "Why didnt you tell the police", everybody already knew. Everybody knew but they couldnt prove it. 'What the journalist wanted from me was never his name it was the women's names. The women who had told me their stories and I believe in a woman's right to physical autonomy just as I believe in the right to autonomy of her voice and if they didnt want to come forward that's up to them. So I couldn't say anything.' Going on to speak about the other men, she continued: 'But because I wouldn't name my colleague a funny thing started happening, I started to receive texts from men that I'd worked with over the years, like actors, comedians, musicians, just like "Hey Katherine how's it going". 'I didn't know what they wanted so I showed these texts to my husband and he said: "Oh they just want a poof text, they want you to send them back something nice so they can show their agent and they can show their wife that you definitely weren't talking about them." 'So I had to copy and paste like a hundred times "Do you really think you should be texting me after everything that happened between us".' The Canadian-born comic told host Lauren Laverne in an episode of Desert Island Discs last year that although she believed the man 'is or was dangerous', she was willing to appear on a show with him. The episode came out as Russell Brand was at the centre of allegations of rape and sexual assault, which he denied, but was recorded prior. Katherine revealed that her 'compromise' was to go on the programme with the unnamed comic but 'let him know under no uncertain terms what I think of him.' She added that she didn't notice 'much of a reaction' from the comedian in question, but that other comics who were aware of the person's reputation 'really liked what I said'. Katherine has been outspoken on the issue and is alleged to have challenged Russell while they were co-hosting TV comedy show Roast Battle in 2018, making comments about him on camera which were later cut from the broadcast. Katherine said last year that she 'wrestled' with the decision about whether to work with 'someone who I believe to be a perpetrator of sexual assault' or turn down jobs Katherine is previously reported to have confronted Russell Brand while they were co-hosting TV comedy show Roast Battle in 2018. Pictured: Katherine (centre) with Brand (left) and Jimmy Carr (right) on the show Roast Battle consisted of comedians cracking jokes at each other's expense. The first season included Russell, Katherine, and Jimmy Carr. Jonathan Ross replaced Russell for the second season. During filming of the show - created by Fulwell 73 - Katherine reportedly fired allegations at Russell. Her comments did not make the aired show, according to Deadline. Katherine's confrontations allegedly revealed how comedians in the industry were openly talking about Russell's sexual and predatory behaviour. Russell was allegedly 'absolutely furious' after being targeted by Katherine on the show, a source told the paper. Two other sources claimed he demanded that producers protect him from being roasted about these serious allegations. Industry insiders have now revealed that they felt it was best Russell step down as a judge on the programme, and that 'in the end, it came down to the fact that it seemed like Russell didn't have a good sense of humour'. Severe floods cause significant casualties, property damage, with Chinese nationals affected in Spain 09:53, November 01, 2024 By Li Yawei and Yu Xi ( Global Times This photo shows a view of the flood-hit area in Valencia, Spain, Oct. 30, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua News Agency) Severe storms have recently hit several regions in Spain, including Valencia and Castile-La Mancha, resulting in significant casualties and property damage, while reports have indicated that among the affected individuals are Chinese nationals, according to the Chinese Embassy in Spain on Thursday. The Spanish government declared three days of official mourning starting from Thursday, according to the embassy. Meanwhile, the embassy also reminded Chinese nationals in Spain about severe weather conditions and offered advice to ensure personal safety. Heavy rainfall has caused traffic disruptions in some areas. It may be difficult to conduct business, go shopping, attend work or school, or seek medical care in some areas in the coming days, according to the embassy. The Global Times learned from several individuals who live in Spain that local authorities have responded promptly, and rescue efforts are underway in an orderly manner. However, some railway and highway services have been suspended. Helen Huang, a Chinese national who is now living in Valencia, one of the heavily affected regions, told the Global Times on Thursday that their house in the downtown area has been relatively affected. However, in the suburbs, the roof of their parking garage has been torn off. Fortunately, the area they are living in is still accessible by car, but for some heavily affected areas, vehicles can't get in until the floodwaters completely recede, said Huang. At least 95 people have been killed due to the flooding as the torrential rain battered Spain's eastern region of Valencia and neighboring provinces of Albacete and Cuenca, according to Xinhua News Agency on Thursday, citing an official. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pledged full government support on Wednesday after the devastating floods, Xinhua reported. More than 60 roads have been closed due to flooding, including major highways along the eastern coast and between Madrid and Valencia. Local train services have been halted, and the high-speed rail connection between Valencia and the capital is also suspended, according to Xinhua. "The mutual support and unity among the Chinese community is truly heartwarming. Many suppliers are offering free replacements for the damaged goods in the affected stores, which is also commendable," a Chinese national surnamed Qiu, who is now in Spain, told the Global Times, on Thursday. Some residents are buying daily necessities such as flour, milk, beer, and snacks. The local Chinese community is supporting each other. For example, residents who need help can call a local number for information and assistance. The community is also helping find missing relatives, Qiu said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Kylie Jenner looked incredible as she slipped into a black bejewelled bikini to recreate Demi Moore's famous Striptease look for Halloween. The reality star, 27, displayed her jaw-dropping figure in the look as she recreated a scene from the 1996 film where Demi's character performs at a strip club. Just like Demi, Kylie wore her brunette locks in a poker straight style and swung a white shirt in the air. The makeup mogul had dollar bills stuffed into the side of her underwear as she struck a pose for the camera. Kylie also went completely nude to recreate the film's famous theatrical release poster. Kylie Jenner looked incredible as she slipped into a black bejewelled bikini to recreate Demi Moore's famous Striptease look for Halloween Just like Demi, Kylie wore her brunette locks in a poker straight style and swung a white shirt in the air The makeup mogul had dollar bills stuffed into the side of her underwear as she struck a pose for the camera Thee star wore her long black hair straight and down over her naked body as she looked tanned and toned with beige makeup on. Above the 27-year-old it said Kylie Jenner in white and Striptease in red. Striptease was a movie about a single mom striptease artist. When her ex-husband gets custody of their daughter, former FBI office assistant Erin Grant (Demi Moore) needs money to fight the legal case to get her child back. As a result, she takes a job dancing at the Eager Beaver strip club in Miami, where she befriends an imposing bouncer named Shad (Ving Rhames). Unfortunately, she also becomes an object of obsession for politician David Dilbeck (Burt Reynolds), who gets what he wants through charm and violence - and what he wants is Erin. This comes after Kylie channeled Jane Fonda's iconic 1960s role Barbarella. Barbarella originated as a French comic strip and was then adapted into a 1968 sci-fi movie directed by Jane's first husband Roger Vadim. Kylie also went completely nude to recreate the film's famous theatrical release poster When her ex-husband gets custody of their daughter, former FBI office assistant Erin Grant (Demi Moore) needs money to fight the legal case to get her child back Kylie recreated Demi's memorable look to perfection for Halloween Moore still looks gorgeous today; seen at the 27th SCAD Savannah Film Festival at Jen Library on October 27 in Savannah, Georgia In 2019 Moore posed nude again, but this time for Harper's Bazaar Now Kylie has transformed into the character with a skimpy new costume she showed off Wednesday to her nearly 400 million Instagram followers. She bore an unmistakable resemblance to Jane, from the mountainous blonde hairdo to the metal bra-lette with the attached cape - to even the fake gun. In one of the pictures, she recreated the moment when Barbarella is asked: 'Are you typical of Earth women?' and replies: 'I'm about average.' News broke in late 2022 that a new movie of Barbarella is in the works, with Euphoria bombshell Sydney Sweeney tapped to play the lead. Jane has since revealed she is trying 'not to' think about the upcoming film as 'I worry about what it's going to be,' via The Hollywood Reporter. She argued that the 1968 version made by her first husband 'could have been a truly feminist movie' had the subject been handled differently. Roger Vadim was a famous French filmmaker with a prodigious string of wives starting with Brigitte Bardot, whom he directed multiple times. 'He was incredibly sexy and he could charm anyone,' Jane told PeopleTV in 2018. 'I mean, before me it was Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve, Annette Stroyberg and so forth. And I was young and I wanted him to teach me how to be a woman - so he taught me to be a female impersonator.' Jane, the third of his six wives, revealed in her documentary Jane Fonda In Five Acts that she was reluctant to take the saucy role of Barbarella. The daybefore Jenner (left) channeled Jane Fonda's iconic 1960s role Barbarella (right) in a sizzling set of snaps she posted ahead of Halloween Kylie (pictured), 27, has transformed into the character with a skimpy new costume she showed off Wednesday to her nearly 400 million Instagram followers Kylie bore an unmistakable resemblance to Jane (pictured), from the mountainous blonde hairdo to the metal bra-lette with the attached cape - to even the fake gun Fonda also wore something similar to this black and white furry costume Here is the proof; Fonda was in a longhaired number On Wednesday Kylie shared snaps to her Insta Stories where she was modeling Alo. The raven-haired star had on a bra top that did double duty: the garment managed to show off both her ample chest and her tiny waistline which is 26 inches. Added were matching leggings as she wore her hair down in soft waves with a dark nude lip. Jenner was by her SUV in the garage where she runs her brands in Hidden Hills, California. Kylie shared to her Insta Stories on Wednesday evening, the siren was seen working for Alo The raven-haired star had on a bra top that did double duty: the garment managed to show off both her ample chest and her tiny waistline. Added were matching leggings as she wore her hair down in soft waves Last week she posed for Khy's new collection. There is a 18,000 person waitlist through KHY.com, DailyMail.com learned, and is selling out in many sizes after only a few hours. 'I've always been a fan of Entire Studios and admire their distinct aesthetic we share the same innovative, unconventional perspective on outerwear, and I'm so excited to partner with them again for this collaboration,' said Jenner - the Creative Director and Co-Founder of Khy - in a statement shared to DailyMail.com. 'Our consumers have been asking for a restock of our puffers, and we're excited to bring them back with new colors and silhouettes.' In a new video where she flashes her lean tummy she is heard saying, 'We just dropped all new puffer colors - this was our second drop,' said the designer. The jackets sold out a year ago when the company first launched and she is 'thrilled' to bring them back. In a new video she modeled the new line in scarlet red. 'We use gorgeous fabric in all the same styles that you love,' added Jenner, 27. 'This is my new obsession, the perfect pair, they are not see through and are super soft. The material is amazing and it's smooth.' Elsa Pataky stunned her fans by debuting a shock new look on social media as she celebrated Halloween on Thursday. The Spanish-born actress, 48, posted a gallery of photos to Instagram which captured her glaring spookily at the camera as she dressed up as a creepy clown. The Fast and Furious star's normally flawless visage was covered in pale makeup and bloody red streaks, as a creepy blood-red smile was painted over her mouth. Her eyes were blacked out with dark mascara and her usually stylish blonde hair was done up in unkempt pigtails. Elsa completed her creepy look by wearing a shocking yellow and black jumpsuit, as she had fun hamming it up as a creepy clown, in celebration of the spookiest day of the year. Another photo captured Elsa beaming in the costume as she posed up a storm alongside a female friend. 'Happy Halloween!' Elsa wrote next to the pictures. The energetic performer lives in a $30million mega-mansion in Byron Bay with her husband Chris Hemsworth and their three children. Elsa Pataky (pictured) has stunned her fans by debuting a shock new look to social media as she celebrated Halloween Elsa joined a host of Australian celebrities who took to social media to mark Halloween. Dannii Minogue also opted to ditch her stylish persona, and showcase her edgier side, by using an app to all but erase her famous visage. The We Could Be the One hitmaker had fans doing a double take as she showed off her ghoulish alter ego with blue skin and red hair. The Spanish-born actress, 48, posted a gallery of photos to Instagram which captured her glaring spookily at the camera as she dressed up as a creepy clown The Fast and Furious star's normally flawless visage was covered in pale makeup and bloody red streaks, as a creepy blood-red smile was painted over her mouth Dannii's famous lips appeared fuller in the transformation and were highlighted with blood red lipstick, as stitches crisscrossed her face. The 1984 smash hit Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr played in the background, as Dannii worked her angles for her adoring fans, while cartoon skulls danced around the screen. Dannii and her sister Kylie Minogue are two of Australia's most iconic pop stars, and share similar career trajectories. Ana Matronic has revealed why she has decided not to join her Scissor Sisters bandmates on their 20th anniversary reunion tour. The group have confirmed they're reuniting for a string of shows in 2025 to celebrate two decades since the release of their debut album. The beloved Noughties band, best known for their hit track I Don't Feel Like Dancing, will perform 10 concerts at venues across the UK, including Glasgow, Cardiff, London and Manchester. But Ana, 50, has confirmed she will not be joining her bandmates Jake Shears, Babydaddy and Del Marquis. In a statement, Ana explained her 'nerd self' is driving her career at the moment and she is prioritising finishing a history podcast which has developed into long-term research and writing projects'. Ana Matronic has revealed why she has decided not to join her Scissor Sisters bandmates on their 20th anniversary reunion tour, (pictured in 2019) The group have confirmed they're reuniting for a string of shows in 2025 to celebrate two decades since the release of their debut album (pictured together in 2004) The beloved Noughties band will perform 10 concerts at venues across the UK, including Glasgow , Cardiff, London and Manchester She said: 'People familiar with my story and career arc will know that in the heart of this Showgirl lies a giant nerd. 'To those who have heard my between-song rants onstage about subjects from politics to pop culture, read my rants in print about robots, listened to my rants on the radio about music and history, it will come as no surprise to know that in the past decade my nerd self has taken the wheel and is driving my career at present. 'I am currently finishing production on the first season of my history podcast Good Time Sallies, which has widened into several long-term research & writing projects. 'With contracts signed and schedules solidified on these commitments, I am afraid the timing of a Scissor reunion does not allow me to join them on this tour. I wish the band and our fans all the bestI will be there in spirit to kiki with you!' Jake Shears said of Ana's absence: 'I think it just didnt line up. Its not something that she wanted to do at this moment in time. And I didnt want that to keep us from coming out and playing these songs.' Del Marquis added: 'Weve spent a lot of time collectively thinking about what we can add to our show that isnt a replacement for Ana in any way. Shes part of the spirit of this band and we want to honour that.' 2024 marks the 20-year anniversary of the band's debut album 'Scissor Sisters', one of the UK's 40 best-sellers of all time. The band plan to perform every single track from the album on the tour, as well as highlights from their three subsequent albums, 2006's Ta-Dah, 2010's Night Work and 2012's Magic Hour. Jake Shears said: 'It's the 20th anniversary of our debut album, so it really feels like the right time to revisit all the intense excitement of that moment. 'I think the impetus for this reunion was really a YouTube screening of Scissor Sisters: Live at The O2 that happened during lockdown. But Ana, 50, has confirmed she will not be joining her bandmates Jake Shears, Babydaddy and Del Marquis (pictured in 2012) Ana explained her 'nerd self' is driving her career at the moment and she is prioritising finishing a history podcast which has developed into long-term research and writing projects' 2024 marks the 20-year anniversary of the band's debut album 'Scissor Sisters', one of the UK's 40 best-sellers of all time (pictured together in 2005) 'I don't think I'd seen that show since it was filmed in 2007, but we were all kind of surprised by how great it was. And chatting with fans during the screening really brought back what a special moment it was for all of us.' The album Scissor Sisters was the best-selling album in the UK of 2004, selling over three million copies globally (a staggering two million of these were UK sales). Ranked as the 20th biggest-selling album of the 21st century in the UK and the 35th biggest-selling album of all time, the album went nine times Platinum in the UK, and won three BRIT Awards in 2005, including Best International Album, Best International Group and Best International Breakthrough Act, making Scissor Sisters the first act ever to win all three international categories. Tickets will go on pre-sale on Wednesday 6th November at 9am, with the general sale beginning on Friday 8th November at 9am. The iconic band formed in 2000 and went on to win three Brit awards and be nominated for a Grammy before they announced an indefinite hiatus in 2012. Frontman Jake previously spoke about creating new music, telling NME: I really want to make another Scissors record I dont know when thats gonna be. He added: I think everybody would need to want to do it. I dont wanna twist anybodys arm that would just be no fun. 2024 marks the 20 year anniversary of the band's debut album Scissor Sisters, one of the UK's 40 best-sellers of all time He did however rule out the idea of reuniting for an anniversary tour, saying in 2021: I dont think I would be into that. I would want to make new music. The American band last released music in 2012 with their fourth and final studio album Magic Hour. In 2019, Jake spoke about the band going on hiatus, saying their hit Lets Have a Kiki, which topped Billboards US Dance Club Songs list, broke up the band. He told Gay Cities: I truly had no idea what to follow that up with. So I thought, weve been recording and touring for 10 years, and I felt like it was time. This wasnt what anybody in the band had planned to do. So I thought it would be fun to end on a high note. But you know what? Thats not to say were never going to do anything again. The Scissor Sisters will be back. Kerry Katona has revealed she has split from her fiance Ryan Mahoney after six years as she shared the news with her followers on Instagram. The TV personality, 44, and the fitness trainer, 36, who endured a rocky romance, have gone their separate ways four years after getting engaged. Kerry revealed the news in response to one of her Instagram followers, after she revealed she'd offered him a 'free pass' to have a baby with someone else. Underneath a post sharing a health update about her mother, one person wrote: 'so much love to you both and and is the Dr single?' Confirming her newly-single status, Kerry wrote: 'No but I am!' Earlier this year, Kerry admitted she felt 'unsupported' by Ryan and had temporarily moved in with her mother, Sue, as cracks in their relationship began to show. Kerry Katona has revealed she has split from her fiance Ryan Mahoney after six years as she shared the news with her followers on Instagram The TV personality, 44, and the fitness trainer, 36, who endured a rocky romance, have gone their separate ways four years after getting engaged (pictured after their engagement) At the time, she said: 'I want to say a massive thank you to my mum, who has been my rock during the last couple of weeks. I've been staying at hers and she's really looked after me.' 'If I'm honest, I've felt more lonely than ever during my recovery. Ryan was away getting a tattoo in London when I went into hospital and I haven't seen him since my surgery over a week ago. 'That upset me, because it made me feel unsupported and I could have done with the emotional support. I'm always the 'strong mum' in our house and this week I really wanted to be looked after and have him here, but I had my mum instead.' However it seemed things between them had been patched up in July, where she addressed their turbulent relationship and admitted she 'couldn't be without him'. Alongside a loved-up snap of the couple, Kerry wrote: 'Another date might with my man. Honestly we've had our ups and downs but I wouldn't want to be without this man. I love you! I know it's soppy but I do.' Around the same time she revealed she's been forced to cancel their Vegas wedding due to her children wanting to be present. Kerry, who's been married three times, joked that the kids had already seen her walk down the aisle a few times, so could sit this one out. She told OK!: 'Ryan and I were looking to go to Vegas to finally get married but Molly and Lilly said, "Dont you dare do that without us". Alongside a loved-up snap of the couple, Kerry wrote: 'Another date might with my man. Honestly we've had our ups and downs but I wouldn't want to be without this man. I love you! I know it's soppy but I do' Kerry revealed the news in response to one of her Instagram followers, after she revealed she'd offered him a 'free pass' to have a baby with someone else 'I told them theyd already been at too many of my weddings! That put those plans on the back burner'. In February Kerry revealed her baby dream was over and admitted she had given Ryan 'a free pass' to have a baby with another woman. Kerry explained: 'I don't want to deprive him in fact, I've given him a pass and said, "If this is something you want to pursue, leave me now!" 'I never want someone to not have that feeling of having their own child. But I feel like I should be enough for a man.' After making the claims, Kerry revealed she had a change of heart and did in fact want to have a sixth child. Kerry is a mum of five but shares no biological children with Ryan She has daughters Molly, 22 and Lilly, 20 with her ex husband Brian McFadden who she was married to from 20022006. She is mum to Heidi, 17, with ex husband Mark Croft and eight-year-old DJ from her relationship with the late George Kay (pictured) Kerry's only son Max is 15. His dad is Kerry's second husband Mark Croft She shares daughters Molly, 22 and Lilly, 20 with her ex husband Brian McFadden who she was married to from 20022006 (Kerry, Brian, Lilly and Molly seen in 2004) She is also mum to Heidi, 17, and Max, 15, with ex husband Mark Croft and eight-year-old DJ from her relationship with the late George Kay. Following a recent hospital scan, Kerry has explained how she was told by doctors that she can still carry a child which has prompted some conversations with Ryan about trying for a baby. The Atomic Kitten star had been in hospital following a cancer scare and explained in her OK! Magazine column: 'When I went for my scan last week and got the all-clear, I was told that I've still got follicles meaning I could have another baby.' 'I don't think I would have another one, but Ryan keeps changing his mind! If he wants another one then that's fine, but we need to get a move on.' She added thought that she wouldn't want to carry another child herself and would explore surrogacy after her difficult birth with youngest daughter DJ 'traumatised' her eldest children. Last year Kerry, who has been engaged to Ryan since 2022, admitted there are times she changes her mind about tying the knot because her track record is 'abysmal'. Telling GB news: 'I was married at age 21 as everyone knows, and then I rushed into another marriage. 'My third marriage, my husband passed away, so I'm actually a widow. But I've been with Ryan now for five years and I am an old romantic, I believe in that happily ever after. Kerry shares Molly, 22, Lilly-Sue, 20, with first husband Brian McFadden , Heidi, 16, and Max, 15, with second spouse Mark Croft and Dylan Jorge, nine, with late third husband George Kay She said: 'I told them theyd already been at too many of my weddings! That put those plans on the back burner' Last year Kerry, who has been engaged to Ryan since 2022, admitted there are times she changes her mind about tying the knot because her track record is 'abysmal' 'Just because it didn't work out the first time, or the second, or the third time, does that mean I've got to be on my own for the rest of my life? No.' Kerry also said Ryan plans to adopt her youngest child, DJ [Dylan Jorge] who was fathered by her late husband George Kay. She said: 'I have five children, I've got three children at home so I also think about security as well. 'DJ, my youngest, she's only ever known Ryan. Her dad died when she was only five, she's only ever known Ryan. 'So we're going to go down the adoption route as well with DJ. But also, if anything was to happen to me, I want to make sure that security is there for my children to remain with Ryan and by being married, that all helps. 'But saying that, some days I really want to marry him and then some days I really really don't! 'So we haven't got married just yet because at the minute I really, really don't.' 'I think I'm scared. I'm actually scared. The thought of walking down the aisle. I get really scared because my track record has been abysmal. 'When I first got married my first husband was 21 and I just wanted it to last forever. I didn't want to be rich and famous, I always wanted to be a mummy and a wife. Kerry who was married to Brian McFadden 2002-2008 said: 'I was married at age 21 as everyone knows, and then I rushed into another marriage (pictured together 2001) Kerry was married to Mark Croft 2007-2011 and both battled drug addiction with Kerry even considering suicide during the relationship (pictured 2008) Kerry was married to the late George Kay 2014-2017 said: 'My third husband, you know, I was in a really abusive relationship, but I kept going back and going back' (pictured together in 2013) 'We all want that happily ever after. And I still want that happily ever after, but I am a little bit scared.' Kerry continued: 'I tried everything in my marriage, I really did. My third husband, you know, I was in a really abusive relationship, but I kept going back and going back. 'I've got no regrets from any of them because of all the lessons, but I think having a child was a much bigger deal than getting married. 'It's just a massive expense. When I marry Ryan, I'm just going to go to Vegas with Elvis.' Ryan proposed during a family holiday in Spain, but in a sweet gesture first asked her kids for their mum's hand in marriage. Kerry previously praised Ryan for being 'the most normal relationship she's ever had and revealed she wanted him to propose. Katie Price's sister Sophie has revealed she's heading to the hospital to give birth to her second child through a planned C-section. The podcaster, 34, took to Instagram on Friday to share that she and her husband Harry Brooks were preparing to welcome their baby daughter in a matter of hours. Posting a Polaroid snap with her husband, she captioned the post: 'Today's the day... See you on the other side; C-section | Pregnancy | Pregnancy Journey.' The couple are already proud parents to son Albert, who they welcomed via C-section in May 2021. Sophie first shared the exciting news she was expecting her second child back in May as she shared a sweet Instagram post. Katie Price 's sister Sophie has revealed she's heading to the hospital to give birth to her second child through a planned C-section Sophie and Harry beamed as they posed for a selfie with son Albert in the middle and all held onto a sting of sonograms. She captioned the exciting news: 'Round two... Due November 2024' with a series of emojis and finished: '#pregnant #secondtrimester #babydue2024.' During her second pregnancy, Sophie gave a 26 week update in a short video on social media. She admitted she had been 'a bit emotional' the past few weeks and was feeling 'really heavy'. She said: 'I've been going for a swim before work which has been really helping me and my head. This week has been OK, not great but OK. 'I have a birth plan update the other day with the hospital which was actually really good. We went through the different birth options. 'Last time I had a C-section so we were talking about the risks of having another one or having a natural birth. 'The plan at the moment is to try and deliver naturally if I can but we said if I go passed 39 weeks then I think we will have a planned C-section.' The podcaster took to Instagram on Friday to share that she and her husband Harry Brooks were preparing to welcome their new baby in a matter of hours The couple are already proud parents to son Albert, who they welcomed via C-section in May 2021 Sophie is the younger sister of former glamour model Katie Price The star later gave a 32 weeks pregnant update in another video as she admitted 'it's getting harder because I'm more tired'. She said: 'I haven't done anything yet, I haven't bought a lot for her so need to go shopping. I have another scan this week and the swollen hands and feet, well by the end of the day I'm like, shall I take my wedding ring off. 'Still doing the swimming which is where I feel most comfortable at the minute.' It comes after Katie admitted she 'wishes' she looked like her 'natural' sister Sophie despite her own love of plastic surgery. The former glamour model, who recently revealed the results of her fourth round of lip fillers in five week, has had everything from facelifts to full body liposuction and fat injections into her bottom. Last year she underwent her 16th breast augmentation in 2022, opting for 2120 CC implants, in a bid to have the 'biggest breasts in Britain'. But speaking on The Katie Price Show recently, Katie explained how she would rather look like Sophie. The TV personality was born to Ray Infield and her mother Amy. He left when the model was just aged four with Amy going on to marry Paul Price and having Sophie. Speaking about how they are 'both so different,' Katie revealed that they are very similar in their 'mannerisms.' Barry Keoghan was seen for the first time on the set of the Peaky Blinders movie in Yorkshire on Friday. The actor, 32, was shooting scenes alongside co-stars Sophie Rundle And Tim Roth, though little is known about his character yet. The Saltburn star looked every inch the Peaky Blinder in a flat cap, grey suit and overcoat. The Birmingham-based movie will follow the infamous Shelby family into the Second World War following six successful series on the BBC. Barry was seen closely following Sophie into a building in Bradford as cameras rolled on the hotly anticipated movie. Barry Keoghan was seen for the first time on the set of the Peaky Blinders movie in Yorkshire on Friday The award-winning actor, 32, was seen shooting scenes alongside co stars Sophie Rundle And Tim Roth Sophie, who is reprising the role of Ada Shelby, wore a red coat and skirt with matching lipstick and hat Sophie, 36, who is reprising the role of Ada Shelby, wore a red coat and skirt with matching lipstick and hat. Peaky Blinders newcomer Tim Roth was spotted arriving at the building carrying a gun before emerging with the leather bag Ada was carrying on the way in. Main lead Cillian Murphy has been seen in recent weeks filming the project in Birmingham. The lead actor, 48, was seen covered in mud and sporting a bloody gash on his face while riding a horse as he resumed his iconic role of Tommy Shelby for the upcoming film last week. The Oscar winner played the gangster in the multi-award-winning BBC series from 2013 to 2022 and is now back for a big screen outing, alongside new cast members Barry, Rebecca Ferguson and Tim. Little is known about the plot but Steven Knight also returns as writer alongside the Tom Harper who directed episodes of the show's first series at the helm. Last month it was announced that Saltburn star Barry had joined the cast, but details of his character have not yet been revealed. Barry has had an impressive career over the past few years starring in Saltburn, Top Boy and The Banshees of Inisherin. Netflix announced in June 2024 that the feature film had been greenlit and would go into production later this year. The Saltburn star looked every inch the Peaky Blinder in a flat cap, grey suit and overcoat while on set Barry was seen closely following Sophie into a building in Bradford as cameras rolled on the hotly anticipated movie Tim Roth was seen on set the same day Little is known about the plot but Steven Knight also returns as writer alongside Tom Harper, who directed episodes of the show's first series, at the helm Last month it was announced that Saltburn star Barry had joined the cast, but details of his character have not yet been revealed Sophie walked alongside an unknown actor called Kasper Hilton-Hille as she appeared on set in Yorkshire In June it was confirmed that the Peaky Blinders' original writing and directing team will be returning alongside Cillian Murphy for the Netflix film adaptation of the hit British series Barry has had an impressive career over the past few years starring in Saltburn, Top Boy and The Banshees Of Inisherin Peaky Blinders launched in 2013 and garnered huge audiences both in Britain and overseas, attracting roles for silver-screen stars such as Tom Hardy and Anya Taylor-Joy Sophie looked incredible in her pink traditional outfit The programme is loosely based on a real Birmingham gang of the same name operating from the 1880s to the 1920s who took part in similar illegal activities Barry Keoghan wore a dark grey ensemble as he strolled around the set Barry is seen in a promo shot for the film that was released on Friday In June it was confirmed that the Peaky Blinders' original writing and directing team will be returning alongside Cillian for the Netflix film adaptation of the hit British series. Netflix confirmed the news on X with a photograph of the script, while the Oscar winning actor told Deadline: 'It seems like Tommy Shelby wasn't finished with me 'It is very gratifying to be re-collaborating with Steven Knight and Tom Harper on the film version of Peaky Blinders. This is one for the fans.' Director Tom shared: 'When I first directed Peaky Blinders over 10 years ago, we didn't know what the series would become, but we did know that there was something in the alchemy of the cast and the writing that felt explosive. 'Peaky has always been a story about family - and so it's incredibly exciting to be reuniting with Steve and Cillian to bring the movie to audiences across the world on Netflix.' Peaky Blinders launched in 2013 and garnered huge audiences both in Britain and overseas, attracting roles for silver-screen stars such as Tom Hardy and Anya Taylor-Joy. The programme is loosely based on a real Birmingham gang of the same name operating from the 1880s to the 1920s who took part in similar illegal activities. Netflix announced in June 2024 that the feature film had been greenlit and would go into production later this year He was being assisted by one of the wardrobe team The rain was pouring down in Yorkshire this week Sophie held an umbrella as she protected herself from the downpour Peaky Blinders aired six series over nine years and ended with Tommy, who had been tricked into believing he had a terminal illness, surviving an assassination attempt The trio were seen filming together in Yorkshire The weather was not on their side as they filmed Sophie seemed in good spirit as she beamed a wide smile while on set Tim Roth is seen on set The show follows the rise of the Shelby family from after the First World War onwards They covered themselves with the umbrellas amid the rain While Cillian was seen filming in Birmingham last week, they are now shooting in Yorkshire She looked stunning with a velvet red hat and wore her brunette tresses in loose waves They filmed near a derelict building She carried a brown leather bag and added a pop of dark pink lip to her make-up look The crew and extras were busy around them She wore nude heels to boost her height The Birmingham-based movie will follow the infamous Shelby family into the Second World War Murphy, who will co-produce the film, said it was 'one for the fans' The show's creator, Steven Knight, will write and produce the new film. He previously said it would be an 'explosive chapter' in the story with 'no holds barred' Tim wore a dark grey coat and black trousers It was raining as they filmed The cast seemed in good spirits on set They were covering their outfits with the umbrellas Barry looked in the zone on set Her traditional dress was cinched in at the waist Peaky Blinders aired six series over nine years and ended with Tommy, who had been tricked into believing he had a terminal illness, surviving an assassination attempt orchestrated by his own nephew before killing him and moving away for a new life. But the news sparks concerns for the welfare of Paul Anderson who plays Cillian's older brother in the show, Arthur Shelby, after he pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine earlier this year. The 46-year-old was also found to have amphetamines, plus diazepam and pregabalin on him. His continued erratic behaviour in recent months has prompted concern for his welfare. Rebel Wilson and wife Ramona Agruma wore matching cowgirl costumes as they attended Vas J Morgan and Jas Mathur's Halloween party on Thursday. Rebel, 44, opted for a red checked shirt which she layered over a black bodysuit. The couple, who tied the knot in Italy last month, flash big smiles as they walked hand-in-hand to the luxury hotel. Rebel's fun Western-inspired was teamed with a suede tasselled jacket and straight leg jeans. She added a pair of sparkly boots and topped off her outfit with a tan cowboy hat, styling her hair into curls. Rebel Wilson and wife Ramona Agruma wore matching cowgirl costumes as they attend Vas J Morgan and Jas Mathur's Halloween party on Thursday Rebel, 44, opted for a red checked shirt which she layered over a black bodysuit Meanwhile, Ramona co-ordinated her outfit with her wife's but chose to wear a black tasselled jacket. Rebel and Ramona tied the knot in Sardinia, Italy, on September 28, and their daughter Royce, 23-months was their flower girl. It was the perfect fairytale location for the couple to exchange vows as they notably holidayed in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, just days after going Instagram official with their romance in 2022. The Bridesmaids actress and her partner were reportedly supposed to get married in a 2025 beach wedding but Rebel decided to move up the date. The couple first met in 2021 and announced their engagement in February 2023. They share a daughter Royce Lillian, who will turn two in November. DailyMail.com exclusively shared the news of their nuptials last month, revealing that the couple were 'thrilled' to be tying the knot. 'Rebel is really excited to be getting married to the love of her life, she is absolutely thrilled,' a source shared ahead of the big day. Rebel came out in June 2022 and debuted her relationship with Ramona in a sweet post at the same time, sharing a cozy selfie of them alongside some heartfelt words. The couple, who tied the knot in Italy last month, flash big smiles as they walked hand-in-hand to the luxury hotel Rebel's fun Western-inspired was teamed with a suede tasselled jacket and straight leg jeans She added a pair of sparkly boots and topped off her outfit with a tan cowboy hat, styling her hair into curls Meanwhile, Ramona co-ordinated her outfit with her wife's but chose to wear a black tasselled jacket Once inside Rebel was seen posing for photos alongside Limitless CEO Jas Mathur Rebel and wife Ramona were also seen posing alongside a Carl's Jr mascot and Vas J Morgan Rebel and Ramona tied the knot in Sardinia, Italy, on September 28, and their daughter Royce, 23-months was their flower girl 'I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess,' she gushed in an Instagram post at the time. Just days later, Rebel shared a photograph of her and Ramona grinning and holding hands as they holidayed in Sardinia together. The couple, who first met in 2021, went on to welcome their daughter Royce Lillian via surrogate in November 2022. Paris Hilton took inspiration from one of her longtime pals this Halloween, as she replicated one of Britney Spears' most iconic looks for the spooky occasion. Posing for a jaw-dropping shoot, the heiress dressed up in an outfit reminscient of Britney's famous schoolgirl ensemble from her 1999 hit ... Baby One More Time. Paris showed off her incredible figure in a racy white cropped shirt and a grey schoolgirl skirt, teamed with patent platform Ingiliz pumps as she posed in an idyllic 90s version of a high school corridoor. With a book in hand, and her hair pulled into cute pigtails, the star mimicked the butter-wouldn't-melt style of the original video, which turned Britney into an overnight sensation. Posting the snaps on her Instagram, she captioned the post: 'It's Britney b***h. Love you icon.' Paris Hilton took inspiration from one of her longtime pals this Halloween , as she replicated one of Britney Spears ' most iconic looks for the spooky occasion Posing for a jaw-dropping shoot, the heiress dressed up in an outfit reminscient of Britney's famous schoolgirl ensemble from her 1999 hit ... Baby One More Time (right) Paris showed off her incredible figure in a racy white cropped shirt and a grey schoolgirl skirt, as she posed in an idyllic 90s version of a high school corridoor Later in the evening, Paris continued to show off her fun look as she headed to a Halloween party in Hollywood. Britney and Paris have enjoyed a longstanding friendship of two decades, sticking by each other through various ups and downs. They used to be seen in the mid-2000s indulging in nights on the town in Los Angeles, sometimes accompanied by Lindsay Lohan. In August, Paris revealed that Britney stopped by her house 'a couple weeks ago' as 'she loves visiting the babies, especially little baby Phoenix,' on Talk Shop Live. 'So it's just so cute seeing her with the babies. She just loves kids so much,' she added, adorably sharing that Britney has danced with Phoenix to Paris' upcoming sophomore studio album Infinite Icon. Last December, Paris warmly wished Britney happy 42nd birthday and shared a series of throwback photos of the pair together in the 2000s. In her caption, she noted that she and her pal have had 'so many fun memories together.' 'Love you so much,' she gushed as she addressed the Toxic hitmaker directly. 'Sending you lots of love on your special day! Keep shining sis'. Britney and Paris have enjoyed a longstanding friendship of two decades, sticking by each other through various ups and downs They used to be seen in the mid-2000s indulging in nights on the town in Los Angeles , sometimes accompanied by Lindsay Lohan The star is no stranger to taking inspiration from Britney when it comes to her Halloween looks With a book in hand, and her hair pulled into cute pigtails, the star mimicked the butter-wouldn't-melt style of the original video, which turned Britney into an overnight sensation Posting the snaps on her Instagram, she captioned the post: 'It's Britney b***h. Love you icon' Later in the evening, Paris continued to show off her fun look as she headed to a Halloween party in Hollywood The star was in high spirits as she made her way to the Halloween bash in her scantily-clad schoolgirl look She completed her outfit with a sparkly sheer glove as she made her way into the bash In celebration of her birthday, Britney spent the day with mother, Lynne, as the pair appear to now be on good terms after years of being estranged following her 13-year conservatorship. Britney and Paris have had a long history of friendship dating back to their days of partying with Lohan in the mid-2000's. Paris has been consistently supportive of Britney over the years and has been a frequent presence in her friend's Instagram comments. The songstress even gushed over the Simple Life star and said she was one of the 'kindest' people she's ever met in her memoir, The Woman in Me. During an appearance on Kelly Clarkson's talk show in late November, Paris recalled 'crying' when she read about the things Spears wrote about her. Kelly noted that Britney had written in her tell-all that 'one of the people who was kindest to me when I really needed kindness was Paris Hilton'. Britney had also written that Paris 'encouraged me to have fun for the first time in a long time.' Last Halloween, Paris paid a special tribute to Britney by dressing up as the pop star in the iconic blue ensemble from her Toxic music video In response, Paris who also released a memoir earlier this year said it 'meant a lot' to her. 'I was crying when I read that,' she said. 'That really touched me.' She continued gushing about her pal: 'She's just so strong. I love her so much, and I'm just so proud of her for speaking her truth and writing this whole book. 'That quote meant a lot to me when I read it,' she added. Paris even channeled Britney and dressed up as her for Halloween this past October. For one of her costumes, she wore the same outfit Britney wore in her iconic Toxic music video. Sarah Jessica Parker has lashed out at thieves who stole numerous of her heavily decorated pumpkins from the doorstep of her $35m NYC home. The pumpkin pirates made off with the magenta and gold painted squash this week after snatching them from the stoops of her two interconnected West Village townhouses. Images taken by DailyMail.com on Monday show the steps of her West Village brownstone adorned in the Halloween decorations. As night fell on All Hallows Eve however, pictures show the stoop decorated with nothing more than a few candles and a single jack-o'-lantern. The Sex and the City star had to resort to putting up signs on the doors of her home which said: 'Shame on pumpkin thieves!!!' The pumpkin pirates made off with the magenta and gold painted squash this week after the star lavishly decorated the stoop of her New York City home As night fell on all hallows eve however, pictures show the stoop decorated with nothing more than a few candles and a single jack-o'-lantern What appears to be a surveillance footage grab of the robbery has also been stuck to the front door of her home The star is clearly a fan of Halloween and has been pictured passing out candy to trick-or-treaters in years previously What appears to be a surveillance footage grab of the robbery has also been stuck to the front door of her home. The most recent heist harkens back to a nearly identical situation five years ago when the Hocus Pocus star was similarly left baffled after her pumpkins were stolen. Posting to her Instagram account in 2019, Parker explained that she had lugged them home from the Berkshires in Massachusetts specifically for her stoop. Video footage she captured of the aftermath showed her stoop deserted of any spooky spirit. She wrote in her: 'All of our pumpkins were stolen, as were all the other pumpkins on our block. 'It is officially the Halloween heist of 2019. My husband stated, Decency is dead. But we will salvage the intended carving. 'We will find last-minute pumpkins and we will hope this case does not remain cold.' The star is clearly a fan of Halloween and has been pictured passing out candy to trick-or-treaters in years previously. Parker is married to actor Matthew Broderick, having tied the knot in 1997. They share three children together, son James and twin daughters Marion and Tabitha. Five years ago the doorstep of her home was also attacked by thieves. Her stoop is seen here earlier this week The Sex and the City star had to resort to putting up signs on the doors of her home which said: 'Shame on pumpkin thieves!!!' Parker is married to actor Matthew Broderick, having tied the knot in 1997. They share three children together She revealed last week that she would be voting for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. Making a 'childless cat lady' remark, she shared an image of her with her pet cat while holding up a Harris Walz placard in her window. She wrote: 'For the love of my country, for our public schools, for books, for common sense gun laws. 'For a living wage, For opportunity, For women, For voting rights, For the Dreamers, For arts and culture, For my mother and senior citizens 'For our military, past and currently serving, For the climate, For hope, For friends and loved ones in the LGBTQ+ community. 'For freedom, For science, For affordable healthcare. For our union members, For democracy, For my daughters, For my son, For all of our children 'For equality, For dignity, For hope, For the constitution, For me, For love, For choice.' Parker has also been filming season three of 'And Just Like That...' in New York City, having been photographed on set on Monday. She wore a cinched, dark, patterned blazer underneath a knit navy blue shawl, adding a slightly billowed, long, denim skirt. DailyMail.com has approached her publicist for comment on the recent pumpkin theft. Chloe Sims and Joey Essex were dressed to impress as they attended Vas J Morgan And Michael Braun's star-studded Halloween party in LA on Thursday night. The cousins stuck to a fashionable cowboy theme, with some stand-out features that were sure to make heads turn. Chloe, 42, left nothing to the imagination as she ditched her bra in a sheer burgundy lace maxi dress, displaying her perky assets. She covered her modesty with two black belts which featured gold stud hardware and long black tassels. The reality star added a cord necklace, a red neckerchief, and a black cowgirl hat to her racy ensemble. Chloe Sims and Joey Essex were dressed to impress as they attended Vas J Morgan And Michael Braun's star-studded Halloween party in LA on Thursday night Chloe, 42, left nothing to the imagination as she ditched her bra in a sheer burgundy lace maxi dress, displaying her perky assets She finished off her look with a pair of black pointed suede boots and splashed fake blood on her glamorous face. Meanwhile, Joey, 34 looked handsome in a retro denim shirt which had white embroidery and leather trousers. He completed his ensemble with a large black belt, gold necklaces, and a black cowboy hat The pair appeared in high spirits as they posed up a storm for the cameras before partying the night away at the spooky bash. Also at the event was Kaia Gerber, Hailey Bieber, Cara Delevingne and Paris Hilton. Model Kaia, 23, put on a racy display as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, while new mum Hailey, 27, was Kim Possible as she dressed in slouchy jeans, and a black top. Model Cara, 32, carried an axe and wore a suit as she transformed into Christian Bale from American Psycho as she gave a scary look at the camera. Paris, 43, meanwhile took inspiration from one of her longtime pals this Halloween, as she replicated one of Britney Spears' most iconic looks for the spooky occasion. She covered her modesty with two black belts which featured gold stud hardware and long black tassels The reality star added a cord necklace, a red neckerchief, and a black cowgirl hat Meanwhile, Joey, 34 looked handsome in a retro denim shirt which had white embroidery and leather trousers The pair appeared in high spirits as they posed up a storm for the cameras before partying the night away at the spooky bash Also at the event was Kaia Gerber, Hailey Bieber, Cara Delevingne and Paris Hilton (pictured Kaia) Meanwhile new mum Hailey, 27, was Kim Possible as she dressed in slouchy jeans, a black top and wore a red wig as she headed to the same party without her husband Justin Model Cara, 32, carried an axe and wore a suit as she transformed into Christian Bale from American Psycho as she gave a scary look at the camera Paris meanwhile took inspiration from one of her longtime pals this Halloween , as she replicated one of Britney Spears ' most iconic looks for the spooky occasion It comes after Chloe revealed the real reason she abruptly pulled her daughter, 19, from filming TOWIE. She told MailOnline she felt uncomfortable by the way Madison was treated when she appeared on the ITVBe series and instantly regretted putting her child on TV at such a young age. In an exclusive interview, the mother-of-one said she didn't allow Madi to use social media until she was 16 years old and even now she can't bear the teen having an online profile. Being a protective parent led Chloe to keep Madison out of the limelight as much as possible but she admits trolls have targeted her over their misbelief she was leaving her daughter behind. Chloe has revealed Madison was always in the background during filming and while she doesn't want to follow in her mother's footsteps on reality TV, she does see herself on stage. Speaking to MailOnline, Chloe said: 'I didn't show Madi a lot when I was on TOWIE. When she was little, I let her do a couple of scenes and I didn't like the way she was treated so I pulled her back out and said I didn't want her filming. It comes after Chloe Sims revealed the real reason she abruptly pulled her daughter from filming TOWIE (pictured Chloe and her daughter Madison) Just months earlier it was reported she had split from Lionel Richie's son Miles (Miles pictured in February) 'Madi didn't understand because she was so young, and I thought this wasn't her choice and I'm putting her on TV, and this isn't something she has signed up to at five years old. I felt very protective of her, and I didn't want her on camera, and I tried to shield her from that whole world. 'When I was filming TOWIE throughout those years a lot of people didn't realise that she was with me like when we went to Marbella, she was with me, her and her nan, they would be in the room with me. 'I was trying to do the right thing and protect my child, but I wasn't seen as a mother. Trolls would say, "where's your daughter?" It was tricky navigating that. 'It's a scary decision putting your child on TV because you're exposing them. I'm quite a nervous person anyhow and I think the worst of things, I didn't want anyone looking at my daughter, I'm very protective. I do keep her out of the public eye as much as possible.' The interview comes months after it was reported she had split from Lionel Richie's son Miles. The couple called on their whirlwind romance just four months after they started dating. The former TOWIE star, who relocated to Los Angeles to start up her Netflix series House Of Sims, hit it off with the socialite, 30, after meeting at the Emmy Awards in March. But after Chloe's huge brawl with her sisters Frankie and Demi on the show, Chloe wants to focus on her daughter Madison, 19, and filming her show with zero drama. A source told The Sun: 'Chloe's been in the UK for a month and its just fizzled out. He's a bit of a party boy too and it's not really Chloe's scene. 'She's focused on spending time with her daughter and preparing for season three of her show, which starts filming soon. 'It's such a shame because he treated her so well. But they are still friends, so who knows? Maybe it will start up again in the future.' MailOnline contacted Chloe and Miles' representatives for a comment at the time. Kanye West does not seem to have spent time with the four children he shares with ex-wife Kim Kardashian in a while. The last time he was photographed with his children was when they performed together at his album event in China on September 15. That is 47 days ago. The rapper and designer has been in Japan with his wife Bianca Censori. The two were seen together again on Friday as they went out with friends like model Luka Sabbat to the Harajuku Club in Tokyo. Kanye was swarmed by fans while in an army green jacket with a white T-shirt shirt and belted beige slacks. His spouse wore a very short and skintight baby blue mini dress with a mock turtleneck as she had her dark hair down. Meanwhile, Kim, 44, dressed as an albino alligator as she spent Halloween with her kids - North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm in Hidden Hills, California. Kanye West and Bianca Censori at the Harajuku club in Tokyo with friend Luka Sabbat on Friday; the last time he was photographed with his kids was on September 15 in China DailyMail.com has reached out to West's rep for comment on not being seen with his children in 47 days, but did not immediately hear back. A source told People in October that Kim is like a single mom these days as Kanye is not around much. Kardashian's life revolves around her and West's four kids: daughters North, 11, and Chicago, 6, and sons Saint, 8, and Psalm, 5. The source said the SKIMS founder is 'pretty much a single mom,' as West, 47, is often 'not around.' 'Kanye is sadly not around very much. She's pretty much a single mom,' the insider tells PEOPLE. 'Although she has help, it's still a lot of work for her to balance and coordinate everything.' The source continued, 'Kim's life is around her kids' schedules. When they are in school, she works. When they are off, she's very much focused on being a mom.' The SKIMS co-founder 'is not even dating anyone now. It's all about work and the kids.' Kim has been a super mom as she even hosted a Wicked screening for her kids that was attended by the film's stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. West flashed his grill while he had fans all around him His spouse wore a very short and skintight baby blue mini dress with a mock turtleneck as she had her dark hair down The married couple were side by side at the club in Tokyo It has been a tough time for Kanye. West has been accused of drugging and raping ex-assistant Lauren Pisciotta at Diddy party in bombshell lawsuit. Some fans think he is hiding out in Japan during this scandal as he works on a new album there. Meanwhile, Kardashian hasn't cooked for her children in nearly two years. The reality superstar sat down with her eldest for a chat with Interview magazine, and the little one claimed it had been a a 'long time' since she had rustled up a meal for her brood. She said: 'You haven't cooked for us in a long time. Last time you cooked was two Halloweens ago.' Kim has been a super mom as she even hosted a Wicked screening for her kids that was attended by the film's stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Kanye with his kids when he was still married to Kim Kardashian In response, Kim said: 'What did I make?' North replied: 'Mac and cheese.' Kim said: 'And fried chicken and cornbread. I'm a one-trick pony. Is that one meal good?' North confirmed that her mother's cooking is 'good' but claimed that the thing that she is exceptionally skilled at making for her is cucumbers and salt. Asked if she could only eat one thing for the rest of her life, she replied: 'Probably cucumbers and salt. I love cucumbers and salt, for real. Or onions.' On Halloween, Kim was an albino alligator North dressed up as Tiana from Walt Disney Pictures' animated film The Princess And The Frog Meanwhile, North - who is working on her debut album 'Elementary School Dropout' and recently played Young Simba in the concert version of 'The Lion King' at the Hollywood Bowl in honour of the Disney film's 30th anniversary - was asked by 'The Kardashians' star what she hopes to do in the future but admitted that she is already doing 'a lot' of things that she enjoys right now. She replied: 'I don't know, because I already do a lot of stuff that I want to be when I grow up. I just want to pursue my careers now.' North was supported by a host of other members from her world-famous family at her stage debut, including her dad Kanye and her aunt Kourtney Kardashian, who was in attendance with her husband Travis Barker. Jessica Alves showed off the results of her latest facelift as she headed to a hair salon in north London on Friday. The TV personality, 41, went under the knife after she said dissolving dermal fillers left her with so much excess loose skin around her face that she could 'pinch and pull away four inches of skin'. Jessica appeared in high sprits as she covered her recent surgery scares with a matching scarf. She put on a busty display in a black, white and gold baroque jumpsuit which teamed the look with a pair of simple black pumps and toted her belongs in a black Lady Dior bag. The star flashed the camera a smile before heading into Neto Hair salon to get her extensions done. Jessica Alves showed off the results of her latest facelift as she headed to a hair saloon in north London on Friday Jessica flew to Turkey to get a ponytail facelift and covered up her surgery scars with a silk scarf as she headed to the salon Jessica flew to Turkey to get a ponytail facelift which Katie Price recently got (pictured) Jessica flew to Turkey to get a ponytail facelift - a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that tightens the skin in the face and neck which uses staples in the hairline. The TV star, who has spent than 1million on over 100 procedures, said she is now 'super happy' after the work done by Cagdas Orman at Trioclinic in Istanbul and does not intend to have any more cosmetic surgery in the future. Jess has just landed back in the UK after getting her fifth facelift by the same plastic surgeon who has worked with Katie Price. But following the procedure, Jessica told MailOnline that she quickly needed a ponytail facelift after her quest to look more natural had unforeseen consequences which set her back a staggering 12,000. She said: 'If I pinched myself three or tour inches would come off in my hand. It was very elastic, like rubber, so the doctor was able to remove five inches of my skin.' She then warned younger generations that the procedure does not prevent ageing and she believes it makes people look older. Jessica told MailOnline: 'Most of us women who started doing fillers on the face 20 years ago are all dissolving it. The star flashed the camera a smile before heading into Neto Hair saloon to get her extensions done Jessica pictured with her fillers in April, 2023 (left) and then after she had them dissolved in October 2024 The former Celebrity Big Brother star said she spends more than 10,000 a month on Botox , fillers and various other beauty procedures in a bid to have a youthful appearance 'These facial fillers, this hyaluronic acid does not make us look younger, in fact it makes us look older. It gives us a round puffy face. 'All these women are same age as me, 41, Kim Kardashian is 44, Christina Aguilera, we are all the same age range and we are from the era where 20 years ago we started injecting ourselves for anti-aging prevention. 'But what it does is that with time it makes our face puffy and it deforms our face.' Earlier this year Jess arrived in Turkey for her latest round of surgery - a 15,000 face, lip and neck lift on February, 7. The former Celebrity Big Brother star said she spends more than 10,000 a month on Botox, fillers and various other beauty procedures in a bid to have a youthful appearance. 'I spend 10,000 a month alone in face and body procedures to delay my natural aging process... 'I find myself on a daily basis every week at a different clinic in London who has the latest therapies to improve my skin and to reverse my natural aging process and, as much as all those procedures work, they arent permanent', she told MailOnline. Justin Theroux and his fiancee Nicole Brydon Bloom were spotted taking advantage of the unseasonably warm Halloween weather in New York City on Thursday. The Beetlejuice Beetlejuice star, 53, wore a tank top that showed off his muscular arms as he walked his adorable dog Kuma. Justin paired the tank top that read Big Black Tools with a pair of skinny jeans and an Army green cap and wore sunglasses. His future wife, 30, who stars in The Gilded Age, wore a long-sleeved black top and relaxed-fit black pants. Their grey pit bull had a big smile on his face as he took in the sights and smells of Manhattan during his walk. Justin Theroux and his fiancee Nicole Brydon Bloom were spotted taking advantage of the unseasonably warm Halloween weather in New York City Justin who was previously married to Jennifer Aniston and Nicole have been dating since February 2023. The couple have mainly kept their relationship out of the public eye but have been seen on several occasions since then. Shortly before Christmas last year, the Mulholland Drive actor accompanied Bloom to her twin sister's Chrissy's wedding in New York. The lovebirds made their red carpet debut earlier this year at the Vanity Fair Oscars party in Beverly Hills. Justin proposed to Nicole in August while the pair were on vacation in Italy with a four-carat, emerald cut diamond ring by Stephanie Gottlieb. Theroux confirmed the engagement shortly after during an appearance on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. The actor who was previously married to Friends star Jennifer Aniston admitted to The Times that he had been 'nervous' before asking Bloom to marry him. 'Of course, I was nervous proposing. It is a question after all, so the answer isn't guaranteed. But it was wonderful.' The Beetlejuice Beetlejuice star, 53, wore a tank top that showed off his muscular arms as he walked his adorable dog Kuma Justin paired the tank top with a pair of skinny jeans and an Army green cap and wore sunglasses Their grey pit bull had a big smile on his face as he took in the sights and smells of Manhattan during his walk Meanwhile, his ex Jennifer Aniston posted this photo of her dog Clyde on Halloween Earlier this week, the newly engaged couple attended the New York City Ballet's 2024 Fall Fashion Gala. Justin hit the red carpet in a chic black jacket, skinny trousers and a white button-up shirt. He kept one arm wrapped around his wife-to-be's tiny waist as they posed for photos. Nicole put on a leggy display in a strapless LBD decked out with sparkly jewels. Tyler, The Creator has branded Taylor Swift fans 'racist' for trying to cancel him over his old lyrics about the star. Rapper Tyler, 33, released his eighth studio album, Chromakopia, on Monday, just 12 days after officially announcing the project and shocked fans with an album concert in Boston on Halloween. However, Tyler's attention shifted from his new release to Swifties bringing up his problematic past lyrics - including song Fish from his 2009 album Goblin in which he raps: 'Tyler swiftly slips his d*** inside of Taylor Swift's sl**/Round trip in that p***y, here comes the ticket!' Lambasting trolls during the show in a new video, he said: 'I got Swifties all mad at me with their racist a** bringing up old lyrics, b***h go listen to Tron Cat again, I don't give a f***. 'What the f**k b***h? They gonna bring out the old me"' Tyler, The Creator has branded Taylor Swift fans 'racist' for trying to cancel him over his old lyrics about the star - pictured June 25 However, Tyler's attention shifted from his new release to Swifties bringing up his problematic past lyrics - including song Fish from his 2009 album Goblin in which he rapped about having sex with the star (pictured August) 2011 track Tron Cat saw the then- 20 year old musician rap about plans to 'rape a pregnant b***h and tell my friends I had a threesome', domestic violence and chronic masturbation. At the time, Tyler received widespread backlash for the lyrics but still performed the track at the 2021 Lollapalooza Festival. Swift and Tyler have been battling for 1 on the global Spotify Top Artists chart on Halloween - with Swift reclaiming the position recently. Tyler will be heading on a seven-month world tour in celebration of Chromakopia. Kicking off in Minnesota on February 2, the tour will see him perform across North America before heading to the UK and Europe on April 25. Tyler's lyrics have previously landed him in hot water. In 2015 he was blocked from entering the UK - a year after he was banned from New Zealand for posing 'a threat to the public order and the public interest.' Tyler tweeted: 'Based on lyrics from 2009, I am not allowed in the UK for 3-5 years (although I was there 8 weeks ago). That is why the shows were cancelled.' The Home Office would not comment on the specific case but said in a statement: 'Coming to the UK is a privilege, and we expect those who come here to respect our shared values.' Tyler, The Creator addresses Swifties bringing up old lyrics trying to cancel him online. https://t.co/ID9BTsPEPN Pop Crave (@PopCrave) November 1, 2024 Rapper Tyler, 33, released his eighth studio album, Chromakopia, on Monday, just 12 days after officially announcing the project and shocked fans with an album concert in Boston on Halloween Lambasting trolls during the show in a new video , he said: 'I got Swifties all mad at me with their racist a** bringing up old lyrics, b***h go listen to Tron Cat again, I don't give a f***' - pictured September 2024 Tyler's lyrics have previously landed him in hot water. In 2015 he was blocked from entering the UK in part due to explicit lyrics on Goblin Government papers given to the musician revealed he was rejected under the Home Office policy of 'behaviors unacceptable in the UK - with lyrics from Tron Cat. VCR, Blow, Sarah and French cited. A letter to Tyler wrote: 'The home secretary has considered whether, in light of this list, you should be excluded from the UK on the grounds that your presence here would not be conducive to the public good. The home secretary has reached this decision because you have brought yourself within the scope of the list of unacceptable behaviour by making statements that may foster hatred, which might lead to intercommunity violence in the UK. 'Your albums Bastard, in 2009, and Goblin, in 2011, are based on the premise of your adopting a mentally unstable alter ego who describes violent physical abuse, rape and murder in graphic terms which appears to glamourise this behavior.' In 2019 he was allowed to enter the UK after the Home Secretary (Theresa May) resigned and he told the Guardian of the 2015 incident: 'Then you get the official thumbs up. It was like: damn, finally, but it was so stupid to have to endure that. I got treated like a terrorist. Yeah. I got treated like I was a murderer Candice Swanepoel displayed her fit figure as she modeled new swimsuits from her Tropic of C range. The 36-year-old South African supermodel who walked the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in October showed off her sculpted abs and backside in sexy beachside photos. A caption to the brand's nearly 480,000 Instagram followers read, 'Major in knit styles in la plage.' The luxury brand's sport yellow jacquard top retails for $150, while the bottoms are slightly less at $125. A second post showed the mother-of-two in the company's stringy Equator top and matching Praia bottoms, each $90. Candice Swanepoel displayed her fit figure as she modeled new swimsuits from her Tropic of C range The 36-year-old South African supermodel showed off her sculpted abs and backside in sexy beachside photos The caption of the second look read: 'Candices new favorite color crush. banana yellow.' All of the sultry images showed the runway regular with her glossy blonde locks neatly slicked back. She added accessories like colorful statement earrings and a woven straw sunhat to complement the looks. Swanepoel is the founder and creative director of the swimwear collection, which is 'influenced by nature and the female form.' Over the summer, Swanepoel posed in sizzling snaps for V magazine's V149: Bombshells In The Wild issue. She was joined by fellow Victoria's Secret models Kate Upton and Daiane Sodre in a photo spread by photographer Alvaro Beamud Cortes. In the accompanying interview, she said about the demanding outdoor photo shoot: 'It was actually a really pleasurable day.' Discussing the modeling world, Candice reflected, 'The beauty of our jobs is that its always evolving. Some people like change. Sometimes I do, and sometimes I fight against it a bit.' A second post showed the mother-of-two in the company's stringy Equator top and matching Praia bottoms, each $90 The caption of the second look read: 'Candices new favorite color crush. banana yellow' Swanepoel displayed her pert derriere in the nearly $100 bathing suit bottoms She emphasized, 'We spend so much time figuring out how to navigate a world, and then once youve figured it out, it changes.' She gave an example: 'The other day, I had to make a Get Ready With Me video, and I felt like it was easier for me to fly 15 hours across the world and to do a 12-hour day than to make one of those videos.' Candice established herself as a top model while working with Victoria's Secret in the 2010s. She was scouted at a flea market in 2003. Lala Kent took her daughter Ocean trick-or-treating with some of the reality TV crowd on Halloween. The Vanderpump Rules star, 34, dressed up as Minnie Mouse while three-year-old Ocean looked adorable in a skeleton onesie. The pair hit the streets in search of candy with some of the cast of Bravo's The Valley. One of the group was dressed as French fries while someone else dressed as a hamburger. Lala's second daughter, Sosa, is still a newborn at just two months old and stayed home this year. Lala Kent took her daughter Ocean trick-or-treating with some of the reality TV crowd on Halloween The devoted mother also shared a few photos on her Instagram Stories showing the spooky good time she had with her oldest daughter. The Utah native also shared an adorable video clip of Ocean going up to the front door of a house to trick-or-treat. A super cute selfie of the two happy gals rounded out her Halloween montage. Lala shares Ocean with her ex-fiance Randall Emmett. In September, she opened up about how scary her delivery of Sosa was during an episode of Give Them Lala podcast. During my second-to-last push, [my obstetrician] kind of stands up really fast, and hes fixated on the monitor,' she recalled. She added, 'And hes making eyes with the nurse whos reading things to him that I clearly dont understand cause Im not a doctor. And he looks nervous.' Kent recounted asking her doctor if everything was okay as the medical professional answered, 'yep, I just want you to keep pushing.' She later learned that 'the [umbilical] cord was wrapped around [Sosas] neck a couple of times.' Lala said that in the wake of the mishap, her doctor 'stayed calm' and 'didnt let [her] know that.' The reality television star went on: 'She comes out, they put her on my chest and I go to hug her you know, embrace my baby but the way that the nurse is acting with the baby and shes not crying. She does one cry and then it stops.' 'And my hands are freezing, so Im like, "Im not touching her because I dont want to send her into shock,"' the new mom said. The nurses then began 'rubbing her chest' and 'sucking things out of her mouth' as it had turned out the newborn had swallowed amniotic fluid. She shared with listeners, 'For mama, it was great that she came out so quickly cause I didnt have to push very many times, but with a fast birth like that, she swallowed a lot of amniotic fluid.' Lala, whose birth name is Lauren, said Sosa 'had so much fluid that she was vomiting all the food she had.' That's when the baby 'turned purple' and 'freaked out' the nurse, prompting a call for backup. Kent continued, 'They then bring in a specialist, and theyre like, "We want a surgeon to look at her cause this isnt normal, and we got 10 milliliters of amniotic fluid out of her stomach the first time, then we got another eight, then we got another however many milliliters.' The story sounded increasingly dire as she revealed, 'And they go, "And now were draining it through the nose, and it wont stop." And they said, "Were either going to have pediatric surgery deal with it, or we wanna keep her in the NICU."' She said she began to blame herself and frantically tried to think of what she'd done differently between her first and second pregnancies. One of the group was dressed as French fries while someone else dressed as a hamburger The Vanderpump Rules star, 34, dressed up as Minnie Mouse while three-year-old Ocean looked adorable in a skeleton onesie The pair hit the streets in search of candy with some of the cast of Bravo's The Valley Lala's second daughter, Sosa, is still a newborn at just two months old and stayed home this year Lala shares Ocean with her ex-fiance Randall Emmett The devoted mother also shared a few photos on her Instagram Stories showing the spooky good time she had with her oldest daughter The Utah native also shared an adorable video clip of Ocean going up to the front door of a house to trick-or-treat She shared photos of some spooky yard decorations 'I started crying, and they were like, "You did nothing wrong during pregnancy; were just a little confused."' In the end, she said her daughter ended up being 'fine.' The new mother-of-two was spotted out to lunch with Sosa in Sherman Oaks two weeks after she gave birth. A follow-up post after she announced her daughter's arrival, she wrote: 'Two weeks ago, on September 3rd, I welcomed my second baby girl, Sosa Kent. Ive been open about my dream of this moment- at 10:13pm the moment came true. 'My little dream baby entered the world. I am completely in love with her- We all are. Sosa, you have no idea what you have brought into my life. I am blessed to call myself your mama. Welcome to our crazy world, boo boo. We are so happy youre here.' I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! fans are calling this year's reported lineup as the 'best ever' - and there is one contestant in particular they cannot wait to see on screens. According to reports, former Love Islander Maura Higgins will be among those trying to become jungle King or Queen, and some excited viewers are already claiming her as their 'winner'. The ITV1 jungle reality show will return to screens on Sunday November 17, with Ant and Dec at the helm, and insiders have promised the stars who have signed on to star in it this time round will make for 'compulsive viewing' for fans. Maura will be joined by Coleen Rooney, longtime soap star Alan Halsall and legendary sportsman Barry McGuigan. Rounding out the lineup are Strictly Come Dancing pro Oti Mabuse, Loose Women star Jane Moore , DJ Dean McCullough, Tulisa, radio presenter Melvin Odoom, Reverend Richard Coles and podcast presenter GK Barry. I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! fans are dubbing this year's reported lineup as the 'best ever' - and there is one contestant in particular they cannot wait to see on screens Former Love Islander Maura Higgins will be among those trying to become jungle King or Queen, and some excited viewers are already claiming her as their 'winner' Taking to X to react to the list of famous faces, thrilled viewers are exclaiming that the 'insane' lineup is 'the best in years,' writing: 'Missed #ImACeleb for the past few years. Tuning in this year as tulisa and maura higgins are on it!' 'Actually the best celebrity lineup for anything in ages' 'Maura Higgins going into the jungle?? Oh this is going to be television #imaceleb #imacelebrity' 'Best line up for a long time !! This is going to be a great series! #ImACeleb' 'Maura Higgins wins it. Next.' 'Having seen the lineup for #ImACeleb this year, I'm actually excited to watch the show. There are no politicians for a change, and we've got Maura Higgins instead of Tommy Fury, which is a huge bonus.' 'What a line up man #ImACeleb' 'Tulisa, GK Barry and Maura Higgins - they will either be an iconic trio or rip each other to shreds and I can't wait #ImACeleb' 'If this is true this is literally the best lineup in years omg #imaceleb' Taking to X to react to the list of famous faces, thrilled viewers are exclaiming that the 'insane' lineup is 'the best in years' Maura is no stranger to drama and has been at the center of some of Love Island's most iconic moments 'I'm interested to see if Maura Higgins has chilled out since Love Island, but I doubt it! #ImACeleb #ImACelebrity' 'MAURA OMG I CANT WAIT FOR HER' 'Maura Higgins is going to be comedy and TV GOLD in the jungle!! such a natural, funny and entertaining person always being real and being herself. Can't wait to see her on I'm a Celebrity My winner already! #ImaCeleb' 'If Colleen Rooney is in the jungle be interesting to see how she fairs #ImACeleb' 'Oh my gosh, that #ImACeleb Full line up is insane!!!' 'GK Barry, Maura Higgins AND Coleen Rooney going on #ImACeleb it's gonna be a good one'. Maura is no stranger to drama and has been at the center of some of Love Island's most iconic moments. She arrived as a bombshell on the show in 2019, and quickly set her sights on Tommy Fury, who had been coupled-up with Molly-Mae Hague. She arrived as a bombshell on the show in 2019, and quickly set her sights on Tommy Fury, who had been coupled-up with Molly-Mae Hague Later in the series, contestant Tom Walker made a very suggestive comment about Maura to the boys ahead of their night together in the Hideaway, which led her to erupt Coleen Rooney is among a slew of stars who will be heading to Australia Viewers also can't wait to see Tulisa in the jungle, as she pops up as another early fan-favourite Whilst Tommy dodged some of her attempts at seduction, the undeterred model later climbed on top of him, attempted to kiss him and asked if she 'turned him on.' Later in the series, contestant Tom Walker made a very suggestive comment about Maura to the boys ahead of their night together in the Hideaway, which led her to erupt. Furious viewers blasted Tom for joking that he would see if the ring girl is 'all mouth or not' regarding her attitude to sex. Overhearing what he said, an enraged Maura yelled at her then-love interest: 'That's a d******* comment, go f*** yourself!' When Tom followed her, attempting to apologise, Maura simply fired back: 'They asked you a question? Maybe you should have been a gentleman. 'You're a follower Tom, can you not have your own opinion? You shouldn't have said that about me. P** off!' Viewers are now hoping that Maura will bring the same fire and drama to I'm A Celebrity later this month. It comes just after Ant and Dec gave their own verdict on the new cohort of I'm A Celebrity campmates. The Tyneside TV treasures and hosts of the show took to Instagram to share a sneak peak of the moment they learned who would be joining them down under - and like fans, they were also far from disappointed. It comes just after Ant and Dec gave their own verdict on the new cohort of I'm A Celebrity campmates The Tyneside TV treasures and hosts of the show took to Instagram to share a sneak peak of the moment they learned who would be joining them Down Under Although the snippet gave little away, the duo seemed over the moon with this year's group, audibly gasping in shock and exclaiming that it was 'really good' and 'brilliant' Although the snippet gave little away, the duo seemed over the moon with this year's group, audibly gasping in shock and exclaiming it was 'really good' and 'brilliant'. 'Yes, yes!,' they shouted and clapped their hands together as they went through the names one by one, with one causing them to bust into hysterical laughter. Particular revelations appeared to left them taken aback as they opened their mouths in surprise and after the last name was unveiled, Ant quipped: 'What - is he?!' They wrote in the caption: If we had to describe this years lineup in 10 words? Good. Very good. Really good. Brilliant. Yes. Yes. Yes. YES. #ImACeleb' Maura recently broke her silence on her romance with Strictly's Pete Wicks after they were spotted sharing a passionate kiss. The Love Island icon, 33, and Strictly star, who were first linked back in August, confirmed their relationship this week as they packed on the PDA during a date in London. Now, Maura has spoken for the first time about her connection with Pete on the We Need To Talk podcast with Paul Brunson. Maura recently broke her silence on her romance with Strictly's Pete Wicks after they were spotted sharing a passionate kiss The Love Island icon and Strictly star, who were first linked back in August, confirmed their relationship as they packed on the PDA during a date in London When Paul asked Maura if she and Pete 'were a thing', Maura told the host: 'We just get on very, very well. I adore him, he's an amazing person. 'Do you know what's so weird? We met very soon after me coming off Love Island and we just instantly clicked. 'Our humour is the same. It's like that sick, dark humour. It's very abusive. We abuse each other. Very nasty, it's hilarious.' Maura split from American stuntman boyfriend Bobby Holland Hanton earlier this year. She has also previously dated Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice, as well as her Love Island co-stars Christopher Taylor and Curtis Pritchard. Speaking about her previous relationships, Maura said: 'I've not had a great track record in relationships. I just feel like apart from my best friend, every guy has just let me down. 'I expect to be let down and you can never be in a healthy relationship if I'm expecting that.' Kate Beckinsale does not like people feeling sorry for her, and she's usually quick to let them know. When fans expressed concerns this year about her appearance, she accused them of 'insidious bullying'. 'Any time I post anything I am accused of having had unrecognisable surgery, using Botox or fillers, or being obsessed with looking younger,' the 51-year-old actress wrote online. 'I don't actually do any of those things.' In May, when a social media fan said she looked 'a bit thin', she hit back: 'The fact that you fancy girls who are heavier than I am does not feature in things that are important or relevant.' And when she was seen in a wheelchair last November with an ice pack around her head, she insisted she had absolutely not just had plastic surgery, but had simply been to the dentist. 'I'm sorry for setting a bad example and not letting myself get an infection, not treat it, get sepsis and die,' she retorted angrily. Her Instagram profile which has 5.6million followers is full of defiant pictures of her in thigh-high dresses, lacy underwear and skimpy swimsuits, one of which bears the slogan in glittery ink: 'I Did Not Ask Your Opinion'. One can safely assume, therefore, that she will be bristling at the comments on her latest public appearance, a red-carpet event in LA last week. Dressed in a corseted pink satin mini-dress and platform stilettos, she cut a striking figure. Yet concerns about her weight and the subject of cosmetic surgery were at the fore again. Appearing at the Variety Power of Women event in Los Angeles in October, Beckinsale's appearance drew criticism from online trolls Online trolls criticised Beckinsale's weight and made cosmetic surgery jibes after her appearance on the Variety red carpet last month 'What does Hollywood have against ageing gracefully?' asked one fan. Another said: 'She used to be a bombshell. I don't even recognise her now.' Despite living in Hollywood, land of the celebrity 'tweakment', since the Nineties, British-born Kate has repeatedly denied having any cosmetic help. In fact, she says, a condition called mast cell activation syndrome means she 'can't take the risk' of such treatments because her body is prone to severe allergic reactions. The only cosmetic treatment she admits to having is platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP), a so-called 'blood facial', in which plasma is taken from the blood and injected into the skin. But for those close to the actress, there are more pressing concerns than her appearance. For the star of the 2001 film Pearl Harbor and the Underworld vampire franchise, whose latest film, Canary Black, is ranked No1 on Amazon Prime, has had her life torn apart over and over again. A year ago, Kate posted a Sylvia Plath quote: 'If I get through this year, no matter how badly, it will be the biggest victory I've ever done.' A close contact of Kate said: 'It's been a rough time and it continues to be a rough time. 'She's been very open about it. She could hide away and stay at home, but she doesn't want to do that. She likes dressing up and going out. She has a movie to promote.' Having lost her dad, Richard Beckinsale, the star of Porridge and Rising Damp, in 1979 when she was just five, this year she lost another father figure, her stepfather the man she called 'My BFG, my Roy' who died of a stroke in January at 87. Roy Battersby, the director of TV greats including Inspector Morse, Cracker and A Touch Of Frost, came into Kate's life three years after her father died. Kate Beckinsale lost her dad, Richard Beckinsale (pictured right), the star of Porridge and Rising Damp, in 1979 when she was just five Kate's mother, the actress Judy Loe (pictured right), 77, has had health struggles of her own, quietly battling stage-four breast cancer for six years In a video to fans on Father's Day, she said: 'I'm two down now. This is my first time since between the ages of five and eight that I don't have anyone to call today.' Kate's mother, the actress Judy Loe, 77, has had health struggles of her own, quietly battling stage-four breast cancer for six years. And Kate herself spent six weeks in hospital this year, suffering from a torn oesophagus which she says was 'caused by the stress of a whole year'. To compound her pain, her Persian cat, Clive, died last June at 19 leaving her 'totally broken'. Then, most recently, she became embroiled in a legal battle with an LA spa owner who accused her of owing 2,000 for massages and whom she has accused of sexual assault, an allegation he denies. Born in Chiswick, west London, an only child to Judy and Richard, Kate has lived her whole life in the spotlight, making her screen debut at four in a cameo appearance on a 1977 episode of This is Your Life dedicated to her dad. Richard died at 31 two years later in his sleep from a heart attack brought on by undiagnosed coronary artery disease. Beckinsale dated fellow British actor Martin Sheen between 1995 and 2003, with the couple welcoming a daughter, Lily, in 1999 Tragically, that same night, Kate's mother was in hospital, recovering from an operation to unblock her fallopian tubes, so she could have more children. When she emerged, she learned her operation had been a success, but that her husband had died. Kate, who had been looked after by a family friend who came to babysit her at home, says she still suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder 'from discovering my very young father's almost-dead body as a very young child alone in the night' a trauma which has been 'reactivated' by losing Roy all these years later. Every year on Richard's birthday and the day he died, she posts a tribute on social media. Recently, she wrote: 'I don't remember what not missing him feels like. It is part of me, like my blood.' In 1983, her mother met Roy and Kate found herself with five teenage step-siblings, leaving her feeling 'invaded'. By the age of 11, she was in therapy. At 15, she started chain-smoking and developed anorexia at her lowest point she weighed five stone. Despite her unhappiness, Kate, who has an IQ of 152, excelled at her all-girls' school in west London, before gaining a place at Oxford to read French and Russian literature. Beckinsale and Sheen remain 'close friends' to this day despite their separating more than two decades ago At the end of her first year, she was cast in Kenneth Branagh's film of Much Ado About Nothing, playing the virginal Hero alongside Emma Thompson and Keanu Reeves. It grossed 17million, and Kate became a rising star. Then, while appearing in The Seagull on stage in Bath she met Welsh actor Michael Sheen. They fell in love, moved to the US and Kate hit the big time with a leading role in Pearl Harbor. In 1999 their daughter, Lily, was born. Her career was blossoming, but Kate found herself grappling with sexism, including a 'business' meeting with shamed producer Harvey Weinstein in which he opened his hotel room door wearing a bathrobe. Her relationship with Sheen was suffering, too. Just 25 when she had Lily and thousands of miles from family, it was a lonely time. In 2003, they separated. She went on to marry the US director of Underworld, Len Wiseman, divorcing nine years later. Sheen, 55, found love with Swedish actress Anna Lundberg, 30, but Kate hasn't settled, despite a series of flings with younger men. She calls herself 'goofy', refusing to live down to the stereotype of an older woman in LA. At her 50th birthday last year she came as a Playboy bunny. In Canary Black, in which she plays a CIA agent, she is proud of the fact that she did her own stunts. 'She was determined to do them herself,' a friend says. 'She got some really nasty injuries.' Kate splits her time between LA and London, where she is inseparable from her mother. A recent Instagram clip shows them larking about in a playground, where she films Judy doing hopscotch. 'If my mother has taught me anything, it's when life sends you something unexpected, you've got to still laugh,' she said recently. 'We have and will get through anything.' Queen Elizabeth II will make a surprise cameo in a Hollywood blockbuster which is set to return for its third instalment. Paddington In Peru will be released on November 8 after a long seven-year wait since Paddington 2, and will feature both the late Queen Elizabeth II as well as The Crown's iconic actress Olivia Colman. The late monarch's cameo will feature a brief glimpse of her having afternoon tea with Paddington - which is taken from a short video that was made as part of her 2022 Platinum Jubilee celebrations. In order to obtain this special moment for the feature movie - an approval from Buckingham Palace was needed, with the Royal Family 'very happy for it to happen'. Queen Elizabeth II will make a surprise cameo in a beloved Hollywood blockbuster which is set to return for its third instalment The late monarch's cameo will feature a brief glimpse of her having afternoon tea with Paddington in Paddington In Peru(Queen Elizabeth II and Paddington pictured in June 2022) Ron Halpern, head of global productions at France's Studiocanal assured it came 'with the consent and agreement of the royal household', according to Variety. Paddington In Peru is set to be released November 8 in UK theatres, while Columbia Pictures will release it in the U.S. on 17 January 2025. '[The royal family] were actually very happy for it to happen,' producer Rosie Alison told the publication. 'But we don't like to make a big deal of it, because Paddington's obviously a very modest fellow.' Meanwhile The Crown favourite Olivia, 50, revealed she was over the moon and 'signed without hesitation'. The actress will transform into a nun to play the Reverend Mother in the franchise. 'Paddington is just the best person in the whole wide world,' she said thrilled. 'Imagine if everyone was like Paddington, wouldn't that be lovely?' Meanwhile The Crown favourite Olivia, 50, revealed she was over the moon and 'signed without hesitation' - as the star will play the Reverend Mother (pictured in September) And earlier last month, it was revealed that Paddington has been granted an official UK passport from the Home Office Earlier last month, it was revealed that Paddington has been granted an official UK passport from the Home Office. The co-producer of the upcoming third instalment in the film series revealed the Peruvian-born character was given a passport for his travels in the upcoming movie. Rob Silva told Radio Times: 'We wrote to the Home Office, asking if we could get a replica, and they actually issued Paddington with an official passport there's only one of these. 'You wouldn't think the Home Office would have a sense of humour, but under official observations, they've just listed him as Bear. The passport also includes Paddington's birthdate, June 25, his surname Brown and his gender as well as his British nationality and South American country Peru as his birthplace. The film follows the iconic bear, brought to life through animation and voiced by Ben Whishaw, as he travels abroad to visit Aunt Lucy in his homeland. Directed by Dougal Wilson, it sees Hugh Bonneville return as Mr. Brown and Imelda Staunton will once again play Aunt Lucy. Whishaw explained that taking Paddington to Peru will give audiences a different side of the beloved character. ' The actor told Empire: 'He connects with his country, and his bearishness. 'It's the thing that makes him relatable, strangely. On the one hand, he's learned how to be polite and civil and do the correct British thing. 'And on the other, he's a bear who's clumsy and leaves chaos in his wake. 'That's why children like him, because children are in the same position.' However fans were left shocked as they realised Sally Hawkins is not returning as Mrs. Brown, and has instead been recast. Emily Mortimer, who is best known for starring in HBO's The Newsroom, has stepped into the role as the family set off on their latest adventure. Talking about her decision to step away from the film, Sally previously explained: 'For me it has felt the right time to hand the reins over to another, and one cant get much better than the truly wonderful Emily Mortimer, she is extraordinarily special. 'She will embody the essence of Mary Brown and yet make it utterly her own. However, I am, and will always be in love with Paddingtons world. 'I already greatly miss my on and off-screen family the experience of making the first two films has truly been some of the best and most creative times I have had in the world of film.' She added, 'They both gave me so much joy. I will forever hold them so very close to my heart indeed.' As the trailer begins, Paddington struggles to get to grips with the photobooth as he attempts to pose for his passport photo. Removing the marmalade sandwich he always makes sure to keep in his hat for when he is feeling peckish, Paddington leaves the booth with some rather chaotic snaps after he loses control of the spinning chair. The co-producer of the upcoming third instalment in the film series revealed the Peruvian-born character has been given a passport for his travels in Paddington in Peru Ben Whishaw, who has been the voice of Paddington for all three films, is interviewed by Radio Times The passport also includes Paddington's birthdate, June 25, his surname Brown and his gender as well as his British nationality and Peru as his birthplace The film sees Hugh Bonneville (pictured) return as Mr Brown and Ben Whishaw is back to voice Paddington and Imelda Staunton will once again play Aunt Lucy However fans were left shocked as they realised Sally Hawkins (L) is not returning as Mrs Brown, and has instead been recast with Emily Mortimer (R) Later on as the family arrive at the Home for Retired Bears, the Reverend Mother breaks the news that Aunt Lucy's whereabout are unknown. 'I am afraid she has set off on some sort of quest deep in the jungle, and we have no idea where she is,' the actress explains. Determined to find her, Paddington adds: 'Aunt Lucy found me when I was a cub, and now I have to find her. We have to try'. The film also stars Antonio Banderas, Julie Walters, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, Carla Tous and Jim Broadbent. Paddington 3 will hit cinemas on November 8, 2024. Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary has said he backs Elon Musk's plan to cut $2 trillion from federal spending. The investor, who has a net worth of around $400 million, said he would 'pay to see the movie where they unleash Elon Musk on the federal government' during a Fox Business interview earlier this month. If former president Donald Trump wins a second term in November, he has pledged to appoint Musk as head of a new so-called 'Department of Government Efficiency.' The billionaire Tesla owner first outlined his plan to aggressively slash federal spending during a campaign rally in New York earlier this month. He promised to identify 'at least $2 trillion in cuts' if Trump wins the election, in a bid to tackle the spiraling $35 trillion national debt. When asked about this pledge, O'Leary said: 'That is a great idea. I 100 percent endorse this. He would do a fantastic job for every single taxpayer. Release the hounds. Let's go!' Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary has said he backs Elon Musk 's plan to cut $2 trillion from federal spending O'Leary made the comments on October 14, after being asked whether an outsider in government, like Musk, is able to make cuts as Trump claims he can. 'Let's go down the checklist on a bipartisan basis because this idea should work for red and blue,' O'Leary said. 'Is there fat in the federal government? Check the box on that as "yes" because there has always been fat and no one has really taken a knife to it really yet,' he continued. Second on his checklist was whether Musk has the executional skills to pull this off. For O'Leary, the answer to that is also 'yes.' He said that every idea that Musk brings to the market, including starting companies like Tesla and SpaceX, he executes on. 'I would pay to see the movie where they unleash Elon Musk on the federal government in looking for efficiencies,' the investor added. O'Leary then doubled down on his comments in a separate Fox Business interview earlier this week. 'I love the concept of taking someone from the outside in, but you've got to have the president backing this individual,' he said. 'This is a specific mandate to go identify savings, otherwise you won't be taken seriously by any agency.' He added: 'Let him in there and then come back with a shopping list of ideas and let's debate it.' If former president Donald Trump wins a second term in November, he has pledged to appoint Elon Musk as head of a new so-called 'Department of Government Efficiency' O'Leary, who has a net worth of around $400 million, said he would 'pay to see the movie where they unleash Elon Musk on the federal government' during a Fox Business interview earlier this month He added that Musk should go even further, and look for more cost cutting to federal spending. 'We've got to go find $2 trillion. We've got to go find $5 trillion. We've got to figure out how to solve this problem,' he added. But some experts have warned that $2 trillion in cuts, which is around a third of federal spending, would be difficult to achieve and could have dramatic effects. Slashing the budget that steeply would require decimating an array of government services, including food, health care and housing aid, The Washington Post reported. It could also erode funding for programs that lawmakers in both parties say they want to protect, from defense to Social Security. Even Musk himself acknowledged in a post on X, the social media site he owns, on October 29, that a period of economic turmoil could result from his proposed cuts. CNN anchor Abby Phillip and Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary got into a heated debate on the topic of Kamala Harris being appointed as the Democratic presidential nominee Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary stunned CNN hosts by claiming Kamala Harris was not democratically nominated to be presidential nominee O'Leary's latest comments come after he sparked a heated reaction from CNN hosts after claiming Kamala Harris was not democratically nominated. During a fiery panel discussion earlier this month, the investor drew a parallel between stock picking and the selection process for the Democrat presidential nominee. In stock picking, fund managers get paid millions to pick stocks they believe will succeed. But despite their lofty reputations, they mostly deliver lower returns than those who simply put money into a fund that tracks the stock market. For his analogy, O'Leary likened these fund managers to the small group of senior Democratic leaders who anointed Harris. At the same time, the broader stock market symbolized the millions of ordinary Democrats across the country who would normally select the candidate via primaries. 'In stock picking, 88 percent of managers cannot beat the S&P 500 year in year out,' O'Leary said. 'So you give them $1,000, the S&P beats them. They can't pick stocks.' 'This is the second time the Democratic party has circumvented democracy and chosen [a presidential candidate],' he said. We often chase external escapes, yet the true sanctuary lies within We should develop a holiday home in the mind to relax. Instead, we build concrete jungles of thoughts where we fear to tread. Summer was simmering, temperatures were rising in Delhi, and the beer-guzzling husband and wife duo, and their college-going children fed on junk food, were looking forward to their first overseas trip together. Eureka, he screamed, Leave sanctioned.Trip to Chiang Mai will now be a reality, screamed the children and wife.Bonding at last, the wife mused effusively. The manic and frenetic-paced lifestyle had invaded a bonding that ought to have been a natural part of their living. This is a familiar tale of several upper-middle-class families and the ones who mimic them as they crave to keep up with the Joneses. The prana levels of such individuals are low. In several cases, opulence without proper responsibility has corrupted their minds and they carry the burden of the twin maladies of inflated egos and judgmental attitudes. But this was not the case with the family. Would they have relished the getaway to Chiang Mai? The human mind is both a friendly retainer and a dangerous liege. A beleaguered mind causes immense suffering to the individual, those around him and also society at large. An alert mind learns positive lessons from life to take recourse to remedial measures and discovers ingenious ways to address and arrest negativity. Just as an architect designs buildings, we humans can construct an oasis of peace in our minds where we can luxuriate on a genuine holiday. This is mandatory for individuals who are at the worn-off edge or the precipice of disequilibrium. The landscape of the mind should be attractive and harmonious, which one would like to frequent. Aeons ago, there was an old farmer. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbours came to commiserate. Maybe, the farmer replied laconically. The next morning the horse returned, bringing along with it three other wild horses. Taken aback at the turn of events, the neighbours congratulated the farmer. Maybe, was the reply. His son tried to ride one of the untamed horses and was thrown off the saddle and broke his leg. The neighbours expressed their grief. Maybe, answered the farmer. Shortly, some military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. The wounded son was not recruited. Soon congratulatory messages poured in from the neighbours as the son escaped the hazardous employment.Maybe, said the farmer. The stoic farmer remained unfazed in all situations. The supercilious family from Delhi was so full of themselves hurtling towards an imminent disaster that it would undeniably benefit by learning a few secrets from the old farmer. Instead of planning an annual holiday, the family ought to create a sacred space within their hearts and minds where positivism mushrooms and develop a delicate balance of detachment like the old farmer. They could visualise and connect to a soothing terrain in their minds, which would restore equilibrium to their disoriented lifestyles. This topography could upend the pyramid and radically alter a desultory lifestyle to a more harmonious one. Imagine the mind conceptualises a retreat within its containments, where supposedly a thousand monks practice meditation, observe their breath and remain in silence say for three months. Pranayama and the practice of yoga be it for the propertied or poor, healthy, or unhealthy help in mental reconfiguration, rejuvenation, and revitalisation, which soothes frayed nerves and makes individuals happy. This should rekindle happiness, energy and joy in their minds. (The writer is the CEO of Chhattisgarh East Railway Ltd.and Chhattisgarh East West Railway Ltd. He is a faculty of the Art of Living; views are personal) With comprehensive planning, a revitalied education system could become the catalyst for national prosperity and social stability In todays industrialised economy, formal education has become the backbone of personal and national development. Originally introduced around 1830 by Lord Macaulay, formal education gained momentum post-independence, facilitating Indias shift from an agrarian to an industrialized economy. However, as the job market has evolved, a concerning mismatch has emerged between the skills provided by the education system and the needs of the workforce. This disparity has led to high unemployment rates, particularly among educated youth, while certain sectors experience a shortage of skilled labor. Thus, Indias education policy requires significant reform to better align with employment needs and support the countrys development goals. Human capital is undoubtedly the most valuable resource for a nation's growth and development. However, to leverage this asset, it must be channeled appropriately into the economy. Failure to do so could lead to an increase in poverty rates and potential social unrest. For meaningful employment and economic improvement, the workforce must be equipped with skills relevant to market demands. By bridging the gap between education and employment, India can reduce unemployment, enhance income levels, and improve overall economic efficiency. According to a survey by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), in the third quarter of fiscal year 2022-23, only 12% of job-holders were graduates. The majority, 40%, had completed only high school (10th grade), 28% had not completed high school, and the remaining 20% had education levels below the 5th grade. Surprisingly, the unemployment rate among graduates was 17.2%, compared to 10.2% for high school graduates and 1.6% for those with lower education levels. This data reveals that Indias education policy is misaligned with its employment demands, underscoring the urgent need for change. The first step in this reform should involve conducting a comprehensive survey to assess current and future labor demands across various sectors. Such a survey would help young people make informed decisions about their education and career paths. Using this data, policymakers could create a dynamic, responsive education system that evolves with changing market needs. Firstly, completing basic education, up to matriculation, should be universally encouraged. Financial assistance programs could be provided for those in need. Physical activities, like yoga and sports, should be made compulsory to promote physical health. Ancient teachings on humanity, ethics, and nationalism could also be incorporated to build a responsible, compassionate society. After completing matriculation, students should have access to short, specialized courses (2-4 years) in fields such as engineering, nursing, and hospitality management. This model could be expanded to cover a broader range of fields based on market demand. These courses should blend formal education with vocational training, with course duration varying according to job requirements. For students pursuing higher education, curricula should be adapted to reflect the skills demanded by the job market, and mandatory internships should be introduced to provide hands-on experience. Developing soft skills, like communication and problem-solving, is also essential. With Indias growing population, opening new educational institutions, supported by both public and private sectors, is necessary to meet increasing demand. Research and innovation are crucial for a nations future. India must support a select group of students pursuing research to meet the countrys long-term needs. However, given the limited market for research roles domestically, many scholars are compelled to seek opportunities abroad. Governments, both central and state, should invest in research institutions, providing more funding to retain skilled researchers and encouraging innovation within India. Self-employment accounts for nearly 50% of Indias workforce, with a large portion comprising farmers and small business owners. However, these individuals often earn less than those in salaried positions and may have entered self-employment due to a lack of alternative opportunities.< Beyond the industrial sector, there is a significant demand for skilled and semi-skilled workers, including drivers, electricians, masons, cooks, and security guards, among others. Many self-employed individuals, like craftsmen and repair technicians, have learned their trades informally, often without pay. Vocational training combined with formal education could significantly enhance their earning potential. For example, an educated driver with certification in vehicle maintenance and traffic regulations would have better job prospects and could command higher wages. (The writer is an author and writes on education; views are personal) As the opposition secures control over key territories, including vital trade corridors, the juntas authority appears increasingly tenuous Myanmars ruling junta is facing defeat and ouster, which will happen sooner than most people think. The latest, and one of the most serious, reverses suffered by the Sit-Tat (Myanmars Armys name), has been the fall, on October 8, 2024, of the township of Pinlebu to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), an important part of the coalition of forces fighting the junta, and its allies. Located on the border of the Sagaing Region and Kachin State, its capture opens up to the opposition forces the routes leading to the Kawlin township and the surrounding areas. Apart from its geo-strategic importance, the townships capture is significant for what it revealed of the Sit-Tats state. It suffered a resounding defeat. A report by Saw Lin, published in the news website, The Irrawaddy, on October 14, 2024, cites the opposition National Unity Government as claiming that the juntas troops, numbering 800, were defeated despite 670 airstrikes and the dropping of over 5,000 bombs, that around 70 junta soldiers were killed, 275 were missing, 225 were wounded, 48 surrendered and 102 captured during the fighting. Around 400 firearms and other military equipment were seized. The report further cites Thoe Gyi, the leader of Kawlin District Peoples Defense Team, as saying that Pinlebu, surrounded by forests and mountains, was easy to defend, and difficult to attack. There had been four attacks since the first one in 2022, each of which had almost succeeded but the regime held on with air support and airlifted troops. The fifth one, which began on August 15, 2024, was successful. The enemy, Thoe Gyi said, was weak. Those who were forcibly recruited or drafted under the conscription law dared not fight and surrendered when the fighting broke out. Others surrendered after they ran out of food and could no longer fight. The Sit-Tat suffers from other weaknesses as well. There is discord within. Several three-stars generals have been removed. Many younger officers are unhappy as they recognise that almost the entire country is against them. Prior to Pinlebu, anti-junta forces had captured four towns in northern Mandalay. According to a report by Andrew Nachemson published in Al Jazeera dated September 23, 2024, their capture had placed them within striking distance of the city of Mandalay, Myanmars second largest urban centre, with a population of nearly two million. In fact, the Sit-Tat has suffered a series of reverses since the opposition Three Brotherhood Alliance (henceforth the Alliance) launched its offensive, codenamed Operation 1027, on October 27, 2023. Comprising the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), active in the Kokang Special Region of northern Shan State, the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), also active in the Shan State and the Arakan Army (AA), based in the Rakhine State in the countrys western part, it has been acting in close cooperation with the opposition National Unity Governments military arm, the Peoples Defence Force (PDF) and other ethnic armies like the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and Karen National Army, The AA had brought almost the entire Rakhine State under its control by April, 2024. In a major development, the MNDAA claimed on July 31, 2024, that it had captured Sit-Tats military base in Lashio, a city in Shan State close to the border with China, and its airport. This was a major loss for the junta. As Vivek Shankar has pointed out in a piece in The New York Times datelined August 5, 2024, the city of Lashio and its airport lie on a crucial trade corridor to Yunnan Province in China, which is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a high-speed rail link and other infrastructure projects on both sides of the border. The opposition forces now control large swathes of territory along Myanmars borders and mountainous region; the military retains control over the major cities and lowlands in the central Irrawaddy Valley. It is losing even the cities and towns. As Vivek Shankar has stated in the article cited above, the forces resisting the junta now held roughly 75 cities and towns across Myanmar and two airports, one in Thandwe in Rakhine State in the west, and the other in Lashio. The odds are now rapidly increasing against the Junta. The latter doubtless has tanks and other armoured vehicles, artillery and air force. Tanks and armoured vehicles are very difficult to deploy in the areas dominated by the ethnic forces. With densely forested mountainous terrains, deep gorges and steep climbs, these are ideal for staging ambushes. Moreover, air-strikes and artillery do not win wars, even when backed by heavily armed and trained infantry. Otherwise, the United States would have romped to a victory in Vietnam. Can the junta see the writing on the wall? During its 8 p.m. news broadcast on September 26, 2024, the junta seemed to offer, for the first time, a major concession to the opposition armed resistance groups. It said in a statement, The state lost a large number of human resources, infrastructures, lives and property of the people due to the fact some individuals and organizations chose to resort to armed terrorism and armed struggle line without solving political problems through political ways. Given the statements accusatory undertones and unbelievable inherent irony, it is hardly surprising that several commanders of the rebel forces, ethnic armies, and the opposition NUG government, promptly rejected the offer. A report (datelined September 27, 2024) by Sui-Lee Wee in The New York Times, quoted Ye Myo Hein, a visiting senior expert for the Myanmar programme of the United States Institute for peace, as saying, The reason they made this announcement is to appease China. It could well be so. As Wee points out in her report, while expressing support for the junta, Beijing has also been engaged in talks with northern Myanmars ethnic armed groups. According to the report, Chinas foreign minister, Wang Yi, had travelled to Myanmar in August, 2024, to urge the countrys army chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, to pursue political reconciliation and hold elections. Earlier, in a meeting with Myanmars president, Thein Sein, in China in June, Wang Yi had also called on the military to hold talks with Aung San Suu Kyi, who is currently serving a 27-year prison term on totally false charges. There is no indication that the junta has any intention of holding talks with Suu Kyi. In fact, in an interview to Myein Myein carried in The Irrawaddy on October 24, 2024, her son, Kim Arris, said she had been kept completely incommunicado in prison in Naypyitaw with even her family and lawyers barred from meeting her. The conditions in the prison being terrible and with Suu Kyi having serious health issues, he expressed the fear that she might die in prison, which may well happen. In that case, the burden of guilt not only be on the junta but the Western democracies which seem no longer bothered about developments in Myanmar. (The author is Consulting Editor, The Pioneer. The views expressed are personal) British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri says her debut feature "Santosh", which is the UK's official entry to the Oscars, is a deeply political film but she was careful that the story, woven around two female cops, doesn't become "didactic". Set in the interiors of north India, the movie revolves around a widow, played by Shahana Goswami, who gets her late husband's job of a police constable. She and her senior inspector (Sunita Rajwar) are soon sucked into a high profile investigation into the rape and murder of a Dalit teenager. "My film is deeply political about the role of women and where we are," Suri told PTI in an interview, admitting that she often gets lost for words to talk about the movie in a "bigger way" because she funnelled everything she felt about the subject into her movie. Suri said she knew from the beginning that her script was strong and hoped that as a director she makes the film "as good as the script". "I'm happy that I did manage to do that... The key to the story is that it doesn't become didactic or it doesn't become a campaigning film or a militant film," she said. "Santosh" premiered in the Un Certain Regard category at the Cannes Film Festival in May and recently screened at the Mumbai MAMI film festival. It will travel to the Dharamshala International Film Festival in November. Suri, who has made critically acclaimed documentaries such as "I For India" and "Around India with a Movie Camera", said the violence perpetuated against women is not a new topic, but it always disturbed her. It was also the starting seed for her movie. "There's been more media and outrage about some of these incidents in the last 10 years. But I remember reading daily reports about the casual daily violence and how almost depressingly normal it was for these things to happen even before 2012 (the Delhi gangrape and murder case). I was more outraged by the regularity of such incidents. So it was more like a cumulative effect about the violence as opposed to one particular event." Asked whether not being based in India gave her the necessary distance to explore the caste, gender and political faultlines in her movie, Suri credited her training in documentary filmmaking for helping her approach the topic a certain way. "For me, it is not about distance. It is about being a documentary maker and having a certain rigor about the level of observation and research, having a lot of respect for detail and putting them in the film... This film, in script and in shooting, elevated in its craft," she said. While she didn't set out to make a commercial or genre film, Suri is hopeful that when the film releases in India, "people would want to go and see it". "It just ended up that I made a film on the Indian police. Actually, it is a very accessible film and the actors are so great. I had an amazing run in the cinemas in France." Suri said the film's release in India is of "supreme importance" to her. "I did not make this film for viewers only outside of India... There are things which an Indian audience will definitely pick up that others might not." It was by design that her central protagonist is a housewife-turned-cop because the filmmaker wanted a lower middle class constable, who "does not move in higher circles". "I just wanted that really normal average woman who goes on this crazy journey. I wanted that type of woman to be seen all over the world." Suri does not want to make much of the fact that her film is the first Hindi film to represent the UK in the best international film category at the Oscars. "Given that it is a largely British-funded film with support from France and Germany and that I'm a British filmmaker of Indian origin, it sort of makes sense. In the beginning of this journey, financing myself out of the United Kingdom was difficult but with time, people have become a bit more used to that and I had great support here," she said. Both "Santosh" and Payal Kapadia's "All We Imagine As Light" screened at Cannes at different times. The director said while she missed meeting Kapadia at the French movie gala where "All We Imagine As Light" won the Grand Prix award, they crossed paths at the Telluride Film Festival later. On the inevitable question of female filmmakers triumphing at Cannes this year, she said, "I met Payal in Telluride for the first time, and I think for a joke that was the first question I asked her, 'Like, what do you feel about another female filmmaker?' "And she asked me the same thing and we had a little laugh because I think it's just a hard question to answer because we are filmmakers and we should be there. I think we're just happy in our own right to be there and in our own journeys because good films are good films." Hindu American groups have applauded Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump for promising to protect the human rights of Hindus across the world, including the US and Bangladesh and protect them from the "anti-religion agenda of the radical left." In his Diwali greetings on Thursday, Trump strongly "condemned the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities in Bangladesh", which he said remains in a total state of chaos. It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength, he said. We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, Trump had said. Utsav Sanduja, founder and chairman of Hindus for America First told PTI in an interview that they are very grateful to President Trump. "I'm very grateful to President Trump, eternally grateful and eternally appreciative. It sucks that Kamala Harris hasn't said anything about this issue. I think that there's going to be a big change in this election coming from this, Sanduja said. HinduAction also thanked Trump for his statement. As you rightly pointed out, the situation of the Hindus in Bangladesh is precarious. Below is a summary head with regularly updated data on the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, it said. Thank you President Trump for showing moral clarity and unequivocally condemning anti-Hindu pogroms in Bangladesh, said Indian-American Nathan Punwani. Trump is a great man and, a great leader, full credit goes to him for wishing all the Hindus, Buddhists, and Jain Sikhs a very blessed Diwali. I think Trump really, really cares about these communities. He really understands what's going on in Bangladesh. He sees the ongoing persecution of Hindus. He is concerned about religious minorities that are suffering right now in that country, Sanduja said. He has done such a great favour to millions of Americans who are concerned about human rights issues. To deliver on Diwali, such an auspicious day, such a magnificent thing. I'd like to say that many of us in the Hindu community played a small part in persuading President Trump's team, talking about this, giving briefings, and putting papers together, he said. We are seeing that 60 per cent of Indian Americans are supporting Kamala Harris. In the last election, I think 68 per cent supported Biden. There's a dip in support for the Democratic presidential candidate. Trump, last time around, had 22 per cent of the Indian American community. Now he's at 32 per cent. This is according to Carnegie Endowment's latest survey on Indian American attitudes, he said. With this statement, it's going to open up the eyes of more Indian Americans, Hindu Americans, and so on. They're going to give President Trump the vote, Sanduja said. Days after complete disengagement by India and China from the Line Of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh, the Indian army on Friday commenced patrolling at Demchok. Patrolling at Depsang Valley is expected to resume shortly. The two sides had disengaged from the two friction points in Demchok and Depsang, sources said here while informing that the Indian army has commenced patrolling. Indian and Chinese troops have completed disengagement at two friction points at Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh and patrolling is set to commence soon at these points, they had said on Wednesday. The following day, Indian and Chinese troops exchanged sweets at several border points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the occasion of Diwali. The traditional practice was observed a day after both the countries completed troop disengagement at the two friction points, bringing a fresh thaw in India-China relations. Sources had earlier said the areas and patrolling status were expected to be moved back to pre-April 2020 level. The verification process after disengagement was in progress and patrolling modalities were to be decided between ground commanders, the sources had said on Wednesday. Talks will continue at the local commander level, they had added. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on October 21 said in Delhi that an agreement was finalised between India and China following negotiations over the past several weeks and that it would lead to a resolution of the issues that arose in 2020. On October 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping endorsed the agreement on patrolling and disengagement along the LAC in eastern Ladakh during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan in Russia. The agreement was firmed up on patrolling and disengagement of troops along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, a breakthrough to end the over four-year standoff. The move marks a significant development in the pursuit of reduced tension along the LAC in eastern Ladakh since the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. Twenty Indian Army personnel including the commanding officer were killed in the clash. At least 40 Chinese soldiers also died in the clash. The ties between the two Asian nations had nosedived following the clash. The death of yet another wild elephant at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve takes the toll of dead pachyderms to 10 since the discovery of four corpses at Salakhaniya on Tuesday, confirmed forest officials. Officials said that post-mortem examinations have been completed on nine of the 10 dead mammals, who are believed to have been killed by mycotoxins present in Kodo - a locally grown millet. Samples have been dispatched to the School of Wildlife Forensics and Health in Jabalpur for further analysis. Wildlife veterinarians are in constant touch with experts at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) Bareilly, Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Dehradun, State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSCL) Sagar, and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) Hyderabad to get in-depth details about the said mycotoxins. The remaining three elephants from the herd - originally comprising 13 large mammals - are said to be in good health and are being constantly monitored in the forests where they are roaming. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden were also camping at the Bandhavgarh sanctuary to supervise the medical and geographical investigations into the horrific incident, being conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the state government and experts from the State Tiger Strike Force (STSF). Initial post-mortem reports say the elephants died due to multi-organ failure, and large amounts of Kodo millet were found in their bellies. Kodo, also known as cow grass or ditch grass, is a millet grown in indigenous rainfed farming systems of Madhya Pradesh. Earlier this year, the state government announced a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for its production. A staple in multigrain atta, the millet is prone to mycotoxins that may cause health risks in both humans and animals, with symptoms ranging from intoxication to poisoning, says a report published by the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in August 2003. The study states that the mycotoxins are carried in Kita, a contaminant known for high levels of Cyclopiazonic Acid or CPA. Mycotoxins are poisonous substances produced by fungi or mold. A small amount can be damaging to human or animal health and even cause death. Poisoning by mycotoxins is called mycotoxicosis, says research reviewed by doctors on WebMD. The top industry resource states that poor harvesting of crops can lead to the spread of these deadly mycotoxins, which are said to be increasing each year due to global warming. Indigenous farmers around the sanctuary grow Kodo. Sowing takes place in the Kharif season, and the millet is harvested in September-October. In a media brief, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), L Krishnamoorthy, insinuates that this killer crop may have been responsible for wiping out ten of the thirteen-member herd of elephants. The official statement, issued by the head of the SIT, leaves several questions lingering over how such a deadly crop was allowed to be cultivated on the margins of the sanctuary and, more importantly, if the cultivation of the millet will now be banned in the area. In a significant empathetic move that will ensure justice after 40 years of anti-Sikh riots, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved relaxation in qualifications for recruitment of victims of the 1984 riots. This decision, pending for decades due to procedural delays and insensitive red tape, will enable a larger pool of candidates to secure employment by becoming eligible for the same. Recognising the immense suffering and prolonged struggle faced by the 1984 riot victims, Saxena has also directed the concerned departments to explore the possibility of providing employment to the children of deceased or aged applicants on humanitarian grounds. This initiative is intended to alleviate the financial hardships faced by the affected families. According to political experts, this may help the BJP to woo Sikh voters ahead of the upcoming assembly polls in Delhi. The 1984 Sikh Riots were a blot on Indian democratic traditions. Terrible atrocities were committed upon a particular minority community, violating all standards of human rights. The riots had affected many families, taking lives of their single bread winners. I understand the historical context of this issue and the Government commitment to provide relief and rehabilitation to those affected. Given the significant trauma and hardship endured by the victims of the 1984 riots and the absence of relief for a few families for over the last four decades, a humanitarian view is needed. Though no relief can compensate for the loss of loved ones and mitigate the trauma faced by the families of the victims, I believe it is imperative to take a compassionate view for well-being of these families and their economic stability. Therefore, taking an empathetic view and considering the plight of the victims; and facts of the case as above, I hereby direct as under towards relief to the families of the victims of anti Sikh Riots, 1984, being a special category of persons which include full relaxation in required education qualification to the post of MTS to remaining applicants who were identified by the Revenue Department and Department to process the cases for granting employment to one of the children of the applicants wherein applicants have surpassed the age for employment, despite the age relaxations already granted, or passed away, the LG noted on the file. The decision comes after a comprehensive review of the cases, which revealed that several applicants had been denied employment despite meeting eligibility criteria. The government had previously nominated 564 individuals for compassionate appointments, with 133 securing positions in the 1990s. While age relaxation was granted in subsequent years, qualification relaxation remained a hurdle for many. According to Raj Niwas, various groups, public representatives, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and a delegation of the victims themselves had met the LG and appealed to consider all eligible applicants, including those who may have aged out or passed away. Following this, Saxena had directed the departments concerned to look into the issue with empathy and suggest a way forward. The Revenue Department, in its proposal, had suggested relaxing educational qualifications and allowing family members of original applicants to apply for the MTS posts. However, the Chief Secretary of Delhi recommended focusing solely on the qualification relaxation. However, the LG sent back the proposal for review by the Services Department. The Services Department on LGs directions, after a thorough examination of the matter, put up the file proposing that a one-time relaxation in educational qualifications could be granted as a special case to provide relief to the victims of the 1984 riots. With the LGs approval, the minimum educational qualification for the MTS post has been relaxed from 10th grade to 8th grade, making larger number of candidates eligible. A 40-year-old man and his 16 year old nephew were shot dead while his 15-year-old son was injured for revenge after two armed men opened fire outside their residence while they were celebrating Diwali in Delhi's Shahdara. According to the police on Friday, the juvenile, who was a distant relative to the deceased, has been apprehended in the matter. In a video surfacing on social media, two men are seen in yellow kurta who were celebrating the festival outside their house in Farsh Bazar area when two men wearing white t-shirts, with one of them riding a scooty, came there and touched Akash Sharma alias Chottus feet. When Akash tried going inside his house, one of the men furnished his gun and shot him in the chest. According to a senior police officer, while Akash and his teenage nephew Rishabh Sharma were killed in the incident, his son Krish Sharma sustained bullet injuries around upper to right elbow. DCP Shahdara Prashant Gautam said, "On receiving a PCR call at 8:23 pm, a police team was dispatched. The team found blood at the spot and it was known that the three injured persons were taken to Kailash Deepak Hospital. Akash Sharma's son Krish and nephew Rishabh, who were standing nearby, were also hit by bullets. While Akash and Rishabh were declared dead by doctors at the hospital, Krish is undergoing treatment. A case has been registered on the statement of a 16 year old Yash Sharma, who is Akashs son, who stated that the accused have given life threats to the deceased previously as well. As per the statement, he along with both the deceased and injured Krish Sharma was celebrating Diwali outside their house when their distant relative came there on a scooty, at the same time a person wearing a mask also came there. The juvenile asked that person to kill Akash and that person whipped out a pistol and fired shots at the three persons. Then both of them ran away from the spot, the DCP claimed. According to the police, it seems to be a case of personal enmity. On interrogation he disclosed, Akash Sharma had promised to give him Rs 70,000/- but later on he refused to pay the said amount. The CCL wanted to take revenge from Akash as the latter had not paid the amount, so he contacted his friends for killing Akash, Gautam said. The FIR reveals that the accused has come to the house for the last three days and on the eve of Diwali, he came there around 7 pm. A call was also also received on my fathers phone by the accuseds father who threatened my father that it is a matter of time, we will surely take revenge, it stated. An FIR under section 103 (punishment for murder), 109 (Attempt to murder), 351(3) (Criminal intimidation) and 3(5) of BNS was registered. The police recovered five empty cartridges, one live round and four bullet lead from the spot. Statements of the victims' family members will be recorded and further investigations are underway, they added. Meanwhile, following a double murder, the ruling AAP questioned the BJP's handling of law and order, accusing the central government's inaction as a contributing factor. In a press conference, senior AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj expressed concerns, alleging the worsening law and order situation in Delhi. "Due to the collapsed law and order situation in the city, two people celebrating Diwali were murdered in public last night. If the BJP had put efforts into improving the law and order situation, then murders, gang wars, and looting would not be taking place every day," Bharadwaj said. "The BJP has to answer how the situation got so severe in the national capital. This could not have happened without the nod of the central government," he said. He added that cases of snatching have also exceeded all limits, with women now avoiding carrying phones and wearing gold ornaments in public. Bharadwaj further said that even the French Ambassador fell victim to pickpocketing in the national capital of the country, underscoring concerns despite the installation of CCTV cameras across Delhi. Trump is certainly not getting the female vote, and with many MAGA voters being denied the chance to vote if they wear a MAGA hat especially, as well as some voting machines are not allowing a vote for Trump, things dont look so good for the orange guy with garbage as followers. Female voters in Democrat states are bolstered by the divisive subject of abortion and are clearly going for Kamala Harris. Voting machine in Laurel County Kentucky. Awfully convenient glitch. Clear example of why we need paper ballots until we can vote on a decentralized immutable ledger. Check your ballots BEFORE scanning. Tear up a bad ballot, tell staff, do another. Once scanned, its over. pic.twitter.com/pCIsq54MZb DivXMaN (@crypto_div) October 31, 2024 Many voting machines across many states do not allow voters to choose Trump, and some even immediately switch to Kamala Harris, even when the choice is Trump. It is not clear whether these glitches are programmed into the software, or they are genuine malfunctions in the system. Naturally, none of these concerns are aired by the US media. A white Trump supporter is assaulted and denied voting by black Democrat poll workers for having a MAGA hat. This is what happens when their leaders tell them that were garbage, they feel righteously emboldened to do whatever they want. Disgraceful. pic.twitter.com/x9HOqsH9BL PNY (@PONY_Official) October 31, 2024 Racist black voting staff in Democrat states clearly try to deny Trump voters from exercising their right to vote. This is a clear breach of voting laws and protocol, but it is happening in all Democrat run states. Polling stations should not employ such clearly racist and aggressive staff. Depriving someones right to vote clearly falls into the field of fascism. This the LAST time I am going to tell you guys this! There IS NO VOTER OR ELECTION FRAUD. So just stop it!!!!!! In Michigan, one voter ID has reportedly voted 29 times. All on the same day. pic.twitter.com/SkuKyzjlTC Denise (@Likeshesays) October 31, 2024 Because Democrat run states allow voting to take place without voter ID, and have fought very hard to preserve this fraudulent activity, the above voting record shows that one person voted for Kamala 29 times in a single day. If even only a fraction of voters in a Democrat state did this, there is no doubt that Kamala Harris would win by a large margin. You dont think voter fraud is real? Think again. Share this everywherepic.twitter.com/72x1LDh0lE Victor Bigham (@Ravious101) October 24, 2024 The above video shows an Irish citizen allowed to vote, with no ID, who has no right to vote in the USA. Only US citizens are allowed to vote in elections, yet the Democrat election worker clearly hands over a ballot voting slip despite contravening clear election rules. We could go on and on, but we have clearly outlined before that it is an almost impossibility for Trump to win against this level of voter fraud on such a grand scale. The US electoral process is corrupt to the bone and not fit for purpose. The only way to vote for the correct candidate in the USA today is sadly through a second civil war. That is the only way to cleanse the nation, and restart the country cleanly. Its a good thing that many Americans are now so wokified and timid for that to ever happen. Get back to nodding your heads, and taking it up the ass, because no one has the guts to confront the mass fraud that is so prevalent in America today. American elections are the laughingstock of the world. Kamala Harris has got this one in the bag, and theres nothing anyone can do about it. Jesus Christ himself could be the candidate opposite the chosen Democrat Party candidate, and every person in America could vote for him, but hed still lose under the current corrupt conditions. A judge at Derry Magistrate's Court told a defendant that community service 'was not a chain gang'. His comments came after John Henry Sweet (47) of Duncreggan Road in Derry admitted a series of offences that occurred on July 25 and expressed reluctance to accept community service. The court heard that police were called to a drink male causing a nuisance at the train station in the city. They found Sweet lying on the ground and as there was a strong smell of cannabis from him. Police carried out a search and found 6 grammes of cannabis in a bag. During the search Sweet tried to grab the bag police were searching. As he was being arrested he lunged at an officer and tried to headbutt him. He was also abusive and shouted despite being warned to cease. At interview Sweet claimed he found the cannabis and decided to keep it. A defence barrister said that her client accepted that his behaviour was 'unsavoury'. READ NEXT: Derry City and Strabane police acknowledge the planning of the Halloween celebrations She said Sweet had difficulties in life and said he felt he was unable to do community service due to health issues. District Judge Barney McElholm said that the probation service would take any health issues into account. He said Sweet had 'a deplorable record' and imposed an enhanced combination order of 18 months probation and 100 hours community service. North West Migrants Forum, the community group, based in Strand Road, is one of a number of community projects across Northern Ireland that will receive financial support from Bank of Irelands Begin Together Community Fund in 2024. The funding North West Migrants Forum receives will help them to provide tailored support for those seeking asylum locally including developing their English language skills and integration into the community. North West Migrants Forum is among four other organisations operating across Northern Ireland who are set to benefit from funding:Depaul, an all-island homeless charity, Mae Murray Foundation, which delivers individual and family-centred services to those with disabilities, complex medical conditions and the elderly, Cara Friend, which supports the LGBTQIA+ community and Lisburn and Belfast Womens Aid, which supports those experiencing domestic abuse. In this, the fifth year of the Begin Together Fund, 420,000 is being allocated to community groups across the island of Ireland which will be delivered in partnership with the Community Foundation Ireland. Initiatives will receive grants starting from 8,400 up to 67,200. Several organisations have been awarded multi-year grants to help fund long term projects. The current round of grants will bring the total value of Begin Together grants issued through the Bank of Ireland Community Fund since 2020 to 2.1 Million across 286 community projects. The groups supported include those who are disproportionately impacted by some of the most critical issues throughout the island of Ireland today. These groups include migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees, families and individuals living in or at risk of poverty, older people, people experiencing homelessness, people experiencing domestic abuse, and the LGBTQ+ community. George Higginson, Managing Director, Everyday Banking, Bank of Ireland UK said: We have been working with the Community Foundation Ireland to distribute Begin Together Funding to help charities and organisations supporting those most marginalized in our society. We are proud to be able to allocate grants to a broad range of groups working to help those impacted by some of the most critical societal issues including homelessness and domestic abuse. This year, in addition to single year grants we have introduced a number of multi-year grants which we hope will provide greater stability and opportunity for successful organisations to forward plan. We are pleased to provide our support to each of the successful grantees and wish them well as they deliver their impactful projects. Commenting on the funding, Gaelle Gormley, Community Integration and Welfare Officer, North West Migrants Forum,said: Our project addresses the critical and growing needs of many of the 250 people seeking asylum in Derry, hailing from non-English speaking countries, who face significant mental health challenges and struggle to navigate complex legal systems. The rise in anti-immigrant sentiment further complicates their integration, as misconceptions persist about people seeking asylum being dangerous, unwilling to work or burdening public services. By empowering them with English language skills, we facilitate their integration into the community, enabling them to engage in conversations with the public and their new neighbours. We are so pleased to have been awarded Begin Together funding from Bank of Ireland which will enable us to enhance our offerings by providing tailored support for our volunteers. A full list of 2024 Begin Together grantees is available on the Bank of Ireland website: bankofireland.com/begintogetherfund Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Since April 2023, almost 300 people from Derry and Strabane Council Area have been referred, or have referred themselves, to Nexus for support. The demand in the area represents the highest outside of Belfast. This comes as a local survivor shares how support transformed their life as part of the Charitys 40th Anniversary. Derry and Strabane Council will also join other Councils across Northern Ireland and light up Council Offices on the Strand Road and the Ally Theatre in Strabane on 4th November, symbolising solidarity with survivors of sexual abuse and as a beacon of hope for those yet to seek support. It has been 40 years since local charity Nexus opened its doors to people impacted by sexual abuse. Its beginnings are rooted in a community coming together after a spate of rapes in South Belfast in 1984, the past four decades has seen the Charity grow in size and reach, with over 18k people having received counselling support in the past 10 years alone. Natalie, not her real name, from the area, shares her story:I never expected to experience what happened to me. When I went on what shouldve been a memorable holiday with my family, I had my whole world turned into despair and distress, nothing that couldve prepared me to feel the enormity of emotions and the physical and psychological impact this had over me. I knew what happened was immensely wrong, but I tried to bury it. I didnt know how to handle it, and day by day the pain was worse. I knew I needed help to process what I was feeling. I rang Nexus and the lady who answered was very caring & put me at ease advising me there would be a wait. I cant express how much this meant to me and still does to have this vital support. I have an amazing family who have been so supportive in every way. I still needed the support of Nexus with the years of experience/background and understanding they have, to help me slowly work my way through this. Joanne Barnes, CEO of Nexus, said: While we are not celebrating the fact there is still a need for our services after 40 years, its important that we mark this milestone as a reminder to survivors of sexual abuse that we are here to support them, no matter when the abuse took place. We know when people see these stories in the media this prompts them to seek support, this has been evident in Nexus when there was extensive coverage of Jimmy Savilles crimes in 2012, and when the Rugby Rape Trial was taking place in 2018. Nexus has expanded from adult counselling to providing essential support for children, families, and professionals across Northern Ireland. Joanne explains: Were not only providing support, were working to prevent abuse through education on safe and healthy relationships. Nexus also trains professionals to recognise and respond to disclosures of abuse. Additionally, Nexus manages Northern Irelands Domestic and Sexual Abuse helpline on behalf of Government and offers aftercare to those ready to continue their healing journey beyond therapy. Joanne concluded: Demand for support has meant that gradually over the last 15 years the number of free counselling sessions available to our clients have decreased from 26 sessions to 12 sessions, however wait times have also dramatically reduced from 2 years in some cases, to 12 weeks, and our clients continuously report how much of a positive impact our services have on their lives they are the reason we are here and will continue to be. There is much more that we want and have to do, for example, I would like to see a therapeutic crisis de-escalation service in the immediate aftermath of an attack, when people are not yet ready for counselling, but need support to normalise and regulate their emotions. Natalie concluded: This isnt something where you receive counselling and your healed. Knowing now my lifes changed forever, Nexus counselling has helped me to open up about what I endured. I learnt it is ok to release the emotions. Nexus taught me to understand the scale of what happened to me. To no longer minimise it. After the counselling I was offered a post counselling service, it is comforting to know that there is still someone to talk to if I feel overwhelmed. Nexus helped me speak to authorities to report whats happened and this is ongoing for me. I am and will be eternally thankful for my family who have been my rock and Nexus who are vital for people who have suffered any type of abuse. I am so glad I reached out. A 36-year-old Nigerian man who was the first recipient of the North West Regional College (NWRC) Asylum Seeker Scholarship has graduated from his course. Chukwuka Frank Nwanonenyi (known as Frank) studied for the Access Adult Learning Diploma at NWRC, a qualification which prepares people without traditional qualifications for university level study. Earlier this week he was among the Class of 2024 who graduated at the annual NWRC Higher Education and Access Graduation ceremony at the Millennium Forum. Frank, who is now continuing his education at NWRC and has enrolled in the Foundation Degree in Applied and Medical Science said: I am so proud to be graduating from NWRC. Since I moved here from Nigeria I have received fantastic support from the staff and lecturers at the college who have helped me achieve my dream. My plan is to keep studying and go on to a career in the Health and Science sector. I always wanted a career in health because of the painful experiences I went through as a sickle cell disease carrier, a serious and lifelong health condition. People with sickle cell disease are not sure what their life expectancy is. As a survivor, I want to work with people who have the same or a similar condition. I want to thank NWRC and the North West Migrants Forum (NWMF) who have helped support me on this journey. Gillian Moss, Head of Client Services at NWRC said: We are very proud to see Frank graduate from his course. Not only has Frank been an excellent student but he is a familiar face around the college and has made friends and formed relationships with other students and staff. We are even happier to know that Frank is staying on at NWRC and continuing studying for the next two years. We are excited about what the future holds for Frank. The NWRC Asylum Seeker Scholarship supports the studies of an Asylum seeker through the NWMF with the right to study as part of their immigration status. We are continuing with the scholarship and hope to announce the 2024 recipients very soon. NWRC looks forward to continuing to support all students in our inclusive learning environment which supports learners from a range of backgrounds and experiences. Chukwuka Frank Nwanonenyi pictured with Lilian Seenoi Barr, Chief Executive of the North West Migrants Forum and Gillian Moss, Head of Client Services at North West Regional College. (Picture Martin McKeown). Chief Executive of the North West Migrants Forum, Lilian Seenoi Barr, said: It gives us immense pride to see Frank reach this milestone. We know how hard he has worked and the struggles he has faced in getting to this point. In being the first asylum seeker to receive a scholarship from North West Regional College, Frank has blazed a trail. We wish him well as he continues along the path to his chosen career and we look forward to seeing those who come after him achieve their goals and ambitions. READ NEXT: Strand Road PSNI enquiry office temporarily closed for maintenance work We also want to commend North West Regional College for its ongoing commitment to supporting individuals who have arrived on these shores with very little, often fleeing war, persecution and natural disaster. It is a partnership forged from mutual understanding and we look forward to it continuing long into the future. At the graduation ceremony on Wednesday - NWRC announced that applications for their 2025/2026 courses have opened. You can apply for all full and part-time HE courses at www.nwrc.ac.uk/higher-education A man has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged in connection with the finding of 27,000 worth of cocaine. Michael Mitchell (31) of Bluebell Avenue in Cullion outside Derry appeared charged with drug offences and possessing fireworks. Mitchell faced charges of being concerned in the supply of cannabis, offering to supply cannabis and Diazepam and possessing Diazepam on October 30. He was further charged with possessing cocaine, fireworks and counterfeit euros valued at twelve hundred euros on the same date. Mitchell was charged with possessing other drugs on dates in June and August. A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail. He told the court that a search had been carried out at a property belonging to the defendant and drugs found but Mitchell was not present. A further search of the same property was carried out in August and more drugs allegedly found. Some days later Mitchell voluntarily attended with police and was charged and released on police bail. On October 30 police searched two properties in Derry where Mitchell was working on a vehicle. A range of items were found and in the vehicle Mitchell was working on 225 grammes of cocaine valued at 27,000 was found. A quantity of fireworks was also found. READ NEXT: North West Migrants Forum among local community groups to receive Begin Together funding from Bank of Ireland In a pre-prepared statement Mitchell accepted responsibility for some of the drugs but denied the cocaine. Bail was opposed due to the fear of flight as the defendant is originally from the Republic of Ireland. Defence counsel Stephen Mooney said that the fact his client had voluntarily attended with police showed there was little risk of flight. He said his client had 'engaged with police' and denied having the cocaine as he was only working on the vehicle. District Judge Barney McElholm said he was prepared to give Mitchell a chance. He released him on bail with a cash surety of 2,000, imposed a curfew and tag and prohibited the defendant from having any internet enabled device. Mitchell will appear again on November 28. Luxembourg space startup seeks EUR30M for global 5G IoT satellite expansion Luxembourg-based satellite telecom operator OQ Technology is testing investor appetite for space-based Internet of Things (IoT) technology, seeking EUR 30 million in fresh funding as competition intensifies in the nascent market for satellite-enabled device connectivity. The company, which has deployed 10 satellites since 2019, plans to launch 20 more as larger telecommunications companies and satellite operators begin developing similar IoT services. The Series B funding round follows a EUR 13 million raise in 2022 and aims to strengthen its global 5G IoT network coverage. OQ Technology has secured initial backing through a convertible loan from the Luxembourg Space Sector Development Fund, a joint initiative between SES S.A. and the Luxembourg government. Previous investors, including Aramco's venture capital arm Wa'ed Ventures and Greece's Phaistos Investment Fund, are participating in the new round. The startup differentiates itself by focusing on standardized cellular technology for narrowband-IoT, contributing to 3GPP protocols that allow existing cellular chips to connect with satellites. This approach contrasts with proprietary systems offered by competitors, replacing traditional bulky satellite systems with compact, cost-efficient IoT modems that offer plug-and-play functionality. "The satellite IoT sector is still largely in the proof-of-concept phase," says the company representative. "While there's significant potential, companies face challenges in standardization and convincing industries to adopt these new technologies at scale." In an effort to secure its supply chain, the company is exploring partnerships in Taiwan's semiconductor industry. It has begun collaborating with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), though these relationships are still in the early stages. The company has shipped initial terminals to prospective Taiwanese clients, marking its first steps in the Asian market. The global reach for semiconductor partnerships comes as the company expands its geographical footprint, having established subsidiaries in Greece, Saudi Arabia, and Rwanda. Plans for US market entry are underway, though regulatory approvals and spectrum access remain hurdles in some markets. Current clients include Aramco, Telefonica, and Deutsche Telekom, primarily using the technology for asset tracking and remote monitoring in industries such as energy, logistics, and agriculture. While the company estimates a potential market of 1.5 billion devices that could use satellite IoT connectivity, actual adoption rates remain modest. "The challenge isn't just technical capability," notes the company representative. "It's about proving the economic case for satellite IoT in specific use cases where terrestrial networks aren't viable but the application can support satellite connectivity costs." Market dynamics are also shifting. Recent announcements from major tech companies about satellite-to-phone services have sparked interest in space-based connectivity, but may also increase competition for spectrum and market share. Several companies are pursuing similar standards-based approaches, potentially commoditizing the technology. For OQ Technology, the ability to deploy its planned satellites and convert pilot projects into paying customers will be crucial. While the company's focus on standardized technology may reduce technical risks, successfully scaling the business will require navigating complex regulatory environments and proving the technology's reliability across different use cases. Credit: OQ Technology Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. South Korea rides the nuclear wave to boost exports and domestic energy resilience South Korea, one of the world's most nuclear-reliant nations, has seen nuclear power generation reach historic highs for two consecutive years. Under President Yoon Suk-yeol's administration, the nation has leaned into nuclear energy, driven by surging global energy costs and mounting pressure to achieve carbon neutrality. This shift positions nuclear energy as a critical component of South Korea's power mix, with plans to boost nuclear power exports and foster a skilled workforce to support the industry. In 2023, nuclear energy accounted for nearly a quarter of South Korea's power, contrasting with Taiwan's heavier dependence on fossil fuels. While both nations have similar per capita electricity usage, South Korea's energy structure skews more towards nuclear, with nuclear power and renewables comprising about half of its power supply, unlike Taiwan's dominant reliance on coal and gas. Amid global crises that have heightened energy insecurity, countries like Japan, China, and India are rethinking nuclear energy's role. South Korea aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. This goal drives efforts to reduce coal use, expand nuclear power and renewable energy sources, and invest in emerging technologies, such as hydrogen energy. Currently, South Korea operates six nuclear plants with 24 reactors, placing Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) as the sixth-largest nuclear power generator globally. Nuclear power's advantage lies in cost-efficiency; fuel expenses make up only 10% of nuclear generation costs compared to 60% for fossil fuels, a particularly attractive feature as AI and data centers add significant power demands. Global enthusiasm for nuclear is resurging. Europe and the US are reclassifying nuclear power as a climate solution, with nuclear capacity projected to grow 2.5 times by 2050, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In Asia, capacity could nearly quadruple by then. South Korea, too, is embracing this trend, with plans to expand its fleet from 25 to 28 reactors and complete its Small Modular Reactor (SMR) design by 2025. South Korean firms are also making strides internationally. KHNP was recently selected as the preferred partner for a US$18 billion nuclear project in the Czech Republic, positioning South Korea as a competitive player in global nuclear construction with its cost-effective third-generation APR1400 reactor technology. Domestically, President Yoon's pro-nuclear policies have ramped up nuclear utilization rates above 80%, a reversal from the Moon administration's partial exit. Public sentiment mirrors this shift, with 75% of South Koreans backing nuclear power, though concerns about nuclear waste storage persist. As part of a broad industrial vision, the government is also investing in nuclear R&D and talent, aiming to train 1,000 graduate-level specialists to fuel its nuclear ambitions. The revival of South Korea's nuclear industry under Yoon's administration suggests a robust future, with the sector poised to become a key export engine in the coming years. Dundalk accountancy firm UHY Farrelly Dawe White has introduced a new visual look as all UHY branded firms worldwide unite under one global brand identity. UHY, ranked in the top 20 networks worldwide, has member firms in 96 countries, employing over 9,700 people. UHY Farrelly Dawe White is a director led Audit, Tax and Advisory firm headquartered in Dundalk. The firm was established in 1989 and has been a member of the UHY network since 2008. UHY FDW has four offices located across the North-East along the M1 corridor, in Dundalk, Balbriggan, Dublin and Newry. Managing Director Alan Farrelly said that UHY is an agile, people first business, driven by innovation and global perspective. Thats why its time for all UHY branded firms worldwide to unite under one global brand identity, he added. While our brands visual identity - logo, colours, website etc - has transformed, nothing changes day-to-day. Our purpose Achieve a Better Future Together - remains unchanged. UHY clients will continue to work with the same teams and receive the same expert service. Whats new is a visual identity that represents the bold, modern firm we have become today, Farrelly stated. In tandem with the rebrand, UHY FDW is also launching a new website, www.uhyfdw.ie According to Farrelly, the green colour in the new UHY FDW corporate branding symbolises strength, prosperity, and growth. Our choice of green also reflects our commitment to ESG principles, which are the foundation of the responsible and prosperous future we are building for our clients, teams and communities, Farrelly explained. UHY FDW is led by a team of eight directors and employs over 75 people. Several of the principals have a Big 4 background, and the firm provides services to a diverse portfolio of clients which includes several large local and international groups. Winner of Best Professional Service Award at the recent Louth Business Awards 2024, UHY FDW currently act as auditors to over 250 companies in Ireland and the UK. We are proud of our accomplishments but even more excited about the growth and opportunities that lie ahead, said Farrelly. As we continue to expand, we want UHY to be recognised not only for our expertise and service levels but also for our positive and proactive embrace of wellbeing, ESG, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Read Next: Government's Covid-19 review falls short, leaving Dealgan House families without answers, says Dundalk TD UHY FDW is recognised by ACCA as a Gold Accredited employer and last year launched a new Corporate Advisory department. We invested in a leading professional in the field, to join the board of directors, specialising in corporate advisory services. Over the last 12 months he has built a team of professionals who have advised on deals valued at over 100m. This director-led team of three seasoned experts is dedicated to providing bespoke advisory services that address the complex and evolving needs of our corporate clients, said Farrelly. Farrelly added that the past year UHY FDW has increased its headcount by 25% and experienced significant growth in the charity and not for profit sector. The Government will act immediately on the central recommendations of a Tusla review into the disappearance of schoolboy Kyran Durnin, the minister for children said. Roderic OGorman is due to receive the child and family agencys detailed report about its engagement with Kyran and his family. Gardai launched a murder investigation in October into the disappearance of the Co Louth schoolboy, who was potentially missing for two years, unknown to authorities. Gardai suspect that Kyran may have died in 2022, when he was six. Tusla said last week it raised a significant concern about the missing child to police in August. Last week, investigators searched a former family home in Dundalk and adjoining land. Irelands police chief has described the case as extraordinary and said he has never seen one like it in his 40-year career. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said on Friday that he is updated every day on the investigation. He said Gardai had received a huge amount of information from the public after several appeals. I can assure you that that investigation is very active, were pursing all the lines of inquiry that we have, he said, speaking in Co Laois. We have received a huge amount of information from the public, so all of that has to be processed, and were also engaging with Tusla and received a lot of information from Tusla as well. All of that feeds into the inquiry. It is a very complex and properly resourced investigation and is being assisted by national bureaux in terms of expertise around interviewing and the assessment of the witness accounts weve received so far. Mr OGorman said that he would receive a report from Tusla on its engagement with Kyran and his family. A separate report would be issued to Education Minister Norma Foley in relation to Tuslas Education Support Service about Kyrans interactions with school authorities. Read Next: Blackrock is Ireland's Tidiest Small Town I and my department will engage with Tusla in terms of the implementation of any of the immediate recommendations for that report, Mr OGorman said. Its a detailed report and were very conscious that theres an ongoing Garda investigation, a murder investigation, ongoing right now, so Tusla wont be putting out anything that is any way prejudicial to an ongoing murder investigation. But importantly, this report will also go to the National Review Panel, thats the independent body that examines the death of any child who was known to Tusla, and the internal report from Tusla will be considered by the National Review Panel. But we will be acting immediately on any central recommendations that this review brings to us today. Clogherhead RNLI came to the aid of seven fishermen on Wednesday night after their fishing trawler got into difficulty 15 miles northeast of Clogherhead when fishing nets became snagged in its propeller. The all-weather Shannon class lifeboat, the Michael O'Brien, was launched at 7.24pm under Coxswain Tomas Whelehan and with mechanic Ronan King and crew members Sean Reilly, Derek Shevlin and Carol Holcroft onboard. The volunteer crew reached the 18m fishing trawler and found that the fishermen onboard who were all wearing lifejackets, were all safe and in good spirits but on assessment of the situation, notes the trawler could not make any safe onward progress because of its fouled propeller. Read Next: Dundalk's Cllr Butler urges local schools to apply for free solar panels It was decided that the best course of action was to tow the vessel to the nearest safe port, Port Oriel where they arrived at 11.30pm and where Clogherhead Coast Guard was present to provide assistance. Speaking following the call out, Clogherhead RNLI Coxswain Tomas Whelehan said: The fishing trawler snagged a net in its propeller which is a common occurrence especially in strong tidal conditions like the Irish Sea. With little marine traffic in the area and strong tidal conditions, although not in any immediate danger, the experienced skipper made the correct call to contact the Coast Guard when help was required. For anyone working at sea, we would encourage you to keep your vessels stability in mind so you can significantly reduce the risk of capsize, ensure your vessel is well maintained and make sure you can stay afloat in an emergency with a lifejacket, stay in touch with a radio or phone and stay put with a suitable anchor to secure your position. If you do get into difficulty, call the Coast Guard on VHF channel 16 or by phone on 999 or 112. Following an information in October to help relaunch the 2nd Louth Blackrock Scout Group in the Blackrock/Haggardstown & surrounding area, Scouting Ireland is holding a follow up meeting for adults only, on Wednesday 6 November in the Geraldines at 7.30pm. Scouting Ireland Development Support Officer for the North Eastern Province, Mr Peter O'Brien, has forwarded a message to those who are interested in attending. It reads as follows: "On behalf of the Community and Scouting Ireland I would like to thank you for taking the time to attend the presentation on scouting in the Geraldines on Monday 21st last. "With expression of interest that we received at that presentation I would like to invite you to a further meeting to explore the process that might be adopted to relaunch the 2nd Louth Blackrock Scout Group in the area. "At this meeting we would explore the necessary steps required to relaunch the 2nd Louth Blackrock in the area. We would outline in detail the role and commitment of the leader and we will try to establish if there is a core of adults willing to train as leaders. "The meeting will take place on Wednesday 6th November in the Geraldines at 7.30pm. If you know of any other adults who have expressed an interest in the project and were unable to attend the presentation, please do encourage them to attend this meeting. "If you have any queries on this meeting, Scouting in General or are unable to attend this particular date please do not hesitate to contact me on the number below Thanks Peter" Peter O'Brien Development Support Officer North Eastern Province Scouting Ireland, National Office, Larch Hill, Dublin D16 P023 087-4826523 Sinn Fein in Louth has announced that popular North Louth Councillor Antoin Watters will run as a third candidate in the constituency alongside incumbent Ruairi O Murchu TD and Cllr Joanna Byrne from Drogheda. Speaking today, Cllr Watters said: When I was asked by the Party to run as a candidate I didnt hesitate. We must give people a clear choice between the status quo and a Party that will deliver change. We must be bold, we must be brave, we must increase our seats if we are to form a government and I am honoured to play my part in that badly needed change. It is incredible that successive Fianna Fail and Fine Gael Governments supported by their cohorts in the Labour Party and the Green Party have consistently and systematically been failing us as a State and get away with it. The people cant take any more and the squandering and waste of public money is unforgivable: 635,000 for a bike shed, 1,000,000 for a security hut, the Childrens Hospital to name a few. The final straw for me was the allocation of 9,000,000 (9 million euro) in Budget 2025 for mobile phone pouches to keep students off their phones during school hours. They then insulted peoples intelligence by selling this waste as positive well-being and mental health as the latest figures for those waiting for CAMHS shows 695 people in Louth of whom 115 have been waiting over 52 weeks. Why dont we tell students to switch off their phones or keep them in their lockers and invest that 9 million in CAMHS? Cllr Watters who is a father of two young children said he despaired of their future if things dont change. I have 3 brothers and all of them have been forced to emigrate and I certainly dont want to lose my own children to emigration so we need a progressive housing and planning policy to allow children born in rural North Louth to stay in their community if they so choose. "Sinn Fein has that policy (Housing For All) which includes the building of 60,000 self-build rural homes (state-wide) accompanied by meaningful reform of planning laws to solve problems faced by those wanting to build on their own land in their own communities. Rural areas like Cooley, Omeath, Faughart, etc have been ignored and left behind by successive Governments almost to the point of decimation. We had to beg and plead for adequate broadband, we have little or no public transport infrastructure and recently a report from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) detailed the staggering failure of Government to invest in infrastructure across the State. "People living in Cooley are not surprised at this: we have lived with Governments indifference to us for decades. Thats why Sinn Fein has committed to a Rural Health Commission to deliver health-care, home care and disability services to areas such as Cooley, Faughart and surrounding areas. We deserve better and as a Councillor I have worked hard to deliver locally and now I am asking people to support me as I take the next step and go to the Dail with Ruairi O Murchu and deliver on the progressive policies of Sinn Fein. I am angry at the empty promises of Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour and the Greens. I am asking the electorate to also get angry and stand up and say enough! No more! and vote for change. This election is a clear choice between Government parties that are standing over their abysmal record or a Sinn Fein government committed to delivering change. South East Technological University (SETU) has been hit by a cyber attack. SETU said in a short statement on Friday that its IT systems were targeted. The university said the cybersecurity incident was identified at the earliest possible stage and its IT team moved swiftly to safeguard its systems. Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that any data or information has been compromised. However, we continue to monitor the situation closely as investigations are ongoing, it said. Our internal IT team is liaising with external cyber security experts to resolve the issue and minimise any potential impact. However, staff and students may experience some disruption as we continue to work to resolve the issue. It said that relevant Government departments and authorities have been notified. SETU, Irelands fifth technological university, was established on May 1 2022 and has 18,500 students across four campuses in Waterford, Carlow, Wexford and Wicklow. Fighter jet takes off for training China Military Online) 10:06, November 01, 2024 A fighter jet attached to a brigade under the Chinese PLA Air Force takes off for a flight training exercise aiming to hone the pilots' capabilities on September 29, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Cui Baoliang) A fighter jet attached to a brigade under the Chinese PLA Air Force takes off for a flight training exercise aiming to hone the pilots' capabilities on September 29, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Cui Baoliang) A fighter jet attached to a brigade under the Chinese PLA Air Force takes off for a flight training exercise aiming to hone the pilots' capabilities on September 29, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Cui Baoliang) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) The Mayor of the County of Cork Joe Carroll has launched a framework plan to improve life for older people. The Cork County Age Friendly Strategy 2024 2028 provides a structure for inter-agency cooperation to support older people to live in their own homes, lead healthy and active lives, and contribute to their communities. The strategy was jointly prepared by the Cork County Age Friendly Alliance and the Older Persons Council and is the culmination of a consultation that brought together older residents and key service providers. Experience County Cork is built on the experience of our older residents, through community involvement and volunteering, and by working and being active members of our business community, Mr Carroll said. The essence of what makes our county a great place to live is built on their efforts. There have been many beneficial initiatives and developments undertaken across the county, resulting in improved quality of life of our older citizens and I look forward to the impact this new strategy will have. The framework sets out nine goals and corresponding actions, across transportation, housing, island communities, civic and social participation, health services, inclusion, and employment. Chief executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell, said the Age Friendly Strategy aims to position County Cork to respond and enable older people to live active and healthy lives. Chair of Cork County Older Peoples Council, Liz Downes, said older peoples voices are key to the development of age-friendly programme strategies in every community across the county. The Council will ensure that older people are valued and appreciated and that they are listened to. If we all play a role in correcting perceptions and enabling greater interactions between generations, we can help to create a more cohesive society for people of all ages, she said. Marks & Spencer has announced 40 new seasonal job opportunities across its Cork stores this festive period. The company has said that it is looking to recruit the new 40 staff members for the Christmas period across its Patrick Street and Douglas stores. Nationally, the company has announced that 210 jobs are available. The customer assistant positions are in the foods and clothing and home departments and will involve serving customers, keeping shelves stocked, and helping with recommendations. Seasonal colleagues will also support M&S popular Christmas food to order service, ensuring festive essentials are ready on time for customers across Ireland. The roles on offer are flexible with a variety of working patterns and the recruitment window is now open, with new hires starting from mid-November. "To guarantee exceptional customer service, we're investing in ensuring we have enough colleagues on the shop floor during the Christmas period," regional manager for Marks & Spencer Ireland, John Paul McShane, said. "Many of our current colleagues started with M&S in seasonal roles and have progressed through internal programmes like Stepping Into Team Manager." Interested candidates can visit the M&S careers page at https://tinyurl.com/2davftbs. The Director of Public Prosecutions is to consider the case where a man is accused of attacking his sleeping wife with a hammer and boiling water to see if there is medical evidence on which to bring a charge of assault causing serious harm. As matters stand, Noel Twomey of 18 Carbery Grove, Knocknaheeny, Cork, faces two charges of assault causing harm contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. Prosecution barrister Emmet Boyle said at Cork Circuit Criminal Court: I am asking for two weeks to finalise DPP directions. Judge Helen Boyle said it was not satisfactory that the DPP had not given full directions in the case at this stage. An adjournment of the case until November 12 was granted by Judge Boyle. Prosecution barrister Mr Boyle said: Hopefully there will be progress made by then. The 63-year-old is charged with two assault charges arising out of an alleged attack on his sleeping wife with boiling water and a claw hammer. Both charges he faces are of assault causing harm on his wife. When the case came before Cork District Court initially, Detective Garda Brian Murphy testified that the accused man had flagged down a garda patrol car while soaked in blood and carrying a bloodstained hammer in a plastic bag at 5am on Monday, January 15, at Bakers Road, Gurranabraher, Cork. Det Garda Murphy charged Mr Twomey with two counts of assault causing harm to his wife, Jackie Twomey, at the family home. Objecting to bail, Det Garda Murphy said: This is very serious. She went to sleep in the safety of her own bed. Noel Twomey made the very conscious decision to boil a pot of water and retrieve a claw hammer from the tool box. He then entered his bedroom where his wife slept and attacked her in a cowardly fashion as she lay asleep. A book of evidence was served on Wednesday to a Cork man accused of slashing a Polish man with a knife when the injured party was visiting Cork city centre for a dance competition. Sergeant John Kelleher confirmed service of a book of evidence on Shane Dineen, aged 30, of no fixed address, who appeared by video link from prison and was remanded in custody until the end of the month. The book was served on Mr Dineens solicitor, Frank Buttimer, at Cork District Court. Judge Mary Dorgan sent the case forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court on November 5 on the application of Sergeant John Kelleher. Detective Garda Maurice Hickey previously outlined the background allegations in the case: At 2.50am on May 20, the injured party was outside the Premier Inn on Morrisons Island with six of his friends who were all over from Poland for a dance competition. Shane Dineen and a female companion approached the group and asked a female friend of the injured party for a cigarette, to which she replied that she didnt smoke. [The woman who asked for the cigarette] then slapped her across the face. [The man with the woman who was slapped] intervened by pushing the assailant away resulting in her falling to the ground. Shane Dineen and his female companion are then seen going towards the man. Shane Dineen then produces a knife that he had on him and threatens the people at the scene by waving it recklessly and menacingly towards them. It is alleged that he slashes the injured party on the right hand and forearm. [CCTV allegedly shows that] he then continues to threaten the other people and kicks at them, all the while brandishing the knife in his hand. The injured party flees to the hotel for safety. Shane Dineen attempts to follow him in, getting as far as the lobby, where he again brandishes the knife. Shane Dineen is charged with assault causing harm and production of a weapon during the incident on May 20. The CEO of Cork Chamber, Conor Healy, has said the next Government must continue to enhance the region for employees commuting daily and families seeking affordable housing. It comes as Cork Chamber launched its general election 2024 manifesto yesterday, outlining the key priorities for businesses and the wider economy across Cork. Mr Healy said that while Cork already has much to offer in terms of cultural, social, and economic amenities and opportunities, ensuring the region continues to thrive in the years to come as its population expands must be made a priority. The representatives we elect to Dail Eireann now will be presiding over the direction of national policy at a time of immense change for the Cork region, but also a time of considerable opportunity, Mr Healy said. As we find ourselves at this important juncture, the message from Cork Chambers members is clear Cork needs investment and supporting policies to drive its economic growth. We must invest in our infrastructure, our housing, our public transport; we need to prioritise the pursuit of a sustainable, vibrant evolution in our urban centres; and we must enhance our competitiveness, attracting talent and investment, and supporting SMEs and local businesses. Cork Chamber members identified eight key areas to be progressed over the next five years. The chamber, in turn, is calling on all candidates in this years general election to prioritise the delivery of housing and infrastructure to support Corks growing population; enhance the competitiveness of Cork and other urban centres by supporting the development of safe, welcoming and sustainable urban areas; accelerate the delivery of critical infrastructure projects such as the Cork light rail, BusConnects, commuter rail and transport corridors such as the Northern Distributor Rd, the N25, the M20 and M28; include the Cork events centre in the next programme for Government among other measures. The president of Cork Chamber, Rob Horgan, said its members are ambitious for Cork city and county and the future development of the region. He said it is now vital that all candidates standing for election across Corks five constituencies match this ambition for the region, and commit to advancing progress on the key issues for Cork. Corks population is projected to grow by 50% by 2040, with immense potential for economic growth and development in the decades to come what is needed now from all parties and candidates is a commitment to supporting the realisation of this potential, through enabling policies and measures, he said. Ballincollig has been named as Irelands Tidiest Town for 2024 at the prestigious annual TidyTowns awards today. Over 600 TidyTowns volunteers were present at the SuperValu TidyTowns awards ceremony at Croke Park in Dublin with the event live-streamed to many more online. This year, 904 towns were competing in the awards demonstrating the continuing huge national interest in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition, which has been running since 1958. Ballincollig was named as Irelands Tidiest Town as well as Irelands Tidiest Large Urban Centre. Ballyphehane Tidy Towns was also recognised for youth engagement, being awarded the Young Persons Award during this years awards. "I offer my warmest congratulations to Ballincollig and all of its TidyTowns volunteers for being crowned Irelands tidiest town for 2024," Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys said today. "This is a truly great achievement and a special moment of immense pride for Ballincollig and indeed the wider county of Cork. "Having first entered the competition in the 1960s, Ballincollig today continues to showcase all that is good about innovation, sustainability, community spirit and volunteerism. This is at the core of what the competition is all about. Ms Humphreys paid tribute to all the winners today across all the various categories, adding: "In particular, I want to recognise the vital role of volunteers across the country who are working so hard all year round to ensure our communities are vibrant, sustainable places to live, work and visit. "You are truly an inspiration, and the embodiment of everything that is good in our communities." Minister Humphreys also announced a special allocation of 1.5 million in funding to support the work of TidyTowns groups in their continued efforts to make their towns and villages better places to live, work and visit. Speaking after the awards, managing director of SuperValu Luke Hanlon, extended his heartfelt congratulations to Ballincollig on being crowned Irelands Tidiest Town for 2024 "an outstanding achievement that reflects the tireless dedication and hard work of the committee and volunteers," he said. "This award is a true testament to what can happen when individuals within a community come together with passion and commitment to make their towns and villages better places to live, work, and play. "At SuperValu, we take immense pride in the communities we serve, and it's fantastic to see that same pride shining through the efforts of TidyTowns committees across the country," he added. Commenting on Ballincollig's win, the Lord Mayor of Cork councillor Dan Boyle said: We are all so proud of Ballincollig and all the Tidy Towns volunteers who have worked so hard over the years to make it one of the most attractive spots to live and work in Cork. The teams have done fantastic work around greening, fostering biodiversity and are trailblazers in terms of community climate action and protecting local heritage. Cork City Council works well with the Ballincollig Tidy Towns team and everyone in City Hall believes the award is so deserved after years of dedication by the people who live there. The Mayor of the County of Cork, councillor Joe Carroll also warmly congratulated the volunteers and tidy towns champions from County Cork for their success at this years Supervalu TidyTowns awards ceremony at Croke Park in Dublin. A total of 26 medals were awarded to towns and villages in County Cork with special awards given to Bere Island and Sherkin Island. Ballineen and Enniskeane TidyTowns Association was also named the National Winner of the Waters and Communities Award. I would like to express my thanks to all the volunteers in towns and villages across County Cork who give up their time to make their local areas more vibrant, beautiful, and inviting places to live, work and visit," Mr Carroll said. A massive well done to the winners, you truly are champions, are an inspiration to us all and can be very proud of what you have achieved. I would also to congratulate our neighbours Ballincollig who were named the overall winner of Irelands Tidiest Town at the special ceremony in Croke Park. A 33-year-old Dubliner based himself in Cork for the purpose of dealing heroin and another dealer would bring heroin to his shop to top up the supply and bring the takings back to Dublin. However, gardai cracked down on Rhys McGuires operation in Rochestown, Cork, and now he has been jailed for three and a half years. Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed a jail term of five years with the last 18 months suspended at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. He had been in Cork selling drugs to people who wanted heroin. Someone would come down to top up his heroin and take the money back to Dublin so he was effectively acting as an agent for the supply of drugs in Cork city. He lost his mother at a very young age. I note the presence of his family in court. He went to school and did work. He went to Spain, came back and was homeless. He is profoundly addicted polysubstance abuse, particularly to the substance he was selling. But his dealing was systematic, organised and required the use of various paraphernalia and an agent to re-supply the shop, if you could call it, in Cork and take away the proceeds. He well knew what he was involved with. But he was doing this as an addict," the judge said. There is no indication of coercion against him on (examination of messages) his phone. It may be in the background. It was highly organised drug-dealing," he continued. Defence senior counsel Ray Boland said Mr McGuire had taken responsibility in early course and was at this late stage dealing with his issues. He asked the judge to leave him some light at the end of the tunnel, not least in circumstances where he has a family who care for him. He was caught with a stash of over 20,000 worth of heroin on Rochestown Road in Cork and charged by Detective Garda Mike Walsh. He also admitted a money-laundering charge where he had 1,085 cash - the proceeds of criminal conduct. Rhys McGuire of Iveagh Hostel, Bride Road, Dublin 8, pleaded guilty to being in possession of Diamorphine (heroin) on Rochestown Road, Cork, and having the drug for the purpose of sale or supply to others and the money-laundering charge - all related to April 12, 2023. What is the Vacant Homes Tax? The Vacant Homes Tax (VHT) was introduced in 2023. It is an annual tax that applies on November 1 each year. VHT applies to property that can be lived in and has been stayed in for less than 30 days in the previous 12 months. The previous 12-month period is called the chargeable period. For 2024 VHT, the chargeable period is November 1, 2023 to October 31, 2024. What properties are not liable to Vacant Homes Tax? VHT does not apply to properties that have been lived in for 30 days in the chargeable period. Even if the property has not been lived in for 30 days, VHT does not apply (and you do not need to make a return or payment) if the property: Changed ownership during the chargeable period Was exempt from Local Property Tax Was rented for at least 30 days to a registered tenant who is not related to the owner or a connected person Who is a connected person for the purposes of the VHT? If you are the owner, a connected person is: Your spouse or civil partner or A relative of you or your spouse or civil partner or That relatives spouse or civil partner Relative means a: Brother or sister Ancestor (someone you are descended from) Lineal descendant (someone descended from you) Are there any exemptions from the VHT? There are exemptions from VHT you can claim in certain circumstances. These include properties that are unoccupied: Due to the owners illness or death While advertised for sale or rent By court order Due to some types of work, repair or refurbishment To claim an exemption, you must make a tax return for VHT. Who must pay the Vacant Homes Tax? If a property is liable to VHT, it is paid by the person who pays Local Property Tax on the property. This is usually the owner. If there are joint owners, they should nominate one owner who will be responsible for making VHT returns and payments. If you do not think your property is liable, Revenue may ask you to confirm that it is not liable and may ask you to make a VHT return. You should keep records to show the use of the property. Records could include, but are not limited to utility bills, waste collection bills, evidence of short-term lettings. How much is Vacant Homes Tax? The 2024 rate of VHT on a property is five times the basic rate of Local Property Tax for the property. The basic rate of Local Property Tax depends on the value of the property. The 2023 rate was three times the basic rate of Local Property Tax. This was for the chargeable period November 1, 2022, to October 31, 2023. When do I need to make a tax return for Vacant Homes Tax? If your property is liable for VHT, you must make a VHT return by November 7. If a VHT return is late, there is a 5% surcharge. If the return is more than 2 months late, there is a 10% surcharge. How do I make a tax return for Vacant Homes Tax? You must make your VHT return online using Revenues VHT portal. You can access the VHT portal by logging into: myAccount Revenue Online Service (ROS) The Local Property Tax (LPT) portal You will see the option to Click here to start the three-step process for filing your return. The steps are: 1. Review the details of your property and confirm whether it was vacant, occupied or changed ownership 2. Confirm whether or not your property is exempt 3. Make a payment How do I pay Vacant Homes Tax? When you make your VHT return, you can choose to pay VHT by: Single debit card or credit card payment by January 1, 2025 Single annual debit instruction on March 21, 2025 ?Monthly direct debit payments during 2025. You must pay, or set up a debit arrangement to pay, by January 1. Cork Citys Citizens Information telephone lines in Cork city are monitored from 10am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. In addition, the Cork City Centre CIC in Cornmarket Street is open to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 9.45am to 1pm and Wednesdays from 2pm to 4.30pm. The Blackpool CIC is open to the public each morning from 10am to 4pm, Tuesday and Thursday. Full details for all Citizens Information Centres and their opening times are available on its website. Going out or staying in? Your weekend guide to Cork Here's a round up of gigs and events running in Cork this weekend (November 1 to 3). Or if you decide to stay in, here's what's on the box... By Cate McCurry, PA It is important people dont play politics with legislation that would ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, the Taoiseach has said. Simon Harris cast doubt on the passing of the Occupied Territories Bill before the Dail is dissolved, which is widely expected to take place at the end of next week. Sinn Fein and the Social Democrats have put time aside in the Dail in the earlier part of next week to enact the Bill. But Tanaiste Micheal Martin said the Bill needs to be substantially amended and will not be progressed before an election is called. The Bill, tabled in 2018, has been frozen for years in the legislative process because of concerns that it would breach EU law. But the Government has said in recent weeks that an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the summer, which said that Israels occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal under international law and states have an obligation not to facilitate it, has changed the context. Speaking at an event in Portlaoise on Friday, Mr Harris said the Bill needs to be re-examined and amended to comply with advice from the Attorney General. What the Government has endeavoured to do is to create a consensus in the Dail, in our national Parliament, for a need to legislate in this area, he added. What is happening in Gaza is unimaginable, unconscionable and is clearly a war crime. Every country needs to use every lever at its disposable to maximise the pressure to bring about a ceasefire. Ireland is taking real, practical action in relation to that. We want to do more. Once the ICJ gave a very clear opinion in July, I think that does place an obligation on countries to do more, including in the space of trade. It has consistently been our position that the European Union should review the trade agreement between Israel and the EU. That would be the most impactful way of making progress. Unfortunately, there is not a consensus in relation to that and we will continue to advocate and argue for that. We have said we want the Occupied Territories Bill to now be re-examined and indeed to be amended to comply with the Attorney Generals opinion. We are working in good faith on that. At the same we have got to be honest, there is going to be a general election within days. What I should say to people at home, and I think this is important, people sometimes think when the Dail has an election that every piece of legislation disappears. Of course that isnt the case. Once the election takes place, the Dail can resume legislation at the point that it was at. Mr Harris said they will go into the general election with a broad political consensus among government and opposition parties on the importance of the legislation. Minister for Children Roderic OGorman said it is worth spending time on having the legislation going through committee hearings, and ensuring it is as robust as possible. The Green Party leader added: My understanding is there will be committee hearings next week. Ive spoken to Senator Frances Black, who is the senator behind this piece of legislation. Ive spoken to the team around her to tease through what are the changes needed to be made to the Occupied Territories Bill to ensure that when it is legislated for and when challenges come from Europe, and its likely there will be challenges, it is the strongest, it is the most legally robust Bill that is possible. And those changes, those enhancements to the Bill, have to be discussed at the committee, and I think its worth spending that bit of time to actually ensure that it is as robust as possible for any challenges before the Court of Justice before we pass this in the Dail. I think take the time next week to tease out what are the issues, make sure its as strong as possible, and then early in the next Dail, because all parties are in agreement lets pass that Bill. Lets get it on the statute books, and lets end trade with the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Minister for Finance Jack Chambers said changes need to be made to the legislation to ensure it stands up to legal and constitutional scrutiny. Government wants to work with the Opposition in the context of providing additional progress at committee stage, with the view then to the next Dail being able to fully legislate for this. And I think that theyre the next steps that will be involved, the Fianna Fail minister added. Meanwhile, Mr Harris has said that they are days away from the start of the general election. It is expected that next week an election will be called, and Friday November 29 is seen as the most likely date. The key piece of budget legislation will pass through all stages in the Dail on Tuesday, which will implement the changes to the universal social charge and inheritance tax. As I have consistently said, I wont be dilly-dallying or waiting around once that piece of legislation (Finance Bill) is passed. So the exact choreography is a matter for during the week. But there will be an election in the coming days, Mr Harris added. Kenneth Fox Ballincollig in Co Cork has been named as Irelands Tidiest Town for 2024 as well as Irelands Tidiest Large Urban Centre. Over 600 TidyTowns volunteers were present at the SuperValu TidyTowns awards ceremony at Croke Park in Dublin with the event live-streamed to more online. This year, 904 towns were competing for the prestigious awards demonstrating the continuing huge national interest in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition, which has been running since 1958. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, presented the Young Person in TidyTowns award to Ballyphehane Co Cork as well as the Town Centre First National Award to Carrickmacross TidyTowns, Co Monaghan, recognising their tremendous efforts to address vacancy and dereliction in line with the Governments Town Centre First policy. Announcing Ballincollig as the overall winner, Minister Humphreys said: I offer my warmest congratulations to Ballincollig and all of its TidyTowns volunteers for being crowned Irelands tidiest town for 2024. This is a truly great achievement and a special moment of immense pride for Ballincollig and indeed the wider county of Cork. Having first entered the competition in the 1960s, Ballincollig today continues to showcase all that is good about innovation, sustainability, community spirit and volunteerism. This is at the core of what the competition is all about." Some of the other big winners on the day included: Ballinahown, Co Westmeath awarded Irelands Tidiest Village; Blackrock, Co Louth awarded Irelands Tidiest Small Town; Westport, Co Mayo awarded Irelands Tidiest Large Town; Ballincollig, Co. Cork awarded Ireland's Tidiest Large Urban Centre. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. Damaged cars and devastation after flooding in Sedavi, Valencia, Spain on Oct. 31, 2024. Borja Abargues / Anadolu via Getty Images At least 158 people have died in the deadliest episode of flooding in Spains modern history, reported The Guardian. Many more are still missing. The storm that started on Tuesday in southern and eastern Spain brought a years worth of rainfall in hours, CNN reported. In the hardest-hit Valencia region, where most of the deaths occurred, roads and entire towns were flooded when rivers overflowed, leaving thousands without water or power. My father is going to be 100 years old now and he doesnt remember a flood like that. It was terrifying to be here, Jose Platero, a 69-year-old resident of Utiel one of the towns in Valencia that was most affected by the severe flooding told CNN. We found him looking for personal belongings near his home. Spains army has been called in to help clear wreckage and distribute aid, reported BBC News. The government informs me that tomorrow at 8 in the morning a first wave will join to work during the day, the Valencian president wrote on X, as BBC News reported. As the region recovers, more extreme rainfall is in the forecast. Spains meteorological service issued new severe storm warnings on Thursday, reported The Independent. Valencias government said trains had been suspended, along with other public services such as public libraries, schools and museums, CNN reported. On Avenida del Milagro in Utiel, residents were helping each other clear the muddy water out of their homes. I started by putting towels on the door so that the water wouldnt get in. But suddenly the garage door burst open, Carmen, a local resident, told CNN. The scene was terrifying, as the mixture of water and mud began to occupy the kitchen with so much force, it knocked down the refrigerator. The floodwaters also hit the cities and surrounding areas of Malaga and Murica. In the La Torre neighborhood of Valencia, the water was chest-high. In half an hour, we lost almost everything, one survivor told CNN. A flooded area in the La Torre neighborhood of Valencia, Spain on Oct. 30, 2024. Alex Juarez / Anadolu via Getty Images Local residents voiced their frustrations to reporters and on social media for not receiving government alert warnings until the deadly flooding had already begun. Those people wouldnt have died if they had been warned in time, Laura Villaescusa, manager of a local Valencia supermarket, told Reuters. According to residents in several towns, mobile phone alerts were not sent until 8 p.m. Tuesday, which was several hours after Aemet, the national weather service, had issued a heavy rain red alert warning of a potential eight inches in a less than 12-hour period. It is appalling to see so many people dying in floods in Europe, when yet again weather forecasters had predicted extreme rainfall and issued warnings. The tragedy of people dying in cars and being swept away in streets is entirely avoidable if people can be kept away from rising flood water, Hannah Cloke, a University of Reading hydrology professor, told CNN. This suggests the system for alerting people to the dangers of floods in Valencia has failed. The Spanish government has decreed three official days of mourning, beginning on Thursday. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the government would do everything it could to help victims of the calamitous flooding. The torrential rains were likely caused by a pool of cool air high up in the atmosphere referred to as gota fria, or cold drop, by meteorologists in Spain. Determining the exact part climate change played in the disastrous flooding will take more analysis by scientists, but it has been established that human-caused global heating makes extreme rainfall events more intense and more likely to happen. Warmer air also has the potential to hold more moisture, which can then be unleashed in the form of severe downpours. We cant say anything on the fly, said senior state meteorologist Ernesto Rodriguez Camino, who is a member of the Spanish Meteorological Association, as reported by CNN. [I]n the context of climate change, these types of intense and exceptional rare rainfall events are going to become more frequent and more intense and, therefore, destructive. (Photo: Vatican Media)Pope Francis celebrates mass at Rome's Regina Coeli prison on Holy Thursday, March 29, 2018. Pope Francis has told members and staff of the Dicastery for Communication that the Vatican and the church need their expertise to share the Gospel, but he also asked them to find creative ways to do it while cutting their expenses. "We will need to implement a bit more discipline on money because you have to try to save more and look for other funding because the Holy See can't continue to help you like it does today," the Pope told the department handling the Vatican's TV and radio stations, newspaper and media, Ansa News reported on Oct. 31. "I know it's bad news" but it's also "beautiful news because it moves everybody's creativity", said the pontiff who earlier this month also ordered pay cuts for cardinals as the Vatican battles to balance its books. The Pope held a meeting with the department that oversees the Vatican's newspaper, TV operations, and radio and internet broadcasts, but he did not offer specifics, as told staff members to "exercise a bit more discipline with money," Reuters news agency reported. "You need to find ways to save more and seek other funds, as the Holy See cannot continue to support you as it does now," Francis said, adding to a prepared speech. Cathnews.com reports that the pontiff listed a variety of "dreams" for how the Vatican's vast communications apparatus would inform people, shine a spotlight on truth, and share stories of faith. The Vatican Secretariat for the Economy has not published Vatican budget figures since 2022. At that time, Cathnews said the dicastery and its various media outlets the multilingual Vatican News website, Vatican Radio in Italian, L'Osservatore Romano newspapers in various languages, the Vatican press office, the Vatican's book publishing arm and the Vatican video production center cost 40 million euro ($43.5 millio) in 2021. The expenditures accounted for 25 percent of the Vatican budget. While urging the Vatican department to cut expenses and find new revenue sources, the Pope thanked Vatican News for increasing to over 50 the number of languages in which it offers content on its website; the latest additions were Lingala, Mongolian, and Kannada. "I dream of a communication that succeeds in connecting people and cultures," Francis said. "I dream of a communication capable of telling and raising the profile of stories and testimonies from every corner of the world, circulating them and offering them to everyone," which he said the multilingual website makes possible. Communicators, especially Catholic communicators, should not try to spread their own ideas, the Pope said, "but to recount reality with honesty and passion," going "beyond slogans" and helping people to see, hear and respond to the needs of the poor, migrants and victims of war, Cathnews said. (Photo: Vatican Media)Pope Francis greets new recruits of the Swiss Guard on May 6, 2022. As the smallest army and one the world's oldest standing armies May 6 is always a special day because the force welcomes in new recruits from Switzerland to serve the Roman Catholic pope. Related Pope Francis swears in 34 new recruits for world's smallest army Swiss Guards celebrate 515 years as guardians of Catholic pope Swiss government gives Vatican's Swiss Guard funding boost for barracks renovation Interview with Pope Francis on the occasion of his apostolic trip in Sweden Vatican security 'stays on high alert' due to IS threats of Holy See attack New Swiss Guards swear oath at Vatican ceremony The date marks when 147 of their predecessors were killed protecting Pope Clement VII during the Sack of Rome, an uprising in 1527. Francis was in a wheelchair due to a knew injury. Pope Francis met the President of the Swiss Confederation, Ignazio Cassis, on the commemoration of the sacrifice of the Swiss Guards and the swearing-in of 36 new recruits in the Pontifical Corps. The ongoing war in Ukraine and its repercussions in Europe, with particular reference to the situation of Ukrainian refugees and displaced people in need of humanitarian assistance, were one of discussion topics during the talks, said Vatican News. The new recruits swear an oath of allegiance and officially begin their service in the employ of the Pope. Pope Francis met with the Swiss Guards to celebrate with them what he called "a beautiful occasion," Vatican News reported. He addressed the Guards and their families, and Francis extended his special greetings to the new recruits who were sworn in at a ceremony later. Francis said they are devoting a few years of their lives to "a task which is both fascinating and full of responsibility in the heart of the universal Church." "Through a generous and faithful commitment, over the centuries some men have not shirked the hardest trials, going so far as to shed their own blood to defend the Pope and to enable him to carry out his mission in full independence." SECURITY OF THE POPE The Pope added that Swiss Guards serve with "supreme dedication" to ensure the "security of the Pope and of his residence." Pope Francis encouraged the new recruits in their decision to embark on an "exquisitely ecclesial task," which must be lived "as a Christian and communal witness." The Swiss Guards serve as a community and not individually, said the Pope, urging them to embrace community life in every moment of their day. "Living service in a community is a challenge," he said, "because it involves bringing together individuals with different personalities, temperaments and sensibilities, who find themselves walking a stretch of road together." Yet, noted the Pope, the Guards are motivated by the "ideal of serving the Church", which helps them face moments of difficulty when they arise. The Swiss Guard was founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II, deposed twice and re-established in 1800. It remains tasked with protecting the pope and his residence. Entry requirements include being Swiss, Catholic, at least 1.74 meters (5 feet 7 inches) tall, under 30 years old, and male. The Pontifical Swiss Guard has increased from 110 to 135 men since 2018. Thousands of people took to the streets in Dublin to attend a Halloween parade that never came, according to reporting by The Independent . Why did they do such a thing? It was all due to an AI-generated ad that promoted the fake event. The My Spirit Halloween website advertised the completely fabricated Macnas Halloween Parade, which was supposed to take place from 7PM to 9PM on the streets of Dublin. News of the parade quickly spread online, and it even received a news ranking on Google. People waiting for a halloween parade. #Dublin No Gardai around, no official announcement, people waiting on the wrong side of the road... Someone did pull a big #hoax #Prank pic.twitter.com/zTQUShZrya Artur Martins (@arturmartins) October 31, 2024 So, yeah, thousands of people put on their Halloween costumes and stood on the street for a couple of hours, waiting for an event that would never happen. They even left room in the street for the parade to pass by. Thats thoughtful, but also a bit sad. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The situation forced Irelands police force to put out a message to urge would-be parade-goers to disperse safely. A spokesperson for the organization said that contrary to information being circulated online, no Halloween parade is scheduled to take place in Dublin city center this evening or tonight. Please be advised that contrary to information being circulated online, no Halloween parade is scheduled to take place in Dublin City Centre this evening or tonight. All those gathered on OConnell Street in expectation of such a parade are asked to disperse safely. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/KmVPFKEZbP An Garda Siochana (@GardaTraffic) October 31, 2024 Local city councilor Janice Boylan expressed disappointment over the whole situation.Everyone is trying to have a fun and safe Halloween. Having a parade to go to sounded really good, she said. I know an awful lot of people turned up. Its a terrible pity. The My Spirit Halloween listing has been taken down, but there remains the question as to why it turned up in the first place. Its worth noting that this is a different entity from the popular seasonal retailer Spirit Halloween. The My Spirit Halloween website looks to come from Pakistan and posts all kinds of AI-generated content like the ad that caused all of this trouble, according to Yahoo News . This particular post happened to get picked up by TikTok and Google, causing the rapid dissemination of the, literal, fake news. Its pretty wild, right? An AI-generated post likely created in Pakistan caused thousands of actual people to take to the streets halfway across the globe. What is that curse again? Oh yeah. May you live in interesting times. The US presidential election is in its final stretch. Before election day on November 5, Engadget is looking at where the candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, stand on the most consequential tech issues of our day. Broadband access in poorer and more rural communities has been a major campaign issue since 2008. Bridging the digital divide was a key component of Barack Obamas platform. And, while far from perfect, his administration did a lot of work to grow the nations fiber-optic infrastructure, free up wireless spectrum and expand access to subsidies for low-income families. While successive administrations have promised to continue the work of bringing high-speed internet to the most underserved communities, the results have been disappointing. Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have pledged to get Americans online, but political realities will make that goal difficult. Kamala Harris During the Biden administration, Harris has acted as a sort of unofficial broadband czar (similar to her other unofficial titles of AI czar and border czar). This means she is deeply involved with and expected to carry forward the current administrations policies. That could give her a chance to salvage some sort of positive legacy from what is currently a rather spotty track record for Biden on broadband. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Under President Biden, the White House secured roughly $90 billion to close the digital divide, $42.5 billion of that specifically for BEAD, the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program. This gives states money to fund the planning and buildout of broadband infrastructure, whether that be running new fiber to rural areas, installing Wi-Fi in low-income apartment complexes or training workers for new careers in telecommunications. Unfortunately, BEAD has been hampered by numerous delays, and very little of the money has actually been doled out. Virginia only received initial approval for access to $1.48 billion in funding in late July, despite having been first to file a request in September of 2023. There is plenty of blame to go around for the slow and messy rollout of BEAD, but conservatives have been able to successfully turn it into a weapon against Harris. Stringent requirements around environmental impact, labor practices and affordable access have made BEAD an easy target for Republicans who see regulation and bureaucracy as the enemy of freedom and economic growth. The NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration), which administers BEAD, has found itself on the defensive, claiming the program is on track. Though, its unlikely any projects funded by BEAD will break ground until well into 2025 if not later. As an outgrowth of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, BEAD is a key part of President Bidens (and by extension Vice President Harris) legacy. A focus for a Harris administration will likely be speeding up the distribution of BEAD funds and accelerating the groundbreaking on projects like fiberoptic and 5G infrastructure. But its unlikely there will be dramatic policy shifts under her leadership. Donald Trump Similar to President Biden, Donald Trump made grand promises about expanding access to broadband, especially for rural communities, but largely failed to deliver. Not only that, but Democrats managed to turn that failure into a campaign weapon against him in 2020. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Under Trump and Ajit Pai, the FCC launched the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, which promised $20.4 billion to expand rural broadband. However, it was merely a rebrand of an existing subsidy program established under Obama. The Trump administrations efforts beyond that were far more modest than those of the Biden or Obama eras, and included initiatives like investing $1.3 billion through the Agriculture Departments ReConnect Program. Neither Trump nor the RNC have much to say about rural broadband or the digital divide this time around. That could suggest another term would again be defined by small-scale investments rather than large infrastructure programs. While the Trump campaign has tried to distance itself from Project 2025, the document was drafted by a number of people in Trumps orbit, including former staffers. So, its not a stretch to assume he might adopt some, if not many, of its policies. That document focuses largely on what can be seen as one of the Trump administrations wins on the technology front: 5G. Project 2025 calls for freeing up additional spectrum for wireless broadband and streamlining the permitting process. It calls for the FCC to pursue an aggressive strategy for freeing up the airwaves and selling them to commercial interests. It also, unsurprisingly, calls for scaling back regulations regarding things like environmental impact and restrictions on building on federal lands in hopes of spurring the construction of more cell sites. It also wants to speed up the approval process for satellite providers, like StarLink, which it sees as vital to Americas economic and national security interests. Project 2025 calls for these efforts to be consolidated as part of a national broadband strategy. It cites a Government Accountability Office report from 2022, which states there are over 100 programs administered by 15 agencies as evidence of mismanagement and a potential for waste. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. If you own a Synology NAS drive, youll want to update your device as soon as possible. As first reported by Wired, a group of Dutch security researchers recently identified a zero-click vulnerability within the Synology Photos app. For the uninitiated, such bugs allow hackers to compromise a system without a user needing to click something first. To make matters worse, the app comes pre-installed and enabled by default on Synologys consumer line of Bee network storage devices. Its also a popular download among those who use the companys DiskStation systems. Midnight Blue, the cybersecurity firm that discovered the vulnerability, estimates that millions of Synology users may be at risk. Although the company released a security patch to address the bug, its NAS devices do not automatically download updates. Its not trivial to find [the vulnerability] on your own, independently, Carlo Meijer, one of the researchers, told Wired. But it is pretty easy to figure out and connect the dots when the patch is actually released, and you reverse-engineer the patch. According to Midnight Blue, the zero-click is found in a part of the Synology Photos app that does not require authentication. As a result, attackers can exploit the bug directly over the internet and without needing to bypass a gateway first. They can then gain root access and install malicious code on the compromised device. At that point, theres not much a malicious individual couldnt do, with the firm noting it would even be possible to turn the infected device into a botnet. The possibility a ransomware gang could target Synology devices isnt just theoretical either. Earlier this year, DiskStation users reported that they were the target of a ransomware attack. One of fantasy and sci-fis all-time greats has passed away. Artist Greg Hildebrandt, known for his iconic work on Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Marvel and Magic: The Gathering, died on Thursday at 85. He and his twin brother Tim, who died in 2006, were a powerhouse duo the Brothers Hildebrandt until they decided to pursue solo careers in 1981. The duo was perhaps best known for their Style B poster (above) for the original Star Wars in 1977. Released in the UK (Tom Jungs Style A was the original US poster), the art shows Luke Skywalker heroically hoisting his lightsaber high above his head like King Arthur wielded Excalibur. Hes flanked by a blaster-toting Princess Leia, with C-3PO and R2-D2 looking on from behind. Darth Vaders imposing mask peers down on them in the background among a sea of stars, the Death Star and starfighters. As for Luke and Leias noteworthy lack of resemblance to Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, neither the Brothers Hildebrandt nor Jung had access to the actors photos. So, they made do with generic hero images that could have been ripped from 1970s fantasy book covers. (Still rad, if not screen-accurate.) The Hildebrandt poster was used in the UK until January 1978, when it was replaced by Tom Chantrells Style C poster, which depicted the actual cast. Greg Hildebrandt / X The brothers were also strongly associated with a series of The Lord of the Rings calendars. Decades before Peter Jackson brought the films to live action (and even before the 1978 animated version), their art which drew on their influence from classic Disney films was the most prominent visualization of Tolkiens epic for many a 1970s fantasy reader. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Among Hildebrandts many other projects were comics for Marvel and DC, illustrations for Wizards of the Coast (Magic: The Gathering and Harry Potter), magazines Omni, Heavy Metal and Amazing Stories, album art for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Black Sabbath and a long list of book covers. Hildebrandt also fought for freedom with his artistic gifts. After Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine, he contributed illustrations for Operation USAs benefit anthology comic book series. Profits were donated to Ukrainian refugee relief efforts. Explaining his decision, he wrote, Any project that I can lend my art to that will thwart Putin is a project I will join with all my heart, soul and mind. Courtney Burgess, who claims to have heinous sex tapes of Sean "Diddy" Combs' alleged private encounters, testified before a grand jury Thursday, October 31. He also revealed that Combs' former partner, Kim Porter, who died on November 15, 2018, gave him 11 flash drives before her death. Speaking later on NewsNation's 'Banfield,' Burgess alleges said drives contains videos involving eight well-known celebrities six men and two women. He further claimed that two of the individuals were male minors. According to Burgess, all the individuals in the tapes seemed to be "under the influence" and portrayed as "victims" rather than "perpetrators." Outside Manhattan's federal courthouse that same day, Burgess shared that he had been subpoenaed by Homeland Security agents, who requested he "turn over all records, including thumb drives, hard drives, electronic storage devices, or devices containing videos and/or other files depicting Diddy," as reported by 'TMZ.' Alongside the alleged videos, Burgess claimed he has Porter's supposed memoir, 'Kim's Lost Words: A Journey for Justice, from the other side.' The controversial book, once available on Amazon and was a best-seller, was removed following disapproval from Combs' children. In October, Burgess' attorney, Ariel Mitchell-Kidd, confirmed the existence of the alleged tapes on 'NewsNation.' She commented that one male figure on the recordings was "more high-profile than Mr. Combs." She stated, "I can verify that it exists. That it's real and that the other person in the video is very visible." Combs' legal representatives dismissed these claims as a "cry for publicity and attention." Despite ongoing accusations, Combs, 54, who was arrested in September, pled not guilty to charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and prostitution. He is currently held in Brooklyn without bail as additional allegations surface. Attorney Tony Buzbee, based in Texas, is representing over 100 individuals accusing Combs of misconduct, some of whom are minors. Combs' legal team has consistently maintained his innocence in response to these accusations. Young Thug's father, Jeffery Williams Sr., has voiced his frustrations with the Fulton County District Attorney's office, which he describes as "poisonous," in light of his son's shocking recent plea deal. Young Thug plead no contest to charges of gang activity and violating Georgia's RICO laws, alongside other charges related to drugs and firearms. This plea, secured on Thursday, October 31, resulted in a 10-year ban from Metro Atlanta, a condition that Williams Sr. finds offensive. In court, Young Thug, born Jeffery Lamar Williams, expressed remorse, stating, "I am a good guy, and I really got a good heart. I find myself in a lot of stuff because I was just nice or cool, you know, and I understand that you can't be that way when you reach a certain height because it could end bad." He hoped to go home and "do the right thing," reflecting on how his personality may have led him into trouble. Despite facing up to 120 years, his sentence was ultimately commuted to time served, followed by 15 years of probation. In addition to his ban from Metro Atlanta, Young Thug, 33, must avoid any promotion of gang culture and instead advocate against gang involvement in his community. He is also prohibited from associating with gang members, but can maintain contact with his brother, Quantavious Grier, and fellow YSL member Gunna. He must speak at events discouraging gang participation at least four times yearly as part of his probation terms. Reacting to the outcome, Williams Sr. said he supported his son's decision but admitted he initially wanted Young Thug to continue fighting. "I feel great that he's going home. But at the same token, I still wanted him to fight," he explained, adding that while he wanted to support his son's independence, he was startled by the plea outcome. "But that's his decision." "On the other hand, I'm ready for him to be the man that he is. I've always been in his life, from a pup to now. And I'm going to continue being in his life," he added in a video posted by 'It's OnSite' outside of what looks like a courthouse. Williams Sr. also expressed frustration over his son's banishment from his hometown. "I'm totally against that because this is where he's from," he stated, emphasizing his disappointment that an out-of-state attorney could impose such a restriction. He also reiterated his criticism of the Fulton County DA's office, expressing support for candidate Courtney Kramer, whom he believes will better serve the community's needs. Thursday, October 31, 2024 In Volume 36 of our newsletter (written way back when we were on Substack) we talked about the use of a multi-track calendar for product creation. The benefits of a multi-track include: Responding to customer demands rapidly. Innovation is treated as a process and not just as an event. More efficient product development by acknowledging the inequality of products. (If you want to read that edition of the newsletter, click here for a pdf) Brands, whether DTC or wholesale, have been known to use a multi-track calendar. What we havent discussed is how a multi-brand retailer (specialty or department store) can use a multi-track calendar. Specifically, how to use it for their private brands while building a branded assortment. Lets dive in. A multi-brand retailer, as the name implies, sells multiple brands. The merchandising teams assemble brands and products to meet the needs of their customer. Brands show their seasonal collections during market week or a tradeshow. The retail merchant then writes orders during market and follows the delivery schedule of that brand. The branded product creation calendar is called the go-to market (GTM) calendar. Here is what a GTM calendar could look like for a brand. Note that the market milestone is when the brand sells the collection to the retail buyer. Now, private label is meant to complement and/or fill a gap in an assortment. Examples include Nordstroms Zella or Macys On 34th. These private brands follow their own product creation calendar. This is identical to the calendar that a brand uses. Unless the private label is also sold wholesale, they do not have a market milestone moment. So, here is what the private label calendar looks like alongside a brands calendar: Heres the trouble: Unless the merchant works closely with their brand on design/development, it is difficult to address any gaps that a branded collection might have. Reason being is that a key milestone in each calendar overlaps, namely assortment lock. As such, the retail buyer cant fill in any gaps of the branded assortment because their own private label assortment is already locked. Even if there was time to go find an alternative, there may not be enough open to buy budget. We propose adding one more track to the private label process. It would look something like this: Track 2 is initiated after assortment lock and serves as a fast-track. This means design, development and merchandising decisions are made much more quickly than in the main track. Further, products can be designed/developed digitally and with minimal physical sampling So, the retailer creates a lane where they can capitalize on an opportunity almost immediately to add a product. This avoids to scramble and cobble together resources at the last minute or miss the opportunity altogether. Now lets put all three tracks of calendars together: Both branded and private label products have their path charted out. And, an express lane is created to accelerate development of private label when necessary. Visualizing the GTM and private label calendars in this way means unlocking opportunities to curate a more relevant product assortment. Also, more desirable margins on private label means an increase in profit. As you have heard me say before, the opportunity in retail today is not so much about what products are brought to market, its about how you get them there. HARRISBURG, Pa. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection recently awarded over $3.4 million in grants to projects dedicated to improving water quality and fish and wildlife habitat throughout Pennsylvania watersheds. The awards, 12 in total, are funded by the Section 319 Grant program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The grants are designed to support projects that implement best management practices specified in Watershed Implementation Plans, and assist in the development of new Watershed Implementation Plans for damaged watersheds in Environmental Justice areas. Ten of the 12 grants will fund projects in Pennsylvanias portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Grants awarded to projects in western Pennsylvania include: Erie County: Waterford Township, Trout Run Advance Restoration Plan, Western PA Conservancy, $169,381 for targeted landowner outreach to carry out erosion and sediment controls on farmlands, plant 10 acres of forested riparian buffers and stabilize 1,000 linear feet of stream. For more information, visit https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PlanningConservation/NonpointSource/Pages/default.aspx. CHARDON, Ohio The Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District recently held its annual dinner and election where members announced the 2024 Poster Contest winners and conservation awardees. Approximately 71 people were in attendance at the event. To kickoff the event, participants voted to elect two members to the Geagua SWCD five-member Board of Supervisors: Dee Belew and Mary Slingluff. The new members will serve a three-year term. Throughout the evening, several individuals and farms were presented with conservation awards. Sages Apples and Patterson Fruit Farm received the 2024 Distinguished Partner of the Year Award for their support of the districts educational programs. Jim Cermak, of Sugarbush Creek Farm in Middlefield, Ohio, was honored for his Big Tree champion American Basswood on private lands. Newbury Townships Oberland Park was recognized for having the Big Tree champion American Basswood on public land. Additionally, Board Supervisors Bob Lausin, of Thompson Township, was honored as the 2024 Best of Show winner in the Geauga County Fair Hay and Grain Show. The 2024 Poster Contest winners were also announced. Franklin Heimovitz won first place for grades K-1. Delilah Heimovitz won first place for grades 2-3 and Frank McMillion earned second place. The grades 3-4 winner was James Paul Winningham and Amelia Shively took second place. The grade 7-9 winner was Jana Winningham and Bethany Shively received second place. Additionally, the event showcased painted rain barrels and featured a special presentation on the districts annual tree sale, information on the recent partnership with Holden Arboretums People 4 Trees Initiative and how proceeds from the sales will go toward education programs like the new Planting the Seed to Read initiative. SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is asking hunters to donate to the Hunters Helping the Hungry program, which helps feed individuals and families in need across the state throughout the holiday season. Hunters who are interested in donating should take their deer to a participating meat processor where it will be ground, packaged and frozen. Then, the Mountaineer Food Bank in Gassaway and Facing Hunger Foodbank in Huntington, will collect the meat and disperse it throughout a network of over 600 food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers, shelters and other charitable organizations across the state. Every year, on the first Sunday in November, donations are also accepted through the Share the Harvest Sunday fundraiser, hosted in partnership with the West Virginia Council of Churches. Since its inception in 1992, the program has processed over 1.1 million pounds of venison from 92,259 donated deer, making roughly 1.5 million meals. Last year, hunters provided 433 deer, which produced 17,187 pounds of venison and made 22,916 meals for families. The WVDNR is also looking for certified meat processors to join the program. Processors need to be certified by either the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. Processors will be reimbursed $3 per pound of venison processed. Interested parties should contact Trevor Moore, WVDNRs Hunters Helping the Hungry program coordinator, at 304-924-6211 or via email at trevor.m.moore@wv.gov. For more information, visit WVdnr.gov/hunters-helping-the-hungry. The Liberal Democrats have raised concerns over the budget creating a 'lost generation' of farmers due to a 'double hammer blow' to rural communities. In the budget, the chancellor announced sweeping changes to the agricultural property relief scheme, which is set to impact around 70,000 farms . The Liberal Democrats has called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to reverse this change to 'protect' farmers and rural communities. The party has raised concerns that it would force many small family farms to sell up, with young people 'robbed of a future' in farming as a result. It has also published new analysis of the autumn budget which points to a 70m cut to Defras food and farming budget. This is due to a fall in the department's funding of 1.9% a year over two years, in real terms, despite industry calls for an increased agricultural budget. The Lib Dems said this would mean even less government support for farmers who 'are already struggling after years of chaos and uncertainty'. The warnings come as the party's leader Ed Davey visited an agricultural college in Maidenhead earlier today (1 November), along with Lib Dem MP Joshua Reynolds. Following the visit, Mr Davey warned that the new Labour government was at risk of creating a 'lost generation' of farmers. He said: "Young people will lose the opportunity to keep the farms their families have run for generations, while at the same time they are seeing government support for farming slashed." Mr Davey added: Hitting British farmers who put food on our tables only risks making the cost-of-living crisis worse. "After years of being taken for granted by the Conservative Party, rural communities should have been properly supported in this budget. The chancellor now needs to listen to rural communities, reverse these measures and ensure the next generation of farmers is protected." It comes as the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (NFYFC) warned that the nation's young farmers were 'browbeaten' by the budget. It added that young farmers would have 'serious concerns about an uncertain future' due to the proposed tax and wage changes. A new campaign aims to 'defend' family farms and rural businesses following the government's controversial autumn budget. The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has launched the campaign, calling on farmers, landowners and rural firms to 'fight back'. It follows the budget which proposed changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief, pulling some 70,000 farms into paying inheritance tax. Despite the government saying it was protecting small family farms, and even with the combined threshold of 1m and the 50% relief, the inheritance tax would affect family farms, the CLA warns. For example, a diversified farm with 250 acres of land would have to find more than 250,000 to pay death duties. The CLA, which is urging farmers to sign its online letter, says that would be a 'catastrophic drain' on business resources. "Rachel Reevess 2024 budget has the potential to be deeply damaging for British farming, land management, food security and environmental recovery," the body says. "By completing the form, you will be signing a letter which will be sent to your local MP on your behalf." The CLA also warns that the real term cut to the agriculture budget in England would mean that the UK government's targets for nature would be 'impossible to deliver'. And the delinked payment in 2025 in England was 'much lower than could be expected or planned for in cash flow projections'. "This will hamper our ability to grow our businesses, deliver for food and the environment, and it undermines the stability of our rural communities," the CLA says "To enable farmers and rural business owners to invest for the long term, the government needs to give us certainty that it will uphold its end of the bargain." It concludes: "We ask you to press the chancellor to change course and instead build a rural economy that can feed the nation, improve the environment, create good jobs and generate economic growth." Farmers across the UK will descend on central London later this month as part of a rally against the budget which they say will have a 'devastating' impact. Organised by the NFU, the 'mass lobby of MPs' will take place at the Church House conference centre in Westminster, on Tuesday 19 November. Kim Kardashian has seemingly taken down her son's YouTube account after he shared two anti-Kamala Harris videos. Kim Kardashian has taken down Saint West's YouTube account The 44-year-old reality superstar - who has North, 11, Saint, eight, Chicago, six, and five-year-old Psalm with ex-husband Kanye West - allowed her second child launch a social media presence in September amid a lengthy string of rules he had to abide by, but earlier this week, @TheGoatSaint was removed from the video-sharing platform. Before the account was deleted, Saint had shared one video which featured 'Saved by the Bell' characters appearing on screen saying "dumb", "stupid", "crazy", and "dangerous" as the US Vice President's photo appeared in the background, and another one in which the presidential candidate's picture appeared on the bottom of a cartoon character's shoe as they said: "I stepped in s***." When looking for Saint's account on YouTube now, a message appears which reads: This page isnt available. Sorry about that. Try searching for something else." Kim revealed in September that she had "finally allowed" her eldest boy to launch an account on the platform, but compiled a strict list of rules for his posts first. The 'Kardashians' star shared the handwritten contract on her Instagram Story and wrote: "Saint signed a solid contract for his YouTube Channel. He better not breach." The document - which was signed by Saint - acknowledged the youngster agreed to follow moms rules. It stated: I am not allowed to comment any personal family information. I am not allowed to film any personal information. I am not allowed to film while North is recording music. Kim's caption then obscured the next few sentences, but it then continued: I must show my mom or guardian all videos before I post them. I give permission to any grown up if mom says to delete my video for any reason. And if Saint breaches the terms, the youngster's stint on the video platform could be up. The contract concluded: "If I don't listen to all of the rules, mom could make my page private or delete my account." Lily Collins would love to film an 'Emily in Paris' spin-off in London. Lily Collins would love to film the show in London The 35-year-old actress has played Emily Cooper, an American marketing executive, in four seasons of the hit Netflix show, and Lily has now admitted that she would love to see her on-screen character relocate to London. Lily - who has recently been living in the city ahead of her West End stage debut - told the BBC: "She would definitely go to Portobello Road and buy some antiques, obviously visit Big Ben and toy shop Hamleys. "She would also definitely try and get into Buckingham Palace." Lily - who was born in England but raised in Los Angeles - added that Emily would "try and get the guards to smile but I'm not sure she'd be able to do that". The actress has relished the time she's spent in London over recent months, admitting that it now "feels like home". She shared: "I love the Tube but most of all I love sitting on the front of a double-decker bus and looking out of the window. "I don't even have a plan on where I want to go, I just sit there and see all the sights and people." 'Emily in Paris' has already been renewed for a fifth season, but the location for filming has not yet been announced. Meanwhile, Lucas Bravo - Lily's on-screen co-star - recently admitted that he might not return for season five of the show. The 36-year-old actor - who plays the part of Gabriel - feels as though he's grown apart from his character. He told IndieWire: "The sexy chef was very much part of me in season one and we grew apart season after season because of the choices he makes and because of the direction they make him take. Ive never been so far away from him. "In season one, there was a lot of me in him. But as they made him kind of unaware of his surroundings, of the dynamic, always victimising and always being completely lost in translation and oblivious to anything that is happening around him and being manipulated by everyone, it kind of became not fun for me to shoot or to see a character I love so much and brought me so much, being slowly turned into guacamole." Matt LeBlanc has dismissed talk of him retiring from showbiz as rubbish. Matt LeBlanc has dismissed talk of him retiring from showbiz as rubbish The 57-year-old Friends star has had a long TV career after he left the NBC series in which he played Joey Tribbiani from 1994 to 2004 but recent reports have branded him a recluse who has decided to step away from the spotlight, especially after the death of his Friends co-star Matthew Perry. But his publicist told the Daily Mirror when asked if the rumours were true: Rubbish. Joeys decades-long acting career kicked off with a role in the short film Doll Day Afternoon, and he also starred in Married... with Children. After Friends ended he starred in the short-lived spin-off series Joey, and played a parody version of himself in the sitcom Episodes. He also hosted UK car show Top Gear. A source had told Mail Online Matt was planning to quit the limelight to focus on things other than fame after his Friends co-star Matthew died aged 54 in October 2023 after taking massive doses of ketamine. The insider told the outlet: Such an important part of (Matts) life and a good friend is gone. It has made him rethink his life. He wants to focus on other interests as thats what is important to him right now. He would need the perfect opportunity to return in front of the camera for any role in TV and film as he has silently retired. He is financially stable and doesnt really want to be in the limelight anymore. One of Matts last TV appearances was in 2021, when he took part in the HBO Friends reunion special, which brought him back together with co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matthew. The castmates said in a joint statement in the wake of Matthews death: We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now were going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss. The new owner of Matthew Perry's final home has vowed to "honour" the late actor. Matthew Perry's former home was sold The four-bedroom mid-century abode in Pacific Palisades was recently snapped up by Anita Lallian in an $8.55 million off-market deal, and the film producer has detailed a blessing ceremony she had carried out at the house, which incorporated the "positive aspects" of the life of its former owner, who died from acute affects of ketamine in the hot tub a year ago. Anita wrote on Instagram: "We are so excited to share that we bought a home in Los Angeles earlier this month! Our agent, @brooke.elliott.laurinkus, said she had an amazing off-market property that she really wanted us to see. The moment I walked into the home, I absolutely fell in love with the features, especially the view of the Pacific Ocean. We knew it was the one and decided to write an offer on it immediately. "As a real estate developer myself, I believe every property has a history that we may or may not know about, and every home carries the energy that the current owner brings to it. I am Hindu, and its customary to do a blessing and prayer anytime you buy a new home. We were so lucky to have our Panditji from Arizona come to the house to do the blessing. "We chose to honor the positive aspects of the previous owners life, his immense talent, and all the joy he brought to so many people. The decision to purchase the home had nothing to do with the previous owner, just our love of the home. (sic)" And Anita is planning to keep some of the "design elements" that the former 'Friends' star had incorporated into the property. She continued: "We do plan to keep some of the design elements. The Batman logo in the pool is definitely staying. "Its a piece of paradise that is filled with light and the perfect vacation home for us. Cant wait to make new memories in it. "Wish you all a very Happy Diwali!! May the new year be flowing with peace, joy, and prosperity." Cambodias apparel exports to ASEAN countries remain minimal, despite the formal signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2020. From January to August 2024, Cambodia's apparel exports to ASEAN nations were valued at $139.882 million, representing less than 2 per cent of its total apparel exports, which amounted to $7.539 billion during the same period. ASEAN is a bloc of Asian countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. RCEP, signed in 2020 with China's leadership, includes ASEAN countries along with New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and China itself. The trade pact mandates free trade within RCEP members. In the context of textile and garment trade, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam are major exporting nations, while New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and China are key importers of textile products. However, major traditional garment-importing countries, particularly in Europe and North America, are not part of this trade pact. Cambodia's apparel exports to ASEAN remain low despite the signing of the RCEP. From Jan-Aug, these exports totalled $139.882 million, less than 2 per cent of Cambodia's total apparel exports of $7.539 billion. While Cambodia's overall apparel exports have fluctuated since 2021, its fabric imports from ASEAN countries also remain minimal, accounting for just 3.96 per cent of total imports in 2024. Despite the trade agreement, Cambodias garment exports to ASEAN countries remain very low. In the first eight months of the current year, only 1.84 per cent of Cambodia's total garment exports of $7.539 billion were shipped to ASEAN countries, according to Fibre2Fashion's market insight tool TexPro. Cambodias apparel exports to ASEAN were valued at $151.788 million in 2021, shortly after the RCEP agreement. This figure rose by nearly 32 per cent to $200.755 million in 2022 and increased slightly to $207.737 million in 2023. In contrast, Cambodias total apparel exports were recorded at $10.481 billion in 2021, $12.903 billion in 2022, and $11.259 billion in 2023. According to TexPro, Cambodia imported $3.353 billion worth of fabric between January and August 2024 to support its garment industry. However, fabric imports from ASEAN countries amounted to only $133.467 million, accounting for just 3.96 per cent of total fabric imports. Cambodias fabric imports were valued at $4.304 billion in 2021, $4.409 billion in 2022, and $4.021 billion in 2023. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) The United States apparel imports from Africa reached $1,909.977 million from January to August 2024, a decrease of 5.02 per cent from $2,010.229 million in the same period last year. Trousers and shorts made up 41.08 per cent of the total, valued at $784.585 million Imports of shirts were valued at $317.055 million, accounting for 16.60 per cent, while jerseys reached $266.190 million (13.94 per cent), T-shirts $157.012 million (8.22 per cent), and innerwear $73.324 million (3.84 per cent), according to Fibre2Fashion's market insight tool TexPro. From January to August 2024, US apparel imports from Africa fell by 5.02 per cent, totalling $1.91 billion, compared to $2.01 billion in the same period last year. Trousers and shorts led imports, followed by shirts, jerseys, T-shirts, and innerwear. Despite Africa's growing role as a low-cost garment exporter, it accounted for just 3.57 per cent of the US' $54.1 billion apparel imports. In 2023, the United States imported $2,899.985 million worth of apparel from Africa, with trousers and shorts totalling $1,195.961 million, or 41.24 per cent of the total. Shirt imports were valued at $464.788 million (16.03 per cent), jerseys at $411.208 million (14.18 per cent), T-shirts at $253.062 million (8.73 per cent), and innerwear at $107.776 million (3.72 per cent). Although Africa is emerging as a garment-exporting continent due to lower labour costs, its share remains small in the global garment and textile trade. The US imported apparel worth $54.106 billion in the first eight months of the current year, with African nations accounting for only 3.57 per cent of this total, as per TexPro. In previous years, the US apparel imports from Africa were $2,520.342 million in 2022, $1,817.922 million in 2021, $1,430.343 million in 2020, and $1,805.953 million in 2019. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) Beijing authorities recently launched an initiative to turn the city into a global green economy hub by 2035 by focussing on technological innovation, industrial development and sustainable urban planning. The first-phase target is a 10-per cent annual growth in green technology patents, improved urban green infrastructure and deeper regional and international cooperation in the field by 2027. Beijing has launched a project to turn the city into a global green economy hub by 2035. The phase-I aim is a 10-per cent annual growth in green tech patents, better urban green infrastructure and deeper regional and global cooperation by 2027. The city will back the growth of green industries in the Daxing International Hydrogen Energy Demonstration Zone and Changping district's Energy Valley. Yang Xiuling, director of the Beijing municipal development and reform commission, outlined the city's efforts to accelerate the construction of an international benchmark city for green economy at the fifth Beijing Municipal Administrative Centre Green Development Forum held recently. Beijing has pursued a green development strategy for years. To achieve the 2035 goal, the city plans to accelerate the construction of a global benchmark city for green economy in Beijing, including fostering innovation in green technologies such as hydrogen energy, synthetic biology, and solid oxide fuel cells, a state-controlled media outlet reported. The city will support the growth of green industries in areas like the Daxing International Hydrogen Energy Demonstration Zone and Changping district's Energy Valley. It will enhance the functions of green trading, product innovation and a new vehicle for international cooperation at the green exchange. Green transportation is a key support for green development. The capital is also focusing on enhancing recycled water transmission and distribution. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Germany is not only facing a cyclical, but a persistent structural crisis", Martin Wansleben, chief executive of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), cautioned recently as the chamber released the Fall 2024 Economic Survey in Berlin. "Too little investment, too much bureaucracy, and excessively high location coststhe German economy is stuck. It's losing ground in Europe and internationally," noted Wansleben. Germany is not only facing a cyclical, but a persistent structural crisis", trade body DIHK's chief executive Martin Wansleben cautioned as DIHK released a survey. Only 19 per cent of industrial firms rate their current situation as 'good', while 35 per cent term it 'bad'. Uncertain economic policy, labour costs and shortages, and energy and raw material prices were cited as key business risks. Wansleben referred to the recent forecast by the International Monetary Fund, which ranks Germany 39th in growth among 41 advanced economies. The figures from the survey, with responses from around 25,000 companies across all sectors and regions in Germany, do not offer reasons for optimism in 2025, he stated. "On the contrary, in some cases, feedback from companies raises concerns that things could get worse. For 2024, we're lowering our forecast to at best zero growth'. For the coming year, we only expect zero growth as well. This would be the third consecutive year without real GDP growth!" he was quoted as saying in a DIHK release. The poor expectations from early summer have now "materialised as business realities," Wansleben said. "They are not brightened by hopes for improvements in economic conditions or any decisive economic policy actions, like medium- to long-term energy price reductions or rising incomes. We're seriously concerned about how Germany has become a drag on Europe's economy, unable to fulfill its role as an economic powerhouse," he noted. "We are witnessing a solid structural crisis. High costs for energy and personnel, excessive bureaucracy, and tax burdens are now compounded by geopolitical uncertainties and a decline in domestic and foreign demand," Wansleben said. According to the survey, only 26 per cent of companies (down from 28 per cent in early summer) rate their current business situation as good. Almost as many rate it bad (25 per cent compared to 23 per cent earlier). The situation is worst in the industry, where optimists are now a minority. Only 19 per cent of companies rate their current situation as good, while 35 per cent describe it as bad. "We last saw such a situation 20 years ago, during the severe crisis in 2002 and 2003. This is a clear alarm signal," warned Wansleben. "At that time, the government sought to address the crisis with the Agenda 2010 reforms. We need deep reforms now as well," he said. The business outlook for the coming months offers little hope for improvement. The share of companies with negative expectations has significantly increased: 31 per cent foresee worse business conditions (up from 26 per cent earlier), while only 13 per cent expect improvements (down from 16 per cent earlier). "For companies, there is no light on the horizon," said Wansleben. "The recent ECB rate cut could be a glimmer of hope, though we don't see it reflected in our numbers yet," he added. Fixed asset investment remains well below pre-COVID levels, with no signs of improvement. On the contrary, a third of companies plan to cut back investment at their domestic locations, rising to 40 per cent in industry. There is no widespread downsizing yet, but the era of falling or stable unemployment rates has come to an end. A quarter of all companies plan to reduce staff, while only about a tenth expect to hire more. Once again, companies were asked to identify their main risks. Beyond geopolitical tensions and crises, businesses are concerned about Germany's location conditions. Over half of respondents rate uncertain economic policy (57 per cent), labour costs (54 per cent) and labour shortages (51 per cent) as pressing business risks. Energy and raw material prices remain a concern for nearly half (49 per cent), despite recent decreases. Deteriorating location conditions are eroding the international competitiveness of German companies. Germany risks losing ground in global markets. Despite robust global growth, the export industry doesn't expect improvements over the next 12 months: only one in five companies anticipates an increase in exports, while nearly a third expects a decline. The link between solid global economic growth and the resulting boost for German export businesses, which in turn supports Germany's economy, is weakening. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) No Gain, No Love Lovely Runner Gyeongseong Creature Season 2 Marry My Husband Love Next Door Spice Up Our Love The Judge From Hell Family By Choice Seoul Busters Queen Woo It is inarguably the best time to be a K-drama fan. Between chart-topping romantic dramas to gripping thrillers, theres no dearth of entertaining Korean shows out there. Amidst the slew of titles coming in, we wont blame you for missing out on a few gems every now and then. After all, how do you pick between Park Seo Joon and Han So Hees return to fighting evil in Gyeongseong Creature Season 2 and Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoons unbearable cuteness in Lovely Runner? Luckily for us, we can always use the Diwali 2024 holiday weekend for some good old binge-watching. Bonus points if you add some laddus and chaklis to your catch-up sessions to make it festive.While these have nothing to do with Diwali, here are some unmissable K-dramas to watch this holiday weekend:Shin Min A, Kim Yong Dae, Han Ji Hyun, Lee Sang Yi, Joo MingyungNobody, I repeat, nobody represents the modern girlboss like Shin Min As Son Hae Young. The romantic comedy No Gain, No Love sees the actress play a woman who hates losing out. She grew up thinking her mother prioritised the kids in their foster home over her and she carries that sense of missing out into her professional life. When she realises that married employees have better benefits in her company, she decides to fake a marriage in order to get ahead. However, do not be fooled by the comical plot. The show has some gut-wrenchingly emotional moments, and themes of loneliness and loss. Get ready to swoon over the romance and ugly cry within the span of the same episode.Byeon Woo Seok, Kim Hye Yoon, Song Geon Hee, Lee Seung HyubMost K-drama fans did not expect Lovely Runner to turn into the success story it became. After several setbacks, the series arrived and climbed onto the No.1 spot on the charts within its premiere week. The show follows a K-pop fan who embarks on a quest to save her bias from his untimely death. The timeslip drama sees her go back to his high school days and decipher the truth behind his demise. But we wouldnt get too caught up in the rules of time travel because very early on in the show, the narrative makes way for a heartfelt coming-of-age plot. Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seoks chemistry is top-notch and the warm, nostalgic setting only makes it better.Park Seo Joon, Han So Hee, Wi Ha Joon, Claudia KimAfter the first season ended on a cliffhanger, Gyeongseong Creature returned for a second season. The show takes a time jump from 1945 Gyeongseong to 2024 Seoul. In the present day, Yoon Chae Ok, a survivor of the Spring of 1945 runs into Ho Jae, a man who looks exactly like Jang Tae Sang. The two go up against fresh horrors in a past-meets-present tale of destiny. While the show has its roots in the horror genre, the narrative includes politics, action and some thrilling subplots to make it an entertaining watch.Park Min Young, Na In Woo, Lee Yi Kyung, Song Ha Yoon, Lee Gi KwangWe like to believe that Whats Wrong With Secretary Kim? star Park Min Young can do no wrong. And were almost always right. In the thoroughly entertaining Marry My Husband, the actress plays a woman who is diagnosed with cancer and discovers that her husband is cheating on her. Instead of dying, she finds herself transported 10 years into the past. She then goes on to get revenge along with her boss. The show has some great moments and some moments that fans of the original webtoon might find faults with. That being said, it remains an unmissable watch thats worth your time.Jung Hae In, Jung So Min, Kim Ji Eun, Yoon Ji OnTheres something endlessly endearing about watching childhood friends (or rivals) reunite in K-dramas. Love Next Door sees Jung Hae In and Jung So Min as the aforementioned childhood friends. The show revolves around a woman who leaves her seemingly perfect life abroad and returns to her hometown. Back home, her family will soon find out that she has quit her job and ended her engagement. Reuniting with her friend, now a successful architect, she sets out on a path of rediscovery. The leads easy chemistry when theyre fighting and bantering is palpable. And if you ask us, it carries the whole show.Han Ji Hyun, Lee Sang Yi, Lee Yoo JinIf you couldnt get enough of the supporting cast of No Gain, No Love, youre in luck because the show has a spin-off. It follows a web novel writer who transforms into Seo Yeon Seo, a nutritionist who gets swept up in a swoon-worthy romance with Kang Ha Joon, a CEO. Between the meta moments and the fun romantic track, the show is a fun-filled ride. Spice Up Our Love is fan service at best and the makers know it.Jae Young Kim, Park Shin Hye, Kyu Han Lee, Kim Ah YoungIf youre missing legal K-dramas, you might want to check out The Judge From Hell. The show serves up loads of courtroom drama along with some fantasy elements and solid character arcs. The show revolves around Kang Bit Na, a skilful judge with a dark secret - she isnt human. Shes a demon tasked with bringing justice to the worst criminals and sending them to hell. Her mission is interrupted when she meets a detective and their stories get intertwined.Hwang In Youp, Jung Chae Yeon, Bae Hyun Sung, Choi Won YoungShows about found families will always be special. This one follows three friends who grew up together and developed a song bond. When they reunite years after high school, their past connections resurface. Amidst society's judgement, they form an unconventional family unit as they decide to live together. The highlight? The whole plot is set against the backdrop of a charming beach town. Need we say more?Lee Seung Woo, Kim Dong Wook, Park Se Wan, Park Ji HwanSeoul Busters is a rare comedic gem amidst all the rom-coms and thrillers. The show is an old-school comedy about oddball detectives from an underperforming precinct. Fed up with their incompetence, their boss moves them to a new office which doubles up as a play school for kids. Here theyre joined by the most accomplished detective in the country who in his quest for perfection wants to help them become the best police unit. The slapstick comedy and the loveable characters make this a light-hearted watch.Jeon Jong Seo, Ji Chang Wook, Jeong Yu Mi, Lee Soo HyukAny K-drama list is incomplete without a historical drama. Queen Woo follows the story of the Empress of Goguryeo. Upon her husband and Kings death, she becomes the target of princes and surrounding kingdoms amidst a succession war. However, Woo Hee isnt one to back down from a fight. If you love watching historical war dramas and women in action, this ones for you. Financing secured for a 126-megawatt solar project in Uzbekistan Voltalia (Euronext Paris, ISIN code: FR0011995588), an international player in renewable energies, signed the financial documentation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for the funding of the Sarimay Solar plant in Uzbekistan The ceremony, held today in London, brought together representatives from the EBRD and Voltalia. The EBRD's financial package of up to US$ 54.6 million will consist of a senior loan of up to US$ 44.8 million and a special VAT facility of 9 million (US$ 9.8 million), which will support Sarimay Solar during the construction phase of the project. The project will also benefit from an unfunded guarantee covering a senior loan tranche of US$ 7 million provided by the European Union's European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus. The 126-megawatt solar project, currently under construction1, is scheduled for commissioning in the second half of 2025. Awarded in 2022, the project benefits from a 25-year power sales contract. The plant will generate renewable energy representing the power consumption of approximately 60,000 residents. It will also support Uzbekistan's energy transition goals by avoiding 141,000 tonnes of CO 2 emissions annually. "Voltalia is proud to announce the financing agreement for the Sarimay Solar plant in Uzbekistan. I extend my sincere thanks to our long-term partner, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), for their support in reaching this important milestone. Alongside the Sarimay Solar project, Voltalia is also engaged in several other renewable energy and battery projects in Uzbekistan. These initiatives reflect our dedication to fostering sustainable development and providing clean energy solutions across the country," stated Sebastien Clerc, CEO of Voltalia. To reach this key milestone for the Sarimay Solar project, Voltalia was advised by Herbert Smith Freehills for documents governed by English or French law and by Kosta Legal for the documentation under local law, while EBRD was advised by Trinity and Centil respectively. Voltalia was also supported by Cranmore Partners as its exclusive financial advisor for the structuring and negotiation of the financing. Next meeting: Q4 2024 turnover, January 29, 2025 (after close of trading) About Voltalia (www.voltalia.com) Voltalia is an international player in renewable energies. The Group produces and sells electricity from its wind, solar, hydro, biomass and storage facilities. It has 3.1 GW of capacity in operation and under construction, and a portfolio of projects under development with a total capacity of 17.2 GW. Voltalia is also a service provider, supporting its renewable energy customers at every stage of their projects, from design to operation and maintenance. A pioneer in the business market, Voltalia offers a comprehensive range of services to businesses, from the supply of green electricity to energy efficiency services and the local production of its own electricity. With more than 2,000 employees in 20 countries on 3 continents, Voltalia has the capacity to act globally on behalf of its customers. Voltalia is listed on the Euronext regulated market in Paris (FR0011995588 - VLTSA) and is included in the Enternext Tech 40 and CAC Mid&Small indices. The company is also included, amongst others, in the MSCI ESG ratings and the Sustainalytics ratings. Voltalia Email: invest@voltalia.com T. +33 (0)1 81 70 37 00 Press Relations Seitosei.Actifin - Jennifer Jullia jennifer.jullia@seitosei-actifin.com T. +33 (0)1 56 88 11 19 1 May 15, 2024 press release. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 31, 2024) - Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. (TSXV: SPA) (FSE: S3Y) (the "Company" or "Spanish Mountain Gold") is pleased to announce that further to its press releases dated October 22 and 24, 2024 and as a result of strong investor demand, the Company will be offering additional units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.135 per Unit for additional gross proceeds of up to C$800,000 through a non-brokered private placement (the "Non-Brokered Offering"). The Non-Brokered Offering is being offered concurrently with the Company's previously announced brokered "best efforts" private placement for gross proceeds of up to C$6,500,000 (the "Brokered Offering" and together with the Non-Brokered Offering, the "Offerings"). The combined aggregate gross proceeds of the Offerings will be up to C$7,300,000 , or up to C$8,300,000 assuming the full exercise of the Agent's Option (as defined below). Under the Offerings, the Company will issue the following securities (excluding the Agent's Option): up to 24,444,444 Units at a price of C$0.135 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to C$3,300,000 from the sale of Units; up to 16,129,035 flow-through share units of the Company (each, a " FT Unit ") at a price of C$0.155 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of up to C$2,500,000 from the sale of FT Units; and ") at a price of C$0.155 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of up to C$2,500,000 from the sale of FT Units; and up to 7,500,000 FT Units to be sold to charitable purchasers (each, a "Charity FT Unit", and together with the Units and FT Units, the "Offered Securities") at a price of C$0.20 per Charity FT Unit for gross proceeds of up to C$1,500,000 from the sale of Charity FT Units. Red Cloud Securities Inc. (the "Agent") is acting as sole agent and bookrunner in connection with the Brokered Offering. Each Unit will be comprised of one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one (1) Common Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one (1) additional Common Share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.18 per Warrant Share for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Offering. Each FT Unit and Charity FT Unit will be comprised of one (1) Common Share to be issued as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Income Tax Act") (each, a "FT Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "FT Unit Warrant"). Each FT Unit Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one (1) additional Common Share (a "FT Unit Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.23 per FT Unit Warrant Share for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Offering. The Company will grant to the Agent an option (the "Agent's Option"), exercisable in full or in part, up to 48 hours prior to closing of the Brokered Offering, to sell up to an additional C$1,000,000 of gross proceeds in any combination of the Offered Securities sold pursuant to the Brokered Offering. Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the Units and Charity FT Units (collectively, the "LIFE Securities") will be offered for sale to purchasers resident in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan (the "Canadian Offering Jurisdictions"), pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106. The securities of the Company issuable from the sale of such LIFE Securities will not be subject to a statutory hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities legislation if sold to purchasers resident in Canada. The FT Units will be offered by way of the "accredited investor" and "minimum amount investment" exemptions under NI 45-106 in the Canadian Offering Jurisdictions. The securities of the Company issuable from the sale of such FT Units will be subject to a restriction period of four (4) months following the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities legislation. The Company intends to use the proceeds raised from the Offerings to fund general working capital, complete a new Preliminary Economic Assessment, conduct additional exploration drilling on the Spanish Mountain Gold project and property to test new targets, and expand understanding of the mineral endowment thereon. Gross proceeds from the sale of FT Shares will be used to incur "Canadian exploration expenses" as defined in subsection 66.1(6) of the Income Tax Act and "flow through mining expenditures" as defined in subsection 66.1(6) of the Income Tax Act. Such gross proceeds will be renounced to the purchasers of the FT Units and Charity FT Units with an effective date not later than December 31, 2024, in the aggregate amount of not less than the total amount of gross proceeds raised from the issuance of the FT Shares. The Offerings are scheduled to close on or around November 13, 2024, and are subject to certain customary closing conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. An amended and restated offering document dated October 30, 2024 related to the Offerings (the "Offering Document") can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.spanishmountaingold.com, accessible here. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision. Finder's fees and commissions are payable by the Company to the Agent and an arm's length finder in connection with the Offerings, as described in more detail in the Offering Document. The securities referred to in this news release have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, unless an exemption from such registration is available. This news release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities for sale, nor a solicitation for offers to buy any securities. Any public offering of securities in the United States must be made by means of a prospectus containing detailed information about the Company and management, as well as financial statements. "United States" and "U.S. person" have the respective meanings assigned in Regulation S under the U.S Securities Act. About Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. is focused on advancing its 100%-owned Spanish Mountain Gold Project towards construction of the next gold mine in the Cariboo Gold Corridor, British Columbia. We are conducting an integrated Whittle Enterprise Optimization to identify the highest potential value-add improvements while increasing the understanding of the high-grade geologic controls and associated drill targets that could upgrade and expand the gold resource. We are striving to be a leader in community and Indigenous relations by leveraging technology and innovation to build the 'greenest' gold mine in Canada. The Relentless Pursuit for Better Gold means seeking new ways to achieve optimal financial outcomes that are safer, minimize environmental impact and create meaningful sustainability for communities. Details on the Company are available on www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website: www.spanishmountaingold.com. On Behalf of the Board, "Peter Mah" President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information (collectively referred to as "forward-looking information". Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of their respective officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in forward-looking information in this press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the parties can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information in this press release include, amongst others: the closing of the Offerings, the issuance of the Offered Securities, the payment of the finder's fee and commissions to the Agents, the anticipated closing date of the Offerings and the intended use of proceeds of the Offerings. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking information. By their nature, forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. There are a number of important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general development, market and industry conditions. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of their securities or their respective financial or operating results (as applicable). The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. The Company does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. Not for distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228549 SOURCE: Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 31, 2024) - Excellon Resources Inc. (TSX: EXN) (OTCQB: EXNRF) (FSE: E4X2) ("Excellon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a share purchase agreement (the "Agreement") with Adar Mining Corp. ("Adar") to acquire (the "Acquisition"), subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, all of the issued and outstanding shares (the "Minera Shares") in the capital of Minera CRC S.A.C. ("Minera CRC"), which holds a 100% interest in the Mallay Property, including the past producing Mallay Silver Mine and the Tres Cerros Exploration Property, in Peru. Pursuant to the Agreement, Adar intends to bid for the Minera Shares pursuant to receivership proceedings under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) (the "Realization Proceedings"). Adar has agreed to sell, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, the Minera Shares to Excellon in exchange for US$1.25 million in upfront cash payments and such number of common shares of Excellon ("Common Shares") that is equal to 12.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a basic, non-diluted basis, as further described in the Agreement. The Acquisition is subject to, among other things, Adar acquiring the Minera Shares in a proposed sale and investment solicitation process to be conducted in the Realization Proceedings. Conditional on the completion of the Acquisition, Excellon will enter into agreements (i) with Adar to provide for consideration in the form of a 1.0% net smelter returns royalty (0.5% of which may be repurchased for US$1.5 million) (the "Royalty") and a 5% to 8% zinc and lead metals stream (the "Stream" and together with the Royalty, the "Deferred Contingency Payments"), payable on the successful restart of the Mallay Mine, and (ii) with Adar and another party to sell up to a 49% interest in the Tres Cerros Exploration Property (the "Back In Right") at a back-in option exercise price of 1.5x attributable historical exploration expenditures incurred. Excellon has arranged approximately $3.8 million (US$2.725 million) to fund the upfront cash payments and for working capital during the Realization Proceedings, as further described below. On completion of the Acquisition, Excellon will focus on restarting the Mallay Mine, with the goal of returning the Company to a silver-producer status. Mallay Silver Mine Highlights Past producing mine, built and operated by Buenaventura, with US$115 million historical investment. 1 Fully permitted to restart production, existing infrastructure includes working mill, operational water treatment plant, adit and ramp access to the mine, significant underground development and active workforce. Historical Reserves 2 of 2.67 Moz AgEq @ 626 g/t AgEq and Historical Inferred Resources 2 of 4.57 Moz AgEq @ 564 g/t AgEq. Excellon to review off-take prepay facilities and other non-equity alternatives for mine restart. Current mineralized inventory is believed to be sufficient for the basis of a three-year mine plan, the expected six-month restart period includes mine rehabilitation and mill controls upgrade. Significant opportunities to expand mineralized inventory through extension of historically mined veins down dip and along strike. Excellon has an experienced operating team, capable of delivering a mine restart. Notes: 1)Source: Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. 2)Historical estimates based on historical audit completed in December 2018 by Geomineria S.A., an independent resource auditor in Peru. Mineral inventories have been worked on in accordance with the standards, procedures and technical specifications approved by Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. for all its units, which are described in the "V Geology Workshop 2014 - Chap. Mineral Inventory Manual", in the 2016 Sampling Manual, 2016 Quality Control Manuals and 2017 Geological Modeling and Resource Estimation Procedures of Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.; and adapting them to international standards such as the JORC Code or similar. Following closing of the transaction, Excellon will update the resources to become NI 43-101 compliant. Tres Cerros Exploration Property Highlights Bulk tonnage potential. Area of interest is a 3 km x 0.5 km gold-silver mineralized corridor near, but not related to, the Mallay Mine. Large-scale, classic high sulphidation target. Coincident IP/resistivity anomalies indicative of deep (300m) sulphides overlain by oxide zone +100m thick. Several drill targets identified, access by truck - no helicopters required. Large exploration package (~110km2) in a region which boasts numerous significant current and historic mines. Benefits to Excellon Shareholders Fully permitted, near-term silver producing asset in an established mining-friendly jurisdiction. Acquisition of US$115 million in historical infrastructure investment for total purchase consideration of approximately US$2.5 million in cash 3 and shares 3 plus the Deferred Contingency Payments. Minera CRC will be acquired free of existing debt, upon completion of the Realization Proceedings. Deferred Contingency Payments are structured to provide a smaller payout stream over a longer period of time, ensuring maximum financial buffer during the sensitive periods of a mine startup. Termination fee of US$2.5 million paid to Excellon if the shares and debt of Minera CRC are sold to an alternative party. Notes: 3)Includes US$1.25 million cash plus shares to be issued as purchase consideration, valued at Excellon share price prior to announcement. Shawn Howarth, President and CEO of Excellon, commented, "Mallay represents an exciting opportunity to return Excellon to silver producer status as early as mid-2025. This highly accretive transaction benefits Excellon shareholders, as the agreement with Adar resolves the existing debt burden on the asset, paving a clear path for value creation. Excellon's operational expertise sets the foundation for a highly collaborative and productive partnership. Upon closing the transaction, our immediate focus will be on mine rehabilitation, finalizing restart plans, conducting near-mine drilling to extend mineralization and mine life, and demonstrating the robust economics of the mine." Laurence (Laurie) Curtis, Chairman of Excellon, commented, "Excellon and the team worked hard to reach a comprehensive agreement aimed at revitalizing the Mallay Mine, after a prolonged period of downtime. With strong momentum in the metals market, we are confident this project is positioned for substantial success and renewed operational strength." Transaction Details The Agreement provides for Excellon acquiring, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, the Minera Shares and certain indebtedness of Minera CRC (the "Minera Securities") from Adar in exchange for (i) cash payments to Adar in the aggregate amount of US$1,250,000 (the "Upfront Payments") within 30 days to fund expenses incurred by Adar pursuant to the Realization Proceedings and advances by Adar to Minera CRC; and (ii) such number of Common Shares (the "Consideration Shares") that is equal to 12.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a basic, non-diluted basis excluding the completion of the Capital Raise (as defined below). Any portion of such Upfront Payments that is not spent by Adar prior to closing of the Acquisition will remain with Minera CRC. If Adar does not acquire the Minera Securities in the Realization Proceedings and instead receives repayment of indebtedness owed to Adar by the parent company of Minera CRC, Adar will pay Excellon a termination fee of US$2.5 million. In the event the Acquisition is completed, Excellon is required to deploy at least US$6.5 million from the Capital Raise and the Debt Raise toward commencing mining operations at the mining unit and processing plant owned by Minera CRC. The Consideration Shares will be subject to a contractual 12-month hold period. The completion of the Acquisition is conditional on, among other things, execution of definitive agreements in respect of the Royalty and the Stream, execution of the Back In Right Agreement (as defined below), Excellon completing a financing, other than the concurrent financings described below, of at least US$4,500,000 (the "Capital Raise"), Excellon executing a committed debt facility in an amount no less than US$3,000,000 (the "Debt Raise"), Minera CRC having indebtedness not more than US$1,000,000 at closing, receipt of regulatory and stock exchange (including Toronto Stock Exchange) approvals (including shareholder approval of the Acquisition and the Capital Raise as will be required by the requirements of the Toronto Stock Exchange), and Adar acquiring the Minera Securities in the Realization Proceedings. The proceeds of the Capital Raise and the Debt Raise will be used for the purpose of commencing mining operations following completion of the Acquisition and is not part of the consideration for the Acquisition. The outside date to complete the Acquisition is February 27, 2025, which may be extended by 30 days by Excellon up to four times by making a cash payment in the amount of US$250,000 to Adar for each such 30 day extension. Each such extension payment will be set-off against deliveries required to be made by Excellon pursuant to the Stream. In connection with the completion of the Acquisition, Excellon will enter into agreements to provide for the Royalty, the Stream and the Back In Right as follows: The Royalty: 1% net smelter returns royalty payable in respect of products produced from the Mallay and Tres Cerros properties. Excellon will have the right to purchase one-half of the Royalty for US$1.5 million within 18 months of commencement of commercial production. 1% net smelter returns royalty payable in respect of products produced from the Mallay and Tres Cerros properties. Excellon will have the right to purchase one-half of the Royalty for US$1.5 million within 18 months of commencement of commercial production. The Stream: Excellon will have an obligation to deliver 5% of all zinc and lead produced, until a maximum of 2 million pounds of each of zinc and lead, respectively, has been delivered (the " Initial Zinc and Lead Delivery Obligation "). Thereafter Excellon will have an obligation to deliver 8% of all zinc lead produced, until a maximum of 10 million pounds of each of zinc and lead, respectively, has been delivered. All deliveries of zinc and lead will be subject to certain costs incurred by Excellon. Excellon has the right to purchase the Stream for cancellation for (i) US$18 million up to the first anniversary of the commencement of commercial production, and (ii) US$15 million after completion of the Initial Zinc and Lead Delivery Obligation, provided that the Stream buy back right will expire on the third anniversary of the commencement of commercial production. Excellon will have an obligation to deliver 5% of all zinc and lead produced, until a maximum of 2 million pounds of each of zinc and lead, respectively, has been delivered (the " "). Thereafter Excellon will have an obligation to deliver 8% of all zinc lead produced, until a maximum of 10 million pounds of each of zinc and lead, respectively, has been delivered. All deliveries of zinc and lead will be subject to certain costs incurred by Excellon. Excellon has the right to purchase the Stream for cancellation for (i) US$18 million up to the first anniversary of the commencement of commercial production, and (ii) US$15 million after completion of the Initial Zinc and Lead Delivery Obligation, provided that the Stream buy back right will expire on the third anniversary of the commencement of commercial production. The Back In Right: Pursuant to the Back In Right Agreement, Adar will have an option to acquire a 32% interest in the Tres Cerros Exploration Property and a third party will have an option to acquire a 17% interest in the Tres Cerros Exploration Property, in each case until the date that is 120 days after Excellon delivers a preliminary economic assessment in respect of the Tres Cerros Exploration Property based on a minimum of 15,000 metres of exploratory drilling and which indicates inferred resources in the form of gold equivalent ounces of at least 500,000 ounces. The Back In Right option exercise price will be 1.5x of attributable historical exploration expenditures incurred following completion of the Acquisition ("Qualifying Expenditures"). During the Back In Right term, Excellon will be the operator of the Tres Cerros Exploration Property and will have an obligation to incur an aggregate of US$7.5 million in Qualifying Expenditures as follows: (i) US$ 1 million in year 1, (ii) US$2.5 million in year 2, and (iii) US$4 million in year 3. If either party exercises their respective Back In Right, the parties will enter into a joint venture agreement, the form of which will be settled in connection with the Back In Right Agreement. Concurrent Financings In connection with the Acquisition, Excellon is also pleased to announce that it has entered into agreements with respect to a non-brokered private placement offering (the "Unit Offering") of up to 19,500,000 units of the Company ("Units") at a price of $0.105 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,047,500 (approximately US$1,475,000), and a non-brokered private placement offering (the "Note Offering" and together with the Unit Offering, the "Offerings") of US$1,250,000 aggregate principal amount of unsecured non-convertible promissory notes of the Company ("Notes"). The aggregate offering size is approximately $3.8 million (US$2.725 million). Each Unit will be comprised of one Common Share and one half of one common share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.15 per Common Share for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Unit Offering. The Notes will mature on the date that is 18 months following the closing date of the Notes Offering (the "Maturity Date"). On the Maturity Date, any outstanding principal amount of the Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon shall be repaid by the Company in cash. The Notes will bear interest at a rate of 10% per annum. Interest on the principal amount outstanding under the Notes will accrue during the period commencing on the closing date of the Notes Offering until the Maturity Date and will be payable in cash on the Maturity Date, subject to earlier prepayment or exercise of the Tres Cerros Prepayment Election (as defined below). If, following the issuance of the Notes and prior to the Maturity Date, the Acquisition is completed, the holder of the Notes will be able to elect to direct that the principal amount of the Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon be applied as a prepayment against a portion of the purchase price payable by the holder to exercise its Back In Right pursuant to a back in right agreement (the "Back In Right Agreement") to be entered into in connection with the Acquisition (the "Tres Cerros Prepayment Election"). If, following the issuance of the Notes and prior to the Maturity Date, the Acquisition is not completed on or before the outside date for completion of the Acquisition, the Company will be required, within 30 calendar days following expiry of such outside date, to prepay in cash any outstanding principal amount of the Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon. The Company may elect, at any time, to prepay in cash any or all of the principal amount of the Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest on such principal amount being prepaid. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offerings to fund acquisition costs, including upfront cash payments in respect thereof, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Unit Offering is anticipated to close on or about November 8, 2024, and is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX"). The Note Offering is anticipated to close on or about November 1, 2024, and is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals. The securities will be offered: (a) by way of private placement in each of the provinces of Canada pursuant to applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements under applicable Canadian securities laws; (b) in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons, by way of private placement pursuant to the exemptions from the registration requirements provided for under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"); and (c) in jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States on a private placement or equivalent basis. The securities to be issued pursuant to the Offerings will be subject to a four-month hold period in Canada pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. The securities offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any state securities law, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an exemption from such registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy in the United States nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Mallay Property The Mallay Property, located in Peru, is comprised of the concessions encompassing the past-producing Mallay Mine and the Tres Cerros Exploration Property. Mallay Mine The Mallay Mine was constructed by Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. ("Buenaventura") at a cost of US$115 million, commenced production in 2012 and operated consistently until early 2018. Average annual production by Buenaventura (2013 to 2017) was 1.3 million ounces silver, 9,100 tonnes zinc and 6,600 tonnes lead (source: Buenaventura company reports). Historical Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources (JORC compliant) at the time the mine was placed on care-and-maintenance (Table 1) were calculated at metals prices of US$18.00/oz Ag, US$2,250/t Pb and US$2,600/lb Zn. Following closing of the Acquisition, Excellon intends to update the resource calculation to become NI 43-101 compliant, taking into account not only updated metals prices, but additional extension drilling Excellon anticipates to undertake, demonstrating the continued extension of current mineralized zones. Table 1: Historical Mineral Resource Estimate (As at December 31, 2018; JORC Compliant) Tonnes g/t Ag % Pb % Zn g/t Ag-Eq 000 oz Ag-Eq Proven & Probable Reserves 133,000 203 3.68% 6.75% 626 2,677 Resources (Exclusive of Reserves) 6,782 229 2.23% 3.42% 457 99 Inferred Resources 251,805 208 4.02% 4.90% 564 4,566 Metals Prices used: US$18.00/oz Ag, US$1,300/oz Au, US$2,250/t Pb, US$2,600/t Zn Figure 1: Mallay Mine Processing Facilities and Surface Infrastructure To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1601/228552_excelloni.jpg Advisors Bennett Jones LLP is acting as legal advisor to Excellon. Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP is acting as legal advisor to Adar. About Excellon Excellon's vision is to realize opportunities through the acquisition of advanced development or producing assets with further potential to gain from an experienced management team for the benefit of our employees, communities and shareholders. The Company is advancing a portfolio of gold, silver and base metals assets including Kilgore, an advanced gold exploration project in Idaho; and Silver City, a high-grade epithermal silver district in Saxony, Germany with 750 years of mining history and little modern exploration. Additional details on Excellon's properties are available at www.excellonresources.com. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained, referenced or incorporated by reference in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as: "actively", "advance", "anticipated", "assess", "believe", "cause", "commence", "completion", "conditions", "consideration", "continues", "development", "due course", "expectation", "exploration", "extend", "extension", "flexibility", "focused", "forward", "further", "future", "if", "implement", "liquidity", "looking", "maturity", "may", "negotiations", "occur", "opportunities", "options", "outcome", "outstanding", "potential", "providing", "reach", "restructuring", "risk", "subject to", "to be", "update", "vision", "waive", "when", "will", and "would", or variations of such words, and similar such words, expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results can, could, may, should, to, will, would (or not) be achieved, occur, provide, result, complete or support in the future or which, by their nature, refer to future events. In some cases, forward-looking information may be stated in the present tense, such as in respect of current matters that may be continuing, or that may have a future impact or effect. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the structure and terms of the Acquisition; the timing and ability of the Company to complete the Acquisition; the structure and terms of the Offerings; the use of proceeds of the Offerings; the timing and ability of the Company to complete the Offerings; the timing and ability of the Company to receive necessary approvals; exploration and drilling programs, including the timing, completion and results thereof; potential mineralization; and the Company's objectives, goals and future plans and strategies. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct, and any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future actions, results or performance. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions, which are considered reasonable and represent best judgment based on available facts, as of the date such statements are made. If such assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions prove to be incorrect, actual and future results may be materially different than expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors which may cause the actual results or performance of the Company to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors include, among others, the inability of the Company to complete the Acquisition on the terms proposed or at all, the inability of the Company to complete the Offerings on the terms proposed or at all, the inability of the Company to receive necessary regulatory approvals, termination of the Agreement, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated April 1, 2024 (the "2024 AIF"), and the risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors identified in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis, and accompanying financial statements, for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the Company's other applicable public disclosure (collectively, "Company Disclosure"). The foregoing list of risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors is not exhaustive; readers should consult the more complete discussion of the Company's business, financial condition and prospects that is provided in the 2024 AIF and the other Company Disclosure. The forward-looking statements referenced or contained in this news release are expressly qualified by these Cautionary Statements as well as the Cautionary Statements in the other Company Disclosure. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release (or as otherwise expressly specified) and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws. Not for distribution to United States news wire services or for dissemination in the United States To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228552 SOURCE: Excellon Resources Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 31, 2024) - GoldHaven Resources Corp. (CSE: GOH) (OTCQB: GHVNF) (FSE: 4QS0) ("GoldHaven" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive securities exchange agreement dated October 31, 2024 with Copper Peak Metals Inc. ("Copper Peak") and each of the shareholders of Copper Peak (the "Copper Peak Shareholders"), pursuant to which the Company has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Copper Peak (the "Copper Peak Shares") from the Copper Peak Shareholders in exchange for: 3,990,000 common shares of the Company (the "Consideration Shares") at a deemed price of $0.09 per Consideration Share for total deemed consideration of $359,100, 500,000 common share purchase warrants, each exercisable at $0.10 per warrant to acquire one common share of the Company until September 16, 2027, and 500,000 common share purchase warrants, each exercisable at $0.10 per warrant to acquire one common share of the Company until August 22, 2027 (collectively referred to as, the "Transaction"). Copper Peak has an acquisition agreement for the acquisition of a 100% interest in the Magno property. The future obligations under this acquisition agreement include the payment of $93,334 to the underlying property optionor, Gerry Diakow by January 29, 2025. In connection with the closing of the Transaction (the "Closing"), it is expected that Gerry Diakow will be appointed to the Board of Directors of GoldHaven. "Signing of the definitive agreement with GoldHaven is the first step on the way to a significant milestone for Copper Peak," stated Gerry Diakow, Director of Copper Peak. "With gold approaching US$2,800/oz the Magno and Three Guardsmen property are poised for a gold exploration focus as they reside in two settings with targets that indicate a potential for porphyry systems on the properties." The Closing is expected to occur on November 8, 2024, or such other date upon which the Company and Copper Peak mutually agree, which Closing is subject to customary closing conditions, including filings with the Canadian Securities Exchange, satisfactory due diligence investigations, and no material adverse change happening with respect to either party prior to the closing date. Out of the 3,990,000 Consideration Shares, 2,990,000 Consideration Shares shall be subject to a pooling arrangement where 10% of such shares shall be released on Closing and the balance shall be released in six tranches of 15% every six months. Bonn Smith, CEO of GoldHaven Resources, commented, "I am happy to be announcing this monumental step forward for our company. With the signing of a definitive agreement for the acquisition, we secure two quality assets within well-known historical districts in B.C. We look forward to closing the transaction and driving value and sustainable growth for our shareholders heading into 2025." About Copper Peak: The Magno & Three Guardsmen Properties Copper Peak holds 100% ownership of the Magno and Three Guardsmen mineral properties in British Columbia's Liard Mining District. The Magno property includes 24 mineral tenures, while the Three Guardsmen property holds 12. Both projects focus on the late Cretaceous terranes, known to host significant porphyry deposits like those at Casino and Red Mountain. The exploration team will target granitic bodies beneath promising skarn deposits, aiming to identify the source of mineralized fluids linked to these skarns. The focus will be on extensive geochemical and geophysical exploration to identify potential porphyry sources. Magno property with BC regional geology highlighting historical work and present showings To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7246/228556_037ec52c34f44942_002full.jpg Three Guardsmen property with BC regional geology highlighting historical work and present showings To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7246/228556_037ec52c34f44942_003full.jpg R.J. (Bob) Johnston, P.Geo from Engineers & Geoscientists British Columbia is the qualified person for the Company has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. About GoldHaven Resources Corp. GoldHaven Resources Corp. is a Canadian junior metals exploration Company focused on acquiring and exploring highly prospective land packages in North America. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE- Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, the intended use of the proceeds received from the Offering, the possible acquisition of the Projects, the Company's expectation that it will be successful in enacting its business plans, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "will", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "potential", "scheduled", or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that investor interest will be sufficient to close the Offering, and the receipt of any necessary regulatory or corporate approvals in connection with the Offering, that there will be investor interest in future financings, market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future exploration and development of any future projects in a timely manner, the availability of financing on suitable terms for exploration and development of future projects and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development activities, actual results of exploration activities, the estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the inability of the Company to obtain the necessary financing required to conduct its business and affairs, as currently contemplated, the inability to close the Offering, the inability of the Company to enter into definitive agreements in respect of possible Letters of Intent, the timing and amount of estimated future production, the costs of production, capital expenditures, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, requirements for additional capital, future prices of precious metals, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, lack of investor interest in future financings, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, title disputes, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents, approvals or authorizations, including by the Exchange, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and risks related to joint venture operations, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's latest interim Management's Discussion and Analysis and filed with certain securities commissions in Canada. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedarplus.ca and readers are urged to review these materials. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228556 SOURCE: GoldHaven Resources Corp. OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (BAM, BAM.TO) and Brookfield Corporation (BN, BN.TO) announced initiatives aimed at improving BAM's corporate structure, positioning the company for increased inclusion in U.S. equity indices.As part of the effort, BAM has now changed its head office to New York. In addition, BAM and BN have entered into an agreement whereby BAM would own and reflect 100% of the asset management business , and BN's current 73% interest in the asset management business would be held directly through ownership of about 73% of the publicly traded shares of BAM.BAM expects to hold a special meeting for shareholders to consider and vote on the Arrangement on December 20, 2024. If approved at the Meeting, the Arrangement is expected to close in early 2025, including NYSE and TSX listing approvals.Under the terms of the Arrangement, BAM will acquire approximately 73% of the outstanding common shares of Brookfield Asset Management ULC from BN and certain of its subsidiaries as part of the Arrangement. The Asset Management Company owns and operates Brookfield's leading global alternative asset management business.BAM will issue Class A Shares to BN in exchange for all of the Common Shares currently owned by BN and its subsidiaries on a one-for-one basis. As part of the Arrangement, BAM's articles will also be amended to ensure that BN controls BAM for as long as it holds a majority of its voting shares.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX International collaboration meets in Vietnam to facilitate treatment recommendation guidelines that help people with cancer to live better lives. HANOI, Vietnam, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of ongoing work to define and advance high-quality cancer care globally, leaders from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)-an alliance of leading cancer centers in the United States-will be in Vietnam today to collaborate on improving cancer care standards throughout the country. NCCN Chief Executive Officer Crystal S. Denlinger, MD will be presenting on the development and implementation of NCCN resources worldwide and in Vietnam, as part of an event hosted by Vietnam National Cancer Hospital (K Hospital)-Best of ASCO 2024: Multimodality Treatment of Cancer and Hospital Management in the Digital Era. During the conference, Dr. Denlinger will highlight the ongoing collaboration with the Vietnam National Cancer Hospital and the Vietnam Cancer Association to develop NCCN Harmonized Guidelines for Vietnam, a framework for improving and standardizing cancer care across the country. "Our ongoing collaboration with esteemed colleagues in Vietnam allows us to learn and share information on the latest advancements in cancer care," said Dr. Denlinger. "By tailoring the NCCN Guidelines to fit local needs, we can make significant strides in improving patient outcomes and ensuring that all people facing cancer in Vietnam receive the highest quality of care." The NCCN Harmonized Guidelines for Vietnam are based on the original NCCN Guidelines Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines), with modifications to reflect both optimal care and pragmatic approaches for treating cancer in resource-constrained settings. The first set of NCCN Harmonized Guidelines for Vietnam, focused on Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), is now available in both English and Vietnamese. Ongoing efforts are underway to develop harmonized guidelines for Breast Cancer and Liver Cancer, with more cancer types to follow. "These guidelines represent a significant resource for ensuring that cancer care in Vietnam is aligned with global best practices while also reflecting the realities of our local healthcare settings," said Prof. Le Van Quang, MD, PhD. "We are committed to working together to advance these tools so people with cancer across Vietnam can receive the best care possible." The NCCN Harmonized Guidelines for Vietnam will continue to expand, with plans to cover the top 10 most common cancer types in the country. These guidelines will continue to be translated into Vietnamese by medical professionals with advanced degrees, ensuring they are both accurate and accessible to the local healthcare community. The initiative aligns with NCCN's ongoing work to improve access to high-quality cancer care worldwide. For more information about the NCCN Harmonized Guidelines for Vietnam and other global efforts to improve cancer care, visit NCCN.org/global. About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to improving and facilitating quality, effective, equitable, and accessible cancer care so all patients can live better lives. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) provide transparent, evidence-based, expert consensus recommendations for cancer treatment, prevention, and supportive services; they are the recognized standard for clinical direction and policy in cancer management and the most thorough and frequently-updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients provide expert cancer treatment information to inform and empower patients and caregivers, through support from the NCCN Foundation. NCCN also advances continuing education, global initiatives, policy, and research collaboration and publication in oncology. Visit NCCN.org for more information. Media Contact: Rachel Darwin 267-622-6624 darwin@nccn.org Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2542778/NCCNGLs_Vietnam.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/441768/NCCN_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/national-comprehensive-cancer-network-joins-with-vietnam-national-cancer-hospital-to-enhance-cancer-treatment-302289390.html EQS Newswire / 01/11/2024 / 05:14 MSK Solidcore Resources plc ("Solidcore" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Berkut Mining LLP ("Partner"), a subsidiary of Lancaster Group (multidisciplinary holding company), to acquire 55% interest in Syrymbet, an undeveloped polymetallic deposit located in North-Kazakhstan region. "Syrymbet is a polymetallic deposit with tin as a major component, which perfectly fits our strategy of enhancing and diversifying Solidcore's exposure to the green transition. Management believes the project will benefit from the Company's execution expertise and successful track record in out-of-the box processing strategies", said Vitaly Nesis, Group CEO of Solidcore Resources plc. "Together with the Partner, we are committed to driving the project forward while ensuring sustainable practices. We are aiming for Board approval for construction in 2025". HIGHLIGHTS The Syrymbet licence covers the area of over 10 km2 and is located in the Ayirtau district of the North-Kazakhstan region. Under the agreement, Solidcore will acquire a 55% interest in - private company "Tin One Holding" which indirectly holds the subsoil licence for Syrymbet, for the total cash consideration of US$ 82.5 million. The transaction will be financed from the Company's existing cash resources and is expected to complete in Q4 2024, subject to obtaining of the required regulatory approvals. In 2024, Solidcore completed 3 km of drilling, aimed at validating historical exploration results and conducting metallurgical studies. The deposit is suitable for open-pit mining. Solidcore will refine the existing approach to processing to accelerate path to production, optimise capital expenditures and reduce environmental footprint of the project. The partnership with Lancaster Group is a strategic alignment that allows to apply joint extensive experience to develop such a technologically complex polymetallic deposit as Syrymbet. Solidcore will be working closely with the Partner to accelerate project development, aiming to secure Board approval for construction in 2025. The project will bring about social investments in the region and create a significant number of permanent jobs with a focus on the local workforce. STRATEGIC RATIONALE Syrymbet fits well with Solidcore's strategy in the following ways: Large asset with good exploration upside; Metal portfolio diversification with green transition exposure; Potential for fast development approach based on open-pit mining and conventional processing; Balanced risk-sharing ownership structure, providing Solidcore with the Partner's valuable expertise and support, while allowing the Company to retain operational control over the project. ABOUT THE PROPERTY The Syrymbet licence area covers 10.15 km2 and is located in the Ayirtau district of the North-Kazakhstan region. The property is located 280 km from the regional centre, Petropavl (population of approx. 220,000), and 80 km from Kokshetau (population of approx. 180,000), an administrative centre of Aqmola Region. Currently, the property is accessible by unpaved roads and via the Ugolki railway station with loading facility under construction (30 km away). Full-scale operations will have access to a 220 kW power station located 27 km away. Syrymbet was discovered in 1985, with further exploration activities and assessment works conducted between 1986 and 2012. A Mineral Resource estimate in accordance with the JORC Code (2012) was completed in 2015, followed by a pre-feasibility study in 2016. An updated Mineral Resource estimate was issued in 2018 as a part of the Definitive Feasibility Study. Technological studies and metallurgy design were continued between 2018 and 2020. A JORC-compliant Mineral Resource estimate comprised 492.4 Kt of tin at a grade of 0.40% and 91.4 Kt of copper at a grade of 0.07% (5.9 Moz of GE [1] ). The deposit is a complex rare-earth-polymetallic deposit (Sn, W, Cu, CaF2) occurring within favorable lithological and structural settings. Four mineralisation zones within Syrymbet ore field are comprised of oxide and sulphide ore. ABOUT TIN Tin (periodic table symbol Sn) is a silvery-white, malleable metal with a slight blue hue. Although scarce, with only 0.001% found in the earth's crust, tin is not considered rare. It is primarily found in cassiterite ores, often alongside base and rare earth metals. Tin's unique properties and recyclability position it as a crucial material in production: the key applications include electronics, where it is essential for soldering, as well as in alloys, tin plating, and emerging technologies such as lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and photovoltaic cells for solar panels. Enquiries Investor Relations Media Kirill Kuznetsov Alina Assanova +7 7172 47 66 55 (Kazakhstan) ir@solidcore-resources.com Yerkin Uderbay +7 7172 47 66 55 (Kazakhstan) media@solidcore-resources.kz FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This release may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this release. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words "targets", "believes", "expects", "aims", "intends", "will", "may", "anticipates", "would", "could" or "should" or similar expressions or, in each case their negative or other variations or by discussion of strategies, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. These forward-looking statements all include matters that are not historical facts. By their nature, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors beyond the company's control that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the company's present and future business strategies and the environment in which the company will operate in the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. There are many factors that could cause the company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. The company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. [1] Gold equivalent Mineral Resources are estimated based on the Sn, Cu, Au spot prices as at 30.10.2024. 01/11/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com Der Volkswagen-Konzern steckt tief in der Krise. Das zeigen auch einmal mehr die am heutigen Mittwoch veroffentlichten Quartalszahlen. Volkswagen hat im dritten Quartal einen herben Gewinneinbruch hinnehmen mussen. Die ohnehin bereits schwachen Analystenprognosen wurden verfehlt. Die Aktie von Volkswagen steht am Morgen erneut deutlich unter Druck.Ein schwaches Branchenumfeld mit weniger Fahrzeugverkaufen sowie der angestoene Kapazitats- und Stellenabbau im Konzern sorgten fur eine Milliardenbelastung. ... Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. EQS-News: AIXTRON SE / Schlagwort(e): Quartalsergebnis/9-Monatszahlen AIXTRON liefert robustes Q3 trotz schwachem Marktumfeld 31.10.2024 / 07:30 CET/CEST Fur den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich. AIXTRON liefert robustes Q3 trotz schwachem Marktumfeld Moderate Nachfrage bei SiC- und GaN-Power / Umsatzerlose in etwa auf Vorjahresniveau / Auftragseingang in Q3 deutlich uber Vorjahr / Technologischer Fortschritt bei GaN und SiC Anlagen / Erste Anlage im neuen Innovationszentrum / Prognose 2024 bestatigt Herzogenrath, 31. Oktober 2024 - AIXTRON SE (FWB: AIXA, ISIN DE000A0WMPJ6) hat in den ersten neun Monaten des Jahres ein robustes Umsatzniveau im Vergleich zum Vorjahr erreicht und sich damit in einem schwachen Marktumfeld stark behauptet. Das Unternehmen kam auf Umsatzerlose in Hohe von EUR 406,4 Mio. (9M/2023: EUR 415,7 Mio.). Im dritten Quartal 2024 lagen die Umsatzerlose bei EUR 156,3 Mio. (Q3/2023: EUR 165,0 Mio.), und damit in der unteren Halfte der Prognose fur das Quartal von EUR 150,0 Mio. bis EUR 180,0 Mio., da die Auslieferung eines Groprojekts auf Wunsch des Kunden von Q3 auf Q4/2024 verschoben wurde. Auftragseingang und Auftragsbestand uber Vorjahr Die aktuelle Dynamik bei der Nachfrage nach Anlagen fur die effiziente Leistungselektronik auf Basis von Galliumnitrid (GaN) und Siliziumkarbid (SiC) setzt sich weiter fort. Damit lag der Auftragseingang im dritten Quartal 2024 bei EUR 143,5 Mio. und mit 21% deutlich uber dem Vorjahresquartal (Q3/2023: EUR 118,5 Mio.). Der Auftragseingang der ersten neun Monate 2024 liegt mit EUR 439,5 Mio. leicht uber dem Niveau des Vorjahres (9M/2023: EUR 436,2 Mio.). Der Anlagenauftragsbestand zum 30. September stieg im Vergleich zum Vorjahr deutlich auf EUR 384,5 Mio. (30. September 2023: EUR 368,0 Mio.; 30. Juni 2024: EUR 400,6 Mio.). Technologischer Fortschritt bei SiC Signifikante Verbesserungen an der 200mm G10-SiC Anlage wurden auf der International Conference on Silicon Carbide and Related Materials (ICSCRM) in Raleigh, im US-Bundesstaat North Carolina vorgestellt: mit einer weiteren Steigerung der Homogenitaten fur Schichtdicke und Dotierung uber dem ganzen Wafer erreicht die G10-SiC nun die Spitzenposition im Markt. Gleichzeitig erzielt sie die niedrigsten Kosten pro Wafer aufgrund der hohen Produktivitat des Multi-Wafer Tools. Dies fuhrt zu anhaltendem Interesse der Kunden an AIXTRON SiC-Technologie und Roadmap. Nachste Anlagengeneration: 300mm GaN Im Bereich GaN kundigt sich bereits der nachste groe Trend an - die Einfuhrung von 300mm-Wafer-Technologie. "Das Potenzial GaN-basierter effizienter Leistungselektronik ist aufgrund der energieintensiven kunstlichen Intelligenz und anderer Anwendungen enorm. Auf Basis der erwarteten groen Volumina planen erste Kunden nun den Umstieg auf die nachste Wafergroe und nutzen dabei unsere ersten 300mm-GaN-Prototypenanlagen in ihren Entwicklungs- und Pilotlinien. AIXTRON kann dabei Erfahrungsschatz und Kernelemente der bewahrten 200mm Technologie auf die nachste Produktgeneration ubertragen", sagt Dr. Felix Grawert, Vorstandsvorsitzender der AIXTRON SE. Erste 300mm Anlage im neuen Innovationszentrum Seit dem Herbst 2023 entsteht am Standort Herzogenrath AIXTRONs neues Innovationszentrum fur 300mm Technologie. Dort werden gerade rund EUR 100 Mio. in einen hochmodernen Entwicklungs- und Forschungskomplex mit uber 1000m Reinraumflache investiert, um kunftig gemeinsam mit Kunden an den Anlagen der nachsten Generation zu arbeiten. Die erste AIXTRON-Anlage ist bereits kurzlich in den neuen Reinraum eingezogen. Offiziell eroffnet werden soll das Innovationszentrum zum Jahresende 2024. Bruttoergebnis und Bruttomarge AIXTRON erzielte in den ersten neun Monaten 2024 ein Bruttoergebnis in Hohe von EUR 160,0 Mio. (9M/2023: EUR 180,8 Mio.) mit einer Bruttomarge von 39% (9M/2023: 43%). Im dritten Quartal 2024 lagen Bruttoergebnis und Bruttomarge bei EUR 67,1 Mio. und 43% (Q3/2023: EUR 76,2 Mio., 46 %). Die Veranderung gegenuber dem Vorjahreszeitraum ist im Wesentlichen auf eine Anderung im Produktmix zuruckzufuhren, der einen hohen Anteil margenschwacherer LED-Anlagen beinhaltete. Investitionen in Forschung und Entwicklung weiter hoch Die Betriebsaufwendungen sind im dritten Quartal 2024 leicht zuruckgegangen: Sie lagen bei EUR 29,6 Mio. und damit 4% unter dem Vorjahresquartal (EUR 30,9 Mio.). Zum Ende September erreichten die bis dahin getatigten Betriebsaufwendungen fur das Jahr EUR 99,7 Mio., ein Anstieg von 14% zum Vergleichszeitraum in 2023 (EUR 87,4 Mio.). Den groten Anteil daran hatten weiterhin Investitionen in Forschung und Entwicklung. Entsprechend stiegen die F&E-Aufwendungen in den ersten neun Monaten um 15% auf EUR 68,7 Mio. (9M/2023: EUR 59,8 Mio.). Im dritten Quartal 2024 betrugen die Aufwendungen fur F&E EUR 21,2 Mio., ein Plus von 2% (Q3/2023: EUR 20,8 Mio.). Das Betriebsergebnis (EBIT) lag in den ersten neun Monaten 2024 bei EUR 60,3 Mio., was einer EBIT-Marge von 15% (9M/2023: EUR 93,4 Mio., 22%) entspricht. Im 3. Quartal 2024 kam AIXTRON auf ein Betriebsergebnis (EBIT) von EUR 37,5 Mio. und eine EBIT-Marge von 24% (Q3/2023: EUR 45,3 Mio.; 27%). Der Ruckgang des Betriebsergebnisses (EBIT) im Vergleich zum Vorjahr ist im Wesentlichen auf die geringere Bruttomarge aufgrund des schlechteren Produktmix sowie die gestiegenen F&E-Aufwendungen zuruckzufuhren. Das Periodenergebnis erreichte in den ersten neun Monaten 2024 EUR 52,9 Mio. (9M/2023: EUR 83,5 Mio.; Q3/2024: EUR 30,9 Mio.; Q3/2023: EUR 39,6 Mio.). Finanzposition Der Cashflow aus betrieblicher Tatigkeit lag im 3. Quartal 2024 mit EUR 15,4 Mio. (Q3/2023: EUR 4,9 Mio.) und in den ersten neun Monaten 2024 mit EUR 28,2 Mio. (9M/2023: EUR -65,6 Mio.) deutlich uber dem Vorjahr. Im 3. Quartal 2024 hat sich der einsetzende Abbau der Vorratsbestande positiv ausgewirkt. Der Free Cashflow kam im 3. Quartal 2024 auf EUR -1,5 Mio. (Q3/2023: EUR -2,2 Mio.) und in den ersten neun Monaten 2024 auf EUR -58,0 Mio. (9M/2023: EUR -82,3 Mio.) und konnte damit trotz der deutlich hoheren Investitionsausgaben fur das Innovationszentrum fur 300mm Technologie sowie die Erweiterung der Produktionskapazitaten in Italien deutlich gegenuber dem Vorjahr verbessert werden. AIXTRON wies zum 30. September 2024 liquide Mittel einschlielich sonstiger kurzfristiger finanzieller Vermogenswerte in Hohe von EUR 78,1 Mio. aus (30. Juni 2024: EUR 79,4 Mio.; 31. Dezember 2023: EUR 181,7 Mio.). Die hohe Eigenkapitalquote zum 30. September 2024 von 79% unterstreicht die Finanzstarke von AIXTRON (31. Dezember 2023: 75%). "Besonders erfreulich ist die positive Entwicklung unseres Operativen Cashflows, ausgelost durch die begonnene Optimierung unserer Lagerbestande. Ziel ist es, die Vorrate innerhalb der nachsten zwolf Monate auf ein normales Niveau zu reduzieren. Daruber hinaus konzentrieren wir uns weiter auf die Technologien von morgen und tatigen bereits heute die dafur notwendigen Investitionen, insbesondere in Forschung und Entwicklung. Der beste Beweis hierfur ist unser neues Innovationszentrum, das wir aus eigener Kraft finanzieren", sagt Dr. Christian Danninger, Finanzvorstand der AIXTRON SE. Prognose fur das Gesamtjahr 2024 bestatigt Basierend auf der aktuellen Marktentwicklung bestatigt der Vorstand die Jahresprognose 2024 vom 04. Juli 2024. Demnach rechnet der Vorstand fur das Geschaftsjahr 2024 mit Umsatzerlosen in einer Bandbreite zwischen EUR 620 Mio. und EUR 660 Mio., einer Bruttomarge von etwa 43% bis 45% sowie einer EBIT-Marge von etwa 22% bis 25%. Fur das vierte Quartal 2024 erwartet der Vorstand Umsatzerlose in einer Bandbreite von rund EUR 215 Mio. bis EUR 255 Mio. Gedampfte Nachfrage fur 2025 erwartet Die mittel- und langfristigen Treiber fur das Umsatzwachstum bei AIXTRON bleiben intakt: effiziente Leistungselektronik fur Anwendungen in IT und KI, SiC-Technologie fur Elektromobilitat sowie Micro LEDs fur Displays der nachsten Generation. Kurzfristig entwickelt sich die Nachfrage in den Endmarkten jedoch verhalten, so dass Stand heute fur das Geschaftsjahr 2025 Umsatzerlose auf dem Niveau des Geschaftsjahres 2024 oder leicht darunter als wahrscheinlich anzusehen sind. +/- +/- Eckdaten Finanzlage (in Mio. EUR) 9M/2024 9M/2023 % Q3/2024 Q3/2023 % Auftragseingang 439,5 436,2 1 143,5 118,5 21 Auftragsbestand (nur Anlagen) 384,5 368,0 4 384,5 368,0 4 Umsatzerlose 406,4 415,7 -2 156,3 165,0 -5 Bruttoergebnis 160,0 180,8 -12 67,1 76,2 -12 % 39% 43% -4pp 43% 46% -3pp Betriebsergebnis (EBIT) 60,3 93,4 -35 37,5 45,3 -17 % 15% 22% -7pp 24% 27% -3pp Periodenergebnis 52,9 83,5 -37 30,9 39,6 -22 % 13% 20% -7pp 20% 24% -4pp Cashflow aus betrieblicher Tatigkeit 28,2 -65,6 n.a.* 15,4 4,9 n.a.* Free Cashflow -58,0 -82,3 30 -1,5 -2,2 32 Ergebnis je Aktie (EUR) 0,47 0,74 -36 0,27 0,35 -23 * nicht aussagekraftig wegen zu hoher Periodenschwankungen Finanzinformationen Die Prasentation zu den Ergebnissen der ersten neun Monate 2024 und des dritten Quartals 2024 ist verfugbar unter: www.aixtron.com/de/investoren/ir-praesentationen . Die vollstandigen Finanztabellen des Konzerns (Gewinn- und Verlustrechnung, Sonstiges Ergebnis der Periode, Bilanz, Kapitalflussrechnung sowie Entwicklung des Eigenkapitals) zu dieser Pressemitteilung sind als Teil der Konzern-Quartalsmitteilung Q3/2024 abrufbar unter: www.aixtron.com/de/investoren/publikationen . Telefonkonferenz fur Investoren Im Rahmen der Veroffentlichung der Ergebnisse der ersten neun Monate 2024 wird AIXTRON am Donnerstag, den 31. Oktober 2024, um 15:00 Uhr MEZ (06:00 a.m. PST, 09:00 a.m. EST) eine Telefonkonferenz (in englischer Sprache) fur Analysten und Investoren abhalten. Bitte melden Sie sich online unter https://webcast.meetyoo.de/reg/YXC1FPwvHsvw fur die Veranstaltung an. Sie erhalten dann eine E-Mail mit Ihren personlichen Zugangsdaten. Einen Audiomitschnitt oder eine Abschrift finden Sie nach der Konferenz unter: www.aixtron.com/de/investoren/events/telefonkonferenzen . Zum Herunterladen von Fotos, bitte hier klicken. Ansprechpartner Investoren: Christian Ludwig Vice President Investor Relations fon +49 (2407) 9030-444 e-mail c.ludwig@aixtron.com Medien: Ragah Dorenkamp Director Corporate Communications fon +49 (2407) 9030-1830 e-mail r.dorenkamp@aixtron.com Uber AIXTRON Die AIXTRON SE (FWB: AIXA, ISIN DE000A0WMPJ6) ist ein fuhrender Anbieter von Depositionsanlagen fur die Halbleiterindustrie. Das Unternehmen wurde 1983 gegrundet und hat seinen Sitz in Herzogenrath (Stadteregion Aachen) sowie Niederlassungen und Reprasentanzen in Asien, den USA und in Europa. Die Technologielosungen der Gesellschaft werden weltweit von einem breiten Kundenkreis zur Herstellung von leistungsstarken Bauelementen fur elektronische und optoelektronische Anwendungen auf Basis von Verbindungshalbleitermaterialien genutzt. Diese Bauelemente werden in einer Vielzahl innovativer Anwendungen, Technologien und Industrien eingesetzt. Dazu gehoren beispielsweise Laser-, LED-, und Displaytechnologien, Datenubertragung, SiC- und GaN-Energiemanagement und -umwandlung, Kommunikation, Signal- und Lichttechnik sowie viele weitere anspruchsvolle High-Tech-Anwendungen. Unsere eingetragenen Warenzeichen: AIXACT, AIXTRON, Close Coupled Showerhead, EXP, EPISON, Gas Foil Rotation, Optacap, OVPD, Planetary Reactor, PVPD, STExS, TriJet Weitere Informationen uber AIXTRON (FWB: AIXA, ISIN DE000A0WMPJ6) sind im Internet unter www.aixtron.com verfugbar. Zukunftsgerichtete Aussagen Dieses Dokument kann zukunftsgerichtete Aussagen uber das Geschaft, die Finanz- und Ertragslage und Gewinnprognosen von AIXTRON enthalten. Begriffe wie "konnen", "werden", "erwarten", "rechnen mit", "erwagen", "beabsichtigen", "planen", "glauben", "fortdauern" und "schatzen", Abwandlungen solcher Begriffe oder ahnliche Ausdrucke kennzeichnen diese zukunftsgerichteten Aussagen. Solche zukunftsgerichteten Aussagen geben die gegenwartigen Beurteilungen, Erwartungen und Annahmen des AIXTRON Managements, von denen zahlreiche auerhalb des AIXTRON Einflussbereiches liegen, wieder und gelten vorbehaltlich bestehender Risiken und Unsicherheiten. Sie sollten kein unangemessenes Vertrauen in die zukunftsgerichteten Aussagen setzen. Sollten sich Risiken oder Ungewissheiten realisieren oder sollten zugrunde liegende Erwartungen zukunftig nicht eintreten beziehungsweise es sich herausstellen, dass Annahmen nicht korrekt waren, so konnen die tatsachlichen Ergebnisse, Leistungen und Erfolge von AIXTRON wesentlich von denjenigen Ergebnissen abweichen, die ausdrucklich oder implizit in der zukunftsgerichteten Aussage genannt worden sind. Dies kann durch Faktoren verursacht werden, wie zum Beispiel die tatsachlich von AIXTRON erhaltenen Kundenauftrage, den Umfang der Marktnachfrage nach Depositionstechnologie, den Zeitpunkt der endgultigen Abnahme von Erzeugnissen durch die Kunden, das Finanzmarktklima und die Finanzierungsmoglichkeiten von AIXTRON, die allgemeinen Marktbedingungen fur Depositionsanlagen, und das makrookonomische Umfeld, Stornierungen, Anderungen oder Verzogerungen bei Produktlieferungen, Beschrankungen der Produktionskapazitat, lange Verkaufs- und Qualifizierungszyklen, Schwierigkeiten im Produktionsprozess, die allgemeine Entwicklung der Halbleiterindustrie, eine Verscharfung des Wettbewerbs, Wechselkursschwankungen, die Verfugbarkeit offentlicher Mittel, Zinsschwankungen bzw. Anderung verfugbarer Zinskonditionen, Verzogerungen bei der Entwicklung und Vermarktung neuer Produkte, eine Verschlechterung der allgemeinen Wirtschaftslage sowie durch alle anderen Faktoren, die AIXTRON in offentlichen Berichten und Meldungen, insbesondere im Abschnitt Risiken des Jahresberichts, beschrieben hat. In dieser Mitteilung enthaltene zukunftsgerichtete Aussagen beruhen auf den gegenwartigen Einschatzungen und Prognosen des Vorstands basierend auf den zum Zeitpunkt dieser Mitteilung verfugbaren Informationen. AIXTRON ubernimmt keine Verpflichtung zur Aktualisierung oder Uberprufung zukunftsgerichteter Aussagen wegen neuer Informationen, kunftiger Ereignisse oder aus sonstigen Grunden, soweit keine ausdruckliche rechtliche Verpflichtung besteht. Dieses Dokument liegt ebenfalls in englischer Ubersetzung vor, bei Abweichungen geht die deutsche magebliche Fassung des Dokuments der englischen Ubersetzung vor. 31.10.2024 CET/CEST Veroffentlichung einer Corporate News/Finanznachricht, ubermittelt durch EQS News - ein Service der EQS Group AG. Fur den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich. Die EQS Distributionsservices umfassen gesetzliche Meldepflichten, Corporate News/Finanznachrichten und Pressemitteilungen. Medienarchiv unter https://eqs-news.com Asahi Kasei Corporation (Asahi Kasei) and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda) announced today that the two companies have signed a shareholders' agreement to convert an existing Asahi Kasei subsidiary in Canada into a joint venture company. This agreement was reached as a result of continued discussions on collaboration for the production of lithium-ion battery separators in Canada based on the basic agreement the two companies announced on April 25, 2024. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241031415310/en/ Configuration for separator production in North America (Graphic: Business Wire) The two companies plan to convert E-Materials Canada Corporation (E-Materials), a wholly owned subsidiary of an Asahi Kasei subsidiary in Canada, into a joint venture between Asahi Kasei and Honda to be renamed Asahi Kasei Honda Battery Separator Corporation (tentative name). This will be based on Honda Canada Inc., a Honda subsidiary in Canada, acquiring a 25% stake by subscribing to new shares to be issued by E-Materials through a third-party allotment. Honda will invest a total of approximately C$417 million (approximately US$300 million) combining the subscription of new shares and other investment in this joint venture. The two companies will combine each other's strengths, such as high value-added material technologies and electrification technologies, to produce high-quality separators to be utilized for lithium-ion batteries that will accelerate the realization of high-performance electrified vehicles. The two companies plan to establish and start the operation of the joint venture company in early 2025, subject to obtaining permits and approvals from relevant authorities. Comments by Ryu Taniguchi, President Representative Director, Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Corp. "At the beginning of October we launched Asahi Kasei Battery Separator as a new company for the Hipore separator business to achieve more nimble management for this essential component of lithium-ion batteries. I am confident that we can continue to leverage the technology and experience gained with Hipore as well as our global network and diverse personnel to realize innovations in batteries for the future of energy storage. As Honda strives toward the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, it is building a comprehensive electric vehicle value chain in Canada, where it has a history of conducting business for more than 50 years. Our partnership will not only establish stable supply of separators in North America, together we will enhance battery performance and durability to advance the energy transition through electric vehicles, making an important contribution to sustainability." About the joint venture company (tentative) Company name: Asahi Kasei Honda Battery Separator Corporation (tentative) Location: Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada Capital: Approximately C$240 million Investment ratio: 75% Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada Corporation 25% Honda Canada Inc. Outline of the investment by the joint venture company (tentative) Plant overview: Integrated plant for the base film manufacturing and coating of Hipore lithium-ion battery separator Total investment amount: 180 billion yen (with assumed exchange rate of 1 USD=145 yen) Production capacity: Approximately 700 million m2 per year (as coated film) Start of operations Commercial start-up scheduled in 2027 About Asahi Kasei The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber business, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 49,000 employees worldwide, the company contributes to sustainable society by providing solutions to the world's challenges through its three business sectors of Material, Homes, and Health Care. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.com. Asahi Kasei is also dedicated to sustainability initiatives and is contributing to reaching a carbon neutral society by 2050. To learn more, visit https://www.asahi-kasei.com/sustainability/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241031415310/en/ Contacts: North America Contact: Asahi Kasei America Inc. Christian OKeefe christian.okeefe@ak-america.com Europe Contact: Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH Sebastian Schmidt sebastian.schmidt@asahi-kasei.eu TOKYO, Nov 1, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (hereafter, Mitsubishi Motors) announced that the all-new Triton has been selected as a golden award winner at the VMARK Vietnam Design Awards 2024 in the Best Transportation Design category. This marks the second time that Mitsubishi Motors has won the award, after the Xforce topped the same category in 2023.Established in 2018, the VMARK Vietnam Design Awards is organized by the VDAS Design Association based in Ho Chi Minh City. This year, a jury of 42 internationally renowned design practitioners evaluated design projects from Vietnam and around the world, and each entry was evaluated against the five criteria of innovativeness, eco-friendliness, identity, functionality, and community. The most outstanding designs received the golden award, and this year, 19 projects were selected as gold award winners out of a total of 700 entries.The Triton is Mitsubishi Motors' one-ton pickup truck that traces its roots back to the Forte originally released in 1978. In the 45 years since, this global strategic vehicle from Mitsubishi Motors has sold a cumulative total of approximately 5.7 million units in approximately 150 countries spanning five generations of models. Developed under the product concept of "Power for Adventure," the all-new Triton features a complete overhaul of everything from the interior and exterior design to the chassis, ladder frame and engine, and more. It was first launched in Thailand - where its production site is located - in July 2023 and introduced in Japan in February 2024. The all-new Triton is being rolled out sequentially in 100 countries worldwide.In attending the VMARK Vietnam Design Award 2024 ceremony, Kazuhiro Watanabe, Division General Manager of Sales & Marketing Division, Mitsubishi Motors Vietnam Co., Ltd., commented: "This award is a testament to our 30-year journey of 'Drive ahead together for everyday Adventure' in Vietnam. The all-new Triton embodies this commitment by delivering exceptional quality, innovation, and a driving experience that resonates with the adventurous spirit of the Vietnamese people."Norihiko Yoshimine, Product Design Director, Mitsubishi Motors, who designed the Triton, cheerfully commented, "The Triton expresses the majestic aura that is distinctively Mitsubishi, possessing both robustness and agility in addition to the toughness and sheer power expected of a pickup truck. Following in the footsteps of the award for the Xforce last year, I am deeply honored that the all-new Triton has earned such high recognition at the VMARK Vietnam Design Awards this year. This award will provide a boost, but we will also continue doing our utmost to promote the Triton's appeal to even more customers in Vietnam."VMARK Vietnam Design Awards 2024 Awards Page (only available in English and Vietnamese) www.vietnamdesignweek.org/vmark-vietnam-design-week-2024About Mitsubishi MotorsMitsubishi Motors Corporation (TSE:7211) - a member of the Alliance with Renault and Nissan - is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, Japan, which has about 28,000 employees and a global footprint with production facilities in Japan and the ASEAN region. Mitsubishi Motors has a competitive edge in SUVs, pickup trucks and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and appeals to ambitious drivers willing to challenge convention and embrace innovation. Since the production of our first vehicle more than a century ago, Mitsubishi Motors has been a leader in electrification - launched the i-MiEV, the world's first mass-produced electric vehicle in 2009, followed by the Outlander PHEV, the world's first plug-in hybrid electric SUV in 2013. With a target of increasing the sales ratio of electrified vehicles to 100% by 2035, Mitsubishi Motors will deliver models that embody Mitsubishi Motors-ness and contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society.For more information on Mitsubishi Motors, please visit the company's website at www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/Source: Mitsubishi MotorsCopyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. EQS Newswire / 01/11/2024 / 13:06 UTC+8 Sun Hung Kai & Co. Limited (SEHK: 86) ("SHK & Co.") and its licensed funds management arm, Sun Hung Kai Capital Partners Limited ("SHK Capital Partners"), are pleased to announce their commitment to the ActusRayPartners Japan Alpha Fund, which went live on 26 September 2024. This is in addition to SHK & Co.'s ongoing investments in ActusRayPartners' Asian and European strategies. Other existing clients of ActusRayPartners have also expressed early interest in the Japan strategy. The equity long/short near market-neutral strategy seeks to generate alpha by identifying and capturing inefficiencies in the Japan equity market. ActusRayPartners employs its Discretionary Probabilistic Investing process, which combines a quantitative base with discretionary adjustments to address quantitative deficiencies. This marks the third alpha strategy launched by ActusRayPartners, following the successful European strategy initiated in 2020 and Asian strategy launched in 2022. The European strategy received the HFM European Performance Award in 2023 and 2024 respectively, and the Asian strategy received the HFM APAC Performance Award in 2024. ActusRayPartners is a Hong Kong-headquartered asset management company equally co-founded by Andrew Alexander, Raymond Chan, and Patrick Cheung in 2019. Several members of the team previously worked together in the Quantitative Hedge Funds division of Macquarie Group. As of today, ActusRayPartners comprises of 27 colleagues based in Hong Kong and Sydney, managing over US$700 million across Asia, Europe, and Japan. Tony Edwards, Deputy CEO of SHK & Co., stated, "Congratulations to ActusRayPartners on the launch of their new fund. Since 2020, SHK & Co. has seeded and supported ActusRayPartners, and this further commitment reinforces our confidence in their capabilities and aligns with our investment objectives." "The launch of the Japan Alpha strategy represents an exciting milestone for us. We would like to express our gratitude to SHK & Co. for their continued support over the years," said the co-founders of ActusRayPartners. "We are eager to employ our proprietary Discretionary Probabilistic Investing process in the pursuit of alpha for our investors in the Japan equity market." Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are the prime brokers for the ActusRayPartners Japan Alpha Fund. Morgan Stanley Fund Services and PricewaterhouseCoopers Cayman Islands are the administrator and auditor respectively. Clifford Chance and Walkers are the international and Cayman counsel respectively. - End - About ActusRayPartners ActusRayPartners is a Hong Kong-headquartered asset management company equally co-founded by Andrew Alexander, Raymond Chan, and Patrick Cheung in 2019. Several members of the team previously worked together in the Quantitative Hedge Funds division of Macquarie Group. As of today, ActusRayPartners comprises of 27 colleagues based in Hong Kong and Sydney, managing over US$700 million across Asia, Europe, and Japan. ActusRayPartners employs a Discretionary Probabilistic Investing process which is a synthesis of: (1) a quantitative base, and (2) discretionary adjustments to address quantitative deficiencies. The quantitative base uses fundamental, sentiment, technical and alternative data, and employs advanced statistics, natural language processing and artificial intelligence techniques. The discretionary work focuses on addressing challenges with purely systematic processes and is not fundamental, macro or flow driven. About Sun Hung Kai & Co and Sun Hung Kai Capital Partners Sun Hung Kai & Co. Limited (SEHK: 86) ("SHK & Co" / the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group") is a leading Hong Kong-based financial institution recognised for its expertise in alternative investments and wealth management. Since 1969, the Company has built a diversified investment portfolio across public markets, credit and alternatives strategies including real estate and private equity, delivering long-term risk-adjusted returns. Leveraging on its deep-rooted Asian heritage, SHK & Co supports and nurtures specialist emerging asset managers in the region, empowering them to excel. SHK & Co also utilises its long-standing investment expertise and resources in providing tailored investment solutions to like-minded partners and ultra-high-net-worth investors through its Family Office Solutions. As at 30 June 2024, the Group held about HK$39.5 billion in total assets. For more information about SHK & Co, please visit www.shkco.com / follow the Company on LinkedIn . Founded in 2020, Sun Hung Kai Capital Partners ("SHKCP") is the Hong Kong SFC regulated subsidiary of SHK & Co, with Type 1, 4 and 9 licenses. For more information, please visit: www.shkcapital.com / follow SHKCP on LinkedIn . For media enquiries, please contact: Hill and Knowlton Joanne Lam +852 9839 6552 Lynn Zhang +852 9794 5751 Email: SHKCo@hkstrategies.com 01/11/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com HONG KONG, Nov 1, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - JBM (Healthcare) Limited ('JBM Healthcare' or the 'Company' Stock Code: 2161, together with its subsidiaries, the 'Group'), a leading branded healthcare products marketer and distributor in Hong Kong, has today announced a positive profit alert. Based on a preliminary review of the unaudited consolidated management accounts of the Group for the six months ended 30 September 2024 and the information currently available to the board of directors of the Company, the Group expects to record an increase in the consolidated profit attributable to shareholders for the six months ended 30 September 2024 ('Consolidated Profit') by not less than 50% as compared to that for the same period last year.The significant increase in Consolidated Profit was primarily driven by the robust sales momentum of the Group's key brands, notably Ho Chai Kung in the branded medicines segment and Po Chai Pills in the proprietary Chinese medicines segment. This was further supported by the sustained growth of the Group's concentrated Chinese medicine granules business . This encouraging performance reflects the Group's effective execution of sales and marketing strategies across both offline and online channels, capitalising on the growth potential of branded consumer healthcare products in the markets of Hong Kong, Macau and cities within the Greater Bay Area.JBM Healthcare has a diversified portfolio spanning branded medicines, proprietary Chinese medicines, and health and wellness products. The Group continues to make progress on its strategic priorities, including expanding e-commerce platforms locally and cross-border, exploring opportunities in traditional Chinese medicines for Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, adapting its product mix to consumer trends, leveraging its brand management strengths, and enhancing commercial execution.For details, please refer to the announcement on HKEX.About JBM (Healthcare) Limited (Stock Code: 2161)JBM Healthcare is a Hong Kong-based company that markets and distributes branded healthcare products across Greater China, Southeast Asia, and other select countries. The Group is a distinctive player in the sector with marketing expertise and heritage in pharmaceuticals that prioritises product efficacy and quality to meet consumers' healthcare needs. As a renowned healthcare brand operator in Hong Kong, the Group carries a wide-ranging portfolio of branded healthcare products comprising branded medicines, proprietary Chinese medicines, and health and wellness products, which include well-recognised household brands such as Po Chai Pills, Ho Chai Kung Tji Thung San, Contractubex, Mederma for Kids, Tong Tai Chung Woodlok Oil, Flying Eagle Woodlok Oil, Saplingtan, Shiling Oil and Konsodona Medicated Oil. JBM Healthcare has been a constituent stock of the MSCI Hong Kong Micro Cap Index since 27 May 2021. For more details about JBM Healthcare, please visit: www.jbmhealthcare.com.hkSource: JBM (Healthcare) LimitedCopyright 2024 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - KORE Mining Ltd. (TSXV: KORE) ("KORE" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of up to 25,000,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.04 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000. There is no minimum subscription amount. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof will be exercisable into one Common Share at a price of $0.06 per Warrant for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance. The net proceeds of the Private Placement will be used to advance permitting and exploration of its wholly owned development properties in California, each of which are described further below, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. Closing of the Private Placement may be completed in one or more tranches and is subject to certain customary conditions, including, without limitation, approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). The securities to be issued under the Private Placement will be offered to all existing shareholders of the Company who, as of the close of business on October 30, 2024 (the "Record Date"), held Common Shares (and who continue to hold such Common Shares as of the closing date) in accordance with the provisions of the "existing security holder exemption" contained in the various corresponding blanket orders and rules of participating jurisdictions (the "Existing Security Holder Exemption"). The Company is also offering the Private Placement to subscribers under other prospectus exemptions, including the accredited investor exemption. Securities issued under the Private Placement will be subject to a hold period which will expire four months and one day from the date of closing of the Private Placement. The Company may pay finders' fees to subscribers directly introduced to the Company as permitted by the policies of the Exchange. There are certain conditions and restrictions when subscribers are relying upon the Existing Security Holder Exemption, including, among other criteria: (a) the subscriber must be a shareholder of the Company on the Record Date (and still be a shareholder as of the closing date of the Private Placement), (b) be purchasing the Units as a principal - for its own account and not for any other party, and (c) may not purchase more than $15,000 value of securities from the Company in any 12-month period. However, in the event that a subscriber wishes to purchase more than a $15,000 value of securities, then the subscriber may do so provided that it received suitability advice from a registered investment dealer, and, in this case, subscribers will be asked to confirm the registered investment dealer's identity and employer. Subscribers purchasing Units using the Existing Security Holder Exemption will need to represent in writing that they meet the requirements of the Existing Security Holder Exemption. As the Existing Security Holder Exemption contains certain restrictions and is only available in certain jurisdictions in Canada, others that do not qualify under the Existing Security Holder Exemption may qualify to participate under other prospectus exemptions. The Private Placement may include one or more subscriptions by insiders of the Company, including a subscription by James Hynes, Executive Chairman and CEO of the Company. Subscriptions completed by insiders in the Private Placement may constitute a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101-Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Private Placement is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 (pursuant to subsections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a)) as neither the fair market value of the Common Shares distributed to, nor the consideration received from, interested parties exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About the Imperial Gold Project KORE owns 100% of the Mesquite-Imperial-Picacho District which captures the entire 28-kilometer trend from the operating Mesquite mine (Equinox Gold) to the closed Picacho mine and including KORE's Imperial project. In the District, gold is hosted in local fault structures related to a series of regional faults connecting the known District deposits. Those three District deposits (Mesquite, Imperial, and Picacho) were discovered in exposed outcrops and from placer workings. The rest of the District is covered by alluvium and has never been systematically explored. The Mesquite-Imperial-Picacho District centers on KORE's Imperial project (the "Imperial Gold Project"). Imperial is a structurally controlled intermediate sulfidation epithermal gold deposit. The 100% oxide gold deposit is currently defined at 2.44 kilometers long and up to 0.75 kilometers wide and is open both along strike and downdip. It is hosted in a shallowly southwest dipping, amphibolite grade metamorphic rock suite along a west-northwest trending low-angle regional thrust fault system which controls the regional geometry of mineralization. East-west striking, post-mineralization normal faults control the property scale geometry of mineralization. Geophysical characterization of the deposit and regional controlling structures is an essential component of exploration for additional resources. Imperial has a mineral resource estimate and a positive preliminary economic assessment effective April 6, 2020, with the following highlights: US$ 590 million NPV5% post-tax with 64% IRR at US$ 1,800 per ounce gold US$ 729 million NPV5% at post-tax with 75% IRR at US$ 2,000 per ounce gold Low capital intensity project with only US$ 143 million pre-production capital cost Average 146,000 ounces of gold per year over 8 years for 1.2 million ounces of total production Technically simple project: shallow open pit, run-of-mine heap leach with existing infrastructure Value enhancement through Mesquite-Imperial-Picacho District exploration and resource expansion To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5130/228561_c19081c154344aeb_001full.jpg The Company's NI 43-101 compliant resource and preliminary economic assessment is titled "Preliminary Economic Assessment - Technical Report Imperial Gold Project" effective as of April 6, 2020, and revised and amended on June 10, 2021, prepared by Terre Lane and Todd Harvey of Global Resource Engineering and Glen Cole of SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. can be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website. About Kore's Long Valley Project Long Valley is a 100% owned epithermal gold and silver project located in Mono County, California (the "Long Valley Project"). The large land package is district in scale and covers all deep-rooted fault structures of similar genesis to the Hilton Creek fault, the primary 'conduit' for the current Long Valley deposit. The Long Valley deposit is an intact low sulphidation epithermal Au-Ag deposit with a large 2.5 km by 2 km oxide footprint, hosted within a melange of fine to coarse volcanogenic sedimentary lithologies. Mineralization at Long Valley has developed due to a combination of deep-rooted fault structures and a resurgence of rhyolite within an active caldera. The Hilton Creek Fault structure transects and serves as a fluid conduit for interaction with the underlying hydrothermal system, while the rhyolite resurgence caused brittle fracturing of sediments and created voids or traps for mineralization and gold deposition. The combination of these factors yields strongly altered kaolin and quartz-hematite zones that are the primary host for gold mineralization. The Hilton Creek Fault remains underexplored on-strike north and south and several parallel structures have been defined using geophysics, the eastern one hosting some of the current mineral resources and the western one being unexplored. Long Valley is therefore open to potential new oxide discoveries in all directions. More details on the deposit geology and exploration potential can be found in KORE's January 30, 2020, and March 24, 2020 news releases. A total of 896 holes have been drilled on the Project, the majority being completed by reverse circulation with lesser core, rotary, and air track. The current mineral resource estimate is 1,217,000 ounces of Indicated gold and 456,000 ounces of Inferred gold from 63.7 million tonnes of 0.58 grams per tonne and 22.0 million tonnes of 0.65 grams per tonne, respectively. The mineral resource consists of oxide, transition, and sulphides. The estimate was prepared by Neil Prenn, P.E. of Mine Development Associates with an effective date of September 15, 2020. A Preliminary Economic Assessment for a shallow, low-strip heap leach Au-Ag project was filed on October 27, 2020, with the following highlights: US $351.7 million NPV5% post-tax with IRR of 58% at US$ 1,800 per ounce gold; US$ 437.8 million NPV5% post-tax with IRR of 67% at US$ 2,000 per ounce gold; US$ 653.1 million NPV5% post-tax with IRR of 90% at US$ 2,500 per ounce gold; 102,000 ounces of gold per year over 7 years of mine life; Technically simple: shallow open pit, heap leach with nearby infrastructure; Unmodelled silver potential from metallurgical test-work; and Shallow oxide and sulfide feeder exploration potential to further enhance the project. After Tax NPV@5% and IRR Sensitivity to Gold Price (US $) Gold Price $/tr oz NPV 5% (millions) IRR 1000 3.8 6% 1100 50.0 17% 1200 96.7 25% 1300 142.6 32% 1400 187.4 38% 1500 228.6 43% 1600 272.6 48% 1700 308.6 53% 1800 351.7 58% 1900 394.7 63% 2000 437.8 67% 2100 480.9 72% 2200 523.9 76% 2300 567.0 81% 2400 610.0 85% 2500 653.1 90% 2600 696.1 94% 2700 739.2 98% 2800 782.2 102% 2900 825.3 107% 3000 868.4 111% More information is available in the technical report filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on KORE's website at www.koremining.com. Technical information with respect to the Imperial Gold Project and Long Valley Project has been reviewed and approved by Terre Lane, MMSA, registered member SME, and is a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the technical matters of this news release. About KORE Mining KORE Mining is focused on responsibly creating value from its portfolio of gold assets in California, USA. The Company is advancing the Imperial Gold Project and the Long Valley Gold Project towards development while continuing to explore across both district-scale gold assets. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects", "intends", "indicates" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the ability to advance exploration activities at the Imperial Gold Project and Long Valley Project; and the underexplored and prospective nature of the Imperial Regional Exploration Drilling area. Such forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this presentation, the Company has made numerous assumptions, including, among others: that the Company will receive all required approvals, including the approval of the Exchange for the Private Placement; that the Company will be able to close the Private Placement as expected, including the size and terms of the Private Placement; that insiders may participate in the Private Placement; investor demand will remain strong; that the Company will not require additional subscriptions for the Private Placement; there being no significant change to current geotechnical, metallurgical, hydrological and other physical conditions at the Imperial Gold Project or the Long Valley Project; exploration, permitting, and development of the Imperial Gold Project and the Long Valley Project being consistent with current expectations and planning; the geological, permitting and economic advice that the Company has received is reliable and is based upon practices and methodologies which are consistent with industry standards; and other planning assumptions. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Known risk factors include, among others: approval for the Private Placement will not be obtained from the Exchange; investor demand may weaken; the Private Placement will not complete at the time or in the amount expected, or at all, or on the terms as set out in this news release; the exemptions intended to be relied upon by the Company in completing the Private Placement may not be available; the exploration drill program may not be completed as planned; the need to obtain additional financing; uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other government approvals. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. GalaxyThere is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resource will be converted into mineral reserve. It is uncertain if further exploration will allow improving the classification of the Indicated or Inferred mineral resource. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228561 SOURCE: KORE Mining Ltd. OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - Canada-based Eldorado Gold Corp. (EGO, ELD.TO) reported a profit in its third quarter, compared to prior year's loss, driven by strong growth in revenues. Adjusted earnings topped market estimates, while top line missed. Further, the company trimmed the upper end of its fiscal 2024 production guidance.On the NYSE, Eldorado Gold shares dropped 3.3 percent on Thursday's regular trading to close at $17.37. In the extended trading, shares fell 2.3 percent further to $16.98.For fiscal 2024, the company said it is on track to meet production and cost guidance.Gold production is now expected to be 505,000 to 530,000 ounces, compared to previously expected 505,000 to 555,000 ounces.The revision in production outlook reflects updated full-year expectations given the operational and financial performance to date.Total cash costs per ounce sold is now expected to be $910 to $940 per ounce sold, from $840 to $940 per ounce sold expected earlier.All-in sustaining costs or AISC per ounce sold is now expected to be $1,260 to $1,290 per ounce sold, compared to previous estimate of $1,190 to $1,290 per ounce sold, primarily due to higher total cash costs, partially offset by lower sustaining capital expenditure.In its third quarter, net earnings attributable to shareholders from continuing operations was $101.1 million or $0.49 per share, compared to last year's loss of $6.6 million or $0.03 loss per share.Adjusted net earnings were $71.0 million or $0.35 per share, compared to $35.0 million or $0.17 per share a year ago.Analysts on average expected the company to report earnings of $0.34 per share, according to figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.Adjusted EBITDA was $169.0 million, higher than prior year's $108.7 million.Revenue for the quarter climbed 36 percent to $331.8 million from $244.8 million last year, primarily due to the higher averaged realized gold price and higher sales volumes.The Street was looking for revenues of $360.38 million for the quarter.Gold production was 125,195 ounces, an increase of 3 percent from the prior year. Gold sales grew 4 percent from last year to 123,828 ounces, at an average realized gold price per ounce sold of $2,492.For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX BATH, England, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating a 20-year partnership in 2024, and with donations surpassing the 1.6 million mark, Coinstar and BBC Children in Need are commemorating these exciting milestones and raising more funds for this year's Make Life Lighter campaign supporting young lives to be the best they can be. Right now, BBC Children in Need are only able to help 1 in 8 organisations who approach the charity for funding. With 30% of all children in the UK living in poverty, donors' support matters more than ever. To celebrate 20 years of partnership, Coinstar's team of Business Development Manager Sarah Chappell, Field Technician Nick Metcalfe and International Deployment Manager Kevin Parks got involved in the BBC Children in Need 2024 Yorkshire 3-Peaks Challenge this September, walking 24 miles in 12 hours with ascents of 5200ft, and they raised an impressive 2,200 through sponsorship. Sarah Chappell, Business Development Manager at Coinstar said "It is a privilege to present the 1.6 million to BBC Children in Need and help support their fantastic work across the UK, supporting children and young people to thrive and be the best they can be. I'd also like to say a massive thank you to every member of the public who has donated their coins for the last 20 years, using a Coinstar kiosk to deposit and count their coins. Your generosity is amazing. Once again, our kiosks are open for fee-free donations from November 1st right through to December 14th so do find your nearest Coinstar kiosk and donate to BBC Children in Need and help to Make Life Lighter for children across the UK." Claire Hoyle, Director of Income, Marketing and Communications at BBC Children in Need said "We've been working with Coinstar for an incredible 20 years! Their support, dedication and fundraising activities have allowed us to continue supporting children and young people across the UK and we couldn't be more grateful. Over the course of the partnership, the generosity of both Coinstar colleagues and customers has been overwhelming. We're looking forward to working together and changing the lives of young people for many more years to come." BBC Children in Need funds people and places across the UK, in the communities where you live, supporting amazing people in family centres, community spaces, youth clubs and refuges; homeless shelters, hospices and helplines in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and are currently funding nearly 1,500 projects from Shetland to the Channel Islands. BBC Children in Need projects work tirelessly in every corner of the UK. In 2022/23, BBC Children in Need helped support 340,000 children and young people. If you have some spare coins, use the kiosk locator at https://coinstar.co.uk/findamachine to find your nearest Coinstar kiosk and make a donation to BBC Children in Need, fee-free from today, and help make life lighter for children and young people across the UK. About Coinstar Coinstar is the global leader in self-service coin counting with 24,000 kiosks in North America, United Kingdom, and Western Europe. More than 900 billion coins have been processed since Coinstar's inception in the early 1990s. Coinstar is also the leader in self-service coin counting services in the UK, with around 2,000 kiosks across 4 major supermarket partners. Coinstar is upgrading its kiosk portfolio to accept notes, secure card readers and barcode scanners to serve a growing need for essential cash services across the country. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2540118/Coinstar_BBC_Press_Release.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2540117/Coinstar_UK_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hitting-milestones-coinstar-and-bbc-children-in-need-celebrate-together-with-1-6-million-in-donations-302291893.html TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - Japanese financial holding company Nomura Holdings, Inc. (NMR) reported Friday that its second-quarter net income attributable to shareholders was 98.4 billion yen or $687 million, a growth of 179 percent year on year.Sequentially, profit grew 43 percent.Income before income taxes increased 134 percent to 133.0 billion yen or $928 million from last year's 54.06 billion yen.Net revenue in the second quarter was 483.3 billion yen or $3.4 billion, 31% higher than prior year's 367.76 billion yen. Net revenues grew 6 percent from the preceding first quarter.Further, Nomura announced that it has declared a dividend of 23 yen per share, higher than 8 yen per share last year, to shareholders of record as of the end of September 2024. The dividend will be paid on December 2.In Tokyo, Nomura shares declined 2.7 percent on Friday's trading and closed at 777.60 yen.For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Ashoka WhiteOak Emerging Markets Trust Plc - Voluntary Redemption of Ordinary Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, November 01 1 November 2024 ASHOKA WHITEOAK EMERGING MARKETS TRUST PLC (the "Company") VOLUNTARY REDEMPTION OF ORDINARY SHARES YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE ANY ACTION IF YOU WISH TO RETAIN YOUR SHARES The Company operates a voluntary redemption facility through which shareholders may request the redemption of all or part of their holding of redeemable ordinary shares of 1p each in the Company ("Ordinary Shares") for cash on the last Business Day in December each year. There is no requirement for shareholders to take any action should they wish to retain their Ordinary Shares. As at close of business on 30 October 2024, the Ordinary Share price was 120.0p and the net asset value ("NAV") (including current period revenue) was 118.6p per Ordinary Share, therefore the Ordinary Shares were trading at a 1.2% premium to NAV. From the Company's IPO on 3 May 2023 to 30 October 2024, the Company has delivered NAV and share price total returns of 20.7% and 20.0%, respectively, and the Ordinary Shares have traded at an average discount to NAV of -0.6%. Whilst the Company does not follow a benchmark index, over the same period it has outperformed the MSCI Emerging Markets Net Total Return GBP Index (in Sterling), which saw a total return of 16.5%, by 4.2%. A redemption of Ordinary Shares may be subject to income tax and capital gains tax. In particular, private shareholders who sell their Ordinary Shares via the redemption mechanism could find they are subject to income tax on the gains made on the redeemed Ordinary Shares rather than capital gains tax on the sale of their Ordinary Shares in the market. However, individual circumstances do vary, therefore shareholders who are in any doubt about the redemption or the action that should be taken should seek independent professional advice. None of the Directors of the Company will be redeeming any of their Ordinary Shares under the redemption facility. Shareholders submitting valid requests for the redemption of Ordinary Shares will have their Ordinary Shares redeemed at the Redemption Price. The Directors may elect, at their absolute discretion, to calculate the Redemption Price on either of the following bases: The Redemption Price shall be equal to the Dealing Value per Ordinary Share calculated as at the appropriate Valuation Point on the appropriate Redemption Point; or The Directors may elect to calculate the Redemption Price by reference to the amount generated upon the realisation of a Redemption Pool created for the purpose of funding the redemption. The Directors are minded to approve all valid redemption requests unless there are exceptional reasons why this would be contrary to the interests of shareholders. Shareholders wishing to request the redemption of all or any of their certificated Ordinary Shares at the Redemption Point should deliver to the Company's Registrar a duly completed Redemption Request form together with their share certificate, or for uncertificated Ordinary Shares a Transfer to Escrow ("TTE") instruction in accordance with the timetable set out below. Redemption Request forms are available from the Company's website ( https://awemtrust.com/company-documents ) or from the Company's Registrar, Computershare Investor Services PLC (details below). The relevant dates for the December 2024 Redemption Point are outlined below: 29 November 2024 Latest date for receipt of Redemption Requests and certificates for certificated Ordinary Shares. 1 p.m. on 29 November 2024 Latest date and time for TTE instructions for uncertificated Ordinary Shares via CREST. 6 p.m. on 31 December 2024 Redemption Point. On or before 15 January 2025 Company to notify Redemption Price and dispatch redemption monies; or if the redemption is to be funded by way of a Redemption Pool, Company to notify the number of Ordinary Shares being redeemed. Notification of Redemption Price and dispatch of redemption monies to take place as soon as practicable thereafter. On or before 15 January 2025 Balance certificates to be sent to shareholders. Further details of the redemption facility are set out in the Company's Articles of Association and are also available from the Company Secretary. The Directors of the Company have discretion over the operation of the redemption facility and the calculation of the Redemption Price. Defined terms in the announcement have the same meaning as set out in the Articles of Association, a copy of which may be obtained from the Company Secretary. LEGAL ENTITY IDENTIFIER ('LEI'): 254900Z4X5Y7NTODRI75 Enquiries: Company Secretary JTC (UK) Limited The Scalpel, 18th Floor 52 Lime Street London EC3M 7AF +44 207 409 0181 Registrar Computershare Investor Services PLC The Pavilions Bridgwater Road Bristol BS13 8AE +44 (0) 370 702 0000 If you have any questions, please call Computershare Investor Services PLC on +44 (0) 370 702 0000. Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. The helpline is open between 9.00 am - 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales. Please note that Computershare Investor Services PLC cannot provide any financial, legal or tax advice and calls may be recorded and monitored for security and training purposes. JP Jenkins Ltd Sondrel Holdings Ltd Announces CEO transition to Lead Next Phase of Growth 01-Nov-2024 / 09:24 GMT/BST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. 1st November 2024 JPJ: SND ISIN: GB00BJN54579 Sondrel announces CEO transition to lead next phase of growth Oliver Jones to succeed John Chubb as CEO, effective November 1, 2024 Reading UK - 1 November 2024. Sondrel, a leading technology company providing ultra-complex custom chips for leading global technology brands, today announced that Oliver Jones will succeed John Chubb as Chief Executive Officer, effective November 1, 2024. This planned leadership transition comes as Sondrel prepares to enter its next phase of growth and advancement. John Chubb, who assumed the role of CEO in July 2024, took the helm to accelerate and complete a major, company-wide transformation programme initiated and announced earlier this year. John has successfully led Sondrel through the crucial stages of comprehensive restructuring, including the formation of a new leadership team, delisting the company from AIM and the successful renegotiation of major supplier contracts, positioning the company for future success. Oliver Jones brings to Sondrel an extensive background in sales, marketing and commercial operations, with experience gained across FTSE-listed engineering companies, private equity-owned businesses, and technology startups. His proven track record in driving growth through nurturing partnerships, enhancing customer experience, and implementing robust commercial management strategies aligns perfectly with Sondrel's vision for the future. "It has been a privilege to lead Sondrel through this critical period of transformation," said John Chubb. "I'm proud of what our team has accomplished in completing the restructuring programme we began this year. I'm confident that Ollie's leadership will drive Sondrel to new heights. The company is well-positioned for its next chapter of growth." Oliver Jones expressed enthusiasm about his new role: "I am honoured to take on the role of CEO for Sondrel at this exciting time. John and the team have built a powerful foundation and I look forward to working with our talented employees, partners, and customers to capitalise on the opportunities ahead. Together, we will focus on driving growth, enhancing our technology offerings, and delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders." The Board of Directors expressed gratitude for John Chubb's leadership and welcomed Oliver Jones to his new role. "We are thankful for John's strong leadership during this transitional period," said Chairman David Mitchard. "His efforts have been instrumental in positioning Sondrel for future success. We are excited for Ollie to step up to the role - his expertise and vision will be invaluable as we embark on our next phase of growth." John Chubb will continue to provide support to the leadership team, ensuring a smooth transition and ongoing stability for the company. About Sondrel Sondrel is a UK-based fabless semiconductor company specialising in high end, ultra-complex, custom digital Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and System on Chips (SOCs). It provides a full turnkey service in the design, prototyping, testing, packaging and production of ASICs and SoCs. The Company is one of only a few companies capable of designing and supplying the higher-spec chips built on the most advanced semiconductor technologies, selling into a range of hyper growth end markets such as high-performance computing, automotive, artificial intelligence, VR/AR, video analytics, image processing, mobile networking and data centres. Sondrel designs have enabled products by leading technology brands including Apple (iPhone), Sony (PlayStation), Meta's (Oculus), Samsung, Google and Sony smartphones, JVC (prosumer camcorders), Tesla and Mercedes-Benz cars. Sondrel is well-established, with a 20-year track record of successful delivery, supported by long standing ecosystem partnerships including Arm, TSMC and Samsung. Headquartered in the UK, Sondrel has a global presence with offices in UK, USA, India and Morocco. For more information, visit www.sondrel.com Press contact: Nigel Robson, Vortex PR. nigel@vortexpr.com +44 1481 233080 Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Coppell, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - On Sept. 26-28, the college counseling team at KD College Prep (KD) attended the annual NACAC Conference in Los Angeles, gaining valuable insight into the ever-changing college admissions landscape. KD's College Counseling Shares Key Takeaways From NACAC Conference 2024 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/228562_efdd12ddc4a7fa7a_002full.jpg The National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) hosted the three-day event, which featured live presentations, networking opportunities, college fairs, and visits to nearby colleges. KD's senior college counselors connected with college admissions officers, financial aid experts, high school counselors, and other leaders in the education industry. "We attended this year's conference hoping to gain fresh insights into emerging admissions trends, build stronger networks with college representatives, and explore innovative ways to support students," said Chief of College Counseling Services Ashley McCarrick. Conference presentations covered various emerging admissions trends. McCarrick said her key takeaways included the impact of artificial intelligence in college admissions, trends related to the number of college-going students that the nation will see in the next 15 years, and how colleges plan to address the changing landscape. During the trip, the KD team visited 11 colleges located in Southern California: Pepperdine University, Claremont McKenna College, Occidental College, Pomona College, Mount St. Mary's University, Scripps College, the California Institute of Technology, Pitzer College, the University of Southern California, Harvey Mudd College, and the University of California, Los Angeles. Staff also reached out to former KD students, who now attend some of these colleges, to meet up with them and ask about their college experiences so far. "These visits provide an opportunity for us to assess how each college's environment might align with the needs of our current students back home. It is also beneficial to meet with admissions officers and get a deeper understanding of each college's offerings," said McCarrick. KD plans to use information gathered at the conference and on campus visits to train advisors on the new aspects of college admissions and deliver up-to-date messaging to students enrolled in college counseling programs. All university names and/or marks are owned by their respective institutions. KD College Prep has no affiliation with these institutions and KD College Prep is not approved or endorsed by them. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228562 SOURCE: Plentisoft WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Oil extended gains from the previous session on Friday after Israeli intelligence suggested Iran is preparing to attack Israel from Iraqi territory in the coming days.Benchmark Brent crude futures surged 2.7 percent to $74.73 a barrel in European trade, while WTI crude futures were up 3 percent at $71.30.Axios reported, citing two Israeli sources that Tehran is planning a strike on Israel from Iraqi territory possibly ahead of the U.S. election on Nov. 5, in response to Israel's strike against Iran on Oct. 26.It is feared that any attack by Iran could trigger a wider conflict that might disrupt crude supply from the Middle East.Meanwhile, Israel pounded Beirut's southern suburbs with a series of powerful airstrikes early today after issuing evacuation orders to residents.Also helping push oil prices higher was the release of some positive Chinese data.China's manufacturing activity returned to growth in October as companies ramped up production and purchasing to meet higher demand amid improving confidence, survey results from S&P Global showed today.The Caixin manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 50.3 in October from 49.3 in September.Separate data revealed that China's residential property sales rose in October, marking the first on-year increase of 2024.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. PYONGYANG (dpa-AFX) - U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says North Korean troops will apparently join Russian forces in support of the war against Ukraine in the coming days,Austin revealed this at the conclusion of 2+2 meetings with South Korean officials at the State Department.'We now assess that North Korea has sent around 10,000 of its soldiers to train in eastern Russia,' Austin said. 'Our most recent information indicates that about 8,000 of those soldiers are now in the Kursk Oblast. Now, we've not yet seen these soldiers deploy into combat against Ukraine's forces, but we expect that these North Korean soldiers will join the fight against Ukraine in the coming days.'Austin said Russian forces have trained the North Korean soldiers in artillery operations, unmanned aerial vehicle operations and basic infantry tactics, including trench clearing. 'The Kremlin has also provided these troops with Russian uniforms and equipment, and all of that strongly indicates that Russia intends to use these foreign forces in frontline operations in its war of choice against Ukraine'.'Make no mistake, if these North Korean troops engage in combat or combat support operations against Ukraine, they would make themselves legitimate military targets,' the secretary added.He said the United States is consulting closely with allies and partners on these developments. 'As I discussed last week in Kyiv, Ukraine's military continues to perform admirably on the battlefield, and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's forces have suffered serious losses in recent months.' Ukrainian forces have caused more than 1,200 Russian casualties per day, more than at any other time during Putin's war, according to Austin. 'By 'tin-cupping' to North Korea for manpower, Putin is showing the world another clear sign of weakness. The Kremlin's North Korean gambit just underscores how badly Putin's war has gone and how much trouble he is in.'Austin said the U.S. will announce additional security assistance for Ukraine in the coming days.Austin, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and National Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun the 2+2 meetings.At the meetings, the United States and South Korea agreed to further enhance their interoperability and strengthen our extended deterrence. 'Our countries are deepening our nuclear and strategic planning efforts through the Nuclear Consultative Group, and we're increasing the regular deployments of U.S. strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula,' Austin said.The two countries agreed that attacks in space or cyberspace 'that clearly challenge the security of the alliance could lead us to invoke Article III of the Mutual Defense Treaty'.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Massachusetts Students 12 Points Ahead in State Rated Top for Public Education EASTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / Fifth-grade students from Easton Public Schools improved proficiency levels by five points on the Massachusetts Common Assessment Program for Science (MCAS) in 2024, scoring 12 points higher than the statewide average. The school district currently partners with KnowAtom, a nationwide provider of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-based hands-on curricula. Students' Ideas Drive Teaching and Learning Science in Easton An Easton student explains how different student teams are testing their own ideas about living systems, using scientific process to gather evidence and form conclusions. Easton Public Schools uses KnowAtom's hands-on science curriculum, which is designed for mastery of Massachusetts Science and Technology Engineering Frameworks. In 2024, Consumer Affairs ranked Massachusetts the best in the country for public education, noting that "the state has the best fourth-grade reading and eighth-grade math scores in the country on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) tests," (Consumer Affairs, 2024). This year, two of the top four districts in the state for science performance are KnowAtom curriculum partners. "We are thrilled to see our significant growth and achievement in the Science MCAS, a testament to the high-quality curriculum, KnowAtom, we have implemented," said Christine Pruitt, Assistant Superintendent of Easton Public Schools. "This success is not just due to the curriculum itself but also to the exceptional professional development that KnowAtom has provided to our staff. Our teachers have recognized the program's value, particularly as it spirals and enhances our vertical alignment of standards, ensuring that students build on their knowledge year after year. This collaborative approach has empowered our educators to deliver engaging and effective science instruction, leading to our students' impressive outcomes." In Easton's fourth year of full implementation K-5, Assistant Superintendent Pruitt points out that it is important to note that Easton's grade 8 science data is now 27 points above the state average as well. She said, "Although we only use KnowAtom in grades K-5, the impact is lasting." Massachusetts districts are also monitored by the state for returning student performance to pre-COVID achievement levels in targeted data subsets. With this most recent data, Easton Public Schools' Path to Recovery rating has improved from "Recovery Path" to "Path Forward" in seven out of nine data subsets. "Something great is underway at Easton Public Schools, and KnowAtom is honored to be a partner in their success," said Francis Vigeant, CEO of KnowAtom. "Educators in Easton understand firsthand that to equip students with the skills and experience they need to become learners for the long haul, we must empower them as thinkers and doers in the classroom today. Easton has a big vision for what teaching and learning can be for students, and everyone is working together toward that goal - administrators, principals, teachers, and students. These increases reflect that coordinated effort." KnowAtom provides K-8 science curriculum designed for state standards mastery. Contact Information Nicole Lanoue Press Contact nlanoue@knowatom.com 617-475-3475 x2002 SOURCE: KnowAtom View the original press release on newswire.com. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leading consolidator of emerging food brands is pleased to announce that further to its news release on July 29th, 2024 announcing the signing of a binding agreement to acquire 50% of the SALUS ("Salus") Fresh Foods Restaurant Chain, it has now signed the definitive agreement for the acquisition. Preparations for close are underway with an anticipated close date prior to years end. Salus serves fresh bowls, sandwichs, wraps, soups, smoothies and healthy treats the whole family can enjoy. Salus Fresh Foods 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/228560_2c884889249d1b07_001full.jpg Happy Belly began the back half of 2024 with the intention of continuing its acquisition strategy of accretive growth brands, and it has delivered on that strategy with Salus being the fourth (4th) acquisition of the year. This marks another stride forward in our journey to becoming a leading consolidator of emerging food brands. This acquisition represents the incorporation of our ninth (9th) restaurant brand, and our eleventh (11th) food brand overall. Salus Fresh Foods, an asset light 100% franchised system, has nine (9) established street-front and food court real estate locations in Ontario. "When looking for an acquisition we look for the 3 P's: People, Product and Process. With co-founders Adam and David Spagnuolo of Salus Fresh Foods, we found exactly that," said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly. Salus Fresh Foods 2 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/228560_salus202402.jpg "In addition to meeting our criteria for people, product, and process, this acquisition aligns perfectly with the financial metrics and belly check criteria Happy Belly looks for in an acquisition, being debt free and cashflow positive. Once closed, this transaction, as part of our accelerated M&A program, will bring our current total operating count of corporate and franchised restaurants to forty-six (46). This is another significant achievement since launching our franchising program 19 months ago. It demonstrates our commitment to our shareholders and our executional excellence as we drive disciplined company growth while enhancing shareholder value through strategic and accretive M&A." Salus Fresh Foods 3 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/228560_2c884889249d1b07_003full.jpg "This strategic acquisition aligns closely with Happy Belly's vision, significantly enhancing our ability to scale and integrate healthy, clean food brands as we gear up for expanded operations in 2025. Salus has shown impressive growth, with a +19% year-over-year increase in same-store sales (SSS), and we expect further sales momentum as employees return to central business districts. Currently operating in Ontario, Salus is well-positioned for cross-Canada expansion, and we are excited to support its journey beyond provincial borders. The acquisition brings substantial synergies that both brands can leverage, such as streamlined integration into our established frameworks for real estate, franchising, accounting, insurance, purchasing, supplier contracts, rebate systems, shared resources, and marketing support. These efficiencies will drive productivity and optimize labor costs, allowing us to continue focusing on the development and growth of emerging brands in the food sector. Salus Fresh Foods 4 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/228560_salus202404.jpg Acquisition Details Happy Belly and Salus Fresh Foods have signed a definitive acquisition agreement for the 50% acquisition of Salus Fresh Foods by Happy Belly. Happy Belly will issue such number of common shares of Happy Belly equal in value to $300,000 (based on a 10-day VWAP) at time of closing for 50% ownership of Salus Fresh Foods, representing an estimated purchase price of 4x EBITDA. The Company anticipates the closing of this agreement to take place within the next 30-60 days. Happy Belly has also obtained the rights to acquire the remaining 50% of the business at its optionality. For franchising inquiries please see www.happybellyfg.com/franchise-with-us/ or contact us at hello@happybellyfg.com. About Salus Fresh Foods Fresh, Healthy, Made from Scratch, Delicious. Everyday our team is slicing, dicing, roasting, marinating, saucing, and having fun while ensuring that every meal is fresh, simple, and delicious. Salus locations are ideally selected in the heart of large urban areas fed by mass transit, with access to busy professionals, students, and families who are in need of a quick and healthy meal. About Happy Belly Food Group Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company") is a leading consolidator of emerging food brands. Happy Belly Food Group To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/228560_2c884889249d1b07_005full.jpg Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release, which has been prepared by management. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-Looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include the future performance of Happy Belly and her subsidiaries. Forward-Looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Happy Belly described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are posted on www.sedarplus.ca. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228560 SOURCE: Happy Belly Food Group Inc. Nine Major Clients and Recent Award Wins Announced BROOKLYN, N.Y., Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Huge, a premier design and technology company known for creating transformative products and experiences, has announced a wave of new clients, underscoring the company's rapid growth and commitment to delivering intelligent experiences (IX). Recent partnerships with prominent brands, including Lowe's, Foot Locker, Dr. Martens, and others, showcase Huge's expertise in reshaping digital customer journeys with intelligent, AI-driven solutions tailored to meet evolving consumer demands. "Our recent partnerships demonstrate the growing demand for intelligent experiences that are not only innovative but drive real impact," said Lisa De Bonis, CEO of Huge. "By marrying creativity with emerging technologies, we're transforming how brands connect with their audiences, designing human-centered experiences that foster lasting engagement and business growth." Recently-Added Clients Lowe's Companies : Creating a comprehensive user experience vision across Lowe's web and mobile platforms to deliver a unified, consumer-centric journey. : Creating a comprehensive user experience vision across Lowe's web and mobile platforms to deliver a unified, consumer-centric journey. Schneider Electric : Developing an AI-driven user interface that empowers clients to make eco-friendly decisions. : Developing an AI-driven user interface that empowers clients to make eco-friendly decisions. BBVA : Crafting an AI-powered future experience vision, positioning BBVA for a multi-modal banking future that brings enhanced personalization to its customer base. : Crafting an AI-powered future experience vision, positioning BBVA for a multi-modal banking future that brings enhanced personalization to its customer base. Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa : Mapping a new experience vision to elevate member interactions and identify high-impact engagement opportunities. : Mapping a new experience vision to elevate member interactions and identify high-impact engagement opportunities. Allegiant : Shaping the future of intelligent booking experiences for the airline industry. : Shaping the future of intelligent booking experiences for the airline industry. Carrier: Collaborating with Carrier to refresh its global website and further showcase its leadership in air conditioning, heating, and ventilation solutions worldwide. Collaborating with Carrier to refresh its global website and further showcase its leadership in air conditioning, heating, and ventilation solutions worldwide. Dr. Martens: Collaborating with the fashion icon to drive its next wave of growth by expressing the brand's timeless identity across digital channels. Collaborating with the fashion icon to drive its next wave of growth by expressing the brand's timeless identity across digital channels. Foot Locker: For the flagship 34th Street reopening in August, Huge designed and enhanced the in-store experience with fresh digital engagement. Highlights include an interactive, AR-powered experience that featured a photo booth and custom sticker creator. Spearheading the Future of IX In June 2024, Huge announced plans to double down on IX by increasingly delivering AI-driven, personalized, and intent-aware digital experiences for clients. Most recently, Huge worked with NBCU to develop OLI, an AI-powered chat that helped viewers seamlessly find what to watch throughout the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The company also launched a new flagship digital experience using imagery created entirely by AI for Darling Ingredients, and also enhanced Google's Keyword blog and news site with AI to make Google product news and tips more accessible. Industry Recognition In addition to new business growth, Huge has recently received recognition for excellence in digital innovation, including: 3 Webby Awards for Chrome.com, ChromeBook Plus, Android, and Google Sustainability. for Chrome.com, ChromeBook Plus, Android, and Google Sustainability. 11 Creativepool Awards for projects with McDonald's, Planet Fitness, Chrome.com, ChromeBook Plus, Android, and Google. for projects with McDonald's, Planet Fitness, Chrome.com, ChromeBook Plus, Android, and Google. Fast Company Innovation by Design Honoree for groundbreaking work with McDonald's. As Huge heads into 2025, the company remains committed to reshaping how brands interact with customers, driving growth, and setting new standards for digital engagement and experience design. About Huge Huge is a design and technology company. We create products and experiences that grow the world's most ambitious brands. We do this by designing experiences for people, not users, and uncovering new sources of growth by leveraging our creative talent and unlocking the advantages brought to us by emerging technologies. We believe all experiences should be intelligent, shoppable and unique to every brand. Part of the Interpublic Group of companies, Huge's nearly 1,000 thinkers, tinkerers, makers and creators, have been problem-solving across North America, Europe, and Latin America for over 25 years. Interested? You'll find more information at www.hugeinc.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/huge-expands-client-portfolio-with-surge-of-ai-powered-projects-302293596.html JERUSALEM (dpa-AFX) - Seven people were killed in rocket attacks by Hezbollah in northern Israel Thursday.One Israeli farmer and four Thai workers were killed as rockets hit them at Metula, near the Lebanese border, reports quoting a local official said. A critically injured foreign worker has been hospitalized.Separately, two members of a family were killed in an attack targeting the coastal city of Haifa later in the day.The victims were an Israeli mother and her son, living near Kibbutz Afek.This marks the worst loss of lives that Israel suffered at the hands of Hezbollah since the Lebanese militant outfit began launching rockets across the border in October last year.Meanwhile, the Pentagon said U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant Thursday to discuss opportunities for regional de-escalation.'The Secretary reiterated U.S. commitment to a diplomatic arrangement in Lebanon that allows both Lebanese and Israeli civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border,' Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a readout.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. JERUSALEM (dpa-AFX) - The United States has called on the Government of Israel to swiftly extend the indemnification of Israeli banks in West Bank for at least one year.Thursday, the Government of Israel approved a 30-day extension of its indemnification of Israeli banks, allowing them to continue correspondent banking relationships with Palestinian counter-parties.Responding to it, Secretary Of State Antony Blinken and Secretary Of The Treasury Janet Yellen said the very short-term duration of this extension creates another looming crisis by November 30, exacerbating uncertainty for international banks, Israeli companies operating in the West Bank, and most importantly for ordinary Palestinians who bear the greatest brunt of such uncertainty.They warned in a joint statement that Cutting off these banking ties would create significant economic turmoil in the West Bank, threatening the security of Israel and the broader region.Blinken and Yellen noted that the U.S. Government's deep concern in this matter is shared by the G7 and many of its closest partners. 'To date, the U.S. Government's sustained engagement with both the public and private sector in Israel and the West Bank gives us confidence that Palestinian banks are adequately managing terrorist financing risks,' they said in the statement.The two Secretaries urged Israel that future renewals of indemnification should be 'transparent, predictable, and de-politicized'.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - Radio Fuels Energy Corp. (CSE: CAKE) (OTCQB: CKEFF) (the "Company" or "Radio Fuels") announces Bassam Moubarak resignation from the role of Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") and the appointment of Natalia Samartseva as CFO effective today's date. During his tenure, Bassam was instrumental in driving financial strategies that contributed to the Company's growth and success. He played a key role in transformation of the Company and oversaw its acquisition of NV King Goldlands, demonstrating his commitment to excellence and fiscal responsibility. "We are grateful for Bassam's contributions to Radio Fuels and for his support ensuring a seamless transition," said Phil O'Neill. "While we are sad to see him go, we respect his decision and wish him all the best in his future endeavours." Ms. Samartseva is a Chartered Professional Accountant with significant experience in public company reporting, IFRS, internal controls and auditing. She brings over 15 years of experience across diverse financial leadership positions, including other roles as CFO and as Director of Financial Reporting of companies listed in Canada and the United States. In addition, she has also held a variety of public accounting practice positions, including senior audit manager, and has been engaged as a consultant focused on financial reporting and analysis for junior resource companies. During her career, Ms. Samartseva has overseen projects related to internal control improvements implementation, preparation of financial models, forecasts, business valuation models, transitioning from exploration to commercial production stage for mining companies, and other complex accounting and tax issues. About Radio Fuels Energy Corp. The Company is a junior natural resource company focused on providing exposure to uranium and other commodities through the investment, acquisition, exploration, and development of projects and companies. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228441 SOURCE: Radio Fuels Energy Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (FSE: 6E9) (the "Company" or "EMX") is pleased to announce the execution of an exploration and option agreement for its Yarrol, Mt Steadman and Queensland Gold projects to Mila Resources PLC ("Mila", LSE:MILA). Mila is a well-capitalized London Stock Exchange listed company seeking to broaden its exploration portfolio in Australia. The agreement provides EMX with a cash payment, warrants and work commitments during a one-year option period, and upon exercise of the option, EMX will receive additional cash payments, equity in Mila, advance royalty payments, milestone payments and a 2.5% NSR royalty. The Yarrol and Mt Steadman projects both contain historically defined gold resources in addition to sites of historic gold mining activities (see notes regarding the historical mineral resources below). The Yarrol project also contains areas with cobalt-enriched manganese oxide mineralization and heavy mineral sands deposits. The nearby Queensland Gold project lies to the north of Yarrol and Mt Steadman (see Figure 1) and contains multiple historic gold mines, gold occurrences, drill defined zones of gold mineralization, and numerous additional geochemical anomalies enriched in gold and copper. EMX looks forward to working with Mila to commence work on the projects and to follow up on recent drill and sampling programs. This transaction is another example of the execution of EMX's business model in providing turn-key and drill ready exploration projects to its partner companies in exchange for royalty interests and other considerations. Commercial Terms Overview. EMX will receive AUD $25,000 upon execution of the agreement, along with 16 million purchase warrants of Mila Resources stock with a strike price of 0.01. Mila can acquire a 100% interest in the project by completing AUD$450,000 in work commitments by the end of the first anniversary of the agreement. Upon exercising the option Mila will: Issue the equivalent of 110,000 in shares of Mila (with certain escalation clauses) and make an initial advance royalty payment equivalent to 20 ounces of gold in cash, shares or bullion. Grant EMX an uncapped 2.5% NSR royalty and make annual advance royalty ("AAR") payments commencing at 20 ounces of gold until the fifth anniversary of the agreement, at which time the AAR's will increase to 35 ounces of gold until the completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment, at which time the AAR's will increase to 50 ounces of gold. The AARs can be paid in cash, shares or bullion. Upon the second anniversary of the agreement, pay EMX an additional AUD$125,000 in cash or shares of Mila, and commit to completing a JORC Code or NI-43-101 compliant resource estimate on at least one of the project areas. By the fifth anniversary of the agreement, complete a cumulative of 30,000 meters of drilling and/or define a resource of at least 400,000 ounces of gold with at least 40% of those ounces defined as "indicated" resources. Deliver certain milestone payments. For each project, upon delivery of a feasibility study Mila can repurchase 1.25% of the EMX royalty for a payment equating to 65% of the post-tax royalty net present value (NPV) as defined in the feasibility study. Overviews of the projects. Each of the projects lie within the Tasman Orogenic Zone of eastern Australia, which hosts significant gold mines and deposits including Cracow, Mount Morgan and Mount Rawdon (see Figure 1). Yarrol Project: The 59,520 Ha Yarrol Project is located between the Queensland Gold project and Evolution Mining's Mt Rawdon gold mine and is positioned along the regional scale Yarrol Fault zone. Several other historical mines and active exploration projects also lie along the Yarrol Fault structural trend. Yarrol was the site of historical gold mining activities in the 1800's through the 1930's, with historical gold production averaging ~10 g/t.1 Further exploration and assessments conducted in the 1980's and 1990's led to the definition of two historical gold resources (see notes regarding the historical mineral resources below). Gold mineralization at Yarrol is present as quartz sulfide veins and zones of silicification developed in and around Permian-aged dioritic intrusions. EMX conducted a two-hole confirmation drill program in late 2022, resulting in the intersection of 17.8 meters averaging 4.01 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 61 meters in drill hole DD22-YA187, and 12 meters at 0.91 g/t gold from 92 meters in drill hole DD22-YA188 (see EMX News Release dated November 14, 2022)2. Many Peaks Gold Ltd (now Many Peaks Minerals Ltd or "Many Peaks", ASX:MPK) optioned the project from EMX in 2023 and conducted various exploration programs before changing its strategy to focus on western African projects in early 2024. In addition to other programs, Many Peaks drilled six reconnaissance diamond drill holes at Yarrol totaling 1,210 meters that included a drill intercept of 16 meters averaging 0.75 g/t gold from 42 meters in hole YAD-189 (see Many Peaks news releases dated January 29 and 30, 2024)3. The project was returned to EMX in mid-2024. Mt Steadman Project: The 5,760 hectare Mt Steadman project is an intrusion-related gold system ("IRGS") located along the Perry Fault system, a major structural feature in the region that also hosts the nearby Mt Rawdon Mine. The Mt Steadman project was the focus of exploration in the 1990's when shallow reconnaissance drilling programs led to the recognition and definition of historical gold resources (see notes regarding the historical mineral resources below). Several historic mines are also located on the Mt Steadman project (Mt Steadman, Venus and London), and were initially worked in the 1880's with periodic production continuing into the 1940's. In the 1990's mineralized sheeted vein swarms (IRGS-style mineralization) were recognized at the Fitzroy prospect, where over 4,000 meters of shallow drilling led to the definition of historic gold resources1. Examples of historical drill intercepts at Mt Steadman's Fitzroy prospect include reverse circulation drill holes with intercepts that include 23 meters from surface averaging 1.04 g/t gold in drill hole RC95MS7, 24 meters from surface averaging 1.13 g/t gold in RC85MS10, and 26 meters from surface averaging 1.00 g/t in RC95MS44 (true widths unknown)4. 1 Independent Geological Report for MGT Mining Ltd, 2010. https://www.nsx.com.au/ftp/news/021723444.PDF. EMX has not performed sufficient work to verify historical sample results and production figures, however, from EMX's field reviews of the Yarrol and Mt Steadman properties, these data are considered to be reliable and relevant. 2 True widths remain unknown but are estimated to be in the 50-75% range of the reported drilled interval. The interval was calculated assuming a cutoff of 0.5 g/t gold. 3 True widths not reported. 4 The historical drilling was completed by Probe Resources in 1995 and 1996 and reported to Queensland Geologic Survey. EMX has not done sufficient work to classify these results as compliant with NI 43-101 regulation, these results should not be relied upon until they are confirmed. However, EMX believes these results are reliable and relevant. Many Peaks also optioned the Mt Steadman project from EMX in 2023 and drilled two reverse circulation ("RC") drill holes on the property totaling 205 meters. Many Peaks reported an intercept of 8 meters averaging 2.63 g/t gold from 8 meters in RC drill hole MS041 (see Many Peaks news releases dated January 29 and 30, 2024). Many Peaks also completed additional soil sampling surveys, but identified gold anomalies were not followed up and the project was returned to EMX in mid-2024. Queensland Gold Project : The 47,680 Ha Queensland Gold Project has been the site of historical mining and exploration activities for over a century. In the mid-1990's, the Boggy Creek gold prospect was explored by CRA Exploration and North Ltd (both precursor companies to what is now Rio Tinto Exploration Pty Limited ("RTZ"). Drilling by CRA and North Ltd intercepted long intervals (i.e., >25 meters) of gold mineralization associated with quartz vein stockworks in rhyolitic-dacitic intrusions, typical of IRGS systems. Several of the historic CRA and North Ltd holes ended in mineralization. In terms of historical production, gold was discovered at Monal Creek in 1891, leading to the development of the Monal Goldfields in the northwest portion of the EMX license. This area is marked by historical shafts, adits, mine dumps and processing sites, where gold mineralization was present in multiple parallel quartz vein reefs. Eight reef deposits were discovered and mined, with the gold mineralization appearing to extend for several kilometers along strike. Many Peaks optioned the Queensland Gold project from EMX in 2020 and executed several exploration programs on the project. Many Peaks drilled twelve RC holes at Boggy Creek totaling 1,806 meters, and six additional reconnaissance drill holes elsewhere on the property (totaling 531 meters). Many Peaks also conducted various rock-chip, soil, auger and air core sampling programs at various locations on the property. On June 7, 2022, Many Peaks announced drill results from the Boggy Creek program that included intercepts of 7 meters averaging 2.04 g/t from 13 meters in drill hole BCRC003, 17 meters averaging 0.75 g/t from 10 meters in drill hole BCRC005 and 11 meters averaging 0.53 g/t from 73 meters in drill hole BCRC0073 (see Many Peaks news release dated June 7, 2022). More information on the Projects can be found at www.EMXroyalty.com. Comments on Historical Mineral Resources. The historical mineral resources at Yarrol and Mt Steadman were reported in 2010 by MGT Mining Ltd, which was a publicly traded Australian company (ASX: MGT) at the time of publication. Discussions of the projects and historic resources can be found at: https://www.nsx.com.au/ftp/news/021723444.PDF. EMX has not done sufficient work to verify the historical resources and is not considering these resources to be current or compliant with NI43-101 standards. Additional drilling and sampling would be required to confirm the resources, but EMX considers the published historical estimates to be relevant and reliable. Comments on Nearby Mines and Deposits. The mines and deposits discussed in this news release provide context for EMX's projects, which occur in similar geologic settings, but this is not necessarily indicative that the Company's projects host similar styles, tonnages or grades of mineralization. Dr. Eric P. Jensen, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the disclosure of the technical information contained in this news release. About EMX. EMX is a precious and base metals royalty company. EMX's investors are provided with discovery, development, and commodity price optionality, while limiting exposure to risks inherent to operating companies. The Company's common shares are listed on the NYSE American Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "EMX". Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain "forward looking statements" that reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about its future results. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties, exploration results and budgets, mineral reserves and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, timelines, strategic plans, market prices for precious and base metal, or other statements that are not statements of fact. When used in this news release, words such as "estimate," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "will", "believe", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company's future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include, but are not limited to unavailability of financing, failure to identify commercially viable mineral reserves, fluctuations in the market valuation for commodities, difficulties in obtaining required approvals for the development of a mineral project, increased regulatory compliance costs, expectations of project funding by joint venture partners and other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified in this news release, and other risk factors and forward-looking statements listed in the Company's MD&A for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 (the "MD&A"), and the most recently filed Annual Information Form ("AIF") for the year ended December 31, 2023, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the AIF and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca and on the SEC's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov. Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1508/228530_eb4d224424db59d0_002full.jpg Notes: Mt Rawdon production data from Evolution Mining: https://evolutionmining.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Mt-Rawdon-fact-sheet-FY23F.pdf. Mt Morgan production data from Mt. Morgan: A. Taube; The Mount Morgan gold-copper mine and environment, Queensland; a volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit associated with penecontemporaneous faulting. Economic Geology; 81 (6): 1322-1340. Cracow historic production data from Aeris Resources web page for the Cracow Operation: https://www.aerisresources.com.au/assets/cracow/. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228530 SOURCE: EMX Royalty Corp. UniversityCube is an educational network connecting students with potential Master's or Ph.D. advisors, showcasing faculty profiles, research interests, and mentoring styles, and enabling collaboration through academic groups, personalized matching, and direct communication to support student's academic pursuits. UniversityCube announces the official launch of its unique educational networking platform tailored for students pursuing Master's or Ph.D. programs. Designed to streamline the process of finding an ideal academic advisor, UniversityCube offers students the opportunity to connect with faculty members worldwide, matching them based on academic backgrounds, research interests, and career goals. Through a user-friendly interface and advanced search tools, UniversityCube provides an innovative solution for students to enhance their academic journeys and foster meaningful mentorships. UniversityCube's platform enables students to create detailed profiles highlighting their academic achievements, research interests, and professional experiences. Faculty members also maintain profiles showcasing their expertise, active research projects, and available mentorship opportunities. This transparency helps students make informed decisions when selecting advisors who align with their academic and professional objectives. Platform Features Designed for Graduate Students and Faculty Collaboration UniversityCube's platform offers several features that make it a leading choice for academic networking and advisor selection: Customized Profiles: Students can highlight their academic credentials, professional experience, and research interests, making them visible to potential advisors looking for dedicated mentees. Advanced Search Filters: Students can search for advisors by research area, university, department, and project funding to find a precise match aligned with their academic goals. Groups and Academic Communities: UniversityCube fosters collaboration through research groups and academic communities where students can discuss, follow faculty-led projects, and gain insights into advisors' mentoring styles. Direct Messaging for Seamless Communication: The platform includes a direct messaging feature, allowing students and faculty to discuss research interests, mentorship opportunities, and project involvement. The Importance of Choosing the Right Advisor An academic advisor plays several roles: they're a mentor, a professional role model, and sometimes a critical career connection. The right advisor supports your research interests, aligns with your professional goals, and can help you navigate the complexities of graduate life. Conversely, mismatched expectations or communication issues can hinder your progress. UniversityCube's specialized features make it easier for students to make informed decisions when searching for an advisor. Steps to Create a Visible Profile on UniversityCube Creating a standout profile on UniversityCube is key to attracting potential advisors and making meaningful connections within your field. Follow these steps to ensure your profile is both comprehensive and visible: https://www.universitycube.net/ Begin by compiling a complete record of your academic credentials on your UniversityCube profile, listing all degrees, institutions, majors, and any honors or awards you've received. A thorough academic background provides potential advisors with a clear view of your foundational knowledge and skills, allowing them to assess your readiness for advanced research. If you also have professional experience related to your research interests, make sure to include these roles, specifying job titles, companies, and key accomplishments, especially those linked to academic research or industry practices. This added detail portrays you as a well-rounded candidate with both theoretical knowledge and practical insights. Your bio is the first element advisors will read, so make it impactful by clearly describing your academic interests, expertise, and career goals. Use targeted keywords relevant to your field, such as "Machine Learning in Healthcare" or "Neuroscience and Behavior," to increase your profile's visibility in search results when advisors look for students in specific areas. Highlight what drives your passion for your field and discuss what you aim to achieve through a Master's or Ph.D. program. This thoughtful touch shows advisors your dedication and gives them insight into your long-term vision. Showcasing your expertise through published articles is an effective way to build credibility and demonstrate your commitment to your field. Aim to publish at least three to five articles on UniversityCube, focusing on topics like current trends, research findings, or insightful perspectives in your study area. These articles need not be lengthy, but they should clearly reflect your academic interests and analytical skills. For instance, if you're in environmental science, you might write about sustainable energy advancements to catch the attention of advisors with aligned research interests. Regular publishing also shows advisors that you are proactive and engaged in meaningful academic discourse. If you have research publications, projects, or presentations, be sure to add these to your UniversityCube profile. Include relevant links, summaries, or abstracts to make your work easily accessible for advisors who want to review your past accomplishments. Having these contributions on your profile reinforces your commitment to research, providing advisors with a clear view of your academic capabilities and showing them how your previous work may align with potential projects they're offering. The dedicated "Research Interests" section on UniversityCube is an opportunity to be specific about the topics you're passionate about. Avoid broad terms and instead provide detailed descriptions-such as "Behavioral Neuroscience in Stress Resilience" rather than just "Neuroscience." This helps your profile become more searchable and ensures that advisors with similar interests can quickly identify you as a potential candidate, maximizing the relevance of connections you form on the platform. Participating in academic groups on UniversityCube not only enriches your knowledge but also boosts your profile's visibility. Advisors frequently seek out active participants in these groups, as it indicates a student's genuine interest and dedication to the field. Take part in discussions, ask questions, and provide insights where possible. By actively engaging in group discussions and research threads, you increase the chances of attracting advisors who value your enthusiasm and commitment to your academic and professional growth. Why UniversityCube Stands Out as an Advisor-Student Networking Platform UniversityCube is reshaping academic and professional growth by creating a dynamic platform tailored to students and faculty, encouraging collaborative learning and mentorship. Through its innovative features, UniversityCube fosters an environment where students can connect with professors, engage in academic discussions, and collaborate with peers, creating a space designed to nurture both educational and professional development. This platform makes it easy for students to find and interact with faculty members who align with their academic interests, whether they're exploring potential advisors for advanced degrees or seeking guidance within their current studies. UniversityCube's global reach also opens new doors for students by hosting faculty profiles from universities worldwide, allowing users to expand beyond local institutions in their search for advisors or collaborators. The platform's career-oriented features, such as a specialized job dashboard, further support students as they transition from academic milestones to career aspirations, providing networking and job opportunities that are seamlessly aligned with their educational journey. UniversityCube offers an all-in-one solution for those aiming to build meaningful academic relationships and gain a head start on their careers. Tips for Selecting an Advisor Through UniversityCube When searching for the right Ph.D. advisor on UniversityCube Faculty lists, start by thoroughly reviewing faculty profiles aligned with your research interests. Look at their listed projects and publications to get a sense of each professor's expertise and research approach. This analysis can give you an idea of whether their work resonates with your academic goals and if their research style matches what you're looking for in an advisor. Next, engage in relevant research groups on the platform. UniversityCube's group feature lets you join academic communities centered around specific projects, giving you a closer look at the faculty's involvement and interaction within these groups. This firsthand experience can reveal their mentoring style and level of engagement, which can be valuable indicators of how supportive they might be as an advisor. Finally, use direct messaging to initiate contact and discuss potential collaborations, funding opportunities, and long-term goals. The platform's profiles often include details on available research funding or scholarships, helping you make informed decisions regarding financial support. Additionally, some advisors may have connections within specific industries, which can be advantageous for your career after graduation. UniversityCube helps you assess how well-connected an advisor is in fields relevant to your aspirations, ensuring a well-rounded match for your academic and professional future. About UniversityCube UniversityCube is a cutting-edge educational social network created to support students in finding graduate advisors, collaborating with faculty, and navigating their academic pursuits. Headquartered in Los Angeles, UniversityCube provides students and educators with tools to connect, collaborate, and achieve academic goals in a streamlined, supportive environment. By integrating advanced search functions, communication tools, and a robust network of global educators, UniversityCube facilitates impactful connections that drive students' success in higher education. Media Contact Organization: UniversityCube Contact Person Name: Dr. Kamran Kowsari Website: https://www.universitycube.net/ Email: support@universitycube.net Contact Number: +12028123013 State: CA Country: United States SOURCE: UniversityCube View the original press release on accesswire.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - XAU Resources Inc. (TSXV: GIG) ("XAU Resources" or the "Company") announces that a total of 865,000 stock options ("Options") have been granted to directors, officers, and consultants, pursuant to the Company's stock option plan ("Plan"). The Options are to purchase up to 865,000 common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $0.06 per share until October 31, 2029, subject to any earlier termination in accordance with the Plan. All Options vested immediately on the date of grant. The grant of Options to certain directors and officers constitutes a related party transaction pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval in connection with the grant of Options to related parties in reliance on the exemptions contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, respectively. About XAU Resources Inc. XAU Resources is a TSX Venture Exchange-listed company that has the 152.25 km2 Noseno land package in the Trans-Guyana gold belt. The property is in the same greenstone terrane that hosts the largest gold deposits in Guyana, the Aurora Mine and the Toroparu Project. Limited modern exploration has been undertaken on the property although the property has a 100-year history of small scale hard rock and placer mining. The property lies 210 km west of the capital, Georgetown and 75 km south of the regional supply centre at Port Kaituma (inland port). Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228518 SOURCE: XAU Resources Inc. Oncoinvent AS, a clinical stage company advancing alpha emitter therapy across a variety of solid cancers, today announced the publication of data from the Phase 1/2a study of Radspherin in colorectal cancer patients in the peer-reviewed Journal of Surgical Oncology. The results, previously presented at the 2023 Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International (PSOGI) Congress in Venice, show encouraging 18 months safety and efficacy data from the 23 patients enrolled in the Phase 1 part of the RAD-18-002 study in colorectal cancer patients. "We are pleased to see our data published in such a well-recognized scientific journal," commented Professor Emeritus Oyvind Bruland, MD, PhD, senior author on the manuscript, co-founder and member of Oncoinvent's scientific advisory board. "The data in the publication highlights the potential of Radspherin in treating patients with peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer, a condition for which there is an urgent unmet need for novel treatment options." "Patients with liver and lung metastases benefit considerably from several other new treatment options, but not those with peritoneal metastases," commented Stein G. Larsen, MD, PhD, principal investigator of the study and chief gastrosurgeon, the Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital. The publication concludes that Radspherin was well tolerated following cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). At 18 months, none of the patients receiving the recommended dose (7?MBq) had peritoneal recurrences. Radspherin also showed a promising signal of efficacy warranting further clinical evaluation. Results from 24 more patients treated with Radspherin in the RAD-18-002 study are pending. The Journal of Surgical Oncology publication is available online at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jso.27897 About the RAD-18-002 Study RAD-18-002 is a Phase 1/2a open-label study designed to select the clinical dose, and evaluate the safety, tolerability, and signal of efficacy of intraperitoneally administered Radspherin in patients with peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer scheduled for cytoreduction and HIPEC. The study was closed for recruitment at the end of 2023. About Radspherin Radspherin is an investigational radiopharmaceutical designed for the local treatment of cancer that has spread to body cavities. It consists of billions of calcium carbonate microparticles containing the radioactive material radium-224. The mode of action is the decay of radium-224 emitting alpha-particles, a highly potent form of ionizing radiation. Radspherin is investigated in ongoing clinical studies to treat peritoneal metastases from ovarian and colorectal cancer and it is administered intraperitoneally after surgical resection with removal of all macroscopic tumors. About Oncoinvent Oncoinvent AS is a clinical stage, radiopharmaceutical company developing innovative treatments for solid cancers. The technology platform is focused on the use of alpha-emitting radionuclides to deliver powerful radiation directly to cancer cells. The Company's lead product candidate, Radspherin, is being advanced through clinical development by a carefully composed team with experience from all stages of radiopharmaceutical development. Internal manufacturing and supply chain capabilities have been established, which now have the capacity to supply Radspherinfor multi-center phase 2 clinical studies. For additional information, please visit www.oncoinvent.com. Forward-Looking Statements All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements and are not a representation that Oncoinvent's plans, estimates, or expectations will be achieved. These forward-looking statements represent Oncoinvent's expectations as of the date of this press release, and Oncoinvent disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including with respect to whether the results of clinical or other studies will support the use of our product offerings, the impact of results of such studies, our expectations of the reliability, accuracy and performance of our tests, or of the benefits of our tests and product offerings to patients, providers and payers. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241101923447/en/ Contacts: For further information: Oystein Soug, Chief Executive Officer Email: soug@oncoinvent.com Tore Kvam, Chief Financial Officer Email: kvam@oncoinvent.com IR enquiries: Courtney Mogerley, Precision AQ Email: Courtney.Mogerley@precisionaq.com CHANGZHOU, China, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 22-23, the World Economic Forum hosted the "Accelerating Industrial Transformation and Decarbonization 2024" summit in Tokyo, Japan. Helena Li, Executive President at Trinasolar, delivered a speech titled "Empowering the Digital Age: Aligning ICT and Clean Energy for a Sustainable Future". The era of digitalization and artificial intelligence has arrived, Li said. Clean energy and digitalization serve as mutual catalysts for each other's development. The growth of ICT requires significant energy resources, and data centers are adopting more efficient cooling and power management technologies to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, resulting in green computing. According to the International Energy Agency, data centers now account for about 1% of global electricity consumption. As we move toward carbon neutrality and sustainable development, the ICT industry is increasingly drawing on renewable energy sources. The development of energy is poised to drive the growth of ICT, and energy will increasingly rely on ICT innovations, Li said. Power systems are evolving toward digitalization, higher proportions of renewable energy and distributed energy management. This evolution emphasizes intelligence, improved energy efficiency and resilience, all of which require robust ICT support. The application of ICT to power systems is evident in smart grids, data analysis and management, real-time monitoring and maintenance, distributed energy management, user interaction and demand response. The service aspect of the energy sector will become more pronounced, extending beyond simple electricity generation, transmission and consumption to encompass comprehensive energy service systems. Advanced technologies and applications, including new energy sources and energy storage are transforming energy into a service-oriented platform. Trinasolar offers energy management and total energy solutions, including solar-storage-hydrogen power stations and net-zero industry parks, which help vertical industry clients implement energy transition solutions. During the discussion, Li highlighted the success of a 4MW solar project at the XunCloud Data Center in Hebei province, north China, which will generate 118 GWh of green electricity over 25 years. She also pointed to Trinsolar's smart microgrid project in the Maldives where the company replaced diesel generators with an optimized microgrid system, delivering sustainable energy to 27 islands and benefiting 11,000 people. These innovations aim to provide more reliable and sustainable energy mixes, contributing to a more sustainable future. Li emphasized that the development of smart, clean energy and digitalization cannot be left to just two industries. She advocated for cross-industry and cross-disciplinary collaboration, along with government initiatives and legislation, to build an ecosystem accelerating the transition to a green and sustainable power system. The discussion underscored the importance of collaboration in the ICT industry and clean energy solutions for sustainable global growth. Trinasolar drives sustainability by providing intelligent solar and energy storage solutions with a strong focus on technological innovation and collaboration. Partnering with the ICT industry, research institutions, governments, and grid systems, Trinasolar is dedicated to fostering a net-zero future. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2546648/Helena_Li_Executive_President_Trinasolar_World_Economic_Forum_Japan_Summit.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/trinasolar-at-the-world-economic-forum-japan-summit-leading-the-clean-energy-innovation-for-the-digital-age-302293988.html EQS Post-admission Duties announcement: Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd. / Third country release according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd.: Announcement on Changes in Share Capital of H-shares 01.11.2024 / 13:12 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Post-admission Duties announcement according to Article 50 Para. 1, No. 2 WpHG transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Announcement on Changes in Share Capital of H-shares Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt / Hongkong, 1 November 2024 - Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (the "Company" or "Haier Smart Home", D-share 690D.DE, A-share 600690.SH, H-share 06690.HK) today published an announcement in accordance with applicable trading rules of the Shanghai Stock Exchange and applicable PRC laws in relation to Changes in Share Capital of H-shares. The full announcement is available at: https://smart-home.haier.com/en/dggg/P020241101684359257730.pdf?appdesc=Announcement%20on%20Changes%20in%20Share%20Capital%20of%20H-shares IR Contact: Haier Smart Home Hong Kong T: +852 2169 0000 Email: ir@haier.hk Press Contact: CROSS ALLIANCE communication GmbH Sara Pinto pi@crossalliance.de T: +49 89 1250903 35 About Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.: Haier is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household appliances with a focus on smart home solutions and customized production. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. develops, produces and distributes a wide range of household appliances. These include refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, water heaters, kitchen appliances as well as small household appliances and an extensive range of intelligent household appliances. The Company distributes its products through leading household brands such as Haier, Casarte, Leader, Candy, GE Appliances, AQUA and Fisher & Paykel. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. has launched Smart Home Experiential Cloud in the Chinese market, which connects homes, users, enterprises and ecosystem partners, and facilitates the integration of Haier's online, offline and micro-store businesses and supports user interaction to further optimize the user experience. 01.11.2024 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com The Specialty Baby Products Retailer Will Focus Its Efforts on Its Digital Offerings While Strategizing What Its Physical Footprint Will Look Like in the Future PISCATAWAY, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / buybuy BABY, America's leading specialty baby brand and registry, today announced that the company is presently shifting away from the brick-and-mortar model for the near term and is redefining the business as a digital-first brand. buybuy BABY logo Logo of the company buybuy BABY In response to consumer feedback and evolving shopping trends, buybuy BABY will place a stronger emphasis on enhancing its e-commerce and wholesale capabilities in the short term. This strategic shift aims to create a seamless and user-friendly shopping experience for customers and will allow for continued improvement to its digital platform and experience on its website, registry and mobile app. The retail landscape is ever-changing and buybuy BABY will continue to adapt to consumer habits, whether that be online or in-store. buybuy BABY is excited about the future and ultimately reimaging stores as the cornerstone of the baby registry and omnichannel shopping experience. "Stores are essential to our vision of a dynamic store footprint consisting of strategically placed smaller stores in key markets. Our passion for the parents and communities we serve is unmatched, and we desire to deliver a curated in-store assortment to guide parents' decision-making in their journey to parenthood," said Glen Cary, buybuy BABY Chief Stores Officer. Customers can continue to shop for all their favorite brands and products at buybuy BABY.com and set up new and manage existing registries. The website offers the convenience of online shopping with a user-friendly interface and secure payment options. buybuy BABY will be expanding its distribution network to support faster and more efficient delivery. These enhancements will enable the company to meet increasing consumer demand and ensure that its products are available to customers whenever and wherever they need them. Cary shared, "We're proud to support parents from newborns onward. Though stores are closing, our online shop remains, offering exceptional service and quality products with dedication." With this reset, buybuy BABY will be positioned for long-term growth and success. This new chapter and renewed focus will create more value for customers, partners, and team members. All buybuy BABY stores will be closing by the end of this year and will be providing significant discounts to customers. You can find a full list of stores here: https://buybuybaby.com/pages/find-a-store. Customers can continue to manage and create their registry online here: buybuy BABY registry. For more information, visit https://buybuybaby.com/pages/faq. About buybuy BABY buybuy BABY is America's leading specialty baby brand, with a long history of providing families with trusted information and products they need to confidently navigate the journey of parenthood - across every milestone, big and small, since 1996. The brand provides a wide assortment of baby and toddler essentials, strollers, car seats, nursing & feeding products, clothing & accessories, maternity wellness products, and nursery furniture. Contact Information buybuy BABY PR reachus@buybuybaby.com SOURCE: buybuy BABY View the original press release on newswire.com. NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard Motor Products, Inc. (NYSE: SMP), a leading automotive parts manufacturer and distributor, today announced the completion of the previously-announced acquisition of AX V Nissens III APS ("Nissens"), a leading European manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket engine cooling and air conditioning products with a growing array of vehicle control technologies. Under the terms of the agreement, SMP has acquired all the issued and outstanding shares of Nissens for approximately $390 million (360 million), net of cash and assumed debt and subject to post-closing adjustments, from Nordic private equity firm Axcel and the Nissen family. Mr. Eric Sills, Standard Motor Products' Chairman and CEO, stated, "We are very pleased to announce the closing of the Nissens acquisition. With this combination, we create an aftermarket leader in North America and Europe across our key product categories. The strength of Nissens' leadership team and overall cultural fit will allow for immediate collaboration on opportunities for growth through cross-selling as well as bi-directional synergies with significant savings potential. We welcome Nissens and its employees to the SMP family." About Standard Motor Products Standard Motor Products is the leading manufacturer and distributor of premium replacement parts in the automotive aftermarket and a custom-engineered solutions provider to vehicle and equipment manufacturers in diverse non-aftermarket end markets. Its automotive aftermarket business is comprised of two segments, Vehicle Control and Temperature Control, while its Engineered Solutions Segment offers a broad array of conventional and future-oriented technologies in markets for commercial and light vehicles, construction, agriculture, power sports, and others. For more information about Standard Motor Products, please visit www.smpcorp.com. About Nissens Automotive Nissens is the leading European supplier of thermal management and engine efficiency products fully focused on servicing the resilient and steadily growing independent automotive aftermarket. The Company operates with a distinct multi-brand strategy with offerings to passenger car as well as commercial vehicle applications. Nissens is headquartered in Horsens, Denmark and was founded in 1921. For more information about Nissens, please visit www.nissens.com. Under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Standard Motor Products cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made by the company, including those that may be made in this press release, are based on management's expectations at the time they are made, but they are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events or performance to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results, events or performance to differ materially from those risks and uncertainties discussed in this press release are those detailed from time-to-time in prior press releases and in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. By making these forward-looking statements, Standard Motor Products undertakes no obligation or intention to update these statements after the date of this release. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2546087/SMP_Nissens_Announcement_Image.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/standard-motor-products-inc-completes-acquisition-of-european-aftermarket-supplier-nissens-automotive-302293401.html The "Italy Alternative Lending Market Business and Investment Opportunities Databook 75+ KPIs on Alternative Lending Market Size, By End User, By Finance Model, By Payment Instrument, By Loan Type and Demographics Q2 2024 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The alternative lending in this region is expected to grow by 11.7% on an annual basis to reach US$6.76 billion in 2024. Medium to long term growth story of alternative lending in Italy remains strong. Alternative lending adoption is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 7.5% during 2024-2028. The alternative lending market in the country will increase from US$6.05 billion in 2023 to reach US$9.02 billion by 2028. This report provides a detailed data-centric analysis of the Alternative Lending industry, covering market opportunities and risks across a range of industry categories. With over 50 KPIs at the country level, this report provides a comprehensive understanding of Alternative Lending market dynamics, market size and forecast, and market share statistics. It breaks down market opportunity by type of payment instrument, loan types, and consumer behavior. In addition, it provides a snapshot of marketing objective and industry spend dynamics in Italy. KPIs in both value and share term help in getting in-depth understanding of end market dynamics. Its unbiased analysis leverages a proprietary analytics platform to offer a detailed view on emerging business and investment market opportunities. Reasons to buy Gain a thorough understanding of the Alternative Lending market dynamics: Market opportunities, significant trends, and forecasting (2019 2028) are listed. To stay ahead of the curve, comprehend market trends using important KPIs like Value and Share. Insights by Industry: Evaluate new opportunities across multiple industries, and obtain market dynamics by industry in order to swiftly catch up with the latest and upcoming developments in Alternative Lending markets. Market-specific strategies: With our unique blend of quantitative forecasting and cutting-edge insights, we can identify growth sectors that are focused on particular opportunities and analyse market-specific risks as well as significant trends in the Alternative Lending industry. Through industry intelligence, forward-looking research of Alternative Lending market spend, and key opportunities in Italy, develop proactive and profitable company plans. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 189 Forecast Period 2024 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $6.8 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $9 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.5% Regions Covered Italy Scope This report provides in-depth data-centric analysis of Alternative Lending industry in Italy through 125 tables and 150 charts. Below is a summary of key market segments. Italy Economic Indicators Gross Domestic Product at Current Prices Population Unbanked Population Unemployment Rate Loan Default Rate Italy Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast Transaction Value Average Transaction Value Transaction Volume Italy Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by End User End User Business End User Consumer Italy Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Finance Models P2P Marketplace Consumer Lending P2P Marketplace Business Lending P2P Marketplace Property Lending Balance Sheet Consumer Lending Balance Sheet Business Lending Balance Sheet Property Lending Invoice Trading Debt Based Securities Equity Based Crowd Funding Real Estate Crowd funding Italy Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument Transaction Value, Volume and Average Value Cash Cheques Credit Transfer Direct Debits Debit Card Credit Card E- Money Italy Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Model Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to P2P Marketplace Consumer Lending Cash Cheques Credit Transfer Direct Debits Debit Card Credit Card E- Money Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to P2P Marketplace Business Lending Cash Cheques Credit Transfer Direct Debits Debit Card Credit Card E- Money Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to P2P Marketplace Property Lending Cash Cheques Credit Transfer Direct Debits Debit Card Credit Card E- Money Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Balance Sheet Consumer Lending Cash Cheques Credit Transfer Direct Debits Debit Card Credit Card E- Money Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Balance Sheet Business Lending Cash Cheques Credit Transfer Direct Debits Debit Card Credit Card E- Money Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Balance Sheet Property Lending Cash Cheques Credit Transfer Direct Debits Debit Card Credit Card E- Money Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Invoice Trading Cash Cheques Credit Transfer Direct Debits Debit Card Credit Card E- Money Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Debt Based Securities Cash Cheques Credit Transfer Direct Debits Debit Card Credit Card E- Money Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Equity Based Crowd Funding Cash Cheques Credit Transfer Direct Debits Debit Card Credit Card E- Money Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument to Real Estate Crowd funding Cash Cheques Credit Transfer Direct Debits Debit Card Credit Card E- Money Italy Alternative Lending Market Size and Forecast by Loan Types B2C Loans Personal Loan Payroll Advance Home Improvement Education/Student Loans Point of Sale Auto Loans Medical Loans B2B Loans Lines of Credit Merchant Cash Advance Invoice Factoring Revenue Financing Italy Alternative Lending Analysis by Consumer Attitude and Behaviour By Age By Income Gender For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/l0ofpo About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241101540268/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 Chinese, Indian frontline troops progress in implementing border area resolutions: Chinese defense spokesperson Xinhua) 10:37, November 01, 2024 BEIJING, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Frontline troops of the Chinese and Indian militaries are making progress in implementing the recent resolutions on issues concerning the border areas in an orderly manner, according to a Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday. Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the comment in response to a media query about a deal reached by the two countries recently on relevant issues. China and India have reached the resolutions on issues concerning the border areas through diplomatic and military channels, Zhang said, calling on the Indian side to work together with China, continuously implement the resolutions, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Packaging Digest, the industry-leading B2B media outlet for packaging news and insights will provide market commentary, community networking, and free newsletter subscriptions alongside sweet fresh-baked treats and prizes. Packaging Digest, the premier media brand and leading source for emerging trends, best practices, and new technologies for packaging professionals, announces its presence at Pack Expo International, Nov. 3-6 at McCormick Place. Packaging Digest has been the authoritative voice of the packaging community for more than 60 years. Led by Executive Editor Lisa McTigue Pierce, a veteran packaging journalist with more than 40 years of experience, the editorial team delivers cutting-edge content that not only informs but shapes the future of packaging. The media brand currently serves as an official media partner for Informa Markets - Engineering shows, including the international tentpole event MD&M West and the newly launching Sustainable Manufacturing Expo, co-located with WestPack, and several more shows. "Pack Expo International is here again, one of our favorite times of the year to reconnect with industry friends and colleagues," says Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor of Packaging Digest. "It is an exciting opportunity to explore emerging trends, discover new technologies, and gain insights into the future of the market." The United States is one of the fastest-growing packaging markets in North America, with a market size of 200.98 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 244.17 billion by 2029. Recognized for staying ahead of the curve, Packaging Digest predicts trends before they translate to the mainstream market, providing perspective that empowers its community of readers to make the most informed decisions. Industry giants like PepsiCo, Amazon, Eli Lilly, Mars and Nestle, among many others, trust Packaging Digest with groundbreaking developments and market insights to share. Pierce and the Packaging Digest team will be in attendance at Pack Expo International in booth N-6084 Sunday, November 3, through Wednesday, November 6 where attendees may visit Packaging Digest to experience daily prizes and free giveaways, as well as exclusive Packaging Digest promotions. Scanned badges to sign up for the newsletter will enter the drawing for a grand prize giveaway for a chance to win the new Apple AirPods Pro 2.0. Cookies will be available at the booth on Sunday, November 3, and Monday, November 4, from 1-5 pm. Don't miss the chance to experience the impact Packaging Digest makes within the packaging community. To stay up to date with packaging news and insights, visit the Packaging Digest website. About Packaging Digest Packaging Digest is the "Voice of the Packaging Community" for more than 60 years, led by celebrated industry veteran and Executive Editor, Lisa McTigue Pierce. Since 1963, the well-known and respected premier B2B media brand delivers news, trends, best practices, and new technologies to packaging executives and engineers, developers and designers at end-user companies in a variety of markets. Packaging Digest's goal is to help packaging professionals achieve higher levels of creative thinking, productivity, and profitability. To follow Packaging Digest, visit www.packagingdigest.com. About Informa Markets Engineering Informa Markets Engineering, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), is the leading B2B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the world's $3-trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry. Our print and electronic products deliver trusted information to the engineering market and leverage our proprietary 1.3-million-name database to connect suppliers with buyers and purchase influencers. We produce more than 50 events and conferences in a dozen countries, connecting manufacturing professionals from around the globe. The Engineering portfolio is organized by Informa, the world's leading exhibitions organizer that brings a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com. Media Contacts Informa Markets Engineering PR EngineeringPR@informa.com Packaging Digest Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor lisa.pierce@informa.com SOURCE: INFORMA MARKETS - ENGINEERING View the original press release on accesswire.com GROVE, OK / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / Raven Resources Corp. has successfully acquired Grove Electric & Lighting Supply from its owner, Caisha Wholesale Electric. This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Grove Electric, promising a seamless transition and continued commitment to its valued customers and vendors. Jerry Smith, the retiring owner of Grove Electric, expressed his confidence and excitement about the future of the company under new ownership, prior to his recent passing. "Grove Electric has thrived under my leadership, and I am thrilled to see it continue to grow under the guidance of Raven Resources. Paul Scribner and the Raven team have my complete support. Their commitment to excellence and customer service aligns perfectly with our values. I am confident that Grove Electric will continue to thrive and expand its legacy of outstanding service," said Jerry Smith. Paul Scribner, CEO of Raven Resources Corp., shared his enthusiasm about the acquisition. "We are excited to welcome Grove Electric & Lighting Supply to the Raven Resources family. The team at Raven Resources Corp., led by officers Jamie Moss and Steve Kelly, has worked diligently to ensure a smooth transition. We are confident that under our stewardship, and with Tim Williams continuing as manager, Grove Electric will continue to deliver exceptional service and innovative products to its customers." Raven Resources Corp. dedicates itself to unlocking the potential of strategic investments. With a focus on seizing opportunities and reacting to events, Raven Resources actively participates in the growth of its portfolio companies by providing back-office administration, financial direction, management consulting, corporate governance, and brand strategy. Chuck Woolley at Kingsley Group provided sell-side brokerage services to the seller. Derek R. Staub at Frost Brown & Todd and Mike Nichols at Spencer Fane provided legal services to Raven Resources Corp. Logan Hathcoat at Hathcoat Wade provided legal services to Caisha Wholesale Electric. Amanda Kastler, CPA at Elliott Robinson & Co. CPAs provided tax and structural advice to Raven Resources Corp. OakStar Bank provided financing to Raven Resources Corp. for the purchase. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. About Raven Resources Corp. Raven Resources Corp. (RVN) dedicates itself to unlocking the potential of strategic investments. RVN invests in a select number of companies and actively participates in their growth by providing back-office administration, financial direction, management consulting, corporate governance, and brand strategy. Based in Dallas, Texas, RVN specializes in buy-side investing with a focus on seizing opportunities and reacting to events. RVN's investment portfolio encompasses three main categories: real estate, construction and construction materials, and private credit. About Grove Electric & Lighting Supply Grove Electric & Lighting Supply (Grove), in operation for approximately 27 years, offers a comprehensive range of electrical supplies essential for daily use by both residential and commercial contractors, as well as individual customers. The dedicated staff at Grove, in place for over 17 years, prioritizes understanding and anticipating customer needs, ensuring exceptional service by maintaining a well-stocked inventory. Contact Information Jamie Moss Chief Administrative Officer jmoss@rvn.rs +1 (913) 667-0330 SOURCE: Raven Resources Corp. View the original press release on newswire.com. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / Cisco Systems Inc.: Native American students perform two to three grade levels below their white peers in reading and mathematics, and they are twice as likely to drop out of school.1 But this didn't stop Lance West from earning his college degree in secondary education, even after the birth of his son at 17. Now he's the principal of his tribe's elementary school in Walker River Reservation, Nevada, with a drive to provide a positive educational experience for his students. Knowing Nevadan math scores were the lowest in the country, Lance sought a way to engage his classes outside of the current curriculum. So, he turned to Code.org. Founder and CEO Hadi Partovi believes every student in every school should have the chance to learn computer science. Nonprofit Code.org reaches these students with a combination of creating online courses and training existing teachers to teach their own coding classes. Cisco partners with Code.org, helping the foundation provide these courses on their website for free. And with intense global interest in AI, computer science is more relevant than ever before. To spark that computer science interest with Native American Code.org users, product manager Amy Woodman developed a "Star Quilt" module alongside a fellow indigenous teacher. For Lance, the difference in engagement was night and day. "I saw how students were engaged and hands-on from literally day one," says Lance, whose favorite reaction to hear from his students is, "This is easy!" Click the above BBC StoryWorks video to learn more about the Star Quilt module and its impact on Lance's students. Explore the many online courses Code.org has to offer by visiting their website and learn more on how Code.org is helping educators embrace AI in the classroom at TeachAI.org. For more information about Cisco and their successful mission to impact one billion people, visit One Billion Lives. Explore the many online courses Code.org has to offer by visiting their website and learn more on how Code.org is helping educators embrace AI in the classroom at TeachAI.org. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cisco Systems Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Cisco Systems Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cisco-systems-inc: Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Cisco Systems Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - Tony G Co-Investment Holdings Ltd. (CSE: TONY) (the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of up to $5,160,000 through the issuance of up to 12,000,000 common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") at a price of $0.43 per Common Share. Gross proceeds raised from the Offering will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. Closing of the Offering is subject to receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the approval of Canadian Securities Exchange. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance and the resale rules of applicable securities legislation. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons as defined under applicable United States securities laws unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. This press release contains "forward-looking statements", within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Tony G Co-Investment Holdings Ltd. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" "plans", "estimates" or "intends" or stating that certain actions, events or results " may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to materially differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include, but are not limited to the Company's intention to defend the litigation with the Fund, the Company's liability under the Debenture and the above-mentioned litigation. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to materially differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements relating to the Loan and the Company's business strategy, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, that the litigation referred to herein will be resolved in a manner that is unfavourable to the Company (including any judgment, award or settlement of the litigation that results in the Company incurring liability, costs or expenses that, in the aggregate, exceed the share issuance costs of the Conversion Shares), the Company is required to issue shares other than the Conversion Shares or pay any amount to the plaintiff in defending, resolving, or in connection with, such litigation, and other related matters, or other factors set forth in the Company's publicly filed documents under its profiles at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statement prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. None of the Canadian Securities Exchange or its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228584 SOURCE: Tony G Co-Investment Holdings Ltd. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - CoStar Group (CSGP) announced Friday an agreement with research and consulting firm Gartner, Inc. (IT) to take back-office space previously leased by Gartner in Arlington, Virginia. Located at 1201 Wilson Boulevard, the building is a 552,000 square foot trophy office tower with LEED Platinum certification.CoStar Group purchased the property earlier this year with the intention of relocating its Washington, DC employees to Arlington as part of a corporate headquarters transition.Gartner will cede 11 floors in 1201 Wilson Boulevard to secure CoStar Group's corporate headquarters relocation in early 2025.As part of the deal, Gartner paid CoStar Group a $48 million early termination fee and signed a new lease for approximately 49,000 square feet on floors 11 and 12 at 1201 Wilson Boulevard for a term through December 2032 at prevailing market rates.The deal unlocks sufficient space at 1201 Wilson Boulevard to allow CoStar Group to relocate its headquarters from Washington, DC in early 2025.With the Company's current lease in Washington, DC set to expire in 2025, CoStar Group assessed more than 25 viable sites across Washington, DC, Rosslyn, Crystal City and Tyson's Corner before selecting 1201 Wilson Boulevard.1201 Wilson Boulevard is located directly above the Rosslyn Metro offering excellent access to Ronald Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport and transportation, including five major road networks, from around the greater Washington DC area.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. ARLINGTON (dpa-AFX) - BAE Systems plc (BA.L) announced Friday it has signed a contract with the Dutch Materiel and IT Command (COMMIT) for eight Bofors 40Mk4 naval gun systems for the Royal Netherlands and Belgian Navies. The new naval gun capabilities bring advanced firepower to two European Navy allies.The contract is part of the anti-submarine warfare frigates program - a joint venture between the Netherlands and Belgian Navies - and provides both countries with two frigates each and two naval gun systems per frigate.The contract includes installation, training, documentation, spares and tools with an option for BAE Systems' 3P programmable ammunition and additional guns for training purposes. The first gun is scheduled for delivery in 2026.The Bofors 40Mk4 is a compact and lightweight naval gun system designed for anti-aircraft and anti-surface warfare operations. It can switch seamlessly among ammunition types, which delivers versatile targeting of air, land and sea-based threats.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. With this transaction worth $1.06 billion, Sofidel Group increases its production capacity by 25% (340,000 metric tons per year) and improves its geographic coverage in the United States, creating the conditions to meet additional demand and grow further. Sofidel, a global leading manufacturer of paper for hygienic and household use, known particularly in Italy and Europe for its Regina brand, has finalized the acquisition of the tissue division of Clearwater Paper Corporation ("CLW Tissue"). The agreement had been announced last July 22. All regulatory approvals have been obtained. The transaction, the largest carried out in the Group's history, represents a strategic step in Sofidel's journey. Thanks to the acquisition of four production plants Shelby (North Carolina), Lewiston (Idaho), Las Vegas (Nevada) and Elwood (Illinois) and the integration of about 1,700 employees, Sofidel increases its production capacity by 25% (340,000 metric tons per year), expands its commercial offerings (two out of the six paper mill machines acquired are TAD Through Air Drying machines, a technology widely used in the United States, particularly in the kitchen towel segment), and optimizes its geographic coverage. "This transaction makes Sofidel the fourth largest tissue paper manufacturer in North America, and strengthens its leadership in the Private Label sector, a market that is growing further. A step that brings the goal of having equivalent revenues on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean much closer. A crucial acquisition for the future of Sofidel as a whole", said Luigi Lazzareschi, Sofidel CEO. "Today marks the completion of the largest acquisition in our Group's history, a goal we have envisioned for years. We can proudly say that we were ready to seize the opportunity when it arose", said Edilio Stefani, Sofidel Chairman. Meanwhile, Sofidel is pursuing other consolidation and development plans in the North American market. It is doing so at the Circleville (Ohio) plant, where it is working on increasing paper mill capacity by 50%, and at the Duluth (Minnesota) plant, which will be equipped with converting lines and a new automated warehouse. Sofidel Group The Sofidel Group, headquartered in Porcari (Lucca, Italy), is one of the leading manufacturers of paper for hygienic and household use worldwide. Established in 1966, the Group is active in 13 countries, 12 in Europe and the United States (11 States), with over 8,500 employees and a production capacity of 1,850,000 metric tons per year (these numbers also include the acquisition of ST Paper and CLW Tissue in 2024. In 2023, the Group had net sales of 3,129 million Euros (2023). "Regina", its most well-known brand, is present on almost all the reference markets. Other brands include: Sopalin, Le Trefle, Hakle, Softis, Nalys, Cosynel, KittenSoft, Nicky and Papernet. Sofidel is committed to reaching Net-Zero carbon emissions by the end of 2050. www.sofidel.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241031411494/en/ Contacts: Fabio Vitali Sofidel America Corp. Vice President Marketing Mobile: (215) 429-0795 E-mail: Fabio.Vitali@sofidel.com Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - On 1 October, the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) embarked on a new era as it transitioned into a statutory body. In just 30 days since this transformation, the CIU has swiftly established itself as a proactive and high-performing entity, achieving 30 critical milestones that underscore its commitment to efficiency, transparency, and service excellence. These accomplishments lay a strong foundation for the Unit's ongoing mission to enhance the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) experience for stakeholders and drive economic growth for St. Kitts and Nevis. These wins included changes within the Unit and beyond. His Excellency Calvin St. Juste celebrates 30 wins in 30 days. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10480/228564_68b5e0ff34e78803_001full.jpg The Unit's Board of Governors established a strong team within the Unit and strengthened Unit employment and operations. While setting a new ten-week target for decision-making on applications, the Unit has also made great strides in streamlining application processing. Beyond the Unit's walls, the Chairman of the Board of Governors, His Excellency Calvin St. Juste, has embarked upon a world tour to engage with Authorised Agents (AAs), International Marketing Agents (IMAs), the media, and beyond. Setting forth crucial regulation changes, the Chairman and the Board are serious about delivering change even within the shortest of timeframes to maintain St. Kitts and Nevis' CBI Programme's market leadership. Chairman St. Juste noted the flurry of activity in the first 30 days, outlining his continued commitment to the excellence of the Unit. 'Our first 30 days as a statutory body have been a period of intense activity and rewarding achievements. Each initiative we've accomplished aims to create a seamless, efficient process for applicants and deliver exceptional service to stakeholders. We are committed to leading this Unit with innovation, responsiveness, and purpose to reflect the excellence St. Kitts and Nevis stands for,' he said. Operational and management transformation and transparency Since the Unit was restructured, the highly qualified and effective Board of Governors has been actively engaged to bring about efficient change. From the first day of operations, the Unit filled necessary roles with qualified personnel, after receiving over 1000 applications. Moving from a reactive problem-solving entity to a proactive Unit, the CIU has aimed to maintain the most effective operations. Accordingly, the team set up a C-Suite and created the Office of the Chairman to more effectively govern the Unit's functions. Prioritising customer experience, the Unit has streamlined processing to facilitate a ten-week turnaround on application decision-making. Fittingly, the Unit set up a Task Force to address the backlog of pending files and has updated application forms. Compounding this commitment to customer service, the Unit implemented a 24-hour response time while also creating a Communications Division, ensuring the effective and accurate dissemination of information. New, cutting-edge technology will be implemented to track the processing of files, keeping the CIU ahead of the curve. Above all, the Unit aims to enhance performance to keep St. Kitts and Nevis' CBI offering competitive. Fittingly, the Unit has already seen increased applications leading to increased revenue. Communication and Engagement with AAs and Promoters Internal changes are beneficial, but the Unit understands the importance of showing the world exactly what the CIU is capable of. Accordingly, Chairman St. Juste embarked upon a world tour to have discussions with all relevant industry and media personnel. AAs, IMAs and Promoters have a vital role in supporting the transformation of the Unit. Therefore, in the first 30 days of the new Unit, the Chairman held a series of meetings in various locations with these important individuals. The Chairman kicked off the first in-person "Meet and Greet" with Authorised Agents in St. Kitts, closely followed with a virtual "Meet and Greet" with International Marketing Agents and Promoters meeting. Committed to connecting with the global market, the Chairman convened a global roadshow, starting in the United Arab Emirates, to reaffirm the Unit's undertaking to deliver on its promises. In Dubai, the Unit held a distinguished private CBI agents' dinner, along with holding private CBI agents and promoters' lunches and presentations in Beijing and Shanghai. The Unit also held a private agent and promoters' dinner in Shenzhen. This roadshow culminated with the Chairman headlining the Global Citizen Week in Miami and starting the USA roadshow with the Annual Private Wealth Latin America & Caribbean Forum. Following multiple face-to-face agent and promoter meetings across the globe, the Unit has personally interacted with circa 500 agents, promoters and industry professionals. Engagement with the media as global leaders The Chairman has participated in podcasts with top Middle East publishing houses, Khaleej Times and Gulf News, showing support for both traditional and newer, digital forms of media. Indicating the importance of the China market, the Chairman has also been interviewed by top China media outlets, namely the China Financial Times and Sina Media. Beyond the interviews, the Unit has made headlines for its excellence even within the first 30 days. St. Kitts and Nevis' top ranking in the 2024 CBI Index garnered worldwide acclaim. Regulation changes for Good Governance Finally, the Unit is clear in its focus on safeguarding the integrity of the CBI Programme. Therefore, the Unit set forth new amendments to its 'First and Finest' CBI Programme, by amending the CSI Regulations 2024, which came into force in July 2024. The Amendment Regulations give details on the Technical Committee, which will be responsible for maintaining the overall standards of the St. Kitts and Nevis CBI Programme while ensuring that only legitimate individuals are provided with the alternative citizenship of the reputed Federation. To ensure that the Programme stays competitive and relevant, the Amendment Regulations include a change in the minimum investment amounts for the two real estate investment options. The minimum real estate investment in an Approved Development has now shifted from US$400,000 to US$325,000. The minimum investment in Approved Private Real Estate for a condominium unit or share in a real estate development has changed from US$400,000 to US$325,000 and the minimum investment in a single-family private dwelling home has been moved from US$800,000 to US$600,000. Keeping the Programme watertight, there is also a new requirement for oversight of any Approved Development under the CBI Programme by chartered surveyors from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Priding itself upon being a family-friendly CBI Programme, the Board of Governors recognised the importance of including the post-citizenship addition of newborns at a reduced fee of US$7,500. In a similar vein, the Amendment Regulations decrease the minimum age for eligible dependent parents from 65 to 55 years of age. Moving Forward with a Vision for Sustainability The Unit is working closely with the Government to ensure that its operations align with and support the goals of the Sustainable Island Agenda, embodying a commitment to long-term environmental, economic, and social resilience for St. Kitts and Nevis. To showcase the efforts, the Unit even unveiled the dates for the 2025 Investment Gateway Summit, set to be held from 31 May to 3 June 2025. In line with the Chairman's six principles that has been the bedrock to motivate this change, it is evident that the Board of Governors of the St. Kitts and Nevis Programme have fully embodied the six principles being: transparency, communication, good governance, transformation, global leadership and sustainability - delivering on each of these points. With so many achievements within the first 30 days, it is clear that the revitalised CIU is on track for a stellar year - continuing the excellence of the 40-year strong CBI Programme. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228564 SOURCE: St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Fairfax County, Virginia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - Earlier today, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that CMC Electronics, a leading global avionics manufacturer headquartered in Montreal, Canada, will invest $5 million to establish a new office and research and development facility in Reston, Virginia. The new facility will create 89 new jobs over the coming years and is expected to expand employment opportunities as operations increase over time. "We are excited to be opening our third office in Reston, Virginia. This expansion marks an important milestone for CMC Electronics, positioning us closer to one of the world's largest defense markets and enhances our ability to serve our customers across the United States. This new office will enable us to attract top-tier talent, accelerate innovation, and deliver even greater value to our customers. By expanding our presence, we are reinforcing our commitment to growth and continuing to provide cutting-edge avionics solutions that meet the evolving needs of the aerospace and defense industries. We are thrilled to be joining the vibrant Reston community and are excited about the opportunities this expansion brings-for our team, our partners, and our customers. We look forward to continuing our mission of pushing the boundaries of avionics excellence," stated Pierre Rossignol, President of CMC Electronics. CMC Electronics (cmcelectronics.ca) has achieved an international reputation for innovation and excellence in the design and manufacture of advanced avionics, display solutions and high-performance optoelectronics for military and commercial aviation markets. "CMC Electronics' decision to invest $5 million and establish its new facilities in Fairfax County underscores Virginia's position as a leader in aerospace innovation," said Governor Glenn Youngkin. "This creation of new high-tech jobs demonstrates the strength of our Commonwealth's talent pipeline and our commitment to fostering cutting-edge industries. Virginia's pro-business climate and strategic location continue to attract global companies like CMC Electronics, further solidifying our role in shaping the future of aviation technology." Supported by an experienced engineering team, CMC Electronics offers fully integrated civil and defense capabilities with comprehensive certification support. Based in Montreal, Canada, the company also has a presence in Sugar Grove, Illinois. CMC Electronics will locate its new operations in the Reston area of Fairfax County. "I am thrilled that CMC Electronics has chosen Reston as the location for their U.S. expansion and continued global growth," said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. "CMC Electronics choosing Fairfax County is yet another testament to how business-friendly policies, a robust talent pipeline that supports innovation, and our unmatched quality of life is a winning combination for maintaining our status as the premiere destination for starting, locating and growing your business." Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) worked with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to secure the project for Fairfax County and Virginia. Governor Youngkin approved a $300,000 grant from the Commonwealth's Opportunity Fund to assist Fairfax County with the project. The company is eligible for benefits from the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit for new, full-time jobs created. Funding and services to support the company's employee recruitment and training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP). "We are honored to welcome CMC Electronics to Fairfax County," said Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of FCEDA. "Their U.S. expansion is taking place at the heart of the Dulles Tech Corridor which offers national and global connectivity to key industry partners, and strategic access to customers and decision makers. It will be our privilege to continue to support the CMC Electronics team on their future growth." ### About Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) FCEDA promotes Fairfax County as one of the world's top locations for business and talent, and offers site location and business development assistance, and connections with county and state government agencies, to help companies locate and expand in Fairfax County. FCEDA is headquartered in Tysons, Fairfax County's largest business district, and maintains offices in key global business centers: Bangalore/Mumbai, Berlin, London, Los Angeles and Seoul. For more information about FCEDA, visit www.fairfaxcountyeda.org, or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and YouTube. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228585 SOURCE: Fairfax County Economic Development Authority WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced nearly $635 million for 22 small and medium-sized bridge projects in both rural and urban areas in the United States.FHWA allocated $13,395,509 to the National Park Service to replace the Ghiglione Bridge in Alaska; $27,507,200 to the Arizona Department of Transportation for the I-40 Window Rock and Lupton Traffic Interchange Enhancement project in Apache County, Arizona; $43,920,000 to the Arkansas Department of Transportation for the Helena Bridge Rehabilitation project; $13,713,060 to the City of Pueblo for the Union Ave Bridge Replacement project in Colorado; $6 million to the City of Cedar Rapids for the Arc of Justice Bridge Replacement project in Iowa; $38,640,000 to Washington County for the Building Bridges Today Helping Feed America Tomorrow project in Iowa; $69,659,473 to the Maine Department of Transportation for the I-95 Accessibility Improvements Minimizing Heavy-Truck Impacts project; and $34,202,150 to the Michigan Department of Transportation for the Michigan Urban Bridges Revitalization project.'Under the Biden-Harris Administration, more than 11,000 bridges in communities across America are finally getting the repairs they've long needed with funding from our infrastructure law,' said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. 'With the awards we're announcing today, another 22 major projects will move forward, making sure that people and goods can get where they need to go, safely and efficiently.'Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX This announcement does not constitute a prospectus for the purposes of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the "Prospectus Regulation") or, in Switzerland, the Swiss Financial Services Act ("FinSA"), or, in the United Kingdom, the Prospectus Regulation Rules published by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, and investors must subscribe for or purchase any shares referred to in this announcement only on the basis of information contained in the offering memorandum to be published by Art Share 003 S.A. (the "Offering Memorandum") and not in reliance on this announcement. No prospectus, as defined pursuant to the above indicated regulations, will be published. Neither this announcement nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any offer or commitment whatsoever in any jurisdiction. Nothing in this announcement should be interpreted as a term or condition to any offer and nothing contained herein shall form the basis of or be relied upon in connection with, or act as an inducement to enter into any investment activity, any decision to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire, or dispose of, any Offered Shares (as defined below). Any offer to acquire shares in the Company (as defined below) pursuant to the proposed offering will be made, and any investor should make their investment decision, solely on the basis of the information that is contained in the Offering Memorandum which is expected to be published before the admission of the Company's Class B redeemable shares ("Offered Shares") to trading on the multilateral trading system operated by ARTEX Global Markets AG ("ARTEX GM"). A copy of the Offering Memorandum will be made available prior to the commencement of the private placement on the Company's website at https://www.artshare003.com, subject to applicable securities regulations. Art Share 003 S.A. is a public limited liability company (societe anonyme) formed and existing under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, having its registered office at 16, rue E. Ruppert, L-2453 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and registered with the Luxembourg Business Register (R.C.S.) under number B286436 ("Art Share 003" or the "Company"). Art Share 003 is managed by a board of directors which is composed of Mrs Ursula Schmidt, Mr Edouard de Burlet and Mr Ronan Le Bouc. Investing in the Offered Shares is connected with a number of risks including, but not limited to, the financial risk resulting from a decline in the price of the Offered Shares and the potential limited liquidity of the Offered Shares. With all investment decisions it is necessary to define future profit and assess the risk connected with it. Investing in the Offered Shares implies the risk of losing part or all the invested funds, and even the necessity of incurring additional costs. The risk factors set out in the Offering Memorandum should be reviewed, and evaluated in full by any prospective investor prior to making any investment decision. ART SHARE 003 - Extension of the Offer Period of the iconic artwork 'Abstraktes Bild (809-4)' by Gerhard Richter Luxembourg, 1 November 2024 Art Share 003 S.A. (the " Issuer ") announces an extension of the offering launched on 18 September 2024 (" Offer" ), now extended until 8 November 2024. Investors are invited to consult with the Sole Bookrunner for additional details regarding the offer. ") announces an extension of the offering launched on 18 September 2024 (" ), now extended until 8 November 2024. Investors are invited to consult with the Sole Bookrunner for additional details regarding the offer. The Seller has elected to retain an additional 24.99% of the ownership, thus being available to hold up 49.99% shareholding in the issuer if the Private Placement is priced at the minimum of the threshold condition. CONSEQUENTLY THE OFFER STRUCTURE HAS BEEN AMENDED AS ILLUSTRATED ON PAGE 20 OF THE OFFERING MEMORANDUM DATED 31 OCTOBER 2024 TO REFLECT THE ELECTION BY THE SELLER. THE UPDATED OFFERING MEMORANDUM IS AVAILABLE ON THE ISSUER WEBSITE. For questions, subscriptions and requests for assistance in connection with the Initial Offer, investors are invited to contact: Zeus Capital Limited Ben Robertson 125 Old Broad Street, 12th Floor, London, EC2N 1AR www.zeuscapital.co.uk * * * About Art Share 003 S.A. Art Share 003 is a public limited liability company (societe anonyme) incorporated under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg existing as a securitisation undertaking (organisme de titrisation) within the meaning of the Luxembourg law of 22 March 2004 on securitisation, as amended. It has been set-up with the purpose to issue shares, tracking the economic risk associated with the Artwork and any other associated risk within the meaning of article 53 of the Luxembourg law of 22 March 2004 on securitisation, as amended (the "Securitisation Law"), through the issuance of, and financed inter alia by the issuance of the Class B Shares. Art Share 003 was established to facilitate fractional investment in the Artwork through the subscription to the Class B Shares (i.e., conducting a securitisation transaction of the Artwork). The principal activity of Art Share 003 is to hold and securitise the Artwork, Abstraktes Bild (809-4), by Gerhard Richter (the "Artwork"), as well as assuming risks, existing or future, relating to the holding of the Artwork. Its principal activities to date have been limited to organisational activities, including entering into certain agreements (i) for the acquisition of the Artwork and (ii) those necessary for the preparation and execution of the Initial Offer, its admission on the ARTEX Global Markets. Art Share 003 is managed by a board of directors consisting of Mrs Ursula Schmidt, Mr Edouard de Burlet and Mr Ronan Le Bouc. Art Share 003 does not expect to generate revenues or cashflows from lending, for free, the Artwork to cultural institutions such as museums. It will not conduct any business activities, and its only activities shall consist of activities relating to the ownership, maintenance and promotion of the Artwork within the framework of the Securitisation Law and, as such, these activities shall consist of, and be limited to a passive administration of the ownership of the Artwork. The strategy will be to display and promote the Artwork in a manner designed to improve public understanding of it. About ARTEX Global Markets ARTEX Global Markets AG ("ARTEX GM" OR "ARTEX Global Markets") operates a secure and liquid art-focused multilateral trading facility, regulated, and supervised by the Financial Markets Authority of Liechtenstein within the European MiFID II legislative framework. Providing easy access to a traditionally exclusive fine art market, ARTEX GM aims to democratise investing in artworks from the world's greatest masters, spanning a period from the Renaissance to the twentieth century. ARTEX GM-listed masterpieces will be on public display, in museums and exhibitions around the world. ARTEX GM will strive to empower investors by offering the latest news, market insights and educational content to allow wider participation in art investing. ARTEX GM was co-founded in 2020 by art enthusiasts and financial markets experts H.S.H. Prince Wenceslas of Liechtenstein and Yassir Benjelloun-Touimi. ARTEX GM is operated by ARTEX AG, a company incorporated in the Principality of Liechtenstein under company number FL-0002.682.571-2 with registered offices at Wuhrstrasse 6, 9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein. ARTEX GM is regulated by the Financial Markets Authority under reference number 307407. For more information about ARTEX, please visit www.artexgm.com Press contacts France and Global Alienor Miens | Alienor.miens@margie.fr| +33| +33 (0)6 11 84 34 92 DISCLAIMER This document is an announcement and not a prospectus for the purposes of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the "Prospectus Regulation"), and as such does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase securities of the Issuer. These materials do not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for, or otherwise invest in, securities in the United States. The securities mentioned herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"). The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will be no public offer of securities in the United States. In any member state of the European Economic Area, this communication is only addressed to and is only directed at "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation (Regulation ((EU) 2017/1129) ("Qualified Investors"), and no person that is not a Qualified Investor may act or rely on this communication or any of its contents. In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this investor relations news or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations, or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. The Company does not assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release. The information contained in this announcement is for background purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete. No reliance may be placed by any person for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy, fairness, or completeness. This announcement is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into Australia, South Africa, Canada, Japan, New Zealand or the United States (including its territories and possessions, any State of the United States) or any other jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the relevant laws of such jurisdiction. The distribution of this announcement may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions and persons into whose possession any document or other information referred to herein comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Offered Shares may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered under the Securities Act except pursuant to a transaction exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Offer and sale of the Offered Shares has not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or under the applicable securities laws of Australia, South Africa, Canada or Japan and New Zealand. Subject to certain exceptions, the Offered Shares may not be offered or sold in Australia, Canada or Japan, New Zealand or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of Australia, Canada, or Japan. There will be no public offer of the Offered Shares in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United States. In the United Kingdom, this announcement is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, persons who: (A) (i) are "investment professionals" specified in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") and/or (ii) fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (and only where the conditions contained in those Articles have been, or will at the relevant time be, satisfied); and (B) are Qualified Investors as it forms part of retained EU law as defined in the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). In the European Economic Area (the "EEA"), this announcement is addressed only to and directed only at, persons in member states who are Qualified Investors. This announcement must not be acted on or relied on (i) in the United Kingdom, by persons who are not Relevant Persons, and (ii) in any member state of the EEA, by persons who are not Qualified Investors. Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement relates is available only to: (i) in the United Kingdom, Relevant Persons; and (ii) in any member state of the EEA, Qualified Investors, and will be engaged in only with such persons. For the avoidance of doubt, no offer to the public will made in the United Kingdom and no application will be made for the Offered Shares to be traded on a regulated market in the United Kingdom. This announcement may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements may be identified by using forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "estimates", "plans", "projects", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. Forward-looking statements may and often do differ materially from actual results. Any forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current view with respect to future events and are subject to risks relating to future events and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Company's business, results of operations, financial position, liquidity, prospects, growth, and strategies. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Each of the Company and Zeus Capital Limited, expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update, review or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this announcement whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Any subscription or purchase of Offered Shares in the possible Offer should be made solely on the basis of information contained in the Offering Memorandum which may be issued by the Company in connection with the possible Offer. The information in this announcement is subject to change. Before subscribing for or purchasing any Offered Shares, persons viewing this announcement should ensure that they fully understand and accept the risks which will be set out in the Offering Memorandum if published. No reliance may be placed for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy or completeness. Neither this announcement, nor the references herein to the Offering Memorandum, shall form the basis of or constitute any offer, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for any Offered Shares nor shall it (or any part of it) or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract thereof. The Company may decide not to go ahead with the initial offer and there is therefore no guarantee that the admission will occur. You should not base any financial decision on this announcement. Acquiring investments to which this announcement relates may expose an investor to a significant risk of losing all of the amount invested. Persons considering making investments should consult an authorised person specialising in advising on such investments. Neither this announcement, nor the Offering Memorandum referred to herein, constitutes a recommendation concerning the Offer. The value of the Offered Shares can decrease as well as increase. Potential investors should consult a professional advisor as to the suitability of the Offer for the person concerned. None of Zeus Capital Limited or any of its affiliate or any of its or their affiliates' directors, officers, employees, advisers or agents accepts any responsibility or liability whatsoever for/or makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information in this announcement (or whether any information has been omitted from the announcement) or any other information relating to the Company, its subsidiaries or associated companies, whether written, oral or in a visual or electronic form, and howsoever transmitted or made available or for any loss howsoever arising from any use of the announcement or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. Information to distributors in the EEA Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (i) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("MiFID II"); (ii) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (iii) local implementing measures (together the "MiFID II Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, delict, contract or otherwise, which the Company, in its capacity as "manufacturer" for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Offered Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that such Offered Shares are: (a) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II; and (b) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the "Target Market Assessment"). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, "distributors" (for purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) should note that the price of the Offered Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Offered Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection, and an investment in the Offered Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Offer, including the selling restrictions described in "Notice to Investors (Selling Restrictions)". Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, the Placement Agents will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties. For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (i) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of MiFID II; or (ii) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, purchase, subscribe for, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Offered Shares. Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Offered Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels. Information to Distributors in the UK Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements of Chapter 3 of the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the "UK Product Governance Requirements"), and/or any equivalent requirements elsewhere to the extent determined to be applicable, and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, the Company, in its capacity as "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the UK Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Offered Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Offered Shares are: (a) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in Chapter 3 of the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook; and (b) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels (the "U.K. Target Market Assessment"). Notwithstanding the U.K. Target Market Assessment, "distributors" (for the purposes of the UK Product Governance Requirements) should note that: the price of the Offered Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Offered Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Offered Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The U.K. Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Offering. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the U.K. Target Market Assessment, the Placement Agents will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties for the purposes of the U.K. MiFIR Product Governance Rules. For the avoidance of doubt, the U.K. Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (i) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of Chapter 9A or 10A respectively of the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook; or (ii) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Offered Shares. Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Offered Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - Dr. Cynthia Holmes, Dean, Ted Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University, Dr. Seung Hwan (Mark) Lee, Associate Dean, Engagement & Inclusion, students from the Treaty Relations in Business Education (TRIBE) group and volunteers of the Reconciliation in Business conference, joined Kim Barrington, Head, Investor Experience, TMX Group to open the market to promote the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and Reconciliation in Business Conference. Cannot view this video? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvhnDPb1BXc This third annual conference, under the theme of "Indigenous Worldviews: Education to Action" brings together over 200 students, faculty, alumni and corporations to discussion circles designed to foster inclusion and appreciation of Indigenous perspectives and encourage adapting Indigenous ways of knowing in research, education and business. The event will feature an Indigenous marketplace, a traditional feast, research presentations and an Indigenous business case competition. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228587 SOURCE: Toronto Stock Exchange The "Switzerland RegTech Business and Investment Opportunities Databook 50+ KPIs on RegTech Market Size, By Industry, By Technology, By Type of Product, By Deployment, By Product Offering, Market Share Q3 2024 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The regtech industry in Switzerland is expected to grow by 19.1% on annual basis to reach US$310.34 million in 2024. The regtech industry is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 12.4% during 2024-2029. The regtech in the country will increase from US$260.59 million in 2023 to reach US$557.80 million by 2029. This report provides a detailed data centric analysis of regtech industry, covering market opportunities and risks. With over 50+ KPIs at country level, this report provides a comprehensive understanding of regtech market dynamics, market size and forecast, and market share statistics. The RegTech landscape in Switzerland is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements and increasing regulatory pressures. As organizations seek to enhance their compliance capabilities, the demand for innovative RegTech solutions will continue to grow. While regulatory complexity and market fragmentation persist, opportunities for collaboration and growth abound. By embracing advanced technologies and fostering partnerships, the Swiss RegTech sector is well-positioned to become a global leader in regulatory innovation, benefiting organizations, regulators, and consumers. Trends in RegTech Recent trends in Regulatory Technology (RegTech) in Switzerland indicate a robust evolution in compliance solutions, driven by the need for efficiency and adaptability. Key trends include: Integration of Advanced Technologies: Swiss companies that specialize in regulatory technology are increasingly using artificial intelligence and machine learning to make following rules and regulations easier. These technologies enhance data analysis capabilities, enabling organizations to monitor real-time compliance and improve risk management. Regulatory Sandboxes: The Swiss government has established regulatory sandboxes that allow startups to test innovative RegTech solutions in a controlled environment. This initiative fosters innovation while ensuring that new technologies comply with existing regulations. Focus on Data Privacy and Security: Swiss companies focusing on regulatory technology (RegTech) are creating tools to help businesses follow strict data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These solutions help organizations manage sensitive data securely and efficiently. Example A notable example is Apiax, a Swiss RegTech company that provides digital compliance solutions for financial institutions. Their platform simplifies the implementation of regulatory requirements, allowing businesses to automate compliance processes and enhance their operational efficiency. This showcases the innovative applications of RegTech in Switzerland's regulatory landscape. Recent Launches EasyReg's Regulatory Research Platform In 2023, EasyReg, a Swiss RegTech company, launched its innovative regulatory research platform designed to simplify compliance management for financial institutions. The platform provides users with efficient search tools to quickly locate relevant regulations and guidelines, streamlining compliance. EasyReg's platform allows users to access real-time updates on regulatory changes, ensuring that organizations remain compliant with the latest requirements. The tool enhances traceability and collaboration within teams, enabling better regulatory task management. By digitizing compliance workflows, EasyReg aims to reduce the time and resources spent on regulatory research, ultimately improving overall efficiency in compliance management. This launch underscores the growing importance of technology in managing compliance in Switzerland's financial sector. Partnerships and Collaborations Swiss Fintech Association and RegTech Startups In 2023, the Swiss Fintech Association announced a new initiative to foster partnerships between RegTech startups and established financial institutions. This initiative aims to enhance the adoption of innovative compliance solutions and facilitate collaboration within the Swiss financial ecosystem. One notable collaboration involved a partnership between a leading Swiss bank and several RegTech startups focused on improving Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) processes. By leveraging the innovative technologies developed by these startups, the bank aims to enhance its compliance operations and reduce the costs associated with regulatory adherence. This initiative highlights the Swiss Fintech Association's commitment to bridging the gap between innovation and traditional banking practices, ultimately driving the growth of the RegTech sector in Switzerland. Reasons to buy Gain comprehensive Market Insights: Access detailed analyses of RegTech spending across various industries, including banking, healthcare, and retail. This understanding will enable you to allocate budgets effectively and prioritize investments based on market demand. Product and Technology Breakdown: Explore various RegTech products, such as identity verification solutions, compliance management platforms, and fraud detection systems. Insights into the adoption of technologies like AI, blockchain, and RPA will inform your product development and integration strategies. Industry-Specific Applications: Gain tailored insights on how different sectors implement RegTech solutions. By examining industry-specific needs, you can better align your offerings to meet regulatory requirements and enhance operational efficiency. Market Share and Competitive Analysis: Understand the competitive landscape through in-depth market share analysis among RegTech companies. This information will assist in identifying potential partnerships and benchmarking your organization against key market players. Deployment Models and Compliance Focus: Review various deployment options, including on-premise, hybrid, and service models, to determine the best fit for your organization. Additionally, grasp the regulatory landscape to ensure compliance management strategies are both proactive and effective. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 177 Forecast Period 2024 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $310.3 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $557.8 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 12.4% Regions Covered Switzerland Scope Regulatory Compliance Spending Regulatory Compliance Spending By Industry Banking and Financial Services Insurance Healthcare Telecommunications Retail Transportation and Logistics Real Estate Government and Public Sector Other Industries RegTech Spending RegTech Companies Market Share By Type of Products Identity Verification Solutions Compliance Management Platforms Automated Reporting Tools Transaction Monitoring Systems Risk Assessment Tools Fraud Detection Systems Data Protection Technologies Training and E-Learning Platforms Regulatory Intelligence Tools Workflow Automation Solutions Other Products By Industry Banking and Financial Services Insurance Healthcare Telecommunications Retail Transportation and Logistics Real Estate Government and Public Sector Other Industries By Technology Artificial Intelligence (AI) Big Data Analytics Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Blockchain Technology Cloud Computing API Integrations and Biometric Authentication Data Encryption and Security Technologies Data Visualization Tools Other Technology By Industry and Type of Products Banking and Financial Services and Type of Products Identity Verification Solutions Compliance Management Platforms Automated Reporting Tools Transaction Monitoring Systems Risk Assessment Tools Fraud Detection Systems Regulatory Intelligence Tools Workflow Automation Solutions Data Protection Technologies Other Products Insurance and Type of Products Identity Verification Solutions Compliance Management Platforms Automated Reporting Tools Transaction Monitoring Systems Risk Assessment Tools Fraud Detection Systems Data Protection Technologies Other Products Healthcare and Type of Products Compliance Management Platforms Data Protection Technologies Training and E-Learning Platforms Other Products Telecommunications and Type of Products Compliance Management Platforms Data Protection Technologies Other Products Retail and Type of Products Fraud Detection Systems Data Protection Technologies Other Products Transportation and Logistics and Type of Products Transportation and Logistics Compliance Management Platforms Risk Assessment Tools Other Products Real Estate and Type of Products Compliance Management Platforms Workflow Automation Solutions Other Products Government and Public Sector and Type of Products Compliance Management Platforms Regulatory Intelligence Tools Other Products Technology and Type of Products Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology and Type of Products Identity Verification Solutions Fraud Detection Systems Risk Assessment Tools Regulatory Intelligence Tools Other Products Big Data Analytics Technology and Type of Products Compliance Management Platforms Automated Reporting Tools Transaction Monitoring Systems Other Products Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Technology and Type of Products Compliance Management Platforms Workflow Automation Solutions Other Products Blockchain Technology and Type of Products Identity Verification Solutions Automated Reporting Tools Other Products Cloud Computing Technology and Type of Products Compliance Management Platforms Automated Reporting Tools Other Products API Integrations and Biometric Authentication and Type of Products Identity Verification Solutions Automated Reporting Tools Other Products Data Encryption and Security Technologies and Type of Products Protection Technologies Fraud Detection Systems Other Products Data Visualization Tools and Type of Products Regulatory Intelligence Tools Regulatory Reporting Automated Reporting Tools Other Products By Deployment Service Model On-premise Model Hybrid Model By Product Offering Service Solution By Company Size Small Company Medium Company Large Company For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hd04m1 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241101276857/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 AM Best has placed under review with negative implications the Financial Strength Rating of B- (Fair) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "bb-" (Fair) of Ghana Reinsurance PLC (Ghana Re) (Ghana). The Credit Rating (rating) actions follow the delay in Ghana Re providing financial information for 2024. The under review with negative implications status reflects the uncertainty regarding Ghana Re's financial position considering the lack of information related to its performance to date in 2024. The ratings are expected to remain under review with negative implications until AM Best has received 2024 financial information for Ghana Re and subsequently has assessed the company's rating fundamentals in light of this information. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2024 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241101260586/en/ Contacts: Naz Botea, ACA Financial Analyst +44 20 7397 0313 naz.botea@ambest.com Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 christopher.sharkey@ambest.com Kanika Thukral Associate Director, Analytics +44 20 7397 0327 kanika.thukral@ambest.com Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 al.slavin@ambest.com Arlington, Virginia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - Shift5, the observability platform for onboard operational technology (OT), today announced it welcomed Dennis Lu as its Vice President of Value Engineering and Commercial. A veteran of Palantir, Lu will oversee product delivery at Shift5 through its next phase of growth. Shift5 also welcomed Samantha Segall as its Vice President, Head of Government Affairs to shape Shift5's government relations strategy, fostering key partnerships, and advocating for policies that support the company's mission. Shift5 is on a mission to improve the security, availability, and resilience of military and commercial transportation fleets through observability for onboard technology. In his role, Lu will apply his experience from over 12 years within Palantir to further expand Shift5's business across commercial and defense sectors. While at Palantir, Lu led the company's entrance into various sectors, including oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, rail, chemicals, utilities, retail power, shipping and logistics, mining, other industrials, and public health in regions including the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Middle East, and Australia and New Zealand. Lu brings a technical background to Shift5, including two Master's Degrees in Computer Science from Rice University, and a Master's in Business Administration from MIT Sloan School of Management. "Our national security requires that we continue to build and maintain U.S. technological advantage over our adversaries. Shift5 brings a novel contribution to national security and our industrial base at a unique moment in time," said Shift5's Dennis Lu, VP of Value Engineering and Commercial. "Shift5 unlocks a new source of data that has the capability to transform the Department of Defense, aerospace, rail, maritime, and other industries. I'm excited by the opportunity to contribute to realizing the potential of this data for our customers." Shift5's VP of Government Affairs, Segall, joins the company from her role as Vice President, Head of Government & Public Affairs at Datavant where she helped shape key legislation and managed large-scale legislative initiatives. With nineteen years of experience working with large enterprises and startups, policy associations, the Executive Branch and Congress, Segall has built comprehensive federal, state and local advocacy strategies for diverse multi-billion dollar business portfolios. Segall was named a Top Lobbyist by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics (NILE) in 2024 and 2020, and brings with her a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business. "Shift5 is building a smarter, safer, and more secure world supported by modernized defense and commercial transportation fleets. As we expand, it's critical that we bring in experts who've driven growth, innovation, and operational excellence throughout their career," said Josh Lospinoso, CEO and co-founder, Shift5. "We warmly welcome Dennis and Samantha, and look forward to their leadership as we help to overhaul the world's critical fleet infrastructure for the 21st century." Shift5 is the observability platform for onboard operational technology (OT), enabling smarter, faster decisions through real-time data access, contextual insights, and actionable analytics at the edge for defense, aerospace, maritime, and rail fleets. Shift5 unlocks the complete ecosystem of onboard data for operations, maintenance, and cybersecurity teams for the first time, enabling real-time decision intelligence through complete onboard data access and observability from the asset level to fleet scale. Shift5 delivers modern OT solutions to ensure the security, availability, safety, resilience, and reliability of today's fleets and tomorrow's next-gen assets. About Shift5 Shift5 is the dual use, subscription-based observability platform for onboard operational technology (OT), enabling smarter, faster decisions through real-time data access, contextual insights, and actionable analytics at the edge for aerospace, rail, maritime, and defense. Created by officers who stood up U.S. Army Cyber Command and pioneered modern weapons system cyber assessments, Shift5 defends commercial and military fleets as well as weapon systems against operational failures and OT cybersecurity risks. Household name aviation companies, U.S. railroads, and fleets within the U.S. military rely on Shift5 for the security, availability, safety, resilience, and reliability of today's fleets and tomorrow's next-generation assets. For more information, visit shift5.io. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228510 SOURCE: Shift5 Penn Park Capital Management Secures 750 Million in Discretionary Mandates from Leading European Pension Funds, with Further Commitments Already Scheduled for 2025. LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / Penn Park Capital Management is pleased to announce that several prominent European pension funds have entrusted the firm with discretionary mandates totaling approximately 750 million, with an additional 1.3 billion commitment anticipated for 2025. Under these mandates, Penn Park will manage assets on behalf of several major pension funds, providing comprehensive investment management and strategic advisory services designed to maximize value and optimize returns in line with each fund's unique objectives. Record-Breaking Year Driven by Strong Investment Performance This milestone comes amid one of Penn Park Capital's most successful years, fueled by the strong performance of the firm's managed funds and private equity strategies, particularly in high-growth sectors such as Private Space Exploration, Telecommunications, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). By capitalizing on opportunities in these transformative areas, Penn Park has achieved returns that have outpaced all major index funds, underscoring the firm's ability to consistently generate value in emerging markets. Expansion of Investment Reach Across Innovative Sectors With this significant new capital under management, Penn Park is well-positioned to expand its investment reach across cutting-edge sectors, enabling institutional and retail investors alike to achieve targeted returns and strategic growth. This additional funding will support the firm's mission to provide clients with superior, research-driven investment strategies that align with both long-term trends and immediate growth opportunities. Client Acquisition Drive for the Final Quarter of 2024 Building on this year's record performance, Penn Park is also launching a major client acquisition drive for the final quarter of 2024. To support growing demand from both institutional and retail clients, the firm is expanding its team, strengthening its capacity to deliver high-quality service and personalized investment solutions. "We are honored to manage these discretionary assets on behalf of leading European pension funds," said Mr. Michael Horsham, Head of Business Development at Penn Park Capital Management. "Their confidence reflects our track record and expertise, particularly in the private equity sector, where we have consistently identified and leveraged transformative opportunities. This year's results validate the strength of our investment approach, and we look forward to supporting our clients with innovative, performance-oriented solutions." Strategic Team Growth to Meet Increasing Demand Looking ahead, the additional capital commitments anticipated for 2025 will allow Penn Park to deepen its focus on managed funds, private equity, and high-growth sectors with strong return potential. The firm remains dedicated to delivering value-driven strategies tailored to the specific goals of each discretionary mandate, ensuring these pension funds benefit from sophisticated, research-focused asset management. In response to increased client demand, Penn Park Capital is strategically expanding its team, adding experienced portfolio managers, analysts, and client service professionals. This growth will enable the firm to maintain its high standard of personalized service while meeting the needs of an ever-growing client base. About Penn Park Capital Management Penn Park Capital Management is a leading European wealth management firm and fund manager, specializing in privately managed funds and private equity financing to provide clients with access to some of today's most promising sectors and asset classes. With a strong commitment to innovative, strategic investment solutions, Penn Park Capital serves both institutional and retail clients seeking superior returns and a forward-thinking approach to wealth management. For media inquiries, please contact: Esme Mcalley-Burnside Media and PR Manager Penn Park Capital Management Email: esme.burnside@pennparkcapital.com Web: www.pennparkcapital.com Phone: Tel: +44(0)20 3773 7888 SOURCE: Penn Park Capital Management Limited View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - Fremont Gold Ltd. (TSXV: FRE) (OTCQB: FRERF) (FSE: FR20) ("Hayasa" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") has approved the Company's name change from Fremont Gold Ltd. to Hayasa Metals Inc. At the opening of the markets on November 6, 2024, the Company's common shares will commence trading under the new name Hayasa Metals Inc. and the new stock symbol "HAY". The Company's new CUSIP number is 420634107 and its new ISIN number is CA4206341071. The name change was approved by a resolution of the board of directors of the Company on September 13, 2024. There is no consolidation of the Company's share capital in connection with the name change. As a result, shareholders are not required to exchange their existing share certificates for new certificates bearing the Company's new name. The name change does not affect the Company's share structure or the rights of the Company's shareholders, and no further action is required by existing shareholders. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/228601_801f25a6d40d18cf_001full.jpg The Board felt a name change was necessary to more closely associate the company with Armenia and our flagship properties: Vardenis and Urasar. "We are particularly pleased that we continue to prioritize our capital into the drill bit, and as such did not spend much at all on the rebranding effort. While some wags may have their own interpretation of the logo, we think we got a pretty decent result and we look forward to the new website launch on or about Nov. 6," said Joel Sutherland, CEO. The Company also announces that all resolutions were passed at its annual general meeting of shareholders held in Vancouver on October 22, 2024 (the "AGM"). All of the nominees for election as directors of the Company listed in the Company's information circular dated September 13, 2024, were re-elected for the ensuing year and the number of directors was fixed at five. Accordingly, Joel Sutherland, Dennis Moore, Michael Williams, Randall Chatwin, and Jason Libenson were all elected as directors of the Company. DeVisser Gray LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, were re-appointed as auditors for the Company for the ensuing year. The Company's omnibus equity compensation plan (the "Omnibus Plan") was also approved at the AGM. The Omnibus Plan includes the ability to issue stock options ("Options"), restricted share units ("RSUs"), performance share units ("PSUs"), and deferred share units ("DSUs", and together with Options, RSUs, PSUs, the "Awards"). The maximum number of common shares which may be issued in respect of Options will not exceed 10% of the total number of issued common shares at the time an Option is granted and the aggregate number of common shares which may be issued in respect of RSUs, PSUs, and DSUs (collectively, the "Performance Based Awards") will not exceed 5,818,809. The Omnibus Plan has a "rolling" limit in connection with Option grants as the number of common shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the grant of Options will automatically increase as the Company's issued and outstanding share capital increases. The Omnibus Plan will replace the Company's existing stock option plan. Any Options currently issued and outstanding pursuant to the Company's existing stock option plan will continue to be exercisable but will be governed by the Omnibus Plan. The Company does not have any Performance Based Awards issued and outstanding. A copy of the Omnibus Plan and further details are included in the Company's management information circular prepared for the Meeting and filed under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.com. About Fremont Gold Ltd. The Company's mine-finding management team has a track record of creating shareholder value and has assembled a highly prospective portfolio of potential tier one copper-gold mineral opportunities in the Central Tethyan Mineral Belt in Armenia. The Tethyan Belt is one of the world's most prolific gold, copper and polymetallic mineral belts, yet the Armenian portion of the belt is vastly underexplored. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider, (as the term is defined in the Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228601 SOURCE: Fremont Gold Ltd. Global cloud communications platform Infobip has been named number one among Established Leaders in RCS Business Messaging by analyst firm Juniper Research. In Juniper Research's RCS Business Messaging Competitor Leaderboard 2024, Infobip has been recognized for its superior product and positioning, and enhanced capacity and capability. Juniper Research scores vendors on a range of factors including but not limited to their geographical reach, depth of partnerships, RCS value-added services, notable RCS deployments and innovation. The analyst ranked Infobip as the number one provider from 17 vendors because of its strong presence in the global messaging sector and its RCS deployments in regions where the analyst believes growth will occur. Infobip is the first communications platform in America to have an active RCS platform connected with telecom providers. It connects to telco Verizon and will soon add further carriers. Juniper Research notes Infobip offers value-added services that support its messaging portfolio, including its conversational AI, People CDP, and CPaaS X solutions. "Its RCS MaaP layer for telecoms is particularly strong, and alongside its wide-spread relationships with mobile operators globally, this will support the growth of RCS business messaging on a large scale," notes Juniper Research. Silvio Kutic, CEO at Infobip, said: "RCS is the next SMS and provides a rich experience natively available on consumers' phones. With Apple now supporting RCS, it has universal availability. As a result, RCS Business Messaging users and traffic will grow over the next five years As pioneers in global omnichannel communications, we lead the market with innovative solutions, as our ranking in Juniper's RCS Business Messaging Leaderboard demonstrates." Infobip introduced its RCS Business Messaging Solution to enable Mobile Network Operators and enterprises to create memorable customer experiences with rich conversational messages. It has also integrated AI capabilities, including Google Vertex AI, to enable businesses and brands to access conversational AI and AI-enabled chatbots on RCS Business Messaging. Access the report at: https://www.infobip.com/analyst-reports/infobip-recognized-as-rcs-business-messaging-leader-by-juniper-research About Infobip Infobip is a global cloud communications platform that enables businesses to build connected experiences across all stages of the customer journey. Accessed through a single platform, Infobip's omnichannel engagement, identity, user authentication and contact centre solutions help businesses and partners overcome the complexity of consumer communications to grow business and increase loyalty. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241031873549/en/ Contacts: Steve Christensen steve@christensenpr.com ARIA is Recognized for its Positive Impact on Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction MONTREAL, Nov. 01, 2024, a pioneer in autonomous and generative AI building technology, is thrilled to announce that its latest innovation, ARIA, has been recognized by TIME as one of the 2024 Best Inventions, in the Sustainability category. This honor acknowledges ARIA's groundbreaking contribution to reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings worldwide. TIME's annual list highlights the 200 most innovative products and services that make the world better, smarter, and more sustainable. ARIA was selected for its transformative first-of-its-kind approach leveraging generative AI technology to enhance building efficiency. By using a building's data and offering a 360-degreee view of the facility, including its systems, components, and sources of energy, ARIA assists building operators to make holistically informed decisions when optimizing the operations and overall efficiency of their building. "The validation that our technology first received in 2020 as part of this esteemed list, stood as a global endorsement of our mission to continue pushing boundaries with our forward-thinking approach of using novel AI technology in buildings to fight against climate change" said Jean-Simon Venne, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at BrainBox AI. "With this incredible achievement, ARIA marks a bold new chapter in our mission to revolutionize smart building solutions. Being recognized once again by TIME fuels our commitment to driving sustainability in the built environment, and we are both humbled and proud to lead this journey". To compile this year's list, TIME solicited nominations from TIME editors and correspondents around the world, and through an online application process, paying special attention to growing fields such as health care, AI, and green energy. TIME then evaluated each contender on a number of key factors, including originality, efficacy, ambition, and impact. Of the new list, TIME's editors write: "The result is a list of 200 groundbreaking inventions (and 50 special mention inventions)-including the world's largest computer chip, a humanoid robot joining the workforce, and a bioluminescent houseplant-that are changing how we live, work, play, and think about what's possible." ARIA, the world's first virtual building engineer, is the next evolution of BrainBox AI's technology for commercial real estate. Launched in March 2024, it is powered by the latest generative AI technology available through Amazon Bedrock. Much like the legendary partnership between Iron Man and Jarvis, ARIA introduces groundbreaking technology and innovation, positioning itself as an indispensable ally for facility managers. ARIA works seamlessly with existing building systems to optimize energy use in real-time, learning from occupant behavior and external environmental conditions. Together with BrainBox AI's core AI Building Optimization technology, ARIA has a momentous impact on building operations management, reducing HVAC energy costs by up to 25% and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40%. This innovation not only addresses the industry's growing demand for energy-efficient solutions but also aligns with global sustainability goals for the built environment. In fact, according to the IEA, commercial buildings account for approximately 38% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually, underscoring the need for BrainBox AI's suite of decarbonization solutions, which directly addresses this challenge and supports building owners in their journey toward net zero and carbon neutrality. As part of the TIME Best Inventions list, ARIA will be featured alongside other world-changing innovations. The recognition highlights the importance of sustainability in today's global landscape and underlines BrainBox AI's role as a leader in this field. BrainBox AI is dedicated to continuing the advancement of AI-driven solutions that have a meaningful impact on energy efficiency and climate change. BrainBox AI invites you to discover and experience ARIA firsthand through these engaging short videos. The full 2024 TIME Best Inventions list is available here. About BrainBox AI Founded in 2017, BrainBox AI was created to address the dilemma currently facing the built environment: its energy consumption and significant contribution to climate change. As innovators of the global energy transition, BrainBox AI's game-changing HVAC technology leverages autonomous AI to make buildings smarter, greener and more efficient. Working together with our trusted global partners, BrainBox AI supports real estate clients in various sectors, including office buildings, hotels, commercial retail, grocery stores, airports and more. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, a global AI hub, our workforce of over 190 employees, bring with them talent from all sectors with the common thread of being in business to heal our planet. BrainBox AI works in collaboration with research partners including MILA - Quebec AI Institute, the Institute for Data Valorization. Contact Liz Culley-Sullo Director, Public Relations l.culley-sullo@brainboxai.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - Summa Silver Corp. (TSXV: SSVR) (OTCQX: SSVRF) (FSE: 48X) ("Summa" or the "Company" ) is pleased to announce the closing of its previously announced brokered offering (the "Offering") of units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.40 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,483,000, including a partial exercise of the agents' option. The Offering was completed under a combined Listed Issuer Financing Exemption ("LIFE") private placement and concurrent private placement to accredited investors ("Private Placement"). The Offering was led by Research Capital Corporation and Eventus Capital Corp. as the co-lead agents and joint bookrunners, on behalf of a syndicate of agents, including Eight Capital (collectively, the "Agents"). Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant shall be exercisable to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.55 per Common Share until November 1, 2026. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for further exploration work on the Company's projects and for general working capital purposes. As part of the Offering, 12,500,000 Units ("LIFE Units") were sold to purchasers pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions in all provinces of Canada, except Quebec, and other qualifying jurisdictions, including the United States. In addition, 3,707,500 Units ("Accredited Investor Units") were sold to accredited investors under the accredited investor exemption in all provinces of Canada, and other qualifying jurisdictions, including the United States. The LIFE Units offered are immediately "free-trading" under applicable Canadian securities laws. Unless permitted under securities legislation, the Accredited Investor Units cannot be traded before March 2, 2025. In connection with the Offering, the Company paid to the Agents a cash commission of $399,525 and issued to the Agent 998,813 broker warrants (the "Broker Warrants"). In addition, the Agents received an advisory fee of $18,000 and 45,000 advisory broker warrants on the same terms as the Broker Warrants. Each Broker Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.40 per Common Share at any time on or before November 1, 2026. An insider of the Company subscribed for 68,000 LIFE Units for gross proceeds of $27,200 under the Offering. Participation by insiders of the Company in the Offering constitutes a related-party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The issuance of securities is exempt from the formal valuation requirements of Section 5.4 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 as the common shares of the Company are listed on the TSX-V. The issuance of securities is also exempt from the minority approval requirements of Section 5.6 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.7(1)(b) of MI 61-101 as the fair market value was less than $2,500,000. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. About Summa Silver Corp Summa Silver Corp is a junior mineral exploration company. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Hughes project located in central Nevada and in the Mogollon project located in southwestern New Mexico. The high-grade past-producing Belmont Mine, one of the most prolific silver producers in the United States between 1903 and 1929, is located on the Hughes project. The Mogollon project is the largest historic silver producer in New Mexico. Both projects have remained inactive since commercial production ceased and neither have seen modern exploration prior to the Company's involvement. Follow Summa Silver on Twitter: @summasilver LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/summa-silver-corp/ Website: https://www.summasilver.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements This news release contains certain "forward looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. These forward-looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the use of proceeds of the Offering. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual actions, events or results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: the requirement for regulatory approvals; enhanced uncertainty in global financial markets; unquantifiable risks related to government actions and interventions; stock market volatility; regulatory restrictions; the ongoing conflict in Ukraine; and other related risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's public disclosure documents. Forward-looking information are based on management of the parties' reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on such management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228606 SOURCE: Summa Silver Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - Akwaaba Mining Ltd. (TSXV: AML) ("Akwaaba" or the "Company") today announced the resignation of Alex Heath from the Company's Board of Directors. Allan Green, CEO and Director commented: "We thank Mr. Heath for his contributions to the Company and wish him the best in his future endeavors" FORWARD-LOOKING AND OTHER CAUTIONARY INFORMATION Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain 'forward-looking information' and 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of applicable securities laws. This release may contain statements that are forward-looking statements and are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on information currently available. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this release. The Company does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228631 SOURCE: Akwaaba Mining Ltd. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Oil futures pared early gains and settled modestly higher on Friday, amid concerns about tensions in the Middle East after a report said Iran is planning further attacks on Israel.Some positive Chinese data helped a bit in pushing up oil prices. China's manufacturing activity returned to growth in October as companies ramped up production and purchasing to meet higher demand amid improving confidence, survey results from S&P Global showed today.The Caixin manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 50.3 in October from 49.3 in September.Recent data showing an unexpected drop in U.S. crude inventories last week supported oil prices. Oil prices were also supported by reports saying that OPEC+ may delay adding 180,000 barrels of oil monthly from December.West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for December ended higher by $0.23 or 0.33% at $69.49 a barrel, well off the day's high of $71.45 a barrel.Brent crude futures settled at $73.10 a barrel today, gaining $0.29 or about 0.4%.According to reports, Iran is planning an attack on Israel, using drones and missiles launched from Iraq. It is feared that any attack by Iran could trigger a wider conflict that might disrupt crude supply from the Middle East.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - Spark Energy Minerals Inc. (CSE: SPRK) (OTC Pink: SPARF) (FSE: 8PC) ("Spark" or the "Company") an exploration Company focused on the discovery of battery metals in Brazil's prestigious Lithium Valley, is pleased to provide an update on the progress of exploration planning in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Exploration will begin over priority targets with three geological sampling teams, focusing initially on detailed follow-up of spodumene occurrences identified in government heavy mineral pan concentrate samples across the 64,359-hectare Arapaima Lithium Project in Lithium Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Exploration Highlights: As highlighted in a recent press release dated October 23rd, 2024, (see news here) Spark has mobilized three field geology stream sampling teams to kickstart exploration over its pipeline of Priority 1 and Priority 2 Target Areas. Two teams are dedicated to detailed follow-up around key sample points (See Figure 1), where visible spodumene concentrations were reported in heavy mineral concentrates published by the CPRM (Brazilian Geological Survey) in 20161 and 20232. The third team has initiated a systematic reconnaissance across the entire tenement, aiming to quickly validate historical data, including information from competitors (Si6, Perpetual), and new targets identified by Spark's geophysical, remote sensing, and geochemical analyses. These exploration activities are expected to be completed by the end of Q4 2024 with results reported and evaluated in early Q1 2025. The company anticipates that focused follow-up of positive results will allow the generation of targets for the fast-tracking of preliminary drill testing during Q2 of 2025. Jon Hill, VP Exploration, Country Manager & Director, Comments on the Exploration Strategy: "With the initial phase of our Arapaima exploration targeting, ranking, and prioritization complete, we're now in a strong position-both technically and financially-to deliver on the "boots on the ground" aspects of our broader strategy. It's impressive that even a baseline review of public domain government data has revealed such high-quality targets, with visible spodumene already identified in regional mineral pan concentrate samples. This enables us to focus our efforts on high-potential areas within our expansive tenement in the highly prospective Lithium Valley of Brazil." Arapaima Lithium Project - Exploration of Priority Targets: Figure 1 shows the entire Arapaima tenement, marking government heavy mineral pan concentrate sample points (blue stars) where visible spodumene was reported in the CPRM 2016 study. These are superimposed on the highest-ranked lithium prospectivity drainage basin (highlighted in red), as indicated in the CPRM 2023 report. shows the entire Arapaima tenement, marking government heavy mineral pan concentrate sample points (blue stars) where visible spodumene was reported in the CPRM 2016 study. These are superimposed on the highest-ranked lithium prospectivity drainage basin (highlighted in red), as indicated in the CPRM 2023 report. Figure 2 expands on Figure 1, adding Spark's newly generated targets derived from public domain geophysical, remote sensing, and geochemical datasets. It also includes planned sampling points for ongoing sediment and mineral pan concentrate collection as part of Spark's "boots on the ground" exploration efforts. This strategic approach aligns with Spark's commitment to efficiently advance exploration in high-potential lithium zones in Brazil's "Lithium Valley." Figure 1. Image of the entire Spark Arapaima tenement package highlighting the location (demarcated as blue stars) of the government heavy mineral pan concentrate samples which report visible spodumene (as reported in the CPRM 2016 report) superimposed on the Highest Ranked (Lithium Prospectivity) Drainage Basin in red (as reported in the CPRM 2023 report). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/228655_cc9bf32304ac78eb_002full.jpg Figure 2, the same Image as Figure 1 but also includes Sparks new targets (developed from target generation and ranking on public domain geophysical - remote sensing and geochemical datasets and the planned sampling points for ongoing collection of new stream sediment and heavy mineral pan concentrate samples as part of our ongoing 'Boots on the Ground" exploration. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/228655_cc9bf32304ac78eb_003full.jpg Figure 3 - Regional Location Map of Brazil's Lithium Valley with respect to Sparks Arapaima Project. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/228655_cc9bf32304ac78eb_004full.jpg Figure 3 illustrates the extent of Brazil's "Lithium Valley" in relation to known pegmatite occurrences within the Eastern Brazilian Pegmatite Province. It highlights the central, strategic location of Spark Energy Minerals' 64,359-hectare contiguous tenement package and its proximity to key lithium producers and advanced development projects in this rapidly emerging, globally significant lithium region. Figure 4 - Map Highlighting Spark Energy Minerals' 64,359-hectare Contiguous Tenement Package To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10093/228655_cc9bf32304ac78eb_005full.jpg Figure 4 showcases Spark Energy Minerals' 64,359-hectare contiguous tenement package in relation to major lithium-producing mines and key development projects including the location of Si6 Metals Padre Paraiso Project. The background features a simplified geological map, emphasizing the central positioning of the fertile G4 granite intrusions, along with host basement formations of schist and granite-gneiss complexes. Notably, the map also identifies the areas of shallow regolith cover, underscoring the exploration potential within these zones. Funding: Strategic Private Placement, Warrant & Option Exercises To advance exploration in Brazil, management is pleased to announce that, subject to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"), it intends to complete a private placement with strategic investors of up to $150,000 by offering up to 1,000,000 units of the Company (each a "Unit") at a price of $0.15 per unit (the "Private Placement"). Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Share") and one warrant to purchase an additional common share (each, a "Warrant Share", and collectively with the Units and the Shares, the "Securities") at a price of $0.30 per Warrant Share for a period of two years from the date of issue. The Securities will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of closing of the Private Placement. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Private Placement to perform exploration work on its properties and general working capital. The Company may pay finder's fees in connection with the closing of the Private Placement in accordance with the policies of the CSE and applicable securities laws. The Company is also pleased to announce that, since October 1, 2024, it has received aggregate proceeds of $451,875 from the exercise of 2,503,000 common share purchase warrants with an exercise price of $0.125 per warrant and 1,390,000 stock options with an exercise price of $0.10 per option. "We are thrilled to announce the strategic private placement and further funding from derivative exercises, empowering us to dive deep into the promising targets of the Arapaima lithium project. It's truly a testament to the commitment of management and our loyal shareholders," stated Eugene Hodgson, CEO & Chair of Spark Energy Minerals Inc. Qualified Person: The scientific and technical information disclosed in this document has been reviewed and approved by Jonathan Victor Hill BSc Hons, FAUSIMM, a Qualified Person consistent with NI 43-101. Source: 'Evaluation of the Lithium Potential in Brasil' - Mid - Jequitinhonha River, North -East Minas Gerais' Ministry of Mines and Energy, Secretary of Geology, Mines and Development, the Geological Survey of Brazil promoting mineral research. Technical Report - 2016 Source: 'Lithium Potential Assessment Project in Brasil' in the Eastern Pegmatite Province of Brasil: the Geological Survey of Brazil promoting mineral research. Technical Report 19 - August 2023 DOI: 10.29396/ITCPRM.2023.19 About Spark Energy Minerals Inc. Spark Energy Minerals, Inc. is a Canadian company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of battery metals and mineral assets, with a particular emphasis on its substantial interests in Brazil. The Company holds significant land and mineral rights in Brazil's renowned Lithium Valley, one of the most prolific mining regions in the world. This region is rapidly gaining global recognition for its vast deposits of lithium and rare earth minerals, positioning Brazil as a critical player in the global energy transition. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE COMPANY'S WEBSITE AT Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer Certain statements contained in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward-looking information") as those terms are used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could," "intend," "expect," "believe," "will," "projected," "estimated", "anticipates" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to the business of the Company, the Property, financing and certain corporate changes. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228655 SOURCE: Spark Energy Minerals Inc. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act and other securities laws. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based upon management's current expectations, beliefs and projections, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain. Such expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith. However, there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs and projections will be achieved, and actual results may differ materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company, reference is made to the Company's reports filed from time to time with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, subsequent events or circumstances, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. The abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds (NYSE:ASGI)(NYSE:THQ), (the "Funds" or individually the "Fund"), today announced that the Funds paid the distributions noted in the table below on October 31, 2024, on a per share basis to all shareholders of record as of October 24, 2024 (ex-dividend date October 24, 2024). Ticker Exchange Fund Amount ASGI NYSE abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund $0.2100 THQ NYSE abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund $0.1800 Each Fund has adopted a distribution policy to provide investors with a stable distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital. Under applicable U.S. tax rules, the amount and character of distributable income for each Fund's fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and related rules, the Funds may be required to indicate to shareholders the estimated source of certain distributions to shareholders. The following tables set forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distributions for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the rules adopted thereunder. The tables have been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles. The tables include estimated amounts and percentages for the current distributions paid this month as well as for the cumulative distributions paid relating to fiscal year to date, from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated compositions of the distributions may vary because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies. The Funds' estimated sources of the current distribution paid this month and for its current fiscal year to date are as follows: Estimated Amounts of Current Distribution per Share Fund Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains** Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.2100 - - - - - - $0.2100 100% THQ $0.1800 - - - - - - $0.1800 100% Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year* to Date Cumulative Distributions per Share Fund Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains ** Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.2100 - - - - - - $0.2100 100% THQ $0.1800 - - - - - - $0.1800 100% * ASGI, and THQ have a 9/30 fiscal year end. **includes currency gains Where the estimated amounts above show a portion of the distribution to be a "Return of Capital," it means that Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all the money that you invested in a Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income." The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions for the current year will only be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. After the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders for the prior calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. The following tables provide the Funds' total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Funds' annualized and cumulative distribution rates. Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information Fund Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 9/30/2024 Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV Cumulative Total Return on NAV Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV ASGI 9.61%3 9.46% 23.33% 9.46% THQ 11.84% 8.28% 24.66% 8.28% 1 Return data is net of all Fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan. 2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of September 30, 2024. 3 The Fund launched within the past 5 years; the performance and distribution rate information presented reflects data from inception (July 29, 2020) through September 30, 2024. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about a Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's current distributions or from the terms of the distribution policy (the "Distribution Policy"). While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market. Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Funds may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Funds during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Funds, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received. The payment of distributions in accordance with the Distribution Policy may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Distribution Policy may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. Each Fund's Board has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Distribution Policy at any time. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Distribution Policy may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state, and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances. Circular 230 disclosure : To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. In the United States, abrdn is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: abrdn Inc., abrdn Investments Limited, and abrdn Asia Limited. Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. A Fund's investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares may be worth more or less than the original cost. Shares of closed-end funds may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. There is no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results. abrdn.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter ### For More Information Contact: abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds Investor Relations 1-800-522-5465 Investor.Relations@abrdn.com SOURCE: abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds View the original press release on accesswire.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - Chris Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer, Valkea Resources Corp. (TSXV: OZ) ("Valkea Resources" or the "Company"), joined Andrew Creech, Managing Director, TSX Venture Exchange Listings, to close the market to celebrate the company's new listing on TSX Venture Exchange. Cannot view this video? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avdbcx8uXpQ Valkea Resources is at the forefront of gold exploration in Finland's highly prospective and globally significant Central Lapland Greenstone Belt. The district is anchored by Agnico Eagle's Kitliia Mine, Europe's largest gold producer and also hosts Rupert Resources' tremendous Ikkari deposit. Valkea has an extensive portfolio of 100% owned high-potential exploration projects including the flagship Paana Gold Project, as well as two joint venture partnerships with Rupert Resources and Kinross Gold respectively. The Company is committed to discovering and advancing significant gold deposits in one of the world's most exciting and emerging gold districts and is planning to initiate the Company's first exploration program focused on high priority gold targets on the Paana project in November 2024. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228663 SOURCE: Toronto Stock Exchange Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - Pasofino Gold Limited (TSXV: VEIN) (OTCQB: EFRGF) (FSE: N07A) ("Pasofino" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has adopted a shareholder rights plan (the "Rights Plan") effective as of November 1, 2024 (the "Effective Date"). The Rights Plan has been adopted with a view to preserve the integrity of our previously announced strategic alternatives review process and to ensure, to the extent possible, that all shareholders of the Company are treated fairly in connection with any takeover bid for the Company. Pursuant to the Rights Plan, one right (the "Right") attaches to each issued and outstanding common share of Pasofino. Subject to the terms of the Rights Plan, the Rights become exercisable in the event that any person, (together with any affiliates, associates and persons acting in concert, as applicable (the "Related Parties") becomes a beneficial holder of 20% or more of Pasofino's outstanding common shares without complying with the "Permitted Bid" provisions pursuant to the Rights Plan. In such circumstances holders of the Rights (other than the acquiring person and its Related Parties) will be permitted to exercise their Rights and purchase additional common shares of the Company at a substantial discount to the then market price of the Company's shares. The Rights Plan does not prohibit interested parties from proceeding with an unsolicited take-over bid in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. While the Rights Plan is effective immediately, it is subject to (i) execution by Computershare Investor Services Inc. the proposed rights agent and (ii) ratification by the Company's shareholders within six months of its adoption. A summary of the principal terms of the Rights Plan will be included in the management information circular for the meeting to be held within 6 months to ratify the Rights Plan which will be sent to all Pasofino shareholders as of the applicable record date for such meeting and a complete copy of the Rights Plan will be available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. If the Rights Plan is not approved by the shareholders within six months of the Effective Date it, together with the outstanding Rights, will terminate and cease to be effective. ABOUT PASOFINO GOLD LTD. Pasofino Gold Limited is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSXV (VEIN). Pasofino, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, owns 100% of the Dugbe Gold Project (prior to the issuance of the Government of Liberia's 10% carried interest). For further information, please visit www.pasofinogold.com or contact: Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterised by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "seek", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding the ability to raise the funds to finance its ongoing business activities including the acquisition of mineral projects and the exploration and development of its projects. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to, the ability to successfully complete the second Offering, the ability to obtain all requisite regulatory approvals including the final approval of the TSXV, the ability to apply the proceeds as intended, the results of business operation, the results of exploration activities; the results of the strategic review process, the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms and those risk factors outlined in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis as filed on SEDAR+. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228665 SOURCE: Pasofino Gold Limited Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - Moon River Moly Ltd. (TSXV: MOO) ("Moon River" or the "Company") is pleased to announce, further to its press release of March 8, 2024, that it has agreed to extend the engagement of TB Investors Relations ("TBIR"). TBIR will continue to assist the Company with its communications and marketing initiatives including press releases, conference logistics, social media management, among others. The agreement will be extended as of September 7, 2024 and will continue on a month-to month basis unless terminated by either party with one month's notice. All other terms of the agreement will remain unchanged. TBIR is an arm's length party and does not have any direct or indirect interest in the Company or its securities. This engagement is subject to TSXV approval. About Moon River Moon River is a Canadian-based resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral projects. Moon River is focused on the development of the Davidson Property which hosts a large molybdenum-tungsten deposit and is located near Smithers, British Columbia. The Company also holds 25% of one of the largest molybdenum mines in North America, the Endako Mine Complex also located in British Columbia. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends", "expects" and similar expressions, which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the engagement of a consultant to provide communication services to the Company. These forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the Company, represent the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release, and are based on certain assumptions that the Company has made in respect thereof as at the date of this press release. Although the Company believes the expectations and material factors and assumptions reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date hereof, there can be no assurance that these expectations, factors and assumptions will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties including risks detailed in the Company's Filing Statement and continuous disclosure, which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. These risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Readers are cautioned that events or circumstances could cause results to differ materially from those predicted, forecasted or projected. The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this document. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information contained herein, except as required by applicable laws. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228649 SOURCE: Moon River Moly Ltd. Clean Energy Transition Inc. (formerly Rogue Resources Inc.) (TSXV:TRAN) ("transition.inc" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its board of directors (the "Board") has approved the adoption of a shareholder rights plan (the "Rights Plan") pursuant to a shareholder rights plan agreement entered into with Odyssey Trust Company, as rights agent dated October 31, 2024 (the "Effective Date") and announces certain changes to its management team. Shareholder Rights Plan The Rights Plan was adopted to ensure the Company's shareholders ("Shareholders") are treated fairly and equally in connection with any unsolicited take-over bid or other acquisition of control of or a significant interest in the Company while providing the Board adequate time to consider and evaluate such a take-over bid or other acquisition and, if appropriate, identify, develop and negotiate any value-enhancing alternatives. The Rights Plan is substantially similar to shareholder rights plans adopted by other Canadian issuers and has not been adopted in response to any specific take-over bid or other proposal to acquire control of transition.inc, and the Company is not aware of any such pending or contemplated proposals. Under the terms of the Rights Plan, one right (a "Right") will be issued and attached to each common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") outstanding as of the Effective Date, and a Right will also attach to each Share issued thereafter. The issuance of the Rights will not change the manner in which Shareholders trade their Shares, and the Rights will automatically attach to the Shares with no further action required by Shareholders. Subject to its terms, the Rights issued under the Rights Plan become exercisable only if a person (an "Acquiring Person"), together with certain parties related to such person, acquires or announces its intention to acquire beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding Shares without complying with the "Permitted Bid" provisions of the Rights Plan or in circumstances where application of the Rights Plan is not waived in accordance with its terms. Following a transaction that results in a person becoming an Acquiring Person, the Rights entitle the holders thereof (other than the Acquiring Person and certain related parties) to purchase Shares at a discount to the market price at that time. The Rights Plan received conditional approval by the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"), and although the Rights Plan is effective as of the Effective Date, it is subject to Shareholder ratification within six months of its adoption, failing which it will terminate. The description of the Rights Plan in this news release is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Rights Plan, a copy of which will be made available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company's management information circular, prepared in connection with the annual general and special shareholders meeting occurring on December 19, 2024, will contain a summary of the Rights Plan. Management Changes In addition, the Company wishes to advise that Paul Davis, VP Technical and Corporate Secretary, is retiring from transition.inc, and the Company accepted his resignation effective as of October 31, 2024. Mr. Davis will continue to serve in a consulting and advisory role on a month-to-month basis, focusing on the Company's Quartz business. "As a core member of senior management, Paul has been an invaluable member of our team and his dedication, leadership and hard work have left a significant mark on the Company. He will be missed, especially by me, but we are grateful to keep access to his knowledge and experience as an advisor," said Sean Samson, President, CEO & Director of transition.inc. About Clean Energy Transition Inc. Transition.inc is focused on opportunities to generate positive cash flow across the energy transition. The Company includes a Quartz division, focused on advancing its silica/Quartz business with the Snow White Project in Ontario and the Silicon Ridge Project in Quebec. The silica in high-quality Quartz can be used to make silicon metal, a key component in solar energy panels. In addition to Quartz, transition.inc is looking for low-carbon production opportunities in critical minerals and additional opportunities developing with the rapid change underway. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements or information are provided to inform the Shareholders and potential investors about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "anticipate", "proposed", "estimates", "would", "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "will", and similar expressions. More particularly and without limitation, the forward-looking statements in this news release include (i) expectations regarding approvals by the TSXV and Shareholders; (ii) expectations regarding the timing and receipt thereof; and (iii) expectations concerning the Company's business plans and operations. Forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of factors and assumptions that have been used to develop such statements and information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Contact Information For further information, visit www.transition.inc Or contact: Sean Samson, President, CEO, and Director at: Clean Energy Transition Inc. 200 - 150 King St. W. Toronto, ON M5H 1J9 info@transition.inc Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release. SOURCE: Clean Energy Transition Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / Blaige & Company, a global leader in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory within the plastics, packaging, and chemicals industries, along with its research affiliate, Blaige Industry Analytics, announces its commitment to advancing the plastics industry by expanding its involvement with the Plastics Hall of Fame. Chairman & CEO Tom Blaige, along with key members of the Blaige team, have joined the Plastics Hall of Fame's nominating, communications, and historical committees, further supporting the organization's mission to celebrate the true genius of the plastics industry. Blaige & Company has established a strong leadership position in the plastics industry by being the first investment banking advisor exclusively focused on plastics M&A transactions for over 21 years. This commitment reflects the company's expanded mission to drive continued growth and innovation in the plastics sector. By engaging with the Plastics Hall of Fame, we celebrate the industry's legacy while helping shape its future, recognizing past achievements and inspiring the next generation of leaders. "The advent of advanced polymers and specialty materials represents the foundation of many breakthrough discoveries which have significantly elevated the quality of human life. We are proud to partner with the Plastics Hall of Fame to help advance its mission of recognizing those whose contributions and discoveries changed lives for the better as the world joins forces in fostering new revolutionary discoveries and sustainable solutions." - Thomas Blaige, Chairman & CEO, Blaige & Company. Established in 1972, the Plastics Hall of Fame honors individuals whose groundbreaking contributions have transformed the industry, from innovative materials to cutting-edge technologies. With 235 members from ten countries, including five Nobel Prize winners, the Plastics Hall of Fame, the premier institution honoring innovators and leaders, showcases their contributions to society and inspires the industry's future visionaries. Maureen Steinwall, highly regarded second-generation owner of Steinwall, Inc., recently took over leadership of the group. Her commitment and drive have led to unprecedented growth and success for the organization. "We welcome the Blaige team as we roll out our new vision statement: the Plastics Hall of Fame envisions a world that embraces plastics' role in advancing society." - Maureen Steinwall, President, Plastics Hall of Fame. Blaige & Company attended the most recent Plastics Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which took place during NPE2024, where 17 remarkable individuals were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the plastics industry. The event celebrated leaders who have made lasting impacts through innovation, research, and leadership. From this impressive group of inductees, our team believes the following individuals represent the brightest moments in the industry's history through their life stories and professional achievements: Dr. Cato Laurencin, University of Connecticut, USA Regarded as the founder of the field of Regenerative Engineering. He is currently the CEO of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, Editor-in-Chief of the journal Regenerative Engineering and Translational Medicine, and Founder and President of the Regenerative Engineering Society. In his 2024 Hall of Fame acceptance speech, Dr. Laurencin expressed great appreciation for the honor, but noted that the greatest impact of his work has come through his colleagues and students who have advanced his innovations globally. He stated, "Success is not what you achieve but what you leave behind." Dr. G. Victor Sammet, Sr., Northern Industrial Chemical Co., USA Visionary - funded the start of the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI), which is now known as the Plastics Industry Association (PIA), the leading association of plastics processors in the U.S. Dr. Nick Schott, University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA Led UMass Lowell's Plastics Program to International Recognition. Dr. Chihiro Kanagawa, Shintech and Shin-Etsu, Japan Chairman of Shin-Etsu Chemical and Vinyl Environment Council, and a champion of the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) industry and the global chemical industry. Shintech, Inc. is now the world's largest manufacturer of PVC. Dr. Jacque Brandenberger, La Cellophane SA and DuPont, France Patented viscose (aka Rayon); invented cellophane in 1908. H. Joseph Gerber, Gerber Scientific, Inc., USA Pioneered the commercialization of automation systems, including those for eyeglass lenses, with over 648 U.S. and foreign patents issued in his name. Looking Ahead: Class of 2025 Nominations The Plastics Hall of Fame continues its legacy of recognizing brilliance in the industry with its upcoming Class of 2025 induction ceremony, scheduled for October 2025 at the K Show in Dusseldorf, Germany. Nominations are currently being accepted, and individuals are encouraged to submit names of visionary leaders whose work has significantly advanced the plastics sector. The deadline for nominations for the Class of 2025 is February 28, 2025. Blaige & Company, based in Miami and Chicago, is an investment bank focused exclusively on plastics, packaging, and chemicals. Founded in 2003, Blaige was one of the first industry-focused (versus generalist) M&A firms, with a strong emphasis on cross-border and strategic transactions. Our team has completed over 200 deals and assessed more than 600 operations worldwide. Through our research affiliate, Blaige Industry Analytics ("BIA"), we maintain extensive knowledge of over 10,000 industry transactions since 2000. The London-based magazine Acquisition International named Mr. Blaige Sector Focused CEO of the Year, and Blaige & Company Sector Focused Investment Bank of the Year 2024 for the sixth time in eight years. For inquiries, contact: Thomas Blaige, Chairman & CEO, Blaige & Company marketing@blaige.com (312) 337-5200 www.blaige.com www.blaigeindustryanalytics.com www.plasticsmergersandacquisitions.com www.plasticsinvestmentbanking.com Contact Information Thomas Blaige Chairman & CEO marketing@blaige.com (312) 337-5200 SOURCE: Blaige & Company View the original press release on newswire.com. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - NEWFOUNDLAND DISCOVERY CORP. (CSE: NEWD) (OTC Pink: NEWDF) (FSE: M4K) ("Newfoundland Discovery" or "the Company") announces that, further to its news release dated October 30, 2024, the Company shall proceed on a share consolidation of one (1) post-consolidation share for every ten (10) pre-consolidation shares. Effective at the opening on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, the shares of the Company will commence trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange on a consolidated basis. The name and stock symbol share remain the same. Post-Consolidation Capitalization: Unlimited common shares with no par value of which approximately 9,322,666 common shares are issued and outstanding. Transfer Agent: Computershare Investor Services Inc. Trading Symbol: NEWD CUSIP Number: 651346207 (new) Record Date: November 6, 2024 About Newfoundland Discovery Corp. Newfoundland Discovery Corp. (CSE: NEWD) (OTC Pink: NEWDF) is a Canadian junior mining exploration Company, with a primary focus on the exploration and development of mineral assets in active Canadian mining districts. Our portfolio of projects includes lithium prospects in the Hearst, Ontario district, a portfolio of precious and base metal projects in Newfoundland, and a strategic early-mover foothold on projects in the Detour Lake Gold Mine district of Ontario. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, NEWFOUNDLAND DISCOVERY CORP. "Jeremy Prinsen" President, CEO & Director Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement This news release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results, or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228671 SOURCE: Newfoundland Discovery Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 1, 2024) - Golden Spike Resources Corp. (CSE: GLDS) (OTCQB: GSPRF) (FSE: L5Y) ("Golden Spike" or the "Company") Further to the Company's news release on October 8, 2024, Golden Spike is pleased to announce that it has closed the second and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement offering for aggregate gross proceeds of $225,000. (the "Second Tranche of the Non-Brokered Offering") and has issued 1,125,000 non-flow-through units of the Company (the "NFT Units") at a price of $0.20 per NFT Unit. Each NFT Unit consists of one Common Share and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "NFT Warrant"). Each NFT Warrant is exercisable into one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.30 per Common Share expiring November 1, 2026. In connection with this Second Tranche of the Non-Brokered Offering, the Company has issued 7,500 finder's warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") and paid a cash commission of $1,500 to one finder. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.30 per Common Share for a period of 24 months from issuance. Pursuant to the first and second tranches of the Non-Brokered Offering, an aggregate of 3,912,500 NFT Units have been issued at $0.20 per NFT Unit for gross proceeds of $782,500. The securities issued under the Non-Brokered Offering will have a hold period of four months and one day from the date of closing. The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and accordingly may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. About Golden Spike Golden Spike Resources Corp. (CSE: GLDS) (OTCQB: GSPRF) (FSE: L5Y) is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on identifying, acquiring and unlocking value in mineral opportunities in Canada and other low-risk jurisdictions. The Company currently holds 100% interest in the 5,050-hectare Gregory River Property in Newfoundland, strategically centered over an approximate 11-kilometer-long stretch of the Gregory River VMS-belt, a north-northeast trending corridor of very prospective ground with potential to host Cyprus-type polymetallic VMS deposits. In addition, the Property hosts a cluster of historically explored, high-grade, copper gold vein structures. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Keith Anderson, President and CEO "Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release." Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228657 SOURCE: Golden Spike Resources Corp. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Russia has reportedly fined U.S. tech giant Google two undecillion roubles, i.e. two followed by 36 zeroes, for restricting Russian state media channels on YouTube.In dollar terms the fine amounts to $20 decillion - or around $20 billion trillion trillion. The fine is significantly more money than the combined total global net wealth of $477 trillion, according to Boston Consulting Group, and the worldwide gross domestic product last year of about $105 trillion, according to the World Bank.Google's parent company Alphabet is valued at about $2 trillion. The fine is about 10 billion trillion times the company's value.Russian state media TASS reported that a Russian court had earlier ordered Google to restore the YouTube channels, several of which have been blocked since 2022, or else face mounting charges, with penalties doubling every week.According to Tass, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted he 'cannot even pronounce this number' but urged 'Google management to pay attention.'Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Opus Guard, a San Francisco, CA-based SaaS provider specializing in information governance and retention management solutions, raised an undisclosed amount in funding. Atlassian Ventures made the investment. The company intends to use the funds to enhance product features, achieve key enterprise certifications, and accelerate market outreach. Led by CEO Darin LaFramboise, Opus Guard is a SaaS company dedicated to providing enterprise-level information governance solutions. Its information governance platform allows businesses to navigate complex regulatory requirements with ease and efficiency. FinSMEs 01/11/2024 Israels decisive airstrikes on Irans air defences and military infrastructure underscore its commitment to security, while Irans constrained response reflects both strategic caution and the tangible impact of the recent attacks on its defence capabilities read more Iran is reconciling with the impact of damage to its air defences as a result of the recent Israeli airstrikes. The strikes, which targeted critical Iranian military infrastructure, highlighted Israels intention to mitigate perceived threats and limit Irans missile capabilities. A tactical strike with strategic messaging. According to US and Israeli intelligence, Israels focus was on eliminating Iranian integrated air defence networks and systems, among other strategic targets, making it further vulnerable to future strikes. Does it mark a strike to de-escalate or escalate? Advertisement Strategic Implications of Targeting Iranian Air Defences The airstrikes immediate objective was to neutralise Irans most advanced S-300 air defence systems. Long-range surface-to-air missile systems, including Tehrans prized Russian-made defence assets, were reportedly among the primary targets. These systems have long been critical to Irans strategy of layered defence, capable of intercepting both aircraft and ballistic missiles. Analysts suggest that targeting these systems weakens Irans ability to defend against future airstrikes, potentially leaving key military and infrastructure sites vulnerable. This tactical advantage has strategic payoffs and allows Israel not only to inhibit Irans immediate military capabilities but also to dissuade Tehran from launching further missile offensives. Long-term Impact of Targeting Irans Critical Infrastructure Israeli airstrikes targeted Irans critical infrastructure, including military installations and energy sites, and caused substantial damage. Satellite imagery reveals extensive damage to several key Iranian military and industrial sites following Israels recent airstrikes. At the Parchin complex, a known missile production facility previously linked to nuclear activity, at least four buildings, including the Taleghan 2 site, appear significantly damaged. Images from the Khojir complex, Irans central hub for ballistic missile infrastructure, and Shahroud, a long-range missile production site, also show substantial impact. The Nakhjir radar site, a recently updated radar defence installation, was reportedly targeted as well. Damage to a storage unit at the Abadan oil refinery in Khuzestan Province highlights Israels strategic reach, affecting critical energy infrastructure. The Role of Russian-Made Air Defence Systems The Russian-made S-300 defence systems that Tehran relied upon were relatively advanced, even if not the latest in Russian technology, and considered a formidable component of Irans defence. However, recent conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, have highlighted vulnerabilities in Russian defence technology, which might have factored into Israels confidence in breaching Irans airspace defences. These systems have been effective in layered defence setups but less so in the face of concentrated, technologically advanced strikes. Given that Russia is unlikely to replenish these assets for Tehran soon due to its commitments elsewhere, particularly in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, Iran may find itself constrained in replacing these systems. As a result, Tehran could face a longer-term gap in its air defence capabilities unless it seeks alternatives from other allies or develops more robust indigenous solutions. Advertisement Israels Strategic Objectives and Innovative Strategy Israels objectives appear twofold: neutralise immediate threats and establish deterrence. This calculated operation targeted both defensive systems and production facilities crucial for Irans missile and drone capabilities. By diminishing Irans capacity to produce and deploy these technologies, Israel not only curtails Tehrans reach but also indirectly impacts Iranian-aligned groups like Hezbollah and other proxies. Analysts speculate that Israels airstrikes included the deployment of air-launched ballistic missiles with high accuracy, possibly paired with cyber-tactics to disrupt Irans defence networks. This approach of combining kinetic and non-kinetic methods demonstrates an evolving operational strategy that enables Israel to impose substantial damage without extensive direct engagement. Advertisement Potential Iranian Responses Iranian officials have issued statements condemning the strikes, though reactions from high-ranking officials reflect a measured tone, possibly indicative of an internal debate on how to proceed. Irans Supreme Commander and President have both vowed to respond but remained constrained short of threatening an immediate military escalation. The current responses imply caution, perhaps weighing the risks of escalating conflict against the losses incurred. The potential instability surrounding succession in Irans leadership might also be influencing this approach, as internal shifts could shape Tehrans future stance toward its regional adversaries. Regional and International Repercussions Israels willingness to carry out such comprehensive strikes signals its readiness to confront regional threats preemptively. This approach underscores Israels commitment to maintaining regional stability on its terms, even if it risks international censure or escalates tensions. Iraq has already lodged a formal protest with the United Nations, condemning the violation of its airspace, indicating potential diplomatic friction for Israel. Advertisement For Iran, the loss of strategic assets and diminished production capacity for missiles and drones has repercussions beyond its borders. Reduced support for allied groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis could shift dynamics in neighbouring conflicts, where these groups have relied heavily on Iranian-supplied weaponry. Future Prospects The question of further Israeli strikes looms as Iranian officials weigh potential responses. With much of Irans air defence network weakened, Israel may find further strikes achievable if Tehran initiates a counter-response. However, the recent airstrike campaign also serves as a stark deterrent, reminding Iran of Israels capability to breach its defences despite significant distances. For now, Israels actions reflect a calculated deterrence strategy, allowing it to maintain the upper hand without overcommitting to a prolonged conflict. Advertisement Irans potential responses could range from asymmetric tactics, using proxy forces, to direct, albeit measured, missile retaliation. However, any significant escalation from Tehran risks inviting further Israeli strikes, especially with many key defensive assets already compromised. Israels decisive airstrikes on Irans air defences and military infrastructure underscore its commitment to security, while Irans constrained response reflects both strategic caution and the tangible impact of the recent attacks on its defence capabilities. Whether this serves as a lasting deterrent or precipitates further conflict remains to be seen. The author is former Director General, Mechanised Forces. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Israel might use this opportunity to take the war to its farthest extent, with an aim to end the menace of threats along its borders once and for all and to bury the two-state solution forever read more The war in Gaza is slowly entering a phase where it can either drag on for months without a decisive victory or it can escalate into a wider, dangerous conflict engulfing the region. There is also a third option: Israel calling it quits and agreeing to a UN Security Council-approved ceasefire plan. The question is whether Israel considers the current ground situation good enough to call it quits. In the past few months, Israel has enjoyed the upper hand on most counts on the battle field. The successful assassinations of top Hamas and Hezbollah leadership have to be at the top of the success chart. It started with triple assassinations on July 30, when three key leaders were killed on the same night. Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in a targeted strike in a closely guarded area in Tehran. In Beirut, an airstrike killed senior Hezbollah military commander and No. 2 in hierarchy, Faud Shukra, while Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Forces of Iran, was killed in Damascus. Advertisement The pager attacks on September 17, followed by successive elimination of senior-most leadership of Hezbollah culminating in the assassination of its charismatic leader Hassan Nasrallah on September 27, was a major setback to the Axis of Resistance. And the killing of Hamas Chief and main architect of the October 7 terror attack, Yahya Sinwar, on October 16 capped off this series of successes and acts of redemption for the Israeli intelligence services. The attack by Iran on October 1, targeting key military sites in Israel, was a setback, but Israels retaliation on October 26, targeting successfully three military sites in Iran, has levelled the scores. On the battlefield too, the Israeli defence forces have been mercilessly pounding the Gaza strip, especially the northern parts, killing and displacing people by hundreds daily. Its operations in the West Bank, which were accompanied by the entry of tanks and troops as a part of ground operation on August 27, have neutralised the resistance there, the focus of the operations being the Jenin camp as well as the areas of Nablus. On the Lebanon front, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) entered southern Lebanon on September 30. Despite facing stiff resistance, the IDF has been able to destroy many rocket launcher sites, weapon depots, and even an underground tunnel network. However, stiff battles continue on the ground even as Israel has suffered many tank casualties and a number of soldiers killed. As the operations drag on, there are chances that Iran may launch a counter retaliation to Israeli strikes of October 26. The forthcoming US elections on November 5 would also mean that the window of opportunity that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had of operating with impunity, may close too. Media reports indicate that Donald Trump has already told PM Netanyahu to clear up the mess and end the war before his presidency commences (in case he wins the elections). In such a scenario, Israel would do well to review its war objectives and see if there is an option to exit the war smartly, while the opportunity still exists. Advertisement Review of Israels War Objectives When Israel launched its counter strike into Gaza on October 7, PM Netanyahu pledged revenge stating, We will take mighty vengeance for this wicked day. Hamas launched a cruel and wicked war. We will win this war but the price is too heavy to bear. Israel laid out three war objectives; completely dismantling the military capabilities of Hamas, ensuring that Gaza does not pose any military threat in the future to Israel and bring back all hostages safely. On September 16 this year, after a meeting of the security cabinet, Israel added a fourth objective, safe return of northern settlers to their residences. Advertisement A quick review of the war objectives tells us that Israel is still far from achieving its stated objectives. While Hamas has been severely degraded and its top leadership eliminated, it is far from being eliminated from the face of the earth. Its ability to launch repeated attacks across Gaza continues to irritate Israel, and the unprecedented devastation that Israeli strikes are causing is motivating more and more cadres to join Hamas. As regards Gaza, it has been bombarded like no place ever before. Over 42,500 people have been killed, with children and women constituting the majority and over 2 million people have been internally displaced multiple times. Despite the devastation and the ruins, Gaza being rebuilt and re-used by Hamas or any other group in the future to launch attacks on Israel cannot be ruled out, unless Israel decides to continue its occupation of Gaza forever. Advertisement The non-achievement of the third war objective, the return of hostages, is the most critical one as far as Israel is concerned. There is mounting pressure on Netanyahu for his failure to get back the hostages. Meanwhile, the number of hostages remaining alive is reducing with every passing week due to deaths owing to Israeli action, crossfire, or succumbing to ill health or disease. Hamas has made it clear that the remaining hostages can only be released if and when there is a sustainable ceasefire. The fourth war objective, safe return of setters to the North too, remains elusive. Despite heavy losses, the ability of Hezbollah to launch rocket attacks into Northern Israel cannot be ruled out, however deep Israel moves into Lebanon. Even if Israel is able to finally occupy territory up to the Litani River, the rocket attacks from longer-range rockets could still continue in the future. The advent of armed drones has added to the complexity of the situation. Advertisement Where does this leave Israel? Even with many recent tactical successes, its war objectives remain elusive. What can Israel do then, under these circumstances? Ceasefire Options As discussed briefly in the beginning, the war is poised delicately with three possible options: drag on endlessly, escalate further, or end with a ceasefire now while Israel still looks the winner. As regards the ceasefire, there have been multiple efforts towards this. Except for a brief humanitarian truce in November last year, no ceasefire proposal has been accepted by both warring parties. The most viable proposal, called the Biden Plan, was put forth on May 31 this year. The plan proposed a progressive three-phase ceasefire, which, Biden said, will bring all the hostages home, ensure Israels security, create a better day after in Gaza without Hamas in power, and set the stage for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Israel initially confirmed that Bidens proposal had been concurred by it, but the very next day, it put out a statement that Israel would not agree to a ceasefire unless Hamass military and governing capabilities are totally destroyed, all hostages are freed, and Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. On June 10, even the UN Security Council endorsed the US-sponsored Gaza ceasefire resolution. However, with Israel backing out, the proposal was left unimplemented. Later, in August, prompted by a joint statement by the leaders of the US, Qatar, and Egypt on August 9, a new bridging proposal was presented to Israel and Hamas. Hamas rejected the bridging proposal offered, as it added new and unacceptable conditions. The main sticking points were Israels demands that the IDF remain deployed in the Philadelphi Corridor, which runs along the Gaza-Egypt border, to prevent Hamas from smuggling weapons into Gaza. Israel was also not ready to withdraw from the Netzarim Corridor which its forces had established during the war, separating northern and southern Gaza. The bridging proposal also required Hamas to release the most vulnerable civilian hostages while the parties would negotiate the implementation of the second and third phases with no guarantees to Hamas from Israel or mediators. Most recently, on October 21, as per media reports, the director of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service presented Israels Shin Bet chief an idea for a small hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza. The deal would entail the release of a small number of hostages held by Hamas in return for a few days of ceasefire in Gaza. The small deal would then continue with renewed negotiations over a more comprehensive hostage and ceasefire agreement. Recent Developments On October 30, the new chief of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, indicated that the group would be open to a ceasefire proposal according to the conditions that we see as suitable, adding that the group will not beg for a ceasefire. There are indications that Iran is not too keen to retaliate soon to Israels attack of October 26 as the Supreme Leader tried to downplay the effect of the Israeli strike when he stated that Israeli attacks should neither be downplayed nor exaggerated. Another important factor is the support from Israels major benefactor, the US. With the presidential polls just days away, it is clear that the window where Israel could exert pressure on the US and act with impunity in Gaza is getting over fast. Even US Secretary of State Blinken, during his 11th visit to the region on October 23, said that Israel should use its tactical victories against Hamas and Hezbollah in recent times and pursue an enduring strategic success in Gaza. Conclusion The ball is clearly in Israels court. It can either pursue its unrealistic and perhaps unachievable war objectives endlessly or think smart and use the opportunity presented on the battlefield to end this war and get its hostages back home. Among all its war objectives, this is without doubt the most important and certainly achievable. It might also stop Iran in its plans for a strong counter retaliation, which, as per indications, it is not very keen on, as it would lead to unnecessary escalation. While all that has been presented and argued may look logical, it may not find favour with PM Netanyahu and his war cabinet, who have taken this opportunity to take this war to the farthest extent possible, with an aim to end the menace of threats along its borders once and for all and to bury the story of a two state solution too forever, as resolved in Israels parliament too on 18th July 2024. With the window of opportunity fast closing, the question in everybodys mind is, will Israel use this opportunity and call off the war while it still holds all the cards? Col Rajeev Agarwal is a military veteran and West Asia expert. During his service, he has been Director in Military Intelligence as well as Director in the Ministry of External Affairs. His X handle is @rajeevidsa. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Hindu festivals have for long been under secular, Left-liberal assault. They have been targeted in the name of environmental protection, gender rights, and poverty issues, among others. So, before every Diwali, a campaign gets started to save the environment; before Holi, the importance of water becomes paramount; on Raksha Bandhan, we are reminded of the importance of shunning misogynistic tendencies (why should only brothers get to protect sisters, why not the other way round?); and before Shivratri, we are taunted about wasting milk on an idol when so many poor children go hungry! Even on Durga Puja and Ganesh Chaturthi, sermons come our way to protect water bodies from pollution! Advertisement In recent years, another trend has gained ground: secularising Sanatana culture and traditions. In this backdrop, US presidential candidate Kamala Harris post on X is quite revealing. She writes, Tonight, we join more than 1 billion people across America and around the world lighting diyas and celebrating the fight for good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness. Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating the Festival of Lights! On the face of it, what Harris says appears to be a good, progressive step. But, in reality, it is a more sophisticated, sinister version of the first trend: The first one, after all, could easily be called out for only picking out Hindu festivals in the name of gender, environmental, and socio-economic issues while extolling other religions for similar acts. This toolkit to tarnish Sanatana traditions specifically backfires in the era of social media, where secular, Left-liberal censorship never goes unchallenged. During the recently concluded Karwa Chauth, in which wives keep fast for the well-being of husbands, one Delhi-based newspaper, for instance, came up with a newspaper report saying how such fasts werent good for health. Soon, the hoax was called as the same newspaper had published a report during the holy month of Ramzan, saying fasts were good for health! The attempt to secularise Hindu festivals is, thus, a disturbing phenomenon. The fact of the matter is that Diwali is much more than just being the Festival of Lights, unlike what Kamala Harris wants us to believe. Diwali is about light, laughter, sweets, and of course crackers. But at the core of it are dharmic rituals and celebrations spanning days, if not weeks, before and after Diwali. It is when this sacred core is pushed under the carpet, deliberately or otherwise, that one finds attempts being made at turning this Sanatana festival into a Jashn-e-Roshni! The problem with the Festival of Lights narrative is that it attempts to secularise Diwali by divorcing it from its religio-cultural milieu, besides distorting the Indic notion of the sacred festivity that cherishes diversity with strong civilisational core binding them all together. So, if the festival celebrates the return of Rama to Ayodhya from his 14-year exile into the jungle, it also is the celebration of the killing of Naraskasura by Krishna in the South and Kali subduing demons in the East, especially Bengal. Advertisement Then, of course, theres a Tamil version of Diwali. The Tamils get up well before dawn and apply sesame oil to their heads and bodies before having a bath. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi is present in sesame oil. Likewise, the water used for bathing transforms into the waters of Ganga. Ganga snanam aacha? (Have you had your holy dip in the River Ganga?): This is a customary greeting exchanged on Diwali, referring to the ceremonial oil bath. Invoking Ganga manifests a strong sense of civilisational unity in the Sanatana Dharma. This tendency to divorce the sacred from Sanatana traditions isnt just confined to Hindu festivals. One can look at the way Hindu texts and also Sanskrit, the sacred language, are being looked at. The interest in Sanskrit has revived, especially in the West, but there has been a conscious attempt to divorce it from its Indic identity just the same way Diwali is being secularised today. Rajiv Malhotra, in his book The Battle for Sanskrit, provides a fascinating account of Sheldon Pollock, a prominent American Sanskrit scholar, whose idea of Sanskrits revival was the reinvigorated study of Sanskrit as if it were the embalmed, mummified remnant of a dead culture. Pollock wanted to see the revival of Sanskrit studies, and not the Sanskrit language or culture! He adored the Sanskrit superstructure but had deep distrust for the sacred Sanatana spirit behind that body. Advertisement Pollocks disregard, if not distaste, for Sanskrit culture has been so deep-seated that he has even partly blamed Brahmin elitism for shaping the ideologies of British colonialism and German Nazism. At another place, he accuses Sanskrit of offering at one and the same time a record of civilisation and a record of barbarism, of extraordinary inequality and other social poisons. His uneasiness with Sanskrits Sanatana roots is such that he even regards the Ramayana as a weapon for inflicting violence by Hindus against Muslims. No doubt, he is the secular, Left-liberal champion of Sanskrit in the West. In the long term, Pollocks assault on Sanskrit would be far deeper and graver than those who invoke the Sanskrit-Prakrit or Sanskrit-Pali divide, calling the former an elite, Brahminical language. Its easy to fight an enemy who comes across with a straightforward agenda. Its far more difficult with the one who has disguised himself as a well-wisher and an ally. Those who are secularising Diwali, and other Hindu festivals, belong to the same dubious group. They are the adversaries of the Sanatana Dharma. Advertisement Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Historically, cooperation between the two Asian giants has often given way to conflict. Moving forward, both countries must manage their differences while acknowledging the broader implications of their relationship, which impacts not only their development goals but also regional and global peace read more The recent meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, their first formal bilateral in five years, is crucial amidst ongoing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The leaders agreement to resolve the military standoff prompts reflection on the evolution of India-China relations and its broader implications. Historically, the India-China relationship has fluctuated between cooperation and conflict, shaped by post-colonial aspirations, geopolitical strategies, and historical grievances. This meeting is significant not just for bilateral ties but for its impact on global peace, stability, and progress. Advertisement The Indo-Chini Bhai Bhai Phase In the early 1950s, the relationship between India and China was marked by a sense of solidarity. The slogan Indo-Chini Bhai Bhai (India and China are brothers) captured the spirit of cooperation between two newly independent nations navigating a world shaped by the Cold War. The signing of the Panchsheel Agreement in 1954, which emphasised mutual respect for sovereignty, non-aggression, and peaceful coexistence, symbolised the optimism of that period. Both countries sought to assert their positions in the international order, and for a brief period, they found common ground in anti-colonialism and non-alignment. However, this phase of camaraderie was short-lived. By 1962, border disputes had culminated in a full-scale war, leading to a bitter fallout that shattered the illusion of Indo-Chini Bhai Bhai. The war created long-lasting animosities, especially concerning the contested territories of Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh. The unresolved border issue became a simmering point of tension in the decades that followed, colouring much of the diplomatic engagement between the two nations. Decades of Uneasy Diplomacy For much of the 20th century, India and China maintained a tenuous relationship, characterised by sporadic efforts at reconciliation interspersed with periods of mistrust. The 1990s saw a thaw, with both countries beginning to pursue economic reforms and recognising the potential benefits of cooperation. Bilateral trade began to grow, and both countries took steps to improve border management, culminating in agreements such as the 1993 Border Peace and Tranquillity Agreement. However, even as economic ties expanded, the underlying border dispute never truly went away. Military standoffs and skirmishes continued to occur periodically, with each side accusing the other of provocations along the LAC. Despite these tensions, the overall diplomatic narrative was one of cautious engagement, as both India and China recognised the strategic and economic importance of maintaining a stable relationship. Advertisement 2017 Doklam Standoff: A Turning Point The 2017 Doklam standoff was a pivotal moment that marked a shift in India-China relations. The 73-day standoff, which revolved around Chinas attempt to build a road on disputed territory near the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction, brought the two nations dangerously close to military conflict. While the crisis was eventually defused through diplomatic negotiations, it underscored the fragility of the peace along the LAC and highlighted the potential for small disputes to escalate into larger confrontations. Doklam served as a precursor to the more severe tensions that would emerge in 2019 and 2020. The standoff marked the beginning of a more assertive phase in India-China relations as both sides ramped up their military presence and infrastructure development along the LAC. It also signalled a shift in Chinas regional strategy, as Beijing sought to project its power more assertively in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region. Advertisement The Abrogation of Article 370 Indias August 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370, which revoked Jammu and Kashmirs special status, intensified tensions with China, particularly regarding Ladakh, which borders Chinese-controlled Aksai Chin. Beijing opposed the move, marking the beginning of heightened confrontations along the LAC. Indian and Chinese troops faced off in key areas like Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, and Hot Springs. Tensions peaked in June 2020, with the deadly Galwan Valley clash, where hand-to-hand combat led to the deaths of 20 Indian soldiersthe first such fatalities since 1975. This incident sent shockwaves through bilateral relations and fuelled nationalist sentiments in both nations. In response, India reduced its economic dependence on China, banning Chinese apps and scrutinising Chinese investments. Advertisement Infrastructure Development and Strategic Rivalry A key driver of LAC tensions has been the infrastructure buildup on both sides. India has accelerated road and military infrastructure development in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh in response to perceived Chinese encroachments. China, in turn, has built roads, airstrips, and military installations in Tibet and Xinjiang, aiming to consolidate its hold over Aksai Chin and extend its influence into South Asia. This infrastructure race has intensified the strategic rivalry. For India, improved connectivity in border regions is crucial for asserting territorial claims and enhancing its ability to counter Chinese incursions. For China, infrastructure serves both strategic and economic goals, strengthening its control over contested areas while promoting the integration of Tibet and Xinjiang into its broader economy. Advertisement A Path to De-escalation? In recent years, India and China have held multiple military and diplomatic talks to ease LAC tensions. In February 2021, both sides agreed to disengage in areas near Pangong Tso, with further discussions addressing unresolved issues in the Depsang Plains and Gogra-Hot Springs. However, tensions remain. A clash in December 2022 in Arunachal Pradeshs Tawang sector underscored the ongoing volatility and full disengagement that have yet to be achieved. The recent Modi-Xi meeting signals their shared commitment to resolving the military standoff and stabilising relations, with Modi emphasising the relationships importance for both nations and global peace. In a Multipolar World India-China relations must be understood in the context of a rapidly shifting global order. Both nations are central to an emerging multipolar world where regional dynamics and global governance are in flux. For India, its relationship with China is part of a broader strategy to assert its influence in Asia and globally, as seen through its participation in the Quad and strengthening ties with the US to balance Chinas presence in the Indo-Pacific. Meanwhile, Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and assertiveness in South Asia and the Indian Ocean raise concerns about its strategic intentions. The India-China rivalry extends beyond border disputes to competing visions for regional and global leadership. While the Modi-Xi meeting signals progress toward resolving LAC tensions, the greater challenge lies in managing their strategic rivalry without escalating tensions further. Historically, cooperation between the two has often given way to conflict. Moving forward, both countries must manage their differences while acknowledging the broader implications of their relationship, which impacts not only their development goals but also regional and global peace. Amal Chandra is an author, political analyst and columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. As the Israeli attack on Iran flagged the weakness of Russian air-defence systems, does India need to relook at its own usage of Soviet and Russian military hardware for critical purposes such as air defence? read more The S-300 missile system is seen during the National Army Day parade ceremony in Tehran, Iran, April 17, 2024. (Photo: Reuters) In last weeks attack on Iran, Israel destroyed all of the most-advanced air defence systems and left the regime essentially naked, according to officials. US and Israeli officials have said that in two rounds of attacks this year, Israel has destroyed all four batteries of Russia-provided S-300 air defence systems in Iran: one was destroyed in April and three were destroyed last week. In addition to destroying S-300 systems, Israel also struck other air defence systems and radar systems in Iran, which affect Irans ability to track or defend another wave of Israel attacks, essentially serving as a deterrence, according to Fox News. Advertisement The Israeli success against Russian air defence systems is not a warning sign for Iran and Russia, but also for other countries relying heavily on Russian military equipment, such as India. For more than two years, in wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Russian military equipment has been regularly battered. It has been struck repeatedly by Western weapon systems in the Ukraine War. However, there are no immediate concerns in India even though Israels strike on Iran is being noted in India, according to Wall Street Journal. Traditionally, India has been one of the largest importers of Russian weapons and military hardware, even though such imports have consistently fallen over the last decade as India has boosted relationships with Western nations and diversified supplies. India has bought six S-400 air defence systems from Russia, which is a notch above the S-300 air defence systems that Israel destroyed in Iran. The S-400 is Russias most-sophisticated air-defence equipment and is seen as the direct response to US Patriot air defence systems, which are partially defending Ukraine and Israel at the moment. Advertisement Western security analysts have been concerned for years that the development of S-400 significantly weakens the long-held air superiority of countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATA) and their allies, note Daniel Michaels and Rajesh Roy of Wall Street Journal. India does not yet appear to be worried about the poor performance of Russian air defence systems in Iran, according to the newspaper. India has bought six S-400 air defence batteries intended to be deployed along the borders with China and Pakistan. While four of these batteries have been delivered, the final two are delayed and India is pressing for deliveries by the end of the next year. Advertisement India has a unique case where weapon systems of multiple countries are being used. For example, while India uses Russian S-400, it also uses Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM), which has been jointly developed with Israel, along with indigenous Akash system. A second Indian official told the Wall Street Journal that Indias basket is quite diversified and India is not worried for now. But as far as India is concerned, its not dependent solely on Russian technology. Its basket is diversified, said the official. Lebanons armed forces are not involved in the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which began firing rockets at Israeli military sites a year ago in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas in Gaza. read more Smoke billows over the UNESCO-listed port city of Tyre after Israeli strikes following Israeli military's evacuation orders, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, southern Lebanon on October 28, 2024. Reuters File The US asked Lebanon to declare a unilateral ceasefire with Israel to revive stalled talks to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, a senior Lebanese political source and a senior diplomat said a claim denied by Lebanons prime minister. They said the effort was communicated by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein to Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati this week, as the U.S. stepped up diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. Advertisement Mikatis office in a statement to Reuters denied the U.S. had asked Lebanon to declare a unilateral ceasefire. It said the governments stance was clear on seeking a ceasefire from both sides, and the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the last round of conflict between the two foes in 2006. The U.S. embassy in Beirut did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The sources said the U.S. sought to persuade Beirut to take back some initiative in the talks, particularly given the perception that Israel will likely continue military operations that have already killed most of Hezbollahs leadership and destroyed much of the countrys south. Lebanons armed forces are not involved in the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which began firing rockets at Israeli military sites a year ago in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas in Gaza. Any effort to reach a ceasefire would need a green light from Hezbollah, which has ministers in Lebanons cabinet and whose members and allies hold a significant number of seats in Lebanons parliament. Diplomats mediate with Hezbollah through the groups ally, Lebanese speaker of parliament Nabih Berri. Hezbollah has said it backs efforts by Berri to reach a ceasefire but says it must meet certain parameters, without providing details. Advertisement But a unilateral declaration was seen as a non-starter in Lebanon, the sources said, where it would likely be equated with a surrender. DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVE Another diplomat told Reuters that Hochstein had made a similar proposal months ago to Mikati and Berri. Hochstein told them that if Hezbollah unilaterally declared a ceasefire, he could have something to present to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a diplomatic initiative. His exact words were, help me, help you, the diplomat said, adding that then-Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah rejected the idea. Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli air attack on Sept. 27 on Beiruts southern suburbs. Despite its losses, Hezbollah has maintained that the Iran-backed groups chain of command is intact and its fighters have kept Israeli forces making ground incursions into Lebanon at bay. Advertisement The U.S. has been pushing for a 60-day ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel as a prelude to a fuller implementation of 1701, sources told Reuters this week. Hochstein was in Israel on Thursday with White House envoy Brett McGurk, but they did not continue on to Lebanon. Speaking about Lebanon on Thursday, Netanyahu said that agreements, documents, proposals.are not the main point. The main point is our ability and determination to enforce security, thwart attacks against us, and act against the arming of our enemies, as necessary and despite any pressure and constraints. This is the main point, he said. Germanys ties with Iran reached an all-time low after the country announced the closure of Iranian consulates. The move came following the execution of an Iranian-German national read more Jamshid Sharmahd, an opposition activist, was sentenced to death in 2020 by the regime in Tehran on terror charges. He was executed on Monday. AFP Germany has announced the closure of all Iranian consulates in the country after the execution of a German-Iranian dual citizen by Tehran. Germanys Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced the move on Thursday. The decision came a day after an Iranian opposition activist named Jamshid Sharmahd was executed on Monday by the draconian regime in Tehran. Sharmahd was sentenced to death on terror charges. We have repeatedly made it clear to Iran that the execution of a German citizen will have serious consequences, Baerbock told reporters while announcing the closure of the embassies, Politico reported. I have therefore decided to close the three Iranian consulates general in Frankfurt am Main, Munich and Hamburg, she added. Advertisement However, it is important to note that the Iranian embassy in Berlin will remain open and so will the German embassy in Tehran. According to the official from the foreign office, Berlin does not want to completely sever diplomatic ties. 32 consular members to be affected According to the Foreign Office in Berlin, the closure will affect 32 consular staff members. The office mentioned that Germany last took such drastic measures after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Meanwhile, Baerbock said that Germanys diplomatic relations with Iran had reached more than a low point. She went on to urge fellow members of the European Union (EU) to do more at the regional level. I am pushing to put the Revolutionary Guards on the terror list in Brussels, the German foreign minister remarked. It is pertinent to note that Germanys latest decision came two days after the European country recalled its ambassador to Iran. We have sent our strongest protest against the actions of the Iranian regime & reserve the right to take further action, the foreign ministry said in a post on X at that time. While responding to Germanys anger, Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on X that no terrorist enjoys impunity in Iran. Even if supported by Germany. Iranian national Jamshid Sharmahd openly and unashamedly led a terrorist attack on a mosque that killed 14 innocent people, Araqchi said in his post on Tuesday. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Russia and China have stepped up military cooperation in the Arctic while deepening overall ties in recent years that include China supplying Moscow with dual-use goods despite Western sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine. read more (File) Warships of the Russian Navy and the Chinese Navy take part in the joint strategic command and staff exercise "Ocean 2024" in the Sea of Japan, Reuters The United States is closely monitoring the increasing collaboration between Russia and China in the Arctic, with US Arctic Ambassador expressing concerns over recent military partnerships in the region. The cooperation between the two nations includes Chinas provision of dual-use goods to Russia, despite ongoing Western sanctions related to the war in Ukraine. As both countries strengthen their ties, they want to capitalise on the Arctics resource wealth. While the US and Russia are among the eight Arctic nations, China positions itself as a near-Arctic state, aspiring to develop a Polar Silk Road as melting polar ice opens new shipping routes. Advertisement Michael Sfraga, the United States first ambassador-at-large for Arctic affairs, said the frequency and the complexity of recent military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing in the region sent concerning signals. The fact that they are working together in the Arctic has our attention, Sfraga, who was sworn in last month, told Reuters in a telephone interview from Alaska. We are being both vigilant and diligent about this. Were watching very closely this evolution of their activity. It raises our radar, literally and figuratively, he added. Sfraga cited a joint run by Russian and Chinese bomber planes off the coast of Alaska in July, and Chinese and Russian coast guard ships sailing together through the Bering Strait in October. He said these activities had been conducted in international waters, in line with international law, but the fact that the bombers flew off the coast of Alaska had raised concerns for U.S. security. We do need to think about security, heighten our own alliances, our own mutual defences, Sfraga said. Alaska, the North American Arctic, is NATOs western flank and so we need to think about the Arctic that way. Advertisement The activity was also a concern for U.S. allies as the Bering Strait and the Bering Sea give access to the North Pacific and South Pacific, he said. The Pentagon said in a report released in July that the growing alignment between Russia and China in the Arctic was a concern. China and Russia are trying to develop Arctic shipping routes as Moscow seeks to deliver more oil and gas to China amid Western sanctions. Beijing is seeking an alternative shipping route to reduce its dependence on the Strait of Malacca. The Arctic also holds fossil fuels and minerals beneath the land and the seabed that could become more accessible with global warming. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Germany has maintained a travel warning for Iran and has urged its citizens to leave the country, citing incidents like the execution of a German-Iranian national, which demonstrates that Tehran may take German citizens hostage, according to foreign ministry spokesperson in Berlin read more Germany has maintained a travel warning for Iran and has urged its citizens to leave the country, citing incidents like the execution of a German-Iranian national, which demonstrates that Tehran may take German citizens hostage, according to a foreign ministry spokesperson in Berlin. We have long had a travel warning for Iran and a request to Germans in Iran to leave the country because we saw from the Jamshid Sharmahd case that Iran is taking German citizens hostage," Reuters quoted the spokesperson as saying at a government news conference. Advertisement We want to spare other German citizens this fate, the spokesperson added. On Thursday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said it will close all three of its consulates in Iran following the execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a German-Iranian dual citizen and prominent dissident. Baerbock said relations between the two nations are at more than a low point after Iran confirmed Sharmahds execution on October 28. The 69-year-old was sentenced to death by an Iranian Revolutionary Court on charges of corruption on earth, in a trial criticised for lacking due process. Sharmahd, who had been living in Los Angeles for about 20 years, was abducted by Iranian security forces in 2020 while traveling in Dubai and was smuggled into Iran. Baerbock accused Iran of politicising its hostages, emphasising, We have repeatedly and unequivocally made it clear to Tehran that the execution of a German citizen will have serious consequences. She said Germany would push the European Union to impose sanctions on those responsible for Sharmahds execution and to classify the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. The IRGC has already been designated as a terrorist organisation by the United States since April 2019. With inputs from agencies Mazons administration waited long to issue alerts despite a series of increasingly dire weather forecasts from the national meteorological agency read more People stand on a bridge over damaged cars on a mud-covered road in the aftermath of torrential rains that caused flooding, in Picanya, Spain, October 31, 2024. Reuters As heavy rains lashed Valencia on Tuesday (October 29), President Carlos Mazon of Spains fourth-largest region maintained a busy schedule, overseeing events on sustainable tourism, launching a digital health initiative, and attending budget talks. Meanwhile, Spains national weather service was sending urgent flood warnings to his administration. By the time an emergency alert was issued to residents phones at 8 pm, many were already trapped in their homes, Politico reported. The Valencian government is under scrutiny for its delayed reaction to the flood, which has left at least 155 dead, a toll expected to rise as waters recede. Advertisement Spains national government raised questions about why Mazons administration waited so long to issue alerts despite a series of increasingly dire weather forecasts from the national meteorological agency, AEMET, that started as early as October 25. According to AEMET, the potential for a historic rainstorm was first flagged on October 25, followed by a weekend of heightened warnings specifying Valencia as the likely epicenter. By Tuesday, warnings had escalated to maximum red, advising locals to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Yet, throughout Tuesday, Mazon adhered to his official schedule and downplayed the storms impact at a press conference midday, Politico reported. Heavy rains had already caused rivers to overflow, and emergency responders were meeting by mid-morning to coordinate efforts. While Mazon continued with events, Valencias emergency unit requested military assistance by mid-afternoon. A crisis coordination center, known as CECOPI, convened around 5 p.m., hours after floodwaters had reached dangerous levels in many municipalities. Residents received an emergency alert on their phones at 8:12 pm, by which time many were already stranded. They raised the alarm when the water was already here, said Julian Ormeno, a local pensioner. Advertisement Mazon defended his response, stating the alert was timely and appropriate given the forecasts. However, as Spanish officials and political leaders visited Valencia, criticism mounted. Center-right opposition leader Alberto Nunez-Feijoo suggested AEMETs information had not been sufficient, while Environment Secretary Hugo Moran maintained that AEMETs system had worked perfectly and attributed the problem to gaps in the subsequent response. The incident has fueled broader concerns over Spains readiness for climate-induced extreme weather, with a new report finding a warming climate increased Valencias rainfall by 12 per cent and made the storm twice as likely. Civil groups and unions are planning a protest on November 9, calling for Mazons resignation over his handling of the crisis, amid a national period of mourning for those lost in the flood. Advertisement China has been facing severe economic challenges, amid this, it will be holding exams for government jobs which are considered to be stable. However, it has tightened requirements for educational qualifications required to appear for the exam read more As Chinas economy stagnates, the pursuit of stable government jobs has intensified, leading to a record number of applicants for the national public service exam, or guokao. This year, over 3.4 million candidates are competing for just 39,700 vacancies, resulting in an astounding ratio of approximately 86 applicants for each position on December 1. The guokaos popularity has surged dramatically over the past decade; in 2014, only 1.4 million candidates sought 22,000 positions. This increase is reflective of the mounting pressures faced by young people in a challenging job market. Advertisement With youth unemployment at a staggering 17 per cent, many see government jobs as a viable route to job security, despite issues like delayed salary payments and reduced benefits within the civil service. The concept of an iron rice bowl joba position offering lifelong securityremains a significant draw. These roles typically include positions in the military, civil service, and state-owned enterprises. The term iron rice bowl originated from Ji Yuns journal, Notes of the Thatched Abode of Close Observations, symbolising jobs that guarantee security for life. Just hours before the application period closed, the most coveted position an entry-level staff member at a vocational education association received 10,665 applications, according to Huatu Education, which analyses data from the official application platform, reported South China Morning Post. The exam is scheduled for November 30 and December 1, with results expected in January. A report indicated that approximately 2.74 million candidates had been approved for the exam, although final numbers wont be available until this weekend. In the previous exam cycle, 3.03 million candidates passed the initial review, resulting in an average of 77 applicants for each position. If this years numbers hold, that could translate to over 80 candidates competing for every available job. Advertisement Interest in the guokao has soared over the past decade, with. Chu Zhaohui, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Education Sciences, remarking, Its obviously a fiercely competitive option, considering the scarce opportunities in the private sector, to the SCMP. The jobless rate for the 16-24 age group (excluding students) stood at 17.6 per cent in September, meaning roughly one in six individuals in this demographic is unemployed, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. This year, 11.79 million graduates entered the job market, and the proportion of positions open solely to fresh graduates has risen significantly, from under 50 per cent before 2023 to around 70 per cent in recruitment plans for 2024 and 2025. Advertisement Moreover, the requirements for educational qualifications have tightened. Positions available to candidates with only vocational qualifications have plummeted from about 9 per cent in 2014 to just 0.13 per cent expected in 2025, with only 52 such roles available. In response to ongoing economic challenges, China recently announced plans to gradually increase retirement ages by up to five years. However, the age limits for civil service applicants remain unchanged, with most positions requiring candidates to be between 18 and 35 years old. For graduates with masters or doctoral degrees, the upper age limit extends to 40. With inputs from agencies. Three Iranian officials said that the decision was made after Khamenei was briefed about the extent of damage caused by the Israeli strikes on Iran last week read more Amid the brewing tensions in West Asia, reports are emerging that Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has given orders to prepare a strike on Israel. According to The New York Times, three Iranian officials said that the decision was made after Khamenei was briefed about the extent of damage caused by the Israeli strikes on Iran last week. At that time, the Israeli military stated that the precise attacks on the Iranian military targets took place in retaliation to Tehrans missile attack on October 1. As per the Iranian officials, during the meeting, Khamenei insisted that ignoring the Israeli strikes would be equivalent to admitting defeat. Advertisement Shortly after the Israeli strikes last week, the United States and other countries have been urging both Iran and Israel to end the back-and-forth. US President Joe Biden said that the latest strikes should be the final between the two nations. An Iranian strike might come after US presidential elections The Iranian official told The New York Times that the strikes are likely to happen after the November 5 US Presidential Elections. Earlier, Khameneis top aide Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani warned of a harsh and regretful response to Israels strike. The recent action of the Zionist regime in attacking parts of our country was a desperate move and the Islamic Republic of Iran will give it a harsh and regretful response, the Iranian cleric told Tasnim News agency. Golpayegani went on to laud Irans air defence performance in preventing the entry of the Zionist regime fighters into the territory and said damage from the strikes was minimal. Shortly after the Israeli attack, Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps Hossein Salami said Israel made a mistake and will see Irans reaction that will surpass imagination. He claimed that the Jewish nation was wrong to believe that it could change the balance of power in the region by launching a few missiles. Meanwhile, Netanyahu sent a clear message to Iran while delivering a speech at the graduation ceremony of IDF cadets. He said that Israels primary goal to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear capability remains unchanged. The bravado of the Iranian regime cannot mask the simple fact that Israel today has a greater freedom to operate in Iran than ever before, he said. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. The recent Israeli strikes on Iranian missile production facilities and air defense systems have put Tehran in a difficult position, as its ability to launch attacks on Israel and defend against future Israeli strikes has been weakened read more Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system operates for interceptions as rockets are launched from Lebanon towards Israel, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, as seen from near Ein Ya'akov, northern Israel October 23, 2024. Reuters/Representational image Israel is ready for a response from Iran, come what may. In the past month, Tel Aviv has counterstruck Iran twice in retaliation to its October 1 attack, putting the conflict in West Asia on edge. An Israeli source told CNN that the country is at a high level of readiness in case Iran attacks it, however, it is not sure when and how such a strike would take place. According to the source, the recent Israeli strikes on Iranian missile production facilities and air defense systems have put Tehran in a difficult position, as its ability to launch attacks on Israel and defend against future Israeli strikes has been weakened. Advertisement The deaths of senior Hezbollah leaders, including its chief Hassan Nasrallah, prompted an Iranian response which culminated in the launch of missiles against Israel. Since then, Iran has intensified its ground offensive in Lebanon. Lebanons Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday criticised Israels expansion of its attacks on his country, saying they indicated a rejection of efforts to broker a truce after more than a month of war. The Israeli enemys renewed expansion of the scope of its aggression on Lebanese regions, its repeated threats to the population to evacuate entire cities and villages, and its renewed targeting of the southern suburbs of Beirut with destructive raids are all indicators that confirm the Israeli enemys rejection of all efforts being made to secure a ceasefire, Mikati said. Earlier this week, Israel launched a second attack on Iran which was downplayed by officials in Tehran although they struck its military targets across the country. Meanwhile, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said that Israels attack against the country should neither be exaggerated nor minimised. The evil perpetrated by the Zionist regime (Israel) two nights ago must not be exaggerated or minimised, he said in a post on X. Israels security cabinet is discussing the terms of a truce with Hezbollah in south Lebanon, where Israeli troops are conducting a ground offensive, Energy Minister Eli Cohen said Wednesday. Advertisement There are discussions, I think it will still take time, Cohen told Israeli public radio. According to Israels Channel 12 television, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with ministers on Tuesday evening on Israels demands in return for a 60-day truce. With inputs from agencies Analysts at the Washington-based Hudson Institute said Israels choice of targets including three missile production sites and several air defence systems aimed to undermine Irans missile capabilities and strengthen Israels operational freedom should the conflict intensify read more Israels recent airstrikes on Iran inflicted heavy damage on Iranian missile and air defence systems, raising concerns of further escalation between the two rivals, analysts say. While heeding US calls to avoid targeting nuclear or oil facilities, Israels October 26 strikes focused on Irans missile production and air defences, potentially setting the stage for expanded military action. The strikes follow Irans October 1 missile attack on Israel, reportedly in response to Israeli operations that killed senior members of Iran-backed groups Hezbollah and Hamas. Advertisement Israels decision to hit Iranian missile facilities, rather than infrastructure that could trigger a larger regional conflict, reflects US pressure to contain the scope of the conflict, according to sources. Analysts at the Washington-based Hudson Institute said Israels choice of targets including three missile production sites and several air defence systems aimed to undermine Irans missile capabilities and strengthen Israels operational freedom should the conflict intensify. Israels target set clearly suggests it intended to erode Irans critical missile production capacity and facilitate further military action if the conflict escalates, the Hudson Institute said. Around 100 Israeli combat aircraft, possibly including drones, reportedly carried out the strikes. Fabian Hinz, a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), noted that the Israeli strikes hit specific bottlenecks in Irans missile production facilities in Shahroud, Parchin, and Khojir, focusing on areas that make solid missile propellant. These strikes might not have produced the most spectacular videos, they were designed very smartly to produce substantial effect even with a limited number of targets. They privileged the effect over the spectacle, Hinz said. Satellite imagery from Planet Labs showed apparent damage at Parchin. Israels strike also targeted Russian-made S-300 air defences, with the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggesting that Russias ongoing war in Ukraine might limit its ability to resupply Iran with these systems. Advertisement Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh acknowledged Israels intent to damage both defensive and offensive systems but claimed there was no interruption in missile production. Meanwhile, a senior aide to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of a harsh and regretful response. In an indication of a potentially widening conflict, Iranian officials told The New York Times that Khamenei directed Irans Supreme National Security Council to prepare a response, calling the scale of Israels attack too large to ignore. Israels military chief, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, cautioned that Israel would retaliate very very hard if Iran strikes back. Analysts believe Israels approach to Iran has toughened since the October 7 Hamas attacks, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government signaling it is prepared for further confrontation. Advertisement Lebanons Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday condemned Israels expansion of its attacks on his country, asserting that these actions demonstrated a refusal to engage in efforts to negotiate a truce after over a month of conflict read more Lebanons Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday condemned Israels expansion of its attacks on his country, asserting that these actions demonstrated a refusal to engage in efforts to negotiate a truce after over a month of conflict. The Israeli enemys renewed expansion of the scope of its aggression on Lebanese regions, its repeated threats to the population to evacuate entire cities and villages, and its renewed targeting of the southern suburbs of Beirut with destructive raids, are all indicators that confirm the Israeli enemys rejection of all efforts being made to secure a ceasefire, AFP quoted Mikati as saying in a statement after overnight raids hit Beiruts southern suburbs, in the first such attack this week. Advertisement Mikatis statement followed a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and visiting US officials, where they discussed a potential agreement to end the war in Lebanon. The Lebanese prime minister said that Israels diplomatic actions indicated a refusal to accept a ceasefire. Israeli statements and diplomatic signals that Lebanon received confirm Israels stubbornness in rejecting the proposed solutions and insisting on the approach of killing and destruction, Mikati said in a statement. Since fighting in Lebanon intensified on September 23, at least 1,829 people have lost their lives, according to an AFP tally based on health ministry figures. On Wednesday, Mikati mentioned that US envoy Amos Hochstein indicated in a phone call that a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict could be achievable before the U.S. elections on November 5. On the same day, Hezbollahs new leader expressed the groups willingness to agree to a ceasefire with Israel under acceptable conditions, but noted that a viable proposal has yet to be offered. During talks on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu informed US envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk that any agreement regarding Lebanon must ensure Israels long-term security. With inputs from agencies Japan and the EU have announced a historic security and defence partnership to enhance military cooperation and tackle emerging threats together read more Japan and the European Union announced a sweeping new security and defence partnership in Tokyo on Friday, which EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell hailed as a historic and very timely step. Borrell and his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya unveiled the pact to develop cooperation on joint military drills, the exchange of information related to the defence industry, and space security among other matters. I am extremely pleased to be here with Minister Iwaya to announce the conclusion of this security and defence partnership between the European Union and Japan, Borrell said. Advertisement He called it the the first agreement of this nature the EU has made with an Asia-Pacific country, describing it as historical and very timely. We live in a very dangerous world and given the situation in both of our regions, this political framework deepens our ability to tackle emerging threats together, Borrell told reporters. He did not mention China, but Japan has previously called its neighbour its greatest security challenge as Beijing builds up military capacity in the region. After the Tokyo talks, Borrell heads to South Korea, where concerns about North Korea will top the agenda. The United States has said thousands of North Korean troops are in Russia readying to fight in Ukraine. Pyongyang also test-fired one of its newest and most powerful missiles on Thursday, demonstrating its threat to the US mainland days ahead of elections. - Defence industries - The text of the EU-Japan Security and Defence Partnership, seen by AFP, said they would promote concrete naval cooperation including through activities such as joint exercises and port calls, which could also include mutually designated third countries. It also said the EU and Japan would discuss the development of respective defence initiatives including exchange of information on defence industry-related matters. Advertisement Japan, which for decades has relied on the United States for military hardware, is also developing a new fighter jet with EU member Italy and Britain set to be airborne by 2035. The agreement on industrial cooperation could turbo-charge collaboration, such that joint defence projects between Japanese and European firms funded through EU mechanisms may be on the cards, analyst Yee Kuang Heng of the University of Tokyos Graduate School of Public Policy told AFP. Japan is ramping up defence spending to the NATO standard of two percent of GDP by 2027, partly to counter China, which is increasing military pressure on Taiwan. Advertisement Beijing claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under its control. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who could head a minority government after a disastrous general election last week, has said that todays Ukraine could be tomorrows East Asia. Ishiba has also called for the creation of a NATO-like regional alliance with its tenet of collective security, although he has conceded this will not happen overnight. The same warning was issued by Ishibas predecessor Fumio Kishida, who was hosted by US President Joe Biden for a state visit in April at which the allies announced plans to boost their defence partnership. Advertisement On Friday, Borrell and Iwaya also exchanged an instrument of ratification for Japan EU Strategic Partnership Agreement, or SPA, Iwaya said, referring to a separate, previously agreed pact. This SPA will formally enter into force on January 1 next year. It will be a legal foundation to strengthen the Japan-EU strategic partnership into the future, Iwaya said. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) Kenya has reintroduced controversial tax hikes, including VAT increases and new taxes on freelancers, amid a backdrop of government changes with the swearing-in of Deputy President Abraham Kithure Kindiki following the impeachment of his predecessor read more President William Ruto welcomes Kithure Kindiki as his new deputy president at a swearing-in ceremony. AFP Kenya announced Friday it was re-introducing some of the tax hikes that sparked deadly protests earlier this year, while a new deputy president was sworn in after weeks of drama. President William Ruto scrapped an unpopular finance bill in June after the protests. Rights groups accused police of a brutal and illegal crackdown that led to more than 60 people being killed, with dozens more being arbitrarily arrested. But Kenyas government desperately needs to boost revenue as it struggles under around $80 billion in debt. Advertisement Tax changes announced in local newspapers on Friday showed it was re-introducing proposals from the finance bill, including VAT hikes and new taxes on the digital sector. The latter means freelancers working in food delivery and for ride-hailing apps - which have become vital sources of income in recent years - will have to pay income tax for the first time. Such tax hikes are likely to cause upset in a country where a third of the population lives below the poverty line. - New deputy - Meanwhile, the government announced a public holiday at the last minute to celebrate the swearing-in of new deputy president Abraham Kithure Kindiki, who has served as Rutos interior minister for the past two years. It followed weeks of drama around the impeachment of Rutos previous deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, who was accused of ethnically divisive politics. Gachagua has denied the charges but was impeached by the Senate on October 17, though it cleared him of a slew of corruption charges. A powerful businessman, Gachagua helped Ruto win a closely fought election in 2022 by rallying support from the crucial Mount Kenya region, particularly members of the Kikuyu tribe. Advertisement Kindiki, a 52-year-old academic and lawyer, also hails from the vote-rich region. He defended his boss at the International Criminal Court when Ruto was accused of crimes against humanity over 2007-08 post-election violence. In his acceptance speech, Kindiki described himself as the most unlikely person to take over the deputy presidency, having come from humble village origins. Kenya has made it possible for anyone to become anything in this country. I dont take it for granted, he said. Kindiki was criticised for backing the police when they were accused of excessive force during this years protests. Welcome to the team that is going to transform Kenya into a great nation, Ruto told him at the ceremony. Advertisement Failure is not an option, Ruto said, listing plans to focus on improving higher education, healthcare, agriculture, housing and more. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) The proposals do not include a permanent cessation of aggression, nor do they entail the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip or the return of displaced persons, an official said read more A Hamas official said Friday the group received a proposal from mediators Egypt and Qatar for a short-term truce in Gaza and rejected it for not including a lasting ceasefire. The proposals do not include a permanent cessation of aggression, nor do they entail the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip or the return of displaced persons, the official, a member of Hamass political bureau, told AFP on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak publicly on the issue. Advertisement A senior Hamas leader, Taher al-Nunu, had already warned on Thursday that the group would reject any proposal for a temporary halt to the fighting. But Nunu had said the group had not received any formal proposal at the time. Meetings between Mossad head David Barnea, CIA Director Bill Burns and Qatars prime minister in Doha, which concluded on Monday, discussed proposing a short-term truce of less than a month, a source with knowledge of the talks told AFP on Wednesday. The proposal involved exchanging Israeli hostages for Palestinians in Israeli prisons and increasing aid to Gaza, the source added. The Hamas official who spoke to AFP on Friday said the temporary ceasefire proposal had included an increase in the number of aid trucks as well as a partial exchange of prisoners. He said the group had responded by restating its position that what the Palestinian people want is a complete, comprehensive and lasting ceasefire. North Korea on Friday said that the new intercontinental ballistic missile fired on October 31 was Hwasong-19. The missile, after the launch, flew higher and stayed in the air for a longer duration than any other weapon the country had so far fired read more North Korea test fired new intercontinental ballistic missile 'Hwasong-19' at an undisclosed place in North Korea on October 31. Source: AP | KCNA. North Korea on Friday bragged the launch of its new intercontinental ballistic missile, identified as Hwasong-19, and called it the worlds strongest" and perfected weapon system. On Thursday (October 31), North Korea launched a missile which flew higher and stayed in the air for a longer duration than any other weapon the country had so far fired. The launch signaled that North Korea, led by Kim Jong Un, has achieved progress in acquiring a nuclear-armed ICBM that can hit the US mainland. However, a report by The Associated Press (AP) mentioned foreign experts as assessing that the country has still a few remaining technological issues to master before acquiring such a functioning ICBM. Advertisement Meanwhile, the Norths Korean Central News Agency called Hwasong-19 as the worlds strongest strategic missile and the perfected weapon system. KCNA said Kim, who observed the launch, thanked weapons scientists for demonstrating North Koreas matchless strategic nuclear attack capability. As per the KCNA report, Kim also described it as an appropriate military action to express North Koreas resolve to respond to its enemies moves that escalated tensions and threats to North Koreas national security. Ealier, the South Koreas military said that North Korea could have tested a solid-fueled missile. However, Fridays KCNA dispatch didnt say what propellant the Hwasong-19 ICBM uses. Meanwhile, observers say the color of exhaust flames seen in North Korean media photos on the launch still suggest the new ICBM uses solid fuels. Till Thursdays test, North Koreas most advanced ICBM was known as the Hwasong-18 missile which uses solid fuels. Pre-loaded solid propellants make it easier to move missiles and require much less launch preparation times than liquid propellants that must be fueled before liftoffs. Over the recent years, North Korea has made steady advancement in its efforts to obtain nuclear-tipped missiles. As per AP report, many foreign experts believe North Korea likely has missiles that can deliver nuclear strikes on all of South Korea, but it has yet to possess nuclear missiles that can travel to the mainland US. Advertisement There are questions on whether North Korea has acquired the technology to shield warheads from the high-temperature, high-stress environment of atmospheric reentry. Also, as per AP report, many foreign analysts say North Korea must have improved altitude control and guidance systems for missiles. They say North Korea needs an ability to place multiple warheads on a single missile to defeat its rivals missile defenses. All of North Koreas known ICBM tests, including the one on October 31, have been performed on steep angles to avoid neighboring countries. ON Thursday, South Korean military spokesperson Lee Sung Joon said that a high-angel trajectory launch cannot verify a missiles re-entry vehicle technology, though North Korea has previously claimed to have acquired that technology. Advertisement AP report mentioned observers as stating that the October 31 launch, the Norths first ICBM test in almost a year, was largely meant to catch the attention of America days before the crucial 2024 US Presidential election (scheduled on November 5) and respond to international condemnation over North Koreas reported dispatch of troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. North Koreas reported troop dispatch highlights the expanding military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. South Korea, the US and others worry North Korea might seek high-tech, sensitive Russian technology to perfect its nuclear and missile programs in return for joining the Russian-Ukraine war. Advertisement With inputs from AP. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, earlier this week, said that around 8,000 North Korean troops are in Russia to back its war against Ukraine. South Korea first reported the presence of troops in Russia prompting world leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to call for their withdrawal read more North Korea on Friday said it will support Russia until it achieves victory in Ukraine amid reports that Pyongyangs military is playing an active role in the war. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui made the statement after talks with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow. She was in Moscow as the West says thousands of North Korean troops are in Russia and will possibly be used in Ukraine. We repeat that we will always stand firmly by our Russian comrades until victory day, North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui said, according to a Russian translation. Advertisement We have no doubt whatsoever that under the wise leadership of the honourable Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian army and people will surely achieve a great victory in their sacred struggle to defend the sovereign rights and security of their state, she added. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, earlier this week, said that around 8,000 North Korean troops are in Russia to back its war against Ukraine. South Korea first reported the presence of troops in Russia prompting world leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to call for their withdrawal. North Korea, on the other hand, says that any deployment of troops in Russia would be based on international law. Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, has neither denied nor confirmed the reports. Russia hails close ties with N.Korea Russias Lavrov hailed the close ties between the two countries armies and special services. Moscow signed a mutual defence pact with Pyongyang this summer. Very close ties have been established between the militaries and special services of the two countries, he said. This will also make it possible to solve significant security aims for our citizens and yours. He said Moscow was deeply grateful to our Korean friends for their principled position on the events that have unfolded in Ukraine. Advertisement China, US discuss matter Blinken has said that the country is engaged in high-level talks with China over the matter of North Korea sending its troops to Russia amid war. Blinken said that US and China are engaged in a robust conversation to discuss the growing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. China, however, said that growing ties between Pyongyang and Moscow were not its concern. With inputs from agencies North Koreas Choe Son Hui is on a visit to Moscow as the West believes up to 10,000 North Korean troops are on the brink of entering the more than two-year conflict on Russias side read more In this handout picture released by the Russian Foreign Ministry on November 1, 2024, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui attend a ceremony unveiling a memorial plaque dedicated to Kim Il Sung's visit to the USSR in 1949, at Moscow's Yaroslavsky railway station. AFP North Korea will stand by Russia until its victory in Ukraine, Pyongyangs foreign minister said in Moscow Friday, as the United States warned thousands of North Korean troops could be sent to combat in the Ukraine conflict in the coming days. North Koreas Choe Son Hui is on a visit to Moscow as the West believes up to 10,000 North Korean troops are on the brink of entering the more than two-year conflict on Russias side. Advertisement US intelligence has said some North Korean forces have made their way to Russias Kursk border region, with Washington and Seoul urging Pyongyang to withdraw its troops. We will always stand firmly by our Russian comrades until victory day, Choe declared in Moscow after talks with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. She said North Korea had no doubt in the wise leadership of President Vladimir Putin, who signed a mutual assistance pact with Pyongyang this summer and massively warmed ties with the reclusive state. Choe praised Moscows offensive in Ukraine as a sacred struggle. She also vowed that North Korea will continue to develop its nuclear arsenal, with Pyongyang widely suspected of wanting nuclear technology from Russia in exchange for military support. Neither country has denied the troop deployment reports, which Choe and Lavrov did not mention in their statements after their talks. Lavrov did however laud very close ties between the two countries armies and special services. This will also make it possible to solve significant security tasks for our citizens and yours, he added, without giving details. Advertisement Moscow deeply grateful Lavrov said Russia was deeply grateful for North Koreas principled stance on Ukraine. North Korea and Iran have emerged as Russias main backers in Ukraine, with both believed to be supplying Moscow with military hardware. I really appreciate todays opportunity to talk frankly in a comradely manner, Lavrov said, evoking Soviet-style language. Russia has resuscitated its Soviet-era relations with North Korea since sending troops to Ukraine, glorifying the two countries past standoff against the West. Lavrov and Choe unveiled a plaque at Moscows Yaroslavsky railway station in honour of North Korean leader Kim Il Sung travelling to Moscow in 1949 to seek Soviet leader Joseph Stalins backing to invade South Korea. Advertisement In a ceremony that included an orchestra, Lavrov said the unveiling of the plaque underscores the respect and reverence with which we treat our common history and great predecessors. He said Putin and North Koreas current leader Kim Jong Un now aim to try to be worthy of the contribution to our friendship that was made by our predecessors. Zelensky slams Western inaction US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday it has not yet seen North Korean troops deployed against Ukrainian forces but that this could happen in the coming days. The United States on Friday announced it will provide an additional $425 million in military aid to Ukraine including air defence interceptors and munitions for rocket systems and artillery to meet its most urgent needs. Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his nightly address Friday criticised Kyivs allies for inaction as Ukraine pleads for permission to fire donated long-range missiles deep into Russia. Now we see every site where Russia is amassing these North Korean soldiers on its territory all their camps. We could strike preventively, if we had the ability to strike long enough, he said. Instead of providing the long-range strike capability that is so necessary, America is watching, Britain is watching, Germany is watching, the president said. Everyone is just waiting for the North Korean military to start striking at Ukrainians, he added. Zelensky also criticised China, which he said could block logistics between Russia and North Korea. Advertisement On Friday, Russia struck a police station in Ukraines second largest city of Kharkiv with S-400 missiles, killing a police officer and wounding 30 police and 10 civilians, regional police said. Explosive Choe vowed in Moscow that the country will not give up advancing its nuclear programme and accused the West of escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. She spoke a day after North Korea announced it had test-fired one of its newest and most powerful missiles, in a move slammed by the West. I once again assure you that our country will in no way change course on the strengthening of its nuclear forces, she said. The security situation of our nation is in a very dangerous and unstable state because of the machinations of the US and its satellites, she said. The situation on the Korean Peninsula could become explosive at any time, she added. Seoul has warned that Pyongyangs deployment could escalate security threats on the Korean peninsula and that Pyongyang is likely to ask for Russian technology transfers to aid its weapons programs. Blinken said that US and China are engaged in a robust conversation to discuss the growing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang read more US State Secretary Antony Blinken has said that the country is engaged in high-level talks with China over the matter of North Korea sending its troops to Russia amid war. Blinken said that US and China are engaged in a robust conversation to discuss the growing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. The presence of North Korean troops in Russia, which has been confirmed by Washington, has caused anxiety among leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who has called for their withdrawal. Advertisement I think they know well the concerns that we have and the expectations that, both in word and deed, theyll use the influence that they have to work to curb these activities. So well see if they take action, the state secretary said after he attended a meeting with South Korean officials in Washington. Meanwhile, China has affirmed that its position on the Ukraine war has been consistent and it wants a political settlement to the conflict. Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the US, Liu Pengyu, said, Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. China strives for peace talks and political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. This position remains unchanged. China will continue to play a constructive role to this end. Russian President Vladimir Putin has neither denied nor confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in Russia. When asked about the evidence of satellite images showing North Korean troops entering Russia at the closing ceremony of Brics Summit, Putin said, Images are a serious thing. If there are images, then they reflect something. Growing Russia-North Korea ties their own matter China on Friday insisted that growing ties between Pyongyang and Moscow were not its concern, after the United States warned up to 8,000 North Korean troops have reached Russias border region trained and ready for combat with Ukraine North Korea and Russia are two independent sovereign states. How they develop bilateral relations is their own matter, Beijings foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Russia has denied meddling in Moldovas presidential election, dismissing allegations from the West and Moldovas government as it monitors the closely watched vote read more The Kremlin said on Friday that Russia was monitoring the ongoing presidential election in Moldova, but was not interfering in it despite a flurry of allegations from the West and Moldovas pro-Western president to the contrary. Moldova is holding an election runoff on Sunday in which pro-Western President Maia Sandu will attempt to win a second term in a country that has become a diplomatic battleground between Russia and the European Union. Advertisement Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Moscow strongly denied allegations it had been trying to meddle in the vote and questioned the way in which the authorities in Moldova had been overseeing the campaign. Moscow has accused the Moldovan authorities of using dirty methods to sideline pro-Moscow voices. The authorities say they have acted to snuff out illegitimate pro-Moscow influence operations. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that the US and Russia are on the brink of direct military conflict, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming US presidential election read more The United States and Russia are very close to engaging in direct military conflict, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned in an interview published Friday in a Turkey daily, just days ahead of a US presidential election. Under the current president (Joe Biden), who has taken the downward spiral of Russophobia in the US to its logical conclusion, our countries are on the brink of direct military conflict, he told the Hurriyet daily, without elaborating. Advertisement Asked about next weeks US election pitting former Republican president Donald Trump against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, Lavrov said the outcome would make little difference to Russia. We have no preference. When the Trump administration was in power, it adopted the highest number of anti-Russian sanctions compared to its predecessors, he said. No matter who wins the elections, we dont think the United States anti-Russian bent can change. Although Trump has previously made clear his fondness for Russias Vladimir Putin, the two men are not close and have maintained a deliberately ambiguous relationship. Last week, the Russian president said his relationship with Washington would depend on what attitude it adopts after the vote, as he welcomed as sincere Trumps remarks about wanting to end the Ukraine conflict. In September, Microsoft claimed Russia operatives had ramped up their disinformation operations to malign the Harris campaign through conspiracy-fuelled videos, raising concerns over foreign influence operations targeting the vote. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) The death toll from the devastating flash flood in Spain has mounted to 158 with rescue workers still searching for those missing read more People work to clear a mud-covered street with piled up cars in the aftermath of torrential rains that caused flooding, in Paiporta, Spain, October 31, 2024. Source: REUTERS In Spain, at least 158 people have died as the country witnessed devastating flash floods after very heavy rain on October 28. Theres a total of 158 people to which must be added dozens and dozens of missing, Angel Victor Torres, minister in charge of cooperation with Spains regions, told a press conference. The death toll is expected to rise further as rescue operations continue to hunt for missing people. Years worth of rain in just 8 hours Advertisement According to reports, on October 29, parts of Valencia in Spain received a years worth of rain in just eight hours. Alarmingly, 155 of the flood deaths were in Valencia, while another two were recorded in Castilla-La Mancha to the provinces west, and another, a British man, in Andalusia, a report in the BBC said. On October 31, rescue teams, braving the downpour, discovered the bodies of eight people, including a local policeman, who had been trapped in a garage on the outskirts of the city of Valencia, Mayor Maria Jose Catala told media. People stand on a bridge over damaged cars on a mud-covered road in the aftermath of torrential rains that caused flooding, in Picanya, Spain, October 31, 2024. Source: REUTERS Catala further said that in the same neighbourhood of La Torre, a 45-year-old woman was also found dead in her home. The devastating floods battered Valencias infrastructure, swept away bridges, roads and rail tracks, and submerged farmland in a region that produces about two-thirds of Spains citrus crops including oranges. As per Transport Minister Oscar Puente, around 80 km of roads in the eastern region were badly damaged or impassable with many blocked by abandoned cars. Unfortunately, there are dead bodies in some vehicles, Puente said. More stormy weather ahead: Spain asked to stay indoors Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who visited a rescue coordination centre near Valencia city, urged people to stay at home due to the threat of more stormy weather. Advertisement Right now, the most important thing is to safeguard as many lives as possible, he said. Damaged cars are seen along a road affected by torrential rains that caused flooding, on the outskirts of Valencia, Spain, October 31. Source: REUTERS Rescuers battle odds to find survivors Two days after the floods, more than 1,200 workers, aided by drones, were deployed to the rescue mission as rain continued to lash parts of the country. A report by BBC said undertakers and funeral vans on Thursday retrieved bodies from the street, while on nearby roads, cars swept away by the storm surge were piled on top of each other. Over 90 deaths were recorded on Wednesday alone in the immediate aftermath of the torrential rains and flash floods, which majorly affected Valencia along with Castilla-La Mancha in Andalusia, and as far south as Malaga. Advertisement Officials havent disclosed the number of people still missing but said there are many. On Thursday, Spain began an official three-day national mourning period with flags at half-mast on government buildings and minutes of silence held. Spains worst flooding in generations Many fear that the recent flash flood in Spain could possibly become Europes worst storm-related disaster in over five decades. The death toll on October 29 is the worst from the floods in Spain since 1973, when at least 150 people were estimated to have died in the southeastern provinces of Granada, Murcia and Almeria. Why did Spain experience worst flood? A host of factors contribute to flooding, but a warming atmosphere caused by climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely. Advertisement A report by BBC quoted weather researchers identifying the likely main cause of the intense rainfall as a gota fria a natural weather event that hits Spain in autumn and winter when cold air descends on warmer waters over the Mediterranean. However, the increase in global temperatures had led to the clouds carrying more rain, the report mentioned scientists as saying. A view shows debris and a car stuck on a bridge, in the aftermath of torrential rains that caused flooding, in Torrent, Valencia region, Spain October 31, 2024. Source: REUTERS On October 31, a report by research group Climate Central pointed out that a low-pressure system behind Spains floods had tapped into an atmospheric river carrying excess moisture from the unusually warm Tropical Atlantic. According to its Climate Shift Index: Ocean, human-caused climate change has made these elevated sea surface temperatures at least 50 to 300 times more likely. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. The publically available filings stated that the corporate donations were made to the Republican Attorneys General Association, or Raga, a 527 committee which exists to funnel nationally donated funds to key state races read more Major US companies like Amazon, DoorDash and CVS Health are supporting a group which is pushing for the re-election of Todd Rokita, the Republican attorney general of Indiana who supports a total abortion ban. Rokita was infamous for being reprimanded by the state supreme court for criticizing a doctor who provided an abortion for a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio. The publically available filings stated that the corporate donations were made to the Republican Attorneys General Association, or Raga, a 527 committee which exists to funnel nationally donated funds to key state races. Interestingly, the three entities mentioned in the filing have publicly expressed support for ensuring reproductive rights across the United States. Advertisement According to the filing, in 2024, Amazon, DoorDash and CVS Health between them have donated a whopping $425,000 to Raga. Meanwhile, the group has donated $255,000 to Rokitas campaign, The Guardian reported. The controversial Republican lawmaker has also participated in a suit against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over accommodations for workers receiving abortions. The unknown side of campaign donations Donations to Republican and Democratic 527 committees have long been tracked by the Center for Political Accountability, a Washington think tank. In August this year, while introducing a CPA report, Bruce Buchanan, a professor of business ethics at the Stern School of Business at New York University, spoke about the donations to these committees. Their power far exceeds their media presence. The American citizenry has little awareness of their influence and even less of their funding and methods. This is unfortunate," he averred. As major corporations open their chequebooks to these 527s and especially to the Republican Attorney Generals Association (Raga) these funds are going to elect and re-elect state officials that are actively advancing policies antithetical to stakeholder groups across society," Prof. Buchanan added. The hypocrisy of it all Major US companies made several public statements about their support for employees in light of Dobbs v Jackson, the 2022 US Supreme Court ruling that removed the federal right to abortion, and the ensuing state bans. Not only this, in May 2022, after Dobbs was leaked, Amazon told employees it would pay up to $4,000 in travel expenses for non-life-threatening treatment including abortions. Advertisement However, the company has given $150,000 to Raga which is supporting Rokita. Meanwhile, in June 2022, shortly after Dobbs, a DoorDash spokesperson said the company would cover certain travel-related expenses for employees forced to travel out of state for abortion care. Its paramount that all DoorDash employees and their dependents covered on our health plans have equitable, timely access to safe healthcare, the company said at that time. However, this year, DoorDash has paid $150,000 to Raga. Meanwhile, CVS Health, which expressed commitment to making out-of-state abortion healthcare services more accessible and affordable for employees in states with abortion bans, paid Raga $125,000 in 2024. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Throughout US history, only a handful of ex-presidents have sought to reclaim the Oval Office, but only one Grover Cleveland succeeded. From Ulysses S Grant to Theodore Roosevelt, their comeback attempts have largely ended in failure. As Donald Trump attempts a 2024 return, he joins this small group read more Republican presidential nominee former US President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, US, September 29, 2024. File Image/Reuters When US presidents leave office, most settle into private life, but a few have made notable attempts to return to the Oval Office. These efforts have highlighted how difficult it is to reclaim Americas highest office once youve vacated it. Some former US presidents have run for their old jobs and failed, while only one has succeeded. Donald Trumps 2024 campaign places him among this select group of political figures. Grover Cleveland: The only successful comeback Advertisement Grover Cleveland remains the only US president to successfully return to the White House after losing re-election. Cleveland, a Democrat from New York, was first elected in 1884 but lost to Benjamin Harrison in 1888, despite winning the popular vote. However, in 1892, he was re-nominated and triumphed over Harrison in a decisive victory, reclaiming the presidency. His successful return to the highest office remains a unique feat in American history. Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th US president and remains the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms. File Image/potus.com Clevelands comeback was driven by dissatisfaction with Harrisons policies and a lack of viable Democratic successors. Clevelands second term is remembered for his dedication to fiscal conservatism and resistance to extravagant government spending, earning him a place in history as the only US president to serve two non-consecutive terms. Ulysses S Grant: A failed bid for a third term Ulysses S Grant, a Republican, completed two full terms from 1869 to 1877. While he originally declined to run for an unprecedented third term, he reconsidered four years later and sought the Republican nomination in 1880. Grant led the field during the GOP convention but could not secure the majority needed, losing to James A Garfield on the 36th ballot. At the time, there was no official limit on presidential terms the two-term rule became law in 1951 with the ratification of the 22nd Amendment. Advertisement Ulysses S Grant, the 18th president of the United States, is remembered for his military prowess as the Union general who led the North to victory during the Civil War. File Image/Wikimedia Commons Grants attempt to reclaim the presidency was one of the most drawn-out nomination fights in US political history. His near-success highlighted the fractured nature of the Republican Party at the time, as well as the risks of political comebacks. Other presidential comeback attempts Several other former US presidents have made attempts to regain their old positions, but all failed to replicate Clevelands success. Herbert Hoover, who lost to Franklin D Roosevelt in 1932, made behind-the-scenes efforts to regain the Republican nomination in 1936 and an overt bid in 1940. Herbert Hoover served as the 31st president of the United States. File Image/Hoover Archives However, Hoovers candidacies were overshadowed by stronger contenders, and he never came close to returning to power. In 1940, Hoover received only 17 votes on the first ballot at the GOP convention. Advertisement Martin Van Buren sought to return to the presidency in 1848, running as the candidate for the antislavery Free Soil Party. Martin Van Buren was elected Vice President on the Jacksonian ticket in 1832, and won the Presidency in 1836. File Image/whitehouse.gov His campaign garnered around 10 per cent of the popular vote but failed to win any electoral votes, placing him a distant third in the race. Millard Fillmore, who succeeded Zachary Taylor after his death, ran as the candidate for the American Party, or Know-Nothing Party, in 1856. A portrait of US President Millard Fillmore, who served from 1850-1853. File Image/Library of Congress via Reuters He secured 21.6 per cent of the popular vote but won only Marylands eight electoral votes. Theodore Roosevelt had perhaps the most dramatic post-presidential campaign. After growing dissatisfied with his hand-picked successor, William Howard Taft, Roosevelt sought the Republican nomination again in 1912 but lost to Taft. Advertisement At just under 43 years old, Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th and youngest President in the history of the United States. File Image/whitehouse.gov Undeterred, he formed the Progressive, or Bull Moose, Party and ran as its candidate. His third-party run was the strongest in US history, earning 27.4 per cent of the popular vote and 88 electoral votes, placing second behind Woodrow Wilson but ahead of Taft. Post-presidential political careers Several former US presidents also remained active in politics after leaving the White House, though not necessarily by seeking the presidency again. John Quincy Adams had one of the most distinguished post-presidential careers. After losing his re-election bid to Andrew Jackson in 1828, Adams ran for a seat in the US House of Representatives in 1831. John Quincy Adams was the first US president who was the son of another president. File Image/loc.gov He served in Congress for nearly two decades, where he became a leading abolitionist and famously argued the Amistad case before the Supreme Court. Advertisement John Tyler returned to politics in the Confederate government after his presidency, serving briefly in the Confederate House of Representatives before his death in 1862. John Tyler served as the tenth President of the United States. File Image/whitehouse.gov Andrew Johnson, after surviving his impeachment trial in 1868, unsuccessfully ran for a Senate seat and a House seat. Andrew Johnson was the 17th president of the United States. File Image/whitehouse.gov He finally succeeded in being elected as a senator from Tennessee in 1875, only to die five months into his term. James Madison served as the fourth president of the United States. File Image/loc.gov James Madison and James Monroe both served as delegates to the 1829-1830 Virginia Constitutional Convention, with Monroe presiding over the gathering until ill health forced him to step aside. Portrait of James Monroe as US president by Gilbert Stuart. File Image/Wikimedia Commons A balance of power The path back to the presidency has proven elusive for all but one president. Ronald Reagan, after securing the Republican nomination in 1980, briefly considered selecting former President Gerald Ford as his running mate. However, Ford was reportedly hesitant to return to the vice presidency, and Reagan instead chose George HW Bush. Reagans decision highlighted the difficult balance of power that former presidents face when considering a return to political office. As of 2024, Donald Trumps campaign to return to the White House places him in this small group of former presidents attempting comebacks. Whether Trump will replicate Grover Clevelands success remains to be seen. Also Watch: If Donald Trump comes to power again, it could mean more efforts by conservative politicians to restrict abortion access across the United States. The Republican presidential candidate has at times hinted at moderation during the 2024 election campaign, but many fear that he could do a lot of damage to abortion access read more A second Donald Trump presidency could amplify efforts by conservative politicians to restrict abortion access across the United States. Heres a closer look at the legal tools available to a future administration intent on limiting abortion access and how abortion rights defenders are preparing to fight back. Federal actions For advocates of abortion rights, the nightmare scenario is a Republican-controlled Congress enacting sweeping national restrictions or an outright ban. Vice President Kamala Harris has championed a federal law protecting abortion, but that would require Democratic control of the House, Senate, and presidency. If Trump wins but Republicans do not control Congress, he could still do a lot of damage to abortion access through federal actions and judicial appointments, American University law professor Lewis Grossman told AFP. Advertisement The Republican former presidents Supreme Court picks were pivotal in dismantling decades of legal precedent protecting the national right to abortion. While Trump has at times hinted at moderation during the 2024 campaign even suggesting he might veto any anti-abortion law that lands on his desk some fear Project 2025 as the real battle plan. Published by the ultra-conservative Heritage Foundation, the document offers a roadmap for harsher executive branch restrictions, developed with input from former Trump officials. Trump has publicly distanced himself from the document. Restriction on abortion pills? Experts predict abortion pills could be Trumps first target. Mifepristone, which prevents pregnancy progression, and misoprostol, which empties the uterus, accounted for nearly two-thirds of US abortions last year, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Medical abortion, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration since 2000, used to require in-clinic visits. However, during Covid-19, telehealth briefly opened access by mail, a policy that Joe Bidens government made permanent in 2021. A Trump administration might reinstate in-person requirements or roll back other eased regulations, said George Washington University law professor Sonia Suter a simpler step than rescinding approval, though that is also possible. Angie Jean-Marie of Plan C, a nonprofit focused on abortion access, said that if access to mifepristone is restricted, providers may rely on misoprostol alone, a potential workaround since its already approved for various medical uses and subject to fewer regulations. Advertisement If Harris wins, Jean-Marie says advocates would push for her to make the pills available without a prescription. Also read: More than 60% of US abortions in 2023 were done by pill, study shows Resurrecting obscenity law Anti-abortion activists are eyeing the Comstock Act, a 19th-century law prohibiting the mailing of obscene materials, including items for producing abortion. The US Justice Department under Biden currently interprets this law as inapplicable to approved abortion pills. But Suter told AFP that a broad interpretation could apply that to anything used to produce an abortion materials for surgical abortions which could effectively create a national ban. This could disrupt the supply chain in clinics and hospitals across states where abortion is currently legal or where it may soon be permitted through state-level referendums on November 5. Advertisement Conservative lawyer and scholar Josh Craddock told AFP: There is nothing nefarious or backdoor about enforcing the laws that Congress has enacted and repeatedly reaffirmed. " Also read: From abortion to bobcat hunting: Whats at stake for US voters beyond electing a president? Potential legal troubles A Trump administration could also seek to undo the stringent patient privacy protections put in place by Biden for women seeking abortions out-of-state, said Suter, paving the way for possible prosecutions when they return home. Although the Supreme Courts conservative majority has already overturned Roe v Wade, experts say the power to appoint federal judges remains paramount. Courts may soon be called to decide the fate of state laws that make it harder for women to access care in more abortion-friendly states, Grossman explained. Jean-Marie emphasised that pro-abortion groups arent sitting idle. If Trump wins, theres much to prepare in those weeks before inauguration, she said, noting strategies like pill stockpiling, overseas sourcing and community support networks. Advertisement Pro-abortion organisations also are launching the You Have Options campaign to make sure women have access to critical resources, no matter who wins on November 5. With inputs from AFP In his Diwali greetings, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has condemned the violence against Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh and blamed Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden for it read more Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has condemned the violence against Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh. In his Diwali greetings on X (formerly Twitter), Trump said that Bangladesh remains in a state of chaos and blamed US President Joe Biden and Vice President Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris for the violence. I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos. It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength! said Trump. Advertisement In August, as Bangladeshs military essentially joined hands with pro-Pakistan parties and Islamists protesting against longtime ruler Sheikh Hasina, the premier fled the country. In the wake of Hasinas ouster, a wave of sectarian violence has enveloped Bangladesh in which common Hindus, Hindu temples, as well as Hindu lawmakers and other public places associated with Hindus have been systematically attacked in hundreds of incidents with impunity. I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos. It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2024 Politicising the plight of Bangladeshi Hindus, Trump went on to bash the Democrats in the post. We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom, said Trump. Some Hindu-American organisations have hailed Trumps post. Hindus for America First, which has formally endorsed Trump, thanked Trump for showing moral clarity and unequivocally condemning anti-Hindu pogroms in Bangladesh, according to PTI. Advertisement Trump is a great man and, a great leader, full credit goes to him for wishing all the Hindus, Buddhists, and Jain Sikhs a very blessed Diwali. I think Trump really, really cares about these communities. He really understands whats going on in Bangladesh. He sees the ongoing persecution of Hindus. He is concerned about religious minorities that are suffering right now in that country, said Utsav Sanduja, the founder and head of Hindus for America First. In the three-hour conversation with podcaster Joe Rogan, Donald Trumps running mate JD Vance mocked liberal women on abortion, body-shamed liberal voters, and slammed Muslim immigrants, and launched into a tirade against transpersons read more Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps running mate JD Vance has launched another wave of tirade against abortion, immigration, and gender-affirmative healthcare. In a three-hour-long conversation with podcaster Joe Rogan, Vance said that liberal voters are unhealthy and fat, accused baselessly of liberal women celebrating abortion, slammed Muslim immigrants, and mocked transgenders. In an episode of Joe Rogan Experience that aired on Thursday, Vance appeared to be more of a culture wars icon than a vice presidential candidates, but that was likely the idea of the conversation as Trump has made culture wars central to his far-right Make America Great Again platform. Advertisement While Vance mocked transpersons and gender-affirmative healthcare, Trump has been mocking gays in the final days of his campaign, calling Anderson Cooper of CNN, the most prominent gay journalist a woman even as Vance told Rogan that Trump would win much of the gay votes. Conservatives are more manly, says Vance In a tirade that fused sexist stereotypes with body-shaming, Vance said that studies have connected testosterone levels in young men with conservative politics. Vance then went on to shame liberal voters. Have you seen all these studies that basically connect testosterone levels in young men with conservative politics? Maybe thats why the Democrats want us all to be, you know, poor health and overweight is because it means were going to be more liberal, right? If you make people less healthy, they apparently become more politically liberal," said Vance. Vance launches into tirade against women again Vance claimed that liberal women celebrate abortions publicly, an assertion even Rogan challenged. Vance said that liberal women were publicly celebrating their abortions by baking birthday cakes and posting about it on social media platforms. When Rogan challenged and said that some states like Texas have abortions laws so restrictive that women may not even know they are pregnant during the window and are open to prosecution if they travel out of state, Vance said that he was not aware of such laws. Vance has previously slammed women who choose to not have children, derogatively dubbing them as childless cat ladies. Advertisement Mocking transpersons & gender-affirming healthcare Vance claimed that people were turning into transgenders to go to colleges. Vance went on to claim that having transgender or non-binary children was a way to reject your white privilege for some rich parents. If you are a, you know, middle-class or upper-middle-class white parent, and the only thing that you care about is whether your child goes into Harvard or Yale, like, obviously, that pathway has become a lot harder for a lot of upper-middle-class kids, but the one way that those people can participate in the DEI bureaucracy in this country is to be trans and is there a dynamic thats going on where, if you become trans, that is the way to reject your white privilege, said Vance. Advertisement Mocking gender-education and access to gender-affirming healthcare, Vance said his two-year-child comes to him and tell that they are a dinosaur and asked whether it means he has to take the child to a dinosaur clinic. Every single day, my 4-year-old or 2-year-old will come to me and say something that is batshit insane, because theyre four and two. Like my 4-year-old will come and say, Daddy, Im a dinosaur, right? Im gonna take him to, like, the dinosaur transition clinic and put scales on him? said Vance. Vance then went on to claim that Trump would win much of the the normal gay guy vote. He made the claim even Trump has been going around mocking gays, calling Anderson Cooper, the most prominent gay journalist, a woman. Advertisement Vance on immigrants When pushed by Rogan on the rising number of immigrants and their effects on local politics, highlighting the case of a city in Minneapolis where mosques have been allowed to publicly broadcast calls to prayers, Vance said that real religious tyranny is increasingly in Western societies. Referring to the Minneapolis incident, Vance said that where you have had a large influx of immigrants who dont necessarily assimilate into Western values but try to create, I think, a religious tyranny at the local level and if you think that wont happen at a national level, youre crazy. The 2024 US presidential election could depend on the swing state of Pennsylvania. However, it is unlikely to know who the winner here is on election night. Heres why read more A vote by mail sign is shown outside of the Philadelphia Election Warehouse, in Philadelphia, on October 25. The swing state is crucial to both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. AP The United States is unlikely to know who wins the battleground state of Pennsylvania on election night. Thats because of a quirk in Pennsylvanias laws. Pennsylvania is crucial to both the Harris and Trump campaigns, and Pennsylvania will likely prove pivotal in determining the presidency. Here are five things that are important to understand about the timing of the election outcome in Pennsylvania. The states make the election rules Under the US Constitution, states and the federal government share power. Some powers are exclusively reserved for the states, while other powers are exclusively under the control of the federal government, for instance signing treaties, or declaring war on a foreign nation. Under this system, known as federalism, states not the federal government run elections. Individual states and local jurisdictions within states determine polling locations, how citizens vote and other rules surrounding election administration. Elections are run differently across states. Some states require photo identification at the polls when you vote, while some verify identities of voters in other ways. Advertisement A board of elections staff member demonstrates the extraction process, in which return envelopes are opened and the secrecy envelope is removed, during a walkthrough of the ballot counting centre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Reuters Differences also extend to how ballots are counted and how long it takes for states to report results. Nearly all states prohibit releasing election results until after the polls close on Election Day. However, some states begin to count mail-in and early ballots as they are cast. This means that they can report the results of an election sooner on Election Day because the work of processing and counting is already done. The laws of Pennsylvania Under Pennsylvania law, voters may cast ballots through the mail. Local election officials are prohibited from opening the envelopes containing mail-in ballots until 7 am on Election Day. Before 2020, the only Pennsylvania voters permitted to vote by mail needed an excuse for instance, serving overseas in the armed forces. The first time Pennsylvania voters were able to vote by mail without an excuse was in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a record number of voters nationwide chose to vote by mail when that option was allowed, including in Pennsylvania. Out of the nearly seven million total Pennsylvania voters in the 2020 presidential election, roughly 2.6 million voted by mail. Prior to 2020, local election officials never needed to count such a large number of ballots received through the mail, and news organisations could typically announce Pennsylvanias unofficial winner quickly. A Luzerne County resident drops off a mail-in ballot in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on November 3, 2022. File photo/Reuters For instance, in 2016, media organisations could project a Trump victory in Pennsylvania at 2:29 am the Wednesday after Election Day. But in 2020, it took four days for enough ballots to be counted for news organisations to project that Joe Biden won Pennsylvania and would be the next president. As of 10 am on Oct 28, 2024, about 2.09 million Pennsylvania voters had requested mail-in ballots. That number increased, as Pennsylvanians could request a mail-in ballot until Oct 29. County boards of elections must receive mail-in ballots by 8 pm on Election Day for those ballots to be counted. Members of the military and overseas absentee ballots have until Nov 12. Advertisement The time the count votes Its impossible to definitively say how long it will take to know who won Pennsylvania. The more ballots there are to count, the longer America will need to wait. The length of time it will take to determine the winner will also depend on how close the election turns out to be. I voted! stickers are seen at the ballot counting centre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, on October 25. Reuters If the margin of victory for the winning candidate is very small say tens of thousands of votes then election officials will need to count enough ballots that it becomes mathematically impossible for the other candidate to catch up, regardless of how the remaining ballots voted and only then will credible news organisations announce a projected winner of each state. If the election is within half a percentage point, Pennsylvania state law dictates that an automatic recount is required, although recounts are unlikely to change the winner of a statewide race. Advertisement Not longer than 2020 Although no one can say for certain how long it will take anyone who says otherwise is wrong there are indications that it might not take as long as it did in 2020. First, it is highly likely that fewer Pennsylvanians will choose to vote by mail in 2024. A smaller proportion of voters opted to vote by mail in the 2022 midterm election than in the 2020 general election, and that trend is likely to continue in 2024. Thus far, fewer voters have requested mail-in ballots than in 2020, so that assertion is supported by the available data at this point. Counting may also take less time because election officials have more experience counting the mail-in ballots now than in 2020. That year was the first time election officials counted so many mail-in ballots. Advertisement Counties have also secured better machines to assist in the process. For instance, Philadelphia County will use new machines to help them open the envelopes faster. This should speed up the process, according to Pennsylvanias chief elections official, Secretary of State Al Schmidt, a Republican, although Schmidt recently told NPR news it is unlikely that a winner will be declared in Pennsylvania on election night. Mail-in votes vs in-person votes According to the Associated Press, Pennsylvania will report small batches of mail-in ballots first, followed by in-person Election Day votes. After that, the remaining mail-in ballots will be tabulated and released. This process will likely result in predictable patterns in the results of the election. We know several things because of who in Pennsylvania has requested mail-in ballots this cycle, which follows a similar pattern as in 2020. Most voters who opted to vote by mail in 2020 were Democrats, while Republicans were more likely to vote in person on Election Day. Advertisement A sign alerts voters to the presence of a polling location in Philadelphia. File photo/Reuters The results for in-person, Election Day voters can generally be reported faster. Thats because voters themselves will feed their ballots into vote tabulating machines at various precincts, which count them immediately. Election Day ballots in 2020 generally supported Trump, although the Republican party has recently tried to encourage more of their voters to vote by mail. The results will then likely change as mail-in ballots are counted, which takes time. As they are counted, you should expect to see Trumps vote share decline and Harris share increase. That expectation is based on the voters who have requested mail-in ballots so far. As of 10 am, on Oct 28, 2024, data from the Pennsylvania Department of State indicated that 56 per cent of the mail-in ballots requested at that point in Pennsylvania were from registered Democrats, about 32 per cent from Republicans, with the remaining 13 per cent from voters who did not register with a party or listed a third party. In 2020, over six in 10 mail-in ballots were requested by Democrats and about 1 in 4 by Republicans. Dont fall for conspiracy Although conspiracy theories are prevalent in American politics these days, resist the temptation to believe unfounded claims. Such claims are often advanced by individuals or groups with a personal motivation to do so to get more clicks or likes on social media, make money or gain political power. American elections are administered by dedicated public servants on both sides of the political aisle who are observed by representatives from both political parties as well as nonpartisan watchdog groups. Academics and journalists across the nation also closely monitor elections and would be the first to ring the alarm if there were evidence of malfeasance. Ballot counting in Pennsylvania will take time, and ultimately election officials have said they prioritise accuracy over speed. We will know the results of the election in time. Until then, be patient and watch one of the worlds oldest democracies at work. Alauna Safarpour, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Gettysburg College This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Polling for the United States presidential elections are just around the corner. While polling will take place on November 5, the inauguration of the winner will take place next year on January 20. Here are some other important dates you need to know read more With just two days left, the stage is all set for the much-awaited US presidential election. Approximately 244 million people are qualified to vote on November 5 but polls indicate that the election outcome will depend less on the national voter turnout and more on voters in swing states. On one hand is Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and on the other is former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump along with his running mate JD Vance. Advertisement America witnessed a turbulent summer with President Joe Biden dropping out of the race following a catastrophic debate with Trump on June 27. This led to Vice President Kamala Harris replacing him as the Democratic nominee. Meanwhile, Trump faced multiple assassination attempts. As the date for the showdown approaches, here are some key dates and events relating to the presidential. November 5 This is when voters across the United States will cast their ballots for president. November 25 This will be the last day for 17 states along with the District of Columbia to accept postal votes postmarked for Election Day, reported Mint. A drop slot for voting ballots and absentee applications is shown outside of the Warren City Hall complex in Warren, Michigan. AP November 26 Donald Trump will be sentenced in connection to a case of hush money in Manhattan where he was found guilty of falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star. Trump is the first sitting or former US president to be convicted of a crime in the history of the country. Trump has denied wrongdoing. Sentencing was originally due to take place on September 18. December 17 Electors, who together form the Electoral College, meet in their respective states and the District of Columbia to select the president and vice president. December 25 The electoral votes must be received by this date by the president of the Senate - a role held by the vice president, currently Harris - and the archivist. January 6, 2025 The vice president presides over the Electoral College vote count at a joint session of Congress, announces the results and declares who has been elected. It is to be noted that on this day in 2021, the US Capitol was attacked by Trump supporters trying to stop the count after then-President Trump lambasted his Vice President, Mike Pence, for refusing to try to prevent Congress from certifying President Joe Bidens victory over Trump. Bidens win was certified early the next day. Rioters at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington. AP Congress has since passed the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022, which requires approval of one-fifth of the House and Senate to consider a challenge to a states results a much higher bar than existed before when at least one member each in the Senate and House of Representatives could together trigger a challenge. January 20, 2025 The inauguration of the election winner and their vice president takes place. At this ceremony, the victor and the vice president are officially sworn into office. With inputs from Reuters Each nation has deployed 45 personnel for this exercise, which focuses on joint training drills designed to enhance physical fitness, coordination, and tactical skills read more Special forces from India and the United States are set to commence two-week joint exercise in Idaho, aimed at enhancing operational capabilities and interoperability in desert and semi-desert environments, Indias Ministry of Defence announced on Friday (November 1). An Indian Army contingent departed for the US on Friday to participate in the 15th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar, which will be held from November 2-22 at the Orchard Combat Training Center in Idaho. Advertisement The exercise will focus on joint planning, reconnaissance, and the execution of special operations tactics, as well as facilitating camaraderie and trust between soldiers of both nations. The US forces are represented by the US Army Special Forces, known as the Green Berets, while the Indian side will be fielding units from the Indian Army Special Forces. Each nation has deployed 45 personnel for this exercise, which focuses on joint training drills designed to enhance physical fitness, coordination, and tactical skills. The aim of this exercise is to promote military cooperation between India and the US through enhancement of interoperability, jointness and mutual exchange of special operations tactics, the statement said. Key aspects to be rehearsed during the exercise include planning and executing joint team missions, reconnaissance operations, and the employment of unmanned aerial systems. The exercise will also cover specialized operations techniques such as joint terminal attack control and psychological warfare, enabling both forces to refine their responses to complex tactical scenarios. Advertisement The previous edition of Vajra Prahar was conducted in December 2023 in Umroi, Meghalaya, India. This is the second joint exercise held this year between the two nations armies, following Exercise Yudh Abhyas, which took place in Rajasthan in September. Both exercises underline the growing defense partnership between India and the US, with a focus on enhancing readiness and coordination in diverse operational settings. With inputs from agencies On the afternoon of October 29, 2024, President Xi Jinping held talks with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who is in China for a state visit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi Jinping pointed out that Finland was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China and the first Western country to sign an intergovernmental trade agreement with China. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Finland have always enjoyed friendly relations based on mutual respect and trust, setting a fine example of state-to-state relations that rise above historical, cultural and institutional differences, and promote equal exchanges. As the world is now undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century and the risks and challenges facing human society are increasing, the future-oriented new-type cooperative partnership between China and Finland holds exceptional value and deserves to be cherished and carried forward. The Chinese side is ready to work with the Finnish side to strengthen strategic cooperation, carry forward friendly traditions, and further advance the China-Finland future-oriented new-type cooperative partnership to better benefit the two countries and peoples and make new contributions to world peace and development. Xi Jinping stressed that the most important reason for the long-term, sound and stable development of China-Finland relations is that the two countries have always respected each other, treated each other as equals, and accommodated each other's core interests and major concerns. China-Finland practical cooperation got off to an early start, has yielded fruitful results and demonstrates great potential. The recent Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China laid out systematic plans for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. This will bring new impetus and opportunities to China-Finland cooperation and global development. Finland is welcome to actively participate in the Chinese modernization process, expand cooperation in emerging industries such as green transition, information technology, digital economy, artificial intelligence and new energy, and build a new pattern of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in the new era. China is ready to further expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Finland, and has decided to apply the unilateral visa-free policy to Finland. China welcomes more Finnish friends to come to China for business, tourism and study. Xi Jinping pointed out that both China and Finland love peace and advocate multilateralism and free trade. China is ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with Finland on climate change, biodiversity conservation, global sustainable development, artificial intelligence governance and other issues, jointly safeguard world peace and stability, and promote the building of an equal and orderly multi-polar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. Noting that next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU), Xi Jinping expressed the hope that Finland will continue to play an active role in promoting the sound and stable development of China-EU relations, so that China-Finland relations and China-EU relations can achieve mutual enhancement and common development. Alexander Stubb said he is very pleased to visit China shortly after taking office as President and meet with President Xi Jinping again after 14 years. The global landscape has changed profoundly since their last meeting and China has made remarkable achievements in development. Over the past 74 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Finland and China have always respected each other, treated each other sincerely and conducted dialogue on an equal footing. Bilateral relations have maintained sound development and cooperation areas have been continuously expanded with fruitful results. Finland adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to jointly celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with China next year, step up high-level exchanges, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and deepen practical cooperation in economy, trade, green energy, sustainable development and other fields. Finland appreciates China's commitment to the principle of equality among all countries, regardless of their size, in international relations, values the major initiatives and concepts put forward by President Xi Jinping to address various global challenges in today's world, and attaches importance to China's important influence in international affairs and its stabilizing and constructive role. Finland is willing to strengthen multilateral communication and cooperation with China and contribute to promoting world peace and stability. The economies of the EU and China are closely interconnected, and "decoupling and severing industrial and supply chains" or a "new Cold War" is not in the interest of any party. Finland is willing to play an active role in promoting the smooth development of EU-China relations. The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, among other issues. Xi Jinping elaborated on China's principled position and expressed China's readiness to work with all concerned parties, including Finland, to continue playing a positive role in promoting a peaceful settlement of the crises. After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of multiple documents on bilateral cooperation in such areas as education, water resources, environmental protection, circular economy and agricultural and food products. The two sides issued the Joint Action Plan between China and Finland on Promoting the Future-oriented New-type Cooperative Partnership 2025-2029. Before the talks, Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming ceremony for Alexander Stubb and his wife Suzanne Innes-Stubb at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. A 21-gun salute was fired at Tian'anmen Square, and honor guards lined up in salutation. As the two heads of state stepped onto the stand, the military band played the national anthems of China and Finland. Accompanied by Xi Jinping, Alexander Stubb reviewed the guard of honor of the People's Liberation Army and watched the march-past. On the evening of the same day, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan held a welcoming banquet for Alexander Stubb and his wife Suzanne Innes-Stubb at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Wang Yi was present at the above events. Google has introduced new features for Google Maps, designed to enhance user experience with advanced tools like Gemini. These updates include improved navigation, personalized recommendations, and the innovative Immersive View, helping users explore surroundings and plan journeys more intuitively. Miriam Daniel, VP & GM, Google Maps, noted that by leveraging AI to analyze billions of images and collaborating with local partners and the community, Google makes over 100 million map updates daily, ensuring users have access to the most current information, whether traveling globally or locally. Gemini-Powered Google Maps Updates Personalized Inspiration with Gemini Users can now receive customized suggestions on Google Maps. For example, when planning a night out, simply ask things to do with friends at night, and get curated ideas like nearby speakeasies or live music venues. Geminis summarization feature offers quick access to reviews and essential details about places, such as outdoor seating options. This feature utilizes data from over 250 million locations globally. Availability: This feature starts rolling out in the U.S. on Android and iOS this week, with a broader rollout planned in Google Search over the coming months. Stress-Free Driving Experience Google is streamlining the driving experience with new features to assist users from route planning to destination. Users can add stops along the way to discover landmarks, dining options, and attractions. Enhanced navigation displays lane markings, road signs, and crosswalks for smoother navigation in unfamiliar areas, guiding users on lane positioning to reduce last-minute merging. Additionally, users can now report and view weather-related disruptions, such as flooded or poorly plowed roads. Updated arrival guidance highlights building entrances and nearby parking options. Users also receive walking directions from parking spots to destinations and can leverage Street View for better orientation. Availability: These updates are rolling out globally this week on Android and iOS. Enhanced navigation begins in over 30 metropolitan areas next month. Immersive View Updates Immersive View now allows users to visualize stadiums, parks, and travel routes using AI and advanced imagery, with real-time weather and traffic conditions. Availability: Starting this week, Immersive View will expand to 150 cities worldwide, including Brussels, Kyoto, and Frankfurt, adding new categories such as college campuses. Updates for routes, including parking locations and complex turn highlights, will roll out on Android and iOS where available. Generative AI Updates for Google Maps Platform and Google Earth Alongside these new features, Google has introduced advanced generative AI tools for the Google Maps Platform and Google Earth, supporting developers and urban planners with real-time, accurate data for complex geospatial needs. Enabling Generative AI Apps with Real-Time Location Data The Google Maps Platform, used by over 10 million websites and apps, supports industries like delivery services and real estate. As more developers create generative AI-powered tools, real-time location data is often required. Googles new Grounding with Google Maps feature enables developers to integrate up-to-date place data into AI applications. This tool updates information on over 250 million places for accurate, location-based experiences. AI-Powered Place Summaries in Rivian Vehicles Rivian vehicles will soon feature AI-powered place summaries in their infotainment systems, utilizing Gemini capabilities through the Places API. Drivers will receive concise summaries of nearby restaurants, stores, and supermarkets, streamlining access to relevant information. Expanding Generative AI to Google Earth for Urban Planning Google is extending Gemini capabilities to Google Earth, aiding urban planners with quick city-level insights. This upgrade reduces data analysis time from days to minutes. For example, a transportation planner might ask, Map the five zip codes with the fewest EV chargers relative to area size. Google Earth will analyze the data, identifying zip codes with limited EV chargers, and generate custom visualizations. The planner can further refine the search to include hotels or shopping centers nearby that lack EV charging facilities. This AI capability, developed with Google Research and X (the moonshot factory), is set for a pilot launch next month. Users can sign up for the trusted tester program. Speaking about the updates, Miriam Daniel, VP & GM, Google Maps, said, Chinese EV firms report strong Q3 growth, highlighting resilience against external challenges Global Times) 10:42, November 01, 2024 People visit the pavilion of Chinese carmaker BYD at the 2024 Paris Motor Show during the media day in Paris, France, Oct. 14, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua) Several Chinese electric vehicle (EV) companies have reported impressive revenue growth in the third quarter, showing that protectionist moves in overseas markets will not hinder China's EV development, experts said. In a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Thursday, Li Auto said that its total revenue for the third quarter reached 42.9 billion yuan ($6.1 billion), a year-on-year increase of 23.6 percent. The company reported a non-GAAP net income of 3.9 billion yuan in the third quarter, up 11.1 percent from the previous year. It delivered a total of 152,831 vehicles in the third quarter, a year-on-year rise of 45.4 percent. This comes after BYD, another Chinese EV company, reported its third-quarter earnings on Wednesday, which revealed revenue of 201.125 billion yuan ($28.25 billion), a 24.04 percent increase compared with the same period last year. Notably, this marks the first time BYD's quarterly revenue has surpassed that of Tesla, which reported third-quarter revenue of $25.18 billion. SERES Group also released its third-quarter report for 2024 on Wednesday, showing revenue of 41.582 billion yuan in the third quarter, a year-on-year increase of 636.25 percent. The net profit was 2.413 billion yuan. This stellar performance shows that protectionist moves by some Western countries to suppress China's EV industry will not succeed, Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association, told the Global Times on Thursday. China's EV industry will continue to grow, supported by strong domestic demand, Cui said. Cui noted that the significant growth of Chinese EV companies in the third quarter can be partly attributed to the implementation of trade-in policies, which has greatly boosted the sales of new-energy vehicles (NEVs). Since July, more than half of all new cars sold in the country have been NEVs, with the rate hitting 53.3 percent in September. Among the participants in the consumer products trade-in program, 62 percent of consumers chose to buy NEVs, the National Development and Reform Commission said in October. Cui said that the Chinese EV industry has strong growth potential in the domestic market. At the same time, China's supply chain and industrial chain have sufficient resilience and integrity to cope with external challenges. Relying on its own core technologies, the Chinese EV industry is expected to expand rapidly in the coming years, Zhang Xiang, director of the Digital Automotive International Cooperation Research Center of the World Digital Economy Forum, told the Global Times on Thursday. In a press release on Tuesday, the European Commission, the executive branch of the EU, said that it had concluded its anti-subsidy investigation by imposing definitive countervailing duties on imports of EVs from China for a period of five years. Chinese officials, business organizations and carmakers have fiercely criticized this decision, urging the bloc to advance talks to reach a mutually acceptable solution as soon as possible and avert escalating trade friction. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) 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 City of Grand Junction has joined several other Colorado governments in calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm a lower-court ruling requiring analysis under federal environmental law of down-the-line impacts of a Utah oil train project, including to Colorado communities. Grand Junctions City Council voted unanimously Oct. 21 to participate with a number of other Colorado communities in a friend-of-the-court brief filed with the high court arguing that the National Environmental Policy Act requires analysis of things such as the potential for the trains to result in spills and wildfires along the Union Pacific Line in Colorado. The brief was one of eight filed Oct. 25 in support of Eagle County and conservation groups and in defense of a ruling by a federal appeals court regarding a proposed 88-mile railroad track that would connect oil produced in the Uinta Basin of northeastern Utah with the national rail network. Its expected that much of that oil would be shipped by train through western Colorado and down to Gulf Coast refineries. The appeals court found in part that the Surface Transportation Board erred in failing to analyze the projects upstream drilling impacts on wildlife and vegetation in the Uinta Basin and downstream environmental impacts as far away as the Gulf Coast. While the board analyzed impacts in western Colorado, the court found that its analysis fell short, according to the brief filed by the Colorado communities. Attorneys for the project backers have argued in a brief to the Supreme Court that analyzing things such as potential downline train accidents and environmental harm to Gulf Coast communities goes beyond what the National Environmental Policy Act requires. The high court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the matter Dec. 10. Grand Junction joined Glenwood Springs, Minturn, Grand County, Avon, Red Cliff, Crested Butte, Basalt, Routt County, Boulder County, Pitkin County and the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments in filing the brief backing the lower-court ruling. Among other briefs also filed in support of that ruling was one from 15 states and the District of Columbia, in an effort led by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. Grand Junction City Council decided to participate in the brief after City Attorney John Shaver told the council the matter going before the high court is a procedural one. I think its not really an ideological statement of pro or con, he said. Council Member Anna Stout told her colleagues that by partaking in the brief, the council is not making value statements about whether or not we as a council support or do not support the railroad, but is asking that NEPA procedures be followed so it can be determined what increased risk and environmental impact could come from 10 more trains a day coming through the area. Were not saying that we believe that there is or there isnt an adverse impact. Were saying we want that to be examined as part of the NEPA process, she said. Mayor Abe Herman said he thinks there are potential significant impacts of having 10 super-long, accident-prone trains coming through our community every day, and that in itself is enough to continue the process thats already been upheld by two lower courts and ask that they do a more thorough examination of the downline effects to communities like ours. Council Member Cody Kennedy said that he thinks its a mischaracterization to call trains accident-prone, as they a highly safe form of transportation and use of trains is preferable to a product like oil being shipped on a highway. But he said there could be impacts to the community if traffic at intersections is held up a long time by lengthy oil trains. Its estimated the trains could exceed two miles in length. The brief filed last week alludes to that concern. The City (of Grand Junction) has several at-grade crossings that may be impassable for extended periods with longer trains, it says. The City Council considered participating in the brief after Herman and Shaver met with legal counsel for the City of Glenwood Springs. Shaver told the council in a memo that there is no direct cost to the city in joining in the brief. The brief says that local governments are generally barred from exercising regulatory authority over railroads. ... Still, local governments must prepare to respond to a foreseeable uptick in spills, derailments, and wildfires that the (Surface Transportation) Board acknowledges will result from increased train traffic. The brief says the appeals courts analysis rests in part on the understanding that downline impacts fell within the agencys regulatory ambit and were a foreseeable result of the Boards decision to approve the construction and operation of a new railway that essentially serves as an extension of the Union Pacific line running through western Colorados narrow mountain passes. It said that communities joining in the brief and situated along the Union Pacific Line, which will receive 90% of the new trail traffic authorized by the board, are directly impacted by the decision approving the Railway, and ultimately are responsible for responding to the accidents, wildfires, river contamination, and destruction of private property inevitably caused by the Boards decision. Accused of interference in Georgia, Russia pumps up anti-US propaganda By William Echols October 31, 2024 Tbilisi and Moscow have exchanged harsh rhetoric about the results of the October 26 parliamentary elections in Georgia that brought thousands to the streets protesting the victory of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, who is aligned with the pro-Western opposition, accused Russia of running a "special operation" to "falsify" the election results in favor of the ruling party, which is widely seen as increasingly pro-Kremlin and authoritarian. In response, Russia denied involvement and framed the United States and European Union as destabilizing powers. In doing so, Moscow's network of officials and state-owned outlets engaged in disinformation and conspiracy theories, going so far as to allege on a state-controlled news agency that the U.S. and Ukraine were secretly deploying snipers to shoot at protesters in Tbilisi to escalate the situation. Zourabichvili also told Reuters that Russian "methodology and the support of most probably Russian FSB [Federal Security Service] types is shown in this election." "The propaganda that was used ahead of the election ... was a direct duplication, a copy-paste, of Russian clips and videos used at the time of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's election," said Zourabichvili, whose position as president is largely ceremonial. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied Russian interference in the election and accused Zourabichvili of "attempting to destabilize the situation." Peskov had earlier alleged it was the European countries that "tried to influence the outcome of this vote." Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called Zourabichvili a "puppet president" who "refused to accept the election and went against the Constitution by calling for a coup." "The standard practice in such cases is removal from office and arrest," Medvedev wrote on X. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the U.S. of engaging in "neo-colonialism" after U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller warned the Georgian government could face "consequences" if it did not "walk back its anti-democratic actions and return to its Euro-Atlantic path." Russian state media went further, spreading a conspiracy theory that the West was seeking to foment violence in Georgia. "In their attempts to knock off balance the internal political situation in Georgia following the October 26 election and set off another color revolution, Westerners stop at nothing," the Russian state-owned Sputnik news agency said, quoting unnamed "sources in the region." "Ukraine-trained snipers are arriving in the republic to organize provocations during mass protests," Russia's state-owned Tass news agency reported Monday, citing a "regional official familiar with the matter." The term "color revolution" was widely adopted after the 2004-05 Orange Revolution in Ukraine was sparked by a corruption-ridden presidential runoff that saw the pro-Russian candidate, Viktor Yanukovych, emerge victorious. Russia typically uses the term when accusing the West of orchestrating movements to destabilize or overthrow Kremlin-preferred governments. In the months leading up to Georgia's parliamentary poll, Russian state media ran reports alleging the U.S. was seeking to foment a color revolution or "a Ukraine-style coup." In July, Russia's state-run Sputnik news agency cited an anonymous Russian intelligence official who claimed U.S. authorities were planning a "sacred sacrifice" from among the protest participants. The disinformation narrative in Sputnik's report reflects a well-worn Kremlin conspiracy theory going back to the 2013-14 pro-Europe rallies in Ukraine, when the Russians claimed that American-trained Georgian "mercenaries" were responsible for shooting protesters in Kyiv during the 2014 demonstrations at the city's Maidan Nezalezhnosti, widely known as the Maidan or Independence Square. Russian state media and top officials, including Putin, falsely claimed that the U.S. organized protests in Ukraine to propagate a coup. That narrative included a conspiracy theory that Victoria Nuland, an American diplomat and former assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, had ordered "American specialists" to lead the "snipers, who shot people at the Maidan." Amid ongoing protests in Georgia, the U.S. and the EU have joined calls from international and local observers to investigate alleged election-related violations. On Thursday, Georgian authorities launched an investigation into election-fraud allegations. The EU and U.S. have repeatedly warned Georgia about what they call its "democratic backsliding," even freezing financial support to the country's government, focusing instead on supporting civil society initiatives. In June, Georgian Dream officials signed into law a bill that required nongovernmental agencies receiving at least 20% of their funding from abroad to label themselves as foreign agents "pursuing the interests of a foreign power." In response, Brussels paused Georgia's accession process to the EU, saying the foreign agent law is incompatible with EU membership. Georgia's opposition has nicknamed Tbilisi's new foreign agent law the "Russian law," a reference to similar legislation enacted in Russia in 2012 that has been used to silence civil society and independent media. The EU also warned it may freeze visa-free travel with Georgia if it finds the parliamentary poll neither free nor fair. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address United States Delivers Second United Nations Level 2 Hospital to Uganda for Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Efforts The U.S. provided $5.5 million state-of-the-art U.N. Level 2 hospital As to help support the Ugandan military. By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs , United States Africa Command Kampala, Uganda Oct 31, 2024 The U.S. provided $5.5 million state-of-the-art U.N. Level 2 hospital As to help support the Ugandan military. The 22-bed facility, equipped with specialized suites for dental and surgical care, is designed for rapid deployment in response to regional peacekeeping, humanitarian emergencies, and medical crises. The donation marks the second U.N. Level 2 hospital delivered from the U.S. to Uganda. The first donated hospital played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly contributing to the Ugandan response and saving thousands of lives, including civilians. As part of the transfer, soldiers from the Uganda People's Defence Force participated in intensive training at the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capabilities Center in Jinja, Oct. 14-29. During training, they learned essential skills in setting up, operating, and dismantling the hospital to ensure effective deployment when needed. "This initiative reflects the United States' dedication to enhancing health care and humanitarian response capabilities as part of the more than 60-year partnership with the Ugandan people," U.S. Ambassador William Popp to Uganda said. The majority of U.S. defense and security cooperation in Uganda supports health programs with a direct impact on Ugandan citizens. While less than 3% of the nearly $1 billion in total U.S. government development and humanitarian assistance to Uganda in 2023, nearly two-thirds of all U.S. security cooperation funds went to health programs, with the rest supporting human rights and legal training as well as peacekeeping efforts in Somalia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address October 31, 2024 By Matthew Olay, DOD News Recruitment Rises 12.5% Despite Ongoing Challenges The Defense Department's armed services branches recruited 12.5% more people in fiscal year 2024 than in the year prior despite a challenging and disinterested recruiting market. While speaking at a multiservice panel on 2025 recruiting issues at the Pentagon earlier this week, Director of Military Accession Policy Katie Helland said that the services increased the number of recruits from 200,000 in FY 2023 to 225,000 in FY 2024, which ended September 30. Additionally, she said, the services had a 35% increase in written contracts, and the active components' delayed entry program started FY 2025 with a 10% larger pool. "[The Office of the Secretary of Defense] and the services will continue to build off the momentum that we've gained in 2024," Helland said. "Nevertheless," she continued, "we need to remain cautiously optimistic about the future recruiting operations as we continue to recruit in a market that has low youth propensity to serve, limited familiarity with military opportunities, a competitive labor market and a declining eligibility among young adults." Helland elaborated on those challenges by explaining that, for the first time since the metric has been tracked, most young people have never considered the option of serving in the military. The reasons behind that are multifold, Helland said. Young Americans have fewer ties to friends or family members who have served in the military. There is a declining presence of veterans in our society. Approximately 77% of people between the ages of 17 and 24 require some type of waiver to serve due to any number of disqualifications. To counter such challenges, Helland said the military has implemented a medical pilot program that allows recruits to join the military without a waiver for numerous health conditions provided they meet certain requirements. Additionally, there are service member prep courses that prepare recruits to meet the strenuous requirements of military service. Moreover, DOD is seeking to reconnect with youth and their influencers by showing them the value of serving. "The next generation of Americans to serve should know that there has never been a better time for them to choose military service," Helland said. "Youth today seek a larger purpose in their lives and desire jobs where they have greater participation in decision-making and can create a direct tangible impact," she continued. "Military service offers all of this." Explaining that U.S. military service offers more than 250 occupations and that it represents one of the most highly educated organizations throughout the world and across all pay grades, Helland said the Defense Department is working hard to counter the narrative that joining the military is an alternative to attending college or "an option of last resort." "We are working to reframe this narrative so that Americans understand that military service is a pathway to greater education and career opportunities while defending democracy and the freedoms we hold dear," Helland said. She added that DOD is reframing this narrative. For example, the department's Joint Advertising Market Research and Studies program will soon launch a campaign to build familiarity with the American public about the value of military service. Plans are also proceeding to have adult influencers advocate for military service. Helland, who holds a doctorate in industrial/organizational psychology, also said DOD is working with its education partners to develop a plan and strategy to share data with state education agencies so that public high school students will receive credit for military readiness, in addition to college and career readiness. Helland said the Pentagon has partnered with national service agencies such as the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps to help roll out an overall message of service. "Because, like military service, there has been a decline in propensity for national service opportunities," she said. "So, we are working on a whole-of-government solution." As she concluded her remarks, Helland made a point of praising the progress of last year's recruitment efforts. "While we're here to talk about recruiting efforts today, we also want to celebrate the 225,000 young adults who've enlisted in fiscal year 2024," she said. "Through a spirit of selfless service, we continue to build and maintain the world's most capable military." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address October 31, 2024 By Senior Airman Madelyn Keech, DOD News SEAC Visits Swedish Air Defense Regiment, Alvsborg Marine Regiment Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Troy E. Black visited Sweden, Oct. 21-24. The purpose of the visit was to connect with Black's Swedish counterpart, Command Sgt. Maj. Johan Lindgren, Swedish Armed Forces Command senior enlisted leader and enlisted advisor for the Swedish Armed Forces supreme commander, to discuss the Swedish noncommissioned officer corps, the U.S.-Swedish Defense Cooperation Agreement as a recent ally of NATO and to get a firsthand look at Sweden's increasing defense capabilities. Black toured the Swedish Air Defense Regiment in Halmstad, Sweden, and the Alvsborg Marine Regiment in Gothenburg, Sweden. Command Sgt. Maj. Fredrik Finer, Swedish Air Defense Regiment command sergeant major, welcomed Black to the Halmstad Garrison, providing a presentation of the military base's operations. Other key players delved further into the basic training system for conscripts, or compulsorily enlisted members, professional soldiers, NCOs and officers. Many of the approximately 1,500 members stationed at Halmstad's Air Defense Regiment attend Sweden's largest Armed Forces Technical School. During the briefing, Black learned about Sweden's growing air defense and training capabilities. The Halmstad Garrison is integral to training Swedish armed forces members through the basic training battalion. Moreover, Halmstad's Air Defense Battalion maintains order and readiness in addition to supporting new air defense units and the air defense schoolhouse with education and development of service members. A large part of sustaining this support originates from fully integrating existing Swedish operations systems with NATO air and missile defense systems, contributing to building an even stronger force, both within Sweden and NATO. Moreover, Halmstad is a strategic location for developing host nation support, especially for domestic defense. Due to its geographical location, Halmstad is a logistical hub and has provided host nation support since 2017 for reception, staging, onward movement, and now, integration with other NATO forces. This host nation support builds upon the U.S.-Swedish DCA, which went into effect on Aug. 15, 2024, and paves the way for closer cooperation bilaterally and within the framework of NATO. The DCA regulates the conditions for U.S. forces to operate in Sweden such as the legal status of U.S. personnel and access to military areas. Additionally, Black was given a tour of the regiment's NCO academy and spoke to students in the higher NCO course, providing an opportunity for a question-and-answer session. The discussion primarily focused on the importance of developing and training personnel through professional military education ensuring readiness for future conflicts. Black also highlighted the need to build up organizations for future challenges from a U.S. perspective. Along with the importance of the Air Defense Regiment, the Alvsborg Marine Regiment in Gothenburg is another strategic location on Sweden's west coast. Hosted at the Alvsborg Marine Regiment by Swedish Armed Forces Col. Fredrik Herlitz, Alvsborg Marine Regiment communicating officer, and Command Sgt. Maj. Mats Afzelius, Alvsborg Marine Regiment command sergeant major, Black was given an overview of the regiment's mission prior to the tour of the archipelago. He also discussed the roles and responsibilities of NCOs and how these responsibilities have changed in recent years. Black explained that officers are delegating decision-making to NCOs while officers can oversee an entire operation. "There is much you can learn from counter narcotics on how to delegate, and the NCO is providing decisions in complex environments," he said. "That's where I see this partnership working the best. It's an amazing thing to see the transformation and why the Swedish military in particular has gone back to the NCO corps because the environment has changed. Although the U.S. military has always had an NCO corps, the roles and responsibilities have not always been what they are today. They expanded because officer roles have expanded as well." With about 900 members assigned to the 5th Marine Battalion and the 17th Under Surface Warfare Company, the Swedish Marines provide amphibious high mobility, expeditionary and interoperable support. Marines assigned to the Alvsborg Marine Regiment provided a demonstration of their amphibious battalion abilities with an amphibious landing, deploying a Robot 17 antiship missile and an 8-centimeter mortar. The tour ended with a final meeting with Herlitz and Afzelius to discuss the overall visit and opportunities for further cooperation. Additionally, Black gathered with about 100 Swedish Marines at the regiment, who asked questions about the evolution of warfare, emphasizing the importance of adapting to new domains, the necessity for modernization and innovation, and circled back to the roles of NCOs and officers in leadership. Overall, Black's visit with Swedish counterparts emphasized the importance of fostering growth among allies and partners, not just bilaterally, but within NATO as a whole, and the significance of building up the NCO corps to become a more lethal, effective force when it comes to warfighting. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the UNRWA legislation European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 31 October 2024 The European Union takes note of the Israeli legislation on UNRWA, which has just been adopted. The EU condemns any attempt to abrogate the 1967 agreement between Israel and UNRWA or to otherwise attempt to obstruct its capacity to operate its mandate. If implemented, the laws will have far-reaching consequences, stopping all UNRWA's operations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, de facto preventing UNRWA's vital operations in Gaza hampering UNRWA's provision of health, education and social services in the West Bank and revoking UNRWA's diplomatic privileges and immunities in Israel. It is essential that UNRWA can continue carrying out its crucial work in line with its mandate adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1949 and renewed since. UNRWA provides essential services to millions of people in Gaza, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and across the region, including Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. The EU reiterates UNRWA's crucial role in the humanitarian response to the Palestine refugees in the region, delivering life-saving support to a population facing critical and immense needs. UNRWA also plays a fundamental role in providing education and health services. The EU is a firm supporter of the United Nations and the multilateral and rules-based international order of which UNRWA is a part. UN agencies uphold and implement both the letter and the spirit of the UN Charter, and play a crucial role in maintaining global security. The EU is committed to continuing its support to the Agency, and closely monitors and evaluates the implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Review Group report following the allegations against some UNRWA staff and looks forward to further decisive action by the UN to ensure neutrality, accountability and strengthen control and oversight in order to prevent further cases. As long as there is no sustainable solution to the conflict, the mandate of UNRWA will remain vital. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Estonian Defence League receives drones purchased by Reservists' Fund Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence 31. October 2024 - 15:29 The Defence League has received 20 attack drones and four reconnaissance drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras purchased by the Reservists' Fund for national defence and drone operator training. This spring, several Estonian companies launched a wide range of digital camouflage products, with a portion of the proceeds used to support Estonian reservists and national defence. "The deployment and development of drones in the Russian war in Ukraine has skyrocketed over the past two years, and this trend is continuing. I am grateful to the Estonian people and companies who have supported the Reservists' Fund, through which we can expand drone operator training and improve the skills of both reservists and members of the Defence League," said Major General Ilmar Tamm, Commander of the Defence League. In total, four DJI Mavic3 thermal imaging drones and 20 Quadix Stellar attack drones were purchased for the Defence League in this first instance of using the donations received so far to the Reservists' Fund. In addition, the necessary control and ground station systems, rechargeable batteries and licences to use the equipment will be purchased. The total value of this equipment is 48,000, with plans to acquire more drones in the near future as donations to the fund increase. "Participating Estonian companies have created an opportunity for every person in our country to make a small but important contribution to national defence by consuming various digital camouflage products, or by joining such initiatives as Coop Bank's Kaardivagi scheme. The joint efforts of the Reservists' Fund and the National Defence Promotion Foundation contribute to a broad-based improvement of national defence, including training and equipment for reservists and increased cohesion," said Mait Palts, Head of the National Defence Promotion Foundation. He added that the handover of the first drones is an example of how even small contributions can bring about big achievements that directly strengthen our security. Thanks to the key partners of the Reservists' Fund, who have launched various digital camouflage products and supported the fund with proceeds from their sales, over 60,000 euros has been raised, and more drones will be purchased for the Defence League in the near future. In addition, the Reservists' Fund finances scholarships for training reserve officers, the development of cohesion and the recognition of the best reservists and reserve units. The Reservists' Fund is supported by the following companies through the production of goods with digital camouflage: A le Coq, Apotheka, Balbiino AS, Coop Pank, Goldtime, Linnamae Lihatoostus and Nordic Milk (Tere piim). The Reservists' Fund was established jointly by the Ministry of Defence and the National Defence Promotion Foundation to provide all Estonian people and companies with an additional opportunity to support our country's core defence asset, the reservists, thus strengthening Estonia's defence capability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two Israelis killed in Hezbollah missile strike east of Haifa IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 31, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Two Israelis have been killed in a missile attack by Hezbollah on the town of Kiryat, located east of Haifa, according to a report. Israel's Channel 14 reported on Thursday that Hezbollah launched the missile assault from southern Lebanon targeting areas in northern occupied Palestine east of Haifa. Hebrew sources said that one missile struck an intersection in eastern Haifa, with initial reports suggesting that two Israelis were injured. Channel 14 reported that two Israelis were killed. Earlier today, Channel 13 reported that five Israeli settlers were killed in a Hezbollah airstrike on the settlement of al-Mutala in northern occupied territories. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Five Zionist settlers killed in Hezbollah rocket attack IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 31, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- At least five Zionist settlers have been killed in rocket attacks by Hezbollah targeting the settlement of al-Mutala in northern occupied Palestinian territories, Israeli media reported. Channel 13 of Israeli television said on Thursday that five Israelis were killed and one other seriously injured when a rocket fired from Lebanon struck the al-Mutala settlement in northern occupied territories. The Israeli Army Radio confirmed the deaths of five people in al-Mutala, claiming that four of them were foreign workers and one was an Israeli citizen. Israeli media also reported that 25 rockets were launched from Lebanon towards the settlement of Karmiel. Meanwhile, Hezbollah said that its fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the southern region of El-Khiam with artillery fire earlier in the day. Previously, Hezbollah had warned residents of 25 Israeli settlements to evacuate in anticipation of further attacks. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Islamic Resistance in Iraq conducts new anti-Israel operations IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 31, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has launched several drone strikes targeting key Israeli sites, in support of Palestine and Lebanon amid ongoing massacres and war The Islamic Resistance in Iraq conducted an operation, targeting a critical Israeli site in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights using drones. Three other operations followed overnight. In one of them, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq announced targeting a military site south of occupied Palestine. In two other separate operations, the group reported that it struck vital Zionist targets in the north of the occupied territories. Over the past several months, the Iraqi group has been hitting sensitive and important Isareli targets in different areas of the occupied Palestinian and Syrian territories, including the port of Eilat, the Golan Heights, and the Jordan Valley. The group has, time and again, vowed to press ahead with operations against Israeli targets with increasing intensity as long as the regime continues with its genocidal war on Gaza and the aggression against Lebanon. 6125**4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah targets four Israeli settlements with rockets IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 31, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah says it has targeted four Israeli settlements with a barrage of rockets. In a statement, Hezbollah said it targeted Kiryat Shmona, Hatzor HaGlilit, Kedem Tsvi, and Yesod HaMa'ala settlements in the early hours of Thursday. The operation came days after the resistance movement warned occupants of 25 Zionist settlements in the occupied territories to evacuate those places. Meanwhile, rocket sirens sounded in Nahariya, Kfar Giladi, Al-Metula, Kfar Yuval, and other Zionist settlements in the north of occupied Palestine. Israeli media outlets also confirmed that a drone infiltrated into the northern occupied Palestine without giving the details about the direction from where it was launched. In yet another development, media outlets reported that thousands of cellphone lines in the occupied territories were disrupted. According to Al-Mayadeen, thousands of mobile phone lines were disrupted for unknown reasons. Some media outlets published images of a drone attack on Nahariya, which destroyed a target, likely to be a telecommunication center or a cell phone transmission station. 4354**4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi resistance group targets Israeli site with drone IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 31, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraqi has conducted a new drone strike, targeting "a vital target" of the Zionist regime in the occupied Palestinian territories. The umbrella group of Iraq's resistance factions, in its statement, did not mention the exact location, but the footage shows that the target of the operation was the Dimona Radar Facility. The latest operation came a day after the resistance group announced targeting another vital Israeli position in the north of the occupied territories with a drone. The Islamic Resistance said in a statement that it targeted an Israeli military base on Wednesday. Over the past several months, the Iraqi group has been hitting sensitive and important Zionist targets in different areas of the occupied Palestinian and Syrian territories, including the port of Eilat, the Golan Heights, and the Jordan Valley. The group has, time and again, vowed to press ahead with operations against Israeli targets with increasing intensity as long as the regime continues with its genocidal war on Gaza and the aggression against Lebanon. 6125**4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, UK conduct airstrikes on Yemen again IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 31, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- The United States and Britain have carried out yet another aggression against Yemen, with their warplanes bombing Hudaydah province. According to the al-Masira network, American and British airstrikes targeted the west of Yemen in the early morning of Thursday. An area near Hudaydah University was struck by missile fire by the warplanes, the report said. This Yemeni media did not mention the possible casualties or damage from these attacks that were carried out in the "Al-Hook" area. Various regions of Yemen, especially Hudaydah province, have been the target of aggressive attacks by the United States and England in the past months. These attacks are carried out with the aim of putting pressure on the Yemeni army in order to stop the naval blockade imposed on the Zionist regime. The United States and Britain first launched the attack on Yemen's Ansarullah positions on January 21 citing a UN Security Council resolution but the UN body had not allowed to violate Yemen's sovereignty rather protect the international maritime route. 4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister's Office Announcement Israel - Prime Minister's Office Events and Speeches The 37th Government 31.10.2024 The Prime Minister's Office: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, in Jerusalem, met with US Presidential Special Envoy Amos Hochstein and US Presidential Special Envoy Brett McGurk. At the start of his remarks, the Prime Minister thanked our American friends for their efforts. Prime Minister Netanyahu made it clear that the main point is not this or that agreement on paper but Israel's ability and determination to enforce the agreement and thwart any threat to its security from Lebanon, in a manner that will return our residents securely to their homes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deadliest month for Israeli military: Regime suffers heaviest losses in Gaza, Lebanon Iran Press TV Thursday, 31 October 2024 4:45 PM Official figures have revealed that Israeli military forces engaged in ground offensives in the northern side of the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon have suffered dramatic loss amid strong resilience by resistance fighters, and the Tel Aviv regime has recorded its worst month for military deaths this year. According to the figures, at least 62 soldiers have been killed since the start of October, making this the deadliest month for the Israeli army since last December when 110 soldiers were killed at the height of the genocidal war on Gaza. It also marks a steep increase in recorded fatalities compared with recent months. Just nine deaths were recorded by the Israeli military in September and 63 in total between June and August. Moreover, the Israeli army asserts that 35 of its soldiers have been killed in southern Lebanon or on the Lebanese border since it began the ground offensive on the Arab country at the start of this month. This is while the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement claims it has killed more than 90 Israeli soldiers during clashes in southern Lebanon. At least 19 soldiers have also died this month in continuing fighting with Hamas fighters in Gaza, where the Israeli military is carrying out a campaign of ethnic cleansing and extermination against Palestinians trapped in the northern sector of the coastal territory. The figures are based on official information published on the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, listing a total of 780 military casualties. It includes at least 365 soldiers listed as "fallen in combat" in Gaza, Lebanon and the occupied West Bank, as well as those killed in rocket attacks or other attacks within the occupied territories, and others who died in road accidents. Many soldiers are identified only by their name, rank and unit, with no further detail about the circumstances of their deaths. New figures released this week by the Israeli military's rehabilitation department also indicate a recent increase in the number of wounded soldiers requiring medical treatment. On Tuesday, it said it had received 910 soldiers wounded this month in Lebanon. Information about casualties is austerely controlled in the Israeli-occupied territories, where the media is subjected to strict military censorship. This has raised the question that the official figures are under-reporting the real scale of losses suffered by Israeli forces in Gaza and Lebanon. In an interview on Channel 12 on Monday, opposition leader Yair Lapid said that 890 soldiers had been killed and 11,000 injured since the surprise and large-scale operation by Gaza-based resistance groups, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, against the Zionist entity on October 7 last year. In its latest figures released on Tuesday, the Israeli military's rehabilitation department updated the total number of soldiers it said had received treatment since the onset of the Gaza war to about 12,000. About 14 percent of these - around 1,680 soldiers - are classified as having moderate or serious injuries. About 43 percent - 5,200 soldiers - required treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder or other psychological issues, the department said. This comes as news reports on the funerals of Israeli troops killed in Lebanon have drawn attention to the grieving of widows and orphans, and prompted some settlers to wonder whether support for the Tel Aviv regime's wars may be shifting. Israeli journalist Amos Harel asked in the Haaretz newspaper whether a rising death toll could "gradually change the public's view of the need to continue the war". He added that the incumbent Israeli administration led by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to portray the string of recent military strikes in the Gaza Strip, Iran and Lebanon as an achievement and that the war must continue on every front. "But in reality, it's impossible to ignore the price that continuing the war for much longer would entail," Harel underlined. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas slams intl. silence on Gaza 'ethnic cleansing' after Israel's hospital bombing Iran Press TV Thursday, 31 October 2024 4:26 PM The Palestinian Hamas resistance movement has condemned global silence on the ongoing "ethnic cleansing" in the besieged Gaza Strip following Israel's deadly bombing of Kamal Adwan Hospital that torched medical supplies and disrupted operations. Israeli warplanes on Thursday once again struck Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, killing at least four people, including two children, and wounding several medical staff as well as inflicting heavy damage on a warehouse containing medicines and medical supplies. The airstrike targeted a desalination station in the kidney dialysis department, the engineering and maintenance departments, and water tanks in the ill-fated hospital. In a statement, released a few hours later in the day, Hamas denounced the persisting international silence on Israel's brutal massacre of Palestinians in the coastal enclave, calling the strike on the hospital as sheer war crime committed by the occupying entity. "The Zionist bombing of Kamal Adwan Hospital and the ongoing massacres in Beit Lahia town and project area are war crimes and a continuation of an ethnic cleansing campaign being carried out before the eyes and ears of the world," the Gaza-based resistance movement said. Hamas stressed that deadly aerial aggression against the hospital "is a compounded war crime committed by the fascist occupation army within the context of the comprehensive war of genocide it is waging against our steadfast people in northern Gaza." The resistance movement also said that the ongoing massacre in densely-populated Beit Lahia, where Kamal Adwan Hospital is located, along with the escalating air and artillery attacks and the breakdown of critical services like hospitals, ambulances, and civil defense "confirm that the Zionist occupation is implementing ethnic cleansing against our people in northern Gaza before the entire world, under direct orders from war criminal leaders of the occupation, broadcast openly." Additionally, Hamas "condemned the continued international silence over the brutal genocide committed by the fascist occupation army" in the blockaded Gaza Strip. "We affirm that this crime, and the silence surrounding it, will remain a stain of shame on the international community, which has surrendered to the criminal American administration," the resistance movement stressed. In a statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Health also condemned the "repeated attacks by occupying forces" on Kamal Adwan Hospital, saying that the airstrike targeting the third floor of the hospital inflicted significant damage to the remaining medicines and medical supplies in the hospital. It added that the bombing also destroyed medical supplies donated to the hospital by the World Health Organization just five days earlier. The ministry calls on international and UN organizations to safeguard hospitals and medical personnel from the Israeli regime's brutality and its crimes against health institutions and staff in the Gaza Strip. On October 23, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital warned that the facility could no longer provide healthcare services to the injured and sick due to the depletion of medical supplies. The warning came as all three major hospitals in the northern territory area are out of service, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Separately on Thursday, dozens of civilians were also killed and injured in Israel's artillery shelling of several houses in Beit Lahia, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah hits Israeli military bases, rockets and drones in retaliation Iran Press TV Thursday, 31 October 2024 3:45 PM Hezbollah has inflicted more losses on invading Israeli troops while targeting the regime's military positions and settlements across the northern occupied territories. In a series of statements on Thursday, the resistance group said a barrage of rockets and artillery shells hit a group of Israeli soldiers in the southern Lebanese city of Khiam in the early hours of this morning. The resistance fighters also targeted for the second time a gathering of Israeli "enemy forces" south of the Khiam area with an artillery shell. Hezbollah in a separate attack targeted a gathering of Israeli forces in the settlement of Yiftah with a rocket barrage, it stated. The fighters targeted the "Yarka" warehouses east of the city of Akka with a large rocket barrage. The fighters also bombed the settlement of Karmiel with a large rocket barrage. The Israeli military confirmed that around 30 rockets were launched by the resistance group toward Karmiel and neighboring towns in northern occupied territories. Hours apart, a series of barrages from Lebanon struck northern occupied territories on Thursday, killing a total of seven settlers. The attacks marked the deadliest strikes to hit Israel since its military invaded southern Lebanon earlier this month. Meanwhile, the military said it shot down an unmanned aircraft that crossed from Lebanon into the western Galilee region at around 1:30 am local time. Several projectiles were detected in the upper Galilee at around the same time, but they fell in open areas, it said. The developments came as Lebanese media reported that a drone had exploded in Nahariya, the northernmost city in the occupied territories. Earlier, the military said an unmanned aircraft had crossed "from the east" into the occupied Golan Heights. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq had earlier claimed three drone attacks on Israel, including on the occupied Golan Heights, while Hezbollah claimed four attacks on Israeli positions on Wednesday evening. Hezbollah says its ongoing operations are in support of the Palestinian people and in defense of Lebanon. Since October 2023, Israel has killed over 2,700 people in Lebanon. Most of them have lost their lives in the past month amid the intensified airstrikes and a ground offensive. Hezbollah has been responding to the aggression with retaliatory operations, targeting the occupied territories. The Lebanese Resistance movement has vowed to keep up its operations against Israel as long as the regime continues its campaign of genocide in Gaza, which has so far killed more than 43,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel strikes Gaza's Kamal Adwan Hospital, killing 4, including 2 children Iran Press TV Thursday, 31 October 2024 11:10 AM At least four people, including two children, have been killed after Israeli warplanes bombed the Kamal Adwan Hospital in the war-torn Gaza Strip, a report says, as Israeli airstrikes have repeatedly targeted hospitals and medical centers across the besieged Palestinian territory over the past year. On Thursday, the Israeli strikes on Kamal Adwan Hospital, situated in northern parts of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, also left several medical staff injured and inflicted heavy damage on a warehouse containing medicines and medical supplies, said a report by The Cradle, a journalist-driven news website covering West Asia. The Israeli strikes "targeted a desalination station in the kidney dialysis department, the engineering and maintenance departments, and water tanks in the hospital, in addition to burning a medicine and medical supplies warehouse," the report further said, adding that the bombing hit the third floor of the hospital. In a statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Health condemned the "repeated attacks by occupying forces" on Kamal Adwan Hospital. "The ministry urges all international and humanitarian organizations to protect hospitals and medical staff from the occupation's violence and crimes against health institutions in Gaza," it stressed. On October 23, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital warned that the facility could no longer provide healthcare services to the injured and sick due to the depletion of medical supplies. The warning came as all three major hospitals in the northern territory area are out of service, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. "More than 150 people in the hospital are in critical condition. Every passing minute could cost the lives of the injured. The types of medicines and medical supplies have reached zero in the hospital due to the Israeli siege," the director said at the time. Separately on Thursday, dozens of civilians were also killed and injured in Israel's artillery shelling of a number of houses in Beit Lahia town, north of the Gaza Strip, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported. The developments come as the Israeli military has intensified its bombing and shelling campaign of northern Gaza, killing and wounding an increasing number of civilians. It has also blocked the entry of humanitarian aid, including fuel to hospitals, medical necessities and food supplies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli forces kill three Palestinians during separate West Bank raids Iran Press TV Thursday, 31 October 2024 10:49 AM Israeli forces have killed three more Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, where Zionist troops' violence surges alongside the genocidal war on the Gaza Strip which began on October 7, 2023. The Palestinian Health ministry reported on Thursday that an Israeli drone strike on the Nour Shams camp in Tulkarm killed two people, including a child, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA. Also one Palestinian was shot and killed by the Israeli army overnight in the refugee camp of Tulkarm, while he was in a supermarket near the entrance to the camp, the health ministry added. Israeli military forces launched operations against Palestinian fighters in the camp early Thursday, storming into the city with vehicles and three heavy bulldozers. The troops moved through the western axis, traversing the main streets and entering the Tulkarm camp, where they destroyed local infrastructure and demolished the entrances to shops lining the main street next to the camp. Also the Israeli forces have reportedly damaged the water and electricity infrastructure serving the camp, leading to widespread outages in both the camp and the Aktaba suburb, along with several areas of the city. The Tulkarm Battalion of al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, in a statement said that they detonated a powerful explosive device near an Israeli military bulldozer in an effort to disrupt an Israeli military operation. Israeli raids extended to various towns and cities across the West Bank, with reports from Wafa detailing a raid in Dura, southwest of al-Khalil. During this operation, Israeli forces discharged live ammunition and sound bombs while conducting home searches and making multiple arrests. Moreover, Israeli forces raided the villages of Salem, Rojib and Beit Furik, east of Nablus, arresting three people. They also stormed the town of Jayyous, east of Qalqilya, where one man was detained; the town of az-Zawiya, west of Salfit; and the town of Beitunia, west of Ramallah, where a vehicle was confiscated. Since the Israeli regime launched the genocidal war on Gaza, Israeli forces and Zionist settlers have killed at least 764 Palestinians, including 166 children, in the West Bank, according to the Ramallah-based health ministry. So far, the occupying regime has killed more than 43,163 Palestinians, mostly women and children and wounded 101,510 others in Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, UK launch fresh strikes on Yemen's Hudaydah in support of Israel Iran Press TV Thursday, 31 October 2024 9:29 AM The United States and Britain have carried out fresh aerial assaults on Yemen's western city of Hudaydah. Yemen's al-Masirah television channel reported on Thursday that the airstrikes targeted an area near Hudaydah University in the city's al-Hawak district. The report provided no information about possible casualties or damage. The US-British coalition has not commented on the attack that came a week after a similar raid on Hudaydah International Airport. The US and its allies have been bombing Yemen over the past months in violation of the country's sovereignty and international law. The illegal air raids came in response to Yemen's maritime campaign in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip amid a genocidal Israeli war. On Tuesday, the Yemeni Armed Forces launched a drone attack against a vital target in the city of Ashkelon in the Israeli-occupied territories. They said in a statement that the operation was conducted "in support of the oppressed people of Palestine and Lebanon, and ... [their] resistances." In the pro-Palestine campaign, Yemeni forces have targeted ships heading to or departing ports in the occupied territories, or whose owners are linked to Israel, in the southern Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Gulf of Aden, and even in the Arabian Sea. They have also attacked American and British vessels in the same waters. Regional tensions escalated after Israel waged its brutal Gaza onslaught on October 7, 2023, followed by aggression against Lebanon. So far, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 43,163 people in Gaza and 2,820 others in Lebanon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel's Ban On UN Agency 'Beyond Catastrophic' For Palestinians By Abubakar Siddique October 31, 2024 Israel's ban on the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), if implemented, would severely hamper aid operations in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, experts have warned. The Israeli parliament approved legislation on October 28 that bans UNRWA from operating in Israel. The new law could effectively end the agency's operations in the occupied West Bank and Gaza because Israel controls access to both territories. Experts say Israel's ban would have dire ramifications for the more than 2 million Palestinians in Gaza who rely heavily on humanitarian assistance and services from UNRWA, the largest aid provider in the territory. "It's a major blow to any humanitarian efforts trying to save lives in the Gaza Strip," said Anders Fange, a Swedish aid worker who oversaw UNRWA's operations in the West Bank from 2003 to 2007. "No other agency or institution can replace UNRWA." Israel's devastating yearlong war in Gaza has killed tens of thousands of civilians, Palestinian officials say, and destroyed most of the infrastructure in the enclave. Many people lack shelter, food, and medical care. Israel has accused UNRWA of colluding with Hamas, the U.S.- and EU-designated Palestinian terrorist group that carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel in October 2023. The attack triggered Israel's invasion of Gaza. But experts say Israel's move is political and aimed at stripping Palestinians in the Middle East of their refugee status. 'Life Even More Impossible' Established in 1949, UNRWA is one of the UN's largest operations, with over 30,000 workers. The agency serves around 6 million Palestinians living in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Since Israel invaded Gaza in October 2023, UNRWA has distributed food and provided medical assistance to many of the territory's residents. Hundreds of its schools have been converted into shelters for Palestinians displaced by the war. Fange said that the "purpose of the Israeli ban on UNRWA now is to make life even more impossible for the Palestinians in Gaza." Israel has faced international condemnation for targeting hospitals and schools, many of them run by UNRWA, and for killing hundreds of aid workers. Israel has opposed UNRWA for years. But its opposition to the agency has escalated since Hamas's October 7 attack that killed around 1,200 Israelis. Since then, Israel has claimed that hundreds of UNRWA staff were members of "terrorist organizations." Some 16 donor countries temporarily suspended funding for the agency. In August, UNRWA fired nine staff members because of their possible involvement in the Hamas attack. Khaled Elgindy, director of Palestine and Palestinian-Israeli Affairs at the Middle East Institute think tank in Washington, said UNRWA had been desperate to show that it is "cooperative" and "fairly transparent." Elgindy said Israel's ban on UNRWA, if implemented, would be "beyond catastrophic" for people in Gaza. He said the real reason Israel was targeting UNRWA is because the agency is a symbol of Palestinian refugeehood -- something "many Israelis consider to be an existential threat." Under international law, Palestinian refugees and their descendants have the right to return to their homes in modern-day Israel. But Israel has refused to allow their return. Israel has said Palestinian refugees should be absorbed by their host countries, and claim that UNRWA's services keep Palestinians' hopes of returning to their homes alive. "Why does Israel want to destroy an institution that is providing lifesaving services and for which there is no alternative in Gaza?" Elgindy asked. "The answer has to do with the extremist nature of this Israeli government." Many foreign governments and rights organizations have condemned Israel's move to ban UNRWA. Norway has asked the UN General Assembly to request a ruling from the International Court of Justice on whether Israel has violated international law by preventing the UN from delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinians. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/israel-palestine-gaza- lebanon-unrwa-ban-catastrophe/33180039.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 2 Arrested As Georgian Authorities Open 47 Election Fraud Cases By RFE/RL's Georgian Service October 31, 2024 Georgian authorities say they have opened 47 cases of alleged election fraud and arrested two people accused of stuffing ballot boxes during the October 26 election as part of an investigation into accusations of widespread irregularities during the vote that prompted criticism from Georgia's Western partners that the Caucasus country was backsliding on democracy. The Prosecutor's Office said the cases were opened in connection with "falsifying the election, influencing voters' will, violating ballot secrecy, obstructing of journalistic activities, violence and threats, damage and destruction of property." The Interior Ministry said one of those arrested was Rovshan Iskandarov, 40, the deputy chairman of the city council of Marneuli, a city in southern Georgia where irregularities were reported at a polling station during the vote, prompting the suspension of the vote and the invalidation of all the ballots cast. The other person's complete identity was not revealed, authorities naming him just as E.I., born in 1990. During the vote, an RFE/RL correspondent reported an incident at a voting station in Marneuli where a member of an opposition party was allegedly beaten up by a representative of the ruling Georgian Dream party amid reports of ballot-stuffing. Russian-friendly Georgian Dream, which has been in power since 2012, claimed victory, with preliminary official results showing that it garnered nearly 54 percent of the vote. The opposition and pro-European president, Salome Zurabishvili, refused to recognize the validity of the results, alleging massive fraud and Russian interference. The European Union, NATO, and the United States have demanded a full investigation into reports of vote-buying, voter intimidation, and ballot stuffing raised by monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and other election monitors. Zurabishvili has called on the West to pressure the ruling Georgian Dream party to reexamine the results of the election, which was seen as a crucial test of Georgia's democratic credentials. The Prosecutor-General's Office summoned Zurabishvili before prosecutors on October 31 as part of the investigation. "President Salome Zurabishvili must have evidence of possible falsification of the 2024 parliamentary elections, in connection with which, in accordance with the procedure established by law, [she] was invited for questioning on October 31," the prosecution said in a statement. Zurabishvili refused to comply with the summons, saying at a news conference on October 30 that prosecutors should focus on their duties rather than engaging in a political vendetta. "I would advise the prosecutor's office to start its work and avoid political retribution against the president. Moreover, our partners are watching whether the prosecutor's office can be independent and impartial," Zurabishvili said. The U.S. State Department on October 30 reiterated President Joe Biden's call for a thorough investigation of the alleged irregularities and warned that Washington's relationship with the current government of Georgia was being reconsidered. "We have already suspended $95 million in assistance to the government of Georgia and other assistance that we provide remains under review," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told a news briefing in Washington. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/marneuli--election-fraud- georgia-arrests/33181656.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Warning Shots Of A Power Struggle In Uzbekistan? By Chris Rickleton and RFE/RL's Uzbek Service October 31, 2024 ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- A top ally of the eldest daughter of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev, Komiljon Allamjonov looked like a man under pressure this summer. At a briefing of national media chiefs and journalists in July he condemned "rising fakes and disinformation" in the Uzbek information space. Allamjonov -- who had been absent from the public eye for weeks before that appearance -- didn't go into specifics, but it was during a period when rumors about his own whereabouts and political future were intensifying. Online speculation included claims he had fled the country and was under criminal investigation. As it turned out, Allamjonov would continue working in his post as head of the presidential administration's Information Policy Department until the end of September. When he finally announced his resignation, citing his desire to work in the private sector, he did so in a video with Saida Mirziyoeva, the top aide in her father President Shavkat Mirziyoev's administration. And Mirziyoeva offered a very clear show of support for her beleaguered mentor. The president's eldest daughter thanked him for how he "handled the instructions of our president responsibly, implemented projects of major importance for the state and society, [and] showed great results improving the press and education systems." Less than a month later, Allamjonov was the apparent target of what is being investigated by Uzbek officials as an assassination attempt. Both the 40-year-old and the driver of the Range Rover he was traveling in survived the October 26 incident that police say saw the car hit by several bullets. At least four suspects have been detained in connection with the shooting. It is hardly common for cars to get shot up in Uzbekistan's capital, Tashkent, let alone a car carrying a well-known politician. And that means that people are asking a lot of questions about who was behind this and what it means for Mirziyoev's family-dominated regime. Deep-State Scenarios A few disclaimers. First, this is Uzbekistan we are talking about, so while you might hear things, you nearly always know nothing for certain. Second, whatever the official investigation into the event determines publicly, there might be much more to it -- or much less to it -- than that. And third, months and years later, you will still probably know nothing for certain. With that out of the way, it is hardly surprising that Allamjonov has his haters. Strongly associated with the softer policies toward journalists and bloggers in the early years of Mirziyoev's reign, Allamjonov's dovish self-portrayal put him at odds with security types that saw any sort of opening from the hard-line rule of late leader Islam Karimov as an unnecessary risk. With the post-2016 "thaw" for media turning cold again in the last few years, his more enduring association has been with Mirziyoeva herself. Prior to his exit from the presidential administration this fall, Allamjonov had accompanied Mirziyoeva at every stop of her political journey, usually in the senior role. That changed in 2023, when Mirziyoeva was made top aide to the president, a position similar in rank to the chief-of-staff post that had just been disbanded, and the most powerful officeholder inside the presidential administration other than her father. Now Mirziyoeva was Allamjonov's boss, and despite the 67-year-old Mirziyoev showing no signs of slowing down, her promotion inevitably prompted talk that she was being groomed for the top office. Still, the pair continued to be seen as a political partnership. And that gave Allamjonov a lot of mic time and policy heft, even as his growing business interests became the focus of multiple media investigations and allegations of conflicts of interest. But being the close ally of a Mirziyoev is not the same as being married to one. Such is the status enjoyed by Otabek Umarov, the hulking husband of Mirzyioeva's younger sister, Shahnoza. Since becoming deputy head of Mirziyoev's presidential security service in 2016, Umarov has steadily cultivated a heroic image on social media, most notably as a prominent patron of sports. His Instagram account has nearly 38 million followers and features regular photos with foreign celebrities. At the same time, RFE/RL investigations indicate that Umarov, 40, has accumulated enormous wealth through his family ties and is also widely seen as a behind-the-scenes power broker among the country's political and economic elites. And for months, multiple high-level sources of RFE/RL's Uzbek Service have described the relationship between Umarov and Allamjonov as being poisonous. According to one source, their conflict escalated after Umarov suspected Allamjonov of trying to block the work of a secretive, unofficial "task force," which Umarov had allegedly set up to target businessmen and politicians in mob-style shakedowns. The source, who spoke to RFE/RL in July, said Allamjonov's intervention triggered an investigation that briefly interrupted the task force's work. That will sound like some deep-state machinations. As will the contentions by other sources of RFE/RL that allies of Umarov are now in control of an investigation into the shoot up of Allamjonov's car. The most popular versions of events doing the rounds on Uzbek Telegram channels, meanwhile, involve the idea that Allamjonov set up a fake assassination attempt on himself in order to embarrass his rivals. On October 27, the Prosecutor-General's Office cited a rise of "unconfirmed and unfounded" commentary related to the attack and warned of "criminal responsibility for spreading false, untrue, and panic-inducing material among the population," but that has barely slowed the rumor mill. Family Affairs There is as yet no hard, publicly available evidence of any sort linking Umarov or any other member of the Uzbek government to the shooting. But whatever the truth, from a regime perspective, the impression is not good. The shooting happened the day before pro-forma local and parliamentary elections that ushered the same five parties back into the government-loyal legislature. And while that would suggest business as usual, the growing speculation surrounding key figures in the Mirziyoev regime suggests precisely the opposite. One of the most popular videos on RFE/RL's Uzbek Service's social media platforms in recent times was one from the October 27 vote comparing the Mirziyoev family's election-day photo at those elections with those from previous votes. The most notable absentee this time around? Mirziyoev himself, who was not pictured even as Mirziyoeva and Umarov managed to pose on either side of first lady Ziroatxon Xoshimova in the footage shared by the presidential administration. In comments to RFE/RL's Uzbek Service, U.K.-based Uzbekistan-watcher Alisher Ilkhamov suggested the 67-year-old head of state was signaling his displeasure with certain family members, while Xoshimova played a "unifying role." In a country where presidential relatives have a history of getting above their station, Mirziyoev will know better than most the importance of keeping the ruling family in line. Prior to taking on the top job after Karimov died in 2016, he was prime minister for more than a decade at a time when members of Karimov's immediate and less immediate family were running rampant. In some ways, the immaculately presented and well-spoken Saida Mirziyoeva, 39, has been cultivated as a kind of antidote to Gulnara Karimova, Karimov's eldest daughter, whose wild behavior and allegedly vast appetite for corruption caused problems at home and abroad. That period culminated in Karimova sensationally falling under house arrest while her father was still alive, after she took to Twitter to accuse her mother and sister of various misdeeds. Karimova, sometimes known by her stage name Googoosha, is still a figure of international criminal investigations as she serves out a prison sentence in her homeland. As such, she is something of a lingering pain for the Mirziyoev regime. But for the moment, Uzbekistan's second president has bigger and more immediate headaches. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan- power-struggle-mirziyoev-allamjonov-umarov-uzbekistan -warning-shots/33179960.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Constitutional Court Validates Moldova's 'Yes' On EU Referendum By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service October 31, 2024 CHISINAU -- Moldova's Constitutional Court on October 31 validated the result of the country's October 26 referendum on integration into the European Union. The court affirmed previously announced results that the referendum passed with 50.38 percent of the vote in favor of Moldova pursuing EU membership, a wafer-thin margin of less than 1 percent. While the referendum has no legal impact on Moldova's negotiations with Brussels, the very narrow approval margin came as a surprise to many observers who had expected a more decisive vote in favor of the former Soviet republic's path toward Euro-Atlantic integration. Pro-EU President Maia Sandu said that the balloting came under an "unprecedented" assault from "criminal groups" that she said tried to buy as many as 300,000 votes with tens of millions of euros in an attempt to "undermine the democratic process." Sandu, who during her first four-year term steered Moldova away from Russia's long-standing influence, won the first round of her reelection vote held on the same day as the referendum with a little over 42 percent, not enough to avoid a runoff vote scheduled for November 3. Under Sandu's government, Moldova secured EU candidate status in 2022 and opened accession talks with the bloc earlier this year after siding with Ukraine following Russia's unprovoked invasion, in a radical U-turn toward the West and away from Moscow's decades-long influence. She will face Moscow-backed former Prosecutor-General Alexandr Stoianoglo, who has been facing accusations of corruption and garnered a little more than 26 percent in the first round. Russia, which was accused by Western officials of election interference ahead of the vote, has rejected the accusations, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claiming that the final results of both the presidential election and the referendum were "rigged" in Sandu's favor. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/maia-sandu-referendum- moldova-court-validate-results/33182254.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vulin 31 October 2024 12:27 2041-31-10-2024 On October 31, on the sidelines of the 2nd International Conference on Eurasian Security in Minsk, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vulin. In discussing the situation in the Balkans, special attention was given to Kosovo, particularly in light of ongoing anti-Serb repressions by Pristina authorities. Both sides emphasised the importance of adhering to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 as a fundamental condition for achieving a fair resolution to the Kosovo crisis and ensuring peace and stability in the Balkan region. Other current topics in international politics were also addressed. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to advancing bilateral relations across various sectors, despite external pressures. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hungary's Energy Supply Guaranteed Thanks to Cooperation With Russia - Szijjarto Sputnik News 20241031 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Hungary's energy supply security is guaranteed thanks to smart cooperation with Russia, with record amounts of gas delivered via the TurkStream pipeline in 2024, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Thursday. "Hungary's energy security and competitiveness are still guaranteed by smart cooperation with Russia. The volume of natural gas flowing to Hungary via the TurkStream pipeline currently exceeds 20 million cubic meters per day, and Hungary has already received 6.2 billion cubic meters via the southern route this year, the highest amount in recent times," Szijjarto said in a video address published on his social media. Earlier in the day, Szijjarto held a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the second Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Georgia parliamentary elections: UK statement to the OSCE, October 2024 Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown notes the results of parliamentary elections in Georgia, and calls on the Georgian authorities to investigate reported irregularities. 31 October 2024 The United Kingdom notes the results of the parliamentary elections in Georgia on 26 October. We support the preliminary conclusions of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission, to which the UK was pleased to be able to contribute 50 short term observers. We encourage the Georgian government to engage constructively with ODIHR and international partners to address their findings. The Election Observation Mission concluded that preparations for the elections were well administered, and voters were offered a wide choice. However, the preliminary conclusions highlighted concerns over the misuse of administrative resources, a highly polarised campaign environment, and widespread intimidation and coercion against voters. Along with the impact on civil society of Georgia's Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, these reports raise serious concerns about the commitment of the Georgian authorities to the democratic standards that the people of Georgia have a right to expect. The United Kingdom calls on the Georgian authorities to transparently investigate reported irregularities, including those raised by local observers. We will continue to follow this process closely together with our international partners, and look forward to ODIHR's final report and recommendations to the Georgian government. The United Kingdom stands ready to support Georgia in a return to the values its chosen Euro-Atlantic path requires. Thank you, Madam Chair. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address War in Lebanon inflicting devastating physical and emotional impacts on children UNICEF Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell 31 October 2024 NEW YORK, 31 October 2024 -- "The ongoing war in Lebanon is upending children's lives, and in many cases, inflicting severe physical wounds and deep emotional scars. "According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, 166 children have been killed since October 2023, while at least 1,168 have been injured. This devastating tally grows by the day. "Since October 4th of this year, at least one child has been killed and 10 injured daily. Thousands more children who have survived the many months of constant bombings physically unscathed, are now acutely distressed by the violence and chaos around them. "Children across Lebanon are displaying alarming signs of emotional, behavioural, and physical distress. UNICEF teams have met children who are gripped by overwhelming fear and increased anxiety, including separation anxiety, fear of loss, withdrawal, aggression, and difficulty concentrating. Many have disrupted sleep, haunted by nightmares, headaches, and loss of appetite. Deprived of the safety, stability, and support that school provides, many of these children are left without the spaces they need to play, learn, and heal. "War tears apart the safe and nurturing environments children need. When children are forced to endure prolonged periods of traumatic stress, they face severe health and psychological risks, and the consequences can last a lifetime. "UNICEF is on the ground providing emergency psychological support to thousands of children and caregivers. Since 23 September 2024, UNICEF has reached more than 9,600 children and caregivers with psychological first aid and provided community-based support for nearly 10,000 children. "But the true healing can only begin when the violence ends. Children in Lebanon need a permanent and immediate ceasefire so that they can safely access essential services and begin to recover from the trauma of war. We must act now to prevent more children from being injured or killed, and to protect the future of every child in Lebanon." ##### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Potentially 'deadly' consequences could arise from Israel's UNRWA ban: UNICEF 31 October 2024 - The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Thursday that Israeli legislation to shut down the main lifeline for Palestine refugees in Gaza "will be deadly" if fully implemented. The Israeli Parliament, known as the Knesset, adopted two bills on Monday banning UN Palestine refugee agency UNRWA from operating in its territory and prohibiting authorities from having any contact with it. "UNRWA is indispensable in delivering the urgent, life-saving assistance that 2.2 million people in Gaza urgently need," UNICEF said in a statement. "With the children of Gaza already facing one of the gravest humanitarian crises in recent history, if fully implemented, this decision will be deadly." A singular and vital role The statement underlined that UNRWA is the only UN General Assembly-mandated agency to provide for Palestinian refugees. "UNRWA runs a range of social services, with over 18,000 employees in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, providing health, education and other essential services for Palestinian refugees," it said. "No UN agency can take over this responsibility." UNRWA provides essential services and protection to more than five million Palestinian refugees overall across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. UNICEF noted that it is "the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza", and that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said "there is no alternative to UNRWA". Critical commitment The agency's support to Palestinian civilians continues as war grinds on in Gaza. UNRWA said on Thursday that in Khan Younis, its teams continue to reach thousands of displaced people with flour and essential aid. "As the risk of famine across the Gaza Strip remains high, UNRWA's commitment to supporting the most vulnerable is more critical than ever," the agency wrote on the social media platform X. North Gaza: Displacement, destruction and dwindling aid Intense hostilities continued in northern Gaza on Thursday, especially in Jabalya, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, reported in an update. OCHA said the third floor of Kamal Adwan Hospital was bombed, destroying medical supplies delivered just five days ago during a joint mission led by the World Health Organization (WHO), with its support. Hospitals in the north are under assault and rescue teams are unable to work due to the arrests of personnel and the confiscation of essential equipment, including ambulances and a fire truck, the agency added. 100,000 uprooted overall Forced displacement continues in the region. Some 300 Palestinians were displaced to the south through the Al Rashid checkpoint on Thursday, according to aid partners. Within northern Gaza, Palestinians staying around the Indonesian hospital and Tal Al Arabi school in the Al Fakhoura area were displaced to Beit Lahiya. In total, some 100,000 people have been displaced from North Gaza governorate to Gaza City since Israel launched this latest ground operation on 6 October. OCHA said almost no aid operations have been permitted into North Gaza, aside from limited missions, and the humanitarian crisis is being worsened by dwindling supplies, high casualties, frequent strikes on healthcare facilities and widespread displacement. Last neonatal ICU in the north out of action Separately, UN sexual and reproductive health agency UNFPA warned that attacks on hospitals in the north - including Kamal Adwan, which is the main provider of obstetric care - have shut down the last functioning neonatal intensive care unit in the region. The attacks have also further restricted access to maternity care for the roughly 4,000 pregnant women in the area. "Reports of women dying during or shortly after childbirth, and women giving birth alone without medical care, are increasing," UNFPA said in a news alert. The agency reported that only two out of 20 health service points in the north are partially functioning. The same applies to two hospitals there, with the Al-Awda Hospital inaccessible due to damaged roads and the Israeli army presence nearby. 'Harrowing' attacks on healthcare "The results of the attacks on healthcare are harrowing", UNFPA said, noting that an airstrike wiped out the last remaining medical supplies inside Kamal Adwan Hospital and the warehouse storing supplies also went up in flames. Furthermore, two children died at Al-Awda Hospital after medical equipment was damaged, cutting off their oxygen supply in the intensive care unit, according to medical personnel. A new mother was also killed when the ambulance she was travelling in was targeted shortly after she gave birth, though her newborn survived. Concern for new mothers Furthermore, widespread food insecurity and ensuing malnutrition are compounding the suffering of around 14,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women in the north, who are rapidly exhausting all available means for survival. "As the threat of famine persists, around 1,440 pregnant and breastfeeding women will need treatment for acute malnutrition in the coming months," the agency said. UNRWA 'irreplaceable and indispensable' UNFPA also added that its humanitarian response relies heavily on the partnership with UNRWA, including over the past 13 months of war in Gaza. "UNRWA's established network and infrastructure is crucial for delivering essential reproductive healthcare, including maternal health and protection services," the agency said. "UNFPA is deeply concerned by efforts to undermine UNRWA, as this will jeopardize access to critical care for women and girls. UNRWA is irreplaceable and indispensable and must be allowed to deliver on its mandate during this conflict and beyond." 'The best medicine is peace' Meanwhile, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, again underscored the need for peace in Gaza. Writing on X, he stated that "all you get from war" are destruction, death, displacement, disease, depravation and famine. "I hope our world gets back to its senses," Tedros said. "The best medicine is peace." Support for Gaza medical evacuees This week, WHO Egypt and the United Kingdom' s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office signed a 1 million agreement (roughly $1.3 million) to respond to the health needs of people evacuated from Gaza for treatment in the northeast African country. Through the partnership, WHO will support the Ministry of Health and partners to provide quality health services for these patients. WHO will work to enhance the readiness of Egypt's health system to receive the evacuees by ensuring the availability of necessary medical equipment, medical supplies and medications, including chemotherapy. The agency will also enhance the capacity of healthcare providers to manage chronic diseases and provide psychosocial support. Thousands still waiting WHO has previously reported that although some 5,000 people have been evacuated for medical treatment outside of Gaza since war erupted in October 2023, more than 10,000 are still in need. Egypt began receiving patients from Gaza last November and since then, WHO has worked to support the country's efforts to meet their health needs. Since the crisis began, WHO in Egypt has provided more than $2 million worth of medical supplies to local hospitals, including intensive care unit beds, mechanical heart valves, bloodlines for dialysis machines, orthopedic surgery supplies and anaesthesia medications. With support from Japan, WHO Egypt has also trained around 900 health workers in various fields to provide lifesaving emergency healthcare services. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ongoing hostilities and evacuation orders impact thousands in Lebanon 31 October 2024 - People in Lebanon continue to be killed, injured and displaced by airstrikes, hostilities and displacement orders, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said on Thursday. Israel issued new displacement orders that day for several villages and Rashiedeh Palestinian refugee camp, located in the south of the country. This marked the first time the Israeli army has called for the evacuation of a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, the UN agency said. Thousands on the run The Israeli army also issued evacuation orders to residents in the eastern city of Baalbeck for the second time in two days. OCHA said the displacement orders on Wednesday and airstrikes in Baalbek and surrounding areas forced thousands to flee, with displacement continuing into Thursday. Many of those affected spent the night in their vehicles, facing harsh conditions as they search for safety. Intense clashes reported In New York, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric updated journalists on the activities of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose peacekeepers remain at their positions and continue to monitor and report on the situation on the ground. UNIFIL said intense clashes between Hezbollah and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were reported in the Khiam area on Thursday. The IDF have continued to strike areas across Lebanon, including in the south, Baalbek and near the capital, Beirut, with multiple casualties reported, while Hezbollah rocket fire reportedly killed five near Metula in northern Israel. Respect the UN UNIFIL peacekeepers patrol the "Blue Line" between Lebanon and Israel and on Wednesday one of the Mission's positions located nearby sustained minor damage to its barracks and a vehicle due to an explosion in the area. "We once again remind all involved in this conflict of the inviolability of UN premises, and those premises must be respected, as well as our peacekeepers, both uniformed and civilians," said Mr. Dujarric. The intensifying hostilities are extremely concerning, he added, calling for an immediate end to the violence. He said UNIFIL also remains focused on helping local communities. This week, peacekeepers delivered essential humanitarian aid, including medicines and medical devices, to the Municipality of Tyre "amid a challenging situation in south Lebanon." 'Devastating tally' on children Meanwhile, the head of UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), Catherine Russell, warned about the devastating physical and emotional impacts of the conflict on boys and girls. "According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, 166 children have been killed since October 2023, while at least 1,168 have been injured. This devastating tally grows by the day," she said in a statement issued on Thursday. Furthermore, since 4 October of this year, at least one child has been killed and 10 injured daily. Thousands more who have survived months of constant bombings are now acutely distressed by the violence and chaos surrounding them. Alarming signs of distress Ms. Russell reported that children across Lebanon are displaying alarming signs of emotional, behavioural, and physical distress. "UNICEF teams have met children who are gripped by overwhelming fear and increased anxiety, including separation anxiety, fear of loss, withdrawal, aggression, and difficulty concentrating," she said. "Many have disrupted sleep, haunted by nightmares, headaches, and loss of appetite. Deprived of the safety, stability, and support that school provides, many of these children are left without the spaces they need to play, learn, and heal." While UNICEF is on the ground providing emergency psychological support to thousands of children and caregivers, she stressed that "the true healing can only begin when the violence ends." Concern for pregnant women UN aid teams operating in Lebanon also highlighted the major challenges facing thousands of women preparing to give birth in war-torn areas and called for increased international assistance. The UN sexual and reproduction services agency, UNFPA, said more than 11,600 pregnant women have been impacted by the escalated bombardment. Many who have been displaced and living in shelters for weeks and months have exhausted their savings and are unable to seek vital medical assistance, the agency's Pamela di Camillo told UN News in Geneva. She said some women have been on the move for a year and have lost contact with their gynaecologists. "They don't have the files with their pregnancy information with them, so they fear not only for their houses that they left behind in their villages, but also they fear for the baby they have in their bellies, and they also experience spotting, early contraction, because of the trauma and the situation," she added. Support and dignity Ms. di Camillo noted that UNFPA has working with the Lebanese health authorities to identify and help all pregnant women by increasing the number of midwives that receive UN support and distributing dignity kits to women in shelters. "The response needs to be scaled up everywhere," she said, warning that the situation remains dangerous for humanitarian workers who struggle to reach all vulnerable women. UNFPA recently reported that some 1,300 pregnant women are expected to give birth in November, even as roughly one quarter of all infrastructure has been destroyed in Lebanon, where the already stretched health system has been pushed to the brink. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli laws blocking UNRWA - devastating humanitarian impact for Palestinians? 31 October 2024 - On Monday, Israel's parliament, the Knesset, voted in favour of legislation targeting the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, which could effectively bring its operations in the occupied Palestinian territories to a halt. Here are five things to know about the bills and the potential consequences if they go into effect. What do the laws say? The bills, approved overwhelmingly by Israeli parliamentarians (92 in favour, 10 against) on Monday, would prohibit the country's authorities from having any contact with UNRWA and bar the agency from operating within Israel itself. The passage of aid into Gaza and the West Bank requires close coordination between UNRWA and the Israeli authorities. If the legislation is implemented, Israel will no longer issue the agency's staff with work or entry permits, and coordination with the Israeli military, essential for the safe passage of aid, will no longer be possible. Why have these bills been passed? Israeli politicians have long criticised UNRWA, with some claiming that members of the agency collude with Hamas. Those claims, which are denied by the agency, have grown louder since the 7 October Hamas-led attacks on Israel, in which over 1,130 people were killed. In recent months, several senior Israeli government officials have denounced UNRWA, with a former ambassador describing the agency as "a Palestinian organization fully committed to the Jewish State's destruction". The day before the vote, one of the politicians behind the bills was reported saying that UNRWA "is educating kids to hate Israel and spreading antisemitism". However, an independent UN review in April confirmed UNRWA's long standing commitment to uphold the humanitarian principle of neutrality and concluded that the Agency has a more developed approach to neutrality than similar UN entities or non-governmental organizations (NGOs). At a briefing to the Security Council that month, the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, explained that the agency is the "backbone" of the entire aid operation in Gaza in the face of an "insidious campaign" by Israeli authorities to push it out of Occupied Palestinian Territory. What is UNRWA's role in the occupied Palestinian territories? UNRWA was established shortly after the creation of the United Nations itself by General Assembly resolution 302 (IV) in the wake of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war to provide "direct relief and works programmes" for registered Palestinian refugees, defined as "persons whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 war". For decades, the agency has provided essential humanitarian services to Palestine refugees in areas controlled by Israel, notably in Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. These include health facilities, schools and vocational training centres. How has the UN reacted to the adoption of the legislation? The reaction from the UN system to the bills has been swift and unequivocal. As the news broke on Monday, several of the most senior UN officials, up to and including Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, condemned the decision. Mr. Guterres stressed the central role that UNRWA plays in the delivery of aid and said that the effective ban would have "devastating consequences". The acting head of the UN aid coordination office, Joyce Msuya, called the decision "dangerous and outrageous" whilst UNRWA's Mr. Lazzarini said that the bills will "increase the suffering of the Palestinians and are nothing less than collective punishment". The condemnation continued on Tuesday, with UN human rights office OHCHR spokesperson Jeremy Laurence declaring that aid deliveries will "grind to a halt" without UNRWA, and World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus calling the development "intolerable". UNICEF chief Catherine Russell also reminded that UNRWA is crucial in delivering lifesaving aid to Palestinian children and families, emphasising that "this decision is dangerous; the lives and futures of Palestinian children are at stake," while James Elder, a UNICEF staffer in the region, denounced the decision, saying "a new way has been found to kill children." What happens next? Following the announcement, UN humanitarian affairs coordination office OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke insisted that the UN is trying to "not have an implementation" of the Knesset decision, citing the outpouring of protest not only from the UN, but also from "prominent government officials... and Heads of State". Mr. Guterres informed the President of the General Assembly that he had written a letter to the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, calling on his government to continue to allow UNRWA to operate and to respect Israel's obligations under international law. On Wednesday, UN Security Council members collectively released a statement strongly warning against any attempts to dismantle or diminish UNRWA's operations and mandate that expressed their grave concern over the adoption of the legislation and noted their appreciation for the work of the agency's staff members. If the passage of the bills continues unimpeded, they will come into effect within 90 days of the adoption. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ninth Air Force brings next generation of air refueling to CENTCOM Published Oct. 31, 2024 By Senior Airman Violette Hosack 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (AFNS) -- The first enduring U.S. Air Force KC-46A Pegasus Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron was established in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, with aircraft deploying to the region in early October. Given only a 72-hour notice to generate forces and deploy a contingency force, the 305th EARS was stood up to bring the Air Force's next generation of air-to-air refueling support to the CENTCOM AOR. Several support agencies from the 305th Air Mobility Wing and 87th Air Base Wing across Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, worked to get the entire Mission Generation Force Element trained, equipped and prepared to deploy. "While the KC-46A has operated in CENTCOM previously, this deployment is building the foundation for sustained KC-46A expeditionary operations," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Andrew Doenitz, 305th EARS commander. "It's been a team effort across the enterprise to prepare for the KC-46A Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron stand-up, and I'm proud of our Airmen for playing a role in this historic achievement." The 133rd Air Refueling Squadron, based at Pease Air National Guard Base in New Hampshire and operating the Pegasus, was originally scheduled to establish the KC-46A Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron later this month. Emerging requirements within the AOR pushed the tasking to the 305th AMW. With the 133rd's preparations in place to get the KC-46A into theater, the 305th AMW was able to deploy their forces quickly and effectively. "We're all so thrilled to be a part of this historical event and bring the KC-46A into CENTCOM," said Maj. Brian McGovern, 305th EARS director of operations. "Its presence is a tremendous force multiplier, strengthening our resolve to stabilize this region, and deter further escalation." The unit deployed as a KC-46A MGFE, bringing additional capabilities to the region, including expanded connectivity, increased fuel capacity and always-equipped onboard aeromedical evacuation equipment. The aircraft arrived in theater with a Deployable Air Refueling Support Hub kit. The DASH kit contains every mission planning cell component necessary to globally employ. This kit ensured the crews were ready to commence air tasking orders within 48 hours of arrival. "The tankers that call McGuire home have long held the responsibility of being America's emergency responders, which is something we do not take lightly," said Capt. Oze Navat, 305th EARS KC-46A instructor pilot. "Bringing the KC-46 to CENTCOM for sustained operations is the natural progression of this responsibility and it is extremely exciting to be a part of the team that gets to bring it to light, in a showcase of its strength and capabilities. The message is clear, we are here and we are dedicated to executing the mission." The 305th EARS, with their KC-46A aircraft, contribute vital air refueling capabilities to U.S. and coalition forces throughout the region, extending the Air Force's global reach and reinforcing the U.S.'s commitment to stand alongside coalition partners. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Oak Hill Arrives in Limassol, Cyprus US Navy 31 October 2024 From Petty Officer 3rd Class Justin Kemble LIMASSOL, Cyprus -- The Harpers Ferry-class amphibious landing dock ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) arrived in Limassol, Cyprus, for a scheduled port visit, Oct. 31, 2024. While in Limassol, embassy leadership from Australia, France, the U.K., and the U.S., are scheduled to visit Oak Hill for a key-leadership engagement. Marines assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) will be returning to Oak Hill from a two-week training exercise conducted in Cyprus. "Our visit to Cyprus enables us to re-embark the 24th MEU who recently executed some interoperability training with the Cypriots, and also host key leadership from other partner nations to continue to build and strengthen our relationships," said Cmdr. Jason Nowell, Oak Hill's commanding officer. Oak Hill previously visited Limassol in September for a 10-day port visit and conducted a mid-deployment voyage repair (MDVR) and preventative, scheduled maintenance. Oak Hill's return to Limassol allows the embarked Sailors and Marines to further explore the Cypriot culture, food, and history within the city. "The Sailors and Marines onboard Oak Hill are excited to return to Limassol," said Nowell. "We were recently here to conduct some scheduled maintenance, and the crew was able to enjoy the rich culture, food and are eager to return." Oak Hill is conducting operations as part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (WSP ARG)-24th MEU (SOC) in the U.S. 6th Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) areas of operations, supporting U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region, including in the Eastern eastern Mediterranean Sea, to continue promoting regional stability and deterring aggression. The WSP ARG-24th MEU (SOC) is comprised of its flagship namesake, the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), Oak Hill, and the embarked 24th MEU (SOC). The 24th MEU (SOC) is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) with a command element, Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, and Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 24. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Navy Recruiting Command Announces FY25 Recruiting Goals US Navy 31 October 2024 From Courtesy Story MILLINGTON, Tennessee -- Navy Recruiting Command (NRC) today announced its recruitment goals for Fiscal Year 2025, while acknowledging the significant achievements of Fiscal Year 2024. With a commitment to building a mission-ready force, the Navy will continue to focus on innovative strategies and outreach to meet the evolving needs of the Fleet. For Fiscal Year 2025, the Navy has set a target to recruit 40,600 new Sailors. This reflects the growing needs of the Navy as it continues to modernize and strengthen its capabilities. While the Navy is confident in achieving this target, it acknowledges several challenges ahead. The labor market remains competitive, with military service being just one of many career options for young Americans. The Navy recognizes the need to refine its messaging to ensure recruits understand the Navy as a premier choice for professional development, education, and service to the country. Moreover, evolving societal expectations around work-life balance and career flexibility will require the Navy to adapt its offerings to remain competitive. The Navy is also preparing to address demographic shifts and the unique expectations of Generation Z, who consume information and make career decisions differently from previous generations. The Navy will continue leveraging digital platforms, personalized outreach, and social media to connect with this new generation of recruits. In FY25, the Navy will continue recruiting individuals of the highest caliber who meet the Navy's culture, mission, and specific roles, offering them the breadth and depth of opportunities that stretch from the depths of the sea to the heights of the stars. The Navy seeks recruits who align with the Navy's core values and who can meet the physical, mental, and career expectations that come with military service. This approach aims to improve long-term retention, job satisfaction, and overall unit cohesion, ensuring that the Navy is not only well-staffed but also well-prepared to thrive in the future. Looking forward to FY25, Rear Adm. James Waters, Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, expressed optimism: "We are building on the foundation of success from FY24 while tackling new challenges head-on. With the strategies we've implemented, the talent we have in place, and the support from leadership, I'm confident that we'll meet our goals and continue to bring in the best and brightest to serve our nation." To learn about careers, joining the Navy, and the latest incentives, visit https://www.navy.com. Navy Recruiting Command consists of a command headquarters, two Navy Recruiting Regions, Navy Recruiting Reserve Command, and 26 Navy Talent Acquisition Groups that serve more than 1,000 recruiting stations around the world. Their mission is to attract the highest quality candidates to assure the ongoing success of America's Navy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti's Meeting with Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy Rear Adm. Garin Golding US Navy - Press Release 31 October 2024 Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met virtually with Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy Rear Adm. Garin Golding, Oct. 31. The two leaders discussed their shared defense and security priorities of a free and open Indo-Pacific, strengthening their naval partnership through increased interoperability, and their commitment to upholding the rules based international order. Franchetti thanked Golding for the Royal New Zealand Navy's support and participation in Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2024 and for New Zealand's steadfast leadership in the Pacific Islands region. During RIMPAC 2024, Franchetti visited the Royal New Zealand ship HMNZS Aotearoa (A-11), where she thanked Royal New Zealand Navy service members, met with the ship's leadership, and observed the exercise first-hand. CNO also expressed her condolences and sympathy for the loss of HMNZS Manawanui, which sunk, without loss of life, after running aground off the coast of Samoa, Oct. 5. The United States and New Zealand have a longstanding partnership focused on ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and around the globe. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SECNAV Announces Service Life Extensions for 12 Destroyers to "Keep More Ready Players on the Field" US Navy - Press Release 31 October 2024 WASHINGTON -- Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced on October 31 that the Department of the Navy plans to operate 12 Arleigh Burke class (DDG 51) Flight I Destroyers beyond their 35-year expected service life. The decision, based upon a hull-by-hull evaluation of ship material condition, combat capability, technical feasibility and lifecycle maintenance requirements, will result in an additional 48 ship-years of cumulative ship service life in the 2028 to 2035 timeframe. The Navy has proposed DDG service life extension funding in the FY26 budget request, and will update the shipbuilding plan accordingly. "Extending these highly-capable, well-maintained destroyers will further bolster our numbers as new construction warships join the Fleet," said Secretary Del Toro. "It also speaks to their enduring role in projecting power globally, and most recently in the Red Sea, their proven ability to defend themselves, as well as our allies, partners and friends from missile and drone attacks." At the Secretary's request, the Navy conducted a thorough evaluation of each DDG-51 Flight I ship (DDG 51-71) over the past ten months, and determined the 12 destroyers could and should remain operational beyond their expected service life. The final determination of each ship's service life is based on maximizing the service life of each ship before it required another extensive and costly docking availability. The service life extensions meet the intent of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and the CNO's NAVPLAN which directs the Navy to "get more ready players on the field." "Today's budget constrained environment requires the Navy to make prioritized investments to keep more ready players on the field," said Adm. Franchetti. "The Navy is actively pulling the right levers to maintain and grow its Battle Force Inventory to support the United States's global interests in peace and to win decisively in conflict." The Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer is critical to the Navy's mission and has proven itself most capable in contested environments, like the Red Sea. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Middle East fighting rages on several fronts, killing dozens By VOA News October 31, 2024 Fighting raged Thursday on several fronts in the Middle East, killing dozens. Five people were killed in northern Israel by projectiles fired from Lebanon, including an Israeli farmer and four foreign workers, authorities said. Lebanon said Israeli strikes killed at least eight people, including six health workers in the country's south. Meanwhile, Palestinian officials said an Israeli attack in the occupied West Bank killed three people. The Israeli military said it also struck Hezbollah weapons depots and bases in Syria, where it claimed the militant group recently began storing weapons along the Syria-Lebanon border to smuggle them into Lebanon. And in Gaza, at least 46 Palestinians were killed Thursday in Israeli military strikes across the enclave, primarily in the territory's north, where one attack hit a hospital, local health officials said. The Israeli military accused Hamas of using the hospital for military purposes and said "dozens of terrorists" have been hiding there, which health officials and Hamas denied. Later Thursday, an Israeli strike on two houses in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza killed at least 16 Palestinians, medics in the camp told Reuters. The dead included a paramedic and two local journalists, they said. Hamas and Hezbollah have been designated as terror groups by the United States, the U.K. and other Western countries. Also Thursday, Israel issued an evacuation warning to residents of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon for a second consecutive day. On Wednesday, it conducted heavy airstrikes targeting Hezbollah in and around the city famed for its Roman temples. Dozens of cars could be seen speeding out of the area after Thursday's warning, with wafts of black smoke still visible emanating from the town of Douris, where an Israeli strike the previous day destroyed Hezbollah fuel stocks, according to the Israeli military and a Lebanese security source. U.S. envoys and Israeli officials met in Israel later to discuss efforts to craft a cease-fire in Lebanon, where Israeli forces are battling Hezbollah, and in Gaza, where they are fighting Hamas, with both groups supported financially and militarily by Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told visiting U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein and U.S. Middle East adviser Brett McGurk that any cease-fire deal with Hezbollah would have to guarantee Israel's security. "The prime minister specified that the main issue is not paperwork for this or that deal, but Israel's determination and capacity to ensure the deal's application and to prevent any threat to its security from Lebanon," Netanyahu's office said after the meeting in Jerusalem. The talks were centered on a possible 60-day cease-fire to allow the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which would call for Hezbollah to withdraw its armed presence from an area south of the Litani River. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that Israel and Lebanon were approaching understandings on what is needed to implement the long-violated resolution. "It's important to make sure we have clarity, both from Lebanon and from Israel, about what would be required under 1701 to get its effective implementation," Blinken told a press conference. "I can tell you that based on my recent trip to the region, the work that's ongoing right now, we have made good progress on those understandings," he added. Hezbollah's newly named leader, Naim Kassem, said this week that the militant group would keep fighting its war with Israel until it was offered cease-fire terms it deemed acceptable. The killing of the six Lebanese health workers and the wounding of four others in three separate strikes across south Lebanon on Thursday brought the death toll of health workers to 178 over the last year, while 279 health workers have been injured, the Lebanese Health Ministry said. Hezbollah said it had launched several rocket and artillery attacks against Israeli forces near the southern town of Khiyam on Thursday. It marked the fourth straight day of fighting in and around the strategic hilltop town, which is home to one of the largest Shiite communities in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah aims to keep Israeli forces out of the town to prevent them from detonating homes and buildings, as has happened on a large scale in other border towns, a source familiar with the group's thinking told Reuters. Hezbollah says its fighters have prevented Israel from fully occupying or controlling any southern villages, while Israel says it is carrying out limited ground operations aimed at destroying the group's infrastructure. The Israeli attack on the occupied West Bank included airstrikes around the Nur Shams refugee camp. The military said it was targeting "terrorist infrastructure" and that it killed a Hamas militant who was involved in planning attacks. Since Hamas attacked southern Israel in October 2023, Israeli forces have killed at least 763 Palestinians in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Israeli bulldozers damaged the office of U.N. aid agency UNRWA in the West Bank's Nur Shams camp on Thursday, according to Philippe Lazzarini, the agency's chief. The office "can no longer be used," he said in a post on social media platform X. U.S. President Joe Biden and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides met at the White House on Wednesday to discuss how to end the fighting in Lebanon and Gaza. Cyprus, the European Union nation closest to Gaza, has played a key role in enabling the delivery of humanitarian aid into the territory. Israel is demanding that Hezbollah pull back to north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers from the Israeli frontier. In addition, Israel wants the Lebanese army to deploy along the border, an international intervention mechanism to enforce the truce, and its own forces to remain free to respond militarily in case of threats. The war in Lebanon erupted late last month, nearly a year after Hezbollah began low-intensity cross-border fire into Israel in support of Hamas. The conflict in the region began when Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and captured about 250 hostages in their October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel. Israel says it believes Hamas is still holding 101 hostages, including 35 the military says are dead. Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 43,100 Palestinians, according to the territory's Health Ministry, with Israel saying the death toll includes thousands of militants. The Israeli campaign has devastated much of the Gaza Strip, while the fighting and Israeli evacuation orders have displaced about 90% of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Residents in Ethiopia's Oromia region report network disruptions as government forces fight rebels By Gelmo Dawit October 31, 2024 Residents in Ethiopia's Oromia region say access to phone communication and internet service has been disrupted for months as government forces fight against two rebel groups. The disruption of mobile phone calls and internet data has been concentrated in conflict-hit Oromia zones, where government forces have engaged in fighting against the Oromo Liberation Army, or the OLA. A resident from South Oromia of Guji Zone Wadera Wereda, who spoke to VOA on condition of anonymity for safety reasons, said phone and internet data connections have been cut in his area due to the fighting. He said there was fighting on Monday and the week before in Wadera Wereda, where regional security personnel including local police were killed. Other residents confirmed the same clashes without giving specific casualty figures. Local authorities could not be reached for comment. The data outage and network disruptions were also reported in the North Shewa Zone administration of Oromia region. "The zone has been under network blockade for the last two months due to the insurgency," said a second resident from Dera Wereda in North Shewa, who also sought anonymity due to safety reasons. Residents also said people who lost their SIM cards or want replacements could not do so at local telecom offices because the conflict has affected supplies. Network disruptions also impacted schools in the area that access materials online. He says his school had to transfer all its grade-12 students this year to neighboring Wereda due to a lack of service. "We cannot manage to send their details and credentials to relevant bodies," with the downed service, he told VOA in a phone interview. Journalists have waited for hours to speak to residents in Kelem Welega Zone, whose network is down during morning hours. One resident traveled to Dembi Dolo, about 620 kilometers west of the capital, Addis Ababa, to speak with the media about the network outages. The disruptions have been present since the yearslong fighting between federal forces and the OLA began in 2019. In one of the latest deadliest attacks, suspected OLA fighters killed as many as 17 pro-government militiamen in the West Showa zone of Oromia on October 17, according to residents and local officials. A second rebel group, Fano, is also fighting in the neighboring Amhara region, which spills over on either side. Residents say as the intensity of the clashes increases, the network situation becomes worse, as the government resorts to shutting down communication. "It's a very unfortunate tactic that is usually used by governments that are struggling with legitimacy issues," said Horn of Africa security analyst Samira Gaid. "It only serves to convince the masses that the government has something to hide. Rather than controlling the narrative or news reporting, it elevates mistrust in government, adds to misinformation and disinformation, and contributes to groups becoming more covert with their communications," she told VOA. Ethiopia's state-run communication outlets have not responded to repeated VOA requests for comment. Speaking at a press conference in Addis Ababa last month, Frehiwot Tamiru, CEO of Ethio Telecom, admitted that such problems exist in conflict areas. She declined to give specific answers, referring reporters to other government entities. In June, the company said it has repaired and restored service to dozens of mobile stations that had previously been damaged in the western region of the country. This story originated in VOA's Horn of Africa Service. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN warns global hunger hot spots growing By Margaret Besheer October 31, 2024 A new U.N. report warned Thursday that conflict, climate and economic stress are driving severe hunger and in some cases famine conditions, in 22 countries and territories, with no likelihood for improvement in the next six months. "So, you have conflict impacts, climate impacts in the same countries, as well as both the combination of the two turns into economic devastation for people," Arif Husain, chief economist of the World Food Program, said of the main drivers of the hunger crises to reporters in a video briefing. The situation is most severe in the Gaza Strip, Sudan, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali, where millions of people are in the highest levels of food insecurity, meaning famine, risk of famine or starvation are happening. In Gaza, U.N. food agencies have been warning about the critical situation for months. It is fueled by the nearly 13-month war between Israel and Hamas, which has made it dangerous and difficult for humanitarians to get food and other assistance to about 2 million Palestinians trapped in the crossfire. WFP's Husain said 91% of Gazans are at crisis levels or worse for hunger, with about 345,000 of them in faminelike conditions. "And the report says basically that there is a risk there's a persistent risk of famine for the entire Gaza Strip," Husain said. The situation in Sudan is even worse because the numbers of people are dramatically higher. "Time is running out to save lives," Rein Paulsen, director of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Office of Emergencies and Resilience, told reporters of Sudan. "People are facing total collapse of livelihoods and starvation in areas where conflict is hitting the hardest across the country, including in Darfur, in Jazira, in Khartoum and in Kordofan," he said. Paulsen noted that famine levels of food insecurity were reported two months ago in the Zamzam camp in North Darfur, where several hundred thousand internally displaced people are sheltering. Fighting has escalated in recent months in that region between the army and a rival paramilitary group. "And those famine conditions are likely highly likely to persist unless something changes," he said. In the Western Hemisphere, Haiti is in the grip of a serious hunger crisis because of the rampant violence from armed gangs whose kidnappings, killings, rapes and looting have left Haitians in the capital and some outlying areas afraid to leave their homes. Two million people do not have enough to eat, and about 6,000 of them are experiencing famine levels of food insecurity, Paulsen said. "Immediate action is imperative to save lives, to prevent starvation, and to help vulnerable populations restore their livelihoods amidst unprecedented violence and displacement," he added. In Africa, Mali and South Sudan are also at the top of the list of hunger hot spots. WFP's Husain said about 2,500 people are at catastrophic or famine levels of hunger in Mali and another 121,000 are right behind them. In South Sudan, affected by the war in Sudan and severe flooding, the number of people facing starvation and death was projected in the report to nearly double between April and July to 2.3 million, compared with the same period in 2023. Hunger is expected to worsen when the next lean season begins in May. A step behind these most affected countries are those of "very high concern" for humanitarians, including Chad, Lebanon, Myanmar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Syria and Yemen. "These are classified and categorized in this context where we have a high number of people facing particular acute food insecurity, and where we also see drivers that are expected to further intensify life-threatening conditions in the coming months," Paulsen said. Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia and Niger are new to the list of hunger hot spots this year, joining Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Malawi, Somalia, Zambia and Zimbabwe to round out the list. WFP's Husain said humanitarians need both resources and safe access to assist the millions of people in need to bring the high rates of hunger and malnutrition down. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hungary's Orban finds key ally in Georgia amid Western concerns By Ani Chkhikvadze October 31, 2024 Standing side by side with Georgia's prime minister, Hungary's Viktor Orban was among the first to congratulate the ruling Georgian Dream party on its recent electoral victory. This endorsement came as much of the Western world raised questions about the legitimacy of the election and tens of thousands of Georgians were in the streets to protest it. Orban's swift acknowledgment underscored his bond with Georgia's government. "I congratulate the prime minister on his election victory," Orban declared, adding, "I see that nobody dares to question that this election was a free and democratic choice." For many observers, this alliance was hardly surprising. Both leaders have shown authoritarian tendencies in their governance styles, said Irakli Porchkhidze, senior fellow at the Georgian Institute for Strategic Studies. "They reinforce each other's positions," he told VOA. Orban's enthusiastic embrace of the Georgian Dream victory stands in contrast to the stance of the European Union, which expressed concerns over the election's fairness. The EU noted that Orban was not speaking on its behalf. Analysts argue that the alliance between Orban and Georgia's ruling party is not based on any ideological commitment but rather on mutual convenience. Aka Zarqua, editor-in-chief of Realpolitik, described it to VOA as "a marriage of convenience between two autocrats." Hungary has reportedly lobbied against EU sanctions on Georgia's leadership and pushed Brussels to grant Tbilisi EU candidate status ahead of the elections. Notably, in 2012, Orban stood next to then-President Mikheil Saakashvili in Georgia, who is now Georgian Dream's chief adversary. "As a Hungarian friend, believe me don't go back. ... I would like to ask you to keep your country on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration," Orban said on October 27, 2012, standing next to Saakashvili. That year, Saakashvili lost the elections, and Georgian Dream came to power. "That was a different Orban," Dalibor Rohac, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, told VOA in a phone call. Twelve years later, when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, EU and NATO members criticized Orban for his determination to remain friendly with Russia, something Georgia's ruling party has also done. Hungary, under Orban's leadership, has become a template for Georgia's leaders as they seek to consolidate power while maintaining the appearance of democracy, Zarqua said. "One of them is leading, offering lessons to [former Prime Minister Bidzina] Ivanishvili and his Georgian Dream party on how to control civil society and establish what political scientists call competitive authoritarianism," Zarqua said. Georgian Dream's ties to Russia have been widely discussed, with Rohac referring to the party as "Russia's fifth column" in Georgia, underscoring the growing perception that Georgian leadership is aligning itself with Moscow. "[Georgian Dream] is a political force that has dragged Georgia into Russian and, to a lesser extent, Chinese spheres of influence. And Viktor Orban, since his transformation, since 2010, has been doing the same for Hungary," Rohac said. Pro-Russian narratives have increasingly shaped Georgian politics, much like Hungary under Orban. Both governments have cast themselves as challengers to Western liberalism, amplifying Kremlin talking points to rally domestic support. They've also enacted Russian-inspired foreign agent laws to target foreign-funded organizations, a tactic critics see as a way to silence opposition. "They have copied each other in how they manage elections," Porchkhidze said. "They are hostile toward the dissent. Let it be the opposition, media or civil society organizations," he said. However, the differences are significant. Hungary is already a member of NATO and the European Union, providing it with a certain degree of protection and a security umbrella. "It's much more dangerous for Georgian society to follow these tendencies than it is for Hungarian society," Zarqua cautioned. Hungary and Georgia have experienced Russian aggression Hungary during the Soviet crackdown of 1956 and Georgia in the 1990s and again in 2008, with Russian forces still occupying 20% of Georgia's territory. Both countries have since invoked these fears, warning of potential Russian threats if they lose power. "They are exploiting the trauma of Russia's aggression," Zarqua said, calling it "just political technology." Orban's Fidesz party and the Georgian Dream party have also tapped into anti-Western narratives that have gained traction across Europe. The rhetoric often centers on portraying the West as decadent and in decline, a narrative that finds strong echoes in Russian propaganda. "There's a common thread running through the messaging of Russian propaganda, Georgian Dream and Orban that the West is decadent, and these countries should place their bets elsewhere rather than in the West," Rohac said. This anti-Western sentiment is often couched in the language of "traditional values" and opposition to LGBTQ rights, a tactic aimed at appealing to domestic audiences, said the AEI's Rohac. "For Orban, the most important consideration is staying in power," Rohac said. "Sometimes that means turning against LGBTQ rights. Georgian Dream is doing the same. I don't think this really reflects a deep commitment to cultural conservatism." The West's lack of a coherent strategy for the post-Soviet space has also contributed to the rise of leaders like Orban and their allies, Zarqua said. "The West is not as attractive as it was during the unipolar moment of the 1990s and 2000s," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Remarks by President Biden and President Nikos Christodoulides of the Republic of Cyprus Before Bilateral Meeting October 31, 2024 Oval Office 12:06 P.M. EDT PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, Mr. President, welcome. Welcome to the Oval Office. PRESIDENT CHRISTODOULIDES: Thank you very much, Mr. President. PRESIDENT BIDEN: Good to see you. Good to see you. It was 10 years ago when I visited Cyprus last, as vice president of the United States. And and, as I said, there is no limit to what our nations can achieve if we work together. PRESIDENT CHRISTODOULIDES: Exactly. PRESIDENT BIDEN: And we've been doing that for a long time. But I think that's even more true today. Today, we stood against Russia's vicious onslaught against Ukraine. We launched a strategic dialogue to increase cooperation across a range of issues, from energy security to artificial intelligence. And we surged humanitarian aid, delivering 8,000 metric tons to Gaza. So, Mr. President, Cyprus made all this possible. I want thank you for your leadership in making that happen. And this year also marks the 50th anniversary of the artificial division of the island. I remember it well. It was my first year as a U.S. senator. I remember sitting with (inaudible) anyway, it's it's a sad day. PRESIDENT CHRISTODOULIDES: (Inaudible.) PRESIDENT BIDEN: But as a it was a sad occasion, but I remain optimistic about the possibility that a u- reunited Cyprus and bizonal, bicommunal federation is possible. And the United States ready stands ready to provide any support we can toward that goal. Mr. President, thank you, again, for being here, and I look forward to our conversation. The floor is yours. PRESIDENT CHRISTODOULIDES: Mr. President, it's a great honor to be at the White House. Thank you very much for your invitation. As you very well know, our countries have been have built a truly strategic partnership and and our relations our relations are at a strategic and historical high. At the bilateral level, we are working closely on defense and security, on energy, law enforcement, technology innovation. There is a top potential, and there is a clear and strong political will from both countries, following also the first strategic dialogue that took place in Cyprus last week to further enhance our partnership. Mr. President, at at the regional level, Cyprus is a predictable and reliable partner of the United States in a region of great geopolitical importance. We are the member state of the European Union in the region. We have excellent relations with all of our neighbors. And we're working closely with the United States and other partners to face the current challenges, to send much-needed humanitarian assistance to Gaza, to evacuate third-country nationals from from the region. With regards to to Ukraine, Cyprus stands on the right side of history. And, Mr. President, it could have been different, having in mind that my country is under Turkish occupation the last 50 years. And, Mr. President, I count on your support and the support of the United States to resume negotiations and find a solution of the Cyprus problem solution in line with the U.N. Security Council resolution, solution that is based on our common values and principles: democracy and respect of human rights. So, Mr. President, once again, thank you very much. I'm looking forward to our discussions. Thank you very much. PRESIDENT BIDEN: I'm looking forward to it as well. You're a good friend. (Inaudible.) PRESIDENT CHRISTODOULIDES: Thanks. Thank a lot. 12:20 P.M. EDT NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two Members of Transnational Money Laundering Organization Plead Guilty to Laundering Millions of Dollars in Drug Proceeds Wednesday, October 30, 2024 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs A Georgia man pleaded guilty today to his involvement in a conspiracy to launder tens of millions of dollars in drug proceeds on behalf of foreign drug trafficking organizations, including the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (the Jalisco Cartel). Earlier this year, on Aug. 5, a foreign national residing in Illinois pleaded guilty for his role in the same money laundering scheme. According to court documents, Li Pei Tan, 46, of Buford, and Chaojie Chen, 41, a Chinese national residing in Chicago, worked for an organization that laundered millions of dollars in proceeds related to the importation of illegal drugs into the United States, primarily through Mexico, and the unlawful distribution of these drugs. Tan, Chen, and their co-conspirators traveled throughout the United States to collect proceeds derived from trafficking in fentanyl, cocaine, and other drugs. They communicated and coordinated with co-conspirators in China and other foreign countries to arrange for the laundering of these proceeds through financial transactions that were designed to conceal the illicit source of the drug proceeds, including through a sophisticated trade-based money laundering scheme involving the purchasing of bulk electronics in the United States and the shipping of these electronics to co-conspirators in China. On multiple occasions prior to Chen's May arrest, law enforcement seized hundreds of thousands of dollars in bulk cash drug proceeds from Chen at locations across the United States. Additionally, Tan was intercepted by law enforcement in South Carolina while attempting to transport over $197,000 in drug proceeds. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)'s National Drug Threat Assessment, the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels are at the heart of the fentanyl crisis in the United States. Tan and Chen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. As part of their pleas, Tan and Chen agreed to forfeit numerous assets to the government, including a residence, a firearm, body armor, and more than $270,000 in seized currency. Additionally, they agreed to the imposition of money judgments totaling over $23 million. Chen is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 14 and Tan is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 7, 2025. Chen and Tan each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia; and DEA Administrator Anne Milgram made the announcement. The DEA's Special Operations Division, Bilateral Investigations Unit is investigating the case, with assistance from the DEA's Office of Special Intelligence, Document and Media Exploitation Unit; DEA offices in Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Charleston, South Carolina; and the Anderson County, South Carolina, Sheriff's Office. Trial Attorney Mary K. Daly of the Criminal Division's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Edgardo J. Rodriguez for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case. Topic: Drug Trafficking Components: Criminal Division Criminal - Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section USAO - Virginia, Eastern Press Release Number: 24-1368 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Follow-up Meeting to the Summit of the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats US Department of State Media Note Office of the Spokesperson October 31, 2024 U.S. Department of State Counselor Tom Sullivan and White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall convened a virtual meeting today with leadership of 12 countries that are leading progress in the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats to mobilize international action to tackle the synthetic drug crisis: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, France, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The meeting followed President Biden's Leaders' Summit of the Coalition at the UN General Assembly in September, during which 11 Coalition countries announced new initiatives, including efforts to disrupt the supply chain of fentanyl and enhance public health interventions. The United States welcomed the announcements by Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and France on their new initiatives that will move the work of each of the Coalition's core lines forward. Argentina spoke to its efforts to establish a regional center to share information and best practices to disrupt synthetic drug trafficking. Brazil discussed its initiatives to expand Early Warning Systems to identify and share alerts on emerging synthetic drug threats. Colombia emphasized it stands ready to collaborate with Global Coalition partners to analyze seized illicit-synthetic drugs and their precursors. France presented on its intent to explore training French-speaking public health professionals around the world in substance-use prevention and treatment. Counselor Sullivan and White House Homeland Security Advisor Sherwood-Randall commended partners on their collaborative efforts to disrupt the supply chain for fentanyl and other synthetic drugs; detect emerging drug threats; and prevent and treat substance use through effective public health interventions. Both underscored the U.S. government's priority to counter the threat posed by synthetic drugs and our deep commitment to make progress on this lethal threat to U.S. citizens. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Treasury Sanctions Key Members of La Linea, a Group Involved in Trafficking Fentanyl into the United States U.S. Department of the Treasury October 31, 2024 WASHINGTON -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned five Mexican nationals and two Mexico-based entities linked to La Linea, a violent Mexico-based drug trafficking organization responsible for trafficking fentanyl and other deadly drugs into the United States. Today's action was coordinated closely with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Government of Mexico, including La Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (UIF), Mexico's Financial Intelligence Unit. "President Biden and Vice President Harris are committed to using every tool at our disposal to target and disrupt the cartels peddling deadly fentanyl on our streets. If La Linea continues to directly contribute to the proliferation of deadly fentanyl throughout our communities, Treasury will continue to use every took in our arsenal to go after their criminal activity," said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo. "The United States, in close coordination with our Mexican partners, remains committed to doing everything we can to hold these groups to account and to disrupt their ability to profit from and ultimately operate these criminal schemes." Treasury plays a leading role in countering the trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit drugs as part of President Biden's Unity Agenda, leveraging its expertise to fight illicit financing and financial crimes to disrupt the flows of money that criminal organizations rely on to operate. Over the past two years, Treasury has sanctioned more than 350 targets for involvement in drug trafficking activities at all stages of the supply chain, from major cartel leaders to under-the-radar labs, transportation networks, and chemical suppliers. Last year, Secretary Yellen launched the Counter-Fentanyl Strike Force, which brings together Treasury's expertise and resources in fighting financial crime, led by the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) and IRS Criminal Investigation (CI). Secretary Yellen has also engaged with international partners to combat fentanyl trafficking, including during her travel to Mexico last year. In April, Secretary Yellen also announced the launch of an exchange with the People's Republic of China to enhance cooperating in combatting money laundering associated with drug trafficking and other crime. LA LINEA'S EMERGENCE AS A VIOLENT REGIONAL POWER La Linea began as an armed wing of the Juarez Cartel intended to help the drug trafficking organization defend its border territories in and around Ciudad Juarez in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Today, La Linea operates in Ciudad Juarez, where it has access to drug trafficking and human smuggling routes across the U.S.-Mexico border. La Linea taxes other Mexican drug trafficking organizations to move their merchandise through the Juarez Valley and generates other revenue via synthetic drug trafficking, illegal logging, and car theft in Chihuahua, Mexico. Associates of La Linea are also involved in human trafficking across the United States. In November 2019, La Linea members murdered nine American citizens, including six children, in the Mexican state of Sonora. In addition, La Linea and the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) have been working together since September 2023, with CJNG serving as La Linea's source-of-supply for cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. In 2004, the President identified the Juarez Cartel as a significant foreign narcotics trafficker pursuant to the Kingpin Act. On December 15, 2021, OFAC also designated the Juarez Cartel pursuant to E.O. 14059, at which time La Linea was added as an alias of the Juarez Cartel. In 2015, OFAC sanctioned CJNG pursuant to the Kingpin Act for playing a significant role in international narcotics trafficking. CJNG was subsequently designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059 on December 15, 2021. LACERATING LA LINEA'S LEADERSHIP Today, OFAC is designating various leaders and senior members in La Linea's current organizational structure. Josefa Yadira Carrasco Leyva (Carrasco Leyva) is a senior member of La Linea who is involved in narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, and weapons smuggling. Jorge Adrian Ortega Gallegos (Ortega Gallegos) is a high-ranking member of La Linea who previously was indicted in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico for drug conspiracy charges. Heber Nieto Fierro (Nieto Fierro) is a drug trafficker and money launderer for La Linea. He owns or controls two companies that are also being designated today, R.y H. El Remate, Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, and Soluciones Tecnologicas y Paqueteria Tres, Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable. Jesus Salas Aguayo (Salas Aguayo) is a La Linea associate who controls a plaza in Chihuahua, Mexico, for the cartel. He previously was indicted in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico for drug conspiracy charges. Adrian Aguayo is a La Linea associate who controls a plaza in Chihuahua, Mexico for the cartel. OFAC sanctioned Carrasco Leyva, Ortega Gallegos, Nieto Fierro, Salas Aguayo, and Adrian Aguayo pursuant to E.O. 14059 for having engaged in, or attempted to engage in, activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a significant risk of materially contributing to, the international proliferation of illicit drugs or their means of production. OFAC sanctioned R.y H. El Remate, Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, and Soluciones Tecnologicas y Paqueteria Tres, Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable pursuant to E.O. 14059 for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Nieto Fierro. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. U.S. persons may face civil or criminal penalties for violations of E.O. 14059 and the Kingpin Act. Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. sanctions, including the factors that OFAC generally considers when determining an appropriate response to an apparent violation. The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here. For more information on the individuals and entities designated today, click here. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Maxim Ryzhenkov 31 October 2024 12:09 2039-31-10-2024 On October 31, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Maxim Ryzhenkov in Minsk on the sidelines of the 2nd International Conference on Eurasian Security. The two ministers discussed the current bilateral and international agenda, praised bilateral cooperation and coordination in the international arena in accordance with the Programme for Coordinated Foreign Policy Action by the States - Parties to the Treaty Establishing the Union State for 2024-2026. They reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening integration within the Union State, including defence and security cooperation. The parties stressed their resolve to stand together with like-minded people against the sanctions and legal pressure of the collective West. They also expressed readiness to step up cooperation within the leading associations of the Global Majority countries, including the SCO and BRICS. The ministers outlined the schedule of further contacts, including the annual joint meeting of the collegiums of the Russian and Belarusian Foreign Ministries in late November this year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA Navy's Liaoning, Shandong for 1st time form dual-carrier group in drill in South China Sea Global Times Formation 'has greater combat capability, can conduct more complex missions' By Liu Xuanzun and Guo Yuandan Published: Oct 31, 2024 08:37 PM The formations of Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carried out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea, according to the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. Experts noted that a dual-carrier group's combat capability extends beyond the mere addition of two carriers, and they can conduct more diversified and more complex missions. Aiming to enhance the integrated combat capability of the aircraft carrier formations, the exercise was part of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation's regular real-combat training in the high seas, which concluded recently. The training was conducted in waters including the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea, featuring multiple subjects under real-combat circumstances, the navy said. The Xinhua News Agency said that the mission spanned across the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holidays. Photos released by the PLA Navy show that the dual-carrier group, in addition to the two aircraft carriers, included at least 11 escort vessels, comprising destroyers, frigates, and replenishment ships. Multiple J-15 carrier-borne fighter jets took off and flew over the formation. The combat capability of a dual-carrier group is not just the sum of two carrier groups, according to Chinese military expert Song Zhongping. The two carriers can complement each other's strengths and consolidate their advantages, Song told the Global Times on Thursday. He noted that the Liaoning and the Shandong may have different numbers of aircraft carried, different escorting vessels, and thus distinct capabilities for air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and anti-ship operations. Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Thursday that a dual-carrier group can undertake more varied and complex missions. For example, the two carriers can utilize shared escort vessels for defense and reconnaissance, allowing for task specialization, while dividing the work - one carrier responsible for surface attack and the other responsible for seizure of air superiority and air defense. This level of operational complexity demands higher standards. The first dual-carrier drill is just a beginning, more dual-carrier exercises are expected in the future, Wang believed. He noted that other large warships such as amphibious assault ships could also join the group. The PLA Navy's capability to form a dual-carrier group will contribute to China's maritime defense and the protection of its sovereignty, security and development interests, Wang said. The PLA Navy currently operates the Liaoning and the Shandong as its two active aircraft carriers. China's third carrier, the Fujian, was launched on June 17, 2022. The electromagnetic catapults-equipped carrier began its sea trials on May 1, 2024. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on October 31, 2024 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: October 31, 2024 18:35 Yonhap News Agency: The DPRK fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) today off its east coast. This is the first time the DPRK fired an ICBM this year. The ROK and the US condemned the launch and said they would respond strongly. The ROK presidential office said it will begin discussions with Ukraine regarding a visit by Ukraine's special envoy in response to the DPRK's deployment of troops to Russia. How does China view the current situation? Lin Jian: China noted the reports. As a close neighbor of the Korean Peninsula, China is following the developments there. We always believe that safeguarding peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and advancing the political settlement of the Peninsula issue serves the common interests of all parties, and hope that all parties will work to this end. Prensa Latina: Yesterday, the international community, once again, showed support for Cuba against the US blockade, leaving the United States standing alone in this issue. Would you like to share any comments on this? Lin Jian: Once again the UN General Assembly adopted relevant resolution with an overwhelming majority of 187 votes, demonstrating firm support to the Cuban people for their just effort to safeguard sovereignty and oppose external interference and blockade. It shows that the US's unilateral and bullying moves, which seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, have been met with overwhelming condemnation and firm opposition of the international community. The US's continued unilateral coercive measures against Cuba have brought profound sufferings to the Cuban people. According to data from Cuba, US blockade over the past six decades and more has caused over US$160 billion of loss to Cuba, of which, over US$5 billion was lost between March 2023 and February 2024, affecting almost all livelihood areas, including food, medicine, fuel and energy. China as always opposes US's blockade and sanctions on Cuba. Since 1992, for 32 consecutive times, China has voted in support of Cuba's resolution calling for an end to the blockade imposed by the US at the UN General Assembly. China will stand firm on the side of international fairness and justice and continue to support the Cuban people in standing against external interference and blockade and defending sovereignty and national dignity. China News Service: Today is the World Cities Day. The 2024 World Cities Day China Observance events are being hosted by Weihai and Shanghai under the theme "Build People-Centered Cities for Better Life." As we speak, cities around the world face development challenges of resource shortage, environmental pollution and extreme weather. How would you comment on China's achievement and contribution to the world in the sustainable development of cities? Lin Jian: The World Cities Day is the first World Day that was initiated by China and adopted by the UN General Assembly. It was established to carry forward the vision of "Better City, Better Life" proposed at the 2010 Shanghai Expo, and provides an important platform for exploring joint response to problems cities face and implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, thus receiving growing support from countries around the world. China is experiencing the world's largest-scale and fastest urbanization, and has made historic achievement in the development of cities and urbanization. Over recent years, China has made solid efforts to advance a new type of urbanization centered on the people, deepen reform in the construction, management and governance system of cities, and transform the development ways of cities at a faster pace. China's urbanization rate of permanent residents has hit 66.16 percent, with over 930 million people living in urban areas. The functions, living environment and governance level of Chinese cities have been significantly improved. Chinese cities ranked much higher in the newly released 2024 Global Cities Index, with three cities listed among the world's top ten. While independently exploring high-quality development of cities, China has actively shared experience of cities' development, and carried out cooperation with multiple countries and regions in smart transportation, energy conservation of buildings and green and low-carbon development, contributing China's wisdom to the sustainable development of cities worldwide. We support the UN-Habitat in setting up the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award), and creating the Urban Monitoring Framework - Shanghai Adapted Index and other public goods, to help other countries improve cities' governance efficiency and share outcomes of sustainable development. Cities are a characteristic of modern civilization. Lightening up cities requires joint efforts of all countries. China stands ready to work with all parties to implement the Global Development Initiative, deepen cooperation on cities and jointly build better cities for the future. AFP: AstraZeneca China said its President is under investigation by Chinese authorities. Can the Foreign Ministry provide details on this investigation? Lin Jian: I'd refer you to competent Chinese authorities on that. Let me stress that the Chinese government welcomes foreign companies to invest and do business in China and will protect their lawful rights and interests in accordance with the law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hong Kong 'running local political influence campaign' on US soil The city is building ties with politicians, media organizations, think tanks and businesses around the country. By Chen Zifei for RFA Mandarin 2024.10.31 -- Hong Kong's government is pushing ahead with a coordinated political influence campaign across the United States, a report by a Washington-based Hong Kong Democracy Council advocacy group said. According to the report, the city's government "has cultivated ties in the U.S. at state and local levels through government organizations and astroturf groups." It said the campaign included local and regional politicians, media organizations, think tanks and business communities, and that the effort often flew under the radar of safeguards aimed at curbing foreign influence in U.S. political life. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government coordinated efforts through its Economic and Trade Offices in New York, San Francisco and Washington, to strategically target media, think tanks, and business communities "at the subnational level," the report said. The report comes as Bill Yuen, a former official at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, stands trial in the United Kingdom charged with "assisting a foreign intelligence service," and "foreign interference," under the National Security Act 2023. U.S.-based democracy activists called in May 2024 for Hong Kong's offices to be shut down, saying they serve as intelligence outposts controlled by the Chinese government. The Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce has also been involved in helping Beijing publicize its "Belt and Road" infrastructure and influence program in Southern California, according to report author Mason Wong. Wong said the propaganda push appears to be working. "After the Hong Kong Trade Development Council cooperated with a think tank that has a great influence on California's economic and trade policies, the think tank's report wrote that the Hong Kong National Security Law had had no impact on Hong Kong's business environment and is supported by Hong Kong people," he said. The law prompted a mass exodus of people from Hong Kong, with many citing fears that their children would be subjected to Chinese Communist Party "brainwashing" in the city's schools. "We can see that their work is mainly to safeguard China's interests and work on China's behalf," he said, adding that the program relies on the fact that local politicians and businesses may be unaware of China's overseas influence operations, and therefore be easier to infiltrate than those at national level. Since taking power in 2012, Chinese President Xi Jinping has launched an accelerated expansion of political influence activities worldwide, much of which rely on overseas community and business groups under the aegis of the United Front Work Department. China has also set up an overseas network of "police service centers" that are sometimes used as a base from which to monitor and harass dissidents in other countries, prompting some governments to shut them down. Anna Kwok, the Hong Kong Democracy Council's executive director, said greater vigilance was needed to combat China's overseas influence operations on American soil. "In the U.S. Congress, there is a bipartisan consensus that we need to be wary of organizations related to China and the Hong Kong government," Kwok told journalists on Oct. 29. "But politicians at state and city level don't always understand China-related or Hong Kong-related issues." "The Chinese government and the Hong Kong government take advantage of this gray area, and organize a lot of cultural activities to reduce the vigilance of local politicians and spread their preferred narratives at the local level," she said. Kwok said Beijing's "United Front" outreach and influence strategy is now being used by the Hong Kong authorities, citing the use of overseas Chinese community organizations as a front for government-backed influence operations. "The Hong Kong government has been using these civil groups as a cover for their infiltration of the United States, in the hope that some Americans will believe that they represent public opinion in Hong Kong," she said. Kwok said the operations have intensified in the years since the authorities began a crackdown on public dissent and political opposition in the wake of the 2019 protests. Atlanta-based political consultant Gene Hanratty, whom the report said was hired by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, confirmed he had worked for the Office to focus on "trade and cultural exchange." The report said Hanratty had used the Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival to spread Beijing's narrative about the 2019 pro-democracy movement. Hanratty said he is no longer working for the Office but retains his seat on the board of directors of the National Association of Chinese Americans, and declined to answer questions from RFA Cantonese about the source of its funding, saying it wasn't within his remit. Asked about the Dragon Boat Festival, Hanratty said it was a cultural event that was totally non-political. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Luisetta Mudie and Eugene Whong. 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 October not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On the Sentencing of Human Rights Defenders Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan US Department of State Press Statement Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson October 31, 2024 The United States condemns the People's Republic of China's (PRC) unjust imprisonment of human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, Xu Yan. On October 29, PRC courts sentenced Yu Wensheng to three years in prison and Xu Yan to one year and nine months in prison for allegedly "inciting subversion of state power." These sentences demonstrate the PRC's continuing efforts to silence those who speak out for human rights and the rule of law. During Yu and Xu's trials, authorities barred the attendance of diplomats from several foreign missions, including those from the United States, undermining transparency that is critical to ensuring respect for Yu and Xu's right to a fair trial. We call on the PRC to immediately and unconditionally release Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan. We also reiterate our request for the PRC to release all those unjustly detained or imprisoned. The United States continues to stand with those who bravely fight for human rights in the PRC and around the world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address READOUT: Sixth Meeting of the Financial Working Group Between the United States and the People's Republic of China U.S. Department of the Treasury October 31, 2024 WASHINGTON -- The United States and the People's Republic of China held the sixth meeting of the Financial Working Group (FWG) on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington on October 28. The meeting was co-led by Brent Neiman, Assistant Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Treasury, and Xuan Changneng, Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China. The two sides discussed macroeconomic and financial conditions in both countries, as well as China's recent stimulus efforts. Assistant Secretary Neiman and Deputy Governor Xuan also received readouts from FWG technical exercises on international macroeconomic data reporting, strengthening communication in the event of banking stress, and climate and insurance risk. The Joint Treasury-People's Bank of China Cooperation and Exchange on Anti-Money Laundering also held its third meeting as part of the FWG. Both sides raised issues of concern. U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen received a brief update from the FWG on its discussions. She noted the FWG's role in the responsible management of the bilateral relationship. The FWG is one of two working groups formed by Secretary Yellen and Vice Premier He Lifeng of the People's Republic of China in 2023. The FWG reports directly to Secretary Yellen and Vice Premier He. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Low consumer spending in China hinders economy there and abroad By Saibal Dasgupta October 31, 2024 U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has joined several independent economists to express her frustration about low consumer spending and the property crisis in China. Some experts have expressed disappointment over Beijing's limited measures to stimulate consumer spending, which is one of the biggest hurdles in the Chinese economy. "Our view has been that raising consumer spending in China as a share of GDP (gross domestic product) is really important, along with measures to address problems in the property sector," Yellen said recently. "So far, I would say, I haven't really heard any policies on the Chinese side that address that." Yellen has criticized China for its focus on subsidizing large state-owned companies instead of working to revive the wider economy, the world's second largest. Analysts have suggested that China should stop subsidizing manufacturing companies with the money of households. The World Bank has predicted that China's GDP growth will be 4.8% this year, short of the country's 5% goal. It will slip further to 4.3% in 2025, the bank predicted. Low consumer demand in China can bring down the rate of growth in the global economy and affect the prospects of businesses in the U.S. and other parts of the world. "For U.S. companies like Apple, Nike, Microsoft, KFC, Starbucks, Coca-Cola, Tesla or General Motors, to name a few, China is a big market. Any increase or decrease in consumption in China can influence their bottom line," Lourdes Casanova, director at Cornell University's Emerging Markets Institute, told VOA. There are serious fears about the U.S. and the European Union slipping into recession, said Francesco Sisci, an expert on China affairs and director of Appia Institute, an Italy-based think tank. "In China, there's deflation and no sign of getting out of it. If China doesn't get out of deflation, it could multiply recessionary forces worldwide. It might actually happen," Sisci said. Tendency to save, not spend China has taken several measures to revive the economy in recent weeks. They include lowering mortgage rates and cutting the reserve requirement ratios (RRR) to encourage banks to lend more money. The idea is to support households repaying home loans and encourage people to purchase more houses from the crisis-hit property business. However, analysts are not convinced about the effectiveness of the move. "Housing demand is unlikely to see any meaningful revival just because of lower mortgage rates and down payment requirements, as experience shows," the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) said in a commentary. Casanova thinks low consumer demand is not an easy problem to resolve because the average Chinese believes in savings more than spending. Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) as a percentage of GDP stands at 68% in the United States, 53% in Europe and 39% in China. Americans represent 31% of global PCE, while China's people represent just 11%. "There is room for improvement in China but, you can't change consumers' habits overnight and, clearly, Chinese consumers are much thriftier than the American ones," she said. Americans often keep their cars outside the garage because garages are full of household items, clothes, toys, garage tools and other things, she pointed out. One way to increase consumer demand is to increase salaries and take additional social security measures. But for companies that would increase production costs and hurt exports, Sisci said. "What China needs is transformative reforms that would have a political price, and the ruling Communist Party is not eager to pay it," he said. Contradicting the World Bank's view, China's Vice Minister of Finance Liao Min said the economy was responding positively to a series of stimulus measures taken by the government. "These initiatives aim to leverage government spending to stimulate overall social investment and consumption, thereby increasing effective market demand," Liao said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Slovak PM Fico visits China in attempt for a pro-Beijing diplomatic turn By Yang Letian October 31, 2024 Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico begins a six-day visit to China Thursday that includes a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and stops in the central city of Hefei and Shanghai to attend the opening ceremony for this year's China International Import Expo. Analysts say China is hoping to use the visit to strengthen ties with Slovak's prime minister who is an ally of Viktor Orban and, like Hungary's leader, has been critical of Russian sanctions and the EU's support of Ukraine. Since coming to power, Fico has been interested in a more pro-China foreign policy. His trip to China, which was scheduled for June, was aborted due to an assassination attempt in May and has not been possible until now. Fico is the longest-serving prime minister since the founding of the Republic of Slovakia in 1993. Since first taking office in 2006, Fico has stepped down twice between 2010 and 2012 and between 2018 and 2023. In 2018, he resigned and gave way to his political ally, Peter Pellegrini, because of a political crisis sparked by the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak. After Pellegrini's defeat in the 2020 parliamentary elections, the Ordinary People and the Independent Personalities Party formed a new coalition government. During this period, Slovakia pushed for a more pro-Taiwan and values-oriented diplomatic line, which drew resentment in Beijing. In the 2023 parliamentary elections, Fico won again and returned to power. The Fico government advocates an "all-azimuth" foreign policy, including strengthening cooperation with Russia and China. In addition to this year's trip to China, Fico plans to visit Russia next year to attend the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Matej Simalcik, executive director of the Central European Institute of Asian Studies, told VOA the so-called "all-azimuth" foreign policy is a euphemism that means "to engage in economic relations with any country, without taking any considerations for political values, human rights, or security considerations." Simalcik said, "Fico's government has also markedly toned down the scope of interactions with Taiwan, with some of his close political allies being outright proponents of PRC's [China's] interpretation of the 'One-China Principle," which holds that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. Filip Sebok, head of the Prague office at the Central European Institute of Asian Studies, said, "Fico has many times declared he does not want 'Brussels' to dictate Slovakia on these issues, and for him, it is a way to boost his credentials in leading a 'sovereign' Slovak foreign policy, despite criticism. "Actually, domestically, it is good for Fico to claim he is doing something that is opposite to what is the Western mainstream, as he can maintain the support of his electorate. It is also a way to differentiate from the previous government, which was hawkish on Russia, and on China to some extent as well." Analysts say that Fico's visit to China also serves an economic purpose. Pavel Havlicek, a research fellow at the Association for International Affairs, said Fico is seeking partnerships and investments from countries outside of Europe. "Among them, Russia and China are playing a special place, as was repeatedly mentioned when for example referring to the plan of the Slovak government to restore economic relations with Russia after the war. "In the case of the PRC, the Slovak government is seeing investments and enhanced relations, too, to compensate for the lack of economic growth." Sebok said the Slovak government has pledged to focus more on supporting economic engagement, such as boosting Slovak exporters or attracting investments in Slovakia. "The government has, for example, increased the number of economic diplomats around the world and also opened new embassies in Asia or Africa explaining them mostly as a way to boost economic diplomacy," Sebok said. "In this perspective, China is presented as a major economic partner, and Fico will be leading a relatively large business delegation to China. Fico specifically wants to engage China in PPP [public private partnership] projects for the reconstruction/construction of transport infrastructure around the country." Fico plans to work with China to promote large-scale infrastructure projects in Slovakia, including the reconstruction of roads and bridges, the expansion of the railway between the capital Bratislava and the city of Komarno, the completion of the Bratislava highway bypass and the construction of a hydroelectric power plant. In the recent vote on European tariffs on electric vehicles from China, the Fico government voted against it. "Slovakia, through the Volkswagen plant, has exported a large number of cars to China," Sebok said. "It is particularly exposed to Chinese retaliation to EU tariffs on Chinese EV imports, as China directly hinted that it might target large engine vehicles from the EU, which are exported from Germany and Slovakia. "What is paradoxical is that tariffs on Chinese EVs can actually be also indirectly good for Slovakia, as they can push more Chinese EV producers to set up manufacturing in Europe as a way to avoid tariffs," he added. Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China will continue to support Cuban people in standing against external interference, blockade: FM Global Times By Deng Xiaoci Published: Oct 31, 2024 08:33 PM The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday local time once again urged the US to end its embargo on Cuba, renewing a demand it has made annually since 1992. The resolution titled "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba" passed with 187 votes in favor, with only the US and Israel against it and one abstention by Moldova, according to the UN website. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday that "Once again the UNGA adopted relevant resolution with an overwhelming majority of 187 votes, demonstrating firm support to the Cuban people for their just effort to safeguard sovereignty and oppose external interference and blockade." It shows that the US's unilateral and bullying moves, which seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, have been met with overwhelming condemnation and firm opposition of the international community, Lin said at the regular press briefing on Thursday. China as always opposes US's blockade and sanctions on Cuba. Since 1992, for 32 consecutive times, China has voted in support of Cuba's resolution calling for an end to the blockade imposed by the US at the UNGA. China will stand firm on the side of international fairness and justice and continue to support the Cuban people in standing against external interference and blockade and defending sovereignty and national dignity, Lin noted. Such overwhelming support demonstrates that the voices of justice are increasingly standing with Cuba, while the US' bullying and unilateral sanctions imposed on the country are becoming increasingly unpopular, even among the US' allies, said Pan Deng, director of the Latin American and Caribbean Region Law Center at China University of Political Science and Law. Though non-binding, the result highlighted the US' relative isolation regarding the embargo, which was first imposed in 1960. The resolution reaffirmed, among other principles, the sovereign equality of states, non-intervention and non-interference in their internal affairs and freedom of international trade and navigation, according to the UN official release on the vote. Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Cuba's Minister for Foreign Affairs, strongly condemned the US embargo against Cuba at the assembly, calling it "commercial warfare" and "a crime of genocide," according to the UN official website on Wednesday. According to Lin, the US's continued unilateral coercive measures against Cuba have brought profound sufferings to the Cuban people. According to data from Cuba, US blockade over the past six decades and more has caused over US$160 billion of loss to Cuba, of which, over US$5 billion was lost between March 2023 and February 2024, affecting almost all livelihood areas, including food, medicine, fuel and energy. Being geographically adjacent to the US, Cuba's economy, trade and even foreign exchange acquisition are all inevitably and greatly impacted by it, and the current severe social and economic hardship Cuba is facing is a direct result of US' sanctions, Pan told the Global Times on Wednesday. Parrilla recalled how from 18 to 23 October Cuban families had no electricity, except for maybe a few hours. "Many Cuban families lacked running water; hospitals worked under emergency conditions, schools and universities suspended their classes; [and] businesses interrupted their activity," he said. Since 2019, the US has adopted harsher "economic warfare" measures designed to prevent the supply of fuel and spare parts needed to maintain Cuba's power plants and electric grid, according to the UN website. The reality of Cuban people's suffering, directly caused by the embargo imposed by the US, has been a complete rejection of so-called human rights and justice trumpeted by the US, Pan said. Argentina was one of 187 countries that supported the non-binding UN resolution on Wednesday. It was the first time since Argentine President Javier Milei's arrival in office that the country has not aligned itself with the US and Israeli governments, the BBC reported. Milei has reportedly sacked his foreign minister, Diana Mondino, after the country voted in favor of the UN resolution. In recent years, international community has witnessed rising unilateral actions and bullying behavior. Against this backdrop, the resolution reflects a unified voice from the mainstream international community, reflecting that bullying and sanctions are unpopular and unwelcome, Pan noted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Days before US election, North Korea stages record long missile test The ICBM flew for a record time of almost 90 minutes and record distance, South Korea and Japan said. By RFA Staff 2024.10.30 -- North Korea test fired what it said was a new intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, on Thursday in a demonstration of what its leader said was its will to "counteract" against rivals and its determination to bolster its nuclear forces. North Korea's first test of an ICBM since December came amid rising global alarm about its deployment of thousands of troops to Russia to help with its war in Ukraine, which South Korea and its allies have warned risks triggering a dangerous escalation of the conflict. South Korea, Japan and the United States condemned the test, North Korea's latest violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions aimed at curbing its development of nuclear weapons and the missiles to carry them around the world. The ICBM was fired at a "lofted trajectory" at 7.10 a.m. (6.10 p.m. ET on Wednesday) from near the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, and flew for up to 87 minutes, the longest ever flight by a North Korean ICBM, the South Korean and Japanese militaries said. The missile reached a record altitude of over 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles) and flew about 1,000 km (621 miles) before splashing down in the sea off northwest Japan, they said. "The test-fire is an appropriate military action that fully meets the purpose of informing the rivals, who have intentionally escalated the regional situation and posed a threat to the security of our Republic recently, of our counteraction will," North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said, according to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency, which cited a statement carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. "I affirm that the DPRK will never change its line of bolstering up its nuclear forces," he said, referring to his country by the initials of its official name, Democratic People's Republic of Korea. South Korea's military warned on Wednesday that North Korea had completed preparations to test an ICBM, with a launch possibly timed to coincide with the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election. South Korea will impose new sanctions on North Korea in response to the launch, the Yonhap News Agency cited the presidential office as saying after an emergency meeting of the National Security Council. The test came hours after South Korean and U.S. defense chiefs, at their annual meeting at the Pentagon, criticized North Korea for its deployment of what the allies have said are up to 11,000 troops to Russia in recent days. "Amid a heightened readiness posture, our military maintains full readiness as we closely share North Korean ballistic information with U.S. and Japanese authorities," Yonhap quoted South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, or JCS, as saying. Last December, North Korea test fired its latest solid-fueled ICBM, the Hwasong-18. 'Flagrant violation' Japan said the launch was unacceptable. "North Korea's development of missiles and nuclear weapons threaten the peace and safety of our nation and the international community, so they are totally unacceptable," Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told the media. Japan's Kyodo news agency earlier said Nakatani told reporters Tokyo would work closely with Washington and Seoul to gather information on the launch. U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett called the launch "a flagrant violation" of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions that "needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region," the AP reported. Savett said the U.S. will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and its South Korean and Japanese allies. China, which has long been North Korea's closest ally, said it was concerned about the latest developments on the Korean peninsula. A foreign ministry spokesperson said China "has consistently maintained that preserving peace and stability on the peninsula and promoting the process of political resolution to the peninsula issue aligns with the common interests of all parties." South Korea's military also warned on Wednesday that the North had completed preparations to test a nuclear device, possibly around the time of the U.S. election. North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests since 2006, all of them underground at the Punggye-ri site. Its last nuclear test was in 2017. Updated with comment from China's foreign ministry. Edited by Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content October not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan condemns North Korean missile launch ROC Central News Agency 10/31/2024 03:30 PM Taipei, Oct. 31 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) condemned North Korea's firing of at least one ballistic missile northeastward from an area near the capital Pyongyang early Thursday, which reportedly landed outside of Japan's exclusive economic zones. In a statement issued Thursday, MOFA reiterated its serious concerns and strongly condemned North Korea's "wanton actions" for undermining regional peace and stability. Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded countries to jointly safeguard freedom, openness, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, according to the statement. Japan's Defense Ministry said that North Korea fired at least one ballistic missile in the northeast direction from the interior of North Korea at 6:11 a.m. (Taiwan time) Thursday. According to Japanese media reports, the missile had a flight time of 1 hour and 26 minutes and landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. (By Wu Shu-wei and Evelyn Kao) Enditem/ASG NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DPRK/North Korea: Statement by the High Representative on the launch of an inter-continental ballistic missile European External Action Service (EEAS) 31.10.2024 EEAS Press Team The EU strongly condemns the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on 31 October. This illegal launch shows the DPRK's continued intention to develop the means to deliver weapons of mass destruction. It is in flagrant violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs), as is the DPRK's deployment of troops and provision of arms to Russia in support of its war of aggression against Ukraine, in violation of the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law. These destabilising and illegal actions endanger regional and international peace and security as well as the global non-proliferation regime. The DPRK must comply immediately with its obligations under UNSCRs by abandoning all its nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missile programmes and existing nuclear programmes, in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner and cease all related activities. The DPRK cannot and will never have the status of a nuclear weapon state in accordance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), or any other special status in this regard. The DPRK must return immediately to full compliance with the NPT as a non-nuclear weapon state and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, bring into force the Additional Protocol and sign and ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. It is critical that all UN Member States, especially Members of the UN Security Council, ensure the full implementation of UN sanctions and urge the DPRK to cease its illegal actions, to refrain from further escalating military tensions and to return to diplomacy. The EU is coordinating with international partners notably with the Republic of Korea and Japan on the matter. The EU remains ready to work with all partners in promoting any meaningful diplomatic process aimed at building sustainable peace and security through the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Agreement on Cooperation Signed between Ministries of DPRK and Russia Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, October 31 (KCNA) -- An agreement on cooperation in the field of post and telecommunications, information technology and digital development between the DPRK Ministry of IT Industry and the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Post and Telecommunications and Public Information was signed here on Wednesday. Present at the signing ceremony from the DPRK side were Vice-Minister of IT Industry Jang Yong Gil and officials concerned, and from the opposite side members of the Russian delegation for DPRK-Russia IT products exhibition led by Andrei Zarenin, vice-minister of Digital Development, Post and Telecommunications and Public Information, and Alexandr Matsegora, Russian ambassador to the DPRK. Jang Yong Gil and Andrei Zarenin signed the agreement. Then a working-level meeting was held to implement the agreement. Meanwhile, Minister of IT Industry Ju Yong Il met and had a talk with the Russian delegation led by Andrei Zarenin on the same day. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ICBM test 'proves' North Korea's missile tech helped by Russia alliance, experts say Thursday's record-long ICBM test comes days before US election. By Kim Soyoung for RFA Korean and Eugene Whong for RFA 2024.10.31 -- Thursday's record-long ICBM test indicated that Pyongyang's missile program is being helped along by its closer ties to Russia, North Korea observers in the United States told Radio Free Asia. Pyongyang fired what it called a new intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, which flew at an altitude of 7,000 kilometers (4,300 miles) for about 87 minutes, the longest-ever flight of a North Korean ICBM, and landed in waters off northwest Japan, the South Korean and Japanese militaries said. It was the first ICBM test since December, and the seventh in as many years. "North Korea is getting ever more dangerous missile technology thanks to its new alliance with Russia, and I think yesterday's test goes a long way to proving that," Harry Kazianis, of the Washington-based Center for the National Interest thinktank, told RFA Korean. Kazianis said it seemed like Pyongyang was gaining billions of U.S. dollars in economic aid and missile technology, or even nuclear weapons technology from Moscow. He said that it appeared that neither Washington nor Seoul could do very much to address the threat posed by the Russia-North Korea alliance. "With Russia now bankrolling the Kim [Jong Un] family and China looking the other way when it comes to sanctions there is little that can be doneNorth Korea is in the drivers seat," said Kazianis, adding that Russia's interest in North Korea would wane if war in Ukraine were to end. "The longer the Ukraine war goes the more powerful Kim Jong Un's missile will become," he said. South Korea, Japan and the United States condemned the test, North Korea's latest violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions aimed at curbing its development of nuclear weapons and the missiles to carry them around the world. ICBM test timeline North Korea first tested an ICBM in July 2017. It would test two more that year, including one in November that traveled for 50 minutes and reached an altitude of 4,500 kilometers (2,800 miles). Over the next five years, Pyongyang would not test any more ICBMs, but in March 2022, it launched another ICBM that blew up shortly after takeoff. North Korea tested four more ICBMs in 2022 and 2023, and Thursday's test was the first of 2024. The launch came less than a week before the U.S. presidential election. But regardless of who wins the election, Washington's North Korea strategy will not be heavily influenced by missile tests, David Maxwell, vice president of the Washington-based Center for Asia Pacific Strategy, told RFA. "It is doubtful that either Harris or Trump will be influenced to change policy in a way that will benefit [North Korean leader] Kim [Jong Un]," said Maxwell. "But does Kim think that Trump would serve him better? I think he would be mistaken and disappointed. I do not believe either he or Harris will provide the concessions he desires." Maxwell said that South Korea and the U.S. should recognize and counter Kim's political warfare strategies and attempts to drive a wedge between them. Edited by Joshua Lipes Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content October not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kim Jong Un Says N.Korea's ICBM Launch Shows 'Counteraction Will' Sputnik News 20241031 SEOUL (Sputnik) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has confirmed the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and said this demonstrates its "counteraction will" against its rivals, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported, citing North Korea's state news agency KCNA. According to the report, Kim said the DPRK will never change its policy of bolstering its nuclear forces. Earlier reports said the DPRK launched a long-range ballistic missile, presumably an ICBM, from the Pyongyang area towards the Sea of Japan at approximately 7:10 a.m. (2210 GMT Wednesday). According to the Japanese government, the missile flew 1,000 kilometers at an altitude of 7,000 kilometers. Its altitude and flight duration were the highest for all launches. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Statement on the DPRK Launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile US Department of State Media Note Office of the Spokesperson October 31, 2024 The text of the following joint statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. Begin Text. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, and Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul held a call today to strongly condemn the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on October 31 (local time). The DPRK's launch is in flagrant violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. We strongly urge the DPRK to immediately cease its series of provocative and destabilizing actions that threaten peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and beyond. We note the launch took place following the DPRK's announcement that its Constitution newly defined the ROK as a hostile state. The U.S. and Japan reiterated their support for a peacefully unified Korean Peninsula that is free and at peace. We again urge the DPRK to return to dialogue immediately. Only through dialogue can we achieve a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. The ROK, U.S. and Japan, together with the international community, will continue to work closely towards the goal of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. We are also committed to strengthening our joint efforts, in close collaboration with the international community, to block the DPRK's illicit revenue generation funding its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs. We deplore the DPRK's decision to divert its scarce resources away from its people to these unlawful weapons programs. The DPRK uses the additional revenue gained through illicit revenue generation to advance its ballistic missile program and continues to transfer ballistic missiles and other arms to Russia in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. The ROK, U.S. and Japan condemn in the strongest terms deepening military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including continued unlawful arms transfers, as well as the recent deployment of North Korean troops to Russia. The United States reiterates that its commitments to the defense of the ROK and Japan are ironclad and backed by the full range of capabilities, including nuclear. In addition, the three countries will continue to strengthen our trilateral security cooperation to deter and respond to the DPRK's advancing nuclear and ballistic missile threats more effectively. End Text. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FCDO Indo-Pacific Minister statement on North Korea ICBM launch The UK has condemned the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile by North Korea on 30 October. 31 October 2024 FCDO Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West said: The UK condemns the latest launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on 30 October by North Korea; these actions clearly breach multiple UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs). Unlawful ballistic missile launches are deeply damaging for regional stability and continue to destabilise the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula. The UK will continue to call out violations of UNSCRs. We urge North Korea to refrain from illegal launches, return to dialogue, and abandon its illegal nuclear and ballistic weapons programme. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Crucial Test Showing DPRK's Definite Response Will and Overwhelming Edge of Its Strategic Attack Force Test-fire of DPRK's Latest ICBM Hwasongpho-19 Successfully Conducted under Guidance of Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, November 1 (KCNA) -- The cause of the DPRK reliably defending the regional and global peace and security as a responsible nuclear weapons state and achieving the comprehensive national prosperity and promoting the well-being of its people is faced with vicious challenges and ever-escalating war crisis by the most hostile and threatening rival states. The most hostile enemies of the DPRK have developed into a nuclear alliance and the U.S. imperialists and the ROK puppet forces have recently intensified the frantic arms buildup and provocations largest-ever in history while often letting loose threatening reckless remarks against the DPRK government. All these are posing a grave danger to the DPRK's sovereignty and security environment and sparking off the surging anger and retaliatory will of its army and people. The present grave reality, seriously reminding of the instructive law of history that the destructed balance of forces between friend and foe means a war, more clearly emphasizes the necessity of the overwhelming force capable of containing the enemy and controlling the situation at all times and the validity of its steady improvement. It also calls for continuously developing and updating the strategic weapons as deterrent capable of actively coping with any military threat and foiling the enemy's provocative attempt and will for war in advance. At a time when the strategic option for reliably defending the national security and regional peace from the adventurous military moves of the U.S. and its vassal forces for aggression and the urgency of its powerful implementation are being further highlighted, a new entity has emerged again to demonstrate the absolute might of the DPRK nuclear combat forces rapidly developing day by day. Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, issued an order to the Missile Administration to conduct a test-fire of the latest ICBM Hwasongpho-19 and guided on the spot the crucial test, which would set an epochal milestone in perpetuating the absolute superiority of the strategic armed forces of the DPRK, in the morning of October 31. The absolute weaponry strongest in the world, a result of the DPRK's might and spirit that have been steadily augmented for the great dignity and honor of the country and people, for the duty of defending peace and the right to existence that should never be conceded, and for a new world of justice where war, hegemony and injustice are not allowed, advanced into its launching position, giving birth to the new strength the world has not yet experienced. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , with his noblest and heavy mission to firmly defend the sovereignty of the DPRK and its absolute security and rights to development, personally went to the launching site to learn about the preparations and plan for the test-fire and took the central command post. The venue waiting a historic moment when the DPRK's newly-updated ultra-powerful offensive means, an ICBM of ultimate version, would show its appearance, was seething with the will of all defence scientists and strategic missile soldiers to strike terror into the most ferocious rivals keen on nuclear confrontation with the DPRK by demonstrating its war deterrent which has reached the highest level in the world. The moment has come to display the tremendous power of the world's strongest strategic missile. When Kim Jong Un approved the test-fire, General Jang Chang Ha, director general of the Missile Administration, gave an order to the honored Second Red Flag Company. The moment, the entity of absolute power loaded with the DPRK people's soaring enmity and strong will to punish all evils and injustice on earth was launched toward the sky. The missile traveled up to a maximum altitude of 7,687.5 km and flew a distance of 1,001.2 km for 5,156 s before landing on the preset area in the open waters off the East Sea of Korea. The test-fire had no negative effect on the security of neighboring countries. The test of the latest strategic weapon system updated the recent records of the strategic missile capability of the DPRK and demonstrated the modernity and creditability of its world's most powerful strategic deterrent. On the launching spot, Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction at the fact that the successful test-fire of the new-type ICBM proved before the world that the hegemonic position we have secured in the development and manufacture of nuclear delivery means of the same kind is absolutely irreversible. The perfected weapon system of ICBM Hwasong-19, to be used by the strategic forces of the DPRK along with Hwasong-18, pursuant to the long-term plan for building the state nuclear forces set forth by the Party Congress, will perform the mission and duty as the primary core means in defending the DPRK, thoroughly containing the enemies' acts of aggression and reliably protecting the national security. Kim Jong Un said that the test-fire is an appropriate military action that fully meets the purpose of informing the rivals, who have intentionally escalated the regional situation and posed a threat to the security of our Republic recently, of our counteraction will, and it also constitutes an indispensable process in the course of constantly developing our state's strategic attack forces. He went on to say: As recently witnessed by us, the rivals' dangerous tightening of their nuclear alliance and various adventuristic military maneuvers go to further highlight the importance of strengthening our nuclear forces. We should never allow any threat to approach the security sphere under our state's influence. The security situation of our state and ever-aggravating prospective threats and challenges require us to continue to bolster up our modern strategic attack forces and more perfectly round off our nuclear forces' response posture. And he clearly reaffirmed that the DPRK would never change its line of bolstering up its nuclear forces. On behalf of the Party and the government and all the Korean people, he gave the highest thanks to the defence scientists and the workers in the field of munitions industry for their distinguished contribution to demonstrating the DPRK's matchless strategic nuclear attack capability before the whole world. He once again stressed that only peace, to be defended by the powerful force capable of controlling and deterring the enemy, is reliable and safe and durable and herein lies a sure guarantee for the security and future of the state and people of the DPRK. And he clarified the important tasks to be constantly carried out by the field of national defence science in implementing the line of bolstering up the state nuclear forces. Expressing expectation and belief that the national defence science and technology group, always faithful and absolute to implementing the requirements of the revolution, would achieve the better defence development successes and thus always remain faithful to its sacred responsibility and duty, he had a photo session with the masters of this great event at the historic site where the absolute prestige of the state was lifted once again. All the defence scientists and strategic missile soldiers vowed to devote themselves with redoubled courage to the sacred struggle for further bolstering up the arsenal of the Juche revolution and strengthening the state's nuclear response posture. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany Federal Foreign Office 31.10.2024 - Press release Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock issued the following statement in New York today (31 October) on the murder of the German national Jamshid Sharmahd and the consequences for German-Iranian relations: I would like to express my deepest sympathy once more to the Sharmahd family, in particular to his daughter, who fought tirelessly for her father. Mr Sharmahd, who was abducted to Iran and held for many years without a fair trial, has now been sentenced to death and executed. His murder by the Iranian regime underscores that this oppressive regime continues to act with utmost brutality even after the recent change at the top. Our Embassy in Tehran, we in Berlin, I personally, have intervened unremittingly on Mr Sharmahd's behalf. His family would now like to be able to take leave of their father and husband. The murder of Mr Sharmahd highlights once more the terrible ruthlessness of the oppressive regime in Iran. First and foremost, it speaks the language of blackmail, threats and violence. Even the most recent comments by the Iranian Foreign Minister, who placed the cold-blooded murder of Jamshid Sharmahd in the context of Germany's support for Israel, speak for themselves. We repeatedly made it crystal clear to Tehran that the execution of a German national would have serious consequences. I have therefore decided to close the three Iranian Consulates-General in Frankfurt am Main, Munich and Hamburg. The Iranian regime was very much aware of how important the cases of imprisoned Germans are to the German Government. They played a key role in my talks with Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi in New York a month ago. The fact that this murder has come in light of recent developments in the Middle East shows that an oppressive dictatorship such as that of the mullahs does not operate within the boundaries of normal diplomatic logic. It is not without reason that our diplomatic relations are already at a very low ebb. Like no other German Government before us, we have spelled out very clearly the inhumane actions of the Iranian regime during the last few years: its destabilising and harmful role in the region, the supply of missiles to Russia, the support for regional terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, the direct attacks on Israel using drones and missiles, the untransparent nuclear programme and, not least, the severe repressive measures against its own people, for instance the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests. We therefore - I personally in my capacity as German Foreign Minister - initiated a fact-finding mission in the UN Human Rights Council to document the crimes against the Iranian people, in particular women, with the aim of ensuring justice at some point in the future. In the EU we as the German Government, and I as German Foreign Minister, have imposed sanctions against hundreds of individuals in positions of responsibility under various sanctions regimes. Sanctions regimes under the nuclear sanctions, as well as with regard to the human rights violations and, most recently, Iran's support for Russia's war of aggression. These different sanctions regimes against hundreds of individuals in positions of responsibility also cover numerous individuals and entities associated with the revolutionary guards. Only two weeks ago, we in the EU implemented a further package of sanctions which makes it impossible for Iran Air to land in Europe. And it is well-known that I am pressing in Brussels for the revolutionary guards to be listed as terrorists now that we have a ruling from the Dusseldorf Higher Regional Court which creates the legal prerequisites for this. In all of this, I want to emphasise that, because we are dealing with an oppressive regime, we are always walking a very fine line. When taking any measure, we have to ask ourselves: how can we hit those responsible within the regime and not the Iranian people. Mr Sharmahd was not the only prisoner held under Iran's hostage-taking policy. The regime is still keeping other Germans in wrongful detention. We are also duty-bound to help them and are continuing our tireless efforts to bring about their release. For them and for those people in Iran who sincerely care about Germany and everything we stand for - freedom, democracy and human rights - we will keep our diplomatic channels and our Embassy in Tehran open. Just as we have done in Putin's Russia and in other oppressive regimes. Because closing them would be the greatest favour we could do such regimes. We know there is also another Iran. The "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests are just one example of this. Our Embassy in Tehran will therefore be there for those very people. It will follow developments closely, observe the human rights situation, issue visas and support our imprisoned nationals. Our colleagues are doing important work in an extremely difficult environment and I would like to thank them for that. And let me finish by adding one more comment: the new Iranian Government itself has repeatedly claimed that it wants to reach out to the so-called West. Iran knows which concrete steps would be necessary for that. Iran asserts right to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 31, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations office in Geneva has emphasized that the Islamic Republic will not hesitate in exercising its right to self-defense in accordance with international law. In a statement released on Thursday, the Iranian mission outlined a series of actions and violations of international law by the Israeli regime against Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity, including the attack on the consular section of Iran's embassy in Damascus, the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and recent attacks on several military bases in Iran. The mission characterized these incidents as gross violations of fundamental principles of international law, diplomatic and consular immunity, the UN Charter, and various UN resolutions. It reaffirmed Iran's inherent right to defend its citizens, interests, and national security under Article 51 of the UN Charter. Referring to Iran's retaliatory strikes against the Israeli regime, the mission pointed out that after a period of restraint and inaction by the UN Security Council, Iran executed operations True Promise 1 and 2 in line with its sovereign rights under Article 51 and in full compliance with its international legal obligations, particularly humanitarian law. The Iranian mission stressed that any restraint shown by Iran to maintain regional and international peace and security has led to miscalculations by the Israeli regime, resulting in increased provocations. Therefore, the Islamic Republic asserts its right to self-defense against recent Israeli attacks on its territory to prevent further violations of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, it said. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian border guards thwart infiltration plot of terrorists IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 31, 2024 Zahedan, IRNA -- Iranian border guards has thwarted a plot by the members of a notorious foreign-backed terrorist group called Jaish al-Adl from infiltrating into the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan. The police information center of the province issued a statement, saying the terrorist group members fired at a police station in Sarkur area of Sarbaz County in an attempt to infiltrate but failed. Accordingly, the terrorists fled from the area after facing a resolute response by Iranian border guards. The police statement said that efforts are underway to nab and arrest the Jaish al-Adl terrorists. This comes just days after Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced the arrest of four people in connection with Saturday's terrorist attack by the Jaish al-Adl outfit in the city of Taftan in southeast of the country. The Jaish al-Adl group has claimed responsibility for the attack that took place after its members opened fire at two police vehicles in the Goharkooh region of the city of Taftan, leaving at least 10 personnel dead. 6125**4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran will not hesitate to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity: UN mission Iran Press TV Thursday, 31 October 2024 3:12 PM Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva have severely censured the latest Israeli strikes against the country's military sites, stating that the Islamic Republic will not hesitate to exercise its legitimate right and defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. In a note addressed to the member states of the Conference on Disarmament on Thursday, Iran's diplomatic mission enumerated a series of the Israeli regime's actions and adventurism that run contrary to international laws and have targeted Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The mission said actions included the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh who was in Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and the attack on several military installations in Iran. The mission noted that such moves constitute flagrant violations of the fundamental principles of international law, diplomatic and consular immunities besides Article 2, Clause 4 of the UN Charter and United Nations resolutions, emphasizing that Iran reserves its inherent right to defend its nationals, interests and national security under Article 51 of the Charter. It went on to refer to Iran's retaliatory operations against Israel, dubbed Operation True Promise I and II, stating that the Islamic Republic conducted limited and precise military operations against many Israeli military centers following a period of self-restraint as well as noticeable and disgusting inaction of the Security Council to deal with Israel's atrocities and crimes against Iran's sovereignty, territorial integrity, security, nationals and national interests. The diplomatic mission highlighted that the Iranian operations were carried out within the framework of the country's sovereign rights under Article 51 of the UN Charter, and in full compliance with international legal obligations, particularly the international humanitarian law. "Unfortunately, any self-restraint by Iran to maintain regional and international peace and security has given rise to the [Israeli] regime's miscalculations and emboldened it. "Therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the inherent right to legitimate defense in light of the recent Israeli attacks against some structure inside Iran to prevent further violations of its sovereignty and territorial integrity and repulse the regime from persisting in its crimes and brutalities, as Operations True Promise I and II proved," the note read. The Iranian diplomatic mission also called on the member states of the Conference on Disarmament and the international community to condemn these attacks and take serious and effective steps to force the Israeli regime to end its heinous crimes and atrocities. It underscored that Israel's behavior in West Asia and perpetration of various crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes confirm that its possession of nuclear munitions and other weapons of mass destruction poses a serious and imminent threat to peace and security. "Therefore, given the repercussions of the Israeli regime's aggressive actions, it is necessary for the international community and the United Nations to take a firm stance against the regime and hold it accountable for its flagrant violations of international law and commission of international crimes," the mission stated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany To Close 3 Iranian Consulates Over Execution Of Dual Citizen By RFE/RL's Radio Farda October 31, 2024 Germany will shut all three Iranian consulates in Germany in reaction to the execution of dual German-Iranian citizen Jamshid Sharmahd, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on October 31. "We have repeatedly made it clear that the execution of a German citizen will have serious consequences," Baerbock said in New York. "I have therefore decided to close the three Iranian consulates-general in Frankfurt am Main, Munich, and Hamburg." Baerbock added that relations with Iran have reached "more than a low point" following the execution of Sharmahd, which was announced by Tehran on October 28. Germany had already recalled its ambassador for consultations and summoned the Iranian charge d'affaires to voice Berlin's protest. Baerbock said the execution of Sharmahd shows the Iranian "regime of injustice" continues to act brutally. The 32 employees at the three consulates must leave the country unless they have German citizenship. The embassy in Berlin is not affected by the order. Iran summoned Germany's charge d'affaires in Tehran to protest Germany's "unjust" decision, state media reported on October 31. Iranian state media said Sharmahd was put to death after he was convicted of carrying out terrorist attacks. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that having a German passport does not give anyone immunity. German Chancellor Olaf Schultz joined Baerbock in strongly condemning the execution of Sharmahd, calling it a "scandal" for the Iranian government. Deputy Special Envoy Abram Paley of the U.S. Office of the Special Envoy for Iran welcomed Germany's decision to close the three Iranian consulates. "We stand united with the international community in holding the regime accountable," he said on X, calling the execution of Sharmahd "unjust." EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also strongly condemned the execution of Sharmahd and said the European Union is considering taking measures in response. Sharmahd, 69, was accused by Iran of heading a pro-monarchist group that Tehran believes was behind a deadly 2008 bombing and of planning other attacks in the country. Fourteen Iranians were killed and 210 others wounded in the attack at the Sayyid al-Shuhada Husseiniya mosque in Shiraz during a ceremony to mourn the death of Imam Hussein, the third imam of Shi'a Muslims. Iran's Intelligence Ministry accused Sharmahd of planning the bombing, a charge his family dismissed as "ridiculous." With reporting by dpa and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-germany-execution- sharmahd-consulates-/33182482.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Analysts see Iran's deterrence vis-a-vis Israel weakened By Dale Gavlak October 31, 2024 Recent attempts by Iran to establish deterrence through direct strikes on Israel have mainly failed, according to analysts, leaving the Islamic Republic more vulnerable to its prime foe. Israel's recent retaliatory airstrikes on Iran are said to have dismantled all of Iran's S-300 defense missile system. The strikes came in response to Iran's October 1 ballistic missile attacks against Israel. Iran says it is still assessing damage from the strikes. Nicholas Heras of the Washington-based New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy told VOA that the airstrikes showed Israel has "the qualitative military edge when it comes to war with Iran," impacting the Muslim nation's deterrence strategy. "They struck advanced S-300 anti-air systems which allowed them to evade Iranian air defenses and sites that are important for building vehicles for intercontinental ballistic missiles as well as the fuel for ballistic missiles, which is a key component of Iran's deterrent strategy," Heras said. "They fundamentally wanted to send a signal to the Iranians that the Iranians are far behind the Israelis when it comes to the tech war," he said. Writing in the online Diwan publication, Nicole Grajewski, a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace fellow in its nuclear program, said, "Iran's attempts to deter Israel through direct attacks have proven counterproductive, instead revealing gaps in its own defenses that Israel is increasingly willing to target ... [and] likely places Iran in an even more precarious position than before October 1." Thomas Newdick, writing in The War Zone, agreed. "Putting the Iranian S-300s out of action leaves the door open to follow-up strikes by Israel, including larger scale direct attacks." This, he said, "serves as both a contingent opportunity for the Israel Defense Forces and a deterrent against a response from Iran." "It is almost inevitable that Israel has several follow-up options already planned should Iran respond with another barrage," Newdick said. Another component of Iran's deterrent strategy has been the development of relationships over the years with Syria as well as regional militant groups, including those in Iraq, Hamas in Gaza, Yemen's Houthi rebels and Lebanon's Hezbollah. Israel assassinated Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, chief among them Yahya Sinwar and Hassan Nasrallah. Analyst Steven Simon of Washington's Quincy Institute, during an online presentation, said there are many unknowns about Iran's "axis of resistance." Simon questioned "how much is left of this axis of resistance for advancing Iran's objectives, let alone their own." "Hamas is destroyed, basically, as a military organization," Simon said. "Hezbollah has been very badly wounded. They took a serious beating: the pager attacks, the assassination of Nasrallah and [Hezbollah official Hashem] Safieddine, and others in their hierarchy. "I don't know how accurate the latest Israeli assessments are of the destruction they've inflicted on Hezbollah's missile and rockets inventories," he said, but "they are now saying that 80% of those rockets and missiles have either been expended or destroyed in Israeli airstrikes." Simon added that Hezbollah will find it difficult to replenish its Iranian arms supplies because Syria, as a conduit, is incapable of ensuring weapons can cross its borders into Lebanon. Carnegie's Grajewski said she believes Iran's response options are now "severely constrained," given the weakening of its proxy network and now that its own "missile arsenal proved both limited in scope and questionable in its reliability." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany closes 3 Iranian consulates following Iran's execution of German Iranian national By VOA News October 31, 2024 Germany will close three Iranian consulates in response to Iran's announcement of the execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a German Iranian national and a U.S. resident, earlier this week. "We have repeatedly and unequivocally made it clear to Tehran that the execution of a German citizen will have serious consequences," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Thursday in announcing the closure of the consulates in Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg. Germany will allow Iran's embassy in Berlin to remain open. And Germany will "continue to maintain our diplomatic channels and our embassy in Tehran," Baerbock said. "The fact that this assassination took place in the light of the latest developments in the Middle East shows that [Iran's] dictatorial, unjust regime ... does not act according to normal diplomatic logic," she said. "It is not without reason that our diplomatic relations are already at an all-time low." Sharmahd, 69, was accused of a role in the deadly bombing of a mosque in Shiraz in 2008. He was convicted of the capital offense of "corruption on Earth," a term Iranian authorities use to refer to a broad range of offenses, including those related to Islamic morals. His family has denied the charges against him. In an exclusive interview with VOA's Persian Service, Sharmahd's daughter Ghazaleh Sharmahd warned that her father's execution on Monday would not silence the movement for justice. "They made a huge mistake, thinking that by killing my father and the people of Iran, these movements would end. But they were wrong killing only makes these movements stronger, more intense and more energized. ... The Islamic Republic made a huge mistake," she said. Ghazaleh Sharmahd also said she is seeking the truth of her father's death. She told VOA that the Islamic Republic informed the U.S. and Germany about her father's death. "They accept the words of terrorists and send me their condolences?" she said. "They have a duty to investigate what really happened." VOA's Persian Service contributed to this report. Some information came from Agence France-Presse and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Security Council Adopts Resolution 2755 (2024), Renewing Libya Mandate until 31 January 2025, with Automatic 9-Month Extension upon Mission Head Appointment Meetings Coverage Security Council 9770th Meeting (AM) SC/15881 31 October 2024 The Security Council today extended the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) mandate for three months until 31 January 2025, with an automatic nine-month extension if a new Special Representative and Mission Head is appointed by that date. Unanimously adopting resolution 2755 (2024) (to be issued as document S/RES/2755), the Council urged the Libyan political institutions and key stakeholders to resolve outstanding politically contentious issues pertaining to elections to progress a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned, UNSMIL-facilitated negotiation and deliver free, fair, transparent and inclusive national, presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible. Emphasizing that "there can be no military solution in Libya", it called on all parties to refrain from violence and military actions that could exacerbate conflicts and undermine the political process or the 23 October 2020 ceasefire in Libya. Also by the text, the Council underscored the need to refrain from external interference, demanding that all Member States fully comply with the arms embargo by ceasing all support for foreign fighters and mercenaries and withdrawing them. Expressing concern over the humanitarian situation, the 15-member organ called on the Libyan authorities to allow and facilitate full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to those in need, and release funds for long-term recovery and reconstruction efforts in Derna and other areas affected by flooding and natural disasters. Following the vote, several delegates expressed concern over the prolonged vacancy in the position of Special Representative for Libya, while others debated the mandate renewal's duration. Mozambique's delegate, also speaking for Algeria, Guyana and Sierra Leone, said that while they supported a standard 12-month mandate renewal, the group showed flexibility to achieve the Council's unity and cohesion. He also supported the UNSMIL presence in Libya as it is vital to forging progress toward presidential and parliamentary elections. To this end, he called for the prompt appointment of a new Special Representative. "This resolution sends an important message," said the United Kingdom's delegate, noting that the text reaffirms the Council's commitment to stand by the Libyan people and continuously support a political process towards free and fair elections. She called for a long-term political agreement and emphasized that Libya's resources must be used for its people's well-being, urging all sides to refrain from unilateral actions that entrench divisions. She voiced support for the Secretary-General in seeking to appoint a new Special Representative as soon as possible. Her counterpart from Japan underscored UNSMIL's crucial role in facilitating and supporting the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process in achieving peace and stability nationally and regionally. Tokyo along with most Council members favoured a 12-month renewal to allow the Mission to fully and smoothly carry out its mandate at this critical juncture, he said, voicing regret that the short-term extension "could have a negative impact on the work done by the Mission on the ground even though it comes with a conditional automatic renewal". China's representative expressed hope that the adopted resolution will speed up the appointment of a new Special Representative, also urging the Mission to optimize its presence in Libya within existing human resources. "The Mission needs a leader that will be fully trusted by all parties," said the Russian Federation's representative, adding that "the longer the current uncertainty persists, the bigger the web of problems in which the country is entangled". She expressed regret that the Mission's transition period is taking longer than expected, stressing that "further delays are unacceptable" and the Mission Head should be appointed as soon as possible. The United States' delegate voiced disappointment that negotiations did not result in a year-long renewal, supported by most Council members. "The Russian Federation's intransigence during negotiations is the sole reason we do not have a straightforward one-year renewal," he stressed, adding: "We can only speculate why Russia seeks to hobble this vital Mission." As demonstrated in 2022, revisiting the mandate every few months stalled progress towards sustainable solutions in the country, he cautioned. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Military advances force evacuation of villages in Myanmar's Shan state Low on ammunition, rebel forces try to manage their retreat as they help evacuate villagers. By RFA staff 2024.10.31 -- A drone strike on Thursday by Myanmar's military killed an 8-year-old girl and wounded eight other civilians in a small village in southern Shan state as junta troops sought to retake towns controlled by rebel forces, according to a medic who attended to the victims. The junta has been slowly advancing along the western edge of Pekon Lake behind an increase in airstrikes, including from more advanced drones, as soldiers in the Karenni National Defense Forces, or KNDF, have sought to hold them off with dwindling supplies of ammunition. Aung Zay Ya, the deputy leader of the Karenni Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian group, said he helped to treat the victims in Mine Pyat village. He sent photos and a video confirming the injuries. Family members of the young girl can be heard crying over the girl's body. In recent days, junta troops have forced the evacuation of dozens of families in the area. Aung Zay Ya and other members of the FBR and soldiers from the KNDF have helped villagers flee. The day before the deadly strike, villagers from Phuk Khe, 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of Mine Pyat, began to make the slow trek on the region's rough, hilly roads by motorbike, truck and tractor after an artillery strike there. No one was injured in the bombing. Military troops are trying to dislodge KNDF fighters, who have held the territory for months. But here control is scattered. Revolutionary forces hold large stretches of land but have been unable to force military troops completely from the area. Main roads remain contested. For many, the offensive couldn't come at a worse time. Families faced the difficult choice of harvesting crops or potentially facing the military not shy about targeting civilians if the KNDF isn't able to stop the advance. Rescuers said most chose to leave. KNDF at growing disadvantage The military's goal, KNDF leaders said, is to secure access to a road that leads into the main northern artery into Loikaw, the capital of Karenni state. The State Administrative Council, the junta's official title, has retained control of Loikaw and a key regional airport. Since it ousted the civilian government in a Feb. 1, 2021, coup, the junta has faced widespread resistance to its rule, fighting rebel groups in several parts of Myanmar. Although the battles happening now are taking place in what is now Shan state, the territory had been part of Kayah state until a previous military dictatorship changed the boundaries, which is why the KNDF has led the fight against the junta there. Military troops were attacking from the south and the north from bases in shifting front lines. The commander of KNDF Battalion 31, who asked not to be named for safety reasons, said his soldiers have defended their positions for two months. But his troops are at a growing disadvantage, he said. New drones from China are able to drop more powerful bombs and aren't being disrupted by KNDF jammers as earlier iterations were. Perhaps more worrisome is depleting supplies of ammunition. Though KNDF soldiers are now better supplied with assault rifles than the largely civilian force was when it was founded months after the 2021 military coup, bullets have lately been hard to come by as the junta has squeezed supply routes. Three soldiers who were aiding the evacuation told RFA they had nine bullets among them. Latest disruption to civilians Villagers appeared to bear the latest disruption to their lives with a surprising level of equanimity after three years of war. Already, there are thought to be more than 150,000 internally displaced persons living in Kayah state. Than Aye, 54, sat quietly in the shade of a giant banyan tree among several bags of freshly harvested rice carried in a KNDF supplied truck. She said she and her husband decided to leave after an airstrike the previous day. It was the fifth time they have been forced to move since the coup, she said, a broad smile under her straw hat. In Phuk Khe, Seng Pan Song, 30, was still weighing how he might be able to salvage his corn crop as he prepared to leave the village. If he couldn't return in 15 days, it and the money he invested in it would be lost. Still, he said he had plenty of bags of rice to sustain his family in a new location. Before the war, he was a firefighter in Nang Shwe but joined the workers' strike known as the Civil Disobedience Movement after the military reclaimed power from a civilian-led government, arresting many of its top leaders. "I don't want to live under the military system," Seng Pan Song said. Many of the villagers leaving did so with large sacks of recently harvested rice - some stacked up in truck beds, others precariously positioned on their laps as they drove their motorbikes. Packing up base camp Earlier on Oct. 31, the remnants of a KNDF base camp were being dismantled by a contingent of about 12 Battalion 31 soldiers. Troops removed a solar panel as a small contingent hunted village chickens with a net. At least six were put in a small bag for future meals. Without control of the main roads, supplies are precious here and the KNDF can't allow anything to go to waste. The commander said Pa-O National Organization forces, a pro-junta paramilitary group, were helping the military. Since the military attack began a few months ago, his battalion has suffered more than 100 casualties, with five killed. He said five of his troops had been injured the night before in an airstrike. Before the war, the commander said he sold Karenni hot dogs to tourists visiting the area. It's a life he says he'd like to return to. But while his troops were running low on ammunition, he too was decidedly upbeat as he watched soldiers under his command pack up the last of their equipment. Of the back and forth of the fight against the junta, he said, "I'm used to it." Edited by Joshua Lipes. 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 October not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Church in village of Myanmar's Catholic leader bombed in junta raid Mosques and monasteries were also damaged in military raids in Sagaing, residents said. By RFA Burmese 2024.10.31 -- Junta forces damaged a church in the home village of Myanmar's most prominent Christian, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, one of several religious buildings destroyed in fighting between the military and pro-democracy forces, residents told Radio Free Asia on Thursday. Bo, Myanmar's Roman Catholic leader, lives in the main city of Yangon and was not in Mon Hla village, in the central Sagaing region, when a junta drone bombed St. Michael's Church on Wednesday night. "They've destroyed an entire side of the church, the whole right side," said one woman in the village, who declined to be identified in fear of reprisals. The church's bell tower and nave were also damaged, she said. Opponents of the junta have accused the military of targeting Christian and Muslim places of worship, destroying hundreds of them in its campaign against insurgent forces and their suspected civilian supporters. Bo has in the past called for attacks on places of worship to end and in 2022, he called for dialogue after a raid by junta forces on his home village. The junta's spokesman in the Sagaing region said he "didn't know the details of the situation yet." About a third of Mon Hla's population are Roman Catholic, rare for a community in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar's central heartlands. Its residents trace their origins back to Portuguese adventurers who arrived before British colonial rule. Sagaing attacks Residents said it was not clear why the military attacked the village as there was no fighting with anti-junta forces there at the time. Thirteen people were wounded in two previous attacks on the village in October, they said. There were no reports of casualties in the Wednesday night attack on Mon Hla. Many villagers fled from their homes the next day when drones reappeared in the sky, the woman said. "We had to flee yesterday. Then today, the drones retreated so we could return. Now, we've fled again," she said. The Sagaing region has seen some of the worst of the violence that has swept Myanmar since the military overthrew an elected government in early 2021. Insurgent groups set up by pro-democracy activists are waging a guerrilla campaign in many parts of Sagaing, harassing junta forces with attacks on their posts and ambushes of their convoys. The military has responded with extensive airstrikes, artillery shelling and, increasingly, drone attacks. In Kanbalu township, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) to the north of Mon Hla, junta forces attacked two villages, Kyi Su and Kyauk Taing, torching about 400 homes including two Buddhist monasteries and two mosques, residents there told RFA. "Our people had to run from the bombs dropped by drones," said one resident of Kyi Su. "But for those who ran, their homes were raided and burned." "Two monasteries are in ashes and two of our Muslim mosques are unusable." Residents said many of the destroyed homes were simple thatch huts, put up to replace homes destroyed in earlier fighting. Atrocities discussed at U.N. On Tuesday, Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations, Kyaw Moe Tun, presented evidence of atrocities committed by junta forces in Si Par village of Budalin township between Oct. 11 and Oct. 20. Speaking at a committee meeting at U.N. headquarters in New York, Kyaw Moe Tun held up two photos that appeared to show body parts displayed on top of a wooden fence. "The most recent incident which occurred in Budalin township in this month serves as another solid illustration to prove the junta's brutality. Some victims were decapitated," he told the committee. "Their body parts were dismembered and scattered apart," he said. "Their heads and body parts were hung on fences of civilian houses." He added that, in some cases, the individuals were burned alive. Kyaw Moe Tun was appointed before the 2021 military coup and has been a key critic of the military junta. His role as Myanmar's permanent representative to the U.N. is subject to annual review. The alleged atrocities followed an attack on a column of junta forces in Budalin township on Sept. 30 that left 33 junta soldiers dead. Junta troops carried out retaliatory attacks in the area in the weeks that followed, according to the shadow National Unity Government. Some 400 homes in 10 villages, including Si Par, were burned down in October, forcing about thousands of civilians to flee Budalin township, residents told RFA. At least 24 local residents have been killed due to arson and airstrikes of the junta troops in recent weeks, the NUG said in a statement issued on Oct. 22. Attacks by junta troops have been getting more brutal, according to Moe Thaut, an officer for the People's Defense Force in Si Par village. He confirmed that junta soldiers dismembered body parts belonging to village residents. The junta denied on Oct. 21 that their soldiers were responsible for the recent deaths of six people in Si Par village. Translated by Kiana Duncan. Edited by RFA Staff. 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 October not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Junta airstrikes lay waste to civilian lives in Myanmar's Karenni State By Ingyin Naing October 31, 2024 In a crowded church filled with mourners on September 6, a young high school teacher sat among friends, her face streaked with tears as she gazed at the makeshift shrouds covering the small bodies laid out before her. Among them were her students children she had taught, known and cared for deeply. "I couldn't recognize some of them," she whispered to me, her voice trembling. The previous night, the war refugee camp where she lives in Myanmar's Paekon Township, near the Karenni and Shan state borders, had been transformed into a scene of unimaginable loss. The ruling junta had dropped two 500-pound bombs on the camp, killing 10 people, seven of them children. The attack unfolded just before 9 p.m. local time, as families were settling in for the night. The ominous hum of a military plane filled the air, circling over the camp. Shouts of "Run! Run!" echoed as people scrambled for safety, but there was barely time to react. The teacher described the chaos, recounting how, on its second pass, the plane released a bomb that tore through makeshift shelters filled with families. "The children were covered in blood, wandering aimlessly in the dark," she said, her voice heavy with grief. "Some were hit directly only their small hands were visible. It was horrific." On the ground, scattered amid the rubble, lay textbooks and notebooks filled with the handwriting of the students evidence of lives interrupted and dreams shattered. Pages written by those young hands lay torn and trampled, a haunting reminder of the futures lost in the blast. Throughout the night, Karenni Armed Revolutionary Forces and camp officials worked tirelessly to rescue survivors and tend to the wounded, but the losses were devastating. In the dim light of the following morning, the teacher's sorrow echoed through the crowd of mourners, each bearing the weight of lives cut short. "There is no safe place, no demilitarized zone," she told me. "We cannot live like this, in constant fear." State symbolizes hope Karenni State, known as Kayah, a beautiful mountainous region in eastern Myanmar, has become a powerful symbol of resistance and resilience in the country's fight for democracy and federalism. Nestled along the border with Thailand, Karenni is home to a diverse ethnic community with a distinct cultural heritage. Decades of conflict with Myanmar's military regimes, beginning with Karenni's fight for independence in 1957, have left the region deeply scarred. Yet its people push forward, determined to build a self-governing future and protect their land. Reaching Karenni involved a challenging three-week journey, crossing from Thailand along rugged mountain roads while carefully avoiding junta outposts. Travel was only possible in areas controlled by Karenni resistance forces, who provided protection along the way. Eventually, I reached Demoso, a town about 138 miles from Naypyidaw, the junta's military-built capital. In Demoso, where electricity is rare, residents depend on generators and Starlink for internet, though outages are frequent. Artillery fire and airstrikes echo through the hills, a constant reminder of the relentless conflict gripping the region. Despite these challenges, local leaders have forged ahead with efforts to establish a self-governing administration, train young resistance fighters and rebuild communities. Their successes have made them a model for other ethnic states in Myanmar striving for a future grounded in democracy and federalism. 'Feels like retaliation' The day after the airstrike, survivors and community members gathered at a Catholic cathedral about a 20-minute drive from the refugee camp to mourn the 10 lives lost in the junta's assault. Inside the church, the bodies of six children lay surrounded by grieving friends and neighbors; outside, makeshift graves marked the final resting places of others who had perished in the attack. The crowd gathered in silence, their faces clouded with sorrow as they paid their last respects. A Catholic priest who also volunteers as a health worker voiced his suspicions about the timing of the bombing. "The junta's soldiers are dying in battles at the front. Just days ago, their chairman, Min Aung Hlaing, visited Loikaw and was fired upon," he said. "This [bombing] feels like retaliation against innocent refugees who had no way to defend themselves," he said, his voice filled with quiet anger. 'No time to run' As I spoke with the survivors, their tragic stories weighed on me. I met a 14-year-old girl with severe injuries to her face and thigh when I visited a makeshift hospital whose exact location cannot be disclosed for security reasons. Her younger brother, just 2 years old, had been hit in the head and could not be saved. "We were all sitting in our tent. I heard the plane but had no time to run," she said. Two sisters, both young students, lay nearby with broken bones and deep wounds. Their parents had sent them to the camp to protect them from the fighting. I spoke to another seriously injured patient, the wife of a police officer who was injured in an earlier bombing that same morning. Her husband, standing next to her, told me, "They dropped two bombs on the building, then opened fire with machine guns. My wife is four months pregnant, and we lost the baby." Junta denies responsibility At Dosei Middle School, located west of Demoso, the principal described to me the devastating attack on February 5 that leveled all three of the school's buildings. "The school, once filled with the lively shouts of students, fell silent within minutes as the sound of an approaching plane grew louder," she recounted. "The roar of bombs exploding was quickly followed by the rattle of machine gunfire, leaving the classroom lifeless the last refuge of four middle school students. There was no time to reach a bomb shelter." She added, "The elementary school children were incredibly lucky they were outside for physical activities when the junta's jet dropped bombs on the other side of the building. Otherwise, every child, including my youngest daughter, who studies here, would have been buried beneath the rubble." The junta consistently denies responsibility for civilian deaths caused by airstrikes in Karenni. Following the jet attack on February 5, the junta's information team stated, "There were no Tatmadaw [Myanmar army] flights in Demoso Township on that day." Since the military seized power on February 1, 2021, Karenni State has become a battlefield, with civilians trapped between junta forces and Karenni resistance fighters. Just one day before the September 5 airstrike, General Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Loikaw to meet with his troops. In response, the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force fired artillery toward Loikaw. The following night, junta forces shelled northern areas of Demoso, forcing families to flee again. Pleas for protection Throughout Karenni State, survivors echo the same plea a desperate call for protection from relentless airstrikes and shelling. The Interim Executive Council of Karenni State, or IEC, condemned the bombing as "unprovoked violence" targeting civilians, including children. At the site of the attack, the head of the Interior Department of the IEC expressed his outrage: "I absolutely condemn this. It's pure bullying a brutal act of violence that I cannot accept. This is Karenni territory, where our people live and work. The damage is not only to property but to lives." The principal of Dosei Middle School also made a heartfelt appeal for action by the international community, including a halt to the sale of jet fuel to the junta and for stronger international pressure to stop the use of airstrikes against civilians. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Anti-China sentiment said to be growing in Myanmar By Tommy Walker October 31, 2024 A recent attack on a Chinese consulate in Myanmar reflects growing anti-Chinese sentiment in the country fed by Beijing's support of the ruling junta, experts say. On October 18, the Chinese consulate in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, was struck by a small explosive device. Reports say the building was damaged but there were no casualties. It was the first attack was on a Chinese diplomatic facility in Myanmar since anti-China riots in Yangon in 1967. In a statement to journalists, the nation's military authorities said the blast damaged tiles on the roof of the two-story building and that they were seeking to identify and arrest the "terrorists" who were responsible. Two weeks later, no one has been caught and no group has claimed responsibility, but anti-China sentiment exists, experts say. Ye Myo Hein, a visiting senior expert at the United States Institute of Peace and global fellow at the Wilson Center in Washington, said strong anti-China sentiment has been brewing since Myanmar's military seized power on February 1, 2021. "Immediately following the coup, the public perceived China as supportive of the junta, resulting in strong anti-Chinese sentiment among the general population," he told VOA. Anti-Chinese sentiment grows Myanmar has been in chaos since General Min Aung Hlaing and his military forces overthrew the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Backers of the ousted government have joined forces with various ethnic armies to resist the junta's rule. China distanced itself from the junta for a time, but recently renewed its support. When it did, Ye Myo Hein said, anti-Chinese sentiment began to rise again. "It is difficult to determine who was responsible for the attacks on the Chinese consulate, but if China continues its pro-junta stance, it will likely face growing public animosity," he said. The military has been sanctioned and condemned by the U.S. and Western countries, but it has retained some support from countries such as China and Russia. "Whoever was behind the consulate bombing, it suggests that there are multiple strands of anti-Chinese anger, against the support for the regime and against the perceived support of China for the Kokang occupation of Lashio," David Scott Mathieson, an independent analyst with more than two decades of experience focusing on Myanmar, told VOA. Kokang, which is in northern Myanmar's Shan State, sits on the border with China. It is home to 90% ethnic Chinese and is an important trade route between the two countries. In the past year, three allied pro-democracy ethnic groups have captured the city from Myanmar military forces. Beijing negotiated a cease-fire between the allied brotherhood and the junta in January but it was short-lived. China did succeed in getting the ethnic groups to assist in a crackdown on Chinese crime rings in northern Shan state that had been targeting Chinese citizens with online scams. China now appears to be backing both sides of the conflict. But with rebel forces capturing more territory over the past year, Beijing is showing its concern over the rapid deterioration of the junta's position. In late July, after ethnic groups captured Lashio, a town in the northeast, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw. China also recently closed its borderlands and key trade routes under the control of Myanmar's rebel groups, Reuters reported. One Chinese national who lives in Myanmar told VOA's Mandarin Service that he believes the consulate attack was not a terrorist incident, but an expression of dissatisfaction with China. He added that since the coup, there have been protests against China's government in various parts of Myanmar. In March 2021, several Chinese factories in Myanmar were burned and destroyed during mass protests against the coup. "China has to take this rising public anger very seriously, as it could potentially descend into violence in urban areas and against Chinese nationals and economic assets, but also Myanmar-Chinese communities as well," Mathieson told VOA this week. "Has Beijing really thought through all these dilemmas? Or is its cynically arrogant support for the SAC at such levels the Chinese leadership don't care about consequences?" The SAC is short for the State Administration Council, a reference to the junta. History of supporting military Over the last three decades, Beijing has supplied the Myanmar military with major arms. The military has used those arms to crush those opposing their rule, with nearly 6,000 people killed, according to rights groups. China is also Myanmar's biggest trade partner and has invested billions into the country's oil and gas sector. "Since the junta is widely despised, Beijing's support for it will almost certainly fuel anti-Chinese sentiment," Ye Myo Hein said. Nevertheless, diplomacy is continuing between the two regimes, as Myanmar junta boss Min Aung Hlaing is expected to pay a return visit to China in November. VOA reporter Katherine Michaelson contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Transcript of the Press Briefing by the Spokesperson on Thursday 31 October 2024 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Assalam-o-Alaikum, Thank you for joining us for the Weekly Briefing. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrives in Doha, Qatar this morning on a two-day official visit. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar is accompanying the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar and Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Prime Minister / Minister for Foreign Affairs. The focus of these meetings will be on bilateral cooperation in trade and investment and discussion on regional developments. The Prime Minister arrived in Doha from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he attended the 8th Edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) themed "Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow". In his address at the conference, the Prime Minister emphasized Pakistan's commitment to leveraging investments in Artificial Intelligence, education, and health to drive human advancement. He stated that by investing in AI, Pakistan would enhance productivity by leveraging it for advancement of education and health, empowering future generations; and shaping a future that's inclusive, innovative, and sustainable. The Prime Minister held a meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister HRH Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders assessed the ongoing bilateral engagements, especially in follow up to the decisions taken in previous high-level meetings held in Makkah and Riyadh in April 2024. They reaffirmed economic and strategic partnership between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The two leaders exchanged views on regional developments. The Prime Minister appreciated the Kingdom's efforts to promote regional peace and stability in the Middle East. The Prime Minister also met with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh; Minister for Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Engineer Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih and Advisor at the Saudi Royal Court, Mohammad Bin Mazyad Al-Tuwaijri and entrepreneurs at the 8th Edition of FII Conference. The Speaker of the Federation Council of Russia, Valentina Matvienko visited Pakistan from 27-29 October 2024 at the invitation of Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani. She held separate meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani. She also addressed the Senate of Pakistan. The visit is a manifestation of continuing engagement and dialogue between Pakistan and the Russian Federation at the leadership level. The two sides will continue to engage in bilateral parliamentary exchanges. Pakistan strongly condemns the recent Israeli attacks on Lebanon's Bekaa Valley and Baalbek region resulting in the tragic loss of civilian lives, including women and children, and the displacement of over a million people. These airstrikes are a violation of Lebanon's national sovereignty and territorial integrity; and constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law and the UN Charter. Pakistan also unequivocally condemns continuing Israeli assault against the people of Northern Gaza and the indiscriminate airstrike on Beit Lahiya which has resulted in the tragic loss of over a 100 Palestinian lives, including women and children. Targeting densely populated residential areas without warning, day after day, with absolute impunity, reflects Israeli disdain for international law and human suffering. The siege of Gaza and uninterrupted Israeli attacks are piling on heaps of misery, devastation and death upon the already battered people of Gaza. At a time when the people of Palestine are in urgent need of humanitarian relief and assistance, Israeli attempts to dismantle the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) are unacceptable. Preventing UNRWA from carrying out its vital tasks is a manifestation of Israel's systematic campaign to dehumanize the Palestinian people. We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Palestine and Lebanon; protection of civilians; and unrestricted humanitarian access to those in urgent need. The international community must step in to end Israel's genocidal campaign against the Palestinians in Gaza. We also urge the international community to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes and crimes against humanity. Pakistan remains committed to providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Lebanon and Palestine. Last week Pakistan sent 2 more planeloads of humanitarian aid to Lebanon. Thus far, four special cargo planes with essential humanitarian supplies have arrived in Lebanon from Pakistan. Our support will continue. On 27th of October marking the 77th anniversary of the arrival of Indian troops in Jammu and Kashmir, the Government and people of Pakistan reaffirmed their unwavering solidarity with the people of Kashmir. The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister has addressed letters to the leadership of the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), highlighting the ongoing situation in Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He has called for the full implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and urged international action to address human rights concerns, including the release of Kashmiri political prisoners and activists. Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions. I thank you all! *** (Allah Noor, Mashriq TV): Has Pakistan contacted the British government regarding action against protestors, protesting peacefully against Former Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Essa in London? Interior Minister said that measures will also be taken to block the attackers' identification cards and revoke their passports, will there be an action upon it? (Saqib Ali Rathore, Daily Kashmir Times): High Commissioner Dr. Faisal said that we will request initiation of legal proceedings against the protestors so, under which criteria will such a request be made as they are not Pakistani nationals. Spokesperson: Regarding Allah Noor's question, the Minister for Interior has already made a detailed statement on this matter. We believe that any protests shall be within the limits of decency. We are investigating the incident against the vehicle of the Pakistan High Commission. We are concerned at the High Commission's vehicle being targeted, placing the security of its staff potentially at risk. With regards to your question, I am not aware of any statement on this matter by our High Commissioner. (Zeeshan Yousafzai, Dunya TV): Former CJP is a retired Pakistani national. In which capacity was he provided the facility of using High Commission's car and is this facility also available to ordinary Pakistani citizens? Spokesperson: There are certain courtesies that our Missions extend to senior officials, including former justices, when they visit abroad and it was in this context that our High Commission's vehicle was provided to the former Chief Justice of Pakistan. (Adeel Bashir, Roze News): Pakistan wants to become a member of BRICS, but India is creating problem. So, Minister Aurangzeb during his visit to Washington said that Pakistan and India should have a balanced relationship so the region could benefit. Do you think that any sort of bilateral talks or back door talks between Pakistan and India could take place somewhere? Spokesperson: I would not comment on a statement that the Finance Minister has made. With regards to BRICS, Pakistan has expressed its interest in joining this grouping. We believe that as a developing country and a proponent of inclusive multilateralism, Pakistan is fully qualified to becoming a member of BRICS. We hope that BRICS will live up to its own commitment to inclusive multilateralism and accept Pakistan's request for membership. (Mateen Haider, GTV News): Latest Canadian investigation reveals that Indian Home Minister Amit Shah was directly involved in the assassination of Sikhs on Canadian soil. How do you see these growing Indian transnational crimes and terrorism in different countries, which has been duly exposed, not only by the Canadians but also by the American investigation agencies? Spokesperson: We do not wish to comment on bilateral exchanges between other countries. However, as far as India's extraterrestrial and extrajudicial killings are concerned, you are aware that Pakistan has voiced its concerns and shared concrete evidence earlier this year. We hope the international community will urge India to refrain from its activities of extra-territorial and extrajudicial killings in Pakistan and around the world. (Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): Is there any chance of resumption of regional trade between Pakistan and India? Spokesperson: As you know in 2019, certain steps were taken by the Government of Pakistan, including with regards to suspension of trade with India. I am not in a position to predict the future, but currently Pakistan's position with regards to trade with India remains unchanged. (Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): Elections going to be held in America on 5th November. Keeping in view, the world's biggest issues like tensions in the Middle East, the IIOJK, and the terrorism in Pakistan, what will be the expectations of Pakistan with the new US government? Your comments? Spokesperson: Pakistan has no position with regards to the politics in the United States. We do not believe in commenting on domestic affairs of other countries, just as we do not welcome commentary from abroad in our domestic affairs. Pakistan has a desire to have a multifaceted, trouble-free relationship with the United States, and we will continue to work towards this end going forward. (Abdullah Momand, Dawn News): In a recent seminar the Chinese Ambassador showed apprehensions regarding security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan and he responded to the statement of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Will any action be taken against the Chinese Ambassador for violating the diplomatic norms and rebuking our Foreign Minister? Spokesperson: Chinese nationals in Pakistan are our valued guests. They are making invaluable contribution in the development of Pakistan. As DPM outlined in the seminar on Tuesday, Pakistan is committed to providing full security to Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan. Our commitment has been conveyed at the senior most levels of the Chinese government, including during the meeting between the Prime Minister of Pakistan and Chinese Premier on the sidelines of the SCO Heads of Government meeting held in Islamabad. The statement of the Chinese ambassador is therefore perplexing in view of the positive diplomatic traditions between Pakistan and China. We will continue to engage with our Chinese brothers to reassure them of Pakistan's complete commitment to their security and well-being in Pakistan. (Afzal Reza, IRNA): Considering the escalation of tensions in the region, mainly because of the Israeli aggression and the recent aggression by Israel against Iran, what kind of consultation do Iran and Pakistan have in order to help the peace and security in the region and for the bilateral relationship. Is there any high-level delegation exchange extended between two countries in near future? Spokesperson: Pakistan has already issued a statement on the recent developments in the region and the conflict between Iran and Israel, as well as on the situation in the region. We believe that the region shall be saved from the ravages of war, and the international community must play a role to ensure that the theatre of war, does not extend and the genocide in Gaza comes to an end. Pakistan and Iran have remained engaged on the developments in the region at various occasions, and our conversations continue. We will be having high level engagements and consultations with our Iranian brothers with regards to the recent developments in the coming week as well. (Azaz Syed, Geo News): Mr. Zalmay Khalilzad, in his latest tweet, has once again requested Pakistan to release former Pakistani Prime Minister, Mr. Imran Khan. Previously, he has been making such statements which Pakistan declared were an interference in Pakistan's internal affairs. Have we investigated whether Mr. Zalmay Khalilzad is working at his own or he is hired by some lobbying firm there in America? Spokesperson: I do not wish to comment on the statement by an individual who does not hold any official position and has a habit of making unwarranted commentary on Pakistan's domestic affairs. (Asghar Ali Mubarak, The Daily Mail International): Ma'am, recently an Afghan diplomat made a statement that Afghanistan does not support any terror group which has been involved in terror activities against Pakistan. He also said that currently there is no such diplomatic dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Are attempts being made for holding dialogues between Afghanistan and Pakistan? Spokesperson: I am not aware of the statement that you're referring to but Pakistan has always opted for dialogue and consultation for resolution of any issues that exist between countries, including with our brotherly people of Afghanistan. Pakistan has expressed its serious concerns about the ongoing activities of terror groups, which have found hideouts and sanctuaries inside Afghanistan. We have also discussed with Afghanistan other aspects of bilateral cooperation and this dialogue with Afghanistan will continue. (Nayyar Ali, Samaa TV): My first question is regarding the visit of the President of Pakistan to China for 5 days. What are his engagements there? And my second question is regarding the incident in London involving Justice Qazi Faez Esa. What actions have been taken there and to which extent would such incidents be condemned? Spokesperson: Regarding your first question, as per our practice, we do not make commentary on any potential visits before the time has come for the announcement. So, I'm unfortunately not, in a position to comment on the question that you have asked. With regards to the incident of yesterday in London, I already answered this question in response to a previous question in which I referred to a statement made by the Minister for Interior, I would advise you to refer to the Ministry of Interior for further details of the statement by the Minister for Interior. (Anwar Abbass, 24 News): Ma'am, the Swat terror incident involving the visit of 12 Ambassadors to Swat without informing the Foreign office. A renowned private person of Islamabad had arranged the event? What actions have been taken? Has foreign office given any recommendations regarding this issue? Spokesperson: As I said in the past, we are in the process of strengthening our protocols and informing all relevant departments and institutions about the requirements that need to be fulfilled when a foreign diplomat or a group of diplomats visit any city from Islamabad. Consultations are ongoing. I am not in a position to share internal discussions with regards to the details of this incident, but I can underline Pakistan has strengthened the procedures for the security of foreign diplomats in Pakistan. They are our honored guests, and we will continue to ensure their security and facilitate their work in Islamabad. (Mohammad Al Ekkad, Sputnik): Some reports have appeared about the kidnapping of a Russian citizen in Dera Ismail Khan. The Russian Embassy in Islamabad has spoken about their investigation in this matter. So any information that can be shared? Spokesperson: We have seen the social media reports. And we do not have any confirmation about these reports. (Zeeshan Yousafzai, Dunya TV): Ma'am, the Prime Minister wrote a letter regarding Dr Aafia Siddiqui's release and few days ago, the Foreign Minister said that we will lobby for her release. So, has the request been declined? What is its status? Spokesperson: See, this is a legal process in the United States, where a convicted person can file a clemency appeal with the President of the country. Pakistan has supported that petition of Ms Aafia Siddiqui. We are not aware of the further developments with regards to that clemency appeal. (Amna Ali, Daily Express): Ma'am, according to the recent reports, Pakistan hired three international firms and an Australian Consul to pursue the matter of the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project, which is also in the Paris Arbitration Court. So, why has Pakistan hired three firms when Iran is not actively pursuing this matter, and can you share the expenses of hiring these firms? Spokesperson: As I have said in the past, the Ministry of Petroleum has the lead on this issue of Iran Pakistan pipeline and they would be in a position to share with you the details of this case, our strategy with regards to it, and the hiring of any firms that may have taken place. (Kiran Butt, The Khorasan Dairy): Afghan interim government in the morning confirmed that on October 17, there was a clash on the border between Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. So, two of the Afghan nationals have been killed, and more than 34 are injured. And the interim government confirmed that they are in talks with Pakistan authorities to repatriate those Afghans who are, you know, injured on Pakistan side. So, any detail regarding that event? Spokesperson: I have not seen the statement from the Afghan interim government, so I'm not in a position to comment on it. (Allah Noor, Mashriq TV): Ma'am, regarding the ongoing situation in KPK, Afghan Charge d Affaires in Pakistan Mr. Sardar Ahmad Shakib stated in a seminar in the Institute of Regional Studies a few days ago that the Afghanistan government is not involved in what is happening in Pakistan. He also stated that the issue of TTP is not new and it should be engaged in a dialogue. What is Pakistan's stance as Pakistan has time and again said that they should take action against TTP, and Pakistan has informed them about their sanctuaries many times but they are inviting for dialogues instead of taking action. What is Pakistan's stance on this issue? (Anwar Abbass, 24 News): Ma'am, in the same event, Sardar Ahmad Shakib also said that interference cannot be stopped whatever happens. He also said that they do not back non-state actors, that this is not their policy; their interference cannot be stopped. How does Pakistan see this statement? (Azaz Syed, Geo News): Ma'am. In the same event, Sardar Shakib also said that Afghan government has issued a religious decree that no Afghan should attack Pakistan, but he has not mentioned the TTP. So, have we pursued it with Afghanistan? And if yes, any details? Spokesperson: Okay, first of all, we reject any offers or advice with regards to dialogue between Pakistan and TTP. We have done that on several occasions, and I am reiterating what we have said on numerous occasions in the past. Pakistan has absolutely no interest in talks with terror groups who are responsible for murder of Pakistani civilians and law enforcement officials. We believe such recommendations and advice are an affront to people who have lost their loved ones because of the activities of TTP. Secondly, we believe that the Afghan authorities have the primary responsibility to take action against the terror groups, primarily TTP, that are based in Afghanistan. We have provided them concrete evidence with regards to their activities and the terror apparatus that they run in Pakistan. Thirdly, Pakistan believes that any decrees that are issued should extend to all individuals who have found refuge inside Afghanistan. It is therefore critical that Afghan authorities take action against these terror groups. And you may have seen that this is not just the demand of Pakistan, but the countries of Moscow Format also made similar demand on the Government of Afghanistan that they take concrete action against these terror groups and prevent the Afghan soil from being used against its neighbours. (Abdullah Momand, Dawn News): Ma'am, on 23rd July 2024 Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in a high-level meeting in Foreign Office reversed the policy, the notification of the passport directorate, in which the issuance of passport to asylum seekers was banned. The Deputy Prime Minister reversed that policy. But still, more than 3000 cases are pending with the Ministry of Interior and overseas Pakistanis are complaining that they are not processing their passport. What are your views? Spokesperson: Pakistan's policy is clear, as we have said previously. The policy is that Pakistan will not revoke the passports of individuals who are abroad seeking asylum. With regards to any individual cases and the delays in issuance of passports or renewals of passports or Nadra cards, that is something on which the Ministry of Interior and the relevant departments can share the details with you. (Ali Rizvi, Iranian National TV): Last week in an attack on Iranian border forces within Iranian side, 10 Iranian soldiers lost their lives. Additionally, unrest and attack on Pakistani forces in Balochistan continue, considering that the two countries recently appointed their security representative for exchange and security military information. How do you assess the level of cooperation between the two countries in controlling terrorist group? Spokesperson: First, we unequivocally condemn the terrorist incidents in the Khash region leading to loss of lives. Terrorism is a regional threat, and Pakistan and Iran are committing to fight it with collective efforts. The appointment of liaison officers is a positive development in this regard. As this mechanism gains strength, we will be able to further coordinate our efforts against terrorists who undermine the security along the Pakistan-Iran border. (Sarah Zaman, VOA): You said earlier that the statement by the Chinese ambassador was perplexing, but this whole year, we have seen a pattern that very senior Chinese officials have pressed Pakistan very publicly about taking action against terrorists that harm Chinese citizens and also bringing those to account who have done so. So why does this statement seem perplexing when there has been a pattern that shows the frustration of the Chinese? A follow up to this is what increased measures is Pakistan willing to take? Is Pakistan willing to allow Chinese security personnel to come to Pakistan and support Pakistani efforts to secure Chinese citizens? Spokesperson: First of all, Pakistan has, and I said it in my statement, Pakistan has reaffirmed its strong commitment to provision of security of Chinese workers, projects and institutions in Pakistan. This reaffirmation and commitment has been given at the leadership level between the two sides and with regards to any discussions that the two sides are having bilaterally to ensure the safety and security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, I would not be able to comment because these are sensitive matters and bilateral matters between Pakistan and China. (Sarah Zaman, VOA): So, you've just said that even at the highest level of leadership of Pakistan, there have been assurances, and still, we see that despite those assurances, the Chinese are very publicly expressing their frustration. Spokesperson: I have just made my statement, so I do not know what else do you want me to say. (Mateen Haider, GTV News): Has Pakistan shared its investigations with the Chinese authorities over these, particularly this year's two deadly incidents targeting the Chinese. Is there any progress as Foreign Minister / Deputy Prime Minister statement also stated that the culprits have been apprehended and they are in the process of courts or something like this. Please update us whether the investigations have been completed and the culprits have been apprehended? Spokesperson: There have been some very unfortunate incidents with regards to Chinese nationals in Pakistan. We understand the concerns of the Chinese people, the Chinese government and the Chinese Embassy, with regards to the concerns about the safety and security of their people. Pakistan has shared evidence with regards to several strands of investigation of previous incidents, and we continue to engage with our Chinese brothers with regards to these investigations. I will not be sharing details of these investigations at this stage. (Zeeshan Yousafzai, Dunya TV): German Ambassador wrote a letter to the Army Chief regarding five IPPs which were closed and asked the Army Chief to intervene. Was the Foreign office taken on board and can any Ambassador write directly to the Army Chief? Spokesperson: We have seen the media reports about this letter and we do not understand the rationale of such communications from any Embassy, without taking into confidence, the relevant ministries that deal with this issue. (Asghar Ali Mubarak, The Daily Mail International): Ma'am, Doha agreement is being violated by the Afghan government. As the Prime Minister is on a visit to Qatar, will this issue be raised with the stakeholders because all the groups which are involved in illegal activities and terrorism in Pakistan are banned on international level and are threat to the whole region. Spokesperson: Please wait for our advice that we will issue after the meetings have taken place, because I'm not in a position to comment on the dialogue that will take place between the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the leadership of Qatar. (Abdullah Momand, Dawn News): Some concerning reports about those Pakistan you were held hostage in Myanmar, Laos and as well in Cambodia. So, any contact with the relevant authorities by the Pakistani High Commission or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding those 16 Pakistanis who are still in the custody of those? Spokesperson: The Pakistan Embassy has been in contact with the relevant authorities for the release of Pakistani nationals who have been illegally detained by criminal gangs and for recovery and early repatriation of these individuals to Pakistan. As we have said in the past, it is concerning that transnational criminal networks and organizations operating in some parts of Southeast Asia are engaged in sophisticated and illegal scamming operations that trap individuals seeking job opportunities. We have therefore advised Pakistani nationals applying for job opportunities abroad to ensure the authenticity of these job offers before they decide to accept these job offers. (Mateen Haider, GTV News): Would you like to give us update how many Pakistanis are in different prisons in different parts of the world, particularly in the Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia, Europe and other countries. And secondly, what efforts are underway by Ministry of Foreign Affairs to get these Pakistanis released, those who have completed their sentence? Spokesperson: First, I do not have the complete statistics of Pakistani nationals who are imprisoned in various parts of the world. Second, they change, and as more and more people get released after completion of their terms. Thirdly, Pakistani Missions, wherever they are, fulfill their obligations towards Pakistani community and provide consular access to individuals, who are arrested and then visit those who are serving their sentences at various prisons across the world, including in the Middle East. We therefore advise all Pakistanis, wherever they are, to abide by the laws of the host country and respect the local cultures and customs and legal systems and cooperate with the local police. This is critical for Pakistanis who live abroad. Pakistan Missions abroad will continue to extend consular assistance to all its citizens abroad. (Sarah Zaman, VOA): So just to follow up on this question about the prisoners, there are so many Pakistani prisoners around the world. Why has Pakistan decided to take Aafia Siddiqui's case so publicly at the highest level of the state, when there are so many other individuals also who have been either not proven guilty or are serving harsh punishments, even facing death sentence. Why is Aafia Siddiqui's release being pursued at the highest level of Pakistani state when she's an individual citizen? Spokesperson: The case of Ms. Aafia Siddiqui is special. It is a case that touches the hearts of the people of Pakistan. The circumstances of her arrest and the conditions in which she was sentenced, have been a source of debate in Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan is following up on the sentiments of the people of Pakistan, as well as the directions of the Pakistani courts where this case has been taken up, and the courts have given certain directions to the Government of Pakistan, with regards to the release of Ms. Aafia Siddiqui. ********** NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan says China's remarks on safety of its citizens 'perplexing' By Ayaz Gul, Sarah Zaman October 31, 2024 Pakistan pushed back Thursday against China's criticism of the safety of Chinese personnel in the country, calling the comments "perplexing" and contrary to established diplomatic traditions between the neighbors. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch said at a weekly news conference in Islamabad that the government is dedicated to ensuring the security of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions in Pakistan. Baloch was responding to a rare public warning from the Chinese ambassador to the country, Jiang Zaidong, who urged Islamabad to take action against militants responsible for several deadly attacks on Chinese workers. Jiang labeled the violence "unacceptable" and cautioned that it poses "a constraint" on Beijing's investments under its Belt and Road Initiative, or BRI. "The statement of the Chinese ambassador is perplexing and is not reflective of the diplomatic traditions between Pakistan and China," Baloch said. "We will continue to engage with our Chinese brothers to reassure them of Pakistan's complete commitment to their security and well-being in Pakistan," she added. Jiang, while addressing a seminar in Islamabad, referenced suicide car bombings in March and October of this year, which resulted in the deaths of seven Chinese personnel. It raised the number of Chinese workers killed in Pakistan to 21 since the countries launched a massive infrastructure project as part of the BRI about a decade ago. "It is unacceptable for us to be attacked twice in only six months," the Chinese diplomat stated, speaking through his interpreter. He stressed the need for Islamabad to take "effective remedial measures to prevent the recurrence of such terror acts and ensure that perpetrators are identified, caught, and punished." It is unprecedented for Pakistan to respond publicly to China's criticism, and it is extremely rare for the Chinese ambassador to admonish Islamabad for alleged security lapses against Chinese engineers and workers. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC, considered the flagship project of the BRI, has brought more than $25 billion in Chinese investment to enhance Pakistan's infrastructure, facilitating improved bilateral trade and further integrating the broader South Asian region. Jiang urged Pakistan to take action against "all anti-China terrorist groups," stating that "security is the biggest concern" for Beijing. He added that "without a safe and sound environment, nothing can be achieved." Baloch said investigations into attacks on Chinese workers are ongoing and said the findings have been communicated to Beijing. She did not elaborate. CPEC has resulted in roads, highways, primarily coal-fired power plants, and the strategic deepwater Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea in the country's southwestern Balochistan province. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, while addressing Tuesday's seminar organized by the Islamabad-based independent Pakistan-China Institute, assured the Chinese ambassador that his country was taking action against terrorists and tightening the security of Chinese nationals. Dar stated that Pakistan would share the progress with China in high-level talks next month. "The Chinese are very clear; no matter how lucrative an investment is anywhere, if the security issue is there, they do not send Chinese personnel. Your country is the only exception," he told the audience, quoting Chinese leaders as telling Pakistani counterparts in recent meetings. Critics argue that Pakistan's financial difficulties and political instability have discouraged China from making new investments in the CPEC. After the launch of CPEC projects, Pakistan's military formed a specially trained unit of over 13,000 troops to safeguard the initiatives nationwide. But the attacks on Chinese nationals have led to doubts about the effectiveness of the military unit. Most of the recent attacks on Chinese workers and engineers have been claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army, or BLA, a prominent separatist group waging insurgent attacks in Balochistan. The group, which is made up of militants from the Baloch ethnic minority, accuses China of helping Pakistan exploit the province's natural resources and has been calling for Beijing to withdraw its CPEC and other investments. Both countries reject the allegations, saying Baloch insurgents are on a mission to subvert development in the impoverished province and undermine Pakistan's close ties with China. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Antony J. Blinken Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Republic of Korea Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul, and Republic of Korea Minister of Defense Kim Yong-hyun at a Joint Press Availability US Department of State Remarks Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Benjamin Franklin Room Washington, D.C. October 31, 2024 SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the State Department. I want to begin by thanking our friends and colleagues, Foreign Minister Cho, Defense Minister Kim, for their partnership, for their friendship, and for the very good discussions we had today. And as always, it's great to be with my friend, my colleague, Secretary Austin. In 2021, the two of us made our first foreign trip together and we visited Seoul, as well as Japan. This was our first overseas trip and the first 2+2 of this administration. I just got back from another trip to the Indo-Pacific a couple of weeks ago which, by our count, was my 20th trip to the region since the start of this administration. But with the Republic of Korea, over the last three and half years we've strengthened our alliance; we've modernized our alliance - an alliance that for seven decades has advanced peace, prosperity, and stability on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-Pacific, and increasingly around the world. Today, we had an opportunity to build on that progress and to also lay the groundwork to ensure that we continue delivering shared security and shared opportunity for our people in the years to come. Now, one of the things that we emphasized today was a reaffirmation of the United States ironclad commitment to the ROK security, and that includes through extended deterrence. That's especially important in light of the ongoing provocations coming from North Korea, including another ICBM launch just yesterday. We condemn it in the strongest terms, the latest launch of many and other provocative actions that it's taken, flagrant violations all of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. All countries should be demanding that the DPRK cease these destabilizing actions. We are closely consulting with our partners and also with Japan. In fact, Foreign Minister Cho and I were on the phone early this morning with our Japanese counterpart and we will be focusing, as always, on this in the days to come, including the actions we'll take in response. All of this reinforces why we have to remain focused on maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and on the Korean Peninsula in particular, even as we work with European partners to respond to the DPRK's deepening security relationship with Russia. We now assess that there are some 10,000 North Korean soldiers in total in Russia. And the most recent information indicates that as many as 8,000 of those North Korean forces have been deployed to the Kursk region. We've not yet seen these troops deploy into combat against Ukrainian forces, but we would expect that to happen in the coming days. Russia has been training DPRK soldiers in artillery, UAVs, basic infantry operations, including trench clearing, indicating that they fully intend to use these forces in frontline operations. Should these troops engage in combat or combat support operations against Ukraine, they would become legitimate military targets. Now, one of the reasons that Russia is turning to these North Korean troops is that it's desperate. Putin has been throwing more and more Russians into a meat grinder of his own making in Ukraine. Now he's turning to North Korean troops, and that is a clear sign of weakness. Russia's been suffering some 1,200 casualties a day in the east, more than at any other time during the war. And with the deployment of these North Korean troops to Russia, and now to the front lines, this is the first time in a hundred years that Russia has invited foreign troops into its country. Our two sides today discussed a range of options in response and we're closely coordinating with allies and partners, particularly our European partners. We're continuing to surge security assistance to Ukraine, the United States, and we'll announce more in the coming days. What we're also seeing underscores the indivisibility of security between the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic theaters, something that is clearer and clearer to all of our allies and partners in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific. It's reflected in South Korea's growing partnership with NATO as well as its support for Ukraine, providing generators, humanitarian assistance, and we've discussed what more the Republic of Korea may do in the future. But in all of the conversations that I've been having with partners in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific, increasingly we see a focus on the indivisibility of the security. With regard to China, we discussed the need to responsibly manage our competition with the People's Republic of China. We agreed that China should do more to curb the DPRK's provocative actions and to stop support for Russia's defense industrial base, which is helping to perpetuate the conflict and the aggression by Russia in Ukraine. In the face of China's unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea we remain committed to upholding freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight. We also underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan strait. Even as we addressed these security challenges, we're also working together to expand our economic cooperation in ways that are having clear, direct, and powerful benefits for people in both of countries. South Korea is now America's number-one source of foreign direct investment, and this is really worth reflecting on, because foreign direct investment may be the best measure of trust and confidence, because you don't make these investments unless you believe in the future of the country that you're making the investments in. So it's a powerful gauge of the confidence that South Korea has in the United States and, more broadly, we are the number-one recipient of foreign direct investment in the world - again, a very powerful indicator of the way the world sees the United States. Thanks to the CHIPS and Science Act, thanks to the IRA, since 2021, Korea's companies have pledged to invest $140 billion in the United States, and that will help create some 100,000 jobs. And those jobs will be in the industries of the future. We're now Korea's second-largest investor. Together we're advancing a shared economic vision for the Indo-Pacific and actually for the world. These goals are bolstered by growing trilateral cooperation with Japan, building on the historic Camp David Summit that President Biden convened and hosted, and we look forward to another trilateral summit at the earliest opportunity. I mentioned at the start that Korea is increasingly a powerful and consequential leader around the world, a global, pivotal state. It hosted the Summit for Democracy in March. We look forward to Korea hosting APEC next year. And together, we are working to uphold the rules-based international order at the UN, right now in the Security Council, where Korea is a member. Our alliance is continuing to do what it does best, which is deliver real results for our people - real benefits for Americans and for Koreans - and we're grateful for the strong bipartisan support that we enjoy in Congress for the alliance. President Yoon has said that the United States and Korea are marching together toward the future. Today is another reflection of the work that we're doing together, the fact that we are joined together in building a better, more secure, more prosperous future for all of our people. Thank you. Lloyd. SECRETARY AUSTIN: Minister Cho. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Oh, Minister Cho, you're right. Thank you. FOREIGN MINISTER CHO: Thank you, Tony. (Via interpreter) First of all, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Secretaries Blinken and Austin for cohosting the sixth ROK-U.S. foreign and defense ministers meeting today and warmly welcoming the Korean delegation. In this time of geopolitical transformation, where regional and global security threats are ever increasing, causing grave security landscape, our two nations' foreign and defense ministers have come together and discussed joint responses, which was an extremely meaningful and timely endeavor. In today's meeting we addressed the Korean Peninsula matters, ways to strengthen the alliance, as well as regional and global issues by having comprehensive and in-depth discussions, based on which we agreed on a joint statement. The DPRK's troops dispatch included, its military cooperation with Russia is a clear violation of the UN Security Council resolutions. Reaffirming this, we condemned it in the strongest language possible and called for an immediate stop to such dispatch and all other illegal military cooperation. The DPRK's troop dispatch will further prolong Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and place not only the Korean Peninsula but also Europe's peace and security under a grave threat, a view that we shared. Going forward, based on close information sharing and coordination as circumstances evolve, we agreed to take necessary measures accordingly. We reaffirmed the goal of complete denuclearization of the DPRK. Its ongoing illegal, lethal provocations in nuclear and WMD development were strongly condemned. Especially the DPRK's launch of a long-range missile yesterday was a grave violation of the UN Security Council resolutions and a threat to the Korean Peninsula and the world. To address the DPRK's habitual violations of the UN Security Council resolutions and ensure a strong and effective enforcement of North Korean sanctions, we are resolved to continue our partnership with the international community. To ensure its nuclear and missile developments become not a strategic asset but a liability to the DPRK, active diplomatic endeavors will be made to this end, and also our two countries welcomed the launch of a new mechanism to monitor the UNSC sanctions implementation against the DPRK, the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team. We also had discussions on President Yoon Suk-yeol's August 15th Unification Doctrine and for his vision of realizing a free, peaceful, and prosperous Korean Peninsula that's reunified. The U.S. reiterated its support. Last April, President Yoon's state visit to the U.S. unveiled the historic Washington Declaration. Its follow-up measures have further strengthened extended deterrence cooperation, based on which we also agreed to steadfastly develop a nuclear-based alliance. The U.S. reaffirmed its unwavering extended deterrence commitment to the ROK. Any nuclear attacks on the ROK by the DPRK will be met with a swift, overwhelming, and decisive response. We made it clear. We have reconfirmed that the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty extends to space and cyberspace domains as well. Deterrence in these areas will be further bolstered, as we agreed. In addition, cooperation in defense, science, and technology, as well as defense industry, will be further reinforced to render the foundation of the alliance even stronger. To safeguard the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific, we agreed to continue working in close concert. We opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the region. Freedom of navigation and overflight is among the fundamental rights and obligations of the UNCLOS and international law, establishing a maritime order, where such is guaranteed as crucial, as we reaffirmed. We also reiterated our commitment to international solidarity and support for Ukraine. Now, it is the 71st year of the ROK-U.S. alliance rooted in democracy, human rights, rule of law, and other core shared values, and unwaveringly trusted by our people, remains stronger than ever. Hearing this view, we agreed to further broaden and deepen the alliance by convening regular ROK-U.S. foreign and defense ministers meeting going forward. Such regular rotation of the 2+2 meeting will ensure that the ROK-U.S. alliance is one of the most successful alliances engaged in more institutionalized and substantive cooperation. Thank you, Secretaries Blinken and Austin, once again. SECRETARY AUSTIN: Minister Kim, and Foreign Minister Cho, it's great to have you with us here in Washington. Today's meeting has once again demonstrated the importance of our ironclad alliance. Yesterday, Minister Kim and I discussed ways to strengthen and modernize our alliances' combined defense posture. And in today's 2+2, we talked about evolving our alliance into a comprehensive global partnership. So let me touch on three key points. First, we agreed today to further enhance our interoperability and strengthen our extended deterrence. Our countries are deepening our nuclear and strategic planning efforts through the Nuclear Consultative Group. And we're increasing the regular deployments of U.S. strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula. We also affirmed that attacks in space or cyberspace that clearly challenge the security of the alliance could lead us to invoke Article III of the Mutual Defense Treaty. So to improve our awareness of threats in the space and cyber domains, we're enhancing our interoperability and information sharing. Second, we're expanding the cooperation between our defense-industrial bases. That includes the U.S. Navy certification of ROK shipyards to maintain, repair, and overhaul U.S. Navy ships. And that will help our alliance - help keep our alliance resilient. And it will help ensure that we have the capabilities to deter potential foes, and if necessary, prevail in conflict. Third and finally, we're continuing to advance our defense ties with our regional allies and partners, especially the historic growth of trilateral security cooperation among Japan, the ROK, and the United States. Our robust partnerships - especially with Japan and the ROK - let us share information, assess threats, and craft thoughtful responses, just like last night when the DPRK conducted its latest irresponsible missile test. And across the Indo-Pacific, we're working to strengthen maritime security and to bolster interoperability through multilateral exercises. And we're helping to build up the capacity of our partner countries to tackle shared security challenges. We also recognize the profound links between Indo-Pacific security and Euro-Atlantic security. As you know, we now assess that North Korea has sent around 10,000 of its soldiers to train in eastern Russia. And as the Secretary of State pointed out earlier, our most recent information indicates that about 8,000 of those DPRK soldiers are now in the Kursk Oblast. Now, we've not yet seen these soldiers deploy into combat against Ukraine's forces, but we expect that these North Korean soldiers will join the fight against Ukraine in the coming days. Our assessment is that Putin's forces have trained these North Korean soldiers in artillery operations, UAV operations, and basic infantry operations, including trench clearing. The Kremlin has also provided these DPRK troops with Russian uniforms and equipment. And all of that strongly indicates that Russia intends to use these foreign forces in front line operations in its war of choice against Ukraine. Make no mistake: If these North Korean troops engage in combat or combat support operations against Ukraine, they would make themselves legitimate military targets. So we are consulting closely with our allies and partners and other countries in the region on these reckless developments and on our response. As I discussed last week in Kyiv, Ukraine's military continues to perform admirably on the battlefield. And Putin's forces have suffered serious losses. In recent months, Ukrainian forces have caused more than 1,200 Russian casualties per day - more than at any other time during Putin's war. And by tin cupping to North Korea for manpower, Putin is showing the world another clear sign of weakness. The Kremlin's North Korean gambit just underscores how badly Putin's war has gone, and how much trouble he's in. This is the first time in more than a century that Russia has welcomed foreign troops onto its own soil. As Secretary Blinken noted, a permanent member of the UN Security Council is violating Security Council resolutions that it agreed to. So at the direction of the President, the United States will continue to surge security assistance to Ukraine, and so will our allies and partners in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. That includes artillery and air defense, armored vehicles, munitions, and other crucial capabilities. The United States will announce additional security assistance for Ukraine in the coming days. And in our meetings yesterday and today, we discussed with our ROK allies how we're doing - how we're going to work together with our allies and partners to respond to this dangerous and destabilizing escalation. We're also closely tracking other bullying by the DPRK, Russia, and the People's Republic of China. And that's why the United States and the ROK are working so closely with our partners to stand up to coercive destabilizing actions in both the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic. Our work together is central to ensuring peace and stability and to enhancing deterrence. Foreign Minister Cho and Minister Kim, thanks for your leadership and your commitment to this proud alliance. Minister Kim, over to you. DEFENSE MINISTER KIM: (Via interpreter) Good afternoon. I am the minister of national defense of the Republic of Korea. First, I'd like to thank Secretary of State Blinken and Secretary of Defense Austin for hosting the ROK-U.S. foreign and defense ministerial, and for your warm reception of the Korean delegation. The international community today is faced with complex challenges which threaten peace and security, and we are in the most stern security environment since the Cold War. It is at this time that the ROK-U.S. foreign and defense ministers have gathered together to discuss ROK-U.S. alliance development and various issues on regional peace and security, which is very timely and significant. At the meeting, we agreed that the ROK-U.S. alliance is the core pillar of peace, security, and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region, and we agreed to strengthen cooperation as global comprehensive strategic alliance. On North Korea's ICBM launch yesterday, we denounced this with one voice and urged North Korea to abide by the UN Security Council resolutions. Also on the escalating North Korean nuclear and missile threats, we agreed to continuously strengthen cooperation on deterrence and response. On North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia and illegal military cooperation with Russia, we denounced this with strong words and strongly urge the immediate withdrawal of North Korean troops. We have completed a joint guidelines in July - last July - and thus uplifting the ROK-U.S. alliance into a nuclear-based alliance in name and in substance. We reconfirmed our common goal of the complete denuclearization of North Korea. And based on historic joint guidelines, we agreed to continuously strengthen the implementation of extended deterrence. The U.S. reconfirmed the strong commitment to useful scope military capabilities to provide extended deterrence to the Republic of Korea. We confirmed that the scope of the Mutual Defense Treaty applies to space and cyber domains, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in space and cyber domains. To respond to new challenges, including global supply chain crises and advanced technology competition, we concurred that we need to evolve into a science and technology alliance and agreed to strengthen cooperation in defense industry and defense science and technology. We concurred on the importance of upholding rules based international order in the region and on enhancing cooperation with other value-sharing countries. In particular, we agreed to strengthen ROK-U.S.-Japan security cooperation. And based on our Indo-Pacific strategies, we agreed to expand cooperation with the ASEAN and Pacific Island nations. And in new areas of cooperation, such as AUKUS Pillar Two, we have agreed to create synergy. The meeting today, we assessed, is a cornerstone for developing the ROK-U.S. alliance into a global comprehensive strategic alliance, and we will closely cooperate for peace, security, and prosperity on the Korean peninsula and in the region. Katchi Kapshida. We go together. Thank you. MR MILLER: The first question goes to Shannon Kingston with ABC. QUESTION: Thank you very much. Now, my first question is for the four of you. You discussed the need for Beijing to do more to reign in North Korea's aggression, but so far China has been largely silent on North Korea's deployment of troops to help Russia's war effort. What do you make of this silence? What do you want to see? What specific steps would you like to see happen next? And is now the time for South Korea to supply offensive arms to Ukraine? And then over to the Middle East, if I may. Secretary Austin, Secretary Blinken, do you see a Lebanon ceasefire deal coming together? Is that on the horizon? And then in Gaza, the U.S. has been pushing Israel for answers on that devastating strike in Beit Lahia for days now, to no avail. Also, the letter you sent to the Israeli Government called for the creation of a new channel on civilian harm incidents by the end of this month. So far it doesn't appear that has happened. Has anything changed on either of those fronts, and if not, how do you justify continuing to arm a foreign power that won't cooperate? SECRETARY BLINKEN: Any more? (Laughter.) I'm happy to start. As we said, I think each of us, and as we say collectively, we believe that the entire world should be insisting and demanding that the DPRK cease its provocative actions both in terms of the repeated missile launches in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and now also providing its troops for Russia's use in this war of aggression against Ukraine. And when it comes to China, as a member of the United Nations Security Council, we would and should expect no less. And we've had communications with China. In fact, we had a robust conversation just this week, and I think they know well the concerns that we have and the expectations that, both in word and deed, they'll use the influence that they have to work to curb these activities. So we'll see if they take action, but I think this is a demand signal that's coming not just from us but from countries around the world that see what the DPRK is doing both in the immediate region, on the Korean Peninsula, but also what it's doing in Europe. Now, it's also very important to note that this is a two-way street between DPRK and Russia. We're seeing what DPRK is providing to Russia in terms of troops. We're very focused on and concerned about what Russia might be doing in order to enhance the DPRK's capacities, its military capacity. That, too, should be of real concern to China because it's profoundly destabilizing in the region. On Lebanon, let me just say that we are working very hard and making progress on reaching understandings of what would be required for the effective implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. This would be the basis of a diplomatic resolution to the crisis. It's important to make sure that we have clarity both from Lebanon and from Israel about what would be required under 1701 to get its effective implementation: the withdrawal of Hizballah forces from the border; the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces; the authorities under which they'd be acting; an appropriate enforcement mechanism. And I can tell you that based on my recent trip to the region and the work that's ongoing right now, we have made good progress on those understandings. We still have more work to do, but that's what's necessary to get us to a diplomatic resolution, including through a ceasefire. And with regard to Gaza, I can tell you a couple of things. First, both of us and our teams are tracking very carefully Israel's responsibilities to meet the letter of the law as we sent it jointly to our Israeli counterparts with regard to the provision of humanitarian assistance. And there's been real progress, but insufficient, and we're working on a daily basis to make sure that Israel does what it must do to ensure that this assistance gets to people who need it inside of Gaza. It's not enough to get trucks to Gaza; it's vital that what they bring with them can get distributed effectively inside of Gaza. And one other thing on this very quickly. One of the things that has been successful in recent months was the polio vaccination campaign for hundreds of thousands of Palestinian children in Gaza. But in order for that campaign to be concluded, we have to complete a second round of vaccinations, and these vaccinations have to happen within a certain period of time from the first round of vaccinations. It is urgent that this be completed in the days ahead, and we're looking to Israel to facilitate that action. And then finally - sorry for going on so long - for many months, Israel has made clear that the strategic objectives that it had in Gaza - in making sure that October 7th and the horrors of October 7th could never happen again - were the effective dismantlement of Hamas's military capacity, its organized military capacity, and the elimination of the leaders who were responsible for October 7th. So both of those goals have been achieved, and the focus now must be on ending the war and, in the meanwhile, making sure that people who need the assistance for food, for medicine, and other basic humanitarian needs get the assistance that they need. SECRETARY AUSTIN: So with respect to the PRC and this latest development with DPRK troops in Russia, we're speaking to countries throughout the region about this alarming development, and that includes - as Tony pointed out, it includes the PRC. And I would refer you to the PRC for their position, but if China is serious about its desire for de-escalation, it should be asking Russia some hard questions at this point, and whether about - whether it intends to broaden this conflict by this kind of behavior. And so we'll continue to work with allies and partners, and make sure that we're doing the right things in terms of being prepared to move to the next stage in terms of holding DPRK to task. Regarding activities in the Middle East, I talk to my counterpart, Minister Gallant, routinely. I'll talk to him today, this afternoon. And every time I talk to him I emphasize the need to protect civilians in the battlespace and the need to provide humanitarian assistance to the people in Gaza. And as Tony pointed out, they have made some progress recently. We want to see them do much more, and we'll continue to emphasize that as we engage in the future. And again, we're hopeful that we can - we see things - we will see things transition in Lebanon in a not-too-distant future. I think there's an opportunity for that to happen, but it's left to be seen when that will happen, but we'll continue to press to make sure that it happens sooner versus later. FOREIGN MINISTER CHO: (Via interpreter) Regarding China's stance on the recent developments and what kind of measures that we will be asking for towards China, concerning the military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK and troop dispatch to Russia, China has been reticent about making its position known, but I believe that it is finding it very uncomfortable, the whole situation. Starting from the spring, because we know that there are things that China can do, we have been engaging in high-level talks and communication with China so that we can make relevant preparations. We will continue to do so going forward, and we will be having many contacts and interactions with the PRC and utilizing those occasions, and we relay our concerns and thoughts to the PRC. And going forward regarding our plan to provide weapons to Ukraine, there was a question. As was mentioned by the President Yoon, depending on the developments in military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, relevant measures, corresponding measures, will be taken accordingly. We need to see the level of involvement of the DPRK forces in Russia, and we also need to watch what kind of quid pro quo the DPRK will be receiving from Russia, so we will have to watch that before making a decision as to the weapons support that we will be providing to Ukraine. So currently we are not in a position to share the specifics. DEFENSE MINISTER KIM: (Via interpreter) So the three earlier ministers have already mentioned much, but I'd like to just add one point on the silence of the PRC. China still continues to be silent. I think the more clear assessment is that it is watching and waiting. And if the situation worsens, at one point, China, either as a mediator or any other role, may be intervening. So when the situation worsens, so there will be a point when the interests of China will be violated, and it is at that point that China will begin to play a certain role. MR MILLER: For the next question, Sangho Song with Yonhap News Agency. QUESTION: Thank you. My first question is for Minister Kim and Secretary Austin. Yesterday, North Korea launched an ICBM. Do you assess that there was any Russian technological support vis-a-vis the latest ICBM launch? And regarding the SCM's statement yesterday, the statements that the minister and Secretary decided to include North Korea nuclear attack scenario in future combined exercises. Does that require any revision or update of ROK-U.S. wartime operational plans, and when will that happen? And would that be applied to combined exercises in coming years or next year? Can you give us some clarity on the timeframe? And my second question is for Secretary Blinken and Minister Cho. Can you tell us what specific steps South Korea and the United States are considering taking beyond just public condemnation if North Korean troops' actual entry into combat is confirmed? Thank you. SECRETARY AUSTIN: So the first question was on the ICBM, and can you QUESTION: Russian technological support involved in that - the latest test. Do you have an assessment that - if there was any Russian support regarding the ICBM - this latest one? SECRETARY AUSTIN: I can't hear what you're saying. QUESTION: Do you have any assessment indicating that there was any Russian technological support regarding the ICBM launch this week? Thank you. SECRETARY AUSTIN: Oh, I understand. At this point, it's very early in the - in our assessment phase, and we don't see any indication at this point that there was Russian involvement. But again, we'll continue to work with our partners and our allies in the region to analyze this. But again, let me emphasize how irresponsible this behavior is. And we call upon the DPRK to cease and desist. It's potentially destabilizing, and again, it violates the UN - UN sanctions. So - but to answer your question specifically, I don't see any Russian involvement. And your second question was? QUESTION: The second question is regarding the (inaudible) SCM statement yesterday. The statement said that the minister and Secretary Austin decided to include North Korean nuclear attack scenario in future combined exercises between South Korea and the U.S. militaries. So I'm wondering if that requires a revision of wartime operational plans between South Korea and the United States, and when will that happen? If that's happening maybe next year or coming years, do you have any timeframe for that? Thank you. SECRETARY AUSTIN: Well, certainly I won't give - provide specifics about the contents of our planning, but I would just say that we are constantly planning and upgrading our plans, and working to make sure that that we are ready to fight tonight if that - if it comes to that. But again, the fact that we continue to increase our interoperability, I think that reassures our allies and partners in the region, and it also serves as a deterrent against anyone who would want to do the unthinkable and try to take on this great alliance. DEFENSE MINISTER KIM: (Via interpreter) Firstly, on the first question on North Korea's ICBM launch, was there a technical support from Russia, that has not been confirmed at the moment. And what we predict is that there is no evidence that Russian technology support was provided. Secondly, so combined exercises based on North Korean nuclear capabilities. In all of the operational plans, it is based on strategy. And based on the strategic plan, implementation happens. And so that is how we proceed with our exercises, and it will be implemented as soon as possible. So I think that is as far as I can say. FOREIGN MINISTER CHO: (Via interpreter) Other than the public condemnation between our two nations, what specific actions are we considering? That was the question. At this point, strategic communication towards the international community, especially tailoring our messages to different groups of members of the international community and a coordination of independent sanctions, are on our minds. And we will consider the full breadth of possible scenarios for making considerations as to the options to take. Regarding the specific measures and actions to be taken, we'll have to see the specifics of military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia. Once that's confirmed, we will take actions accordingly. SECRETARY BLINKEN: And I can only reinforce what the foreign minister said. We will, of course, consult closely with allies and partners should we see North Korean troops enter into combat. As both Lloyd and I have said, that makes them legitimate military targets, but we'll be consulting with allies and partners on any additional steps and any additional measures we may choose to take. For our part, for the United States, as I mentioned earlier, you'll be seeing additional security assistance heading in the direction of Ukraine very soon, to be announced in the coming days. And throughout these months, we will be, with more than 50 countries, continuing to strengthen and build support for Ukraine's defense with everything that it needs to effectively defend itself, as well as continuing to put pressure on Russia and to deal in many other ways with the ongoing aggression. MR MILLER: For the next question, Noah Robertson with Defense News. QUESTION: Thank you all for doing this. To Secretary Blinken, specifically, I wanted to know if you could share whether Israel actually shares your assessment of the war in Gaza right now SPEAKER: The microphone is not on. QUESTION: And it - it began the way that you described, to (inaudible). Can you hear me? Did you hear the question, or should I repeat it? SECRETARY BLINKEN: I did. No, I got it. Thanks. QUESTION: Perfect. Thank you. And to both Secretary Austin and Secretary Blinken, I wanted to know if you could describe the progress that you've seen in humanitarian aid and whether you believe with Gaza that Israel is on track to reach a sufficient level for your satisfaction, and if you could expand specifically on what channel that the U.S. has used to communicate with China about the DPRK's actions in Russia. To Secretary Austin specifically, I wanted to know now that we have seen these 8,000 DPRK troops deploy toward Kursk, whether you think it's possible for Ukraine to hold on to its territory there or whether it will have to try to consolidate its defenses given the losses in the east. And then if I could venture one more specifically to Minister Kim, could you specify the number of containers that the DPRK has provided to Russia during the conflict as it grows its cooperation militarily? Thank you. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Well, of course, I'll let Israel speak for itself, but I think it actually largely has. As I said, it's made clear repeatedly and publicly that the critical objectives that it had for making sure that October 7th could never happen again were the elimination of Hamas's organized military capacity as well as bringing to justice those who were responsible for perpetrating October 7th, and notably Mr. Sinwar. Well, the latter is demonstrably done. And the Israelis themselves have said and said publicly that they have dismantled Hamas's military capacity. So on that basis, and these are their stated objectives, those objectives having been achieved at great cost in the lives of children, women, men, Palestinians caught in this crossfire of Hamas's initiation and making - well, this would be the time to move to end the war. In terms of progress on the humanitarian aid, look, the letter that Lloyd and I sent, which is now in the public domain even though that was not the intent, lays out a number of things that we expect to see them do. And I can tell you that as you go down the list, there are a number of them - a number of these steps have been taken, including, for example, reviving crossings that had been dormant, initiating and opening a new crossing into Gaza, some additional measures. Some are in train; others we've not yet seen. And so we're tracking this between us, between our teams, with the Israelis and those who are working on the humanitarian response, every single day. I know, as the Secretary said, he'll be speaking to Defense Minister Gallant, I believe, later today, and I'm sure that will come up. So we're very focused on making sure that the steps that we outlined in the letter are actually taken and implemented and sustained. Because what we've seen in the past is this: We've seen Israel take important steps - for example, this spring, also in response to what the United States said was necessary to improve the humanitarian situation for people in Gaza - and we saw real progress, and then we saw it diminish and then tail off, which is one of the reasons we felt it was so imperative to write to our counterparts and to see action taken on this. In terms of our engagement with China, I mentioned earlier that we had a robust engagement just this week. And what I can tell you is that happens between senior officials in our government, including the State Department, and the Chinese Government. SECRETARY AUSTIN: Regarding progress with respect to the delivery of humanitarian assistance, I agree with what Tony has said. We are seeing progress, and we'll continue to watch this on a daily basis, and I'll continue to engage my counterpart and encourage him to pick up the pace. More crossings being opened, more humanitarian assistance going in - we've just to make sure that they increase it even more. The question - the other question you had for me was that, based upon the 10,000 troops from the DPRK that have entered the battle space, is it possible for Ukraine to hold on to Kursk? The answer is yes. And if you take a look at what I said earlier in terms of the numbers of casualties that Russia is suffering on a daily basis - some 1,250 or so casualties per day - you do the math on a given month, that's - those are pretty big numbers. And so the number 10,000 kind of pales in comparison to those kinds of casualties. So this 10,000 won't come close to replacing the numbers that the Russians have lost. And again, I think they're at a point now that if they've got to go seeking for assistance to a country like the DPRK, then I think they have some problems. But yes, I do believe that they can - they can hold on to the territory if they choose to do that. They do have options, they can do a number of things, but if they choose to do that, they can hold it. SECRETARY BLINKEN: And just before turning to my colleague, there's one thing I want to make sure that I emphasize as well, because I'd be remiss if I didn't say it. Of course, the other absolute requirement for this war to come to an end is for the hostages to come home, and that includes the seven Americans. So we're working on that every single day, but that is absolutely necessary and with every passing day increasingly urgent. DEFENSE MINISTER KIM: (Via interpreter) On North Korea's munitions support to Russia, it will be in the hundreds of thousands. So it's not 1 million or 2 million, but it's close to tens of millions of munitions, and missiles will be about 1,000 - over 1,000 missiles have been provided. MR MILLER: And for the final question, Min Seok Lee with Chosun Ilbo. QUESTION: Thank you. My first question is to Secretary Austin. Has there been any new U.S. intelligence or assessment of what Russia might offer North Korea in exchange for deploying over 10,000 troops, whether in the form of military aid, advanced weapons technology, or economic support? And to Secretary Blinken, as DPRK's nuclear and missile programs have become increasingly advanced, U.S. officials have been mentioning the interim steps to engage with North Korea, which raise some speculations about whether the U.S. is poised to employ a policy shift. There was no phrase "denuclearization" in the joint statement released yesterday after the SCM. So is the U.S. moving the focus of the - its diplomacy from the pursuit of complete denuclearization of the North Korean - North Korea to one of deterrence? Thanks. (Via interpreter) Next, my question is for Ministers Kim Yong-hyun and Cho Tae-yul. Minister Kim, yesterday you talked about enhancement of ICBM, and there's a possibility that North Korea will be asking for advanced technology from Russia. And so do you have any signs that this is actually happening? And if this concern is visualized, comes to fruition, what will the Korean Government do as a response? And what are the preventive measures that we can take? SECRETARY AUSTIN: In terms of what the DPRK may be getting in return for its provision of 10,000 troops, we - that's unknown at this point, but I - as you look at things, you would guess that technology would be at the top of the list, and that's, again, one of those things that could be and will be destabilizing depending on what kind of technology we're talking about; financial assistance; and you can go down the list, right. And certainly, DPRK stands a chance of gaining in this - in this exchange here. This is something that we're going to have to continue to watch very, very closely. It will embolden their - potentially embolden them to do more of the kinds of things that we've seen them do here recently, especially the kinds of things that we saw yesterday with the launch of an ICBM. SECRETARY BLINKEN: And our policy remains what it has been, and will remain, which is the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. DEFENSE MINISTER KIM: (Via interpreter) On Russian technology transfer to North Korea, as of yet nothing has been confirmed. It has not been confirmed as a fact, but we are just making predictions about the possibility. However, if there will be a transfer of Russian technology to North Korea, we can overcome that through the advanced technology that the alliance has. FOREIGN MINISTER CHO: (Via interpreter) To deter such situation, I believe our efforts in that regard is most important. In collaboration with the international community, we are engaged in strategic communication and coordinating independent sanctions. All these activities have exactly that situation, deterrence of that situation in mind as the top priority. And once that's done, as to what kind of actions to be taken, I will have to repeat the principle that I've already told you about. Thank you. MR MILLER: Thank you all. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson October 31, 2024 The following is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul following the 6th U.S.-Republic of Korea Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and ROK Minister of Defense Kim Yong-hyun. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Cho discussed shared concerns over deepening ties between Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, including the deployment of DPRK troops to the Kursk Oblast of Russia. They also spoke about efforts to further strengthen bilateral cooperation on the full range of global and regional issues. The two officials acknowledged a shared commitment to deepening the U.S.-ROK Alliance, which continues to be the linchpin of peace, security, and prosperity for the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Republic of Korea Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul Before Their Meeting US Department of State Remarks Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Benjamin Franklin Room Washington, D.C. October 31, 2024 SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon again, everyone. We had very productive 2+2 discussions this morning and into this afternoon with Secretary Austin and Defense Minister Kim. It's a reflection of the fact that we have an alliance now in its seventh decade that is not only ironclad in its commitment to our mutual security, but also an alliance and partnership that, as I said earlier, has moved from the bilateral to the regional to the genuinely global. Korea is a global, critical power. We're going to address together now that broader agenda. We focused intensely this morning in particular on DPRK, on the relationship between DPRK and Russia and other aspects of the challenges we face, as well as on our defense and security partnership, but we now have an opportunity with my friend Tae-yul to address other elements of the broad agenda between the United States and the Republic of Korea. I would just note again something we touched on earlier: The economic partnership, the relationship between our countries that's making a practical and profound difference in the lives of our fellow citizens, could not be stronger. The Republic of Korea is the largest provider of foreign direct investment in the United States, including tens of thousands of jobs. And that is, as I said earlier, very powerful evidence of the confidence that Korea has in the United States and our future - just as we are the second largest investor in Korea, evidence again of the confidence that we have in the future between our countries. So we'll be talking about that, the work we're doing together on emerging technologies, and so many other things. So, Tae-yul, it's wonderful to have you here today and have the opportunity for us to speak after the 2+2. FOREIGN MINISTER CHO: Thank you, Tony, and good afternoon. Well, Secretary Blinken and I just finished our in-depth discussions at the 2+2 meeting this morning and over lunch, where we covered a wide range of issues of common interest. As we both emphasized during the joint press conference just completed, we condemn the deepening North Korea-Russia military cooperation, especially the recent deployment of North Korean troops to Russia and North Korea's repeated provocative actions, including its ICBM test launch yesterday. We also reconfirmed our commitment to the denuclearization of North Korea and the U.S. commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea under any circumstances. Well, at the meeting this afternoon with Secretary Blinken, we will have more focused discussions on the selected issues and priorities as a follow-up to the 2+2 meeting. In fact, since I took office in January this year, I have met with Secretary Blinken more than 10 times in bilateral, trilateral, and multilateral settings. The frequency of our meeting itself, I think, represents the strength of our strong alliance, our seamless coordination on all policies and actions, and our commitment to reach a shared goal. So I am quite content that I will have another round of fruitful discussions at today's meeting while taking stock of the progress we have made so far, and addressing any outstanding tasks ahead, and reaching all common agreement on policies and actions - 100 percent alignment on each and every front. Thank you very much. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Thanks, everyone. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cross-Strait media representatives gather in Beijing to discuss integrated development Xinhua) 10:46, November 01, 2024 BEIJING, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- A cross-Strait media summit was held in Beijing on Thursday, drawing over 110 media chiefs, scholars and representatives from mainland and Taiwan to discuss the integrated development of cross-Strait media amid new changes. The summit, the fifth of its kind, comprised a main forum and several sub-forums, where participants engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as strengthening cross-Strait media cooperation and exchanges, and how mainstream media can uphold core values in the era of artificial intelligence. Addressing the main forum, Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, pledged to continue promoting cultural exchange and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, including media exchanges, by enhancing policy support and strengthening institutional safeguards. Chou Hsi-wei, vice chairman of Want Want China, a Taiwan-based enterprise, said that the two sides of the Strait belong to the same family, calling on media professionals from across the Strait to objectively report the facts about the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. On Thursday afternoon, Song met with representatives of Taiwan media outlets attending the summit. He expressed the hope that media outlets on both sides of the Strait would actively participate in and promote cross-Strait cultural exchanges, adhere to objective reporting and fair comment, promote integrated development, and contribute to the reunification of the motherland. The representatives from Taiwan, including Tsai Eng-meng, chairman of the Want Want China Times Media Group, agreed that cross-Strait media outlets serve as a bridge for communication and friendship between compatriots on both sides of the Strait. They said that during the downturn of cross-Strait relations, it is essential to expand exchanges and cooperation, and enhance the emotional bond and mutual trust between the people on both sides, to gradually steer the future development of cross-Strait relations onto the right track. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin The President held a working meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin. October 31, 2024 14:00 The Kremlin, Moscow President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Khusnullin, you wanted to tell me about several new projects. Please, proceed. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin: Mr President, we have finished shaping the Infrastructure for Life project, which includes the Housing and Comfortable Urban Environment and Safe and High-Quality Roads. This year, we will complete these two national projects, which have proved effective over the past six years. We have reached the planned targets in terms of housing as well as road construction. The project will end within several months, but we can already say that it has been fulfilled. During the implementation of this project, our construction industry has grown by 35 percent. Growth was reported every year, regardless of the pandemic or anything else. This is thanks to the systemic decision and additional funding. We have done a great deal in terms of legislation, which explains the project's success. The new project, Infrastructure for Life, incorporated all the best elements of the previous projects plus new approaches. The latter include a comprehensive approach to the development of residential areas, about which you spoke on many occasions. We have identified growth points, starting from rural reference points up to large agglomerations. We have analysed the programme for the further development of housing and concluded that we will continue to build at least 100 million square metres of housing every year until 2030. In other words, new housing will constitute one fifth of the total by 2030, with 33 metres of housing per capita. Our mortgage programme did well in the past years. For example, the number of new projects has grown by 15 percent year on year despite everything. We are actively working on the urban development potential together with governors, that is, construction documents. We estimate our construction potential at around 500 million square metres. We hope to increase it to one billion square metres. As you instructed, we are working on a modernisation programme for communal infrastructure. The programme is shaped by now, with different sources of funding, such as direct budgetary funding, loans, corporate funding, and investment. We believe we will be able to stop the depreciation of the infrastructure and to improve it substantially within the next five to six years. Moreover, it will not be a deterring factor for the development of residential areas because for some towns, we already have energy and communal infrastructure restrictions. We believe that it will help us achieve the goal as consistently as we did with roads. We continue working on developing road infrastructure. We have a plan. You can look on the map, Mr President. It shows all the main... Vladimir Putin: Support networks. Marat Khusnullin: Yes. The map shows all of our international corridors which, by the way, serve 140 million of the Russian population. So, the key purpose of the main roads we have - the roads we call international - is to connect the cities, towns and regions in Russia. We have a schedule of works until 2030; they include 50 detour roads bypassing cities, something that is now highly in demand, as well as border access roads, and bringing roads up to regulatory standards. So, there is a general plan, and we have balanced out the money. The work is in progress. An important matter you always pay attention to is road traffic safety. The number of car accidents goes down every year, along with the number of associated deaths and injuries. This is the result of our systemwide work with the Interior Ministry. We have work on repayable financing set up well. It is a project that we started with the Finance Ministry and regional officials as per your instruction. We have investment budgetary loans, bonds and special treasury loans. All these tools make something we call an Infrastructure Menu. We have reported to you multiple times. Thank you for extending this programme through 2030. Now every governor understands what they will be able to do in the next few years. And these funds are repayable. As a helpful measure, you have granted them the right to restructure, meaning they can use the funding, pay it back and then they can invest again, which is a great advantage. Considering all the tasks you set, we believe that we are ready to affirm the project and achieve the set goals. Thank you. Vladimir Putin: Let's discuss it in more detail. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's video address to the organisers and participants of the 3rd Digital International Relations 2024 international conference, Moscow, October 31, 2024 31 October 2024 10:26 2037-31-10-2024 Colleagues, Friends, I am delighted to welcome the organisers and participants of the Digital International Relations 2024 scientific and practical conference held at MGIMO University at the initiative of its management for the third time. In line with President Vladimir Putin's instruction, the promotion of technological sovereignty is set as a development priority of Russia for the next decade. This means that professional discussions on the development and use of information and communication technologies with the participation of scientists, entrepreneurs and government officials are in high demand. The Foreign Ministry did not stay away from the latest technological trends: digital solutions are becoming an integral part of everyday diplomatic activities. They facilitate the collection and processing of information, the dissemination of assessments and approaches to current issues to a wide audience, and improve the quality of consular services. While opening additional opportunities, today's technologies bear large risks. These include the growing number of attempts of malicious interference into Russia's digital space such as cyberattacks aimed at damaging critical infrastructure, as well as the spread of disinformation for information and psychological influence on the people. The collective West, which has set the goal of maintaining its permissiveness in the international information space, is the main source of these challenges. Russia traditionally advocates the creation of an international legal regime to regulate the digital environment by concluding legally binding agreements. An important milestone on the path to solving this problem was the development of a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of information and communication technologies for criminal purposes. The draft document was adopted by the UN Special Intergovernmental Committee in August 2024, and is being submitted for approval to the United Nations General Assembly. Russia was the ideological inspirer and leader of the negotiation process to agree on the convention. Earlier, in May 2024, a global intergovernmental register of contact points for confidence-building in the information space was created at the UN at Russia's initiative. This mechanism is designed to ensure direct connections between the competent departments of concerned states in situations of cyberattacks or incidents. Most countries of the Global South and East support us in our work on international information security. We are building close cooperation with our partners from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The likeminded people are united by their loyalty to the principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interrelation, as well as awareness of the objective reality of a multipolar world, and rejection of the neocolonial orders imposed by the West, including in the digital space. I would like to express confidence that your conference will be held in a constructive spirit. I wish you substantive discussions and success. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli airstrikes target residential buildings in Syria's Homs region IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 31, 2024 Tehran, IRNA -- In a new act of aggression, the Israeli regime has targeted several residential buildings in the outskirts of Homs in western Syria. According to a report from the Syrian news agency SANA, Israeli forces on Thursday bombed various neighborhoods, residential structures, and an industrial area in the eastern part of Al-Qusayr, near Homs. Initial reports indicate that several civilians have been injured in the attack, which also caused significant damage to residential buildings and the industrial zone. Some Syrian media outlets reported that two individuals were killed and two others injured in the strikes. IRNA could not independently verify those reports. This follows another act of aggression last week, where Israeli forces bombed Kafr Sousa in Damascus and a military facility in the Homs region, resulting in one death and seven injuries. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Five Syrians killed in Israeli airstrikes on al-Qusayr near Homs Iran Press TV Thursday, 31 October 2024 6:55 PM At least five people have lost their lives when Israeli aircraft carried out multiple strikes against a number of installations and buildings in the country's central province of Homs. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that three airstrikes struck Jisr al-Daf area south of al-Qusayr city, located about 35 kilometers (22 miles) south of Homs, on Thursday, and several facilities in the city's industrial area. The observatory said the strikes destroyed the facilities, noting that Syrian air defense systems attempted to intercept and shoot down the incoming Israeli missiles. Additional explosions were heard in Hawsh al-Sayyid Ali village. Some media video footage showed huge plumes of thick black smoke rising from the targeted sites. Syria's al-Watan Online newspaper, citing informed sources, reported that five people were killed and several others wounded during the strikes. The Israeli airstrike against the crisis-hit Arab nation comes amid the regime's bloody onslaught against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip, and its devastating offensives on Lebanon. Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on Gaza, including hospitals, residences, and houses of worship, since Palestinian resistance movements launched their surprise attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, against the regime on October 7. At least 43,204 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed while another 9101,640 individuals have sustained injuries. The Lebanese Health Ministry says Israeli attacks have killed 45 people in Lebanon in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 2,865 since October 2023. Israel frequently targets military positions inside Syria, especially those of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah which has played a key role in helping the Syrian army in its fight against foreign-backed terrorists. The Tel Aviv regime rarely comments on its attacks on Syrian territories, which many see as a knee-jerk reaction to the Syrian government's phenomenal success in confronting and decimating terrorism. Israel has been the principal supporter of terrorist groups that oppose the democratically-elected government of President Bashar al-Assad since the foreign-backed militancy erupted in Syria. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MOFA bashes China over 'weaponized tourism' pressure on Palau ROC Central News Agency 10/31/2024 11:39 PM Taipei, Oct. 31 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Thursday condemned China's reported use of economic pressure in a bid to force Palau into switching diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, saying it has been a longstanding strategy. "China has long weaponized tourism to pressure Palau into capitulating on its diplomatic position," MOFA said in a press release. Taiwan "strongly condemns China for its deliberate and forceful economic coercion of [Taipei's] allies." MOFA did not respond directly to CNA's question about how the outcome of Palau's general elections on Nov. 5 might impact its relations with Taiwan, saying only that the bilateral ties have remained "stable and solid" over the past two decades. Over the years, Taiwan and Palau have collaborated in a wide range of areas, including agriculture, fishery, health, tourism, education, and maritime conservation and security, MOFA said. The ministry issued a statement in condemnation of China's "economic coercion" after Bloomberg on Thursday quoted Palau President Surangel Whipps, Jr. as saying in an interview that China had been pressuring his government to switch diplomatic allegiance from Taipei to Beijing. "They try to convince everybody that what Palau is doing, and everybody else, is illegal," Whipps said in the Bloomberg interview, referring to Beijing's attempts to undermine his country's ties with Taiwan. Whipps, who is seeking reelection on Nov. 5, did not specify what forms of pressure China was using, Bloomberg reported. It also said that China's foreign ministry had not responded to its request for a comment on the matter. It was not the first time that Whipps publicly expressed concern about pressure from China to switch diplomatic ties. In an interview with the Associated Press in August, the president said that in 2020 he had turned down a proposal put forth by a Chinese diplomat, who had promised to bring in 1 million visitors into Palau on condition that it switched diplomatic relations to China if Whipps won the election that year. Whipps, who won the November 2020 presidential election, has been supportive of Taiwan since he took office in 2021. He last visited Taiwan at the end of September to promote Palau's tourism and to seek potential investments in his country. He also met with President Lai Ching-te () during the two-day trip. In Palau's upcoming election, Whipps, 56, is in a race against 68-year-old former President Tommy Remengesau Jr,, who also favored maintaining ties with Taiwan during his previous two terms 2001-2009 and 2013-2021. Palau established formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, officially called the Republic of China, in 1999. The small Pacific island country, which has a population of around 20,000 and is heavily dependent on tourism, is one of three Pacific nations that maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the others being Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands. Since the Democratic Progressive Party came to power in Taiwan in 2016, Beijing has poached three of Taipei's Pacific allies -- the Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Nauru -- in a ramped up bid to isolate Taiwan from the international community. (By Teng Pei-ju) Enditem/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S.-Korea communique notes importance of cross-Taiwan Strait stability ROC Central News Agency 10/31/2024 05:16 PM Washington, Oct. 30 (CNA) A joint communique issued by the United States and South Korean governments has taken note of the importance of maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait and reaffirmed security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Both sides "acknowledged the importance of preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," said the communique released after U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his Korean counterpart Kim Yong-hyun convened the 56th Security Consultative Meeting in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. Such a position is in line with a joint statement signed by the two countries last April in commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of their alliance, the communique added. According to the communique, Austin and Kim recognized the "complex regional and global security situation" and reaffirmed their "commitment to strengthen defense cooperation" with partnered countries in the Indo-Pacific to contribute to regional security. The two officials were referring to countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as the Pacific island nations. The security meeting, which both sides described as having "played a pivotal role" in expanding their alliance on a global scale, primarily focused on the joint efforts of the U.S. and South Korea to maintain the stability on the Korean Peninsula and to deter nuclear threats from North Korea. In a press release on Thursday (Taipei time), Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) welcomed and thanked the U.S. and South Korea for having expressed their concern regarding the security of the Taiwan Strait in the communique for the fourth consecutive year. Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded countries such as the U.S. and South Korea to contribute to "peace, stability and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and the region," MOFA said. (By Shih Hsiu-chuan and Teng Pei-ju) Enditem/ASG NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2024/10/31 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Date 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Wednesday to Thursday, Oct. 30-31 2.PLA activities 8 PLA aircraft operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 4 of the aircraft entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No: 226, 31 October 2024, Regarding the European Commission 2024 Report on Turkiye Presidency of The Republic of Turkey On October 30, the European Commission released the 2024 Enlargement Strategy and the Country Reports prepared for all candidate and potential candidate countries, including Turkiye. We reject the unfair assessments by the EU in the 2024 Turkiye Report, particularly on the political criteria and internal political dynamics. It is worth noting that the Report makes reference to the progress made in macroeconomic policies and emphasizes the advanced level of Turkiye's functioning market economy as well as its capacity to cope with competitive pressures and market forces within the Union. The Report confirms that Turkiye has made significant progress in aligning with the EU standards in many areas by harmonizing its legislation with the EU acquis. The revitalization of all suspended structural dialogue mechanisms, such as the Association Council and High Level Dialogues in critical areas, will allow for joint actions in various domains. The Report highlights that Turkiye has played a constructive role in the Eastern Mediterranean, improved its relations with Greece and enhanced trade cooperation with the EU. Given Turkiye's constructive approach, as noted in the Report, we expect the political blockages on Turkiye-EU relations imposed by the Council Conclusions of 15 July 2019 to be lifted. On the other hand, the Report reflects the unrealistic, unlawful and maximalist views of Greece and the Greek Cypriot side, while completely disregarding the legitimate concerns and justified policies of both Turkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. We wish to underline that the format for the settlement of the Cyprus issue solely includes the two sides on the Island, the three Guarantor powers and the United Nations. Any future settlement must be reached through the agreement of the two sides on the Island. The EU's statements regarding the Cyprus issue, which unconditionally reflect Greek Cypriot positions and take no account of the inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriot people, do not contribute to settlement efforts, and prove why the EU's participation in a settlement process is not a viable option. It is also worth noting that the EU does not possess the authority or jurisdiction to determine the borders of third countries. In light of current regional and global challenges, it is evident that a fresh perspective on Turkiye-EU relations is required. The recent re-engagement efforts of the EU with Turkiye are a welcome development. Nevertheless, the revitalization of relations hinges on tangible measures driven by the EU's political resolve and strategic vision. We would like to reiterate that, as a candidate country, Turkiye's political will to enhance Turkiye-EU relations in a constructive way is clear and strong. The progress expected from Turkiye in the EU membership process will be expedited if the EU pursues a constructive and strategic approach with concrete steps, in conformity with Turkiye's candidate status. In this regard, we also expect the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the Joint Communication drafted by the European Commission and High Representative without any further delays or additional preconditions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Troops Liberate Strategic Village Near Kupyansk in Kharkov Region Sputnik News 20241030 Russian forces have taken control of the village of Kruglyakovka in the Kharkov region, according to the Ministry of Defense (MoD). "Units of the Zapad Battlegroup have liberated the settlement of Kruglyakovka," the MoD report stated. Kruglyakovka is a village in the Kupyansk district of the Kharkov region, located 20 kilometers south of Kupyansk on the eastern bank of the Oskol River, near a road bridge. A railway line connecting Kupyansk with cities in the north of the DPR, controlled by Kiev, also runs nearby. Forces of the Zapad battlegroup also struck formations of four Ukrainian brigades in the areas of Petropavlovka and Berestove in Kharkov region, Nadiya in the Lugansk People's Republic, and the Serebryanskoye Forestry, while repelling five counterattacks. Within the past day, enemy losses in the group's zone of responsibility included: - around 410 soldiers killed and wounded - two infantry fighting vehicles - a Kozak armored car - six pickup trucks - a D-20 howitzer - a US M119 howitzer - a Verba multiple rocket launcher system - an Enclave-N electronic warfare station - five field ammunition depots Russian aircraft, artillery and strike drones targeted the infrastructure of Ukrainian military airfields and an oil depot supplying fuel to Ukrainian Armed Forces units in the Zaporozhye and South Donetsk Regions. The MoD report said tactical aviation, strike UAVs, missile forces, and artillery struck military airfield infrastructure and an oil base used by Ukrainian forces. Ammunition depots, temporary deployment points and concentrations of personnel and military equipment were also hit in 147 areas. Russian air defense systems also intercepted a US-made HIMARS rocket, a French Hammer guided bomb and 67 fixed-wing drones. Other Developments The Yug Battlegroup: Artillery from the Nevsky brigade of the Yug Battlegroup destroyed a fortified area and Ukrainian infantry near Chasov Yar. Volunteers used drones to identify camouflaged positions and personnel, relaying targets to a D-20 howitzer for strikes. Units advanced into Ukrainian defenses, repelled two attacks and inflicted losses on the 30th, 33rd, 54th, 72nd mechanized, 46th airmobile, 79th air assault, 143rd infantry, 10th mountain assault brigades and the 18th National Guard brigade near Aleksandro-Shultino, Zaleznyanskoye, Sukhiye Yaly, Chasov Yar, Markovo, Dalneye, Romanovka, Kurakhovo, Nikiforovka, Reznivka, Seversk and Slavyansk. Ukrainian losses included up to 520 personnel, an M113 armored personnel carrier, a US-made M777 155mm howitzer, a Kozak armored car, seven motor vehicles, a Caesar 155mm self-propelled artillery system, two Enclave-N electronic warfare stations and two ammunition depots. The Sever Battlegroup inflicted losses on the 3rd and 116th Territorial Defense brigades and the 4th and 5th Border Guard units in the Kharkov region, including areas near Shestakovo, Volchansk, Odnorobovka and Goptovka. Two counterattacks by the 82nd air assault brigade were repelled. Ukrainian losses reached up to 70 personnel, four motor vehicles and three D-30 122mm howitzers. The Vostok Battlegroup improved its frontline positions, inflicting losses on the 21st National Guard brigade and the 35th Marine brigade near Ravnopol and Oktyabr. Two counterattacks by the 425th assault battalion and the 113th Territorial Defense brigade were repelled. Ukrainian losses included up to 115 personnel, a tank, eight motor vehicles and a French-made Caesar 155mm self-propelled artillery system. The Tsentr Battlegroup repelled 10 Ukrainian counterattacks, causing losses to the 114th mechanized, 95th air assault, 25th airborne, 68th jaeger, 38th Marine, 109th and 122nd Territorial Defense brigades near Promin, Rozovka, Lysovka, Vishnevoye, Leninskoye, Druzhba, Alexandropol and Dimitrov. Ukrainian losses amounted to up to 515 personnel, an armored personnel carrier, two armored vehicles, three motor vehicles and a D-30 122mm howitzer. The Dnepr Battlegroup inflicted losses on the 82nd air assault, 35th Marine, 110th, 124th, and 126th Territorial Defense brigades in the border areas of the Kursk region and in locations in Zaporozhye and Kherson, including Belogorye, Nikolskoye, Tokarevka and Otradokamenka. Ukrainian losses included up to 55 personnel, three motor vehicles, a French-made Caesar 155mm self-propelled artillery system and two Enclave-N electronic warfare stations. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address October 31, 2024 By Jim Garamone, DOD News North Korean Soldiers Likely to Enter Russian War on Ukraine It appears that North Korean troops will enter combat against Ukraine in the coming days, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said today at the conclusion of 2+2 meetings with South Korean officials at the State Department. Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and National Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun also spoke of the ironclad alliance between the United States and South Korea and steps to strengthen that alliance. "We now assess that North Korea has sent around 10,000 of its soldiers to train in eastern Russia," Austin said. "Our most recent information indicates that about 8,000 of those [North Korean] soldiers are now in the Kursk Oblast. Now, we've not yet seen these soldiers deploy into combat against Ukraine's forces, but we expect that these North Korean soldiers will join the fight against Ukraine in the coming days." Austin said Russian forces have trained the North Korean soldiers in artillery operations, unmanned aerial vehicle operations and basic infantry tactics to include trench clearing. "The Kremlin has also provided these [North Korean] troops with Russian uniforms and equipment, and all of that strongly indicates that Russia intends to use these foreign forces in frontline operations in its war of choice against Ukraine," Austin said. "Make no mistake, if these North Korean troops engage in combat or combat support operations against Ukraine, they would make themselves legitimate military targets," the secretary said. The United States is consulting closely with allies and partners on these developments. "As I discussed last week in Kyiv, Ukraine's military continues to perform admirably on the battlefield, and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's forces have suffered serious losses in recent months," Austin said. "Ukrainian forces have caused more than 1,200 Russian casualties per day, more than at any other time during Putin's war. By 'tin-cupping' to North Korea for manpower, Putin is showing the world another clear sign of weakness. The Kremlin's North Korean gambit just underscores how badly Putin's war has gone and how much trouble he is in." Austin and Blinken both noted it is the first time in more than a century that Russia has welcomed foreign troops on its soil. "The United States will continue to surge security assistance to Ukraine, and so will our allies and partners in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group," the secretary said. This assistance includes artillery, anti-air defense, armored vehicles, munitions and other crucial capabilities. The secretary said the U.S. will announce additional security assistance for Ukraine in the coming days. The U.S.-South Korea alliance is evolving into a comprehensive global partnership. "We agreed today to further enhance our interoperability and strengthen our extended deterrence," Austin said. "Our countries are deepening our nuclear and strategic planning efforts through the Nuclear Consultative Group, and we're increasing the regular deployments of U.S. strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula." The two countries agreed that attacks in space or cyberspace "that clearly challenge the security of the alliance could lead us to invoke Article III of the Mutual Defense Treaty," the secretary said. "So, to improve our awareness of threats in the space and cyber domains, we're enhancing our interoperability and information sharing." The United States and South Korea will continue to advance defense ties with regional allies and partners, especially the historic growth of trilateral security cooperation among Japan, South Korea and the United States, Austin said. "Our robust partnerships, especially with Japan and the ROK, let us share information, assess threats and craft thoughtful responses, just like last night when [North Korea] conducted its latest irresponsible missile test, and across the Indo-Pacific," the secretary said. "We're working to strengthen maritime security and to bolster interoperability through multilateral exercises." The United States and South Korea are working with partner countries to tackle shared security challenges. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Estonia takes over as the lead nation of the Tallinn Mechanism Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 31.10.2024 Today 31 October, Estonia took over from Germany as the lead nation of the Tallinn Mechanism for the next six months. The aim of the Mechanism is to join partners in supporting Ukraine's cyber capabilities in both the military and civilian domain. In a video meeting with the representatives of Germany's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonian Ambassador at Large for Cyber Diplomacy Tanel Sepp thanked his colleagues for their work and affirmed it was a great honour for Estonia. "Estonia is one of the initiators of the Tallinn Mechanism and it has been an active participant. The name of the Mechanism is not accidental and we are glad the position of the lead nation has rotated back to Estonia. Russia is waging war against Ukraine in cyberspace as well and Ukraine is in need of serious help on cybersecurity. The Tallinn Mechanism is currently the largest cooperation platform for international donors, through which dozens of projects have been launched with the authorities of Ukraine," Sepp said. Estonia with Ukraine, the Netherlands, Canada, Poland, France, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, USA and United Kingdom decided to create a system aimed at amplifying the cyber support of donors to Ukraine on civilian matters. The plan composed on 30 May 2023 in Tallinn by all participating states was launched on 20 December 2023, and the system was named the Tallinn Mechanism after the location of its initial meeting. Italy recently joined the Tallinn Mechanism, and NATO and the EU participate as observers. More about the Tallinn Mechanism: https://vm.ee/en/international-law-cyber-diplomacy/cyber-diplomacy/tallinn-mechanism NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister Eide's remarks at the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine's Peace Formula Government of Norway Speech/statement | Date: 31/10/2024 By Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Espen Barth Eide's remarks at the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Ukraine's Peace Formula, in Montreal, Canada, 30 October. (Check against delivery) Honored guests, Dear Melanie, dear Andrii, ladies and gentlemen, I am truly proud and honored to serve as a co-chair at today's gathering here in Montreal, as well as co-chairing Working Group Four of the Ukraine Peace Formula. The focus of our work is deeply meaningful and undeniably crucial. As Melanie reminded us, this is really about people. Our working group addresses some of the most painful consequences of conflict: the fate of lost children, civilians held in detention or disappeared, and prisoners of war. It's critical that we bring these issues to the forefront and make it our collective mission to arrive at concrete and practical outcomes. A pledge, as Melanie saidalong with clear instruments and defined rolesis essential to ensure we make real progress. So, thank you, Canada, for hosting this conference. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Ukraine, traveling to Odessa, Kyiv, and other parts of the country. It was an impactful journey, where I met people who are affected daily by the war. One of those individuals was a young woman named Anastasia, from Mariupol. Anastasia endured prolonged detention under unbearable conditions, suffering from a lack of food and water, and enduring sexual harassment. Upon her release from the occupied territories, Anastasia learned that her father was alive but detained. She still does not know where her husband isor if he is even alive. Anastasia's story is the reason we are here today. This conference isn't about numbers. It's about people with real lives, histories, families, friends, broken dreams, and hopes. Tragically, Anastasia's story is not unique. This brings me to why it is essential to discuss the treatment of prisoners of war. What kind of war is this? Clearly, it is a war of aggression, where Ukraine is the victim of Russia's unlawful invasion. Russia has violated the core principle of international law: respect for sovereign borders. But this war is also what we can call a classic war it's a conflict between two states, each with a command structure, civilian control over military forces, and both parties have ratified international agreements, such as the Geneva Conventions. Our Ukrainian friends have shown their commitment to these principles. From what I've seen, they work hard to uphold them. For instance, when Ukrainian forces recently took prisoners of war in Kursk, they registered, treated them appropriately, and allowed the ICRC to visit themexactly as international law prescribes. However, Russia does not abide by these rules. Instead, they claim their obligations don't apply because this isn't a war; it's a "special military operation," and they're fighting "terrorists." To be blunt, this is nonsense. This is a war in which international rules apply. We must all remind Russia that they, too, have obligations under the Geneva Conventions and other international instruments. We also need to strengthen mechanisms to collect and match data, accurately identifying individuals and developing protections for those affected. I know that some of the countries represented here are willing to act as trusted intermediaries, partners who can facilitate the safe return of children and support people coming back from Russian-controlled areas. In addressing this conflict, we must have a clear understanding of the war's nature, the violations occurring, and the standards that must be upheld. We call on all nations, including those who have condemned this war, to affirm that rules must be applied even in conflict. When they are disregarded, the result is barbarism. This is a moment to demonstrate the relevance and resilience of rules developed in the aftermath of the Second World War. We must demand adherence to these standards. I look forward to the discussions ahead. Few issues are as vital in supporting our Ukrainian friends as the human dimension: prisoners of war, stolen children, people lost and in need of identification and repatriation. Ultimately, it is all about people. People like Anastasia. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korean troops to battle Ukraine within days, US says Beijing must ask Russia 'hard questions' about the deployment of foreign troops, the US defense secretary said. By Alex Willemyns 2024.10.31 -- Some 8,000 North Korean troops dressed in Russian military uniforms are expected to be deployed into combat against Ukrainian forces "in the coming days," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Thursday. Speaking alongside their South Korean counterparts after a joint meeting at the State Department, the two U.S. officials said that the deployment of the North Korean troops into the war, or any supporting role, would make them "legitimate targets" for Ukraine. "We now assess that there are some 10,000 North Korean soldiers in total in Russia, and the most recent information indicates that as many as 8,000 of those North Korean forces have been deployed to the Kursk region," Blinken said, adding they had not yet joined combat. "We would expect that to happen in the coming days," he said. Ukrainian forces launched a counter-invasion of the Russian border region of Kursk three months ago in order to disrupt Moscow's supply lines to within Ukraine and to divert its forces from battle there. Russia's ambassador to the U.N. Security Council on Thursday declined to answer a question from his U.S. counterpart about whether Moscow still denied the presence of North Korean troops on Russian soil, remaining silent when prodded by the American diplomat. North Korea had initially denied having sent troops to Russia but has since switched to defending any deployment as being in line with international law. Still, authorities in North Korea have dismissed the reports as "rumors" in public announcements. Russian uniforms At the State Department press conference, Austin, the U.S. defense secretary, told reporters that Russian forces in Kursk had been busy training the North Korean troops in the use of artillery, drones and "basic infantry operations, including trench clearing." "The Kremlin has also provided these DPRK troops with Russian uniforms and equipment, and all of that strongly indicates that Russia intends to use these foreign forces in front line operations," Austin said, using an acronym for the North Korean government. The defense secretary also renewed calls for Beijing to intervene to stop its allies North Korea and Russia from escalating the conflict in Ukraine, noting the Chinese government's calls for peace there. "If China is serious about its desire for de-escalation, it should be asking Russia some hard questions at this point, about whether it intends to broaden this conflict by this kind of behavior," he said. But Austin also nodded to the emerging coalition of anti-U.S. forces referred to by some commentators as a new "axis," saying that the U.S. and South Korean officials had in their meeting discussed the growing connections between geopolitical security in Europe and Asia. "We're also closely tracking other bullying by the DPRK, Russia and the People's Republic of China," he said, vowing to oppose "coercive destabilizing actions in both the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic." South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun told the press conference Seoul denounced the North's "illegal military cooperation with Russia" and wanted an "immediate withdrawal" of the troops. 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 October not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Says 8,000 North Korean Troops Ready For Combat In Kursk Region By RFE/RL October 31, 2024 The United States said on October 31 that it has information that some 8,000 North Korean soldiers are now in Russia's Kursk region near the border with Ukraine, and Russia "fully intends" to deploy them in combat against Ukrainian troops. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a briefing at the State Department that the United State expects the troops to be sent to the front in the coming days. Blinken reiterated that they would become "legitimate military targets" if they are deployed. The deployment was at the top of the agenda as Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hosted talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. Russia has been training the North Korean troops on artillery, drones, and basic infantry operation, including trench-clearing, "indicating they fully intend to use these forces in frontline operations," Blinken said at the briefing. "One of the reasons that Russia is turning to these North Korean troops is that it's desperate. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has been throwing more and more Russians into a meat grinder of his own making in Ukraine," Blinken said. Now, Blinken said, Putin is turning to North Korean troops, "and that is a clear sign of weakness." He added that Russia has been suffering some 1,200 casualties a day in eastern Ukraine, more than at any other time during the war. The meeting that he and Austin held with their South Korean counterparts showed that the United States is focusing increasingly "on the indivisibility of the security" that exists between the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific, Blinken said. Austin called the deployment of North Korean troops and Pyongyang's test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) early on October 31 "reckless developments." North Korea announced early in the day that it had test-fired one of its newest and most powerful missiles to boost its nuclear deterrent. The United States, South Korea, and Japan earlier on October 31 released a joint statement condemning the ICBM test-launch as a "flagrant violation" of numerous UN Security Council resolutions. "We strongly urge [North Korea] to immediately cease its series of provocative and destabilizing actions that threaten peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and beyond," they said. In response to the test-launch, the United States will work to increase the interoperability of U.S. and South Korean forces, strengthen deterrence, and deepen nuclear and strategic planning efforts through the Nuclear Consultative Group, Austin said. The United States also will increase its regular deployment of U.S. strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula, he added. The deployment of the North Korean troops to Russia has fueled concerns that it will further destabilize the Asia-Pacific region and broaden Moscow's war on Ukraine. South Korea has raised questions about what new military technologies North Korea might get from Russia in exchange for supplying troops. There is a "high possibility" that North Korea will ask for advanced technologies from Russia in exchange for its troops, Kim said. Russia has had to shift some resources to the Kursk border region to respond to a Ukrainian incursion launched in August, and its forces have struggled to push back the Ukrainian troops. The United States has estimated there are about 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia now. Seoul and its allies assess that the number has increased to 11,000, while Ukraine has put the figure higher, at up to 12,000. Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang have directly acknowledged the deployment. The United States challenged Russia at the United Nations on October 31 on the developments, with Deputy U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood demanding an explanation from Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzya about the presence of the 8,000 troops in Kursk. "I have a very respectful question for my Russian colleague: Does Russia still maintain that there are no [North Korean] troops in Russia?" Wood asked. Nebenzya had no response, but at a Security Council meeting on October 30 he brushed off the reports about North Korean troops as "mere assertions" and questioned why Russia's allies like North Korea could not help Moscow in its war against Ukraine when Western countries claim the right to help Kyiv. Nebenzya also said that any Russian interaction with North Korea would be "in line with international law." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he believes if there is no reaction to the deployment of North Korean troops, Russia will bring more of them into the conflict. "When the West and various partners did not react to Putin's occupation of our Crimean Peninsula 10 years ago, there were no loud steps, [only] very quiet statements," Zelenskiy said. Putin followed by launching the full-scale invasion. It is the same pattern with the North Korean troops, Zelenskiy said. "Putin is checking the reaction of the West," he said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/north-korea-blinken- icbm-austin-south-korea-ukraine-russia/33182407.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Finnish Prosecutor Charges Russian Ultranationalist Leader With War Crimes By Current Time October 31, 2024 The Finnish Prosecutor-General's Office has charged Voislav Torden, also known as Yan Petrovsky, a Russian ultranationalist and former commander of the Rusich sabotage group, with war crimes committed in Ukraine in 2014. According to Finnish broadcaster Yle, Torden faces five counts stemming from his involvement with Rusich, which fought against Ukrainian forces in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Deputy Prosecutor-General Jukka Rappe said Torden and his group are linked to the deaths of 22 Ukrainian soldiers and the injury of four others. He is accused of violating the laws of war and committing acts of cruelty against both injured and deceased enemy combatants, according to the indictment as cited by Yle. Born Yan Petrovsky in 1987 in St. Petersburg, Torden relocated to Oslo in 2004 with his mother. He then regularly visited Russia, where he met former paratrooper and nationalist Aleksandr Milchakov. In 2014, they traveled to Ukraine's Donbas region to support Russia-backed separatists in their fight against Ukrainian forces. In September 2014, Rusich ambushed a column of the Ukrainian battalion Aidar near Shchastya, with Milchakov later boasting about photographing himself with the bodies of slain Ukrainian soldiers, while members of Rusich reportedly mutilated some remains. In 2016, Torden was deported from Norway to Russia, where he changed his name from Yan Petrovsky to Voislav Torden. He entered Finland in 2023 as a family member of his wife, who received a study permit. Torden was detained on July 20, 2023, at Helsinki Airport while attempting to board a flight to Nice, France. Following his arrest, Ukrainian authorities sought his extradition, but Finland's Supreme Court denied the request, citing concerns over conditions in Ukrainian prisons and the potential for Torden to face humiliation in custody. Ukraine has charged him with war crimes from the 2014-15 conflict, and he was sanctioned by the United States in 2022 for extreme cruelty during combat in the Kharkiv region. The specifics of his activities in Ukraine during that time remain unclear. With reporting by Yle Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/finland-russia-torden- petrovsky-war-crimes-ukraine/33182169.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Defence Ministry reports on repelling AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (31 October 2024) 31.10.2024 The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region. Units of the Sever Group of Forces continued offensive actions and inflicted losses on formations of the 22nd, 41st, 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 82nd, 95th air assault brigades, 36th Marine Brigade, 103rd, 112th, and 129th territorial defence brigades of the AFU near Daryino, Nizhny Klin, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Novoivanovka, and Plyokhovo. Units of the Sever Group of Forces repelled four counter-attacks of the enemy in the direction of Daryino, Novoivanovka, and Plyokhovo. The AFU losses amounted to up to 30 troops killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles. Moreover, an attempt of the AFU to break through the state border of the Russian Federation in the direction of Novy Put was thwarted. The AFU losses amounted to up to 10 troops killed and wounded. Army Aviation and artillery strikes inflicted losses on manpower clusters and hardware of the 21st, 41st, 47th, 61st mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 80th, 82nd, 95th air assault brigades, 36th Marine Brigade, 1st Special Operations Brigade, 103rd, 112th, 129th territorial defence brigades of the AFU, and 17th National Guard Brigade near Aleksandriya, Viktorovka, Guyevo, Daryino, Kolmakov, Kruglenkoye, Leonidovo, Martynovka, Makhnovka, Mikhaylovka, Nizhny Klin, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Nikolsky, Novoivanovka, Novy Put, Plyokhovo, Sverdlikovo, Sudzha, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye. Operational-Tactical Aviation and Missile Troops delivered strikes at concentration area in Sumy region and reserves of the 21st, 22nd, 41st, 61st, 115th mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 95th Air Assault Brigade, and 129th Territorial Defence Brigade of the AFU near Basovka, Zhuravka, Loknya, Miropolye, Obody, Pavlovka, and Khoten. Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 300 troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, eight artillery guns, four mortars, one Israeli-made RADA radar station, and nine motor vehicles. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 28,600 troops, 180 tanks, 101 infantry fighting vehicles, 106 armoured personnel carriers, 1,059 armoured fighting vehicles, 768 motor vehicles, 248 artillery guns, 40 MLRS launchers including 11 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, nine anti-aircraft missile launchers, seven transport-loading vehicles, 58 EW stations, 12 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 25 of engineering and other materiel, 13 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, five armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle. The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Witnesses testify to the abuse Ukrainian civilians suffer in Russian detention: UK statement to the OSCE Ambassador Holland shares harrowing details from witness testimony event in London and urges Russia to release all Ukrainian citizens it has arbitrarily detained. 31 October 2024 Thank you, Madam Chair. Since Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, its actions in Ukraine have featured widespread reports of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions of Prisoners of War and civilian detainees, and other serious violations of human rights. Activists, journalists, community leaders, and those perceived as supportive of Ukrainian sovereignty have faced persecution and illegal detention by Russian forces in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Many are sent to far-flung regions within the Russian Federation. They are held in prisons, pre-detention centres, and unofficial places of detention. Their families are often denied information about their whereabouts or access to them, causing great distress and an inability to organise effective legal counsel. Since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, these practices have increased in both frequency and severity, with thousands of Ukrainian civilians held incommunicado and denied their fundamental rights. Independent reports, including the latest Moscow Mechanism, detail inhumane conditions, from physical abuse to psychological coercion. Madam Chair, these actions constitute violations of international law but behind them lie personal stories of human suffering. This week two Ukrainian civilians, Hryhorii Holovko and Oleksandra Stoliar, shared theirs at an event held in the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, supported by the Ukrainian NGO, Media Initiative for Human Rights. Hryhorii Holovko was detained by Russian forces in Kherson in October 2022. Russian forces tortured and intimidated him, including beatings and electric shocks and by carving Russian symbols into his body. Russian guards made threats against his wife and child and forced him to sing the Russian national anthem. Hryhorii was released in May 2023, having been forced to sign papers to align with the Russian state. His story is familiar to many others who have survived Russian occupation. Oleksandra Stoliar is mother to 26-year-old Iryna Navalnaya who is still being unlawfully detained. Russian forces took Iryna from her home in Mariupol in September 2022. Two months passed before Iryna's family discovered she was being held in a prison in Donetsk. Women who have been released from this prison have shared accounts of the beatings and other barbaric treatment Iryna has experienced during interrogations, leaving her covered in bruises. They report that detainees are regularly denied access to medical assistance. Iryna's mother worries continually that she might die in captivity. These testimonies are just two out of thousands. We recall that three Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) members, our colleagues, are also subjected to this systematic arbitrary detention. The UK stands in solidarity with them and Ukraine - and reaffirms the urgent need for accountability. We call on Russia to fully cooperate with international mechanisms investigating these abuses, grant immediate access to humanitarian organisations to all facilities where Ukrainian civilians are being held, and uphold its obligations to protect civilians and respect human rights. Russia must release all arbitrarily detained Ukrainian citizens, including Iryna Navalnaya and the SMM members. We call on Russia to end its illegal war and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Countries Participating in the Montreal Conference Commit to Returning All Captured and Deported Ukrainians President of Ukraine 31 October 2024 - 23:54 Following the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of the Peace Formula in Montreal, participants approved a Joint Communique, with its central component being the Montreal Pledge, aimed at facilitating the return of all Ukrainian captives and deportees. The communique outlines a common set of principles that conference participants will follow, reaffirms unwavering support for Ukraine's victory, and condemns any country assisting Russia's aggression. In particular, the conference participants agreed to step up Ukraine's cooperation with partners and international organizations to address humanitarian issues and ensure compliance with the Geneva Conventions. One of the key points is to identify trusted mediating states for negotiations with Russia on the return of Ukrainian military, civilians, and children. It is also proposed to develop mechanisms that would allow Ukrainians in Russia to receive consular services with the help of intermediaries. Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha emphasized that the conference has yielded concrete outcomes, which many Ukrainian families have been awaiting. "We have secured commitments. We have established a network of specific countries that have pledged targeted assistance in the return of children," he stated at the closing press conference. Andrii Sybiha also called it extremely important that the international community is ready to help establish the whereabouts of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Melanie Joly noted that Qatar, the Vatican, the Republic of South Africa, Lithuania, and the United Arab Emirates have made specific commitments on the return of deported children and captives to Ukraine. "I want to thank Qatar, the Vatican, and South Africa for their role as intermediaries in negotiating the return of children. I also thank Qatar and Lithuania for serving as transit countries in returning these children home. I am grateful to the UAE for continuing as a mediator in the negotiations on the exchange of prisoners of war," Melanie Joly said. In addition, a group of countries will be formed to cooperate with Ukraine in searching for information on captured Ukrainians, including children, and to assist in data collection and verification. The conference participants also pledged to support Ukraine in the reintegration of returnees. In addition, information about Russia's unlawful detention and ill-treatment of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war, deportation and forcible transfer of children will be spread through strategic communication campaigns. Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide underscored the importance for international humanitarian organizations to have access to Ukrainian prisoners of war and to play a role in returning deported children. "We must demonstrate our resolve in this work. It will be a major contribution to implementing the ten points of the Peace Formula," he noted. With this event, Ukraine and dozens of partner nations conclude a series of thematic conferences focused on specific points of the Peace Formula. Between August and November, nine such meetings took place, each resulting in a Joint Communique. Based on these efforts, work will now begin on developing proposals for the second Peace Summit. Over 70 countries and international organizations participated in this conference. The full text of the approved Joint Communique on the Human Dimension is available via the link below. JOINT COMMUNIQUE ON THE HUMAN DIMENSION - pdf - 114.31 kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Ukrainian Delegation Presented the Victory Plan to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau President of Ukraine 31 October 2024 - 18:46 In Montreal, in the framework of the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of the Peace Formula, the Ukrainian delegation met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Representing Ukraine were Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration - Minister of Justice Olha Stefanishyna, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva, Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada Yuliya Kovaliv and Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office Oleksandr Bevz. The Ukrainian representatives expressed gratitude to Canada and to Justin Trudeau personally for Canada's steadfast support of Ukraine, including military aid, participation in the F-16 coalition and the program to train Ukrainian pilots. The main topics of discussion were the battlefield situation and the Victory Plan. The Ukrainian delegation presented the points of the Plan, the vision of its implementation, and the Peace Formula to the Prime Minister of Canada and his team. The delegation also highlighted Canada's leadership role in the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. Additionally, they discussed priorities for Ukrainian-Canadian cooperation as Canada assumes the G7 presidency next year. Justin Trudeau, along with the Ukrainian representatives, attended the first plenary session of the Ministerial Conference on its second day. In his address, he emphasized the critical need for joint efforts and commitments to end Russia's aggression and restore a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. "Our support for Ukraine is unwavering. We are co-chairs of the Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and are committed to this cause for the long term. Ukrainian children must return home. We want to help Ukraine and its people until they achieve peace," stated the Canadian Prime Minister. Justin Trudeau also stressed that Russia's aggression impacts not only Ukraine, particularly in terms of food security. Canada, therefore, will do everything to protect free navigation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to facilitate grain exports. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Montreal, Andriy Yermak Discussed Current Issues of the Peace Formula Implementation with Representatives of Canada, UAE, Qatar, and the Council of Europe President of Ukraine 31 October 2024 - 14:12 On the first day of the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of the Peace Formula in Montreal, Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak held a series of bilateral meetings. Andriy Yermak thanked Nathalie Drouin, National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada, for organizing this important event aimed at developing solutions for all groups of people detained by Russia: military, civilians and children. "I also thank you for your participation in most of the thematic conferences on the Peace Formula points that we have held since the First Peace Summit. We greatly appreciate Canada's leadership in the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children as well as its assistance in rehabilitating these children," he stressed. The parties discussed preparations for the Second Peace Summit which will present the Peace Framework based on the results of nine thematic conferences. During a meeting with Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Andriy Yermak expressed his gratitude for UAE's humanitarian assistance and its role in the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war. "We strongly value the UAE's participation in the First Peace Summit. In particular, we expect that the UAE could support the Joint Communique of the First Summit," he emphasized. Through Lolwah bint Rashid Al-Khater, Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Andriy Yermak thanked the country for its assistance in bringing back 42 Ukrainian children from the Russian Federation and the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as for comprehensive medical and psychosocial assistance to a group of 16 children this April. The parties discussed further rehabilitation of Ukrainian children in Qatar and expectations from this Ministerial Conference. "Concrete results for the return of our children are crucial. We have no time to wait, because this is about the lives and fates of children," Andriy Yermak noted. They also discussed the coordination of further actions for Peace Formula implementation. With Bjrn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Andriy Yermak discussed the Council of Europe's key role in the implementation of the seventh point of the Peace Formula, "Restoration of Justice". In particular, the launch of the Register of Damage, which is an important step towards establishing an international accountability mechanism for the crime of aggression. Andriy Yermak emphasized the importance of continuing work on the establishment of the Special Tribunal that will enable the prosecution of those responsible for starting the war. In addition, the participants of the meeting highlighted the decisions taken at the 4th Council of Europe Summit, including the Declaration on the immediate return of Ukrainian children illegally taken to Russia, Belarus, or the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Work on Drafting Proposals for the Second Peace Summit Will Begin after the Thematic Conference in Canada President of Ukraine 31 October 2024 - 10:11 Ukraine, together with dozens of partner countries, is finalizing thematic conferences on individual points of the Peace Formula. Based on the results of these forums, work will begin on drafting proposals for the Second Peace Summit; the points should form the framework for consideration and approval by its participants. As stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, from August to November, all the points of the Peace Formula were worked out within the framework of such conferences, all with "good representation of the world." "There have already been meetings on nuclear safety, energy, food, and environmental security - following the Kakhovka dam explosion and all the Russian strikes. In other words, all aspects of Russian aggression will be included in a separate document, which should become a substantive framework for the Second Peace Summit. A step-by-step path to peace," the Head of State said. "In early November, we will finalize our Peace Formula, and President Zelensky said that he would then be ready to listen to other initiatives, such as those of China, Brazil, South Africa, etc. to integrate them into ours. Then our proposal will have significant support," Andriy Yermak added. At the First Peace Summit in Switzerland this June, it was agreed to hold thematic conferences based on the results of the relevant working groups. On August 22, the first online meeting dedicated to the Energy Security point of the Peace Formula was held. The event was attended by representatives of more than 40 partner countries and international organizations. Denmark and Poland are leading this working group. The Communique following the conference emphasizes the importance of civilian energy infrastructure security during armed conflicts and the partners' willingness to continue contributing to the protection and restoration of Ukraine's energy sector. Joint communique on energy security On September 4, the second thematic conference on food security was held online. The meeting was attended by representatives of 75 partner countries and international organizations from different regions of the world. The working group is led by Turkiye, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. The Communique following the meeting notes the dependence of global food security needs on free and safe navigation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, the importance of developing logistics hubs and routes, continued support for the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian initiative and demining of Ukrainian land, and the importance of investing in Ukrainian agricultural production. Joint communique on food security On September 19, the third international conference on the "Restoration of Justice" was held (also online). The event was attended by representatives of nearly 60 partner countries and international organizations. This working group is led by the Netherlands. In the Communique on the results of the conference, the participants expressed their commitment to further strengthening Ukrainian investigative bodies, supporting the activities of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, the work of the Joint Investigation Team and other international initiatives, the investigations by the International Criminal Court, and the work to create an international compensation mechanism for reparation for damage caused to Ukraine. Joint communique "Restoration of justice" On October 14, the fourth thematic conference was held online dedicated to the Peace Formula point on preventing the escalation of the war. The meeting was attended by representatives of 66 states and international organizations. The United Kingdom leads the working group. In the document following the event, the participants noted the importance of effective implementation of the security agreements system, comprehensive strengthening of Ukraine's defense capabilities, and establishing restrictive measures to deter future aggression. Joint communique "Preventing escalation and repetition of aggression" On October 17, Paris hosted the fifth conference on the first point of the Peace Formula "Radiation and Nuclear Safety". The event was organized by France, co-chair of the working group alongside Ukraine, with additional co-leadership from the Czech Republic, Japan, and Sweden. Representatives from 70 countries and international organizations participated, both in person and online. The conference resulted in the participants reaffirming the importance of Ukraine regaining full sovereign control over all its nuclear facilities, including the Zaporizhzhia NPP, continuing to monitor nuclear safety at these facilities and efforts to protect them from a nuclear incident. The document also outlines plans to strengthen international mechanisms for responding to threats posed to the principles of nuclear and radiation safety. Joint communique "Nuclear safety and security" On October 19, the sixth conference dedicated to the eighth point of the Peace Formula, "Environmental Safety," was held in Helsinki. The event was attended online and offline by representatives of 60 countries and organizations. The conference was hosted by Finland as the co-chair of the working group on this point. In the Joint Communique, the participants emphasized the importance of creating a universal platform for assessing the impact of Russian aggression on the environment, supporting the investigation of relevant crimes and the development of mechanisms for compensation for damages, as well as intensifying international efforts to restore Ukraine's environment - soils, flora, fauna and water resources. Joint communique "Environmental safety" On October 24, Riga hosted the seventh thematic conference dedicated to the fifth point of the Peace Formula, "Implementation of the UN Charter and the Restoration of Ukraine's Territorial Integrity and the World Order" in a mixed format. The event was organized by Argentina and Estonia, co-chairs of the working group for the implementation of this point, along with Latvia as the host country and Ukraine. Representatives from 61 countries and organizations attended the conference in person and via video link. In a joint document issued after the meeting, the participants stressed the dependence of preventing further escalation and repeated aggression on the full restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, as well as the need to reform the UN Security Council and strengthen the international justice system. Joint communique "Implementation of the UN charter and the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity and the world order" On October 25, the eighth thematic conference on the sixth point of the Peace Formula, "Withdrawal of the Russian Troops and Cessation of Hostilities," was held. The event was co-organized by Ukraine and Lithuania as a co-chair of the working group on the implementation of this point. The event was attended by representatives of 56 countries and organizations. The participants reaffirmed the need for the complete withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraine's full control over all its internationally recognized territories, which should be a prerequisite for a complete cessation of hostilities. Joint communique "Withdrawal of the russian troops and cessation of hostilities" On October 30-31, the ninth thematic conference on the fourth point of the Peace Formula, "Release of Prisoners and Deportees," is taking place in Montreal, Canada, in a mixed format. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, these are tens of thousands of children abducted by Russia from the occupied territories of Ukraine. Among those deported are children from orphanages, those who lost their parents due to Russian aggression, and those separated from their families during Russia's filtration measures. The first Peace Summit, held in Switzerland on June 15-16, attracted an unprecedented number of participants - 101 countries and international organizations from all continents and regions: Latin America, the Middle East and Asia, Africa, Europe, the Pacific, Australia, and North America. Two-thirds of the participating countries were represented at the highest level. According to Andriy Yermak, Volodymyr Zelenskyy came up with the idea of the Peace Formula in the spring of 2022. The idea was to offer the world a Ukrainian vision of a just end to the war based on international law. To counter not only Russian propaganda and its false claims of peace, but also possible alternative plans for peace that might not take into account the interests of Ukraine. According to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, it is the complexity of the Formula and its reliance on international law that makes it possible to take into account the interests of countries from all continents of the world. The President of Ukraine first announced the Peace Formula in his speech at the UN General Assembly in September 2022, and then named and explained all 10 points of the Formula in his speech at the G20 Summit in November 2022. The entire subsequent complex and multi-level architecture of work on the Peace Formula was aimed at constantly communicating Ukraine's position on each aspect of Russian aggression to the maximum number of countries and increasing international support for Ukraine. The Peace Formula and its key components have already been endorsed in a number of international documents, including the UN General Assembly Resolution of February 23, 2023. Various states have expressed their willingness to lead or participate in the implementation of its points. At the end of August 2023, relevant working groups were established for each point of the Formula, including representatives of countries from different continents. The implementation of the Peace Formula was discussed at hundreds of bilateral and multilateral meetings. In preparation for the First Peace Summit, 10 meetings were held at the embassy level with representatives of dozens of countries, and six meetings were held at the level of advisors to state leaders (June 24, 2023 - in Copenhagen, August 5-6, 2023 - in Jeddah, October 28, 2023 - in Malta, January 12, 2024 - in Davos, March 20, 2024 - in Kyiv). NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Internal Strengthening Plan and Regional Cooperation with Partner Countries: President Met with Leaders of Zakarpattia Territorial Communities and Districts President of Ukraine 31 October 2024 - 09:55 In Uzhhorod, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with leaders of territorial communities and districts of the Zakarpattia region. "Thank you for supporting the army, helping our people, and welcoming relocated businesses - many enterprises have resettled here. During wartime, we must work to support not only our nation's defense capabilities but also the citizens of Ukraine. Thank you for supporting the people in your communities," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Among the main topics of the meeting was the involvement of territorial communities in developing the internal Strengthening Plan and the importance of Ukrainian unity. "This Plan is being developed with great attention to detail. Naturally, there is a role for the communities in it. You will receive the first draft of this plan, with sections highlighting how communities can best support every citizen locally," the President noted. The President emphasized the importance of cooperating with partner-country communities that have the potential to bolster the Ukrainian military. Special attention was given to security guarantees for Ukraine from allies, integration with the EU and NATO, and dialogue between the Hungarian community in Zakarpattia and Hungary. Additional discussions focused on building industrial parks, developing border checkpoints, repairing roads, extending government subventions for free meals for primary school students, and cooperation with foreign businesses. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Concrete Steps and Effective Mechanisms Are Needed to Release All Detained and Deported Ukrainians - Andriy Yermak at the Montreal Ministerial Conference President of Ukraine 31 October 2024 - 09:47 We must actively work to release all civilian hostages whom Russia has been keeping behind bars for years, taking advantage of the lack of effective mechanisms for their return. This was stated by Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President, in his speech at the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of the Peace Formula in Montreal, Canada. He suggested that partner countries take patronage of civilian hostages, find a way to contact them, and secure their release. In addition, the Head of the Presidential Office noted that this event concludes a series of thematic conferences dedicated to the implementation of the Peace Formula points. "Thank you all for taking this path with us. We highly appreciate the efforts of all those who are trying to alleviate the sufferings of Ukrainians. These sufferings are not their choice, nor are they the result of a natural disaster or an accident. They have a culprit - Russia," Andriy Yermak said. In particular, the Head of the Presidential Office praised the work of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and announced that Australia had become its 41st member. He urged all Conference participants to support the Final Communique, which will reflect the shared position and define concrete steps to overcome the humanitarian problems caused by Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, noted that the protection of all persons in armed conflicts is the basis of the Geneva Convention, so the issues raised at the Conference are important not only for Ukraine, but for other countries as well. "Children should never be pawns in any war. We believe in a better future for these children. We want to see the return of prisoners of war, detained civilians and children. Our Conference can result in such a commitment," she stressed. Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, stressed that the participants of the event should not only mediate the return of Ukrainians, but also strengthen the work on collecting data and determining their whereabouts. "It is not just about numbers. It is about real people. We want to reunite them with their friends, families, and relatives," the minister said. Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine - Minister of Justice, noted that the prohibition of enforced disappearance is enshrined in various international treaties and human rights documents. She emphasized that Ukrainian children illegally taken to Russia are forcibly imposed on their parents. Moreover, siblings are separated. "That is why we are now asking the coalition of states to find these children. They are unable to get in touch with organizations that could help them," Olha Stefanishyna noted. Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, emphasized that the Conference will result in concrete decisions and identify actors who can effectively influence the return of Ukrainians home. "It is hard to find a nation in the world that wants peace more than the Ukrainian people. We are looking forward to the day when all prisoners of war, illegally detained civilians and deported children will return home to Ukraine," he said. The opening of the Conference was also attended by Liev Schreiber, American actor and Ambassador of the UNITED24 Fundraising Platform. He believes that in this war, Russia strives to deprive the Ukrainian people of their next generations and future. According to the actor, 60 different camps operate in Russia to re-educate Ukrainian children, who are exposed to ideological propaganda, not allowed to use their language, forced to forget their history, and turned against their families. Liev Schreiber stressed that the Conference participants should find ways and mechanisms to bring Ukrainian children home. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Attacks on Civilians in Ukraine Must Stop UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs THE HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR UKRAINE, MATTHIAS SCHMALE, STRONGLY CONDEMNS A RUSSIAN ARMED FORCES ATTACK ON KHARKIV CITY Last night, during an attack from the Russian Armed Forces, a multi-storey residential building was hit in Kharkiv. Reports of dozens of casualties include the killing of two children, despite the rescuers' efforts to save them. Just yesterday, I briefed the United Nations Member States on the critical situation in Ukraine and urged them to support humanitarian organizations responding to the people suffering the consequences of relentless attacks in the country. In the last 24 hours alone, scores of civilians have been killed and injured across the country in the Kharkiv, Kherson, Donetsk, Sumy and Dnipro regions. International humanitarian law is clear: civilians and civilian infrastructure are protected. This senseless violence must end. For further information, please contact: Pilirani Semu Banda, OCHA: +380 50 344 16 87, pilirani.semubanda@un.org OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org or www.reliefweb.int 31 October 2024 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address During Security Council's Second Ukraine Meeting in Two Days, Speakers Voice Alarm at Presence of Third-Party Military Personnel, Arms Transfers to Warring Parties Meetings Coverage Security Council 9769th Meeting (AM) SC/15880 31 October 2024 Debating the continuing transfer of arms supplies to the warring parties in Ukraine, speakers in the Security Council meeting requested by the Russian Federation voiced concerns over the potential diversion and proliferation of weapons in this and other conflicts, with many calling the military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang "alarming". Adedeji Ebo, Director and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, briefing the 15-nation organ, observed that transfers of arms and ammunition heavy conventional weapons, armored combat vehicles, combat aircraft, large-caliber artillery and missile systems as well as other military assistance to Ukraine, have continued. There have also been reports of States transferring or planning to transfer uncrewed aerial vehicles, ballistic missiles and ammunition to the Russian armed forces and that those weapons have been used or are likely to be used in Ukraine. In addition, recent reports also refer to the presence of third-party military personnel in the Russian Federation to assist its military operations against Ukraine. He expressed concern over the use of cluster munitions, highlighting the widespread contamination that these weapons cause. Stressing that "humanitarian imperatives have long driven disarmament efforts", he said that measures to prevent and mitigate the risk of weapons are key to preventing instability in Ukraine. He urged that importing, producing and transit States prevent illicit trafficking and misuse by enhancing physical security, stockpile management and border control measures. Also noting the cross-border strikes using missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles by Ukraine inside the Russian Federation's territory, he stressed that the use of explosive weapons in the populated area is "the most significant threat to civilians in armed conflict". "If ever a war was needlessly provoked, the war in Ukraine is that war", said George Szamuely, Senior Research Fellow at the Global Policy Institute, noting that this war came about as a result of the Western powers' "single-minded insistence on scooping up every country on the European continent into NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization]". Recalling two draft proposals for a new security architecture of Europe, issued by Moscow in December 2021, he observed: "At the heart of Russia's proposals was a commitment by NATO to no further expansion and no NATO membership for Ukraine." Furthermore, in its 1990 Declaration of State Sovereignty, Ukraine declared "its intention of becoming a permanently neutral State". From February 1990 on, Western leaders were giving Moscow repeated assurances about not expanding NATO, "only to walk back those assurances the moment they had secured whatever concessions they were seeking". While the Russian Federation's leaders repeatedly expressed interest in NATO membership, the alliance's leaders showed "not the slightest interest in exploring these offers of genuine partnership". As well, Moscow's leaders were "only too aware that NATO had long set its sights on eventual Ukraine membership", knowing that it would be "the brightest of all red lines for the Russian elite". He added: "The current war in Ukraine was always about NATO expansion." The Russian Federation's representative, noting that the Western States decided to "use the hands of the Kyiv regime" to inflict strategic defeat on his country, observed that "their plans are a fiasco" as the "head of the Kyiv junta" is blackmailing the world by saying that Ukraine will get nuclear weapons. Also pointing to the "military escapades" in the Kursk region, he said that without the West's direct involvement, Ukraine's military would continue to retreat. In 2023, Ukraine seized two times less territory that the Russian Federation managed to liberate per month. Following the calls to lower the draft age to 18 to 21 years old, men are fleeing "Zelenskiy's concentration camp", he said, reporting that between February 2022 and 2023, over 5 million Ukrainian refugees arrived in the Russian Federation. Also spotlighting the 100,000 to 170,000 Ukrainian defectors, he noted that, since the special military operation's start, at least 15,000 mercenaries from 100 countries arrived in Ukraine. "The course they [Western countries] have chosen fighting Russia with using Ukraine's hands is unjustified," he added. With all kinds of arms that keep flowing in, "the battlefield has become a show of weapons", China's representative said, emphasizing that "weapons may help win wars, but they cannot win lasting peace". Noting that "the Ukraine crisis is, essentially, an eruption of the building-up security tensions in Europe, a result of the long-term accumulation and worsening of the trust deficit," he pointed out that the United States is creating divisions in Europe. "It is precisely the US that has repeatedly discredited China's peace efforts, constantly [tying] China to Russia and [driving] the wedge between China and Europe," he stated. The representative of Algeria observed that the predominance of escalation and confrontation in the Ukraine crisis "risks plunging the whole region into a spiral of conflict and unending crises". Further, the flow of weapons and munitions towards the conflict zone does not "just worsen the situation but takes us further away from a possible peaceful political process" to resolve the conflict. "It is important that we give more space to diplomacy," he stressed. Adding to that, Sierra Leone's delegate stated: "It is clear that a military solution to the conflict is not feasible," urging dialogue and diplomacy as "primary tools" for a just, sustainable peace. The conflict's impact also extends to the global economy, he added, noting that the prices for wheat, maize, edible oils and fertilizers have risen exponentially over the past three years due to reduced agricultural production and supply-chain disruptions. Some Council members voiced concern over the potential arms diversion and proliferation, with the representative of Ecuador noting that, even years after a ceasefire, the weapons used in a conflict can continue to affect civilians and cause instability. "Ecuador knows the negative impact of the diversion of weapons first-hand," he recalled. Building on that, Mozambique's delegate stressed that the transferred weapons risk turning up in future black markets, including in Africa, and potentially fueling illicit arms trade on the continent. For his part, Japan's representative stated that "no reasonable person would believe" Moscow's claims that the so-called "transfer of Western arms to Ukraine prolongs the war of aggression that Russia itself has started". Calling the military cooperation of the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea alarming, a stance expressed by other Council members, he said that the escalation will result in Pyongyang "likely gaining something in return". Concurring, the Republic of Korea's delegate underscored that Pyongyang expects "generous returns" for its contributions, potentially including nuclear and ballistic missile-related technology. Meanwhile, China's representative, refuting the comment by the United States representative who spotlighted China's provision of weapon components and relevant technology to Moscow, declared that his country "has not provided weapons to any party related to the conflict in Ukraine" and "has strictly managed dual-use items" according to the World Trade Organization and market rules. "Who is obstructing peace and who is supporting peace this is clear to the eyes of the international community," he said. The United States' representative also pointed to the "irony of Russia calling this meeting", during which he received reports of "8,000 DPRK [the Democratic People's Republic of Korea] soldiers in Kursk oblast" there to potentially join Russian forces against Ukraine. Noting that Moscow's military cooperation with Pyongyang violates many Council resolutions, he stressed that "even with the addition of DPRK troops, Russian forces will not prevail in Ukraine." To the representative of the Russian Federation, he asked: "Does Russia still maintain that there are no DPRK troops in Russia?" Slovenia's representative weighed in, emphasizing that "if true, this would represent a serious development and an unacceptable act of material support to the ongoing aggression." Similarly, the representative of Switzerland, Council President for October, speaking in her national capacity, expressed dismay over the intensification of external support for Moscow's military aggression, while Guyana's representative noted that a prolonged war poses risks to all Member States. Expressing regret that the Russian Federation persists in using the Council's time and resources to express its dissatisfaction with "how the victim, Ukraine, is defending itself against this aggression", Malta's delegate stressed that such meetings are "nothing more than futile attempts to justify the unjustifiable". As well, France's representative, calling the meeting a "disinformation campaign" in line with Moscow's repeated attempts to hold others responsible for the war it started in Ukraine, said that his country will support Kyiv as long as necessary politically and militarily. Pointing to the economic damage the Russian Federation's "out-of-control defence spending" is having on that country's economy, the United Kingdom's representative said defence and national security will consume more than 40 per cent of its entire federal spending in 2025. "The Russian Government is spending more on killing Ukrainians and trying to steal their land than it is on the health and education of its own people," he observed, noting that the costs of Moscow's aggression expand into "hemorrhaging of human capital at home". "We urge Russia to take a different path, and to bring to an end its unjustified, unprovoked and self-harming invasion," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine says Russian attack killed 1, injured dozens in Kharkiv By VOA News October 31, 2024 The governor of northeastern Ukraine's Kharkiv region said Thursday that one person was dead and 29 others injured after a Russian missile strike on a residential building. Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram that an 11-year-old was killed in the late Wednesday attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian attack hit a nine-story building, and he reiterated his calls for more help in defending Ukraine. "Partners see what happens every day," Zelenskyy said. "In these circumstances, every delayed decision on their part means dozens or even hundreds more Russian bombs used against Ukraine. Their decisions are the lives of our people. That is why we must stop Russia together and do so with all possible force." Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said Thursday that Ukrainian air defenses downed a wave of drones targeting the Ukrainian capital overnight. Popko reported on Telegram that falling debris from downed drones damaged two residential buildings and an administrative building. Russian forces also attacked a strategic bridge across the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Estuary in Ukraine's southern Odesa region overnight, the Ukrainian military said Thursday. The assault included two ballistic Iskander missiles and eight guided missiles. It was unclear whether the bridge, an important railway and car connection in the region, sustained any damage. Russia's Defense Ministry said Thursday that it shot down 21 Ukrainian drones. The intercepts took place over the Rostov, Kursk, Volgograd, Bryansk, Belgorod and Voronezh regions, and over the Black Sea, the ministry said. And in the central Russian region of Bashkortostan, several fuel and energy facilities were targeted Thursday in a Ukrainian drone attack, regional Governor Radiy Khabirov said. The attack caused minimal damage and no casualties. And in Ukraine, Russian forces captured the settlement of Yasna Poliana in the eastern Donetsk region, RIA Novosti news agency reported Thursday, citing the Russian Defense Ministry. VOA could not independently verify the report. North Korean troops U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his South Korean counterpart, Kim Yong-hyun, urged North Korea on Wednesday to withdraw from Russia an estimated 10,000 troops, which both countries believe are headed to fight alongside Russia in its war in Ukraine. "They're doing this because [Russian President Vladimir] Putin has lost a lot of troops, a lot of troops. And, you know, he has a choice of either getting other people to help him, or he can mobilize. And he doesn't want to mobilize, because then the people in Russia will begin to understand the extent of his losses, of their losses," Austin said during a joint news conference at the Pentagon. The United States expects North Korean troops in Russia's Kursk region to enter the war against Ukraine in the coming days, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday. More than a half-million Russian troops have been killed or wounded in Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale illegal invasion on February 24, 2022, U.S. officials say. Russia, they say, is now turning to pariah state North Korea to bolster its forces. "Kim Jong Un didn't hesitate to sell out his young people and troops as cannon fodder mercenaries," Kim Yong-hyun said. "I believe such activities are a war crime that is not only anti-humanitarian but also anti-peaceful." Western nations have expressed concerns about what Kim Jong Un's regime will get in return from Moscow for its troops. North Korea is under international sanctions for its illicit nuclear ballistic missile programs. But Zelenskyy has slammed what he called his allies' zero response to Russia's deployment of North Korean troops. "Putin is checking the reaction of the West. ... And I believe that after all these reactions, Putin will decide and increase the contingent," Zelenskyy said Thursday in an interview with South Korea's KBS television channel. "The reaction that is there today is nothing, it is zero." The South Korean defense minister said it was likely that North Korea would seek nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missile technology in exchange for the troops, escalating security threats on the peninsula and across the globe. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press and Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hometown Hero , the veteran-supporting cannabusiness of hemp-derived THC and cannabidiol-based products, will present officers from the Texas Department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) with a $60K donation to help the organization continue its mission of providing essential resources and assistance for veterans. WHEN: November 4, 2024 at 1 p.m. WHERE: Texas VFW Headquarters (8503 North Interstate 35, Austin, Texas 78753). WHAT: The ceremony will include remarks from Hometown Hero executives, Texas VFW leadership and local veterans, as well as a formal check presentation and group photo opportunities. WHY: Hometown Hero donates a portion of its profits to veteran-focused organizations that provide vital support, resources and care to veterans in need. The company also provides year-round discounts for active and retired military service members for its premium line of hemp-derived and cannabidiol-based products, which are increasingly being used by veterans as an alternative to opioids. Visit here to learn more about how Hometown Hero is supporting veterans. Supporting our veterans is at the heart of everything we do at Hometown Hero," said Lukas Gilkey, cofounder of Hometown Hero and a U.S. Coast Guard veteran. "This donation to the Texas VFW Foundation is our way of giving back to those who have sacrificed so much for our country. As we celebrate Veterans Day, were honored to help provide the resources and support veterans need, and we look forward to continuing this mission in every way we can." About Hometown Hero Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Hometown Hero manufactures and distributes a variety of hemp-derived products, such as Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 THC, CBD, CBDA + CBGA, among others. Founded in 2015 by Lukas Gilkey and Lewis Hamer, the company donates a portion of all proceeds to various charities and organizations that support veterans. For more information, visit https://hometownhero.com/ or follow the brand on Twitter and Instagram @HometownHeroATX. About the Texas VFW The Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is a statewide organization committed to advocating for and supporting veterans who have served in overseas conflicts. With 288 posts and 60,000 members across Texas, the organization provides vital resources to veterans, such as access to healthcare, benefits assistance and educational programs. More information can be found by visiting https://www.texasvfw.org . MEDIA CONTACT: Dublin, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Insurance Brokerage - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global market for Insurance Brokerage was estimated at US$244.0 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$379.9 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2023 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions. The insurance brokerage industry is undergoing a significant transformation as digitalization reshapes how brokers interact with clients, underwriters, and insurers. Traditionally, insurance brokers played a vital role as intermediaries between customers and insurers, offering personalized advice and tailored insurance solutions. While this remains a core function, the rise of digital platforms has introduced new ways for brokers to serve clients, leveraging advanced data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud-based systems to offer more efficient, real-time insurance products. This shift has not only improved customer service but has also enabled brokers to access a broader range of insurance products and pricing models, ultimately improving client outcomes. The growth in the insurance brokerage market is driven by several factors, including the increasing complexity of insurance products and the growing demand for personalized insurance solutions. The ongoing digital transformation of the insurance industry is enabling brokers to offer more efficient and tailored services, improving customer satisfaction and retention. Additionally, the rising demand for commercial insurance in sectors such as real estate, construction, and healthcare is boosting the need for specialized brokerage services. The growing awareness of cybersecurity risks and the rise in demand for cyber insurance have also created new opportunities for insurance brokers. Finally, the expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) globally is further driving demand for customized insurance brokerage services. What Are the Major Segments in the Insurance Brokerage Market? The insurance brokerage market is segmented by type, including life insurance brokerage, property and casualty insurance brokerage, and health insurance brokerage. Property and casualty insurance brokerage represents the largest market share, driven by the need for commercial insurance in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and real estate. Health insurance brokerage has seen significant growth, particularly in regions with complex healthcare systems like the U.S., where brokers help individuals and businesses navigate healthcare plans and coverage options. The market is also segmented by end-users, which include individuals, small businesses, and large enterprises. Large enterprises often engage with insurance brokers to handle complex, multi-country insurance portfolios, while small businesses and individuals rely on brokers for more personalized services. How Are Digital Technologies Shaping the Future of Insurance Brokerage? Digital technologies are rapidly changing the landscape of insurance brokerage by enhancing customer engagement, streamlining operations, and improving risk assessment capabilities. Brokers are increasingly using AI and machine learning to analyze vast amounts of data, enabling them to provide more accurate risk assessments and personalized insurance products. Automation in policy processing and claims management is reducing administrative costs and improving response times, while customer relationship management (CRM) tools are helping brokers build stronger, more personalized relationships with clients. The rise of InsurTech startups has also introduced new competition in the brokerage space, pushing traditional brokers to adopt innovative solutions, such as online quote comparison tools and digital policy management platforms, to remain competitive. Why You Should Buy This Report: Detailed Market Analysis: Access a thorough analysis of the Global Insurance Brokerage Market, covering all major geographic regions and market segments. Competitive Insights: Get an overview of the competitive landscape, including the market presence of major players across different geographies. Future Trends and Drivers: Understand the key trends and drivers shaping the future of the Global Insurance Brokerage Market. Actionable Insights: Benefit from actionable insights that can help you identify new revenue opportunities and make strategic business decisions. Key Insights: Market Growth: Understand the significant growth trajectory of the Non-Life Insurance Brokerage segment, which is expected to reach US$229.9 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of a 6.7%. The Life Insurance Brokerage segment is also set to grow at 6.2% CAGR over the analysis period. Regional Analysis: Gain insights into the U.S. market, which was estimated at $64.1 Billion in 2023, and China, forecasted to grow at an impressive 6.3% CAGR to reach $60.7 Billion by 2030. Discover growth trends in other key regions, including Japan, Canada, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific. Key Questions Answered: How is the Global Insurance Brokerage Market expected to evolve by 2030? What are the main drivers and restraints affecting the market? Which market segments will grow the most over the forecast period? How will market shares for different regions and segments change by 2030? Who are the leading players in the market, and what are their prospects? Report Features: Comprehensive Market Data: Independent analysis of annual sales and market forecasts in US$ Million from 2023 to 2030. In-Depth Regional Analysis: Detailed insights into key markets, including the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. Company Profiles: Coverage of major players in the Insurance Brokerage market such as Alliant Insurance Services, Inc., AmWINS Group, Aon PLC, Brown & Brown, Edgewood Partners Insurance Center (EPIC) and more. Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 135 Forecast Period 2023 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $244 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $379.9 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.5% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered: MARKET OVERVIEW Influencer Market Insights World Market Trajectories Impact of COVID-19 and a Looming Global Recession Insurance Brokerage - Global Key Competitors Percentage Market Share in 2024 (E) Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for Players Worldwide in 2024 (E) MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS Rising Complexity in Insurance Policies Drives Demand for Expert Insurance Brokerage Services Increased Focus on Risk Management Propels Growth in Insurance Brokerage Solutions Expansion of Digital Insurance Platforms Strengthens Business Case for Tech-Enabled Insurance Brokerage Technological Advancements in Data Analytics Propel Growth of Smart and Predictive Insurance Brokerage Tools Expansion of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Drives Demand for Commercial Insurance Brokerage Rising Awareness of Cybersecurity Risks Strengthens Need for Cyber Insurance Brokerage Services Increased Focus on Customer-Centric Insurance Solutions Generates Opportunities for Personalized Brokerage Models Technological Integration in InsurTech Expands Addressable Market for Digital Insurance Brokers Growth of Health and Life Insurance Products Propels Demand for Professional Brokerage Services Rising Demand for International and Cross-Border Insurance Brokerage Solutions Sustains Market Growth Expansion of Financial Literacy Initiatives Drives Demand for Advisory-Based Insurance Brokerage Growing Trend of Consolidation and M&A Activities in Insurance Brokerage Industry Fuels Market Consolidation FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS: Some of the 51 leading companies in the Insurance Brokerage market include Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. AmWINS Group Aon PLC Brown & Brown Edgewood Partners Insurance Center (EPIC) Funk Gruppe GmbH Hub International Limited Lockton, Inc. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. Navnit Insurance Broking Pvt. Ltd For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9zlbkh About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Dublin, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Europe Supercapacitors/Ultracapacitors Market: Focus on Application, Product, and Country - Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Europe supercapacitors/ultracapacitors market is projected to reach $7.07 billion by 2033 from $1.20 billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 19.39% during the forecast period 2023-2033 The market for supercapacitors and ultracapacitors in Europe is expanding quickly due to their crucial role in power management and energy storage in industries like consumer electronics, renewable energy, and automobiles. These gadgets are prized for their extended lifespans, high power density, and rapid energy bursts, which make them perfect for applications that need repeated cycles of charging and discharging. Technological developments are increasing usability, decreasing costs, and improving energy density. Supercapacitors provide a viable and effective answer to energy storage issues as Europe strives for electrification and renewable energy. The market for supercapacitors and ultracapacitors in Europe is expanding significantly due to the rising need for energy storage solutions in a variety of sectors, such as consumer electronics, renewable energy, and the automobile industry. Because of their long operating lifespans, high power density, and capacity to produce quick energy bursts, supercapacitors and ultracapacitors are becoming more and more popular. These features make them perfect for uses like grid energy storage, backup power systems, and electric vehicles (EVs) that demand quick and frequent cycles of charging and discharging. Supercapacitors are being more widely used in the area as a result of technological developments that also increase their energy density and cost effectiveness. The demand for supercapacitors in industries making the switch to electrification and renewable energy has increased due to Europe's strong emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency, which is fueled by policies and programs meant to lower carbon emissions. Continuous research and development efforts are opening up new possibilities for supercapacitors, enhancing their performance and broadening their use in next-generation technologies. This robust market growth is expected to continue as industries across Europe increasingly adopt sustainable energy storage solutions. How can this report add value to an organization? Product/Innovation Strategy: This report presents an extensive product/innovation strategy tailored for the Europe supercapacitors/ultracapacitors market, outlining avenues for market penetration, technology integration, and sustainable expansion. It furnishes actionable insights to empower enterprises to leverage supercapacitors/ultracapacitors to comply with evolving industry standards, attain a competitive advantage, and capitalize on the surging demand for immersive digital experiences across diverse sectors. By identifying emerging trends, innovative applications, and strategic partnerships, this report equips businesses with the tools to navigate the dynamic supercapacitors/ultracapacitors landscape effectively, fostering growth, innovation, and in the Europe supercapacitors/ultracapacitors market leadership. Growth/Marketing Strategy: This report outlines a comprehensive growth and marketing strategy tailored for the Europe supercapacitors/ultracapacitors market. It offers a targeted approach to segmenting markets, establishing competitive advantages, and executing creative marketing initiatives. By implementing these recommendations, businesses can enhance their market presence, capture emerging opportunities, and drive revenue growth effectively. This strategic approach enables organizations to navigate the dynamic landscape, strengthen their market position, and capitalize on the growing demand, fostering sustainable business growth. Competitive Strategy: This report formulates a robust competitive strategy customized for the Europe supercapacitors/ultracapacitors market. It assesses competitors, recommends differentiation tactics, and provides guidance for securing a competitive advantage. By adhering to these strategic recommendations, companies can effectively position themselves amidst market rivals, ensuring ongoing success and profitability in the Europe supercapacitors/ultracapacitors market. Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis Skeleton Technologies Yunasko Eaton Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 76 Forecast Period 2023 - 2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $1.2 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $7.07 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 19.3% Regions Covered Europe Key Topics Covered: 1 Markets 1.1 Trends: Current and Future Impact Assessment 1.1.1 Trends: Current and Future Impact Assessment 1.1.1.1 Growing Emphasis on Transport Electrification 1.1.1.2 Increasing Deployment of Renewable Energy and Growing Demand for Energy Storage 1.2 Supply Chain Overview 1.2.1 Market Map 1.3 Research and Development Review 1.3.1 Patent Filing Trend (by Country and Company) 1.4 Regulatory Landscape 1.5 Stakeholder Analysis 1.6 Market Dynamics: Overview 1.6.1 Market Drivers 1.6.1.1 Rising Adoption of Supercapacitors/Ultracapacitors in Energy Storage and Wind Power Systems 1.6.1.2 Expanding Utilization of Supercapacitors/Ultracapacitors in the Electric Vehicle (EV) Sector 1.6.1.3 Increasing Demand for Supercapacitors/Ultracapacitors in Portable and Wearable Electronics 1.6.2 Market Restraints 1.6.2.1 Challenges of Implementing Supercapacitors/Ultracapacitors: High Costs and System Redesign 1.6.2.2 Limited Adoption of Supercapacitors/Ultracapacitors for Long-Term Energy Storage 1.6.3 Market Opportunities 1.6.3.1 Expanding Applications of Supercapacitors/Ultracapacitors in the Aviation Sector 1.6.3.2 Increasing Adoption of Supercapacitors/Ultracapacitors as Alternatives to Conventional Batteries 1.7 Startup Landscape 1.7.1 Key Startups and their Differentiating Factors 1.7.1.1 New Technology Developments 1.8 Comparison of Supercapacitor and Chemical Batteries 1.8.1 Performance 1.8.1.1 Cost 1.8.1.2 Application Compatibility 2 Regions 2.1 Regional Summary 2.2 Europe 2.2.1 Regional Overview 2.2.2 Driving Factors for Market Growth 2.2.3 Factors Challenging the Market 2.2.3.1 Application 2.2.3.2 Product 2.2.4 Germany 2.2.4.1 Application 2.2.4.2 Product 2.2.5 France 2.2.5.1 Application 2.2.5.2 Product 2.2.6 Italy 2.2.6.1 Application 2.2.6.2 Product 2.2.7 Spain 2.2.7.1 Application 2.2.7.2 Product 2.2.8 U.K. 2.2.8.1 Application 2.2.8.2 Product 2.2.9 Rest-of-Europe 2.2.9.1 Application 2.2.9.2 Product 3 Markets - Competitive Benchmarking & Company Profiles 3.1 Next Frontiers 3.2 Geographic Assessment 3.2.1 Skeleton Technologies 3.2.1.1 Overview 3.2.1.2 Top Products/Product Portfolio 3.2.1.3 Top Competitors 3.2.1.4 Target Customers 3.2.1.5 Key Personnel 3.2.1.6 Analyst View 3.2.1.7 Market Share, 2022 3.2.2 Yunasko 3.2.2.1 Overview 3.2.2.2 Top Products/Product Portfolio 3.2.2.3 Top Competitors 3.2.2.4 Target Customers 3.2.2.5 Key Personnel 3.2.2.6 Analyst View 3.2.3 Eaton 3.2.3.1 Overview 3.2.3.2 Top Products/Product Portfolio 3.2.3.3 Top Competitors 3.2.3.4 Target Customers 3.2.3.5 Key Personnel 3.2.3.6 Analyst View 3.2.3.7 Market Share, 2022 3.3 Growth Opportunities and Recommendations 4 Research Methodology For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4qkmkn About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment TORONTO, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Humber River Health (Humber) has outperformed provincial and national benchmarks in patient safety, according to the latest Hospital Harm results released by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). Humbers patient safety metrics are 60 per cent stronger than provincial and national hospital average, marking the sixth consecutive year the hospital has maintained this leading standard. The newly released 2023-2024 CIHI data was celebrated during Canadian Patient Safety Week and underscores Humbers dedication to delivering safe, high-quality care in every aspect of its operations. Humbers Apotex Emergency Department (ED) is the busiest in Ontario, serving almost 140,000 patients annually. Despite this, the hospital maintains one of the safest care environments in Canada. In 2023 alone, the hospital saw a ten per cent year-over-year drop in sepsis cases, a 40 per cent reduction in medical emergencies, and a medication error rate of just 0.009 per cent. Humbers commitment to safety is further demonstrated by its top-five ranking among Ontario hospitals in the American College of Surgeons 2023 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), which tracks critical surgical outcomes such as complications, infections, and unplanned readmissions. Our goal has always been to create an environment where safety and quality go hand-in-hand with innovation, says Barb Collins, President and CEO of Humber River Health. We constantly push ourselves to not just meet but exceed the standards of care, allowing us to provide our community with high-quality, high reliability healthcare every day. Humbers culture of safety extends to both staff and patient involvement. Rigorous training simulations equip staff to manage complex patient interactions and respond effectively to emergencies. This includes ensuring staff understand how to leverage technology to provide quality patient care. Further, Humbers Patient and Family Advisor (PFA) program and Corporate Patient and Family Advisory Committee (PFAC) provide an avenue for patients and families to share feedback. These insights inform policy changes within the hospital and help enhance quality of care. The hospitals technological innovations further enhance safety. Real-time data and algorithms from Humbers Command Centre help monitor patient flow, vital signs, and staffing levels, with early-warning systems that help prevent critical incidents. Enhanced surgical systems, such as the da Vinci Xi, ROSA Knee System, and Intellijoint HIP enable minimally invasive procedures that reducing complications and support faster recovery times. The public may not always see the extensive efforts behind Humber's safety initiatives, but the impact is clear, said Collins. As Canadian Patient Safety Week 2024 comes to a close, we will continue to focus on safety, innovation and high-reliability care. At Humber River Health, were finding a cure for healthcare. Learn more at HealthcareLives.ca. About Humber River Health Humber River Health is one of Canadas largest community acute care hospitals, serving a population of more than 850,000 people in the northwest Greater Toronto Area. The multi-site hospital currently operates out of its Wilson Avenue acute care site, Finch, and Church Campus with over 4,000 employees, approximately 700 physicians, and over 500 volunteers. Humber River Health uses a custom combination of technology and clinical expertise to rebuild elements of care, making technology work for staff and physicians, giving them more time to spend with patients. With the support of its incredible teams, a strong will, and determination, Humber River Health is committed to Lighting New Ways in Healthcare. For more information, please visit hrh.ca. Media Contact: Joe Gorman Director, Community Relations & Public Affairs jgorman@hrh.ca Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0733ae96-cf48-461d-94e6-5a213a0a2c15 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/905ecff4-e6a7-4b12-b2a1-219d422b0f2d Today, on 1 November 2024, AS Tallinna Vesi held an investor conference webinar where Chairman of the Management Board, Chief Executive Officer Aleksandr Timofejev, and Member of the Management Board, Chief Financial Officer Taavi Groon, introduced the performance of the 3rd quarter and 9 months of 2024. We thank all the participants! Webinar recording is available here and the presentation is available here. AS Tallinna Vesis financial and operational results for the 3rd quarter and 9 months of 2024 are available here. Additional information: Taavi Groon Chief Financial Officer AS Tallinna Vesi (+372) 626 2200 taavi.groon@tvesi.ee Dublin, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Vietnam Diammonium Phosphate Import Research Report 2024-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Vietnam is a major agricultural country in the world, where agriculture plays a vital role in the national economy and serves as one of its supporting industries. In 2023, agriculture contributed 12% to Vietnam's real GDP growth, with more than 50% of the population engaged in agriculture, and arable and forest land covering 60% of the total land area. According to the publisher, due to limited local fertilizer production capacity and output, Vietnam needs to import 3-4 million tons of fertilizer annually. Vietnam is also one of the largest users of chemical fertilizers in the world, heavily relying on imports, with an annual consumption of nearly 7.7 million tons and over 4 million tons of fertilizer imported each year. The import market of diammonium phosphate in Vietnam is similarly dependent on imported products. In 2023, Vietnam established 1,400 new agricultural enterprises, bringing the total number of agricultural enterprises to over 16,100, indicating strong development momentum in downstream industries of diammonium phosphate. Vietnam is one of the top 15 agricultural product exporters globally and the second-largest in Southeast Asia, with a substantial demand for fertilizer products. According to the publisher, over the past five years, the fertilizer market in Vietnam has shown an overall upward trend, with an apparent annual consumption exceeding 6 million tons and a market scale of over USD 2 billion annually. Compound fertilizers are the most imported type, accounting for more than 35% of the total import value. Diammonium phosphate is a major category of compound fertilizers, with Vietnam's imports amounting to USD 271 million in 2023. From January to May 2024, Vietnam imported approximately USD 160 million worth of diammonium phosphate, demonstrating a continuous growth trend in market demand. Based on the analysis of the publisher, the primary sources of diammonium phosphate imports for Vietnam from 2021 to 2024 include China, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. Major companies exporting this product to Vietnam include Yunnan Yuntianhua Honglin Chemical, Sojitz Corporation, and Purefert, with Chinese enterprises holding a significant market share. The main importers in Vietnam comprise both local fertilizer distributors and foreign-invested enterprises, such as TGO HAIPHONG, JAPAN VIETNAM FERTILIZER, and NGUYEN PHAN CO, LTD. Overall, with population growth and continuous agricultural development in Vietnam, the demand for diammonium phosphate will continue to rise. According to the publisher, the import of diammonium phosphate in Vietnam is expected to maintain a growth trend in the coming years, playing a crucial role in stabilizing and boosting agricultural production in the country. Topics covered: The Import and Export of Diammonium Phosphate in Vietnam (2021-2024) Total Import Volume of Diammonium Phosphate in Vietnam (2021-2024) Total Import Value and Growth Rate of Diammonium Phosphate in Vietnam (2021-2024) Total Import Value and Growth Rate of Diammonium Phosphate in Vietnam (January-May 2024) Average Import Price of Diammonium Phosphate in Vietnam (2021-2024) Top 10 Sources of Diammonium Phosphate Imports in Vietnam and Their Supply Volume Top 10 Suppliers in the Import Market of Diammonium Phosphate in Vietnam and Their Supply Volume Top 10 Importers of Diammonium Phosphate in Vietnam and Their Import Volume How to Find Distributors and End Users of Diammonium Phosphate in Vietnam How Foreign Enterprises Enter the Fertilizer Market of Vietnam Forecast for the Import of Diammonium Phosphate in Vietnam (2024-2033) Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 80 Forecast Period 2024 - 2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $281 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $386.32 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 3.6% Regions Covered Vietnam Key Topics Covered: 1 Overview of Vietnam 1.1 Geography of Vietnam 1.2 Economic Condition of Vietnam 1.3 Demographics of Vietnam 1.4 Domestic Market of Vietnam 1.5 Recommendations for Foreign Enterprises Entering the Vietnam Fertilizer Market 2 Analysis of Diammonium Phosphate Imports in Vietnam (2021-2024) 2.1 Import Scale of Diammonium Phosphate in Vietnam 2.1.1 Import Value and Volume of Diammonium Phosphate in Vietnam 2.1.2 Import Prices of Diammonium Phosphate in Vietnam 2.1.3 Apparent Consumption of Diammonium Phosphate in Vietnam 2.1.4 Import Dependency of Diammonium Phosphate in Vietnam 2.2 Major Sources of Diammonium Phosphate Imports in Vietnam 3 Analysis of Major Sources of Diammonium Phosphate Imports in Vietnam (2021-2024) 3.1 China 3.1.1 Analysis of Import Value and Volume 3.1.2 Analysis of Average Import Price 3.2 Singapore 3.2.1 Analysis of Import Value and Volume 3.2.2 Analysis of Average Import Price 3.3 South Korea 3.3.1 Analysis of Import Value and Volume 3.3.2 Analysis of Average Import Price 3.4 Japan 3.5 Thailand 3.6 EU 4 Analysis of Major Suppliers in the Import Market of Diammonium Phosphate in Vietnam (2021-2024) 4.1 YUNNAN YUNTIANHUA HONGLIN CHEMICAL 4.1.1 Company Profile 4.1.2 Analysis of Diammonium Phosphate Exports to Vietnam 4.2 YUNNAN XIANGFENG TRADING CO, LTD. 4.2.1 Company Profile 4.2.2 Analysis of Diammonium Phosphate Exports to Vietnam 4.3 Sojitz Corporation 4.3.1 Company Profile 4.3.2 Analysis of Diammonium Phosphate Exports to Vietnam 5 Analysis of Major Importers in the Import Market of Diammonium Phosphate in Vietnam (2021-2024) 5.1 Tgo Commodities Haiphong Co. 5.1.1 Company Profile 5.1.2 Analysis of Diammonium Phosphate Imports 5.2 Japan Vietnam Fertilizer Company 5.2.1 Company Profile 5.2.2 Analysis of Diammonium Phosphate Imports 5.3 Nguyen Phan 5.3.1 Company Profile 5.3.2 Analysis of Diammonium Phosphate Imports 6. Monthly Analysis of Diammonium Phosphate Imports in Vietnam from 2021 to 2024 6.1 Analysis of Monthly Import Value and Volume 6.2 Forecast of Monthly Average Import Prices 7. Key Factors Affecting Diammonium Phosphate Imports in Vietnam 7.1 Policy 7.1.1 Current Import Policies 7.1.2 Trend Predictions for Import Policies 7.2 Economic 7.2.1 Market Prices 7.2.2 Growth Trends of Diammonium Phosphate Production Capacity in Vietnam 7.3 Technology 8. Forecast for the Import of Diammonium Phosphate in Vietnam, 2024-2033 For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/oevolg About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Rockford, IL, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie A. Su recognized SupplyCore as one of the 839 recipients of the 2024 HIRE Vets Medallion Award during a virtual award ceremony presented by the U.S. Department of Labor. SupplyCore earned the gold award after applying earlier this year. The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act (HIRE Vets Act) Medallion Program is the only federal award program that recognizes employers who successfully recruit, hire, and retain veterans. As a Department of Defense contractor, we recognize that veterans are invaluable to our organization for two key reasons, said Andre Balka, Chief of Staff & VP Organizational Development. First, veterans infuse our team with unique skills, leadership, and a deep understanding of military operations; this expertise strengthens our ability to enhance military readiness, which is at the core of our mission. Second, having served in the military themselves, our veteran associates offer unique insights into the needs of our customers, which helps us better serve and support our military and government customers worldwide. By hiring veterans, we don't just honor their service we elevate our entire organization. SupplyCore joins 838 other companies from 49 states, plus the District of Columbia, who have shown a commitment to hiring veterans but also ensuring they have a long-term career and growth plan that uses the diverse skills they acquired through their military service. Recipients of the 2024 HIRE Vets Medallion Award meet rigorous employment and veteran integration assistance criteria, including veteran hiring and retention percentages; availability of veteran-specific resources; leadership programming for veterans; dedicated human resource efforts; and pay compensation and tuition assistance programs for veterans. More than 1,600 employers have earned a HIRE Vets Medallion Award since 2019. For more information about HIRE Vets Medallion Program, visit HireVets.gov. For more information about SupplyCore, visit SupplyCore.com. About SupplyCore SupplyCore supports the U.S. military, civilian agencies, and allied governments with a wide variety of facility and infrastructure supplies, repair parts, special operational equipment, end items, heavy equipment, and fire and emergency services equipment necessary to support sustainment and maintain readiness. Through its market segments of Base Operations Supply, Tailored Logistics Support (TLS), and Weapon Systems Support, SupplyCore maintains fast, reliable, and cost-effective supply chains to meet program requirements and support customers worldwide. SupplyCore has been awarded several Prime Vendor contracts from the Defense Logistics Agency, including Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO); Heavy Equipment Procurement Program (HEPP), Metals TLS, Special Operational Equipment (SOE) TLS, and Fire and Emergency Services Equipment (F&ESE) TLS. In addition, SupplyCore supports several General Services Administration (GSA) schedules and contracts and is a single source solution for Foreign Military Sales and Direct Commercial Sales. For more information about SupplyCore and its 36-year history of supporting the warfighter, visit SupplyCore.com. About the HIRE Vets Medallion Program The HIRE Vets Medallion Award is earned by businesses that demonstrate unparalleled commitment to attracting, hiring and retaining veterans. The 2025 HIRE Vets Medallion Award application period will open to employers on Jan. 31, 2025. There are different awards for large employers (500-plus employees), medium employers (51-499 employees), and small employers (50 or fewer employees). Additionally, there are two award tiers: platinum and gold. For more information about the program and the application process, visit HireVets.gov. Attachment Millburn, NJ, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) invites New Jersey fourth graders to submit artwork for its 2025 Design a Fourth Grade Bookmark contest. Students are encouraged to create designs around the theme Fun Things to Do Instead of Doing Drugs. Winning designs will be printed and distributed statewide to classrooms. Last year, Adam Idrovo of Good Shepherd Academy in Nutley and Emily Ortiz of Lafayette Street School in Newark were chosen as grand prize winners in PDFNJs Fourth Grade Folder Contest. They were among 35 finalists and their artwork was featured on 30,000 folders that were distributed to classrooms. "This contest gives students a way to support a drug-free lifestyle," said Angelo Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ. "By designing bookmarks with positive messages, kids can help their peers think about other fun ways to stay active and drug-free." Submissions for the competition will be accepted until December 13. For more information and to enter, visit drugfreenj.org/4thgraderules/. Top of Form Bottom of Form ### Best known for its statewide substance use prevention advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication. To date, more than $200 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnerships New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jerseys history. Since its inception, the Partnership has garnered 230 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations. Attachments WASHINGTON, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Bidens Cabinet for more than 34 million small businesses nationwide, announced that the SBA will celebrate National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW) Nov. 1115. Each year during National Veterans Small Business Week, the SBA highlights the unique entrepreneurial spirit of veterans, service members, National Guard members, Reservists and military spouses, said SBA Administrator Guzman. America is the proud home of millions of veterans, service members, and military families. They are our neighbors and friends and, in many cases, the owners and employees of local small businesses we love and support. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the SBA is going further than ever to enhance and expand our support for veterans, particularly in rural and underserved areas and it is a profound honor to serve those who have served our country, this week and every week. During NVSBW, the public is invited to attend virtual and in-person events across the country on critical topics, such as military-to-civilian transition assistance, entrepreneurial training, government contracting, disaster assistance, and access to capital resources. View the event calendar for a list of local, regional, and national events. In addition to local events hosted across the U.S., the SBA will host two national webinars for NVSBW. The Are You Lender Ready? For the Military Community webinar will be held on Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. ET. This two-hour virtual workshop will help veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs learn how to write a strong business loan application and hear tips directly from lenders. Register for the webinar. A second webinar, Certification Advantage for the Military Community, will be held on Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. ET. During this one-hour virtual workshop, business owners will discover how federal contracting certifications can boost their business growth and gain valuable insights to help them compete for government contracts. Register for the webinar. Additionally, as part of this years NVSBW celebration, five dedicated instructors who teach Boots to Business at various military installations and in local communities nationwide are being honored as Boots to Business Instructors of the Year. The honorees are: Todd Bennett , 2024 Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, OCONUS instructor, located in South Korea. , 2024 Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, OCONUS instructor, located in South Korea. Manzel McGhee, 2024 SBDC Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, Abilene, Texas Small Business Development Center. Mitchell Fitzpatrick , 2024 VBOC Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, St. Louis VetBiz Veterans Business Outreach Center. , 2024 VBOC Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, St. Louis VetBiz Veterans Business Outreach Center. David Terrell , 2024 SCORE Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, Southern Arizona SCORE. , 2024 SCORE Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, Southern Arizona SCORE. Eric Phillips, 2024 SBA Boots to Business Instructor of the Year, SBA Colorado District Office. The Boots to Business Instructors of the Year recognition ceremony will be held virtually on Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. ET. Join the ceremony online or dial 206-413-7980 and enter conference ID 644 263 054#. ### About SBAs Office of Veterans Business Development The SBA Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) works through SBAs extensive resource partner network, which includes Small Business Development Centers, the SCORE mentoring program, Womens Business Centers, and 31 VBOCs located throughout the nation. VBOCs are the leading partner in hosting the Boots to Business (B2B), Boots to Business Reboot, and Military Spouse Pathway to Business programs, which are courses on entrepreneurship offered on military installations, in local communities, and virtually. Since B2Bs inception in 2013, these programs have collectively trained and graduated more than 217,000 service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses. For more information on the resources available for veteran entrepreneurs, visit www.sba.gov/veterans. About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA equips entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. The SBA delivers services through its extensive network of SBA field offices and via partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. Vancouver, October 31, 2024 - GoldHaven Resources Corp. (CSE: GOH) (OTCQB: GHVNF) (FSE: 4QS0) ("GoldHaven" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive securities exchange agreement dated October 31, 2024 with Copper Peak Metals Inc. ("Copper Peak") and each of the shareholders of Copper Peak (the "Copper Peak Shareholders"), pursuant to which the Company has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Copper Peak (the "Copper Peak Shares") from the Copper Peak Shareholders in exchange for: 3,990,000 common shares of the Company (the "Consideration Shares") at a deemed price of $0.09 per Consideration Share for total deemed consideration of $359,100, 500,000 common share purchase warrants, each exercisable at $0.10 per warrant to acquire one common share of the Company until September 16, 2027, and 500,000 common share purchase warrants, each exercisable at $0.10 per warrant to acquire one common share of the Company until August 22, 2027 (collectively referred to as, the "Transaction"). Copper Peak has an acquisition agreement for the acquisition of a 100% interest in the Magno property. The future obligations under this acquisition agreement include the payment of $93,334 to the underlying property optionor, Gerry Diakow by January 29, 2025. In connection with the closing of the Transaction (the "Closing"), it is expected that Gerry Diakow will be appointed to the Board of Directors of GoldHaven. "Signing of the definitive agreement with GoldHaven is the first step on the way to a significant milestone for Copper Peak," stated Gerry Diakow, Director of Copper Peak. "With gold approaching US$2,800/oz the Magno and Three Guardsmen property are poised for a gold exploration focus as they reside in two settings with targets that indicate a potential for porphyry systems on the properties." The Closing is expected to occur on November 8, 2024, or such other date upon which the Company and Copper Peak mutually agree, which Closing is subject to customary closing conditions, including filings with the Canadian Securities Exchange, satisfactory due diligence investigations, and no material adverse change happening with respect to either party prior to the closing date. Out of the 3,990,000 Consideration Shares, 2,990,000 Consideration Shares shall be subject to a pooling arrangement where 10% of such shares shall be released on Closing and the balance shall be released in six tranches of 15% every six months. Bonn Smith, CEO of GoldHaven Resources, commented, "I am happy to be announcing this monumental step forward for our company. With the signing of a definitive agreement for the acquisition, we secure two quality assets within well-known historical districts in B.C. We look forward to closing the transaction and driving value and sustainable growth for our shareholders heading into 2025." About Copper Peak: The Magno & Three Guardsmen Properties Copper Peak holds 100% ownership of the Magno and Three Guardsmen mineral properties in British Columbia's Liard Mining District. The Magno property includes 24 mineral tenures, while the Three Guardsmen property holds 12. Both projects focus on the late Cretaceous terranes, known to host significant porphyry deposits like those at Casino and Red Mountain. The exploration team will target granitic bodies beneath promising skarn deposits, aiming to identify the source of mineralized fluids linked to these skarns. The focus will be on extensive geochemical and geophysical exploration to identify potential porphyry sources. Magno property with BC regional geology highlighting historical work and present showings To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7246/228556_037ec52c34f44942_002full.jpg Three Guardsmen property with BC regional geology highlighting historical work and present showings To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7246/228556_037ec52c34f44942_003full.jpg R.J. (Bob) Johnston, P.Geo from Engineers & Geoscientists British Columbia is the qualified person for the Company has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. About GoldHaven Resources Corp. GoldHaven Resources Corp. is a Canadian junior metals exploration Company focused on acquiring and exploring highly prospective land packages in North America. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE- Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, the intended use of the proceeds received from the Offering, the possible acquisition of the Projects, the Company's expectation that it will be successful in enacting its business plans, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "will", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "potential", "scheduled", or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that investor interest will be sufficient to close the Offering, and the receipt of any necessary regulatory or corporate approvals in connection with the Offering, that there will be investor interest in future financings, market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future exploration and development of any future projects in a timely manner, the availability of financing on suitable terms for exploration and development of future projects and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development activities, actual results of exploration activities, the estimation or realization of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the inability of the Company to obtain the necessary financing required to conduct its business and affairs, as currently contemplated, the inability to close the Offering, the inability of the Company to enter into definitive agreements in respect of possible Letters of Intent, the timing and amount of estimated future production, the costs of production, capital expenditures, the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, requirements for additional capital, future prices of precious metals, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, lack of investor interest in future financings, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, title disputes, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents, approvals or authorizations, including by the Exchange, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and risks related to joint venture operations, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's latest interim Management's Discussion and Analysis and filed with certain securities commissions in Canada. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedarplus.ca and readers are urged to review these materials. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228556 Vancouver, November 1, 2024 - Radio Fuels Energy Corp. (CSE: CAKE) (OTCQB: CKEFF) (the "Company" or "Radio Fuels") announces Bassam Moubarak resignation from the role of Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") and the appointment of Natalia Samartseva as CFO effective today's date. During his tenure, Bassam was instrumental in driving financial strategies that contributed to the Company's growth and success. He played a key role in transformation of the Company and oversaw its acquisition of NV King Goldlands, demonstrating his commitment to excellence and fiscal responsibility. "We are grateful for Bassam's contributions to Radio Fuels and for his support ensuring a seamless transition," said Phil O'Neill. "While we are sad to see him go, we respect his decision and wish him all the best in his future endeavours." Ms. Samartseva is a Chartered Professional Accountant with significant experience in public company reporting, IFRS, internal controls and auditing. She brings over 15 years of experience across diverse financial leadership positions, including other roles as CFO and as Director of Financial Reporting of companies listed in Canada and the United States. In addition, she has also held a variety of public accounting practice positions, including senior audit manager, and has been engaged as a consultant focused on financial reporting and analysis for junior resource companies. During her career, Ms. Samartseva has overseen projects related to internal control improvements implementation, preparation of financial models, forecasts, business valuation models, transitioning from exploration to commercial production stage for mining companies, and other complex accounting and tax issues. About Radio Fuels Energy Corp. The Company is a junior natural resource company focused on providing exposure to uranium and other commodities through the investment, acquisition, exploration, and development of projects and companies. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/228441 Vancouver - EGR Exploration Ltd. (TSX-V: EGR) ("EGR" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has been selected to receive grant funding of up to $200,000 under the Ontario Junior Exploration Program ("OJEP") from the Government of Ontario This amount will cover up to 50% of eligible exploration costs, to a maximum of $200,000 associated with expenditures incurred by the Company on its Detour West property. The grant will be used to fund a till and top of bedrock Reverse Circulation (RC) drill program to test the western extension of the Detour-Fenelon trend onto the Detour West property. EGR has drill hole fences permitted along two east-west structures interpreted from the high resolution airborne magnetic survey completed in 2023. Daniel Rodriguez, CEO and Director comments, "I am thankful for the province of Ontario continuing to run the OJEP program. It is a great way for exploration companies to receive meaningful support to advance early stage projects. This will be extremely helpful in advancing the Detour West project." About EGR Exploration Ltd. EGR Exploration Ltd. is exploring for gold in the Detour-Fenelon Gold Trend approximately 300 kilometres north of Timmins, Ontario. EGR's 34,681 hectare Detour West gold project is contiguous to Agnico Eagle's property which contains the Detour Lake Gold Mine and is approximately 20 kilometres from the mine, which is also hosted in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. For further information contact: Daniel Rodriguez CEO & Director Phone: (604) 353-4080 Email: drodriguez@egrexploration.com Forward?Looking Statement (Safe Harbor Statement): This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "predict", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Company's exploration plans. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with conditions in the equity financing markets, and assumptions and risks regarding receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals. Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward-looking statements in this press release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. HALIFAX, November 1, 2024 - Namibia Critical Metals Inc. ("Namibia Critical Metals" or the "Company" or "NCMI") (TSXV:NMI)(OTCQB:NMREF) today announced it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement in the amount of up to $450,000 consisting of units offered at a price of $0.035 per unit ("Private Placement") representing the closing price of the common shares on October 31, 2024 and an 11% discount to the 50-day moving average price of the common shares of the Company. Each unit will consist of one common share and one-half warrant. Each whole warrant will be exercisable for one common share at a price of $0.05 for a period of 12 months. A maximum of 19,285,714 common shares of Namibia Critical Metals will be issued pursuant to the Private Placement (assuming full exercise of all warrants). Bannerman Energy Ltd. has confirmed their intent to participate in the Private Placement up to a minimum amount of $189,450 representing their current pro rata ownership of the Company of 42.1%. The participation of Bannerman Energy Ltd. (BMN.AX OTCQX:BNNLF) may constitute Related Party Transactions under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI-61-101"). NCMI is relying upon an exemption for shareholder approval required under section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis that any related party elements of such transactions would not exceed 25% of market capitalization of NCMI. The Private Placement is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). The proceeds of the Private Placement will be used primarily to fund general corporate purposes. The common shares and warrants of the Company issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period. About Namibia Critical Metals Inc. NCMI is developing the Tier-1 Heavy Rare Earth Project, Lofdal, a globally significant deposit of the heavy rare earth metals dysprosium and terbium. Demand for these critical metals used in permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines and other electronics is driven by innovations linked to energy and technology transformations. The geopolitical risks associated with sourcing many of these metals has become a repeated concern for manufacturers and end users. Namibia is a proven and stable mining jurisdiction. The Lofdal Project is fully permitted with a 25-year Mining License and is under a Joint Venture Agreement with Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC). The Company filed a robust updated PEA for "Lofdal 2B-4" on November 14, 2022, with a post-tax NPV of USD$391 million and an annual IRR of 28% with a capital expenditure of USD$207 million. The project is projected to generate a life of mine nominal cash flow of USD$698 million post-tax over a 16-year mine life. About Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and the JV JOGMEC is a Japanese government independent administrative agency which seeks to secure stable resource supplies for Japan. JOGMEC has a strong reputation as a long term, strategic partner in mineral projects globally. JOGMEC facilitates opportunities with Japanese private companies to secure supplies of natural resources for the benefit of the country's economic development. Rare earth elements are of critical importance to Japanese industrial interests and JOGMEC has extensive experience with all aspects of the sector. JOGMEC provided Lynas with USD$250,000,000 in loans and equity in 2011 to ensure supplies of the Light Rare Earths metals suite to the Japanese industry. Namibia Critical Metals owns a 95% interest in the Lofdal project with the remaining 5% held for the benefit of historically disadvantaged Namibians. The terms of the JOGMEC joint venture agreement with the Company stipulate that JOGMEC provides C$3,000,000 in Term 1 and C$7,000,000 in Term 2 to earn a 40% interest in the Lofdal project. Term 3 calls for a further C$10,000,000 of expenditures to earn an additional 10% interest. JOGMEC can also purchase another 1% for C$5,000,000 and has first right of refusal to fully fund the project through to commercial production and to purchase all production at market prices. The collective interests of NCMI and historically disadvantaged Namibians cannot be diluted below a 26% carried working interest upon payment of C$5,000,000 to JOGMEC for the dilution protection. NMI may elect to participate up to a maximum of 44% by funding pro rata after the earn in period is completed. To date, JOGMEC has completed Term 2 and earned a 40% interest by reaching the C$10 million expenditure requirement. Total approved project funding to date is C$14,541,000 of the $20,000,000 Earn-In requirement to reach 50% interest. Other exploration projects: The Company's Exclusive Prospecting Licenses ("EPLs") prospective for gold are located in the Central Namibian Gold Belt which hosts a number of significant orogenic gold deposits including the Navachab Gold Mine, the Otjikoto Gold Mine and the Twin Hills deposit. At the Erongo Gold Project, stratigraphic equivalents to the meta-sediments hosting the Osino gold discovery at Twin Hills have been identified and exploration is progressing over this highly prospective area. The Grootfontein Base Metal and Gold Project has potential for magmatic copper-nickel mineralization, Mississippi Valley-type zinc-lead-vanadium mineralization and Otjikoto-style gold mineralization. The common shares of Namibia Critical Metals Inc. trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "NMI" and the OTCQB Market under the symbol "NMREF". Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information please contact - Namibia Critical Metals Inc. Darrin Campbell, President Tel: +01 (902) 835-8760 Email: Info@NamibiaCMI.com Web site: www.NamibiaCriticalMetals.com This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. SOURCE: Namibia Critical Metals Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, Nov. 1, 2024 - Fremont Gold Ltd. (TSXV: FRE) (OTCQB: FRERF) (FSE: FR20) ("Hayasa" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") has approved the Company's name change from Fremont Gold Ltd. to Hayasa Metals Inc.At the opening of the markets on November 6, 2024, the Company's common shares will commence trading under the new name Hayasa Metals Inc. and the new stock symbol "HAY". The Company's new CUSIP number is 420634107 and its new ISIN number is CA4206341071. The name change was approved by a resolution of the board of directors of the Company on September 13, 2024.There is no consolidation of the Company's share capital in connection with the name change. As a result, shareholders are not required to exchange their existing share certificates for new certificates bearing the Company's new name. The name change does not affect the Company's share structure or the rights of the Company's shareholders, and no further action is required by existing shareholders.To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/228601_801f25a6d40d18cf_001full.jpgThe Board felt a name change was necessary to more closely associate the company with Armenia and our flagship properties: Vardenis and Urasar. "We are particularly pleased that we continue to prioritize our capital into the drill bit, and as such did not spend much at all on the rebranding effort. While some wags may have their own interpretation of the logo, we think we got a pretty decent result and we look forward to the new website launch on or about Nov. 6," said Joel Sutherland, CEO.The Company also announces that all resolutions were passed at its annual general meeting of shareholders held in Vancouver on October 22, 2024 (the "AGM").All of the nominees for election as directors of the Company listed in the Company's information circular dated September 13, 2024, were re-elected for the ensuing year and the number of directors was fixed at five. Accordingly, Joel Sutherland, Dennis Moore, Michael Williams, Randall Chatwin, and Jason Libenson were all elected as directors of the Company.DeVisser Gray LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, were re-appointed as auditors for the Company for the ensuing year.The Company's omnibus equity compensation plan (the "Omnibus Plan") was also approved at the AGM. The Omnibus Plan includes the ability to issue stock options ("Options"), restricted share units ("RSUs"), performance share units ("PSUs"), and deferred share units ("DSUs", and together with Options, RSUs, PSUs, the "Awards"). The maximum number of common shares which may be issued in respect of Options will not exceed 10% of the total number of issued common shares at the time an Option is granted and the aggregate number of common shares which may be issued in respect of RSUs, PSUs, and DSUs (collectively, the "Performance Based Awards") will not exceed 5,818,809. The Omnibus Plan has a "rolling" limit in connection with Option grants as the number of common shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the grant of Options will automatically increase as the Company's issued and outstanding share capital increases. The Omnibus Plan will replace the Company's existing stock option plan. Any Options currently issued and outstanding pursuant to the Company's existing stock option plan will continue to be exercisable but will be governed by the Omnibus Plan. The Company does not have any Performance Based Awards issued and outstanding.A copy of the Omnibus Plan and further details are included in the Company's management information circular prepared for the Meeting and filed under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.com.The Company's mine-finding management team has a track record of creating shareholder value and has assembled a highly prospective portfolio of potential tier one copper-gold mineral opportunities in the Central Tethyan Mineral Belt in Armenia. The Tethyan Belt is one of the world's most prolific gold, copper and polymetallic mineral belts, yet the Armenian portion of the belt is vastly underexplored.On behalf of the Board of Directors,"Joel Sutherland"CEO & Directorjoel@fremontgold.netCorporate Tel: 604-676-5664 x105www.fremontgold.nethttps://twitter.com/GoldFremonthttps://www.linkedin.com/company/fremont-gold/Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider, (as the term is defined in the Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Yesterday, October 31, was Reformation Day, and Lutherans around the world held various events in commemoration. In Singapore, the Lutheran Church advocated for Christian communion, while the German Lutheran Church encouraged believers to face the challenge of trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time. Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification Reformation Day is a Protestant observance primarily celebrated by the Lutheran church annually on October 31 to commemorate Martin Luthers initiation of the Protestant Reformation. On October 31, 1517, Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses in Wittenberg, Germany, sparking academic debate. In his theses, Luther challenged the prevalent belief that people could pay their way to the forgiveness of sins using money. Luther opposed the common belief and practice that forgiveness could be bought, instead teaching that salvation comes through faith alonea position that marked the start of the Reformation. Then on October 31, 1999, Lutheran and Catholic leaders signed the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ) in Augsburg, Germany. Now in 2024, churches are celebrating both the 25th anniversary of this historic document and the 10th anniversary of its Chinese edition. This historic agreement resolved centuries-long misunderstandings over the fundamental truth that salvation is a free gift from God. According to the Lutheran World Federation, this years Reformation Day celebrations took place worldwide, with various events highlighting the diversity of Lutheran traditions. Singapore: Advocating Christian Unity The celebrations at the Lutheran Church in Singapore focused on fostering Christian unity, welcoming Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Lutherans. The events included a shared dinner, followed by a program featuring a message from Bishop Lu Guan Hoe and presentations from groups such as Women in Church and Society, an intergenerational group, and a dance group. Germany: In merciless times, to trust in the power of grace. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany (Nordkirche) held its annual Reformation Reception themed Walking Together. Representatives from the Catholic Church also attended. In a world suffering from wars and various forms of violence and polarization that divide the human family, the JDDJ is a sign of peace, pointing to the possibility of reconciliation, said Bishop Kristina Kuhnbaum-Schmidt, who also serves as LWF Vice-President for Central Western Europe. Todays challenge, she noted, is, How can we succeed in trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time. South Africa: Commemorating Peaceful Liberation Under the theme Heroes of the South, the Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa (LUCSA) highlighted reformers from its member churches who had made significant theological contributions both within their congregations and beyond. On Reformation Day, they honored Rev. Dr. Johannes Lukas de Vries (19392001) in a ceremony that was live-streamed on Facebook. De Vries, recognized as the first non-white President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in South West Africa (ELK/SWA), which is now known as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN), was a strong advocate for Black Theology in Namibia and dedicated to the cause of peaceful liberation. Argentina: Proclaiming faith and serving the community The theme at the Alto Uruguay Congregation in Misiones, part of the Evangelical Church of the River Plate (IERP) in Argentina, last Sunday was The Reformation embraces us in serving the neighbor. District Pastor Dario Dorsch remarked, Our church service visualized the deep meaning of what it means to be a church that comes from the Lutheran Reformation; it helped us to remember that we are free to serve and to love. To put this message into action, groups of congregants tackled various topics related to diakonia within their district. One group dedicated their efforts to visiting patients in the regional hospital and learning about a church initiative that supports individuals facing challenging circumstances in medical settings. Another group worked on assisting Indigenous communities, promoting the Tape Pora project, which has benefited 16 communities by enhancing infrastructure and improving access to water and electricity. The day wrapped up with The Embrace, a program led by the districts youth that emphasized the therapeutic and emotional significance of embracing as a gesture of solidarity and communion. During the closing worship, participants demonstrated their unity in the church by holding hands, sharing hugs, and reciting the Lords Prayer together, reaffirming their commitment to faith and community service. HK YMCA HK YMCA Previous Next In order an effort to promote traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, in collaboration with Macao YMCA, Guangzhou Suigang'ao Teenagers Institute, and the Teacher Chang Foundation of Taiwan, has conducted a survey on teens measuring their cultural awareness. They found that Hong Kong youths generally identify with and support the values of traditional Chinese culture. The study aims to understand the extent to which teens identify with traditional Chinese culture and the results were recently presented at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Cooperation and Development Forum in Guangzhou, China. The survey was conducted between May and June of 2023, interviewing 968 high school and junior college students. The results showed that the respondents generally agree with the core values of traditional Chinese culture. For example, 75.1% of all participants agreed or strongly agreed with the ancient teaching If you are poor, do good for yourself; If you are rich, do good for the world (). The proverb emphasizes the importance of maintaining personal morality and social responsibility according to different circumstances. On the other hand, the saying "Among the three forms of unfilial behavior, the greatest is not having children ()" had only 23.5% agreement rates with 54.6% of respondents disagreeing. This indicates that some youths do not regard passing down the family name as a traditional filial duty. On another topic, 55.1% of respondents agreed that the rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every man (), and 77.9% support the concept of The world belongs to the public, and the world should be in harmony (). This shows a strong sense of responsibility towards their country and society. The survey also covered their views on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and traditional Chinese garments. Around 60% of respondents said they had consulted TCM for their sicknesses, showcasing TCMs popularity amongst the youth. Additionally, about 20% of respondents have worn traditional Chinese garments, and 40% say they like the culture. In terms of preferred methods to learn about traditional Chinese culture, most respondents reported they like to participate in experimental events outside the classroom. The top three choices were visiting museums and cultural infrastructures (57.3%), participating in themed school events (50.5%), and study tours (48.9%). Based on the survey results, the YMCA advised the Education Bureau of Hong Kong to encourage local Hong Kong teens to join mainland exchange tours and look for suitable local opportunities and learning venues. This will allow students to engage more practically in learning about Chinese culture. So far, the YMCA has already launched the Bridges Street Centre- A Cultural Journey through Literary and Historical Scenes tour, which allows students to learn about local historical sites and broadens their horizons of literature and history through interactive learning. In addition, the YMCA advocates for a closer partnership between parents and schools to create an environment that promotes a holistic understanding of traditional Chinese culture among young people. The YMCA is giving its everything to pass on the Chinese culture, including organizing cross-curricular activities based on the theme of Journey to the West, Cantonese Opera workshops, and setting up a Tea Room for non-Chinese speaking students to experience the charm of Chinese culture through learning the art of tea. The YMCA also organizes several Mainland exchange tours to help Hong Kong teens understand the cultural background and history of the Greater Bay Area and Mainland China. Verstappen slams F1 steward's extreme accusations A regular Formula 1 steward has called out Max Verstappen's father by name amid an ongoing controversy about driving standards in the sport. Max Verstappen, Mexican GP 2024 Red Bull Jos Verstappen, a contemporary of fellow former F1 driver Johnny Herbert, called out the 60-year-old for alleged pro-British bias in FIA decision-making. Herbert has now hit back, telling the Dutch magazine Formule 1: "Jos is really way off the mark here. I am actually a huge fan of Max, he added. He is one of the best drivers I have ever seen. But then he makes manoeuvres like in turn 7 in Mexico and turn 4 in Brazil (2021), and I think 'Why?' You are so much better than that. In separate comments earlier this week, Herbert also accused triple world champion Verstappen, 27, of having a horrible mindset when he was wheel-to-wheel with title rival Lando Norris. In response, Max told De Telegraaf newspaper ahead of the Brazilian GP: These are quite extreme accusations. Another Briton, 1996 world champion Damon Hill, went even a step further than Herbert this week, implying that Verstappen may not even be capable of racing fairly. I don't listen to these individuals, the Dutch driver responded at Interlagos. I'm a three-time world champion. I think I know what I'm doing. When asked if he feels unfairly treated by the sport and its officials and commentators, Verstappen responded: Honestly, I have my opinions. I don't need to share them. He even pointed out what appears to be clearly inconsistent standards in the fact that while he was punished by the FIA for saying f*ck in a recent press conference, Charles Leclerc went unpunished for an identical discretion after the Mexican GP. When asked who he looks to for advice and support, Verstappen answered: "People who are objective and close to me and not just there to stir ... I can't say the word, because I'll probably get another (penalty). "I mean, apparently it only counts for me anyway, because after the race in Mexico, someone was swearing. I didn't hear anything from it. So it's better I don't swear again. But yeah, some people are just being very annoying. And I know who these people are. I don't really pay a lot of attention to them anyway. Verstappen's friendship with his British title rival Lando Norris is even coming under strain, with the McLaren driver insisting on Thursday that he has no respect for Max's driving in Mexico. Max knows that he behaved wrongly, added Norris. It is up to him to change. Norris also revealed that he hasn't spoken to Verstappen about their Mexico run-in, insisting it is not necessary and adding: I don't have anything to say to him either. (GMM) CARE International in Ghana celebrates National Service graduates, welcomes new cohort GraphicOnline Business News Nov - 01 - 2024 , 11:55 CARE International in Ghana held a special ceremony at its Accra office to honor ten outgoing National Service Persons (NSPs) while welcoming a new group of nineteen for the 2024/25 service year. The event underscored CAREs commitment to nurturing young talent through hands-on experience, capacity building, and mentorship within the fields of health, education, and economic development. The Country Director of CARE International in Ghana, Rose Tchwenko, expressed her appreciation for the departing NSPs dedication and contributions. Our outgoing personnel have left a positive mark on CARE Ghana. I am proud of all youve accomplished and look forward to seeing you continue as ambassadors for our mission, she said. Tchwenko also announced an upcoming initiative, the CARE Alumni Community, aimed at supporting former NSPs in their professional growth and networking. Advertisement The Guest of honour Osei Assibey Antwi, Director General of the National Service Authority (NSA), praised CAREs efforts in youth development. The work of CARE Ghana reflects NSAs vision to develop the next generation of leaders, he said, emphasizing NSAs mission to equip young Ghanaians with valuable professional skills. This year, the NSA has mobilized approximately 150,000 graduates across various sectors, supporting Ghanas development and saving around GH3 billion in wage costs. For years, CARE International has provided National Service personnel with practical roles across its programs, including areas like gender equality and economic empowerment. These placements offer young Ghanaians the chance to gain experience in developmental work, building both skills and insights that help strengthen the nations workforce. Youth employability remains a key focus for CARE Ghana, with Tchwenko underscoring how these opportunities help young people prepare for long-term career success. Head of Programmes and Humanitarian at CARE Ghana, Zakaria Yakubu, advised the incoming NSPs to approach every experience as an opportunity to grow. "Take every experience here as an opportunity to broaden your skills and perspectives, he said, emphasizing the value of resilience in their roles. The event featured an experience-sharing session where outgoing NSPs reflected on their time with CARE, offering advice to the incoming cohort. To close the ceremony, the departing service members were presented with farewell gifts as tokens of appreciation for their service. With over 30 years in Ghana, CARE International has reached millions globally through programs focused on health, education, food security, and economic development, with a particular focus on empowering women and girls to lift families and communities out of poverty. In 2024, CARE worked in 121 countries, impacting 53 million people across 1,450 projects. Next article: TECNO clinches two awards at French Design Awards for PHANTOM V Fold2 5G and PHANTOM V Flip2 5G CWG Ghana and PFS launch AI-Driven CLIREC to revolutionize financial reconciliation across Africa GraphicOnline Business News Nov - 01 - 2024 , 09:34 CWG Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of Pan-African tech provider CWG Plc, has joined forces with Nigerias Precise Financial Systems (PFS) to introduce CLIREC, an AI-powered reconciliation solution set to transform the financial sector across Africa. The partnership between CWG and PFS aims to enhance efficiency, security, and accuracy in financial reconciliation processes, with a special focus on reducing the reliance on manual systems, which remain common across the continent. This partnership exemplifies the Pan-African spirit and demonstrates that there's a lot Africa can do within Africa, said Philip Ayeni, Deputy Managing Director of PFS. We are not just combining our strengths; we are creating multiplicative value for African financial institutions. CLIREC is designed to address the unique challenges faced by financial institutions such as banks and fintech firms in reconciling high volumes of transactions across Nostro, Vostro, suspense, e-business, and ATM accounts. The AI-driven solution enables financial institutions to process transactions with unprecedented speed and accuracy, significantly reducing operational risks. Advertisement Harriet Yartey, Managing Director of CWG Ghana, noted the solutions capacity to automate traditionally time-intensive tasks. What typically takes four to five hours of manual processing can now be accomplished within minutes. This efficiency isn't just about speed it's about accuracy, reliability, and fraud prevention, Yartey stated. Advanced features to streamline finance The partnership emphasizes the importance of CLIRECs robust features, which include AI-powered matching algorithms, real-time monitoring, and enhanced security measures such as enforced segregation of duties. CLIREC is designed to handle large transaction volumes efficiently, with comprehensive audit trails and support for multi-currency operations, making it adaptable across various African markets. Oladapo Awokoya, Director of Projects/Business Analysis at PFS, highlighted how CLIREC addresses the pain points associated with manual processes, especially for institutions reliant on Excel spreadsheets. These pain points are particularly pronounced in institutions reliant on Excel spreadsheets, which, while familiar, are increasingly ill-equipped to handle the complex and high-volume demands of modern finance, he explained. CLIREC not only enhances the accuracy and efficiency of financial reporting but also positions finance teams as essential contributors to business strategy and decision-making. CLIRECs scalability has already been demonstrated, with successful implementations in over 40 countries for both financial and non-financial institutions. CLIREC provides the security, accuracy, and reliability that modern financial institutions demand, added Yartey. By providing a fully automated, AI-powered solution, CWG and PFS are helping organizations reduce operational risks, improve efficiency, and make data-driven decisions based on accurate, timely information. Kascity District Society supports Royal Seed Home orphanage News Desk Report Business News Nov - 01 - 2024 , 12:09 The Kascity District Society of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG), has handed over assorted items worth GH 13,000 to the Royal Seed Home, an orphanage at Kwao Bondzie at Kasoa in the Central Region. The items include boxes of sanitary towel, bags of rice and washing powder, gallons of oil, bags of water, sacks of sugar, loafs of bread, clothing among others. The donation forms part of efforts by the group of Chartered Accountants residing in Kasoa and its environs, to give back to the society by supporting the deprived and vulnerable in society. This is the second time the Kascity District Society is donating to the orphanage, demonstrating its commitment towards making impact in the life of others. Advertisement The Chairman of the society, Joshua Lomotey, led a delegation of other executives, to hand over the items to the orphanage. The delegation also toured the facility to understand how the orphanage operates and explore further areas such as water supply, ongoing infrastructure projects where the society could offer support in the future. They also took turns to offer a word of advice to the children and teenagers numbering about 95 and possible career path they could explore when they grow older. Rationale Mr Lomotey explained that the society observed the conditions of the orphans and decided to render support to the orphanage to enable management of the home to carry out its mandate. He added that giving back to society had always been an inherent part of the society and as a result, the society at its monthly meetings conscientises its members on the need to give back to society. It is not the case that we are very okay or gotten all that we need in life but sometimes you also have to look back and identify those who are needy in society and reach out to them. We believe that even though this donation will not solve their problems totally, but at least it will go a very long way to help them grow and not to become a liability to the nation, he said. Corruption Recognising corruption as a major issue stifling the countrys growth, the Chairman called on the government to root out the menace. That, he said would ensure that more jobs were created for the teeming youth to contribute to the economy. When people embezzle funds, all these resources, if you think about them, you realise that if these resources were to be channelled to the right places, it can create employment for people to work and life will be less stressful, he said. Mr Lomotey added that as chartered accountants, they would also play their part by abiding by the principles of integrity and professionalism, which are major qualities of the accounting profession. For his part, the Secretary of the Kascity District Society, Michael Kwakye, encouraged the orphanage to continue the good work they are doing to inspire life. He further called on other district societies to impact the lives of the less privileged by embarking on such donations. Gratitude In her remarks on behalf of the Orphanage, a Senior Caretaker, Esther Sakyi, who received the items, expressed gratitude to the Kascity District Society for their immense contribution to the welfare of the Orphanage. She further called on corporate Ghana to come to their aid by supplying them with more of such items to help them channel the limited resources to education and health. Abbi Ima: Mentor is my ticket to fame Jessica Love Otoo Showbiz News Nov - 01 - 2024 , 11:34 3 minutes read AS a budding musician who already performs at reputable events, she has received backlash for participating in this years Mentor but Abbi Imma remains unfazed and describes the TV music reality show, which started about 10 days ago, as her launch pad to stardom. She is being criticised for having an undue advantage over the other competitors because she is an established commercial musician. But Abbi Ima, winner of Artiste of the Year, 2023 Brong Ahafo Music Awards (BAMA) thinks her critics have misunderstood her move and are wrongly judging her for being part of a competition reserved for unearthing talents. Mentor, a music reality show organised by TV3, aims, among others, at discovering and promoting young music talents. Advertisement In a chat with Graphic Showbiz, Abbi Ima, real name Abigail Ayizah, who has performed at Taste of Ghana, Chale Wote Festival, and Meko Bono Festival, among others, said she had got a long way to go in music and participating in Mentor 13 would enhance her popularity and push her brand. Abbi Ima, who has to her credit songs such as Give Me Love, Fakers, Dont Touch Me, African Girl and Only You, debunked her critics perception that she was too big to compete in Mentor. Ive heard people say my brands grown beyond Mentor and Im bigger than the other contestants so why am I in the competition? But I ask, Who has the marking scheme? I know where I started and where Im heading and Im very confident this reality show will push my vision and that is exactly what Im doing. Yes, I am currently the biggest artiste in Bono East Region, but that doesnt make me bigger than Mentor. And I am looking forward to making very good use of the opportunity the contest will offer, she stated. The new season of Mentor music reality show officially kicked off on Sunday, October 20 and contestants out-doored themselves with their debut performances. Abbi Imas performance got huge attention on social media, even shooting up her following. Perhaps, this development gives credence to the perception that Abbi Imma has an advantage over the other competitors but she dismissed this, saying, I accept that being established in mainstream music has given me a foundation but I dont think it is a guaranteed advantage. Besides, Mentor is a unique platform where talent, dedication, and passion shine. Its far beyond the success of any contestant. She, however, admitted being on Mentor would give her valuable exposure at no cost. Joining Mentor has generated buzz and excitement for my brand. People pay for this kind of buzz and huge exposure, but I am getting it for free, she said. Abbi Ima has been pushing her work since she burst onto the commercial scene about six years ago. During this period, she gained recognition by winning Song of the Year at BAMA in 2020 and the ultimate Artiste of the Year in 2023. She was nominated in the Emerging Woman of the Year category at the 2022 3Music Awards and secured a nod in Emerging Artiste of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards, UK, in the same year. Despite her steady progress in her music career, Abbi Ima told Graphic Showbiz that she had faced many challenges, including undue pressure from sexual demands. Sexual demands do come up, but I always find a way to turn them down because my values and beliefs dont align with that, she added. To write or not to write? Brig. Gen. Dan Frimpong (Rtd) Opinion Nov - 01 - 2024 , 08:33 5 minutes read At a funeral at my church at the Garrison Methodist-Presbyterian Church (GMPC), Burma Camp on Saturday, October 26, 2024, I was once again reminded about something I had dilly-dallied about for a while. Indeed, it had become for me a case of let this cup pass me by! To be or not to be? That is the question is a popular Shakespearean quote from his tragedy Hamlet. This was the agonising question the lead character in the play, a Danish prince Hamlet asked himself at the peak of his indecision. His father, king of Denmark, had been murdered by his brother, who went on to marry his mother the queen. The distraught prince Hamlet was then tasked by his fathers ghost to avenge his death by killing the uncle and his mother. Tinas question In my case, it was a matter of a modification of To be or not to be? That is the question to To write or not to write? That is the question that, I had been agonising over for a while. Advertisement When the usher Tina met the two of us on our way to the vestry on Sunday, October 19, 2024 at our Garrison Methodist Presbyterian Church (GMPC), Burma Camp, her question was direct. Sir, when is the next article coming? Not satisfied with what I murmured, she pressed on saying, Sir, seeing the two of you together, I know something will come out soon. My indecision-bubble of writing about the demise/funeral of my friend Air Commodore Kwame Mampheys wife was unexpectedly burst by the usher Col Tina Assan. In 2000 at the 69 Airborne Force, Tamale, the then Officer-Cadet (O/Cdt) Ernestina Assan and her mate O/Cdt Vera Quaye jumped their way into the history books when they became Ghanas first female paratroopers after successfully going through the gruelling parachute training. As the proud Commanding Officer of the two ladies at the Ghana Military Academy, I have maintained a special relationship with the two lady-officer pacesetters. When Tina challenged me therefore, I had no choice but to write on a topic I wanted to avoid. After all, in 2000, I had challenged her and Vera to do something no female had ever done in the GAF; jumping from an aircraft! Mrs Sophia Siaw-Mamphey Sophie as she was generally called died suddenly at 68. For us MethodistPresbyterians who take communion once a month on the first Sunday of the month, we were all at our GMPC, Burma Camp on Sunday, September 1, 2024. Indeed, she drove her husband to church that morning. So, when I got a phone call from Air Cdre Kwame Mamphey four days later on Thursday evening saying, Dan, Sophie is gone, my immediate question was gone where? When he confirmed it, quoting my former Senior Housemaster/later Headmaster in secondary school, I asked Kwame is this a piece of nonsense you are telling me? Known in school as Sophia Siaw at Archbishop Porters Girls Secondary School, Takoradi, Mrs Sophia Kumiwa Siaw-Mamphey was the wife of Air Cdre Kwame Mamphey, a retired Ghana Air Force pilot who served as the DG, Ghana Civil Aviation, former Chairman of the African Civil Aviation Commission, and more recently Ghanas representative at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Montreal, Canada. Calm, quiet, soft-spoken and unassuming, Sophie as she was generally called, was described as a ladys lady! Sophie worked with the Social Security Bank (SSB) for a while. However, her husbands frequent absence from home and the pressures of raising their young family forced her to retire early from the formal sector into the informal sector as an entrepreneur. At her funeral at the GMPC, Burma Camp, on Saturday, October 12, 2024, our huge church suddenly became too small for the large number of mourners from all walks of life who came to pay their last respects to Sophie. The Chief of Adumasa-Akwamu, Nana Ansah Kwaw IV, a representative of the Chief of Gyakiti-Akwamu, the Chief of Obo-Kwahu were some of the royals at the funeral. From the Aviation Industry, Ghana Civil Aviation, Passion Air, Antrak and others were heavily represented. So were many of Ghanas retired pilots as well as current ones. Needless to say, the top brass of the Ghana Armed Forces, both serving and retired, Officers and Men of GAF as well as Defence Civilian Staff were all there in their numbers. Preaching the sermon, the Senior Chaplain of GMPC, Commander (Cdr) Benedict Quayson, emphasised the importance of love in marriage. He stated that having seen the devastation to A/Cdre Mamphey by his wifes death, it was obvious that their marriage was well grounded on love as God wanted it to be. Tribute after tribute attested to her God-fearing nature and her homeliness. He, therefore, asked spouses to learn from the example of Sophie and her husband. Also without directly mentioning galamsey, the Chaplain eschewed the greed with which a few in authority without conscience have converted the countrys environment into wasteland, as if they will live forever. As a recent clip put it aptly, it will all end in a box. Sophie led a simple, decent and contented life not harming anybody, let alone destroying the environment for gold. Concluding, the Chaplain reminded us that, ultimately, our journey on earth would end in a casket as we were all witnessing with Sophie. All the gold we are killing for with mercury, lead and cyanide will be useless in the face of death! To my friend/brother and my bestman A/Cdre Kwame Mamphey (Rtd), condolences to you, your boys and the grandchildren. May Sophies soul rest in the bosom of the Lord, and for us, serve as a shining example of decency, decorum, discipline and belief in God as her tributes stated! Mrs Sophia Kumiwa Siaw-Mamphey, rest in peace! Leadership, lead by example! Fellow Ghanaians, wake up! The writer is former CEO of African Peace Support Trainers Association, Nairobi, Kenya/Council Chair Family Health University College, Accra. E-mail: dkfrimpong@yahoo.com Next article: CHRAJ pushes for human rights in schools Bawumia awards NSMQ finalists with GH60,000 Graphic.com.gh Education Nov - 01 - 2024 , 05:32 1 minute read The grand finale of the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) 2024 was held at the New Examination Center, University of Cape Coast between Mfantsipim School, Keta Senior High School and St. Augustines College. This years NSMQ was held at Cape Coast, which is widely taunted as the citadel of education in Ghana. Historically, formal education in the Gold Coast started in Cape Coast, the ancient capital of Ghana, with Philip Quaque School. At the inception of the competition, Central Region, which hosted the event for the first time kept their hopes high by chanting host and win. Advertisement The final contest had two schools from Cape Coast competing against Keta Senior High School from the Volta Region. A healthy head to head contest between Mfantsipim School and St. Augustines College ended with a point difference in the scores, 47 against 46. Mfantsipim School emerged winners of the 2024 National Science and Maths Quiz, making it their 3rd win after 2014 and first in 1999. The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia awarded a total of GH60,000 to the finalist schools of the 2024 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ). Contestants for the three schools received GH10,000 per school, while their teachers (trainers) received GH5,000 and GH5,000 for the schools. The Central Regional Minister, Mrs. Justina Marigold Assan presented the cash price on behalf of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to the schools. The contestants and the schools received numerous prizes and awards for their sterling performances. East Legon Accident: 16-year-old charged with manslaughter, pleads not guilty Justice Agbenorsi Nov - 01 - 2024 , 17:54 3 minutes read A 16-year-old boy has been charged with manslaughter after allegedly causing a fatal accident in East Legon that claimed two lives. The juvenile, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces eight counts, including manslaughter, negligently causing harm, dangerous driving, and driving without a license. Appearing before the Family and Juvenile Court in Accra on November 1, 2024, he pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court has since remanded him to a correctional facility and ordered him to surrender his American and Ghanaian passports. He is scheduled to reappear in court on November 7. Prosecutions case Presenting the facts, Assistant State Attorney Ebenezer Yaw Acquah noted that despite the accuseds age and lack of a valid drivers license, his family members frequently allowed him access to their vehicles. On October 12, 2024, the accuseds family held a birthday party for Elyon Amoako at an event centre in East Legon. During the event, the teenager reportedly asked Linda Bonsu Bempah for the keys to his mother's Jaguar F-Pace Sport, which she handed over. Linda is a personal assistant to Elyon Amoako and during her duties supervising events at the party, had been given the keys to hold on to. According to the prosecution, the accused, along with a friend, drove to the A&C Mall, where they met friends in two other SUVs. The three cars then formed a convoy, led by the accused in his mothers car, driving through East Legon. The prosecutor said that on Dzane-Ashie Road, the accused allegedly accelerated to high speeds, ignoring other road users. As he approached a T-junction at Mensah Wood Avenue, he collided with an Acura driven by Joseph Ackah, who was transporting his employers two daughters and their friends, both 12 years old. Mr. Acquah recounted, The 16-year-old rammed into the rear of the Acura; the collision was violent and destructive, propelling both vehicles across the street and smashing into the wall of the house opposite the junction, destroying an ECG pole in the process. Both vehicles caught fire immediately. While the accused and his passenger managed to escape, the occupants of the Acura were trapped inside. Bystanders attempted to douse the flames with fire extinguishers but were unable to suppress the blaze. The driver forced his door open and was pulled to safety, but the volunteers were only able to rescue the toddler and her sister from the back seat. Tragically, the two other girls remained trapped, and bystanders were ultimately unable to save them as the car burned. An investigation found that the accused had been driving in a manner that fell way below what was expected of any competent and careful driver, recklessly endangering other road users. The accused admitted to taking the keys from Linda Bempah, picking up a friend, and driving to the A&C Mall before the incident. Ghana launches 5G service with a vision for national digital transformation Kweku Zurek Nov - 01 - 2024 , 13:32 3 minutes read Ghana has taken a step towards a fully connected future with the launch of high-speed 5G internet, covering Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi in its initial rollout. The event, held today at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, was attended by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, both of whom highlighted the transformative potential of 5G for Ghanas economy, education, and overall connectivity. President Akufo-Addo celebrated the launch as a defining moment in our journey towards a digitally inclusive and transformed Ghana. He stressed that the new technology is more than just faster internet but rather a leap forward in connectivity that aligns with Ghanas vision to become a digital economy hub. 5G technology will drive our agenda forward, embedding the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and data analytics into daily life across Ghana, he noted, envisioning innovations that will impact sectors from healthcare to agriculture. The Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, highlighted the immediate impact for residents of the three cities, who will begin experiencing the benefits almost immediately, once the network operators activate it. She elaborated on the benefits, citing sectors such as agriculture, where precision farming and smart irrigation will enhance food security and sustainability, and healthcare, where remote consultations and real-time health monitoring could revolutionize service accessibility for rural communities. In her address, Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful urged Ghanaians to hold telecom providers accountable if they do not deliver on promised 5G service within these initial areas. If you live in the initial 5G catchment areas and still cannot access 5G by December, kindly call out your network operator, because they have to make it available to you, she asserted, underlining the governments commitment to quality and accessible digital services. Powering economic growth and innovation Both the President and Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful underscored 5Gs potential to boost Ghanas micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), providing them with tools to reach new markets and scale operations. President Akufo-Addo expressed confidence that faster, more reliable internet will empower domestic businesses and expand economic opportunities across the country. 5G will be a catalyst for industrial growth, he said, adding that its capabilities will improve productivity and connectivity in agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Ensuring security, inclusivity, and affordability With security and inclusivity top of mind, President Akufo-Addo and Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful outlined measures to ensure all Ghanaians benefit from this technological leap. The President affirmed that robust cybersecurity and data privacy protocols would accompany the rollout, building a trusted digital environment. He also emphasised that rural connectivity remains a priority, with plans to extend coverage to underserved areas by 2026. To make 5G services affordable, the government is working closely with service providers to develop cost-effective data plans. Were collaborating closely with telecom service providers to offer affordable data plans catering to various needs and budgets, said Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful, adding that public-private partnerships are being explored to help reduce consumer costs. Shared vision for Ghanas digital future Both leaders celebrated the collaborative efforts behind the 5G rollout, acknowledging the contributions of international technology firms and local telecom operators. Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful praised President Akufo-Addos leadership in fast-tracking Ghanas 5G rollout within just five months, noting that his vision for digitalization is building a strong foundation for Ghanas digital economy. Let this day mark the beginning of a new era in our digital journey, President Akufo-Addo concluded, one that leads Ghana to economic resilience, social inclusivity, and global competitiveness. Next article: Early warnings for all initiative launched in Accra Bono Region Thank You tour: 169 Agro factories ready under 1D1F President Biiya Mukusah Ali Nov - 01 - 2024 , 11:14 4 minutes read The government has completed 169 different agro-processing factories under its One District One Factory (1D1F) programme to drive the local economy and reduce unemployment, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has said. He said aside from that, 152 other factories were under construction, explaining that the Bono Region had seven of such factories, out of which three were operational. President Akufo-Addo was speaking at the Bono Regional stakeholders engagement in Sunyani last Wednesday to thank the chiefs and people in the region for reposing their trust in him and supporting his administration to succeed. He said economic and industrial development was one of his priorities, hence the reason to introduce the 1D1F initiative to improve each districts economy. Advertisement Planting for Food and Jobs President Akufo-Addo said more than two million farmers across the country benefited from the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative. He said his administration had worked hard to increase and make the cashew industry more lucrative for industry players. He said his outfit established the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) to manage cashew and five other selected commodities, namely oil palm, rubber, coconut, shea butter and mango. President Akufo-Addo said he had increased the price of the raw cashew nuts from GH8.13p per kilogramme in 2023 to GH13 per kilogramme. He said the country made $530 million annually as export revenue from cashew, explaining that the government had targeted $2 billion annually in the next three years. He said his administration had achieved a lot and needed a successor such as the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to continue his legacy. "That is why I am appealing to you to vote for Dr Bawumia. He is the only candidate who will continue, complete and add more to my projects," he said. Agenda 111 President Akufo-Addo said more than 70 per cent of the entire Agenda 111 projects had been completed, while the rest were at various stages of completion. He said the programme was ongoing and expressed the hope that he would inaugurate some of the hospitals before his tenure of office ends on January 7, 2025. President Akufo-Addo disclosed that the Agenda 111 was the idea of Dr Bawumia. He said Dr Bawumia approached him in his office during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggested the construction of hospitals in districts without hospitals. He said the government took the idea and decided to add additional seven hospitals - six for the newly created regions and one in the Western Region - because the regional hospital was not up to standard and was also quite old. He said his outfit had also completed the conversion and refurbishment of several other important hospitals in the region, including the Tain District Hospital at Nsawkaw in 2021. President Akufo-Addo said his administration had improved the health infrastructure in the region to promote quality health delivery. He said infrastructural projects such as roads and water systems were scattered across the region, emphasising that he had constructed more roads than any other government in the history of Ghana. President Akufo-Addo appealed to the chiefs and people of the region to vote for Dr Bawumia to complete the projects, particularly roads and the Agenda 111 project. Free SHS Policy On Free Senior High School (SHS), he said, the policy had increased the countrys SHS enrolment from 800,000 in 2017 to 1.6 million. Additionally, he said a total of 5.7 million young people had benefited from the Free SHS Policy since its introduction. President Akufo-Addo said although the policy was free, the government ensured it delivered quality education. He said, for instance, in 2023 the results released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) were the best in the history of WAEC. He said education played a critical role in the development of any country, explaining that all the developed countries such as Korea prioritised education right from 1957. President Akufo-Addo said before his administration, only 18 per cent of children who were enrolled in schools ended up completing their education in tertiary institutions. He said he vowed to invest heavily in the country's education to increase that phenomenon to 40 per cent by 2030. He said before he took over the government, over 100,000 Junior High School (JHS) students with good grades were unable to pursue their SHS education because their parents could not afford that. "So in 10 years, we had more than one million young Ghanaians who could not pursue SHS education even though they have the right qualifications, he indicated. President Akufo-Addo said that was the reason why he introduced the Free SHS Policy to make it accessible to all Ghanaian children. President Akufo-Addo criticised former President and flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, for claiming that he introduced the policy. Writer's email: biiya.ali@graphic.com.gh Chief Justice launches manual on election adjudication Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Nov - 01 - 2024 , 06:50 4 minutes read The Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, has launched a revised edition of a manual that serves as a guide on the adjudication of electoral disputes in the country. Known as the Manual on Election Adjudication in Ghana, it is produced by the Judicial Service, and had been launched in every electoral year since 2008. It is a one-stop shop for everything related to the laws and regulations of elections in the country, housing the compendium of all electoral laws, decided cases on electoral disputes, the rules of procedure adopted by the courts in adjudicating electoral disputes, as well as the processes involved in instituting legal actions over elections. The revised edition, which is the fifth edition, is unique, as it comprises three volumes, with each volume dealing with a specific area relating to election adjudication. Advertisement Most importantly, the new edition also includes proposals and recommendations by civil society organisations (CSOs), the Electoral Commission, the Judiciary, and other stakeholders on how to improve election adjudication in the country, especially how to expedite Parliamentary Election disputes. Present at the launch were the two Deputy Chairpersons of the EC - Dr Bossman Eric Asare and Samuel Tettey members of the diplomatic corps, CSOs, judges and traditional leaders. Commitment Justice Torkornoo said elections were at the heart of democracy and, therefore, the manual was a testament to the Judicial Services commitment to continuously uphold transparency, fairness and rule of law to help protect the countrys democracy. It is our resolve to go over and beyond our call of duty to ensure that the relevant law is not only known to judges and lawyers, but available as a useful tool for election administrators, she said. Its wide usage and familiarity will prevent avoidable misunderstandings and strengthen our democracy. I urge everyone to pay close attention to its contents and allow it to be a good guide for accessing justice in the courts, she added. A soft copy of the manual would be made available for free on the website of the judicial service. Justice Torkornoo lauded a former Chief Justice, Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, for initiating the idea of an election adjudicating manual, and also her predecessors - Justices Anin Yeboah and Sophia Akuffo, for continuing with the practice. She also commended the Election Management Committee (EMC) of the Judicial Service, chaired by Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, a Justice of the Supreme Court, for working hard to come up with the manual. Protection of democracy Justice Torkornoo said that every citizen had the duty to protect the countrys democracy and also ensure that the democratic foundation continued to blossom. Currently, there is an even more urgent need to protect the essence of the rule of law and democratic principles in the country. In the last week, I have had the unpleasant duty of having to close down courts in the Upper Regions of our country, and no one benefits from such situations. It is in the national interest for all and sundry to rally around the administration of law and justice in the coming elections in order to ensure the preservation of the national fabric that the Constitution has put together for us, she added. Stakeholder engagement Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said the EMC, as part of its work, held a wide stakeholder engagement with many groups to solicit their views. He said one of the main issues that came up during the engagement was how to expedite the adjudicating of parliamentary electoral disputes. In view of that, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said their views and recommendations were included in the manual and sent to the Rules of Court Committee and the Office of the Attorney-General for consideration. The EMC also conducted training for magistrates and High Court judges, who according to Regulation 21 (1) of C.I 91, are required to act as district registration review officers and chief review registration officers, he said. Writers email : emma.hawkson@graphic.com.gh Fighting transnational organised crime requires united front - Boundary Commission boss Maclean Kwofi Nov - 01 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read The Commissioner General of the Ghana Boundary Commission (GhBC), Major General Dr Emmanuel Kotia, has called for a united front to deal efficiently with increasing transnational organised crime that impacts negatively on the development of border communities within the West African sub-region. He explained that the growing threats of transnational organised crime, illegal mining, goods smuggling and border community deprivation were undermining individual attempts to address these challenges in border regions. Speaking at the opening of a two-day extraordinary general assembly meeting of the Black Volta Cross Border Community Region in Accra last Wednesday, Maj. Gen. Kotia stated that cross-border cooperation was no longer an option, but a necessity in today's interconnected world. Our borders are not barriers; they are gateways to shared growth, development and security. Advertisement However, the increasing challenges related to transnational organised crime, illegal mining, the smuggling of goods and the deprivation of border communities, among others, that characterise our international border regions have slowed down individual efforts at curbing them. Their continuous rise requires confronting them as a united front," he said. The meeting The meeting, among other things, is designed to initiate Savannah Region, a new border region, into the Black Volta Cross Border Community Region (Black Volta ESCO). It was organised by the Black Volta ESCO and GhBC with support from the German Development Agency (GIZ) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). Sixty representatives from the Black Volta ESCO member regions selected from the Upper West and Savannah regions (Ghana), Bourkani Region (Cote dIvoire), and South West Region (Burkina Faso) are participating in the meeting. The Black Volta ESCO was established to create a common platform for members to coordinate their efforts in responding appropriately to shared climatic, social, economic and security problems through enhanced coordination and communication. Commitment Maj. Gen. Kotia said the Ghana Boundary Commission was deeply committed to ensuring the country played an active and constructive role in promoting cross-border cooperation within the ESCO Black Volta area. Our partnership with the governments of Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso, as well as with international organisations such as GIZ and UEMOA, has been instrumental in advancing our shared goals. "For these, I say a huge thank you to GlZ and UEMOA for your continuous support towards ensuring that boundaries in Africa transform into areas of growth and prosperity," he said. Cooperation The Political Officer at the German Embassy, Pauline Okkens, said cooperation and coordination were key to success in the field of cross-border management. She said cross-border cooperation and well-defined borders were highly relevant preventive elements against conflicts. He said the German government, through GIZ, supported the African Union border programme, which had been an important tool in fostering cooperation and enhancing the capacities of the boundary commissions of many African countries. "The boundary commissions play a crucial role in considering the expansion of transnational organised crime, the German government remains committed to keep on partnering through close cooperation in the field of security," she said. The President of the Black Volta ESCO, Philip Heins, said the Savannah Region needed to be integrated with the Black Volta ESCO Community. That, he said, would help the new region to build a close relationship with the other three-member regions to respond appropriately to climate, social, economic and security problems. Govt moves to amend Minerals Development Fund Act Timothy Ngnenbe Nov - 01 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read The government has initiated moves to amend the Minerals Development Fund (MDF) Act, 2016 (Act 912) and increase the mineral royalties allocation of the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA) from the current eight per cent to 13 per cent . The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, who made this known to the Daily Graphic, said the move was to ensure that more resources were made available to the GGSA to deliver on its core mandate of geological investigations for the sustainable management of the countrys mineral resources. The MDF, which was set up by Act 912 in 2016, receives 20 per cent of all mineral royalties paid by mining companies and allocates same to beneficiary institutions, including the GGSA. Under the allocation formula, the GGSA receives eight per cent of the total receipts by MDF. Advertisement However, at the inauguration of the renovated administration block of the GGSA in Accra yesterday, the minister said a process had been initiated to increase the revenue allocation to the authority to facilitate its work. Govt commitment Mr Jinapor said the inauguration of the renovated GGSA building was a demonstration of the government's commitment to resource agencies in the natural resources management sector for effective utilisation of mineral resources. He said special attention would be given to the retooling of the GGSA to deliver on its mandate, especially as the country continued to explore the best way forward to deal with the illegal mining menace. Mr Jinapor added that when the GGSA was well resourced to undertake more geological investigations for mineral-rich areas, it would cure the haphazard digging around by persons desperate to mine illegally. The minister said apart from the building, the government would also ensure that the welfare of the workers of GGSA was improved. Mandate boost The Director-General of GGSA, Isaac Kuuwan Mwinbelle, described the inauguration of the renovated building as a major boost to the image of the authority. "This is an edifice that befits the status of the GGSA and what we do," he said, adding that the new building was a morale booster for the staff of the authority. Mr Mwinbelle said the renovation of the building, which coincided with the 110th anniversary celebration of the GGSA, would help the authority to deliver on its mandate. He called for GGSA to be more resourced to do more geological investigation and delineation of mineralised areas for responsible mining. The GGSA Director-General said he would ensure that the environmental degradation associated with small-scale mining was eradicated. Touching on the move to upscale the MDF allocation to the GGSA, he said, it would expand the resource envelope of the authority. However, he said, the delay in the release of funds to the GGSA from the MDF was worrying as it hindered geological investigations. Background The GGSA operates under the new Ghana Geological Survey Authority Act 2016 (Act 928), which was enacted to replace the Survey Act, 1962 (Act 127). The GGSA is mandated by Act 928 to advise, promote and research on geoscientific issues concerning mineral resources, groundwater, environment, geo-hazards and land use planning to support sustainable economic development in the country. The core functions of the GGSA are mapping (geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrogeological); mineral exploration, engineering and environmental geology, and seismic (earthquake) monitoring. Youth advised to embrace agribusiness for self-sustenance Benjamin Xornam Glover Nov - 01 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read The Country Director for Mastercard Foundation, Rica Rwigamba, has urged young people to embrace agriculture as a means of securing sustainable livelihoods. She recognised the untapped potential of the agricultural sector and highlighted the many opportunities available, and urged young individuals to consider farming as a viable career choice. Ms Rwigamba said this in an interview with journalists last Wednesday at Kasunya in the Shai Osudoku District in the Greater Accra Region during an exhibition at the Kasunya Economic Enclave Project (EEP). The exhibition was an initiative of a joint team from the foundation and Agri-Impact Limited organised as part of the Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) Programme. Advertisement The HAPPY Programme targets youth aged 15-35, with 70 per cent womens participation, with the aim to boost productivity in rice, soya, tomato and poultry value chains to reduce import dependency. The four-year intervention being implemented by eight organisations, include Newage Agric Solutions, National Service Scheme (NSS), Ghana CARES (MiDA), Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), TechnoServe, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Jobberman. Youth empowerment After visiting some of the stands at the exhibition, Ms Rwigamba expressed her excitement, praising the partners for focusing on empowering the youth. She said the Foundation was committed to ensuring that over three million Ghanaian youth, especially women, had access to dignified jobs by 2030 and stressed the need for the youth to view agribusiness as one of the ventures that lead to wealth creation. Success The Chief Executive Officer of Agri-Impact Limited, Daniel Fahene Acquaye said the project commenced on December 2023, and as of October this year, close to 100,000 young people had secured dignified and fulfilling jobs within the poultry, rice, soybean and tomato value chains. Mr Acquaye explained that the four value chains were selected based on the fact that Ghana imports a lot of these produce, stressing that by producing these food items locally, Ghana could reduce its import bill, create jobs and enhance livelihoods locally. Through this intervention, the project intends to produce 189,00 metric tonnes of food to generate close to $ 200 million worth of income for young people annually and by so doing reduce food import by 10 per cent per annum, he said. Partnerships The CEO of the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), Michael Asare Bediako, in a speech read on his behalf by Milana Agyeman, Chief Accountant at MiDA, said the Kasumya Economic Enclaves Project, the first of several of model enclaves planned under the Ghana COVID-19 Alleviation and Revitalisation of Enterprises Support (Ghana CARES) Obaatanpa programme, exemplified what could be achieved through collaboration, adding that the HAPPY Programme served as a launch pad for economic empowerment to equip young people with resources, training and mentorship. Impact The founder and Chief Farmer at Agro Kings, an anchor farmer under the project, Nana Owusu-Achau, said prior to the intervention, Agro Kings was working with 600 smallholder farmers in three districts. However, in the last 12 months, he said, they had moved from 600 to 7,000 smallholder farmers in 15 districts. In terms of the youth working on the programme, the figure has risen from 27 young farmers in 2023 to 300 in 2024 under the HAPPY programme. Also, 12 persons with disability have been offered employment opportunities, while some young females have been empowered with the skills of operating tractors and other heavy machinery Writers email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh Next article: US donates two boats to improve health access for remote communities in the Western Region Former First Lady Lordina Mahama advocates for improved healthcare in rural Ghana GraphicOnline Health Nov - 01 - 2024 , 22:01 2 minutes read Former First Lady Lordina Mahama has called for improved access to healthcare, especially in rural communities across Ghana. Speaking at a health durbar on breast cancer and general health screening at the Tishigu Health Centre in Tamale North, Mrs. Mahama highlighted the importance of regular health check-ups and early detection in combating breast cancer. As President and Founder of the Lordina Foundation, Mrs. Mahama encouraged community members to utilize the free health screenings and prioritize their health. She also acknowledged the dedication of healthcare workers and urged attendees to engage actively by asking questions and seeking support. In line with her foundations commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure, Mrs. Mahama donated essential medical equipment to the Tishigu Health Centre, including hospital beds, delivery beds, medical gloves, syringes, and baby care essentials. Advertisement Quality healthcare should not be a privilege for a few but a right for everyone, Mrs. Mahama emphasised, advocating for ongoing support of healthcare initiatives in rural areas. She added, This is only the beginning. Every donation, every act of kindness, creates waves of changechange that is essential to rebuilding our country. Community appreciation Tamale North MP Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini, in whose constituency the event was held, expressed gratitude to the former First Lady, as well as to the chiefs and people of the area for their support. He noted the contribution of the local chief, who donated land for the health centre, and credited the MPs Common Fund for helping complete the project. The event, focused on health awareness, breast cancer screening, and general health education, aimed to encourage community participation in proactive healthcare and underscore the importance of accessible medical services for all. Previous article: Next NDC government to set up courts within the precincts of other prisons - Mahama A vote for Bawumia will be disastrous for Ghana's future - Mahama Zadok Kwame Gyesi Politics Nov - 01 - 2024 , 13:12 22 minutes read Presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, is of the view that a vote for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming December 7 polls will be disastrous for the country's future. His reason is that a vote for "Bawumia will be a disastrous third term for Akufo-Addo and his corrupt friends and family administration." For him, many Ghanaians are demanding accountability of the stewardship of the Akufo-Addo-led administration and that can be obtained only when Ghanaians hand over power to the NDC government. "This is not a quest for witch-hunting but a genuine desire by Ghanaians to see public officers held to account for the public trust in them. Fighting corruption requires courage and principle," he said, adding "I am determined to cure the canker of corruption in our country." Advertisement Mr. Mahama made these comments during a governance forum in Accra on Thursday evening, October 31, 2024. Dubbed: "Resetting Ghana for good governance and accountability", the forum offered the NDC's leader the opportunity to speak on various issues affecting the country's governance system. For Mr Mahama, "Corruption is intertwined with bad governance and represents a manifestation of carefully crafted schemes by government appointees, their families, and friends to benefit their narrow, selfish needs." That, he noted, he will ensure meritorious appointments and allow the systems for transparency and accountability to work in an unfettered space. "My dear friends and fellow Ghanaians, the John Mahama and Naana Jane NDC government will adhere to the substantive constitutional expectation of Separation of Powers to allow for checks and balances," he stated, adding "We will adequately resource independent constitutional bodies, revitalise media freedoms, and hold regular stakeholder engagements and presidential media encounters in the Flagstaff House." He was of the view that many of the corrupt acts practically benefits the ruling government, saying "Think about the PDS and SML scandals, Agyapa and others. Think about Databank, which belongs to the then Minister for Finance, the presidents cousin, who is profiting from our national debt." He added, "Lets go further and consider the COVID-19 expenditure and SPUTNIK-V scandals, in which people who were voted to protect our interests decided to profit from the pandemic. The list is endless. While you think about these acts of corruptionI have not even mentioned the $58 million National Cathedral scandallet us ask ourselves, what has happened to the perpetrators? Impunity prevails when corruption goes unchecked and unpunished, and the country is consigned to hardships. This is how corruption has led to the hardships Ghanaians are suffering today," Mr Mahama stated. For him, considering the numerous scandals under the current government, there is the need to vote against the governing NPP government in the upcoming elections. "This is another reason why we must show the corrupt NPP government the exit on 7 December to promote scrutiny and accountability," he stated. Full Address I SPEAK OF GOVERNANCE A PRESENTATION BY HE JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA ON RESETTING GHANA FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY OCTOBER 31, 2024 Thank you, and good evening. Thank you, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, for accepting to join me for this Governance Forum, especially as we had to schedule it for the evening because of my campaign activities. I returned from the Northern Region last night and, earlier this morning, chaired a meeting of the Board of the Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa. This afternoon, I also held a very good meeting with the leadership of the Church of Pentecost before getting ready to join you this evening. My earlier conversations today and some developments in our country over the last few days have combined to make this evening the most appropriate time to hold this forum. This evening, I want to speak about Governance! I am moved to speak about governance because the way we administer governance in our dear country has brought Ghana to a crossroads. Injustice is eating our society away as our economy inflicts untold hardships on millions of suffering Ghanaians. In the last few years, the World Bank reports that 870,000 of our people have slipped below the poverty line. Our own Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) says 1.7 million Ghanaians are multi- dimensionally poor under the Akufo Addo/Bawumia administration. My dear brothers and sisters, at this crossroads, we have no option but to uniteas one people who put our nation firstto give us a chance to succeed. For Ghana to be successful again, there is an urgent need to reset our governance and democratic systems. This can only happen if this current NPP government is rejected at the polls on 7th December. These last eight years have been very challenging for our democratic institutions. All the gains we have made in strengthening them since 1992 have been eroded. Ghanaians must end this horror movie they have been subjected to over the last eight years. The pledge to protect the public purse was a hollow promise. Indeed, as some people say humorously, they have not only emptied the public purse; they have stolen the purse itself. The insatiable greed of this administration's appointees has not even spared the environment, including our water bodies and forest reserves. Their catastrophic failure has not only led to an upsurge in corruption but also to disrespect for citizens' freedoms and rights, the high-handed throwing of citizens into remand custody, and the deprivation of them of food and medical care. This government lacks integrity, transparency, and accountability. It will not accept responsibility for the hardships it has foisted on our society. It still believes and insists it is not responsible for the damage to our economy. It maintains we cannot hold it accountable for skyrocketing the national debt from GH120 billion in 2016 to GH767 billion in 2024, with very little to show. They will not accept that compelling the Central Bank to print more than GH70 billion increased inflation to about 54%, leading to the Bank of Ghana posting a loss of over GH60 billion. Ladies and gentlemen, I firmly believe that the main reason for democratic governance is to improve the living conditions of ALL citizensincluding people living with disabilities, our retirees and young people who are out of school and need jobs in a tangible, sustainable and equitable way. Democracy must be meaningful to citizens. Democracy must deliver justice to the people. In a democracy, citizens must be free to criticise the government without hearing a weird knock on their doors at night from partisan national security operatives. In a true democracy, citizens, including journalists, security personnel, workers of the Electoral Commission, teachers, nurses, and doctors, must be able to go about their daily duties without looking over their shoulders to see who is misinterpreting their actions and democratic choices. Their phones must be free from bugging and monitoring. Bad governance threatens inclusive and sustainable development and undermines democracy. In other words, people must be free to speak their minds. As politicians, recent developments should make it clear that the people of Ghana, especially the youth, have begun to be more assertive about their deserved aspirations. They are no longer hoodwinked by superficial compliance, unprincipled positions, mere rhetoric, abuse of vested power, and divisive and irrational tribal or religious politics. The youth of Ghana are seeking fundamental, drastic and wholesome reforms to the crippling canker of corruption and elitist governance. As a political leader, I am ready to provide real leadership and a genuine commitment to meeting the needs and aspirations of the people. Ladies and gentlemen, this is why I speak of governance this evening. This is why I am offering myself as a servant leader. One who is prepared to work with all of you to halt the declining confidence in our democratic governance and our institutions. All true patriots will feel sad reviewing the report of the CDD Afrobarometer Round 10 survey. I urge every one of you to study it. The report chronicles the increasing loss of faith in our democratic institutions. We must urgently halt their decay, reset them, and begin to chart a dignifying path forward. And I believe we can. No barriers erected by the deeds and misdeeds of this government will be too steep to surmount from January 7, 2025, when, by the grace of the almighty God, I am sworn into office as President. I am determined to work with you to save our democracy. And it will not matter whose ox is gored. Combating Corruption and Ensuring Transparent Governance I am determined to cure the canker of corruption in our country. Corruption is intertwined with bad governance and represents a manifestation of carefully crafted schemes by government appointees, their families, and friends to benefit their narrow, selfish needs. Think about the PDS and SML scandals, Agyapa and others. Think about Databank, which belongs to the then Minister for Finance, the presidents cousin, who is profiting from our national debt. There is also the Number 12 investigative report by Anas Aremeyaw Anas, which led to the murder of Ahmed Hussein Suale after implicating the presidency. Think about the Pwalugu Dam scandal. Lets go further and consider the COVID-19 expenditure and SPUTNIK-V scandals, in which people who were voted to protect our interests decided to profit from the pandemic. The list is endless. While you think about these acts of corruptionI have not even mentioned the $58 million National Cathedral scandallet us ask ourselves, what has happened to the perpetrators? Impunity prevails when corruption goes unchecked and unpunished, and the country is consigned to hardships. This is how corruption has led to the hardships Ghanaians are suffering today. This is another reason why we must show the corrupt NPP government the exit on 7 December to promote scrutiny and accountability. A vote for Bawumia will be a disastrous third term for Akufo- Addo and his corrupt friends and family administration. This is not a quest for witch-hunting but a genuine desire by Ghanaians to see public officers held to account for the public trust in them. Fighting corruption requires courage and principle. I will ensure meritorious appointments and allow the systems for transparency and accountability to work in an unfettered space. And I know my level. It is definitely not to be a clearing agent. My dear friends and fellow Ghanaians, the John Mahama and Naana Jane NDC government will adhere to the substantive constitutional expectation of Separation of Powers to allow for checks and balances. We will adequately resource independent constitutional bodies, revitalise media freedoms, and hold regular stakeholder engagements and presidential media encounters in the Flagstaff House. My administration will establish a Governance Advisory Council, and I aim to improve political governance, help curb corruption and ensure respect for human rights in the country. Membership of the Council will include representatives of civil society organisations, religious leaders, traditional leaders, academia, labour and ordinary Ghanaians. Every year, the Governance Advisory Council would release a report on the state of human rights, corruption, and governance to serve as a guide for the government to determine whether we are on the right track regarding issues of governance, corruption, human rights, media, and other freedoms, including torture and crime. You have heard about Operation Recover-All-Loot. That will be one of my tools to combat corruption and make it a high-risk endeavour. Operation Recover-All-Loot (ORAL) will investigate, prosecute, and recover the proceeds of corruption. We will use both local and foreign investigative expertise to achieve this objective. Legislation to prohibit political appointees, politically exposed persons, and all serving public officials from purchasing state assets will be closely linked to the ORAL. We shall also establish a state assets registry (SAR) to address the detrimental phenomenon of state capture. As I have assured the chiefs of Ga State, I will open an enquiry into the sale of stolen government lands and the implementation of the Accra Redevelopment Policy. The investigation into the looting of government lands will not be conducted alone in Accra. We are aware of the developments in Kumasi, Ho, and Tamale and will extend the ORAL into all sixteen regions. I commit to rigorously implementing the recommendations. To ensure value for money and transparency in contract awards, an Independent Value for Money office will scrutinise government procurements above $5 million or as Parliament may determine. The Public Procurement Act of 2003 (Act 663 as amended) will be further amended to make single- sourced and restricted tendering an exception rather than the norm. Working with the Judiciary, special courts will be established to prosecute persons in whom the Auditor-General and Parliament have made adverse findings. We will support the Auditor-General in enforcing the surcharge powers to retrieve embezzled funds with interest. Our commitment to reviewing and enforcing the Assets Declaration regime to promote transparency and combat corruption will be pursued. I will require all members of my administration to declare their assets within 30 days of assuming office. Restoring Public Confidence and Trust in Government Ladies and gentlemen, the recent report from the Afrobarometer survey in Ghana reveals depressing reports about our institutions. The Ghanaian public has lost trust in many of our institutions. Collectively, we must do more to rebuild that trust. My administration will review the codes of conduct for public officeholders to promote ethical leadership, professionalism, and efficiency. We must make the public sector work for the people by being responsive to their needs and demonstrating humility and sacrifice. We will also pass and implement the revised Internal Audit Agencies Bill to address malfeasance in public agencies. For almost eight years, the government has deliberately and systematically worked to weaken and undermine the independence of the Judiciary, the electoral commission, and the Audit Service for personal and partisan gain. Our human rights record, including press freedom, has suffered just as the fight against corruption has. Journalists have been hounded and cowered into silence and self- censorship. But I can assure you that there is hope. The NDC, under my leadership, is ready and willing to work with Ghanaians, key stakeholders in civil society, traditional leaders, and development partners to restore good governance in our beloved country. As I have said many times, I will drastically reduce the size of government by appointing no more than sixty (60) ministers of state. We will achieve this by realigning and merging ministries, departments, and agencies and appointing highly efficient, effective, and smart appointees to eliminate duplication and waste. We will also abolish the payment of ex-gratia. The disparities between Article 71 officeholders and the Public Service will be fixed by establishing the long-overdue Independent Emoluments Commissionmerging the functions of the Presidential Commission on Emoluments and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission. In addition, we will complete the Constitution Review process and strengthen the regulatory framework for political party financing. I believe Independent Constitutional Bodies must be strengthened rather than weakened, and I am referring to the National Media Commission, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the Electoral Commission, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and the Audit Service. Justice delivery On justice delivery: Resetting Ghana to work in a 24-hour economy that will create jobs also means justice must not only be served but must be palpably seen to have been delivered. The next NDC government will, therefore, support the judiciary in enhancing access to justice and restoring confidence in the judiciary. My administration will depoliticise the administration of justice, respect the independence of the Judiciary, and see to the expeditious determination of cases through automationvirtual hearings, use of technologyand motivation of the judicial service to consider a shift system under the 24-hour economy. Establishing courts within the precincts of other prisons will ensure that prisoners are treated fairly, just as it has been done within the precincts of the Nsawam Medium Security Prison. Ensuring the feeding and medical care of prisoners will be paramount. We will conduct a comprehensive legal education review to expand access to legal education in Ghana. We need more lawyers to serve our national development goals in a democracy. Among other things, we shall expand the child-friendly court programme to all regional capitals, including child-sensitive training for judges, court staff, and DOVVSU staff, and modernise Juvenile Correction Centres to foster effective rehabilitation and reintegration of young offenders into society. Public Safety and Security I am determined to provide adequate safety and security for all Ghanaians under the 24-Hour Economy initiative. To the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Prison Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, the Intelligence Agencies, the Narcotic Control Commission, Customs, National Disaster Management Organisation, National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, and others, keep in mind that I, John Dramani Mahama, appreciate the immense sacrifices and service you render to our dear Republic, sometimes, even at the peril of your own lives. We have dedicated professionals, patriotic serving officers, and men and women in our security agencies who are appalled by the needless politicisation this government has injected into the security services. To all professional and decent-minded security men and women who yearn for the restoration of the glory days of being a member of the security services, you can be assured that ours will be a government that ensures promotions are based on merit and will correct injustices in promotions across all the security services. Be assured that the glory days of our security services under a government that will not infuse the services with unqualified personnel is coming. On Monday, 2nd December, the Special Voting Day, vote for John Mahama as President and vote for the NDC parliamentary Candidates. I am confident the Special Voters will herald the tone for my resounding victory in this years elections. Like millions of Ghanaians, this category of voters feels the hardships the economy imposes. Like millions of Ghanaians, you all feel the hardships the economy imposes. We all go to the same market. Media personnel feel the hostile atmosphere within which they ply their noble trade. The staff of the Electoral Commission also feel and are appalled by the systematic decay their once cherished Commission has suffered under this government. Ladies and gentlemen, to ensure the security and safety of all citizens and businesses, the next NDC government will further review the compensation package for personnel who lose their lives or get injured in the line of duty. We will establish new military installations, focusing on border areas and the new regions, to prevent terrorist attacks and ensure rapid response; implement cyber security measures to protect government systems, critical infrastructure, people and businesses; and harmonise and address disparities in salaries, remunerations, and other conditions of service. There are huge shortfalls in both residential and office accommodation within the services. These we will aggressively tackle from my first day in office; enhance medical packages for serving and retired personnel and their families; ensure continuous review of UN operational allowances; review the appointment of the heads of security agencies, ensure parliamentary oversight over security and intelligence agencies and actively engage the services of private security organisations who adhere to decent work and provide fair wages for their employees. I wish to use this opportunity to urge our men and women in uniform to remember to abide by their oaths of office and protect and defend our constitution before, during, and after the General Elections. Finally, on security, I call for calm to prevail in Bawku. I appeal to all sides to exercise restraint and silence the weapons. Resolving the Bawku conflict will be one of my first priorities as President. Responsible Mining The need to champion sustainable development stares us in the face as our water bodies stand more polluted than we have ever witnessed in our countrys history. While pursuing green technologies, my administration will promote sustainable mining. As I have said before, no member of my government will be allowed to engage in mining. I repeat, my appointees will be prohibited from mining to prevent conflicts of interest. Rest assured that every government appointee and party official who flouts the mining laws will be swiftly prosecuted. Irresponsible and illegal mining (galamsey) will be banned. Mining in forest reserves will also be prohibited because water bodies take their source from these forests. Small-scale mining will continue to be the preserve of Ghanaians as we take inventory of all licensed small-scale miners and their concessions to build capacity and hold miners accountable. To this end, we will engage the large mining companies to cede and release abandoned shafts, pits or areas for licensed small-scale miners to exploit. Land reclamation under the Tree for Life and Blue Water initiatives will be key to our determination to protect our environment while encouraging sustainable mining for national development. This is where graduates from UMAT, UNER and other institutions come in. We shall employ them to support miners. The support will include setting up environmental regulatory outfits like the Environmental Protection Agency and Minerals Commission in mining districts. Strengthening Local Governance The next NDC government will implement true decentralisation and reverse the centralisation of our local government and decentralisation system. To provide policy coherence and ministerial oversight, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development will be responsible for sanitation. We shall re-introduce the National Sanitation Days and Cleanest City Award scheme to inject a competitive spirit among MMDAs and promote waste-to-energy projects to harness renewable energy sources. To provide adequate funding for local governance, we will abolish the centralised collection of property rates and stimulate local economic growth and diversification for job creation by offering incentives for local-level investment and processing under the 24-hour economy policy. With an enhanced District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) from five (5) to seven-point five (7.5) per cent, we will upgrade selected Municipalities, including but not limited to Ho, Kasoa, Ashaiman, Techiman, Koforidua, Sunyani, Bolgatanga, Hohoe, and Wa into Metropolises and upgrade eligible Districts into Municipalities. All Assembly Members will be paid monthly consolidated allowances to motivate them to monitor the implementation of government projects and programmes within their Electoral Areas. To this end, we will increase the representation of traditional authorities in the decentralised structures and listen to them when they speak. It is worrying that the government has ignored the cries of the chiefs and people along the flood- affected areas of the Volta River and Lake and has refused to offer adequate compensation to them. As already promised, we shall right the wrongs. Media Freedom I wish to assure our journalists and media practitioners that, under my presidency, we are returning to an era of true media freedom. In this new era of media freedom, journalists will not remain in constant fear over state-sponsored attacks on them. Radio stations critical of the government will not be closed. Journalists will not fear being attacked to the point that some have to seek asylum in other countries. To promote and guarantee media freedom, expand the frontiers of press freedom, and create a conducive work environment for media practitioners, we will fully implement and operationalise the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989); re-open the investigation into the murder of Ahmed Hussein-Suale and ensure prompt action on all cases involving violations of the rights and freedoms of media professionals; support the Ghana Journalists Association, National Media Commission, and other stakeholders to promote an enduring professional media environment; and improve continuous professional development for media practitioners. We are determined to pass the Broadcasting Bill into law, reactivate the Media Development Fund in consultation with the GJA, and support the growth and economic viability of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and other state-owned media outfits. International Relations Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time under the Fourth Republic, Ghana has suffered the shame of defaulting on debt. Our citizens, including pensioners, had their bonds withheld and slashed with crude haircuts. Even though our external partners have suffered a variant of this crude haircut, the government I will lead from 7th January 2025 is expected to begin paying for the sins of this governments debt default. This means Ghanas international relations must be stepped up to restore our global influence, enhance our role in international affairs, and ensure maximum benefits for national development. Fortunately, unlike my opponent, I am not a stranger to the international relations arena. I will hit the ground running and pursue a comprehensive foreign policy that articulates our enlightened national interest, reaffirms our commitment to regional integration, peace, and security, appreciates contemporary geopolitical realities, and proffers strategic engagements for sustainable world peace, security, and development. We will intensify economic diplomacy and appoint trade attaches to specifically designated Ghanas diplomatic missions to market Ghanas competitiveness. Ghanas hosting of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat will be leveraged to reset and accelerate our socio-economic growth and pivot Ghana as Africas transport and investment hub. This includes Ghana becoming a pharmaceutical manufacturing hub. To foster good neighbourliness, I will reinforce cordial and mutually supportive relations with our immediate neighbours and engage in strategic initiatives to facilitate the reintegration of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger into ECOWAS, to reaffirm our collective commitment to the principles of sub- regional integration Ghanas steadfast commitment to the African Union will be sustained. Ghanaian nationals abroad should be assured of enhanced consular services and proactive programmes that promote and protect their welfare and rights. These rights will include their participation in our political and socioeconomic development. Conclusion Ladies and gentlemen, this evening, I have shared with you some of the concrete governance proposals we seek to implement when given the nod in this years General Elections. I have reiterated that Ghana is at a crossroads because injustice is eating our society away, and our economy is inflicting untold hardships on millions of suffering Ghanaians. I have also reaffirmed my determination to cure the canker of corruption ruthlessly and refreshed your memories on a few of the uncountable corruption scandals this administration has tolerated without sanctions. To reset Ghana for equitable opportunities and job creation in a 24-hour economy, we also need to restore public confidence in governance institutions that are decaying before our eyes. Not least among them are our courts. My determination to provide adequate safety and security for all Ghanaians under the 24-Hour Economy initiative remains unwavering. Let me reassure you that we shall build resilient relationships with citizens and our social partners and create room for unfiltered and uncensored encounters between me, my Vice President to be, Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman, and moral society. I trust that by working together with the media, our international development partners, Civil Society Organisations, Traditional and Religious Leaders, and Labour Unions, we shall reset Ghana and relive the dream of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who Spoke of Freedom. Taking inspiration from Osagyefo, I have Spoken of Governance. Let us reset Ghana for good governance and accountability. Thank you, and may God bless us all. Previous article: Work done by NPP will win December election for the party - Bawumia declares If chiefs were allowed, I'd have openly declared my support for Nana Kwame Bediako - Dormaahene Daily Graphic Politics Nov - 01 - 2024 , 05:07 2 minutes read Independent presidential candidate, Nana Kwame Bediako, has called on the Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II to resolve differences between him and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. He said the two most significant traditional rulers in the country must resolve the rift and unite for the good of the country. He made the call when he paid a courtesy call on Osagyefo Agyemang Badu. Nana Bediako presented drinks to the Dormaahene as a peace offering, promising to do the same with Otumfuo Osei Tutu. Advertisement Bono Nana Bediako, who hails from the region, considers Bono his ancestral home; a proud son of the land and was returning to pay homage to the Dormaahene and seek his blessings as he (Bediako) began his tour of the region. I return to the Bono Region not only to pay respect to you, our revered ruler, he said, adding but also to seek your blessing as I embark on a tour through the region. Failure to seek your blessing will be a mark of great disrespect. Nana Bediako, who is also the leader of the New Force, noted that the Bono Region possessed attributable mineral reserves valued at $132 billion, an incredible amount that was twice the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. This untapped wealth, he pointed out, had the potential to transform not only the region but the entire nation. For his part, Osagyefo Agyemang Badu acknowledged the significance of Nana Bediakos call for the resolution of the rift between him and Otumfuo Osei Tutu. He expressed his admiration for the leader of the New Force, describing his words of unity as unprecedented. You speak words that not even our leaders have dared to utter, the Dormaahene stated. Your call for unity is powerful, and I promise you this your message will not be in vain, he stated. Challenges The Dormaahene noted that despite 32 years of alternating rule by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the nation continued to wallow in under-development. He did not hold back in declaring that Nana Kwame Bediako represented a bold departure from the established political order the one who truly represented the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of Ghanaians. If it were not for the 1992 constitution, which forbids traditional rulers from participating in politics, he said, I would have openly declared my support for you right here and now. Next article: Work done by NPP will win December election for the party - Bawumia declares NDC will revamp markets Prof. Opoku-Agyemang Daily Graphic Politics Nov - 01 - 2024 , 05:57 3 minutes read The vice-presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has reiterated the commitment of the next NDC administration to revamp market centres across the country. She stated that the Markets Enhancement Programme initiative would enhance trading activities, especially among women, and boost local economies. Addressing Muslim queenmothers and traders at Asawase in the Asawase Constituency as part of her campaign tour of the Ashanti Region, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the NDC had an impressive track record of building modern markets in Kejetia in Kumasi and Kotokoraba in Cape Coast, among other places, and would deliver on its promise. Muslim concerns Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said mindful of the concerns of Muslim communities, the previous NDC government trained Muslim ladies in Cuba as doctors to enable them to provide medical care to Muslim communities. Advertisement She said the next NDC administration would continue the policy of training Muslim ladies as doctors for the benefit of people in predominantly Muslim communities. Touching on Hajj pilgrimage, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that the GH75,000 cost of the pilgrimage was expensive and beyond the reach of many Muslims. She said the high cost of Hajj was now preventing many Muslims from fulfilling one of the key pillars of Islam. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the next NDC government, under the leadership of John Dramani Mahama, would reduce Hajj fares for Muslims to be able to travel to Mecca for their Hajj pilgrimage. Professionals At another forum in the Nhyiaeso Constituency, where she addressed various professions, she urged the electorate in the Ashanti Region to vote for change in the upcoming December 7 general election. She said although the region had consistently been rallying behind the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the people had been taken for granted because NPP governments did not reward them with commensurate development projects. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, however, said NDC governments had honoured the people in the region with almost all its major development projects, including the Kejetia Market and a modern airport. She said it was imperative that the electorate in the region supported the NDC and voted for change in the upcoming elections to ensure more development in the region. Economy On the economy, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that on the watch of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice-President Alhaji Bawumia, the country was unable to service its debt because it was broke. "Our country is not sitting pretty and it is everybody's responsibility to ensure that we are tilting ourselves back. It will take a lot of efforts, it will take a lot of sacrifice; it is not business as usual," she said. She said policies such as the 24-Hour Economy, the Big Push and the National Apprenticeship Programme under the presidency of Mr Mahama would create jobs. Next article: If chiefs were allowed, I'd have openly declared my support for Nana Kwame Bediako - Dormaahene Work done by NPP will win December election for the party - Bawumia declares Chris Nunoo Politics Nov - 01 - 2024 , 05:57 2 minutes read The NPP will win the December 7 election on the basis of its record in government over the past eight years, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has said. What I see on my tour of the country indicates that NPP will win the elections on December 7, 2024 and this is underpinned by the work the NPP had done, he emphasised and said when the government promised free SHS in 2016, the former President said it was not possible but he told him it was possible. Market campaign Dr Bawumia, who stated this when he addressed traders at Okaishie in the Central Business District of Accra on his campaign tour last Tuesday, said he (Bawumia) meant business and therefore assured the traders they (traders) would be his priority should he become President of the country. He told the traders that as part of his policies to minimise their burden and to enable them to conduct their business with ease, he intended to introduce a flat rate tax system for all imports. Advertisement In that regard, he said he would grant a tax amnesty so that all taxpayers would begin on a clean slate, and also announced his women's trade empowerment fund which would cushion women traders. Number one Shouts of number one, It is possible, Free SHS, and other policies of the government reverberated every market Dr Bawumia and his entourage visited in Accra including the Tuesday market at Mamprobi, 31st December market, Okaishie and Kantamanto. Dr Bawumia first visited the Tuesday market at Mamprobi in the Ablekuma South Constituency at about 10:00a.m., where he was mobbed by enthusiastic supporters of the party and other market women amid handshakes, singing and chants of Number one. He was accompanied by the aspiring NPP Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ablekuma South Constituency, Samuel Sarbah Lartey, and other national and regional executives of the party. The possibilities bus from the Tuesday market at Mamprobi moved to the 31st December market at Makola, where Dr Bawumia spent much time interacting with traders, many of whom were visibly in high spirits as they danced, cheered and shouted Number one. Paraphernalia Some of the market women could not help but scramble for party paraphernalia thereby compelling some NPP supporters to remove their T-shirts and give them out. With support from the NPP parliamentary candidate for Odododiodio, Dr Bawumia called on the traditional leaders of Okaishie after which he addressed a crowd of traders to sell his bold solutions to them. Next article: Replacement of presidential candidate of Ghana Freedom Party will be costly CSOs NPPs John Kwame Duodu calls for issue-based debate between Bawumia and Mahama GraphicOnline Politics Nov - 01 - 2024 , 08:09 2 minutes read The First Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Constituency, John Kwame Duodu has criticized former President John Mahama for his recent comments directed at the NPP and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Mr. Duodu condemned Mahamas remarks, particularly the phrase Its about the economy, stupid, a slogan famously used during Bill Clintons campaign, calling it distasteful and inappropriate for the nations political discourse. "I least expected such unpalatable statements from the former President and NDC flag bearer, considering his stature in Ghanaian politics, Duodu stated. He pointed out the calls from Ghanaians and civil society organizations for issue-based campaigns devoid of such negative tendencies that have the potential to mar the calm political atmosphere. Advertisement Mr. Duodu, also known as Sir John, asserted that Mahamas use of insults reflects a reluctance to engage with Dr. Bawumia on economic issues in a head-to-head debate. But I am not much surprised due to the fact that former President Mahama has consistently displayed his fear to face off with Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in a debate, Duodu added. Emphasising the nations need for a substantive dialogue on economic policies, Duodu urged Mahama to focus on addressing pressing economic challenges rather than resorting to personal attacks. He suggested that a public debate with Dr. Bawumia would offer both leaders a platform to present their strategies and insights on Ghanas economic future, helping voters make more informed decisions. A constructive debate would allow Ghanaians to evaluate the policies and understanding of both candidates, Duodu argued. He encouraged Mahama to contribute to a more meaningful and healthy political atmosphere by promoting issue-based discussions, rather than charging the political atmosphere with threats, insults, and personal attacks. As Ghana prepares for the 2024 elections, Mr. Duodu reiterated his belief that the NPP is well-positioned to secure victory, stressing the importance of a campaign rooted in constructive dialogue and solutions to the countrys economic challenges. Google introduces Twi voice search, expanding digital access for Ghanaian speakers Kweku Zurek Technology Nov - 01 - 2024 , 08:58 1 minute read Google has announced that Twi, one of Ghana's most widely spoken languages, is now available on Google Voice Search, Gboard talk-to-type, and Google Translate voice input. This inclusion is part of Googles expansion of African language support, which now covers 15 new languages across the continent, enhancing accessibility for over 300 million people. Developed in collaboration with Google's AI Research Center in Accra, this update enables Ghanaians to search, type, and translate directly in Twi using voice commands. This integration will allow millions of Twi speakers to interact naturally with technology in their native language. In West Africa, other languages added include Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Nigerian Pidgin. "This technology will make a difference to over 300 million more people across the continent, enabling them to interact with the web with just their voice. Its one example of how Google in Africa is building technology for Africans and the world, said Alex Okosi, Managing Director of Google Africa. Advertisement The voice support extension is part of Googles broader mission to make information universally accessible. "The next decade will be Africas digital decade," remarked Matt Brittin, Googles President for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. "Extending Voice Search, voice typing on Gboard, and voice input on Translate to 300 million people across Africa is a key landmark in that. Twi joins other African languages recently added to Voice Search and Gboard, including Chichewa, Somali, Shona, and Tswana. Googles expansion reflects its continued commitment to developing technologies tailored for African communities and marks a major step towards increased digital inclusion for Ghanas Twi-speaking population. Plans for the future of public lands in Southwest Wyoming continue to be debated as the Bureau of Land Management's proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the Rock Springs Field Office goes through some of the final phases of the review process before the BLM's final decision. "Since the BLM announced their draft RMP back in August of 2023, Wyoming's State Agencies, counties, industries, and stakeholders have all worked tirelessly to wrangle this document into a workable, legal, and durable land management plan," Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon said. "There still remains a considerable distance to cover to achieve this before the BLM makes its final decision." Last Tuesday, October 22, Governor Gordon submitted his Governor's Consistency Review on the RMP Revision, which he used as a final opportunity to ask the BLM to make changes to the RMP. The Governor had 60 days to complete and submit his review following the BLM's release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). State agencies and organizations, including Sweetwater County, previously submitted protest letters following a 30-day window after the FEIS was released. The Governor's Consistency Review is the final input from the State of Wyoming before the BLM makes their final changes and signs a Record of Decision (ROD), a press release from the governor's office explained. "Following a careful review, I firmly believe that the BLM's work here is inconsistent with existing federal and state laws, as well as county policies," Gordon said of the proposed RMP. "It appears to be driven by a national political agenda, not the cooperative process between states, counties and the federal government envisioned in the Federal Land Policy Management Act (FLPMA). Moving from an untenable to an unworkable decision does not make their decision any more consistent." The Governor's Consistency Review gives the governor the opportunity to identify parts of the proposed RMP that are "inconsistent with state or local plans, policies, or programs," the introduction to the consistency review explains, and it can be used to "identify inconsistencies with federal law, regulations, and policies." Governor Gordon pointed out in his introduction that the BLM is obligated to adopt land use plans that are consistent with federal law and policies, and that the "BLM is required to accept the Governor's recommendations if they provide for a reasonable balance between the national interest and the State's interest." In the introduction to the Consistency Review, Governor Gordon explained the ways in which the BLM has deviated from standard procedures, been unclear about plans described in the RMP, and conflicted with other mandates and laws within the proposed actions. "The importance of the contents and implications of this document cannot be overstated," the Consistency Review states. "The health of Southwestern Wyoming's economy, natural resources, and wildlife will be best served by durable and broadly supported land management policies. That is why it is so important for the Bureau to respect this Consistency Review and make the appropriate changes at this point in the process, before the RMP becomes final." The majority of the Consistency Review specifically addresses, in detail, the topics of Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs), the BLM's proposed withdrawal plans, the RMP's inconsistency with county land use plans, and the BLM's failure to work with cooperating agencies. The end of the Consistency Review gives a list of recommendations and proposed actions, which includes rescinding improper ACECs, scaling back corridors to match the management of neighboring field offices, removing certain restrictions and stipulations from areas like the checkerboard, and conducting an analysis of updated land use plans for multiple affected counties. "The proposed RMP for the Rock Springs Field Office is plagued with procedural deficiencies," the Consistency Review concludes. "Before BLM proceeds with a final decision, it must rectify those flaws. At minimum, BLM must disclose its proposed RMP language and solicit additional public comment and input from the State and local governments. BLM must also consider the cumulative impact of its special designations and update its analysis to be consistent with federal, state, and local laws. Finally, BLM must resubmit to public comment the Governor's proposal of considering alternatives of more limited ACECs and an alternative that considers opening more areas to OHV use." After submitting his Consistency Review, Governor Gordon said the review "provides the blueprint for the BLM to finally deliver a RMP that most stakeholders can live with." U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), who is a ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, thanked Governor Gordon for his work on addressing the RMP after the governor submitted his Consistency Review. "The Biden-Harris Rock Springs Resource Management Plan remains unacceptable," Barrasso said. "The people of Wyoming depend on federal lands to make a living, provide for our children and communities, and grow our economy. We and the rest of America need access to the oil, natural gas, trona, and other minerals in this area of the state. The final plan must not block access to these important resources." The BLM's Record of Decision on the RMP is expected before the end of the year. 6/6/1954 - 10/14/24 David A. Dean, 70, passed away at his home in Rock Springs, Wyoming on October 14, 2024. He was born on June 6, 1954 in Syracuse, New York, the son of Victor Dean and Joyce Russell. David graduated from high school in Syracuse with the class of 1973 before attending Western Wyoming Community College and Casper College where he attained two degrees in architectural design and estimating /construction design and management. He also received Phi Theta Kappa status for his academic status wile getting both of his associates degrees. He worked as an architectural engineer until his retirement in 1996 but his true calling was automotive painting, building stock cars, dirt track racing, and doing home restorations. He was also a drummer who played with several bands. David married Lynn Carol Taylor in Bridgeport, NY on April 26, 1975. He was a member of Restoration Ministries Church. Although David faced many challenges in his life, he faced them with strength and fortitude. He kept a good sense of humor through everything and always tried his best to make everyone he was with feel comfortable and at ease. David adored his family and grandchildren; he cherished every minute he got to spend with them especially when they were out fishing. He also loved riding motorcycles with his brothers and to be with his dog Jessie, which was his true companion for the last two years of his life. Survivors include his loving wife Lynn Dean of Rock Springs, WY; children (whom he was very proud of) David N. Dean and wife Jandi of Katy, TX, Dylan M. Dean and wife Elizabeth of Orem, UT, Danialle M. Everhart and companion Tre Young of Casper, WY; brothers Victor Dean of New York, John Dean and D-Ann of Texas, Ernest Fleegel and wife Mary Ann of New York; sister Bonnie Gallauresi and husband Peter of New York; grandchildren Eric Everhart and companion Abby, Michael Kaycee Everhart Jr. and wife Anna, Lorelei Joy Dean and companion Hayden, and Elijah R. Dean. He was preceded in death by his grandson David Dean Jr., mother Joyce Fleegal, stepfather Ernest Fleegel, father Victor Dean, brother Ronald Dean, and grandparents Paul and Pearl Russell and Julia and Victor Dean. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be announced this month. Condolences for the family can be left at http://www.foxfh.com. Theres a quiet strength in the Wyoming way of lifea belief in hard work, personal responsibility, and fairness. These values are woven into our heritage: face each day with courage, take pride in your work, and finish what you start. As Wyoming faces rising costs, these principles are more important than everespecially in our tax system. On November 5, Amendment A offers the foundation needed to modernize property tax assessments, giving homeowners the relief they deserve while upholding fairness. A Clear-Cut Path to Fairness Without Revenue Loss Amendment A is straightforward. It doesnt o... The construction of a new hospital in Mangilao will move forward despite concerns of sinkholes in the area, Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority Deputy Director Fernando Esteves said. In a recent opinion piece for the Pacific Daily News, writer Dave Lotz highlighted visible sinkholes at the location, a claim supported by an aerial photo and a U.S. Geological Survey topographic map of Dededo. Esteves addressed these concerns, confirming that his team is aware of the sinkholes and that geological analysis and proper engineering will ensure safety. Weve done our research. I know about the three sinkholes. I know exactly where theyre located, and of course, we have to do more geological analysis, right? Thats a given, Esteves said. Were not going to build the hospital on the sinkhole. Its a fairly large property. Now, the advantage is we get to use it as a design feature for stormwater runoff and stormwater management. Sinkholes, formed when groundwater erodes underlying limestone bedrock, can vary in size and pose potential risks for construction. Esteves added that GHURA would not have received the construction permit without completing necessary preliminary steps. These are going to be done by professional civil and structural engineers in the initial analysis. We already started consulting with civil structural engineers about whether the sinkhole itself was going to be an issue, he said. Its a done deal. Its moving forward. According to the Pacific Daily News, once the sale is finalized, preparatory and survey work will commence to assess construction costs. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero last week announced plans to purchase 48 acres of property in Mangilao from the estate of Catalina Eclavea Camacho for $3.5 million. The construction of the new Guam Memorial Hospital has ignited significant debate between the Leon Guerrero administration and the Legislature over its proposed location. The executive and legislative branch have been in deadlock for years over where to build a new GMH. GHURA is buying the property for GovGuam after the governor in May tapped the agency to help purchase land for the hospital. The property is next door to the Eagles Field property owned by the Navy, where Leon Guerrero previously wanted to build the hospital. Leon Guerrero plans to complete this initial work by the end of the year, utilizing $120 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds. She anticipates that the new Guam Memorial Hospital will welcome its first patients in approximately five years and is exploring additional funding from the federal government and the Department of Defense. Haiti - FLASH : The convent and hospital of the Missionaries of Charity, vandalized, looted and burned The convent and hospital of the Missionaries of Charity in Port-au-Prince, in which the sisters of Mother Teresa welcomed and treated for free up to 30,000 people per year for 47 years, one of the last respected places, was vandalized, looted and burned by heavily armed individuals. They demolished part of the walls and completely emptied the convent and the hospital. Benches, beds, medical equipment... everything was taken and some objects are already being resold on a market near St Joseph in Port-au-Prince. This is the first time that the Missionaries of Charity have been attacked in Haiti. Until now, the gangs respected their essential mission to the population. "Barbecue", the gang leader is said to be behind this attack. No sister was injured in this cowardly and savage attack. Let us recall that at the end of September, the police had asked the nuns to leave the neighborhood and close their house, the fights with the gangs becoming dangerous for the lives of the sisters. The missionaries are currently sheltered in the other community of the sisters of Mother Teresa in Haiti. Note that never until now had the missionaries had to leave their house, which had become the heart of the neighborhood. S/ HaitiLibre A LOBSTER took first prize in a Halloween fancy dress dog parade in Henley. Olive, seven, a mini dachshund, wore the costume, complete with pincers, to match the outfit worn by Alba, the 18-month-old daughter of Russell and Emma McConnell, who dressed as chefs. Sixteen dogs and their owners took part in the ninth annual contest on Saturday, which was organised by the Naughty Mutt Nice dog grooming parlour in Duke Street. They paraded down a dogwalk to applause and were judged by shop owner Karole Robertson, Henley MP Freddie van Mierlo and comedy events organiser Tom Ryan. Other costumes included bats, spiders and Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc. Mr McConnell, 42, who is an architect, said: Weve had this outfit since last year, so it all spiralled out of that. We were like We need to win and How can we get Alba involved? so we got all the outfits together. The runner-up was Roscoe, a three-year-old red Labrador, dressed in a Funnybones suit. Joe Talboys, 38, who works in video game marketing, his wife, Amanda, 35, who works in higher education and their daughter Geneva all wore matching one-piece suits. Mr Talboys said: We based it on a book called Funnybones for kids that we got for our daughter. Because its her first Halloween, we just thought wed make an effort. Amandas American, so Halloween is a big deal anyway. American people tend to dress up as anything, so Im like we have to do something scary-ish. Dougal, a rescue Cavapoo, won third place for his spider outfit, which was created by Oscar Phillips-Hermann, who dressed up his grandmothers dog. He created the outfit by stuffing black tights with newspaper and attaching the tentacles to a purple body warmer. Oscar, five, said: I expected to win because it took quite long. We had to stuff newspapers into tights with a little help from Mum. Nana will be pleased he won the third prize. There was also a sausage catching competition, which was won by Vince, an eight-year-old mutt who dressed as a bat. All the winners received dog goody bags from Lilys kitchen. Mr van Mierlo said: It was a very difficult contest but there were a lot of good entries. The fact that a whole family took part I think was the main thing and they put a huge amount of effort into it. I think anyone with a baby also had an advantage. Mrs Robertson, who dressed as Lydia Deetz, the bride of Beetlejuice, said: I think this year was the best ever. A COUNCILLOR has hit out at a water company saying that its customers are being mugged in broad daylight. Jo Robb was speaking as she put forward a motion of no confidence in Thames Water that was passed by South Oxfordshire District Council. The motion also called for the government to put the company into special administration and return it to public control. Cllr Robb, who lives in Rotherfield Greys and is the councils River Thames Champion, told the meeting on Thursday last week that Thames Water is not fit for purpose. She said: We have been scammed we have been mugged in broad daylight. What should be a very simple proposition, treating sewage and providing clean drinking water, has, in the hands of global capital, become a vast complex Ponzi scheme with highly paid executives on internationally competitive salaries and boards consisting of bankers, city types and suits whose job it is to ensure reasonable returns to shareholders. She added: Our water and sewage system is utterly broken. This motion sends a clear message that the current system is not fit for purpose, that this council has had enough, and that we demand real change. Cllr Robb said that she wanted to make it clear that this was not a vote of no confidence in the companys staff but of its leadership. She told the meeting that she had recently visited the Henley Sewage Treatment works with Henley councillors Kellie Hinton and Ken Arlett and admits it was an eye-opener. Cllr Robb said: I was struck by how hardworking and dedicated the staff are. They are quite literally doing our dirty work against unimaginable challenges and I want to make it very clear this motion is not a motion of no confidence against the staff of Thames Water. On the contrary, its a motion of confidence in those people who work extremely hard. Its a motion of no confidence in its owners, the shareholders and the company director who have singularly failed to govern the company properly. Cllr Robb said that the sewage treatment works in Henley had been let down by a total failure of infrastructure and investment over the past 60 years. She said: What also struck me on that treatment works tour was how quaint it all was, how untouched. What a marvellous well-preserved example of Sixties municipal concrete infrastructure. Actually, it reminded me of a visit I did, many years ago to Pripyat, a soviet-era town in Ukraine that was abandoned after the explosion of the Chernobyl reactor. Like Pripyat, the treatment works has been frozen in time, virtually untouched since the Sixties when it was built. At the time many of us will know that the population of Henley was a fraction of what it is now. That hard-working sewage treatment works was built to cope with a much smaller population has dumped raw sewage into the Fawley Court Stream for 950 hours so far this year. During Henley Royal Regatta, tankers were brought into pump sewage from the overwhelmed treatment works and to take it to Marlow where there was capacity. The staff we spoke to on this tour, were working round the clock to stop a sewage discharge that would mean reputational damage to the company, and the minute they realised they were unable to stop it, the staff member who took us around burst into tears. Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak, who represents Henley on the district council, said it was good it was following the town councils lead in passing a motion of no confidence. He said: I think there is absolutely a case for Thames Water being taken into special measures. Henley MP Freddie van Mierlo welcomed the motion from the district council. He said: Thames Water is a failing company. Regulators failed to prevent this from happening and should now put the company out of its misery, rather than allowing them to jack up prices again and again. I welcome the motion from the district council in declaring no confidence in Thames Water, backing up the motion by Henley Town Council and my own declaration in the House of Commons. The government needs to stop dithering, get on with its review into the water industry and make the changes we all know are needed. More charging piles installed to meet rising demand in Urumqi, NW China's Xinjiang People's Daily Online) 11:24, November 01, 2024 Ten 120kW dual-gun fast charging piles and two 14kW dual-gun slow charging piles were added to the existing charging station of a parking lot at a residential complex in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Oct. 23, 2024, bringing the total number of charging piles at the parking lot to 18. Staff members of the Urumqi branch of the State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd. checks a charging pile on Oct. 30, 2024. (Photo/Wang Jinkui) The new charging piles have enabled the charging station to accommodate up to 35 electric vehicles simultaneously. The charging station was built by an Urumqi-based company specializing in the sale of charging equipment for motor vehicles. The company decided to add the 12 new charging piles after it found that the previous six could hardly meet the needs of electric vehicles during peak hours. Upon receiving the company's request for additional power supply, the Urumqi branch of the State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd. promptly responded and engaged in active communication with the charging station's executives to assess the power requirements, ensuring that the new facility can start operations at an early date. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Whether youre a family caregiver or a professional, owning a wheelchair-accessible van can greatly improve mobility for those you care for. Here are some tips to help you find the right van at the right price: 1. Assess tour needs: Consider whether rear- or side-entry access would work best for your situation. Rear entry is ideal for larger wheelchairs, while side entry offers versatility in seating arrangements. 2. Shop smart: Look for wheelchair van dealerships online and nearby to find options within your budget. Explore mobility classifieds for more choices. 3. Know your budget: Understan... (JNS) - Although American actor Christopher Reeve sustained a life-altering injury that left him paralyzed below the neck, the actor maintained his positive morale and unselfishness, according to Dr. Steven Kirshblum, who is featured in the new documentary film "Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story," out in theaters nationwide. Initially after a fall from his horse at an equestrian competition in Virginia on May 27, 1995, Reeve asked his wife, Dana, if they should let him go. But she told him that as a husband and father - he had two children, Matthew and Alexandra, from prior marriages and... (JNS) - The mother of Yotam Haim-who was mistakenly killed by Israel Defense Forces soldiers from the 828th "Bislach" Brigade while he, Alon Shamriz and Samer Fouad Talalka were in the process of escaping from Hamas captivity-has again exhibited the kind of spiritual superiority to which the rest of us rarely aspire, let alone achieve. On Thursday, Iris Haim posted a voice message in the brigade's WhatsApp group to express her gratitude for their elimination of the architect of the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre. "Exactly 10 months ago, I told you to keep fighting and not to [carry any guilt for the in... (JNS) A replica of the Ark of the Covenant, painstakingly constructed, its creators say, to the Torah specifications of the sacred vessel that was the First Temples central fixture, was displayed in Jerusalem on Sunday evening, during the intermediate days of the Sukkot holiday. The ark described in the Torah, which housed the Ten Commandments tablets among other holy objects, was hidden after the destruction of the First Temple, per rabbinic tradition. At Jerusalems King David Hotel, the replica shown in the hotels sukkah contained a refurbished Torah scroll, which survived the Holocaust... (JTA) Among the legions of Grateful Dead fans mourning Phil Lesh are a small but devoted cohort of Jewish Deadheads with memories of celebrating Passover with him. To life! To Phil! Our love will not fade away! Eternally grateful, the Jewish vocalist Jeannette Ferber posted on Facebook, alongside a picture showing herself with Lesh at a seder. Lesh, the legendary jam bands bassist, died Friday at 84. His Instagram account, which announced his death without specifying a cause, said Lesh was surrounded by his family and full of love and leaves behind a legacy of music of love. That lega... (JNS) As the three-day Association of the United States Army annual meeting and exhibition wound down on Oct. 16 in Washington, word spread among Israeli defense companies that Emmanuel Macron, the French president, intended to ban them from the upcoming Euronaval defense fair outside Paris. A spokesman for a major Israeli defense company told JNS on Wednesday at the Washington event that Frances decision to bar Israeli companies is not surprising, referring further questions to the Israeli Defense Ministry. A ministry representative at the event declined to comment. That same day, Yoav G... (JTA) President Joe Biden said he wants Israels strike on Iran to be the end of direct fighting between the two countries, as Iran said it had the right to respond to the attack but did not vow to do so. Israel said that it had concluded its strikes against Iran and warned Iran against beginning what it called a new round. The Israeli attack on Saturday came in response to Iran firing more than 180 missiles at Israel on Oct. 1 and was supported by the Biden administration. But American officials had pressed Israel to avoid bombing nuclear or oil facilities, fearing that the conflict cou... The Jewish Chamber is excited to host a free Chanukah breakfast on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at One Senior Place, located at 715 Douglas Ave in Altamonte Springs. This festive event will begin at 9 a.m. and is open to the community, offering a warm and welcoming introduction to Chanukah for over 30 attendees, including many who may not be familiar with the holiday's traditions. Attendees will enjoy festive decor and a spread of delicious homemade holiday foods, generously provided by Jewish Pavilion Senior Services. No need to RSVP-simply register at www.Jewishchamber.com, or feel free to drop by and j... (New York Jewish Week) - Shai Davidai, an Israeli assistant professor at Columbia University's business school and outspoken pro-Israel activist, said he has been barred from the school's campus again. In a video posted to Instagram on Tuesday, Davidai said his lawyer had been informed that Davidai was barred from campus after he posted videos of himself confronting university officials about anti-Israel protests on Oct. 7, the one-year anniversary of Hamas' attack. "The university decided to not allow me to be on campus anymore, my job. Why? Because of Oct. 7. Because I was not afraid to stan... (JTA) When Adalbert and Hilda Parlagi fled Vienna in 1938, a month after the Nazi annexation of Austria, they left behind a collection of artwork, which they and their heirs spent decades trying to retrieve. On Wednesday in New Orleans, FBI agents presented the couples grandchildren with one of the looted works: a pastel drawing by French impressionist Claude Monet. Our grandfather would have been so happy to find out this Monet was being restituted after all his attempts over the years, the heirs said in a joint statement. This is a very moving and exceptional day for us, a day neither... (JTA) WASHINGTON With just four days to go before the election, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have both tried to use Israel as a wedge issue: Trump has said the country will not exist in two years if he is defeated, and Harris campaign has called his rhetoric on Israel antisemitic. Trump and Harris do disagree on a range of Israel-related topics, from how Israel should fight its battles to their starkly different visions of Americas role in the world. But there are also key issues where in the big picture they agree. Both Harris and Trump support Israels multi-front war against a r... (JTA) - WASHINGTON - Israel said it hit military targets in Iran in retaliation for that country's missile barrage on Oct. 1, apparently heeding Biden administration pleas to avoid oil fields or Iran's nuclear program because of fears of escalation into an all-out war. "In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel right now the Israel Defense Forces is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran," Daniel Hagari, the Israeli army spokesman, said in a video statement released to reporters Saturday before dawn as the strikes took pla... (JNS) U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, wrote to her 15 million social media followers on Sunday night that the Jewish state has to act quickly to allow more aid into the Gaza Strip. The U.N. reports that no food has entered northern Gaza in nearly two weeks, Harris wrote. Israel must urgently do more to facilitate the flow of aid to those in need. Civilians must be protected and must have access to food, water and medicine. International humanitarian law must be respected. The vice president drew praise from Keith Ellison, the Minnesota attorney ge... (JNS) Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah financial sites across Lebanon overnight Sunday, including in Beirut. According to the Israel Defense Forces, dozens of facilities and sites used by the Iranian proxy to fund its terrorist activities against the Jewish state were attacked. These funds, which Hezbollah used for terror activities, were stored by the Al-Qard al-Hassan Association, which directly funds Hezbollahs terror activities, including the purchase of weapons and payments to operatives in Hezbollahs military wing, the IDF said. Israel is targeting Iran and Hezbollah-linked ba... (JNS) A survivor of Hamass Oct. 7, 2023, Nova music festival massacre, Shirel Golan, took her own life on Oct. 20, her 22nd birthday. She was found lifeless in the yard of her home in Moshav Porat in central Israel. The exact cause of death was not made public. She was set to have visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem and the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron with her family. According to family members, despite suffering from post-trauma, the state failed to provide Shirel with mental health services. She said she received no assistance from the state. She said that she only had assistance... (JNS) The United States considers the implementation of the 18-year-old U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 to be the only way to end the war between Israel and the Hezbollah terror organization, Vedant Patel, the principal deputy U.S. State Department spokesman, said at the Foggy Bottom press briefing on Tuesday. I know that theres been a lot of interest in 1701 over the past couple of days and perhaps a little bit of misunderstanding in howor misinterpretation in how its being discussed, Patel said. So let me just be unequivocally clear. Wewhat we want to see is the effective impl... (JNS) The elimination of Yahya Sinwar, Hamass top military-terrorist and political chief and the architect of the Oct. 7 invasion marks a major turning point in the battle to degrade the Iranian-backed jihadist network surrounding Israel. IDF Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari explained on Thursday that Sinwar had been attempting to flee from house to house, moving between structures in Rafah. Hagari noted that Sinwar was in flight, and at one point, after the entourage protecting him had been fired upon by the IDF and split up, Sinwar fled alone into a building. Sinwars death, achieve... (JNS) One year ago, our enemies launched an unprecedented assault on the Jewish state. On Oct. 7, Hamas, Hezbollah and Irans proxy terror network unleashed an unprecedented and heinous massacre to kill as many Jews as possible and destroy the State of Israel. Decades in the making, Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, Qatar, and yes, the Palestinian Authority plotted together, united by a common goal: to wipe Israel off the map. Despite knowing about such plans over the years, Israel chose to hold back. No Israeli government, including those led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has taken de... (The Gatestone Institute via JNS) The legacy of the last two Democratic presidencies Barack Obamas and Joe Bidens will be the appeasement of Iran in its efforts to dominate the Middle East and eventually expand its influence through the acquisition of a nuclear arsenal. Obama has been the Chamberlain in this 21st-century version of Great Britains and Frances appeasement of an evil and dangerous regime. In 1938, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain thought he had a secure peace treaty with Hitler Peace in our time, he promised the British, only to have Hitler break it at t... (JNS) Last week, the Jewish people celebrated the holiday of Sukkot. Last year, the holiday ended with the Oct. 7 pogrom in Israel. This year, we are celebrating our strength, resilience and success in fighting evil. Sukkot is the holiday when everything culminates: The annual holiday cycle that begins with Passover, the High Holidays that begins with Rosh Hashanah, and, in the mystical tradition, references the culmination of human history. That is why our Torah readings speak of the end of days and the final battles that will happen before peace reigns on Earth. It is remarkable to consi... Dongfeng landing site ready to welcome return of Shenzhou-18 astronauts Xinhua) 13:17, November 01, 2024 JIUQUAN, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Dongfeng landing site in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, north China, is ready to welcome the return of the Shenzhou-18 astronaut crew, according to Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. To ensure search and rescue readiness, the last comprehensive drill was carried out at the Dongfeng landing site from Thursday evening to early morning on Friday, said the center. The return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship, carrying three astronauts, is scheduled to touch down on Earth in the early morning on Nov. 4. The comprehensive drill was designed to target any difficulties and requirements expected from challenging conditions, such as the weather, the center added. All personnel and equipment at the Dongfeng landing site are ready to be deployed to support the search and rescue missions. Moreover, the Shenzhou-18 crew completed all preparations before leaving the Tiangong Space Station. China launched the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship on Wednesday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. The Shenzhou-19 and Shenzhou-18 crews met in the Tiangong space station, starting a new round of in-orbit crew handover. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Mandarin Oriental has announced the appointment of Amanda Hyndman to the position of Chief Operating Officer, effective 1 November 2024, following the retirement of Christoph Mares. At this time, she will also continue in her current role as Chief People & Culture Officer. Amanda Hyndman's career spans over 30 years in the luxury hotel industry and she has been with the Group for 18 years. In that time, she has held several senior management roles in Mandarin Oriental hotels in the UK, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Washington DC as well as Area Vice President roles overseeing hotels in the UK, Germany, Czech Republic and Switzerland and thereafter Hong Kong, Macau and Southern China. Her impressive contribution to the success of the Group led to her appointment as Group Director of Quality & Rooms in 2020 and her subsequent appointment in May 2023 as Chief People & Culture Officer with a task of driving the Group's evolution from HR to People & Culture. Under the leadership of Mandarin Oriental's Group Chief Executive Laurent Kleitman, the Group has recently unveiled a global growth strategy that is focused on elevating its luxury credentials, accelerating the pace of global expansion, and innovating with brand-led, guest centric experiences delivered through an enhanced operating framework that uses digital platforms and enhanced technology to facilitate greater operating efficiency. View Amanda Hyndman's LinkedIn Profile Amanda Hyndman is a graduate of University of Strathclyde in Glasgow - United Kingdom We have all been there. Call it the rise of populism, the growth of grass roots movements, or the increasing recognition of environmental change, NIMBY Not In My Back Yard is impacting us in both our personal and hotel lives. Take, for example It is no secret that, in the US, there is a national housing shortage, so the local Zoning Commission wants to rezone a major parcel of land next to an exclusive suburban single-family community to accommodate large multi-unit, multi-storied apartment complexes. We need more housing but NIMBY! While wind energy is said to contribute to the local economy and increase energy independence, let developers or utility companies propose building a wind farm across a vast panoramic vista and watch a multitude of groups rise in opposition residents, environmentalists, and even those in the hospitality industry fearing that a wind farm will change the areas lifestyle and deter tourism in their area. We need energy security but NIMBY! And if you need to expand your meeting space and parking lot into an adjoining vacant green space so you can accommodate more group events, watch the locals residents and businesses oppose the expansion with arguments of increased traffic, noise, environmental impacts, and change to the neighborhoods character. We need more business (and jobs) but NIMBY! There is another big NIMBY issue emerging that is impacting the entire hospitality industry, but most of all those of you who are in the lodging sector - hotels, Airbnbs, inns, resorts, hostels, cabins, cottages, guest houses, motels, cruise ships, camping, glamping and even treehouse or igloo rentals. It is simply the call for No More Tourists! Travel/tourism is one of the worlds largest industries, It can help grow a nations GNP as well as its local economies and employment rate. For many popular destinations, tourism is also the lifeblood of the local economy, driving its growth, creating jobs, and even encouraging international exchange. There has been a surge in travel over the past few post-COVID years, particularly in areas that are popular for vacations, family trips, weekend getaways, business meetings along with conferences and conventions. This wave has been exacerbated by a myriad of factors coming together. First there is the post-COVID demand that exploded after - prolonged lockdowns and travel restrictions. People want to reconnect with friends and family that they had not seen during the pandemic. Businesses want to meet with colleagues and customers in-person again. The rise in remote work enables more flexibility for people to combine work and travel since they can work from virtually anywhere in the world, giving an upsurge to the Staycation market. And, of course, the US government provided stimulus packages so savings, accumulated during the pandemic, give people the financial means to travel. In June of 2024, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimated that 2024 would be a record year for air travel, with 4.96 billion in planes, $996 billion in revenue, and sixty-two million tons of air cargo. These numbers can readily translate to high demand for hotel rooms. They can also bring challenges, particularly in popular areas that normally attract a lot of visitors. With these numbers, it is not surprising that destinations around the globe are putting a Full! No More Tourists! sign up. NIMBY is a trend that is not going away in the hotel/tourism world, at least not in the near future. A notable case in point is Venice, the capital of the Veneto region in northern Italy. It is, of course, famous for its canals and 472 bridges separating the group of 126 islands that comprise the city in the shallow Venetian Lagoon. Being of Italian heritage, I treasure the many memories I have of the time I spent in what, for me, is a magical place. So I was both glad and sad when Venice introduced measures to control the tourist numbers, including banning cruise ships from entering the city center to protect its historic architecture and reduce the strain on its canals. It had to make a tough choice for today to preserve its cultural heritage and architectural treasures for tomorrow. Santorini, Greece followed suit and has capped the number of cruise ship passengers that can disembark each day to prevent overcrowding in its famed small towns and narrow streets. Since overcrowding popular destinations can also diminish the visitors experience with long lines, congestion, and difficulty seeing or visiting attractions, city leaders want to manage visitor numbers to ensure a more memorable experience for everyone. Excessive visitor numbers can also reduce the quality of life for the residents. It can lead to overcrowding, increased living costs, and disruption of their daily lives, particularly in the high season. This was a major factor that led Barcelona, Spain to imposed restrictions on the number of new hotels and short-term rental licenses being allowed. Such restrictions were designed to both curb the influx of visitors and preserve the well-being of the local communities. Comparable restrictions are being implemented across the globe. Machu Picchu, Peru introduced timed entry tickets limiting the number of daily visitors to protect the UNESCO World Heritage site. The Galapagos Islands have strict visitor limits to protest their unique ecosystems and prevent environmental degradation. And Amsterdam, Netherlands has gone as far as banning new hotels and souvenir shops in the city center to reduce the number of tourists. The US lodging industry is not immune from the NIMBY effect. From Yosemite National Park and Alcatraz Island in the west to Monticello and Mount Vernon in the East, visitor limitations impact the occupancy, revenues, and profitability of every hotel, restaurant and attraction establishment in their market area. If yours is not yet one of them, chances are it will be down the road. This, then, is an opportune time for you and your team to channel Mr. Keating in the 1989 blockbuster movie, Dead Poets Society.(1)For those who may not remember the film, Mr. John Keating (called Captain by his students) portrayed an unconventional teacher who taught English at the fictional secluded, elite, conformist, all-male boarding school in the Vermont hills. While the story is set in the educational world, channeling innovative ideas for a business strategy from a fictional character like Mr. Keating can be an inspiring and creative approach. For me, Mr. Keatings teaching methods and philosophy offer several valuable lessons for your hotels business strategy. My Fav Five are: No matter what anyone tells you, words and ideas can change the world. This emphasizes the transformative power of communication and creativity. I stand upon my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things in a different way. This symbolizes the need to challenge conventional thinking and see the world from new angles. You must strive to find your own voice because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are going to find it at all. It suggests that discovering and developing your unique perspective and way of communicating is crucial, and the sooner you start, the better. There is a time for daring and there is a time for caution, and a wise man understands the difference. It is a great reminder to balance bold actions with careful consideration. Seize the Day. (With my four years of Latin and two of classical Italian, I prefer Carpe Diem.) It is an encouragement to take advantage of current opportunities rather than postponing actions or decisions for later. The post-pandemic years have clearly taught every segment in the travel industry that change is not only necessary; it is inevitable and already underway. Two key mega-changes driving this change are the overtourism coming to rural and outdoor destinations [and] communities no longer being spectators in travel. A destination that took these trends head on was Boston. A major problem was that Boston had a narrow and outdated image. Known as the Cradle of Liberty, visitors overcrowd the 2-1/2 mile The Freedom Trail that winds through the areas most significant historical sites - Faneuil Hall, Paul Reveres House and the Old North Church of One if by land, and two if by sea fame. But there is much more to Boston. So Boston developed a campaign to Spread the Wealth of Tourism. It was designed to help alleviate congested streets and walkways and reduce long lines and wait times at popular venues by highlighting the areas many unique and diverse dimensions and by supporting their traditional and new events. A byproduct, of course, would be happier residents. Jackson Hole also has been overwhelmed by these two megatrends. Theirs, however, is akin to the old saying of Be careful what you ask for. There is no question that the Jackson Hole Valley has burst onto the tourism scene. The areas picturesque mountains, rivers, and lakes have become central to outdoor recreational activities, drawing visitors year-round. And over the years, it has attracted celebrities and media attention, further boosting its popularity as a visitors destination. According to the Chamber of Commerce, between July1 2022 and June 30, 2023, tourism 89to the area generated $1.7 billion in revenue, $10 million in lodging tax funds, and nearly eight thousand tourism-related jobs (February 1, 2024). But at what cost to residents quality of life? Overwhelmingly, residents complain about the traffic problems and that the parks are so overcrowded that residents find it hard to make reservations at their own national parks. They are concerned about the impact on and sustainability of their picturesque environment as well. Add a housing shortage that has caused prices to skyrocket making it hard to retain qualified employees across all sectors and it is easy to understand why NIMBY this destination. These quality-of-life issues have contributed to an anti-growth sentiment. As one resident is quoted as saying, The overwhelming attitude is that the Hole has become a s-hole, and we need to limit visitation lest we become like Venice (Italy or California). It is easy to see how and why the NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) trend can significantly impact hotels by hindering the development of new attractions, accommodations, and infrastructure essential for a thriving visitor economy. Local opposition to tourism-related projects often stems from concerns about environmental degradation, increased traffic, and disruption of community life. This resistance can lead to fewer investment opportunities and slower growth across the entire tourism spectrum. When your hotel is faced with NIMBY challenges, engage with your communities, address their concerns, and show them the potential benefits of sustainable tourism development. By fostering a collaborative approach , your hotel can navigate the complexities of NIMBYism and continue to grow. Your REVPAR will thank you! Reference: (1) To channel someone typically means to emulate or embody the characteristics, behaviors, or spirit of that person. European Hotels Showcase Diverse Performance in September 2024 - Image Credit Unsplash In September 2024, the European hotel market exhibited a balanced mix of growth and resilience, primarily fueled by regional and international demand. Across Europe, the hospitality industry posted moderate growth in Average Daily Rates (+1.8%), and Revenue per Available Room (+1.2%), despite slight fluctuations in certain segments. However, strong KPI growth trends in Iberia, Germany or Central & Southern Europe have been partly offset by decreases in hotel activity in other countries & key markets like London, France, Italy or Belgium. The global occupancy rate for European hotels in September 2024 reached 77.5%, which represents a minor decline of 0.5 percentage points compared to the previous year. However, despite this slight decrease in occupancy, the upscale segment demonstrated particular resilience. The occupancy rate on that category increased to 79.7%, a notable rise of 1.5 points, underscoring the continued strength of premium hospitality options across the continent. This segment also recorded a 3.7% growth in RevPAR from 2023 (and +12.5% from 2022), with ADR climbing to 233.8, highlighting strong demand for that segment. In terms of hotel categories, budget and economy segments experienced some challenges, with occupancy in the budget category (more exposed to the UK and France) declining to 70.4%, while the midscale and upscale segments delivered stronger performance. The midscale category maintained an occupancy rate of 78%, with moderate ADR growth of 0.8%. The upscale segment saw an increase in RevPAR by 3.7%. September 2024 was a month of positive but mixed performance for the European hotel market. Despite slight declines in occupancy in certain segments and cities, the overall dynamic remained favorable, especially in the upscale and midscale categories. Events such as La Merce Festival and Paris Fashion Week played a crucial role in boosting hotel performance across key cities. Countries like Spain, Portugal and Greece saw significant growth in ADR and RevPAR, underscoring their strength as destinations for both leisure and business travelers, while Germany also continued to recover. Meanwhile, other countries like France, the UK, Italy or Belgium recorded decreasing performances. This article originally appeared on HSMAI Europe. About This Property Charming Victorian. A Remarkable Opportunity to own this charming Victorian era in-town home for the first time in 54 years! So loved and cherished and now ready to be passed to the next fortunate and appreciative owners for years to come. Built in the 1880s, the original house was moved to this location around 1910 drawn by a team of oxen or horses on logs across the Hemlock Brook. Many changes and additions later, the 4-bedroom home has embraced families, and more recently guests as a favorite Airbnb being so private yet so close to the center of the village. This lovely home has all the hallmarks of its original pedigree including the two-sided covered porch and bay window living room. The first floor Principal Bedroom Suite was added in recent years, as was the family room. Land Details Community Details Search More Properties With these Features Bus-School Deciduous Shade Trees Mature Landscaping Privacy Porch Landscaped Fenced-Partially Lighting Deck Cable Available Bay/Bow Window Interior Balcony Walk-In Closet(s) Windsor Man Facing Murder Charge WINDSOR, Mass. A Windsor man has been charged with murder in the death of his sister on Thursday. Paul Menard, 65, was arraigned Friday in Central Berkshire District Court on one count of murder in the first degree. He was held without the right to bail, without prejudice. Menard walked into the State Police Barracks in Cheshire at about 1:45 p.m. on Thursday and told police he shot and killed his sister at his Crane Road home, according to a statement from the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. Responding troopers found the the body of Monique Menard, 62, of Hinsdale, laying face-down between the defendant's home and detached garage with gunshot injuries to her back and stomach. Her body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy. Based on evidence collected at the scene, corroborated with the defendant's testimony, the Menard shot the victim three times: once in her front, once in her back, and once in the back of her head, According to the DA's office. He reported using two black powder firearms. He waited 20 minutes prior to driving to the Cheshire Barracks to report the alleged murder and did not call 911. Menard has been cooperative with police. He does not have an firearm's identification card. The Menards had been reportedly arguing about the care of their ill father when Paul Menard shot is sister. Their mother died in 2022; they have two other brothers. State Fire Marshal: Fall Back Safely STOW, Mass.With the end of daylight savings time coming on Nov. 3, Massachusetts fire officials issued a seasonal reminder to check smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and change the batteries when changing clocks. "Working smoke and CO alarms are vital to your safety at home," said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. "As we 'fall back' this weekend, protect yourself and the people you care for by putting fresh alkaline batteries in alarms that use them and replacing alarms that are out of date." Today's smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have the manufacturing date printed on the back of the device. Smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years, and CO alarms should be replaced according to the manufacturer's instructions usually 5, 7, or 10 years, depending on the model. Unless you have newer alarms with 10-year sealed batteries, this is also a good time to replace the alkaline batteries in all your alarms. And remember to test your smoke and CO alarms once a month to be sure they're working properly. Heating Season Brings Carbon Monoxide Hazards Foxborough Fire Chief Michael Kelleher, president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts, emphasized the importance of working carbon monoxide alarms as we enter the colder months. "Carbon monoxide is a leading cause of poisoning deaths in the United States, and heating equipment is the main source of carbon monoxide in the home," Chief Kelleher said. "We can't see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide. Working CO alarms are the only way to detect this invisible killer." Replacement Alarms Should Have Sealed, Long-Life Batteries and a Hush Feature Replacing your old single-station smoke alarm? Choose alarms that have sealed, long-life batteries and a hush feature. This makes it less likely that someone in the home will use the batteries for another device, forget to change them twice a year, or remove them when cooking causes smoke in the kitchen. "Disabling a smoke alarm puts you, your loved ones, and everyone in the building at risk," said State Fire Marshal Davine. "Never remove batteries from a smoke alarm except when putting fresh ones in." Alarms Should Be Listed by an Independent Lab Massachusetts requires that all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Intertek (ETL). Listed devices will have the laboratory's mark on the back. In recent years, fire officials have seen numerous smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that were purchased online and either have counterfeit marks or no mark at all. "Smoke and CO alarms can be the difference between life and death, but only if they work properly." said Chief Kelleher. "When you purchase a new alarm, choose one from a well-known, national brand. We've seen many alarms that were purchased online and don't meet the safety requirements of our State Fire Code. If the price seems too good to be true, then it probably is." Create & Practice a Home Escape Plan "Changes to building construction and furnishings mean we have less time to escape a fire at home than ever before," said State Fire Marshal Davine. "You could have just three minutes to get out safely." "Working smoke alarms and a practiced home escape plan are among the most fundamental and important tools for surviving a fire," said Chief Kelleher. "Be sure everyone in the home knows what to do and where to go when the alarm sounds, including young children, older adults, and persons with disabilities." Senior SAFE Adults over 65 are at disproportionate risk of dying in a fire, especially if they live in one- or two-family homes. Hundreds of fire departments across Massachusetts have grant-funded Senior SAFE programs that may provide assistance with alarm installation and testing. Seniors who need help testing, maintaining, or replacing smoke alarms should contact their local fire department or senior center for assistance. For more information on smoke alarms or the Senior SAFE program, visit www.mass.gov/dfs or contact your local fire department. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Youre probably on the hunt to watch some frightening films to extend the Halloween celebrations. Mastering a scare is something that only the most gifted of directors can manage and there are a lot of films out there that fall very short when trying to terrify their audience. Those that do deliver, though, succeed with aplomb: John Carpenter, George Romero and Get Out director Jordan Peele to name but a few. For those wanting to be genuinely scared, it can be quite hard to find a film that suits your need, but fret no more weve compiled the scariest horror films on offer, ranging from German Expressionist films from the 1920s to indie smash hit Hereditary. Below, we run through 17 horror films that will genuinely scare you. The Amityville Horror (1979) The Amityville Horror is based on the true story of the Lutzes, a family who were run out of their home after being terrorised by paranormal phenomena in 1975. Just one year before, Ronald DeFeo Jr shot and killed six members of his family in the same house. James Brolin and Margot Kidder lead this film, which became one of the biggest hits of 1979. Audition (1999) Japanese horror Audition follows a widower who meets a woman named Ayoma after staging auditions to meet a potential new partner. Soon, though, her dark past begins to surface, which equates to a pretty disturbing climax. open image in gallery Audition ( Omega Project ) The Blair Witch Project (1999) Although parodied to death, The Blair Witch Project popularised the found-footage format to terrifying degrees in 1999. People genuinely believed they were watching real clips of three student filmmakers being terrorised by a Maryland legend known as the Blair Witch. The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920) Black-and-white silent horror film The Cabinet of Dr Caligari is considered the quintessential work of German Expressionism, but also one of the scariest films in cinema history. It follows a hypnotist (Werner Krauss) who uses a somnambulist to commit murders, and Wienes shadowed sets and striking visual style combine to unsettle the viewer in ways most filmmakers only dream of managing. Funny Games (1997) Funny Games places the horror in the familiar setting of home. It follows two young men who hold a family hostage and torture them with sadistic games. The result is far scarier than anything featuring ghosts, witches or demons. Hereditary (2018) Proving that horror is a force to be reckoned with, Hereditary became independent distributor A24s highest-grossing film around the world upon its release in 2018. It tells the story of a family who find themselves haunted after the death of their secretive grandmother and features a final act that left many of its viewers with sleepless nights. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free It (1986) Forget the effects-laden remake this version of It, released as a miniseries in 1986, is the most terrifying adaptation of Stephen Kings beloved novel to date. It follows a shapeshifting demon who takes the form of a sadistic child-killing clown named Pennywise (Tim Curry). Lake Mungo (2008) Taking the form of a mockumentary, the little-seen Australian drama Lake Mungo may have received a limited release in 2008, but its story of a family attempting to come to terms with the drowning of their daughter stays with viewers long after. open image in gallery Lake Mungo ( Screen Australia ) The Orphanage (2007) Produced by Guillermo del Toro, this acclaimed 2007 chiller follows the disappearance of a young boy in an orphanage, which brings many of the buildings terrifying secrets to the fore. Paranormal Activity (2009) Could Paranormal Activity be the scariest film of all time? Its certainly one of them. Just when you thought found-footage had had its day, Oren Pelis small-budgeted festival favourite became one of 2009s biggest hits. Audiences lapped up the story of a couple who capture supernatural presences on a camera in their own home. Paranormal Activity 3 (2011) Paranormal Activity 3 earns its place on this list for its final 10 minutes. Set 18 years prior to the events of the first two films, we see the cause of the curse that follows characters Katie and Kristi for the rest of their lives and its down to a coven of witches led by their grandmother. [REC] (2007) Played out in real-time, the claustrophobic Spanish horror film [REC] is one of the better examples of found-footage cinema. Released in 2007, it follows a reporter and her cameraman who follow firefighters to a Barcelona building and soon find themselves locked inside with its occupants who are displaying murderous behaviour. open image in gallery [REC] ( Filmax ) Ring (1998) Unless youve been living under a rock, you know the story of Ring by now: viewers of a cursed videotape die seven days after watching it. While the inevitable Hollywood remake in 2002 was better than it had any right to be, Nakatas original is as terrifying as horror films come. Sinister (2012) Of all the Blumhouse horror films, 2012 release Sinister which features the demonic character Bughuul is the spookiest of them all. It stars Ethan Hawke as a true-crime writer who discovers a box of home movies depicting grisly murders in the attic of his new house. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) The fictional Texas Chainsaw Massacre, marketed as a true story, follows a group of cannibals including Leatherface who relentlessly hunt down a group of friends. Not only is Tobe Hoopers film one of the most striking horror experiences, but one of the greatest of all time, too The Wicker Man (1973) The Wicker Man is deemed the best British horror film of all time for a reason. It tells the story of a Police Sergeant who travels to an isolated island in search of a missing girl, only to find its inhabitants practising a form of Celtic paganism. The Witch (2015) For the most part, its not what you see in The Witch that terrifies, its what you dont see. Eggers unsettlingly holds his camera a fraction too long in places as he retells the story of a Separatist family who encounter supernatural forces in the woods beyond their farm. Other galleries you might like: 21 actors who took their roles so seriously it out of hand 37 best film twists of all time 37 actors who almost died on set 49 best closing lines in movies Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Voters assemble! The United States presidential election is now just a week away, and the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump still looks too close to call. Yesterday, actor Zachary Levi appeared on SiriusXMs The Megyn Kelly Show to weigh in with the political wisdom hes gained as the star of Shazam and Harold and the Purple Crayon. The 44-year-old told the former Fox News presenter that his vote for Trump will actually be a vote for: Donald Trump and Bobby Kennedy and Tulsi Gabbard and Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk and JD Vance. Levi went on to describe this line-up as: this team this Avengers, this Voltron, whatever you want to call it. Its a bold comparison that Trump fans like to make, even though their candidate once compared himself to the supervillain Thanos, but it seems unlikely to be welcomed by the people who actually play the Avengers. Heres how the likes of Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth and Samuel L Jackson will really be casting their vote: Robert Downey Jr, Iron Man Democrat open image in gallery Robert Downey Jr played Iron Man in nine Marvel movies ( Getty Images ) When Joe Biden replaced Donald Trump as President in 2021, the Iron Man star told CNBC that he was pleased to see the return of principle to the White House. Weve been prone in the West over here to be very personality-based and now were going back to principle, and that takes a lot of discipline, said Downey Jr. I was very pleased to see our commander-in-chief say to his entire cabinet: You are all to treat each other with respect from day one, or Im gonna have a problem with you. More recently, Downey Jr took aim at another member of Trumps so-called Avengers, saying he wishes Elon Musk would control his behavior a little more. Then, with five days to go before the big day, Downey Jr posted a social media video of himself along with Marvel co-stars Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Don Cheadle, Paul Bettany, Danai Gurira and Chris Evans backing Harris-Walz using the hashtag #AssembleForDemocracy: Chris Evans, Captain America Democrat open image in gallery Chris Evans as Captain America ( Marvel Studios ) Evans is a lifelong Democrat who has appeared at fundraisers for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. In 2020, he founded the political education app A Starting Point with the aim of helping voters understand the issues that affect them. Despite being a critic of Trump, particularly over his blase reaction to the pandemic, Evans said during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that hed approached the then-president about collaborating but had been rejected twice. President Trump said no to Captain America, just want to point that out for the record, Kimmel joked in response. Scarlett Johansson, Black Widow Democrat open image in gallery Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow ( Marvel Studios ) Last month, Johansson was photographed arriving at a Kamala Harris fundraising event in London, where she appeared alongside the likes of Greta Gerwig, Stella McCartney and Sienna Miller. While promoting her recent rom-com Fly Me To The Moon she didnt hold back in her criticism of Harriss opponent, telling Spanish newspaper El Pais: Trump defies definition. Hes a psychopath, someone who breaks every category you could try to fit him into, because of his extreme positions. She added that she is terrified he might win, describing his previous term in office as four years of darkness. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Mark Ruffalo, Hulk Democrat open image in gallery Mark Ruffalo appearing in a PSA urging people to vote ( RepresentUs ) Perhaps the most politically outspoken member of the Avengers cast, Ruffalo has said he is firmly backing Harris despite disagreeing over her foreign policy in Gaza. Speaking at a rally earlier this week, Ruffalo told ITV: Theres no perfect candidate right now, but we know what Trump will do. Hell sell out the Arabs. He added that hes voting for Harris because: Our chances of changing her positions inside the White House, are better than theyll ever be with Trump. He also argued that Harris has created a different kind of language around the Palestinian suffering, different than Biden, and Im hoping that after this election is over she has great people in the State Department who are very open-minded and who want to see the end of this atrocity. Chris Hemsworth, Thor Non-Voter open image in gallery Chris Hemsworth in Thor: Love and Thunder ( Marvel Studios ) As an Australian citizen, Hemsworth doesnt get a vote in the US presidential election and has largely kept his political opinions to himself. The closest he got to being dragged into an election debate was when his mooted biopic of noted shirt-ripping Trump supporter Hulk Hogan collapsed, and some MAGA supporters speculated that the films failure to move forward was a direct result of Hogan threatening to body slam Kamala Harris at the Republican National Convention. Producer Joe Russo later confirmed that the film fell apart long before the wrestlers RNC appearance. Jeremy Renner, Hawkeye Unconfirmed open image in gallery Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye ( Marvel ) Renner keeps his political cards relatively close to his chest, but has hinted a few times at his support for the Democrats. Back when Barack Obama was president in 2010, Renner told an interviewer that the one politician hed like to meet would be then-vice-president Joe Biden, adding that wanting to meet Obama was a given. In 2022, he joined Mark Ruffalo in fundraising for political candidates running against insurrectionists, tweeting: 60% of Americans will have election deniers on the ballot this year. Samuel L Jackson, Nick Fury Democrat open image in gallery Samuel L Jackson speaking at a Kamala Harris campaign event in Clarkston, Georgia on October 24, 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images ) The man who assembled the Avengers is a passionate supporter of Kamala Harris, and says they even share a favorite curse word. Appearing at a rally in Atlanta, Georgia last week, Jackson said Harris is running on a proven track record of fighting for the people, standing up to bullies, protecting the most vulnerable, and taking on the toughest fights. He then joked that: Weve heard her favorite curse word is a favorite of mine, too, although he held back from actually uttering: motherf***er. He added: I dont know about you. But thats the kind of president I can stand behind, thats the kind of president I can see leading our country forward. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Disgraced music mogul Sean Diddy Combs insisted on watching then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopezs music videos during a sexual encounter, former Playboy model Rachel Kennedy has claimed. Combs, 54, is currently on suicide watch in prison as he awaits trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, according to reports. Speaking on the Daily Mail podcast The Trial of Diddy, Kennedy said she met Combs in 2000 while she was working as a dancer at topless club Seventh Heaven in Tokyo, Japan. After Combs visited the club, she says he invited her and two friends to a party in his hotel room. When they arrived, Combs answered the door wearing a bathrobe and holding a bottle of champagne. I realized before we even walked through the front door that it was just him, said Kennedy. I was like, This is not a party. This is not the kind of party that we were all expecting. Kennedy went on to say that when they entered the room, the television was playing Jennifer Lopezs music videos. Combs and Lopez were dating at the time, and he was one of the producers who had worked on her debut album On the 6 the previous year. Jennifer Lopez and Sean Diddy Combs attending the 2000 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles ( Getty Images ) It was kind of an odd thing to find out that we were watching [J-Los] videos, Kennedy said. It seemed a little bit creepy to me, very disrespectful since we were already in his room, and there was no party going on. Kennedy went on to say that Combs drew the line at drug use. We were doing cocaine that evening, and he said that he didnt like drugs and that he didnt want anything like that around him, she claimed. So we would sneak in the bathroom and do it, because he said he only smoked pot and he didnt want the drugs around him. After an hour, Combs allegedly took Kennedy and another woman into a bedroom. He took us to the bedroom and proceeded to get naked, Kennedy said. He instructed us to go down on him. And we just, we both did. We had quite a bit of champagne at that point. And we just did what he said. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up It wasnt forceful. Theres nothing forceful about it. It was just, hes like, this is what I want. And both the, me and the other girl proceeded to pleasure him that way. After the encounter was over, Kennedy says a bodyguard entered the room and became enraged, saying: Thats my girl! Thats the girl from last night! Whats going on? The bodyguard proceeded to violently eject the women from the room, while Combs looked on. [The bodyguard] was just so violent and so angry, said Kennedy. We just couldnt believe what was happening. We were in shock. First of all, how does he have that much access to Puff Daddys room? Thats the first thing I thought. How does he just come in like that? The Independent has approached Combs for comment. Last month it was revealed that Lopezs first husband, actor Ojani Noa, believes Combs was partially to blame for their divorce. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Dolly Parton has revealed the song she is most proud of and its not Jolene or 9 to 5. The country music legend is preparing to release her latest album, Smoky Mountain DNA Family, Faith and Fables, which celebrates her heritage and musical roots. It includes collaborations with family members including her niece, Heidi Parton, her sister, Stella, and brother, Floyd, who died in 2018. In a reader Q&A with The Guardian, Parton, 78, said she was proud of all of her songs, spanning a career of more than six decades, but named one that she felt was most personal to her: the 1971 single Coat of Many Colors from her album of the same name. Because it talks about my mom, my parents, and kind of gives you an insight, she explained. It also covers bullying, acceptance and all that. She continued: Of course, the one thats most recorded is Jolene. That seems to be the favourite do you know that song has been recorded, somebody told me, 450 times in the last 52 years? Im so proud of it. And I Will Always Love You is one of the great love songs, so Im very proud of that too. open image in gallery Parton was also proud of her classic torch song, I Will Always Love You ( Getty Images for SXSW ) In the same interview, Parton responded to a longstanding rumour that she wrote Jolene and I Will Always Love You on the same day: I dont know if I wrote them on the same day, but they were found on the same cassette, and so I wrote them during that period of time. Partons most recent album, Rockstar, was released in November last year and featured covers of a number of classic rock songs, for which she collaborated with fellow stars such as Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Mick Fleetwood, Pink, and her goddaughter Miley Cyrus. I wanted it to be good, because I wanted rock artists to hear it and say, Well, you know, that aint bad! Parton told The Independent at the time. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up I thought it turned out really well. Im proud of it! open image in gallery Parton and her goddaughter Miley Cyrus have collaborated on a number of occasions ( AFP/Getty Images ) Earlier this year, Parton shared that she is planning to bring her life story to Broadway in an autobiographical musical titled Hello, Im Dolly. Sharing the news during an appearance at CMA Fest in Nashville, she said the stage adaptations score would include a mix of new original songs and all your favourites. Youll laugh, youll cry, youll clap, youll stomp, it truly is a Grand Ol Opera. Pun intended, she said, referring to her riff on the famous Nashville venue, the Grand Ol Opry. Dolly Parton and Family: Smoky Mountain DNA Family, Faith and Fables is released on 15 November. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Megan Thee Stallion has revealed why she lied to Gayle King about her sexual relationship with Tory Lanez in her documentary, In Her Words. The rapper, 29, reflected on her CBS Mornings interview with King in April 2022, which took place eight months before Lanez real name Daystar Peterson was found guilty of shooting the Hot Girl Summer artist in the foot at a 2020 party. In the Amazon Prime Video documentary, Megan admitted that when King asked her if she had sex with Tory at all, she didnt tell the truth because she felt it was irrelevant to the conversation about the shooting. Yes, b****. I lied to Gayle King, b****. First of all, I aint know that b**** was even finna ask me about that s***. I thought we was gonna talk about this shooting, Megan said. Why is you asking me about f***ing Tory? Thats not what this is about, she continued, adding that they had sex once, maybe twice on a drunk night. You kept catching me out of my f***ing mind, Megan said. Back in 2022, the 69-year-old news anchor sat down with the WAP rapper for an in-depth interview about the shooting incident. What was the nature of your relationship with Tory Lanez because he has led people to believe that it was a sexual relationship, King asked Megan on CBS Mornings at the time. That you two were dating? What was the nature? Megan Thee Stallion felt Gayle Kings questions about her relationship with Tory Lanez were irrelevant to their 2022 interview about the shooting ( Getty Images ) The Savage rapper replied that they were not dating but were really close friends who hung out, like, every day. When King pressed further, asking if they had an intimate relationship, the Houston native responded: Like sexual? Umm, I didnt have a sexual relationship with Tory. During Lanezs shooting trial in December 2022, Megan real name Megan Pete later testified in Los Angeles court that she indeed lied to King about their sexual relationship. Lane was sentenced to 10 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of first-degree assault, discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, and having a concealed and unregistered firearm in a vehicle. Following Megans Prime Video documentary, which dropped on October 31, King responded to the Body rappers comments about their 2022 sit-down interview in a video shared to Instagram. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Im just sitting here minding my own business. People are reaching out to me, saying, Hey Gayle, Megan Thee Stallion just called you a b****, King said. I know youre expecting me to maybe youre thinking I have something negative to say. I do not. I have nothing but great, great love and respect for Megan Thee Stallion. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Julia Louis-Dreyfus has recalled her excruciating first rehearsal for Saturday Night Live. The actor became the shows youngest female cast member when she joined season eight in 1982 at the age of 21, landing the spot while still in college. Speaking in a recent episode of Lemonada Medias Wiser Than Me podcast, Louis-Dreyfus, 63, reflected on her time on the programme, which celebrates its 50th season this year. When I was just getting started, I was part of the Practical Theatre Company in Chicago, she said. The producers of SNL came to see the show and they loved it, and they hired all of us to come to New York and be a part of SNL. For her first rehearsal, Louis-Dreyfus recalled having to perform the first act with three complete and total unknowns. The rehearsal took place under fluorescent lights in the middle of the day in front of 20 very cynical, unfriendly SNL cast members and writers, she said. The actor went on to claim that the rest of the cast already hated us because a bunch of their best friends had just been fired to make room for us. We never had a chance, she said. Sketches that had killed in Chicago died a terrible, terrible death that day. It was excruciating. open image in gallery Michael Richards, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jerry Seinfeld y Jason Alexander en una foto promocional de 'Seinfeld' ( FILES/AFP via Getty Images ) I think that humiliation influenced our whole SNL experience for the next couple of years, to tell you the truth. She continued: Ive learned a lot since that cringey day in a carpeted office on the 17th floor of 30 Rock. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Louis-Dreyfus went on to become a much-loved presence on SNL, known for characters including televangelist April May June, Lets Watch TV co-host Consuela, and Weekend Update teen correspondent Patti Lynn Hunnsucker. open image in gallery in Veep' ( HBO ) During her time on the show, she appeared alongside Billy Crystal, Eddie Murphy, Christopher Guest, Martin Short, and her husband Brad Hall who she married in 1987. She exited in 1985, having spent three years on the series, and went on to star in Seinfeld as Elaine for nine years between 1989 to 1998. Louis-Dreyfus has earned 26 Emmy nominations and 11 Emmy wins for her work on the small screen, most recently as vice president Selina Meyer on HBOs comedy Veep. The seventh and final season of the political satire aired in 2019. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Emily in Paris star Lily Collins has said she is keen for an Emily in London spin-off. In the Netflix series, the 35-year-old plays an American marketing executive Emily Cooper who moves to Paris for a short-term job opportunity but ends up falling in love with the city and establishing a new life there. The latest season sees Cooper begin to date an Italian man who lives in Rome. Conveniently, she is asked to open a new office in the city, suggesting that Emily in Paris could become Emily in Rome for its fifth instalment. But perhaps London could be next, since Collins has told the BBC that making a British spin-off would be so fun. Collins who is currently making her stage debut in the West End production Barcelona, in which she once again plays an American abroad has said that she thinks her Netflix character would love London. The actor, who was born in Surrey and raised in Los Angeles, said: She would definitely go to Portobello Road and buy some antiques, obviously visit Big Ben and toy shop Hamleys. She would also definitely try and get into Buckingham Palace, Collins continued, adding that Cooper would love to have tea with the King and try and get the guards to smile. Speaking about how she will spend her free time in the city between her eight stage performances a week, Collins said she loves sitting in the front seat of a double-decker bus and gazing out of the window. open image in gallery Emily Cooper begins to lay down roots in Rome in its latest season ( GIULIA PARMIGIANI/NETFLIX ) I dont even have a plan on where I want to go, I just sit there and see all the sights and people, said the actor, who is the daughter of Genesis drummer Phil Collins. Collins, who lives in LA but owns a home in Denmark with her husband, the American film director Charlie McDowell, says she relaxes in London by walking the dogs with my husband on Hampstead Heath. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free I go there so often, it really is huge and it actually feels like countryside even though youre in London, she said. open image in gallery Lily Collins in Barcelona ( Marc Brenner ) In The Independents two-star review of Barcelona, critic Annabel Nugent writes that the plot can often feel contrived. A good chunk of Barcelonas duration requires its actors to do one of the hardest things an actor can ever do: act drunk convincingly. Collins and [co-star Alvaro] Morte make a go of it and special mention to the messy make-out scenes choreographed to comically realistic effect but it gets old fast, writes Nugent. Despite the short 90-minute running time, there are one too many studied stumbles and repetitions. A groundbreaking study conducted by Chinese scientists has shed new light on the origins of dairy fermentation practices dating back thousands of years. The study, published in the journal Cell, offers a glimpse into the lives of Bronze Age people and their innovative food production techniques. The samples of kefir cheese, found in a cemetery in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, are around 3,500 years old and could be the most ancient variety of cheese known to humans. The research team, led by Fu Qiaomei, director of the Molecular Paleontology Laboratory at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, extracted high-quality genomes of Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens, a bacterial species used for fermentation, from the cheese samples found inside mummies at the Xiaohe cemetery, located in Xinjiangs Bayingolin Mongol autonomous prefecture. This indicates that residents of Xiaohe were already using kefir grains to make kefir yogurt or cheese, demonstrating ancient wisdom and craftsmanship in using fermentation microbes to ferment dairy products, Fu said. The cemetery showcases distinctive Bronze Age cultural relics from the Xia and Shang dynasties (c.21st century-11th century BC) in the Tarim Basin. The study challenges the long-held belief that kefir spread from the Northern Caucasus to Europe and other regions, as it found an additional spreading route of kefir from Xinjiang to inland East Asia. The spread of dairy fermentation techniques largely accompanied human migration and interaction, which in turn drove the evolution of lactic acid bacteria. The research team reconstructed the ancient L. kefiranofaciens genomes and found two important strains, one originating in Europe and the other in East Asia. The European strain originated in Russias Caucasus region, while the East Asian one originated in the Xizang autonomous region of China, according to the study. The Russian strain is currently widely used globally, including in Europe, the United States and Japan, for making yogurt and cheese. The strain used by the residents of Xiaohe for fermentation is closely related to a less common group of L. kefiranofaciens that originated in Xizang. Xinjiang and Xizang are at the source of this East Asian transmission route, Fu said. She added that before this study, no DNA research had been conducted on fermented products anywhere in the world. Christina Warinner, a Harvard University professor, said, This type of research was unthinkable a decade ago. Extracting ancient lactobacillus DNA posed significant challenges, as cheese samples contained only about 0.5 per cent of such DNA. The research team used over 700,000 probes to increase the DNA concentration to about 80 per cent. William Taylor, an anthropologist at the University of Colorado Boulder, described the study as groundbreaking, highlighting how cheese and dairy products were foundational to ancient ways of life. Yang Yimin, a professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that organic residues provide valuable insights into human behaviour and culture that have been lost in time. It is exciting to see how much information can be retrieved from these cheese samples, he added. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A court in Hong Kong remanded a British man in custody after charging him with the murder of an Indonesian woman at a waterfall in a park in the financial hub. Jamie Tzewee Chapman, 34, appeared at the Eastern Court on Friday but did not enter a plea. His lawyer did not request bail either. Mr Chapman and his wife, a Hongkonger, were arrested upon their return to the city from mainland China. His wife had been held on suspicion of assisting an offender before being released on bail pending further investigation, the local police said on Thursday. Police said Mr Chapman and the Indonesian woman, Novitasari Mevi, went to the Waterfall Bay Park in Pok Fu Lam on Sunday evening. He was seen getting into a taxi alone after 40 minutes and immediately left Hong Kong, according to police. Residents spotted the woman's body floating in the pond below the waterfall on Monday morning, police said. She had been struck in the head and drowned. An initial autopsy report revealed the cause of the death to be asphyxiation by drowning but she also sustained head injuries. We found so many unreasonable things related to the arrested man, police superintendent Sin Kwok-ming was quoted by The Telegraph as saying. He didnt report to the police and immediately left Hong Kong after the incident. Some evidence related to him had disappeared too, he said. Principal Magistrate Don So Man-lung adjourned the case till 24 January to allow time for further investigation. In the meantime, you will stay in jail, he told Mr Chapman. Ms Novitasari was a 25-year-old domestic worker in Hong Kong but did not work for the suspect, police said. She was from Cilacap in Central Java province, Judha Nugraha, the director of protection of Indonesian citizens and legal entities, said from Indonesia. Her employment agency and the Indonesian consulate will organise the repatriation of her body and the consulate general will continue to monitor the investigation, he said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The US and South Korea have called on China to use its influence over Russia and North Korea to prevent escalation after Pyongyang sent thousands of troops to Russia to aid Moscow's war against Ukraine. Beijing has so far stayed quiet. In a rare meeting earlier this week, three top US diplomats met with Chinas ambassador to the United States to emphasise US concerns and urge China to use its sway with North Korea to try to curtail the cooperation, according to a State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Secretary of state Antony Blinken said on Thursday that the sides had a robust conversation just this week" and that China knows US expectations that theyll use the influence that they have to work to curb these activities. But I think this is a demand signal thats coming not just from us, but from countries around the world, he said at a news conference in Washington with defence secretary Lloyd Austin and their South Korean counterparts. The US says 8,000 North Korean soldiers are in Russia near Ukraines border and are preparing to help the Kremlin fight against Ukrainian troops in the coming days. Beijing has forged a no limits partnership with Moscow, and while it has been a major ally for Pyongyang, experts say Beijing might not approve of the closer military partnership between Russia and North Korea because it sees it as destabilising in the region. When asked about a meeting between US and Chinese diplomats, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a briefing on Wednesday in Beijing that he had no information to provide. He added that China's stances on Ukraine and on the Korean Peninsula have been consistent. China has called for a ceasefire and urged peace talks to end the war in Ukraine. And it has long advocated for a peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula. The Russia-North Korea partnership runs contrary to Beijings goal for a peaceful Korean Peninsula, said Shi Yinhong, an international relations expert at Chinas Renmin University. Beijing is aware of the complexity and danger of the situation, Mr Shi said, noting that the fact that China hasnt said anything yet on the military alliance agreement between North Korea and Russia indicates that China strongly disagrees with it. Dennis Wilder, senior fellow for the Initiative for US-China Dialogue on global issues at Georgetown University, called Beijings radio silence on North Koreas move staggering. He said Beijing must find a balance between supporting Moscow and not angering the West, and that Chinese president Xi Jinping might for his own sake ignore the whole thing. Mr Xi has built a personal relationship with Russian president Vladimir Putin, and he cannot see Putin fail, Mr Wilder said this week at a panel discussion hosted by the Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies. At the same time, Mr Xi cannot anger the Europeans and Americans when his country's economy is struggling, Mr Wilder added. So hes not going to say anything publicly about this. Mr Austin said on Thursday that China should be asking Russia some hard questions at this point and whether it intends to broaden this conflict by this kind of behavior. Deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Dan Kritenbrink and assistant secretary of state for European Affairs James OBrien met with Chinese envoy Xie Feng in Washington on Tuesday, according to the State Department official, who would not detail the Chinese response. Lu Chao, director of the Institute of American and East Asian Studies at Liaoning University in China's northeastern province of Liaoning, said the US should not expect China to manage North Korea. As for the issue of the Korean Peninsula, China is a friend of both North Korea and South Korea. It is not the case that China is responsible to manage North Korea and the US is responsible for managing South Korea, Mr Lu said. I hope the US government could understand Chinas stance." Mr Lu also said the troop deployment is a matter between Russia and North Korea, while Chinas attitude remains unchanged that the conflict should not be escalated but be resolved with a political solution. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy South Korea has imposed sanctions on North Korean officials following Pyongyang's latest intercontinental ballistic missile launch amid concerns about the North receiving weapons technology from Russia. South Koreas foreign ministry on Friday said the government has imposed sanctions on 11 North Korean individuals and four entities in retaliation against Pyongyangs first missile launch in almost a year. Pyongyang confirmed the launch monitored by leader Kim Jong-un on Thursday after its neighbours detected the firing of a suspected new, more agile weapon capable of targeting mainland US. The North on Friday claimed the missile that higher than any previous missile launched by the Kim government was Hwasong-19. The launch was seen as a bid to grab American attention ahead of next weeks presidential election amid mounting Western criticism against the North allegedly sending thousands of soldiers to Russia to fight Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine. The Norths state news agency KCNA lauded the launch as the worlds strongest strategic missile. A spokesperson for South Koreas unification ministry said the launch could have been for several purposes, including demonstrating military technology, pressuring Washington, and diverting attention from the Norths deployment of troops to Moscow. North Korean foreign minister Choe Son Hui, during her Moscow visit, accused Washington and Seoul of plotting a nuclear strike against her country. She did not provide evidence to back her assertion, but spoke of regular consultations between Washington and Seoul at which she alleged such plotting took place. Ms Choe said the situation on the Korean Peninsula could become explosive any moment as she told her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that Pyongyang needed to strengthen its nuclear arsenal. She said the North needed to perfect its readiness to deliver a retaliatory nuclear strike if necessary. North Korea was sanctioned by the UN security council in 2006 and the measures were steadily strengthened to halt its development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. The West believes by sending troops to Russia, the North could be rewarded with technology that could advance the threat posed by Pyongyangs nuclear weapons and missile programme. Thursdays launch drew swift condemnation from Washington and its allies in South Korea, Japan and Europe, as well as the United Nations secretary-general. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said the test fire is an appropriate military action that fully meets the purpose of informing the rivals. He added: I affirm that the DPRK [Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea] will never change its line of bolstering up its nuclear forces. South Korea said it was the longest ballistic missile test by the North with a flight time of 87 minutes. The missile took off on a sharply lofted trajectory from near Pyongyang and splashed down about 200km west of Japans Okushiri island, off Hokkaido. Japan said the missile climbed high into the atmosphere and flew a distance of 1,000km, reportedly setting new records of the countrys missile capabilities. The test was conducted just as the US said that North Korea had sent over 10,000 soldiers to Russia to be deployed on the frontline. US secretary of state Antony Blinken on Thursday claimed that about 8,000 of the Korean soldiers are positioned in Kursk, the border region where Russian forces have been fighting off a Ukrainian incursion since August. South Korea and allies have urged the North to withdraw its forces from Russia. The missile continues to underwrite the growing credibility of North Koreas strategic deterrent capabilities, Ankit Panda, a senior fellow at the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the Associated Press. He added that Mr Kim appeared specifically interested in communicating that message to the US. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A powerful bomb attached to a motorcycle exploded near a vehicle carrying police officers in restive southwest Pakistan on Friday, killing seven people, including five nearby children, officials said. Local police chief Fateh Mohammad said the attack occurred in Mastung, a district in Balochistan province. He said a motorized rickshaw carrying schoolchildren was nearby when the bombing happened, resulting in the deaths of five children, a police officer and a passerby. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicion is likely to fall on separatist groups that have stepped up attacks on security forces and civilians in recent months. open image in gallery Pakistan Bombing ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the chief minister of Balochistan, Sarfraz Bugti, both denounced the bombing and vowed to continue the war against insurgents until they are eliminated from the country. Balochistan is the site of a long-running insurgency, with an array of separatist groups staging attacks mainly on security forces. The groups, including the Baloch Liberation Army, demand independence from the central government. The BLA has also attacked foreigners. Last month, it claimed responsibility for a bombing that targeted Chinese nationals outside an airport in the southern city of Karachi, killing two workers from China and wounding eight people. Thousands of Chinese workers are in Pakistan as part of Beijings multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, which is building major infrastructure projects. Beijing has frequently demanded better security for its nationals in Pakistan. open image in gallery Pakistan Bombing ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) China's ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, urged Pakistan at a seminar this week to take action against the insurgents responsible for unacceptable attacks on Chinese working on projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a sprawling package that includes road construction, power plants and agriculture. Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Thursday expressed her surprise over the ambassador's remarks, saying that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also attended the seminar, had said Pakistan is committed to providing full security to Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan. Our commitment has been conveyed at the senior most levels of the Chinese government. She said Jiang's statement was perplexing in view of the positive diplomatic traditions. Kyrgyzstan introduces visa-free policy for China's organized tourists Xinhua) 13:19, November 01, 2024 BISHKEK, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyzstan has introduced a visa-free policy for organized tourist groups from China, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce announced Thursday. The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan adopted a resolution Monday to amend the rules for foreign citizens' stay in the country. The resolution introduced a visa-free policy for organized tourist groups from China, requiring groups of five to 25 people to enter Kyrgyzstan under a pre-approved tourist program. Tourist groups can stay in Kyrgyzstan for up to 21 days without a visa if they hold a return ticket to their home country or a third country. They may re-enter without a visa after a 21-day interval, the ministry said. The ministry noted that the visa-free policy for Chinese tourists aims to strengthen Kyrgyzstan-China cooperation, boost tourism and develop economic ties on a mutually beneficial basis. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Earlier this year, after six weeks of travelling alone around cities across Latin America for work, I met a male photographer friend in Buenos Aires. Walking together at night, my shoulders slackened, my mood lifted, my brow unfurrowed. Thats when I realised how hard Id been working to keep myself safe. Six weeks of grasping my house keys as a makeshift weapon in my hand. Looking over my shoulder when I heard a noise and crossing the road if I had to; scanning every person I passed as a potential threat. I do the same when Im alone in Belfast my hometown, London, or Barcelona. I dont feel less safe in Latin America, but I was completely alone here. When I tried to explain this to my friend and he said, Yeah, Ive not been taking my iPhone out it was clear that he, like the best men I know, was wildly clueless about the daily lived experience of the women they know. And so anything that kick starts this conversation is to be welcomed, be it a viral clip of Saoirse Ronan politely reminding her male panellists on Graham Norton that women are constantly pre-empting attack, or a new dystopian crime drama on Paramount+ that imagining a Womens Safety Act that decreed men stayed indoors at night. If youre a man reading this and wondering why so many women answered, bear to the recent would-you-rather-meet-a-man-or-bear-in-the-woods question on social media, here are the things we would love to do without thinking twice. open image in gallery Sadly, some men seem clueless about the daily lived experience of the women they know ( Getty ) 1. Go for a solo hike or jog Im a solo traveller Ive written a book about it and hiking and running alone is one of my favourite things to do. But this doesnt mean Im fearless on these solo adventures; far from it. I never enjoy a solo hike in a spectacular region without fleetingly imagining devastating headlines, and wondering if a rapist is lurking behind the next tree. This is not being melodramatic, this is being a woman. Like one in five women (conservative figures) Ive been sexually attacked by a stranger. We arent imagining things. 2. Put our headphones in Women do continual risk assessments throughout our day, sussing out if its safe to walk home with our headphones in, go for a run when its semi-dark, or take that deserted underpass. Plus mishaps that are an inconvenience to men breaking down at the side of the road, getting lost on foot in an unfamiliar city are a danger if youre a woman. Vigilance is tiring and I wish we didnt have to think so hard about how to protect ourselves. 3. Save money on cabs and the rest Because women have to think about our safety, we spend more money on it. I often wish I could walk home, but am persuaded by friends to pay for a cab so they dont have to worry about me. Ive booked a more expensive hotel in a different area after reading Expedia reviews saying an area was dodgy. And I am privileged in being able to pay this premium. Many women cant. Safety shouldnt be a luxury purchase. open image in gallery Sarah Parish in new show Curfew where men are only allowed out at certain times to reduce violence against women ( Paramount+ ) 4. Not grin and bear it My male best friend once told me I should feel powerful when strangers find me attractive. I had to explain to this smart, sensitive man that being hissed at in the street by predatory strangers doesnt feel like power Quite the opposite! Being called attractive by people we find attractive is nice. Being informed, crudely and sometimes humiliatingly, that some stranger wants to have sex with us, feels like a threat. Every woman or girl has been subjected to some variation of the following tirade: Hey sexy/nice dress/alright sweetheart Hey. Hey? HEY! Nobody wants you anyway, you stuck-up b****. However harmlessly street harassment starts, women are braced for a rapid escalation in abuse. And the abuse I get is basic white-girl misogyny compared to the vile racist sexist abuse some of my friends get. Men rarely hear this, because abusive men are cowards who behave differently with other men in the street. 6. Take the quickest route home Getting home, day or night, is never about the quickest routes. Women need to choose well-lit and densely populated streets, something that as yet, Google and Apple Maps do not factor in. Well avoid parks. We dont feel we can risk popping into a public toilet if were alone. If weve worn high heels, well bring trainers or flat shoes so were less vulnerable on our way home. And well arrange with friends to text each other when we get back. Home safe! Not dead! Uber driver not a killer! Im not kidding: this is literally what we text each other. open image in gallery Many women avoid running at night for fear of being attacked by a stranger ( Getty ) 7. Not have to humour your problematic friend Men think they know what bad heterosexual male behaviour looks like; that what happens on a boys night is as wild as a man gets. The truth is men have no idea what bad men do. Men are at their worst when theyre alone with a woman and in a position of power. Women know this. Weve either been traumatised by a man like this, or weve had to support friends or sisters who have. We can spot these men a mile off, and thats why we have less of a sense of humour about that problematic male friend. 8. Leave our drinks on the bar Sometimes well ask another woman to keep an eye on our drink, or even bring it to the loo with us. We all know women have been spiked. We dont want to be next. 9. Not have to explain ourselves again and again We know in some environments, were less at risk than men: Im less likely to be involved in a pub brawl or street violence, for example. Being a woman gives me some safety advantages at work and in life in my job, I have been offered access, hospitality and help that a male reporter might not have been given. But safety is not a zero-sum game and this is not about women blaming men. Its about good people of all genders recognising that gender-based violence (and men get mostly attacked by other men, lest we forget) is a serious societal problem that needs tackling on all levels. The first step of any man who considers himself an ally of women is to believe us when we express fears or worries about our safety. If a woman hasnt been attacked, harassed or abused herself, someone close to her has been. The statistics are out there, and theyre awful. Dont suggest were neurotic, or that we need to chill. Were not making this up. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A pregnant woman who was being induced for labor had a brilliant idea to dress up in costume before going to the hospital on Halloween. In her now-viral TikTok video, Laura Ortiz shared the hilarious footage of the moment she and her husband, Reid Halvorson, walked through the delivery wing doors last year dressed as two different Thors from the Marvel franchise. The footage, which has now been viewed more than three million times, showed Ortiz wearing a full beard, wig, sunglasses, and a sledgehammer as Lazy Thor, while her husband was wearing his own wig and red leather biker vest as the character from Thor: Love and Thunder. The soon-to-be parents greeted everyone at Skyridge Medical Center in Colorado with a basket of candy, lotion, snacks, and drinks. Last year, I went to into the hospital to give birth to my daughter on Halloween. I was nervous about possible complications, so I decided to have as much fun with it as possible, Ortiz wrote. open image in gallery Laura Ortiz and her husband dressed as two versions of Thor before welcoming their daughter on Halloween last year ( TikTok/Laura Ortiz ) The mother explained how her delivery room was turned into a party room in the process, describing it as the most fun shes had in her life. Later that evening, she welcomed her daughter Emilia. Birth can be scary but with the right attitude, you can overcome the fear and learn to find the fun and joy in the process, Ortiz added. Speaking to People, Ortiz opened up about her nerves ahead of the delivery, explaining that shed experienced preeclampsia and gestational diabetes during her pregnancy. Her doctors suggested she schedule an induced labor, which led her to decide on Halloween as her daughters delivery date. Its one of my favorite holidays, she told the outlet. I kind of thought, Well, maybe Ill convince my husband to dress up with me and be Thor from the different movies. In addition to celebrating the spooky holiday with festive outfits, Ortiz thought the costumes would ease the pressure and anxiety of giving birth. I didnt want to bring our kid into the world feeling anxious and worried, she admitted. Ironically, Ortiz felt more worried about showing up in her Thor costume than she did about giving birth. Of course, when it came time to go into labor, she took off her Halloween outfit. The Independent has contacted Ortiz for a comment. In the comments under her TikTok, hundreds of people gushed over Ortiz and Halvorsons looks and shared how their parents, friends, and family members had done the same thing. My mom gave birth to my brother dressed as Elvira and my dad was a Ninja Turtle, one person wrote, while another admitted: One of our doctors takes Halloween VERY seriously. He came and delivered babies dressed as a Viking, he even had this one wheel decked out like a ship and road it down the halls. A third viewer claimed their doctor dressed up as Batman when she gave birth on Halloween. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The number of people in hospital in England with norovirus is continuing to climb and has hit another new high for this winter, NHS figures show. An average of 961 hospital beds were filled each day last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, up 7% from 898 the previous week, which had been the highest so far this season. Norovirus levels also remain higher than at this point 12 months ago, when an average of 570 beds were filled with patients with symptoms, and also two years ago (750 patients). It comes as flu levels in hospitals in England have fallen for the fourth week in a row. An average of 2,461 flu patients were in beds each day last week, including 122 in critical care. This is down 18% from 3,019 the previous week, when 148 were in critical care. The total is slightly lower than at this point last winter (2,478) but higher than this stage two years ago (962). The figures have been published in the latest weekly snapshot of the performance of hospitals in England. Heres what you need to know about Norovirus: What is norovirus? Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, explains Dr Chun Tang, GP at Pall Mall Medical. It spreads easily through contaminated food, water, surfaces, or direct contact with an infected person. You can also get it by touching surfaces that have the virus on them and then putting your hands in your mouth, or by eating food thats been handled by someone who has the virus. Norovirus is often mistakenly associated with the flu. open image in gallery Seniors, especially those in nursing homes, are at higher risk (Alamy/PA) Unlike respiratory viruses like influenza, norovirus specifically targets the gastrointestinal system, clarifies Dr Ashwin Sharma, from online pharmacy MedExpress. In addition, often people think that because they feel better, they must not be transmittable anymore and that isnt the case. Most people can remain contagious for up to two weeks or more after symptoms have resolved. Who is most at risk of getting Norovirus? Anyone can catch norovirus, but it tends to spread more easily in environments where people are in close contact, like in schools, hospitals, or nursing homes, notes Tang. Young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk for severe symptoms because their bodies might not handle dehydration and other effects as well as others. But even healthy adults can get really sick from it because its so contagious. What are the symptoms of Norovirus? open image in gallery Vomiting is a common symptoms of norovirus (Alamy/PA) Common symptoms of norovirus include nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting, says Sharma. In some cases, individuals may also experience additional symptoms such as fever, headaches, and body aches. It is important to monitor these symptoms and seek medical attention if they become severe or persistent. Tang adds: The most important thing to watch for is dehydration, especially in young children or older adults, as it can happen quickly due to vomiting and diarrhoea. open image in gallery Patients are advised to drink plenty of fluids (Alamy/PA) Over-the-counter medications can help with fever and aches, however recovery mostly involves rest and letting the virus run its course while staying hydrated. The key is to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, especially if youre vomiting or have diarrhoea, advises Tang. In extreme cases, where dehydration becomes a problem, some people may need intravenous fluids. Can we do anything to prevent it? The most important thing is washing your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom or before eating, says Tang. Hand sanitisers arent as effective against norovirus, so good old-fashioned handwashing is key. Also, make sure to clean and disinfect surfaces, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, and wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating. If someone around you has norovirus, its best to avoid direct contact and be extra on top with your hygiene. If symptoms continue, contact a GP. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Two police dogs tragically died in their handlers car after a cooling pod failed when the engine was turned off. On Thursday, 31 October, a New South Wales police officer left two German shepherds, Xtra and Soldier, in his car at 10:30 am while attending a training development day just 300 meters away in southern Sydney. When he returned two hours later, at 12:30 pm, he was met with a tragic discovery both dogs had died. Police reported on Friday (1 November) that an engine failure likely caused the air conditioning to shut off in the dog pod, leaving the two German shepherds without ventilation. Although an alarm was triggered, they believe the handler couldnt hear it in time to prevent the tragedy. Unfortunately there was an alarm that goes off, it did go off but when police went down there it was too late, the assistant commissioner Stephen Hegarty told the press. The primary cooling source would be the air conditioner, unfortunately when we returned to the motor vehicle it had ceased [running], which meant the air conditioner ceased as well. The state-of-the-art cooling pods, introduced in 2023 and designed to regulate temperature, are now under scrutiny. With temperatures reaching 27 degrees Celsius in Lucas Heights on Thursday, concerns are rising over potential flaws in the system. However, theres currently no protocol on how frequently dogs should be checked inside the pods. Those dogs can be in the rear of the car at night-time for long periods of time, so its not unusual and [not] against any processes or training weve given the officers, Hegarty noted. Police dogs Xtra and Soldier tragically died after the cooling pod within their handlers car shut down when the engine was off ( ABC/7News ) As the investigation has been underway, changes to protocol have been implemented including frequent inspections of dogs kept in cooling pods. They were in specialist-designed pods, Commissioner Karen Webb told the press, stressing that she believed there was no human error involved in the death of the dogs. Im confident there had been no human error and the vehicle has been towed for examination to check for any mechanical, technical and engineering issues. She added that the dogs handler was devastated by their death. He had the very difficult task of going home yesterday afternoon to inform his wife and his two children about the passing of the two dogs because the two dogs reside with the family, she noted. They are part of that family [and] with the officer 24/7. In an interview with ABC radio, she said that the two canines were valuable members of the police force. The thoughts of the whole police family are with them, she said. We owe it to PD Xtra and DD Soldier to conduct a thorough investigation. Xtra, a dedicated member of the NSW police since 2018, and Soldier, just 15 months old and fresh into training with the force since February 2024, will both be honored with a memorial at a later date. Their names will also join the police wall of remembrance, ensuring their service is remembered. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Salma Hayek has revealed that she and her billionaire husband, Francois-Henri Pinault, never signed a prenup when they married over a decade ago. The Mexican-born actor, 58, opened up about her 15-year marriage with the CEO of Kering, a luxury group that owns high-end brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen. In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Hayek explained that she and her husband keep their finances entirely separate. I support a lot of the aspects of my life and myself, she said. I have the pressure to make a certain amount of money, and I like it. And now, I decided, I want to make more. Both Hayek and Pinault were originally born into wealthy families. The Frida stars father was an oil executive, and she grew up in the coastal city of Coatzacoalcos with four live-in maids. Meanwhile, Pinault inherited the luxury retail conglomerate then named Pinault-Printemps-Redoute from his father, Francois Pinault, in 2005. However, Hayek was forced to support her family as an actor in Hollywood once her father lost his fortune, a challenging period where she says she became the best version of myself. open image in gallery Salma Hayak and Kering CEO Francois-Henri Pinault were married in 2009 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Upon marrying the French businessman in 2009, the House of Gucci star explained how she was thrust into an environment where money largely dominated conversations a lifestyle change she wasnt expecting. To me, the excitement about having a lot of money was that I didnt have to think about money, and it turned out all people wanted to talk to me about was money, Hayek told the WSJ. Strangers coming to me that arent even friends, but they think we should be friends because theyre rich, too. According to Forbes, Pinault has an estimated net worth of $20.6bn. Hes currently ranked the 99th richest person in the world. The Magic Mikes Last Dance star began dating Pinault in 2006, and they welcomed their now-17-year-old daughter, Valentina Paloma Pinault, the following year. After tying the knot in Paris on Valentines Day in 2009, the couple went on to have a larger wedding celebration in Venice, Italy. open image in gallery Hayak and Pinault share a 17-year-old daughter, Valentina Paloma Pinault ( AFP via Getty Images ) Pinault shares two children from his previous marriage to Dorothee Lepere: son Francois, 26, and daughter Mathilde, 23. Pinault also has an 18-year-old son, Augustin James, from his relationship with supermodel Linda Evangelista. Despite being together for nearly two decades, Hayak has received criticism in the past for her relationship with the billionaire, namely from critics who think she married Pinault for money. Hayek defended her marriage to Pinault during an appearance on Dax Shepards Armchair Expert podcast in 2021. I didnt know who he was, Shepard said at the time. I just heard or maybe read in a headline that you had married a very rich guy, maybe thats why she married him. I dont know. I meet him and Im like, This guy is so foxy, the confidence, his eyes, hes so good looking and charming. Hayak replied: When I married him, everybody said, Oh, its an arranged marriage, she married him for the money. Im like, Yeah, whatever, b****. Think what you want. Fifteen years together, and we are strong in love. And I dont even get offended, Im like, Yeah, whatever. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is sending additional bomber aircraft and Navy warships to the Middle East to bolster the U.S. presence in the region as an aircraft carrier and its warships are preparing to leave, U.S. officials said Friday. Austin ordered several B-52 Stratofortress bomber aircraft, tanker aircraft and Navy destroyers to deploy to the Middle East, according to four U.S. and defense officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss troop movements. The moves come at a critical time as Israel's wars with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon rage, even as officials press for a cease-fire. The U.S. has repeatedly said it will defend Israel and continue to protect American and allied presence in the region, including from Yemen-based Houthi attacks against ships in the Red Sea. The long-range nuclear-capable B-52 bomber has been repeatedly deployed to the Middle East in pointed warnings to Iran and it is the second time this month that strategic U.S. bombers will be used to bolster U.S. defenses in the region. Earlier this month, B-2 stealth bombers were used to strike underground Houthi targets in Yemen. Officials did not provide specific number of aircraft and ships that will move into the region. There have been as many as 43,000 U.S. forces in the region recently. According to a U.S. official, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and the three Navy destroyers in its strike group are scheduled to leave the Middle East by mid-month and return to their home port in San Diego. The Lincoln and two of its destroyers are now in the Gulf of Oman, and the third destroyer is with two other warships in the Red Sea. When the Lincoln departs, there will be no aircraft carrier in the Middle East for a period of time, the official said. To make up for that gap, Austin is ordering the deployment of other Navy destroyers to the region. Those destroyers, which are capable of shooting down ballistic missiles, would come either from the Indo-Pacific region or Europe, the official said. The shifts are likely to result in an overall decrease in the number of U.S. troops in the region, largely because an aircraft carrier contains as many as 5,000 sailors. But the addition of bomber aircraft beefs up U.S. combat strength. Eventually, it is expected that the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier and its three warships will move to the Mediterranean Sea, but they won't get there before the Lincoln departs. The Truman strike group has been in the North Sea, participating in a NATO military exercise. Officials declined to say how long there will be a carrier gap in the Middle East. Military commanders have long argued that the presence of an aircraft carrier strike group, with its array of fighters jets, surveillance aircraft and heavily armed warships is a significant deterrent, including against Iran. There are two destroyers and the Marine amphibious ready group which includes three ships in the Mediterranean Sea. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The head of a U.N.-backed fact-finding team looking into human rights violations and abuses in Sudan said Friday it found the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces responsible for large-scale sexual violence in areas that it controls. Mohamed Chande Othman has denounced staggering violence in Sudan since war broke out more than 18 months ago between the Sudanese military and the RSF, starting with open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, that later spread across the country. We said in our report that we attribute sexual gender-based violence to RSF in West Darfur, in Darfur, in greater Khartoum, and in al-Gezira (state)," the Tanzanian lawyer said Friday by phone from Zimbabwe, where he was attending a conference. However, Othman said a renewed mandate from the U.N. Human Rights Council would allow his team of independent experts to investigate credible allegations of sexual exploitation by the Sudanese armed forces as well. The fact-finding mission on Tuesday released a more comprehensive version of its report presented in September to the rights council, which has 47 member countries. The broader report cited gang rapes, sexual slavery and the abduction of victims in areas the RSF controls. "Its important to highlight the horrendous nature and the widespread nature the patterns of violence that were committed," Othman said. His team found the sexual violence and allegations of enforced marriages and human trafficking across borders for sexual purposes took place mostly during invasions of towns and cities. Victims and witnesses consistently reported that perpetrators threatened them with weapons, including firearms, knives and whips to intimidate and coerce them, the latest report said, citing violence like punching, beatings with sticks, and lashing before and during rape. Men and boys were also reportedly targeted while in detention with sexual violence, including rape, threats of rape, forced nudity and beating on the genitals, requiring further investigation, it added. The violence in Sudan has been unrelenting. On Sunday, a doctors group and the United Nations reported that RSF fighters riot in east central Sudan carried out? took part in? a multi-day attack that killed more than 120 people in one town. On Tuesday, the U.N. migration agency said 14 million people or over 30% of the country's population have been displaced either within Sudan or abroad because of the conflict, making it the world's largest displacement crisis. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Scientists in Virginia are looking for mysterious dark matter - and have turned to really old rocks. The substance, which makes up more than 80 percent of all matter in the universe, shapes and affects the cosmos. But it is entirely invisible and remains undetectable by normal sensors and techniques. Analyzing billion-year-old rocks, researchers at Virginia Tech hope to find traces of dark matter. The idea was first proposed in the 1980s. Technological advances since then led them to revisit the idea. What if there were traces in Earths minerals? Its crazy. When I first heard about this idea, I was like this is insane. I want to do it, physics professor Patrick Huber said in a statement. open image in gallery Ph.D. candidate Keegan Walkup, left, and physicist Patrick Huber work in the new lab that Huber is establishing to look for evidence of dark matter traces inside the crystal lattice structures of old rocks. ( Photo by Spencer Coppage for Virginia Tech ) Huber, who is building a new lab to test dark matter theories, has been awarded several million dollars from the National Science Foundation and National Nuclear Security Administration for his research. He likened his work to a midlife crisis. Using new imaging, Huber and his colleagues hope to uncover trails of destruction from long-ago dark matter interactions inside crystal lattice structures - a pattern of atoms found in a mineral crystal. Dark matters interactions with other matter is impossible to perceive except when it collides with the nucleus of a visible matter atom. The nucleus recoils from the collision and releases energy. Vsevolod Ivanov, who is collaborating with Huber, explained that when a high-energy particle inside a rock bounces off of the charged core of an atom the basic building block of matter inside a rock, backward movement can pop that core, or nucleus, out of place. The gap the nucleus leaves behind marks structural changes within the crystal. open image in gallery Among the galaxies in this Hubble Space Telescope image are mysterious arcs of blue light. The arcs are distorted images of remote galaxies. The collective gravity of all the normal and dark matter trapped inside the galaxy cluster warps space-time, affecting light traveling toward Earth ( NASA, ESA, and J. Lotz and the HFF Team (STScI) ) Well take a crystal thats been exposed to different particles for millions of years and subtract the distributions that correspond to things we do know, Ivanov said. Whatever is left must be something new, and that could be the dark matter. The researchers are working to identify and locate potential candidates that could be dark matter detectors. Partnering with researchers at the University of Zurich, theyve started making 3D renderings of these high-energy particles in synthetic lithium fluoride, which is used in batteries and ceramics. The synthetic substance wont be a good dark matter detector, but it will help Huber and scientists to determine signals. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy As the old adage goes, a monkey left with a typewriter for an infinite amount of time would eventually write the complete works of William Shakespeare purely by chance. The so-called Infinite Monkeys Theorem has long been used to demonstrate the principles of probability and randomness, having been widely referenced in pop culture from The Simpsons to A Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, and believed by some to owe its conceptual origins to Aristotle. But a new study suggests that the thought experiment is potentially misleading because our universe would have ended long before the monkey was able to type all but the most trivial of phrases, let alone the nearly 900,000 words comprising the works of Shakespeare. For their study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Franklin Open, mathematicians Professor Stephen Woodcock and Jay Falletta from the University of Technology Sydney based their calculations on the heat death hypothesis, in which the universe expands to the point that it can no longer sustain life. The Infinite Monkey Theorem only considers the infinite limit, with either an infinite number of monkeys or an infinite time period of monkey labour, said Professor Woodcock. We decided to look at the probability of a given string of letters being typed by a finite number of monkeys within a finite time period consistent with estimates for the lifespan of our universe, he said. They assumed a typing speed of one key every second, on a keyboard containing 30 keys and with an average word length of 5.7 characters. The researchers found that, over the course of a single monkeys lifespan, it would have a 5 per cent chance of successfully typing the word bananas. open image in gallery Over the course of a single monkeys lifespan, it would have a 5 per cent chance of successfully typing the word bananas ( Getty ) But the chances of a monkey succeeding in typing even a short phrase quickly become vanishingly small, with the phrase I chimp, therefore I am coming in at one in 10 million billion billion. Comparatively, the chance of winning the lottery is judged to be one in 45 million. Even assuming that a global population of 200,000 monkeys is enlisted until the eventual heat death of the universe in an assumed googol of years a one, followed by 100 zeroes the chances of their population randomly reproducing the plays, poems and sonnets of Shakespeare remain extremely unlikely. Its not even like one in a million, Prof Woodcock told the New Scientist. If every atom in the universe was a universe in itself, it still wouldnt happen. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A public schoolboy handed a life sentence for attacking two sleeping students and a teacher with claw hammers, while they slept at a Devon boarding school, has been named. A judge lifted reporting restrictions protecting the identity of 17-year-old Thomas Wei Huang on Friday. The teenager admitted to assaulting the two boys and the housemaster at Blundells School in Tiverton, Devon, insisting he was not guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity because he was sleepwalking. The then 16-year-old was wearing just his boxer shorts and used weapons he had collected to prepare for a zombie apocalypse. But the jury rejected this and found him guilty at Exeter Crown Court of three counts of attempted murder earlier this month. Trial judge Ms Justice Cutts said experts were unable to say how long the defendant would pose a risk to the public and imposed a sentence of detention for life with a minimum term of 12 years. You planned your offences and used hammers you had bought as weapons, she said. You knew full well if you hit the boys multiple times with the hammers they would die. You are an intelligent boy and I am satisfied you knew the difference between right and wrong. open image in gallery The hammers used in attack at Blundells School by Thomas Wei Huang, 17 ( Devon & Cornwall Police ) In my view, there remains a significant risk that you could behave in this way again. I consider that you pose a high level of danger to the public because of the nature of your offences. The judge lifted the reporting restriction preventing the teenager from being identified at the sentencing hearing, but ordered a stay on her ruling after lawyers for Huang, from Malaysia, indicated they wished to appeal. However, court officials confirmed on Friday no appeal will be made and the judge has lifted the stay allowing him to be publicly identified for the first time. The schoolboy had armed himself with three claw hammers and waited for the two boys to be asleep before attacking them. The two pupils were asleep in cabin-style beds in one of the co-ed schools boarding houses when the defendant climbed up and attacked them shortly before 1am on 9 June last year. Housemaster Henry Roffe-Silvester, who was asleep in his own quarters, was woken by noises coming from the boarding house and went to investigate. When he entered the bedroom, he saw a silhouetted figure who then turned towards him and repeatedly struck him over the head with a hammer. open image in gallery The corridor in the boarding house at Blundells School in Devon ( Devon & Cornwall Police/PA ) Another student heard Mr Roffe-Silvester shouting and swearing as he fled the bedroom and dialled 999 believing there was an intruder. The two boys were discovered in their beds a few minutes later. They had suffered skull fractures and injuries to their ribs, spleen, a punctured lung and internal bleeding. The court heard both are living with the long-term consequences of the attack but have no memory of the incident. One boy suffered permanent brain damage. Mr Roffe-Silvester received six blows to his head but made a full recovery. During the trial, James Dawes KC, prosecuting, told jurors: The investigation has uncovered an obsession that the defendant had with one of the boys, an obsession with hammers as weapons, and an obsession with killing and killers and the killing of children. But one expert told the jury the boy would have been sleepwalking. Dr Mark Pressman described the attack on Mr Roffe-Silvester as a textbook example of sleepwalking violence. Giving evidence, the boy said he kept two hammers by his bed for protection from the zombie apocalypse. The boy added: I feel very terribly sorry for all three individuals because of what I did to them. Kerim Fuad KC, defending, described the incident as a tragic and extraordinary case and said the boy has since been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. He said the teenager was struggling with a combination of difficulties, including exams, issues in his personal life and an unhealthy interest in violence and violent films. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A former soldier accused of escaping from prison devised an elaborate double-agent plot after watching the Netflix spy thriller Homeland, a trial heard. Daniel Khalife, 23, is alleged to have escaped from HMP Wandsworth by tying himself to the underside of a food delivery lorry using bedsheets in September last year. Prosecutors say Khalife prepared a bomb hoax to delay the search for him. He admitted making a device that was found in his room after he absconded from jail, but denied wanting those who found it to believe it was a real bomb, jurors heard. open image in gallery An artists impression of Daniel Khalife at Woolwich Crown Court ( Elizabeth Cook/PA ) A female character in the American series Homeland faked defection to Iran. I had seen one of the characters had falsely defected to a particular country and utilised this position, Khalife told Woolwich Crown Court. The former soldier said he was embarrassed about the plot looking back now. If I was a real spy, it wouldnt have been difficult to defect, he said. A note was left near the device that read: You can say with certainty that you will go to prison for a very long time. Your options are suicide or absconding. It went on: Once in Iran you can manage life again and travel to interesting places freely. Khalife, who is also charged with passing on sensitive information that may be useful to an enemy, told the court the note was intended to convince police to launch a manhunt for him, which might convince Iran of his loyalty and allow him to continue working as a double agent. open image in gallery An asterisk and the word failed next to the date of 21 August in Daniel Khalifes prison diary ( PA Wire ) I wanted to continue to help our country, he said. I am the antithesis of these charges. I was never a real spy. I would do anything to go back to my career (in the Army). He told the court he escaped from HMP Wandsworth so he would be kept in a high-security unit that was away from sex offenders and terrorists who, he said, wanted to harm him. He was worried that conditions at Belmarsh, where he was being moved for his trial, would be even worse than those in Wandsworth, jurors were told. Khalife said he had no intention of leaving the country or to run away from these charges. I left, and I knew I would be classified as double category A, he said. As well as the prison escape and bomb hoax charges, he also faces charges contrary to the Official Secrets Act and Terrorism Act. He denies all the charges, and the trial will continue on 11 November. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A prisoner who set himself alight in his cell after serving 12 years for stealing a mobile phone under an indefinite jail term is still fighting to be moved to a hospital. Thomas White has developed severe mental health problems in prison as he languishes under a since-abolished imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentence. Earlier this year, the father of one set himself alight in his cell in desperation as he lost hope of ever being freed. Two medical reports shared with The Independent this summer laid bare the toll of the devastating jail term on the prisoner, who suffers psychosis and religious delusions, as medics warned his lengthy incarceration was creating impermeable barriers to his recovery. However, over two months later his heartbroken sister is still campaigning for him to be transferred to a hospital as he prepares to undergo yet another psychiatric assessment on Friday. Clara White has begged the Ministry of Justice to move her brother to a hospital to get the care he needs amid fears that it is only a matter of time before he makes another attempt on his life. She told The Independent his condition has deteriorated yet further as he refuses medication in prison and is now being dosed by injection, adding: Its criminal what the state has been doing to my brother and the poor families. If my brother is not transferred to a psychiatric hospital he will die in prison because he stopped taking his medication. I asked him why he stopped taking his medication and he broke down on the phone and said, So that I get the courage to kill myself. open image in gallery Thomas White with his sister, Clara, and his mother, Margaret, in Manchester in 1985 ( White family ) His assessment comes as 1,800 released IPP prisoners who have spent at least five years in the community are finally set to have their life-long licence conditions lifted on Friday, under reforms passed earlier this year. Although welcomed by campaigners, the changes do nothing to help unreleased IPP prisoners like Thomas. IPP jail terms were introduced under New Labour in 2005 and saw offenders given a minimum tariff but no maximum. They were scrapped in 2012 over human rights concerns but not for people already detained leaving thousands languishing with no release date. Of the 2,734 IPP prisoners still incarcerated, more than 700 have served more than 10 years longer than their minimum term. At least five IPP prisoners who were given minimum terms of less than six months have remained in jail for at least 16 years, according to the latest figures. The sentences have been branded psychological torture by a UN human rights expert after at least 90 IPP prisoners have taken their own lives. This month the countrys former head of judiciary, Lord Thomas, branded the jail terms morally wrong as he backed The Independents campaign for IPP prisoners to have their sentences reviewed. Clara says her brother was a healthy-minded and handsome 27-year-old when he was handed an IPP sentence with a two-year tariff for robbery just four months before the sentences were outlawed. He has been incarcerated for the majority of his 14-year-old son Kaydens life, as his mental health has declined in prison. Thomas has served 11 years more than he should dont you think hes been punished enough, she said, adding that the fingerprints of IPP sentence will be all over Thomas for the rest of his life. open image in gallery Thomas White set himself alight in his cell in HMP Manchester, better known as Strangeways ( Getty Images ) Under reforms to life-long licence conditions coming into to force on 1 November, 1,800 IPP offenders who were released at least five years ago will have their licences automatically terminated. This will be the first time they will have an end date to their sentence. Further changes, coming in to force on 1 February next year, will reduce the mandatory licence period from 10 years to three, making a further 600 former offenders eligible to have their licences ended. However the reforms do nothing to help those still languishing in prison with no release date, campaigners have warned. A spokesman for campaign group UNGRIPP said: We want these people to know that UNGRIPP, alongside many others, will continue the work we all do until the IPP is finally gone. Prisons minister Lord Timpson said: It was absolutely right that the IPP sentence was abolished. It has left many ex-offenders subject to indefinite probation supervision long after turning their backs on crime. IPP offenders who have served their time in prison and lived safely in the community for years should not be subjected to a lifetime licence and today we have taken a significant step in addressing this. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week If you are in another country, you can go to befrienders.org to find a helpline near you For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A woman first reported allegations she was sexually assaulted by Mohamed al-Fayed to the Metropolitan Police a decade earlier than the force initially acknowledged, her family has revealed. As Harrods new owners process more than 250 claims of sexual misconduct by the department stores late boss, Samantha Jay-Ramsays family have told the BBC that she first reported him to Scotland Yard in 1995, after he allegedly harassed and sexually assaulted her while working at Harrods aged 17. The Met has previously said the first allegations they were made aware of were in 2005, and said that Samanthas case may not have been transferred onto a police record because some reports were paper-based at the time. open image in gallery The Metropolitan Police previously said the first report they received was in 2005 ( Anthony Devlin/PA ) Samantha died in a car crash in 2007 at the age of 28, and her sister Emma Willis believes that Fayeds alleged assault perhaps fatally changed the course of her life, adding: It really infuriates me that if the police had dealt with it properly back then her life would have been different. Ms Willis and her mother Wendy Ramsay have now contacted solicitors firm Leigh Day to look at legal options, with the pair alleging that the Met refused to help Samantha. As scores of allegations against Fayed have emerged in recent weeks, following a BBC documentary reporting allegations by more than 20 women, including five who said they were raped, the Met revealed it had received 21 allegations, including of rape and sexual assault, between 2005 asked 2023. But the force passed a full file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service only twice, in 2009 and 2015, and it was decided not to go ahead with charges in either case because there was not a realistic prospect of conviction. In an account chiming with those that have emerged this year, Samantha told the News Of The World newspaper in 1998 that Mr Al Fayed said she would need to have a medical and told her: I like you to be clean. I hope you use Dettol, its the best. She then alleged he gripped her face, kissed her and touched her inappropriately before handing her 200. Samantha said one of Mr Al Fayeds personal assistants berated her for making a complaint, before the ex-Harrods owner allegedly shouted at her and fired her. She told the now-defunct paper that she had reported Fayed to the Met, who told her she was not the first and they had files inches high about Fayed. Her mother then went to police in Gosport, Hampshire, who passed the complaint on to the Met but the family said nothing came of it. open image in gallery The Met has said it is determined to do better ( Kirsty OConnor/PA ) Samantha later told the News of the World: I have been left violated by this man Someone has to speak out. Backing calls for a public inquiry into the alleged abuse by Fayed, Ms Willis said: It really infuriates me that if the police had dealt with it properly back then her life would have been different. Back then she was one of the only people to have been brave enough to go to the police and if they had dealt with it properly how many women could have been saved from his abuse? She added: We know 100 per cent my sister wouldve been speaking out if she was here. No one believed her or did anything about it and thats enough to make anyone go crazy. She reported what happened to her 30 years ago and he was allowed to continue for another 20 years. That must have played on her mind. I do hold Al Fayed responsible. I really believe if it hadnt happened to her then her life would have been different. This happened just as she was turning into an adult, this isnt what she should have been dealing with going into adulthood. She did all the right things to try and blow the whistle and had the bravery and courage to try to hold Al Fayed accountable but no one was interested, no one would help her. I dont think Sam would have had the skills to process what happened her at that age. Ms Willis told the BBC: It really changed her outlook on life, and we had 12 years of erratic behaviour after that, a suicide attempt, and never really finding her place. open image in gallery Samantha Jay-Ramsay worked at Harrods at the age of 17 in 1995 ( PA Wire ) Met Commander Stephen Clayman said Scotland Yards review of allegations relating to Fayed remains ongoing, adding: The way the Met works has moved on immeasurably in the last 30 years, and our teams have transformed the way we investigate rape and sexual offences. Were working with partners across the criminal justice system to ensure that victims are at the heart of our response, with a greater focus on suspects and their offending. While we cannot change what has happened, we do acknowledge that trust and confidence is affected by our approach in the past and we are determined to do better. We have made significant changes and progress to deliver better outcomes for victims. We continue to ask anyone who has been a victim of Mohamed al-Fayed to speak to our specially trained detectives who can formally record your allegations and provide you with information about support services available to you. Fayed acquired Harrods for 615m in 1985 and, after 26 years in charge, sold it to the Qatari royal family for a reported 1.5bn in 2010. He died in 2023, aged 94. Additional reporting by PA For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A man has admitted firing a crossbow at a police officer during a standoff in Buckinghamshire. Police officers were called to a cul-de-sac in High Wycombe in May this year after Jason King had stabbed his neighbour in the stomach during a row, said Thames Valley Police. When unarmed officers arrived, the 54-year-old shot at them with a crossbow from a window before coming out of a door and hitting PC Curtis Foster in the leg. A police dog handler then confronted King in a nearby park before armed officers shot him in the stomach. open image in gallery Police seal off School Close after the shooting in May ( Sam Hall/PA Wire ) King was taken to hospital with potentially life-changing injuries but was discharged ten days later and taken to police custody. PC Foster has since made a full recovery and returned to frontline duties. The man in his 60s, who was stabbed in the stomach by King, was treated in hospital for minor injuries. Appearing at Aylesbury Crown Court on Thursday, King, of School Close in High Wycombe, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and affray. He had already pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent over shooting PC Foster as well as possession of the crossbow, and a bladed article. Detective Inspector Nick Hind, of the Major Crime Unit, said: This was a serious incident and thankfully, the victims in this case, including our officer, have made full recoveries. I would like to thank the local community for their support during and after the incident. King has now admitted the offences and will be sentenced in due course. King has been remanded into custody and will appear at the same court for sentencing on 31 January. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Police have issued a warning about scam messages offering extra cost of living support ahead of the colder months. National fraud centre Action Fraud and the City of London Police are asking people to check if they have received any text messages offering extra financial support. Their warning comes after a series of reports of people receiving messages pretending to offer help with winter fuel payments. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has decided to cut the winter allowance for the majority of recipients, meaning only pensioners on certain benefits will be able to get help with winter fuel. The government has been contacting pensioners about pension credit, a benefit for people who have a weekly income of below 218, to encourage those who are eligible to sign up. However fraudsters have been making the most of the increased communication from the government to try and trick elderly people into sharing their bank details. One scam message seen by The Independent said: Due to the suspension of the heating subsidy by the parliament this winter, we will pay you this benefit in the form of living expenses allowance. It continues: After reading the information, please submit your application before October 23, 2024. We will transfer the 900 euros into three tranches into your account before November 1, 2024. It then includes a link for people to submit their details. Pensioners are being warned not to fall for fake winter fuel payment text messages ( Getty Images ) Another scam message, shared by charity Age UK, said: Winter is coming, and we will continue to issue winter heating subsidies to help you survive this cold winter smoothly. Since you are eligible to apply, please update your information in the link after reading the information. Councils have warned that the government or local authorities would not ask people to click on links to make a claim for anything. Those who are eligible for winter fuel payments will be paid automatically, they added. Age UK said that the link sent out by fraudsters had been taking people to a clone of the UK government website specifically designed to encourage you to hand over your personal details. They warned people against clicking on unknown links. The National Cyber Security Centre said that people might be able to spot scam messages by identifying bad grammar or spelling in the approach. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A former British soldier who served in the Falklands War saw his late fiancees engagement ring returned in the mail after it was burgled from his home. Darren Horsnell, 62, had been on a fundraising trip organised by the veterans charity he works for last month when he returned to his home in Lancashire to find it had been rifled through and possessions taken. But the most precious of the things he lost was the amethyst and diamond-bejewelled ring which had been laying on top of the ashes of his long-term partner Tracey Vick, who died four years ago. I felt absolutely sick to my stomach, Mr Horsnell told The Independent, describing the thief as the lowest of the low. They must have known what the ring was, the significance of the ring, because it was literally sitting on top of her ashes with the card of remembrance there. But they still took it. Mr Horsnell, who now teaches art to former veterans like himself, posted what had happened on Facebook with a message to the thief: Keep all the other items, bring back the ring and that will be the end of it as far as I am concerned. Post it in the letterbox, leave it by the front door, do whatever you want but give it back to me. open image in gallery This note was received with the ring in an envelope delivered to the veterans charity where Mr Horsnell works ( Darren Horsnell ) He then said before he knew it, his message had been shared thousands of times, leaving him gobsmacked. Mr Horsnell added: I thought... the world is full of scumbags, but then I started getting these reactions from people who didnt even know me who were doing their best to send the word out as well. They made it very hard for the person who had the ring to get rid of it. He had also offered a reward of 2,500 for the rings safe return. But Mr Horsnell said the arrival of an envelope to the Lancashire office of the charity, Veterans in Communities, on 8 October caused the office manager who opened it to swear in shock. He said: Then she passed it to our operations manager. He looked straight at me with bloodshot eyes, and he was shocked. And I was like, What? What the hell is it? Eventually, they passed it to me, and I just could not believe it. It was the ring inside an envelope. Accompanying the ring was a note: Darren, sorry. open image in gallery The amethyst and diamond ring was on top of Ms Vicks ashes at Mr Horsnells home ( Darren Horsnell ) Mr Horsnell said the moment of the rings recovery took him back to Ms Vicks death. It was almost like the day I lost her, he said. I never thought that Id see that ring again - I've got all the memories and the photographs, but that ring was special for several reasons, he said, recounting the day hed secretly bought it and later proposed. Mr Horsnell said the police had told him they believed the burglary was targeted after he publicly posted on Facebook he would be away from home. He said he didnt know who the thief was, and believed it was not them who returned it but someone else who had come into possession of it. I truly believe somebody else came across it with a conscience, and they returned it, he said. Mr Horsnell said hed left the army on mental health grounds after getting injured on active duty in the Falklands and Cyprus. He was also on duty at Woolwich Barracks in London in 1983 when a bomb went off nearby. He said he and another soldier were shielded from serious injury by a couch they had been on at the time. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sir Ed Davey has piled pressure on Sir Keir Starmer over his negotiations with the European Union, calling for the prime minister to have some urgency in his great reset of relations with the bloc. The leader of the Liberal Democrats also criticised the prime ministers decision to rule out a youth mobility scheme with the European Union, saying it is quite odd and bad, as well as calling for a return to the single market. The European Commission has made a youth mobility scheme a key demand amid Sir Keirs post-Brexit reset with Brussels after years of tense relations under successive Conservative prime ministers. The agreement, which mirrors similar arrangements Britain already has with countries including Australia and Japan, would allow 18 to 35-year-olds to move and work freely between countries for up to two years. Speaking to journalists at the press gallery lunch in Parliament, Sir Ed warned that the government will not be able to grow the UK economy without rebuilding our relationship with our European partners and getting a better trade deal. We cant wait around to get our economy going, Sir Ed warned ( Ben Birchall/PA Wire ) Its just not going to happen, he warned. We cant wait around to get our economy going, we need to have some urgency in rebuilding that relationship. He added: Our willingness to counter even the youth mobility scheme is quite odd and bad. Echoing Sir Eds remarks, Michael Heseltine later told The Independent that the simplest way to build confidence in investors to put their money in our economy is to convince them we are going back to the single market. A generous travel system for young people would be a first step in that direction, he added. Lord Heseltine, who is the president of the European Movement, warned: A failure to contemplate this is a part of the conspiracy of silence that has denied the British people a proper understanding of the disaster of Brexit. The prime minister visited Brussels earlier this month as part of a wider attempt to reset the UKs relationship with the EU. While Sir Keir has previously insisted the UK will not rejoin the bloc within his lifetime, he has pledged to make Brexit work by renegotiating the deal agreed upon by Boris Johnson and the Tories. The prime minister scored the first major breakthrough last week with a landmark new defence deal with Germany. Under the plans, German aircraft in the Luftwaffe, Germanys air force, will operate from a base in Britain to help protect the North Atlantic from the growing threat from Russia, while around 400 jobs are set to be created in a new munitions factory in the UK. Speaking about the ongoing negotiations with the EU, the Lib Dem leader said: Were looking forward to those negotiations, its really important for us. I think the prime minister is right to go to Europe five or six times since the election. Hes right to rebuild that relationship. Sir Ed added: We need a much better trade deal as soon as we can, with the single market as our ultimate objective when thats possible. And I think if you have that approach in the negotiations, I think youd see a sea change in attitude from Europe, because they no longer trust the UK. How sad is that? We have to rebuild that trust. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Labours first Budget does not bear any similarity to that of Liz Truss, a minister has said adding that the country has got PTSD from the former PMs catastrophic mini-Budget as the government seeks to downplay speculation about market turmoil. Asked about market jitters following the Budget, Treasury minister Darren Jones told Sky News that markets always respond to budgets in the normal way. Theres a lot of new information about the economy and the nations finances presented to parliament, and its normal for markets to respond, he said. Mr Jones later added: I think weve all got PTSD from Liz Truss and just lets compare the two different scenarios, because theyre very, very different: So, under Liz Truss, as we saw, they sacked permanent secretary, they ignored the independent Office for Budget Responsibility. They announced 45 billion of unfunded tax cuts and said they were only just getting started. And then the market went mad and we all know what happened. open image in gallery Darren Jones said Liz Trusss mini-budget is completely different to Rachel Reeves ( REUTERS ) Completely different in contrast to now. The scale of extra borrowing announced in the budget around 32 billion a year on average saw yields on government bonds increase as the market responded to the chancellors plans. The budget increased state spending by almost 70 billion per year a little over 2 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) funded by increased taxes and borrowing. On Friday, it emerged that an Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) error left Ms Reeves with 18bn less headroom in her spending plans, potentially fuelling investor concerns about her first budget. A footnote in the watchdogs outlook, published on Wednesday alongside the Budget, said its March forecasts contained an error in the projections for public sector net financial liabilities - the debt measure now used by the chancellor in one of her new fiscal rules. Mr Jones also conceded that the headline budget tax rise in national insurance contributions (NICs) for employers would impact working people, following a similar admission by Ms Reeves. It comes despite Labour promising in its manifesto not to raise taxes on working people. The 25.7 billion change to employers NICs is expected to raise around 16.1 billion by 2029/30 as firms curb wage rises, cut hours and reduce profits while public sector employers get compensation in their budgets for the change. Asked if it would impact workers, Mr Jones said: Yes, but the question in the manifesto, the promise in the manifesto, was not to increase the rate of tax that employees pay in their payslip. It says that we make a promise to working people, thats people who go to work and get a payslip, that we will not increase income tax or national insurance. open image in gallery The tax hikes represent the biggest rise in cash terms in any budget ( PA ) After months spent warning the public of tough choices ahead, Ms Reeves used the Budget to promise to invest, invest, invest in order to fix public services and announce a 22.6 billion increase in the day-to-day NHS health Budget. Increases to employers national insurance contributions, stamp duty on second homes and a scrapping of the VAT exemption on private school fees were all confirmed by the chancellor, as well as a new duty on vaping liquids. Introduced as the chancellor attempts to grapple with a 22bn black hole in the public finances, the tax hikes represent the biggest rise in cash terms in any budget. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Rachel Reeves is facing a growing backlash over her national insurance hike as GPs, care homes, dentists and hospices have called for an exemption from the charge. The chancellor is piling pressure on GPs and the care sector with her increase in the employer rate of national insurance at a time when the services are already under severe strain. But while the NHS and the rest of the public sector have been shielded from Ms Reevess national insurance hike, GPs, hospices and care homes have been left to bear the brunt. The rise in national insurance contributions came alongside a reduction in the threshold at which employers pay the charge and a 6.7 per cent increase in the minimum wage, exacerbating the headache for those affected. Health secretary Wes Streeting has said that the UKs palliative care provision is in such a dire state that he would not vote to support an assisted dying law, while the Commons public accounts committee has said the social care sector is on its knees. Meanwhile, GPs are struggling with a recruitment crisis, with staff shortages growing at a time of rising demand. Treasury chief secretary Darren Jones cleared up the initial confusion when he confirmed on Friday that GP practices will have to pay the increased employer national insurance rate. GP practices are privately owned partnerships. Theyre not part of the public sector National Health Service system. And so, yes, they will have to pay national insurance contributions as employers, he told Times Radio. The Liberal Democrats said Labour had squandered the chance to rescue GP surgeries from years of neglect, calling on Ms Reeves to exempt them from the tax hike. Health and social care spokesperson Helen Morgan said: This new government must not make the same mistakes as the Conservatives. Fixing the GP crisis is crucial for saving the NHS. Wes Streeting has said he will have more to say on the impact of the tax hike in the coming weeks ( PA ) If people can be checked quicker, fewer will end up in hospital for treatment. Thats better for patients, better for the NHS and better for taxpayers. GP and deputy chair of the British Medical Association Dr David Wrigley added that the impact of the Budget on GP surgeries would be monumental. Many are already on a financial tightrope due to years of neglect. We need a rapid announcement of full reimbursement, he added. And the Royal College of GPs called for urgent assurances that they would be given the same protection as the rest of the NHS and the public sector. We have very serious concerns about the impact of the increase in national insurance employer contributions on GP practices right across the country, many of whom are already struggling to keep their doors open and make ends meet due to historic chronic underfunding, said its chair, Professor Kamila Hawthorne. Meanwhile, Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group, said he was dismayed at the chancellors decision to pass the increased tax rate on to the already struggling sector. Responding to Ms Reevess decision, he welcomed a funding boost for the sector but said: Any extra funding that might reach providers will be wiped off instantly by the increases in national insurance and minimum pay, which will together heap further pressure on social care providers. For some, they may well be the final straw. And Age UK director Caroline Abrahams said the changes would hit care homes, but would also hit older people who pay their own care fees and may find them climbing in response to the Budget. She told The Independent that many care providers are already sounding the alarm over the tax hike, which risks further reducing the supply of social care in some areas. Ms Abrahams said: The idea that social care providers are all big companies that are rolling in money and can easily afford to pay more tax is sadly far from the truth: in fact, many are small businesses operating on tight margins, or charities and not-for-profits ... The government may have to think again and provide them with some protection. The British Dental Association (BDA) wrote to Ms Reeves calling for dentists to be exempt from the national insurance hike as a bare minimum, citing the significant impact of the tax changes unveiled on Wednesday. At a time when government policy is to shift focus from secondary to primary care, dental practices cannot be excluded from support offered to hospitals, BDA chair Eddie Crouch and chief executive Martin Woodrow said in the letter. They added: Hundreds of NHS providers are already delivering NHS treatments at a financial loss. Failure to soften this blow will push more of them closer to the brink, or with no choice other than to move away from NHS provision. Lobby group Hospice UK said those providing NHS services should get the same treatment as bodies inside the NHS. Chief executive Toby Porter told The Independent that the sector is already under major financial pressure, and warned that staff pay is the biggest portion of a hospices running costs. So its disappointing the chancellor didnt exempt charities, or providers of NHS services which arent formally part of the NHS, from the national insurance rise, Mr Porter said. Asked on Friday about the exemption controversy, Mr Jones said: Many GP practices are small organisations, and so they will pay less than some of the bigger businesses that were asking to contribute more at this Budget. Mr Streeting has said he is working through which healthcare providers are going to be hit by the employer national insurance hike. He told the BBCs World at One programme: Ill have more to say on that in the coming weeks in terms of what we can do more quickly to deliver the shift Ive wanted to see for some time, in the focus of NHS investment spending out of hospitals into primary and community care. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy In a significant move to reshape the UKs economic landscape, Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled Labours first Autumn Statement in 14 years, proposing a 40 billion tax hike aimed primarily at the wealthy and businesses. The Budget marked a pivotal shift in fiscal policy and naturally Independent readers had questions about how new measures could affect their bank balance, and what the autumn statement revealed about the direction of the Labour Party. To bolster support for workers, Reeves confirmed a minimum wage increase to 12.21 for those over 21, alongside a cut in duty on draft alcohol and a new tax on vaping products. Other key measures included a 1.2 per cent increase in employer National Insurance contributions, scrapping tax perks for non-domiciled individuals, increasing Capital Gains Tax, and introducing a 450 tax on private jet flights. While Carers Allowance will see an increase and fuel duty remains frozen next year, the freeze on income tax and National Insurance thresholds is set to end in 2028. Here are seven Budget questions from Independent readers and my answers from the Ask Me Anything event. Q: What will the level of national debt be after this spending round? How much debt repayments will we be paying per year? Kieran A: Under the old definition, the national debt continues at just below 100 per cent of national income; under the new definition, PSNFL, it remains flat at just above 80 per cent of national income. Reeves plans to borrow more, so repayments will rise, but her rule restricts her to investing in assets that will produce a return, so there shouldnt be a net increase. Growth is forecast to be lower, which is embarrassing for a government that claims that growth is its No. 1 objective but I think taxes would have had to rise anyway, and so growth would have been lower even if the Tories had won the election. Q: How does the Budget affect people on disability benefits? Jo-Anne Burrow A: I doubt if it will have much effect in the short term. Reeves said she would continue to make the savings pencilled in by the Tory government by reform of the Work Capability Assessment. I am not sure what the implications of this would be. Beyond that, Reeves promised a crackdown on fraud and a review of the root causes of inactivity, which sounds to me like muddling through as before. Q: Where is the growth? Other than in the size of the state, the tax take and borrowing? How many farms will we lose? How much will unemployment increase as a result of the NICs changes? Robert Corbishley A: The OBR predicts that growth will be slightly lower and that unemployment will be lower initially before returning to the current level. As for farms, I think they continue to be treated extremely generously for inheritance tax purposes. My view is that even if the Conservatives had won the election, they would have had to put up taxes too. They may not have increased them as much, but then there would have been more difficult decisions to cut public services further, and growth would have been suppressed a bit. Q: How come theres always money made available for war and weapons but we are being repeatedly hit over the head with the gloom hammer and told things are going to get worse when we desperately need things to get better? stonia A: I am not sure I understand the question. Most people would expect the government to spend money on defence and to support the Ukrainian people in their struggle against Putins aggression. Even if we didnt have a defence budget, the government would face difficult choices between competing priorities. Q: Why is the Labour Party yet again targeting disabled people and disability benefits? BrummieGuy A: I do worry about the rather unspecific intention to take money from the welfare budget, and I am not sure that the crackdown on fraud that Reeves promised is the answer. I suspect that dealing with the rise in the numbers of long-term sick and disabled will cost more in the short term. Q: Why isnt Reeves targeting either the 40 per cent rate of tax relief on pensions or applying NI to employers pension contributions? Both are eminently justifiable. Dan Dennis A: Restricting pension contribution relief to the basic rate is something that has been suggested and ignored at every Budget I can remember. I think ministers, once they look at it, always prefer to limit total tax relief instead. As for NI on employers pension contributions, that would discourage pension provision. What was surprising to me, when I discovered it, is that pension funds are free of inheritance tax on death; it makes sense to end that, which Rachel Reeves has done. That wont have much if any effect on incentives to save in a pension. Q: Im worried that Rachel Reeves will cut funding for international aid and development work. How would she reach a decision about this? SierraLeoneMatters A: She didnt mention international development in her speech, so I assume that the aid budget remains at 0.5 per cent of national income, which is lower than the 0.7 per cent target under the last Labour government, which was finally reached by the coalition government although I gather that there are complications about how asylum seekers accommodation is paid for. These questions and answers were part of an Ask Me Anything hosted by John Rentoul at 4pm GMT on Wednesday 30 September. Some of the questions and answers have been edited for this article. You can read the full discussion in the comments section of the original article. John also sends a weekly Commons Confidential newsletter exclusive to Independent Premium subscribers, taking you behind the curtain of Westminster. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, head here to find out more. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Environment secretary Steve Reed has hit back following a storm of criticism over the governments plans to extend inheritance tax to family farms, claiming the vast majority of farmers will not be affected at all. He blamed misleading headlines for the backlash to the tax, saying only the richest estates will be affected. It comes just days after Sir Keir Starmer was accused of lying to farmers about wanting a new relationship with them after the Budget extended the tax to family farms for the first time in history. The move, which has already been dubbed the tractor tax, means farms worth more than 1m are now subject to 20 per cent inheritance tax. Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Mr Reed said the government has taken a fair and balanced approach that protects family farms while also fixing the public services those same families rely on. open image in gallery Environment secretary Steve Reed hit back after mounting criticism over the tractor tax ( PA Wire ) I completely understand farmers anxiety at any changes. But rural communities need a better NHS, affordable housing and public transport that we can provide if we make the system fairer, he said. Mr Reed continued: Only the richest estates will be asked to pay not small, family farms as some misleading headlines have claimed. Look at the detail and youll see that the vast majority of farmers will not be affected at all. They will be able to pass the family farm down to their children just as previous generations have always done. That is how we boost our food security and speed up natures recovery. Farmers from across the UK are set to descend on London next week for a rally against the governments agricultural policies, which they argue put the future of family farms at risk. The rally, organised by the National Farmers Union (NFU), will take place on Tuesday in Westminster. The row over the tax has been fuelled by memories of Sir Keirs 2023 speech to the NFU when he pledged to have a new relationship with the countryside and farmers. The prime minister claimed to be concerned that each day brings a new existential risk to British farming. He added: Losing a farm is not like losing any other business, it cant come back. Baroness Batters, the former president of the NFU who introduced Sir Keir at the conference last year, said the 1m threshold will easily be reached when land value is added to the value of machinery and buildings on farms, meaning most family farms will be subject to the new tax. She said: There was already a challenge in farming because of the move away from CAP [common agricultural policy] and the new subsidy system not really working. The problem is that farmers are asset rich but cash poor. So this will have an impact. Her successor, Tom Bradshaw, described the new tax as disastrous. This Budget not only threatens family farms but will also make producing food more expensive. This means more cost for farmers who simply cannot absorb it, and it will have to be borne by someone. Farmers are down to the bone and gristle, he said. Who is going to carry these costs? Meanwhile, Gareth Wyn Jones, a farmer in north Wales, told The Independent: We were lied to by Keir Starmer. There is no doubt. open image in gallery The Tories claim farmers will have to stump up hundreds of thousands of pounds under Labours inheritance tax plans ( PA Wire ) The vast majority of farms in this country are family farms and now they are going to be broken up or people will not be able to afford to stay in farming. Speaking on Thursday, Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said his party would absolutely reverse the policy if they were in power. Speaking to journalists at the press gallery lunch in parliament, Sir Ed said the policy shows a huge lack of understanding of rural communities and farmers. He warned that farmers are struggling in the wake of Brexit and years of volatile weather conditions, describing the past few years as having already been a rough run for British farms. Farms tend to go down generation to generation. Its how they work and its really important. Fifty per cent of farms are worth at least 1.5m, so its more than one or two farms. Just think of the impact thats going to have on communities, he added. Although farming only accounts for about 2 per cent of UK GDP, the role of farmers as custodians of the countryside and providers of food means agriculture assumes a disproportionate place in the national discourse. It is high profile and, since Julys general election, well represented in all three main political parties in the Commons. No surprise, then, that Rachel Reevess proposed expansion of inheritance tax to include farmland has sparked considerable controversy... What is Reeves doing? Shes hiking tax by reducing the previous 100 per cent uncapped exemption from inheritance tax under agricultural property relief (AGP) covering land, associated buildings and businesses, livestock and areas set aside for environmental purposes. The new rule will be an exemption for AGP to the value of 1m, and then the rest (ie only on the extra slice above 1m) being subject to a 50 per cent charge. This can be paid in 10 equal instalments over a period of 10 years. Thus, someone inheriting a farm worth say 2m will, from next April, be likely to be liable to a charge on the 1m over the 1m limit at a typical marginal rate of 40 per cent so 200,000. This could be spread at a rate of 20,000 per annum for a decade. Whats the problem? Critics argue it will mean farms having to be split up to meet unaffordable inheritance tax bills, with catastrophic consequences for already beleaguered rural communities. Britains food security would also be jeopardised. They especially point to how many British farms are asset-rich but cash-poor, so that even what might be superficially fair liabilities for tax cant be easily afforded, potentially leaving business units uneconomic. There is context too: farmers surviving on minimal profit margins thanks to international competition (increasing post-Brexit with the Australian and New Zealand trade deals), the buying power of the supermarkets, and likely declining income support from the taxpayer. So what are the arguments in favour of the changes? First, there is the matter of equity. Many will wonder why inheriting, say, a house worth 2m should be more heavily taxed than a farmhouse worth 2m. Or why a massive landed estate worth, say, 17m should have an effective rate of inheritance tax lower than a house in London. Second, AGP means that all interests in farms could be passed on with lower tax bills, which encourages people to hold wealth in farmland rather than other assets. Its hard to justify this on purely economic grounds, and "fiscal neutrality" is a laudable policy objective. In fact, the previous generous AGP exemption has encouraged some people to invest in land at least partly motivated by its tax efficiency: James Dyson, for example, is reputed to own 36,000 acres of British farmland; and Jeremy Clarkson is now a well-known recruit to husbandry. Critics argue that most recipients of APR are not small family farmers, but the very wealthiest of landowning families. Even under the new rules, there is no cap to the tax relief available, albeit at the new rates. So who will lose out? Larger estates, in both senses of that term; about 500 a year will be affected, according to the Treasury, but will still be more favourably treated than urbanites. Some three-quarters of estates claiming agricultural property relief are expected to be unaffected by these reforms. The typical farm subject to inheritance tax is worth about 1.4m. But what about tenant farmers? This is an especially fraught and complicated area, and subject to a consultation due to end next year. What does the opposition say? Conservative spokesperson Steve Barclay says Labour has broken another promise because the now Defra secretary, Steve Reed, said last year that: We have no intention of changing APR. But theres no guarantee yet that the Tories would reverse Labours changes. For the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron is determined to block the move: The chancellors Budget is a disaster for tenant farmers. Small family-owned farms will be hit by the changes to inheritance tax and will be forced to sell up, with young people robbed of their opportunity to farm. Well be fighting tooth and nail to protect family farms. It is perfectly possible that noisy convoys of tractors will descend on Parliament Square and block motorways before too long... Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Senior figures in Reform UK have spoken out against Nigel Farage and Richard Tices decision to distance themselves from Tommy Robinson and his supporters, with one saying he refused to throw the English Defence League founder under a bus. Deputy leader Tice sparked a row in the party after saying it wants nothing to do with Robinson, who was jailed this week, and all of that lot, while Farage has previously accused Robinson and his supporters of stirring up hatred. But Ben Habib, the partys recent former deputy leader and general election candidate in Wellingborough, stood up for those who attended a rally in support of Robinson on Saturday. Speaking to YouTuber Paul Thorpe, Mr Habib said: Those of us who care about this country, who want to stand against the uniparty of the Tories and Labour, have to stick together. We are one group. open image in gallery Tommy Robinson has been jailed for 18 months ( ) I dont know Tommy Robinson, Im not going to venture an opinion on Tommy Robinson. But certainly, Im not going to throw him under a bus. What I do know is the thousands, tens of thousands of people who congregated in Whitehall on Saturday, I know many people who told me they were there. They are our friends, they are Reform voters and we need to stand firmly behind them. Mr Habib then told the Guardian Mr Farage carries an interesting balancing act as someone who appeared a firebrand rightwinger but who also had to curry favour with the mainstream media. Meanwhile Howard Cox, Reforms London mayoral candidate and general election candidate for Dover and Deal, said Mr Tice was wrong to distance the party from Robinsons supporters. open image in gallery Nigel Farage and Richard Tice have distanced themselves from Robinson ( Lucy North/PA Wire ) Speaking to broadcaster Dan Wootton, Mr Cox said Robinson should not be in jail, adding: This week, unfortunately, Richard said I want nothing to do with Tommy Robinson or his lot. Its a bit sad because Im a good friend of Richard and we are close but that was wrong I am one of that lot. Nigel actually did contact me privately and he just simply said Richard went over the top, Cox told Wootton. He added: I love him to death, but I think Richard has got to come out and clarify what he really meant. He was actually saying he was against thuggery and violence. Most of the people there, 99 per cent of the people at all of these things, are just concerned about getting our country back. On Saturday, thousands of Robinsons supporters gathered in central London for a protest which the political activist missed after he was remanded. He has since been jailed for 18 months for contempt of court after he admitted breaching an injunction preventing him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee. The 41-year-old, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was accused of thumbing his nose at the court in front of millions of people by breaching the 2021 High Court order on multiple occasions, including airing a documentary at a rally in Trafalgar Square in July. Reform UK was asked to comment. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Canadian judge stopped a woman from receiving medical assistance in dying, or Maid, after physicians in her home province of Alberta declined to approve the request. The judge granted a last-minute injunction on behalf of the womans partner restricting Vancouver physician Ellen Wiebe or any other medical professional from causing the death of the Alberta resident over the next 30 days. The case adds fuel to the contentious debate about Canadas assisted dying programme even as Quebec moves towards allowing people to make end-of-life decisions years in advance. The woman, aged 53, sought euthanasia due to akathisia, a movement disorder caused by adjusting psychotropic medication used to manage mental health conditions. She cited distress side effects caused by reducing the dosage of medication for her bipolar disorder. These included an inner sense of terror all day long, the inability to sleep at night, nightmares, the inability to lie down during the day due to a feeling of falling, the inability to sit or remain still, suicidal thoughts, the Guardian reported. Physicians in Alberta believed her condition could improve with further treatment and, therefore, did not grant her request for euthanasia. She then contacted Dr Wiebe, an advocate of Maid, in Vancouver. Dr Wiebe, according to the lawsuit, approved the woman for assisted dying at the end of her first meeting. She did not review the womans complete medical records or consult her previous doctors, the lawsuit filed by her partner said, adding that this hasty approval could amount to battery, wrongful death, and possibly a criminal offence, if administered. The legal challenge underscores the regulatory complexities in Canadas euthanasia framework, which allows two tracks, one for terminal illnesses and another for those with chronic, irremediable physical conditions. Applicants with mental health conditions alone are not eligible for euthanasia until at least 2027. In cases where a patients death is not reasonably foreseeable, federal law mandates that an independent second doctor must approve the requestan approval that the lawsuit alleges was absent in this case. Dr Wiebe, a clinical professor at the University of British Columbia, has not commented on the matter. She has previously argued that Canadas euthanasia laws uphold fundamental human rights, a position that has made her a leading voice in the assisted dying movement. In his ruling, British Columbia Supreme Court judge Simon Coval expressed sympathy for the Alberta womans suffering and called the injunction a severe intrusion into her personal and medical autonomy as he recognised that the decision could exacerbate her anguish. I can only imagine the pain she has been experiencing and I recognise that this injunction will likely make that worse, he said while pointing out that there was an arguable case about whether the euthanasia criteria were properly applied to the woman. As I have said, the evidence suggests her situation appears to be a mental health condition or illness without a link to any physical condition and it may not only be remediable, but remediable relatively quickly. The ruling signals an emerging judicial scrutiny of Canadas assisted dying policy which has faced mounting criticism from ethicists and advocates alike who argue that the option can place undue pressure on vulnerable individuals, particularly those experiencing poverty or social inequality. Maid remains a divisive issue in Canada. Although data shows the overwhelming majority of cases involve people with terminal illnesses, there is a small but increasing subset of individuals whose requests for Maid reflect severe psychological problems or socioeconomic difficulties rather than strictly medical reasons. Quebec this week became the first Canadian province to authorise advance requests for Maid, allowing people to make decisions about future end-of-life care while still competenta move that defies federal law. This prompted advocates to argue for more robust safeguards while opponents warned that such policies could expand the Maid programme to vulnerable populations who might feel driven to choose euthanasia due to their circumstances. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A boundary dispute in a forest in southwestern Colorado spilled over into a row over misinformation, amid claims a polyamorous cult was squaring off with angry locals. Earlier this week news outlets reported that a conflict between residents and a group calling itself the Free Land Holders Committee had escalated when locals began tearing down barbed-wire fencing the group had erected around about 1,400 acres of land in the San Juan National Forest, near the town of Mancos. The land has been used for everything from grazing cattle and hunting to camping and dirt biking. Some reports linked the Free Land Holders group to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS), a polygamist sect led by Warren Jeffs, a self-proclaimed prophet who is currently imprisoned after being convicted of child sexual assault. But this was not the case, local authorities say. "Theyre not part of a fundamentalist Latter Day Saints church at all, not that Im aware of, because Ive been out there and I certainly dont see multiple wives or anything else," Montezuma Sheriff Steve Nowlin told The Independent. open image in gallery The dispute centers around 1,400 acres of land in the San Juan National Forest, near the town of Mancos in Colorado ( Patrick Pipkin ) The US Forest Service says, according to its records, that the land in question has been owned by the federal government since 1927. The group disagrees. Patrick Pipkin, a member of the Free Land Holders, points to historic documents and treaties dating back hundreds of years that his group says entitles them to the land. Earlier this week they put up notices staking their claim to the disputed 1,400 acres. Ultimately the matter of who has the right to the land will be resolved in court, and the local sheriff stressed in a statement that the Chicken Creek trail system was still open to the public. This situation has been going on between me and the Forest Service for upwards of six years now, this aint no new thing, Pipkin said, claiming that the group had received multiple threats over the past week. On October 10, angry residents some carrying arms, according to Pipkin cut down sections of the fence, vowing to return the following day. But he was quick to urge calm when he spoke to the Independent about the ongoing situation. open image in gallery Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin says, contrary to previous reports, that the group is not affiliated with the church of Latter Day Saints ( Montezuma County Sheriffs Office ) Were at peace, he said. Were not at war. Were not here for confrontation or cause any upheaval, and they were armed. We were not armed. Some media reports had branded the dispute as a conflict between residents and a polyamory cult, attempting to tie the Free Land Holders to the (FLDS). While members of the group had been born into the sect, they escaped following Jeffs imprisonment. Prior to his conviction Jeffs owned property across the southwest of Colorado including a property outside Mancos, which stretches over 60 acres and includes three houses and nine outbuildings. It was later put under court guardianship, and bought in 2020 by Blue Mountain Ranch LLC, whose owners include Pipkin. open image in gallery A view of the Chicken Creek area, near to Mancos, in Colorado, where a dispute over boundaries is taking place ( Patrick Pipkin ) Our group purchased this land from a sheriff sale years ago We have nothing to do with that group or anything theyre making up on the news, Pipkin said. We have nothing to do with a cult or polyamory or polygamy or whatever the news is broadcasting at the moment. We had connections with some family members [but]... Ive never had anything to do with Warren Jeff or believe his nonsense. Okay? I was never baptized into their church. Pipkin said he planned to meet with local media outlets to correct the record. Reports of aggression between both sides were also said to be exaggerated. Sheriff Nowlin had urged residents not to take matters into their own hands and let authorities handle the situation. Please allow the judicial system to proceed as it would in any property dispute, he wrote on Facebook on October 9. The Sheriffs Office has jurisdiction on federal lands for criminal cases only. This is a civil matter at this point. Some residents are admittedly frustrated by the situation, and accused the authorities of coming up short in their handling of the dispute. The Forest Service is pathetic, and so is our sheriff, as far as Im concerned, said County Commissioner Gerald Koppenhafer, who met Free Land Holders at the fence Friday. They have no right to destroy grazing rights and land, Koppenhafer told The Journal. open image in gallery Reports linked the group to the fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a polygamist sect led by Warren Jeffs ( Getty Images ) Others voiced concerns about the effects of the groups fencing on wildlife and livestock grazing. Its impossible for fawns and elk calves to cross this fence, Brad Finch, a Mancos resident, told KSID. The does and cow elk can easily jump these fences. Their offspring are trapped behind the fences with no way to get through other than really injuring themselves. Eventually, the dispute between the Free Land Holders and the Forest Service will be decided by the state Supreme Court on a date yet to be determined. But that is none of Nowlins concern. My involvement is just to keep the peace out there and thats all Ive asked, he told The Independent. Patrick Pipkin and those folks agreed that they would not [cause disturbance]. Theyve been very civil and peaceful about everything. And everybody else in the community that was out there, you know, did the same. They understood that this is just a boundary dispute, and I get it. I wish they would have gone to court and got it settled before they put up a fence but, you know, again, I cant stop that. The Independent has reached out to the US Forest Service for comment. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A man accused of abducting his pregnant girlfriend and her four children at gunpoint in central Minnesota early on Friday morning has been taken into custody, authorities said. Chad Aanerud, 35, was taken into police custody on Friday morning, more than seven hours after allegedly kidnapping his girlfriend, 33-year-old Nikkole Dobson, and her four children, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension posted on X. The mother and children were found safe and authorities canceled the Amber alert that had been in effect since 2am. The Crow Wing County Sheriffs Office has cancelled the AMBER Alert. Chad Aanerud has been taken into custody in Morrison County. The abducted mother and children have been located and are safe, the agency said. open image in gallery An Amber alert has been issued for Nikkole Dobson and her four children after they were allegedly abducted ( Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension ) Its not immediately clear where the group was found and what charges Aanerud faces. We got some victims, some young kids that were traumatized as well. So were trying to help with giving them the right care as well right away, Crow Wing County Sheriff Erik Klang told the Minnesota Star Tribune. The Independent has reached out to the sheriffs office for more information. At around 1.50am, Aanerud arrived at a home in Brainerd, Minnesota where Dobson and her children were staying, fired a rifle round into the ceiling, and forced Dobson and her children to leave with him, authorities previously said. Police believed Aanerud was driving a white 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan with a Minnesota license plate AEC 351. Her children are Brandon, 14, Haley, 11, Gracie, 7, and Chloe, 3. open image in gallery Photo of Chad Aanerud, 35, who is accused of abducting his girlfriend and her four children ( Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension ) Aanerud is also suspected of fatally shooting a man at a nearby residence and burning down a home on that property. The victim was identified as Lyle Maske, 62, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported. Its unclear if the men knew one another. Court records show that the 35-year-old already faces other criminal counts, including threats of violence. This charge stemmed from a July despute when Aaneruds mother and stepfather claimed he grabbed a knife and threatened to slit their throats after an argument. Then, Aanerud allegedly told the couple was going to go do meth again before kicking a door in and leaving, according to documents seen by the outlet. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Montana man has been charged with the brutal murder of a camper that was initially reported as a bear attack after DNA evidence collected from a beer can pointed police in his direction. Daren Christopher Abbey, 41, of Basin, Montana, has been charged with the deliberate killing of Dustin Kjersem, police announced during a Thursday news conference. Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said Abbey confessed to the killing once investigators focused on him as their primary suspect in Kjersem's death, ABC News reports. Investigators began to hone in on Abbey after they found DNA that matched his on a beer can inside Kjersem's tent. Police said the killing appeared to be random. "There does not appear to be any connection between our victim and our suspect," Springer said. He said the men had a "chance encounter" in the woods while Abbey was looking for a camp site. open image in gallery Dustin Kjersem, 35, was killed in a brutal attack while he was camping near Big Sky, Montana, in October 2024 ( Gallatin County Sheriffs Office handout ) One of Kjersem's friends was scheduled to meet up with him on the night of his death. He set off in search for Kjersem when he didn't show up, before making the gruesome discovery in the Moose Creek area. When the friend called 911 to report the death, he told a dispatcher he believed his friend was killed by a bear. However, when investigators including wildlife officials searched the site, they found no evidence of bear activity at the camp, leading them to believe a human had to be responsible. Abbey was reportedly in the area on the same night and was looking for a camp site, and found that Kjersem had already set up a tent on the patch he had been considering. He reportedly told investigators that Kjersem "welcomed him to the campsite" and offered him a beer. Investigators said that Abbey at some point in the evening hit Kjersem with a piece of wood, stabbed him in the neck with a screwdriver, and then chopped him with an ax. Police are still trying to determine a motive for the attack. "We have a bit of his story, but we don't really know what the true story is," Springer said. Abbey allegedly returned to the crime scene later to remove items from the camp he thought might tie him to the murder, but overlooked the beer can. An autopsy found that Kjersem's injuries included "significant damage" to his skull and that he died from multiple wounds caused by Abbey's attack. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Two parents have been arrested and charged with the murder of their 2-year-old in Northern California. Back in January, police went to the home of Amanda Royal, 24, and Riley Royal, 28 for a welfare check on their 2-year-old child. There, police learned that the child died in October 2023 and had been unlawfully buried in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area near Redding, California, according to a statement from the Shasta County Sheriffs Office. At that time, police placed Amanda and Rileys other child with Shasta County Childrens Services. Its unclear how old the child is. Police also discovered the 2-year-old was physically abused leading up to their death, the sheriffs office said. A day after visiting the Royals home, police discovered the 2-year-olds body. An autopsy later revealed the child was killed, the sheriffs office said. open image in gallery The Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, where police found Amanda and Riley Royals 2-year-old child buried in January ( Google Maps ) Now, Amanda and Riley face charges of murder with special allegations and child abuse resulting in death. Theyre being held in the Shasta County Jail without bond. Their arraignment was scheduled for Wednesday but was continued to Monday. Amanda plans to enter a not guilty plea, her attorney Benjamin Magid told The Independent. Community members have been quick to react to the news of their arrest on social media and Magid warned the public against making assumptions in the case before the evidence is presented in trial. The community, as of right no, has absolutely no idea what happened in the case, right? No idea, they see a headline, Magid told The Independent. This happens all the time. People make comments without having any actual knowledge of the case. My hope would be that people can put away the pitchforks and wait for the evidence, because the evidence is going to show that she's not guilty. The Independent has contacted the attorney representing Riley Royal for comment. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Richard Moore, who is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection Friday in South Carolina for the fatal shooting of a convenience store clerk in 1999, has one final chance to have his life spared. Moore's lawyers have asked Republican Governor Henry McMaster for clemency, which no governor in South Carolina has granted in the previous 44 executions in the state since the death penalty restarted in 1976. Governors in 24 other states have done so. Two jurors who condemned Moore to death in 2001 also have sent letters asking McMaster to change his sentence to life without parole. They are joined by a former state prison director, Moore's trial judge, his son and daughter, a half-dozen childhood friends and several pastors. They all say Moore, 59, is a changed man who loves God, dotes on his new grandchildren the best he can, helps guards keep the peace and mentors other prisoners after his addiction to drugs clouded his judgement and led to the shootout in which James Mahoney was killed, according to the clemency petition. Moore is scheduled to die at 6pm at a prison in Columbia. He has had two execution dates postponed as the state sorted through issues that created a 13-year pause in the death penalty, including companies' refusal to sell the state lethal injection drugs, a hurdle that was solved by passing a secrecy law. Moore would be the second inmate executed in South Carolina since it resumed executions. Four more are out of appeals and the state appears ready to put them to death in five-week intervals through the spring. If Moore dies Friday, there would be 30 people remaining death row. The governor said he is carefully reviewing everything sent by Moore's lawyers and, as is customary, will wait until minutes before the execution starts to announce his decision once he hears by phone that all appeals are finished. Clemency is a matter of grace, a matter of mercy. There is no standard. There is no real law on it, McMaster told reporters Thursday. open image in gallery Richard Moore (in mugshot) was convicted of 1999 killing of store clerk In an interview for a video that accompanied his clemency petition, Moore expressed remorse for the killing of Mahoney. This is definitely part of my life I wish I could change. I took a life. I took someones life. I broke the family of the deceased, Moore said. I pray for the forgiveness of that particular family. Prosecutors and Mahoney's relatives have not spoken publicly in the weeks leading up to the execution. In the past, family members have said they suffered deeply and want justice to be served. Moores lawyers say his original attorneys did not analyze the crime scene carefully and left unchallenged prosecutors' contention that Moore, who came into the store unarmed, fired at a customer and that his intention from the start was a robbery. According to their account, the clerk pulled a gun on Moore after the two argued because he was 12 cents short for what he wanted to buy. Moore said he wrestled the gun from Mahoney's hand and the clerk pulled a second weapon. Moore was shot in the arm and fired back, hitting Mahoney in the chest. Moore then went behind the counter and stole about $1,400. No one else on South Carolinas death row started their crime unarmed and with no intention to kill, Moores current attorneys say. Jon Ozmint, a former prosecutor who was director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections from 2003 to 2011 and who has added his voice to those seeking clemency, said Moore's case is not the worst-of-the-worst kind of crime that would usually prompt a death penalty case. There are plenty of people who were not sentenced to death but committed much more heinous crimes, Ozmint said, citing the example of Todd Kohlhepp, who was given a life sentence after pleading guilty to killing seven people including a woman he raped and tortured for days. Lawyers for Moore, who is Black, also say his trial was not fair. There were no African Americans on the jury even though 20% of Spartanburg County residents were Black. Moore, a born-again Christian, can continue to mentor and positively influence fellow inmates if his sentence is reduced to life without parole, Ozmint said. He wants to continue his work of having a positive impact on everyone around him he can reach, Ozmint said in the clemency request video. I hope that Governor McMaster will give Richard the rest of his life to pour into others. Moores son and daughter said he has remained engaged in their lives. He once asked them about school work and gave advice in letters. He now has grandchildren whom he sees on video calls. Several letter writers mentioned the harm to them if Moore is removed from their lives. Even though my father has been away, that still has not stopped him from making a big impact on my life, a positive impact, said Alexandria Moore, who joined the Air Force at her fathers encouragement. She said her 5-year-old daughter asks is that Pa Pa? when the phone rings at their home at a miliary base in Spain. He is a great man, and I want her to know her grandfather as the man that he is, she said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A man in Mississippi was arrested for allegedly having sex with his cousin's pregnant dog, according to local police. Timothy Sanders, 31, was arrested after his cousin caught him sexually abusing a pit bull in Escatawpa, Mississippi. The cousin is the owner of the dog. They told police that the caught Sanders pinning the dog down and having sex with it. Sanders was arrested on Wednesday at his home on a misdemeanor charge animal cruelty and a felony charge of unnatural intercourse, according to the Biloxi Sun Herald. The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison with up to a $5,000 fine and an order to register as a sex offender. Sanders was denied bond during his initial court appearance by Jackson County Court Judge Mark Watts. He is currently jailed in Jackson County. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Mississippi mom has been arrested after allegedly making a failed suicide pact with her 10-year-old daughter and then allowing the child to attempt it, while she did not. Brittney Leigh Hensley, 37, fled the state following the incident in July. She was eventually picked up by law enforcement in Alabama and charged with felony child abuse. Officers from the Ocean Springs Police Department, in Mississippi, responded shortly before 6:30 pm on July 6 following reports of an unresponsive child at the extended stay Studio 6 motel where Hensley and her daughter had been living. When first responders arrived, they found the unconscious girl and Hensley, who fled the area shortly after, police said. According to the Biloxi Sun Herald, paramedics took the child to a local hospital for treatment, where she regained consciousness. open image in gallery Mississippi mom Brittney Leigh Hensley, 37, was arrested after allegedly entering into a suicide pact with her daughter and allowing the young girl to go through with it, while she did not ( Jackson County Jail ) Ocean Springs Police Chief Ryan Lemaire told the outlet that she told police about the suicide pact her mother had made with her. She had this suicide pact with her daughter, Lemaire said. The momma started freaking out when her daughter wouldnt wake up. Police suspected that Hensley had fled to Alabama because she had relatives there. An alert was put out online by Mississippi Crime Stoppers for civilians to be on the lookout for her. On October 15 the page reported that Hensley had been taken into custody by the Huntsville Police Department on behalf of the Ocean Springs Police Department on a warrant for Felonious Child Abuse by poisoning. She has since been extradited back to the Jackson County Jail, in Mississippi. According to court records, Hensley is being held on a $500,000 bond. It is unclear if she has a lawyer. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. Correction: This article was amended on Nov. 4. It originally stated that Hensley was from Minnesota. However, that was innacurate, as she is actually from Mississippi. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy For 30 years, the disappearance of a six-year-old girl in Arkansas who went missing while chasing fireflies at a Little League ballpark has been a mystery. Then a key clue discovered in a red truck provided investigators with a break in the case. Earlier this week, the Alma Police Department announced a suspect in Morgan Nicks disappearance for the first time in three decades. Billy Jack Lincks, an Arkansas man who owned the red truck, was identified as the man who allegedly abducted Morgan in 1995, Alma Police Chief Jeff Pointer said at a press conference. open image in gallery Billy Jack Linck was identified as the man who allegedly abducted Morgan in 1995 ( Alma Police ) Pointer said lab testing determined that hair found in a truck owned by Lincks was that of Colleen Nick, Morgans mother, one of Colleen Nicks siblings, or one of her children. Follow-up interviews of members of the Nick family revealed that none of them knew Lincks and that none of them had ever been in his truck, Pointer said. In 2021, the FBI identified Lincks as a person of interest in Morgans disappearance. It took another three years to name him as a suspect. So what led investigators to hone in on Lincks? It all started with a look into his past. Who was Billy Jack Lincks? Billy Jack Lincks was born and raised in Crawford County, Arkansas, according to the FBIs website. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and worked at Braniff Airlines in Dallas from 1962 to 1974. In the late 1970s, he made his way back to the River Valley. According to court documents obtained by 5NEWS, Lincks was arrested in 1992 for sexually abusing a young girl. In August 1995, only two months after Morgan Nick was reported missing, he was arrested for attempting to abduct an 11-year-old girl at a Sonic in Van Buren just eight miles from the Alma ballpark where Morgan vanished from. While Lincks was being investigated, he was also questioned in Morgans disappearance, according to Chief of Alma Police Department, Jeff Horner, but said he denied any knowledge of it, so investigators moved on. Morgan Nicks mom speaks after suspect in daughters disappearance IDd In 1996, Lincks was later found guilty of sexual solicitation of a child in regards to the first attempted abduction of the 11-year-old and sentenced to prison. Lincks drove a red 1986 Chevrolet pickup truck which slightly matched the truck seen in a home video taken the night Morgan was reported missing. For years, investigators linked a red truck to Morgans disappearance but Lincks truck did not have a camper shell when he was arrested in August 1995. But according to court documents, detectives found an interview of his neighbor during the attempted abduction investigation in which the neighbor said they think Lincks had a camper shell on his red pickup. The neighbor also believed it was two months ago when he saw the camper. Lincks died in 2000 while still in prison, aged 72. But it wasnt until after his death that investigators named him as a person of interest in Morgans disappearance. Morgans disappearance Morgan was last seen on June 9, 1995 at a little league game in Alma, Arkansas. She went off to catch fireflies with friends and was never seen again. Investigators have said they believe Morgan was abducted from the parking lot around 10:45 p.m. that evening. Witnesses gave police a suspect description as well as the description of a red truck with a white camper shell that was allegedly involved in the crime. But the case went cold and remained that way for years. When investigators decided to reopen the case in 2020, they searched Lincks truck after tracking down the current owner, who said he did not know Lincks. The truck had been sold several times in the years that followed, according to a release by Arkansas State Police. open image in gallery Morgan was last seen on June 9, 1995 at a little league game in Alma, Arkansas ( NCMEC ) Inside the truck, investigators found multiple hairs, KATV reported. A crime lab determined that the hairs likely belonged to a member of Morgans family. After confirming that there was no evidence that any of the family had been in Lincks truck, officials said the evidence strongly indicates that Morgan had been in his truck and he was named as an official suspect. In a press conference held on October 1, 2024, Alma Police Chief Jeff Pointer officially identified Billy Jack Lincks as the main suspect in Morgans disappearance. The search for the little girl continues. Pointer said police are still investigating Morgans disappearance and have questions theyre trying to answer, including how she was taken from the ballfield, what happened next and whether Lincks had any help abducting Morgan or concealing her kidnapping. And where is Morgan now? I can tell you today that this investigation is not over, Pointer said. It is ongoing and active. Our love for Morgan outlasted his life Morgans mother Colleen Nick, who started a foundation to help the families of other missing children, said Lincks stole her daughter from her and the rest of the Nick family. But he didnt see he could never win because our love for Morgan, her memory and her voice, outlasted his life, Nick said on Tuesday, standing near a photo of her daughter. And that love continues to shine. Her heart, Morgans heart, shines on. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Two people were killed and six others were wounded in two shootings that took place among crowds during Halloween celebrations in Orlando early Friday, authorities said. Officers responded to a report of shots fired in the citys downtown shortly after 1am. A second shooting minutes later happened within a short distance of officers and they quickly made an arrest, the city's police Chief Eric Smith said during a briefing Friday morning. The six wounded, who range in age from 19 to 39, were transported to a hospital for treatment and were in stable condition, Smith said. A 17-year-old male suspect was taken into custody, said Smith, who showed video from street security cameras and a police body camera showing the two shootings and the suspect's arrest at the second shooting location. After the first shooting, police used security video to put out a description of the suspect, but the second shooting happened near police and officers saw the attack, Smith said. Whatever his mindset was, he was going to shoot no matter what, Smith said, noting that the suspect's motivation is part of the ongoing investigation. A handgun was recovered at the arrest scene and there are no other suspects, he said. There were more than 100 officers patrolling the crowds estimated between 50,000 and 100,000 people who were out celebrating Halloween on Thursday night and early Friday morning, Smith said. Florida State Attorney Andrew Baine said charging the teen suspect as an adult is a possibility but his agency would await further information from the police investigation. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A soldier has been charged with murder after the body of a sergeant was found in a dumpster on a Missouri Army base last week. US Army Sergeant Sarah Roque, 23, of Ligonier, Indiana, was reported missing on Monday 21 October after she failed to show up for duty that morning at Fort Leonard Wood and her family and commanders were unable to reach her, according to officials. Her body was found the next day in a dumpster on the base close to housing for single soldiers, US Army Major General Christopher Beck said in a press conference last week. Now, Wooster Rancy, 21, a specialist soldier with the 5th Engineer Battalion, has been charged with her murder and obstructing the due administration of justice, Fort Leonard Wood officials announced on Thursday. Rancy, originally from North Miami, Florida, was serving as a combat engineer with the 509th Clearance Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, after enrolling in the Army in 2022 and undergoing his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood. He is currently being held in pre-trial confinement while awaiting a preliminary hearing. It is currently unclear how Roque died and what connection she may have to the suspect. open image in gallery Sergeant Sarah Roque (pictured), 23, of Ligonier, Indiana, was found dead in a dumpster on Tuesday 22 October said Fort Leonard officials ( US Army Fort Leonard Wood ) Army officials had previously announced on October 24 that a person of interest had been taken into custody. Roque was a bridge crewmember serving as a mine dog handler with the K9 Detachment in the Army. She enlisted four years ago when she began basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood and went on to receive several awards including an Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon, according to Army officials. Sergeant Roque was a daughter, sister, friend, and Soldier who chose to serve our country bravely and honorably, Beck said at last weeks press briefing. Her passing has caused a tremendous void throughout our team, and while there are no words to ease the pain, we continue to provide care, resources, and support to those who are affected during this difficult time. Fort Leonard Wood officials are expected to hold a press conference on Friday. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The New Hampshire Attorney Generals Office has filed a civil complaint against a former police officer who is accused of violently attacking a Black banking executive outside a diner last year in what officials say was a racially motivated incident. In November 2023, Mamadou Dembele, a 49-year-old Black man, entered Gilleys Diner in Portsmouth to pick up a take-out order after spending time in a cigar bar. Inside the restaurant, he came into contact with former Portsmouth Police Officer Aaron Goodwin, 45, his brother, Kevin, 42, and sister-in-law Shannon, 38, all of whom are white. After noticing Dembeles accent, Shannon asked the man where he was from. He replied: Africa. Kevin reportedly called the man a moron, adding that Africa was a continent not a country. Dembele didnt respond, the complaint states. The former officer apparently then told Dembele he smelled bad. Dembele told him that he had come from a cigar bar and handed the man a cigar he had purchased earlier that night. Kevin Goodwin then became angry, the complaint states, and asked his brother why he was speaking to a f****** moron, stating Dembele was too poor to afford a good cigar. Kevin said the cigar was a blunt, explaining to the group that is when Black people mix tobacco with marijuana and smoke it. Dembele did not respond. The Goodwins soon left with their food. open image in gallery Kevin Goodwin, left, and his brother, Aaron Goodwin ( New Hampshire Department of Safety ) Dembele, too, took his food and exited the restaurant. He then encountered the group in the parking lot, security footage shows. Kevin Goodwin reportedly spotted Dembele and told him to leave. At that point, Dembele asked the man what his problem was, the filing states. Shannon then started shouting at him and allegedly called him a racial slur. Dembele continued to ask what was wrong and told the group he had done nothing to them. As the confrontation escalated, two young men, one Black and one Asian, entered the parking lot and were walking up the stairs to the restaurant when they noticed the exchange. As they watched, Shannon, court filings state, began berating them and calling them racial slurs. She then became so aggressive with Dembele she needed to be physically restrained, the documents state. Aaron then approached Dembele and pulled him to the ground using the back of his shirt, security footage shows. Dembeles head hit the ground, causing him to temporarily lose consciousness. The two young men went to help him but were allegedly held back by the Goodwins. Kevin Goodwin shoved his arm into the young Black mans shoulder and chest to keep him from Dembele, filings state. Shannon then continued to call the bystander names, including a racial slur. She then hit the young Black man in the face and chest, the filing states. open image in gallery Security footage shows Dembele with the group inside the diner ( US Attorneys Office ) Dembele regained consciousness, got on his feet and told the bystanders not to engage further. A restaurant employee exited the building and announced she was calling police. The group told the officer they thought Dembele was in a gang based on hand movements they had seen. Aaron Goodwin, the former cop, told officers the attack was not racially motivated. He later made several statements to the police and press, claiming he acted in self-defense. But a restaurant employee told a Portsmouth officer the group had attacked Dembele because of his race, noting the racial slurs she heard leveled against the men. In March, the two brothers were each charged with one count of assault and one count of disorderly conduct. Shannon remains wanted for three counts of simple assault and disorderly conduct. In August, Kevin Goodwin pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. He was sentenced to pay a $500 fine and $120 penalty assessment. The following month, Aaron Goodwin pleaded guilty to assault. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail but didnt serve the term after agreeing to an anger management evaluation and completing 20 hours of community service. The Attorney Generals Office is asking that the men pay a $5,000 fine for each violation of the states Civil Rights Act. The office has cited four violations per defendant in the complaint. The office is also seeking a three-year temporary restraining order prohibiting the Goodwins from going within 350 feet of Dembele, his home, place of work, or the diner. open image in gallery The group trying to push back two young bystanders trying to aid Dembele ( US Attorneys Office ) Dembele, a regional market manager within the Consumer Banking Department of the Bangor Savings Bank, has filed a federal lawsuit against Aaron. He is seeking damages above $75,000, including attorney fees and costs. Dembele sought medical care after the incident and was diagnosed with a concussion, wrist sprain, and injury to his achilles tendon. The Independent emailed an attorney for Aaron and contacted Kevin and Shannon for comment. An attorney for Dembele is asking witnesses to the crime to come forward. We ask that the two unidentified witnesses who attempted to aid Mr Dembele, who are depicted in the images in our federal court complaint, and who are also described in the AGs state court complaint, come forward to assist Mr Dembele and the AGs office in their respective matters. We ask that anyone with information about their identities come forward, the emailed statement read. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Tonia Haddix, the star of HBOs Chimp Crazy who allegedly faked the death of one of her apes, was accused of perjury by animal rights group PETA who have asked a judge to bring charges against her. PETA filed a new motion against Haddix on Wednesday after the documentary star claimed she and her accomplices had not violated previous court orders nor committed perjury in past proceedings. The 55-year-old exotic animal keeper has run the Festus-based Missouri Primate Foundation since 2018, where she claims to have raised and cared for at least seven primates, including the chimp, Tonka. Chimp Crazy, a documentary by the creator of Tiger King, followed Haddix as she fended off legal challenges from PETA over the custody of her chimpanzees. In late 2020, Haddix was found in contempt of court after promising to upgrade the living conditions for the chimps in the facility and failing to do so. open image in gallery Thirty-three-year-old chimp Tonka was once the star of George and the Jungle ( HBO ) During a raid on her sanctuary by the animal rights group and US Marshals to carry out the order, six primates were taken away but officials were unable to find Tonka, 33, who Haddix claims died in 2021. In June 2022, the George of the Jungle star was discovered by US Marshals locked in a cage in Tonixs basement and the HBO crew caught it all on camera. In the new filing, PETA outlines several so-called examples of Haddixs alleged plot to hide the acting ape, including an alleged grotesque scheme to exhume the severely decomposed corpse of another chimpanzee and pass that corpse off as Tonkas remains. Tonia Haddix brazenly defied court orders on camera and made a mockery of the justice system in front of an international audience in order to deprive a chimpanzee of a real life, PETA Foundation General Counsel Brittany Pee said in a statement. open image in gallery Tonka was found locked in a cage in Haddixs basement after she claimed the ape had died ( PETA ) Haddix could face up to five years in prison if convicted on perjury charges. She also owes PETA at least $240,000 in legal expenses, with the organization arguing that she caused them to bill attorneys for hundreds of hours of extra work. PETA alleges Chimp Crazy shows the lengths that Haddix went to fake Tonkas death, lie to the court, and hide him across state lines and in her own home. The filing marks the animal rights groups sixth motion of contempt against Haddix, with the HBO star not yet facing any charges or convictions. open image in gallery HBO s Chimp Crazy Tonia Haddix faced another lawsuits from Peta on Wednesday ( Sky ) Haddix says the slew of lawsuits being sent her way is growing tiresome. To be honest with you, I didnt know that was transpiring, Haddix told Rolling Stone on Monday morning after learning of PETAs letter. Am I shocked? No. Am I sad and wish that people would just leave me alone? Yes. But PETA is not going to stop. Theyre relentless. Im just worn out. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Heidi Klum goes extraterrestrial with her 2024 Halloween costume. This year, Heidi Klum took her legendary Halloween game to a new galaxy, transforming into none other than E.T. for her annual bash at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City. Channeling the iconic alien from Spielbergs 1982 classic, her costume was complete with a glowing fingertip and a motorized headpieceequipped with a mouth and eyes that her team could operate remotely. Klum was joined by her husband, German musician Tom Kaulitz, who also suited up as E.T. for the event. Both suits, crafted with 3-D printing, featured a zippered seam running from the crown of the head to the middle of the spine, costume designer Mike Marino explained to the New York Times. To top it off, the red carpet was built several feet above ground level so that when Klum stood behind it, her knobby, extraterrestrial feet appeared to be right on the floor, bringing the beloved alien to life in true Hollywood style. Maybe I never need to use the diaper, but at least that way I dont have to think about it, Ms. Klum joked to the New York Times. A few weeks after last years Halloween, Klum came up with the idea, inspired by her childhood love of the movie. She also liked the gender-neutral aspect of the films alien character. They have no genitals, Ms. Klum noted. I like the whole idea of, like, were all the same. On Wednesday afternoon, one of Heidi Klums final fittings unfolded in a suite at the Hard Rock Hotel in Midtown. Her team bustled around, assembling the intricate details. A woman with a rainbow mohawk held a flap of lifelike skin, crafted to look rough and wrinkled but soft to the touchit would soon transform Klums face into E.T.s. ( Getty Images for Heidi Klum Hall ) This is very high-tech, Ms. Klum joked. For reference, movie stills from E.T. hung next to bottles of baby powder and K-Y jelly, essentials in the costume process. Meanwhile, costume designer Mike Marino and his team worked meticulously to secure Klums robotic headpiece, gluing it in place and using blow dryers to set it faster, one final step in bringing the legendary alien to life. After Klum wiggled into her suit, her team zipped her up and went all in, layering strips of fake skin, dabbing on glue, and airbrushing every seam until the transformation was seamless. By the end, Klum didnt just wear the costumeshe became the iconic extraterrestrial. Ever since the year 2000, the Making The Cut co-host has thrown an annual Halloween bash and never shows up in a look thats anything less than extraordinary. Last year, the supermodel donned a giant peacock costume with a little help from 10 performers from the iconic circus troupe, Cirque du Soleil. The acrobats were the ones who brought her elaborate wings to life. Klums husband Tom Kaulitz was also in costume, with the 34 year old opting for a gigantic white peacock egg to match the theme. For 2023, the supermodel turned heads she showed up at her annual festivities donning a worm costume. The eerily realistic costume was part of a couples costume with husband Tom Kaulitz, who was dressed as a fisherman although the model said the costume was claustrophobic. Meanwhile, in 2019, she dressed up as an alien, while the year before she dressed up head-to-toe in green make-up and prosthetics as Princess Fiona from Shrek. Then in 2017, she dressed up as one of the werewolves from Michael Jacksons iconic Thriller music video, clad in faux fur and a letterman jacket. The year before, she impressively showed up with an army of clones, who donned prosthetics to look like Klum. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy 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. open image in gallery 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. open image in gallery 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. open image in gallery 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. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A former leader of an ayahuasca church in Florida is facing criminal charges over accusations he randomly sucker punched a sleeping passenger during a flight from California to Washington, D.C., beating the fellow traveler for no apparent reason until the cabin was speckled with blood, according to a federal complaint filed Tuesday. About two hours into the five-hour journey on Monday aboard United Airlines flight 2247 from San Francisco to Dulles, Everett Chad Nelson, 44, left his seat in the rear of the aircraft and headed to one of the lavatories up front, the complaint states. There were 82 passengers and six crew aboard the flight, a United spokesperson told The Independent. open image in gallery Everett Chad Nelson runs an ayahuasca church in Miami ( Alexandria Sheriffs Office ) When Nelson exited the bathroom, he stopped at seat 12F and without notice, began physically attacking a sleeping male passenger by punching him repeatedly in the face and head until blood was drawn, the complaint alleges, adding that the assault continued for a full minute. The man began screaming, after which a Good Samaritan intervened and managed to pull Nelson off of him, according to the complaint. Aside from giving the unidentified passenger two black eyes, Nelson opened up a gash on the mans nose, spattering blood on his seat, the wall, the window, and the sleeves of Nelsons green windbreaker, the complaint goes on. It provides no motive, does not say the two had a preexisting relationship of any kind, and reads as if the pummeling came completely out of nowhere. Nelson had no observable injuries and there was no indication that [the alleged victim] struck him in defense, the complaint states. open image in gallery The mid-flight assault bloodied the alleged victim, his seat, the window, the walls, and the suspects windbreaker, according to the FBI ( AFP via Getty Images ) Following the shocking beatdown, the complaint says flight attendants moved Nelson to a seat up front, where the person who stepped in was able to keep an eye on him for the remainder of the flight. Numerous other passengers witnessed the beatdown, and the victim was treated for his injuries by a doctor who happened to be onboard, the complaint continues. The victim was deaf and non-verbal, according to one passenger who saw the vicious beatdown. The Transportation Security Administration contacted the FBI about the Level 2 disturbance, which, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, constitutes physically abusive behavior aboard an airplane. (Level 1 is disruptive behavior, Level 3 is life-threatening behavior, and Level 4 is an attempted or actual breach of the flight deck.) Thanks to the quick action of our crew and customers, one passenger was restrained after becoming physically aggressive toward another customer on a flight from San Francisco to Washington Dulles on Monday, a United official told The Independent. The flight landed safely and was met by paramedics and local law enforcement. open image in gallery Everett Chad Nelson was headed from San Francisco to Washington Dulles International Airport when he allegedly attacked a sleeping traveler ( AFP via Getty Images ) Nelson, a Virginia native, grew up in a strict independent fundamentalist Bible-believing Baptist family, according to a speakers bio from a 2022 conference for investors in the psychedelics industry. On track to become a missionary, Nelson instead earned a degree in computer engineering from George Mason University in Virginia and worked on drone aircraft beginning in 2004. He got married and things were fine for a while until [r]ejection of God and everything spiritual eventually led to my life falling apart. Ayahuasca plus open-minded spiritual study saved my life, Nelson said in his bio. It showed me that sharing my gifts is my path with heart. I am now forming an Ayahuasca Church in Southern Florida. We have a grand vision to build a sacred temple in the shape of an elven star. We also want to purchase land in natural settings for conservation, sacred ceremony, and growing the medicine. The FAA has fielded 1,748 unruly passenger reports so far in 2024, steadily encroaching on 2023s total of 2,076. In 2022, the agency received 2,455 reports of unruly passengers, a sharp drop from 2021s all-time high of 5,973. The FBI has jurisdiction over in-flight crimes, and violators can end up with felony records, plus fines of up to $37,000 per violation and a single incident can result in multiple fines. Inappropriate or violent behavior can also land travelers on an airlines internal no-fly list, and those with TSA PreCheck can lose their eligibility in the aftermath of such an incident. Nelson is charged with one count of assault by beating, striking, and wounding in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. His trial date has been set for December 11. If convicted, Nelson faces a year behind bars. Cadence Mertz, a public defender assigned to Nelsons case, did not respond to The Independents request for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Maricopa County is seeking election workers following a record-breaking surge of early voters four years after the Arizona county became the target of Donald Trumps election fraud claims. Dubbed the nations ultimate swing county by the Associated Press, Maricopa County could determine the presidential race. But first, they need to find more early voter tabulators as over one million people have already cast their ballots early, officials said. The Maricopa County Recorders office URGENTLY needs additional help processing early ballots, an email from the Maricopa County Public Health Department said on Wednesday. The message read: Temporary assistance needed for the Recorders Office to assist in counting early ballots. This position pays $16 per hour, according to a reporter from 12 News. Elections officials said in a press conference last week they only had hired 584 of the 786 temporary workers 74 percent needed for this election, the outlet reported. As of Tuesday, more than 75,000 people had voted early at polling centers in Maricopa County, making it the highest number of early in-person voters in the countys history, Maricopa County supervisor Bill Gates said at a press conference. On top of this, as of Tuesday, the county had received more than 940,000 early ballots by mail. A voter casts their ballot at a secure ballot drop box at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center in Phoenix. The county is seeking more temporary election workers to help tabulate early ballots ( AP ) The countys central counting facility is 90 percent staffed while the voting locations are 96 percent staffed, Scott Jarrett, the director of elections for the county, said at the press conference. Weve expanded our staff that we are hiring for this election even to include night shifts as well, he said. In addition to election workers already on staff, county workers are stepping up to assist with the process and beginning tomorrow night, shifts will be taking place around the clock at Maricopas tabulation center to support these efforts, Jennifer Liewer, Maricopa County deputy elections director for communications, told The Independent in a statement. Democracy is a team sport, and we are grateful for the hard work and long hours that election and county workers will be doing in the coming days and weeks to ensure a smooth election. The influx of early voting isnt totally surprising; officials have been encouraging early voting because there is a two-page ballot, which can slow down lines. Its the first two-page ballot in the county since 2006. Were telling people to make a plan in advance, take the time to do your homework, review the individual propositions and all of the contests, Gates said. Some voters told 12News that they had waited up to an hour to cast their ballot. One person said that wasnt an issue: I would have waited for 10 hours in this election. The voters steadfastness to cast his ballot is a reminder of the contentious nature of this election especially in Maricopa County, which became the epicenter for Trumps rigged election conspiracy in 2020. Trump won the district in 2016, but lost it in 2020, making it the perfect scapegoat for such claims. To combat these baseless claims, in 2024, the county home to 62 per cent of Arizona residents has been trying to promote transparency. If the transparency tab on its website wasnt enough, the recorders office also offers tours so people can see the facility firsthand and the wires in Maricopa Countys tabulation center are exposed, in hopes of quelling any fears about the systems getting hacked. Still, election officials have warned that it could take 13 days before all the ballots are counted in the county, the Associated Press reported. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trump is lagging behind in early votes from seniors in Pennsylvania, which could be cause for concern for his campaign, a new report reveals. In Pennsylvania, one of seven key swing states this election, nearly half the early voters who have cast their ballots so far are over 65, Politico reports. Out of all votes cast by Pennsylvania seniors, registered Democrats account for 58 percent, while registered Republicans account for 35 percent. This could be good news for Democrats. A Fox News poll released this week indicates Harris has a 5-point lead among voters 65-and-older in the state. Further, Pennsylvania has more senior citizens than the average state, Politico reports. Democratic strategist Tom Bonier said the early voting numbers so far are a surprise for Kamala Harriss camp. Our expectation going into the early vote was that it would, in general, skew substantially more Republican than in 2020, Bonier told Politico. There is no more pandemic, Democrats were more Covid conscious and Republicans have been pushing early voting. Among senior early voters in Pennsylvania, registered Democrats make up the majority of ballots cast so far, which could spell trouble for the GOP. ( Getty Images ) However, Republicans disagree theyre in trouble. Americans of all ages and backgrounds are unifying behind President Trumps agenda to Make America Safe, Strong, Wealthy, and Great Again, and this reality is playing out in record Republican voter registrations and turnout across battleground states, including Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Trump campaign spokesperson Kush Desai told Politico. Republican strategist Charlie Gerow also told Politico that older Republicans are more likely vote on Election Day. In all seven swing states, Harris and Trump are neck-and-neck, the latest Washington Post/Schar School poll shows. The two candidates are tied in Nevada, while Trump leads in Arizona and North Carolina by three points each. Harris is ahead by four points in Georgia, three points in Wisconsin and two points in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Both are still courting voters in the Keystone State, each holding campaign events up until Election Day. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Four years after Donald Trump and his loyalists repeated groundless claims of election fraud, counties across the United States are working to ensure 2024 wont be a repeat of 2020 by taking extreme measures to demonstrate that US elections are not rigged. His allegations about how the 2020 election was stolen spread on social media, resulting in baseless theories circulating, and which left much of the public with residual distrust of the vote-counting process. Those fears havent subsided since 2020 and Trump continues to push the idea that the voting process in 2024 will be flawed. Officials across the country are now trying to restore voters trust by promoting transparency. Some of those measures include GPS trackers on machines, offering public tours, providing 24/7 video surveillance and educating voters. The best way to create trust in our election system is to make it as transparent as possible and ensure the public is involved in supporting that process, Colorados Mesa County recorder Bobbie Gross told The Independent. The pro-Trump district in Colorado is working particularly hard to restore voters trust after one of the countys former clerks, Tina Peters, was charged in August with seven counts related to a security breach during the 2020 election. The secure rooms, where the countys election equipment lives, are now only accessible with a badge, and even then, workers have to enter in pairs for accountability, Gross said. The county keeps 24/7 camera surveillance on this equipment, including ballot boxes, to ensure security even when theres not an election going on. If anyone requests video footage, the county will provide it, Gross said. open image in gallery Recount observers watch ballots during a Milwaukee hand recount in November 2020 ( AP ) The county also holds open houses, including one planned for Election Day, allowing the public to witness the process, inspect the equipment and ask questions, Gross said. Providing the public tours is important, she added, because theres a lot of things that I think the public is not aware of how an election was conducted and what our checks and balances are so we really try to make sure that we can get that out to the public. Perhaps no county was as heavily scrutinised after the 2020 election as Maricopa County, Arizona. Trump won the district in 2016, but famously lost it in 2020, making it the perfect scapegoat for his rigged election claims. Maricopa County, home to 62 per cent of people who live in Arizona, has become a crucial battleground that can help decide presidential elections. The county also offers tours of its election area to the public. Before the nearly two-hour tour, individuals are asked to take a survey, rating their confidence in the election system on a scale of one to 10. We ask them to bring your greatest election fears, bring your greatest election conspiracies: we will address them all, Taylor Kinnerup, the Maricopa County Recorders Office communications director, told The Independent. At the end of the tour, they retake the survey, and people usually give a significantly higher rating. If going in person isnt an option, Maricopa County also has a transparency tab on its website, offering a virtual tour of the facility. In Pinal County, Arizona, a historically pro-Trump district southeast of Phoenix, officials took the mission to be more transparent quite literally. A wall of windows, dubbed the fishbowl, allows onlookers a 360-degree view to easily watch ballots being counted and is part of a new $32m election center. The 53,000 sq ft centre was constructed in just 16 months to be ready before the July primary election. When you know in your soul there is nothing to hide, being open about the process is a no-brainer, Pinal County recorder Dana Lewis told The Washington Post. Even when you pull the curtain back, there are still people who lurk in the shadows, but we are going to continue to try with logic, accuracy and reason to combat the narrative of distrust in the elections process. open image in gallery Pinal Countys fishbowl gives onlookers a 360-degree view to easily watch ballots being counted ( Pinal County ) In addition to giving the public more access to their election facilities, counties have implemented measures that appear to put an end to baseless election fraud theories that Trump and his supporters pushed. Trumps claimed that mules drop off hundreds of fake ballots at drop boxes. Now Pinal County and Maricopa County have installed video cameras to monitor the boxes. Social media claims of a suspicious bus carrying voting machines spread. But Pinal County has put GPS trackers on the cages that transport election devices, the Post reported. Since election officials know the routes they are supposed to be travelling on, if all the sudden they stop moving we know theres an issue, Lewis said. To demonstrate its equipment is not connected to the internet (and therefore cannot be hacked) the wires in Maricopa Countys tabulation centre are exposed. We also have port blockers on all of our machines so [nobody can] put in a stray USB drive and either pull something out or put something in, Kinnerup said. Trump also promoted a debunked claim that people were stuffing ballot boxes with fake ballots. But printing off fake ballots that result in votes is just not possible, Gross said. Each envelope boasts a signature, which goes through a verification process, and each envelope also contains the individuals voter ID, giving the person voter credit. At the end of the election, Gross said three components have to match: I have to have the same amount of voter credit as I do envelopes to ballots tabulated. If a ballot is flagged as suspicious, the ballot is not counted, but referred to the district attorney for review. I would never tell anybody that fraud doesnt happen in the election, because we typically see fraud in every election. Is it to the point that would change the outcome of an election? No, I have not seen it on that scale, Gross said. Mesa County, Arizona, is working on another project to ensure more trust. Voters may soon be able to hand-count the ballots at home digitally. Once any personal information is redacted, the image of the ballot can be posted online, showing how it was marked and read. open image in gallery People line up to vote in Atlanta in 2020 ( Getty ) While trying to bolster voters trust that elections are fair and safe, counties have also enhanced measures to ensure election workers are safe. I think the more seeds of doubt that are sowed in public sentiment, the greater the risk is to the safety of those who are performing the work, Kinnerup said. Since the rhetoric that swirled during the 2020 election, threats against election workers have mounted. Four secretaries of state have received death threats since 2020 while a recent Brennan Center for Justice survey showed that 38 percent of local election officials experienced threats, harassment or abuse for doing their jobs. The threats have been so severe that Cobb County, a swing district in Georgia, is considering introducing panic buttons; Mesa County will employ security at its central counting facility on election day; Maricopa County has installed a black iron fence surrounding the building, requiring badge access for entry. In 2023, envelopes containing fentanyl and other substances were sent to election offices across the country. Now, Gross said Mesa County is offering personal protective equipment for those opening ballot envelopes. Given these new measures, counties seem hopeful that they will have debunked any conspiracy theories before they crop up. Going into this election, were going to be more on offence rather than defence, Kinnerup said. In 2020, we had never been faced with this level of questions. We had never experienced this amount... this amount of distrust. And I think now that weve spent the past four years kind of preparing for that. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance had a relaxed tone as he sat down for an interview with Joe Rogan on the latters podcast. He had no idea what he was in for. Thursdays episode of The Joe Rogan Experience marks twice now in as many weeks that the fight commentator and former Fear Factor host has left a member of the Republican ticket looking foolish in selectively edited clips of his show. Vance, having clearly expected either the kind of freewheeling conversation Rogan is known for with his non-political guests or at the very least to not be challenged on his claims, walked into a rhetorical shooting gallery. On Twitter/X Thursday after the interview, clips of Vances conversation were going viral but they were being shared by the Harris-Walz campaign and its allies, not Vance or his running mate. That was thanks to Rogans decision to press Vance harder than some actual journalists on his abortion stance. The host quizzed Vance as to what had been wrong with the precedent set by the Supreme Court in 1973, and further dug into why Republican lawmakers were passing overtly religious legislation, including bills that would prosecute women who sought abortion in states where it was legal if they returned home to states where the procedure was banned. Vance could only sputter that he hadnt seen those laws, and his statement in defense of the bans seemed even less prepared: Democrats, he argued, were going way too far with abortion rights and had begun to celebrate abortion. Rogan replied, dismissively: I think theres very few people who are celebrating, though. Rogan: Roe was the law of the land and all of a sudden that had been taken away and you have these men trying to dictate what women can and cannot do with their bodies Vance: Yeah, yeah... but you have women who go too far and try to celebrate it Rogan: Very few do that pic.twitter.com/Yb7xmPMq74 Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) October 31, 2024 Two other clips being shared after his interview involved the vice presidential contender LARP-ing through a scenario where he was forced to defend himself from a home invasion in the immediate wake of the assassination attempt against Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, and one other where he speculated that the Trump campaign would win the normal gay guy vote. Forget the Secret Service protocol, the one that saw Mike Pence whisked away on January 6 the vice presidential nominee would like to play out his John Wick fantasy if his family is endangered. If Vance was looking to inspire voter turnout or merely appear normal, in his words, its hard to say he achieved that. Whats more likely is that he just handed the Harris-Walz campaign another crate of ammunition to remind voters particularly women how unprepared he is for their scrutiny. Needed this laugh today. JD Vance tells Joe Rogan he went home, loaded all his guns, and stood on his front porch after the Butler, Pennsylvania assassination attempt. pic.twitter.com/WNeiGacKAO Drake Moore Miller (@drakefromtx) October 31, 2024 What he also managed to do, possibly, is vindicate the people in Kamala Harriss inner circle who have been whispering against the prospect of the vice president sitting down with Joe Rogan. Itd been discussed, and Rogan himself revealed this week that he declined to travel to meet Harris out on the campaign trail, but Thursdays episode is an example of the kind of pitfalls that The Joe Rogan Experience often comes with. Vances conversation with Rogan was more than three hours long. Harris, smartly, has not and will not be sitting down for any three-hour interviews before the campaign season ends. The propensity to let ones guard down is too great; the range of topics uncomfortably wide for someone trying very hard to frame a conversation in the final week of a presidential race. Rogans specialty, to quote one commentator ahead of the Vance interview, is to give his guests an endless amount of rope with which to hang themselves. JD Vance obliged on Thursday. Its hard to say how much was due to Rogan, and how much was due to Vances own propensity to say inconvenient things when pressed by interviewers, especially in front of a conservative-leaning audience when his guard is lowered. Harris, if she values her time and any momentum she has in the polls, should probably avoid doing that. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Marjorie Taylor Greene has lashed out at Mark Cuban after the billionaire entrepreneur suggested that Donald Trump does not hang out with strong, intelligent women. The Georgia congresswoman sought to prove Cuban wrong in a literal sense, by posting yet another video of herself working out in her home gym, this time doing a set of pull-ups. It comes after Cuban appeared on talk show The View, where he said, referring to Trump, You never see him hanging around strong, intelligent women. Ever. Its just that simple. The remarks appeared to offend Greene personally, who told her followers: Ok guys, check this out: first we have Joe Biden calling all of us garbage. Now Mark Cuban has come out and said theres no strong, intelligent women supporting Trump. open image in gallery The Georgia congresswoman filmed herself performing a set of five pull-ups in response to Mark Cubans suggestion that Trump does not hang out with strong, intelligent women ( @mtgreenee/ X ) Wait, hang on, I just have to fit in this set, she adds, before jumping up and completing five pull-ups. After completing her set, Greene launched a personal attack on Cuban, claiming that he suffered from low testosterone and compared him, looks-wise, to MSNBC host Rachel Maddow. Heres his issue, hes actually intimidated by strong, intelligent women, like me, she said. I graduated from UGA with a business degree, I run a very successful construction company in Georgia, and now Im going on my third term in Congress. I love guns, especially AR15s, and I support president Trump. Mark, I suggest you get some HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and hit the gym. The video response comes following Trumps own attack on Cuban, whose net worth is around $5.7bn, calling him unattractive and a loser. Thursdays video is not the first time Greene has filmed herself pumping iron at home in response to comments about her physical appearance. open image in gallery Greene later attacked Cuban for his own physical appearance and suggested he should hit the gym ( @mtgreenee/ X ) Back in May, she was called a bleach blonde bad-built butch body by Democrat Jasmine Crockett, after blasting the Texas representatives fake eyelashes. The exchange, during a House committee meeting, became heated, with allegations that drinking had been involved. Greene later shared a video of herself performing clean-and-jerk exercises in a garage, defending her physique. Yes my body is built and strong NOT with nips, tucks, plastic, or silicone, but through a healthy lifestyle. Soon turning 50 years old, God willing, I will continue to lift, run, swim, play sports, surf, ski, climb and LIVE this life to the fullest and enjoy every single moment! the Georgia congresswoman wrote. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Super PAC run by former GOP operatives thats been working to convert former Trump voters into supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris is making a final push in key swing states with a massive billboard campaign meant to hammer home the message that its ok for a Republican to vote for a Democrat this time around. On Friday, Republican Voters Against Trump rolled out a six-figure campaign to cover the sides of main roads in three key swing states with signs featuring ex-Trump voters who are now voting for Harris. The billboards will be placed in swarms in which multiple signs will greet drivers, back-to-back, as they commute over the next few days. They will run in the Philadelphia, Milwaukee, and Detroit media markets on November 1 and November 4. Each of them features the photo of one of the former Republican voters who has appeared in the groups ad campaign, with the message: Im a former Trump voter, Im voting for Harris and Im a former Trump voter, I wont vote for Trump. A spokesperson for the group said thousands of voters are expected to see the billboards as they drive to the polls over the next few days, and explained that the campaign has been tailored to persuade a critical constituency of voters in the swing states right-leaning independents and registered Republicans who havent yet made up their minds on who to cast a ballot for on Tuesday. Republican Voters Against Trump is running these billboards in the Philadelphia, Milwaukee, and Detroit media markets this weekend ( Republican Voters Against Trump ) There is a critical mass of Americans who cast votes for Trump in the past and are supporting Harris this time around, the groups executive director, Sarah Longwell, said in a statement. These are the strongest possible messengers for reaching persuadable, conservative-leaning swing voters in the Blue Wall. We couldnt think of a better closing message, she added. Longwell, who is also publisher of the anti-Trump conservative news site The Bulwark, started the RVAT project during the 2020 election cycle. This year, the group has spent more than $40 million in an effort to sway Republicans who are not enthusiastic about voting for Trump for the third consecutive presidential election. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Republican Party is gearing up to support Donald Trumps legal challenges to election results, again, by ensuring they have enough money to pay the bills with more than $90 million raised so far. In anticipation of another election where the former president and his allies will likely spread allegations of rampant voter fraud, the RNC has raised approximately $94.1 million in its recount account, with roughly 31 percent of those funds coming from Trumps joint fundraising committee, according to Federal Election Commission data. Recount accounts are funds specifically set aside to be used for legal or recount expenses after the election. Often, the costs in an election fight amount to attorney or filing fees, travel and ballot recounting charges levied by counties. Donald Trump, pictured at the 2024 Republican National Convention, appears ready to bring up legal challenges to election results should they not end in his favor ( Getty Images ) Recount funds are subject to the same FEC requirements as individual donations. Individuals can give $2,800 and PACs can give $5,000. Individuals who have already maxed out their donations to a campaign may give an additional amount to the recount accounts. Already, the RNC has spent $25 million of its refund money in preparation for post-election challenges. The election isnt over yet and its unclear who will be declared a winner but the aggressive fundraising indicates Trump and his allies are prepared to fight tooth and nail any allegations they raise. The Democratic National Committee also has a recount account, however, their fundraising efforts for post-election challenges have been much less competitive than the RNC. So far, Democrats have approximately $17 million in recount funds and spent around $6 million, according to the FEC. That data is only through October 16 since that is the final FEC reporting deadline until December, which means the Democrats might have raised additional money. In 2020, Trump raised more than $250 million using his false claims of mass voter fraud to encourage supporters and allies to donate to his efforts. Despite there being no evidence of mass voter fraud, Trump espoused that the election was stolen from him by Democrats. A review by the January 6 Select House Committee found that much of that money did not go to a defense fund as Trump claimed but instead to a political action committee. Both campaigns have indicated theyre prepared for legal challenges to arise post-election. Vice President Kamala Harris told NBC her team has resources and expertise ready to go should Trump reignite his claims. Already, the former president has begun using rhetoric that questions the integrity of the election process. Despite being tied with Harris in national polls, he often tells supporters he is polling ahead in every state and suggests theres no way he could lose. Even if those claims are false, the RNC appears prepared to fund whatever challenges they want in battleground states. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trumps first stint as commander-in-chief between 2017 and 2021 was anything but smooth sailing, with firings and acrimonious departures as much a feature of his administration as it was central to his hit NBC reality show The Apprentice. And, the years that followed have also been eventful for the most notable characters from his presidency. Some have ended up in prison or criminally charged in connection to their involvement with the former president. Some have become his most vocal critics, sounding the alarm about the dangers of a second term. Few are still on speaking terms with him. Now, with Trump now on the cusp of election victory and a second term in the White House heres a reminder of some of the key figures in Trumps first administration and where they are now: Mike Pence open image in gallery Mike Pences relationship with Trump irreparably collapsed over the events of 6 January 2021 ( AFP/Getty ) Trumps vice president stuck by him throughout his presidency but their relationship irreparably collapsed over the events of 6 January 2021. A mob of MAGA supporters stormed the US Capitol, some chanting Hang Mike Pence! and erecting a gallows, based on Trumps false claims that his VP could stop the certification of the 2020 election results. Pence briefly challenged Trump for the Republican nomination last year before dropping out of the race, declining to endorse him. Mike Pompeo open image in gallery Mike Pompeo was one of the few members of the administration not to fall out with Trump ( Getty ) Along with the likes of education, housing and transportation secretaries Betsy DeVos, Ben Carson and Elaine Chao, Pompeo was one of the few members of the administration not to fall out with Trump, serving first as director of the CIA and then secretary of state. He has since joined the conservative think-tank the Hudson Institute, the board of directors of an Israeli counter-disinformation company and a Texas criminal law firm, and has also founded a PAC and published a memoir. Steve Mnuchin open image in gallery Steve Mnuchin and Pompeo were reportedly involved in discussions about invoking the 25th Amendment to remove the president over the Capitol riot ( AP ) A former Hollywood movie mogul with executive producer credits on a string of blockbusters between 2014 and 2017, Mnuchin served as Trumps treasury secretary for the duration of his administration and was another rare member of the Cabinet with whom he had a non-contentious relationship. That said, both he and Pompeo were reportedly involved in discussions about invoking the 25th Amendment to remove the president over the Capitol riot. He has since kept a low profile. Jim Mattis open image in gallery Jim Mattis resigned midway through Trumps term in opposition to his decision to withdraw American troops from Syria ( AP ) A Marine Corps four-star general, Mad Dog Jim Mattis commanded forces in the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War before becoming Trumps first defense secretary. After numerous disagreements over Middle East policy, Mattis resigned midway through Trumps term in opposition to his decision to withdraw American troops from Syria. He was replaced by Mark Esper and has since retired. John Bolton open image in gallery John Bolton has since emerged as an outspoken anti-Trump talking head ( Sky News ) Trumps hawkish second national security adviser, appointed in April 2018 to succeed HR McMaster, left the administration in September 2019 after falling out with his boss, despite successfully lobbying for the withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. Bolton, who said he would be prepared to testify against Trump at his first impeachment trial should he be subpoenaed by the Senate, has since emerged as an outspoken anti-Trump talking head and wrote a memoir about his time working for the businessman in 2020. He also returned to an old post, working as an adviser to the Rhone Group private equity fund. Bill Barr open image in gallery Bill Barr resigned shortly after the Justice Department found no evidence of voter fraud in the 2020 election ( CNN ) Trumps second attorney general, who replaced Jeff Sessions and shielded him from the Mueller report in 2019, resigned shortly after the Justice Department found no evidence of voter fraud in the 2020 election, contradicting the presidents baseless narrative that the White House was stolen from him. Barr subsequently became more critical of Trump, memorably likening him to a defiant nine-year-old kid whos always pushing his glass towards the end of the table, defying his parents to stop him from doing it. John Kelly open image in gallery John Kelly has spoken out to warn against a second Trump administration ( AP ) Initially Trumps homeland security secretary before being moved to White House chief of staff to replace the short-lived Reince Priebus, John Kelly believed he could be one of the adults in the room to keep Trump in line. He left in dismay in 2019 and has since retired from public service. In recent weeks, he has spoken out to warn against a second Trump administration, calling the GOP candidate a fascist and recalling his alleged praise of Aolf Hilter. Mark Meadows open image in gallery Mark Meadows was indicted in both Georgia and Arizona over the unlawful attempt to overturn Joe Bidens 2020 election victory ( AP ) Trumps third and final chief of staff, a former North Carolina congressman, ended up being held in criminal contempt of Congress for refusing to talk to the House January 6 committee. He was also indicted, along with others, in both Georgia and Arizona over the unlawful attempt to overturn Joe Bidens 2020 election victory. Steve Bannon open image in gallery Steve Bannon walked free from jail just in time for Election Day ( AP ) The ex-Breitbart editor only actually served as Trumps senior counselor for the first eight months of his presidency but has remained a major figure in right-wing media. Like Meadows, he refused to comply with a subpoena from the House January 6 panel, was found guilty on two counts of contempt of Congress by a jury and, after taking his fight all the way to the Supreme Court, was finally jailed in Connecticut from July 1 to October 29 2024. He re-emerged to a heros welcome from the MAGA movement to resume podcasting just in time for Election Day. Kellyanne Conway open image in gallery Kellyanne Conway served as his White House senior counselor between 2017 and 2020 ( Getty ) Immortalised for coining the Orwellian phrase alternative facts in answer to the dispute over the size of the crowd at Trumps inauguration, Conway served as his White House senior counselor between 2017 and 2020. She remains a popular guest on conservative media and split from her husband George Conway, who is one of the most outspoken of the Never Trump Republicans. Sarah Huckabee Sanders open image in gallery Sarah Huckabee Sanders was Trumps press secretary from 2017 to 2019 ( AP ) Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders was Trumps press secretary from 2017 to 2019, spending her days defending him as the adminstration stumbled from one publicity disaster to the next. She was last heard from in September for attacking Harris for not having children of her own to keep her humble, despite the vice president having two step-children. Stephanie Grisham open image in gallery Stephanie Grisham has since come out as an outspoken opponent of Trump ( Reuters ) Sanderss successor lasted less than a year in the job and has since come out as an outspoken opponent of Trump, even addressing this summers Democratic National Convention. Speaking to CNN earlier this year, she said of the 45th president: He used to tell me when I was press secretary, Go out there and say this. And if it was false, he would say, It doesnt matter, Stephanie. Just say it over and over and over again, people will believe it. Anthony Scaramucci open image in gallery Anthony Scaramucci regularly speaks out against Trump ( Getty ) The brash New Yorker, who famously lasted just 10 days as communications director, has built a successful media career since leaving the White House, regularly speaking out against Trump and currently co-hosting the US edition of the popular The Rest is Politics podcast. Nikki Haley open image in gallery Nikki Haley ran against Trump for the Republican nomination in 2024 ( AP ) The former South Carolina governor was Trumps ambassador to the United Nations but earned his lasting emnity by running against him for the Republican nomination in 2024, where he mocked her remorselessly as Birdbrain and even questioned her husbands military service. Incredibly, she subsequently endorsed him, but Trump has largely shunned her help in campaigning. Peter Navarro open image in gallery Peter Navarro was jailed for ignoring subpoenas from Congress relating to January 6 ( Reuters ) Like Bannon, Trumps former trade adviser enthusiastically pushed election conspiracy theories and was jailed for ignoring subpoenas from Congress relating to January 6. Navarro received a rapturous reception from Trump supporters when he emerged from prison in Florida, going on later that same day to address the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Former President Donald Trump launched a profanity-laden attack on Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, calling the president a stupid bastard and the vice president a sleazebag. Trump made the comments on Thursday night during a sitdown event with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson in Glendale, Arizona. When Biden got up with a red background, the pink background, and he looked like the devil. he looked so stupid, right? Trump said. And he said, We will stop MAGA ... I said, Listen, you stupid b***ard. ... Maga means ... I think if you asked him, what does it mean, he does he doesn't know what Maga means. Make America Great Again, that's what MAGA means. Biden sparked debate in 2022 when he appeared in front of a red background at Independence Hall in Philadelphia flanked by flags and two Marines speaking about the dangers of Trumps attacks on democracy. On Thursday, Trump also slammed Harris for her remarks during their September debate where she encouraged viewers to watch a Trump rally, adding that people leave early out of exhaustion and boredom. When that sleazebag said during the debate, Oh, your rallies arent well attended and people leave. They dont leave, and theyre really well attended. We cant get places big enough, Trump said alongside Carlson. The former president also referred to former Republican Representative Liz Cheney, who has endorsed Harris, as a radical war hawk. Donald Trump went on a profanity-laden attack against some of his rivals as he spoke with Tucker Carlson just days before the election ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, okay? Trump said. And lets see how she feels about it, you know, when the guns are trained on her face. Early on Friday, Cheney responded on X, writing: This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. Trump also doubled down on his enemy within comments, pointing to Democratic representative and Senate candidate Adam Schiff. We do have an enemy from within. We have some very bad people, and those people are also very dangerous, the former president said. They would like to take down our country. Theyd like to have our country be a nice communist country or a fascist in any way they can. And we have to be careful of that. He added: Theyre the threat to democracy ... the amazing thing is where they say, He wants to become elected, and he wants to put people in jail. How terrible. Thats what theyve been trying to do to me for four years. Also calling Schiff a sleazebag, Trump said, hes probably going to be a senator if you can believe it. Hes unattractive both inside and out, he added. But this is a really bad guy. This is a dishonest guy, not a dumb guy at all. Schiff, on Thursday, responded to Trumps attacks earlier in the evening. Donald Trump spends every day talking about himself and his grievances. And attacking his enemies. Like me again tonight. What you wont hear? A single thing hell do for you. Were not going back, he wrote on X. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trump clinched victory in the 2024 presidential election last week, sweeping all seven swing states to secure 312 Electoral College votes in a dramatic and historic week for America. The president-elect eliminated his Democratic rival Kamala Harriss chances of making history as the first female president, and will now return to the White House on January 20, 2025 to serve a second term. Trump cemented his nationwide victory in the early hours of November 6 as the announcement of Wisconsins results took him over the line to surpass the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency. There were jubilant scenes at Trumps election night party in West Palm Beach, Florida, where the president-elect hailed the greatest political movement of all time and ushered in a golden age for America. Harris, meanwhile, addressed her supporters late afternoon on November 6, where she vowed to keep fighting in her concession speech. The vice president called Trump to congratulate him the following day. The light of the American promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up, she told the crowd, as her voice appeared to crack. Trump who was rejected by a majority of Americans in 2020 during his re-election campaign after winning an unprecedented race in 2016 flipped every swing state that incumbent President Joe Biden won in 2020. The president-elects legislative agenda will likely have support in Congress, where Republicans have flipped control of the Senate garnering a six seat majority and will keep control of the House of Representatives, having secured the 218 seats needed to maintain their majority. Trump broke through the so-called blue wall of Rust Belt battleground states, including Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. He also won the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina and Nevada closing out his sweep of the seven swing states. Harris supporters were pictured in distress at the watch party on election night at her alma mater Howard University in Washington DC as results began to trickle in. It was a very different picture over at West Palm Beach, where at 1.47am Fox News declared Trump the winner before some states had declared their results as he prepared to speak to his supporters. Its a political victory that our country has never seen before. Nothing like this, Trump told his supporters from a convention center stage at 2.30am while surrounded by members of the Trump family and his closest allies. open image in gallery Donald Trump basks in his election night victory at a convention center in West Palm Beach, Florida ( Getty Images ) Federal law enforcement agencies and election officials were prepared for disruptions this year after the chaotic aftermath of the 2020 election and Trumps spurious efforts to overturn the results of a race he lost. Officials attributed non-credible bomb threats in several states to Russian actors. Voters ranked the state of democracy as their number one issue informing their voting decision, according to exit polls. Trump has also won in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada North Dakota, South Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming, according to preliminary results. Harris, meanwhile, won the states of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington state as well as Washington DC. She also picked up electoral votes in Maine and Nebraska, two states with a unique split electoral vote scenario, rather than the winner-take-all outcome in other states. Trumps victory in Georgia reverses Democratic gains in the state after Biden narrowly defeated Trump there in 2020, when he became the first Democratic candidate to carry the state since Bill Clinton in 1992. His victory in Florida marks his third consecutive win in the state, after Democratic former president Barack Obama carried the state in both 2008 and 2012. open image in gallery Chairs and trash in an empty field following a Harris election night watch party at Howard University, Washington DC ( Getty Images ) Trump won four of Nebraskas five electoral votes in that states split electoral vote count and also won one electoral vote in Maine. Media outlets made their projections for each states winner as election workers counted ballots and preliminary voting data was released.The Independent relies on projections from the Associated Press. Outlets published their final projections in the early hours of November 6, with the Associated Press calling the race for Trump at 5:34 am ET. However, those determinations are only projections. The results must be certified in each state and then certified by Congress on January 6, 2025. Experts previously told The Independent that the timeline for calling the race largely depended on two things: How close the election is in individual states and the specific laws of those states regarding counting votes and potential recounts, which all vary. Senate and House races Republicans have seized control of the Senate for the first time in four years after flipping six seats and wresting a narrow majority in the upper chamber of Congress from Democrats of 53 to 47 seats. Republicans also maintained control of the House after securing a 218-seat majority on November 13. A Republican trifecta with leadership in the White House and majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives could quickly usher through the GOPs sweeping legislative agenda that has largely been restrained by Democratic lawmakers and Bidens presidency. Democratic candidates have now secured 214 House seats and Republicans have 220, with 1 yet to be called. Meanwhile, in the Senate, controversial Republican Tim Sheehy from Montana has defeated Democratic incumbent Jon Tester. Voters in Ohio have ousted Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown and elected Republican challenger Bernie Moreno, who previously called the former president a lunatic but has since adopted his agenda. West Virginias Republican Governor Jim Justice has won a seat in the Senate, flipping a seat previously held by now-former Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, who is not seeking re-election. Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida defeated Democratic opponent Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. And in Texas, Republican Ted Cruz fended off a challenge from Democratic candidate Colin Allred. In Marylands Senate race, Democratic candidate Angela Alsobrooks defeated the states former governor Larry Hogan, an anti-Trump Republican. Alsobrooks is set to become the first Black person the state ever elected to the Senate. For the first time in history, the Senate will include two Black women, including Alsobrooks and Democratic Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware. Nevadas Democratic Senate Jacky Rosen has fended off a challenge from Republican Sam Brown. Independent senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine both won re-election to their Senate seats. The Independent has included Sanders and King in the Democratic count because they caucus with the party. The final Senate race was called late on November 11, when Ruben Gallego defeated GOP candidate Kari Lake to secure Arizonas seat, which was previously held by independent Kyrsten Sinema. Only 34 of the nations 100 seats in the Senate were up for election this year, as senators serve six-year terms with a third being elected every two years. Eighteen of those seats were previously held by Democratic senators, posing a threat to their slim majority. But all 435 seats in the House were up for election. Voters in Delaware have elected Democratic candidate Sarah McBride to fill the states single House seat, making her the first openly transgender member of Congress in American history. Results will be refreshed live as they come in. Check back for updates. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy With days to go until America decides who will become the next president, there are concerns among some US allies over one of the most important aspects of their relationship with the worlds most powerful nation intelligence sharing. While a Kamala Harris presidency is expected to fit into a more predictable pattern of intelligence handling, security experts say some US allies have more anxiety about the alternative: Donald Trumps return to the White House. The Independent spoke to experts in intelligence, national security, and foreign policy from the UK, Australia, and Canada on the implications of a second Trump term. They all agree that the stakes couldnt be higher and suggest that the Republican candidates track record when it comes to leaking secret information is one of their causes for concern. There is trepidation about Mr Trump in the US intelligence community and throughout the Five Eyes network, Dr Michael Fullilove, executive director of Australias Lowy Institute for International Policy in Sydney, tells The Independent, referring to the intelligence-sharing network made up of the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The handling of secrets requires people to follow rules, Fullilove says. But Mr Trump doesnt seem to believe that rules apply to him. He sees himself as existing in a rule-free zone. When youre talking about the handling of classified intelligence, thats a problem. open image in gallery Experts are concerned about Donald Trumps intelligence handling ( Getty/Donald Trump/X/The Independent ) During Trumps first administration, the White House leaked like a sieve, Dr Daniel Larsen, a lecturer in intelligence and war studies at Scotlands Glasgow University and previously at Cambridge, tells The Independent. As a matter of law, a sitting president can declassify the most secret classified information, but US defense experts say even presidents have to transmit declassification orders through the proper channels. Trump and classified information In May 2017, months after taking office, Trump shared classified Israeli intelligence, concerning an undercover operation to infiltrate Isis, with the Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and the Russian ambassador to the US at the time, Sergey Kislyak, during a meeting in the Oval Office. Amid uproar, Trump insisted he had every right to do so, tweeting: As President I wanted to share with Russia (at an openly scheduled W.H. meeting) which I have the absolute right to do, facts pertaining to terrorism and airline flight safety. Humanitarian reasons, plus I want Russia to greatly step up their fight against ISIS & terrorism. In 2019, Trump tweeted a classified satellite image of a failed Iranian rocket launch to his millions of followers. Critics said that by doing so he risked revealing information about US surveillance techniques. Trump responded by telling reporters: We had a photo and I released it, which I have the absolute right to do. Trump is accused of illegally hoarding thousands of classified documents including papers relating to nuclear weapons and spy satellites at his Mar-a-Lago resort after his term as president ended. Criminal charges brought by special counsel Jack Smith were sensationally dismissed by a federal judge who was appointed by Trump, but Smith has appealed that decision. Meanwhile, Trump has said he will fire Smith for investigating him if he is elected, and has suggested that Smith should be forced to leave the country. Trump allegedly shared classified information about nuclear submarines to an Australian billionaire at Mar-a-Lago. In 2019, Trumps administration was accused of leaking information from the investigation into a terrorist attack on an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, which left 22 people dead. In response, British police briefly stopped sharing information with the US, although the UK intelligence agencies did not. open image in gallery Trump with Sergey Lavrov, left, and Sergey Kislyak in the Oval Office in May 2017. During the meeting Trump revealed secret information to his Russian guests about an Israeli intelligence operation. He later insisted he was entitled to do so ( EPA ) Despite the leaks from Trumps first term, experts largely agree that intelligence sharing between the allied nations would continue under a second Trump administration, but they acknowledge there would be some level of risk. Professor Thomas Juneau, a former defense analyst with Canadas Department of National Defense, explains that his country relies heavily upon the network as it gets way more than it gives. Is Trump going to kill the Five Eyes on day one? No. Thats way too extreme. But it is conceivable, says Juneau, an associate professor at the University of Ottawa. Is it conceivable that in four years, the Five Eyes are weakened and that we dont necessarily get as much through as we used to? Yes, of course it is. Fullilove, of the Lowy Institute, maintains that the Five Eyes will survive Trump, and says the assertion that US allies would stop sharing information with the Americans if he were elected is unrealistic. But he adds an important caveat: Trust is critical. Kim Darroch, a former British ambassador to the US who resigned in 2019 following the leak of some of his dispatches that were critical of Trump, told The Independent that the relationship between the UK and US intelligence communities is close, strong and durable and will flourish whatever the political climate. Christopher Steele, the former head of MI6s Russia desk who found himself at the center of a worldwide controversy after he authored the so-called Steele dossier, a series of startling allegations suggesting Trump might have been compromised by Moscow, has a much graver assessment. He tells The Independent that concern among British intelligence officials should be very high if Trump is re-elected. I dont think we can feel confident that any information that we give America as part of our very close and very important intelligence and security alliance would be safe, Steele says. In my 40-year career, Ive never felt so concerned about the state of the world. In 2019, a US Department of Justice report found that the FBI had raised doubts about the reliability of some of Steeles reports. However, Steele maintains to this day that the dossier an intelligence report collated for a private client contained original intelligence [and] was obtained from credible sources. In a new book titled Unredacted, Steele warns of a new world disorder if Trump takes back the White House next week. The view on Trumps home turf was that some of his behavior was very disturbing to those in the intelligence world, according to former New York Times correspondent Thom Shanker, who covered the Pentagon, the military and national security for the paper. In June 2023, prosecutors unsealed an indictment that contained photographs of boxes of classified information stacked in Trumps Mar-a-Lago bathroom. Thats kind of what really shocked people, Shanker, George Washington Universitys Project Director for Media and National Security, tells The Independent. open image in gallery Boxes of classified documents found at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort ( US Department of Justice/AFP via Getty Images ) They were just in the open, where countless numbers of people just walked by and could have reached in and grabbed some or read them. So I think that was very disturbing to a lot of people who work in that world. Joe Bidens home was also raided by the FBI in early 2023 after it emerged that he, too, took classified documents home with him when he was vice-president. Biden complied with the investigation, and no criminal charges were brought. Trump, however, was accused of a cover-up. When confronted with it, one cooperated with investigators, one obstructed, Shanker says. Taking the classified documents home is less telling than how they responded once they were confronted with it. So what do US allies think Trump 2.0 might look like? Darroch says he is more concerned about a potential second term. Back in 2016, Trump had never served in any level of government, so was entirely inexperienced on how to make things happen, he tells The Independent. And he brought some mainstream Republican figures into government who turned out not to share his ideas and objectives. He continues: If he wins a second term, its clear that he will appoint only supporters to positions around him, and he will have learnt from his first four years how to deliver. So bad ideas are much less likely to get stopped. open image in gallery Kim Darroch resigned as UK ambassador to the US in 2019 after dispatches critical of Trump were leaked ( Getty ) Juneau says it would be naive to assume Trumps second term would be like the first. My fear is that Trump two will be different, he warns. And the assumption that many are making here in Canada, but elsewhere too that we survived Trump one, so well be OK with Trump two I find that thats a naive assumption, even if its not completely impossible. Trump two will hit the ground running. Allied security services will be keeping a watchful eye on anyone Trump potentially nominates to head up the CIA and the NSA if he wins a second term. The thing that British intelligence would be watching like a hawk would be who he appoints to those positions, says Larsen, the British intelligence historian. There would obviously be more anxiety about a Trump administration just because of the much greater uncertainty as to who he might appoint and what those appointees might do. British officials, Larsen adds, would consider whether Trump appointees might do something that would fundamentally change the bureaucratic relationship between these agencies on both sides of the Atlantic. [Whereas] with the Harris administration, you could count on the pretty traditional appointees to these organizations who would leave the relationship in place as it is, he says. open image in gallery Trump and Vladimir Putin shake hands at the beginning of a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland on 16 July 2018 ( AP ) Differences in foreign policy could include Trumps attitude to Nato, the 32-member Western defense organization, which he has repeatedly criticized. In February, he said the US would not help defend members who failed to spend 2 per cent of their GDP on defense, as per NATO targets. Instead, he said, he would tell the Russians to do whatever the hell they want. John Bolton, who served as Trumps national security adviser, has said he feared Trump was planning to pull the US out of NATO completely. Some observers suggest he may do that in a second term, or perhaps just make clear that he would not back NATOs Article 5 commitment to come to the defense of any member that is attacked. Trump has also repeatedly praised Russian president Vladimir Putin, among other dictators. At a joint news conference in Helsinki in July 2018, Trump surprised onlookers by taking Putins word over that of US intelligence agencies on the issue of whether Russia had interfered in the 2016 US election. Unlike the first administration, Juneau says, Trump would surround himself with people who will loyally implement his true vision from day one. Jim Mattis, the first secretary of defense, some of [Trumps] first national security advisers, some of the people at the CIA, like [Mike] Pompeo, they were Republicans. They were conservatives, but they were professionals, and they were actively blocking Trumps craziest ideas, says Juneau. The fear has got to be, from a Canadian national security perspective, [that] that wont be the case under Trump two. Fullilove agrees that Trump leant on the so-called adults in the room when he was first in office. This time, he has said that he doesnt want those kinds of people in the room, and many of them will choose not to be in the room with him because theyve seen what happened to the people who served him in his first term, he adds. So you are likely to see more Maga characters in senior positions. open image in gallery Trump in the Oval Office during his first term ( EPA ) But Fullilove stresses that while it would be harder a second time round, Trump would not go completely unchecked. On the other hand, dont underestimate the resilience of the American system: the permanent civil service, the military, the Congress, the courts. He is also encouraged to hear JD Vance express his support for AUKUS, the trilateral security and defense partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US but warns that there is still some nervousness because of his running mate. I asked JD Vance about AUKUS at the Munich Security Conference in February, and he said that hes a fan, Fullilove said. The problem is that Mr Trump has no personal stake in AUKUS, and he has made a habit of ripping up deals that his predecessors signed. So, there is some risk to AUKUS. I wouldnt overstate it, but there is some nervousness in Canberra. When approached for comment, the Trump campaign claimed that the Harris-Biden administration has put our national security at risk more than any administration in history. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaigns national press secretary, said in a statement to The Independent: When President Trump was in office, NATO was strong, there was no war in Ukraine, and the Middle East was stable. Under Kamala Harris, the entire world is on the brink of a major war as Putin continues his crusade into Ukraine and Iran is funding terrorist attacks against our ally, Israel. Leavitt added: President Trump will restore world peace through American strength and ensure European nations carry their weight by paying their fair share to our mutual defense to lighten the unfair burden on American taxpayers. As Americans head to the polls on Nov. 5, the world holds its collective breath as the count to determine the most powerful politician in the world goes down to the wire. The world is in the most fragile and dangerous state that it has been for a generation with war in Europe, conflict in the Middle East, and tension with China, Darroch said. Against this backdrop, the American peoples decision on who leads them for the next four years is more consequential than ever. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A noted Belarusian film director and dissident who was held in Serbia for a year while Belarus sought his extradition has been released and gone to Germany. Andrei Hniot told The Associated Press that Serbian authorities released him from house arrest on Thursday, exactly a year after he was detained. Under Serbian law, pre-extradition detention cannot exceed one year, said his lawyer Filip Sofijanic. Belarus issued an international warrant for Hniot on charges of tax evasion, which he claims are false. Hniot is a noted critic of Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. He participated in the huge protests that gripped the country in 2020 following a a presidential election whose disputed results gave Lukashenko a sixth term in office. Authorities launched an extensive and harsh crackdown on opposition amid the protests, which continues to the present day. More than 65,000 people were arrested for protesting or other opposition activity. The country's most prominent opposition figures are now imprisoned or have fled the country. Hniot said he was able to leave Serbia without problems. In Berlin I was able to to breathe a sigh of relief and try to comprehend that this nightmarish year is already behind me, he said. Belarusian opposition figures abroad campaigned for Hniot's release. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who was forced to leave Belarus after she ran against Lukashenko in 2020, said the German Foreign Ministry and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen supported efforts to release Hniot. The Belarusian human rights group Viasna says there are about 1,300 political prisoners in Belarus, including the group's Nobel Peace Prize-winning founder Ales Bialiatski. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thousands of people lined the streets of Dublin eagerly anticipating a Halloween Parade through the city centre - but it never arrived. The decked-out Dubliners had been tricked by a listing on a AI-generated website based in Pakistan that announced the spooky festival before news of it quickly spread online. The My Spirit Halloween website falsely advertised the Macnas Halloween Parade would take place from 7pm to 9pm, with interest in it seeing the news ranking on Google. open image in gallery Hundreds of people wait for the non-existant parade ( @peterfarrelly/TikTok ) But when thousands appeared to turn up to line the route from Parnell Street to Christchurch Cathedral, it slowly became clear to those waiting that there was no event. Peter Farrelly shot video from his window of the crowds gathering at OConnell Street leaving space along the road for the fake Halloween Parade. open image in gallery Thousands flocked to Dublin City centre to see the parade that never was ( Artur Martins/PA Wire ) He told The Independent: It was funny. We are still smiling now. It took about an hour from the start time for people The Gardai were trying to clear the street. It was also the festival of Divali last night so a lot of people were out on the street as well. The situation forced The Gardai to put out a message for those waiting on OConnell Street to disperse safely. A spokesperson said: Please be advised that contrary to information being circulated online, no Halloween parade is scheduled to take place in Dublin city centre this evening or tonight. All those gathered on OConnell Street in expectation of such a parade are asked to disperse safely. One attendee said on X: People waiting for a Halloween parade. No Gardai around, no official announcement, people waiting on the wrong side of the road...Someone did pull a big hoax. Another replied: The real lesson to be learned here is that a lot of people would clearly attend a Halloween parade and Dublin City Council should organise one next year. open image in gallery Hundreds line OConnell Street for the fake Halloween Parade ( @peterfarrelly/TikTok ) Sinn Fein councillor Janice Boylan said described the situation as really sad. She added: Everyone is trying to have a fun and safe Halloween. Having a parade to go to sounded really good. I know an awful lot of people turned up. Its a terrible pity. The My Spirit Halloween listing appeared to have been taken down on Friday morning. The site curates Halloween events spanning the globe. Award-winning performing arts group Macnas have been holding an annual Halloween Parade in Dublin since 2013, with last years parade seeing witches, zombie dancers and wolves shuffling down Capel Street. It was the first Halloween Parade after a four year hiatus over lockdown - but there were no plans for one in 2024. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy As emergency services continue to search for those still missing in Spain, many are questioning what caused the devastating flash flooding which has killed at least 217 people. Dubbed the flood of the century, rainfall last Tuesday saw wide swathes of southern and eastern Spain completely destroyed by torrents of muddy water. With cars tumbling down streets in Valencia and village roads turned to rivers, the army was drafted in to assist in the ongoing rescue operation. Aemet, Spains meteorological agency, said Valencia had seen the most adverse cold drop of the century, prior to this weeks floods. ( AFP via Getty Images ) The region is known to be particularly vulnerable to torrential autumn downpours, caused by a weather phenomenon known as the cold drop or DANA. However, the destructive weather system is believed to be worsening in the wake of climate change, accumulating in the flash flooding being the worst the region has seen in three decades. From weather phenomena to flood defences: here is what may have accelerated Spains deadly flash floods: The cold drop A cold drop is a term used in Spain and France to refer to a weather phenomenon that is observed every autumn sparking torrential rain. Otherwise known as the DANA weather system, it has occurred for many years on Spains Mediterranean coast but scientists believe it is being made increasingly worse by climate change. It happens when cold air meets the warm, moist air over the Mediterranean Sea, the hotter air rises rapidly to form vast rain clouds quickly. These water-laden clouds can remain in the same area for many hours, raising their destructive potential. Eastern and southern Spain are particularly susceptible to the phenomenon due to their position between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The cold drop results in water-laden clouds hovering over locations for many hours ( Reuters ) Climate change Aemet, Spains meteorological agency, said Valencia had seen the most adverse cold drop of the century prior to the floods. The increase in torrential rain has likely been impacted by climate change with an Aemet spokesperson telling local media: It is not possible for air and sea temperatures to be increasing and everything else to remain the same. The forecaster added that not only has the temperature change intensified the phenomenon and torrential rain, but it has also made them more frequent. The increased summer heat has also meant the ground in Valencia is harder and less able to absorb the excessive amount of water. Since the storm, there has been debate about the strength of Valencias flood defences ( AP ) Flood defences Since the storm, many have argued Valencias flood defences are not strong enough to handle such extreme weather. The region is particularly at risk of flash flooding due to its hard ground and vulnerability to the cold drop but its infrastructure has been unable to protect its residents. Spains civil protection service did not issue an alert warning residents not to leave home until after 8pm on Tuesday 29 October too late for the many already trapped on roads. Residents have also said the drainage was inadequate, especially for smaller towns near rivers. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Renaissance figure Michelangelo may have depicted a woman suffering from breast cancer in a famous fresco of a biblical flood on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, according to researchers. The team of art-history and medical experts found that the Florentine sculptor and painters detailing of the womans right breast and area close to her right armpit was consistent with the disease. The Flood, one of a series from the Book of Genesis covering the vault of the Vatican City landmark, depicts many doomed people fleeing a rising flood while others seek refuge on Noahs Ark in the background. The researchers, writing in journal The Breast earlier this month, conclude the artists hint of the disease aligned with the inevitability of death in the scene. The representation of a probable breast cancer is linked to the concept of the impermanence of life and has the significance of punishment, the authors said. The eight authors include Andreas Nerlich from Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Germany; Johann Dewaal from the Breast Centre in Dachau, Germany; and Raffaella Bianucci from Paris-Saclay University in France. open image in gallery Woman with blue headscarf in bottom-left appears to have breast cancer, experts say ( Alamy ) The woman, in the bottom-left corner of the scene, wears a blue headscarf, indicating she is married. The researchers say that while her left breast shows signs of breastfeeding, the right has a significantly retracted and deformed nipple and a slight bulge consistent with a lump. Similarly, towards the left axilla [armpit], another slight bulge is seen, which could represent enlarged nodes, they said. Michelangelo was known for his interest in the human anatomy, which included the dissection of corpses to better inform his own artistic depictions. Michelangelo, who began assisting to autopsies when 17 years old, would have observed pathology potentially including [breast cancer}, the research authors said. The practice of interpreting potential medical conditions in art is called iconodiagnosis, a discipline requiring collaboration betweem experts in biomedicine, medical history, and art history. open image in gallery The Renaissance painters frescos depict scenes from the book of Genesis ( Getty ) The research team said it formed the view of Michelangelos depiction after comparing breasts in his other paintings and sculptures. The result of our observation indicates that Michelangelo had knowledge of healthy breasts of different sizes and morphologies and adapted them to the biblical feminine personages, the authors said. Speaking to The Independent, University of Edinburgh medical historian Dr Agnes Arnold-Forster said studies such as this were useful as they provided an historical insight into what non-medical people knew about particular diseases. It tells us something interesting about Michelangelo, Dr Arnold-Foster said. Did he know that it was breast cancer that he was painting? Was it a deliberate choice that has some kind of iconography? Was he trying to make a point? She said that, from an historical perspective, the study didnt reveal more than what was already known. We already know a lot about cancer in early modern Europe, she said, adding many people mistakenly believed it was a 20th century disease when it was in fact written about in texts from physicians from the time, and contained in early newspaper obituaries. However, she said it wasnt often seen in art from the time. Generally speaking, Renaissance paintings of bodies are representing an idealised form. Even if you see an aberration in the body, youre not necessarily going to paint it, she said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nearly 10,000 North Korean troops have arrived in Russia near Ukraines border, sparking concern that they may soon join Moscows war effort. US secretary of state Antony Blinken confirmed the deployment on Thursday, adding that these troops have been trained in artillery and drone operations and basic infantry tactics. Mr Blinken claimed that about 8,000 of the Korean soldiers are positioned in Kursk, the border region where Russian forces have been fighting off a Ukrainian incursion since August. This troop count is a sharp increase from previous estimates. US defence secretary Lloyd Austin just a day earlier indicated only a partial movement of Korean soldiers towards the Ukraine border. Mr Blinken warned that the Korean soldiers would become legitimate military targets if they engaged in combat operations. Weve not yet seen these troops deploy into combat against Ukrainian forces but we would expect that to happen in the coming days, he said at a joint press briefing with South Korean and US defence officials. open image in gallery American fighters with callsigns Dima, right, and Neko fighting with the 23rd separate rifle battalion of Ukrainian army in the Kharkiv region on 26 October 2024 ( AP ) South Korea has put the number of North Korean soldiers in Russia as high as 11,000 while Ukraine has claimed there are nearly 12,000 of them. South Korean foreign minister Cho Tae-yul denounced the deployment, describing it as a serious threat not only to Europe but also to stability on the Korean peninsula. He urged for an immediate withdrawal and warned that Seoul would respond appropriately to this escalation. Tensions on the peninsula intensified on Thursday after North Korea tested an advanced intercontinental ballistic missile, the first in nearly a year. open image in gallery Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a Russian missile attack in Kharkiv on 31 October 2024 ( AFP via Getty ) US and South Korea fear Moscows alliance with Pyongyang could deepen if technological assistance for North Koreas weapons development is involved. In response, Mr Blinken has called on China to use its influence to curb North Koreas involvement, noting that recent talks with Chinese officials underscored the expectations for Beijing to take action. I think they know well the concerns that we have, and the expectations that, both in word and deed, theyll use the influence that they have to work to curb these activities, Mr Blinken said of Chinese officials. The US, South Korea and Japan have since issued a joint statement condemning the missile launch, describing it as a flagrant violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. They urged North Korea to immediately cease its series of provocative and destabilising actions that threaten peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and beyond. They also criticised the increasing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, calling it a destabilising factor for peace on the Korean peninsula and beyond. Mr Austin, meanwhile, said the US will announce new military assistance for Ukraine in the coming days. The US has already supplied more than $59bn in military assistance to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022, and Mr Austin reaffirmed Washingtons commitment to continue supporting Kyiv. open image in gallery State Emergency Service of Ukraine rescuers search through debris at an apartment building damaged by a Russian airstrike in Kharkiv on 31 October 2024 ( AFP via Getty ) Mr Austin said Ukraine could hold on to the Russian territory in Kursk. I do believe that they can hold on to the territory, if they choose to do that. They do have options, Mr Austin said of Ukrainian troops. He argued that the impact of North Korean troops on the conflict would be limited given the high casualty rates among Russian forces. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, however, said the deployment of the Korean forces presents a challenge. Russian leader Vladimir Putin is testing the reaction of the West, Mr Zelensky said, noting the North Korean deployment could serve as a gauge for potential future escalations. At a UN Security Council session on Thursday, US deputy ambassador Robert Wood highlighted the presence of Korean troops near Ukraine. Addressing the Russian representative, he asked, Does Russia still maintain that there are no DPRK troops in Russia? Russias deputy ambassador Anna Evstigneeva declined to respond. However, Vassily Nebenzia, the Russian envoy to the UN, questioned on 30 October why Moscows allies like North Korea cannot help it when Western countries claim the right to help Kyiv. Even if everything thats being said about the cooperation between Russia and North Korea by our Western colleagues is true, why is it that the United States and allies are trying to impose on everyone the flawed logic that they have the right to help the Zelensky regime, he asked, and Russian allies have no right to do a similar thing? In addition to sending troops, North Korea has reportedly supplied military equipment to Russia, with the White House releasing pictures earlier this month purportedly showing over 1,000 containers of munitions en route to Russia by rail. This support, along with Iranian drones supplied to Russia, underscores the increased involvement of international actors in the ongoing war. According to Western analysts, North Koreas participation in the war suggests Russias forces are stretched thin. You dont get thousands of soldiers from North Korea if your war is going well, remarked Justin Crump, a former British tank commander and head of strategic advisory firm Sibylline. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The first military personnel from North Korea in Russia's border region of Kursk have already come under fire from Ukraine amid concerns about Pyongyang sending thousands of soldiers to Vladimir Putins war for nuclear rewards. The Pentagon last week said North Korea dispatched 10,000 troops to Russia, with some of them believed to be heading to Kursk to join Mr Putins forces in their invasion of Ukraine amid the biggest conflict Europe has seen since the Second World War. The Russian forces are facing difficulty in pushing back Ukraines cross-border incursion launched on 6 August. "The first military personnel of the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] have already come under fire in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation," said Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation head Andriy Kovalenko on Monday, referring to North Korea. A UN spokesperson said secretary-general Antonio Guterres was "very concerned" about North Korean troops being sent to Russia and their "possible deployment to the conflict zone". The spokesperson said "everything must be done to avoid any internationalisation of this conflict". Ukraines estimates, higher than Washingtons, suggest that around 12,000 North Koreans are involved in fighting on behalf of Russia. Of these, more than 7,000 North Koreans with Russian gear and weapons are already in areas near Ukraine, Kyivs military intelligence agency said on Saturday. An anxious Volodymyr Zelensky urged Ukraines allies to take steps to prevent the deployment of Pyongyangs troops instead of just "watching" and "waiting. The Ukrainian president suggested a preemptive Ukrainian strike on camps where the North Korean troops are being trained, but said Kyiv won't be able to do so without the permission from Western allies. Western leaders described the North Korean troop deployment as a significant escalation that could also jolt relations in the Indo-Pacific region, and open the door to technology transfers from Moscow to Pyongyang that could advance the threat posed by North Koreas nuclear weapons and missile program. South Korean defence minister Kim Yong Hyun and the EUs visiting foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, expressed serious concerns about the troop dispatch and strongly condemned the move on Monday. Last week, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte confirmed the Ukrainian intelligence reports of the presence of North Korean military units in Kursk. The deployment of North Korean troops to Kursk is also a sign of [president] Putins growing desperation, he said. open image in gallery ( AP ) Mr Putin has not denied North Koreas involvement in the war, following the repeated rejection of reports by the Kremlin as fake news. Pyongyang recently vowed to back Russia till it achieved victory over Ukraine. Our traditional, historically friendly relations, which have traveled the tested path of history, today ... are rising to a new level of relations of invincible military comradeship, the Norths foreign minister Choe Son Hui said during her trip to Moscow last week. It came as US secretary of state Antony Blinken warned North Korean troops fighting inside the Russian presidents meat grinder war would be a legitimate military target. Mr Zelensky said last month North Korean officers and technical personnel had been spotted in Russian-occupied territories but did not specify when. I believe they sent officers first to assess the situation before deploying troops, Mr Zelensky said last week, warning that the participation of a third country could escalate the conflict into a world war. Ukraine published a video purportedly showing dozens of North Koreans lining up to collect Russian military fatigues after South Koreas National Intelligence Service said Pyongyang had shipped 1,500 special forces troops to Russia's Far East for training. Ukrainian authorities said they cannot provide additional verification from the sources who provided it to us due to security concerns. Ukraine and Russia have both received weapons from allies since Mr Putin invaded in February 2022, with Kyivs war effort increasingly reliant on money and arms from the West. But neither has yet been backed up by large deployments of troops from a third country. open image in gallery ( KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image ) What is the extent of North Korea's involvement? The US believes at least 3,000 North Korean troops are undergoing training at three military bases in eastern Russia, White House spokesperson John Kirby said last month. According to the White House, the US determined the North Korean soldiers were transported by ship in early-to-mid October from North Koreas Wonsan region to the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok before being taken to three military training sites in eastern Russia, Mr Kirby said. If they do deploy to fight against Ukraine, theyre fair game, he said. Theyre fair targets and the Ukrainian military will defend themselves against North Korean soldiers the same way theyre defending themselves against Russian soldiers. South Koreas National Intelligence Service said Pyongyang has sent around 3,000 troops including special forces to Russias far east for military training and acclimatising at the bases there, in what could be readiness for combat in the war. The troops have been supplied with Russian military uniforms , weapons and false identification documents ahead of their deployment for combat, the NIS said. North Korea is forging closer military ties with Russia just as it is severing relations with South Korea, prompting the US, Japan, South Korea and eight other Western governments to form a new multinational team to monitor the enforcement of sanctions against Pyongyang. The US Department of the Treasury claimed in May that Moscow had used more than 40 ballistic missiles from North Korea in its attacks across Ukraine as well as other munitions in breach of UN Security Council resolutions. Mr Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reportedly signed a mutual aid agreement in June to facilitate the transfer of ammunition and missiles for Moscows war effort. The US State Department said there were signs that North Korea was increasing its supply of weapons like artillery shells and missiles to Russia which was creating further instability in Europe". Are North Koreans already fighting for Russia? Ukrainian media reported this month that six North Korean soldiers had been killed in a missile strike in eastern Donetsk on 3 October. The reports have not been confirmed. The issue of deploying regular troops is highly likely due to the mutual agreements that resemble a military alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow, South Korean defence minister Kim Yong-Hyun said earlier this month. South Koreas spy agency said it used AI facial recognition technology to identify a delegation of dozens of North Korean officers visiting frontline areas in Ukraine to instruct Russian soldiers how to operate KN-23 ballistic missiles allegedly supplied by Pyongyang. It also claimed vessels of Russia's Pacific Fleet were detected moving the North Korean special forces troops to Vladivostok from 8 to 13 October. A North Korean troop deployment, if confirmed, would bolster the fast-diminishing ranks of the Russian military. Neither side makes casualty figures public, but the New York Times reported Russia had seen at least 115,000 soldiers killed and 500,000 wounded since the start of the war over two years ago. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported last month that about one million Ukrainians and Russians had been killed or wounded since the war began. There have been reports in the past that North Korea sent civilian workers to help with reconstruction efforts in occupied Ukrainian regions captured by Russia after the war started in February 2022. open image in gallery COREAS-TENSIONES ( AP ) How does sending troops to Ukraine benefit Pyongyang? North Koreas strategic partnership with Moscow has deepened significantly since Mr Kim travelled to Russia for a rare foreign visit last year. Mr Putin then visited the North this year and the two leaders signed a defence pact that called for mutual assistance using all available means in the event of aggression against either country. The North would receive Russian funds for sending troops to the Ukrainian frontline, money which Pyongyang needs to build its nuclear force, said Andrei Lankov, director of a security analysis firm Korea Risk Group. Pyongyang would be paid well and maybe get access to Russian military technology, which otherwise Moscow would have been reluctant to transfer to North Korea, Mr Lankov told the BBC. It would also give their soldiers real combat experience, but there is also the risk of exposing North Koreans to life in the West, which is a considerably more prosperous place. US National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said that any North Korean involvement in the war would represent a significant increase in its defence ties with Russia. It also indicates a new level of desperation for Russia as it continues to suffer significant casualties on the battlefield in its brutal war against Ukraine, he was quoted as saying by The Guardian. In a show of support, Russia in March vetoed a UN resolution that effectively abolished monitoring by UN experts of Security Council sanctions against North Korea. It prompted Western accusations that Moscow was acting to shield its arms purchases from Pyongyang to fuel its war in Ukraine. North Korea has shipped about 7,000 containers filled with munitions to Russia since last year and in return for 9,000 Russian containers likely filled with aid, South Korea has claimed. Aiding Russia can also backfire on Pyongyang as North Korea has been under UN Security Council sanctions since 2006 and the measures have been steadily strengthened over the years with the aim of halting Pyongyangs development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. The Security Council has a North Korea sanctions committee made up of the 15 council members, including Russia to examine and take appropriate action on information regarding alleged violations. It operates by consensus and can designate individuals and entities. A Security Council member could also propose action through the adoption of a resolution, but that would require at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by Russia, China, the United States, France or Britain. open image in gallery ( AP ) How are the US and its allies responding? If North Koreas participation in Russian invasion of Ukraine is confirmed, the US hinted there will be no limits on the use of its weapons given to Kyiv. "If we see DPRK troops moving in towards the front lines, they are co-belligerents in the war," Ms Singh said, using the acronym for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or North Korea. "This is a calculation that North Korea has to make." It is not immediately clear how or when Nato allies might respond to the North Korean involvement. They could likely lift restrictions that prevent Ukraine from using Western-supplied weapons for long-range strikes on Russian soil. German and British officials also weighed in last week with South Korea hinting that it could support Ukraine with military weapons in the event of North Koreas confirmed involvement. We dont even know whether we are talking about 1,500 or 12,000, or which kind of soldiers are coming to Russia and to fight where and against, German defence minister Boris Pistorius said. Its a kind of escalation and it shows us a very important, a very important aspect. International conflicts are approaching very rapidly. British defence secretary John Healey said there was not just a concern about the potential for an escalation of conflict in Europe. There is an indivisible link with security concerns in the Indo-Pacific as well. Earlier this week, South Koreas foreign ministry summoned the Russian ambassador in Seoul to register its protest and demand the immediate withdrawal of alleged North Korean troops from Ukraine. Kim Hong-kyun, the Souths first vice foreign minister, said the participation of North Korean troops in the war in Ukraine violated UN resolutions and the UN charter and posed serious threats to the security of South Korea. We condemn North Koreas illegal military cooperation, including its dispatch of troops to Russia, in the strongest terms, the ministry quoted Mr Kim as saying. The US, Japan and South Korea have separately issued a joint statement condemning North Korea for its nuclear and missile developments, deepening military cooperation with Russia and engaging in allegedly illegal activities to fund its weapons programmes. The statement also highlighted Washingtons ironclad commitment to defend its allies. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The thousands of young soldiers North Korea has sent to Russia, reportedly to help fight against Ukraine, are mostly elite special forces, but that hasn't stopped speculation they'll be slaughtered because they have no combat experience, no familiarity with the terrain and will likely be dropped onto the most ferocious battlefields. That may be true, and soon. Observers say the troops are already arriving at the front. From the North Korean perspective, however, these soldiers might not be as miserable as outsiders think. They may, in fact, view their Russian tour with pride and as a rare chance to make good money, see a foreign country for the first time, and win preferred treatment for their families back home, according to former North Korean soldiers. They are too young and won't understand exactly what it means. They'll just consider it an honor to be selected as the ones to go to Russia among the many North Korean soldiers, said Lee Woong-gil, a former member of the same special forces unit, the Storm Corps. He came to South Korea in 2007. But I think most of them wont likely come back home alive. open image in gallery ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) Worries about North Koreas likely participation in the Russian-Ukraine war were highlighted this week when the Pentagon said North Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia, and that they will likely fight against Ukraine over the next several weeks. Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Monday that some North Korean military units were already in Russias Kursk border region, where Russia has been struggling against a Ukraine incursion. North Korea's troop deployment could mark a serious escalation of the almost three-year war. It caught many outside observers by surprise because North Korea has its own security headache, a festering standoff with the United States and South Korea over its nuclear program. open image in gallery North Korea Russia Young Soldiers ( KCNA via KNS ) Large North Korean troop casualties would be a major political blow for the countrys 40-year-old ruler, Kim Jong Un. But experts say Kim may see this as a way to get much needed foreign currency and security support from Russia in return for joining Russia's war against Ukraine. Kim Jong Un is taking a big gamble. If there are no large casualty numbers, he will get what he wants to some extent. But things will change a lot if many of his soldiers die in battle, said Ahn Chan-il, a former North Korean army first lieutenant who is now head of the World Institute for North Korean Studies think tank in Seoul. The Storm Corps, also known as the 11th Corps, is one of Kims top units. Its main missions would be infiltrating agents into South Korea, blowing up important facilities in the South and assassinating key figures in the event of war on the Korean Peninsula. Lee, who served in the Storm Corps in 1998-2003, recalled that his unit received better food and supplies than other units, but many members still suffered from malnutrition and tuberculosis. Despite a gradual economic recovery in North Korean over the past 30 years, defectors say the average monthly wage for ordinary North Korean workers and soldiers is less than $1. They say many people engage in capitalist market activities to make a living because the country's state rationing system remains largely broken. Russia is expected to pay all the costs related to the deployment of North Korean troops, including their wages, which observers estimate will be at least $2,000 per month for each person. About 90% to 95% of their stipends will likely go to Kims coffers, and the rest to the soldiers. This means one year of service in Russia would earn a North Korean soldier $1,200 to $2,400. That's big enough to prompt many young soldiers to volunteer for risky Russian tours, former soldiers say. Ahn said North Korea will likely offer other incentives meant to elevate the social standings of soldiers, such as membership in the ruling Workers Party and the right to move to Pyongyang, the countrys showcase capital. Kang Mi-Jin, a defector who runs a company analyzing North Koreas economy, said even family members of soldiers sent to Russia could be given benefits such as good houses or entrance to good universities. Choi Jung-hoon, a former first lieutenant in North Koreas army, said serving on foreign soil will attract many soldiers who are eager to see other countries for the first time. North Koreans are barred from accessing foreign news and need state approval to move from one province to another within the country. North Korean construction, logging and other workers sent abroad to bring in foreign currency have often been called slaves by international human rights groups. But defectors testify that such overseas jobs are often better than staying in North Korea, and many used bribery and family connections to get them. North Korean soldiers would see going to Russia as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Ahn said. Ahn and other observers say such views could change if the soldiers see colleagues dying in large numbers. They say many North Korean soldiers could surrender to Ukraine forces and ask for resettlement in South Korea. North Korean soldiers have been trained on the Korean Peninsula's mountainous terrain and are not familiar with the largely flat plain battlefields in the Russian-Ukraine war. They also don't understand modern warfare, including drone use, because North Korea hasnt fought a big battle since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, experts say. My heart ached, said Choi, now leader of an activist group in Seoul, when he saw a Ukraine video purportedly showing undersized North Korean soldiers believed to be in their late teens or early 20s. "None would think they are going to Russia to die. ... But I think they're cannon fodder because they will surely be killed when they're sent to the most dangerous sites, Choi said. Leader Kim Jong Un may also be hoping that his troop offer will push Russia to share sophisticated and highly sensitive technology that he needs to perfect his nuclear-capable missiles. That transfer could depend on how long the war continues and how many more troops Kim will send. Nam Sung-wook, a former director of a think tank run by South Koreas spy agency, said North Korea will likely get hundreds of millions of dollars because of the soldiers' wages. The soldiers will get direct experience of modern warfare but will likely die in large numbers, and Russia will be reluctant to hand over its high-tech missile technology, he said. North Korea will continue to hide its troop dispatches from its own people because the public will be agitated if they know their soldiers are being sent abroad to be killed, said Nam, who is now a professor at Korea University in South Korea. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A 15-year-old boy has been left in critical condition after being shot in the head during a drive-by attack allegedly linked to drug trafficking in western France, local officials and media have reported, with hundreds of people caught in a subsequent late-night brawl. The teenager was reportedly among five people injured in the attack in the city of Poitiers, two more of whom were also teenagers, French media claimed. Interior minister Bruno Retailleau told BFMTV/RMC radio on Friday that the shooting began at 10.45pm local time on Thursday in front of a restaurant before rapidly escalating into a mass fight. What started as a shooting at a restaurant ended up in a fight between rival gangs that involved several hundred people, Mr Retailleau said. BFMTV said that people in a car reportedly opened fire on a bar-restaurant on the Place Coimbra, a known drug-trafficking hotspot, before driving off. When police found the victims near the bar, which was reportedly riddled with up to a dozen bullet holes, they were attacked by youths during a battle between rival gangs involving hundreds of people, BFMTV added. Mr Retailleau described the episode of violence as the tipping point in France. The incident comes less than a week after a five-year-old was left in critical condition after being shot last Saturday in Rennes, northwest France. The child was hit by gunfire while in a car with his father in the citys Maurepas neighbourhood, an area identified by intelligence services as one of the citys major drug dealing areas. Trafficking gangs today have no limits, Mr Retailleau said. These shootouts are not in Latin America, they are in Rennes, in Poitiers, in once-tranquil western France. Referencing drug cartel violence in Mexico, the minister added: We have a choice between general mobilisation or the Mexicanisation of the country. Reports about the ensuing brawl in Poitiers are conflicting, but police sources told France Info that up to 600 people may have been involved, though not at the same time. They said the fight happened in several stages that rarely involved more than 100 individuals taking part at any one time. The mayor of Poitiers, Leonore Moncondhuy, described the incident as a new episode of unacceptable violence. The youth of those involved is particularly worrying, she added in a statement on X (Twitter). I call for everyones responsibility to maintain calm in the city, and welcome the increased presence of security forces. The office of the Vienne district, of which Poitiers is the capital, wrote that police reinforcements have been deployed in the city. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy At least 217 people are dead after Spain was struck by the worst floods in recent memory that submerged towns, toppled bridges and cut entire communities off from the outside world. The deadly floods left cars piled up like toys in streets, swallowed homes, and covered entire neighbourhoods in sludge and debris. Muddy rivers swept away everything in their path roads, houses and key infrastructure. Thousands of people are still facing power and water cuts and shortages of basic goods, especially in the eastern region, the worst affected. Follow our live coverage of Spain floods. Rescue workers are facing challenges as they sift through the wreckage in search of survivors. Authorities have reported 202 fatalities so far, most of them from the eastern city of Valencia. The search for the missing people continues, but as the floodwaters recede, fears are mounting that more bodies will be found in remote or inaccessible areas. Many cars piled up in the streets are also suspected to have bodies inside. open image in gallery A man stands next to flooded cars piled up in Valencia, Spain ( AP ) The prime minister has declared the Valencia region a disaster zone and warned that the devastation is not finished. Our priority is to find the victims and the missing so we can help end the suffering of their families, Pedro Sanchez said. Heres all we know about the devastating floods, the causes, and the scale of the impact. What is gota fria? The disaster started early last week, when an unusual weather pattern known locally as gota fria or cold drop hit the eastern coast of Spain. It occurs when a cold air mass interacts with warmer, moisture-laden Mediterranean air, triggering heavy rainfall over a concentrated area. Spains national weather service said it rained more in eight hours in the Valencian town of Chiva than it had in the preceding 20 months. open image in gallery Satellite pictures show Valencia after, left, and before the deadly floods ( Maxar Tech ) Rivers quickly swelled, escaping their banks and inundating towns with little warning. Then the streets turned to rivers, sweeping away cars, trees, and anything else in their path. In the town of Gandia, floodwaters surged through neighbourhoods, forcing residents to flee within minutes. The speed and intensity of the flooding caught many off guard, with some people stranded on rooftops or clinging to trees as the water rose. One video showed a driver and a passenger clinging to the roof of a car as the water surged around them. open image in gallery Residents carry their belongings as they leave their houses affected by floods in Valencia, Spain ( AP ) First responders worked round the clock to evacuate those in immediate danger, but many were trapped as bridges collapsed, roads were washed out and power outages spread. Everything looks apocalyptic The floods have displaced thousands of people, forcing them to abandon homes, farms and businesses. For many, going back is impossible right now with entire residential blocks submerged in some places. A man wept as he showed a reporter from national broadcaster RTVE the shell of what was once the ground floor of his home in Catarroja, south of Valencia. It looked as though a bomb had detonated inside, obliterating furniture and belongings, and stripping the paint off some walls. open image in gallery A young woman laments after seeing the state of her house in La Torre, Valencia, Spain ( Anadolu via Getty ) In Paiporta, mayor Maribel Albalat said Thursday that at least 62 people had perished in the community of 25,000 next to Valencia city. Paiporta never has floods, we never have this kind of problem. And we found a lot of elderly people in the town centre, Ms Albalat told RTVE. There were also a lot of people who came to get their cars out of their garages ... it was a real trap. People clean a house as the street is covered in mud after flash floods affected La Torre in Valencia, Spain ( AFP/Getty ) The disaster is also taking a high emotional toll as families mourn lost members and face the grim reality of starting over. Community centres and temporary shelters are struggling to accommodate the displaced, providing makeshift beds and emergency supplies to meet basic needs. Alba Paredes Borja is from the Spanish town of Alfafar, one of the areas hardest hit by the deadly storm, where local authorities are calling for urgent help in receiving food, water and medical supplies. Im terrified. Everything looks apocalyptic, she told The Independent. Volunteers from nearby regions have stepped in to provide aid while local charities are distributing food and clothing to those who fled with only the clothes on their backs. Flights and trains suspended and highways broken The floods have devastated infrastructure. Roads are strewn with broken barriers and washed-out sections, and key bridges have collapsed, leaving many areas cut off from emergency responders. Valencias high-speed trains to Madrid remain suspended, with several segments of the tracks washed away, and major highways blocked by landslides and debris. open image in gallery A man stands next to houses affected by floods in Valencia, Spain ( AP ) Air travel has been disrupted as well, with flights delayed or cancelled at several airports in the region. Authorities warn that restoring normal travel could take weeks as crews work to assess damage, clear rubble, and reconstruct essential routes. On Wednesday, the UK Foreign Office issued a new warning for people planning to visit Spain and advising them to pay close attention to weather warnings. Severe weather and flooding is affecting many areas of Southern and Eastern Spain, particularly the Valencia region and Castilla La Mancha. Journeys may be affected, it said. How climate crisis exacerbated Spains floods The rainfall was amplified by unusually warm Mediterranean temperatures, a result of manmade climate crisis. Warmer air holds more moisture, so higher temperatures have been known to exacerbate rainfall and related events around the world. A rapid analysis by scientists at World Weather Attribution found that the climate crisis made Spains rainfall about 12 per cent heavier and doubled the likelihood of a storm as intense as this weeks deluge of Valencia. open image in gallery People cross a bridge through piles of debris after floods hit parts of the country in the Paiporta municipality of Valencia, Spain ( Getty ) With every fraction of a degree of fossil fuel warming, the atmosphere can hold more moisture, leading to heavier bursts of rainfall, Dr Friederike Otto, lead at World Weather Attribution and lecturer at Imperial College London, said. These deadly floods are yet another reminder of how dangerous climate change has already become at just 1.3C of warming. Spains Aemet also said the climate crisis is to blame for the intensity and scale of the floods. It is not possible for air and sea temperatures to be increasing and everything else to remain the same, an Aemet spokesperson told local media. The forecaster added that not only has the temperature change intensified the phenomenon and torrential rain, it has also made them more frequent. open image in gallery Cars are piled up on a street in La Torre neighbourhood in Sedavi, Valencia, Spain ( Reuters ) Given the long-term warming trend, we expect events like the one observed in Spain to become more frequent, Dr Marilena Oltmanns, research scientist at the National Oceanography Centre, said. The increased summer heat has also meant the ground in Valencia is harder and less able to absorb the excessive amount of water. The flood defence system could not handle the deluge. Concerns have been raised over delayed alerts and inadequate drainage, especially for smaller towns near rivers. Our infrastructure and civilisation are based around a climate that no longer exists, Dr John Marsham, professor of atmospheric science at University of Leeds, said. The ongoing increase in extremes is like watching an avoidable car crash in slow motion. Rescue operations continue In response to the disaster, Mr Sanchez declared three days of national mourning and visited the hardest-hit areas to offer support. Local and national rescue teams, alongside military units, have been deployed, racing against time to locate any remaining survivors. One dramatic video of a rescue operation showed an elderly woman and baby being airlifted to safety. Authorities are setting up temporary housing, coordinating food supplies and accessible health services. Financial aid packages are being fast-tracked to support reconstruction efforts, while psychologists and counsellors are offering services to help residents process the trauma of their experiences. The rescue efforts are being hampered by heavy debris, damaged infrastructure, and treacherous, muddy conditions that have made some parts of the affected regions nearly impossible to reach. In the aftermath, law enforcement is stretched thin. Amid the chaos, police have detained 39 people on suspicion of looting in the affected areas. Reports of theft from flooded homes and abandoned vehicles have added to the woes of the affected people. Police have increased patrols to maintain order and prevent further such incidents, but the need for heightened security has diverted resources away from recovery and relief operations, complicating an already challenging situation for rescue workers. There is a growing call for investments in flood defences, early-warning systems, and sustainable city planning to protect populations from future extreme events. Europe is the fastest heating continent on the planet. In recent months, devastating floods have overwhelmed the infrastructure across the continent. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Yellow weather warnings for rain are in force in Spains northeastern Catalonia region a day after Barcelona was hit by fresh flooding following the countrys worst natural disaster in living memory. Prime minister Pedro Sanchez warned that the devastation caused by flash flooding is not finished after at least 217 people were killed last week, mostly near Valencia. Cities such as Valencia and Malaga were inundated last week after nearly a years worth of rain close to half a metre fell in just eight hours in some areas, leaving residents trapped like rats in homes and cars, as described by one desperate local mayor recalling the chaos. A missing British couple, Don Turner, 78, and his wife, Terri, 74, were missing in the downpours and later found dead in their car on Saturday. In an emotional interview with the BBC, daughter Renee Turner said she was extremely angry at the Spanish authorities and the local government. open image in gallery Floods deposited cars in piled heaps on streets thick with mud ( AFP via Getty ) She is one of many who feel abandoned, with residents anger erupting on Sunday when a crowd pelted mud off the streets at Spains king and queen, the prime minister and regional leaders as they made their first visit to an affected area. The floods have also caused the death of another person from the UK. The unnamed 71-year-old man died hours after being rescued from his home on the outskirts of Malaga after heavy rain and hailstorms triggered flash floods in the area. As volunteers engage in a huge clean-up effort after the floods swept away bridges and deposited cars and other debris in piled heaps on streets thick with mud, Spains interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said that authorities can still not give a reliable estimate of the missing. Calm weather returned to the hardest-hit areas around Valencia, but the AEMET state weather agency issued a yellow alert for Barcelonas coastal area, the Pyrenees, Girona and Tarragona, all in the Catalonia area. Those warnings, of up to 40mm of rain in 12 hours, span around 170 miles from Puigcerda in the north to Amposta in the south. Heavy rain pounded the Barcelona area on Monday morning, with more than 50 flights due to take off from El Prat airport cancelled or severely delayed. open image in gallery Flood damaged cars are seen outside the Bonaire shopping mall on the outskirts of Valencia, eastern Spain ( AFP via Getty Images ) The disaster, which has prompted the central government to deploy 10,000 troops and police officers, has killed over more than 200 people in Valencia, with further deaths in Castilla-La Mancha and Malaga. The number of missing remain unknown. There are fears the death toll could rise as the relief efforts reach previously inaccessible areas. Emergency services are working around the clock to clear out a 1,800-space underground car park at a shopping centre in Valencia, where sudden, tsunami-like flooding caught staff and shoppers by surprise. Emergency crews are navigating murky waters to locate potential victims at the shopping centre, using boats to access areas where at least a metre of water remains. As police teams pump out the floodwaters and search through the roughly 50 waterlogged vehicles discovered so far, no bodies have yet been found. Survivors described the terrifying event to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo as a nightmare and worse than the tsunami movie with shop assistants recounting how they narrowly escaped as torrents of water surged into the complex. Read our liveblog on the floods for the latest updates While the most suffering was inflicted on municipalities near the city of Valencia, the storms unleashed their fury over huge swaths of the south and eastern coast of the Iberian peninsula. Homes were left without water as far southwest as Malaga in Andalusia, where a high-speed train derailed. Greenhouses and farms across southern Spain were also ruined by heavy rains and flooding. The storms spawned a freak tornado in Valencia and a hail storm that punched holes in cars in Andalusia. open image in gallery Residents try to clean their houses in the Valencia town of Alfafara ( AFP via Getty ) The town of Chiva, west of Valencia province, recorded 491mm of rain in just eight hours more than it has seen over the past 20 months, according to Spains weather service. Spains Mediterranean coast is used to autumn storms that can cause flooding, but this was the most powerful flash flood event in recent memory. Scientists link it to climate change, which is also behind increasingly high temperatures and droughts in Spain and the heating up of the Mediterranean. Human-caused climate change has doubled the likelihood of a storm like this weeks deluge in Valencia, according to a rapid partial analysis by World Weather Attribution, comprising dozens of international scientists who study global warmings role in extreme weather. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Spains prime minister Pedro Sanchez has said nearly 15,000 troops and police have been deployed to help the cities and towns affected by Spains deadliest flooding disaster in recent history. Frustration over the governments management of the flooding crisis has sparked public outcry and prompted some citizens to turn to self-policing, frustrated by what they see as a lacklustre official response. Groups of local men are patrolling rubble-strewn, poorly lit streets in Paiporta, the suburb in Valencia where crowds pelted mud at Spains King Felipe and Queen Letizia when they visited at the weekend and where more than 60 people out of the total death toll of 217 were killed. One 19-year-old man, who gave his name as Martin, told reporters that he and his friends are taking the law into their own hands because they believe police are not carrying out their duty to maintain public safety. Were patrolling because we dont want our neighbours to feel the insecurity theyve been feeling the past few days due to various robberies, he said. People have already lost enough. Speaking at a press conference in Madrid on Tuesday, Mr Sanchez paid tribute to the work of the national police and civil guard. I remember, at the first moments of this emergency, there was talk of looting, Mr Sanchez said. Today, fortunately, we are observing that this looting is falling to absolutely marginal figures. More than 170 people have been detained. open image in gallery People walk through a street in Paiporta piled with broken furniture and debris ( AP ) The prime minister also announced a sweeping 10.6bn (8.9bn) relief package to support the recovery of 78 flood-ravaged communities, likening the scale of aid being provided to the robust relief measures implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic. The relief package includes direct payments ranging from 20,000 to 60,000 for residents whose homes sustained damage, alongside substantial financial support for businesses and local governments in regions hit by the devastating floods. Mr Sanchez also pledged to seek additional funding from the European Union, acknowledging the long road ahead after more than 200 people were killed by the flooding. Responding to Mr Sanchezs announcement, Valencias president, Carlos Mazon, said local authorities have estimated that they will need three times that amount. Mr Sanchez declared Valencia a disaster area, saying that around 15,000 soldiers and police officers had been dispatched to the province as well as 287 forest brigaders, around a hundred customs officers, 44 forensic physicians, and 600 specialised vehicles for pumping, cleaning, and supplying water to the affected areas. open image in gallery An owner is reunited with her dog following the flood ( Axel Miranda/SOPA Images/Sipa USA/News Images ) We must continue working, with more resources, more coordination, and greater effort, until normality returns to all the municipalities and to all the homes affected by this tragedy, he said. Criticism of the authorities disaster response is continuing, with Mr Sanchezs ruling Socialist Party and the conservative Popular Party which governs the Valencia region involved in a blame game over who is accountable for inadequate flood warnings and who holds responsibility for managing emergency operations. In polling published on Tuesday by El Espanol, an online newspaper, Valencians gave the king and queen scores of more than seven out of 10 for their conduct, whereas Mr Mazon, the head of Valencias regional government, and Mr Sanchez were rated 3 and 2.6 respectively. Regional leaders estimate that losses could exceed 31bn, with up to 4,500 businesses affected by the destruction caused by the floods. Fears are also rising over the potential for an outbreak of infectious disease, with authorities advising residents to get tetanus shots and quickly clean mud off their skin. open image in gallery Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has announced a relief package to support the recovery of 78 flood-ravaged communities ( EPA ) Mr Mazon warned of the risk of an epidemic, saying that tetanus, hepatitis and gastroenteritis were all possible. He told a press conference: The first vaccinations are already being given to volunteers and neighbours. Elsewhere, emergency services discovered human remains in Letur, near Albacete in the Castilla-La Mancha region, where five people have been missing since last weeks floods. On Sunday, the body of a sixth victim, a 70-year-old woman, was found. As search and rescue operations continue, authorities are using sniffer dogs to comb through a submerged 1,800-space underground car park at the Bonaire shopping centre in Valencia. Emergency services are still working around the clock after sudden, tsunami-like flooding caught staff and shoppers by surprise and trapped an unknown number of people. Survivors described the terrifying event to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo as a nightmare and worse than the tsunami movie, with shop assistants recounting how they narrowly escaped as torrents of water surged into the complex. As police teams pump out the floodwater and search through the roughly 50 waterlogged vehicles discovered so far, no more bodies have yet been found. Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Rocket barrages fired by Hezbollah have killed three Israelis and four Thai workers, the deadliest strike from Lebanon since Israel invaded last month, as Israeli strikes pounded the Lebanese capital of Beirut and the Gaza Strip. Projectiles crashed into an agricultural area in Metula, Israels northernmost town, killing four Thai workers and an Israeli farmer, officials said. Hours later, the Israeli military said Hezbollah fired more than two dozen rockets at an olive grove in a suburb of the northern Israeli port city of Haifa, killing a 30-year-old man and 60-year-old woman while wounding two others. Thailands foreign minister Maris Sangiampongsa announced the deaths of the four workers, saying that another was injured. He added: Thailand continues to strongly urge all parties to return to the path of peace, in the name of the innocent civilians gravely impacted by this prolonged and deepening conflict. The residents of Metula evacuated in October 2023. Only security officials and agricultural workers remain in what are now closed military zones. The Hotline for Refugees and Migrants, an Israeli organisation that advocates for foreign workers, said authorities had put the Thai workers in danger by allowing them to work along the border without proper protection. open image in gallery Palestinians search through the rubble following Israeli strikes in Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip ( AFP via Getty Images ) Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 2,800 people in Lebanon in the past year, the majority of whom have died in the past two months, when Israels air force stepped up its assault on Hezbollah ahead of their ground invasion. Lebanons health ministry, however, says a significant proportion of those deaths have been civilians. Early on Friday morning, the latest series of powerful airstrikes struck the southern suburbs of Beirut, suspected to be home to Hezbollah officials. The health ministry added that an Israeli airstrike on the mountain town of Qamatiyeh overlooking Beirut had killed three people and wounded five. On Thursday, the ministry said that Israeli strikes had killed 24 people, among them 13 people in the countrys eastern Bekaa Valley, a day after the Israels military warned residents there to evacuate. Meanwhile, in Gaza, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that forty seven people had been killed and dozens injured in an overnight Israeli bombardment of the centre of the enclave. The attacks occurred in the city of Deir Al-Balah, the Nuseirat camp and the town of Al-Zawayda, it said. The Israeli military said its troops had identified and eliminated several armed terrorists in central Gaza and had eliminated dozens of terrorists in targeted raids in northern Gazas Jabalia area. open image in gallery Municipal workers check the debris in the aftermath of an overnight Israeli airstrike that targeted a neighbourhood in Beirut's southern suburbs ( AFP via Getty Images ) The Gaza war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on 7 October last year, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Israels subsequent assault on Gaza has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians and reduced most of the enclave to rubble, Palestinian authorities say. The exchange of strikes followed a renewed but as yet of fruitless bout of US-led diplomacy aimed at getting a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon to stop over a year of fighting between Israel and Iran-backed groups Hamas and Hezbollah. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday that Israel and Lebanon were moving toward understandings on what is required for implementing a long-violated United Nations resolution, 1701, that would be the basis for ending the current conflict. But time is running thin to get a resolution before US elections on 5 November and Lebanese officials and analysts were pessimistic after reports US envoy Amos Hochstein would not be heading to Beirut from Israel, where he was on Thursday. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Early workers at Elon Musks aeronautics company SpaceX reportedly once got stuck overnight on an ocean barge with a toxic spacecraft. In 2010, eight years after its founding, engineers became stranded on a barge and had to sleep near a spaceship full of gas that could potentially explode, according to Ars Technica senior space editor Eric Berger. Berger, a Pulitzer Prize nominee, interviewed approximately 100 new and former SpaceX employees for his new book Reentry: SpaceX, Elon Musk, and the Reusable Rockets that Launched a Second Space Age. SpaceX did not immediately respond to The Independents request for comment. After the reusable Dragon spacecrafts first flight, a SpaceX crew retrieved the spaceship from the ocean in December of that year. According to Berger, workers immediately checked for fuel leaks. Leaks could mean the risk of explosion, because the fuel inside the Dragons Draco engine is made of hypergolic propellant. Hypergolic fuels, like hydrazine, are toxic liquids that react spontaneously and violently when they contact each other. They are used in many different rocket and aircraft systems. They dont require an external source of ignition, like fire or heat. An engineer used a 20-foot pole with a tool to detect propellant gases in the air, and no leaks were detected. Using a crane, Dragon was then hauled from the ocean off the coast of Florida and onto a barge. open image in gallery SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifts for the first time off on December 8, 2010, in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The company later acknowledged there had been a rocket engine anomaly during its launch. Now, a new book describes what happened after the Dragon was retrieved ( BRUCE WEAVER/AFP via Getty Images ) Two engineers and three technicians wore protective equipment and used independent air supplies as they boarded the barge and began to empty the spaceships fuel tanks. Nothing happened, so five workers returned to their nearby crew boat to get some sleep. But, on the next day and after eight hours draining fuel and storing it in containers, the ocean became rough. It became too dangerous for the workers to return to their boat. They were reportedly stuck overnight with no beds and a toxic Dragon spacecraft. They had to sleep in a 20-foot-long shipping container next to the Dragon, the book says. Fortunately, crew members on their boat were able to throw them their sleeping bags. open image in gallery NASA support teams work around the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft in the Gulf of Mexico last week. The Dragon has become a major part of NASAs operations, taking astronauts to and from the International Space Station ( (NASA/Joel Kowsky via AP) ) We got the best nights sleep we could, an engineer told Berger. We were exhausted, so I cant say that I slept terribly that night. They finished emptying the toxic propellant the next day, and the company was given the OK to bring Dragon back on land after depressurizing its propellant system. Nearly a year later, SpaceX acknowledged there had been a rocket engine anomaly during its launch. Nearly 15 years later, retrieving the Dragon only takes a few hours. It hasnt caused explosions. Its also become a major part of NASAs space race, ferrying astronauts to and from the International Space Station. Recently, it was used to bring back four Crew-8 astronauts. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy OpenAI has integrated a search engine into its AI chatbot ChatGPT, allowing users to get up-to-date information about news, sport and weather. It is the AI firms first direct challenge of Googles search dominance, having first announced the venture in May. The new feature will be made available to paying subscribers, but OpenAI said it would also be coming to free users of ChatGPT in the future. The original version of ChatGPT, released in 2022, was trained on huge troves of online texts but couldnt respond to questions about up-to-date events not in its training data. Google upended its search engine in May with AI-generated written summaries now frequently appearing at the top of search results. The summaries aim to quickly answer a users search query so that they did not necessarily need to click a link and visit another website for more information. Googles makeover came after a year of testing with a small group of users but usage still resulted in falsehoods showing the risks of ceding the search for information to AI chatbots prone to making errors known as hallucinations. As part of OpenAIs plan to provide up-to-date information, the company has partnered with a number of news and data organisations, which will see their content appear in results, with links to the original source, again mimicking a traditional search engine. Among the news organisations and publishers to have signed up work with OpenAI are the Associated Press, Conde Nast, the Financial Times, Hearst, Le Monde, News Corp and Reuters. OpenAI said it expects to add more partners in the future. The search model is a fine-tuned version of GPT-4o, post-trained using novel synthetic data generation techniques, including distilling outputs from OpenAI o1-preview, the company wrote in a blog post announcing the new search tool ChatGPT search leverages third-party search providers, as well as content provided directly by our partners, to provide the information users are looking for. Additional reporting from agencies. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Attackers set fire to the headquarters of a Bangladesh party that supported the countrys ousted leader Sheikh Hasina on Thursday night, media reports said. There was no information if anyone was injured. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack on the Jatiya Party offices in Bangladeshs capital, Dhaka. TV stations and other media said the attackers stormed the party headquarters in Dhakas Bijoy Nagar area, clashing with party members who were there and eventually setting the premises on fire. The extend of the damage was not immediately known. Firefighters rushed to the scene, according to Rashed bin Khaled, an official of the Fire Service and Civil Defense. Bin Khaled, who spoke to The Associated Press by phone, had no other details. open image in gallery Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks during a press conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on 6 Jan 2014 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The party is Bangladeshs third largest and was founded by former military dictator H.M. Ershad in the 1980s. As the attack was underway, a prominent leader of a student protest movement that led to Hasinas ouster in August said the Jatiya Party should be destroyed for its support of her government. Hasnat Abdullah, the student leader, claimed in a Facebook post that the Jatiya party was a national betrayer. Abdullah is from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, which spearheaded the July protests. He also urged students to gather at the Dhaka University and march toward the Jatiya Party headquarters. Mujibul Haque Chunnu, the party's secretary general, blamed the students for the attack. People are watching what they are doing with us, he said. It is live in social media ... they are doing it publicly, openly. Hasinas Bangladesh Awami League party ruled the country for 15 years, since 2009. Her critics said the Jatiya Party had acted to give Hasina's rule a veneer or democracy as other major political parties did not take part in the elections. Hasina fled the country to India on 5 August, after the student-led demonstration morphed into an anti-government protest movement. Hundreds of students, security officials and others were killed during the turmoil. Later, hundreds more, including Hasinas supporters, were killed in revenge attacks or in mob violence across the South Asian nation. She now faces arrest warrants for the killings in July and August. Muhammad Yunus, a Bangladeshi Nobel laurate, took over as head of an interim government backed by the student group and the country's influential military in August. However, his administration has struggled to restore order. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy London Underground drivers have called off plans to carry out strikes on the Tube network just days before they were supposed to start. Train drivers union Aslef announced on Tuesday (5 November) that they were suspending strike action due to take place on 7 and 12 November across the London Underground after new negotiations and an improved offer from transport bosses. The announcement comes just days after the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) declared it would no longer be going ahead with their strikes that were planned to start on 1 November. After a period of strike-free travel on the London Underground, Aslef and the RMT both announced strikes last month over a pay dispute and subsequent inadequate pay offers during negotiations. The last strike to affect the entire Tube network was in March 2023 over pensions and working conditions, grinding London transport to a halt as traffic jams spread across the city and buses, trams, the Overground, DLR and the Elizabeth line became increasingly busier. It appears that similar travel chaos has been avoided this time, as both unions have walked back on plans to strike that would have severely disrupted journeys on various days during November on the Tube, as well as having a knock-on effect on National Rail trains, buses, trams and roads in the city. Heres everything we know about the called-off strikes and what this means for TfL passengers. Will November action still take place? Transport for London (TfL) has advised that the strikes planned on the Tube on Thursday 7 and Tuesday 12 November have been suspended. London Underground services will now run as normal on those days. Why were strikes planned? Both train unions said their members were striking due to a dispute over pay, as well as other issues such as long hours and other workers reliefs such as paid meals. RMT said it was prompted to take strike action after rejecting a pay deal, which it deemed as wholly inadequate that leaves a large number of staff excluded from collective bargaining, which is negotiations between employees and employers. After repeatedly urging London Underground to offer a new deal to cover collective bargaining, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said they have been left with no choice but to take strike action but did remain open to further negotiations. As for Aslef, whose members voted by over 98 per cent in favour of strike action, it was seeking a new pay agreement with London Underground. The union said the previous offer of a 3.8 per cent pay rise and a variable lump sum would mean Tube drivers would be underpaid compared to other TfL drivers while working longer hours. Aslefs district organiser, Finn Brennan, said it had been forced into taking action because London Underground management would apparently not sit down properly and negotiate with them. Why were they called off? In a statement on Friday afternoon (1 November), RMT announced: Following intense negotiations with London Underground management and a significantly improved offer, we have suspended the strikes scheduled to start this evening. London Underground have sensibly abandoned their proposed changes to pay structures which now means all our members will receive the same value in any pay award. Further discussions will take place next week regarding the pay offer but progress has been made which would not have been possible without the fortitude and industrial strength of our 10,000 members on London Underground. After RMT called off the strikes, TfL still warned of severe disruption on 7 and 12 November due to ongoing plans by Aslef. However, by Tuesday 5 November, Aself also announced its strike action due to take place on those dates would be suspended. Finn Brennan, ASLEF District Organiser, said: Following on fresh talks and an improved offer, ASLEF has agreed to suspend planned industrial action on London Underground. Details of the offer will be discussed with our reps at a meeting on Thursday. We are pleased that this progress has been made and strike action averted at this time. Claire Mann, TfLs chief operating officer, said she is pleased to see the industrial action suspended and that Londoners will not have to experience disrupted travel. We believe that we have made an offer to our trade unions that is fair, affordable, good for our colleagues and good for London and we urge our trade unions to continue working with us, she added. A fight broke out at a South Carolina voting site after a voter was told to remove his Lets Go Brandon hat. The man tried to cast his vote at the old Orangeburg County Library on Wednesday (30 October) while wearing a camo hat with the expression widely used as an expletive towards Joe Biden. The man started cursing at workers, who told him he had to take it off under South Carolina state law. A female poll worker explains again that they cannot let him vote. The man then removes his hat and hurls it at the person behind him. The man is seen pointing his finger in the womans face and appears to say something to her. She then begins to hit him. Martin Lewis issued a pension credit plea to the nation as he hit out at Rachel Reeves over the winter fuel payment cut. The financial guru warned that 800,000 of the UKs poorest pensioners are not claiming pension credit, even though they are entitled. Speaking on a Budget special of The Martin Lewis Money Show on Thursday (31 October), he urged: I just want to say, because the government is not doing anything, if you know someone on the state pension on a very low income, theyve lost the cost of living payment, theyve lost winter fuel payment, please get them to check if they are eligible for pension credit. More should have been done, it isnt being done, get them to check. We collectively need to act on it. CCTV footage captures the moment a teenager accused of a deadly shooting in Orlando, Florida is tackled by a police officer. Two people were killed, and six others were injured in the shooting, which happened as people celebrated Halloween on Thursday. Police had responded to reports of shots being fired, when just a few minutes later, officers saw a second shooting nearby. Police have since confirmed that a 17-year-old male has been arrested in connection with the shooting. Those injured are currently in a stable condition. In Rachel Reevess Budget, there was one huge winner. Much of what she announced was directed at boosting the public sector, specifically health and education. Their workers have been handed tens of billions in extra investment, to go with the pay rises they seem to get just by asking, and their gold-plated pensions. There was a loser: the private sector that is going to pay for it all. If ever there was an indication of the shift in the fiscal balance of power it came yesterday afternoon. The party that once had one of its stars say how Labour was intensely relaxed about people getting filthy rich now wishes to clobber them. How hollow Peter Mandelsons words appear today. His was the administration under Tony Blair that embraced the wealthy, falling over itself to attract them to relocate and invest in Britain, welcoming many as non-doms. Not this incarnation. To hear Paul Nowak, the TUC general secretary, crowing after Reevess address, telling bosses to live with the increase in employers national insurance by cutting their profits and dividends, said everything. His members would continue to press for higher wages, and woe betide anyone who tried to use the NI hike as an excuse for not complying. In Labours new firmament, Nowak is a serious player, someone who these days treads the departmental corridors with a decided spring in his step. Under the Tories, it was captains of industry and entrepreneurs walking those carpets. Rich foreigners, non-doms, too. Not any more. Sir Keir Starmer and Reeves will disagree, but how else to explain her Budget? As well as higher NI, company heads must find cash to pay for a boosted national living wage. Away from the office, assuming theyre in the wealthy bracket, which they usually are, theyve got a whole raft of personal tax hikes to contend with, from tweaks to capital gains and inheritance tax to VAT on private schools to ownership of second homes. Rich farmers will no longer be able to automatically count on relief if they wish to pass on land to their families. The private equity kings who have so dominated the modern economic landscape have seen their carried interest boon taken away. Family-owned businesses, looking forward to the prospect of private equity one day buying them out, may find that exit route not so readily available in the years to come. Two roars from Labours back benches said it all. That was the greeting of 1p off a pint of draught beer and a whacking of private jet users with much higher duty. To the less well-off, Reeves giveth; to the rich, she surely taketh away. None more so than non-doms. At a stroke, those wealthy foreigners who Tony Blair, Mandelson and others, went out of their way to woo, have gone. Their preferential tax status is to be abolished. Whether they choose to physically go is up to them. That must be in Reevess calculation and she gives the impression of not bothering. There were some non-doms who abused the special treatment they were afforded, but there were plenty who ran businesses in Britain, invested and created jobs here. Not wanted, says Labour. Its a curious strategy. On the one hand, Starmer is quick to compare the 69bn raised from his recent investment summit with Rishi Sunaks paltry-by-comparison 29.5bn. On the other, he does not seem to care where that money is coming from and what signal he and his chancellor are ultimately sending. Perhaps he believes there isnt enough in the Budget to force the rich to go the whole hog and relocate entirely. That could prove dangerously optimistic. Its true, theres much they can swallow, but the mood music is ringing loud and clear. This is her first Budget; what is the betting in future years that Reeves hits them again, and again? Best to get out now before it becomes even worse. Countries are queuing up to attract the wealthiest, offering them tax breaks, in the belief they bring with them cash and jobs and prospects. Not Britain. Just when we so badly need them to help develop our creaking infrastructure, to back nascent, fast-growing industries, were driving them away. Gardai outside Foot Locker on OConnell Street in Dublin following last November's riots which damaged a number of retail outlets in the city. Photo: Frank McGrath The insurance bill for the Irish arm of Foot Locker one of the well-known global retail brands that suffered looting from rioters in the November 2023 Dublin riots increased almost five fold to 216,563. The US-headquartered Foot Locker operates seven stores here including its Lower OConnell Street outlet where footage was broadcast of looters entering the store on the night of the riots. New accounts show that despite the 369pc increase in insurance costs in 2023, Foot Locker Retail Ireland Ltd reduced its pre-tax losses by 46pc to 62,000. The operator of the seven stores here, Foot Locker Retail Ireland Ltd, reduced its pre-tax losses as revenues increased by 14pc from 11.54m to 13.17m. The companys outlets here are located on Lower OConnell Street, Grafton Street, Blanchardstown Upper Mall, The Square, the Ilac Centre on Henry Street and Pavilions Shopping Centre in Dublin, along with one outlet in Limerick. The business sells shoe brands including Adidas, Nike, Converse and Puma. The directors state they are satisfied with the results for the year. The new accounts show the companys insurance spend increased from 46,968 in 2022 to 216,563 last year. The firms HR costs also surged from 824,067 to 1.27m. Security costs at the firm last year increased from 73,429 to 94,880 and its rates and levies bill soared from 104,379 to 344,366. Occupancy costs for the companys stores increased from 2.17m to 2.94m and other store-related costs increased from 52,610 to 75,481. The accounts show that the pre-tax loss of 62,000 takes account of combined non-cash amortisation and depreciation costs of 572,000. Numbers employed by Foot Locker last year increased from 23 to 30 and wage costs increased from 1.18m to 1.54m. The companys marketing spend last year increased from 253,974 to 298,566. There was a sharp decrease in professional fees from 439,161 to 106,746. At the end of December last, the firm had shareholders equity of 7.5m made up of a capital contribution of 11.65m offset by accumulated losses of 4.98m. The companys cash funds decreased from 3.58m to 356,000. Globally last year, Foot Locker recorded revenues of $8.15bn. The High Court must pause the effects of a Dublin Airport passenger cap to prevent imminent, permanent and irreparable harm, Aer Lingus lawyers have said. Seeking urgent intervention from the court on Friday, Paul Sreenan SC said the airline expects to lose 84 million in Revenue next year and up to 130 million in 2026 due to Irish Aviation Authoritys (IAAs) imposition of caps on traveller numbers. He said the company is heavily reliant on use them or lose them take off and landing slots at the airport, 80 per cent of which must be availed of in a season to secure them again the next year. Airlines have a right under EU law to these historic slots, and this deserves to be protected but would be permanently lost if the cap takes effect, said Mr Sreenan. Aer Lingus, Ryanair and a consortium of American airlines are urging the court to rule in their favour ahead of the allocation of Dublin Airport slots to carriers in six days time by ACL (Airports Coordination Ltd). If granted, the stay would only apply to the part of the recent IAA decision that limits passenger numbers to 25.2 million for the summer season that runs from late March and October. An earlier IAA decision limiting carrier seats to 14.4 million over the 2024 winter period (from now to March 2025) is already subject to High Court challenges by Ryanair, Aer Lingus and, raising directly contrasting concerns, the DAA, which manages the airport. Aer Lingus chief executive Lynne Embleton. Photo: Naoise Culhane Today's News in 90 seconds - 1st November 2024 The IAA is responsible for identifying and allocating an airports maximum available capacity in a fair and transparent way in line with an EU regulation. In making the recent winter and summer season decisions, the body said it took account of technical, operational, environmental and local planning constraints, including An Bord Pleanalas imposition of an annual 32 million passenger limit when Terminal Two was approved in 2007. The IAA is neutral on the airlines application, while the DAA is opposed to it. Separately, the DAA has applied to Fingal County Council seeking an increase of the 32 million limit to 40 million. A decision on this is awaited. Mr Sreenan, instructed by McCann Fitzgerald solicitors, said the planning condition was not a relevant consideration for the IAA in assessing capacity. The IAAs application of the condition for the first time for its winter 2024/25 decision marked a significant change to the status quo, he said, adding his team does not believe any other aviation regulator has adopted a planning condition when determining airport capacity. Enforcement of the 32 million passenger planning condition is a matter for the local planning authority, Fingal County Council, or the DAA, rather than the IAA, whose decision guides subsequent slot allocations by the ACL, he said. If the council or the DAA take steps to enforce the planning condition so be it, he said, adding: Our concern is slots. Seeking the same order, lawyers for Ryanair said the loss of historic slots at Dublin Airport will affect its right to retain historic slots at 67 other European destinations, as the use it or lose it requirement relates to both takeoff and landing slots. If the court refuses to pause the IAA cap decision the airlines will never recover their historic slots, said Martin Hayden SC, instructed by Arthur Cox solicitors. He said the IAA is incorrectly acting as judge, jury and executioner on the question of whether there is a breach of the 2007 planning condition. Dominic McGrath SC, representing Airlines for America, which represents US airlines, said the IAA cap will create very significant financial losses and the very significant and permanent loss of slots. The loss of historic slots is undercutting the very foundation of an airlines business, he said. The IAA and DAA are due to begin their submissions to Mr Justice Barry ODonnell this afternoon. The application hearing is scheduled to conclude today. Case concerned shop which raised funds for NCBI A tribunal was wrong in determining that a charity shop building should be subject to commercial property rates, a High Court judge has ruled. Ms Justice Siobhan Phelan held that the valuation tribunal failed to properly consider that the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) retail company is a registered charity with a charitable purpose of fundraising through its shops. She said the tribunal incorrectly focused on what the property, on Oldcastle Road, in Virginia, was being used as (retail), rather than asking what its purpose was to fund charitable activities. Commercial rates are a property-based tax levied by local authorities on the occupiers of commercial or industrial properties. The judge said the focus of the case before her was whether NCBI Retail used the shop exclusively for charitable purposes and otherwise than for private profit, which would exempt it from having to pay commercial rates. The case had been referred to her to determine a point of law. The judge said a valuation certificate had been issued to NCBI Retail in 2019, stating a 7,170 valuation for the Virginia property. NCBI Retail appealed to the valuation tribunal, which in late 2022 upheld the finding that the property is rateable. NCBI Retail, which has 130 charity shops that could have been affected by the valuation decision, claimed it should have been excluded from the valuation list. The judge said profits generated by the NCBI retail outlets must be applied solely towards the promotion of the charitys main objective of enabling people with vision impairments to overcome impediments to their independence. The judge said the appellants parent, the NCBI Group, is contracted through the Health Service Executive to provide various services. The HSE contract pays 6.69m, while the cost of services is 10.5m, she said. The charity shop income and other fundraising activities are used to plug the funding gap. The commissioner of valuation claimed the retailing of goods is not a charitable purpose, even though NCBI Retail is a registered charity. Ms Justice Phelan found the use of the shop in Virginia is directly in line with NCBI Retails charitable purpose. The tribunal misdirected itself by relying on its own previous decisions which run counter to several authorities from the High and Supreme courts, she said. Former Cork Port CEO alleges conflicts of interest at board level in court case Actions taken by executives have cast doubt on how agencies are run Former Port of Cork CEO Eoin McGettigan dockside in Ringaskiddy Terminal, Cork Harbour. Photo: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision Ralph Riegel Fri 1 Nov 2024 at 03:30 Senior executives at three of Irelands four semi-state port agencies have launched legal actions over recent years, raising serious concerns over the status of Irelands critical port operations. Court has been asked to pause the effects of planning restriction to stop imminent, permanent and irreparable harm The High Court must pause the effects of a Dublin Airport passenger cap to prevent imminent, permanent and irreparable harm, Aer Lingus lawyers have said. Seeking urgent intervention from the court on Friday, Paul Sreenan SC said the airline expects to lose 84m in Revenue next year and up to 130m in 2026 due to the Irish Aviation Authoritys (IAA) imposition of caps on traveller numbers. He said the company is heavily reliant on use them or lose them take-off and landing slots at the airport, 80pc of which must be availed of in a season to secure them again the next year. Airlines have a right under EU law to their historic slots, but many of these would be lost if the cap takes effect, said Mr Sreenan. Aer Lingus, Ryanair and a consortium of American airlines are urging the court to rule in their favour ahead of the allocation of Dublin Airport slots to carriers in six days time. Distribution of slots by ACL (Airports Coordination Ltd) is confined by the IAAs assessment of the airports capacity and passenger cap. After the hearing, Mr Justice Barry ODonnell said he hopes to rule on the application on Monday. The airlines want a court order that would pause the effects of the IAAs 25.2 million seat capacity limit for the summer season that runs from late March and October. An earlier IAA decision limiting seats to 14.4 million over the 2024 winter period from now to March 2025 is already subject to High Court challenges by Ryanair, Aer Lingus and the airports manager, Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). The DAA is raising contrasting concerns that the winter cap is too high if it is to meet the overall annual cap of 32 million. That challenge is due to be heard in December. Photo: Getty Today's News in 90 seconds - 1st November 2024 In making the recent winter and summer season decisions, the IAA said it considered technical, operational, environmental and local planning constraints, including An Bord Pleanalas imposition of an annual 32 million passenger limit when it approved Terminal 2 in 2007. The IAA was neutral on the airlines application but told the court it will stand over its decision at a full hearing of the airlines cases. The DAA opposed the application, arguing it would facilitate a breach of a binding planning condition and expose the airport authority to enforcement action and potential criminal sanction. The DAA has separately applied to the local planning authority, Fingal County Council, seeking an increase of the 32 million limit to 40 million. Mr Sreenan, instructed by McCann Fitzgerald solicitors, said the 2007 planning condition was not a relevant consideration for the IAA in assessing capacity. Its application for the first time to the winter 2024/25 decision was a significant change to the status quo, he said. If Fingal County Council moves to enforce the planning condition so be it, but it is not the IAAs role, he said, adding: Our concern is slots. Lawyers for Ryanair said the loss of historic Dublin Airport slots will hamper its right to retain such corresponding slots at 67 other European destinations. The IAA is incorrectly acting as judge, jury and executioner on the question of whether there is a breach of the 2007 condition, said Martin Hayden SC. Dominic McGrath SC, for Airlines for America, which represents US airlines, said the IAA cap will create very significant financial losses and is undercutting the very foundation of an airlines business. Opposing, the DAAs senior barrister, Fintan Valentine, said the airlines are seeking to shortcut the planning application seeking a passenger cap raise. He said the annual passenger cap will be breached this year and would be breached again next year if the court pauses the IAA summer cap decision. His client operates in a heavily regulated environment and is prevented by the EUs slot regulation from unilaterally reducing passenger numbers to comply with the 2007 planning condition. The DAA asked airlines, including Aer Lingus and Ryanair, to voluntarily reduce passenger numbers, but they refused and so are pushing the DAA into a breach of planning permission, he said. Once those slots are allocated, there is nothing the DAA can do to stop those passengers flying, said Mr Valentine, instructed by Matheson solicitors. The DAA has been served with three warning letters and is the subject of an investigation related to the 2007 planning condition, he said. Irish actor has another hit on her hands with this assured turn in Steve McQueens epic tale Steve McQueens sensational new film might be set in London as it was seven decades after Charles Dickenss death, but the city on screen has seldom felt deeper in the great novelists debt. Blitz presents a teeming snapshot of the city at a pivotal point in time. Its Oliver Twist is George Ashby (Elliott Heffernan), a nine-year-old evacuee, whose mother Rita (Saoirse Ronan) tearfully sends him off from Paddington Station with a cardboard tag around his neck. The year is 1940, and with the Luftwaffe raining bombs on the industrialised East End by night, its cosy brick-built terraces are no longer safe. For George, the countryside also holds little appeal, largely because Rita wont be there. So, an hour into the trip, he hops off the train and vows to make his way back. The journey that follows is a thrilling, moving, morally provoking odyssey through Britain at war, with a flock of vividly sketched supporting characters that buffet George from one adventure to the next. Few stick around for long, but their often fleeting screen time belies the impact each one leaves on both the plot and George himself. Ronan, hot on the heels of her acclaimed turn in The Outrun, delivers yet another controlled performance which is sure to place her in the mix come awards season. Composer Benjamin Clementine gives a beautifully tender performance as an air-raid warden of Nigerian descent who offers George fatherly support during a troubling night. Leigh Gill, of the Joker films, gives a rousing turn as the real-life Jewish public health campaigner Mickey Davis. Stephen Graham and Kathy Burke are so grottily magnificent as a pair of ghoulish thieves, even the creator of Fagin himself might have doffed his cap. Collectively we see a country sussing out the next chapter in its story: Britain is ready to define itself in opposition to the Nazi threat, but is fine-tuning the specifics on the hoof. Crucially, George is mixed race his Grenadian father was deported before his birth and the question of where he might fit into the group portrait is one which keeps nudging its way to the front of his mind. Heffernan, an 11-year-old newcomer, gives a wonderful performance that is by turns clear and enigmatic. In a memorable night-time sequence, the lad finds himself in a deluxe West End arcade, where sweetmeats are arrayed in shop windows before paintings of sugar and cocoa plantations. Two gormless mannequins of planters catch his eye. Are they what he is, or how hes viewed? But McQueens script is far too smart to push a line. Like his Small Axe anthology series, it simply nods towards under-noticed parts of the picture and says: this, too, is in the mix. Among its many unshakeable images is a close-up on Georges sleeping face as he shelters in London Bridge underground station, which gently fades to a long-range, top-down view of the city burning above. In these fires, Blitz suggests, was a nation reforged. The Day of the Jackal starts on Sky Atlantic on Friday, November 5 and stars Eddie Redmayne as an ice-cool assassin We probably should have known to approach with caution when Eddie Redmayne, star of the new version of The Day of The Jackal (Sky Atlantic, starting Thursday, November 7), talked in a recent interview about being thrilled by the chance to get under the skin of the title character and let us know more about him. Sorry, wait, what? Surely the most intriguing thing about the Jackal, the ice-cool professional assassin from Frederick Forsyths 1971 bestseller and Fred Zinnemanns superb 1973 film adaptation, is that he remains an enigma to the end? Played in the film by a career-best Edward Fox, the Jackal is essentially a wraith. The worlds police forces and intelligence agencies know of him, but not about him. Eddie Redmayne in The Day of the Jackal. Photo: Sky The Day of the Jackal | Official Trailer Even after hes shot dead while trying to assassinate French president Charles de Gaulle, his real name is still unknown, and hes buried in an unmarked grave. The thing is, we dont want or need to know more about him because his real identity and past are irrelevant. It doesnt matter, either, that were aware from the outset that hes going to fail in his mission. Its all about the detail. The suspense comes from finding out how the Jackal is going to get close enough to De Gaulle to kill him, and how Claude Lebel, the deputy police commissioner on his trail, is going to stop him. Its a surprise to find something this hackneyed coming from a writer as good as Bennett The main failing in this new, extremely loose adaptation, a 10-part miniseries written by Ronan Bennett (Top Boy) and directed by Brian Kirk (Game of Thrones) that updates the story to the present day and gives the Jackal a fresh, fictional target, is that it tells us far too much about his past and his private life. Critics are constrained in what they can reveal in advance, but none of it is especially interesting and a lot of it is quite dull. Redmaynes Jackal has more in common with Tom Cruises agent Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible movies. He dons latex masks to disguise himself as other people. He abseils down the side of buildings. When hes not killing people, hes killing time at his lovely Spanish home with his lovely Spanish wife Nuria (Ursula Corbero). Thats right: this Jackal, this flint-hearted assassin who thinks nothing of coldly killing innocent people who get in his way including, in the opening moments, an old janitor he impersonates to get within shooing distance of a far-right German politician has an idyllic family life. He also seems to be a keen birdwatcher. But there are clouds of family discord gathering in the blindingly blue Spanish sky. Nuria is irked that her husband is spending so much time away from home on his mysterious work. She thinks he might even be having an affair. Its a surprise to find something this hackneyed coming from a writer as good as Bennett. Lashana Lynch plays the MI6 agent hunting down the Jackal. Photo: Sky The same cliched work/life imbalance applies to the Jackals adversary, dogged MI6 agent Bianca (Lashana Lynch, from No Time to Die and The Woman King), whose husband and teenage daughter are fed up with her missing important occasions like parent-teacher meetings because shes off chasing assassins around Europe. I think were supposed to see them as good and bad mirror images of each other another well-worn trope. Zinnemanns film was a gripping thriller, shot in a quasi-documentary style and assembled with the precision of a Swiss timepiece. Not a single scene was wasted. The two-and-and-a-half-hour running time flew by. This Day of the Jackal is... well, not. Its long and its baggy, with too many uninteresting characters, too many tedious domestic scenes, and the usual overblown and unbelievable shootouts and car chases. For all the stunts and explosions, theres nothing here to match the brutal impact of Foxs Jackal killing a seedy photographer with a sudden blow to the gut and another to the neck. Sky Atlantic is showing the first five episodes of The Day of the Jackal half of the entire thing back-to-back next Thursday. Its an unusual scheduling decision and one that suggests the broadcaster might lack confidence that the series will hold viewers attention if spread over weeks. Having watched four of the five, that wouldnt be a surprise. Rating: Two stars Eddie Redmayne in The Day of the Jackal. Photo: Sky Eddie Redmayne learned from 'military espionage expert' for Day Of The Jackal Cllr Garret Kelleher speaking about Ballincollig TidyTowns, the overall winner's of this year's competition Ballincollig has been crowned as the winner of the 2024 Supervalu Tidy Towns competition in Croke Park this afternoon. They received the overall winner award and the 15,000 in prize money for being the highest scoring entrant in the whole competition. Cllr Garret Kelleher, who is a long-serving member of Ballincollig TidyTowns said it has been years and years in the making after the group placed second last year. It marks the groups twelfth overall gold medal in a row, as well as building on their Tidiest Large Urban Centre win in last years competition and in 2018. Pictured at the 2024 SuperValu TidyTowns competition was (at centre) Luke Hanlon, Managing Director of SuperValu; Tom Butler, Chairperson, Ballincollig Tidy Town Committee; and Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, along with members of the Ballincollig Tidy Town Committee at the awards ceremony at Croke Park. Pic:Naoise Culhane We thought it was never going to happen that we would actually get to the top, so today is just the result of years and years of hard work and its fantastic. Im delighted for everyone involved because there is a great community spirit in Ballincollig, he said. Cllr Kelleher said there is great friendships and comradery within the Cork group, based 8km west of Cork City. This is just brilliant, particularly for some of our senior members, he said, paying tribute to one of the groups stalwarts Tony Whelan, who passed two years ago today. No doubt he is looking down on us now and he would be very proud, Cllr Kelleher said. The group is comprised of close to 90 volunteers, however on any given Sunday, the group would have 18 to 30 people out taking part in clean-ups and initiatives. He said that there is so much more to the work of Tidy Towns than what is commonly associated with it, namely litter picking. Its getting businesses and its getting the community to improve, he added. As well as improving the built environment and streetscape, Ballincollig TidyTowns runs initiatives getting businesses to change to energy-efficient light bulbs, introduce re-usable coffee cups and setting up cleaner air initiatives. A lot of their work is done with local schools, with one using rainwater from its roof to harvest and water flowers around the town. He also stressed the importance of Tidy Towns in bringing people from different ethnic backgrounds and of all different ages working together. Without Tidy Towns their circles wouldnt interact. Tidy Towns is a big melting pot. Its always about whatever somebody can give time wise, he said. Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys, was on hand to present Ballincollig and all of the other winners in each of the categories with their awards, on top of announcing an additional 1.5 million in funding for over 900 groups. Today you are all winners. What you do for your communities is admirable and commendable you are out there whether rain, hail or shine, Ms Humphreys said. MC Marty Morrissey said the awards ceremony at a packed out Hogan Suite in Croke Park was a celebration of place. A total of 904 towns and villages entered the competition this year, which has been running for 66 years. In place since 1958, the competition, administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and sponsored by SuperValu, has grown beyond a competition into a national sustainability movement. Luke Hanlon, Managing Director of SuperValu paid tribute to the efforts of 30,000 volunteers across the island, with over one million hours put in by committees across the country this year. He also commended volunteers, 20pc of which are under 25 years old, for planting 108,000 trees and 200,000 square metres of flower beds. Towns and villages big and small across the country entered, ranging from the smallest in Category A populations of under 200, to the largest, Category H with 25,001 and over. A total of 80 Tidy Town centres were awarded gold medals. Lets acknowledge the efforts of all our volunteers, Morrissey said, before a resounding cheer rung out for the medal winners. Silver and Bronze Medals, along with the 80 gold medals were also also given to entrants with scores that fall within a set range from that years winning score. Irelands tidiest village award went to Ballynahown in County Westmeath, which has a total population of 75 people, while Irelands tidiest small town went to Blackrock in County Louth. The winner of Irelands tidiest large town for 2024 was announced as Westport, while Irelands Tidiest Large Urban Centre went to Ballincollig. Minister Humphreys also presented the Young Person in TidyTowns award to Ballyphehane TidyTowns , Cork as well as the Town Centre First National Award today to Carrickmacross TidyTowns, Co Monaghan. This was in recognition of their tremendous efforts to address vacancy and dereliction in line with the Governments Town Centre First policy. A series of Endeavour Awards were given out for the biggest improvement by an entrant in each county from the previous year. There were also County Awards for the top three entrants in each county and Regional Awards for the top-scoring entrant in each region. The national island award went to Bere Island off the West Cork coast, while Belmullet TidyTowns won best Gaeltacht area. Assessment of participating towns was carried out by an independent panel of adjudicators appointed by the department during the months of June, July and August. Brendan Mullin (60) is accused of stealing over 570,000 from Bank of Ireland Private Bank, among other charges, between 2011 and 2013 when he was managing director. He denies all 15 charges against him Johnny McEvoy on the death of his beloved wife: I never said goodbye. She didnt either. She was going. She wouldnt do any more chemo One of the smallest pubs in the country also has one of the cheapest pints in Ireland Brian Stanley will run as an Independent candidate in Laois in the upcoming general election. Photo: Alf Harvey In the 2020 general election, Brian Stanley topped the poll for the Laois-Offaly constituency as a Sinn Fein TD. It was a high watermark for Sinn Fein, which got more TDs elected than any other party. It was celebrating a sensational result across the country and Mr Stanley was returned for his third term in the Dail. Until a few weeks ago, there was every reason to believe he would run again for the party in the upcoming election. However, a complaint by a constituent and a subsequent Sinn Fein investigation led to the TD resigning from the party. He accused it of subjecting him to a kangaroo court and a plot to oust him from his seat. The claims were rejected by the party and complaints were referred to An Garda Siochana after Mr Stanley resigned. He announced late on Wednesday night that he would be running for re-election to the next Dail, but this time as an Independent candidate. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald While it is unclear at this stage if he will top the poll, local sources all expect him to keep his seat. They also agree Sinn Fein is in trouble, with one Laois TD saying the partys seat is 100pc gone. Mr Stanleys wife, Cllr Caroline Dwane-Stanley, is the partys only elected representative in the area and is not expected to run against her husband. This was not an easy choice, but it is necessary for me to stay true to what I believe in It has already been announced that Fine Gael is running Cllr William Aird for a Dail seat, Fianna Fail is putting up junior minister Sean Fleming, the Greens have gone with Rosie Palmer, Mary Hand is on the Aontu ticket and People Before Profit has selected Ken Mooney. Elaine Mullally, formerly of Independent Ireland, is running as an Independent candidate. She announced she was leaving the party shortly after party MEP Ciaran Mullooly joined the Renew grouping at the EU Parliament. His decision led to a backlash from other party members. Ms Mullally said at the time that the party no longer aligns with my values and principles, adding: This was not an easy choice, but it is necessary for me to stay true to what I believe in. Outgoing TD Charlie Flanagan. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins The count of Laois is now its own constituency. This election is not the first time Laois and Offaly have been split in two. In 2016, Mr Stanley, Charlie Flanagan and Mr Fleming took seats, as did Barry Cowen, Carol Nolan and Fine Gaels Marcella Corcoran Kennedy in Offaly. It will be the first time in decades the famous family name of Flanagan will not be on the ballot sheet in Laois. Outgoing TD Charlie Flanagan has served the Laois-Offaly constituency since 2020 and was previously a TD for Laois from 1987 to 2002, 2007 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2020. His father, Oliver J Flanagan, was a Laois-Offaly TD from 1943 to 1987. However, Mr Aird, the Fine Gael councillor, will be hoping to continue his own family tradition. His grandfather, also William, was elected a Cumann na nGaedheal TD in 1927 and died in 1931 during his term. Mr Aird has been elected as a councillor eight times, taking the first seat on the first count in the Portlaoise area in each of the last five elections. While Mr Stanley, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are expected to take the three seats, nothing can be taken for granted. A FOOD delivery driver suffered serious injuries to his legs after being chased and rammed by a group of men in a stolen car. Gardai are investigating the incident which occurred in the Mahon-Beaumont area of Cork around midnight on Thursday. It is believed that the attack represents a road rage incident - and that there was no racial motivation behind the assault. Health Service Executive (HSE) paramedics and several units of the Cork City Fire Brigade attended at the scene in Beaumont after receiving reports that the gang had chased and rammed the 23 year old Brazilian food delivery driver who was travelling on a motorcycle. The man was apparently pursued by the gang from Mahon to Beaumont in the southside of the city. They rammed the delivery driver at Woodvale Road in Beaumont before fleeing the scene. Householders who heard the impact of the ramming emerged from their properties and raised the alarm. They found the man lying trapped and badly injured under his crushed bike. He had sustained a serious compound fracture to one of his legs. Stock image Today's News in 90 seconds - 1st November 2024 The man was rushed to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for emergency treatment. He was conscious but in a considerable amount of pain. The damaged bike was removed from the scene and will be forensically examined. The area where the ramming occurred will also be technically examined It is believed the man informed gardai that he had an interaction with those travelling in the stolen car in the Mahon area. They then pursued him to Beaumont where the road rage ramming took place. A Skoda Kodiaq was stolen from a property in the Courtbrack area of Blarney, Co Cork ten days ago and it is believed to have been the vehicle involved in the incident. An alert was put out in connection with the gang who subsequently rammed a Garda car at 2am on Friday on the Old Mallow Road on Corks northside. Two gardai received minor injuries in the incident. It is understood the thieves subsequently headed in the direction of north Cork. CCTV security camera footage is now expected to play a crucial role in the investigation. Gardai have asked that anyone who witnessed suspicious behaviour in the areas of Mahon, Beaumont and Old Mallow Road in Cork overnight to call Anglesea St Garda Station on (021) 4522000. Funeral details have been announced for former RTE news broadcaster David Davin-Power following his death aged 72. The renowned broadcaster died on Thursday surrounded by family. He had been ill since March. Mr Davin-Power helped launch the Morning Ireland radio programme 40 years ago and was appointed as RTEs Northern Editor based in Belfast in the early 1990s. He led RTEs news coverage of the peace negotiations during the Troubles. He worked for the broadcaster until his retirement in 2017 and was a contributor for the Sunday Independent. Mr Davin-Power will repose at his home on Monday, November 4. His funeral mass will take place at 11.30am on Tuesday, November 5 in St Vincent de Paul Church, Marino, Dublin 9, followed by a private cremation. He is survived by his wife Dearbhla and children Nick, Caroline, Julia, Ben and Emily. Leading the tributes, President Michael D Higgins said: It is with great sadness that people all across the country will have learned of the death of David Davin-Power. A consummate broadcaster and communicator, David Davin-Power was a regular presence in the lives of so many people either over the airwaves or on television. While Taoiseach Simon Harris described Mr Davin-Power as a consummate professional, thorough journalist, and a gentleman. He was a storyteller who was generous with his time, he was an interesting person who was interested in other people, and he was kind to those around him, Mr Harris said. Retired RTE broadcaster Byran Dobson told RTEs Drivetime that Mr Davin-Power had a great skill for distilling down to the essence of a news story, of honing in on what really mattered. He was a really consummate broadcaster, wonderful broadcast journalist. I think, somebody who brought the art to its highest possible level really, Mr Dobson said. Director-general of RTE Kevin Bakhurst said in a statement said that the journalist was one of the most incisive political brains at RTE and indeed in Ireland. For many years, he was familiar to audiences, colleagues and politicians as insightful, eloquent and scrupulously fair. Off-screen, he was also funny, a great storyteller and was hugely loyal to colleagues, friends and to RTE itself. More than all of that, he loved his family and spoke of them with huge pride and joy." The decision to evaluate the Governments handling of the Covid pandemic, rather than hold a statutory inquiry, has been branded a betrayal of the bereaved. Advocacy group Care Champions said the move is a missed opportunity for answers and reform. Group spokesperson Majella Beattie said: The Governments proposed evaluation of the Covid-19 pandemic response is a cynical attempt to evade scrutiny and silence the voices of the bereaved. She spoke out after Taoiseach Simon Harris defended the decision to evaluate how the Government handled the pandemic. He said an evaluation process will get to the bottom of Irelands response to the pandemic in a timely way. Mr Harris, who was the health minister for the first four months of the pandemic, said authorities got a lot of things right, but also that people experienced a lot of hurt during the health emergency. A Covid vaccine is administered during the pandemic. File photo Today's News in 90 seconds - 1st November 2024 Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he was looking forward to sharing his reflections of being taoiseach during that period, adding that he had no doubt senior public health figures will voluntarily take part in the probe. Ms Beattie said the evaluation was inadequate to meet the standards of a credible inquiry. She added: We will continue to fight for a genuine inquiry that delivers justice and brings an opportunity to truly reform the care sector. The inquiry must also provide a safe and supportive environment for patients, residents families and healthcare workers to share their experiences. The move to set up an evaluation has been criticised by opposition TDs for not having the power to compel witnesses. Aontu leader Peadar Toibin said the evaluation was wishy-washy and called for a full public inquiry, while People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Mick Barry said it was toothless. Anne Scott, a professor emerita with University of Galway whose research interests include the ethics of healthcare, is to lead the evaluation of how the country managed Covid-19. Meanwhile, PA Duffy and Co Solicitors, a firm representing over 50 families, said the proposed evaluation would fail to provide families with answers. The bereaved families who I represent feel betrayed by the failure to establish a statutory inquiry, Enda McGarrity, a solicitor at the firm, said. Our clients have long held the view that a non-statutory investigation without the powers to compel witnesses and evidence would not be fit for purpose as it would be incapable of fully establishing the facts of what happened. This is particularly true in respect of care homes, 80pc of which are run by private entities which would have no legal obligation to provide evidence to a non-statutory evaluation. The Government did not consult with bereaved families on the terms of reference despite numerous attempts by our clients to engage in discussions. Our clients believe it is not possible to learn lessons for a future crisis without placing the interests of those who suffered most at the centre of any inquiry. They consider that the Government have failed to deliver a mechanism capable of giving them the answers they deserve. Soldiers mother says relatives feel let down at lack of official notification The families of Irish peacekeepers only learned of the rocket attack on Camp Shamrock through the media, the Irish Independent can reveal. The Irish peacekeeper base in southern Lebanon was struck by a Hezbollah rocket, the chief of staff of Irelands Defence Forces confirmed yesterday. The incident happened on Wednesday afternoon and no personnel suffered injuries. Lieutenant General Sean Clancy said all troops in Camp Shamrock at the time of the strike were safe and well, with the Katyusha rocket landing in an unoccupied area of the base. Taoiseach Simon Harris described the incident as extremely serious. Lt Gen Clancy said the rocket was travelling north to south, towards Israel, when it came down within the Irish camp. He said it was unclear whether it fell or was taken down by Israels Iron Dome defence system. Irish Unifil peacekeepers at Camp Shamrock in Lebanon. Photo: Niall Carson. Today's News in 90 seconds - 1st November 2024 Camp Shamrock, known as United Nations Post 2-45, is a short distance from the Israeli border, and is close to areas controlled by Hezbollah militants. There are around 350 soldiers currently deployed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) carrying out peacekeeping duties. The mother of one of the peacekeepers said she was horrified to get the notification on her phone about the attack. It was horrendous. We were at an event with other military families and everyone was shocked, she said. We should have been informed that this happened and everybody was OK before it broke 24 hours later. Its hard enough living with the worry and now I am concerned that we will not be told when things happen. I just desperately want him home. They are still bunkered much of the time and cannot fulfil their mission. It has been another day full of worry and angst, she said. Lt Gen Clancy confirmed the incident during a Defence Forces event in Co Westmeath yesterday, and said the rocket had caused minimal damage. I can confirm that yesterday afternoon there was a Katyusha rocket that landed within 2-45, this was by an armed element obviously, our assessment is it was travelling north to south into Israel. A lot of these are undirected, unguided and therefore unpredictable rockets, and they have been known to fall or been taken down by the Iron Dome. We havent assessed [if that is the case] right now. But it did fall in an unoccupied area of the camp itself. It caused minimal damage on the ground. He said bomb disposal officers sealed off the area on Wednesday night and dampened the ground before making the device safe yesterday morning. All personnel are safe and well, and of course, force protection is a priority for us. All the precautions we take and have been taking, which are working quite well, worked effectively on this occasion, the chief of staff added. Lt Gen Clancy and Tanaiste and Defence Minister Micheal Martin took part in a military event at Custume Barracks in Athlone yesterday for the members of the 125th Battalion of the Defence Forces who are preparing to take over from their counterparts in Lebanon when Irish troops on peacekeeping duties are next rotated. Mr Martin said the incident illustrates the risks are there for Irish peacekeepers. Theres no hiding from that fact. We are in a very challenging environment and that is why force protection is extremely important, he said, adding that the troops were at Level 2 when the strike occurred. It is a much more challenging environment now than it perhaps would have been, that is why we are pushing very strongly for a de-escalation in the region that is absolutely essential for the people of the region and also for the world. We cannot understate the importance of all sides pulling back from the brink now and engineering a ceasefire and working through a peaceful path. Were very conscious of the risks involved. The Taoiseach said he was thankful no one had been hurt in the rocket strike. Irish Unifil peacekeepers at Camp Shamrock in Lebanon. Photo: Niall Carson. Simon Harris speaks on attack on Irish peacekeeping camp in southern Lebanon In relation to Camp Shamrock, I have been kept informed of it through yesterday evening and, indeed, into today, Mr Harris told reporters in Co Kildare. This is an extremely serious situation, whilst it seems what happens is this that a rocket was fired, that rocket was taken down by what they call the Iron Dome, and part of that rocket then fell on, thankfully, an unoccupied part of Camp Shamrock, home to our Irish peacekeepers. Thankfully, nobody has been hurt or injured, and thankfully all our peacekeepers are accounted for and safe, and that is a good thing. Mr Harris said there was an obligation in international law to protect and not target peacekeepers. What we have seen in the last number of days, on many occasions throughout the Unifil mission, and what we saw yesterday in relation to Camp Shamrock, is a situation where even if peacekeepers arent being actively targeted, certainly enough steps are not being taken to protect them, he said. Therefore, I really reiterate my call in relation to the need for people to respect international law and respect the specific protections that are provided to peacekeepers in relation to that. The oxygen masks dropped from the plane ceiling during the ordeal Conor using an oxygen mask on board the flight which had to return to Dublin A man has described not being able to breathe during a Ryanair flight which had to make an emergency landing back in Dublin due to a pressurisation issue. Conor Curran (27) from Warrenpoint, Co Down, was travelling to Madrid from Dublin yesterday on the airline. He said he briefly closed his eyes only to wake up to an alarm sounding the phrase emergency descent repeatedly. The flight took off more or less on time and everything was fairly normal. Usual take off procedure and ascent, nothing out of the ordinary at all, he said. "I had been reading a book and had just closed my eyes, my girlfriend was asleep beside me, when the oxygen masks suddenly dropped and there was an alarm blaring the words emergency descent over and over. "We quickly tried to get our oxygen masks on and could see everyone else frantically trying to do the same. The crew were very quick to react and were helping some people who were struggling. "The flow of oxygen started from the masks but it was hard to breathe, so it was immediately apparent that there had been a loss of cabin pressure. Earlier today, Dublins Airport Authority, DAA, said Ryanair flight FR10, which was bound for Madrid, returned to Dublin Airport this morning due to a technical issue. In a statement, a Ryanair spokesperson confirmed the flight deployed oxygen masks and made a controlled descent back to Dublin. This flight FR10 from Dublin to Madrid (31 Oct) returned to Dublin shortly after take-off, due to a pressurisation system issue, they said. In line with standard procedure, the crew deployed oxygen masks, carried out a controlled descent and landed safely in Dublin where passengers disembarked normally. The oxygen masks dropped from the plane ceiling during the ordeal Conor explained during the landing he could smell burning and that the plane started to get very hot. "The plane quickly began descending and we were told it was making an emergency descent to an altitude where it was safe to breathe and that there had been a decompression/depressurisation of the cabin, he said. "You could smell burning and the crew advised us this was due to the oxygen bottles heating up, and the plane started to get very hot as all the air condition systems stopped working, again the crew advised us this was normal. "Once we reached a safe altitude we were advised we could remove the oxygen masks and were told we would be returning to Dublin and to would take us 40 minutes to get there. "The crew were very attentive and making sure we were all okay and as informed of the situation as we could be. Eventually we made an emergency landing in Dublin. "We were then given the option to board another flight and return to Madrid. Conor added that despite the replacement flight offered, some passengers did not wish to board due to the incident. "I would say about 90pc of the passengers did go on the next flight but some declined as they were too shaken by the experience. "It was definitely very scary and unexpected, when the masks dropped the plane went absolutely silent as people realised we were in a genuine emergency, and it was very scary not being able to breathe very well for a couple of minutes. A Ryanair spokesperson added: To minimise disruption to passengers, a replacement aircraft was arranged to operate this flight from Dublin to Madrid, which departed at 11:53 local time. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused. Tensions between coalition parties increase ahead of general electionTaoiseach Simon Harris says he is anti-carbon, but not anti-carAnti-pollution push ahead of a general election decried by FG sourcesGreens councillor Hazel Chu derides Fine Gael proposal for state-run creches as bonkers and cobbled togetherTransport Minister Eamon Ryan describes claims of delay to bill as nonsense Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are banding together to block the Green Partys plans for new anti-pollution taxes on cars and heavy goods vehicles. The Green Party wants the Cabinet to sign off on a strategy just before the general election is called to reduce traffic congestion by hitting road users with new taxes. However, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail insist they will not clear the plan drafted by Transport Minister and former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan before the country goes to the polls. The row comes amid an increasing number of tit-for-tat clashes between the coalition partners as the election date nears. Yesterday, Green Party councillor Hazel Chu criticised Fine Gaels plan to turn state-owned buildings deemed unsuitable for international protection accommodation into state-run creches, saying it was bonkers. Fianna Fail TD Christopher OSullivan criticised Mr Ryan for failing to introduce a 50m retrofitting scheme for businesses that was signed off in the budget two years ago. Mr OSullivan accused Mr Ryan of dragging his heels on approving the grant, and said it was unacceptable that it had not been signed off. Taoiseach Simon Harris said he was 'anti-carbon but not anti-car'. Photo: PA Budget 2023 committed the 50m fund from the Climate Action Fund for a range of measures such as solar thermal for hot water and heat pumps. It was designed to provide supports to pubs, restaurants and retail, he said. But the funding announced in October 2022 two years ago under Budget 2023 has yet to be signed off by Mr Ryan. Its been sitting on the ministers desk for signing for some time now awaiting sign-off. A spokesperson for Mr Ryan said the claim of a delay was nonsense. It had already been agreed by the Government last spring before it went out for public consultation In a further escalation of tensions, Green Party leader Roderic OGorman faced resistance from Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin at their weekly leaders meeting when he proposed publishing a transport strategy involving new taxes and tolls for motorists. At the leaders meeting, the Taoiseach said he was anti-carbon, but not anti-car as he pushed back against the plan. Senior sources in Fine Gael and Fianna Fail said they would not clear the plan before the election. A Fine Gael source said the proposal to publish a plan involving new taxes when the country was about to vote was just ridiculous. There is a very clear tactic from the Greens of trying to give the impression that they are the only party putting important things on the agenda, the source added. Hazel Chu. Photo: Gerry Mooney A Fianna Fail source said the Greens would be stopped in their tracks if they continued to push for the strategy to be published in advance of the election. Speaking in Laois on Friday at the opening of a new Garda station, the Taoiseach said it was too close to the general election to bring such measures to Cabinet. I signed up for a programme for government that was anti-carbon, not anti-car, he said. "I think it's very important that we recognise that there is still a need for cars in this country, and many people will have switched to electric vehicles, they need roads to drive on. Our public transport needs good road infrastructure as well. And this Government has neared the end of its time in office, and I don't think the Government has a mandate at this stage to come at the Irish people with a range of new charges and taxes. Im not in favour of it, and any Government that I'm a part of wont progress things around tolls and congestion charges. However, the Taoiseach added: Yes, we need to, of course, advance the climate agenda. We're extremely committed to that. My party is extraordinarily ambitious on climate. The three parties in government passed one of the most ambitious climate laws in the world. But you do that by bringing people with you. And at the moment, in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, increasing tolls and congestion charges the likes is not where we need to be at. Mr Harris added that there is a proposal to bring the measures before Cabinet, but I don't think the time is right in terms of this as a Government now that is in its final days before an election. However, a Green Party source said it would continue to discuss the plan with the Taoiseach and Tanaiste in anticipation of it being cleared by the Cabinet. It had already been agreed by the Government last spring before it went out for public consultation. This was it just coming back from that process, but apparently there have been very few changes to what was previously agreed, the source added. Bonkers proposal by Fine Gael to locate childcare centres in buildings that were turned down for asylum accommodation A draft of the traffic strategy, entitled Moving Together: A Strategic Approach to the Improved Efficiency of the Transport System in Ireland, was published by Mr Ryan in March. The TD asked that the Government approve and publish the final version of the strategy, including timelines for implementing the recommendations. There was some surprise within Fine Gael and Fianna Fail that the proposal came just two days before the second-last cabinet meeting ahead of the election being called. The strategy calls for a review of a current range of taxes and charges applying to transport, including VRT, motor tax, excise, carbon tax, tolls and Vat. Transport Minister Eamon Ryan. Photo: PA It also recommends introducing road tolls based on the length of time a motorist has driven. Among the other proposed measures is a plan for the Government to bring forward options for a user and polluter pays approach to transport taxation. This would include developing a weight-based approach to car and heavy goods vehicle taxation through motor tax or VRT. Meanwhile, Green Party Dublin Bay South general election candidate Ms Chu took to social media to criticise Fine Gaels proposal to open 100 statG-run childcare facilities using buildings or land deemed unsuitable for international protection centres. Bonkers proposal by Fine Gael to locate childcare centres in buildings that were turned down for asylum accommodation, she wrote on X. These buildings were rejected as they were too isolated, too derelict or too costly to fix. It looks like a plan cobbled together overnight. The Greens were the first party to take childcare seriously and used our time in government to halve the cost of childcare. Well reduce costs further and roll out guaranteed places for childcare in turn-key locations that suit parents, such as the States network of [Education and Training Board] buildings. Fianna Fail Senator Eugene Murphy is expected to contest the general election - but not as a Fianna Fail representative - in Roscommon Galway. The Senator was told by party headquarters he would not be added on to the ticket after narrowly losing the selection convention to former IMO president Dr Martin Daly. Senator Murphy now plans to contest the general election but it is not clear yet if he will run as an independent or join forces with Independent Ireland, the new political grouping backed by Roscommon Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice. The new party consists of Mr Fitzmaurice as well as sitting TDs Richard ODonoghue and Michael Collins. It is understood party headquarters decided against adding Senator Murphy on to the Fianna Fail ticket after poor local polling results, particularly in the Galway regions of the constituency. Senator Murphys general election bid could damage Fianna Fails chances of regaining a seat in the constituency and eat into Dr Dalys vote. While Mr Murphy has not yet publicly announced whether or not he will contest the election, his name is more than likely expected to be on the ballot paper, it is understood. There are currently no Government TDs in the Roscommon Galway constituency. Senator Murphy accused party headquarters of costing him his Dail seat after they ran local Cllr Orla Leyden alongside him in 2020, saying it split the vote. Speaking shortly after the last general election, he said party leader Micheal Martin rang him and was genuinely upset for him, saying, he did say that the strategy was wrong and you told us that would happen, and he was sorry about that. Serving TDs include independent Denis Naughten, who announced he is not contesting the next general election; Independent Irelands Michael Fitzmaurice and Sinn Feins Claire Kerrane, who is expected to keep her seat. Fine Gael are anxious to regain Mr Naughtens seat, who was formerly a Fine Gael TD, but left the party over the closure of the A+E in Roscommon Hospital. Fine Gael is running two candidates in Senator Aisling Dolan and Dympna Daly Finn. Andrew Mannion is running for People Before Profit and Martina OConnor is contesting the election for the Greens. The Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin. Stock image Gardai have arrested and charged a teenager as part of ongoing investigations into a number of thefts and road traffic offences in Dublin. The offences occurred between December 2022 and November 2024 respectively. A garda spokesperson said the arrest forms part of an ongoing investigation targeting criminal activity in the Eastern Region and Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR). The male juvenile (aged in his teens) is due to appear before Criminal Courts of Justice on Saturday morning, November 2 at 10.30am, they said. Investigations are ongoing. I had to go back to waitressing after losing my dream job but it taught me a big lesson about career goals Aoife CodyKane was forced to return to the service industry when she was made redundant from a media position she adored. Here, she reveals how the experience surprisingly reinvigorated her and set her on a new path Aoife CodyKane's return stint at waitressing gave her renewed inspiration Aoife CodyKane Fri 1 Nov 2024 at 03:30 On a random Friday at the start of the year, just 10 months into my dream job at an Irish womens magazine, I was made redundant. Cars are piled up after flash floods hit the region of Valencia on Wednesday. Photo: Getty The scenes of grief and unaccountable loss in Spain have struck a chord across Europe. As Shakespeare wrote: One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. To see so many stricken by such sudden devastation is both shocking and sobering. Who could not have been moved by the tragic story of Antonio Tarazona, who saw his wife and infant daughter swept away from the roof of their car by flood waters in Valencia? The consequences of climate disasters could not have been brought home more tragically. The condolences of our nation will be extended to the people of Spain. The speed at which roads were transformed into raging rivers as cars were swept away was more akin to a tsunami than a torrent. Questions are being asked as to preparedness and alarms. These will have to be answered at another date in a nation numbed by anguish. Any emergency service trying to cope with a years rain falling in a matter of hours is going to be overwhelmed. However, the spate of deadly European downpours has spurred scientists to look closely at possible connections to human-caused climate change. Two such links have been potentially identified. Warmer air absorbs and then dumps more rain. Changes in the jet stream the flow of air above land that moves weather systems across the globe may also account for the more extreme weather. In a strange quirk of coincidence, as Spain was reeling from catastrophe, two reports on the terrible toll that human behaviour has on populations were published. The 10 deadliest weather events of the last two decades were fuelled by climate change caused by humans A UN food agencies report warned that severe food crises threatened hundreds of thousands of people in vulnerable areas including Palestinian territories, Sudan, Haiti and Mali. The causes were conflict, economic instability and climate shocks. The second report, from the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group, found the 10 deadliest weather events of the last two decades were fuelled by climate change caused by humans. It said ferocious cyclones, heatwaves and unprecedented levels of drought and flooding, including in Europe, have killed more than 570,000 people. According to the groups head, climate change must not be seen as a distant threat. This study should be an eye-opener for political leaders hanging on to fossil fuels that heat the planet and destroy lives. If we keep burning oil, gas and coal, the suffering will continue, Dr Friederike Otto warned. Most world leaders acknowledge concerns, yet governments, including our own, that have agreed to radically reduce emissions, are falling far behind the targets. Last week, the UN Environment Programme warned that emission cuts were vital to avoid the risk of an unliveable planet this century. Several reports have sounded similar warnings. But even when nature screams, we scarcely listen. Pat McGartys balanced article (This month 28 years ago, one of our greatest shames came to an end when last Magdalene laundry shut, Independent.ie, October 30) will help many younger readers comprehend the deeply un-Christian nature of those institutions run by Catholic nuns. However, the story does not end in 1993 with the closure of the laundry in Sean McDermott Street, Dublin, or even with the state apology in 2013 and the redress scheme. Mr McGarty writes: The reasons for their [Magdalene laundries] existence expanded from policing the social and moral order to the operation of profitable businesses. The late Mary Raftery wrote that these unpaid and largely forgotten women were used as a ready source of free labour for these laundry businesses. Yet a government report in 2013 concluded, to everyones astonishment, that the laundries were never profitable. Subsequently, the religious orders who had run them refused to no ones surprise to make any contribution to the redress scheme. There is much first-hand evidence of the disdain in which the nuns held the women in their care. Perhaps this is best summarised in the excavation of the graves of the Magdalene women at High Park, Donnybrook, Dublin, where the nuns expected to find 133 remains, but found 155. There are no records to say these additional 22 women buried at High Park ever existed at the laundry. As with so many other religious involved in church scandals, the response of the Magdalene orders leadership has, in general, been cold and legalistic. Anthony OLeary, Portmarnock, Co Dublin We need a tribunal to look at grim legacy of corporal punishment in our schools While only 108 allegations of physical abuse were made to the Department of Education between 1962 and 1982, it does not surprise me or anyone who attended national or post primary schools during that period that so few complained. One must remember that the overarching authority was the Catholic church, or other religious, whose schools were more or less controlled by the local parish priest or bishop and their religious cabal, including the offending teachers. Who would a child go to during that period to ask for help? There were no safeguards in place. If a child told their parents they were being brutalised at school, very few parents had the willingness or courage to challenge the parish authorities, the priest or the teacher. It was a case of hear no evil, see no evil. As a student of the 1960s and 1970s, I know from first-hand experience (and from what I saw) what it was like to be beaten to within an inch of your life by a depraved sadist. We were supposed to go to school for an education, but all we were taught was fear. Fear of being hit for the slightest mistake, fear of being brought to the front of the class and beaten mercilessly to the back of it. All I knew was fear, and I watched others suffer at the hands of these sadists, primarily madmen pursuing their violence with vigour and pleasure, where speech impediments were made worse and absence from school became more frequent. While post-primary was somewhat better than what happened in national schools, there was still an element of brutality and sadism in some of the teachers who taught there. I hope the RTE documentary Leathered: Violence In Irish Schools will open a discussion that has remained hidden from Irish view and, if necessary, a tribunal of inquiry to expose those who brutalised those of us who felt their wrath. Christy Galligan, Letterkenny, Co Donegal Getting more apprentices through the door will ease skilled-labour shortages Your lead story on Wednesday (We need 80,000 more workers to fix roads, homes and power) was the new report from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council. This article focused on how we will need nearly 80,000 more construction workers to improve housing and infrastructure. I found it interesting to learn that if productivity could be improved, the number of extra workers needed could be cut to 20,000 since productivity levels of Irish construction workers was found to be 30pc lower than in many European countries. Its now incumbent on the Government to support apprentice schemes. Work permit programmes will be key in addressing the gaps within the construction workforce too. It will be important to leverage every source for new workers. This is a call to the Government to be more courageous in resolving this crisis. John OBrien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary Voters approve of Trump regardless of his faults as he stands up for the US Like Fidelma Healy-Eames (Strong man Trump will get the job done is a message I heard often on visit to the US, Irish Independent, October 31), I spent some time recently in the US. In my exchanges with everyday Americans I found that despite Donald Trumps controversies disrespectful behaviour, undermining of the US constitution, refusal to accept Bidens victory and a felony conviction people still support him. Many saw his assertiveness, stance on immigration and America First policies as strengths, fitting him for leadership. Doubts about US vice-president Kamala Harriss effectiveness and her past leadership role in San Francisco have only strengthened their views. Trumps appeal is intertwined with a perception of strength and a willingness to break the rules for national interests. This, however, bears risks of nurturing authoritarian traits in US leadership as Trump increasingly projects a singular authority over democratic norms. By embracing authoritarian tendencies masked as decisiveness, US society risks eroding its democratic foundations, exchanging enduring freedoms for fleeting strength. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran, Co Armagh America needs to match its fine words on Gaza with action on the ground I listened to Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, saying that the United States rejects any Israeli efforts to starve Palestinians in Jabalia or anywhere else. She also said Israels words must be matched by action on the ground. Surely those fine words must also be matched by action by the US government, otherwise our eyes will continue to be filled with despair. Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18 Senior officials from the HSE and Corks higher education institutions will pursue opportunities on the trip Shanghai Tower flanked by the Shanghai World Financial Centre (left) and the Jin Mao tower (right). The Lord Mayor of Cork councillor Dan Boyle led a delegation to twin city Shanghai and partner city Shenzen in China on Friday. In Shanghai, the delegation will meet with the consul general of Ireland, David Murphy, and state agencies in Ireland House to discuss opportunities for Cork city. Irelands ambassador to China, Beijing-based Dr Nicholas OBrien, will join the delegation in Shanghai. Dr OBrien previously served as consul general in Shanghai and concluded the original sister city agreement between Cork and Shanghai 19 years ago. Opportunities to develop the current programme of training and exchange in primary care between the HSE primary care in Cork and Kerry and the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission will also be pursued by senior HSE representatives during the visit, following the conclusion of a new agreement between the agencies signed in Cork City Hall in the presence of the Chinese Ambassador this year. Representatives from Corks higher education institutions will also participate in the visit, and will meet with Shanghai University, the International Education Association and with several vocational colleges to deepen links between second and third-level institutions in the two cities. Further business engagements have been organised at the Chinese International Import Expo, including with Cork Chamber of Commerce with several business chambers in Shanghai. The Cork delegations visit to Shenzhen will mark the first in-person engagement with the city since before the pandemic, and focus on exploring opportunities for Cork business in view of Shenzhens international reputation in the manufacturing sector. The visit will include an engagement with PCH International, a Cork-based firm with operations in Shenzhen, and engagement with Shenzhen City Hall on areas of future collaboration in advance of a high-level return visit to Cork by a Shenzhen city delegation at the end of this month. The Lord Mayors delegation will stay in China until November 9. The BusConnects corridor will link Tallaght and Clondalkin to the city centre. Pic: Getty The BusConnects corridor connecting Tallaght and Clondalkin to Dublin city centre has finally been approved, almost a year after the application was initially expected to be processed. The National Transport Authority (NTA) submitted the original proposal to An Bord Pleanala in April last year. Spanning 15.5km, the corridor will run from The Square Shopping Centre in Tallaght and Nangor Road in Clondalkin to Nicholas Street near St Patricks Cathedral, and will feature 12 dedicated bus lanes along its route. The new corridor will pass through key areas, including Ballymount, Walkinstown, Drimnagh, Crumlin and Dolphins Barn, and is expected to remove more than 100,000 car trips from the roads each day. The BusConnects initiative aims to redesign Dublins bus network and establish dedicated bus corridors to facilitate faster and more efficient public transport. The construction of these corridors will require road widening and the development of separate bus and cycle lanes. An Bord Pleanala received 55 submissions from local residents regarding the latest corridor, expressing concerns over loss of privacy, reduction of green space, and the safety implications of road widening. Some submissions highlighted inadequate provisions for cyclists, noting that in certain areas, bicycles would need to share space with buses and cars. There were also 19 objections related to compulsory purchase orders for land acquisition, predominantly from commercial property owners worried about the impact on parking and deliveries. In its recommendation to grant permission, An Bord Pleanala acknowledged the potential positive impact of the scheme on carbon emissions and traffic congestion. The Tallaght and Clondalkin corridor is the ninth BusConnects scheme to be approved, joining other routes serving areas like Liffey Valley, Ballymun and Lucan. Further routes are currently under review, with decisions pending on corridors from Templeogue, Kimmage and Bray. Mexican hosting workshops in Dublin about grief and food A Mexican living in Dublin is hoping to teach Irish people about the Day of the Dead through a series of art and food workshops. Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, takes place on November 2 and is a time where Mexicans reconnect with the souls of their deceased ancestors. Erick Gustavo Carrillo Ortiz, co-founder of the cultural project Fondita Mestiza, is hosting a four-session workshop that explores the connection between grief and Mexican food, blending theoretical discussions with practical, sensory experiences. Each session explores different perspectives on grief including psychoanalysis, anthropology, sociology, and rituals, and connects these with traditional Mexican dishes and beverages. We wanted to relate Samhain and the Day of the Dead where we focus on grief and rituals. In Mexico, we build an altar in our homes to pay tribute to the dead people, Erick told the Irish Independent. Erick Gustavo Carrillo Ortiz hosting a workshop Well have Mexican food and talk about how its related to grief. Its a unique worship. Grief can also be losing a friend moving away, moving to another place. We always love to have Irish people, so its for Dubliners, Irish, international people and Mexicans. The target is for people in their 30s and 40s. Erick studied a bachelor degree in psychology and a Masters in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at Centro Eleia in Mexico. He currently lives in Ireland, where he completed a masters in visual and critical studies at TU Dublin. In session one, he will discuss how food can act as a source of emotional comfort and support during grief by providing fideo soup with tortillas, a dish often associated with family warmth and comfort. Traditional Mexican tortillas Session two will cover Dia de los Muertos in Mexico, where food plays a crucial role in honouring the dead and the symbolism of Pan de Muerto: its history and meaning. Session three is about how food plays a symbolic and communal role in the mourning process. Theyll serve the Oaxacan mole, a dish rich in history, often served during both celebratory and mourning events. The final session will explore the rituals associated with grief and how mezcal, as a symbolic beverage, that reflects both life and death in Mexican culture. We started this cultural project at the end of last year. It started with friends, one of the characteristics of this project is that we relate food with art. Every Saturday, wed do a brunch with art, Erick added. We wanted to do workshops in relation to art, critical thinking, and focusing on food. This is related to grief, because now in November, in Mexico we have the celebration of the Day of the Dead. The four-week workshop takes place at 14 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2. The cost of 60 includes food Gardai have arrested a woman in Kerry following the seizure of drugs and drug laboratory equipment in Killarney. As part of an ongoing investigations targeting the sale and supply of controlled drugs, the Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit and local Garda units conducted an operation in the Killarney area of County Kerry, yesterday Thursday, October 31. During the operation, a residential property was searched, resulting in the seizure of approximately 14,000 worth of suspected cocaine and 1,000 worth of suspected crystal meth. All drugs seized during this operation will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis. Gardai also recovered components of a methamphetamine laboratory. A technical examination of the scene has been conducted. Following this seizure, a woman in her 40s was arrested and taken to a Garda station in County Kerry. She remains detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 and can be held for up to seven days. Feature: Laos eyes more agricultural export to China via China-Laos Railway Xinhua) 14:23, November 01, 2024 VIENTIANE, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Laos is seeking to promote sustainable agricultural production and encourage farmers and producers to increase the export of agricultural produce to China through the China-Laos Railway. "I've heard that several Chinese businessmen have expressed interest in growing durian in Laos to feed the surge in demand for the fruit among Chinese consumers. And I've seen how much Chinese people love durian. I think this is a golden opportunity for Laos to benefit from the Chinese market," Phonesak Jaliya, a vendor who sells fruits in the Lao capital Vientiane, told Xinhua. "Laos has abundant natural resources and we have land that's suitable for cultivation. I think Laos could become a potential supplier of the crop for China," he said. The Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and a Chinese business group recently convened a meeting to explore the potential of Laos' durian sector for export to China. At the meeting, Vice President of LNCCI Bounleuth Luangpaseuth emphasized the rapid growth of durian cultivation in Laos' fertile agricultural land, highlighting the China-Laos Railway as a crucial transport link. Also speaking at the meeting with the Chinese business group, President of the Lao Agribusiness Association Bounthieng Lattanavong said the Lao and Chinese governments have invested a lot in infrastructure development, especially the China-Laos Railway, so that Lao products can be sent to the large markets in China. "The Lao government has also paid attention to improving relevant laws and regulations to strongly promote the production, processing and export of agricultural products," he said. Manichanh Bounheuang, a vendor in the Lao capital Vientiane, said the China-Laos Railway emerged as a crucial factor in boosting exports. The railway has a critical role in ensuring the prompt movement of farm products, especially fresh produce. "Lao farmers need to manage quality control of their products, including packaging and logistics. China is a large market, and if their products meet the quality standards required for export to China, I believe they will earn lots of money," said Manichanh. A shipment of 390 tons of bananas has been transported by rail to China on a refrigerated train traveling from Lao capital Vientiane to Kunming and onwards to Pinggu District of Beijing. The train left Vientiane on Oct. 12, and arrived in Beijing on Oct. 20. Laos earned more than 1.4 billion U.S. dollars from agricultural exports in 2023. The value of production in agriculture and forestry accounted for 21.4 percent of the gross domestic product in 2023. The Lao government is encouraging farmers and producers to supply more goods to the domestic market and to produce more for export to bring in much-needed foreign currency and help reduce high foreign exchange rates. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) The blaze leaves 25 staff members out of work A Limerick restaurant has temporarily closed after a fire broke out on the premises earlier this week. The blaze at Pallas Bar & Bistro in Pallasgreen was reported to Limerick Fire and Rescue at approximately 9:43pm on Wednesday. Two appliances from Cappamore were dispatched to fight the blaze. One appliance with firefighters from Tipperary town also joined and gardai were alerted to the incident. A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana said: Gardai were alerted to an incident of fire in the Pallasgreen area, county Limerick, at approximately 10pm, Wednesday, October 30, 2024. Willie Crowe, owner of the Pallas Bar & Bistro, said: It is with great regret that we will be closed until further notice while we assess the damage in full cooperation with the fire officers. We thank them for their support. We are committed to our loyal customers and our staff of 25 whose livelihoods rely on our business and your custom. Chair of the FG Agricultural, Food and Rural Development forum, Eddie Downey, in conversation with Fine Gael general election candidate Brian Brennan. Former councillor Vincent Blake, Chair of the FG Agricultural, Food and Rural Development forum, Eddie Downey, Minister Martin Heydon, Fine Gael general election candidate Brian Brennan, Cllr Darragh McDonald and Donal O'Sullivan, FG Constituency Chair. Farmers from across the new Wicklow-Wexford constituency gathered in Tinahely recently for a public meeting on the opportunities and challenges facing the agriculture sector hosted by Fine Gael general election candidate Brian Brennan Held in the Orchard Centre, the meeting saw a lively discussion and a robust exchange of views, with guest speakers, Minister of State Martin Heydon, and chair of the Fine Gael Agricultural, Food and Rural Development Forum, Eddie Downey, in attendance on the night. Opening the meeting, Mr Brennan spoke of the issues he has been hearing from farmers throughout the constituency, specifically relating to prices, regulations, schemes and succession. Despite not coming directly from a farming background, he pledged to be a voice for farmers, ensuring that he would make their voices heard by key decision-makers. There are 85,000 people in this new constituency and for the last five years we have had no representation from within this area at a national level, Brennan said in his closing remarks. There is no sitting TD for these 85,000 voices. What I can do is promise everyone in this room that whatever organisation you are from in this constituency, I will meet you, I will listen to you and I will go to Dublin and I will be your voice. I will be a much-needed voice for farmers in north Wexford and South Wicklow. Eddie Downey praised the efforts that farmers have made in meeting their targets, noting that it is the only sector in the country meeting targets while increasing production and output. As the chair of the Fine Gael Rural Agricultural, Food and Rural Development forum, the only political party to have such a forum in place, he has travelled the country meeting with farmers, and farm groups, listening and learning. The forum has produced a document from these learnings which will strongly inform the Fine Gael party manifesto and potentially the next programme for government. Stressing the importance of the rural vote in Ireland, Downey noted: We in rural Ireland need to stand up and put the right people in positions where they can make decisions for us. We have had 13 years of steady growth, 13 years of stability and we need to ensure that continues. Minister Heydon directly addressed the key challenges that he sees for farmers, specifically ensuring that there is a future for farming in this country, and pressed home the importance of defending Irelands share in important markets, growing our share in premium markets and continuing to diversify into developing market. He stated that, if elected into the next government, there will be a drive to simplify what is being asked of farmers with fewer schemes with more money. He also acknowledged the challenges that farmers are facing and reiterated that there needs to be a strong voice for this rural community. The meeting opened to the floor, with inputs from Tom Byrne and Tom Doyle, representing Wicklow IFA and Wexford IFA respectively, and valuable questions from several other attendees. Regulations, succession, emission, and legislation were the topics that came to the fore with recognition from the panel that there is scope for improvement to meet these challenges, but that strong rural party representation will be key to moving things forward. Proceedings came to a close with a strong message to farmers in the Wicklow Wexford constituency from Minister Heydon, who stated: Progress is not a binary choice. We can produce top-quality food and reduce emissions at the same time. Farmers in Ireland are leading the way and should be extremely proud of their efforts. Minister James Browne has confirmed that significant progress has been made towards the construction of an advanced technology building in Enniscorthy Technology Park. Minister Browne hosted a meeting and visit with Minster of State for Trade Promotion, Dara Calleary who met and spoke with local businesses. "Todays meeting focused on accelerating the investment of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland in County Wexford. I can confirm that the tender for the design of the Advanced Technology Building in Enniscorthy has now been launched. I am confident that further positive news will be announced by Enterprise Ireland in the coming weeks," he said. The agreed location has been announced as the Enniscorthy Technology Park in Killagoley, which is a site of approximately 14.25 hectares. The location is currently home to Greentech HQ, a high-tech sustainability innovation hub. Friends and family of Robert and Helen Breen gathered recently to celebrate in the Brandon House Hotel, where the couple had their wedding reception 50 years ago. Robert had returned to Ireland from his peacekeeping post overseas in Cyprus with the army following the death of his mother, so that he could help his sister, Margaret (Peg) look after their father. One night in 1972, at a dance in Adamstown, Robert met Helen who hailed from a large family, having 10 siblings, in Kiltealy. Its still difficult to say who had eyes for who, as both would argue to this day they were chased by the other, but it was certainly love as Robert popped the question about a year later after they attended another dance together. Six months later, On October 5, 1974, the couple were wedded in Kiltealy church and enjoyed their honeymoon in Killarney. Having settled into Roberts homeplace in Kilbraney, the family, old and young were always adored by Robert and Helen, including Roberts father, Tom, who lived with them until he passed away aged 94. They went on to have four children of their own. Family is very important to Mam and Dad and they are happiest with their family around them including their six grandchildren, Caoimhe, Lorchan, Liepa, Oisin, Ella and Eabha. Hugs and cups of tea are always plentiful at home, said Robert and Helens daughter. The team from Wallaces Homevalue, winner of the Octabuild Excellence in Sales and Marketing Award. The Octabuild Builders Merchant Excellence Awards ceremony was held on Thursday, October 17 at a gala event at the Mansion House in Dublin, where a County Wexford business was crowned the winner of its nominated category. Wallaces Homevalue in Wellingtonbridge, County Wexford won the Excellence in Sales and Marketing Award on the night, which was attended by over 250 guests including shortlisted merchants and representatives of the builders merchant trade from across the country. The event was hosted by the eight Octabuild members, Dulux, Etex, Glennon Brothers, Grant Engineering, Gyproc, Irish Cement, Kingspan Insulation and Wavin. Guest of honour was Tanaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheal Martin, TD. The judges were impressed by Wallaces well-managed sales and marketing strategy, which consistently delivers quick customer responses. This efficiency is supported by the introduction of daily stock counts on a cycle basis, ensuring that customers' needs are met promptly and effectively. Wallaces caters to a wide range of customers, from housebuilders and DIY enthusiasts to local farmers through their agri-business division. The judges praised their use of in-store media players, placed strategically throughout the store, which adds another dimension to their customer engagement. These screens display everything from promotional offers and products to customer testimonials, driving interest and enthusiasm among shoppers. Octabuild Chairperson, Declan Conlon said: Its important for Octabuild that the Awards highlight the excellence of Irish builders merchants to the building and construction industry amidst its ever-changing landscape. Congratulations to all finalists and winners from all over the country who represented absolute excellence in the industry. Congratulating all the winners the Tanaiste said: I would like to congratulate all the finalists and winners at this years awards. I want to commend the organisers and Octabuild Chairperson, Declan Conlon for such a great event. These are a unique set of awards designed to promote excellence within the Irish builders merchants industry across the island and highlight the importance of the industry to the wider construction and building sector. Adding to the comments on the evening, the judges spoke about the quality of the entries: It is evident that the industry is evolving at a rapid pace with merchants across the country leading the way in the continuously changing landscape. "The competition is fierce as merchants have embraced the opportunities in staff training, stock portfolio, premises, customer service, promotion, ecommerce and sustainability to develop their businesses. Brandon Roche (19) has been missing since he entered the water at Wexford Bridge on October 27. Its now rapidly approaching a week since young Wexford man Brandon Roche was seen alive. For his heartbroken family, each day takes a massive toll, the wait unbearable as they stand by the Slaney estuary awaiting news. Brandon is reported to have entered the water at Wexford Bridge at around 2am on bank holiday Sunday morning. Since then a major multi-agency search has been ongoing in Wexford Harbour, with Coast Guard rescue helicopters, the RNLI and Garda water unit all taking part, alongside multiple voluntary agencies. On Thursday and Friday, the Coast Guard announced that they would be pulling back from the search for a couple of days to allow personnel a break ahead of a major concentrated effort over the course of the weekend. The Garda water unit were out on Thursday and deployed sonar equipment to search river estuary. Wexford K9 Search and Rescue provided a cadaver dog to aid in the search, while Slaney Search and Rescue and the RNLI continued their sweeps of the harbour by boat. Hundreds of volunteers have also been out searching beaches and riverbanks for any sign of the 19 year-old, who was wearing black jeans, a black sweatshirt, a gold watch, a white t-shirt and light grey Nike runners at the time he went missing. Brandon Roche. Brandons family have been incredibly moved by the support and help theyve received in recent days. "We just want to say how much we appreciate the help that weve received, a family spokesperson said. "We are overwhelmed with the support and kindness that people have shown us over the past few difficult days. In particular, the family wished to thank the voluntary groups whove gone to great lengths to help in the search for Brandon, such as the RNLI, Slaney Search and Rescue, K9 Search and Rescue and Carrick on Suir Search and Rescue. Mallow and Boyne River rescue crews are expected to join in the search over the weekend. A GoFundMe page to raise funds for these voluntary groups was set up in recent days. A modest target of 1,800 was initially set, but as things stand, it has attracted nearly 260 donations and raised nearly 14,000. The Sarsfields GAA clubhouse at Pairc Charman will once again serve as a base of operations for volunteers to meet from 9 a.m. each morning. The family also wish to thank all of the local businesses who have helped out by providing food and refreshments for those taking part in the search. Those with any free time over the weekend who are willing to help with the search are asked to join the WhatsApp group established for volunteers here. Speaking in the midst of a horrendous ordeal, Brandons heartbroken mother Samantha said: I just want to appeal to everyone out there to remember that it's always okay to ask for help. We will keep going with the search until we find Brandon and bring him home. A mum-of-five has been crowned Wicklow Family Carer of the Year, her husband explaining that she doesnt see how truly amazing she is in caring for their toddler with complex needs. Shauna Mulhall from Knockananna in south west Wicklow was nominated for the Family Carers Ireland award by her husband James. The pair have five children, including Mia (2), who has severe developmental delay, is autistic, non-verbal, experiences seizures, has severe pica, feeding challenges and many complex needs requiring 24/7 care. James says that the kids couldnt have a better mother, and that Shauna is a rock for the entire family and particularly Mia, with whom she has a special bond and can anticipate her needs instantly unlike anyone else. James describes his amazing wife as being truly deserving of this recognition, saying she literally devotes everything to caring for Mia as best she can and we are all so proud of her, she doesn't even see how truly amazing she is. Now in their 17th year, these awards seek to honour family carers, while shining a light on the urgent need for greater recognition and support of those who go above and beyond in caring for their loved ones, often without the necessary support from the State. Shauna Mulhall, Netwatch Wicklow Family Carer of the Year (centre) with her daughter Mia and mother-in-law Eileen Mulhall. There are over 500,000 family carers in Ireland caring for children or adults with additional needs, physical or intellectual disabilities, frail older people, those with palliative care needs or those living with chronic illnesses, mental health challenges or addiction. Each week it is estimated that these carers provide 19 million hours in unpaid work. If the State were to seek to replace this support, it would cost an astonishing 20 billion annually. Barry Finnegan from Family Carers Ireland highlighted the significance of the recognition, He said: Each year, the Netwatch Family Carer of the Year awards remind us of the vital role that family carers play in our society and shine a light on the incredible work that they do, which is too often unseen and unrecognised. As a society, we must do much more to ensure that family carers are properly recognised, valued and supported to care safely for their loved ones at home. Amy Dowden appeared in high spirits as she made her return to TV, after a health scare forced her to pull out of this weeks Strictly Come Dancing live show. The professional dancer missed Sundays results programme after being taken to Barnet Hospital from the BBC One shows production centre, Elstree Studios, as a precaution after the star began feeling unwell. On Friday, Dowden appeared on BBC spin-off series It Takes Two alongside her celebrity partner JB Gill and Lauren Oakley the professional who has stepped in to rehearse with the JLS star and will perform during Saturdays live show. Amy Dowden and JB Gill during their appearance on the live show of Saturdays Strictly Come Dancing show (Guy Levy/BBC) Im feeling so much better and Id just like to thank everyone for all the love and support Ive received and to my Strictly family feeling much better, the dancer told host BBC Two Janette Manrara. Gill and Oakley will be performing a couples choice during a Bruno Mars-themed performance on Saturday. Im just so proud and so grateful for Lauren, Dowden said. Theyve worked so hard, and JBs just been so supportive of me and just knuckled down. Dowden also said that Gill and Oakley had been sending videos and messages all week with updates on his progress in a WhatsApp chat they titled Team, alongside a star emoji. Host Manrara said it was nice to see Dowden looking well. Janette Manrara said it was nice to see Amy Dowden looking well (Ian West/PA) A BBC spokesperson previously said: We are all hopeful that Amy will be back to dance with JB next week. Dowden returned to the competition this year after undergoing treatment for breast cancer, including having a mastectomy and chemotherapy. It came after the dancer found a lump in her breast while on her honeymoon in the Maldives with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones. She was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and, after treatment, in February announced that tests showed she has no evidence of disease. Dowden documented her experience after seeing the impact on others of her documentary discussing her Crohns disease, and how it had helped her accept her own condition for the first time ever. She fronted the BBC programme Strictly Amy: Crohns And Me, in which she spoke about her condition and met other people with Crohns to hear about their experiences. The lifelong condition, in which parts of the digestive system become inflamed, can cause stomach aches and cramps, fatigue and diarrhoea, among other symptoms, according to the NHS website. During the Strictly live tour in 2022, Dowden was admitted to hospital in Manchester after a Crohns flare-up. The Military Wives Choirs have released a moving new song to mark the King Charles forthcoming 76th birthday. Charles has been honoured with a lullaby called November Sunday, which re-imagines the "chilly, foggy London night" he was born at Buckingham Palace in 1948, and the hope and joy of a recovering post-war Britain. It also pays tribute to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who was herself a "military wife", and served in the Armed Forces. Full horror of Spains floods is revealed as death toll reaches 158 Grim search for bodies continues in Valencia and surrounding areas after a years worth of rain fell in eight hours Firefighters walk through piled-up cars, following floods in Sedavi, Valencia, Spain. Photo: Reuters David Latona Fri 1 Nov 2024 at 03:30 The death toll from devastating flash floods in eastern Spain climbed to 158 yesterday, with rescue teams still searching for those missing in what could become Europes worst storm-related disaster in over five decades. LATEST | Spain flooding: Taoiseach advises Irish citizens not to travel to affected region as death toll hits 205 and temporary morgue opened Dozens still missing, minister saysConvention centre in Valencia used to store bodiesSome areas still cut off by floodwaters and mudFirefighters battle to get power supplies back on Residents react as they wait for news of their relatives trapped during the floods in Valencia, Spain, yesterday. Photo: AP David Latona and Charlie Devereux Fri 1 Nov 2024 at 15:17 Taoiseach Simon Harris has spoken with Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez and has advised Irish people not to travel to affected regions after deadly flash flooding. Photo Courtesy: PIB Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal successfully concluded his visit to Saudi Arabia during which he participated in the Plenary Session of the 8th Edition of Future Investment Initiative (FII). During the session, he highlighted the critical role of international partnerships and economic diplomacy in fostering global cooperation, innovation, technological advancement, and investment. He urged global investors to seize emerging opportunities in India, particularly in high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. Piyush Goyal also co-chaired the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the Economy and Investment Committee under the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) along with Minister of Energy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud on 30th October 2024 in Riyadh. The Strategic Partnership Council was established in 2019, following the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in October 2019. The Committee reviewed the progress achieved by the four Joint Working Groups: Agriculture and Food Security; Energy; Technology and Information Technology; and Industry and Infrastructure. They noted the deepening of bilateral economic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia and deliberated on ways to enhance trade and investment. The Minister held fruitful ministerial engagements in Riyadh, including with the Minister of Energy, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources and Minister of Investment. These engagements focused on collaborative initiatives in trade, energy, and technology. These discussions culminated in a series of actionable agreements, aimed at enhancing trade volumes and facilitating a smooth flow of investments between the two countries. The agreements emphasise cooperation in energy transition, digital transformation, and the exchange of expertise to accelerate economic growth. Piyush Goyal also met with Peter Herweck, CEO of Schneider Electric and William E. Ford, Chairman and CEO of General Atlantic, to discuss India's economic landscape and investment opportunities across sectors. In recent years, many bilateral agreements have been formalised between India and Saudi Arabia, covering sectors such as food exports, pharmaceuticals, electrical interconnectivity, energy, small and medium enterprises, digitization and electronic manufacturing. Both countries are also exploring collaboration in emerging fields like fintech, new technologies, energy efficiency, clean hydrogen, textiles, mining, etc. The Committee Meeting reviewed these developments and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation across various areas of shared interest. Later in the day, Minister Piyush Goyal interacted with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) chapter in Saudi Arabia and emphasized the role of chartered accountants in supporting India's expanding global trade network. Discussions highlighted ICAIs efforts to promote Indian standards globally, including initiatives to upskill professionals and bolster Indias position in global financial services. At the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, the Minister unveiled the One District, One Product (ODOP) Wall, featuring unique products from various districts across India. The ODOP initiative, part of the Government of Indias Vocal for Local campaign, aims to promote regional craftsmanship by showcasing the rich cultural heritage of India through distinctive, high-quality products. File photo from Wallpaper Cave California/IBNS: Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced plans to open four additional Apple Stores in India, following record-breaking quarterly revenue for the third quarter of 2024. Currently, Apple operates two official stores in Indiaone in Mumbai's BKC and the other in New Delhi's DLF Saket. Cook highlighted the companys enthusiasm to expand further, stating, "We also opened two new stores during the quarter, and we cant wait to bring four new stores to customers in India during Apples recent earnings call. Apple reported record-breaking iPhone sales globally, with significant growth in India, where the company achieved its highest-ever revenue. The iPhone category set a new September quarter revenue record, with growth across all regions, including the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Additionally, Apple marked revenue records in key countries such as the U.S., Brazil, the UK, Korea, Malaysia, and notably, India. The iPad segment also saw strong growth, particularly in emerging markets. Luca Maestri, Apples CFO, noted, "iPad generated $7 billion in revenue, up 8 percent year-over-year, with double-digit growth in India, Mexico, Brazil, the Middle East, and South Asia. While specific locations for the new Indian stores have yet to be disclosed, reports suggest they may open in Bengaluru, Pune, and the Delhi-NCR area, along with a second location in Mumbai. If confirmed, both Delhi and Mumbai will each host two Apple Stores, with new locations expanding into Bengaluru and Pune. According to Counterpoint Research, Apple now holds a 22 percent share of India's smartphone market by value, positioning it just behind Samsung. The recent launches of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 ahead of Indias festive season have further strengthened Apples market presence. Globally, Apple achieved $94.9 billion in revenue for the September quarter, up 6 percent year-over-year, with iPhone revenue growing by 6 percent alone. Looking ahead, Apple projects modest growth, driven by the gradual introduction of new AI features across its products. Photo Courtesy: ISRO X page The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on Friday announced the launch of its first analog space mission aims to simulate life in an interplanetary habitat to tackle the challenges of a base station beyond Earth. The mission kicked off in Leh. The mission is the Human Spaceflight Centre, ISRO, AAKA Space Studio, University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, and supported by Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. "Indias first analog space mission kicks off in Leh! A collaborative effort by Human Spaceflight Centre, ISRO, AAKA Space Studio, University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, and supported by Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, this mission will simulate life in an interplanetary habitat to tackle the challenges of a base station beyond Earth,"ISRO posted on X. Indias first analog space mission kicks off in Leh! A collaborative effort by Human Spaceflight Centre, ISRO, AAKA Space Studio, University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, and supported by Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, this mission will simulate life in an pic.twitter.com/LoDTHzWNq8 ISRO (@isro) November 1, 2024 India has launched several key space missions in recent times. ISRO touched a landmark moment after its third lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the Moon in 2023. Chandrayaan-3 lander Vikram captured the historic images and a video of its ramp when the Pragyan rover moved down towards the Moon's surface. In a game-changing feat in India's space exploration, the country's lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 successfully soft-landed on the South Polar region of the moon as a nation of 1.4 billion people erupted in joy and pride ending an anxious wait for the moment last year. The Indian government in September approved the Chandrayaan-4 mission, an ambitious lunar exploration project designed to demonstrate key technologies for landing on the Moon, collecting samples, and safely returning them to Earth. In addition to Chandrayaan-4, the Cabinet has also greenlit the Venus Orbiter Mission and the development of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), reinforcing India's commitment to space exploration. With a budget of Rs. 2,104.06 crore (approximately $253 million), Chandrayaan-4 is seen as a critical milestone in India's space program. Photo courtesy: Devender Singh Rana X handle Srinagar/IBNS: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Jammu and Kashmir's Nagrota, Devender Singh Rana, passed away last night at the age of 59, media reports said. Rana passed away at a private hospital in Faridabad, Haryana. He was receiving treatment at the hospital. The businessman-turned-politician is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son. Prior to joining the BJP in 2021, Rana was the provincial president of the National Conference. Rana was close to NC president Farooq Abdullah and present Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. In the recently concluded Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, Rana won from the assembly segment in Jammu region defeating the NC candidate by over 30,000 votes. In the 2014 assembly elections, Rana had won from the same seat as a NC candidate. Mournings Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is the supreme leader of BJP, posted on X, "Shri Devender Singh Rana Jis untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmirs progress. "He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J&K. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti." Shri Devender Singh Rana Jis untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmirs progress. He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J&K. In this hour of grief, my pic.twitter.com/ohmAFJ8UJl Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrote on X, "The terrible news from late last night isnt really sinking in. I know the last few years have been marked by our differences Devender but I prefer to focus on the fun times we shared together, the excellent work we did together & the memories. "You have been taken from us all too soon & will be missed. May your soul rest in peace now DSR. My heart goes out to your family as I struggle to find the words to convey my condolences to them." The terrible news from late last night isnt really sinking in. I know the last few years have been marked by our differences Devender but I prefer to focus on the fun times we shared together, the excellent work we did together & the memories. You have been taken from us all too pic.twitter.com/QoANZOyS3B Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) November 1, 2024 Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP chief, Mehbooba Mufti, said, "Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Devinder Rana ji. Deepest condolences to his family & loved ones." Photo courtesy: Karnataka Congress Facebook page Bengaluru/IBNS: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has made a U-turn after he was pulled up by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for an appeal to revisit the state government's Shakti scheme that allows free travel in buses for women, media reports said. On Wednesday, Shivakumar claimed several women are eager to pay for the bus travels. After the inauguration of 20 Airavat Club Class seater buses at the Vidhan Soudha, Shivakumar had said as quoted by Deccan Herald, "This guarantee was announced by Rahul Gandhi in Mangaluru. Some women (now) say they are ready to pay but conductors won't accept it. "That's one class, comprising maybe 5-10 per cent. We will sit down with (Transport Minister) Ramalinga Reddy and discuss these things." At the Congress party office in Bengaluru, Kharge pulled up Kharge publicly saying the latter's comment created "doubts and that's enough for those who want to criticise". The Congress president also said he promised the five guarantees which were made to the people of Karnataka prior to the elections. "There is no such proposal before the government," said Siddaramaiah quickly as quoted by The News Minute. In a U-turn after the party's disapproval, Shivakumar said on Friday, "Of course the Karnataka guarantee model is a model for the entire country. The BJP and other parties are also adopting it. "We are very proud that we could implement and deliver that. People of Karnataka and the country are very happy with our model." Karnataka guarantee model is a model for the entire country. DK Shivakumar # pic.twitter.com/ZuAMLEFaiZ Rohini Anand (@mrs_roh08) November 1, 2024 Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Congress for making unreal promises during poll campaigns. PM Modi posted on his social media handles: "The Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible. Campaign after campaign they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly exposed in front of the people! #FakePromisesOfCongress" "In Karnataka, Congress is busier in intra-party politics and loot instead of even bothering to deliver on development. Not only that, they are also going to rollback existing schemes," he posted. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay Leh/IBNS: The Indian soldiers on Friday started patrolling in Ladakh's Demchok after the completion of the border disengagement with the Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), media reports said. The next patrolling will be held in Depsang. The Indian and Chinese troops on Friday exchanged sweets along the LAC, marking the end of more than four-year conflict between the two Asian giants, media reports said. The troops exchanged sweets on the occasion of India's Hindu festival of Diwali at five locations along LAC including two in Ladakh. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the disengagement of Indian and Chinese troops along the LAC is "almost complete", updating about the consensus reached by India and China. Singh on Thursday said, "India and China have held diplomatic and military talks to resolve conflicts in some areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Recently, they reached a broad consensus to restore the ground situation, based on equal and mutual security. "This agreement includes patrolling and grazing rights in traditional areas. Disengagement is almost complete, and efforts will continue to move beyond disengagement, but that may take some time." PHOTO | Indian Army troops exchange sweets with Chinese soldiers at several border points along the LAC on the occasion of Diwali. #Diwali #Diwali2024 (Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/QjZGVcExdD Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 31, 2024 The disengagement was held at two points of Ladakh, Depsang and Demchok. The troops of the two Asian giants returned to the status which prevailed before the deadly Galwan clash in 2020. Last month, India and China reached a consensus and agreed to disengage along the border "in a coordinated and planned way". Both the armies had agreed to withdraw from their positions to their respective positions on their sides and verify each others' positions after that. For over four years, the two countries were engaged in a military standoff along the LAC following the Galwan clash which took place in June 2020. Galwan Clash The Galwan skirmish erupted from a dispute over a temporary bridge built by the Chinese in the Galwan River valley in Ladakh. On June 15, 2020, Indian and Chinese troops engaged in a six-hour clash in the rugged terrain of Ladakh, engaging in hand-to-hand combat with makeshift weapons such as stones, batons, and iron rods. The face-off occurred in near-complete darkness and freezing temperatures, leading to fatalities as soldiers fell or were pushed from ridges. Twenty Indian soldiers were martyred in the clash, while China officially acknowledged four casualties, although reports indicate higher Chinese losses, as soldiers drowned in the choppy waters of the Galwan River. Among the Indians, Colonel B Santosh Babu, the Commanding Officer of the 16th Bihar Regiment, was martyred during the unprovoked aggression by PLA troops. The Galwan clashes highlighted China's aggressive stance towards its neighbouring countries. Many observers on social media noted similarities between the Chinese attack on Philippine navy ships and the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. A file picture of Donald Trump lighting diya in the White House during his tenure as President. Photo Courtesy: The White House Official Website Hindu American groups have praised former US President Donald Trump for promising to protect the rights of the community members in the country and across the world. Trump, who is contesting a second term in the White House, posted the remarks on X ahead of the US Presidential polls where he is expected to fight a tough battle against his opponent Vice President Kamala Harris. HinduACTion group wrote on X: "@realDonaldTrumps statement reflects an honest acknowledgment of the socio-political aggression faced by the Hindus in the US and the geopolitical challenges faced by Hindus worldwide, which have often stemmed from our nations policies in the past couple of years. The next @WhiteHouseadministration must address these issues thoughtfully, crafting informed policy solutions. This #Diwali message represents a vital step toward the necessary course correction for our nation.India must pay attention @PMOIndia." .@realDonaldTrumps statement reflects an honest acknowledgment of the socio-political aggression faced by the Hindus in the US and the geopolitical challenges faced by Hindus worldwide, which have often stemmed from our nations policies in the past couple of years. The next https://t.co/i07SZpmDX2 HinduACTion (@HinduACT) November 1, 2024 Utsav Sanduja, founder and chairman of Hindus for America First, wrote on X: " Thank you President #Trump. Thank you for hearing our organization out. Thank you for hearing me out on this issue. Thank you for caring about the Hindus of America and their concerns!!!! Happy #Diwali to you!" Thank you President #Trump. Thank you for hearing our organization out. Thank you for hearing me out on this issue. Thank you for caring about the Hindus of America and their concerns!!!! Happy #Diwali to you! https://t.co/XB8D9xc5md Utsav (@UtsavSanduja) October 31, 2024 In a reach out to the Hindus in America ahead of the US Presidential Elections, Republican candidate Donald Trump has lashed out at US President Joe Biden and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris for allegedly ignoring the minorities in the country as well as the world. Trump made the comment in the backdrop of the attack on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, which witnessed a change of power in August. In a long X post wishing the Hindu community members on Diwali, Trump, a former President who is running the November 5 elections, said, "I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos. I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos. It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2024 "It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength!" Photo Courtesy: PIB The Indian Army contingent comprising 25 personnel departed for Cijantung, Jakarta, Indonesia to take part in the 9th edition of India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise Garud Shakti 24. The Exercise will be conducted from November 1 to 12. The Indian contingent is being represented by troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and Indonesian contingent comprising 40 personnel is being represented by Indonesian Special Forces Kopassus. The aim of Exercise Garud Shakti 24 is to acquaint both the sides with each others operating procedures, enhance mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the Special Forces of both armies. Why Exercise is crucial? The Exercise is designed to develop bilateral military cooperation and strengthen bond between two armies through conduct of discussions and rehearsal of tactical military drills. The Exercise will involve planning and execution of special operations, orientation to advance special forces skills, sharing of information on weapon, equipment, innovations, tactics, techniques and procedures. The Joint Exercise Garud Shakti will also involve jointly practicing Special Forces Operations in Jungle terrain, strikes on terrorist camps and a Validation Exercise integrating basic and advance special forces skills apart from gaining an insight into the lifestyle and culture of both countries to foster military cooperation. The Exercise will provide an opportunity to both the contingents to strengthen their bond and share best practices. It will also act as a platform to achieve shared security objectives and foster bilateral relations between two friendly nations. Photo Courtesy: PIB The Indian Army contingent departed on Friday for the 15th edition of India- US joint Special Forces Exercise Vajra Prahar. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from November 2 to November 22 at Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA. The last edition of the same exercise was conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya in December 2023. This will be second exercise of the year between Indian and the US Army, the previous being Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2024, conducted at Rajasthan in September 2024. Contingents of both the countries taking part in the joint exercise will comprise 45 personnel each. The Indian Army contingent will be represented by Special Forces units and the US Army contingent will be represented by Green Berets of US. The Aim of Exercise Vajra Prahar is to promote military cooperation between India and the US through enhancement of interoperability, jointness and mutual exchange of special operations tactics. The exercise will enhance combined capabilities in executing joint Special Forces Operations in desert/ semi desert environment. The exercise will focus on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning and joint tactical drills. Drills/ aspects to be rehearsed during the exercise will include planning a Joint Team Mission, Reconnaissance Mission, employment of Unmanned Aerial Systems, execution of Special Operations, actions of Joint Terminal Attack Controller and Psychological Warfare in Special Operations. Exercise Vajra Prahar will enable the two sides to share their best practices and experiences for conduct of joint Special Forces Operations. The exercise will facilitate developing inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between soldiers of both the countries. In image Congress top brass | Courtesy: Facebook/INC New Delhi/IBNS: Responding sharply to the Election Commission's reply on the Haryana assembly election, which it claimed to be 'flawless,' the Congress on Friday accused the poll body of attacking its leaders and threatened to take legal action to expunge such remarks if it continued to do so. In a strongly worded letter, the Congress said its communications to the Election Commission are restricted to the issues and "if the current ECI's goal is to strip itself of the last vestiges of neutrality, then it is doing a remarkable job at creating that impression." "Second, the recent tone of the Commission's communications to the INC is a matter that we refuse to take lightly anymore. Every reply from the ECI now seems to be laced with ad-hominem attacks on either individual leaders or the party itself. The INC's communications confine themselves to issues and are written with a regard for the high office of the CEC and his brother Commissioners," the letter, signed by nine senior leaders including KC Venugopal, Ashok Gehlot and Ajay Maken, stated. "However, the ECI's reply are written in a tone that is condescending. Judges who write decisions do not attack or demonise the party raising the issues. However, if the ECI persists then we shall have no choice but to seek legal recourse to expunge such remarks (a remedy with which the ECI is familiar since it unsuccessfully sought to do the same with a High Court's unflattering but accurate observations after Covid)," it added. This comes after the Election Commission Tuesday slammed the Congress for making "baseless allegations... when faced with inconvenient electoral outcomes" and claimed that the Haryana polling process was flawless. The sharp rebuke was issued after the Congress' repeated claims pointing to irregularities during the Haryana election in which it lost to the Bharatiya Janata Party, despite having a big early lead. In a statement, the poll body rejected the Congress' claims of "an unexplained slowdown in updating of (Haryana election) results" on its website on counting day - October 8 - for two hours. The EC warned the Congress, and other political parties, against making "unfounded and sensational complaints" during an election, especially during casting and counting of votes. "Irresponsible allegations can lead to public unrest, turbulence, and chaos," the EC had said. It also asked Congress to take "firm and concrete steps and curb (this) tendency of frivolous complaints". "Each step in the electoral process in Haryana was flawless and executed under the watch of Congress candidates or agents," the EC had said in its formal response. The 1600-page document contained point-by-point rebukes to each of the Congress' complaints, including a demand for clarification on the battery status of the counting unit (CU) of the electronic voting machines (EVM) to the "deliberate slowdown in the speed of counting and uploading of data" on the EC website. On concerns about the battery, the EC said the display of voltage and capacity is "irrelevant to the EVM' s vote-counting functionality and integrity". "Battery status displayed on CU serves only to assist technical teams in monitoring power levels... to ensure smooth operation during polling," the EC said. Screengrab of Delhi double murder from widely circulated video on X New Delhi/IBNS: A man and his nephew were shot dead as they were celebrating Diwali outside their house in Delhi's Shahdara on Thursday. The murder was captured on CCTV, which showed the 44-year-old Akash Sharma, his nephew, Rishabh Sharma (16), and son, Krish Sharma (15), bursting firecrackers on the narrow road outside their house. A teenage boy is then seen coming on a two-wheeler and touching the feet of Sharma, while the shooter stands nearby. In a matter of seconds, the shooter fired about five bullets at Sharma, killing him and injuring his son. When the nephew ran after the shooters, he was also shot dead. Police arrested the 17-year-old boy, who hired the shooter over a money dispute, said reports. A case of attempt to murder has been filed against the minor. According to reports, the murder was planned 17 days ago. File image of Kashmir terror attack/ courtesy: UNI Srinagar/IBNS: In another targeted attack, terrorists opened fire at two workers from Uttar Pradesh in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam on Friday leaving both injured, media reports said. Both the workers were rushed to a hospital, where the doctors said they were out of danger. This was the fourth such attack on migrant workers in the Kashmir Valley in the past two weeks. On Oct 20, terrorists killed seven people including a local doctor and two workers from Bihar while they were working at a tunnel construction site in Ganderbal district. Of the two terrorists involved in the attack, one was identified as a local man from south Kashmir's Kulgam. He joined a terrorist group in 2023. The other terrorists is believed to have hailed from Pakistan. Two soldiers and two labourers were also killed in action in Baramulla district. " " The box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri), aka sea wasp, releases a toxin so powerful that it causes a rapid spike in blood pressure, which can cause cardiac arrest and lead to death. Auscape/Universal Images Group/Getty Images If sharks can have a week of their own, why not jellyfish especially the hyper-venomous box jellyfish? Most jellyfish are more bothersome than threatening, which is probably why no one would tune into "Jellyfish Week." Also known as sea wasps and marine stingers, box jellyfish belong to the Cubozoa class which includes 50 described species. A box jelly can have up to 15 tentacles with about 5,000 stinging cells, known as cnidocysts that it uses to kill prey. Advertisement Each of those cells contains a tiny capsule that can fire microscopic stingers into its prey at more than 37 miles (60 kilometers) per hour, releasing a toxin that causes a rapid spike in blood pressure, which makes the heart seize up and kills the victim. The Indian Telugu-language crime drama Lucky Baskhar, which has Dulquer Salmaan in the lead role, is now in theatres. But if you are one of those who will still wait for the movie's OTT release, here's an update just for you. The movie's digital rights have been sold to OTT giant Netflix. Yes, you read that right. Platform Netflix will be releasing Lucky Baskhar soon after its theatrical run. Though the release date for the movie's OTT debut has not been announced, it will be available on Netflix after its theatrical run has been confirmed. Lucky Baskhar has so far received positive responses from the theatre audiences. Plot Lucky Baskhar is said to be a crime drama that is about a middle-class man who is a bank employee and struggles to meet his family's end. The story of the movie progresses after the man gets annoyed with the system in which his bank works. The man basically will be wanting to make quick money in the story. According to the makers, Lucky Baskhar is based on real incidents of the late 1980s and 1990s but is not a biopic. Cast and crew Lucky Baskhar has been directed by Venky Atluri. Other than Dulquer Salmaan, the film stars actors like Meenakshi Chaudhary and Surya Srinivas. This is actor Dulquer Salmaans third Telugu movie, where he is playing the lead role. Before this, he has appeared in Mahanati and Sita Ramam. He had also played a cameo character in recently released Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD. Two of Bollywood's most anticipated movies, Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, are in the theatres now but not everywhere in the world. The movies that have star-studded casts have been banned in Saudi Arabia. As per media reports, the movies that have been released in India and parts of the world coincide with the festival of lights are not available at the cinemas in Saudi Arabia. Wondering what the reason is for it? According to a report by Mid-Day, the reason why these Bollywood movies have been banned in Saudi Arabia is because of the strict rules regarding religious sensitivity. The report mentioned that the film censor board is very strict in Saudi Arabia. The board usually bans movies that don't adhere to their guidelines. The movies have conflicting religious views! As per the Mid-day reports, Singham Again that stars actors superstars like Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor Khan has been banned due to conflicting religious views. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, on the other hand, which stars actor Kartik Aaryan as the main character, is banned due to some homosexual references. All about Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 Singham Again has been directed by Rohit Shetty, and the movie is the third installment of Ajay's Singham Cop franchise. This time the movie also has Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor, and even Tiger Shroff in supporting crucial characters. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is also the third installment of the horror-comedy franchise Bhool Bhulayaa. The movie is a psychological thriller. Other than Kartik Aaryan in the film, it also features actors like Tripti Dimri, Vidya Balan, and Madhuri Dixit in crucial supporting characters. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is one of India's most prolific actresses who has delivered successful hits in Hindi as well as the Tamil film industry. The star has been the face of the Indian fashion scene and cinema ever since she was crowned Miss World in 1994 and became one of the first actors to work in Hollywood. More than that, Aishwarya has represented the country for over two decades at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and was the first Indian actress to be appointed as a Cannes jury member. Today, on the Ponniyin Selvan actress' 51st birthday, let's walk down memory lane and take a look at her most iconic Cannes red carpet looks of all time! Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's best Cannes red carpet looks of all time Floral fashion Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Dolce and Gabbana: 2022 Aishwarya wowed everyone with her custom-made floral gown when she arrived for the premiere of Top Gun: Maverick. The gorgeous back gown featured 3D flowers in blush pink, white, maroon and yellow on one shoulder and on one floor-length panel of her black number. The striking appearance was made even more fantastic with a change in her usual hairstyle. Futuristic fashion Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Gaurav Gupta: 2022 Starting the world's love affair with Gaurav Gupta's signature 3D gowns, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan turned up in the designer's 'The Venus Sculpture' dress which was inspired by Botticelli's The Birth of Venus. The blush pink-hued, dramatic gown featured shell-like shoulder detail and was adorned with iridescent glass beads. Glowing goddess Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Jean-Louis Sabaji: 2019 There's no one else who could make fluorescent yellow work other than Aishwarya Rai Bachchan! The star turned heads on the French Riveria with her neon yellow number which featured a metallic snakeskin on its structured bodice and one shoulder full sleeve. She paired her striking gown with matching sky-high platform heels and yellow-hued manicure to complete her look. The butterfly effect Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Michael Cinco: 2018 In one of her most iconic appearances on any red carpet, Aishwarya was seen wearing an eye-catching butterfly-inspired dress from the Dubai-based designer collection. The mermaid-style gown featured a 20-foot-long trail with an ornate pattern embellished with Swarvoski crystals which took 3000 man-hours to complete. Cinderella look Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Michael Cinco: 2017 In one of her best looks to date, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan dressed in a full-blown ice-blue ball gown and transformed herself into a real-life Disney princess. The gown was part of Michael Cinco's 2017 Fall/Winter collection and featured intricate floral embroidery on its pleated. voluminous skirt and was as its corset-style bodice. The OG golden saree Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Neeta Lulla: 2002 Marking her debut appearance at the Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of her film Devdas starring Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya went with a traditional timeless yellow saree which she paired with heavy gold jewellery. An excellent choice for her first time, Aishwarya showcased Indian heritage and fashion and stunned the global fashion scene. For more on celeb lifestyle and fashion from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle. Noted economist and chairman of PM Modi's Economic Advisory Council, Bibek Debroy, passed away on Friday at the age of 69. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Debroy, calling him "a towering scholar." Dr. Bibek Debroy Ji was a towering scholar, well-versed in diverse domains like economics, history, culture, politics, spirituality and more. Through his works, he left an indelible mark on India's intellectual landscape. Beyond his contributions to public policy, he enjoyed pic.twitter.com/E3DETgajLr Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2024 Former CEO of NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant recalled him as "one of India's brightest minds". I'm deeply saddened by the passing of Bibek Debroy. His insights into economics shaped policy and inspired many. He was a brilliant mind, and an incredibly kind soul who genuinely cared for the betterment of society. I fondly remember working with him and being struck by his Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) November 1, 2024 Born in Shillong on 25 January 1955 into a Bengali family, Debroy studied at Kolkata's Presidency College and the Delhi School of Economics. Debroy also attended the University of Cambridge. CREDIT: BCCL He served as the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) since September 2017. He had worked in Presidency College, Kolkata, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi, and also as the Director of a Ministry of Finance/UNDP project on legal reforms. He was also a Member of NITI Aayog up to June 5, 2019. A Padma Shri awardee, Mr Debroy earlier served as the chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) in Pune. A prolific writer, Debroy translated the unabridged versions of the Mahabharata, the Bhagavad Gita, the Harivamsa, the Vedas, and Valmiki's Ramayana into English. CREDIT: BCCL Along with Manmatha Nath Dutt, he is only the second person to have translated both the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, in unabridged form, into English. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. In a shocking incident, a man and his nephew were shot dead, while his teenage son was injured in a shooting in Delhi on Thursday. Akash Sharma and his nephew, Rishabh Sharma, were shot dead outside their house in Delhi's Shahdara while celebrating Diwali. Double murder caught on camera Sharma and his nephew, 16-year-old Rishabh, were celebrating Diwali and preparing to burst firecrackers when a person approached them on a two-wheeler. CCTV footage from the spot showed the person riding the two-wheeler touching Sharma's feet before another assailant, who was standing nearby, opened fire on him. 16-year-old shot while stopping assailants The two assailants then attempted to flee on the scooter, at which point Rishabh tried to stop them but was also shot. Sharma's 10-year-old son, Krish Sharma, was also injured in the firing. The three were rushed to a hospital, where Akash and Rishabh were declared dead, while Krish is undergoing treatment. What police said According to the police, the murder resulted from personal enmity stemming from a financial dispute. Police said that the prime suspect, the 16-year-old seen riding the two-wheeler, has been detained. Delhi: Two died and one was injured in a firing incident under the Farsh Bazar police station area in Shahdara. DCP Shahdara Prashant Gautam says, "We received a call around 8:30 stating that shots were fired in the Bihari Colony and some people were injured. When we arrived at pic.twitter.com/jymJm0zM3j IANS (@ians_india) November 1, 2024 There was a financial dispute: family The police stated that the accused had planned the murder 17 days earlier. Family members of the victims said there was an ongoing dispute over money between the deceased and the accused. #WATCH | Delhi | Shahdara double murder case | Mother of deceased Akash said, "One man named Lakshay had been visiting our lane for the last 3-4 days. Yesterday, he came to our house with a box of sweets and urged me to receive it in my hands. At the time when my son was making pic.twitter.com/gaKMjizrP3 ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2024 "One man named Lakshay had been visiting our lane for the past three or four days. Yesterday, he came to our house with a box of sweets and urged me to come downstairs to receive it personally. At the time when my son was preparing to burst firecrackers, two people, including Lakshay, came, and then I heard shots being fired. Next, I saw that my son was shot," said the mother of the deceased. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Bank Holidays in November 2024: Following the bank holiday list for October, November 2024 is set to bring its own schedule of closures. Banks across India will observe a total of 12 holidays in November, which includes regular weekends as well as special holidays for significant festivals and events. Reasons for November 2024 Bank Holidays The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) requires banks to close on all public holidays, with additional state-specific holidays based on local festivals and occasions. For November, bank holidays will vary across states as each state government decides which events warrant a holiday. Though banks will be closed on these selected dates, ATMs, cash deposit machines, and digital banking services like online and mobile banking will continue to function, ensuring people still have access to key banking services. Some notable holidays in November include Govardhan Puja, Chhath Puja, and Guru Nanak Jayanti. Below is a complete list of dates and reasons for closures throughout the month. Detailed Bank Holiday List for November 2024 According to RBI guidelines, banks are closed every Sunday and on the second and fourth Saturdays. In November, additional closures are listed under the Negotiable Instruments Act, which allows for bank holidays on important state events and national festivals. Here is a breakdown of the specific days and reasons for closures: Bank Holidays November 2024 Date & Day Events States with banks closure November 1 (Friday) Deepavali, Kut, and Kannada Rajyotsava Tripura, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Sikkim, and Manipur November 2 (Saturday) Diwali, Laxmi Puja, and Govardhan Puja Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh November 3 (Sunday) Sunday Nationwide bank closure November 7 (Thursday) Chhath Puja (Evening Arghya) West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand November 8 (Friday) Chhath Puja & the Wangala Festival Bihar, Jharkhand, and Meghalaya November 9 (Saturday) Second Saturday Banks will be closed nationwide November 10 (Sunday) Sunday Nationwide closure November 15 (Friday) Guru Nanak Jayanti, Karthika Purnima, and Rahas Purnima Mizoram, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and several other states November 17 (Sunday) Sunday Nationwide closure November 18 (Monday) Kanakadasa Jayanti Karnataka November 23 (Saturday) Seng Kutsnem and Fourth Saturday All over India November 24 (Sunday) Sunday Nationwide closure Key Points to Remember Weekend Closures: Banks are closed on all Sundays (November 3, 10, 17, and 24) as well as the second and fourth Saturdays (November 9 and 23). Banks are closed on all Sundays (November 3, 10, 17, and 24) as well as the second and fourth Saturdays (November 9 and 23). State-Specific Holidays: Since certain bank holidays only apply to specific states, it's wise to check the schedule based on your region, particularly if you have important banking transactions. Since certain bank holidays only apply to specific states, it's wise to check the schedule based on your region, particularly if you have important banking transactions. Digital Services Availability: Despite branch closures, digital banking services such as Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) will be available around the clock, allowing instant transfers even on holidays. Plan Ahead for Bank Holidays in November 2024 With the wide range of holidays this November, anyone with urgent banking needs should plan their activities accordingly. Reviewing the bank holiday list and identifying specific dates for your state will help you avoid any delays or disruptions. Major festivals in November 2024 Govardhan Puja Govardhan Puja is celebrated on the Pratipada (first day) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the Kartik month. This tradition, observed the day after Diwali, has been followed for centuries. During the festival, people create a small Govardhan Hill using cow dung at their doorstep and honour cows by performing rituals. There is a well-known story in Hindu mythology explaining why Govardhan Puja is celebrated. According to this story, the people of Brij were preparing to worship Lord Indra, the god of rain. When young Lord Krishna asked his mother, Yashoda, about it, she explained that they worship Indra Dev because he brings rain, which helps grow food for the cows. However, Lord Krishna questioned why they shouldn't instead worship the Govardhan Mountain, which provides grazing land for the cows, as rainfall is naturally Indra's duty. Convinced, the villagers shifted their focus to worshipping Govardhan Mountain. Angered by this, Indra Dev caused heavy rainfall, leading to floods. To protect the villagers and teach Indra a lesson, Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Mountain with his little finger, sheltering everyone beneath it. Humbled, Indra stopped the rains, realising his mistake. This event gave rise to the celebration of Govardhan Puja, which continues to this day. Chhath Puja Chhath Puja is a major Vedic festival celebrated mainly in parts of North India, especially in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and also in Nepal. It honours the Sun God (Lord Surya) and Chhathi Maiya (a form of Goddess Usha, the sister of Lord Surya). The word 'Chhath' means 'six' in Hindi and Nepali, referring to the sixth day of the Kartika month when the festival is observed. The rituals associated with Chhath Puja are considered more intense than those of other Hindu festivals. Devotees follow strict fasting without water, take dips in rivers or ponds, stand in water to offer prayers, and worship the Sun at both sunrise and sunset. Food prepared for the festival is devoid of salt, onions, or garlic. Celebrated over four days, Chhath Puja expresses gratitude to the Sun God as the ultimate source of life. Devotees, called 'Vrati', fast to honour the Sun God. This festival is celebrated twice a year in summer after Holi (called Chaiti Chhath) and in autumn during Kartika month (called Kartik Chhath). Guru Nanak Jayanti Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Guru Nanak Gurpurab, celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru and the founder of Sikhism. It is one of the most sacred events in Sikhism, marked with immense reverence and celebration by Sikhs worldwide. This festival, also called Guru Nanak Prakash Utsav, commemorates the spiritual teachings and legacy of Guru Nanak, who was born in 1469 on the full moon day (Puranmashi) in the lunar month of Kartik, according to the Vikram Samvat calendar. His birthplace, Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi, is now known as Nankana Sahib, located in present-day Pakistan. Guru Nanak Jayanti is traditionally celebrated in November, and the day is observed as a Gazetted holiday in India. The birth anniversaries of the Sikh Gurus, called Gurpurabs, are significant religious occasions, filled with devotion and community prayers. Sikh traditions have deeply ingrained the practice of celebrating Guru Nanak's birth around this time. While some scholars suggest that Guru Nanak's birth should be commemorated on Vaisakhi in April, the traditional observance remains fixed to Kartik Purnima. The Nanakshahi calendar, aligned with the Gregorian calendar, marks the event on the full moon day of Kartik. There has been some debate about the correct date due to differences in solar and lunar cycles, as a solar year is approximately 365.25 days while a lunar year is around 354 days. This difference creates unique challenges in aligning lunar and solar dates accurately, resulting in periodic adjustments to maintain the traditional observance. The wobbly bright white lines were seen weaving down a suburban Port Macquarie street on Thursday. The wobbly bright white lines seen on a suburban Port Macquarie street on Thursday amused some locals. Source: Facebook An Aussie council has launched an investigation after a workers road error left locals feeling dizzy. Some Port Macquarie residents couldnt help but giggle after spotting the shaky, new bright white lines weaving down the suburban NSW street on Thursday, but others were less than amused. Philip Charley Dr, Port Macquarie. Not a good look. Only done today, an annoyed local man posted online alongside a photo of the zigzagged markings. Others were quick to agree, but thousands of community members couldnt help but see the funny side including the Port Macquarie Hastings Council itself. Looks like our line-marking machine was under a spell at Ascot Park, it commented on the Facebook post, referring to Halloween celebrations. The results are a bit more trick than treat. Well investigate this squiggle-up and be straightening things out ASAP. ADVERTISEMENT Yahoo News Australia has contacted the Port Macquarie Hastings Council to see how it all worked out. Last year, a Melbourne council issued an apology after residents complained about the 'horrendous' resurfacing performed on their street. Source: 9News Aussies crack jokes about wonky road lines Numerous residents couldnt help but take a jab or two at the whoopsie, joking that whoever was responsible should have gone to spec savers. Bring your kid to work day, one person quipped, while another said he didnt think you were allowed to drink on the job. Its a bit of a shocker. I had a good laugh this morning. Ive given council a call as a heads up, someone else commented. Others said the roads uneven surface was probably partially responsible. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Aravind Srinivas, the Indian-origin CEO of Perplexity AIan AI-powered search engine based in San Franciscorecently shared his Halloween costume on X, and it's a real showstopper! This year, he dressed up as none other than Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook and fellow Silicon Valley CEO. But internet was confused - was it Zuck or Circuit from Munnabhai?! Sam Altman joins the fun as Aravind Srinivas dresses up as Zuckerberg for Halloween The IIT Madras alum took to X to show his Halloween look, stating, "Halloween costume. Next year I will do @sama. Congrats on the launch!" Halloween costume. Next year I will do @sama. Congrats on the launch! pic.twitter.com/niQwrRyVXh Aravind Srinivas (@AravSrinivas) November 1, 2024 In the accompanying photo, he's seen rocking a black t-shirt, denim jeans, dark sunglasses, and a silver chainan outfit that strikingly mirrors Mark Zuckerberg's signature casual style. Credit: Jason Henry/Bloomberg News Srinivas also playfully promised to dress as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for Halloween next year, hinting at an even more entertaining costume. The fun didn't stop there; Altman himself joined in on the banter by commenting with a dose of self-deprecating humour, saying, "like an ill-fitting hoodie and lego adidas shoes?" like an ill-fitting hoodie and lego adidas shoes? congrats on a truly great product! Sam Altman (@sama) November 1, 2024 Altman even put in a compliment for Srinivas: "Congrats on a truly great product!" Recently, Aravind Srinivas made headlines by weighing in on the immigration debate, revealing that he has been unable to secure a Green Card for the past three years. Also read: Indian CEO of $1 billion US-based Perplexity AI, Aravind Srinivas, reveals he hasn't received his green card How did people respond? But honestly, as always, it was the 'aam aadmi' in the comments who truly stole the spotlight. One user quipped, "Is this Circuit from Munnabhai?" and a wave of similar Munnabhai comments quickly followed, suggesting that many others had the same thought. Is this Circuit from Munnabhai? satish badugu (@satish_faction) November 1, 2024 Subah ho gayi Maamu! :) Saurabh Shukla, PhD (@DrShuklaHere) November 1, 2024 Another joked, "Gangsta for Google dot cam." Yet another commenter suggested, "You should have gone as an Indian Sundar Pichai." To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending. Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis spoke on Friday with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha. According to a post by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X, Gerapetritis reiterated Greece's steadfast support for Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also affirmed that Greece will continue to assist Ukraine in its fight against revisionism and will participate in rebuilding efforts. `Gerapetritis and Sybiha discussed recent developments and expressed their intention to hold political consultations in the near future. iefimerida.gr The new presentation of the National Gallery-Museum of Alexandros Soutsos' permanent collection on the third floor will be inaugurated in the second half of 2025, Director Syrago Tsiara said on Friday. At a press conference at the National Gallery's 'Onassis Foundation' Auditorium and in the presence of Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, Tsiara presented the museum's plans for 2024-2025. In 2025, the National Gallery will focus on the following, she said: use, documentation, and exhibition of permanent collections in a modern manner; individual and group exhibitions in a program that connects the past with the future; deepening and expanding the educational program, developing critical reflection and emotional cultivation; expanding extroversion and strengthening further the Ntional Gallery's position in Greece and abroad. During the press conference, Tsiara also announced that the Hans Arp Institute, which houses and manages the work of the Alsatian sculptor, painter, and poet Hans (Jean) Arp and Swiss national Sophie Taeuber-Arp, has donated to the National Gallery 21 plaster casts by Arp. The gift to the Gallery with works of a leading artist enriches its collections while it confirms the international stature of the museum, Culture Minister Mendoni commented. Goya, Tetsis, Kostakis collection Upcoming activities for 2025 include an exhibition of 80 etchings on paper and watercolour by Francisco Goya, part of the 'Los Caprichos' series dated to 1797-1798, that belong to the Gallery. The Gallery's series is the only one to be publicized during Goya's life. It was printed in 1803 and bought in 1962 during the directorship of Marinos Kalligas. The exhibit will run from December 2024 to September 2025, and is curated by Katerina Tavantzi. Among other exhibits planned for the coming year is a retrospective on the 100th anniversary of the birth of painter Panagiotis Tetsis. The retrospective will include nearly 110 paintings and 50 etchings from the artist's donations to the National Gallery, private donors, and collections of organizations. The exhibition will run from April to September 2025, and is curated by Efi Agathonikou. The Gallery will also celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first exhibition of works from the Greek Russian collector Georgios Kostakis at the National Gallery in December 1995, curated by Anna Kafetsi. Titled "Nature, City, Universe: Works from the Kostakis collection at MOMus/Museum of Modern Art" in Thessaloniki, it will include nearly 250 works by Russian avant-garde artists (1910-1930) and other objects from his archives. The exhibition will be inaugurated at the National Gallery in November 2025, curated by Maria Tsantsanoglou and Syrago Tsiara. For more information, see the museum's official site: https://www.nationalgallery.gr/en/ (in English). iefimerida.gr Greek Environment Minister Theodoros Skylakakis has called for urgent climate action in response to the severe flooding in Spain, which he linked to the escalating climate crisis. Addressing Parliament on Wednesday, Mr. Skylakakis warned that recent events are a sobering reminder of the challenges climate change poses for Greece, Europe, and the world The floods in Spain are not only a tragic event, but they are also a wake-up call. The problems we face require serious, thoughtful responsesand there are no easy answers, he said. Mr. Skylakakis's statements came amid discussions over new legislative reforms aimed at modernizing waste management and accelerating Greeces shift to renewable energy. He strongly defended the bill, which proposes significant reforms to Greeces energy infrastructure, and criticized opposition parties for what he described as unfocused critiques that overlook the bills core advantages for consumers, especially low-income households. Among the key provisions, Mr. Skylakakis highlighted changes to district heating, which will provide affordable electricity to around 45,000 households in areas impacted by the countrys recent efforts to phase out lignite. Calling the new district heating regulations fair and essential, he argued that they offer practical support to communities transitioning away from coal dependence. He also addressed provisions in the bill aimed at expanding energy storage capabilities, describing energy storage as a critical element in facilitating Greeces pivot toward renewable sources. He emphasized that simplifying the installation of batteries and removing red tape would make the energy grid more efficient and resilient. The bill also includes controversial plans to consolidate Greeces solid waste management organizations, a move that Mr. Skylakakis defended as necessary for creating larger, locally-managed waste facilities to improve environmental performance. Additionally, Mr. Skylakakis called for a realistic approach to energy communities, which allow citizens to collaborate on renewable energy projects. True energy democracy is achieved when consumers pay less. Our goal is to lower energy costs across the board, he stated, stressing that communities should play an active role in creating a more affordable and inclusive energy system. With Greece facing increased pressure to address climate-related issues and meet European environmental targets, Mr. Skylakakis urged Parliament to support the reforms, noting that they are crucial steps toward a sustainable and energy-independent future for the country. iefimerida.gr Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government is working tirelessly to ensure that all federal highways are motorable before Christmas. Umahi made this promise during a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Akure, Ondo State, on Thursday. The Minister revealed that the current administration inherited over 2,000 uncompleted road projects worth trillions of naira. Advertisement To address this, he noted that10 contracts of erring companies have been terminated, with plans to terminate more. We have terminated over 10 contracts of big companies, and we have the mind to terminate more, and you cant dictate to us, we will tell you what we want, Umahi stated. Umahi also highlighted the Federal and Ondo State governments commitment to restoring the Aiyetoro community, which is facing sea incursion. We have directed that all federal road controllers should give us details of roads within their domain, whether awarded or not, so that by this Christmas, all federal high roads will be motorable We are coming back after your election to start the Aiyetoro project, which we will construct after this one, he said. Additionally, Umahi announced that the 63-kilometer axis of the Calabar-Lagos coastal highway alignment in Ondo State will be inaugurated in December. Work, according to him, will begin immediately after the design is completed in November. The Minister also emphasized the governments transparency, stating, Our books are very much open. Expressing gratitude for President Bola Tinubus commitment to all sectors, he said , Nigerians should be grateful that we have a listening president. He is committed to all sectors. This country still has a lot of potential. Mr Victor Udensi, a Zenith Bank staff member from the Umuahia branch, and two others were killed in Umuahia on Monday, according to Abia State Police Commissioner CP Danladi Isa on Thursday. The CP, who revealed this while parading certain suspects at Umuahia police headquarters, told the public that the offenders would be brought to justice soon. He explained that Udensi had stopped at the Isi Court Axis of Olokoro in Umuahia South around 8 p.m. after a long day of work when he was approached by three armed men operating a Keke. Advertisement They tried pushing him into his cars boot. Udensi, on the other hand, fought back, and as he attempted to flee, the assailants shot him in the back, leaving him in a pool of blood. After making a failed attempt to start his vehicle, the assailants confronted another unwary motorist in a Camry. READ MORE: Nigerian Navy Destroys Illegal Refining Site In Rivers When they attempted to forcefully take his car key, the driver resisted. The armed men, however, shot him, killing him instantly, Isa said. While escaping towards Ubakala, the gunmen saw a Keke they believed was impeding their escape and fatally shot the driver. According to an eyewitness, passersby rushed Udensi to the hospital, but he died shortly after treatment began. The CP further added that police had initiated a manhunt for the assailants. In a historic turn of events, Botswanas President Mokgweetsi Masisi has accepted defeat in the countrys general elections, held on October 30, 2024. Masisis concession came even before the final results were announced, marking a significant shift in the countrys political landscape. Advertisement The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has held power since independence from Britain in 1966, polled a distant fourth according to tallies by the electoral commission. Analysts attribute the Partys downfall to mounting socio-economic grievances, particularly among youths in the diamond-rich Southern African country. We got it wrong big time in the eyes of the people. We were really convinced of our message. But every indication, by any measure, is that theres no way that I can pretend that were going to form a government, Masisi said in Gaborone, the countrys capital city. READ ALSO: South Africans Launch Petition Opposing Chidimma Adetshinas Miss Universe Entry Masisi, who was seeking a second five-year term, vowed to step aside and participate in a smooth transition process. I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process ahead of inauguration. I am proud of our democratic processes and I respect the will of the people, he said. Meanwhile the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by Duma Boko, has taken an overwhelming lead in the results announced so far. Boko is poised to become the countrys next President. The electoral commission is expected to confirm the results later today. Over a million people were registered to vote from a population of 2.6 million, with concerns about unemployment and resource mismanagement in Masisis first term driving the demand for change. The Ebonyi State Police Command has arrested 177 suspected criminals for various offences in October 2024. It was gathered that four among the suspects were alleged to be involving in human organ harvesting and ritual killings. Disclosing this on Friday in Abakaliki, the Commands Spokesman, Joshua Ukandu, said that 162 males and 15 females were arrested by security agents. Advertisement He said: 92 suspects among them have been charged to court, while others would be arraigned once investigations are completed. I am here to update you on the Commands achievements within October 2024 and our relentless efforts to combat crimes and ensure a safe and prosperous environment for socio-economic growth in the State. READ MORE: Police Apprehend Five Suspects Involved In Car Theft, Robbery In Ebonyi The command has employed strategic steps through increased stakeholder engagement to help bring crimes to the barest minimum. During the month under review, the command arrested 162 males and 15 females, totalling 177 suspects for various offences. 92 suspects have already been charged in court, while others will be arraigned once investigations are complete, Ukandu explained. Command operatives from the anti-kidnapping unit, through a painstaking investigation and credible intelligence, arrested one Innocent Elebe and Eze Elechi; they made useful statements, which led the police to arrest Obinna Nwanguru and Oda Peter. They confessed to killing Chikezie Idenyi, Chibu Odii, and Eze Fabian on different dates while trying to extract their blood/ organs to use them to cure a cognitively impaired person (Down syndrome). Operatives of the command have recovered the corpses of Chikezie Idenyi and Chibu Odii, while effort is ongoing to recover the remains of the third victim. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has disclosed a new policy allowing Nigerians to bring dollars held outside the formal banking system into the financial system. This move, Edun noted, will boost the countrys foreign exchange reserves and stabilize the exchange rate. Speaking after the National Economic Council meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday, Edun explained that individuals have a nine-month grace period to comply without facing legal or financial penalties. Advertisement One element of the cost increase is the foreign exchange rate, and that is demand and supply. There is going to be a release today, details by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance, in conjunction with the Central Bank, a programme, starting today, the 31st of October, and lasting nine months, that will allow people to bring in cash that is outside the banking system, he stated. The policy, which began on October 31, allows individuals to bring in dollar cash, provided its not proceeds of crime or illicit money. READ ALSO: House Of Reps Urges Stop To Issuance Of Private Airstrip Licenses Edun emphasized, There will be no penalty, there will be no taxes, and there will be no questions. Individuals simply need to meet the normal Know Your Customer criteria of banks. This initiative is part of the governments efforts to strengthen the economy. Edun also reported that 25 million Nigerians have benefited from federal social protection initiatives, including digital outreach, microenterprise loans, and sector-specific support for power, agriculture, manufacturing, health, and compressed natural gas initiatives. The National Economic Council meeting also provided updates on the countrys financial standings: Excess Crude Account at $473,754.57, Natural Resources Fund at N26,105,837,627.67, as well as the Stabilisation Account at N36,299,452,763.62. By encouraging Nigerians to bring foreign cash into the banking system, the government hopes to increase foreign exchange reserves and stabilize the exchange rate, ultimately supporting economic growth. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has announced a major breakthrough in the search and recovery efforts of the Sikorsky SK76 helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Bonny Finima in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. According to Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, NSIBs Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, the wreckage was identified during recovery dives conducted on Wednesday night. Advertisement The helicopter, operated by Eastwind Aviation, was carrying eight individuals and had been hired by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) base in Port Harcourt on October 24. The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development confirmed that three bodies were initially recovered, while search and rescue operations continued to locate the remaining passengers. However, on Thursday, the NSIB announced that a fifth body has been recovered from the crash site, requiring specialized handling due to its decomposed state. READ ALSO: Driver, Passengers Escape Death As Fire Engulfs Commercial Bus In Anambra The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announces that the allied team and partners leading the charge for the search and recovery efforts of the ditched Sikorsky SK76 helicopter, registration 5N BQG, have located its wreckage. The wreckage was identified during last nights recovery dives, approximately 0.775 nautical miles from the FPSO Adoon. It was located at a depth of 42 meters, with coordinates registered at Latitude 04 13.634 N and Longitude 008 19.442 E, the statement reads. Alex Badeh, Director-General of NSIB, also commended the allied team and partners leading the search and recovery efforts. Locating the wreckage is a critical milestone in our efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident. The dedication and cooperation shown by all involved parties have been exceptional, and we are determined to conduct a thorough investigation to provide clarity and closure to the families of those affected, Badeh said. President Bola Tinubu had earlier directed military officers involved in various operations in Port Harcourt to join the search for passengers of the ill-fated aircraft, providing necessary support to the NSIB, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and other relevant agencies. The NSW government is now making it easier for residents to buy solar batteries to store their energy for use at night. The NSW government has introduced a rebate scheme to incentivise the purchase of solar batteries. Source: Supplied Thousands of homeowners could soon go off the energy grid as the country's biggest state incentivises the purchase of solar batteries, slashing the price with a new rebate scheme. From November 1, the NSW government will subsidise the upfront cost of solar batteries in a bid to drive uptake and help homeowners become more self-sufficient with their energy supply. One solar retailer told Yahoo News the new incentive will save the average homeowner "roughly $800 to $2,200" with each purchase, with the maximum saving being a total of $2,400. Sydney resident Steve Fitts (not pictured) is set to get his solar battery installed next week and is delighted the rebate has not only saved him $1,800 it's also made it possible for him to get a bigger battery. "It would have been fine with the previous battery size that I was going for, but just having a bigger one made sense to me with the rebate," he told Yahoo News. The battery would have previously cost him $11,000 but the government incentive has now shaved off more than 10 per cent of the cost. ADVERTISEMENT Although Fitts sometimes works from home, the majority of the energy generated by his panels goes largely unused. This means by the time his wife and son get home in the evening, the family need to tap into the energy grid. With the new battery, the family will be far less reliant on energy "generated by fossil fuels", and save money in the process. "I can now store my energy... and it's better for the planet," he told Yahoo. Battery uptake 'relatively low' during solar installations According to the Clean Energy Regulator there are around 890,000 homes in NSW with solar but the number of those with batteries is "relatively low", solar retailer Jonathan Green told Yahoo News. ADVERTISEMENT "It's very common for people not to get batteries because of the cost," the Director of Green.com.au explained. "But then solar power is being wasted when they [homeowners] could be putting in a battery and saving an enormous amount of money at night. "The rebate is a way to incentivise homeowners to go out, get themselves a battery [and] take some demand off the grid," he said. The price of solar batteries previously deterred homeowners from installing one. Source: Supplied NSW rebate has been a long time coming, solar retailer said Green explained the solar industry in NSW has been "waiting for years" for the state government to offer an incentive while other Aussie states have been offering solutions to the high, often prohibitive, upfront costs of batteries. "South Australia, many years ago, had a battery rebate... it was absolutely fantastic. It solved a lot of the grid issues in the state," he said. "Victoria did one, they launched a rebate, which is now an interest-free loan that people can get access to, and Queensland did the same." ADVERTISEMENT "We've been waiting years for an incentive in New South Wales and it's finally here." Over 890,000 residents in NSW have solar panels installed. Source: Supplied Push for Australia's first net-zero suburb The federal government has announced it will inject $5.4 million into its Electrify 2515 pilot project which aims to create the country's first net-zero suburb. Residents in the northern suburbs of the NSW Illawarra region will be eligible for grants to buy solar batteries and also be able to substitute any gas appliances they have for electric ones, the ABC reported. An objective of the project is to prove the energy grid can cope with most households going electric and the switch is actually an economic one long-term. "When you buy solar it is like buying 20 years of really, really cheap electricity up front and using that to power your appliances will save money," said Dr Saul Griffith, a renewable electricity advocate who helped design the project. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The National Economic Council (NEC) has recommended withdrawing the Tax Reform Bill currently before the National Assembly, citing disagreements and concerns from various groups. This decision was announced by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde after the NEC meeting on Thursday. Makinde stated: NEC noted the need for sufficient alignment on the proposed reforms and recommended the withdrawal of the tax reform bills. Advertisement We saw the gap and decided that there is a need for a wider consultation. The Tax Reform Bill aims to improve Nigerias tax administration by increasing efficiency and reducing duplication within the nations tax system. READ ALSO: Presidency Defends Proposed Tax Reform Bills Amid Northern Governors Opposition President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council had approved new policy measures in August 2023, leading to four executive bills being considered by the National Assembly. Recall that the Northern Governors Forum, comprising 19 states, opposed the bill, citing concerns over the proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing template. They argued that the new template would disadvantage the North, as companies remit VAT based on their headquarters location rather than where goods and services are consumed. The NECs decision follows criticisms from various groups, including the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), and the Arewa Civil Rights Movement (ACRM). These groups have expressed concerns over the bills potential impact on revenue generation and economic development. A member of a three-man armed robbery gang that terrorises people of Sagamu Local Government Area, Segun Owoduti, 26, has been taken into custody by the Ogun State Police Command. Owoduti was apprehended on Wednesday along the Agbele-Igbepe highway, while two others fled with gunshot wounds. Omolola Odutola, the commands public relations officer, confirmed the incident to DAILY POST on Thursday, stating that the gang used motorcycles to rob victims of their possessions. Advertisement Odutola said: A daring armed robbery attempt was thwarted by swift police action in Sagamu on October 30, 2024. Thanks to a timely tip-off from residents, the Sagamu Divisional Police Officer was able to mobilise officers to apprehend one suspect, 26-year-old Segun Owoduti, while two others escaped with gunshot injuries. READ MORE: Nigerian Navy Destroys Illegal Refining Site In Rivers The drama unfolded around 6:50 pm when police patrols on High Court Agbele Road received information about a three-man robbery gang operating along the Agbele-Igbepe route. The gang, known for using motorcycles to target unsuspecting victims, was spotted by the officers, prompting them to flee on their Bajaj motorcycle with registration number KJA 568 OM. A hot pursuit ensued, resulting in the successful arrest of Owoduti. Unfortunately, his accomplices managed to escape into nearby bushes, nursing gunshot injuries. She stated that preliminary investigations are ongoing, and that the matter will be forwarded to SCID Abeokuta once the initial enquiries are completed. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced that the FCT Administration will no longer tolerate unprofiled vehicles in the nations capital effective January 2025. This move, he noted aims to curb kidnapping and one-chance robbery cases. Advertisement At the FCT Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Programme in Abuja on Thursday, Wike handed over new cars to beneficiaries to use as taxis, emphasizing that they wouldnt have to pay a dime. The government is saying this is our support to feed your family and reduce the cost of transportation in the city. Abuja should compete with other cities in the world, he stated. READ ALSO: Presidency Defends Proposed Tax Reform Bills Amid Northern Governors Opposition Wike encouraged beneficiaries not to be ashamed of being empowered as taxi drivers, pointing out that many Nigerians who reject such jobs at home readily accept them abroad. To ensure safety, all commercial buses, he said, will be profiled by the Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services. Most Keke Napep and motorcycles are informants. Beneficiaries will be profiled by security. Well take vehicle numbers, driver names, and more, so everyone can confidently enter vehicles, knowing their safety is guaranteed, Wike added. Martins Otse aka VeryDarkMan, a social media critic, has been granted bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in the same amount after being charged with impersonation on Friday. The court also ordered VeryDarkMan to surrender his international passports and other forms of identification. VDM was arrested for impersonation. Advertisement This came after a widely shared video clip featured VeryDarkMan in a police outfit. Recall that the Police denounced VDMs unauthorised use of its official uniforms and accoutrements in a video broadcast on his social media accounts last Thursday. In a statement, the Forces spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said it began an investigation into the circulating video. READ MORE: VeryDarkMan In Police Custody After Honouring Invitation The bail terms forwarded to DAILY POST by VDMs lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, reads: Two million, two sureties in like terms. Sureties to deposit international passports, sureties to provide means of Identification. Sureties to depose to affidavit to provide the defendant during trial at all times. Prosecutor to verify sureties address. Sureties to provide utility bills, defendant to depose to affidavit to be available at all times during trial. Sureties to reside within the Courts jurisdiction, particularly Abuja municipal. A CVS location in New York. Authorities say a Willow Grove man traded on inside information to profit off CVS Health Corp.'s acquisition of Oak Street Health Inc. in 2023. Read more On Feb. 2, 2023, the chief executive of Chicago-based Oak Street Health Inc. e-mailed senior executives that the company would be acquired by CVS Health Corp. One of the Oak Street executives briefed on the confidential information shared it with her longtime domestic partner, Carlos Sacanell, 58, who lived with her in Swarthmore, according to federal authorities. Advertisement The next day, Sacanell allegedly made a series of trades to buy $500,000 worth of the companys securities, including call option contracts, which give investors the right to buy a security at a specified price within a specific time period. Days later, after the publicly traded companies announced their $10.6 billion deal and Oak Streets stock soared, Sacanell sold his option contracts and netted hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits. Federal prosecutors and securities regulators in Philadelphia made those allegations in court filings unsealed Thursday as they announced criminal and civil insider trading charges against Sacanell, a senior scientist for a manufacturer of health-care products. Authorities accused Sacanell, who now lives in Willow Grove, of abusing his partners trust and using material nonpublic information to pocket a total of $617,000 in illegal profits. Then, when confronted by FBI agents about his trades, Sacanell falsely said he didnt obtain information from his domestic partner, prosecutors say. Prosecutors cited text messages in the indictment that they say show he communicated with his partner about nonpublic information. In addition to insider trading, he was charged with making a false statement to a federal agency. If convicted, Sacanell faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero. Sacanell couldnt immediately be reached for comment. His attorney, Zak Goldstein, said he was disappointed that the government indicted Mr. Sacanell as there was an enormous amount of public information regarding the transaction. Indictments are not evidence, he is presumed innocent, and we look forward to resolving the matter in court, Goldstein said in an email. Authorities did not identify Sacanells partner by name shes referred to in court documents as a senior executive at Oak Street and did not accuse her of wrongdoing. The senior executive shared this material nonpublic information with Sacanell because the senior executive believed based on prior conversations with Sacanell and the senior executives history of sharing confidences with Sacanell that he would keep the information confidential and would not breach the senior executives trust by using it to trade securities, according to the complaint filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The alleged insider trading scheme started in January 2023, authorities say, when Sacanells partner learned that CVS was planning to acquire her employer that month. Sacanell started buying Oak Street securities two days after his partner told him in confidence about the potential deal, authorities say. In the prior two years, Sacanell had rarely traded options and had not traded any Oak Street securities, the SEC complaint says. At the time of his trades, he owned more Oak Street call options than any other retail investor, authorities said. But the charging documents also pointed to a potential defense: News organizations reported on a possible CVS acquisition of Oak Street during the time period in question, indicating another possible way in which Sacanell could have obtained information relevant to his trades. Ashley Waters lives in Jenkintown and works remotely for PAN, a communications agency based in Boston. Read more Since graduating college in 2021, Emily OBrien, 25, has never had a job that requires her to be in an office Monday through Friday. A fully remote employee, she works out of her apartment in Logan Square in Philadelphia for a Boston-based communications agency, PAN. Advertisement I cant see myself working in a fully in-person job ever, said OBrien, noting that being a remote worker is core to her professional identity. It has allowed her to seek opportunities beyond the region. Philadelphias remote workforce is shrinking from a pandemic-era peak, but some in the area are still working remotely for companies based outside the region. Local firms are also keeping remote work options available for their employees. While the positions can come with some drawbacks, some say they arent ready to fully let go of the flexibility remote work affords them. These dedicated teleworkers have found substitutes for in-office interaction, determined to make their arrangements sustainable. Im the CEO of my calendar and where Im working, said OBrien. Hanging onto flexibility Philadelphias shrinking remote workforce reflects recent moves by large employers to bring people back into offices more. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker this summer required city employees to begin reporting to the office five days a week. Comcast, Independence Blue Cross, and SEPTA have updated their policies post-pandemic, cutting back on remote work. Remote workers represented roughly 24% of the workforce in Philadelphia in 2021. That was down to about 16% last year, according to the U.S Census American Community Survey. The same trend is unfolding nationally. Amazon announced in September that it was ending its remote work policy. UPS, Boeing, and JPMorgan Chase have also required some employees to return to fully in-person work. But as some major employers push in-person work as an imperative, some workers see remote flexibility as a nonnegotiable necessity. Working remotely has allowed Melissa Marie Miller, 26, who works in software sales, to stay employed during a geographic relocation for her husbands career. When she was applying to jobs after college and he was planning a move for his medical residency, the remote option provided a seamless way to move with a stable income and job she liked. I really did not want to get an office job where I would [work] for six months and then have to leave. I didnt feel like that was fair to the company, to any company that I was going to be applying to, said Miller, who lives in Old City and works remotely for a Wisconsin-based company. She goes to her companys headquarters for companywide meetings about twice a year. She also wanted the flexibility to travel. She can attend events like bridal and baby showers more easily as a remote worker. I dont think I would consider going hybrid, unless my job depended on it, Miller said. Jennifer Beals, 40, a data analyst at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, would prefer to never be fully in-person again. The Port Richmond resident mostly works remotely but is expected to come in for meetings or events once or twice a month. On a recent Monday in October, she took time in the middle of the day to pick up her car from the mechanic. On a typical day, she can tackle a few chores during lunchtime, and if she needs to step out for a doctors appointment, its no problem with her employer as long as shes available for meetings and makes up the time later. It makes my evenings feel a little more relaxed, said Beals. Finding ways to socialize While Beals appreciates the time and money she saves by not commuting, she wouldnt mind a more established hybrid schedule, being in-person one or two days a week. Working remotely can feel a little more socially isolating, she notes. Although she has a work space she could commute to more, she said, colleagues from her team usually are not there. If I went, Id just be sitting by myself at a different desk, she said. Shes not alone in that feeling. A study recently featured in the Harvard Business Review found that fully remote employees report being lonelier than those working in a hybrid or fully in-person capacity although, the authors wrote, to villainize remote work as the culprit for loneliness is to miss the nuances of the problem. Many remote employees in Philadelphia are finding ways to keep up active social lives, even organizing their own meetups and groups. Shortly after moving back to the Philadelphia area in 2021, Beals started attending social hangouts with a group of remote and hybrid workers. She has since formed friendships from the group. Philly Girls Who Walk, a group with over 20,000 followers on Instagram, was also born when founder Bianca Solari noticed remote work was cutting into her daily step count. The first meetup, in 2022, attracted roughly 150 people. The group now has a regular schedule of events. Because a lot of people work remote, the need for connection, the need for movement, is there, said Solari. She is currently on the job hunt and wouldnt rule out an in-person role, but would like a remote or hybrid position. Coworker interaction for remote workers doesnt have to be fully virtual. Valerie Fox, of Fishtown, works at a higher education advisory services firm based in Washington, D.C., and sees her colleagues every four to six weeks at conferences and events. These multiday interactions, she says, provide greater connection than shes had in the past working in-person, where coworkers rushed to their cars at the end of the day. We have dinners together, work sessions together, and then, weve got time to get to know each other. I think it makes for a richer kind of conversation, she said. The missing water cooler No more office means no more casual in-person conversations. Ashley Waters, 38, who works at PAN with OBrien, said colleagues instead schedule 30-minute meetings for conversations that wouldnt require so much time in-person. All of a sudden you have no more open time left in your day for the deep-thinking work, says Waters, of Jenkintown. Shes come up with a simple solution: blocking time on her calendar to get that work done. Chatting informally with colleagues over coffee can be helpful, said Beals, of CHOP. Somebody might say, Oh, Im having trouble with that too, or I solved that, I can help you, said Beals. But for Waters, who has two young children, remote work fits best with her life right now. It might not always be that way. Five years ago, she liked being fully in the office, and in two or three years, she would probably love to be hybrid, she says. The best thing a company can do is basically give the flexibility for someone to choose whats the best fit for them, because that fit is going to change based on where they are in their own personal life, she said. Department of Prisons Deputy Commissioner Xavier Beaufort holds photos of two prison escapees, including the image of Ameen Hurst, who had been charged with four homicides. Read more Just last year, while Ameen Hurst was jailed and accused of committing four murders, he was willing to army crawl across the jail floor, climb over barbed wire, then go on the run for more than a week all in an attempt to avoid accountability for his crimes, which would have landed him behind bars for most of his life. On Friday, Hurst, now 20, sat before a judge and admitted to all of it. The murders, the robberies, the escape. Everything. Advertisement Guilty, Hurst repeated a total of 28 times while shackled in a wooden chair. It was a scene more than three years in the making. Hurst was arrested in 2021, when he was just 16 years old, and charged with killing four people and committing two armed robberies from late 2020 to early 2021. Law enforcement said he was affiliated with the Young Bag Chasers and Young Face Arrangers, two allied West and North Philadelphia gangs responsible for a wave of violence, and was frequently willing to get behind the gun to target their enemies. First, he shot and killed 20-year-old Dyewou Scruggs, an aspiring comedian and social media influencer. On the morning of Dec. 24, 2020, Hurst followed Scruggs as he walked to catch a bus to work at Home Depot before shooting him at least 16 times. Scruggs was filming himself on Instagram Live when Hurst ambushed him, and hundreds of people watched as shots rang out and the camera panned toward the sky. Then, on March 11, 2021, Hurst opened fire on a group of young men connected to rival group 0toda4 on the 1400 block of North 76th Street. He sneaked up on them from a back alleyway before unleashing a barrage of bullets that struck four men, killing two: Naquan Smith, 24, and Tamir Brown, 17. In the days after, according to video shared in court, Hurst sent one of Browns friends a voice message on Instagram, telling him to pick ya mans up and mimicking the teens last words with a laugh: Im hit! Im hit in my neck! He laughed about the crime again in a jail call the following month, video showed, telling a young woman the shooting was the funnest jawn I ever did. One week after killing Brown and Smith, Hurst and his YBC associates received a tip that one of their longtime 39th Street rivals was set to be released from jail, said Assistant District Attorney Anthony Voci. The night of March 18, 2021, he and his crew drove up to the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility and spotted a young man waiting outside the jail gates. Assuming it was their target, they chased him through the facility parking lot, then shot him 20 times before running him over with their car, Voci said. But instead, he said, Hurst mistakenly killed 20-year-old Rodney Hargrove who had nothing to do with their feud. It was a case of mistaken identity, Voci told Common Pleas Court Judge J. Scott OKeefe. Hurst knew it, too. In two separate video calls from jail, Hurst laughed while mimicking how he shot Hargrove. I thought that was Sid, he said, referencing their rival target. We got the wrong [person] though. Hurst was arrested in April 2021 and charged with those slayings and two separate gunpoint robberies in West Philly. And yet, that wasnt the end of his crimes. In May 2023, while awaiting trial, Hurst sparked a citywide manhunt when he and another man escaped from the jail. Hurst would go on the run for 10 days, spending much of that time hiding out in New York City, Assistant District Attorney Brett Zakeosian said Friday. While on the lam, Zakeosian said, Hurst even rented a recording studio with his brother in Manhattan, and recorded a new rap song that he has since released online. Voci said investigators are pleased by the outcome of the case, mostly so that the families of Hursts many victims dont have to endure a lengthy trial. While we are pleased, he said, its still difficult to imagine that four young lives were extinguished by somebody who was 16 years old. Thats a tragedy in and of itself. And the jail calls in which Hurst laughed about the killings, he said, show a level of callousness and remorselessness that is frightening. Hurst is the latest in a long line of YBC/YFA members to be convicted of multiple shootings in the last year. In all, he pleaded guilty to four counts of third-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, escape, numerous counts of conspiracy and illegal gun possession, and related crimes. His attorney, Gary Silver, declined to comment Friday. Family members of the victims could not be reached. Throughout the afternoon, Hurst sat calmly and with little expression, looking away periodically to chew his fingernails. His mother did the same from the courtroom gallery, her hands clasped gently beneath her chin as she watched her son admit to all he had done. At the end of the hearing, Hurst stood and willingly returned to custody. He is expected to be sentenced in two weeks. Tim Boyce, the former Delaware County Director of Emergency Services (rear) walks out of district court in Lima with his attorney, Andrew Edelberg in August. Read more A former assistant to Tim Boyce, Delaware Countys longtime director of emergency services, said in a lawsuit Friday that he repeatedly kissed, grabbed, and groped her and masturbated in front of her in his office. Maille Bonsal said Boyce, who was fired in May after two other women accused him of sexual harassment and inappropriate touching, routinely subjected her to unwanted verbal, physical and sexual harassment during and after work hours. Advertisement Outside of work, Boyce once forced himself on her inside his vehicle and once goaded her into drinking champagne she believes was drugged, according to the lawsuit, filed Friday against Delaware County. The suit says county officials knew of Boyces inappropriate behavior and did nothing about it. The abuse began when Boyce hired her in 2019 and ended only when he was fired amid a criminal investigation into his treatment of two other female employees. Bonsalls attorney, Mark Schwartz, wrote in the suit that she did her best to keep her boss at bay. Her goal was simply to survive and get through each day, finding new ways to keep him away from her, Schwartz said. She became numb and disassociated from her circumstances in the vain hope of avoiding worse. The suit names members of the Delaware County Council and other high-level county officials, asserting that they facilitated and protected Boyce when it came to his well-known and inappropriate sexual behavior. In a statement Friday, a county spokesperson said officials would not comment on pending litigation, but that they take the safety, respect, and well-being of all employees seriously. The County is steadfast in its commitment to fostering a workplace that upholds these standards, where harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are neither tolerated nor ignored, the spokesperson said. Last month, another woman, Jacqueline Kahler, filed a federal lawsuit with similar allegations against Boyce. Kahler said in the suit that Boyce summoned her to his office and attempted to kiss her. When she rebuffed him, the suit says, he said, You have a really nice ass. Let me feel it, and groped her as she walked away. READ MORE: Delco officials ignored ex-emergency chiefs alleged sexual harassment, allowing assault to take place, federal lawsuit claims Boyce has been charged with indecent assault and related crimes against Kahler, and that case is pending in Delaware County Court. He is also charged with assaulting another former employee, who alleged that he lifted up her skirt and asked her what sexual positions she prefers. Andrew Edelberg, a lawyer representing Boyce in his criminal cases, said Friday that Bonsalls allegations are completely fabricated. All of the facts will come to light at trial, he said. This is another situation that is uncorroborated and unsubstantiated. According to Bonsalls lawsuit, Boyce behaved as if the two were in a relationship, often telling her that he loved her and understood her better than her husband. Boyce gave her money and expensive gifts, despite her protests, and refused her attempts to give them back, the suit said. In September 2019, Boyce invited Bonsall to a conference in New York City that he told her other county staff would be attending, but no one else came along, according to the suit. After Boyce drove them to the city in his car, he forcibly kissed her, complained about his marriage, and suggested they get a room, the lawsuit said. She refused his advances and asked him to take her home, according to the suit. On the way back to Delaware County, Bonsall said, Boyce stopped at a rest stop and pushed her into his vehicles backseat, where he put his hands down her pants. In subsequent years, she said, other members of the emergency services department treated her poorly amid rumors that she and Boyce were having an affair. She said she witnessed how Boyce would downplay sexual harassment complaints filed by other female employees about their male coworkers. But she was too intimidated by [Boyces] authority and from her fear of losing her job to speak up, according to the suit. More than once, the suit said, Boyce exposed himself to Bonsall and masturbated when she worked at a computer in his office, according to the lawsuit. Sometimes, the suit said, he asked her to participate in the sex act. In July 2023, Boyce came into Bonsalls office and handed her a coffee mug full of champagne, as he prepared to leave the office to attend a wedding, the suit said. He repeatedly asked her to drink from it, calling her a bad girl and asking if he needed to punish her when she refused, the lawsuit said. She drank some to placate him, according to the suit, then woke up hours later, feeling disoriented, with gaps in her memory. Boyce had left the office by then, and she believed he had drugged her, the lawsuit said. Even after Boyce was fired, Bonsall said, her workplace mistreatment continued. Boyces successor and other county employees have made performing her job difficult by changing her access to certain computer systems and functions, according to the lawsuit. Two people were killed in separate hit-and-run crashes in Philadelphia early Friday morning, police said. At 1:30 a.m., a 67-year-old man was killed when he was hit by a person driving a car on the 200 block of North 63rd Street, in West Philadelphia, said Police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore. The man, whom police did not identify, was pronounced dead around 3:30 a.m. at Lankenau Medical Center, he said. Advertisement It is unclear what happened leading up to the fatal crash police are still searching for video footage, said Vanore. Police believe the driver who struck the pedestrian was operating a light-colored, possibly white, SUV, he said. An hour later, around 2:30 a.m. in the Tacony neighborhood, a person driving a dark-colored SUV westbound at a high rate of speed on the 4800 block of Levick Street hit a pedestrian who was crossing the street and then fled the scene toward Torresdale Avenue, said Vanore. The pedestrian, a woman whom police did not immediately identify, was pronounced dead at 2:57 a.m., he said . Hit-and-run crashes in the city continue at a swift pace of more than one a day. As a consequence, the police department has increased enforcement on busy thoroughfares in the city. There have been 473 hit-and-run crashes in Philadelphia as of Oct. 15, according to police data. Of those, 36 were fatal, the data shows. Last year through the same time period, there were 588 such crashes, 26 of them fatal. Tyler Boyle was sentenced to 11 1/2 to 23 months in county jail during a hearing Thursday at the Delaware County Courthouse. Read more An Aldan man who twice tried to lure underage girls walking near their schools to get into his car and asked one to perform a sex act has been sentenced to 11 to 23 months in county jail. Tyler Boyle, 21, pleaded guilty in July to luring a child into a motor vehicle, corruption of minors, and related crimes for approaching the girls, as well as possessing child pornography for a hidden cache of images investigators discovered on his cell phone after his arrest. Advertisement As a result of the sentence handed down Thursday by Delaware County Court Judge Mary Alice Brennan, Boyle must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Assistant District Attorney Bryan Barth said that while it was fortunate none of the victims was physically harmed, Boyles behavior warranted incarceration. Boyle, in a brief statement to the judge, said he was sorry for what he had done and regretted its impact on the victims and his family. Im doing all I can do to change my destructive behavior, Boyle said. I vow to get all the help I need, go back to school to finish my degree, and become a productive member of society. In the first encounter, investigators say, Boyle approached a girl in March 2022 as she was walking near the Southeast Delco Kindergarten Center in Darby Township. He attempted to goad the girl into getting into his Jeep, telling her he could make her a TikTok producer. When she refused, Boyle exposed himself and asked her to perform a sex act, investigators said. The girl ran, but Boyle followed her in his vehicle. Police recovered surveillance footage from the area and were able to trace the vehicle to Boyle. The girl later identified him in a police photo array. In January 2023, while out on bail in the first case, Boyle approached two then-11-year-old girls as they were walking home from Prospect Elementary School in Prospect Park, according to investigators. The girls later told police they couldnt hear what Boyle was saying to them, only that he mentioned $50 and a blowout, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest in that case. Boyle drove away when he spotted a woman walking toward his vehicle. In a later interview with police, Boyle admitted to speaking to the girls, and said he had driven away because he wasnt supposed to be interacting with children because of his arrest a year earlier, the affidavit said. As police investigated, they discovered that Boyle had child pornography stored on his iPhone through a disguised app, including images of children being sexually assaulted. One of the videos, prosecutors said, was a recording of Boyle video chatting with an underage girl. In the footage, he asked the girl to expose herself as he masturbated. Boyles attorney, Michael McDermott, said Thursday that while his client initially denied any wrongdoing, he has since taken responsibility for his actions and, with counseling, hopes to become fully rehabilitated. Boyles mother, Diana Lynn, told the judge that she and the rest of her sons family fully support him. And, in an emotional statement to Boyle, she told him to learn from his mistakes. Philly Specials Christmas ornaments depicting Jordan Mailata, Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson, who are featured on the third Eagles holiday album, 'A Philly Specials Christmas Party,' which comes out Nov. 22. Read more This year, you can not only trim your Christmas tree while listening to the Philly Specials. You can also decorate your tree with the Philly Specials. With Philly Specials Christmas tree ornaments, that is. Advertisement Its Christmas Time (In Cleveland Heights), the first single from this years Eagles Christmas album, which is called A Philly Special Christmas Party, was released today. Preorders for the album with that song featuring Jason Kelce, Travis Kelce, and Boyz II Men are now being taken on phillyspecialchristmas.com. The entire album comes out Nov. 22. This year, the album by the singing offensive lineman trio of Jason Kelce, Jordan Mailata, and Lane Johnson will be available for the first time not only as a vinyl LP, but also on CD. At 8 p.m. on Friday night, Mailata, Connor Barwin, the ex-Eagle who is the albums executive producer, and the Kelce brothers mother Donna Kelce will be on the shopping channel QVC selling albums and Christmas tree ornaments. A set of four ornaments based on artist Hannah Westermans Peanuts-style drawings of Kelce, Mailata and Johnson, plus one of a Christmas tree, will sell for $75. A Philly Special Christmas Party LPs are going for $90 and CDs for $19. Proceeds go to support Childrens Crisis Treatment Centers Holiday Toy Drive, Childrens Hospital of Philadelphias Snowflake Station and 87 and Running Foundation, in addition to other Philadelphia based organizations. READ MORE: The first single from the Eagles holiday album features the Kelce brothers Our manager (Joe Mulvihill) was talking to Travis at the [Kentucky] Derby when he heard about The Philly Special Christmas project, Boyz II Mens Nathan Morris said in a statement. He added that once they heard about the charitable aspect, we felt like we just had to be a part of the project. Fast forward a few months later, and we are singing along with those crazy Kelce brothers. We had a great time, and we hope everyone enjoys the song. Travis Kelce said in his own statement: I always have a blast when I get to join the guys on the Christmas album, but it was wild to be on a song with a group as iconic and timeless as Boyz II Men. My friends and I grew up on their music, and its still in the rotation today, so it was just an unreal experience. Megan Kabatt, who talks about the election daily while teaching her Advanced Placement Government class at Phoenixville Area High School, said, "I am very, very aware of the divide, and how sensitive I need to be, and how absolutely neutral I am." Read more As a government and economics teacher at Great Valley High School who touches on the topic of dictatorship in his classroom, Gerry McGrath felt compelled to tell his students about comments that surfaced last week from John Kelly, former President Donald Trumps chief of staff, describing his onetime boss as a fascist. Yet McGrath didnt want to make any students uncomfortable, depending on their political views. Advertisement So, instead of having a discussion about Kellys recorded interview with the New York Times, he mentioned the article and displayed the characteristics of fascism on a screen in the room, to let the students make up their minds. He also talked about characteristics of communism in light of Trumps accusations that Vice President Kamala Harris is a communist. This could be a bit of a radioactive thing, said McGrath. As Trump and Harris continue to barrage Pennsylvania with campaign stops and political ads leading up to Tuesdays election, area teachers are also navigating the bitter fight and taking pains to present facts and context to students while avoiding any accusations of bias. Teachers say they want to educate students about the election and encourage critical thinking but not sway students still forming their own opinions all while recognizing the differing partisan leanings that may exist within their classrooms and, by extension, their homes. The task is heightened by the intensity of the political climate, including a conservative movement that has accused public schools of indoctrinating students. Teachers are worried about saying anything that would make people uncomfortable or could be misinterpreted, said Pamula Hart, the director of curriculum and equity for the North Penn School District. They dont want to make a mistake. Its a tightrope these days Even those teaching the election as they have in past years say they are aware of increased tension. I am very, very aware of the divide, and how sensitive I need to be, and how absolutely neutral I am, said Megan Kabatt, who talks about the election daily while teaching her Advanced Placement government class at Phoenixville Area High School tracking polls, analyzing horse-race journalism, and comparing Trumps and Harris platforms. Kabatt, whose class includes students who identify as Republicans and Democrats, shows both sides of every issue. Still, she said, Its a tightrope these days to walk. Invariably someones going to be upset, whatever you say. A national EdWeek Research Center survey conducted this summer found that 58% of K-12 educators didnt plan to talk about the election. While most of those teachers said it was unrelated to the subject they taught, more than 20% said they were afraid doing so would lead to parent complaints. An additional 20% said they didnt think students could discuss the topic with one another in a respectful manner. Ben Lebofsky, a seventh-grade social studies teacher in the Council Rock School District, said the election doesnt align well with the world history course he teaches, so he doesnt incorporate it into lessons. But he is also mindful of administrative directives to be cautious when discussing the election, given partisan divisions in the Bucks County district. Some of my colleagues are very concerned about being talked about in public, said Lebofsky. He tries to build trust with parents, telling them at back-to-school night that their children will likely come to school with political questions, and that his job is to provide historical perspective. Administrators like Hart say they dont want teachers to shy away from election conversations. The worst thing we can do is ignore it, Hart said, pointing to a Harvard Graduate School of Education interview in which lecturer Eric Soto-Shed argues that teachers have a critical role to play in restoring Americans belief in the democratic system. I feel a little nervous To help prepare teachers, Hart said, the North Penn district is holding drop-in sessions every other week, allowing them to get feedback about lesson plans. They all start with, I feel a little nervous, Hart said. Administrators have suggested teachers can use the election as a vehicle to teach different skills, such as media literacy or data analysis. In the Pennridge School District where teachers were instructed in 2021 not to discuss the Jan. 6 insurrection with students social studies teachers this year have participated in six hours of professional development on the election and having difficult conversations in the classroom, Jenna Vitale, the districts director of K-12 social studies curriculum, said in an email. Some of the training involved role-playing activities, to prepare for spontaneous conversations, Vitale said. Teachers are incorporating the election in the courses where it is appropriate, including by studying the Electoral College and Supreme Court decisions regarding voting, Vitale said. It really depends on the content of the course and what is appropriate for timing. READ MORE: Pennridge ends contract with former Hillsdale employee who promised ideology-free education Central Bucks, another school district that has endured intense partisan divides, last month issued guidelines specifying that teachers should refrain from expressing or in any way taking positions on controversial topics, whether political, religious, or ideological, while on school grounds or during school activities. Steven Yanni, the districts new superintendent, said in an interview that staff have latitude to discuss the election, as long as they are not expressing their own personal position. We dont want people to be scared to talk about the election, Yanni said. We just want to be sure everyone is staying within the boundaries of what is acceptable. He said the rules also protect staff, so if you do hear from a parent whos upset, we can say, Here are the guidelines were following. Ideological debates Kabatt, the Phoenixville teacher, said she makes it a point not to share her own ideology with students. Some colleagues disagree, thinking teachers should be transparent, she said. But I dont want my ideology framing theirs. Students in Kabatts class generally know where their peers stand, in part because kids share their views on social media. Theyre not shocked when one of my liberals will say something, and then one of my conservatives will, she said. In Downingtown High School East junior Jacob Haarlanders American government class, students are allowed but not expected to share their political beliefs which can be kind of a rocky thing, said Haarlander, 16. While the class has incorporated the election students have watched portions of the presidential and vice presidential debates some topics have stayed outside the discussion. An assignment to pick from a list of campaign issues to analyze, for instance, did not include abortion. Even though he isnt old enough to vote, Haarlander said, talking about the election in school gives students the ability to at least dip their toe in to politics and understand how it affects their lives. Ian Rosenzweig, a senior at the Haverford School, said students were largely driving the conversations about the election hes had in his classes. Discussing current events is never something were going to be escaping, said Rosenzweig, 18, whose history class has covered differences between democracies and dictatorships, and fascism and Marxism topics that have come up in the presidential race though he said class discussions have been very theoretical. I think its really valuable to be having these discussions in an environment that is intentionally civil, he said. Some teachers said they had noticed classroom conversations about the election had been less charged than they expected. Students are so connected into social media, they have already kind of filtered themselves, said Don Morabito, who has taught social studies at Great Valley High School for 32 years. He noted that juniors and seniors were only seventh and eighth graders during 2020 and the attack on the U.S. Capitol. None of this is shocking to them, said Morabito. Like other teachers, he has told students that the election results may not be finalized quickly, and said hes mentally prepared for uncertainty. North Penn is planning another drop-in session the day after the election, to provide a safe space for teachers to voice concerns and ask questions, Hart said. Its impossible to say, Were just not going to talk about it today, Hart said. Thomas Holme students turn over dirt at the site of their new school building on Academy Rd. in the Northeast. The $88 million new school is expected to open in 2026. Read more The Philadelphia School Districts facilities needs are massive: $8 billion and counting, with an average building age of 73 years. But on Friday, students, parents, and dignitaries celebrated possibility with a formal groundbreaking for a new, $88 million school on Academy Road in the Northeast. Advertisement Thomas Holme Elementary is a pile of dirt and rubble now, but its new structure is expected to be ready for student occupancy in January 2026. The 88,000-square-foot school named for Pennsylvanias first surveyor general will rise on the same site as the old Holme. Though the number of students in Philadelphias traditional public schools has generally been shrinking, Holme, like many schools in the Northeast, is growing: It was built in 1950 as a K-5 school; its now a K-8. The old buildings capacity was 795; it now educates just under 800 and, principal Micah Winterstein said, a child showed up at the new site on Friday to register. We outgrew the building, said Winterstein. And we anticipate even more growth. The new building will have room for about 1,300 pupils. Students helped design the building the facade, the playground, the stormwater management system. Holme students are currently learning in the old Meehan Middle School building, about three miles away; they receive bus service to the temporary site. Officials were jubilant about the project. What a great day in Northeast Philadelphia, a $90 million investment in our children, right there, said City Councilmember Mike Driscoll, motioning behind him, where heavy equipment rumbled across the vast site at the juncture of Academy and Willits Roads. State Sen. Jimmy Dillon (D., Philadelphia) said the new school was our promise to these kids and their families that they deserve a safe, modern, and inspiring facility to learn and grow in. Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said it was really important that we provide our children with 21st-century learning environments, and were well on our way here today. To get its arms around its considerable capital needs, the school system is about to begin a much-anticipated facilities master-planning process, which is expected to result in not just new buildings in some places, but also school closings and building colocations in others. Reginald Streater, the school board president, acknowledged the enormity of the task, especially given the fact that the school system cannot raise its own revenue but instead depends on the city and state for the bulk of its funding. Still, he said, the Thomas Holme project is proof of what the district can and will do, even with limited resources. Were going to be expanding where we need to expand, Streater said. That sounds good to Ose Ogbeifun, 5, a kindergartner at Thomas Holme. After the politicians and school officials took their turns with the shovels and hard hats, the Holme students who came to the groundbreaking had their turn, and Ose was beyond enthusiastic about the digging, and whats coming in a little over a year. Im so excited! she said. To be a successful baker requires patience. Just look at Essen Bakerys second location, opening Friday at Berks and Hope Streets in the Norris Square section of Kensington, near the Berks station of SEPTAs Market-Frankford line and steps from Gryphon Cafe and Suraya. Advertisement The Jewish bakery/cafe from four-time James Beard Award nominee/babka whisperer Tova du Plessis has been in the works for nearly two years. Initially due to open in spring 2023, it has been beset by delays, which du Plessis attributes to contractor issues and permits. That was only part of the struggle. In early 2023, du Plessis was diagnosed with narcolepsy, the chronic interruption of the sleep cycle, which left her constantly exhausted. She shared her diagnosis on Instagram earlier this year. Du Plessis credits her doctors, who oversaw months of trial and error, with managing her symptoms. I still have better days and worse days, but Im learning that the more I lean into where I am today and the less I push myself to meet my crazy high expectations, the more I am able to accomplish, she said. The new bakerys delay had at least one welcome side-effect. Du Plessis husband, Brad, joined her several months ago as her business partner. A longtime wine sales executive last with KosherWine.com, Brad du Plessis had largely remained apart from Essen, aside from his unofficial role as a delivery driver during the early days of the pandemic. As managing director of both locations, he will oversee catering, wholesale, and e-commerce. Essens new location with more than 40 seats and a full coffee program from Elixr is significantly larger than the original, which opened in 2016 on East Passyunk Avenue near Dickinson Street in South Philadelphia. That spot has two tables and small counter. The menu at Essen North, as they dub this location, will be mostly the same. But with a much larger kitchen, were going to be able to really take on the wholesale side of the business and grow that, Brad du Plessis said. We currently have one or two wholesale customers and we get them as much as we possibly can. Essens signature is the chocolate halva babka, which ships nationwide. Du Plessis also deals in bagels, challah, black-and-white cookies, salted chocolate chip cookies, croissants, seasonal fruit Danishes and pop tarts, Jewish apple cakes, chocolate rugelach, Basque cheesecake, and caramelized onion focaccia. The couple, natives of South Africa, met at summer camp while in high school. They moved to Israel and then to Texas, with intentions of becoming physicians. But after graduating from the University of Houston, they changed their minds. In 2009, Tova du Plessis enrolled at the Culinary Institute of Americas campus in Napa Valley, while Brad got a job at a Napa winery, where he moved into sales. When du Plessis interned as a pastry chef at the Restaurant at Meadowood in St. Helena, Calif., one of the guest chefs for its Twelve Days of Christmas series was Mike Solomonov of Zahav. He offered her a stage in Philadelphia, and the couple moved east in 2012. Solomonov and partner Steve Cook hired her for Citron & Rose, the Main Line kosher restaurant that they briefly consulted for. When Cook and Solomonov ended their affiliation with Citron & Rose, du Plessis worked at Le Bec Fin in Center City during the end of its run and for its successor, Avance. Her last job was executive pastry chef at the Rittenhouse Hotel, including Lacroix. When their daughter, Lily, now 9, was born, Brad du Plessis changed jobs to cut down on his travel while Tova sought work that didnt involve the long grind of hotel kitchens. She heard that Jessie Prawlucki Styer was looking for someone to sublease Belle Cakery, her bakery, and she took it over, launching Essen and receiving James Beard nominations as Outstanding Baker in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The time a person is able to balance on one leg can predict falls in the elderly. Read more How long you can stand on one leg specifically, your nondominant leg is a telltale sign of age-related decline, according to a study led by researchers at Mayo Clinic. Researchers found that a persons ability to balance on one leg deteriorated with age faster than measurements of walking gait, grip, and knee strength. Participants, ages 52 to 83, were compared with each other in a cross-sectional study. Advertisement If you have poor balance, youre more likely to fall, said Kenton Kaufman, the senior author of the study and a musculoskeletal research professor at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. The ability to balance on one leg is an important predictor of someones risk of falling, he said. If you cant stand on your leg for five seconds, youre at risk of falls, Kaufman said. If a person can stand on their leg for 30 seconds, theyre doing really well, especially if theyre older. More than 1 in 4 people ages 65 and older fall every year, according to the National Institute on Aging. It is a leading cause of injury and injury-related death for older adults. On average, the studys participants could stand on their nondominant leg for 17 seconds. Among participants older than 65, the average was 11 seconds. The facts - The researchers recruited 40 healthy men and women who live around Rochester. Half of the participants were 50 to 65 years old; the rest were older than 65. - Participants completed a series of tests measuring their balance, walking gait, grip, and knee strength. Researchers controlled the results for body size (weight and height) to determine if there were age-related changes. - During balance tests, participants stood on a platform that measured how much they shifted their weight. They stood on both feet with eyes open, then eyes closed. Next they stood on their dominant leg, then their non-dominant leg with eyes open for up to 30 seconds. - Researchers told participants to balance on one leg in whatever way they prefer. Results included how long they could stand on one foot and how much they shifted their weight. The study published in PLOS One. What we know about balance as we age Our balance comes from several sensory inputs: our vision, specialized nerve receptors in the muscles and joints sensitive to movement, and, also, structures in our inner ear that help us determine our orientation in space. As we start to age, what happens is all of these systems start to degrade, said Devin McCaslin, chief of audiology and otorhinolaryngology at the University of Michigan. Theyre all contributing in one way or another. The inner ears sense of balance can deteriorate over time because of exposure to loud noises in the same way someone can develop hearing loss, McCaslin said. As people get older, the changes in the inner ear of balance and the brain makes it harder for them to maintain balance, he said. It really pops up in challenging environments, like walking in the dark. Jay Hertel, the chair of kinesiology at the University of Virginia, said the reason a decline in balance among older adults is a concern is because falls can be dangerous. We want to have older individuals maintain and train their balance so that theyre more resistant to suffering falls, he said. The limitations of the study The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study, measuring participants data at a single point in time rather than a longitudinal study, which follows participants for years, or decades, to monitor for potential age-related decline. Kaufman said another limitation of the study is the sample size of 40 participants. He said more participants would make the study more robust. What other experts say Lyndon Joseph, an exercise physiologist in the division of geriatrics and clinical gerontology at the National Institute on Aging, said more research is needed to better understand how clinicians could make use of this balancing test. To really validate this, its probably going to have to be done in a larger population, Joseph said. But this is an interesting start. Hertel said its a great study because researchers dont often assess balance, gait, and strength at the same time. But he said he would have been interested in seeing more challenging gait assessments for the participants, such as walking while counting backward from 100 by threes. Claudio Gil S. Araujo, the director of research and education at Clinimex, an exercise medicine clinic in Rio de Janeiro, said the study reinforces the idea that balancing on one leg is a simple tool clinicians can use to evaluate a persons balance. In a 2022 study of 1,702 adults, Araujo and a team of researchers found the inability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds was associated with a higher risk of death from any cause within seven years. People start to lose their balance at about 60 years old, Araujo said. For people younger than that, flexibility is a better marker of aging. How to improve your balance Experts say regular exercise is key to improving balance. Tai chi, specifically, can improve balance in older adults, Kaufman said. People can incorporate balancing into daily routines, for example, standing on one leg as youre brushing your teeth, switching legs halfway through, Araujo said. Or when you reach to open a door, hold the doorknob and balance for 10 seconds on one leg. Kaufman practices standing on one leg every week to maintain his balance. Some days, Im able to go for the full 30 seconds, and some days, I dont, he said. But at least Im practicing. At Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital, new mothers who live in Philadelphia can sign up for free home visits from nurses. Read more Nurses at Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital are visiting mothers and newborn babies at home as part of a new city initiative to improve maternal and infant health. The Family Connects program aims to give new parents easy access to health-care providers in the critical first months of their babys life and connect them to city resources, such as mental health support, food assistance, and free portable play yards that can double as a crib and safe play space. Advertisement The program is free to any Philadelphia resident who delivers a baby at the hospital, formerly known as Albert Einstein Medical Center, and is supported by $1.3 million in state funding. Parents can get up to three visits from an Einstein nurse, starting two or three weeks after giving birth. The nurses will conduct a health screening for mothers and babies, and can offer new parents tips on feeding, swaddling, and safe sleeping. We want families to be able to bond, to take care of themselves and their newborn, and not have to worry about follow-up appointments and reaching out to different agencies to get resources, said Ebony Durant, the Family Connects program manager at the city health department. Help with breastfeeding is one of the most common requests the nurses have fielded on home visits, she said. Patients have also asked for support dealing with postpartum mood disorders. The team has also helped families secure housing, complete birth certificate paperwork, navigate health insurance problems and apply for a drivers license. Improving maternal and child health The program was originally developed in Durham, N.C., as an outgrowth of a 2002 initiative to combat higher-than-average child abuse rates in the county. Family Connects aimed to target all families in the area with support services not just families at higher risk for child maltreatment, according to Duke Universitys Center for Child and Family Policy, which helped develop the program. Researchers have found that the approach can improve maternal health and infant safety. One study found that Family Connects helped narrow racial disparities in the rates of postpartum anxiety and depression for Black and white mothers who participated in the program. Another study that followed Durham County families who received visits from Family Connects for children born between July 2009 and December 2010 found the families were subject to 39% fewer investigations for suspected child abuse or neglect compared to families who were not part of the program. Participating families also saw a 33% decrease in ER visits for children. The program has since been replicated in several other states. Postpartum health in Philly Maternal health is a special concern for health officials in Philadelphia, where birthing parents died of complications related to pregnancy at a rate of 20 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2013 and 2018, according to the citys most recent maternal mortality report, published in 2022. In 2018, the national rate of pregnancy-related deaths was 17.4 per 100,000 live births. Black women in Philadelphia were four times more likely to die from health complications from pregnancy than white women during that time. Durant said the city has worked to fill gaps in physical and mental health care for Philadelphia mothers in recent years and that Family Connects can help ensure that new parents take advantage of the citys services. The program has served about 120 patients in its first two months. The goal is to connect with 70% of the 2,600 parents who give birth at Einstein each year, Durant said. If the program at Einstein is successful, Durant said, the city hopes to expand it to other birthing hospitals in the city. Ari Bach, 31 (closest) and Aaron Schaefer, 34, both from Washington, DC, observe the Milky Way in one of the darkest places east of the Mississippi, Cherry Springs State Park in Potter County.( David Swanson / Staff Photographer ) Philadelphia, Pa., 06-30-2011 SSTARS03 Cherry Springs State Park, in the remote big woods of Potter County, is widely regarded as one of the darkest places at night in the whole eastern United States. That makes it a haven for stargazers. We will watch the sky with a group of astronomy buffs from Bucks County at the time of the new moon, when the sky is at its peak. Reporter is Tom Infield Read more In todays edition: A sky full of stars: A beginners guide to stargazing near Philadelphia. Your foliage update: This might be your last chance to go leaf peeping before they fade and fall for the winter. Healing American chestnuts: Researchers and volunteers hope to restore the former king of Pennsylvanias forests. Advertisement Your weekend weather outlook: Philly was spookily warm on Halloween, and Friday might be more of the same. Expect a return to autumn on Saturday and Sunday. Paola Perez (outdoorsy@inquirer.com) If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. Carl Sagan described the universe as the greatest of mysteries. Whats out there? If youve ever been curious about the night sky, heres your sign to start stargazing. This guide covers: The best places to stargaze near (and far) from here All the necessary equipment Tips to understand light pollution Our pick of the top apps to help identify whats in the sky Hear from experts on how to get the most out of stargazing in our area. News worth knowing Consider this your last call on catching autumnal colors in our area. Our county-by-county tracker shows you exactly where to go see what remains of these seasonal shades across the Keystone State. The guide indicated when leaves were: not yet changed starting to change near peak at peak Now, pretty much the entire state is either: starting to fade past peak Right now: The leaves in Philadelphia and surrounding counties might be starting to fade (meaning they still have color, but wont last more than a few days). There are still areas where the colors are still vibrant and the trees arent bare. Check our map to see where you can still admire the foliage before it goes past peak (meaning all or nearly all color is gone). P.S. Id love to see your fall foliage pics. Email me back with your best shots. Now were passing the microphone to Jason Nark. Youll always find his work here. Heres a story I wanted to bring you from 2022. Sunlight filtered through the overstory of a thick Pennsylvania forest and a few rays fell upon the long, serrated leaves of the American chestnut trees down below. The higher Mike Manes, 78, hiked, here on the Appalachian Trail, the more chestnut trees he saw. Most werent very tall or wide, but they werent exactly young either. These trees, once the king of American forests in the Northeast, werent born from new seeds. They had risen from older roots below the soil, thin sprouts trying to reclaim their kingdom from an unstoppable foe theyve been battling for over a century. I see one over there, but its dead, said Manes, a volunteer with the American Chestnut Foundation. In the 19th century, there were up to 4 billion chestnut trees in the United States, making them the most dominant hardwood tree in the East. The Indigenous people in those lands called them the grandfathers, as they often grew over 100 feet tall and dominated the canopy. Historians called chestnuts a cradle-to-grave tree, their rot-resistant wood once used for building cribs, homes, and coffins for centuries. Its seeds, encased in large prickly burrs, fed just about every living thing in the nation. They were the most dominant tree in the Pennsylvania woods, Manes said. Jason Nark Read on to learn more about the blight that has ravaged the American chestnut and efforts to restore the former king of Pennsylvanias forests. A calming view I captured this scene one gorgeous autumn morning this week. Your outdoorsy experience Outdoorsy reader Michelle Young sent in these beautiful images with this message to guide us through her favorite spots: Down the Shore, I enjoy walking along the seawall in Anglesea, taking the trails to the beach at Cape May Lighthouse, late night walks in the off season in North Wildwood or just driving with the windows open through the woods along Rt 347 or Rt 49. Almost 10 years ago my son moved to Happy Valley area, which is a whole different level of peacefulness. During the ride there, once you pass Harrisburg the scenery is beautiful. Driving along the Susquehanna River, with the mountains in the distance, stopping off at Fort Hunter Mansion and Park to stretch our legs, take in the scenery of the river along with the architecture of the Rockville Bridge, back in the car to pass the miniature Statue of Liberty and then through the Seven Mountains area to our destination. Once there, we make it a point to visit a new park each time we go. My favorite is Bald Eagle State Park which is just breathtaking, just standing lakeside or walking a trail, taking in the smells and sounds of nature. Thanks for that blissful tour. Before you go Weve explored so much of our region together this season: We tried rock climbing, camping, biking, and hiking We tent kayaking, canoeing, and fishing, and took a dip to beat the heat We toured the John Heinz refuge, the Pine Barrens, and the Delaware Water Gap We picked pumpkins, apples, and berries, and enjoyed goodies at farmers markets We tested our stamina on more intense adventures, then stopped for peace and quiet in some of the most serene spots Learned about the creatures that share nature with us, from birds to ticks, to oysters and beavers and we cant forget the Joro spider We covered a lot more ground in between, but now I want to hear from you. Which activities did you try this season? Email me back to tell me about your experiences in a couple of sentences. We fall back in time on Sunday. Dont forget to change your clocks. Trust me theres a bright side to this change. By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10. A sign encouraging voters to vote for womens rights is pictured at the Upper Bucks Rally for our Rights while Pa. Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Pennsylvanias 1st District, Ashley Ehasz, addresses the crowd at the event on Monday, June 24, 2024 at Lenape Park in Sellersville. Read more Women and seniors are breaking for Democrats in Pennsylvanias early voting returns, a split that has led some party leaders to rejoice, even as others temper their enthusiasm. More than 1.6 million commonwealth voters have cast early mail-in ballots for the Nov. 5 presidential election. An Inquirer analysis of early ballot returns found that women composed 56% of the early mail-ins, with men trailing at 43%, according to voting data obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State this week. Advertisement Democrats have historically had an edge with mail voting, and while that lead has narrowed this year as Republicans have increasingly embraced the balloting method, women who are registered as Democrats still were responsible for the largest single share of early votes. The partisan split was even higher among senior voters: Out of 716,000 early voters over age 65, nearly 59% were registered Democrats. The early returns come with big caveats: About 300,000 mail-in ballots were returned by voters who didnt list their gender on voter registration forms. And, of course, its hard to predict how independents will vote, or how in-person turnout will break on Election Day. Still, early news of the gender divide is a shot of hope for Democrats amid polls showing a neck-and-neck race, viewing women voters as a key for Vice President Kamala Harris to claim Pennsylvania next week. READ MORE: Harris and Trump are navigating Pennsylvanias gender gap with bro podcasts and ladies room Post-its Every woman is not going to have on a Kamala T-shirt or have her kids dressed up as Kamala for Halloween, said State Rep. Joanna McClinton, a Democratic leader and the first woman to lead the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, but the return rates are very significant and show just how much enthusiasm there is. Sarah Niebler, an associate professor of political science at Dickinson College, cautioned against reading too much into a gender divide that tracks with past electoral trends. We know that women are more likely to be Democrats, and Democrats are more likely to request mail-in ballots, she said, adding that 1988 was the last time that women voted at a higher percentage for the Republican presidential candidate than the Democratic candidate. Women are also leading turnout among both major parties, with Republican women narrowly outpacing men as of this week. Stephanie Sharp, a cofounder of Women4U.S., a PAC that has focused on getting Republican women in swing states to vote for Harris, noted that early voting has become an important tool for women who may also be balancing jobs and families. Advance voting makes it easy to check practicing democracy off the list and get to work, community, and family lists, she said. Between 2016 and 2020, Trump did make inroads with women voters, growing his vote share from 39% to 44% nationwide. But those efforts were likely to be complicated by the aftereffects of the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision in 2022 which returned questions about abortion access to the states. The ensuing abortion bans coincided with the worst midterm election performance for Republicans in generations. For younger women especially, its closely linked to issues like abortion access and the Dobbs decision, Neibler said. Women were reported as voting 15 to 20 points against Trump, in some polling. Republicans hopes, meanwhile, hinge on narrowing Democrats overall advantage in early voting. GOP voters are increasingly taking advantage of in-person mail voting options, overwhelming election offices across the state as voters waited in long lines to cast their mail ballot. Those efforts seem to be paying off. In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, left-leaning voters heavily preferred voting by mail versus in person. Out of 2.6 million returned ballots, 1.7 million nearly 65% came from Democrats. In 2022, that figure rose to 70%. But, as of Thursday, Democrats share had dropped below 57%. READ MORE: Its been 298 years and counting since a woman led Pa. Will that matter in the election? Niebler said the decline was linked to the effective end of the pandemic era, as well as local Republicans vocally encouraging participation in early voting while still working against years of messaging from Trump that mail ballots had figured into unfounded claims of election rigging. Trump is still messaging that they were linked to fraud, she said. The messaging is still dominant. Hes started to talk a little bit more about voting by mail being OK, but its going to take a while for that to go away. But early ballot returns are also concentrated around densely populated urban centers. Robert Speel, associate professor of political science at Penn State Behrend, in Erie, noted that most counties in the state do not have multiple satellite election offices like Philadelphia and its collar counties, which make it easier to cast mail ballots ahead of Nov. 5. Its definitely too early to tell, he said of the mail-ballot data. What youre getting from early voting numbers is coming from Philly and collar counties and that might not represent the rest of the state. Jennifer Lee and Andrew Lee stand in the reservoir that is low because the drought at the Lee Bros.Cranberry Farm in Chatsworth, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. The reservoir is the main water source that floods the bogs. Read more Generations of the Lee family gathered this fall, as they have every year since 1868, to harvest cranberries at the Lee Brothers Farm in Chatsworth, Burlington County. Stephen V. Lee III, 78, has farmed the fruit for decades. He walked Thursday on the sand road of a bog filled with scarlet berries that bobbed at the waters surface. Advertisement Workers, including family members, stood hip-deep in the water, raking berries toward a submerged vacuum that sucked the fruit to the top of a truck. There, a machine washed them as they bounced along a conveyor that spewed them by the thousands into a truck. Cranberry harvesting is an annual colorful ritual in New Jersey. But this year is anything but typical. I havent seen this in my lifetime, Lee said of a drought that farmers trace to summer. The hues of the turning leaves that surround the farm are subdued. The grass is brown. A reservoir that pulls from the nearby Wading River is nearly empty. Campers along the nearby Batona Trail are prohibited from lighting campfires. As Lee climbed into his truck, the temperature was heading toward an all-time high for the day of 82 in Philadelphia, last reached in 1946. A financial hit to the industry Luckily, the lack of water does not appear to have affected the size of quality of the crop. But the lack of rain has been extremely costly for cranberry farmers like the Lees who rely on local waterways to flood their bogs. Cranberries are grown in dry bogs, which get flooded in fall, causing fruit to pop to the surface for easy harvesting. But this year farmers have had to pump from wells that tap into the Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer, a 17 trillion-gallon source of fresh water under the sandy soil. It costs a lot of money to run the pumps night and day. Weve never done a harvest with all well water before, Lee said. His farm, which sprawls across 1,800 acres, normally draws water from the Wading River to feed 130 acres of cranberry bogs. His son, Stephen V. Lee IV, standing nearby, held sheets of data that were pulled from a weather station on the farm. The data showed more than 12 inches of rain fell from August through October in 2022 and 2023. This year: 1.54 inches for the same period. Zero for October. It is a crisis, the younger Lee said. Other cranberry farmers agree: Its the worst drought they can recall. Theres no substantial chance of rain forecast for the next week. A top cranberry state The drought comes during the critical fall harvest that supplies homes with fresh cranberries or canned sauce on Thanksgiving, as well as a host of other products, such as juice. New Jersey is the third top-producing cranberry state, behind Wisconsin and Massachusetts, respectively. New Jersey farmers hauled in 580,000 barrels of cranberries in 2023 with a total crop value of $20 million, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farmers say the dry spell for them began around mid-August. Data from state climatologist and Rutgers University professor David Robinson bear that out. Robinson said last month was the driest October on record, stretching back to 1895. Average October rainfall in New Jersey is 4.19 inches. Moreover, it was the third-driest September on record. It was the lowest two-month total of September and October on record, Robinson said. For the farmers, it could not have come at a worse time. They begin harvesting in October and typically use water running downhill from local streams and rivers to flood the bogs. This year, theyve had to run expensive pumping operations, which has put them behind schedule. Lee III said they had to stop harvesting at times to wait for more water to be pumped, and hes also had to rent an additional pump. The main well pump pulls crystal-clear water from the aquifer at a rate of 3,600 gallons per minute. It has been running almost continuously since Oct. 6. Although the farms will take a financial hit from the thousands of hours to run the diesel pumps, consumers shouldnt notice much of a difference in the price of berries. Thats because farmers market their berries through Ocean Spray, a 700-member growers cooperative. Because other cranberry-growing states arent having the same issues, the cost to consumers can be evened out. Never seen anything like this Bill Haines, 71, owner of the 1,436-acre Pine Island Cranberry Co. in Washington Township, Burlington County, is also an Ocean Spray grower. He has been farming for nearly 50 years and normally taps the Wading River for water. But not this year. Ive never seen anything like this, and weve had some dry seasons, said Haines. Even when its dry, well normally get a noreaster come up the coast in September or October and help us out. Hes had to run seven pumps, some of which have been running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Each pump burns seven to nine gallons of fuel an hour. Frost is another issue Farmers say early frosts have also forced them to pump more water than normal. Water gets sprayed on the berries as insulation. William Cutts, 76, of the Cutts Brothers Cranberry Farm in Bass River, Burlington County, said frosts came early this year, and temperatures in some bogs dropped into the teens. Weve had lots of nights in the low 20s and upper teens, Cutts said. So besides pumping to flood the bogs for harvest, hes been pumping to protect the fruit, too. Weve had to irrigate more, Cutts said. Our water supplies are low, and so are our reservoirs. We havent had any real rain since early to mid-July. It has slowed us, and is continuing to slow us, making the worker harder. On top of that, weve had to deal with the frost. It cuts into our profits. Were spending a lot of money on fuel oil to run pumps. Originally, he said, the members of Ocean Spray planned to close the cooperatives Chatsworth receiving facility on Nov. 1. Theyve extended that to Nov. 7, he said. But a later harvest also brings more chance of frost and the need for more water, Cutts noted. This is certainly the worst year that Ive ever seen, Cutts said of conditions. Winter could be costly, too Cranberry farmers could face a continued crisis even after the harvest is complete, said the elder Lee. Farmers use water to protect the cranberries over winter from deep freezes, as the ice provides insulation. But with such a rain deficit, it will take a long time to bring local waterways back to where they can be used to flood the bogs over winter. Normally, the cranberry plants are underwater from December through April. So continued lack of rain could mean more pumping. If that cranberry bud gets frozen, were out of business next year, Lee said. Weve got to figure out a way to protect these vines from cold. Our irrigation systems were designed for frost events in the spring and fall, not for a winter freeze. The lawn in front on Independence Hall has browned after months of little or no rain in the region. Read more Pennsylvanias Drought Task Force has declared a drought watch for 33 counties, including Philadelphia, and is asking people to voluntarily conserve water. Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties also fall under the declaration. Advertisement Two counties, Schuylkill and Berks, were declared to be under a drought warning because they are even drier. Under the watch, residents and businesses are encouraged to reduce water use. Pennsylvania received very little rain over September and October, capping off a dry six months, particularly in the southeast part of the state. DEP makes drought declarations based on long-term trends; a rainy week may not lift the drought status for an area, Jessica Shirley, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protections (DEP) acting secretary, said in a statement. We want residents to be aware of these conditions and be mindful of their water use. READ MORE: How you can conserve water as Pa. and N.J. drought drags on How dry is it? Indeed, it has been desert gulch-dry. Philadelphia set a record for consecutive rainless days which hit 34 Thursday surpassing the 29-day streak that ended in November 1874. October was the first month ever recorded without measurable rain, ending with a record-tying high of 82 degrees on Halloween. Further, no rain is in the forecast during the weekend, although some areas experienced a short drizzle on Friday. READ MORE: October was Phillys first rainless month in 153 years of recordkeeping State officials also say the counties are at a higher risk of danger from wildfires. It is critical that Pennsylvanians use extreme caution when handling fire or avoid any burning as these conditions persist, said Cindy Adams Dunn, secretary for the states Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Neighboring New Jersey declared a drought watch on Oct. 18 and one week later issued a statewide fire ban. Longtime cranberry farmers say its the worst drought they can recall. READ MORE: It is a crisis: N.J. cranberry farms struggle amid worst drought theyve ever seen The U.S. Drought Monitor map shows Southeastern Pennsylvania and all of Southern New Jersey as in a severe drought. The map is produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. What are the levels of declarations? Pennsylvania issues several levels of drought declarations. It has a drought coordinator who meets with DEP staff and the Drought Task Force to monitor four indicators before making any declarations: stream flow, groundwater level, precipitation, and soil moisture. Officials assess how big departures are from 3 to 12 month periods and also look at information from public water suppliers. The different declarations: Drought Watches occurs when three of the four factors are met. People and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily reduce water use by 5% to 10%. Drought Warnings are declared when three of four indicators move into worsening conditions, and officials ask for voluntary water restrictions up to 15%. Drought Emergencies are declared by the governor, who can put mandatory restrictions into effect. Russell Redding, Pennsylvanias agriculture secretary, said that farming is more weather-dependent than other business. He said the states average rainfall has been upended by weather extremes and unpredictability. Nearly 40% of the topsoil across the state is either short or very short in moisture content in the past week, and several counties are eligible for federal relief for earlier drought conditions or flooding, he said. Its critical for farmers to keep track of losses and take advantage of federal crop insurance to help recoup losses, Redding noted. While the state has not enacted a fire ban, officials are asking those lighting fires at home or while camping to keep combustible items at least 10 feet away, and keep a rake or shovel nearby, along with water, to fully extinguish embers. City Commissioner Lisa Deeley (left) watches as Philadelphia Orchestra violinist Amy Oshiro-Morales (center) puts her ballot in the ballot box in front of City Hall. Nicole Jordan (back right) stands by with her ballot, as musicians and staff of the Philadelphia Orchestra deliver absentee ballots to City Hall before departing on a tour of China on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. Read more On Nov. 5, hundreds of thousands of Philadelphians will cast their votes in the presidential election. Presidential elections draw the highest turnout and garner the most excitement of any electoral contest. Rightfully so, since the outcome of that race can change the entire world. Since I first stepped into office as a Philadelphia city commissioner in 2016, the presidential has always been our Super Bowl, but this year, I want to ask more from our voters. Advertisement Historically, tens of thousands of voters will only focus on the top of the ticket, and many skip one or more important races down the ballot. This is called undervoting, and it undermines Philadelphias influence in state elections and the influence of our constituents. Undervoting is skipping a contest on the ballot or, in the case of multicandidate contests, selecting fewer choices than the maximum allowed. The sad irony is that the positions that are regularly skipped are often the most pertinent to your day-to-day life and should be treated as such at the polls. In 2020, some 37,867 Philadelphians skipped voting for the attorney generals race, 45,213 skipped the auditor generals race, and 41,598 skipped the Pennsylvania treasurers race a statewide contest where the margin of victory was just 52,546. Races like attorney general, auditor general, and treasurer are sometimes skipped because constituents do not understand the crucial roles these positions play in the state, and in terms of their tax dollars. City commissioners are most often asked about and judged, fairly or unfairly on turnout. In other words, how many people are physically casting their ballot. To that end, I have spent hundreds of hours on various methods of voter outreach, and I am proud to say that voting in Philadelphia is more accessible than ever. READ MORE: When it comes to voting, heed this straightforward advice: Show up and act right | Opinion But instead of focusing on how many people show up to vote, we should focus on how many people are participating not just by voting, but by voting in each race. Some people show up and will cast a blank ballot. They showed up, but they did not make any choices, did not voice an opinion, did not participate in the election. The low-hanging fruit to increase participation is to educate voters, who are already showing up, to complete their ballots and vote in every contest. For example, we were all dismayed at the turnout of just 19.4% in this Aprils primary. However, thanks to 21,469 undervotes, the turnout for the attorney generals race was an even more depressing 17.3%, despite the fact that this race was the most contested race on the primary ballot. The entire Pennsylvania House will be on the ballot this year, and as the most local form of representation, it is one of the most important. State representatives have among the smallest districts of any elected position in Philadelphia and are therefore the most responsive. You can likely walk to your state representatives district office. Your state representative knows your neighborhood, knows your street, and knows the aspects of your community you hold most dear. The president of the United States is worried about hurricane relief and what is happening in the Middle East not the abandoned car on Byberry Road. Yet, in 2020, 101,556 Philadelphians did not vote for their state representative. READ MORE: Im voting for the first time ever. A felony conviction unfairly kept me from casting a ballot for 20 years. | Opinion I encourage all readers to educate themselves on the candidates and the offices that are up for election this year. To help, I have posted a series of civics education videos on my social media pages as well as PHLgovTV (formerly Channel 64) on each office on the ballot. Everyone deserves to have their opinions fully portrayed in their vote, and everyone deserves to understand how the government they pay for works. When it is time to vote, please take the time to do your research so you are ready to vote up and down the ballot. Whether you vote or not, you will be stuck with the bill so it is best to show up and express your opinion in every contest on your ballot. Lisa Deeley is the vice chair of the Philadelphia City Commissioners. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trumps campaigns will keep their focuses on swing states in the final days before Election Day with events planned in battlegrounds including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Michigan. Kamala Harris campaign events Harris on Saturday is slated to hold campaign rallies in Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C. Sunday, the vice president is expected to turn her attention to Michigan with a rally at Michigan State University in East Lansing, the Lansing State Journal reports. Saturday will also bring a host of Harris surrogates to Pennsylvania, including former first lady Michelle Obama, who is slated to appear at a campaign event in Norristown that starts at 5 p.m. Former President Bill Clinton, meanwhile, will stump for Harris in Erie at noon and in Butler County at 3 p.m., the vice presidents campaign said in a statement. Advertisement Second gentleman Doug Emhoff will also be in Pennsylvania Saturday, with stops in Lancaster and Altoona. Additional details were not immediately available. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris running mate, is expected to spend Saturday in Arizona, with planned stops in Tucson and Flagstaff, the Arizona Daily Star reports. On Sunday, first lady Jill Biden will keep the campaigns focus on Pennsylvania with stops in Spring House, King of Prussia, and Harrisburg. Harris is expected to wrap her campaign in Pennsylvania Monday with rallies in Allentown and Pittsburgh, followed by a closing rally in Philadelphia out front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Donald Trump campaign events Trump is slated to begin the final weekend before Election Day with a rally in Gastonia, N.C., at Gastonia Municipal Airport. He will then head to Salem, Va., for another rally at the Salem Civic Center, and wrap the day back in North Carolina with a Greensboro rally at the First Horizon Coliseum. On Sunday, Trump is scheduled to return to Pennsylvania with a rally in Lititz at FlyADVANCED Lancaster at 10 a.m. before moving on to rallies in Kinston, N.C., and Macon, Ga., his campaign announced Friday. As Trump is in North Carolina, running mate Sen. JD Vance (R., Ohio) is slated to spend the day in the Southwest with planned rallies in Las Vegas and Scottsdale, Ariz. Trumps Team Trump Bus Tour, meanwhile, will focus on Pennsylvania, with stops scheduled in Glenmoore, Broomall, Lansdale, Bartonsville, Telford, and Bensalem throughout the weekend. Having kicked off Friday, the tour features top Trump surrogates stumping for the former president, including some supporters who advanced conspiracy theories and false claims about the 2020 election. Another Trump campaign effort known as Team Trump on Tour will have a separate stop in Carnegie, Pa., on Saturday, with that event featuring Eric Trump appearing at Beaver Steel Services. The Team Trump Womens Tour, which features appearances from Lara Trump and others, will have a stop in Atlanta Saturday. Trump is expected to continue on the campaign trail Monday with a rally in Raleigh, N.C. He is then slated to make his way back to Pennsylvania for a 2 p.m. rally in Reading at the Santander Arena, followed by a 6 p.m. rally in Pittsburgh at the PPG Paints Arena. The former president is slated to make his final campaign stop in in Grand Rapids, Mich., at the Van Andel Arena. Incumbent Republican Pennsylvania Auditor General Tim DeFoor speaks at Community College of Philadelphia in Philadelphia's Spring Garden neighborhood on October 15, 2024. Read more Pennsylvanias top auditor is investigating the states automatic voter registration system, coming as some GOP lawmakers in Harrisburg baselessly suggest that the motor voter program allows non-U.S. citizens to participate in elections. Noncitizens who are in the country legally are eligible to get their drivers license in Pennsylvania; officials with both the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Department of State say there is no evidence that they are abusing the nonpartisan motor voter program. Advertisement The program has aided voter registration at drivers license centers across the state since the mid-2000s and was streamlined by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiros administration last year via executive order. A year later, Auditor General Tim DeFoor one of Harrisburgs highest-ranking Republicans announced that his office would investigate the program for possible noncitizen use. DeFoor said in a statement Tuesday that he was auditing the new program as he would any other and maintained that his offices work is apolitical. Audits are tools, DeFoor said. The program could be working completely fine, but we dont know that unless we audit. But voting rights advocates say the heightened scrutiny lends credence to falsehoods that adherents of former President Donald Trumps MAGA movement could use to undermine the credibility of the 2024 election. Its all about setting up a situation they can point to when they dont like the result of the election, said Marian Schneider, senior policy counsel for voting rights with the ACLU of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is considered electorally critical to winning the presidency, and if Trump loses, he will almost certainly sow disinformation about widespread voter fraud and a rigged election, as he did in 2020. Republicans across the state are preparing a litany of lawsuits to challenge whether some votes will count this year, such as mail-in and provisional ballots cast with procedural errors, potentially contesting tens of thousands of votes. Advocates like Schneider say that questions over the credibility of the motor voter program will give Trumps followers one more option to perpetuate confusion about the result. Thats not to say past scrutiny of the program wasnt valid. A 2017 report by Philadelphias Office of the City Commissioners found that between 2006 and that year, 220 noncitizens had registered to vote, with a majority registering through the motor voter system. But there is no evidence that those violations could have seriously swayed a presidential result. Meanwhile, PennDot made upgrades to its system after the Philadelphia reports release that have been in place for the better part of a decade. For one, its system cross-references the identity of drivers license and ID applicants with data from Citizenship and Immigration Services a process that filters out non-U.S. citizens from ever seeing the voter registration screen. Further on, the system asks applicants several questions about citizenship status that would bar non-U.S. citizens from registration. And, ultimately, a voters eligibility falls on local election officials; PennDot only collects the applicants personal information and sends it to county administrators, who are then tasked with vetting and approving the application. There is no evidence that any non-U.S. citizen has been registered to vote through this process, PennDot spokesperson Alexis Campbell said. Shapiros 2023 order brought a renewed wave of GOP scrutiny, particularly from the far-right Freedom Caucus in Harrisburg. After the update, those receiving or renewing their drivers license are automatically registered with the choice to opt-out as opposed to being asked whether they would like to register in the first place. Pennsylvania Freedom Caucus members are litigating Shapiros move, though that effort remains tangled in court until after the election. Trump himself condemned the move on his Truth Social platform last fall, calling it a scam. The Freedom Caucus threw its support behind DeFoors inquiry in a Sept. 20 message on the groups Substack. Dismissing voiced concerns and marginalizing those who question election integrity will only exacerbate distrust among the electorate, Freedom Caucus chairperson Dawn Keefer said in the message. We must take immediate action to ensure that our elections are conducted according to the law. Kadida Kenner, CEO of the New Pennsylvania Project, said that her voting rights organization has worked tirelessly to combat GOP challenges to election integrity in recent years, and that the audit only presents another fire to put out. Kenner is also confused as to why the motor voter program is a target, given what shes observed registering more than 45,000 Pennsylvanian voters since the midterms. What weve noticed is that the majority of those being registered to vote at the DMV are actually Republicans, Kenner said. Its unknown when DeFoors office could release the report. Audits typically take between eight to 12 months to complete, according to DeFoor, who said the report would not be ready before Nov. 5 or immediately afterward. Kenner said she expects the audit will show that PennDots system for stymieing noncitizen voting works. We are having free and fair elections here in the commonwealth, Kenner said. This is an attempt to sow distrust in our election systems, and unfortunately because it is a repeated lie, it does catch fire. Left: State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie speaks during a rally for former President Donald Trump in Allentown earlier this week. Right: In this 2019 file photo, U.S. Rep. Susan Wild speaks during a town hall meeting in her district. Read more ALLENTOWN With just days left in a hugely consequential election, U.S. Rep. Susan Wild sat on a panel alongside two Democratic senators at a Lehigh Valley community college this week and said her Republican opponent is aligned with antiabortion groups and would threaten access to reproductive health care. Hours later and a few miles down the road, that opponent, State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, spoke at a rally for former President Donald Trump and told 8,000 of Trumps supporters that Wild is responsible for economic heartbreak and a wide-open southern border. Advertisement Are you ready to fire Susan Wild? he asked, to uproarious applause. Wild and Mackenzie are employing dueling strategies to try to tie each other to unpopular national figures and causes in the final days of the race to represent Pennsylvanias 7th District, which covers a large swath of the Lehigh Valley. Wild has represented the area since 2018, when Democrats won a wave of seats in Congress two years after Trump took the White House. This years race is shaping up to be Wilds fourth highly competitive general election, and is one of a handful of races that could tip control of the U.S. House, where Republicans currently hold a narrow majority. The outcome could also predict the presidency. The 7th District has been one of Pennsylvanias most reliable bellwether congressional districts, and it has swung the way the country has for several presidential elections. READ MORE: This Lehigh Valley congressional race could determine who controls the House The eastern Pennsylvania district is in some ways a microcosm of America. It includes Allentown, the states third-largest city, which has a majority Latino population. It has growing suburbs trending increasingly blue. And it has rural areas and a sliver of the Poconos that are decidedly Trump country. It has that magical mix of areas, said Chris Borick, a political science professor and pollster at Muhlenberg College in Allentown. You look at the partisan divide, the presidential voting record, and everything speaks to it being ultracompetitive. That intensity can be felt across the Lehigh Valley, where political signs seemingly dot every lawn and where the election dominates so much of everyday life, from television to billboards to signs hanging in businesses. Borick said that level of saturation can make it hard for a candidate like Mackenzie to break through and grow his name recognition, given much of the political oxygen is devoted to the presidential campaign and the competitive Senate race between Democratic incumbent Bob Casey and Republican challenger Dave McCormick. Most analysts say Wild who won two years ago by just two percentage points is slightly favored to win reelection. Limited public polling, including a survey by Muhlenberg taken about a month ago, shows her ahead by a few points but within the margin of error. Her campaign and its Democratic allies have largely outspent Mackenzie. But its still a close race, and Mackenzie has had help from high-profile Republican surrogates campaigning for him in the area, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.). Mackenzie has crisscrossed the district, campaigning for months and courting voters that span the Republican and independent spectrum. Susan Wild is a formidable campaigner. She always has been, said Sam Chen, a GOP strategist based in the Lehigh Valley. But I think Ryan Mackenzie is the toughest campaigner shes faced. Before Wild won the seat, it was held by Republican U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, a moderate who has been critical of Trump and said he voted this year for Vice President Kamala Harris. Before Dent, Pat Toomey, a Republican who went on to serve in the Senate, represented the district. Toomey is more traditionally conservative but voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial and said this year he wont be voting for him. Mackenzie is not following in the path of the Republicans who formerly held the seat hes seeking. He has aligned himself with Trump, campaigning this week alongside Donald Trump Jr., the former presidents oldest son. At the Trump rally Tuesday, Mackenzie said he would be a steadfast supporter of Trump if he wins back the presidency. If we do all the hard work to elect Donald J. Trump back to the White House, he needs a Congress that is going to back him up and enact all these policies, Mackenzie said. But Mackenzie has also presented himself in advertising as a pragmatic state representative who can work with Democrats to pass bipartisan legislation. He has centered his campaign on improving the economy, and doesnt wade into culture war issues as frequently as Trump. Borick said Mackenzie similarly to McCormick is trying to balance appealing to Trumps MAGA movement with maintaining support in the suburbs. Ryan Mackenzie is running an outstanding race, said Joe Vichot, the GOP chair in Lehigh County. He was the perfect candidate. Hes already served. He has a record to speak on. And he knows how to challenge Susan Wild on the issues. Of course, Democrats are skeptical of the image Mackenzie is trying to cultivate. Wild has portrayed him as aligned with extremist groups, and her campaign is bombarding him in advertising, saying hell gut Social Security and Medicare. Mackenzie has denied that and presented himself as the candidate who will protect those programs. Wild has also said Mackenzie would threaten access to abortion and other types of reproductive health care, citing a vote he took while in the state House that would have restricted abortion after 20 weeks gestation. Wild has made womens health issues a cornerstone of her time in Congress, including championing a bill to protect access to in vitro fertilization. Mackenzie has called himself pro-life but says he opposes a national abortion ban and would work to expand access to IVF. Susan Wild is deceiving voters, he says on his campaign website. State Rep. Josh Siegel, a Democrat who represents parts of Allentown, said thats false moderation and suggests Mackenzie is in favor of a status quo in which abortion is banned or severely restricted in other states across the country. Ryan is by no means a moderate, Siegel said. And I think youre going to see that in the results. Governor Walz visits the Bharatiya Temple in Montgomery County to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, on Thursday. Read more Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, made stops at a union headquarters and a Hindu temple in a campaign swing Thursday morning in the Philadelphia suburbs. Walzs visits to Bucks and Montgomery Counties underscored the importance of the Philadelphia suburbs in Tuesdays election as Vice President Kamala Harris takes on former President Donald Trump. Advertisement Both campaigns are well aware that the shifts within the Philadelphia suburban electorate could determine the national winner, and they are making appeals to a diverse set of groups within the region. Festival of lights Walz received a warm welcome at the Bharatiya Temple, a Hindu place of worship in Montgomeryville, for a celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights. Diwali, which was just made an official Pennsylvania holiday this month, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. I know theres a lot of anxiety out there and everything, but you can feel the sense of community here, Walz said to the excited crowd. You can feel the sense of love; you can feel the sense of, that there is something bigger than all of us. Diwali, which began Thursday and ends Saturday, is one of the most important holidays of the year for South Asians. It is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists. As we go into these next five days, the opportunity couldnt be greater to choose the path, what were here today for, to think about moving into a positive future where everybody is part of it and we use our knowledge to work together, Walz said. Our diversity is our strength in this country, he added. He was introduced by Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija, who is also the chair of the countys elections board. Makhija is the first Asian American county commissioner in Pennsylvania. A pandit gave a blessing before the governor and Makhija lit a diya, or lamp, which is part of the Diwali tradition. Walz wished attendees a happy and peaceful Diwali and told them to save some energy to celebrate Wednesday morning after the election. He said that in both Pennsylvania and Minnesota, the Indian and South Asian community is so much a fabric of our state and who we are in all aspects of civic, political, educational, the arts across all spectrums, entrepreneurship, and business. He said the country gets a more perfect union by electing folks who look like the community. Harris, whose mother emigrated from India and whose father emigrated from Jamaica, would make history as the first Asian American president, if elected in addition to being the first woman. Makhija said in a text message after the event that there are more than 350,000 Asian Americans in Pennsylvania, a plurality of whom are Indian Americans. Even 3.5% of the electorate may seem small, but in Pa., thats a landslide, Makhija said. Every community matters and Kamala Harris & Tim Walz know that. A Bucks County union hall Before the Diwali celebration, Walz spoke at a rally at the Boilermakers Local 13 in Levittown. Lawn signs for Trump and other Republican candidates were prevalent in the area, and one Trump supporter planted many more Trump signs along the road by the union shop to make a point in time for Walzs arrival, as his fellow supporters encouraged cars to honk for Trump. A group of Harris supporters joined the side of the road to do the same. The energy was palpable inside the boilermakers union building, with the audience feeding off of Walzs speech which balanced quips against Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, with his own tickets policies. Walz emphasized that there were 120 hours before the election and said those hours are when elections are won. He emphasized the importance of Bucks County voters, saying that the path to victory could go right through that union room. The rally covered various topics from reproductive rights to the economy, with U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, a Montgomery County Democrat who spoke before Walz, denouncing Trump and the U.S. Supreme Court for the overturning of Roe v. Wade. During his remarks, Walz noted that Trump said at a Wisconsin rally Wednesday that he would protect women, even as 21 states have abortion bans as a result of his administration. Walz said Trump saying at that rally that he would protect women whether the women like it or not is how this guy has lived his life and why he ended up exposed on an Access Hollywood tape speaking lewdly about women, as well as in the courtroom. A jury last year found Trump liable for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in 1996. Walz said he hears some people say that they cant stand Trump but believe hell be better on the economy, and reminded attendees of the time they were fighting with neighbors over buying toilet paper in Trumps economy in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. To embrace the theme of the union event, Walz said that Trump and Vance know nothing about working-class people and that the only thing they manufacture is bullshit on a daily basis. He said a Harris-Walz administration would focus on giving tax cuts to the middle class. Harris has pledged not to raise taxes on American households making under $400,000 per year, which applies to the vast majority of Americans. At least theyre saying the quiet stuff out loud now, theyre telling us who they are, Walz said in reference to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) saying Republicans want to get rid of Obamacare. Walz contrasted Trumps platform with Harris plan to prohibit price gouging, saying Minnesota farmers received the same amount of money for their corn when prices were up and down for consumers. He compared price gouging at grocery stores to flight prices skyrocketing when a hurricane is expected in Florida, calling the practice unethical. He spoke about how economists have warned that Trumps plan to raise tariffs will raise costs for consumers, and compared Trumps declaration that China will foot the bill with his earlier claims that Mexico would pay for the border wall. They never talk about you, Walz said. Donald Trump talks about himself because hes the only person hes concerned with. By contrast, Walz said, Harris is going to go into the White House with a to-do list, not an enemies list. Trump has threatened to prosecute people he sees as his enemies should he serve another term. Vice President Kamala Harris answers questions during a forum hosted by the National Association of Black Journalists at WHYY in Philadelphia in September. Read more WURD the Black-owned talk radio station based in Philadelphia has officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, four days out from the general election. WURD Radio is a marketplace for ideas, conversation and public dialogue. That said, we are also keenly aware of the extraordinary stakes of the current presidential election and the clear and present threat that Donald Trump represents to our community, the station said in a statement posted to its website Friday. For this reason, we have decided to take the unprecedented step of endorsing Kamala Harris. Advertisement Since its founding by physician Walter P. Lomax in 2003, WURD had not endorsed a political candidate at any level, a decision the organization said it stood by until Friday. WURD said its decision was informed in part by the fallout of Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos and Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong pressuring their editorial boards to not issue endorsements of Harris. Both papers have seen intense pushback from the decisions, with the Post losing over 200,000 subscribers in the wake of the non-endorsement. We are witnessing how democracy dies in the dark pockets of greedy owners, WURD said. The radio station is the only Black-owned talk radio station in Pennsylvania, as well as only one of three remaining nationally, a statistic WURD also said it took into account before levying the endorsement. When President Joe Biden was the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, WURD radio host Andrea Lawful left the station after it was revealed that Lawful pulled from a set of questions provided by the Biden campaign to interview the president on-air in July. The interview followed a poor debate performance from Biden that had pundits, Democratic operatives, and Bidens own staff question if Biden should remain in the race. READ MORE: Andrea Lawful-Sanders leaves WURD after Biden campaign provides questions for Joe Biden interview Its not at all an uncommon practice for interviewees to share topics they would prefer, a Biden campaign spokesperson told the Washington Post at the time. WURD president and CEO Sara Lomax, however, said that using the agreed-upon questions violated our practice of remaining an independent media outlet accountable to our listeners, jeopardized trust, and is not a practice that WURD Radio engages in or endorses as a matter of practice or official policy. Lawful had arranged the interview and reviewed the list of questions without the knowledge of WURDs management. Before making the endorsement, WURD said it took into account how Harris and former President Donald Trump would address issues of consequence to Philadelphias Black community, such as reproductive freedom and maternal mortality, student loan forgiveness, and the causes of systemic poverty. In Philadelphia, non-Hispanic Black women made up 43% of people giving births but more than 73% of pregnancy-related deaths in Philadelphia from 2013 to 2018, according to a 2022 study from the City of Philadelphia. Historically, Philly residents pay off more student loan debt than college graduates living in other major American cities. These policies that impact our community are issues that the Harris-Walz campaign has committed to implementing, WURD said. READ MORE: Opinion: VP Harris interview with the National Association of Black Journalists was subdued a sharp contrast to the crazy of Trumps session WURDs statement also likened this moment to the election of Barack Obama in 2008 in that Harris identity would signal a new era of possibility for young women everywhere, especially Black and Brown women and girls. We have seen how the Black community has been maligned and underestimated during this election, the station said. WURD Radio has been able to offer a counternarrative This is our work, day and day out. A federal judge has declined to accept oversight of the lawsuit filed against Elon Musk by Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, the latest chapter in the legal bout unfolding between Krasner and Musk ahead of Election Day. The decision, issued Friday afternoon by U.S. District Judge Gerald J. Pappert, rejected a request by Musks lawyers to have the case proceed through the federal system and sends the matter back to Philadelphias Common Pleas Court, where Krasner had initially filed a complaint earlier this week. Advertisement Still, Musks unsuccessful gamble paid off at least in part, as Common Pleas Court Judge Angelo Foglietta said a hearing in the case would not take place until Monday morning the day before the presidential election. Krasners suit seeks to stop Musk from giving away money to registered voters in Pennsylvania as that contest draws to an end. Now, even if the suit succeeds, the ruling will only prevent Musk from doling out awards in Pennsylvania over the last 36 hours before the polls close. It was not clear Friday if Musk might ever show up inside a Philadelphia courtroom. After Pappert rejected the request to oversee the case, Musks attorneys filed a motion asking Foglietta to waive a requirement that the tech billionaire attend future hearings. They called Krasners suit politically motivated and said that Musk, a nonresident of Pennsylvania, is subject to an incredible number of time commitments that involve careful planning and preclude last-minute changes in the days leading up to a major federal presidential election. It was not immediately clear how Foglietta might rule on that issue. Krasner, a Democrat, sued Musk and his America PAC earlier this week, saying the PACs daily $1 million awards to registered voters in battleground states including Pennsylvania violated the states lottery and consumer protection laws. Musk, who has become a top surrogate for Republican nominee Donald Trump, has denied that, casting his contest as a way to drive up GOP voter registration numbers in states that might decide the election. Although election law experts and the Justice Department have warned that Musks giveaways appear to violate federal laws banning monetary inducements to vote, Krasners suit took a slightly different approach. His lawyers said the contest constituted a lottery, which under Pennsylvania law can only be run by the state and for the benefit of seniors who live there. Krasners suit also said America PAC was violating Pennsylvanias consumer protection laws, including by failing to publish detailed rules or odds of winning, and declining to say or demonstrate how participants personal information was being protected. Musks attorneys, led by Matthew Haverstick, sought to have the case reclassified as a federal matter, arguing that because it concerned a presidential election, it should not be handled by a state judge. But Krasners attorneys disagreed, saying in court documents: The Complaint concerns only Pennsylvania public nuisance and lottery law, and Pennsylvania [consumer protection] law. Pappert evidently agreed. In a brief opinion accompanying his decision, the judge said, in essence, that although Krasners suit is intersecting with a looming federal election, the laws he is seeking to employ against Musk and his PAC are Pennsylvania statutes making it a matter for a local court to decide. John Summers, one of Krasners lawyers, said Musks attempt to reclassify the case as a federal one was a delay tactic, calling it a stunt and a way to run the clock until election day in order to continue handing out cash prizes. Justice delayed in stopping illegal activity that harms Philadelphians and undermines their free, fair, and final elections is justice denied, Summers wrote in court documents. With the issues of timing and jurisdiction now seemingly settled, the matter will now be Fogliettas to evaluate. Gov. Josh Shapiro takes the stage ahead of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz at a rally in Philadelphia's Liacouras Center on August 6, 2024. Read more Vice President Kamala Harris is rolling out her closing message to Pennsylvanians with Gov. Josh Shapiro by her side. The campaign released an ad titled Future that shows Shapiro and Harris together as Shapiro says, This election, its bigger than us. Its about the future. Do you want more chaos or, like me, are you ready for some common sense? Advertisement Its not much of a surprise that Harris is leaning on Shapiro, a popular first-term governor, to help get her message across in the final days of a tight election that could come down to Pennsylvania. Shapiro, who was in the running to be Harris running mate on the Democratic ticket, has been stumping around the country -- and the commonwealth -- for Harris since being passed over for the vice presidential pick. The former Pennsylvania attorney general, who has long held national ambitions, in the process been able to build up his national brand as a moderate Democrat willing to work across the aisle. In the ad he touts having known Harris for two decades, calls her practical, and uses his own favorite catchphrase, saying she gets stuff done. Shapiro has been one of the most active surrogates for Harris in and outside must-win Pennsylvania, rivaling Harris running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Shapiro talks with national and local media about Harris, and gave a prime-time speech during the Democratic National Convention, arguing that Democrats are the party of real freedom. Hes also helped raise money and campaign for out-of-state Democrats, like U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D., Wisconsin), Sen. Raphael Warnock (D., Georgia), and North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein. The spotlight and Shapiros penchant for fundraising translated to a big haul this quarter when the first-term Democratic governor reported raising $9 million since Jan. 1, with nearly $9 million cash in hand as of Oct. 22. Its a significant war chest for someone who isnt up for reelection until 2026. He also contributed $1 million so far to the state House Democrats to help them maintain and expand their state House majority. The new ad, airing across the Commonwealth on digital platforms and broadcast, is part of a deluge of money pumped into the race in the final days. More than half a billion dollars has been spent in Pennsylvania on the presidential race. Staff writer Gillian McGoldrick contributed to this article. State Rep. Joanna McClinton speaks during a rally against gun violence at Mitchell Elementary in Southwest Philadelphia in 2021. Read more A racist parade float display depicting Vice President Kamala Harris at a community Halloween parade outside of Pittsburgh has sparked backlash, prompting organizers to apologize. A vehicle rolled through Wednesdays Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department Halloween parade in Westmoreland County decorated with American flags and campaign signs for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. The float was flanked by people dressed up as Secret Service agents and had a fake rifle on top. A person dressed up as Harris could be seen chained up and walking behind the cart. Advertisement Photos of the float circulated across social media, causing widespread criticism for its racist depiction and calls for an explanation regarding why the float was approved in the first place. We, the members of the Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department, want to take a moment to sincerely apologize for allowing the offensive participants to take part in the Mount Pleasant Annual Halloween Parade last evening, the volunteer fire department posted in a statement to its Facebook page Thursday evening. We do not share in the values represented by those participants, and we understand how it may have hurt or offended members of our community. Mount Pleasant Mayor Diane Bailey condemned the parade display on Thursday. I was appalled, angered, upset, she said. This does not belong in this parade or in this town. Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton said in a statement Friday that she was horrified by the float, calling it a disgusting display of hate. Depicting Vice President Harris in chains at the hands of her opponent is grounded symbolism from our countrys painful past. Exhibitions like these are never appropriate in a civil discourse and are inconsistent with our values as Pennsylvanians, the Philadelphia Democrat said. With such a display of hate in their community, leaders should not be silent, so Im calling on local officials, including my colleagues in the General Assembly, to join me in condemning this hate. Those responsible need to be held accountable and restore the communitys trust. We need to work together to move Pennsylvania forward, not backward. McClinton is the first woman and first Black woman to lead the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in its 244-year history. Daylon A. Davis, the Pittsburgh NAACP branch president, released a statement calling the portrayal appalling. [This] goes beyond the realm of Halloween satire or free expression, Davis said. It is a harmful symbol that evokes a painful history of violence, oppression, and racism that Black and Brown communities have long endured here in America. The Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department said traditionally participation in its 70-year-old parade has been treated as first come, first serve with personnel only [providing] safety and traffic control, and not reviewing floats or costumes ahead of the event. The department said it plans to review its process to avoid future issues. Deanna Dorcak and Eric Leighton, visiting from Florida, in Philly to see family, walk down the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Those things they are carrying are called umbrellas, and they are designed to protect humans against something called rain, which has been mighty scarce since August, when this picture was taken. Read more Chances are that some parts of the region are going to see downpours on Friday of leaves, that is. After the first month without measurable rain in records that date to 1872 in Philadelphia and a record-tying high of 82 degrees on Halloween, branch-shaking winds gusting to 30 mph are likely to stir flurries of falling leaves. They would join their brittle brethren on ground that is about as dry as it gets around here. Advertisement The winds and relentless dryness have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a fire watch, warning that any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly. No rain is in the forecast during the weekend, extending an extraordinary dry spell in the Philly region, the Northeast, and other parts of the nation. The U.S. Drought Monitor on Thursday classified more than 85% of the country as abnormally dry, the highest percentage since it began keeping track in 2000. All 195 counties served by the weather services Middle Atlantic Forecast Center, from Virginia to Upstate New York, reported below-normal precipitation in the 30-day period that ended Wednesday. The updated monthly forecast issued Thursday by the governments Climate Prediction Center had the chances favoring continued warm and dry conditions in November. Whats up with whats not coming down? How dry has it been in Philly this fall, and are we in a drought? Officially, Philadelphia finished October with a trace of rain, not even meeting the 0.01-inch threshold of measurable. This followed a September in which only 0.77 inches was observed at the Philadelphia International Airport station. By a recount-worthy margin, the Sept. 1-Oct. 31 period just missed beating the record for two-calendar-month rain scarcity 0.73 inches, set in May and June 1964. But during this dry run, Philadelphia has set a record for consecutive rainless days which hit 34 Thursday and is still counting surpassing the 29-day streak that ended in November 1874. The drought monitor, produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has most of the Philly region in severe drought conditions. While New Jersey has declared a drought watch, asking residents to conserve water, Pennsylvania has not yet followed suit. In addition to rainfall, Pennsylvanias Department of Environmental Protection takes into account stream flow, groundwater level, and soil moisture. What explains the persistent dryness in the Philly region and elsewhere? In summary, its been the general reloading and persistence of strong high pressure across much of the eastern half of the country, said Allison Santorelli, the acting warning coordination meteorologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Weather Prediction Center, situated outside dry Washington. The descending currents under a dome of high pressure, or heavier air, dont give clouds and rain much of a chance. This particular dome has made moisture from the Gulf of Mexico off-limits to the Philly region. Its quite boring, said Stephen Morgan, a Fox Weather meteorologist based in rain-starved New York. Sometimes the atmosphere just gets stagnant. The high pressure repelling moisture in the Northeast has been pretty strong, he said. We have to wait for something in the atmosphere to disrupt the pattern, he said, and right now that something isnt imminent. Matthew Rosencrans, seasonal forecasting specialist at the Climate Prediction Center, says it would require large-scale pattern changes to douse the dry run. But those changes tend to occur slowly in autumn, he said, before the storm-spawning upper-air jet-stream winds move south and strengthen. Those winds are driven by strong temperature contrasts that have not yet matured. What might the dryness mean for the weeks ahead and the winter? Dryness begets dryness, says Fox Weathers Morgan. Fronts continue to come through dry, having little moisture to work with, including the one due to breeze through Friday and kick off the winds and a weekend cooldown. That dryness looks to continue, and no significant rain is in the forecasts through the first week in November, although the weather service sees a 30% chance of showers at midweek. In 1964, dry conditions persisted for months. In one 30-day period in that fall, a mere 0.07 inches was measured at the airport. As for what it means for the winter, probably nothing, said Rosencrans. Dry soil isnt much of a clue about whats to come. So expect a 100% chance of nonlinear chaos. What role might climate change be playing? The role of climate change in this persistent pattern is not something we can determine in real time, said Santorelli, but it is a fact that climate change may cause more weather extremes, including precipitation extremes in both directions. As a parent, and with many of our staff also having children in this age group, we see firsthand the importance of supporting mental health for young people in Australia. We are proud to have raised these funds for headspace, an organisation that is doing invaluable work for our youth, he said. The recently proposed Treasury Laws Amendment (Mergers and Acquisitions) Bill 2024 may impact Steadfasts acquisition processes, particularly in Australia, and the company has signalled ongoing engagement with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on compliance with any new regulatory requirements. It is a significant milestone in our acquisition strategy and considerably strengthens our Bermuda operations, leverages the platform and expertise of our newly acquired US operations and we welcome nearly 50 individuals from QBE. We look forward to continuing to build our long-term partnership with QBE, Rocke said. A Boston University study reports that one in four individuals receives a bill for preventive care. Additionally, a 2022 survey found that 40% of adults delayed or avoided preventive care to avoid potential costs. Under the ACA, insurers have discretion over what services are fully covered as preventive, yet some providers add fees that may reach patients, such as a $250 surgical tray fee for a colonoscopy. The Red Cross-Red Crescent has dozens of national organizations and theyre all responsible for fundraising, said Andersen. But at the corporate centre they keep a pool of money designed for when something overwhelms a local countrys ability to respond - and they get that through donations from countries or wealthy individuals. The BCN described Robinson as a committed advocate for Bermudas captive insurance industry, noting that her influence extended far beyond her professional work. The organization highlighted that Robinsons passing leaves a considerable impact on her colleagues, friends, and the industry network, both locally and internationally. The Philadelphia police department did not violate the First Amendment rights of several officers who were fired or suspended for racist and violent social media posts, a federal judge has ruled. U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone issued her ruling Monday, just days before the case was set to go to trial. She determined the officers posts and comments were likely to cause significant interference with the police department and the citys operations and did not constitute protected speech. The officers social media accounts were included in a database, published in 2019 and known as the Plain View Project, that catalogued thousands of bigoted or violent posts by active-duty and former police officers in several states. In Philadelphia, nearly 200 officers were disciplined, including 15 who were forced off the job. Most of those who were fired ultimately had their dismissals overturned by an arbitrator and were permitted to return to the force, while some retired. The firing of one officer was upheld by an arbitrator. Twenty of the disciplined officers eventually filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city, asserting the police department had retaliated against them for exercising their First Amendment rights. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in February 2022, but the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that decision in June 2023, saying the lawsuit had been tossed prematurely. The city then argued that the case should not go to trial and that Bettlestone should determine the outcome, a motion she approved. In her ruling, Beetlestone described in detail how each officers statements could degrade public trust, demean populations they are tasked with protecting, and make the officers unreliable witnesses if called to testify in court cases. Lawyers for the city and the attorney who represents eight of the officers declined comment on the ruling, while the attorney for the other officers did not respond to a request for comment. The Facebook posts, all of which were public, were uncovered by a team of researchers who spent two years looking at the personal accounts of police officers from Arizona to Florida. They found officers bashing immigrants and Muslims, promoting racist stereotypes, identifying with right-wing militia groups and, especially, glorifying police brutality. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Jaywalking that time-honored practice of crossing the street outside of the crosswalk or against the traffic light is now legal in New York City. Legislation passed by the City Council last month officially became law over the weekend after Mayor Eric Adams declined to take action either by signing or vetoing it after 30 days. Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, a Brooklyn Democrat who sponsored the legislation, said Tuesday that the new law ends racial disparities in enforcement, noting that more than 90% of the jaywalking tickets issued last year went to Black and Latino people. Lets be real, every New Yorker jaywalks. People are simply trying to get where they need to go, she said in an emailed statement. Laws that penalize common behaviors for everyday movement shouldnt exist, especially when they unfairly impact communities of color. The new law permits pedestrians to cross a roadway at any point, including outside of a crosswalk. It also allows for crossing against traffic signals and specifically states that doing so is no longer a violation of the citys administrative code. But the new law also warns that pedestrians crossing outside of a crosswalk do not have the right of way and that they should yield to other traffic that has the right of way. Liz Garcia, an Adams spokesperson, declined to elaborate on the mayors decision to let the bill become law without his action. Civil Liability But she noted the bill makes it clear that crossing against the light and mid-block is highly risky behavior. People may also still be liable in civil actions for accidents caused by jaywalking, Garcia added. All road users are safer when everyone follows traffic rules, she said in a statement. We continue to encourage pedestrians to take advantage of safety mechanisms in place such as daylighting, pedestrian islands, and leading pedestrian intervals by crossing in a crosswalk with the walk signal. Other cities and states, from Denver and Kansas City, Missouri, to California, Nevada and Virginia have decriminalized jaywalking in recent years, according to America Walks, a Seattle-based group thats been tracking the proposals. Cities that truly care about safety focus on street design, speeding and dangerously large vehicles, Mike McGinn, the groups executive director, said Tuesday. Not jaywalking laws. The laws were pushed by the auto industry in the 1930s as a way to keep people off streets and make more room for vehicles, according to America Walks. The term jaywalking dates to the early 20th century and has its roots in Midwestern slang for a country bumpkin or rube, according to dictionary maker Merriam-Webster. In New York City, where struggles between pedestrians and motorists are constant, the jaywalking law had been on the books since 1958 and carried a penalty of up to $250. In the 1969 film Midnight Cowboy, Dustin Hoffman famously yells, Im walking here! as his character is almost hit by a cab while crossing the street in Manhattan. Bias in Enforcement The Legal Aid Society, meanwhile, called the legislation long overdue. The non-profit organization, which provides free legal representation to New Yorkers that cannot afford a lawyer, said police for decades have used the violation as a pretext to stop, question and frisk residents especially those of color. With this legislation now codified, we hope that both the Adams Administration and the City Council will continue to abolish relic laws that serve no public safety purpose and only ensnare people in the criminal legal system, the organization said in a statement. The police department, in an emailed statement Wednesday, declined to weigh in on the new law other than to say it will continue, along with the NYC Department of Transportation, to work tirelessly to increase traffic safety and to prevent collisions, especially those that result in injury or death. Narcisse said officers she has spoken to say their time could be better spent on other police work, rather than issuing tickets for jaywalking. No ones ever said, Im so glad they caught that jaywalker. By eliminating these penalties, we allow our police officers to focus on issues that truly matter, she said. Photo:: Times Square in the Midtown Manhattan. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics New York A military contractor accused of contributing to the abuse of detainees at Iraqs Abu Ghraib prison two decades ago is again on trial in a federal courtroom after a long-awaited civil case earlier this year ended with a hung jury. The retrial of the lawsuit against Reston, Virginia-based CACI began Wednesday with jury selection and opening statements. Three former detainees at Abu Ghraib sued CACI in 2008, alleging that civilian interrogators at the prison in 2003 and 2004 conspired with soldiers there to abuse detainees as a means of softening them up for questioning. CACI has long denied wrongdoing. The company said its employees had minimal interaction with the three plaintiffs in the case and that any liability for their mistreatment belonged to the government, not CACI, because the civilian interrogators were acting under the command and control of the military. The case finally went to trial earlier this year at U.S. District Court in Alexandria after 15 years of legal wrangling and multiple appeals. The trial was the first time a U.S. jury heard claims brought by Abu Ghraib survivors in the 20 years since photos of detainee mistreatment, accompanied by smiling U.S. soldiers inflicting the abuse, shocked the world during the U.S. occupation of Iraq. Ultimately, though, the eight-person jury could not agree on whether CACI should be held liable. A mistrial was declared in May after eight days of deliberations. Multiple jurors told The Associated Press that a majority of the jury sided with the plaintiffs. The jury indicated in notes it sent to the judge during deliberations it was struggling on a legal principle known as the borrowed servants doctrine. CACI, as one of its defenses, has argued it shouldnt be liable for any misdeeds by its employees if they were under the control and direction of the Army. Before the retrial began Wednesday, lawyers for the plaintiffs argued that CACI should be barred from presenting the borrowed servant defense to the jury. But U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema rejected that request. In their opening statements Wednesday, lawyers for both sides honed in on the question of who was in control of the CACI personnel at Abu Ghraib. The Army controlled all aspects of CACI interrogators work. Everything, said CACIs lead attorney, John OConnor. The Army, in a war, theyre pretty jealous about guarding their authority. On the other side, Baher Azmy, a lawyer with the Center for Constitutional Rights, which filed the case on the three detainees behalf, cited passages from the Army Field Manual and from the Armys contract with CACI indicating that CACI is responsible for supervising its own personnel. Despite that responsibility, Azmy said, CACI turned a blind eye to misconduct by its employees and collected on a $31 million contract. The trial, which is expected to stretch to next week, will in many ways be a replay of the one that occurred earlier in the year. All three plaintiffs are expected to give live testimony about what they endured at the prison, with one testifying in person and two others testifying by video from Iraq. None of the three plaintiffs are depicted in any of the infamous photos that circulated more than 20 years ago when the Abu Ghraib scandal first broke. But they have alleged they endured similar mistreatment to what was depicted in those photos, including beatings, forced nudity and being handcuffed into stress positions. CACIs lawyer did not dispute that there was horrific abuse at Abu Ghraib, but he did question whether the three plaintiffs in this case are being truthful about their experience. He said their current allegations are different from what they alleged 20 years ago, with an emphasis now on mistreatment at the hands of civilians as opposed to soldiers. He also said that the people who actually interrogated the detainees deny that they were mistreated. The jury will also hear directly from a retired Army general, Antonio Taguba, who investigated the Abu Ghraib scandal. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Contractors Floods that killed more than 150 people in eastern Spain this week were caused by a storm that dumped a years worth of rainfall in less than 24 hours. The tragedy has raised questions about whether earlier warnings could have prevented so many deaths, while the widespread damage shows how many cities arent adapted to withstand rainfall amplified by climate change. An extremely hot Mediterranean and warmer air temperatures exacerbated a type of storm system that is becoming more common in the Iberian peninsula due to global warming. Experts who spoke with Bloomberg Green said that a building boom in the region in recent decades may have put people in harms way and reduced stormwater drainage. It may happen that the paths we have left for water arent large enough, and in recent decades thats happened too many times, said Ernest Blade, professor of river and hydrologic engineering at the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya. The storm which hit southeastern Spain earlier this week was a particularly intense example of a dana storm, a common phenomenon in the area at this time of year. Danas (short for depresion aislada en niveles altos) develop when cold autumn air moving south meets warm, moist air typically flowing from the Mediterranean, creating high-altitude storm clouds. These can dump very large amounts of rainfall in a short space of time. This year, the Mediterranean reached a mean temperature of 28.5C (83.3F) in mid-August. Its remained anomalously warm, making this type of intense storm more likely to develop. Climate change is driving up air temperatures, which allows storms to hold more water a 7% increase for every 1C of temperature rise. The system moved inland and dumped rainfall over higher ground, inundating settlements downhill and overwhelming urban areas with flash floods. As the storm stalled, it dropped more than 48 centimeters (19 inches) of rainfall in just eight hours in the mountainous area west of the city of Valencia, inundating areas as far inland as Utiel, more than 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the coast. The towns position in a natural basin and close to several small rivers made it vulnerable to flooding. Rain continued to fall on Thursday, also flooding Castellon, north of Valencia. It is a storm that, in the location where it formed, in the south of the peninsula, with very strong easterly winds, has created the perfect breeding ground for a significant episode of rain, said Jose Miguel Vinas, a meteorologist at weather forecaster Meteored. The magnitude has exceeded expectations. A rapid analysis by the World Weather Attribution initiative found the recent extreme rainfall in Spain was around 12% heavier and twice as likely as it would have been in a pre-industrial climate. One-day bursts of rain in the region are increasing as fossil fuel emissions warm up the planet, the group said. The flooding was also more likely due to the hot, dry year the region had. Thats left soil hard-baked, reducing how much water could soak into the ground. The government of Valencia said that 155 people had been reported dead as of mid-afternoon on Thursday. Several more died in other regions. The shockingly high toll has turned attention toward Spains flood warning systems. While weather services said on Monday that big storms were on the way, the main emergency alert was not issued until Tuesday evening, when the rain was already falling in earnest. Ultimately all you can do when youre getting that amount of rain is alert people in good time, give warnings and make sure that people are aware of how they can keep themselves safe, said Jess Neumann, associate professor of hydrology at the University of Reading. It sounds like that was not done adequately. Adapting for heavier rainfall will be essential for lowering the risk of future disasters. Reducing the volume and speed of run-off can be done by replanting upland areas and improving soil health, as well as increasing the capacity of urban areas to absorb, hold or disperse water, said Kevin Collins, a senior lecturer in environment and systems at the Open University in the UK. He suggested strengthening dams and bridges, which have proven to be vulnerable, too. Yet cities can only do so much, particularly those not designed for the level of rainfall seen this week in Spain. With so much pavement, water has nowhere to go. It wouldnt matter whether it was Spain or anywhere else, if there was that much rainfall falling on impermeable ground, you are going to get flooding, Neumann said. In the long term, this isnt something thats going to go away. Hayley Fowler, professor of climate change impacts at Newcastle University, also warned about limitations of adapting to these types of storms, which appear to be becoming more frequent in Europe and are projected to increase further with additional warming. The question is not whether we need to adapt for more of these types of storms, she said, but can we? Top photograph: Cars piled up in the street following floods in the Sedavi area of Valencia, Spain, on Oct. 30, 2024; Photo credit: David Ramos/Getty Images Europe Related: Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Flood The Kremlin said on Thursday that Alphabets Google should lift its block on Russian TV channels broadcasting on YouTube and said it hoped huge legal claims racking up against the U.S.-based company would jolt it into action. Google stopped serving ads to users in Russia in March 2022 and paused monetisation of content which it deemed to exploit, dismiss or condone Russias war in Ukraine. It has since blocked more than 1,000 YouTube channels, including state-sponsored news, and over 5.5 million videos. Russian business newspaper RBC reported this week that legal claims brought by 17 Russian TV channels against Google in Russian courts, which have imposed compound fines on Googles turnover in Russia, had reached 2 undecillion roubles, a number with 36 zeroes. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that the huge sum, which he said he couldnt pronounce, was symbolic. These demands they simply demonstrate the essence of our channels claims against Google, Peskov told reporters. Google should not restrict the activities of our broadcasters, and Google is doing this. Probably, this (the huge legal claims mounting up) should be a reason for Googles management to take notice and rectify the situation. Its the best thing the company can do. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Alexander Marrow in London and Dmitry Antonov in Moscow; editing by Andrew Osborn) Related: Topics Russia Marsh Makes Global Senior Leadership Appointments Marsh, a business of Marsh McLennan, named Christopher Lang as digital leader, Marsh Specialty and Global Placement. In this newly created role, Lang leads Marshs digital global insurance placement strategy. Lang has spent the last 30 years at Marsh in various placement leadership roles, most recently serving as global placement leader in the U.S. and Canada. He is based in New York. Succeeding Lang are Marsh veterans, Daniel Aronson, U.S. casualty practice leader, and Michael Rouse, U.S. property practice leader. As co-global placement leaders for the region, Aronson and Rouse drive all elements of Marshs global placement strategy in the U.S. and Canada. They will continue to be based in New York and serve in their respective casualty and property leadership roles. Chubb Expands Mernas Role to Include Multinational Clients Chubb Limited said it expanded the role of Matt Merna to include delivering risk management solutions to major multinational clients located overseas. Merna, who currently oversees Chubbs retail commercial property and casualty insurance businesses for large accounts in the U.S. and Canada, now assists Chubbs overseas teams in the design, structure and implementation of large, complex risk management solutions for multinational corporations. With nearly 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, Merna joined Chubb in 2000 and held various senior leadership positions, including president of financial solutions and division president of risk management. He later served as executive vice president of Chubb Global Casualty and chief operating officer for North American major accounts. Topics Chubb Interview: EU's tariffs on Chinese EVs a "foolish" decision, says German auto expert Xinhua) 14:50, November 01, 2024 FRANKFURT, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The EU's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) is "foolish" and "out of touch with reality," a German auto expert has said. The EU is turning the European Green Deal into a "black deal" by slapping tariffs on Chinese EVs, which will slow down the transformation toward electric mobility and hurt the interests of the German auto industry, Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, a renowned German automotive expert, told Xinhua in a recent interview. It is creating obstacles to the development of EVs, which play a crucial role in carbon neutrality, said Dudenhoeffer, director of the Center for Automotive Research (CAR). The climate target set by China paved the way for the development of EVs, which are indispensable for carbon neutrality, he said, adding that the auto industry in China has benefitted from the "smart strategy" and advanced at a fast pace. "China is the country of electric cars and therefore the country of the car of the future... Without China, global electric mobility would look very bleak. China plays the key role in the global transition to EVs," said the expert. However, the development of EVs is suffering a setback in the EU, especially in Germany, due to weaker demand. Registrations of electric vehicles in Germany dropped sharply by 32 percent during the first eight months this year, according to the government's statistical office Destatis. Dudenhoeffer expressed strong concerns about the impact of European policies on EVs, particularly those produced in collaboration with Chinese manufacturers. With new tariffs on EVs made in China, electric vehicles will be "artificially" made more expensive, which will further dampen demand and decelerate the development of charging infrastructure and the battery industry. He mentioned electric models like "Smart," built by a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, and BMW Mini, produced with China's Great Wall Motor. "Imagine that the taxes paid by companies like BMW and Mercedes-Benz are being used to harm these businesses from Brussels. It's astonishing how the decision of tariffs appears out of touch with reality," he said. Dudenhoeffer considers collaboration as the "golden path" for German and Chinese automakers who can pool their expertise in areas like interior materials, chassis, batteries, software, AI and autonomous driving. "Collaboration is always essential for the development of the automotive industry, as mutual benefits can be realized through shared knowledge and innovation in the rapidly changing automotive landscape," said the auto expert. According to Dudenhoeffer, the competition from Chinese automakers in the EU not only prevents European automakers from becoming complacent but also creates opportunities for collaboration. "Competition fosters new forms of collaboration," he said, "No company excels in every aspect. The competition with China allows us to exchange ideas with Chinese firms and combine the best components into a cohesive whole. This can lead to cooperation or joint ventures...there are many possibilities." Dudenhoeffer believes that competition will also lead to more affordable EVs. "We can act more swiftly against climate change, and it will require less effort to purchase an electric car. It's a situation where everyone benefits," he added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Beijing (Gasgoo)- On November 1, Dongfeng Motor's premium new energy vehicle brand VOYAH reported October deliveries of 10,157 vehicles, marking its second consecutive month with sales above 10,000 units. Courage; photo credit: VOYAH In the first ten months of this year, VOYAH delivered 62,705 vehicles in total, representing an 87% year-on-year surge. The strong performance is attributed to the refreshed VOYAH DREAM MPV and VOYAH PASSION sedan. In addition, VOYAH released its newest all-electric SUV, the VOYAH Courage, onto the market on October 13, which received 8,126 units of orders within 24 hours. Just eleven days later, VOYAH introduced the global version of the Courage in Norway, Sweden, and Finland, with prices ranging from approximately 270,000 yuan to 430,000 yuan. The model was also showcased at the Oslo Motor Show, marking the beginning of its multi-country European launch. To better serve its users, VOYAH launched the VOYAH POWER 168 energy solution, including 12 supercharging stations set to open soon in cities like Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chongqing. VOYAH plans to complete 200 stations nationwide by the end of 2025 and aims to establish a network of 1,000 supercharging stations with 10,000 chargers across major Chinese cities by 2026, creating a 6 km charging radius in key urban areas. After a backlash against DEI programs by conservative activists, a majority of executives in a new survey said that their companies have changed how the initiatives are described with reduced emphasis on racial diversity. Among more than 60 executives, slightly above 50% said their firms adjusted terminology, with another 20% considering similar changes, according to a survey by the Conference Board. In many cases, companies are dropping equity from descriptions because its seen as the most controversial term, said Andrew Jones, a senior researcher at the Conference Boards ESG Center and co-author of the study. Companies are trying to minimize the exposure to scrutiny, to legal challenge, to backlash, to salacious headlines, Jones said in an interview. They are shifting focus from talking about specific demographic groups, particularly around race. Corporate America expanded diversity, equity and inclusion programs in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, a Black man, by police sparked calls for increased opportunities for minorities. Conservative groups have argued that hiring targets and training programs discriminated against White workers. Companies such as Toyota Motor Corp. and Ford Motor Co. have modified DEI initiatives after being attacked. The June 2023 US Supreme Court ruling that forbids affirmative action at universities is also prompting many companies to preemptively review their policies. More than 60% of the executives said the decision had a negative impact on their DEI efforts, according to the data, which was pulled from an April survey and a March roundtable discussion. Its unclear whether companies that have altered terminology also changed how the programs are run, or if they are mainly trying to avoid controversy. We do see the fundamental work continuing, with the recognition that the inclusive workplace does have real business benefits, Jones said. But if youre no longer focusing on specific groups, youre kind of saying its fine air for everyone. Is that a positive development? Or does that actually slow down the vital progress? Photo: Protesters for and against affirmative action demonstrate on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC./Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Abbott Laboratories and a unit of Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc were cleared by a jury over claims they hid risks their premature-infant formulas can cause a bowel disease that severely sickened a baby boy. It was the companies first trial win in litigation over the products. Jurors in state court in St. Louis reached the verdict Thursday, ending the latest trial of more than 1,000 lawsuits alleging the formulas can cause necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC, a bowel ailment that has been linked to deaths and brain damage. Other juries earlier this year held the companies liable in separate trials, including a nearly $500 million verdict against Abbott in July in the same St. Louis courthouse. The jury deliberated for less than a day before rejecting claims that formulas made by Abbott and Reckitts Mead Johnson caused NEC in Elizabeth Whitfields son. Abbott shares rose about 5% in after-hours trading. The deluge of suits against Abbott and Reckitt have raised concerns among stock analysts that a series of court losses will weigh down shares. Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Holly Froum and Diana Gomes said in an Oct. 29 note that the companies face as much as $2.5 billion in liability exposure over the litigation. Froum said the victory Thursday will provide Abbott and Reckitt with some settlement leverage. Abbott said the panels finding was consistent with years of studies that found its preterm baby formula was safe. The verdict reinforces the idea there is no reliable scientific evidence the cows milk-based formula causes NEC, Scott Stoffel, an Abbott spokesman, said in an emailed statement. A spokesperson for UK-based Reckitt said in an email that jurors agreed with arguments that there is a scientific consensus there is no established causal link between the use of specialized preterm hospital nutrition products and NEC. Abbott CEO Hopeful Abbott said in July it may have to pull Similac for premature infants off shelves if juries continue to reject the companys arguments. Abbott Chief Executive Officer Robert Ford has said in the past hes hopeful the product can stay on the market. The trial, which lasted more than a month, was the first time jurors weighed allegations about both Abbotts Similac formula and Reckitts Enfamil in a single case. The hospital where Whitfields son was treated was also named as a defendant. Whitfields son was born prematurely at 28 weeks weighing little more than two pounds and was diagnosed with NEC after consuming some of both companies formulas while in a St. Louis hospitals intensive-care unit. The child, now seven years old, has been diagnosed with developmental delays and severe gastrointestinal problems. In addition to the July verdict against Abbott, an Illinois jury in March awarded $60 million to the family of a baby who developed NEC after being fed Reckitts product. The companies have appealed the verdicts. 40 Years Rebecca Fitzpatrick, one of Abbotts lawyers, told the Whitfield jury that Similac for premature babies has been sold in the US for more than four decades. After 40 years, that formula hasnt suddenly become a dangerous product, she said in her closing argument. Phyllis Jones, a lawyer for the Reckitt unit, told jurors Whitfields son got little more than an ounce of the companys Enfamil formula and that such a small amount couldnt have caused NEC. In addition, the child had a lot going on with his health before he was diagnosed with NEC, Jones told the panel. He had to deal with in-utero infections, and tests showed that his family may have been genetically pre-disposed to develop the bowel disease, Jones said. Arguments that Reckitts product played a role in his disease simply fail, she said. Attorneys for the Whitfield family argued the companies concealed what they knew about the formulas risks while they spent millions of dollars marketing their products at hospital intensive-care units and among doctors who treat such at-risk children. Abbott and Reckitt have been putting profits over preemies for decades, Tim Cronin, one of the familys lawyers, told the jury. They are preying on premature babies and their parents. The case is KW v. St. Louis Childrens Hospital, 2222-CC-06214, 22nd Judicial Circuit of Missouri (St. Louis). Photo: Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. VibraLife of Katy, LLC, a rehabilitation and assisted living facility in Katy, Texas, will pay $80,000 and furnish other relief to settle a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) disability discrimination and retaliation lawsuit, the federal agency announced today. According to the lawsuit, VibraLife hired an employee with a sleep disorder for a night shift position. The job posting required the selected candidate to work 36 hours per week in three 12-hour shifts. Upon beginning her employment, the employee was notified that she would be required to work a fourth 12-hour shift every other week. The employee promptly requested an accommodation that her schedule be limited to the express terms of the job posting and offer to accommodate her disability. Shortly after receiving the employees request for a reasonable accommodation, the employee was demoted and then terminated. Such alleged conduct violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits disability discrimination and retaliation against an employee with a disability. The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. VibraLife of Katy, LLC, Civil Action No. 4:24-CV-02861) in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement via its conciliation process. The court entered a consent decree on Oct. 29 to settle the suit. In addition to paying $80,000 in monetary relief, the three-year decree provides that VibraLife will revise its policies and practices to ensure it provides reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities, provide annual training on the ADA to employees and post a notice to employees regarding the lawsuit should it resume its U.S. operations. Topics Texas Insurance carriers are not responsible if a bank improperly cashes a check made out to two insureds and gives the proceeds to only one of them, a federal appeals court decided this week. The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday reversed a lower federal courts ruling and held that Markel American Insurance Co. had upheld its obligation when it issued joint checks for $573,404 made payable to two insured truck-leasing firms in Florida. Markel American agreed to provide coverage and payment for negotiated claims. It did not, however, agree to assume responsibility for the banks lack of diligence in paying a draft, 11th Circuit Judge Barbara Lagoa wrote in the three-judge panels Oct. 30 opinion. The insured leasing company that missed out on the payment should sue the bank, not the insurance company, the judges noted. It all began several years ago. From 2016 to 2018, VFS Leasing Co., affiliated with Volvo Financial Services, leased trucks to Time Definite Leasing, a Florida company that is now in bankruptcy protection. TDL was required under the contract to insure the trucks and to name VFS as an additional insured or as a loss payee, the court explained. TDL did that, obtaining coverage through Markel American, along with certificates of insurance listing VFS as a certificate holder. After some of the trucks sustained damage, Markel paid the claims and wrote checks that were correctly made payable to both TDL and VFS. The check was apparently sent to TDL, and the bank, JPMorgan Chase, cashed the check. TDL, which entered bankruptcy in 2019, never forwarded a share of the insurance proceeds to VFS, the court explained. VFS then filed suit against Markel, arguing that the insurer had breached the insurance contract and had not actually paid the claim, since one of the insureds never saw the money. The district court agreed. Markel appealed and the appellate judges said the case turned on the Uniform Commercial Code, adopted by most states and codified by Florida in several statutes. One section of the law states plainly: If a draft is accepted by a bank, the drawer is discharged, regardless of when or by whom acceptance was obtained. But another section notes that if an instrument is payable to two or more persons not alternatively, it is payable to all of them and may be negotiated, discharged, or enforced only by all of them. Case law on the question is thin. The U.S. 7th Circuit and Illinois state courts have found that the UCC discharges a payers duty when the check is accepted by a bank. But in a Texas case involving a State Farm insurance company, the Texas Supreme Court in 2014 reached the opposite conclusion. Ultimately, the 11th Circuit said the 7th Circuits Illinois decision was most on-point. Under Floridas commercial code statute, the banks acceptance of the draft discharged Markel Americans performance obligation on the claim, the appeals court wrote. In effect, VFS seeks to impose upon an insurer a duty of performance that exceeds the insurers obligations under the insurance contract. The decision should give insurers, at least in Florida, some measure of comfort, knowing that they likely will not have to face similar suits in the future. It follows a similar ruling by Floridas Fourth District Court of Appeals, a state-level appellate court, in 2022. That year, the majority of the DCAs panel found that United Property & Casualty Insurance Co. had fulfilled its obligation in an assignment-of-benefits claim when it made a check out to both the insured and a restoration contractor. Related: SageSure, Markel Collab to Expand Capacity in Coastal States Topics Carriers Floridas Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, a state-created layer of reinsurance, expects to pay out about $4.6 billion to help cover insurers losses in Hurricanes Helene and Milton. But that wont trigger a surcharge on premiums. And a number of Florida property insurers will take a hit from the recent storms, but that, too, will be manageable. Thats the word from the Cat Funds advisory council and from KBRA, the ratings firm previously known as Kroll Bond Rating Agency, which rates about 13 Florida-based carriers. While two major hurricanes hit Floridian shores within a two-week period, preliminary gross and net loss estimates for homeowners carriers indicate that full-year earnings will be significantly reduced but are expected to remain positive, with no appreciable erosion in capital and continued near-term ratings stability, KBRA said in a report released Thursday. Many insurance carriers in Florida, expecting a busy 2024 hurricane season, had beefed up their reinsurance coverage this year, helping to make the storms earnings events, not capital events. Some insurers anticipate Hurricane Helene to be a full-retention event while others anticipate limited insured losses, KBRA analysts noted. Most insurers expect Hurricane Milton will be a full-retention event. Florida-based insurers rated and tracked by KBRA include Universal Property & Casualty; First Protective Insurance/Frontline; Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance; American Traditions Insurance; Olympus Insurance; Manatee Insurance Exchange; Orange Insurance Exchange; Tower Hill insurance company and exchanges; and others. Most of the rated carriers should be able to help offset hurricane losses due to a very strong first half of the year, thanks to legislative litigation reforms and higher premiums, the rating firm said. Policyholder surplus for KBRA-tracked insurers increased by 17% from 2023 to 2024. Many of these companies were able to improve their surplus through underwriting profitability, a trend not seen in the recent past, the report reads. Barring additional severe storm activity, KBRA expects many Florida homeowners insurance companies will still report a profit for FY 2024. Insurers claims operations were apparently prepared for back-to-back storms and the higher volume of claims that resulted, the agency noted. But the events will likely make some insurers more cautious about taking out more policies this year from the state-created Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the largest property insurer in the state, KBRA said. KBRA analysts could not be reached for comment for further information on the report. The report can be accessed here. Meanwhile, the Florida Cat Fund estimates it will have to pay out almost $5 billion, but will have more than $7 billion in cash and another $3.25 billion in pre-event bond funds available to cover the cost, said Chris Spencer, executive director of the State Board of Administration that oversees the Cat Fund, according to news reports. The Cat Funds advisory council met this week and reviewed the funds finances. The vast majority of the reinsurance payouts to insurers will be for Hurricane Milton, the Orlando Sentinel reported. As of Thursday, Oct. 31, Florida insurers had reported more than 266,800 claims from Milton. Some 169,660 of those have been closed without payment, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. By Nov. 7, the total number of claims had grown to 281,260, with total estimated insured losses at more than $3 billion. The office and some claims adjusters have reported that much of the damage from Milton is from storm surge and flooding, which is not covered by most property insurance policies. And the value of many wind claims have turned out to be below homeowners deductible levels. Photo: Homes destroyed by Hurricane Milton in Grove City, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Topics Carriers Florida Windstorm Los Angeles County has sued beverage makers PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, accusing them of polluting the most populous U.S. county with plastic bottles and misleading the public about the environmental impact and recyclability of their containers. The county in a lawsuit filed on Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court said the companies were contributing to plastic pollution with their single-use plastic bottles and were engaging in a campaign to deceive consumers into believing they were recyclable. According to the Democratic-governed countys lawsuit, the companies did so despite knowing the plastic in their bottles cannot be recycled at a scale meaningful enough to offset the environmental harms of the containers, most of which end up at landfills or as litter. The county contends the plastic pollution traced to products made by the companies constitutes a public nuisance that they must be forced to redress. According to the lawsuit, Pepsi and Coca-Cola should be required to pay penalties for engaging in unfair and deceptive business practices. Coke and Pepsi need to stop the deception and take responsibility for the plastic pollution problems your products are causing, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Lindsey Horvath, a Democrat, said in a statement. The companies did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday. In response to similar lawsuits in the past, they have denied making misleading statements and have said they were working toward environmental sustainability. The case marks the latest in a string of lawsuits by U.S. state and local governments and environmental advocates against companies that make and market plastics. Pepsi is currently fighting a plastic pollution lawsuit filed by New Yorks attorney general last year, and Californias attorney general in September similarly sued oil company Exxon Mobil, which produces polymers, which are used to make single-use plastic. Both attorneys general are Democrats. An appeals court in Washington, D.C., in August revived a lawsuit filed in 2020 by the environmental group Earth Island Institute accusing Coca-Cola of misleading consumers into believing its business was environmentally sustainable. More than 400 million tons of plastic waste is produced globally every year, with less than 10% of it being recycled, according to the UN Environment Programme, choking landfills and despoiling oceans. According to the new lawsuit, plastic accounted for 246,124 tons of all waste materials produced by residences in Los Angeles County in 2024 and 628,211 tons of all commercial waste in the community. (Reporting by Raymond in Boston; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Will Dunham) Topics Lawsuits Pollution ITS THE most miserable of autumn days when I chat to the childrens writer Eibhlis Carcione; so rainy that I got soaked on the 30-step journey between the house and my writing cabin. Its the same in Cork, Eibhlis tells me, over Zoom. Its very dark here; very gothic. Perfect weather, in other words, to discuss Black Gables, Eibhliss spine-chillingly scary book, set beside a lake in the creepiest school in the world. It features Rosella Fawley, a girl forced to move from the city to a backward village, because her mother has lost her memory in an accident and her father hopes returning his wife to the place she grew up in might work some magic. With her mother in a local hospital, Rosella attends Black Gables school, and is aware, from her first sight of the silent children, and the mean Blake and Christobel, that something is very clearly awry. And thats before the school day even begins. In wonderfully atmospheric prose, the book introduces us to a band of beyond-weird teachers with their strange pets; and the ghouls who rise up from the lake, and seem to commune with Mr Edge, the evil headmaster. But why do the townspeople love Mr Edge, and think the school is the best in the world? Could it be that the mist from the lake that sends its tendrils around the town somehow sedates the inhabitants? Rosella tries to make friends, but the only contender is a girl in an orange coat who, mysteriously, keeps disappearing. Determined to speak out, rather than join the quiet children in abject obedience, Rosella immediately clashes with the staff, is branded a troublemaker, and is constantly picked on. Undeterred, she continues to search for answers. Home life isnt great, either. Her father, working from the house, is stressed and worried, and visits to her mum dont provide any solace, because her mother hasnt a clue who Rosella is. Youd think someone with the imagination to produce such a gothic tale might have a dark mind. Not so. To say that Eibhlis is a glass-half-full person would be to underestimate it. Positivity and sheer enthusiasm flow from her. She loves reading, Irish folklore, fairy tales, and poetry; and she adores her day job of primary school teaching. Its not really like a job, she says. You can do so many different things. And you can plan something exciting for a Thursday. In my first job, in Wicklow, wed go down to the seafront and watch birds and go on nature trails. She also loves teaching maths, even though it challenged her as a child. I loved animals and wanted to do veterinary, but maths was not my strongest point. I think I enjoy teaching it because I found it hard. I praise the children and give them time and they really respond. That gives me a great sense of satisfaction. She enjoys everything about writing, too. When I ask her what her dream other life would be, she says shes already living it. And although writing wasnt her ambition growing up in the Beara Peninsula, her love of spooky stories started there. It goes back to Rapunzel and the words of CS Lewis, she says, and I always loved Irish folklore. As a teenager, I loved the feeling I got reading Wuthering Heights and Daphne Du Maurier. Eibhliss writing life started with poetry. She has won several prizes and has produced three collections in the Irish language. As well as writing about various wars around the world, she has concentrated on natural disasters. Im passionate about climate change and have been involved in the Green Schools Movement, she says. We did a play about climate change. Ive written poems in Irish about the wildfires in Australia, about the floods and the tsunamis its all very frightening. What would she say to encourage people to learn Irish? Its just a beautiful language, she says, her face lighting up. Its so expressive and it has to do with our landscape our folklore and our imaginations. And weve had great writers of Irish. People like Padraic O Conaire, who has written some of the most powerful short stories I have ever read. From poetry, Eibhlis switched to prose. Its harder to tell a longer narrative in poetry, she explained. I started with a few plays. Theatre Upstairs did a reading with actors for one of them. And then I wrote a changeling story as a book, and sent it off to agents. I got some good feedback and wrote two more books and had some near-misses. Hard though the rejection was, Eibhlis says that the words of encouragement she received along the way kept her going. They said the writing was good. She gained help, too, from Vanessa Fox OLoughlin of the resource for writers website, writing.ie, getting a manuscript assessment and a date with an agent. And when I sent out the next book, the agent on the top of my list, Silvia Molteni, of PFD, asked for the full manuscript and took me on. That book Welcome to Dead Town Raven McKay which came out last year to rave reviews, showed a town where dead people lived side by side with the living. Black Gables, too, has a ghostly element, mingling the past and the present as a sense of foreboding infuses the text. How did she get the idea for the book? It was the idea of a child moving schools, leaving their friends, and starting in this scary place where all the staff are creepy. We all remember our first day of school, but moving at 10, 11 or 12 is terrible, especially if your circumstances are not good at home. Ive encountered children like that, and like with Rosella, their circumstances can be very bad. When Rosella tells her father what is going on, he cant believe it, because the whole locality seems to be under the enchantment of the school principal. Real-life inspiration Have real-life teachers inspired her to invent such monsters as Ms Rock, Ms Bone, and Ms Bugly? Deflecting my question, she says that weve all met unusual people, including some who are very flawed. And we can all have wool pulled over our eyes and think they are wonderful people. As the plot thickens, and the pace ramps up, Rosella gets closer to finding out the secrets behind the school. Will she be able to defeat the powers of evil? Its a nail-biting finish, one children are bound to adore. Living in Cork with her Italian-American husband and 17-year-old daughter, Eibhlis is currently on a break from the day job. Although I do a bit of supply teaching, she says. She likes nothing better than to read, listen to classical music, and walk with her two dogs, the basset hound Luna, and Maddie, a cocker spaniel. Shes loving the byproducts of this recent publication. Ive met six different groups of children in different libraries in Cork, and Im going to the Dublin Book Festival in November, she says Shes also mentoring a childrens YA writer through the Munster Literature Centre, but her fans neednt worry. Shes not too busy to write. Theres another childrens book and a new collection of poetry on the way. What would her advice to new writers be? Nothing you write is ever wasted, she says. Keep working on your craft to get it right and keep writing. It may not be published, but you have created something. A woman wishing to complain about very stressful pregnancy care and a man unhappy with "rude and dismissive" emergency department nurses were among more than 6,500 people helped by the Patient Advocacy Service (PAS). Now marking its fifth anniversary, the service has seen awareness of the right to complain grow since it supported 65 people during its first year in 2019. The woman, identified only as Christine, said: I was very sick throughout the whole pregnancy and didn't feel like anyone in the hospital was listening to me. She was told all her blood tests were missing from the system, for example. Because of that, staff hadn't spotted a pregnancy-related condition that I had had the entire pregnancy, she said. It was only spotted a few days before I gave birth. Luckily my child was healthy but the pregnancy was very stressful. PAS helped her get a response to a complaint and meet with hospital staff. The hospital apologised and acknowledged what had happened to me. "They offered an explanation as to the issues with my bloods and spoke about changes and improvements they had made, Christine said. In Ferguss case, he was brought to hospital by ambulance. However, he felt dismissed by rude nurses who told him they were very busy. Key areas of the emergency department were full. He left, but said he ended up back there in a few days later with the same heart condition. Unhappy with an initial response to his complaint, he was helped by PAS to request his medical records and understand them. An advocate also attended a meeting with him at the hospital. I received a genuine apology, he said. The hospital told me about the changes that had been made in the emergency department as a result of my complaint. I felt listened to. Georgina Cruise, PAS national manager, said it can help people right through a complaints process with hospitals and nursing homes. This can take months or years depending on the incident. Referring to the growing numbers, she said: We welcome that increase because it does indicate people are more aware of us, and they have a greater awareness of their own rights. PAS now has offices in Cork, Galway, and Dublin with 30 staff up from seven at the beginning. There is a commitment in the current programme for government to extend our service into the mental health arena so there is a commitment there for us to look at that and review it, she said. Contact PAS on 0818 293003 or at www.patientadvocacyservice.ie The son of a UK boss of the Kinahan organised crime group has admitted helping his father in a plot to amass an arms cache to dupe authorities. Jack Kavanagh, 24, whose father is Thomas Bomber Kavanagh, was extradited to the UK last month. He had been arrested in May 2023 at Malaga Airport by officers from the Spanish National Police, as he was transiting from Dubai to Turkey. On Friday, Kavanagh, from Tamworth, appeared at the Old Bailey and pleaded guilty by video-link from Belmarsh prison to two charges of conspiracy to possess a firearm and two offences of plotting to possess ammunition. Judge Philip Katz remanded the defendant into custody to be sentenced on December 4. Last month, Irish national Thomas Kavanagh, 57, was jailed for six years for orchestrating the plot. He had hoped that by leading the National Crime Agency (NCA) to a buried stash of 11 fearsome weapons, he could influence his sentencing in a multimillion-pound drug smuggling case. Running the conspiracy from prison, Kavanagh enlisted the help of his son, as well as his brother-in-law, 44-year-old Liam Byrne, and associate Shaun Kent, 38, in the plan to deceive the NCA. Thomas, Kavanagh, left, Liam Byrne and Shaun Kent (National Crime Agency/PA) In May 2021, Thomas Kavanagh provided information to the NCA which led them to a field in Newry, Northern Ireland, where two holdalls were unearthed. They contained seven machine guns, three automatic hand guns, an assault rifle and ammunition. The plot was foiled after the NCA uncovered incriminating messages on encrypted EncroChat which had been cracked by French counterparts. Between January 2020 and June 2021, the defendants agreed to acquire as many arms as possible from the UK, Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Kavanagh had run the conspiracy from HMP Dovegate where he was serving a three-year sentence for possession of a stun gun and had been remanded on serious drug charges since March 2020. Those charges related to smuggling multiple kilos of cocaine and cannabis into the UK for which he was sentenced in March 2022 to 21 years in prison. Irish businessman Thomas Kavanagh arriving at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court where he is set to be sentenced for being in possession of a "10,000-volt" stun gun disguised as a torch in his house among an arsenal of weaponry inside his "fortified" mansion home. In September, Kavanagh, Byrne, from Dublin, and Kent, from Liverpool, admitted two charges of conspiring to possess a prohibited weapon, and two charges of conspiring to possess prohibited ammunition, between January 9 2020 and June 3 2021. Kavanagh and Kent also admitted conspiring with others to pervert the course of justice. Byrne who fled to Majorca after the events was jailed for five years while Kent was handed a six-year prison sentence. Kavanagh will serve his sentence consecutive to his jail time for previous offending. Beijing (Gasgoo)- Premium new energy vehicle brand AVATR reported its highest-ever monthly sales for October, with 10,056 vehicles sold, which doubled year on year and month on month. Cumulative sales for AVATR from January to October 2024 reached 50,960 vehicles, marking significant year-on-year growth. Photo credit: AVATR The recent sales surge follows the market launch of the AVATR 07 on September 26, which is available in six variants with both all-electric and range-extended options, priced from 219,900 yuan to 289,900 yuan. The model quickly gained traction, recording over 11,673 units of pre-orders within 20 hours upon its market launch. By October 21, deliveries of the AVATR 07 had already surpassed 5,000 units, as confirmed by Changan Automobile and AVATR Technology Chairman Zhu Huarong. The AVATR 07 continues the brand's distinctive design language, enhanced with advanced intelligent systems powered by Huawei's HarmonyOS 4.0 and Huawei's Qiankun ADS 3.0 smart driving assistance. AVATR also announced that its upcoming AVATR 12 Kunlun range-extended version, equipped with a 1.5T range extender and a 201km battery-powered range, will hit the market on November 2. This model will also incorporate Huawei's Qiankun ADS 3.0 advanced smart driving system, featuring three LiDAR sensors for enhanced capabilities. A 33-year-old Dubliner based himself in Cork for the purpose of dealing heroin and another dealer would bring heroin to his shop to top up the supply and bring the takings back to Dublin. However, gardai cracked down on Rhys McGuires operation in Rochestown, Cork, and now he has been jailed for three and a half years. Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed a jail term of five years, with the last 18 months, suspended at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. He had been in Cork selling drugs to people who wanted heroin. Someone would come down to top up his heroin and take the money back to Dublin so he was effectively acting as an agent for the supply of drugs in Cork City. He lost his mother at a very young age. I note the presence of his family in court. He went to school and did work. He went to Spain, came back and was homeless. He is profoundly addicted polysubstance abuse, particularly to the substance he was selling. But his dealing was systematic, organised and required the use of various paraphernalia and an agent to re-supply the shop, if you could call it, in Cork and take away the proceeds. He well knew what he was involved with. But he was doing this as an addict. There is no indication of coercion against him on [examination of messages] on his phone. It may be in the background. It was highly organised drug-dealing. Defence senior counsel Ray Boland said Mr McGuire had taken responsibility in early course and was at this late stage dealing with his issues. He asked the judge to leave him some light at the end of the tunnel, not least in circumstances where he has a family who care for him. He was caught with a stash of more than 20,000 worth of heroin on the Rochestown Road in Cork and charged by Detective Garda Mike Walsh. He also admitted a money-laundering charge where he had 1,085 cash the proceeds of criminal conduct. Rhys McGuire, of Iveagh Hostel, Bride Road, Dublin 8, pleaded guilty to being in possession of diamorphine (heroin) on Rochestown Road, Cork, and having the drug for the purpose of sale or supply to others and the money-laundering charge all related to April 12, 2023. A 65-year-old farmer appealing a jail term for attacking a veterinary inspector after a visit to his farm was ordered not to conduct any type of farming that would require inspection from the Department of Agriculture. Judge Helen Boyle made that order at Cork Circuit Appeals Court in the appeal by Andrew Scannell, of Lackaneen, Lissacreasig, Macroom, Co Cork. For the assault under appeal in relation to the eight-month jail term on the charge that on October 28, 2023, at his farm, he assaulted Jerry Herlihy, a Department of Agriculture official, causing him harm, the judge increased the sentence to 12 months but suspended the balance of it. He has already spent some time in custody in the case. Judge Boyle noted on Friday that because it was Mr Scannells second time assaulting an officer of the Department of Agriculture, he should not engage in any farming such as the keeping of animals that would require inspection visits from the department. The judge noted a description from the defendants last doctor that he suffered anxiety, depression, isolation and paranoid delusions and was like a John B Keane character caught out of time. Defence barrister Alan ODwyer referred to social and medical difficulties of the accused, who was unable to get a doctor or a medical card despite the "Herculean" efforts of his solicitor, Patrick Goold. The assault occurred where Mr Scannell punched the inspector in the side of the head when the injured party was changing out of his work clothes following an inspection of his farm and he had no opportunity to defend himself from the blow. Judge Boyle noted an earlier conviction the same farmer had for assaulting a female inspector from the Department of Agriculture on October 2, 2020. The owner of a fishing trawler which sank off the West Cork coast has disputed the findings of an official investigation into the incident which concluded the sinking was due to a series of failures relating to faulty equipment, crew training, safety management and poor regulatory compliance. Instead, Wexford-based firm, R&E Fish Limited, blamed the sinking of its 24-metre vessel, Ellie Adhamh, off Bull Rock on March 28, 2021, on a collision with a naval patrol ship which was attempting to attach a towline to it on the previous evening. A report by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) listed 12 different factors which contributed to a very serious marine casualty which had put the lives of the vessels seven crew and rescue personnel at risk. The contributory factors included the failure to provide a properly qualified and trained skipper and the crews lack of training in emergency procedures. Others included the failure to close all watertight openings on the vessel and a defective waste discharge chute as well as the weather conditions. Naval ship LE George Bernard Shaw and Ellie Adhamh. Picture: Irish Coast Guard The trawler sank after it had lost all electrical power and attempts were being made to tow it to its home port of Castletownbere, Co Cork, in storm force sea conditions. However, R&E Fish Limited, which is in liquidation, disputes many of the MCIBs findings and claimed the situation with the trawler only deteriorated after a collision with the naval vessel, LE George Bernard Shaw, during attempts to attach a towline on March 27, 2021. The company claimed the MCIB report contains many false claims and inaccurate information. The skipper of Ellie Adhamh told the MCIB he did not want to abandon the trawler as he believed the water condition onboard the vessel was under control at the time but he was overruled by the captain of the naval ship. The owner particularly contended the collision was a causative factor in the sinking of its trawler and was due to the incompetence of the Naval Service. It maintained the collision was far from superficial and much more serious than reported by the MCIB. The company also objected to the investigator appointed by the MCIB as it claimed he was a former member of the Naval Service, which, it claimed, posed a conflict of interest. The owner and skipper insisted the vessel had little or no water on board for 33 hours after it lost power and it only began to list and take on more water after it was being towed by the naval patrol ship. However, the MCIB said it reviewed a video recording of the collision and concluded the impact was not severe and there did not appear to be any serious damage or water ingress. Investigators said any major damage to its bulbous bow would have been clearly visible but it was intact as the vessel sank. This type of contact between vessels is not uncommon in salvage and rescue operations in very bad weather, the MCIB noted. It concluded the collision with the naval ship was neither a causative nor a contributory factor. The Naval Service also stated it did not agree with the sequence of events as described by the trawlers skipper and owner. The MCIB said the carrying out of changes to the trawler which might affect its stability and the failure to comply with classification rule and failure to ensure there was a qualified skipper onboard showed a disregard for the safety regime provided for in marine legislation. Irish Coastguard helicopter Rescue 116 comes in to land to refuel in Castletownbere before going to the assistance of the stricken fishing trawler 'Ellie Adhamh'. Picture: Andy Gibson The report also noted the skipper of Ellie Adhamh was convicted and fined for not holding the correct certificate of competency for the 230-tonne trawler. The vessel experienced an electrical power failure on March 25, 2021, as it was returning to Castletownbere after fishing for prawns about 160 nautical miles off the Cork coast after a fortnight at sea. However, it continued to head for port in the company of another trawler until its main emergency batteries died the following day, which left the crew below deck being in darkness. A tow was established with the other trawler for a short time. Weather and sea conditions started to deteriorate when Ellie Adhamh was about 55 nautical miles from port and the other vessel went ahead back to Castletownbere for its own safety. The MCIB report noted it started taking water into the main deck at this stage but the crew were unable to pump it back overboard because of the power failure. Emergency pumps and VHF radio sets were dropped onto the trawler by an Irish Coast Guard helicopter on the morning of March 27, 2021. Shortly after, LE George Bernard Shaw established a towline to the stricken vessel, but the safety of the crew became an increasing concern as the trawler developed a significant list and continued to take on water in bad weather. The crew were finally airlifted to safety from the vessel at 6.55pm, just over an hour before the trawler went adrift after the towline broke. A tug which arrived on the scene the following morning was unable to attach a line due to weather conditions and the sinking of Ellie Adhamh was reported at 10.55am on March 28, 2021. As part of its investigation, the MCIB issued a series of safety recommendations including better enforcement of legislation and the introduction of penalties to ensure greater compliance with regulations governing the condition of vessels and equipment. It also called on the minister for transport to issue a marine notice to remind owners, skippers and crews of fishing vessels of the requirement for all crew members to have appropriate certification and basic safety training. The MCIB said the owners and skippers of vessels should also be reminded of their legal obligations to maintain the condition of their vessel and its equipment in conformity with regulations. Remember too, that despite the social media slogan, 'Trust Black Women,' you too have to be trustworthy. Black faces in high places are not going to save us. Just look at the black woman's hand, ambassador at the UN, voting against a ceasefire in Gaza. That is, our blackness and our womanness are not in themselves trustworthy if we allow ourselves to be conscripted into positions of power that maintain the oppressive status quo. Professor Ruha Benjamin, Atlanta, 2024 When Prof Benjamin gave a commencement speech at Spelman College in April this year, Kamala Harris was not a presidential nominee. The unfolding genocide in Gaza was only into its eighth month, and though the dead numbered well into the tens of thousands, we had not yet seen Israeli boots on Lebanese soil, nor American bombs falling in Beirut. Donald Trump was the presumptive Republican candidate. Joe Biden, the bumbling, fumbling incumbent. Notwithstanding his very public physical and mental failure, it still seemed unconscionable that the Democrats could continue to support Israel in its psychotic bid to obliterate Palestine and Palestinians and redraw the regional map, publicly at least. Nobody expected them to change course for moral reasons that horse bolted with the Mayflower but there was hope, it being an election year, that hunger for votes would align with moral reasoning. Yet here we are. With Biden a bungling afterthought, Harris has proven herself equally as complicit, and so managed what once seemed unthinkable posit the hitherto cartoonish Trump as an anti-war candidate. It may well cost them the election. Prof Benjamin's speech was not about genocide, politics, or American foreign policy. It was about sisterhood, student activism, the inner conflict of personal ambition versus the collective good. Hope, regret, and the promise of a better tomorrow. Black faces in high places may have been the headline, but, boy, there were layers upon layers of clear-eyed critical thinking packed into 14 minutes. I immediately thought of Benjamin when the US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas, accused Francesca Albanese of antisemitism during the week, effectively declaring war on her good name. So too, when Beyonce followed the Obamas to the stage and endorsed Harris without expressing a scintilla of empathy for genocided Palestinians or the besieged people of Lebanon, choosing instead to hide behind the mask of motherhood, as if that forgives running with the hare to sell records, but hunting with the devious hound when votes are on the line. Former US president Barack Obama at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, in Las Vegas. Picture: John Locher/AP The professor did not mention Malcolm X, but the actions of Thomas, Harris, the Obamas, and Beyonce stink of Malcolms suspicions that celebrities those who had proximity to capital, fame, and fortune could not be aligned or reconciled with the Black masses. He framed them as a group separate from the people they claimed to represent. While many begin pure of intent, proximity to power corrupts. Of course, this is true, regardless of skin colour, but in the context of next week's election, Malcolm's scepticism has never seemed more prescient. Maysoon Zayid is a Palestinian-American comedian, actor, author, and disability advocate who describes herself as a onetime die-in-the-wool Democrat. She started campaigning for the party in 1992 and has worked on and supported the presidential campaigns of Barak Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Biden. Maysoon Zayid has worked on and supported the presidential campaigns of Barak Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden. Picture: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images Had things gone differently under this administration she might have been on stage at the Democratic National Convention as an advocate for the rights of the disabled. Next week, for the first time in her adult life, she is choosing not to vote. I wouldnt vote for democrats this year for all the money in the world, she tells me from her home in New York. In 2016, Hillary Clinton lost Michigan, and it cost her the election. Theyre doing it again. Zayid, who spends months every year in Palestine running an arts programme for disabled and orphaned children in refugee camps, claims the Dems have learned nothing. Harris is repeating the exact same mistake, but, in addition to alienating Michigan [which has one of the highest number of Muslim voters in the US], shes alienated the youth vote, too, by patronising and dismissing the student protesters who have been on the streets and campuses protesting what's happening in the Middle East. Her messaging has been nothing short of ghoulish, effectively telling voters: I know you dont like genocide, but dont you want cheaper groceries? To compound the arrogance of the Democrats, when they do address the question of genocide and Palestine, the mask slips completely. On Wednesday night in Michigan, Bill Clinton told voters: I understand why young Palestinian and Arab Americans in Michigan think too many people have died I get that, but" "Hamas makes sure that they're shielded by civilians, they'll force you to kill civilians, if you want to defend yourself." Clinton continued: They [Jews] were there before their [Muslims] faith existed. Former US president Bill Clinton speaks at a campaign event supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, in Phoenix. Picture: Ross D Franklin/AP Photo It's the type of psychobabble youd expect of a drunk uncle at a wedding, and Zayid is appalled that the Democrats have such little care for Muslim and Arab votes that they dont even pretend anymore. Its as if theyve chosen to deliberately lose this election, because theyre not even lying. You can make campaign promises you have no intention of fulfilling. That's what politicians do. "Instead, Harris has basically told us: 'Im a woman. A woman of colour, no less, and Im going to be more genocidal than any man before me.' Its insane. No woman should ever put Bill Clinton on stage. And its no surprise when hes up there he leans into this fairytale that religion should ever have anything to do with real estate and indigenous rights. That to me is just text book supremacy. Why do it then? Under Biden and Harris, the US government has provided $22.76bn (21bn) in military aid to Israel since October 7 and havent as much as hinted at a policy shift post-election. Previous administrations have masked their support. Biden and Harris have screamed from the rooftops. It seems to me that the calculation is an American colony in the middle east is more lucrative to the Democrats than the one in the US. Harris is a much younger woman of color running against Trump. She could have electrified the youth. She is the candidate the Republicans mocked for being a 'childless cat lady.' The bar was so low, the messaging couldve just humanised Palestinians and it wouldve been enough to win, but instead she has chosen to lean into genocide, and in choosing appalling surrogates like Clinton, shes only amplifying a supremacy complex that might sabotage what was an open goal for them. Republican presidential nominee former president Donald Trump at a campaign event in Waunakee, Wisconsin. Picture: Charlie Neibergall/AP Theres more. Zayid has cerebral palsy and claims the disabled community have been badly let down by this administration. Biden fumbled the ball on disability. He was all about the disabled vote during the last election. He couldnt pass the healthcare reforms the disabled community really needed, and that could potentially distance those voters. The Dems are in trouble, and theyve nobody to blame but themselves. Ignoring the Arab and Muslim vote. Students. The disabled. You have to factor in, too, that many white women who may have voted for Hillary or Biden, may not want to vote for a Black Indian woman they dont consider Christian. US President Joe Biden Picture: Susan Walsh/AP Photo Of all the players in the party, Ziyad is perhaps most disappointed with the Obamas, who she says should know better. I cant believe it. They know the history. Obama sat beside Edward Siad. He knows the reality. To hear how he now talks to Arab Americans. The way he speaks down to African American men and minority communities. I was never naive about Obama and his foreign policy, but I trusted him on civil rights and healthcare and having a moral compass, relatively speaking. What's most surprising to Ziyad is how uncaring they are. These people know PR better than anybody. To watch them speak about genocide the way they are now...its tarnishing their legacy. What, then, of the alternative? If, as Ziyad suggests, there are enough lapsed Democrats who will abstain, as she is, there must surely be those who will bypass a third-party candidate like Jill Stein and vote for Trump? I never would. But I didn't lose any comedy gigs when I criticised Donald trump, I lost everything when I criticised Biden and Harris. "That I somebody who practically lost Palestinian friends because I stupidly defended the party before now the fact I am not voting... I have so much to lose, but nothing is worth voting for people who vehemently support the mass killing and disabling of children. "Biden and Harris also deprived Americans of a primary. It allowed no opportunity to explore an anti-genocide candidate. Trump is cheap, she says, despairingly, Maybe the only hope is he wont be as willing to write the cheque. As public buildings across Spain lowered flags to half-mast to mark the first of three days of national mourning, Leticia Cardona Teruel set off with her husband and eight-year-old daughter their rucksacks packed to the brim to walk the seven kilometres to Valencia. About 36 hours earlier on Tuesday, they had watched as rivers of mud-coloured water coursed through their small town of Paiporta, swamping the ground floor of buildings, sweeping away cars and submerging local plazas. On Thursday, as access roads remained mostly cut off, they were among a dozen or so residents who were walking to the regional capital in hopes of staying safe. The journey gave them a first-hand look at the devastation wreaked by the storm: streets littered with piles of cars and street lights that lay scattered on the ground. Everything is destroyed, said Cardona Teruel, speaking to the Guardian by phone. Its like a zombie apocalypse that you see in the movies. This week the quiet commuter town of Paiporta became known across Spain as one of the places to have been worst affected by the countrys deadliest flood in modern history. Of the reported 155 deaths in the region of Valencia, at least 62 nearly half occurred in the town, leaving many reeling with grief amid anger that there had been no official alert before water began surging through their town. There was no warning, said the towns mayor, Maribel Albalat. In the absence of any sign that this storm would be different from any other, many residents had gone down to garages beneath their apartments to move their cars to higher ground. Were told that thats where a lot of people were caught, said Albalat. Later, explaining that the floodwaters had surged just as many residents were at ground level or underground, she was more blunt. It was a trap, she told the broadcaster TVE. Vehicles are seen piled up after being swept away by floods in Valencia, Spain, Thursday, October 31, 2024. Among the residents who lost their lives were Lourdes Maria Garcia and her three-month-old baby. She had been in a car with her partner, Antonio Tarazona, when the waters started to rise around them. As the car began to float, Tarazona got out in an attempt to pull the family to safety. Instead he found himself swept away by the currents. The currents began to drag the car down, he told El Pais. The last thing I saw was them calling for help from the roof of the car. Police later confirmed that the bodies of Garcia and the baby had been found. At the local care home, the floods struck just as residents were having dinner. Videos posted online showed them screaming as water came rushing in, leaving staff wading frantically through knee-deep waters to carry residents to higher floors. While they managed to save the majority, six people died. Several inhabitants of Paiporta spoke of being caught off guard by the floods, given that it hadnt been raining in the area at the time. For Andries Klarenberg, an English teacher from Manchester living in Paiporta, the first inkling that something was wrong came when the electricity shut off. I look out the window and the first thing I see is, literally, cars floating down the street of where I live, he said. It was really surreal. His thoughts immediately turned to his wife and their one-month-old daughter, who were driving back to their flat with his mother-in-law. He tried to call but his phone battery was dead. I had no idea if they were alive or dead until I could charge my phone via an old laptop. About three kilometres away, his wife, Florencia Rey, was frantically debating what to do. They had turned on to one street after spotting flooding on another, only to find themselves surrounded by rising waters. Water had started entering the car, filling it rapidly. The car started to move, even with the brakes on, said Rey. She wrenched open the door, going through the boot of the car to pull her baby out of the car seat. The three of them waded through three feet of water, eventually making their way to the second floor of a warehouse. During brief bursts of phone coverage they managed to connect with Klarenberg and keep in touch during the eight hours it took before they were rescued by police. After being reunited on Wednesday morning, the family was on Thursday safe in their third-floor apartment but without water or reliable access to food. Weve felt very isolated because theres no government presence or anything like that, said Klarenberg. There are helicopters overhead, sirens but everything that is being done is being done by the community, like clearing the road or moving cars. Albalat said the community was in shock. The situation is catastrophic We dont have electricity in some areas; were without water and communication is difficult, she told broadcaster Onda Cero. Scientists say the human-driven climate crisis is increasing the length, frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The warming of the Mediterranean, which increases water evaporation, is also thought to play a key role in making torrential rains more severe. Meteorologists have said that the rainfall in Spain is most likely the result of a sudden cold drop, also known as DANA, a Spanish acronym for high-altitude isolated depression. The gravity of the floods took most in Paiporta by surprise. The state weather agency, AEMET, had launched a red alert for the region on Tuesday morning. But it took until just after 8pm for the civil protection service to send an alert urging residents not to leave their homes. For Cardona Teruel, the official alert came after she had moved her car and waded through knee-deep waters to make it back to her house. Were very upset, she said. Prevention is about getting ahead of what might happen at no time was there talk of evacuating homes or people not taking their cars. There was none of that. You cant send alerts when the worst has already happened. ~ The Guardian 47 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured, most of them children and women, in overnight Israeli bombardment of the the central Gaza Strip, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Friday. The attacks occurred in the city of Deir Al-Balah, the Nuseirat camp and the town of Al-Zawayda, it said. The Israeli military said its troops had identified and eliminated "several armed terrorists" in central Gaza and had eliminated "dozens of terrorists" in targeted raids in northern Gaza's Jabalia area. The Gaza war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians and reduced most of the enclave to rubble, Palestinian authorities say. At least 46 Palestinians were killed in Israeli military strikes across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, mostly in the north where one attack hit a hospital, torching medical supplies and disrupting operations, the enclave's health officials said. Israel's military has accused the Palestinian militant group Hamas of using Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya for military purposes and said "dozens of terrorists" have been hiding there. Health officials and Hamas deny the assertion. The health ministry in the Gaza Strip called for all international bodies "to protect hospitals and medical staff from the brutality of the (Israeli) occupation". Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said on Thursday that one of its doctors at the hospital, Mohammed Obeid, had been detained last Saturday by Israeli forces. It called for the protection of him and all medical staff who "are facing horrific violence as they try to provide care". Prospects of a ceasefire between Israel and its foes Hamas and Hezbollah ran aground on Friday as Israeli airstrikes killed at least 64 people in the Gaza Strip, according to medics in the Palestinian enclave, and battered Beirut's southern suburbs. US envoys had been working to secure ceasefires on both fronts ahead of the US presidential electionnext Tuesday. But Hamas did not favour a temporary truce, its Al-Aqsa Hamas television reported on Friday. The ceasefire proposals failed to meet its conditions that any deal must end the year-long war in Gaza and include a withdrawal of Israeli forces from there, it said. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his priority was to enforce security "despite any pressure or constraints". His office said he relayed this message to US envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk in Israel on Thursday. Israel meanwhile pressed on with its military offensives against Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon on Friday. Medics in Gaza said about 64 people were killed and dozens more injured overnight and into Friday morning in Israeli strikes on the city of Deir Al-Balah, the Nuseirat camp and the town of Al-Zawayda, all in the central area of Gaza as well as in its south. Smoke rises from a destroyed building that was hit by an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. Picture: AP Photo/Hussein Malla Fourteen people were killed by an Israeli strike at the gate of a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Nuseirat, according to medics at the camp's Al-Awda Hospital. Another 10 were killed in a car in Khan Younis in the south of Gaza, medics said. The Israeli military said its troops had killed what it called armed terrorists in central Gaza and the northern Jabalia area. It had no immediate comment on the reported school strike, although it habitually denies deliberately attacking civilians. Israel also pummelled Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday morning with at least 10 strikes, Reuters journalists said. It was the first bombardment on the area - once a densely-packed district and Hezbollah stronghold - in nearly a week. The strikes came after Israel issued evacuation orders for 10 separate neighbourhoods. Hassan Saad, speaking in a street in Lebanon's capital Beirut, told Reuters: "This is a brutal war and Israel does not have the right to do this...There must be a limit put for Israel because it does not abide by any of the laws or human morality." A man walks on the rubble of his destroyed apartment following an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. Picture: AP Photo/Hassan Ammar Another Beirut man, Ali Ramadan, said he believed the Israeli airstrikes were a way to put pressure on Lebanon in the ceasefire negotiations. The hostilities have whittled away any hope a truce could be reached before the November 5 US presidential election. Hamas television, quoting a leading source in the group, said the ceasefire proposals did not meet its conditions. "The proposals do not include a permanent cessation of aggression, withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, or the return of displaced people," the source said. Nor did they address Palestinians' need for security, relief and reconstruction, and the full reopening of border crossings, the source said. The delegation also demanded the provision of food, medicine and shelter, and said any agreement must include an exchange of Palestinians held in Israel's jails for the Israeli hostages captive in Gaza. Israel's Netanyahu, addressing graduating troops on Thursday, said: "Agreements, documents, proposals are not the main point. "The main point is our ability and determination to enforce security, thwart attacks against us and act against the arming of our enemies, as necessary and despite any pressure and constraints. This is the main point," he said. 'ISRAELI STUBBORNNESS' Lebanon's caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati on Friday accused Israel of blocking any progress in the negotiations. "Israeli statements and diplomatic signals received by Lebanon confirm the Israeli stubbornness in rejecting the proposed solutions and insisting on the approach of killing and destruction," he said. Israel on Thursday also bombed the Baalbek region in Lebanon's east, home to UNESCO-listed Roman ruins. A cultural group that organises yearly festivals amid the ruins said some cracks were visible due to nearby Israeli strikes. Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes on Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, early Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. Picture: AP Photo/Hussein Malla Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel in solidarity with Palestinians a day after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's retaliatory offensives have killed more than 43,000 Palestinians and reduced most of Gaza to rubble, Palestinian authorities say, and also killed around 2,800 people in Lebanon, according to the health ministry there. In northern Israel close to the Lebanese border, a farmer and four Thai workers were killed in a Hezbollah rocket attack on Metula on Thursday, Israeli authorities said. Two more civilians were killed by shrapnel near the town of Kiryat Ata, further south near the port city of Haifa. The Iran-backed Hezbollah says it only fires at military targets in Israel. -Reuters 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. BYD SHARK 6 right-hand drive version makes global debut in Australia On October 29, BYD launched the right-hand-drive version of its SHARK 6 model in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. Priced from AUD 57,900 (approximately 271,000 yuan), this model is specially tailored for off-road enthusiasts, featuring BYDs advanced DMO hybrid technology. With a full tank and a fully charged battery, the SHARK 6 boasts a combined range of over 800 kilometers, appealing to drivers seeking both power and endurance. Photo credit: BYD GAC AION achieves global sales of 40,052 vehicles in October 2024 In October 2024, GAC AION recorded a global sales volume of 40,052 new vehicles. The company also announced that its AION RT model will officially hit the market on November 6, with deliveries starting at the same time. Pre-orders for the AION RT have already surpassed 28,000 units. BYD's 150th electric bus in Germany rolls off production line On November 1, BYD announced its 150th electric bus for the German market has already rolled off the production line. BYD has now sold over 400 commercial buses in Germany, underscoring its growing footprint in Europe's electric bus sector. NIO's monthly deliveries exceed 20,000 units for 6 straight months by Oct. 2024 In October 2024, NIO Inc. ("NIO" or "the company") delivered 20,976 new vehicles, representing a year-on-year leap of 30.5% and marking its sixth straight month with deliveries exceeding 20,000 units, the company announced on November 1. XPENG's Oct. vehicle deliveries jump 20% YoY, reaching historical high Chinese electric vehicle maker XPENG reported a record-breaking monthly delivery volume in October 2024, which stood at 23,917 vehicles, marking a 20% year-over-year jump and 12% month-over-month rise. Li Auto sees monthly deliveries jump 27.3% YoY in Oct. 2024 On November 1, Chinese new energy vehicle maker Li Auto announced its October 2024 delivery figures, reporting a delivery volume of 51,443 vehicles for the month, which indicated a year-on-year jump of 27.3%. Autonomous driving, AI tech firm LightWheel AI secures Pre-A+ funding LightWheel AI, a Beijing-based tech company specializing in autonomous driving and embodied intelligence, recently completed its Pre-A+ funding round, which raised for the company tens of millions of yuan. IM Motors boasts 3-digit YoY, MoM growth in Oct. 2024 deliveries IM Motors, the premium electric vehicle maker co-backed by SAIC Motor, Alibaba Group, and Zhangjiang High-Tech, announced on November 1 that it recorded monthly sales of 10,001 vehicles in October 2024, representing a year-on-year spike of 149% and a month-on-month surge of 121%. AVATR logs record-high monthly sales in Oct. 2024 Premium new energy vehicle brand AVATR reported its highest-ever monthly sales for October, with 10,056 vehicles sold, which doubled year on year and month on month. DEEPAL delivers 27,862 vehicles in Oct. 2024 On November 1, DEEPAL, the new energy vehicle brand under Changan Automobile, announced its October deliveries totaled 27,862 vehicles. In the first ten months of this year, DEEPAL's cumulative deliveries reached 171,281 vehicles. VOYAH's vehicle deliveries surge 87% YoY in Jan.-Oct. period of 2024 In the first ten months of this year, VOYAH delivered 62,705 vehicles in total, representing an 87% year-on-year surge. The strong performance is attributed to the refreshed VOYAH DREAM MPV and VOYAH PASSION sedan. Leapmotor achieves highest-ever monthly deliveries in Oct. 2024 In October 2024, Chinese new energy vehicle maker Leapmotor achieved a record-breaking monthly delivery of 38,177 vehicles, marking a 109.7% year-on-year soar. Baidu, Geely-backed JI YUE posts 19% MoM growth in Oct. 2024 deliveries JI YUE, a Chinese smart electric vehicle brand co-backed by Geely and Baidu, reported sales in October 2024, with deliveries reaching 3,107 unitsa 19% increase from the previous month. ZEEKR scores 82% YoY spike in Jan.-Oct. 2024 deliveries On November 1, ZEEKR, an electric vehicle maker under Geely Holding, announced impressive delivery numbers for October 2024, with 25,049 vehicles delivered, marking a 92% year-over-year increase and a 17% rise from the previous month. From January through October this year, the company reached cumulative deliveries of 167,922 units, reflecting an 82% surge over the year-ago period. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- JI YUE, a Chinese smart electric vehicle brand co-backed by Geely and Baidu, reported sales in October 2024, with deliveries reaching 3,107 unitsa 19% increase from the previous month. Regarding the update of new products, the refreshed version of its first mass-produced model, the JI YUE 01, hit the market in late October this year. Coming with three trim levels, the new vehicle is priced from 219,900 yuan to 309,900 yuan, with limited-time offers starting at 214,900 yuan. Positioned as a mid-to-large all-electric SUV, the updated JI YUE 01 offers enhanced motor performance, upgraded interior features, and improved range capabilities, and deliveries for the new model are now underway. JI YUE 01 refreshed version; photo credit: JI YUE The JI YUE 01 refreshed version boasts upgrades across all trims, including a silicon carbide motor for optimized power efficiency. Interior refinements feature an ultra-fiber leather steering wheel with enhanced tactile response and subtle decorative trim, along with an updated, more ergonomic rear seat configuration that adds a middle shoulder and neck support, and extends the rear legroom by 3 cm. The vehicle's dimensions remain at 4,853 mm (length), 1,990 mm (width), and 1,611 mm (height), with a 3,000 mm wheelbase and an impressive drag coefficient of just 0.249 Cd. The SUV's standout features include a multifunctional U-shaped steering wheel and a 35.6-inch floating display powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8295 chip. On the sales and service network front, JI YUE continues expanding its footprint, now with over 100 outlets in 39 cities across China, including new locations in Changshu and Nanning cities opened in October. Read the full story on Modern Car Collector The 1955 Le Mans Disaster: The Tragic Race That Changed Motorsports Forever The 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans, held at the Circuit de la Sarthe in France, is remembered not only for the intense rivalry on the track but also for the catastrophic event that became the deadliest accident in motorsport history. What began as a highly anticipated race among top automakers Ferrari, Jaguar, and Mercedes-Benz quickly devolved into a nightmare, as debris from a horrific crash was hurled into the crowd, killing 84 people and injuring around 120 others. This video delves into the details of the race, the crash, the aftermath, and the lasting legacy of the tragic event. Before the Crash: A Thrilling Rivalry The 1955 Le Mans race drew enormous crowds due to the fierce competition among three leading automakers: Ferrari, Jaguar, and Mercedes-Benz. Each manufacturer brought powerful, cutting-edge cars and elite drivers, all vying for victory. Ferrari arrived as the defending champion, with its race cars known for incredible speed but also a reputation for mechanical fragility. Jaguar focused almost exclusively on Le Mans and entered the race with Formula 1 driver Mike Hawthorn, while Mercedes-Benz arrived with its newly designed 300 SLR, which featured an ultralight magnesium alloy body and inboard drum brakes. Advertisement Advertisement Mercedes-Benz assembled a star-studded driver lineup, pairing Juan Manuel Fangio with Stirling Moss in the lead car and placing Frenchman Pierre Levegh in a second car. Levegh was a revered figure in French motorsport, known for his solo drive at Le Mans in 1952. By 1955, speeds at Le Mans had increased dramatically, with leading cars reaching over 270 km/h (170 mph). The track layout, however, remained nearly unchanged since the race's inception in 1923, when cars were far slower and safety standards minimal. The Crash: Moments that Shocked the World The accident took place around 6:30 p.m. on June 11, 1955, during the first pit stop of the race leaders. The tragic sequence began when Jaguars Mike Hawthorn, who had just lapped Levegh, received a signal to pit. As he approached the pit area, Hawthorn suddenly braked to make his stop. His advanced Jaguar brakes slowed him down abruptly, surprising the Austin-Healey driver Lance Macklin, who swerved to avoid him. In a tragic twist of fate, Macklins car moved directly into the path of Leveghs Mercedes-Benz, which was approaching at high speed. Leveghs car collided with the rear of Macklins vehicle, causing the Mercedes to be launched into the air. The car flew over an earthen berm, rolled end-over-end, and disintegrated as it crashed into a spectator area. Levegh was ejected from the car and killed on impact. His Mercedes-Benz exploded into flames upon landing, showering the crowd with deadly debris, including the engine block, radiator, and parts of the cars magnesium-alloy body. Aftermath: Confusion and Chaos in the Wake of Tragedy The hours following the crash were marked by pandemonium. Spectators were horrified as debris continued to burn, intensified by rescue workers who, unfamiliar with magnesium fires, poured water onto the flames, causing them to flare up even more. Despite the severity of the accident, the race was not stopped, a decision made to prevent massive traffic congestion on the nearby roads, which would have hampered emergency vehicles access to the scene. The race director, Charles Faroux, reasoned that ending the race prematurely could lead to a further disaster, as spectators would try to leave en masse. Advertisement Advertisement The Jaguar team, with Hawthorn as the lead driver, ultimately went on to win the race, though there was no victory celebration. As Mercedes-Benz team members absorbed the gravity of the tragedy, they made the decision to withdraw from the race out of respect for the victims, quietly bringing their cars into the pits and leaving without fanfare. In a press photograph from the podium, Hawthorn was shown smiling, an image that fueled criticism and was published with the caption, "A votre sante, Monsieur Hawthorn!" or To your health, Mr. Hawthorn! Controversy Over Responsibility As news spread, there was considerable debate over who was to blame for the catastrophe. Hawthorns abrupt braking was scrutinized, with some accusing him of recklessness. Macklin argued that Hawthorns actions had forced him to swerve, indirectly causing the collision. In contrast, the Jaguar team pointed fingers at Macklin and Levegh, questioning their capabilities as drivers. Mercedes-Benz avoided pointing fingers, suggesting improvements to the pit straight and track layout instead. Ultimately, an official inquiry exonerated all drivers, blaming the accident on the outdated track layout, lack of a designated deceleration lane, and minimal barriers between spectators and the track. The Aftermath: A New Era of Motorsport Safety The horror of the accident and the global response had immediate consequences for motorsports. France, Spain, Switzerland, and several other countries temporarily banned racing until safety standards could be revised. The U.S.-based American Automobile Association (AAA) withdrew from race sanctioning altogether, and the United States Automobile Club (USAC) took over its role. In Switzerland, the ban on motor racing persisted until 2022, a stark reminder of the disaster's long-lasting impact. In the wake of the accident, Le Mans organizers reconstructed the pit straight, widened the track, and added a deceleration lane. A ditch was added between the spectators and the racetrack, and the grandstand area was rebuilt to provide a safer environment for fans. These were the first in a series of safety measures that would eventually shape modern motorsport. Advertisement Advertisement Over time, motorsport safety technology evolved as well. In the 1960s, F1 driver Jackie Stewart led a campaign to raise safety standards after several high-profile crashes. Track design, car construction, and race regulations were gradually overhauled, making the sport safer for both drivers and spectators. Legacy: The Lasting Impact of the Le Mans Disaster The 1955 Le Mans disaster left a profound legacy. It forced the racing world to confront its responsibility to protect both drivers and spectators. The accident underscored the dangers of high-speed racing, especially on circuits that hadnt adapted to the rapidly advancing technology of the cars. In the decades since the tragedy, safety standards in motorsport have improved immensely, driven by a commitment to prevent a repeat of the horrific events of 1955. For Mercedes-Benz, the disaster marked a turning point. The company withdrew from motorsport after the 1955 season and did not return until 1985. The incident also had a personal impact on many of the drivers, with some retiring from racing altogether. The 1955 Le Mans disaster remains a somber reminder of the risks inherent in motorsport and a testament to the resilience of a community that learned to prioritize safety. Today, every modern racing event owes a debt to the lessons learned in the aftermath of that fateful race. The safety protocols now embedded in motorsports worldwide are part of the legacy left by the 1955 Le Mans disaster, ensuring that drivers and spectators can enjoy the thrill of racing with far greater protection than ever before. Advertisement Advertisement The 1955 Le Mans disaster was a tragedy of unprecedented scale that changed the course of motorsport history. From the intense rivalry leading up to the race to the devastating crash and its far-reaching consequences, the event has become a cornerstone in the story of motorsport safety. While the passion for speed and competition remains, the disaster reminds us of the need for constant vigilance in safeguarding the lives of drivers and fans alike. Today, the disaster's lessons resonate in every safety measure at racetracks worldwide, ensuring that such a catastrophe will never be repeated. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter BYD is known for its affordable EVs, such as the Seagull, which is sold for under $10,000 in China. VCG/VCG via Getty Images BYD has just notched another big victory in its fight to overtake Elon Musk. The Chinese EV maker's quarterly revenues outstripped Tesla's for the first time. BYD is reaping the benefits of its lineup of affordable EVs and hybrids and is eyeing global expansion. BYD has just scored another victory in its battle to overtake Tesla. The Chinese EV giant said in its third-quarter earnings on Wednesday it had surpassed Tesla's revenues from EV sales for the first time. BYD recorded revenues of 201.1 billion yuan ($28.2 billion) in the three months to September 30, up 24% from the same quarter last year. Tesla posted sales of $25.2 billion over the same period. Advertisement Advertisement It's another marker for the industry juggernaut, which has ridden China's EV boom to become one of the country's largest automakers. BYD briefly overtook Tesla as the world's biggest EV producer at the end of last year, and after a record quarter, is aiming to put Elon Musk's company under further pressure. Here are five reasons BYD is booming: 1. Affordable EVs BYD is known for its cheap electric vehicles, and has spent this year making them cheaper. The automaker launched a wave of price cuts earlier this year, which included lowering the price of the ultra-cheap Seagull hatchback to under $10,000. Advertisement Advertisement Those price cuts gave BYD an advantage over Tesla, whose cheapest vehicle in China is the 231,900 yuan ($32,600) Model 3, and appear to have spurred sales. BYD announced record monthly deliveries on Friday, with the company selling half a million passenger vehicles in October. 2. Luxury vehicles As well as making their cheapest cars cheaper, BYD has expanded into luxury vehicles. BYD unveiled its first supercar, the Yangwang U9, in February. Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images The automaker launched the Yangwang U8, a $150,000 premium SUV that comes with an onboard drone last year. BYD also unveiled its first supercar, the 1.68 million yuan ($235,000) Yangwang U9, in February. The expansion of local automakers into China's premium market has put pressure on European giants like Mercedes and BMW. Experts told BI that this would enable firms like BYD to target less price-sensitive customers and grow beyond China's brutally competitive mass market. 3. Global expansion BYD has embarked on an ambitious expansion drive this year to boost sales outside China. Executives have said they want half of BYD's sales to come from abroad in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Though US and European tariffs on Chinese EVs make selling in these regions problematic, BYD is rapidly setting up factories worldwide to cut costs and avoid trade barriers. It's also focusing on emerging markets such as Mexico and Brazil. 4. Hybrids A key part of BYD's success is its hybrid range. Unlike its rival, Tesla, BYD also offers a selection of hybrid vehicles, which are popular in China. Some 311,000 of the 500,000 passenger vehicles BYD sold in October were hybrids, with hybrid sales rising by 62% year-on-year. BYD's hybrid lineup includes the Seal sedan. JADE GAO/AFP via Getty Images BYD has sold nearly two million hybrid vehicles this year. The automaker says its latest hybrids can go up to 1,250 miles without stopping for gas or charging. Advertisement Advertisement Dylan Khoo, an analyst at technology intelligence firm ABI Research, told BI the core of BYD's success this quarter stemmed from plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales in China. "Newly launched models based on BYD's fifth generation DM-i PHEV technology have been huge sales successes," he said. 5. Vertically integrated supply chains The core of BYD's success and part of the reason it can produce EVs so cheaply is that it tries to make almost every component in-house. BYD produces its own batteries and computer chips. BYD executive VP Stella Li recently told MotorTrend that BYD manufactures every component of its Dolphin electric hatchback, apart from the tires and windows. BYD's Americas boss Stella Li. Axel Schmidt/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement "BYD's high degree of vertical integration making rather than buying many key strategic components means it can control production of batteries and chips and can do so at very low cost," said David Bailey, professor of business economics at the University of Birmingham. BYD did not respond to a request for comment from BI. Read the original article on Business Insider Moldovas pro-European president celebrated a historic milestone after a high court acknowledged the results of a significant referendum held last month, setting the stage for the country to incorporate its aspiration to join the European Union into its constitution. The Yes faction won by a slim margin of 50.35% in a vote heavily influenced by pro-EU Moldovans residing abroad, and it was marred by accusations of an extensive vote-buying scheme intended to boost the No vote. Moldova makes a historic advance as the Constitutional Court has determined today to integrate EU membership into our Constitution, reflecting the peoples will expressed in the recent referendum, President Maia Sandu stated on X. Positioned between Romania and Ukraine, this nation of under 3 million has oscillated between pro-western and pro-Russian sentiments since the Soviet Unions dissolution in 1991 and a brief conflict with pro-Moscow separatists. She is now facing a runoff this Sunday against former prosecutor General Alexandr Stoianoglo, who is supported by a party with a pro-Russian background. Both the referendum and the election have faced allegations of interference, with Moldovan authorities accusing pro-Russian fugitive businessman Ilan Shor of orchestrating mass payments to voters. Mr. Shor refutes the accusations, and Russia, where he resides, denies any involvement. Nonetheless, Mr. Shor openly incentivized individuals to convince Moldovans to vote no in the referendum and to challenge Ms. Sandu in the elections. He and the pro-Russian socialist party backing Mr. Stoianoglo have since called on their supporters to disregard the referendums outcome. Moldova has intensified its pursuit of EU membership alongside Ukraine in response to Russias full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022. Formal accession discussions commenced in June. Domnica Manole, chair of the constitutional court, stated yesterday that the constitutional amendments following the referendum do not infringe upon the independence and sovereignty of the country. Last night, Camp Shamrock, where numerous Irish peacekeepers are stationed in Lebanon, was hit by a rocket.The Chief of Staff for the Irish Defence Forces confirmed the event during a statement made in Athlone.Camp Shamrock serves as the base for hundreds of Irish peacekeepers. In a statement, the Defence Forces reassured both the families of the peacekeepers and the public that extensive force protection measures are implemented at facilities in Lebanon. Our command staff is consistently monitoring the situation and carrying out a detailed assessment of the incident. We are collaborating closely with our international partners to gather further information and assess any potential risks going forward, it stated. We acknowledge that this incident may raise concerns among the families of our deployed personnel. We wish to stress that the safety and wellbeing of our troops is our utmost priority, it added. The camp is located approximately 7km from the Israeli border and is in proximity to towns and villages that are controlled by or have sympathies with the militant group Hezbollah. We need your consent to load this comcast-player content. We use comcast-player to manage additional content that may set cookies on your device and collect data about your activities. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preferences Lieutenant General Sean Clancy stated: Our assessment indicated that the rocket was traveling from north to south into Israel. Many of these are undirected, unguided rockets, making them unpredictable; they have been known to be intercepted by the Iron Dome. It landed in an unoccupied area of the camp and caused minimal, minimal damage on the ground. He assured that all Irish personnel are safe and unharmed. The rocket involved was a Russian-made Katyusha rocket. Taoiseach briefed on the incident Taoiseach Simon Harris received updates throughout the night regarding the situation at Camp Shamrock. In a statement, he expressed: Thankfully, everyone is safe, but it is entirely unacceptable that this occurred. Peacekeepers are safeguarded under international law, and it is the responsibility of all parties to ensure that protection. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. He continued, This is an exceedingly serious situation. Tanaiste Micheal Martin emphasized the critical need for a ceasefire. Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin remarked that the incident highlights the dangers faced by Irish troops in a very challenging environment. That is why force protection is crucial, he noted. We are advocating strongly for de-escalation in the region, which is absolutely vital for both the local population and the world at large. We must prevent a conflict between Israel and Iran, as that could have grave repercussions globally, he stated. The importance of all parties stepping back from the brink now and establishing a ceasefire while pursuing a peaceful resolution cannot be overstated. We are very aware of the associated risks. Additionally, unlike Gaza, we have personnel on the ground in Lebanon to observe what is occurring. Satellite imagery revealing Israeli troops near an outpost manned by Irish peacekeepers. Earlier this month, the commander of the Irish peacekeepers in southern Lebanon remarked that targeting and injuring United Nations soldiers is totally unacceptable. A number of peacekeepers have sustained injuries since Israeli forces entered Lebanon, escalating conflict with Hezbollah. At one point, Israeli soldiers positioned themselves near outpost UNP 6-52, which is staffed by 30 Irish troops close to the Israel-Lebanon border. 10/31/2024 Jacksonville State University's Center for Economic Development and Business Research, led by director Jennifer Green, plays a vital role in shaping economic progress and supporting communities across northeast and east central Alabama. Green has served as the center's director for more than nine years, contributing nearly 15 years of dedication to its mission. The center serves Jax State and a vast 15-county areacovering Calhoun, Chambers, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Talladega, Clay, Randolph, St. Clair, Cleburne, Cherokee, Blount, Etowah, Marshall, DeKalb, and Jacksonas well as the entire state of Alabama. The center provides various services, from data analysis and market research to development planning. It helps communities and agencies within its coverage area grow and thrive by offering guidance and support for economic initiatives. This includes working closely with local governments and economic development entities to drive forward-thinking, collaborative efforts. The center's focus is not limited to regional and statewide economic development; it also provides significant opportunities for Jacksonville State University students. "We have two graduate research assistants that work for us," Green shares. "We give students economic development and experiential learning opportunities. We're not just about outreach; we fold everything back into benefiting students. Helping students is important to our mission and aligns with our AACSB accreditation." By offering these opportunities, the center enables students to gain hands-on experience in economic development, applying their academic knowledge in real-world contexts. This experience makes them more workforce-ready upon graduation and gives them unique insights into the economic workings of the region. In addition to supporting students, the center offers valuable resources to faculty, particularly in research and grant applications. According to Green, "One big thing is that we have access to a lot of demographic data. If faculty are applying for grants in this region, they can contact us, and chances are, we can pull that data quickly. We have access to a lot of data, so we can leverage our assets within the university. It might save them a lot of time because they aren't in it all day, every day. Working in the 15 counties, we are aware of industry opportunities that faculty may not know about." The center plays a vital role in advancing Jacksonville State's mission to foster educational excellence and regional progress by serving as a bridge between academic research and practical economic development efforts. Green's involvement with the Association for University Business and Economic Research (AUBER) board ensures that Jacksonville State University has a voice in national economic research discussions. For more information about the center's initiatives and offerings, visit Jax States Center for Economic Development and Business Research. Jax States Center for Economic Development and Business Research in the News: TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 /NextSource Materials Inc. (TSX:NEXT) (OTCQB:NSRCF) ("NextSource" or the "Company") confirms, further to the announcement on 28th May 2024, Hanre Rossouw has officially begun his role as President and CEO. His tenure begins in Madagascar, where he will visit the Molo graphite mine operations as well as engage with the community and government as part of a structured leadership transition plan. Also effective today, the former President and CEO, Craig Scherba, will continue as a Director and transition to the newly created role of Chief Development Officer to focus on developing strategy, managing offtake negotiations and expanding the Company's OEM relationships globally. NextSource is at a pivotal point in its development, having recently shipped its first commercial consignment of SuperFlake graphite concentrate and generating its first income from sales to US and European customers. The rapid advancement of its build-out strategy for battery anode facilities (BAF) and the bolstering of the management team through recent appointments further underscore the Company's commitment to deliver on its next phase of growth. NextSource is well positioned to realize its vision in becoming a responsible, sustainable battery materials company, with the key priority being the successful ramp-up of Molo and the acceleration of its planned series of BAFs that will be strategically located globally to supply anode active material to major EV automotive companies. Sir Mick Davis, Chairman of NextSource commented: "On behalf of the Board, I welcome Hanre to the role of President and CEO of NextSource Materials. The Company is beginning to deliver on its potential to become a meaningful graphite producer serving global customers. I am confident that the expanded management team under Hanre's leadership have the capabilities to capitalise on the many downstream opportunities in the graphite supply chain. I also pay tribute to Craig Scherba for his leadership and vision in the building of NextSource Materials and I am delighted that he will continue as a director and part of the leadership team". Hanre Rossouw, President and CEO commented: "I am delighted to lead the Company during the next phase of its growth strategy. The vision to become a global leader in sustainable battery materials is unchanged, with the key priority being the successful ramp-up of Molo. NextSource can elevate Madagascar to be an important participant in the global sustainable energy transition which is why I am here meeting with the workforce, senior leadership, host government and local community on the first day of my tenure. We will continue to collaborate closely with all our strategic partners to capture the benefits of our shared aspiration." About Hanre Rossouw Hanre Rossouw was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of NextSource effective November 1, 2024 and joined the Board as a Director from September 1, 2024. Hanre has extensive experience in the global natural resources industry gained over the last 25 years and joined NextSource from Sasol Limited where he was Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director. A British and South African national, Hanre has held senior positions in leading global mining and investment companies where his roles involved business development, M&A, capital markets, asset management and business optimization. Mr. Rossouw graduated from Oxford University with a Master's degree in Business Administration and also holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical Engineering and a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) degree in Economics. About NextSource Materials Inc. NextSource Materials Inc. is a battery materials development company based in Toronto, Canada that is intent on becoming a vertically integrated global supplier of battery materials through the mining and value-added processing of graphite and other minerals. The Company's Molo graphite project in Madagascar is one of the largest known and highest-quality graphite resources globally, and the only one with SuperFlake graphite. The Molo mine has begun production, with Phase 1 mine operations currently being optimized to reach its nameplate production capacity of 17,000 tpa of graphite concentrate. The Company is also developing a significant downstream graphite value-add business through the staged rollout of Battery Anode Facilities capable of large-scale production of coated, spheronized and purified graphite for direct delivery to battery and automotive customers, outside of existing Asian supply chains, in a fully transparent and traceable manner. NextSource Materials is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol "NEXT" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "NSRCF". For further information about NextSource please visit our website at www.nextsourcematerials.com or contact us: Investors: Brent Nykoliation Executive Vice President +1.416.364.4911 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Hanre Rossouw, President & CEO This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Media: Michael Oke/Andy Mills +44 207 321 0000 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Cautionary Note This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. Forward looking statements and information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements include any statements regarding, among others, timing of commercial sales, commissioning and achievement of nameplate capacity, including the processing plant, process improvements and mine plant adjustments as well as production estimates and timing thereof, the rollout of Battery Anode Facilities including the capabilities and the timing thereof. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks, which could cause actual results to vary and, in some instances, to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur or, if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive there from. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on what management believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release. PERTH, Western Australia, Oct. 31, 2024 /CNW/ - Westgold Resources Limited (ASX: WGX) (TSX: WGX) (OTCQX: WGXRF) Westgold or the Company) advises that it has filed four new National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) compliant technical reports (Technical Reports) titled as follows: NI 43-101 Technical Report, Cue Gold Operations, Murchison Goldfields , Western Australia ; NI 43-101 Technical Report, Fortnum Gold Operations, Bryah Goldfields, Western Australia ; NI 43-101 Technical Report, Beta Hunt Operations, Eastern Goldfields, Western Australia ; and NI 43-101 Technical Report, Higginsville Gold Operations, Eastern Goldfields, Western Australia . The Technical Reports, each dated 31 October 2024, and with an effective date of 30 June 2024, support the news release of the Company dated 16 September 2024 (updated on 23 September 2024), titled "2024 Mineral Resource Estimate and Ore Reserves " (the Release). Under NI 43-101, issuers must file a technical report within 45 days of the date of initial disclosure of, among other things, a new or materially changed Mineral Resource Estimate. Copies of the Technical Reports and the Release are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on the Company's website (https://www.westgold.com.au/). There are no material differences between the Technical Reports and the information disclosed in the Release. Technical Reports and Qualified Persons The Technical Reports have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101 by Mr Leigh Devlin and Mr Jake Russell, each of whom are Qualified Persons (as defined under NI 43-101). As both Mr Devlin and Mr Russell are employees of the Company, neither is independent for purposes of NI 43-101. This announcement is authorised for release by the Board of Directors. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 31, 2024) - Excellon Resources Inc. (TSX: EXN) (OTCQB: EXNRF) (FSE: E4X2) ("Excellon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a share purchase agreement (the "Agreement") with Adar Mining Corp. ("Adar") to acquire (the "Acquisition"), subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, all of the issued and outstanding shares (the "Minera Shares") in the capital of Minera CRC S.A.C. ("Minera CRC"), which holds a 100% interest in the Mallay Property, including the past producing Mallay Silver Mine and the Tres Cerros Exploration Property, in Peru. Pursuant to the Agreement, Adar intends to bid for the Minera Shares pursuant to receivership proceedings under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada) (the "Realization Proceedings"). Adar has agreed to sell, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, the Minera Shares to Excellon in exchange for US$1.25 million in upfront cash payments and such number of common shares of Excellon ("Common Shares") that is equal to 12.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a basic, non-diluted basis, as further described in the Agreement. The Acquisition is subject to, among other things, Adar acquiring the Minera Shares in a proposed sale and investment solicitation process to be conducted in the Realization Proceedings. Conditional on the completion of the Acquisition, Excellon will enter into agreements (i) with Adar to provide for consideration in the form of a 1.0% net smelter returns royalty (0.5% of which may be repurchased for US$1.5 million) (the "Royalty") and a 5% to 8% zinc and lead metals stream (the "Stream" and together with the Royalty, the "Deferred Contingency Payments"), payable on the successful restart of the Mallay Mine, and (ii) with Adar and another party to sell up to a 49% interest in the Tres Cerros Exploration Property (the "Back In Right") at a back-in option exercise price of 1.5x attributable historical exploration expenditures incurred. Excellon has arranged approximately $3.8 million (US$2.725 million) to fund the upfront cash payments and for working capital during the Realization Proceedings, as further described below. On completion of the Acquisition, Excellon will focus on restarting the Mallay Mine, with the goal of returning the Company to a silver-producer status. Mallay Silver Mine Highlights Past producing mine, built and operated by Buenaventura, with US$115 million historical investment. 1 Fully permitted to restart production, existing infrastructure includes working mill, operational water treatment plant, adit and ramp access to the mine, significant underground development and active workforce. Historical Reserves 2 of 2.67 Moz AgEq @ 626 g/t AgEq and Historical Inferred Resources 2 of 4.57 Moz AgEq @ 564 g/t AgEq. Excellon to review off-take prepay facilities and other non-equity alternatives for mine restart. Current mineralized inventory is believed to be sufficient for the basis of a three-year mine plan, the expected six-month restart period includes mine rehabilitation and mill controls upgrade. Significant opportunities to expand mineralized inventory through extension of historically mined veins down dip and along strike. Excellon has an experienced operating team, capable of delivering a mine restart. Notes: 1) Source: Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. 2) Historical estimates based on historical audit completed in December 2018 by Geomineria S.A., an independent resource auditor in Peru. Mineral inventories have been worked on in accordance with the standards, procedures and technical specifications approved by Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. for all its units, which are described in the "V Geology Workshop 2014 - Chap. Mineral Inventory Manual", in the 2016 Sampling Manual, 2016 Quality Control Manuals and 2017 Geological Modeling and Resource Estimation Procedures of Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.; and adapting them to international standards such as the JORC Code or similar. Following closing of the transaction, Excellon will update the resources to become NI 43-101 compliant. Tres Cerros Exploration Property Highlights Bulk tonnage potential. Area of interest is a 3 km x 0.5 km gold-silver mineralized corridor near, but not related to, the Mallay Mine. Large-scale, classic high sulphidation target. Coincident IP/resistivity anomalies indicative of deep (300m) sulphides overlain by oxide zone +100m thick. Several drill targets identified, access by truck - no helicopters required. Large exploration package (~110km2) in a region which boasts numerous significant current and historic mines. Benefits to Excellon Shareholders Fully permitted, near-term silver producing asset in an established mining-friendly jurisdiction. Acquisition of US$115 million in historical infrastructure investment for total purchase consideration of approximately US$2.5 million in cash 3 and shares 3 plus the Deferred Contingency Payments. Minera CRC will be acquired free of existing debt, upon completion of the Realization Proceedings. Deferred Contingency Payments are structured to provide a smaller payout stream over a longer period of time, ensuring maximum financial buffer during the sensitive periods of a mine startup. Termination fee of US$2.5 million paid to Excellon if the shares and debt of Minera CRC are sold to an alternative party. Notes: 3) Includes US$1.25 million cash plus shares to be issued as purchase consideration, valued at Excellon share price prior to announcement. Shawn Howarth, President and CEO of Excellon, commented, "Mallay represents an exciting opportunity to return Excellon to silver producer status as early as mid-2025. This highly accretive transaction benefits Excellon shareholders, as the agreement with Adar resolves the existing debt burden on the asset, paving a clear path for value creation. Excellon's operational expertise sets the foundation for a highly collaborative and productive partnership. Upon closing the transaction, our immediate focus will be on mine rehabilitation, finalizing restart plans, conducting near-mine drilling to extend mineralization and mine life, and demonstrating the robust economics of the mine." Laurence (Laurie) Curtis, Chairman of Excellon, commented, "Excellon and the team worked hard to reach a comprehensive agreement aimed at revitalizing the Mallay Mine, after a prolonged period of downtime. With strong momentum in the metals market, we are confident this project is positioned for substantial success and renewed operational strength." Transaction Details The Agreement provides for Excellon acquiring, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, the Minera Shares and certain indebtedness of Minera CRC (the "Minera Securities") from Adar in exchange for (i) cash payments to Adar in the aggregate amount of US$1,250,000 (the "Upfront Payments") within 30 days to fund expenses incurred by Adar pursuant to the Realization Proceedings and advances by Adar to Minera CRC; and (ii) such number of Common Shares (the "Consideration Shares") that is equal to 12.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a basic, non-diluted basis excluding the completion of the Capital Raise (as defined below). Any portion of such Upfront Payments that is not spent by Adar prior to closing of the Acquisition will remain with Minera CRC. If Adar does not acquire the Minera Securities in the Realization Proceedings and instead receives repayment of indebtedness owed to Adar by the parent company of Minera CRC, Adar will pay Excellon a termination fee of US$2.5 million. In the event the Acquisition is completed, Excellon is required to deploy at least US$6.5 million from the Capital Raise and the Debt Raise toward commencing mining operations at the mining unit and processing plant owned by Minera CRC. The Consideration Shares will be subject to a contractual 12-month hold period. The completion of the Acquisition is conditional on, among other things, execution of definitive agreements in respect of the Royalty and the Stream, execution of the Back In Right Agreement (as defined below), Excellon completing a financing, other than the concurrent financings described below, of at least US$4,500,000 (the "Capital Raise"), Excellon executing a committed debt facility in an amount no less than US$3,000,000 (the "Debt Raise"), Minera CRC having indebtedness not more than US$1,000,000 at closing, receipt of regulatory and stock exchange (including Toronto Stock Exchange) approvals (including shareholder approval of the Acquisition and the Capital Raise as will be required by the requirements of the Toronto Stock Exchange), and Adar acquiring the Minera Securities in the Realization Proceedings. The proceeds of the Capital Raise and the Debt Raise will be used for the purpose of commencing mining operations following completion of the Acquisition and is not part of the consideration for the Acquisition. The outside date to complete the Acquisition is February 27, 2025, which may be extended by 30 days by Excellon up to four times by making a cash payment in the amount of US$250,000 to Adar for each such 30 day extension. Each such extension payment will be set-off against deliveries required to be made by Excellon pursuant to the Stream. In connection with the completion of the Acquisition, Excellon will enter into agreements to provide for the Royalty, the Stream and the Back In Right as follows: The Royalty: 1% net smelter returns royalty payable in respect of products produced from the Mallay and Tres Cerros properties. Excellon will have the right to purchase one-half of the Royalty for US$1.5 million within 18 months of commencement of commercial production. 1% net smelter returns royalty payable in respect of products produced from the Mallay and Tres Cerros properties. Excellon will have the right to purchase one-half of the Royalty for US$1.5 million within 18 months of commencement of commercial production. The Stream: Excellon will have an obligation to deliver 5% of all zinc and lead produced, until a maximum of 2 million pounds of each of zinc and lead, respectively, has been delivered (the " Initial Zinc and Lead Delivery Obligation "). Thereafter Excellon will have an obligation to deliver 8% of all zinc lead produced, until a maximum of 10 million pounds of each of zinc and lead, respectively, has been delivered. All deliveries of zinc and lead will be subject to certain costs incurred by Excellon. Excellon has the right to purchase the Stream for cancellation for (i) US$18 million up to the first anniversary of the commencement of commercial production, and (ii) US$15 million after completion of the Initial Zinc and Lead Delivery Obligation, provided that the Stream buy back right will expire on the third anniversary of the commencement of commercial production. Excellon will have an obligation to deliver 5% of all zinc and lead produced, until a maximum of 2 million pounds of each of zinc and lead, respectively, has been delivered (the " "). Thereafter Excellon will have an obligation to deliver 8% of all zinc lead produced, until a maximum of 10 million pounds of each of zinc and lead, respectively, has been delivered. All deliveries of zinc and lead will be subject to certain costs incurred by Excellon. Excellon has the right to purchase the Stream for cancellation for (i) US$18 million up to the first anniversary of the commencement of commercial production, and (ii) US$15 million after completion of the Initial Zinc and Lead Delivery Obligation, provided that the Stream buy back right will expire on the third anniversary of the commencement of commercial production. The Back In Right: Pursuant to the Back In Right Agreement, Adar will have an option to acquire a 32% interest in the Tres Cerros Exploration Property and a third party will have an option to acquire a 17% interest in the Tres Cerros Exploration Property, in each case until the date that is 120 days after Excellon delivers a preliminary economic assessment in respect of the Tres Cerros Exploration Property based on a minimum of 15,000 metres of exploratory drilling and which indicates inferred resources in the form of gold equivalent ounces of at least 500,000 ounces. The Back In Right option exercise price will be 1.5x of attributable historical exploration expenditures incurred following completion of the Acquisition ("Qualifying Expenditures"). During the Back In Right term, Excellon will be the operator of the Tres Cerros Exploration Property and will have an obligation to incur an aggregate of US$7.5 million in Qualifying Expenditures as follows: (i) US$ 1 million in year 1, (ii) US$2.5 million in year 2, and (iii) US$4 million in year 3. If either party exercises their respective Back In Right, the parties will enter into a joint venture agreement, the form of which will be settled in connection with the Back In Right Agreement. Concurrent Financings In connection with the Acquisition, Excellon is also pleased to announce that it has entered into agreements with respect to a non-brokered private placement offering (the "Unit Offering") of up to 19,500,000 units of the Company ("Units") at a price of $0.105 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,047,500 (approximately US$1,475,000), and a non-brokered private placement offering (the "Note Offering" and together with the Unit Offering, the "Offerings") of US$1,250,000 aggregate principal amount of unsecured non-convertible promissory notes of the Company ("Notes"). The aggregate offering size is approximately $3.8 million (US$2.725 million). Each Unit will be comprised of one Common Share and one half of one common share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.15 per Common Share for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Unit Offering. The Notes will mature on the date that is 18 months following the closing date of the Notes Offering (the "Maturity Date"). On the Maturity Date, any outstanding principal amount of the Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon shall be repaid by the Company in cash. The Notes will bear interest at a rate of 10% per annum. Interest on the principal amount outstanding under the Notes will accrue during the period commencing on the closing date of the Notes Offering until the Maturity Date and will be payable in cash on the Maturity Date, subject to earlier prepayment or exercise of the Tres Cerros Prepayment Election (as defined below). If, following the issuance of the Notes and prior to the Maturity Date, the Acquisition is completed, the holder of the Notes will be able to elect to direct that the principal amount of the Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon be applied as a prepayment against a portion of the purchase price payable by the holder to exercise its Back In Right pursuant to a back in right agreement (the "Back In Right Agreement") to be entered into in connection with the Acquisition (the "Tres Cerros Prepayment Election"). If, following the issuance of the Notes and prior to the Maturity Date, the Acquisition is not completed on or before the outside date for completion of the Acquisition, the Company will be required, within 30 calendar days following expiry of such outside date, to prepay in cash any outstanding principal amount of the Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon. The Company may elect, at any time, to prepay in cash any or all of the principal amount of the Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest on such principal amount being prepaid. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offerings to fund acquisition costs, including upfront cash payments in respect thereof, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Unit Offering is anticipated to close on or about November 8, 2024, and is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX"). The Note Offering is anticipated to close on or about November 1, 2024, and is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals. The securities will be offered: (a) by way of private placement in each of the provinces of Canada pursuant to applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements under applicable Canadian securities laws; (b) in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons, by way of private placement pursuant to the exemptions from the registration requirements provided for under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"); and (c) in jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States on a private placement or equivalent basis. The securities to be issued pursuant to the Offerings will be subject to a four-month hold period in Canada pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. The securities offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any state securities law, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an exemption from such registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy in the United States nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Mallay Property The Mallay Property, located in Peru, is comprised of the concessions encompassing the past-producing Mallay Mine and the Tres Cerros Exploration Property. Mallay Mine The Mallay Mine was constructed by Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. ("Buenaventura") at a cost of US$115 million, commenced production in 2012 and operated consistently until early 2018. Average annual production by Buenaventura (2013 to 2017) was 1.3 million ounces silver, 9,100 tonnes zinc and 6,600 tonnes lead (source: Buenaventura company reports). Historical Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources (JORC compliant) at the time the mine was placed on care-and-maintenance (Table 1) were calculated at metals prices of US$18.00/oz Ag, US$2,250/t Pb and US$2,600/lb Zn. Following closing of the Acquisition, Excellon intends to update the resource calculation to become NI 43-101 compliant, taking into account not only updated metals prices, but additional extension drilling Excellon anticipates to undertake, demonstrating the continued extension of current mineralized zones. Table 1: Historical Mineral Resource Estimate (As at December 31, 2018; JORC Compliant) Tonnes g/t Ag % Pb % Zn g/t Ag-Eq 000 oz Ag-Eq Proven & Probable Reserves 133,000 203 3.68% 6.75% 626 2,677 Resources (Exclusive of Reserves) 6,782 229 2.23% 3.42% 457 99 Inferred Resources 251,805 208 4.02% 4.90% 564 4,566 Metals Prices used: US$18.00/oz Ag, US$1,300/oz Au, US$2,250/t Pb, US$2,600/t Zn Figure 1: Mallay Mine Processing Facilities and Surface Infrastructure Advisors Bennett Jones LLP is acting as legal advisor to Excellon. Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP is acting as legal advisor to Adar. About Excellon Excellon's vision is to realize opportunities through the acquisition of advanced development or producing assets with further potential to gain from an experienced management team for the benefit of our employees, communities and shareholders. The Company is advancing a portfolio of gold, silver and base metals assets including Kilgore, an advanced gold exploration project in Idaho; and Silver City, a high-grade epithermal silver district in Saxony, Germany with 750 years of mining history and little modern exploration. Additional details on Excellon's properties are available at www.excellonresources.com. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained, referenced or incorporated by reference in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as: "actively", "advance", "anticipated", "assess", "believe", "cause", "commence", "completion", "conditions", "consideration", "continues", "development", "due course", "expectation", "exploration", "extend", "extension", "flexibility", "focused", "forward", "further", "future", "if", "implement", "liquidity", "looking", "maturity", "may", "negotiations", "occur", "opportunities", "options", "outcome", "outstanding", "potential", "providing", "reach", "restructuring", "risk", "subject to", "to be", "update", "vision", "waive", "when", "will", and "would", or variations of such words, and similar such words, expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results can, could, may, should, to, will, would (or not) be achieved, occur, provide, result, complete or support in the future or which, by their nature, refer to future events. In some cases, forward-looking information may be stated in the present tense, such as in respect of current matters that may be continuing, or that may have a future impact or effect. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the structure and terms of the Acquisition; the timing and ability of the Company to complete the Acquisition; the structure and terms of the Offerings; the use of proceeds of the Offerings; the timing and ability of the Company to complete the Offerings; the timing and ability of the Company to receive necessary approvals; exploration and drilling programs, including the timing, completion and results thereof; potential mineralization; and the Company's objectives, goals and future plans and strategies. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct, and any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future actions, results or performance. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions, which are considered reasonable and represent best judgment based on available facts, as of the date such statements are made. If such assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions prove to be incorrect, actual and future results may be materially different than expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors which may cause the actual results or performance of the Company to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors include, among others, the inability of the Company to complete the Acquisition on the terms proposed or at all, the inability of the Company to complete the Offerings on the terms proposed or at all, the inability of the Company to receive necessary regulatory approvals, termination of the Agreement, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated April 1, 2024 (the "2024 AIF"), and the risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors identified in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis, and accompanying financial statements, for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the Company's other applicable public disclosure (collectively, "Company Disclosure"). The foregoing list of risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors is not exhaustive; readers should consult the more complete discussion of the Company's business, financial condition and prospects that is provided in the 2024 AIF and the other Company Disclosure. The forward-looking statements referenced or contained in this news release are expressly qualified by these Cautionary Statements as well as the Cautionary Statements in the other Company Disclosure. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release (or as otherwise expressly specified) and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws. Not for distribution to United States news wire services or for dissemination in the United States Consistent Mineral Zones drilled In Holes 50 Meters Apart November 1st, 2024 TheNewswire - Miramichi, New Brunswick SLAM Exploration Ltd. (SLAM or the Company) (TSXV-SXL) is pleased to announce preliminary results from diamond drill holes GW24-08 and GW24-09 on its wholly owned Goodwin project located 35 kilometers south of the Caribou mine and mill complex in the Bathurst Mining Camp (BMC) of New Brunswick. GW24-08 intersected two mineral zones over core lengths of 32.00 meters and 16.57 meters respectively. Assays are pending on 82 samples sawn from this hole. This mineralization is similar to an interval grading 1.17% copper equivalent over 60.60 meters in GW24-03 as reported August 12, 2024. Hole GW24-08 is located 1200 meters northwest of hole GW24-03 and was designed to test the Logan zone. The summary log reads as follows: Interval Meters Core Length Meters Description Hole GW24-08 Mineralization 0.0015.00 15.00 Casing 15.00-62.60 47.60 Mafic Volcanic <1% Sulphides 62.60-94.60 32.00 Mineral Zone-gabbro 15% to 25% Sulphides 94.60-99.80 5.20 Mafic Volcanic 2% Sulphides 99.80-116.37 16.57 Mineral Zone-gabbro 15% to 20% Sulphides 116.37-182.00 65.63 Basalt / Gabbro 2-4% Sulphides 182.00 End Of Hole GW24-09 is mineralized from top to bottom over a core length of 284 meters. Highlights include a 36.63 meter mineral zone from 62.71 meters to 99.34 meters, a 33.36 meter zone from 110.48 meters to 144.32 meters and a 1.24 meter massive sulphide zone from 144.32 meters. Assays are pending on 123 samples sawn from this hole. Hole GW24-09 is a 50 meter step out to the southeast of GW24-08. Holes GW24-08 and GW24-09 were both drilled into the Logan zone at a dip of -50 degrees toward an azimuth of 060 degrees and spaced 50 meters apart. The summary log reads as follows: Interval Meters Core Length Meters Description Hole GW24-09 Mineralization 0.003.00 3.00 Casing 3.00-44.89 41.89 Gabbro 3-5% Sulphides 44.89-62.71 17.82 Mafic Volcanic 2% Sulphides 62.71-99.34 36.63 Mineral Zone-gabbro 15% Sulphides 99.34-110.48 11.14 Mafic Tuff 3% Sulphides 110.48-130.00 19.52 Mineral Zone-gabbro 15% Sulphides 130.00-144.32 14.32 Mafic Volcanic 8% Sulphides 144.32-145.56 1.24 Massive Sulphides 85% Sulphides 145.56-284.00 138.44 Gabbro 1-3% Sulphides 284.00 End Of Hole Figure 1 shows the Goodwin drilling plan over a background of gradient aeromagnetics. Diamond drill hole GW24-08 is 1200 meters northwest of hole GW24-03. After hole GW24-09, the drill was moved 700 meters south to test the Granges zone. Figure 1 Aeromagnetic Gradient, Diamond Drilling Plan Click to view SLAM President & CEO Mike Taylor discussing the Goodwin copper nickel project in a recent interview with Gilbert Chan of NAI 500. Figure 2 Diamond Drill Core GW24-09 QA-QC Procedures: The core was delivered to a secure facility in Bathurst New Brunswick for detailed logging and sampling. The core descriptions and the summary log for holes GW24-08 and GW24-09 are based on visual observations of the core. The results for holes GW24-01 to GW24-03 were previously reported by SLAM in news releases dated between July 30, 2024 and August 12, 2024. The historic results from previous workers are derived from New Brunswick assessment files that predate NI43-101 regulations. They can only be validated by additional drilling. About SLAM Exploration Ltd: SLAM Exploration Ltd. is a public resource company with a substantial portfolio of mineral claim holdings in the mineral-rich province of New Brunswick. The Company recently completed three diamond drill holes on the Goodwin copper-nickel project in the BMC of New Brunswick. Highlights include: A 60.60-meter core interval grading 1.17% copper equivalent in hole GW24-03 A 64.90-meter core interval grading 2.14% copper equivalent in hole GW24-02 Based on these drilling intercepts, the Company has expanded the Goodwin Project which now comprises 194 units covering 4,239 hectares. Drilling resumed on October 10, 2024. SLAM has discovered multiple gold veins on its wholly owned Menneval gold project. The Company has reported gold-bearing core intervals, including 162.5 g/t gold over 0.2 meters and 56.90 g/t gold over 0.5 meters (news releases dated December 13, 2021, and November 22, 2022). Additionally, the Company reported quartz float grading up to 39.2 g/t gold on its Jake Lee project, located near the Clarence Stream gold deposit, where Galway Metals Inc. is working on a 2.3-million-ounce gold deposit in southern New Brunswick. SLAM also owns the Mine Road copper-zinc-silver project, adjacent to the former producing Heath Steele Mines property in the BMC. Previous workers have reported successful diamond drill holes at Mine Road, including IL2014-003, which intersected a 9-meter core interval grading 14.51% zinc, 5.86% lead, 0.67% copper, and 139.9 g/t silver in the volcanogenic massive sulphide Railroad Zone (Doe Run Canadian Exploration ULC; 2015, New Brunswick Assessment Files, Report of Work 477877). The Railroad Zone is located 7,000 meters east of the 20-million-tonne former producing Heath Steele B Zone. The Company is a project generator and has received significant cash and share payments over the past year. The Company holds NSR royalties and expects additional cash and share payments from the Wedge copper-zinc project and the Ramsay, Reserve Creek, and Opikeigen gold projects. To view SLAMs corporate presentation, click SXL-Presentation. Additional information is available on SLAMs website and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Follow us on X @SLAMGold. Qualifying Statements: Mike Taylor P.Geo, President and CEO of SLAM Exploration Ltd., is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and has approved the contents of this news release. Certain information in this press release may constitute forward-looking information, including statements regarding mineral resources and the Companys plans with respect to the exploration and development of its properties. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to the Company. There are a number of risk factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those described herein. Information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company's filings with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CONTACT INFORMATION: Mike Taylor, President & CEO Contact: 506-623-8960 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Eugene Beukman, CFO Contact: 604-687-2038 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. SEDAR+: 00012459 Read the full story on The Auto Wire Arkansas Trooper PITs A Motorcycle We expect this footage of an Arkansas trooper doing a PIT maneuver on a fleeing motorcycle to not please everyone. Some will celebrate the move because they believe too many riders behave as if theyre above the law. Others will cry about how reckless it was of the trooper. Kid on a Honda Grom tries outrunning police. Quite a few people think police cant do a PIT maneuver on a fleeing motorcycle, limiting their options for riders who run from the law. Others believe cops shouldnt PIT bikes because its more dangerous than pitting a car. Everyone can hold their own opinions, no matter how strong they are, because this trooper did it anyway. Advertisement Advertisement The trooper was just sitting on the side of US Highway 78 when the sport bike came flying by at about 80 in a 60 mph zone. It wouldve been an expensive ticket but probably just that. However, instead of pulling over and taking the punishment like a man, the rider decided to take off. And he really took off, going over 130 mph in a desperate escape attempt. We always wonder why people do this sort of thing. Are they fugitives running from the law? Are they carrying millions in illegal drugs? We learn afterward this rider doesnt have a license or insurance for his bike. Thats it. And apparently escaping those consequences is worth risking his life. He really rips down the highway, the trooper trailing behind. But some turns in the road slow him down, allowing the trooper to catch up. After one of those turns, the suspect slows down to about 35 mph and the trooper pounces, pitting the bike, throwing the rider to the road. Advertisement Advertisement For those still crying, the Arkansas State Police report indicates our suspect refused medical treatment at the scene, so he wasnt injured in the PIT maneuver, other than his ego getting bruised. Image via LRHNCash/YouTube Follow The Auto Wire on Google News. Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook. CYBERSPACEFleshy, a male sex toy brand, will launch Eromote, an interactive, "bi-directional" webcam site, on December 15. Eromote will allow users to give control to performers, creating an immersive experience. Designed as an open platform, it will support a wide range of teledildonics products from various sex tech manufacturers, promoting compatibility and user choice. Eromote's bi-directional technology will enable communication between the user's device and the performer's device, creating a synchronized experience. "Our goal with Eromote is twofold: to empower performers by finally putting them in control, and to create a completely newand very cyberpunkexperience for the users," said Cameron Garvie, CEO of Fleshy. "This is true cyberkinetic sex, and unlike a brothel, it's legal and safe for all involved. "We believe that the future of sex tech is all about collaboration and compatibility," Garvie added. "By designing Eromote as an open platform, we're creating a space where users will be able to explore and engage with a wide range of products and experiences." Founded in 2022, Fleshy has gained recognition for its products, including the Fleshy Pro, featured in GQ, Men's Health, and Bedbible. For more information, visit getfleshy.com or eromote.com. Thursday, October 31, 2024 - A pregnant bride-to-be has been left heartbroken after her fiance died in a car crash on their wedding day. His groomsman, Shane Harty, 21, of Tola Park, Shannon, County Clare, has pleaded guilty to one count of careless driving, which resulted in the death of Myles 'Miley' Harty, 20, who was in the front passenger seat of the car in August 2021. Harty was arrested at the scene after the Skoda hatchback smashed into a pole at around 1am in Limerick, instantly killing the groom and injuring another male in the rear of the car. Myles was due to marry his heartbroken bride Kate Quilligan at St Munchin's Church in Limerick City just hours later, but their family and friends were instead left to mourn his death outside the venue. To further add to the tragedy, Kate went on to discover that she was pregnant with a 'miracle' baby just one month after Myles' death. Hours before the 20-year-old's death, Kate shared a post on social media expressing her excitement about marrying her 'best friend in the whole world'. She wrote: 'Can't believe I'm marrying my best friend in the whole world in the morning. See you at the altar babes. Husband and wife in the morning, our fairytale has finally come.' After the fatal crash, Kate gathered friends and family at the wedding venue to mourn the loss of her fiance, 'because that's where we should be celebrating the best day of our life at that church but instead, it's the worst', she later said. Fr Sean O'Longaigh, Askeaton Parish Priest, said Myles was well-known in his rural west Limerick community, adding: 'The family must be in bits.' At the time of Myles' death, Kate said: 'I love you forever. It will always be me and you no matter what. 'I love you unconditionally my gentle giant, you didn't deserve this my handsome baby boy.' Just one month on from the tragic death, Kate revealed that she was pregnant with her 'miracle' baby. 'To say I'm happy is an understatement,' Kate wrote on social media to announce her pregnancy. She continued: 'My Miley couldn't leave me on this earth alone, so he blessed me with our very own miracle baby. 'I cannot wait to get my baby in my hands. You only ever gave me the best and you're still only blessing me with the best.' 'Love you and our miracle baby on the way. I'm always going to have a piece of you now my Miley. Love you and our prince or princess on the way.' In another post, she added: 'Can't wait to get to meet our prince or princess. Their daddy is one proud man in heaven. 'All we ever wanted was our own little family and now our dream is coming true. Love the two of ye so much.' Talking of the case, the prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley said it is a 'very tragic case' while Judge Colin Daly extended the 'sympathies of the court to all the family and friends of the deceased'. Shane is continuing bail and is expecting to be sentenced at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on November 18. Thursday, October 31, 2024 - Hollywood actress, Martha Stewart has recalled losing her virginity to her aggressive now ex-husband, Andy Stewart, when she was just 19 years old. Andy and Martha went on to tie the knot in 1961 and welcomed their daughter, Alexis, now 59, four years later. They remained married for several years until separating in 1987 and officially filing for divorce in 1990. During the course of their marriage, Andy and Martha both had affairs. The cookbook author, 83, said Andy was very polite and handsome during their date and she was excited to be with a sophisticated young man who had an American Express card, which was a very big deal in those days. He picked me up in his little yellow Mercedes sedan, she remembered in her new Netflix documentary, Martha. I had never been in a Mercedes before. By the end of their date, Martha said she was madly in love with Andy. After their first date, he started sending her money for a train ticket so she could visit him in New Haven, Connecticut each week. I had never slept with anybody before this, she recalled. He was very aggressive and I liked it. Despite her being madly in love, her father, Edward Kostyra, did not approve of their romance. I went home and told my dad and my dad slapped me, she said. And he slapped me hard on my face, and said, No. Youre not marrying him. Hes a Jew. The famed cook said she remembers getting that slap but was not surprised because her dad was a bigot and impulsive. She went against her fathers wishes, telling him, Im going to get married no matter what you think. Thursday, October 31, 2024 - The New York mother who jumped to her death at Niagara Falls with her baby girl and young son wrote a series of harrowing posts detailing her heartbreak at splitting from her baby daddy. Chianti Means, 33, wrote the Facebook posts under the name Diamond Scott in the weeks before police say she intentionally stepped over the guardrail at the popular Luna Island overlook Monday, October 28, with her kids, 9-year-old Roman Rossman and 5-month-old Mecca Means. I wish someone would love me because the man thats suppose to does not, she wrote late last month, days before saying she was sick of irritation, anger, sadness and rage. Everyone please leave me alone Im in love with my daughter father, she wrote a few days later, on Oct. 1. I want my family back. Respectfully Idgaf what I said about him before or what anyone else thinks. In another post from the same day, the mom wrote, You have to hold on to the ones you love. Never know when you might lose them. In one of her most recent exchanges, the mom was asked why she had split from her ex. Cause I was a dumb a** pregnant bitch who swore up & down I aint want him, she replied. Most of her Facebook posts shared in the month of October were about her obsession with her baby daddy. The haunting messages emerged as authorities continued to scour the area for the three bodies in the wake of Mondays tragedy. The investigation has determined that this incident was intentional in nature, though the circumstances remain under investigation, state troopers said in a statement on Wednesday, October 30. Thursday, October 31, 2024 - Saint West, the son of Kim Kardashian, had his YouTube channel removed on Wednesday after he uploaded two short videos that criticized Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. This incident has sparked discussions about the influence of social media on young children and the implications of political commentary at such a young age. The deletion of Saints YouTube channel comes just a month after Kim Kardashian made headlines for requiring her son to sign a handwritten contract. This contract explicitly stated that he must seek approval from his mother before posting any content on his channel. According to the Miami Herald, the contract outlined several restrictions, stating, I, Saint West, agree to follow my moms rules in order to have a YouTube channel. I am not allowed to comment any personal family information. I am not allowed to film any personal information. I must show my mom or guardian all videos before I post them. Despite these precautions, Saints channel appears to be entirely unavailable, with search results displaying a message indicating that the page does not exist. As of now, YouTube has not issued an official statement regarding the channels deletion. The video Saint is alleged to have posted called Kamala words like dumb, stupid, crazy, dangerous. Another video showed a cartoon character with the words, "I stepped in s**t" alongside a picture of Kamala. The incident has ignited a flurry of reactions across social media platforms, particularly on X. Many users expressed surprise and concern over the situation, with some saying he obviously learnt from the adults around him. One user remarked, That was such a Kanye post though, referencing Saints father, Kanye West, known for his outspoken views. Watch the video below. Thursday, October 31, 2024 - A 38-year-old man, Lloyd Banda from Mapinga, appeared in the Chinhoyi Magistrates Court on charges of attempted murder following an alleged altercation on October 24, 2024. The incident reportedly took place around 8:00 AM at a site on Tramore Farm, where Banda and the complainant, a 24-year-old man, were washing chrome ore. According to court reports, Banda allegedly asked the younger man to hand over his belt, stating he needed it. When the complainant refused, explaining that the belt belonged to his brother, Banda reportedly became violent. Without warning, he allegedly picked up a knife from the ground and stabbed the complainant in the right side of his stomach. The complainant sustained a serious injury that required medical attention. Following the alleged attack, Banda was taken into custody. He is set to reappear in court on November 1, 2024, as the case continues to unfold, drawing local attention. The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has commented on the incident, urging the public to seek peaceful solutions to conflicts. In their statement, the NPAZ stated, "The NPAZ would like to urge members of the public to find peaceful ways of resolving disputes and avoid taking the law into their own hands." As Banda awaits his next court date, the proceedings will further explore the circumstances of the case, including Bandas defense and any mitigating factors that may be presented. Thursday, October 31, 2024 - A majority of Mexicos Supreme Court judges have submitted their resignations and announced they will not seek election under judicial reforms that will allow voters to elect all judges nationwide, starting next year. This move, announced on Wednesday, has stirred protests and diplomatic tensions. Eight of the 11 Supreme Court justices, including Court President Norma Pina, will not run in the scheduled elections in June 2025, with most resignations taking effect in August, according to a statement from the Court. These resignations come just as the Court is set to review a proposal challenging the constitutionality of electing judges. President Claudia Sheinbaum responded forcefully to the announcement, stating the Court does not hold authority to overturn a reform that has already received congressional approval. Eight people intend to change a reform about the people of Mexico Do they realize the magnitude? Sheinbaum questioned during a press conference on Wednesday. Sheinbaum suggested that the resigning judges might be motivated by financial incentives, claiming that judges leaving now would retain full retirement benefits, which may be forfeited under the new electoral system. If they resign now, they will leave with all their retirement benefits, Sheinbaum said. If they do not resign now, they will no longer have their retirement benefits which is a lot of money. Former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who implemented the reforms in September, argued that the judicial overhaul was essential for rooting out corruption and serving public interests rather than elites. Critics argue, however, that electing judges could compromise judicial independence, making judges vulnerable to political pressures or even threats from powerful drug cartels. Throughout his administration, Lopez Obrador frequently criticized the Supreme Court, which blocked some of his key policies, particularly in areas like energy and security. Sheinbaum, a close ally of Lopez Obrador and Mexicos first woman president since October 1, has strongly supported the reforms. The reforms have raised concerns among Mexicos economic allies, including the United States and Canada, and unsettled financial markets. Washington has warned that altering Mexicos judiciary in this way could undermine investor confidence in the countrys legal system, impacting international relations and trade agreements. NEW YORKIndie gender-neutral athlingerie brand Virtue will launch the "Free the Cheeks" campaign in New York City on election day, Nov. 5, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., starting at Times Square and ending at Rockefeller Center. The "Free the Cheeks" campaign is designed to inspire confidence and self-expression through fashion while celebrating freedom. Virtues genderless designs represent inclusivity and sustainability. The campaign will make multiple stops at key New York City locations: Times Square Kick-off J K Onassis High School (120 West 46th Street, New York, N.Y. 10036) 53rd Street Library (18 West 53rd Street, New York, N.Y. 10103) 5th Avenue strut down to Rockefeller Center The voter entrances for polling locations are as follows: J K Onassis High School 53rd Street Library The Virtue models who will be showcasing the latest genderless athlingerie at the event include Alana Luv, Troy Edward, Athena Parisi, and Edward Terrant. The founder of Virtue, Yotam Solomon, will be available for interviews. Follow Solomon on Instagram @yotam_solomon. Follow Virtue on X @ThisIsVirtue. Thursday, October 31, 2024 - A prison workshop instructor has admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with the man who murdered UK lawyer, Zara Aleena. Hayley Jones, 33 (pictured top left while trying to cover her face in court), pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office over the month-long fling with Jordan McSweeney, 31, at HMP Belmarsh between March and April last year. McSweeney (pictured inset) was jailed for life with a minimum term of 38 years for the murder of aspiring lawyer Ms Aleena, which was later reduced to 33 years on appeal. The court heard on that occasion how he followed five other women around the streets of Ilford, east London, before becoming fixated with Zara as she walked home from a night out. He admitted the sexual assault and murder of Ms Aleena in the early hours of June 26, 2022 just nine days after he was released from prison for a previous offence. Jones pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday, October 31 and was warned she faces jail when she returns for sentencing. Judge David Miller said to Jones: You will be sentenced in due course. Possibly sooner, possibly later. You will be given the maximum credit available. By renewing your bail and ordering a pre-sentence report I am not giving any indication that anything other than an immediate prison sentence will be imposed. Officers at the prison told the court that he was having difficulty with walking and therefore could not make his way to the link room. McSweeney is due to appear at the same court on November 19 for a further hearing, and a provisional trial date has been set for April 13, 2026. Jones was granted conditional bail. She will be sentenced on a date yet to be fixed. Jones, who was employed as a prison workshop instructor, was granted conditional bail and a pre-sentence report was ordered ahead of her sentencing on a date to be fixed. McSweeney is due to appear at the same court on 19 November for a further hearing, and a provisional trial date has been set for 13 April 2026. Thursday, October 31, 2024 - American rapper, Young Thug has pleaded guilty in Atlanta to gang, drug and gun charges and will be released from jail. The 33-year-old Grammy-winning artist, whose given name is Jeffery Williams, entered his pleas without reaching a deal with prosecutors after negotiations between the two sides broke down, lead prosecutor Adriane Love said. That left the sentence completely up to Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker. Young Thug pleaded guilty to one gang charge, three drug charges, and two gun charges. He also entered a no contest plea to another gang charge and a racketeering conspiracy charge, meaning that he decided not to contest those charges but can be punished for them as if he had pleaded guilty. The judge imposed a sentence of 40 years with the first five to be served in prison but commuted to time served, followed by 15 years on probation. If he successfully completes that probation without any violations, another 20 years will be commuted to time served. But if he violates the conditions, he will have to serve those 20 years. Young Thug must stay away from the metro Atlanta area for the first 10 years of his probation, except for weddings, funerals, graduations or serious illness of family members, the judge said. But she also ordered him to return to the Atlanta area four times a year during his probation to make a live anti-gang, anti-gun violence presentation at a school or a community organization serving children. She said that could count toward the 100 hours of community service she ordered him to perform each year during probation. He's also not allowed to associate with gang members or with the victims or other defendants in the case, with the exception of his brother and the rapper Gunna, with whom he has contractual obligations. He also cannot promote any criminal street gang or gang activity and can't use hand signs or terminology that promotes a street gang. Additional conditions include submitting to random drug screens and not possessing a gun. But he is allowed to travel both nationally and internationally for work, even while on probation. Love had outlined for the judge the evidence she would have presented to prove Young Thugs guilt, including some of his rap lyrics. She asked the judge to sentence him to 45 years, with 25 years in prison and the remaining 20 years on probation. The rappers lead attorney Brian Steel said they vehemently disagree with many of the statements Love made and said it was offensive that the state is using Young Thugs lyrics against him. Steel said the evidence against his client is weak and accused prosecutors of misrepresenting and hiding evidence, saying Young Thug was falsely accused. Steel said he told his client that he thought they were winning the trial and should go through to a jury verdict. But he told me, I cant wait another three months if there is any possibility I could go home because I have children that are hurting. I have things to do,' Steel said. Steel asked the judge to impose a sentence of 45 years with five in prison commuted to time served and 40 years on probation. Young Thug asked the judge to let him go home, saying he wouldn't be in a similar situation again. Ive learned from my mistakes, you know. I come from nothing and Ive made something and I didnt take full advantage of it. Im sorry, he said. The judge said she appreciated that he realized the impact that he has on people worldwide. She said rap music may involve a lot of posturing but that children emulate some of the dangerous behavior mentioned in songs. She encouraged Young Thug to use his talent and influence to encourage kids to do the right thing. I want you to try to be more of the solution and less of the problem," Whitaker said. A tremendously successful rapper, Young Thug started his own record label, Young Stoner Life or YSL. Prosecutors have said he also co-founded a violent criminal street gang and that YSL stands for Young Slime Life. Young Thug's plea comes nearly a year after the prosecution began presenting evidence in the problem-plagued trial. Jury selection at the courthouse in Atlanta began in January 2023 and took nearly 10 months. The trial of six defendants began with opening statements last November, and prosecutors since then have called dozens of witnesses. Three of his co-defendants had already pleaded guilty this week after reaching deals with prosecutors. The pleas leave the fates of two other co-defendants still undecided. Young Thug's plea comes nearly a year after the prosecution began presenting evidence in the problem-plagued trial. Jury selection at the courthouse in Atlanta began in January 2023 and took nearly 10 months. The trial of six defendants began with opening statements last November, and prosecutors since then have called dozens of witnesses. Thursday, October 31, 2024 - Russia has fined Google an eye-popping 20 undecillion rubles ($2.5 decillion) for removing Russian state-run and government YouTube channels in the wake of the countrys invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In other words, Google faces a $2.5 trillion trillion trillion bill from the country. Typed out in full, that figure is $2,500,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. Russian news agency TASS reported that Google owes Russia a 36-figure sum for violating the countrys administrative offenses code by banning YouTube channels. The report added that if Google fails to pay the fine within nine months, it will double every day thereafter, with no upper limit to the final figure. Google will be locked out of Russia until it pays the fine. Russian news outlet RBC first reported on Tuesday that a Russian judge was considering a case in which there are many, many zeros after calculating the value of claims brought by 17 YouTube channels against the tech giant. In its Q2 2024 report, Google acknowledged the pressures it had faced from Russian authorities. For example, civil judgments that include compounding penalties have been imposed upon us in connection with disputes regarding the termination of accounts, including those of sanctioned parties. We do not believe these ongoing legal matters will have a material adverse effect, the company said. A private complaint was placed with authorities in 2021 when the Tsargrad TV channel and RIA FAN were blocked from YouTube owing to U.S. sanctions. However, it became a state matter when Google blocked the Russian state news agencies RT and Sputnik after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Even if it were inclined to accept the dubious judgment from Russian authorities, Google, which has a market value of $2.24 trillion, would obviously be unable to pay even a sliver of the fine. The company generated $73.7 billion in profit globally last year. Based on those profits, it would take Google 33.8 quintillion years to pay the current fine, a period that will continue to double in length the longer the fine is unpaid. The fine also dwarfs the entire value of the global economy, which stands at around $105 trillion. In a post on X, Nigel Gould-Davies, senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, described the sum as an insane number, explaining it was equivalent to 1.9 x 10 to the 15 times greater than current global GDP. About 5 x 10 to the 12 days have passed since the start of the universe, he wrote. So even if Google gave Russia everything the world produced this year, every day since the universe began, it would only have paid about 3% of this fine. In October 2023, Googles Russian subsidiary was recognized as bankrupt by a Moscow court. The company had initially filed for bankruptcy in the summer of 2022 after Russian authorities seized its bank account, meaning it couldnt pay staff or vendors. The country has put pressure on Google over what Moscow views as illegal content. However, Russia has not yet blocked the use of Google among its citizens. Friday, November 1, 2024 - Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua is a disappointed man after the recent Qatar job recruitment recorded a low success rate. While speaking at the East African Employability Summit at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Mutua announced an ambitious initiative in a bid to curb the biting issue of youth unemployment in the country. He announced a four-point initiative to aid in improving youth's chances of getting high-income skill jobs in the country and abroad. Mutua announced a 1 million Next Level Initiative - aimed at connecting a million Kenyans with jobs, and educational and entrepreneurial opportunities each year. The former governor also unveiled plans to launch a virtual platform dubbed 'Kenya Skilled Hub' offering youth access to essential information on skills development and work-based learning. Further, the CS also emphasised on the importance of a National Policy linking industry to education. "This policy is designed to strengthen the alignment between education and the practical demands of the job market," he stated. Finally, Mutua also rolled out the National Guidelines for Career Guidance and the National Career Guidance Training Manual - a resource meant to help youth navigate their career path and choose jobs where they can thrive. The CS's latest announcement came barely two days after he expressed frustration over the high failure rate during a recruitment exercise by a Qatari company that sought semi-skilled Kenyans in different positions. Despite 15,000 Kenyans turning out for interviews with hopes of securing employment overseas, only 5% qualified for the 8000 available slots. According to the Labour CS, the majority of youth applied for jobs claiming to have skills that they don't actually possess. During the conference on Tuesday, the Labour CS urged the youth to take up more volunteer roles to sharpen their skills in the job market. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, November 1, 2024 - Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos has moved to absolve President William Ruto from the blame over the university dons strike. Appearing before the Senate, Migos disclosed the miscalculation of the percentage salary increase as the main point of contention with the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) whose members downed their tools on Monday, October 29, at midnight. The CS stated that the government and UASU are differing on the exact figure of increments which lay between 7 per cent and 10 per cent agreed upon in their 2021 -2025 National Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) signed in 2019. The challenge between us (government) and UASU on the return-to-work formula for lecturers is we agreed on a 7 per cent and 10 per cent increment, but the figure that the government has against the figure that UASU has differs with about Ksh5 billion, CS Migos explained. According to Migos, UASU has presented a different figure that is in excess of what the government has calculated, which ended up stalling the negotiations. When we calculate with the 7 per cent and 10 per cent with the 4 per cent annual increment, the figure comes to Ksh4.3 billion, he stated. On the other hand, UASU maintained that according to their calculations, Ksh4.3 billion does not translate to 7 per cent and 10 per cent increments as agreed in the CBA. Migos explained that when an estimated figure by UASU of Ksh9 billion is calculated, the increment moves from 7 per cent and 10 per cent to a different percentage. When simulations were done, the figure that the government had against the figure that UASU had, differs by almost Ksh5 billion. That is the discussion we are having to find out what is the reason for the difference in the calculations, he elaborated. However, he promised to work with the other party to arrive at a middle ground and agree that this is the actual figure. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, November 1, 2024 - President William Rutos government has vowed sustained efforts to strengthen prevention mechanisms to tame Gender Based Violence (GBV), including femicide cases in the country. Gender Principal Secretary Anne Wang'ombe affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring justice for victims while collaboratively addressing cultural and societal biases that perpetuate femicide and related forms of violence. "It is an inherent right to live and everyone irrespective of their gender should [be] allowed to enjoy it," the PS said while addressing a joint news conference on Wednesday with DCI chief Mohamed Amin. Wang'ombe further appealed to Kenyans to be conscious of their surroundings and report crimes to law enforcement officers. Wang'ombe acknowledged the effects of femicide and GBV on families of victims, noting the devastating impact resulting from the loss of a loved one. Femicide, defined as the intentional killing of women and girls, has emerged as a key national concern over the recent past following a significant increase in reported cases. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, November 1, 2024 Governors are up in arms against President William Ruto, demanding fair distribution of fertilizer funds across the country. This is after the Council of Governors pressured Rutos government to delegate to counties the mandate to distribute fertilizer. Speaking during the Intergovernmental Agriculture Forum held in Mombasa with the Ministry of Agriculture, the governors argued that the national government should allocate the role of fertilizers distribution and grants directly to them. According to the governors, it was wrong for the national government to assume the distribution role bearing in mind that different farmers have different needs for different farm inputs. ''We cannot have fertiliser where one size fits all. For every part of Kenya, there are people who usually do crops that are different from what the fertiliser is meant for, Muthomi Njuki, Tharaka Nithi Governor, told a press briefing. The governors also argued that most farmers had been inconvenienced in the past because the national government failed to know their specific needs compared to the local authorities. The governors further added that it was wrong for the national government to continue with the role of fertiliser distribution even as agriculture was a devolved function. However, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja promised that the two levels of government would work together to see how a solution would be arrived at to avert the standoff. The debate on fertilizers has been a contentious issue in the country with the national government accused of supplying fake inputs during the reign of former Agricultural CS Mithika Linturi. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, November 1, 2024 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has reiterated to his Mathira home after he lost a case in which he was blocking the swearing-in of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. Gachagua shared a photo relaxing with his wife and two sons in their Mathira home and said he was happy to be back where he was born and brought up. Thanking God for the gift of my family. The smell of fresh grass and the sounds of chirping birds is what a happy family needs. "I will remain forever grateful to God, for giving me a loving and supportive family. We are happy to be home, where I was born and brought up, he wrote. Gachagua said he was looking forward to take a walk in Hombe Forest and enjoying the beautiful scenery of Mt Kenya. I cant wait for the morning to take my walk in Hombe Forest, enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mt Kenya as I thank God for His kindness, he added. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Friday, November 1, 2024 - Four suspected highway robbers were arrested in Vihiga's Emuhaya sub-county, after a foiled theft attempt on a transit truck ferrying cement from Machakos to Busia via the Kisumu - Busia route. In the 6am incident at Asikote section, the 55-year-old driver of the FAW truck belonging to Mombasa Cement Ltd spotted people hanging on the left side door before the door flung open and they started throwing out sacks of cement. He hooted repeatedly to scare them off but the illegal offloading continued, with more of the thugs dragging the felled bags to the thickets. This made the driver to stop the truck, only for the men to advance towards him. Luckily, Embali Police Station officers who were on patrol got curious about the rapid honks, speeding to the location just in time to save the overpowered driver. The robbers scampered into the thickets with the police on their shadow, except one - Bernard Ochoyi Omari, 33 - who was cornered and arrested shouldering one of the stolen 50kg bags. The officers swept the thickets and nearby houses, recovering 9 bags of the stolen cement. Of the bags, one was recovered at the house of a suspect namely Boaz Amunabi Joshua alias Spear, and in the course of the search, the officers also recovered a blood-stained machete, 21 mosquito nets, a sack of wheat among other suspected stolen items. Other suspects arrested in the operation included Francis Khulali, 70, Anthony Etale, 22, and Winnie Odongo Ombati, 28. They were all placed in custody awaiting processing for arraignment on Friday, November 1. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Friday, November 1, 2024 - Police in Kisumu have shot dead a suspect linked to the brutal murder of Wells Fargo Human Resource Manager Willis Ayieko, as they continue investigations into the case. The suspect, found at a guest house in the city, allegedly aimed a cocked pistol at officers, prompting them to return fire, according to Nyanza Regional Police Commander Patrick Tito. Ayiekos murder, suspected to be connected to a carjacking ring, has led to multiple arrests. Police intercepted two members of this gang on Thursday, preventing a planned highway robbery and recovering Ayiekos stolen pistol. Commander Tito confirmed that efforts to apprehend additional suspects linked to the crime are ongoing. Ayiekos body was discovered on October 24, 2024, near a stream in Nyamninia, Siaya County, after he had been missing since attending a burial in North Gem on October 18. His car was later found abandoned in Vihiga County. Since then, three suspects have been arrested, including Victor Okoth Ouma, who was captured in Nairobis Dandora estate and later appeared in Siaya Law Courts. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Friday, November 1, 2024 - President William Rutos government has told Kenyans who are not satisfied with the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to pay for private medical insurance. Speaking on Thursday, Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai emphasized that all Kenyans would receive equal SHIF benefits, regardless of their contribution. Kimtai added that those who contribute more but feel the benefits are insufficient should consider purchasing private insurance. "We came to the conclusion of 2.75% of their gross income. There's no cap. "That's why it's called SHIF, where everyone contributes to it, and the benefits packages are also equal. " You should not say if you're paying more, you're getting more benefits, it is standard. If you like extra benefits, you can pay for private cover," Kimtai said. Kimtai further denied claims that the new scheme was rushed, arguing that the system was developed for quite a while. He reiterated that the state carried out numerous tests on the new system. "We had also done what we call lab tests, and we agreed because it was announced by the CS that October 1 would be the launch and the rollout of SHA," he said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, November 1, 2024 - Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika criticized Kenyans for their constant complaints about President William Ruto, questioning what they truly want. In a statement, Kihika wondered why Kenyans are against Ruto borrowing money but still oppose the idea of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). "I'm sitting here wondering what Kenyans really want. You dont want the President to borrow any more money but when we have willing investors for PPPs, then you are all up in arms? "Then you also dont want him to raise money internally through the Finance Bill. "But yet you want big things done. When he comes to Nakuru County we want the dualling of the Rironi - Mau Summit Road, we want the Itaare dam completed, we want the Lanet Airport completed, we want our poor road networks upgraded where is he supposed to get this money from? "He wasnt a magician the last I checked," she said in her statement. Kihika called for the need to have PPs to handle infrastructural projects that are too expensive for the government. "Wouldn't it make more sense for PPPs to handle some of these very expensive but very necessary infrastructural projects? Airports like JFK ($9.5B Terminal 1 & $4.2B Terminal 6), Heathrow (14B expansion), and Istanbul ($12B new airport) have thrived under Public-Private Partnerships. "As we face limits on debt and as local resource collection mechanisms face challenges, its time to embrace sustainable development solutions such as PPPs for Kenya's infrastructure growth. Lets maximize local resource mobilization and public private partnerships for a prosperous future," she added. This comes about two weeks after former Prime Minister Raila Odinga advocated for PPPs in Kenya to address the nation's financial struggles and infrastructure deficits. In a statement, Raila emphasized the urgency of modernizing critical sectors like energy and transportation, particularly the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which is operating beyond capacity. The Kenyan DAILY POST In medical malpractice, inductive reasoning regards the standard of care as the duty to do no harm. If there is a complication from a medical intervention and the medical intervention differs from the standard of care in any conceivable way, the difference alone is sufficient to conclude that the medical intervention departs from that duty. However, unanticipated threats require nimbleness. This is a calculated risk. It causes a difference, but it does not cause harm. Nonetheless, a calculated risk can be misrepresented as the cause. No medical malpractice lawsuit illustrates this phenomenon better than Byrom v. Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital. Sixteen-year-old Erica Byrom comes to the U.S. from Liberia in August 2014, when 18 weeks pregnant. At 23 weeks, she begins prenatal care. Two weeks later, she is admitted to Bayview Hospital for pre-eclampsia. Sonograms are consistent with chronic antenatal conditions associated with neurologic injury. There is at least a 65% chance that the fetus has already sustained neurologic injury. She steadfastly refuses a Cesarean section unless her own life is in immediate jeopardy. On October 24, after 22 hours of induced labor, there is a normal spontaneous vaginal delivery of a 670-gram, 26-week, female infant with a 1-minute Apgar score of 0. After resuscitation, the newborn is admitted to the NICU and is later found to have cerebral palsy. A trial begins in June 2019. Using inductive reasoning, the plaintiffs attorney argues that more likely than not, at 26 weeks the fetus is normal prior to birth. If not for the failure to perform a Cesarean section, Zubida Byrom would still be normal. It is as though the antenatal history about Liberia and subsequent sonographic findings are not factors. Also using inductive reasoning, the defense attorney argues that more likely than not, at 26 weeks the fetus has neurologic injury prior to birth. Even if there is a Cesarean section, Zubida Byrom would still have neurologic injury. The antenatal history and subsequent sonographic findings are factors. Two plaintiff medical experts testify that, because of the duty to do no harm, a Cesarean section should have been performed. A vaginal delivery is a medical error. By convention, preponderance of evidence is 50% confidence plus a vague value, and that vague value only needs to be a scintilla to tip the scale. In inductive reasoning, 51% confidence suffices to prove a departure from the duty to do no harm. The defense attorney uses the same metrics to cast doubt on this proof. On July 1, 2019, the jury returns a $229-million plaintiff verdict. This would have been different with deductive reasoning. First of all, medical interventions are harmonious processes involving 10 duties. These duties interact as a collective unit, and each duty represents a particular phase. The duty to do no harm is the collective result of these 10 phases. The ten phases are: 1. Presentation, 2. Investigation, 3. Interpretation, 4. Diagnosis, 5. Discrimination, 6. Informed Consent, 7. Selection, 8. Technical, 9. Resolution, 10. Discharge. The accepted background risk for cerebral palsy in a preterm low birth-weight newborn is 15.2%. Cerebral palsy can still occur even with the standard of care because the 15.2% is inescapable. Nevertheless, because the standard of care is error-free, the risk of cerebral palsy from each phase in the standard is the background risk. The medical intervention is designed to be a facsimile of the standard of care. When the 10 phases of the standard of care are compared to corresponding phases in the medical intervention, if a phase is the same, that phase in the medical intervention is represented by the background risk, or 15.2%. If a phase is different, that phase in the medical intervention is represented by the incident risk for the complication. In Byrom v. Johns Hopkins, the incident risk is 28.3%. The aforementioned 65% chance of neurologic injury serves as the basis for this incident risk. If there is a 65% chance that a Cesarean section would not alter the outcome, it follows that there is a 35% chance that it will. Hence, the risk/benefit ratio for performing a Cesarean section is 1.86. In this case, not performing a Cesarean section increases the background risk of cerebral palsy in a preterm low birth-weight newborn from 15.2% to 28.3%. The null hypothesis is if there is no departure from the standard of care, there is no statistically significant difference between the incident risk resulting from the medical intervention and the background risk resulting from the standard of care. The null hypothesis is tested using the single-sample t-test. The null hypothesis is either retained or rejected. The level of significance is 0.05, corresponding to 95% confidence. The population mean is the background risk, which is 15.2%. When the phases in the standard of care are compared to their counterparts in the medical intervention, there is a test sample, which collectively represents the entire medical intervention for Erica Byrom. It includes the 10 results from the comparison. The test sample is 15.2%, 15.2%, 15.2%, 15.2%, 15.2%, 15.2%, 15.2%, 28.3%, 15.2%, and 15.2%. Except for the technical phase, in which a Cesarean section is performed in the standard of care and is not performed in the medical intervention, there are no other differences between counterparts. The result is the p-value. The p-value is 0.171718. Because the p-value is greater than the level of significance, which is 0.05, the null hypothesis is retained. The medical intervention comports with the standard of care with 95% confidence. Hypothesis testing casts sufficient doubt on the plaintiff attorneys inductive reasoning, which is no less than 51% confidence. When using hypothesis testing, no medical expert with any integrity would prepare a certificate of merit favoring the plaintiff attorney. Instead of a verdict, Byrom v. Johns Hopkins would never go to trial. On February 2, 2021, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals overturns this verdict, but it takes 16 months. Howard Smith is an obstetrics-gynecology physician. Trending in China | Autumn bamboo shoots (People's Daily App) 15:04, November 01, 2024 You may have heard of spring and winter bamboo shoots, but autumn also brings a variety of bamboo shoots. In China, workers usually stay in the deep mountain areas for 40 days to pick the freshest bamboo shoots. After processing, these fresh bamboo shoots are sold as a seasonal favorite nationwide. (Video Source: Kuaishou) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Xem them ... Tin bai cuoi cung Khong con du lieu e load Last Tuesday night, the Community Arts Centre in the Methodist Church, Athy hosted the second lecture in the Athy Historical Societys Autumn series of lectures. Delivered by Naas historian Liam Kenny, the title of the lecture was From ballot box to council chamber: Kildares first county council election 1899. Over the course of an hour, Liam delivered a fine lecture to a rapt audience, which ranged over the political, cultural and economic context of the time in which the first county council elections were held. What interested many of the attendees was the skilful way in which Liam contextualised the election in terms of Irish society and politics at that time. This was a society in which politics was dominated by the middle class and the Home Rule party. The successful county council candidate from Athy was Matthew Minch, who, at the time, was the MP for South Kildare. However, with the outbreak of the second Boer War in October 1899, the war itself began to exert an interesting influence on Irish polities in society. Nascent militant republicanism began to develop inspired by the plucky and determined Boer fight against the British empire in South Africa. As this month marks the 125th anniversary of the outbreak of the war, it is interesting to reflect on how those events thousands of miles away impacted on the people of Athy. The Leinster Leader reported on 6 January 1900, when the war was only three months old, that Athy boys with their keen sense of humour raised a Boer flag over the town hall over the dead of night with the police unable to ascertain their purpose. The Nationalist and Leinster Times gave an amusing account of how the offending Boer flag was removed from the town hall: In the morning as soon as the first drinks of dawn appeared a grand green flag floated from the pinnacle which summands the town hall. William McCleary, the town hall caretaker, volunteered to remove the flag and at about three oclock he ascended to the roof of the building. He had armed himself with a fishing rod, to the end of which he had tied a knife. He cut through the strands of rope which held the standard in position, and after some exertion the cords were cut and the emblem of Krugerdom collapsed. The flag incident has occasioned a great deal of talk about Athy and there is much conjecture as to the individuality of the daring crew who seized on the principal building of the town in this way. Accounts brought by native runners from Dunbrinn direction disclosed the fact that, after dispersion by the police, the band retired to a lonely kopje overhanging the Barrow and called Coneyboro. Here, they made a bonfire and when it was in full blaze they threw in a shell in the shape of a gallon of paraffin. The fluid exploded with a report so loud that it awakened sleepers in distant Grangemellon. In addition to the newspapers, letters home from Athy soldiers were an important source of information about the conflict. Paddy Connors, who was then serving with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, wrote to his brother about the first major battle he was involved in in the war. He noted that three men from the town by the names of Murphy, Kenny and Flynn had been dangerously wounded. Connors went on to write: I like being out here, except for seeing so many disabled for life. Thank God, I am very lucky. My helmet was knocked off by a bit of shell when I was carrying a wounded corporal and he got shot dead in my arms. When I was acting as an escort for the guns, a shell fell in front of me but did not burst. The dubious distinction of being the first British officer to be killed in the conflict lies with Captain George Anthony Weldon. Weldon was the grandson of Sir Anthony Weldon of Kilmoroney House, Athy. Weldon was an officer in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, which was part of a force tasked with taking a hill called Talana which was occupied by Boer forces. In attempting to save the life of a Private Gorman, who had been wounded by Boer marksmen, Weldon was killed. Later that evening, Weldons pet terrier was found waiting patiently by his masters lifeless body. Weldon was buried that same afternoon in a small cemetery facing the hill on which he met his death. For most of us, the Boer War has little lasting impact on our collective memory but there are little resonances here and there. Those of an older generation will recall that one of the malting buildings of Minch Nortons was called Ladysmith, due to the involvement of a number of employees of Minchs at the battle of Ladysmith during the war. By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA Taoiseach Simon Harris has expressed his condolences on the deaths of at least 158 people in Spain following flash flooding. Spains worst natural disaster in generations has left a trail of destruction in the south and east of the country, resulting in cars piled on top of one another, uprooted trees and downed power lines. Taoiseach Simon Harris was in contact with Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday evening to express Irelands horror and sorrow at the number of people who have lost their lives. Flooded cars piled up in Valencia, Spain (Manu Fernandez/AP) Mr Harris said the emerging stories of loss and injury are heartbreaking and said Ireland would help in every way we can. Mr Sanchez thanked the people of Ireland for their solidarity and kindness. Tanaiste Micheal Martin said this week that the floods were illustrative of the worsening climate situation. He said: I think it points to the need for stronger adaptation across Europe, within Ireland as well, given the impacts that climate change is now having. The indications are that climate change is here, its happening, so weve got to adapt. An analysis by World Weather Attribution has found that the rainfall was about 12 per cent heavier and twice as likely compared with the 1.3-degree cooler pre-industrial climate. The scientists said that while analysis is not a full and detailed attribution study, climate change is the most likely explanation. The Glass Attic Gallery at Jerpoint Glass in Bennettsbridge is currently housting Out Of The Woods', a group exhibition running until January 31, 2025. The exhibition features the work of local artists - Ross Stewart, Kristina Rozanich, Eoghan Leadbetter and Rory Leadbetter. Each artist in the exhibition is deeply connected to the natural world, with their work expressing a unique relationship with nature through various mediums. Kilkenny artist Ross Stewart works with organic materials, taking elements from his landscape and bird studies and reducing them to simple, abstract shapes while preserving the atmosphere and mood of the original. Krisztina Rozanichs encaustic paintings explore the link between nature, spirituality, and the subconscious creating dreamlike works infused with meaning. Krisztina was born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1970. She graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Fine Arts Painting. After university, Krisztina worked with ceramic artist Pamela Summers for several years before moving to Dublin in 2001. In 2005, she moved to Budapest where there was a burgeoning art scene. She and two other artists founded Sziv Studios there. In 2009, she returned to Ireland and made her home in Kilkenny. Eoghan Leadbetters woodturning uses locally sourced, naturally felled trees, transforming them into elegant, functional pieces that honour the beauty of their natural form. Jerpoint Glass will also showcase their Landscape collection, inspired by Rory Leadbetters mountain running views, which translate the beauty of rugged terrain into stunning glass creations. Out Of The Woods offers visitors the chance to witness how nature serves as both muse and medium for each artist. The gallery is open from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. For more information, go to jerpointglass.com or contact enquiries@jerpointglass.com. Radio NZ reports: A skin cancer expert is calling for sunscreen to be made cheaper either by removing GST or offering it on prescription to reduce New Zealands sky-high melanoma rate. University of Otago skin cancer prevention researcher Dr Bronwen McNoe told Midday Reports Charlotte Cook that sunscreen was significantly more expensive in New Zealand than in Australia. The two countries shared the worlds highest melanoma rate, and New Zealand had the unenviable record of the worlds highest death rate from skin cancer. McNoe said she supported any initiative that reduced the cost of sunscreen for consumers, including the current petition demanding the removal of GST. Retail investors enthusiastic, Theborn employees less so By Jun Ji-hye Theborn Korea, a food and beverage franchise founded by celebrity chef Paik Jong-won and set to go public on the KOSPI on Wednesday, faced a significant shortfall in employee stock ownership subscriptions. This is being interpreted as a sign that employees, who are familiar with the companys internal operations, have reservations about the long-term potential returns of the shares. According to the firms securities issuance report on Friday, only 212,666 shares worth 7.21 billion won ($5.2 million) were subscribed out of the initial 600,000 shares allocated for the employee stock ownership program, reflecting a competition rate of 0.35 to 1. With 713 regular employees at the company, each employee is estimated to have subscribed to an average of 298 shares. Given the public offering price of 34,000 won per share, this amounts to an approximate subscription cost of 10 million won per employee. The shortfall in the employee stock ownership program was anticipated to some extent. During the general investor subscription held on Oct. 28 and 29, the number of shares allocated to lead underwriters increased, with Korea Investment & Securities seeing its allotment rise from 450,000 to 540,000 shares, and NH Investment & Securities receiving an increase from 300,000 to 360,000 shares. According to the firms investment prospectus, the company can allocate up to an additional 150,000 shares to general subscribers, if unsubscribed shares occur in the employee stock ownership program. As a result, the company allocated 150,000 of the 387,734 unsubscribed shares to general investors, with the remaining 237,734 shares reallocated to institutional investors. Since employees who subscribe to the employee stock ownership program are required to hold their shares for one year before selling them, some market watchers interpreted the low subscription rate as a reflection of internal doubts about the companys future growth prospects. For employees to profit from their shares, the stock price must exceed the offering price after the one-year holding period. However, IPO shares often experience sharp declines over time, which may have contributed to employee hesitation regarding the subscription. However, some believe that the occurrence of unsubscribed shares is not unusual. Unlike the secondary Kosdaq, where up to 20 percent of the shares can be allocated to the employee stock ownership program at the discretion of the company, the main KOSPI requires that 20 percent of the public offering shares must be allocated to employees, regardless of demand. Since Theborn Korea is a mid-sized company rather than a large corporation, it seems likely that employees were unable to absorb the substantial amount of shares amounting to some tens of millions of won per person, an industry insider noted. In contrast to the lukewarm response from employees, retail investors showed strong enthusiasm. The competition rate for the general investor subscription reached 772.8 to 1, with the subscription deposit amounting to approximately 11.8 trillion won. Founded in 1994 by Paik, who has gained more popularity recently following his appearance on the Netflix series Culinary Class Wars as one of the judges, Theborn Korea operates 25 restaurant brands, including Paiks Coffee, Hong Kong Banjeom and Saemaeul Sikdang. The company has about 2,900 locations across the country. The firm is also involved in the distribution business, selling processed foods and sauces to consumers, as well as operating Theborn Hotel on Jeju Island. It initially sought to go public in 2018, but postponed its plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, in celebration of its 30th anniversary, it is making another attempt at an IPO. The election for clerk of the Montana Supreme Court is a comfortably low-profile contest for an office that sees little fanfare, but still bears some shrapnel of the larger political disputes in recent years. Both candidates described difficulties of the down-ballot campaign, whether that was reaching voters through political vibrations of the top-ballot races or connecting with voters about the duties of the office itself. The vote drop-off in the June primary election from the governor races to the supreme court clerk race was more than 43,000. Republican incumbent Bowen Greenwood, former director of the state GOP, was elected to his first term in 2018, and that year fended off accusations that he would turn the office into a political instrument. Four election cycles later, and Republicans have swept cycle after cycle, and the incumbents GOP pedigree is front and center of his reelection bid. Democratic challenger and lawyer Erin Farris-Olsen, meanwhile, is hoping voters will choose against the states majority party for a partisan office that deals largely in clerical work in the nonpartisan branch of government. Not only is she facing political headwinds, but Farris-Olsens first run for office presents challenges in name recognition, especially in a crowded election year. The Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court maintains the courts records, swears in new lawyers, compiles statistics and ensures public access to public documents and information. 'Service and humility' On the campaign trail, Greenwood tells voters hes been a good steward of taxpayer money and increased transparency where he can. "Youve got to come into it with humility, understanding that this is not the Senate race, this is not the governors race. I actually like that," he said. "I prefer to be in an office that is really about service and humility." Greenwood said he embraces the partisanship that is part of the race. Indeed, its a good time to be a Republican in Montana, but he has campaigned on being a team player for the other state-level elected office holders, all GOP. The multiple court battles over Montanas ballot initiative to amend abortion access into the state constitution gave Greenwood that opportunity. In April the ballot initiative campaign and the Republican attorney general dove into a legal dispute about the initiative's language as it would appear on the petition circulated for signature gathering. At one point, the campaign issued an opposed motion, which typically triggers an 11-day clock for the opposing party to respond. In this case, where the ballot initiative's window for signature gathering was quickly closing, the Supreme Court took up that motion on the same day. Greenwood said once he saw the court take the motion for consideration, he notified the other parties, the attorney general and secretary of state, both Republican. The attorney generals office, in turn, argued in subsequent filings that it had not been given the proper chance to respond with arguments. "I think every single Montanan should get exactly the same justice from their court system," Greenwood said. "I dont think a 'high profile' or 'political' case deserves different justice than the average Montanan." These high-wire political disputes are common chatter in the state capital, but hardly in the general publics mind, he said. Greenwood said, in what little time he does get with voters, he tries to focus on the day-to-day work. "This is an office where you have plenty of opportunity to do the right thing without anybody hearing about it," he said. 'Working across political divides' Farris-Olsen, who unlike Greenwood is an attorney, likewise talks to voters about the issues of court efficiencies. High profile political cases get the headlines, but far more of the judicial branchs work deals in parenting issues, landlord-tenant cases and general business thats as routine as a trip to the motor vehicle department. "Theres just this huge opportunity for our judicial system to serve people and for peoples experience with government to be positive," she said. "And yet, when the district courts and court system overall are so under-resourced, staff are not necessarily able to provide the same experience and administer justice in an effective way. And so, I think that is what I really try to hammer home as Ive been talking to communities across the state." Farris-Olsen was a clerk for Supreme Court Justice Beth Baker and managed the Self-Help Law Center, among a host of other roles that deal in court functionality. That attorney experience is part of why former Republican governor Marc Racicot recently endorsed Farris-Olsen. On the other hand, Racicots endorsement came with criticism against Greenwood for taking up politics from within the nonpartisan branch. Racicot has in recent years supported several Democrats and been disavowed by the state GOP. Farris-Olsen said she was honored by the endorsement, and said it speaks to Montanans' broader belief in the nonpartisan court system. Although herself a Democrat, Farris-Olsen has said on the campaign trail she would advocate for adjusting the clerk of the Montana Supreme Court into a nonpartisan office. "Ive spent my whole career working across political divides," Farris-Olsen said. "In many cases, you just dont talk politics because youre focused on what you have in common and what youre trying to get done." Her campaign has, in large part, sought to offer itself to voters as the less-partisan option for the clerks office. Its a similar message Democrat Ben Alke is running against Republican firebrand and incumbent Austin Knudsen in the attorney generals race: That too much politics can be a bad thing in a role that lends itself more to administering the law than swinging policy in a certain direction. Many voters, Farris-Olsen said, have not been entirely receptive to the message that a Democratic candidate would "serve everybody." "Especially on social media," she said. "I thought anybody who was elected is now responsible for serving the whole state, like, that would be my expectation. Theres this loud perception that were all too polarized for that to be the reality." The general election is Nov. 5. Editors note This article is the ninth in The Korea Times' 2024 series focusing on diversity, inclusiveness and equality. ED. By Lee Kyung-min A foreign student at Yonsei University said she received a pop-up on her phone as she was trying to log into her bank account to check her balance. Mobile authentication not available, it read. Please visit a bank branch in person. Confused, she followed the instructions and went to the bank. It was a short visit but it was nonetheless an inconvenience. It was simply because I was a foreigner that I had to make time to go to the bank, she told The Korea Times on condition of anonymity. The bank often doesnt let her log in right away, asking for a random authorization. This is a process equally annoying for Koreans, but almost all of them manage to access their accounts without an in-person visit, she said. I dont know why it might be because the authorization did not accept foreign names due to its length or English characters or perhaps this was a rule at the time, said the student. I went to the bank even though I was sick just to make it work. It was an inconvenience and very irritating since it was purely due to being a foreigner. All the more frustrating was the banking app not being available in English. Financial lingo is not easy for foreigners and language is key to feeling secure about finances. Banking in Korea is not the same for ethnic Koreans and foreigners. She is one of many foreigners in Korea experiencing difficulty navigating online banking apps. Foreign customers have to visit bank branches in person to confirm their identity, depending on their nationality, according to the countrys top five commercial lenders KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Woori, Hana and NH NongHyup. An official from KB Kookmin said foreigners holding an alien registration card can authorize their identity without face-to-face verification if they use the bank's own certificate system. However, some passport holders are unable to verify their identity remotely due to varying rules by their country of origin. In some cases, an in-person visit is required, the official said. Just as troublesome is Korean name character limitations for foreign customers. Many banks limit names to 20 characters, complicating opening bank accounts and accessing related services, according to a foreign exchange student at a graduate school in Korea. This is a problem because it extends beyond banking to many online platforms in Korea including Google Play and Apple Store, in his view. Not only banks but a number of mobile apps dont allow for long foreign names to access discounts, promotions and online shopping. Included are Seoul Pay+ and ZeroPay, he said on condition of anonymity. Those apps require bank verification through text messages, which fail if the name exceeds the character limit. Issuing a joint certificate, or formerly public certificate, as well as a financial certificate or bank-specific certificate, is not enough to use many apps effectively, he said. Korean banks need to update their systems to accommodate longer names, to enable all customers to fully utilize banking services regardless of name length. The move will help foreign customers feel more included. Banks say the 20-character limit for names is in accordance with the guidelines of the Korea Federation of Banks and Korean credit information services. This is a problem for the banks across the board, the KB Kookmin official said. A bank cannot individually change the policy upheld by all industry players. Another major issue for foreigners is signing a pile of legally binding contracts to use financial services at banks here. Anne Geertruida Louisa van Assche, a student at the Netherlands' Leiden University majoring in Korean studies, recalled an awkward experience when she opened a bank account during her stay here as an exchange student two years ago. I was handed a pile of contracts filled to the edges with complicated Korean words I didnt understand, she said. The papers were not available in English. She was told to write her full name in a circled space at the bottom of numerous pages. Many foreign names include prefixes, baptismal names, double family names or other culturally specific extensions. It is a real challenge when you have to fit it into the space suited for a typical three-syllable Korean name. I did not understand what I was doing or agreeing to half the time. Korean banks need to start catering more specifically to foreigners needs, she added. To start off, contracts should be translated into various languages, so that foreigners are at least made aware of what they are agreeing to. She said user tools including the banking app and information emails and text messages should also offer different language options for easier and more understandable navigation and communication. Shinhan, Woori and Hana operate banking apps exclusively for global customers, with up to 16 languages available including English, Chinese and Vietnamese. The Korean language apps of KB Kookmin and NH NongHyup have a button at the top to switch to other languages. Offered are English, Chinese, Japanese, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Thai, Russian, Mongolian, Burmese and Indonesian. An industry expert said individual lenders policy revision will have to factor in the countrys regulatory needs. Korea has a unique credit concentration model, defined by a public credit registry, a researcher at a private think tank said on condition of anonymity. Not many countries have such a centralized system with a weakened emphasis on privacy as Korea does. Payment firms and online platforms will need time before accommodating foreign customers with authorization. Korea's exports extended on-year gains to the 13th straight month in October, data showed Friday, on the back of the robust performance of semiconductors. Outbound shipments rose 4.6 percent on-year to $57.5 billion last month, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Imports added 1.7 percent on-year to $54.3 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $3.17 billion. South Korea has been maintaining a trade surplus for 17 consecutive months. Exports of semiconductors jumped 40.3 percent to $12.5 billion, marking a new high for any previous October and achieving on-year growth for 12 consecutive months, the data showed. The ministry attributed the sharp growth to increasing demand for premium chips, driven by global companies' investment in artificial intelligence servers. Outbound shipments of computers continued their on-year gains for the 10th consecutive month, rising by 54.1 percent to $965 million. Exports of mobile devices increased 19.7 percent to $2 billion over the period, supported by stronger demand for premium models. Automobile exports rose 5.5 percent to $6.2 billion, reaching the highest level for any October, the data showed. The growth was driven by the release of new models and heightened demand for hybrid vehicles, the ministry added. Other major winners included steel, with exports rising by 8.8 percent to $2.87 billion, as increased shipment volume offset declining global prices. Outbound shipments of petrochemical products rose 10.2 percent to $3.98 billion, driven by the operation of new facilities despite declining global oil prices. By destination, exports to China grew 11 percent to $12.2 billion, marking the highest level since $13.3 billion in September 2022, boosted by higher demand for mobile devices following discount promotions. Shipments to the United States rose 3.4 percent to $10.4 billion, setting a new monthly high for the 15th consecutive month, driven by semiconductors and batteries. Exports to the European Union added 5.7 percent to 5.3 billion won, supported by demand for biosimilars and mobile devices. "We will make efforts to maintain this momentum through the end of the year to achieve a record annual performance," Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun said in a statement. Outbound shipments decreased 7.4 percent on-year in 2023 amid the sluggish performance of chips coupled with global economic uncertainties. (Yonhap) By Baek Byung-yeul Korean authors Ko Jung-wook and Yoo Eun-sil, along with illustrator Lee Suzy, have been nominated for next year's Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, a prestigious global children's literary award. The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award was established by the Swedish government in 2002 to commemorate Swedish children's book author Astrid Lindgren, best known for her Pippi Longstocking series. The award annually selects recipients from living authors and illustrators or existing institutions who create literary works for children and young adults. Among Korean artists, author and illustrator Baek Heena, famous for her 2004 bestselling book "Cloud Bread," won this award in 2020. The organizer announced that a total of 265 candidates from 72 countries have been nominated, and the laureate will be announced on April 1, next year. Among the Korean nominees, Ko has consistently published works that give hope and courage to Korean youth, authoring multiple bestsellers such as his series "Quick-tempered Jaeseok." As a person with a learning disability, he has drawn empathy from readers of diverse backgrounds through stories and characters who are dealing with disabilities. "I express my deepest gratitude to readers who have continuously shown love and support for children and young adults," Ko said through his agency 1person1book. "I will continue to deliver stories that give readers courage and hope." He gives hundreds of lectures a year to children and young people on topics such as disability awareness education (while also) meeting with authors, Kim Jun-ho, head of the author's agency, said. "The goal of his life is a world where people live together." Another nominee, Lee Suzy has gained global attention for her works such as "The Zoo," "Wave," "Shadow" and "Summer." Lee has won numerous awards, including the 2022 Hans Christian Andersen Award, an award named in commemoration of the 19th-century Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. Fellow nominee Yoo has published works appealing to various reader groups, from young adult novels to picture books, including "My Teacher Lindgren" and "Lee Yujeong the Perfect." Notably, Yoo is also known as a fan of the late Swedish author, having been deeply impressed by Lindgren's books. North Korea said Friday it successfully test-fired the new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) the previous day, with its leader Kim Jong-un saying the country has secured an "irreversible hegemonic position" in developing delivery means of nuclear weapons. Guided by Kim, North Korea carried out a "crucial" missile test that set a milestone in "perpetuating the absolute superiority" of the country's armed forces, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The South Korean military said Thursday it detected the missile, fired at a lofted angle, at about 7:10 a.m. from the North's Pyongyang area and said it flew about 1,000 kilometers before coming down in the East Sea. It assessed the missile as a new solid-fuel ICBM. The ICBM launch, the first in almost a year, came just days before the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5. Observers said the North's provocation was likely meant to flaunt its capability to deliver a nuclear warhead to the U.S. mainland and divert attention from recent condemnation over its troop deployment to Russia. North Korea described the latest ICBM as an "ultra-powerful offensive means" and an "ultimate" version of its long-range missile series. "The test of the latest strategic weapon system updated the recent records of the strategic missile capability of the DPRK and demonstrated the modernity and creditability of its world's most powerful strategic deterrent," the KCNA said, using the acronym of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The North's leader expressed satisfaction at the fact that the successful test proved the "hegemonic position" that the North has "secured in the development and manufacture of nuclear delivery means of the same kind is absolutely irreversible," the KCNA said. The Hwasong-19 ICBM, along with the Hwasong-18, will serve as the "primary means" of defending the country and deterring enemy aggression, the KCNA reported, quoting Kim as describing the test as a demonstration of the country's "counteraction will." Kim also reaffirmed that the country's line of bolstering its nuclear forces will never change, and no threat to its security sphere should be tolerated amid the tightening nuclear alliances and military maneuvers of its rivals, it said. North Korea said the Hwasong-19 traversed 1,001.2 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 7,687.5 kilometers and flew for 5,156 seconds. It was assessed as having the longest flight time and reaching the highest apogee for a North Korean missile. Pointing to the improvement in the North's missile capabilities, some experts raised speculations that North Korea may have received technical assistance of advanced weapons from Russia in return for its support for Moscow's war. Photos carried by state media showed the missile being fired from an 11-axle transporter erector launcher (TEL). Kim's daughter, believed to be named Ju-ae, accompanied him in inspecting the missile launch." The latest missile appears to be longer than the Hwasong-18, which was last test-fired from a nine-axle TEL in December, and the color of its flame and other characteristics suggest that the missile was powered by solid fuel. The more rounded warhead section of the Hwasong-19 suggests the potential for using multiple warheads to increase the missile's striking power, analysts said. Seoul's unification ministry assessed that the latest launch appears intended for various purposes, including putting pressure on the U.S. ahead of its upcoming presidential election. "The latest firing appears intended to distract attention from the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia and to secure achievements ahead of the year-end plenary session of the Workers' Party," said Kim In-ae, deputy spokesperson at the ministry. She also denounced the latest ballistic launch as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and "a clear provocation" to security on the Korean Peninsula. (Yonhap) North Korea's new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launched this week is its largest long-range missile yet, a South Korean military official said Friday, in the latest sign of progress in the recalcitrant regime's missile development efforts. Earlier in the day, North Korea confirmed it had successfully test-fired the new Hwasong-19 ICBM on Thursday, after the South's military said it had fired a long-range missile on a lofted trajectory into the East Sea. State media photos showed the missile being fired from an 11-axle transporter erector launcher (TEL) assessed to be about 30 meters long apparently bigger than any of the North's existing missile launch vehicles. A South Korean military official told reporters on condition of anonymity that the Hwasong-19 is longer than the country's previously known largest ICBM the Hwasong-17. In comparison, the Hwasong-17's TEL, which also has 11 axles, is about 23 meters long. The size of the Hwasong-19, powered by solid propellant, also indicates that it has a relatively longer range and larger payload than the smaller solid-fuel Hwasong-18 solid-fuel ICBM that is presumed to be able to target the U.S. mainland. State media described the Hwasong-19 as the "ultimate" version of its long-range missile series, noting that it renewed the recent records of the country's strategic missile capability. The missile traversed 1,001.2 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 7,687.5 kilometers and flew for 5,156 seconds, according to state media. The military official, however, downplayed the North's claim of the missile as its "ultimate" ICBM, noting that it still likely needs to undergo more tests, such as being fired on a normal trajectory. State media photos also showed the Hwasong-19's nose cone appearing to be more rounded than that of the Hwasong-18, raising speculation that it may be intended to carry multiple warheads inside. North Korea has sought to develop multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle technology, which allows a single ballistic missile to deliver multiple warheads to different targets, among other advanced weapons since a major ruling party congress in 2021. The military official said an analysis is under way but noted that North Korea itself has not characterized the latest launch as a test for MIRV technology in its state media report. In June, North Korea claimed to have successfully conducted a multiple-warhead missile test, which the South's military dismissed as "deception" as the missile exploded in midair. (Yonhap) North Korean Foreign Minister Choi Son-hui said Friday the current situation on the Korean Peninsula requires Pyongyang to make efforts to bolster its readiness against nuclear retaliation, noting that the reclusive regime will not change its nuclear policy. Choe made the remark during her meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to a report by Sputnik, which came amid North Korean troops' possible participation in Russia's war with Ukraine. Choe was quoted as saying by the Russian news agency that the current situation, and also future threats and challenges, "require more than ever to strengthen our modern strategic offensive nuclear weapons, as well as improve our readiness for a nuclear response." The North Korean official also said the situation on the Korean Peninsula can become "explosive at any moment" as "the military alliance of the United States and South Korea is turning into a military alliance with a nuclear component." Choe also said Pyongyang is confident of Russia's victory in its war with Ukraine, and that North Korea will "always stand firmly next to our Russian comrades," the Russian news agency added. In response, the Russian foreign minister noted that "very close cooperation" has been established between Pyongyang and Moscow in terms of their "military and security services." (Yonhap) National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik said Friday that South Korea is "not considering the dispatch of troops to Ukraine at all," amid reports of North Korea's imminent participation in the war to support Russia. Shin made the remark during a parliamentary audit when lawmakers asked him about the possibility of South Korea sending troops to Ukraine. The adviser, however, noted that he believes the deployment of a South Korean team of observers and analysts to Ukraine is essential. "If North Korean troops deployed to Russia gain knowledge of modern warfare tactics, including the use of drones, such expertise could be shared across the North's regular forces, numbering more than a million," Shin said, adding that South Korea also needs to acquire similar insights. Touching on North Korea's development of nuclear and missile capabilities, Shin noted that even if Pyongyang makes progress, the reclusive regime will find the strategic environment turning against them. "North Korea is developing nuclear weapons to weaken the alliance between South Korea and the U.S., while disrupting security cooperation among Seoul, Washington and Tokyo," Shin said, adding that Pyongyang's efforts have instead strengthened such ties. (Yonhap) The top diplomats of South Korea and the United States have agreed to closely work together to respond to North Korean troops' possible participation in Russia's war in Ukraine and their additional deployment, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the issue at their bilateral talks in Washington on Thursday (local time), following their "two plus two" meeting also involving the two countries' defense chiefs, the ministry said in a release. "They shared concerns over the deepening ties between Russia and North Korea, including Pyongyang's deployment of troops to the Kursk Oblast in Russia," it said. "They agreed to coordinate closely and share related information on any indications of North Korean troops actually participating in combat and additional deployment," the ministry said. After the two plus two meeting, Blinken said the U.S. believes as many as 8,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Russia's western front-line Kursk region and they are expected to enter into combat in the coming days. Blinken also said they assess that about 10,000 North Korean troops are in Russia, and those believed to be already in the front lines would become "legitimate" military targets if they are deployed into combat against Ukrainian forces. On the bilateral alliance, Cho asked for Blinken's support in ensuring that the key achievements Seoul and Washington have made under the Joe Biden administration are "handed over smoothly" to the next U.S. administration. Blinken reaffirmed the firm bipartisan support for the alliance and his commitment to doing his part to further strengthen the bilateral ties, according to the Seoul ministry. In the talks with Blinken, Cho emphasized South Korea's commitment to playing a greater role in ensuring global peace and prosperity, and the need to "expand and modernize" the Group of Seven (G7) framework of advanced countries. The two sides also agreed to continue efforts to hold a trilateral summit with Japan before the end of this year. In a separate readout, the U.S. State Department said the two sides discussed efforts to further bolster bilateral cooperation on the full range of global and regional issues. "The two officials acknowledged a shared commitment to deepening the U.S.-ROK Alliance, which continues to be the linchpin of peace, security, and prosperity for the Indo-Pacific region and beyond," it said. ROK stands for the Republic of Korea, South Korea's official name. While in Washington, Cho also met with Philip Gordon, assistant to the president and national security adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris, and had broad discussions on the bilateral alliance, trilateral cooperation with Japan and the Korean Peninsula issues, Cho's office said. Cho shared with Gordon concerns over the "grave situations" that have been exacerbated with the North's troop deployment, and agreed to respond firmly with the international community by closely monitoring the development of the Moscow-Pyongyang military cooperation. (Yonhap) By Kim Hyun-bin ASTANA, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan is moving forward with plans to build its first nuclear power plant and is exploring the possibility of forming a consortium with various international partners, including South Korea, according to Kazakh Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alibek Kuantyrov. We've been thinking about opening a nuclear plant for a long time, and finally, the referendum showed it, Kuantyrov said during a media briefing for the Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable in Astana, Thursday (local time). The decision of the population was to have it in Kazakhstan since we are rich in uranium, but we still have not yet built any nuclear plant. Kazakhstan, a country abundant in uranium resources, held a national referendum in early October to decide on the introduction of nuclear power plants. An overwhelming 71.12 percent of voters supported the construction of the plants, indicating strong public backing for this major energy shift. The cost of constructing Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant is estimated to be between $10 billion and $12 billion. One of the priority options for us is to have a consortium with different countries and suppliers, including South Korea, Kuantyrov said. We are looking at different options with Japan, South Korea, Russia, Canada, the United States, France and others. By next year, we will reveal who will be the main vendor or group of vendors. The Kazakh government has set an ambitious goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, which includes plans to build two nuclear power plants in the Ulken region. Currently, Kazakhstan's energy landscape is dominated by fossil fuels, which account for nearly 80 percent of the total power generation capacity. Additionally, over half of the thermal power plants are more than 30 years old, highlighting a pressing need for modernization and renovation. The work is being conducted at the moment by the Minister of Energy and stakeholders, Kuantyrov said. We are still working on some technical issues, and we want the best technologies available to participate in the building of this plant. Probably, there will be a consortium. A Kazakh government official indicated that Korea is likely to be one of the participants in the multinational consortium. The consortium is leaning to include four nations: Korea, France, China and Russia, the official told The Korea Times. Recently, Kazakhstan has been closely engaging with a Korean energy firm to enhance cooperation. On Oct. 23, Kazakhstan's Minister of Energy Almassadam Satkaliyev visited Doosan Enerbility's headquarters in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province. During the visit, the energy ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with Doosan Enerbility to collaborate on developing Kazakhstan's power industry. This agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in modernizing Kazakhstan's energy sector. Doosan Enerbility is a major player in the nuclear power plant sector, known for its involvement in both domestic and international projects. The company played a key role in the construction and supply of equipment for several nuclear power plants, including the Shin Hanul units in Korea and the El Dabaa nuclear power plant in Egypt. In June, Park Jeong-won, chairman of the Doosan Group, had a separate meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana during the Korea-Kazakhstan Business Forum to discuss ways to cooperate in the energy industry. Park accompanied President Yoon Suk Yeol as part of an economic delegation on his tour of three Central Asian countries. Pyongyang claims to have test launched 'ultimate' version of ICBM By Lee Hyo-jin South Korea and the United States vowed to cooperate in addressing the challenges posed by growing North Korea-Russia military cooperation, anticipating that North Korean troops in Russias Kursk Region may soon engage in combat against Ukraine in the coming days. The commitment came during a "two-plus-two" meeting in Washington, Thursday (local time), where top foreign and defense officials from both nations discussed regional security threats. The meeting took place a day after Pyongyang test-fired what it claimed to be the latest version of its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which is believed to have achieved the longest-ever flight for a North Korean missile. Attending the meeting were South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, and their U.S. counterparts, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. It was the sixth such gathering since the previous session was held in Seoul in 2021. In a joint statement, the officials condemned the deepening military ties between North Korea and Russia, including the illegal arms transfers and the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia. "They made clear that this military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK constitutes not only a violation of multiple United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions but also prolongs the suffering of the Ukrainian people and threatens stability in both the Indo-Pacific and Europe," the statement read, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The two nations vowed to respond to the North Korea-Russia security cooperation by closely monitoring developments and further exposing Moscow's support for Pyongyang. South Korean officials have expressed concerns that Moscow may provide Pyongyang with advanced military technology in exchange for troops and munitions to support Russia's war with Ukraine. At a press conference following the meeting, Austin stated that Russia has been training North Korean soldiers in artillery, drones and infantry operations, suggesting that Moscow plans to deploy these forces in frontline roles in the coming days. However, he noted that there were no indications Moscow had assisted Pyongyang with the latest ICBM launch, which set a record 86-minute flight before falling into the East Sea, according to South Korea's analysis. "In our assessment phase, and we dont see any indication at this point that there was Russian involvement," Austin said. The previous day, North Korea launched what it claims was the Hwasong-19, described as the "ultimate version" of its ICBMs. Kim Jong-un, who supervised the launch, expressed satisfaction and reaffirmed that North Korea would continue strengthening its nuclear arsenal, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Friday. "The security situation of our state and ever-aggravating prospective threats and challenges require us to continue to bolster up our modern strategic attack forces and more perfectly round off our nuclear forces' response posture," Kim was quoted as saying. North Korea asserted that the missile launch was in response to the "frantic arms buildup" by "U.S. imperialists and the ROK puppet forces." ROK stands for the Republic of Korea, South Korea's official name. The ICBM launch came as South Korean authorities are deliberating on how to respond to the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia. According to the U.S. authorities, around 8,000 North Korean troops are expected to be dispatched to the front lines in the coming days. Officials in Seoul are concerned that combat experience gained on the battlefield could significantly boost the North's military readiness. "Depending on the developments in military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, relevant measures, corresponding measures, will be taken accordingly. We need to see the level of involvement of the DPRK forces in Russia, and we also need to watch what kind of quid pro quo the DPRK will be receiving from Russia," South Koreas foreign minister said during the press briefing in Washington, in response to a query about whether Seoul plans to provide lethal aid to Kyiv. The Ukrainian government is preparing to send a special envoy to Seoul in the coming days, while a team of South Korean observers is set to visit Ukraine to monitor the North Korean troop activities in the war. Much attention is paid as to whether these developments would prompt South Korea to shift its current stance of providing only humanitarian and financial aid to the war-torn nation. In an interview with South Korean broadcaster KBS that aired on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a special envoy would formally request weapons from South Korea, emphasizing the urgent need for air defense systems to counter Russian attacks. Regarding Zelenskyy's comments, a defense ministry official told The Korea Times, Friday, that "the government's stance on Ukraine support remains unchanged. We will make corresponding response depending on how the situation develops." By Kim Hyun-bin ASTANA, Kazakhstan The Kazakhstan Global Investment Roundtable (KGIR-2024) commenced on Friday in the nation's capital, Astana. Since its inception in 2017, the annual event, organized under the auspices of the prime minister, has evolved into a crucial platform for dialogue between the government and the international investment community. The main theme of this years roundtable is Global Investment Trends: Future Vision. Discussions centered around current global market trends and their impact on investment strategies, particularly focusing on infrastructure development as a vital component in attracting international capital. Kanat Sharlapayev, Kazakhstan's minister of Industry and Construction, highlighted the country's economic ambitions and investment opportunities in his opening speech. He emphasized Kazakhstan's strategic initiatives aimed at fostering industrial growth and sustainable development. Kazakhstan confidently holds a place on the international investment stage as one of the most attractive destinations, Sharlapayev said. This is largely due to our unique geographic location. We are at the crossroads of East and West, opening up vast opportunities. Our country serves as a bridge between the worlds largest markets, providing access to Europe, China, and other dynamically developing regions. Sharlapayev emphasized that Kazakhstan's advantageous position in the global trade system enables investors to utilize the country as a gateway to promising Eurasian markets. He highlighted the nation's abundant natural resources, which draw significant investments in metallurgy and the mining industry. Additionally, Kazakhstan is diversifying its economy by advancing non-resource sectors such as IT, transportation, agriculture, and green energy, all while adhering to sustainable development practices. KGIR-2024 brought together over 500 delegates from 40 countries, including government officials, C-level executives, major investors, experts, and representatives from international and governmental organizations. The event featured various panel sessions on topics such as current trends in global markets and industries, and the importance of infrastructure development in attracting investments. The plenary session, titled Global Investment Trends: A Vision for the Future, featured virtual project production launches, the recognition of leading investment firms, and the signing of crucial commercial agreements. Participants took part in roundtable discussions and networking sessions aimed at fostering collaboration and exploring investment opportunities in Kazakhstan and beyond. Key topics included the latest trends in global markets, innovative investment strategies, and infrastructure projects designed to enhance Kazakhstans attractiveness to international investors. Azamat Kozhanov, managing director of Kazakh Invest, highlighted a significant increase in interest from Korean investors, attributing this trend to various economic advantages offered by Kazakhstan. We have seen a huge interest from Korean investors due to the rising production costs in Korea, Kozhanov said. One option is to come to Kazakhstan for lower production costs and a better cost of goods sold. Kozhanov emphasized Kazakhstans appeal due to lower labor and utility costs, as well as the availability of feedstock and raw materials. Those are the main reasons why Korean companies are interested in investing here. They want to explore new markets, especially since the population of Central Asia is growing. Korea has historically been among the top 10 investors in Kazakhstan. Kozhanov noted. Foreign direct investments are growing year by year, proving the attractiveness of Kazakhstan as an investment destination, he added. As many as 8,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia's western front-line Kursk region and are expected to enter into combat "in the coming days," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday, warning that they would become "legitimate" military targets. Blinken made the remarks during a press conference after he, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun held their "two-plus-two" meeting at the State Department in Washington. The meeting underscored the two countries' close security coordination just a day after North Korea fired what appeared to be a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), ratcheting up tensions just days ahead of the U.S. presidential election set for Tuesday. "We now assess that there are some 10,000 North Korean soldiers in total in Russia, and the most recent information indicates that as many as 8,000 of those North Korean forces have been deployed to the Kursk Region," Blinken said. "We've not yet seen these troops deploy into combat against Ukrainian forces, but we would expect that to happen in the coming days," he added. The secretary pointed out that Russia has been training North Korean troops in artillery, unmanned aerial vehicles and basic infantry operations, including trench clearing, indicating that Moscow "fully" intends to use the soldiers in front line operations. "Should these troops engage in combat or combat support operations against Ukraine, they would become legitimate military targets," he said. Austin also warned against North Korean troops' potential entry into combat. "We are consulting closely with our allies and partners in other countries in the region on these reckless developments and on our response," he said without elaboration. During the press conference, Kim noted that North Korea has so far sent some 1,000 missiles and "millions of artillery rounds a figure close to 10 million" to Russia. Blinken highlighted that a reason why Russia is turning to North Korean troops is that it is "desperate." "Putin has been throwing more and more Russians into a meat grinder of his own making in Ukraine. Now he's turning to North Korean troops, and that is a clear sign of weakness," he said. "Russia's been suffering some 1,200 casualties a day in the east, more than at any other time during the war, and with the deployment of these North Korean troops to Russia and now to the front lines, this is the first time in 100 years that Russia has invited foreign troops into its country." Noteworthy was that both South Korean and U.S. officials mentioned the shared goal of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula during the press conference, as questions had lingered over the absence of a reference to that goal in the joint communique of the allies' annual defense talks held on Wednesday. "We reaffirmed the goal of North Korea's complete denuclearization," Cho said in his opening remarks. Kim also made a similar statement. Blinken touched on the issue in response to a related question from a Korean reporter. "Our policy remains what it has been and will remain, which is the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," he said. As a mention of the denuclearization goal was absent in the joint communique, questions surfaced over whether there was a shift in policy focus to deterring North Korean threats rather than seeking the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Commenting on the North's weapons of mass destruction programs, Cho underscored that Seoul and Washington agreed to make "active" efforts to ensure that Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and missiles will become a "liability" rather than strategic assets. Cho also said that the two governments agreed to hold the two-plus-two meeting of their top diplomats and defense chiefs on a regular basis to "expand and deepen the breadth and depth of the alliance." Asked to comment on China's role regarding North Korean activities, the South Korean defense minister anticipated that though Beijing has been in a "wait-and-see" mode, it could play "some sort of role" at a time when the situation worsens and undermines its interests. Regarding a question of when a North Korean nuclear attack scenario will be incorporated into combined military exercises between South Korea and the U.S., Kim said that it is expected to happen within the "earliest" timeframe. During their annual talks at the Pentagon on Wednesday, Kim and Austin decided to include "realistic" scenarios, including a North Korean nuclear attack, in combined exercises, signaling the possibility that those scenarios will be included in the allies' wartime contingency plans. In response to a question about the possibility of Russia's technological support for the North's latest ICBM test, Austin said the U.S. is in an early assessment phase over the launch, and that it does not see any indication of Russian involvement yet. "But again, let me emphasize how irresponsible this behavior is. And we call upon the DPRK to cease and desist," he said, referring to the North by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Earlier in the day, Cho, Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya held a phone call to condemn the North's ICBM launch. They issued a joint statement, calling the launch a "flagrant" violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. "We strongly urge the DPRK to immediately cease its series of provocative and destabilizing actions that threaten peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and beyond," they said in the statement. They also stressed that the three nations condemn "in the strongest terms" deepening military cooperation between the North and Russia, including continued arms transfers, as well as the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia. "The United States reiterates that its commitments to the defense of the ROK and Japan are ironclad and backed by the full range of capabilities, including nuclear," it read. "The three countries will continue to strengthen our trilateral security cooperation to deter and respond to the DPRK's advancing nuclear and ballistic missile threats more effectively." ROK stands for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. (Yonhap) The navies of Korea and the United States have agreed to create a joint cooperative group on maritime science and technology, officials said Friday, amid efforts to deepen bilateral defense and technology ties. Representatives from the two sides signed an initial agreement to form the Maritime Science, Technology and Capabilities Steering Group at the U.S. Office of Naval Research in Virginia on Thursday (local time), according to the South's Navy. The group will focus on four areas future technologies, information warfare, multi-domain warfare as well as platforms and weapons to cover cooperation on artificial intelligence, quantum technology, unmanned systems and other advanced technologies. The two sides began discussions on the group's creation when Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Yang Yong-mo visited the U.S. for talks with his U.S. counterpart, Lisa M. Franchetti. The signing came after the defense chiefs of South Korea and the U.S. held their annual security talks at the Pentagon on Wednesday, where they reaffirmed their commitment to modernizing the alliance based on science and technology cooperation. (Yonhap) South Korea and the United States have agreed to work together closely to "further expose" Russia's support to North Korea, a joint statement showed Friday, amid increasing signs of the North's troop deployment to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine. The joint statement was issued after the allies held their "two plus two" talks among the top foreign and defense officials in Washington on Thursday (local time). The meeting came as the U.S. said as many as 8,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia's western front-line region and they are expected to be sent into combat soon. It also came just a day after North Korea fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), a move seen as aimed at raising tensions and gaining leverage ahead of next week's U.S. presidential election. "The Secretaries and Ministers condemned in the strongest terms deepening military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including continued unlawful arms transfers and the deployment of DPRK troops to Russia," the joint statement from the two plus two talks read. DPRK is the acronym for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "Both sides further identified measures to address the challenges posed by increased DPRK-Russia security cooperation, resolved to closely monitor and further expose Russian support to the DPRK," the statement showed. Since North Korea and Russia have forged closer ties, South Korea and the U.S. have accused Pyongyang of providing weapons to Moscow in support of its war aggression against Kyiv. Attention has been drawn to what Russia would provide the North in return, with many observers saying the North's leader Kim Jong-un could possibly seek Russia's assistance in boosting its nuclear and weapons capabilities. Urging Russia and the North to abide by international law and relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, the South Korean and U.S. officials committed to enforcing independent sanctions regimes against the two isolated states and "actively pursue necessary measures together with the international community" to deter further destabilizing actions. They strongly condemned the North's ICBM test conducted Thursday, and renewed the call for the North to stop its provocations. The joint statement also said that they reaffirmed their continuing commitment to the "complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," a phrase over which questions have arisen after the absence of reference to that goal in a joint communique of the allies' annual defense talks held earlier this week. No mention of the denuclearization in the recent policy platforms of both U.S. Republican and Democratic parties has stoked doubt on whether the U.S. is shifting its policy focus to effectively acknowledging the North as a nuclear state and deterring its threats, rather than pursuing its denuclearization. In the press conference following the two plus two talks on Thursday, both South Korean and U.S. officials mentioned the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as their shared goal. (Yonhap) The following is the full text of a joint statement issued by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin after their "two plus two" foreign and defense ministerial meeting in Washington, D.C., on Thursday (local time). The two sides reaffirmed the shared vision, common values, and unwavering commitment to their combined defense posture and the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) as the bedrock of our security partnership. They noted the U.S.-ROK Alliance serves as the linchpin of peace, security, and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Both sides affirmed that our unwavering resolve is our greatest deterrent and pledged to coordinate closely together in the event of any provocations. The recent conclusion of consultations on the Special Measures Agreement serves as a tangible symbol of our shared commitment to the Alliance, enhances our combined defense posture, and supports the continued presence of U.S. forces stationed on the Korean Peninsula. The Secretaries and Ministers also recognized the U.S.-ROK Alliance has evolved into a global comprehensive strategic alliance, built on respect, trust, close friendship, strong people-to-people connections, and the shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. They committed to further advancing mutually reinforcing and forward-looking cooperation across a broad spectrum of areas, including climate change, health security, nonproliferation, and supply chain diversification. The United States reaffirmed its commitment to the defense of the ROK. The Secretaries and Ministers further pledged to enhance the Alliance's deterrence posture and emphasized the importance of maintaining joint readiness against shared regional and global threats through combined training and exercises. The Secretaries and Ministers noted that U.S. forces in the ROK continue to play a critical role in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, and committed to ensure that we have the force posture and capabilities necessary to meet our common challenges. The Secretaries and Ministers also highlighted deepening U.S.-ROK security cooperation to enhance interoperability and strengthen extended deterrence by the continued implementation of commitments outlined in the U.S.-ROK Washington Declaration, announced by Presidents Biden and Yoon in April 2023. Both sides reiterated that the ironclad U.S. extended deterrence commitment to the ROK is backed by the full range of U.S. capabilities, including nuclear. They reaffirmed that any nuclear attack by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) against the ROK will be met with a swift, overwhelming, and decisive response. The United States also reiterated that any nuclear attack by the DPRK against the United States or its allies is unacceptable and will result in the end of that regime, in line with the 2022 U.S. Nuclear Posture Review. Both sides welcomed the achievements of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), an enduring bilateral forum that has continued work to strengthen extended deterrence, discuss nuclear and strategic planning, and manage the threat the DPRK poses to the global nonproliferation regime. They applauded the successful completion of the "U.S.-ROK Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula," which represents the tremendous progress of the NCG, as commended and endorsed by President Biden and President Yoon. The Guidelines provide the principles and procedures for the Alliance to maintain and strengthen credible and effective nuclear deterrence as equal partners, with further progress planned for the next principal-level NCG meeting later this year. Both sides pledged to deepen consultations and strategic planning, further enhance the regular visibility of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula, and expand table-top exercises and simulations to ensure an effective response to any changes in the threat environment. Both sides also affirmed the need for the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG) to discuss and coordinate on security strategy and policy issues affecting the Korean Peninsula and the broader Indo-Pacific region including by leveraging all elements of national power. The Secretaries and Ministers committed to collaborate against harmful disinformation about extended deterrence on the Korean Peninsula. The ROK expressed its support for U.S. efforts to engage the People's Republic of China and Russia on reducing nuclear risks. Both sides reaffirmed their longstanding commitment to their obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as the cornerstone of the global nonproliferation regime, as well as their continuing commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, consistent with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. The Secretaries and Ministers strongly condemned the DPRK's dangerous and provocative behavior, including its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test on October 31 (local time) and continued pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs in violation of multiple UNSC resolutions. The ICBM test only demonstrates the DPRK continues to prioritize its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs over the well-being of its people, and we call on the DPRK to cease its destabilizing actions. The two sides committed to further enhance coordination, including through the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), to address violations and evasions of U.N. sanctions by the DPRK, including violations of the arms embargo and other related military cooperation, dispatch of overseas laborers, malicious cyber activities, oil smuggling, and the trade of prohibited items, including by ship-to-ship transfers. Both sides reiterated that the DPRK's human rights violations and abuses were inextricably linked with its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile advancements, and committed to further strengthening cooperation to promote human rights in the DPRK. The United States expressed its support for the goals of the Audacious Initiative and President Yoon's vision of a free, peaceful, and prosperous Korean Peninsula, and reiterated its support for a peacefully unified Korean Peninsula that is free and at peace. Both sides reaffirmed that they remain open to dialogue with the DPRK without preconditions. The Secretaries and Ministers condemned in the strongest terms deepening military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including continued unlawful arms transfers and the deployment of DPRK troops to Russia. They made clear that this military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK constitutes not only a violation of multiple UNSC resolutions but also prolongs the suffering of the Ukrainian people and threatens stability in both the Indo-Pacific and Europe. Both sides further identified measures to address the challenges posed by increased DPRK-Russia security cooperation, resolved to closely monitor and further expose Russian support to the DPRK, and urged Russia and the DPRK to abide by international law, including the relevant UNSC resolutions. Both sides committed to enforce the current autonomous sanctions regime and actively pursue necessary measures together with the international community to deter further unlawful, reckless, and destabilizing behavior. The Secretaries and Ministers also strongly condemned Russia's brutal, unprovoked, and unjustifiable war against Ukraine. They recognized that Russia's violation of the U.N. Charter and its attempts to unilaterally change borders by force through its ongoing aggression present a clear challenge to the international order, with global impacts including on the Indo-Pacific. Both sides condemned Russia's coercive nuclear threats and its attacks against critical infrastructure, and they reiterated the need for Russia to be held accountable for its actions. The Secretaries and Ministers also recognized the deepening interconnectedness between the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic and discussed the implications for diplomatic and defense cooperation in the face of a complex security environment. The two sides recognized the importance of the ROK deepening its partnerships with NATO and other Indo-Pacific partners, and resolved to advance security, peace, and prosperity in both regions. Both sides expressed their strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific. They recognized the importance of opposing unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea. The United States and the ROK underscored the importance of maritime safety and security, upholding international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea, and peaceful resolution of disputes as essential for regional stability and prosperity. Both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community. They expressed concern over provocative actions, particularly the recent military drills around Taiwan that escalate tension and concurred that no further actions should be taken that could undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. There remains no change in our basic positions on Taiwan, including the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues. The two countries are united in their support of ASEAN centrality and other regional efforts. Both sides acknowledged the contributions of ongoing bilateral and multilateral dialogues to expand regional coordination with Pacific Island countries and in the Mekong sub-region that aim to enhance connectivity, economic development, and environmental sustainability. The United States and ROK reaffirmed their commitment to ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus, emphasizing the importance of these platforms in promoting peace, stability, and security in the region. Additionally, both sides highlighted their collaborative efforts in addressing transnational challenges, including maritime security, cyber threats such as the DPRK's cryptocurrency heists, and climate change through ASEAN and other regional frameworks. The Secretaries and Ministers emphasized the critical importance of deepening trilateral cooperation with Japan to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the region and to address common challenges such as the DPRK's increasing nuclear and missile threats. Trilateral cooperation is furthered by the leadership commitments at the Trilateral Leaders' Summit at Camp David in 2023 and respective trilateral foreign and defense ministerial-level meetings this year. Both sides pledged to continue prioritizing mutually beneficial, forward-looking cooperation to promote peace, security, and prosperity in the region. The United States recognized the ROK as a Global Pivotal State committed to addressing global challenges, noting its 2024-2025 non-permanent membership in the UNSC. The United States and the ROK reaffirmed their commitment to working closely within the U.N. framework to address pressing global issues such as nuclear non-proliferation, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and climate change. The two sides also discussed strategies to strengthen multilateralism and improve the effectiveness of the UN in responding to emerging threats and crises. Both sides also recognized the important role of the United Nations Command (UNC) in managing, implementing, and enforcing the terms of the Korean Armistice Agreement, deterring DPRK aggression, and coordinating multinational united responses in case of contingencies on the Korean Peninsula. They also affirmed that the UNC has successfully contributed to those aims for over 70 years and will continue to carry out its mission with the utmost respect for the sovereignty of the ROK, the primary host nation of the UNC. Both sides affirmed that international law applies in cyberspace and that a cyberattack could in certain circumstances constitute an armed attack for the purposes of Article III of the MDT. The Secretaries and Ministers also affirmed that attacks to, from, or within space present a clear challenge to the security of the Alliance, and such attacks - in certain circumstances - could lead to the invocation of Article III of the MDT. Both sides affirmed that a decision as to when attacks in either domain would lead to an invocation of Article III would be made on a case-by-case basis, and through close consultations between the United States and the ROK, as would be the case for any other threat. They emphasized the importance of enhancing interoperability and information sharing for space and cyber domain awareness and concurred on the need to strengthen joint response capabilities against increasing space and cyber threats. The two sides also pledged to continue expanding cooperative measures to enhance compatibility between the U.S. and ROK defense industrial bases. The Secretaries and Ministers highlighted their shared view that the Regional Sustainment Framework, recently announced by the U.S. Department of Defense, would strengthen Alliance maintenance capabilities and increase readiness regeneration capacity. They discussed recent measures to cooperate on Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) projects and welcomed the U.S. Navy certifying ROK shipyards to conduct MRO services on U.S. ships. In addition, both sides recognized the need to improve reciprocal market access to deepen defense cooperation and enhance supply chain resiliency. Both sides are committed to accelerate cooperation with the goal of signing the Reciprocal Defense Procurement Agreement next year based on guidance from both Presidents. The two sides recognized the contribution of the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) partnership in sustaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Both sides noted ongoing consultations for potential collaboration on advanced capability projects under AUKUS Pillar II. The Secretaries and Ministers noted that since both sides established the basic principles of the transition of wartime Operational Control (OPCON) in 2006, the ROK and United States have achieved great progress through their combined efforts and reiterated their firm commitment to wartime OPCON transition consistent with the Conditions-Based OPCON Transition Plan. Building on this progress, the Secretaries and Ministers pledged to continue efforts toward the systematic and stable transition of wartime OPCON. The Secretaries and Ministers emphasized the United States and the ROK are united by shared values and a common purpose. Both sides reiterated their commitment to further advancing and deepening U.S.-ROK cooperation. Both sides also recognized the importance of the Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial as an important bilateral forum to further enhance the Alliance, and committed to holding the Ministerial Meeting regularly. (Yonhap) South Korea on Friday announced fresh sanctions targeting 11 North Korean individuals and four entities in response to the North's latest launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) earlier this week. On Thursday, North Korea fired the new Hwasong-19 ICBM toward the East Sea at a lofted angle, in the first such launch in almost a year. If fired on a normal trajectory, it would be capable of hitting the U.S. mainland. Choe Kwang-su, one of the sanctioned individuals, is suspected of involvement in exports of North Korean weapons and related items, the South Korean foreign ministry said in a release. Pak Chun-san, So Tong-myong, Kim Il-su, Choe Chun-sik and Kang Song-sam have allegedly worked for a company engaged in nuclear and missile development and earning money for the North Korean government. Choe Chol-min, a diplomat stationed in the North's embassy in China, was included in the list, along with his wife, Choe Un-jong, for their roles in procuring ballistic missile components and other dual-use items. Choe Chol-min is also being sanctioned for involvement in sending more than 1,000 North Korean workers to China. Im Song-sun, Choe Song-chol and Ju Ryang-won, and four entities are suspected of working to earn hard currency for the Kim Jong-un regime through the dispatch of its workers overseas, the ministry said. The three individuals are suspected of funneling the profits from a construction project in Senegal to the North Korean regime. The four entities are Tongbang Construction, Patisen S.A., the Kumrung Company and EMG Universal Auto, suspected of involvement in the North's dispatch of its workers. Under multiple U.N. Security Council (UNSC) sanctions resolutions, member countries are prohibited from sales and transfers of goods to and from North Korea that can be used in weapons development. They are also banned from allowing North Korean workers into their countries and obliged to send all North Korean laborers back home under two UNSC sanctions resolutions adopted in 2017. The sanctions will formally come into force Nov. 6. (Yonhap) The state arms procurement agency said Friday it has signed a contract to purchase Meteor air-to-air missiles for South Korea's new KF-21 fighter jets currently under production. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) signed the deal Wednesday with the missiles' manufacturer MBDA, a European defense company based in France, according to a DAPA official. The official said 100 Meteor missiles will be supplied in time for the first production phase of the KF-21 jets as planned, while declining to share details of the deal. In July, South Korea began production of 20 units of the advanced homegrown fighter jet, with the first production model scheduled to be delivered to the Air Force in late 2026. The Meteor missile is known to be able to reach a maximum speed of over Mach 4 and strike targets 200 kilometers away. (Yonhap) South Korea and the United States on Friday held joint drone strike drills for the first time, the South's Air Force said, a day after North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The live-fire drills, involving a South Korean RQ-4B Global Hawk surveillance drone and a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper attack drone, took place at an unspecified location in South Korea, in an apparent show of the allies' military capabilities against North Korean threats. The drills took place under a scenario of striking the origin of an enemy provocation, with the South Korean drone collecting data on simulated targets and sharing it with the U.S. unmanned aircraft, according to the Air Force. Once the Reaper received the information, the unmanned aircraft released a GBU-38 joint direct attack munition to accurately strike the target, it said. A military source said the two sides hadn't planned to publicize the drills, but decided to do so in a warning against the North after its ICBM launch. Earlier in the day, the North said it had successfully launched the new Hwasong-19 ICBM the previous day, which the South's military assessed to be the country's largest long-range missile yet. (Yonhap) A Seoul court on Friday sentenced a man to life in prison for murdering his ex-girlfriend and her daughter over a breakup. Park Hak-sun, 65, was indicted with physical detention on charges of stabbing his former girlfriend and her daughter, in their 60s and 30s, to death at an office in Seoul's southern district of Gangnam on May 30, after the woman told him she wanted to break up. Park reportedly committed the crime while holding a grudge against her family for opposing their relationship. "The defendant carried out the crime so swiftly that it seems impossible to think other than he was set on killing the victim beforehand," the Seoul Central District Court said, adding the specific crime method is "excessively cruel" to be deemed accidental. However, the court dismissed the prosecution's demand for a death penalty, citing the lack of special circumstances to make such a punishment rightful. Park has claimed during the hearings that he did not premeditate the crime and that it was "accidental," but these claims were dismissed by the court. (Yonhap) Calls grow for stronger protection, fair treatment as Korea seeks to attract more foreign laborers By Jung Da-hyun Ajit Roy, a migrant worker from Bangladesh diagnosed with a job-related lung disease, is currently facing a lawsuit while lacking proper visa or residency status. He came to Korea to earn money but fell seriously ill just eight months into his job. Although he filed for recognition of his illness as an industrial accident, the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service (COMWEL) delayed its epidemiological investigations for two years. These setbacks, along with difficulties in securing visas during legal disputes, often leave migrant workers like Roy in an increasingly vulnerable position. "Although Korea promotes its commitment to guaranteeing human rights and providing favorable conditions for migrant workers, why am I not being granted my human rights?" said Ajit Roy, a migrant worker from Bangladesh, during a recent interview with The Korea Times. "I have worked here, suffered an injury due to my job and have a valid reason to stay." Roy came to Korea in April 2011, after graduating from university in Bangladesh. "I wanted to work in Korea for a few years, save up some money, and return to Bangladesh to become a public official," he said. He explained that he chose Korea because it was considered a more affordable and accessible option. Roy took his first job at a furniture factory in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, but he encountered hostile working conditions. "Since my Korean wasnt good, I faced a lot of verbal abuse and even physical assault, and the pay was also low," he said. He returned to Bangladesh in 2016, where he studied Korean before reentering Korea in June 2018 under the Employment Permit System (EPS). This program grants visas to foreign workers in specific industries, aiming to address Koreas labor shortage due to a shrinking population. He secured a job at a fire extinguisher manufacturing plant in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, but again faced brutal working conditions. In November 2021, after eight months of grinding product surfaces at the factory, Roy was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease. Even after surgery, 40 percent of his lungs are not functioning. "Doctors say the disease is incurable and Im scared I might die if I dont receive proper treatment," he said. He filed for recognition of his illness as an industrial accident in 2022, but it took COMWEL two years to reach a decision. During this time, the company pressured Roy to withdraw his application and issued a notice of dismissal effective May 6 of this year. In April, COMWEL rejected his application. Following the decision, Roy filed a petition to the Seoul Administrative Court on Sept. 26 and is now pursuing a trial to have his diagnosis recognized as an industrial accident. Human rights undermined by visa delays The issue now is that the Ministry of Justice has yet to issue a visa recognizing Roys right to remain in Korea, which is creating challenges for him. He needs to stay in the country as the trial will determine whether his illness is work-related. In cases like his, a G-1 visa can be issued to grant temporary residency status. However, the ministry has so far withheld the visa, only extending his departure deadline. According to Roys legal counsel, who is providing him with pro bono assistance, he requires at least a G-1 visa and a foreign registration card to address basic needs, such as bank transactions. Simply expanding his departure deadline severely restricts his daily life, especially since he requires ongoing medical treatment. Until May, Roy was still affiliated with his employer and was covered by health insurance. However, since then, he has lost that coverage, causing his medical expenses to skyrocket. Unable to afford regular treatment, he sometimes delays his care, relying on financial assistance from civic groups and his legal counsel. "Treatment is too expensive, and I can't go back to Bangladesh even if I wanted to because I wouldnt be allowed to return to Korea," he said. "Im stuck here with no options." His legal team plans to file a petition with the National Human Rights Commission, arguing that the governments refusal to issue a visa, while merely extending his departure deadline, violates his human rights and his right to a fair trial. Choi Jeong-gyu, an attorney at Wongok Law Firm representing Roy pro bono, highlighted that this case exemplifies Koreas treatment of migrant workers, even as the country promotes the Employment Permit System (EPS) to address its labor shortage. "Protecting the rights of migrant workers serves the nation's interests. More will come if they are treated well," he said. As societal norms shift, calls grow for inclusion of alternative civil unions in legal framework Editors note This article is the eighth in The Korea Times' 2024 series focusing on diversity, inclusiveness and equality. ED. By Lee Hyo-jin What does a family look like in todays Korea? One might picture parents and children perhaps one or two. But that is no longer the full story. That traditional image of family is becoming increasingly outdated as more Koreans embrace nontraditional living arrangements amid evolving societal values. This shift is challenging long-held legal definitions of a family. Recent government data shows a rise in nonmarital cohabitation, reflecting a broader trend among Koreans who view marriage as less of a prerequisite for forming a union. According to Statistics Korea data released in July, the number of nonkin households reached 550,000 in 2023, more than double the 214,000 reported in 2015. That number is projected to rise to 800,000 by 2050, the stats agency data said. Additionally, the number of individuals in these nontraditional family structures surpassed 1 million in 2021. In contrast, the so-called traditional family model composed of parents and children is declining amid a sharp rise in single-person households. The proportion of four-person households is expected to fall from 14.1 percent in 2022 to 6.7 percent by 2052. While Koreas Civil Act currently limits the definition of family to married couples, blood ties and adoption, public opinion on the concept of family appears to be shifting. A 2020 survey conducted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family found nearly 70 percent of respondents agreed that sharing a livelihood and living space constitutes a family, regardless of marital status or blood relations. However, due to the lack of a supportive legal framework, nontraditional families, such as cohabiting heterosexual couples, individuals living with friends, older individuals living together after losing a spouse, or same-sex couples, fall outside the legal definition of family. As a result, members of these unions are de facto treated as strangers in government documents and face marginalization in areas such as housing policies, taxation, health insurance and inheritance rights. Moreover, cohabiting partners cannot sign off on medical treatments for each other in emergencies. Calls for change There have been growing calls in Korea for official measures to include these individuals within the legal framework. A 2023 study by Byun Soo-jeong, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, found that the legal system lags behind evolving societal views on family. We are witnessing a rapid shift in how people perceive family and partners, and in how they choose to live with others, yet the legal system is lagging behind these changes, Byun said in the study. Currently, the only way for two adults to be officially recognized and protected within the legal system is through marriage registration. However, the necessity of marriage is weakening. We live in a society where marriage has become more difficult due to various circumstances, yet there is no legal protection for other forms of partnerships," she added. Byun called for policies that support nonmarital cohabitation, pointing to Frances pacte civil de solidarite, or PACS, as an example. This system grants cohabiting couples similar support to married couples. She also cited several Japanese municipalities that have recognized civil partnerships since Tokyos Shibuya District first adopted the system in 2015. Hwang Doo-young, author of the book "The Right Not to Be Lonely," advocates for a law that would recognize partners outside of blood relations and marriage as family. In his book, Hwang lays out how such a legally binding arrangement would provide certain benefits not extended to civil unions and establish mutual responsibilities among partners. Hwang, who previously worked for liberal lawmaker Jin Sun-mi, helped draft the Life Partnership Relations Act in 2014 during the 19th National Assembly. However, Jin was unable to formally propose the bill due to strong opposition from conservative civic groups. So far, family policies in Korea have mostly focused on the population as a whole whether its about boosting or reducing the fertility rate rather than the happiness and rights of individuals, Hwang told The Korea Times. The Life Partnership Relations Act, however, shifts the focus to how individuals actually want to create families and build their lives with their loving ones. Hwang emphasized that middle-aged and older adults would be the primary beneficiaries of the act. While discussions about cohabiting unions often center on young couples who choose not to marry, they frequently overlook individuals who find themselves alone in their later stages of life, whether by choice or circumstance. These older adults are in dire need of companionship and care, but traditional solutions have typically involved indirect support from social workers or sending them to nursing homes. If a law were passed that actively supports individuals to care for one another, it would be a significant step forward in social welfare, he said. Yet he noted a positive shift in discussions over the past decade. A decade ago, we had projections indicating that society would need better measures to care for these individuals and prevent lonely deaths. Now, this has become a reality. More people are recognizing the need for more inclusive family policies beyond the current legal framework. Hwang, who believes the bill could become law in the near future, described it as "a barometer of whether Korea can take another step forward toward a mature democracy." Hurdles ahead In April 2023, Rep. Yong Hye-in of the liberal minor opposition Basic Income Party, along with 10 other lawmakers, proposed the Life Partnership Relations Act for the first time in the 21st National Assembly. However, after a single meeting at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in June, the bill failed to gain traction. According to transcripts from the committees session, conservative lawmakers argued that the legislation would pave the way for same-sex marriage, causing societal confusion and lowering the marriage rate. Lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea, including Rep. Park Yong-jin, refuted that in OECD countries that recognize new forms of family, there has been no breakdown in social cohesion. He also argued that if discussions remain focused solely on same-sex marriage, progress on civil unions will be stalled. Yong, reelected in April for the 22nd Assembly, plans to reintroduce the bill. We are currently gathering support from other lawmakers to co-propose the bill, and our aim is to submit it within this year, a staff member at her office told The Korea Times. The act isnt just focused on same-sex couples. Its about embracing diverse forms of family structures, the official said. There are many caregiving relationships that exist outside of legal marriage, and this bill seeks to incorporate those people into the legal framework. However, the legislative effort could face hurdles without government support. The Ministry of Justice, which oversaw Yong's bill in 2023, opposed it, citing a lack of social consensus. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, which manages family-related policies, has been largely inactive under the conservative Yoon Suk Yeol administration. Yoon, who pledged to abolish the family ministry during his presidential campaign, has left it without a leader since former Minister Kim Hyun-sook stepped down in February. Under the previous administration in 2021, the family ministry laid out a five-year comprehensive plan to embrace diverse family forms, breaking away from the patriarchal, marriage-centered concept of family. However, these plans have seen little progress since the Yoon government took office in May 2022. The Supreme Court upheld a ruling that ordered a pastor to pay a fine of 500,000 won ($362.52) for exposing and denouncing the sexual orientation of an individual without consent, judicial officials said Friday. The church pastor, surnamed Seo, was indicted on defamation charges for revealing that the victim, a university student, was in a polyamorous relationship, while attaching a link to an article with the victim's real name and photo on his web page in 2018. In the post, the pastor reportedly wrote, "there is something called a universal moral value in this world," and "not all actions by minorities are protected," in an apparent attempt to degrade the victim for their sexual orientation. The district court acquitted the pastor of the charges, but the appeals court sentenced him to a fine of 500,000 won, saying his writings repeatedly stressed the victim's sexual orientation as "wrongful," and were written with the motive of "disparaging the victim." The Supreme Court upheld the lower court's ruling, saying it is a "grave violation" of moral rights in itself to publicize something belonging to the inner, private life of the victim together with their personal information. "By revealing the victim's sexual orientation, which is far from being in the public interest, the defendant uploaded the article in order to degrade the social assessment of the victim, who has differing values from those of the defendant and certain social groups," the court said. (Yonhap) The CEO of Samsung Electronics on Friday called for the need to establish stronger technology leadership to address looming challenges and secure its dominant position in the evolving tech landscape. "Securing technology and quality for our customers is the foundation of our competitiveness and the only way we can lead the paradigm shift," Han Jong-hee, Samsung's vice chairman and CEO, said at an event marking the 55th anniversary of Samsung Electronics' foundation held in Suwon, a city on the southern outskirts of Seoul. "Let's make desperate efforts to further strengthen our technology leadership, ensuring a level of quality that remains unmatched," he said. Han's comments come as the Korean tech giant faces increased pressure in its semiconductor business, especially in the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chip market, a crucial component in AI computing. Its chipmaking rival SK hynix is leading the industry, supplying U.S. AI chip giant Nvidia with advanced 12-layer HBM3E products. Han said Samsung Electronics will focus more on AI technology, which will define the next decade, urging its employees to get ready for the new paradigm. "AI will move from a period of a bubble and uncertainty to an era of AI democratization, where unimaginable changes will become everyday realities," he said. "We must adapt our approach, from how we work to how we identify new growth engines, beyond specific products or business lines." The ceremony saw attendance from senior executives and employees, including Han and Vice Chairman Jun Young-hyun, who recently took on the leadership of the semiconductor division in May. Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong did not attend the event. Samsung Electronics was first established in January 1969, but the foundation date is commemorated on Nov. 1, as the company merged with a semiconductor arm on the date in 1988. (Yonhap) By Ko Dong-hwan SPC CEO Hur Jin-soo recently met with a delegation from Johor, Malaysia, where the construction of a new halal plant by the Korean bakery giant is set to be completed in less than two months, the company said, Friday. Hurs meeting with Johor State Governor Onn Hafiz Ghazi in Seoul comes as the Southeast Asian market is emerging as one of SPC's top three markets, alongside the United States and China. During the meeting on Monday, Hur and Ghazi discussed the upcoming halal plant, focusing on how it will supply and distribute products to bakery markets in Malaysia as well as throughout Southeast Asia and the Middle East, the company said. With an investment of 40 billion won ($29 million) and built on a 12,900-square-meter site, the plant will utilize halal-certified ingredients in Malaysia and hire local workers for its operations, according to SPC. Following the meeting, the pair reconvened on Thursday at SPC's premium dessert and cafe franchise, Passion5, located in Hannam-dong, Seoul. Hur invited Ghazi to sample the companys bakery products and expressed optimism about the bakery market in Malaysia with the opening of the new factory. The CEO said the halal plant has been SPC Chairman Hur Young-ins long-cherished vision targeting markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Beyond the halal plant, we have agreed to develop more opportunities in Johor to further strengthen our partnership, Hur said. Johor, the home of Johor Bahru, the second-largest city in Malaysia, is the countrys biggest pineapple producing region. Bordering the Asian economic powerhouse Singapore to the south, the province has also recently begun discussions with its neighbor to jointly introduce a new special business district, attracting attention from global companies. During his visit to Seoul, Ghazi expressed his support for SPCs Malaysian operations and welcomed the expansion of production capacity for Paris Baguette. The Johor plant is the latest step in SPCs plan to enhance production in Southeast Asia. The chairman, who has been driving this initiative, visited Vietnam and Singapore to oversee the opening of new Paris Baguette shops in those locations. Kamala Harris said Thursday that Donald Trumps comment that he would protect women whether they like it or not shows that the Republican presidential nominee does not understand womens rights to make decisions about their own lives, including their own bodies." I think its offensive to everybody, by the way," Harris said before she set out to spend the day campaigning in the Western battleground states of Arizona and Nevada. She followed up those remarks at her rally in Phoenix: He simply does not respect the freedom of women or the intelligence of women to know whats in their own best interests and make decisions accordingly. But we trust women." The comments by Trump come as he has struggled to connect with women voters and as Harris courts women in both parties with a message centered on freedom. She's making the pitch that women should be free to make their own decisions about their bodies and that if Trump is elected, more restrictions will follow. Trump appointed three of the justices to the U.S. Supreme Court who formed the conservative majority that overturned federal abortion rights. As the fallout from the 2022 decision spreads , he has taken to claiming at public events and in social media posts that he would protect women and ensure they wouldnt be thinking about abortion. At a rally Wednesday evening near Green Bay, Wisconsin, Trump told his supporters that aides had urged him to stop using the phrase because it was inappropriate. Then he added a new bit to the protector line. He said he told his aides: Well, Im going to do it whether the women like it or not. I am going to protect them. Harris said the remark was part of a pattern of troubling statements by Trump. This is just the latest on a long series of reveals by the former president of how he thinks about women and their agency," she said. Harris tied Trumps comments to his approach to reproductive rights, but Trump generally speaks more of protecting women from criminals, terrorists and foreign adversaries, in keeping with the bleak picture he paints of a country in decline. Im going to protect them from migrants coming in. Im going to protect them from foreign countries that want to hit us with missiles and lots of other things, Trump said during a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He seemed to tie in abortion when he first used the protector language in a Truth Social post and at a rally in Pennsylvania on Sept. 23. He assured the women who would be protected that they "will no longer be thinking about abortion. Before Trump headlined a rally in Henderson, Nevada, on Thursday night, he responded to a top Harris campaign surrogate's claim that the former president does not surround himself with strong, intelligent women. Mark Cuban said as a guest on ABC's The View" earlier Thursday that, You never see Trump around strong, intelligent women ever. Trump, on X, posted that Cuban was very wrong, and lashed out at him as a fool" and a "MAJOR LOSER." All strong women, and women in general, should be very angry about this weak man's statement," Trump's post read. The dispute showed signs of further entrenching each candidate's supporters. It was not only women who described Trump's remarks as offensive. At the Harris rally in Phoenix, Edison Kinlicheenie, 50, said he sees Trump more as a threat than a protector, noting that the former president has a track record of preying on women . I have a wife and a daughter, so I wouldnt let no predator like that come around" them, Kinlicheenie said. At a Trump rally in Albuquerque, Sarah Pyle, 41, cited the opposition to allowing transgender athletes to compete in women's events to portray Trump as someone who helps women. I dont want my girls to grow up in a world like this, the Albuquerque mother said, referring to the controversy. We fought for womens rights for so long, and now were giving them back to men. It makes no sense. More broadly, Trump and Republicans have struggled with how to talk about abortion rights, particularly as women around the nation are grappling with obtaining proper medical care because of abortion restrictions that have had implications far beyond the ability to end an unwanted pregnancy. Trump has given contradictory answers about his position on abortion, at some points saying that women should be punished for having abortions and showcasing the justices he appointed. During his successful 2016 campaign, he told voters that if he were elected, he would appoint justices to the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade and said he was pro-life. But in recent weeks he's promised to veto a national abortion ban, after repeatedly refusing to make such a pledge. He's said the states should regulate care and said some laws were too tough. Since 2022, the patchwork of state laws on abortion has created uneven medical care. Some women have died . Others have bled in emergency room parking lots or became critically ill from sepsis as doctors in states with strict abortion bans send pregnant women away until they are sick enough to warrant medical care. That includes women who never intended to end pregnancies. Both infant and maternal mortality has risen. Harris campaign has highlighted Trumps statements around women. In one campaign ad, a woman who became gravely ill with sepsis after a pregnancy complication stands in front of a mirror looking at a large scar on her abdomen, as audio plays of Trumps comments about protecting women. Harris hopes abortion will be a strong motivator for women at the ballot box. In early voting so far, 1.2 million more women than men have voted across the seven battleground states, according to data from analytics firm TargetSmart. That doesnt necessarily translate into Democratic gains. But in the 2020 presidential election, there was a 9 percentage point difference between men and women in support for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, according to AP VoteCast , a survey of more than 110,000 voters. The Democratic ticket was supported by 55% of women and 46% of men. That was essentially unchanged from the 2018 midterms, when VoteCast found a 10-point gender gap, with 58% of women and 48% of men backing Democrats in congressional races. (AP) The son of a South Korean Christian missionary who has remained detained in North Korea for 10 years has appealed for international support to address issues involving detainees while meeting with key human rights figures in Europe, the unification ministry said Friday. Choi Jin-young, the son of missionary Choi Chun-gil, made the appeal during his visits to Brussels, Geneva and Berlin ahead of the fourth Universal Periodic Review, scheduled for Nov. 7 to discuss human rights in North Korea. Choi has been detained in North Korea since his arrest in 2014 on charges of spying for South Korea's intelligence agency, along with two other missionaries, Kim Jung-wook and Kim Kook-kie, who were detained in 2013 and 2014, respectively. In Brussels on Monday, Choi met with Olof Skoog, the European Union's special representative for human rights, seeking assistance in delivering letters from families of the three detainees and confirming their survival. The ministry said that Skoog pledged to make every possible effort to address the matter, stressing the importance of sustained efforts to raise awareness of the North Korean human rights issue and hold the country accountable. The same day, he also met separately with Willy Fautre, executive director of Human Rights Without Frontiers International, who promised his support in raising international awareness about the detainees' dire situations and the suffering endured by their families. While attending the International Dialogue on North Korean Human Rights in Geneva from Tuesday-Wednesday, Choi also held meetings with senior officials from the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights and the U.N.'s Working Groups on Arbitrary Detention and Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, requesting international support on the issue. Since affirming mutual efforts to resolve issues involving detainees, abductees and prisoners of war (POWs) in North Korea during a summit meeting of the South Korea, American and Japanese leaders in August 2023 in Camp David, Maryland, the unification ministry has established a ministerial task force and expanded efforts, the ministry said. Marking the 10th anniversary of the detention of the two South Korean missionaries, the ministry said that it will make every effort to resolve issues involving detainees, abductees and POWs in the North, in cooperation with the international community. (Yonhap) MOSCOW - North Korea will stand by Russia until its victory in Ukraine, Pyongyang's foreign minister said in Moscow Friday, as the U.S. has warned thousands of North Korean troops could be sent to combat in the Ukraine conflict in the coming days. North Korea's Choe Son-hui was in Moscow as the West believes up to 10,000 North Korean troops are training in Russia and on the brink of entering the more than two-year conflict on Russia's side. U.S. intelligence has said some of the troops have made their way to the Kursk border region, with Washington and Seoul warning North Korea to withdraw its army. "We will always stand firmly by our Russian comrades until victory day," Choe declared in Moscow after talks with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. She said North Korea had no doubt in the "wise leadership" of President Vladimir Putin, who signed a mutual assistance pact with Pyongyang this summer and massively warmed ties with the reclusive state. Choe called Moscow's more than two year offensive in Ukraine a "sacred struggle." She also vowed that North Korea will continue to develop its nuclear arsenal, with Pyongyang widely suspected of wanting nuclear technology from Russia in exchange for military support. Neither country has denied the troop deployment reports, with Son Hui and Lavrov also not mentioning them in their statements after their talks. Lavrov did however laud "very close ties" between the two countries "armies and special services." "This will also make it possible to solve significant security aims for our citizens and yours," he added, without giving details. Lavrov said Russia was "deeply grateful" for North Korea's "principled stance" on Ukraine. Russia's Ukraine offensive, launched in February 2022, severed its ties with the West, while North Korea and Iran have emerged as Russia's main backers, with both believed to be supplying MOscow's troops. "I really appreciate today's opportunity to talk frankly in a comradely manner," Lavrov said, evoking Soviet-style language. Russia has massively warmed ties with its North Korean neighbor, with Moscow and Pyongyang now among the most sanctioned countries in the world. Lavrov said Putin's July visit to Pyongyang launched a "new stage" of relations. North Korea is already believed to have sent weapons to Moscow but troops on the ground would mark a major escalation. The U.S. said Thursday it has not yet seen troops sent into combat but that this could happen "in the coming days." But its Defense Secretary Llyod Austin said that the 10,000 North Koreans believed to be on their way "will not come close to replacing the numbers that the Russians have lost." He said the U.S. will announce new military aid for Kyiv soon. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday denounced what he called inaction by his allies on North Korean troops and said he was surprised by the "silence" of China. Kyiv urged Western partners to "lift all the restrictions" on firing long-range missiles into Russia after the "true escalation" with North Korea. North Korea's Choe Son Hui vowed in Moscow that the country will not give up advancing its nuclear programme and accused the West of escalating tensions in the Korea Peninsula. She spoke a day after North Korea said it test-fired one of its newest and most powerful missiles to boost its nuclear deterrent, in a move slammed by the West. "I once again assure you that our country will in no way change course on the straightening of its nuclear forces," she said. "The security situation of our nation is in a very dangerous and unstable state because of the machinations of the U.S. and its satellites," she said. "The situation on the Korean Peninsula could become explosive at any time," she added. South Korea has said that North Korea's deployment to Russia could escalate security threats on the Korean Peninsula, and that Pyongyang will likely ask for Russian technology transfers to aid its weapons programs. (AFP) TOKYO - Japan and the European Union announced a sweeping new security and defense partnership in Tokyo on Friday, which EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell hailed as a historic and "very timely" step. Borrell and his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya unveiled the pact to develop cooperation on joint military drills, the exchange of information related to the defence industry, and space security among other matters. "I am extremely pleased to be here with Minister Iwaya to announce the conclusion of this security and defence partnership between the European Union and Japan," Borrell said. He called it the "the first agreement of this nature" the EU has made with an Asia-Pacific country, describing it as "historical and very timely." "We live in a very dangerous world" and "given the situation in both of our regions, this political framework deepens our ability to tackle emerging threats together," Borrell told reporters. He did not mention China, but Japan has previously called its neighbour its greatest security challenge as Beijing builds up military capacity in the region. After the Tokyo talks, Borrell heads to South Korea, where concerns about North Korea will top the agenda. The United States has said thousands of North Korean troops are in Russia readying to fight in Ukraine. Pyongyang also test-fired one of its newest and most powerful missiles on Thursday, demonstrating its threat to the U.S. mainland days ahead of elections. The text of the EU-Japan Security and Defence Partnership, seen by AFP, said they would promote "concrete naval cooperation" including through activities such as joint exercises and port calls, which could also include "mutually designated third countries". It also said the EU and Japan would discuss "the development of respective defence initiatives including exchange of information on defence industry-related matters". Japan, which for decades has relied on the United States for military hardware, is also developing a new fighter jet with EU member Italy and Britain set to be airborne by 2035. The agreement on industrial cooperation could "turbo-charge collaboration, such that joint defence projects between Japanese and European firms funded through EU mechanisms may be on the cards", analyst Yee Kuang Heng of the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Public Policy told AFP. Japan is ramping up defence spending to the NATO standard of two percent of GDP by 2027, partly to counter China, which is increasing military pressure on Taiwan. Beijing claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under its control. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who could head a minority government after a disastrous general election last week, has said that "today's Ukraine could be tomorrow's East Asia." Ishiba has also called for the creation of a NATO-like regional alliance with its tenet of collective security, although he has conceded this will "not happen overnight." The same warning was issued by Ishiba's predecessor Fumio Kishida, who was hosted by US President Joe Biden for a state visit in April at which the allies announced plans to boost their defence partnership. On Friday, Borrell and Iwaya also "exchanged an instrument of ratification for Japan EU Strategic Partnership Agreement, or SPA," Iwaya said, referring to a separate, previously agreed pact. "This SPA will formally enter into force on January 1 next year. It will be a legal foundation to strengthen the Japan-EU strategic partnership into the future," Iwaya said. (AFP) In the waning days of the presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump zero in on the battleground state of Wisconsin. Meanwhile, concerns over attempts at outside interference in Tuesday's election sprang up in the state of Georgia. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said his state has been targeted with a video thats obviously fake and likely the product of Russian trolls. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said it is investigating the video. Follow the APs Election 2024 coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024 . Here's the latest: Harris and Trump will host dueling rallies on Friday in the Milwaukee area as part of a final push for votes in swing-state Wisconsin. Milwaukee is home to the most Democratic votes in Wisconsin , but its conservative suburbs are where most Republicans live and are a critical area for Trump as he tries to reclaim the state he narrowly won in 2016 and lost in 2020. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said his state has been targeted with a video thats obviously fake and likely the product of Russian trolls attempting to sow discord and chaos on the eve of the election. The video, which began circulating on the social media platform X on Thursday afternoon, claims to show a Haitian immigrant with multiple Georgia IDs who says he is planning to vote multiple times in two counties. This is false and is an example of targeted disinformation weve seen this election, Raffensperger said. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said it is investigating the video. An Associated Press analysis of the information on two of the IDs confirms it does not match any registered voters in the counties. The original video was no longer on X on Friday morning, but copycat versions were still being shared widely. Former President Donald Trump launched another attack on former Rep. Liz Cheney late Thursday, calling the Republican former Wyoming congresswoman a war hawk. During an event in Glendale, Arizona, with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, the Republican presidential candidate was asked if it is weird to see Cheney campaign against him. Cheney held the No. 3 GOP leadership position in the House, but lost the job after she voted to to impeach Trump for the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. She has since campaigned for Harris. Trump called Cheney a deranged person, then added: But the reason she couldnt stand me is that she always wanted to go to war with people. If it were up to her wed be in 50 different countries. (AP) Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. China calls for political settlement of Korean Peninsula issue (People's Daily App) 15:12, November 01, 2024 China on October 31 noted the intercontinental ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), reiterating the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Subscribe and stay up to date with the latest marketing tips and news. We're committed to your privacy. HubSpot uses the information you provide to us to contact you about our relevant content, products, and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information, check out our privacy policy. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. GENERAL election candidates in Laois have been invited to a meeting with members of the Irish Wheelchair Association in Portlaoise on Monday. With a general election imminent the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) is urging the disability population to be polling day ready by registering to vote now. The association is hosting a number of hustings around the country, starting in Portlaoise on Monday 4 November in the IWA Centre on Saint Fintans Hospital campus in Portlaoise at 11.30am. The meeting will allow IWA members in Laois to gain insights on each candidates/partys stance on issues affecting people with disabilities, in advance of polling day. It will also give the election candidates the opportunity to hear about what matters to IWA members. IWAs Advocacy Manager Joan Carthy said that according to the latest census 22% of Irelands population has a disability of some form and that the IWA is adamant that the needs of people with disabilities must be prioritised in the next Programme for Government. She said: It is imperative therefore, that people with disabilities use their vote in this General Election to help elect candidates who they believe will best represent them. We want to put disability front and centre stage in this general election campaign. We believe that the disability sector has been abandoned by successive governments and that needs to change. Over a fifth of the population plus their families is a significant voice and we are calling on our members and people with disabilities in general to make sure they have a say in this election by registering to vote and when polling days comes to use that vote to make a difference. She said that despite Budget 25 being hailed as a giveaway Budget people with disabilities or the organisations that provide vital services did not reap the rewards - once again - which was hugely disappointing given the amount of money that the government had at their disposal. We want a commitment from candidates that they will prioritise disability if elected and commit to the main asks raised in our election manifesto across key areas such as sectoral funding, the cost of disability, housing, pay parity, transport, sport and access. FAMILY Carers Ireland, the national charity supporting Irelands family carers has announced that this years Netwatch Laois Family Carer of the Year is Sarah Dooley from Debbycot in Mountmellick. Sarah was nominated for the award by a friend. She is mum to four boys including twins John and Patrick (5). Cathal (7) and Eoin (9). The twins are autistic and non-verbal while Cathal has been treated for leukaemia over the past three years which has required constant hospital visits. Sarah has had to battle hard to get her youngest sons school places and has put her career on hold to care for her children full-time. The judges said that Sarah is is a remarkable woman who shows incredible dedication to her kids every day. Now in their 17th year the awards recognise and honour all family carers while at the same time shines a light on the urgent need for greater recognition and support of those who go above and beyond in caring for their loved ones, often without the necessary support from the State including appropriate financial compensation, respite and vital therapies for their loved ones. There are over 500,000 family carers in Ireland caring for children or adults with additional needs, physical or intellectual disabilities, frail older people, those with palliative care needs or those living with chronic illnesses, mental health challenges or addiction. Family carers play a critical role in society and each week provide 19 million hours in unpaid work. local Community Support Manager with Family Carers Ireland Beth Wogan said: If the State were to seek to replace this support, it would cost an astonishing 20 billion annually. She said: Each year, the Netwatch Family Carer of the Year awards remind us of the vital role that family carers play in our society and shine a light on the incredible work that they do, which is too often unseen and unrecognised. As a society, we must do much more to ensure that family carers are properly recognised, valued and supported to care safely for their loved ones at home. Netwatch Brand Ambassador and Irish rugby legend Mick Galwey said: Ive seen the dedication family carers show day after day, often without any acknowledgement. Whether its a mother caring for a child with additional needs or a young carer supporting a parent, the commitment and love they show is truly inspiring. These awards offer us all a chance to give something back and to let these carers know we see their struggles and their strength. 1,788,501 views Sep 27, 2021 #Kimmel Freddie talks about his run in with customs in Cambodia when he was 10 years old, living in Vancouver, going on a whale watching tour, people noticing his new wedding ring, getting married over the summer, the promos of ABCs The Good Doctor implying that his character got married, and an episode on the show with a scene about drinking poop. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1v55ESEuBM? Kolkata, Nov 1 (PTI) Two ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLAs were targeted by miscreants in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, police said on Friday. TMC MLA Usha Rani Mondal from Minakha sustained minor injuries when she was allegedly mobbed by 100 to 150 people in Haroa area on Thursday night while returning from a Kali Puja pandal, police said. Also Read | Diwali Muhurat Trading 2024: Sensex Closes Up by 355 Points in Muhurat Trading for Occasion of Samvat 2081. Mondal told police that she was forced out of her vehicle and assaulted, with several gunshots fired during the incident. "I was forced to come out of my vehicle and assaulted. Several rounds of bullets were fired," she said. Also Read | Kaushambi Shocker: Man Drugs and Rapes Woman, Shares Video of Act With Her Husband and Relatives After Blackmail Attempt Fails. She claimed the attack was orchestrated by a leader who was suspended from the party for illegal activities ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. In another incident, TMC MLA Sukumar Mahata from Sandeshkhali was attacked while returning from a Kali Puja event in Nazat. He claimed that miscreants assaulted and injured some of his party members, one of whom had to be hospitalised. "As I was returning home after inaugurating a Kali puja pandal, some miscreants attacked my vehicle. Some of our partymen, trailing my vehicle, were beaten up and one had to be hospitalised," Mahata said. He alleged that a rival faction, sidelined for illegal activities, was responsible for the attack. Police have launched investigations into both incidents, with at least two arrests made so far and a manhunt underway. The riverine regions of Sandeshkhali and Minakhan had seen unrest earlier this year, as rural women hit the streets alleging atrocities by local TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his men. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srikakulam, November 1: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu visited Edupuram in Srikakulam district on Friday to launch the Deepam 2.0 scheme, distributing free gas cylinders to women. During his visit, Naidu personally handed over a free gas cylinder to a woman and lit her stove, even preparing tea at the residence of beneficiary Santhamma. Naidu was accompanied by Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and state ministers Nadendla Manohar and Achchennayudu. This initiative aims to empower women by providing access to clean cooking energy. The Deepam scheme is part of Naidu's efforts to improve living conditions in Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu Re-Launches Amaravati Project; Sets 3-Year Deadline for Capital Region Development Authority (See Pics). Andhra Pradesh CM Launches Deepam 2.0 Scheme #AndhraPradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu launched the #Deepam 2.0 scheme in Edupuram, Ichapuram Mandal, Srikakulam district, as part of the Super Six Promises initiative. This program provides free gas cylinders to eligible families, aiming to improve their quality of life. pic.twitter.com/1RnYrkqpYk All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) November 1, 2024 Chandrababu Naidu Prepared Tea While Launching Deepam 2 VIDEO | Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) prepared tea while launching 'Deepam - 2', a free cooking gas cylinder distribution scheme, at Eedupuram village in Srikakulam district earlier today. (Source: Third Party) (Full video available on PTI Videos - pic.twitter.com/aQxGKV4gVP Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 1, 2024 "We are delighted to launch the scheme offering three free cooking gas cylinders per year in Idupuram, Srikakulam district, fulfilling one of our 'Super 6' election promises. The joy on the faces of women receiving these free gas cylinders was deeply satisfying. It was particularly heartening to see that Shanthamma, who received a free gas cylinder today, had also benefited from the Deepam 1 scheme I introduced previously," Naidu wrote in a post on X. "My best wishes to all beneficiaries of the free cooking gas scheme. My aim is to bring a meaningful change to the lives of women by eliminating smoke from kitchens and reducing financial burdens. Helping women and girls has always been a priority... their happiness and blessings mean everything to me," Naidu wrote on X. World Photography Day 2024: Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu Meets and Interacts With Photo Journalists at His Residence in Undavalli (Watch Video). In a commitment to the Andhra Pradesh electorate, Naidu had promised to provide Rs 1,500 per month to every woman, three free gas cylinders annually, and free bus travel for women on state-run RTC buses. "We will provide Rs 15,000 annually to each school-going student through 'Thalliki Vandhanam'. Every woman will receive Rs 1,500 monthly through 'Aadabidda Nidhi'. Under the 'Deepam Scheme', three free gas cylinders per year will be given, along with free RTC bus travel for women," Naidu said at a public meeting in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. On his dedicated efforts for women's empowerment in the state, the Telugu Desam chief stated, "My commitment extends not only to the state's progress but also to ensuring the security and future of its women." The Deepam 2.0 scheme in Andhra Pradesh aims to assist women in acquiring and managing gas connections. It promotes clean cooking fuel, enhancing health and safety in households by reducing reliance on traditional cooking methods. Through this scheme, eligible women receive subsidies to cover the costs of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) connections and equipment. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Gonda (UP), Nov 1 (PTI) A bomb scare on the 12565 Bihar Sampark Kranti Express train, travelling from Darbhanga to New Delhi, triggered panic among passengers and security personnel in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda on Friday evening. "Following a tip-off from the Delhi Control Room, security forces, including the GRP and the RPF, were immediately alerted. The train was halted at Gonda Junction at 7:30 pm and thoroughly searched by a bomb disposal squad," Gonda Government Railway Police (GRP) Inspector Narendra Pal Singh said. Also Read | 'B' in BJP Stands for Betrayal, 'J' for Jumla: Mallikarjun Kharge Hits Back at PM Narendra Modi's Poll Promises Jibe. Despite the extensive search, no suspicious objects or explosives were found, officials said. The train was eventually allowed to proceed to its destination. Singh said investigations are on to identify those who sent the hoax bomb threat. Also Read | Arvind Sawant's 'Imported Maal' Jibe: NCW Chief Vijaya Rahatkar Urges Election Commission To Take Action Against Shiv Sena (UBT) MP for His Remark on Shaina NC. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, November 1: Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has declared a public holiday on November 7 for Chhath Puja, calling it an "important festival" for the residents of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. In an official announcement, Chief Minister Atishi stated that the Delhi government has decided to observe a holiday on 7 November for Chhath Puja, enabling the Purvanchal community to celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm. In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary of Delhi, Atishi wrote, "Chhath Puja is an important festival for the people of the NCT of Delhi. Accordingly, the Government of NCT of Delhi has decided to declare 7th November 2024 as a Public Holiday on account of 'Chhath Puja'." Chhath Puja 2024 Holiday in Delhi: LG Vinai Kumar Saxena Urges CM Atishi to Declare Full Holiday on November 7. The announcement follows a request from Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena, who had urged the Chief Minister to declare a full public holiday on the third day of Chhath. "In just a few days, we will be celebrating Chhath, a grand festival observed over four days, with the third day being particularly significant as offerings are made to the setting sun. This year, this important day falls on November 7, which has already been declared a restricted holiday. I urge the government to declare November 7, 2024 (Thursday) as a full holiday and to expedite the necessary process," LG Saxena wrote in his letter to Atishi. Chhath Puja 2024: Delhi Government To Prepare 1000 Model Ghats for Festival, Says CM Atishi Marlena. In recognition of Chhath Puja's significance in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Indian Railways is running special trains across the country to ensure safe travel for those returning to their hometowns for the festival. Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity for the Railway Board, stated that the Indian Railways operated over 160 trains on Thursday, with plans to run more than 170 trains today. Kumar added that Indian Railways has made special arrangements at major stations nationwide, including New Delhi, Anand Vihar, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Mumbai, Bandra, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru. "These arrangements are made for people travelling home during Chhath Puja. We are running additional trains to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to manage the rush. Yesterday, we operated over 160 trains, and today we plan to run more than 170. Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff are deployed to manage crowds, and Rail Sewaks are on hand to assist travellers," Kumar said. Chhath Puja 2024, celebrated on November 7, is a vibrant festival dedicated to the Sun God and his consort, Chhathi Maiya. Celebrated mainly in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and among the Indian diaspora, the festival spans four days and includes rituals of fasting, bathing in rivers, and prayers at sunrise and sunset. Devotees, particularly women, prepare special offerings, including *thekua* (a traditional sweet) and fruits, gathering at riverbanks to pay homage to the Sun, seeking health and prosperity for their families. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 1 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday said that the Maharashtra Assembly election cannot be conducted fairly if Rashmi Shukla, whom he alleged is biased towards the BJP, remains at the helm of the state police force. "There is a very serious allegation against the state's Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla. In 2019, when our government was being formed, this Director General of Police, who was directly working for the Bharatiya Janata Party, was tapping all our phones and giving full information to Devendra Fadnavis about what we were going to do," Raut told reporters. Also Read | West Bengal Road Accident: 4 Killed As Overspeeding Bikes Collide With Car in East Burdwan's Kalna. "Can we expect her to conduct fair elections? We have said that the reins of elections should not be given to her, and then the Election Commission said that they do not have the right (to transfer). How can this happen? At the same time, Jharkhand's DGP was changed. Maharashtra's election is being conducted based on police pressure," he added. On Thursday, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, requesting the removal of Rashmi Shukla from her position. Also Read | Bibek Debroy Dies: EAC-PM Chairman Passes Away in Delhi's AIIMS, PM Narendra Modi Expresses Grief. In the letter, Patole accused DGP Shukla of displaying a "clear bias" against opposition parties in the state, including Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP(SP). He alleged that, in the past 20 days, Maharashtra has witnessed numerous incidents of political violence targeting opposition leaders, with cases reportedly escalating. Dated October 31, the letter reads, "Kindly refer to our previous letters dated 24th September 2024 and 4th October 2024 concerning the removal of Rashmi Shukla from the post of Director General of Police, Maharashtra. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) reiterated this request during a briefing with the Election Commission of India (ECI) on 27th September 2024." The letter continued, "This request has been repeatedly submitted through oral representations and press conferences. While the DGP of Jharkhand was removed immediately after the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was enforced, DGP Maharashtra was exempted. Over the past 20 days, political violence against opposition parties has significantly escalated, with a notable deterioration in the law and order situation. She has shown a clear bias against the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP(SP), as evidenced by her previous record of illegal phone tapping of opposition leaders while serving as Commissioner of Police, Pune, and Commissioner of the State Intelligence Department (SID)." The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23. In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena 56, and the Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], November 1 (ANI): India on Thursday submitted its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), with a focus on agrobiodiversity, area-based conservation, and building ecosystem resilience. Aligned with the ambitious Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), India's revised NBSAP outlines specific targets and goals as part of a coordinated global biodiversity action. Also Read | Devender Singh Rana Dies: Senior Jammu and Kashmir BJP Leader and Nagrota MLA Passes Away in Hospital in Faridabad. The newly updated NBSAP, presented at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP16 at Cali, Colombia, outlines 23 National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs). These targets aim to address urgent conservation priorities across six broad domains: area-based conservation, ecosystem resilience, recovery of threatened species, agrobiodiversity, sustainable biodiversity use, and enabling conditions for implementation. Also Read | Diwali 2024: Relentless Firecracker Bursting Shrouds Delhi in Dense Smog, Creates Hazardous Respiratory Conditions (See Pics and Videos). The NBSAP also emphasizes a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to conservation, mobilizing ministries, state governments, local communities, and civil society organizations. The NBSAP emphasizes biodiversity's vital role as "a life support system, an essential foundation for the maintenance of the environment, and varied ecosystem services vital for human wellbeing and a healthy planet." It stresses that biodiversity, encompassing ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity, is crucial for the natural world's functioning and resilience against environmental changes. The plan highlights the importance of protecting entire ecosystems rather than just individual species, as these systems provide essential services like clean air, water filtration, and soil fertility, which are foundational to food production and public health. The NBSAP warns that "this crucial 'living fabric' is weakening and is on the decline worldwide at rates unparalleled in human history," calling for urgent and transformative action to establish a nature-positive society that prioritizes ecological health for the benefit of all. The updated NBSAP also underscores the importance of investing in biodiversity as a critical asset for sustainable development. It emphasizes the need for financial resources and capacity-building initiatives to empower local communities and stakeholders in managing biodiversity effectively. By promoting a "whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach," the strategy calls on public and private sectors, as well as civil society, to engage actively in conservation efforts. The action plan also highlights India's strides in community-led conservation and agrobiodiversity protection. With 2,77,688 Biodiversity Management Committees and 22 agrobiodiversity hotspots identified across the nation, India continues to promote sustainable practices and safeguard traditional knowledge systems. A major focus of the updated plan is resource mobilization, with an estimated annual funding requirement of INR 81,664.88 crore through FY 2029-2030, up from the current expenditure of INR 32,207.13 crore. Innovative financing solutions, partnerships, and expanded funding channels are proposed to meet these goals. "Implementation of updated NBSAP till 2029-30 would require an annual average estimated investment of Rs 81,664 crores (816,648.80 million) at the central government level," the report has projected. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kolkata, November 1: Kolkata Police arrested 292 people for bursting banned firecrackers and disorderly conduct from different parts of the city, an officer said on Friday. The police also seized over 500 kg of banned firecrackers on Thursday, the officer said. Kali Puja and Diwali were celebrated in West Bengal on Thursday, with colourful lights and decorated pandals creating a festive spirit across the state. Diwali Tragedy in Rajasthan: Boy Critically Injured While Trying To Burst Firecracker Made Watching YouTube Video in Jhunjhunu. Kolkata police till midnight Thursday arrested 117 people for bursting banned firecrackers and another 175 for disorderly conduct, they said. "This kind of checking and arrest would continue even today and for a couple of days to keep a tab on such kind of menace," the IPS officer told PTI. Kasargod: Over 150 Injured in Fireworks Accident During Temple Festival in Keralas Neeleswaram (Watch Video). Kolkata Police had till Wednesday arrested 68 people and seized nearly 4,000 kg of banned fireworks from different parts of the city, he said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Srinagar, Nov 1 (PTI) Two persons from Uttar Pradesh were shot at by militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district on Friday evening, officials said. Sufiyan and Usman were injured after being shot at in the Mazhama area of Magam in the central Kashmir district, they said. Also Read | Budgam: 2 Labourers Shot and Injured by Terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir (Watch Video). They were taken to a hospital and were stated to be in stable condition, the officials added. Political parties in the Valley condemned the attack with National Conference (NC) MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi asking "why this sudden rise in these attacks immediately after the recent elections". Also Read | Agra: 8-Year-Old Girl Found Dead in Sack in Uttar Pradesh, Locals Suspect Occult Practice. In a post on X, the Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar said, "Saddened by the news of the terrorist attack on civilians in Mazhama, Budgam. My sympathies and prayers with the victims and their families." "The BJP regime which is directly in control of the security in Jammu and Kashmir should be held accountable for these repeated failures," he said. "Also want to ask why this sudden rise in these attacks immediately after the recent elections?" Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra strongly condemned the attack, terming it most unfortunate and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. Karra urged the government to take effective measures to contain "such inhuman, shameful and cowardice acts". Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari described the attack as the worst form of cowardice. "Terrorists have once again attacked non-local labourers, this time in Mazahama, leaving two of them injured. This is the worst form of cowardice on the part of the perpetrators. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured. The security agencies must ensure that the perpetrators are caught and brought to justice," he said. The Peoples' Conference led by Sajad Lone said it was senseless violence. "We strongly condemn the cowardly attack on two innocent individuals -- Sufiyan and Usman from Uttar Pradesh -- who were shot at by militants in Budgam today. This senseless violence has left them injured and we pray for their quick recovery," the party posted on X. This is the fifth attack by terrorists in the Kashmir Valley since the formation of an elected government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. On October 24, two soldiers and two Army porters were killed while another porter and a soldier were injured in a militant attack on an Army vehicle six kilometres from the tourist hotspot Gulmarg. Earlier that day, terrorists shot at and injured Shubam Kumar, a labourer from Uttar Pradesh, in the Tral area of Pulwama district. On October 20, a local doctor and six non-local labourers were gunned down by terrorists at a tunnel construction site in the Gagangir area of Ganderbal. A labourer from Bihar was shot dead by terrorists in Shopian district on October 18. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai, November 1: National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on Friday requested the Election Commission of India to take "immediate action" against Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, Arvind Sawant, for calling Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC "imported maal". The NCW chief appealed to all political parties and public representatives that there should be no tampering with the honor, dignity and prestige of women. "Shiv Sena (Thackeray) MP Arvind Sawant has made a very inappropriate statement against Shiv Sena (Shinde) Assembly candidate @ShainaNC. Diwali is going on, Lakshmi Puja is happening. In such a holy festival, responsible public representatives like MPs make such statements against women, which is completely wrong. @MumbaiPolice should take appropriate action as per law on the FIR lodged by Shaina NC," Rahatkar posted on X. Arvind Sawants Imported Maal Jibe: Shaina NC, Shiv Sena Candidate From Mumbadevi Seat, Lodges Police Complaint (Watch Video). "I once again appeal to all political parties and all responsible public representatives that there should be no tampering with the honor, dignity and prestige of women. The issue of women's dignity is above party politics. @ECISVEEP should also take immediate action on such inappropriate statements being made during the elections," she added. Meanwhile, a case has also been registered at Nagpada Police Station against Sawant on a complaint by Shaina NC over his "imported maal" remark. Sawant has reportedly said, "Look at her condition (Shaina NC). She was in the BJP all her life and now she has gone to another party. Imported 'maal' does not work here, only original 'maal' works here." Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant Calls Shiv Senas Mumbadevi Candidate Shaina NC Imported Maal, Sparks Row; Backtracks Comment Saying She Misunderstood Him (Watch Video). However, after facing backlash for his "imported maal" remark against the Shiv Sena candidate from Mumbadevi for upcoming Maharashtra assembly, Sawant on Friday claimed that did not mention Shaina's name. "I never mentioned her name. I only said that someone who is an outsider will not be able to work here. It's their habit to create uproar," he said while speaking to ANI. He also criticized PM Modi, accusing him of falsehoods and referencing the alleged Rs 75,000 crore irrigation scam involving NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who was later made Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The Maharashtra Assembly election is set to take place on November 20, with vote counting for all 288 constituencies scheduled for November 23. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) After Diwali celebrations in the national capital left the streets littered with firecracker waste, Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi directed officials to undertake an immediate clean-up of specific parts of the city. Oberoi held a high-level meeting on Friday with additional commissioner, deputy commissioners and sanitation superintendents of all 12 zones of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to review the city's cleanliness following Diwali fireworks. Also Read | Shillong Teer Results Today, November 1 2024: Winning Numbers, Result Chart for Shillong Morning Teer, Shillong Night Teer, Khanapara Teer, Juwai Teer and Jowai Ladrymbai. She directed officials to ensure clearance of garbage from parts of the city that had more firecracker remnants, besides regular lifting of waste, the civic body said in a statement. The mayor also expressed concern over the inadequate number of sanitation workers on the ground, particularly during the festival season. Also Read | Puducherry Liberation Day 2024 Date: Know History and Significance of the Day When Puducherry Was Liberated From French Rule in 1954. Oberoi further directed to clean the central verge of PWD roads, especially in the Ring Road area. She also expressed concern over the sanitation in specific areas such as Shakurbasti, Tri Nagar, Raja Park and east Delhi. The mayor also emphasised on the effective deployment of anti-smog guns, water sprinklers and other resources to curb pollution levels, especially in hotspot areas, the statement added. PTI SJJ (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) The puzzle for the West is that India has a Western democratic system but develops far behind China. If we recognized the premise that democracy is good for economic development, then we have to admit that China has a true democracy while India has one that is not working. What does democracy mean? Western democracy emphasizes universal suffrage and a multiparty system. Universal suffrage says that people should have a say on issues affecting them, while multiparty says people should vote to maximize individual interest. So it is a system competing among different groups of interest. China considers its system a democratic one too and put democracy as one of its socialist core values. China agrees with the premise of the question that a country with democracy can develop economically better. This may not be a satisfactory answer to this question for many audients. So we have to investigate why the US promotes Western democracy in developing countries. Is the US really concerned about the well beings of the people in developing countries? Why do countries that are intervened militarily by the US become failed states rampaged with terrorist militants? Why does the US sometimes support military coups of dictators some time support democratic movements? Why the US has allies in non-democratic countries? The answer is that the foreign policy of the US is aimed at the national interest. When promoting Western democracy is good for its national interest, it will even against international law and use democracy as the justification. When keeping a dictator is good for its national interest, it never mentions democracy to that country. This is the open secret of US foreign policy. So what is Western democracy? Western democracy is a capitalist democracy. It originated in Europe where capitalists asked the state power not to restrain capital. Before WWII, western powers colonized area that is now developing countries. The imperialist power never wanted developing countries to become democratic before WWII as they ruled the countries as their colonies and their capital could exploit freely the people there. After the rebuilding of Europe and Japan after WWII, the capital wants to exploit the developing countries that had been independent since WWII. Now they want the developing countries to implement Western democracy so the governments of the developing countries cannot restrain capital, especially the monopoly capital of Wall Street. Under the Western capitalist democracy, not only a government cannot restrain capital but the government also be controlled by capital. When President Obama wants to implement Obamacare, he had to get permission from the capital that capital has to make a profit from Obamacare. Obamacare was then very costly and it has taken 8 years to be implemented. However, when the government came to bail out Wall Street in 2008, it took only a few days to make the decision. Western democracy costs a lot of money for election campaigns. So the outcome of the election is determined by the capital. If developing countries, such as India, implemented Western democracy, the government is largely controlled by capital and the policies of the government are the results of the influence of money, the capital. As a result, the Indian government cannot develop its economy without letting Wall Street make a profit first. India and China have different democracies, capitalist democracy, and socialist democracy. The former was established by Gandhi who took the Western political system for granted. The latter was established by Mao who fought the imperialist powers in the Anti-Japanese-Invasion War, the Civil War fighting Chiang who represent the interest of Western powers, the Korean War which was aimed at China for the grievance of the Loss of China, and Vietnam War. India has a democracy that represents the will of the capital. China has one that represents the will of the Chinese people. Indian people want their economy developed, yet their government cares about the will of capital more than about their will. Indian democracy promises freedom to the Indian people but that is the freedom of the capital to exercise its will. The Western powers said that China has no freedom because the Chinese people do not give capital the freedom to exploit them. Both Indian and Chinese people have the will to develop. Indian democracy cant fulfill the will of the Indian people, as it has to fulfill the will of the capital. Chinese democracy does fulfill the will of the Chinese people. Chinese understand democracy better. In Chinese, democracy means literally that people are the masters. Chinese people master their own fate and manage their own country through the organization of the Communist Party of China. New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) Hero MotoCorp on Friday said its overall sales increased by 18 per cent year-on-year to 6,79,091 units in October. The country's largest two-wheeler maker has sold 5,74,930 units in October 2023. Also Read | Shillong Teer Results Today, November 1 2024: Winning Numbers, Result Chart for Shillong Morning Teer, Shillong Night Teer, Khanapara Teer, Juwai Teer and Jowai Ladrymbai. Domestic dispatches to dealers rose to 6,57,403 units compared to 5,59,766 units in the year-ago period, the company said in a statement. The company's exports rose to 21,688 units last month from 15,164 units in the year-ago period, it added. Also Read | Puducherry Liberation Day 2024 Date: Know History and Significance of the Day When Puducherry Was Liberated From French Rule in 1954. This significant growth was primarily driven by robust demand from key urban and rural areas, particularly in the 100cc and 125cc segments during the festive period, the company said. Hero MotoCorp said its electric vehicle brand VIDA continued to have a strong growth trajectory this year and achieved its highest-ever monthly dispatches, reaching 8,750 units in October 2024. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad/Karachi, Nov 1 (PTI) At least eight people, including five children, were killed and 27 others were injured as an autorickshaw carrying schoolchildren bore the brunt of a bomb blast targeting a police mobile van in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province on Friday. The blast occurred at 8.35 am near a girl's high school at the Civil Hospital Chowk of the Mastung district of the province. Also Read | Google Pixel Banned in Indonesia: After Apple iPhone 16 Ban, Authorities Prohibit Sale of Google's Phones for Failing To Meet 40% Locally Sourced Component Requirement. Mastung District Police Officer (DPO) Miandad Umrani confirmed that while seven people, including five schoolchildren, had died on the spot after the blast, one of the injured passed away in a hospital. The number of injured is around 27 and some civilians themselves took some of the injured to the hospitals, he said. Also Read | Florida Mass Shooting: 2 Killed, 6 Injured As Gunman Opens Fire at Public Halloween Celebrations in Orlando (Watch Videos). The initial death toll was seven and injured around 17 but Umrani said the condition of some of the injured was critical as well. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet, but ethnic Baloch terrorists and Taliban terrorists often attack the security forces in the province, which has been facing a low-level insurgency for about two decades now. The target of the IED bomb triggered via a timer appeared to be a police van stationed near a hospital and a high school which are metres away from each other, he said. Terrorists used a remote control device to detonate explosive material hidden in a parked motorbike, officials said. "It was an IED (improvised explosive device) used in the blast, and the target apparently was a police mobile parked near the school," Kalat Division Commissioner Naeem Bazai said. A majority of the injured are policemen and civilians as the children were in the school when the blast took place. Separatist outfits banned by the authorities have stepped up their terror attacks in the last 2-3 months and recently killed five security guards and workers at a dam in Panjgur. TV footage after the attack showed policemen and other people surrounding a charred vehicle. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the blast, saying it was inhumane to harm schoolchildren. Bugti said terrorists had now targeted innocent children along with poor labourers in an apparent reference to a recent attack by unidentified gunmen at a dam construction site in the province's Panjgur district, which killed five workers and injured two others. We will avenge the murder of innocent children and people, the chief minister said, adding that civilians in urban areas also needed to be on the watch for the terrorists. The monster of terrorism can only be fought together, he said. He added that terrorists had targeted children, deeming them to be a soft target. In the aftermath of the blast, an emergency was declared across all Quetta hospitals, Geo News reported, quoting the provincial health department spokesperson, adding that all doctors, pharmacists, staff nurses and other medical staff were summoned. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad/Karachi, Nov 1 (PTI) At least eight people, including five schoolchildren and a policeman, were killed while 29 others were injured on Friday in a remote-controlled blast targeting a police van in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province. The blast occurred at 8.35 am near a girl's high school at the Civil Hospital Chowk of the Mastung district of the province. Also Read | Florida Mass Shooting: 2 Killed, 6 Injured As Gunman Opens Fire at Public Halloween Celebrations in Orlando (Watch Videos). Terrorists used a remote control device to detonate explosive material hidden in a parked motorbike, officials said. "It was an IED (improvised explosive device) used in the blast, and the target apparently was a police mobile parked near the school," Kalat Division Commissioner Naeem Bazai said. Also Read | Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas 2024: Australian PM Anthony Albanese Celebrates Festivals in Sydney; Visits Murugan Temple, Gurdwara Sahib in Glenwood (See Pics). The IED detonated when the police mobile came close to it, and a school van was caught in the mayhem. The police van and several auto-rickshaws were also damaged in the explosion. "The blast was so powerful that schoolchildren who were going to the school at that time were hit by the explosion," Bazai added. Dr Wasim Baig, spokesman of the provincial health department, said, One person admitted to the trauma centre has also passed away, while reports from different hospitals suggest that a total of 29 people sustained injuries in the blast. Earlier, Mastung District Police Officer (DPO) Miandad Umrani confirmed that five schoolchildren, one police official and a civilian were killed in the blast. The 29 injured, including schoolchildren between the ages of eight and 13 as well as policemen, were shifted to various hospitals in the province. Those with the most serious injuries were taken to the capital Quetta for treatment. According to DPO Umrani, 11 people were moved to the Quetta Trauma Centre for treatment. TV footage after the attack showed policemen and other people surrounding a charred vehicle. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet, but ethnic Baloch terrorists and Taliban terrorists often attack the security forces in the province, which has been facing a low-level insurgency for about two decades now. Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti took to X to condemn the blast, calling it inhumane. He said terrorists had now targeted innocent children along with poor labourers in an apparent reference to a recent attack by unidentified gunmen at a dam construction site in the province's Panjgur district, which killed five workers and injured two others. We will avenge the murder of innocent children and people, CM said, adding that civilians in urban areas also needed to be on the watch for the terrorists. The monster of terrorism can only be fought together, he said. He added that terrorists had targeted children, deeming them to be a soft target. In the aftermath of the blast, an emergency was declared across all Quetta hospitals, Geo News reported, quoting the provincial health department spokesperson, adding that all doctors, pharmacists, staff nurses and other medical staff were summoned. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ellerbe (US), Nov 1 (AP) Addressing over 100 supporters outside an ice cream stand that's shaped like a giant strawberry, North Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson battered his Democratic rival for governor and the media, and said he'd keep fighting as their race neared its conclusion. I'm on the battlefield for the people of this state, he said in a stump speech Wednesday. Also Read | 'We're Not Garbage, We're Patriots': Vivek Ramaswamy Picks Up Garbage in Protest Over Joe Biden's Remarks Against Donald Trump Supporters (Watch Video). In what was once expected to be one of the fiercest down-ballot races of the year, a candidate who won the endorsement and effusive praise of former President Donald Trump continues to play defense as Election Day looms. He's been badly outspent by his Democratic opponent, state Attorney General Josh Stein, and he's still trying to blunt the impact of a CNN report on offensive comments he allegedly made on an online porn site years before he ran for public office. Answering reporters' questions outside The Berry Patch in Ellerbe, 90 miles (145 kilometers) southwest of Raleigh, Robinson said he still believes he'll win. Also Read | Donald Trump Condemns Violence Against Hindus in Bangladesh in His Diwali 2024 Message, Vows To Strengthen Ties With India and 'Good Friend' PM Narendra Modi. People don't care about salacious lies that supposedly happened 15 years ago. They don't care about Facebook posts from 10 years ago," Robinson said. "What they care about is how they're going to feed their families, how they're going to keep their business open, how they're going to get their child a great education. North Carolina was projected early on as the governor's race to watch this fall a battleground state clash where statewide races are usually close and for a position Democrats have held for all but four years out of the past 32. In the campaign's final days, advantages appeared to favor another Democrat to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. Stein had a lead over Robinson in several polls of North Carolina voters conducted since Labor Day. Campaign finance reports filed this week had Stein's campaign with a massive haul $44.6 million collected during a 3 1/2-month period ending in mid-October and $59.3 million spent during the same period. Robinson's campaign committee, meanwhile, raised $4.1 million and spent almost $10 million. During the election cycle, Stein has outspent Robinson by a nearly 4-to-1 margin. Stein's financial advantage and support from allies helped them persistently remind voters about blunt statements made by Robinson about abortion, women and LGBTQ+ people that they argue should disqualify him for the job, while also promoting the attorney general's accomplishments. Robinson's support took its biggest hit when CNN reported in September that Robinson made explicit racial and sexual posts on a pornography website's message board more than a decade ago. Robinson denied writing the messages, which The Associated Press did not independently confirm, and sued CNN for defamation in October. The lawsuit is pending, but the report had immediate repercussions. Robinson's top campaign staff quit. The Republican Governors Association pulled the plug on television advertising for Robinson. His campaign is no longer running commercials and is focusing on social media and events in small towns and rural areas, like Ellerbe, where GOP turnout is high. Trump didn't revoke his endorsement of Robinson, a man he'd once described as Martin Luther King on steroids, but Robinson no longer appears at Trump rallies. Asked last week while visiting Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in western North Carolina whether he would urge voters to keep supporting Robinson, Trump replied: "I'm not familiar with the state of the race right now. Robinson said Wednesday he had spoken to Trump since the CNN report aired and his message to me was to keep going, keep fighting and win this race. Stein, meanwhile, isn't assuming anything. He reminds supporters that he won reelection as attorney general in 2020 by less than 13,000 votes. He's encouraging get-out-the-vote efforts for him, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and down-ballot races. We are working hard, our heads down. We're running hard through the finish line, Stein told reporters after meeting Democratic Party volunteers on Tuesday in Smithfield, 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of Raleigh. It's about trying to talk to as many voters as we can about the clarity of the choice between our positive, hopeful, optimistic vision and (Robinson's) divisive, angry and hateful vision. Robinson told supporters Wednesday that Stein has spent $50 million on ads simply to promote a I don't like Mark Robinson platform. Robinson has said if elected he would expand fiscal and education policies that fellow Republicans who control the General Assembly have passed. Stein's platform largely follows Cooper's policy prescriptions for public schools and clean energy and against abortion restrictions and private-school voucher expansion. Helene's catastrophic flooding affected the campaign. As attorney general, Stein spoke at news conferences on recovery and met with President Joe Biden when he visited. Robinson criticized Cooper for the state's initial response and worked with a sheriff to deliver relief supplies to the mountains. Robinson, who would be the state's first Black governor, still has support among conservatives many of whom appreciate his working-class story and emergence as a vocal gun-rights advocate before he became lieutenant governor. Stein would be the state's first Jewish governor. Some top Republican officials, including House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger, haven't publicly cut ties with Robinson. A few statewide GOP candidates still back him, too. At The Berry Patch, retired school custodian Raymond Moore, 69, of Ellerbe, who has attended many Robinson events, called Robinson a good man, a good solid man and discounted the accusations. Everybody has a past, Moore said. I know what he is today. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Tokyo, Nov 1 (AP) Japan and the European Union announced a security and defence partnership on Friday as they seek to step up military ties, including joint exercises and exchanges between their defence industries, amid growing tensions with China, North Korea and Russia. It is the first security partnership that the EU has concluded with an Indo-Pacific country, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters. Also Read | Google Pixel Banned in Indonesia: After Apple iPhone 16 Ban, Authorities Prohibit Sale of Google's Phones for Failing To Meet 40% Locally Sourced Component Requirement. We live in a very dangerous world. We live in a world of growing rivalries, climate accidents and threats of war. And there is only one antidote to this challenging world, which is partnerships among friends, Borrell said. It is an historical and very timely step given the situation in both of our regions. Borrell is in Tokyo as part of an East Asia tour that includes South Korea, where he will also hold a strategic dialogue, underscoring the EU's increasing engagement with the Indo-Pacific region, as China and Russia step up joint military activities and North Korea sends troops to Russia. Also Read | Florida Mass Shooting: 2 Killed, 6 Injured As Gunman Opens Fire at Public Halloween Celebrations in Orlando (Watch Videos). Their talks came a day after North Korea test-fired what is believed to be a new type of ICBM-class ballistic missile. Borrell and Iwaya also shared grave concern over Russia's deepening military cooperation with North Korea, including the North's troop deployment to Russia and arms transfers between the two countries, according to an EU statement. The two officials reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine and condemned Russian aggression. Japan, under a new security strategy adopted in 2022, has been rapidly accelerating its military buildup through its alliance with the United States, its only treaty ally, and other partners, including Australia, the UK and a number of European and Indo-Pacific countries, to deter an increasingly assertive China. Tokyo has also significantly eased its voluntary arms export ban, seeking to expand its defence industry and play a greater role globally. Japan is jointly developing a next-generation fighter jet with the UK and Italy. Under the new partnership, Japan and the EU said Europe and the Indo-Pacific region are highly interconnected and interdependent and agreed to hold a regular working-level security and defense dialogue and joint naval exercises, including other countries, according to a joint statement. They said they will also cooperate in cybersecurity and space defence. The two sides will consider a possible intelligence sharing pact, promote exchanges of defence industry information and cooperate in nuclear disarmament efforts. Iwaya said Japan-EU relations are stronger than ever, and the two sides will continue to closely cooperate in a wide range of areas including security. Earlier Friday, Borrell met with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and shared the view that security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific is interconnected as they agreed to deepen defense cooperation, Japan's Defence Ministry said in a statement. The two officials expressed grave concern over North Korea's missile development programme and its growing military cooperation with Russia, saying they are significant challenges for the international community. We reaffirmed the need for strengthened EU-Japan cooperation in security and defence, including on maritime security, cyber and hybrid threats amid growing regional and global security challenges, Borrell said on social media platform X. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Philadelphia, Nov 1 (PTI) US Vice Presidential hopeful Tim Walz attended a Diwali celebration at a prominent Hindu temple in Pennsylvania, reaching out to the Indian-Americans in the crucial battleground state as the race for White House heads towards a photo-finish. In his brief remarks at the event in the Bharatiya temple in Montgomery county on Thursday, the Democratic leader highlighted the "rising" political voice of the Indian-American community in the US and urged them to save energy to "celebrate" Kamala Harris's "victory" in the presidential election next week. Also Read | Florida Mass Shooting: 2 Killed, 6 Injured As Gunman Opens Fire at Public Halloween Celebrations in Orlando (Watch Videos). "Happy Diwali everyone. It is a privilege for me to be with you on this special day," he said. "The Indian and the South Asian community are so much a fabric of our state and our identity," the Minnesota governor said, drawing cheers from the audience. Also Read | Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas 2024: Australian PM Anthony Albanese Celebrates Festivals in Sydney; Visits Murugan Temple, Gurdwara Sahib in Glenwood (See Pics). Besides lighting a 'diya', Walz posed for selfies, greeted Indians with a 'Namaste' and exchanged pleasantries. Pennsylvania is one of the seven battleground states which is expected to play a critical role in the overall election outcome. It is considered a most significant of the swing states in 2024 election with 19 electoral college votes. With Pennsylvania witnessing a tight race between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Harris, political observers said the position of the Indian-American community would be pivotal for the poll outcome. "Diversity is the strength of the country (the US) and that is why we continue to want to make it a place where people want to come to. This place needs to remain so," Walz said. Though he did not elaborate further, the comments are seen as an indirect criticism of Trump's immigration policy. "On this happiest day of light over darkness, I hope you find peace, find calm and save a little energy to celebrate next Wednesday morning," Walz said, referring to the Election Day. In his campaign speeches, the former Republican president promised a radical shift to tighten the US's immigration policy and vowed to carry out the "largest" domestic deportation operation in American history of undocumented immigrants if he is reelected. Walz's presence at the Diwali celebration at the Hindu temple drew widespread appreciation from leading Indian community leaders. "The visit by Tim Walz is very significant for the Indian American community in Pennsylvania. His visit highlighted the importance of the Indian-American community in this swing state of Pennsylvania," said prominent Indian community leader Mukund Kute. "We see this as a recognition of our contribution to mainstream America," he told PTI. Similar sentiment was echoed by Manish Ingle, the CEO of medical devices firm Nova Probe Inc and a leading community leader. "This is a significant gesture by Walz. In our area, we never had a person of this authority to have graced such an occasion. The Indian American community is very fortunate to receive Tim Walz, who if all goes well, will be the next Vice President of the US," he said "On Diwali, he lit the 'diya; here. I am very amazed that we got an opportunity in Bharatiya temple to greet someone like Walz," said Ingle, who also serves on boards of several institutions including Pennsylvania Governor Advisory Council for Inclusive Procurement. After Harris received the Democratic presidential nomination in August, various Indian-American and South Asian American groups have been engaged in mobilising support for her including through raising funds. The number of Indian Americans residing in the US is around 5.2 million forming the second-largest immigrant community, and out of them around 2.3 million are eligible to vote. Around 55 per cent of Indian American eligible voters identified as Democrat as against 26 per cent as Republican, according to a 2024 survey conducted by research organisation AAPI before President Joe Biden pulled out from the re-election bid. A survey this month by the Carnegie Endowment found that 61 per cent of registered Indian American voter respondents plan to vote for Harris while 32 per cent intend to vote for Trump. It said 67 per cent of Indian American women intend to vote for Harris while 53 per cent of men, a significantly smaller share, say they plan to vote for Harris. Twenty-two per cent of women intend to vote for Trump while a significantly larger share of men, 39 per cent, plan to cast their ballots for him, it said. According to a CNN poll, Harris has a narrow edge in battleground states of Michigan and Wisconsin, while she and Trump remain tied in Pennsylvania. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad, Nov 1 (PTI) The Pakistan government on Friday tabled a bill in parliament seeking to amend the country's anti-terrorism laws, aiming to empower the army and paramilitary forces with the authority to detain individuals suspected of terrorism and other serious crimes for up to three months. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi presented the bill with the proposed amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 in the National Assembly. Also Read | Google Pixel Banned in Indonesia: After Apple iPhone 16 Ban, Authorities Prohibit Sale of Google's Phones for Failing To Meet 40% Locally Sourced Component Requirement. The amendment aims to empower the armed forces and paramilitary units to arrest and detain suspects linked to offences affecting national security, extortion, targeted killings, and kidnapping. The proposed legislation specifies that any detention beyond three months will require transparent trial rights under Article 10-A of Pakistan's constitution. Also Read | Florida Mass Shooting: 2 Killed, 6 Injured As Gunman Opens Fire at Public Halloween Celebrations in Orlando (Watch Videos). A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) of officials from law enforcement, the armed forces, intelligence agencies, and senior police officers, would oversee the inquiry into the allegations against suspects. Earlier, the federal cabinet last month approved an amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997, granting special powers to security forces in Balochistan. The move comes amidst increasing incidents of terrorism in the country, especially in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provinces bordering Afghanistan, which is accused by Pakistan of allowing militants to use its soil for cross-border attacks. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Quetta [Balochistan], November 1, (ANI): Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur of Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Friday welcomed the 42 freed personnel by showering rose petals who were released from the Attock district jail. The personnel were released weeks after they were arrested for participating in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) D-Chowk protest against the government in Islamabad, as per Geo News. Also Read | Google Pixel Banned in Indonesia: After Apple iPhone 16 Ban, Authorities Prohibit Sale of Google's Phones for Failing To Meet 40% Locally Sourced Component Requirement. Gandapur announced that the 42 rescue personnel who remained in the custody of the federal and Punjab police amid the protests held earlier in October would be promoted, as per Geo News. Geo News reported they were released alongside 86 others arrested during and after the protest. Gandapur's announcement came after he invited the personnel to his residence for a meeting following their release. The rescue personnel included firefighters, drivers, medical technicians and other staffers. Also Read | Florida Mass Shooting: 2 Killed, 6 Injured As Gunman Opens Fire at Public Halloween Celebrations in Orlando (Watch Videos). Director General Rescue 1122 Muhammad Ayaz Khan told Geo News that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM has announced a one-step promotion of the released rescue personnel as well as a one-month extra salary. Ayaz said he is grateful to the chief minister for encouraging the rescue personnel, as he assured to increase their allowances and has also assured to increase their retirement age from 50 to 60 years. He added that six personnel of the department are still imprisoned. Over 10 KP police personnel and over 40 employees of Rescue 1122 were arrested by the Punjab police for accompanying a protest rally in the capital city led by Gandapur. The crackdown came as the federal and Punjab governments took stern action against the workers of the Imran Khan-founded party who marched into Islamabad to hold a protest rally, as per Geo News. Islamabad witnessed unrest owing to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's protest, with authorities resorting to firing tear gas and placing containers across the city to prevent the party workers' march. Apart from the provincial government's personnel and officials being held, 22 vehicles of the Rescue 1122, Peshawar Development Authority and Local Government were also incarcerated, as per Geo News. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Quetta [Balochistan], November 1, (ANI): The Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department, Paank, has expressed grave concern regarding the recent forced disappearance of ten students from the National University of Modern Languages (NUML). In a post on X, the department stated, "Paank expresses deep concern over the forced disappearance of ten NUML students, who were taken during a raid by Pakistani forces at their residence near IJP Metro Station, Rawalpindi, on October 31, 2023. The students, hailing from Balochistan and preparing for midterm exams, have vanished abruptly, raising serious alarm." Also Read | Google Pixel Banned in Indonesia: After Apple iPhone 16 Ban, Authorities Prohibit Sale of Google's Phones for Failing To Meet 40% Locally Sourced Component Requirement. https://x.com/paank_bnm/status/1852312805594038667 Paank identified the missing students as Salim Arif, Balach Fida, Khuda Dad, Khalil Ahmed, Hammal Hassani, Babar Atta, Noor Muheem, Iftikhar Azum, and Ahssam, who were enrolled in various disciplines at NUML. Also Read | Florida Mass Shooting: 2 Killed, 6 Injured As Gunman Opens Fire at Public Halloween Celebrations in Orlando (Watch Videos). This incident highlights the troubling reality faced by Baloch students in Pakistan, where numerous reports of enforced disappearances and state repression persist. Advocates argue that this trend reflects a systematic effort to suppress dissent and intimidate individuals voicing concerns about the political and human rights situation in Balochistan. There have been multiple reports of extrajudicial killings of Baloch activists and students, often occurring amid state operations against perceived separatist movements, leading to allegations of state-sponsored violence. Furthermore, Baloch students frequently encounter discrimination in educational institutions regarding both access and the quality of education. Reports indicate harassment and intimidation targeting those who express political dissent or advocate for Baloch's rights. More than a hundred cases of mass abduction by Pakistani forces have been documented in Balochistan, instilling a climate of terror and anxiety among the populace. The Pakistan armed forces have employed various violent measures to quell protests, yet the Baloch Youth Congress (BYC) and the Baloch people continue to fight against enforced disappearances. These cases have fostered deep-seated fears within the Baloch community, as such abductions are seen as violations of their rights and freedoms. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad, Nov 1 (PTI) Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Friday announced that Qatar pledged to invest USD 3 billion in Pakistan during the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The prime minister returned home on Friday after completing a two-day visit to Doha during which he had important meetings with the top leaders of Qatar and its business community. Also Read | Google Pixel Banned in Indonesia: After Apple iPhone 16 Ban, Authorities Prohibit Sale of Google's Phones for Failing To Meet 40% Locally Sourced Component Requirement. Before Qatar, he also paid a two-day trip to Saudi Arabia to attend a conference. Tarar addressing a press conference presented an overview of the visit of the prime minister to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Also Read | Florida Mass Shooting: 2 Killed, 6 Injured As Gunman Opens Fire at Public Halloween Celebrations in Orlando (Watch Videos). Qatar and Pakistan have agreed to enhance cooperation in diverse sectors, including trade, investment, culture and economy, he said, adding that the pledged investment of USD 3 billion will further strengthen Pakistan's economy. Tarar said an exhibition about Pakistani art and architecture was held during the prime minister's visit to Doha, which is a significant development in the Pakistan-Qatar relationship. He said the prime minister thanked Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for his cooperation and support for Pakistan. Regarding Sharif's visit to Saudi Arabia, the minister said fruitful meetings were held with the Saudi leadership, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He said Saudi investments in Pakistan have increased from USD 2.2 billion to USD 2.8 billion and this rise of USD 600 million demonstrates the growing relationship between the two brotherly countries. Tarar also said the prime minister, during his visit, also condemned the continued Israeli oppression against the unarmed Palestinians. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Theres a scene in Boogie Nights where Burt Reynolds character, porn director an auteur Jack Horner, explains his dream for making a truly magical smut film. One where audiences will be turned on and then stay because theyre so invested in the story. Paul Vecchialis Dont Change Hands comes close to that dream. The film is, at once, a classic noir gumshoe tale, an over-the-top violent giallo, a vibrant musical and a medium-core porno. The best I can describe Vecchialis Dont Change Hands is imagine if Suspiria and Cabaret had a baby, and when that baby grew up, it didnt know whether or not it wanted to be a subversive neo noir or a smut film, so it decided to be both. Thats Dont Change Hands in a nutshell. The story details private investigator Melinda (Myriam Mezieres, a sort of gender-flipped Humphrey Bogart) being hired by a prominent politician to track down a blackmailer whos sent her a pornographic film starring her son. The blackmailer has agreed to meet the politician at a seedy club and Melinda is sent in her stead. Quickly, only minutes into the film, things go wrong right away and bodies begin piling up. And the twists and turns dont let up until the film ends. At once, I admire Dont Change Hands for never compromising its vision. It wants to be a lot of things, so it is all of those things. It has a lot to say, so it says everything it wants to. On the other hand, I dont think its necessarily successful at being everything it wants to be, and it stumbles with ineloquence at saying much of what it wants to say. My main problem with Dont Change Hands is that it wants to merge classical pornographic storytelling with more sophisticated adult (as in grown up, mature) filmmaking narratives. The idea is to have a film that stands as a big, proud middle finger to filmmaking traditions, that has its cake and eats it, too. A sexy, thrilling movie with graphic violence and even more graphic sex. In theory, this sounds like a solid plan. In actual execution, its a fairly incomprehensible story punctuated with a series of sex scenes that alternate between soft and hard-core. The story goes off the rails early on and never rights itself. It only pauses occasionally for an extended bout of nudity with some scenes featuring simulated sex, and others with unsimulated sex. But during many of these sceneswhether its to progress the story, or just to titillate the audienceI often found myself wondering, What is happening? And why? I feel like I lost the plot and never caught up. During many of the storys various twists and turns I just sort of shrugged and sighed, then resigned myself to the fact that I was just going along for the ride. Id say Dont Change Hands is about half successful. During the non-pornographic segments, the set design, production values, etc. are all excellent. This movie is professional-looking through and through. The cinematography is sharp. The colors are all part of an elaborate palate that suits the films specific look and feel. The aesthetic is very intentional and well realized. Surprisingly, the acting and the dialogue are very sharp, too. Vecchiali shows real talent behind the camera and getting naturalistic performances from his cast. I recommend the film, overall, as a relic to a very specific era that tried to bridge the gap between smut and so-called respectable art. Films like I Am Curious (Yellow) and Deep Throat tried the same thing to more success, but Dont Change Hands feels a bit more cinematically similar to films like the Black Emanuelle movies that shoehorned in some nasty exploitation thrills for maximum audience provocation. But is it good? Words like good and bad have no meaning when it comes to analyzing a film like Dont Change Hands. Its less interested in checking off a list of elements that meet a standardized definition of quality than it is at spurring conversation and debate. In that regard Dont Change Hands is successful and its everything is ever wanted to be. Thats all that matters. Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray Dont Change Hands arrives on Blu-ray from Severin in a single region-free disc housed in a standard case with a slipcover. The case and the slipcover both feature different artwork from Matt Needle. Tel Aviv [Israel], November 1 (ANI): Hezbollah's rocket attacks on northern Israel have resulted in the loss of seven lives in agricultural fields near Metula and Haifa, marking one of the deadliest days for Israeli civilians in months, according to a report by Times of Israel. According to the authorities, tragedy struck near the border town of Metula on Thursday morning when a rocket fired from Lebanon slammed into an apple orchard, claiming the lives of five people. Also Read | Diwali 2024: Donald Trump Sends Deepavali Greetings, Condemns Attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Hours later, two more people were killed while in an olive grove outside the Haifa suburb of Kiryat Ata, as Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets at the area, Times of Israel reported. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also confirmed the attack by Hezbollah in a statement. Sharing a post on X, the IDF wrote, "Hezbollah rockets killed 7 innocent civilians inside Israel today. We will not let Hezbollah's deadly attacks go unanswered." Also Read | Diwali 2024: UK PM Keir Starmer Extends Deepavali Greetings, Says 'Wish You and Your Family a Joyful Celebration'. All the victims were agricultural labourers who had been working in the orchard at the time of the strike. While one of them was an Israeli citizen, the others were foreign nationals. Meanwhile, Israel on Thursday targeted weapons storage facilities and command centres used by Hezbollah's Radwan Forces and its munitions unit in Syria. Sharing a post on X, the IDF wrote, "A short while ago, following IDF intelligence, the IAF (Israeli Air Force) struck weapons storage facilities and command centers used by Hezbollah's Radwan Forces and its Munitions Unit in the area of Al-Qusayr, Syria." It added, "Hezbollah's Munitions Unit is responsible for storing weapons inside Lebanon and has recently expanded its activities into the town of Al-Qusayr, near the Syrian-Lebanese border. With this, Hezbollah is establishing logistical infrastructure to facilitate the transfer of weapons from Syria into Lebanon via border crossings." The IDF further said that the strike on the weapons storage facilities is part of a larger effort targeting the infrastructure of Unit 4400, the Hezbollah unit responsible for smuggling weapons from Iran, through Syria, and into Lebanon. The IDF further said that it launched a strike on weapons storage facilities, targeting the infrastructure of Hezbollah's Unit 4400, responsible for illicit arms smuggling from Iran through Syria into Lebanon. "The strike on the weapons storage facilities is part of a larger effort targeting the infrastructure of Unit 4400, the Hezbollah unit responsible for smuggling weapons from Iran, through Syria, and into Lebanon. This includes recent strikes on several border crossings between Syria and Lebanon used by Hezbollah for weapons smuggling," IDF said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kolkata, November 1: At least four people were killed when their overspeeding motorcycles collided with a car on Friday at Kalna in the East Burdwan district of West Bengal. The four were returning by two motorcycles from Nabadwip in Nadia district to their respective residences at Samudragarh in East Burdwan district in the early morning. Eyewitnesses said the two bikes were driving at extremely high speeds when they collided with a four-wheeler coming from the opposite direction in the Gaurangapara area. The cops of the local Nadanghat police station immediately reached the spot and the injured to the Kalna Specialty Hospital, where the doctors declared them dead. The four persons killed in the accident have been identified as Arif Sheikh, Abu Mondal, Abu Bakar Siddique Mondal and Abdukl Silim Mollah. All were residents of the Samudragarh area. The police have sent their bodies for post-mortem purposes. A woman, Padma Das, who was passing by was also hit by one of the two motorcycles which lost balance after the collision. Midnapore Road Accident Horror: 4 Killed in Head-On Collision Between 2 Vehicles in West Bengal. She is under treatment at a local hospital. The driver of the four-wheeler against which the two motorcycles collided had gone absconding since the time of the accident. The family members of the four deceased persons have already been informed by the cops, said the officials here. The eyewitnesses, however, complained that despite being informed in time the cops from the local police station arrived at the accident spot late and by the time they reached the local people had almost completed the initial rescue operations. Sikkim Road Accident: Tourist From Kolkata Among Two Killed As Taxi Falls Rani River at Sang Khola. The local people also alleged that the spot where the mishap took place had been accident-prone for quite some time without any proper traffic management system or speed-breaking road bumps. They also alleged that despite being vocal on these issues for quite some time there had been no initiative from the local administration on this count. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 01, 2024 12:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Tim Cook wished everyone a joyous time celebrating Diwali and shared an image shot on iPhone 16 Pro Max. In a post on social media, Apple CEO said, "Diwali is a time of light, unity, and hope." and further wished everyone who celebrated the 'Festival of Light'. Apple CEO Tim Cook attached a photo of Diyas being lit by women, taken from iPhone 16 Pro Max by Rohit Vohra. Apple CEO Tim Cook Announces Donation for Those Affected by Flash Floods in Spains Valencia Region. Tim Cook Wishes All 'Joyous and Peaceful' Diwali Diwali is a time of light, unity, and hope. Wishing everyone celebrating a joyous and peaceful Festival of Lights! Shot on iPhone 16 Pro Max by Rohit Vohra. pic.twitter.com/zFndTguCpC Tim Cook (@tim_cook) November 1, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter (X), Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) Sydney, November 1: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday visited the Sydney Murugan Temple along with Parramatta MP Andrew Charlton to celebrate Diwali with the country's Hindu community. "Deepavali celebrates the victory of light over darkness. Fantastic to join with the Tamil Australian community at the Sydney Murugan Temple today. The temple draws in people from all walks of life every day, and has become a sanctuary for Western Sydney's South Asian Hindu community," Albanese posted on X. Later, he also visited Gurdwara Sahib in the Sydney suburb of Glenwood on the occasion of Bandi Chhor Divas. "Wonderful to celebrate at Gurdwara Sahib Glenwood today and open the newly expanded kitchen, serving thousands of people every week," Albanese stated while posting photographs of him wearing a turban during the visit. On Thursday, while extending his Diwali wishes, Albanese said that the festival of lights is an "extraordinarily beautiful celebration of faith and culture" that inspires Australians from all walks of life. Diwali 2024 Wishes: US President Joe Biden Extends Deepavali Greetings, Hosts Celebrations at White House (See Pics and Video). PM Anthony Albanese Celebrates Diwali at Murugan Temple Deepavali celebrates the victory of light over darkness. Fantastic to join with the Tamil Australian community at the Sydney Murugan Temple today. The temple draws in people from all walks of life every day, and has become a sanctuary for Western Sydney's South Asian Hindu pic.twitter.com/sY1eoRRngs Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 1, 2024 PM Anthony Albanese Celebrates Bandi Chhor Divas Happy Bandi Chhor Divas! Wonderful to celebrate at Gurdwara Sahib Glenwood today and open the newly expanded kitchen, serving thousands of people every week. pic.twitter.com/FVVi8HVKmg Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) November 1, 2024 "This annual festival of joy, hope and togetherness is an extraordinarily beautiful celebration of faith and culture - one embraced by Australia's diverse and vibrant society," Albanese stated in his Diwali greetings. "With its celebration of the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, it affirms the ideals that inspire Australians from all walks of life. The rituals and traditions of Diwali are in every way an expression of community, culture and heritage. It's a moment to enjoy the company of loved ones, and to reflect on the shared inheritance of centuries of tradition," he added. Australia To Ban Social Media for Children: Australian PM Anthony Albanese Announces Plan To Ban Children From Using Social Media, Says Social Media Is Taking Kids Away From Real Friends and Real Experiences (Watch Video). The Australian PM emphasised that the festival of lights, joy, hope and togetherness is an extraordinarily beautiful celebration of faith and culture - one embraced by Australia's diverse and vibrant society. "As families and friends gather in homes, parks, temples and community centres across our nation, may the glowing lights of this cherished festival bring you peace and joy. To everyone who celebrates, I wish you a wonderful Diwali," he mentioned. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 01, 2024 02:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). A beloved longstanding Lehigh County restaurant that quietly changed hands with new ownership three years ago, now has plans to close its doors for good. The Vineyard Di Norma at 605 Fiot St. in Fountain Hill is slated to host its last day on Christmas Eve. Sibling co-owners Luke Prosseda and Rachael Prosseda, of Wellsboro, Tioga County, on Thursday made the announcement to loyal patrons on the business Facebook page. It is with a tired, weary heart that we reach out to you today, the posting states. Our journey at 605 Fiot St. is coming to an end ... This was a mega difficult decision, one that we desperately did not want to make. Its hard out here. While we are incredibly bummed, we know its the best decision for us now. The pair went on to state they are grateful for the new friends they made through the business venture, which includes area farmers and artisans. Most menu ingredients were sourced from area vendors with recipes passed down from family generations. Owners described their crew as the actual best. Well be seeing more of you at some point in the future, maybe with different ideas? the posting adds, along with a photo of a gravestone listing the dates the eatery was in business. Idk stay tuned, were still working stuff out. For now, come hang out with us weve still got a few cool things planned. By 9 a.m. Friday, the post had nearly 100 reactions, 28 comments and 18 shares. Commenters stated they would miss the eatery, enjoyed the food and some planned to visit one last time. The restaurant is known for its modern Italian specialities and has been described by its current owners as a beloved gem tucked away among some of the boroughs residential neighborhoods. Most recent menu items show such selections as house ground pork belly and short rib spaghetti bolognese with house-made ricotta; porcini trumpet pasta with pheasant sausage and garlic scape pesto; and shrimp and broccoli rabe tossed with gorgonzola dulce and a touch of calabrian chili with rigatoni. Theres also some classic pasta dishes, such as ecco spaghetti with shrimp scampi or vodka sauce, as well as heritage-breed chicken and humanely raised Holland veal selections. Entrees can be paired handcrafted cocktails and local drafts. The Prossedas made the switch officially on Sept. 1, 2021 as the restaurants newest owners. The pair bought the building from previous owners Pietro and Maria DiMatteo, who wanted to retire after three decades of family ownership. The Prossedas were then backed by other family members in the operation, including their parents, Rachael Prossedas husband, and some cousins. The Vineyard Di Norma, 605 Fiot St. in Fountain Hill, is slated to host its last day on Dec. 24, 2024. Sibling co-owners Luke Prosseda, pictured, and Rachael Prosseda, of Wellsboro, Tioga County, on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024 made the announcement on the business Facebook page. The pair bought the building in September 2021. The Prossedas initially kept the original business name as The Vineyard. This was because it was the name loyal patrons grew accustomed to and the owners wanted to slowly ease into the transition, they had said. Owners about a year later changed the name and underwent a rebranding effort, calling the restaurant, The Vineyard Di Norma. The new name paid homage to their family roots of Norma, Italy. Its logo depicted a mountainside view of the municipality of Norma, which is located in Italys Lazio region and southwest of Rome. It can be found on the restaurants signs and menus. Luke Prosseda always prided himself in making everything daily from scratch. He has a strong background in the culinary industry, working for various New York and Philadelphia restaurants for the past 14 years. He was looking to break out on his own. Rachael Prosseda has a prior home health background, working as a therapist and medical social worker. The siblings previously said they were looking to open in the Lehigh Valley because Rachael Prossedas husband is a Liberty High School graduate and Bethlehem native. The couple is familiar with the dining scene in the Bethlehem area and wanted to be part of the allure, Rachael Prosseda had said. Its unclear what the next steps are for the building and if the Prossedas have any plans to sell it. The owners didnt immediately return a request for more information Friday morning. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Vice President Kamala Harris will host a Get Out the Vote rally in Allentown the day before the presidential election, her campaign confirmed. The advisory from her campaign says shell hold rallies in Allentown in the afternoon, Pittsburgh in the evening and Philadelphia in the late evening on Monday. Vice President Harris will close out the election in the critical battleground state of Pennsylvania ... where she will energize and mobilize voters to return their mail-in ballots and get to the polls on Election Day. More details to come, said the advisory from her campaign. Her Republican opponent, former president Donald Trump, held a rally in the PPL Center in Allentown on Tuesday. The city is part of a battleground region in a battleground state that could hold the key to winning the election. See you soon, Madam Vice President!! said Pennsylvania state Rep. Mike Schlossberg on his X account. He represents Allentown in the state House. INCOMING! Kamala Harris is coming to Allentown on Monday! This is literally the only details I have. I'll tweet more as I have it. See you soon, Madam Vice President!! pic.twitter.com/B2Af0qrsm5 Mike Schlossberg (@MikeSchlossberg) November 1, 2024 Democratic political consultant Aidan Levinson also shared the news on X: Extremely important, impactful, and smart move by @KamalaHarris and team. Excited to welcome her to the Lehigh Valley on Monday. pic.twitter.com/dQSfJxLR9b Aidan M. Levinson (@LegitAidanL) November 1, 2024 Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. A political convoy of hundreds of vehicles are expected to disrupt travel on Lehigh Valley roads this weekend, state police said. Pennsylvania State Police in Bethlehem said the convoy is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Sunday in North Whitehall. The vehicles are expected to depart Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays, 2750 Limestone St. and follow this route: Levans Road and turn onto Route 329 and Old Post Road. Continue on Route 329 to Route 145 and MacArthur Road. Turn right at the traffic light onto Route 145 and MacArthur Road. Take Route 145 and MacArthur Road down to Route 22. Travel onto Route 22 west and continue onto Interstate 78 west. Take Exit 49B to merge onto Route 100 north, toward Fogelsville. Follow Route 100 north to Route 309; turn right onto Route 309, toward Schnecksville. Follow Route 309 and make a left at the CVS onto Levans Road. Follow Levans Road and make a right onto Limestone Street, heading back to Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays. Its anticipated the traffic disruptions will cause secondary roads throughout the region to be impacted, state police said. Additionally, motorists are being reminded to adhere to the rules of the road and make travel plans in advance. Troopers will be proactively and aggressively patrolling the region for motorists who operate their vehicle in an unsafe manner, state police said. A news release issued by state police in Bethlehem on Friday didnt elaborate on any specific political party tied to the convoy. However, Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays is co-owned by Lehigh Valley Republican Bill Bachenberg. Bachenberg, according to his Linked-In profile, sits on the Board of Directors for the National Rifle Association. Bachenberg was among 19 Republicans certified by former U.S. President Donald Trump to cast votes for him should he prevail on Nov. 5. He had been on Trumps list in 2020, as well. The convoy comes two days before Election Day on Tuesday. A crowd of about 1,000 people gathered at Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays Monday evening for an appearance by Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr., WFMZ-69 News reports. The former president returned to the region a day earlier for a rally held at the PPL Center in Allentown. Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, also is expected to visit Allentown on Monday in a Get Out the Vote rally. Pennsylvania is considered a major prize in presidential elections, with more electoral votes than any other battleground state. There are just five days to go in a tight campaign between Trump and Vance and Harris and Minnesota Gov. Walz. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. An elderly Laois woman will spend two years in jail after pleading guilty to theft of larceny of Social Welfare payments for nearly 30 years in respect of a dead relative. Sitting at the Circuit Court in Portlaoise, Judge Keenan Johnson imposed a five years and six months sentence on Margaret Bergin, Fairfield House, Mountrath, for the theft of 271,046.20 from the Social Welfare system from 1993 to 2022. He suspended the final three years and six months meaning Ms Bergin will serve two years in jail for the fraud exceeding 28 years regarding the late John Bergin who died over 30 years ago. In an extensive judgement, Judge Johnson described the case as 'extraordinary', Judge Johnson said Mr Bergin's death was never registered and the accused continued to draw down his pension 'until she was caught' in 2022. The judge said the issue only came to light when an amateur genealogist discovered a person named John Bergin aged 110 was living in Laois. "This is an extremely serious case of theft and fraud resulting in a huge loss to the State. The Social welfare system is built on trust and is there to ensure that those who deserve help and assistance from the State receive it. The actions of the accused were clearly premeditated because the death of the late John Bergin was never registered. "It is clear that there were repetitive deliberate and conscious efforts by the accused to defraud the State and that adds to culpability and the gravity of the offending," he said. The judge said Social Welfare inspectors were frustrated in their efforts to investigate. Eventually, they made an unannounced visit to the Bergin household in 2022 where they would find Ms Bergin's husband in bed purporting to be the late Mr Bergin. The gardai later discovered the deceased's grave. In a search of the house, they found a bag of silver centenarian coins, the centenarian bounty cheque from the president for 2540 that had never been cashed and An Post receipts for the State pension. Mass and memorial cards for Mr Bergin were also found. When interviewed by gardai in 2022, she did not deny claiming the pension falsely or that she signed false documents in the name of the accused. She said she did not know when to stop. "By engaging in the type of criminal activity to which the accused has now pleaded guilty, she has conscientiously and systematically defrauded taxpayers...She has also seriously undermined the reputation of the Social Welfare system by exploiting and exposing its vulnerabilities," he said. Judge Johnson said the court had been told that the accused acted independently and that none of her family were aware of what she was doing. "I have to confess that I find this hard to believe, particularly as her husband Seamus impersonated his late father in order to deceive the inspectors from the Department," he said. He continued: "I cannot help but feel despite her assertions to the contrary, that Mrs Bergin has allowed herself to be offered as a sacrificial lamb for the offending and that full responsibility does not rest exclusively with her," said the judge. He said he also believed that if the family has benefited from the money defrauded, it should play a part in the reimbursement of the stolen money through the sale of some of the 99-acre farm now in the ownership of Mrs Bergin's son. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Margaret Bergin enters Portlaoise Courthouse with her son and husband. "I fail to understand why a portion of the family farm could not be sold or, alternatively, the farm could be mortgaged to finance the reimbursement," he said. He said that sale of 15 to 20 acres would discharge the 191,046.20 owed to the State as the family had already repaid 75,000. Outlining mitigating factors, Judge Johnson said her guilty pleas had saved the State funds that would have been incurred in a trial. He said she had a good insight into her offending and expressed 'great shame and embarrassment' and at times had felt like taking her own life. The judge said that offending could attract a headline sentence of eight years. Taking into account the mitigation, guilty plea, remorse and restitution efforts, he reduced the sentence to five years and six months. He suspended the final three years and six months for six years due to Mrs Bergin's age and health. The judge concluded. "It is with great regret that I feel duty-bound to send a 73-year-old grandmother to jail in this case. Some people may feel the sentence is too lenient and others may feel that it is too harsh, however, I have tried to impose a sentence that is fair and equitable and which sends out a clear message that no matter who you are or what your circumstances are, theft from the social welfare fund is such a serious offence because of the damage it does to society, that a custodial sentence, particularly where theft is prolonged and significant as in a case her will be unavoidable." He directed that Mrs Bergin be afforded all the necessary and requisite medical treatment while in custody. He added that the Irish Prison Service has an excellent medical service which she would be able to avail of. The accused has pleaded guilty to a number of sample charges of theft and larceny relating to the claiming of her late father-in-law's pension over a period in excess of 28 years, which resulted in a loss of 271,046.20 to the state. Each of the offences carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison. This is quite an extraordinary case and the background of it relates to the late John Bergin who was the father-in-law of the accused and who died over 30 years ago in November of 1993. It appears that when the late Mr. Bergin died no effort was made to register his death. Accordingly, he continued to receive the old age pension despite his demise and the accused who originally had authority from the late Mr Bergin continued to draw that pension after his death and did so for a period of over 28 years until she was caught in 2022. The issue only came to light when an amateur genealogist by the name of Mr McCoy was undertaking research and discovered that there was a person purportedly living in Laois by the name of John Bergin who was reputedly 110 years of age. Mr McCoy was surprised that he had never heard of the deceased and his suspicion was aroused that it might be a possible pension fraud, accordingly he contacted Aras An Uachtarain to inquire about their records relating to the Centenarian Bounty. Garda Peter Cosby the investigating officer told court that Aras An Uachtrain keeps a register of all recipients of the Centenarian Bounty of 2540 and issues a unique centenarian coin for every birthday after they become centenarians. The Department of Social Protection was also contacted and its inspectors decided to make a visit to see Mr. Bergin. The court had evidence that the social welfare inspectors were frustrated in their efforts to interview the late John Bergin. The accused deliberately attempted to dissuade welfare officers from carrying out an inspection. On one occasion the department were advised by the accused that the arranged visit was not suitable because Mr Bergin was unwell. Subsequent to this the department officials decided in April of 2022 to make an unannounced visit to the late Mr.Bergin. When they arrived at the accused's house they were left waiting and were told by the accused that the late Mr. Bergin did not want to be disturbed. Subsequently, they were introduced to a man in bed purportedly the late Mr Bergin with a pair of shoes on him. It appears the accused told the social welfare officers that he was deaf and confused. It subsequently transpired that the man in the bed was the husband of the accused. Ultimately, the guards discovered the burial place of the late John Bergin and subsequent to this they got a search warrant for the accused's house. In the course of the search, they found a bag with silver centenarian coins, the centenarian bounty cheque for 2540 and An Post receipts for the state pension as well as mass and memorial cards for the late Mr Bergin. The accused was invited to attend the Garda station but appears to have been reluctant to do so and in September of 2022 she was arrested at her home. In an interview with the guards, she was cooperative and did not deny that she had claimed the pension falsely or that she had signed documents in the name of the accused. She told the guards that she did not know when to stop. She also acknowledged that when the department officials called it was her husband Seamus that was in the bed purporting to be his late father. This is an extremely serious case of theft and fraud resulting in a huge loss to the state. The social welfare system is built on trust and is there to ensure that those who deserve help and assistance from the state receive it. The actions of the accused were clearly premeditated because the death of the late John Bergin was never registered. It is clear that there were repetitive deliberate and conscious efforts by the accused to defraud the state and that adds to her culpability and the gravity of the offending. It is fair to say that the social welfare system is the cornerstone of a civilized society and is an effort to ensure that no member of society should become a victim of poverty. It is designed to ensure that those most in need have the minimal provisions for a good life. Unfortunately that does not always transpire, but nevertheless the social welfare system is a protection for the most vulnerable in society and accordingly it is essential that its integrity is maintained. By engaging in the type of criminal activity to which the accused has now pleaded guilty, she has conscientiously and systematically defrauded taxpayers to the tune of 271,046.20. She has also seriously undermined the reputation of the social welfare system by exploiting and exposing its vulnerabilities. The court is relieved to note that since this case came to light, the Department of Social Protection has introduced much more rigorous controls for the protection of the taxpayer especially in respect of claimants who are over 90 years of age. Under the old system a declaration was sent on an annual basis for signature by the claimant and the accused signed those declarations by forging the signature of the late John Bergin to each of those declarations. Accordingly, every single year that the fraud went on, the accused actively perpetuated the fraud by forging the signature of the deceased. There was also evidence that the accused had forged the signature of the deceased to fuel allowance forms. In determining sentence in this case the court has to take into account all of the aggravating factors and all of the mitigating factors. In addition to that the court must impose a sanction that is fair and proportionate and reflects the gravity of the offending and the culpability of the accused. The court must also be mindful of the five pillars of sentencing namely protection of the public, punishment, deterrence, restitution and rehabilitation. The court is also obligated to send out a clear message that people who engage in the type of activity to which the accused has pleaded guilty, can expect a significant sanction not only to punish them but also to deter others from engaging in such criminal behavior. Theft from the social welfare system is a crime that adversely impacts on all of society and deterrence has to be a significant consideration when structuring sentence so as to ensure that the social welfare system is protected and can be applied for the benefit of those most in need. Aggravating factors The length of time over which the fraud was perpetrated is a hugely aggravating factor. This fraud went on for a period in excess of 28 years resulting in the huge loss of 271,049.20 to the taxpayer. It is clear that the actions of the accused were planned and premeditated. The non registration of the late John Bergin's death is evidence of this. Furthermore the annual completion of a statement of life in respect of John Bergin which was fraudulently signed by the accused perpetuated the fraud and was clearly undertaken by the accused in the full knowledge that what she was doing was blatantly wrong and amounted to theft. The efforts made by the accused to hide the crime when the department came to investigate and her lack of cooperation with the guards and the department in the initial stages of the investigation are further aggravating factors. Mr Colgan counsel for the accused says that she found herself in a hole and kept digging deeper. The court does not accept that proposition as as it was open to the accused at any time to make a voluntary disclosure in relation to her actions and to set in train a schedule for repaying the funds that had been stolen. Instead of this she continued not only to illegally claim the pension but to continue spending it. The effect of the offending on the taxpayer and the general operation and integrity of the social welfare system is a further aggravating factor. The Irish Republic prides itself as being a welfare state which endeavours to protect the most vulnerable in society. The actions of the accused were an attack on the fundamental values of integrity and honesty which the Department of Social Protection relies on in order to administer social welfare in as fair and as equitable a way as possible. The failure to make full restitution for the losses sustained by the state is a further aggravating factor. It is somewhat ironic that the accused now claims her sole source of income is her old age pension. This is a pension drawn from the same social welfare fund that the accused stole from for over 28 years. Mitigating factors The plea of guilty has saved the state the time cost and expense of a criminal trial and as such is worthy of mitigation. Had this matter proceeded to trial it probably could have taken a number of weeks because of the complexity of the charges and the necessary proofs that would be required to prosecute them. The cooperation afforded by the accused in the later stages of the investigation did assist in the successful prosecution of the case although it has to be said that the evidence against her was overwhelming. The court has been told that the accused acted independently and that none of her family were aware of what she was doing. I have to confess that I find this hard to believe particularly as her husband Seamus impersonated his late father in order to deceive the inspectors from the department. I cannot believe that correspondence which had been received at least annually in the name of John Bergin could not have been seen by other members of the household particularly the correspondence and centenarian coins from Aras An Uachtarain which would have been unique and noticeable. In addition to this another flag to the members of the Bergin household had to be the fact that the late John Bergin's fuel allowance was being claimed despite his demise. I cannot help but feel, despite her assertions to the contrary, that Mrs Bergin has allowed herself to be offered as a sacrificial lamb for the offending and that full responsibility does not rest exclusively with her. In any event there can be no doubt but that she is the prime offender and has pleaded guilty to the charges and accepts that she knew exactly what was going on and willingly engaged in it. It is noted that the accused is over 73 years of age and has no previous convictions. She has a good work history and she has raised her children and given them an education. The court has been told that the family farm of 99 acres was transferred to her son in 2018 and that she has little by way of assets which can be offered as reimbursement to the state In her interactions with the probation officer the accused showed good insight into her offending. She expressed great shame and embarrassment and stated that she would have to live with that for the rest of her life. She expressed regret for not addressing her offending behaviour shortly after realizing that she had commenced her offending she explained that she was fully aware of the negative impact her offending had brought on her immediate family, extended family, the community and the state. She acknowledged that she had access to a significant amount of money to which she was not entitled, for a prolonged period of time. She stated that she was open to exploring long-term restitution options with the court. She advised that she was fully aware of the seriousness of the offences and she knew that she could potentially incur a custodial sentence as a consequence of her offending. She expressed concerns about her ability to cope in a prison setting due to her ongoing health issues. The court has also been furnished with a letter written by the accused in which she apologises for her offending behaviour. She states that she is deeply sorry for what she has done and she feels ashamed embarrassed and frightened and has at times felt like taking her own life. She begs and pleads that the court shows as much mercy as it can. It appears that the accused had a heart attack in 2011 and was diagnosed with cancer five years ago. The court has been furnished with a letter from the accused's GP Dr. Booth indicating that she has a history of severe florid thyrotoxicosis which has been difficult to control. She also has severe chronic airways disease which results in frequent respiratory infections and chronic dyspnea (shortness of breath). In addition to this she also has nodules on her lungs and ischaemic heart disease. Dr Booth says that as a result of her various ailments the overall health of the accused is very precarious and that she is suffering from chronic low mood over the past number of months and has difficulty coping with her condition. He goes on to say that any deterioration in her current circumstances would significantly and adversely affect her overall health and likely result in significant deterioration and significantly increase her risk of an adverse event in the future. Mr Colgan counsel for the defence has advised that since this case came to court the accused has lost many friends and has been ostracised in the local community. The court has been advised that many family members including a brother and child have cut off all contact with her because of her offending. Mr. Colgan has stated that because of embarrassment, shame and ostracization the accused is confined to her house as a result of the offending and to an extent suffers the same restrictions as if she were in jail. The probation report has assessed the accused at low risk of reoffending. The age of the accused and her health are factors that the court must take into account when structuring sentence. The incarceration of the accused will separate her from her family and that is a significant punishment in and of itself. According to the submissions made by the defence the stolen funds were used for shopping and food and by extension for the benefit of the family. If that is the position then the family has benefited from stolen funds. In those circumstances the family should be assisting the accused to make full reimbursement. I am told that as a result of the efforts of her son, her husband and herself a figure totaling 75,000 is available for immediate payment to the state in partial reimbursement for the money stolen. This still leaves a considerable shortfall of 191,046.20. No feasible proposals for discharge of this amount have been put forward save the offer of 50 per week which is wholly and utterly inadequate. I fail to understand why a portion of the family farm could not be sold or alternatively the farm could be mortgaged in order to finance the reimbursement. I have been told that the farm cannot be sold because it is subject to a possible compulsory purchase order in respect of a road construction project. I find it hard to believe that the entire 99 acres could be subject to such a restriction and even if it is subject to such a restriction, significant and substantial compensation would be paid in the event that the property is compulsorily acquired. Accordingly, it seems to me that the family has the capacity if it wants to, to ensure that there is full reimbursement to the state. There is little doubt but that the family farm was a matrimonial asset in which the accused had after 40 years of marriage as a housewife and a homemaker a beneficial interest in, before it was transferred to her son in 2018. It seems clear from the evidence that the stolen funds were used to benefit the family and therefore constituted an indirect contribution towards the development and retention of the family assets. Regrettably, there does not appear to be any will or desire on the part of the family to sell a portion of the lands in order to discharge the outstanding debt. According to the latest land survey in the Farmers Journal from March of 2024, the average price of farm land in Laois sold in 2023 was 16,359 per acre. Accordingly it would seem to me that disposal of around 15 to 20 acres would be sufficient to discharge the outstanding amount. While the payment of 75,000 will attract some mitigation, obviously that mitigation will not be as substantial as it might otherwise have been had full restitution been made. Since this has not been done, then the significant mitigation that full restitution would attract, will not be available to the accused. Under no circumstances should the accused or her family be allowed to profit from her offending. Mr Colgan made the point that following the death of the late John Bergin's wife in 1986, the accused continued to look after and care for him until he died November of 1993. Mr. Colgan makes the point that the accused might have been entitled to a Carers Allowance for that period and because she never sought same the state was saved that expense. While the court is not convinced as to the merits of that argument, it will nevertheless take it into account when structuring sentence. Sentence In determining sentence in this case the court has to try and balance the needs of society against the needs of the accused. Bearing in mind that the maximum penalty for theft is 10 years and taking into account the large sum of money stolen in this case and the repeated nature of the offending. I am satisfied that the offending ranks at the lower end of the upper range and dose before mitigation attract a headline sentence of eight years. Taking into account the mitigation outlined and in particular the plea of guilt, the remorse of the accused, and the efforts made at restitution, I prepare to reduce that sentence to five years and six months. Accordingly I am imposing a sentence of five years and six months. Taking into account the poor health the accused and her age I am going to suspend the final 3 years and 6 months of that sentence for a period of six years on condition that the accused enter into a bond of 500 to keep the peace and be a good behavior for a period of six years post-release and that the 75,000 be given forthwith to the State. Finally, I would like to say that it is with great regret that I feel duty-bound to send a 73-year-old grandmother to jail in this case. Some people may feel that the sentence is too lenient and others may feel that it is too harsh however I have tried to impose a sentence that is fair and equitable and which sends out a clear message that no matter who you are or what your circumstances are, theft from the social welfare fund is such a serious offence because of the damage it does to society, that a custodial sentence, particularly where the theft is prolonged and significant as is the case here will be unavoidable. I am directing that Mrs Bergin be afforded all necessary and requisite medical treatment while in custody. Thankfully the Irish prison service has an excellent medical service which she will be able to avail of while in detention. Irish president Michael D Higgins has led tributes to former broadcaster David Davin-Power, who has died aged 72. The Dublin-born journalist began working with RTE News in 1978 and became one of the first presenters of Morning Ireland. Mr Davin-Power later served as Northern Ireland editor and then worked as a political correspondent in Dublin for more than 15 years. He retired in 2017 but continued to write columns for the Times Ireland edition and the Sunday Independent. Mr Higgins said Mr Davin-Power was a consummate broadcaster and communicator who provided decades of incisive analysis across his roles at RTE. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, his colleagues in the media, across the Oireachtas and by the public who were so informed by his work, he said. Retired RTE newsreader Bryan Dobson paid tribute to his friend Mr Davin-Powers ability to make complex stories immediately understandable and to hone in on what really mattered. Weve really lost a giant of public service broadcasting, he told Drivetime. Director-general of RTE Kevin Bakhurst said Mr Davin-Power had one of the most incisive political brains at RTE and indeed in Ireland. For many years, he was familiar to audiences, colleagues and politicians as insightful, eloquent and scrupulously fair. Off-screen, he was also funny, a great storyteller and was hugely loyal to colleagues, friends and to RTE itself. More than all of that, he loved his family and spoke of them with huge pride and joy. When I saw him in the summer he was already very ill but was on great form wanting to talk politics: Irish, UK, US and of course RTE. Always with a glint in his eye, some mischief and his memorable laugh. We will all miss him hugely. Taoiseach Simon Harris paid tribute to him as a trusted name who was welcomed into homes across the country throughout his long career. He was one of the first presenters of Morning Ireland, an accomplished Northern Editor of RTE at a key moment in history, a political correspondent who knew the Dail inside out, and in recent years, a witty and insightful columnist. David was always a consummate professional, a thorough journalist, and a gentleman. He was a storyteller who was generous with his time, he was an interesting person who was interested in other people, and he was kind to those around him. Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he was thorough and razor sharp in his questioning and analysis, but fair. He was always driven to get to the bottom of every story he worked on. I always enjoyed my engagements with David, and our conversations over the years. He had an outstanding ability to explain even the most complicated of stories, making the news accessible to all. His contribution to journalism was immense. My thoughts are with Davids family, friends and former colleagues at this difficult time. He is survived by his wife Dearbhla, five children and wider family. A woman who claimed over a quarter of a million euro in old age pension for a man who would have been 110 has appeared in court in Laois for sentencing. Margaret Bergin (73) of Fairfield, Mountrath has arrived at Portlaoise Circuit Court for her sentencing. She had admitted to sample charges of theft and larceny arising from pension payments drawn down over a 28 and a half year period from December 31, 1993 and February 25, 2022 at a circuit court sitting last June. Pictured: Ms Bergin with her husband and son arriving at Portlaoise Circuit Court on November 1. In total the court was told she received 271,046. 28 in pension payments in the name of her father in law, John Jack Bergin, who had died in 1993 at the age of 82. An amateur gerontologist from Cork who had been researching the oldest people in Ireland had learned of a 110 year-old in Laois and later alerted authorities of his suspicions. The court heard the defendant had made a number of excuses to dissuade the Department of Social Protection when they tried to visit the 110 year-old. When they called unannounced, officers were brought to a room where a man who was fully clothed and wearing shoes was in bed. The woman told them it was the 110 year-old man but they left unconvinced. The woman later admitted the man in the bed had been her husband Seamus, who she said was unaware she had been claiming the pension. A subsequent search of the womans house led to the discovery of medals from Aras An Uachtarain along with a cheque. Gardai also later found an overgrown grave in the name of John Jack Bergin in Clonad. Pictured: Ms Bergin entering the court. At the latest sitting of Portlaoise Circuit Court, Prosecution Counsel William Fennelly said the woman had brought a sum of 35,000 previously and now had a further sum of 40,000 in court. Damian Colgan BL produced a booklet for the judge and the prosecution which outlined the womans medical and financial wellbeing. It also contained a letter of apology which was read out in court. The defendant said she wanted to apologise sincerely and say how sorry I am for committing this crime. She explained that she had minded her elderly father-in-law as his health deteriorated. In the later stages of his life a doctor had suggested he go into respite care but he didnt want to so the defendant cared for him at home. She said she took his death hard and without realising it had fallen into depression. She acknowledged that she should have stopped drawing the pension and said she was deeply sorry for what she had done. I beg and plead that you show me as much mercy as you can, she asked the judge. Mr Colgan said his client suffered with chronic low mood and serious health issues. He said both she and her husband are on old age pensions. He said the woman has become socially isolated and doesnt shop locally. She is not in jail but she is in her own mind, Mr Colgan said. Mrs Bergin and her husband simply dont have any savings, he told the judge. He said she had now paid 75,000. The best Mrs Bergin can do after that is to pay 50 per week from her pension, he said. Judge Keenan Johnson asked how much land the family had. He was told there was 99 acres which was farmed by their son and the land had been handed over. Judge Johnson said he had been told that the pension money that was claimed had been spent on the family. He suggested there was a moral obligation. Mr Colgan said the defendant had always maintained her family knew nothing of the crime. He said the land had been handed over long before the crime came to light and the family had sought to sell the land. He told the court it was not possible because the land is on a national strategic route. Judge Johnson said he had never heard of such an inhibition of the sale of land. Mr Fennelly said he didnt imagine that it would cover the entire 99 acres. He said there had been 271,046.28 outstanding but now that the figure of 75,000 had been brought to court the loss amounted to 196,046.28. Judge Johnson asked Mr Colgan what happens with the outstanding money. He noted the defendant had said the land cannot be sold. He said he found it extraordinary that the family didnt know anything about the pension payments or the unusual correspondence from Aras an Uachtarain particularly when her husband had taken to the bed in place of the 110 year-old man. More to follow. Latest figures show that between 2020 and 2022, there were 1,014 hospital admissions of people from Kildare due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD1. In fact, it is estimated that there are 380,000 people living with COPD in Ireland, yet only 110,000 people are thought to have had a formal diagnosis2. Against this backdrop, and marking World COPD Day on Wednesday November 20, COPD Support Ireland, is embarking on a nationwide COPD & Me Roadshow to spread the word about COPD. The roadshow will visit the Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge on Monday November 18, between 2 and 5pm. Paddy Flavin (age 74), from Newbridge, was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, in 2022. He recalls: I remember in late August 2020 I began to feel unwell. I thought I was coming down with the flu. I self-medicated with hot Lemsips by day and a stiff Hot Toddy going to bed, but things didnt improve. My GP sent me to have a COVID swab which came back negative, however, the symptoms seemed akin to having long-COVID. I persuaded my GP to refer me to a long-COVID clinic in the Beacon Clinic in Sandyford, Dublin, where, in November 2021, I was diagnosed with long-COVID. In tests that were carried out subsequently in early 2022, I was diagnosed with COPD and sleep apnoea. I was referred to HSE Pulmonary Care in Naas and, subsequently, to Newbridge Medical Centre, to undergo an eight-week pulmonary rehabilitation course. At this juncture, I was having great difficulty in doing simple jobs, like sweeping the floor or making the bed. On starting the course, I immediately found that the exercises were helping my breathing. However, when I asked the physiotherapist what follow-up there was locally, he said, nothing in Newbridge. This soon changed with the setting up of a COPD support group in July 2023. I am now very actively involved in our small group which meets in Newbridge Resource Centre every Tuesday afternoon for one hour, from 12.45pm to 1.45pm. I find the gentle nature of the exercise given to us by our instructor to be invaluable, as it has restored my life to some sort of normality. Indeed, it has been commented on, that I am now seen out in town on a daily basis, walking to and from the shops. My daily walk now consists of between 10,000 and 16,000 steps daily! And, its all thanks to COPD Support Ireland. Free Testing The health initiative will see a team of COPD health professionals offering free spirometry testing. Spirometry is a simple and painless breathing test where a person breathes into a device called a spirometer, which measures the amount of air a person can blow out of their lungs in one second, and the total amount of air a person can blow out, to see if there is an obstruction to breathing air out of the lungs. The test will be performed by a respiratory physiologist, with a specialist healthcare professional also on hand to provide health information and advise people on next steps. COPD Support Ireland advises anyone with symptoms of breathlessness and ongoing cough, with or without phlegm, to ask their GP about having a spirometry test performed. GP practices in many places around the country now have direct access to HSE Spirometry Services testing in their local Integrated Care Hubs. A new booklet, COPD & Me, has also been published by COPD Support Ireland. An essential guide to living with COPD, the booklet is brimful of information, advice and tips, from diagnosis and treatment, to exercise and nutrition, to mental health and well-being. For full details of all roadshow dates and locations countrywide, or to download or order a copy of the COPD & Me booklet, visit www.copd.ie Living their Best Lives Associate Professor Stanley Miller, Consultant Respiratory Physician and Chair of COPD Support Ireland, explains COPD, its symptoms, and diagnosis: COPD is an umbrella term that includes both emphysema, which is damage to the air sacs in the lungs, and chronic bronchitis, which is inflammation of the airways. This is where air moves into the lungs reasonably well, but there is difficulty or obstruction to the air moving out of the lungs efficiently, which causes people with COPD to feel breathless. The diagnosis of COPD is made by identifying the symptoms of shortness of breath and long-standing cough, with or without phlegm, along with a risk factor such as smoking, and then confirming the diagnosis with a breathing test called spirometry. While COPD is not curable, it is treatable. Specialist HSE respiratory teams in Integrated Care Hubs are helping thousands of people with COPD to be treated closer to home. By combining health professional management with self-management strategies, people with COPD can go a long way to living the life they wish to live. Oblivious to Presence of COPD Joan Johnston, General Manager, COPD Support Ireland, is urging people to become more familiar with the symptoms of COPD, and to get checked out if they have concerns: We know that so many people have COPD in this country, yet the vast majority have no idea. This is possibly because they are putting symptoms down to getting older or because they are in the early stages of disease and symptoms are not yet obvious to them. However, we do know that early diagnosis means we can do more to improve quality of life. Too many people are suffering unnecessarily and dying prematurely from a disease that is preventable and treatable. Thats why World COPD Day is so important in shining a spotlight on this disease and highlighting what we can do to mind ourselves better if we have a breathing problem. If you have ongoing breathlessness and a cough, with or without phlegm, do get checked out by your GP and ask about a spirometry breathing test. If you receive, or have already had a diagnosis of COPD, Id encourage you to join COPD Support Ireland. There is so much we can offer to support you. Anyone worried about COPD can call the COPD Advice Line on Freefone 1800 832 146 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) to receive a call back from a respiratory health professional who can answer questions and refer people to local supports. The COPD & Me Roadshow is supported by GSK, Vitalograph, AstraZeneca & A Menarini. The parents of a girl who did not send her to school were prosecuted at Naas District Court. Education welfare officer Philip Donnelly told the court that the child was absent for 130 days out of 167 in the 2021-2022 academic year or for 77.8% of the year. He said she missed all 167 days in second year. In the current year, he said, she had missed 138 of 167. The court heard she did not sit the junior certificate examinations. The case first came to court in September 2023 and the case was open for three years. Mr Donnelly said a number of intervention offers were made to help the parents to improve attendance and these included extra classes and a breakfast club. He said there was a minimal level of attendance and this stopped entirely in January. He said he made phone calls, sent text messages and called to the house and he said the reasons given for not attending were vague and unconvincing. He added there were allegations of drug dealing and drug consumption in the school and his reply was that a complaint should be made to the school and failing that to enrol her in another school. He said assistance would be provided to enrol elsewhere. He also said this school got no complaints about bullying and the parents would not come to the school. Cross examined by solicitor Tim Kennelly, who said the parents cannot read, Mr Donnelly said he had spoken to the parents at least half a dozen times. Read more Kildare news Mr Kennelly said the girl is no longer obliged to attend school because of her age. He said the girl was being bullied and this was reported regularly. He added the girl became quite rebellious and fell in with the wrong crowd." Mr Kennelly said not every child is academic or set for the halls of academia. The court was told the girl is not pursuing a course she wants to do and her mother and father had not failed grossly as parents. He said her family is hardworking and has different values than some others about education. Judge Aylmer said the girls family make a contribution to society through their work. He added it is acceptable to a degree that there is more to education than academic achievement but every classroom has children that will not achieve academically, but still attend. He added parents have an obligation to ensure their children are educated in the round. He said in this case the child was allowed to be absent for an extended period. He fined each parent 750 and imposed a custody term of one week, which was suspended. The Israeli parliament voted to ban the United Nations main aid agency for Palestinians from operating in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem on October 28. Because of Israels occupation and control of all Palestinian territories Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem the new laws amount to an effective ban on the agencys operations across Palestine as a whole. There has been widespread condemnation of the move, even from some of Israels closest allies. If implemented, the laws adopted today by the Knesset of Israel would likely prevent UNRWA from continuing its essential work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, with devastating consequences for Palestine refugees, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said following the parliamentary vote. The agency is often described as an essential lifeline for Palestinians, especially in the Gaza Strip. There is no alternative to UNRWA, Guterres said. Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he has discussed what steps can be taken at the UN level with his counterparts in Norway, Slovenia and Spain, countries which jointly condemned the new laws. What is UNRWA and how is it funded? UNRWA was founded in 1949 following the Nakba (Catastrophe), when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced from their homes during the Arab-Israeli war that led to the founding of the state of Israel. Many of those refugees make up the populations of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, living in refugee camps supported by the aid agency. Officially called the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA provides a wide range of services and employs around 30,000 people mostly Palestinians. It also operates in neighbouring countries Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, where many Palestinian refugees and their descendants live. UNRWA has two headquarter offices one in Gaza and one in Amman, Jordan. The agencys remit involves providing education, healthcare, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. In the school year of 2021/2022, UNRWA educated 291,100 children in its 189 schools in the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank, the agency educates around 45,000 children in 96 schools. UNRWA also operates 43 primary healthcare facilities in the West Bank, treating more than 895,000 patients annually. It is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states but also receives some funding through the UN budget and from private donors. The biggest donor by far has historically been the United States, followed by Germany and the European Union. Israel and UNRWA Israel has a long-held animosity towards UNRWA and UN institutions more generally which has only intensified during the war in Gaza that began in October 2023. In January 2024, Israel accused 12 UNRWA staff members of taking part in the Hamas-led attack on October 7 2023, leading many Western countries to temporarily suspend funding for the organisation. The United States was chief among those states that suspended funding and it remains paused despite most other countries reinstating their donations. In September 2024, a bill aimed at restoring the funds was introduced in the US Congress but it has not moved beyond the introduction phase. Ireland was among the countries that did not withdraw funding. In response to the October 7 accusations, UNRWA suspended 19 named workers (the number rose from 12 to 19 between January and April). A series of UN probes found some neutrality-related issues at the agency and determined that nine employees may have been involved in the October 7 attack, but found no evidence for Israels wider allegations. On August 5 this year, UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said he decided that in the case of these remaining nine staff members, they cannot work for UNRWA. At the time, UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq did not go into details about what their involvement may have been. For us, any participation in the attacks is a tremendous betrayal of the sort of work that we are supposed to be doing on behalf of the Palestinian people, he said. According to the BBC, an Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson said the report showed UNRWA had hit a new low. Israel also alleged that 10% of UNRWAs 13,000 workers in Gaza had connections to Hamas, a claim that remains unsubstantiated. The UN says Israel has not provided any evidence for its claims. In a year of war in the Gaza Strip, UNRWA says 233 of its workers have been killed in the territory. Only seven of its 27 health facilities in Gaza were operational as of October 24. In total, 190 UNRWA installations have been damaged or destroyed in Gaza since October 2023. Throughout the war, Israeli forces have repeatedly bombed UNRWA schools housing displaced people in Gaza and in some cases fired directly at UN aid vehicles. The Journals FactCheck is a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Networks Code of Principles. You can read it here. For information on how FactCheck works, what the verdicts mean, and how you can take part, check out FactChecks readers guide here. You can read about the team of editors and reporters who work on the factchecks here. A Leitrim man has been sentenced to three years in prison following a harrowing case of harassment targeting a woman he met online. David Moran, 33, from Corrabeagh, Gorvagh in County Leitrim, was sentenced in Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court last week, after admitting to a sustained campaign of harassment against a 31-year-old woman from Mayo over a period of 13 months. Judge Eoin Garavan condemned Morans actions, calling them sinister and deceitful and at the higher end of harassment. The court heard that Moran met the victim on a dating app in early 2020, but despite her decision not to pursue a romantic relationship, they stayed in contact through messaging. This friendship deteriorated in late 2021, leading Moran to launch a lengthy campaign of harassment that included disturbing acts such as planting threatening signs near her home, creating fake social media accounts, and sending offensive messages to her friends and colleagues. The victim, whose identity remains confidential, endured more than a year of distress and fear, with Moran reportedly making multiple night-time trips to her home to plant disturbing messages. He was eventually identified as the culprit through a fake email account, which Gardai linked to his mobile number. Evidence, including messages, paint supplies, and disturbing signs, was later discovered at his residence in Mohill. In a moving statement, the victim described the mental torture she experienced, explaining how the ordeal not only disrupted her life but also deeply impacted her family. Her father even took to patrolling their home in an attempt to catch the person responsible. Judge Garavan was visibly disturbed by the extent of Morans efforts to instill fear, highlighting the premeditation and persistence involved in Morans actions. He described Morans actions as extraordinary and questioned how long the harassment would have continued if Moran hadnt been caught. In his sentencing, the judge expressed concern about the absence of any clear motive beyond resentment, calling the sustained nature of the harassment astounding. Despite an offer of 20,000 in compensation from Moran, Judge Garavan felt that the sentence had to reflect the seriousness of his actions. Moran was given a four-year sentence, with the final year suspended, conditional upon participation in programs to address his behavior and support his rehabilitation. Additionally, Moran has been barred from contacting the victim or her family for ten years post-release. Moran, who ran a local machinery business, now faces social isolation, with his actions widely condemned within his community. His defense counsel noted that Moran had experienced significant backlash and personal repercussions since the case became public. The court also heard that he is committed to understanding the gravity of his actions and participating in rehabilitative programs. Judge Garavan concluded the sentencing by commending the victims resilience, hoping this verdict marks a new beginning for her after a deeply traumatic experience. The Government has approved the General Scheme of the Heat (Networks and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024. The development of this legislation will pave the way for the growth of a district heating industry in Ireland that would be highly efficient and low carbon, helping to meet national and international climate targets. Importantly, it would also establish a regulatory model which ensures price protection for large and small heat network consumers. READ MORE: Irish tourists affected by major floods in Spain as death toll surpasses 150 District heating utilises a centralised heat source to heat multiple buildings across a wide geographical area. This allows for several types of heat sources to be used to heat up to thousands of buildings across an entire village, town or city. Heat sources could be waste facilities like that in Dublins Poolbeg, or they could be large energy users like data centres or pharmaceutical companies that have access heat. If the heat source is low-carbon, it means that an entire district can be decarbonised almost instantly. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Irelands 2022 National Heat Study found that district heating has the potential to supply over 50% of heat nationally and, crucially, it identifies the potential to use this technology in large towns and cities across Ireland where demand is highest, and heat sources are prevalent. Similarly, Codema (Dublins Energy Agency) identified that, collectively, there are enough waste heat and renewable sources in Dublin to heat over 1 million homes and that approximately 80% of heat demand in Dublin could be met by district heating by 2050. Minister Ryan opened Irelands first district heating network in Tallaght, Co. Dublin, in April of last year. This uses waste heat from the Amazon Data Centre, which is now providing low-carbon heat to South Dublin County Council public buildings and Technological University Dublin, with further plans to provide heat to 133 affordable apartments next year and up to another 3500 homes over the next three to five years. There are also plans in place to use waste heat from the Poolbeg incinerator to heat approximately 50,000 buildings in the surrounding area. Although District Heating is a well-established technology with approximately 70 million district heating customers across the EU, it is new to Ireland with only one district heating network developed by South Dublin County Council in Tallaght. Minister Ryan said: By approving the General Scheme of this Bill, the Government is recognising that district heating has the potential to make a lasting contribution to Irelands heat needs and climate goals. I launched the first District Heating scheme in Tallaght last year and already, the pipes for district heating are going into the new housing development at the Glass Bottle site. We will have district heating there in 2026 and can continue then all the way up the Liffey to heat Dublin City Centre. "I am also pleased that my Department is engaging with the process of the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund to prioritise funding for the development of national district heating infrastructure." Ireland has very ambitious targets within the Climate Action Plan, to comply with EU directives and our sectoral emissions ceilings, to deliver district heating of up to 2.7 TWh by 2030. That will require a very significant and immediate scale up and acceleration of projects. The introduction of legislative and regulatory frameworks for the district heating sector by way of this General Scheme will be crucial in providing policy and regulatory certainty to potential project sponsors and investors in district heating in Ireland. Singapore Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo visits BrainCo for research and study HANGZHOU, China, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 12th, Josephine Teo, Singapore Minister for Digital Development and Information, and Second Minister for Home Affairs visited BrainCo for a study session, exploring the company's latest advancements in non-invasive brain-computer interface and artificial intelligence technologies. The delegation began with a tour of the BrainCo product display. Under the introduction of BrainCo's founder and CEO, Han Bicheng, Josephine Teo gained a deeper understanding of the company's latest developments in non-invasive brain-computer interface technology. The company's product experience officer showcased various applications of the BrainCo Intelligent Dexterous Bionic Hand, such as calligraphy and playing the piano, along with the BrainCo M3 Intelligent Bionic Leg. Following the tour, the two sides held a discussion session. Han Bicheng introduced BrainCo's technological progress, research direction, and goals in the field of brain-computer interfaces. He expressed a desire to strengthen communication and broaden areas of cooperation with relevant companies in Singapore, aiming for mutual benefits and shared success. During her visit to China, Josephine Teo also toured academic institutions and technology companies in Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. Following her visit, she shared on her social media: "Singapore and China are long-standing partners, enjoying deep and multifaceted relations. Our bonds continue to flourish through the years, from high-level government exchanges to robust business ties and strong friendships between our people. During my working trip to China last week, I visited academics and tech companies across Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. I was also happy to connect with fellow Singaporeans working in the tech scene there, and glad to see them doing well. These interactions reaffirmed my conviction that Tech must be for the Public Good?to enhance our quality of life and unlock new opportunities for our people and businesses." As Josephine Teo mentioned, technology must serve the public good. BrainCo adheres to the mission of "Unlocking more possibilities in life", committed to applying laboratory technologies to real-world settings to create tangible impacts. BrainCo has completed approximately $300 million in financing and invested in research and development. The company aims to connect its brain-computer interface products with international markets and looks forward to exploring more business opportunities with partners worldwide, jointly promoting industry innovation and market growth. SOURCE BrainCo 1 november 2024 at 04:59 News published onand distributed by: Lung Cancer Screening May Detect Cancer Before Symptoms Show November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and the American Cancer Society urges discussing lung cancer screening with a doctor DES MOINES, Iowa, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women, aside from skin cancer, and stands as the overall leading cause of cancer death in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 2,600 Iowa residents will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year. Symptoms usually don't appear until the disease is already at an advanced stage, making lung cancer screening critical to finding it early when it may be easier to treat. While anyone can get lung cancer, the risk is higher for people who currently smoke or formerly smoked. The American Cancer Society's lung cancer screening guideline recommends yearly lung cancer screening for people aged 50 to 80 years old who smoke or formerly smoked and have a 20 year or greater pack-year history. A pack-year is equal to smoking 1 pack per day for a year. The recommended annual screening test for lung cancer is a low-dose computed tomography scan (also called a low-dose CT scan, or LDCT). Ten years have passed since the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) first recommended low-dose CT for lung cancer screening, yet lung cancer screening rates remain low. In Iowa, only 7 in 100 eligible individuals have undergone the screening (source). This is a striking contrast to more established screening tests for other cancers, including screening mammography (79%) and colorectal (73%) cancer screening. Access to and utilization of lung cancer screening has been particularly challenging for people who live in rural areas. These individuals are more likely to live more than 30 minutes away from a designated lung cancer screening center, be underinsured, and have lower health literacy levels. Inadequate access to care and low utilization rates for lung cancer screening present an opportunity for patient and caregiver advocates, community health organizations, medical professionals, cancer centers, health systems, payers, and industry partners to work together to promote health equity, reduce healthcare disparities, and enhance accessibility to lifesaving and effective lung cancer screening. "Iowa has had one of the slowest declines for both new lung cancer cases and lung cancer deaths, especially for females, in the US," said Mary Charlton, director of the Iowa Cancer Registry, president of the Iowa Cancer Consortium, and volunteer and previous research grantee of the ACS. "Only 28 percent of lung cancer cases in Iowa are found early. Finding lung cancer as soon as possible can greatly increase chances of survival, so it's important for doctors to talk with their eligible patients about the potential benefits and limits of yearly screening." ACS has partnered with the Iowa Cancer Consortium, Iowa's statewide coalition of 700 cancer control partners, to form a Lung Cancer Screening Learning Collaborative Series (LCS^2). The goal of LCS^2 is to increase lung cancer screening rates in Iowa by helping key partners develop individualized action plans to increase lung cancer screening among their eligible patients. To learn more or find a screening location near you, visit cancer.org/getscreened. About the American Cancer Society The American Cancer Society is a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. For more than 110 years, we have been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support. We are committed to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. To learn more, visit cancer.org or call our 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345 . Connect with us on Facebook, X, and Instagram . About the Iowa Cancer Consortium The Iowa Cancer Consortium is Iowa's statewide comprehensive cancer coalition. As a leader in cancer control, the Iowa Cancer Consortium offers the state's key cancer partners access to resources, expertise, and non-competitive collaboration across traditional boundaries for a bigger impact in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, quality of life, and health equity. The Iowa Cancer Consortium also maintains the Iowa Cancer Plan, a blueprint for Iowans to work together to reduce the burden of cancer. Learn more at www.canceriowa.org. SOURCE American Cancer Society 1 november 2024 at 06:00 News published onand distributed by: Nigeria Regulatory Technology Business Report 2024: Market to Reach $507.18 Million by 2029 - 50+ KPIs on Market Size by Industry, Technology, Type of Product, Deployment, Products, & Market Share - ResearchAndMarkets.com The "Nigeria RegTech Business and Investment Opportunities Databook - 50+ KPIs on RegTech Market Size, By Industry, By Technology, By Type of Product, By Deployment, By Product Offering, Market Share - Q3 2024 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The regtech industry in Nigeria is expected to grow by 30.1% on annual basis to reach US$209.80 million in 2024. The regtech industry is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 19.3% during 2024-2029. The regtech in the country will increase from US$161.27 million in 2023 to reach US$507.18 million by 2029. This report provides a detailed data centric analysis of regtech industry, covering market opportunities and risks. With over 50+ KPIs at country level, this report provides a comprehensive understanding of regtech market dynamics, market size and forecast, and market share statistics. Its unbiased analysis leverages a proprietary analytics platform to offer a detailed view on emerging business and investment market opportunities. Reasons to buy Gain comprehensive Market Insights: Access detailed analyses of RegTech spending across various industries, including banking, healthcare, and retail. This understanding will enable you to allocate budgets effectively and prioritize investments based on market demand. Product and Technology Breakdown: Explore various RegTech products, such as identity verification solutions, compliance management platforms, and fraud detection systems. Insights into the adoption of technologies like AI, blockchain, and RPA will inform your product development and integration strategies. Industry-Specific Applications: Gain tailored insights on how different sectors implement RegTech solutions. By examining industry-specific needs, you can better align your offerings to meet regulatory requirements and enhance operational efficiency. Market Share and Competitive Analysis: Understand the competitive landscape through in-depth market share analysis among RegTech companies. This information will assist in identifying potential partnerships and benchmarking your organization against key market players. Deployment Models and Compliance Focus: Review various deployment options, including on-premise, hybrid, and service models, to determine the best fit for your organization. Additionally, grasp the regulatory landscape to ensure compliance management strategies are both proactive and effective. Key Attributes: Epredia Receives Innovative Technology Designation from Vizient for SlideMatetm Laser Slide Printer Epredia, a global leader in precision cancer diagnostics and subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation (TSE 6523), announces its SlideMatetm Laser slide printer has received an Innovative Technology Designation for improving laboratory efficiency and sample traceability from Vizient, Inc., the largest provider-driven healthcare performance improvement company in the country. Epredia exhibited SlideMate Laser at the Vizient Innovative Technology Exchange Sept. 18 in Las Vegas. Each year, healthcare experts serving on Vizient provider-led councils review select products and technologies for their potential to enhance clinical care, patient safety, or healthcare worker safety or to improve business operations of healthcare organizations. Innovative Technology designations are awarded to previously contracted products to signal to healthcare providers the impact of these innovations on patient care and the business models of healthcare organizations. Epredia's SlideMate portfolio of slide printers is used in the cancer diagnostics process to identify and help track tissue samples. The company designed SlideMate Laser for clinical laboratories of any size looking to improve sample traceability. SlideMate Laser provides high-resolution, 600-dpi laser printing on microscope slides, enabling laboratories to include more identifying information directly on the tab of the slides that pathologists use in the cancer diagnostics workflow. This technology can embed up to 50 characters in a barcode on each slide, compared to 23 characters with traditional thermal transfer and ink jet technologies, improving both patient sample tracking and efficiency. SlideMate Laser also helps enhance laboratory efficiency by optimizing the slide movements through the printer and reducing potential downtime compared to thermal transfer and ink jet printers. Without the need to purchase, ink, bulbs or tape for slide printers, users can expect lower operational costs. With both on-demand and batch printing options, SlideMate Laser can integrate into a range of workflows. The laser printer's software is easy to use and can be directly interfaced to a Laboratory Information System. SlideMate Laser is the latest addition to Epredia's world-class portfolio of precision cancer diagnostics products and services that provide a seamless end-to-end laboratory workflow. Epredia also offers the specialized slides designed for use with SlideMate Laser to help laboratories make a smooth transition to precision laser printing. Steven Lynum, President of Epredia, said, "We set out to transform the anatomical pathology market with precision cancer diagnostics solutions. The Vizient Innovative Technology Designation is a true honor, and further proof that SlideMate Laser contributes to our goal of providing a seamless end-to-end laboratory workflow. Our team remains focused on improving patient outcomes by enabling pathologists to do their best work." "Congratulations to Epredia for achieving this peer-designated status," said Kelly Flaharty, senior director contract services and Vizient Innovative Technology Program leader. "Our customer council deemed the SlideMate Laser worthy of this designation for its potential to make a real difference in the healthcare industry." Vizient represents a diverse customer base that includes academic medical centers, pediatric facilities, community hospitals, integrated health delivery networks and non-acute healthcare providers and has a portfolio that represents more than $140 billion in annual purchasing volume. Through its Innovative Technology Program, Vizient works with member-led councils and task forces to evaluate products for their potential to bring real innovation to healthcare. Vizient may award a contract to products deemed worthy of the Innovative Technology designation outside of the competitive bid cycle. About Epredia Epredia is a global leader in the anatomical pathology field, providing comprehensive solutions for precision cancer diagnostics and tissue diagnostics. Powered by key brands, including Erie Scientific, Menzel-Glaser, Microm, Shandon, and Richard-Allan Scientific, Epredia's portfolio includes microscope slides, instruments and consumables. Epredia was established following the acquisition of Thermo Fisher Scientific's Anatomical Pathology business by PHC Holdings in 2019. Epredia has manufacturing operations in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, and China with a total of around 1,200 employees. Epredia is committed to achieving its mission to improve lives by enhancing cancer diagnostics for patients around the world. For further information on Epredia and its products, please visit www.epredia.com. About PHC Holdings Corporation (PHC Group) PHC Holdings Corporation (TSE 6523) is a global healthcare company with a mission of contributing to the health of society through healthcare solutions that have a positive impact and improve the lives of people. Its subsidiaries (referred to collectively as PHC Group) include PHC Corporation, Epredia, Ascensia Diabetes Care, LSI Medience Corporation, Mediford, and Wemex. Together, these companies develop, manufacture, sell and service solutions across diabetes management, healthcare solutions, life sciences and diagnostics. PHC Group's consolidated net sales in FY2023 were JPY 353.9 billion with global distribution of products and services in more than 125 countries. www.phchd.com 1 november 2024 at 14:05 News published onand distributed by: Orca Energy Group Inc. Announces an Operational Update TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, Nov. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- November 1, 2024: Orca Energy Group Inc. ("Orca" or the "Company") and includes its subsidiaries and affiliates, including PanAfrican Energy Tanzania Limited ("PAET") and Pan African Energy Corporation (Mauritius) ("PAEM") (TSX-V: ORC.A, ORC.B) announces an operational update. Unless otherwise stated, all amounts referred to herein are expressed in United States dollars ("$"). Songas Update On October 30, 2024, PAET was advised by Songas Limited ("Songas") that the Interim Power Purchase Agreement ("PPA") will expire on October 31, 2024. At midnight on October 31, 2024, Songas shutdown the Songas Power Plan and it is unknown how long this will be in force. In the event that a new PPA is not entered into, there is a risk the Songas Power plant will shutdown indefinitely. This would adversely impact demand for production volumes from the Songo Songo gas field. At this time, it is unknown if a new PPA will be entered into. Production guidance for the annual average Additional Gas (as defined below) sales is now forecast to be 65 - 68 MMcfd (100% conventional natural gas). This range incorporates the exclusion of all volumes previously forecast to be supplied to Songas for November and December, and certain volumes lifted but disputed by a major industrial customer as a consequence of the position taken by the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation ("TPDC") and Government of Tanzania in relation to the cessation of Protected Gas (as detailed and defined below). The Songo Songo gas field continues to operate as normal. Following cessation of Protected Gas on July 31, 2024, despite the absence of a contract to do so, Songas continued to lift volumes of gas in August and September, at an average rate of 17.8 MMcfd. On September 23, 2024, the Company was notified by Songas that it acknowledges it had lifted this volume, but due to TPDC's refusal to approve a Gas Sales Agreement for this Additional Gas, they would elect to pay only 19.5% of such volumes. This accords with the payment arrangements for Complex Additional Gas under the contracted payment terms for Protected Gas which ended on July 31, 2024. Payment was made on this basis by Songas on October 10, 2024, in the amount equivalent to USD $410,000, representing 19.5% of the total invoiced amount of USD $2.1 million. Only Additional Gas attracted a Processing and Transportation ("P&T") tariff up to July 31, 2024, (when Protected Gas was active), while Protected Gas did not. In contradiction of their position regarding payment above, Songas has invoiced PAET for the P&T tariff consistent with all gas volumes shipped to Songas during August as being AG. This amount has been fully accounted for and paid by PAET in accordance with the terms of the current agreements. Operations During Q3-2024, the Company successfully completed a production and saturation logging program in three wells. Initial results indicate that the wells and field are performing in line with expectations, with final interpretation of results continuing in order to update longer term reservoir management plans. The workover program on SS-7 has completed a complex mobilization to Songo Songo Island, and the operational well intervention phase has commenced. Operations, including further logging, are expected to last for approximately three weeks. The objective of the work is to restore the mechanical integrity of the well to shutoff water production in order to restart production from the southern compartment of the gas field. On conclusion of the intervention, SS-7 is forecast to return to production in November 2024. The total expected project cost has increased to $22.0 million from $16.6 million primarily as a result of vendor logistical delays and more recently weather delays during both the mobilization from the Mombasa to Songo Songo Island and positioning the barges and jackup platform on the offshore SS-7 well. Commercial In August 2024, the Company issued a notice of dispute ("Notice of Dispute"), in respect of an investment treaty claim against the Government of Tanzania for breach of the Agreement on Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investment between the Government of the Republic of Mauritius and the Government of Tanzania, and a contractual dispute against the Government of Tanzania and TPDC, for breaches of the: (i) PSA, and (ii) GA (as defined herein). Initial meetings with both the Advisory and Coordinating Committees were held during the week of October 14, 2024, without any resolution on the key issues in dispute. The matters have now been referred to relevant entity's chief executive officers in accordance with the dispute resolution process. These meetings have been proposed for November or December. Further updates on this matter will be made as appropriate. PAET has continued to supply gas to Tanzania Portland Cement PLC ("TPCPLC") during August 2024 and September 2024. As a consequence of the position taken by TPDC, PAET was unable to invoice TPCPLC for volumes anticipated to have been supplied under the Supplementary Gas Agreement ("SGA"). The SGA had been agreed to by TPCPLC and was due to commence on August 1, 2024, but TPDC refused to approve the agreement. Therefore, PAET has invoiced all volumes lifted as Additional Gas under the Gas Sales Agreement which was established in 2008. It is not known if TPCPLC will pay all or any element of these invoices. As of the date of hereof, the August invoice for $2.64 million was outstanding, with the September invoice of $2.75 million being due on November 5, 2024. The Company will provide further updates in due course on this matter. Financial The Company exited September 30, 2024, with cash and cash equivalents of $101.7 million (June 30, 2024: $97.2 million) and no change to long-term debt of $25.1 million (June 30, 2024: $25.1 million). Cash held in hard currencies (USD, Euro, GBP, CDN) was $93.2 million at September 30, 2024 (June 30, 2024: $86.1 million). Following the extension to the Portfolio Gas Supply Agreement ("PGSA") with the Tanzania Electricity Supply Company Limited ("TANESCO") between PAET, TPDC and TANESCO, TANESCO has taken delivery of approximately 26.7 MMcfd in September 2024. As of September 30, 2024, the receivable from TANESCO was $8.1 million, and the TANESCO long-term receivable was $22.0 million. Orca Energy Group Inc. Orca Energy Group Inc. is an international public company engaged in natural gas development and supply in Tanzania through its subsidiary, PAET. Orca trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbols ORC.B and ORC.A. The principal asset of Orca is its indirect interest in the PSA with TPDC and the Government of Tanzania in the United Republic of Tanzania. This PSA covers the production and marketing of certain conventional natural gas from the Songo Songo license offshore Tanzania. The PSA defines the gas produced from the Field as "Protected Gas" and "Additional Gas". The Protected Gas is owned by TPDC and prior to July 31, 2024 was sold under the Gas Agreement ("GA") between the Government of Tanzania, TPDC, Songas and PEAT, to Songas and TPCPLC. Protected Gas production ceased on July 31, 2024, and accordingly all gas is to be sold as Additional Gas. PAET continues to act in the best interests of its Tanzanian stakeholders and make natural gas available to Songas for power, so that the country can continue to benefit from a reliable power supply. The Company has consistently demonstrated its commitment to supporting the Tanzanian economy, following 20 years of continued investment in the country. However, as detailed in recent announcements, and as set out in the GA, the supply of Protected Gas ceased on July 31, 2024, with all gas now being produced from the Songo Songo gas field, being designated as Additional Gas. PAET's position is that it is entitled to compensation at commercial rates for any such gas supplied as Additional Gas and for which it has not received payment as a result of the position taken by TPDC. This is subject to ongoing dispute with TPDC, with TPDC asserting that Protected Gas continued after July 31, 2024. Songas is the owner of the infrastructure that enables the gas to be processed and delivered to Dar es Salaam, which includes a gas processing plant on Songo Songo Island. For further information please contact: Jay Lyons [email protected] Lisa Mitchell [email protected] For media enquiries: Celicourt (PR) Jimmy Lea Mark Antelme [email protected] +44 (0)20 7770 6424 Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking statements or information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, which address activities, events or developments that Orca expects or anticipates to occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements often contain terms such as may, will, should, anticipate, expect, continue, estimate, believe, project, forecast, plan, intend, target, outlook, focus, could and similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. More particularly, this press release contains, without limitation, forward-looking statements pertaining to the following: the Company's expectation that PAET will receive payment in respect of Protected Gas supplied after July 31, 2024; expectations that SS-7 will return to production in November 2024; expectations around entering into a new PPA; expectations in respect of the Songas Power plant; expectations that an indefinite shutdown of the Songas Power plant will adversely impact demand for production volumes from the Songo Songo gas filed; expectation that forecasted Additional Gas will decrease; expectations in respect to the results of the production and saturation logging program; expectations that the PPA will be replaced; the concern that if the Protected Gas is not resolved, the Company will be required to reduce costs and ensure capital expenditure projects on the Songo Songo gas field are in line with contracts and economic returns; expectations that the SGA will be entered into and the terms abided by; the expectations regarding future revenues of the Company; expectations as to the resolution of the Notice of Dispute; the Company's plans to provide updates on the Notice of Dispute and TPCPLC invoice; and expectations that Songas will pay the balance of the invoice in respect to Additional Gas. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, future actions, future payments, levels of activity, access to resources, results of negotiation, results from arbitration, amount of damages or costs incurred by the Company relating to negotiations and/or arbitration, since such expectations are inherently subject to significant business, economic, operational, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. These forward-looking statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company's control, and many factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by the Company, including, but not limited to: uncertainties involving the Notice of Dispute; uncertainties involving the SGA; uncertainties involving the completion of the SS-7 workplan; various uncertainties involved in the extension of the Songo Songo license; risk that timing is not as anticipated with respect to SS-7, including timing of return to production; risk that meetings related to the Notice of Dispute are not held on the anticipated timing; risk the PPA will not be replaced; risk of decreased demand for production volumes from the Songo Songo gas field; risk that Orca does not receive payment of TPCPLC invoices; risk Orca has to make the P&T tariff payments to Songas; risk the Songas Power plant will shutdown indefinitely; risk that Songas receivables increases; negative effect on the Company's rights under the PSA and other agreements relating to its business in Tanzania; changes in laws and regulations; impact of local content regulations and variances in the interpretation and enforcement of such regulations; uncertainty regarding results through negotiations and/or exercise of legally available remedies; failure to successfully negotiate agreements; risks of non-payment by recipients of natural gas supplied by the Company; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, or regulations and/or changes in the administration of laws, policies, and practices, expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in Tanzania; lack of certainty with respect to foreign legal systems, corruption, and other factors that are inconsistent with the rule of law; risk of loss due to acts of war, terrorism, sabotage and civil disturbances; timing of receipt of, or failure to comply with, necessary permits and approvals; and potential damage to the Company's reputation due to the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, including negative publicity with respect to the Company's dealings with the Government of Tanzania, TPDC and TANESCO, whether true or not. Therefore, the Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by these forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive therefrom. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Such forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors the Company believes are appropriate in the circumstances, including, but not limited to: the Company's relationship with TPDC and the Government of Tanzania; the current status of negotiations in respect of the SGA, GA and PSA; the current status of actions involved in the Notice of Dispute; accurate assessment by the Company of the merits of its rights and obligations in relation to TPDC and the Government of Tanzania and other stakeholders in the Songo Songo gas field; receipt of required regulatory approvals; the Company's ability to maintain strong commercial relationships with the Government of Tanzania and other state and parastatal organizations and other stakeholders in the Songo Songo gas field; the current and future administration in Tanzania continues to honor the terms of the PSA and the Company's other principal agreements; the Company's relationship with TPCPLC; anticipated operations and timing with respect to SS-7; Orca's operations continue as anticipated, including in respect of production results; and other matters. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. 1 november 2024 at 16:40 News published onand distributed by: Entergy to participate in EEI Financial Conference NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Entergy Chair and Chief Executive Officer Drew Marsh and members of the senior management team plan to meet with investors during the Edison Electric Institute Financial Conference from Sunday, Nov. 10, to Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. Meeting materials will be posted Friday, Nov. 8, to Entergy's Investor Relations website at investors.entergy.com/investors/events-and-presentations. About Entergy Entergy (NYSE: ETR) is a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We're investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at?entergy.com?and connect with?@Entergy?on social media. #WePowerLife SOURCE Entergy Corporation 1 november 2024 at 17:58 News published onand distributed by: En partenariat avec la gendarmerie nationale, la Ville de Lamballe-Armor propose a la population des reunions de prevention pour se premunir contre les vols et les cambriolages dans les habitations et les commerces. Au programme : conseils, solutions techniques, rappel des reglementations liees a la video protection et video surveillance, etc. Cette action sinscrit dans un contexte de recrudescence des tentatives de vols et de cambriolages dans la region. A lire sur le sujet Apres des cambriolages en plein jour dans les Cotes-dArmor, la gendarmerie appelle a la vigilance Les 7 et 8 novembre A ce jour, trois reunions sont prevues a la salle Pierre Lanoe, 6 rue Mouexigne, a Lamballe-Armor. Deux, ouvertes a tous les habitants, se derouleront jeudi 7 novembre, a 14 h 30 et a 20 h. Elles porteront notamment sur les cambriolages a domicile et les escroqueries sur Internet. Ces deux reunions seront animees par les correspondants surete de la brigade de gendarmerie de Lamballe-Armor. Dans la nuit du 22 au 23 aout 2024, un habitant de La Poterie, a Lamballe-Armor, avait ete reveille par la presence de deux cambrioleurs dans sa maison. Il les avait mis en fuite. (Le Telegramme/Benoit Trehorel) Une troisieme, plutot a destination des commercants, est programmee le vendredi 8 novembre, a 20 h. Deux thematiques seront abordees : la mise en surete du commerce et des batiments ; puis les solutions techniques de protection (systemes dalarme, rideaux metalliques). La reunion sera notamment animee par ladjudante Aline Betton, referente surete du groupement de gendarmerie des Cotes-dArmor. Gratuit. Sans reservation. Newsletter Aujourd'hui en Bretagne Du lundi au vendredi a 19h, les faits marquants du jour en Bretagne Adresse e-mail Nos autres newsletters You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close OWNERS of a city centre coffee bar have ground out a Tidy Towns award for the condition in which they keep their premises in O'Connell Street. Guji Coffee Bar, which is located in the former Timberland unit on Limerick's main thoroughfare has won the Limerick City Tidy Towns award for September and October. Maura O'Neill of the Tidy Towns group said: "I think we were all saddened to see the former Timberland shop that used to be in this prominent corner unit close a couple of years ago, given its central location in the heart of the city, but we are delighted that it was taken over by Guji coffee bar who have given it a new lease of life with their new boutique coffee shop." READ MORE: Groomsmans guilty plea over Limerick grooms death on his wedding day She praised the firm's "striking bubble-gum pink signature branding and signage" as well as its "spotlessly clean windows and welcoming plants at the entrance". "It is a stylish and welcome addition to the newly developed OConnell Street," added Maura. The firm is owned by Alan Andrews, and opened in July 2023 following the opening of a coffee bar in Cork five years ago. As well as coffee, snacks and sweet treats, customers can also buy coffee beans and coffee makers for home use. Guji also recently began offering an extended menu including additional food options like acai bowls and bacon butties. The coffee bar has become Limerick City Tidy Towns fifth winner for 2024 and will be in with a chance to be the overall winner for 2024 at next years annual event. They will be joined in the final by the Adapt Shop at Parnell Street, Thompson's Funeral Home, The Spitjack, Bedford Row and Verizon. If you wish to join Limerick City Tidy Towns for their clean-ups of the city, they meet every Sunday morning at 11am at the corner of Thomas Street and OConnell Street, and on Wednesday evenings at 6pm outside the White House during summer months. TALKS are to take place across the next few weeks in a bid to avert a potential commercial rates rise on businesses in Limerick. Its understood Mayor of Limerick John Moran has proposed an increase - but is open to talks with council members on this matter. The rate is a multiplier charge paid by business owners based on the size and value of the property they operate from. READ MORE: Annual Christmas market launched by Croom Community Development Association Its an aspect of the local authority budget which is keenly watched by the citys business lobby. And with this years budget set to be agreed on Friday, November 29, councillors are scrambling to ensure any rise in the commercial rate is minimal. In order to do this, cuts will need to be made elsewhere in Mayor Morans maiden budget. The issue of the commercial rate was initially discussed at a behind-closed-doors meeting. But it was then brought out into the open by members of the metropolitan area at the districts monthly meeting. A number of councillors spoke of their concerns at imposing extra charges on business owners in a tough business environment. Labour councillor Conor Sheehan said: Businesses are on their knees at the moment, particularly cafes. I have spoken a lot with cafe owners over the last couple of months and due to the increased financial pressures being put on them, they are facing closure. He said it is something that Limerick City and County Council, as well as the next Government need to put a focus on. Our towns and cities are at risk of being hollowed out even further, Cllr Sheehan said. Fine Gaels leader in the metropolitan district, Cllr Daniel Butler said: Most of the rates are generated in the metropolitan district, and most of the workload in relation to any proposed rate increase are going to come on the shoulders of us in the metropolitan district as business owners will talk to us mostly. He said how the budget is communicated needs to be changed in future, given Limerick now has a directly elected mayor. His party colleague, Cllr Sarah Kiely said she is not in favour of a commercial rates rise. Fianna Fail councillor Fergus Kilcoyne, a publican by profession added he is speaking to hospitality traders who share some quite frightening stories. One person told me has to close to stay open. This man operated a business which opened at 8am and ran right through, a public house with a restaurant. Now he is down to just four hours in the evening, he said. Cllr Kilyocne clarified the businessperson in question is operating limited hours in order to save on energy, electricity and staffing costs. "The government needs to hear this," the councillor, who chaired the metropolitan meeting, said. Social Democrats councillor Elisa O'Donovan asked if there would be conditions in place in the budget to spare small to medium sized firms the worst of any rates rise. She was told by a local authority official that while historically this has happened, it would be "premature" to say at this stage, as the budget has not yet been decided upon. Limerick City and County Council declined to comment any further when they were contacted. TOWNS and villages across Limerick have once again shone at the Supervalu Tidy Towns awards, which took place in Croke Park this Friday. And the Limerick City Tidy Towns group have achieved a silver award after six consecutive years of winning bronze. Adare village's Tidy Towns group - which won the contest in 1976 - won the only gold medal award in Limerick. Meanwhile, a silver award went to another former Tidy Towns winner, Galbally, which was Limerick's most recent victor in 1994. READ MORE: Australian musician calls Limerick visit "really fricken special" after Dolans concert They were joined by Castleconnell in securing silver for the first time. The riverside village was also highly commended in the Waters and Communities section of the contest, compered by Marty Morrissey. Bronze medals went to Tidy Towns groups in Ardpatrick and Newcastle West, while Patrickswell also secured an Endeavour award. Helen O'Donnell, Limerick City Tidy Towns, believes the completion of the O'Connell Street revitalisation helped her group get an upgrade to silver. "I think the fact O'Connell Street finally came to a completion really made a big difference. It was really hard to navigate the town before that," she said. "It felt like we were stuck on bronze a bit, so we were very excited when we came up on the silver page. It's nice for all the volunteers who come out frequently to support us. People come out every Sunday, every Wednesday and dfays inbetween. They segregate the rubbish and are passionate about keeping the city clean," said Helen. She acknowledged the city centre still has its challenges - notably some of the basements which are littered and parts of private property which volunteers cannot access to clean up. In their adjudication report, the Supervalu Tidy Towns judges praised the fact the Limerick group partnered with the local migrant forum and the Ukrainian community here. It was something Helen noted, saying: "We have a lot of people living in the city centre who support us. They want to give back to Limerick. We have many nationalitiews. We have two incredible Chinese volunteers who have just joined us. It's really nice they are taking part." Judges praised the frontage of many shops and restaurants across the city, and added: "It was not surprising to find that the overall standard of litter control was considered to be very good for a large and busy city teaming with residents and visitors on a summer's day. JACK ONeill turns three in November but he already got the best present ever - a trip to Colbert Station to see all the buses parked up. The son of Thomas and Joanne ONeill, from Thomondgate, is fascinated with buses and gives every one that passes him a big wave. Jack now has a global following after his dad started a TikTok account called Jack loves the buses. One video of Limerick bus driver Rob Hehir sitting Jack up on his knee behind the steering wheel has got over 41,000 views. Thomas said it all started late last year when they were on one of their regular evening walks around the city. Every time a bus would go past, Jack would say, Look, look, its a bus. From then on he just started waving at buses and the bus drivers. I said I must get this on camera as its very funny. He loves them. He loves double decker ones - he calls them the big buses. If he sees one of the private company buses he calls them baby buses, smiled Thomas. He thinks the innocence of Jacks hobby is what resonates with so many online. I only started on Tik Tok at the end of August. Its gone mad. He got a lot of followers in a short amount of time. A lot of local people have seen it and when they meet Jack they ask him did he see any buses today. They all follow him. I got a message from a woman in Malawi of all places who said she was Jacks biggest fan, said Thomas. The proud dad said if Jack is not waving at buses in town, hes at home watching videos of buses on You Tube. Jack thought things couldnt get any better after his own special visit with Rob but then the bus driver invited him to Colbert Station to see all the buses parked up. Jack had free rein of a few buses. He was even too giddy to stand for pics with Rob or me, laughed Thomas. A Dublin Bus employee has also been in touch and invited the family to Busaras the next time they are up in the capital. It will be no surprise that Jack will be asking Santa Claus for a new toy bus to go with the ones he already has. Thomas has been helping Santa and the elves in the North Pole. I can't find a bus that is bigger than a small six inch one. There is nothing online. It is all cars and tractors. I got onto Bus Eireann and I asked do they sell toys, that my son is obsessed with buses but they said they don't do any merchandise. READ MORE: Listen up: Pallaskenry National School pupils launch new podcast I've looked online and searched everywhere and all I can find is small buses. He loves them but I'd love to get a bigger one for him to play with, said Thomas. In the meantime, Jack will continue to wave at buses and bring smiles to people around the world on social media. And who knows, in about two decades time he could be driving one himself! LIMERICK City and County Council has been given the green light to formally apply to develop a flood relief scheme in Castleconnell. The news came in an announcement by local TD and Minister of State at the Office of Public Works Kieran O'Donnell. He said the defences will protect 50 properties, 35 of which are family homes, and 15 commercial properties and businesses. It was back in 2018 that council appointed consultants to design a flood relief scheme for Castleconnell. Pictured above: Kieran O'Donnell in 2009 after the River Shannon burst its banks to cause chaos in Castleconnell The scheme design for Castleconnell includes flood walls at the rear of the northern properties and the rear of Mall House, a new set-back flood wall along the Mall Road and a flood wall alongside Mahers Pub car park. There will be road raising and a flood gate across Island House entrance and an embankment is to be constructed from Meadowbrook Estate to Stormont House. The schemes design also includes a demountable barrier across Chapel Hill Road along with road raising and an embankment to the rear of Coolbane Woods. The announcement that a planning application can now be made comes after a detailed engineering analysis, environmental assessments and engagement with the public on options to protect the village. Mr O'Donnell added: "There are currently four flood relief schemes at different stages of progression in Limerick. The Kings Island Flood Relief Scheme is due to commence construction in November with a construction cost of 32m. The Limerick City and Environs Flood Relief Scheme has commenced optioneering to identify a preferred and viable design. The Adare and Athea Flood Relief Schemes have each identified an emerging preferred design option and are programmed to go to planning in 2025." The cost of constructing the Castleconnell Flood Relief Scheme and other Limerick schemes will be met from the Governments commitment to managing Irelands flood risk through the 1.3bn for flood relief measures set out in the National Development Plan. The design of this and all flood relief schemes is future proofed and is adaptable to meet the increasing flood risk from climate change. LIMERICK Fire and Rescue Service responded to a number of calls across Limerick city and county on Halloween night. Twenty calls in total were received overall across the city and county, in what was a "relatively quiet" Halloween night for the fire service. Fourteen of those calls were deemed to be "Halloween related". In response to a query from Limerick Live, the fire and rescue service confirmed that two calls were received in the city, two in Newcastle West, three in Cappamore, and one in Rathkeale, with more interspersed throughout Limerick. READ MORE: Firefighters tackle blaze at Limerick bar and restaurant Most of the calls received were related to either fireworks or outdoor fires and bonfires. This year saw a slight decrease in the number of calls received by fire services in Limerick on Halloween compared to last year's figures, with almost 25 calls made during Halloween night in 2023. A spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council said: "Last night Limerick City and County Council Fire Service had 20 calls in total across the county. Fourteen of those calls were Halloween related. Thankfully it was a relatively quiet night for Halloween in Limerick with the call out being spread across the county. Limerick City and County Council Fire Service would like to thank the members of the public for their efforts in ensuring a safe Halloween for all." AUSTRALIAN musician Steph Strings played her very first headline show in Ireland on Wednesday, and described her stay in Limerick as "really fricken special". In an Instagram post shared to her 756,000 followers, Steph posted a range of photos from her stint in Limerick, featuring Dolans, the Hunt Museum, Chicken Hut, Charlie Malone's pub, and many nature walks. In the caption of the post, she said: "Limerick, you have been really fricken special," with an Irish flag and red heart emoji. READ MORE: Dylan Flynn & The Dead Poets to play gig in Limerick's Dolans Warehouse She went on to describe her busy itinerary for her stay, saying: "we went on the biggest @blindboyboatclub expedition, I played my first ever headline Irish show and met some absolute, gorgeous, hilarious humans". She gave a shout-out to Chicken Hut, saying " @chickenhut1 you rule" with a chicken leg emoji. The caption finished with an all-caps "THANK YOU LIMERICK" with an otter emoji, a reference to Limerick otter Yurty Ahern, made famous by Blindboy. Blindboy commented "This is deranged. I love it" with a green heart emoji on the post. Steph previously credited her "obsession" with Blindboy Boatclub and his podcast as her main reasons for wanting to visit Limerick while touring. Steph Strings played the Dolans gig on Wednesday, October 30 as part of her Irish tour marking the release of her EP, Cradle Mountain. After much speculation over the past year, OpenAI is finally taking on Google and Microsoft Bing with the addition of search functionality in ChatGPT. The new search feature is powered by the GPT-4o model and is a more evolved version of the SearchGPT prototype unveiled by the company earlier this year. The ChatGPT search feature is triggered by default based on what the user is searching for. There is also an option to manually activate the search functionality by clicking on the new web search icon, located just adjacent to the attachment icon. ChatGPT Search now includes links to original sources such as news articles and blog posts. Additionally, clicking the "sources" button opens a full-fledged sidebar, giving users a complete list of citations behind the answer. OpenAI is further enhancing the search experience by introducing new visual designs for topics like weather, stocks, sports, news, and maps. For example, a search about the weather in New York brings up an interactive visual layout displaying weather conditions for each day of the week. OpenAI says ChatGPT Search shares "dissociated search queries" with third-party search providers like Bing to deliver relevant responses to users. ChatGPT also shares users' IP addresses with third-party search providers to improve the 'accuracy' of search results. The new ChatGPT search functionality comes as other AI companies shift their focus to the field. Meta, for example, is reportedly developing its own search engine to provide up-to-date answers to Meta AI users. Meanwhile, Google recently expanded its AI overviews feature to more than 100 countries. How to start using ChatGPT Search? OpenAI says ChatGPT Search is rolling out first to its ChatGPT Plus and Teams subscribers, with access for enterprise and education customers to follow in the "coming weeks." Meanwhile, free ChatGPT users will gain access to the new feature over the coming months. The feature will be available across the ChatGPT website and mobile and desktop apps. New Delhi: Apple on Friday logged an estimated $3.75-4 billion in India revenue in July-September, its highest quarterly sales in the country and the 10th straight three-month period when the iPhone maker's quarterly revenue has been higher year-on-year in the world's fifth-largest economy. In July-September of 2023, Apple's India revenue was estimated at $2.5 billion. The US-based company's record India revenue was driven by robust sales of both iPhones and iPad tablets. With sales of its Mac lineup of desktops and laptops also not lagging far behind, Apple is now tipped to lead Indias consumer gadgets market in terms of revenue share. Excited by the enthusiasm: Tim Cook We continue to be excited by the enthusiasm were seeing in India, where we set an all-time revenue record. We also opened two new stores during the quarter, and we cant wait to bring four new stores to customers in India," chief executive Tim Cook said at Apple's headquarters at Cupertino, California, in a conference call with investors. The company declared its quarterly earnings Thursday afternoon US time, which is early Friday morning in India. This revenue, to be sure, is based on sale of Apples products and services in Indiaand does not take into account exports of its devices from Indias assembly lines. Apples July-September revenue was also its all-time quarterly high. Luca Maestri, Apples chief financial officer, said that the company saw double-digit sales growth for iPads, which raked in $7 billion in revenue during the September quarter. Apples global quarterly revenue was $94.9 billion, of which $70 billion came from hardware sales. Two-thirds of this was contributed by iPhones alone, which brought in $46.7 billion, helped by early demand for its latest smartphone - iPhone 16. Apples India performance remained resilient on the back of discretionary upgrades to its smartphone lineup, which continues to remain aspirational for most buyers in the country. Analysts said that thanks to instant discounts on strategic models, exchange offers, the rise of an organized used-devices market, and easily available credit through financing schemes, the average cost of ownership of an iPhone in India has considerably dipped to become comparable to other smartphones. All of this has helped Apple scale a quarterly revenue of $3.75-4 billion, as per estimates by three market research firms collated by Mint. Each of the researchers requested anonymity since their final quarterly reports were yet to be published. In September this year, Mint reported that Apple was on track to see double-digit shipment growth of iPhones. Navkendar Singh, associate vice-president at market researcher IDC India, said, The demand for iPhones is likely to sustain at least for the time being, and a strong double-digit growth is further expected this year as well. Theres plenty of appetite in the market for the time being, which gives Apple even more room to announce consecutive quarters of record revenue going forward as well." An industry note by fellow market researcher Counterpoint further underlined that Apple had a strong festive season as well, leading it to becoming the second-highest grossing brand for smartphones during the September quarter, just behind Samsung. The Indian consumer gadgets market was estimated to be worth $62 billion in FY24with Samsung holding 18.5% market share by revenue, ahead of Apples 15.3%, based on estimates from three market research firms that Mint spoke with. By FY25-end, the scales are expected to tip in Apples favour: while the market could be worth $70 billion by March 2025, Apple is projected to hold 21.4% of this market versus Samsungs 19.3%. The increasing demand for premium devices is helping both the brands, but Apples sustained growth and ~2.5x the average selling price per gadget over Samsungs is helping the US brand more than the Korean one. Apart from iPhone sales, Apple is also seeing an uptick in enterprise PC (personal computer) deals, and the rise of iPads as a category based on the need for larger infotainment displays. In August this year, Ashweej Aithal, research analyst at Canalys, told Mint that with the pricing leverage between premium Windows and Apple PCs lower than ever before, Apples market base for Macs and iPads is higher than ever before. iPhones are expected to generate nearly $11 billion in sales for Apple India this fiscal year, with Mac, iPad, wearables and services likely to bring in another $4-6 billion and setting the company on road to a new annual revenue milestone in the country, the consensus estimates of the researchers cited above said. However, while India continues to be one of the most important sales and strategic geographies for Apple, the company received a weak response on Wall Street even after it beat most analyst estimates for the quarter. Bloomberg reported that while Apple's September quarter was stable, weak growth guidance for the December quarter given during the investor call on Thursdaydriven particularly by poor demand for iPhones in Chinaleft investors underwhelmed. As a result, the Apple stock closed 1.8% down Thursday at $225.91, and fell another 1.9% to $221.71 in after-hours trading. New Delhi: The diplomatic tension between India and Canada may not impact the operations of Indian oil marketing and refining major Indian Oil Corp. Ltd's (IOC) Canadian subsidiary IndOil Montney Ltd, with dividend inflows to continue, said two people in the know of the developments. IndianOil through its wholly-owned affiliate IndOil Montney Ltd, Canada had in 2014, bought 10% stake in shale gas assets in Canadas British Columbia province and the country's West Coast from Malaysias Petronas in a $1.1 billion transaction. There would not be any impact on the operations. Dividends are coming from the stakes held by IndOil Montney. That will continue. We dont see any hindrance there, said one of the two persons mentioned above. The statement comes as the diplomatic ties between the two countries hit a new low with both countries expelling each other's diplomats and India recalling its high commissioner from Canada last month. These moves were triggered as the Canadian police disclosed details about the alleged link between the "agents" of the Indian government and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an alleged Khalistani leader and a Canadian citizen. Nijjar was a Khalistani separatist who was gunned down on Canadian soil in June 2023. He was a Canadian citizen but a designated terrorist in India. Also read | IOC, HPCL and BPCL consortium in talks with Equinor to secure LPG contract The India-Canada tussle The relationship has soured over the past one year and India has accused Canada of resorting to "vote-bank politics'. Another person in the know of the development also said that business ties between the two countries are unlikely to be hit despite the diplomatic tussle. In 2014, IndOil Montney had signed transaction agreements with Progress Energy Canada Ltd (Progress Energy Canada), PETRONAS Carigali Canada BV (PCC BV), wholly owned affiliates of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) for the acquisition of a 10% interest in Progress Energy Canadas LNG-destined natural gas reserves in northeast British Columbia and in the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG Ltd (PNW LNG) export facility on Canadas West Coast. LNG supply The initial plan was that as part of the transaction, IndianOil shall also offtake 1.2 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per annum (mrpa), which represents 10% of the LNG facilitys production, for at least 20 years. Also read | Indian Oil signs second long-term LNG deal with France's TotalEnergies IndianOil's annual report for FY24 said: "The company has entered into Master Guarantee Agreement, on behalf of its subsidiaries viz. Indoil Global B.V. and Indoil Montney Ltd. for all of its payments and performance obligations under the various Project Agreements entered by the subsidiaries with PETRONAS Carigali Canada B.V. and Progress Energy Canada Ltd. (now renamed as Petronas Energy Canada Ltd.)." It noted that the board of directors sanctioned a total amount of Canadian $3,924.76 million. Although efforts have been underway to source LNG from Canada, supplies have not materialized so far, in the absence of adequate infrastructure, such as ships or a pipeline, said the second person mentioned above. Also read | OPEC further trims oil-demand outlook On Wednesday, Mint reported that the bilateral trade between India and Canada which climbed steadily over the last few years largely has held up this fiscal year despite a diplomatic standoff. Trade between the two nations rose from $5.65 billion in FY21 to $8.40 billion in FY24. Dhaka, Nov 1 (PTI) Indias Adani Power Jharkhand Limited (APJL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Power, has stopped half of its power supply to Bangladesh because of outstanding bills of USD 846 million, according to a local media report on Friday. Data from Power Grid Bangladesh PLC showed the Adani plant reduced supply on Thursday night, The Daily Star newspaper said. Bangladesh reported a shortfall of more than 1,600 megawatts (MW) on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday as the 1,496 MW plant is now producing 700 MW from a single unit, the newspaper reported. Earlier, the Adani company wrote to the power secretary asking the Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) to clear its outstanding dues by October 30. The letter, dated October 27, said that if the bills are not paid, the company shall be constrained to take remedial action under the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) by suspending the power supply on October 31. The company said that the PDB has neither provided a letter of credit (LC) for an amount of USD 170.03 million from Bangladesh Krishi Bank nor cleared the outstanding amount of USD 846 million. The newspaper quoted a PDB official as saying that they had earlier cleared a portion of previous dues, but since July, Adani has been charging more than the previous months. He said the PDB has been paying around USD 18 million weekly, while the charge is more than USD 22 million. "This is why the due payments increased again," he said, adding that they had submitted last week's payment to Krishi Bank as well, but due to a dollar shortage, the bank failed to open a letter of credit against the payment. About the additional payment, he said, when the PDB raised a question on the coal pricing in February last year, they signed a supplementary deal that obliged Adani to quote coal prices less than the rates charged by the other coal-fired power plants. Also Read | Adani power deal under scrutiny as Bangladesh weighs pricing and supply issues After the tenure of the one-year supplementary deal, Adani has again started charging as per the PPA, the report said. According to the PPA, coal prices are calculated based on the average price of two coal indices -- the Indonesian coal index and the Australian Newcastle index -- which increases the prices. Adani said that during the period of suspension of supply, the company reserves its right to recover capacity payments under Section 13.2(1) of the PPA. Adani has been pressing the interim government to pay the dues since they took charge after the ouster of then prime minister Sheikh Hasina. NEW YORK (AP) New York City Mayor Eric Adams returned to court Friday as he seeks to fend off federal corruption charges while battling for his political future. The Democrat is appearing at the 2 p.m. hearing in Manhattan federal court, where his lawyers are set to argue that a bribery charge one of five counts against Adams should be thrown out because it does not meet the federal standard of a crime. The indictment, which also includes wire fraud and conspiracy charges, accuses Adams of accepting flight upgrades and other luxury travel perks valued at $100,000 along with illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals looking to buy his influence. In exchange, prosecutors say, Adams performed political favors that benefited the Turkish government, including accelerating the opening of a consulate building deemed unsafe by fire inspectors. Adams has pleaded not guilty to the charges and vowed to remain in office as he mounts his legal defense. U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho allotted the defense and prosecution each 20 minutes to argue the issue. Late Thursday, Ho rejected Adams' request for a hearing on the mayor's claims that the government has been leaking information about the investigation to the news media. The judge ruled that Adams and his lawyers failed to substantiate those claims and, if any leaks occurred, that the government was to blame. As for the bribery charge, Adams lawyers urged Ho in a memo last month to dismiss the extraordinarily vague allegation, saying it sought to criminalize normal and perfectly lawful acts that Adams undertook as Brooklyn borough president before he was elected mayor. The years of flight upgrades and other perks he received were at most classic gratuities, which a recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings found were not covered by the bribery statute if they were given for past acts, according to the filing. Federal prosecutors, meanwhile, responded that Adams actions were plainly criminal. It should be clear from the face of the indictment that there is nothing routine about a public official accepting over $100,000 in benefits from a foreign diplomat, which he took great pains to conceal including by manufacturing fake paper trails to create the illusion of payment, prosecutors wrote. Ho is expected to hear arguments from each side on the motion to toss the charge. Its unclear when he will issue his decision. At a hearing last month, federal prosecutors indicated they may bring additional charges against Adams and indict others around him. Several of Adams closest aides including his police commissioner, schools chancellor and multiple deputy mayors have resigned in recent months after federal investigators executed coordinated searches of their homes in early September. Adams has maintained that he can continue to lead the city effectively while fighting the charges. But his political future remains fraught and several opponents have announced plans to challenge him in next year's mayoral primary. Microsoft Corp has hired senior engineer Jay Parikh for a senior executive role. Parikh will report directly to Satya Nadella and join the senior leadership team as a member. With that context, Im excited to share that Jay Parikh is joining Microsoft as a member of the senior leadership team (SLT), reporting to me, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella wrote in a blog. Jay Parikh's previous roles Jay Parikh was previously the global head of engineering at Meta (formerly known as Facebook). He joined Facebook in 2009 and has worked on technical infrastructure and data centre projects. Parikh also served as CEO of Lacework, a cloud security company. However, Microsoft has not revealed many details on Parikhs new role. He has an impressive track record, with a unique combination of experiences building and scaling technical teams that serve both commercial customers and consumers, Nadella said. Parikh has headed several technical projects, including Metas initiative in subsea cables and the Aquila drone project. The subsea cables initiative invests in fibre-optic cables that connect two or more points on the ocean floor. Metas Aquila drone project was an experimental solar-powered drone developed to be used as an atmospheric satellite. It aimed to provide internet access to remote areas. However, the project failed reportedly due to a strong wind and faulty software. He has vast experience in Akamai and Ning and connections in start-ups and the VC landscape. Also Read | Microsoft earnings show AI is bolstering demand for cloud services His deep connections across the start-up and VC ecosystems, coupled with his leadership roles at Akamai and Ning, will bring a valuable perspective to Microsoft, he said. Over the years Ive known Jay, Ive admired him as a technology leader and respected engineer with a deep commitment to driving innovation and striving for operational excellence, Nadella said. Mumbai: Indian banks are trying to aid employees achieve a healthy work-life balance by restricting work hours and keeping a check on late evening work-related communication. Private banks saw significant attrition in 2022-23, which, to the relief of many, declined in FY24. For public sector banks, attrition has remained muted, given how employees view jobs at state-owned institutions. However, over the past couple of years, even these employees have taken to social media to voice their concerns about work pressure. So when a video surfaced recently of Union Bank of Indias executive director Nitesh Ranjan saying that branches should be shut after 6:30 pm is doing the rounds, it created a stir among other lenders. According to a person aware of the matter, the video is from an internal meeting of the banks management with employees on the day of its second-quarter financial results announcement last week. One more thing I would like to add on (the issue of) work-life balance, and (its) something that I have also faced (say at) 10 o'clock when I am planning to go to bed, I receive a WhatsApp (message) of a reminder of some target someone has not achieved. Can we all decide that from 8 pm in the evening to 9 am in the morning, we will not do any WhatsApp communication on the official channel?," Ranjan is seen as saying in the video. According to Ranjan, employees should not send messages on official channels between 8 pm and 9 am the following day unless it is an emergency. Even in that case, please reach out to the individual, and not to (the official) groups," he says in the video. Union Bank of India did not immediately reply to emailed queries. Conversations around work-related stress surface every so often across sectors in a digitally connected world, particularly in the startup, tech, and consulting sectors where hustle culture is a crucial and celebrated ingredient in a company's success. While this takes an invisible and delayed toll on employees, sometimes the consequences are tragic. Also read | At the Big Four, work stress is taking a toll on both employee and employer Not everyone is convinced that stop-work notices make sense. The founder of a non-bank financier said that as non-banking financial companies further penetrate smaller towns, their sales teams have to push aggressively to reach their targets. There cannot be a blanket time for work to stop," said this founder on condition of anonymity. During Diwali, a jeweller will not close shop. Similarly, there are time periods in the year when NBFCs will have to work longer hours." Private pressure Private banks also have been trying to check long work hours. In FY23, lenders saw a sharp rise in attrition as demand for young workers with digital skills in sales and marketing surged in insurance, retail and fintech. Mint reported in November that private banks aim to hire at least 50,000 people for entry-level roles over the coming year to battle high attrition in this segment. We came up with a policy called 7Up after two years of pandemic to monitor the working hours of the branch employees," said Rajkamal Vempati, president, human resources at Axis Bank, which saw its attrition rate decline to 28.8% in FY24 from 34.8% in the year prior. ... We are checking if employees are often on their computers after 7 pm wrapping up end-of-day work or held by their supervisors for end-of-the-day conversations," Vempati said, adding that the banks 7Up endeavour is meant to ensure that employees complete their work by 7 and are not held back for other review or conversations. Also read | Aim for clarity: In defence of a work-life imbalance At Indias largest private lender, HDFC Bank, employee assistance program gives confidential and professional support" to staff facing personal or work-related challenges. As per its FY24 annual report, HDFC Bank conducts wellness webinars to prioritise employee well-being, promote work-life balance, and build a positive work culture. In 2023, HDFC Bank suspended an executive seen screaming at his subordinates in an undated group video call, citing alleged inability to meet sales targets. The suspension sparked a debate on toxic behaviour at workplaces, primarily involving stressful jobs in sales, Mint reported in June 2023. Also read | Companies must act to check toxic behaviour in office Higher pay, higher the demand Experts say work pressure at private banks surpasses public sector banks owing to steeper targets. This is especially true for sales jobs where bankers have to work beyond stipulated hours if targets are not met," said Veinu Nehru, managing partner at executive search firm Fynehand Consultants. Nehru said that salaries of financial services companies are typically higher than other sectors at an equivalent level, and therefore cost of operations are also higher. In such a scenario," Nehru said, institutions would like to see more productivity from employees." Also read | Run a firm in founder or manager mode? Theres no clear answer Venture capital firms in India are increasingly becoming cautious about investing in artificial intelligence startups, moving away from the hype and demanding business models that show clear returns on investment and impact. Adith Podhar, general partner at Gemba Capital, said the hype over AI startups is unlikely to be sustained because investors are becoming more cautious. Market correction is anticipated, with a focus shifting toward companies that can present a solid value proposition rather than those merely capitalising on the AI hype without a strong business case," Podhar said. Investing in AI has matured from simply being a fad to the emergence of models that are able to demonstrate their value proposition, business impact, growth metrics, and potentially measurable returns, said Abhishek Prasad, managing partner at Cornerstone Ventures. Investors have moved away from blindly pumping money into the AI hype to focus on areas that deliver significant value. Investors becoming more discerning is a positive development. Its pushing startups to refine their value propositions and gear up to deliver real, sustainable growth. This evolution means that resourcesboth financial and humanare being directed toward ventures with the potential for significant future impact," said Vikram Chachra, founding partner of 8i Ventures. Also Read | A venture capitalist on where the AI opportunities are for investors In the near term, Podhar sees a rationalisation of valuations and a slowdown in capital deployment, with fewer funding rounds taking place. Historically, any new technology has experienced a boom-and-bust cycle before achieving widespread adoption, and we believe that the AI cycle is still in its first innings," Podhar said. In the past few months, three-AI focused startups - Toplyne, Nintee and InsurStaq.ai - have shut shop. According to posts by the founders of Nintee on its website and Toplyne on X, both startups returned money to their investors. The founders of these startups did not immediately respond to Mint's request for comment on Wednesday. Industry executives suggested that the number of AI startups that have wound up in recent months runs in the thousands. Whats working However, there has been a surge of investor interest in the Generative AI space, leading to significantly higher valuations compared to non-AI tech companies, according to Podhar. AI startups at the seed stage command median valuations approximately 20% higher, escalating to 59% for Series B rounds compared to non-AI focused startups," he explained. Models such as agents, co-pilots and solutions that help enterprises become AI-ready are highly investable right now, said Preeti N Sampat, a partner at Eximius Ventures. These areas are still in their nascent stages and have significant potential for growth as businesses move toward more autonomous operations," she said. There are clear apprehensions about models that claim to completely eliminate the workforce. According to Prasad of Cornerstone Ventures, models with 'humans in the loop' are the ones that will see the most amount of success. Its key to focus on 'Augmented Intelligence' rather than expect AI capabilities delivering high-value impact independent of human interventions, Prasad said. Also Read | Artificial intelligence will have real job consequences this year Shyam Menon, a partner at Bharat Innovation Fund, noted that vertical-specific AI solutions that lower operational costs, boost productivity, and provide return on investment within 6-12 months are attractive at the moment. Investors are wary of broad, horizontal AI platforms without clearly defined use-cases, especially AI for everything solutions, according to Menon. Business to consumer (B2C) applications with unclear monetisation pathways, high customer acquisition costs, or those that require extensive data and infrastructure are viewed with scepticism," he added. Indias AI market is projected to touch $17 billion by 2027, growing at an annualised rate of 25-35% from 2024 to 2027, according to a February 2024 report by the National Association of Software and Service Companies and consulting firm BCG. MUMBAI : Dentsu Inc. is increasingly prioritizing India, establishing the country among its top five markets outside Japan in the Asia Pacific. The agencys leaders highlighted Indias strategic importance, which is supported by frequent high-level visits from global executives. India, from a revenue perspective, is one of our top five markets," said Prerna Mehrotra, chief client officer and chief executive, media APAC at Dentsu, adding that it stands alongside China, Australia, Thailand, and Taiwan. Amanda Morrissey, global president at iProspect and chief growth officer of media at Dentsu emphasised Indias potential as a testing ground for new innovations. What we're hoping out of India is that we can almost hot house things here, develop propositions herebecause of the size and scale of the market, and then scale them either into APAC as a region or globally," she said. Morrissey added that the market is a digitally strong market" with amazing talent". According to Mehrotra, Indias talent pool, along with a lot of buoyancy" in its growing middle class, has made it an attractive market. The talent in India is phenomenal. You've got intelligent brainspeople who are operationally smart[and] very client-savvy in the way they carry themselves," she said. She noted that India was previously treated as an offshoring hub, but Dentsu is now positioning it as a "centre of excellence", contributing to both regional and global operations. Client relationships and competitive edge Dentsu has focused on adapting its role from that of an agency to a growth partner. We are trying to rebrand ourselves, or reclassify our role as a growth partner[clients] talk to us about how you want us to drive your business forward," Mehrotra said. This repositioning has helped Dentsu expand its roster in India despite some major client exits, with around 80 new clients added in the past year. This is seen as a part of Dentsus effort to address the pressure on clients", which, as Mehrotra noted, is growing year on year", with clients seeking more agile and innovative solutions. Dentsu has chosen to target specific pitches rather than pursue every opportunity. Morrissey explained that Dentsu focuses on a right to win on very digital-first clients" and prefers a purposeful and choiceful" approach to client acquisition. "Were quite purposefulwe wont pitch for everything," she said, stressing that the companys approach is focused on delivering targeted client growth. AI and innovation in DNA Dentsu has long embraced artificial intelligence (AI) in its operations. If I think about iProspecteverything we did was automatedAI," Morrissey stated, pointing to the companys digital-first approach and saying AI is very much in our DNA". The agency has developed internal tools, such as Dentsu GPT, and is advancing generative AI products for better insights and at scale around audiences", she said. Dentsu Labs in various countries work on developing technology-driven solutions, with India positioned as a major contributor to this innovation network. The companys focus on partnerships is helping it address evolving client needs. Mehrotra highlighted a deliberate approach to expanding and maintaining long-term relationships. "You need to nurture clients that are a part of your system," she explained, pointing to Dentsus client business planning process, a framework that guides strategic client engagement and solution-building. This model, she noted, has fueled growth within longstanding relationships" across major clients like Toyota and Microsoft. As the media landscape shifts towards AI-driven insights and integrated services, Dentsus investments in India aim to balance short-term delivery with a long-term vision, establishing the market as a base for innovation and scalable solutions. With a stronger focus on building solutions for client needs and leveraging Indias talent and market scale, Dentsu aims to solidify its position as a growth partner in the dynamic Indian market and beyond. Mumbai: India's ambulance sector is seeing an upgrade with several start-ups and the state government not just working to address the deficit but also upgrading it by launching advanced ambulances. For instance, Maharashtras hinterland is set to get a key medical upgrade with the state government partnering with Sumeet-SSGa joint venture between Pune-based Sumeet Group Enterprisess and Spanish emergency transport provider SSG Matrixto deploy a fleet of 1,756 advanced ambulances. Maharashtra is just one example and the country's ambulance sector is seeing a shift towards organised ambulance players and also upgrades in the quality of ambulance service with key start-ups entering the segment. The joint venturewith 51% investment from Sumeet-SSG and 49% from the Maharashtra governmentwill begin the roll out to implement its Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) 108 ambulance project before the end of 2024 and complete it by the middle of next year. Also read | Promoting e-ambulance: Heavy industries and health ministries to meet next week 108 ambulance project The fleet deployment is likely to be completed by mid-2025," Summit Salunke, vice chairman, Sumeet Group Enterprises, said. Indias ambulance services sector has been largely unorganised, however, it is steadily growing. The Indian ambulance market is projected to grow at a 5.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the 2024-2028 period, according to a report by consultancy Primus Partners. However, the report noted that the industry still lacks specialised care services. Of the 17,495 ambulances that are operational currently, only 3,441 are Advanced Life Support (ALS) units. These units have advanced equipment for critical care of patients, like cardiac monitors and ventilators. Basic Life Support (BLS) units make up a large part of the existing fleets, and focus on immediate care like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The segment has seen the entry of more organised players in recent years. Red.Health Hyderabad-based start-up Red.Health, which started in 2016, has partnered with over 100 hospitals, including leading chains like Apollo and Fortis. The company provides its ambulance services, along with managing the hospitals emergency call centres, in over 20 cities in India. Red.Health has over 200 ALS units in its fleet of 400 ambulances, Prabhdeep Singh, the companys CEO and founder told Mint. In May, the company raised $20 million in its series B funding. The capital is being used to expand its fleet as well as focus on advancing their technology and improving their response times. Red.Health has a lot of takers in hospitals as well as individual patients. More and more patients and hospitals are realising that unorganised operators are leading to a lot of issues," Singh said. So the independent or the unorganised operators are getting blacklisted," he added. Another Hyderabad-based start-up TEN, started in 2022, works as an ambulance aggregator. It has nearly 450 small-scale ambulance operators on its platform and partners with over 25 hospitals in 6 cities. As an aggregator, the firm is aiming to standardise services and address operational issues like slow response times but profitability remains a concern. TEN ambulance aggregator We are burning money right now," Kishore Manepalli, CEO and founder of TEN, told Mint. However, the company is in advanced talks for a second round of funding. In 2023, the start-up secured 1.5 crore in its angel funding round. Manepalli said the company is looking at turning profitable in the next 12-18 months. Also read | Healthcare for all: India could lead by shaping the future of AI and biotech Singh of Red.Health said the company is operationally profitable. We are moving towards Ebitda profitability," he said. The mission is to service the patients for nearly free and subsidise it by hospital partnerships". Ebitda is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Salunke did not respond to the profitability question and said: Its a fixed service fee model billed to the government." U.S. drugmakers and biotechs have come to rely on Chinese partners for manufacturing, research and ingredients. Now, some of them are looking for alternatives as geopolitical tensions rise. From big pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca to small biotechnology firms like Amicus Therapeutics of New Jersey, which is looking for a non-Chinese company to supply raw materials for its rare-disease treatment, the companies say it is time to reduce China risk. Industry officials say one consequence could be slower drug rollouts and higher costs in the U.S. because the shift takes time and money. Mostly unbeknown to American patients, U.S. and European companies often depend on China for basic chemistry services and pharmaceutical ingredientswhich is why U.S.-China disputes over trade and military issues in recent years have shaken the industry. Executives say the cost for top-notch Chinese work is typically lower than in the West. Now, companies are making choices based on lowering risks of relying on a single country or a couple of countries," said Kymera Therapeutics Chief Executive Nello Mainolfi. His Massachusetts-based company, which is developing cancer and immune-system drugs, relies on Chinese firms for manufacturing but has begun to do more of that work in Europe, India and the U.S. One driver of the shift is the Biosecure Act, which passed the House in September with overwhelming bipartisan support. The legislation would bar companies that receive government funds or contracts from doing business with a list of Chinese companies of concern. The biggest names on the list are WuXi AppTec and WuXi Biologics, two affiliated Chinese companies to which thousands of customers around the world have turned for research and manufacturing. WuXi AppTec said in May that naming it in the bill is a pre-emptive and unjustified designation without due process." Both it and WuXi Biologics said they dont pose a security risk to the U.S. or any other country. The prospects for the Biosecure Act in the Senate are uncertain this year, and the current version gives companies until 2032 to cut ties with the targeted Chinese companies. Still, the prospect of restrictions has had a chilling effect on companies considering whether or not to engage with WuXi or other Chinese companies," said Steve Abrams, global co-head of the life sciences practice at Hogan Lovells, a law firm. The changes dont mean a full severing of industry ties between China and the West. U.S. and European drugmakers still see promise in selling their products in China, the second-largest drug market after the U.S. and a country with a rapidly aging population. Chinese biotech companies have signed billions of dollars in licensing deals that seek to bring medicines of Chinese origin to the world. The greater impact is on drug supply chains. One example of a U.S. company cutting China ties is San Francisco-based Vir Biotechnology, which develops antiviral and cancer treatments. It ended manufacturing at WuXi Biologics earlier this year and is working with U.S. manufacturing partners and focusing on in-house development and manufacturing, a spokeswoman said. Other companies are looking for new sources of raw materials as a backstop. Big drugmakers such as AstraZeneca, meanwhile, are working to create separate supply chains for China and the West. Amicus Therapeutics relies on WuXi Biologics in China to produce its treatment for Pompe disease, a rare disease affecting the heart and muscles, and its main supplier of some of the raw materials is also in China. While Amicus remains comfortable working with WuXi based on the latest iteration of the Biosecure Act, it is searching for a materials supplier outside of China, said Amicus CEO Bradley Campbell. The Biosecure Act forced us to take a hard look at where we get our materials and the kind of delicate nature right now of our relationship with China," Campbell said. WuXi itself is helping him diversify: It has built a plant in Ireland set to provide commercial medicines late next year. Nearly 80% of U.S. biotechnology companies contract with at least one Chinese firm, according to a recent survey by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, an industry group. Chinese companies have spent years honing their expertise and infrastructure with government help, winning respect from global executives. The WuXi companies make the raw materials for cancer drugs Imbruvica and Jemperli, among other drugs, according to supply-chain analytics firm Qyobo. Among listed U.S. biotechs and pharmaceutical companies, 60 have flagged their work with at least one of the companies in filings, according to data platform AlphaSense. Those relationships cant be replicated overnight. Biotech companies searching for alternative lab space or manufacturing lines are often vying for the same contractors. The result could be more expensive or slower drug development as companies shift dollars from trials or research into reshaping their manufacturing, said John Maraganore, a former CEO of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals who advises companies as a venture capitalist. He said he wished U.S. legislation focused more on encouraging domestic manufacturing to avoid the costs and other challenges that would be brought on by the Biosecure Act. All of us would have hoped that this would be achieved with more carrots and less sticks," Maraganore said. For now, there are signs that the WuXi companies may be managing the headwinds. WuXi AppTecs order backlogs climbed by one-quarter at the end of September compared with the end of last year, according to the company. Both it and WuXi Biologics said business remains robust despite the U.S. challenges. Waltham, Mass.-based Invivyd, which used WuXi Biologics to research and produce its Covid-19 therapy Pemgarda, will finish its R&D and manufacturing with the firm in the coming months, said Chairman Marc Elia. He said Invivyd was identifying alternative sites and would move the work outside China. Elia said Invivyd could pivot because its manufacturing is done in cycles. All this stuff has to get sorted out, but thats a very different statement than, This will be impossible to sort out. It wont be," he said. For startups, losing a Chinese contractor over a geopolitical issue could threaten the entire business, so venture capitalists say they are advising portfolio firms to avoid that risk. At Boston-based RA Capital Management, which invests in the health business, principal Tess Cameron said addressing supplier risk has become one of the top issues for due diligence when a young company seeks funding. Its kind of like: asset, deal terms, ownership structure, supply chain," she said. Write to Jared S. Hopkins at jared.hopkins@wsj.com and Clarence Leong at clarence.leong@wsj.com Muhurat Trading 2024: Indian stock exchanges are closed today, November 1, in observance of Diwali, the festival of lights. However, Muhurat Tradinga special one-hour trading session conducted by the exchanges on Diwali to mark the beginning of the new Hindu calendar year, Samvat 2081will take place this evening. Scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. IST today, this session symbolizes good fortune and prosperity, with investors, traders, and institutions engaging in ceremonial trades. Traditionally, shares bought during this session are considered auspicious, and many believe it brings blessings for wealth and success in the coming year. Muhurat trading sees participation from traders, retail investors, and institutions alike, reflecting optimism for the year to come. Though trading volumes during Muhurat trading are usually lower, the session reflects optimism and confidence in the markets as investors look forward to achieving financial milestones in the new year. Over the past 16 years, indices have closed in green on 13 occasions during this special trading session, showcasing a positive historical trend. In 2023, Diwali was celebrated on November 12, with indices rising by over half a percent, marking the second-best Muhurat trading gains in five years. The most notable Muhurat session occurred during the global financial crisis on October 28, 2008, when indices surged nearly 6 percent, setting a record for the highest gain in this ceremonial session. Also Read | Stock market today: Five stocks to buy or sell in Muhurat trading As making fresh investments during Muhurat Trading sessions is considered auspicious, Religare Broking has identified five stocks to purchase today based on technical analysis. The brokerage anticipates these stocks could yield returns of up to 18% at their target levels over the next 12 months. Muhurat Trading 2024: Technical Picks by Religare Broking 1. Bharat Electronics: Among the technical picks for Muhurat Trading 2024 recommended by the brokerage is Bharat Electronics (BEL). The brokerage suggests an accumulation zone for SBI shares between 282 and 286, with target prices set between 308 and 330. To mitigate risk, a stop loss is advised at 268. If the brokerage's target price is achieved, the expected return per share would be approximately 15%. 2. City Union Bank: Another technical pick is City Union Bank. The brokerage recommends an accumulation zone for City Union Bank shares between 173 and 176, with target prices set between 192 and 204. To manage risk, a stop loss is suggested at 164. If the brokerage's target price is met, the expected return per share would be around 16%. 3. Federal Bank: The third technical pick for Muhurat Trading 2024 is Federal Bank. The brokerage suggests an accumulation zone for Federal Bank shares between 202 and 205, with target prices ranging from 218 to 226. To mitigate potential losses, a stop loss is advised at 194. If the brokerage's target price is achieved, the expected return per share would be approximately 10%. 4. Fortis Healthcare: The brokerage recommends an accumulation zone for Fortis shares between 623 and 628, with target prices set between 665 and 680. To manage risk, a stop loss has been placed at 602. Should the brokerage's target price be reached, the expected return from each share would be around 8%. 5. GMDC (Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation): Among the recommended technical picks for Muhurat Trading 2024 is GMDC. The brokerage suggests an accumulation zone for GMDC shares between 368 and 372, with target prices set at 420 to 440. To mitigate risk, a stop loss has been advised at 337. If the brokerage's target price is achieved, the expected return from each share is approximately 18%. There is a justifiably strong argument that for mainstream, everyday-use earbuds, good audio quality is only one of many factors that make a pair of earbuds recommendable. It is this that Apple cashed in on with its first ever AirPodsa pair of true-wireless earbuds, in 2016. Three years later, it also delivered commendable audio performance for mainstream earbuds with the first AirPods Pro. Earlier this month, its audio trajectory hit a sweet spot with the Apple AirPods 4, which now comes with active noise cancellation (ANC). Right at the onset, the earbuds may strike you as too diminutive. The wirelessly charging case, which houses the earbuds, is smaller than that of AirPods 3making it a super-compact product that doesnt strike you at first as yet another gadget that you must tend to with utmost care. Like all Apple products, they also pair and work seamlessly with other Apple devices. These conveniences are underrated, but cannot be emphasised enough. Once paired with an iPhone, the AirPods 4, just like its predecessors, actively switch connection with the active phone, Mac or iPad automaticallyno separate pairing required. Then, theres ANC. Up until a decade ago, when consumer gadgets were just breaking through in a big way in India, noise cancellation was a feature reserved only for the priciest gadgets. Today, there are ample wireless ANC earbuds in India for as little as 1,200. In such a market, should Apple be commended for finally bringing this feature to an earbuds lineup that costs upward of 10,000or criticised for taking so long to do so? View Full Image The AirPods 4 ANC costs 17,900 While critics argue over the right answer, for a buyer, what matters is that the feature is here. This means that if youve bought into the Apple ecosystem, you wont have to shell out the top bucks ( 24,900 for AirPods Pro 2) if all you wanted were good noise-cancelling earbuds from the brand. But, the AirPods 4 ANC costs 17,900which is still fairly lofty. Even without ANC, the base version of AirPods 4 costs 12,900. For reference, the average selling price of earbuds in India, as per market researcher International Data Corp, is just over 1,500. Also read: Qualcomm Snapdragon summit: Get ready for the next gen flagship smartphones Nevertheless, for this price, the performance of ANC is reliable and stable. The AirPods 4 render strong-enough noise cancellation to help you focus on work amid the clatter of ambient office noise. Understandably, noisier environments make the ANC seem less effective, but there are absolutely no open earbuds that produce complete block-out noise cancellation. This, in everyday usage, is a good thingthe open build of the earbuds means that there are no silicone ear tips on AirPods 4 that completely seal your ear canals. More users over time have complained that completely sealed-off earbuds are more uncomfortable and claustrophobic for prolonged usage, and cause hearing imbalances. On that note, the AirPods 4 get the fit just right, although you may need to keep on adjusting the fit every now and then. The noise cancellation is adequate for most real-world scenarios, and if you need to quickly hear what someone next to you is saying, a simple tap on the exterior of the earbuds turns on transparency mode. More than anything else, it is this seamless operation that makes the AirPods 4 great to use as a daily driver. Finally, theres audio performance. For those who care about music quality, the AirPods 4 are reliable enough. They evidently emphasise vocals and treble over bass, which means that you might need to set your music apps equaliser setting to the bass-enhancing rock mode to get an optimum balance of sound. The audio delivery is clean, which means that you dont feel that the sound is muffleda factor that typically separate the premium earbuds from inexpensive ones. Yet, there is an unmissable issue of sibilance. In the AirPods 4, the shrill trebles, or words that pronounce the letter s sound a tad too tinny and hissing. This is a risk that trebles-focused sound signature can be exposed to, and may cause annoyance for some. Thankfully, reducing treble in the audio balance and enhancing the bass delivery by a touch makes the AirPods 4 sound better-balanced than its default configuration. Despite the focus on treble, the AirPods 4 sound warm enoughin audio parlance, warmth is typically associated with better bass delivery. In expensive, bespoke audiophile speakers, this is delivered through the quality of timbre used in their construction. Apple does well enough to simulate this quality. The overall package, thus, means that if you wanted a pair of decent-sounding earbuds with active noise cancellation, you wont have to look elsewhere beyond Apple. The AirPods 4 is rivalled by the likes of Bose Ultra Open, Marshall Motif II and Sony LinkBuds S. If audio quality, and particularly the bass delivery in the audio performance, is your priority, each of these brands will likely sound as good as the AirPods 4. Also read: Diwali 2024: Gifts that will bring joy to the tech-lover in your life But, add the seamless connectivity, no-hassle wireless charging, tiny case and reliable noise cancellation into the mix, and the Apple AirPods 4 ANC is likely one of the most well-rounded earbuds under 20000 in India right now. It is the no-brainer recommendation for those using Apple products already; for Android users, it is right up there with the best, too. One of the key strengths of a good bartender is a razor-sharp memory. Its useful not only to recall recipes in seconds, but also remember details, like a patrons name and their preferences. Its a quality often overlooked by guests, but its a hook to build loyalty. The simple act of remembering is a form of personalised service, and a thoughtful bartender makes it seem effortless to warrant return visits. This is one of the many aspects that defines a bar owned by a bartenderbeyond great cocktails. Take a look at Asias 50 Best Bars through the years: it is dominated by places that are wholly or partially owned by bartenders. From India, Delhis Sidecar frequently features on this list and this year, its co-owner, bartender Yangdup Lama, was awarded the prestigious title of Industry Icon in Asia. You will have a much better and holistic experience in a bartender-run bar. As bartenders, we inherently know what consumers want," says Lama. My definition of a good bartender is somebody who can make a regular beer taste better at his bar." While it boils down to touchpoints like the serve-ware, temperature, and ambience, there are intangibles such as the hospitality with which it is served. In Lamas case, these came together to create Indias first bartenders bar" Cocktails and Dreams in Gurugram, which he opened in 2012 in partnership with hospitality entrepreneur Minakshi Singh. Six years down the line, the duo launched the multiple award-winning Sidecar in Delhi. Within the last decade, bar guests have become discerning too and seek drinks beyond ice-cold mojitos. They want to be impressed by sous-vide Negroni, pickled Gimlets and zero-alcohol Old Fashioned. Simply put, they demand more. It has given rise to a cocktail culture marked by technique and ingredient-forward menus that put a bartenders talent front and centre. As the cocktail scene has evolved, it has attracted investment in innovative bar concepts. While Lama pioneered the concept of bartender-owned bars in India, post the pandemic, a number of similar places launched to rave reviews. In 2022, the cocktail-forward Cobbler & Crew, co-founded by bartender Mayur Marne, made a splash in Pune. Last year, Bar Spirit Forward and Wine in Progress, both co-owned by bartender Arijit Bose, and Soka, co-founded by mixologist and bar consultant Avinash Kapoli, opened in Bengaluru. This year, Bose unveiled the rum-forward Bar Outrigger in Goas Dona Paula and bartender Pankaj Balachandran started Boilermaker in collaboration with craft beer entrepreneur Nakul Bhonsle. Also read: Meet the modern Boilermakers of Goa Each of these bartenders-turned-bar entrepreneurs have a somewhat similar career trajectory. It began with the ambition to start a bar early in their professional journeys. They graduated from hospitality colleges, worked in five-star hotels and stand-alone restaurants, took on consultancy roles, created cocktails for weddings and events, travelled widely to study good bars in other countries. Some went on to launch multi-faceted beverage consulting companies, and after spending more than a decade in the alcohol industry, fulfilled their long-held ambition of owning bars. Take the case of Kapoli, 37. After a hospitality degree at Bengalurus Christ College, he designed bar programmes for multiple stand-alone restaurants, including Farzi Cafe; spent four years with Bacardi from 2017-21 as the trade ambassador from South India and was promoted to the countrywide role of advocacy lead; and in 2021 launched his partnership business Kompany that does brand advocacy, beverage consultancy. He still does the cocktails for Bengaluru business baron Jitender Vaswanis annual Diwali party and has an engaging industry-centric podcast, Cocktail Klub. The profits from all these businesses and jobs were directed towards opening the intimate, cocktail-focussed bar Soka in Indiranagar, Bengaluru, last year. It is a complete bartenders team with eight employees who make the drinks, serve them and clean the tables. Before the opening, the team travelled to Bangkok to study its booming cocktail scene. Kapoli speaks of bars in Bangkok that are owned by bartenders, his favourite being the speakeasy #FindTheLockerRoom. At Soka, besides serving flavourful cocktails, like Lady Kutty (blended scotch, Irish whiskey, and coconut lemon ginger soda) and U.A. Paloma (tequila, grapefruit soda and sumac), they pay attention to water too. Kapoli says during the teams Bangkok trip they realised that guests should not pay for water in a bar. To upgrade the water experience at Soka, it is served chilled at 5-8 degrees Celsius in a 200ml glass, meant to be drunk in two sips to avoid wastage, and it accompanies a cocktail order. We cheekily tell the guest, get hydrated before you get dehydrated." Its little things like this that counts. While the menu and experience are key to a bar, another equally important aspect is the capital. To start a decent bar in a large metro city, one requires about 1.5-2 crore, according to Bose. Some bartenders seek out investors. Balachandrans family and friends invested in the two-week old Boilermaker, while Boses Bar Spirit Forward has 10 investors, including capital flow from the food and beverage investment platform Investaurant. Salman Sait, one of the three co-founders of the Bengaluru-based platform Investaurant, says they want to support promising talent in Indias food and beverage industry. There are two motivating factors for an investor to consider putting money in a bar or restaurant. The first part is, if it is run well, it gives good returns, because money is invested in the initial stage, and if youre smart about itwhere you cover your entire cap-ex, and the working capital is decentyou dont need to put any more cash later, break even swiftly, and register profits on a monthly basis. The second part is, F&B is more of a lifestyle investment. Some of our investors believe its cool that theyre part of one of the hottest bars in the city," he points out. Their investor profile consists of people with diverse backgrounds, from doctors to lawyers and business owners to non-residential Indians who consider it a worthy alternative investment. The rise of bartender-run bars is a sign of an industry thats gradually maturing. It is driven by skilled mixologists, consumers seeking elevated drinking experiences and food and beverage investors looking to support talent for profits as well as uplifting their citys cocktail scene. As Bose says, We have all grown up." "Theres never been a better time in the Indian restaurant industry than right now," says chef Prateek Sadhu over the phone. Sadhu is the founder of Naar, Indias first destination dining concept which opened in Himachal Pradesh in November last year. In March 2022, Sadhu parted ways with Mumbais Masque, where he led the kitchen and mainstreamed fine-dining tasting menus, and then made news again when he announced his own restaurant. Apart from the risk of going it alone, the Kashmiri chef was also pioneering the idea of having people make reservations and then wind their way to a village near Kasauli for a taste of his Himalayan cuisine in his 16-seater restaurant. Every restaurant at one point in time was just a big risk. Only in hindsight does it make sense," says Sadhu, who recently celebrated one year of Naar with a series of pop-ups across the country. Sadhu is not alone. Across India, professional cooks and chefs are moving away from working in hotels and restaurant establishments to set up their own ventures, switching between their chef toque and other entrepreneurial hats. With their new conceptsranging from limited seating and reservation-only dining to serving curated, set menusthese chef-bosses have begun changing Indias dining culture. While the chef-founder phenomenon is not new, over the past five years, a critical mass has been achieved and chef-led businesses are opening new avenues for culinary creativity. Whats driving this trend? For starters, rapid growth and a bevy of investors eyeing the industry. According to the India Food Services Report 2024, brought out by the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI), the Indian food services sector is expected to grow at a CAGR (compounded annual growth rate) of 8.1% in 2024-2028 on the back of rapid urbanisation, robust GDP growth, a young population, and greater exposure among diners. Im bullish on chef-forward restaurants because they offer customers a truly unique dining experience, something memorable that encourages them to return. Whether its the chefs presence, a story behind the menu, or a new ingredient, these elements create a distinctive experience," says Neha Anand, founder, Three Layer Hospitality, a collective that has invested in Juns in Dubai by chef Kelvin Cheung (previously with Bastian) and Punes We Idliwale, founded by chef Abhishek Joshi, (formerly with The Bombay Canteen) and his partner Chirag Jadhav. While investors are keen, a chef-run business is not for those looking to turn a quick profit. Venture capitalists and corporate investors prefer to back quick service restaurants (QSRs) such as Faasos and Behrouz by Rebel Foods and food tech companies like Swiggy, but the profile of investors in restaurants tends to be independent, angel investors and family offices. Says Anand, Chef-driven restaurants are generally more investment-heavy because they tend to be boutique and craft-focused, often requiring higher spending on staff, service, or creating a unique theme or decor. While the return on investment can be slow and subjective, its crucial to stay focused on the profit and loss to ensure the business is sustainable. Passion is important, but it must align with financial viability to continue growing and serving more people." A few months ago, Sadhuwho invested his own savings and those of some close friends into Naar told me that leaving a secure job and launching an entrepreneurial venture gave him panic attacks. But a year on, hes more sure of himself and the sustainability of his business. Yes the logistics are a nightmare but being in the hills puts me in direct contact with farmers and vendors like mushroom scientists who are all based in the area. Its taken some imagination and creativity to run this business, but Im pleasantly surprised by our numbers." Also read: Travelling to dine in the misty mountains Anand exhibits some cautious optimism, but chefs in the know say that investors are now deviating from investing in only scaleable concepts" and are backing talent and ideas, signalling a shift in perspective. Vinesh Johny, the chef behind Lavonne Academy of Baking Science and Pastry Arts in Bengaluru and the National Capital Region (NCR), says that these days, its not hard to find funding for a solid concept. Many chef-owned restaurants have perished in the past because monies dried up or because it was ahead of its time. Now, because of a diverse investor pool and an engaged dining community, its the perfect storm for anyone looking to launch something unique," he says. This July, the Lavonne group launched Kopitiam Lah, a Malaysian eatery and coffee shop, in Bengaluru. Spearheaded by Joonie Tan, Johnys wife-partner, the cafe aims to bring a bit of the Malaysian coffee culture that Tan grew up with to India. View Full Image Chef Joonie Tan (right), co-founder of Malaysian-style cafe Kopitiam Lah, with head chef David DSouza of Lavonne Hospitality in Bengaluru. The pandemic has also played a role in this trend of chefs choosing to forge their own path. The restaurant industry felt the impacts of covid-19 and the subsequent lockdowns sharply. Many lost their jobs and income, but the silver lining is that they were offered a rare opportunity to introspect about their career paths. The pandemic emboldened many people to take the plunge and start their ventures, and I think this has been for the better. The body of work that emerged from this period is remarkable. It all came together in a way that has helped reshape how people view the restaurant industry and how new restaurant formats are being created," says chef Manu Chandra. He launched Lupa, his Bengaluru restaurant, in early 2023 with his long-time business partner Chetan Rampal. Lupa isnt their first rodeo. The two were partner-investors in A.D. Singhs Olive Group for years and launched successful brands like Monkey Bar, the first Indian gastropub, and Fatty Bao, which made Asian dining trendy. Chandra believes he couldnt achieve what he has so far without the support and skill set of Rampal, who looks after operations and strategy. We Idliwales Joshi agrees with Chandras perspective about sharing the entrepreneurial load. The biggest advantage of running your own business is the ability to make decisions without waiting for approvals," explains Joshi. But that freedom which works as a catalyst can also be crippling. The downside of running your own business is that you have to fight with yourself constantly. As a cook at a restaurant, I can push for stellar ingredients to make a fantastic dish. But running my own business means I need to think about the business viability of everything." This, Joshi says, is where the need for a strategic partner and a solid team comes in. It isnt rocket science, but two heads are better than one," says chef Niyati Rao, the founder of Mumbais Ekaa and the newly launched elevated dive bar", Bombay Daak. Rao, who honed her skills behind the stoves at the Taj Group, now pulls her weight in her own kitchens, while her husband-partner, Sagar Neve, a hospitality professional, runs operations. Weve found that this makes the most sense for us, business-wise," she says. The couple raised funds from an angel investor and entrepreneur Pradhyuman Maloo to launch their ventures. Increasingly, more ambitious and highly educated talent is entering the market. Theyre serving well-travelled diners eager to experience new food concepts in India, and theyre being backed by an ecosystem of investors and partners with relevant experience who can help structure the business. The risks are high, but the returns could be too, in terms of freedom to set the menu and shape food culture. It begs the question, is this helping create a more innovative, robust food and beverage industry? Chef-led restaurants and chef-forward concepts not only benefit the industry as a whole but also heavily promote homegrown, India-based talent, which is the most exciting part for me. This focus allows lesser-known ingredients to gain recognition. Recently, I was dining somewhere, and they were using ingredients from different parts of India that I had never heard of. Its ironic because we know so much about Japanese and Italian ingredients, but were not as familiar with our own. This has a profound impact on the industry," says Anand. Her words ring true, when We Idliwales Joshi says Indian diners are more familiar with pappardelle pasta than pesarattu. The Pune-based restaurant and bar offers idli-curry combos and creative renditions of dishes from south India, which, Joshi says, was initially met with apprehension. When we launched in 2021, people thought that we were doing fusion food, when in fact, we were simply introducing diners to the regional Indian cuisine that I grew up with. It was as good as foreign to them because they had never encountered it." Apart from ingredients and recipes, chef-entrepreneurs are using their own businesses to influence kitchen culture and change the rulebook. Lupas Chandra, who was tired of seeing elitism play out among staff with differing education and exposure, spends much of his time in the kitchen to bridge that gap by flattening structures and running sessions on art, history and culture for those on his team who didnt have the advantage earlier in life. In NCR, chef Bani Nanda, pastry chef and founder of Miam Patisserie, ensures that female staff who work late hours are dropped home by a trusted driver that her family has employed for years. I wouldnt book a cab myself at those hours, so I cant expect my staff to," Nanda says. Then theres the exciting innovation coming out of these ventures. Some of the most creative, cutting-edge, high-quality food concepts to come out of India in the last five years have been chef-owned ventures. In Bengaluru, chef Kavan Kuttappa has consistently wowed diners with his pocket edition ramen bar, Naru Noodle Bar, a 20-seater counter-dining restaurant that he set up in 2021 after spending years working with various restaurant groups and running a delivery-only service during the pandemic. In 2019, Alex Sanchez, the Puerto Rican-Jewish chef who was known for his innovative cuisine at The Table in Mumbai, set up Americano with his partner-wife Mallyeka Watsa. Five years later, Americano hasnt lost its sheen and is still a buzzy South Mumbai hot spot thats difficult to get a table at. Emboldened by the success of Americano, Sanchez and Watsa opened the doors to Otra just a few months ago. Restaurants such as Naar, Americano and Otra are tributes to the flavours the chef-owners grew up loving, finessed with the expertise of someone who has studied food reverentially and worked in Michelin-starred restaurants. They offer an invitation into the mind of the chef. If you thought chefs were only setting up new restaurants, think again. In June, Pune-based chef Gayatri Desai, who shut her restaurant Ground Up last year, relaunched the establishment in a new avatar that spans the identities of an experimental kitchen and fermentation lab. Ground Up 2.0 serves tasting menus thrice a week while also focusing on funky ideas coming out of the fermentarylike inoculating Koji spores on all kinds of local grains. Fermentation is change over time, and we will continue to evolve and change alongside," says Desai, in a video on Instagram about the new space. Blending ideas of nostalgia with French patisserie techniques was what Heena Punwani, previously executive pastry chef at The Bombay Canteen and O Pedro in Mumbai, wanted to do with her Maska Bakery, which opened late last year in the city. Punwani conjures up fantastical treats such as chocolate-dipped rose cookies, Kejriwal babkas swirled with Bhavnagari chilli chutney, coriander and cheese, and bread jam" topped with compote and crumble from her sunny delivery kitchen helmed by a mostly all-women team. View Full Image Pastry chef Heena Punwani Some chefs, in true start-up style, have had to pivot as circumstances changed. Mumbai-based chef Divesh Aswani was midway through research and development for a restaurant when the pandemic hit. A year after the lockdown, the former head chef at Magazine St Kitchen in Mumbai broke his proposed restaurants menu down into its basic elements and launched a cloud kitchen serving simplified gourmet". His Commis Station now has a cult following for its tiramisu, condiments and kitchen staples like fresh pasta and tacos. A few years ago, Thomas Zacharias, who was chef-partner at The Bombay Canteen, set up The Locavore, a platform for storytelling, partnerships, events and advocacy related to food. As chefs, we have the ability to influence people through our work. Being able to do some good, either within the food systems, for people around us or the community, is the opportunity," he says of his motivation to venture down an unknown path. What excites me the most is that focus is back on good food," says We Idliwales Joshi. Armed with learnings from their previous ventures, culinary degrees and bright ideas about the future of Indian cuisine, Indias chef-entrepreneurs could lead to the evolution of Indias food industry. The results are bound to be delicious. Smitha Menon is a food journalist, Indias only 50 Best Tastehunter and the host & creator of the Big Food Energy podcast. She posts at @smitha.men on Instagram. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) An appeals court says a federal receiver can proceed with a takeover of a Mississippi jail where a judge found unconstitutional conditions and a stunning array of assaults, as well as deaths. A panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves acted properly in 2022 when he appointed a public safety consultant to act as a receiver for the Raymond Detention Center in Hinds County. The judges also wrote that we find that some constitutional violations remain current and ongoing at the jail outside Jackson. The takeover has been blocked pending the appeal by Hinds County, which argued that a federally appointed consultant would be utterly unaccountable to voters and taxpayers. However, the appellate judges told Reeves to reevaluate the scope of the consultant's work and remove his budgeting power, ruling that the judge had given him overly broad authority to determine the annual budget for the jail, including for staff salaries and benefits, medical and mental health services and facility improvements. Giving those financial decisions to the consultant would allow him to ignore the budgetary constraints that the Hinds County Board of Supervisors has had to deal with in managing the jail, they wrote. Reeves put the jail into receivership in July 2022 after citing poor conditions, including deficiencies in supervision and staffing. Seven people died in 2021 while detained at the jail, he said. At that point, federal and state judges had ordered receiverships or a similar transfer of control for prisons and jails only about eight times across the country, according to Hernandez Stroud, an attorney at the Brennan Center for Justice at the NYU School of Law. In October 2022, Reeves appointed Wendell M. France Sr., a public safety consultant, former correctional administrator and 27-year member of the Baltimore Police Department, to improve conditions at the jail. France was scheduled to assume operational control of the jail on Jan. 1, 2023. When he ordered a receivership, Reeves wrote that cell doors did not lock. A lack of lighting in cells made life miserable for the detainees who live there" and prevented guards from adequately watching detainees, he wrote. He also said that guards sometimes slept instead of monitoring the cameras in the control room. * Bangladeshi drugs made with Ozempic key ingredient shipped to 12 markets, including U.S. and Britain - data * Novo Nordisk says it cannot vouch for safety of unapproved semaglutide-based products * Patent exemptions allow companies in Bangladesh and Laos to produce semaglutide drugs * Some Chinese ingredient makers have started to produce semaglutide By Andrew Silver SHANGHAI, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Just over a year ago, New Zealand customs officials started to intercept batches of injectable medications labelled Fitaro and Orsema, developed by a little-known Bangladeshi drugmaker, Incepta Pharmaceuticals. The injectable pens, 14 of which were seized at the border, contained semaglutide, a patented substance that helps control blood sugar levels and appetite and is the key ingredient in Novo Nordisk's blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, according to data from New Zealand's medicines regulator Medsafe, reviewed by Reuters. The Incepta drugs are part of an Asia-based supply chain manufacturing and exporting cheaper copies of Ozempic across the world, Reuters has found, driven by a spike in global demand for the drug. Ozempic was developed for type 2 diabetes but its active ingredient semaglutide is effective in promoting weight loss. The market for such weight-loss treatments, which Novo Nordisk is targeting with anti-obesity treatment Wegovy, is forecast to reach $150 billion by the early 2030s. According to a Reuters review, at least 106,000 packs of semaglutide-based medicines made in Asia by Incepta have been shipped to 12 foreign markets including countries like the United States and Britain where Ozempic is protected by patents. Incepta did not respond to multiple requests for comment about Fitaro and Orsema, which are approved for sale in Bangladesh, according to public records and information provided by a local regulatory official. The official with the Bangladesh Directorate General of Drug Administration, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said Bangladeshi regulators had given Incepta permission to export Fitaro or Orsema but only provided it had won approval from receiving countries. The injectable pens, which are not authorised for use in New Zealand, were referred to Medsafe between August 2023 and May 2024 and destroyed, data from the regulator showed. Medsafe told Reuters the Fitaro and Orsema batches that were destroyed appeared to be for personal use but did not comment on whether the medicines carried any health risk. "Medicines that have been imported from overseas will not have been assessed and approved by Medsafe, so carry a significant risk as there is no assurance they have been made to an acceptable level of quality," the regulator added in response to a Reuters query about imports of semaglutide-based drugs. Reuters has previously reported that semaglutide drugs from Bangladesh were sold on India-based online marketplace IndiaMART. The latest reporting shows that the international distribution of semaglutide drugs not made by Novo Nordisk is much wider. The data surveyed by Reuters came from pharmaceutical regulators in Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and the United States; information from a commercial customs data provider for Kenya, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates; and records of intercepted drugs from Britain, Switzerland and Ireland. In addition, an interview with a trade show exhibitor, a review of data from the commercial customs data provider, and from Brazil's Justice Ministry showed that six little-known companies, four of which are based in Asia, manufacture semaglutide-based medicines and that their products are shipped overseas. At least three of these firms imported the key ingredient from China and at least one of their products was promoted online and in person outside the country of origin, according to the commercial customs data provider's data, an interview with an employee at Chinese supplier Nanjing Hanxin Pharmaceutical Technology, and a website and social media app reviewed by Reuters. These players take advantage of global patent exemptions allowed for less developed countries and instances of loose patent enforcement in countries including in China, the Reuters review shows. Novo Nordisk told Reuters it is the only approved manufacturer of semaglutide globally, and it could not vouch for the safety or effectiveness of products claiming to contain semaglutide made by other manufacturers. Even though Novo Nordisk's semaglutide is protected by international licences, countries like Bangladesh and Laos, classified as least developed nations by the United Nations, enjoy exemptions from industry patent rules. The Danish firm, which has quickly become Europe's most valuable company with a market capitalisation of around $400 billion, states on its website that it does not enforce patents in less developed countries. Given the frenzied demand for Ozempic, the financial impact of possible patent infringement on Novo Nordisk is currently limited. "Illegal versions of the drugs today do not cannibalize Novo's sales given they are selling every dose they can produce," said Nicholas Anderson, portfolio manager and managing director at global asset management firm Thornburg Investment Management, which owns Novo Nordisk stocks. However, such copies are raising healthcare concerns. Medicines regulators in at least six countries including the U.S., Britain and Ireland have rejected, destroyed or seized some of Incepta's semaglutide-based drugs, according to drug regulator records and responses from regulators to Reuters' queries. In one case, unauthorised semaglutide was recalled in South Africa in December, because of potential health risks, according to a public notice posted in January by the local medicines regulator. The authority told Reuters the ingredient was sourced from a supplier in China not authorised to produce the ingredient in Ozempic, without providing more details. "The semaglutide, said to be found in this unauthorised substance, may contain unexpected impurities or degradation products which can have unknown effects on patients," the notice said. Reuters found no evidence that these products would have caused any harm to patients, but their spread could add to public health concerns about a sector also threatened by fake Ozempic. PARALLEL SUPPLY CHAIN The official with the Bangladesh Directorate General of Drug Administration said Orsema was approved in Bangladesh and considered safe. Fitaro is also approved for sale, public records show. A clinic in the capital Dhaka has prescribed Incepta's Fitaro injector pens to around 20 patients, all foreigners based in Bangladesh, according to a manager, who declined to be named or identify the clinic due to the sensitivity around the treatment. "When patients found out that Fitaro was available in Bangladesh at a maximum monthly cost of around $60 a month, (against) $650 in the U.S. (for Wegovy), they didn't seem particularly focused on who the manufacturer was," the manager said. In Laos, semaglutide-based medicines can only be legally produced and distributed for national use, Davone Duangdany, director of the drug and medical device control division within the Laos health ministry, told Reuters. But some Chinese companies have been promoting Laos-produced semaglutide tablets in China, where Novo Nordisk's patent is due to expire in 2026 or earlier if it loses a legal challenge. At an industry exhibition in Shanghai in June that Reuters attended, ingredient manufacturer Nanjing Hanxin Pharmaceutical Technology displayed boxes of Semagcare semaglutide tablets, manufactured by Laos-based Boten Elemento Pharma. Abdu Zoghbi, business development director of Nanjing Hanxin, told Reuters that his company provides semaglutide to the Laos-based drugmaker. "We don't know which countries (Semagcare is sold to) but we are doing the promotion because once they sell more, we sell more API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) to them," he told Reuters when asked about why it was showcasing the drug at the expo. Boten Elemento Pharma's Semagcare tablets appeared on sale on a Chinese language website and also a Chinese social media app, according to a Reuters review. Sales of semaglutide by a Chinese company could amount to an infringement of Novo Nordisk's China patent, said Frank Yang, senior associate at Marks & Clerk Intellectual Property Agency in reply to a Reuters query about possible licences breaches. A spokeswoman for Novo Nordisk said the company does not produce the ingredient in China. The China National Intellectual Property Administration declared the Danish drugmaker's patent invalid in September 2022. However, Novo Nordisk successfully appealed this decision. Novo Nordisk told Reuters it is now awaiting a court decision on a subsequent appeal. "We hope to see a continued trend in supporting and protecting innovation during patent invalidation proceedings," a Novo Nordisk spokesperson said in response to questions about whether it was enforcing its patent in China. Contacted by Reuters by fax, the Chinese medicine regulator did not reply to queries about quality controls at the Chinese firms making semaglutide. A second Chinese firm, Shanghai Longtide Biotechnology, which described itself as a biotechnology company, also displayed a box of Semagcare tablets at its booth at a separate trade show in Shenzhen that Reuters also attended. Reuters contacted Boten Elemento Pharma through its website but the company did not respond. A business registered as Shanghai Longtide Biotechnology did not reply to requests for comment. BENDING BOUNDARIES A third Chinese biotechnology firm, Zhejiang Peptites Biotech, is among the suppliers of semaglutide to Incepta, the data from the commercial customs data provider showed. The Bangladeshi drugmaker has imported at least 892 grams of semaglutide valued at about $805,000 between 2020 and 2024 from mainland China and Hong Kong, according to a Reuters calculation based on the customs data provider's shipment data for Zhejiang Peptites Biotech and other suppliers. Zhejiang Peptites Biotech also supplied at least 25.6 kg of semaglutide, valued about $2.8 million, to Russian drugmaker Geropharm in 2023 and 2024, according to Reuters calculations based on the customs data provider's data. Geropharm can use inventions protected by Russian patents to provide semaglutide-based medication to the local population without Novo's consent until the end of December, according to a Russian government decree issued in December 2023. The Russian company said Zhejiang Peptites Biotech's supply of semaglutide is carried out in accordance with a contract and it does not export the finished drug, Semavic, abroad. However, Semavic was exported from Russia multiple times to the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia, information from the commercial customs data provider reviewed by Reuters showed. Zhejiang Peptites Biotech did not respond to a request for comment on shipments of semaglutide to Incepta and Geropharm. The customs data showed that it was not only Chinese firms supplying semaglutide: Incepta has imported the ingredient from Swiss generic drugmaker Bachem. A spokesperson for Bachem said it produces semaglutide for pharmaceutical companies for research and development purposes only and declined to comment on its relationship with Incepta. Medicines regulator Swissmedic told Reuters Bachem was authorised to export semaglutide, but added Swissmedic was "not supervising patents". Actor Darshan was admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru's Kengeri on Friday, days after he was granted bail on medical grounds in connection with the alleged murder of his fan Renukaswamy. According to reports, Darshan has been admitted due to back and leg pain. He was accompanied by his wife Vijayalakshmi. "His left leg is weak. We are thinking about what can be done next. We haven't started any investigation. We have only done examinations. After the examination, we have ordered an investigation. After the investigation we will get to know what exactly has happened," reported PTI quoting Dr Naveen Appaji Gowda, who is treating Darshan. Also Read | Actor Darshan gets interim bail for 6 weeks in Renukaswamy murder case Dr Gowda added that the actor has back as well. Darshans lawyer had claimed the actor was experiencing numbness in both feet and requested permission for his surgery to be performed at a private hospital in Mysuru. Bail for treatment On October 30, the High Court of Karnataka had granted the actor interim bail for six weeks on medical grounds. What doctor Gowda said: Will do MRI, X-Ray and blood tests. "We did not get his previous MRI films and test reports. So, we need to do an MRI once again. We have to admit him," Dr Gowda added. After the investigation, we will get to know what the problem is, whether operation is required or physiotherapy is sufficient." Booked for murder Darshan and actor Pavithra Gowda have been booked under charges related to the kidnapping and murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy. Report presented in sealed cover The state presented medical reports in a sealed cover from doctors at Ballari Central Prison, where Darshan is lodged, and the head of the department of neurology at a government hospital in Ballari. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday mourned the death of Bibek Debroy, a prominent economist and chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM). In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, Dr. Bibek Debroy Ji was a towering scholar, well-versed in diverse domains like economics, history, culture, politics, spirituality and more. Through his works, he left an indelible mark on Indias intellectual landscape. Beyond his contributions to public policy, he enjoyed working on our ancient texts, making them accessible to the youth. He furhter noted, I have known Dr. Debroy for many years. I will fondly remember his insights and passion for academic discourse. Saddened by his passing away. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti. Prime Minister pays tribute to Chief of PM Modis EAC. (photo: narendramodi/X) Debroy was widely recognized for his significant contributions to economic policy and research. He chaired the Finance Ministry's 'Expert Committee for Infrastructure Classification and Financing Framework for Amrit Kaal,' a key initiative aimed at enhancing Indias economic standing over the next 25 years. Born on January 25 into a Bengali family in Shillong, Debroy's educational journey began at Ramakrishna Mission School in Narendrapur and continued at Presidency College, Kolkata, the Delhi School of Economics, and Trinity College, Cambridge. His teaching career included positions at Presidency College, Kolkata (1979-83), Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune (1983-87), and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in Delhi (1987-93). From 1993 to 1998, he served as the Director of a Ministry of Finance and UNDP project focused on legal reforms, and in 1994-95, he collaborated with the Department of Economic Affairs. As a founding member of NITI Aayog, the government's principal think tank, Debroy played a vital role in shaping policy from its inception. Throughout his career, Debroy made impactful contributions in various fields of economics, including game theory, income inequality, poverty, legal reforms, and railway policy. He was also a renowned scholar of Indian texts and culture, best known for his ten-volume translation of the Mahabharata, which was celebrated for its clarity and accessibility. Debroy leaves behind a remarkable legacy as a thought leader who significantly influenced Indias intellectual and economic landscape. Prominent economist and the chairman of the Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Council Bibek Debroy has passed away at the age of 69. He was admitted to AIIMS. A recipient of the Padma Shri, in September, he stepped down as chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) in Pune after the Bombay High Court granted interim relief to Vice-Chancellor Ajit Ranade, who had previously been dismissed from his position. Reacting to the news, PM Narendra Modi said, Dr. Bibek Debroy Ji was a towering scholar, well-versed in diverse domains like economics, history, culture, politics, spirituality and more. Through his works, he left an indelible mark on Indias intellectual landscape. Beyond his contributions to public policy, he enjoyed working on our ancient texts, making them accessible to the youth. Expressing grief EAM Jaishankar said, Deeply grieved at the passing away of Dr. Bibek Debroy.His contributions to governance and policy making were enormous. Equally, his exceptional talents were harnessed to make our culture, history and traditions accessible to many generations. Remembering a dedicated reformer, great nationalist, an erudite scholar and a wonderful friend. Om Shanti, he added. All you need to know about Bibek Debroy: Debroy was educated in Ramakrishna Mission School, Narendrapur; Presidency College, Kolkata; Delhi School of Economics; and Trinity College, Cambridge. He had worked in Presidency College, Kolkata; Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune; Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi; and also as the Director of a Ministry of Finance/UNDP project on legal reforms. Also Read | Debroy panel to release infra-financing framework by Sep The Delhi government has declared a public holiday on November 7 for the occasion of Chhath Puja. The development came mere hours after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena wrote to Chief Minister Atishi and sought the declaration of a 'full time holiday'. November 7 had previously been declared a restricted holiday. Chhath Puja is an important festival for the people of NCT of Delhi. Accordingly, Government of NCT of Delhi has decided to declare 7th November 2024 as Public Holiday on account of 'Chhat Pooja'" read a missive from the office of the Chief Minister. Chhath Puja is widely celebrated by natives of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh (often dubbed Purvanchalis after Diwali. Devotees mostly women worship the Sun god and perform the ritual of 'Arghya' standing in knee-deep water during the festival. It assumes special significance this year with assembly elections around the corner. 'Purvanchali' voters will decide the fate of several candidates during the February polls. Chhath is a Hindu festival celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and other regions. It occurs on the sixth day of the Kartik month as per the Hindu calendar, and is also known as Surya Shashti. The festival involves a four-day observance of ritual purity and fasting. The first day includes taking a dip in a holy river, and devotees often bring Ganges water home for rituals. The second day, known as Kharna, features a day-long fast that ends with offerings to Mother Earth. The third day focuses on preparing prasad for evening offerings to the setting sun, also known as Sanjhiya Arghya. On the final day, devotees make offerings to the rising sun before breaking their fast and sharing prasad with neighbours and relatives. Earlier this month the Delhi government had also announced plans to set up 1000 "model ghats" for the festival. Chief Minister Atishi had said they would be constructed in each of the 70 assembly constituencies to facilitate Chhath Puja devotees. Long-term BJP worker and former MP Bhulai Bhai passed away on Thursday amid an outpouring of grief from several quarters. Senior leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have since taken to social media to laud his extensive contributions. The demise of Narayan ji, who made an invaluable contribution to politics and social service, is an irreparable loss. He has been among the oldest and hardworking workers of BJP, whom we also know as Bhulai Bhai. His works related to public welfare will always be remembered. In this hour of grief, I express my condolences to his admirers and family members. Om Shanti! PM Modi wrote on X. The prominent BJP leader considered one of the oldest workers of the party passed away at his Uttar Pradesh residence on Thursday evening. He was aged 111. The demise of Narayan Ji alias Bhulai Bhai, one of the oldest workers of BJP, is extremely sad. Bhulai Bhai, dedicated to the country's interest and nation first, kept inspiring the youth for cultural nationalism through Jan Sangh and BJP. I still remember his enthusiasm for ideology and nationalism during my meeting with him. The entire BJP family is with his family in this hour of grief. May God give a place to the departed soul in his feet. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti, added Shah. Narayan alias Bhulai Bhai was a distinguished figure in Indian politics and social service. He served as an MLA from the Nebua Naurangia constituency in Kushinagar after being elected twice on a Jan Sangh ticket. Bhulai Bhai joined erstwhile Jansangh on Vijaydashmi in 1952. Bhai had worked with the founders of BJP, Deen Dayal Upadhyay and Syama Prasad Mookerjee. He was also a two-time MLA from Jansangh in the years 1974 and 1977. PM Modi had earlier called Narayan during the second COVID-19 induced lockdown. The PM had then made an appeal to every citizen of the country to take care of the elders in the family. Two migrant labourers were shot by terrorists in the Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. The incident comes less than two weeks after a doctor and six construction workers were killed in Ganderbal district. According to a PTI report, the Uttar Pradesh residents identified as Sufiyan and Usman were attacked in the Mazhama area of Magam in the central Kashmir district. They were rushed to a local hospital and currently remain in a stable condition. Jammu and Kashmir has seen a spate in terrorist attacks in recent months with the recent incidents prompting concern about targetted killings. This is the fifth attack by terrorists in the Kashmir Valley since the formation of an elected government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Seven people were killed in mid-October as terrorists struck the Z-Morh tunnel construction site along the Srinagar-Leh national highway. The attack came as the labourers and other staff were returning to their camp in the Gund area of Ganderbal. Officials believe that there were at least two terrorists who opened fire indiscriminately on the group of labourers which included both local and non-local people. Terrorists also shot and injured Shubam Kumar another labourer from Uttar Pradesh in the Tral area of Pulwama district on October 24. Also Read | Army ambulance fired upon in Battal area of Akhnoor in Jammu & Kashmir Two soldiers and as many civilian porters engaged by the Army were also killed hours later in an attack against an Army vehicle in Gulmarg. The surge in terrorist activity over the past two weeks have led to at least 13 fatalities including the two soldiers. Terrorists also opened fire at an Army convoy Monday morning, targeting an ambulance, in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu region, following which special forces and NSG commandos launched an operation killing one of the attackers Karnataka news: Chikkamagaluru witnessed chaos as several devotees were injured while climbing the 3,000-foot Deviramma Hill Temple, known for its annual rituals on Naraka Chaturdashi. The temple, nestled in the Chandra Drona hill range and only open during Deepavali, attracted a massive turnout despite continuous rainfall. Devotees from across Karnataka braved the rains to seek blessings from Goddess Bindiga Deviramma. The journey to the temple involves traversing through the scenic routes of Manikyadhara and Arisinaguppe in Bababudangiri, but the treacherous conditions led to slips and falls, resulting in injuries among the crowd. Also Read | Brighten your Diwali portfolio with these four PSU Bank stocks WATCH VIDEO HERE Safety Measures Fall Short In anticipation of the festival, local authorities in Karnataka had implemented safety measures, including the installation of ropes at key points to mitigate risks. However, the sheer volume of visitors overwhelmed these precautions, contributing to the incidents. Initial estimates suggested a lower turnout compared to previous years, but officials expect an increase as Deepotsava festivities continue until November 3. Continued Celebrations Amidst Challenges The district administration, along with police forces, is closely monitoring the situation as the influx of pilgrims is expected to grow in the coming days. While safety remains a primary concern, the devotion displayed by the pilgrims underscores the significance of the Deviramma Temple in the community's Diwali celebrations. PM Modi greets people of Karnataka on 'Kannada Rajyotsava' Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday greeted the people of Karnataka on their state formation day - 'Kannada Rajyotsava'. Taking to the social media platform 'X', he said that 'Kannada Rajyotsava' is a very special occasion, recognising the exemplary culture and traditions of Karnataka. "This state is blessed with outstanding people, who are powering growth and innovation across sectors. May the people of Karnataka always be blessed with happiness and success," he added. Andhra Pradesh Diwali Tragedy: In a devastating incident, on October 31, in Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh, a firecracker accident resulted in the death of one individual and left six others injured. The mishap occurred on Thursday when a two-wheeler transporting a dangerous shipment of 'onion bombs' hit a pothole, leading to a catastrophic explosion. Sudhakar's Fatal Ride The deceased has been identified as Sudhakar, a local man who was carrying the firecrackers for Diwali celebrations. Eyewitness reports reveal that he was riding a Honda Activa scooter with a friend when tragedy struck. As the vehicle hit a pothole, a sack of 'onion bombs' detonated, engulfing them in flames. Understanding the 'Onion Bomb' An 'onion bomb' is a firecracker shaped in round or bulbous form resembling an onion. When ignited, it produces a powerful bang, emitting a sudden flash and sometimes smoke, much like a small dynamite blast. 'Onion bombs' are a type of powerful firecracker shaped like an onion, known for their explosive capability, comparable to that of an improvised explosive device (IED). In some countries, such as the UK, these firecrackers are restricted to professional displays and are not available for public sale. Viral Footage Captures the Horror CCTV footage, which has since gone viral, captured the harrowing moment. The video shows Sudhakar and his pillion rider navigating a narrow street before the explosion rocked the area, creating a massive cloud of dark smoke. Residents nearby were left in shock as the blast scattered debris, with the terrifying aftermath unfolding before their eyes. The Aftermath: Injuries and Emergency Response Following the explosion, the pillion rider and six others sustained injuries and were promptly rushed to a nearby hospital. R Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of BPL Group founder T P Gopalan Nambiar on Thursday and said the pioneering innovator and industrialist was a strong votary of making India economically strong. "Shri TPG Nambiar Ji was a pioneering innovator and industrialist, who was a strong votary of making India economically strong. Pained by his passing away. Condolences to his family and admirers," Modi said in a post on X. Nambiar, 94, was not keeping well for quite some time and passed away in the morning in his Bengaluru residence, they said. "... he died at home at about 10.15 am," a family member told PTI on Thursday. Popularly known as TPG, he is the father-in-law of BJP leader and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Mourning his demise, former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said on 'X', "Saddened by the passing of Shri TPG Nambiar, founder of the iconic BPL brand, who has been a close acquaintance for a long time. Shri Nambiar's enormous contributions and legacy will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones." Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly V D Satheesan also condoled his demise "He was a prominent figure in the Indian business world as the founder of BPL, which played a pivotal role in advancing the telecommunications industry in India," the chief minister said in his condolence message. He further said Nambiar's initiatives served as a significant inspiration for those entering the industrial sector. Mourning his demise, Satheesan recalled that Nambiar was a visionary who brought transformative changes to Indias electronics manufacturing sector. Starting as a small entrepreneur, he grew to become a stalwart in the electronics manufacturing sector, the opposition leader said. His dedication and hardwork was behind BPL's popularity in the 1990s, Satheesan said. MUMBAI : Every Friday, Plain Facts publishes a compilation of data-based insights with easy-to-read charts to help you delve deeper into the stories reported by Mint in the week gone by. Samvat 2080 closed with the Nifty rising nearly 25%. The Union finance ministry has flagged slackening urban demand in its monthly economic review. Early investors in Swiggy will cash out with big gains in its upcoming public listing, while businesses in Chennai and Bengaluru offer most internships under the PM internship scheme. Samvat 2080 As we enter Samvat 2081 today, a look at the Samvat 2080 denotes that the markets have had a good run. The Nifty50 has surged nearly 25% since the previous Samvat, fuelled by sustained gross domestic product (GDP) growth, strong corporate earnings, and ample liquidity. Tata-owned Trent emerged as the biggest winner in the past year, rising nearly 186%. A Mint inaugural quarterly survey of 16 analysts shows that the sentiment, though, is mixed for the times ahead. Opinions on the Sensex hitting the 100,000 mark by March 2025 are divided. While 47% of respondents expressed optimism, citing factors like continued economic growth and strong corporate earnings, 53% remain cautious, citing global challenges as a major concern. Urban jitters Coming in the Diwali week, the finance ministrys economic review for September highlighted softening urban demand due to moderating consumer sentiment, Mint reported. The urban trend diverged from the rural trend. In 2023-24, rural demand fell due to poor monsoon rains. Urban consumer goods sales rose 11.5% year-on-year in Q2 FY25 vs 14.5% in rural and semi-urban areas, respectively, according to data from Bizom. Auto sales fell 2.3% in the April-September period, mainly on account of weaker sales in the second quarter. Housing sales and launches have also declined. The review also flagged potential risks from global market volatility and geopolitical tensions, which could further dampen household spending and economic growth. Swiggy windfall Food delivery and quick-commerce platform Swiggy, whose 11,300-crore IPO will open for subscription on 6 November, will see its early investors like Accel, Apoletto, Elevation Capital, and Norwest Venture Partners make significant gains, Mint reported. The company aims for a valuation of $11.3 billion, a slight increase from its previous $10.7 billion valuation. Accel will potentially make a 35x return, followed by Elevation Capitals and Apoletto Asias 34x and 26x return on investment, respectively. The IPO will include a fresh issue and an offer for sale (OFS) by existing investors. Other investors like Tencent, Alpha Wave, Coatue, Prosus, and Meituan are also selling shares in the OFS. Steel imports Indian steelmakers are in for some relief as a recent surge in steel imports has seen an abrupt halt, Mint reported. Key exporting countries like China and Vietnam are grappling with compliance issues due to new Indian import regulations. Stricter import norms, including mandatory BIS certifications, have significantly reduced the number of Chinese steelmakers active in the Indian market. Vietnamese steelmakers are also facing challenges, with an ongoing anti-dumping investigation further hindering their exports to India. This dual pressure from regulatory hurdles and trade disputes has led to a decline in steel imports, providing much-needed relief to the domestic steel industry. The influx of cheap, often substandard steel had eroded profit margins for domestic steel producers. Interns roll-call Chennai and Bengaluru lead the way in offering the most internships under the Prime Ministers scheme, followed by Gurugram and Hyderabad, Mint reported, citing government data. A state-wise look shows that Maharashtra offers the highest number of internships overall. Businesses in Chennai offer 7,875 internships, while Bengaluru offers 5,179. The top 10 districts account for over 39,200 of the total 127,000+ internships available. The top five sectors internships-wise are oil and gas, automotive and travel and hospitality, BFSI and metals and mining. Jubilant Foodworks, Eicher Motors, Larsen & Toubro, Tech Mahindra, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Finance, and Muthoot Finance are among the companies offering internships. Chart of the week: Label alert Nearly a quarter (27%) of urban Indians find it difficult to understand food nutrition labels, shows the findings of the latest YouGov-Mint-CPR Millennial Survey conducted in July 2024. The share is higher among residents of smaller cities. A region-wise analysis shows respondents living in South India found it most difficult to understand these labels. The survey results have been released by Mint over the last few weeks. Follow our data stories on theIn Charts" andPlain Facts" pages on the Mint website. Devender Singh Rana, BJP's sitting MLA from the Nagrota Assembly constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, and the brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh, passed away on Thursday, a party spokesman said. He was 59. The businessman-turned-politician was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Haryana's Faridabad, a senior BJP leader said. He is survived by his wife, Gunjan Rana, their daughters Devyani and Ketki, and son Adhiraj Singh. Rana, a strong voice for Jammu's Dogra community, was recently re-elected to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly from the Nagrota segment of Jammu district, securing the seat for a second term. As the news of Rana's death spread, hundreds of people, including political leaders, gathered at his residence in the Gandhinagar area of Jammu. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also rushed to his house. Terming Rana as a prominent political figure in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP spokesman Sajid Yousuf said, His sudden demise has left the BJP and his supporters in shock. Once a trusted lieutenant of National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and his political adviser during his previous tenure as chief minister, Rana held considerable sway among Muslims, particularly the Gujjar community in Jammu. Who was Devender Singh Rana? Born into a Dogra family in Jammu's Doda district in 1965, he was the son of former bureaucrat Rajinder Singh Rana. After earning a degree in civil engineering from NIT Kurukshetra, Rana ventured into business, and founded his own automobile company. He created the Jamkash Vehicleades Group, a multi-crore enterprise, and a cable TV channel from scratch, establishing himself as a top entrepreneur in Jammu and Kashmir. Devender Singh Rana: Political journey Devender Singh Rana began his political career with the National Conference (NC), where he became a key strategist and adviser, expanding the party's base in Jammu as its Provincial President. Also Read | Omar Abdullah calls on PM Modi in maiden visit to Delhi after taking over as CM As a trusted aide to Omar Abdullah, he played a significant role in shaping party strategies in Jammu. In his debut bid for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Rana contested from the Nagrota assembly segment -- a BJP stronghold -- and won it for the NC, defeating the BJP's Jugal Kishore Sharma, a three-time MP. This victory underscored his ability to connect with a diverse voter base. He served as MLC and as NC's Provincial President since 2009. After Article 370 was abrogated, Rana became a vocal advocate for the Jammu Declaration, calling for statehood restoration specifically for the Jammu region. His stance clashed with the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, a coalition seeking the restoration of Article 370 and statehood for the entire Jammu and Kashmir region. In October 2021, after more than two decades with the NC, Rana resigned and joined the BJP. His deep roots in the Jammu region and close connections with local communities made him a prominent figure in J&K politics, particularly for the BJP. PM Modi, J-K leaders condoled death of Devender Singh Rana Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X expressed shock over Devender Singh Rana's death and said he played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in Jammu and Kashmir. Shri Devender Singh Rana Jis untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmirs progress. He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J&K. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti, PM Modi said in a post. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over Rana's sudden demise. "In his passing, we have lost a patriotic and widely respected leader who was committed to the well-being of the people of J&K. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti," the LG's office posted on X. Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary also expressed condolences. "This news is especially disheartening on an auspicious day (Diwali). My condolences are extended to his family and PMO @DrJitendraSingh ji on the loss of his younger brother. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Om Shanti," Choudhary wrote on X. PDP chief and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti also offered her condolences. "Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Devender Rana Ji. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones," Mufti said on X. The Jammu and Kashmir BJP said his untimely demise is a great loss to the party and to the people of J&K. "His contribution and dedication to society will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace, and may God provide strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss," the party posted on X. Congress National General Secretary and MLA Ghulam Ahmed Mir expressed his shock and sorrow over Rana's death. "My heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of the deceased. Having interacted with him in politics and beyond, Rana was a great, supportive, and visionary leader, an entrepreneur whose business acumen created opportunities for many in J&K," Mir wrote on X. Other political leaders, including Sajad Lone, Junaid Matoo, Sunil Sharma, Tarun Chugh, Sham Lal Sharma, and Choudhary Zulfikar Ali, also offered condolences. * Mayor charged with accepting bribes from Turkish nationals * Adams has pleaded not guilty and is seeking reelection * Republican Trump wishes Democratic mayor 'good luck' By Luc Cohen NEW YORK, Nov 1 (Reuters) - New York City Mayor Eric Adams will go on trial on corruption charges starting April 21, 2025, a U.S. judge ruled on Friday, as the embattled Democrat prepares for a bruising reelection campaign. U.S. District Judge Dale Ho set the trial date at a hearing in federal court in Manhattan. Adams, 64, pleaded not guilty last month to federal charges of accepting bribes and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish nationals in exchange for pressuring city officials to allow Turkey's new 36-story consulate to open despite safety concerns. A former police officer who rose to the rank of captain, Adams is the first of the city's 110 mayors to be charged with a federal crime while in office. At least seven senior officials in his administration have resigned in recent months as multiple federal corruption probes engulf City Hall. Adams, who took office in January 2022, has declined to resign despite calls to do so from several senior Democrats in the largest U.S. city, including U.S. Representative Jerry Nadler. Adams has pledged to run for reelection next year, and is expected to face a competitive Democratic primary in the left-leaning city. Adams' lawyer, Alex Spiro, has told reporters the case rests on the assertions of a staffer who falsely implicated Adams. He has also minimized the severity of the charges, calling the case the "airline upgrade corruption case." Turkey's foreign ministry has said Ankara was following the proceedings in Adams' case closely and that its diplomats adhered to protocol. Adams last month received an unlikely message of support from former U.S. President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for president in Tuesday's upcoming election, who is facing federal charges over efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democratic President Joe Biden. Trump, who has pleaded not guilty in that case, also was convicted of 34 felony counts in state court in New York City. "Good luck with everything, they went after you," Trump said in a light-hearted speech at a charity gala in New York on Oct. 17. "I don't like what they do." Adams has not been as critical of Trump as other Democrats. Asked earlier this week if he believed Trump was a "fascist," as Vice President Kamala Harris has asserted, Adams said no. (Bloomberg) -- Nigerias President Bola Tinubu will not withdraw four tax bills sent to lawmakers, a move likely to enrage powerful state governors whose buy-in is critical for the implementation of the proposed reforms. President Tinubu believes that the legislative process, which has already begun, provides an opportunity for inputs and necessary changes without withdrawing the bills from the National Assembly, the presidency said in a post on X, Friday. The National Economic Council, which is headed by the nations vice-president and includes governors of the 36 states as well as the central bank, had on Thursday recommended the withdrawal of the bills to allow for more consultation. The NEC has constitutional backing to make economic recommendations to the president and many analysts had thought their rebuke of the tax bills would force Tinubu to review the proposals. His decision to forge ahead now places him in direct confrontation with powerful state governors, who have to give up some of their powers for the proposed tax reforms to be effective. The governors have constitutional backing for taxes within their domains, and the presidents bid to crunch more than 60 taxes currently paid by businesses to six that will be collected by a federal agency and re-distributed, will not happen unless they approve. The economic council had said the recommendation to withdraw the bills was to enable wider consultations and also build consensus around these reforms for the benefit of the entire country. But the president said a tax reforms committee had spent over a year consulting widely with different organizations, including the state governors, and that the tax reform bills that emerged were distilled from the extensive work of the presidential committee. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com As San Francisco's Silicon Valley made the best out of Halloween holiday, CEOs and founders of some of the worlds leading tech companies were seen in their stylish bests, while some took the spooky festival a notch-up with crazy costumes. But the one CEO who caught the attention of social media users was Aravind Srinivas, the Indian-origin CEO of Perplexity AI. Srinivas came dressed to the Halloween party dressed as a fellow Silicon Valley CEO and Facebook founder - Mark Zuckerberg. The IIT alumnus had also recently recounted the challenges faced by immigrants while seeking a US residency permit. Taking to X, Aravind Srinivas shared a picture of himself dressed in a black T-shirt, denim, dark sunglasses, and a silver chain around his neck. The outfit immediately brought to mind the style that Mark Zuckerberg typically opts for in his daily attire. For the next Halloween, the San Francisco-based CEO promised to dress up as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. To this, Altman replied, Like an ill-fitting hoodie and lego adidas shoes? congrats on a truly great product! Take a look at his post below: Also Read | Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas proposes revenue deals for publishers Several netizens commented on Srinivas' post. While some users said that he looked more like Mark Zuckerberg than the Facebook founder himself, some thought his outfit resembled the famous character from Bollywood film Munnabhai Circuit. Is this Circuit from Munnabhai? a user said. A user said, You look more amazing than Zuck in this costume, another added, Bro rocking it harder than Zuck himself. I'm horrified that you were able to take a few minutes away from your desk. Totally unacceptable, but nice outfit. Go Bhai!! a user jibed. Also Read | Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg turns into a nail artist for a day | Watch video Mark Zuckerberg on Halloween On Halloween, Mark Zuckerberg dressed in a John Wick costume - although many viewers felt it more closely resembled Severus Snape of Harry Potter. As Diwali celebrations take place in India around the world, prominent leaders from the United States have expressed their heartfelt wishes to the South Asian community, emphasizing the festival's significance and its themes of light and hope. Through personal messages and official posts on X (formerly Twitter), these leaders underscored the cultural importance of the Festival of Lights. President Biden's message of unity US President Joe Biden took to X to convey his wishes, stating, "This Diwali, may we show the power in the gathering of light. The light of knowledge, of unity, of truth. The light for freedom, for democracy, for an America where anything is possible." Earlier this week, President Biden hosted the largest Diwali event in White House history, welcoming around 600 prominent Indian Americans to celebrate. The White House also shared on social media: "The Biden-Harris Administration wishes a happy Diwali to everyone celebrating the Festival of Lights!" Earlier on October 29, The White House posted, "Happy Diwali from the White House! Together, may we show the power in the gathering of light." Vice President Harris celebrates with community Vice President Kamala Harris joined the festivities, posting on X, "Tonight, we join more than 1 billion people across America and around the world lighting diyas and celebrating the fight for good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness. Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating the Festival of Lights!" At a Diwali event in Pennsylvania, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz honored the contributions of the South Asian community, praising America's diversity and reiterating the need to maintain an inclusive society. His heartfelt remarks resonated with many as he lit a diya, embodying the festivals message of hope. Trump condemns violence against minorities in Bangladesh In a contrasting message, former President Donald Trump, who is also a Republican presidential candidate, extended his Diwali greetings and condemned violence against minorities in Bangladesh. He described the situation in Bangladesh as "barbaric" and indicative of a country in "total chaos." Trump criticized President Biden and Vice President Harris for allegedly ignoring the plight of Hindus, stating, "Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America." He vowed to "Make America Strong Again" and protect Hindu Americans from what he referred to as the "anti-religion agenda" of the radical left. Trump highlighted his past accomplishments, promising to replicate his administration's successes in economic growth and energy independence if re-elected. He concluded with a festive message, wishing all a happy Diwali and hoping the festival leads to "the Victory of Good over Evil." State Department and IMF join in celebrations The US Department of State tweeted, "Diwali represents hope and renewal. Today, we wish all who celebrate a joyous day filled with community, reflection, happiness, and prosperity." Secretary of State Antony Blinken added, "Diwali is more than just a festival; it's a powerful reminder of the values we all cherish: patience, togetherness, kindness, and unity." Gita Gopinath, the First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), shared a touching video of the White House military band performing the prayer "Om Jai Jagdeesh Hare" as part of the Diwali celebrations. In her post, she noted, "Wonderful to hear the White House military band play Om Jai Jagdeesh Hare for Diwali. Happy Diwali!" Google CEO Sundar Pichai also shared his Diwali greetings, saying, "Wishing everyone a bright and joyful Diwali filled with warmth and light!" Also Read | Diwali lights up America: From Times Square to the Empire State Building Ahead of the upcoming presidential elections, former US President Donald Trump vowed to safeguard the interests of Hindu Americans, protecting them from the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. In a bid to strengthen ties with India, Trump also expressed his desire to boost partnership with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he referred to as a "good friend." Sharing a post on X, Trump wrote, We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi. The former President also condemned the violence against the Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh after the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He said, I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos. Trump also criticised President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, and said that they have ignored Hindus globally and in the United States. He said, It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength! Trump's criticism also extended to other areas, including economic policies. He said, "Kamala Harris will destroy your small businesses with more regulations and higher taxes. By contrast, I cut taxes, cut regulations, unleashed American energy, and built the greatest economy in history. We will do it again, bigger and better than ever before--and we will Make America Great Again." A Pennsylvania prosecutor's attempt to halt Elon Musk's $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes shifted to federal court on Thursday after a state judge allowed both parties to present their arguments during a hearing that Musk, the world's richest man, did not attend. Judge Angelo Foglietta noted that Musk, as a defendant in the lawsuit filed by Democratic District Attorney Larry Krasner, should have been present for the hearing, but he chose not to impose immediate sanctions on the tech billionaire, the Associated Press reported. Musk's lawyer, Matthew Haverstick, said he's a busy man who could not simply materialize in the courtroom hours after the hearing was scheduled. Krasner's team challenged the notion that the founder of SpaceX could not make it Philadelphia, prompting a quick retort from the judge. Counsel, he's not going to get in a rocket ship and land on the building, Foglietta replied. The substantial giveaways to registered voters are funded by Musk's political organisation, which is focused on supporting Donald Trump's presidential campaign. After Musk's lawyers argued that the case involved claims of federal election interference, Judge Foglietta paused the state proceedings pending a decision in federal court. The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Gerald J. Pappert, a Republican and former Pennsylvania attorney general who was appointed by President Barack Obama. No hearings have been scheduled in federal court yet. However, late Thursday, District Attorney Krasner filed a petition to move the case back to state court in Democrat-led Philadelphia, where he initially filed his lawsuit on Monday. The lawsuit accuses Musk and his PAC of running a questionable lottery before the November 5 election. Krasner's lawyers noted that four of the first dozen winners appeared to be from Pennsylvania, perhaps the key prize in the tight presidential race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Is it just a coincidence that this is the state that has the largest electoral votes? I don't think so, lawyer John Summers argued at the hearing Thursday morning. Posts by Musk's America PAC on X, the social media platform he purchased, indicate he's given away 13 checks of $1 million since the first one in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 19. Other winners came from the battleground states of Wisconsin, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina and Michigan. Krasner's lawyers noted that Musk and the America PAC had brazenly continued the lottery every day this week, including Thursday morning, despite Krasner's legal bid to shut it down. The sweepstakes is set to run through Election Day, open to people in too-close-to-call states who can show that they're registered to vote and sign a petition supporting the Constitution. They're doing things in the dark, Summers told the judge. We don't know the rules being followed. We don't know how they're supposedly picking people at random It's an outrage. Election law experts have questioned whether it violates federal law barring someone from paying others to vote. Musk has cast the money as both a prize and earnings for work as a spokesperson for the group. Krasner has indicated that he may still consider pursuing criminal charges, as he is responsible for upholding both lottery laws and election integrity. In his lawsuit, he claims the defendants are indisputably violating Pennsylvania's lottery laws. Both Trump and Kamala Harris have made numerous visits to Pennsylvania to secure the state's 19 electoral votes. Musk, who also owns Tesla and X, is fully backing Trump in this election. He believes civilization is at stake and is heavily involved in Trumps get-out-the-vote efforts through his super PAC, which can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money. Musk has pledged over $70 million to the super PAC to support Trump and other Republican candidates in November. Former President Donald Trump in an interview with Tucker Carlson, launched a personal attack on Liz Cheney, former Representative and Kamala Harris supporter, labeling her "a very dumb individual" and a "radical war hawk." During the discussion, which took place in Glendale, Arizona, Trump suggested a violent scenario involving Cheney, saying, "Let's put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her. OK? Let's see how she feels about it." He further criticized Cheney for advocating military action, claiming that politicians like her are quick to send troops into dangerous situations while remaining comfortable in Washington. In response to Trump's remarks, Cheney took to social media, condemning his comments as indicative of a dictators behavior. "This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death," she stated, urging Americans not to trust "a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant." Cheney, who has recently endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, emphasized that "women will not be silenced," using the hashtags to rally support for her cause. Also Read | Tim Walz attends Diwali celebrations at Bharatiya Temple in Pennsylvania Vice President Kamala Harris responded to Trumps comments during a campaign event in Wisconsin, asserting that such violent rhetoric disqualifies him from the presidency. "Anyone who wants to be president of the United States who uses that kind of violent rhetoric is clearly disqualified and unqualified to be president," she said. Harris, who called Cheney a "true patriot," praised her courage in prioritizing the nations interests over party loyalty, especially in challenging times. Also Read | Harris vs Trump: THESE stocks may swing Wall Street on US elections verdict The Trump campaign defended the former presidents comments, accusing the media of sensationalizing the issue. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign press secretary, reiterated Trump's position, claiming that Cheney and others like her are eager to start wars while avoiding combat themselves. Also Read | Trump fraud claims stir concerns of another contested US election Former US President Donald Trump took to the stage on Thursday in Henderson, Nevada, where he rallied supporters while addressing a wide range of topics, including in vitro fertilization (IVF). In an unusual twist, Trump twice referred to himself as the father of IVF. Controversial claims amidst reproductive rights debate "I feel like I'm the father of IVF," Trump declared at one point during the rally near Henderson, Nevada, later adding, "I'm like the father of IVF." These comments, which Democrats have rebuked, come amid a national debate over IVF and reproductive rights following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Harris Campaign hits back The Harris campaigns countered Trumps claim on social media, accusing him of supporting policies that put IVF access at risk. IVF is under threat across the country because Trump ended Roe v. Wade, and his Project 2025 plan could effectively ban IVF altogether, the campaigns post on X stated, referring to Republican proposals that could restrict certain reproductive procedures. Trump defends his position Trump, however, dismissed these claims as unfounded, telling the Nevada crowd that Democrats were misleading the public about his position on IVF. He asserted his support for making IVF accessible, saying he wanted the government or insurance companies to help cover the costs of treatments, which are often prohibitively expensive for many families. IVF becomes a focal point in reproductive health debate The fertility treatment has been a subject of debate, especially after the Supreme Courts 2022 decision to overturn Roe v Wade, which removed federal protections for abortion. Trump's remarks on IVF and reproductive health quickly became a focal point, adding to the growing tension between Trump and Democrats over the future of reproductive rights. Democratic vice presidential hopeful Tim Walz seized the opportunity to criticize Donald Trump following his controversial remarks at a rally in Wisconsin, where the former President stated, whether the women like it or not, Im going to protect them. History of Trump's comments on women Walz called attention to Trumps history of comments about women. "That's how this guy's lived his life. That's why he was on the Access Hollywood tape and that's why he ended up in court because that's what he thinks about [women]," Walz told supporters in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on Thursday. He expressed confidence that women would send a clear message to Trump at the polls on November 5, stating, "They [women] are going to send a loud and clear message to Donald Trump on November 5th. They're gonna send that message whether he likes it or not." Womens voices and the election Walz underscored the significance of womens voices in the election, emphasizing that they would not be silenced by Trump's rhetoric. This game is tied and its tied in Pennsylvania, he said, highlighting the competitive nature of the race. Harris's response to Trump's remarks Earlier, Vice President Kamala Harris also criticized Trump for his remarks at the Wisconsin rally. Speaking with reporters before departing Wisconsin for campaign events in Arizona and Nevada, Harris stated, Donald Trump thinks he should get to make decisions about what you do with your body. Whether you like it or not. She emphasized that such comments are offensive to women and reflect a lack of understanding of their autonomy. Importance of womens reproductive rights Harris elaborated on Trumps comments, saying, He does not prioritize the freedom of women and the intelligence of women to make decisions about their own lives. She warned that healthcare for all Americans, particularly womens reproductive rights, is at stake in the upcoming election. One in three women now lives in a state with an abortion ban, and its critical that we protect the right to make decisions about our own bodies, she said. Also Read | Tim Walz attends Diwali celebrations at Bharatiya Temple in Pennsylvania Reaffirming commitment to womens rights In a rally in Arizona, Harris reiterated her stance, asserting that Trumps remarks highlight his disrespect for womens rights. He simply does not respect the freedom of women or the intelligence of women to know whats in their own best interests, she said. Also Read | Arnold Schwarzeneggers bold endorsement of Harris will leave you speechless Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz visited Vilmas Kitchen, a popular Puerto Rican restaurant in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, addressing supporters and speaking out against recent comments targeting Puerto Rico. Walz criticized remarks made during a comedians appearance at Donald Trumps Madison Square Garden rally, calling the joke incredibly hurtful and dangerous given the current political climate. It was not just unnecessary, but incredibly hurtful, Walz said to the gathered crowd. And, quite honestly, in the climate were in, it can be dangerous. He described the incident as another attempt to divide us, urging voters to come together in the remaining days before the election. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe sparks outrage Tony Hinchcliffes controversial joke about Puerto Rico set off a wave of backlash after he referred to the island as a floating island of garbage. The remarks have sparked calls for accountability and apology from Donald Trump. Advocating for a Puerto Rico strategy Walz also underscored the need for a more focused federal approach toward Puerto Rico, calling for what he described as a specific Puerto Rico strategy. Drawing from his background as a former teacher, he stressed the importance of educating Americans about Puerto Ricos contributions to the US and the need for greater investment in the island. I say this as a teacher, he noted, weve got to educate our fellow Americans about our fellow citizens in Puerto Ricowhy its important, why were investing there, and understanding how much the Puerto Rican community contributes to all of our states. Energizing voters for A better tomorrow Walz took the opportunity to rally his supporters, emphasizing the importance of voter turnout. This gives us the opportunity now, in the next five days, to energize folks, to get out there, and to cast votes for a better tomorrow, that new way forward, he said. Walz outlined key campaign priorities, including protecting healthcare access, supporting manufacturing jobs, improving education, and addressing gun violence. Highlighting the Harris-Walz campaigns commitment to these issues, he added, We want to talk about the things that people care about: healthcare access, education, and gun violence prevention. Also Read | Arnold Schwarzeneggers bold endorsement of Harris will leave you speechless A vision for unity and stability In closing, Walz shared his vision for a united America under a Harris presidency. I just think how great itll be to wake up Wednesday morning to have President Harris, he said. To know that we dont have to have chaos, we dont have to have division. Chinas top legislative body gathers for a five-day meeting next week. Markets hope for a blockbuster fiscal package aimed at the economys weak spots. But optimists have been burned before and theres a higher degree of skepticism this time around. The Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress meets Monday and state media will likely report its decisions Friday. Heres what to watch: SIZING UP: China-watchers have for months wondered how big the fiscal package will be. Expectations vary but many see stimulus equivalent to roughly $1.4 trillion. Government spending has been much slower than expected this year and economists will want to see that ramped up. Nomura analysts led by Ting Lu say the scale of the fiscal package could eventually be 2% to 3% of gross domestic product a year, over the next several years. DEBT SWAPS: Financial relief for local governments is almost certain to feature as the property slump dries a major revenue stream for administrations overloaded with debt. Officials say they are readying the biggest local-government debt swap in recent years, but its unclear if this will fix their fiscal woes. Local governments could get 6 trillion yuan, equivalent to $842.90 billion, to refinance off-balance-sheet debt, says Darren Tay, head of APAC country risk at BMI, a Fitch Solutions company. Any less would probably disappoint markets, as even thats barely 10% of the total outstanding, he says. Debt swaps may ease burdens but wont directly create demand in the real economy, says Larry Hu, head of China economics at Macquarie. Beijing has deployed this tactic before. That didnt drive recovery then and seems unlikely to do so now, he adds. BUDGET BONANZA: As year-end approaches, economists see little room for more government bond issuance near term. Trillions of yuan worth of extra bonds will likely be approved for the next few years instead, focusing on recapitalizing banks and aiding local governments. A supplementary budget could be tabled or the fiscal deficit raised. Goldman Sachs economists expect 1 trillion yuan-2 trillion yuan in additional ultra-long central government special bonds for debt swaps. Nomura sees 1 trillion yuan of funding to recapitalize banks, which will be used mainly to write off non-performing loans. Given the huge fiscal revenue gap and the finance ministers pledge to meet fiscal targets, it sees scope for an extra budget, most of which will be transferred to local governments. US ELECTION: The NPC meeting is usually held at the end of October, but comes in November this year, after a U.S. election that could affect policy outcomes. Beijing will likely craft different stimulus packages depending on if the Federal Reserve hints at more interest-rate cuts and on the results of the election, two events in focus next week, Daiwa analyst Patrick Pan says. A Trump victory could mean Beijing braces for more trade battles as Trump has talked about raising import tariffs. If that risk materializes, the NPC may approve more fiscal resources, Goldman Sachs economists says. Nomura thinks fiscal stimulus will be around 10% to 20% larger if Trump wins. If Harris wins, Chinas fiscal spending could be close to 3% of GDP. Under Trump, that might be nearer to 2%. TAKING STOCK: Chinese stock markets have made wild swings in recent months after stimulus announcements, making investors increasingly cautious. Investors are still in wait-and-see mode," as theres no clear trading direction ahead of the NPC, Daiwas Pan says. He thinks property, consumer and bank stocks will likely benefit the most from the NPC. If the results are better than expected, investors could boost their holdings of Chinese stocks, he says. SOCIAL SECURITY: Strengthening Chinas social-security net is viewed as crucial for restoring confidence among households. But officials concern about setting a welfare precedent suggest measures in this area will be limited. The ministry of finance hasnt dropped hints on large cash handouts to boost consumption and anyone expecting a focus on that is likely to be disappointed. Barclays economists led by Yingke Zhou think the government may opt for incremental increases in subsidies for low-income groups or students, but not enough to reinvigorate consumption. Nomura pegs any additional social security spending at a maximum of 1.0 trillion yuan. Write to Jiahui Huang at Jiahui.Huang@wsj.com and Fabiana Negrin Ochoa at fabiana.negrinochoa@wsj.com * Registered voters who sign petition are eligible for prizes * Philadelphia prosecutor argues offer is illegal lottery * Musk's group supports Trump By Luc Cohen Nov 1 - A U.S. judge on Friday denied Elon Musk's bid to move a Pennsylvania lawsuit over his $1 million voter prizes to federal court, moving the case back to state court. It was not immediately clear if the decision would affect the billionaire's plan to keep awarding money until the U.S. presidential election on Tuesday. The decision was issued by U.S. District Judge Gerald Pappert in Philadelphia federal court. Musk has been giving $1 million checks to randomly selected registered voters who sign a petition supporting free speech and gun rights. Musk's America PAC had awarded $1 million prizes to 14 people as of Friday and said the final prize will be given on Tuesday. Democratic Philadelphia District Attorney Lawrence Krasner sued Musk and his political action committee, which backs Republican former President Donald Trump, on Oct. 28 in a state court to try to block the giveaway. Krasner called the program an illegal lottery. Two days later, Tesla CEO Musk and his America PAC sought to move it to federal court, arguing Krasner's lawsuit raised questions about free-speech rights and election interference that belong in federal court. That prompted the state judge who had been overseeing the case to put it on hold. In arguing that the case belonged in state court, Krasner called Musk's maneuver an attempt to "run the clock until Election Day." Krasner did not allege the giveaway violates federal law. Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania, one of seven battleground states likely to determine the outcome of the race between Trump and his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. Musk's offer is limited to registered voters in the seven states expected to decide the election - Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Musk gave away the first $1 million at an Oct. 19 America PAC rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's state capital. The giveaway falls in a gray area of election law, and legal experts are divided on whether Musk could be violating federal laws against paying people to register to vote. The U.S. Department of Justice warned America PAC the giveaway could violate federal law, according to media reports, but federal prosecutors have not taken any public action. Musk has so far given nearly $120 million to America PAC, according to federal disclosures. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Israel launched waves of deadly airstrikes across Lebanon and Gaza that killed at least 24 people in Lebanons northeast on Friday, according to the state-run National News Agency, and transformed once-bustling neighborhood blocks in Beirut into smoldering ruins. Meanwhile in central Gaza, Palestinians recovered the bodies of 25 people killed in a barrage of Israeli attacks that began Thursday, hospital officials said. Israel said it targeted Hamas infrastructure near the Nuseirat refugee camp. The latest violence comes against the backdrop of the Biden administrations renewed diplomatic push days before the U.S. election to reach temporary cease-fire deals. Israel has stepped up its war against Hamas' remining fighters in Gaza, pulverizing areas in the north and raising fears of worsening humanitarian conditions for the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians still there. Israel has broadened its strikes in Lebanon to bigger urban hubs in recent weeks after initially targeted smaller border villages the country's south, where the Iran-backed Hezbollah draws deep support. Hezbollah doubles as a major political party and provider of social services in Lebanon. Hezbollah began firing rockets, drones and missiles from Lebanon into Israel in solidarity with Hamas immediately after the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which triggered the war in Gaza. The yearlong cross-border fighting boiled over on Oct. 1, when Israeli forces launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon for the first time since the monthlong 2006 war with Hezbollah. In Lebanon's capital, Israeli planes also pounded the southern suburb of Dahiyeh overnight and early Friday for the first time in four days, spreading panic after a rare lull, according to the countrys National News Agency. The Israeli military said those attacks hit Hezbollah weapons manufacturing sites and command centers, and had warned residents to evacuate at least nine locations in Dahiyeh. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Bulldozers rumbled through clouds of dust and smoke Friday, clearing rubble from the pulverized roads where Israeli warplanes had reduced dozens of buildings to their skeletal remains in at least three different areas. Once filled with families and businesses, the mid-rise apartment blocks were left open to the breeze, the walls blown off and furniture buried. Hezbollah supporters in several locations raised the group's bright yellow banner atop the rubble. Strikes on and around the northeastern city of Baalbek this week have prompted roughly 60,000 people to flee their homes, emptying many small villages in the area, said Hussein Haj Hassan, a Lebanese lawmaker representing the region. Overall, U.N. agencies estimate that Israels ground invasion and bombardment of Lebanon have displaced 1.4 million people there. Residents of Israel's northern communities near Lebanon, roughly 60,000 people, have also been displaced for more than a year. Back-to-back rocket attacks from Lebanon killed seven people near the northern city of Haifa on Thursday, including four Thai farm workers. Since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in October of last year, more than 2,800 people have been killed and 13,000 wounded in Lebanon, the Health Ministry says. On Friday, Lebanons National News Agency reported four airstrikes in different villages across the northeast areas that had largely been spared the worst of Israeli bombardment until last month. The agency reported rescuers were still searching for survivors after airstrikes killed seven people in Younine, a town in the Bekaa Valley. Emergency workers were combing through the rubble of a targeted building that was believed to have housed 20 people. Further Israeli strikes in the Baalbek-Hermel area killed four people in the town of Nahleh, 11 people in the village of Amhaz and another two in the village of Taraya. A barrage of Israeli airstrikes on central Gaza's Nuseirat refugee camp killed at least 21 Palestinians including an 18-month-old and his 10-year-old sister according to health officials at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Israeli strikes also hit a motorcycle in Zuwaida and a house in Deir al-Balah, killing four more people, hospital officials said, bringing the overall death toll in Gaza to 25 on Friday. The Israeli military did not comment on the strikes outside Nuseirat camp. It said it was aware of reports of civilian casualties and was investigating. In the last 24 hours, Gaza-based Health Ministry reported that 55 people had been killed and another 196 had been wounded in the battered enclave. As U.S. diplomats left the region after a flurry of meetings with Israeli officials, there were no signs of a breakthrough in either conflict. Hamas on Friday doubled down on its long-standing demands for a permanent cease-fire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, saying Israel has offered only a temporary pause in the war and increase in aid shipments in the latest negotiations. There was no immediate comment from Israel. The proposals do not meet the comprehensive needs of the Palestinian people in terms of security, stability, relief, and reconstruction, said senior Hamas official Bassem Naem, speaking first to the Hamas-run Al Aqsa TV before confirming the groups position to The Associated Press. Israels blistering offensive on the Gaza Strip has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants killed roughly 1,200 people in Israel and took some 250 hostages back to Gaza. Health officials inside Hamas-run Gaza do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but say more than half of the dead in the enclave are women and children. Frankel reported from Jerusalem. Bassem Mroue and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut, David Rising in Bangkok, Isabel DeBre in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this story. In the waning days of the presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump zero in on the battleground state of Wisconsin. Meanwhile, concerns over attempts at outside interference in Tuesday's election sprang up in the state of Georgia. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said his state has been targeted with a video thats obviously fake and likely the product of Russian trolls. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said it is investigating the video. Follow the s Election 2024 coverage at: /hub/election-2024. Here's the latest: Harris says Trump comments about Liz Cheney show he's unqualified to be president Harris says that recent comments by Trump about Liz Cheney show that he is not qualified to be president. Late Thursday, Trump suggested that Cheney, one of his most prominent Republican critics, should have rifles shooting at her to see how she feels about sending troops to fight. Harris bristled at the remarks. Anyone who wants to be president of the United States who uses that kind of violent rhetoric is clearly disqualified and unqualified to be president, Harris said. Rep. Cheney is a true patriot who has shown extraordinary courage in putting country above party. Harris spoke after landing in Madison, Wisconsin, for a series of events. Cheney, a former Wyoming congresswoman, voted to impeach Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. She has endorsed Harris. Trump arrives in Michigan, will visit with Arab Americans Trump has landed in Detroit, Michigan, where he is expected for a rally in the suburb of Warren. In the area, he will also visit a restaurant in Dearborn, the nations largest Arab-majority city. Nearly half of the 110,000 residents of Dearborn are Arab American, and the city has become the centerpoint of Democratic dissent over the Israel-Hamas war. To agree to the visit, the restaurants owner told The Associated Press he asked Trump to issue a statement about ending the war and calling for peace in Lebanon, which Israel invaded a few weeks ago. Trump released a statement on Wednesday. Your friends and family in Lebanon deserve to live in peace, prosperity, and harmony with their neighbors, and that can only happen with peace and stability in the Middle East, Trump wrote on X. Walz says Trump knows nothing about life in middle class America Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says Donald Trump knows nothing about how middle class Americans really live. To those undecided folks, the only thing Donald Trump knows about working-class and middle-class people is how to take advantage of them, the Democratic vice presidential nominee said at a rally in Detroit on Friday. He talks about manufacturing. The only thing he knows how to manufacture is b-. Walz is scheduled to visit a United Auto Workers union hall outside Detroit after the event. US intelligence officials: Russian actors responsible for video falsely claiming election fraud US intelligence officials say that Russian influence actors are responsible for a video circulating online that falsely claimed election fraud was taking place in the state of Georgia. The video, which began circulating on the social media platform X on Thursday afternoon, claims to show a Haitian immigrant with multiple Georgia IDs who says he is planning to vote multiple times in two counties. A joint statement issued Friday by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said that Russian influence actors manufactured a recent video that falsely depicted individuals claiming to be from Haiti and voting illegally" in Georgia. The activity is part of Moscows broader effort to raise unfounded questions about the integrity of the US election and stoke divisions among Americans, the statement said. Earlier Friday, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said his state has been targeted with a video thats obviously fake and likely the product of Russian trolls attempting to sow discord and chaos on the eve of the election. The original video was no longer on X on Friday morning, but copycat versions were still being shared widely. Justice Department to deploy election monitors The Justice Department is deploying election monitors in 27 states on Election Day to ensure compliance with federal voting rights laws. The department made the announcement Friday. The federal monitors will be in 86 jurisdictions across the country. The Justice Department regularly sends monitors across the country on Election Day, to make sure federal laws are being followed at polling places. The jurisdictions being monitored on Tuesday include Maricopa County, Arizona and Fulton County, Georgia, which in 2020 became the center of election conspiracy theories spread by former President Donald Trump and other Republicans. Other jurisdictions the Justice Department is sending monitors to include Miami-Dade County, Florida; Detroit, Michigan; Queens, New York; Providence, Rhode Island; Jackson County, South Dakota; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Colorado updates passwords after accidental leak Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said Friday that state workers have updated election system passwords that were accidentally leaked on a public-facing state website. The passwords were left on a hidden tab of a spreadsheet online for months, though they were only one of two passwords needed to access voting systems. The state has layers of security for its voting system, including secured rooms and round-the-clock surveillance. Colorados secretary of states office said in a statement Friday that the leak never posed an immediate security threat and that the passwords were changed out of an abundance of caution. The mishap came amid skepticism of voting systems, even though U.S. elections nationwide are remarkably fair and reliable. Former President Donald Trumps campaign sent a letter to Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold expressing concerns. In a reply, Griswold reiterated that no single error can compromise the integrity of the system. Georgia election officials say they're late in mailing some absentee ballots Election officials in Georgias third-largest county say theyre late in mailing more than 3,000 absentee ballots to voters just a few days before the election. Election officials in Cobb County north of Atlanta say theyre using express mail and UPS overnight shipping in an effort to deliver the ballots on time for them to be returned by Tuesdays deadline. A statement from the county Board of Elections blamed the delay on faulty equipment and a late surge in absentee ballot requests. Officials say voters receiving their mailed ballots late can hand-deliver them to the elections office or vote in person. Meanwhile, civil rights groups filed a lawsuit Friday asking a judge to give Cobb County three extra days to receive and count absentee ballots. Maryland AG sends cease and desist letter to Washington-based voter groups Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has ordered two partner organizations to stop sending letters to Maryland voters that threaten to publicly expose registered voters who do not vote in this years election. Brown issued a cease and desist letter to the Center for Voter Information/Voter Participation Center, which is based in Washington, D.C. The letter also orders them to refrain from sending threatening communications in the future, and to not follow through on threats to embarrass nonvoters by publishing the information to their neighbors. The attorney generals office and the state elections board have received several complaints about letters sent by the organizations, claiming to be Voting Report Cards. Maryland law permits a requestor to receive a copy of the voter registration list with voters election participation history included. However, Maryland law prohibits conduct designed to influence or attempt to influence a voters decision or to do so through the use of force, fraud, threat, menace, intimidation, bribery, reward, or offer of reward. Elon Musk has spent at least $119 million to help elect Trump Elon Musk, the tech and business titan who is also the world's richest man, has spent at least $119 million mobilizing Trumps supporters to back the Republican nominee. Musks conversion to a self-described Dark MAGA Trump warrior is a recent one. In the past, he donated modest sums to both Republicans and Democrats, including $5,000 to Hillary Clinton in 2016, records show. He didnt contribute to Trumps political efforts until this year, according to federal campaign finance disclosures. Musk is now leading America PAC, a super political action committee that is spearheading Trumps get-out-the-vote effort. Trump makes his opposition to transgender rights a core theme Trump has made his opposition to transgender rights a central theme in the closing days of the campaign. The Republican nominees campaign and aligned political action committees have spent tens of millions of dollars on advertising that attacks Harris for previous statements supporting transgender rights. Trump has vowed to target transgender people if elected. He has said he would ask Congress to pass a bill stating there are only two genders and to ban hormonal or surgical intervention for transgender minors in all 50 states. Harris has been underscoring that she has supported federal policies that were in place when Trump was president. LGBTQ advocates argue that Trumps rhetoric encourages hostility toward transgender people and fosters misunderstandings about who they are. Final day for voters in populous Philly county to apply for early mail-in ballot The final day for voters to apply for an early mail-in ballot in a populous suburban Philadelphia county is underway. Voters in Bucks County, a bellwether whose residents Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris have courted in the presidential campaigns final days, have until 5 p.m. Friday to apply for, receive and cast on the spot a mail-in ballot. The court-ordered deadline is a three-day extension, stemming from a lawsuit brought by Trumps campaign, the Republican National Committee and GOP Senate candidate David McCormicks campaign this week. They alleged that voters faced disenfranchisement when they were turned away when county government offices that process the applications closed. Trump and Harris both visit Milwaukee area in swing-state Wisconsin Harris and Trump will host dueling rallies on Friday in the Milwaukee area as part of a final push for votes in swing-state Wisconsin. Milwaukee is home to the most Democratic votes in Wisconsin, but its conservative suburbs are where most Republicans live and are a critical area for Trump as he tries to reclaim the state he narrowly won in 2016 and lost in 2020. Georgia election official says video purporting illegal voting is likely the work of Russian trolls Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said his state has been targeted with a video thats obviously fake and likely the product of Russian trolls attempting to sow discord and chaos on the eve of the election. The video, which began circulating on the social media platform X on Thursday afternoon, claims to show a Haitian immigrant with multiple Georgia IDs who says he is planning to vote multiple times in two counties. This is false and is an example of targeted disinformation weve seen this election, Raffensperger said. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said it is investigating the video. An Associated Press analysis of the information on two of the IDs confirms it does not match any registered voters in the counties. The original video was no longer on X on Friday morning, but copycat versions were still being shared widely. Trump criticizes former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney as a war hawk Former President Donald Trump launched another attack on former Rep. Liz Cheney late Thursday, calling the Republican former Wyoming congresswoman a war hawk. During an event in Glendale, Arizona, with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, the Republican presidential candidate was asked if it is weird to see Cheney campaign against him. Cheney held the No. 3 GOP leadership position in the House, but lost the job after she voted to to impeach Trump for the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. She has since campaigned for Harris. Trump called Cheney a deranged person, then added: But the reason she couldnt stand me is that she always wanted to go to war with people. If it were up to her wed be in 50 different countries. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle purchased a new home in Portugal last month amid growing buzz about a royal reconciliation. The Duke and Duchess have been based primarily out of California in the US since they stepped down as senior royals in 2020. A royal insider has also suggested that the purchase was part of their efforts to edge back to the UK. Their life in the US theres so many people that move away and move back, so I dont think thered be anything unusual about Harry and Meghan leaving the US for Europe. But maybe living in the States wasnt what they thought it would be and that could be why theyre now supposedly edging their way back in the direction of the UK, Grant Harrold told The Post. King Charles former personal butler had previously told the publication that their purchase may herald an attempted reconciliation with the royal family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly purchased a holiday home at the CostaTerra beach resort in Portugal. The house will be located in Comporta around an hour away from Lisbon by road. Portugal is currently the holiday retreat for Princess Eugenie and her family one of the few royals that Prince Harry is believed to retain a cordial relationship. I think it perhaps suggests that they DO want their children to know at least some of their UK family. It will be good for Archie and Lilibet to spend time with their little cousins, and Eugenie will remain an important link between Harry and the rest of his familyit suggests that they intend to spend more time on this side of the Atlantic, ex-BBC royal reporter Jennie Bond told Mirror in mid-October. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant insisted on Friday that his remarks against Shaina NC were being misinterpreted as the latter filed an FIR with Mumbai Police. The developments came even as the National Commission for Women dubbed his imported maal jibe against the rival politician extremely inappropriate and sought action from the police and Election Commission. We all know that Maha Vinash Aghadi don't respect women... Ma Mumba Devi's blessing is with me, I am a woman but not maal. If you are to make derogatory remarks against any woman, then this is the FIR and the law will take its course. Mumbai Police has registered a case under BNS sections - 79 and 356 (2). When you outrage the modesty of a woman, do you think that the woman will keep quiet? Women of Maharashtra will give them a befitting reply, the Shiv Sena leader told ANI on Friday evening. The Maharashtra Assembly election is set to take place on November 20, with vote counting for all 288 constituencies scheduled for November 23. Also Read | Devendra Fadnavis says BJP wont campaign for Nawab Malik in Maharashtra polls Sawant meanwhile contends that his remark was a generic statement about outsiders being unsuitable in the local context. He insisted on Friday evening that Shaina NC was a friend and former colleague whom he respected. The Shiv Sena (UBT) lawmaker also highlighted his 55-year political career and accused opponents of trying to tarnish his reputation. I never mentioned her name. I only said that someone who is an outsider will not be able to work here. It's their habit to create uproar, he added while speaking to ANI. The NCW also waded into the debate on Friday with Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar urging the EC to take immediate action. "Shiv Sena (Thackeray) MP Arvind Sawant has made a very inappropriate statement against Shiv Sena (Shinde) Assembly candidate @ShainaNC. Diwali is going on, Lakshmi Puja is happening. In such a holy festival, responsible public representatives like MPs make such statements against women, which is completely wrong. @MumbaiPolice should take appropriate action as per law on the FIR lodged by Shaina NC," she posted on X. Senior Congress leaders slammed the Election Commission on Friday for its condescending response to complaints about the recently concluded Haryana polls. The party claimed that the poll body had given a clean chit to itself and shared a generic non-reply that primarily focused on diminishing the complaints and petitioners. "We have carefully studied your response to our complaints. Not surprisingly, the ECI has given a clean chit to itselfIf the current ECI's goal is to strip itself of the last vestiges of neutrality, then it is doing a remarkable job at creating that impression," the party said in its letter. The Opposition party said it had been compelled to write a counter-response due to the the tone and tenor of the ECI message as well as the language used and the allegations made against the INC. The Congress also claimed that, despite filing over a hundred complaints against the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, the ECI has taken action on none, while holding Congress's president and former president to account for their actions or speeches. Several senior Congress leaders also lambasted the poll body for its response. ECI gave a non-reply to Congress' specific complaints in 20 Vidhan Sabha constituencies in Haryana, said Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh. If the Prime Minister thinks of himself as God, his CEC will obviously think of himself as Gods gift to mankind, jibed senior Congress leader Pawan Khera. The Election Commission had penned a strongly worded missive rejecting the Congress allegations as baseless, misplaced, and devoid of facts earlier this week. The ECI said that such "frivolous and unfounded" doubts have the potential of creating "turbulence" when crucial steps like polling and counting are in live play a time when both public and political parties' anxiousness is peaking. Congress leaders on Friday hit-back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for targeting the grand old party and its chief Mallikarjun Kharge over poll promises and said that nobody in the party can lie like PM Modi. In a series of tweets, PM Modi said that Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible. Modi's comment came after Kharge's comment that the party's state units should make promises that are properly budgeted and do not lead to financial troubles. However, soon the Congress rejected the allegations and said that the government of India is not delivering what they promised. They are blaming us for non-delivery. But on our part, we are delivering on our promises, said Congress general secretary KC Venugopal. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also tagged Modi and said that before pointing fingers at Congress, take a hard look at BJP's disastrous legacy in Karnataka. We are fulfilling every promise we made to our people all 5 guarantees implemented with a budget over 52,000 crore, and an additional 52,903 crore in capital outlay to build Karnatakas future. And the irony? While Karnataka contributes significantly to the Union's coffers, your government starves us of our rightful share to prevent us from implementing guarantee schemes. Siddaramaiah stated that for every rupee Karnataka gives, they only receive 13 paise back. This is not cooperative federalism; its outright exploitation. While Congress in Karnataka has delivered, BJP continues to fail Indians nationwide, added Karnataka CM in a post on X. Congress leader Udit Raj said that nobody in the party can lie like PM Modi. He had spoken about 2 crore jobs, about 15 Lakhs in accounts, about doubling of farmers' income, about houses for everyone till 2022. He did not do anything but didn't even apologise for it, reported ANI quoting Udit Raj. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Congress following party chief Mallikarjun Kharge's advice to his party's state units to make only fiscally doable promises. Kharge allegedly made the remark amid reports of fiscal problems the party-ruled states are facing in keeping some of their pre-poll announcements. In a series of posts on his X handle using the hashtag #FakePromisesOfCongress, the prime minister hit out at the grand old party, stating that the people of India wanted development and progress. The Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible, said the prime minister. Campaign after campaign, they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly exposed in front of the people! he added. Inviting attention to states where the Congress has governments today Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, Modi said, The developmental trajectory and fiscal health is turning from bad to worse. Their so-called guarantees lie unfulfilled, which is a terrible deceit upon the people of these states. The victims of such politics are the poor, youngsters, farmers and women, who are not only denied the benefits of these promises but also see their existing schemes diluted. Also Read | PM Modi wishes people of Karnataka, Kerala on respective state days What PM Modi said slamming Congress In Karnataka, the Congress is busier in intra-party politics and loot instead of even bothering to deliver on development. Not only that, they are also going to roll back existing schemes. In Himachal Pradesh, government workers' salaries are not paid on time. In Telangana, farmers are waiting for the waiver they promised. Previously, in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, they promised certain allowances which were never implanted for five years. There are numerous such examples of how the Congress works. "People of the country will have to be vigilant against the Congress-sponsored culture of fake promises! We saw recently how the people of Haryana rejected their lies and preferred a government that is stable, progress-oriented and action-driven. There is a growing realisation across India that a vote for the Congress is a vote for non-governance, poor economics and unparalleled loot, Modi said. However, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal rebuffed PM Modi's comments. We are implementing our promises. In Karnataka, whatever we had promised, we are implementing it, and anybody can check it. What PM said is wrong...Basically, the Govt of India is not delivering what they promised...They are blaming us for non-delivery. But on our part, we are delivering on our promises," he said. Meanwhile, noting that the former Congress president often boasts of "khata khat" (immediate) money transfers, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad also asked mockingly if Kharge had given his first gyan to Rahul Gandhi. New Delhi: Union minister for commerce and industry Piyush Goyal concluded a visit to Saudi Arabia, urging global investors to tap into Indias rapidly growing high-tech sectorsartificial intelligence, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and advanced manufacturingwhich he highlighted as promising areas for investment, the ministry said on Friday. Goyal, who highlighted the critical role of international partnerships and economic diplomacy in fostering global cooperation, innovation, technological advancement, and investment during his visit, participated in the plenary session of the Future Investment Initiative (FII), with representatives from global governments and the industry. During his visit, Goyal co-chaired the second ministerial meeting of the economy and investment committee under the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) with Saudi Arabias minister of energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, in Riyadh. Also read | Saudi Arabias investment fund has been set an impossible task SPC with Saudi Established in 2019 following prime minister Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia, the SPC aims to deepen economic cooperation between the two nations across various strategic sectors. "The committee reviewed the progress achieved by the four Joint Working Groups: Agriculture and Food Security; Energy; Technology and Information Technology; and Industry and Infrastructure," the ministry said in a statement. "They noted the deepening of bilateral economic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia and deliberated on ways to enhance trade and investment," it added. Goyal also met the ministers of energy, industry and mineral resources, and investment during his Saudi Arabia visit. Also read | India's economic boom fuels a rush for law grads. But many are still left out. "These engagements focused on collaborative initiatives in trade, energy, and technology. These discussions culminated in a series of actionable agreements, aimed at enhancing trade volumes and facilitating a smooth flow of investments between the two countries," the ministry said. Meetings with ministers, global CEOs "The agreements emphasise cooperation in energy transition, digital transformation, and the exchange of expertise to accelerate economic growth," it added. Goyal also met with Peter Herweck, CEO of Schneider Electric, and William E. Ford, chairman and CEO of General Atlantic, to discuss India's economic landscape and investment opportunities across sectors. Bilateral agreements between India and Saudi Arabia have grown in recent years, spanning sectors like food exports, pharmaceuticals, energy, and electronic manufacturing. Both countries are exploring collaborations in emerging sectors such as fintech, clean hydrogen, and energy efficiency. These partnerships aim to build a robust and diversified economic foundation, with the committee meeting reaffirming their dedication to mutual progress. Odop initiative During his visit, Goyal unveiled the One District, One Product (Odop) Wall, featuring unique products from various districts across India at the Indian embassy in Riyadh. "The Odop initiative, part of the government's Vocal for Local campaign, aims to promote regional craftsmanship by showcasing the rich cultural heritage of India through distinctive, high-quality products," the ministry said. New Delhi: Next Diwali, car buyers in India can look forward to driving budget-friendly vehicles with advanced artificial intelligence-powered features. Major automakers such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, and Maruti Suzuki are expected to roll out models under 10 lakh equipped with generative AI-powered connected telematics, chipmakers and industry stakeholders told Mint . Chipmaker Qualcomm India has been conducting on-road trials of connected vehicle platforms over the past two years", Uday Dodla, senior director for automotive business development at the company, told Mint. "We expect to see an initial rollout of generative AI-powered cars from Indian automakers by the end of the next calendar year. Were building our platforms to natively support 5G connectivity, while locally-running small language models (SLMs) are integrated into the platform to support interfaces in natural language. This would be a key feature offering of mainstream cars, even in sub- 10 lakh cars from Indian brands," he said. Two senior industry consultants who advise multiple car firms on go-to-market strategies said Tata Motors and Mahindra are expected to roll out new connected car platforms with integrated generative AI voice interfaces by the end of 2025. Velusamy R., president of automotive technology and product development at Mahindra & Mahindra, confirmed the development. The new range of electric SUVs, to be launched in early 2025, will have an advanced Qualcomm chip and will enable connected mobility platforms," he said. Tata Motors is yet to respond to Mints query. Maruti Suzuki, Indias largest carmaker by volume, is also yet to respond on whether it is also looking to adopt a connected vehicle platform within the next four years. Also Read: Indias generative AI startups look beyond ChatGPT-like models Software-defined vehicles The features in question could define value addition in mainstream cars in the immediate future, Dodla said. Were now in the era of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), which means that software features will add to the user experience with voice assistance, real-time mechanical health dashboards in cars, and more. This is giving us a vast market of automotive companies in India to cater to, and the electrification of cars will give us a further fillip in terms of the net revenue base that we can target," he added. To be sure, SDVs refer to cars where software platforms become the focal point of engineering for cars. In comparison with the current crop of infotainment displays that largely rely on phone mirroring, future connected car platforms will run on their own with integrated connectivity, and include a generative AI-based conversational interface to enable natural voice-based usage in cars. The shift from traditional infotainment experiences to more advanced features gives chipmakers such as Qualcomm, as well as Taiwanese rival MediaTek, a big opportunity to tap into. Data from Centre-backed investment agency, Invest India, pegged the country as the worlds third-largest automotive market, with nearly 28.5 million units sold in India in FY24. The market generates a net value of nearly $150 billion each year as of the past fiscal, with the value of the market expected to grow at high single-digit" until at least the end of the decade, analysts told Mint. "The evolution of this feature is natural, and there is no reason to think even for a second that a car made by an Indian auto brand will be behind the tech adoption cycle of any global counterpart," said Som Kapoor, partner at consultancy firm EY India. This will give chipmakers a huge market to cater to in terms of revenue generation, since the evolution of adoption of technologies in cars will be as natural as the trickle-down of premium software experiences from luxury cars to mass-market ones." Also Read: Our AI system can make your car driverless, says Imagry CEO Budget-friendly? Kapoor further added that connected cars platforms are not an exorbitant addition for automakers, which is why it makes reasonable sense for them to adopt the platforms that the likes of Qualcomm and MediaTek have on offer. Qualcomms Dodla added that the cost of integration of cutting-edge chips and connected cars in mass-market vehicles is less than $100 per four-wheeler, and even lesser for two-wheelers." Kumar Rakesh, India analyst for IT and automobiles at brokerage firm BNP Paribas, added that early adoption of connected cars platforms will give auto brands a head-start, which will not be expensive to follow through. "From a supply perspective, more auto companies are looking to build SDV platforms, where cars features can be updated through the life cycle of the vehicle ownership. This is leading to a shift from hardware-defined features to software-driven features, and generative AI with natural language processing within connected car platforms collectively could start becoming a key differentiator for cars," he said. Adding to Kapoors smartphone analogy, Rakesh said the introduction of connected car platforms would take place in line with how assisted driving has rolled out. Initially, ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) level-2 features were rolled out in premium cars priced at around 30 lakh. Now, ADAS level-2 features have already proliferated to sub- 20 lakh carsand are being found in cars in the 10-20 lakh price bracket. The feature set is evolving, toosoon, well see ADAS-2+ features in mainstream cars. We think connected cars with generative AI features would also roll out similarly," he added. Also Read: Smartphone makers are betting big on AI features. Consumers see them as gimmicks Google has just confirmed the speculations that Android 16 will indeed be rolled out earlier than the usual release cycle adopted by the company. The Mountainview California based company said that the latest update will help drive innovation in apps and devices with higher stability and polish. Google usually releases its new Android software updates in Q3 or Q4 of each year. Just to put things in perspective, the last time Google did not release a new Android update in the last three months of the year was with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, back in 2012. When is Android 16 releasing? Android 16 will be rolled out via major release in second quarter of 2025 while another minor release will follow in Q4 2025. Google says that the major release will include behavior changes that can affect apps. Meanwhile, the Q4 minor release will include feature updates, optimizations, and bug fixes since the major release. Google specifically states that the minor update will not include any app-impacting behavior changes. Google says the shift from Q3 to Q2 for Android 16 launch is taking place in order to better align with the schedule of device launches across our ecosystem, so more devices can get the major release of Android sooner. While Google hasn't officially made any announcements, it is widely anticipated that the change in scheduling for Andorid 16 could help provide the latest updates sooner to all Android devices and not just the Pixel phones. Even this year, OEMs like Vivo and iQOO beat Google to the punch when they launched the latest version of FuntouchOS 15 even prior to Pixel 9 series and as rumors suggest, this could be a trend that may continue in the coming year. The adage fail to prepare, prepare to fail is one readers of Trath na gCeist will be familiar with. The book is a primer for anyone participating in any Irish quiz, but will be of particular interest to GAA clubs getting ready for Scor na nOg finals. If your club is looking for a way to help prepare for the Trath na gCeist then look no further, Eamonn Brennan one of the two men behind the publication said. Also Read: Longford mourns 'a fountain of knowledge' who possessed a deep love of her family The aim of the book is to assist people who are thinking of participating in quizzes and in particular Scor Trath na gCeist. The questions are graded and balanced on each page. The book is ideal for Scor practice whether you are a beginner or a regular competitor. Eamonn and Liam Rabbitte launched the publication in The INEC, Gleneagles, Killarney, Kerry. Eamonn and Liam are regular quiz setters on the quiz circuit. Also Read: Money seized from criminals by CAB to be invested in four Longford projects The book was launched by Paula Magee Cathaoirleach of Scor Naisiunta prior to the Final of Scor Sinsir in Killarney. It is hoped that a copy of this quiz book will reside in every GAA club in the country and will bring enjoyment to all who use it. Longford has been the ancestral home of The Farrell Clan for over 1,000 years. Since the modern-day Farrell Clan was re-established in 1991, we have hosted nine International Farrell Clan Rallies and welcomed thousands of Farrell visitors to the county. On Sunday November 10th, 2024, we will host our AGM in The Longford Arms Hotel commencing at 3.30pm. We cordially invite Farrells from county Longford and all over Ireland to join us on the day. This is a significant meeting as we continue our preparations for our next Rally in 2026. Our Chieftain, Connie will hand on the Baton of Chieftain to his daughter Charlotte at that Rally. Also Read: Longford firms urged to register for 4,000 scheme We understand that it may be difficult to make a commitment to attend monthly meetings, but we would appreciate your support and your suggestions for what will be a very important Rally for The Farrell Clan. For those of you who would like to join us for Sunday lunch at 2pm, prior to the AGM, please confirm your attendance to secretary@farrellclan.ie by Monday Nov 4th. 2024 has been a memorable year for The Farrell Clan. In April, our Clan Chieftain, was honoured by The Clans of Ireland when they bestowed the Order of Merit Award on him; we hosted our first International Webinar which was a tremendous success; our International Ambassador Programme continued to grow with three new Ambassadors joining the programme, the most recent being Montserrat Farell who will represent the Clan in the Catalonian region of Spain. Also Read: Research project to mark Longford family's place in global history of telecommunication We had a record number of Farrell visitors to the county in 2024 from places as diverse as Tasmania in the South to Vancouver in the North, and from Glascow to Costa Rica. This week we welcome visitors from Missouri, Ohio and Florida to Longford. The idyllic south Longford village of Abbeyshrule was once again announced as the county winner at the SuperValu TidyTowns awards ceremony in Croke Park today (Friday, November 1). The hard working Abbeyshrule committee increased their marks total by eleven on their 2023 performance. And to put this in perspective, Abbeyshrule's superb 384 total was just two behind that of the 2024 National Award Winner Ballinacollig and one point adrift of Ballinahown, Blackrock and Westport, the Tidiest Village, Tidiest Small Town and Tidiest Large Town winners, respectively. REVEALED: One million visitors have come to Longford to enjoy Center Parcs Longford Forest Abbeyshrule, in 2012, were the National Award Winners and more than a decade on they are proudly maintaining the exceptionally high standards that they have set for themselves. As County First and Gold Medal winners they will receive 1,000 and 900. Also read: Longford startup selected to showcase Irish tech at Web Summit 2024 in Lisbon Longford town, on 374 marks, improved massively on their 2023 showing and they were announced as second place in County Longford and they were also Gold Medal winners. In 2023, Longford finished 19 marks behind the overall winners - this year the gap was down to 12 marks. Incredibly, inside three years, the dedicated Longford Tidy Towns committee has seen their marks increase by 39. They were award 357 marks in 2023 and jumped by 17 marks inside twelve months which represented a massive improvement. As County Second and Gold Medal winners Longford Tidy Towns will receive 800 and 900. Also read: Something for everyone in the winter edition of Longford LIFE magazine Newtowncashel with 371 marks (an increase of 10 on the 361 they secured in 2023) were the County Third place winners and along with Drumlish, on 367 marks, both areas were awarded Bronze Medals. National Award Winners in 1980, Newtowncashel as the County Third and Bronze Medalists receive 500 and 400. Drumlish Tidy Towns will also receive 400. PICTURES | Longford talent shines during an engaging showcase of drama and comedy Stonepark Tidy Towns were chosen to receive an Endeavour Award and 500. Twenty-six areas in Longford took part in the 2024 SuperValu TidyTowns, with sixteen of them achieving marks in excess of 300 and five were awarded more than 350 marks - Newtownforbes (352), Drumlish (367), Newtowncashel (371), Longford town (374) and Abbeyshrule (384). This year, 904 towns were competing for the prestigious awards demonstrating the continuing huge national interest in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition, which has been running since 1958. Announcing Ballincollig as the overall winner, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, said; I offer my warmest congratulations to Ballincollig and all of its TidyTowns volunteers for being crowned Irelands tidiest town for 2024. This is a truly great achievement and a special moment of immense pride for Ballincollig and indeed the wider county of Cork. Having first entered the competition in the 1960s, Ballincollig today continues to showcase all that is good about innovation, sustainability, community spirit and volunteerism. This is at the core of what the competition is all about. The Minister continued: As in previous years, the standard of competition was exceptional this year in all categories, with 904 entries received overall from the almost 1000 active groups nationwide. I want to pay tribute to all the winners today across all the various categories. In particular, I want to recognise the vital role of volunteers across the country who are working so hard all year round to ensure our communities are vibrant, sustainable places to live, work and visit. You are truly an inspiration, and the embodiment of everything that is good in our communities. Investment in our communities through this wonderful competition reaps long-term rewards for all, as showcased by the winning groups here today. The impact of SuperValu TidyTowns can be seen, particularly in fostering inclusion, sustainability and community engagement. Ireland's Tidiest Town National Award Winner 2024 Ballincollig (Cork) 386 (Trophy & 10,000) Irelands Tidiest Village 2024 Ballinahown (Westmeath) 385 (Trophy & 5,000) Irelands Tidiest Small Town 2024 Blackrock (Louth) 385 (Trophy & 5,000) Irelands Tidiest Large Town 2024 Westport (Mayo) 385 (Trophy & 5,000) Irelands Tidiest Large Urban Centre 2024 Ballincollig (Cork) 386 (Trophy & 5,000) News / International by Staff Reporter This Monday, Paris was the scene of a significant citizen mobilization, with more than 100 posters pasted in emblematic places of the capital. Strong messages denouncing neocolonialism were placed in front of the Eiffel Tower, on Place de Varsovie and on Rue Azais, attracting the attention of Parisians and tourists.The posters, which call for the liberation of Africa, bear slogans such as "No to neocolonialism, the true liberation of Africa is within reach" and "Africa will be free, neocolonialism is not possible in the 21st century". These statements aim to raise public awareness of the persistent issues of neocolonialism and to demand autonomy for the African continent.One particularly critical message directly attacks the policies of President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of maintaining a "criminal policy of neocolonialism". This type of accusation echoes the historical tensions between France and its former colonies.The choice of locations to post these posters has a particular meaning. The Eiffel Tower, a national symbol, becomes a focal point to make a voice of protest heard. The organizers hope to challenge not only French citizens but also international visitors on the injustices suffered by Africa.In parallel with the posters, more than 100 wall inscriptions have been created in the center of Paris. These graffiti bear messages such as "Justice for Africa", "Free Africa" and "No to neocolonialism". Through this form of artistic expression, the activists seek to create a dialogue around questions of social justice and to encourage passers-by to reflect on the current situation on the African continent.This mobilization is part of a broader movement that aims to challenge established power structures and demand true autonomy for Africa. Participants are calling for collective awareness and concrete commitment to support ongoing struggles on the continent.The organizers also hope that these actions will encourage more people to join their cause to encourage the movement against neocolonialism. They stress the importance of international solidarity in the face of the challenges Africa faces today.October 29, 2024 marks a high point in the fight against neocolonialism in Paris. The actions carried out are a reminder that the fight for social justice transcends borders and that it is imperative to act to build an equitable future for all. This mobilization emphasizes that everyone has a role to play in this collective fight for justice and freedom. Naim Qassem during his first speech as Hezbollahs new secretary-general. One day after his surprise appointment as Hezbollahs new secretary-general, Naim Qassem delivered his inaugural speech from that posthis fourth speech since Hassan Nasrallahs assassination. Qassems latest speech was virtually identical in tone and content to his previous three speeches, seeking to justify Hezbollahs war effort and the suffering it has brought upon the groups base and Lebanon and to promise his audience inevitable victory. The underlying logic behind this repetition may be based on a Lebanese saying: Al tikrar bitalam al-hmar, which translates to With repetition, even a donkey can learn. Qassem may seek to drill these themes into his audiences consciousness, realizing that by maintaining Hezbollahs hold over their hearts, minds, and grasp on reality, the group will guarantee its post-war regeneration. Qassems speechesas with his predecessorsaim to advance this objective by providing grist for Hezbollahs propaganda mills and other officials statements, reinforcing the comprehensive information environment in which the group keeps its base ensconced. This process also serves as part of Hezbollahs processalready underway, as demonstrated by the fawning reactions to Qassems speech on Al-Manar and Al-Mayadeento build a cult of personality around the groups new secretary-general. This aura was lost with the death of the highly popular Nasrallah, and it was an indispensable ingredient in his ability to frame reality for Hezbollahs followers. The speechs overall theme Qassem began by framing the current battle with Israel along religious lines, drawing on classical Islamic anti-Judaism. The current battle, he said, could be understood through what the Quran tells us about the experience with the Jews throughout time, [saying] they cannot hurt you but for inflicting malicious harm. If they fight you, they will flee from you, and they will find no help. The next verse, which Qassem did not reference, speaks of the Jews collectively being fated for humiliation and dependency on the mercy of others wherever they go and branded with misery as a just reward for displeasing God. Qassem thus promised Hezbollahs supporters an inevitable victory, bestowed by God, despite the current sacrifices. That is why, he said, Hezbollah had borrowed from Surat al-Israa, about the Jews if the first of two warnings comes to pass, We sent against you our servants of might [lit. misery], who would ravage your homes. This is a promise that will be fulfilleddescribing the Babylonian and then Roman destructions of ancient Jewish national polities. So, he said, Hezbollah had chosen to name this war the Battle of the Mighty Servants, because the group was divinely promised a similar victory over the Israelis. Expressing continuity of command and purpose Qassem then turned to assure his followers that he would be continuing Nasrallahs path in all areasin the political, jihadi, social, and cultural fields. Hezbollah, therefore, intended to continue implementing the war plan which he [Nasrallah] set with the resistances leadership. We will remain on the path of the warguided by the established political directionsappropriately responding to the developments in each [phase of the war]. The necessity of war Qassem then turned to justifying Hezbollahs initiation of a fight against Israel on October 8, 2023, by fitting the current conflict into the groups overall metanarrativehitting all of the required notes with claims that Israel is evil and predatory, Hezbollahs initiation of attacks was a necessary defensive measure to repel Israel, and the West and the United Statesfar from upholding their stated valuesare full participants in this war, which is meant to subjugate the entire region. The conclusion Qassems audience was intended to derive was that Hezbollahs arms and actionsfar from endangering Lebanese liveswere the only guarantor of safety and freedom in the face of these rapacious powers. Qassem first claimed that opening a support front for Gaza was vital because Israels campaign in the coastal enclave was its gateway to threatening the whole region. Additionally, by doing so, Hezbollah was supporting the party in the rightand it was, therefore, Hezbollah, not its detractors, who had to answer for their lack of action on behalf of Gaza. Hezbollah, after all, was established to confront the occupation and its expansionist aims and to liberate landand supporting Gaza was providing it the opportunity to fulfill its raison detre. In any case, claimed Qassem, Hezbollah did not provoke Israel, which needs no excuses to attack. This assertion, he claimed, was demonstrated by its 75 years of killing Palestinians, displacing them, stealing their lands and holy places. Lebanon too, he alleged, had tasted Israels depredations. Israel attacked in 1978 and again in 1982 before there was a Hezbollah, Qassem recounted, and it seized and occupied territoryremaining until it was finally expelled in 2000 by Hezbollah, Amal, and other parties acting on Hezbollahs golden principle of Army, People, Resistance. Israels occupation proved that its south Lebanon security zone wasnt defensive, but a preparatory step to settle Lebanon and control it from within. Qassems narrative downplayed the fact that the Israeli incursions were prompted by Palestinian factions transforming south Lebanon into a launchpad for attacks against Israeland the security zone was made necessary by Hezbollahs rise to create a new threat to northern Israel amidst the 1982 invasion. Qassem then flipped UN Security Council Resolution 1701which requires Lebanon to distance Hezbollah north of the Litani River, disarm the group, and then prevent its regenerationon its head. He alleged that Israels continued reconnaissance overflights in Lebanese airspace, prompted by Lebanons refusal to implement its obligations under the resolution, demonstrated Israels aggressive intentions and nature. Qassem claimed that, in any case, Hezbollah was only preempting an imminent Israeli military action, a claim previously made by Nasrallah as well. On October 11, meaning four days after Al-Aqsa Flood, Qassem said, ignoring that this occurred three days after Hezbollah began attacking Israel without provocation, there was a serious discussion inside the Israeli Entity with the Americans to fight a war against Hezbollah in Lebanon. They figured they might as well, given the unlimited American support [Israel received], he alleged, once again trying to stoke his bases enmity towards the United States. The problem with Qassems narrative is that it is based on a New York Times report that was published on October 20, 202312 days after Hezbollah had commenced its attacks. Furthermore, the report addressed secret Israeli governmental discussions to which Hezbollah was not privy in real-time and could not have otherwise discovered before publication. Qassem also falsely claimed this planned Israeli attack was part of a joint plan with the United Stateseven though Washington was consistently pressuring Israel not to expand its war effort into Lebanon and has continued to put the brakes on Israeli operations there. As further proof, Qassem pointed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus 2023 UN General Assembly speech hailing the advent of a new Middle East as a result of then-ongoing Israeli-Saudi normalization talks. He also sought to demonstrate Israels nefarious designs on Lebanon by pointing to obscure groups calling for settling southern Lebanon while falsely claiming these calls were made by Israeli officials. So, do not say Israel was abiding [by Resolution 1701] and we harassed it, Qassem insisted. Do not all these facts demonstrate Israels aggressive intentions? Should we have waited for them to implement their project, and on their timing? he asked rhetorically, nevertheless answering, Thank God for inspiring us to open the support front and thus demolishing Israels plans. We have the capability to foil Israels project through the Resistance, Qassem continued, but warned that by waiting, under the excuse of not giving [Israel] justification, we lose everything. Therefore, despite the price to be paid, it is better for us to have a resistance engaging in proactive defense instead of waiting idly for Israel to attack, he insisted, since Israel ostensibly would have attacked anyway. We, therefore, engaged in preemptive defense, Qassem concluded. To further deflect Hezbollahs responsibility for the onset of the war, Qassem reminded his audience that for 11 months prior to its onset in mid-September we consistently said we do not want war. But now that it has been imposed upon us, we are ready, we will confront it with all our might, and we will be victorious, he insisted. To raise the stakes for inaction, Qassem then recycled and superimposed Hezbollahs narrative to justify its involvement in the Syrian Civil War on the current conflict. We arent merely confronting an Israeli war on Lebanon and Gaza Lebanon, he alleged, rather an Israeli-American-European-international war, drawing on near-infinite resources, whose purpose was to eliminate the resistance and our peoples in the region. Similarly, Qassem alleged America assassinated Quds Force head Qassem Soleimani in 2020 for the sake of Israels goals and that he would impede their actions. This alleged conspiracys end goalssubjugationare just as ugly as its methods of implementation, Qassem stressed, through genocide, ugliness and barbarism and murderousness. That, too, he said Hezbollah was seeking to foil. Therefore, we must confront them, and yes this confrontation will be painful and require sacrifices, but imagine if there was no confrontation? Qassem said, implying the price of inaction would be much higher. It would result, he continued, in us becoming their servants, with them controlling our future and the futures of our generations. Qassem insisted that his audience should not rely on the West or its hypocritical insistence on human rights to avert this dark fate. The West, he claimed, has been revealed as a group of liars for siding with the scum of humanity and the crimes they are committing. Instead, Qassem said, The legendary resistance in Gaza and Lebanon will ensure the future of our coming generations, God willing. Hezbollah is fighting a Lebanese, not an Iranian, war To further legitimize Hezbollahs war effort, Qassem then sought to refute the charge that the group had brought an unnecessary conflict upon Lebanon on Iranian orders or to serve Iranian interests. Instead, this war was an entirely local and organic decision and was being fought by Hezbollah and Amal and other allied factions of their own volition to defend their lands and livelihoods. Hezbollah has only ever implemented a homegrown Lebanese project, Qassem insisted. He claimed that Iran only happens to support Hezbollah out of a shared belief in the justness of Hezbollahs cause, rather than using the group as its proxy. Qassem called for his audience to be grateful to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the Islamic Republic of Iran for initiating the project of removing Israel from existence. This project, he claimed, benefits the rightful owners of the landthe same ones now fighting on south Lebanons frontlinesmore than Iran. Further, he stressed that Iran knew that it would be made to suffer for undertaking the task of pursuing Israels destruction, but Tehran is pursuing this path anyway to be the beacon of the free peoples. Hezbollah is winning Qassem then assessed the damage Israel had inflicted upon Hezbollah, claiming even one of those successive blows would have sufficed to cripple a regular army. He argued that Hezbollah had not only persevered, replacing the vacancies left by Israeli assassinations with either first-generation veterans or equally capable members of the second generation, but also retained the ability to fight a long war. We have the capability to continue [fighting] for days, weeks, and months, and I will not say anything more than that, he said. At times, Qassem relied on mystical and, frankly, absurd explanations for this endurance. He claimed, for example, to have read the Israelis [were] saying that they found bullets used by Hezbollah fighters that they failed to identify. Ill tell you what they are, Qassem said, as if preparing to reveal a grand military secret. These bullets are combined with belief and dependence upon God. Of course you wont find them on the market. These projectiles are charged with the love of [Imam] Hussain and affection for [Imam] Hussain, he said. In fact, far from the war breaking Hezbollahs fighters, Qassem argued that this combination of belief and sufficient capabilities made them eager for direct clashes with the Israelis. But the Israelis, he claimed, had so far avoided such clashes because they are afraid and terrified, hinting at a common theme in Hezbollahs propaganda derived from classical Islamic depictions of Jews as innately cowardly. Qassem then claimed Israels leadership was seeking an off-ramp from the war by claiming to have accomplished their war goals. Dont you want to reach the Litani? Dont you want to achieve more goals? he taunted. Indeed, Israel didnt, Qassem suggested, because the longer the war continued, the more Israels losses mounted. He claimedwithout evidencethat Hezbollah had killed 90 Israeli troops, wounded 750, and destroyed 39 Merkava tanks and four UAVs. To further emphasize that Hezbollah retained the upper hand, Qassem said all of these losses had occurred on the frontline. He never disclosed Hezbollahs casualties, which the group stopped updating almost a month ago. Hezbollah was also hurting the Israeli home front, Qassem claimed, its rockets striking various cities according to a precise plan and paralyzing the lives of hundreds of thousands of Israelis. Qassem continued to focus his audiences attention on Hezbollahs alleged successes, like its ability to [hit] Netanyahus bedroom with a loitering munition, which he claimed diplomatic sources told him left Netanyahu crippled by fear. Qassem noted that Netanyahu had survived perhaps because his time has not come yet, and maybe it will happen that some Israeli may kill him perhaps as hes speaking at some rallyno idle threat, considering Irans and Hezbollahs recruitment of assets inside Israel. Qassem also recalled, for the second speech in a row, Hezbollahs loitering munition attack on an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) base in Binyamina. This time, however, he claimed the attack left more than 80 killed and wounded, without breaking down the numbers and contradicting his claim from two weeks ago that the operation had resulted in 70 dead and wounded. The Israelis will definitely lose, he said, because the land belongs to us, God is with us, and our people are supporting us. Get out of our land to reduce your losses. If you stay, you will pay an unprecedented price. Israel will not only fail to accomplish its goal of returning its citizens to their homes in the north, but hundreds of thousands more will become displaced. Qassem sought to counter some of Hezbollahs detractors, who argued that the current war demonstrated the groups inability to protect the Lebanese. Hezbollah cant prevent Israel from murdering Lebanese, he saidthat is not what capable of defending Lebanon means. Instead, he argued it signifies defeating Israel by preventing it from achieving its larger goals, which would bring even more pain to Lebanon. Additionally, Qassem claimed that Israels monstrosity made their defeat inevitable. He purported to contrast Hezbollahs honorable warfighting with Israels tactics. We target their barracks, soldiers, and tanks. By contrast, they kill civilians and destroy people and stones because they are cowards and weak and lack morals because their project is one of occupation and monstrosity. Qassem said this state of affairs wouldnt lead Israel to victory, and only signaled Israeli weakness. It will increase our pain, he admitted, but because we are insisting upon continuing, they arent able to win. Qassem called on Hezbollahs supporters to endure and be patient to achieve this inevitable victory. We need your sacrifices, he beseeched them, saying they would help prevent future, greater, sacrifices. Their support was also necessary to protect Hezbollah, which in turn protected themor so he tried to frame matters. Qassem credited the groups supporters with Hezbollahs strength, both on the battlefield and the political scene, acting as a deterrent to anyone betting on Hezbollahs weakness. They should forget it, he said, because Hezbollah remains politically and socially strong, and its political opponents will be forced to curse Israel and America for lying to [them]. Meanwhile, Qassem said Hezbollah would continue to fight until a ceasefire is achieved. However, to demonstrate that the group still possesses the upper hand to dictate terms, he insisted, We will only accept terms we find appropriate. A ceasefire, broadly, must bring an end to Israels aggression and then well give our opinion on the details. As for those details, Qassem stressed that Hezbollah and the Amal Movement are working alongside one another to confront the aggression and with [Parliament] Speaker [Nabih] Berri, who has become the focal point of negotiating an end to the aggression. He said, Hezbollah and the government and Speaker Berri have their ways of reaching an understanding regarding the preferred solutions. Until those aims are achieved and accepted by Israel, Qassem stated Hezbollah will not beg for a ceasefire. Were continuing, were not waiting. As long as it takes. David Daoud is Senior Fellow at at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies where he focuses on Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon affairs. News / National by Staff reporter Bulawayo has recorded 21 suicide cases since June this year, with an alarming 20 of them involving men, prompting police to call for increased community and family support to promote mental health. The tragic statistic spans a broad age range from 10 to 79, highlighting a pressing need for mental health interventions, especially for males, as noted by Bulawayo Provincial Police Deputy Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele."Since June, we've observed a worrying increase in suicide cases, with incidents happening nearly every two weeks. This trend is disturbing," she said, underscoring the complex and varied reasons behind the suicides. "Some motivations may not appear suicidal on the surfaceone individual took his life before a maintenance court appearance, while another did so after being contacted by police regarding a case."Police are urging people to seek help and talk through their challenges, with Asst Insp Msebele emphasizing that local officers can provide support and counselling. "We encourage individuals to talk to friends, pastors, or community leaders," she said. "Our community relations and liaison officers are stationed across Bulawayo to help those in need and can refer them to free counselling services. Suicide is not the answer to life's struggles."The death of a 10-year-old girl in Pumula serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of parental engagement. Asst Insp Msebele urged parents to closely monitor their children's emotional well-being, emphasizing that children's struggles may often go unnoticed.Dr. Wellington Ranga, Clinical Director at Ingutsheni Central Hospital, noted that men particularly face significant mental health challenges and urged the community to develop modern approaches to handling stress. "Our current systems are outdated and often ineffective," he said. "Many of those we rely on for guidance, like counsellors and pastors, are themselves struggling with mental health issues. We need to explore new, effective solutions that address the mental health needs in our community."Psychologist Jacqueline Nkomo added that societal expectations discourage men from expressing vulnerability, which can lead to destructive behaviors like substance abuse and even suicide. "Men are often pressured by norms that tell them not to show weakness, which can worsen feelings of isolation," she said. She also urged parents to create a supportive environment for children to share their emotions openly, cautioning that dismissive language can have a lasting impact on a child's mental health.The escalating suicide rates in Bulawayo are a stark call to action. To counter the trend, mental health awareness must become a community-wide priority, with open communication, supportive networks, and stigma-free spaces for seeking help. By working together, the Bulawayo community can take steps toward a future where no one faces their struggles alone. NORTHAMPTON A large, black, long-haired cat found in the area around Clement Street in Florence on Oct. 26 has tested positive for rabies, the city of Northampton announced Friday afternoon. The feral cat from Northampton tested positive for rabies at the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory on Wednesday. Rabies is a serious disease, the city warns. But, the city did not return a request for comment on why there was a gap between the time of confirmation of rabies and the notification of the public. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, treatment should begin as soon as possible after exposure. Those who have had possible exposure are asked to reach out to medical staff right away. Anyone exposed to the cats saliva whether through a bite, scratch, open wound, feeding, or if saliva got into their eyes or mouth has had a high-risk exposure and should seek immediate attention. If you or someone you know had contact with this cat between Oct. 16 and Oct. 26, contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (available 24/7 at 617-983-6800) or your health care provider for a risk assessment. After exposure to rabies, disease can be prevented with prompt administration of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. People who did not have any contact with the cat are not at risk from rabies. If you have a pet that might have had contact with the cat, contact the Northampton Animal Control at aco@northamptonma.gov or call the non-emergency dispatch line at 413-587-1100. Three teenagers were arrested in connection with a triple shooting in Methuen in October that left a 17-year-old in critical condition, police said. Jayden Moreno, 18, of Methuen, Reggie Wells, 18, of Salem, New Hampshire and a 16-year-old boy, whose name was not released, all face a number of criminal charges, including armed assault to murder, Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara said in a statement. At around 1:03 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 21, Methuen police went to the area of 113 Boston St. for a report of gunfire and injuries. There, police found a 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds, according to the statement. Both teenagers were taken to a hospital. A short time later, a 16-year-old boy arrived to a hospital seeking treatment for a gunshot wound, according to the statement. The 17-year-old remains in critical condition, police said. The other two teenagers have since been released from hospitals. Investigators found an untraceable 9mm ghost gun, ammunition and personal items. Moreno, Wells and the 16-year-old were arrested this week. This case underscores our departments commitment to addressing violence in our community, McNamara said. The tireless work of our officers, along with the support of our local and regional partners, exemplifies the strength of collective efforts in ensuring public safety. In addition to armed assault to murder, Moreno faces charges of carrying a firearm without a license, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, possession of ammunition without an FID Card, possession of a firearm while committing a felony and disturbing the peace. Wells is charged with three counts of armed assault to murder, carrying a firearm without a license, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, carrying a dangerous weapon possession of ammunition without an FID Card and possession of a firearm while committing a felony. The 16-year-old is charged with three counts of armed assault to murder, carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license and three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. An investigation into the shooting remains ongoing. Massachusetts residents seeking 2025 health insurance coverage through the states marketplace, the Health Connector, can start enrolling Nov. 1. Open enrollment will run through Jan. 23, 2025 and the deadline for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2025 is Dec. 23, 2024. Enrollment through the Health Connector, which offers health and dental plans for individuals, families and small businesses through major health and dental insurance providers, is currently at an all-time high with more than 337,000 people receiving insurance through the state marketplace program. Required by the individual mandate state law, most Massachusetts residents over 18 who can afford it must have health insurance that meets minimum creditable coverage standards. People without coverage can face tax penalties if theyre uninsured. The Health Connector is different from MassHealth, which is the states Medicaid program for people with limited income. Everyone in Massachusetts should have health insurance that is not only affordable, but provides easy and low-cost access to health care, like annual checkups, specialized care, prescription medication, and emergency services when needed, Audrey Morse Gasteier, executive director of the Massachusetts Health Connector, said in a statement this week. During open enrollment, anyone who needs health insurance can find a plan that delivers those services and more, and can likely find help paying for it. Expansion of lower-cost ConnectorCare program Eighty-four percent of the states marketplace enrollees are in the ConnectorCare program , which uses state and federal financial subsidies to make coverage more affordable through lower premiums and co-pays, and the elimination of deductibles. ConnectorCare also provides no-cost prescriptions for chronic disease such as diabetes and hypertension. This year, the income limits for ConnectorCare have been expanded. For 2025 plans, an individual earning up to $75,300 and a family of four earning up to $156,000 can qualify. How do I sign up for health insurance in Massachusetts? Massachusetts residents who need health insurance coverage can visit MAhealthconnector.org to complete an application and explore available coverage and plans. In-person assistance with the application and plan selection is available at more than 50 navigator locations around the state, where trained staff help find health insurance for people in more than 30 languages. Residents can find a navigator in their community by clicking the Help Center button at the top of the Health Connectors homepage. A woman who worked at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Massachusetts' largest biotech company, was sentenced to prison on Thursday for defrauding the company of at least $2.5 million, acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levys office announced. Priya Bhambi, 40, of Brookline, will serve 46 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release. She must also pay $2,585,480 in restitution, forfeit a Mercedes-Benz, more than $1 million in proceeds from the fraud, a nearly-$50,000 wedding venue deposit, a diamond engagement ring and a condo in the Seaport. In June, Bhmabi pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and a single count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She and a person prosecutors say acted as a co-conspirator were charged in March 2023. Between January and October 2022, prosecutors say Bhambi and another person defrauded Takeda of at least $2.3 million for supposed consulting services by submitting fabricated invoices for a sham consulting company. Bhambi had engaged in a similar fraud in the past with a different sham consulting company, where she earned close to $300,000 for consulting services she didnt provide, according to Levys office. In February 2022, the person prosecutors say acted as Bhambis co-conspirator incorporated Evoluzione Consulting, LLC. Bhambi created a website for the company to make it appear as a legitimate business. After incorporating the company, prosecutors say the pair submitted a statement of work to Takeda that ultimately led it to issue a purchase order for more than $3.5 million in consulting services. Between March and May of 2022, prosecutors say Bhambi and her co-conspirator submitted five invoices for services they did not provide, each totaling $460,000, Levys office said. When Takeda employees questioned the pair, they "made false representations regarding the services purportedly provided by Evoluzione." Before discovering the fraud, Takeda paid all five invoices, Levys office said. Prosecutors say Bhambi and her co-conspirator used the $2.3 million they fraudulently obtained from Takeda to purchase luxury items like the Mercedes-Benz, engagement ring and condo, according to the statement. Pure greed drove Priya Bhambi to take advantage of her senior-level, highly compensated position at Takeda to steal millions of dollars from the company, Levy said in a statement. Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, added, Priya Bhambi apparently felt her nearly half-a-million-dollar salary at Takedawasnt enough, so she orchestrated a complex financial fraud scheme to steal millions more to enhance her paycheck. The person prosecutors say acted as Bhambis co-conspirator in the fraud is scheduled to go to trial in December. The family of a 20-year-old who died by suicide while attending Brandeis University in December 2023 filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the university on Thursday, claiming its police department was negligent and overlooked warnings that could have prevented the students death. Eli Stuarts parents, Alice Stuart and Jason Foley, are suing Brandeis and a trio of campus police officers Kimberly Carter, Thomas Espada and Dana Kelley. The suit was filed in Middlesex Superior Court and seeks damages to be awarded by a jury. The lawsuit alleges that Eli died alone and in agony because Brandeis University and its police officers failed to act despite clear and unambiguous warnings that Eli was in trouble, Howard Cooper, an attorney representing the family, said in a statement. Eli should still be with their family. Brandeis University provided a statement to MassLive Friday afternoon. Eli Stuart was a beloved member of the Brandeis community and their loss was felt deeply on campus. We offer our deepest sympathies to their family. Their friends, roommates, professors, and peers all mourn their passing. Brandeis has offered resources and support to all who have been impacted by Elis tragic loss, the statement said, adding the university provides various resources to help students and to report concerns. Leading up to their suicide in 2023, Eli Stuart began experiencing increasing anxiety, writing in their journal about feeling increased pressure at school, which is in Waltham. On Dec. 4, 2023, Stuart, who had struggled with anxiety and depression as a teenager, decided to end their life, believing they had failed a test. Stuart made an audio recording explaining their decision, but the lawsuit says, it also captured them changing their mind and screaming for help around 8:31 a.m., three hours after it started. The suit claims that Carter, working dispatch, failed to adequately respond to a call from a professor who found Stuart lying on the ground, still moving, around 9:08 a.m. Officer Carter openly dismissed the Professors concerns, the suit reads. She told the Professor that the human being lying on the ground moving could be one of our homeless people, we have had several of them around there. Carter also failed to make note of the call in the departments call log. She notified Espada, a fellow officer, who also did not log the call, according to the suit. When Carter did take action, an hour later, the suit claims she was grossly and utterly negligent. An internal investigation conducted by Brandeis found Carter did not drive down the road the professor reported finding Stuart on, according to the lawsuit. If Officer Carter had gotten out of her car and walked to the area that the Professor had described to her in detail, she would have seen Eli laying on the ground, precisely where the Professor had reported seeing Eli and where Elis body would later be found, the filing reads. At that time, Eli was still alive and would have lived. Roughly two hours later, Alice Stuart made a frantic call to campus police to report Eli Stuart missing. The suit claims both Carter and Espada failed to connect Alice Stuarts call to the report from the professor earlier in the morning. Brandeis police began searching for Stuart around 1:40 p.m., and a Massachusetts State Police trooper eventually found their body around 8 p.m. Eli Stuart was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Their cause of death was drowning and acute intoxication. Brandeis and its employees left Eli to die an agonizing death for nearly 12 hours, the filing reads. The suit accuses Kelley, a detective lieutenant, of attempting to cover up the grossly negligent failures by Carter and Espada by not informing Eli Stuarts family of the call from the professor. Carter has since resigned from the department, while Espada and Kelley still work at Brandeis. News / National by Staff reporter The Zimbabwean government has assured citizens that severe power outages affecting the country will ease this weekend as Hwange Unit 7, recently down for maintenance, is set to resume operation. The unit's return is expected to boost power generation, providing much-needed relief amid persistent load-shedding that has caused blackouts lasting up to 14 hours daily in some residential areas.In an effort to minimize economic impact, power utility ZESA has prioritized the industrial sector, sparing it from prolonged outages. However, the extensive blackouts have affected Bulawayo's water supply, disrupting pumps and worsening existing water shortages that leave taps dry for days.Energy and Power Development Minister Edgar Moyo explained that Unit 7's downtime, caused by a severe tube leak, intensified the country's power crisis, already strained by low water levels at Kariba Hydro-Power Station. Minister Moyo emphasized that while Unit 7's repair will help, it will not entirely resolve Zimbabwe's power challenges, as the country and region face a significant energy deficit."Power cuts have always been an issue, but the intensity increased over the last two to three weeks due to Unit 7's breakdown," Minister Moyo told Chronicle. "We are looking to have it back up this weekend between November 2 and November 3. While power cuts will continue, they won't be as intense."A scheduled maintenance program for Unit 7 is planned for December to avoid affecting power generation during peak demand, as the work will coincide with the annual industrial shutdown. This period of low demand will also see maintenance on Hwange's Unit 8. By January, power generation is expected to stabilize as incoming water flows boost production at Kariba, according to simulations from the Zambezi River Authority and Meteorological Services Department.Looking to the future, Zimbabwe is investing in multiple power projects aimed at meeting the country's 2,000MW requirement by 2025. Minister Moyo highlighted significant investments, including a new power station in Hwange, which will initially generate 150MW and increase to 700MW. Hwange Units 1 to 6 will also undergo upgrades, led by the multinational energy company Jindal, raising production from 400MW to 800MW. Afrochine Smelting, a subsidiary of Dinson Iron and Steel, is already generating 100MW, with plans for Zimplats and other companies to expand their contributions."These projects will collectively add 2,500MW by the end of 2025, alleviating our dependence on existing power sources," said Minister Moyo.To address cost-related issues, Minister Moyo urged industry to adopt energy-efficient technologies, noting a government survey revealed local industries often use energy-intensive equipment. "Retooling with energy-efficient machinery will help companies reduce production costs," he said.He added that ZESA, which is owed over US$140 million, needs consumers to settle outstanding bills to sustain operations. A particular focus is on farmers, whom ZESA supported with uninterrupted power during the wheat season to secure the nation's food supply.Minister Moyo stressed the importance of collaborative solutions, saying, "It's vital that both government and industry work together. This is about building a sustainable future where we all contribute to stabilizing the nation's power supply." A Stoughton woman is expected to appear in federal court in connection with selling and dispensing counterfeit drugs and devices into the United States, Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levys office announced. Rebecca Fadanelli, 38, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of illegally importing merchandise contrary to law, one count of selling or dispensing a counterfeit drug and one count of selling or dispensing a counterfeit device. She was arrested on Friday. Fadanelli owned Skin Beaute Med Spa, which has two locations in Randolph and South Easton. Since March 2021, she imported counterfeit Botox, Sculptra and Juvederm from China and Brazil and performed thousands of injections of counterfeit drugs and devices, Levys office said. For this, she received over $900,000 in client payments. Protecting the people of Massachusetts covers a wide range of conduct and here it involves an individual who ignored safety regulations against bringing unapproved, counterfeit drugs and devices into our country and endangered the health of hundreds of her clients, Levy said in the statement. She consistently represented to clients and employees that she is a nurse, the statement read. In fact, Fadanelli is an aesthetician and is not licensed nor certified to dispense or administer prescription drugs or devices. Payment records show that between March 2021 and March 2024, Fadanelli completed about 1,621 Botox appointments, which totaled $522,869 in client payments, and 1,085 filler appointments that totaled $410,545 in client payments, Levys office said. Individuals who dispense and administer counterfeit injectable cosmetic drugs or medical devices, such as Botox or Juvederm, put the health of unsuspecting American consumers at significant risk, Special Agent in Charge Fernando McMillan, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations New York Field Office, said in the statement. The charge of importing merchandise contrary to law provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charges of knowingly selling or dispensing a counterfeit drug or counterfeit device each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Anyone who may have received services involving a counterfeit drug or counterfeit device from Fadanelli and/or Skin Beaute Med Spa between 2021 to the present is asked to complete a questionnaire on the Food and Drug Administrations website. The average number of Massachusetts wildfires in October rose by 1,200% this year, according to the State Fire Marshals office. Usually there are around 15 fires reported during the month each year, whereas about 200 were reported in October 2024, Fire Marshal Jon Davines office said in a statement released on Friday, Nov. 1. Nearly half of these fires were reported in the last week of October, with early data indicating they all started by human activity, the statement read. Over a quarter of this years brush and wildland fires took place in October, Chief Fire Warden David Celino of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation said in the statement. They accounted for more than half of the 1,158 acres burned so far this year. The weather conditions and dry surface fuels that have contributed to these fast-moving fires are expected to continue in the days ahead, Celino continued. Any outdoor fire will grow quickly, become difficult to control, and require numerous firefighting resources. Dry weather, drought conditions, high temperatures and increased winds have all fueled the chances for fires to break out in parts of Massachusetts. Within the state, 45% of homes are in or near a wooded area, putting residents at risk. In the current fire weather environment, any significant fire could put people and property in danger, Davine said in the statement. In fact, many of them have started with activity around the house, like outdoor cooking and using lawn tractors and other power equipment. The risk continued on Friday when the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for the entire state due to critical fire conditions. Temperatures reached 76 degrees in Boston and Springfield just before 2 p.m., while Worcester hit 74 around the same time. The warning went into effect at 8 a.m. and will last until 7 p.m. Over the last week of October, the Statewide Fire Mobilization Plan was activated to send 12 forestry task forces from across the state to help battle fires in Wilmington, Salem, Canton and Middleton, where firefighters from as far away as Stoughton were supporting local efforts, Davines office wrote. As of Thursday night, state fire officials continue to watch the following active fires: Cain Hill Fire in Salem/Lynn: currently at 140 acres and 50% contained Middleton Pond Fire in Middleton: 188 acres and 70% contained Pappas Fire in Canton: 32 acres and 90% contained Wolcott Hill / Blue Hills Reservation: 2 acres and 100% contained Curry 24 Fire in Devens: 100 acres and 99% contained Maple Meadow Fire in Wilmington: 10 acres and 70% contained Mt. Laurel Fire in Holden: 6 acres and 95% contained Traders Way Fire in Salem: 15 acres and 50% contained Old Forest Road Fire in North Andover: 5 acres and 30% contained To prevent more fires, Davines office advised the following: More Black and Hispanic/Latino students in Massachusetts have passed the Advanced Placement exams since 2021, according to state officials who partially credit federal aid that helped more students afford to take the test in the first place. Students taking the AP exam receive scores from 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest. Students who earn at least a 3 on an AP exam which is considered passing can receive college credits. The number of Black students scoring at least a 3 on an AP exam more than doubled between 2021 and 2024, the governors office said. The same was true for Hispanic/Latino students. Overall, there was a 39 percent jump in the number of Bay State students who passed the AP exam over the past three years, the governor said. The improving test scores came as more students in Massachusetts were taking the AP exam, the governor said. The number of Black students and Hispanic/Latino students who took an AP exam between 2021 and 2024, increased by 40% and 56% respectively. This was compared to a 20% jump in participation across all students. The recent growth is partially due to the state expanding fee waivers to help high school students afford the exams, the governor said. To cover the costs of the AP exams for students from low-income backgrounds, the state used money from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund between 2022 and 2024, the governors office said. Taking the AP exam normally costs about $100. During the 2024-2025 school year, the state gave $1.25 million in fee subsidies for AP and International Baccalaureate exams, the governor said, so students from low-income backgrounds or their school only needed to pay $22 per exam. The Healey-Driscoll Administration has been focused on expanding access to AP courses and making the test more affordable so all students can excel, particularly for historically underserved students. While there is still more progress to make, its very clear that our efforts are working, Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler said in a statement. I hope students see this as a signal that we believe they can tackle difficult courses with support from their teachers. Election Day inches ever closer, but early voters have a hard deadline to cast their ballots before Nov. 5. Early voting for registered voters in Massachusetts started on Saturday, Oct. 19, with varied times for early voting locations on that weekend and the weekend of Oct. 26 and 27, according to Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvins office. The last day to cast ballots early is Friday, Nov. 1. Voters do not need to make appointments, as they can show up to voting locations as they would on Election Day. After you finish voting, you will seal your ballot in a ballot envelope, sign the affidavit on the envelope, and return it to an election official, according to Galvins website. Once you have handed in your ballot envelope and the clerk accepts it, your vote is final and you cannot take it back or vote again. As with the first day, lines are often longer on the last day of the early voting period. Voters are advised to cast their ballots during off-peak hours. These rules do not apply to mail-in voters. Their deadline to return ballots is 8 p.m. on Nov. 5. As of Thursday, 29.6% of, or 1,520,048, registered voters in Massachusetts have cast their ballots, according to a statement from Galvins office. Among mail-in voters, 1,014,525 have returned their ballots, constituting 73.2% of ballots mailed to voters. Early in-person voters amounted to 505,523 ballots cast. In the Bay States major cities, 56.2% of Boston voters have voted early, while 69.2% of Springfield voters cast their ballots early. Worcester tops both of them with 73% of voters returning their ballots. SPRINGFIELD For more than 40 years, Winston Light cigarettes and steaming mugs of coffee went hand in hand for Jacqueline Penza. Try as she might, she was unable to kick the habit, according to an attorney for her family. Springfield and Chicopee are seeing record-high early voting numbers, according to city officials. As of Thursday, the day before the early voting closed in Massachusetts, Springfield City Clerk Gladys Oyola-Lopez told a reporter that 3,159 people voted early in-person and about 12,000 others already had mailed in their ballots. Info/News: Gabriel Caliste a signe avec West HamLe MSM satisfaitDikeledi :Troisieme communique special pour St Brandon (09-01-2025)Dikeledi au Nord de RodriguesDiscussions entre le ministre Gungapersad et lOmbudsperson for ChildrenEmirates, bientot la premiere Autism Certified Airline au mondeWe-Recycle have join Global Tourism Plastics InitiativeDikeledi, un passage qui ne va pas marquer les esprits[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 8 janvier 2025Meteo du 9 janvier 2025Vacoas a nomme DikelediLa depression tropicale est restee stableUnlocking full human potentialProfesseur Abdoulaye Diabate parmi les 100 Africains les plus influents de 2024Mise en place de mesures preventives a lhopital New Souillac contre le HMPVDeux arbitres mauriciens pour la CAN 2025Faudra passer par le State Law Office maintenant2025 Bocuse dOr Grand FinalRegTech Africa Conference and Awards 2025Second special communique for St Brandon ( 08-01-2025)Huawei : Leader mondial des Wearables selon lInternational Data CorporationMauritian Prime Minister pays tribute to Former American President Jimmy Carter during Condolence Book signingDes grands villages pourraient devenir des villes[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 7 janvier 2025Meteo du 8 janvier 2025La zone perturbee sest creuseeDeces de Jean Marie Le PenHuawei releases Top 10 Trends of FusionSolar 2025Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard named among the 100 Most Influential Africans for 2nd consecutive yearFirst special communique for St BrandonNavin Ramgoolam rend hommage a Jimmy CarterSe preparer pour le passage dun cycloneMeteo du 7 janvier 2024Deces de Reynolds PermalJustin Trudeau a annonce sa demission5e systeme de la saison cyclonique 2024-2025Renouvellement du permis doperation pour les pharmacies priveesLes prochaines rencontres de football de la MFAMeteo du 6 janvier 2025Modoki La Nina dans le PacifiqueZone pluvio-orageuse au Nord-Nord Ouest de MauriceTrois Jumbo Express ferment leurs portesDeces de Lady Nancy Ah-ChuenSpace42s Thuraya 4 Satellite successfully launched into orbit[Video news] Baby John au Sirsa[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 4 janvier 2025Sanjiv Ranjan is the new Secretary-General of the IORA SecretariatLettre ouverte au Premier ministre du PakistanLettre ouverte a lAmbassadeur des Etats Unis a MauriceIPLOOK Networks 2024 RecapThe Best-Performing CEOs in Africa in 2024iHerb Debuts Digital Wellness HubHinen to showcase advanced energy storage technologyContribution decisive des Nouveaux Democrates dans la victoire du 10 Novembre 2024DTOS Group lance une initiative innovante pour renforcer les relations intergenerationnelles en entreprise[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 3 janvier 2025La piscine de Mare dAlbert dans un etat piteuxLa residence dHarvesh Seegoolam perquisitionneCommunique de HM Technologies : Precisions sur la cessation de contrats de 11 collaborateurs[Document] Les chansons de lannee de 2024 de Radio One[Video news] Petards a Poste de FlacqUne fille, premiere nee de la Generation Beta[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 1er janvier 2025[Video News] Message du nouvel an de Navin RamgoolamProcession religieuse a Petite RiviereMessage du 1er Janvier 2025 de Pravind Jugnauth[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du decembre 2024[Video news] Cotton Bay a lheure de 2025[Video News] Pointe aux Sables passe en 2025Bonne et heureuse annee 2025Message de fin dannee de Patrick BelcourtDemission du CEO du Mauritus Telecom GroupLa Mauritius Meteorological Services a lance une brochures, clip video et timbre poste.Tournee Patient Day pour Anil BaichooLa revendication mauricienne est basee sur trois criteresMessage de Steven Obeegadoo pour 2025[Video News] Studying in ChinaGalettes des rois by hotels Ninety-Six !ITL Foundation a apporte la magie de Noel aux enfants de SAFIRE !Five years ago Covid-19800 millions de livres sterlings par anneeEnd of year statement by WHO Director-GeneralAucun avertissement de fortes pluies nest en vigueur a MauricePluie: 140 mm a Riche en Eau en 24 heures[Video News] Les consignes de Pravind Rughoo pour les Late Night ShoppersApercu du temps pour Rodrigues du 31 decembre 2024 jusquau 03 janvier 2025Apercu du temps pour Maurice de mardi 31 decembre 2024 jusquau vendredi 03 janvier 2025Communique du Ministere du Bien-etre de La Famille: Fermeture des crechesCommunique du National Emergency Operations CommandAvertissement de fortes pluies pour Maurice ( 30-12-2024)Communique National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management CentreVeille de fortes pluies en vigueur a Maurice (30-12-2024)Que quelques heures pour voter pour votre chanson de lannee sur R1Homelie de Mgr Durhone a loccasion de la messe de Noel a la prison de Melrose147.8 mm a Riche en eau en 24 heuresTrois zones perturbees dans le nord de la region[Document] Export and Import Price Indices for 3rd Quarter 2024Deces de Jimmy CarterFin de la Veille de fortes pluies pour MauriceDeux zones perturbees et une perturbation tropicale Info/News: Deces de Reynolds PermalJustin Trudeau a annonce sa demission5e systeme de la saison cyclonique 2024-2025Renouvellement du permis doperation pour les pharmacies priveesLes prochaines rencontres de football de la MFAMeteo du 6 janvier 2025Modoki La Nina dans le PacifiqueZone pluvio-orageuse au Nord-Nord Ouest de MauriceTrois Jumbo Express ferment leurs portesDeces de Lady Nancy Ah-ChuenSpace42s Thuraya 4 Satellite successfully launched into orbit[Video news] Baby John au Sirsa[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 4 janvier 2025Sanjiv Ranjan is the new Secretary-General of the IORA SecretariatLettre ouverte au Premier ministre du PakistanLettre ouverte a lAmbassadeur des Etats Unis a MauriceIPLOOK Networks 2024 RecapThe Best-Performing CEOs in Africa in 2024iHerb Debuts Digital Wellness HubHinen to showcase advanced energy storage technologyContribution decisive des Nouveaux Democrates dans la victoire du 10 Novembre 2024DTOS Group lance une initiative innovante pour renforcer les relations intergenerationnelles en entreprise[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 3 janvier 2025La piscine de Mare dAlbert dans un etat piteuxLa residence dHarvesh Seegoolam perquisitionneCommunique de HM Technologies : Precisions sur la cessation de contrats de 11 collaborateurs[Document] Les chansons de lannee de 2024 de Radio One[Video news] Petards a Poste de FlacqUne fille, premiere nee de la Generation Beta[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 1er janvier 2025[Video News] Message du nouvel an de Navin RamgoolamProcession religieuse a Petite RiviereMessage du 1er Janvier 2025 de Pravind Jugnauth[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du decembre 2024[Video news] Cotton Bay a lheure de 2025[Video News] Pointe aux Sables passe en 2025Bonne et heureuse annee 2025Message de fin dannee de Patrick BelcourtDemission du CEO du Mauritus Telecom GroupLa Mauritius Meteorological Services a lance une brochures, clip video et timbre poste.Tournee Patient Day pour Anil BaichooLa revendication mauricienne est basee sur trois criteresMessage de Steven Obeegadoo pour 2025[Video News] Studying in ChinaGalettes des rois by hotels Ninety-Six !ITL Foundation a apporte la magie de Noel aux enfants de SAFIRE !Five years ago Covid-19800 millions de livres sterlings par anneeEnd of year statement by WHO Director-GeneralAucun avertissement de fortes pluies nest en vigueur a MauricePluie: 140 mm a Riche en Eau en 24 heures[Video News] Les consignes de Pravind Rughoo pour les Late Night ShoppersApercu du temps pour Rodrigues du 31 decembre 2024 jusquau 03 janvier 2025Apercu du temps pour Maurice de mardi 31 decembre 2024 jusquau vendredi 03 janvier 2025Communique du Ministere du Bien-etre de La Famille: Fermeture des crechesCommunique du National Emergency Operations CommandAvertissement de fortes pluies pour Maurice ( 30-12-2024)Communique National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management CentreVeille de fortes pluies en vigueur a Maurice (30-12-2024)Que quelques heures pour voter pour votre chanson de lannee sur R1Homelie de Mgr Durhone a loccasion de la messe de Noel a la prison de Melrose147.8 mm a Riche en eau en 24 heuresTrois zones perturbees dans le nord de la region[Document] Export and Import Price Indices for 3rd Quarter 2024Deces de Jimmy CarterFin de la Veille de fortes pluies pour MauriceDeux zones perturbees et une perturbation tropicaleOrages dans lOuestSoft Robotics to debut at CES 2025Bulletin meteo special pour AgalegaPremiere cohorte de femmes certifiee en gestion de pepiniere au sein de lAgri-Hub de la Vallee de FerneyLegend Hill ouvre son paradis panoramique aux Mauriciens en mars 2025Communique du National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre ( 29/12/2024)30.2 mm de pluie en trois heures a Riche en Eau[Document] 50 mm de pluie pour les premiers 15 jours de decembre 2024[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 28 decembre 2024[Video News] Dawood Rawat a rencontre les investisseurs dans la BAIBulletin de Veille de fortes pluies pour MauriceUne voiture detruite par les flammesThe 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024Recrutement de personnel de cabine dEmirates Airlines a Mauriceblink by Emtel annonce les 10 premiers gagnants de la 2 edition de sa campagne blink & WinMerck Foundation Chairman and First Ladies share their partnership journey in Transforming Patient Care Landscape[Video news] Message de fin dannee de Paul Berenger[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 27 decembre 2024Avis de fortes pluies en vigueur a AgalegaSarat Lallah retrouve la MT Towerle Premier ministre a rendu hommage au Dr Manmohan Singh,Revocation de lInformation and Communication Technologies (Registration of SIM) Regulations 2023Amaresh Singh Ramlugan, nomme president du Conseil dAdministration de la MBCDecisions du Conseil des Ministres du 27 decembre 2024Apercu du temps pour Rodrigues du 28 au 31 decembre 2024Apercu du temps pour Maurice du 28 au 31 decembre 2024Global Movement to drive clean energy solutions and sustainable livingDepression tropicale a lEst-Nord-est[Document] Debats parlementaires du 20 decembre 2024[Document] The Special Allowance Act 2024[Document] The Employment Relations (Amendment) Act 2024Maurice et lAfrique du Sud veulent renforcer leurs liens culturels en 2025[Video News] Message de Noel de Mgr Jean-Michael Durhone The Sheridan Memorial Community Centre and the Bohola Community Park have begun work on installing plant pollinator friendly bulbs. This comes as both groups were successful in their applications for The Heritage Council grants. The aim of this project is to encourage biodiversity and to add some colour for passers-by to enjoy throughout the village, whether they are walking or driving. Both Thola Ladybirds, Brownies and Guides with leaders and parents planting bulbs and trees at the Durkan Bohola Community Park Fortunately both committees were successful in their individual applications and shortly after In true Meitheal spirit, both committees worked together with members of the local community and the local unit of the Irish Girl Guides. The Girl Guides have been a firm fixture in Bohola for over ten years, with numbers of girls increasing each year. As part of their programme, each branch of the Girl Guides (Ladybirds, Brownies and Guides) have a requirement of working with the local community and also, developing their green fingers. A plan was put in place to work together to prepare the best area around the Sheridan Memorial Community Centre and the grounds of the Durkan Bohola Community Park. There were events organised as part of Heritage Week at the Community Centre and at the Community Park, which were both very well attended by the local community. They gave people an opportunity to see what work was going to take place and how this work would benefit the community and the environment. With funds received from The Heritage Council, both committees were able to purchase pollinator friendly daffodil, bluebell, crocus and snowdrop bulbs as well as some oak trees and the essential equipment for assisting with planting. In September, the Bohola unit of the Irish Girl Guides along with their parents and leaders planted the bulbs around the grounds of both the community centre and community park. The girls learnt a lot about the various types of soil and how to plant the different types of bulbs. They were also able to bring some leftover daffodil bulbs home with them to plant and watch grow around their homes. Martina Burke Lavin, on behalf of the Irish Girl Guides, Sheridan Memorial Community Centre and the Durkan Bohola Community Park, commented: A huge thank you to The Heritage Council for providing the funds to both the Sheridan Memorial Community Centre and the Durkan Bohola Community Centre which allowed us to buy the bulbs and equipment needed. The project will benefit not just us, but also the future generations who come to visit our Centre, Park and Village. Thank you, she concluded. News / National by Staff reporter President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on the British government to formally apologize for the historical injustices endured by indigenous Zimbabweans during the colonial era, which spanned from 1890 to 1980. His comments came during the launch of a study led by the Zimbabwe National Elders Forum (ZNEF) on the untold stories of land dispossession, trauma, and abuse suffered by Zimbabweans under British colonial rule.The ZNEF study, titled "Land Displacements: The Untold Stories of Crimes, Injustices, Trauma, and Losses Experienced by Indigenous Zimbabweans during the Colonial Era," was initiated as a collective effort to document the extensive impacts of colonial exploitation and advocate for reparations. The forum comprises prominent Zimbabweans from various fields, including the clergy, academia, and business sectors.President Mnangagwa commended the ZNEF for addressing these historical injustices and restoring dignity to Zimbabwe's people. He highlighted how colonial authorities systematically stripped Zimbabweans of their land and imposed restrictive laws, including the 1931 Land Apportionment Act and the 1950 Native Land Husbandry Act, that marginalized indigenous communities."It is pleasing that the Forum intends to comprehensively document the injustices, trauma, and loss of lives experienced by black Zimbabweans due to colonial land appropriation," said Mnangagwa. He added that the proposed study will help establish healing initiatives for affected communities and open channels for reconciliation with Britain.Drawing parallels with other former colonies, Mnangagwa referenced the recent apologies by the United Kingdom to Kenya's Mau Mau and Germany to Namibia's Herero and Nama people. "We wonder when we, the rest of the former colonies, will receive similar apologies from the British. They must apologize," he stated, calling for acknowledgment of the brutality Zimbabweans endured under colonial rule.The President emphasized that colonial violence, systematic in its execution, left deep scars on survivors. Recounting Zimbabwe's liberation struggles in both the First and Second Chimurenga, Mnangagwa noted that many freedom fighters were executed or imprisoned in concentration camps known locally as MaKeep."A century later, the residual effects of the pain and bitterness are still real. Our people carry the scars of a painful and cruel past," he said.Mnangagwa also urged for an engagement with Britain to pursue reparations and formal restitution. This initiative complements efforts within Zimbabwe to compensate white former farmers for improvements made on redistributed farmland, though he emphasized that this obligation should have originally fallen to the colonial power.The President assured the ZNEF of government support for their study, encouraging both Zimbabweans and the diaspora to contribute. Reverend Felix Mukonowengwe, ZNEF chairman, underscored the forum's goal to document the trauma experienced by indigenous Zimbabweans, with hopes of preserving their accounts for future generations.Reverend Mukonowengwe shared how the remains of several prominent Zimbabwean leaders, including Chiefs Mashayamombe and Chingaira, remain in British museums, a testament to the horrors of the colonial occupation. "These atrocities are examples of the injustices inflicted on our forebears," he said, explaining how colonialism disrupted Zimbabwe's economic prosperity and led to a protracted period of exploitation.Professor Mandivamba Rukuni, a scholar involved in the study, indicated that $5 million is required to complete the research, which would include travel expenses and legal consultation. Prof. Rukuni highlighted how case studies from Kenya and Namibia would be integral to their litigation strategy, with plans to hire top legal experts to press claims in international courts.Kenya's Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Stella Munyi, expressed solidarity with Zimbabwe's pursuit of reparations, drawing from Kenya's experience with the British government over the Mau Mau Uprising. In 2013, Britain awarded 19.9 million to over 500 Kenyans who endured torture under colonial rule."I encourage you; the tide will turn," said Ambassador Munyi. "The lessons from the Mau Mau compensation case offer valuable insights for Zimbabwe as it seeks justice for colonial-era human rights abuses."As Zimbabwe embarks on this path, the ZNEF's study is poised to serve as a crucial component in the pursuit of reparations, providing evidence and substantiating the enduring impacts of colonial injustices on Zimbabwe's communities. Castlebar Educate Together National School is escalating its campaign for a promised new school building following over two years of deadlock with the Department of Education. The school opened in temporary accommodation in Cavendish Lane in 2016 with twelve pupils and continued to grow into a three-campus school with 124 pupils today. Following school board engagement with the Department of Education, Minister Norma Foley visited the school in September 2022 and, acknowledging that the buildings were inadequate, promised a new school building would be built. In early 2023, the school board forwarded potential public and privately owned brownfield and greenfield sites to the Ministers department as requested. With the assistance of Minister Alan Dillon, a representation from the school met Minister Foley in Leinster House on May 29 last year. Board chairperson Yvonne Coyne explained: Since that meeting, there has been no movement by the Department. We are very frustrated that over two years on from the Ministers promise, a new school site has not been identified. A school board commissioned report by OMD Design consultant engineers into the suitability of the schools current buildings has reinforced the view of the board, staff and parents that the buildings are not, and have never been, fit for purpose. Staff at Castlebar Educate Together have raised the dire working conditions with the Irish National Teachers' Organisation. Families and staff in Educate Together have no choice but to escalate our campaign, as it is clear the seriousness of our situation is not being heard by Minister Foley or her Department. Our school board, staff, children and parents will be bringing our voices to the gates of Dail Eireann on Wednesday, November 6. It is unfortunate that families have to go to such lengths to be heard, but we intend to continue our campaign until the Minister fulfils her promise. concluded Ms Coyne. As I approach my one hundredth fortnightly column for The Mayo News, I have begun to reflect on how writing this column has accompanied a gradual but profound change in my understanding of Mayo and Irish regions. As a child living in Dublin, I always looked forward to extended summer visits to my grandparents in Murrisk. My father left his birthplace in 1932, at the tender age of 16, joined the civil service and worked all his life in Dublin. He never fully adjusted to city life, and I inherited his ambivalence to urban living. As rural Ireland emptied its young people to Dublin, other Irish cities and beyond, there were many like him who were uprooted. After he retired, he moved back to Murrisk and I maintained continuity in my own links to Mayo. LIFE-ENHANCING OPPORTUNITIES Since moving to Mayo full-time, John Bradley has enjoyed exploring county's great outdootrs including the sea caves hear Roonagh by kayak. Pic: John Bradley My late fathers cottage was basic and had the dampness and coldness of cottages of that era. But it was located on the slopes of Croagh Patrick with views over Clew Bay, Clare Island and the Nephin mountains. I tried to persuade him to switch his open fire for a more efficient wood-burning stove, but he was traditional in his heating preferences. After his death in 1995, I took over his cottage and renovated it to meet the requirements of a heat-loving city dweller. Shifting perspectives A shift to living for longer periods in Mayo changed my understanding of its attractions and challenges. Perhaps the biggest change was to understand that country life is more personal. In Dublin I never bothered to get to know who the local politicians were. Dublin, by its large size and centrality in national life, is self-sustaining and attracts attention simply due to its big population. In Mayo, politicians loom larger in daily life than in cities. Rural areas, with their people scattered across small towns and villages, exercise no such political attraction. Local politicians and other civic leaders have to fight hard to overcome the centripetal forces of the Dublin metropolis in order to prevent their region lagging even further behind. CONNECTING THE WEST The late Fr Micheal Mac Greil, a staunch supporter of the Western Rail Corridor and the economic benefits it could bring to Mayo and the west. Pic: West on Track Having spent all my professional life as an economist working on the national economy, on other EU economies and in developing countries, I had a pronounced top-down mentality. But you didnt have to talk to the late Fr Micheal Mac Greil for long to have that mentality beaten out of you! Late in life I came to understand that the decline of regions is not only bad for the regions but is also bad for the consequential unbalanced growth of cities that it sets in motion. Big cities have an important role to play in national prosperity, but you impoverish your peripheral regions at your peril. My foray into journalism came late in life. Edwin McGreal published an innovative series of articles in this newspaper on the challenges of regional development. After many interactions with him (regional newspapers tend to welcome participation, unlike the nationals!), it was suggested that I might write a fortnightly column on themes of economic and social relevance. It took a while for me to understand that while debates and strong criticism in city environments are just business, in small regions there is a stronger element of the personal and of community views that serve to temper anger. The fact that local politicians are perceived to be fighting the good fight against our Dublin-based masters often mutes criticism. Most politicians, but particularly local ones, seldom retire without fulsome public praise for their dedicated service! Persistent themes Looking back on almost one hundred columns, some strong themes emerged. Given my economic background, it was not surprising to see that the dreadful state of regional development policy in Ireland came top of the list. The city-based, top-down nature of Project Ireland 2040 has serious negative consequences for the Northern and Western Region that I fear they are not fully appreciated. Next was the weak and dysfunctional nature of local government in Ireland, imposed from the centre by Dublin, and its implications for our own Mayo County Council. The division of Mayo into three municipal sub-regions makes no sense in terms of empowering towns and villages to manage their own affairs effectively. I am writing this column while on a short break in northern Spain, and weep in frustration when I observe the benefits of devolved government here. DUBLIN AND THE REGIONS The weak and dysfunctional nature of local government, a consequence of an overly centralised government in Dublin, has often been highlighted in these pages. Pic: Stefan Jurgensen/cc-by-sa 2.0 A third theme related to a realisation that there should be greater treatment of events and issues outside our somewhat inward looking country. Many of the forces driving our economy are external, and a good way to judge how well we are doing is to compare and contrast with external states and their regions. However, writing these columns was not always so earnest or didactic. There was much to celebrate about life in Mayo and the life-enhancing opportunities and experiences that it offered. There were mountains to be climbed, islands to be visited, Western Rail Corridors to be restored, nature to be preserved, the culture and dynamism in our towns to be celebrated. The fact that much political power has been removed from local political institutions makes the job of preserving what is good in the county more difficult in our overly centralised governance system. I remain shocked that we have accepted a system that is so dramatically out of line with all other EU states. It is disturbing that our local politicians appear to be relatively unconcerned about reform. John Bradley is a former ESRI professor and has published on the island economy of Ireland, EU development policy, industrial strategy and economic modelling. Orangeworks Automotive, Irelands exclusive importer and distributor of the INEOS Grenadier, is thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for 4x4 enthusiasts. On the 9th November, Orangeworks Automotive will be hosting test drives at Westport House showcasing the extraordinary capabilities of both the Grenadier and the new Grenadier Quartermaster. Please note test drives will not be affected by Westport Sea2Summit Adventure Race. The INEOS Grenadier is engineered for adventure, boasting exceptional off-road performance and rugged durability, ideal for those who demand more from their vehicle. The Quartermaster, the latest addition to the line-up, delivers the same uncompromising power with added versatility for heavy-duty tasks. Whether youre a professional looking for a reliable workhorse or an outdoor adventurer, these vehicles are built to tackle the toughest terrain with ease. Pricing from 68,995. This is a unique chance to get behind the wheel and experience first-hand why the Grenadier is considered the best in its class. To book your spot, contact Orangeworks Automotive today via email at hello@orangeworksautomotive.com or visit our website www.orangeworksautomotive.com. Dont miss this exclusive event to experience the unrivalled INEOS Grenadier and Quartermaster. *SPONSORED CONTENT* News / National by Staff reporter Three police officers from Tshitulipasi Police Station in Beitbridge East - Courage Majoni (32), Jabulani Museba (33), and Enock Nyamupandu (35) - were acquitted by Regional Magistrate Innocent Bepura on charges of allegedly raping an 18-year-old woman on separate occasions last month. The decision followed a trial that saw the defense challenge the credibility of the complainant's testimony.The allegations against the officers were that on June 5, Museba allegedly forced his way into a bathroom where the woman was bathing and assaulted her, allegedly threatening to harm her and her aunt if they reported the incident. It was further alleged that on June 8, Majoni used a similar approach to abuse the complainant, followed by Nyamupandu on June 13, who allegedly entered her home and threatened her with a knife before raping her.Defense attorney Muchihwande Forbes Sithole argued that inconsistencies in the complainant's statements cast doubt on the allegations. The court was presented with text messages from the complainant expressing gratitude to one of the accused after one of the alleged incidents. Sithole also highlighted that the complainant had delayed reporting the incidents for nearly a month, and only did so after returning to Bulawayo, where she disclosed the alleged abuse to her mother.Further questioning revealed that the complainant had initially told investigators she did not have a phone, though this statement was contradicted in court. Sithole argued this was part of an attempt to mislead the investigation, adding that she also presented herself as illiterate, which her mother refuted, stating she had passed several O-Level subjects.Prosecutor Tsitsi Mutukwa presented the state's case, but Magistrate Bepura ruled that the evidence presented was insufficient to convict the accused, citing inconsistencies and the delay in reporting as key factors in his judgment. The case, initially reported at Bulawayo's Western Commonage Police Station, was dismissed, and the officers were acquitted. by Ray Schultz , October 31, 2024 The Washington Post may be losing subscribers by the hundreds of thousands over its decision to not endorse a presidential candidate (specifically Kamala Harris). But The Guardian, which supports Harris, garnered pledges of $2.16 million through Tuesday night from U.S. readers with fundraising emails that pulled $485,000 last Friday alone, according to NiemanLab. The email from U.S. Editor Betsy Reed, which linked to the papers endorsement of Harris, was titled On the Washington Post and L.A. Times, NiemanLab reports. Reed wrote as follows: The L.A. Times and the Washington Post both have a tradition of issuing editorial endorsements, but in this most consequential of contests for our country, they have chosen to sit on the sidelines of democracy and not alienate any candidate. Something these two papers have in common? They both have billionaire owners who could face retaliation in a Trump presidency." advertisement advertisement The email continues: It has never been clearer that media ownership matters to democracy. The Guardian is not billionaire-owned; nor do we have shareholders. We are supported by readers and owned by The Scott Trust, which guarantees our editorial independence in perpetuity. Nobody influences our journalism. We are fiercely independent and accountable only to you, our readers. The Guardian, which does not have a paywall, funds itself in part through reader donations. The Philadelphia Inquirer, which has also endorsed Harris, pulled more than 4,200 digital subscribersthree times the typical weeks total, Sarah Scire writes in NiemanLab. However, The Los Angeles Times -- another paper that declined to endorse a candidate -- lost 7,200 subscribers, that paper reported earlier this week. Presumably, some of the Posts and Times subscribers will return when the election is over. Meanwhile, an unconfirmed report in The Daily Mail states that Post owner Jeff Bezos has ordered his editors to hire more conservatives. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, November 1, 2024 NP Digital has been appointed the Agency of Record (AOR) for all media by Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada. The choice and expansion builds on earned media and analytics work during the past 18 months. NP Digital will lead the development and execution of media strategies to drive the brands growth across the Canadian market, and will partner closely with Ogilvy, which has been selected for creative production. Steve Carter, marketing director at Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, noted NP Digitals independence as a strength, meaning that the agency does not belong to a large holding company. NP Digital is agile, with a well-positioned structure to support Mitsubishis needs, he said, making it easier to build on recent momentum and achieve our ambitious growth plans in Canada. advertisement advertisement Mitsubishi Motors saw record growth driven by models like the Outlander PHEV, and the company believes NP Digitals technical media skills will support its ongoing success. Ronnie Malewski, Canadian managing director at NP Digital -- who joined the company from Dentsu three years ago to build out the agencys presence in Canada -- said the goal has been to stay laser focused to support brands like Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada. We gave them examples of how we can reach specific demographic to make their media go far, Malewski said. We mapped where their EV sales come from and where they have dealerships and possible gaps and the role media can play. Malewski also spoke about studies to map media, analyzing media effectiveness, and forecasting timeframes such as how long it could take for a consumer exposed to an ad to make the decision to purchase a car. Building out the agency from nothing required NP Digital in Canada to invest in people, Malewski said. We hired many of our clients who wanted to work at and agency and took people from different background, he said. We also went into the data, and were all in it together. All of us love marketing and advertising. Malewski, who now has a support team of more than 50 employees, is on a hiring spree to serve at least 54 clients. We started with zero revenue three years ago, saying no a lot to things that would be a distraction, he said. Theres something in the power of saying no when focused on supporting those companies we thought we could have an impact on. NP Digital had previously supported Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada through data tracking, measurement, customer journey mapping and more, to build a complete data framework. When asked if he thought Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada would expand support to other regions, Malewski said they have not hinted at that, but we had done work with LG, starting off in Canada, and now they have been inquiring about other areas. Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada AOR marks the latest in a series of achievements for NP Digital Canada, including appointments with major brands in Education, Retail and SAAS, including Lee Valley, LG, and the Schulich School of Business. News / National by Staff reporter Councillors from Tsholotsho North constituency have highlighted water, health, and education as the most pressing challenges facing their communities, urging their Member of Parliament, Libion Sibanda, to prioritize these sectors in the allocation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).During a consultative meeting held in Tsholotsho, the councillors voiced their concerns over inadequate access to clean water, with some schools and villages completely lacking potable water sources. Ward 21 councillor Felix Tshuma expressed dismay at the situation, emphasizing the need for urgent action."It is disheartening that in this century, we have a village that does not have access to water. There is no borehole, nothing," Tshuma lamented, advocating for the use of CDF funds to drill a borehole to serve affected villagers. "I hope some of the CDF funds can be used to alleviate the water challenges."Ward 7 councillor Jabulani Sigadula echoed Tshuma's sentiments, stating that many existing boreholes were non-functional and required urgent repairs to ensure a consistent water supply. He noted the need for the flashing of boreholes and fixing collapsed pipes to improve accessibility.Ward 8 councillor Jazz Sibanda reported that several water sources in the area had dried up, exacerbating the ongoing water crisis. The government has allocated US$5,000 in CDF funds to each constituency, although the funds will be disbursed in the local Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency at the official rate.MP Libion Sibanda committed to a transparent allocation of CDF, focusing on the constituency's most urgent needs. He announced plans to establish a committee responsible for overseeing the distribution of funds and selecting priority projects."Water access is the biggest challenge we are facing in the constituency, and even those who have access often have to walk long distances to collect water," Sibanda remarked. He also emphasized the importance of addressing educational infrastructure, noting that several schools required repairs after severe weather events damaged roofs.Health facilities in the constituency also face significant challenges, with councillors calling for urgent attention to these issues. Improving the Tsholotsho Centre is also a priority for Sibanda under the CDF programme.Parliament has set a deadline of November 30 for the submission of CDF plans by MPs, creating a pressing timeline for addressing these critical community needs. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, November 1, 2024 The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau may sue Meta over financial ads on the platform, the company disclosed in a Thursday night filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Meta said in the filing that it was notified in September that agency staff may recommend legal action over the alleged receipt and use for advertising of financial information from third parties through certain advertising tools as well as our related user disclosures and controls. Meta added that it disagrees with the claims under consideration, and believes an enforcement action isn't warranted. The company declined to comment further to MediaPost. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, headed by former Federal Trade Commission member Rohit Chopra, hasn't yet indicated exactly how Meta's alleged use of financial information in advertising may have violated the law. advertisement advertisement Should the agency sue Meta, the company is likely to argue that it isn't subject to regulation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The bureau is empowered to police certain practices by financial services providers -- such as banks -- as well as companies that offer "material services" to those providers. In 2022, the agency said in an interpretive statement that material services include certain forms of targeted advertising. Digital marketers that are materially involved in the development of content strategy by identifying or selecting prospective customers and/or selecting or placing content to affect consumer engagement, including purchasing or adoption behavior, typically provide a material service, the agency wrote. That interpretation hasn't yet been tested in court. Regardless of whether the interpretation will hold up, the fact that the agency issued the statement likely put Meta on notice it might be investigated over financial ads, according to Rick Borden, a partner in the data strategy, privacy and security group at the law firm Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz. It was a direct volley across the bow Borden says. They put this out two years ago. At some point, there was going to be an investigation of the large players in digital advertising. I would expect that Meta knew this and was prepared, and may have had reams of information ready to provide, he adds. Meta has previously faced claims that its ad targeting tools facilitated discrimination. In 2022, the company said it would revise its ad targeting system to settle a complaint by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which had alleged that the company violated civil rights laws by blocking housing ads from being shown to people based on factors such as race and gender. At the time Meta said it would also apply the new machine learning ad targeting system to ads for jobs and credit. John Davisson, senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, cheered news of the current investigation. It's encouraging to see the CFPB scrutinizing Meta's advertising practices -- especially with respect to financial products, he said, adding that consumers' financial data can be particularly sensitive. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, November 1, 2024 Meta Platforms is pressing a federal judge to dismiss former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee's lawsuit over allegations that the social platform displayed ads that misappropriated his identity to sell CBD gummies. Section 230 provides complete immunity from suit for all of plaintiffs claims, requiring dismissal of plaintiffs complaint in full, the company argues in papers filed in late October with U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Williams in Wilmington, Delaware. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act broadly immunizes web companies from liability for material created by outside advertisers. Meta's new papers come in a battle dating to June 2023, when Huckabee sued Meta over the ads. Among other claims, he said Meta violated an Arkansas law that gives people the right to control the commercial use of their names and images. advertisement advertisement Because Meta approved and maintained advertisements that unauthorizedly used and exploited plaintiffs name, photograph, and likeness, plaintiff is now wrongly associated with the CBD industry and marijuana use, Huckabee alleged. His complaint referenced several fake ads, including one that linked to a phony Fox News site. Meta argued in a September filing that it was protected by Section 230, arguing that the ads were created by third parties. Huckabee countered in early October that Section 230 shouldn't apply for several reasons, including that Meta allegedly used algorithms to serve ads. Attorneys for the former governor noted that the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals -- which covers Delaware -- recently ruled in a separate matter that Section 230 didn't protect TikTok from claims over its algorithmic recommendations. Meta argues in its new papers that the decision regarding TikTok isn't relevant to Huckabee's lawsuit because the reach of the ads that used his image depended on input from third-party advertisers, and were not the creation of Metas algorithm. Williams hasn't yet indicated when he will issue a ruling. All operations at the new warehouse site will be automated (Photo: Panattoni) One of Europe's leading commercial developers is constructing an AI controlled distribution centre for a Polish retailer. The site in Wilcza Gora, near Warsaw, will service retailer's Auchan Polska customers from its updated internet platform. Within the centre, which is being constructed by Italian developer Panattoni, all operations will be automated using proprietary systems from Ocado based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. This year in April, Auchan Polska unveiled its new internet store, which prioritises convenience and more personalised shopping for its customers. This represented the first stage of a partnership between Auchan and UK-based Ocado a leader in logistics automation and robotics for the e-grocery business. The next stage will involve the opening of an automated distribution centre to support customers with artificial intelligence and machine learning. Such systems will broaden the range of goods on offer to as many as 40,000 products and enable deliveries including same day deliveries to be improved with more flexible timings, thus increasing the convenience of shopping online. We can confidently say that our hi-tech distribution centre is going to be a real game-changer for the Polish market, says Piotr Dopieraa, the Supply Chain & Logistics director at Auchan Polska. It is an honour and a mark of Auchan Polskas confidence to have been entrusted with the development of such a strategically important project. "The new distribution centre will enable our client to scale up its e-commerce operations, which is a particularly promising part of its business. "Because of the extensive automation and customisation to meet the demands of the e-grocery business, this project is exceptionally innovative." A special mezzanine is to be fitted in the 18,000 sqm centre for the installation of the Ocado system. Due to the specific nature of the goods to be stored, separate zones are to be created including chilled areas and freezer areas with a temperature control system to ensure the highest quality and safety of the food. The control system will maintain a temperature of between 2C and 5C in the refrigerated section and between -20C and -22C in the freezer area. The clients requirements also specify roofing above the external loading dock gates for trucks and courier vans, a sprinkler system that meets the FM Global standard and reinforced flooring with a load bearing capacity of 165 kN per foot, and zoned up to even 210 kN. Construction work on the new distribution centre was launched in the third quarter of this year with the work scheduled for completion in June 2025. KHARKIV, Ukraine Each time U.S. philanthropist Amed Khan returns to Ukraine, he begins by offering condolences for those killed in the war since his last trip. Over the past two and a half years, his group has provided over $50 million in aid to civilians and soldiers fighting to survive Russias invasion. Some of those are already dead. For Khan, a U.S. government official turned philanthropist, those he supports are like family. He travels to meet them on the front lines and in war-torn cities. His closeness to those enduring the war also exposes him to the pain and loss they experience first-hand. When youre involved with people directly, you feel the pain of war, he says, moments after meeting a father who survived a bombing that killed his son. Khan and many other Americans across the U.S. political spectrum who support Ukraine's war effort, either through financial aid or voluntary combat, say the U.S. Ukraines main ally hasnt done enough to help Ukraine defeat Russia. They doubt Tuesdays U.S. elections will change that. Since the war began, the United States did manage to rally the allies to support Ukraine, but not in the way it should, said Khan, who was a campaigner for then-Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton in 1992. So my belief is that their strategy is not for Ukraine to necessarily win and for Russia to lose. He spoke to The Associated Press over the weekend in the eastern Kharkiv region, one of several stops on his planned route all located along the front line. The U.S. has provided over $59.5 billion in military aid since Russia invaded in 2022, yet many say Kyivs potential has often been stymied by American politics. Ukrainian officials say that promised weapons frequently arrive late. Zelenskys requests for an invitation to join NATO and permission to use Western-donated weapons to strike deeper into Russia have been met with caution by the Democratic administration of President Joe Biden over fears of escalation with a nuclear-armed Russia. Biden's vice president, the Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, is likely to pursue a similar policy, while former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, has repeatedly taken issue with U.S. aid to Ukraine and might seek to further limit military support, though he also has cited an undetailed plan to end the war quickly. Meanwhile, Russia has succeeded in strengthening its alliances with Iran and North Korea, the latter reportedly sending troops to aid Russias fight. If the war escalates, then were in it and were not even providing Ukraine enough to win, another U.S. philanthropist, Howard G. Buffett, said during a recent visit to Ukraine, his 16th since the outbreak of the war. And weve never had a strategy on how were going to defeat Russia," Buffett said. Buffett, a Republican and son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett, focuses on humanitarian needs like infrastructure, agriculture, and demining, and his foundation has contributed about $800 million to Ukraine. If Ukraine is not successful, the rest of the democratic world is going to pay a high price, Buffett told AP. And the fact that we dont all collectively understand that, see that, and act on it is going to be the biggest mistake of what will ever occur in my lifetime. Compelled by this same belief, one American volunteer flew to Poland in August to enlist in Ukraines international legion, after ruminating over the choice for about a year. I feel like the decision was harder than it should have been, says the 35-year-old fighter, who asked to be identified by the call sign Smoky in keeping with Ukrainian military protocol. A former accountant with no military experience, he now serves in one of Ukraines units in eastern Kharkiv region. Smoky, a father of two young daughters, says watching the impact of Russias invasion on Ukrainian families weighed heavily on him. While the U.S. election campaign rages back home, Smoky says hes glad to be away from all that drama. Instead he is focused on preparing for his first mission as an infantryman. Were tying Ukraines hands with restrictions on using specific weapons, he argues. It feels like were just prolonging the war. Another 25-year-old volunteer fighter from Texas, with the call sign Dima, began a three-month commitment to fight in Ukraine in 2022, and that has since turned into a commitment of years. A former Marine, he has seen some of the wars fiercest battles, including the longest one for Bakhmut, after which he took his only break. When he flew back to meet his family and friends at home, nobody could relate to his experiences. On top, the U.S. is dealing with so many problems of our own right now, he said. So theyre feeling like less inclined now to send more of our tax money here, which I understand, he said. But as an individual thats been here since the beginning of the war, I see it is definitely needed. Khan, who now manages about 300 ongoing projects in Ukraine, urged his fellow U.S. citizens to focus on the lives shattered by the conflict in Ukraine, stressing that the wars outcome could significantly affect global security. Khan said he hopes the winner of the U.S. presidential election will "really, really spend more time understanding what's happening here. I would urge whoever wins to do that and then try and seek a new way forward to end this war. Associated Press journalist Volodymyr Yurchuk contributed to this story. Marines with Skin Condition Affecting Mostly Black Men Could Now Be Booted Under New Policy A new Marine Corps policy says troops with a genetic skin condition that can cause pain and scarring from shaving and mainly... WASHINGTON The U.S. and South Korea have called on China to use its influence over Russia and North Korea to prevent escalation after Pyongyang sent thousands of troops to Russia to aid Moscow's war against Ukraine. Beijing has so far stayed quiet. In a rare meeting earlier this week, three top U.S. diplomats met with Chinas ambassador to the United States to emphasize U.S. concerns and urge China to use its sway with North Korea to try to curtail the cooperation, according to a State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that the sides had a robust conversation just this week" and that China knows U.S. expectations are that theyll use the influence that they have to work to curb these activities." But I think this is a demand signal thats coming not just from us, but from countries around the world, he said at a news conference in Washington with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and their South Korean counterparts. Liu Pengyu, spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said in a statement that China's position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. China strives "for peace talks and political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. This position remains unchanged. China will continue to play a constructive role to this end, Liu said. The U.S. says 8,000 North Korean soldiers are in Russia near Ukraines border and are preparing to help the Kremlin fight against Ukrainian troops in the coming days. China has yet to publicly comment on the move. Beijing has forged a no limits partnership with Moscow, and while it has also been a major ally for Pyongyang, experts say Beijing might not approve of the closer military partnership between Russia and North Korea because it sees it as destabilizing in the region. The Russia-North Korea partnership runs contrary to Beijings goal for a peaceful Korean Peninsula, said Shi Yinhong, an international relations expert at Chinas Renmin University. Beijing is aware of the complexity and danger of the situation, Shi said, noting that the fact that China hasnt said anything yet on the military alliance agreement between North Korea and Russia indicates that China strongly disagrees with it. Dennis Wilder, senior fellow for the Initiative for U.S.-China Dialogue on global issues at Georgetown University, called Beijings radio silence on North Koreas move staggering." He said Beijing must find a balance between supporting Moscow and not angering the West, and that Chinese President Xi Jinping might for his own sake ignore the whole thing. Xi has built a personal relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and he cannot see Putin fail, Wilder said this week at a panel discussion hosted by the Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies. At the same time, Xi cannot anger the Europeans and Americans when his country's economy is struggling, Wilder said. So hes not going to say anything publicly about this, Wilder said. Victor Cha, Korean chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said at the same panel discussion that for China, theres probably a combination of a little bit of exasperation, a little bit of panic and a little bit of they dont know what to do with regard to the current situation. Its unclear if Beijing was informed of Pyongyang's move in advance, Cha said. Beijing also could fret over Russia gaining more influence than China over North Korea, Cha said. Austin said Thursday that China should be asking Russia some hard questions at this point and whether it intends to broaden this conflict by this kind of behavior. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Dan Kritenbrink and Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs James OBrien met with Chinese envoy Xie Feng in Washington on Tuesday, according to the State Department official, who would not detail the Chinese response. Lu Chao, director of the Institute of American and East Asian Studies at Liaoning University in China's northeastern province of Liaoning, said the U.S. should not expect China to manage North Korea. It is not the case that China is responsible to manage North Korea and the U.S. is responsible for managing South Korea, Lu said. I hope the U.S. government could understand Chinas stance." Lu also said the troop deployment is a matter between Russia and North Korea, while Chinas attitude remains unchanged that the conflict should not be escalated. AP researcher Yu Bing in Beijing contributed to this report. News / National by Staff reporter Frank Humbe, a Harare businessman, has suffered a setback in his ongoing legal battle over a disputed property in Borrowdale, as the Supreme Court has dismissed his appeal against the High Court's decision to strike off his application for rescission of a default judgment. The court ruling, which comes with costs awarded to the opposing party, solidifies the previous judgment regarding the sale of a US$380,000 property.Humbe's legal troubles date back to 2015, when he became embroiled in a contentious dispute with fellow businessman Godfrey Munyamana and his company, Sparkles Services, over the sale of a house located at 67 Hogerty Hill in Borrowdale.In his appeal, Humbe cited a total of seven respondents, including Desmond Muchina, Munyamana, and the Registrar of Deeds, among others. He initially approached the High Court seeking to overturn a default judgment that had been obtained by Muchina against Munyamana and Sparkles Services under case number HC 11601/17. Humbe also sought an order to nullify the subsequent sale in execution by the Sheriff and the cancellation of Deed of Transfer number 2446/19, which registered the property in question to a third party.Humbe claimed that after purchasing the house, he had taken possession without an official transfer of ownership. He asserted that he had issued summons for the property transfer while Muchina and Munyamana faced a separate legal action concerning a debt of US$352,851.30 owed to Muchina. The lack of defense in the debt case led to a default judgment against Munyamana, prompting Muchina to initiate eviction proceedings against Humbe.Following the eviction order, the Sheriff attached and sold the property to Tonderai Matingo, who subsequently registered it under Deed Number 2446/19. In 2020, Matingo secured a summary judgment for eviction, further complicating Humbe's position.Humbe contended that the default judgment was based on fraudulent actions by Muchina and Munyamana, arguing that he was a victim of deception. However, his application was dismissed by High Court Judge Justice Priscilla Munangati Manongwa.In the Supreme Court, Justices Chinembiri Bhunu, Lavender Makoni, and Felistas Chitakunye reviewed the case and upheld the High Court's decision. The judges ruled that Humbe's application for rescission of judgment was to be dismissed with high costs, effectively ending his legal challenge.The outcome of this case highlights the complexities of property disputes and the importance of defending legal actions in a timely manner to avoid default judgments. A shortfall in the Department of Veterans Affairs' health-care budget isn't as big as previously predicted, but the department will still need some extra money next year, department officials told Congress this week. In a memo to lawmakers, VA officials said costs have been lower than expected, but that some of the things the department has been doing to live within its budget "are not sustainable in the long run." "That's why, as requested by the administration last fiscal year, we still need a funding anomaly by the end of this calendar year to ensure that we are able to continue to provide veterans with the world-class care and benefits they deserve through FY 2025," the memo to the House Veterans Affairs Committee said. Read Next: Marine Corps Blames Pilot Error for Crash of Malfunctioning F-35 in South Carolina Forest The memo did not provide an exact amount of extra funding needed for next year, saying officials are still doing final calculations on the VA's fiscal 2024 spending and that they "will come back to [lawmakers] with more information as soon as possible." Over the summer, the VA informed Congress that it was facing a $12 billion shortfall in fiscal 2025 for veterans health care. The new projection for the medical budget, as well as additional information about a previously stated benefits funding shortfall, infuriated a pair of top House Republicans, who sent a fiery letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough on Friday, accusing officials of "repeatedly misinform[ing] Congress and our nation's veterans, even risking inciting a panic among veterans about their benefits being delayed or cut." "The response shows that, in fact, no benefits shortfall ever existed and much of the information your leadership team has provided about a purported health care shortfall was erroneous," House Veteran Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., and Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee's VA subcommittee, wrote in the letter. "This revelation severely undermines our confidence in the Biden-Harris administration's stewardship of the federal budget and your management of VA." The shortfall, VA said over the summer, included about $3 billion in disability and education benefits funding in fiscal 2024 and $12 billion in medical funding in fiscal 2025. Officials largely attributed the shortfalls to higher-than-expected benefits and enrollment from the PACT Act, the sweeping toxic exposure bill that expanded benefits and health care to millions of veterans exposed to environmental hazards during their military service. Amid VA warnings that veterans benefits checks could be delayed if Congress did not provide more funding, lawmakers approved nearly $3 billion in September to cover the stated benefits funding shortfall. Republicans, though, were more hesitant to approve the $12 billion for medical care, arguing they had outstanding questions about that shortfall. VA officials had asked for the medical funding to be included in a stopgap spending bill that Congress approved at the end of September, warning that the department would struggle to keep up with demand from veterans without the extra money. Lawmakers ultimately did not include the $12 billion in the stopgap bill and have not committed to including it in another government spending bill they will need to pass in December. Now, the VA memo to lawmakers this week suggested both the benefits funding and medical funding shortfalls were not as bad as previously stated. None of the nearly $3 billion Congress approved in September was used to cover benefits payments for fiscal 2024, and even without that funding, the VA would have had about $2.2 billion left in its benefits accounts at the end of the fiscal year, the memo said. Still, the VA defended asking Congress for the extra money and said it would go toward benefits in the beginning of fiscal 2025. "While the supplemental funding was not immediately utilized, it was critical that we had this funding on hand -- because if we had even been $1 short on Sept. 20, we could not certify our payment files and more than 7 million veterans and survivors would have had delays in their disability compensation, pension and education benefits on Oct. 1," the memo said. For the medical budget, the VA has been able to stretch funding because staffing costs were lower than expected, the department did not purchase as much equipment as planned, and the community care budget didn't grow as much as feared, the memo said. But those practices aren't feasible for long, because "VA cannot continue to delay medical equipment purchases year over year -- and as we briefed Congress last year, we need to strategically hire approximately 5,000 additional employees in high-growth areas such as mental health," the memo added. Asked about Bost and Carter's letter and the new calculations for the health-care shortfall, the VA sent Military.com a statement about the benefits funding shortfall without addressing the health-care shortfall. A department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a follow-up request for information about the health-care shortfall. In its statement, the VA reiterated points made in the memo to Congress that it asked for the extra benefits funding "out of an abundance of caution" and that the money left over in the benefits account at the end of the fiscal year was far less than previous years. "The amount of the emergency funding and more was used in October -- and it went directly to providing disability compensation and education benefits for veterans and their families," VA spokesperson Terrence Hayes said in a statement, meaning the money was used in the first month of fiscal 2025. In their letter to McDonough, Bost and Carter said he needed to "come clean" about the VA's budget situation and answer outstanding questions lawmakers still have. In a separate statement, Bost also said administration officials "should be ashamed of themselves for how they have mismanaged the VA budget and scared veterans to death about the security of their health care and benefits." "We will be launching a full investigation to get to the bottom of this," Bost added, "but until then I have one question for Secretary McDonough: Who is counting the money and when will they be held accountable?" Related: Extra $12B for VA Medical Budget in Limbo After Exclusion from Short-Term Spending Bill The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration. Recent calls by political leaders for the deployment of military forces to manage Election Day unrest should deeply concern every American who values democracy. As a veteran who has served this nation, I know firsthand the importance of keeping partisan politics out of our military. Former President Donald Trump's suggestion isn't just irresponsible -- it's a threat to the democratic system we swore to defend. During an interview with Fox News' Maria Bartiromo on "Sunday Morning Futures," Trump suggested deploying the military to address what he termed "the enemy from within" on Election Day. He said his concerns were less about chaos from his own supporters or foreign actors and more about others in America. "We have some very bad people. We have some sick people. Radical left lunatics," Trump said. "I think it should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military, because they can't let that happen." The idea of using military force to suppress political opposition is more than mere rhetoric; it undermines the very principles of civilian control of the military and the peaceful transfer of power. Our Founding Fathers understood this. That's why they created safeguards like the Posse Comitatus Act, designed to prevent the military from being used as a tool of political power. These safeguards are there to prevent abuses of power, and to keep our nation from slipping into authoritarianism. When a former president casually disregards these protections, we should all take notice. In 2023, I participated in a bipartisan exercise hosted by the nonpartisan Vet Voice Foundation, which examined a scenario that has become all too plausible in today's climate. Senior officials from the past five presidential administrations, alongside veterans and military leaders, role-played what would happen if a small number of radicalized elements of the military were to reject the results of a democratic election and back a losing candidate. It's the kind of scenario that, as a military officer, you hope you'll never see, but brings into sharp focus how fragile our democracy is and the need for constant vigilance. That exercise was memorialized in a new documentary, "War Game." This exercise was inspired, in part, by an op-ed written by three retired U.S. generals in the wake of Jan. 6, 2021. They warned of the possible fractures in our military that our country's political divisions could cause, leading to a breakdown in the chain of command and the possibility of extremists in the military involvement in a coup. These men were not alarmists -- they were speaking from the hard-earned experience of decades in uniform, and their words should serve as a wake-up call for all Americans. The goal of the exercise wasn't to scare anyone, but to ensure the nation is prepared. Democracy is fragile, and the peaceful transfer of power cannot be taken for granted. That's why we need to plan for these worst-case scenarios, to ensure our military leaders are equipped to resist illegal orders, and to protect our institutions from those who would undermine them. The exercise highlighted that the Insurrection Act, a federal law that grants the president authority to deploy U.S. military forces within the country to suppress civil disorder, insurrection or rebellion, could be misused by allowing a commander in chief broad authority to deploy troops domestically without clear limits, potentially stifling lawful dissent. It also underscored the need for reforms to the Insurrection Act itself, to prevent unchecked presidential power from undermining democratic freedoms and ensure that federal troop deployment is reserved strictly for genuine crises beyond the capacity of local authorities. When a former president calls for its use in an election context, we must take that threat seriously. We cannot afford to be complacent. The generals who warned of this threat in 2021 were right: The divisions in our country have deepened, and the risks have grown. The exercise I participated in was an attempt to identify and address these vulnerabilities before it's too late. But it's not just the military that needs to be prepared -- it's all of us. The responsibility to safeguard our democracy doesn't rest with any one group. It's a collective duty. Americans of all political stripes must reject the notion that the military can or should be used to settle political disputes. The strength of our democracy depends on our ability to unite, to respect the rule of law, and to ensure that our armed forces remain above the political fray. Anything less would be a betrayal of everything we've fought to protect. -- Linda L. Singh is a retired major general of the Maryland Army National Guard. She was appointed as the adjutant general of Maryland by Gov. Larry Hogan, responsible for the daily operations of the Maryland Military Department, which includes the Maryland Army National Guard, Maryland Air National Guard, Maryland Emergency Management Agency, and Maryland Defense Force. Outfielder Hunter Renfroe and reliever Chris Stratton triggered player options in their deals with the Royals, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com (X links). Kansas City declined its end of a mutual option on infielder Adam Frazier, per Feinsand. In other Royals news, lefty reliever Josh Taylor elected free agency, according to the MLB.com transaction log. Kansas City evidently ran him through outright waivers instead of reinstating him from the 60-day injured list. All three option decisions went as expected. Renfroe, Stratton and Frazier each signed as free agents last winter. None had a particularly good season. That made it a straightforward call for the players who could return to pass on their chances to retest the market, while the front office had a similarly easy call to move on from Frazier. Renfroe returns on a $7.5MM salary. Hell look to improve on this years middling .229/.297/.392 slash line. Renfroe hit 15 homers but reached base at less than a .300 clip for a second consecutive season. It was a replacement level performance altogether. Hell be penciled back in as the starting right fielder for the moment, but the corner outfield is a clear area for the front office to try to upgrade. Stratton secures a $4.5MM salary. His deal contained a $500K buyout, so that was a $4MM call. The veteran right-hander would probably be limited to minor league offers if he were a free agent. He struggled to a 5.55 earned run average through 58 1/3 innings this past season. Its not a guarantee that the Royals keep him on the roster all winter. If they do bring him back, theyll hope to get something closer to the 82 2/3 innings of 3.92 ball that he provided the Cardinals and Rangers in 2023. Frazier gets a $2.5MM buyout instead of an $8.5MM salary. The former All-Star second baseman hasnt hit much since being traded from Pittsburgh to San Diego in 2021. That continued during what looks like itll be his lone season in Kansas City. Frazier hit .202/.282/.294 while appearing in 104 games. Michael Massey outplayed him to take the second base job. Frazier might need to settle for a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite this winter. As for Taylor, this effectively serves as an early non-tender. He was eligible for arbitration for a final time. While he was projected for a modest $1.1MM salary, the Royals didnt want to create a 40-man roster spot after he missed the entire 2024 season. Taylor lost this year to a biceps injury and has also struggled with back issues in recent years. The Marlins announced that they have claimed right-hander Christian Roa off waivers from the Reds. Christina De Nicola of MLB.com relayed the claim on X prior to the official announcement. The Fish also announced that right-handers Shaun Anderson, Darren McCaughan and Adam Oller as well as infielder/outfielder David Hensley have been outrighted to Triple-A Jacksonville. Oller is expected to elect free agency and pursue opportunities in Asia, per Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 on X. Roa, 25, was on Cincinnatis 60-day injured list but the IL goes away five days after the World Series. Rather than reinstating him to the 40-man roster, the Reds evidently tried to pass him through waivers but the Marlins grabbed him. The righty was a second-round pick of the Reds and has been a notable prospect in the clubs system since then. He has racked up a fair number of strikeouts as a minor leaguer but also given out a large number of walks. He has thrown 318 2/3 innings in his minor league career with a 4.46 ERA, 27.4% strikeout rate and 14.3% walk rate. He was added to Cincinnatis 40-man roster a year ago to keep him out of the Rule 5 draft. He spent this year pitching in Triple-A with a 5.55 ERA. His walk rate was still high at 13.5% and his strikeouts dropped to a rate of 21.2%. In August, the Reds recalled him to the majors and added him to their 60-day IL with a right shoulder sprain in order to open up a 40-man roster spot. The Marlins will take a shot on him and see if they can help him rein in that control a bit. Roa still has two more option seasons and less than a year of service time. For a rebuilding club like the Marlins, they can take their time and see if the Roa project can bear some fruit for them down the line. The four outrighted players were all fairly recent additions to the Miami roster. The club suffered a high number of injuries in 2024 and was often grabbing players from everywhere in order to keep the roster filled as they played out the string on the campaign. Anderson was designated for assignment by the Rangers at the end of May and got flipped to the Marlins for cash. He posted an 8.27 ERA in 16 1/3 innings for the Fish after that. McCaughan was claimed off waivers from the Guardians in July and went on to throw 36 innings for Miami with a 5.75 ERA. Oller signed a minor league deal with the club in July, later having his contract selected to throw 42 1/3 innings with a 5.31 ERA. Hensley was claimed off waivers from the Astros at the end of July and then hit .212/.293/.288 in 23 games as a Marlin. The three pitchers have previous career outrights and therefore have the right to elect free agency. This is Hensleys first outright but she should have the right to elect minor league free agency as a player with seven years on the farm. The Reds announced their full slate of option decisions for the 2025 season this afternoon. Right-hander Nick Martinez turned down his $12MM player option for next season. The Reds held a $3.5MM club option on lefty reliever and Cincinnati native Brent Suter, but rather than exercising it theyve signed him to a new one-year contract with a club option for the 2026 season. Hell be guaranteed $2.25MM and the option is worth $3MM, MLB.coms Mark Sheldon reports. Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer adds that the Reds first paid the $500K buyout on Suters $3.5MM option for the upcoming season before re-signing him to the new terms. Meanwhile, Cincinnati declined a $3.5MM option on catcher Luke Maile in favor of a $500K buyout, while right-hander Jakob Junis declined his end of an $8MM mutual option. Hell be paid a $3MM buyout. Each of Martinez, Maile and Junis are now free agents. Martinez, now 34, has shown a strong willingness to bet on himself when it comes to contracts. After pitching in Japan from 2018 to 2021, he has returned to North America and continually signed deals with opt-outs that he has triggered. Going into 2022, he signed a four-year, $25.5MM deal with the Padres with the ability to opt-out after each season. He eventually triggered his first opt-out and re-signed with the Friars for 2023, a $26MM guarantee over three years with a convoluted club/player option structure. After the 2023 season, the Padres turned down a two-year, $32MM club option and then Martinez turned down his two-year, $16MM player option. He then signed a two-year, $26MM deal with the Reds that again allowed him to opt out after one season. With the Padres before and with the Reds in 2024, Martinez oscillated between the rotation and bullpen. He got into 42 games this year, including 16 starts, tossing 142 1/3 innings with a 3.10 earned run average. His 20.4% strikeout rate was a bit below average but his 3.2% walk rate was elite. Among pitchers with at least 140 innings pitched this year, only George Kirby gave out free passes at a lower rate. Both with the Padres and Reds, his results have been better out of the bullpen. This year, he had a 3.84 ERA as a starter but a 1.86 mark as a reliever. Whether hell be viewed as a reliever or starter will likely differ from club to club, but he should be able to top $12MM on the open market, making his decision to opt out a logical one. Now the Reds will be able to issue him a qualifying offer and it has been suggested in some circles that they will consider it. Though Martinez is a solid contributor, it would be a bit of a surprise to see him offered a $21.05MM QO. None of his previous contracts have had an average annual value higher than $13MM, so he would likely accept such an offer. The Reds have generally had payrolls just a bit above $100MM in most recent years, per Cots Baseball Contracts, so Martinez accepting the QO would take up something approaching a fifth of their payroll. Thats a lot of money to commit to a swingman. Suter, 35, has been a steady performer in the big leagues for close to a decade now. Debuting back in 2016, he now has a 3.45 ERA in over 500 career innings. He signed with the Reds in the offseason and gave them 65 2/3 innings with a 3.15 ERA. His strikeout rate wasnt great but he demonstrated excellent control and his usual propensity for limiting damage. His average exit velocity and hard hit rate were both in the 96th percentile, according to Statcast. His previous deal came with a $2.5MM salary for 2024 and a $500K buyout on a $3.5MM club option for 2025. As mentioned, the Reds gave him that buyout and worked out a new salary for the upcoming season, also securing a club option for 26. Maile doesnt hit much but has a strong reputation as a defender and game-caller. That continued to be the case this year, as he slashed .178/.268/.252 but with solid work behind the plate. The Reds are moving on today but could perhaps circle back to Maile at a lower price point. Tyler Stephenson is the only backstop on the 40-man roster now, so they will need to find a backup, whether thats Maile or someone else. Junis, 32, has generally had solid results in his career. However, his 2024 was largely held back by injury. He signed with the Brewers in the winter, a $7MM guarantee broken up into a $4MM salary and a $3MM option. He went on the injured list early in the year due to a right shoulder impingement. His return from that injury was delayed when he was struck by a batted ball during BP. He eventually tossed 67 innings on the year with a 2.69 ERA, getting flipped from the Brewers to the Reds as part of the deadline deal that sent Frankie Montas to Milwaukee. Going back to the start of 2021, Junis has thrown 304 1/3 innings with a 3.99 ERA, 22.6% strikeout rate and 5.2% walk rate and should be able to secure himself a solid deal in free agency. ALPENA, MI November is the deadliest month for shipwrecks on the Great Lakes, from Edmund Fitzgerald to Daniel J. Morrell and Rouse Simmons and many others. Lake Hurons Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is no exception to this unfortunate trend. Over about 100 years, 20 known ships were lost within the boundaries of the 4,300-square-mile sanctuary during November. November was their last chance to get another load, another payday, said Sarah Morrison, media and outreach support specialist for the sanctuary. The stakes were higher. That money really made a difference. It was a bit of a gamble. The German freighter Nordmeer sank on Nov. 19, 1966, after a turn was miscalculated and it ran aground seven miles northeast of Thunder Bay Island. A few days later, a storm struck and tore open the ship's bottom. Many artifacts can be seen today at NOAA's Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena, Mich.NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Despite the harsh storms of November, ships would often have overloaded cargo holds for the final trip of the year, she said. That made them more vulnerable as storms arose. They were really pushing the envelope with the conditions and carrying more than they were meant to, Morrison said. Cornelia B. Windiate sank in Lake Huron off Presque Isle on Nov. 27, 1875. It was overloaded with grain when it set out from Milwaukee, Wis., on its way to Buffalo, N.Y. The ship lies almost completely intact under 185 feet of water. It was discovered in 1986. It is thought to have sunk because heavy seas covered the decks in ice causing it to settle slowly to the bottom of the lake. No signs of the eight crewmen have ever been found.NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary An example of exactly that comes with Cornelia B. Windiate, which sank on Nov. 27, 1875. Designed to carry 16,000 bushels of wheat, the 139-foot, three-masted schooner left Milwaukee, Wis., loaded with 21,000 bushels. Novembers horrible weather for shipping can include huge waves and 90 mph winds on Lake Huron, said Stephanie Gandulla, maritime archeologist for the marine sanctuary. Imagine getting on a schooner thats overloaded with grain and youre just hoping you can make this last haul so you can go home and be with your family for the holidays, she said. The crew of the Windiate didnt make it home. Cornelia B. Windiate sank in Lake Huron off Presque Isle on Nov. 27, 1875. It was overloaded with grain when it set out from Milwaukee, Wis., on its way to Buffalo, N.Y. The ship lies almost completely intact under 185 feet of water. It was discovered in 1986. It is thought to have sunk because heavy seas covered the decks in ice causing it to settle slowly to the bottom of the lake. No signs of the eight crewmen have ever been found.NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary The ship and its crew vanished off Presque Isle and were never seen again until the wreck was discovered under 185 feet of water in 1986. The lifeboat rests near the ship. The collection of shipwrecks here in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary are really a window into the lives of people we dont always hear about, Gandulla said. We dont read about them in the history books. These people were making their living off the Great Lakes, and this last cruise in November, they really needed that. Kyle Spangler sank to the bottom of Lake Huron on Nov. 7, 1860, after a collision with the schooner Racine. The crew was taken aboard Racine.NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Today, the marine sanctuary is launching a social media campaign dubbed November Wrecks, in which it will share information about all its November shipwrecks on the day they happened. Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, designated in 2000, is a 4,300-square-mile preserve that protects more than 100 historic shipwrecks in Lake Huron off the Michigan coast. It was the first marine sanctuary in the Great Lakes. Shipwrecks are available for recreation, including diving, snorkeling and paddling. LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI -- One of Michigans most popular state parks is reopening after six weeks of upgrades totaling $2.95 million. Island Lake Recreation Area in Livingston County is in the top five most-visited state parks, said Ron Olson, chief of the Parks and Recreation Division for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The park is popular with bikers because of its connection to the Great Lake to Lake trail. The park received $2.95 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding through the Michigan Better Build plan. RELATED: With $273M in hand, Michigans DNR is racing to complete 202 backlogged projects The park will reopen to vehicle traffic on Saturday, Nov. 2. Sitting along Huron River, the 4,000-acre park boasts an up north feel even though its only 20 miles from Ann Arbor. RELATED: Here are the 29 state park projects that will be completed by the end of 2024 Among the improvements are a new entrance booth area. The entrance will feature a roundabout and a dedicated Recreation Passport Express Lane to help streamline traffic flow on busy days. A brand-new roadway throughout the Kent Lake area will ensure smoother and safer travels to the beach, according to the park. Additionally, new parking lots at Kent Lake Beach and the Hickory Shelter improves parking opportunities. Accessibility improvements include a new sidewalk surrounding Kent Lake Beach and a dedicated kayak loading zone for river access at the Dam. Significant asphalt patches along the west end, along with a slurry seal, created a smoother drive and bike ride for the remaining roadway. Park improvements will continue to be finalized over the next few weeks so there will be coned off areas. Final stages of improvements include the installation of new underground utilities and finishing touches on parking lots. You can see project updates on the DNRs project dashboard. News / National by Staff reporter A former Cabinet minister has condemned the Zimbabwean government and the ruling Zanu-PF party for their hostile stance towards opposition parties, labeling it a sign of immaturity and cowardice rather than revolutionary fervor. The remarks were made by Nkosana Moyo, former Minister of Industry and International Trade, during the ongoing Ideas Festival conference organized by Alpha Media Holdings.Moyo highlighted Zimbabwe's troubling history of state-sponsored violence against opposition figures, where activists have faced persecution, imprisonment, and even death for opposing the ruling party. He emphasized the importance of respecting dissenting voices in a mature democracy."We have not yet matured to a point where we understand the value of opposition," Moyo stated. "When you've got somebody who disagrees with you, if you are a mature person, you listen very carefully to what they say, because they see things from a different perspective from you. You don't kill them."The conference, which features discussions on a variety of national issues, provided a platform for Moyo to express his concerns over the lack of dialogue and understanding between the ruling party and opposition groups. He urged Zanu-PF to recognize that opposition parties represent loyal citizens, not enemies of the state."When you take the view that opposition is disloyal to the country and is an enemy, you are going to do things without any checks and balances," he warned. "Your leadership will not have the opportunity of being refined by someone who tells you it's up to you because you don't want to listen."Moyo's comments resonated with leaders of opposition parties, who echoed his sentiments regarding Zanu-PF's approach. Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi argued that the ruling party's dismissal of opposing views only serves to stifle innovation and progress."As I speak, the ruling party is implementing some of the ideas and policies that were being advocated by President Nelson Chamisa, which shows that his ideas, though contrary to those of Zanu-PF, are also good for the country," Mkwananzi said. He cited examples such as the renaming of provinces and the proposed alternation of the capital city, which he believes could lead to positive developments across the nation.MDC leader Douglas Mwonzora's spokesperson, Lloyd Damba, also chimed in, emphasizing the importance of cultural, political, religious, and social diversity. "Unfortunately for Zanu-PF, opposition means unpatriotic because they want everyone to be cloned in the image of their president," Damba said.Linda Masarira, leader of the Labour, Economists and African Democrats party, supported Moyo's assertion, calling for a political environment that values pluralism and constructive dissent. She stressed that opposition parties should be safeguarded against repression and be included in policy and decision-making processes.As the conference continues, the dialogue around the need for respect and acceptance of diverse political views remains crucial for the future of Zimbabwe's democracy. ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI A Michigan man has been charged with multiple crimes after he allegedly threatened volunteers working at a campaign tent. The alleged incident involving 55-year-old Jason Lynch Lafond of St. Clair Shores occurred at a tent in the parking lot of a VFW on Jefferson Avenue in St. Clair Shores on Oct. 12. Lafond had approached the tent looking for campaign materials in support of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, but was told the available materials on that day were in support of Vice President Kamala Harris. Lafond allegedly shouted derogatory slurs, including ones targeting sexual orientation before telling the volunteers that when Trump wins, he will exterminate people like them. Lafond returned to his vehicle and allegedly accelerated toward volunteers, who had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck before leaving the scene. He gunned his vehicle so fast that I legitimately thought I was about to die. I thought this man was going to kill me, said Melissa Crook, a volunteer for the St. Clair Shores Democratic Club, told WWJ-TV in Detroit. I still dont know how he was able to stop his car that fast because its not an electric vehicle, but he did, and Im thankful that he did, but I thought that was it and I would never see my loved ones again. Lafond has been charged with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, a four-year felony and three counts ethnic intimidation, a two-year felony. This alleged assault was not just an assault on the victims. It was an assault on the rights of the victims to express themselves freely and safely and impacts our entire community, said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido. Acts of violence, assaults or harassment based on someones identity have no place here. It threatens our democracy and the exercise of free speech in a fair and secure election. Lafond was arraigned in St. Clair Shores District Court on Thursday. Bond was set at $50,000. A probable cause hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Nov. 8. SAULT STE. MARIE, MI A Michigan State trooper rescued a man who was pinned under about 700 pounds of drywall Thursday morning, authorities said. The 43-year-old from Levering was working alone at the Michigan State Police Sault Ste. Marie Post, which is under construction, according to a MSP news release. He was transporting large sheets of drywall on a dolly when he stopped to tie his shoe. Wind then pushed the dolly toward the man and knocked it over onto his back, causing him to drop to the ground on his stomach underneath the drywall. A Michigan State Police trooper rescued a man who became trapped under 700 pounds of drywall while working alone on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the MSP Sault Ste. Marie Post.Michigan State Police The man then began calling out for help, police said. Trooper Ferraro, who was inside the building, faintly heard the cries for help and rushed outside. Ferraro lifted the drywall sheets enough for the man to escape, police said. The man didnt suffer any major injuries. A Michigan State Police trooper rescued a man who became trapped under 700 pounds of drywall while working alone on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the MSP Sault Ste. Marie Post.Michigan State Police This incident could have had a much more serious outcome, Ferraro said. Im just glad I was nearby to help. MSP reminds people to prioritize safety while working alone, whether at home or on a jobsite. Before starting any project, plan your tasks carefully and identify potential hazards to ensure you are prepared for any challenges, officials said. Additionally, it may be a good idea to notify a friend or family member about your work plans, including the expected duration and location. This way, someone will be aware of your activities and can check on you if needed. SAGINAW, MI As November creeps around the corner, families braved the windy weather to trick-or-treat in the Saginaw and Bay City areas and to attend costume parades at schools in the area. One of those parades, at Handley Elementary School, is the International Baccalaureate (IB) Parade. Parents, families and friends gathered around the school to watch as each grade circled the school twice. Students were to dress up as historical and/or literary figures. Children show off their literary or historic character costumes during the IB Parade at Handley Elementary School in Saginaw, Mich. on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024.Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Principal Julie Miller said not all the families who attend the school celebrate Halloween in the traditional sense, so the IB Parade is to honor and acknowledge all cultures. We took an opportunity to think about the traditions of Halloween and how they relate to our school community, which mostly is IB, and took the IB learner profile attributes, Miller said. We challenged the kids and the staff to find a historical or literary character that embodies one of the IB learner profile attributes. There are q0 attributes within the IB learner profile, which includes inquirers, communicators, caring, knowledgeable, principled, risk takers, thinkers, open-minded, balanced and reflective. Miller said she dressed up as activist Julia Butterfly Hill, who stood up for the protection of ancient trees. Principal Julie Miller walks with the children in her literary or historic character costume during the IB Parade at Handley Elementary School in Saginaw, Mich. on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024.Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com She is balanced, shes a risk taker, she lived in a tree for two years to fight against clear-cutting of ancient forests, Miller said. It kind of forces kids to think about the books that theyve read, the main characters in the books, or to look back through history and look at those characters in a different way. Later in the day, throughout the Saginaw and Bay City communities on Halloween evening, hundreds of families went door-to-door to show off their costumes and collect candy. The sidewalks on Adams Boulevard were packed with families dressed as Scooby Doo and Daphne, witches, police officers, princesses and so much more. Some houses were extremely decorated to celebrate the holiday, like the ones on the West Side of Bay City on South Chilson Street. A look at a large Halloween display on S. Chilson Ave. in Bay City, Mich. on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024.Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com One of the homeowners, Matthew Aikens, said his family and neighboring homes used 38,000 lights in their display this year. This is the fifth year some of the residents on the street teamed up together to make the large display happen, he said. We like to add every year just to make it different, Aikens said. Next year we have a bunch of surprises. He added that he really enjoyed Halloween as a kid, so being able to create this legacy for his kids is a highlight every year. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. GRAYLING, MI A time capsule from 1921 was found inside a cornerstone brick this week at a National Guard base in Northern Michigan. The brick, engraved with the year 1921, was pulled out of Building 31 at Camp Grayling Joint Military Training Center, the largest National Guard training facility in the United States. Jenni Caverson, Camp Grayling community relations, wanted it to be preserved for a future museum. The 103-year-old building has been used as a welding shop and garage for fire trucks, she told MLive. At the Caversons request, carpenters Travis Beckett and Brent Kernstock pulled the brick out and noticed a small metal box inside. A time capsule from 1921 was found inside the cornerstone brick of Building 31 as it was being prepared for demolition this week. Camp Grayling carpenters Travis Beckett and Brent Kernstock pulled the brick out and noticed a small metal box inside. The contents were unveiled during a meeting Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the National Guard base in Grayling, Mich.Jennifer Caverson | Michigan National Guard The contents of the time capsule were revealed Thursday morning with Beckett and Kernstock, wearing Latex gloves, pulling items out of the box after a townhall meeting at the base. First to come out of the box were two newspapers: The Lansing State Journal from Aug. 9, 1921, and the Crawford Avalanche from Aug. 4, 1921. Headlines in the Journal included MNG (Michigan National Guard) to have air squadron, To cut taxes on ice cream, and Hold brother of murdered farmer. The paper was delivered for 10 cents per week. A story in the Avalanche was about 2,500 guardsmen arriving that Friday. A time capsule from 1921 was found inside the cornerstone brick of Building 31 as it was being prepared for demolition this week. Camp Grayling carpenters Travis Beckett and Brent Kernstock pulled the brick out and noticed a small metal box inside. The contents were unveiled during a meeting Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the National Guard base in Grayling, Mich.Jennifer Caverson | Michigan National Guard Coins, including a 1907 Liberty Head nickel, and documents also came out of the capsule. There was a letter about the placement of the capsule. This cornerstone was placed in the northeast corner of the building in due and ancient form with a little informal ceremony, the letter said. Within this vault, these records shall undoubtedly lie until their makers shall have gone to their places as stones for that spiritual building, not made by hands, eternal in the heavens. ANN ARBOR, MI - Portland may be Oregon Ducks country, but you can find a few Wolverines if you know the right place. The University of Michigan Alumni Club of Portland watches the Wolverines play each Saturday at Spirit of 77, 500 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. And you can bet theyll be there on Saturday when the No. 1 Ducks travel to Ann Arbor. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Two Grand Rapids homeless shelters are teaming up to open a community center on Sheldon Avenue SE that will provide the homeless with a warm space to rest and eat, and receive guidance for obtaining employment, housing and health resources. Degage Ministries and Melt Trotter Ministries plan to open the community center Nov. 4 at a building at 121 Sheldon Ave. SE owned by LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church. The building, known as The Vault, will be able to accommodate 80 men and women. It will be open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. GRAND RAPIDS, MI The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Michigan will oversee election-day complaints in the district as part of a nationwide project by the U.S. Justice Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Austin Hakes will lead those efforts in the district. He will oversee voting-rights complaints, threats of violence to election officials and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department officials in Washington, D.C. Jennifer and Abby McMahon are voting for the presidential candidate who they believe will protect abortion access and the rights of women and the LGBTQ community. Donald Langs vote is for whom he thinks will best address inflation and the price of groceries and gas. EAST LANSING, MI After a day of campaigning across southeast Michigan, Vice President Kamala Harris will conclude her presidential bid in the state at one of its largest universities. Harris will deliver remarks at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, on the campus of Michigan State University, her campaign announced. U.S. Justice Department staff will be at the polls in six Michigan cities on Election Day watching for any violations of federal voting rights laws. The cities where Justice Department staff will monitor polling places in Tuesday, Nov. 5, are Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Hamtramck and Warren. News / National by Staff reporter POPULAR Bulawayo mental health activist and founder of a mental health organisation, Win Over Addiction and Trauma (WOTA), Witness Bongani Mguni, has reportedly gone into hiding after allegedly defrauding a number of desperate job seekers of thousands of US dollars by promising them job opportunities abroad.Mguni, who is reportedly a psychologist, is accused of swindling money from desperate job seekers after posing as an agent of a company involved in facilitating jobs abroad.According to investigations, Mguni, allegedly working in cahoots with Buhlebenkosi Dube, defrauded multiple job seekers of their cash. The victims allegedly paid around US$3 000 each, believing that Mguni would find them Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) for care work in the United Kingdom and Ireland.Seeing that he had allegedly defrauded people and following complaints from victims of the alleged con, Mguni moved his offices from Bulawayo Centre, likely in an attempt to evade authorities and potential victims.Some victims have already reported him to the police, who have launched an investigation into the matter. A victim, who preferred anonymity for professional reasons, produced pages of evidence to B-Metro detailing what happened."For me, he asked for a deposit so that my wife could relocate, and I gave him R28 000. I promised to pay the rest when it was clear that they were moving. That was in April 2022, and together with his runner named Buhlebenkosi Dube, they had said that by November, my wife would have gone to Ireland."When November came, there was nothing, and they said they were facing some challenges with their sponsor in Ireland, so they offered to refund the money."We agreed to the refund, and they promised that the process would take only two weeks. November came and went. December came and they asked us to be patient until the end of January. But still, there was nothing by the end of January 2023," said the victim.He said Dube asked him to be patient with them and said she would pay the money in batches of R5 000 a month until they had settled the whole amount."She said she would start paying instalments at the end of April, but she never paid. She and Mguni then blocked us on their cell phones," he said.He said when they went to check on them at their offices at Bulawayo Centre, they had relocated."When I tried their numbers, they were not going through. That is when I was told by someone who took over the space they rented that many people had been there looking for Mguni and Buhlebenkosi about their refunds, and she suspected that both of them had relocated to the UK or somewhere."Then someone told me this month that Mguni is in Zimbabwe. When my wife went to Bulawayo Central Police Station to file a charge against him, she was told that these people are on the run and many cases have been opened against them," he said.Another distraught victim was in tears, narrating how she lost over US$3 000 that she had borrowed to pay Mguni for supposed overseas opportunities."He said there were many care work jobs in the UK and Ireland, and I borrowed US$3 000 to pay him for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). However, I have never been taken to the UK. When I tried to get a refund, I failed, and whenever I tried to phone him, his mobile phones were no longer reachable."To make matters worse, they have even moved from the place where they were operating from, and we don't even know where they are operating from now," she said.Some victims, desperate to expose Mguni and seek justice, have taken to social media.They have posted complaints and payment receipts on a Facebook page titled, "COS scammers and Fraudsters."This platform is dedicated to exposing individuals involved in fraudulent activities related to Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS)."Please help me expose a doctor from Bulawayo who scammed me of US$3 000. His name is Dr Bongani Mguni. He is a psychologist who practices at WOTA Mental Health Consultancy."His office, which he was operating at Bulawayo Centre, is now closed. He has blocked me, and this Dr is very rude. All I need is my money back. I will send the receipt I was given. We tried to report Dr Mguni but didn't get any help."It's so painful. I know it has been said over and over again not to pay for a CoS, but I guess I'm learning the hard way. I also think he has relocated to the UK. Please help," read the post.Spirited efforts to get comments from both Mguni and Dube were unsuccessful as their mobile phones were unreachable, and even WhatsApp and text messages sent to them were not responded to. News / National by Staff reporter THE long ongoing trial of a 32-year-old man from Nineva village, Mbembesi in Matabeleland North province who forced three teenagers to masturbate and ejaculate in condoms has come to an end as he has been sentenced to an effective three-year jail sentence.Phumulani Masango pleaded not guilty to six counts of theft, criminal insult, fraud and kidnapping before Bulawayo regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza. He was, however, convicted after trial."The accused is sentenced to four years' imprisonment for kidnapping and two years are suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour. In the charge of criminal insult, the accused is sentenced to a one-year jail sentence for the two counts and for the charge of theft, you are ordered to pay a fine of US$300 or serve 30 days in prison."Moreover, the accused is sentenced to a further six months' imprisonment for fraud and this sentence will run concurrently with the sentence of criminal insult," said Mabeza.The court heard that on 18 March 2024 at Fingo Business centre, Masango approached two juveniles who were on their way home from school and introduced himself as a police officer.He went on to accuse them of being drunk, he slapped them and proceeded to search their bags. Masango ordered the boys to follow him to the police base in Mbembesi but he did not enter the charge office.Masango forced them to enter a Toyota Wish car that was supposedly headed to Bulawayo and they stopped after about 200 meters and disembarked.He demanded the juvenile's cellphones claiming that it was against the law for students to have cellphones and it was his duty as a police officer to ensure that the law was observed.The juveniles were locked in a room that was close to a bar in the shopping centre, after some time Masango returned and indicated that he was taking the victims to the school authority as it was late and risky for the victims to go home.However, he led them to his homestead and while they were there he ordered them to wear condoms and masturbate.The juveniles complied and when they failed to ejaculate he ordered them to urinate and repeat the act. They ejaculated and he ordered them to remove condoms and place them on the floor and he promised to buy them food. The victims were released in the morning.On 29 March 2024, Masango met up with another victim whom he ordered to follow him to his homestead and forced him to masturbate and leave the condom on the floor.The three juveniles reported the matter to the police and investigations were carried out. Sometime in March, at Mbethe village, Masango approached Tapson Majola and introduced himself as a lawyer after receiving a tipoff that he needed legal representation for his son who had been arrested.Masango promised to represent him and Majola paid him US$250. After a while, Majola discovered that Masango was not a lawyer after he heard that he had been arrested for impersonating a police officer. The matter was reported to the police. News / National by Staff reporter The Bulawayo City Centre and its surrounding areas have hit full capacity for Starlink devices, following a similar situation in Harare just two weeks prior, according to an update on Starlink's official website. The SpaceX satellite internet service, widely regarded for its speed and affordability, has quickly gained popularity among Zimbabweans seeking reliable connectivity.When capacity in an area reaches its limit, new customers are unable to connect immediately and must instead wait in a queue until network capacity is expanded. In Bulawayo, prospective customers attempting to place an order receive a notification indicating the area is fully booked. "Starlink is at capacity in your area. Order now to reserve your Starlink. You will receive a notification once your Starlink is ready to ship. US$50/month for service and US$389 for hardware," reads the Starlink website.Robert Ndlovu, Chief Technology Officer at local telecommunications company Wozatel, noted the growing demand for Starlink on social media. "It seems that Starlink's capacity in Bulawayo's Central Business District (CBD) has reached its limit. Given this, it's likely that areas like North End, Famona, and Khumalo could be the next to experience network congestion as demand for Starlink's services continues to increase," he shared on Facebook.Suburbs close to the Bulawayo City Centre, including Bradfield, North End, Paddonhurst, Romany Park, and Famona, are now affected by the full-capacity status. However, high-density suburbs such as Mzilikazi, Makokoba, Thorngrove, and Nguboyenja, while close to the city centre, have not yet reached capacity.This recent surge in interest is attributed to Starlink's ability to deliver high-speed internet to locations where traditional broadband services are limited. As demand rises, Starlink may soon need to expand infrastructure across Zimbabwe's urban and suburban areas to meet the country's growing connectivity needs. Hemant Soren's age mismatch gives BJP fodder ahead of polls: 'How can he be 7 years older in just 5?' Sandeep Shrivastwa USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Sarika Sharma USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Arjun Kapoor visits Siddhivinayak temple to offer prayers as Singham again hits theatres, gets appreciation for his negative role Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Oil climbs more than $1/bbl on reports Iran preparing to strike at Israel Arindam Roy USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Sunil Matkar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept New Indian single malt whiskies hold their own against Scotch Rohit Singh USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Pakistan International Airline gets lone bid at nearly one-eighth of minimum price in privatisation process Rohit Singh USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 'B' in BJP stands for 'betrayal', 'J' for 'jumla': Mallikarjun Kharge hits back at PM Modi 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Priyanjali Ghose USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Bibek Debroy, the man who changed the perception of trains, trade and religious texts, passes away Ishaan Gera USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept BJP slams Congress for its vote bank politics over Waqf row in Karnataka Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Sandeep Shrivastwa USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Devender Singh Rana, J&K BJP MLA and former close aide of Omar Abdullah, passes away 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Chandrima Sanyal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept EC has given clean chit to itself: Congress slams poll body over Haryana election response Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Jammu and Kashmir: Two migrants shot by terrorists in Budgam district 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 'Kamala, Biden ignored Hindus', Trump condemns Bangladesh violence in Diwali message ahead of US elections 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Jagyaseni Biswas USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Maharashtra Elections 2024: 50 rebels in fray Mahayuti, MVA race against time to contain damage Parimal Peeyush USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Telangana engineering professors work as delivery agents, bike taxi drivers The reason will shock you Sandeep Shrivastwa USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Rajat Kathuria is Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor of Economics at the Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 'I'd love to have him but...' - Donald Trump on Elon Musk's role if he gets elected as US President Surabhi Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept North Korea boasts of 'world's strongest' missile; experts say it's too big to use in war Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept North Korea's top diplomat is in Moscow as Pyongyang sent troops to help the war on Ukraine 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept A grand cultural event was recently held in north China's Tianjin municipality, turning the city into big stage of international exchanges. The 17th Chinese Bridge - Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students and the 4th Chinese Bridge - Chinese Show for Foreign Primary School Students, which started on Oct. 14 and ended on Oct. 29, was joined by over 400 people from 102 countries and regions. At the event, participants shared their stories about China in fluent Chinese and performed Peking Opera, calligraphy, and guzheng music, which demonstrated their exceptional language skills and diverse artistic abilities. During the event, they visited landmarks of Tianjin, includingJiefang Bridge,the Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel andTianjin Port, which allowed them to not only enjoy the cityscape of Tianjin, but also witness the inclusiveness and intelligent development of the city. The event provided the participants with an opportunity to showcase their Chinese language skills, witness the rapid development of Tianjin, and deepen their cultural understanding of China. US election 2024: How 'Samosa caucas' may play key role in poll process Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Tim Cook on why Apple continues to be excited about India, confirms four more stores are coming Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Aabhas Sharma USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Sacramento, CA As Californians have watched electric bills continually increase, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order directing the California Public Utilities and Energy commissions to investigate ways to bring down prices. Or, potentially put in place mechanisms to stop them from rising so quickly. The Governor is also calling for a closer review of how utility companies, like PG&E, are spending money. California has some of the highest electric rates in the country. Republicans, meanwhile, have countered that Californias aggressive climate policies are responsible for the spiking rates. The Governors Office has released details of the Executive Order, below: Encourages electric bill relief. The executive order asks the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to identify underperforming programs and return any unused energy program funds back to customers receiving electric and gas service from private utilities as one or more credits on their bills. Maximizes the California Climate Credit. The executive order directs the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to work with the CPUC to determine ways to maximize the California Climate Credit, which is a twice annual credit that shows up on many Californians electric and gas bills in the spring and fall and is funded by the states Cap-and-Trade program. Manages and reduces electric costs for the long-term. The executive order asks the CPUC to evaluate electric ratepayer supported programs and costs of regulations and make recommendations on additional ways to save consumers money. It also asks the CPUC to pursue any federal funding available to help lower electricity costs for Californians. Additionally, the executive order directs the California Energy Commission (CEC) to evaluate electric ratepayer-funded programs and identify any potential changes that could save Californians money on their bills. Smarter wildfire mitigation investments. The executive order directs the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety, and requests the CPUC, to evaluate utility wildfire safety oversight practices and ensure that utility investments and activities are focused on cost-effective wildfire mitigation measures. Sonora, CA This will be a busy weekend for election officials across the state in the final stretch ahead of the General Election. In addition to choosing the next US President, there are Congressional and Assembly elections, ballot measures, board of supervisor races, school board contests, and special district races. In Tuolumne County, Vote Centers will be open this weekend at the main election office, Tuolumne Resilience Center, Groveland Resilience Center, Twain Harte Bible Church, and the Jamestown Community Hall. In Calaveras County, Vote Centers will be operational at the San Andreas Government Center, Bret Harte Theater in Angels Camp, Valley Springs/Jenny Lind Veterans Memorial Hall, and the Mokelumne Hill Town Hall. To view the addresses and hours of operation, along with all of the ballot drop-box sites, click here. Interest has been high ahead of the General Election. As of today, Tuolumne County Clerk and Auditor-Controller Donnie McNair reports that 16,500 ballots have already been received, which is about 45% of registered voters. The ballots will be tabulated after all of the polling locations close at 8 pm on Tuesday. Tune in for live election night local coverage that night on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML, Star 92.7, and 93.5 KKBN. The results will also be posted on myMotherLode.com. Muzarabani A family from Headman Mazhuwanas village under Chief Kasekete is grappling with a series of devastating misfortunes, leaving them destitute and desperate for answers. Shupikayi Chimombo (44) is suffering from a debilitating condition affecting his hands and feet, while his nephew, Tichaona Julius (33), is blind. Both believe their afflictions are linked to witchcraft. Chimombos ordeal began in 2021. He describes his suffering vividly: My problem started in 2021 with ulcerations in my hands and feet (kufunuka nekusvuuka mukati metsoka nemumaoko). I was living in Chadereka with my family, working the land, when I was allegedly cursed through kunokorwa tsoka. Soil mixed with juju was used to inflict this illness upon me. The curse was also placed on my hands, which are now also ulcerating. The festering wounds cause him constant pain, leaving him unable to work or even wear shoes. He explains, I constantly have to massage my hands and feet with stones to ease the pain, but they continue to fester. The pain is so intense that it prevents him from eating hot food and performing even basic tasks. He adds, I suffer from this illness; I can no longer wear shoes or walk properly. My hands ulcerate so badly that I cant eat hot food. The pain prevents me from using tools to work. Adding to his physical suffering, Chimombo describes experiencing unseen entities moving around his body. His familys plight has been compounded by the alleged sabotage of his crops by relatives, leading to severe food insecurity. He recounts, It started with the theft of my crops by relatives who are said to have used witchcraft. I used to harvest 15 to 20 tonnes of maize or groundnuts annually. Now I barely have enough to feed my family, and on top of that, Im afflicted with this terrible illness! This desperate situation has forced him to sell all his livestock and possessions, leaving him and his family with nothing. Chimombos nephew, Julius, shares an equally harrowing tale. His blindness began in 2003, after a ploughshare flung dust into his eyes while he was herding cattle. One day while ploughing, I was herding cattle, when a ploughshare threw up dust into my eyes. My eyes burned intensely, even after washing them. After a few days, my left eye closed, he recalls. The condition worsened, resulting in complete blindness in both eyes by 2008. Despite seeking treatment at St Alberts Mission Hospital, his vision did not improve. He explains his current situation and the financial burden it represents: My right eye started hurting and swelling until it also closed in 2008. The problem is that St Alberts Hospital requires US$350 for a scan, which I dont have. Even here in Harare, hospitals are expensive, and I dont have the money to cover my uncles and my own medical expenses. The blindness prevented him from completing his Grade 7 exams and has left him unable to work, adding to the familys already dire circumstances. He describes his current reality: Now I only see blurry shapes. I also have dreams where Im intimate with many women I dont know. Ive never been married. A close relative assured me that no matter where I go, this problem wont be solved, but I havent done anything to deserve this, he says. Chimombo and Julius, both originally from Chadereka, Muzarabani, near the Mozambique border, now find themselves in Harare, seeking help. Chimombo is currently staying with a relative in Retreat, Waterfalls, while Julius remains with him, hoping for a solution to their respective afflictions. The familys struggles are further exacerbated by the fact that one of Chimombos children was injured in a car accident, leaving them permanently disabled. The familys situation is dire; Chimombos wife is pregnant, and they lack even the basic necessities. He laments, Here in Harare, I came hoping to find mining work, but thats impossible now because my hands are too damaged. My wife and children, including my pregnant wife, need clothes for the new baby, but we have no money. I used to go to Mozambique to buy clothes and fish to sell, but I can no longer do that, so my family is starving, he says. Both Chimombo and Julius have consulted numerous traditional healers and prophets, all to no avail. They have also sought medical attention at Chadereka Clinic and St Alberts Mission Hospital but have received little relief. Chimombo describes his fruitless attempts to find a cure. Im currently staying with a relative in Retreat, Waterfalls (Harare), seeking treatment, but money is scarce. The same applies to my nephew who went blind. Traditional healers and hospitals demand money. I went to Chadereka Clinic and was given pills, but nothing changed. Ive tried various remedies, including hot sand and seawater treatments, but nothing has worked, he laments. Dr Enock Maidah of the University of Zimbabwe urges both men to seek help from qualified medical professionals. He states unequivocally, Both men need to see qualified doctors. Their problems are treatable; they need medical attention. Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares Bulawayo Hatred Zenenga, Editor of the Sunday News, recently became the latest victim of a sophisticated WhatsApp hacking scam, highlighting the growing threat of online fraud in Zimbabwe. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of cybersecurity awareness and the need for vigilance among all social media users. Zenengas WhatsApp account was compromised, giving a malicious actor access to his contact list and enabling them to send fraudulent messages to his colleagues and other contacts. These messages, crafted to appear genuine and urgent, sought financial assistance under false pretenses. The scammers message, sent from Zenengas seemingly legitimate account, read: Im trying to send some money to someone for treatment, its not going through. I have issues with my account; can you help me send it to the persons account directly? I will refund it back immediately (once) my transfer is active. The message employed several common tactics used in online scams. The creation of a sense of urgency, coupled with a plea for help with a medical treatment payment, aimed to elicit an immediate response from unsuspecting recipients. The lack of specific details regarding the treatment or the recipients identity further fuelled suspicion. Finally, the promise of an immediate refund was designed to build trust and encourage financial assistance. When a colleague, recognising the unusual nature of the request, asked for banking details, the hacker provided the name Shawn Mataruka and an Econet mobile number registered with Ecocash: 0788289329. This seemingly innocuous detail further added to the deception, making the scam appear more credible. However, several red flags should have alerted recipients to the fraudulent nature of the message. The lack of specific details about the medical treatment, the recipient, and the amount requested should have raised immediate concerns. Furthermore, the ease with which the hacker provided banking details without any verification process should have served as a warning sign. The immediate promise of a refund, a common tactic in many scams, should also have been a cause for suspicion. The incident involving Mr. Zenenga is not an isolated case. WhatsApp hacking is becoming increasingly prevalent, with fraudsters employing increasingly sophisticated methods to gain access to accounts and exploit users trust. This underscores the need for greater digital literacy and the adoption of stronger security measures to protect against such attacks. Lets examine common hacking methods and preventative measures: How WhatsApp Accounts are Hacked: Phishing: Hackers often use phishing scams, sending deceptive messages or emails that appear to be from WhatsApp or a trusted source. These messages typically contain malicious links that, when clicked, install malware or redirect users to fake login pages designed to steal their credentials. Hackers often use phishing scams, sending deceptive messages or emails that appear to be from WhatsApp or a trusted source. These messages typically contain malicious links that, when clicked, install malware or redirect users to fake login pages designed to steal their credentials. Malware: Malicious software (malware) installed on a users phone can secretly monitor activity, including WhatsApp messages and login details. This malware can be downloaded through infected apps, websites, or attachments. Malicious software (malware) installed on a users phone can secretly monitor activity, including WhatsApp messages and login details. This malware can be downloaded through infected apps, websites, or attachments. Exploiting Vulnerabilities: Hackers may exploit security vulnerabilities in older versions of the WhatsApp app. Keeping your app updated is crucial to protect against known vulnerabilities. Hackers may exploit security vulnerabilities in older versions of the WhatsApp app. Keeping your app updated is crucial to protect against known vulnerabilities. SIM Swapping: In this method, hackers trick mobile carriers into transferring a users SIM card to a new device they control, gaining access to the phone number linked to the WhatsApp account. In this method, hackers trick mobile carriers into transferring a users SIM card to a new device they control, gaining access to the phone number linked to the WhatsApp account. Social Engineering: This involves manipulating users into revealing sensitive information, such as their WhatsApp login details or verification codes, through deceptive tactics. How to Prevent WhatsApp Account Hacking: Enable Two-Step Verification: This adds an extra layer of security, requiring a PIN or password in addition to your phone number for account access. This is arguably the most important step. This adds an extra layer of security, requiring a PIN or password in addition to your phone number for account access. This is arguably the most important step. Keep Your App Updated: Regularly update your WhatsApp app to benefit from the latest security patches and bug fixes. Regularly update your WhatsApp app to benefit from the latest security patches and bug fixes. Be Wary of Suspicious Links and Attachments: Never click on links or open attachments from unknown or untrusted sources. Never click on links or open attachments from unknown or untrusted sources. Use Strong Passwords: Create a strong, unique password that is difficult to guess. Avoid using easily guessable information like birthdays or pet names. Create a strong, unique password that is difficult to guess. Avoid using easily guessable information like birthdays or pet names. Beware of Phishing Attempts: Be cautious of emails or messages requesting personal information, especially login details or verification codes. WhatsApp will never ask for this information directly. Be cautious of emails or messages requesting personal information, especially login details or verification codes. WhatsApp will never ask for this information directly. Protect Your Phone: Use a strong passcode or biometric security (fingerprint or facial recognition) to protect your phone from unauthorized access. Use a strong passcode or biometric security (fingerprint or facial recognition) to protect your phone from unauthorized access. Regularly Review Your Privacy Settings: Regularly review your WhatsApp privacy settings to control who can see your profile information, status updates, and last seen time. Regularly review your WhatsApp privacy settings to control who can see your profile information, status updates, and last seen time. Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect your account has been compromised, report it to WhatsApp immediately and change your password. Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares By Lambert Strether of Corrente. Yes, I will do an Election Eve live blog. Enjoy your weekend. lambert Bird Song of the Day Common Nightingale, Santpoort, Noord-Holland, Netherlands * * * In Case You Might Miss * * * Look for the Helpers Free dental clinics are wonderful: Outdoor dental clinic was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who organized this! If youre in KS, IA, MO, NE or MN, more info on this soon. If youre not in those states, were working on more info so dental services can be provided services in a safer environment near you. pic.twitter.com/PqvJNaXwWW Covid Aware Website (@covidsafenetwrk) October 31, 2024 Of course, dentistry should be free at the point of care, like all health care. * * * My email address is down by the plant; please send examples of there (Helpers in the subject line). In our increasingly desperate and fragile neoliberal society, everyday normal incidents and stories of the communism of everyday life are what I am looking for (and not, say, the Red Cross in Hawaii, or even the UNWRA in Gaza). Politics So many of the social reactions that strike us as psychological are in fact a rational management of symbolic capital. Pierre Bourdieu, Classification Struggles * * * The Transition Trump, Harris camps prepare to go to the mattress in election legal battles [The Hill]. Hours after Steve Bannon was released from prison Tuesday upon serving a four-month stint for evading a congressional subpoena, the onetime adviser to former President Trump sounded the alarm about the upcoming election. The Democrats are not going to give up, he told reporters. They just hired Marc Elias. And you only hire Marc Elias who I think is the toughest election lawyer in the country you only hire Marc Elias when you want to go to the mattress. Elias, a leader of Vice President Harriss election litigation efforts, hit back: My team of lawyers is better than the GOPs. And were ready to beat them again in 2024. The exchange came just days until the nation decides who will next occupy the White House and the expectation that a dramatic legal standoff awaits, which both the Trump and Harris campaigns are preparing for. Already, there are more than 200 voting and election cases pending across the nation, according to Eliass tally, with many in key battleground states that could alter the trajectory of the elections outcome. For weeks, lawyers for the Republican and Democratic parties have gone toe-to-toe in courtrooms on challenges to voter rolls, mail ballots and other election procedures. That Little Secret Between Trump and Johnson? Heres What It Could Mean [The Nation]. Extremely complicated. I think the plan is to steal the Electoral College outright by getting states Trump loses to refuse to certify the results of their election. Thats because the 12th Amendment provides that the president is the person who wins the majority of the whole number of Electors appointed. That whole number is supposed to be 538. But one potential reading of the amendment is that Trump doesnt have to win 270 Electoral College votes but just a majority of however many electors show up. Trumps goal, I believe, is to decrease the number of electors appointed until he wins. The first step in such a process is to get Republicans in states Trump loses to contest the certification of their own elections. In 2020, Trump and his team illegally tried to get slates of alternate electors submitted in states where Republicans control the state legislatures. They could try that again, but for this scheme to work, they dont even have to get fake electors submitted but just to convince Republican state legislatures or Republican governors not to submit their valid slates of electors before statutorily imposed deadlines. All slates of electors are supposed to be certified by December 11. Those electors are then supposed to vote and submit their results by December 25. What this means is that Republicans just have to delay long enough to pass those deadlines. They dont have to win; they just have to stall. There are currently 27 states with Republican state legislatures, including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. There are currently 26 Republican governors running states like Florida, Georgia, Nevada, and Virginia. If some of these people are able to delay certification past the deadline, the whole number of Electors appointed would be diminished, lowering the number of electors Trump would need to hold a majority. But interesting! Dems say they will certify a Trump victory even the ones who think the 14th Amendment disqualifies him [Politico]. More on Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment: Democratic leaders are saying publicly and privately they want a drama-free transfer of power even if it means setting aside some members views that Trump is ineligible to return to the presidency because of the Constitutions bar on insurrectionist officeholders. The 14th Amendment prohibits any federal officeholders who have engaged in insurrection from holding office again, and Democrats have long suggested Trump ran afoul of it when he inflamed the violent mob that attacked the Capitol four years ago. At the time, House Democrats overwhelmingly voted to impeach Trump for incitement of insurrection. Their leader, Hakeem Jeffries, has routinely called Trump the insurrectionist-in-chief. Aides say Democratic leaders hope to squelch potential calls by their rank-and-file to invoke the Constitutions insurrection clause as a basis for trying to prevent a popularly-elected Trump from returning to office. And importantly: In its March opinion, the Supreme Court implied though didnt explicitly state that Congress must pass legislation to lay out a procedure to determine whether a current or former officeholder has violated the insurrection clause. Its a gap that leaves some uncertainty about what Congress obligations and options are in January. But most constitutional scholars say it would be improper for lawmakers to make a subjective judgment about Trumps eligibility without a forum to fully air and debate the facts. Congress does not have the capacity in the [Jan. 6] joint session to do so, said Derek Muller, a University of Notre Dame constitutional law expert. Because Congress is not in a position to decide the matter, Congress should count the votes.' So thats why Baude and Paulsen (see yesterdays Water Cooler) wanted some state to pull the trigger? NOTE Amazing sign of the fecklessness of Democrats: They control both houses, but they didnt codify any Section Three legislation, even though the Supreme Court said if they wanted the power, that was how to take it. So I guess all that insurrection foofra wasnt important after all? (On the bright side, maybe they can fundraise off it, just like abortion. 2024 Countdown! Fridays RCP Poll Averages: * * * Lambert here: Bad news for Trump, as Kamala rebuilt the Blue Wall. But if you look at the results with the Toss-Up states turned red or blue Of course, we on the outside might as well be examining the entrails of birds when we try to predict what will happen to the subset of voters (undecided; irregular) in a subset of states (swing), and the irregulars, especially, who will determine the outcome of the election but might as well be quantum foam, but presumably the campaign professionals have better data, and have the situation as under control as it can be MR SUBLIMINAL Fooled ya. Kidding! . The House from O.G. Cook Political Report: NEW @CookPolitical: in our final House ratings, we're shifting six races towards Dems and two towards Republicans. Expect anything from a GOP gain of +5 seats to a Dem gain of +10 seats (Dems need +4). Full analysis by @ercovey: https://t.co/AXHe5keIcM pic.twitter.com/AqChqT7KEZ Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) November 1, 2024 So, one side or the other will win? Senate: NEW @CookPolitical: Republicans maintain Senate edge as battleground states remain Toss Ups. Our final projection is a GOP gain of +2 to +5 seats. Full analysis by @JessicaTaylor: https://t.co/LySquEsXmf Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) November 1, 2024 * * * Kamala (D): AP sources: White House altered record of Bidens garbage remarks despite stenographer concerns [Associated Press]. White House press officials altered the official transcript of a call in which President Joe Biden appeared to take a swipe at supporters of Donald Trump, drawing objections from the federal workers who document such remarks for posterity, according to two U.S. government officials and an internal email obtained Thursday by The Associated Press. Biden, according to a transcript prepared by the official White House stenographers, told the Latino group on a Tuesday evening video call, The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters his his demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and its un-American. The transcript released by the White House press office, however, rendered the quote with an apostrophe, reading supporters rather than supporters, which aides said pointed to Biden criticizing Hinchcliffe, not the millions of Americans who are supporting Trump for president The change was made after the press office conferred with the president, according to an internal email from the head of the stenographers office that was obtained by The AP. The authenticity of the email was confirmed by two government officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters. The supervisor, in the email, called the press offices handling of the matter a breach of protocol and spoliation of transcript integrity between the Stenography and Press Offices . If there is a difference in interpretation, the Press Office may choose to withhold the transcript but cannot edit it independently, the supervisor wrote, adding, Our Stenography Office transcript released to our distro, which includes the National Archives is now different than the version edited and released to the public by Press Office staff.' I know I ran this in Links this morning, but its so utterly shameless I feel I must draw attention to it once more. * * * Kamala (D): Full transcript: Vice President Kamala Harris interviewed by NBC News Yamiche Alcindor [NBC]. Yamiche. Of course. Its all like this: ALCINDOR: Former first lady Michelle Obama said she stays up at night wondering why this election is so close. Do you do that? What keeps you up at night? HARRIS: What keeps me up at night are the challenges that face the American family and my role and responsibility and my to-do list to address those issues. Whether it be on bringing down the cost of groceries, bringing down the cost of housing, what we need to do to make sure that child care is affordable for working families, what I will do to make sure that Medicare covers in-home care for seniors. Those are the things that keep me up, which is doing the work that will directly impact the people of America. I will say that Harris has her well-polished patter down cold, and moves her well-polished talking points as smoothly and swiftly as a three-card monte dealer. But this wasnt really an interview; it was just Alcindor tossing softball after softball. And no, whatever keeps Kamala up at night, if anything: this aint it. Kamala (D): Conservatives in furor over Julia Roberts ad [The Hill]. In the one place in America where women still have a right to choose, you can vote any way you want. And no one will ever know, Roberts says in the ad as a woman on screen meets up with her husband after casting her ballot for Harris. The voter winks at a fellow female voter as her husband asks if she made the right choice.' Vote for Common Good, the nonprofit organization responsible for ad, the responded to backlash. The backlash from certain men who are horrified to think their wives might disagree with them actually proves our point.' At least in my mind, its not the disagreement, its the lying. Of course, lying for Democrats is very on-brand, if you remember how the entire party lied, vociferously and continuously, about Bidens cognitive dysfunction until he actually slipped a cog where outsiders could see (on national television, too). Kamala (D): Why are so many women hiding their voting plans from their husbands? [Rebecca Solnit, Guardian]. The unspoken assumption is that lots of women are bullied, intimidated or controlled by their partners, specifically in straight couples when she wants to vote for Harris and he supports Trump. The messages assure these intimidated voters that they can vote in peace and privacy at a polling place. But a lot of Americans now vote by mail, which generally means they fill out their ballots at home, where that privacy may not be available. So wait. Is Solnit saying that the party that pushed vote-by-mail as hard as possible didnt have womens safety as their first consideration? * * * Trump (R): Scoop: What Trump is being told [Axios]. The memo, addressed to TEAM TRUMP, has the subject line: ;PRESIDENT TRUMP IS ON THE VERGE. [Tony Fabrizio, chief pollster] draws on Real Clear Politics polling averages to argue that Trumps position nationally and in every single Battleground State is SIGNIFICANTLY better today than it was 4 years ago. I point this out NOT to stoke overconfidence or complacency, but to illustrate just how close this election is and that victory is within our reach, the pollster adds. But the fact remains that we still have a great deal of work to do. While the analysis of early and absentee vote returns in each state [is] promising, we know that the bulk of President Trump voters will vote on Election Day. Reality check: Polling is as tight as any presidential race ever, with the New York Times average showing Trump at 48% and Vice President Harris at 48%. The 538 average has Harris ahead by 1 point well within polls margins of error. This remains a 50-50 election, folks, with polling from all seven swing states falling within the margins of error. Trump (R): CNNs Enten: Three Signs That Point To A Trump Victory [Harry Enten, CNN]. Republicans have been registering voters in big, huge numbers. They have been gaining in party registration versus the Democrats in the swing states with party registration. Were talking Arizona. I think its a five-point theyve expanded their lead from five points from where it was back in 2020. How about Nevada? Big Republican registrations there. They like the early vote. How about North Carolina? Big Republican registration gains. How about Pennsylvania? We spoke about it before a few months ago, big Republican Party registration gains versus where where from where they were four years ago. So, Republicans are putting more Republicans in the electorate. The Democratic number versus the Republican number has shrunk. And so the bottom line is, if Republicans win, come next week, Donald Trump wins come next week. The signs all along will have been obvious. We would look at the right direction being very low, Joe Bidens approval rating being very low, and Republicans really registering numbers. You cant say you werent warned. Stay tuned. Trump (R): Love him or hate him, you have to admit that Donald Trump really is a master at iconic moments. pic.twitter.com/FPNwgaOxXd Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) October 30, 2024 Visegrad 24 is a pro-Ukrainian venue from Poland, so it looks to me like theyre placing a bet. * * * Trump (R): Listen to Jeffrey Epstein Spill Intel on Donald Trumps White House (audio) [Daily Beast]. It therefore had an impressive topicality, which at once, in Smileys eyes, made it suspect. John LeCarre, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. * * * Trump (R): Trump says Liz Cheney wouldnt be such a war hawk if she had nine guns trained on her face' [Bizpac Review]. The full quote: [TRUMP:] Dick Cheneys daughter is a very dumb individual. Shes a radical war hawk. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her. Lets see how she feels about it when the guns are trained on her face. Theyre all war hawks when theyre sitting in Washington in a nice building saying, Oh gee, lets send 10,000 troops into the mouths of the enemy. But shes a stupid person. And I used to have meetings with a lot of people, and she always wanted to go to war with people, he added. Now the spin Trump (R): Trump Assails Liz Cheney and Imagines Guns Shooting at Her' [New York Times]. Nonsense. Trump is doing, as it his way, an extended riff on an old trope. From Herbert Hoover: Older men declare war. But it is youth that must fight and die. Now, of course, civilization has progressed, and older women like Cheney can send youth off to war as well. Commentary: What Trump said about Liz Cheney you cheer every war because you're never the one that confronts their horrors: let's see if you still cheer if you're the one fighting is basically right out of Bob Dylan's 1963 "Masters of War" (and standard liberal rhetoric for decades): https://t.co/eJXPONHaMs pic.twitter.com/AikJznqGgl Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) November 1, 2024 * * * AZ: Why Arizona Is Looking Trumpier in 2024 [New York Magazine]. Yvonne Wingett Sanchez: I think the vibe is definitely very pro-Trumpy. Even a lot of Republicans, including some McCain Republicans that Ive talked to, who werent real big fans and really arent still big fans of Trump these days they dont like the way Kamala Harris was anointed, essentially. Between that and concerns over the economy, a lot of them are just sort of holding their noses and voting for Trump. I also think this effort to get out low-propensity voters is actually coming to fruition in a really big way. Not just by Turning Point, which is based in Arizona and knows the state probably better than it knows any other swing state in the country, but by all these political groups that have been working on the ground over the last couple of years. Most voters in Arizona vote early. Its been that way for decades. We are a pioneer of early voting. If you just look at the returns and how heavily Republican they are, the pattern is very much a pre-2020 pattern where Republicans are dominating. No one knows how they voted, but youve got to think that a lot of those are going to be for Trump and down-ballot Republicans, and among the independent voters too. So just looking at the trend lines, Republicans are up, Democrats are down, independents are dramatically down. Those are going to be the deciders, and Republicans are feeling pretty good. ME: The POLITICO race to watch: Maines 2nd [Politico]. Goldens candidacy tests the proposition that voters are willing to split their tickets and want to continue to reward those who push for bipartisan compromise. As one of the co-chairs of the centrist Blue Dog Coalition, a loss by the incumbent would further erode the ranks of House dealmakers. Both men have compelling personal histories. Golden is a Marine Corps veteran, once worked for Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins and served in the Maine House of Representatives before coming to Congress. Hes also no stranger to competitive elections, having emerged victorious three times before. Theriault, just 30, is a former professional stock car racing driver who now serves in the Maine House of Representatives representing the far north community of Fort Kent. (Its right on the Canadian border and about a five-hour drive from Portland.) Hes been endorsed by Trump and the entire House GOP leadership slate. Guns are an unusually potent issue in the contest. Golden called on Congress to ban assault rifles after a deadly mass shooting in Lewiston that killed 18 people a position Theriault has repeatedly hammered during the campaign. MI: Trump will become first major 2024 candidate to visit majority-Arab Dearborn, Michigan [Associated Press]. Donald Trump is set to visit Dearborn, Michigan the nations largest Arab-majority city on Friday, according to a local business owner who first insisted the former president call for peace in Lebanon before hosting him. Metro Detroit is home to nations largest concentration of Arab Americans, with a large chunk of them living in Dearborn. The city which President Joe Biden won by a 3-to-1 margin has been roiled by political turmoil, with many upset with the Biden administrations handling of the Israel-Hamas war. While Vice President Kamala Harris has been working through surrogates to ease community tensions, Trumps visit will mark the first by either candidate, according to a local leader, Osama Siblani. Earlier this year, Harris met with the citys Democratic mayor, Abdullah Hammoud, though their discussion took place outside Dearborn. Sam Abbas, the owner of The Great Commoner in Dearborn, told The Associated Press that Trump was set to visit his restaurant. We expect some remarks around ending the war and bringing peace to the Middle East, said Abbas. Im not here to get political. Im not here to tell people which way Im voting. I am simply here because our family is being slaughtered and we just want to end the war. Stop the bombing.' Heres the restaurant. The Great Commoner could refer to one of several politicians, including William Jennings Bryan and Winston Churchill, but Id bet on Abraham Lincoln. Perhaps some clever staffer will check that out so Trump can leverage it. PA: Trump lagging in early vote with seniors in Pennsylvania, a red flag for GOP [Politico]. Donald Trump is lagging Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania early voting with a critical and once-reliably Republican constituency: seniors. Its a warning sign for the former president that reflects early vote data and polling across the battlegrounds, after Republicans won the senior vote in each of the last five presidential elections. In Pennsylvania, where voters over the age of 65 have cast nearly half of the early ballots, registered Democrats account for about 58 percent of votes cast by seniors, compared to 35 percent for Republicans. Thats despite both parties having roughly equal numbers of registered voters aged 65 and older. The partisan gap is narrower than it was in 2020, when views of early voting were more partisan, and Republicans take that as a good sign. But the GOP still is counting on more of its older voters to show up on Election Day, while Democrats have more votes in the bank. * * * Syndemics I am in earnest I will not equivocate I will not excuse I will not retreat a single inch AND I WILL BE HEARD. William Lloyd Garrison * * * Covid Resources, United States (National): Transmission (CDC); Wastewater (CDC, Biobot ; includes many counties; Wastewater Scan, includes drilldown by zip); Variants (CDC; Walgreens); Iowa COVID-19 Tracker (in IA, but national data). Infection Control, Emergency Management, Safety, and General Thoughts (especially on hospitalization by city). Lambert here: Readers, thanks for the collective effort. To update any entry, do feel free to contact me at the address given with the plants. Please put COVID in the subject line. Thank you! Resources, United States (Local): AK (dashboard); AL (dashboard); AR (dashboard); AZ (dashboard); CA (dashboard; Marin, dashboard; Stanford, wastewater; Oakland, wastewater); CO (dashboard; wastewater); CT (dashboard); DE (dashboard); FL (wastewater); GA (wastewater); HI (dashboard); IA (wastewater reports); ID (dashboard, Boise; dashboard, wastewater, Central Idaho; wastewater, Coeur dAlene; dashboard, Spokane County); IL (wastewater); IN (dashboard); KS (dashboard; wastewater, Lawrence); KY (dashboard, Louisville); LA (dashboard); MA (wastewater); MD (dashboard); ME (dashboard); MI (wastewater; wastewater); MN (dashboard); MO (wastewater); MS (dashboard); MT (dashboard) ; NC (dashboard); ND (dashboard; wastewater); NE (dashboard); NH (wastewater); NJ (dashboard); NM (dashboard); NV (dashboard; wastewater, Southern NV); NY (dashboard); OH (dashboard); OK (dashboard); OR (dashboard) ; PA (dashboard); RI (dashboard); SC (dashboard); SD (dashboard); TN (dashboard); TX (dashboard); UT (wastewater); VA (wastewater); VT (dashboard); WA (dashboard; dashboard); WI (wastewater); WV ( wastewater ); WY ( wastewater ). Resources, Canada (National): Wastewater (Government of Canada). Resources, Canada (Provincial): ON (wastewater); QC (les eaux usees); BC (wastewater); BC, Vancouver (wastewater). Hat tips to helpful readers: Alexis, anon (2), Art_DogCT, B24S, CanCyn, ChiGal, Chuck L, Festoonic, FM, FreeMarketApologist (4), Gumbo, hop2it, JB, JEHR, JF, JL Joe, John, JM (10), JustAnotherVolunteer, JW, KatieBird, KF, KidDoc, LL, Michael King, KF, LaRuse, mrsyk, MT, MT_Wild, otisyves, Petal (6), RK (2), RL, RM, Rod, square coats (11), tennesseewaltzer, Tom B., Utah, Bob White (3). Stay safe out there! Elite Maleficence Docs: Walking pneumonia cases up on Long Island, especially among very young [Newsday]. The CDC called the large number of cases in children between the ages of 2 and 4 notable because this bacteria, in general, is not the leading cause of pneumonia for kids that young. Meltzer Krief said typically, about 60% of pneumonia a lung infection in children tends to be caused by a virus, rather than a bacteria. But many children being tested in emergency rooms and pediatric offices are testing positive for Mycoplasma pneumoniae. And why? Immunity debt, of course: We are seeing a fourfold increase from last year, said Dr. Lynda Gerberg, lead pediatrician at Northwell Health GoHealth Pediatric Urgent Care, which has centers across Long Island, New York City and Westchester County. She said the surge may be related to the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were isolating and wearing masks. We werent exposed to all these bacteria and viruses, Gerberg said. Our immune system is just catching up [almost five years later???]. It left everybody a little more susceptible to these types of illnesses.' Not that Covid weakens the immunue system, oh no no no no. Cant have that [bangs head on desk]. Meanwhile, CDC is pushing droplet dogma. Social Norming Hmm. We use euphemisms for some things that are normal. So whats going on? This perfectly describes a phenomenon I've been talking about for quite some time now, namely, that if Covid was truly normalised in society, people would readily say its name. The widespread use of euphemisms for the disease demonstrates that quite the opposite is the case. https://t.co/7WXmh9W9mZ Conor Browne (@brownecfm) November 1, 2024 * * * Stats Watch Employment Situation: United States Unemployment Rate [Trading Economics]. The unemployment rate in the United States was at 4.1% in October of 2024, remaining unchanged from the three-month low in the prior month, and aligned with market expectations. The number of unemployed individuals was broadly unchanged at 7 million. Manufacturing: United States ISM Manufacturing PMI [Trading Economics]. The ISM Manufacturing PMI unexpectedly fell to 46.5 in October 2024 from 47.2 in September and below forecasts of 47.6. The reading pointed to the another contraction in the manufacturing sector and the worst since July 2023, as demand continues to be weak, output declined, and inputs stayed accommodative. * * * Manufacturing: Boeing Machinists to vote on new contract offer meant to end strike [Seattle Times]. The union announced the proposal Thursday afternoon and recommended members approve the deal. The 33,000 striking Machinists union members will vote on the proposal Monday. It is time for our Members to lock in these gains and confidently declare victory, the union wrote. We believe asking members to stay on strike longer wouldnt be right as we have achieved so much success. The offer includes a 38% general wage increase over the next four years, which compounds to roughly 43% over the life of the agreement, the union said in a statement Thursday. Wages would increase 13% in the first year, then 9%, 9% and 7% in subsequent years. It does not restore the pension plan, something that many union members have said in recent weeks is a top priority.Union members who voted against the last contract proposal earlier this month said the deal did not offer a large enough wage increase and did not address other key issues, like paid time off and quicker progression steps for employees to move up in Boeings ranks. Other employees said they would not settle for a contract that didnt restore the defined-benefit pension plan. Big if true: Dont know if this true but I were CEO I would moving Boeing out as well. pic.twitter.com/a6eDlPjlRm FlamTap2112 (@FTap2112) November 1, 2024 Surely Boeings more likely to build any new planes in South Carolina? Im not sure a Boeing or Im not going-quality plane could be built by scabs, though Boeing management being what it is, perhaps they would like to try. And Ortberg was supposed to know the shop floor. Manufacturing: Boeing union backs sweetened contract offer that could end strike, sets vote for Monday [CNBC]. In every negotiation and strike, there is a point where we have extracted everything that we can in bargaining and by withholding our labor, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751 said Thursday. We are at that point now and risk a regressive or lesser offer in the future.'. President Joe Biden congratulated the union and Boeing for the new contract proposal. Machinists at Boeing have sacrificed over the years and deserve a strong contract, he said in a statement on Friday, shortly after the jobs report was released. Manufacturing: Boeing Reaches New Deal With Union in Hopes of Ending Strike [New York Times]. The headline is wrong. There is no deal until the workers vote. The new contract offer represents a slight improvement over the recently rejected proposal. Oh. Manufacturing: Vital Lessons From The Boeing Strike [Forbes]. Boeing is a cautionary tale of what can happen when the mindset known as shareholder primacy vanquishes the far healthier mindset of multi-stakeholder capitalism, which recognizes the interdependence of investors, employees, customers, the company itself and the public 1) The strike is about much more than just money. The core of this strike clearly wasnt money it was broken trust. [I]ts clear that the primary emotion driving this strike is rage, not greed. Rage at being ignored and disrespected, year after year. Anyone who dismisses these strikers as greedy or ungrateful doesnt grasp whats really happening. 2) The buck must stop with the board. The company essentially lied about safety issues to its regulators, investors, employees, and customers, not just once but year after year. The directors were either complicit in those deceptions (which would be terrible) or so detached from their oversight role that they didnt notice them (which is arguably worse). Either way, the Boeing board shows the consequences of extreme adherence to the shareholder primacy mindset. 3) Recovery requires sincere deeds, not empty words.. The strikers have no reason to trust Ortberg until they see tangible changes to the companys priorities and day-to-day practices, as evidence of a true break from the past. He must show that he realizes this strike isnt merely about money; its about saving Boeing before its too late. Manufacturing: Airbus new plane is the answer to an aging, inefficient Boeing jet that airlines are scrambling to replace [Business Insider]. Boeings closest competing option is its yet-to-be-certified 737 Max 10, which is close in size but cant fly as far. The planemaker has a potential new midsize airplane that could compete with the A321XLR, though that is still long away from taking flight. In August, United told Business Insider that its A321XLR fleet would replace almost all of its existing 757 routes and allow it to travel to new places, like France and North Africa. But the stock buybacks! Tech: Democratising publishing [John ONolan]. What confuses people most about all this, understandably, is that were a profitable non-profit organisation. Ghost earns over $7.5M per year and is completely self-sufficient, with no outside funding of any kind. People often think that non-profit means that the company cant make a profit. It actually means that the company doesnt have any owners who can personally take the profits. Any revenue earned can only be reinvested. Non-profit structures are particularly well suited to companies that specifically want to serve public community interests, like schools, hospitals, local news orgs, and yes open source projects. Hmm. * * * Todays Fear & Greed Index: 60 Greed (previous close: 60 Greed) [CNN]. One week ago: 62 (Greed). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated Oct 30 at 1:00:29 PM ET. Gallery High key (except for the man and the fireplace, one if which, if I were in Lightroom, Id lighten up so they dont merge): Guillotine Watch What Sank the Bayesian Superyacht in Italy? [New York Times]. [T]he Bayesian was different. Its original buyer a Dutch businessman, not the Lynches insisted on a single, striking mast that would be taller than just about any other mast in the world, according to the Italian yacht maker and three people with detailed knowledge of how this boat was built. That decision resulted in major engineering consequences that ultimately left the boat significantly more vulnerable than many comparable superyachts, The Times investigation has found. The orginal buyers big swinging dick, in other words. News of the Wired The 1600s Were a Watershed for Swear Words [History Today]. Fun, but since this is a family blog, I cant quote most of it. This caught my eye, being printable: An early recorded use of the f-word was a piece of marginalia by an anonymous monk writing in 1528 in a manuscript copy of Ciceros De officiis (a treatise on moral philosophy). The inscription reads: O d fuckin Abbot. * * * Contact information for plants: Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, to (a) find out how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal and (b) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi, lichen, and coral are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please place it at the start of your mail in parentheses: (thus). Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. From JN: JN writes: Still Life: Phase Transitions. * * * Readers: Water Cooler is a standalone entity not covered by the annual NC fundraiser. Material here is Lamberts, and does not express the views of the Naked Capitalism site. If you see a link you especially like, or an item you wouldnt see anywhere else, please do not hesitate to express your appreciation in tangible form. Remember, a tip jar is for tipping! Regular positive feedback both makes me feel good and lets me know Im on the right track with coverage. When I get no donations for three or four days I get worried. More tangibly, a constant trickle of donations helps me with expenses, and I factor in that trickle when setting fundraising goals: Here is the screen that will appear, which I have helpfully annotated: If you hate PayPal, you can email me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, and I will give you directions on how to send a check. Thank you! Instagram-famous squirrel named Peanut seized by New York state authorities AP The Many Avatars Of Coconuts Madras Courier Whats so special about the human brain? Nature Monkeys will never type Shakespeare, study finds BBC Climate Throw Out Your Black Plastic Spatula The Atlantic Syndemics Viruses Through the Looking-Glass JSTOR Daily China? Russell Hsiao on US Policies and Taiwans Politics The Diplomat What is Chinas biggest security threat? The US, says a top Chinese researcher South China Morning Post How Japans youngest CEO transformed Hello Kitty BBC The Koreas BRICS Africa Syraqistan Stop the Boycott of Israeli Culture NYT Ministries cut ties with Haaretz over apartheid allegations Jerusalem Post As religious Zionist IDF casualties rise, so does resentment of Haredi exemption bill Times of Israel The New Great Game New Not-So-Cold War The Forest and the Trees: Ukraines Strategic Dissipation Big Serge Partner or Instrument? Ukraines Place in US Foreign Policy Strategy Valdai Discussion Club * * * Russias Swift March Forward in Ukraines East NYT Ukraine is now struggling to cling on, not to win The Economist The Putin Dilemma: Why Peace in Ukraine Requires Russias Defeat The National Interest The Bizarre Case Of Two Fake Ukrainian Brigades Forbes * * * How North Koreas Elite Soldiers Could Change Ukraine War Newsweek Congressman calls on US and NATO to consider attacking North Korean troops in Ukraine Ukrainska Pravda Zelenskyy responds on whether Ukraine could request ICC arrest warrant for Kim Jong Un Ukrainska Pravda * * * Brave1 Ukrainian military-tech cluster attracts US$25 million in foreign investment Ukrainska Pravda Why sanctions on Russia are literally backfiring Responsible Statecraft * * * Russo-Ukrainian war, day 981: Kyiv reveals only 10% of US aid reached Ukraine EuroMaidan Press Ukraine may need to pressure Moldova if Stoianoglo wins election former Ukrainian foreign minister Ukrainska Pravda Careless Whisper: AI-powered transcription tool being used by hospitals found to invent chunks of text no one ever said Researchers have found that an artificial intelligence-powered transcription tool being used by hospitals is frequently making up chunks of text or even entire sentences that no one ever said. The transcription tool is known as Whisper. It was developed by tech giant OpenAI, who touted the program as having a near "human level robustness and accuracy." A tech startup with offices in both France and the United States named Nabla built a transcription tool based on Whisper's models that caught the eye of people in the healthcare sector, leading to more than 30,000 clinicians and over 40 health systems signing up to use the transcription tool. (Related: Nearly half of FDA-approved AI-powered medical devices lack clinical validation data.) Researchers, including over a dozen software engineers, developers and academics, found major flaws in Whisper, including its propensity to make up chunks of text or even entire sentences. These same people warned that some of the text invented by Whisper known as "hallucinations" can even include racial commentary, violent rhetoric and imagined medical treatments. One researcher from the University of Michigan reported that, in a study of public meetings, Whisper hallucinated whole chunks of text in eight out of every 10 audio transcriptions that were inspected. One machine learning engineer said he discovered hallucinations in about half of over 100 hours worth of Whisper transcriptions analyzed. Another developer said he found at least one snippet of hallucination in every one of the 26,000 transcripts he created with Whisper. Another group of researchers noted that Whisper hallucinated at least 187 times in more than 13,000 clear audio snippets examined. They noted that the hallucinations seemed to pop up during silences in recordings. Nabla, OpenAI claim they are aware of issues with Whisper and are working on remedies The AI's propensity to make up medical conditions and diagnoses represents a clear danger to patients and doctors alike, especially since Whisper's main users are people in the healthcare sector. Former White House Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Alondra Nelson warned that potentially tens of thousands of faulty transcriptions in over millions of recordings could lead to "really grave consequences" in hospitals. "Nobody wants a misdiagnosis," said Nelson. "There should be a higher bar" for Whisper's continued use. Nabla said the transcription tool has already been used to transcribe an estimated nine million medical visits. The prevalence of the hallucinations has led experts, advocates and former OpenAI employees to call for more regulation of AI. At a minimum, they want OpenAI to address the flaw. "We take this issue seriously and are continually working to improve, including reducing hallucinations," said OpenAI spokesperson Taya Christianson. "For Whisper use on our API platform, our usage policies prohibit use in certain high-stakes decision-making contexts, and our model card for open source use includes recommendations against use in high-risk domains. We thank researchers for sharing their findings." Nabla Chief Technology Officer Martin Raison claimed that "while some transcription errors were sometimes reported, hallucination has never been reported as a significant issue." Raison added that it recognizes that no AI model is perfect and that its own model requires medical providers to quickly edit and approve transcribed notes. Watch this episode of the "Health Ranger Report" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, interviews noted tech whistleblower Zach Vorhies about the rise of AI. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Therapy logs, video sessions for 1.7 million American mental health patients LEAKED to open web after data breach. Surgical robot KILLS woman after BURNING her small intestine during colon cancer surgery. Cigna Healthcare used AI to deny hundreds of thousands of valid health insurance claims, lawsuit alleges. Whistleblower claims medical device company engaged in years-long bribery scheme with Veterans Administration hospital. Remember Obama's death panels? Medicare now using AI algorithms to deny coverage to people deemed expendable. Sources include: Yahoo.com TheVerge.com Brighteon.com Constitution Party presidential candidate launches ads to steer votes away from infanticidal Kamala Harris Pro-life activist and third party presidential candidate Randall Terry has released a series of ads urging supporters of Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris to reconsider their support due to her pro-abortion policies Terry, the candidate of the Christian conservative Constitution Party, is also releasing ads urging opposition to the ballot measures in nearly a dozen states that would legalize abortion. The first ad, aired on ABC's "World News Tonight" on Oct. 28, focuses on pro-life advocates currently serving federal prison sentences and their struggles. "Nearly 20 innocent Americans are in federal prison for peacefully protesting abortion," Terry said at the start of the ad while showing the names and images of the jailed pro-life heroes. He then named Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York and South Dakota as the 10 states that are about to vote on whether to enshrine "abortion rights" into their state constitutions. "Will we protect children, or murder them? and imprison their defenders?" Terry's ad directly called out Christians who supported Harris to reconsider their position and not vote for her. "Jesus said if we harm a child, we're better off drowned in the sea with a millstone around our neck. Jesus said what we do to babies, we do to Him. A vote for these amendments, or this team, is a vote to kill Jesus in the womb," Terry said in the ad while displaying a photo of Harris seated next to Attorney General Merrick Garland. (Related: Kamala Harris releases three pro-abortion ads targeting Trump while advocating a free-for-all of nationwide baby murder.) Another ad, which aired during the World Series Game 4 pregame show on Fox on Oct. 29, includes a series of five distressing images of late-term abortions. The ad sought to influence public support for the upcoming pro-abortion ballot measures in 10 states. This ad similarly implores viewers not to support Harris and her "pro-choice" stance. "Sorry to interrupt the World Series, but killing babies by abortion is on the ballot in 10 states," Terry, dressed in a Dodgers shirt, said at the beginning of the ad. "Jesus said, what we do to children, we do to Him. A vote for these laws, or Kamala, is a vote to kill Jesus in the womb." The commercial ends with Terry in a Yankees shirt, alongside the disturbing graphic images of late-term abortions. Terry has been using powerful images of aborted babies to let the public understand that abortion is murder In September, Terry also launched similar campaign advertisements to steer away religious voters from the Democratic Party ticket. The advertisements, scheduled to air through November, include state-specific ads targeting regions where Democrats are advocating for abortion rights. For instance, in Florida, one of the ads specifically targets Amendment 4, a pro-abortion rights measure, with a video titled "Black Genocide." In the ad, Pastor Stephen Broden, the vice presidential nominee of the Constitution Party, claims that "the leading cause of death in the Black community is abortion." Another ad titled "Pimps and Pedophiles" suggests that abortion enables sexual abuse and trafficking. The ad alleges that some women are coerced into abortion to cover up these crimes. Additionally, the ad warns voters that supporting Amendment 4 makes them "accessories to murder." In a third ad, Terry shares his mother's decision to choose life despite the challenges of being a single mother. He claims that his experience contradicts the "heartache and death" that abortion brings. So, he warned that those who will vote for Amendment 4 will have "blood on their hands." "You cannot end a holocaust of this magnitude without showing the victims and calling it 'Murder.' There are rules and tools in social warfare, and if those five rules and tools are not used, you lose: incendiary images, radical rhetoric, aggressive action, serious sacrifice and verifiable victory," Terry said in an interview with LifeSiteNews back in September, as he explained the need to change the tactics employed in defeating inhuman Democrat policies and politicians. "With those tactics you win, without them, you lose." Follow Abortions.news for more stories about the abortion issue in America. Trump supports the rights of American states to decide on the abortion issue themselves. Watch this video. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: U.S. Supreme Court rebuffs Biden administration's appeal challenging Texas abortion law. Abortion supporters openly scream 'we love killing babies' Finally the masks are removed and they are exposing themselves for the monsters they truly are. Campaign ads of Constitution Party presidential candidate show graphic images of ABORTED BABIES. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com 1 LifeSiteNews.com 2 Brighteon.com Dems panicked that secretive government censorship agency will be terminated if Trump wins With its censorship capacity limited and reputational cancellation attempts no longer working the way they once did, the regime has largely resorted to a combination of lawfare (and potentially assassination) to go after Trump and his supporters in the 2024 cycle, a deeply troubling phenomenon about which weve written extensively. (Article republished from Revolver.news) With Elons takeover of X, the public exposure of the Twitter Files, and the looming extinction of key censorship think tanks such as the Stanford Internet Observatory, the Censorship Industrial complex has taken a number of severe blows in the past couple years. The little known but deeply important Global Engagement Center is another crown jewel of the censorship complex that is almost sure to be radically reformed or disbanded entirely in the event that Trump returns to the White House, and the deep state is in panic. Politico: This year, a little-known center within the State Department exposed a major Russian disinformation campaign in Africa, scoring a rare but decisive victory as Americas adversaries seek to sow chaos and confusion around the world. Now, the Global Engagement Center, which acts as Americas nerve center in combating foreign, state-backed disinformation campaigns in other countries, is itself under threat not from foreign capitals but from within the halls of Congress. [] In late December, the GECs congressional authorization is set to expire, potentially dismantling this specialized unit at a time when its architects argue its needed most. A bipartisan pair of senators is working to extend the centers mandate into the next decade. But theyll need to muscle past several skeptical Republican colleagues, who have accused the center of overstepping its ambit to coordinate U.S. counterterrorism messaging to foreign audiences, alleging it has turned its gaze toward American shores to silence conservative voices. A Democratic victory in the House in November could breathe new life into the center during a lame-duck session, however. But if Republicans continue to hold on to the lower chamber, the center is all but dead. [The GEC] has played an indispensable role in combating Russian and Chinese disinformation. It would unnecessarily undermine U.S. national security if we eliminated this tool, said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who co-led the bill that helped create the center in 2016 and who is now leading the effort to save the center from extinction alongside Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). The Global Engagement Center is housed within the Department of State, and as we can see from the above excerpt, represents its mission as combating foreign disinformation. Of course, this is a euphemistic way to describe its mission of advancing the agenda of the United States government with propaganda overseas. Although we might take issue with the nature of the propaganda being disseminated globally (stuff like promoting drag queens to advance democracy overseas), we can agree that in principle the Global Engagement Centers stated and ostensible function is legitimate. A dominant trend that weve seen over the past several years, however, is government institutions using the cause of fighting foreign disinformation as a pretext to use the tools of the national security state to suppress and punish the political speech of American citizens. The Global Engagement Center happens to be one of the worst offenders in this regard. Longtime Revolver readers might be familiar with the Global Engagement Center from a piece we did years ago that happened to feature Rick Stengel, a former Obama staffer who in fact founded the Center. Some of Stengels hits include discussing his self-described role as a propaganda artist for Obama. In the clip below, Stengel declares his dislike for Fox News while begrudgingly admitting that NewsGuard cant give them a red mark, as that would completely undermine their already thin pretense of balance. In this clip, Stengel argues for curtailing the free flow of information on the internet and even proclaims that the First Amendment ought to be modified in the digital age to allow for the censorship of so-called hate speechthat is, presumably, speech that Rick Stengels former bosses Obama and Joe Biden hate: Thanks to the Twitter files, another of Rick Stengels projects, Hamilton 68, a propaganda campaign created by the political establishment to smear dissenting views as Russian disinformation, was proven to be a complete and total scam. 3) The Twitter files exposed Hamilton 68 as a scam. Yoel Roth, former Twitter head of Trust & Safety, said: "Hamilton 68 accused legitimate American accounts of being Russian bots... There is no evidence to support their statements." Video by?@0rfhttps://t.co/BHaUwtHUJ5 pic.twitter.com/UTlV9iLJlH KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) February 7, 2023 The very biography and public agenda of Rick Stengel put the lie to any legitimate claim for the Global Engagement Center and show that partisan corruption and censorship are very much part of its founding DNA. But the trouble with the GEC goes way beyond Stengel himself. The scandal of the Global Engagement Center was so flagrant that even Elon Musk weighed in. The worst offender in US government censorship & media manipulation is an obscure agency called GEC https://t.co/z6h5975anw Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 6, 2023 One of the early Twitter files included extensive documentation of how the Global Engagement Center wrongfully smeared information and outlets that reported critically on the Biden Administrations response to COVID as Russian disinformation. Then, of course, there was the GECs funding of the disgraced Global Disinformation Index, which labeled conservative domestic media outlets in the USA such as Newsmax, OAN, and the New York Post as high risk. That the Global Engagement Center is on the chopping block in Congress come December is a very encouraging thing and only serves to highlight the significance not only of the presidential election but the Congressional outcomes as well. A Trump victory and strong showing for Republicans in Congress could very well deal the death blow to the Global Engagement Center, which is one of the most precious of the Censorship Industrial Complexs Crown Jewels. There is, of course, a legitimate function for pro-USA propaganda overseas. But it is critical, given the abuse of especially such sectors of the national security community, that an understanding is arrived at that no one in the government is to use the powers it is given to advance the cause of the United States abroad in order to undermine and influence and at times totally silence legitimate political speech at home. This needs to be priority number one when, God willing, Trump steps back in the Oval Office. Read more at: Revolver.news Election fraud rears head in Pennsylvania as local official dropped off and dumped numerous amount of fraudulent voter registrations The woman who was in charge of election proceedings in Luzerne County, Penn., when it ran out of paper on Election Day in 2022 has been exposed for dropping off and dumping "a numerous amount [sic] of applications" for voter registration this year, most of them dated from back in June. Beth McBride, as the woman is called, delivered this massive number of mostly June-dated applications on the last day of registration, according to Romilda Crocamo, Luzern County's manager. This news comes on the heels of other similar news in Lancaster County, also in Pennsylvania, where a voter fraud operation was uncovered that involved a mostly-fraudulent batch of 2,500 voter applications being turned in on or near the deadline, just like what happened in Luzerne County. It turns out, according to "ThePersistence" (@ScottPresler) on X / Twitter, that a single organization is behind both of these voter fraud operations, which is why this X / Twitter account is now calling for an immediate investigation. "Contact Luzerne District Attorney Samuel M. Sanguedolce & demand that he investigate," ThePersistence tweeted. "The details mimic a current investigation in Lancaster County. After contacting the DA, contact your elected officials in the Pennsylvania State House & State Senate and demand they bring attention to this." (Related: Did you hear that the UK-based Center for Countering Digital Hate launched a "black ops" against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.?) How many other phony voter registrations are being submitted in Pennsylvania? Since Pennsylvania is a battleground state, it was expected that this kind of thing would probably happen. One wonders just how many other counties in Pennsylvania have similar voter fraud going on that has not yet been detected? The "Diligent Denizen" (@DiligentDenizen) X / Twitter account shared the following video of Crocamo testifying about the phony ballots have a watch: ??? BREAKING: LUZERNE COUNTY, PA Manager Romilda Crocamo said that an individual (I'm not accusing anyone) dropped & "DUMPED" a "BUNCH" of VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION forms DATED back to JUNE to the Bureau of Elections on the LAST DAY of registration. One of which belonged pic.twitter.com/r8cfxPplOg Diligent Denizen ?? (@DiligentDenizen) October 26, 2024 You can also check out the entire X Space call if you would like at the following link: Here's the link to the entire X Space. The timestamp for Manager Romilda Crocamo's statement is 44:45 ??https://t.co/NVcdHjfMKt Diligent Denizen ?? (@DiligentDenizen) October 26, 2024 "I hope they don't process those voter registration applications dated back to June," someone wrote on X / Twitter in response to this latest news. "That is highly suspicious especially since there was one from another county." "The Luzerne County Board of Elections needs to investigate that 'registration dump' in light of what we now know in Lancaster County," added Matthew Contreras (@MC4PA), who is running for the Pennsylvania General Assembly for the 139th District. "I'm calling for an immediate investigation. Those registrations should be set aside." Others demanded to know which non-governmental organization (NGO) is running this operation as it clearly shows the desperation of those currently in power to keep it at all costs. "They are literally doing everything that they can to subvert that county's election," another said in disgust. "Unreal." "Americans want to see people go to jail for these crimes," said another. "Until these people start going to prison, this will never end!" Another warned that a high number of dead people registered to vote this year not just in Pennsylvania but elsewhere across the country at least 159,000, if this person's assessment of government data is accurate. The latest news about the 2024 election and all of the fraud surrounding it can be found at Rigged.news. Sources for this article include: X.com NaturalNews.com Two containers with completed ballots fall out of truck in Florida According to the Miami-Dade County Elections Department, the now-terminated election worker failed to secure the back of the truck carrying the containers with completed ballots. The containers, a blue box and a sealed bag, fell along a Florida road and were discovered by a passing driver near Turnpike in Cutler Bay, Florida. The total number of ballots affected remains unknown. The driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, recorded the incident on video and shared it with citizen journalism group Only in Dade, where it quickly gained attention on social media. The video shows the driver collecting the containers and delivering them to a nearby police station. Ivan Castro, the elections media manager for Miami-Dade County, confirmed that elections staff swiftly retrieved the ballot containers from the Miami-Dade Police Department. Upon inspection, officials verified that all seals remained intact and no ballots appeared tampered with or damaged. "The incident that occurred was due to human error. The worker forgot to lock the back of the truck and as they drove off, one sealed bin and one sealed bag fell out, containing already voted ballots from early voting. While unintentional, the Elections Department has zero tolerance for error and therefore, the employee was terminated," Castro said while thanking the "upstanding residents who did the right thing" by bringing the ballots to the police station. Mail-in ballot-related incidents are happening across the country The Florida incident is not the first time issues have occurred with early voting ballots. On Oct. 28, hundreds of ballots were set on fire at ballot drop boxes in Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington due to incendiary devices attached to the ballot boxes. Portland Police Bureau Assistant Chief Amanda McMillan believed that the incidents were connected and were likely intentional. "We do know that acts like this are targeted and they're intentional, and were concerned about that intentional act trying to affect the election process. We're dedicated to stopping that kind of behavior and we're working toward that today." Fortunately, a fire suppression device installed in each ballot drop box functioned as intended. "The good news is the fire suppression devices inside the box extinguished any fire almost immediately," said Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey. "There were only three ballots that were in the box out of hundreds that had any damage whatsoever and we were able to clearly read the voters' names on those ballots, so we will be reaching out directly to those that were impacted." In Arizona, police arrested a suspect following an arson incident that damaged at least 20 mail-in ballots in a U.S. Postal Service mailbox in Phoenix. (Related: U.S. Postal Service refusing to disclose who paid for nine trucks that transferred up to 1.5 million counterfeit election ballots in 2020.) Meanwhile, in another incident in Florida, a postal worker faces criminal charges after allegedly discarding over 1,000 pieces of mail, including more than 400 political mail items and at least one election ballot, in a wooded area in Orlando. California has also seen election-related incidents, including burglaries at two post offices in Sacramento County where ballots, laptops and other mail items were stolen. Head over to Rigged.news for more stories like this. Watch this clip from Newsmax featuring Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA) predicting that Pennsylvania is "ready to turn red in 2024." This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: ANALYSIS: Trump is going to win BIG, and then the real fireworks begin America won't survive as we know it for even ONE YEAR. Michigan's bloated voter rolls list nearly 500,000 names more than the total eligible voting population. Will Democrats accept the results of the 2024 Presidential Election? Rasmussen predicting Trump will win Pennsylvania. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com 1 TheEpochTimes.com 2 Brighteon.com Four Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza airstrike, death toll of journalists reaches 182 On Oct. 27, the Israeli military killed another four Palestinian journalists in Gaza , raising the total number of journalists killed in the region since the conflict started to 182. The deceased journalists are Saed Radwan, Hamza Abu Salima, Hanin Baroud and Nadia al-Sayyed. Most were killed during an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Asmaa School in the Al-Shati refugee camp, located west of Gaza City in the northern half of the Strip. (Related: Humanitarian CATASTROPHE: Israeli blockade has deliberately left over 90% of Gaza starving.) The Government Media Office in Gaza later announced the deaths of Nadia al-Sayyed and another journalist, Abdul Rahman Al-Tanani. In a statement, the Gaza Media Office lamented, "The number of martyred journalists has risen to 182 since the onset of genocide in Gaza, highlighting the tragic toll on those who seek to report the truth." This ongoing violence has prompted calls from the Media Office for the international community to take action against what they describe as Israel's crimes, including the targeted killings of journalists. Israel's military has consistently targeted journalists in Gaza, claiming without evidence that some members of the press are affiliated with groups like Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. On the same day as the latest killings, the Israeli army alleged that six Al Jazeera journalists were operatives of these groups, naming individuals such as Anas al-Sharif and Hossam Shabat. These accusations raise significant concerns regarding the safety of journalists working in the area, especially as Israel continues its military operations. The context of these deaths is dire, with at least 1,000 people reported killed and many displaced mostly in northern Gaza due to what has been termed Israel's "Generals' Plan," which reportedly aims to eliminate or force out Palestinians in northern Gaza in preparation for the area's eventual settlement and annexation. Many residents refuse to leave, fearing they wont be permitted to return. The health sector in northern Gaza faces a critical collapse due to ongoing military actions, compounding the humanitarian crisis. In response, Hamas announced an intensified political and diplomatic campaign to counter the Generals' Plan. Israel also killing journalists in Lebanon The situation for journalists is precarious not only in Gaza but also in neighboring Lebanon, where three media workers were recently killed in an airstrike. This incident has intensified calls to hold Israel accountable for its actions against the press. Advocates argue that the increasing death toll of journalists can be attributed to the failure of the international community, particularly the United States, to hold Israel responsible for its actions. The targeted attack in Lebanon specifically hit a compound housing journalists, drawing severe condemnation. Lebanese Information Minister Ziad Makary described the strike as a premeditated assassination, citing the presence of 18 journalists from various media institutions in the area. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has labeled the current climate as one of the deadliest for reporters in years, with at least 128 journalists killed amid the wider violence in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon over the past year. CPJ Program Director Carlos Martinez de la Serna emphasized that deliberately targeting journalists constitutes a war crime under international law, calling for an independent investigation into these attacks. Israeli officials often deflect criticism by accusing journalists of affiliations with militant groups, which critics argue is a tactic to justify violence against the press. Al Jazeera has firmly rejected Israels accusations against its journalists. Despite the ongoing threats, advocates stress the importance of journalism in documenting the situation in Gaza. They argue that the killing of journalists is part of a broader strategy to obscure the truth about Israel's military actions. International bodies, including over 70 media and civil society organizations, have called on Israel to allow foreign journalists access to Gaza, a request that has gained urgency as the conflict continues. Diana Buttu, a Palestinian lawyer, highlighted the inconsistencies in how international law is applied, pointing out that merely alleging someone is affiliated with an armed group does not make them a legitimate target in conflict. Raed Jarrar from the United States-based rights group DAWN stated that the targeting of journalists reflects Israel's desperation to conceal its actions against Palestinians. Watch this video featuring an interview with Jeremy Loffredo, a journalist jailed by Israel. This video is from the channel Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth on Brighteon.com. More related stories: BEAST SYSTEM: Israel to hire U.S.-based biometrics firm to screen Palestinians in Gaza. Israel's FINAL SOLUTION for Gaza is genocide followed by annexation into Greater Israel. Gaza Health Ministry appeals for global intervention to save remaining hospitals from Israel's violence. The "General's Plan:" Israel carries out ethnic cleansing campaign on trapped and starving people in northern Gaza. Corporate media twisting words like pretzels to cover for Israel's killing spree in Gaza. Sources include: TheCradle.co AlJazeera.com Brighteon.com Jews rejecting CHRIST: Israel wants family of Christian soldier who died in Gaza to remove the CROSS from his headstone The Israeli Defense Ministry wants the family of a Christian soldier who died fighting for Israel in Gaza last year to remove the cross from his headstone at the Haifa military cemetery According to the government, the cross violates regulations that standardize graves and bar crosses, or other religious symbols. If the family will not remove the cross, they could have his body dug up and buried elsewhere. Staff Sgt. David Bogdanovskyi, 19, was killed along with several of his comrades when an anti-tank guided missile hit a Namer armored engineering vehicle they were in, in southern Gaza's Khan Younis last December. His family immigrated to Israel from Ukraine in 2014. The black marble headstone has an engraved picture of Bogdanovskyi in his military uniform, his name written in the Ukrainian Cyrillic alphabet, his unit symbols and the "talked about small cross." "The family is crushed, they cry non-stop and are in despair at the situation," a relative told Chanel 12 News. "They were told that if they don't take down the headstone the grave would be moved." Hebrew media learned from the family of Bogdanovskyi that they had received a letter from the Public Council for Commemoration of Fallen Soldiers following an ongoing dispute that had seen his headstone covered with a black cloth for several months. "I thought that my David, who gave his life to the country, who loved the country with all his heart for nine years, since his aliyah, who joined the [Israel Defense Forces] IDF to defend me, his family and all of us, is no different than any of the other guys, [and] is not a second-class citizen. I stood there and cried with anger, frustration, and not understanding," his mother said. She also posted on Facebook saying that his son "loved Israel from the bottom of his heart" and that the cross engraved on his headstone was an integral part of his identity and the faith in which he was raised. The family said that other graves in the cemetery have religious markers on them, N12 reported. The Defense Ministry insisted that their order is especially important in the Haifa military cemetery, where fallen Jewish soldiers are also buried, citing a ruling by the IDF Chief Rabbi that states the holiness of the Jewish cemetery is harmed by the cross. According to the ministry, it had received complaints from families of Jewish soldiers buried nearby who said that the presence of the cross "offends them and harms their ability to pray and say the Kaddish mourning prayer." (Related: Israel orders removal of headstone for fallen IDF soldier because it has a Christian cross on it.) IDF publishes names of 771 soldiers, 68 police officers killed in Israel's multifront war Since Oct. 7, 771 Israeli soldiers, officers and reservists have been killed fighting for Israel in the ongoing war with Hamas, the IDF published recently. More than 302 of them were on the border with the Gaza Strip during the terror onslaught and at least 360 during a ground offensive in the Hamas-run territory and amid operations on the border. Among the dead are six colonels, including Col. Jonathan Steinberg, 42, the commander of the Nahal Brigade, from Shomria; Col. Roi Levy, 44, the commander of the Multidomain Unit, also known as the "Ghost" Unit, from Shavei Tzion; Col. Asaf Hamami, 41, the commander of the Gaza Division's Southern Brigade, from Kiryat Ono; Col. Itzhak Ben Basat, 44, head of the Golani Brigade chief's forward command team, from Sde Ya'akov; Col. Ehsan Daqsa, 41, the commander of the 401st Armored Brigade, from Daliyat al-Karmel and Col. (res.) Lion Bar, 53, is a retired senior officer in the Judea and Samaria Division, from Gedera. Moreover, Israel Police has listed 58 officers who were killed confronting the terrorists on the Gaza border, an officer killed during a hostage rescue operation in the Strip, six officers killed in terror attacks in Israel and the West Bank and three other officers killed during clashes with terror operatives in West Bank raids. Meanwhile, 27 soldiers and a local security officer have also been killed in attacks claimed by Lebanon's Hezbollah and allied terror groups on northern Israel since the fighting started. Thirty-four soldiers were killed during ground operations in Lebanon. Ten soldiers were killed in terror attacks in the West Bank and Israel. Three soldiers were killed during a counter-terrorism operation in the West Bank. Also, two soldiers were killed in a drone attack from Iraq. The military's list also includes a soldier killed by friendly fire in the West Bank, a soldier killed due to malfunctioning ammunition on the Lebanon border, two soldiers killed in a tank accident in northern Israel and several other deadly incidents amid the war but not directly related to the fighting. Visit IsraelCollapse.com to read stories related to Israel's war with Middle Eastern countries. Sources for this article include: InformationLiberation.com JPost.com TimesOfIsrael.com Anti-Zionist Jewish group says Israel is perpetrating a holocaust in Gaza Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), an anti-Zionist Jewish group based in Berkeley, California, recently released a statement saying that Israel's actions in Gaza amount to "perpetrating a holocaust." "Many of us have parents, grandparents and great-grandparents who survived or perished in Nazi death marches and we have all grown up in the shadow of the Nazi holocaust. The State of Israel is currently perpetrating a holocaust, the deliberate mass slaughter of Palestinian people, with weapons provided by the United States," JVP said in the statement while comparing images of the Holocaust with photos of present-day Gaza on social media. This comes as many Palestinian peace advocates have similarly referred to the Israeli military's actions in Gaza as "Holocaust," leading to accusations of antisemitism. This appears to be the first major statement from a Jewish group that similarly referred to Israel's war in Gaza using a term originally used to refer to the genocide against Jews during World War II. Since Israel launched its war on Gaza last October, Israeli forces have killed more than 43,000 Palestinians, half of whom were women and children, and destroyed schools, mosques, hospitals and United Nations-run refugee shelters. In addition to targeting civilian structures, Israeli forces have targeted journalists, medical workers and UN and international aid workers. While the official death toll from the Gaza Health Ministry is just over 43,000 Palestinians, some estimates have placed the death toll at more than 186,000 already. Israeli forces recently launched a weekslong siege on parts of northern Gaza, with reports stating that Israeli forces have ethnically cleansed half of the Jabalia neighborhood. (Related: The "General's Plan:" Israel carries out ethnic cleansing campaign on trapped and starving people in northern Gaza.) "The photos and videos coming out of North Gaza are a terrifying echo of all-too-familiar images of European ghettos and Nazi concentration camps in the 2nd World War," JVP said. "Today we stand with our ancestors at our backs, in solidarity with our Palestinian siblings, demanding an immediate weapons embargo and an end to genocide - we will not act with indifference toward Palestinian suffering." JVP also called on survivors of the Holocaust and their descendants to sign its statement, "to stand up and stop genocide. Holocaust survivors calling out Israel's genocide in Gaza Many Holocaust survivors have answered the call to speak up against the genocide in Gaza. One of them is Stephen Kapos, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor from Budapest who now lives in London. According to Kapos, Israel is rekindling the horror of the Holocaust. "I am here because I protest against the use of the memory of the Holocaust as a justification for perpetrating the same in Gaza as a genocide against the Palestinian people," Kapos, who lost most of his family in the Holocaust, said during a pro-Palestine rally in London. Apart from the human cost of Israel's war on Gaza, Kapos strongly condemned the devastation of the besieged enclave's infrastructure, including housing, medical facilities and educational institutes. Figures show how Israel devastated Gaza's infrastructure, internally displaced nearly the entirety of the population, and left most to face famine conditions and acute shortages of medical aid. "Not only is there heavy indiscriminate bombardment, but even blowing up important institutions like universities after they had been occupied, when there was no Hamas anywhere near and yet they were destroyed, it's quite clearly a message that they wish to obliterate Gaza as a place to live at all," said Kapos. "It is, in fact, the last stages of ethnic cleansing by means of genocide." Watch this video of an Israeli ambassador being confronted with data showing how Israel is deliberately starving Gaza. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Black Muslim leaders reject Kamala for president because she supports Israel: "Genocide must be our red line." Israel's FINAL SOLUTION for Gaza is genocide followed by annexation into Greater Israel. Humanitarian CATASTROPHE: Israeli blockade has deliberately left over 90% of Gaza starving. Israeli military deliberately shooting Gaza children IN THE HEAD, says American doctor: "I was there." HORROR: Israeli troops live streamed war crimes and genocidal acts, documentary reveals. Sources include: MiddleEastEye.net AA.com.tr Brighteon.com Rudy Giuliani appears to call for MURDERING two-year-old Palestinian children, claiming they might represent a future risk to Israel and America At a recent Donald Trump rally, former associate attorney general of the United States and failed GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani delivered a wild diatribe about how Americans should support Israel even in the face of genocide because Israel is Americans' "best friend." After comparing what happened in Israel on October 7 of last year to what happened in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, Giuliani launched into a wild rant about how all Palestinians, including children, should be slaughtered because he is not willing to take a risk with people that are taught "from the age of two" to kill Americans and Israelis. "September 11 was our darkest hour! October 7 was Israel's darkest hour!" Giuliani bellowed to scant cheers and overall unenthusiasm from the crowd. "They are our best friend! I worked for Ronald Reagan for eight years! Ronald Reagan said that we need to be there for Israel always because they are always here for us! Hamas is not there for us! Iran is not there for us! they want to kill us! and the Palestinians are taught to kill us at two years old!" BREAKING: ???? Call for killing 2-year-olds in Palestine for allegedly posing a future risk to Israel at Trump rallypic.twitter.com/iPTPj25yWv Megatron (@Megatron_ron) October 28, 2024 (Related: Remember back during the Wuhan coronavirus [COVID-19] "pandemic" when Rudy Giuliani called out then-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey for allegedly "covering up child pornography" on his social media platform?) Giuliani tells Trump supporters they're "on the side of Israel" whether they like it or not Giuliani continued in his rant to suggest that there are no good Palestinians, including young Palestinians who are not yet of age to even understand anything about politics. "They may have good people I'm sorry; I don't take a risk with people who are taught to kill Americans at two!" Giuliani screamed, followed by near-silence in the room. "I'm on the side of Israel! You're on the side of Israel! Donald Trump's on the side of Israel! And they're (the Palestinians) are on the side of the terrorists!" This cringe-fest was met with plenty of criticism on social media, including from one person who asked why U.S. elections are always "more about supporting Israel and less about the well-being of our own people." "The support for Israel is almost completely dead," wrote another about how people both on the left and on the right are becoming unified in their exhaustion from having to constantly hear about Israel, Israel, and more Israel from politicians all the time. "When exactly have they ever been there for America?" asked another about Israel's supposed support for America and its people. "I'm beginning to think that Americans are the dumbest, most ignorant, least educated people to ever breathe the air of this planet," said another. "Their country and social fabric are falling apart at the hands of these idiots but they still chant and cheer for the guy that shouts the loudest for a country totally disconnected from them that does nothing for them, and is bleeding them dry of all their $$$$$." "This is a purely genocidal statement," condemned another about Giuliani's wildly unpopular rhetoric at the Trump rally. "Calling for the killing of children is inhumane and unjustifiable, no matter the reason." "Ask yourself: Why is supporting Israel consistently the most discussed issue by both the Democrats and the Republicans for a presidential election, even after all Israel has done to us?" asked another. "Remember Epstein, 9/11, JFK, USS Liberty, Pollard, our journalists, etc. ... We are an occupied nation ..." The latest news about all things Trump can be found at Trump.news. Sources for this article include: X.com NaturalNews.com Mike Adams Sermon 89: GODS JUDGMENT upon the WICKED The Health Ranger Mike Adams talked about God's coming judgment upon the wicked during his 89th sermon on the "Health Ranger Report" podcast, part of his 100 Sermons series for the Church of Natural Abundance. He based his sermon on the Book of Psalms, specifically Psalm 75 that talks about God's righteous judgment. According to Adams, the Bible is filled with very direct references to to the End of Days and His judgment upon America, Israel and the whole of humanity and Psalm 75 is among them. The Lord will bring forth his judgment on Washington and Tel Aviv, both of which are wicked and satanic nations in his eyes. The U.S. itself, as well as the churches of America, have mostly rejected God. In particular, the church has failed to stand up against all the wickedness that is happening in the American nation. (Related: Sermon 81: SPIRITUAL COURAGE and the fate of cowards in the afterlife.) Because of this, God is going to judge all the evil nations and destroy them. The Bible nutrition educator then cited a key verse in the passage that states: "God is the judge. He puts down one and exalts another." (Psalm 75:6-7) "It means your greatness doesn't come from conquering lands and kingdoms, or all the riches that you get in trade from the lands of the east and west and whatever," Adams said. "Your greatness only comes from God, and God is the judge." Adams: God judges KINDLY BUT FIRMLY The Health Ranger also mentioned that Psalm 75 also has direct references to the Seven Trumpets and Seven Bowls in the Book of Revelation. These seven signs, he said, pertain to seven comet impacts that will destroy particular regions of the world. The seventh trumpet will ultimately destroy all human civilization before God lays down His judgment, ahead of the creation of the New Earth. According to Adams, God judges every person kindly but firmly. Once He has passed His judgment, there are no more second chances. People will have second chances in this life because Christ, His Son, died for their sins. But to achieve this second chance, they must repent and ask for the forgiveness of their sins. Once this second chance is granted, people must then lead a good life by acting in faith and earning their place in heaven through good deeds. The Health Ranger pointed out that the Bible teaches very clearly that faith plus deeds is the way to heaven. On the one hand, a person can't earn their way into heaven from deeds alone. On the other hand, they can't also earn their way into heaven from faith alone if their deeds contradict God. Adams focused on another key verse in the passage that reads: "All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted" (Psalm 75:10). This verse, he said, fulfills God's promise to judge every person with those who are good going to heaven, while those who are evil going to hell. The Natural News and Brighteon.com founder pointed out that while God's judgment upon nations and the Earth is prominent throughout the Bible, almost no pastors or preachers will ever teach about the Lord's wrath that is mentioned repeatedly in the Scriptures. Thus, he gave advice as to how to live life in preparation for that day. "The best way to live our life is to live the life with Christ walking with us. Live a life that is holy. Live a life with God every single day." Follow GodsWrath.news for more news about God's spiritual judgment. Listen to the 89th sermon of the Health Ranger Mike Adams about God's wrath and judgment upon the wicked. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Sermon 56: Mike Adams discusses the biblical COSMIC IMPACTS prophesied to reset Earth. Sermon 24: Mike Adams discusses theories about the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ. Sermon 69: God already gave humanity the answers to pass the FINAL EXAM OF LIFE. Mike Adams Sermon 16: What happens when TRUTH dies in a nation of deceit, lies and fakery? Sources include: Brighteon.com BibleGateway.com 1 BibleGateway.com 2 BibleGateway.com 3 Ballot drop boxes set ablaze in Oregon and Washington, prompting security concerns ahead of election At least two ballot drop boxes have been set ablaze in Oregon and Washington State, destroying an unknown number of ballots. The most recent incident occurred in Vancouver, Clark County, Washington, where a ballot drop box was engulfed in flames early Monday morning, Oct. 28. This area is particularly significant as it lies within Oregon's highly contested third congressional district, currently represented by Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. Former President Donald Trump won the district in the 2020 election, and the race between Perez and Republican challenger United States Army Special Forces veteran Joe Kent is considered a toss-up. (Related: ELECTION LAB: More than 40 million voters have already cast their votes as early voting starts.) Vancouver police reported responding to the arson around 4 a.m., finding the ballot box on fire and a suspicious device nearby. The Metro Explosive Disposal Unit was called to safely remove the device and extinguish the fire. Initial investigations suggest an incendiary device may have caused the blaze, but no suspects or motives have been identified. Hundreds of ballots were in the drop box at the time of the fire. With many states expanding early and mail-in voting options, election officials maintain that ballot drop boxes are secure and closely monitored. However, the recent fires in Vancouver and Portland raise serious concerns about their safety. In total, hundreds of ballots were either damaged or destroyed, with most losses occurring in Vancouver, while many ballots in Portland's drop box survived the fire. In Portland, an incendiary device was discovered attached to a ballot drop box during a fire response at around 3:30 AM Monday. The Portland Police Bureau reported that the device has been sent for forensic analysis to uncover any unique markings or writings. Similarly, another ballot box in Vancouver was also set on fire early Monday, leading investigators to discover a suspicious device next to it. The U.S. Attorneys Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are actively investigating the fires, pledging to hold those responsible accountable. Election officials confirmed that all ballot boxes in Multnomah and Clark counties are equipped with fire suppression systems, which helped save over 400 ballots in Portland, resulting in only three damaged. The extent of the damage from the Vancouver fire is still being assessed, but preliminary estimates suggest fewer than a hundred ballots may have been affected. Approximately 500 Clark County voters have requested replacement ballots. These incidents follow a September bulletin from the Department of Homeland Security warning about potential sabotage of ballot drop boxes, as discussions on social media suggested various methods to target election infrastructure. Election advocates emphasize that drop boxes provide a secure way for voters to return mail-in ballots, alleviating pressure on the United States Postal Service during busy election seasons. Authorities have identified vehicle of suspect in Portland ballot arson attack Authorities have identified a suspect vehicle a dark-colored 2001-2004 Volvo S-60 seen leaving the scene in Portland. Investigators continue to piece together the connections between the recent fires and a similar incident in Vancouver earlier in October. As Election Day approaches, state officials encourage voters to participate despite these unsettling events, promising increased security around ballot drop boxes. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced 24-hour enhanced security measures and local law enforcement will increase patrols in the affected areas. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek condemned any attempts to intimidate voters or undermine the electoral process, asserting that such actions are un-American and unacceptable. Meanwhile, Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade emphasized that attacks on ballot boxes threaten democracy and are unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation. Watch this clip from InfoWars' "Daily Dispatch" discussing the ballot boxes being targeted in arson attacks. This video is from the KryptoKing187 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Georgia prepares for 2024 election STEAL with $5M scheme to "identify local election officials" who might challenge results. Prepare for LANDSLIDE TRUMP VICTORY on November 5th followed by AVALANCHE of FAKE KAMALA BALLOTS counted in the days that folow. Nearly 800,000 absentee ballots were already submitted in Michigan by Oct. 16. Georgia reports record turnout on first day of early voting, with over 328,000 people casting votes or requesting absentee ballots. ELECTION RIGGING: Pennsylvania court rules election officials cannot reject mail-in ballots with incorrect or missing dates on envelopes. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com CNN.com Brighteon.com REPORT: CCP saw Tim Walz as a target to help push Chinese influence in Washington An internal report from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shows that intelligence officials were concerned with how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) saw Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as a prime "target" for its influence operations in the United States. Internal DHS communications note that Homeland Security agents were gravely concerned with the possibility that, should Vice President Kamala Harris win the election, the CCP could have a backdoor into the White House through Walz. "[Walz's] got the VP [nomination]. You all have no idea how this feeds into what PRC [People's Republic of China] has been doing here with him and [local governments]," one DHS official wrote on Aug. 6 in an internal "Nation State Threat National Functional Team" chat. "It's seriously a line of the intel," the official added. "Target someone who is perceived they can get to D.C." A whistleblower notes that officials from DHS's Office of Intelligence and Analysis and Homeland Security investigations are involved in the work of investigating the connections between the CCP, the State of Minnesota and Walz. This same whistleblower warned that the DHS also has information on Walz that it is unwilling to divulge in both classified and unclassified documents. DHS accused of helping cover up information on Walz's CCP ties The whistleblower divulged all of this information to the House Oversight Committee back in September. The committee only published these internal communications on Tuesday, Oct. 29, in an open letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, who earlier refused to voluntarily provide the committee with information following a subpoena. The subpoena, issued on Sept. 30, requested documents related to the potential connections between Walz and the CCP. (Related: Report: Tim Walz approved funding for Minnesota lab that worked with notorious Wuhan facility.) House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) accused Mayorkas and the DHS of being "wholly unresponsive" and warned that this "raises serious concerns about the Department's fulfillment of its mission to resolutely protect the nation's homeland." "The Committee is releasing [the internal messages] as an example of communications within DHS's possession in which DHS officials express concern about the CCP targeting politicians and their influence operations at the state and local levels and specifically, concerns about the CCP's influence operations as they relate to Gov. Walz," Comer wrote in the letter to Mayorkas. Republicans in the House of Representatives have warned of the potential national security issues arising from Walz's close ties to China. He taught American history and English at a high school in Foshan, Guangdong, he had a former relationship with a woman he met in China back in 1989 and he has visited the communist nation at least 30 times, a dozen of those visits occurred while he was serving in the Army National Guard. "Any individual traveling dozens of times to an adversary nation in a personal capacity while having access to classified information poses an obvious security risk," warned Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN). Watch this clip from "The Alex Jones Show" on InfoWars discussing how Tim Walz has been "infiltrated" and is an asset of the Chinese Communist Party. This video is from the KryptoKing187 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Tim Walz's wife Gwen yanked off campaign trail for being a "Karen-like" weirdo: "At one point, she looked and sounded like the Wicked Witch of the West." As a congressman, Tim Walz sponsored legislation that would have granted legal status to 3 million undocumented migrants. Tim Walz linked to radical personalities with close ties to socialists and Marxists. TROUBLE FOR KAMALA: Tim Walz now under investigation for ties to CCP. Tim Walz appointee affiliated with CCP-linked political faction. Sources include: YourNews.com NYPost.com Brighteon.com Afghanistan Aland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegowina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote D'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Curacao Cyprus Czechia Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard and McDonald Islands Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, North Korea, South Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda Saint Barthelemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan, Republic of Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste (East Timor) Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States of America United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City State Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands (British) Virgin Islands (U.S.) Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Why we influenced the 2020 elections: Facebook files reveal the coordinated effort to bury the Hunter Biden laptop story Recently, I spoke at an event about my book, The Indispensable Right, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Appearing on the panel with me was a New York University professor and one of the Facebook board members directing content moderation. We had a sharp disagreement over the record of Meta/Facebook on censorship, which I described as partisan and anti-free speech. Now, Congress has released the internal communications at Facebook, showing an express effort to appease Biden officials by censoring the Hunter Biden laptop story before the election. (Article republished from JonathanTurley.org) In a new report released by the House Judiciary Committees Subcommittee on the Weaponization of Government, Facebook executives are shown following the lead of the FBI, which gave them prior warnings to prepare to spike such stories before the election. The FBI knew that the laptop was authentic. They had possession of the laptop, and American intelligence concluded that it was not Russian disinformation. One Microsoft employee wrote, FBI tipped us all off last week that this Burisma story was likely to emerge. However, these communications also show a knowing effort to appease Biden and Harris and effectively assist them in their election efforts. Facebooks then-Vice President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg reportedly wrote to Vice President of Global Public Policy Joel Kaplan, [o]bviously, our calls on this could colour the way an incoming Biden administration views us more than almost anything else. One of the most interesting communications came from a Facebook employee who recognized that they would be accused of seeking to influence the election: When we get hauled up to [Capitol] [H]ill to testify on why we influenced the 2020 elections, we can say we have been meeting for YEARS with USG [the U.S. government] to plan for it. The Facebook files go beyond influencing the election. At one point, Nick Clegg, the companys president of global affairs, asked, Can someone quickly remind me why we were removingrather than demoting/labelingclaims that Covid is man made. The Vice President in charge of content policy responded, We were under pressure from the administration and others to do more. We shouldnt have done it. Notably, Democrats opposed every effort to seek this information, and Facebook only recently relented in turning over its files years after Elon Musk ordered the release of the Twitter files. I raised this issue during the NCC event to counter the glowing self-appraisal of Meta over its record. Despite its claims of transparency, it refused calls from many of us for years to release these files. When finally forced by the House to do so, CEO Mark Zuckerberg made a perfunctory apology and moved on. As shown at the NCC event, it is now spinning its record as a defense of free speech. Read more at: JonathanTurley.org Former horse rancher and 6,000 other plaintiffs are suing Syngenta after paraquat exposure led to Parkinsons Disease John Platt, once a thriving horse rancher in Floridas Panhandle, now finds himself in a legal battle against one of the worlds largest agricultural chemical companies, Syngenta. Platt, who purchased 26 acres of pristine woodlands in 2004, has been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease, a condition he attributes to his long-term exposure to paraquat, a powerful herbicide he once applied on his property. As he recalls the early days of transforming his land into a horse ranch, Platt reflects on serious risks that he did not understand at the time. When I bought the land, I weighed around 190 pounds, he shared. Now, Im under 150 pounds, and every day is a struggle. I have tremors, I struggle to recall words, and I experience severe fatigue. Platts awakening shines a light on a much larger human health crisis, as he joins approximately 6,000 other plaintiffs who claim that paraquat exposure led to their Parkinsons diagnoses. Paraquat's links to neurological conditions was concealed Paraquat, marketed by Syngenta under the trade name Gramoxone, has been approved for American agriculture for decades. The herbicide is primarily used on major cash crops such as corn, soybeans and cotton. The chemical gained popularity as farmers sought alternatives to glyphosate, particularly as weeds developed resistance. However, paraquat use has come under increased scrutiny due to a growing body of research linking it to neurological conditions. Due to these serious risks, the herbicide has been banned in over 60 countries, including the United Kingdom, the European Union and Brazil, due to safety concerns. In late 2022, Canada removed paraquat from its market entirely, further isolating the U.S. as a prominent user of the herbicide. While Syngenta maintains that extensive scientific research does not support a causal relationship between paraquat and Parkinsons disease, internal documents from Syngentas predecessor, Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), reveal serious risks that were concealed and strategically covered up. Company scientists recognized the potential neurotoxicity of paraquat as early as the 1950s, indicating awareness of its dangers long before widespread use. In 1967, ICI was aware that paraquat infiltrated the blood of farmers who worked with the chemical. The ICI knew in 1973 that paraquat could travel into the spine and the brain. Back then, doctors referred to certain symptoms of chest tightness and severe headaches from paraquat exposure as "paraquat syndrome." Court records show that as evidence of the herbicide's risks mounted, Syngenta engaged in efforts to discredit researchers who raised concerns. A toxicologist from ICI wrote in 1975 that good publicity had helped mitigate public concern about paraquats safety, despite emerging data indicating long-term health risks. Due possibly to good publicity on our part, very few people here believe that paraquat causes any sort of problem, he noted in a communication with a Chevron toxicologist. Paraquat deception brings about historic lawsuits in the U.S. The industry coverup of paraquats neurological risks have brought about new lawsuits. In 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a decade-long review of paraquat and re-approved its use, concluding that the evidence was insufficient to link paraquat to Parkinsons disease. However, this decision has since been challenged in court by various nonprofits, prompting the EPA to agree to reconsider its ruling, a process that is being drug out until January 2025. As the federal trial against Syngenta continues, proceedings have faced repeated delays, leaving plaintiffs like Platt in limbo. These cases are particularly heartbreaking, said Sarah Doles, Platts attorney, and co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs. Many of our clients are elderly and in declining health. They just want to tell their story and seek justice before its too late. Platts battle is not only a personal struggle but also a part of a broader conversation about agricultural practices and public health. As evidence mounts regarding the potential dangers of paraquat, the ongoing litigation could reshape the regulatory landscape for pesticides in the United States. California Assembly member Laura Friedman, is currently advocating for a ban on paraquat. Friedman criticized the EPAs reactive approach to pesticide regulation, stating, Weve seen our federal agencies being in much more of a reactive mode, waiting for people to get sick before they take action. Other countries dont operate that way. Follow Pesticides.news for more stories and information related to pesticides and their negative effects on health. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org TheGuardian.com Pubmed.gov NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com Jena Griswold breaks 2024 election in Colorado: Results will be 100% non-certifiable, warns Patrick Byrne There has been "a leak of passwords in Colorado" that will render the 2024 election , at least in that state, "completely meaningless." Constitutional advocate Patrick Byrne (@PatrickByrne) shared the following video on X / Twitter showing how the Colorado BIOS Scandal, as they are calling it, nullifies the 2024 election entirely. George Soros plant Jena Griswold, Colorado's secretary of state, revealed that "partial passwords for the voting system components were mistakenly posted on an official website in a spreadsheet." Newsweek is credited with breaking the news about how Colorado "accidentally" published its voting system passwords in a "major error" that "as a member of the public, if you unhid some columns, these passwords became available." "The spreadsheet contained more than 600 partial BIOS passwords for voting system components across 63 of Colorado's 64 counties," Byrne explains in the video below, reading from the article. "BIOS (basic input / output systems) passwords are a core component of security control for a computer system, like a master key that controls access to the basic hardware settings of a computer. The password questions were not encrypted nor were they protected." Jena Griswold just broke the 2024 Election in Colorado. Results are now 100% non-certifiable and anyone who says differently is lying. "History repeats itself, the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce." - Marx pic.twitter.com/3YNFb8rQrZ Patrick Byrne (@PatrickByrne) October 30, 2024 (Related: Donald Trump is vowing no more foreign wars, even as Kamala Harris proceeds to "gamble with the lives of millions.") Jena Griswold fails to inform election judges about breach What this all means is that there is now no way to certify the vote in Colorado because the state's entire election system was potentially breached because of this "error." The way electronic voting is set up involves a complex network of scanners and tablets that are supposed to communicate with each county's Election Management Server, a centralized source where the votes are to be tabulated. This password breach means that potentially anyone can log in and manipulate the vote. The whole system and all of its moving parts is supposed to be protected behind a passworded firewall, but the "error" has ensured that this protection is no longer there, allowing for potential voter fraud. What makes Griswold look especially suspicious in all this is that she conveniently failed to participate in a group call about the breach at which election judges from different Colorado counties expressed concerns about the fact that Griswold never informed them about the breach, and that they had to find out about it from the voting system's vendor, which remains unnamed. A 68-year-old town clerk by the name of Tina Peters was actually locked up simply for accessing the system using one of the leaked passwords, which was something really simple like "password123." "Tina Peters, a 68-year-old grandma, she a town clerk accessed her system, which she has every right to do ... and she got tried" for it, Byrne says. "She's doing nine years for that." Gen. Michael Flynn interjected on X / Twitter about Peters' arrest and imprisonment that she should "be released immediately from prison." "What a travesty of justice," Flynn added. "She reported the truth while the real criminals get away with this nonsense." "Tina Peters needs to be freed immediately," wrote another about how these new revelations from Byrne expose Griswold as the culprit. "Are they going to lock her up like they did Tina Peters, for nine years!???!!!" asked another, referring to Griswold being thrown in prison. "They need to get electors ready to make the call," wrote another. "Because it's too late and this woman needs to go to jail immediately." The latest news about the 2024 election can be found at Rigged.news. Sources for this article include: X.com NaturalNews.com Jimmy Kimmel illegally tells Trump voters they can wait until Friday (Article by Steve Watson republished from Modernity.news) Jimmy Kimmel: "If you want to vote for Trump, vote late. Vote very late. Do your voting on Thursday or maybe Friday." pic.twitter.com/Il1Ch6S0eE Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) October 31, 2024 It prompted some to point out that a Trump supporter got sentenced to prison for a very similar action. Theres a guy in jail for telling this joke. https://t.co/FwdsR6h4Hx EducatedHillbilly (@RobProvince) October 31, 2024 Trump supporter Douglass Mackey, also known as Ricky Vaughn, was handed a seven month sentence for sharing the memes that claimed Democrats could vote for Hillary by text in 2016. Douglass Mackey, the man on trial for memes, was sentenced to seven months in prison Wednesday for his efforts to trick Hillary Clinton voters into staying home on Election Day in 2016. @NikaSchoonover https://t.co/0u8YsjmGdG Courthouse News (@CourthouseNews) October 18, 2023 Prosecutors claimed that Mackey was also a member of private direct-message groups on Twitter, in which he discussed ways of spreading material intended variously to provoke, mislead, and, in some cases, deceive voters in the 2016 presidential election. No evidence was presented showing that anyone had been duped by the messages. Read more at: Modernity.news Michigan sheriff announces criminal investigation into 2020 election crimes, Dominion Voting Systems Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf has just announced in a press release that his office has referred a case regarding election-related crimes to the Texas Attorney Generals Office. He stated: The Texas Attorney General has opened a criminal investigation related to Dominion Voting Systems, Election Systems & Software (ES&S). Hart InterCivic, and SolarWinds including specific subcontractors, agents, and employees. According to the press release, the sheriffs office will release more information when it can do so without compromising the investigation. However, he has posted on X in the past that he was looking into conspiracy crimes, wire services fraud, honest services fraud, and perjury charges related to Dominion CEO John Polous sworn testimony before the Michigan Legislature that its voting systems could not be accessed or connected to by outside networks and sources, and that it was a US based company.' He previously claimed in an affidavit that Serbian foreign nationals were instructed by employees of Dominion to access Michigans election system remotely and refused to provide prosecutors with his voter fraud files out of concern that it would compromise his investigation. Journalist Lara Logan shared the new press release on X and provided additional context, saying that some parts of this investigation have been going on for a few years and are not pretty. Referring to the press release, she said: This is one of those documents that could be easily overlooked -- in truth it is a nuclear bomb. Its not known why the sheriff of Barry County, which is in Michigan, would refer the case to the Texas AGs office, but Leaf has long been investigating allegations of vote fraud. As part of the constitutional sheriffs movement, Leaf has made it his mission to protect election integrity in America. Since the 2020 elections, he has petitioned courts to seize voting equipment and requested numerous records as he looks into whether vote tabulators around the country could have been rigged to give Trump votes to Biden. Trump won decisively in Barry County, but Biden took the state of Michigan by just 154,000 votes out of 5.5 million overall. Illegal voting exposed in Michigan ahead of the election It's not even Election Day yet, but Michigan prosecutors have already charged a Chinese citizen with perjury and vote fraud after the 19-year-old cast a ballot for the 2024 presidential election. The news comes as the media criticizes Donald Trump for claiming that illegal voting by non-citizens is common. The man reportedly registered to vote at the polling place last weekend using his university ID and other documentation to prove he lived in Ann Arbor and then voted; he now faces deportation. It is not known whether it was an isolated incident or part of a broader scheme by China to interfere with the election. Federal investigators are looking into it. However, authorities say that his vote cannot be nullified after going through the tabulator and will therefore be counted. This type of problem is all too common when you dont require proof of citizenship to vote. Meanwhile, in the states summer primaries, four people intentionally voted twice, and now the voters and the three election workers accused of facilitating the double voting are facing felony charges. Of course, for every case we hear about, there are countless others that do not get caught or reported. Elon Musk has also been complaining about irregularities in Michigan, posting recently on X that Michigan has more registered voters than eligible citizens!? Although officials claim his comment was misleading because it included inactive records that are set to be removed, Musk countered that they arent going to be removed until after the election. Sources for this article include: CNN.com APNews.com TheGuardian.com Migrants are taking advantage of recent hurricanes to scam residents and loot their homes Law enforcement agencies in Florida are warning that illegal immigrant gangs are taking advantage of the recent hurricanes to go on looting sprees In Pinellas County, the sheriff's office reported that 41 out of the 45 people arrested for looting in the aftermath of the two hurricanes were illegal immigrants. The 41 migrants were mostly from Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras and Venezuela. (Related: FEMA doesn't have enough money to get through hurricane season after spending $640 million on MIGRANTS.) Pinellas County, which covers Clearwater and St. Petersburg on Florida's west coast, was struck by Hurricanes Helene and Milton at the end of September and the beginning of October, with many homes and businesses left devastated. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said his team spent the past few weeks conducting looting patrols on the barrier islands that run along the edge of the peninsula, finding dozens of people trying to take advantage of empty streets and properties. Aside from arresting 45 people for a variety of crimes, including armed robbery, vandalism and trespassing, deputies also encountered 196 probable criminals. Out of those, 163 were not U.S. citizens and their immigration statuses were not immediately clear. "A lot of these people were in the area to take other people's property, and our deputies' efforts prevented additional crimes from occurring," Gualtieri said at a press conference. "As the Pinellas beaches recover, we're gonna continue these patrols and arrest everyone we can who is stealing from the vulnerable of two back-to-back storms that have devastated our community. Gualtieri said 80 additional deputies were deployed to areas in the county where residents were ordered to evacuate in order to keep the community safe. Criminals also taking advantage of hurricane survivors In addition to the looters, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office also reported charging dozens of other people of attempting to scam hurricane victims out of a grand total of $250 million for repairs they never did and in most cases likely never intended to do. "Our effort to protect the community has not stopped with these hurricanes' direct impact," the sheriff said in a statement. "We are now focused on protecting our residents and our businesses who are desperate to rebuild and get on with their lives." Gualtieri released a statement warning about how it is common for residents and business owners to be exploited by fake or unlicensed contractors after natural disasters. "These people are simply scammers and thieves and no different than the people in the neighborhoods at 3 a.m. breaking into a house that we have been arresting," said Gualtieri, adding that victims of both scammers and looters are being "double victimized" after losing so much already. Undercover detectives working with both local police and the sheriff's office have arrested 58 people on 102 charges of trying to carry out plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, roofing and structural work without a license. Gualtieri said his team and other police departments in the country would continue their work to protect residents. "Don't come to Pinellas County and steal in these storm-ravaged communities, don't prey on people who are trying to recover, because if you do, you're going to go to jail on multiple felony charges," he added. Watch this news broadcast from WTVT, Fox's affiliate station for Tampa, Florida, providing a quick update on recovery efforts in the area. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Portable generator manufacturer Generac reporting critically low stocks following two hurricanes. Hurricane Helene homeowners with insurance likely to be DENIED payouts: "Insurers have become significantly tougher on hurricane claims." Hurricane Helene swept through hundreds of toxic industrial sites are all those chemicals now in the drinking water? Millions of Floridians in Hurricane Milton's path are still without power as officials assess widespread destruction. White House claims FEMA is NOT funding resettlement of illegal aliens, but agency website says otherwise. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com Newsweek.com Brighteon.com Ohio child welfare agency secretly tracking sexual orientation and transgender identity of children An Ohio child welfare agency has made a database tracking the sexual orientation, transgender identity and pronouns of children who communicated with the agency. The Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) developed a supposed "confidential spreadsheet" that monitored the sexual orientations and transgender identities of children. The report, which describes a document acquired by the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF), spotlights the extent to which some government agencies entrusted with the protection of children have been captured by trans activists. The document features entries dated from March 2018 to August 2024 and the spreadsheet was part of the agency's "Safe Identification" program, which teaches social services personnel how to gather information about the sexuality and gender identity of children. The DCNF discovered that the Cuyahoga County DCFS was one of four social service agencies in the United States "chosen to research, develop and evaluate transgender ideology-based child welfare interventions that suggest parents and caregivers who do not affirm a child's sexual orientation or gender confusion are unsafe and may need to have their children removed from their home." Members of President Joe Biden's administration called the Cuyahoga County group "trailblazers" and wished to nationalize their model. The Cuyahoga County DCFS team influenced the recently completed Biden order, which requires child welfare systems to approve and support gender confusion. Staff members described the confidential spreadsheet as their means of "assisting" children acquire gender treatments. They also shared that some of the children they tracked were as young as five years old. They tracked if children were "transgender or gender diverse," naming them as pansexual, bisexual, gay, lesbian, straight or "questioning" their sexual orientation. Ohio could soon take transgender-identifying children away from their parents The tracking of the supposed non-heterosexual gender identities of children is one step removed from policies already in place in other parts of the country and the world that remove children from the homes of parents who do not want them to experience life-changing transgender drug treatments and surgeries. (Related: Ohio governor who vetoed bill protecting children from transgender interventions received $40,000 from hospitals that provide sex changes.) Two years ago, California passed Assembly Bill 957, known as the "Transgender, Gender-Diverse, and Intersex Youth Empowerment Act," which would treat parental refusal to "affirm" their child's gender confusion as a violation of health, safety and welfare in any custody challenges. The latest law requires judges governing custody battles to favor the parent who "affirms" the child's "gender identity" and the law particularly defines "the health, safety and welfare" of a child as including "a parent's affirmation of a child's gender identity." In Canada, the National Post reported recently that an Ontario school frequently called Child Services on parents who did not want to "transition" their daughter because they wanted her to keep her healthy body. Courts have also interfered when parents do not want their children to transition, insisting that sex change treatments are a right and that to deny them is transphobic. In the United Kingdom, the Daily Mail reported in 2019 that the government took several children away from their parents for the same reason that the parents supposedly did not want to "affirm" the chosen gender identities of their kids. Follow GenderConfused.com for more news about transgender issues in America. Watch this video discussing how school boards in Ontario, Canada, are soliciting the gender identity and sexual orientation of their students. This video is from the Pool Pharmacy channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Alabama Republican AG files an amicus brief supporting Tennessee's gender transition ban for minors. Texas AG Ken Paxton sues doctor for illegally prescribing transgender drugs to 21 minors. Homeless cross-dresser arrested in Ohio for attempting to kidnap 11-year-old boy. Ohio judge upholds statewide ban on transgender treatments for minors. Ohio House of Representatives upholds trans surgery ban for minors, overrides DeWine's veto. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com HHS.CuyahogaCounty.gov DailySignal.com LegInfo.Legislature.ca.gov NationalPost.com DailyMail.co.uk Brighteon.com Ohio Democratic Party operative caught calling for OPEN BORDERS in leaked audio recording A campaign staffer for the Democratic Party in Ohio has been caught calling for open borders in a leaked audio recording The Daily Mail reported that Kevin Oyakawa, a political operative working for two lawmakers representing Ohio in the United States Congress, made the remarks. The staffer was helping Sen. Sherrod Brown and Rep. Emilia Sykes, both Ohio Democrats, in their reelection efforts. Incidentally, the leaked audio of Oyakawa touched on the issue that prevented Sykes from discussing her stance on immigration. "I'm out there just, like, open the f------g border. I don't give a s--t who the f--k comes in here. We don't need Border Patrol," the operative was recorded as saying. "But the issue with even talking about immigration here in Ohio is that it's a losing issue." "It's a losing issue for Democrats here for like no f------g reason other than people's pure racism. That's why it's probably really hard to find anything about where [Sykes] stands on it. If she has to address immigration, she starts losing." (Related: House Democrats propose OPEN BORDERS in 2019 homeland security budget.) According to Oyakawa's LinkedIn profile, he is a regional organizing director for the Ohio Democratic Party. He plays a major role in ensuring that Brown and Sykes triumph against senatorial candidate Bernie Moreno and congressional candidate Kevin Coughlin both Republicans. "Sykes has worked to deliver increased funding to help secure our border and stop the flow of illegal drugs like fentanyl," her campaign said in a statement to Fox News. "She also co-sponsored the bipartisan Dignity Act that would address border security and infrastructure, all while her opponent Coughlin uses the border to play politics." Brown's campaign spokesman Matt Keyes also told Fox News that the senator has "worked with both parties to secure our southern border and keep Ohioans safe from fentanyl by cracking down on the chemical suppliers in China and drug cartels in Mexico." He added that Brown supports a bipartisan border security bill, and accused Moreno of resisting border efforts as "he isn't looking out for Ohioans." Oyakawa's remarks deal a serious blow to Brown and Sykes The two GOP candidates for the Hawkeye State replied to the accusations thrown by their Democratic rivals. "Ohioans are already aware of Sykes' dangerous open border policies, and now we see what she and her team support behind closed doors," Coughlin told Fox News. He added that the congresswoman smears anyone who disagrees with her as "racist." Reagan McCarthy, communications director for Moreno, told the outlet: "Ohio Democrats would rather keep the border open and continue to allow millions of illegals to enter our nation, rather than secure the border and protect our communities." Several Ohio cities are facing an influx of migrants often in the thousands, the Mail noted. The city of Lockland has taken in more than 3,500 illegals from Mauritania in northwestern Africa since last year. The city of Springfield has also seen an increase in migrants, mostly from the French-speaking Caribbean nation of Haiti. "We don't know the exact number of Haitians now in Springfield," said Rose-Thamar Joseph, administrator of the nonprofit Haitian Community Help and Support Center. "But they come here because there are jobs and it is a much more affordable part of the country than Florida or New York." Townhall remarked in a separate report that the Ohio GOP candidates are ahead of their Democratic rivals, as per various opinion polls. "With Brown on life support and Sykes looking vulnerable, Oyakawa's angry slurs against Ohioans are bound to hurt," it said. Head over to CancelDemocrats.news for more stories like this. Watch Ohio senatorial candidate Bernie Moreno urging the GOP to "fix America once and for all" in this clip. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: 20,000-plus migrant INVASION sweeps Springfield, Ohio migrants CAN BARELY DRIVE but are somehow getting driver's licenses quickly. Before Trump became President, "open borders" Democrats like Chuck Schumer called for stronger border security. Americans being kicked out of their homes and REPLACED with Haitian migrants, Springfield local reveals. Ohio faces influx of Mauritanian migrants, thanks to instructions for illegal entry posted on social media. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk Townhall.com Brighteon.com GITEX 2024 Redefining the digital economy & landscape Gitex Global is the biggest tech show in the world connects you with industry leaders from big tech, global governments, innovative start-ups, expert investors and corporate buyers. Read Developing Telecoms coverage of this event here. VMwares AI query tool could be best for junior threat team members Nov. 5, 2024: Dont expect the earth to move when Broadcoms VMware launches its new AI query tool for the vDefend platform early next year, says an industry analyst. They seem to be making pragmatic promises, Fernando Montenegro of Omdia said of the announcement that the AI-powered Intelligent Assist will be available in the first quarter of 2025. It is now in beta trials with customers. Its nice that theyre being cautious about it instead of making wild promises that the genAI assistant will drastically improve security, he said. Broadcom bolsters VMware Cloud Foundation Nov. 1, 2024: VMware increased the vSAN capacity in vSphere Foundation by 2.5x to 250 GiB per core, which the company says will offer customers a more powerful hyperconverged infrastructure offering for running virtual machines and containers. Broadcoms vision for VMware highlights private clouds, private AI Aug. 30, 2024: A year ago, VMwares big annual VMware Explore conference was all about generative AI specifically, about companies running AI applications within a hybrid cloud infrastructure. This year, attendees heard more about VMwares partnership with Nvidia to deliver generative AI models and tools but in the context of a private cloud. Broadcom CEO pushes on-prem private clouds Aug. 29, 2024: In a keynote address at VMware Explore 2024, Broadcom CEO Hock Tan talked up the new version of VMware Cloud Foundation and extolled the future of the enterprise: private cloud, private AI, your own private data. Aug. 28, 2024: Some companies are looking to third-party AI platforms that dont lock them into any one particular AI vendor or cloud provider, and VMware now owned by Broadcom is one of the leading contenders for the job. Today, at the annual VMware Explore conference, Broadcom sweetened the deal, announcing support for a new model store for the VMware Private AI Foundation with Nvidia add-on to its VMware Cloud Foundation 9 platform. With Project Cypress, VMware brings generative AI to cyberdefense Aug. 27, 2024: At the VMware Explore conference this week, VMware announced the addition of a generative AI tool, called Project Cypress, to its own vDefend cybersecurity platform. Security teams get overwhelmed with a large number of threat campaigns and false alarms, says Umesh Mahajan, vice president and general manager for application networking and security at Broadcom. Project Cypress, via a natural language interface, helps triage and investigate high-risk threat campaigns faster, explains a particular threat campaign with additional context needed for the security team to quickly take appropriate actions, recommends remediation options, and can enforce the remediation option selected by the security team via vDefends threat prevention capabilities. Dynamic Business brings you the key startup fundraising from this week. Neara secures $45 million in series C funding Neara, an AI-driven predictive modeling platform for critical infrastructure, has closed an AU$45 million Series C funding round. Led by EQT, a major global investment organization, the funding round saw contributions from Partners Group, a key player in private markets, and early investor Square Peg Capital. Returning investors Skip Capital and Prosus Ventures also participated. Neara plans to use the funds to further develop its software, aiming to optimize infrastructure management globally. Antler Australia invests $2.7 million across 12 early-stage startups Antler Australia has invested $2.7 million in 12 emerging startups after closing its $77 million second fund and expanding to Brisbane. The selected startups, representing industries like sustainability, health, and telecommunications, include founders from Uber, Salesforce, and the Australian Greens. The companies participated in Antlers 11th residency, a 10-week intensive program, where each team pitches for $225,000 in pre-seed funding for a 12% equity stake. Highlights include Authentified, an automated fashion resale platform, Balo, a help desk expert network, and Spoony, a social app for neurodivergent individuals. Antlers next cohort is set for February 2025. LaunchVic offers up to $1.5m in grants to boost victorian startups Victorias startup agency, LaunchVic, has unveiled two grant rounds worth up to $1.5 million each to support accelerator programs and investor education. Up to $1 million is earmarked to fund investor education, aiming to empower early-stage investors. With more than 3,500 startups valued at $129.3 billion across the state, LaunchVics programs have already fostered $84 million in startup investment from over 200 investors. Earthodic raises $6 million seed round Brisbane-based climate tech startup Earthodic has secured US$4 million (AU$6 million) in seed funding to expand its sustainable packaging solution into the US market. FTW Ventures led the round, alongside investors including Circulate Capital, Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), and New Yorks Closed Loop Partners. Earthodic, which focuses on eco-friendly packaging, is positioned to make a strong entry into the US market with this new backing. Alimetry secures $27 million in series A2 New Zealands Alimetry has raised US$18 million (AU$27 million) in Series A2 funding to support the US launch of its wearable gut health diagnostic device. Leading the round was Kiwi VC GD1, with involvement from the American Gastroenterological Associations GI Opportunity Fund, Olympus Innovation Ventures, and IceHouse Ventures. The company plans to leverage AI in its wearable device to enhance gut health diagnostics, gaining traction among medical professionals in the US. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Washington, Nov 1 : As many as 8,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia's western front-line Kursk region and are expected to enter into combat "in the coming days", US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said, warning that they would become "legitimate" military targets. Blinken made the remarks on Thursday during a press conference after he, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun held their "two-plus-two" meeting at the State Department in Washington, Yonhap news agency reported. The meeting underscored the two countries' close security coordination just a day after North Korea fired what appeared to be a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), ratcheting up tensions just days ahead of the US presidential election set for Tuesday. "We now assess that there are some 10,000 North Korean soldiers in total in Russia, and the most recent information indicates that as many as 8,000 of those North Korean forces have been deployed to the Kursk Region," Blinken said. "We've not yet seen these troops deploy into combat against Ukrainian forces, but we would expect that to happen in the coming days," he added. The secretary pointed out that Russia has been training North Korean troops in artillery, unmanned aerial vehicles and basic infantry operations, including trench clearing, indicating that Moscow "fully" intends to use the soldiers in front-line operations. "Should these troops engage in combat or combat support operations against Ukraine, they would become legitimate military targets," he said. Austin also warned against North Korean troops' potential entry into combat. "We are consulting closely with our allies and partners in other countries in the region on these reckless developments and on our response," he said without elaboration. During the press conference, Kim noted that North Korea has so far sent some 1,000 missiles and "millions of artillery rounds -- a figure close to 10 million" -- to Russia. Blinken highlighted that a reason why Russia is turning to North Korean troops is that it is "desperate". "Putin has been throwing more and more Russians into a meat grinder of his own making in Ukraine. Now he's turning to North Korean troops, and that is a clear sign of weakness," he said. "Russia's been suffering some 1,200 casualties a day in the east, more than at any other time during the war, and with the deployment of these North Korean troops to Russia and now to the front lines, this is the first time in 100 years that Russia has invited foreign troops into its country," Blinken added. Asked to comment on China's role regarding North Korean activities, the South Korean Defence Minister anticipated that though Beijing has been in a "wait-and-see" mode, it could play "some sort of role" at a time when the situation worsens and undermines its interests. New Delhi, Nov 1 : Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has urged global investors to seize emerging opportunities in India, particularly in high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing, it was announced on Friday. During his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from October 29-30, Minister Goyal participated in the Plenary Session of the 8th Edition of Future Investment Initiative (FII), with representatives from global governments and the industry. According to a Ministry of Commerce and Industry statement, he highlighted the critical role of international partnerships and economic diplomacy in fostering global cooperation, innovation, technological advancement, and investment. Goyal also co-chaired the second Ministerial Meeting of the Economy and Investment Committee under the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) along with the Minister of Energy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud in Riyadh. The Strategic Partnership Council was established in 2019, following the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia in October 2019. Reviewing the progress achieved by the four joint working groups in agriculture and food security; energy; technology and information technology; and industry and infrastructure, the panel noted the deepening of bilateral economic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia and deliberated on ways to enhance trade and investment. According to the ministry, Goyal also met Peter Herweck, CEO of Schneider Electric and William E. Ford, Chairman and CEO of General Atlantic, to discuss India's economic landscape and investment opportunities across sectors. The Commerce Minister also interacted with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) chapter in Saudi Arabia and emphasised the role of chartered accountants in supporting India's expanding global trade network. He also launched the 'Lulu Wali Diwali Festival' at the Lulu Hypermarket by lighting a big diya made with LED, furthering India-Saudi cultural and economic ties. The launch was followed by the unveiling of a giant product wall comprising over 10,000 Indian products. At the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, the Minister unveiled the One District, One Product (ODOP) Wall, featuring unique products from various districts across India. The bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $43 billion in 2023-24. India is the second largest trade partner for Saudi Arabia, whereas Saudi Arabia is India's fourth largest trading partner. Malaysia can learn from China in high-tech fields, not only by acquiring technological equipment but also by focusing on talent development and technology transfer, said Kenneth Lee Tze Wui, head of the Department of Mass Communication at the Faculty of Creative Industries, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) in Malaysia, during an exclusive interview with China News Network. Lee mentioned that last year, UTAR received multiple invitations from Chinese universities for academic symposiums. He praised the Chinese government's efforts in promoting global knowledge transfer through academic cooperation with neighboring countries, citing the proverb, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia have launched tests on imported Shine Muscat grapes to address concerns surfaced after harmful chemical residues exceeding permitted levels were found in the fruit in Thailand. The Singapore Food Agency said on Wednesday that tests performed on the fruit available in the city-state did not detect pesticide residue levels that are of food safety concern, CNA reported. It also assures the public that regulations are in place to restrict the residual amount of permitted chemicals in food and that it will continue to monitor the situation. Pesticide tests are regularly conducted and food that fails inspection will not be allowed for sale, it added. Shine Muscat grapes, imported into Singapore by SFA-licensed businesses, are a variety originating from Japan that features a yellow-green hue, crisp flesh, no seeds, and delightful sweetness, according to The Straits Times. The fruit has been in the spotlight this past week after the Thai Pesticide Alert Network, in collaboration with the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) and the countrys Food and Drug Administration, issued a warning last Thursday about unsafe chemical residues exceeding permitted levels found in samples of Shine Muscat grapes sold in Thailand. Tests performed on 24 imported grape samples collected in Bangkok by TCC found that one contained chlorpyrifos, a hazardous banned chemical, while 22 others contained 14 types of toxic residues exceeding the default limit. The warning also sparked food safety concerns over the fruit in Malaysia and Indonesia, with the formers Agriculture and Food Security Ministry announcing on Sunday that it would launch an inspection into imported Shine Muscat grapes. Malaysias Health Ministry said on Monday that the Food Quality and Safety Programme had analyzed 234 grape samples, and only four non-Shine Muscat samples did not meet the requirements regarding the maximum residue level, as reported by Malaysian newspaper The Star. It assured the public that the next shipment of the controversial grape will be inspected and that stringent checks are conducted at the countrys borders to ensure food security. Meanwhile in Indonesia, the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency said on Wednesday that it was checking samples of Shine Muscat grapes across the country, Indonesian newspaper The Jakarta Post reported. The agency has asked the public to temporarily limit their consumption of the fruit while the investigation, also prompted by reports from Thailand, is underway. Aji Muhawarman, a spokesman for Indonesias Ministry of Health, recommended that consumers thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables, opt for organic products, and check labels for details on origin and food safety certification, as cited by The Jakarta Globe. Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. Nawat Itsaragrisil, president of Miss Grand International (MGI), announced that this years contestant voting brought in US$3.5 million, eliminating the need to sell the crown for US$25,000. Miss Grand International president Nawat Itsaragrisil (L) and Miss Grand Thailand 2022 Engfa Waraha. Photo from Itsaragrisil's Instagram According to Tien Phong Newspaper, Itsaragrisil, 51, disclosed this information during a press conference on Oct. 27. He added that the US$25,000 sum was insignificant compared to the voting revenue, so there was no need to sell the title. Earlier, Htoo Ant Lwin, the 29-year-old national director of Myanmar for the MGI pageant, accused Itsaragrisil of taking US$25,000 from the Indonesian pageant official in exchange for a crown, as reported by The Straits Times. Tensions between Itsaragrisil and Myanmar heightened during this years MGI pageant when the countrys 17-year-old representative Thae Su Nyein announced on Instagram Live on Oct. 27 that she would be returning her crown after being awarded second runner-up the previous night. According to ABS-CBN News, Thae said she felt "robbed" for not winning two special awards: Best in National Costume and Countrys Power of the Year. The National Costume award went to contestants from Brazil, Ecuador, and Honduras, while Thailand was awarded Countrys Power of the Year. On Oct. 28, MGI announced that it had withdrawn Thaes title, citing her "inappropriate behavior." Itsaragrisil also accused Htoo of coercing Thae to give up her title. Founded in 2013 by Itsaragrisil, a Thai television host and producer, MGI focuses on humanitarian causes. Titleholders spend their reigning year as the organizations spokesperson, engaging in charity events supporting these campaigns. Contestants are chosen by franchise holders in their countries or territories through national contests, internal casting, or direct selection. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Snow this morning will diminish to a few snow showers this afternoon. High 39F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 60%. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 24F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Using sequencing techniques, researchers associated 51 mutations in mitochondrial DNA with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an incurable degenerative neurological disorder that leads to muscle atrophy and paralysis. Thirteen of the mutations increased the risk of ALS, while 38 were protective. The study suggests these mutations may be important for future tests and research on ALS. An article on the study is published in the journal Muscle & Nerve. It is worth recalling that mitochondria, the organelles that produce energy for cells, have their own DNA (mtDNA), which is inherited solely from the mother. Mutations in mtDNA can cause several diseases, almost all of which affect neuromuscular processes. The researchers analyzed 1,965 genomes of ALS patients and 2,547 non-ALS controls. The ALS patient genomes were supplied by the New York Genome Center's ALS Consortium, a network of clinicians, basic scientists, geneticists and computational biologists from 45 institutions in several countries who apply whole genome sequencing and functional genomics to the study of ALS. "We noted that our study was the first to associate mitochondrial genome mutations with ALS. We conducted an interesting analysis based on a quantitative approach. It's hard to obtain a large sample for ALS. Our data was from patients in the United States who mainly had white ancestors. The incidence of ALS is highest among whites, according to the scientific literature. Among people with African ancestry, despite low incidence, the disease usually takes the most severe form, which is bulbar ALS," Marcelo Briones, first author of the article, told Agencia FAPESP. He is a professor at the Federal University of Sao Paulo's Medical School (EPM-UNIFESP) in Brazil and a specialist in genomics and molecular biology. Briones, who is co-corresponding author alongside James Broach, a researcher at Penn State College of Medicine in the U.S., stressed the importance of their findings. We aren't saying these mutations cause the disease, just that they're associated and should be part of the diagnostic panel. In future, they could be useful for gene therapy studies. We were rigorous with the data and used high values of statistical significance." James Broach, Researcher, Penn State College of Medicine Multidisciplinary The group analyzed mtDNA, which is unique because it is inherited solely from the mother, whereas nuclear DNA is inherited from both parents. Hereditary genetic factors are the main cause of ALS cases only 10% are due to a genetic defect. In practice, the patient's neurons degrade or die, ceasing to "send messages" to the muscles. In Brazil, few epidemiological studies of ALS exist. The prevalence of the disease is estimated at 0.9-1.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year. Symptoms typically appear after the age of 55. The researchers used an approach known as genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify small genetic variations called single nucleotide variants (SNVs). They compared SNV frequency and concluded that a specific SNV could be associated with ALS if it was significantly more common in patients than controls. As mentioned above, 13 SNVs were associated with an increased risk of ALS. They were located in ten genes HV1, HV2, HV3, RNR1, ND1, CO1, CO3, ND5, ND6 and CYB. The 38 protective mutations were located in the genes HV1, HV2, HV3, RNR1, RNA2, ND1, ND2, CO2, ATP8, ATP6, CO3, ND3, ND4, ND5, ND6 and CYB. All SNVs had p-values lower than 10-7 (0.0000001). The SNVs associated with increased risk of ALS had odds ratios higher than 1; the protective SNVs had odds ratios lower than 1. Odds ratio is a statistical parameter used in epidemiology to estimate the odds (probability) of an event for an exposed group. P-value (probability value) is the probability of obtaining the sampling results due to chance. The smaller the p-value, the stronger the evidence that the results are significant and not due to chance. In biology, a p-value of less than 0.05 is considered significant. Mendelian inheritance is not always observed in ALS, where extranuclear or cytoplasmic inheritance, especially via mutations in mtDNA, is frequent. This is another reason for the relevance of the study. "Because we were looking for associations, we used GWAS to establish a panel of candidates as a starting point for anyone interested in identifying targets for therapy. A study of causal relations is then conducted," said Fernando Antoneli, a professor of applied mathematics at UNIFESP and a co-author of the article. With Joao Henrique Campos, then a PhD candidate, and biologist Renata Carmona e Ferreira, the group opted to use GWAS in the study. "When Joao joined the lab, we started looking at new techniques, including GWAS, which was being widely used at the time. Joao is a trained nurse and learned to use these tools, which we decided to leverage in the study. We've worked as a genuinely multidisciplinary team since 2000," Antoneli said. The Brazilian researchers now want to analyze the available data using artificial intelligence. They also plan to sequence samples from a cohort of Brazilian patients and plot the results against the 51 mutations detected in the study. A new analysis led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has revealed detailed 3D maps of the internal structures of multiple tumor types. These cancer atlases reveal how different tumor cells - and the cells of a tumor's surrounding environment - are organized, in 3D, and how that organization changes when a tumor spreads to other organs. The detailed findings offer scientists valuable blueprints of tumors that could lead to new approaches to therapy and spark a new era in the field of cancer biology, according to the researchers. The study is part of a group of 12 papers published Oct. 30 in the Nature suite of journals by members of the Human Tumor Atlas Network, a research consortium funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The 3D analysis - published in Nature - includes detailed data about breast, colorectal, pancreas, kidney, uterine and bile duct cancers. The last decade of cancer research has been defined by tremendous advances in understanding the activities of cells in a tumor's environment - both the cancer itself and its support cells, including on a single-cell level. The new study begins to reveal not just what each cell is up to, but also where each cell is located in the intact tumor and how each interacts with its neighboring cells, whether those cells are next door, down the street or in a completely different neighborhood. This new information could help scientists understand how tumors spread or develop treatment resistance, to name a few intensive areas of ongoing study. "These 3D maps of tumors are important because they finally let us see what, until now, we have only been able to infer about tumor structures and their complexity," said co-senior author Li Ding, PhD, the David English Smith Professor of Medicine. We understood that cancer cells, immune cells and structural cells were all present in the tumor, sometimes protecting the cancer from chemotherapy and immune system attack, but now we can actually see those battle lines. We now have the ability to see how regions of the tumor differ in 3D space and how the behavior changes in response to therapy or when the tumor spreads to other organs. These studies have opened a new era in cancer research with the potential to transform the way we understand and treat cancer in the future." Li Ding, PhD, David English Smith Professor, Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine The study is led by Ding, also a research member of Siteman Cancer Center, based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine; and her fellow co-senior authors Feng Chen, PhD, a professor of medicine; Ryan C. Fields, MD, the Kim and Tim Eberlein Distinguished Professor; William E. Gillanders, MD, a professor of surgery, all of WashU Medicine; and Benjamin J. Raphael, PhD, of Princeton University. 3D organization of tumor neighborhoods In general, the researchers found that tumors had higher metabolic activity - that is, they burned more fuel - in their cores and more immune system activity on their edges. They also found that a tumor can contain multiple neighborhoods with different genetic mutations driving the tumor's growth. These neighborhoods are being appreciated for how they lead to treatment response and resistance in various cancer types. This suggests different targeted treatments may be needed to address key mutations in different neighborhoods. "This understanding of 3D cancer metabolism will affect how our current treatments work, and sometimes don't work, and will lead to development of novel treatments in cancer," said Fields, who treats patients at Siteman. "It really is transformative." In addition, some tumor neighborhoods can have high immune cell activity - known as hot regions. The same tumor also can have so-called cold regions that do not have much, if any, immune activity. Hot regions typically respond well to immunotherapies, but cold regions do not, possibly helping to explain why some tumors appear responsive to immunotherapies at first and then develop resistance. If various mutation profiles as well as cold and hot neighborhoods can be identified, it presents the possibility of designing treatment strategies that could be effective against all neighborhoods within the same tumor. The researchers - including co-first authors, Chia-Kuei (Simon) Mo and Jingxian (Clara) Liu, both graduate students in Ding's lab - also found large variation in how deeply immune cells had infiltrated the various tumors and where different immune cell types, such as T cells or macrophages, assembled. Some metastatic tumor samples showed the cancer breaking through immune cell boundaries to continue the invasion of healthy tissue, perhaps illustrating a phenomenon called immune cell exhaustion, in which the immune system is overwhelmed by an aggressive cancer and can no longer contain its growth. "If we can see exhausted T cells inside a tumor, we could potentially activate those T cells with a checkpoint inhibitor or other immunotherapies," Ding said. "But if we don't see them, we will know certain immunotherapies won't work. These tumor maps can help us predict treatment resistance. We have never been able to talk this way about tumors before - being able to see that immune cells are present in the tumor, suggesting opportunities to exploit them for treatments." WashU Medicine researchers led two more studies as part of this package of publications. One, appearing in Nature Cancer and co-led by Ding and Gillanders, provides a detailed analysis of breast cancer, identifying how different types of breast tumors originate from different cell types. The research team also found that T cell exhaustion was common in an aggressive tumor known as triple-negative breast cancer. Knowledge of the "cell of origin" and the immune landscape in breast cancer could help guide future treatment strategies. The other paper, appearing in Nature Methods and co-led by Ding, of WashU Medicine, and Raphael, of Princeton, describes new methods for 3D analyses of tumors, including those used in the study of the six tumor types that appeared in Nature. Mo C, Liu J, Chen S, Storrs E, Targino da Costa AL, Houston A, Wendl MC, Jayasinghe RG, Iglesia MD, Ma C, Herndon JM, Southard-Smith AN, Liu X, Mudd J, Karpova A, Shinkle A, Goedegebuure SP, Abdelsaher ATMA, Bo P, Fulghum L, Livingston S, Balaban M, Hill A, Ippolito JE, Thorsson V, Held JM, Hagemann IS, Kim EH, Bayguinov PO, Kim AH, Mullen MM, Shoghi KI, Ju T, Reimers MA, Weimholt C, Kang L, Puram SV, Veis DJ, Pachynski R, Fuh KC, Chheda MG, Gillanders WE, Fields RC, Raphael BJ, Chen F, Ding L. Tumor evolution and microenvironment interactions in 2D and 3D space precancer. Nature. Oct. 30, 2024. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), grant numbers U2CCA233303, U54AG075934, U24CA210972, R01NS107833, R01NS117149, R01HG009711, R01CA260112, U24CA209837, K12CA167540, U24CA248453 and U24CA264027; and the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. Iglesia MD, Jayasinghe RG, Chen S, Terekhanova NV, Herndon JM, Storrs E, Karpova A, Zhou DC, Naser Al Deen N, Shinkle AT, Lu RJ, Caravan W, Houston A, Zhao Y, Sato K, Lal P, Street C, Martins Rodrigues R, Southard-Smith AN, Targino da Costa AL, Zhu H, Mo C, Crowson L, Fulton RS, Wyczalkowski MA, Fronick CC, Fulton LA, Sun H, Davies SR, Appelbaum EL, Chasnoff SE, Carmody M, Brooks C, Liu R, Wendl MC, Oh C, Bender D, Cruchaga C, Harari O, Bredemeyer A, Lavine K, Bose R, Margenthaler J, Held JM, Achilefu S, Ademuyiwa F, Aft R, Ma C, Colditz GA, Ju T, Oh ST, Fitzpatrick J, Hwang ES, Shoghi KI, Chheda MG, Veis DJ, Chen F, Fields RC, Gillanders WE, Ding L. Differential chromatin accessibility and transcriptional dynamics define breast cancer subtypes and their lineages. Nature Cancer. Oct. 30, 2024. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), grant numbers U2CCA233303, U24CA211006, U24CA209837, R01HG009711; the Centene Corporation, contract number P19-00559, through the Washington University-Centene ARCH Personalized Medicine Initiative. Ma C, Balaban M, Liu J, Chen S, Wilson MJ, Sun CH, Ding L, Raphael BJ. Inferring allele-specific copy number aberrations and tumor phylogeography from spatially resolved transcriptomics. Nature Methods. Oct. 30, 2024. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), grant numbers U24CA248453, U24CA264027, U2CCA233303, U54AG075934, U24CA210972, R01HG009711 and R01CA260112; and the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. This content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH. Becky Carroll was missing a few teeth, and others were stained or crooked. Ashamed, she smiled with lips pressed closed. Her dentist offered to fix most of her teeth with root canals and crowns, Carroll said, but she was wary of traveling a long road of dental work. Then Carroll saw a TV commercial for another path: ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers. The company advertises that it can give patients "a new smile in as little as one day" by surgically replacing teeth instead of fixing them. So Carroll saved and borrowed for the surgery, she said. In an interview and a lawsuit, Carroll said that at a ClearChoice clinic in New Jersey in 2021, she agreed to pay $31,000 to replace all her natural upper teeth with pearly-white prosthetic ones. What came next, Carroll said, was "like a horror movie." Carroll alleged that her anesthesia wore off during implant surgery, so she became conscious as her teeth were removed and titanium screws were twisted into her jawbone. Afterward, Carrolls prosthetic teeth were so misaligned that she was largely unable to chew for more than two years until she could afford corrective surgery at another clinic, according to a sworn deposition from her lawsuit. ClearChoice has denied Carroll's claims of malpractice and negligence in court filings and did not respond to requests for comment on the ongoing case. "I thought implants would be easier, and all at once, so you didn't have to keep going back to the dentist," Carroll, 52, said in an interview. "But I should have asked more questions like, Can they save these teeth?" Dental implants have been used for more than half a century to surgically replace missing or damaged teeth with artificial duplicates, often with picture-perfect results. While implant dentistry was once the domain of a small group of highly trained dentists and specialists, tens of thousands of dental providers now offer the surgery and place millions of implants each year in the U.S. Amid this booming industry, some implant experts worry that many dentists are losing sight of dentistry's fundamental goal of preserving natural teeth and have become too willing to remove teeth to make room for expensive implants, according to a months-long investigation by KFF Health News and CBS News. In interviews, 10 experts said they had each given second opinions to multiple patients who had been recommended for mouths full of implants that the experts ultimately determined were not necessary. Separately, lawsuits filed across the country have alleged that implant patients like Carroll have experienced painful complications that have required corrective surgery, while other lawsuits alleged dentists at some implant clinics have persuaded, pressured, or forced patients to remove teeth unnecessarily. The experts warn that implants, for a single tooth or an entire mouth, expose patients to costs and surgery complications, plus a new risk of future dental problems with fewer treatment options because their natural teeth are forever gone. "There are many cases where teeth, they're perfectly fine, and they're being removed unnecessarily," said William Giannobile, dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. "I really hate to say it, but many of them are doing it because these procedures, from a monetary standpoint, they're much more beneficial to the practitioner." Giannobile and nine other experts say they are combating a false public perception that implants are more durable and longer-lasting than natural teeth, which some believe stems in part from advertising on TV and social media. Implants require upkeep, and although they can't get cavities, studies have shown that patients can be susceptible to infections in the gums and bone around their implants. "Just because somebody can afford implants doesn't necessarily mean that they're a good candidate," said George Mandelaris, a Chicago-area periodontist and member of the American Academy of Periodontology Board of Trustees. "When an implant has infection, or when an implant has bone loss, an implant dies a much quicker death than do teeth." In its simplest form, implant surgery involves extracting a single tooth and replacing it with a metal post that is screwed into the jaw and then affixed with a prosthetic tooth commonly made of porcelain, also known as a crown. Patients can also use "full-arch" or "All-on-4" implants to replace all their upper or lower teeth or all their teeth. For this story, KFF Health News and CBS News sought interviews with large dental chains whose clinics offer implant surgery ClearChoice, Aspen Dental, Affordable Care, and Dental Care Alliance each of which declined to be interviewed or did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The Association of Dental Support Organizations, which represents these companies and others like them, also declined an interview request. ClearChoice, which specializes in full-arch implants, did not answer more than two dozen questions submitted in writing. In an emailed statement, the company said full-arch implants "have become a well-accepted standard of care for patients with severe tooth loss and teeth with poor prognosis." "The use of full-arch restorations reflects the evolution of modern dentistry, offering patients a solution that restores their ability to eat, speak, and live comfortably far beyond what traditional dentures can provide," the company said. Carroll said she regrets not letting her dentist try to fix her teeth and rushing to ClearChoice for implants. "Because it was a nightmare," she said. 'They are not teeth' Dental implant surgery can be a godsend for patients with unsalvageable teeth. Several experts said implants can be so transformative that their invention should have contended for a Nobel Prize. And yet, these experts still worry that implants are overused, because it is generally better for patients to have their natural teeth. Paul Rosen, a Pennsylvania periodontist who said he has worked with implants for more than three decades, said many patients believe a "fallacy" that implants are "bulletproof." "You can't just have an implant placed and go off riding into the sunset," Rosen said. "In many instances, they need more care than teeth because they are not teeth." Generally, a single implant costs a few thousand dollars while full-arch implants cost tens of thousands. Neither procedure is well covered by dental insurance, so many clinics partner with credit companies that offer loans for implant surgeries. At ClearChoice, for example, loans can be as large as $65,000 paid off over 10 years, according to the company's website. Despite the price, implants are more popular than ever. Sales increased by more than 6% on average each year since 2010, culminating in more than 3.7 million implants sold in the U.S. in 2022, according to a 2023 report produced by iData Research, a health care market research firm. Some worry implant dentistry has gone too far. In 10 interviews, dentists and dental specialists with expertise in implants said they had witnessed the overuse of implants firsthand. Each expert said they'd examined multiple patients in recent years who were recommended for full-arch implants by other dentists despite their teeth being treatable with conventional dentistry. Giannobile, the Harvard dean, said he had given second opinions to "dozens" of patients who were recommended for implants they did not need. "I see many of these patients now that are coming in and saying, 'I've been seen, and they are telling me to get my entire dentition all of my teeth extracted.' And then I'll take a look at them and say that we can preserve most of your teeth," Giannobile said. Tim Kosinski, who is a representative of the Academy of General Dentistry and said he has placed more than 19,000 implants, said he examines as many as five patients a month who have been recommended for full-arch implants that he deems unnecessary. "There is a push in the profession to remove teeth that could be saved," Kosinski said. "But the public isn't aware." Luiz Gonzaga, a periodontist and prosthodontist at the University of Florida, said he, too, had turned away patients who wanted most or all their teeth extracted. Gonzaga said some had received implant recommendations that he considered "an atrocity." "You don't go to the hospital and tell them 'I broke my finger a couple of times. This is bothering me. Can you please cut my finger off?' No one will do that," Gonzaga said. "Why would I extract your tooth because you need a root canal?" Jaime Lozada, director of an elite dental implant residency program at Loma Linda University, said he'd not only witnessed an increase in dentists extracting "perfectly healthy teeth" but also treated a rash of patients with mouths full of ill-fitting implants that had to be surgically replaced. Lozada said in August that he'd treated seven such patients in just three months. "When individuals just make a decision of extracting teeth to make it simple and make money quick, so to speak, that's where I have a problem," Lozada said. "And it happens quite often." When full-arch implants fail, patients sometimes don't have enough jawbone left to anchor another set. These patients have little choice but to get implants that reach into cheekbones, said Sohail Saghezchi, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon at the University of California-San Francisco. "It's kind of like a last resort," Saghezchi said. "If those fail, you don't have anywhere else to go." 'It was horrendous dentistry' Most of the experts interviewed for this article said their rising alarm corresponded with big changes in the availability of dental implants. Implants are now offered by more than 70,000 dental providers nationwide, two-thirds of whom are general dentists, according to the iData Research report. Dentists are not required to learn how to place implants in dental school, nor are they required to complete implant training before performing the surgery in nearly all states. This year, Oregon started requiring dentists to complete 56 hours of hands-on training before placing any implants. Stephen Prisby, executive director of the Oregon Board of Dentistry, said the requirement the first and only of its kind in the U.S. was a response to dozens of investigations in the state into botched surgeries and other implant failures, split evenly between general dentists and specialists. "I was frankly stunned at how bad some of these dentists were practicing," Prisby said. "It was horrendous dentistry." Many dental clinics that offer implants have consolidated into chains owned by private equity firms that have bought out much of implant dentistry. In health care, private equity investment is sometimes criticized for overtreatment and prioritizing short-term profit over patients. Private equity firms have spent about $5 billion in recent years to buy large dental chains that offer implants at hundreds of clinics owned by individual dentists and dental specialists. ClearChoice was bought for an estimated $1.1 billion in 2020 by Aspen Dental, which is owned by three private equity firms, according to PitchBook, a research firm focused on the private equity industry. Private equity firms also bought Affordable Care, whose largest clinic brand is Affordable Dentures & Implants, for an estimated $2.7 billion in 2021, according to PitchBook. And the private equity wing of the Abu Dhabi government bought Dental Care Alliance, which offers implants at many of its affiliated clinics, for an estimated $1 billion in 2022, according to PitchBook. ClearChoice and Aspen Dental each said in email statements that the companies' private equity owners "do not have influence or control over treatment recommendations." Both companies said dentists or dental specialists make all clinical decisions. Private equity deals involving dental practices increased ninefold from 2011 to 2021, according to an American Dental Association study published in August. The study also said investors showed an interest in oral surgery, possibly because of the "high prices" of implants. "Some argue this is a negative thing," said Marko Vujicic, vice president of the association's Health Policy Institute, who co-authored the study. "On the other hand, some would argue that involvement of private equity and outside capital brings economies of scale, it brings efficiency." Edwin Zinman, a San Francisco dental malpractice attorney and former periodontist who has filed hundreds of dental lawsuits over four decades, said he believed many of the worst fears about private equity owners had already come true in implant dentistry. "They've sold a lot of [implants], and some of it unnecessarily, and too often done negligently, without having the dentists who are doing it have the necessary training and experience," Zinman said. "It's for five simple letters: M-O-N-E-Y." Hundreds of implant clinics with no specialists For this article, journalists from KFF Health News and CBS News analyzed the webpages for more than 1,000 clinics in the nation's largest private equity-owned dental chains, all of which offer some implants. The analysis found that more than 70% of those clinics listed only general dentists on their websites and did not appear to employ the specialists oral surgeons, periodontists, or prosthodontists who traditionally have more training with implants. Affordable Dentures & Implants listed specialists at fewer than 5% of its more than 400 clinics, according to the analysis. The rest were staffed by general dentists, most of whom did not list credentialing from implant training organizations, according to the analysis. ClearChoice, on the other hand, employs at least one oral surgeon or prosthodontist at each of its more than 100 centers, according to the analysis. But its new parent company, Aspen Dental, which offers implants in many of its more than 1,100 clinics, does not list any specialists at many of those locations. Not everyone is worried about private equity in implant dentistry. In interviews arranged by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, which trains dentists to use implants, two other implant experts did not express concerns about private equity firms. Brian Jackson, a former academy president and implant specialist in New York, said he believed dentists are too ethical and patients are too smart to be pressured by private equity owners "who will never see a patient." Jumoke Adedoyin, a chief clinical officer for Affordable Care, who has placed implants at an Affordable Dentures & Implants clinic in the Atlanta suburbs for 15 years, said she had never felt pressure from above to sell implants. "I've actually felt more pressure sometimes from patients who have gone around and been told they need to take their teeth out," she said. "They come in and, honestly, taking a look at them, maybe they don't need to take all their teeth out." Still, lawsuits filed across the country have alleged that dentists at implant clinics have extracted patients' teeth unnecessarily. For example, in Texas, a patient alleged in a 2020 lawsuit that an Affordable Care dentist removed "every single tooth from her mouth when such was not necessary," then stuffed her mouth with gauze and left her waiting in the lobby as he and his staff left for lunch. In Maryland, a patient alleged in a 2021 lawsuit that ClearChoice "convinced" her to extract "eight healthy upper teeth," by "greatly downplay[ing] the risks." In Florida, a patient alleged in a 2023 lawsuit that ClearChoice provided her with no other treatment options before extracting all her teeth, "which was totally unnecessary." ClearChoice and Affordable Care denied wrongdoing in their respective lawsuits, then privately settled out of court with each patient. ClearChoice and Affordable Care did not respond to requests for comment submitted to the companies or attorneys. Lawyers for all three plaintiffs declined to comment on these lawsuits or did not respond to requests for comment. Fred Goldberg, a Maryland dental malpractice attorney who said he has represented at least six clients who sued ClearChoice, said each of his clients agreed to get implants after meeting with a salesperson not a dentist. "Every client Ive had who has gone to ClearChoice has started off meeting a salesperson and actually signing up to get their financing through ClearChoice before they ever meet with a dentist," Goldberg said. "You meet with a salesperson who sells you on what they like to present as the best choice, which is almost always that they're going to take out all your natural teeth." Becky Carroll, the ClearChoice patient from New Jersey, told a similar story. Carroll said in her lawsuit that she met first with a ClearChoice salesperson referred to as a "patient education consultant." In an interview, Carroll said the salesperson encouraged her to borrow money from family members for the surgery and it was not until after she agreed to a loan and passed a credit check that a ClearChoice dentist peered into her mouth. "It seems way backwards," Carroll said. "They just want to know you're approved before you get to talk to a dentist." CBS News producer Nicole Keller contributed to this report. Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) are an established therapy for pregnant women at risk of preterm birth to help mature the fetus's lungs and reduce the chances of serious health issues. However, researchers at Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine have found evidence that babies treated with ACS have smaller volumes of two key brain areas, the bilateral amygdalae and caudate nuclei, which are essential for emotion processing and motor control, respectively. Their findings were published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. ACS have revolutionised neonatal care, particularly for preterm infants. These steroids are commonly given to expectant mothers who are at risk of preterm delivery to speed up the development of the baby's lungs, significantly improving survival rates and reducing complications. However, while ACS has been shown to benefit respiratory health, concerns about its impact on brain development are increasing. To address these concerns, a team of researchers from Nagoya University examined the relationship between ACS and the volumes of key brain areas in preterm infants at their term equivalent age, the development age when a preterm infant reaches the same level of growth and development as a full-term infant. Dr. Kazuya Fuma and his team used clinical data of preterms at Nagoya University Hospital. Among the 59 babies studied, 46 were exposed to ACS before birth. They compared critical subcortical brain regions of those babies that had been exposed to ACS to those who had not. The brain regions included those important for emotions, memory, and motor control, such as the thalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, and caudate nucleus. The study revealed that babies exposed to ACS had smaller subcortical segmental volumes in two key areas: the amygdala, crucial for emotional processing, and the caudate nucleus, associated with learning and motor functions. Although this disparity was observed in infants born at 28 weeks or later, it was not observed in those born earlier. This suggests that the effects of ACS on brain development are dependent on gestational age. The study does not assert that ACS is harmful. Rather, its purpose is to better understand the effects of ACS. Though ACS aids preterm survival, it may subtly alter brain structure. Understanding this tradeoff is vital for balancing short- and long-term health. While corticosteroids are an essential treatment for preterm infants, it is not surprising that they may have side effects. However, rather than framing the discussion as to whether ACS is 'safe' or 'harmful', it is more important to consider the balance between risks and benefits instead." Dr. Kazuya Fuma, Nagoya University ACS therapy is crucial for handling premature births and notably raises survival rates. But doctors might need to fine tune its administration to reduce potential risks to brain development. "In countries where ACS is well-established, the next challenge is optimization," Dr. Fuma said. "We identified varying impacts of ACS on different neonatal complications, and it is likely that these effects depend on gestational age. Moving forward, we need to closely examine the risks and benefits of ACS administration at each gestational week, including long-term outcomes." While ACS remains an essential and life-saving therapy for preterm infants, there is an urgent need for more research into their long-term effects on brain development. The delicate balance between the undeniable benefits for respiratory health and the potential risks to neurological development must be better understood. By advancing our knowledge in this area, doctors can optimize ACS administration to save lives and ensure the healthiest possible outcomes for preterm infants as they grow and develop. Traditional solutions for sleep disorders, including medications and cognitive behavioral therapies, often provide insufficient relief for military personnel, a problem researchers from the University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson will be hoping to solve with a $3 million grant from the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program. Sleep problems are among the top health concerns of military personnel, with an estimated 85% meeting criteria for a clinically relevant sleep disorder and as many as 25% identifying insomnia as a primary issue. The impact of sleeplessness on force readiness is profound, creating a critical need for developing innovative, effective, nondrug interventions. For the past decade, William "Scott" Killgore, PhD, an Army veteran, has focused much of his work around factors affecting the mental health, well-being and performance of military personnel. William "Scott" Killgore, PhD, and his team in the Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, or SCAN, Lab in the Department of Psychiatry hope to fill that need. "Insomnia is generally believed to be caused, at least in part, by excessive arousal of the brain and body, which is often associated with worry and excessive pre-sleep negative and arousing thoughts," said Killgore, a professor of psychiatry and member of the BIO5 Institute. Brain imaging has shown that internally focused thoughts tend to activate the default mode network, or DMN, a core system in the brain that processes internal thoughts and emotions and becomes active during rest or introspective activities. Killgore and his team recently completed a preliminary study to suppress the DMN before sleep using a handheld device that stimulates brain cells with magnetic fields. Their device, which is held against the scalp for less than a minute, uses transcranial magnetic stimulation to target specific areas of the brain with continuous theta burst stimulation, which delivers rapid, repetitive bursts of magnetic pulses to inhibit brain activity. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is well-tolerated. Many people with insomnia describe being unable to 'turn off' their thoughts when trying to fall asleep. This internal dialog, worry and rumination is facilitated by activation within the DMN, perpetuating a cycle of restlessness. Our study's initial findings suggest that by disrupting this brain network through a brief, 40-second stimulation, we can effectively help individuals achieve better sleep." William "Scott" Killgore, PhD Participants showed improvements in sleep after one session of continuous theta burst stimulation to a single region of the DMN. The general use of continuous theta burst stimulation for sleep, depression and other mental health issues is not new, but Killgore's specific approach stimulates a network in the brain that has not been explored for this purpose. Bolstered by these preliminary findings and the new grant, the research team is launching an expanded, three-year study to examine the long-term effects of 10 repeated administrations of continuous theta burst stimulation over a two-week period. They will recruit 120 participants with chronic insomnia and assess sleep improvements over several months. Participants will receive brief brain-stimulation sessions, and their sleep will be monitored using state-of-the-art sleep trackers and portable at-home brain wave monitors. "By investigating how different areas of the brain respond to continuous theta burst stimulation, we hope to fine-tune this approach for maximum effectiveness," Killgore said. "Our aim is to see whether we can improve sleep in the short term and if these improvements can be sustained following treatment." The research team includes two active-duty military consultants with sleep disorders. Their insights and feedback have shaped the study's design, and they will provide guidance on how to translate the results into meaningful changes for the military community. This study is part of a broader effort to address two crucial focus areas outlined by Congress' Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Research Program: reducing the risk of psychological health conditions and developing novel treatments and interventions. "This innovative project has tremendous potential to open new avenues for treating one of the major health concerns facing service members, as well as those in the civilian community," said Jordan Karp, MD, psychiatry professor and department chair. "This would represent an important discovery for sleep science and would offer a tangible, drug-free treatment option for those grappling with chronic insomnia and other sleep disorders." Traditional solutions for sleep disorders, including medications and cognitive behavioral therapies, often provide insufficient relief for military personnel, a problem researchers from the University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson will be hoping to solve with a $3 million grant from the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program. Sleep problems are among the top health concerns of military personnel, with an estimated 85% meeting criteria for a clinically relevant sleep disorder and as many as 25% identifying insomnia as a primary issue. The impact of sleeplessness on force readiness is profound, creating a critical need for developing innovative, effective, nondrug interventions. William "Scott" Killgore, PhD, and his team in the Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, or SCAN, Lab in the Department of Psychiatry hope to fill that need. "Insomnia is generally believed to be caused, at least in part, by excessive arousal of the brain and body, which is often associated with worry and excessive pre-sleep negative and arousing thoughts," said Killgore, a professor of psychiatry and member of the BIO5 Institute. Brain imaging has shown that internally focused thoughts tend to activate the default mode network, or DMN, a core system in the brain that processes internal thoughts and emotions and becomes active during rest or introspective activities. Killgore and his team recently completed a preliminary study to suppress the DMN before sleep using a handheld device that stimulates brain cells with magnetic fields. Their device, which is held against the scalp for less than a minute, uses transcranial magnetic stimulation to target specific areas of the brain with continuous theta burst stimulation, which delivers rapid, repetitive bursts of magnetic pulses to inhibit brain activity. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is well-tolerated. "Many people with insomnia describe being unable to 'turn off' their thoughts when trying to fall asleep," Killgore said. "This internal dialog, worry and rumination is facilitated by activation within the DMN, perpetuating a cycle of restlessness. Our study's initial findings suggest that by disrupting this brain network through a brief, 40-second stimulation, we can effectively help individuals achieve better sleep." Participants showed improvements in sleep after one session of continuous theta burst stimulation to a single region of the DMN. The general use of continuous theta burst stimulation for sleep, depression and other mental health issues is not new, but Killgore's specific approach stimulates a network in the brain that has not been explored for this purpose. Bolstered by these preliminary findings and the new grant, the research team is launching an expanded, three-year study to examine the long-term effects of 10 repeated administrations of continuous theta burst stimulation over a two-week period. They will recruit 120 participants with chronic insomnia and assess sleep improvements over several months. Participants will receive brief brain-stimulation sessions, and their sleep will be monitored using state-of-the-art sleep trackers and portable at-home brain wave monitors. "By investigating how different areas of the brain respond to continuous theta burst stimulation, we hope to fine-tune this approach for maximum effectiveness," Killgore said. "Our aim is to see whether we can improve sleep in the short term and if these improvements can be sustained following treatment." The research team includes two active-duty military consultants with sleep disorders. Their insights and feedback have shaped the study's design, and they will provide guidance on how to translate the results into meaningful changes for the military community. This study is part of a broader effort to address two crucial focus areas outlined by Congress' Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health Research Program: reducing the risk of psychological health conditions and developing novel treatments and interventions. "This innovative project has tremendous potential to open new avenues for treating one of the major health concerns facing service members, as well as those in the civilian community," said Jordan Karp, MD, psychiatry professor and department chair. "This would represent an important discovery for sleep science and would offer a tangible, drug-free treatment option for those grappling with chronic insomnia and other sleep disorders." Telephone therapy delivered to refugee children results in a significant drop in mental health symptoms and a far higher completion rate of treatment compared with in-person therapy, according to a first-of-its-kind led by the University of Surrey. In a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) involving 20 refugee children in the Beqa'a region of Lebanon, 10 received in-person treatment as usual (TaU) and 10 received telephone therapy delivered by local trained lay counsellors, both provided by Medecins du Monde. At the beginning of each treatment session, children's symptoms were assessed with a questionnaire. The findings show that there was a strong and consistent decline in mental health symptoms in the group receiving telephone therapy over the course of treatment. Importantly, 60% of this group completed a full course of treatment, with 90% overall receiving some treatment, compared to no children completing treatment in the TaU group and only 60% receiving some treatment. The number of forcibly displaced persons due to war and emergencies is rising and refugee children are often left with severe trauma. We need innovative solutions to provide much-needed therapy in humanitarian settings and make treatment as widely accessible as possible. Our findings suggest that telephone-delivered therapy could be an effective form of treatment." Professor Michael Pluess, co-lead of the study and professor of developmental psychology at the University of Surrey In Lebanon, which has hosted large numbers of Syrian refugees since the start of the civil war in Syria in 2011, there is very limited mental health care provision. However, most refugee families own mobile phones, which provide a more accessible means to deliver treatment. The research team sought to establish whether an adapted telephone therapy programme could be effective in reducing mental health symptoms in refugee children compared with in-person treatment. The study recruited children aged 8-17 years old from Syrian refugee families living in tented settlements in the Beqa'a region of Lebanon, with consent taken from the parent or primary caregiver and the child. All children met diagnostic criteria for common mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. The team used the Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA), a proven cognitive behavioural therapy programme, and adapted it for phone delivery (t-CETA) with the help of locally trained lay counsellors. In phase one, the original CETA manual was modified for t-CETA, tested and refined with 23 children, with 13 receiving face-to-face CETA and 10 receiving t-CETA. Phase two then piloted this adapted approach in the RCT with a different group of 20 children. In addition to the key findings, the delivery of t-CETA improved access to treatment, as families did not have to travel to clinics or fit the treatment around working hours. It also demonstrated that local lay counsellors can be successfully trained to deliver t-CETA under the supervision of experienced clinicians. The team experienced some challenges when recruiting participants to the study, including families being unable to attend the in-person appointments, perceived stigma of accessing mental health services, and a lack of understanding around what treatment involves. As a result, the sample size was smaller than anticipated; however, the success of the study indicates that t-CETA is a promising, and scalable, treatment option. Professor Michael Pluess says: "Our study highlights the importance of making mental health services more accessible and culturally relevant in countries where there are barriers to receiving therapy. Despite evidence of mental health problems among refugee children and their families, most individuals do not seek treatment. The results of our trial are an important first step in finding a solution, with a larger trial needed to confirm the positive effects." The study has been published in the journal Conflict and Health. AO Smith Completes Acquisition of HUL's Pureit Business Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 16:33 IST Pureit offers a broad range of residential water purification solutions, primarily in India. The partnership with AO Smith will help Pureit deliver even more advanced solutions to address the evolving water purification needs in India. AO Smith Corporation, a global water technology company, on Friday said it has completed its acquisition of Pureit, a Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) company. Pureit offers a broad range of residential water purification solutions, primarily in India. Kevin J Wheeler, chairman and chief executive officer of AO Smith, said, Pureit complements our premium brands in the market and their strength in e-commerce will allow us to expand our presence in that channel. This acquisition aligns with our strategy of adding scale and enhances our premium water treatment product portfolio and distribution footprint." related stories Pureit was first launched in 2004 in Chennai, India, to provide accessible and safe drinking water to the fast-growing populations of South Asia, and beyond. Today Pureit is a leading water purification business operating in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Mexico, among other markets, with a diversified product offering across devices, filters and spares. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Parag Kulkarni, president of AO Smith Indian Water Products Private Limited, said, We are excited to welcome Pureit to the AO Smith family. Pureits history of providing effective water purification solutions has made them a leader in the water industry." Sreenivas Narayanan, general manager of Pureit, said, Aligning with AO Smith is a significant step forward for Pureit, enabling us to merge our strengths in innovation and market reach. Together, we look forward to setting new benchmarks in water purification and combining our shared commitment to quality and customer trust. This partnership with AO Smith empowers us to deliver even more advanced, reliable, and accessible solutions to address the evolving water purification needs in India." First Published: November 01, 2024, 16:33 IST Two men travel by boat in Le Thuy District of Quang Binh Province on Oct. 30, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Vo Thanh Flooding triggered by heavy rains from Storm Trami and a cold spell has claimed 12 lives, injured seven, sunk five ships, and flooded 34,000 homes in Quang Binh Province. According to authorities in the central province, as of Thursday, Le Thuy District reported seven deaths, Quang Ninh District four, and Dong Hoi City one. Among the injured, five are from Le Thuy and two from Quang Ninh. By Thursday afternoon, floodwaters had receded in some residential areas, but at the Kien Giang River station in Le Thuy, water levels remained at 2.35 meters. More than 1,500 homes in Le Thuy and Quang Ninh districts remain submerged, with one village still isolated. Over the past four days, intense rains and flooding have forced the evacuation of over 9,290 families and submerged nearly 34,500 homes across the province, with Le Thuy District suffering the heaviest damage, affecting nearly 20,000 homes. The floods also damaged 791 hectares of crops, killed more than 70,500 poultry and nearly 500 livestock, and swept away 716 hectares of fish farms. Significant damage has also been reported to roads, sea dikes, and coastal infrastructure. The Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue estimates initial losses at around VND500 billion (US$19.7 million). Local residents and authorities are currently working to clean up and repair the flood damage. Quang Binh, home to world's largest cave Son Doong and is often dubbed by tourists as Vietnam's kingdom of caves, experienced continuous heavy rainfall from Oct. 25 to 29 due to the combined impact of Storm Trami, which made landfall in central Vietnam on Oct. 27, and a cold front. Total rainfall reached 1,210 mm at Song Thai Lake and 870 mm at An Ma Lake, while water levels on the Kien Giang River in Le Thuy peaked at 4.14 meters, leading to extensive flooding. This marks the second major flood in Quang Binh in four years. In October 2020, flooding submerged the entire lowland areas of Quang Ninh and Le Thuy districts under 2-4 meters of water for over 10 days, resulting in 25 deaths and economic losses of VND3.5 trillion. Diwali Muhurat Trading 2024: Best Stock Picks By Leading Brokerages For Samvat 2081 Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 10:50 IST As India's growth story continues on a positive track, here are five stocks that stand out for their sectoral and company-specific strengths Muhurat Trading 2024 Timings. As Indias growth story continues on a positive track, here are five stocks that stand out for their sectoral and company-specific strengths. They are also part of the Diwali picks of different brokerages and boast robust outlooks driven by factors such as market share gains, infrastructure spending, dividend yields, and higher gold prices. With Sensex having fallen around 5,600 points from peak and several multibagger stocks seeing double-digit losses, investors are now hunting for opportunities away from momentum plays to quality stocks and growth stocks at a reasonable price. related stories For the next one year, ICICI Securities has set a Nifty target of 27,500 with sectoral preference towards capital goods/infra, private banks (and AMCs) and select auto, IT and pharma packs. Keeping the key filter of quality and growth visibility, we continue to see reasonable opportunities across the market spectrum. Investors are advised to utilize equities as a key asset class for long term wealth generation by investing in quality companies with strong earnings growth and visibility, stable cash flows, RoE and RoCE," the brokerage said. As the broader market valuations are rich, analysts suggest opportunities arising from market correction can be used to add quality stocks with attractive valuation from a long-term investment perspective. For Samvat 2081, Motilal Oswal expects sectors linked to domestic structural and cyclical themes to do well. The brokerage is positive on sectors such as financials, consumption, industrials, technology, and healthcare. Here are top Diwali stock ideas from top brokerages: Sharekhan The time has come for rebalancing portfolio and increasing exposure to large caps and at the same time cutting exposure in the small and midcap space, and be very selective, while investing in small and microcaps and exiting companies, where valuation is at astronomical levels with little margin of safety, Sharekhan said. Stock picks are Allied Blenders & Distillers, Bajaj Finserv, Bharti Airtel, Caplin Point Laboratories, Dabur, Dee Development, Hi-tech Pipes, HUDCO, L&T, Mastek, Powergrid, RIL, SBI, Suntech Realty and Tata Motors. SBI Securities Samvat 2081 can be the year of consolidation for the first few months followed by the likely beginning of an uptrend post next Union Budget 2025-26 which is likely to be presented in the month of Feb 25, SBI Securities said. Stock picks are Coal India, Macrotech Developers, Bharti Hexacom, Glaxosmithkline Pharma, Nippon Life AMC, Escorts Kubota, Chalet Hotels, Newgen Software, Titagarh Rail, PG Electroplast, Arvind Fashions and Kilburn Engineering. Motilal Oswal Diwali stock picks are ICICI Bank, HCL Tech, L&T, Titan, Zomato, IPCA, Angel One, Five Star, Amber and Zen Tech. Axis Securities Diwali picks are Gravita India, Arvind Smart Spaces, Inox Wind, KPIT Technologies, HG Infra, AU Small Bank, Lupin, Indian Hotels and UNO Minda. HDFC Securities HDFC Securities has listed Bank of India, JK Lakshmi Cement, Jyothy Labs, L&T Finance, NALCO, Navin Fluorine, NCC, PNB Housing Finance, RIL and SBI as Diwali stock picks. Kotak Securities top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Top investment ideas include Aadhar Housing, Axis Bank, Fiem Industries, Gravita India, Godrej Agrovet, JB Chemicals, SH Kelkar and Zomato. First Published: November 01, 2024, 10:00 IST CAT 2024 Admit Cards Out Soon At iimcat.ac.in, Check When & Where To Download Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 15:51 IST According to the official schedule, CAT 2024 will be held on November 24, 2024, in three shifts. CAT 2024 Admit Card will be available for download on the official website - iimcat.ac.in. The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta will release the admit cards for the Common Admission Test, CAT Admit card on November 5, 2024. Once released, candidates who have applied for the examination can check and download the CAT 2024 Admit Card from the official website iimcat.ac.in. Candidates will be required to enter their registration ID and password on the admit card portal to access their CAT 2024 hall tickets. How to Download CAT 2024 Admit Card? related stories Applicants can download their admission tickets from the official website iimcat.ac.in by following the simple steps given below Step 1: Visit the official website- iimcat.ac.in Step 2: On the homepage, click on the link for CAT admit card 2024 Step 3: Now on the newly opened page, enter your login credentials Step 4: Click on the login button and your CAT 2024 Admit Card will be displayed on the screen Step 5: View and download the admission ticket Step 6: Take a printout for future reference CAT 2024: Exam Process top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to the official schedule, CAT 2024 will be held on November 24, 2024, in three shifts. The exam will be administered in over 170 cities across teh country at designated test centres. CAT score is valid for admission to 21 IIMs and other prominent MBA colleges in India. According to previous patterns, the CAT 2024 exam will be administered in three shifts, the first from 8:30 am to 10:30 am, the second from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, and the third from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The CAT 2024 exam will consist of three parts including, quantitative aptitude (QA), data interpretation and logical reasoning (DILR), and verbal ability and reading comprehension (VARC). The CAT 2024 paper will consist of 66 questions in total. Candidates will receive three marks for each right response and one mark will be subtracted for each incorrect response under the CAT 2024 grading methodology. Negative points wont be deducted for wrong responses. First Published: November 01, 2024, 15:51 IST Why Nepal's New Currency Note Might Upset India | Explainer Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 17:14 IST Nepal's decision to redesign its Rs 100 currency note has led to some tension between the two neighbouring countries because the country map printed on the new currency note includes the disputed areas of the border between both the two countries The map printed on the Nepali currency note includes disputed areas of the border between India and Nepal. (News18 Hindi) Currency is the money system used to buy and sell goods daily. Currency includes both coins and paper notes. A total of 180 currencies are used in 195 countries in the world. Like every country, Nepal also prints its own currency. Recently, Nepal has decided to redesign its Rs 100 currency note. However, this decision has led to tension between Nepal and India. This is because the country map printed on the Nepali currency note includes disputed areas of the border between the neighbouring countries. related stories China has an indirect hand in furthering political and strategic differences between Nepal and India. Nepal has contracted with a Chinese printing company to print these new currency notes. Nepals central bank, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), has awarded the contract to China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation to design, print and distribute 300 million copies of the redesigned Rs 100 banknote. Its printing cost is estimated to be around US $8.99 million. This would amount to an average cost of Rs 4.04 per note. The currency note will have a revised political map of Nepal, which includes the disputed areas of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani. What Does Nepals Communication Minister Have To Say? Commenting on the government stand regarding printing of these currency notes, Nepals Communications Minister Rekha Sharma said, The government has authorised the Nepal Rastra Bank to replace the current map on the currency note with an updated version." The decision was taken in May this year under the Pushpa Kamal Dahal government. This was followed by a formal tender process and a letter of intent was issued by the NRB. What Is The India-Nepal Border Dispute? The Nepal-India border dispute has been going on since the Treaty of Sugauli was signed between Nepal and British-ruled India in 1816 after the Anglo-Nepal War. According to this treaty, the Kali River was designated as the natural western border of Nepal, the east of which included Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani, which belongs to Nepal. Despite this, these areas have been under the administrative control of India since the 1960s. Tensions over this territorial issue escalated in November 2019 when India released a new political map that included these disputed areas in its borders. Nepal retaliated by publishing its own revised political map in May 2020, claiming these areas to be Nepals. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar criticised Nepals unilateral action, saying, Our position is very clear. With Nepal, we are discussing our border matters through an established forum. In the middle of this, they have taken some unilateral steps on their partBut by doing something on their part, they are not going to change the situation or the ground reality between us." Why Was China Awarded The Currency Note Printing Contract? The tension between India and Nepal has been further complicated with the Nepali government awarding the currency note printing contract to a Chinese state-owned corporation. According to a report in English daily Republica, China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation was selected after an open global tender. Amid the strategic tensions in the India-China-Nepal tri-border region, the Chinese involvement in printing the currency notes has raised eyebrows. Several observers in India suggested that the Nepal government, then under Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, could use the new currency format to appeal to nationalist sentiments. Is This Step Putting Indo-Nepal Relations At Risk? Experts have warned that Nepals move to print new banknotes could damage the historically strong ties between the two countries, which include open borders, shared cultural ties and significant economic cooperation. Nepal and India share a 1,750-km-long border, extending along five Indian states Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. This currency note printing issue is expected to complicate the situation on the borders. Expressing a desire for diplomatic engagement, Nepals Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha was quoted by the Kathmandu Post as saying, We want to resolve the border issue with India. We want to fix it through diplomatic means and dialogue. We are taking initiatives for this." However, it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to bridge the gap between the two countries. Why Are The Disputed Areas Important? India sees the inclusion of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani in Nepals currency as an attempt to make territorial claims that could disrupt regional stability. In May 2020, Nepal intensified its claims to the disputed areas soon after India inaugurated an 80-km-long road through Lipulekh, which connects the Indian state of Uttarakhand to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet. The road was considered strategically important for both trade and regional security because it provides a practical route from India to Tibet. India has strongly objected to Nepals ongoing efforts to establish these areas as part of Nepal by calling it a false claim which amounts to artificial extension of Nepals borders. The disputed land is about 335 square kilometres. Though this may seem to be a minor area, it is important owing to its strategic position at the India-Nepal-China tri-junction. Strong Relations Between India And Nepal Despite the border tension between the two countries, Nepal and India share extensive ties ranging from religious and cultural exchanges to economic investments. India remains Nepals largest trading partner with substantial investments in infrastructure projects such as hydropower plants. However, without a diplomatic solution to the border issue, the relations between the two countries may be adversely affected. At the moment, both countries seem to be committed to sticking to their respective positions. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all How Many Countries Have Named Their Currency Rupee? A total of eight countries have named their currency Rupee. These include Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mauritius, Seychelles, Indonesia and Maldives, apart from India. While the currency of Indonesia is Rupiah, the currency in Maldives is called Rufiyah, which is actually a modified form of the Hindi word Rupee. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 01, 2024, 17:14 IST Academic Excellence, Expertise Across Diverse Fields: A Glimpse Of Bibek Debroy's Remarkable Life Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 15:09 IST Debroy, who died on Friday at the age of 69, made significant contributions to India's policymaking and Indology Bibek Debroy with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Photo: X/Narendra Modi) Renowned Indian economist and chief of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM) Bibek Debroy died on Friday. He was 69. Debroy made significant contributions to Indias policymaking and Indology. His academic journey began at the Ramakrishna Mission School in Narendrapur, West Bengal. He then studied at Presidency College in Kolkata, the Delhi School of Economics, and Trinity College, Cambridge. related stories Dr Debroy held various notable positions throughout his career. These included positions at Presidency College, Kolkata, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, and the National Council of Applied Economic Research. Dr Debroy was also a member of the NITI Aayog up to June 5, 2019. In 2015, Debroy was honoured with the Padma Shri for his contributions to literature and education. He authored numerous books and articles on economics and translated ancient Indian texts, including the Mahabharata and the Puranas, into English. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Debroy was well respected for his knowledge and contributions not just in India but on the global stage where he was known for his commitment to fostering economic growth and stability. In July 2024, Debroy was appointed chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune. However, he resigned from this position in September amid controversies surrounding the termination of the institutes vice-chancellor, Dr Ajit Ranade. First Published: November 01, 2024, 12:12 IST Bengaluru Horror On Cam: 5-Year-Old Suffers Head Injuries As Men Smash Car's Window With Stone Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 14:32 IST A Bengaluru family confronted a moment of horror while travelling at night when two men chased them and attacked with a stone. Bengaluru road rage (X/Citizens Movement, East Bengaluru) A family travelling on the streets of Bengaluru crashed into a horrific lifetime experience as two bike-borne men smashed their cars rear window, resulting in the injury of the five-year-old son. The video of the incident surfaced, sending chills down the spine of the viewers while also raising serious questions about the law and order situation in the city. related stories @BlrCityPolice @CPBlr,A family with a child was attacked by miscreants in Kasavanahalli! They were chased, and stones were thrown. The child is hospitalized! This brazen lawlessness is concerning! #Crime #Bengalurupic.twitter.com/pmRH8SenIz https://t.co/NknFJyEjZC Citizens Movement, East Bengaluru (@east_bengaluru) October 30, 2024 How did the incident take place? The incident occurred on Tuesday night when two unidentified men chased and stopped the car twice, demanding the father, who was driving the car, to roll down the window. After his refusal to comply, they smashed the window with a stone, the visuals from the video which was shot inside the car showed. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As the window panes came crashing down, the father ran after the two men and he was heard shouting, mera bachcha tha udhar" (my son was there). The family then rushed the child, who sustained head injuries, to a nearby hospital. The family later filed a complaint at the Parappana Agrahara police station. First Published: November 01, 2024, 14:21 IST 'Towering Scholar': PM Modi Pays Tributes To Bibek Debroy, Says His Work Left An Indelible Mark Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 12:55 IST Calling him a towering scholar, the Prime Minister recalled his work beyond his contributions to public policy PM Modi with PM Modis Economic Advisory Council head Bibek Debroy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned the death of his Economic Advisory Council chairman and economist Bibek Debroy on Friday and said his work left an indelible mark on Indias intellectual landscape." Debroy was admitted to AIIMS Thursday night. He was admitted with subacute intestinal obstruction. He also suffered from hypertension and diabetes mellitus," an official source at AIIMS, Delhi said. related stories Calling him a towering scholar", the Prime Minister recalled his work beyond his contributions to public policy. PM Modi said Debroy enjoyed working on our ancient texts, making them accessible to the youth. Dr. Bibek Debroy Ji was a towering scholar, well-versed in diverse domains like economics, history, culture, politics, spirituality and more. Through his works, he left an indelible mark on Indias intellectual landscape. Beyond his contributions to public policy, he enjoyed working on our ancient texts, making them accessible to the youth," he wrote in a post on X. Dr. Bibek Debroy Ji was a towering scholar, well-versed in diverse domains like economics, history, culture, politics, spirituality and more. Through his works, he left an indelible mark on Indias intellectual landscape. Beyond his contributions to public policy, he enjoyed pic.twitter.com/E3DETgajLr Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2024 Prime Minister Narendra Modis Economic Advisory Council Chief Bibek Debroy passed away at 69 on Friday. Debroy was a Padma Shri awardee who previously served as the chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune. He was also a member of the NITI Aayog till June 5, 2019. He was the author and editor of various books, and articles and was also a consulting/contributing editor with several newspapers. President Murmu condoles demise President Droupadi Murmu condoled the demise of the Padma Shri awardee and said that he was an eminent intellectual in fields ranging from policy making to translating Indian scriptures In the demise of Dr. Bibek Debroy the country has lost an eminent public intellectual who enriched diverse fields, from policy making to translating our great scriptures. His understanding of Indias social, cultural and economic landscape was exceptional. For his extraordinary contributions, he was honoured with Padma Shri. I convey my condolences to his family, friends and admirers," the President posted on X. In the demise of Dr. Bibek Debroy the country has lost an eminent public intellectual who enriched diverse fields, from policy making to translating our great scriptures. His understanding of Indias social, cultural and economic landscape was exceptional. For his extraordinary President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 1, 2024 Nirmala Sitharaman Condoles Death Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman extended a solemn farewell to the departed soul and listed Debroys works noting that he had so much more to do". It is with profound grief that I condole the demise of Shri. @bibekdebroy. As Chairman of PM Economic Advisory Council, he profusely participated in policy making. His interests, inter alia, wereancient texts, Vedic and classical Sanskrit, Devi, Railways. He was prolific in translating Sanskrit to English- our epics and puranas. His book Sarama and Her Children showed his uncanny knack in extracting nuggets from our ancient texts. Bibek, you had so much more to do and to complete for all our sake! Farewell! Om Shanti," she tweeted. It is with profound grief that I condole the demise of Shri. @bibekdebroyAs Chairman of PM Economic Advisory Council, he profusely participated in policy making. His interests, inter alia, wereancient texts, Vedic and classical Sanskrit, Devi, Railways. He was prolific in pic.twitter.com/780wodJIdj Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) November 1, 2024 Congress Condoles Scholars Demise Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh described Debroy as a fine theoretical and empirical economist who worked and wrote on various aspects of the Indian economy". A man of unusually wide-ranging interests, Bibek Debroy was first and foremost a fine theoretical and empirical economist who worked and wrote on various aspects of the Indian economy. He also had a special skill for lucid exposition, in a manner that would make laypersons easily understand complex economic issues. Over the years, he has had numerous institutional affiliations and he left his mark everywhere. I had known him well for almost four decades and we would have conversations on all sorts of subjects," Jairam posted on X. He will be missed for his scholarship as well for his dry sense of humour," he added. Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha condoled the demise and said that Debroy was among the most respected scholars in the country. It was with profound grief that I received the news of the passing away of Dr. Bibek Debroy Ji. He was among the most respected scholars of the country & contributed greatly to the field of economics & spirituality. My sincerest condolences to his family & friends. Om Shanti," he tweeted. Mamata Banerjee Remembers Son Of Bengal top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid tributes to son of Bengal" and said that he was a scholar of repute". Saddened by the news of the sudden demise of Bibek Debroy, noted economist and Chairman of PMs Economic Advisory Council. A brilliant son of Bengal and a scholar of repute, he will be remembered by us. Condolences to the bereaved family and friends," she tweeted. First Published: November 01, 2024, 11:39 IST Double Murder Rocks Delhi On Diwali Night; Man, Teen Nephew Shot Dead In Shahdara Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 13:51 IST The police said that five rounds of bullets were fired targeting the father-son and the nephew. The deceased have been identified as Akash (40) and Rishabh Sharma (16). Akash's son Krish Sharma (10) was left injured in the incident The two attackers came to the spot, one of them riding a scooter. The one on the scooter got down briefly and touched Akashs feet before the incident. (News18 Hindi) Amid Diwali festivities in the national capital, two persons died and a third was seriously injured in a firing incident in the citys Farsh Bazar area of Shahdara on Thursday at around 8:30 pm, police said. The two dead included a 40-year-old man and his teenage nephew. The formers 10-year-old son was left injured. The double murder has created panic in the area. The police suspect personal rivalry behind this tragic incident. related stories The Delhi Police received a PCR call at around 8.30 pm reporting firing at the Farsh Bazar Police Station area, following which, the SHO and the police staff rushed to the spot. According to eyewitnesses, how heavy firing took place amid the noise of firecrackers. The deceased have been identified as Akash (40) and Rishabh Sharma (16). Krish Sharma (10) has been badly injured by bullets. The police said that five rounds of bullets were fired targeting the father-son and the nephew. The police are currently investigating the case. The CCTV footage of the area is being scrutinized by the police and information is being obtained from eyewitnesses. Watch Video Here Farsh Bazaar double murder cctvA man and his cousin shot dead while celebrating Diwali. #delhimurder #DelhiPolice #Delhicrime pic.twitter.com/Z8b4iFkS3f Shehla J (@Shehl) November 1, 2024 As per the CCTV footage, the incident took place when Akash and his family were celebrating Diwali and were lighting crackers outside their house. The two attackers came to the spot, one of them riding a scooter. The one on the scooter got down briefly and touched Akashs feet. Then, the person standing beside him took out a gun and barged into the house, killing Akash at the doorstep. One of the bullets also hit his son Krish, who was inside the house. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to witnesses, when the assailant came out of the house, Akashs nephew Rishabh tried to stop them running down the street. However, he was shot dead during the chase. Police suspect that this incident took place due to personal enmity. They have arrested one of the accused in the case, who is a minor. According to the police, the accused is well known to the family of the deceased. However, the motive behind this murder has not come to light so far. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 01, 2024, 13:51 IST Goa Speaker Dismisses Disqualification Petition Of 8 Congress MLAs Who Joined BJP In 2022 Published By : PTI Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 19:27 IST Eight Congress MLAs including Aleixo Sequeira and Digambar Kamat defected to the BJP on September 14, 2022, months after the State Assembly election. Goa Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar dismissed a petition seeking disqualification of eight Congress MLAs who defected to BJP in 2022. (Representative Image/ANI) Goa assembly speaker Ramesh Tawadkar on Friday dismissed the disqualification petition filed by the Congress against eight of its MLAs who defected to the ruling BJP in 2022. The disqualification petition was filed by former Goa Congress chief Girish Chodankar against MLAs Digambar Kamat, Aleixo Sequeira, Sankalp Amonkar, Michael Lobo, Delilah Lobo, Kedar Naik, Rudolf Fernandes and Rajesh Faldesai. The eight MLAs joined the BJP on September 14, 2022, taking the ruling partys strength in the 40-member assembly to 28. related stories Chodankar, in his petition, had sought that the speaker disqualify these eight MLAs under Para 2 of the 10th Schedule read with Article 191 of the Constitution on the ground that they had voluntarily given up the membership of the original party (Congress) on the tickets of which they had contested for the 8th Goa legislative assembly and had won. It is undisputed fact that respondents were duly elected as the members of Indian National Congress for the present assembly and are now affiliated to the Bharatiya Janata Party," Chodankar said in the petition filed through advocate Abhijit Gosavi. Disqualification On Ground Of Defection Doesnt Apply The petition contended there was no valid merger in this case as the twin requirement of merger of political party to be agreed by two-third of members of the legislature party was not satisfied. Para 4 of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution does not contemplate merger of the political party to the legislature party. Such a merger is contrary to the object of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution. In the present case, there is no dispute that the original political party (Congress) has not merged," he said in the plea. Advocate Parag Rao, representing the eight MLAs, however, said the speaker, through a communication on September 14, 2022, has recorded that the eight MLAs passed a resolution to merge the Congress legislature party with the BJP. Rao further said the BJP, by conduct, has accepted this merger since it has made some of these MLAs ministers in the state government. Dismissing the disqualification petition, speaker Tawadkar ruled a member of the assembly shall not be disqualified where his original political party merges with another political party. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In simple words, upon the merger of the original political party of the elected member with another political party, the elected member will not face disqualification in either contingency i.e whether he chooses to go with the merger or disagrees with the same," the speaker ruled. The speaker said disqualification on ground of defection does not apply in case of merger. Location : Panaji (Panjim, India First Published: November 01, 2024, 19:27 IST Haryana Man Found Living At Brazil Airport For A Week Unnoticed By Security Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 10:54 IST The person was exposed when he reached the immigration counter to travel to Colombia under a fake passport. He had initially planned to travel to Bolivia from Addis Ababa, but was not allowed to travel after he reached Sao Paolo in Brazil According to a senior officer, during his stay at the airport the person was changing his location at short intervals and ate at the food court in the transit area. (Representative/AP File) A person from Haryanas Kurukshetra was found living at Brazils Sao Paulo Airport for a week without the notice of the security officials. The matter came to light when this person, while inside the airport, obtained a fake passport and other travel documents and reached the immigration counter to go to Colombia. After being exposed, the person was deported to Delhi. related stories According to a senior officer associated with IGI Airport Security, Gaurav, who lives in Achanaicha village of Kurukshetra, had left for Addis Ababa from Delhi Airport on a Visa on Arrival facility. From Addis Ababa, he had to reach Bolivia via Sao Paulo (Brazil). While Gaurav succeeded in reaching the Sao Paulo airport, he was not allowed to travel to Bolivia from there because he did not have a return air ticket. The security agency at Sao Paulo airport had instructed Gaurav to go back to India. However, on the advice of an agent, he hid in the transit area of the Sao Paulo airport. According to the senior officer, during his stay at the airport Gaurav was changing his location at short intervals and ate at the food court in the transit area. When Gaurav got to know that he would not be able to travel to Bolivia on his passport, he asked his agent for a passport issued in another name. Within a week, an agent named Ali arranged another passport and delivered it to Gaurav inside the airport. This was a Malaysian passport, in which Gaurav got a fake name, Sears Vargas Jesus Santos Ivan. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Under his fake identity, Gaurav had to leave for Colombia instead of Bolivia. As soon as he reached the immigration counter to go to Colombia, the fact that he was staying illegally at the Sao Paolo airport came to light. The immigration officers took him into custody and deported him to Delhis Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport by flight number ET-688. After reaching IGI Airport, the airlines security officials handed Gaurav over to the Bureau of Immigration, who in turn, handed him over to the IGI Airport Police after a preliminary interrogation. The airport police have registered an FIR against the accused under the relevant sections of the law and have started an investigation. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 01, 2024, 10:54 IST J&K LG Calls Out CM Omar Abdullah After He skips UT Foundation Day Event Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 09:00 IST Chief Minister Omar Abdullah skipped the J&K UT Foundation Day event on Thursday, drawing sharp reaction from LG Manoj Sinha. J&K LG Manoj Sinha and CM Omar Abdullah (PTI photo) A war of words broke out between the BJP and National Conference over the issue of the sixth Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Foundation Day celebrations, an event that was boycotted by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other ruling National Conference leaders on Thursday. J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha questioned CM Abdullahs move stating that Jammu and Kashmirs current status as a UT is a reality. related stories J&K UT Foundation Day marks the creation of the Union Territory under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. This years event was organised at the Convention Centre in Jammu. What did J&K LG say about Abdullahs boycott? Sinha lashed out at the Chief Minister while reiterating Union Home Minister Amit Shahs promise to provide statehood to J&K at an appropriate time and said that Omar Abdullah will have to get used to the fact that the region is currently a Union Territory and not a state. This is not the first time we are celebrating this day. The elections in J&K just finished a few days backEveryone cannot come to attend the event but Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory as of date and we will have to accept this fact. PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also said the delimitation first, Assembly elections second, and then statehood. When PM Modi came here on Yoga Day, he said that Assembly elections will be conducted soon and then the status of statehood will be given to J&K," the LG said. War of words over UT Foundation Day J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina slammed CM Abdullah over the boycott and suggested him to rise above party politics" as a person holding constitutional position. Every year October 31 is celebrated as UT Foundation DayIt is the responsibility of the person who is serving on a constitutional post to attend the programs that come under the Constitution. When a person has a constitutional post, then that person should rise above party politicsI hope that the J&K CM will attend these kinds of programs in the future" he said. J&K Minister and National Conference leader Javed Ahmed Rana said that the party is not only boycotting" the event but also rejecting" it. Not only do we boycott the UT Foundation Day, but we also reject it. Our mandate is against the UT; we will always talk about state restoration and special status The abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A, and giving J-K the status of Union Territory was not a good step," he said. National Conferences opposition to UT Foundation Day Farooq Abdullah-led National Conference has been vocal regarding the UT Day and has time and again called for the restoration of statehood to J&K, as it was before August 5, 2019, when Article 370, providing special status to the erstwhile state, was abrogated in a historic move by the Modi 2.0 administration. J&K was converted to a UT and also split into two UTs Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq had earlier said that the NC would not observe UT Day because the party does not recognise Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory, claiming that its status was taken from the people of J-K in 2019 and was unconstitutional. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The JKNC spokesperson reiterated, We will never settle for Union Territory status. Our demand is firm: full statehood and the rightful status Jammu and Kashmir held before August 5, 2019." (With ANI inputs) Location : Jammu, India First Published: November 01, 2024, 08:52 IST Women row a raft on a flooded street as Storm Trami brought heavy rains to Le Thuy District, Quang Binh Province in central Vietnam, October 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Vo Thanh Prolonged heavy rains lasting at least seven days starting this weekend is expected to cause severe flooding in central Vietnam, with water levels in several rivers surpassing the alarm level. The region, home to popular tourist cities and beaches, is likely to face significant rainfall starting from Nov. 3 and continuing until Nov. 10 due to a complex combination of adverse weather factors, including a low-pressure zone in the southern and central parts of the East Sea, continuous cold air surges, and a strong easterly wind belt at altitudes of 1,500-5,000 meters, said Mai Van Khiem, director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. "This is a typical weather pattern that brings extremely heavy rain to central Vietnam, with large-scale flooding above the level three in the northern and central provinces of the region, widespread inundation, flash floods, and landslides in mountainous areas," he said. A level-three warning, the highest flood alarm level in Vietnam, signals major floods, posing serious risks to lives, property, and livelihoods. Khiem forecasted that the upcoming heavy rain would impact areas from Ha Tinh to Phu Yen provinces, which include Da Nang and Hoi An ancient town. After Nov. 10, the central region could see an additional couple rounds of heavy rain throughout the month. Khiem noted that heavy rains in late October have filled reservoirs and saturated the soil, which could lead to severe flooding, high risks of flash floods and landslides. Following Storm Trami, which made landfall in central Thua Thien-Hue Province and its neighbor Da Nang last Sunday, central Vietnam has experienced significant rainfall, causing widespread flooding in Quang Binh Province, where 12 fatalities have been reported. Kerala Expatriate Finds 30 People Living In His Locked House, Electricity Bill Uncovers Secret Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 16:24 IST According to a local investigation, one Suresh Babu was collecting monthly rent from the occupants which amounted to a significant sum The expatriate found that the trespassers had painted and partitioned the interiors after breaking in, and were subletting rooms. (Representative/AP File) In a shocking incident in Kochi, an expatriate discovered that approximately 30 people were living in his locked bungalow in Kochi. The discovery came to light when he received an electricity bill amounting to Rs 5,000. When he contacted the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to question the bill amount, stating that his house was locked, the electricity regulatory body confirmed that the bill reflected the electricity used. Determined to uncover the truth, the expatriate returned from abroad and initiated an investigation. To his surprise, he found that a group of people had broken the lock of his house and were living inside. related stories On further investigation, he discovered that around 30 people, including students and families, were occupying his two-storey house. The trespassers had painted and partitioned the interiors after breaking in, and were subletting rooms. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A local investigation, which included the local councillor, revealed that a man named Suresh Babu, originally from Arur, was behind this scheme. Suresh Babu was collecting rent from the occupants, amounting to a significant monthly sum. When confronted, Suresh Babu claimed he was entrusted with the houses upkeep. However, the expatriate, Ajith Vasudevan, refuted this claim, stating that neither he nor his family had given Suresh Babu any such responsibility. A police complaint has been lodged against Babu and the other illegal residents with the city police commissioner. Location : Kochi [Cochin], India First Published: November 01, 2024, 16:24 IST BJP Leader From Jammu & Union Minister Jitendra Singh's Brother Devender Singh Rana Dies At 59 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 11:41 IST Nagrota MLA Devender Singh Rana, the brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh, passed away at a hospital in Faridabad. PM Modi with BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana (Photo: X/Narendra Modi) Union Minister Jitendra Singhs brother and Nagrota MLA Devender Singh Rana passed away at a private hospital in Haryanas Faridabad on Thursday. Rana, 59, was undergoing treatment at the hospital and is survived by his wife Gunjan Rana, their daughters Devyani and Ketki, and son Adhiraj Singh, according to a BJP leader. Jitendra Singh rushed to his residence in the Gandhinagar area of Jammu at night as the news of his brothers death spread. Hundreds of people which also included political ones arrived at the house. related stories #WATCH | Jammu, J&K: Union Minister Jitendra Singh arrives at his residence as his brother and BJP MLA from Nagrota Devender Singh Rana passes away pic.twitter.com/NyPL3x5ssa ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2024 Jitendra Singh reacts to his brothers demise Calling the demise of his brother a deep personal loss", the Union Minister said that it has created a void that will last forever. He thanked all those standing by his family during this time. Untimely demise of my brother Sh Devender Singh Rana is a deep personal loss, which is not only irreparable and painful, but the void created will continue to haunt me for the rest of my life .I sincerely thank all those standing by me and the family in these testing times," he tweeted. Untimely demise of my brother Sh Devender Singh Rana is a deep personal loss, which is not only irreparable and painful, but the void created will continue to haunt me for the rest of my life .I sincerely thank all those standing by me and the family in these testing times. Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) November 1, 2024 Who was Devender Singh Rana? Rana was a BJP leader who switched to politics from business as he erected a multi-crore business. He was considered a strong and vocal voice for the Dogra community in the Jammu region. He was re-elected as the MLA in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections from the Nagrota constituency of the Jammu district. He won the seat for the second term. He secured victory in the seat in 2014 as a National Conference candidate. He was a trusted aide of National Conference leader and now a Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He was Abdullahs political advisor during his previous tenure as a CM. Rana held a considerable sway among Muslims, particularly the Gujjar community in Jammu. He was born in a Dogra family in Doda in 1965 and was the son of former bureaucrat Rajinder Singh Rana and the brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh. He kicked off his political career with National Conference where he gained the position of a key strategist and advisor. He helped expand the partys base in Jammu as Provincial President. He joined the BJP in October 2021, snapping his over two decades ties with the NC. Condolences pour in Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock over the untimely demise of the BJP leader and recalled his noteworthy role" in strengthening the party in J&K. Shri Devender Singh Rana Jis untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmirs progress. He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J&K. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti," he posted on X. Shri Devender Singh Rana Jis untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmirs progress. He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J&K. In this hour of grief, my pic.twitter.com/ohmAFJ8UJl Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2024 Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his anguish over the incident and said that Rana was dedicated to peace and development in the region. I am deeply saddened by the untimely demise of senior Jammu and Kashmir BJP leader and MLA from Nagrota Assembly Devender Singh Rana ji. Devender ji, who was always dedicated to the peace and development of Jammu and Kashmir and the interests of the people, made an invaluable contribution to the progress of the region. His demise is an irreparable loss for the BJP family. I express my condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti Shanti," Shah wrote on X in Hindi. - - Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 1, 2024 J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over Ranas demise and said that he was a patriotic leader who was committed to peoples well-being. In his passing, we have lost a patriotic and widely respected leader who was committed to the well-being of the people of J&K. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti," the LGs office posted on X. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary also joined in and expressed condolences stating, This news is especially disheartening on an auspicious day (Diwali). My condolences are extended to his family and PMO @DrJitendraSingh ji on the loss of his younger brother. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Om Shanti". PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti expressed shock on the sudden demise and said, Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Devender Rana Ji. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones". BJP terms Ranas demise great loss to J&K and people The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP termed his untimely demise a great loss to the party and the people of the Union Territory. His contribution and dedication to society will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace, and may God provide strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss," the party posted on X Congress National General Secretary and MLA Ghulam Ahmed Mir expressed sorrow over Ranas death and said, My heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of the deceased. Having interacted with him in politics and beyond, Rana was a great, supportive, and visionary leader, an entrepreneur whose business acumen created opportunities for many in J&K," Mir wrote on X. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Other political leaders including Sajad Lone, Junaid Matoo, Sunil Sharma, Tarun Chugh, Sham Lal Sharma, Choudhary Zulfikar Ali also offered their condolences on Ranas passing. (With agency inputs) Location : Nagrota, India First Published: November 01, 2024, 07:18 IST Caught On CCTV: Man Shot Dead In Front Of Son During Diwali Celebrations In Delhi Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 13:07 IST A man was shot dead in front of his son during Diwali celebrations in the national capital, the police said. Visuals captured in CCTV Two people, including a teenager, were killed and a boy sustained injuries in a firing incident during Diwali celebrations in the Bihari Colony in Delhis Shahdara area on Thursday, the police said. The horrific incident was captured on CCTV. The deceased were identified as Akash (40) and Rishab, his nephew (16). Krish, the 10-year-old son, was injured in the firing incident. related stories Farsh Bazaar double murder cctvA man and his cousin shot dead while celebrating Diwali. #delhimurder #DelhiPolice #Delhicrime pic.twitter.com/Z8b4iFkS3f Shehla J (@Shehl) November 1, 2024 One detained in connection with incident According to the police, five rounds of bullets were fired at them. Based on CCTV footage, one minor has been detained for questioning. The preliminary investigation revealed that it was a case of personal enmity, the police said. The juvenile is the mastermind behind the caseIn this incident, Akash, Rishabh and Krish were shot. Akash and Rishabh have died. In this case, one juvenile has been apprehended. Prima facie it appears that there was a dispute between the juvenile and deceased Akash over Rs 70,000. There is a record of previous criminal involvement with a charge of attempt to murder against the juvenile. The accused were planning to target Akash for the past 15-17 days," DCP Shahdara, Prashant Gautam said. Family narrates incident The mother of the deceased Akash named a man Lakshay who she said visited their residence for a few days regularly. He had come to their house on Diwali with a box of sweets and when her son was preparing to burst crackers outside the house, she heard the fireshots. One man named Lakshay had been visiting our lane for the last 3-4 days. Yesterday, he came to our house with a box of sweets and urged me to receive it in my hands. At the time when my son was making preparations to burst firecrackers, two people including Lakshay came and then I heard shots being fired. Next, I saw that my son was shot" she said. Akashs brother who is also deceased teenager Rishabs father, Yogesh, said that Akash had a financial dispute with someone. Delhi | Shahdara double murder case | Brother of deceased Akash and father of deceased Rishab, Yogesh says, " The incident happened around 7.30pm-8.00pm yesterday. Two people including my nephew who was riding a two-wheeler and an unknown pedestrian had come. My brother and son pic.twitter.com/aTJJGAJbal ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2024 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The incident happened around 7.30 pm 8.00 pm yesterday. Two people including my nephew who was riding a two-wheeler and an unknown pedestrian had come. My brother and son were killed by the person who was on the two-wheeler. Some time ago, my brother had a dispute over money with someone," he said. (With ANI inputs) First Published: November 01, 2024, 09:53 IST Received Bills In Thousands: Jharkhand Villagers Allege Govts Free Electricity Scheme A Failure Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 20:15 IST Jharkhand villagers were asked to pay Rs 100 for no-dues of outstanding electricity bill. Yet, they received bills of exorbitant amounts. Villagers were asked to pay Rs 100 to receive a no-dues certificate for their outstanding electricity bills. A wave of discontent is sweeping through Khaira village in Jharkhands Godda district, where residents condemned the governments electricity bill waiver scheme as a dismal failure. Despite promises of relief, villagers are reeling from unexpected charges following a recent initiative by the Electricity Department. In a camp organised by officials, villagers were asked to pay Rs 100 to receive a no-dues certificate for their outstanding electricity bills. However, just days later, many received new bills amounting to thousands of rupees, igniting widespread anger and frustration within the community. related stories Local resident Ramchandra Mahato expressed his disillusionment, stating that Chief Minister Hemant Sorens assurances of waiving electricity bills for the poor now feel like hollow promises. What was presented as a lifeline has turned out to be a failure and cruel deception," he lamented. The government has shattered our hopes with these false assurances." During the camp, an energy representative claimed that the Rs 100 fee was necessary to issue the no-dues certificate. However, this move left villagers feeling duped, as many believed the initiative would alleviate their financial burdens. We thought this scheme would offer us some relief, but instead, we are now faced with new bills," said villager Rajendra Mahato, echoing the sentiments of many in the community. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The discontent is further fueled by the stark contrast between the governments pre-election promises of free electricity and the current reality facing the villagers. Many are now grappling with unexpected financial strain as they navigate the new bills, which they were led to believe would not be forthcoming. The sense of betrayal is palpable, and frustration is boiling over. Residents are demanding accountability from the government, threatening to take to the streets if their grievances are not addressed. They have voiced concerns over alleged corruption within the electricity department, claiming that mismanagement and deceit are exacerbating their hardships. Location : Jharkhand, India First Published: November 01, 2024, 20:15 IST Suspected Terrorists Fire At Army Camp In J&K's Bandipora, No Injuries Reported: Sources Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 22:55 IST According to sources, the incident took place at the Bilal Colony Army camp along the Bandipora-Panhaar Road Official confirmation is pending as authorities continue to investigate the situation. (Representational image via PTI) Suspected terrorists opened fire at an army camp in Jammu and Kashmirs Bandipora on Friday evening. No injuries have been reported so far and the army retaliated quickly, sources said. Sources said that the incident took place at the Bilal Colony Army camp along the Bandipora-Panhaar Road. Official confirmation is pending as authorities continue to investigate the situation. related stories A series of terrorist attacks in the valley has been on the rise. Earlier today, two migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh were shot at in Budgam. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Both workers were transferred to a hospital in Srinagar and are now reported to be in stable condition. They have been identified as Mohammad Usman and Sufiyan, who were working on the construction of a water tank in the Manzhama area of Magam at the time of the shooting. Usman sustained injuries to his right wrist, while Sufiyan was injured in his right leg. In another terrorist incident, four peopletwo army jawans and two local porterswere killed in a terror attack in the Gulmarg area last week. Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India First Published: November 01, 2024, 22:36 IST J&K: Two UP Workers Involved In Water Tank Construction Shot At In Budgam Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 21:23 IST The two non-locals were shifted to a hospital and were reported in stable condition. This came amid a spate of terrorist attacks in the valley. The two non-local labourers shot in J&K's Budgam district on Friday. (News18) In an alarming development, two non-locals were shot at and injured in the Magam area of Jammu and Kashmirs Budgam district on Friday, according to police sources. Both of them were shifted to a hospital in Srinagar and are now in stable condition. They were identified as Mohammad Usman and Sufiyan, both hailing from Uttar Pradesh. They were working on the construction of a water tank in the Manzhama area of Magam during the shooting. Usman suffered injuries in his right wrist while Sufiyan was hurt in his right leg. related stories This came after three terrorists fired at an army ambulance that was part of a convoy moving near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmirs Akhnoor district. All of them were gunned down by security forces in anti-terror operations on Tuesday. A four-year-old valiant Army dog, Phantom, was the only casualty in the operation, which saw the deployment of the National Security Guard (NSG) and Special Operations Group (SOG). As the security forces were closing in on the trapped terrorists, Phantom drew enemy fire, sustaining fatal injuries, officials said. Police are investigating the identity of the terrorists, but agencies suspect the involvement of Jaish-e- Mohammed. Jaish, in recent times, has carried out attacks on army convoys in Jammu division. All three are foreign terrorists from Pakistan. One looks like a Jaish commander," an official said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Akhnoor incident comes after a series of terrorist attacks unfolded in Jammu and Kashmir in the past few months, prompting the central government to launch several combing operations in the valley. Four persons including two army jawans and two local porters were killed in a terror attack in the Gulmarg area of Jammu and Kashmir last week. In a separate incident, seven including non-locals were killed when terrorists struck a tunnel construction site on Srinagar-Leh national highway in the Ganderbal district. Location : Srinagar, India First Published: November 01, 2024, 20:18 IST Kylie Jenner's Gothic Glamour At CFDA Awards 2024, Dons Maleficent-Inspired Gown Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 13:32 IST At the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, Kylie Jenner attended the CFDA Awards 2024 in grand fashion. Kylie truly unleashed her inner charm at the CFDA Awards 2024. (Image: Instagram) Kylie Jenners confidence and poise in wearing bold, edgy gowns are nothing new to the fashion mongers. From red carpet events to traditional occasions, the powerhouse of fashion keeps turning heads with each of her looks. Recently, she unleashed her inner charm at the CFDA Awards 2024, wearing a stunning black ensemble that resembled the iconic look of Angelina Jolie in her film, Maleficent. Kylie Jenner graced the CFDA Awards 2024 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City in complete style. However, it was her OOTN that grabbed a lot of attention. She wore an all-black gown with a scaly bodice with feather-like details similar to scales, a round, very short neck and full sleeves. The bodice was attached to a spiky skirt that elevated her curves. The exquisite piece was from Jean Paul Gaultiers couture, and indeed, it was one of a kind. related stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by s ss fanpage! (@kyliesbae) Jenner teamed her black ensemble with glam makeup, which elevated her looks gothic factor. It included an ample amount of highlighter on her T-zone and blushed cheeks. Moreover, she opted for thin strokes of eyeliner and nude lipstick to complement her OOTN. The fashionista is well aware of how to round off her looks. Hence, she kept her hairstyle minimal and let the outfit do the talking. She chose a slick hairdo with a wet finish. A pair of pointed heels finished off the 27-year-olds entire makeover, adding an oomph factor. Soon after the pictures and videos from Jenners red carpet glamour surfaced on social media, her sleek updo and understated makeup allowed her gown to take centre stage and left onlookers in awe. This even resembled Angelina Jolies villainous character from the 2014 Disney film Maleficent. For context, the movies titular role of the dark fairy is known for its black-hued dressing top to bottom alongside bold red lips and dramatic long nails. One look at Jenner and her fans would be enticed by it. This is not the first time Jenner has amazed us with her drool-worthy dressing sense. At the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, the fashionista struck chords with her sartorial avatar in a vintage piece from Thierry Muglers fashion house. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all View this post on Instagram A post shared by Who What Wear (@whowhatwear) Her exquisite dress featured wide-cut sheer sequins in a skin-toned fishnet pattern, clinging to her body like a second skin in the upper portion. It was attached to a shimmering, floor-length black skirt. With her nude makeup and open tresses, she added a bold touch to the gown. First Published: November 01, 2024, 13:32 IST Legendary Indian Fashion Designer Rohit Bal Passes Away At 63 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 02, 2024, 11:13 IST Rohit Bal passed away at the age of 63 on November 1. Rohit Bal passed away at age 63. Legendary designer Rohit Bal, who revolutionised Indian fashion, passed away at the age of 63 today, on November 1. Only a few weeks earlier, Bal had made his fashion circuit comeback after health problems, presenting up at Lakme Fashion Week, closing the magnanimous season with his comeback. Well-known for his creative methods, he brought Indias rich cultural legacy to life in a modern tapestry that attracted attention from all over the world. His creations were notable for their flawless fusion of modernity and heritage, permanently altering Indian fashion. The industry loses a trailblazer, and generations to come will remember his contributions to improving Indias design style. View this post on Instagram A post shared by FDCI (@fdciofficial) related stories Sharing the news of Bals unfortunate demise, FDCI shared on Instagram, We mourn the passing of Legendary designer Rohit Bal. He was a founding member of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI). Known for his unique blend of traditional patterns with modern sensibilities, Bals work redefined Indian fashion and inspired generations. His legacy of artistry, and innovation along with forward thinking will live on in the fashion world. Rest in peace GUDDA You are a legend." Bal was admitted to Gurugrams Medanta Hospital in November 2023 as he complained of heart ailments, followed by a totally unconscious nature. Having endured a severe heart attack in 2010, the designer subsequently battled escalating pancreatitis, a condition that has deteriorated over the years. Over the last few months, the 62-year-old has experienced a series of hospitalisations due to significant health complications. Rohit Bal had undergone an emergency angioplasty when he suffered a heart attack in February 2010. As news of the iconic designers death broke late evening, netizens took to Google to confirm the reports. As per Google Trends data, searches for rohit bal picked up after 9pm on Friday night, peaking at 9:38pm and 10:02pm. Most searches came from Delhi, where Rohit Bal spent his school and college days. He studied at DPS in Mathura Road and later graduated from St Stephens College in Delhi University. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Netizens also searched for rohit bal death, rohit bal news, rohit bal wife, rohit bal designer, rohit bal age, and rohit bal designer. First Published: November 01, 2024, 21:47 IST When Aishwarya Rai Rang In Birthday By The Taj Mahal With Abhishek, Jaya And Amitabh: 'Three People Who...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 09:36 IST Back in 2007, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan celebrated her birthday at the Taj Mahal with Abhishek Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and Amitabh Bachchan. Aishwarya Rai married Abhishek Bachchan in 2007. On November 1, the ever-beautiful Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, a global icon, turns 51. Over nearly three decades, Aishwarya has enthralled audiences worldwide, right from her Miss World win in 1994 to her cinematic journey, starting with Mani Ratnams Iruvar and unfolding in films like Dhoom 2, Taal, Devdas and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. One birthday really stood out for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, perfectly blending her personal and professional lives. In 2007, she celebrated her 34th birthday at the breathtaking Taj Mahal in Agra a fitting spot since she had just been cast as Mumtaz Mahal in a film about the Taj directed by Ben Kingsley. The film, however, never saw the light of day. related stories Her husband, Abhishek Bachchan, was in Agra for an ad shoot, so Aishwarya joined him there, along with Ma Jaya Bachchan and Pa Amitabh Bachchan, who came to celebrate her special day. Looking back on it, Aishwarya, in a chat with IANS had described the experience as perfect" a day brimming with love, laughter, and family togetherness. You make it sound so dramatic and romantic. Its nothing like that. Ive brought it in with Abhishek, Ma (mom-in-law Jaya Bachchan) and Pa (father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan), Aishwarya had told the publication back then. Abhishek was shooting an ad in Agra on Wednesday. So I joined him with Ma. And then Pa also joined us. So you could say its a perfect birthday by the Taj Mahal, though not quite at the Taj Mahal have you seen the crowds over there? We cant risk going to the Taj Mahal, but a stones throw away. Its a pity my parents couldnt join us here in Agra. My birthday in Agra was just too special. Someone up there has answered all my prayers," she had added. She went on to say, This is my first birthday after marriage and therefore a very special occasion. But that apart, you know me. Spending time with the people I love is my greatest joy. Im in a very happy place. And I dont mean Agra. Just being with three people who mean so much to me makes my life complete. God has been kind. Theres great fulfilment in love and in being loved, by not just my husband, but his parents, who are now my parents. Were one family and we all love one another." Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rais love story began as friends while working together on films like Dhai Akshar Prem Ke (2000) and Kuch Naa Kaho (2003). However, romance blossomed during the filming of Umrao Jaan in 2005-2006. Abhishek proposed to Aishwarya after the premiere of their film Guru in New York. They got married on April 20, 2007, in a grand ceremony and became parents to daughter Aaradhya in 2011. First Published: November 01, 2024, 09:22 IST Kannada Actor Darshan Admitted In Bengaluru Hospital To Treat Back, Leg Pain Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 20:15 IST On October 30, Karnataka HC had granted the actor, who was arrested for the alleged murder of his fan Renukaswamy, interim bail for six weeks on medical grounds Darshan was arrested in the Renukaswamy murder case. Days after he was granted bail on medical grounds, actor Darshan has been admitted to a private hospital in Kengeri, Bengaluru due to back pain, sources said on Friday. He was accompanied by his wife Vijayalakshmi. related stories On October 30, the High Court of Karnataka had granted the actor, who was arrested for the alleged murder of his fan Renukaswamy, interim bail for six weeks on medical grounds. Dr Naveen Appaji Gowda, who is treating Darshan, told reporters on Friday that the actor has back as well as leg pain. "His left leg is weak. We are thinking about what can be done next. We havent started any investigation. We have only done examinations. After the examination, we have ordered an investigation. After the investigation we will get to know what exactly has happened," added Dr Gowda. According to him, they will do MRI, X-Ray and blood tests. "We did not get his previous MRI films and test reports. So, we need to do an MRI once again. We have to admit him," Dr Gowda added. He also said before these reports are looked at, which he said they will get in 24 to 48 hours, it is difficult to tell whether the actor needs surgical intervention. "After the investigation, we will get to know what the problem is, whether operation is required or physiotherapy is sufficient." Darshan and actor Pavithra Gowda have been booked under charges related to the kidnapping and murder of 33-year-old Renukaswamy. The state presented medical reports in a sealed cover from doctors at Ballari Central Prison, where Darshan is lodged, and the head of the department of neurology at a government hospital in Ballari. Darshans lawyer had claimed the actor was experiencing numbness in both feet and requested permission for his surgery to be performed at a private hospital in Mysuru. Darshan had reportedly gone to his wife Vijayalakshmis home in Hosakere village in Tumukuru after he was released on October 30 and his fans had gathered outside the house in such huge numbers that the security struggled to manage them. They were asked to leave by Darshans teenaged son Vineesh, stating that they have a gag order from the high court not to talk to anyone. However, the fans again crowded the hospital in Kengeri where he was admitted on Friday. First Published: November 01, 2024, 20:15 IST The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. "And this catastrophe, somehow, only continues to worsen, as the Rapid Support Forces, Sudanese Armed Forces, and other armed groups violently attack civilians across the country," said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. Singham Again Review: Rohit Shetty Deserves Brownie Points For Ambition, Ajay Devgn Leaves You Wanting For More Written By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 11:53 IST Arjun Kapoor as the anti-hero is a complete revelation. He impresses the most and the build-up to his character is delicious. Singham Again is currently running in theatres. Singham Again U/A 3.5/5 1 November 2024|Hindi 2 hrs 24 mins | Action Starring: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Tiger Shroff and Arjun Kapoor Director: Rohit Shetty Music: Ravi Basrur and Thaman S Watch Trailer Singham Again Movie Review: First things first, please leave your thinking caps back home if you truly want to enjoy and experience Singham Again, the fifth instalment in Rohit Shettys cop universe after Singham, Singham Returns, Simmba and Sooryavanshi. Keep your mind open and rid it of all kinds of wokeness and Singham Again will turn out to be an entertaining Diwali dhamaka. And lets face it, how often do we get to watch some of the biggest stars of Bollywood come together, all guns blazing, to put our screens on fire! Singham Again has fire written all over it, so much so that Arjun Kapoors Danger Lanka is introduced as aag ka toofan and he goes around town setting fire to anything that comes in his way. The film picks up from where Sooryavanshi ends. Senior superintendent of police, Bajirao Singham, is now posted in Jammu & Kashmir. Hes a part of Special Operations Group, which also includes former militants turned into desh bhakt soldiers. Taking the action ahead from Maharashtra, Singham now proves his brawn in the valley as he fights and nabs Lashkar chief and terrorist, Omar Hafeez. This also helps him earn the favour of the Kashmiri youth, who come up to him and tell him that gone are the days of stone pelting as they now believe in extending their support to the police. related stories But capturing Omar only lands Singham in more trouble as the bigger threat now to the nation is a dreaded terrorist, Zubair (also known as Danger Lanka), who operates out of Sri Lanka. Things get worse when he abducts Singhams wife, Avni, when she goes to Rameshwaram to shoot for her Ram Leela Project. She works with the Ministry of Culture and through her series, she wants to prove to those particularly her Gen-Z son that the epic of Ramayana is not a myth but a part of history. And before Singham can reach Rameshwaram to rescue Avni, he puts Shakti Shetty, who calls herself Lady Singham, and Satya, in-charge of the mission to being back Avni from the clutches of Danger Lanka. Simmba and Sooryavanshi also join the team and crushing Danger Lanka becomes their sole motive. Constant parallels are drawn between the plot and Ramayan with Singham (Ajay Devgn) playing the modern-day Ram. Avni (Kareena Kapoor Khan) is Sita, Satya (Tiger Shroff) is Lakshman, Shakti (Deepika Padukone) is Vibhishana, Simmba (Ranveer Singh) is Lord Hanuman, Sooryavanshi (Akshay Kumar) is Garud and Danger Lanka (Arjun Kapoor) is Raavan. Avnis abduction by Danger Lanka intercuts with an episode from her Ram Leela Project where Sita too is abducted by Ravan as soon as she crosses the Lakshman Rekha. Much like Jatayu who tried saving Sita, Satya fights Danger Lanka with all his might and kalaripayatu skills but fails. However, a modern retelling of Ramayan calls for modern tropes. Unfortunately, Kareena as Avni/Sita is reduced to a damsel in distress. An actor of the stature and calibre of Kareena deserved a better written character with an agency. At the same time, this analogy doesnt always go with the cop-centric storyline. At 2 hours 24 minutes, Singham Again makes for a more or less engaging watch. The screenplay is incoherent in parts and sometimes overstuffed too and thats where the pace dips. However, Rohit made sure that no time is wasted in setting the tone and the background of the crux of the plot. Interestingly, this is one of those commercial potboilers with no songs. Ravi Basrurs background score, however, makes up for it. He creates an entirely new soundscape for the film and for each cop. While the music mostly complements the high-octane drama and action of the narrative, it becomes jarring at several points. For those expecting to see Singham upping the ante with his action sequences, you may get slightly disappointed. The stunts, overall, lack a certain kind of novelty too, leaving you wanting for more. To justify the presence of so many cop characters, Singham appears to be taking a back seat and calling them for action every now and then. However, his slow-motion introduction scene does give you a trip down the memory lane and reiterates the heroic qualities that has made Singham a much-loved cop character. Speaking of introductions, Sooryavanshi gets the most stylish chopper entry and this pumps up the style quotient of the film by several notches. But Rohits need to connect with the Gen-Z audience through Singham and Avnis son, whos seen imparting a lesson or two to his parents on what GOAT and situationship mean, feel unnecessary to the plot. The humour quotient is missing through the first half but with the entry of the highly energetic and impish Simmba in the second half, the chasm gets filled. His one-liners are sure to crack you up. His banter with Sooryavanshi is absolutely cracking. Do cars still fly in this Ramayan-meets-cop universe? Without a shred of doubt. And Rohit deserves brownie points for his unapologetic vision and ambition and for being able to pull off an enviable casting coup. Singham Again screams mainstream, mass and masala. It is larger-than-life with the filmmakers trademark touches all there. Whats exhilarating is the induction of a female cop in this otherwise male-dominated universe, which perfectly sets the stage for the upcoming film starring her in the franchise. Additionally, Bollywood lovers are going to cherish the sequence featuring Singham, Sooryavanshi, Simmba, Shaktia and Satya together as they try to bring Danger Lanka down. What a big screen moment it is! But its Arjun as Danger Lanka who impresses the most. Hes a revelation. He might have played characters with grey shades in Ishaqzaade, Aurangzeb and Sandeep Aur Pink Faraar but Singham Again gives him the opportunity to play with a dark, menacing character and prove his mettle. His sinister smile is unforgettable. In a nutshell, the build-up to his character is delicious. Do watch Singham Again for him, for its ambitious, larger-than-life appeal and for not-so-surprising Salman Khans Chulbul Pandey cameo. If promises are met, then a Rohit Shetty X Salman Khan collaboration will be one for the books! First Published: November 01, 2024, 11:50 IST Global Watch | How China Is Altering Security Architecture Of Africa Written By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 18:37 IST Chinas increasing focus on security, particularly regarding its counterterrorism efforts in Africa, is undeniably aimed at safeguarding its national interests within the region While China has traditionally played a role in UN peacekeeping operations within African nations, its recent security initiatives and strategic objectives have broadened considerably in recent years. (Image: AP/File) Chinas engagement in Africa is predominantly driven by its economic objectives, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Nevertheless, these economic pursuits are inherently linked to security dynamics, reflecting the intricate political landscape of the region. related stories While China has traditionally played a role in UN peacekeeping operations within African nations, its recent security initiatives and strategic objectives have broadened considerably in recent years. One of the primary methods through which China has engaged in security operations in Africa is through the utilisation of private security companies (PSCs). Although these companies were only legalised in China in 2009, their presence dates back to the 1990s. As the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has expanded, particularly focusing on infrastructure development, Chinese PSCs have gained prominence internationally, especially within Africa. Recent conflicts in various unstable African nations, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic, have seen several Chinese nationals working on BRI projects attacked and killed by both state and non-state actors. Consequently, the proliferation of Chinese PSCs in Africa is fundamentally rooted in the security concerns of nations hosting ongoing Chinese investments. The primary objectives of these PSCs involve safeguarding Chinese state-owned enterprises and ensuring the safety of Chinese personnel abroad, rather than engaging in military combat operations akin to those conducted by Russias Wagner Group. By 2021, approximately 20-30 PSCs were operating in BRI countries across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, with Africa hosting the largest contingent, estimated at around 14. At that time, nearly one million Chinese workers were engaged overseas on BRI projects across more than 16,000 companies , predominantly privately owned. It is crucial to highlight that despite their classification as private entities, Chinese PSCs are intrinsically connected to the Peoples Liberation Army. Chinas military ambitions, particularly under the leadership of Xi Jinping, are increasingly evident in its overseas objectives aimed at establishing military bases and naval fleets to support its territorial expansion and assert maritime dominance over the Indian Ocean region. Africa plays a crucial role in facilitating these ambitions. The establishment of what China refers to as a logistic facility" or support base" in Djibouti in 2017, which has since evolved into a fully operational naval base, exemplifies this strategy. This site marked Chinas first overseas military base. Since 2020, security cooperation with African nations has gained greater importance, laying the groundwork for Chinas security involvement beyond its own borders. China now seeks to create additional military bases in strategically significant locations across Africa, such as the Gulf of Guinea on the western coast. Estimates suggest that China is considering approximately 13 African countries for potential military base development. Thus, Africa is strategically vital for China in establishing its international security presence. Chinas recent security engagements in Africa encompass a range of activities, from professional military education (PME) training programmes to participation in multilateral security forums. Beijings security cooperation aims to foster a stable, secure, and peaceful Africa, thereby ensuring uninterrupted access to African markets and resources. PME has emerged as a pivotal strategy for enhancing Chinese military influence in the region. Through partnerships with military and political leaders in African nations, China has not only engaged in soft diplomacy by offering professional military education but has also reinforced its governance models while promoting the political and ideological objectives of the Chinese military via state-to-state military cooperation. Reports indicate that over 50 African countries have participated in Chinese-led PME initiatives, with military officers from these nations receiving PME scholarships. At the recent 7th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, Xi Jinping announced the provision of PME scholarships for 6,000 African military personnel, alongside a military aid package amounting to $140.5 million. The Global Security Initiative (GSI), unveiled by Xi Jinping in 2022, seeks to replace the prevailing West-centric security architecture with a model that aligns more closely with Chinas strategic interests. Within the African context, the GSI aims to establish a new security framework to address the continents escalating instability. This initiative encompasses military cooperation and training initiatives focused on counterterrorism and peacekeeping, while simultaneously safeguarding Chinas economic interests in Africa. However, in stark contrast to Western paradigms, the GSI significantly neglects considerations related to political and human rights conditions within African states. As a result, there is increasing apprehension regarding the potential for enhanced Chinese military influence in Africa through the GSI, which could not only undermine African sovereignty but also afford impunity to authoritarian regimes. This concern is particularly salient given Chinas burgeoning role as a key defence partner on the continent. In the wake of the Ukraine crisis, Chinese arms sales to Africa have risen markedly, constituting 19 per cent of the regions arms imports and positioning China as the foremost supplier of weapons in Africa. Chinas increasing focus on security, particularly regarding its counterterrorism efforts in Africa, is undeniably aimed at safeguarding its national interests within the region. The deployment of overseas private security companies, alongside the growing presence of Chinese military personnel and aspirations to establish military bases, is closely linked to Chinas broader security objectives in Africa. This strategic orientation reflects a calculated approach to enhance Chinas influence while addressing emerging threats, ultimately reinforcing its commitment to securing vital economic and geopolitical interests on the continent. As such, the implications of these developments warrant careful consideration, given their potential impact on regional stability and sovereignty. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The writer is an author and columnist and has written several books. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: November 01, 2024, 18:35 IST PM Modi Slams Congress Over Unfulfilled Poll Promises, Kharge Reacts Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 21:30 IST The PMs remark came days after Shivakumar indicating about revisiting the 'Shakti' scheme, which provides free bus travel for all women domiciled in Karnataka He said that the developmental trajectory and fiscal health of Congress-ruled states is turning from bad to worse. (PTI file) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said Congress is exposed in front of people as their so-called guarantees remain unfulfilled". He said that the developmental trajectory and fiscal health of Congress-ruled states is turning from bad to worse. The Prime Ministers remark came days after Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar indicated about revisiting the Shakti scheme, which provides free bus travel for all women domiciled in the state. related stories The Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible. Campaign after campaign they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly exposed in front of the people," he said. The Prime Minister also remarked that the developmental trajectories and fiscal health of Congress-governed states is turning from bad to worse along with unfulfilled guarantees. The victims of such politics are the poor, youngsters, farmers and women, who are not only denied the benefits of these promises but also see their existing schemes diluted," he added. In Karnataka, Congress is busier in intra-party politics and loot instead of even bothering to deliver on development. Not only that, they are also going to rollback existing schemes.In Himachal Pradesh, salaries of Government workers is not paid on time. In Telangana, farmers Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2024 He also accused the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government of indulging in intra-party politics and loot" instead of focusing on delivering on development. He also said the state government was going to roll back existing schemes. The people of the country will have to be vigilant against the Congress sponsored culture of fake promises! We saw recently how the people of Haryana rejected their lies and preferred a Government that is stable, progress oriented and action driven. There is a growing realisation across India that a vote for Congress is a vote for non-governance, poor economics and unparalleled loot," he said. Lies, Deceit And Fakery: Kharge Reacts To PM Modis Remarks Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reacted to PM Modis statements, attacking the BJPs promises on employment, inflation and more. Lies, Deceit, Fakery, Loot & Publicity are the 5 adjectives which best describe your Govt!" he said. Kharge claimed Indias unemployment rate was at a 45-year high and household savings have plunged to a 52-year low. Why are stampedes witnessed wherever there are vacancies for a handful of jobs? Who is responsible for 70 paper leaks in 7 years? Who snatched 5 Lakh Govt jobs by selling stake in PSUs?" he said. .@narendramodi ji,Lies, Deceit, Fakery, Loot & Publicity are the 5 adjectives which best describe your Govt! Your drumbeating regarding a 100-day plan was a cheap PR stunt! On May 16, 2024 you had also claimed that you took inputs from more than 20 lakh people for the road Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) November 1, 2024 Further taking aim at Modis Acche Din and Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, the 82-year-old Congress President said the rupee was at an all-time low, economic inequality was at a 100-year-high and crimes against backward communities had increased. He also accused the BJP government of giving clean chit to China post the Galwan clash and ruining relations with neighbouring countries. Modi ji, before finger-pointing, please note that MODI KI GUARANTEE is a cruel joke on 140 Crore Indians!" Kharge said. Meanwhile, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal also said the PMs statements were wrong" and chastised the Centre for not delivering on what it promised and blaming the opposition party. We are implementing everything in Karnataka in a greater way. Anybody can check. We are implementing our promises, which is a clear model of Congress promises. We are implementing in Karnataka whatever we promised. Anybody can examine it," he told reporters on Thursday. #WATCH | Ranchi, Jharkhand: On PM Modis tweets on Congress party, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal says, We are implementing everything in Karnataka in a greater way. Anybody can check. We are implementing our promises, which is a clear model of Congress promises. pic.twitter.com/CEFLXXuWs9 ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2024 What PM said is wrongBasically, the Govt of India is not delivering what they promised. They promised the employment of over 2 crore people. They did not deliver anything and they are blaming us for non-delivery. But on our part, we are delivering on our promises," Venugopal added. What Is The Shakti Scheme Row? The Shakti Scheme, which provides free bus travel for all women domiciled in the state, was launched on June 11, 2023, within a month of the government assuming office as one of the five guarantee schemes by the Congress. As of October 18, the state spent Rs 7,507.35 crore on the Shakti scheme for the 311.07 crore free rides by the women. Noting that many women had tweeted and emailed him about their willingness to pay for travel and that they dont want free rides, Shivakumar had said during an event, Lets see, we will all sit and discuss it. They are a section (of women), they may be 5-10 per cent. Lets see, some have honestly expressed they are ready to pay. Ramalinga Reddy (Transport Minister) and I we will discuss in the government, what to do." After Shivakumar indicated about revisiting the scheme, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said there is no such proposal before the government to do the same. He (Shivakumar) only said what some women are saying. I dont know, I was not there," he said. Facing backlash over his statement, Shivakumar on Thursday ruled out withdrawing or revisiting any of the five guarantee schemes including Shakti, and accused media and opposition parties of distorting his statement. Leader of Opposition in Assembly and BJP leader R Ashoka and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy accused the government of trying to remove their five guarantee schemes. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Home Minister G Parameshwara, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and a few other ministers too said there was no proposal before the government to review Shakti or any other guarantee schemes. (with agency inputs) First Published: November 01, 2024, 17:57 IST 'Nationalism Trumps Sub-Nationalism But State Pride Important': Professor Who Recommended New Karnataka Flag Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 11:38 IST Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has ordered all companies and educational institutions in the state to hoist the state flag on November 1 to mark Kannada Rajyotsava --- Karnatakas formation day All companies and educational institutions in the state have been asked to hoist the state flag on November 1. (ANI) The debate over Karnatakas state flag has begun once again as the Congress government has ordered that all government offices, educational institutions, and IT-BT companies must hoist the symbolic state flag on November 1 to mark Kannada Rajyotsava the states formation day. Prof SG Siddaramaiah, the former chairperson of the Karnataka Development Authority (KDA) who recommended the new flag for Karnataka in 2018 during Siddaramaiahs first term as chief minister, noted that while the state flag unveiled at that time did not receive approval from the Centre, there remains a need for a state flag acceptable to all. Kannadigas should feel pride in hoisting a flag of their own," he said. related stories The USA has 50 states, each with their own flag, yet American pride in their national flag remains undiminished. In the same way, why cant Karnataka have its own flag? Sub-nationalism will never supersede nationalism; it will only strengthen us as Indians who take pride in their region," the professor told News18. According to the former KDA chairman, the current flag unfurled on important occasions, particularly on Rajyotsava, is not legally Karnatakas state flag. The flag in yellow and red actually belongs to a pro-Kannada political party called Kannada Paksha and, technically, cannot be considered the official Karnataka flag," he explained. The present yellow and red flag was originally designed by Kannada writer and activist Ma Ramamurthy in the mid-1960s. In 2018, the previous Congress government set up a nine-member committee to finalise a design for Karnatakas flag and unveiled it with much fanfare. The flag comprises three horizontal bands representing wealth (yellow), peace (white), and valour (red). Centred on the flag is the Gandaberunda, a mythological two-headed bird symbolising strength, and the Ashoka Chakra, placed within the state governments official emblem. The design was intended to symbolise regional pride and cultural identity. The then Karnataka government submitted this proposal to the Union Home Ministry, where it remains pending as the Centre is yet to approve it. Recently, the Karnataka High Court also dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition seeking a separate flag for Karnataka. While this tricolour was viewed as a symbol of Kannada identity by many, others criticised it as an affront to patriotism. So far, Jammu & Kashmir is the only UT to have its own flag, leading some to question the need for such regional assertion within a united country. Its important that we take pride in our state and fly the Karnataka flag with pride, as it represents our culture, unity, and respect for our state and nation. The Karnataka flag is always flown below the national flag, as our country comes first," said a senior Congress leader. The former KDA chairman explained that to overcome the legal hurdles over which flag should represent Karnataka, he urged all Kannada parties and political outfits to adopt the Karnataka tricolour unveiled in 2018 as their own flag. This, he suggested, would avoid legal issues and encourage wider acceptance, distinguishing it from the flag associated with Kannada Paksha. If all the parties and outfits supporting Karnataka and Kannada adopt the design of three colours yellow, red, and white with the Gandaberunda in the centre, as cleared by the earlier flag committee it would bring uniformity, enhance Kannadiga pride, and provide an identity we can all be proud of. While we cannot officially have it now, we can adopt it as ours individually," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has ordered all companies and educational institutions in the state to hoist the state flag on November 1. November 1 is important for Karnataka. Its a day we celebrate as Karnataka Rajyotsava. As Bengaluru development minister, I am ordering all companies and educational centres to hoist the Karnataka flag. With 50 per cent people here from outside the state, its important to celebrate such a day. The Kannada language should be respected, and the Karnataka flag should be mandatorily hoisted on buildings," he instructed. First Published: November 01, 2024, 11:36 IST Youll Be Miserable: Shaina NC Files Complaint Against Arvind Sawants 'Imported' Remark Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 20:12 IST Shiv Sena UBT leader Arvind Sawant stoked row over his "imported maal" remark on Shaina NC, who switched from BJP to Shiv Sena. Shiv Sena UBT leader Arvind Sawant and Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC. (PTI photos) Shiv Sena UBT leader Arvind Sawant on Friday sparked controversy after referring Shaina NC, former BJP leader who switched to Shiv Sena ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, as imported maal." Sawant made the remark while speaking to the media. She stayed all her life in the BJP and now look at her Humare yahan imported maal nahi chalta (Imported material does not work here). Only original maal works here. We have the original material," he said, pointing toward the Shiv Sena leader. related stories #WATCH | Mumbai | On Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant says, Look at her condition. She was in the BJP all her life and now she has gone to another party. Imported maal does not work here, only original maal works here" (29.10) pic.twitter.com/O4DJ0YjQIQ ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2024 Shaina NC reacts sharply The Shiv Sena leader, who was at the receiving end of the sexist slur, said that people will teach the rival party a lesson in the polls. This reflects the mindset of Arvind Sawant and his party. Does he think every woman of Mumbadevi is a maal? On one side there is Eknath Shindes Ladki Behan Yojana, on the other side there is Prime Ministers Ujjwala, Mudra Banking, Housing Scheme, where women are empowered," she said. I think this objectification of women is not only their mentality but Congress MLA Amin Patel was present there laughingYou will have to apologise at the Nagpada Police Station," Shaina added. #WATCH | Mumbai: On Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawants foreign maal remark, Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC says, You cannot respect a woman. You use such words for a capable woman who is in politicsNow you will be behaal because you called the woman maal. Whether I https://t.co/ASksHmuLak pic.twitter.com/VpZSLIPc3U ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2024 Shaina NC files police complaint against Arvind Sawant The Shiv Sena leader filed a formal complaint against the UBT leader over the remark. She noted that the law will take its course and the police will take action against him. I have the FIR copy. This is Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), they dont respect women. Sawant calls me imported maal/item. The law will take its course, you have outraged the modesty of a woman. I am a daughter of MumbaiI am no ones maal. Why is MVA silent on this?," she stated. #WATCH | Mumbai: Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC arrives at Nagpada police station to register a complaint against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MP Arvind Sawant over his imported maal" remark. pic.twitter.com/H0Zz8xTBol ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2024 Shaina was fielded by Eknath Shindes Shiv Sena from Mumbais Mumbadevi Assembly constituency for the November 20 polls. She joined the party hours later ahead of the Assembly Elections. She was among the 15 candidates named by Shiv Sena on October 28. She was reportedly keen on contesting from the Worli seat. However, she was given the ticket from Mumbadevi after Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora was fielded from Worli by the party against Uddhav Thackerays son Aaditya. Arvind Sawant defends remark Following the backlash over his remarks, Sawant defended himself, arguing that there is nothing wrong with his statement and slammed the those of unnecessarily escalating the situation. This party has a character like this Why didnt they say anything about the women in Manipur? They have no respect for women," he added. VIDEO | Maharashtra elections 2024: She (Shaina NC) wants to set a narrative right now. In fact what I said, you show the full thing. She is not residing in that Assembly. Never in political life of 55 years Modesty of a woman is always honoured by Arvind Sawant," says Shiv pic.twitter.com/dzEkjlUk9X Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 1, 2024 He further claimed, She (Shaina NC) wants to set a narrative right now. In fact what I said, you show the full thing. She is not residing in that Assembly. Never in political life of 55 years Modesty of a woman is always honoured by Arvind Sawant." Commenting on the remarks, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, If we look at it honestly, it is unfortunate. Whoever has said this, all the sisters of Maharashtra will show him his place and send him back home. If Balasaheb was here and a Shiv Sainik had done this, he would have smashed his face." Outright disgusting Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora condemned Sawants comment, calling it outright disgusting." Arvind Sawant calling Shaina NC maal is outright disgusting. Hes made similar offensive remarks about Muslims in the past.If anyone is imported maal, its Arvind Sawant, elected as South Mumbais MP in 2014 while living in Powai. Milind Deora | (@milinddeora) November 1, 2024 Arvind Sawant calling Shaina NC maal is outright disgusting. Hes made similar offensive remarks about Muslims in the past. If anyone is imported maal, its Arvind Sawant, elected as South Mumbais MP in 2014 while living in Powai," Deora wrote in a post on X. Hondemnable and unacceptable Ajit Pawar, NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, also condemned the remark, sharing his thoughts on X. He wrote, Derogatory comments against women have no place in our society, especially in Maharashtra, where we proudly celebrate and honor our Ladki Bahins." Derogatory comments against women have no place in our society, especially in Maharashtra, where we proudly celebrate and honor our Ladki Bahins.We celebrate our inspiring women icons and follow their footsteps in empowering women and over the past two and a half years, we Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) November 1, 2024 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Such remarks, especially by a senior Shiv Sena UBT leader against Shaina NC ji, are highly condemnable and unacceptable. They go against the very values of respect and dignity that define our progressive Maharashtra," Pawar added. First Published: November 01, 2024, 13:29 IST 'Billionaire Hub Vs Tax-Free Oasis': Viral Thread On How Singapore And Dubai Differ Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 15:00 IST An X user posted a thread where the person provided an interesting comparison between two cities Singapore and Dubai. Singapore is ranked as the safest city in the world while Dubai holds the fourth position. (Photo Credits: X) A recent social media thread by Alessandro Palombo, who has lived in Dubai for four years and launched two businesses in Singapore, provided interesting comparisons of these two famous cities. On X, he referred to Dubai as the tax-free oasis (in Lamborghinis)" and Singapore as the billionaires hub (in flip-flops)." Palombo shared insights on which city might be better for different entrepreneurs and expatriates by comparing daily life, climate, business environments and more. He began by noting the remarkable transformations both cities have undergone. For Singapore, Palombo called it a fishing village" which transformed into a global financial hub in one generation and now manages over $2 trillion in assets. In contrast, he highlighted Dubais evolution: From desert to metropolis in 30 years, with the Sheikhs vision of a tax-free haven brought to life." related stories This is Singapore vs Dubai: Singapore: The billionaire's hub (in flip-flops) Dubai: The tax-free oasis (in Lamborghinis) Two paths to freedom I spent 4 years in Dubai, incorporated 2 businesses in Singapore. Here's my breakdown of who should choose which city (and why): pic.twitter.com/Cc4MkiumKv Alessandro Palombo (@0x_ale) October 29, 2024 First, a quick background comparison: Singapore: Fishing village to global financial hub in one generation. Now manages $2T+ in assets. Dubai: Desert to metropolis in 30 years. Sheikh's vision of a tax-free haven brought to life. Both have seen incredible rapid growth. pic.twitter.com/tHdaYuV3mJ Alessandro Palombo (@0x_ale) October 29, 2024 Before comparing the two cities, Palombo shared some key statistics. He pointed out that Singapore is the safest city in the world with a maximum tax rate of 22% and ranks as the fourth largest financial hub globally. On the other hand, Dubai is the fourth safest city which boasts a 0% personal tax rate and has introduced a new 9% corporate tax with exemptions. Quick key stats: Singapore: #1 safest city 22% max tax (0% on major gains) world's 4th largest financial hub Dubai: #4 safest city 0% personal tax new 9% corporate tax (with exemptions) Both have specific perks. Lets dive into the details! pic.twitter.com/6FJJaEc1KI Alessandro Palombo (@0x_ale) October 29, 2024 In his next tweet, Palombo discussed daily life in both cities. He described Singapore as having a relaxed wealth scene with a great mix of city and nature," along with elite healthcare and education." In his post, he called Dubai as a place with a strategic timezone" where wealth is on display" and fast opportunities" are available. 1. Daily Life Singapore: Relaxed wealth scene Great mix of city and nature Elite healthcare and education Dubai: Wealth on display Fast opportunities Strategic timezone@WealthyExpat shares his views on the nature in these cities: pic.twitter.com/20255fo2v3 Alessandro Palombo (@0x_ale) October 29, 2024 Talking about the climate, Singapore has a tropical, humid year-round" environment, with temperatures ranging from 25-32C (77-90F). Meanwhile, Dubai has a hot desert" climate with mild winters," but temperatures can soar to 45C (113F) during the summer. 2. Climate Singapore: Tropical HUMID year-round-25-32C (77-90F) Dubai: Hot desert Mild winters Summer can hit 45C (113F) Climate can be deal-breaker. In different ways for both. pic.twitter.com/YJcnRzSFKT Alessandro Palombo (@0x_ale) October 29, 2024 In terms of the business environment, Singapore ranks second in ease of doing business, while Dubai is ranked 20th. He described Singapore as a gateway for Asian markets" and Dubai as a bridge between East and West markets." The company setup process in Singapore takes just 1-3 days, whereas it takes 3-5 days in Dubai. In terms of corporate tax, Singapore has a 7% rate, but there are extensive exemptions and incentives available. Dubai has a 9% corporate tax, with a 0% rate in Free Zones under certain conditions. Both cities allow for 100% foreign ownership. 3. Business Environment Singapore: #2 for ease of doing business Gateway to Asian markets Company setup process in 1-3 days Capital gains 0% 17% corporate tax, but extensive exemptions and incentives available 100% foreign ownership allowed pic.twitter.com/DWGVKp7LMf Alessandro Palombo (@0x_ale) October 29, 2024 Dubai: Top 20 globally for ease of doing business Bridge between East and West markets Free Zone company setup in 3-5 days 9% corporate tax, 0% in Free Zones under certain conditions 100% foreign ownership allowed Both offer world-class infrastructure and support. pic.twitter.com/c5XIUbPqL3 Alessandro Palombo (@0x_ale) October 29, 2024 Palombo discussed banking by stating that Singapore offers ultimate wealth preservation," with private banking that rivals Switzerland and over 700 family offices for asset protection. While Dubais banking system is fast & flexible" with quick account openings. However, when it comes to digital banking, Dubai is not considered as efficient as Singapore. 4. Banking Singapore: Ultimate wealth preservation Private banking rivals Switzerland Top-tier asset protection 700+ family offices Dubai: Fast & flexible Quick account opening Rapid company setup Digital banking not as efficient as SG pic.twitter.com/DAeBvyxkYk Alessandro Palombo (@0x_ale) October 29, 2024 Singapore has a tough entry" for residency, with citizenship possible in 2 to 6 years, usually at a high cost. However, Dubai does not provide a path to citizenship, but it offers multiple visa options and an easy golden visa. 5. Residency Reality Singapore: Tough entry Citizenship possible in 2-6 years (but VERY expensive) Top-tier passport Dubai: Multiple visa options Relatively easy golden visa But no citizenship path pic.twitter.com/F8JCvxd8gd Alessandro Palombo (@0x_ale) October 29, 2024 Finally, Palambo addressed challenges in both cities. For Singapore, he mentioned that the city has a very high cost of living, especially housing," along with super expensive" cars and humidity. In Dubai, he pointed out that there is little to no permanency," brutal summers," and controversial inequality." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Challenges:Theres some hidden ones Singapore: Cost of living VERY high, especially housing Did I mention its HUMID Cars are SUPER expensive Dubai: Little to no permanency BRUTAL summers Controversial inequality So Alessandro Palombo (@0x_ale) October 29, 2024 His detailed thread accumulated over 14 million views and received a wide range of reactions from social media users. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 01, 2024, 15:00 IST 'Can't Have Guy Friends': Dubai Blogger Shares Her Millionaire Husband's Strict Rules Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 10:00 IST Despite the couples luxurious lifestyle, their relationship has drawn mixed reactions. Seemingly proud of the rules, the woman calls herself a princess. (Photo Credits: Instagram) A Dubai-based blogger recently ignited a heated debate on social media after sharing some unexpected relationship rules" set by her millionaire husband. The blogger, Soudi, posted a video with her husband, outlining a few of the rules she follows in their marriage. Despite the couples luxurious lifestyle and glamorous image, their relationship has drawn mixed reactions, with some viewers scrutinizing the rules while others find them intriguing. In the video, Soudi revealed a few of her husbands specific preferences: she must always match her bags with her shoes, isnt allowed to work since he handles all expenses, never cooks as they dine out daily, and is expected to have her hair and makeup professionally done each day. related stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soudi (@soudiofarabia) However, a point that stands out the most is that Soudi is not allowed to have any guy friends." Seemingly proud of the rules and her husband, the blogger captioned her video with, You can call me Soudirella because Im his princess." Social media users were taken aback by the details, with many taking to the comment section and sharing their reactions. One wrote, We know, your Husband is controlling, doesnt trust you and doesnt want you to live a fulfilling life," while another remarked, No money can buy happiness. But its better to be happy and with money, than without I guess." A user took a sharp dig at her lifestyle and wrote, But are you allowed to think, have opinions, have a voice in public or anywhere in fact? Being kept and not doing something productive with your life sounds terribly boring. And when hes done keeping you and divorce exactly what do you get? Anything?" while some described her life as being in a golden cage." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soudi (@soudiofarabia) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On the contrary, a section of users praised the blogger for her beautiful looks. Earlier in September, the blogger went viral for another video where she claimed that her husband bought an entire island for her to wear a bikini. You wanted to wear a bikini so your millionaire husband bought you an island," she wrote in the video. She also shared a video of the isolated island, describing it as the best investment." Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 01, 2024, 10:00 IST Girl Poisons Ex-Boyfriend's Pepper Soup To Get Revenge, Ends Up Killing 5 People Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 20:47 IST The local police confirmed that the girl has been arrested and is currently under investigation The tragic chain of events began when the girl mixed poison into a traditional pepper soup. (Representational Image) A shocking case of revenge turned deadly emerged from Edo State, Nigeria, where five individuals lost their lives after consuming poisoned soup. The incident, which left the local community in disbelief, revolves around a girl who sought revenge against her ex-boyfriend. According to reports from the Daily Star, the bodies were discovered in a room of a residence after concerned family members noticed the absence of the five individuals. When they entered the home, they were met with a horrifying scene. related stories The tragic chain of events began when the girl, harbouring resentment towards her former partner, mixed poison into a traditional pepper soup. She intended to target only her ex-boyfriend but inadvertently caused the deaths of four others two of whom were brothers and the remaining three were their friends. Unaware of the lethal contents, the boy consumed the soup and shared it with his friends. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The local police confirmed that the girl has been arrested and is currently under investigation. Moses Yamu, spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, stated that while authorities understand how the deaths occurred, they are still determining the precise cause of death, which is initially believed to be related to food poisoning or potentially toxic fumes from a generator. This incident underscores the extreme lengths to which revenge can drive individuals, leading to irreversible and tragic consequences. Location : Nigeria First Published: November 01, 2024, 20:47 IST Iconic New York Landmark One World Trade Center Lights Up For Diwali Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 12:00 IST For the Diwali celebration, One World Trade Center beautifully illuminated with colourful lights and displayed traditional diyas. For the first time, public school holiday has been declared in New York City. (Photo Credits: X) Diwali is one of the most significant festivals celebrated globally, gaining recognition for its universal appeal. Recently, the Consulate General of India in New York shared a stunning video of the iconic One World Trade Center illuminated in honour of the festival. The building sparkled with bright colours and showcased traditional diyas, creating a beautiful spectacle. This display instilled a sense of pride among many Indians living in the US Additionally, New York City officially designated Diwali as a public school holiday, making the celebration even more special for the community in the city. related stories Sharing the video on X (formerly Twitter), the Consulate General of India in New York wrote, Shubharambh of Diwali with the tallest building in the USA, One World Trade Center lighting up in radiant colors. Heres to a festival of lights that shines across the globe." Shubharambh of Diwali with the tallest building in the USA, One World Trade Center @OneWTC lighting up in radiant colors!Heres to a festival of lights that shines across the globe!@MEAIndia @IndianEmbassyUS @IndianDiplomacy @NYCMayor @GovKathyHochul @saef_usa pic.twitter.com/cVZHKbuEjO India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) October 30, 2024 Speaking with ANI, Deputy Commissioner, Mayors Office for International Affairs, New York City, Dilip Chauhan said, This year Diwali is special. For the first time in the history of New York City, schools will be closed on Friday, November 1. Its not easy, in New York City, where 1.1 million students are studying in the school, to declare a public holiday. So many community leaders have started this movement, so many years back, but finally under the administration of New York City, they have declared November 1st as a school holiday." There is significance for Diwali, for other communities also. Once they see it, they will learn about the Hindu culture. We always talk about diversity but this is the best way to reflect diversity. Its not easy because New York state has a requirement to have a minimum instructional day in the school, they have to replace one holiday and then they added the Diwali as a public holiday. This year, after Halloween night, they dont have the pressure to go to school the next day. So Happy Diwali," Chauhan added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all #WATCH | New York | Deputy Commissioner, Mayors Office for International Affairs, New York City, Dilip Chauhan says, "This year Diwali is special. For the first time in the history of New York City, schools will be closed on Friday, November 1 for the festival of Diwali." pic.twitter.com/RAubdIxK5F ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2024 US President Joe Biden hosted a Diwali celebration at the White House on October 28, which was also his final celebration before the presidential election on November 5. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 01, 2024, 12:00 IST Mumbai Boy, 4, Dies After Mother's Lover Kicks Him For Urinating In His Pants Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 15:18 IST Mumbai: A 4-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries in the hospital after being kicked in the stomach by his mothers partner for urinating in his pants. Mumbai: The incident happened when the boy's mother was away at work. (Representative image/Getty) A 4-year-old boy in Mumbais Kurla died after being kicked in the stomach by his mothers lover for urinating in his pants. Omkars mother Pujakumari Chandravanshi was at work when the incident happened. The Nehru Nagar police have since arrested Ritesh Kumar, a canteen worker, on charges of murder, reported the Indian Express. Read| Bengaluru Local Asks Man Living In City For 12 Years To Learn Kannada: This Is Not Mumbai Or Gujarat related stories As per the First Information Report (FIR), Pujakumari left for her job as a cook at a local restaurant on October 26 around 1 pm. She left her two children, 6-year-old Sakshi and 4-year-old Omkar, at their home in Patra Chawl, Kurla East. When Pujakumari returned home around 3 pm, her son complained of severe stomach pain and mentioned that he had vomited. Omkar explained to his mother that he had been playing with friends and, after accidentally urinating in his pants, had come home to change. At that point, Ritesh became enraged and kicked him repeatedly in the stomach and legs, the outlet further reported. Also Read| Mumbai: Group Of Women Beats Up Alcoholics On The Streets With Brooms | Viral Video Pujakumari and a neighbour questioned Ritesh as to why he brutally beat up the child. As a result, he left the house. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Pujakumari then took her son to a nearby clinic for initial treatment. However, as his condition worsened, she rushed him to Sion Hospital. Omkar later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Following this, she filed an FIR at the Nehru Nagar police station. According to the police, Pujakumari has two children with her estranged husband who lives in Bihar. In May this year, she fell in love with the accused and started living with her in a rented house in Nehru Nagar slums. First Published: November 01, 2024, 15:16 IST NASA Confirms Voyager 1 Has Gone Silent After 47 Years In Space Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 16:00 IST NASA said although the S-band consumes less power, Voyager 1 has not communicated with Earth using this method since 1981. NASA lost communication with its spacecraft. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech) NASAs Voyager 1 spacecraft has encountered a significant communication issue, resulting in the inability to transmit clear information back to Earth. The problem reportedly originated from the spacecrafts Flight Data Subsystem (FDS), a crucial component that encodes, compresses, and formats science and engineering data for transmission. According to the space agencys blog post, the flight crew instructed the spacecrafts heater to be activated on October 16. There should have been sufficient power for Voyager 1 to operate the heater, but the instruction triggered the fault prevention system. On October 18, the crew identified the issue when the Deep Space Network failed to receive Voyager 1s signal. related stories As per NASA, the spacecraft typically uses a device known as an X-band radio transmitter for communication with Earth. When the connection appeared to completely fail, the flight crew suspected that Voyager 1s FDS had been activated twice more, resulting in the X-band transmitter being turned down and the system switching to the S-band, a secondary radio transmitter. NASA has stated that although the S-band consumes less power, Voyager 1 has not communicated with Earth using this method since 1981. Its signal is considerably weaker than that of the X-band transmitters because it operates on a different frequency. According to Space.com, on November 14, 2023, Voyager 1 began transmitting a repetitive pattern of binary code that contained no meaningful message. This garbled output indicated a problem within the FDS, which is responsible for relaying information about the spacecrafts status and scientific findings. While the spacecraft remained capable of receiving commands from mission control, its communication ability was compromised. In response, NASA engineers implemented several testing procedures to identify the underlying issue. In March 2024, they transmitted a command known as a poke" that prompted the FDS to execute various software sequences. This command yielded a partial readout of the FDS memory, revealing that approximately 3% of its memory had been corrupted. The corruption was believed to be caused by cosmic rays or the normal wear and tear of the chips after more than forty years in space. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Once the specific cause of the corrupted memory was identified, NASA professionals successfully transferred the essential code from the affected chip to the functional parts of the FDS memory. The first successful fix was transmitted on 18 April 2024, and by 20 April, NASA reported that Voyager 1 was once again responsive to commands. In light of the current issue, the team is now collecting information to ascertain what went wrong and to restore Voyager 1 to regular operations. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 01, 2024, 16:00 IST Thinking Of Quitting Your Job? This College Dropout Earning Rs 15 Lakh Might Just Convince You Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 13:00 IST The woman left college 15 years ago, despite having a $50,000 student loan. Amy Landino earns Rs 15 lakh a month through video creation. (Representative Image) If youre a social media enthusiast, youve likely come across stories of local tea vendors or momo sellers raking in lakhs of rupees each month. This has raised an intriguing question: is a job paying Rs 50,000 or Rs 60,000 after years of education truly worth it? Moreover, tales of successful college dropouts have led many to believe that obtaining a formal education is not essential for achieving wealth. Heres another story of an American college dropout who transformed her life from financial insecurity to generating a monthly passive income of USD 18,000 (Around Rs 15 lakh) through video creation. related stories In an essay for CNBC Make It, 39-year-old Amy Landino shared her decision to leave college fifteen years ago, despite having a $50,000 student loan. She believed this choice would ultimately benefit her future. At the time, many of her peers were struggling to find jobs after graduation. None of my friends whod graduated were landing jobs," Landino noted. Faced with the possibility of incurring additional debt to complete her degree, she chose to work as a public policy assistant instead. However, after some time she discovered her true passion of making videos and sharing them on platforms like YouTube. I was thrilled when I discovered this site where I could upload my videos for free and share the links with friends," she added. As social media began to rise, she understood her ability and thought that this was something which she could make her career when one of her friends suggested to her that she could make content professionally. It was at that moment that changed everything," Landino stated. This understanding sparked an idea, prompting her to start an additional job monitoring social media accounts for small businesses. Mixing this ambition with her full-time employment, she devoted evenings and weekends to expanding her developing agency. In 2010, Landino made the bold decision to quit her job and dedicate herself to her burgeoning business. She focused on enhancing her skills in video editing and creating informative content about social media marketing. With each new video she uploaded to her YouTube channel, AmyTV, she realised that producing videos was not only engaging for her audience but also a lucrative revenue stream. Additionally, she ventured into book publishing and authored titles such as Vlog Like a Boss and Good Morning, Good Life, which have collectively sold around 40,000 copies since their release in 2017. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all At 39, Amy Landinos diverse portfolio encompasses YouTube advertisements, affiliate earnings, brand collaborations, and product sales, generating approximately USD 18,000 per month. Are you considering leaving your corporate job to launch your own YouTube channel? Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 01, 2024, 13:00 IST Top Tech Executives Vent Frustration Over US Green Card Delay: 'Effort It Takes Is Astronomical' Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 09:00 IST A top tech executive with Bodo.ai expressed frustration and said that the US immigration system has slowed down green card processing. The post triggered a response from the CEO of Perplexity AI. (Representative Image) Getting a green card to live and work in the United States can be a challenging process. Even skilled immigrants reportedly have to wait for years before they get an invitation to apply for permanent residence. In a recent social media exchange, a top tech executive Rohit Krishnan, the Chief Product Officer of Bodo.ai, expressed frustration and said that the US immigration system has slowed down green card processing. Reacting to his post, Perplexity AIs CEO Aravind Srinivas shared that he has been waiting for his Green card for three years but still hasnt received it. Rohit Krishnan, on X, explained how difficult it is for immigrants to get a green card. One thing I find about the immigrants dialogue is how few of the people seem to know how hard it is to actually immigrate to this country. Ive been an immigrant 3x now, and the US was by far the longest and hardest its been," Rohit wrote. related stories The tech executive said that the process to get a US green card is lengthy and complicated for no good reason and it takes sufficiently high efforts to immigrate to the US. This, he said, discourages many exceptional people who would like to come to the country. Not entirely long or hard for good reasons either, though thats a different point. The amount of sheer effort it takes to get in is astronomical.I personally know a large number of extraordinary people who would love to come but just dont want to take on the burden. rohit (@krishnanrohit) October 30, 2024 The post triggered a response from Aravind Srinivas, the CEO of Perplexity AI, who shared a similar experience with the green card backlog. Yep. I have been waiting for my green card for like the last 3 years. Still havent gotten it. People mostly have no idea when they talk about immigration," Srinivas commented. Yep. I have been waiting for my green card for like the last 3 years. Still havent gotten it. People mostly have no idea when they talk about immigration. https://t.co/X2o34kiFjP Aravind Srinivas (@AravSrinivas) October 30, 2024 Several other users also shared their experiences regarding the US green card. A user commented, Its a shame that someone like you has to wait 3+ years for a green card given the kind of value youve added to America." It's a shame that someone like you has to wait 3+ years for a green card given the kind of value you've added to America. Deedy (@deedydas) October 30, 2024 A user went on to highlight, EB2, EB3 current dates are 2011. Folks who came for Masters and got a job in 2010, and applied for GC in 2011 are still waiting, probably after paying a couple of Million dollars in taxes since then." EB2, EB3 current dates are 2011. Folks come for Masters and got job in 2010, and applied for GC in 2011 are still waiting, probably after paying couple of Million dollars in taxes since then. Pratik Desai (@chheplo) October 30, 2024 Sharing his views, another user noted, I think this never gets fixed simply because immigrants cant vote so politicians dont care about them." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all I think this never gets fixed simply because immigrants cant vote so politicians dont care about them kartik (@sathaxe) October 31, 2024 Since being shared, the post has received 6 lakh views and several comments. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 01, 2024, 09:00 IST Sheikh Hasinas Coalition Party HQ In Dhaka Vandalised, Set On Fire Amid Clashes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 10:01 IST Protesters against Sheikh Hasina were angered when Jatiya Party announced that it would hold a rally in Dhaka on Saturday Clashes erupted when protesters carrying the Chhatra Sramik Janata banner marched with a torch procession in front of the Jatiya Party's central office. (Screengrab/ANI) Bangladeshs ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas coalition, Jatiya Party, headquarters in Dhaka, was vandalised and set on fire amid clashes on Thursday night. The office was partly damaged, witnesses said. #WATCH | Bangladeshs ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas coalition, Jatiya Partys central office in Dhaka vandalised and set on fire. pic.twitter.com/nUWQtYkclm ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2024 related stories The Jatiya Party, founded by late President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, was a part of the Awami League-led Grand Alliance, and participated previous three general elections despite major party BNP boycotted. Protesters against Sheikh Hasina were angered when Jatiya Party announced that it would hold a rally in Dhaka on Saturday. Clashes erupted when protesters carrying the Chhatra Sramik Janata banner marched with a torch procession in front of the Jatiya Partys central office in the Kakrail area, the heart of the capital Dhaka. The fire service responded promptly and extinguished the blaze. A large group of protesters gathered in front of the Jatiya Party office after protesters vandalized it, damaging the sign and defacing a picture of party founder Ershad, according to witnesses. Police and military personnel were deployed at the scene. We were passing the Jatiya Party office in a torch procession when members of the Jatiya Party threw bricks at us from the roof," stated Shakiluzzaman, a leader of Gono Audhikar Parishad, a political party involved in the movement against Sheikh Hasina. The Jatiya Party set fire to their own office and fled. They acted as a proxy for the fascist Awami League in the elections of 2014, 2018, and 2024," he added. We, the students, workers, and citizens, have declared that we will not permit the Jatiya Party to hold any rallies," he continued. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Jatiya Party has not yet commented, but they are expected to issue a formal response later today. Two months ago, a student-led movement resulted in the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following weeks of protests and clashes that left over 600 dead. Hasina, 76, fled to India on August 5, and an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was subsequently formed. (With agency inputs) First Published: November 01, 2024, 10:01 IST Bombing Of Polio Vaccination Drive In Western Pakistan Kills 7 Published By : AFP Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 13:56 IST A bombing near a girls' school in western Pakistan killed seven, including five children Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan are the only countries where polio remains endemic and vaccination teams are frequently targeted. (Reuters File Photo) A bombing near a girls school in western Pakistan killed seven people, including five children, in an attack targeting police guarding polio vaccinators on Friday, officials said. The police van that came under attack was taking personnel for the protection of polio staff," Rahmat Ullah, a senior police officer, told AFP. He added that there is a girls school near the place of the attack" in the city of Mastung in Balochistan province. related stories Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan are the only countries where polio remains endemic and vaccination teams are frequently targeted by militants waging a campaign against security forces. Seven individuals: one police officer, five children and one shopkeeper" were killed in the attack at the citys main market, senior officer Abdul Fatah told AFP. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi earlier put the death toll at three children and one police officer. Targeting children is an act of brutality," he said in a statement. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blast. Earlier this week, two police officers guarding polio vaccinators going door-to-door in northwestern Pakistan were shot dead in an attack blamed on militants. It came a day after Pakistan launched a week-long drive aiming to immunise more than 45 million children over the age of five. Pakistan has seen a surge in polio cases this year, recording at least 41 so far in 2024 compared with six in 2023. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The country has also been battling a resurgence of militant violence in its western regions since 2021, when the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan. Islamabad accuses Kabuls rulers of failing to root out militants staging attacks on Pakistan from over the border. The most active group in Balochistan is the Baloch Liberation Army, a separatist group that regularly targets Islamabads security forces and citizens hailing from elsewhere in Pakistan. Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: November 01, 2024, 13:53 IST 'Will Stand With Hindu Canadians': Trudeau Extends Diwali Wishes Amid Row With India Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 11:59 IST Trudeau extends Diwali wishes amid diplomatic tensions with India, as the community celebrates the festival of lights Relations between the two countries have soured following Trudeau's allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. (File Photo) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau extended Diwali wishes on Thursday and promised to stand with the Hindu community amid diplomatic tensions between India and Canada in the wake of rising Khalistani extremism in the country. In a statement that praised Indo-Canadians, the Liberal party leader underlined Diwalis significance to one of the countrys largest and most diverse diasporas. Happy Diwali! Today, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain families will celebrate the triumph of light over darkness with festivities, candles, diyas, and fireworks. Wishing you all joy and prosperity during this special time," Trudeau wrote on X. related stories Will always stand with Hindu In a separate statement, the Canadian prime minister said, Diwali in Canada would not be possible without our incredible Indo-Canadian community. Indo-Canadians represent the best of Canada as artists and entrepreneurs, as doctors and teachers, as leaders in business, community, and culture. On Diwali, we celebrate them and the light they carry across Canadas communities." We will always stand with Hindu Canadians to ensure their safety and security so they can freely and proudly practise their religion," he added. This message comes as Canadian MP Chandra Arya has raised concerns about the safety of Hindus in the country amid the rise of Khalistani extremism. He urged the Canadian government to recognise the threat posed by Khalistani extremism. Happy Diwali!Today, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain families will celebrate the triumph of light over darkness with festivities, candles, diyas, and fireworks. Wishing you all joy and prosperity during this special time. Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 31, 2024 Opposition leader Poilievre Trudeaus message comes in the wake of controversy surrounding the cancellation of the annual Diwali event in Ottawa, which faced backlash from the Hindu community. Shiv Bhasker, president of the Overseas Friends of India Canada (OFIC), expressed disappointment over the situation, saying that the Indian community feels betrayed and unjustly singled out" amid the ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre clarified that the event was not canceled but had merely undergone changes in location and timing. To be clear, any suggestion that Mr. Poilievre has cancelled this event is patently false," Opposition Leaders Office Director of Media Relations Sebastian Skamski told Yahoo News Canada. This event has always been hosted by a member of the Conservative Caucus, this year being MP Doherty, and has never been organised by the Leader of the Opposition or his office. While there have been changes to the location and timing, MP Doherty will still be hosting an event to celebrate Diwali and Bandi Chor Divas in Ottawa with members of the South Asian community and Conservative Caucus." Today, as Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists and Canadians celebrate the Festival of Lights, we are reminded of our shared values of faith, family and freedom.And the enduring promise that light will always triumph over darkness. Happy Diwali! Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) October 31, 2024 India-Canada Ties Relations between the two countries have soured following Trudeaus allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and interference in Canadian elections. India has denied these claims, calling them absurd." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India has recalled its high commissioner and five other diplomats from Canada after they were named as persons of interest" in a Canadian investigation into the 2023 killing of Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist who was a Canadian citizen, in British Columbia. The relations between the two countries have plunged to their lowest level over Canadas tacit support to Khalistani extremists among the large Sikh-Canadian population of about eight lakh. New Delhi accuses Ottawa of doing next to nothing to stop the activities of Khalistani supporters who seek to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. Location : Ottawa, Canada First Published: November 01, 2024, 11:24 IST Watch: Dubai's Iconic Burj Khalifa Lights Up For Diwali, Netizens Left Awestruck Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 21:37 IST The iconic skyscraper in Dubai lit up with ornate designs to pay tribute to the grand festival of Diwali, celebrated by millions globally. Dubai's iconic Burj Khalifa lit up with the colours of Diwali (India in Dubai/X) The Hindu festival of Diwali was celebrated with great pomp and fervour by millions across the world. On this festive occasion, the iconic Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also lit up on Thursday in a grand tribute to the Festival of Lights. The worlds tallest building was adorned with ornate designs with the message, Celebrating the festival of lights. Wishing you joy, health and prosperity. Happy Diwali!" in both English and Hindi. related stories The worlds tallest building, Burj Khalifa, lit up to celebrate the Festival Of Lights, wishing everyone joy, health, and prosperity on the occasion of Diwali," wrote the Indian Consulate in Dubai on its official X handle. The video was also posted by Emaar Dubai, the real estate company behind the construction of the world-famous skyscraper, on its Instagram account with the caption, Celebrating the Festival of Lights at the #BurjKhalifa! May this Diwali bring joy, prosperity, and peace to all." Netizens In Awe Over Burj Khalifas Tribute Most netizens lauded the thoughtful gesture of Burj Khalifas tribute for Diwali. Burj Khalifa looks stunning as it lights up for this special occasion!" said one user. Another wrote, Watching the Burj Khalifa light up for Diwali fills me with pride. Living in the UAE means being part of a place where every culture is respected and celebrated." The Burj Khalifa lighting up to wish everyone a Happy Diwali is a spectacular sight," said another netizen. A user said, Tallest building in the world wishing happy diwali? Thats pretty cool. Dubais got it going on." Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a vibrant celebration that marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It is celebrated by millions of Indian diaspora members across the world and has gained a universal appeal. This year, the holiday is being celebrated on October 31 and November 1. New Yorks Grand Gesture On Diwali Recently, the Consulate General of India in New York shared a stunning video of the iconic One World Trade Center illuminated in honour of the festival. The building sparkled with bright colours and showcased traditional diyas, creating a beautiful spectacle. Shubharambh of Diwali with the tallest building in the USA, One World Trade Center @OneWTC lighting up in radiant colors!Heres to a festival of lights that shines across the globe!@MEAIndia @IndianEmbassyUS @IndianDiplomacy @NYCMayor @GovKathyHochul @saef_usa pic.twitter.com/cVZHKbuEjO India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) October 30, 2024 Additionally, New York City officially designated Diwali as a public school holiday, making the celebration even more special for the community in the city. These gestures instilled a sense of pride among many Indians living in the US. US President Joe Biden hosted a Diwali celebration at the White House on October 28, which was also his final celebration before the presidential election on November 5. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ALSO READ: Hundreds Gather As Grand Diwali Celebration Lights Up Lal Chowk For The First Time Location : Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) First Published: November 01, 2024, 21:05 IST 'Easier To Get In Illegally': Musk Blasts US Immigration Policy, Says Trump Would Fix It Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 15:20 IST Elon Musk criticises Biden's immigration policies, claiming Donald Trump would fix the green card process Elon Musk, who supports Republican presidential nominee former U.S. President Donald Trump, gestures as he speaks about voting during an America PAC Town Hall in Folsom, Pennsylvania, U.S., October 17. (Reuters) Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Thursday ripped into the Biden administrations immigration policies, describing it as an upside down system" in a post on X. His comments were made in response to Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas, who voiced his frustrations about a lengthy three-year wait for a green card. The top US billionaire, who has publicly endorsed Donald Trump, underlined the challenges faced by highly skilled individuals seeking legal entry into the US. We have an upside down system that makes it hard for highly talented people to come to America legally, but trivial for criminals to come here illegally," Musk said while rebuking the immigration policies. related stories We have an upside down system that makes it hard for highly talented people to come to America legally, but trivial for criminals to come here illegally.Why is easier to get in illegally as a murderer than legally as a Nobel Laureate?@realDonaldTrump & DOGE will fix this. https://t.co/RgMGWeyX1X Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 31, 2024 Green card The green card backlog for Indians seeking permanent residency in the United States has reached record levels, creating major challenges for applicants and raising concerns about the US immigration systems ability to attract and keep skilled talent. This issue impacts millions and has significant implications for the American economy and global competitiveness. According to Visaverge, as of late 2023, more than 1.2 million Indians, including primary applicants and their dependents, are stuck in the employment-based green card backlog. This group makes up about 63% of the total 1.8 million employment-based green card cases currently pending. Perplexity AI CEO Musk in the past has suggested that Trump would fix" the immigration system if he were to win the presidency again. His remarks echo Republican president nominees claims that open borders" and undocumented immigrants are detrimental to the country. Aravind Srinivass latest post on his green card reignited a broader discussion about the complexities of US immigration processes. Rohit Krishnan, chief product officer at bodo.ai, also chimed in, noting that many people underestimate the difficulties involved in immigrating to the US. US immigration top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Krishnan spoke about his own experiences as an immigrant, emphasising that the US was the most challenging country for him to navigate through the immigration process. Both Srinivas and Krishnans posts have gained significant traction online, each attracting over one million views. The ongoing debate underscores concerns regarding immigration policy and its impact on highly-skilled individuals seeking residency in the US. Musks comments come amid scrutiny of his own immigration history, as reports have surfaced questioning whether he worked without authorisation in the 1990s after arriving in the US on a student visa. Despite this controversy, Musk continues to leverage his platform to influence discussions around immigration and support for Trump as the election approaches. Polls show Trump is in a tight race with Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Musk has become one of Trumps most vocal and largest financial supporters. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 01, 2024, 15:15 IST This African Country is Literally 8 Years Behind the Rest of the World Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 09:37 IST This country in Africa follows is own calendar, which is vastly different from the Gregorian calendar the rest of the world follows. This traditional calendar puts the country eight years behind the rest of the world The Ethiopian calendar comprises 12 months of 30 days each, plus a 13th month known as Pagume, with five or six days. (News18) There are 195 countries in the world and each have own political and social systems and traditions. Many countries have their own calendars apart from the one commonly followed throughout the world. For example, some use the lunar calendar to chart festivals and the lunar new year. India alone is home to many such traditional calendars that dictate the new years day for various communities. But did you know one country in Africa follows is own calendar, which is vastly different from the Gregorian calendar the rest of the world follows, even for official business? This traditional calendar puts Ethiopia eight years behind the rest of the world. related stories The remarkable country, the oldest independent nation in Africa, continues to use its ancient calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar used globally. The Ethiopian calendar system has 13 months, a structure thats been preserved for centuries. Why is the Ethiopian calendar eight years behind? The Ethiopian calendar comprises 12 months of 30 days each, plus a 13th month known as Pagume, with five or six days. This structure, adding up to 13 months, makes the Ethiopian calendar fall approximately eight years behind the rest of the world. In Ethiopia, the New Year begins on September 11 (or September 12 in leap years), and currently, the Ethiopian year is 2016 (as of late 2023/early 2024). Months in the Ethiopian calendar Meskerem (September-October) Tikimt (October-November) Hidar (November-December) Tahsas (December-January) Tir (January-February) Yekatit (February-March) Megabit (March-April) Miazia (April-May) Ginbot (May-June) Sene (June-July) Hamle (July-August) Nehase (August-September) Pagume (5-6 days in September) Time Calculation The calendar starts from the estimated date of the Annunciation (Jesuss conception), which they calculate as 7-8 years after the common Western calculation. Each day starts at dawn (6:00 AM) rather than midnight. They use a unique time-counting system that starts at dawn so their 1:00 is our 7:00 AM. Year Structure Each month has exactly 30 days (very different from the variable-length Gregorian months). The 13th month (Pagume) acts as a catch-all": In regular years: 5 days In leap years: 6 days Leap years follow a similar pattern to the Gregorian calendar but offset: Occurs every 4 years The extra day is added to Pagume Date Conversion To roughly convert from Ethiopian to Gregorian: For dates from January 1 to September 10: Add 7 years For dates from September 11 to December 31: Add 8 years However, exact conversion requires considering The month differences The different New Year date Leap year variations For example top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Ethiopian date: Meskerem 1, 2016 Converts to: September 11, 2023 (Gregorian) This unique time system has remained remarkably stable and continues to be used for official government business, religious observances, and daily life in Ethiopia alongside the Gregorian calendar. However, its been quite challenging for visitors, yet many embrace this cultural experience, appreciating Ethiopias commitment to preserving its unique heritage. First Published: November 01, 2024, 09:37 IST Kamala Harris Holds Narrow Lead Against Trump In Key 'Blue Wall' States Ahead Of Election Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 13:20 IST Harris holds slight leads over Trump in key 'blue wall' states, showing potential for a strong electoral path in upcoming elections The 2024 US election is unfolding as one of the most intense races in recent memory with no clear indication of who will be the winner among Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. (AP) US Vice President Kamala Harris holds a slight lead over former President Donald Trump in key battleground states crucial to her presidential campaign, according to a new Marist Poll released on Friday, less than a week before the elections. The poll indicates that Harris is leading in Blue Wall states, a term that refers to a group of Midwestern states that traditionally vote Democratic in presidential elections. The Democratic nominee is ahead by 3 percentage points in Michigan and 2 points in both Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, The Hill newspaper reported. related stories In Michigan, Harris leads Trump 51% to 48%, although this represents a slight decline from her 5-point lead in September. However, she has improved her standing among independent voters, increasing her margin from 2 points to 6 points. Pennsylvania In Pennsylvania, Harris has gained ground, polling at 50% compared to Trumps 48%. This marks an improvement from September when both candidates were tied at 49%. Notably, Harris has made significant strides with independent voters in Pennsylvania, now leading by 15 points, a stark contrast to Trumps previous 4-point lead in that demographic. Wisconsin shows similar results, with Harris leading Trump by 50% to 48%. This reflects a slight increase from her previous 1-point lead. While she has gained support among independents here as well, her margin of 6 points still trails Bidens impressive 12-point lead among independents in the state during the last election cycle. Marist Poll top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Marist Poll also reveals a notable gender gap across these states. Harris leads among women by margins of 11 points in Michigan, 8 points in Pennsylvania, and 12 points in Wisconsin. Conversely, Trump holds an advantage among men, leading by 6 points in Michigan, 4 points in Pennsylvania, and 9 points in Wisconsin. Overall, the gender gap is significant but has narrowed compared to the previous election cycle. According to The Hill, the polls were conducted from October 27-30 among likely voters: 1,214 in Michigan, 1,400 in Pennsylvania, and 1,330 in Wisconsin. Each states margin of error is approximately 3.4 to 3.5 percentage points. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 01, 2024, 13:19 IST Khamenei-Led Iran Plans 'Harsh, Unimaginable' Retaliation Against Israeli Airstrikes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 12:22 IST Khamenei has ordered preparations for a reprisal attack against Israel following recent strikes on Iranian military sites Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (Image: Reuters) Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered military officials to prepare for a reprisal attack against Israel following recent airstrikes on Iranian military sites. This comes amid escalating military tensions between the two rival nations, which have engaged in back-to-back retaliatory strikes. The Israeli Air Force last week targeted anti-aircraft batteries and radar installations in Iran, claiming to have neutralised significant military capabilities. According to The New York Times, Iranian officials in response have issued strong warnings of harsh" and unimaginable" retaliation. Some experts have suggested that the response may be timed to follow the US elections on November 5, while others indicate it could occur sooner. related stories Lists of potential Israeli targets Khameneis order was reportedly made after he reviewed the extent of damage from the Israeli strikes, which resulted in the deaths of four Iranian soldiers. Despite claims from Iranian officials that the damage was minimal, Khamenei emphasized that a failure to retaliate would be perceived as a sign of weakness. Military planners in Iran are currently compiling lists of potential Israeli targets for a counterattack, according to The Times of Israel. Israeli intelligence suggests that Iran may launch its retaliation from Iraqi territory using pro-Iranian militias, which could serve to mitigate the risk of direct retaliation against Iranian soil. This strategy aims to avoid further escalation while still delivering a significant response to Israels actions. We struck its soft underbelly Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the country maintains greater operational freedom within Iran than ever before, asserting that recent operations have severely compromised Irans air defence systems. He reiterated Israels commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and indicated readiness for further military action if necessary. Regarding Iran, we struck its soft underbelly. The haughty words of the Iranian regimes leaders cannot cover up the fact in Iran today, Israel has greater freedom of action than ever before. We can go anywhere that we need to in Iran. Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 31, 2024 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In a statement released on Thursday, Netanyahus office said, The supreme objective that I set for the IDF and the security services is to prevent Iran from attaining nuclear weapons. Halting the nuclear program has been and remains our chief concern. I have not taken, we have not taken and we will not take, our eyes off this objective." Regarding Iran, we struck its soft underbelly. The haughty words of the Iranian regimes leaders cannot cover up the fact in Iran today, Israel has greater freedom of action than ever before. We can go anywhere that we need to in Iran," the prime ministers office added. Location : Tehran, Iran First Published: November 01, 2024, 08:35 IST Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari Fractures Foot While Deboarding Airplane in Dubai Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 09:15 IST In March 2023, he underwent an eye surgery in the United Arab Emirates Asif Ali Zardari gestures during a news conference to unveil party's manifesto for the upcoming general election, in Islamabad, Pakistan June 28, 2018. (Reuters) President Asif Ali Zardari has fractured his foot while deboarding an airplane upon his arrival at the Dubai International Airport. The incident occurred on Wednesday night , but his office confirmed it only late on Thursday night. According to a statement from the Presidents House, he was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment following the fall. The doctor placed his foot in a cast after a check-up. "The cast will remain on his foot for four weeks," the statement read. related stories It added that President Zardari was sent home and advised complete rest. The Dawn reported that the 69-year-old president has had multiple health issues in recent years. In March 2023, he underwent an eye surgery in the United Arab Emirates. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In 2022, he was admitted to Karachis Dr Ziauddin Hospital for a week for treatment of a chest infection. Amid rumours of ill health, his personal physician and close aide Dr Asim Hussain took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to confirm that he is in good health." He tested positive for Covid-19 in July 2022 with mild symptoms: according to his son and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. A year prior to that, Zardari was admitted to a private hospital in Karachi due to exertion and exhaustion" caused by frequent travelling. Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: November 01, 2024, 09:15 IST 'Country Now Divided': Sheikh Hasina's Coalition Ally After Protesters Torch Party Office Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 19:58 IST The offices of the Jatiya Party, which was allied with Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, were set on fire by angry protesters on Thursday night amid clashes. Protesters damaged Jatiya Party's office in Dhaka and defaced a poster of party founder Muhammad Ershad. (ANI) A Bangladeshi party allied with ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas Awami League decried protesters who attacked and set its central office in Dhaka on fire after clashes on Thursday night. The office was partly damaged, witnesses said. The Jatiya Party, founded by late President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, was a part of the Awami League-led Grand Alliance and participated previous three general elections which the Khaleda Zia-led Bangladeshi Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotted. related stories Protesters against Sheikh Hasina were angered when Jatiya Party announced that it would hold a rally in Dhaka on Saturday. Clashes erupted when protesters carrying the Chhatra Sramik Janata banner marched with a torch procession in front of the Jatiya Partys central office in the Kakrail area, the heart of the capital Dhaka, news agency ANI reported. #WATCH | Bangladeshs ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas coalition, Jatiya Partys central office in Dhaka vandalised and set on fire. pic.twitter.com/nUWQtYkclm ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2024 According to witnesses, a large group of protesters gathered in front of the Jatiya Party office after protesters vandalized it, damaging the sign and defacing a picture of party founder Ershad. The fire service responded promptly and extinguished the blaze while police and military personnel were deployed at the scene. Country Is Now Divided: Jatiya Party Chief Reacting to the arson attack by furious protesters, Jatiya Party chief Ghulam Muhammed Quader, a former commerce minister under Hasina, accused the protesters of splitting" the nation. The country is now divided", Quader was quoted as saying by AFP. They disregard everyone else, splitting the country into pure and impure factions They determine who is culpable and who is not, leaving no room for justification. Once they tag someone as culpable, its final," he added. Hasina was ousted after a student-led protests against her governments controversial quota system for government jobs spiralled into a full-fledged agitation against the Awami League, causing her to resign and flee to India on August 5. Many of the student protest leaders are now part of the interim cabinet led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Since Hasinas ouster, dozens of Hasina loyalists have been arrested by the police in Bangladesh. They decide everything they can vandalise, set fire to our offices, and remain above the law," Quader said, without specifying names. Hasnat Abdullah, convener of Students Against Discrimination, the protest group credited with sparking the uprising against Hasina, had on Thursday urged supporters to march on the Jatiya Party offices. He called on students in a social media post to annihilate the national traitor". UN Praises Bangladeshi Students Despite Attacks On Hindus The incident took place days after UN rights chief Volker Turk praised students in Dhaka for their courage in standing up for justice", while warning that they must also take care of the risks ahead. Beware of the idea that the ends justify the means," Turk said in a speech at Dhaka University on Tuesday. The process through which you seek change is just as crucial as the outcome. Strengthening institutions can be more important in the long term than tearing them down," he added. Notably, hundreds of Hindus were killed in July and August during a student agitation that escalated into massive protests, while several Hindu temples and businesses were vandalised by the protesters. Yunus interim government has struggled to address Islamist attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus, Christians, adivasis, and hill tribes. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all (with inputs from agencies) ALSO READ: Kamala Ignored Hindus: Trump Condemns Bangladesh Violence, Vows To Boost Ties With PM Modi Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: November 01, 2024, 19:58 IST Video: Trump Sues CBS News For $10 Billion Over Harris 'Word Salad' Interview Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 10:31 IST Trump sues CBS over a "60 Minutes" interview with Harris, claiming $10 billion in damages for alleged partisan manipulation of news coverage The Trump lawsuit claims this editing was intended to obscure Harris's shortcomings and mislead viewers. (AP Photo) Former US President Donald Trump has filed a $10 billion lawsuit against CBS News, claiming that a recent 60 Minutes interview with Vice President and Democratic rival Kamala Harris was misleading and edited to favour her. The lawsuit, submitted on Thursday in the Northern District of Texas, alleges that CBS engaged in partisan and unlawful acts of election and voter interference" through what Trump describes as deceptive manipulation of news". related stories Word salad The controversy centers around an interview by popular host Bill Whitaker with Harris that aired on October 6. Trumps legal team contends that CBS presented two different versions of Harriss responses to a question about the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with the broadcast omitting what they refer to as a word salad" response from the US Vice President regarding US foreign policy. BREAKING: Donald Trump sues CBS News for $10 billion for deceptively doctoring" Kamala Harris 60-Minutes interview.Trump is directly accusing CBS of election interference to help Harris, according to Fox News. CBS partisan and unlawful acts of election and voter pic.twitter.com/1dEo0Y9ZbX Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 31, 2024 Deceptively edited The suit comes after the former US President threatened to take CBS to court last week and called on the outlet to release the unedited transcript of Harris interview. CBS and 60 Minutes producers intentionally misled the public by broadcasting and posting a carefully, deceptively edited Interview and transcript while opting to release other portions online," the new lawsuit asserts. Such manipulative editing aimed to confuse the electorate regarding Kamalas lack of abilities, intelligence, and appeal." CBS Rejects Claims The lawsuit claims this editing was intended to obscure Harriss shortcomings and mislead viewers. In response to the lawsuit, a CBS spokesperson stated that Trumps allegations are unfounded and that the network did not alter the interview to mislead the public. According to The Hill newspaper, the US news outlet stressed that 60 Minutes aimed to present the interview accurately and fairly. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all CBS also noted that it is standard practice for news outlets to edit interviews for clarity and time constraints. The lawsuit comes just days before the presidential election on November 5, where Trump is currently leading in polls against Harris. Trumps legal filing seeks a jury trial and damages for what he claims are ongoing falsehoods and misleading actions by the network. Trump has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with CBS for weeks, even threatening to revoke the networks broadcasting license if he wins the election. He had initially agreed to an interview with 60 Minutes but later backed out after learning that fact-checking would be involved. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 01, 2024, 07:10 IST US Imposes Sanctions on 15 Indian Entities For Supporting Russia's War Efforts Published By : PTI Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 21:33 IST The US imposed sanctions on several companies from India, China, Turkey and others for aiding Russia's war efforts against Ukraine. The US sanctioned 15 Indian companies for aiding Russia's military-industrial base. (US Embassy in India) The US has imposed sanctions on 275 individuals and entities, including 15 from India, for allegedly supporting Russias military-industrial base. Companies from China, Switzerland, Thailand, and Turkiye have also been slapped with sanctions for supplying Russia with advanced technology and equipment that it desperately needs to support its war machine, the Department of Treasury said in a statement on Thursday. related stories In addition to disrupting global evasion networks, this action also targets domestic Russian importers and producers of key inputs and other material for Russias military-industrial base, the statement said. The United States and our allies will continue to take decisive action across the globe to stop the flow of critical tools and technologies that Russia needs to wage its illegal and immoral war against Ukraine," Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo said. Several China-Based Companies Also Sanctioned As evidenced by todays action, we are unyielding in our resolve to diminish and degrade Russias ability to equip its war machine and stop those seeking to aid their efforts through circumvention or evasion of our sanctions and export controls," Adeyemo said. The State Department has also targeted sanctions evasion and circumvention in multiple third countries, including several China-based companies exporting dual-use goods that fill critical gaps in Russias military-industrial base and entities and individuals in Belarus related to the Lukashenka regimes support for Russias defence industry, the statement said. The US also targeted several senior Russian Ministry of Defence officials and defence companies and those supporting Russias future energy production and exports. Which Indian Entities Have Been Sanctioned? As per the list released by the Department of Treasury, the India-based companies are Abhar Technologies and Services Private Limited; Denvas Services Private Limited; Emsystech; Galaxy Bearings Ltd; Orbit Fintrade LLP; Innovio Ventures; KDG Engineering Private Limited; and Khushbu Honing Private Limited. The Indian companies also include Lokesh Machines Limited; Pointer Electronics; RRG Engineering Technologies Private Limited; Sharpline Automation Private Limited; Shaurya Aeronautics Private Limited; Shreegee Impex Private Limited; and Shreya Life Sciences Private Limited. On Wednesday, the US had imposed sanctions on nearly 400 entities and individuals for enabling Russias illegal war against Ukraine. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Department of State is targeting sanctions circumvention by parties in multiple third countries, several senior Russian Ministry of Defence officials and defence companies, and those that support the development of Russias future energy production and exports," Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said in a statement on Wednesday. The US, he said, is imposing sanctions on several Chinese companies exporting dual-use goods that fill critical gaps in Russias military-industrial base as well as entities and individuals connected to the Lukashenka regimes support for Russias defence industry. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 01, 2024, 21:33 IST Watch: In A First, Defunct Boeing 737 Moved By Truck In Pakistan Curated By : Last Updated: November 01, 2024, 10:34 IST Historic first for Pakistan as a Boeing 737 is transported by road from Karachi to Hyderabad The unusual sight involved a specially designed truck and trailer. (Screengrab) In a first for Pakistan, a retired Boeing 737 was transported by road on Thursday, marking a significant logistical feat that captured the attention of onlookers. The defunct aircraft was moved from Karachi, the countrys commercial center, to Hyderabad, covering a distance of 154 kilometers in about two and a half hours. The unusual sight involved a specially designed truck and trailer. Before the journey, the aircrafts wings and tail were removed and will be transported separately, according to Dawn newspaper. related stories #WATCH: Decommissioned Boeing 737 makes its epic journey from Karachi to Hyderabad, on a 40-wheel trailer. Witness this incredible feat of logistics and engineering https://t.co/ZSux1Gyp1E pic.twitter.com/cDqKHhT85c Arab News Pakistan (@arabnewspk) November 1, 2024 Defunct Boeing 737 The aircraft will be reassembled at the countrys Civil Aviation Training Institute (CATI) in Hyderabad, where it will serve as a training tool for airport firefighters. Humayun Khalid, the transporter, noted that the plane measures 110 feet in length and weighs 40 tonnes. This defunct Boeing 737 had a capacity for 240 passengers and was moved from the airport to the Superhighway late at night," he told Geo News. Motorway Police confirmed that the transport would not block the motorway. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all However, the convoy did cause significant traffic disruptions along the route. The long vehicle carrying the fuselage was escorted by staff from the Civil Aviation Authority. A special truck and a trolley are being used to transport the Boeing 737s fuselage as its wings and tail will be moved separately," according to the Geo News. This event echoes a similar occurrence in September, when three retired Boeing 777s were transported through the deserts of Saudi Arabia, capturing widespread attention on social media. A notable past instance in the late 1980s involved a plane being moved within Karachi and later repurposed as a restaurant. Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: November 01, 2024, 10:22 IST A Russian court that apparently has a poor grasp of numbers and/or reality has ordered Google to pay an absurdly large fine for blocking Russian channels on YouTube. The court says Google owes 2 undecillion rubles, which works out to $20 decillion, or $20 billion trillion trillion, CNN reports. The figure, 20 followed by 33 zeroes, is many times larger than the size of global economy, which the International Monetary Fund estimates is around $110 trillion. Google is valued at around $2 trillion. According to Russian state media, the court earlier ordered Google to unblock 17 channels, including state media channels, or face penalties that would double every week. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday that while he doesn't even know how to pronounce the number, "it is rather filled with symbolism," NBC News reports. "The company should not restrict our broadcasters on their platform," he said. "This should be a reason for the Google leadership to pay attention to this and improve the situation." In its latest earnings report, Alphabet, Google's parent company, said it did not believe "ongoing legal matters" in Russia would "have a material adverse effect" on earnings. NBC News notes that the fine is lower than the number that inspired the company's namea googol has a hundred zeroes. (More Russia stories.) A new law banning protests near abortion clinics took effect in England and Wales on Thursday, sparking debate over its implications for silent prayer protests. The legislation, part of the Public Order Act passed 18 months ago, prohibits protests within a 164-yard radius of clinics, targeting actions that could obstruct or influence individuals seeking services. Violators face unlimited fines. However, whether silent prayer constitutes an offense remains ambiguous, as police and the Crown Prosecution Service emphasize case-by-case assessments. Silent prayer protests have incited contention between anti-abortion campaigners, religious communities, and pro-choice advocates. While guardians of religious freedom perceive the idea of banning prayer protests as an infringement of freedom of religion, pro-choice campaigners argue these gestures often intimidate clinic-goers. MSI Reproductive Choices' Louise McCudden commented on the distress caused to women, expressing doubts about protesters' asserted intentions. Although some lawmakers sought to explicitly permit silent prayer within buffer zones, their proposal was dismissed in March 2023. Crime and Policing Minister Diana Johnson says the new law safeguards women's safety, but some religious leaders criticize it as excessive. Bishop John Sherrington labeled the policy a setback for religious freedom, asserting the right to public expressions of faith. Despite the UK's less contentious stance on abortion compared to the US, the law has reignited discussions surrounding the balance of religious freedoms and women's access to abortion services. With penalties for abortions beyond 24 weeks still rooted in the 1861 Offenses Against the Person Act, legal battles ahead appear likely. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) Acknowledging that his decision could cause a woman more pain, a Canadian judge has blocked the medically assisted suicide she's seeking, saying she appears to have no physical ailment. British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Simon Coval issued a 30-day injunction on Saturday, the day before the 53-year-old Alberta woman's scheduled euthanasia, the Guardian reports. Saying he realizes that the injunction "is a severe intrusion" into the woman's autonomy, Coval wrote that she appears to be dealing with a mental health condition that does not qualify her for assistance in dying under Canadian law. "I can only imagine the pain she has been experiencing and I recognize that this injunction will likely make that worse," the judge wrote. Her common law partner sought the injunction, saying that Dr. Ellen Wiebe agreed to assist in the woman's death after meeting with her once, without consulting her other doctors as required by the law. Doctors in Alberta had rejected the patient's request, per the Vancouver Sun. The application said the woman had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and later decided she had akathisia, which is an inability to sit still. It's sometimes thought to be tied to certain medications. The mental health condition, Coval said, appears to have no link to any physical problem, adding that it "may not only be remediable, but remediable relatively quickly." It will be at least March 2027 before applicants with a mental illness only will be eligible for an assisted death. A national debate about expanding the law is in progress. Quebec this week became the first province to allow people to decide on assisted death years in advance, per the Guardian, a conflict with federal law. (More assisted death stories.) A Pennsylvania prosecutor's effort to shut down Elon Musk's $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes moved to federal court on Thursday after a state judge let both sides debate their grievances in a hearing skipped by the world's richest man. The move to federal court allows Musk to continue the giveaway because the case probably won't be heard until after the election, reports Reuters. Judge Angelo Foglietta agreed that Musk, as a named defendant in the lawsuit filed by District Attorney Larry Krasner, should have attended the hearing in person, but he declined to immediately sanction the tech mogul, the AP reports. Musk's lawyer, Matthew Haverstick, said his client is an extremely busy man who could not simply "materialize" in the courtroom hours after the hearing was scheduled. Krasner's team challenged the notion that the founder of SpaceX could not make it to Philadelphia, prompting a quick retort from the judge. "Counsel, he's not going to get in a rocket ship and land on the building," Foglietta replied. The Federal Highway Administration has allocated $635 million for the rehabilitation or replacement of over 70 bridges in 19 states as part of a $1.2 trillion infrastructure initiative launched under President Joe Biden in 2021. This funding, sourced from the measure's $40 billion bridge allocation, is set to address critical structural concerns with smaller and medium-sized bridges nationwide. Maine secured the largest share, around $133 million, targeting 12 bridges on Interstates 95 and 395 due to deteriorating conditions and clearance issues. In Alaska, over $13 million will be invested in replacing the Ghiglione Bridge in Denali National Park, which is threatened by nearby landslides exacerbated by climate change. Meanwhile, Wyoming will receive $23 million to refurbish an 85-year-old bridge in Yellowstone National Park. This project aims to extend the bridge's lifespan by approximately 30 years, preventing its potential closure. These efforts align with a broader initiative announced in July, when the Biden administration allocated $5 billion for larger bridge projects. Despite this financial push, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association estimates $400 billion is needed to address national bridge repair requirements, with 42,000 US bridges currently in poor condition. Notable allocations include a $44 million grant for the US 49 bridge over the Mississippi River, extending its lifespan by two decades. Bridges in states like Minnesota, New Jersey, Mississippi, and Missouri will also benefit from funds supporting necessary upgrades. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) Arkansas has acquired land in Charleston for $2.95 million to construct a new prison aimed at alleviating the backlog of state inmates in county jails, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Thursday. Located 106 miles northwest of Little Rock, the 815-acre site is expected to create hundreds of permanent jobs. Before construction begins, the Arkansas Board of Corrections must approve the site, marking a significant step in the state's effort to reform its correctional system. The governor, a Republican, has championed the initiative, which sets aside $330 million for 3,000 additional prison beds, with another $75 million available from a previous expansion plan. Currently, around 2,500 state inmates are held in county jails. The upcoming facility will employ nearly 800 people, offering an average salary exceeding $46,600. Sanders emphasized the project's role in curbing the "failed system of catch-and-early-release" and enhancing public safety by detaining violent offenders. The project progresses amidst Arkansas' ongoing legal battles over the control of its prison system. Sanders clashed with the Board of Corrections last year over system governance, but her legislative changes, including the eradication of parole for certain violent crimes, face criticism over potential exacerbation of prison overcrowding. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) Donald Trump is traveling to New Mexico and Virginia in the campaign's final days, taking a detour from the seven battleground states to spend time in places where Republican presidential candidates have not won in decades. The former president campaigned in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Thursday and is scheduled to visit Salem, Virginia, on Saturday, the AP reports. Trump's Albuquerque rally, his fourth visit to the area in recent years, was held at a private aviation hangar next to Albuquerque International Sunport, the Albuquerque Journal reports. The Trump team is projecting optimism based in part on early voting numbers and thinks he can be competitive against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in both statesNew Mexico in particular, if he sweeps swing states Nevada and Arizona. That hope comes even though neither New Mexico nor Virginia has been carried by a GOP nominee for the White House since George W. Bush in 2004. Donald Trump often has described himself as a protector of women , but he took his guarantee a step further at a rally in Wisconsin. "I'm going to do it, whether the women like it or not,'" Trump said on Wednesday, per the Guardian . "I'm going to protect them." Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign noticed the lack of choice in his statement. "Donald Trump thinks he should get to make decisions about what you do with your body," Harris posted on X . "Whether you like it or not." Polls already showed Trump trailing Harris among female voters, and a new CBS News poll shows a 10-point gap. He has a lead among men. Trump's statement, apparently meant to come across as paternal, ran the risk of instead reminding voters of his history of misogynistic statements and the civil court case in which he was found liable for sexual abuse, per the New York Times. A Trump campaign spokeswoman responded with a statement asking, "Why does Kamala Harris take issue with President Trump wanting to protect women, men, and children from migrant crime and foreign adversaries?" On Thursday, the Democratic nominee told reporters Trump's comment was "very offensive to women in terms of not understanding their agency, their authority, their right and their ability to make decisions about their own lives, including their own bodies," per Politico. She then added, "It's offensive to everybody, by the way." The candidates' supporters weighed in at rallies Thursday, per the AP: For Trump : In Albuquerque, Sarah Pyle, 41, said Trump's opposition to transgender athletes competing in women's events shows he helps women. "I don't want my girls to grow up in a world like this," Pyle said. "We fought for women's rights for so long, and now we're giving them back to men. It makes no sense." : In Albuquerque, Sarah Pyle, 41, said Trump's opposition to transgender athletes competing in women's events shows he helps women. "I don't want my girls to grow up in a world like this," Pyle said. "We fought for women's rights for so long, and now we're giving them back to men. It makes no sense." For Harris: In Phoenix, Edison Kinlicheenie, 50, noted Trump's history and said he sees the Republican nominee as more of a threat than a protector. "I have a wife and a daughter, so I wouldn't let no predator like that come around" them, Kinlicheenie said. (More Election 2024 stories.) A man appeared to randomly attack a deaf passenger on a cross-country United Airlines flight on Monday, leaving the non-verbal victim terrified and bleeding, according to a witness. Sandhya Gupta says she awoke two hours into the flight from San Francisco to Washington Dulles International Airport to the sound of "blood-curdling screams" and the sight of a man in the row in front of her viciously attacking a man in the window seat. "He was just very violently and very aggressively just pummeling the guy," Gupta tells KGO-TV . The FBI says the minute-long attack left blood splatter on a window, wall, seat, and on the suspect's sleeves, per the Los Angeles Times . The suspect, Everett Chad Nelson, was returning from the bathroom when he attacked the sleeping victim in a row that wasn't his, according to an affidavit. "I will not forget the look in his eyes," Gupta tells CBS News. "It was like he was seeing through the victim." Gupta says another passenger jumped in, wrapping up the attacker, who "just went limp," per KGO. "It was like powering off a robot," Gupta tells CBS. The victim was then able to use sign language. "That's when we realized he was deaf and non-verbal," Gupta tells KGO. The man ended up communicating with crew members through text messages. He "just kept texting, 'I'm so scared,'" says Gupta. He was treated by a doctor on board and is said to be fine, though shaken. Nelson was taken to the front of the plane and monitored, but not restrained, Gupta tells CBS, adding a flight attendant said he claimed the victim had attacked him earlier in the street. Nelson was arrested when the plane landed as planned in Virginia. He is facing federal assault charges, per the Times. (More assault stories.) A pair of linked shootings left two dead and many more running for their lives amid crowded Halloween celebrations in downtown Orlando early Friday. Police Chief Eric Smith says police responded to shots fired at Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue at 1:07am. Minutes later, more shots were fired nearby on Orange Avenue south of Washington Street, at which point a 17-year-old suspect was taken into custody, reports the Orlando Sentinel . Police say two men, aged 19 and 25, were killed and six others, aged 19 to 39, were injured by gunfire. A ninth victim, a 26-year-old woman, was injured after being trampled by people fleeing. All injured are in stable condition, per NBC News . Video from a surveillance camera on Central Boulevard shows a man in a yellow shirt exchange words with another man before pulling out a gun and shooting him in the head, per the Sentinel. Another video shows a crowd disperse as a man in a yellow shirt appears to raise a hand. He runs but is quickly wrestled to the ground by an officer. "I saw him shoot," an officer is heard saying on body-camera footage, per the Sentinel. The suspect, identified as 17-year-old Jaylen Edgar, whom police say was arrested for grand theft last year, is heard saying, "It wasn't me, it wasn't me." A handgun was recovered, Smith says. It was Florida's 27th mass shooting of the year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain says it's likely Edgar will face charges as an adult. Smith says he seemed determined to carry out the shooting. "He walked by at least 10 officers, walked directly by them," he says, per NBC. Around 100 officers were patrolling the downtown area during Halloween celebrations, which drew an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 people, per CBS News. The department now says it's "assessing the need for increased patrols downtown this weekend." (More mass shootings stories.) An elite school in New York City has decided to let students stay home the day after the electionor whenever results are announcedif they feel too "emotionally distressed," reports the New York Times. The newspaper reached out to Jerry Seinfeld, whose sons attended the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, for reaction, and the comedian blasted the decision. "This is why the kids hated it," he says. "What kind of lives have these people led that makes them think that this is the right way to handle young people? To encourage them to buckle. This is the lesson they are providing, for ungodly sums of money." The Biden administration on Friday announced a significant boost to Ukraine's defense, pledging an additional $425 million in military aid as anticipation builds ahead of a potential wave of Russian aggression bolstered by over 10,000 North Korean troops. During his recent visit to Kyiv, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signaled forthcoming support. This latest aid package will draw from existing US stockpiles, providing air defense interceptors, artillery munitions, armored vehicles, and anti-tank weapons. This aid package raises total US military assistance to Ukraine to $60.4 billion since Russia's invasion began in February 2022. A regional public health department in Idaho is no longer providing COVID-19 vaccines to residents in six counties after a narrow decision by its board. Southwest District Health appears to be the first in the nation to be restricted from giving COVID-19 vaccines, the AP reports. Vaccinations are an essential function of a public health department. While policymakers in Texas prohibited health departments from promoting COVID vaccines and Florida's surgeon general bucked medical consensus by warning against receiving them, governmental bodies across the country haven't blocked the vaccines outright. "I'm not aware of anything else like this," said Adriane Casalotti, chief of government and public affairs for the National Association of County and City Health Officials. She said health departments have stopped offering the vaccine because of cost or low demand but not based on "a judgment of the medical product itself." The six-county district along the Idaho-Oregon border includes three counties in the Boise metropolitan area. Demand for COVID vaccines in the health district has declinedwith 1,601 given in 2021 to 64 so far in 2024. The same is true for other vaccines: Idaho has the highest childhood vaccination exemption rate in the nation, and last year, the Southwest District Health Department rushed to contain a rare measles outbreak that sickened 10. On Oct. 22, the health department's board voted 4-3 in favor of the bandespite Southwest's medical director testifying to the vaccine's necessity. "Our request of the board is that we would be able to carry and offer those (vaccines), recognizing that we always have these discussions of risks and benefits," Dr. Perry Jansen said at the meeting. "This is not a blind, everybody-gets-a-shot approach. This is a thoughtful approach." Opposite Jansen's plea were more than 290 public comments, many of which called for an end to vaccine mandates or taxpayer funding of the vaccines, neither of which are happening in the district. Board Chairman Kelly Aberasturi said he's skeptical of COVID-19 vaccines but disappointed in the decision. He said he'll ask at the next meeting if the health department can at least be allowed to vaccinate older patients and residents of long-term care facilities. (More coronavirus vaccine stories.) We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. In early October, the 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related summits were held in Vientiane, Laos. During an exclusive interview with China News Network, Dato' Ong Chong Yi, Executive Director of BRI Caucus for Asia Pacific (BRICAP), said that ASEAN has embraced China's Belt and Road Initiative, because it is a major infrastructure and investment plan aimed at enhancing connectivity and economic cooperation. In addition, Dato' Ong claimed that China's leadership in green technologies presents a chance for ASEAN to collaborate in clean energy and sustainability and aligns well with ASEAN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). (Chen Tianhao) Chea Munyrith, then director of the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, recalled that when President Xi Jinping arrived in Phnom Penh for a state visit to Cambodia on Oct 13, 2016, the institute's teachers and students were among the welcoming crowds. "President Xi's visit was celebrated across the country," said Chea, who is now president of the Cambodian Chinese Evolution Researcher Association. During his state visit, Xi held talks with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and then prime minister Hun Sen, agreeing that the two countries should continue to be "highly trusted friends, loyal partners, and a community of shared future", said Chea, who has worked on the translation of the Khmer-language edition of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China. While the two countries signed 31 cooperation documents during Xi's visit, the trip also demonstrated closer people-to-people ties. As planning and project director of Cambodia's Civil Society Alliance Forum, Chea has been working with Chinese nongovernmental organizations for years on projects to improve people's livelihood in Cambodia's rural areas. He cited the two countries' collaboration on poverty alleviation and healthcare, such as the Cambodia-China Friendship Village Project for Poverty Alleviation, the Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital, and the China-Cambodia Love Heart Journey, a program that provides free surgery for Cambodian children with congenital heart disease. In addition, China's support for Cambodia with advanced equipment to clear all land mines and achieve the goal of being mine-free by 2025 has helped ease people's safety concerns, Chea said. Cambodia is among the nations worst affected by land mines, with an estimated 4 million to 6 million mines and other unexploded munitions left behind during three decades of war and internal conflicts that ended in 1998. Since 2018, China has helped Cambodia clear more than 100 square kilometers of minefields and about 78,000 land mines, as well as explosive remnants of war. This has benefited over 1.5 million Cambodian people, according to Xinhua News Agency. Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, an arm of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said that since President Xi's visit to Cambodia eight years ago, "the relations and cooperation between Cambodia and China have broadened and strengthened in all sectors and at all levels". In a joint communique issued during Xi's visit, China and Cambodia had agreed to raise bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2017. In 2023, a year after the China-Cambodia free trade agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement took effect, the total imports and exports between China and Cambodia exceeded $14.82 billion, according to China's General Administration of Customs. China has been Cambodia's biggest trading partner for 12 consecutive years. It is also the largest source of foreign direct investment for Cambodia, accounting for two-thirds of the total FDI in 2023, according to the Council for the Development of Cambodia. Neak Chandarith, director of the Cambodia 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Research Center, said that Cambodia has been supportive of China-proposed initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, because it sees the BRI as a catalyst for sustaining high economic growth. In 2019, Cambodia became the first country to sign an action plan to build a community of shared future with China. Last year, when China and Cambodia celebrated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the two countries agreed to deepen partnership under the "diamond hexagon" cooperation framework that focuses on six priority areas politics, production capacity, agriculture, energy, security, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Cambodia's participation in China-proposed initiatives has facilitated the country's integration into the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and ASEAN-China cooperation frameworks, as well as other regional frameworks, Neak said, noting that this integration enhances Cambodia's regional influence and promotes economic cooperation. With this year designated as the China-Cambodia People-to-People Exchange Year, Um Vuty, founder and chairman of the Association of Cambodian Students in China, said he believes the younger generation will play a key role in deepening bilateral cooperation and mutual trust. When Xi visited Cambodia in 2016, Um Vuty was pursuing a master's degree at China University of Geosciences in Beijing. Witnessing the close exchanges between Cambodia and China, he founded his association in 2017 to help young people from Cambodia study and work in China. Um Vuty is now a government employee and also president of the Cambodia-China Youth Relations Association. "The things I learned in China have laid a solid foundation for my career and supported me in many tasks," he said. Following President Xi's visit in 2016, "there are now more Confucius Institutes and Chinese language schools in Cambodia, so young Cambodians can learn Chinese and use it for research and communication, and even in their own businesses", Um Vuty said. He added that he hopes to create more opportunities for Cambodian and Chinese students to communicate with one another. In May, in a clear sign of the strengthening bilateral bond, Phnom Penh's third ring road was renamed Xi Jinping Boulevard. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the move expressed gratitude for the historic contribution Xi has made to promoting Cambodia's development. Chea, from the Cambodian Chinese Evolution Researcher Association, said the renaming of the road was an important milestone symbolizing the growing bilateral friendship. According to Kin Phea from the Royal Academy, Cambodia-China ties are special, unbreakable and a "unique role model" of interstate relations that can be replicated both regionally and globally. The two countries' ties will continue to grow stronger and diversify into all areas of common interest, he said, emphasizing that the ties will guide the "two iron brothers" toward greater achievements. Veterans to Wake Up to a Sea of 30,000 Flags on November 11 TORONTO, Nov. 1, 2024 /CNW/ - On Remembrance Day, November 11, Sunnybrook Veterans Centre Canada's largest care facility for Veterans will once again be transformed into a poignant display of gratitude as Operation Raise a Flag returns. More than 30,000 flags will be planted across Sunnybrook's Bayview campus, creating a powerful tribute to the hundreds of Veterans residing at the Centre. Now in its 13th year, Operation Raise a Flag has become an annual Remembrance Day tradition that allows Sunnybrook's Veterans to awaken on November 11 to a sea of flags outside their windows, each representing heartfelt recognition of their service to Canada. Sunnybrook was originally founded in 1948 as a military hospital for Canadian soldiers returning from the Second World War. Today, it continues to provide exceptional care to Veterans as a lasting reminder of Canada's gratitude to those who have bravely served the nation. The Veteran's Centre is home to just under 200 residents, with currently more than 50 who are 100 years-of-age or older and who served in the Second World War. Funds raised through this year's Operation Raise a Flag will directly support the ongoing revitalization of the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre, with significant investments planned for a new library and fitness centre along with expanded treatment spaces and a therapy centre. These improved amenities will provide Veterans with enhanced opportunities for health, comfort, and well-being, ensuring they continue to receive the exceptional care they deserve. Dr. Jocelyn Charles, Medical Director at Sunnybrook Veterans Centre, emphasized the importance of caring for Veterans: "At Sunnybrook, we are incredibly proud of the high-quality care we provide to our Veterans. It is a true honour for all of us at Sunnybrook to serve those who have sacrificed so much for our country. Every member of our team is deeply committed to ensuring the health, dignity, and comfort of each Veteran who calls Sunnybrook home, and Operation Raise a Flag is an important and powerful reminder of the respect and gratitude they so rightfully deserve." People across Canada can participate in Operation Raise a Flag virtually by making a gift and sending a personal note of thanks to the Veterans at Sunnybrook. All proceeds will support the continued care of these Canadian heroes. Make a gift. Raise a Flag. www.raiseaflag.ca . About Sunnybrook Veterans Centre: Working in close partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada, the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre stands as the largest Veterans care facility in Canada and a recognized leader in the care of Veterans who are no longer able to live at home independently. Sunnybrook opened its doors in 1948 as a war Veterans' hospital to care for Canadian heroes. It is a place where dedicated, compassionate, and specialized care is provided by a committed inter-professional team. To learn more about Operation Raise a Flag and support the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre, visit www.raiseaflag.ca or contact the Sunnybrook Foundation at 1-866-696-2008 SOURCE Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre For more information, contact Strategic Communications at [email protected] WINNIPEG, MB, Nov. 1, 2024 /CNW/ - Carole Vivier was diagnosed with lung cancer in September of 2020, just over 4 years ago. "Everyone thinks only smokers get lung cancer and this is simply not true," says Carole, "I smoked casually over 40 years ago. It's unlikely the cause of my lung cancer today. This stigma adversely affects research and research fundraising!! More people die from lung cancer than breast, colorectal and prostate combined, yet lung cancer receives the least amount of research funding! That's why campaigns such as this are vitally important!" After facing her diagnosis, Carole wants to get the word out to other Canadians about radon and protect their families. Post this Carole Vivier (CNW Group/Take Action on Radon) After facing her diagnosis, Carole wants to get the word out to other Canadians about radon so that they can protect themselves and their families. "People need to understand that the risk of lung cancer from radon exposure is very serious and very real. I wish we'd known this sooner, and we don't want anyone else to go through this. After my diagnosis we had our house tested for radon and the level was extremely high! Testing for radon is simple, and it just might save your life. I still worry about my family's past exposure, even though we had our house remediated." "Radon exposure continues to be the leading risk factor for lung cancer in people who don't smoke," says Tricia Lewchuk of the Canadian Cancer Society. "Anything homeowners can do to reduce exposure to radon will help reduce the number of new lung cancer cases in Canada." Radon awareness is growing in Canada, with more people testing their homes for radon than ever before, but with only 10% of people across Canada testing, there's still a long way to go. A new campaign seeks to encourage awareness by offering prizes, just in time for Radon Action Month this November! Radon gas is a well-known carcinogen that lurks in all homes across Canada and is the leading risk factor for lung cancer after smoking. While radon is naturally present in all the air we breathe, it tends to build up to dangerous levels inside homes and other buildings. As Canada focuses on building homes that are more air-tight to reduce global warming, indoor air quality becomes more critical, and that includes radon. The first step to protecting your family from radon gas is to test your home. Single-use detectors can be purchased online from various retailers for approximately $50 - $60. "Reusable digital radon monitors are also becoming increasingly popular with consumers, but unfortunately many of the devices available online have been found to give false results", warns Dr. Anne Marie Nicol, SFU. "Health Canada has recalled some fraudulent monitors, and the Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP) runs annual tests on devices and provides a list of reliable digital radon monitors in a consumer report available on their website. Be sure to check the report before you buy!" No matter which device you choose to use, it is important to follow Health Canada's guidelines for radon testing, and to test your home for at least three months. Radon levels vary over time, so it is critical to measure for long enough to take an average. If your home's radon level is above Health Canada's guideline level (200 Bqm3), the next step is to reduce your radon level with a radon mitigation system. While some homes may be below the Health Canada guidelines, there are no safe levels of radon exposure so people should always try to reduce levels to as low as reasonably achievable. Trained professionals are available across the country to do the work; a list of certified radon mitigation professionals may be found on C-NRPP's website. Whether you're hearing about radon for the first time, purchasing a radon test kit, or having a radon mitigation system installed, Take Action on Radon wants you to spread the word! The new Knowvember campaign encourages all Canadians to get "in the know" about radon, and then share their radon knowledge with their community for a chance to win great prizes. "We hear from so many Canadians who can't believe they didn't know about radon sooner and are eager to share the information with their community." says Pam Warkentin, Project Manager with Take Action on Radon, a national radon awareness program. "This Knowvember, share what you know and enter our contest for a chance to win some great prizes." Full contest rules and details may be found at www.Knowvember.ca. For a chance to win some great prizes including a ticket for two from WestJet, gift cards and more, all Canadians are encouraged to enter the contest by spreading the word about radon (a list of suggestions may be found on the site), then sharing a photo and completing the entry form. About Take Action on Radon Take Action on Radon is a national initiative funded by Health Canada that works to bring together radon stakeholders and raise radon awareness across Canada. The initiative is led by the Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (CARST) and the Canadian Cancer Society. You can find radon related photos free to use: https://pixabay.com/users/takeactiononradon-18149510/ References: Projected estimates of cancer in Canada in 2024, https://www.cmaj.ca/content/196/18/E615 Find details on prevalence of radon levels across Canada. A copy of all of the 100 Radon Test Kit Challenge can be found on Take Action in Radon's website: https://takeactiononradon.ca/resources/100-radon-test-kit-challenge/ To learn more about radon and how to test your home, visit: www.TakeActionOnRadon.ca To learn more about what municipalities can do about radon, check out Health Canada's Radon action guide for municipalities: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-risks-safety/radiation/radon/action-guides/municipalities.html Canadian Lung Association has a radon mitigation grant available for low to moderate income homes: https://www.lung.ca/lung-health/radon/lungs-matter-radon-mitigation-support SOURCE Take Action on Radon For more information or to interview one of our spokespersons: To schedule an interview with a representative, please contact: Pam Warkentin, 204-798-9649 [email protected] State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code Guests attend the opening ceremony of 2024 World Cities Day China Observance and 2024 SDG Cities Global Conference in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 31, 2024. World Cities Day emerged from the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, specifically the Shanghai Declaration, which advocated for the idea of "Better City, Better Life." Celebrated annually on Oct. 31, the day promotes international urban dialogue. Themed "Building People-Centered Cities for Better Life" this year, the 2024 World Cities Day events in Shanghai included an opening ceremony, a series of forums, exhibitions, and thematic inspections. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) A visitor (R) learns about new building materials at an exhibition of 2024 World Cities Day China Observance and 2024 SDG Cities Global Conference in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 31, 2024. World Cities Day emerged from the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, specifically the Shanghai Declaration, which advocated for the idea of "Better City, Better Life." Celebrated annually on Oct. 31, the day promotes international urban dialogue. Themed "Building People-Centered Cities for Better Life" this year, the 2024 World Cities Day events in Shanghai included an opening ceremony, a series of forums, exhibitions, and thematic inspections. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) A visitor (L) learns about an underground waterproofing system model of civil buildings at an exhibition of 2024 World Cities Day China Observance and 2024 SDG Cities Global Conference in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 31, 2024. World Cities Day emerged from the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, specifically the Shanghai Declaration, which advocated for the idea of "Better City, Better Life." Celebrated annually on Oct. 31, the day promotes international urban dialogue. Themed "Building People-Centered Cities for Better Life" this year, the 2024 World Cities Day events in Shanghai included an opening ceremony, a series of forums, exhibitions, and thematic inspections. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) Visitors exchange ideas at an enterprise's booth showcasing soilless planting technology at an exhibition of 2024 World Cities Day China Observance and 2024 SDG Cities Global Conference in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 31, 2024. World Cities Day emerged from the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, specifically the Shanghai Declaration, which advocated for the idea of "Better City, Better Life." Celebrated annually on Oct. 31, the day promotes international urban dialogue. Themed "Building People-Centered Cities for Better Life" this year, the 2024 World Cities Day events in Shanghai included an opening ceremony, a series of forums, exhibitions, and thematic inspections. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) Visitors watch a demonstration of an AGV intelligent transporter for vehicles in parking garages at an exhibition of 2024 World Cities Day China Observance and 2024 SDG Cities Global Conference in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 31, 2024. World Cities Day emerged from the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, specifically the Shanghai Declaration, which advocated for the idea of "Better City, Better Life." Celebrated annually on Oct. 31, the day promotes international urban dialogue. Themed "Building People-Centered Cities for Better Life" this year, the 2024 World Cities Day events in Shanghai included an opening ceremony, a series of forums, exhibitions, and thematic inspections. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) Visitors exchange ideas in front of a stand displaying new concrete technologies at an exhibition of 2024 World Cities Day China Observance and 2024 SDG Cities Global Conference in Shanghai, east China, Oct. 31, 2024. World Cities Day emerged from the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, specifically the Shanghai Declaration, which advocated for the idea of "Better City, Better Life." Celebrated annually on Oct. 31, the day promotes international urban dialogue. Themed "Building People-Centered Cities for Better Life" this year, the 2024 World Cities Day events in Shanghai included an opening ceremony, a series of forums, exhibitions, and thematic inspections. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) Editor: Zhang Zhou The formations of Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carry out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea in late October 2024. The exercise was part of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation's regular real-combat training in the high seas, which concluded recently. (Photo by Chen Mengxi/Xinhua) QINGDAO, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- The formations of Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carried out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea, according to the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. Aiming to enhance the integrated combat capability of the aircraft carrier formations, the exercise was part of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation's regular real-combat training in the high seas, which concluded recently. The training was conducted in waters including the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea, featuring multiple subjects under real-combat circumstances, the navy said. Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, was delivered and commissioned to the PLA Navy in September 2012. The formation of Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning carry out a regular real-combat training in the high seas in late October 2024. The formations of Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carried out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea, as part of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation's regular real-combat training in the high seas, which concluded recently. (Photo by Pu Haiyang/Xinhua) The formation of Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning carry out a regular real-combat training in the high seas in late October 2024. The formations of Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carried out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea, as part of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation's regular real-combat training in the high seas, which concluded recently. (Photo by Pu Haiyang/Xinhua) The formations of Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carry out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea in late October 2024. The exercise was part of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation's regular real-combat training in the high seas, which concluded recently. (Photo by Pu Haiyang/Xinhua) The formations of Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carry out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea in late October 2024. The exercise was part of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation's regular real-combat training in the high seas, which concluded recently. (Photo by Sun Xiang/Xinhua) Editor: Zhang Zhou An Atlantic County man pleaded guilty Friday to attempting to rob a woman in her car in April 2023, officials from the county prosecutors office announced. Eugene Shirk, 33, of Atlantic City, pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted robbery in exchange for a six-year prison sentence, authorities said. Shirk was accused of entering a womans car while stopped at a traffic light in Atlantic City and demanding all her money, authorities said. Atlantic City police responded to the intersection of South Carolina and Adriatic Avenues around 2 p.m. on April 13, 2023, and were flagged down by a victim who pointed out Shirk who was still at the scene, authorities said. After Shirk allegedly entered her car at the intersection and demanded she handover all her money, she told police that she was able to turn off the car and escape, officials said. Shirk was apprehended at the scene and remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing on Jan. 23, 2025, officials said. Shirks attorney said the whole incident was an unfortunate situation and added that Shirk was under the influence of a narcotic at the time of the attempted robbery. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X Four men have been charged in connection with an armed robbery at a jewelry store earlier this year in Maywood, officials from the Bergen County Prosecutors Office said Friday. Beiker A. Aguilera Areyan, 23, of East Elmhurst, N.Y., Daniel A. Rivas-Alvarado, 23, of New York, N.Y., Yeison J. Amarante Bolivar, 25, of Miami, and Jhon C. Requena Yerena, 26, of the Bronx, N.Y., were arrested after a months-long investigation, authorities said. Aguilera Areyan, Amarante Bolivar and Rquena Yerena were all charged with two counts of first-degree armed robbery and second-degree counts of conspiracy to commit robbery and weapons offenses, officials said. Rivas-Alvarado was charged with two counts of first-degree armed robbery and second-degree counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, weapons offenses and two counts of fourth-degree aggravated assault. On April 23, 2024, Maywood police and neighboring police departments responded to a jewelry store on West Pleasant Avenue at about 11:15 a.m. The initial investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutors Office determined that two male suspects entered the store and brandished firearms, pointing them at an employee and a customer, officials said. One of the suspects grabbed the employee, and a brief struggle ensued before both suspects fled the scene, leaving behind duct tape and zip ties, according to authorities. Investigators determined that additional suspects were involved in planning and carrying out the robbery, authorities said. Two mopeds and a vehicle were used in the robbery to travel to and from the scene, authorities said. On June 19, Rivas-Alvarado and Aguilera Areyan were located and arrested in North Bergen by detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutors Office, officials said. On Sept. 5, Amarante Bolivar was located and arrested in Miami by Miami police officers and a watch worth $1 million stolen from Beverly Hills was recovered, authorities said. Police also recovered a stolen rife and handgun. On Oct. 4, Requena Yerena was located and arrested in New York City, officials said. All four men are being held pending court proceedings. Attorneys for the men could not be immediately reached for comment Friday. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X Voters in three New Jersey municipalities will decide in Tuesdays election whether to sell their aging, debt-ridden water systems to the private sector and enjoy some immediate tax relief or hold onto them and avoid the potential for steep rate hikes under corporate ownership. Public referendums are on the ballot in Gloucester Township, Manalapan and South Orange, where New Jersey-American Water and Veolia Water are bidding to take over municipal water systems. The questions are: Gloucester Township: A $143 million bid by New Jersey-American Water Company for the wastewater system. The Village of South Orange: A $19.7 million bid by New Jersey-American for the water utility. Manalapan Township: A $4 million bid by Veolia Water for the water utility. Elected officials in all three towns are pushing for privatization, eager to unload old, leaky water systems, retire debt and offer tax relief to residents. The debate over privatization appears to be most intense in Gloucester Township, where officials are promising to a five-year municipal tax freeze and Camden-based New Jersey-American Water has spent over $800,000 on a media campaign to convince residents to sell, a published report said. To protect residents, each referendum contains a rate stabilization agreement designed to strictly limit rate increases in the first five years after the sale. Under these agreements, rates are frozen in the first two years after the sale and are capped at a cumulative 9% over five years. But one environmental group, NJ Food & Water Watch, is warning that rate stabilization agreements do not offer iron-clad consumer protection. The NJ Board of Public Utilities governs rate increases and can reject rate stabilization agreements, as it did earlier this year in Allendale in Bergen County. Food & Water Watch has been studying this issue for years, and weve come to one conclusion: Privatization is a bad deal for New Jersey families, said Sam DiFalco, the North Jersey organizer for Food and Water Watch. We urge voters to keep their precious water resource in public hands. In 2021, Allendale voters approved a referendum to sell the borough water utility to Suez Water {now Veolia] $18 million. Included in the question on the ballot was a 10-year rate stabilization plan that called for no rate increase in 2022, 0.5% in 2023, and no increase in 2024. The cumulative increase over the 10-year period was 16%. But in June, the BPU rejected the Allendale agreement and instead granted Veolia a 12.25% price hike that was applied to all of it customers statewide. Allendale Mayor Amy Wilczynski said the borough is pursuing a breach of contract claims against Veolia. The rate structure was a major selling point in the voter referendum to residents, she stated in a text. We believe Veolia must uphold this agreement. Veolia spokeswoman Debra Vial said the company did not violate the agreement. During the sale and referendum process, Veolia made it clear to Allendale officials and residents that rates are subject to the approval by the NJ Board of Public Utilities, she said. In our recent rate filing, we asked that Allendale rates follow the proposed rate schedule, Vial said. Many of the terms as requested by Allendale during the bid process were accepted while others, such as the proposed rates, were not. She added that Veolia was legally obligated to impose the rates set by the BPU. We understand rate increases impact customers; we live and raise our families in these communities, too. We will continue to advocate for Allendale. Veolia has pledged to spend $30 million to improve Manalapans water system, which has about 2,500 lines and serves the southern part of the community. New Jersey-American Water has promised to fund $50 million in improvements in South Orange. Collum said the village expects New Jersey-American to abide by the rate stabilization plan outlined in the referendum, which calls for no rate increases in the first two years, followed by annual 3% rate hikes in the next three years. Any deviation from that will constitute a breach of contract and subject to penalties, the mayor stated in a text. But more importantly, after working closely and collaboratively with New Jersey-American Water for the past eight years as our water supplier and operator, there is no reason to believe they will not honor our agreements terms if the community approves the sale. New Jersey-American Water spokeswoman Denise V. Free said the company will abide by the rate stabilization agreements in South Orange and Gloucester Township. Upon a successful referendum in South Orange, we are committed to honoring the rate stabilization plan, she said. We also included a rate stabilization plan in our acquisition proposal in Gloucester Township and intend to abide by that plan in accordance with our agreement with the township. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Richard Cowen may be reached at rcowen@njadvancemedia.com. A man who died in police custody shortly after he was found screaming inside an apartment building in Hudson County in September was identified Friday as a 44-year-old Bayonne man, authorities said. The incident took place on Sept. 16 at an apartment building on Broadway near Linnet Street in Bayonne around 12:18 a.m. when police were called to the scene for a report of screaming from an apartment, according to a release from the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office, which is investigating the mans death. Officers that responded to the scene, identified for the first time Friday as Bayonne Police Sgt. Matthew Tarbett and Officers Christian Cella, Marcin Chojnowski and Ernesto Naveed, said they heard yelling coming from the apartment and encountered Juan Poche, the office said. Poche had been screaming and requested medical attention. The officers restrained Poche for his own safety and to allow medical personnel to transport him to Bayonne Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:44 a.m., the release stated. The cause and manner of his death was still under investigation, the office said. The attorney generals office investigates any incident in which a person dies in police custody. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Goodbyes are never fun, especially when it comes to the Eras Tour. The final leg of Taylor Swifts iconic tour began on Oct. 18 in Miami and is set to wrap up on Dec. 8 in Vancouver, British Columbia. But before she heads to Canada for the first time during the Eras Tour, Swift will wrap up the U.S. leg of the iconic tour with three final shows in Indianapolis. The concerts are set to take place in Indianapolis from Nov. 1-3 at the Lucas Oil Stadium, and based on her other shows, these tickets are bound to sell out, especially since these are the final shows of the U.S. tour. From trading the friendship bracelets to guessing what surprise songs she will be playing each night, we think Swifties are really going to miss the Eras Tour, because we know we will. With that being said, we want to make sure you get your hands on the cheapest tickets possible, so we are here to help. Heres everything you need to know to see Taylor Swift live on during the last leg of her Eras Tour. Where to buy the cheapest Taylor Swift concert tickets Throughout the Eras Tour, the cheapest last-minute tickets for Swifts 2024 concerts have been on StubHub and Vivid Seats. For Swifts Nov. 1 show in Indianapolis, the cheapest ticket we could find is $2,161 on Vivid Seats. The most expensive ticket listed is $12,487. The cheapest ticket we could find on the market for her Nov. 2 concert is $2,122 on Vivid Seats. Some tickets for this show are listed for as high as $12,155. Finally, for her Nov. 3 concert in Indiana, the cheapest ticket we could find on the market is $2,145 on Vivid Seats. The most expensive ticket on the market for this show is $20,011. First-time Vivid Seats users can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout. Fans can check out other secondary sites to snag last-minute tickets, like TicketCity and SeatGeek. Where is Taylor Swift playing next? Taylor Swift will perform 18 shows during the last leg of the Eras Tour. Her next shows will be in Toronto, Ontario from Nov. 15-16. Tickets are available on sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketCity, and SeatGeek. A complete list of Swifts tour dates is available here. More massive upcoming tours Taylor Swift is not the only artist on a huge tour right now. Here are a few more tours you wont want to miss: Billie Eilish, Gracie Abrams, Sabrina Carpenter, and Shakira. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. After performing two shows in New York in September, Usher is ready to announce two more. Usher will now perform two more shows at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Dec. 5-6, as part of his Past, Present, Future global tour. Its about a very classic R&B experience that is all about serenading and connecting with the audience, Usher said to the New York Post, in regards to his Past, Present, Future global tour. I know I wouldnt want to miss out on a night of Ushers R&B classics, and you shouldnt either. Here is how you can snag tickets to Ushers upcoming tour dates. How to get tickets to Ushers 2024 tour dates The general sale for Ushers upcoming New York tour dates is set to take place on Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. If you miss out on this sale, then you can secure tickets through secondary market websites, such as StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketCity and SeatGeek. For his Barclays Center show on Dec. 5 the cheapest ticket at the time of publication, before fees, is $85 on Vivid Seats. For Ushers Dec. 6 concert at the Barclays Center, the cheapest ticket at the time of publication is $79 on Vivid Seats. First-time Vivid Seats users can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout. A full list of Ushers 2024 tour dates are available here. Usher tour 2024: Dates, schedule & more Usher began his extended run of tour dates on Oct. 29 in Chicago and will wrap up in the U.S. on Dec. 19 in Miami. At all of his concerts, Usher will perform songs spanning from all over his career in music, including as hit songs from his latest album Coming Home. He also steps into the crowd to mingle with his fans and include them in the performance. When I actually go out into the audience sometimes they take my mike. Sometimes, you know, Im able to sing and connect and just enjoy them, Usher told the New York Post. I want my fans to feel free and happy. And I want them to enjoy themselves. Upcoming 2024 tours heading to the Barclays Center Usher is not the only artist performing at the Barclays Center this year. Here are a few more artists you dont want to miss out on: Kacey Musgraves, Don Toliver, Aventura and Zach Bryan. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at niuzzolino@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. Yevhen Mahda, Executive Director of the "Institute of World Policy" On November 1, Poland observes All Saints' Day. Nearly every Pole will visit the graves of their deceased loved ones on this day. I'll use this moment to discuss the prospects of Polish-Ukrainian relations. Since April 2023, relations between our countries have been deteriorating. For a year and a half now, Poland and Ukraine have been descending from the peak of understanding reached during the initial Russian aggression and subsequent response, as if in a giant slalom of bilateral grievances and resentments. Opportunities to halt on a plateau of mutual interests are dwindling. There was the "grain crisis" last year (incidentally, little is said about who exactly was behind flooding the Polish market with Ukrainian grain), the symbolic dumping of grain on the ground by Polish Confederation protesters, aimed at making a psychological impact, Polish farmers blocking cargo transport across the border during New Year and Christmas, and the striking political unity in Poland around demanding that Ukraine acknowledge responsibility for the Volyn tragedy as a step towards European integration. Public grievances from Polish and Ukrainian politicians add to this mix. This bouquet of mutual grievances should not be placed on the grave of Polish-Ukrainian strategic partnership. Such a scenario would pose a serious threat to European security, and Moscow would celebrate the rift between Poland and Ukraine, which has long been one of its goals. Recent events, however, allow some hope for improved Polish-Ukrainian relations. Polands Acting Charge d'Affaires in Ukraine, Piotr ukasiewicz, gave a strategically significant interview to Ukrinform, sharing his vision for Polands diplomatic mission in Ukrainepragmatically and sympathetically, with clearly marked reference points. On October 31, President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed Vasyl Bodnar as Ukraines Ambassador to Poland. Bodnar is an experienced diplomat whose posting to Warsaw had been planned a few years ago, though he ended up serving in Ankara instead. The topic of the Volyn tragedy has, unsurprisingly, become a unifying factor for the Polish political elite. Polish politicians dont need to explain to their citizens why its necessary to give a dignified burial to the victims of the tragic events of World War II. This narrative is firmly rooted in Polish collective consciousness, thanks to the powerful role of historical memory in shaping common values in Polish society. Ukraine, unfortunately, can only dream of this. But dreaming alone is insufficient; action is required. The initiation of search and excavation efforts in the former Volyn Voivodeship of the Second Polish Republic could serve as a meaningful step in rebuilding mutual trust. However, rapid results should not be expected given the ongoing war with Russia and the vast areas involved. For now, the Volyn tragedy remains topical, serving as a sort of audition platform for Polands presidential candidates, as this election, scheduled for spring 2025, will be pivotal for a semi-presidential republic like Poland. Unfortunately, official Kyiv did not include Poland among the first allies briefed on the classified portion of Zelensky's victory plan. This is despite Poland repeatedly emphasizing its substantial military and technical support to Ukraine during the initial weeks and months of the Russian invasion. Poland's political rift between Donald Tusk and Andrzej Duda does not justify Ukraine's position, particularly considering that, in March 2024, Polands president and prime minister traveled to the U.S. to discuss strengthening defense capabilities with President Joe Biden. Those publicly demanding that Poland provide advanced weapons to Ukraine are likely underestimating the ambitions of Polands military-political leadershipand, frankly, overlooking the current challenges facing the Polish military. Moreover, Poland's interest in contributing to Ukraine's post-war recovery should be taken into account. Polish businesses are concerned not only about the influence of Ukrainian oligarchs (a historical echo of the magnates of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth) but also, more recently, about the potential role of multinational corporations. Even small signals from Kyiv indicating an understanding of Polish business needs could help rebuild trust. On January 1, 2025, Poland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Hungary. If Warsaw and Kyiv fail to develop a roadmap for cooperation towards Ukraine's EU integration by then, there will be few opportunities for understanding at the state level. This presidency will coincide with Polands presidential campaign, which could either bolster Donald Tusks influence, despite his decision not to run, or maintain the current political balance. Politics may not be the realm of saints, but those who can rise above tactical moves to pursue the strategic interests of their country have a chance at success. Four people have been charged in a double shooting that left one person dead and another wounded in July, authorities said. Lahmeir Hill, 31, of Pemberton Borough, and Sadiq Palmer, 25, of Freehold Borough, were charged with one count each of first-degree murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and weapons offenses, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office. Simone K. Moultrie, 53, of Red Bank, was charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and hindering, officials said. Ticco Griffin, 29, of Red Bank, was charged with one count of hindering. The victim, Mikal Muhammad, 36, of Red Bank, who was found by police on the 100 block of River Street at 3:13 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene, the prosecutors office said. A second man who was also shot was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center and released after treatment, authorities said. Anyone with information is asked to contact prosecutors office Det. Kayla Santiago at 800-533-7443 or Red Bank Police Det. Mike Zadlock at 732-530-2700. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Deion Johnson may be reached at djohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Instagram at @DeionRJohnson or X @DeionRJohhnson A Monmouth County cardiologist agreed to permanently forfeit his medical license after pleading guilty to a $1.9 million insurance fraud scheme that lasted for years, officials from the Attorney Generals Office announced Friday. Fazal Panezai pleaded guilty to the years-long fraud scheme on April 11 and faces up to 10 years in federal prison plus restitution, officials said. Panezai, who owned the Matawan-Aberdeen Heart & Medical Center in Matawan, was accused of filing more than $1.9 million in fraudulent insurance reimbursements for office visits that never occurred or were falsely reported as to duration, authorities said. There is no place in New Jerseys medical profession for conduct such as this, said Cari Fais, director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. The action announced today ensures this doctor will never again practice medicine in our state. Panezai told the state medical board that he stopped practicing medicine in New Jersey in January and agreed to retire from practicing medicine to settle the boards inquiry into his criminal conduct, authorities said. His retirement is considered a permanent revocation of his medical license, according to authorities. Under the terms of the consent order announced Friday, Panezai must immediately cease contact with all patients in New Jersey and must not provide medical care in the state, including writing prescriptions or dispensing medications of any kind, authorities said. He must also divest himself from any current or future financial interests in the practice of medicine in New Jersey, but he is permitted to collect whatever accounts were outstanding prior to the end of business on Jan. 31, 2024. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 12. Panezai also faces charges of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact with a female patient leveled by the New Jersey Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor, according to officials. He was indicted by a state grand jury on Aug. 31, 2023 regarding the alleged sexual contact with a patient on Sept. 4, 2018, officials said. The matter is still pending, with the next court proceeding scheduled for Nov. 15, according to the consent order. Panezais attorney did not immediately return a request for comment Friday. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X The end of Daylight Saving Time in 2024 is finally here. The clocks turn back one hour this weekend and an extended stretch of days with darkness arrivig by 5 p.m. begins. Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, when the clock will fall back one hour and, in theory, give us one extra hour of sleep. The amount of daylight has continued to decrease slightly each day since summer began on June 20. The last sunset later than 6 p.m. in New Jersey until March took place last week. After the clocks roll back, the next post-5 p.m. sunset in New Jersey wont occur until mid-January. The amount of daylight continues to diminish each day until Dec. 21, when the winter solstice arrives at 4:19 a.m., marking the official start of winter. The length of days will then begin to increase until the summer solstice on June 20, 2025. The flip side is that the sun will rise approximately one hour earlier each morning after we return to standard time this weekend. On Saturday, sunrise in New Jersey is at approximately 7:29 a.m. and sunset is at about 5:53 p.m. The next day the sun comes up at 6:30 a.m. but sets at 4:52 p.m. Clocks officially fall back at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November to 1 a.m. Daylight Saving Time started on Sunday, March 10, 2024, and will end on Sunday a run of 238 days. It has lasted from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November since 2007. We next turn the clocks ahead on March 9, 2025 126 days after turning them back. Daylight Saving Time in 2025 will end on Nov. 2, 2025. When does Daylight Saving Time end this year and clocks fall back in 2024?DST image from Canva for NJ.com The concept dates back more than a century when English architect William Willett proposed the idea to change the clocks in 1907 in The Waste of Daylight. The suggestion of using daylight more efficiently can be traced to Benjamin Franklin. While visiting in Paris in 1784, he wrote a letter to the editors of the Journal of Paris calling for a tax on every Parisian whose windows were shuttered after sunrise to encourage the economy of using sunshine instead of candles, according to Michael Downing, author of Spring Forward: The Annual Madness of Daylight Saving Time. Daylight Saving became widespread in the U.S. when the Uniform Time Act of 1966 was passed. Back then, Daylight Saving ran from the last Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October and states were allowed to opt out. In 1986, Daylight Saving was changed to run from the first Sunday in April until the final Sunday in October. The most recent revision took effect in 2006 when Energy Policy Act of 2005 revised Daylight Saving from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November. Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe Daylight Saving Time. The time change is also not observed in U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. All of Indiana didnt begin observing Daylight Saving until 2006. Eighteen states have enacted legislation to make Daylight Saving Time permanent. Voters in California have voted to authorize year-round Daylight Saving Time. Those changes, however, require federal approval. In March 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which would end changing the clocks twice a year. The U.S. House of Representatives didnt take a vote on it, though. A handful of provinces in Canada most of Saskatchewan and Yukon have adopted permanent daylight saving as have parts of British Columbia and two communities in northwest Ontario. About 70 countries observe Daylight Saving Time. Most of North America, Europe and parts of South America and New Zealand adhere to it, while China, Japan, India and most other countries do not. It starts on different dates elsewhere. In Europe, for example, Daylight Saving Time starts the last Sunday in March and ends the final Sunday in October. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. One of New Jerseys few remaining dry towns is asking voters whether local restaurants should be allowed to sell liquor. Haddon Heights in Camden County has a ballot question in Tuesdays election on permitting retail consumption licenses. It is a nonbinding referendum, meaning that approval would not necessarily result in any change in policy. The borough council has the final say. Haddon Heights Mayor Zachary Houck said he supports allowing liquor sales and making the change would aid in the ongoing redevelopment of the boroughs business district. It would be beneficial to the community, Houck told NJ Advance Media on Thursday. This town has been dry for 120 years, the mayor said, noting the borough never had an ordinance forbidding liquor sales. But, it never had an ordinance permitting them, either. Lets give the community a chance to voice their opinion, Houck said. Haddon Heights was incorporated in 1904 and does not have any liquor stores or bars. It is among 30 municipalities that, as of April, did not allow retail consumption licenses, according to the New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association. Haddon Heights is home to approximately 7,400 residents and would be in a position to offer two retail liquor licenses if a change is made, said Michael Mansdoerfer, the boroughs chief financial officer. New Jersey law allows one retail liquor license for every 3,000 residents. Gov. Phil Murphy proposed expanding the number of restaurant liquor licenses in New Jersey in his State of the State address in 2023. But Murphy ultimately signed a law that tweaks the system but falls short of a major overhaul. Haddon Heights is the latest town in which voters or elected officials are weighing changing local liquor licensing ordinances. In Bergen County, Rutherford issued its first liquor license in more than a century to a restaurant last year, three years after voters approved a ballot question. The borough previously had allowed only liquor stores. In Cape May County, the Ocean City council in September passed a resolution in support of keeping its prohibition on alcohol sales, which has been in place for 115 years. Houck said he expects the council in Haddon Heights will be guided by Tuesdays vote if it offers a clear choice on whether voters want to remain a dry town. If the community comes out and voices an opinion that says we are staunchly against this, I think most of the council would be inclined to say, OK. If its a split decision, thats where we have to make the decision, Houck said. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. A New Jersey woman has filed a lawsuit against JetBlue claiming she fractured a tooth while biting into an ice cream sandwich on a flight this summer. Kiara Quinonez was severely injured when eating a chomp size strawberry shortcake ice cream sandwich aboard a flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City to Paris on Aug. 20, according to the lawsuit. Quinonez received immediate treatment upon arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport, according to the suit. At some point the tooth had to be extracted, the lawsuit says. She said the flight crew didnt warn her of the dangerously cold temperature and solid state of the ice cream sandwich. No hometown in New Jersey was listed for Quinonez in the suit, which was filed last week in federal court in the Eastern District of New York. She was traveling to France with her fiance. JetBlue didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. As MAGA world scrambles to defend Donald Trumps firing squad and military tribunal fantasies about Liz Cheney, disloyal generals and political enemies, a former Trump insider says its not hyperbole the former president actually will try to put people to death if hes re-elected. Former Trump White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham warned that there could be dark days of authoritarian retribution ahead for those who tried to keep Trump out of the White House. The tool: allegations of treason. In his first admin, Trump felt anyone who disagreed with him/was unwilling to carry out his orders to be treasonous, she tweeted. Believe him when he says hell go after his perceived enemies. I guarantee treason will be a lever of power he uses as retaliation, which is punishable by death. Trump already has fantasized about taking action against the enemy from within political foes who include Barack and Michelle Obama, Vice President and presidential opponent Kamala Harris, California Rep. Adam Schiff, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Cheney and others. Cheney has been on Donald Trumps enemies list since she denounced his behavior around the insurrection, was vice chair of the congressional committee that investigated him, pledged to keep him out of the White House and endorsed and campaigned with Harris. On Thursday, Trump revealed a sick wish to have her shot in the face by nine rifles. Cheney responded on Friday morning with a tweet: This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. The former president and GOP nominee joined conservative broadcaster Tucker Carlson on stage at an event in Glendale, Arizona, on Thursday night where he called the former Republican representative a radical war hawk, and revealed his deadly fantasy four days before the presidential election. Leaf colors are finally popping in New Jerseys southern region, with many counties in that portion of the state reaching their peak this week, according to the latest fall foliage status map released by the New Jersey Forest Service. Although the fall foliage colors are now past their peak in most areas of northern and central New Jersey, some trees have been a bit slower to sport their brightest red, orange and yellow leaves. So theres still some colorful foliage to be seen in those parts of the state. But the forest service says the best leaf colors overall are being seen this week in state parks and forests in these counties: Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem. New Jersey has had mixed results this season, with some areas getting vibrant leaf colors and other areas getting colors that arent as vivid as they usually are. And some leaves have fallen from the trees earlier than usual because of the serious drought conditions. As of this week, more than half the state is now in a severe drought and the rest of the state has moderate drought conditions. All of New Jersey remains under a drought watch, which urges residents and businesses in every county to voluntarily conserve water. State officials said if the dry conditions persist, the drought watch may be elevated to a more serious drought warning or drought emergency, in which water-use restrictions would become mandatory. In addition to the drought watch, major restrictions on outdoor burning and fireworks have been imposed by New Jersey officials because the dry conditions have sparked more wildfires than usual in October. With dry conditions and gusty winds on Friday, red flag fire warnings are in effect in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties through 7 p.m. The National Weather Service said steady winds of 10 to 15 mph are expected to gust up to 30 mph at times, boosting the risk of fast-moving brush fires and wildfires. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com or on X at @LensReality. The wife of Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly wanted nothing more than a quick selfie with New York Yankees Hall of Famer Derek Jeter. Ashley Kelly hoped to fulfill a full-circle moment with Jeter after her husband got a selfie with the former shortstop at his final game in 2014. Late Wednesday night as the Dodgers celebrated their World Series at Yankee Stadium, that photo became reality in the most embarrassing and awkward way for Ashley Kelly, who interrupted Jeter on the FOX post-game set. SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE YANKEES NEWSLETTER: RESTORING THE GLORY She told the story to the Baseball Isnt Boring podcast: This is absolutely awful, so for sure, going viral. Maybe not in an hour. But, apparently, its live television. ... So I am walking behind where they are filming. and Im trying to make eye contact with Derek Jeter, and Im trying to do a whole full-circle moment. And so Im looking at him, because, I swear hes looking at me, too. And Im like, Can I get a selfie with you? And then he is kind of going, as Kelly nodded her head yes. Im like, perfect, you know? So then I walk this way. ... So then I start walking over there, right behind, right? I come right up to him, not knowing theyre live. ... So then I pop in, Hey, can I get a selfie?' Thinking that this is all. ... No, clearly it was not. He was looking me like (with a glare). I threw in ... Im Joe Kellys wife, and then I snap it, a photo, and then I get pulled off television. Oh, my God. And then I immediately just stand here and watching the rest. And I go, (expletive). And then they go, We were live. What are you doing? And I was like, I was making a whole full-circle moment. Ashley Kellys version of events was corroborated by a video taken by the wife of Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy, Kellie, which was shown on their Instagram Stories. There, you could see Kelly creep behind the FOX post-game set and try to get the attention of Jeter, whom she went beside. Then, she snapped the photo before FOX personnel pulled her away. Ashley Kelly did not mean to cause a stir, asking the staff if they remembered when Jeter and Joe Kelly took the selfie in Boston on Sept. 28, 2014, during the retirement ceremony. That day, she also went viral on social media for saying she wanted to marry Jeter when she was 12. Instead, I married the guy that took a selfie with him, Kelly said on the podcast. And so they go, Oh, my God, yes. And now Ashley has her own with quite the World Stories story to tell. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. Vadym Popko is a professor of the Department of Comparative and European Law of the Educational and Research Institute of the International Relations of Kyiv Taras Shevchenko National University According to official UN data, as of October 15, 2024, the number of refugees from Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion has reached 6 million 750 thousand people. Of these, almost 6.2 million have found refuge in Europe. The number of those who have found refuge in the russian federation or the republic of belarus is difficult to determine precisely, but we are definitely talking about hundreds of thousands more of our fellow citizens. Given that, even according to optimistic estimates, about 37 million people lived in Ukraine on the eve of the invasion, it turns out that one in five Ukrainians found themselves abroad. It is currently impossible to say for sure how many of them are children and youth, but we are talking about hundreds of thousands, even millions... So, we are now facing an important question: how do we bring back children and youth - our future? The language of numbers In March 2024, the Center for Economic Strategies (CES) published the results of the research UKRAINIAN REFUGES: FUTURE ABROAD AND PLANS FOR RETURN. Ukrainian refugees living abroad were interviewed, data from open sources and data obtained from public information requests were used. It should be noted that the CES data differs from the official UN data. According to the Center's calculations, as of the end of January, 4.9 million Ukrainians were abroad because of the war. So, the difference is 1.8 million people. However, we will rely on the representative data of the CES, since we are interested in the category of students. After all, of the total number of refugees, 9% were students. It means that there are about 450 thousand Ukrainian students abroad. This number correlates with Cedos data for the 2022 year that 665 thousand students an d pupils of schools (16% of the total) went abroad. As for geographical distribution, as of January 2024, the largest number of students CES experts recorded in Germany (42%) and France (17%). The data provided by the CES shows that students are the least motivated to return to Ukraine. This is primarily about those students who have already entered European higher education institutions. 57% of them do not plan to return home. And this is quite expected, as the younger generation adapts to new realities and builds new social ties faster than other groups. Another important factor influencing the decision not to return to Ukraine is integration into the labor market. This also applies to students, most of whom tend to earn as much as possible and, at least partially, be financially independent from their parents. At the same time, the level of salaries of Ukrainian refugees is growing and already exceeds the level of earnings they had in Ukraine. According to the survey, most of our fellow citizens abroad report that they earn more than before the full-scale invasion. In the future, income levels will become a major factor (alongside security) in decisions about a potential return to Ukraine. A sobering conclusion: Refugee students are adapting to new realities, strengthening social connections, integrating into the labor market, and nearly two-thirds express no desire to return to Ukraine. Now, a few statistics about the current state of higher education in Ukraine. From April to June 2024, the State Service for Education Quality of Ukraine conducted a monitoring study on the foundational aspects of educational process organization (quality, safety, and resources) in vocational and higher education institutions during wartime. The goal was to examine the adaptation of the educational process to war-related demands and needs. The study involved 543 educational institutions across multiple macro-regions (west, north, center, south, east) and Kyiv, excluding Crimea. Among them, 250 were higher education institutions (HEIs) and 293 were vocational pre-higher education institutions (VHEIs). Surveys were conducted with 58,692 students (29,064 junior specialists, 23,686 bachelor's students, 5,165 masters students, and 777 Ph.D. candidates) and 16,114 faculty members (6,639 VHEI instructors and 9,475 HEI faculty). Colleagues have accomplished an immense task under extremely difficult circumstances, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them. Now, lets turn to the results. The majority of respondents have not relocated since the start of the war: 67.8% of students and 75.8% of faculty members remain in their places of residence. Only 8.7% of faculty and 12.3% of students are registered as internally displaced persons. Survey results indicate that 6.5% of students and 3.2% of faculty and research staff are currently abroad. Based on these findings, the reports authors draw a similar conclusion to my previous one: The level of engagement based on location (particularly those abroad) has remained stable over the past two years. This trend likely reflects a preference among those abroad for a safer environment with reliable access to educational and technological resourcesan understandable stance in wartime. However, there is an encouraging fact that students abroad successfully continue their studies in Ukrainian institutions remotely, allowing them to maintain a connection to the Ukrainian educational system and avoid disruptions in learning. For now, they remain students abroad, but tomorrow they face adult life foremost, employment. Many of them lean toward building their careers abroad as it feels safer and more promising at this stage. It is clear that such an outflow of young people and qualified educational personnel in Ukraine has already negatively affected and will also affect our educational and scientific potential. This will eventually lead to negative consequences in the economy. Unfortunately, these are the realities of today. But do not despair. Our task is to do everything possible and impossible for Ukrainian youth and students to return to their homeland. How can higher education institutions bring students back to Ukraine? Creating conditions for student return is crucial for educators, given the challenges the country faces due to Russian aggression. Destruction and Damage Since the full-scale aggression began, 3,798 educational institutions have been affected, 365 of which have been completely destroyed. These figures were provided by Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets two months ago, at the beginning of September. It is difficult to ascertain how many HEIs have been impacted by shelling and bombings, but as of last summer, 45 HEIs were reported as completely destroyed, most notably in Mykolaiv region. Another 61 HEIs suffered damage from shelling. Today, these numbers are likely higher. Reconstruction and the establishment of new higher education institutions are priorities. We must develop a clear reconstruction strategy today, based on the Build Back Better principle, meaning rebuild better than before. Our educational institutions need to be technologically aligned with modern demands, relevant, and equipped with up-to-date bomb shelters and safe rooms. Physical Safety of Students and Faculty Student safety is the primary prerequisite for encouraging significant numbers of students to return to Ukraine. Students need to feel secure and confident that nothing will happen to them. This requires every HEI to improve conditions in existing bomb shelters and gradually increase their numbers by building new, quality, and modern shelters. Moreover, I consider it necessary to equip public transport stops near HEIs in line with national building standards for civil protection. This would protect not only students but also citizens caught outdoors during an air raid alert. At the Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University, where I work in the Department of Comparative and European Law, the organization of the educational process during air raid alerts prioritizes the safety of students and faculty. The institute has a shelter that can accommodate up to 1,000 people and has four exits on different sides of the building, allowing quick and safe evacuation if necessary. However, in practice, some other HEIs experience cases where, despite the formal requirement for all to be in the shelter during alerts, safety protocols are not fully adhered to. This is due to the inherent difficulties of conducting full-fledged classes in shelters: overcrowding causes high noise levels, and the lack of adequately equipped learning spaces and appropriate technical resources complicates the teaching process. Both students and faculty are forced to share a confined space, which is not always conducive to effective group and course-specific instruction. This indeed presents a challenge, as ensuring the quality of education in such conditions can sometimes be problematic. Nevertheless, in response to these issues, HEIs must strive to adapt as fully as possible to the circumstances, prioritizing the safety of students and faculty while endeavoring to maintain educational continuity even under the most challenging conditions. Education Quality Ukrainian education must meet the standards of leading global universities. We need to modernize curricula, fully digitalize the educational process, and restructure it to maximize student interaction. Engaging thematic and practical activities, collaboration with prospective employers, internships with employment opportunities (during studies or in the future) these and other efforts should be aimed at improving the quality of the educational process. For example, at the Institute of International Relations of Taras Shevchenko National University, master classes are held by leading experts in international relations, diplomats, and experts in international law and economics. International conferences on current topics in international relations and international law are also organized. Another essential element for students is the presence of language clubs and debate tournaments, which help them improve their communication skills and critical thinking. Stimulation This year, the government has developed and submitted to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine draft law No. 10399, On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding Funding for Higher Education and Providing Targeted State Support for Students. The document was passed in the first reading in March and is now awaiting further review. It aims to change the mechanism for forming state orders. The state will cover part of the costs of training specialists in fields such as security, defense, medicine, pedagogy, and others. For students not on scholarships, the state may even secure employment once a student completes half of their studies, they can sign an appropriate contract. As for contract students, education grants are available. The amount depends on academic success, based on the results of the Independent External Evaluation or multi-subject test. According to the Ministry of Education, the grant amount can range from 15,000 to 50,000 UAH. I will provide additional comments on this law soon. Comfortable Environment The learning process should be comfortable, covering not only lectures but also related infrastructure. For example, the Return to the Library campaign includes a complete renovation of libraries to create modern spaces with study areas for seminar preparation and relaxation areas. This space, designed to foster both comfortable leisure time and informal interactions over a cup of coffee, also has employment potential, as students could work by utilizing modern vending machines. All of this is achievable through cooperation with Ukrainian and international companies, legal firms, and large business corporations, which would be interested in this access for headhunting. If such initiatives succeed, Ukrainian HEIs can become magnets for students, including those who have gone abroad and future applicants seeking higher education. Importantly, we should simplify the enrollment process for Ukrainian students who studied in foreign schools. We need to streamline the process for recognizing EU secondary education documents. Additionally, these applicants should be eligible for government-funded placements with stipends, which must also be increased. Education quality, security, comfort, and genuine career growth prospects are the foundation of modern Ukrainian higher education. Unfortunately, even our leading universities rank only in the seventh-eighth hundred globally, partly due to conservative institutional policies and excessive bureaucracy. Conclusion Creating conditions for students to return to Ukrainian educational institutions is a priority, considering the current challenges resulting from Russian aggression. Elevating the prestige of Ukrainian higher education is a shared mission for university administrations, scholars, and educators, as well as the state, represented by the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. Achieving this goal requires a robust institutional mechanism uniting the efforts of all educational stakeholders. Establishing a dedicated department within the Ministry of Education and Science, working closely with universities, and creating a separate position within HEIs for a vice-rector or director overseeing collaboration with other HEIs and state and local authorities would be a decisive step toward systematically raising our universities' rankings. As leaders in education, universities should be invested in enhancing their competitiveness and attracting top students and academics. This department will act as a think tank, devising development strategies, coordinating actions, and supporting a transparent and open evaluation system. For many Ukrainians abroad, the situation in Ukraine appears worse through the lens of social media, which significantly reduces their willingness to return. Therefore, it is crucial, first and foremost, to maintain connections with youth abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can play a crucial role here, as embassies and consulates could implement joint programs with the Ministry of Education and Science and individual HEIs, actively promoting the return of applicants and students who found themselves abroad during the war. Additionally, the state must continue improving study conditions to encourage students to return to Ukraine. PJSC Ukrnafta acquired a special permit for an oil and gas area in Ivano-Frankivsk region for a period of 20 years. "This is the first special permit in the history of the company, obtained through an auction of the State Service of Geology and Mineral Resources of Ukraine. The company won the auction, offering UAH 6.5 million," the company said in a press release on Friday. The new area, about nine square kilometers in size, is located between two existing Ukrnafta fields, which ensures the availability of the necessary infrastructure for hydrocarbon production. It is expected that the area includes promising reserves of oil, gas and condensate, and the density of unexplored resources is from 30,000 to 50,000 tonnes of hydrocarbons per sq km. As noted by Ukrnafta, the company's priority plans include conducting a set of geological and geological-industrial studies to study in detail the potential of the new area. "The purchase of this special permit will contribute to the expansion of Ukrnafta's resource base and will stimulate the development of production," the press release explains. Ukrnafta is Ukraine's largest oil extraction company and operates a national network of filling stations. In March 2024, the company took over the management of Glusco assets, and now operates 545 filling stations 460 of its own and 85 under management. The company is implementing a comprehensive program to renew operations and modernize the format of its filling stations. Since February 2023, Ukrnafta has been offering its own fuel vouchers and NAFTA Cards, which are sold to both legal entities and individuals through Ukrnafta-Postach LLC. The largest shareholder in Ukrnafta is Naftogaz Ukrainy, which holds a 50% plus one share. In November 2022, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine decided to transfer the corporate rights of the company, previously owned by private shareholders, to the state. The Ministry of Defense now oversees these shares. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin announced that they would soon provide Ukraine with security assistance. "The United States will continue to surge security assistance to Ukraine, and so will our allies and partners in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group," Blinken said at a press conference with his South Korean counterpart, the head of the Pentagon and the South Korean defense minister in Washington. The secretary also added the U.S. will announce additional security assistance for Ukraine in the coming days. The U.S. Sectary of Defense also stated this during a press conference. Blinken: If North Korean troops engage in combat operations against Ukraine, they would make themselves legitimate military targets If North Korean troops are involved in military actions against Ukraine, they will become legitimate military targets, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized. If these North Korean troops engage in combat or combat support operations against Ukraine, they would make themselves legitimate military targets," Blinken said at a press conference with his South Korean counterpart, the head of the Pentagon and the South Korean defense minister in Washington. The secretary of state said one of the reasons Russia turned to North Korean troops is because the Kremlin is desperate. Putin has been throwing more and more Russians into a meat grinder of his own making in Ukraine. Now he's turning to North Korean troops, and that is a clear sign of weakness," Blinken said. Blinken added that the Russian military is suffering 1,200 casualties per day, more than at any time in the war. In addition, he noted that with the introduction of North Korean troops into Russia, and now to the front lines, Russia for the first time in 100 years has invited foreign troops into its country. On the night of November 1, Russian occupiers attacked Ukraine with Shahed-type attack UAVs and drones of an unspecified type; in total, during the night, the enemy attacked with 48 UAVs and three missiles, the command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports. "As of 08:00, damage to 31 enemy UAVs has been confirmed, 14 drones have been lost, three UAVs have flown in the direction of Belarus. The air defense also managed to shoot down one X-59/69 guided missile, the rest did not reach their targets due to active counteraction," the report says. It is reported that on the night of November 1 from 18:00 on October 31, the enemy launched a strike with three X-59/69 guided air missiles from the airspace of the temporarily occupied Kherson region, and also attacked with 48 Shahed strike UAVs and unidentified drones from the Kursk direction. The enemy's tactical aviation launched strikes with guided air bombs at Kharkiv, Sumy and Zaporizhia. The air attack was repelled by anti-aircraft missile troops, aviation, electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and Defense Forces of Ukraine, the command notes. In particular, air defense operated in Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Cherkasy, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytsky, Sumy, Chernihiv, Odesa and Poltava regions. "According to preliminary results, there were no casualties. However, as a result of the Russian missile and drone attack, several civilian enterprises were damaged due to falling debris, and apartment buildings and private houses in Poltava, Cherkasy, Kyiv and Odesa regions were also damaged," the command noted. Counting the votes will extend beyond election night on Tuesday, and determining the outcome of the presidential race could, too. Even in states that count their ballots relatively quickly, if the race is as close as the polls say, it could take days before a winner can be projected (election results are never official until final certification). In 2020, a record number of people voted by mail because of the pandemic, and many states were processing large numbers of mail ballots for the first time. While mail voting has dropped off in many states and others have made changes to speed up counting, these types of ballots are still more time consuming to count. Democrats have been more likely to cast mail ballots, and variations in timing for counting them can contribute to so-called mirages in the reported results cases in which the type of ballots reported first favor one party in a way that is unrepresentative of the eventual result. Heres what we expect from vote counting in each presidential battleground state: Georgia Polls close at 7 p.m. E.T. Counts fast (but watch the vote margin) Most Georgia voters tend to vote early in person, and vote reporting is usually relatively fast. The share of ballots cast by mail, which can often take longer to count, is expected to be small. The mail voting rate returned to the states usual level of around 6 percent in 2022 after growing to about 25 percent in 2020. The state could still be counting corrected mail ballots, overseas ballots and provisional ballots in the days after the election. Vote reported by noon after Election Day 2020 Loading 2022 Loading What happened in 2020 It took more than two weeks to call the state for Joseph R. Biden Jr. in 2020. The reason: The presidential race was so close that a hand-tallied audit of ballots was initiated. The Associated Press did not call the race until the state audit confirmed Mr. Bidens victory by about 12,000 votes. Recount rules There is no automatic recount trigger, but candidates may request one if the final margin is less than or equal to 0.5 percentage points of total votes cast for the office. North Carolina Polls close at 7:30 p.m. E.T. Counts fast (with new rules) Early, in-person voting is very popular, and votes are typically counted very quickly, with 98 to 99 percent of votes reported by midnight Eastern time in the last two major elections. New rules mean that early voting results will no longer be reported immediately at poll close time, but mail ballots are now due on Election Day (in 2020, ballots postmarked by Election Day had nine days to arrive). In 25 western counties affected most by Hurricane Helene at the end of September, voters have been given special accommodations for casting their ballots, and a small number of secure tents have been erected to replace destroyed polling sites. Vote reported by noon after Election Day 2020 Loading 2022 Loading What happened in 2020 It took 10 days to call the state for Donald J. Trump, then the president. Because the race was so close, and because ballots postmarked by Election Day were allowed to arrive nine days later, The Associated Press waited until the deadline for counties in the state to certify their results. Recount rules There is no automatic recount trigger, but a candidate in a statewide race may request one if they trail the leading candidate by 0.5 percentage points of total votes cast, or 10,000 votes, whichever is less. (In 2020, Trump won the state by 1.3 percentage points.) Pennsylvania Polls close at 8 p.m. E.T. Likely to take longer than election night It takes longer to count votes in Pennsylvania, primarily because election workers are not allowed to start processing mail ballots until Election Day. Still, vote counting sped up significantly from 2020 to 2022, in part because of new, faster equipment and a requirement that most counties continue counting mail ballots without stopping after polls close, including through the night. Democrats have been much more likely to vote by mail. In the 2020 presidential race, after an initial batch of heavily Democratic votes, the reported tally favored Mr. Trump until more mail ballots were counted, and Mr. Bidens margins increased. Vote reported by noon after Election Day 2020 Loading 2022 Loading What happened in 2020 On the Saturday after the election in 2020, mail ballots were still being counted, and there were still a number of outstanding provisional ballots in the state. But The Associated Press was able to project that there were not enough remaining votes left for Mr. Trump, and it called the race for Mr. Biden (the state also provided the remaining votes he needed to win the presidency). Recount rules An automatic recount is triggered if the margin in a statewide race is 0.5 percentage points or less of the votes. (In 2020, Biden won the state by 1.2 percentage points.) Michigan Polls close at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. E.T. Could be faster than in the past In the past two general elections, about half of the votes in Michigan were counted by midnight Eastern time, and the bulk of remaining votes were counted by noon the next day. But the state has passed major reforms that could speed things up: It newly implemented nine days of early in-person voting, and it now allows counties to begin processing mail ballots before Election Day (though not all places plan to take advantage of the new rule). Mail ballots which have been more likely to be cast by Democrats came in slowly over time in 2020. This contributed to a "red mirage" showing Mr. Trump ahead in the reported tally before all mail ballots had been counted. That pattern did not hold in the 2022 election for governor, and it is unclear how new pre-processing rules will affect the order of votes reported. Vote reported by noon after Election Day 2020 Loading 2022 Loading What happened in 2020 In 2020, The Associated Press called the state for Mr. Biden around 6 p.m. Eastern time on the day after the election. While some mail ballots had yet to be counted, they were from overwhelmingly Democratic areas. Recount rules An automatic recount is triggered by a margin of 2,000 votes or less in a statewide election. Wisconsin Polls close at 9 p.m. E.T. Likely to finish most counting Wednesday Poll workers cannot begin processing ballots until Election Day, but they are required to count through the night until they are finished. In some jurisdictions, including Milwaukee, absentee ballots are counted at a central facility and are reported in large batches. A state official told CNN that full, unofficial results are not likely until the morning after the election. In 2020, Mr. Trump was ahead in the reported vote until the final results came in, including thousands of ballots from heavily Democratic Milwaukee. This red mirage in the results contributed to conspiracy theories about Mr. Bidens victory. That pattern did not repeat in 2022. Vote reported by noon after Election Day 2020 Loading 2022 Loading What happened in 2020 In 2020, the state was called for Mr. Biden in the early afternoon the day after the election. Only a small number of provisional ballots and a few hundred ballots from a small township were left to be counted. Recount rules There is no automatic recount trigger, though a candidate may request a recount if they trail the winning candidate by a 1 percent margin or smaller. A recount requested by Mr. Trump in 2020 resulted in a very small net vote gain for Mr. Biden, who won by a 0.6 percentage point margin. Arizona Polls close at 9 p.m. E.T. Could take days First results typically come in around 10 p.m. Eastern time, an hour after polls close. Most voters cast ballots by mail, and counting typically takes awhile. While poll workers are allowed to process those ballots that arrive before Election Day upon receipt, they must wait until after polls close to process the ones that arrive on Election Day. Two things could contribute to longer waits this year. Officials are now required to count and report the number of ballots dropped off on Election Day before beginning to process them. And in the states largest county, Maricopa, there are so many contests that the ballot is two pages, which means more paper to tabulate. Officials there said full results could take 10 to 13 days. Vote reported by noon after Election Day 2020 Loading 2022 Loading What happened in 2020 In 2020, Fox News called the race for Mr. Biden around midnight Eastern time on election night, and The Associated Press made the same call three hours later. But there were still many outstanding mail and provisional ballots, and The New York Times and other outlets were not certain that Mr. Trump no longer had a path to victory. The Times ultimately made the call nine days after the election, on Nov. 12. Recount rules Mr. Biden won the state by 0.3 percentage points in 2020, when the automatic recount threshold was 0.1 percent of the total votes for the top two candidates. New legislation passed in 2022 increased that threshold to 0.5 percentage points. Nevada Polls close at 10 p.m. E.T. Could take days In recent elections, about half of Nevada voters have cast ballots by mail, and counting usually takes awhile. Counting could be faster than in the past because of new technology and a rule that allows officials to tabulate ballots sooner. But postmarked ballots are allowed to arrive up to four days after the election, on Nov. 9, and voters have until Nov. 12 to address mistakes with their ballots. Vote reported by noon after Election Day 2020 Loading 2022 Loading What happened in 2020 It took four days for The Associated Press to call the state for Mr. Biden in 2020. There were still thousands of outstanding mail and provisional ballots left to count, primarily from Clark County. Recount rules There is no automatic recount trigger, but any candidate may request one (though they bear the cost if they do not prevail). The vote count in every state We surveyed election officials in all 50 states to understand how votes will be counted in 2024. Each state profile below includes presidential race ratings, from Solid Republican to Solid Democrat, which reflect the pre-election assessments by the Cook Political Report. In October 2024, Russian occupiers used 2023 Shahed-type attack UAVs and unidentified drones against civilian and military targets in Ukraine, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports. "Of these, 1,185 were destroyed/suppressed by Ukrainian defenders, 738 units were lost in location, and another 29 UAVs left the airspace controlled by our state," the message posted on the Telegram channel states. In total, since the beginning of 2024, the enemy has launched 6,987 attack UAVs into Ukrainian territory. The enemy drones primarily targeted civilian and critical infrastructure in Ukraine. "Thanks to the professionalism and skill of the servicemen of the defense forces, thousands of lives of our people were saved from Russian air terror, hundreds of houses of Ukrainian citizens and important state facilities were protected from destruction. Anti-aircraft missile troops, aviation, electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups continue to protect the Ukrainian skies around the clock," the General Staff emphasizes. A young English woman who thought she was marrying a lord found out that he was a romantic scammer who had already put her tens of thousands of dollars in debt. 27-year-old Megan Clark was working as a manager at a bar on the Isle of Wight when Lord Bertie Underwood first walked into her life. He was charming, kind, thoughtful, and made it very clear that he was interested in her. He claimed to be a descendant of John T. Underwood, who owned the company that sold the Underwood Typewriter in the early 20th century, and certainly looked and acted like a modern-day aristocrat. He would send her flowers at work, buy her expensive gifts from Harrods, and drive to London in his Bentley for romantic dates. Lord Bertie Underwood was a dream, so when he asked her to move into his three-story seafront villa, it didnt matter that they had only been dating for one month. Five months after that, he had asked for her hand in marriage and she accepted. Photo: Frank Mckenna/Unsplash Out of love for her fiancee, Megan quit her job at the bar where they met, because he didnt like her being around so many other men. He claimed to be a successful horologist (someone who makes, designs, and fixes watches) and she joined his business. She lived her old job, but she loved him more. But as time passed, the young woman started noticing anomalies. About 18 months into their whirlwind romance, letters addressed to other people started arriving at their home, but Lord Underwood assured her that the mail must have been meant for the previous tenants. But then she walks into his office one day and finds a wallet full of credit cards in other peoples names. With suspicions mounting, she decides to google some of those names and is shocked to discover that they are all aliases of Robert Madejski, a convicted fraudster who looks just like her Lord Bertie Underwood. Suddenly, his request to never post photos of him on social media made so much more sense, there were a lot of people looking for him. Everything about Lord Bertie Underwood had been made up, he was not the descendant of some iconic inventor, he had nothing to do with horology, and the car and home he owned were rented to create the illusion of wealth. To make matters worse, he had already put her 30,000 ($40,000) in debt by taking out credit cards in her name. Even the diamond engagement ring she tried to sell to cover the debt turned out to be fake. Photo: Sussex Police When Megan confronted her husband-to-be just two weeks before their wedding, he just walked away, leaving her heartbroken and with no other option than to cancel the wedding and find a way to pay off the debt. Im a trusting person until people give me a reason not to, and he was good at what he did. He never slipped up, Megan explained. He would make up tiny irrelevant lies to back up the big lies. For instance, he told me how hed found our floorboards in a London studio and installed them during a renovation. He didnt even own the house, it was a rental. Also, Bertie said his great-grandad invented the Underwood typewriter, and he had pictures of the appliance displayed on the walls. It was completely made up. After finding out about Robert Madejski, Megan posted her story on social media and was quickly contacted by many other people who had been scammed by him. What surprised her most, though, was that he seemed to have no clear modus operandi. There is absolutely no pattern in type, gender, or age, which makes me think there werent real feelings ever involved, she said. Madejski was later arrested on unrelated charges but managed to escape jail midway through his five-year sentence. Years after their relationship she is still terrified she might run into him one day. Samantha Fernandez Trident DMG brings on Samantha Fernandez as a director. Fernandez joins the firm from Pinkston, where she served as a senior account manager, developing and implementing media strategies for clients that targeted local broadcast, national print and top-tier outlets. She also provided media training for spokespeople. Before that, she was at kglobal (acquired by ROGERCO), where she played a pivotal role in researching, planning, and executing media strategies for key clients across various sectors. At Trident DMG, Fernandez will provide high-level media strategy, communications planning, and expert guidance to clients across a range of industries, as well as providing leadership for media relations efforts. Jay Kibe Chobani appoints Jai Kibe as CMO, effective Nov. 4. Kibe was most recently an executive partner at management consulting company Gartner. Before that, he served as SVP and CMO for the global consumer brands business at SC Johnson. He has also been VP, marketing for North America at The Coca-Cola Company. At Chobani, Kibe will lead the marketing and creative teams for the Chobani and La Colombe brands. His focus will be on expanding growth-segments, driving marketing innovations, developing next generation analytics and consumer insights capabilities, enhancing digital-first consumer and customer engagement, and creating dynamic activations and partnerships. "Jai is known for inspiring creativity, energizing brands, and bringing a disciplined, metrics-based approach to strategy," said Chobani president and COO Kevin Burns. Heidi Barfels Visit Florida Keys hires Heidi Barfels as VP of marketing. Barfels was most recently CMO of Visit Estes Park in Colorado. In addition to running her own firm, she has served as senior manager, marketing & communications at Visit Lauderdale, public relations manager at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and an account executive at Lou Hammond Group. Barfels will oversee the island chains tourism marketing and communications strategy for advertising, branding, public relations, social media, website and content marketing. Heidi is a proven go-getter in the tourism industry and is the kind of innovative leader we need on the team, said Visit Florida Keys president and CEO Kara Franker. Rachel Whetstone Netflix chief communications officer Rachel Whetstone and VP-global public policy Dean Garfield are leaving the streaming company. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos plans to consolidate Whetstone and Garfields duties with a chief global affairs officer, according to Reuters. Whetstone, who is British, has more than 20 years of experience working in the US tech sectors. She joined Netflix in 2018 from Facebook, where she was VP-communications. Earlier, she held the senior VP-communications & public policy posts at Uber and Google. Whetstone is reportedly not interested in taking the new position at Netflix. Garfield joined Netflix five years ago from the Information Technology Industry Council, where he was president/CEO. He also was executive VP & chief strategic officer at the Motion Picture Association of America, and VP-legal affairs at the Recording Industry of America. THE annual Black Tie Charity Ball takes place on Saturday, November 23 in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore, in aid of Offaly Family Carers and Power4Good . Music and drinks reception at 7.00p.m. in the hotel lobby, will be followed by a four course meal. Tickets 85. The event is jointly sponsored by W.R. Shaw and Tullamore Credit Union. Why not join other local businesses and take this opportunity to celebrate Christmas, a party night with a difference. Larger numbers can be accommodated or you can name a table after your business - 50.00 and not only will you be creating awareness for your company but you will also be supporting two local charities. This is a great night for family and friends to start their Christmas celebrations. There are 10,000 family carers in Offaly, who receive information, support, and much needed respite. A family carer looks after their loved ones in the home 24/7, often without any help, sometimes resulting in the carer becoming ill themselves through stress and worry for their loved one. A big worry for carers is if they become ill, what will happen to the person they are caring for. When Family Carers Offaly intervene to provide support and respite, this alleviates some of the worry and stress on the Carer. Family Carers Ireland provide a range of services, including in-home respite service and counselling to family carers. Family Carers Ireland also provide a confidential one to one service in person to Family Carers in need of support. Power 4 Good Ireland, a registered charity based in Tullamore, supports services for young people with a disability in Zambia to ensure they can enjoy full human rights and achieve their maximum potential. Power4Good also make contributions to local services for children and young people with autism in Offaly. This will be a fun filled night with good food, music, laughter and dancing. The Secrets will be entertaining party goers into the early hours and, if youre still able, you can dance the night away with the DJ til late. There will be over 1,000 in prizes for the Best Dressed Lady on the night. Tickets available from Bridge House Hotel, Family Carers, Market Square 05793 22920, Power4Good Charity Shop, Main Street, 085 7720550, Molly on 087 2914302. Politicians and journalists have paid tribute to the memory of former RTE broadcaster David Davin Power, who has died aged 72. One of the first presenters of Morning Ireland, the Dublin-born journalist began working with RTE News in 1978. David later served as Northern Ireland editor during the 90s, thorough some of the most notable events in the region such as the peace process and the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, before working as a political correspondent in Dublin and Leinster House until his retirement in 2017. His nephew Manus Carlisle, a speechwriter for the European Commission, shared that his "one and only uncle" passed away on Thursday, October 31, "peacefully, surrounded by family". "A giant of Irish journalism and politics, he was at the centre of every major Irish political story as long as I can remember. For me, he was also a great political sparring partner," he shared on social media. President Michael D Higgins has led tributes to the former politcal correspondent, hailing David as a "consummate broadcaster and communicator who provided decades of incisive analysis across his roles at RTE. "May I send my condolences to Davids wife Dearbhla, and to his children Nick, Julia, Caroline, Ben and Emily, to his colleagues in RTE and beyond, and to all of his family and friends." He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, his colleagues in the media, across the Oireachtas and by the public who were so informed by his work, President Higgins said. Read Also: PICTURES - Irish troops and their families ready themselves for deployment to Lebanon Tanaiste Micheal Martin said that David had dedicated himself to public service broadcasting and that "over four decades, David covered many of the stories that shaped modern Ireland", while Taoiseach Simon Harris remembered him as "a trusted name who was welcomed into homes across the country throughout his long career." PICTURE: RTE Many of the late broadcaster's former RTE colleagues and fellow journalists have also paid tribute. Retired RTE journalist, Bryan Dobson, said David would not have retired from RTE at age 65 if he had not had to, which he recalled him describing as "redundancy by age," and that he would have "very happily gone on." He said the death of his former colleague and friend was "shocking news to hear" and "very sad", and that he would remember him "first of all as a great friend," and a "consummate broadcaster". RTE political reporter Sandra Hurley shared that David was "a gent, a fountain of knowledge" with "an endlessly original turn of phrase". The editor of the Sunday Independent Alan English, remembered him as a "superb broadcast journalist for so many years". "Just this year DDP had become a terrific columnist for the Sunday Independent," he continued. "He was an absolute natural at that, too. Terribly sad news." Director General of RTE Kevin Bakhurst said Davin-Power possessed one of the most incisive political brains at RTE and indeed in Ireland. For many years, he was familiar to audiences, colleagues and politicians as insightful, eloquent and scrupulously fair. Off-screen, he was also funny, a great storyteller and was hugely loyal to colleagues, friends and to RTE itself, he added. COUNTRY star Mike Denver is looking forward to reading the winter edition of Offaly LIFE magazine which hits the shops this week. The Portumna born star who has legions of fans throughout Offaly and Ireland was in Tullamore on Thursday afternoon. The heart throb was spotted outside the offices of the Tullamore Tribune by eagle-eyed advertising manager, Veronica Smith who rushed outside to present the star with his copy of Offaly Life. Mike known for hits such as "Save the Last Dance for Me" - was impressed with the magazine and said he looks forward to getting stuck into the 100-page glossy publication over the coming days. The winter edition of the magazine is packed with festive content and a fresh new look. Inside, you'll find everything you need to make the most of the holiday season, from delightful recipes to family-friendly events and more. This issue features exclusive interviews, including with sculptor Paradzai Havatitye revealing his creative secrets. There are also ideas for celebrating, keeping warm, and enjoying everything Offaly has to offer during this magical time of year. Be sure to pick up your copy of Offaly LIFE this week from your nearest newsagent! One ship of the Russian Navy, which carries Kalibr cruise missiles, is on combat duty in the Mediterranean Sea on Friday morning, the Ukrainian Navy reports. Thus, as of 06:00 on November 1, there are no enemy ships in the Black and Azov Seas. At the same time, in the Mediterranean Sea there is one enemy ship, which is a carrier of Kalibr cruise missiles with a total salvo of up to eight missiles. "Over the past 24 hours, eight ships passed through the Kerch Strait to the Black Sea in the interests of Russia, five of which continued moving towards the Bosphorus Strait, and seven ships passed to the Sea of Azov, two of which were moving from the Bosphorus Strait," the message says. Since the beginning of the operation in Kursk region of the Russian Federation, the airborne assault troops of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have inflicted losses on Russian troops at the level of 15 battalions (about 8,000 soldiers), the communications department of the command of the airborne assault troops of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reports. "Since the beginning of the operation in Kursk region of the Russian Federation, military units and subdivisions of the Airborne Assault Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have inflicted losses on the enemy of almost eight thousand soldiers, which is equal to 15 enemy battalions. Thus, sanitary and irreparable losses among the Russian occupiers amounted to 7,980 people," the Airborne Assault Troops said in a message on Telegram on Friday. Successes in destroying enemy equipment and weapons were also noted. "In total, 58 tanks, 162 infantry fighting vehicles, 46 armored personnel carriers, 136 artillery systems, two multiple launch rocket systems, 592 vehicles, 46 electronic warfare stations and other special equipment were destroyed or damaged," the report says. In addition, three helicopters and 146 enemy drones of various types were destroyed in the air. Namely: two Ka-52 combat helicopters, one Mi-8, 111 reconnaissance drones of various types, 34 attack drones (Shahed, Lancet) and one Orion reconnaissance and attack UAV. It is emphasized that 9,874 enemy FPV drones were suppressed (missions were disrupted) by paratroopers' electronic warfare systems. In addition, paratroopers captured almost 300 enemy servicemen, as well as nine tanks, four armored personnel carriers, nine artillery pieces, six mortars, etc. The operation in Kursk region began on August 6. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Greece, Andriy Sybiha and Giorgios Gerapetritis, agreed to hold a round of bilateral political consultations and coordinated joint steps to promote the Ukrainian Peace Formula. During my today's phone call with Greek FM Giorgos Gerapetritis I thanked Greece for its comprehensive support, particularly on Ukraines path to the EU and NATO. We agreed to conduct a round of bilateral political consultations, Sybiha said on X. He pointed out that, given Greeces non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council, the parties coordinated joint steps to promote the Ukrainian Peace Formula. We also stressed the importance of the recently signed Ukraine-Greece Security Agreement. I invited my Greek colleague to visit Ukraine, the minister added. Both candidates for the U.S. presidency will continue to support Ukraine, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (2003-2006) John Herbst has said on Friday. During the 10th Kyiv Security Forum for Youth, organized by Arseniy Yatsenyuk's Open Ukraine Foundation, the diplomat said he saw no difference in the attitude of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump to Ukraine. Some people expect that Harris would continue Joe Biden's policies, and some think that the Trump administration would surrender Ukraine, he said, adding that the Biden administration is preventing Ukraine from using long-range weapons to strike deep into Russia. Herbst suggested that Harris' team would be close to Biden's team in terms of positions. On the other hand, if Trump wins, new opportunities may open up for Ukraine, he said. According to the ambassador, there are people in Trump's entourage who support Ukraine. Among his candidates for important ministerial positions or administrations, there are people who do not want to be seen as pro-Putin. This may eliminate the motives holding back Biden's support for Ukraine, Herbst said. The Kyiv Security Forum for Youth is the leading platform for engaging young leaders in discussions on national security and international affairs. During his trip to Russia's Kazan for the BRICS summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres should have handed Vladimir Putin an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Head the Center for Civil Liberties, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviychuk has said Friday. At the 10th Kyiv Security Forum for Youth, organized by Arseniy Yatsenyuk's Open Ukraine Foundation, Matviychuk said Guterres should have handed Putin the arrest warrant, since the ICC is part of the UN collective security system, which was created in the last century. She emphasized that the world order based on the UN Charter and international law was crumbling before everyone's eyes, so it is necessary to reform the UN. The Nobel laureate pointed out that the UN security system was created after World War II by the victorious states, which laid down privileges for themselves in it. She also said that Russia, which not quite legally took the place of the Soviet Union, received these privileges, including a veto, which gives it the ability to paralyze the work of the UN Security Council. Therefore, this system is still dysfunctional and collapsing, Matviychuk emphasized. The Kyiv Security Forum for Youth is the leading platform for engaging young leaders in discussions on national security and international relations. Valencia/Godelleta: The death toll from devastating flash floods in eastern Spain climbed to 158 on Thursday, with rescue teams still searching for those missing in what could become Europe's worst storm-related disaster in over five decades. "There's a total of 158 people to which must be added dozens and dozens of missing," Angel Victor Torres, minister in charge of cooperation with Spain's regions, told a press conference. A year's worth of rain fell in eight hours in parts of the Valencia region on Tuesday. The tragedy is already Spain's worst flood-related disaster in modern history, and meteorologists say human-driven climate change is making such extreme weather events more frequent and destructive. In 2021, at least 185 people died in heavy flooding in Germany. Prior to that, 209 people died in Romania in 1970 and floods in Portugal in 1967 killed nearly 500 people. Rescue teams on Thursday discovered the bodies of eight people, including a local policeman, who had been trapped in a garage on the outskirts of the city of Valencia, Mayor Maria Jose Catala told reporters. In the same neighbourhood of La Torre, she said, a 45-year-old woman was also found dead in her home. Thousands of people carrying bags or pushing shopping trolleys could be seen on Thursday crossing a pedestrian bridge over the Turia River from La Torre into Valencia city centre to stock up on essential supplies such as toilet paper and water. Opposition politicians accused the central government in Madrid of acting too slowly to warn residents and send in rescue teams, prompting the Interior Ministry to say regional authorities were responsible for civil protection measures. People work to clear a mud-covered street with piled up cars in the aftermath of torrential rains that caused flooding, in Paiporta, Spain, October 31, 2024. Photo: Reuters/Eva Manez ADVERTISEMENT "Those people wouldn't have died if they had been warned in time," Laura Villaescusa, a neighbour and manager of a local supermarket, told Reuters. Maribel Albalat, mayor of the nearby town of Paiporta, said residents were not warned of the imminent danger of flooding. She said 62 people had died in her town. "We found a lot of elderly people inside their homes and people who went to get their cars. It was a trap," she told TVE. Clinging to pillar In Godelleta, a town 37 km (23 miles) west of Valencia city, Antonio Molina, 52, described how he survived by clinging to a pillar on a neighbour's porch on Tuesday as water reached his neck. Molina's home suffered two major floods in 2018 and 2020 and he blamed authorities for allowing construction of residential buildings in depressions where water accumulates. "We don't want to live here anymore," he said, tearfully. "As soon as we get a couple of raindrops, we're already checking our phones." The floods have battered Valencia's infrastructure, sweeping away bridges, roads and rail tracks, and submerged farmland in a region that produces about two-thirds of Spain's citrus crops like oranges, which the country exports globally. About 80 km (50 miles) of roads in the eastern region were seriously damaged or impassable, said Transport Minister Oscar Puente. Many were blocked by abandoned cars. ADVERTISEMENT "Unfortunately there are dead bodies in some vehicles," Puente told reporters, adding that it would take two to three weeks to re-establish the high-speed train connection between Valencia and Madrid. Visiting a rescue coordination centre near Valencia city, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez urged people to stay at home due to the threat of more stormy weather. "Right now the most important thing is to safeguard as many lives as possible," he told reporters. In the hard-hit rural town of Utiel, some 85 km (53 miles) inland, the Magro River burst its banks, sending up to three metres (9.8 feet) of water into the mostly single-storey homes. Utiel's mayor, Ricardo Gabaldon, said at least six people died in the town of about 12,000, most of them elderly or disabled people who were unable to clamber to safety. Residents used water pumps carried on tractors as they started to clean up on Thursday, with children helping to sweep the sidewalks. Ruined household appliances and furniture were piled up in the middle of roads and elderly people struggled to walk in the slippery, mud-coated streets. Pope Francis said he was praying for the people of the region. "I'm close to them in this moment of catastrophe," he said in a video posted on X. Research group Climate Central said in a report on Thursday that a low-pressure system behind Spain's floods had tapped into an "atmospheric river" carrying excess moisture from the unusually warm Tropical Atlantic. ADVERTISEMENT According to its Climate Shift Index: Ocean, human-caused climate change has made these elevated sea surface temperatures at least 50 to 300 times more likely. International organizations are not fulfilling their promises regarding the captivated Azov fighters, the world should hurry up and help Ukraine return them home, Staff Sergeant of the 12th Special Operations Brigade "Azov" of the National Guard of Ukraine Valeriy Horishniy has said Friday. During the 10th Kyiv Security Forum for Youth organized by Arseniy Yatsenyuk's Open Ukraine Foundation, the serviceman said that Russians purposefully try to break the spirit of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) day by day and often the occupiers take Ukrainian soldiers' lives. "Today my task is to shout to international organizations, namely the Red Cross, the UN, under whose promises we surrendered in captivity. None of us wanted to surrender. But we fulfilled the order, came out under the guarantees of international organizations," he emphasized. "But these organizations never had and still have no access to us. Meanwhile, our fighters are tortured, deprived of normal food and medical care. Everyone remembers the terrible terrorist attack in Olenivka. I lost my best friends there. It was a planned terrorist act on the part of the Russians to kill our captives. We must not forget about it," he said. Horishniy also said that the international relations department of the Azov Brigade has developed a special English-language pamphlet "The crime in Olenivka," which contains the details of the Russian crime and provides evidence and eyewitness testimonies. "I will hand it over to representatives of international organizations. After all, they were created to monitor compliance with international law. Everyone has seen the horrors of the Russians. The occupiers continue to kill Ukrainians in captivity. I call on the international community to hurry up and help return the captives," the military man said. The Kyiv Security Forum for Youth is the leading platform for engaging young leaders in discussions on national security and international relations. Soviet manoeuvres in the Turkish Straits, and communist rebellion in neighbouring Greece in 1947, triggered America's first containment strategy that garnered bipartisan support in Congress, amidst relief and military package worth $400 million, to governments in Ankara and Athens. This policy under President Harry S. Truman, became an impetus for both countries joining NATO in 1952, and the spontaneous foundation of Washington's unsurpassed hegemonic seal, in modern history. Ironically, at the 1936 Montreux Convention regarding the Regime of Turkey's Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits together with the Sea of Marmara, the U.S. which is not a signatory to the Convention and isolationist then, did not send an observer. Even today, the Turkish straits' political and economic importance internationally, puts Ankara's sinewy beyond geopolitical spectrum along with the inconsistent and unpredictable foreign policy under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Straits bragging of the only access between the Black Sea and Aegean Sea, saw Turkey early this year blocking Bosporus passage to Ukraine, of two UK mine-hunter ships, the Royal Navy Sandown-class. From the Lebanon triumph in the country's political and religious crisis of 1958, to an integral and costly Middle Eastern policy known as the Twin Pillars, America's vast geopolitical and geoeconomic portfolio, is currently facing unprecedented vicissitudes alongside rare multi-polar forces at home and abroad. The October 7 tragedy in Israel and its aftermath, has unearthed a number of challenges and dangers the U.S. is yet to navigate, in order to retain the already sagging position in the Middle East. America's demographic change and stark ideological differences, are ironically the main guarantor of Washington's foreign policy initiatives in the geostrategic region, against ethno- nationalist Russia and Iran alongside China, which is dependent on Middle Eastern oil. And indeed, the polarisation has roots in the seismic political and social transformation that was revolutionised by the corporate media during the 2008 presidential campaign, amid the economic recession and disastrous spillover of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. Writing in The Economist, international relations scholar and author of The End of History and the Last Man, Francis Fukuyama, bemoaned America's internal problems notably its "bitter fight over cultural identity". Now, as heightened tensions remain as a result of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the negative implications on U.S. global standing, are more existential than those seen during the Vietnam War, when anti-war protesters buoyed by the revolutionary ideology of the New Left, triumphed on Western streets. Israel, an inalienable U.S. sphere in a complex geostrategic region, is observing with trepidation a now fiercely pro-Palestine United States, amid historic antisemitic incidents on public spaces and campuses among others, while Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, is voicing support for these actions. Gone are the days when U.S. strategists monitored every Middle Eastern policy with relative conviction, alongside an overwhelmingly all-American audience, that cared less about minor threats at home. Today, America's conspicuous rivals hot on its heels, and psychologically aggressive as well as resolutely intriguing whilst watching the country's political and social terrain with glee and derision, differ considerably with ideologically inclined 20th-century Soviet Union, its Middle Eastern client states and Gamal Abdel Nasser's Pan-Arabism. China, a formidable economic powerhouse that has embraced multilateralism in every effective form, and transcended ideological realms, has seen Washington policymakers and strategists scrambling for the immediate goalposts, particularly over its multifaceted alignment with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and its diversionary foreign policy. Tehran, now a dominant power in the Middle East and vaunting of anti-US proxy militias in eight countries among them Afghanistan's Fatemiyoun Brigade, and considers itself the guardian of the Persian Gulf, became a key target of America's contemporary containment strategy during the devastating Syrian War, that began in 2011. Together with Russia, which helped to expel Western troops in West Africa this year, ruthlessly saved the authoritarian regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Results: Israel is leading with safer maternal mortality which is 1.43 times better than the world average, 2.8 times safer than the USA, 1.2 times better than Europe-top (Germany, France, Italy) ==== Additional stats > 303,000 women died due to complications of pregnancy or childbirth in 2015. Almost all of these deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries (99%). Reducing maternal mortality crucially depends upon ensuring that women have access to quality care ARGOS Identity offers comprehensive automated online identity verification services that streamline and secure the customer onboarding process. These services are designed to enhance identity management in sectors requiring reliable verification, such as banking, finance, and government. ARGOS's Identity Verification Solutions - Global ID Verification: ARGOS can analyze over 4,000 types of IDs from around the world, providing reliable verification across borders, regardless of the ID type or country of origin. This global reach Get everything you need for identity verification services at ARGOS. It provides online security solutions through eKYC and automated document verification. Their solutions are designed to reduce fraud, protect sensitive information, and streamline the onboarding process. Why Choose ARGOS for Automated Identity Verification? 1. Real-Time Identity Verification Verify your customers' identities in seconds with ARGOS's real-time automated system, reducing the risk of fraud and manual errors. 2. eKYC Solutions ARGOS eKYC services help businesses authenticate users quickly, ensuring Los Angeles County Commercial Roofers Stone Roofing Celebrate 90 Years of Excellence, Growth and Teamwork Azusa, California (October 31, 2024) - Rock Solid and serving the entire state of California since 1934, Stone Roofing Company proudly celebrates 90 years of excellence in commercial roofing. Our dedication and hard work have been the foundation of our success, and as we look to the future, we remain committed to continued growth and LOS ANGELES For roughly one minute, a Florida man unexpectedly rained blows upon an unsuspecting passenger aboard a cross-country flight heading from San Francisco toward Washington, D.C., on Monday afternoon, a federal agent alleged. Blood from the victim, asleep at the time and unprepared for the vicious assault, splashed onto the sleeves of the suspects lime green windbreaker, an FBI special agent claimed in an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Stains splattered onto nearby seats, walls and windows as blood flew from the victims head and face, the agent wrote. The victims screams ultimately saved him, as a bystander stepped in, subdued the attacker and held him at bay for the remaining three hours until the assailant was arrested upon landing, the agent alleged. Florida resident Everett Chad Nelson faces federal assault charges in the incident. The victims name was not released. A call to Nelsons court-ordered public defender was not immediately returned. Nelson is due back in court Dec. 11. The FBI received an alert from the Transportation Security Administration at 9:26 a.m. about a disturbance aboard a roughly five-hour United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Dulles Airport in Virginia. Nelson was seated about four rows from the back of the 82-seat plane. He was returning to his seat after using the restroom at the front of the plane about two hours into the flight when he stopped at the 12th row. The affidavit alleges that he began physically attacking a sleeping male passenger by punching him repeatedly in the face and head until blood was drawn. The victim suffered bruises on his eyes and a gash on his nose, according to the FBI agent. Another passenger eventually broke up the fight, according to the affidavit and United Airlines media relations. The victim was treated by a doctor aboard the plane. Nelson was eventually moved to the front of the aircraft and monitored by the passenger who had earlier stopped him, according to the affidavit and United. Thanks to the quick action of our crew and customers, one passenger was restrained after becoming physically aggressive toward another customer, United Airlines wrote in a statement. United said the flight landed on time and was met by paramedics and law enforcement at the gate. The Federal Aviation Administration said it was conducting its own investigation of the incident. Airlines have been besieged by unruly passengers this year, the FAA said, citing roughly 1,700 incidents to date. ___ 2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Starbucks' new Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol wants customers to get their orders hand-delivered by a barista in four minutes or less, a goal that will be central as he tries to reinvigorate the companys sagging sales. We have to make it easier for our customers to get a cup of coffee, Niccol said in his first conference call with investors since joining Starbucks in September. Niccol said about half of the companys transactions are now completed in four minutes or less. He wants to focus on the bottlenecks that delay the other half, from inadequate staffing during rush periods to slow ovens cooking food to Starbucks overly complex menu. When you start to use that metric, you quickly discover where our stores have a real problem, Niccol said. Were going to be maniacal about getting after it. Niccol said Starbucks will start with faster service at the counter, with mobile orders and drive-thru orders to follow. Niccol said Starbucks needs to pare down its food and drink offerings so baristas can focus on making fewer things consistently. First on the chopping block: Starbucks' Oleato olive-oil infused beverages, which will be discontinued from most locations beginning in early November. They will still be available at some locations in Italy, Japan and China. The decision breaks a link to longtime Starbucks leader Howard Schultz, who came up with the idea for Oleato after visiting an olive oil producer in Sicily. Schultz called the beverage a transformational idea when he introduced it in Italy in early 2023. It went on sale in the U.S. earlier this year. Niccol also said the process for customizing drinks should be simpler. Right now, the company offers a myriad of ways to customize every drink, which confuses customers and sometimes forces baristas to make a drink in a less than ideal way. On Wednesday, Starbucks made a first attempt to streamline the customization process by saying it will stop charging extra for using non-dairy beverages in its drinks. Starting Nov. 7, when Starbucks holiday menu is due to be introduced, customers will be allowed to choose soy milk, oat milk, almond milk or other varieties at no additional cost. Starbucks said substituting a plant-based milk for dairy milk is the second most-requested customization at its store after adding a shot of espresso. But the charges can add up. At a Starbucks in Michigan on Wednesday, it cost 70 cents to switch to almond milk in a medium Pumpkin Spice Latte. Starbucks said it will reduce the number of new stores and renovations planned over the next year to give it time to consider a store redesign. Niccol said its crucial to get Starbucks back to the community coffeehouse it used to be. Stores will be bringing back ceramic mugs for in-store customers and Sharpie pens so baristas can write a message on a customers order. Stores will also get more comfortable seating and separate areas for mobile order pickups. I want you to feel like youve walked into a special space, Niccol said. Niccols comments came as Starbucks reported a disappointing end to its 2024 fiscal year. Starbucks said its revenue fell 3% to $9.1 billion in the July-September period as customer traffic slowed in the U.S. and China. For the full year, Starbucks said its revenue rose less than 1% to $36 billion. The Seattle-based coffee giant released the bad financial news last week and said that it would suspend financial guidance for its 2025 fiscal year to give Niccol time to assess the business. -- Dee-Ann Durbin, The Associated Press A Springfield couple was arrested this week and accused of repeatedly using a Taser on their 7-year-old son, officials said Thursday. Brandon Rogers, 44, and Heather Black, 36, have each been charged with multiple counts of assault, criminal mistreatment, unlawful use of a weapon and menacing, for a combined 57 charges total. A sophisticated group of thieves that hit banks and ATMs across California spent time in Oregon, renting out an Airbnb where federal agents found power tools, blowtorch equipment and the robbers construction vests and helmet disguises, according to a federal affidavit. Investigators tracked some of the suspected crew members to the Airbnb in Welches, which had been rented from Oct. 16 to 22, according to the affidavit, but when FBI agents moved in on Oct. 19, the occupants had fled in haste. But agents did find what was left behind, the affidavit said: several large rolling toolboxes that contained hundreds of pounds of power tools, including portable saws, blowtorches, oxygen tanks, pry bars, sledgehammers and heavy-duty rope, as well as clothing the thieves apparently wore for the heists, including goggles, construction vests and helmets and face masks, the affidavit said. Agents also discovered portable shades, which were sometimes used to cover windows to hide the crimes-in-progress, investigators said. An indictment unsealed Thursday in federal court in Fresno charges 11 people with conspiracy to commit bank robbery. Theyre accused in the theft of more than $4 million in at least 29 robberies of banks, credit unions and ATMs, mostly in California but also in Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Nebraska, Colorado and Texas, according to the FBI. The thefts occurred between May and October of this year. At least two ATM robberies in Oregon matched the methods of those in California, but the affidavit didnt identify where exactly those occurred. The suspects used several short-term rental properties, including two Airbnbs in Welches, to launch their thefts, investigators said. In many of the heists, a crew would scout an adjoining business at night and cut a hole through a wall to access a banks ATM room and then use blowtorches to get into ATM safes. They wore bright construction vests and helmets as they busted through the machines to steal money, investigators said. In other thefts, they used blowtorches, saws and other tools to get into a bank and its vaults, the affidavit said. Sometimes they deliberately triggered security systems at banks a day ahead to evaluate the time it took police to respond, according to the FBI. Once inside a bank, they destroyed alarm systems, disabled security cameras with coverings or spray paint and activated cellphone signal jammers to disrupt communication service. They would also replace original lock boxes with new ones to try to maintain a semblance of normality, while spending hours executing the thefts in the middle of the night, according to the FBI. In some robberies, they taped paper over windows to conceal their work, the FBI said. Nine people were arrested in California last week and two more in Washington state this week. They are mostly citizens of Chile, Peru and Venezuela and range in age from 21 to 45, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. -- Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, or on LinkedIn. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Bronwynn Cruden was doing homework at the front desk of her familys Twisted Escape Rooms on the first floor of the Vancouver Mall when loud sounds reverberated through the walls Halloween night. A group of people were inside the business pirates room and had just asked her for their first clue for the live-action game, in which they must solve a series of puzzles to work their way out of the locked room. Before Cruden could tell them the full clue, I heard boom, boom. I didnt process the first few shots, because it sounded so loud and abrupt. Then it was like one after another after another. READ MORE: Halloween shooting at Vancouver Mall kills 1, injures 2 Vancouver Mall shooting was a targeted attack by person in Halloween mask, police say The 16-year-old was holding down the business Halloween night because her stepmother was out of town due to a family tragedy and her father was driving home from a delivery in Kent, Washington, for his trucking business. Her best friend was sick so she figured she could earn some extra money working. The teenager looked up from the desk and saw dozens of families screaming and running through the corridor outside the glass front doors of the business and realized she needed to get people out. She ran to the front, locked the doors, and when she ran back to the pirates room to try to alert the six people inside, she saw parents with young children desperately trying to get inside her business. She raced back to the front doors to let them in. Im not going to just like leave them out there, she said she thought, as she went back to unlock the front doors, though she had no idea if there was a gunman loose or not. A man was holding a wailing baby in his arms. Three children in costumes were crying and the oldest kept asking, What was that? What was that? as their mother tried to tell her kids not to worry, Cruden recalled. She ushered them to the business back door to escape. The teenager then alerted the six people in the business pirates room. I didnt know if they heard the shots or thought it was something else, Cruden said. Her stepmother, Wendy Cruden, was in Utah but receives notifications on her phone whenever theres any movement in the business. She said she usually glances at them and goes about her day. But Thursday night, she got a notification of movement in the lobby and when she watched the business surveillance video, she was stunned. She heard the approximately five to six gunshots and immediately called her stepdaughter and kept her on the phone. When I saw that I was just shaking, and of course, Im just trying to keep her calm too, Wendy Cruden said. I told her to lock the door, get everybody out the back. 7 1 / 7 Shooting in Vancouver Mall on Halloween Then the stepmom advised her daughter to lock herself in the back bathroom until someone could come to pick her up. Meanwhile, the stepmom was monitoring a group chat of mall business owners, who were communicating and sharing what they were hearing and seeing. Many reported they were locking themselves inside their businesses as people were running in the malls corridors. The Cruden familys two dogs, a teacup Chihuahua named Daisy and a Cavalier King Charles named Atlas, were both in the back of the store. We didnt really know what was happening, Wendy Cruden said. She told her stepdaughter just to sit really low on the floor with the dogs and stay on the phone with me. A friend of her husbands was on his way to the mall to pick her up. The 16-year-old Union High School junior got her keys and phone and stayed in the locked back bathroom. She said she heard sirens and then police in the malls corridor. When police were going through the hallways, my Chihuahua barked once and I was like, stop barking, please stop barking, she said. Bronwynn Cruden estimated she remained in the back bathroom for about 10 minutes before her fathers friend arrived and she escaped out the back door. Thats when she learned one person had died and two others were wounded in the area of the second-floor food court when gunshots rang out about 7:30 p.m. The mall was hosting a family-friendly Halloween trick-or-treating event that night, and many children, teenagers and adults were there to avoid the rain. I was just really nervous. I didnt really process what had happened. Nobody knew what was gong on, Bronwynn Cruden said. Her stepmom told her to leave the dogs behind. I love my dogs dearly, but I love my stepdaughter more and knew she needed to have her wits about her and didnt want her having to drag two dogs on a leash, Wendy Cruden said. Wendy Cruden was proud of her stepdaughter. She did the right thing. She was very brave, and I felt like I was watching a hero when I saw the video, she said. The stepmom said she felt terrible because she had previously punished her stepdaughter and had taken her personal cellphone away from her for not being truthful about who she had gone out to a movie with recently. But thankfully, her daughter had the business cellphone that night. Our hearts absolutely go out to the victims, Wendy Cruden said. Bronwynns father, Andrew Cruden, returned to the mall just before midnight to retrieve the dogs after a police SWAT team had contacted the family at 11:50 p.m. as they were clearing stores one by one to see if anyone was still inside. The business plans to donate 100% of its proceeds over the next five days to the victims families, according to Wendy Cruden. A morning later, Bronwynn Cruden said shes thankful she wasnt harmed but is sad that someone died and others were wounded from a shooting on Halloween. The Halloween night scare gave new meaning to the two-year-old mall business, Twisted Escape Rooms, which sits between JC Penney and Old Navy. I watched hundreds of parents running and picking up kids, Bronwynn Cruden said. It was the most people Ive ever seen in that mall, and more kids than adults or teenagers. Im mostly sad for the people, for the kids. She said she still cant shake the sounds of all the kids screaming. Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, or on LinkedIn. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Over 45 countries signed a commitment to facilitate the return of all Ukrainian prisoners and deportees. This is one of the results of the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension within the framework of the Formula of Peace, which ended the day before in Montreal, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said. "More than 45 countries signed a pledge in Montreal to repatriate to Ukraine the civilians, prisoners of war and children taken by Russia. During the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of War, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said the countries agreed to coordinate efforts to collect information about Ukrainians held in Russia and to create safe paths for their return," the Coordination Headquarters said in Telegram's statement on Friday. "Human lives must be protected. Children, civilians and prisoners of war must be allowed to return home," Melanie Joly said. According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, nearly 42,000 Ukrainians are missing and nearly 20,000 children have been deported to the aggressor country. The shooting at the Vancouver Mall on Halloween that killed one man and injured two others was a targeted attack by a person in a Halloween mask, police said Friday. The shooting occurred at 7:30 p.m. in the food court area as a family-friendly Halloween event was taking place at the mall, sending hundreds of parents and children running for exits or safe places to hide. As of Friday morning, the shooter was still at large, Vancouver police said, and detectives were working to identify the person. Police have not yet confirmed the identity and age of the man who died or said why he was targeted. Police also have not shared whether the suspect and the man who died knew each other. Police said they believe the two people who were wounded in the shooting described by police as 30- and 40-year-old men were not additional targets, but instead just close to the gunfire. Their injuries were not life-threatening, and they were treated and released from the hospital, police said. Witnesses inside the mall reported hearing five to 10 gunshots. Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle issued a statement with members of the Vancouver City Council lamenting the violence during what what was supposed to be a fun evening. Instead, it turned to fear as reports of shots being fired spread, according to the statement. A representative of the mall said it would reopen at 3 p.m. Friday. We are deeply saddened by this event and stand united with the community as we express our concern for the victims and their families and friends, said Tracy Peters, the malls senior general manager, adding that the mall takes the safety and security of our shoppers, retailers and employees very seriously. Isolated incidents of violence have broken out at the Vancouver Mall before. A fight between teenagers in the food court escalated this March when a man pointed a gun at another parent trying to break up the scuffle. Bystanders fled in shock, but no shots were fired and the suspect left. He was arrested the next month. In 2022, several young men driving in a sedan sped past another car in the malls parking lot and bystanders heard gunfire. No one was injured in the drive-by shooting. In a viral video from 2021, a woman pointed an unloaded gun at another family outside a Lids store in the mall. There have been no other accounts of deadly shootings at the massive commercial complex in recent years. A 21-year-old man was found with fatal gunshot wounds in a field near the mall in February 2014. The next month a 61-year-old woman was discovered dead in a restroom, though authorities said at the time the death wasnt the result of foul play. Police ask anyone with information about Thursdays shooting to call the Vancouver Police tip line at 360-487-7399. Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221-4323, zshaikh@oregonian.com or on X @zaeemshake. Zane Sparling covers breaking news and courts for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-319-7083, zsparling@oregonian.com or @pdxzane. Oregons environmental regulators have released proposed requirements to monitor the Ross Island lagoon for toxic algal blooms and stop their spread to the rest of the Willamette River. River activists say its an interim measure to address the perennial problem in the human-made lagoon, identified by health authorities and researchers as a major source of cyanobacteria in the Willamette as it flows through Portland. After nearly a year of capturing attention and headlines from outlets across the country, the Pacific Northwests most famous therapy animals, Beni the llama and Captain Jack the alpaca, returned to Portland International Airport on Thursday to deliver a gentle nudge of happiness to Halloween travelers. Five llamas and six alpacas live on the Mtn Peaks Therapy Llamas & Alpacas farm in Ridgefield, Washington, and mother-daughter caregivers Lori Gregory and Shannon Joy enjoy sharing llama love. Since 2007, they have been escorting the calming camelids to more than 300 events a year. A mocking statute of former president Donald Trump has appeared in at least one other city besides Portland. A statue of the Republican nominee for president popped up next to Portlands iconic bronze nude statue at Southwest 6th Avenue between Alder and Morrison streets over the weekend. The pedestal included a quote from Trumps Access Hollywood interview in which he bragged about sexually assaulting women. The statue was beheaded and then removed entirely by the end of the day Monday. A gold-colored Trump statue popped up in Philadelphia, also near a statue of a nude woman, Wednesday, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The plaque on the base of the statue included the same quote from the Access Hollywood tape. City workers in Philadelphia removed the statue the same day, the Inquirer reported. Fedor Zarkhin is a breaking news and enterprise reporter. Do you have a story? Reach him by phone or text at 971-373-2905 or by email at fzarkhin@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com Two Oregon mushroom hunters have been rescued foraging in the Coast Range in one week. Mandy Greer, of Sutherlin, was hunting for mushrooms near Loon Lake, in Douglas County, Tuesday, with a friend, when the two split up, and the friend lost track of Greer, the Douglas County Sheriffs Office said in a statement Friday. The friend called 911 around 5 p.m. when Greer, 43, hadnt returned to their car. Deputies, a search and rescue crew, an airplane and drone looked for Greer for a few hours, but failed to find her and temporarily stopped the search early Wednesday. Crews resumed looking for Greer at 7 a.m. and, at around 9:15 a.m., heard Greer responding to a deputys siren. When they reached Greer, rescuers saw she was injured and would need help getting out of the woods. When rescuers located Greer, it was determined she had suffered a non-life-threatening injury, was cold and wet, the sheriffs office said in a statement. Greers rescue was the second rescue of a mushroom hunter in a week. Cary Kerst, 79, of Eugene, called the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office around 2 p.m. Oct. 25 saying he was hunting mushrooms near the Harris Ranch Trail, near Waldport, when he got lost. Officials tracked him down using his cellphones GPS coordinates, the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. Kerst was located in good health, but exhausted, the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office said. The sheriffs office recommended that people hiking in the woods look up occasionally and be familiar with the surroundings of where you are walking. Also, take plenty of water and some snacks, the sheriffs office said. Fedor Zarkhin is a breaking news and enterprise reporter. Do you have a story? Reach him by phone or text at 971-373-2905 or by email at fzarkhin@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com A Central Washington man who rustled more than a dozen beef cattle with a Honda sedan was sentenced to three months on electronic monitoring. A Yakima County Superior Court judge told Lionardo Jose Tapia, of Sunnyside, how lucky he was to be getting that sentence in what he said was a serious case. Who would believe you could put a cow in the back seat of a blue Honda Accord? Judge Richard Bartheld said during Tapias sentencing hearing. I hope you cleaned that car before you returned it to your buddy. Tapia, 24, pleaded guilty to theft of livestock, admitting that he took a calf and offered it for sale. Tapia was arrested March 5 after a man at Sagebrush Ranch near Mabton followed a Honda Accord that had left the ranch around 7:30 a.m. to the Outlook rodeo grounds. The man said that cattle had been taken from the ranch since Feb. 22, with 19 heifers reported stolen, and that 24 Wagyu calves were recently taken from the ranch, all with ear tags, according to a probable cause affidavit. At the rodeo grounds, deputies found Tapia in a cattle pen feeding 16 calves. He was placed under arrest, the affidavit said, and deputies saw that he had cow manure on his boots, and that the Hondas interior was also covered in manure. Police found Tapias cellphone and charger in the Honda, and he was carrying the keys to the car. The cars owner said Tapia asked if he could house calves at the rodeo grounds, and that her son let Tapia borrow his car to look for a job, the affidavit said, and that they were not involved in any theft of cattle. Tapia told Bartheld at the sentencing hearing that the cars owner is no longer his friend, due to the incident and the mess in the car. That wasnt a real smart thing to do, Bartheld said. Did you believe you were going to get away with it? No, Tapia said. What were you thinking? Bartheld asked. I wasnt thinking anything. Deputy Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney Bret Roberts recommended a three-month sentence, which was the minimum sentence under the state sentencing guidelines, with nine months being the maximum sentence. Roberts said Tapias lack of criminal history, his willingness to cooperate and a desire to resolve the case warranted the lower sentence. Aaron Dalan, Tapias public defender, concurred. In talking to him, he realizes that this was not a very smart idea. Sixteen calves were recovered, the affidavit said, with a value of $500 per calf, and Roberts said that no restitution will be sought. Bartheld ordered Tapia, who recently started working in a winery, to serve the sentence on electronic monitoring, starting no later than Dec. 12. Do you understand that in our earlier history, they used to shoot people who stole livestock? Bartheld asked Tapia. ___ (c)2024 Yakima Herald-Republic (Yakima, Wash.) Visit Yakima Herald-Republic (Yakima, Wash.) at www.yakima-herald.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A downtown Portland program thats drawn heavy criticism in years past is poised to expand with little effective opposition. The expected growth of Downtown Portland Clean & Safe a public-private partnership that boosts safety and cleanliness in the central core largely without tapping city general fund dollars comes as city leaders have struggled to address lagging police response times across Portland, including in places that cant afford to supplement city budgets. This month, Police Chief Bob Day said Portland needed 1,037 officers, up from 801, to create a healthy agency focused on effective crime reduction strategies as the city continues to recover from a spike in gun violence amid the pandemic. The Portland City Council is expected to approve the expansion, which would push the districts boundaries from 213 blocks to 273 and greatly increase its coffers, giving it nearly $10 million next year, up from about $7 million now. The city collects the extra money from around 400 property owners and managers within the Clean & Safe boundaries, which also includes Old Town. Of those ratepayers, only three objected to the plan, city officials said. The lack of organized opposition not including several vocal City Council candidates on social media signals a huge change from just four years ago, when Portlands elected auditor slammed the district and two others in Portland for advancing private interests in public spaces with little oversight. In 2021, then-Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty railed against the Clean & Safe program, saying it amounted to enhanced security for some at the expense of others, including the homeless. The City Council discussed the plan Thursday afternoon with a vote expected in two weeks. We need to support it From the corner of Southwest Broadway and Salmon Street, inside the Clean & Safe boundaries, Christine Azar isnt complaining. Azar owns Azar Indulgences, a chocolate shop attached to the Heathman Hotel, and says Clean & Safe staff help her business by checking in on a daily basis. Launched in 1988, Clean & Safe responds to calls for extra security from businesses and homes in the district, including with some guards who carry guns. Clean & Safe also provides trash removal and sidewalk cleaning within its boundaries. Its janitorial program primarily hires workers through homelessness service provider Central City Concern. I think downtown Portland, its on the upswing, Azar said, and we need to support it. Other proponents of the district say its helping to restore downtowns reputation and to address the citys addiction crisis. In its latest annual report, Clean & Safe said its workers have saved more than 100 people suffering from drug overdoses and that crews collected close to 60,000 bags of trash and 90,000 needles and removed nearly 20,000 graffiti tags in the past year. And conditions in downtown appear to be improving, with a drop in reported crimes and a rise in hotel occupancy. However, office vacancy rates continue to remain high. If you look at our 213 blocks, I would say a good 75% of the district is dramatically different, the number of tents, overall livability, the condition of the streets, the conditions of the buildings, just in the last year, said Mark Wells, the executive director of Clean & Safe. Its no wonder then that supporters want the district which would include new caps on fees on area condo owners to be even bigger. The expanded boundaries would include the former U.S. Postal Service redevelopment site in Northwest Portland between Old Town and the Pearl District. It would also move farther south, to meet the border of Portland State University and surround private St. Marys Academy. To the west, it would include the Portland Art Museum and the Safeway on Southwest Jefferson Street and 10th Avenue that Gov. Tina Kotek and local leaders targeted for attention during Portlands 90-day fentanyl emergency earlier this year. The Clean and Safe program has already demonstrated its effectiveness in other areas of the city, and we are confident that its expansion will bring the same benefits to our neighborhood, wrote Brock Dunn, the head of private school Northwest Academy, which would also fall under the new boundaries. Subsidizing a whole other organization While Clean & Safe is a nonprofit, it operates under the umbrella of the Portland Metro Chamber, one of the citys most powerful lobbyists. Clean & Safe shares several of its full-time employees with the business group. That strikes some as problematic. The current arrangement is essentially that Clean & Safe is subsidizing a whole other organization, said Jessie Burke, the owner of Old Towns Society Hotel and a former Clean & Safe board member. The districts representatives defend its administrative structure, saying its common practice for chambers of commerce to manage business districts. But it has faced other criticism, as well, including for its treatment of homeless people. Residents and visitors may value the litter and graffiti removal, park maintenance, and holiday amenities, the city auditors 2020 report read. Businesses benefit from transportation incentives and marketing. But some of the districts activities are not benign to some community members, such as when someone sleeping on a sidewalk or blocking a business entrance is confronted by an armed security officer. A year later, then-Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty tried to bring further scrutiny to the district, voting against its renewal. Should people with more money be able to buy more access to justice? Hardesty asked her colleagues on the City Council before casting the lone no vote. We could have and should have done better. Clean & Safe has implemented some changes in recent years. For example, it used to pay for four Portland police officers to patrol the district. In 2021, the organization added a mental health outreach team with a licensed clinician to help people experiencing homelessness connect with county services. And in 2023, the city hired a Seattle-based firm to analyze the Clean & Safe District and the two others, in the Lloyd District and the Central Eastside, in response to the auditors report. In its assessment, the firm said the city needed to provide more oversight on these districts but recommended they be sustained and expanded. As the district worked to implement the suggested changes, proponents decided to take it further. We saw the opportunity to respond to the community interest regarding expansion, said Steve Wytcherley, the operations director of Clean & Safe. At City Council on Thursday, the president of Safeways Portland division said the need was urgent. Amid reports of theft and public drug use, the Jefferson Street store has had to close entrances and reduce store hours because employees havent felt safe, she said. We want to be part of the solution, said Kelly Mullin, the grocery store president, and partnering with Clean & Safe is going to help us to do that. John Maher, president of Oregonian Media Group, is a member of the Metro Chamber board and does not receive any financial compensation for the position. Clean & Safe is overseen by a separate board and contracts with the chamber for services. Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221-4323, zshaikh@oregonian.com or on X @zaeemshake. Invitation to NATO for Ukraine would be best deterrence step to help Ukraine prevail in war Lithuanian Defense Minister Inviting Ukraine to NATO would be the best deterrence step to help Ukraine win the war against Russia, Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas has said on Friday. The minister recalled that at the last meeting of NATO defense ministers, he said that Russia must not be given an informal veto on NATO enlargement. Therefore, inviting Ukraine to the Alliance would demonstrate the irreversibility of this process, not only in words, but also in deeds, he said in a video address to the 10th Kyiv Security Forum for Youth organized by Arseniy Yatsenyuk's Open Ukraine Foundation. At the same time, Kasciunas noted that not all Western leaders support Ukraine's membership in NATO and there are still opinions that it will lead to escalation. He emphasized that the lessons of history show that Russia respects only force. The minister also said that inviting Ukraine to NATO would be the best deterrence step that would help Ukraine win this brutal war. The Kyiv Security Forum for Youth is the leading platform for engaging young leaders in discussions on national security and international relations. WASHINGTON When Congress is in recess, many may assume reporters focused on Congress have time to relax. That is not true. In fact, Ive come to find it is the opposite. Independent local journalism for OU and Norman since 1916 Students pay about $14 in annual fees that support the Daily. If you are not a student and find value in our work, please match or exceed that if you can. MAKE A ONE-TIME OR RECURRING DONATION When Congress works on Capitol Hill, a reporters job from my short time in Washington is significantly easier than when members of Congress are back in their districts. When theyre in town, there is a constant flow of new stories. There are gatekeepers, but its easier to get around them. Sources in this case, members of Congress are easily accessible if you know where and when to find them. However, when Congress is in recess, you have to get creative. You have to hunt down new and obscure sources and find unique stories. Of course, there are times when stories more or less fall into your lap. That is what happened to me in early October. I thought the stories would be relatively easy, but I was mistaken. I covered the oral arguments for two different cases: Garland v. VanDerStok and Glossip v. Oklahoma. This resulted in writing two advances and two recaps. Garland v. VanDerStok deals with a dispute about the regulation of weapon parts kits, or ghost guns. Glossip v. Oklahoma deals with Richard Glossips petition for a new trial after reports of errors during his original trial. When writing the advances, I spent hours reading court documents, amicus curiae briefs meaning friend-of-the-court briefs and articles written by court reporters with far more experience and expertise than I. While I have a deep love for and interest in such research, it was the least exciting part of my reporting. Shocking, I know. Who wouldnt consider reading legalese for hours on end the most exciting part of a project? Despite the excitement of the research, it was not on par with the exhilaration of sitting in the U.S. Supreme Court, the halls where history has been made. I had more or less gotten past my imposter syndrome from the beginning of my time on Capitol Hill, but I was indescribably nervous upon arriving at the Supreme Court on Oct. 8. I knew I was going into the courtroom where complete silence was not a request but a demand, and where arguments I did not comprehend would be hashed out. As I made my way to the public information office to pick up my day pass and prepare, I broke my glass water bottle. I had shoddily secured it into my backpack. In my haste, it fell from the bag and shattered. The sound was out of place as it echoed in the quiet courthouse. It was a great way to start a day already filled with nerves. The first case, Garland v. VanDerStok in which the court heard arguments on ghost gun regulations was far less consequential than the second case I covered: Glossip v. Oklahoma. In Glossip v. Oklahoma, the arguments made will inevitably affect whether or not Oklahoma executes a man that Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond himself does not think deserves to die at the hands of the state. Due to the nature of Glossip v. Oklahoma, the media coverage was much more in-depth and voluminous. During the first case I covered, I managed to secure a seat in the press area of the courtroom where Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was directly in my sight. During Glossip v. Oklahoma, I was relegated to the back bench where my visibility was limited to the spectators in the courtroom. After the arguments in the Glossip case, multiple people hosted press conferences outside the court. This did not happen after the arguments in Garland v. VanDerStok. There was an implied significance surrounding the Glossip case that was not present before. Aside from the pressure caused by the increased media presence, making sure I understood the arguments as much as possible was the only thing on my mind. Other than having to do an hour or two of research afterward to understand the procedural arguments in the case, I believe I did an all right job. Now that October is coming to a close with a historic election in which the nation will decide between the nations first woman president or the nations first convicted felon president less than a week away, with the remainder of the 118th Congress riding on the coattails of the election, Ill be returning to Capitol Hill where Ill trade legalese for obscure policy verbiage. I dont expect November to be any easier than the past two months, but perhaps the foothold and experience Ive gained will come in handy. Kevin Eagleson is reporting from Gaylord News Washington bureau this fall as part of an OU Daily scholarship. Gaylord News is a reporting project of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. For more stories by Gaylord News go to GaylordNews.net This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure, Ana Barboza and Ismael Lele. Grace Rhodes and Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story. Dr. Robert A. J. Gagnon is a Visiting Scholar in Biblical Studies at Wesley Biblical Seminary; formerly Professor of Biblical Studies at Houston Christian University. In a public Facebook post dated 9-19-24, he made a number of remarkably skeptical claims about the Blessed Virgin Mary: There is no clear indication of Mary coming to faith in Christ. It is not said that she believed in Jesus, nor that she gave any testimony that caused others to believe in him. . . . (note that the Fourth Evangelist never even uses her proper name) . . . St. John, as a point of fact, never refers to his own name, either; using, rather, the disciple whom Jesus loved (13:23; 20:2; 21:7, 20). This is his style. She appears to be more like Nicodemus in ch. 3 . . . Neither John 2:5 nor John 19:25-27 provides any evidence that Mary has moved beyond shallow sign-faith and understood the cross to be Jesus hour of glorification. She is there at the beginning of Jesus ministry (but goes unmentioned as regards a virgin birth), . . . she is there at the cross (with others), where again there is no indication of movement beyond a shallow sign faith, filled with grief and incomprehension. Imagine thinking that the Blessed Virgin Mary: whom the angel Gabriel called full of grace, and who was blessed among women; whom all generations would call blessed; the Mother of God, who spent some thirty years with Jesus before anyone else knew about Him; i.e., ten times longer than anyone else, is not even a believer in Jesus! *** Please Hit Subscribe! If you have received benefit from this or any of my other 4,900+ articles, please follow my blog by signing up (with your email address) on the sidebar to the right (you may have to scroll down a bit), above where there is an icon bar, Sign Me Up!: to receive notice when I post a new blog article. This is the equivalent of subscribing to a YouTube channel. My blog was rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT: endorsed by influential Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Actually, I partner with Kenny Burchard on the YouTube channel, Catholic Bible Highlights. Please subscribe there, too! Please also consider following me on Twitter / X and purchasing one or more of my 55 books. All of this helps me get more exposure, and (however little!) more income for my full-time apologetics work. Thanks so much and happy reading! *** Gagnon would have us believe that God (Who knows everything, including the future) would choose a woman to be the Mother of God who wouldnt even understand, let alone believe, what the angel Gabriel told her at the Annunciation, and who wouldnt comprehend or believe Who Jesus was over His entire life? In fact, the biblical account in this regard is very clear: so much so that I submit it could hardly be any more so. The angel Gabriel told Mary at the Annunciation: Luke 1:30-33 (RSV). . . Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. [31] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. [32] He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, [33] and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end. [34] And Mary said to the angel, How shall this be, since I have no husband? [35] And the angel said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. Any Jew who knew anything at all would know that this was clearly the Messiah Whom she was to bear, and the Son of God language, which the Pharisees took to be blasphemy because they understood that it meant being equal to God the Father (John 5 and 10), also indicates His divinity and Godhood. Her cousin Elizabeth proclaimed, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (Lk 1:42-43). Mary (as far as we know from the text) doesnt rebuke this, or ask, what are you talking about?! She accepts it as truth. She believes in the Lord Who is her Son. Marys Magnificat (Lk 1:46-55) similar to Hannahs prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 shows that Mary is well-acquainted with Old Testament theology and expression: enough to have certainly understood the messianic allusions in Gabriels and Elizabeths words to her. Mary may have been present at John the Baptists circumcision (Lk 1:59 ff.) since Elizabeth was her cousin and she knew her well (e.g., she stayed with her for three months: Lk 1:56). If so, on that occasion, Johns father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied (Lk 1:67), saying, And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, [77] to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins (Lk 1:76-77). Then when they presented Jesus in Jerusalem in the purification rite, Mary and Joseph encountered the righteous and devout Simeon, who said, mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel (Lk 2:30-32). This is pure messianic language as well. Furthermore, Mary might have been present at Jesus baptism (or heard about it), in which God the Father spoke from heaven: Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased. (Lk 3:22). An angel of the Lord told Joseph in a dream Who Jesus was (. . . that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.: Mt 1:20-21). Angels told both Mary and Joseph Who Jesus was. Elizabeth, Zechariah, and Simeon all confirmed it while Jesus was still very young. The three wise men visited Jesus, with Mary present (thought to be when He was about two years old), and saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him (Mt 2:11). We see no protest from Mary along the lines of, what are you doing?! You cant worship a mere man! Yet Dr. Gagnon thinks that Mary wasnt a believer in Jesus. Sadly, even fellow Christians can fall into carnal or unspiritual thinking (1 Cor 2:10-16). * *** * Practical Matters: I run the most comprehensive one-stop Catholic apologetics site: rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT endorsed by popular Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Perhaps some of my 4,900+ free online articles or fifty-five books have helped you (by Gods grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them. Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. Im always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog. PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: [email protected]. Heres also a second page to get to PayPal. Youll see the term Catholic Used Book Service, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart! * *** * Photo credit: self-designed cover for my self-published book, The Catholic Mary [public domain] [see book and purchase information] Summary: Robert A. J. Gagnon, a New Testament scholar, believes that the Blessed Virgin Mary never came to faith in Christ. I refute this with several relevant scriptural passages. At meeting with congressmen, Umerov notes importance of lifting restrictions on use of weapons on Russian territory The Minister of Defense of Ukraine held a meeting in Kyiv with U.S. Congressmen Mike Rogers (Republican Party), Jerry Carl (Republican Party) and Mike Quigley (Democratic Party). "It was an honor to welcome a bipartisan delegation from the U.S. Congress to Kyiv, led by the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Mike Rogers. We had a productive discussion with our American colleagues, as well as with the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink," Umerov said on his Facebook page. The parties discussed "shared goal victory over an enemy with significant territorial, industrial, and human resources." Umerov and his team informed the delegation about the situation on the battlefield. The Defense Ministry said the enemy, in particular, with the support of the DPRK, is building up equipment and manpower. "We are doing everything possible to strengthen our Defense Forces. For this, we need ammunition, artillery systems, engineering equipment, and air defense systems to protect our cities. One of the important aspects is also lifting restrictions on the use of Western weapons inside russian territory. This would help gain an advantage on the battlefield, especially before winter onset. We are counting on the U.S. support in this matte," Umerov said. During the visit, Ukraine presented the capabilities of our defense industry complex and discussed areas in which the United States can help strengthen our production. Some time ago, I wrote a number of blog posts about the troubles that boys and men were having in the U.S., that boys were struggling in school and men were struggling in the working world. Sadly, I mostly wrote these before I got into the practice of putting useful tags on the articles, and one of those that I can find, was before I transitions to Patheos, and the images didnt make it. Nonetheless, in January of 2014, I looked at some statistics on the patterns in mens wages over time, and the key chart is below (pulled from the Blogger editor), though the original table no longer exists at the URL listed in the caption. Even though womens wages have been steadily growing during this time period, mens wages have been stagnant or declining, depending on how you measure it. And, yes, this chart is a decade old (turns out, Ive been blogging for over 10 years now!), but the trends are similar now. Separately, in 2017, I wrote about a book on the topic of the struggles boys are having in modern-day America, Boys Adrift, which highlights struggles boys are having in school, with factors ranging from the ever-decreasing age at which children are expected to sit still and do seatwork, to unintended side effects of ADHD medications, to a broader devaluation of men. And it sure seems to me that it was here, but it may have been elsewhere, that there was a discussion around the difficulties boys were having with a shift in the way math is taught and evaluated, that just learning the mechanics isnt enough any longer, but every problem is a word problem and boys are expected to be able to explain how they solved their problems. Which brings me to my latest library book, though sadly, it was not a library book in the sense that I picked it up off the shelf, but instead I had to make a request for it to be purchased; the librarians didnt seem it worthy to acquire when it first came out. Of Boys and Men, first published in 2022, by Richard V. Reeves, tells an unfortunately too-familiar story, about the quite significant ways in which boys and men are falling behind. Boys grades are declining relative to girls, their graduation rates are lower, they are less likely to attend college. While men, on average, still earn more than women, there is considerable overlap, and at the lower end of the spectrum there are substantial numbers of men who are struggling, and which means that men are more likely to be unable to be the breadwinner in the family which means they unable to marry in the first place because it is so rare for either men or women to consider a role reversal acceptable. Ethnic-minority men and poor men are struggling most of all. And there is what Reeves calls a political stalemate that impedes working together to solve the problems, as the political left is in denial and the political right wants to turn back the clock. (Its a short book and an easy read, so you, too, should request it be purchased at your library.) But Im going to drill down to one chapter, Chapter 6, Non-Responders, Policies Arent Helping Boys and Men, because this is where I was genuinely surprised at the key point that various programs meant to help poor/minority children, actually only helped the girls. The Kalamazoo Promise, the first-of-its-kind promise by an anonymous benefactor to pay for tuition at in-state colleges for students attending public schools in Kalamazoo? Studies say it had a dramatic impact on the girls, whose college completion rates increased 45%. At the same time, the mens rates didnt budge. And researchers dont have an explanation why, though Reeves interviewed a young Kalamazooian black man who reported that he struggled to find a path in college, but observed that females are just working harder, doing better, asking more questions, and explained that, when he did find his path, he always sought out female-dominated study groups because you just knew they would get it done.' Another program, a support program called Stay the Course, at a Fort Worth community college, similarly saw great results but only for women. The three celebrated preschool programs, long-cited as proof of the benefits of intensive early-childhood education for poor children, the Abecedarian, Perry, and the Early Training Project, showed no significant long-term benefits for boys. A special summer reading program in North Carolina? Great benefits for girls, no statistically significant effect for boys. Urban boarding schools in Baltimore and DC? Again, benefits only for the girls. And there were more on Reeves list. Perhaps he cherry-picked these, but I doubt it. And if you turn the page, Reeves lists jobs training programs with the same pattern significant benefits for women, not for men. Now, Reeves is honest. He doesnt claim to have an explanation and a fix for why these programs didnt work. Although he offers some ideas of his own in the last section of the book (redshirting boys since see above they just arent ready for the demands now being placed on kindergartners; encouraging men to enter health and education fields; and encouraging more active fathers, whether or not they are married to their childrens mothers), none of these are quick-fixes, but instead can only benefit the next generation of men. Happy Halloween! This article offers an explanation for why modern conservative Christians oppose the celebration of Halloween, a historic Christian holiday, and why Christians should celebrate Halloween, as we have historically. It is for much the same reason that the Puritans opposed the celebration of Christmas. Both are relatively recent phenomena, historically speaking. The short answer is this: opposing societal celebrations and people having fun is a way to make oneself feel righteous, as though one is taking a stand for God and going against the flow of the evil world. Halloween has served particularly well because the fact that some costumes and decorations are morbid has made it possible for modern fundamentalists to claim that it is a pagan holiday and that refusing to dress up and to give candy to children is engaging in spiritual warfare. The Irony Behind Halloween Opposition All such views serve to replace the things that Jesus and the Bible as a whole emphasizes: working for justice, loving our enemies, etc. It allows the Christian to delude themselves into imagining that they are crusaders for God while not doing the things their religion historically and biblically says they should. Let me sum up the irony so that you dont miss it. Fundamentalist Christians claim that celebrating Halloween is Satanic. What is in fact Satanic, a diabolical deception, is their fixation on things like opposing Halloween. Opposition to mainstream science (in particular evolution, but for some also the sphericity of the Earth) functions in a similar way. You can persuade yourself that you are doing Gods work by rejecting science, doing something that is less costly and demanding that loving neighbors, feeding the poor, and visiting prisoners. It seems that a good sign that fundamentalist Christians have gone off the rails about something is when atheist fundamentalists agree with them wholeheartedly. Christianity is opposed to mainstream science. Check. Christian holidays were originally pagan? Check. Heres what atheist blogger Tim ONeill wrote about Halloween: The idea that all the traditional holidays and festivals of the year are pagan in origin and were simply stolen by the Church is one that has permeated popular culture and is repeated without question in newspaper, magazine and online articles. It is perhaps not surprising that harried journalists and underpaid online content writers are uncritical about these claims, but it is more strange that prominent atheists are as well, given they are meant to be sceptics who check their facts and question everything. Unfortunately, many anti-theistic polemicists cannot resist a chance to get in a jab at any aspect of Christianity being really pagan, so every October we see supposed rationalists parroting pseudo history about the pagan origins of Halloween, with no sign of any fact-checking, let alone engagement with scholarship. In fact, the claim that Halloween is pagan is largely a nineteenth century myth. In contrast with fundamentalist opposition, Im more inclined to think of Halloween in the same manner as this quote shared on Facebook by a former student who is a Methodist minister: Halloween: a day when we get it right. Strangers come to us, beautiful, ugly, odd or scary, and we accept them all without question, Compliment them, treat them kindly, and give them good things. Why dont we live like that? Steve Garnaas-Holmes And so I am wishing all my blog readers a Happy Halloween. Im in costume at work today. Here I am with another Christian colleague, my dean Jay Howard. For those who want more on this topic, here is a link to something I wrote previously, with a brief excerpt: Halloween today is a holiday when children and sometimes adults have fun dressing up as their favorite fictional characters and asking for candy. There are certainly health reasons to get away from the focus on candy. But that isnt the Evangelical objection. They claim that it is demonic in its roots and a time when something not merely evil but Satanic is happening. Again, that might not be an altogether inappropriate way to characterize the conjoining of capitalism and the promotion of unhealthy eating. But there is no evidence that Satanists or witches do something special on October 31st, much less that Evangelical families not participating in giving and receiving candy hinders those imagined diabolical plans. The reason this bothers me is because conservative Evangelicals do this persuading themselves that they are taking a stand on and for the Bible, and yet they clearly havent read Ephesians 5. It talks about sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, obscenity, and foolish talk, among other things. Many of their leaders, and the president they support, are characterized by these very things. When it comes to the president, they will say that they arent electing a pastor in chief. They will quote 1 Timothy to say people must pray for and support the president, but ignore the characteristics of a leader outlined in that same epistle, all the while claiming that Trump really is a Christian and on their side. But the truth is they are on his side, and if something good has emerged from recent political realities it is that a genuine demonic danger is being exposed, one that lies at the very heart of contemporary Evangelicalism, with its blatant hypocrisy and willingness to adopt a double standard in the pursuit of worldly power and influence. As Matt Johnson points out, Evangelicals have boycotted all kinds of individuals, shows, and franchises because they dont adhere to their moral standards. Shows with gay characters were the targets of conservative Evangelical cancel culture long before Evangelicals started using that phrase to complain when others did the same to them. Jesus teaching has been summed up as the Golden Rule, and yet conservative Christians have cancelled others in a way they themselves dont want to be cancelled. And they have opposed other politicians for not living up to the standards of a pastor-in-chief in a way that they now insist would be inappropriate in Trumps case. What would Jesus say about this? Surely the words woe and hypocrites would be addressed to themThe combination of conservative Evangelical rhetoric about Halloween and their political stances exposes that they talk about Satan and yet dont see when the truly demonic has taken root in their own hearts and communities. The weapons they choose to use in their fight, when compared with those listed in Ephesians as those appropriate to Christians spiritual warfare, show which side they are really on . Once again those who are more likely to spout their views at great length in terms of spiritual warfare show themselves to not have grasped what makes warfare spiritual, what contrasts it with worldly conflict, and this make clear to the discerning that they know not what manner of spirit they are of. There is no possibility of waging warfare in and of the Spirit of God without the characteristics of the warrior being the fruit of the Spirit. The political aims and methods of the so-called Christian Right are characterized by the works of the flesh, not spiritual fruit. If youd like the Steve Garnaas-Holmes quote in meme form, here it is: To sum up, conservative Christians oppose the celebration of Halloween. They shouldnt. It is their opposition to it that is part of a diabolical deception. Hopefully, this article made this clear. Please share your thoughts in a comment below, and please share this article with those who need to hear it! You might not know it, but Nvidia builds a lot of Arm processors. In addition to its self-branded and much-loved SHIELD set-top boxes, it makes the Tegra heart of every Nintendo Switch, now over 140 million of them as its generation winds down. According to a new report, Nvidia wants to develop a Snapdragon competitor for Windows-based hardware as soon as next year. DigiTimes Asia reports that Nvidia is designing a combined CPU-GPU system-on-chip specifically for consumer PCs, which would compete head-to-head with Qualcomms Snapdragon X series. That would give manufacturers like Dell, Lenovo, Acer, and others a secondary option for Arm-based Windows machines, broadening the market to include four major players: Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and now Nvidia. The report says that Nvidia is hoping to launch the SoC product in September 2025, with consumer machines ready to roll out in early 2026. That would presumably put it past the exclusivity agreement between Microsoft and Qualcomm for Windows on Arm-based hardware (though the specifics of that deal have never been verified). Its also worth pointing out that an elevated patent dispute between the Arm corporation and Qualcomm might have Microsoft and its partners eager to diversify their hardware options. Rumblings of Nvidia Arm chip development have been around for a while. Nvidia has more experience with Arm-based chips than you might think, thanks to years of work in the mobile, console, and set-top box spaces. Those chips are pretty long in the tooth now they havent had a major revision in over seven years but Nvidia is rumored to be supplying new chips for the upcoming Switch 2 as well. And theres another factor to consider: Nvidia is absolutely overflowing with money right now thanks to the AI boom. By some measures, its now the most valuable company on the planet. And just as Nvidia successfully navigated the busted crypto bubble, it might be looking to diversify beyond GPUs and data centers to make sure it stays at the top of the heap should the AI market suddenly weaken. Expanding into a new market and selling potentially millions of SoCs for OEM computer manufacturers would be a great way to spread out its offerings. That said, none of this information can be independently confirmed. Well be keeping an eye on the PC market for any big shifts next year not that we werent going to do that anyway, of course. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov held a weekly video call with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, discussed with him the current situation on the front, in particular, in Pokrovsk and Kursk axes. "We also separately addressed the involvement of North Korean military personnel in the war against Ukraine," Umerov said on Facebook on Friday. The parties also noted the continued support of the U.S. for the Ukrainian defense industry. "For our side, Ukraine is actively developing its own production capabilities and is thankful to the United States for assistance in this direction. Together with our allies, we will continue strengthening our defense by ensuring the Armed Forces have everything they need," Umerov said. As reported, the U.S. Department of Defense said on Friday an additional security assistance package to address Ukraine's critical security and defense needs. The $425 million package is the 69th tranche of U.S. President Joseph Biden's administration since August 2021 and includes air defense systems, missile and artillery ammunition, armored vehicles, and anti-tank weapons. PennLive is counting down the days to the Nov. 5, 2024, election in Pennsylvania. Heres what you need to know today: The Associated Press explained this week that text messaging is popular among candidates, nationally and otherwise, because its cheaper and easier than traditional advertising, with fewer rules. For the millions of Americans on the radar of the Kamala Harris and Donald Trump campaigns, frequent texts are asking for money while offering dire warnings about the race. Expect even more pinging of phones these final pre-election days. Are they effective? Some voters say they like the attention, others dont, and some have stopped listening. To be honest with you, at this point, Ive tuned it out of my brain, said Ebenezer Eyasu of Stone Mountain, Georgia. He said the dozen or so texts he gets each day have become background noise. Whos running For more information about the candidates, visit PennLives voters guide. Candidates participating in this years election were invited to submit information to the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, which partnered with PennLive to create the voters guide. In addition to the presidential campaign, Pennsylvanians will be voting in U.S. Senate and Pa. House races, along with state treasurer, auditor general and attorney general. How to vote in Pennsylvania Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If youre in line to vote by 8 p.m., you may still vote. The deadline has passed to register to vote in the presidential election this year. Registration will be available again starting Nov. 6. Mail-in ballots are also due by 8 p.m. Nov. 5; postmarks dont count. The deadline has passed to request a mail-in ballot, but emergency absentee ballots may be available. You must vote at the polling place where you are registered. The Pennsylvania Department of State has an online search tool that can tell you where that is. Only first-time voters are required to show identification at a polling place. Newsletters PennLives free political newsletter is sent via email three times a week. Sign up here. On Fridays, subscribers to PennLive can receive a curated Elections newsletter with the weeks top stories and more. Sign up here. Those who are not subscribers will get a free trial issue. The latest news For more headlines, visit our Politics page. By Nick Vadala, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS) Swing-state campaign events will be in full swing Friday for Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, with stops scheduled in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and North Carolina. Harris campaign events While Harris wont be in Pennsylvania personally on Friday, plenty of the vice presidents surrogates will. Among them is President Joe Biden, who is slated to visit Philadelphia to speak about his administrations support for unions. Additional timing and location information for Bidens Philly stop was not immediately available. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff is also slated to visit the commonwealth with a Friday stop in West Chester, though details had not yet been announced. And Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz will campaign in Wilkes-Barre at 3 p.m., followed by a stop in Reading at 6 p.m. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, meanwhile, is slated to be in Michigan, where he will make stops in Detroit, Flint, and Traverse City, the Detroit Free Press reports. Walz was in Pennsylvania Thursday for a series of campaign events in Erie and Bucks County. Harris on Friday will head to Wisconsin, where she will hold a campaign community event in the Appleton area, followed by a rally in Milwaukee, the campaign said in a statement. Harris was in Harrisburg on Wednesday and will be in Philadelphia Monday night. Trump campaign events Trump will also be in Milwaukee for a rally Friday night, when he is expected to deliver remarks at the Fiserv Forum. Before that stop, the former president will hold a rally in Warren, Mich., Friday afternoon at Macomb Community College. Sen. JD Vance, R.-Ohio, Trumps running mate, likewise will be in the Midwest Friday for a Portage, Mich., rally at aircraft management services company RAI Jets in the early afternoon. Vance will then head to Selma, N.C., later in the day for a rally at an event venue known as The Farm at 95. Trump was last in the commonwealth on Tuesday, when he appeared at a roundtable discussion in Drexel Hill and held a rally in Allentown. Vance is set to hold a rally in York on Sunday. Vice President Kamala Harris will host a Get Out the Vote rally in Allentown the day before the presidential election, her campaign confirmed. The advisory from her campaign says shell hold rallies in Allentown in the afternoon, Pittsburgh in the evening and Philadelphia in the late evening on Monday. Vice President Harris will close out the election in the critical battleground state of Pennsylvania ... where she will energize and mobilize voters to return their mail-in ballots and get to the polls on Election Day. More details to come, said the advisory from her campaign. Her Republican opponent, former president Donald Trump, held a rally in the PPL Center in Allentown on Tuesday. The city is part of a battleground region in a battleground state that could hold the key to winning the election. See you soon, Madam Vice President!! said Pennsylvania state Rep. Mike Scholssberg on his X account. He represents Allentown in the state House. INCOMING! Kamala Harris is coming to Allentown on Monday! This is literally the only details I have. I'll tweet more as I have it. See you soon, Madam Vice President!! pic.twitter.com/B2Af0qrsm5 Mike Schlossberg (@MikeSchlossberg) November 1, 2024 Democratic political consultant Aidan Levinson also shared the news on X: Extremely important, impactful, and smart move by @KamalaHarris and team. Excited to welcome her to the Lehigh Valley on Monday. pic.twitter.com/dQSfJxLR9b Aidan M. Levinson (@LegitAidanL) November 1, 2024 Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Tim Herb Alexander was the drummer for Primus for just about 25 years across three different stints. The latest stint came to an end recently, though, and his bandmates said they did not see it coming. And had they not checked their email, they might still not know he is done with them. Thats right, per the band, their longtime drummer quit via email. The band revealed that Alexander sent the email on Oct. 17 expressing that effective immediately he would no longer be involved with Primus. On the heels of a wonderful Spring & Summer of touring and some fabulous plans ahead, it has been a bit bewildering for us that Herb would so abruptly opt out, the band said in a statement. After several attempts to communicate with Herb, his only response was another email stating that he has lost his passion for playing. As disappointing as that is, we respect his choice and its forced us to make some tough decisions. Weve considered cancelling the annual New Years show, but after much talk Les and Ler have decided to pivot to an augmented version of Primus featuring members of Holy Mackerel and Frog Brigade. This will be an exciting special, one-time event. As far as future Primus, the band is looking forward to performing in the Dominican Republic with Tool and others. Danny Carey has once again graciously offered to fill the drum throne. For Sessanta, Primus plans on searching for the greatest drummer on earth. Ultimate Classic Rock reported that Alexander originally joined Primus in 1989 and was with it through 1996. He returned to the band in 2003 and played with it through 2010. He returned again in 2013 and played until his most recent decision to step away. Primus formed in 1984. Apollos Praise Winery is described as the passionate endeavor of celebrated Finger Lakes winemakers Kelby James Russell and Julia Hoyle, working a piece of property in the region where he was born and raised and she has called home for many years. They were settling on an 1840s farmhouse to use as an events space for their Wine & Glee (wine) Club and also possibly as an Airbnb when PennLive last caught up with them in late January. The location was perfect for the fledgling winery, right across the country road from Lahoma Vineyards, which they are planning to source for their line of wines. Russell said at the time that he had seen the farmhouse for years during his stint with Red Newt Cellars, where his reputation grew with the world-class Rieslings and other wines he produced before this latest venture. But one day we were driving around and Julia made the comment, If that ever went up for sale, my gosh, what a perfect addition to the property [that would be]. For all we know it might have been the original farmhouse because there used to be an orchard where the vineyard is. It went on the market in August 2023. Just to condense what appeared in this PennLive piece, the two met at Fox Run Winery on Seneca Lake, and in time Julia would become head winemaker at Hosmer Winery and James at Red Newt. In April 2023 they purchased the Lahoma Vineyard, an almost 20-acre site on the west side of Seneca Lake from grower Ken Fulkerson. This is the site that James gained a stellar reputation and numerous accolades making wines at Red Newt Cellars since 2012, most famously The Knoll Riesling from one of the rolling hills on the property. Oh, the name? Apollos Praise is a reference to the iconic song called Glorious Apollo that Kelby performed with the Harvard Glee Club as an undergraduate studying Orchestra Management. The name encapsulates his passion for music, wine, and the Finger Lakes region. While they plan to focus on Riesling and Cabernet Franc, their portfolio also include, among others, Chardonnay, Gruner Veltliner and Scheurebe. Others varieties are also in the pipeline, which you can read below. There is no tasting room, but a limited number of tastings are available by appointment on Fridays from 12-5 and Saturdays from 10-5. Email tastings@apollospraise.com to make your reservation. Ten months after the first interview, heres an update thanks to James emailed responses to questions from PennLive. Q, Overall, how has the first year gone for you both? A, Its been a great, if busy, first year. Coming off the frost vintage and losing half our crop in the first year, we were understandably nervous how wed make ends meet. We had hopes that there would be interest in the wines, but to be honest weve been taken aback by just how much interest there was. That was true for our Wine and Glee Club, which only continues to grow, but was especially true when our wines went out into distribution. Despite being a new brand, our distributor sold through their allocation in no time flat for the first year, and the reaction to the wines has been really gratifying. Were happy to have vintage number two in tanks now, however, and hope we can get a bit more time together without it being all work! Q, What worked and what might change for next year? A, The biggest adjustment we ended up making during the summer was hosting tastings by reservation either at the vineyard or the farmhouse, depending on the weather. The interest was so high we realized we should probably offer an outlet for folks to try the wines directly, and then that was so successful we had to hire our first employee to cover tastings during harvest. Wed like to refine that for next year, but I think the by reservation only and homespun nature of the tastings will remain the same. And well be making more wine for next year! It is nice to sell out, but wed also like to have the wines available for more people to try and purchase. Q, How much did you wind up using the farmhouse and will you continue to during the winter months? A, The farmhouse rapidly became the spiritual home of the winery. We hosted several winemaker dinners there, a Porchetta Party, and upcoming in December were hosting an Austrian Christmas Goose Dinner. All of which isnt to mention the times weve hosted our distributor or trade visitors for tastings there, and how impressive they find the view over the vineyard and the comfortable, homey, atmosphere. I actually texted Julia a week ago after hosting a group in that vein that, as much work as it has been to get the farmhouse up and running, it has already been an incredible part of our story. The 1840s farmhouse that will provide a 'home' for club members and others who visit Apollo's Praise winery in New York's Finger Lakes.Kelby James Russell Q, Is the wine club full or is there room for new members? A, It was full, as our 2023 vintage was so small, but weve reopened it now that the 2024s are coming into the pipeline! Q, Lastly, is the portfolio staying the same moving into 2025 or are there plans for any additions or changes? A, Largely things are staying the same, but with a couple of additions. Our first ever vintage of Gamay will be coming next year, as will a premier cru Dry Riesling called The Pentecostal (a companion to The Knoll, one hill over). Were also working on a couple of wine club exclusive wines a stainless steel Chardonnay and a saignee rose from the Gamay. Country music superstar Alan Jacksons next farewell tour concert is this month and it will be his last for 2024. Jackson will perform on the Last Call: One For the Road tour on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The second half of the farewell tour then picks back up in January. Fans can buy tickets to the Nov. 16 concert here (prices are as of the time of this publication): The last five concerts on the tour are: Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 - Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025 - Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas Friday, March 7, 2025 - Kia Center, Orlando, Florida Saturday, April 26, 2025 - Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida Saturday, May 17, 2025 - Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Jackson, 66, announced in May that he would be retiring after the tour. He has sold more than 75 million records, 50 Top 10 songs, 35 No. 1 songs, 16 Country Music Association awards, two Grammy Awards and 17 Academy of Country Music awards. In 2021, he revealed that he has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Jacksons many hits have included Chasin That Neon Rainbow, Dont Rock the Jukebox, Little Bitty, Remember When, Here in The Real World, Midnight in Montgomery and Chattahoochee. And who can forget, Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning). He also will headline at the Two Step Inn festival on April 5 in Georgetown, Texas. Sturgill Simpson will headline the festival on April 6. One of countries ready to become patron under Geneva Conventions to help Ukrainians in Russia Sybiha At the ministerial conference on the human dimension of the Formula for Peace in Canada, one of the countries expressed its readiness to become a patron under the Geneva Conventions to help Ukrainians in Russia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said. "At this week's meeting in Canada, one state expressed readiness to become a protecting power under the Geneva Conventions to assist Ukrainians in Russia. We are working to make this possible," he said on the X social network. The minister said that right now, thousands of Ukrainian prisoners of war, civilian hostages, and forcibly deported children are being held in Russia. "Moscow denies international monitors and medics access guaranteed by international law. Sadly, existing international tools fail to protect our people's rights," Sybiha said. He said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's team is working to return the Ukrainians and ensure proper treatment for them. On October 30 and 31, the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of the Formula for Peace was held in Montreal, Canada. After the event, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced that Qatar, South Africa, and the Vatican are ready to act as official mediators to support and negotiate the return of Ukrainian children home. Lithuania and Qatar offered to become transit countries and provide a favorable environment for the return of Ukrainians on their way home. Separately, the Minister thanked the UAE for the role it continues to play in mediating the exchange of prisoners of war. In total, more than 45 countries signed a commitment to facilitate the return of all Ukrainian prisoners and deportees within the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said more than 70 countries took part in the Human Dimension Ministerial Conference of the Peace Formula in Montreal on October 30-31, despite direct pressure from Russia. By Tara Copp, Matthew Lee and Edith M. Lederer, The Associated Press WASHINGTON Some 8,000 North Korean soldiers are now in Russia near Ukraines border and are preparing to help the Kremlin fight against Ukrainian troops in the coming days, the Biden administration said Thursday. The new figure is a dramatic increase from a day earlier, when Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin would only say some of the troops had moved toward Ukraines border in the Kursk region, where Moscows forces have struggled to push back a Ukrainian incursion. That also would mean most of the North Korean troops that the U.S. and its allies say have been sent to Russia are now on the border with Ukraine. The U.S. has estimated a total of about 10,000 North Korean troops are in Russia. Seoul and its allies assessed that has increased to 11,000, while Ukraine has put the figure higher, at up to 12,000. Of the 8,000 in Kursk, weve not yet seen these troops deploy into combat against Ukrainian forces but we would expect that to happen in the coming days, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a news conference in Washington with Austin and their South Korean counterparts. Russia has been training North Korean soldiers in artillery, drones and basic infantry operations, including trench clearing, indicating that they fully intend to use these forces in front line operations, Blinken said. North Koreas efforts to tighten its relationship with Russia has raised concerns around the world about how that may expand the war in Ukraine and what Russian military aid will be delivered in exchange. Its become a key topic as U.S. and South Korean leaders met this week in Washington, fueling concerns that the presence of those soldiers will further destabilize the Asia-Pacific region and broaden Moscows war on Ukraine. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul condemned the deployment in the strongest possible terms and called for an immediate withdrawal of the troops. North Koreas belligerent actions not only places the European continent but also the Korean Peninsula under threat and that Seoul agrees to take necessary measures accordingly, he said. Blinken and Austin said the U.S. is talking with South Korea and allies in Europe about next steps and noted that additional military aid for Ukraine would be announced soon. The U.S. has provided more than $59 billion in military assistance to help Ukraine fend off Russia. Austin reiterated that Moscow has provided the North Korean troops with Russian uniforms and equipment, another indication they are likely to be used on the front lines. Make no mistake, if these North Korean troops engage in combat or combat support operations against Ukraine, they would make themselves legitimate military targets, Austin said. However, he said the injection of North Korean troops was unlikely to cause Ukraine to lose ground in Kursk: This 10,000 wont come close to replacing the numbers that the Russians have lost in the fighting to date. The U.S. estimates that more than 500,000 Russian forces have been killed or wounded in the more than two-year-long conflict. The U.S. and South Korean leaders called for China to engage, saying Beijing should be deeply concerned by the movements and the possibility it will further destabilize the region. There are questions about what new military technologies North Korea might get from Russia in exchange for the deployment and whether it might lead other nations to send their own forces to fight in the war. North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile Thursday for the first time in almost a year, demonstrating a potential advancement in its ability to launch long-range nuclear attacks on the American mainland. Some experts speculated that Russia may have provided technological assistance to North Korea over the launch. As the U.S.-South Korea ministerial meeting in Washington was underway, the U.S., South Korea and Japan released a joint statement condemning the missile launch as a flagrant violation of numerous U.N. Security Council resolutions and criticizing the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, particularly the deployment of the North Korean troops. We strongly urge (North Korea) to immediately cease its series of provocative and destabilizing actions that threaten peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and beyond, they said. In a dramatic moment during a U.N. Security Council meeting earlier Thursday, the deputy U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Robert Wood, first noted the number of North Korean troops near Ukraine. And I have a very respectful question for my Russian colleague: does Russia still maintain that there are no DPRK troops in Russia? Thats my only question and final point, he said, using the acronym for the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, or North Korea. Russias deputy ambassador to the U.N., Anna Evstigneeva, shook her head from side to side indicating she did not want to respond to the comment at a meeting called by Moscow to discuss the flow of Western weapons to Ukraine. Besides troops, North Korea also has provided munitions to Russia, and earlier this month, the White House released images it said were of North Korea shipping 1,000 containers of military equipment there by rail. Lederer reported from the United Nations. A syringe lies next to vials of COVID-19 booster vaccines at an inoculation station in Jackson, Miss./FILEAP A regional public health department in Idaho is no longer providing COVID-19 vaccines to residents in six counties after a narrow decision by its board. Southwest District Health appears to be the first in the nation to be restricted from giving COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccinations are an essential function of a public health department. While policymakers in Texas banned health departments from promoting COVID vaccines and Floridas surgeon general bucked medical consensus to recommend against the vaccine, governmental bodies across the country havent blocked the vaccines outright. Im not aware of anything else like this, said Adriane Casalotti, chief of government and public affairs for the National Association of County and City Health Officials. She said health departments have stopped offering the vaccine because of cost or low demand, but not based on a judgment of the medical product itself. The six-county district along the Idaho-Oregon border includes three counties in the Boise metropolitan area. Demand for COVID vaccines in the health district has declined with 1,601 given in 2021 to 64 so far in 2024. The same is true for other vaccines: Idaho has the highest childhood vaccination exemption rate in the nation, and last year, the Southwest District Health Department rushed to contain a rare measles outbreak that sickened 10. On Oct. 22, the health departments board voted 4-3 in favor of the ban despite Southwests medical director testifying to the vaccines necessity. Our request of the board is that we would be able to carry and offer those (vaccines), recognizing that we always have these discussions of risks and benefits, Dr. Perry Jansen said at the meeting. This is not a blind, everybody-gets-a-shot approach. This is a thoughtful approach. Opposite Jansens plea were more than 290 public comments, many of which called for an end to vaccine mandates or taxpayer funding of the vaccines, neither of which are happening in the district. At the meeting, many people who spoke are nationally known for making the rounds to testify against COVID vaccines, including Dr. Peter McCullough, a Texas cardiologist who sells contagion emergency kits that include ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine drugs that have not been approved to treat COVID-19 and can have dangerous side effects. Board Chairman Kelly Aberasturi was familiar with many of the voices who wanted the ban, especially from earlier local protests of pandemic measures. Aberasturi, who told The Associated Press that hes skeptical of COVID-19 vaccines and national public health leaders, said in the meeting and in an interview with the AP that he was supportive of but disappointed in the boards decision. He said the board had overstepped the relationship between patients and their doctors and possibly opened a door to blocking other vaccines or treatments. Board members in favor of the decision argued people can get vaccinated elsewhere, and that providing the shots was equivalent to signing off on their safety. (Some people may be reluctant to get vaccinated or boosted because of misinformation about the shots despite evidence that theyre safe and have saved millions of lives.) The people getting vaccinated at the health department including people without housing, people who are homebound and those in long-term care facilities or in the immigration process had no other options, Jansen and Aberasturi said. Ive been homeless in my lifetime, so I understand how difficult it can be when youre ... trying to get by and get ahead, Aberasturi said. This is where we should be stepping in and helping. But we have some board members who have never been there, so they dont understand what its like. State health officials have said that they recommend that people consider the COVID-19 vaccine. Idaho health department spokesperson AJ McWhorter declined to comment on public health district business, but noted that COVID-19 vaccines are still available at community health centers for people who are uninsured. By Hyung-Jin Kim, The Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korea on Friday bragged of its recently tested new intercontinental ballistic missile, calling it the worlds strongest, a claim viewed by outside experts as propaganda though the test showed an advancement in the Norths quest to build a more reliable weapons arsenal. A missile launched by North Korea on Thursday flew higher and stayed in the air for a longer duration than any other weapon the country had so far fired. It signaled that the North has achieved progress in acquiring a nuclear-armed ICBM that can hit the U.S. mainland. But foreign experts assess that the country has still a few remaining technological issues to master before acquiring such a functioning ICBM. On Friday, the Norths Korean Central News Agency identified the missile as Hwasong-19 ICBM and called it the worlds strongest strategic missile and the perfected weapon system. KCNA said leader Kim Jong Un observed the launch, describing it as an appropriate military action to express North Koreas resolve to respond to its enemies moves that escalated tensions and threats to North Koreas national security. It said Kim thanked weapons scientists for demonstrating North Koreas matchless strategic nuclear attack capability. South Koreas military earlier said that North Korea could have tested a solid-fueled missile but Fridays KCNA dispatch didnt say what propellant the Hwasong-19 ICBM uses. Observers say the color of exhaust flames seen in North Korean media photos on the launch still suggest the new ICBM uses solid fuels. Before Thursdays test, North Koreas most advanced ICBM was known as the Hwasong-18 missile which uses solid fuels. Pre-loaded solid propellants make it easier to move missiles and require much less launch preparation times than liquid propellants that must be fueled before liftoffs. So its more difficult for opponents to detect launches by solid-fuel missiles. In recent years, North Korea has reported steady advancement in its efforts to obtain nuclear-tipped missiles. Many foreign experts believe North Korea likely has missiles that can deliver nuclear strikes on all of South Korea, but it has yet to possess nuclear missiles that can travel to the mainland U.S. There are questions on whether North Korea has acquired the technology to shield warheads from the high-temperature, high-stress environment of atmospheric reentry. Many foreign analysts say North Korea also must have improved altitude control and guidance systems for missiles. They say North Korea needs an ability to place multiple warheads on a single missile to defeat its rivals missile defenses. All of North Koreas known ICBM tests, including Thursdays, have been performed on steep angles to avoid neighboring countries. South Korean military spokesperson Lee Sung Joon said Thursday that a high-angel trajectory launch cannot verify a missiles re-entry vehicle technology, though North Korea has previously claimed to have acquired that technology. Observers say that Thursdays launch, the Norths first ICBM test in almost a year, was largely meant to grab American attention days before the U.S. presidential election and respond to international condemnation over North Koreas reported dispatch of troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. North Koreas reported troop dispatch highlights the expanding military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. South Korea. the U.S. and others worry North Korea might seek high-tech, sensitive Russian technology to perfect its nuclear and missile programs in return for joining the Russian-Ukraine war. Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung contributed to this report. New York State Police say they are continuing to search for the bodies of a mother and her two children who went over Niagara Falls on Monday night. The three, identified as 33-year-old Chaianti Means, her 9-year-old son Roman Rossman, and her 5-month-old daughter Mecca Means, are presumed dead. The Niagara Gazette reports investigators are starting to shed some light on what they know, calling the incident intentional in nature. We do believe this is intentional, but the circumstances of what actually happened are under investigation. They definitely went there that night and none of them returned. Due to information, we do know it was an intentional act, but the reason why is a tougher answer, said Trooper James OCallaghan, a state police public information officer. The circumstances of how that went down, that is the part we may be able to solve or we may never know. Not going to get into what the witnesses saw because its still an active case, but it is alarming what they told us. OCallaghan said the incident was captured on video by surveillance cameras in the state park and near the brink of the falls. The 9-year-old boy entered the water first, going over a 3- to 4-foot safety railing around 9 p.m. Monday, followed by the baby girl. Then their mother jumped in. When asked if Means was chasing after her children, OCallaghan said: No, we believe this was intentional. If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. Investigators are working to determine if mental health issues may have played a role, according to the Gazette. The fathers of both children have been very cooperative, OCallaghan added. Means, who lived in Niagara Falls with her family, reportedly worked as a domestic violence counselor in Western New York. The investigation and search for the bodies are both continuing. Searchers, including Park Police marine units and drones, have been focusing on the Niagara River gorge and shoreline. By Jack Panyard, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS) A one-time favor for a friend resulted in two Ephrata farmers being sentenced to five years of probation for attempting to neuter a dog without being properly licensed. The farmers Matthew B. Martin, 46, and John Reiff Martin, 69 pleaded guilty Thursday to charges of aggravated cruelty to animals before Lancaster County President Judge David Ashworth. The Pennsylvania SPCA began investigating the Martins after an Ephrata resident brought her 2-year-old border collie/blue heeler mix, Hemi, to the farm on Hahnstown Road on April 27, 2023. John Martin neutered the dog, but the incision did not stop bleeding. The dogs gums turned white from the blood loss, according to the PSPCA. When Hemis owner sought emergency help, a vet determined the dogs surgery site was not closed properly, and whoever performed the surgery was not a vet, which was later confirmed by the PSPCA. Hemi needed emergency surgery but survived. The PSPCAs animal law enforcement team and a Lancaster County detective searched the property in May 2023; police filed charges against the Martins on Feb. 7. As part of the plea agreement, the Martins cannot own any new animals. They are allowed to use horses as a means of transportation, and Matthew Martin, who shoes and trains horses, can still work with them if he does not keep them on his property. PSPCA agents can inspect the Martins farm at will as part of the probation. In court, Matthew Martins attorney Adam Szilagyi said what started as a favor for a friend spiraled out of control, and they made a mistake neutering the dog but had no ill intent. John Martins attorney, Chris Sarno, said it was a one-time surgery and the Martins now know better. Hemis owner said Thursday that the dog is in good health and spirits and that the surgery did not do permanent harm. A third person, Ronald E. Hehnly, 73, was charged with one count of neglect of animals, a low misdemeanor, for connecting the dog owner and the Martins. His attorney, Anthony DiDonato, said Hehnly will be accepted into the accelerated rehabilitative disposition program, which allows qualified offenders to seek expungement of their record upon completion of terms. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has announced that there will be daytime shoulder restrictions next week on the northbound and southbound Interstate 83 John Harris Memorial (South) Bridge spanning the Susquehanna River between Cumberland and Dauphin counties so an inspection can be performed. Weather permitting, this work will be performed Monday, Nov. 4, through Friday, Nov. 8, excluding Nov. 5 for Election Day. The northbound I-83 exit ramp (Exit 43, Capitol/2nd Street) right shoulder will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday. The southbound I-83 right shoulder on both the North Front Street on-ramp and mainline will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday. Three travel lanes in each direction and all on/off ramp lanes will remain open each of the days, a press release said. Inspectors plan to inspect the South Bridge using an inspection crane from the roadway. Travelers are reminded to be alert for these operations, to obey work zone signs, and to use caution when driving through work zones for their safety, as well as for the safety of the road crews. Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties at PennDOT District 8. Nearly half of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania are now under a drought watch, according to a Friday press release issued by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The Pennsylvania Drought Task Force issued the watch for 33 counties because of an extended lack of rain throughout the state. October was one of the driest recorded in Pennsylvania history. Pennsylvania received very little rain over September and October, capping off a dry six months, particularly in the southeast part of the state. DEP makes drought declarations based on long-term trends; a rainy week may not lift the drought status for an area, said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. We want residents to be aware of these conditions and be mindful of their water use. The following counties in central Pennsylvania are included in the drought watch: Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York. Other counties included in the drought watch are: Allegheny, Beaver, Bucks, Butler, Carbon, Chester, Clearfield, Columbia, Delaware, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Philadelphia, Pike, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland. Berks and Schuylkill counties are under a more severe drought warning due to consistent dry conditions. A water conservation effort was also recommended to residents and businesses in affected counties, but the DEP clarified the conservation is voluntary at this time. A township in York County recently issued mandatory restrictions on non-essential water use due to the dry conditions. There are three different stages of drought declarations, drought watches the least severe, drought warnings and drought emergencies which can be declared by the governor. Recent dry conditions and gusty winds today will heighten the potential for rapid spread of wildfires should they occur, leading us to issue Red Flag Warnings for parts of central PA. Please use extra caution and act safely if burning or working outside today. pic.twitter.com/Z2f5EgHvFj NWS State College (@NWSStateCollege) November 1, 2024 The current dry conditions bring an increased chance for fires, according to an official from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR and the National Weather Service. Much of the Commonwealth is at a high risk for fire danger as a result of dry conditions, and it is critical that Pennsylvanians use extreme caution when handling fire or avoid any burning as these conditions persist, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. Stay up to date with the latest information using DCNRs Wildfire Danger Forecast Map and be sure to follow all local guidance pertaining to burn bans to do your part to keep our natural resources and communities safe from fire. A red flag fire warning issued by the National Weather Service is in effect until 7 p.m. Friday for Dauphin, Perry, Lebanon, Cumberland, Adams, York and Lancaster counties. Drought conditions in Pennsylvania are also available through drought.gov. WILLIAMSPORT-A federal judge has denied a defense motion to dismiss the charges against the man accused of manufacturing fentanyl and its variants in what he claimed was a legitimate research business near Lewisburg. U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann made his ruling Thursday after the defense rested in the fourth day of the trial of Anthony D. Bressi, 52, of Danville. He found the governments evidence was sufficient for a reasonable jury to find Bressi guilty of charges of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute controlled substances and possession with the intent to do the same thing. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Author: Jeanette Tran, Drake University Is blood thicker than water? Should family always come first? These cliches about the importance of family abound, despite the recognition that familial relations are oftentimes hard, if not downright dysfunctional. But over the past few years, a discussion has emerged about a somewhat taboo move: cutting ties altogether with family members deemed toxic. Called going no contact, this form of estrangement usually involves adult children cutting ties with their parents. It might happen after years of abuse or when a parent disapproves of a child who has come out as LGBTQ+. Or it might be spurred by political or religious differences. Even Vice President Kamala Harris has been mostly estranged from her father since her parents divorce. The no contact movement has its proponents and detractors. Those in favor say people should disentangle from unhealthy relationships without shame, and that family should be held to the same standards as friends and romantic partners. Those against say the bar for what constitutes familial trauma has become too low, and that some kids who cut off all contact are being selfish. At the heart of the debate over the ethics of estrangement is a cultural attachment to the idea of family. The field of family estrangement is still in its early stages, but discussions of the collapsed parent-child relationship its sources, its ethics, its consequences can be found in literature across history. As Ive encountered more articles, forums and social media posts devoted to family estrangement, I cant help but see connections to Shakespeares King Lear, which I teach to my students as a tragedy about dysfunctional families. The tragedy features characters who are cast out by their families, and while the work is over 400 years old, it offers uncanny insight into the logic of modern family estrangement. Early modern family In Shakespeares time the English early modern era, which spanned from the beginning of the 16th century to the start of the 18th century Protestantism reinforced the idea that people had special obligations to their kin. As the English Puritan preacher John Foxe wrote in The Book of Martyrs, Among all the affections of nature, there is none that is so deeply graved in a fathers mind, as the love and tender affection towards his children. In Foxes teaching, children were blessings from God who required nurturing, spiritual guidance and material support from their parents. Children, in turn, were obliged to honor and obey their parents who cared for them. While this sounds simple enough, the early modern family was no less prone to dysfunction than the modern family. Just like today, parent-child relationships were dynamic and evolved across the lifespan of the parents. As historian Ilana Krausman Ben-Amos argues, the family bond was not sustained by adhering to Gods commands, but through giving and reciprocation that was asymmetrical. Parents could invest a lot into their children and get very little in return, and vice versa. Due to shorter life expectancy, many parents did not live to see their children come of age, and if they did, children rarely earned enough to pay their parents back for the cost of raising them. Thus, children might reciprocate in less material forms, such as through offering affection. When a parent died, the children might receive some form of inheritance, but this was largely determined by class status, gender and the order of birth. Shakespeares characters go no contact King Lear features two storylines. Each relates to the disintegration of the family. The first plot involves Gloucester and his two sons, Edgar and Edmund. Edmund is a bastard, which means when Gloucester dies, his legitimate brother, Edgar, will inherit everything. To get his revenge, Edmund forges a letter in which Edgar reveals plans to murder Gloucester to expedite his inheritance. Once Gloucester sees the letter, he writes Edgar off as a villain. Feeling betrayed, Edgar assumes a new identity as a beggar and goes no-contact with his family. In the second plot, King Lear attempts to divide his kingdom among his daughters. Because it is impossible to equally divvy up cities, towns and villages, he invents a contest: Each daughter will give a speech articulating their love for their father. Hell award the best parts of the kingdom to the daughter who does the finest job stroking his ego. Lear expects Cordelia, his favorite, to outshine her sisters. But she refuses to play along and instead calls him out for his vanity. Feeling disrespected, Lear disinherits Cordelia. With no money, shes forced to marry the first man who will take her and moves to France. In these family dramas, the parents are unfair, even vindictive, toward their children. But the conflict is still compelling and relatable to readers today because so many families are characterized by inequality. The favorite child, the preferred parent and the inheritance dispute are as timeless to families as birthday parties and funerals. Right and wrong get muddied Deception inspires Gloucesters disavowal and disinheritance of Edgar. And, yes, Edmunds scheme to destroy Edgar and Gloucesters relationship is diabolical. But at the same time, Gloucesters decision to throw away his decades-long relationship with his son over a letter phony or not seems rash. Was Edgar right to flee from his father? Or could something have been done to save the relationship? Cordelia is correct that Lear is vain for expecting his daughters to compete for their inheritance. At the same time, complimenting her father seems like a small price to pay for an entire kingdom. Is Cordelia acting like a spoiled brat by refusing to honor and obey her father? Or is she doing him a favor by calling out his unbecoming behavior? Shakespeare doesnt offer us any clear answers to these questions; he just asks readers to wade in the complexity of them and experience the unique grief that comes from watching a family fall apart over something that maybe could have been avoided. No envy for the estranged No one gets a happy ending in King Lear not the children who reject their parents, and most certainly not the parents, who need their children to protect them and care for them in old age. Edmunds grief over his bastard status begets the grief he brings to Gloucester and Edgar. For failing to see the truth of Edgars innocence, Gloucester is physically blinded by one of Edmunds unwitting co-conspirators, a punishment he accepts. When Edgar reunites with Gloucester, his eyes fill with tears as he witnesses his fathers physical suffering. Before Gloucester dies, Edgar asks his father for a blessing. Even though Lear cut off contact with Cordelia, she still returns to England once she learns her sisters have thrown Lear out onto the streets with nothing but the clothes on his back. The sisters come off as villains, but one could also see their abandoning Lear as karmic retribution. When Lear reunites with Cordelia, he begs for her forgiveness, suggesting he recognizes his failures, and she begs for his, recognizing her enduring love for him despite his faults. Cordelia comforts her father, King Lear, after hes been betrayed by his other daughters. Universal History Archive/Getty ImagesUniversal History Archive/Getty Images Then and now, family estrangement often leads to loneliness, along with social stigma. Parents can be ashamed to say their children no longer speak to them. People who are estranged from their parents speak of the impulse to share milestones with family, but fear eroding the boundaries theyve worked so hard to maintain. Just like in King Lear, not having a family also means being economically vulnerable: It remains difficult to get a loan or lease as a young adult without a co-signer. The advantages of belonging to a family are so obvious that losing that affiliation, intentionally or not, is tragic. King Lear ends with almost all the characters dying, but because this is a play a fiction, a fantasy they get to ask for and receive forgiveness before the curtain closes. Real life doesnt usually work like that, nor should it be expected to. If King Lear and Kamala Harris estrangement from her father make anything clear, it is that no amount of money, power or threat of bad publicity can fully protect a family from dysfunction and disintegration. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/as-more-americans-go-no-contact-with-their-parents-they-live-out-a-dilemma-at-the-heart-of-shakespeares-king-lear-239916. By Bart M.J. Szewczyk As November is rapidly approaching, a critical issue has crystalized: if we sell out Ukraine to Putin, as Donald Trump is likely to do, dire consequences will reverberate across Poland, Europe, and America. Instead of caving to the Kremlin, Kamala Harris would continue the long bipartisan traditionfrom Roosevelt to Reaganof protecting our security and standing up for freedom, at home and abroad. Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will seek to avoid Ukraine's defeat in the war with Russia during his term, Ambassador, Special Representative of the U.S. Government for Ukraine Negotiations (2017-2019) Kurt Volker said. "When it comes to Trump, there are people around him who strongly support Ukraine, and, of course, there are those who do not. But their motives are usually personal. As for Trump himself, he does not want to fail. He does not want Ukraine to fail under his rule and to be held responsible for it," Volker said at the 10th Kyiv Forum on Youth Security, organized by the Open Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation. He gave the example of the situation with Afghanistan, when Trump agreed with Biden that the presence of American troops there was not in the long-term interests of the United States. "However, he did not withdraw the troops himself, realizing that this could potentially be a disaster. He explicitly stated that he would not do this, and, as we have seen, the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan under Biden did not make a very good impression. Therefore, it is the same with Ukraine: Trump does not want to lose," Volker believes. He said "Trump often accuses Biden of weakness and believes that the reason for the war in Ukraine is America's weakness." "Therefore, in his opinion, America should be strong again. Perhaps not immediately after the elections, but Trump can call Putin and demand to withdraw his troops, for example, by January 20. We do not know if he will do it," he said. If Kamala Harris wins the election, Volker suggests that she will probably continue Biden's policy, which, in his opinion, is not bad. The ambassador also added that it is already necessary to think about what will happen after 2025, when a ceasefire and active hostilities may cease. He suggested that the North Atlantic Alliance will work on fuses so that Russia cannot advance further and start aggression against Ukraine. The Kyiv Youth Security Forum is a leading platform for engaging young leaders in discussions on national security and international relations. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/ Since the beginning of the day and as of 16:00, some 74 combat clashes have taken place along the entire front line, with the most active combat operations taking place in Pokrovsk, Kurakhove and Lyman directions, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said. "Since the beginning of the day, 74 combat clashes have taken place on the front. Our defenders are stopping the enemy, holding the lines and ruining the plans of the Russians. At the same time, the occupiers continue to actively operate in Pokrovsk, Kurakhove and Lyman axes," the General Staff said on Telegram on Friday. It is reported that the aggressor has increased the number of attacks to 12 in Lyman direction. "Attacked near Druzheliubivka, Katerynivka, Hrekivka, Makiivka, Terny and in Serebriansky forest. Four clashes are currently ongoing," the report states. In Kramatorsk direction, the Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled one attack by the occupiers near Stupochky. In Toretsk direction, the enemy did not conduct offensive operations, but carried out airstrikes in the areas of the settlements of Toretsk, Petrivka and Kostiantynivka, dropping eight UABs. The enemy remains active in the Pokrovsk direction. "Clashes of varying intensity have begun here 21 times today. Attacks have been repelled in the areas of Sukha Balka, Myroliubivka, Mykolaivka, Lysivka, Kruty Yar, Novohrodivka and Selydove. Two battles are still ongoing in the Vyshneve area," the General Staff said. Fighting continues in Kurakhove direction. Near Ostrivske, Illinka, Novoselydivka, Kreminna Balka, Novodmytrivka, Vovchenka, Maksymilianivka, Dalne, Antonivka and Katerynivka, some 24 combat clashes took place during the day, and 13 attacks by the occupiers are ongoing. In Kharkiv axis, the occupiers dropped two aerial bombs in Derhachi area. In Kupiansk, the enemy tried to advance towards the Ukrainian Armed Forces positions in Petropavlivka and Lozova areas twice during the day. The battle continues near Lozova. In Vremivka direction, the Russian Army attacked the Ukrainian Armed Forces positions in the Trudove area once. BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 31. The 8th meeting of the Organizing Committee was held in preparation for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change on October 31, Trend reports. Samir Nuriyev, head of the Presidential Administration and chairman of the organizing committee, emphasized that only a few days remain until COP29. He noted that since the last meeting, preparations for COP29 have accelerated under the directives of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and are now in the final stages. Nuriyev also mentioned that President Ilham Aliyev reviewed the extensive preparatory work carried out at the Baku Olympic Stadium on October 17 and provided relevant instructions. The chair of the organizing committee noted that over 100 heads of state and government, as well as vice presidents, are expected to participate in the COP29 leaders' summit. Nuriyev added that more than 50,000 people have registered to participate in COP29 through the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat, and this number is expected to grow as the registration process continues. The chair of the organizing committee emphasized that during his address to participants at the Pre-COP29 event held in Baku on October 10-11, the head of state highlighted the importance of reaching an agreement on a new climate financing goal at COP29 and expressed confidence that achieving the Baku Agreement would be remembered as a collective achievement of the international community. The head of the Presidential Administration stressed the importance of implementing the transportation plan developed for organizing transport in Baku during COP29. Besides, Nuriyev briefed on the final preparations at the Baku Olympic Stadium, the events organized by state structures in collaboration with international partners, and other related matters. The committee chair said that foreign media and NGOs are also showing great interest in participating in COP29. The Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, COP29 President Designate Mikhtar Babayev spoke about the ongoing processes leading up to COP29, including the annual session of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group and the ongoing conference of the parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity currently taking place in Colombia. The Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev delivered speech on media communications activities and the contribution of civil society to COP29. Anar Alakbarov, another Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, spoke about the work being done at the Baku Olympic Stadium, transport monitoring in the capital, and other organizational and logistical issues. Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov spoke about important documents planned for adoption during COP29, particularly concerning the latest situation regarding the new climate financing goal. Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov briefed on the initiatives being undertaken in Azerbaijan in the field of green energy and the measures planned during COP29 by the Ministry of Energy. Azerbaijani MP, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29 Nigar Arpadarai informed the meeting attendees about the Baku Climate Week and other related events. Head of the State Migration Service Vusal Huseynov spoke about managing migration issues during the organization of COP29. Head of the State Special Communications and Information Security Service Ilgar Musayev mentioned the ongoing work to ensure information security during COP29. Youth Climate Champion for COP29 Leyla Hasanova shared work on involving youth in climate activities. The meeting showcased a video on the preparatory work at the Baku Olympic Stadium. Concluding the event, Nuriyev expressed confidence that Azerbaijan, under the leadership of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, will achieve another historical success at COP29 and issued directives to continue implementing the COP29 action plan and address other important matters. In under two weeks, Azerbaijan will host COP29, the decision about which was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Germany's Berlin with its secretariat in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The Best No Deposit Casino Bonus Codes 2025: Your Ultimate Guide Sam Coyle Senior iGaming & CRO Manager Copy link In the world of online casino gaming, No Deposit Casino Bonus Codes offer players the chance to enjoy playing slots and games without risking their own funds. These codes can unlock different types of casino rewards, from free spins to bonus cash, and provide players with a head start when choosing to play with a specific casino. Whether you're a seasoned player or a newbie, understanding how to leverage these codes can significantly enhance your gaming experience. In this guide, we delve into everything you need to know about No Deposit Bonus Codes in 2025, from how they work to where to find the best deals. The Best No Deposit Casino Bonus Codes 2025 - US There's plenty of guidance on this page around using no deposit bonus codes, but let's cut to the chase for those who want to start playing today. Here are the best no deposit codes to be found in 2025: BetMGM Casino BetMGM Casino, in our opinion, offers the best no deposit bonus for US players right now. New players who sign up can enjoy $25 free play without the need to make a deposit. In addition, once you do make your first deposit, BetMGM Casino will match this amount 100% up to a maximum of $1,000. Players in West Virginia can take advantage of a slightly different offer, which boosts the free play to $50 and also adds on 50 Free Spins in addition to the same deposit match as other states. Available in: NJ, PA, MI, WV NJ, PA, MI, WV Bonus Code: NONE REQUIRED NONE REQUIRED How to Play: Play Now Play BetMGM Casino with No Deposit Bonus Borgata Casino Borgata Casino, as part of the MGM Group, offers a similar no deposit bonus but with $20 free play available without the need to make a deposit. Once again, when you deposit funds for the first time, Borgata Casino has a deposit match in place up to a maximum of $1,000. Available in: NJ, PA, MI, WV NJ, PA, MI, WV Bonus Code: NONE REQUIRED NONE REQUIRED How to Play: Play Now Play Borgata Casino with No Deposit Bonus Chumba Casino Chumba Casino, is the biggest (and some say, the best) social casino site available to US players currently. They're available across the US, and are a great option for those wishing to play slots in locations without real money casino gaming. The current Chumba Casino welcome bonus offers a whopping 2m Free Gold Coins to new players who sign up through our exclusive PokerNews link. Available in: All states except ID, MI & WA. All states except ID, MI & WA. Bonus Code: NONE REQUIRED NONE REQUIRED How to Play: Play Now Play Chumba Casino with No Deposit Bonus No Deposit Casino Bonus Codes 2025 - UK & Elsewhere Sky Vegas For UK players, the top name to call out here is Sky Vegas and their standout welcome offer of 50 Free Spins with no deposit required. To build your spins stack even further, once you do make a deposit of at least 10, you'll get another 200 Free Spins to use. if that's not enough, it's worth noting that Sky Vegas operates a no wagering policy, so if you win real money from your free spins, every penny is yours to keep. Available in: UK, Eire UK, Eire Bonus Code: NONE REQUIRED NONE REQUIRED How to Play: Play Now Play Sky Vegas with No Deposit Bonus 888casino - Canada There's no need for Canadian players to miss out here, and right now 888casino is the best of the best for CA players. This isn't a no deposit bonus but still represents the best value for players in Canada looking for the next best casino bonus. Available in: Canada (not including ON) Canada (not including ON) Bonus Code: NONE REQUIRED NONE REQUIRED How to Play: Play Now Play at 888casino Exploring No Deposit Bonus Codes 2025 So we agree that No Deposit Bonuses are a good thing, right? But how exactly do they work and how can you make the most of them? read on below for our breakdown of no deposit bonus codes. Understanding No Deposit Casino Bonus Codes No deposit bonus codes are promotional offers provided by online casinos and gaming platforms that allow players to access bonuses without making a deposit. These codes typically consist of a string of letters and numbers that players enter during the registration or checkout process to unlock their rewards. How Do No Deposit Casino Bonus Codes Work? When players enter a valid no deposit bonus code, they gain access to a range of rewards. This may include free spins, bonus funds that are added to your account, or other forms of free play. You can also sometimes unlock entry into exclusive tournaments or other promotions that are otherwise unavailable. These bonuses provide players with the opportunity to explore different games and potentially win real money without risking their own funds. Benefits of Using No Deposit Casino Bonus Codes Here's our list of the top reasons for using a no deposit bonus code when playing with an online casino: Risk-Free Gaming: No deposit bonus code enable players to enjoy gaming without financial risk, making them ideal for newcomers who want to explore different platforms. Opportunity to Win Real Money: While playing with bonus funds, players have the chance to win real money prizes, enhancing the excitement of gameplay. Exploring New Games: No deposit bonus code often come with free spins or bonus cash that can be used to try out new games, allowing players to expand their gaming horizons. Enhanced Player Experience: By accessing bonus offers, players can extend their gaming sessions and enjoy more entertainment value without additional cost. Even More Casino Bonuses Want even more casino bonuses? Read our guide to get links to the best online casinos where you can play with a bonus right away. GET BONUS PokerNews Tips for Maximizing No Deposit Bonus Codes You'll find plenty of no deposit guides and tips across the internet, but we feel that at PokerNews our casino experts are best placed to provide you with the definitive list of tips for obtaining and using no deposit bonus codes: Read the Terms and Conditions: Before redeeming any no deposit bonus code, carefully review the terms and conditions to understand wagering requirements, game restrictions, and withdrawal limits. Before redeeming any no deposit bonus code, carefully review the terms and conditions to understand wagering requirements, game restrictions, and withdrawal limits. Explore Different Platforms: Take advantage of multiple no deposit bonus codes across various gaming platforms to diversify your gaming experience and maximize your rewards. Take advantage of multiple no deposit bonus codes across various gaming platforms to diversify your gaming experience and maximize your rewards. Stay Informed: Keep an eye out for new no deposit bonus codes by subscribing to newsletters, following gaming forums, and staying updated on promotions from your favorite gaming sites. Finding the Best No Deposit Bonus Codes 2025 There are many ways to find no deposit bonus codes right now, but it does require a bit of research. You won't be surprised to hear us say that we recommend using affiliate websites and casino review sites to find the best bonuses available. However, you should also be aware that not all websites are regulated and some will be displaying incorrect or expired bonus codes, or they promote casinos that have a poor reputation with players. In addition, we'd recommend taking a look at the official websites of the casinos available to you, and scouting social media can also bear fruit for finding codes, and getting involved in giveaways to get access to even more rewards. Claiming No Deposit Bonus Codes: Step-by-Step Guide Once you've found your casino of choice, and are ready to pull the trigger, it's important to know how to proceed. Follow these steps to get signed up and claim your bonus! Choose Your Casino: Select a reputable online casino or gaming platform that offers no deposit bonus codes. Select a reputable online casino or gaming platform that offers no deposit bonus codes. Create an Account: Register for an account on the platform if you're a new player or log in if you're an existing user. Register for an account on the platform if you're a new player or log in if you're an existing user. Redeem the Code: Enter the no deposit bonus code in the relevant field during the registration or checkout process. Enter the no deposit bonus code in the relevant field during the registration or checkout process. Enjoy Your Rewards: Once the code is successfully redeemed, your bonus rewards will be credited to your account, ready to use on casino games and slots. No Deposit Bonus Code FAQs What are No Deposit Bonus Codes? No deposit bonus codes are promotional codes offered by online casinos and gaming platforms that grant players access to bonuses without requiring them to make a deposit. How can I find the best No Deposit Bonus Codes? You can find the best no deposit bonus codes by checking official websites, affiliate platforms, and social media channels of online casinos and gaming sites. Are No Deposit Bonus Codes worth it? Yes, no deposit bonus codes offer players the opportunity to enjoy risk-free gaming experiences and the chance to win real money prizes without using their own funds. Do No Deposit Bonus Codes have any restrictions? Yes, no deposit bonus codes often come with terms and conditions, including wagering requirements, game restrictions, and withdrawal limits. It's essential to read these terms carefully before redeeming any bonus code. Can I withdraw winnings from No Deposit Bonus Codes? In most cases, winnings obtained from no deposit bonus codes are subject to wagering requirements, meaning you must wager a certain amount before being eligible to withdraw winnings. Sam Coyle Senior iGaming & CRO Manager Follow on Disclaimer: any promotions presented on this page were correct and available at the time of writing. Promotions can change regularly. We encourage all users to check the promotion displayed matches the most current promotion available by clicking through to the operator welcome page. Please read the terms and conditions carefully before you accept any promotional welcome offer. Is Peaks Social Club the Next Big Thing in the Dallas Poker Scene? Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Copy link Competing against the big dogs of poker in Texas such as Texas Card House isn't easy for any card room. But there's a brand-new spot (formerly Peaks Dallas Social Club (previously run by different ownership as Poker House Dallas) that is worth the visit. Local poker players Kim Fortini (Stone) and her husband Hayden Fortini took over ownership of the room at 1231 Wycliff Suite 100, a short drive from downtown Dallas, about two months ago. PokerNews stopped by the poker club earlier this month to meet with the new owners to check it out, and we came away with the impression that there's potential for growth. What is Peaks All About? The Fortini's run their business like most other Texas card rooms. Players pay a membership fee to access the club and then an hourly seat fee to play. That's the standard model in the Lone Star State due to the strict anti-gambling laws that don't allow for collecting rake out of pots. Peaks has 11 tables set up and the room is spacious, so if the place fills up there'll still be room to maneuver. There is also an attached separate area to play video games, have a drink, or just relax and wait to get into a game. The card room has been around for a while but is working on getting noticed in Dallas under new ownership. Only 1-2 low-stakes games run throughout the day presently. But the goal is to build up the club over time to get it to a point where all the tables are full. Peaks is owned by local poker players who are passionate about the Dallas poker community. They understand the challenges of trying to lure players away from TCH, a major brand in the state that has six locations, including two major rooms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Overhead expenses, at present, are relatively low. That will change as the room grows and a larger staff is needed. But right now it's all about spreading the word about the card room and giving players a positive experience when they visit the club. The Dallas area poker club brought on some experience to manage the room in Eric Anderson, former events manager for the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT). They also host a livestream on YouTube, and those games, like most Texas poker cash games, are full of action. The YouTube channel is already nearing 1,000 subscribers and should suffice as a solid marketing tool for the card room. No doubt any poker room in the major metropolitan areas will have a difficult time trying to compete against the likes of Texas Card House or The Lodge Card Club, which operates massive rooms in Austin and San Antonio. But it certainly isn't impossible, and Peaks appears to be doing things the right way supporting the Dallas poker community and operating a clean, spacious room that is welcoming to its players. Now, like any new business, it's all about bringing in the customers. Stay tuned for Part III of our Texas week adventures on Saturday. We'll be featuring The Lodge Card Club in Austin, co-owned by Doug Polk. Major Poker Room Launching First Texas-Based Online Poker Site; Is It Legit? Share this article BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. Aydin Safikhanli, Head of the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan, attended the General Assembly of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) in Brussels and participated in a seminar titled "The Role and Functions of National Human Rights Institutions in Armed Conflicts," Trend reports. Safikhanli highlighted Armenia's severe breaches of international law and humanitarian law during its 30-year occupation of Azerbaijani territories. He discussed Armenias "mine terror," noting that landmines planted on Azerbaijani land pose a significant threat to civilian life and hinder the return of former internally displaced persons. Additionally, he underscored that approximately 4,000 Azerbaijanis went missing during the first Karabakh war, with their whereabouts still unknown. The head of the office also mentioned that factual reports on the aftermath of Armenian aggression, compiled by the Ombudsmans office, have been submitted to international organizations, foreign ombudsmen, and national human rights institutions. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Aiken Standard reporter Matthew Christian is a reporter for the Aiken Standard. He covers the Savannah River Site, city of Aiken, politics and public safety and courts. Matthew previously covered government and politics for the Morning News in Florence. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and the University of Charleston in West Virginia. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers The founder of Prime Steakhouse is no longer at the helm of the downtown Aiken business Randy Stamm recently sold the popular restaurant, which has been serving local diners and visitors to the city for 15 years and is still going strong at 316 Richland Ave. West. It really boils down to something pretty simple, said Stamm in a telephone interview. Im 65 years old, and there comes a time when you have to walk away. At my age, how many hours a day can I [continue to] work? I would go to work at 5 oclock in the morning, and I would get done at 8 oclock at night. Theres a limit to what one person can do. Stamm began helping out at his familys New York City steakhouses when he was a teenager. In the early 1980s, he went out on his own. During his long career, Stamm has operated nearly 40 eateries. When I came to Aiken, I had no intention of opening another restaurant, Stamm said. I was here to take care of my mother. But I figured if Im going to be in a small town, whats one more? And I have had two since Ive been here. In July 2009, Stamm launched Prime Steakhouse in the former home of the Sugar Magnolia Cafe. Back then, when the business was known as Prime Steak & Lobster, Stamm described the restaurant as a classic big-city steakhouse. The beef is prime grade and has been aged at least 28 days, he told the Aiken Standard. All the lobster is flown in fresh daily from New England. Other items on the menu included creamed spinach, homemade onion rings and family-style salads. In 2016, Stamm opened Nonnas in Edgefield. The focus there was on Northern Italian cuisine, and baked lasagna, grilled sausage giambotta and three types of parmigiana eggplant, chicken and veal were among the entrees. Nonnas no longer is in business. I went out on top, said Stamm of his decision to sell Prime Steakhouse. Somebody made me an offer I couldnt refuse. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. On November 1, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev inspected the upgraded conditions following landscaping and reconstruction efforts in front of Baku Railway Station and the 28 May metro station. Eldar Azizov, Head of Baku City Executive Authority, briefed the head of state on the improvements made in the area from the junction of Pushkin Street with Azadlig Avenue to its intersection with Dilara Aliyeva Streetin front of Baku Railway Station and the 28 May metro station. In this 3.5-hectare zone, the movement of passenger vehicles has been eliminated, replaced with modern bus, pedestrian, and bicycle lanes. Approximately 2,300 square meters of greenery have been created, with over 200 trees imported from Italy and more than 15,000 shrubs planted. Lighting improvements have been made, and modern seating arrangements have been installed. Additionally, two fountains and two bus stops that adhere to modern construction standards have been built, along with four charging stations for electric buses. Teresa Carr made it her mission to enact sweeping changes at Sultans Restaurant & Lounge when she became general manager. As a patron and bartender, she said she had seen the Upper King Street bar with a checkered past permit underage people to enter, even noticing when bouncers took cash in exchange for returning fake IDs. She remembered patrons packing into the bar like cattle, only to be sent out a back door if a fire marshal stopped by to check capacity. "They were known for being a sticky, underage dive bar," Carr said of the dimly-lit hookah bar nestled in an orange-painted building directly across from Reid Street. Sultan's disc jockey Immanuel Smalls said he has at times had trouble booking other gigs because of the bar's reputation. Carr, though, was dedicated to changing its unfavorable narrative, Smalls said. A former health care worker, Carr became general manager after just a few months on the job. She hired staff members who would follow her new rules, which included an age minimum of 25 for women and 28 for men. "Definitely I could see a turnaround," Smalls said. "She had fresh ideas, (and) she would listen to my ideas." As Carr worked to clean up the business, revenue plummeted. Backlash from owner Ahmed Hassan was immediate, Carr told The Post and Courier in an exclusive interview. He and Ryan Mack an employee of Hassan's neighboring business, College Market became particularly aggressive towards Carr, a lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit states Hassan berated her and shamed her in front of staff, adding claims that Hassan failed to take action when Carr reported an escalating pattern of verbal abuse from Mack. Hassan did not respond to The Post and Couriers numerous email, phone and in-person attempts to reach him for comment. Mack declined to comment when reached by phone. Neither had an attorney listed in court records. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Windy early...thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. High 72F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 52F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. ORANGEBURG A South Carolina election worker allegedly struck a voter in the face after he repeatedly refused to remove his "Lets Go Brandon" hat in an altercation authorities say left visible swelling beneath the mans bloodied left eye. The confrontation, which took place during early voting, shows how divisive this election season has become amid rising tensions over political expression at the polls. It also has state election officials prepping for similar flare-ups in the lead-up to next week's Election Day. The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating the Oct. 30 incident that unfolded at the Old County Library in Orangeburg, one of the county's three early voting sites. Police identified the voter as 54-year-Mark Allen Morris and the poll worker as 53-year-old Angela Buchannon-Glover. Video footage of the incident, captured on a bystander's cellphone, was later posted to social media. An incident report obtained by The Post and Courier is heavily redacted, and the account given by Buchannon-Glover is covered in thick black lines. The 90-second video shows a voting check-in devolving into a confrontation of cursing, shoving and the moment Morris was allegedly hit. Morris told authorities he was given a hard time when he entered the voting area because he was wearing a "Let's Go Brandon" hat, telling police "numerous members of the polling office seemed to be coming after him because of his hat." Local police responded to the scene after a poll worker dialed 911. SC election security: Panic buttons and quiet rooms. Hidden features protecting poll workers for 2024 Across South Carolina, local county elections directors are taking newly required steps to ensure the safety of both voters and its poll workers. Training includes de-escalation tactics alongside more routine election procedures like learning how to open and close the polls. The altercation not only disrupted the voting process, which is a potential crime, but also underscored how even the most mundane aspects of civic life can become political and cultural battlegrounds at the drop of a hat. "We're dealing with a very tense moment in our nation's history and everybody is a little on edge," said Howie Knapp, director of the S.C. Election Commission. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Algerian People's Democratic Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune on the occasion of Algeria's national holiday - Revolution Day, Trend reports. "Esteemed Mr. President, Dear Brother, On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I am pleased to sincerely congratulate you and, through you, your brotherly people, and to convey my best wishes on the occasion of the national day of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeriathe 70th anniversary of Revolution Day. November 1, 1954, is forever inscribed in the history of the brotherly Algerian people as a page of heroism, symbolizing the struggle for independence and freedom, as well as an indomitable will. Despite enduring over a century of brutal colonial policies, unprecedented violence, and crimes against humanity and war crimes, your people have never lost their determination for independence. Through great sacrifice and courage, they achieved their freedom at the cost of the lives and blood of millions of martyrs who gave their lives for the Motherland. Currently, the dynamic development of Azerbaijan-Algeria relations is gratifying. We place special importance on further expanding these relations and enriching our cooperation with new content, both bilaterally and multilaterally. I am confident that we will continue to make joint efforts to strengthen the friendship between our countries and fully leverage the potential of our mutually beneficial cooperation. On this significant day, I wish you good health, happiness, and success in your endeavors, and the brotherly people of Algeria everlasting peace and prosperity," reads the letter. As early voting winds down this weekend and election day nears next week, the more than 3.4 million registered voters in South Carolina are being reminded about what they can wear to polling places and what they cannot take pictures of while there. State election officials stress that there are rules covering any political messaging that voters can wear into a polling place on clothing, hats, shirts or buttons. Additionally, the State Law Enforcement Division reminds voters that so-called "ballot selfies" are not allowed either from voters recording their choices by camera phone. Rules covering political messaging inside a polling site are meant to eliminate on-site campaigning or voter intimidation. For example: Wearing items boosting a specific candidate for office is not permitted. If you do so, you are likely to be asked to turn it inside out or return it to your vehicle. Wearing clothing with a more generalized political message, like a "Let's Go Brandon" hat (Joe Biden is no longer on the ballot) or a Black Lives Matter T-shirt, is legal since it does not name a specific candidate for office. MAGA-related messages are not allowed since it is a slogan tied to Donald Trump's official presidential slogan. Nor would someone be allowed a recognized Kamala Harris promoted slogan, such as "When We Fight, We Win." This applies to pins, buttons, shirts, hats, jackets and other articles of clothing in addition to posters, brochures, pamphlets and other printed materials, according to the Poll Managers Handbook. But you can wear old campaign merchandise, like a button from past presidential races, such as a "Goldwater '64" pin or a Jimmy Carter shirt from 1976. PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 17:00:53 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 400 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 True Stories of Her Spiritual Awakening As An AtheistBROOKLYN, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / From the vibrant city life of New York, a unique voice emerged - Jin Lan Cera, former entrepreneur, a dedicated wisdom seeker, and now author, proudly announced the release of her new book "Awakening..." (ISBN: 9780998989921). This groundbreaking work combines intriguing elements of life science, spiritual journey, and the profound teachings of Buddhism. An unforeseen bridge between logic and spirituality emerges, leaving readers with a new conclusive realization: the ultimate truth is within grasp for any sincere wisdom seeker.Awakening... By Jin Lan Cera Image of the book"Awakening..." documents Cera's transformation from her origins growing in an atheist society during the Cultural Revolution to her eventual spiritual awakening and embracing the Buddha's teachings. The unraveling of her life-long stance came as an intertwining ballet between those outstanding modern life scientists and the ancient Sages. "I didn't know that these ancient teachings aren't just theories, they are firsthand experiences, and any sincere truth seekers can experience them," Cera expresses.With an unusual blend of narratives combining personal experiences, fascinating life science discoveries, and applications of the Law of Attraction and Buddha dharmas, "Awakening" is as much a memoir as it is a guide for personal transformation. As Cera states, "The most valuable treasure of this book isn't my stories but those miraculous life science discoveries that inspired me to revisit those ancient religious scripts which I rejected for 56 years." A beacon of courage, wisdom, and personal growth, "Awakening" isn't an end but a beginning; Cera has plans to write a series of books sharing her amazing experiences. She incites her readers to join her quest, opening up platforms for interaction, enlightenment, and collective meditation through her social media platforms. She invites each reader to experience the benefits of spiritual synchronicities."Awakening" is now available in paperback, hardback, and e-book formats at Cera's website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores. Readers are encouraged to join her journey at https://youtu.be/9g1ppmScpjU?si=dLAf1WKpB5PF-Jfz . Jin Lan, the author of Powered By Wellesley,https://a.co/d/9A5KNDA, continues to reside between Fallbrook, CA, and Brooklyn, NY, with her husband, Kenneth Cera.Contact InformationJin Lan CeraAuthorjdeng@ wellesley.edu 7752290737SOURCE: Jin Lan CeraView the original press release on newswire.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will arrive in Baku for the 29th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Trend reports. The newly appointed Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to Azerbaijan, Fathudin Ali Mohamed, announced during a meeting with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Congratulating Azerbaijan on hosting COP29, Fathudin Ali Mohamed noted that the President of Somalia would participate in this event, emphasizing that the upcoming meeting between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Somalia during COP29 would provide an additional impetus to the development of bilateral relations. The ambassador mentioned that bilateral cooperation is becoming stronger day by day. He touched upon collaboration in the fields of science and education, noting that many students from Somalia studied in Azerbaijan during the Soviet era and expressing interest in continuing these traditions. PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 17:30:20 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 451 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / Abbott Laboratories Employees Credit Union ("ALECU") recently disclosed a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of thousands of customers. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive private information entrusted to ALECU.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On or about September 23, 2024, ALECU became aware of a security incident on their IT Network. Upon discovering the incident, ALECU launched an investigation with the help of leading cyber security experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. As a result of the investigation, ALECU determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to its network on August 2, 2024. ALECU launched a comprehensive review of the incident to determine whether sensitive information was compromised and how many individuals were impacted. On September 23, 2024, the review was completed and ALECU confirmed that sensitive personal information was impacted.ALECU's investigation discovered that the following type of sensitive private and protected health information may have been exposed in the data breach: Name, and Social Security Number. On October 18, 2024, ALECU issued a public disclosure about the data breach and started sending notice letters to individuals impacted. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY AM I ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from ALECU you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 22:07:24 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 887 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / Blaige & Company, a global leader in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory within the plastics, packaging, and chemicals industries, along with its research affiliate, Blaige Industry Analytics, announces its commitment to advancing the plastics industry by expanding its involvement with the Plastics Hall of Fame. Chairman & CEO Tom Blaige, along with key members of the Blaige team, have joined the Plastics Hall of Fame's nominating, communications, and historical committees, further supporting the organization's mission to celebrate the true genius of the plastics industry.Blaige & Company has established a strong leadership position in the plastics industry by being the first investment banking advisor exclusively focused on plastics M&A transactions for over 21 years. This commitment reflects the company's expanded mission to drive continued growth and innovation in the plastics sector. By engaging with the Plastics Hall of Fame, we celebrate the industry's legacy while helping shape its future, recognizing past achievements and inspiring the next generation of leaders."The advent of advanced polymers and specialty materials represents the foundation of many breakthrough discoveries which have significantly elevated the quality of human life. We are proud to partner with the Plastics Hall of Fame to help advance its mission of recognizing those whose contributions and discoveries changed lives for the better as the world joins forces in fostering new revolutionary discoveries and sustainable solutions." - Thomas Blaige, Chairman & CEO, Blaige & Company.Established in 1972, the Plastics Hall of Fame honors individuals whose groundbreaking contributions have transformed the industry, from innovative materials to cutting-edge technologies. With 235 members from ten countries, including five Nobel Prize winners, the Plastics Hall of Fame, the premier institution honoring innovators and leaders, showcases their contributions to society and inspires the industry's future visionaries.Maureen Steinwall, highly regarded second-generation owner of Steinwall, Inc., recently took over leadership of the group. Her commitment and drive have led to unprecedented growth and success for the organization."We welcome the Blaige team as we roll out our new vision statement: the Plastics Hall of Fame envisions a world that embraces plastics' role in advancing society." - Maureen Steinwall, President, Plastics Hall of Fame.Blaige & Company attended the most recent Plastics Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which took place during NPE2024, where 17 remarkable individuals were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the plastics industry. The event celebrated leaders who have made lasting impacts through innovation, research, and leadership.From this impressive group of inductees, our team believes the following individuals represent the brightest moments in the industry's history through their life stories and professional achievements:Dr. Cato Laurencin, University of Connecticut, USA Regarded as the founder of the field of Regenerative Engineering. He is currently the CEO of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, Editor-in-Chief of the journal Regenerative Engineering and Translational Medicine, and Founder and President of the Regenerative Engineering Society. In his 2024 Hall of Fame acceptance speech, Dr. Laurencin expressed great appreciation for the honor, but noted that the greatest impact of his work has come through his colleagues and students who have advanced his innovations globally. He stated, "Success is not what you achieve but what you leave behind." Dr. G. Victor Sammet, Sr., Northern Industrial Chemical Co., USA Visionary - funded the start of the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI), which is now known as the Plastics Industry Association (PIA), the leading association of plastics processors in the U.S.Dr. Nick Schott, University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA Led UMass Lowell's Plastics Program to International Recognition.Dr. Chihiro Kanagawa, Shintech and Shin-Etsu, Japan Chairman of Shin-Etsu Chemical and Vinyl Environment Council, and a champion of the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) industry and the global chemical industry. Shintech, Inc. is now the world's largest manufacturer of PVC.Dr. Jacque Brandenberger, La Cellophane SA and DuPont, France Patented viscose (aka Rayon); invented cellophane in 1908.H. Joseph Gerber, Gerber Scientific, Inc., USA Pioneered the commercialization of automation systems, including those for eyeglass lenses, with over 648 U.S. and foreign patents issued in his name.Looking Ahead: Class of 2025 NominationsThe Plastics Hall of Fame continues its legacy of recognizing brilliance in the industry with its upcoming Class of 2025 induction ceremony, scheduled for October 2025 at the K Show in Dusseldorf, Germany. Nominations are currently being accepted, and individuals are encouraged to submit names of visionary leaders whose work has significantly advanced the plastics sector. The deadline for nominations for the Class of 2025 is February 28, 2025.Blaige & Company, based in Miami and Chicago, is an investment bank focused exclusively on plastics, packaging, and chemicals. Founded in 2003, Blaige was one of the first industry-focused (versus generalist) M&A firms, with a strong emphasis on cross-border and strategic transactions. Our team has completed over 200 deals and assessed more than 600 operations worldwide. Through our research affiliate, Blaige Industry Analytics ("BIA"), we maintain extensive knowledge of over 10,000 industry transactions since 2000.The London-based magazine Acquisition International named Mr. Blaige Sector Focused CEO of the Year, and Blaige & Company Sector Focused Investment Bank of the Year 2024 for the sixth time in eight years.For inquiries, contact:Thomas Blaige, Chairman & CEO, Blaige & Company marketing@ blaige.com (312) 337-5200 www.blaige.comwww.blaigeindustryanalytics.comwww.plasticsmergersandacquisitions.comwww.plasticsinvestmentbanking.com Contact InformationThomas BlaigeChairman & CEOmarketing@ blaige.com (312) 337-5200SOURCE: Blaige & CompanyView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 01:15:47 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 313 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 31, 2024 / Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation of Customers Bancorp, Inc. ("Customers Bancorp, Inc.") (NYSE:CUBI) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.Customers Bancorp revealed via an SEC filing on April 12, 2024, that Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), Carla Leibold, "was notified of her termination from employment with the Company on April 10, 2024, for 'cause' under her employment agreement for violating Company policy, which termination was effective immediately." The Company then admitted in an SEC filing on April 25, 2024, that contrary to its prior filing, that Ms. Leibold "agreed that the termination of Ms. Leibold's employment is a separation by mutual agreement." Additionally, the Company disclosed that Ms. Leibold would receive $2.5 million in cash. The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. To obtain additional information, go to:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212)363-7500.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212)363-7500 Fax: (212)363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 20:57:00 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 361 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Launching Pop Up shops in Portland, ME and Boston, MAPORTLAND, ME / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / As Election Day nears, voters in Westbrook, Maine, can look forward to a special perk at the polls: a custom-designed "I Voted" sticker crafted by FLYN Art, a local art and apparel brand FLYNhats.com . This partnership between FLYN Art and the city of Westbrook brings a new level of style and community pride to the civic ritual of voting.I Voted Westbrook 2024 Sticker A Racoon grasping a Westbrook, ME ballot with a smile."Westbrook voters are guaranteed to be the coolest voters in Maine while sporting these fantastic stickers!" says Westbrook City Clerk Angela Holmes, reflecting the excitement shared by the community over this unique initiative. FLYN Art founder and designer Flyn Costello expressed pride in the collaboration, adding, "We're so happy to work with Westbrook. We love our town and want to help make the voting process more fun." The exclusive sticker, available only to Westbrook voters on Election Day, is intended to encourage voter turnout and bring a memorable keepsake to those exercising their civic duty. This one-of-a-kind design blends local artistry with civic pride, symbolizing Westbrook's commitment to community involvement.About FLYNArt.com: FLYN is a Portland, ME-based fashion and lifestyle brand known for its unique and stylish apparel found at FLYNHats.com . Our mission is to create high-quality products that celebrate the relationship between wildlife and humans. Holiday season FLYN Pop-Up Shops are in Portland, ME at the Maine Souvenir Store and the Holiday Market Snowport at Boston Seaport.About Westbrook, Maine: Known for its blend of urban amenities and natural charm, Westbrook has a historic downtown, scenic riverfronts, and a strong sense of community. With a population of about 20,000, it has become a popular spot for those who want a quieter lifestyle while still being close to Portland's bustling metro area.Contact InformationGregory GonserMedia Contact - Saltbox Marketingflynart.marketing@gmail.com 6174168262Related ImagesI Voted Westbrook 2024 Sticker A Racoon grasping a Westbrook, ME ballot with a smile. FLYN Corporate logo for FLYNhats.com SOURCE: FLYN ArtsView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 20:02:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 584 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Placing GEON in 93rd Percentile Globally for Sustainability PerformanceWESTLAKE, OH / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / GEON Performance Solutions, a global leader in the formulation, development and manufacture of performance polymer solutions, announced today that it received a Silver Medal for its sustainability practices from EcoVadis, a leader in business sustainability assessments. GEON's score placed it in the 93rd percentile globally for sustainable management and procurement.GEON Awarded EcoVadis Silver Medal GEON Awarded EcoVadis Silver Medal"Our view at GEON is simple: we can't succeed as a business without a healthy planet," said Janice Worden, GEON's chief operating officer. "GEON is focused on driving long-term growth and delivering value by serving all our stakeholders and acting in ways that create a more sustainable future. We are proud to receive a Silver Medal from EcoVadis, especially as first-time applicants." EcoVadis rated 15,500 companies, including GEON, for the first time during the most recent rating period. Forty-two percent of those companies scored in the medium to high-risk range1. GEON's score landed it in the advanced sustainability performance category - an accolade that only six percent of first-time applicants received.The EcoVadis assessment process measures the quality of a company's sustainability management system through the pillars of policies, actions and results. Over 130,000 companies are scored on 21 sustainability criteria that fall under the themes of environment, ethics, labor and human rights, and sustainable procurement. EcoVadis medals (bronze, silver, gold and platinum) are awarded to the top 35 percent of companies assessed.In 2020, GEON developed a set of actionable, outcome-driven sustainability goals to transform its businesses and maximize its positive impact based on three focus areas: optimize and advance operational excellence, shape thriving communities, and collaborate and innovate across our value chain. These goals are designed to integrate sustainability into core business and decision-making processes. Learn more about sustainability at GEON at geon.com/about/sustainability 1According to the EcoVadis Business Sustainability Performance Index (8th Edition) - Insights From Global Value Chain Ratings 2019-2023About GEON Performance SolutionsGEON Performance Solutions is a global leader in the formulation, development and manufacture of performance polymer solutions. With a portfolio of highly adaptable vinyl and polyolefin polymer technologies as well as a full-service manufacturing business, GEON combines three powerful traditions into a single, customer-focused business. GEON Performance Solutions is a leading innovator in the development of performance material solutions for a broad range of markets, including appliances, building & infrastructure, electronics, healthcare, transportation, power & communications and more. GEON Performance Solutions has approximately 1,000 global associates and 12 world-class manufacturing plants with headquarters in Westlake, Ohio. Please visit us at www.geon.com to learn more. GEON Performance Solutions is a portfolio company of SK Capital Partners.About SK Capital PartnersSK Capital is a private investment firm with a disciplined focus on the specialty materials, ingredients, and life sciences sectors. The Firm seeks to build resilient, sustainable, and growing businesses that create substantial long-term value. SK Capital aims to utilize its industry, operating, and investment experience to identify opportunities to transform businesses into higher-performing organizations with improved strategic positioning, growth, and profitability, as well as lower operating risk. SK Capital's portfolio of businesses generates revenues of approximately $12 billion annually, employs more than 25,000 people globally, and operates more than 200 plants in over 30 countries. The Firm currently has approximately $9 billion in assets under management. For more information, please visit www.skcapitalpartners.com Contact InformationRenita AndersonVice President, Marketing & Business Developmentrenita.anderson@geon.com 678-772-8953SOURCE: GEON Performance SolutionsView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 21:00:27 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 293 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / Innovex International, Inc. (NYSE:INVX), (the "Company" or "Innovex") announced today that it will release its third quarter 2024 earnings results on November 7, 2024, after the close of the U.S. financial markets.Management will host a conference call and a webcast to discuss the financial results on November 8, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time / 9:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time. The presentation is open to all interested parties and may include forward-looking information.To access the call, please dial in approximately ten minutes before the start of the call.Conference Call and Webcast DetailsDate / Time:Friday, November 08, 2024 - 9:00 AM Central TimeWebcast:U.S. Toll-Free Dial-In:877-545-0523International Dial-In:973-528-0016Conference ID:946398For those unable to participate in the live call, an audio replay will be available following the call through midnight Friday, November 22, 2024. To access the replay, please call 877-481-4010 or 919-882-2331 (International) and enter replay passcode 51431. A replay of the webcast will also be archived shortly after the call and can be accessed on the Company's website.About Innovex InternationalInnovex International, Inc (NYSE:INVX) is a Houston-based company established in 2024 following the merger of Dril-Quip, Inc and Innovex Downhole Solutions.Our comprehensive portfolio extends throughout the lifecycle of the well; and innovative product integration ensures seamless transitions from one well phase to the next, driving efficiency, lowering cost, and reducing the rig site service footprint for the customer.With locations throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, no matter where you need us, our team is readily available with technical expertise, conventional and innovative technologies, and ever-present customer service.Investor Relations Contactinvestors@ innovex-inc.com SOURCE: Innovex International, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 02:16:02 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 416 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 San Diego Entrepreneur Highlights the Role of International Food Markets in Cultural Exchange and Community BuildingSAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 31, 2024 / Javid Javdani, owner of Balboa Market in San Diego, is raising awareness about the importance of supporting small businesses, particularly international food markets, as essential cultural and community resources. His business, Balboa Market, has become a gathering space where food fosters connection and cultural exchange. Javdani's unique perspective as an immigrant and entrepreneur has underscored the critical need for small business support, especially as they strive to serve diverse populations and maintain cultural traditions."Small businesses are not just about commerce," says Javdani. "They are about building community, bridging cultures, and preserving heritage." Small businesses make up nearly 99.8% of all businesses in California, according to the Small Business Administration (SBA), and they employ almost half of the state's workforce, underscoring their economic and social significance.However, small businesses often face obstacles, particularly in securing funding and navigating complex regulations. "The biggest challenge I've encountered as a small business owner is accessing capital to sustain and expand our services," Javdani explains. A recent report by the SBA reveals that 42% of small businesses in California struggle to secure sufficient funding-a statistic Javdani finds troubling. "With more financial support and resources, these businesses could achieve so much more for the communities they serve," he adds.Javdani believes that international food markets, like Balboa Market, serve as more than just places to shop. "Food has a way of connecting people-whether it's giving immigrants a taste of home or introducing someone to new flavors and traditions," he says. His market hosts events, cooking classes, and tastings that allow customers to experience the diversity of world cultures right in their neighborhood.California has nearly 4.2 million small businesses, making up 99.8% of all businesses in the state.42% of small businesses report issues with accessing necessary funding to maintain or grow.International food markets contribute to preserving cultural heritage, supporting tourism, and providing local jobs.Javdani calls on state policymakers, financial institutions, and community leaders to consider increased funding opportunities, mentorship programs, and regulatory support for small business owners. By implementing targeted support, he believes California can enable small businesses to reach their full potential and serve as thriving cultural hubs."As we support small businesses, we're investing in our communities and fostering environments that celebrate diversity," says Javdani.Media ContactJavid Javdani https://javidjavdani.com/contact@javidjavdani.com SOURCE: Javid Javdani PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 17:15:39 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 488 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge ("LWC") recently disclosed a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of thousands of customers. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive private and protected health information entrusted to LWC.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On or about May 12, 2024, LWC became aware of a security incident on their IT Network. Upon discovering the incident, LWC launched an investigation with the help of leading cyber security experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. As a result of the investigation, LWC determined that an unauthorized activity occurred between April 26, 2024, and May 12, 2024. LWC, with the help of outside counsel, retained a third-party data analytics firm and launched a comprehensive review of the incident to determine the types of information exposed and to identify the individuals affected. LWC's review determined that sensitive personal information and protected health information was impacted.LWC's investigation discovered that the following type of sensitive private and protected health information may have been exposed in the data breach: Name, Addresses, Social Security Number, Driver's License or State ID numbers, Bank account number, Username and password or email address and password, Health/ medical insurance policy number, Tax Identification Number (TIN), and IRS Pin. On October 17, 2024, LWC issued a public disclosure about the data breach and started sending notice letters to individuals impacted. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY AM I ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from LWC you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us atwww.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 10:00:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1006 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / NextSource Materials Inc. (TSX:NEXT)(OTCQB:NSRCF) ("NextSource" or the "Company") confirms, further to the announcement on 28th May 2024, Hanre Rossouw has officially begun his role as President and CEO. His tenure begins in Madagascar, where he will visit the Molo graphite mine operations as well as engage with the community and government as part of a structured leadership transition plan.Also effective today, the former President and CEO, Craig Scherba, will continue as a Director and transition to the newly created role of Chief Development Officer to focus on developing strategy, managing offtake negotiations and expanding the Company's OEM relationships globally.NextSource is at a pivotal point in its development, having recently shipped its first commercial consignment of SuperFlake graphite concentrate and generating its first income from sales to US and European customers. The rapid advancement of its build-out strategy for battery anode facilities (BAF) and the bolstering of the management team through recent appointments further underscore the Company's commitment to deliver on its next phase of growth.NextSource is well positioned to realize its vision in becoming a responsible, sustainable battery materials company, with the key priority being the successful ramp-up of Molo and the acceleration of its planned series of BAFs that will be strategically located globally to supply anode active material to major EV automotive companies.Sir Mick Davis, Chairman of NextSource commented:"On behalf of the Board, I welcome Hanre to the role of President and CEO of NextSource Materials. The Company is beginning to deliver on its potential to become a meaningful graphite producer serving global customers. I am confident that the expanded management team under Hanre's leadership have the capabilities to capitalise on the many downstream opportunities in the graphite supply chain.I also pay tribute to Craig Scherba for his leadership and vision in the building of NextSource Materials and I am delighted that he will continue as a director and part of the leadership team".Hanre Rossouw, President and CEO commented:"I am delighted to lead the Company during the next phase of its growth strategy. The vision to become a global leader in sustainable battery materials is unchanged, with the key priority being the successful ramp-up of Molo.NextSource can elevate Madagascar to be an important participant in the global sustainable energy transition which is why I am here meeting with the workforce, senior leadership, host government and local community on the first day of my tenure. We will continue to collaborate closely with all our strategic partners to capture the benefits of our shared aspiration." About Hanre RossouwHanre Rossouw was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of NextSource effective November 1, 2024 and joined the Board as a Director from September 1, 2024. Hanre has extensive experience in the global natural resources industry gained over the last 25 years and joined NextSource from Sasol Limited where he was Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director.A British and South African national, Hanre has held senior positions in leading global mining and investment companies where his roles involved business development, M&A, capital markets, asset management and business optimization. Mr. Rossouw graduated from Oxford University with a Master's degree in Business Administration and also holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical Engineering and a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) degree in Economics.About NextSource Materials Inc.NextSource Materials Inc. is a battery materials development company based in Toronto, Canada that is intent on becoming a vertically integrated global supplier of battery materials through the mining and value-added processing of graphite and other minerals.The Company's Molo graphite project in Madagascar is one of the largest known and highest-quality graphite resources globally, and the only one with SuperFlake graphite. The Molo mine has begun production, with Phase 1 mine operations currently being optimized to reach its nameplate production capacity of 17,000 tpa of graphite concentrate.The Company is also developing a significant downstream graphite value-add business through the staged rollout of Battery Anode Facilities capable of large-scale production of coated, spheronized and purified graphite for direct delivery to battery and automotive customers, outside of existing Asian supply chains, in a fully transparent and traceable manner.NextSource Materials is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol "NEXT" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "NSRCF".For further information about NextSource please visit our website at www.nextsourcematerials.com or contact us:Investors: Brent Nykoliation Executive Vice President +1.416.364.4911 brent@ nextsourcematerials.com or Hanre Rossouw, President & CEO hanre@ nextsourcematerials.com Media: Michael Oke/Andy Mills +44 207 321 0000 nextsource@ aura-financial.com Cautionary NoteThis press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. Forward looking statements and information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements include any statements regarding, among others, timing of commercial sales, commissioning and achievement of nameplate capacity, including the processing plant, process improvements and mine plant adjustments as well as production estimates and timing thereof, the rollout of Battery Anode Facilities including the capabilities and the timing thereof. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks, which could cause actual results to vary and, in some instances, to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur or, if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive there from. The forward-lookin PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 17:15:29 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 413 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / OnePoint Patient Care ("OPPC")recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of approximately 800,000 customers.This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to OPPC.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On August 8, 2024, OPPC detected suspicious activity on its IT Network. OPPC launched an investigation to determine the nature and scope of the cyber incident. On August 15, 2024, OPPC's investigation confirmed that between August 6 and 8, 2024, an unauthorized third party obtained customers' sensitive personal information.OPPC's investigation discovered that the following types of sensitive personal and protected health information may have been exposed in the data breach: Names, Addresses, Medical record numbers, Diagnosis and prescription information, and Social Security numbers. On October 14, 2024, OPPC posted a notice of incident on its website, and soon after, began sending notice letters to individuals impacted by the data breach. Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY AM I ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter fromOPPC,you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. The Western Azerbaijan Community strongly condemns and rejects the position of UNESCO representative Krista Pikkat regarding the proposed mission to Azerbaijan, based on Armenia's claims about cultural monuments within the country, the community said in a statement, Trend reports. "It is unacceptable for a UNESCO representative to entertain unfounded claims from Armenia instead of clarifying why repeated requests to UNESCO to address the mass destruction of Azerbaijani cultural heritage in formerly occupied territories and in Armenia remain unanswered. Discrimination by UNESCO against the Azerbaijani people based on religious and ethnic grounds demonstrates that this organization has become an instrument of anti-Azerbaijani policy in the hands of France. We demand that UNESCO put an end to the slander and discrimination against Azerbaijan and our people and finally fulfill its duty regarding the destruction of Azerbaijani cultural heritage by Armenia, including sending a special monitoring mission to this country," the statement reads. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 14:07:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 635 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Packaging Digest, the industry-leading B2B media outlet for packaging news and insights will provide market commentary, community networking, and free newsletter subscriptions alongside sweet fresh-baked treats and prizes.CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 /Packaging Digest, the premier media brand and leading source for emerging trends, best practices, and new technologies for packaging professionals, announces its presence at Pack Expo International, Nov. 3-6 at McCormick Place.Packaging Digest has been the authoritative voice of the packaging community for more than 60 years. Led by Executive Editor Lisa McTigue Pierce, a veteran packaging journalist with more than 40 years of experience, the editorial team delivers cutting-edge content that not only informs but shapes the future of packaging.The media brand currently serves as an official media partner for Informa Markets - Engineering shows, including the international tentpole event MD&M West and the newly launching Sustainable Manufacturing Expo, co-located with WestPack, and several more shows."Pack Expo International is here again, one of our favorite times of the year to reconnect with industry friends and colleagues," says Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor of Packaging Digest. "It is an exciting opportunity to explore emerging trends, discover new technologies, and gain insights into the future of the market." The United States is one of the fastest-growing packaging markets in North America, with a market size of 200.98 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 244.17 billion by 2029.Recognized for staying ahead of the curve, Packaging Digest predicts trends before they translate to the mainstream market, providing perspective that empowers its community of readers to make the most informed decisions. Industry giants like PepsiCo, Amazon, Eli Lilly, Mars and Nestle, among many others, trust Packaging Digest with groundbreaking developments and market insights to share.Pierce and the Packaging Digest team will be in attendance at Pack Expo International in booth #N-6084 Sunday, November 3, through Wednesday, November 6 where attendees may visit Packaging Digest to experience daily prizes and free giveaways, as well as exclusive Packaging Digest promotions. Scanned badges to sign up for the newsletter will enter the drawing for a grand prize giveaway for a chance to win the new Apple AirPods Pro 2.0. Cookies will be available at the booth on Sunday, November 3, and Monday, November 4, from 1-5 pm. Don't miss the chance to experience the impactPackaging Digestmakes within the packaging community.To stay up to date with packaging news and insights, visit the Packaging Digest website.About Packaging DigestPackaging Digest is the "Voice of the Packaging Community" for more than 60 years, led by celebrated industry veteran and Executive Editor, Lisa McTigue Pierce. Since 1963, the well-known and respected premier B2B media brand delivers news, trends, best practices, and new technologies to packaging executives and engineers, developers and designers at end-user companies in a variety of markets. Packaging Digest's goal is to help packaging professionals achieve higher levels of creative thinking, productivity, and profitability. To follow Packaging Digest, visit www.packagingdigest.com About Informa Markets EngineeringInforma Markets Engineering, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), is the leading B2B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the world's $3-trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry. Our print and electronic products deliver trusted information to the engineering market and leverage our proprietary 1.3-million-name database to connect suppliers with buyers and purchase influencers. We produce more than 50 events and conferences in a dozen countries, connecting manufacturing professionals from around the globe. The Engineering portfolio is organized by Informa, the world's leading exhibitions organizer that brings a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com Media ContactsInforma Markets Engineering PR EngineeringPR@ informa.com Packaging Digest Lisa McTigue Pierce, Executive Editor lisa.pierce@informa.com SOURCE: INFORMA MARKETS - ENGINEERING PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 01:15:27 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 334 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 31, 2024 / AccreditedEvents.com , a top-tier platform connecting accredited investors with high-growth companies across diverse sectors, is thrilled to announce that REV Technologies will present at its exclusive December 2024 investor event in New York City. REV Technologies, known for its innovative energy solutions, will join a lineup of pioneering companies offering a unique look at future-shaping technologies.Revolutionizing Energy with REV TechnologiesSet to take place in December 2024, with the exact date and time T.B.A., this event will highlight REV Technologies' cutting-edge advancements in renewable energy and sustainable solutions, showcasing the company's strategic vision to revolutionize the energy landscape. Investors will gain insights directly from REV Technologies' executive team, including updates on recent R&D milestones, market strategies, and the company's role in addressing global energy challenges.A Growing Community of Impactful InvestorsThis event follows a series of successful gatherings hosted by AccreditedEvents.com , which has quickly expanded its community to over 300 accredited investors, including more than 20 super accredited active members. This growth demonstrates the platform's value in today's evolving investment landscape, where direct engagement with promising companies is more valuable than ever."At AccreditedEvents.com , our mission is to bridge the gap between accredited investors and forward-thinking companies like REV Technologies, who are tackling some of the world's most critical issues," said Vince Caruso, Director of AccreditedEvents.com . "Our December showcase provides an exclusive setting for investors to discover innovative solutions firsthand and engage with the leaders driving these transformations." About AccreditedEvents.com AccreditedEvents.com is a premier networking platform under Accel Media International (AMI), dedicated to connecting accredited investors with high-potential companies through intimate, well-curated events. By blending live and virtual experiences, AccreditedEvents.com delivers valuable connections that support the growth of both investors and presenting companies.ATTENTION: To be considered for an invite, register and apply at AccreditedEvents.com For more information or to RSVP, please contact:Monica BrennanAccreditedEvents.com Contact InformationMonica BrennanHead of Operationsmonica@ newtothestreet.com SOURCE: AccreditedEvents.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 03:36:54 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 292 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 31, 2024 / Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation of Franklin Resources, Inc. ("Franklin Resources, Inc.") (NYSE:BEN) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.Franklin subsidiary Western Asset Management Company issued a press release on August 21, 2024, announcing that co-Chief Investment Officer Ken Leech "is on a leave of absence, effective immediately" after "receiv[ing] a Wells Notice from the Staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission". That same day, Bloomberg reported that "[f]ederal prosecutors in New York are investigating whether a Western Asset Management executive allocated winning trades to favored accounts, as part of a criminal probe into a practice known as cherry-picking.'" Following this news, Franklin's stock price fell over 12% on August 21, 2024. To obtain additional information, go to:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212)363-7500.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212)363-7500 Fax: (212)363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 03:36:47 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 624 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Innovative Securement Solutions Deliver Unmatched Results in Rail, Maritime, Automotive, and Aerospace SectorsMIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / October 31, 2024 / Shock-Gard, a leader in cargo securement technology, continues to set industry standards with its innovative solutions that ensure the safety and protection of valuable cargo across multiple sectors. From rail and maritime to automotive and aerospace, Shock-Gard's advanced technology has consistently provided effective solutions to the unique challenges of each industry, as highlighted in a series of success stories.As global logistics grow increasingly complex, the need for reliable cargo protection is more crucial than ever. Shock-Gard's solutions, designed to safeguard goods against damage from shifting, impacts, and harsh environmental conditions, have been instrumental in preventing cargo loss and ensuring operational efficiency across a range of industries.Success Stories in Cargo SecurementRail Industry: Protecting High-Value Cargo A major railway operator tasked with transporting delicate electronic equipment faced the challenge of protecting its cargo over long, often turbulent journeys. By employing Shock-Gard's advanced shock-absorbing materials and adjustable restraints, the operator ensured that the valuable equipment arrived at its destination without damage. This success highlighted Shock-Gard's ability to provide reliable protection for high-value cargo in demanding environments, reinforcing customer trust and satisfaction.Maritime Industry: Cargo Protection in Extreme Conditions Maritime transport poses significant challenges, including exposure to saltwater, high humidity, and violent ship movements. A leading shipping company encountered difficulties securing industrial machinery during transoceanic voyages. With Shock-Gard's Ty-Gard DS system, which offers exceptional durability and moisture resistance, the machinery was delivered in perfect condition. This case demonstrated how Shock-Gard's technology excels in safeguarding cargo against both physical and environmental hazards in the harsh maritime environment.Automotive Industry: Ensuring Precision in Transit A major automotive manufacturer relied on Shock-Gard's shock-absorbent systems to secure high-precision parts that required meticulous protection. Shock-Gard's cushioning technology absorbed impacts and vibrations, preventing damage during transit and leading to a significant reduction in cargo incidents. As a result, the manufacturer saw improvements in both operational efficiency and financial savings, further establishing Shock-Gard as a go-to partner in automotive logistics.Aerospace Industry: Meeting Rigorous Standards The aerospace sector demands the highest standards of protection for sensitive and high-value components. A leading aerospace company selected Shock-Gard to secure its delicate avionics equipment, which required both impact resistance and environmental protection. Shock-Gard's solutions provided superior compression strength and shock absorption, ensuring the equipment's safe arrival without damage, cementing Shock-Gard's reputation for excellence in one of the most exacting industries.The Impact of Shock-Gard's Solutions Shock-Gard's innovative securement systems have proven to be indispensable across industries that demand reliability and protection for their valuable cargo. By delivering durable, eco-friendly, and tailored solutions, Shock-Gard has helped companies reduce financial losses and increase operational efficiency."We are proud to partner with industries that require the highest levels of cargo protection," said Matthew Bullock, CEO at Shock-Gard. "Our technology is designed not just to meet regulatory requirements but to exceed expectations in the most challenging environments." Commitment to Excellence and Innovation As industries continue to evolve, Shock-Gard remains committed to developing cutting-edge cargo protection solutions that address the ever-changing challenges of global logistics. By investing in research and innovation, Shock-Gard aims to lead the way in cargo securement and ensure that its clients' goods arrive safely, no matter the journey.About Shock-Gard Shock-Gard is an industry leader in cargo securement solutions, providing advanced technology to protect goods across multiple sectors, including rail, maritime, automotive, and aerospace. With a commitment to innovation, safety, and sustainability, Shock-Gard offers tailored solutions that meet the highest industry standards for cargo protection.For more information, visit https://shock-gard.com/ Media Contact Shock-Gard contact@ shock-gardreviews.comhttps://www.shock-gardreviews.com/https://www.instagram.com/shock_gard/https://www.linkedin.com/company/shock-gard SOURCE: Shock-Gard PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 12:18:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 478 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces that a lawsuit has been filed against The Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD) and certain of the Company's senior executives for potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in TD Bank, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/the-toronto-dominion-bank Investors have until December 23, 2024 to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in TD Bank securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and is captioned Tiessen v. The Toronto-Dominion Bank., et al., No. 24-cv-08032.What is the Lawsuit About?TD Bank is the 10th largest bank in the United States. The complaint alleges that TD Bank made materially false and misleading statements about the scope of its anti-money laundering program.On October 10, 2024, TD Bank pleaded guilty to criminal money-laundering-related charges and agreed to pay more than $3 billion in fines to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Reserve, the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. The Comptroller of the Currency also imposed an "asset cap" that prevents TD Bank from growing any larger than its current size.The news caused a significant decline in the price of TD Bank stock. On October 10, 2024, the price of the company's stock fell 6.4%, from a closing price of $63.51 per share on October 9, 2024, to $59.44 per share on October 10, 2024.Click here if you suffered losses: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/the-toronto-dominion-bank What Can You Do?If you invested in TD Bank you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitzross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors (pending court approval), as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 14:00:42 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 582 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TEMECULA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / Temecula Valley Wine Country, the heart of Southern California's wine production, contributed an impressive $905 million to the Riverside County economy in 2023, according to a new economic impact report by the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association (TVWA) in partnership with independent economic data analyst Vince Vasquez. As one of the region's most dynamic industries, Temecula Valley's wineries not only boost tourism but also support thousands of jobs, drive revenue, and attract visitors from around the world.Key Findings and Economic Contributions$905 Million in Economic Impact: Through direct, indirect, and induced impacts, Temecula Valley wineries generated $905 million in regional economic activity in 2023.Employment: The industry supports a total of 5,606 jobs in Riverside County, including 1,452 direct jobs in the wine and hospitality sectors, with positions in vineyard operations, tasting rooms, and administration.Tourism: Temecula Valley hosted 1.2 million paid wine tastings in 2023, a 75% increase from 2018, underscoring the area's growing appeal. Additionally, local wineries welcomed over 589,000 restaurant patrons and 73,400 overnight stays, significantly boosting the regional economy."Temecula Valley is more than just a wine destination; it's a powerful economic engine for Riverside County," said Krista Chaich, executive director of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association. "The expertise and passion found within our wineries not only contribute to the production of exceptional wines but also generate jobs, draw in global tourism, and foster a strong, vibrant economy that benefits our entire region." Resilience and Growth Amid New Challenges Temecula Valley wineries have shown remarkable resilience and growth, with industry revenues rising to an estimated $187.6 million in 2023 - an 88% increase since 2018. In addition to record visitation and sales, wineries in the region continue to adapt to changing conditions. Despite challenges such as increasing insurance rates and extreme heat impacting vineyard yields, many wineries remain financially viable, with 90% planning to expand marketing or sales efforts in the coming months.A Growing Reputation and Sustainable Future Temecula Valley's reputation continues to rise as it gains recognition for producing quality wines that reflect California's diverse terroirs. Many wineries are focusing on sustainable practices from organic farming to sustainable and regenerative agriculture and reduced water use to support environmental health and ensure the longevity of the industry. These efforts add to the region's appeal and reflect a commitment to both economic and environmental sustainability.The region's growers and wineries cultivate 63 grape varieties, with Cabernet Sauvignon taking the top spot for most grown, followed by Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, and Merlot. Other varieties popular among growers and winemakers in the region include Syrah, Sangiovese, Malbec, Tempranillo, Viognier, and Chardonnay."The impact of our wineries extends beyond the vines," said TVWA Board President Mike Rennie. "The growth of Temecula Valley wine country has become a cornerstone for local employment, tourism, and community development, ensuring a prosperous future for generations." ABOUT TEMECULA VALLEY WINE COUNTRY Located within a 60-minute drive from San Diego, Orange County, and Palm Springs, and within 90 minutes of Los Angeles, Temecula Valley is widely recognized as Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country. The popular wine destination is southern California's largest wine producing region by volume.The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association (TVWA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit regional organization. The TVWA ( TemeculaWines.org) is dedicated to promoting the making and growing of quality wine and wine grapes in the Temecula Valley A.V.A. (American Viticulture Area).Contact Information Devin ParrBrand Marketing Partnerprmarketing@ temeculawines.org 818-731-1082Related Files2023 Economic Impact ReportSOURCE: Temecula Valley Winegrowers AssociationView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 20:41:00 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 446 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 JOHNSTOWN, CO / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / Fans of The Trailer Park Boys and genetics connoisseurs are in for a special treat as Brothers Grimm Seeds teams up with the beloved Trailer Park Boys and Hemptown Naturals to introduce a brand-new strain: Ricky's Hash Plant. The collaboration brings together the DIY ethos that both Trailer Park Boys and Brothers Grimm Seeds are known for.The Trailer Park Boys Rickys Hash Plant Package Brothers Grimm Seeds Packaging Rickys HashplantThis strain will be available in seed packs containing 9 feminized photoperiod seeds per pack. Ricky's Hash Plant draws from some coveted genetics: Genius, Puck, and Airborne G13. With over 30 years of care for the exclusive Airborne G13 clone, breeder Rick Campanella, aka, MrSoul, has meticulously crafted a hybrid with exceptional resin production and distinct aromas.Ricky's Hash Plant will be available for purchase starting October 31, 2024, in the USA through Brothers Grimm Seeds. www.brothersgrimseeds.com Mark your calendars for November 8, 2024, and tune into The Trailer Park Boys Podcast www.swearnet.com to hear the full story behind Ricky's Hash Plant.Ricky's Hash Plant Seed Packs: $50 (9 Seeds Per Pack) Lineage: (Genius x Puck) x Airborne G13 Feminized Photoperiod Seeds Indoor Flowering Time: 8-9 weeks American Availability: October 31, 2024, at www.brothersgrimmseeds.com About The Trailer Park BoysTrailer Park Boys is the smash-hit Canadian comedy about the misadventures of a group of trailer park residents living in Sunnyvale Trailer Park, Nova Scotia. Follow the adventures of Ricky, Julian and Bubbles as they commit crime, and try to look out for each other. And there's kitties.... lots of 'em! Want more? The Boys have their own online comedy network at SwearNet.com , available on iOS and Android as the TPB/SwearNet app!About Hemptown NaturalsHemptown Naturals is a premium hemp and CBD brand dedicated to producing high-quality, naturally sourced hemp products. Based in Oregon, the company is known for its focus on organic cultivation and environmentally sustainable practices. In 2021, they partnered with The Trailer Park Boys to create a unique line of hemp products.About Brothers Grimm SeedsFounded by Rick Campanella, aka MrSoul, Brothers Grimm Seeds is renowned for its high-quality cannabis genetics. With roots in the 1990s, MrSoul is best known as the creator of the legendary Cinderella 99. A prominent figure during prohibition, MrSoul helped growers access seeds through underground networks. Today, Brothers Grimm Seeds is recognized as one of America's premier breeder-direct seed banks.Contact InformationLaura CampanellaChief Operating Officerlaura@ brothersgrimmseeds.com 9182091916Jason JordanMedia Manager and Producerjasonptjordan@ gmail.com 902-403-7778Eric GripentrogMedia Contacteric.gripentrog@functionalbrandsinc.com 209-579-2915Related FilesTPB HT BGS Media Release - OCT22.docx (4)SOURCE: BROTHERS GRIMM SEEDSView the original press release on newswire.com PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 13:47:29 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 620 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TD Investors Who Purchased on the NYSE and Suffered Losses Encouraged to Contact the FirmSAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 / On October 23, 2024, Moody's downgraded the long-term ratings of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD) and its U.S. subsidiaries in response to the company's guilty plea earlier in the month to having engaged in a conspiracy to commit money laundering and agreement to pay a $3 billion fine.The ratings downgrade comes on the heels of a recently filed federal securities class action lawsuit against The Toronto-Dominion Bank and several of its most senior executives and alleges that they misled investors about the extent of the bank's anti-money laundering (AML) program deficiencies.Hagens Berman urges only investors who purchased The Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE: TD) shares on the New York Stock Exchange and who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.Class Period: Feb. 29, 2024 - Oct. 9, 2024Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Dec. 23, 2024Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/td Contact the Firm Now: TD@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895The Toronto-Dominion Bank Securities Class Action (TD):The truth about TD's malfeasance emerged on October 10, 2024, when the U.S. Department of Justice announced that TD's U.S. subsidiaries had pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The resolution included a $3.09 billion fine, an asset cap, and increased regulatory oversight.The DOJ found that TD Bank intentionally did not automatically monitor a staggering 92% of transactions, or $18.3 trillion, from January 1, 2018 to April 12, 2024. The DOJ also said that the company's internal audit "repeatedly identified concernsabout its transaction monitoring program, a key element of an appropriate AML program necessary to properly detect and report suspicious activities." Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said "[f]or years, TD Bank starved its compliance program of the resources needed to obey the law." Attorney General Merrick Garland said "[b]y making its services available for criminals, TD Bank became one[,]" adding "[t]oday, TD Bank also became the largest bank in U.S history to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering[]" and "TD Bank chose profits over compliance with the law." Following the announcement, TD Bank's stock price plummeted, losing over 10% in the two days after the news broke."TD Bank's alleged misconduct represents a serious breach of trust with its investors. We believe that investors deserve to be compensated for the losses they suffered as a result of the bank's alleged misleading statements," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.If you invested in Toronto-Dominion and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, submit your losses now If you'd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Toronto-Dominion case and our investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Toronto-Dominion should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email TD@ hbsslaw.com # # #About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman's team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.Contact:Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP PR-Inside.com: 2024-11-01 21:30:22 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 530 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 ST. JOHN'S, NL / ACCESSWIRE / November 1, 2024 /Vulcan Minerals Inc. ("the Company" - "Vulcan") (TSX-V:VUL) announces that shareholders approved all resolutions at the annual general meeting of shareholders today in St. John's, NL. All four of the individuals nominated for the board of directors were elected, being Patrick Laracy, Philip E. Collins, Fraser Edison and Carson Noel. Shareholders also appointed MNP LLP as its auditor and approved the company's stock option plan.About VulcanVulcan Minerals is a precious and base metals exploration company based in St. John's, NL. The Company has strategic project exposure in multiple active Newfoundland exploration and development belts. It also owns approximately 30 percent of the shares in Atlas Salt Inc. (TSXV:SALT). Atlas Salt is currently developing the Great Atlantic salt mine in western Newfoundland.We seek safe harbour.For information please contact:Patrick J. Laracy, P. Geo.CEO and President(709) 754-3186 info@ vulcanminerals.cawww.vulcanminerals.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider, (as the term is defined in the Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the future operating or financial performance of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this press release relate to, among other things: completion, delivery and timing of the referenced exploration program and assumptions related thereto. Actual future results may differ materially. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, technical, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the timing, completion and delivery of the referenced assessments and analysis. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these times. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.SOURCE: Vulcan Minerals Inc. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. Azerbaijan and Armenia discussed order of border delimitation sections. The discussions were held during the 10th meeting of the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on the Matters of Delimitation of the State Border and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan under the chairmanship of Shahin Mustafayev, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Mher Grigoryan, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, on November 1, 2024, on the border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, Trend reports. The Parties exchanged views on the sequence of the areas/sections of the border line for the implementation of delimitation work in the next phase. The Parties discussed drafts of the relevant instructions regarding the procedures for carrying out the delimitation work. The Parties agreed to determine the date and location of the next meeting in a working order. Following the conclusion of the Commissions' meeting, Shahin Mustafayev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Mher Grigoryan, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, separately discussed issues related to transportation communications. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 2. The Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation, later called the "Iron Fist", on September 27, 2020, in response to the large-scale provocation of the Armenian armed forces along the frontline, Trend reports. The erupted 44-day second Karabakh war ended with the liberation of Azerbaijans territories from nearly 30-year Armenian occupation and the restoration of territorial integrity. Chronicle of the 37th day of the Second Karabakh War: - President Ilham Aliyev shared a publication in connection with the liberation of several more villages of the Jebrail, Zangilan and Gubadli regions by the Azerbaijani army from the occupation. - President Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by former Prime Minister of Turkey Binali Yildirim. - President Ilham Aliyev received the Secretary General of the Turkic Council and other officials. - The list of destroyed military equipment of the Armenian Armed Forces was published. - The Armenian Armed Forces fired at the territory of Aghdam and Aghjabadi districts. Armenia violated the ceasefire at the state border. Armenian troops retreated, suffering losses of up to 30 people. - The Armenian Su-25 attack aircraft was destroyed. Four more "GRAD" missile launchers of the Armenian Armed Forces were destroyed. - The Armenian Armed Forces intensively fired at the territory of the Terter and Goranboy regions. Armenia again fired at Gubadli from the territory of Armenia. - The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan has disseminated a video of the destruction of enemy personnel. - The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has disseminated a video of the destruction of the KUB anti-aircraft missile system of the Armenian Armed Forces. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. A coordinated campaign against COP29 is being conducted through the X social media platform by creating fake profiles, the Azerbaijani Parliament's Temporary Commission on Countering Foreign Interference and Hybrid Threats and the Media Development Agency said in a joint statement, Trend reports. Fake profiles using the hashtag #COP29 are manipulating content through bot systems, generating automatic responses with identical messages to mislead public opinion. The primary aim of these activities, driven by false information, is to create the illusion of "mass discontent" regarding Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29. In connection with COP29, which will take place in November in Baku, an effective communication strategy is being implemented to keep the public informed. "We urge our citizens and the international community not to fall for misleading information and to rely solely on information from official sources. The Temporary Commission on Countering Foreign Interference and Hybrid Threats and the Media Development Agency call on the 'X' social media platform to investigate this campaign of lies," the joint statement said. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. Azerbaijani Parliament's Speaker Sahiba Gafarova met with the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Azerbaijan, Mikhail Evdokimov, Trend reports via the parliament's press service. The meeting highlighted the high level of development in bilateral relations, emphasizing the significant role of mutual visits by heads of state in strengthening ties. During the discussion, the progress made between the legislative bodies of the two countries was noted, as well as successful cooperation in several international parliamentary organizations. Both sides expressed optimism for continued collaboration in the future. The meeting also addressed preparations for COP29, the 29th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It was confirmed that the Russian Federation plans to participate at a high level in both COP29 and the accompanying parliamentary conference. The importance of avoiding politicization of this crucial international event was underscored, and Azerbaijan's contributions to addressing global issues were highly appreciated. During the conversation, biased documents adopted by the European Parliament concerning Azerbaijan and the organization's anti-Azerbaijan activities were criticized. Sahiba Gafarova stated that these actions by the European Parliament do not align with the spirit of parliamentarism, and Azerbaijan categorically rejects the subjective and one-sided resolutions that distort reality. She emphasized the importance of objective opinions and dialogue in parliamentary relations. CHICAGO and LONDON, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trading Technologies International, Inc. (TT), a global capital markets technology platform provider, today announced that Abel Noser Solutions, a TT company, won the award for Best Buy-Side TCA (Transaction Cost Analysis) Tool in the Buy-Side Technology Awards 2024. The industry-leading provider of TCA for investment managers, brokers, asset owners and consultants offers comprehensive pre-trade, real-time and post-trade TCA products and services for global equities, foreign exchange (FX), futures, fixed income and options. Hosted by WatersTechnology, the awards recognize the leading technologies and third-party vendors in their areas of expertise, focusing on market-leading technologies developed specifically for use by buy-side firms, designed to allow them to operate more efficiently, more transparently and more judiciously. The panel of judges, including WatersTechnology's five most senior journalists, look for innovation and attention to the buy side's most pressing business, regulatory, operational and technology needs. For the category won by TT, the panel looked for a TCA tool or service that supports multiple asset classes, a range of benchmarks in its analysis, the ability to assess venue as well as broker performance, and a granular focus on data and its presentation. Peter Weiler, TT's EVP Managing Director, Data & Analytics, said: "We're excited about our data and analytics offering and the huge impact we can have on our buy-side and sell-side clients through our robust TCA solutions. The past year has been monumental as Abel Noser's TCA offering joined the Trading Technologies family, giving us an extraordinary new anonymized data set in futures and a plan to continue enhancing the data and analytics capabilities available to clients globally. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, machine learning and large language models, we will further differentiate our best-in-class TCA solution with innovations that are unmatched. Thanks to WatersTechnology for this tremendous honor." Abel Noser Solutions has long been a leader and pioneer in the campaign to lower costs associated with trading. More than 350 global institutional clients subscribe to the firm's multi-asset TCA and compliance products directly or through a network of resellers, distribution partners and strategic alliances. Abel Noser co-created the volume-weighted average price (VWAP) methodology now one of the financial markets' most ubiquitous trade cost methodologies. Abel Noser became a TT company in August 2023, marking TT's extension into the multi-asset data and analytics space. In June, the firm introduced TT Futures TCA, a comprehensive new offering leveraging the industry's largest collection of anonymized, microsecond-level futures market and trade data with a vast array of metrics and measures and an unprecedented level of granularity with real-world futures trading data. The Buy-Side Technology Award is the fifth recognition TT received in just the last two months and the 11th in 2024. About Trading Technologies Trading Technologies ( www.tradingtechnologies.com ) is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) technology platform provider to the global capital markets industry. The company's award-winning TT platform connects to the world's major international exchanges and liquidity venues in listed derivatives alongside a growing number of asset classes, including fixed income, foreign exchange (FX) and cryptocurrencies. The TT platform delivers advanced tools for trade execution and order management, market data solutions, analytics, trade surveillance, risk management, clearing, post-trade allocation and infrastructure services to the world's leading sell-side institutions, buy-side firms and exchanges. The company's blue-chip client base includes the Tier 1 banks as well as brokers, money managers, hedge funds, proprietary traders, Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs), commercial hedgers and risk managers. These firms rely on the TT ecosystem to manage their end-to-end trading operations. In addition, exchanges utilize TT's technology to deliver innovative solutions to their market participants. TT also strategically partners with technology companies to make their complementary offerings available to Trading Technologies' global client base through the TT ecosystem. SOURCE Trading Technologies Ace Hardware makes holiday shopping easier than ever with the ultimate gift guide featuring the best deals this season. Post this "Our aim is to remove the hassle and be the convenient, one-stop shop for holiday gift giving," says Kim Lefko, Chief Marketing Officer at Ace Hardware. "We have high-quality gifts that span from practical to unexpected. Your neighborhood Ace has a gift for everyone on your list, even the hard-to-shop-for people." Ace has also recaptured the magic of being a 'kid at Christmas' only now, the once thrilling toy store is a well-stocked hardware store. This holiday season, Ace unveils engaging new content that highlights the joy of discovering those must-have items. From November through December, Ace invites customers to experience the wonder of magical holiday moments, meant to ignite their inner child. To get in the holiday spirit, explore the fun here and check out the gift guide below. Holiday Gift Guide & Top Deals, November 1 - December 2^ ^All deals available only at participating stores, subject to change *Ace Rewards member exclusive **Deal from Nov. 20 through Dec. 2 only ***Deal from Nov. 20 through Dec. 24 only In its commitment to giving back, Ace is also proud to support Children's Miracle Network Hospitals with a special initiative. For every Duracell batteries value-pack purchased this holiday season, a portion of the proceeds will go to support local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Holiday Helpful at Ace In addition to exceptional savings, Ace Rewards members enjoy unique benefits designed to make shopping at Ace even more rewarding and convenient, including same-day and next-day delivery from local stores on qualifying orders. A new, ongoing benefit for Ace Rewards members now includes free assembly and delivery on snow blowers and push mowers, an addition to the service already available for grills, priced at $399 and up. Becoming a member is easy and free, and membership provides access to exclusive sales events, points on every purchase, and personalized coupons throughout the year. Sign up in-store or online to start enjoying the benefits right away. Visit acehardware.com/ace-rewards to learn more. All Ace customers can take advantage of in-store pickup of online orders, ready within 15 minutes, making it easier than ever to get the products they need whenever they need them because every minute counts during the hectic shopping season. For additional information and to explore even more holiday offerings, head to acehardware.com . Participation and delivery area vary by store. Same-day delivery is available on in-stock orders placed by noon or on orders placed at least two hours before store closing time, whichever is earlier. Orders must be placed at least 30 minutes before the store closes at participating Ace locations. Orders placed outside business hours will be available the next business morning for pickup. Visit https://www.acehardware.com/ready-in-15 for more details. About Ace Hardware Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with over 5,900 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 60 countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; and Cuautitlan Izcalli, Mexico. Since 1924, Ace has been a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com . MEDIA CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE Ace Hardware Corporation LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ADC Therapeutics SA (NYSE: ADCT), a commercial-stage global leader and pioneer in the field of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), today announced that the Company has made grants of options to purchase an aggregate of 42,000 of the Company's common shares to two new employees on November 1, 2024 (each, a "Grant"). The Grants were offered as material inducement to the employees' employment. The grants were approved by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors pursuant to the Company's Inducement Plan to motivate and reward the recipients to perform at the highest levels and contribute significantly to the success of the Company. The Grants were made in reliance on the employment inducement exemption under the NYSE's Listed Company Manual Rule 303A.08. The Company is issuing this press release pursuant to Rule 303A.08. The Grants shall vest and become exercisable 25% on the first anniversary of the grant date, and 1/48th of the aggregate number of shares subject to the award on each monthly anniversary of the grant date thereafter, such that the entire award will be vested as of the fourth anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued employment with the Company. About ADC Therapeutics ADC Therapeutics (NYSE: ADCT) is a commercial-stage global leader and pioneer in the field of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). The Company is advancing its proprietary ADC technology to transform the treatment paradigm for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. ADC Therapeutics' CD19-directed ADC ZYNLONTA (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl) received accelerated approval by the FDA and conditional approval from the European Commission for the treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy. ZYNLONTA is also in development in combination with other agents and in earlier lines of therapy. In addition to ZYNLONTA, ADC Therapeutics has multiple ADCs in ongoing clinical and preclinical development. ADC Therapeutics is based in Lausanne (Biopole), Switzerland, and has operations in London and New Jersey. For more information, please visit https://adctherapeutics.com/ and follow the Company on LinkedIn. ZYNLONTA is a registered trademark of ADC Therapeutics SA. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "would", "expect", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "seem", "seek", "future", "continue", or "appear" or the negative of these terms or similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those described. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the expected cash runway into mid-2026 the Company's ability to grow ZYNLONTA revenue in the United States; the ability of our partners to commercialize ZYNLONTA in foreign markets, the timing and amount of future revenue and payments to us from such partnerships and their ability to obtain regulatory approval for ZYNLONTA in foreign jurisdictions; the timing and results of the Company's or its partners' research and development projects or clinical trials including LOTIS 5 and 7, ADCT 601 and 602 as well as early research in certain solid tumors with different targets, linkers and payloads; the timing and results of investigator-initiated trials including those studying FL and MZL and the potential regulatory and/or compendia strategy and the future opportunity; the timing and outcome of regulatory submissions for the Company's products or product candidates; actions by the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities; projected revenue and expenses; the Company's indebtedness, including Healthcare Royalty Management and Blue Owl and Oaktree facilities, and the restrictions imposed on the Company's activities by such indebtedness, the ability to comply with the terms of the various agreements and repay such indebtedness and the significant cash required to service such indebtedness; and the Company's ability to obtain financial and other resources for its research, development, clinical, and commercial activities. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements is contained in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Company's other periodic and current reports and filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, achievements or prospects to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or prospects expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this document. CONTACTS: Investors Marcy Graham ADC Therapeutics [email protected] +1 650-667-6450 Media Nicole Riley ADC Therapeutics [email protected] +1 862-926-9040 SOURCE ADC Therapeutics SA Rebranded Grain & Protein Technologies, the new standalone entity will be led by accomplished industrial manufacturing leader Jacob Thomas NEW YORK and DULUTH, Ga., Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- American Industrial Partners ("AIP"), an industrials investor, today announced the completion of its acquisition of AGCO Corporation's (NYSE: AGCO) Grain & Protein division, which produces grain storage and seed processing solutions as well as feeding, watering, climate management and control systems for worldwide protein production, principally poultry, swine, and egg. In conjunction with the transaction close, it was announced that the new standalone, privately held business will now operate under the name Grain & Protein Technologies ("the Company") with Jacob Thomas serving as CEO. Serving customers in over 100 countries worldwide, Grain & Protein Technologies employs more than 3,200 people across its 14 manufacturing facilities in North America, Brazil, Europe, and Malaysia, generating an annual revenue of approximately $1 billion. The Company will continue to operate its strong portfolio of brands GSI, Cumberland, AP, Tecno and Cimbria which are industry leaders in equipment for grain, seed, poultry, egg, and swine production. Jacob Thomas joins Grain & Protein Technologies from The Carlstar Group ("Carlstar"), the leading supplier of specialty tires and wheels, where he served as CEO and member of the company's board. During his tenure at Carlstar, a former AIP portfolio company, Thomas successfully led the organization's transformation and sale. Prior to Carlstar, Thomas served in executive leadership positions at Clarcor, IDEX Corporation and the Terex Corporation. "I am delighted to be partnering with AIP again, and whole-heartedly believe in the potential for value creation of this great group of businesses that have an important purpose of Feeding the World Better," said Jacob Thomas, CEO of Grain & Protein Technologies. "I have been immersed across the enterprise over the last twelve weeks, and I am impressed with the level of talent and commitment. We will emphasize advancing smart technologies and offering innovative technical solutions to our customers to make them more productive and profitable in a sustainable way." Eric Baroyan, Partner at AIP, added, "Grain & Protein Technologies is a critically important business to the future of the global food supply. With decades of industrial manufacturing expertise and a track record of success building large-scale, global operations, Jacob is the right leader for the Company to ensure it fully capitalizes on its unique market position as the go-to partner for large-scale agriculture worldwide." Sidley Austin LLP served as legal counsel to AIP. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Rabo Securities USA, Inc. served as financial advisors to AGCO. Santander US Capital Markets LLC served as financial advisor to AIP and its affiliate led the fully committed debt financing. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as legal advisor to AGCO. About American Industrial Partners American Industrial Partners ("AIP") is an industrials investor, with approximately $16 billion in assets under management. AIP is distinctively focused on industrial businesses across a broad range of end markets that include: aerospace and defense, automotive, building products, capital goods, chemicals, industrial services, industrial technology, logistics, metals & mining, and transportation, among others. AIP looks to generate differentiated returns by investing in quality industrial businesses with strong management teams and working with those teams to implement comprehensive operating agendas to build long-term value. Current AIP portfolio companies generate aggregate annual revenues of approximately $25 billion and employ approximately 65,000 employees as of June 30, 2024. www.americanindustrial.com About AGCO AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology. AGCO delivers value to farmers and OEM customers through its differentiated brand portfolio including core brands like Fendt, GSI, Massey Ferguson, PTx and Valtra. AGCO's full line of equipment, smart farming solutions and services helps farmers sustainably feed our world. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, USA, AGCO had net sales of approximately $14.4 billion in 2023. For more information, visit www.agcocorp.com. For company news, information, and events, please follow us on X: @AGCOCorp. For financial news on X, please follow the hashtag #AGCOIR. Contacts: Media Inquiries: American Industrial Partners [email protected] Media inquiries: AGCO Rachel Potts, V.P., Chief Communications Officer; 678-654-7719; [email protected] Investor inquiries: AGCO Greg Peterson, V.P. Investor Relations; 770-232-8229; [email protected] SOURCE American Industrial Partners TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 1. Uzbekistan will participate in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Azerbaijan, Trend reports via the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan. As part of COP29, the government of Uzbekistan will present a National Pavilion that reflects the traditional principles and technologies underlying Uzbek culture, history, and unique environment. The pavilion, designed in the style of a traditional Uzbek courtyard (hovli), will convey the atmosphere of an internal courtyard, which has been the heart of every Uzbek home for generations. Here, nature becomes a part of the home: greenery and vine-covered areas create shade and comfort, while traditional materials and ancient building methods embody ideals of sustainability and environmental friendliness. The two-week conference program will include high-level plenary sessions, a Summit of World Leaders on Climate Change, Executive Council meetings, coordination meetings, a Youth Climate Forum, a Global Climate Action Summit, the 17th Nairobi Program of Work Coordinators' Forum, round tables, and seminars on topics such as finance, investment, trade, green energy, technology and innovation, health, human development and youth, food, agriculture, water resources, nature and biodiversity, transport and tourism, gender equality, and more. A number of initiatives are planned for COP29, including the organization of over 20 events within the National Pavilion with the participation of the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as well as various bilateral and multilateral meetings and the signing of agreements with regional and international partners and donors. Specifically, the following key events are planned within the National Pavilion: - an official signing ceremony for the International Youth Strategy in collaboration with the International Public Fund "Zamin", featuring representatives from all participating countries, as well as presentations of environmental educational projects and initiatives. - a meeting of the Ministers of the Turkic Environmental Forum from the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). - an event regarding the Climate Migration Declaration (Silk Road Declaration) with member countries of the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM), planned as a joint initiative between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. - an event for the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region, organized in collaboration with the UNDP coordination office in Uzbekistan. Overall, active participation of the Uzbek national delegation is planned in negotiation sessions and other key and ancillary meetings of the conference. In a mere ten days, Azerbaijan will host COP29, the decision about which was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Germany's Berlin with its secretariat in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Full list of season's holiday must-haves featured on OprahDaily.com LOS ANGELES, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Anastasia Beverly Hills announced today that the Lip Velvet Set is included in 2024 Oprah's Favorite Things holiday gifts list featured on OprahDaily.com and in Oprah Daily's special print 2024 Holiday Edition, on newsstands nationwide on November 12. This year, most gifts have been selected from inspiring small businesses, including women-owned, Black-owned and other minority-owned businesses from around the country. To shop the full list of items please visit: https://oprahdaily.com/oprahs-favorite-things-2024 . Lip Velvet Set will be available for purchase at anastasiabeverlyhills.com and in the Oprah's Favorite Things gift guide exclusively in Amazon's store at amazon.com/oprah , as well as via the Amazon shopping app for customers to conveniently shop anytime, anywhere. As Oprah's Favorite Things celebrates the 10th anniversary of Amazon's partnership, Lip Velvet Set will be available for purchase at anastasiabeverlyhills.com , and exclusively in Amazon's store at amazon.com/oprah , as well as the Amazon shopping app for customers to conveniently shop anytime, anywhere. More than 60% of sales on Amazon's store come from independent sellers most of which are small and medium sized businesses. To shop the full list of items please visit: https://www.oprahdaily.com/oprah-favorite-things-2024 . As Oprah says on OprahDaily.com , "I've loved Anastasia since she first started doing my browsshe's the brow queen. Her matte lipsticks are incredible, too. She normally only gifts this set of six to clients, so it's special that she's sharing it with us." Oprah's Favorite Things list is a must-have holiday shopping guide that features the most ingenious gadgets, fashionable sustainable goods, decadent desserts and the finest finds in home, fashion, and beauty, with 51 gifts under $50. For more than 25 years, the brand has showcased must-give gifts for the holidays, often serving as a launch pad for small businesses and highlighting the inspiring stories of the owners behind the products. Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Velvet Collection features six shades of velvet-smooth lip mousse in essential neutrals with weightless, full pigment, true-matte color, cushioned, comfortable wear and a smoothing lip finish that allows you to line and apply with a multifunctional, teardrop-shaped cushioned wand. Twelve lucky readers will have the chance to win all of the items on Oprah's Favorite Things List in the 12-Day Give-O-Way Sweepstakes ( https://oprahdaily.com/favoritethings ) which runs from November 12 through November 23, 2024. Oprah Daily's special print 2024 Holiday Edition featuring the Lip Velvet Set on the 2024 Oprah's Favorite Things List hits newsstands nationwide on November 12. About Anastasia Beverly Hills Romanian-born beauty entrepreneur Anastasia Soare launched her namesake brand with a Beverly Hills flagship salon in 1997 and the company's first product line in 2000. Rooted in the sacred geometry of the Golden Ratio, ABH creates prestige cosmetics for a passionate prosumer audience. Soare was first to introduce brow shaping followed by a product line based on her patented Golden Ratio Eyebrow Shaping Method and is widely credited for fueling the multi-million dollar business that surrounds the category. SOURCE Anastasia Beverly Hills NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The CEO Magazine is thrilled to announce the finalists for the highly anticipated 2024 Executive of the Year Awards, honoring visionary leadership, innovation and impact across various industries. This prestigious event celebrates executives who have excelled in guiding their organizations to new heights and driving significant change within their sectors. Finalists for The CEO Magazine's 2024 Executive of the Year Awards: Sheldon Yellen CEO, BELFOR Holdings CEO, Shaun Noorian Founder & CEO, Empower Pharmacy Founder & CEO, Empower Pharmacy Vincent J Delie, Jr Chairman, President & CEO, FNB Corporation and First National Bank Chairman, President & CEO, FNB Corporation and First National Bank Stanley C Middleman Founder, President & CEO, Freedom Mortgage Founder, President & CEO, Freedom Mortgage Jeff Sprau CEO, Legence CEO, Legence Charles Gore Executive Director, Medicines Patent Pool Executive Director, Medicines Patent Pool Mark Bertolini CEO, Oscar Health CEO, Nooshin Behroyan CEO, Paxon Energy & Infrastructure CEO, & Infrastructure Michael Dunn Chairman & CEO, Prophet Chairman & CEO, Prophet Mike Schugt President, Teneo Hospitality Group President, Teneo Hospitality Group Gian Marco Bronzato - CEO, myWorld Inc These eleven extraordinary executives were selected for their exemplary leadership, resilience and innovation as well as driving significant growth in industries such as healthcare, finance, energy and hospitality. Their diverse backgrounds and contributions highlight the transformative role of leadership in today's dynamic business landscape. "The finalists displayed a few consistent traits that set them apart: vision, innovation, resilience and adaptability, and empathy and people-centric leadership," comments judge, and CEO of The CEO Magazine, David Jepson. The winners will be announced at the end of November. Special thanks to our sponsors: The CEO Magazine would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Major Sponsor, Kiekert, whose generous support has been instrumental in making this event possible and whose support underscores the importance of recognizing business excellence and leadership. Esteemed panel of judges: The 2024 Executive of the Year Awards finalists were carefully selected by an esteemed panel of judges, including: Lorraine Hariton Former President & CEO, Catalyst Former President & CEO, Catalyst Kerry Kennedy President, Robert F Kennedy Human Rights President, Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Will Travis Founder & CEO, Elevation Barn Founder & CEO, Elevation Barn David Jepson CEO, The CEO Magazine We are grateful to our judges for their expertise and thoughtful consideration in selecting this year's finalists and the ultimate winner. For more information and to view the announcement, visit: https://www.theceomagazine.com/awards-new-york/ SOURCE The CEO Magazine DUBLIN, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire UK-based insurance broker Griffiths & Armour. Upon completion of the transaction, Griffiths & Armour will become wholly-owned by Aon UK Limited and is proposed to go to market as "Griffiths & Armour, an Aon company". The acquisition closely aligns with Aon's strategy to further expand its presence in the UK and Ireland. The combination will provide a greater breadth of solutions for clients across both Aon and Griffiths & Armour with complementary strengths that create a platform for further growth in the UK, Ireland and beyond. Together, Aon and Griffiths & Armour share a strong cultural alignment through an unwavering focus on clients and colleagues. "As we continue to go further, faster to help our clients navigate growing uncertainty and volatility, we are looking forward to welcoming Griffiths & Armour to Aon," said Greg Case, CEO of Aon. "Our complementary capabilities and cultures will create unmatched client and colleague experiences across the UK and Ireland and contribute to our global 3x3 Plan to accelerate our Aon United strategy." Griffiths & Armour has established a market-leading presence from their base in the north of England as well as a strong national and international reputation. With around 200 employees, Griffiths & Armour are known for their specialist expertise in professional indemnity insurance and strength in general insurance broking. As part of the acquisition, Aon is committed to Griffiths & Armour's Liverpool office at Princes Dock and its strong team in Liverpool, Manchester, Dublin and London. Carl Evans, CEO of Professional Risks for Griffiths & Armour, commented; "Becoming part of the Aon family is the result of a meticulous search for a trusted partner with whom we can work, to ensure the future success of Griffiths & Armour and to enable us to enhance, grow and expand our unique client proposition. This proposition is founded on a culture that has been created and refined over the last 90 years, of which we are immensely proud." Matt Donnelly, CEO of General Insurance for Griffiths & Armour, added; "We have long-regarded Aon for its professionalism and client service excellence. In them we have found a partner who will not only help deliver continued growth, but also preserve and embrace the culture that we and our client community hold dear. We very much look forward to this next chapter." "Griffiths & Armour is a brilliant business and will bring quality, expertise and an exceptional platform for growth to our firm," said Jane Kielty, UK CEO at Aon. "We're very excited to work with the leadership team to deliver the fantastic results for clients and colleagues that we passionately believe will be created by joining together." Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2025. Aon and Griffiths & Armour will continue to operate independently until the closing date. About Aon Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that protect and grow their businesses. Follow Aon on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram. Stay up-to-date by visiting Aon's newsroom and sign up for news alerts here. About Griffiths & Armour Griffiths & Armour are a consulting insurance broker providing clarity and protection for business leaders. We exist to make our clients' worlds less complicated by minimising risk. We work across a range of sectors by combining deep market insight, long-term relationships, and end-to-end support to manage and minimise professional and business risk, as well as offering private client support to protect individuals' most important personal assets. Media Contacts Aon [email protected] Toll-free (U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico): +1 833 751 8114 International: +1 312 381 3024 Griffiths & Armour [email protected] SOURCE Aon plc SHARON SPRINGS, N.Y., Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Beekman 1802 is a skin health company that began from a single act of Kindness. Each year, Beekman 1802 commemorates World Kindness Day by highlighting ways in which small acts of Kindness can improve the health of our skin, body, mind and community. This World Kindness Day, November 13, Beekman 1802 is excited to announce their partnership with the American Red Cross to raise awareness about the critical need for blood donations and how giving blood is truly the ultimate act of Kindness. For those wishing to participate nationwide, you can schedule an appointment to give blood where you live through our Nationwide Kindness Day Virtual Blood Drive. Visit rcblood.org/Beekman1802 for more details. All those who come to donate at the Red Cross will be given a free Nurses First Hand Cream as a token of appreciation for their generous act. Beekman 1802's Nurses First Hand Cream will be available at Red Cross Blood Drives from Nov. 10-16 in celebration of World Kindness Day. With recent FDA changes which have made blood donation eligibility more inclusive, eliminating questions based on sexual orientation, the Red Cross has partnered with LGBTQ+-founded brand Beekman 1802, and its founders, husbands Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell to be the faces of their latest campaign. This collaboration features livestream events across their social media platforms to engage the community and encourage donations. Additionally, the Beekman founders have recorded broadcast voice messages to reach out to thousands of prior Red Cross donors, motivating them to donate again in honor of World Kindness Day. Together, they aim to promote blood donations from all individuals across the U.S., especially in light of the FDA's new guidance, which focuses on individual risk assessment rather than gender or sexual orientation. "As a physician, I am keenly aware of how important giving blood can be--a precious gift that we don't realize we need until some of life's scariest moments. On a day that highlights the importance of Kindness, I cannot think of a better call to action for all Americans. I was so interested to learn that through the American Red Cross Blood Donor app, any donor can trace where their gift of life was utilized--following in real time the ripple effect of their Kindness. Furthermore, as a member of the LGBTQ community, I am so pleased to learn of the changes in donation requirements that enable members of this community to give under the same criteria as all others." - Dr. Brent Ridge, Co-Founder of Beekman 1802 As part of this campaign, Beekman 1802 has partnered with the Red Cross at locations across the U.S. Their flagship event, on November 13, World Kindness Day, Beekman 1802 will have an activation at the Ulta Store in Plano, TX, conveniently located in the same location as a Red Cross Blood Donation Center. All those who come to donate at the Red Cross will be invited to the Ulta store, where they will receive a "Kind to Skin" consultation and a free Nurses First Hand Cream as a token of appreciation for their generous act. Additionally, donors at the Washington DC, Denver, and Los Angeles locations will receive a free Nurses Hand Cream directly at their Red Cross Blood Donation sites from Nov. 10-16. Additional details on locations listed below, hours vary by day - Dallas Location: Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 741 N-US Central Expressway, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75075 (Located next to Ulta) Washington, DC Location: Dr Charles Drew Blood Donation Center, 1730 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20006 Denver Location: Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 444 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80203 Los Angeles Location: Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 5359 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230 "Following last year's changes to the FDA's blood donor eligibility, which made blood donation more inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community, I have given blood six times. My husband is a blood donor now, too." said blood donor and Red Cross employee, Andrew VanderLinden. "Giving blood is an incredibly meaningful way to potentially save another human's life. For me, this is the ultimate act of sharing kindness with others and I encourage everyone who is able to give as often as possible." For those wishing to participate nationwide, you can schedule an appointment to give blood where you live through our "Nationwide Kindness Day Virtual Blood Drive." Visit rcblood.org/Beekman1802 for more details. Beekman 1802 is one of the first companies to achieve the title of a Certified Kind Company by KindWorks.AI. This significant accomplishment reflects Beekman's commitment to kindness, making a positive difference in the lives of their employees and far beyond. About Beekman 1802 Beekman 1802 is a skin health brand based on the clinical science of 2 ingredients: Goat milk and Kindness. Founded by Dr. Brent Ridge, a Harvard-trained longevity physician, and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, a bestselling author, the brand is a leading milk-based brand for sensitive skin. With its 31 active ingredients that strengthen the skin barrier and balance the microbiome, Beekman 1802 products are Clinically Kind and proven to rebalance, rebuild, and repair even the most sensitive skin to its healthiest state. Media Contact: [email protected] About American Red Cross The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org , or follow us on social media SOURCE Beekman 1802 World's Only Bioelectric Bandage Now Available Online November is National Diabetes Awareness Month PHOENIX, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PowerHeal Bioelectric Bandages, featuring groundbreaking technology that has been used in hospitals and clinics for the past decade to accelerate the healing of diabetic and chronic wounds, are now available online through Amazon and PowerHealWounds.com . This innovative product offers new hope to millions of patients suffering from advanced or slow-healing wounds as well as surgical incisions, cuts, scrapes, blisters, burns, and more. "People with diabetes often face poor circulation and immune system challenges that slow healing and make them more susceptible to bacterial infections," said Michael Nagel, president and CEO of Vomaris Innovations. "We now have technology that does more than just cover woundsit actually helps heal them." Post this PowerHeal Bioelectric Bandages, available without a prescription, offer advanced healing for diabetic wounds. The bandages are easy to apply and generate a low level of electricity that mimics and boosts the skin's natural healing processes. "November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and this year's focus is on taking action to prevent diabetic health problems," said Michael Nagel, president and CEO of Vomaris Innovations, which developed PowerHeal Bioelectric Bandages. "Diabetes is an epidemic affecting over 38 million Americans. Wounds in people with diabetes are a significant concernthey can be very slow to heal and can lead to complications such as infections and amputations. PowerHeal's Bioelectric Bandages, previously only available by prescription, have revolutionized acute and chronic wound care by using a low level of electricity to kill bacteria without antibiotics, and mimic the skin's natural electrical activity to help wounds heal fast." How Bioelectric Technology Helps Heal Fast The PowerHeal Bioelectric Bandage technology employs embedded moisture-activated batteries. This technology creates an essential moist wound environment and generates a low level of electricity that boosts the electrical energy skin naturally uses to heal itself fast. The bandages also provide antibacterial protection by killing nearly 99.99% of bacteria on the wound surface. "People with diabetes often face poor circulation and immune system challenges that slow healing and make them more susceptible to bacterial infections," Nagel said. "Ordinary bandages have been around for over 100 years and focus primarily on covering the wound. We now have technology that does more than just cover woundsit actually helps heal them. In addition to helping keep wounds free from infection, PowerHeal Bioelectric Bandages have been shown in clinical studies to accelerate the movement of healing cells across a wound surface to speed healing." Key Features of PowerHeal Bioelectric Bandages: One-of-a-Kind Technology : Unlike ordinary bandages, PowerHeal bandages generate a low level of electricity that mimics and boosts the skin's natural healing processes. : Unlike ordinary bandages, PowerHeal bandages generate a low level of electricity that mimics and boosts the skin's natural healing processes. Accelerated Healing : Shown in studies to accelerate the speed of cell movement across the wound surface to speed healing. : Shown in studies to accelerate the speed of cell movement across the wound surface to speed healing. Effective Antibacterial Protection : Kills up to 99.99% of bacteria at the wound surface without antibiotics, to help reduce infection risk. : Kills up to 99.99% of bacteria at the wound surface without antibiotics, to help reduce infection risk. Easy Application: Finally, advanced wound care that is easy to use at home. In addition to helping heal wounds related to diabetes, PowerHeal Bioelectric Bandages can support healing for road rash, surgical incisions, dermatological procedures (like Mohs surgery), turf burns, blisters, cuts, and more. To see before-and-after images of PowerHeal Bioelectric Bandage treatment for diabetic ulcers, go to the PowerHeal Photo Gallery . ABOUT PowerHeal: PowerHeal, developed by Vomaris, is the world's only Bioelectric Bandage that is FDA-cleared for over-the-counter use. The microcell battery design supports your skin's natural recovery capacity to heal wounds so you can take charge of your healing. For more information about PowerHeal Bioelectric Bandage, visit powerhealwounds.com , and follow PowerHeal on Instagram and Facebook . ABOUT VOMARIS Vomaris Innovations, Inc. ( www.vomaris.com ) is a privately held medical device company based in Arizona, specializing in bioelectric technology that is redefining infection control and wound healing. Vomaris' patented microcell battery technology powers antimicrobial products for the advanced wound and incisional care markets, and has been validated in 28 peer-reviewed publications to date. It is FDA-cleared and commercially available for over-the-counter use under the brand name PowerHeal, and prescription use under the brand name JumpStart Antibacterial Wound Dressings. PowerHeal is a registered trademark of Vomaris Innovations, Inc. JumpStart is a registered trademark of Arthrex, Inc. SOURCE Vomaris Innovations Inc. Historic Moment as CEO States it's No Longer Enough to have DE&I Measures Alone & Best Practices Must be Shared CHICAGO, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the 2025 Best Hospitals for Black America was announced by national leader in Black health and wellness, BlackDoctor.org (BDO). This prestigious distinction recognizes hospitals that provide exceptional care to Black patients, an achievement of significance in today's healthcare landscape. What's different this year is BDO asked 1,000 US Black doctors one important question as part of the selection criteria: "Which hospitals do you trust most with providing quality and equitable care for your family members?" "It's no longer enough to have DE&I measures alone within our health systems, as it's getting confusing, so BlackDoctor.org cut to chase this year and got personal with Black doctors to ask them who they trust most to care for their families," says BlackDoctor.org CEO Reggie Ware. "This is a historic moment for our country and our organization, and we plan to support sharing hospitals' best practices, so care improves overall in the US for the Black community." Ware adds, "The disparities in healthcare that affect Black communities are well-documented, and it is imperative to identify and promote hospitals that are making substantial strides in addressing these issues. By highlighting these institutions, we can guide patients to facilities where they are more likely to receive more compassionate and effective care." The full list of those awarded can be viewed here. The BlackDoctor.org 2025 Best Hospitals for Black America will be formally recognized during an awards ceremony and symposium on January 23, 2025, at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. This list will play a fundamental role in driving further conversations on how to eliminate healthcare disparities that continue to disproportionately impact Black patients. Advisory board members, who are not employed by BlackDoctor.org, reviewed the selection criteria and made recommendations for the award winners. The selection criteria for the nominations include the following: Feedback from the nation of Black doctors who recommended hospitals they trust to provide care for their families Quality of Care and Patient Satisfaction Scores Representation of persons of color and women in senior leadership roles Initiatives that positively impact urban communities Supplier diversity and procurement margins Commitment to equitable care for the Black community Presence of a Chief Equity/Diversity Officer within the organization "BDO continues to deliver on the promise to make every Black family as healthy as possible with our 2025 Best Hospitals for Black America listing," says CMO Derrick Lane. "As a nation, the importance of recognizing hospitals that deliver exemplary care to Black families address a critical need in our healthcare system: ensuring Black patients receive equitable, high-quality care in hospitals with positive outcomes." About BlackDoctor.org BlackDoctor.org (BDO) in its 20th year in 2025 has a mission to make every Black family to be as healthy as possible and overcome health inequality by building trusted connections between Black patients and the Healthcare System. BDO is the largest and most trusted health platform for Black consumers with more than 6 million monthly website visitors and more than 17,000 culturally relevant articles and videos. BDOs most popular health tools are the BlackDoctor Search and the BlackDoctor Chatbot, an AI tool that provides culturally relevant answers to BDO users. SOURCE BlackDoctor.org Fast-casual, fresh flavors join UCLA's Westwood Village and The Shops at USC Village LOS ANGELES, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bruxie , an up-and-coming "culinary casual" concept celebrated for its inviting atmosphere and innovative menu offerings, including hand-crafted waffle sandwiches, famous chicken tenders and artisan custard shakes, expands to two Los Angeles college communities as it opens locations at UCLA's Westwood Village on Wednesday, November 6, and at The Shops at USC Village on Wednesday, November 13. The restaurants will focus on quality and creativity as they bring Bruxie's one-of-a-kind dining experience to locals, visitors, and students in the UCLA and USC communities. Bruxie is a fast casual restaurant known for its inviting vibes, personalized service, and innovative menu offerings, including delicious waffle sandwiches, famous chicken tenders and artisan custard shakes. The brand expands to two Los Angeles college communities as it opens locations at UCLAs Westwood Village on Wednesday, November 6, and at The Shops at USC Village on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. A Southern California-born concept, Bruxie has spent the past 14 years perfecting its elevated fast-casual dining experience that combines a welcoming staff with a chef-driven menu that hinges on fresh ingredients and creative culinary ideas. At its new L.A. locations at Westwood Village and USC Village, Bruxie will continue its mission to provide high-quality food, including hand-crafted waffle sandwiches, famous chicken tenders, and housemade shakes, in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. "With eight thriving locations in the Southern California area already, we are thrilled to open two new two university-adjacent restaurants in the Los Angeles market," said Bruxie CEO, Scott Grinstead. "Our new locations in the UCLA community of Westwood, and in the downtown L.A. area that's home to USC join vibrant communities that crave quality dining experiences and value our commitment to innovative flavors and exceptional service." Since 2010, Bruxie has combined a friendly atmosphere with high-quality ingredients, time-intensive processes and proprietary recipes to create a dining experience unlike any other. Inviting guests to explore new options with every visit, Bruxie's wide-ranging menu features everything from hand-crafted chicken tenders and unique waffle sandwiches to desserts and shakes made with real Wisconsin custard. Sauces are handmade in-house daily, produce is freshly chopped onsite, chicken is marinated for 24 hours before being fried to perfection and the brand's Belgian-inspired waffle batter was designed to achieve a delightfully light and airy texture with a crispy finish. Bruxie is set to open its new L.A. restaurants in November 2024: Bruxie at Westwood Village OPENS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 1114 Gayley Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024 Opening Hours: Mon-Weds 8 a.m. 9 p.m.; Thurs-Sun 8 a.m. 10 p.m. Find more info at https://www.bruxie.com/location/westwood-ucla/ Bruxie at The Shops at USC Village OPENS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13 3201 S. Hoover Street #1845, Los Angeles, CA 90089 Opening Hours: Mon-Weds 8 a.m. 9 p.m.; Thurs-Sun 8 a.m. 10 p.m. Find more info at https://www.bruxie.com/location/usc-village/ With 11 restaurant locations in California and two in Georgia, Bruxie will focus on bringing its innovative dining experience to new communities as it continues its expansion. To learn more about the brand's unique, quality-driven menu, visit Bruxie.com, and follow the brand on Instagram , TikTok , Facebook , LinkedIn and X (Twitter) . ABOUT BRUXIE Bruxie is a fast casual restaurant known for its inviting vibes, personalized service, and innovative menu offerings, including delicious waffle sandwiches, famous chicken tenders and artisan custard shakes. Since its founding, Bruxie has gained widespread recognition and popularity as a chef-driven concept offering bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and unique chicken and waffle creations truly unlike anything else out there. Uniquely stationed at the top of the fast casual segment with high-quality food and a welcoming dine-in environment complemented by outstanding service, Bruxie invests in the best people, processes, and ingredients to ensure guests have a memorable experience with every visit. No longer California's best-kept secret, Bruxie's unmistakable attributes and defining characteristics are paving the way for a growing coast-to-coast footprint. For more information, visit www.bruxie.com . LOCATIONS California Brea Downtown at Birch Street Promenade Costa Mesa The Collage at South Coast Plaza Davis Davis Commons El Segundo Apollo Landing Long Beach Ocean Boulevard Los Angeles The Shops at USC Village North Hollywood NoHo Arts District Orange Old Towne Santa Barbara Paseo Nuevo on State Street Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade Westwood UCLA Westwood Village Georgia Athens University of Georgia Chamblee Parkview on Peachtree For more information and photography, please contact: Mona Shah Moxxe PR +1 818 749 1931 [email protected] SOURCE Bruxie WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) Initiative has announced the winners of the 2024 C3E Awards, honoring nine women for outstanding leadership and accomplishments in clean energy. The C3E Initiative aims to close the gender gap and increase the participation, leadership, and success of women in clean energy fields. In its 13th year, the C3E Initiative is led by DOE in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Initiative, Stanford University's Precourt Institute for Energy, and the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University. The Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) Initiative honors nine women for outstanding leadership and accomplishments in clean energy. In its 13th year, the C3E Initiative is led by the U.S. Department of Energy in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Initiative, Stanford Universitys Precourt Institute for Energy, and the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University. The 2024 C3E Awardees are influential leaders shaping the clean energy landscape by advancing equitable and affordable access, broadening markets, spearheading innovative research, and driving policy strategies. The C3E Lifetime Achievement Honoree has dedicated her career to advancing renewable energy and climate mitigation at the state level and in the private sector, while serving as an exemplar for all in the clean energy field. The 2024 C3E Awardees, listed by category, are: Business Linette Casey serves as a Sales Account Manager at Siemens Energy, one of the world's leading technology companies, where she works across the renewable energy fieldfrom onshore and offshore wind to solar and storagesupporting a range of clients that include engineering, procurement and construction companies; developers; startups; utilities; and regulating bodies. She has established herself as an expert in driving the renewable energy transition and finding sustainable solutions for energy-intensive industries. serves as a Sales Account Manager at Siemens Energy, one of the world's leading technology companies, where she works across the renewable energy fieldfrom onshore and offshore wind to solar and storagesupporting a range of clients that include engineering, procurement and construction companies; developers; startups; utilities; and regulating bodies. She has established herself as an expert in driving the renewable energy transition and finding sustainable solutions for energy-intensive industries. Education Jennifer Clemons is an Associate Teaching Professor of Energy and Mineral Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University , in the Energy and Sustainability Policy program. She is also a Co-Principal Investigator at CREATE, a national energy center funded by the National Science Foundation. The CREATE mission is to help produce the skilled technical workforce necessary to transition to a clean and renewable electricity sector. Clemons was previously the Department Chair of Energy Technologies at Delaware Technical Community College , where she oversaw the development of associate degree programs in Energy Management, Renewable Energy Solar, and Building Automation Systems. is an Associate Teaching Professor of Energy and Mineral Engineering at The , in the Energy and Sustainability Policy program. She is also a Co-Principal Investigator at CREATE, a national energy center funded by the National Science Foundation. The CREATE mission is to help produce the skilled technical workforce necessary to transition to a clean and renewable electricity sector. Clemons was previously the Department Chair of Energy Technologies at , where she oversaw the development of associate degree programs in Energy Management, Renewable Energy Solar, and Building Automation Systems. Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Andi Kleissner is a Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Amped Innovation, a designer and manufacturer of high-performance, off-grid solar systems and appliances for solar-rich environments. She has deep expertise in solar technology and has led the company's growth across emerging markets. She has dedicated her career to product innovation and social enterprise. Before founding Amped, Kleissner led a hardware engineering team at QuantaLife, which was acquired by BioRad Laboratories. is a Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Amped Innovation, a designer and manufacturer of high-performance, off-grid solar systems and appliances for solar-rich environments. She has deep expertise in solar technology and has led the company's growth across emerging markets. She has dedicated her career to product innovation and social enterprise. Before founding Amped, Kleissner led a hardware engineering team at QuantaLife, which was acquired by BioRad Laboratories. Finance & Investment Amy Duffuor is a Co-Founder and General Partner of Azolla Ventures, where she invests in early-stage technology companies with transformative climate impact. She is also a Managing Director of Prime Impact Fund, Azolla's predecessor vehicle. Her professional background spans business, finance, and impact across three continents. Prior to Azolla Ventures and Prime Impact Fund, Duffuor was a renewables and power investment banker at Bank of America. There, she worked with chief executive officers of public and private companies to raise investment capital. is a Co-Founder and General Partner of Azolla Ventures, where she invests in early-stage technology companies with transformative climate impact. She is also a Managing Director of Prime Impact Fund, Azolla's predecessor vehicle. Her professional background spans business, finance, and impact across three continents. Prior to Azolla Ventures and Prime Impact Fund, Duffuor was a renewables and power investment banker at Bank of America. There, she worked with chief executive officers of public and private companies to raise investment capital. Fundamental & Applied Research Johanna Mathieu is an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Michigan (UM) in Ann Arbor . She is also serving as the Interim Director of the UM Institute for Energy Solutions. Mathieu's research focuses on using new operational and control strategies to reduce the environmental impact, cost, and inefficiency of electric power systems. In particular, she develops new methods to actively engage distributed flexible resources such as energy storage, electric loads, and renewable energy sources in power system operation. is an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the (UM) in . She is also serving as the Interim Director of the UM Institute for Energy Solutions. Mathieu's research focuses on using new operational and control strategies to reduce the environmental impact, cost, and inefficiency of electric power systems. In particular, she develops new methods to actively engage distributed flexible resources such as energy storage, electric loads, and renewable energy sources in power system operation. Government Kim Smaczniak is Special Counsel at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), where she has shaped historic reforms to policies that better enable the grid to reliably and affordably sustain a transition to clean energy. She contributed to FERC's successful issuance and to the legal durability of new federal transmission planning, transmission siting, and generator interconnection regulations. She played a pivotal role in the successful legal defense of market reforms to better accommodate state policies supporting clean energy technologies, reforms that will impact more than 44,000 MW of capacity by 2035. is Special Counsel at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), where she has shaped historic reforms to policies that better enable the grid to reliably and affordably sustain a transition to clean energy. She contributed to FERC's successful issuance and to the legal durability of new federal transmission planning, transmission siting, and generator interconnection regulations. She played a pivotal role in the successful legal defense of market reforms to better accommodate state policies supporting clean energy technologies, reforms that will impact more than 44,000 MW of capacity by 2035. International Gina Cady is a U.S. diplomat for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Foreign Service where she leads Power Africa's Health Electrification and Telecommunications Alliance (HETA), a $150 million publicprivate partnership designed to electrify and digitally connect 10,000 health facilities across sub-Saharan Africa. During her 13 years at USAID, she has successfully negotiated large conservation and energy partnerships with industry and national governments, managing more than $200 million of partnership funding across Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa. is a U.S. diplomat for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Foreign Service where she leads Power Africa's Health Electrification and Telecommunications Alliance (HETA), a publicprivate partnership designed to electrify and digitally connect 10,000 health facilities across sub-Saharan Africa. During her 13 years at USAID, she has successfully negotiated large conservation and energy partnerships with industry and national governments, managing more than of partnership funding across and sub-Saharan Africa. Policy & Advocacy Christina Angelides is currently the Managing Director of Policy at Elemental Impact, where she leads policy strategy, government affairs, and community engagement programs. She also leads strategy for the organization's public investment portfolio, including Elemental's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund program, which is investing millions of dollars in projects to benefit low-income and other underserved communities. Angelides previously was a Project Director at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), where she designed, fundraised, and directed the American Cities Climate Challenge. is currently the Managing Director of Policy at Elemental Impact, where she leads policy strategy, government affairs, and community engagement programs. She also leads strategy for the organization's public investment portfolio, including Elemental's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund program, which is investing millions of dollars in projects to benefit low-income and other underserved communities. Angelides previously was a Project Director at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), where she designed, fundraised, and directed the American Cities Climate Challenge. Lifetime Achievement Rose McKinney-James is a clean energy advocate, small business leader, and independent corporate director with more than 35 years of experience in the clean energy field. She is the former President and Chief Executive Officer for the Corporation for Solar Technology and Renewable Resources and Commissioner with the Nevada Public Service Commission. During her tenure with the Nevada Commission, she was appointed Nevada's first Director of the Department of Business and Industry and was elected to serve as Second Vice President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC). Working with a diverse group of advocates, McKinney-James spearheaded the effort to facilitate the passage of the first Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard in Nevada . She has helped to shape much of the state's energy policy framework. McKinney-James serves on the Board of Directors for MGM Resorts International, Ioneer, Toyota Financial Savings Bank, and Pacific Premier Bancorp. She previously served as Board Chair for the U.S. Energy Foundation and the American Association for Blacks in Energy. Learn more about the C3E Initiative and awardees . The winners will be honored at the 13th Annual C3E Women in Clean Energy Symposium and Awards on November 13, 2024. Register for the symposium livestream. SOURCE Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) Initiative Veteran charter school advocate takes the helm after serving as interim executive director SEATTLE, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of the Washington State Charter Schools Association (WA Charters) is pleased to announce Chris Korsmo has been selected as the organization's next full-time executive director. She will officially begin her new role on December 1. Since July 2024, Korsmo has been in the Executive Director seat on an interim basis while the board pursued a national search for the new leader. Korsmo brings more than three decades of experience in government relations and advocacy focused on children and families. Chris Korsmo "After months of looking, the search committee realized that what we were looking for was already right here," said Dr. Joel Domingo, chair of the board of directors at Washington State Charter Schools Association. "Chris brings a bold vision, undeniable passion and commitment, strategic leadership and an impressive track record of getting results that translate to wins for students. She has dedicated her life to advancing social change through equity-focused advocacy. Chris was instrumental in the campaign to pass our state's charter law. She also helped incubate WA Charters as a statewide nonprofit dedicated to advocating for and supporting high-quality charter public schools Today, 10 years after the first charter school opened its doors, the need for a leader with Korsmo's unique blend of experiences is greater than ever. While demand for these unique public schools continues to grow, disinformation and political roadblocks are ongoing threats. Korsmo's ability to educate key audiences, drive policy changes and build powerful cross-sector coalitions will be a tremendous asset for the charter public school sector. "I am honored to lead the Washington State Charter Schools Association and to work alongside our dedicated team and partners to ensure every child in Washington has access to an excellent public education," said Korsmo. "I am not just a charter school advocate, I'm a charter school parent. Educational equity is very important to me. I have seen first-hand how charter public schools can create an exceptional education opportunity, and I want every family in the state who wants to try a different type of public school to have that option." Through numerous leadership roles across social impact sectors, Korsmo successfully led efforts to expand health care, improve educational outcomes, and expand access to services on behalf of children and families. Before joining the Washington State Association of Charter Schools, Korsmo co-founded Copper Strategic, a social impact consulting firm. Prior to that, she was Senior Vice President of Education at Strategies 360. Before that role, she led the League of Education Voters, one of Washington state's foremost education advocacy groups working to provide every student in the State equal opportunity for success. Before joining the League of Education Voters, Korsmo worked for Planned Parenthood Federation of America as their Director of Government Relations and with Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin as VP of Public Affairs. About the Washington State Charter Schools Association The Washington State Charter School Association is the non-profit organization advocating for high-impact, student-centered charter public schools in Washington State. Founded in 2013 following the approval of a ballot measure, we represent a network of 17 tuition-free, open-to-all, non-sectarian schools serving approximately 5,000 students. Our member schools enroll higher rates of students of color (65%) and students from low-income families (62%) than traditional public schools. Media contact: Maggie Meyers [email protected] (206) 424-2780 SOURCE Washington State Charter Schools Association INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Family Promise, the nation's leading nonprofit addressing the crisis of family homelessness, awarded Clayton, a leading national builder of single-family attainable housing, the inaugural Karen Olson Impact Award for its longtime partnership and support. "We were thrilled to present Clayton with the inaugural Karen Olson Impact Award in front of the Family Promise national network at our Conference in Indianapolis," said Family Promise CEO Cheryl Schuch. "We were equally thrilled that Karen Olson was in attendance to help us honor Clayton." Family Promise CEO, Cheryl Schuch, Clayton Director of Philanthropy, Susan Brown and Clayton Social Responsibility Program Manager, Ted Rutland stand with Karen Olson as Clayton is awarded the 1st annual Karen Olson Impact Award from Family Promise. The award, named after Family Promise founder Karen Olson, recognizes a Family Promise partner or community member's impact on the lives of families experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. "Our partnership with Family Promise is rooted in a shared belief: that every family deserves the safety and stability of a home," said Susan Brown, Clayton Director of Philanthropy. "We are honored to support Family Promise in advancing the movement Karen started, and we look forward to creating lasting impact together through initiatives like A Future Begins at Home." Since the partnership began in 2019 through a program called A Future Begins at Home, more than 25,000 families have been served through resources provided by Clayton and partners inspired by their vision. Clayton has also greatly bolstered Family Promise's homelessness prevention services across the United States and supported transitional housing through the donation of nearly twenty homes. "When Karen Olson founded Family Promise, she kickstarted a movement that positively impacts the lives of tens of thousands of families each year," said Schuch. "Clayton is continuing that impact." ABOUT CLAYTON Founded in 1956, Clayton is committed to opening doors to a better life and building happyness through homeownership. A Berkshire Hathaway company, Clayton is a leading single-family, values-driven home builder dedicated to attainable housing, sustainable practices, and creating a world-class experience for customers and team members. The company's portfolio includes a comprehensive range of site-built, off-site, Tiny, CrossMod and modular housing. In 2023, Clayton built more than 52,000 homes across the country. For more information, visit claytonhomes.com. CrossMod is a registered trademark of the Manufactured Housing Institute. ABOUT FAMILY PROMISE Founded in Summit, New Jersey, in 1988, Family Promise is the leading national nonprofit addressing the crisis of family homelessness. The organization, comprised of approximately 200 locations, tackles the range of issues that can lead to homelessness. From prevention services to emergency shelter and housing to post-program stabilization, Family Promise ensures families develop vital skills, have access to critical resources, and receive ongoing support to achieve lasting independence. The organization has served more than one million family members since its founding. For more information, visit familypromise.org. SOURCE Clayton BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. Since the establishment of the Border Control Command in 2017, authorities have apprehended 26,865 individuals wanted by the law and referred them to the relevant state agencies, Elshan Verdiyev, Head of Border Control Command of the State Border Service (SBS) of Azerbaijan said during a media briefing held at the command in Baku today, Trend reports. In total, 86,123 operational tasks have been carried out, according to Verdiyev. He noted that decisions had been made regarding 58,503 individuals lacking the necessary documentation to cross the state border. "Additionally, 2,106 foreign nationals have been denied entry into the country for various reasons as 'undesirable persons'. The estimated value of contraband detected and seized in operations aimed at combating smuggling and drug trafficking amounted to 442.2 million manat ($260.1 million). In the fight against drug-related crimes, authorities detected and confiscated 7,422.4 kilograms of narcotics across 1,028 cases, along with 86,246 units of psychotropic tablets removed from illegal circulation, Verdiyev added. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Certified Emissions Data will Provide a Baseline to Inform the Pioneering Delivery of "Wellhead-To-Water" Net Zero LNG HOUSTON and NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimmeridge-backed Commonwealth LNG ("Commonwealth") and Kimmeridge Texas Gas ("KTG") today announced a commitment to obtain independent certification of their natural gas operations under the protocols developed by MiQ, the global leader in emissions certification. The initiative supports Kimmeridge's innovative ability to deliver a "wellhead-to-water" net zero cargo for Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) using Kimmeridge's secured LNG offtake from Commonwealth's facility. These efforts underscore Kimmeridge's dedication to environmental stewardship and position both portfolio companies at the forefront of industry transparency and reduced emissions. The MiQ certification will involve a comprehensive, third-party audited assessment of both companies' natural gas operations, leading to a verification of total carbon emissions. An emphasis will be placed on methane emissions through the MiQ Standard's requirements on methane mitigation, monitoring, and measurement. Both companies will also work with their midstream partners to understand the emissions performance and advocate for certification. This process will provide a credible and transparent emissions profile across multiple segments of the natural gas supply chain, from production to liquefaction, supporting regulatory compliance with global purchasers. The certification process for Commonwealth will commence within one month of reaching full commercial operations, while KTG will complete its certification in 2025. As part of this commitment, following Commonwealth's final investment decision and commencement of construction, Kimmeridge affiliate Chestnut Carbon will undertake a conservation-level afforestation project in Louisiana. This significant land acquisition and reforestation effort will enable Kimmeridge to deliver a fully verified "wellhead-to-water" net zero cargo upon operations launch. Farhad Ahrabi, Commonwealth President and CEO, said: "As we prepare to enter the global LNG market, we recognize the growing demand for transparent, low-emission natural gas. The MiQ certification process will contribute to providing our customers with independently verified data on our product's greenhouse gas emissions performance. This commitment positions us as a trusted partner in the global energy transition." Dave Lawler, KTG CEO, added, "Our commitment to seeking MiQ certification for our gas production underscores the critical importance we place on verifying every step of the natural gas value chain. This certification process will evaluate our current practices and help us to improve our operations continually, while setting the bar high for environmental responsibility and operational excellence a standard we hope the rest of the industry will endeavor to meet." Georges Tijbosch, MiQ CEO, said: "The certification commitments from Commonwealth and KTG reflect a proactive approach in the natural gas industry. With rising global demand for transparent and low-emission natural gas, particularly in response to new EU regulations, this initiative sets a new standard for the industry." About Commonwealth LNG Commonwealth LNG is a 9.5 mtpa liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal project located on the Calcasieu River at the Gulf of Mexico near Cameron, Louisiana. The project's leadership team is committed to building a world-class LNG facility by staying relentlessly focused on managing risk and lowering capital cost. About Kimmeridge Texas Gas Kimmeridge Texas Gas is a conventional producer of natural gas committed to accelerating carbon neutrality by developing environmentally responsible, low-cost energy assets. With approximately 162,000 net acres in Texas overlaying the dry gas window of the Eagle Ford Shale within Webb, La Salle, McMullen, Karnes, and Live Oak counties, the Company produces approximately 400 million cubic feet equivalent of natural gas and oil per day, selling into the South Texas market with access to Mexican export channels, to LNG terminals for global sales, and into pipelines directly servicing Gulf Coast petrochemical facilities. About Kimmeridge Founded in 2012 by Ben Dell, Dr. Neil McMahon and Henry Makansi, Kimmeridge is an alternative asset manager focused on the energy sector. The firm is differentiated by its direct investment approach, deep technical knowledge, active portfolio management, proven sustainability track record and proprietary research and data gathering. About MiQ MiQ is a climate tech non-profit foundation established to facilitate a rapid reduction in methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. MiQ's certification standard provides a credible, objective, and comprehensive method for assessing methane emissions management across the natural gas supply chain. For more information, please contact: Commonwealth LNG Lyle Hanna VP, Corporate Communications 346.352.3346 Kimmeridge or Kimmeridge Texas Gas Daniel Yunger / Hallie Wolff / Emma Cloyd [email protected] 917.574.8582 / 917.842.1127 MiQ Sunny Uberoi [email protected] 917.747.2018 Rory Grenham [email protected] SOURCE Kimmeridge WHITTIER, Calif., Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Daiso, the renowned global retail chain offering a wide range of affordable and unique products, is thrilled to announce the grand opening at The Quad in Whittier, California on November 9th. "We are thrilled to open our store at The Quad," said Jack Williams, Chief Retail Operations Officer for Daiso USA. "This achievement reflects the dedication and support of our customers who have embraced Daiso's unique concept and diverse product range. We are excited to provide an exceptional shopping experience to the vibrant Whittier community and look forward to serving our customers with the utmost care and dedication." The new Daiso store at The Quad encompasses 7,855 square feet and promises to be a haven for shoppers seeking quality merchandise at affordable prices. With its extensive range of products spanning various categories, including Japanese inspired home decor, stationery, food, and more, Daiso has become synonymous with accessible and innovative offerings. John Clarke, Chief Development Officer for Daiso USA says, "California based Daiso customers have shown us through our online business and social media their desire for us to have more stores within the state, influencing our immediate growth strategy in this region. We currently operate 163 units in 8 states with more states opening in 2025." On both Saturday, November 9th and Sunday, November 10th, the first 100 customers to shop at The Quad location and make a minimum purchase of $30 will receive an exclusive goodie bag. These special offerings are Daiso's way of expressing gratitude to its loyal customers and welcoming new shoppers to the Daiso community. Daiso invites customers to join in the celebration. The Quad Daiso, at 134402 Whittier Blvd, is by neighboring tenant Tilly's and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m to 9 p.m and Sunday from 10 a.m to 8 p.m. About Daiso: Daiso is a global retail chain founded in Japan, known for its vast array of unique and affordable products across various categories such as household goods, stationery, beauty, and more. Daiso entered the US market in 2005 and continues to expand its global footprint while maintaining its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. The Daiso US headquarters is located in Anaheim, CA. SOURCE Daiso USA ATLANTA, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Davidson Hospitality Group, a leading hospitality management company celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, today announced that it has entered into a new partnership with Nautic Partners, a middle-market private equity firm. As part of this partnership, Nautic Partners will acquire Davidson Hospitality Group from an affiliate of KSL Capital Partners, LLC, in partnership with Davidson management. Davidson Hospitality Group boasts over $2 billion in annual revenue under management and ranks number one in both gross annual revenue per room and gross annual revenue per property as reported by Hotel Business among third-party hotel managers. The company's unique vertical operating model, which focuses on lifestyle full-service, luxury, upscale full-service, and resort properties, has been instrumental in its ability to deliver exceptional financial performance and outstanding guest experiences. "We are thrilled to embark on this new chapter with Nautic Partners," said Thom Geshay, CEO and President of Davidson Hospitality Group. "Nautic's commitment to supporting the long-term growth and success of its portfolio companies aligns perfectly with our strategic vision. We are confident that their partnership will enable us to continue delivering exceptional hospitality experiences while exploring new opportunities for expansion and growth." Nautic Partners pursues a thematic and proactive investment strategy to partner with executive talent in specific sub-sectors within the Healthcare, Industrials, and Services industries. The firm recently held a final closing on its most recent private equity vehicle, Nautic Partners XI, a $4.5 billion fund. Nautic's investment in Davidson Hospitality Group represents a strategic expansion into the hospitality sector, underscoring the firm's confidence in Davidson's operating model and growth potential. The investment builds upon Nautic's previous sector experience in third-party property management, facilities management, and corporate lodging services. "Nautic Partners is committed to supporting Davidson's management team in achieving its long-term strategic objectives," said Mark Perlberg, a Managing Director at Nautic Partners. "We believe in the strength of Davidson's vertically focused operating model and are excited to partner with the team to drive continued growth and success." John Ege, Partner at KSL Capital Partners, stated, "Nearly a decade ago, we set out to partner with a management company that not only shared a similar operating philosophy to our own, but a similar set of values. We are proud of our successful partnership with Davidson. The company's growth and success during our ownership has been more than impressive and is a testament to the strength of the Davidson platform. We are confident that Davidson is in the right hands with Nautic as Davidson looks to its next phase of growth. Through management of a number of our existing assets, Davidson remains an important management partner to KSL. We look forward to continuing to work with Davidson on both our existing portfolio and on future projects." Moelis & Company LLC is serving as financial advisor to Davidson Hospitality Group and Davis Graham and Stubbs LLP are serving as legal counsel. Locke Lord LLP and Kirkland & Ellis LLP are serving as legal counsel to Nautic Partners. About Davidson Hospitality Group Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, Davidson Hospitality Group is an award-winning, full-service hospitality management company comprised of 86 existing hotels and resorts; more than 200 restaurants, bars, and lounges; and over 2 million square feet of meeting space across the United States. A trusted partner and preferred operator for Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Kimpton, Margaritaville, and Nobu, Davidson offers a unique entrepreneurial management style and owners' mentality that provides the individualized personal service of a small company, enhanced by the breadth and depth of skill and experience of a larger company. In keeping with the company's heritage of delivering value, Davidson Hospitality Group is comprised of four highly specialized operating verticals: Davidson Hotels, Pivot, Davidson Resorts and Davidson Restaurant Group. In 2024, Davidson Hospitality Group was ranked #1 in Guest Satisfaction among Third-Party Hotel Management Companies by J.D. Power for the third consecutive year. For more information, visit www.davidsonhospitality.com. Follow us on Instagram: @davidsonhospitality and X: @DavidsonHospGrp. Like us on Facebook: @DavidsonHospitalityGroup. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @DavidsonHospitalityGroup. #DavidsonHospitality About Nautic Partners Nautic Partners is a Providence, Rhode Island-based middle-market private equity firm that focuses our expertise and market knowledge on sub-verticals within three sectors: Healthcare, Industrials and Services. Nautic has completed over 155 platform transactions throughout our 38-year history. In pursuing our thematic and proactive investment strategy, we seek to partner with executives and management teams in an effort to accelerate the growth trajectory of our portfolio companies via acquisitions, targeted operating initiatives, and increased management team depth. For more information, please visit www.nautic.com. About KSL Capital Partners KSL Capital Partners, LLC is a private equity firm specializing in travel and leisure enterprises in five primary sectors: hospitality, recreation, clubs, real estate and travel services. KSL has offices in Denver, Colorado; Stamford, Connecticut; New York, New York; and London, England. KSL invests across three primary strategies through its equity, credit and tactical opportunities funds. KSL's current portfolio includes some of the premier properties in travel and leisure. For more information, please visit www.kslcapital.com. Media Contact for Davidson Hospitality Group Carrie Drost [email protected] 747-342-2408 SOURCE Davidson Hospitality Group -The Mile High City celebrates arts and culture with over 600 events.- DENVER, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 18th Annual Denver Arts Week, a celebration of Denver's vibrant and diverse arts and culture scene, kicks off today and will run through Sunday, Nov. 10. The nine-day celebration will feature more than 620 events and ways to celebrate representing over 350 individual organizations across the city. City Leaders Kick Off Denver Arts Week Showcasing Over 600 Events - Brent Andeck Photo Starting today, Denver residents and visitors are encouraged to check out First Friday Art Walks across the city's creative neighborhoods including 40 West Arts District, the Art District on Santa Fe, the River North (RiNo) Art District, 38th Avenue Cultural District, Westwood Creative District, Olde Town Arvada and Tennyson Berkeley Association. Galleries and studios in each district will open their doors for an inside look, a chance to meet local artists and opportunities to find original artwork for sale. This Saturday, Nov. 2, the beloved Free Night at the Museum returns, where nearly 20 of Denver's most popular museums will be open late with free admission from 5-10 p.m. Participating museums include the Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus, Cylfford Still Museum, Denver Art Museum, History Colorado Center, Denver Firefighters Museum, Museum for Black Girls, Forney Museum of Transportation, Museo de las Americas and more. VISIT DENVER will provide free shuttles throughout the evening that will transport participants to multiple participating museums. For more information, visit the Denver Arts Week website. In addition to these signature events, there are more than 600 events across the city every day during Arts Week, including live music, dance and theater performances, open galleries, comedy shows, literature lectures and so much more. And with more than 350 participating organizations, that means that arts and culture can be found in every corner of the city. Also in alignment with Denver Arts Week, the 47th annual Denver Film Festival kicks off today and will run through Sunday, Nov. 10. The Denver Film Festival is the largest regional film festival in the Rocky Mountain region and brings international cinema, filmmakers, virtual reality, immersive experiences and creative conversations to Colorado. For a complete list of events, check out denverartsweek.com. The website also features more than 50 Denver Arts Week deals, including discounts on museum tickets, city tours, two-for-one tickets to performing arts and more. Denver Arts Week is supported by Denver Arts & Venues and the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District and by CBS Colorado, Downtown Denver Partnership, Colorado Public Radio, Denverite, 5280 Magazine and Westword. About VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau Celebrating 115 years of promoting The Mile High City, VISIT DENVER is a nonprofit trade association that contracts with the City of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating jobs and generating taxes. Denver welcomed more than 37.4 million visitors in 2023, generating $10.3 billion in spending, while supporting tens of thousands of jobs and making Tourism one of the city's largest industries. Learn more about Denver at VISIT DENVER or Tourism Pays Denver. Follow Denver's social media channels for up-to-the-minute updates on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn. With press or photo inquiries, please contact: Taylor Shields, Director of PR & Communications Caroline Campbell, PR & Communications Manager Natalie St. Hilaire, PR & Communcations Coordinator [email protected] SOURCE VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Entergy Chair and Chief Executive Officer Drew Marsh and members of the senior management team plan to meet with investors during the Edison Electric Institute Financial Conference from Sunday, Nov. 10, to Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. Meeting materials will be posted Friday, Nov. 8, to Entergy's Investor Relations website at investors.entergy.com/investors/events-and-presentations. About Entergy Entergy (NYSE: ETR) is a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We're investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at entergy.com and connect with @Entergy on social media. #WePowerLife SOURCE Entergy Corporation HOUSTON, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- EverGlade Consulting, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nathan Clark as Director, effective November 2024. Mr. Clark brings an extensive background in government contracting and federal funding management, making him a valuable addition to the EverGlade team. EverGlade Consulting Continues Growth with Addition of Nathan Clark Nathan Clark joins EverGlade Consulting with an impressive portfolio, having recently served as the BARDA portfolio leader for the Health and Human Services (HHS) consortia. In this role, he managed a wide range of initiatives, including seven programs and three technical working groups, supported by agencies such as the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the Department of Defense (DOD), the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and the Department of Energy (DOE). His leadership has contributed to over 1,600 project awards, totaling $12 billion in federal funding, underscoring his exceptional ability to drive impactful programs. Mr. Clark has developed an expertise in reviewing proposals, statements of work, contract negotiation, and overseeing post-award contract administration and deliverables. His insights and experience have made him a sought-after speaker, frequently invited to participate in panels addressing non-diluted federal funding opportunities. Before transitioning to government contracting, Mr. Clark served in the United States Army, where he held various command, staff, and operational roles. His dedication and contributions to the military were recognized in 2014 when he was inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara for his significant work within the Air Defense Artillery community. "We are thrilled to welcome Nathan Clark to the EverGlade Consulting team," said Eric Jia-Sobota, Founder. "His unique expertise in government contracting, coupled with his leadership in managing complex federal projects, aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver strategic solutions to our clients. Nathan's knowledge and vision will undoubtedly help drive success for our clients." With Mr. Clark's appointment, EverGlade Consulting looks forward to further strengthening its capabilities in navigating government contracting landscapes and delivering excellence to its clients. If your company has considered applying for ARPA-H funding, your federal funding journey starts here. EverGlade Consulting is a national consulting firm that helps organizations win and manage federal awards. We offer services ranging from Pursuit, Proposal and Post-Award support to comply with federal regulations at agencies including BARDA, ASPR, NIH, DTRA, JPEO, DOD, DIU, DOE, and DARPA. For additional information see the link below: https://everglade.com/everglade-consulting-continues-growth-with-addition-of-nathan-clark/ CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE EverGlade Consulting 12 Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma to Benefit TOPEKA, Kansas, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- From accessible renovations for tribal elders to making the dream of homeownership a reality for new Native American homeowners, the second year of FHLBank Topeka's Native American Housing Initiatives (NAHI) Grants Program is poised to make a sizable difference. Applications opened in June with a planned $3.8 million available for grassroots efforts serving Native American housing. "We are proud to continue to support Native American communities across Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma with more than $5.3 million for their housing and community development efforts," said Jeff Kuzbel, FHLBank Topeka president and CEO. "Once we saw the quality of requests from Native American tribes across our district, we knew we could do more to help. Feedback from our members and Native American partners from last year's inaugural offering has shown this flexible program is a model that works to serve Native American communities, an important population in our area. We are pleased to increase our commitment to NAHI." 12 Tribes & Tribally Designated Housing Entities in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska & Oklahoma to Benefit from $5.3 million Post this As a part of the voluntary programs that fulfill its housing and community development mission, FHLBank Topeka chose to expand NAHI contributions by an additional $1.5 million bringing the 2024 total funding level to $5.3 million and assisting four more projects than in 2023. Funds will be used to support affordable housing and community development for Native American communities. Following is a full list of the selected applicants (in no particular order): $333,265 to Citizen Potawatomi Nation in Shawnee, Oklahoma , in partnership with Exchange Bank, Kearney, Nebraska , for the rehabilitation of 20 units, including improved accessibility of bathrooms and water heater and water softener replacements for low-income tribal elders to Citizen Potawatomi Nation in , in partnership with Exchange Bank, , for the rehabilitation of 20 units, including improved accessibility of bathrooms and water heater and water softener replacements for low-income tribal elders $500,000 to the Housing Authority of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma in partnership with Security State Bank of Wewoka, Oklahoma , for staff, supplies and equipment for two new youth homeless shelters built with a 2023 NAHI award to the Housing Authority of the Seminole Nation of in partnership with Security State Bank of , for staff, supplies and equipment for two new youth homeless shelters built with a 2023 NAHI award $500,000 to Iowa Tribe Housing Authority in White Cloud, Kansas , in partnership with Chickasaw Community Bank, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma , to build three energy efficient three-bedroom, two-bathroom modular homes on tribal land to Iowa Tribe Housing Authority in , in partnership with Chickasaw Community Bank, , to build three energy efficient three-bedroom, two-bathroom modular homes on tribal land $500,000 to Muscogee Creek National Department of Housing in Okmulgee, Oklahoma , in partnership with Chickasha Community Bank, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma , for a multi-year project to purchase land and develop infrastructure for a new housing community to Muscogee Creek National Department of Housing in , in partnership with Chickasha Community Bank, , for a multi-year project to purchase land and develop infrastructure for a new housing community $500,000 to Northern Ponca Housing Authority in Norfolk, Nebraska , in partnership with First National Bank of Omaha , Omaha, Nebraska , to provide up to $25,000 in down payment assistance for 10 eligible households and up to $10,000 in repair and rehabilitation costs for 25 current homeowners to Northern Ponca Housing Authority in , in partnership with First National Bank of , , to provide up to in down payment assistance for 10 eligible households and up to in repair and rehabilitation costs for 25 current homeowners $480,233 to Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in Mayetta, Kansas , in partnership with CoreFirst Bank & Trust in Topeka, Kansas , to fund a drainage repair project that will divert water away from low-lying homes that routinely flood to Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in , in partnership with CoreFirst Bank & Trust in , to fund a drainage repair project that will divert water away from low-lying homes that routinely flood $500,000 to Southern Ute Indian Tribe in Ignacio, Colorado , in partnership with First National Bank, Cortez, Colorado , for maintenance and repair projects, such as new windows and water supply improvements for at least 20 homes to Southern Ute Indian Tribe in , in partnership with First National Bank, , for maintenance and repair projects, such as new windows and water supply improvements for at least 20 homes $500,000 to Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council in Towaoc, Colorado , in partnership with First National Bank, Cortez, Colorado , for the rehabilitation of four to six homes to address health and safety issues to Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council in , in partnership with First National Bank, , for the rehabilitation of four to six homes to address health and safety issues $500,000 to the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, Oklahoma , in partnership with Chickasha Community Bank, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma , to jumpstart a neighborhood development project by building two three-bedroom, two-bathroom, lease-to-own homes to the Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation in , in partnership with Chickasha Community Bank, , to jumpstart a neighborhood development project by building two three-bedroom, two-bathroom, lease-to-own homes $500,000 to Kickapoo Housing Authority in Horton, Kansas , in partnership with GNBank NA, Horton, Kansas , to provide repair assistance to approximately 20 homeowners to make their aging homes safe and livable to Kickapoo Housing Authority in , in partnership with GNBank NA, , to provide repair assistance to approximately 20 homeowners to make their aging homes safe and livable $250,000 to Sac and Fox Housing Authority in Reserve, Kansas , in partnership with Bank of Blue Valley, Hiawatha, Kansas , to repair and maintain rental properties and purchase additional housing for larger Native families to Sac and Fox Housing Authority in , in partnership with Bank of Blue Valley, , to repair and maintain rental properties and purchase additional housing for larger Native families $250,000 to Tonkawa Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma , Tonkawa, Oklahoma , in partnership with First National Bank of Oklahoma , Tonkawa, Oklahoma , for repair and rehabilitation projects such as new roofs, HVAC units, plumbing and windows that will improve living conditions for tribal members To read two stories from the 2023 NAHI round, visit fhlbtopeka.com/case-studies. One profile features a new community room and storm shelter for Cherokee Nation elders in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The other shows how the Wewoka, Oklahoma community came together to transform youth homelessness. FHLBank Topeka is one of 11 Federal Home Loan Banks that provides liquidity and funding to build vibrant communities for its member banks, thrifts, credit unions, insurance companies and community development financial institutions. With $79.8 billion in assets and more than $4.1 billion in capital, FHLBank Topeka serves 670 member financial institutions in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Contact: Tamara Taylor, FVP, Director of Corporate Communications [email protected] 785.478.8157 SOURCE Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka CINCINNATI, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresh Cravings today announced that Chowhound, the ultimate website for food aficionados, just selected their Fresh Cravings Roasted Red Pepper Hummus as the #1 Best Hummus you can buy at the Grocery Store in a recent feature article. Robyn Blocker, one of Chowhound's leading food industry experts authored the article that chronicled her taste testing of the many hummus varieties at her local grocery store and compiled her scores based on flavor, texture, and price. Of the nine savory non-standard flavors and three classic hummus products she taste-tested from the top brands, four Fresh Cravings hummus varieties Dill Pickle (#12), Classic (#6), and Honey Jalapeno (#2)made the list, with Roasted Red Pepper chosen as the very best of them all at #1. She praised the Fresh Cravings Roasted Red Pepper Hummus for its "smooth texture, distinct flavor, zesty smokiness and mild kick." Alexandra Schickli, Senior Brand Manager of Fresh Cravings, said "We are thrilled to be honored by Chowhound and for being chosen as the best hummus you can buy. It's a testament to our continued belief that snacking should begin with high-quality ingredients and bold flavors worth celebrating. From everyday snacking to special occasions, our goal is to make every moment unforgettable and that's why we are committed to craving goodness in all that we do." To find Fresh Cravings products near you, visit www.freshcravings.com/where-to-buy About Fresh Cravings Fresh Cravings is the fastest growing national brand across refrigerated salsa, hummus, and creamy dips, sold in more than 12,000 retail locations. We 'Crave Goodness' in all that we do, from creating elevated recipes to giving back to our communities. We believe that snacking should begin with high-quality ingredients and bold flavors worth celebrating. Fresh Cravings launched in 2015, with a line of refrigerated salsas, and as an answer to the dull, jarred salsa blends found in center store, we made ours with vine-ripened tomatoes and crisp vegetables that are never cooked or pasteurized. We are known for authentic-tasting, chilled salsas, flavor-filled hummus, and veggie-packed creamy dips that are sure to satisfy any craving. Our dips consistently outperform the competition on purchase intent and preference in double-blind sensory testing. Fresh Cravings is part of Lakeview Farms, a leading manufacturer of fresh and convenient dips, desserts, and specialty products. For more information on Fresh Cravings visit: www.freshcravings.com or @FreshCravingsSalsa Facebook and Instagram . About Lakeview Farms, LLC Lakeview Farms, LLC, is a leading manufacturer of refrigerated desserts, dips, salsa, hummus and specialty products, marketing products under several brands including Fresh Cravings, La Mexicana, Senor Rico, Salads of the Sea. The Fresh Cravings Brand is the fastest growing national brand across refrigerated salsa, hummus, and creamy dips, sold in more than 12,000 retail locations. La Mexicana produces authentic Mexican-style salsas made with the finest farm-fresh ingredients. La Mexicana fresh, refrigerated salsas are sold in retailers including Kroger, Publix, Albertsons, Walmart, and more. For more information, visit www.lakeviewfarms.com . About Chowhound Chowhound is a site for food aficionados also known as food nerds. It's for everyone who wants to know the absolute best way to prepare a dish and the science behind why that's so. We dig deep into the history of food and how it works, and care just as much about the best time of year to buy oysters as we do the reason American cheese has such a perfect melt (and whether or not it's actually cheese). Chowhound was founded in 1997 by writer Jim Leff and Bob Okumura and has deep roots in the food world. Acquired and relaunched by Static Media in 2023, our team of writers, editors, and recipe developers is committed to editorial excellence, which is why we regularly consult experts in the food industry to ensure we're bringing our readers the best of the best when it comes to first-hand knowledge and sources. If you are a serious home cook, a chef (currently or in a previous life), or just love researching the what and why something operates the way it does, Chowhound is the place for you. Read More: https://www.chowhound.com/about/ SOURCE Lakeview Farms, LLC BEIJING, Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Under the global framework for biodiversity, more wildlife species are increasing in number and enjoying a better space for living and breeding in China with the help of advanced technology and more popular caring, according to the Chinese delegation from diverse institutes and organizations at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity that is being held in Cali, Colombia. A prolonged whistle resonated through the sky, prompting visitors to lift their cameras in anticipation of capturing the migratory birds that were arriving. In recent years, tens of thousands of migratory birds such as cormorants fly each autumn to Shenzhen, a subtropical metropolis in South China, making the city one of the most important stops for these birds in the Eastern Hemisphere. Their numbers are still increasing as the local environment improves. Environmental conservation organizations, including the Mangrove Conservation Foundation (MCF), see the growing population of migratory birds as a signal that urban biodiversity in China is heading in the right direction. Only around a few meters away from visitors, a black-faced spoonbill heads down in search of food over the wetlands at the Futian Mangrove National Nature Reserve alongside dozens of its brethren. Meanwhile, in the Futian Mangrove Ecological Park, an Eurasian otter, a species that disappeared from the Shenzhen Bay for nearly 20 years, has re-emerged. Chen Yudong, a staff member with the Mangrove Conservation Foundation who focuses on the protection and biodiversity of wetlands, told the Global Times that the Futian Mangrove Ecological Park is currently home to five species listed as National Key Protected Wildlife, including the Eastern imperial eagle, the black-faced spoonbill, and the small Indian civet. Additionally, the park has 39 nationally protected wildlife species at the second level (including birds, mammals, and reptiles). From 2015 to 2023, the number of insect species had risen from 109 to 1,224, while bird species had increased from 83 to 220. To maintain and improve biodiversity in metropolises like Shenzhen, Chinese environmentalists are exploring the effective application of emerging technologies and analytical methods in biodiversity monitoring, such as bioacoustics, weather radar data, and artificial intelligence, according to Insights for Cities on Biodiversity, an initiative focusing on how to sustain urban biodiversity, published in Shenzhen in September. For instance, during the migratory season, weather radar is being promoted to analyze and predict the flight paths of bird flocks, informing the implementation of lighting management strategies. This technology can help reduce accidents involving birds colliding with tall buildings or windows, particularly at night. The delegation of the conservation foundation brought the initiative to COP16 and shared China's experience with people who are concerned about how global biodiversity is being impacted by the continuously expanding urban areas around the world. Chen said that these projects and technologies are all aimed at speeding up achieving the global target set for 2030 and beyond to safeguard and sustainably use biodiversity, which was clarified in the framework, also known as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at the COP15 during the Chinese presidency. Shenzhen is not the only city that protects wetlands and preserves an international channel for migratory birds. Black-faced spoonbills have also been observed in the wetlands in East China's Zhejiang and Fujian provinces and South China's Guangxi. Li Cheng, founder of the Xizijiang Ecological Conservation Center, has also been encouraged and guided by the biodiversity framework. "Since the COP15 was held in Kunming, I have felt the growing emphasis on ecological and biological protection from the public and authorities. More people are aware of the importance of sustaining the populations of each species on the Earth through public outreach programs," Li told the Global Times, noting growing social consensus on biodiversity conservation seen in his daily work. The infrared cameras set up by Li's patrol team around the Wuqinzhang Mountain in Guangdong have recently captured additional pangolin movements, further bolstering Li's confidence that the population of these endangered creatures is increasing. Li still remembers the excitement he felt when one infrared camera first captured a pangolin at the end of 2018 and the night when he and colleagues repeatedly checked the pangolin's photo multiple times. Chinese pangolins were assessed as "critically endangered" by the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species in 2019 and was even thought to be functionally extinct at the time of its assessment. Now more and more people, including local villagers who have joined the patrol team, have begun to devote their lives to protecting pangolins. To improve the efficiency of their conservation efforts, Li noted that in addition to infrared cameras, a mobile application especially developed for patrol personnel has been put into use. The app is constantly updated with real-time information on the pangolins, thereby informing those on patrol of urgent situations. "We have begun to shift our priorities and are more focused on restoring the pangolins' habitat and making more creative use of conservation technologies," Li noted. SOURCE Global Times ISTANBUL, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will hold its 81st Public Meeting in Istanbul from 9-14 November 2024, hosted by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK). This event will bring together in-person and virtual participants from around the world to discuss important issues related to Internet governance. It will feature workshops, public forums, and policy discussions. "ICANN81 presents a vital opportunity for the global community to come together and address key developments shaping the future of the Internet," said Sally Costerton, ICANN Interim President and CEO. "This event is more significant than ever, with the forthcoming release of the next round of new generic top-level domains and our ongoing initiatives to support innovation and diversity. I'm excited to see how our combined efforts in Istanbul will strengthen inclusion and empower diverse voices, ensuring that the Internet remains a resilient and inclusive resource for all." Omer Abdullah Karagozoglu, President of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA), emphasized the importance of hosting ICANN81 in Istanbul: "ICANN's decision to host this important meeting in Istanbul recognizes the city's position as a hub for global discussions on the future of the Internet. The Republic of Turkiye plays a strategic role in fostering international collaboration on Internet governance and innovation, and we are proud to welcome the world to engage in these critical discussions. We believe that efforts aimed at establishing a safe, transparent, and fair Internet will shed light on these discussions and are of strategic and vital importance." Key Topics: The Next Round and Multistakeholder Governance ICANN81 will spotlight the New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) Program: Next Round , the next major expansion of the Domain Name System (DNS). The program fosters innovation, competition, and consumer choice through the introduction of new gTLDs. As ICANN prepares to launch the next round of gTLD applications, a focus is on empowering underrepresented groups, especially from developing countries, to participate in the Internet's growth. A key highlight will be the anticipated launch of the Applicant Support Program (ASP) in November 2024, offering fee reductions, access to pro bono professional services, and training resources to eligible applicants, such as nonprofits, indigenous communities, and small businesses from less-developed economies. The meeting will highlight ICANN's multistakeholder model in action, a cornerstone of its approach to Internet governance, in preparation for the 2025 World Summit on the Information Society Review (WSIS+20). This model ensures that governments, the private sector, civil society, and the technical community all have a voice in shaping the Internet's future. Earlier this year, ICANN launched the WSIS+20 Outreach Network to promote this inclusive approach and support a unified, interoperable Internet. This initiative brings together stakeholders worldwide to safeguard the Internet's integrity and advocate for the multistakeholder model. The Dr. Tarek Kamel Award for Capacity Building In keeping with its tradition of honoring community contributions, ICANN81 will present the Dr. Tarek Kamel Award for Capacity Building during the welcome ceremony. This prestigious award, named after the late Dr. Tarek Kamel, a pioneer of the Internet, recognizes outstanding efforts within the ICANN community. Registration In-person and virtual registration remains open until 8 November 2024, with no on-site registration available. Attendance is free and open to all. For more information and to register, please visit the meeting website . About ICANN ICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you need to type an address a name or a number into your computer or other device. That address must be unique so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation with a community of participants from all over the world. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2541877/ICANN81_Istanbul_Logo.jpg BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. Border checks for foreign nationals holding COP29 visas are expected to take around 45 seconds, while checks for Azerbaijani citizens will last 30 seconds, Major Nijat Jahidzade of the State Border Service (SBS) of Azerbaijan said at a media tour held at the division, Trend reports. The Border Control Command is equipped with special technical tools and monitoring equipment to facilitate rapid passport processing for international guests arriving in Azerbaijan for the upcoming COP29 conference, the Major noted. The workforce has already been increased, and personnel will operate in an enhanced mode. Additionally, measures have been taken to ensure system and network resilience in case of any emergencies during COP29, he added. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will be held in Azerbaijan in November this year. The decision was made at the plenary meeting of COP28 held in Dubai on December 11 last year. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties, which is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. A total of 198 countries are parties to the convention. Unless the parties have decided otherwise, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Relaunching a 57-year-old brand as honey-tinged dessert in your glass LAWRENCEBURG, Ky., Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time since 1967, Kentucky Nectar is back. As Old Commonwealth Distillery's second release, Kentucky Nectar is a double barreled, cask-strength, wheated Kentucky straight bourbon that's been finished in honey casks. This 106-proof stunner drinks far below its ABV, packs a delicious pile of dessert notes in each dram, and will make any honey-finish haters rethink their ire. Reviving Kentucky Nectar For the first time since 1967, Kentucky Nectar is back. Post this Founded in 1865, Mellwood Distillery (so named for the street it resided upon) would evolve into General Distillers Corporation of Kentucky, and become the birthplace of Kentucky Nectar, decades ago. After a period of dormancy, Kentucky Nectar was last produced by Heaven Hill, as a private label brand for Chicago wine importers Geeting and Fromm, between 1957 and 1967. That 8-year-old bottled-in-bond Kentucky bourbon was of an unknown mashbill. While Kentucky Nectar wasn't produced within any prior iteration of Old Commonwealth Distillery, the new owners of the Lawrenceburg facility were bullish on the brand. "Reviving vintage brands is our mission, combining our love for Kentucky history with our passion for whiskey," says Zachary Joseph, Old Commonwealth's president of operations. "The Kentucky Nectar label fits perfectly within our portfolio of vintage labels." While Joseph and partners Andrew English and Troy LeBlanc haven't seen an original Kentucky Nectar in the wild, they sought to bring a twist to the label. After six months of testing various barrels of sourced whiskey and finishing iterations, most protocepts weren't stacking up. "We tested 27 different iterations of finishes, and a wheated whiskey with a honey finish was the 24th variant," says Joseph. That combination became Kentucky Nectar. Kentucky Nectar Batch 1: Crafting the ideal honey-finish bourbon "Finished bourbons shouldn't be too sweet," says LeBlanc. "We created a whiskey that's tailored to the premium whiskey drinker but still approachable to category neophytes. The honey is subtle; more refined than gimmicky." Most honey-finish bourbons use a high-rye mashbill, but wheat imparts a softer note that compliments the Kentucky straight bourbon characteristics without overtaking the base whiskey. Kentucky Nectar uses no artificial sweeteners, just real organic honey, placed within a new charred oak barrel. That presented a little problem when filling the barrels with the actual nectar. "Bees are attracted to the smell of honey," LeBlanc recalls, "so we're in the middle of getting the barrels filled with the honey and a colony of thousands of bees showed up and swarmed us all over the production facility." Further, the large volume of honey used in each barrel added significant weight. For optimal finishing, the barrels then had to be hand-rotated on a regular basis. "That was a real labor of love, turning each barrel daily, just to get the honey in all the right surface area," says Joseph, who personally wrestled much of the lot. Fending off bee swarms and manhandling barrels paid off. As part of market research, Old Commonwealth conducted a blind tasting, pitting Kentucky Nectar against several market-leading honey-finished whiskies. Seeking opinions on premium quality, proof point, and which dram consumers would recommend most, Kentucky Nectar won unanimously, across all categories. "Every participant commented they believed Kentucky Nectar to be the lowest proof," says Joseph. "At cask strength, it was actually the highest." The SRP for Kentucky Nectar Batch 1 is $99.99. A special OC VIP sale will be available through Old Commonwealth's online retailer on November 14th, 2024 at 11AM EST. To become an OC VIP, customers can sign up now (it's free) on Old Commonwealth's website https://oldcommonwealth.com/pages/waitlist and they will be sent the VIP sale link the morning of the 14th. Kentucky Nectar will be available for retail sale in select Kentucky stores on November 15th. Kentucky Nectar Batch 1 // Tasting Notes Nose: Charred oak, honey, creme brulee, nutmeg, peaches steeped in brown butter. The charred oak, more prominent when first poured, softens over time, allowing the honey and sweet wheat notes to push forward. Palate: It's char first, then a pop of sweet honey, baking spices, then cinnamon crumb cake drizzled with honey Finish: Sweet cream vanilla arrives first, then a fast dry down, and the lingering note is honey graham crackers. Kentucky Nectar // Overview Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in a Honey Cask Distiller: Undisclosed Age: NAS Proof: 106 Mashbill: 64% corn, 24% wheat, 12% malted barley SRP: $99.99 Release date: Online OC VIP sale begins November 14, 2024 at 11am EST. For additional information, please email [email protected] For press images, please click here. About Old Commonwealth Distillery Originally built in 1889, in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, the Old Commonwealth Distillery has been home to Hoffman Distillery, Ezra Brooks, and Commonwealth Distilling over the past 135 years. In 2019, it was purchased by Zachary Joseph and Andrew English, a nephew and uncle who bonded over the distillery's history and its venerable products. Along with family friend and partner Troy LeBlanc, the trio are reviving iconic labels once produced there, and preserving the facility's heritage through immersive tour experiences. SOURCE Old Commonwealth Distillery ATLANTA, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Invesco Advisers, Inc., a subsidiary of Invesco Ltd. (NYSE: IVZ), announced today additional details of the previously announced tender offers for Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals (NYSE: VTN) and Invesco Pennsylvania Municipal Income Trust (NYSE: VPV). Each Fund will conduct a cash tender offer for 25% of its outstanding common shares at a price equal to 99% of the Fund's net asset value (NAV) per share. Each Fund's tender offer will commence on Thursday, November 7, 2024, and will expire, unless extended, at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on Monday, December 9, 2024. Subject to various terms and conditions described in offering materials to be distributed to shareholders: (1) purchases will be made at a price per share equal to 99% of each Fund's net asset value ("NAV") per share as of the close of trading on the first business day after the expiration of the offer; and (2) if more shares are tendered than the amount the Board has authorized to purchase, each Fund, as applicable, will purchase a number of shares equal to the offer amount on a prorated basis. The commencement of the tender offers is pursuant to agreements between each Fund and Saba Capital Management, L.P. ("Saba") and certain associated parties. Pursuant to the agreements, Saba has agreed to be bound by certain standstill covenants. Saba has filed copies of the agreements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") as exhibits to its Schedule 13D. Each Fund's common shares have recently traded at a discount to their NAV per share. During the pendency of the tender offer, the current NAV per share will be available by telephone at 1-800-341-2929 or on the Funds' website at www.invesco.com/us. TENDER OFFER STATEMENT The above statements are not intended to constitute an offer to participate in the tender offers. Further information about the tender offers will be announced via future press releases. Shareholders will be notified in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, either by publication or mailing or both. The tender offers will be made only by an offer to purchase, a related letter of transmittal, and other documents to be filed with the SEC. Shareholders of the Funds should read the respective offer to purchase and tender offer statement and related exhibits when those documents are filed and become available, as they will contain important information about the tender offers. These and other filed documents will be available to investors for free both at the website of the SEC and from the Funds. For investor inquiries, call 1-800-341-2929. For media relations inquiries contact [email protected]. This communication is not intended to, and shall not, constitute an offer to purchase or sell shares of any of the Invesco Funds, including either Fund. About Invesco Ltd. Invesco Ltd. is a global independent investment management firm dedicated to delivering an investment experience that helps people get more out of life. Our distinctive investment teams deliver a comprehensive range of active, passive, and alternative investment capabilities. With offices in more than 20 countries, Invesco managed $1.8 trillion in assets on behalf of clients worldwide as of September 30, 2024. For more information, visit www.invesco.com. Invesco Distributors, Inc. is the U.S. distributor for Invesco Ltd.'s retail products. Invesco Advisers, Inc. is an investment adviser; it provides investment advisory services to individual and institutional clients and does not sell securities. Each entity is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Invesco Ltd. Note: There is no assurance that a closed-end fund will achieve its investment objective. Common shares are bought on the secondary market and may trade at a discount or premium to NAV. Regular brokerage commissions apply. NOT A DEPOSIT l NOT FDIC INSURED l NOT GUARANTEED BY THE BANK | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY SOURCE Invesco Ltd. KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kansas City Life Insurance Company recorded net income of $1.3 million or $0.14 per share in the third quarter of 2024, down from net income of $4.6 million or $0.47 per share in the third quarter of 2023. Net income totaled $7.6 million or $0.79 per share in the first nine months of 2024, up from $5.8 million or $0.60 per share in the first nine months of 2023. The results for the third quarter of 2024 reflected lower insurance revenues and higher policyholder benefits, specifically from death benefits, and interest credited to policyholder account balances versus the prior year. Improvements for the quarter included increases in net investment income and net investment gains. The improvement in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the prior year largely resulted from increases in net investment income and net investment gains and a decrease in policyholder benefits. Partially offsetting these were a decrease in insurance revenues and increases in operating expenses and interest credited to policyholder account balances. Kansas City Life Insurance Company (OTCQX: KCLI) was established in 1895 and is based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Company's primary business is providing financial protection through the sale of life insurance and annuities. The Company operates in 49 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, please visit www.kclife.com. Kansas City Life Insurance Company Condensed Consolidated Income Statement (amounts in thousands, except share data) Quarter Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenues $ 125,147 $ 122,626 $ 374,967 $ 372,547 Net income $ 1,321 $ 4,599 $ 7,610 $ 5,821 Net income per share, basic and diluted $ 0.14 $ 0.47 $ 0.79 $ 0.60 Dividends paid $ 0.14 $ 0.14 $ 0.42 $ 0.42 Average number of shares outstanding 9,683,414 9,683,414 9,683,414 9,683,414 SOURCE Kansas City Life Insurance Company Leading lawsuit loan company has remodeled website to expedite lawsuit loan applications. INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Legal-Bay Pre Settlement Funding is calling out to all Indiana plaintiffs from Evansville to Fort Wayne and everywhere in between. If you're looking for a way to get cash now from your existing lawsuiteven before your case sees the inside of court roomLegal Bay has some exciting news to share. The funding company has recently revamped their website to focus on each state's unique funding needs, providing an even more efficient experience than before. Whether you've filed suit in Bloomington, South Bend, Terre Haute, Hammond, Gary, Lafayette, Elkhart, Muncie, Shelbyville Legal Bay offers settlement funding options in every corner of the Hoosier state. Chris Janish, CEO of Legal-Bay, commented on the new site, "At Legal Bay, we give our customers personalized assistance from the time they fill out an application right on through until they're holding their cash in their hands. We're happy with the changes we've made to our existing website and the additional staff we've hired, allowing us to approve funding for our Indiana clientele faster and easier than ever before." If you're a lawyer or plaintiff involved in an active lawsuit of any kind and need an immediate cash advance lawsuit loan against an impending lawsuit settlement, please visit Legal-Bay here: Indiana Lawsuit Loans Legal Bay funds all types of cases such as medical malpractice, construction accidents, motor vehicle collisions, dog bites, sexual discrimination, harassment, assault, or abuse, and many more. Legal Bay's "lawsuit loan" funds are, in fact, non-recourse. That means there's no risk because there is no obligation to repay the money if the recipient loses their case. Therefore, terms like settlement loan, loans for lawsuit, or loans on settlement don't necessarily apply, as the "loan on lawsuit" isn't really a loan at all, but rather a risk-free cash advance. To apply right now for a loan settlement program, please visit the company's website at Indiana Lawsuit Loans or call toll-free at: 877.571.0405 where agents are standing by to answer any questions. SOURCE Legal-Bay, LLC WACO, Texas, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LifeCare Properties, developer of senior living communities based in Biloxi, Mississippi, recently announced the sale of The Blake at Waco to a publicly traded Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). The transaction was expertly facilitated by Cody Tremper and his team at Berkadia Seniors Housing & Healthcare. The Blake at Waco, a 112-unit, resort-style assisted living and memory care community, has set a high standard in senior care with its design and amenities. The community, built in 2021 adjacent to the Baylor Scott & White Hospital campus, features 71 assisted living units and 41 memory care units, along with amenities such as a salon, movie room, on-site physical therapy clinic, and flexible floor plan suites. LifeCare Properties achieves strategic sale of The Blake at Waco, paving the way for future growth. Post this LifeCare Properties' design partner, Banko Design, earned the 2022 Bronze Award from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) for its outstanding interior design in the Multifamily Senior Living category for The Blake at Waco. Brooks Holstein, Founder of LifeCare Properties, commented on the transaction, "We are incredibly proud of what we've accomplished with The Blake at Waco, not just in terms of operations and resident satisfaction, but also in excellence of design, as recognized by our design partner Banko Design's Bronze Award from ASID. This transaction represents a significant milestone for LifeCare Properties. Selling to a leading publicly traded REIT not only validates our success in creating valuable, high-quality properties, but also strategically positions us to leverage this achievement for further growth." Blake Management Group will continue to operate the community, ensuring that the high standards of care and service that residents have come to expect will remain unchanged. The sale underscores LifeCare Properties' focus on enhancing the value and quality of senior living communities through exceptional design and management. About LifeCare Properties LifeCare Properties, LLC (LCP), specializes in developing institutional-grade senior living communities. Leveraging extensive market selection experience and relationships with national and regional contractors, LCP consistently develops successful communities. Founded on core values of integrity, knowledge, accountability, and results, LCP's parent company, COMVEST Properties, LLC, is a family-owned, multi-generational development and investment company with a diverse real estate portfolio including hotels, restaurants, retail, and senior living. For additional information about LifeCare Properties, please visit www.lifecarepropertiesllc.com. SOURCE LifeCare Properties NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lightstone, one of the leading and most diversified privately held real estate companies in the United States, has been recognized as one of 2024's Best Places to Work in New York City by Crain's New York Business for the second consecutive year. Lightstone was ranked within the top 40 companies in the city. Crain's 2024 Best Places to work in NYC In partnership with Workforce Research Group, Crain's utilized 20,000 employee engagement surveys and employer questionnaires to determine the ranking of this year's spotlighted firms. Employee surveys from all five boroughs analyzed workplace environment, growth opportunities, leadership, benefits, and other perks. "New York City is home to over 220,000 businesses, and we are very proud to be recognized within the top 1%. At Lightstone, we believe that the heart of any building is the people who bring it to life," said Mitchell Hochberg, President of Lightstone. "This acknowledgment is a testament to our talented and dedicated family of exceptional professionals, as well as our commitment to fostering a welcoming and supportive workplace environment." This workplace accolade is among Lightstone's many 2024 recognitions which include Commercial Observer's Power 100 , ALIS Development of the Year for their Moxy/AC Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles , and CN Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards for Top Hotels in New York City . About Lightstone Lightstone, founded by David Lichtenstein, is one of the most diversified privately held real estate companies in the United States. Headquartered in New York City, Lightstone is active in 26 states across the country, developing, managing and investing in all sectors of the real estate market, including residential, hospitality, commercial, and retail. With 210 existing properties, Lightstone's over $9 billion portfolio currently includes over 12 million square feet of industrial, life sciences, and commercial properties, over 30,000 residential units, and over 5,100 hotel keys. Lightstone's development portfolio includes over $3.5 billion currently under development in the residential and hospitality sectors spread across New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami. SOURCE Lightstone INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced that data from the Phase 3 trial (EMBER-3) for imlunestrant, an oral selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD), will be reported for the first time in a late-breaking oral presentation at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) taking place December 10-13 in San Antonio, TX. EMBER-3 is a study in estrogen receptor positive (ER+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) advanced breast cancer. The trial is evaluating imlunestrant alone or in combination with Verzenio (abemaciclib; CDK4/6 inhibitor), in patients who were pretreated with endocrine therapy, with or without a CDK4/6 inhibitor. Lilly will also share results of a real-world analysis of risk of recurrence by nodal status and high-risk features in patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+), HER2- early breast cancer. Additional presentations from investigational mutant selective PI3Ka inhibitor assets include preclinical characterization data for LY4045004, which is expected to enter the clinic in the first half of 2025, and Phase 1a/b clinical data for a predecessor molecule, LOXO-783, which informed the development of LY4045004. A full list of abstract titles and viewing details are listed below: Imlunestrant (investigational oral SERD) Presentation Title: Imlunestrant, an Oral Selective Estrogen Receptor Degrader (SERD), as Monotherapy and Combined with Abemaciclib, for Patients with ER+, HER2- Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC), Pretreated with Endocrine Therapy (ET): Results of the Phase 3 EMBER-3 trial. Presentation Number: GS1-01 Presentation Date & Time: Wednesday, Dec.11, 2024, 9:15-9:30 a.m. CST Location: Hall 1 Presenter: Komal Jhaveri Presentation Title: Patient and health care provider perspectives on oral versus intramuscular endocrine therapy for locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer Presentation Number: P4-03-11 Presentation Date & Time: Thursday, Dec.12, 2024, 5:30-7 p.m. CST Location: Halls 2-3 Presenter: Rebecca Speck Presentation Title: Evaluation of pharmacokinetics and safety of imlunestrant in participants with hepatic impairment Presentation Number: P4-10-07 Presentation Date & Time: Thursday, Dec.12, 2024, 5:30-7 p.m. CST Location: Halls 2-3 Presenter: Xuejing Aimee Wong Real World Evidence Presentation Title: Risk of Recurrence by Nodal Status and High-Risk Features in Patients with HR+, HER2-, Early Breast Cancer: An Analysis of Real-world Data Presentation Number: P1-11-02 Presentation Date & Time: Wednesday, Dec.11, 2024, 12-2 p.m. CST Location: Halls 2-3 Presenter: Sara Tolaney Verzenio (abemaciclib) Presentation Title: Genomic profiling of ctDNA and association with efficacy in patients from the postMONARCH trial of abemaciclib + fulvestrant vs placebo + fulvestrant for HR+, HER2-, advanced breast cancer following progression on a prior CDK4/6i plus endocrine therapy Presentation Number: P1-01-26 Presentation Date &Time: Wednesday, Dec.11, 2024, 12-2 p.m. CST Location: Halls 2-3 Presenter: Seth Wander Presentation Title: Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Persistence in US Patients with HR+/HER2-, Node Positive Early Breast Cancer Treated with Abemaciclib: Real-World Study from First Year After Approval Presentation Number: P1-11-29 Presentation Date & Time: Wednesday, Dec.11, 2024, 12-2 p.m. CST Location: Halls 2-3 Presenter: Hatem Soliman Presentation Title: Unveiling the Antitumor Mechanism of abemaciclib in Human Breast Cancer Through Circulating Tumor Chromatin Analysis Presentation Number: P5-02-23 Presentation Date & Time: Friday, Dec.13, 2024, 12-2 p.m. CST Location: Halls 2-3 Presenter: Mamoru Takada PI3Ka Inhibitor (LOXO-783) Presentation Title: A first-in-human phase 1a/b trial of LOXO-783, a potent, highly mutant-selective, brain-penetrant, allosteric PI3K H1047R inhibitor advanced breast cancer and other solid tumors: Results from the PIKASSO-01 study Presentation Number: PS7-03 Presentation Date & Time: Wednesday, Dec.11, 2024, 7-8:30 a.m. CST Location: TBD Presenter: Komal Jhaveri Next-Gen PI3Ka Inhibitor (LY4045004) Presentation Title: Preclinical characterization of LY4045004, a next-generation, mutant-selective PI3K inhibitor Presentation Number: P4-12-24 Presentation Date & Time: Thursday, Dec.12, 2024, 5:30-7 p.m. CST Location: Halls 2-3 Presenter: Raymond Gilmour (Lilly) About Verzenio (abemaciclib) Verzenio (abemaciclib) is approved to treat people with certain HR+, HER2- breast cancers in the adjuvant and advanced or metastatic setting. Verzenio is the first CDK4/6 inhibitor approved to treat node-positive, high risk early breast cancer (EBC) patients. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends consideration of two years of abemaciclib (Verzenio) added to endocrine therapy as a Category 1 treatment option in the adjuvant setting.1 NCCN also includes Verzenio plus endocrine therapy as a preferred treatment option for metastatic breast cancer.1 The collective results of Lilly's clinical development program continue to differentiate Verzenio as a CDK4/6 inhibitor. In high risk EBC, Verzenio has shown a persistent and deepening benefit beyond the two-year treatment period in the monarchE trial, an adjuvant study designed specifically to investigate a CDK4/6 inhibitor in a high-risk population.2 In metastatic breast cancer, Verzenio has demonstrated statistically significant OS in the Phase 3 MONARCH 2 study.3 Verzenio has shown a consistent and generally manageable safety profile across clinical trials. Verzenio is an oral tablet taken twice daily and available in strengths of 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg. Discovered and developed by Lilly researchers, Verzenio was first approved in 2017 and is currently authorized for use in more than 90 counties around the world. For full details on indicated uses of Verzenio in HR+, HER2- breast cancer, please see full Prescribing Information, available at www.Verzenio.com. INDICATIONS FOR VERZENIO VERZENIO is a kinase inhibitor indicated: in combination with endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor) for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, node-positive, early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence. in combination with an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy for the treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer. in combination with fulvestrant for the treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer with disease progression following endocrine therapy. as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer with disease progression following endocrine therapy and prior chemotherapy in the metastatic setting. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR VERZENIO (abemaciclib) Severe diarrhea associated with dehydration and infection occurred in patients treated with Verzenio. Across four clinical trials in 3691 patients, diarrhea occurred in 81 to 90% of patients who received Verzenio. Grade 3 diarrhea occurred in 8 to 20% of patients receiving Verzenio. Most patients experienced diarrhea during the first month of Verzenio treatment. The median time to onset of diarrhea ranged from 6 to 8 days; and the median duration of Grade 2 and Grade 3 diarrhea ranged from 6 to 11 days and 5 to 8 days, respectively. Across trials, 19 to 26% of patients with diarrhea required a Verzenio dose interruption and 13 to 23% required a dose reduction. Instruct patients to start antidiarrheal therapy, such as loperamide, at the first sign of loose stools, increase oral fluids, and notify their healthcare provider for further instructions and appropriate follow-up. For Grade 3 or 4 diarrhea, or diarrhea that requires hospitalization, discontinue Verzenio until toxicity resolves to Grade 1, and then resume Verzenio at the next lower dose. Neutropenia, including febrile neutropenia and fatal neutropenic sepsis, occurred in patients treated with Verzenio. Across four clinical trials in 3691 patients, neutropenia occurred in 37 to 46% of patients receiving Verzenio. A Grade 3 decrease in neutrophil count (based on laboratory findings) occurred in 19 to 32% of patients receiving Verzenio. Across trials, the median time to first episode of Grade 3 neutropenia ranged from 29 to 33 days, and the median duration of Grade 3 neutropenia ranged from 11 to 16 days. Febrile neutropenia has been reported in <1% of patients exposed to Verzenio across trials. Two deaths due to neutropenic sepsis were observed in MONARCH 2. Inform patients to promptly report any episodes of fever to their healthcare provider. Monitor complete blood counts prior to the start of Verzenio therapy, every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, monthly for the next 2 months, and as clinically indicated. Dose interruption, dose reduction, or delay in starting treatment cycles is recommended for patients who develop Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia. Severe, life-threatening, or fatal interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis can occur in patients treated with Verzenio and other CDK4/6 inhibitors. In Verzenio-treated patients in EBC (monarchE), 3% of patients experienced ILD or pneumonitis of any grade: 0.4% were Grade 3 or 4 and there was one fatality (0.1%). In Verzenio-treated patients in MBC (MONARCH 1, MONARCH 2, MONARCH 3), 3.3% of Verzenio-treated patients had ILD or pneumonitis of any grade: 0.6% had Grade 3 or 4, and 0.4% had fatal outcomes. Additional cases of ILD or pneumonitis have been observed in the postmarketing setting, with fatalities reported. Monitor patients for pulmonary symptoms indicative of ILD or pneumonitis. Symptoms may include hypoxia, cough, dyspnea, or interstitial infiltrates on radiologic exams. Infectious, neoplastic, and other causes for such symptoms should be excluded by means of appropriate investigations. Dose interruption or dose reduction is recommended in patients who develop persistent or recurrent Grade 2 ILD or pneumonitis. Permanently discontinue Verzenio in all patients with Grade 3 or 4 ILD or pneumonitis. Grade 3 increases in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (2 to 6%) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (2 to 3%) were reported in patients receiving Verzenio. Across three clinical trials in 3559 patients (monarchE, MONARCH 2, MONARCH 3), the median time to onset of Grade 3 ALT increases ranged from 57 to 87 days and the median time to resolution to Grade <3 was 13 to 14 days. The median time to onset of Grade 3 AST increases ranged from 71 to 185 days and the median time to resolution to Grade <3 ranged from 11 to 15 days. Monitor liver function tests (LFTs) prior to the start of Verzenio therapy, every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, monthly for the next 2 months, and as clinically indicated. Dose interruption, dose reduction, dose discontinuation, or delay in starting treatment cycles is recommended for patients who develop persistent or recurrent Grade 2, or any Grade 3 or 4 hepatic transaminase elevation. Venous thromboembolic events (VTE) were reported in 2 to 5% of patients across three clinical trials in 3559 patients treated with Verzenio (monarchE, MONARCH 2, MONARCH 3). VTE included deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pelvic venous thrombosis, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, subclavian and axillary vein thrombosis, and inferior vena cava thrombosis. In clinical trials, deaths due to VTE have been reported in patients treated with Verzenio. Verzenio has not been studied in patients with early breast cancer who had a history of VTE. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and treat as medically appropriate. Dose interruption is recommended for EBC patients with any grade VTE and for MBC patients with a Grade 3 or 4 VTE. Verzenio can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman, based on findings from animal studies and the mechanism of action. In animal reproduction studies, administration of abemaciclib to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis caused teratogenicity and decreased fetal weight at maternal exposures that were similar to the human clinical exposure based on area under the curve (AUC) at the maximum recommended human dose. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Verzenio and for 3 weeks after the last dose. Based on findings in animals, Verzenio may impair fertility in males of reproductive potential. There are no data on the presence of Verzenio in human milk or its effects on the breastfed child or on milk production. Advise lactating women not to breastfeed during Verzenio treatment and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants. The most common adverse reactions (all grades, 10%) observed in monarchE for Verzenio plus tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor vs tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor, with a difference between arms of 2%, were diarrhea (84% vs 9%), infections (51% vs 39%), neutropenia (46% vs 6%), fatigue (41% vs 18%), leukopenia (38% vs 7%), nausea (30% vs 9%), anemia (24% vs 4%), headache (20% vs 15%), vomiting (18% vs 4.6%), stomatitis (14% vs 5%), lymphopenia (14% vs 3%), thrombocytopenia (13% vs 2%), decreased appetite (12% vs 2.4%), ALT increased (12% vs 6%), AST increased (12% vs 5%), dizziness (11% vs 7%), rash (11% vs 4.5%), and alopecia (11% vs 2.7 %). The most frequently reported 5% Grade 3 or 4 adverse reaction that occurred in the Verzenio arm vs the tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor arm of monarchE were neutropenia (19.6% vs 1%), leukopenia (11% vs <1%), diarrhea (8% vs 0.2%), and lymphopenia (5% vs <1%). Lab abnormalities (all grades; Grade 3 or 4) for monarchE in 10% for Verzenio plus tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor with a difference between arms of 2% were increased serum creatinine (99% vs 91%; .5% vs <.1%), decreased white blood cells (89% vs 28%; 19.1% vs 1.1%), decreased neutrophil count (84% vs 23%; 18.7% vs 1.9%), anemia (68% vs 17%; 1% vs .1%), decreased lymphocyte count (59% vs 24%; 13.2 % vs 2.5%), decreased platelet count (37% vs 10%; .9% vs .2%), increased ALT (37% vs 24%; 2.6% vs 1.2%), increased AST (31% vs 18%; 1.6% vs .9%), and hypokalemia (11% vs 3.8%; 1.3% vs 0.2%). The most common adverse reactions (all grades, 10%) observed in MONARCH 3 for Verzenio plus anastrozole or letrozole vs anastrozole or letrozole, with a difference between arms of 2%, were diarrhea (81% vs 30%), fatigue (40% vs 32%), neutropenia (41% vs 2%), infections (39% vs 29%), nausea (39% vs 20%), abdominal pain (29% vs 12%), vomiting (28% vs 12%), anemia (28% vs 5%), alopecia (27% vs 11%), decreased appetite (24% vs 9%), leukopenia (21% vs 2%), creatinine increased (19% vs 4%), constipation (16% vs 12%), ALT increased (16% vs 7%), AST increased (15% vs 7%), rash (14% vs 5%), pruritus (13% vs 9%), cough (13% vs 9%), dyspnea (12% vs 6%), dizziness (11% vs 9%), weight decreased (10% vs 3.1%), influenza-like illness (10% vs 8%), and thrombocytopenia (10% vs 2%). The most frequently reported 5% Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions that occurred in the Verzenio arm vs the placebo arm of MONARCH 3 were neutropenia (22% vs 1%), diarrhea (9% vs 1.2%), leukopenia (7% vs <1%)), increased ALT (6% vs 2%), and anemia (6% vs 1%). Lab abnormalities (all grades; Grade 3 or 4) for MONARCH 3 in 10% for Verzenio plus anastrozole or letrozole with a difference between arms of 2% were increased serum creatinine (98% vs 84%; 2.2% vs 0%), decreased white blood cells (82% vs 27%; 13% vs 0.6%), anemia (82% vs 28%; 1.6% vs 0%), decreased neutrophil count (80% vs 21%; 21.9% vs 2.6%), decreased lymphocyte count (53% vs 26%; 7.6% vs 1.9%), decreased platelet count (36% vs 12%; 1.9% vs 0.6%), increased ALT (48% vs 25%; 6.6% vs 1.9%), and increased AST (37% vs 23%; 3.8% vs 0.6%). The most common adverse reactions (all grades, 10%) observed in MONARCH 2 for Verzenio plus fulvestrant vs fulvestrant, with a difference between arms of 2%, were diarrhea (86% vs 25%), neutropenia (46% vs 4%), fatigue (46% vs 32%), nausea (45% vs 23%), infections (43% vs 25%), abdominal pain (35% vs 16%), anemia (29% vs 4%), leukopenia (28% vs 2%), decreased appetite (27% vs 12%), vomiting (26% vs 10%), headache (20% vs 15%), dysgeusia (18% vs 2.7%), thrombocytopenia (16% vs 3%), alopecia (16% vs 1.8%), stomatitis (15% vs 10%), ALT increased (13% vs 5%), pruritus (13% vs 6%), cough (13% vs 11%), dizziness (12% vs 6%), AST increased (12% vs 7%), peripheral edema (12% vs 7%), creatinine increased (12% vs <1%), rash (11% vs 4.5%), pyrexia (11% vs 6%), and weight decreased (10% vs 2.2%). The most frequently reported 5% Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions that occurred in the Verzenio arm vs the placebo arm of MONARCH 2 were neutropenia (25% vs 1%), diarrhea (13% vs 0.4%), leukopenia (9% vs 0%), anemia (7% vs 1%), and infections (5.7% vs 3.5%). Lab abnormalities (all grades; Grade 3 or 4) for MONARCH 2 in 10% for Verzenio plus fulvestrant with a difference between arms of 2% were increased serum creatinine (98% vs 74%; 1.2% vs 0%), decreased white blood cells (90% vs 33%; 23.7% vs .9%), decreased neutrophil count (87% vs 30%; 32.5% vs 4.2%), anemia (84% vs 34%; 2.6% vs .5%), decreased lymphocyte count (63% vs 32%; 12.2% vs 1.8%), decreased platelet count (53% vs 15%; 2.1% vs 0%), increased ALT (41% vs 32%; 4.6% vs 1.4%), and increased AST (37% vs 25%; 3.9% vs 4.2%). The most common adverse reactions (all grades, 10%) observed in MONARCH 1 with Verzenio were diarrhea (90%), fatigue (65%), nausea (64%), decreased appetite (45%), abdominal pain (39%), neutropenia (37%), vomiting (35%), infections (31%), anemia (25%), thrombocytopenia (20%), headache (20%), cough (19%), constipation (17%), leukopenia (17%), arthralgia (15%), dry mouth (14%), weight decreased (14%), stomatitis (14%), creatinine increased (13%), alopecia (12%), dysgeusia (12%), pyrexia (11%), dizziness (11%), and dehydration (10%). The most frequently reported 5% Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions from MONARCH 1 with Verzenio were diarrhea (20%), neutropenia (24%), fatigue (13%), and leukopenia (5%). Lab abnormalities (all grades; Grade 3 or 4) for MONARCH 1 with Verzenio were increased serum creatinine (99%; .8%), decreased white blood cells (91%; 28%), decreased neutrophil count (88%; 26.6%), anemia (69%; 0%), decreased lymphocyte count (42%; 13.8%), decreased platelet count (41%; 2.3%), increased ALT (31%; 3.1%), and increased AST (30%; 3.8%). Strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors increased the exposure of abemaciclib plus its active metabolites to a clinically meaningful extent and may lead to increased toxicity. Avoid concomitant use of ketoconazole. Ketoconazole is predicted to increase the AUC of abemaciclib by up to 16-fold. In patients with recommended starting doses of 200 mg twice daily or 150 mg twice daily, reduce the Verzenio dose to 100 mg twice daily with concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors other than ketoconazole. In patients who have had a dose reduction to 100 mg twice daily due to adverse reactions, further reduce the Verzenio dose to 50 mg twice daily with concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors. If a patient taking Verzenio discontinues a strong CYP3A inhibitor, increase the Verzenio dose (after 3 to 5 half-lives of the inhibitor) to the dose that was used before starting the inhibitor. With concomitant use of moderate CYP3A inhibitors, monitor for adverse reactions and consider reducing the Verzenio dose in 50 mg decrements. Patients should avoid grapefruit products. Avoid concomitant use of strong or moderate CYP3A inducers and consider alternative agents. Coadministration of strong or moderate CYP3A inducers decreased the plasma concentrations of abemaciclib plus its active metabolites and may lead to reduced activity. With severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C), reduce the Verzenio dosing frequency to once daily. The pharmacokinetics of Verzenio in patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr <30 mL/min), end stage renal disease, or in patients on dialysis is unknown. No dosage adjustments are necessary in patients with mild or moderate hepatic (Child-Pugh A or B) and/or renal impairment (CLcr 30-89 mL/min). Please see full Prescribing Information and Patient Information for Verzenio. AL HCP ISI 12OCT2021 About Imlunestrant Imlunestrant is an oral selective estrogen receptor (ER) degrader, that delivers continuous ER inhibition, including in ESR1-mutant cancers. The estrogen receptor (ER) is the key therapeutic target for patients with estrogen receptor positive (ER+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) breast cancer. Novel degraders of ER may overcome endocrine therapy resistance while providing consistent oral pharmacology and convenience of administration. Imlunestrant is currently being studied as a treatment for advanced breast cancer and as an adjuvant treatment in early breast cancer, including: NCT04975308, NCT05514054, NCT04188548, NCT05307705. Verzenio is a registered trademark owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates. Lilly USA, LLC 2024. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. About Lilly Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/news, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. P-LLY Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) about Verzenio (abemaciclib), imlunestrant, LOXO-783 or LY4045004 as potential treatments for people with certain types of early breast cancer and reflects Lilly's current beliefs and expectations. However, as with any pharmaceutical product, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in the process of drug research, development, and commercialization. Among other things, there is no guarantee that planned or ongoing studies will be completed as planned, that future study results will be consistent with study results to date, or that Verzenio, imlunestrant, or LY4045004 will receive initial regulatory approvals or approvals for additional indications, as applicable, or that they will be commercially successful. For further discussion of risks and uncertainties relevant to Lilly's business that could cause actual results to differ from Lilly's expectations, see Lilly's Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release. 1 Referenced with permission from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Breast Cancer V.2.2024. National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Inc. 2024. All rights reserved. Accessed May 9, 2024. To view the most recent and complete version of the guidelines, go online to NCCN.org. NCCN makes no warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content, use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way. 2 Johnston SRD, Toi M, O'Shaughnessy J, Rastogi P, et al. Abemaciclib plus endocrine therapy for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative, node-positive, high-risk early breast cancer (monarchE): results from a preplanned interim analysis of a randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2023 Jan;24(1):77-90. 3 Sledge GW Jr, Toi M, Neven P, et al. The effect of abemaciclib plus fulvestrant on overall survival in hormone receptor-positive, ERBB2negative breast cancer that progressed on endocrine therapyMONARCH 2: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Oncol. 2020;6(1):116-124. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol. 2019.4782. SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company October Marks Sixth Consecutive Month for Sales Gains IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total October sales of 37,307 vehicles, an increase of 58.7 percent compared to October 2023. Year-to-date sales totaled 350,759 vehicles sold; an increase of 18.5 percent compared to the same time last year. With 27 selling days in October, compared to 25 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 47 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis. CPO sales totaled 6,027 vehicles in October, an increase of 25 percent compared to October 2023. October 2024 sales highlights include: Sixth consecutive month for sales gains. Best-ever October sales with 37,307 vehicles sold. Best October sales of CX-30 with 7,216 vehicles sold. Best October sales of CX-50 with 7,771 vehicles sold. Best October sales of CX-90 with 5,236 vehicles sold. Best-ever sales of CX-70 with 2,517 vehicles sold. Mazda Canada, Inc., (MCI) reported October sales of 6,808 vehicles, an increase of 24.9 percent compared to October last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 61,961 vehicles sold; an increase of 25.9 percent compared to the same time last year. Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported October sales of 8,456 vehicles, an increase of 21 percent compared to last year. Year-to-date sales totaled 77,436 vehicles sold; an increase of 29 percent compared to the same time last year. About Mazda North American Operations Proudly founded in Hiroshima, Japan, Mazda has a history of sophisticated craftsmanship and innovation, and a purpose to enrich life-in-motion for those it serves. By putting humans at the center of everything it does, Mazda aspires to create uplifting experiences with our vehicles and for people. Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Colombia through approximately 795 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario; operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and operations in Colombia are managed by Mazda de Colombia in Bogota, Colombia. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at news.mazdausa.com. Follow @MazdaUSA on social media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, and Threads. Month-To-Date Year-To-Date October October YOY % % MTD October October YOY % % MTD 2024 2023 Change DSR 2024 2023 Change DSR Mazda3 3,490 2,205 58.3 % 46.6 % 31,558 25,569 23.4 % 22.5 % Mazda 3 Sdn 2,457 1,424 72.5 % 59.8 % 18406 14,218 29.5 % 28.4 % Mazda 3 HB 1,033 781 32.3 % 22.5 % 13152 11,351 15.9 % 15.0 % Mazda6 0 0 - - 0 0 - - MX-5 Miata 911 531 71.6 % 58.9 % 6,691 8,100 (17.4) % (18.0) % MX-5 482 236 104.2 % 89.1 % 3189 4,253 (25.0) % (25.6) % MXR 429 295 45.4 % 34.7 % 3502 3,847 (9.0) % (9.7) % CX-3 - 0 - - - 0 - - CX-30 7,216 5,908 22.1 % 13.1 % 80796 65,210 23.9 % 22.9 % CX-5 10,166 7,963 27.7 % 18.2 % 114221 123,818 (7.8) % (8.5) % CX-9 - 7 - - 4 17,447 (100.0) % (100.0) % CX-50 7,771 3,168 145.3 % 127.1 % 66286 34,887 90.0 % 88.5 % MX-30 0 0 - - - 100 - - Cx-70 2,517 0 - - 7405 0 - - CX-90 5,236 3,722 40.7 % 30.3 % 43798 20990 108.7 % 107.0 % CARS 4,401 2,736 60.9 % 48.9 % 38,249 33,669 13.6 % 12.7 % TRUCKS 32,906 20,768 58.4 % 46.7 % 312,510 262,452 19.1 % 18.1 % TOTAL 37,307 23,504 58.7 % 47.0 % 350,759 296,121 18.5 % 17.5 % *Selling Days 27 25 257 255 SOURCE Mazda North American Operations The Sira, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Lombok ushers guests to embark on a transformative journey into the traditions, heritage, and sublime landscapes of Lombok LOMBOK, Indonesia, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The Luxury Collection announces the highly anticipated opening of The Sira, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Lombok. Nestled in the heart of West Nusa Tenggara province in Indonesia, the resort is just a 90-minute drive from Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport. A living cultural expression of the beloved destination, the resort beautifully embodies Lombok's history, culture, and indigenous traditions, offering global explorers unique and authentic experiences, as well as direct access to the sprawling sands of Sire Beach. With its debut, The Sira in Lombok joins an ensemble of Luxury Collection properties in Indonesia as the third jewel, alongside the iconic The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua in Bali and the enchanting TA'AKTANA, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Labuan Bajo. Each property offers an immersive experience uniquely crafted to showcase the mesmerizing beauty, indigenous culture, and spirit of Indonesia's most treasured destinations. Marriott International HotelThe Sira, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Lombok "We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of The Sira, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, Lombok, a property that exemplifies our brand's commitment to delivering rare, unforgettable experiences in the world's most captivating destinations," said Philipp Weghmann, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection. "The resort is set to become Lombok's newest gem, drawing on the island's rich history, vibrant contemporary culture, and breathtaking natural beauty." The Sira, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Lombok is framed by the shores of a luminous white-sand beach overlooking the majestic Mount Agung. Beyond the grounds, Tiu Kelep Waterfall, Bayan Old Mosque, and Sukarara Weaving Village await discovery and exploration. Set to make a bold and luxurious design statement on the island of Lombok, the hotel interiors were conceptualized by IU Design. The design studio ensured that the resort honored the island's rich heritage and strong sense of place while reimagining luxury with a modern touch. Throughout the property, local craftsmanship is showcased with handwoven tenun ikat fabrics from Lombok and intricately detailed solid teak lattice walls from Java. Drawing inspiration from Lombok's natural beauty and cultural heritage, the architecture seamlessly integrates with its surroundings, creating a serene hideaway where guests can unwind amidst the soothing embrace of nature. To imbue a warm and inviting ambiance throughout, the hotel's design incorporates wooden materials, complemented by ocean breeze and natural light that gently illuminates each corner, enhancing the sense of comfort and tranquillity. The resort features 46 beautifully appointed suites and 14 pool villas, showcasing modern luxury with a sophisticated blend of contemporary interiors. For a truly unique stay, the palatial 1,400 square meter Beach House is a spectacular villa with three bedrooms, that opens to a private, blue-tiled plunge pool, with direct beach access. It can be transformed into one of Lombok's most beautiful venues for weddings and intimate celebrations. For the ultimate retreat, The Sira's crowning jewel; the Presidential Suite, is a two-story sanctuary with a full-sized rooftop infinity pool and three bedrooms, set in 1,000 sqm of living space. For epicureans, the resort offers an inviting exploration of diverse culinary specialties across its three restaurants and bar. At The Island's Table, the all-day dining restaurant, guests can enjoy an array of delectable delicacies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sija, the outdoor eatery by the pool, offers Asian specialities, while Medsa showcases Mediterranean flavors with a selection of Italian, Greek, and other fine cuisines, crafted from Lombok's finest ingredients from both land and sea. Glassary, the bar, offers a decadent cocktail menu inspired by local spirits, providing a glamorous backdrop for a refined aperitif or an indulgent nightcap, paired with small bites. Each cocktail is thoughtfully crafted and served in vibrant glassware, reflecting the colors and light of the Spectrum, creating a captivating visual and sensory experience. Guests can stay active with an invigorating workout in the 24/7 Fitness Center, or swim in the two-level, 70-meter outdoor infinity pool, set against a stunning ocean backdrop. For the ultimate indulgence, The Spa offers five private rooms where guests can experience the restorative powers of Indonesia's herbal treatments. For those seeking a unique escape, an outdoor spa oasis provides a tranquil retreat. Drawing on century-old remedies and blends, expert therapists offer locally inspired therapeutic spa treatments with rare aromatic oils and herbs designed to rejuvenate both the mind and body. For private events in an idyllic setting, The Sira is perfectly suited to host all occasions, from business meetings to celebrations. The dedicated event space accommodates up to 100 guests and is equipped with modern audio visual technology, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience for guests. "At The Sira, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Lombok, we are committed to delivering an exceptional experience that harmoniously blends Lombok's natural beauty with unparalleled luxury and service," said Harish Nair, the General Manager of The Sira, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Lombok. "Our dedicated team ensures that every aspect of your stay is attended to with the utmost care and attention. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to make your visit unforgettable and to immerse you in the unique charm and rich culture of Lombok." For more information and reservations, please visit www.thesiralombok.com. Download images here About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts The Luxury Collection is comprised of world-renowned hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world's most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination's charms and treasures. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA brand as a collection of Europe's most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of over 115 of the world's finest hotels and resorts in over 40 countries and territories. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world's finest. For more information and new openings, visit theluxurycollection.com or follow Instagram and Facebook. The Luxury Collection is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com. About Marriott Bonvoy Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with more than 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. From The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels and more, Marriott Bonvoy has more luxury offerings than any other travel program. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com. SOURCE Marriott International, Inc. U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command Funds FORCE Study to Evaluate Advanced Hemorrhage Control Technology on the Battlefield - Prytime Medical SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command has announced a new study that will assess the efficacy of the new 2+ hour pREBOA-PRO catheter in treating casualties in extremely far forward austere combat environments. The FORCE (Field Observation of REBOA in Combat Environments) study, officially titled A Study of Partial REBOA Use on the Battlefield: Enabling Transport of Combat Casualties with Non-compressible Torso Hemorrhage (NCTH), focuses on the urgent need to manage severe hemorrhage on the battlefield. The study utilizes the pREBOA-PRO catheter with the goal of providing longer partial aortic occlusion time to enable triage, treatment and transport for the critically injured. The study commenced September 2024. This effort was awarded through MTEC solicitation MTEC-24-01-MPAI and is funded by the DOD Combat Casualty Research Program (CCCRP) in accordance with the Congressional direction to establish military medical partnerships with the Ukraine specified in NDAA 2023 and 2024. To date, the CCCRP has funded research projects within Ukraine related to traumatic brain injury, hemorrhage control, traumatic stress, rehabilitation, wound management, severe sepsis, and trauma registry development. The DOD CCRP seeks to develop requirements driven knowledge and material solutions for the care of combat related traumatic injury during current and future conflicts. The pREBOA-PRO catheter, designed for True Partial REBOA to buy time to treat, triage, and transport. Non-compressible torso hemorrhage (NCTH) is the leading cause of preventable death among military trauma patients. In the current conflict in Ukraine, evacuation delays are common and require much longer hemorrhage control and resuscitation support than in previous conflicts. The pREBOA-PRO catheter, a third-generation device approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union Medical Device Regulation Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (EU MDR), has been in combat use in Ukraine for over 18 months. By extending the safe usage of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta, or REBOA, beyond 30 minutes, the pREBOA-PRO catheter enables forward medical teams to hemodynamically stabilize critically injured soldiers outside of the hospital, improving their chances of survival during extended transport. This new catheter provides a critical solution by allowing over two hours of hemorrhage control and resuscitation support through a capability known as partial occlusion of the aorta. Its patented technology has become pivotal for casualty management on the modern battlefield. Based on 18 months of successful use of the pREBOA-PRO in combat, the FORCE study will formalize the detailed collection of observational data on the use of the new 2+ hour partial REBOA pREBOA-PRO catheter in extremely austere and far forward combat environments. The key objectives of the study are to determine the utility of central aortic pressure monitoring and 2+ hour extended aortic occlusion on the battlefield. REBOA has a long-standing history of military research & funding. Most recently, Prytime was selected by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command to receive $6.2 million from the U.S. Department of Defense, awarded through the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium for a multi-center observational study of NCTH patients being treated with the pREBOA-PRO for partial occlusion as standard of care. This effort is titled the Partial REBOA Outcomes Multi-Center Prospective (PROMPT) study scheduled to be completed November 30, 2025. "No one should bleed to death: that is our company's mission," said Dr. Jessica Raley, the Principal Investigator for the FORCE and PROMPT studies. "We're passionate about finding new ways for civilian and combat wounded patients to reach definitive care, and we're grateful for the opportunity to document the latest REBOA combat casualty management strategies and share them with the world." ABOUT PRYTIME MEDICAL DEVICES, INC. Prytime Medical Devices, Inc. is an innovative medical device company that designs, develops, and commercializes minimally invasive solutions for hemorrhage control. The underlying intellectual property for REBOA was conceived based on lessons learned in war. Our latest innovations, the industry-leading ER-REBOA PLUS, and the innovative partial REBOA pREBOA-PRO catheter, enable torso hemorrhage control with more controlled resuscitation in a much wider range of clinical scenarios. The pREBOA-PRO catheter is the first and only FDA-cleared REBOA catheter designed specifically for True Partial REBOA. More information can be found at http://www.PrytimeMedical.com. ABOUT THE U.S. ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMMAND The U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command is the Army's medical materiel developer, with responsibility for medical research, development, and acquisition. USAMRDC produces medical solutions for the battlefield with a focus on various areas of biomedical research, including military infectious diseases, combat casualty care, military operational medicine, medical chemical and biological defense. https://mrdc.amedd.army.mil/ ABOUT MTEC The Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium is a 501(c)(3) biomedical technology consortium that is internationally dispersed, collaborating with multiple government agencies under a 10-year renewable Other Transaction Agreement with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command. The consortium focuses on the development of medical solutions that protect, treat, and optimize the health and performance of U.S. military personnel and civilians. To find out more about MTEC, visit mtec-sc.org. Disclaimer: The views and conclusions contained herein are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies or endorsements, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government. Contact Information: For more information about this study, please contact: [Jessica Raley] [Principal Investigator for the FORCE study] [Prytime Medical] [210-340-0116] [[email protected]] Press Contact: [Nicole Calvert] [Marketing Manager for Prytime Medical] [210-340-0116] [[email protected]] SOURCE Prytime Medical BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. A media tour was organized at the Border Control Command of the State Border Service (SBS) of Azerbaijan, Trend reports. Lieutenant General Elshan Verdiyev, head of the Border Control Command, informed media representatives about the history of the Border Troops. He noted that in the year 1919, the parliament of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic established 99 border checkpoints across the country. Following Azerbaijans second time of independence, the Border Troops resumed their activities. The SBS personnel fought heroically during the Second Karabakh War. The Lieutenant General also discussed the preparations of the Border Control Command for the upcoming COP29 conference. "The Border Control Command is ready for COP29. Special technological equipment for document verification is on standby, and necessary directives have been issued in this regard," he noted. A video highlighting the activities and achievements of the SBS and the Border Control Command was presented during the tour. Afterward, media representatives toured the administrative building of the Border Control Command, examining vehicles, special equipment, and tools used in the field, and visited the gym where personnel train during their free time. Participants observed the operational process in the surveillance room, witnessing the registration of requests and their appropriate processing. Journalists were briefed on the operations of the canine unit and were shown a demonstration of the "operational" procedures in action. The tour also included observations of the activities of the SBS at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, focusing on the processes involved in checking individuals leaving and entering Azerbaijan, including handling cases of counterfeit passports and documentation issues. VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - New Found Gold Corp. ("New Found" or the "Company") (TSXV: NFG) (NYSE-A: NFGC) is pleased to report results from the 2024 Phase II Metallurgical Testing Program conducted on drill core samples collected from the Iceberg and Iceberg East zones as part of the exploration program at its 100% owned Queensway Project ("Queensway"), located on the Trans-Canada Highway 15km west of Gander, Newfoundland. Highlights: Table 1. Weighted Average Gravity Leach Test Results (CNW Group/New Found Gold Corp.) Figure 1. Plan view map of metallurgical type-sections from the Phase II metallurgical testing program (CNW Group/New Found Gold Corp.) Figure 2. Example cross section of Iceberg #3 illustrating a portion of drill holes selected for metallurgical testing. The black bars shown in the figure represent the metallurgical testing intervals. (CNW Group/New Found Gold Corp.) Phase II metallurgical testing commenced in 2024, focused on Iceberg and Iceberg East. A total of 46 Variability Composites were generated from approximately 340 metres of drill core with a combined weight of 1,400 kilograms, from which one Master Composite was assembled. Weighted average gold extraction from all 46 Variability Composite samples broken out by the 10 cross section lines, shown below on the plan map in Figure 1, averaged 96.9%. Gold extractions were achieved using both gravity separation and conventional carbon-in-leach (CIL) on the gravity tails. These results compare well with the Phase I metallurgical test results which showed the weighted average gold extraction ranging from 90.1% to 96.7% for Keats Main, Golden Joint and Lotto (released April 3, 2024 ). and Lotto (released ). The Company is currently undertaking additional metallurgical testing focused on Keats West with composites having been selected and shipped to Base Metallurgical Laboratory Ltd and results anticipated in Q2 2025. Ron Hampton, Chief Development Officer of New Found, stated: "The Iceberg and Iceberg East zones have similar geology and mineralization style to the Keats Main zone that was previously reported earlier this year. Results from the Iceberg and Iceberg East zones also indicate excellent gold recoveries from the high-grade materials observed at the Queensway Project. In addition, this test work confirms that the mineralization from Iceberg and Iceberg East can be processed using conventional gravity separation and carbon-in-leach (CIL) technology." Additional Details: The second phase of the metallurgical test work at the Queensway property has been completed. The testing targeted the Iceberg and Iceberg East zones. Due to similarities in the mineralization styles found in both the Iceberg and Iceberg East zones, the sampled drill core material was combined to ensure sufficient material for metallurgical testing. A typical cross section from this phase of metallurgical testing identifies drill core intervals that were selected for sampling is shown in Figure 2, with the location of the 10 sections that extend across Iceberg and Iceberg East being shown in Figure 1. Approximately 340 metres of drill core with a combined weight of 1,400 kilograms was selected for this phase of test work, comprising 46 Variability Composites, from which one Master Composite was assembled, all of which were tested for gold extraction. The scope of work consisted of chemical and mineralogical analyses, environmental characterization, establishment of comminution parameters, gold extraction methods, reagent consumption, cyanide detoxification, and solid-liquid separation properties for process and tailings streams. The results of the chemical and mineralogical analyses were very similar to the previous test work completed for Keats Main, Lotto and Golden Joint. Results indicate that Iceberg and Iceberg East are similar to the other mineralized zones tested in the area, which are generally high-grade, and contain significant free-milling gold which is amenable to both gravity and leach extraction. Free gold grains greater than 150 microns in size were observed predominantly in the quartz veins located throughout these zones. The average gold weighted extraction percentage for Iceberg and Iceberg East was 96.9%. The average gold weighted extraction percentage for adjacent tested mineralized zones, Keats Main, Lotto and Golden Joint, ranged from 90.1% to 96.9%, when reduced to a product size of 75 microns (Table 1). These gold extraction percentages were achieved using gravity separation and conventional carbon-in-leach (CIL) technologies. Lower gold extraction values were realized for individual Variability Composite samples that had gold head assay values of less than 2 grams per tonne. Lower gold extraction trends were observed in samples containing organic carbon, as well as arsenopyrite and pyrite. Despite the Total Organic Carbon (TOC) of each tested mineralized zone being less than 0.1%, it was confirmed that some of the sampled material was mildly preg-robbing, although easily managed by using CIL for gold extraction on the higher-grade materials. A correlation between tailings gold grade and arsenic content was also observed; with the tail grade increasing as a function of increasing arsenic content. Comminution test work indicated that the tested material had an average SMC Axb index of approximately 64 and an average Bond Work Index (BWI) of approximately 18.3 kWh/t, which would be considered a medium hard ore for SAG milling and medium hard ore for ball milling. The Company retained metallurgist Gary Simmons as an independent consultant to design and oversee the metallurgical test work program at Queensway. Mr. Simmons is an internationally recognized metallurgist who previously served as Director of Metallurgy and Technology of Newmont Mining Corporation, where he managed the corporate metallurgical laboratory and R&D staff responsible for global Newmont process development and engineering design projects. Laboratory test work was carried out by Base Metallurgical Laboratory Ltd. in Kamloops, British Columbia. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Greg Matheson, P. Geo., Chief Operating Officer, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Matheson consents to the publication of this press release dated November 1, 2024, by New Found. Mr. Matheson certifies that this press release fairly and accurately represents the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this press release. About New Found Gold Corp. New Found holds a 100% interest in the Queensway Project, located 15km west of Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, and just 18km from Gander International Airport. The project is intersected by the Trans-Canada Highway and has logging roads crosscutting the project, high voltage electric power lines running through the project area, and easy access to a highly skilled workforce. The Company is currently undertaking a 650,000m drill program at Queensway and is well funded for this program with cash and marketable securities of approximately $35 million as of November 2024. Please see the Company's website at www.newfoundgold.ca and the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Acknowledgements New Found acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Contact To contact the Company, please visit the Company's website, www.newfoundgold.ca and make your request through our investor inquiry form. Our management has a pledge to be in touch with any investor inquiries within 24 hours. New Found Gold Corp. Per: "Collin Kettell" Collin Kettell, Chief Executive Officer Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement Cautions This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to exploration, drilling and mineralization on the Company's Queensway gold project in Newfoundland and Labrador; the results of the 2024 Phase II metallurgical testing program, the interpretation of such results and management's expectations based on such results; the current Phase III metallurgical testing program and timing related thereto; assay results; the interpretation of drilling and assay results, the potential and extent of mineralization and the discovery of zones of high-grade gold mineralization; plans for future exploration and drilling, including the timing and benefits of same; the merits of the Queensway project; the Company's sampling and Quality Assurance/Quality Control procedures; and funding of the Company, including the drilling program. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "interpreted", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "aims", "suggests", "indicate", "often", "target", "future", "likely", "pending", "potential", "goal", "objective", "prospective", "possibly", "preliminary", and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "can", "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of exploration, drilling and assay results, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Annual Information Form and Management's discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. SOURCE New Found Gold Corp. Deal Facilitated by Viking Mergers & Acquisitions TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Griner Engineering has been successfully acquired by OHM Advisors, a leading architecture, engineering and planning firm. This strategic acquisition demonstrates the firm's commitment to the continued growth of its mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services and expands its presence in Florida and Tennessee. Founded in 1968, Griner Engineering is a highly respected Florida-based firm that serves a wide range of clients, including municipal, educational, commercial and industrial sectors nationwide. Griner Engineering has been acquired by OHM Advancing Communities. "We are very excited to become part of the OHM team," said Joe Griner, president of Griner Engineering. "This acquisition helps OHM meet its goal of doubling the number of MEP experts and increasing the number of clients we can serve." OHM Advisors' diverse, mission-driven team works collaboratively across multiple disciplines, including architecture, municipal, environmental and transportation engineering, planning, urban design and construction services to create better places for people to live and work. "What excites me most about this acquisition is the shared passion of our team members for delivering exceptional solutions for clients and delivering innovative, people-focused designs and ideas that drive whole communities forward," said Jon Kramer, president of OHM Advisors. "By combining our talents and expertise, we are well-positioned to meet our mission of advancing communities today, tomorrow and for generations to come." "Viking Mergers & Acquisitions is thrilled to have facilitated the successful transaction between OHM Advisors and Griner Engineering," Viking Partner Christian Aunspaugh states. "It is a strategic step for both groups as they have continued growth in the design engineering and infrastructure sector. With OHM's impressive 60+ years of industry experience, the acquisition of Griner Engineering a respected, multi-location design firm with a rich 50-year history represents a powerful alignment of expertise and vision. This partnership not only preserves Griner's legacy as a second-generation company but also fuels exciting potential for future innovation and expanded service offerings. We're eager to see the opportunities this strategic union will create for both firms and the communities they serve." Partner Christian Aunspaugh & Associate Advisor Max Roix of the Viking M&A team helped lead this transaction to a successful closing. About Viking Mergers and Acquisitions Viking provides M&A services to small and middle-market business owners. In business since 1996, Viking is one of the largest business brokers in the southeast US. The firm has successfully sold over 850 businesses with an 85% close rate, at an average of 96% of the listing price. Visit https://vikingmergers.com to request a free confidential business valuation or to get more information. SOURCE Viking Mergers & Acquisitions BEIJING, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a report from China Daily: On Oct. 25, Ocean University of China (OUC), located in Qingdao, Shandong Province, celebrated its centenary. The Yushan campus of Ocean University of China. OUC, formerly named Private Qingdao University, was established in 1924, as the first modern institution of higher education founded by the Chinese in Shandong Province. Its name changed to OUC in 2002. Since its inception, the university has adhered to the aim of imparting profound knowledge and cultivating learned talent to meet the needs of the country. Over the years, it has evolved into a comprehensive institution, specializing in marine and aquaculture studies. OUC is included in China's "Double World-Class" initiative, which aims to elevate a select group of Chinese universities and their programs to a world-class standard. With distinctive strengths in marine science and fisheries, it is taking the lead in the world in these two areas. According to the US News 2024, it is No. 1 globally in marine and freshwater biology, the Web of Science states that it is the world's most cited university in the field of fisheries, while the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023, lists it is No. 1 worldwide in oceanography. OUC aims to become a world-class comprehensive ocean university by 2030 and to establish itself as a top-tier university in the world with its own distinctive strengths by the middle of this century. OUC has set its sights on developing top-notch professionals for the country's marine industry, with the goal of becoming a global hub for marine talent. Over the past century, the university has graduated more than 360,000 exceptional individuals across a range of fields, particularly in marine and aquaculture sectors. Notably, 16 of its alumni have become academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, while four have served as directors of the State Oceanic Administration. More than a third of the country's PhD holders in marine and aquaculture fields graduated from OUC, and over half of the 75 scientists who participated in China's first Antarctic expedition are proud OUC graduates. Currently, OUC has four campuses with a total of 35,400+ students. The university has developed a comprehensive system dedicated to marine studies that showcases unique Chinese characteristics. It fosters integration, mutual support, and collaboration across various fields, including marine science and technology, life sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and foundational disciplines. OUC boasts more than 40 important research centers and platforms, and it has initiated and participated in major international scientific projects. It led the establishment of the International Alliance of Marine Related Institutions and China-Norway Marine University Consortium Alliance, and hosts the CLIVAR Project Office. It is spearheading the implementation of major international marine observation programs and it has successfully secured the right to host the OceanObs' 29. OUC owns three research vessels, represented by Dong Fang Hong 3, a 5,600 DWT comprehensive research vessel with a Silent-R certificate, forming a mobile laboratory system that covers the nearshore, offshore, deep waters, high seas, and polar regions, with first-tier observation capacity. The university has proposed and implemented strategic initiatives, including the "Transparent Ocean", "Blue Granary", "Blue Drug Storage", and "Blue Seeds", and formed major innovation platforms such as national laboratories in marine-related fields. Dedicated to global engagement, the university works closely with more than 300 partner institutions across over 50 countries and regions to create global platforms for cooperation and innovation in ocean research and education. SOURCE China Daily Pathstone maintains no. 2 spot on prestigious list, is recognized as a leading Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) in the U.S. ENGLEWOOD, N.J., Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pathstone, a leading partner-owned advisory firm offering highly customized investment advice and comprehensive family office services focused on the ultra-high net worth, is proud to announce it has ranked number two on the Forbes Top RIA Firms for 2024. This follows Pathstone's no. 2 ranking in 2023 and no. 3 ranking in 2022. "It's an honor to be recognized among the top RIA firms in the nation," said Matt Fleissig, CEO and Co-Founder of Pathstone. "Ranking highly serves as a reflection of our teams' hard work fostering deep relationships with clients that are rooted in trust, transparency, and tailored service. It's also a testament to the inclusive culture we've built and our shared vision to redefine the wealth management industry." Pathstone, with $112 billion in assets under advisement and administration and 21 locations across the country*, offers comprehensive services, bespoke and sophisticated solutions, designed to meet and exceed the needs of ultra-high-net-worth families. This ranking highlights the firm's commitment to its client-first approach and values as a fiduciary. It also speaks to the firm's advocacy-driven approach supports clients in achieving their personal long-term goals and preserving their legacy and wealth for future generations. "This recognition wouldn't be possible without the team's shared values and commitment to a client-first culture," said Kelly Maregni, President of Pathstone. "We pride ourselves on the ability to add value to all aspects of our clients' preferred lives. This ranking showcases our dedication to excellence and providing tailored and innovative solutions to meet our clients' evolving needs." The annual Forbes Top RIA Firms rankings recognize leading independent firms based on revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience, and best practices and approaches to working with clients. Selected firms have proven track records and demonstrate commitment to clients with professionalism, expertise and comprehensive wealth management and financial planning services. This year's honorees oversee more than $1.6 trillion in assets. For more information about Pathstone's services, visit www.pathstone.com. To view the full Forbes 2024 RIA rankings, visit www.forbes.com/lists/top-ria-firms/. Third-party rankings and recognition from ratings services are no guarantee of future investment success. Working with a highly rated adviser does not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. Ratings should not be considered an endorsement for the adviser by any client, nor are they representative of any one client's evaluation. Pathstone paid no application fee to participate, but may purchase plaques, reprints, or logos to publicize rankings. Methodology: The Forbes ranking of America's Top RIA Firms, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. The algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. About Pathstone Pathstone is a client-centric, partner-owned firm dedicated to serving ultra-high net worth families, single family offices, and foundations and endowments. With a depth and breadth of expertise, our advisors provide a holistic suite of family office services, tailored wealth management, investment advisory, trust and estate planning, tax, bill pay, and other lifestyle management services, all delivered in-house. With offices across the United States, we focus on an advocacy-driven approach, empowering our clients to realize their unique long-term goals and sustain their legacy. Discover more at www.Pathstone.com. *Pathstone Holdings, LLC comprises of the following subsidiaries or affiliates with total assets of $112 billion as of 06/30/2024: Pathstone Family Office, LLC (~$70.4 billion); Advisor Partners, LLC (~$1.1 billion); and Willow Street entities (~$40.5 billion). Media Contact Info: Interdependence PR for Pathstone 973-303-3237 [email protected] SOURCE Pathstone EDMONTON, AB, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - The PCL family of companies is pleased to announce the succession transition for the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. Chris Gower is appointed the ninth President and CEO of PCL in its 118-year history. Chris brings nearly three decades of experience with PCL to his new role, leading PCL's office of the CEO. Chris Gower, President and Chief Executive Officer; Dave Filipchuk, Chair of PCL Construction's Board of Directors (CNW Group/PCL Construction) Chris previously held the position of Deputy CEO, and before that was Chief Operating Officer, overseeing PCL's building operations in Canada, the United States and Australia. He has been a key figure in PCL's Office of the CEO and Board of Directors and, while guiding numerous landmark projects across North America, played an instrumental role in leading the company's expansion into the solar energy market. Chris holds an executive certificate from Stanford University and is an alumnus of Fanshawe College. He is also a CCA Gold Seal certified estimator and project manager and was recognized as one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40 leaders. "I am honored and proud to assume the role of President and CEO at PCL," said Chris. "Leading a company with such a rich and successful legacy is a privilege, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to Dave Filipchuk for his leadership over the past eight years. I also extend my deepest gratitude for his mentorship throughout our transition time together. Looking forward, I am filled with excitement for the journey ahead. With the unwavering commitment to excellence that defines PCL, I am confident that we are poised for even greater heights. Our talented builders across Canada, the United States and Australia will continue to build a better future together and uphold the legacy that has defined PCL for more than a century." Dave Filipchuk will step into the role of Chair of PCL Construction's Board of Directors on November 1, 2024, continuing an over 40-year career with the company, including the last 8 years as President and CEO. PCL proudly acknowledges and thanks Dave for his dedicated service and exemplary leadership. Reflecting on the transition to Chris, Dave stated, "Effective succession planning is about positioning the right leaders at the right time. We prioritize succession at every level of our company, ensuring time for a smooth transition to maintain business continuity. Chris is an exceptional leader with a proven history of success, and our board looks forward to his continued commitment to excellence as he leads our growing and thriving organization." During his PCL CEO tenure, Dave successfully led the company to record achievements and accolades. He has recently been recognized with the University of Alberta Canadian Business Leader Award in 2023 and the Canadian Construction Association's Pinnacle Leader Award in 2024. Additionally, he was inducted as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering in 2024. About PCL Construction PCL is a group of independent construction companies that operates throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Australia. As one of the largest contracting organizations in North America, PCL completes more than $7 billion USD in work annually, building projects that shape communities. The company's 100% employee ownership model fuels a culture of commitment for clients in the buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and solar markets. With a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers, PCL's leadership teams consistently drive innovation and set new benchmarks for excellence, bringing unparalleled skill to every project. Watch us build at PCL.com. SOURCE PCL Construction National Dental Hygiene Month honors and celebrates the work dental hygienists do to improve patients' oral and systemic health. HENDERSON, Nev., Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PDS Health, a leading dental and medical support organization, proudly recognizes National Dental Hygiene Month, a time dedicated to honoring the vital role and impact dental hygienists can have in improving patients' oral and overall health. Established by the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA), National Dental Hygiene Month celebrates the contributions of dental hygienists nationwide, raising awareness about the direct connection between oral health and systemic health. A PDS Health dental hygienist performs a bacterial decontamination procedure on a patient using advanced laser technology. This procedure has been shown to reduce the bacterial load found within the gum tissue. In dental offices across the country, dental hygienists serve as periodontal disease management experts, working in partnership with dentists to educate patients about the Mouth-Body Connection the direct link between oral health and overall health and the significance early disease detection can have in improving health outcomes. Research continues to prove that some bacteria found in the mouth is linked to serious conditions like Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, reproductive health issues and that maintaining good oral health can reduce the risk of these conditions and, in some cases, prevent them entirely. "National Dental Hygiene Month is a time to celebrate the extraordinary contributions dental hygienists make every day," said Stephen E. Thorne IV, Founder and CEO of PDS Health. "Our hygienists are not only the front line of defense against periodontal disease; they play a key role in helping patients understand the critical link between oral health and overall health. By shifting to a more integrated, preventive approach, we are transforming patient care and improving health outcomes on a broader scale." As an early leader in educating on the Mouth-Body Connection, PDS Health has created one of the most technologically advanced and supportive environments for dental hygienists to be empowered in taking a whole-body approach to the care they provide. PDS Health dental hygienists are delivering advanced care, performing comprehensive health history assessments, and actively reviewing patients medical and laboratory histories through the Epic shared health records system. Dental hygienists are among the biggest advocates changing the landscape of patient care within dentistry, actively using, assessing and monitoring oral health with tools like chairside biomarker screenings and advanced laboratory diagnostics. This proactive approach provides dentists and hygienists with critical insights, enabling a more personalized treatment plan that address each patient's unique needs and ensures the appropriate timing for follow-up care, rather than waiting for the next six-month check-up. By moving away from a one-size-fits-all model to precision-based care, hygienists are helping to transform dental hygiene practices and improve patient outcomes. As they spend more time with patients, hygienists build strong relationships based on trust and support early detection of health concerns, contributing to a more individualized, effective approach to care. "The dental industry is evolving, and with it comes a growing recognition of the value and impact dental hygienists have on improving patient outcomes by reducing inflammation and long-term disease management," said Summer LaMoureaux, RDH, Director of Hygiene Operations at PDS Health. "Our team of hygienists are doing more to detect, understand, and manage their patients' care with tools like saliva diagnostics, much the same way that blood work is used in medical settings." In states where permitted, dental hygienists may opt to use a dental laser to address bacteria embedded in the gum tissue. This approach has been shown to reduce the bacterial load found in the mouth and potentially further reduce the amounts of harmful bacteria that may be entering the bloodstream. To support clinicians in adopting this advanced technology, PDS Health University provides specialized training programs. As the organization's premier education platform, it offers a board-approved course, Lasers for Dentistry, which meets state-specific requirements and equips PDS Health's supported dental hygienists and dentists with the skills and knowledge needed for laser technology implementation. "In the states allowed, the use of a soft tissue laser and saliva diagnostic has transformed how we look and approach oral disease and the management it warrants. The advancements and tools that are being made available today pose massive positive impact potential for improving patient health outcomes," said LaMoureaux. "However, not all laser training is created equal and finding an appropriate training provider can be nuanced and costly, which is why PDS Health University is an approved provider for laser education, offered at no cost to our clinicians." PDS Health encourages patients to take charge of their oral health and explore how it impacts their overall health. Learn more about the Mouth-Body Connection and its vital role in supporting systemic health. About PDS Health PDS Health continues the journey started by Pacific Dental Services in 1994, with a vision to redefine health care through the integration of dental and medical services. Its approach, centered on the connection between oral health and overall health, aims to create healthier, happier patients and set new benchmarks in the healthcare industry. As a leading provider of integrated healthcare support, the company delivers a broad spectrum of services to dental, dental specialties, and medical providers, enhancing operations and care delivery for clinicians across the U.S. For more information about PDS Health, visit pdshealth.com. Mouth-Body Connection is a registered trademark of PDS Health. SOURCE PDS Health PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Philadelphia FIGHT's Board of Directors is pleased to announce they have selected Jose Benitez, MSW, FCPP as our new Chief Operating Officer. Benitez will assume his duties on November 4, 2024. Benitez, currently serving as Director of Operations at FIGHT, will build upon the influential work of retiring CEO Jane Shull, who, over the past 34 years, has overseen the growth of FIGHT from a community-based HIV research organization and clinic to a Federally Qualified Health Center, with multiple locations throughout Philadelphia. Benitez is the former CEO of Prevention Point Philadelphia (PPP), a public health organization serving communities affected by drug use, utilizing a harm reduction model and providing an array of services including medical care, respite care, shelter services, syringe exchange, medically assisted drug treatment, HIV and Hepatitis C testing and case management, and overdose prevention education. Benitez has an extensive history of working with underserved populations in Philadelphia, including people who actively use drugs and those in recovery. In addition to his 35+ years of experience in the HIV community as a provider and advocate, he is a tireless supporter of communities affected by drug use and has dedicated his career to the field of harm reduction. In his 16-year tenure PPP became the largest Syringe Service Program in North America, offering one of the most comprehensive inventories of harm reduction services in the continent. Benitez has been the Principal Investigator for the following: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant for HIV Testing and Counseling from the City of Philadelphia's Health Department, an Overdose Prevention grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and a Special Programs of National Significance (SPNS) grant with Philadelphia FIGHT to develop best practices to improve HIV treatment access in the Latino community. Benitez serves as Adjunct Faculty for Temple University's College of Public Health and School of Social Work. His vast "real world" knowledge provides undergraduate and graduate students with insight into the inner workings of public health and social work service provision to the most vulnerable communities in Philadelphia. Benitez has also served as the Ryan White Part B Coordinator for the City of Philadelphia's AIDS Activities Coordinating Office was the Program Director for the Therapeutic Center at Fox Chase, the Director of the HIV Social Services Department for North Philadelphia Health System, the HIV Program Coordinator for Hahnemann University Hospital, and has held various direct social services positions at Action AIDS Inc. (now Action Wellness). Benitez's appointment follows a national search led by Bishop Ernest McNear, FIGHT's Board President and Chair of the CEO Search Committee, in partnership with WittKieffer, a nationally recognized executive search firm which includes a specialty in FQHC executive placement. Bishop McNear states, "Philadelphia FIGHT is looking forward to the future. On behalf of FIGHT's Board of Directors, we are strongly committed to Jose's leadership for this critical role and are thankful for his willingness and ability to lead FIGHT in this next chapter of growth. We are confident that through his vision, compassion, and love of our community, Jose will continue FIGHT's legacy in providing the highest quality health care and support services to all who come through our doors." Jane Shull, outgoing CEO commented, "I am beyond excited that Jose will be following me in the role of Chief Executive Officer of Philadelphia FIGHT. In addition to his extensive accomplishments, Jose truly understands who we are as Philadelphia FIGHT. He shares FIGHT's fundamental commitment to serving everyone in need and doing so in a way that respects the dignity of each individual. I am certain that FIGHT will continue to grow and to find new and innovative ways to serve the community under Jose's leadership." Benitez's awards and honors include contributions to the Mayor's Task Force to Combat Opioid Use (2017), Top 10 Influential Latinos in Philadelphia (2011) and an appointment to the Philadelphia Board of Health (2008). Benitez serves as a Fellow for the Philadelphia College of Physicians, and is also a founding board member for the Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative in Philadelphia. Benitez received his Master's Degree in social work from Temple University and his Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from SUNY College of Brockport. Benitez remarks, "I am so happy and proud to be named the new CEO of Philadelphia FIGHT. FIGHT has a long-standing tradition of providing quality care to the community. I am honored to continue the mission and grow and develop new programs." Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers is a comprehensive health services organization providing primary care, consumer education, research, and advocacy for people living with HIV/AIDS and those at high risk. For more information, visit https://fight.org SOURCE Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- News Advisory: Event: Press Briefing on the National Security trial of Jimmy Lai, former publisher of Apple Daily. When: 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 20 Where: National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, Washington, DC, 13th Floor, Zenger Room Who: Sebastien Lai, son of Jimmy Lai; Caoilfhionn Gallagher, head of Jimmy Lai's international legal team; Jason Rezaian, The Washington Post; Bill McCarren, Director, Press Freedom Center at The National Press Club, will give welcoming remarks Details: Jimmy Lai has been imprisoned in Hong Kong for nearly four years. His trial, under the City's National Security Law is set to resume Nov. 20, and Gallagher will provide an update on the case. It is anticipated that the defense will begin their case on Nov. 20 and that Jimmy Lai will provide testimony. Gallagher will also discuss the recent changes in Hong Kong law that led to this case. Jimmy Lai's time in prison has taken a physical toll on him. His son Sebastiean will discuss his father's declining health and the risk involved in prolonged incarceration. Rezaian, who was recently named Director of Press Freedom Initiatives at the Washington Post, was held in prison in Iran from July,2014 to January 2016. He will discuss what Lai is likely going through now as a prisoner who will be called to testify at his own trial. Lai is a UK citizen. The U.S. and the UK have both called for his release. Note: This briefing on the trial of Jimmy Lai is the first event of the newly formed Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club. The event is open for coverage. News organizations may register by emailing [email protected]. A continental breakfast will be provided at the event. Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for the National Press Club SOURCE National Press Club BEIJING, Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, Robert Fico, prime minister of the Slovak Republic, arrived in Beijing to start a six-day official visit to China. Before his departure, he stated that this is the "most important trip" he will make in 2024 and noted that "China is becoming a decisive global player." The delegation includes several ministers and 80 business representatives, highlighting Slovakia's urgent desire to upgrade cooperation with China on all fronts. Coming at a time when the European Commission announced the final ruling on the anti-subsidy investigation into China-made electric vehicles, Fico's visit to China highlights the positive aspects of China-Europe relations. Slovakia was one of the first countries to recognize New China, and the two nations enjoy profound traditional friendship. Fico, who has served as prime minister four times, has always attached great importance to developing relations with China. In 2007, he visited China in his first year as prime minister. This year marks the 75th anniversary of China-Slovakia diplomatic relations. Fico's visit continues this friendship and is expected to inject new momentum into China-Slovakia and China-Europe relations. China is Slovakia's largest trading partner outside the EU, and Slovakia, as one of the first European countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative, enjoys a prime geographic location as an inland hub for three major transport corridors connecting Europe and China. With the automotive industry as a pillar of its economy - accounting for nearly half of Slovakia's total industrial sales - Slovakia is keen to adopt advanced technology to produce electric vehicles. Additionally, Slovakia has substantial needs for improving and building transportation infrastructure. Therefore, fostering friendly relations and further deepening cooperation is a natural, mutually beneficial goal with strong intrinsic motivation for both sides. Fico's visit to China is an epitome of the high-level exchanges and practical cooperation between China and the EU. Since the beginning of the year, European leaders and cabinet ministers have visited China in succession, from Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish President Andrzej Duda, to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Fico's visit continues this trend. The frequent high-level interactions demonstrate an increasing demand for cooperation and the desire to build trust and dispel doubts through communication - this is the essence of China-Europe relations. Since coming to power, Slovakia's new government has firmly promoted broad, mutually beneficial cooperation with non-Western countries, including China. The concepts of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation advocated by China have resonated within Europe, which has allowed China and Slovakia to establish mutual trust on a deeper level. In recent years, many Central and Eastern European Countries have led the EU in levels of cooperation with China, with countries like Hungary and Slovakia emerging as key forces in advocating for independent EU diplomacy and economic policy. This is not a coincidence. Central and Eastern Europe is the connecting zone between the dynamic East Asian economic circle and the developed Western European economies, and it is a key region integrating multiple roles such as hub and transit area. Today, the number of China-Europe freight trains passing through Slovakia continues to grow, symbolizing the fruitful cooperation between China and Slovakia and injecting impetus into the ever-closer China-EU relations. During this visit, Fico is scheduled to tour China's lithium battery manufacturer Gotion High-tech Co, which plans to build an EV battery factory in collaboration with local manufacturers in Slovakia. As a traditional assembly center for European brands like Volkswagen and BMW, Slovakia's open cooperation with Chinese companies reflects the aspect of European nations to uphold market principles and embrace market competition. With China-Slovakia economic, trade, and people exchanges entering the fast lane, it is expected that the potential and advantages of China-CEE cooperation will be further explored. Prime Minister Fico's visit will provide references for China and Europe to seek the greatest common denominator for win-win cooperation. China and Europe share a broad foundation and demand for cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, and global governance, where consensus outweighs differences and collaboration exceeds competition. Against a backdrop of economic globalization encountering headwinds and rising international instability, China and Europe should strengthen communication and cooperation to jointly address global challenges. SOURCE Global Times Transition Represents New Era of Innovation and Growth LOUISVILLE, Ky., Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- QSR Automations, a global leader in restaurant technology solutions, today announced a strategic, majority growth investment from Battery Ventures, a global, technology-focused investment firm. This investment represents a pivotal moment in QSR Automations' history, positioning the company for accelerated growth, enhanced innovation, and expanded market reach. Founded in 1996, QSR Automations has been at the forefront of developing innovative technology solutions for the restaurant industry, including kitchen display systems (KDS), guest management software, table management, and digital recipe solutions. With nearly three decades of experience, the company has built a reputation for improving operational efficiency, enhancing guest experiences, and driving profitability for restaurant operators worldwide. The company's ConnectSmart technology is currently used in 21 of the nation's 25 largest casual-dining chains including The Cheesecake Factory and Brinker International. Alongside the new investment, QSR Automations announced that Battery Executive-in-Residence Robbie Payne, a longtime software-industry executive, will become the company's new CEO. Angela Leet, who has served as CEO of the company since 2021, will remain involved with the company as a board member. "I have been so impressed with the business Angela and her team have built at QSR Automations, and the traction the company has gotten inside large restaurant accounts," said Payne, who previously ran Battery-backed, smart-manufacturing solutions company CAMBRIO, which was acquired by Sweden's Sandvik AB three years ago. "We are excited about working with the team to help take QSR Automations to the next level and scaling the business through this next growth phase." Leet said: "It's been such an honor to lead this company. But now, my team and I are incredibly excited for QSR Automations' next chapter. Partnering with Battery allows us to re-focus on our product development efforts, expand our market reach, and continue delivering exceptional value to our customers. This acquisition provides the resources and expertise we need to innovate even faster and meet the evolving needs of the restaurant industry." Battery Ventures has a long history of backing and scaling business-focused software companies, including those in the hospitality technology space. In restaurant tech, Battery has backed Olo (NYSE: OLO), Crunchtime, and Vita Mojo. "QSR Automations has built an impressive platform that we feel provides a critical service to restaurant operators worldwide," said Battery General Partner Morad Elhafed. "We see a unique opportunity to build on their success and are thrilled to partner with such an innovative team to help drive the next phase of growth." Elhafed will join the company's board, along with his Battery colleagues Satoshi Harris-Koizumi and Becca Jones. The Battery growth investment is designed to accelerate QSR Automations' ability to deliver cutting-edge technology solutions that help restaurant operators streamline their operations, improve guest satisfaction, and optimize their workflows. The company will continue to operate under its existing brand, with no immediate changes to its day-to-day operations. About QSR Automations QSR Automations , headquartered in Louisville, KY with offices in the United Kingdom, is a global industry leader in kitchen automation and guest management services. Since 1996, restaurant operators have turned to the brand's signature platform, ConnectSmart, for customized solutions to improve the guest experience and drive operational excellence. Used in 21 of the nation's top 25 casual dining chains, ConnectSmart leverages data to create customized solutions that make calmer kitchens, simpler workflows, and happier guests. About Battery Ventures Battery partners with exceptional founders and management teams developing category-defining businesses in markets including software and services, enterprise infrastructure, consumer tech, healthcare IT and industrial technology and life-science tools. Founded in 1983, the firm backs companies at all stages, ranging from seed and early to growth and buyout, and invests globally from offices in Boston, San Francisco, Menlo Park, New York, London, and Tel Aviv. Follow the firm on X @BatteryVentures, visit our website at www.battery.com and find a full list of Battery's portfolio companies here . William Blair served as exclusive financial advisor to QSR Automations. SOURCE QSR Automations BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. The training sessions for employees of hotel restaurants and other catering establishments in the tourism industry, organized by the State Tourism Agency and its National Culinary Center in preparation for the upcoming 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), have concluded, Trend reports. The agency pointed out that more than 500 industry representatives from 220 catering establishments, whether flying solo or tied to hotels, took part in the month-long training program. Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency experts also provided their pearls of wisdom on food safety and the ins and outs of relevant legislation during the sessions. Additionally, 12 local trainers completed an 8-day "Train the Trainer" program conducted by international experts from the World Association of Chefs' Societies (Worldchefs). The training included both theoretical and practical components, covering topics such as food safety, national and international menus, incorporating vegan and vegetarian options, reducing carbon emissions, and ensuring environmental sustainability in the catering sector. Following the successful completion of this phase, local trainers took an exam and were allowed to proceed to the next stage, where they began training the staff of various enterprises. The primary goal of the project is to lend a helping hand to industry stakeholders in building their capacity and to push the sector forward in line with international standards during and after COP29. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel TAIPEI and SAN DIEGO, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Senhwa Biosciences, Inc. (TPEx: 6492), a drug development company focusing on first-in-class therapeutics for oncology, rare diseases, and infectious diseases, today announced the appointment of Dr. Yiu-Lian Fong to the board of directors for Ding Li Development Ltd. Dr. Fong, a present member of the Bio Taiwan Committee (BTC) under the Executive Yuan since 2020, has served various organizations in Taiwan including the BTC, the Ministry of Science and Technology Council, and the Medical Device Innovation Center, NCKU as an expert consultant since 2017 to help drive the growth of Biotech industry. Dr. Fong previously served as the Global Head, Diagnostic Innovation and R&D and Clinical Biomarker Strategy and Development at Janssen, Johnson & Johnson. Having nearly thirty years of successful R&D leadership experience for new drug discovery and development in the global pharmaceutical companies, Dr. Fong is dedicated to addressing unmet medical needs for major diseases such as cancer. Her versatile experiences will provide valuable insights into Senhwa's strategic approaches to developing new drugs, help accelerate development timelines, and position Senhwa for the global market. Dr. Fong received her PhD at Vanderbilt University and completed her post-doctoral training at the Johns Hopkins University. She held important and progressive leadership positions in various global pharmaceutical and IVD companies. She advanced from scientist to the Director of R&D for Novartis Vaccine and Drug Development, and subsequently to the Executive Director at the Novartis Molecular Diagnostics and the Novartis Oncology Division for Drug and Companion Diagnostic co-development. Following her role as Vice President of R&D in Abbott's Molecular Diagnostic Division, she joined Janssen Pharmaceuticals to assume global R&D leadership roles including the Global Head of Diagnostic Innovation, R&D, and CLIA Lab Operation, and the Global Head of Clinical Biomarker and Diagnostic Strategy and Development to help drive the development of precision medicines. Over her 28-year career, Dr. Fong has not only successfully led/directed numerous important R&D programs from pre-clinical, phase I-III to regulatory approval, but also supported phase-IV post-approval studies to accelerate global market expansions. Furthermore, Dr. Fong has demonstrated her expertise in strategic planning for global partnerships and global market penetration for pharmaceuticals and IVD (companion) diagnostics. Her professional expertise and experience in the biotech/pharma/IVD industry will contribute significantly to Senhwa's efforts in progressing the R&D pipeline, and facilitate the global partnerships and commercial success. SOURCE Senhwa Biosciences, Inc. HANGZHOU, China, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 12th, Josephine Teo, Singapore Minister for Digital Development and Information, and Second Minister for Home Affairs visited BrainCo for a study session, exploring the company's latest advancements in non-invasive brain-computer interface and artificial intelligence technologies. The delegation began with a tour of the BrainCo product display. Under the introduction of BrainCo's founder and CEO, Han Bicheng, Josephine Teo gained a deeper understanding of the company's latest developments in non-invasive brain-computer interface technology. The company's product experience officer showcased various applications of the BrainCo Intelligent Dexterous Bionic Hand, such as calligraphy and playing the piano, along with the BrainCo M3 Intelligent Bionic Leg. Following the tour, the two sides held a discussion session. Han Bicheng introduced BrainCo's technological progress, research direction, and goals in the field of brain-computer interfaces. He expressed a desire to strengthen communication and broaden areas of cooperation with relevant companies in Singapore, aiming for mutual benefits and shared success. During her visit to China, Josephine Teo also toured academic institutions and technology companies in Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. Following her visit, she shared on her social media: "Singapore and China are long-standing partners, enjoying deep and multifaceted relations. Our bonds continue to flourish through the years, from high-level government exchanges to robust business ties and strong friendships between our people. During my working trip to China last week, I visited academics and tech companies across Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou. I was also happy to connect with fellow Singaporeans working in the tech scene there, and glad to see them doing well. These interactions reaffirmed my conviction that Tech must be for the Public Goodto enhance our quality of life and unlock new opportunities for our people and businesses." As Josephine Teo mentioned, technology must serve the public good. BrainCo adheres to the mission of "Unlocking more possibilities in life", committed to applying laboratory technologies to real-world settings to create tangible impacts. BrainCo has completed approximately $300 million in financing and invested in research and development. The company aims to connect its brain-computer interface products with international markets and looks forward to exploring more business opportunities with partners worldwide, jointly promoting industry innovation and market growth. SOURCE BrainCo Union Calls on Oregonians to Join the Fight as Strike Enters Seventh Week EUGENE, Ore., Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters Local 206 and 324 are calling for Oregon residents to boycott Bigfoot Beverages, one of the largest soft drink and alcohol distributors in the state. Members of Teamsters Local 206 and 324 began a strike against Bigfoot Beverages on September 19 after the company attempted to unlawfully eliminate a core pension benefit and lied to the bargaining committee during contract negotiations. "We've had enough of this company blowing us off and taking us for granted, so we're taking this fight to the next level and calling for a complete and total boycott of this company," said Geoff Stewart, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 206. "Bigfoot thinks it's a community partner. This company is creating community partnerships against its disgusting anti-worker behavior." The Teamsters represent over 200 drivers, warehouse workers, merchandisers, and technicians at Bigfoot. The company has been lying to Teamsters and the public about the benefits of a proposed switch from a pension to a 401(k) plan. The reality is Bigfoot Teamsters are fighting back against a proposal where each member would have to spend at least $3,300 per year out-of-pocket just to match the company's current rate of funding for their retirement benefits. "This offer was, is, and always will be, total garbage," said Chris Muhs, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 324. "This isn't about giving workers options or control over investments. It's about the difference between guaranteed retirement security and rolling the dice. It's about ending middle-class prosperity for the vast majority of people who work for this employer." The union is picketing every location the company has, along with stores that are currently carrying the products distributed by Bigfoot. Most notably, these products include Pepsi brands, Buoy Beer, Pelican Brewing Company, Ninkasi Brewing, King Estate Oregon wines, and Willamette Valley Vineyard wines. You can support Bigfoot Teamsters by going to http://ibt.io/boycottbigfoot and signing the pledge not to buy anything the company distributes until after it stops forcing this strike upon workers. Teamsters Joint Council 37 represents workers in Oregon, Southwest Washington, and Idaho. For more information, go to jcteamsters37.com/ Media Contact: Matt McQuaid, (202) 624-6877 [email protected] SOURCE Teamsters Joint Council 37 Embrace the Eternal Spirit of Dia de Muertos as Don Julio Transforms Eight Major Cities with Stunning Ofrenda Installations and Countless Local Celebrations ATOTONILCO EL ALTO, JALISCO, Mexico, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dia de Muertos is a cherished Mexican holiday that celebrates and honors loved ones who have passed. This year, Tequila Don Julio, Mexico's original luxury tequila, invites the world to experience the heart of this vibrant culture. More than just a brand, Tequila Don Julio is a revered symbol of Mexican heritage. In tribute to the holiday, the brand is unveiling beautifully curated Ofrendasdecorated altarsin eight dynamic cities: Bogota, Cape Town, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Mexico City, Mumbai, and Sao Paulo as well as countless celebrations in over thirty markets around the world. This initiative brings the magic of Dia de Muertos to life, encouraging locals to participate in the celebration and remembrance of those they've lost. Tequila Don Julio Elevates Mexicos Cultural Heritage with Breathtaking Dia de Muertos Global Celebrations Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/tequila-don-julio/9299751-en-dia-de-muertos-global-celebrations As part of the brand's commitment to celebrate and spotlight inspiring Mexican creatives, Tequila Don Julio has partnered with renowned Mexican visual artist and historian Betsabee Romero and Mexican floral designer Juan Renteria to collaborate on the creative concept of the Ofrendas and help guide influential local artists in each city. In a nod to the tradition of honoring ancestors, featured on each Ofrenda will be the brand's visionary founder, Don Julio Gonzalez, surrounded by vibrant elements and decor that blend the rich traditions of Mexico with the unique spirit and style of each city. "As an artist deeply rooted in the traditions of Mexico, Ofrendas hold a profound significance for me they are a living dialogue between the past and present, a space where we honor our ancestors while reflecting on contemporary realities," said Betsabee Romero. "I've dedicated over two decades to reinterpreting these sacred altars, blending traditional elements with modern perspectives to keep this vital cultural practice alive and relevant. I am beyond grateful to Tequila Don Julio for allowing me to contribute to the creative vision of these Ofrendas and share the beauty of our Dia de Muertos traditions with the world." "Dia de Muertos is a celebration of life and love a time to connect with our roots and our memories," said Juan Renteria. "Collaborating with Tequila Don Julio to bring this tradition to life on a global scale is an honor that fills me with pride and joy. I love seeing how each city embraces and reinterprets our beautiful tradition in their own unique way." Designed to be experienced from every angle, these installations will be displayed for Dia de Muertos, transforming cities into awe-inspiring cultural spectacles. You can find our Dia de Muertos experiences in these locations around the world: Bogota, Colombia : Zona T Bogota (Calle 83 #12A, Bogota, Colombia ) Zona T Bogota (Calle 83 #12A, Bogota, ) Cape Town, South Africa : Ostrich Ranch (Van Schoorsdrif Rd, Philadelphia , Cape Town, South Africa ) Ostrich Ranch (Van Schoorsdrif Rd, , ) London, England : Rosewood London (252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN, United Kingdom ) Rosewood (252 High Holborn, WC1V 7EN, ) Los Angeles , USA : Venice Beach (1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291) (1800 Ocean Front Walk, 90291) Melbourne, Australia : Beverly Rooftop (627 Chapel Street, Level 24, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia 3141) Beverly Rooftop (627 Chapel Street, Level 24, South Yarra, 3141) Mexico City, Mexico : Museo del Estanquillo (Calle Isabel la Catolica 24 Colonia Centro, Alcaldia Cuauhtemoc C.P. 06000, Ciudad de Mexico) Museo del Estanquillo (Calle Isabel la Catolica 24 Colonia Centro, Alcaldia Cuauhtemoc C.P. 06000, Ciudad de Mexico) Mumbai, India : Bastian at the Top (48th Floor, Kohinoor Square, N C. Kelkar Marg, Dadar West, Shivaji Park , Mumbai , Maharashtra 400028, India ) Bastian at the Top (48th Floor, Kohinoor Square, N C. Kelkar Marg, Dadar West, , , Maharashtra 400028, ) Sao Paulo, Brazil : Palacio Dos Cedros (R. Bom Pastor, 800 - Ipiranga, Sao Paulo - SP, 04203-000, Brazil ) "We are exceptionally proud to be able to create a global moment around a uniquely Mexican holiday that is a celebration of life of those who have departed," shares Sophie Kelly, Global Head of Agave at Diageo. "Tequila Don Julio is bringing Mexican culture to the forefront through worldwide authentic vibrant celebrations that will open a window for communities around the world to engage with one of Mexico's most cherished traditions." The brand's Dia de Muertos celebration reaffirms their commitment to championing Mexican culture and sharing it with the world. By spotlighting Mexican creatives and merging tradition with modernity, Tequila Don Julio is honoring the past and shaping the future of Mexican culture on the global stage. Tequila Don Julio encourages consumers of legal drinking age to celebrate responsibly. ABOUT TEQUILA DON JULIO Founded on the pioneering agricultural principles of Don Julio Gonzalez and his personal pursuit of perfection, Tequila Don Julio revolutionized the tequila industry and set the standard for ultra-premium tequila. Mexico's original luxury tequila, Tequila Don Julio uses only the highest caliber, fully matured, and ripened Blue Agave that has been hand-selected from the rich, clay soils of the Los Altos region of the state of Jalisco. The Tequila Don Julio portfolio includes Tequila Don Julio Blanco, Tequila Don Julio Reposado, Tequila Don Julio Anejo, Tequila Don Julio 70 Cristalino, Tequila Don Julio Rosado, Tequila Don Julio 1942, Tequila Don Julio Alma Miel and Tequila Don Julio Ultima Reserva. For more information on Tequila Don Julio, please visit www.DonJulio.com . ABOUT DIAGEO Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan's, Smirnoff and Ciroc vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. SOURCE Tequila Don Julio Embrace the Eternal Spirit of Dia de Muertos as Don Julio Transforms Eight Major Cities with Stunning Ofrenda Installations and Countless Local Celebrations ATOTONILCO EL ALTO, JALISCO, Mexico, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dia de Muertos is a cherished Mexican holiday that celebrates and honors loved ones who have passed. This year, Tequila Don Julio, Mexico's original luxury tequila, invites the world to experience the heart of this vibrant culture. More than just a brand, Tequila Don Julio is a revered symbol of Mexican heritage. In tribute to the holiday, the brand is unveiling beautifully curated Ofrendasdecorated altarsin eight dynamic cities: Bogota, Cape Town, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Mexico City, Mumbai, and Sao Paulo as well as countless celebrations in over thirty markets around the world. This initiative brings the magic of Dia de Muertos to life, encouraging locals to participate in the celebration and remembrance of those they've lost. Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/tequila-don-julio/9299751-en-dia-de-muertos-global-celebrations As part of the brand's commitment to celebrate and spotlight inspiring Mexican creatives, Tequila Don Julio has partnered with renowned Mexican visual artist and historian Betsabee Romero and Mexican floral designer Juan Renteria to collaborate on the creative concept of the Ofrendas and help guide influential local artists in each city. In a nod to the tradition of honoring ancestors, featured on each Ofrenda will be the brand's visionary founder, Don Julio Gonzalez, surrounded by vibrant elements and decor that blend the rich traditions of Mexico with the unique spirit and style of each city. "As an artist deeply rooted in the traditions of Mexico, Ofrendas hold a profound significance for me they are a living dialogue between the past and present, a space where we honor our ancestors while reflecting on contemporary realities," said Betsabee Romero. "I've dedicated over two decades to reinterpreting these sacred altars, blending traditional elements with modern perspectives to keep this vital cultural practice alive and relevant. I am beyond grateful to Tequila Don Julio for allowing me to contribute to the creative vision of these Ofrendas and share the beauty of our Dia de Muertos traditions with the world." "Dia de Muertos is a celebration of life and love a time to connect with our roots and our memories," said Juan Renteria. "Collaborating with Tequila Don Julio to bring this tradition to life on a global scale is an honor that fills me with pride and joy. I love seeing how each city embraces and reinterprets our beautiful tradition in their own unique way." Designed to be experienced from every angle, these installations will be displayed for Dia de Muertos, transforming cities into awe-inspiring cultural spectacles. You can find our Dia de Muertos experiences in these locations around the world: Bogota, Colombia : Zona T Bogota (Calle 83 #12A, Bogota, Colombia ) Zona T Bogota (Calle 83 #12A, Bogota, ) Cape Town, South Africa : Ostrich Ranch (Van Schoorsdrif Rd, Philadelphia , Cape Town, South Africa ) Ostrich Ranch (Van Schoorsdrif Rd, , ) London, England : Rosewood London (252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN, United Kingdom ) Rosewood (252 High Holborn, WC1V 7EN, ) Los Angeles , USA : Venice Beach (1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291) (1800 Ocean Front Walk, 90291) Melbourne, Australia : Beverly Rooftop (627 Chapel Street, Level 24, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia 3141) Beverly Rooftop (627 Chapel Street, Level 24, South Yarra, 3141) Mexico City, Mexico : Museo del Estanquillo (Calle Isabel la Catolica 24 Colonia Centro, Alcaldia Cuauhtemoc C.P. 06000, Ciudad de Mexico) Museo del Estanquillo (Calle Isabel la Catolica 24 Colonia Centro, Alcaldia Cuauhtemoc C.P. 06000, Ciudad de Mexico) Mumbai, India : Bastian at the Top (48th Floor, Kohinoor Square, N C. Kelkar Marg, Dadar West, Shivaji Park , Mumbai , Maharashtra 400028, India ) Bastian at the Top (48th Floor, Kohinoor Square, N C. Kelkar Marg, Dadar West, , , Maharashtra 400028, ) Sao Paulo, Brazil : Palacio Dos Cedros (R. Bom Pastor, 800 - Ipiranga, Sao Paulo - SP, 04203-000, Brazil ) "We are exceptionally proud to be able to create a global moment around a uniquely Mexican holiday that is a celebration of life of those who have departed," shares Sophie Kelly, Global Head of Agave at Diageo. "Tequila Don Julio is bringing Mexican culture to the forefront through worldwide authentic vibrant celebrations that will open a window for communities around the world to engage with one of Mexico's most cherished traditions." The brand's Dia de Muertos celebration reaffirms their commitment to championing Mexican culture and sharing it with the world. By spotlighting Mexican creatives and merging tradition with modernity, Tequila Don Julio is honoring the past and shaping the future of Mexican culture on the global stage. Tequila Don Julio encourages consumers of legal drinking age to celebrate responsibly. ABOUT TEQUILA DON JULIO Founded on the pioneering agricultural principles of Don Julio Gonzalez and his personal pursuit of perfection, Tequila Don Julio revolutionized the tequila industry and set the standard for ultra-premium tequila. Mexico's original luxury tequila, Tequila Don Julio uses only the highest caliber, fully matured, and ripened Blue Agave that has been hand-selected from the rich, clay soils of the Los Altos region of the state of Jalisco. The Tequila Don Julio portfolio includes Tequila Don Julio Blanco, Tequila Don Julio Reposado, Tequila Don Julio Anejo, Tequila Don Julio 70 Cristalino, Tequila Don Julio Rosado, Tequila Don Julio 1942, Tequila Don Julio Alma Miel and Tequila Don Julio Ultima Reserva. For more information on Tequila Don Julio, please visit www.DonJulio.com . ABOUT DIAGEO Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan's, Smirnoff and Ciroc vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Distinguished MIT Professor Regina Barzilay leads a dynamic group of thought leaders and medical experts in conversation with Globe journalists and partners BOSTON, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Globe Media is excited to launch the first annual Future of Medicine, a one-day summit bringing together executives and experts across healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. The event, presented by Microsoft, will take place on Wednesday, November 13, at Big Night Live and is free and open to the public. Registration is open now at globe.com/events . Registration is open now for Future Of Medicine at globe.com/events. An impressive lineup of researchers, business leaders, academics, and innovators will join journalists from The Boston Globe for panel discussions and fireside chats focused on advancing medicine and highlighting innovation across preclinical, clinical, and commercial developments. Regina Barzilay, distinguished professor of AI and Health at the MIT School of Engineering, opens the event in a fireside chat with Anna Kuchment, the Globe's health and medical editor. The pair will discuss how artificial intelligence is poised to transform healthcare and share insights on future possibilities for use in cancer detection, drug development, and more. Sessions throughout the day will address a variety of relevant topics, including: Hope on the Horizon: Alzheimer's Treatments The Next Generation of Vaccines Next-Gen Cancer Care: Exploring Breakthrough Therapies Beyond the Donor Pool Advancing Together to Discover New Therapies for Rare Diseases Navigating the AI Hype Cycle "We're thrilled to offer this inaugural event to advance discussions around topics including everything from vaccine development to rare disease, artificial intelligence, organ transplantation, and beyond," said Kayvan Salmanpour, chief commercial officer of Boston Globe Media and executive vice president of Boston.com. "Massachusetts is a hub of these developments, and Boston Globe Media is dedicated to highlighting this groundbreaking work happening in our backyard." Future of Medicine is free and open to the public. The event will be held at Big Night Live (110 Causeway St, Boston, MA 02114) and available to virtual guests via livestream. Both in-person and virtual attendees are encouraged to RSVP at globe.com/events . The presenting sponsor for the inaugural Future of Medicine is Microsoft. Supporting sponsors include Biogen and Moderna. UMass Chan Medical School is the event's official education partner. Contact: Carla Kath, Director of Communications, [email protected] About Boston Globe Media: Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC is a locally owned, award-winning media company serving Boston and New England. The cornerstone of the brand is The Boston Globe, a 27-time Pulitzer Prize-winning news source and one of the most successful metro news organizations in the United States. The Globe is headquartered in Boston with regional bureaus in Washington, D.C., Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. The Globe has one of the highest daily print circulations among metro newspapers and more than 245,000 digital subscribers. As part of Boston Globe Media's growing portfolio of brands, the Globe hosts events that connect community members to its journalism and provides a range of digital and home-delivered advertising solutions that reach more consumers than any other New England media brand. Boston Globe Media's properties include The Boston Globe, Globe.com , Boston.com , STAT , The B-Side , Globe Publishing Services, Globe Events , Studio/B , and the weekday news program Boston Globe Today on NESN and online. SOURCE Boston Globe Media Partners A roundup of the most newsworthy financial press releases from PR Newswire this week, including ADP's National Employment Report and a Citi and Google partnership. NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help finance journalists and consumers stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a recap of some major stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. PR Newswire Weekly Finance Press Release Roundup, Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 2024. For more news like this, check out all of the latest finance-related releases from PR Newswire. Do you have a finance press release to distribute? Sign up with PR Newswire to share your story with the audiences who matter most. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers, and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Users can create customized newsfeeds that will deliver relevant news right to their inbox. Newsfeed results can be targeted by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Users can create customized newsfeeds that will deliver relevant news right to their inbox. Newsfeed results can be targeted by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include in a journalist or blogger's next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include in a journalist or blogger's next story. Subject Matter Experts: Journalists will have access to ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in their articles. Journalists will have access to ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in their articles. Related Resources: Our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, features regular media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire PR Newswire is the industry's leading press release distribution partner with an unparalleled global reach of more than 440,000 newsrooms, websites, direct feeds, journalists and influencers and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. From our award-winning Content Services offerings, integrated media newsroom and microsite products, Investor Relations suite of services, paid placement and social sharing tools, PR Newswire has a comprehensive catalog of solutions to solve the modern-day challenges PR and communications teams face. For 70 years, PR Newswire has been the preferred destination for brands to share their most important news stories across the world. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. SOURCE PR Newswire Online Publication Seeks Creatives to Reimagine Life on EarthFrom the Ground Up DENVER, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tractor Beverage Company, the planet-first drink brand that's USDA Organic Certified, is launching something newand it's not just your next favorite beverage. Introducing Tractor Beam, a quarterly online publication debuting in early 2025. Its mission? To explore bold, optimistic futures where regenerative farming and soil science inspire how we live and thrive on this planet. Supported by Tractor Beverage Company, the first USDA Organic Certified beverage brand in food service, Tractor Beam reflects the company's commitment to sustainable food systems and inspiring new ways of thinking about organic and regenerative farming. Tractor Beam is now open for submissions of short stories and graphic novellas that explore how regenerative agriculture, soil science, and earth-centered practices can shape our future. Welcome to the world of soil-based climate fiction, a new take on Sci-Fi and Cli-Fi that asks: What if the path to a better world is beneath our feet? Tractor Beverage Company is calling on writers and artists to imagine futures where our relationship with the earth is radically transformedblending ancient, earth-rooted wisdom with visionary thinking that dares to bridge the "Hope Gap." In a time where many feel disconnected from solutions, Tractor Beam is inviting inspired protagonistscreators like youto help craft stories and visuals that close the gap between reality and our most audacious visions of the future. "At Tractor, we're focused on possibilities," says Duke Stump, Chief Brand Officer for Tractor Beverage Company. "Tractor Beam isn't just a call for innovation; it's an invitation to reimagine our relationship with the land and one another. Think of it as a future Farmer's Almanac, exploring a world where regenerative practices and harmonious living with the earth take center stage. It's about inspiring hopeencouraging a new generation of thinkers and dreamers to bridge the Hope Gap and turn imagination into action. Tractor Beam is now open for submissions of short stories and graphic novellas that explore how regenerative agriculture, soil science, and earth-centered practices can shape our future. This new genresoilpunk positions the earth as a central character in the fight for a sustainable, thriving world. Whether you envision a post-climate-crisis society rebuilt on sustainable farming or a future where the soil holds the key to human survival, the quest is for stories that inspire hope and challenge conventional thinking. Winning submissions will receive $1,500 USD in three categoriesProse, Narrative Illustration, and Judge's Choiceselected by a panel of climate-focused creators: Paul Goodenough , Emmy-nominated writer, producer, and founder of Rewriting Extinction , an initiative merging storytelling and activism to protect biodiversity and inspire environmental action. , Emmy-nominated writer, producer, and founder of , an initiative merging storytelling and activism to protect biodiversity and inspire environmental action. Joycelyn Longdon , an award-winning environmental justice researcher and climate educator, has been invited to speak on topics such as environmental justice, regenerative design, green technology, and climate colonialism by The United Nations Geneva Dialogues, Channel 4, Cheltenham Science Festival, Oxford University , and The Design Council, as well as becoming a recent TEDx Alumni. She was the 2022 winner of the Emerging Designer London Design Medal and was most recently featured in British Vogue's December 2023 'Forces for Change' Issue. , an award-winning environmental justice researcher and climate educator, has been invited to speak on topics such as environmental justice, regenerative design, green technology, and climate colonialism by The United Nations Geneva Dialogues, Channel 4, Cheltenham Science Festival, , and The Design Council, as well as becoming a recent TEDx Alumni. She was the 2022 winner of the Emerging Designer London Design Medal and was most recently featured in British Vogue's 'Forces for Change' Issue. LinYee Yuan, founder and editor of MOLD, a critically acclaimed print and online magazine about designing the future of food, and an instigator of Field Meridians, an artist collective creating tools for ecological resilience through social practice. Submissions are due by November 22, 2024, with winners announced on December 16, 2024. So, whether you're writing, drawing, or imagining, now's the time to share your vision for a more regenerative futureand help us close the Hope Gap. Supported by Tractor Beverage Company, the first USDA Organic Certified beverage brand in food service, Tractor Beam reflects the company's commitment to sustainable food systems and inspiring new ways of thinking about organic and regenerative farming. To submit your work and learn more, visit tractorbeam.earth and follow us on Instagram. About Tractor Beverage Co. Tractor Beverage Company is redefining the beverage landscape with the first USDA Organic Certified, Non-GMO beverage collection crafted exclusively for the food service industry. At Tractor, we believe that you don't have to sacrifice flavor for sustainability and that soil and soul are at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to uncompromising taste, quality, and sustainability makes our beverages more than just a delicious drinkthey're a movement toward a healthier planet and a better food system. Our mission is rooted in the belief that every decision we make, from sourcing organic ingredients to empowering our team, contributes to a thriving planet and community. This commitment extends to the fields where our ingredients are grown. Through the establishment of the Farmhand Foundation, a non-profit organization headquartered in Ojai, California, we are dedicated to making sustainable and organic farming an everyday reality. As pioneers in transparency, we were the first beverage brand to track and disclose impact data through our Organic Impact Tracker, recognized by Fast Company as a 2024 World Changing Idea for quantifying the benefits of sourcing organic versus conventional ingredients. This recognition is a testament to our belief that what we put into the earthand our businessmatters deeply. Tractor has also been featured on Fast Company's 2021 list of the World's Most Innovative Companies and has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies since 2022. For more information, visit drinktractor.com or follow along on Instagram at @drinktractor. Media Relations: Chrystie Heimert [email protected] 802-338-2556 SOURCE Tractor Beverage Company WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- US Biologic, Inc., Global Lyme Alliance (GLA), and the Center for Lyme Action (CLA) celebrate today the passage of Delaware HB404 bill, "AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 3 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LYME DISEASE" (bill detail), which creates a Lyme and tickborne disease intervention fund overseen by the Department of Agriculture and "shall have the goal of reducing the prevalence of Lyme disease and potential for contracting Lyme disease on State owned lands." Further, the bill instructs the Department of Agriculture to "administer the fund with the goal of reducing the prevalence of Lyme disease, other tick-borne illnesses, and the animals known to carry Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses on State-owned lands in places people are likely to contract the disease." US Biologic Global Lyme Alliance The bill, signed by Governor John Carney on October 23, 2024, was first introduced by Representative William J. Carson (DE House District 28) and, upon unanimous bipartisan approval by the Delaware House of Representatives, was introduced into the Delaware State Senate by Senator Kyle Evans Gay (Senate District 5), where it received similar unanimous bipartisan approval. "Lyme is the number one vector-borne disease," says Chris Przybyszewski, US Biologic President. "This bill by Representative Carson and Senator Gay, and as signed by Governor Carney, creates a tangible statewide commitment to fight back." Przybyszewski notes that while human-based diagnostics and treatments are essential, "we must also address wildlife sources, primarily the transmission between white-footed mice and ticks. This aspect of the bill is critically important." Paul Ross, GLA Chairman, echoes this sentiment: "It's crucial that we continue to expand resources to combat Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Delaware's commitment to these efforts is commendable and should be celebrated by the entire community." "This is important leadership by Delaware and especially Delaware Lyme advocates, and it provides a roadmap for additional states to follow," says Bonnie Crater, co-founder and board director of Center for Lyme Action. "We join US Biologic and GLA in commemorating this historic legislation." About US Biologic, Inc. US Biologic, Inc. (www.usbiologic.com) "delivers disease prevention" by developing oral, thermostable, multi-species vaccines and biologics to fight the world's greatest animal health and public health threats. We prioritize global collaboration, health equity, transparency, practical solutions, and a strong business plan. We are the creators of the LymeShield System (www.lymeshield.com), a revolutionary integrated tick-management program to fight Lyme Disease. US Biologic: Aspire. Innovate. Deliver. About the Global Lyme Alliance The Global Lyme Alliance (www.globallymealliance.org) is the leading nonprofit dedicated to conquering Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Our Mission: Cure Lyme and other tick-borne diseases through innovative research, awareness, and empowering the patient voice. Our vision: A world free of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. About the Center for Lyme Action The Center for Lyme Action (https://centerforlymeaction.org) is a 501c4 dedicated to growing federal funding for Lyme and tickborne conditions in an effort to find cures especially for Lyme patients with persistent, debilitating symptoms. Media Contact: Chris Przybyszewski, President US Biologic, Inc. [email protected] 901-490-5857 SOURCE Center for Lyme Action WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors will convene an open meeting on November 14, 2024, at Postal Service headquarters, located at 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW in Washington. Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting, which will commence at 10 a.m. ET in the Benjamin Franklin Room. A public comment period will begin immediately following the adjournment of the open session on November 14, 2024. During the public comment period, members of the public present at the meeting, or who have previously registered to participate virtually, may comment on any item or subject listed on the agenda for the open session. Registration of speakers at the public comment period is required. Speakers must register online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bog-11-14-2024. Each registered speaker will be allowed two (2) minutes for comment. Registration to speak during the public comment period shall end on November 12, 2024, at 9 a.m. ET. Participation in the public comment period is governed by 39 C.F.R. 232.1(n). During the meeting, the board will address the following agenda items: Call to order and opening remarks of the Chairman Remarks from the Postmaster General and CEO Approval of the minutes from closed and open meetings Election of the Chairman Election of the Vice Chairman Committee reports Financial Report presented by Mr. Corbett a. FY2024 Annual Financial Report b. FY2024 10-K and Financial Statements c. FY2024 Annual Report to Congress d. FY2025 Integrated Financial Plan and Liquidity Outlook e. Authorization to Borrow Money and Issue Obligations f. FY2026 Congressional Reimbursement Request Annual Service Performance Report presented by Dr. Colin Approval of the tentative agenda for the February 7, 2025 open meeting Adjournment Public comments Open session meetings of the Board of Governors are available on live audio webcasts at https://about.usps.com/who/leadership/board-governors/#sessions. Three hours after the conclusion of the open session meeting, a recorded audio file will be available for listening. In compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the audio webcast will be open-captioned. Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to 167 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America's most valued and trusted brands. The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. For USPS media resources, including broadcast-quality video and audio and photo stills, visit the USPS Newsroom. Follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter; Instagram; Pinterest; Threads and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the USPS YouTube Channel and like us on Facebook. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and facts.usps.com. Contact: David Walton [email protected] usps.com/news SOURCE U.S. Postal Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. The activities of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of Azerbaijan over the past nine months demonstrate a continued expansion and intensification of the organization's connections with diaspora organizations and individual members of Azerbaijani communities abroad, as well as with the public in the country, Trend reports via the committee. The committee employed modern forms and methods to further increase the accessibility of information for the Azerbaijani diaspora. During the reporting period, members of diaspora organizations and individual communities sent 416 congratulatory messages, appeals, and letters of thanks to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Additionally, members of Azerbaijani communities abroad and diaspora organizations sent 107 appeals and statements on various issues to international organizations. During overseas trips, the leadership and staff of the committee held 218 meetings with Azerbaijanis living abroad and 163 meetings with officials. A total of 4,827 people participated in mass meetings with compatriots abroad during this period. During the visit of the diaspora members to Azerbaijan, the committee hosted a meeting with 933 compatriots. The committee staff has established a more flexible communication system to improve communication with Azerbaijanis living abroad and representatives of nations friendly to Azerbaijan. They conducted discussions and correspondence with 112,349 people via email, WhatsApp, SMS, and phone. Furthermore, the committee's official email address ([email protected]) received 2,434 inquiries, of which 475 were individual citizen requests. Each inquiry was addressed. In the first nine months of 2024, the total number of documents processed by the committee amounted to 14,644, and there were 1,036 calls from citizens. The committee provided corresponding responses to these calls. The committee has continued to improve cooperation with higher education institutions, with the number of university students completing internships at the committee tripling compared to previous years. From January through September 2024, 71 students gained valuable experience at the committee. The committee's communication policy has shown progress and new qualitative indicators. The committee prepared 1,011 press releases about its activities and the Azerbaijani diaspora during this time. Among these, 262 were political, 187 were cultural, and the remaining 562 were educational. The committee published this information on its website, 100 news sites, all local TV channels, cable channels, and dozens of YouTube channels. During this period, the committee published 729 articles in foreign media outlets. Throughout the first nine months of this year, Azerbaijan's ITV (Public Television) channel aired two episodes per month of the program "Homeland is Not Far," a joint project of the ITV channel and the committee's Diaspor TV channel on YouTube. Filming took place in the US, Kazakhstan, Italy, Turkey, and Germany, as well as in Azerbaijan, during visits by diaspora representatives. Diaspor FM radio regularly highlighted the committee's activities and the experiences of Azerbaijanis living abroad, hosting dozens of guests from both Azerbaijan and abroad. In line with its communication strategy, the number of appearances by the committee's leadership, staff, and diaspora representatives on local television and radio exceeded 500. Analytical articles about the Committee's activities and Azerbaijani communities abroad were published in Azeri-Observer magazine, the Azerbaijan-Turkiye magazine, and various media outlets in the country. The committee has successfully continued major projects, such as summer and winter camps for diaspora youth, sister schools in Karabakh, leadership development, a diaspora youth network, the 1+1 youth program, an electronic academy, brainstorming sessions, diaspora volunteers, forums for youth from Turkic-speaking countries, Azerbaijani scholars, doctors, and engineers living abroad, forums for Azerbaijani students studying abroad, trips for the diaspora to Karabakh, and other large-scale projects. Supported by the committee, numerous scientific conferences dedicated to the history and contemporary development of Azerbaijan have been organized in prestigious higher education institutions worldwide, featuring participation from diaspora scholars and international experts. These conferences significantly contributed to the information war and played a vital role in countering misinformation related to Azerbaijan. Thousands of compatriots and representatives of friendly nations participated in these initiatives. The increased number of mass events organized by the committee, as well as specialized forums, has positively impacted the engagement with the committee's social media accounts. The committee implements its diaspora policy based on the directives and recommendations of President Ilham Aliyev, continuously improving its activities to expand connections with the diaspora, ensure access to information, and create a unified network of Azerbaijanis worldwide. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel DETROIT, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In keeping with its tradition of giving back and honoring U.S. military personnel, Little Caesars is once again offering veterans and active-duty military members a free HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo at participating locations across the country this Veterans Day. On Monday, November 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., veterans and active military can enjoy a complimentary Lunch Combo, which includes four slices of Little Caesars signature Detroit-style Deep Dish pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi beverage. "We are deeply grateful to all veterans and military members for their service," said Little Caesars President and CEO, David Scrivano. "This year holds special significance for us and our veteran community, as we are opening a new Little Caesars restaurant at Pearl Harbor, where our founder, Mike Ilitch, was stationed in the U.S. Marine Corps from December 1950 to August 1951. Mr. Ilitch's military experience at this iconic base laid a solid foundation for his future business success. Along with offering a free lunch on Veterans Day, we continue to support these heroes year-round through initiatives like the Little Caesars Veterans Program." In 2006, inspired by founder Mike Ilitch's own military service, Little Caesars established its veterans program. This initiative aims to support honorably discharged veterans as they transition into civilian life or pursue new career paths by offering incentives to help them start their own franchises such as discounts on franchise fees, equipment, and supplies, as well as financing assistance and support with marketing. Today, 18 years later, the program boasts a network of over 260 veteran franchisees. For more information about franchise opportunities, visit www.franchise.littlecaesars.com. No coupon is required to claim the free HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo on Veterans Day. Veterans and active-duty military personnel will need to present proof of service, such as a military ID, DD-214 form, or veteran designation on their ID card. The Little Caesars Veterans Program, alongside the opening of a new restaurant at Pearl Harbor this year, reflects the company's ongoing commitment to making a positive impact and giving back to those who have served. About Little Caesars Little Caesars, the Best Value in Pizza*, was founded by Mike and Marian Ilitch as a single, family-owned restaurant in 1959 and is headquartered in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It is the third-largest pizza chain in the world, with restaurants in each of the 50 U.S. states and 28 countries and territories. Known for its HOT-N-READY pizza, Crazy Puffs, and famed Crazy Bread, Little Caesars uses quality ingredients, like fresh, never-frozen mozzarella and Muenster cheese and sauce made from fresh-packed, vine-ripened California crushed tomatoes. The brand is known for innovation and is home to the exclusive Pizza Portal pickup, a heated, self-service mobile order pickup station. Little Caesars is also the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL. A high-growth company with over 65 years in the $150 billion worldwide pizza industry, Little Caesars continually looks for franchisee candidates to join the team in markets worldwide. In addition to providing the opportunity for entrepreneurial independence in a franchise system, Little Caesars offers a simple operating system, a reputation for taste and value, and strong brand awareness with one of the most recognized characters in the country, Little Caesar. Little Caesars is proud to be part of the Ilitch Companies family of businesses. For more, visit LittleCaesars.com and follow Little Caesars on TikTok , Instagram , and X . *Limited to top 4 national pizza chains SOURCE Little Caesars NYSE: VZLA TSX-V: VZLA VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Vizsla Silver Corp. (TSXV: VZLA) (NYSE: VZLA) (Frankfurt: 0G3) ("Vizsla Silver" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received conditional approval to graduate from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") and list its common shares (the "Common Shares") on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX"). Final approval of the listing is subject to the Company meeting certain customary conditions required by the TSX. Upon receipt of the final TSX approval, the Common Shares will be delisted from the TSXV and commence trading on the TSX under the symbol "VZLA". The Company will issue a press release once it has confirmed the date when trading of the Common Shares is expected to commence on the TSX. Shareholders are not required to exchange their share certificates or direct registration system advices or take any other action in connection with the listing on the TSX, as there will be no change in the trading symbol or CUSIP for the Common Shares. The Common Shares will continue to trade on the NYSE American under the symbol "VZLA". Corporate Update The Company also announces today a quarterly update with respect to the Company's previously announced "at-the-market" equity program (the "ATM Program") launched on September 13, 2024. The ATM Program allows the Company to issue and sell, from time to time, up to US$100,000,000 (or the Canadian dollar equivalent) of its common shares ("Common Shares") from treasury to the public, at the Company's discretion, pursuant to an equity distribution agreement (the "Equity Distribution Agreement") among the Company and Canaccord Genuity and CIBC Capital Markets, as lead agents, and National Bank Financial and BMO Capital Markets (collectively, the "Agents"). During the quarterly period ended October 31, 2024, the Company issued a total of 3,900,000 Common Shares on the NYSE American LLC at an average price of US$2.1892 under the ATM Program, providing gross proceeds of US$8,537,880.00, respectively. Commissions of US$256,136.40 were paid to the Agents in relation to these distributions. For further details on the ATM Program, see the Company's news release dated September 13, 2024. About Vizsla Silver Vizsla Silver is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, focused on advancing its flagship, 100%-owned Panuco silver-gold project located in Sinaloa, Mexico. The Company recently completed a Preliminary Economic Study for Panuco in July 2024 which highlights 15.2 Moz AgEq of annual production over an initial 10.6-year mine life, an after-tax NPV5% of US$1.1B, 86% IRR and a 9-month payback at US$26/oz Ag and US$1,975/oz Au. Vizsla Silver aims to become the world's leading silver company by implementing a dual track development approach at Panuco, advancing mine development, while continuing district scale exploration through low-cost means. Website: www.vizslasilvercorp.ca Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes certain "ForwardLooking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forwardlooking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forwardlooking statements or information. These forwardlooking statements or information relate to, among other things: the listing of the Common Shares on the TSX and other statements that are not historical facts. Forwardlooking statements and forwardlooking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of Vizsla Silver, future growth potential for Vizsla Silver and its business, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of silver, gold, and other metals; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; Vizsla Silver's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms. These statements reflect Vizsla Silver's respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information and Vizsla Silver has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company's dependence on one mineral project; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in Mexico; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities and artisanal miners; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in Vizsla Silver's management discussion and analysis. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information. Although Vizsla Silver has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Vizsla Silver does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forwardlooking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law. SOURCE Vizsla Silver Corp. CARY, N.C., Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BookLife announced Black Defender: The Awakening as the best graphic novel of the year. BookLife reviews dozens of independent books each month, in all categories. To compile the inaugural BookLife's Best features, BookLife reviewed books from across its many channels. This year it selected eight books that represented the very best of 2024. "Black Defender: The Awakening" Is Recognized as Graphic Novel of the Year by BookLife Dr. David Washington "I am delighted about the recognition of best graphic novel of the year, and I could not be happier to see that the work struck a chord with the reviewers," said Dr. David Washington, the author of the graphic novel. Black Defender represents Washington's first work in the fiction genre. "I decided to create a graphic novel to promote representation, diversity, and social justice. I believe that stories have the power to bring people together and spark significant conversations about these important topics. By using the visual medium of a graphic novel, I hoped to reach a wider audience and engage readers in a unique and impactful way," explains Washington. The book is about an African American entrepreneur and former Special Forces soldier, Dr. Chris Withers, who comes face-to-face with a system of injustice that drives him to vigilantism as Black Defender. Withers encounters supervillains, a corrupt police system, and social issues that stand in the way of him finding justice. Earlier this year, BookLife also honored Black Defender with its inclusion as an Editor's Pick. The Editor's Pick denotes a book of outstanding quality. BookLife reviews books assigning letter grades (from A+ to C) for five production elements: cover art, interior design and typography, illustrations (if applicable), editing, and marketing copy. Black Defender received high grades with an A for cover art, A for Design and typography, A for Illustrations, A- for editing, and A- for marketing copy. BookLife is a subsidiary of Publishers Weekly (PW) dedicated to indie authors. PW has been reviewing self-published books since 2010 when it began its PW Select program. In May 2014, PW joined forces with tech company Mediapolis, Inc. to launch BookLife. The graphic novel, Black Defender: The Awakening is available on Amazon.com and WashingtonComix.com. Contact Information Ms. May Cortez Media Relations Phone: 919-256-3774 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Washington Comix BEIJING, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 21, 2024, the seventh Blancpain-Imaginist Literary Prize ceremony was held in Beijing, where young writer Wei Sixiao won the top honor for his work Tu Guang Cun Mu (the Village). During the ceremony, Blancpain also unveiled the limited editions in the form of pair watches for the 2024 Literary Prize, featuring the iconic models from Villeret Collection Complete Calendar Moonphase 6654 and the Moonphase Date Indicator 6126 in an elegant champagne-gray finish. The gold rotor of each watch is engraved with an image of a quill, symbolizing the celebration of literary creativity. This year's theme, "Where lies the Originality in Chinese Literature?" explores the unique human experiences and creativity that endure amid the information bubble, big data, and the rise of artificial intelligence. The jury, composed of Joan Chen, Lo Yi-chin, Shuang Xuetao, Xu Zidong and Zhang Dinghao, selected Wei Sixiao as the first prize winner after an intense round of discussions. Jack Liao, Swatch Group China Management Committee Member and Vice President of Blancpain China; Liu Ruilin, Founder of Imaginist and Vistopia; and Xu Zidong, representing the jury, presented the trophy to Mr. Wei. The Literary Prize Committee awarded him 300,000 yuan (approx. US$42,200, provided by Blancpain) along with a classic Blancpain Villeret Collection watch. The five finalists, Da Tou Ma, Gu Xiang, Tong Mo, Wei Sixiao and Zheng Xiao Lv, all received the Young Friend of Blancpain award and a finalist's certificate from Mr. Liao and Ms. Liu. The other four finalists each received a bonus of 20,000 yuan (approx. US$2,800, provided by Blancpain) to support their creative endeavors and inspire them to continue their literary work. Young Friend of Blancpain award symbolizes both Blancpain's appreciation and encouragement of young talent, as well as the young talents' alignment with Blancpain's brand values. The Blancpain-Imaginist Literary Prize, co-founded by Blancpain and China's most influential cultural brand Imaginist, aims to create a literary accolade that is impartial, authoritative, professional and enduring while honoring the outstanding writers under 45 years old each year. The co-founders, Blancpain and the Imaginist, continue on their quest to convey a simple but meaningful message to the public: "Reading makes time more valuable". Mr. Xu, speaking on behalf of the jury, noted: "By choosing the village as its central theme, rather than focusing solely on an individual character or event, Tu Guang Cun Mu (the Village) employs meticulous realism to carry forward the tradition of The Field of Life and Death. The novel deepens and expands Chinese rural literature, not only featuring the peasant narratives of past decades as seen in works like To Live and Ordinary World, but also portraying contemporary phenomena in the countryside tractors harvesting maize, farmers engaging with social media, township election campaigns, and rural hospitals. Amidst these changes, the novel invites us to reflect on the enduring elements, particularly the intricate network of human relationships bound by blood and family, as highlighted in From the Soil by Hsiao Tung Fei." Upon receiving the award, Mr. Wei admitted to feeling less composed than he had hoped. He remarked, "In my mind, three literary prizes stand out: the Nobel Prize in Literature, the Booker Prize, and the Blancpain-Imaginist Literary Prize. I was genuinely anxious as to whether I could win this prize. Before the shortlist was announced, I dreamt I hadn't made it; before the final list came out, I dreamt I hadn't made it. Yet, I never dreamt that I would actually win. I believe the importance of a literary prize isn't measured by its existence but by imagining what would be lost if it didn't exist. Now in its seventh year, the Blancpain-Imaginist Literary Prize offers a vital platform for young writers." The Blancpain China vice president, Mr. Liao, stated: "Swiss watchmaking originality is defined by two key criteria: the design, research and development, assembly, and testing must occur in Switzerland; the movement must be finished there, with more than 60% of its components originating from the country. Blancpain Global CEO Marc Hayek challenged this with the retort, 'Where is the other 40%?' Blancpain has always maintained a commitment to the standard of 100% Swiss-made fine watchmaking. Originality is one of the key criteria for literary significance, but an outstanding work must also reflect the writer's unique set of emotions, personality, vision, and style. Similarly, an exceptional watch must be unique, differentiated, and instantly recognizable. With just a glimpse of the hollowed-out willow hands, the slim three-dimensional markers, and the classic double-stepped bezel, you can immediately identify a Blancpain watch. We must also ask ourselves: Who am I? What do I contribute to the world? What are my thoughts and values? Blancpain, with nearly three centuries in the watchmaking business, has clear answers to these questions: to uphold the tradition of original Swiss Haute Horlogerie, to pursue meaningful innovations, and to maintain its uniqueness, regardless of changing fashion trends. We remain steadfast in these principles as we believe that perseverance enhances the value of time." Jury of the 2024 Blancpain-Imaginist Literary Prize Joan Chen, actress, film director, screenwriter, and writer. She starred in films like Little Flower, The Last Emperor, and Red Rose White Rose, and directed films such as Autumn in New York, Her, and English. She is also the author of Catfish. Lo Yi-chin, writer. His representative works include Surname of the Moon, And Now She Remains in You, My Future 2nd Son's Memory about Me, The Western Xia Hotel, and Daughter, among others. Shuang Xuetao, novelist. He has published a collection of short stories, including Moses on the Plain, The Aviator, and The Hunter; full-fledged novels like Silent Age, Tianwu Shouji, and Winged Ghost; and a collection of miscellaneous essays, The Black Sheep Among White Sheep. Xu Zidong, Professor Emeritus of the School of Chinese at the University of Hong Kong and Chair Professor of East China Normal University - Zijiang Program. He is the author of New Theory on Yu Dafu, Reading Eileen Chang, Rereading Lu Xun, Xu Zidong on Modern Chinese Literature, and Rereading the Chinese Novel of the 20th Century. He has been a resident guest on talk shows such as "Behind the Headlines With Wen Tao" and "Round Table". Zhang Dinghao, literary critic and poet. He has published numerous collections of poetry and essays, such as Ji Jian Jun Zi and Mengzi Dufa, among many others. About the Blancpain-Imaginist Literary Prize The Blancpain-Imaginist Literary Prize, co-founded by the prestigious Swiss watchmaker Blancpain and China's foremost publishing brand Imaginist, is the first accolade to be jointly established by a commercial brand and a publishing house, with the goal of identifying and supporting talented young writers under 45. Since its inception, the Literary Prize has upheld the principles of impartiality, authority, and professionalism, steadfastly maintaining these standards as its cornerstone. Engagement of the members of the latest generation just entering adulthood is always a key indicator that determines the future of the world of literature. In the field of literary creation, talented young authors are always seeking an opportunity, while publishing platforms are looking for potential authors, and, at the same time, aim to attract more attention and garner more engagement. Many contemporary classical authors were discovered and recognized in their youth, as literary awards specifically designated for up and coming authors were available to them. For example, Naipaul, Coetzee and Kazuo Ishiguro all won the Man Booker Prize in their youth, and went on to earn the Nobel Prize in Literature at a later stage in their writing careers. Renowned Japanese authors, among them, Shusaku Endo, Kenzaburo Oe and Ryu Murakami, were each recipients of the Akutagawa Prize in their youth. In today's world, literary creation is a lonely and long road for young authors. The literary prize is designed to create a future that gives authors the space to focus on the creation of their works just as calligraphers are given the space and time to practice their craft. Imaginist, the most influential publisher in China, has been dedicated to discovering the best authors who write in Chinese, offering an opportunity for thoughtful words to be published, while imagining another possibility for books. Works by Mu Xin, Kenneth Pai Hsien-yung, among others, have become even more valuable with the passage of time, nourishing the emotional life for generations of readers. Imaginist has, for a long time, been focused on publishing both the literary classics alongside the works of some of the most dynamic and thoughtful young authors who care about the human condition through the diverse collection of works that they have created with their open-minded insights. There's always great literature out there to be discovered, and the best of it always pushes the boundaries and explores new horizons. That's the core idea behind what Imaginist strives for in literature. Bearing the identity mark of Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie (MDHH), Blancpain is a truly luxury watchmaking brand. For Blancpain, a creator of classic timepieces, watchmaking is as much a result of enduring love as writing. Since its establishment in 1735, Blancpain has ushered in the age of branded watchmaking. Over the past 289 years, navigating the ever-changing tides of time and numerous historical junctures, Blancpain has steadfastly upheld its brand philosophy of solely crafting mechanical watches and maintaining unwavering quality standards, considering MDHH as its eternal passion. This devotion resonates deeply with authors' dedication to literature and their pursuit of creating classic works, with a shared purpose. Moving forward, Blancpain sees literature as an extension of time - this is Blancpain's take on literature. SOURCE Blancpain BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. A total of 16 transportation hubs have been established so far in connection with the COP29 event, Head of the COP29 Transport Department Orkhan Mahmudlu said during a briefing on the transportation plan to be implemented during the conference, Trend reports. He noted that the transportation hubs are located near hotels and residential complexes. "To ensure comfortable movement for participants, a fleet of 350 buses will be put into operation. These buses will connect Heydar Aliyev International Airport with the main transportation hubs in Baku and its surroundings," Mahmudlu added. In a mere 10 days, Azerbaijan will host COP29, the decision about which was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Germany's Berlin with its secretariat in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Beirut, Nov 1 : Israeli airstrikes on eastern and southern Lebanon killed 24 people and injured 19 others on Thursday, according to official and military sources in Lebanon. Israeli warplanes and drones carried out 35 airstrikes in southern Lebanon and 12 in the east, including one that targeted a motorcycle in the Bekaa Valley in east Lebanon, Xinhua news agency reported, citing Lebanese military sources, who spoke anonymously. The Civil Defense teams, the Lebanese Red Cross, and the Islamic Health Authority are still working to remove the rubble of destroyed homes, searching for missing persons. The military sources said that clashes continued for a third day in a row between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, which is trying to advance from the eastern side of the village of Khiam to its centre. They pointed out that the Israeli forces had yet to reach the centre of Khiam, a key Hezbollah stronghold on the eastern side of the border area in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Hezbollah said in a series of statements that its members targeted several Israeli gatherings with rockets. The military sources told Xinhua that the Lebanese army monitored dozens of rockets and artillery shells launched from Lebanon toward northern Israel and toward the eastern and southern outskirts of Khiam. The Lebanese health ministry reported on Thursday that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon since the beginning of the war on October 8, 2023, reached 2,867, while injuries went up to 13,047. Since September 23, the Israeli army has been launching an intensive air attack on Lebanon in an escalation with Hezbollah. Earlier this month, Israel initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon. Seoul, Nov 1 : North Korea said on Friday that it successfully test-fired the new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) the previous day, with its leader Kim Jong-un saying the country has secured an "irreversible" status of developing delivery means of nuclear weapons. Guided by Kim, North Korea carried out a "crucial" missile test that set milestones in "perpetuating the absolute superiority" of the country's armed forces, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The South Korean military said on Thursday it detected the missile, fired at a lofted angle, at about 7:10 a.m. from the Pyongyang area and said it flew about 1,000 km before coming down in the East Sea. It assessed the missile as a new solid-fuel ICBM, Yonhap news agency reported. The ICBM launch, the first in almost a year, came just days before the US presidential election on November 5. Observers said North Korea's provocation was likely meant to flaunt its capability to deliver a nuclear warhead to the US mainland and divert attention from recent condemnation over its troop deployment to Russia. North Korea described the latest ICBM as an "ultra-powerful offensive means" and an "ultimate" version of its long-range missile series. "The test of the latest strategic weapon system updated the recent records of the strategic missile capability of the DPRK and demonstrated the modernity and creditability of its world's most powerful strategic deterrent," the KCNA said, using the acronym of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. North Korea's leader Kim expressed satisfaction at the fact that the successful test proved the "hegemonic position" that the country has "secured in the development and manufacture of nuclear delivery means of the same kind is absolutely irreversible", the KCNA said. North Korea said the Hwasong-19 traversed 1,001.2 km at a maximum altitude of 7,687.5 km and flew for 5,156 seconds. It was assessed as having the longest flight time for a North Korean missile. Photos carried by state media showed the missile being fired from the 11-axle transporter erector. Kim's daughter, known to be named Ju-ae, also inspected the missile launch. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) has released information about humanitarian demining operations in the territories liberated from occupation in October, Trend reports. According to the agency, a total of 764 anti-personnel and 283 anti-tank mines, as well as 11,785 unexploded ordnances, were found and defused in Tartar, Aghdam, Aghdara, Lachin, Fuzuli, Shusha, Khojaly, Khankendi, Kalbajar, Khojavand, Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan in October. Additionally, 5,657 hectares of land were swept clean of mines. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Amritsar, Nov 1 : Crowds of devotees paid obeisance and took a holy dip in the 'Sarovar' at the Golden Temple complex here on the occasion of Bandi Chhor Divas early Friday. The complex, where the holiest of Sikh shrines, the Harmandir Sahib, is located, was illuminated with LED lights, giving it a glittering look. There was a festive spirit at the shrine complex as tens of thousands of devotees converged here to offer prayers and seek blessings. The domes, buildings and floors of the shrine complex were cleaned and lit up for the occasion. The day is celebrated in the Sikh religion as 'Bandi Chhor Divas' (Prisoner Liberation Day). On this day, Sri Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh guru, returned to Amritsar after being released along with 52 princes from imprisonment by the Mughal emperor Jahangir from Gwalior prison in 1619. According to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), to stop the Sikh faith from flourishing, Mughal emperor Jahangir imprisoned Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib at Gwalior Fort. Jahangir fell ill and could not get well despite efforts. To get rid of his illness, Sufi Saint Sain Mian Mir advised Jahangir to release Guru Hargobind Sahib. The Guru refused to be released alone. Jahangir said whoever can come out holding a apallaa (end portion of a robe) of imprisoned Guru, can be released. The Guru got a special robe stitched, holding which 52 imprisoned princes got released from jail. Upon his arrival at Amritsar, he was welcomed by Sikhs by lighting earthen lamps. "This day is celebrated as Bandi Chhor Divas with Khalsa's grandeur," says the SGPC. "It is one of the most highly revered places of worship in the world where serenity allows you to connect peacefully with the divine, even amidst lakhs of devotees," a devotee told IANS, who reached the holy city from Lucknow. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh had asked Sikhs to refrain from decorating their houses and other buildings with electrical lights on 'Bandi Chhor Divas' as it falls on the same day as the 40th anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He asked them to go for traditional ghee 'diyas' instead. Amritsar, Nov 1 : Crowds of devotees paid obeisance and took a holy dip in the 'Sarovar' on the occasion of Bandi Chhor Divas at the Golden Temple complex here early Friday. The complex, where the holiest of Sikh shrines, the Harmandir Sahib, is located, was illuminated with LED lights, giving it a glittering look. There was a festive spirit at the shrine complex in this Sikh holy city as tens of thousands of devotees converged here to offer prayers and seek blessings. The domes, buildings and floors of the shrine complex were cleaned and lit up for the occasion. The day is celebrated in the Sikh religion as Bandi Chhor Diwas (Prisoner Liberation Day). On this day, the sixth Sikh guru, Sri Guru Hargobind, returned to Amritsar after being released along with 52 kings from imprisonment by the Mughal emperor Jahangir from Gwalior prison in 1619. According to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), to stop the Sikh faith from flourishing, the Mughal emperor Jahangir imprisoned Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib at Gwalior Fort. Jahangir fell ill and could not get well despite efforts. To get rid of his illness, Sufi Saint Sain Mian Mir advised Jahangir to release Guru Hargobind Sahib. The Guru refused to be released alone. Jahangir said whoever can come out holding the 'palla' (end portion of the robe) of the imprisoned Guru, can be released. The Guru got a special robe stitched, holding which 52 imprisoned kings got released from jail. Upon his arrival at Amritsar, Guru Hargobind Sahib was welcomed by Sikhs by lighting earthen lamps. "This day is celebrated as Bandi Chhor Diwas with Khalsa's grandeur. Bandi: Prisoner, Chhor: Release and Diwas: Day," says the SGPC, the mini parliament of the religion. "It is one of the most highly revered places of worship in the world where serenity allows you to connect peacefully with the divine, even amidst lakhs of devotees," a devotee told IANS, who reached this holy city from Lucknow. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh had asked Sikhs to refrain from decorating their houses and other buildings with electrical lights on Bandi Chhor Diwas as it falls on the same day as the 40th anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He asked them to go for traditional ghee 'diyas' instead. New York, Nov 1 : Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has condemned the attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and gave an assurance that he would strengthen the partnership with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India. In his strongly-worded post on X on Thursday, he also extended a greeting: "Happy Diwali to All. I hope the Festival of Lights leads to the Victory of Good over Evil!" "I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos," he said. He accused his Democratic Party rival Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden of ignoring the plight of Hindus around the world and promised to protect Hindu Americans. "It would have never happened on my watch," he wrote. "Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America". "We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom," he said. There has been a spate of attacks on Hindu temples across the US, which have not received a strong response from the government or personal condemnation by Biden or Harris. "Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi," he added. Now in the final days of the campaign for the presidency, he warned the Hindu Americans who run businesses of the risks from a Harris administration. "Kamala Harris will destroy your small businesses with more regulations and higher taxes. By contrast, I cut taxes, cut regulations, unleash American energy, and build the greatest economy in history," his X post said. "We will do it again, bigger and better than ever before and we will Make America Great Again," he wrote. He also said that Biden and Harris "have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength!" Tehran, Nov 1 : Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and his Algerian counterpart, Ahmed Attaf, called for effective efforts to stop Israel's "genocide in Gaza and aggression against Lebanon." During a phone call on Thursday, both parties discussed the latest developments in the region, as stated by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Xinhua news agency reported. The situation in the region has become precarious due to the ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza and Lebanon, underscoring the necessity for the international community to engage in effective and coordinated efforts, particularly within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, to stop the attacks, said the statement. In their talks, the Iranian foreign minister praised Algeria for its firm positions in support of the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples and condemnation of Israel's recent "aggression" against Iran. The Israel Defense Forces announced last week that it conducted "precise and targeted" airstrikes on targets in Iran in response to recent attacks from the country. Iran's air defence headquarters said it successfully countered the Israeli attacks, which resulted in only "limited damage." Seoul, Nov 1 : South Korea's national space agency on Friday said it plans to send a solar coronagraph jointly developed with the US to the International Space Station (ISS) to study the sun's outer atmosphere, or corona, and solar wind. According to KASA, the Coronal Diagnostic Experiment (CODEX), a collaboration between the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) and the NASA, will be delivered to the ISS onboard Space X's Falcon 9 rocket Monday (US time) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Yonhap news agency reported. As part of a bilateral solar research project, the coronagraph will be docked with the express logistics carrier on the ISS to observe the corona for up to 55 minutes per 90-minute Earth orbit. CODEX is the world's first coronagraph designed to observe the temperature and velocity of the solar wind in addition to the density, KASA said, noting it will help researchers better understand solar wind and predict space weather. The solar wind is a constant stream of particles and magnetic fields released from the sun's outermost atmospheric layer that affects weather in space. Meanwhile, the KASA has also signed a joint statement with the US NASA for cooperation in various areas involving space and aerospace research. The agency has partnered with NASA to conduct studies related to the Moon exploration Artemis programme. According to its officials, KASA's agreement with NASA aims to conduct research projects for sustainable exploration of the Moon and preparations for Mars exploration, Yonhap reported. South Korea is the fifth nation to sign such an agreement with NASA, according to the Korean space agency. Under the agreement, KASA and NASA will collaborate to conduct feasibility studies on lunar landers, space communications, positioning, navigation and timing, tools and applications to support astronauts, and space-based life sciences and medical operations. The projects also include lunar surface science and autonomous power, robotics, mobility systems, and activities in the cis-lunar space, which refers to the region of space between the Earth and the Moon. South Korea is one of the 47 countries that have signed the Artemis Accords, a US-led international agreement for lunar exploration. Jodhpur, Nov 1 : Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that 45 crore devotees and tourists from 100 countries including India will visit the Maha Kumbh to be held in Prayagraj from 13 January to 26 February, 2025. In a conversation with the media at his residence on Thursday, Shekhawat said that the festival of Diwali binds India in the thread of unity. "We all know that our India is full of diversity. Despite the diversity of dialects, food, faith and worship methods and geographical arrangements, there are also threads of unity in diversity, one of the major threads is the festival of Diwali. Wherever Indians live in the country or abroad, they celebrate the festival of Deepotsav with joy and gaiety," he said. The Union Minister said that the country is celebrating the first Diwali after Lord Shri Ram settled in his palace in Ayodhya. "I also got the holy fortune of visiting Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya on Wednesday. I got the privilege of lighting lamps in the temple. I got it as a result of the good deeds of my ancestors and the kind of joy and celebration there was in Ayodhya, I consider myself fortunate that I got the privilege of being there when world records were created in the celebrations that day," he added. Shekhawat said that the Maha Kumbh fair will be held at the beginning of the coming year. A day earlier, a special meeting was held between the Uttar Pradesh government and the Government of India with the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath regarding the preparations for the Maha Kumbh fair. "Extensive preparations are being made for the Maha Kumbh. On the occasion of the Maha Kumbh, many more people than the population of Rajasthan will reach Prayagraj in a period of one and a half months, which will also include 15 to 20 lakh foreigners," he said. While extending his best wishes to the people of the country and the state on the occasion of Deepotsav, Shekhawat said, "Deepawali should strengthen the bond of affection between all of us. Let new resolutions and thoughts be lit in our minds. May the lamps of Diwali bring prosperity to all of our homes. May Maa Lakshmi reside permanently in the home. Let this Diwali be unique, but let us all resolve to make India a developed India towards society and the nation." On Thursday morning, Union Minister Shekhawat also attended the condolence meeting in Khara village of Phalodi. Five members of the same family in the village had died tragically in a road accident. Shekhawat expressed condolences by offering floral tributes. He met the family members and consoled them on the tragic accident. Chandigarh, Nov 1 : Amidst the India-Canada diplomatic rift, the Indian diaspora, mainly from Punjab, celebrated Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas across Canada in a traditional way. Taking the lead, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wished Happy Diwali by writing on X, "Today, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain families will celebrate the triumph of light over darkness with festivities, candles, diyas, and fireworks. Wishing you all joy and prosperity during this special time." Indo-Canadian Maninder Sidhu, a first-term Parliament member, in his address in Parliament on Thursday (Canadian time), said, "I'd like to wish everyone celebrating in Brampton and across Canada a very happy Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas!" The historic Bandi Chhor Diwas marks the release of 52 Hindu princes from the Gwalior fort with the help of the sixth Guru Hargobind Sahib on Diwali which is also celebrated as the sacred day. Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland greeted the diaspora by saying: "Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating in #UniRose and across Canada! May this festival of lights bring you and your family joy, love, and prosperity." She tagged her video on X, showcasing celebrities with the Indian diaspora in the traditional way. However, Canadian opposition leaders have cancelled the Diwali event scheduled on October 30 without any explanation. In a Diwali message, opposition leader Pierre Poilievre noted, "Today, as Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists and Canadians celebrate the Festival of Lights, we are reminded of our shared values of faith, family and freedom. And the enduring promise that light will always triumph over darkness. Happy Diwali!" Another Indo-Canadian MP Chandra Arya, a vocal opponent of pro-Khalistan extremism in the House of Commons who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in August, wished by saying, "From my family to yours: We wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous Diwali!" After meeting PM Modi, Arya wrote on X, "India is a significant and growing market for Canada's exports and investments, and it serves as a key source for fulfilling our critical talent needs." Saying that her family often celebrated Diwali alone in Canada when she was a child, Anita Anand, MP for Oakville, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport, said, "Today, there are large festivities across Canada bringing communities together -- including right here in Oakville!" Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society President and Chief Executive Officer Satbir Singh Cheema told IANS that they celebrated the Festival of Lights with senior citizens in the Assisted Living facility in Surrey in British Columbia with shared laughter, dancing, singing, and the joy of the festival. In Munich, Germany, the Bharat Diwali Mela brought together the Indian community like never before. Organised by the 'Delhi in Munich Group', the event saw the presence of the Consul General of India in Munich. Shatru Sinha, along with Anshika Singh from the Munich Migration Council. Sanjeev Sharma, a key member of the organising committee, said for the first time in Germany, members of various Indian communities came together to celebrate Diwali, showcasing the richness of "our culture through food, music, and traditional performances." New Delhi, Nov 1 : Former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy was impressed by Nathan McSweeney's first innings performance for Australia A against India A in Mackay. He believes the 25-year-old has a strong chance of leading the national team at the Test level one day. Skipper McSweeney's gritty 39 off 131 balls against India A was the top inidividual score in Australia's first innings score of 195. Healy believes his innings shows McSweeney is the most prepared to step into Australia's Test side, ahead of Harris (17), Konstas (0), and Bancroft (0), who all failed to fire in. "I was glad people could see how Nathan McSweeney can bat yesterday, he put his shots away for the good of the situation. I knew about him because he's come from my club and the Australian selectors know about it because he's played like that for South Australia and very well recently. "He showed that at 25 years of age, he's the most ready of the four. The tried and tested Bancroft and Harris are a bit older and Konstas is a bit younger. He's the most suited from that performance overall. We learned how he can deal with the media the day before and how he can deal with pressure," Healy told SEN Afternoons. McSweeney's name has increasingly entered discussions about the make-up of Australia's Test team for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series against India. Impressed by McSweeney's leadership for both South Australia and Australia A, Healy said, "Yes I do (think he's a future Australian captain)," Healy said. "His answers in the public up in Mackay in the media were impressive, he's had to answer touchy questions about himself and the batting duel and he has been excellent. He's honest, well-considered and happy to get better. If he doesn't get selected then so be it, he'll continue to try and get better. "I agree with them that they've made him the captain of a couple of these teams now, selectors think he is and I agree with it. So I think that man needs to be in the team soon," he added. New Delhi, Nov 1 : Dr Bibek Debroy, a prominent economist and Chairman of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM), on Friday passed away at age 69. According to PM Modi, Debroy has "left an indelible mark on India's intellectual landscape." New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) Dr Bibek Debroy, a prominent economist and Chairman of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM), on Friday passed away at age 69. According to PM Modi, Debroy has "left an indelible mark on India's intellectual landscape." "Dr Debroy was a towering scholar, well-versed in diverse domains like economics, history, culture, politics, spirituality and more. Through his works, he left an indelible mark on India's intellectual landscape. Beyond his contributions to public policy, he enjoyed working on our ancient texts, making them accessible to the youth," the Prime Minister posted on X social media platform. "I have known Dr Debroy for many years. I will fondly remember his insights and passion for academic discourse. Saddened by his passing away. Condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti," PM Modi added. A Padma Shri awardee, Debroy also served as the Chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune. The top economist was also a member of NITI Aayog from its inception in January 2015 till June 2019. He wrote several books, articles and was also a consulting/contributing editor with several newspapers. Prior to joining the NITI Aayog (then called Planning Commission), Bibek Debroy served as the Chairman of the Railways Ministry's high-powered committee on restructuring the country's lifeline. In 2015, the veteran economist was awarded a Padma Shri. A year later, the US-India Business Summit awarded Debroy with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Last month, close to 100 leading luminaries and public personalities, including Debroy, expressed gratitude to PM Modi government's decision to confer classical language status to Bengali. The move acknowledges and applauds the richness and cultural significance of Bengali, said the group of eminent citizens, comprising professors, scholars and educationists. Debroy studied at Kolkata's Presidency College and Delhi School of Economics, and went to the University of Cambridge on a Trinity College scholarship. There, he met his then supervisor, Frank Hahn, a noted British economist and under Hahn's guidance, he worked on integrating information into a general equilibrium framework. In September 2017, he was appointed Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. Debroy made significant contributions to economic theory, income and social inequalities, poverty, law reforms, railway reforms and Indology, among others. Debroy also anchored 'Itihasa', a show telecast on Sansad TV. He has also translated the unabridged version of the Mahabharata into English, in a series of 10 volumes, apart from several such valuable translations. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. A significant portion of the Netherlands development is built on the plundered national wealth of enslaved countries, said an article "Azerbaijan Responds to Recent Dutch Resolutions" published on the website of the US Foreign Policy Association based in New York by prominent political analyst and journalist Rachel Avraham, CEO of the Dona Gracia Center for Diplomacy, Trend reports via the State Committee for Work with the Diaspora of Azerbaijan. "The colonial past of the Netherlands is marked by the enslavement and exploitation of numerous peoples in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, along with numerous crimes committed against them. As they expanded their colonial empire through brutal tactics, the Netherlands consistently prioritized profit over human rights," the article reads. Avraham describes the assertion that the Netherlands, which continues to keep various peoples in a state of dependency, is making efforts to address the severe consequences of its colonial history as hypocritical. Additionally, the article criticizes two recent resolutions passed by the Dutch Parliament in support of Armenia and Armenians who voluntarily relocated from Karabakh, labeling them as biased and unjust. Following these resolutions, the Dutch Foreign Minister endorsed them and referred to terrorists linked to the former separatist regime as "prisoners of war," calling for their releaseactions that exemplify the Netherlands' double standards. The full text of the article can be found through the link down below: https://foreignpolicyblogs.com/2024/10/24/azerbaijan-responds-to-recent-dutch-resolutions/ New Delhi, Nov 1 : Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary, Priyanka Gandhi on Friday expressed grief over the passing of the supreme head of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, Mor Baselios Thomas, who breathed his last on Thursday evening. "Saddened by the passing of His Eminence Catholicos Baselios Thomas I, Head of the Jacobite Syrian Church. A revered spiritual leader, his life was dedicated to the service and uplift of all. His wisdom and compassion inspired countless lives, leaving behind a legacy of faith and unity. My condolences to his family, friends, and followers," LoP Rahul Gandhi wrote on his Facebook page on Friday. Congress candidate for the Wayanad bypoll, Priyanka Gandhi also expressed grief over the demise of the spiritual leader. "Deeply saddened to hear of the passing away of His Eminence Catholicos Baselios Thomas l, Head of the Jacobite Syrian Church. His immovable faith was a source of light for all. He lived a life of service and his deep compassion for those in need touched countless lives. My heartfelt condolences to the Syrian Christian Community. May his soul rest in peace," Priyanka Gandhi said in a post on X on Friday. Baselios Thomas was 95-years-old and was listed as the longest-serving supreme head of a church in Kerala. Known as C.M. Thomas, he was born at Puthencruz in 1929. His childhood was mostly full of suffering on account of illness which affected his studies and his formal education ended when he was in Class 4. However, his strong faith led him to serve God. He was ordained as a priest in 1958 and became the 43rd priest from the family of Cheruvallil. However, his lack of formal education never came in the way as he mastered the Syriac language while he was studying for priesthood. In 1974, Father Thomas was consecrated as the Metropolitan of the Angamali diocese, the largest Syrian Orthodox diocese. Baselios Thomas was known for free and frank expression of his views and at times he took up cudgels with the government of Kerala. During his tenure as the supreme head of his church, there were frequent verbal duels with the Syrian Orthodox Church and there were times when he took a positive stand towards the CPI(M)-led Left. With age catching up, he decided to relinquish his post in 2019, but the Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Aphrem II asked him to continue as Catholicos. He was ailing for the last few weeks and breathed his last on Thursday evening. Nevada, Nov 1 : Democratic presidential candidate and US Vice President Kamala Harris took aim at Republican candidate Donald Trump's positions on abortion and women's rights during a rally in Nevada. Harris emphasised the Democratic Party's commitment to protecting personal freedoms, particularly a woman's right to make decisions about her own body without the government's interference. "Ours is fighting for future and fight for freedom, like the fundamental freedom of women to make decisions about her own body and not have her government tell her what to do," Harris stated. She accused Trump of playing a direct role in the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe vs Wade by appointing justices specifically aimed at eliminating abortion protections. "We all remember how we got here. When Donald Trump was President, he hand-picked three members of the US Supreme Court with the intention that they would do away with the protection of Roe vs Wade; they did as he intended. Now in America, one in three women lives in a state with a Trump Abortion Ban -- many with no exception for rape and incest, which is immoral," she said. Harris also referenced Trump's past remarks where he suggested that he would "do what he wants whether women like it or not," arguing this demonstrates his lack of respect for women's autonomy. "This is the same person who said that women should be punished for their choices. The courts will handle this, and we will handle November. We know that the man simply does not respect the freedom or the intelligence of women to be able to make decisions about our own lives," Harris continued. She warned that Trump's potential re-election could bring severe restrictions on reproductive rights, threatening access to birth control and IVF treatments and increasing surveillance of women's pregnancies. Harris cited 'Project 2025,' a Republican plan she claims could entail nationwide restrictions. "If you don't believe me, just Google 'Project 2025' -- I still can't believe they put it in writing," she noted. "The government shouldn't be telling her what to do; not the government and not Donald Trump," she added. Urging voters to support Democrats, Harris said, "To make your right heard and to protect your right to take care of your own healthcare decisions, I would also recommend you vote on Yes on question six and make sure you vote up and down on ballot to truly protect your rights." She assured supporters, "When Congress passes a bill restoring reproductive freedom nationwide, as the US President, I will proudly sign it into law." Harris also warned of threats to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare, should Trump win. She pointed out that Trump's ally in Congress, the Speaker of the House, recently declared that there would be an 'End to Obamacare'. "The words he used were no Obamacare, which, if he were to get his way, if Trump wins, means they would throw millions of Americans off the health insurance and take us back, which would take us back to when, you'll remember, insurance companies have the ability to deny people with pre-existing conditions," Harris added. With Election Day looming on November 5, Harris and Trump are in the final push of one of the most intense presidential races, with polls showing them locked in a tight battle. Damascus, Nov 1 : Firefighters in Syria's northwestern coastal Latakia province were battling a massive wildfire in the dense forests, local media reported. The fire has been raging in the rural area of Badrousiyah in Latakia as strong winds and thick vegetation drove flames toward the Kasab area near the Syrian-Turkish border. Kasab is home to some of Syria's largest forests, making containment efforts especially challenging, Xinhua news agency reported. Additional firefighting teams have been dispatched from nearby provinces to assist, and residents in the areas of Badrousiyah and Mushayrifa have been evacuated. Kolkata, Nov 1 : At least four people were killed when their overspeeding motorcycles collided with a car on Friday at Kalna in the East Burdwan district of West Bengal. The four were returning by two motorcycles from Nabadwip in Nadia district to their respective residences at Samudragarh in East Burdwan district in the early morning. Eyewitnesses said the two bikes were driving at extremely high speeds when they collided with a four-wheeler coming from the opposite direction in the Gaurangapara area. The cops of the local Nadanghat police station immediately reached the spot and the injured to the Kalna Specialty Hospital, where the doctors declared them dead. The four persons killed in the accident have been identified as Arif Sheikh, Abu Mondal, Abu Bakar Siddique Mondal and Abdukl Silim Mollah. All were residents of the Samudragarh area. The police have sent their bodies for post-mortem purposes. A woman, Padma Das, who was passing by was also hit by one of the two motorcycles which lost balance after the collision. She is under treatment at a local hospital. The driver of the four-wheeler against which the two motorcycles collided had gone absconding since the time of the accident. The family members of the four deceased persons have already been informed by the cops, said the officials here. The eyewitnesses, however, complained that despite being informed in time the cops from the local police station arrived at the accident spot late and by the time they reached the local people had almost completed the initial rescue operations. The local people also alleged that the spot where the mishap took place had been accident-prone for quite some time without any proper traffic management system or speed-breaking road bumps. They also alleged that despite being vocal on these issues for quite some time there had been no initiative from the local administration on this count. Bengaluru, Nov 1 : Kannada Rajyotsava was celebrated with great fervour across the state of Karnataka on Friday as the state government organised major events to mark the day. Kannada Rajyotsava is observed on November 1 every year to commemorate the formation of the state of Karnataka after Independence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar and BJP National President JP Nadda, among others, extended their greetings to the people of the state and commended its contributions to the country. The Karnataka state came into existence on November 1, 1956. The state that was at that time called Mysuru was later renamed Karnataka in 1973. CM Siddaramaiah greeted the people of the state and hoisted the flag in a public function organised at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru to mark the 69th Kannada Rajyotsava. He also paid floral tributes to the idol of goddess Bhuvaneshwari and later hoisted the Indian Tricolour and Kannada flags. He also inaugurated the cultural programmes mirroring the local culture and heritage on the occasion. The grand function was attended by Dy CM and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Minister for Education Madhu Bangarappa. Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking to social media stated, "Kannada Rajyotsava is a very special occasion, recognising the exemplary culture and traditions of Karnataka. This state is blessed with outstanding people, who are powering growth and innovation across sectors. May the people of Karnataka always be blessed with happiness and success." Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Heartfelt greetings to our sisters and brothers in Karnataka on the occasion of Rajyotsava. As proud inheritors of a glorious heritage, the people of Karnataka have contributed immensely to enhancing the nation's pride." Praying for the state's continued progress, BJP National President J.P. Nadda stated, "I extend my greetings to the people of Karnataka on its Rajyotsava. Karnataka Rajyotsava is a reminder of the rich history, diverse culture, and the spirit of unity that defines the state. Its people have always had an affinity towards innovation and enterprise. May the people of this state be blessed, happy and prosperous always." Dy CM Shivakumar extended Deepavali and Kannada Rajyotsava greetings to the people of Karnataka on Friday. "My heartfelt greetings to all the Kannadigas around the world on the occasion of the 69th Kannada Rajyotsava. Kannada is not just a language; it is an emotion. It is a symbol of our tradition, feelings, pride, self-respect and pride," he stated. "November 1st is a day when all the Kannadigas around the world celebrate Kannada Rajyotsava with pride. But that doesn't mean that the love for Kannada is limited to only one day, it needs to be nurtured all through the year. Let us spread the spirit of Kannada across the world," Dy CM Shivakumar said. "I pray to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari for good rains and crops in the state in the coming year. May she bless the people of the state with happiness, peace and prosperity," he added. Meanwhile, Kannada organisations spread across the state have organised grand functions at district and taluk headquarters. The Karnataka government had made it compulsory to hoist Kannada flags in the premises of the IT, BT companies, factories, all schools and colleges and establishments on November 1. "As a minister of Bengaluru, I am appealing to all institutions including the IT, BT, other factories and establishments, on November 1, they should hoist the Kannada flag. They should respect the Kannada flag the way they respect the Indian Tricolour while celebrating Independence Day and Republic Day. They have to hoist Kannada flags in front of all institutions," Shivakumar had stated. New Delhi, Nov 1 : Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has urged global investors to seize emerging opportunities in India, particularly in high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing, it was announced on Friday. During his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from October 29-30, Minister Goyal participated in the Plenary Session of the 8th Edition of Future Investment Initiative (FII), with representatives from global governments and the industry. According to a Ministry of Commerce and Industry statement, he highlighted the critical role of international partnerships and economic diplomacy in fostering global cooperation, innovation, technological advancement, and investment. Goyal also co-chaired the second Ministerial Meeting of the Economy and Investment Committee under the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) along with the Minister of Energy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud in Riyadh. The Strategic Partnership Council was established in 2019, following the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Saudi Arabia in October 2019. Reviewing the progress achieved by the four joint working groups in agriculture and food security; energy; technology and information technology; and industry and infrastructure, the panel noted the deepening of bilateral economic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia and deliberated on ways to enhance trade and investment. According to the ministry, Goyal also met Peter Herweck, CEO of Schneider Electric and William E. Ford, Chairman and CEO of General Atlantic, to discuss India's economic landscape and investment opportunities across sectors. The Commerce Minister also interacted with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) chapter in Saudi Arabia and emphasised the role of chartered accountants in supporting India's expanding global trade network. He also launched the aLulu Wali Diwali Festivala at the Lulu Hypermarket by lighting a big diya made with LED, furthering India-Saudi cultural and economic ties. The launch was followed by the unveiling of a giant product wall comprising over 10,000 Indian products. At the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, the Minister unveiled the One District, One Product (ODOP) Wall, featuring unique products from various districts across India. The bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $43 billion in 2023-24. India is the second largest trade partner for Saudi Arabia, whereas Saudi Arabia is India's fourth largest trading partner. Mumbai, Nov 1 : Karan Johar recently took to social media to express his excitement after watching the teaser for "Baby John", a highly anticipated film starring Varun Dhawan and Jackie Shroff. The first teaser of "Baby John", released alongside "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3" and "Singham Again", was leaked online. The intriguing teaser shows Varun in a never-seen-before avatar. Not just fans, even Karan Johar, can't stop gushing over the actor, calling the film a "helluva ride". He said he is completely "blown away" after watching Varun's performance. Taking to his Instagram stories, KJo shared a note that read, "Blown away by the Teaser of Baby John!!! Wow!!! This is going to be one helluva ride in the cinemas!!! XMAS Blockbuster Alert!!!" The nearly two-minute teaser shows a young girl narrating a story about how even the smallest creatures, like ants, can take down a mighty elephant. This sets the stage for the intense glimpses that follow of Varun as Baby John, in various avatars: a fierce cop, a relentless action hero, a skilled cook, and, most tenderly, a devoted father to his little girl. The teaser also showed a glimpse of Wamiqa Gabbi, Keerthy Suresh, and Jackie Shroff, who will portray antagonist in the movie. The makers of 'Baby John' issued a special note to audiences as exclusive taster cut releases in cinemas on November 1. An excerpt from the post read, "We're excited to announce that we will be releasing an exclusive Taster Cut of Baby John for the very first time which will be exclusively running in cinemas from 1st November and digitally worldwide from 4th November. This is a special moment for us, and we can't wait for you to witness the storm of revenge and power that awaits. We appreciate the enthusiasm surrounding the film and kindly request that audiences respect our hard work by refraining from posting or recording content that could contribute to piracy." Varun Dhawan had made his Bollywood debut with Karan Johar's directorial "Student of the Year." Directed by Kalees, "Baby John' is produced by Atlee, Murad Khetani and Jyoti Deshpande under Jio Studios. It will hit theatres on December 25. New Delhi, Nov 1 : The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has expressed gratitude to former United States President and current presidential candidate Donald Trump, for raising his voice on behalf of Hindus in Bangladesh. The VHP also criticised the United Nations (UN) and international human rights organisations for their silence on the issue of persecution of Hindus, and other minorities like Christians in the troubled nation. VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal, while speaking to IANS, noted that Trump's stance is significant, as he is one of the first prominent Western leaders to address the persecution of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Bansal said the VHP appreciates Trump's acknowledgment of the plight of these communities due to Islamic extremist forces in Bangladesh. Bansal further questioned the silence of the UN and many other international human rights bodies on the situation in Bangladesh, asking why these organisations, which advocate for global human rights, have yet to address the violence against Hindus and other minority communities in that country. He went on to highlight the recent targeting of Bangladeshi leaders by extremist elements, labelling this escalation as a global threat to democracy. Bansal called upon democratic nations worldwide to unite against such extremist forces, warning that unchecked jihadi influences can destabilise governments and erode democratic institutions. Donald Trump while greeting the people of India on the occasion of Diwali, strongly condemned the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, the country he said remains in a total state of chaos. "It would have never happened on my watchWe will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical Left. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi Happy Diwali to All. I hope the Festival of Lights leads to the Victory of Good over Evil!," Trump said in a post on X on Thursday. Hyderabad, Nov 1 : At least 45 people sustained eye injuries during Diwali celebrations in Hyderabad and its outskirts on Thursday night. Doctors at the government-run Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital said that 45 people, mostly teenagers, had been brought to the hospital since last night. While 34 of them sustained minor injuries, the remaining were brought to the hospital with critical wounds. While some sustained injuries while bursting firecrackers, others were hit by the crackers lit close to them. Some of those injured in different parts of the city and outskirts approached private hospitals for treatment. Doctors have advised people to take all precautions while bursting crackers to protect themselves from injury. Meanwhile, four fire accidents were reported in the state during Diwali celebrations. Three of the incidents occurred in Hyderabad. While there were no casualties, the accidents led to a huge loss of property. A fire accident occurred in a flat at an apartment building in Himayatnagar in the heart of the city. The fire was triggered in the flat on the fourth floor by a burning Diya (earthen lamp). The inmates had gone out after locking the flat. The residents of the apartments ran out in panic. Fire service personnel battled the fire for an hour with the help of three fire engines to douse the flames. An official said the flat was completely gutted in the incident. In another incident, a fire broke out in a warehouse of electrical appliances on RP Road in Secunderabad when a firecracker fell on it. Three fire engines rushed to the spot to control the fire. A major tragedy was averted as there was no one in the warehouse. A furniture shop in the Saroornagar area caught fire. Four fire engines were pressed into service to douse the fire. The shop was gutted in the incident. Police were investigating the cause of the fire. In Jagtial town, a garments shop was gutted in a fire. Fire services personnel controlled the fire to prevent it from spreading to adjoining shops. The shop owner said owners of the surrounding shops were bursting crackers and one of the burning crackers fell in his shop, causing the fire. Officials said that they were investigating all fire accidents. They promised action would be taken against those found guilty of negligence. New Delhi, Nov 1 : BJP Spokesperson R.P. Singh reacted on Friday to former US President Donald Trump's recent comments about atrocities against Hindus and other minorities like Christians in Bangladesh, stating that such incidents are a cause for global concern. The BJP leader stated, "Those who are thoughtful, compassionate, and sensitive globally will be disturbed by how Hindus in Bangladesh are facing atrocities. Temples are being attacked, and faith itself is under siege. Anyone witnessing this would feel distressed." "We hope that the Joe Biden administration will be concerned about the situation, as these actions against Hindus at Kothara Ghat in Bangladesh are a matter of global concern. Incidents like these, wherever they occur, are a cause for concern worldwide," he said. Earlier the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump condemned the attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and gave an assurance that he would strengthen the partnership with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India. "I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos," he said. He accused his Democratic Party rival Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden of ignoring the plight of Hindus around the world and promised to protect Hindu Americans. "It would have never happened on my watch," he wrote. "Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America," he added. "We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical Left. We will fight for your freedom," he said. R.P. Singh also addressed recent remarks by PM Modi criticising individuals who travel abroad and disparage their country. The BJP leader specifically referenced Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stating, "Rahul Gandhi went abroad and claimed that Sikhs are restricted from wearing the 'kara' (bracelet) and from visiting gurdwaras. He continuously goes overseas and maligns India, raising questions about our judiciary and Election Commission. He is a prominent figure who tarnishes India's image abroad. This negative narrative is supported by foreign forces that wish to weaken India and align with Rahul Gandhi's statements." ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 1. Turkmenistan and Russia have engaged in discussions on key aspects and future prospects for partnership between the two countries, Trend reports. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, and Alexey Overchuk, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, made this announcement during a meeting of the co-chairs of the intergovernmental Turkmen-Russian Commission on Economic Cooperation. In a focused dialogue, the parties discussed key areas of mutual interest, leading to an expanded meeting that included leaders and representatives from both nations' ministries and agencies. Participants highlighted the session's importance for addressing ongoing cooperation issues and exploring new avenues for collaboration. As they reviewed existing projects, they placed particular emphasis on sectors such as transportation and energy. The intergovernmental Turkmen-Russian commission played a pivotal role in strengthening constructive bilateral partnerships. Furthermore, attendees recognized the potential for enhancing cultural and humanitarian ties, with a particular focus on cooperation in healthcare, science, and education. Islamabad, Nov 1 : Four people, including three school children and a policeman, were killed and 15 others injured when a bomb went off in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Friday morning, official sources said. The incident happened in the Mastung district of the province, where a police vehicle was targeted by a bomb explosion, the sources told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. "The primary target of the terrorists was the police vehicle, but as the explosion happened near a school, a school van which was passing by the police vehicle also got hit by the bomb," the sources added. The injured people, including policemen and school children, were shifted to a nearby hospital. Several vehicles, including the police vehicle and school van, were damaged in the attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. Mumbai, Nov 1 : Indian fielder Sarfaraz Khan was on Friday warned by the umpires in the presence of skipper Rohit Sharma for chirping even when the ball was in play, during New Zealand's first innings in the third and final Test of the 2024 series at the Wankhede Stadium. Umpire Richard Illingworth called up Sarfaraz and Rohit and the three had a long animated discussion before the 32nd over of the innings. The umpires were apparently unhappy as Sarfaraz, fielding close to the bat, was engaging in verbals even when the ball became alive. Virat Kohli joined in the discussion, adding his two-bit as Rohit Sharma defended Sarfaraz. It seemed New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell had complained to the umpires of the excessive chirping by Sarfaraz, who was fielding in the short-leg or silly point region. The Indians were told to cut down on the chatter especially when the ball was alive and it was apparent that Rohit finally agreed to it as he and Mitchell bumped fists after the discussion ended. With Mitchell and Will Young holding the fort for New Zealand and sharing a half-century partnership, it was apparent that the Indians wanted to break their concentration through some well-directed verbal volleys. For most of the time, the New Zealand batters maintained a straight face before Mitchell took it up with the umpires. Earlier, India had prised out three New Zealand wickets in the morning session after Tom Latham won the toss and elected to bat first on a Wankhede wicket which started offering turn soon after the first hour. Washington Sundar claimed two wickets after Akash Deep had made the breakthrough by sending back Devon Conway (4) in the fourth over, Sundar castled Latham with one that went straight after landing on the off-stump and then accounted for Rachin Ravindra in nearly identical fashion, this time the ball spinning a bit to evade the defensive prod by the batter and clipped the off stump. Seoul, Nov 1 : South Korea on Friday announced fresh sanctions targeting 11 North Korean individuals and four entities in response to the North's latest launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) earlier this week. On Thursday, North Korea fired the new Hwasong-19 ICBM toward the East Sea at a lofted angle, in the first such launch in almost a year. If fired on a normal trajectory, it would be capable of hitting the US mainland, reports Yonhap news agency. Choe Kwang-su, one of the sanctioned individuals, is suspected of involvement in exports of North Korean weapons and related items, the South Korean foreign ministry said in a release. Pak Chun-san, So Tong-myong, Kim Il-su, Choe Chun-sik and Kang Song-sam have allegedly worked for a company engaged in nuclear and missile development and earning money for the North Korean government. Choe Chol-min, a diplomat stationed in the North's embassy in China, was included in the list, along with his wife, Choe Un-jong, for their roles in procuring ballistic missile components and other dual-use items. Choe Chol-min is also being sanctioned for involvement in sending more than 1,000 North Korean workers to China. Im Song-sun, Choe Song-chol and Ju Ryang-won, and four entities are suspected of working to earn hard currency for the Kim Jong-un regime through the dispatch of its workers overseas, the ministry said. The three individuals are suspected of funnelling the profits from a construction project in Senegal to the North Korean regime. The four entities are Tongbang Construction, Patisen S.A., the Kumrung Company, and EMG Universal Auto, which are suspected of being involved in the North's dispatch of its workers. Under multiple UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions resolutions, member countries are prohibited from sales and transfers of goods to and from North Korea that can be used in weapons development. They are also banned from allowing North Korean workers into their countries and obliged to send all North Korean labourers back home under two UNSC sanctions resolutions adopted in 2017. The sanctions will formally come into force on November 6. Sydney, Nov 1 : Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday visited the Sydney Murugan Temple along with Parramatta MP Andrew Charlton to celebrate Diwali with the country's Hindu community. "Deepavali celebrates the victory of light over darkness. Fantastic to join with the Tamil Australian community at the Sydney Murugan Temple today. The temple draws in people from all walks of life every day, and has become a sanctuary for Western Sydney's South Asian Hindu community," Albanese posted on X. Later, he also visited Gurdwara Sahib in the Sydney suburb of Glenwood on the occasion of Bandi Chhor Divas. "Wonderful to celebrate at Gurdwara Sahib Glenwood today and open the newly expanded kitchen, serving thousands of people every week," Albanese stated while posting photographs of him wearing a turban during the visit. On Thursday, while extending his Diwali wishes, Albanese said that the festival of lights is an "extraordinarily beautiful celebration of faith and culture" that inspires Australians from all walks of life. "This annual festival of joy, hope and togetherness is an extraordinarily beautiful celebration of faith and culture - one embraced by Australia's diverse and vibrant society," Albanese stated in his Diwali greetings. "With its celebration of the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, it affirms the ideals that inspire Australians from all walks of life. The rituals and traditions of Diwali are in every way an expression of community, culture and heritage. It's a moment to enjoy the company of loved ones, and to reflect on the shared inheritance of centuries of tradition," he added. The Australian PM emphasised that the festival of lights, joy, hope and togetherness is an extraordinarily beautiful celebration of faith and culture - one embraced by Australia's diverse and vibrant society. "As families and friends gather in homes, parks, temples and community centres across our nation, may the glowing lights of this cherished festival bring you peace and joy. To everyone who celebrates, I wish you a wonderful Diwali," he mentioned. Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 1 : As Kerala celebrates its 68th formation day on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the state on the occasion. "Kerala Piravi greetings! Kerala state is known for its mesmerising landscapes, vibrant traditions and hardworking people. People from Kerala have made their mark all over the world, across different fields. May the people of the state keep progressing in the times to come," said PM on his social media account. The state of Kerala was created on 1 November 1956. Prior to 1956, Kerala had been divided into four regions: South Canara (Kasaragod region), Malabar, Cochin, and Travancore. On 1 November 1956, the taluk of Kasargod in the South Canara district of Madras, the Malabar district of Madras, and Travancore-Cochin, without four southern taluks (which joined Tamil Nadu), merged to form the state of Kerala under the States Reorganisation Act. Then soon came the first Assembly election and that too was a record of sorts when the now legendary Communist E. M. S. Namboothiripad-led government became the first elected Communist government in the world. More popularly known as Kerala Day in English and Kerala Piravi in Malayalam, the day is celebrated every year on November 1 to commemorate the establishment of the state of Kerala. On a broader note, this day is also seen as one to spotlight Kerala's progress, achievements, and cultural heritage on a global stage. Kerala Piravi is derived from the Malayalam word 'piravi' meaning birth. The occasion marks the unification of Malayalam-speaking regions into a single state. On this day, the tradition continues although on a smaller scale, women are generally dressed in the traditional set and mundu, more popularly known as Kerala Saree, while men wear 'mundu' (white dhothi). Likewise, on this day, there is increased activity at educational institutions and in some government offices Malayala Bhasha Vaarams, or language contests, to foster the cultural and linguistic heritage of the state. Bengaluru, Nov 1 : Karnataka BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal stated on Friday that he has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the objective of preventing the rise of another Pakistan from India. Speaking to reporters in Vijayapura, MLA Yatnal while talking about his letter to PM Modi, stated that all Waqf properties should be taken over by the government. "Waqf properties should be used for the welfare of poorer sections of all faiths. If not, the properties of farmers, mutts and temples and whole villages are claimed as Waqf properties. If it continues, the whole country will face a great crisis in future," Yatnal stated. Commenting on Yatnal's letter to PM Modi, Karnataka Congress President and Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar stated that he won't make comments on the actions of a person with mental health issues. "I don't want to talk about people who are mad. They have to be hospitalised and their brains have to be treated," Dy CM Shivakumar stated. Earlier, in his letter to the PM, Yatnal stated, "I am writing to convey the recent incidents in Karnataka about the tyranny of the Waqf Board claiming lands of farmers, mutts, temples and landowners. This is against the principles of equality enshrined in our Constitution. Sir, this process of serving notices and changing names in RTC gained momentum after the central government constituted the Joint Parliamentary Committee to review the draconian Waqf Act." "If the motive of Waqf is welfare and social service, this has to be done without bias and religious discrimination as India is a secular nation. Nationalising assets of Waqf will help in equitable distribution of land in India and avoid the concentration of land with vested interests. Currently, the Waqf is the third-largest land owner in India after Defence and Railways," MLA Yatnal stated. Kolkata, Nov 1 : West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, on Friday, announced the launch of a new scheme 'Abhaya Plus' under which self-defence courses will be organised for the girls in the state. On the occasion of the completion of two years as the state's Governor, the media cell of Raj Bhavan in Kolkata in the morning issued a statement outlining Bose's plans for the overall development of the state. The statement mentions a nine-point agenda and one of them is 'Abhaya Plus'. Although the statement has not elaborated on why this specific scheme for self-defence for girls will be introduced, Raj Bhavan insiders said that this scheme is the brain-child of the Governor himself in the backdrop of the rape and murder of a woman doctor of the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The body of the doctor was found in suspicious circumstances on August 9 morning in the seminar hall of the hospital. Since laws forbid revealing the identity of the victim in sexual assault cases, the deceased doctor was given the name 'Abhaya' by the protesting doctors. The statement issued by the Governor's office outlines the focus areas of the Governor in the coming days. "Special stress is to be put on anti-human-trafficking, anti-drug abuse, empowerment of women, safety and security of children, participation of youth, cultural and educational initiatives whereby the educated youth can benefit from interaction with experts about their future, and so on. The focus of these initiatives will be on the welfare of the weaker sections of society, which is also a Constitutional obligation that is dear to the Hon'ble Governor's heart," the statement read. At the same time, it has also been claimed that as part of the Governor's fresh mass-connect programme, he will be visiting 250 places spread across all the districts of West Bengal. He will also be visiting various College and school campuses addressing the students and interacting with them. "Hon'ble Governor will visit the tribal areas of the state and visit anybody who calls him, especially those in any kind of distress, destitute and infirm, orphanages and old age Homes," the statement read. At the same time, scholarships for meritorious and needy students will be provided and all those who have contributed to the enrichment of life in diverse fields are to be awarded. New Delhi, Nov 1 : Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday paid rich tributes to Dr Bibek Debroy, Chairman of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM), who passed away at age 69 on Friday. Highlighting that Debroy left his mark on almost all institutions he worked with, Ramesh wrote on his social media handle X, "He will be missed for his scholarship as well for his dry sense of humour." "A man of unusually wide-ranging interests, Bibek Debroy was first and foremost a fine theoretical and empirical economist who worked and wrote on various aspects of the Indian economy," said the Congress leader. Ramesh also praised Debroy's special skill for lucid exposition, in a manner that would make laypersons easily understand complex economic issues. "Over the years, he has had numerous institutional affiliations and he left his mark everywhere," he said. Bibek was also a prolific, and always thought-provoking, commentator in the media on public issues going well beyond economics, he added. More than that, he will be remembered as a genuine Sanskritist of great erudition. His translations were many and included the Mahabharata in ten volumes, the Ramayana in three volumes, and the Bhagavata Purana in three volumes, Ramesh said. "He had also translated the Bhagavad Gita and the Harivamsha. His translations of some important late 19th-century essays in Bengali are also noteworthy. Coincidentally, I happened to be reading just a few days back his translation of Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay's striking 1879 essay titled 'Samya' (Equality)," Ramesh posted on X social media platform. Recalling his long association with the economist, the Congress leader said, "I had known him well for almost four decades and we would have conversations on all sorts of subjects. Recently, I had sent him two books which I knew he would relish -- one on the importance of Prakrit in pre-modern India, and another on the literary life of Yagnavalkya." Earlier, paying tributes to Debroy, PM Modi said that he has "left an indelible mark on India's intellectual landscape." "Dr Debroy was a towering scholar, well-versed in diverse domains like economics, history, culture, politics, spirituality and more. Through his works, he left an indelible mark on India's intellectual landscape. Beyond his contributions to public policy, he enjoyed working on our ancient texts, making them accessible to the youth," the Prime Minister posted on X. A Padma Shri awardee, Debroy also served as the Chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune. The top economist was also a member of NITI Aayog from its inception in January 2015 till June 2019. He wrote several books, articles and was also a consulting/contributing editor with several newspapers. New Delhi, Nov 1 : The government on Friday released the Operational Guidelines for the Central Sector Scheme 'Namo Drone Didi', which provides drones to women self-help groups (SHGs) under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), with an outlay of Rs 1,261 crore. New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) The government on Friday released the Operational Guidelines for the Central Sector Scheme 'Namo Drone Didi', which provides drones to women self-help groups (SHGs) under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojanaa"National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), with an outlay of Rs 1,261 crore. The guidelines, issued by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, stipulate the creation of an Implementation and Monitoring Committee, headed by the Additional Secretary, Department of Rural Development, and having representation from all other stakeholders, to effectively plan, implement, and monitor the scheme. The panel will provide advice and guidance on all technical matters related to the implementation of the scheme, which aims to provide 14,500 selected Women SHGs with drones from 2024-25 to 2025-2026 for rental services to farmers for agricultural purposes (e.g., application of liquid fertilisers and pesticides for the present). The Central-level Empowered Committee will also include Secretaries of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, the Department of Rural Development, the Department of Fertilisers, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the Ministry of Women and Child Development. On imparting training to women, the guidelines said one of the members of the women SHGs will be selected for a 15-day training consisting of mandatory drone pilot training and additional training for agriculture purposes for nutrient and pesticide application. DAY-NRLM is the flagship programme of the Ministry of Rural Development for promoting poverty reduction through building strong institutions for the poor. Under the 'Namo Drone Didi' scheme, Central financial assistance of about 80 per cent of the cost of drone and accessories/ancillary charges up to a maximum of Rs 8 lakh will be provided to women SHGs for the purchase of drones as a package. The cluster-level federations (CLFs) of SHGs may raise the balance amount (total cost of procurement minus subsidy) as a loan under the National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF). Interest subvention at the rate of three per cent on the AIF loan will be provided to the CLFs/SHGs, a statement said. Under the scheme, drones will be supplied as a package consisting of a basic drone with spray assembly for spraying liquid fertilisers and pesticides, drone carrying box, standard battery set, downward facing camera, dual-channel fast battery charger, battery charger hub, anemometer, pH meter and one-year onsite warranty on all items. The package also includes four spare battery sets, one spare propeller set (each set contains six propellers), a nozzle set, a dual channel fast battery charger, a battery charger hub, 15 days of training for drone pilot and drone assistant, one-year comprehensive insurance, two years annual maintenance contract, and applicable GST. "The additional sets of batteries will ensure continuous drone flying which can easily cover 20 acres in a day," said the statement. Seoul, Nov 1 : South Korea and the US on Friday held joint drone strike drills for the first time, the South's Air Force said, a day after North Korea launched an Inter Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). The live-fire drills, involving a South Korean RQ-4B Global Hawk surveillance drone and a US MQ-9 Reaper attack drone, took place at an unspecified location in South Korea, in an apparent show of the allies' military capabilities against North Korean threats, Yonhap news agency reported. The drills took place under a scenario of striking the origin of an enemy provocation, with the South Korean drone collecting data on simulated targets and sharing it with the U.S. unmanned aircraft, according to the Air Force. Once the Reaper received the information, the unmanned aircraft released a GBU-38 joint direct attack munition to accurately strike the target, it said. A military source said the two sides hadn't planned to publicise the drills, but decided to do so in a warning against the North after its ICBM launch. Earlier in the day, the North said it had successfully launched the new Hwasong-19 ICBM the previous day, which the South's military assessed to be the country's largest long-range missile yet. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 1. The EBRD intends to invest 2 billion in Kazakhstan's economy in the coming years as part of the implementation of the green transition program, Trend reports. The discussion about this plan took place during a meeting between EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso and Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Odile Renaud-Basso arrived in Kazakhstan to participate in the 36th plenary session of the Foreign Investors Council. During the meeting, the interlocutors discussed the prospects for implementing a number of joint investment projects across various sectors of the economy, including small and medium-sized businesses, finance, housing and utilities, energy, medicine, agriculture, transport infrastructure, and information technology. The head of state highly appreciated the strategic nature of cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and its contribution to the progress of Kazakhstan's economy. In turn, the EBRD President shared plans for potential areas of collaboration aimed at fostering sustainable growth, improving the investment climate, and modernizing the country. She noted that the bank is closely examining investment projects in Kazakhstan and expressed interest in further supporting infrastructure development. The EBRD plans to invest $650 million in Kazakhstan this year to implement 22 projects. The EBRD President also gave a positive assessment of the procurement process at Samruk-Kazyna, noting that creditor companies conduct procurement according to the fund's rules, indicating trust in its procurement processes and their transparency. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Odile Renaud-Basso also exchanged views on pressing issues of global economic development. In 2022, the EBRD marked 30 years of cooperation with Kazakhstan. The Board of Directors approved the new country strategy for the EBRD in Kazakhstan for 2022-2027 on June 22, 2022, outlining work in three main areas: Enhancing the competitiveness and interconnectedness of the private sector; Supporting Kazakhstan on its path to green development toward carbon neutrality and climate resilience; Promoting economic integration and gender equality through private sector participation. To date, the total investment by the EBRD in Kazakhstan since its inception in the country has reached approximately 10 billion across 312 different projects. Currently, the EBRD's portfolio in Kazakhstan includes 113 projects totaling 2.8 billion, with the main portfolio concentrated in the sustainable infrastructure sector (70 percent). Investments in the private sector have reached 46 percent. New Delhi, Nov 1 : An Indian Army contingent comprising 25 personnel departed for Cijantung, Jakarta, Indonesia to take part in the 9th edition of India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise Garud Shakti 24. The exercise will be conducted from November 1 to 2, a statement said on Friday. The Indian contingent is being represented by troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and an Indonesian contingent comprising 40 personnel is being represented by Indonesian Special Forces Kopassus, the statement said. The aim of Garud Shakti 24 is to acquaint both sides with each otheras operating procedures and enhance mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the Special Forces of both armies. The exercise is designed to develop bilateral military cooperation and strengthen the bond between two armies through the conduct of discussions and rehearsal of tactical military drills. The exercise will involve planning and execution of special operations, orientation to advance special forces skills, and sharing of information on weapons, equipment, innovations, tactics, techniques and procedures, the defence ministry said in a statement. Joint Exercise Garud Shakti 24 will also involve jointly practising Special Forces Operations in jungle terrain, strikes on terrorist camps and a Validation Exercise integrating basic and advanced special forces skills apart from gaining an insight into the lifestyle and culture of both countries to foster military cooperation. The exercise will provide an opportunity for both contingents to strengthen their bond and share best practices. It will also act as a platform to achieve shared security objectives and foster bilateral relations between two friendly nations. In September, the Indian Army held a joint military exercise with the US forces in Rajasthan. The 20th edition of the 'Yudh Abhyas 2024' was held at Mahajan Fields in Rajasthan's Bikaner from September 9 to 22. It was the biggest joint military exercise between India and America with 1,200 soldiers from India and America participating. The Indian Army contingent, comprising 600 personnel, was represented by a Battalion of the Rajput Regiment and personnel from other arms and services. The US contingent comprising similar strength was represented by the troops of 1-24 Battalion of the Alaska-based 11th Airborne Division of the US Army. The aim of the Joint Exercise was to enhance the joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter-terrorism operations in a sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate. The exercise focused on operations in the semi-desert environment, an Indian Army official said. Bengaluru, Nov 1 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Friday that the guarantee schemes implemented in Karnataka have become a model for other states in the country. He was reacting to queries from the media near Kanteerava stadium in Bengaluru. Shivakumar's statement on the review of Shakthi's free travel scheme for women across the state stirred a major controversy in the state. Asked about the implementation of Karnataka's model guarantee schemes in Maharashtra, he said, "The guarantee schemes implemented in Karnataka have become a model for other states in the country. Even states governed by the BJP and other parties are emulating our schemes." "This is a matter of pride and honour for us," he added. "The opposition parties were unable to implement the people-oriented guarantee schemes that we have brought forward. They create discord among siblings, parents, and children, manipulating emotions -- that's their agenda. In this way, they have broken many homes," said Shivakumar. "I only mentioned the feedback of about 5-10 per cent of women on the Shakti scheme. We will not stop the guarantee schemes under any circumstances. Some women said they would buy tickets, but conductors are hesitant to collect money. I only suggested that this needs to be considered," he added. Asked about Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's message of unity, Shivakumar said, "He conveyed a message to the workers in light of various circumstances. Since I became the state party president and Deputy Chief Minister, has there been any untoward incident within the party or the government? We are running both the government and the party smoothly." "Mallikarjun Kharge is a senior party leader. If he offers wise advice, we must listen. I ask everyone to revisit my remarks on the Shakti scheme," he added. "The Opposition has nothing to discuss other than politics. They said guarantee schemes would ruin households. But that didn't happen, as they claimed. Seeing our efforts, they are burning with envy," Shivakumar said. Asked about several Congress leaders visiting New Delhi, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "No one has gone to Delhi. Mallikarjun Kharge has not intervened in any matter. So far, no such incident has occurred. As a senior leader, he has offered advice of unity." "Kharge spoke with a national political perspective in mind and said that different states have adopted different policies on reservations. Kharge subtly indicated that each state should frame its policies locally, and he will not interfere in that," Shivakumar added. "We are celebrating the 69th anniversary of Karnataka's unification and 50 years since it was renamed Karnataka. More than a thousand school children have given international-level dance performances and participated in other programmes. I have instructed the ministers and officials to issue certificates to all these children. These school children have worked hard to take part in programmes for Karnataka," he said. "This time, all private institutions and educational institutions were instructed to hold Rajyotsava celebrations. Around 70 per cent of institutions conducted the event. In the first phase, we issued this directive from the government. We encouraged everyone to preserve their language and culture voluntarily. We instructed that no legal action be taken against private institutions," he added. Asked about the demand for a law to take action against those who insult Kannada, Shivakumar said, "People from other states and countries come and live in our state. Private educational institutions, particularly Christian educational institutions, have celebrated Rajyotsava with great dedication." New Delhi, Nov 1 : While poor sleep during pregnancy and after that is common, Canadian researchers suggested cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi), which can not only improve sleep patterns but also address postpartum depression. The team from the University of British Columbia Okanagan and Vancouver campus University of Calgary showed that CBTi, which can detect thoughts, behaviours, and sleep patterns that lead to insomnia, during pregnancy can significantly prevent the risk of postpartum depressive symptoms after a baby arrives. The therapeutic intervention includes challenging or reframing misconceptions and restructuring habits to improve sleep quality. Dr. Elizabeth Keys, an Assistant Professor in UBCO's School of Nursing noted that early intervention with CBTi may be crucial both for the baby and the mother. Keys said that CBTi -- the gold standard for the treatment of insomnia -- is similar to antidepressant medications. Since it comes with fewer side effects, the therapy is considered safe in pregnancy. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that can affect women and men after childbirth. It can impact a person's behaviour and physical health. Crying more than usual, feeling angry, distant from the baby, doubting the ability to care for the baby, and thoughts of harming the baby or yourself are the common symptoms. The study included 62 women assessed for insomnia and depressive symptoms. While half were randomly assigned to an intervention group, the others were added to a control group. Keys found that the results, which appear in the issue of the Journal of Affective Disorders, were "enormously encouraging" and can help all women who have struggled in the early days with their newborns. Keys said the next thing is to find ways to "make the treatment more accessible to pregnant individuals to improve sleep health equity." Hyderabad, Nov 1 : The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized drugs valued at Rs 7 crore from two passengers coming from Bangkok at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here, officials said on Friday. Acting on specific intelligence, sleuths of DRI foiled the Diwali drug trafficking attempt with the seizure of 7.096 kg of hydroponic weed from two Indian passengers. According to officials, the illicit market value of the drugs is Rs.7 crore. The passengers were intercepted on their arrival from Bangkok on Thursday and during a systematic search of their check-in luggage, the officials found 13 vacuum-packed transparent packets were found inside the packets of Kelloggas cornflakes. A greenish substance in lumpy form was recovered from all 13 packets, and when tested with a field test kit, it indicated positive for hydroponic weed. The packets containing 7.096 kgs of hydroponic weed were seized, and the passengers were arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 and sent to judicial custody. Hydroponic weed, known for its high potency and value, is cultivated using advanced water-based methods and is said to be in high demand in the illicit market. Meanwhile, the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau seized 155 grams of MDMA and arrested a peddler hailing from Rajasthan. The arrest was made under the limits of Chandanagar Police Station of Cyberabad Police Commissionerate. According to police, Krishna Ram, 28, arrived from Rajasthan on Thursday and brought MDMA with him. Acting on specific information, Anti-Narcotics Bureau officials arrested the accused at Lingampalli. The seized drug is estimated to be valued at Rs 18 lakh. Police booked a case against Krishna Ram and others. Krishna Ram was receiving the drugs from other accused Lodaram, Vikram Singh, Punith, and Sameer Ram Singh. In another case, the Cyberabad Special Operations Team along with Balanagar police busted the trafficking of Hashish oil from Odisha to Hyderabad and nabbed three drug peddlers. The police seized 2.590 litres of Hashish oil. Acting on specific information, the sleuths of SOT and Balanagar Police apprehended three drug peddlers for transporting Hashish oil from Jalaput (Odisha) to Hyderabad. Sabavath Suman, Ramavath Lalu, Kethavath Vijay Kumar, all residents of Telangana, have been arrested. Main accused Kiran, a resident of Odisha, is absconding. New Delhi, Nov 1 : Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC on Friday strongly responded to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant's sexist slur in the run-up to Maharashtra Assembly elections and also spotlighted the contrasting approach of Opposition-led INDIA block and Modi government, towards women. A political furore broke out this morning, as Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant in a deplorable reference to Shaina NC's foray into electoral arena said that 'foreign maal' was not welcome into the constituency. Condemning Arvind Sawant's remark, Shaina NC stated, "I am a woman, not 'maal.'" She accused the Mahavikas Aghadi Alliance (MVA) of looking down at women and coined a new term for it - "Maha Vinash Aghadi." Further, speaking to IANS, she highlighted MVA and Arvind Sawant's double standards, saying, "In 2014 and 2019 election campaigns, we were 'ladki bahan' when they needed our support, but now they use disrespectful language towards us." The controversy ignited over SS (UBT) MP from Mumbai South Arvind Sawant's media interaction a few days ago, where he was asked about the electoral prospects of the rival SS nominee, Shaina Nana Chudasama, a fashionista, contesting elections from Mumbadevi Assembly seat, vis-a-vis Congress three-term MLA Ameen Patel. Sawant, when asked about Shaina potentially contesting from the Mumbadevi constituency, had remarked, "Yahan pe imported 'maal' (goods) nahin chalega Yahan pe original 'maal' chalta hai, aur wo hai hamare paas, pointing at a smiling Patel. Shaina NC also showered praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for launching multiple initiatives towards women's empowerment including Ujjwala Yojna, Ladki Bahan Yojna and more. "We have leaders who respect women. Our president, Droupadi Murmu, is a tribal woman, which is a matter of pride for the nation," she added. She also questioned the silence of the MVA alliance over the controversy and asked, "When he made this statement, Ameen Patel was present and was laughing. Where are leaders like Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, and Sanjay Raut? Why are they not condemning these comments?" Shaina later visited a local police station also to file a formal complaint, seeking an FIR against the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader for his demeaning language. New Delhi, Nov 1 : Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, celebrated Diwali in a special way, sharing moments with artisans and painters in the run-up to the festival of lights and appreciating their contribution towards bringing joy to others. On Friday, LoP Gandhi released videos on his social media handle X, giving his storyline a heading in Hindi 'A Diwali with those whose labour lights up India.' One of the nine-minute videos shows Rahul Gandhi himself joining the painters at his bungalow in carrying out repairs on walls and roof using a metal 'patti' and putty. He is also seen complaining about a burning sensation in eyes, highlighting the everyday challenges the workers overcome to earn a living. "It is our collective responsibility to bring light and prosperity in the lives of these people," says Rahul Gandhi in one of the posts, carrying a collage of photos showing him painting a wall and sharing a cup of tea with the workers in the bungalow's courtyard. In another video section, he is seen sitting on a potter's wheel with an artisan's family and picking up a few tricks from a woman head of the family, Ramrati, who lives in West Delhi's Uttam Nagar. From preparing the clay to shaping the pot on the potter's wheel, a collage of photos and videos posted on Gandhi's X handle carry the message, "These artisans and workers have limited opportunity for prosperity and experience uncertainty in work." "They can improve their economic condition and earn laurels for the country if they are provided adequate opportunities," says Rahul Gandhi's post. The video also prominently features Rahul's nephew, Raihan Vadra, son of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and looks to capture the spirit of Diwali as both walk down the driveway of the bungalow with hundreds of lamps and lights glittering in the dark background. In the section focussed on painters, one of the videos also carries bytes of the painters Saqib and Umesh appreciating the down-to-earth gesture of "sahib" (Gandhi) in joining them in painting the house. They also appreciated the helping hand lent to them by Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi. The videos also showcase moments between LoP Gandhi and Raihan in which the Congress leader, while taking a stroll in the driveway of the lit-up bungalow is heard explaining his logic behind roping in his nephew for the painting exercise. "Youngsters these days spend most of their time on WhatsApp, cell phone and iPad. I want them to see what goes into such an effort," says Rahul Gandhi, referring to the painted bungalow, beautifully lit by the diyas. In the subsequent conversations, Rahul Gandhi even asks Raihan if he found the work easy. The latter gives a frank reply, "It looks much easier than it actually is." Raihan is also seen in the video, rubbing his eyes, while he is standing on a ladder, and taking evasive action against the dust spread by the scrubbing of the roof. Rahul Gandhi is also heard sharing the fact that he did not like this bungalow because his father former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in Sriperumbudur when the family was living in this house. However, there are some fun moments too, involving the Congress leader telling Raihan how he used to enjoy Diwali during school days by bursting crackers and shooting rockets at each other. "I was the mastermind of that stuff," Gandhi recalls. Towards the end of the video, the painters also share their problems of stagnant wages and accidents that take place at work, with LoP Gandhi as he talks with about a dozen workers, mostly from Bihar and asks them about their life in the national Capital. Bhopal, Nov 1 : A 65-year-old man and his two sons were allegedly killed over a land dispute, while the third son is battling for his life at a hospital in tribal-dominated Dindori district in Madhya Pradesh. The brutal killing was reported in Lalpur village, around 30 km from district headquarters in Dindori on Thursday. The incident has sparked tension in the village, due to which, a heavy police force has been deployed to avoid further disturbance. The deceased were identified as Dharam Singh (65), Raghuraj Singh (35) and Shivraj Singh (30). The bodies were found lying in a pool of blood, while one person (Dharam Singh's third son) was found unconscious, and was rushed to a hospital. Police said all three bodies had the same marks of injuries, and it appeared that they were attacked by an axe. Prima facia, it appears that the accused and victims were entangled in an old land dispute. Police said three accused were arrested on Friday, while four others were still on the run. Search operation is being carried out to nab them, Durgadas Nagpure, head of Gardasari police station said. On Friday, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) K. K. Tripathi visited the victim's family and assured that all accused will be arrested soon. The incident also sparked political controversy as the Opposition Congress raised questions about the security of tribal communities. Senior Congress leader Ajay Singh alleged that yet another horrific incident has exposed the law and order in the state. "The triple murder in Dindori has exposed the law and order situation in Madhya Pradesh. The government, which claims to be the protector of the tribals, has failed to protect them. The government's failure to provide justice and security to the tribal community is shameful," Singh added. New York, Nov 1 : Jaden Thakur will never forget the day his uncle nearly became another victim in America's gun violence crisis. The college student, who grew up in New Jersey, recounted the nightmarish scene: One day, while strolling down the street, Thakur's uncle accidentally bumped into someone, sparking a heated altercation between the two. "At first, it was verbal, and then the guy kind of showed his gun and made my uncle back down," he said. At that critical moment, a passerby intervened, drawing his own gun to defend Thakur's uncle, ultimately preventing the situation from spiralling out of control. "It was just crazy," said Thakur, his voice still laced with disbelief. "It's far too easy to acquire weapons in the US than in other places." In Thakur's view, gun violence is "probably the biggest safety issue" confronting the United States. Official statistics underscore this grim reality: in 2023 alone, the Gun Violence Archive recorded 18,854 fatalities from gun violence, excluding suicides. Mass shootings, defined as incidents with four or more casualties, have doubled over the past decade, peaking in 2021 at 689. Schools are becoming increasingly unsafe due to the prevalence of guns. By October 15 this year, at least 58 school shootings had left 28 dead and 72 injured across American schools, from kindergartens to colleges. In recent years, school shootings have sharply increased, with 2021, 2022, and 2023 each marking record highs not seen since at least 2008, reports Xinhua, citing CNN. Today, American civilians own more than 400 million guns, exceeding the country's population. Deep partisan divisions and influential lobbying groups, such as the National Rifle Association, have routinely stalled gun control laws in Congress. However, gun violence reflects only one aspect of the rising crime rates in the United States in recent years. In 2020, the United States saw a nearly 30 per cent increase in homicides, marking the largest annual rise on record, according to data released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In 2022, murder rates remained well above pre-pandemic levels, and property crimes, such as burglary, rose to a staggering 1,954.4 incidents per 100,000 people. A growing sense of public insecurity has made violent crime one of Americans' top policy concerns in this election year. A Pew Research Center report in February revealed that 68 per cent of Republicans and nearly half of Democrats deemed crime reduction as a policy priority. Even political violence is on the rise, with presidential candidates becoming targets. Since July, the Republican candidate Donald Trump has escaped three assassination attempts, while the suspect accused of shooting at Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign office in Arizona was found to possess over 120 guns and over 250,000 rounds of ammunition in his home and was preparing for a "mass casualty" act, according to US media reports. Both candidates have been framing the crime issues in their favour ahead of the election. Harris said in September that violent crime has declined to a "near 50-year low," citing FBI data on crimes reported by police departments, while Trump claimed that violent crime has "skyrocketed" during the Biden-Harris administration, citing a Justice Department survey. Such a crime landscape underscores deeper ills of the US society, such as systemic racism, economic inequality, and political marginalisation, all of which are often prolonged and ignored by politicians. According to an analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice, the number of shootings doubled in the neighbourhood of East New York and nearly tripled in Brownsville in 2020, both hot spots of violence for more than a quarter-century. The centre noted that these increases reveal a more troubling pattern, which sociologist Patrick Sharkey described as the "rigid geography of violence." In this pattern, crime remains relatively concentrated in specific areas even as overall levels decline. A Brookings Institution study links high rates of violent crime and police shootings to socioeconomic inequities, particularly in marginalised communities. Structural racism has fostered conditions where Black populations disproportionately reside in under-resourced areas, with limited access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. This concentration of disadvantage thus feeds cycles of violence. With election day approaching, Thakur said he remains undecided over which candidate can make America safe as neither appears capable of solving gun-related issues. "Overall, I don't think anyone is going to change anything." Baghdad, Nov 1 : The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a Shiite militia group, on Friday claimed responsibility for six drone attacks on Israeli targets. According to its statements, the group's fighters launched three drone attacks on "vital sites" in southern Israel, two more on targets in the occupied Golan Heights, and a sixth one on a site in central Israel, reports Xinhua news agency. The statements did not provide further details about the targeted sites or report any casualties. The group said that the strikes were carried out "in solidarity with our people in Palestine and Lebanon," pledging to continue targeting "the enemy's strongholds at an escalating pace." Since the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has repeatedly attacked Israeli and US positions in the region to show support for Palestinians in Gaza. The militia has stepped up its attacks on Israel after the latter intensified strikes against Hezbollah across Lebanon on September 23. Kandahar : , Nov 1 (IANS) Police have prevented attempts to smuggle a large quantity of relics, including ancient coins, in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province, provincial director for information and culture Abdul Shakor Spand said on Friday. An Afghan citizen was attempting to smuggle a huge quantity of relics, including 126 pieces of bronze, copper, and silver coins representing different civilizations of history, via Kandahar airport recently, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting the official. The official did not provide information on whether anyone was arrested. However, the official added that no one has the right to possess or smuggle relics and historical objects from Afghanistan. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 1. In the coming year, Kazakhstan intends to create a National Artificial Intelligence Center that will provide the backbone for the nations digital transformation infrastructure, Trend reports. Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev made this statement during a meeting with Microsoft President for Central Europe and Central Asia, Michelle Simmons. The meeting discussed the prospects for cooperation between Kazakhstan and Microsoft in developing the IT industry and creating a comprehensive ecosystem for startups. Microsoft informed Kassym-Jomart Tokayev that they have transformed their office in Kazakhstan into a multi-regional hub, encompassing Central Asia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Mongolia, and Pakistan. Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan is actively working on legislation in the field of artificial intelligence, aiming to leverage its potential for innovation and economic growth. In turn, Michelle Simmons emphasized that Microsoft intends to continue fruitful cooperation with Kazakhstan on digital development. Last year, Microsoft decided to open a multi-regional hub in Kazakhstan. The Minister of Digital Development of Kazakhstan and the CEO of Microsoft for Kazakhstan reached the relevant agreements during a bilateral meeting. Jaipur, Nov 1 : After withdrawing books that carried chapters related to the Godhra incident, Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar said on Friday that the Congress government is responsible for introducing controversial books in the school syllabus of the state and added that spreading animosity in the society is the nature of Congress. A legal investigation is being conducted into the subject matter published in the book and legal action will be taken, he added. Speaking on the books that have been withdrawn from the school syllabus, he said, "The present government has no role in the selection of the two controversial books "Adrishya Log" whose author is Harsh Mander and "Jeevan Ki Bahar" which has been authored by Madhav Gadgil. These books were sent to the libraries of government schools by Samagra Shiksha Rajasthan and they were selected by the previous Congress government," the Minister said. Minister Dilawar also said, "Only two books have been added during the tenure of the present government. The first is "Vaccine Ki Gatha" written by Sajjan Singh Yadav and the second is the Rajasthani language book "Chidi Ko Moti Ladiyo". Apart from these two books, 99 books were selected by the previous selection committee on September 29, 2023, whose chairman was the then Education Secretary. At that time a total of 105 books in two groups (63+42) were presented before the then-state Secretary of the government, the chairman of the selection committee, on September 19, 2023. The approval for their selection was issued by the Chairman on September 29, September 30, and October 3 last year. The entire responsibility for the selection of these books lies with the then Congress government, the Administrative Secretary of the Education Department, and the then Education Minister." "However in our tenure, a book titled "Vaccine Ki Gatha" has been selected so that children can be informed about the horrors of Covid-19 and they can become aware of it. The second book "Chidiya Ka Moti Lado" is a Rajasthani language book. This book aims to promote the regional language. These books are only meant to be kept in school libraries. They have no connection with the curriculum." The Minister also said that after coming to the notice of the present state government, both the controversial books have been withdrawn and the matter is being investigated. Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has expressed his ignorance of the books withdrawn from the school's syllabus. Gehlot said he was not aware of the controversy regarding school textbooks and accused Minister Dilawar of making sweeping remarks over the matter. "Minister Dilawar can make any comment. But CM Sharma has not said anything on the matter. So how can I say anything," the former Chief Minister added. Meanwhile, Gehlot said that introducing and withdrawing syllabus topics in schools across the state is not the right thing. A committee should be formed which takes cognisance of this matter, he added. The Rajasthan government recently withdrew several school textbooks from classes 9 to 12 containing chapters on the 2002 Godhra train burning incident. Moscow, Nov 1 : Russian Defence Ministry on Friday said that the country's military has inflicted considerable damage on the Ukrainian facilities over the past one week, damaging the control centre for unmanned systems of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "From October 26 to November 1, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out 44 group strikes with high-precision weapons and attack unmanned aerial vehicles, which resulted in the destruction of energy facilities that supported the operation of enterprises of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine, the infrastructure of military airfields and railways used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine to transport Western weapons and equipment," the Russian Defence Ministry detailed in its daily briefing on Ukraine military operation. In addition, the control centre for unmanned systems of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, workshops for the production and storage of attack unmanned aerial vehicles, ammunition depots, fuel bases, as well as temporary deployment points for units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, nationalist groups and foreign mercenaries were damaged during the strikes. It mentioned that, during the week, units of the North group of forces continued to carry out an operation to destroy Ukrainian Armed Forces formations in the Kursk region. "Air strikes, unmanned aerial vehicles, artillery fire and heavy flamethrower systems have damaged the manpower and equipment of a tank, six mechanized, three airborne assault brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a marine brigade, four territorial defence brigades and two national guard brigades," the ministry revealed. Over the course of a week, the Russian defence forces also claimed of destroying two US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system launchers, 38 field artillery pieces, including five US 155mm Paladin self-propelled artillery pieces, and 114 vehicles. "Over the course of a week, in the area of aaresponsibility of the North group of forces, the enemy's losses amounted to over 2,810 servicemen, three tanks, eight infantry fighting vehicles, including a Swedish-made CV-90, a US-made Stryker armoured personnel carrier, and 59 other armoured combat vehicles," it mentioned. In another statement, the Russian Defence Ministry said that, during the past night, attempts by the Kyiv regime to carry out terrorist attacks using aircraft-type UAVs against targets on the territory of the Russian Federation were thwarted. "Duty air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 83 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles. 36 UAVs were shot down over the territory of the Kursk region, 20 over the territory of the Bryansk region, 12 over the territory of the Republic of Crimea, eight over the territory of the Voronezh region, four over the territory of the Oryol region and three over the territory of the Belgorod region," the statement said. Patna, Nov 1 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday emphasised the efficient and timely procurement of paddy to support farmers across the state. In a review meeting with the cooperative department, attended by Cabinet Minister Prem Kumar and other senior officials, the Chief Minister instructed departments to establish district-wise procurement targets based on estimated paddy production. Kumar underscored the need for vigilance against any irregularities in the procurement process and stressed that officials should work diligently to prevent issues that could disrupt or delay assistance to farmers. "The paddy procurement should proceed swiftly and smoothly to ensure that farmers face no difficulties in selling their produce," Kumar said. The Chief Minister also reiterated the government's commitment to assisting farmers and ensuring that all those involved in agriculture are supported without inconvenience, particularly during the paddy procurement season. This approach aims to provide stability to the agricultural sector and prevent distress among the farming community. During the review meeting on paddy procurement, Kumar was joined by key officials, including Principal Secretary to the CM Deepak Kumar, Chief Secretary Amritlal Meena, and Principal Secretary Dr. S. Siddharth. K Sarwanan, Secretary of the Food and Consumer Affairs Department, provided an update on the procurement process for the Kharif marketing year 2024-25, highlighting important details such as the MSP for general-grade paddy has been set at Rs 2,300 per quintal this year, ensuring fair compensation for farmers. He also pointed out that the procurement window is scheduled from November 1, 2024, to February 15, 2025, offering ample time for farmers to sell their produce. The state aims to procure 45 lakh metric tonnes of paddy, a goal that aligns with the increased production capacity and demand. He also said that the number of operational parboiled rice mills has grown to 360, bolstering the state's processing capacity. Dharmendra Singh, Secretary of the Cooperative Department, outlined the action plan for procurement. The phased approach began on November 1 in 19 districts, with the remaining districts set to initiate procurement on November 15. This staggered approach is expected to streamline operations and accommodate regional production variations, benefiting farmers across Bihar. The review meeting reflects the government's commitment to providing structured support to farmers, ensuring they receive fair market prices and smooth service through an efficient and transparent procurement system. Jammu, Nov 1 : Hundreds of people on Friday attended the cremation of senior BJP leader and MLA, Devender Singh Rana here in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Hundreds of people, including J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina, BJP MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, Cabinet Minister Satish Sharma, and senior civil and police officers attended the cremation held at Shastri Nagar crematorium in Jammu city. Devender Singh Rana passed away late Thursday evening in a hospital in Faridabad. Hundreds of people paid their last respects to the popular leader and social activist. Devender Singh Rana won the Nagrota Assembly constituency in 2014 as a National Conference (NC) candidate and retained the seat as a BJP candidate in 2024. He defeated his nearest rival, Joginder Singh of the NC with the highest margin of more than 30,000 votes. He was the younger brother of Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, and a Lok Sabha member. Devender Singh Rana is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shock and grief over Devender Singh Rana's death. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Devender Singh Rana Ji's untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmir's progress. He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J&K. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti." The J&K Chief Minister also expressed shock at the sudden demise of Devender Singh Rana. Taking to his X account, CM Abdullah posted pictures of him and Rana having fun in the Valley. He said Rana's demise was a terrible news. "The terrible news from late last night isn't really sinking in. I know the last few years have been marked by our differences Devender but I prefer to focus on the fun times we shared together, the excellent work we did together & the memories. You have been taken from us all too soon & will be missed. May your soul rest in peace now DSR. My heart goes out to your family as I struggle to find the words to convey my condolences to them." Devender Singh Rana was once a trusted aide of CM Omar Abdullah and his political advisor during his previous tenure as Chief Minister. However, due to differences between them, in October 2021, after more than two decades with the NC, Devender Singh Rana quit the party and joined the BJP. Expressing shock and grief over Rana's sudden demise, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, "In his passing, we have lost a patriotic and widely respected leader who was committed to the well-being of the people of J&K. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti." People's Democratic Party Chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also offered her condolences to the family of Devender Singh Rana. "Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Devender Rana Ji. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones," Mufti said on X. Congress National General Secretary and MLA Ghulam Ahmad Mir expressed shock and sorrow over Devender Singh Rana's death. He wrote on X, "My heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of the deceased. Having interacted with him in politics and beyond, Rana was a great, supportive, and visionary leader, an entrepreneur whose business acumen created opportunities for many in J&K." --IANS sq/khz Kabul, Nov 1 : Afghan security forces have rescued a child in Afghanistan's Herat province and arrested two kidnappers, district police chief Mohammad Hasan Ihsan said on Friday. The child was kidnapped one year ago, and police found him in the Injil district recently and handed him over to his family, Ihsan said, adding police have arrested two persons on the charge of involvement in the kidnapping. This is the third child released from kidnappers' clutch over the past month in Herat province, Xinhua news agency reported. The Taliban-run administration has vowed to crack down on outlaws to ensure law and order in the war-torn country. Mumbai, Nov 1 : Shiv Sena-UBT Mumbai South MP Arvind Sawant's reference as 'maal' to fashionista Shaina NC, the Shiv Sena woman candidate for Mumbadevi Assembly seat, snowballed into a political controversy with the police lodging an FIR, here on Friday. Based on a complaint by Shaina NC, 52, the Nagpada Police Station filed an FIR against Sawant, 72, under various sections of the BNS. "I am not some 'maal' (goods). I am a daughter of Mumbai and working dedicatedly for the past 20 years. This is a crass comment by Sawant. I am a 'mahila', not a 'maal'. Everyone knows that Maha Vinash Aghadi has no respect for women. The MahaYuti government is doing a lot for our womenfolk like the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme," said an indignant Shaina NC. She warned that the people of Mumbadevi constituency will give an appropriate reply to Sawant who had won the (2019) Lok Sabha elections using the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party, but has now stooped to making such remarks against women. During a media interaction in the poll campaign a couple of days ago, Sawant was quizzed about the prospects of Shaina NC vis-a-vis Congress three-term Mumbadevi MLA Amin Patel. Though a senior BJP leader, owing to seat adjustments, Shaina NC has joined the Shiv Sena and was given the ticket to the prestigious Mumbadevi seat where she is fighting Patel and a strong BJP rebel Atul H. Shah. "Yahan pe imported 'maal' (goods) nahin chalega. Yahan pe original 'maal' chalta hai, aur wo hai hamare paas, Amin Patel," said Sawant, pointing at a smiling Patel beside him. (We don't need imported stuff, here only the original will work and we have that, Amin Patel). Referring to the statement labelling her as a 'maal' - which also means 'item' in slang - the comely but unfazed Shaina NC hit back saying that "we (BJP) had campaigned for him (Sawant) and he was elected on our strength". "Ask him where he was froma? I am a 'laadli" (beloved) daughter of Mumbai, and working for the people of the city. I don't need any certificates from Sawant or the SS (UBT)," said Shaina NC with a smile. When queried about this further, Sawant claimed that he had very close personal equations with Shaina NC and she may have misunderstood his ('maal') comment. "It refers to 'goods', but she could have misinterpreted it. I had no such intentions," said Sawant in an apparent clarification, as a huge row erupted, with MahaYuti women leaders supporting Shaina NC. Mumbadevi (earlier, Umarkhadi), is a minority-heavy assembly constituency which has elected Patel in 2009, and later even in the BJP-waves of 2014 and 2019. Patel and Shaina NC's rebel BJP contender is Shah, ex-MLA from the erstwhile Khetwadi seat, and could be a potential vote-cutter. However, hectic talks are currently on to make him withdraw and bolster the prospects of the MahaYuti's Shiv Sena woman nominee hailing from a mixed Gujarati-Dawoodi Bohra Muslim lineage. Her father was the late Sheriff of Mumbai, Nana Chudasama and her mother is a social personality, Munira Chudasama. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Commission for Women took strong cognisance of the issue and asked the police to probe the matter thoroughly. (Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: qnajmi@gmail.com) Chandigarh, Nov 1 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday said the state government is dedicated to realising the vision of an empowered and progressive India, as envisioned by "our revolutionary heroes". Chandigarh, Nov 1 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday said the state government is dedicated to realising the vision of an empowered and progressive India, as envisioned by "our revolutionary heroes". Emphasising the importance of unity and collaborative effort, the Chief Minister affirmed the government's resolve to rebuild Haryana in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious Viksit Bharat goal by 2047. The government will lead a new era of development in Haryana. "We will fulfil all the promises made in the election manifesto as pledged, advancing the state's 2.80 crore citizens along a path of inclusive growth," said the Chief Minister while addressing a gathering to mark Haryana Day in Gohana town in Sonipat district. He also extended greetings to the attendees and all residents on the occasions of Diwali, Bhai Dooj, and Gopashtami. The Chief Minister said the BJP government in Haryana, elected for a third consecutive term, would work with commitment to meet the aspirations of 2.80 crore citizens under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi. He said officers have been directed to expedite projects in line with the promises made in the election manifesto. "As Haryana completes 58 years of progress, all communities deserve congratulations for their contributions." The Chief Minister said he also acknowledged the role of party workers and voters in reinforcing their trust in the BJP, leading to a historic victory. Under the robust system established by former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, the double-engine government would operate at full speed. He said during the elections, the Congress spread misleading information on unemployment and attempted to delay the recruitment of thousands of youth, revealing an anti-youth mindset. "Through the efforts of our dedicated workers, people understood that the BJP is committed to securing the future of young people without favouritism and 'parchi-kharchi' and the public, especially the youth, have shown their trust in our government." On this occasion, BJP state president Mohan Lal Badoli said under Chief Minister Saini's leadership, the BJP government would aim to fulfil the promises made in the election manifesto. With decisive actions such as providing permanent employment to 24,000 youth, implementing Supreme Court decisions on reservation for the deprived Schedule Castes and offering free dialysis services in hospitals, the government has demonstrated an unstoppable momentum. "The Chief Minister is advancing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies and working to build a new Haryana," added Badoli. Mumbai, Nov 1 : NCP chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday slammed Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, Arvind Sawant, over sexist remarks against Shiv Sena nominee from Mumbadevi, Shaina NC. He asserted that "derogatory comments against women have no place in our society, especially in Maharashtra where Ladki Bahins are celebrated and honoured." Ajit Pawar's comments came after Arvind Sawant referred to the Shiv Sena candidate as "maal (goods)" but later backtracked saying that she had misunderstood him and that he had never taken her name. A video of Sawant speaking to the media went viral in which he can be heard saying, "She stayed all her life in the BJP and now look at her... Humare yahan imported maal nahi chalta (Imported material does not work here). Only original 'maal' works here. We have the original material," he said. Commenting on the leader's remarks, Ajit Pawar said on Friday, "We celebrate our inspiring women icons and follow their footsteps in empowering women and over the past two-and-half-years, we have continued to uplift and recognise their contributions." He added, "Such remarks, especially by a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader against Shaina NC are highly condemnable and unacceptable. They go against the very values of respect and dignity that define our progressive Maharashtra." Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Speaker and Shiv Sena leader, Neelam Gorhe also criticised Sawant for his derogatory remarks against Shaina NC. Gorhe has urged the Election Commission to immediately take action against Sawant for his statement insulting women. She warned, "Derogatory comments about women will not be tolerated. Arvind Sawant is considering the women of Maharashtra as fools. He has spoken derogatory words about women. I will file a complaint against Sawant with the Election Commission." Earlier, Shaina NC condemned Sawant's remark saying, "I am a woman not 'maal.'" She showered praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for launching a slew of initiatives towards women's empowerment including Ujjwala Yojana, Ladki Bahin Yojana and more. Baramati : , Nov 1 (IANS) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president and Deputy Maharashtra Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who is pitted against nephew and NCP-SP nominee Yugendra Pawar, in a bid to cheer up his supporters, declared that "MahaYuti yenar yenar yenar" (MahaYuti will come back to power). Pawar's announcement was similar to what ex-CM Devendra Fadnavis said in the run-up to the 2019 assembly elections - 'Mi Punha Yein' (I will return). Ajit Pawar, who is camping in Baramati during the Diwali festival, has been visiting villages and meeting the voters since early morning. He is seeking votes on the basis of a slew of development works carried out in Baramati and also a number of welfare and development schemes including Ladki Bahin Yojana implemented by the MahaYuti government. Ajit Pawar, who is not leaving any stone unturned for his victory, especially after his wife Sunetra Pawar lost to his estranged uncle Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule in the general elections from Baramati, at Zargarwadi village on Friday, claimed that he will emerge victorious on the strength of development of Baramati. "I will win based on Baramati's progress, which was possible due to a number of initiatives launched during my term. In order to benefit Baramati taluka more, no matter what happens tomorrow, the MahaYuti government will come back to power (yenar, yenar, yenar) and I will get a good position in the government," he said amid thunderous applause from the people gathered for the meeting. Ajit Pawar, who deserted Sharad Pawar and joined BJP and Shiv Sena, dropped hints that voters would vote for MahaYuti in order to further increase the pace of development and get more Central funds. By declaring that MahaYuti will come back to power, his attempt was to appeal to the voters not to get carried away by the Maha Vikas Aghadi's narrative and especially by NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar's poll tactics, not only in Baramati, but also in the state. Further, Ajit Pawar has stepped up his outreach with voters knowing that his mentor and NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, cannot be underestimated in luring voters due to his political career of over five decades. Ajit Pawar, without naming Sharad Pawar, said: "Some had decided to elect Tai (Supriya) to the Lok Sabha and Dada (Ajit Pawar) to the legislative Assembly. However, I won't say much about it. During the 2019 assembly elections, I was elected by 1,95,641 votes. Because of my election, I brought funds worth Rs 9,000 crore to Baramati." He appealed to the voters to give him yet another chance to win with a good margin of votes in the Assembly elections slated for November 20. "I have come to you on the basis of my work. My request is... I have been doing your work for five years, now you support me. I am bound to do your work for the next five years," said Ajit Pawar. He told the party workers and people from Baramati that he will try to visit every village and interact with them. Ajit Pawar's move to stay in Baramati during Diwali festival is important as Sharad Pawar is also camping there and meeting people. The senior Pawar addressed several small meetings on Thursday and Friday and tomorrow he will meet a stream of people who will come to Baramati to wish him on the occasion of Diwali Padwa. On November 5, Sharad Pawar will hold meetings at Shirsuphal, Supe, Morgaon and Someshwar in Baramati taluka and on the same day he also interact with businessmen, lawyers and doctors. (Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in) Koderma : , Nov 1 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister and Jharkhand BJP election co-in-charge Himanta Biswa Sarma has mounted attack on the ruling JMM-Congress-RJD government in Jharkhand over Bangladeshi infiltration, claiming the coalition relies on the infiltrators for votes. At an election rally in support of BJP candidate Neera Yadav in Markacho, Koderma here on Friday, Sarma said that there is no district in Jharkhand free of Bangladeshi infiltrators, who he said have become a core vote bank for the JMM, Congress, and the RJD. He urged Hindu voters to unite, warning that a lack of action would embolden these groups. Sarma emphasised that the election will determine if infiltrators will stay or be expelled. "As soon as the BJP forms the government, we will use the law to expel them," he vowed, adding, "Jharkhand was created not for infiltrators but to protect the rights of locals." He further criticised past state administrations, attributing issues like sand mafias and corruption to leaders such as Alamgir Alam and Irfan Ansari. In his speech, Sarma accused Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren of dishonesty, labeling him the "nation's leading liar." Referring to the promises Hemant Soren allegedly made such as providing daughters with gold coins or cash for marriage and offering women an annual stipend of Rs 72,000, Sarma said they were never fulfilled. He also hit out at the Chief Minister for stopping old-age pensions. Earlier, Union Minister of State for Defence and Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth called for an investigation into Chief Minister Soren's election affidavits, accusing him of age-related discrepancies. Seth alleged that in 2019 Soren declared his age as 42, while in 2024, he reported it as 49, an inconsistency Seth claimed could indicate fraud against the Election Commission. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Hemant Soren has requested the Election Commission to allow leave to government employees for upcoming festivals, including Bhaiya Dooj, Sohrai, and Chhath. He said that these are important cultural and religious events, and the refusal of leave by the district administration due to elections and the Prime Minister's visit has caused discontent among employees. Jharkhand will go to elections for its 81 Assembly seats on November 13 and 20. The nomination and withdrawal processes for both phases are already over, and authorities have instructed government personnel to remain at headquarters on duty. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 1. Vitaly Nessis, the Chief Executive Officer of Solidcore Resources, announced plans to build a geological laboratory in Karaganda, Trend reports. This was discussed during a meeting between Nessis and Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Tokayev was informed about the activities of one of the largest companies involved in the exploration, extraction, and processing of precious and non-ferrous metals in Kazakhstan, as well as about plans for the upcoming period. The President was briefed that Solidcore Resources plc has begun work on a new hydrometallurgical complex, "Ertis GMK," in Pavlodar. The plant is expected to have an annual capacity of 300,000 tons of concentrate, aiming to produce Dore alloy with a gold purity of up to 98 percent. In closing, Tokayev highlighted the significance of the company's initiatives to train engineering personnel for the domestic industry. Solidcore Resources is a leading gold producer in Kazakhstan, with shares traded on both the Astana International Exchange and the Moscow Stock Exchange. The company operates two gold mining sites and has a robust growth project in its portfolio. Kolkata, Nov 1 : Two Trinamool Congress legislators, both from North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, were heckled and beaten up by their own party leaders at two separate places in the same district. The first one to be assaulted on Thursday night was Sukumar Mahato, the Trinamool Congress MLA from the Sandeshkhali Assembly constituency. Mahato's associates alleged that a group of miscreants and the deputy chief of the local Hatgacha panchayat Abdul Kader Mollah suddenly surrounded the legislator's car and heckled him. "The miscreants pushed the legislator harshly. While his associates tried to resist they were also beaten up. All of them were close associates of Abdul Kader Mollah," said one of Mahato's associates. Mollah had been known in the area as a close confidante of now suspended Trinamool Congress leader from Sandeshkhali, Sheikh Shahjahan, who is currently in judicial custody under various charges like plotting the attack of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials earlier this year, sexual exploitation of the women at Sandeshkhali and illegal grabbing of land there. Mollah, however, has denied his involvement with the assault on Mahato. Meanwhile, in a similar incident on Thursday night, Trinamool Congress legislator from Minakhan Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district, Usha Rani Mondal, and her husband Mrityunjoy Mondal were attacked and beaten up allegedly by her party members while they were returning from a Kali Puja-related event. The legislator herself received injuries on her limbs because of the attack. She has allegedly held local Trinamool Congress leader Abdul Khalek Mollah and their associates responsible for orchestrating the attack. According to Mondal, one of her associates, who was beaten up, is currently under treatment at a hospital in Kolkata. The accused Trinamool Congress leader, however, has denied the allegations and claimed that it was the legislator's associates who first attacked him and his associates. "There is a long complaint against the legislator that she is maintaining a clandestine understanding with BJP. Many of her associates have also been suspended from the party on those charges," said Abdul Khalek Mollah. New Delhi, Nov 1 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday slammed the Congress for "unfulfilled" poll promises and said that the fiscal health of the Congress-ruled states is turning from bad to worse. "The Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible. Campaign after campaign they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly exposed in front of the people!" PM Modi said in a post on X on Friday. He claimed that the developmental trajectory of Congress-ruled states is worse. "Check any state where the Congress has Governments today - Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana - the developmental trajectory and fiscal health is turning from bad to worse. Their so-called Guarantees lie unfulfilled, which is a terrible deceit upon the people of these states. The victims of such politics are the poor, youngsters, farmers and women, who are not only denied the benefits of these promises but also see their existing schemes diluted," PM Modi further said. He said, in Karnataka, Congress is busier in intra-party politics and loot instead of even bothering to deliver on development. "Not only that, they are also going to roll back existing schemes. In Himachal Pradesh, salaries of government workers are not paid on time. In Telangana, farmers are waiting for the waiver they were promised. Previously, in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, they promised certain allowances which were never implemented for five years. There are numerous such examples of how Congress works," the Prime Minister added. Warning the people of the country, PM Modi said: "The people of the country will have to be vigilant against the Congress-sponsored culture of fake promises! We saw recently how the people of Haryana rejected their lies and preferred a Government that is stable, progress-oriented and action-driven. There is a growing realisation across India that a vote for Congress is a vote for non-governance, poor economics and unparalleled loot. The people of India want development and progress, not the same old fake promises of Congress." The Prime Ministeras statement came three days after Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar indicated that there is need to revisit the 'Shakti' scheme, which provides free bus ride for all women of the state. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had also cautioned the Congress leaders of Karnataka to make only those promises for which there is financial provision. New Delhi, Nov 1 : A felicitation ceremony of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) to mark the victory of its two legislators in the Haryana Assembly elections 2014, both hailing from the Chautala family saw the participation of Pakistani Parliamentarian Abdul Rehman Kanju. The event, coinciding with Diwali celebrations turned many heads and also set tongues wagging among locals particularly youth as they curiously discussed the attendance of a Pakistani lawmaker in an event organised at the popular Chautala village in Sirsa. The party also shared on its social media handle how Chautala residents held a grand reception for the chief guest of the event Pakistani politician Abdul Rehman Kanju. The felicitation ceremony was organised to celebrate the resurgence of INLD in Haryana politics and also to mark the Chautala clan taking on the mantle of its ancestors. In the 2019 elections, INLD was completely decimated with just Abhay Singh Chautala securing his seat; however, in the 2024 elections, the party's vote share has seen modest gains. Arjun Chautala won Rania Assembly seat and Aditya Devilal Chautala won Dabwali, both with a margin of about 50,000 votes. Abdul Rehman Kanju thanked the residents of Chautala village for giving a warm reception and said that he was overwhelmed with their love and warmth. Recalling his ancestral links to a village near Punjab, he said that he lost his father at an early age and talked about the support he got from the Chautala family. He expressed gratitude to the family for supporting him through the difficult phases of life and said that the Chautala family has been committed to people's welfare for many decades and continues to do so till date. He also extended Diwali greetings to all the villagers and prayed for the long life of former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala. "I appeal to the youth to always respect their elders as they are our guiding force," he said addressing the crowd. The INLD also issued an official statement on last evening's felicitation Diwali function and said that the chief guest from Pakistan made the event more special. "The hearts of all the villagers and our family member and MP Abdul Rehman Saheb, who came as the chief guest from Pakistan on this special occasion, for the felicitation ceremony organised to welcome Aditya Devi Lal and Arjun Singh Chautala on the land of our ancestral village Chautala yesterday evening, express our deepest gratitude. His participation in the event has made it all the more special. Notably, Chautala village in Haryana's Sirsa district has been home to as many as five Members of Parliament, 14 MLAs and a Deputy Prime Minister. Patna, Nov 1 : Prashant Kishor, the leader of Jan Suraaj, made a striking statement on Friday during a rally in Gaya's Belaganj Assembly constituency. He urged the public to accept any cash offered by political opponents seeking to buy votes, labeling it as "their own money" that had allegedly been looted by netas through corruption over the years. "Voters should take the money offered but vote with their conscience, prioritising their children's future," Kishor said. His message resonated with many in attendance as he claimed that the funds handed out before elections were a fraction of what leaders have allegedly siphoned off from public welfare schemes such as the Indira Awaas Yojana and PDS scheme. "Some will give Rs 500, some will give Rs 2,000, but this money belongs to the common people," he stated and stressed that these funds rightfully belong to the people. He emphasised that politicians have exploited public resources over their terms and that this election provides a chance to hold these leaders accountable. "This election is an opportunity to teach a lesson to those who have betrayed public trust," he said. Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraaj Party, rallied public support for his outfit, asserting that real change and effective governance in Bihar depend on the people's resolve. He underscored that a new political system prioritising the welfare of the people is within reach if the public takes a strong, united stand in favour of Jan Suraaj. As part of his campaign for the upcoming bye-elections, Kishor has been engaging with communities, and organising public meetings to understand the struggles and aspirations of everyday citizens. In his address, Kishor criticised long-standing political figures, specifically Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar, who he claims have failed to uplift Bihar's farmers or provide sufficient land for agriculture despite holding power for over 35 years. Kishor's message to the crowd was clear, "It's time for Bihar to transition to a system that truly prioritises the interests of its people, particularly farmers and the rural community. I want to urge the public to seize this election as an opportunity to reject the cycle of unfulfilled promises and to vote for a party committed to meaningful and responsive governance." Mumbai, Nov 1 : Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth shared some cherished pictures from their wedding as they celebrated their first Diwali on November 1. Aditi Rao, Siddharth share heartwarming momentswith Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam Mumbai, Nov 1 (IANS) Aditi Rao Hydari and Siddharth shared some cherished pictures from their wedding as they celebrated their first Diwali on November 1. The couple took to their respective Instagram handles to drop photos from their nuptials alongside a gratitude note for all those who joined them for the intimate celebration. Aditi and Siddharth wrote in the caption, "It's been a blessed, magical year! In a very special part of our Wedding Ceremonies, we received the blessings and love of our father and mother figures, our Gurus and Mentors. To be in the presence of these special people who have not just seen us grow but have been the reason for that growth was life affirming and beyond." They added, "Thank you To our beloved Mani sir and Hasini Maam Leela akka, Kamal sir, Ranjini aunty and Manian uncle Sudha and Jayendra We are not done yet fam!! There is more magic and love to share before this unforgettable year ends. Until then, Happy Diwali from Mrs and Mr Adu Siddhu." In the images, the couple is seen signing a registry. In others, Aditi and Siddharth are seen beaming with joy as they pose with Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam. The two also strike romantic poses for the camera. A few days ago, the actor wished Aditi on her 38th birthday with a sweet note, calling her his "whole life". Sharing their mushy photos, Siddharth wrote, "My whole life! Happy Birthday. I love you." Siddharth and Adito tied the knot on September 16 last year at a temple in Telangana. They have been in a steady relationship for nearly three years. On her big day, the actress wore a traditional golden saree in South Indian style. She adorned her hair with flowers. Siddharth complimented her in a white dhoti-kurta set. The couple reportedly fell in love in 2021 on the sets of their film "Maha Samundram." Patna, Nov 1 : PM Vishwakarma Yojana, launched with a vision to bring sea-change in lives of crores of 'Vishwakarmas', is yielding positive results across the country. Beneficiaries of the scheme in Bihar's Gaya district on Friday recalled the monetary assistance they got from the government and how this helped in either starting-up or firming up their small businesses. Many artisans and craftsmen extended their gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for facilitating such a drastic change in their lives. The penetration and success of the scheme can be gauged from the fact that when it was launched in Gaya, only 12 applications were moved but today, they number more than 1.4 lakh. Under the scheme, the applicants are entitled to get a loan of up to Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2 lakh. A couple of beneficiaries spoke to IANS and shared their success under PM Vishwakarma Yojana. Manoj Kumar, a resident of Narayanchua Shiv Shakti Colony in Gaya said: "I got a loan of Rs 1 lakh from PM Vishwakarma Yojana. I got training in Nawada and was also given a tool kit worth Rs 15,000 from the postal post office." Thanking PM Modi for the scheme, he said: "Many Prime Ministers came, but none paid attention to small and poor artisans. This scheme, started by PM Modi, is helping us to run our businesses and help us grow as self-reliant." Kiran Devi, another beneficiary, a resident of Fatehganj Gurudwara Road in Gaya, said: "We have been running a sewing machine business for the last 7 years. We are increasingly becoming self-reliant with this scheme. Today, we can expand our businesses while staying at home and doing household work." Under the scheme, those selected under PM Vishwakarma Yojana are also given training. The objective of the scheme is to empower traditional craftsmen and artisans and make them self-reliant. Training, equipment and financial assistance are provided for them, so that they can do their work efficiently and enhance their income. Beijing, Nov 1 : Luo Yulin, a former Deputy Minister-level official in China's state-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, stood trial on Friday, charged with accepting bribes and insider trading. The case was heard at a court in the city of Qingdao, Shandong Province. Luo was accused of taking advantage of his various posts to provide assistance to others in matters such as business operations, project contracting and job adjustments, illegally accepting money and gifts worth over 220 million yuan (about 30.9 million US dollars) in return. He was also accused of explicitly instructing others to engage in certain trading activities after obtaining relevant information that would significantly affect securities trading prices as an insider, before the public release of the information, Xinhua news agency reported. Prosecutors presented their evidence during the trial, and the defendant and his defence counsel cross-examined that evidence. Both sides gave their respective accounts, according to a court statement. A verdict will be announced in due course. Pune, Nov 1 : Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) President Prakash Ambedkar on Friday underwent a successful angioplasty procedure at a Pune hospital and his condition is now fine, party sources said here. Ambedkar, 70, was rushed to the intensive care unit of a private hospital early yesterday (October 31) following chest pains where an angiography was performed on him. The angiography report showed a small blockage in the right coronary artery, after which an angioplasty was recommended by the attending team of cardiologists. "Ambedkar's angioplasty was successful. He will be under medical observation in the ICU for the next 24 hours. The Ambedkar family thanks everyone for their support, concern and messages," said VBA Spokesperson Siddharth Mokle. Ambedkar's sudden illness has pushed him out of the campaign for the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly elections in which the VBA is contesting a majority of the 288 seats. In his absence, the VBA state President Rekha, along with the Election Coordination Committee, Manifesto Committee and Media & Research Department, will lead the party poll campaign for the next few days, added Mokle. Ambedkar has been travelling widely owing to the two elections within six months a" the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls a" selecting candidates for both, hammering out seat negotiations with different parties and plunging into gruelling poll campaigns. The VBA -- which failed to open its account in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections for 48 seats in the state -- is contesting in a majority of the 288 Assembly constituencies. It has entered friendly tie-ups with certain groups and smaller parties to give a tough fight to the ruling MahaYuti and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliances. This is the second time in barely three years that Ambedkar -- the grandson of the Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution Dr. B.R. Ambedkar -- has been afflicted by a cardiac-related problem. In July 2021, he underwent major emergency heart surgery at a Pune hospital, and he was rendered out of action for many weeks post-operation. Sao Paulo, Nov 1 : Rookie driver Ollie Bearman will take Kevin Magnussen's seat for Haas on the first day of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, stepping up as a last-minute replacement after Magnussen reported feeling unwell. Sao Paulo, Nov 1 (IANS) Rookie driver Ollie Bearman will take Kevin Magnussenas seat for Haas on the first day of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, stepping up as a last-minute replacement after Magnussen reported feeling unwell. With the Sprint format in play this weekend, the condensed schedule leaves no room for setbacks, making Bearmanas role on Friday even more pivotal for the team. Fridayas sole practice session will be Bearmanas only chance to gather data and dial in the car before taking on Sprint Qualifying, marking a challenging yet exciting opportunity for the young driver. Magnussenas sudden illness has created a fresh hurdle for Haas, as Sprint weekends allow only one hour of practice before competitive action begins. Although the team is hopeful Magnussen may recover in time to race, Bearmanas presence will offer continuity should he be needed throughout the weekend. Bearman, who will officially join Haas as a full-time driver in 2025, has already had his fair share of action this season as a reserve. In April, he filled in for Magnussen during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after the Danish driver exceeded the penalty limit, and in Saudi Arabia, Bearman took over for an ill Carlos Sainz at Ferrari. Just last weekend, Bearman also participated in Free Practice 1 for Ferrari in Mexico City, where he was involved in a dramatic on-track collision with Alex Albon's Williams. Bearmanas time with Haas next season will see him team up with Esteban Ocon, with Nico Hulkenberg set to leave for Sauber, and it appears that Magnussenas own career with the team could be winding down. The Sao Paulo Grand Prix will be Bearmanas chance to gain additional track time with the team heall soon call home. Meanwhile, Aston Martinas Fernando Alonso was notably absent from his Thursday media duties for the second week in a row, due to an intestinal infection that required treatment in Europe. As one of F1as most experienced drivers, Alonsoas resilience is well-known, and heas expected to be fit to compete when the action begins on Friday. New Delhi, Nov 1 : Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday encouraged young Indians and organisations to apply for the prestigious National Youth Awards 2022-23, which were a celebration of their leadership in fostering a progressive and inclusive India. New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday encouraged young Indians and organisations to apply for the prestigious National Youth Awards 2022-23, which were a celebration of their leadership in fostering a progressive and inclusive India. Looking to encourage youth leadership, the Ministry for Youth Affairs and Sports, and Labour and Employment has started accepting applications from individuals and organisations working with youngsters for the NYA 2022-23, an official said on Friday. The award comprises a medal, certificate, and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh to individuals and a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh for youth organisations. Union Minister Mandaviya, also posted a video on his social media account X, encouraging applicants to use the opportunity to earn government recognition. He highlighted that the awards honour exceptional contributions to the country's development and social progress, including in the field of environment conservation and preservation of cultural heritage. The Department of Youth Affairs, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, confers the NYA on individuals (aged between 15-29 years) and organisations for excellent work and contribution in different fields of development and social service such as health, promotion of human rights, active citizenship, community service, etc. Union Minister Mandaviya called upon young Indians to apply for the prestigious awards that celebrate the spirit of India's youth across sectors -- be it sports, social service, science, or research. He emphasised that the awards were not merely an accolade but a celebration of youth leadership in fostering a progressive and inclusive India. "The objective of the awards is to motivate young people to achieve excellence in the field of national development and social service, to encourage young people to develop a sense of responsibility to the community and thus to improve their potential as good citizens," said a statement. The government also wants to recognise the outstanding achievement of voluntary organisations working with the youth for national development, including social service. Applications for the National Youth Award 2022-23 are being invited through the common award portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs from November 1 to 15. The link to the award portal is https://awards.gov.in/. The Indian government observes January 12, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, as the National Youth Day and the week commencing from that day, as the National Youth Week. As per government's guidelines, an applicant for the National Youth Awards should have rendered service in the relevant field during the financial year for which the award is to be given and should also be the one who is likely to continue to involve himself/herself in such activities for at least another two years after the conferment of the award. The service rendered should be voluntary. Other considerations for guiding the selection of youth for the national award would include his/her reputation among the local community, his/her desire for improvement, and genuine interest in the relevant field, according to a government document. --IANS rch/khz ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 1. A regulation has been signed to form the Inter-Parliamentary Council for Cooperation between the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Parliament of Kazakhstan, Trend reports. This became known during the visit of the Chairman of the Mazhilis of Kazakhstan, Erlan Koshanov, to Kyrgyzstan, where he met with the Chairman of the Jogorku Kenesh (Head of the Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan) Nurlanbek Shakiyev. Koshanov arrived to participate in the Second Meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Council for Cooperation between the parliaments of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The main topic of the meetings was the strengthening of inter-parliamentary ties, which will allow for more effective implementation of agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries. Erlan Koshanov emphasized the significance of President Sadyr Japarov's visit to Kazakhstan, during which he signed an intergovernmental agreement on deepening allied relations, and noted that fraternal Kyrgyzstan remains a reliable partner for Kazakhstan. The Speaker also informed his Kyrgyz colleagues about the current political reforms in Kazakhstan initiated by President Tokayev and discussed new laws aimed at protecting the rights of women and children, as well as measures against gambling and drugs. At the conclusion of the meeting, Erlan Koshanov awarded Nurlanbek Shakiyev the "Dostyk" Order for his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations. The Deputy Chairman, Nurbek Sydygaliev, was awarded a Certificate of Honor. The Second Meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Council concluded with the signing of the Regulation on the Inter-Parliamentary Council for Cooperation between the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Additionally, during the visit, the Kazakh delegation visited the Memorial to the Victims of the Tragic Events of 1916 and the House-Museum of the writer Chingiz Aitmatov. On the second day of the official visit, a meeting between Erlan Koshanov and the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov, is scheduled. Mumbai, Nov 1 : Shiv Sena-UBT MP Arvind Sawant, who sparked controversy with his "maal" remark directed at Shiv Sena nominee from Mumbadevi constituency for November 20 Maharashtra polls, Shaina NC, clarified on Friday that there was no question of disrespect to anyone while underlining that the woman Shiv Sena leader is "an old friend". "In 50 years of (political) career, I have respected women. There are many women in the field like me. I never use insulting words in my life. What I said is a statement in Hindi.... 'Maal' in English is translated as goods. Shaina NC is my old friend. She is not my enemy. But the question arises who taught her to set this narrative. I had said this two days ago, but they noticed today. I will not disrespect anyone. "I have spoken not only to her but also to our candidate. I have said that we have original 'maal' (goods). Therefore, an attempt is being made to derive the meaning of that word, but it will fail," Sawant asserted. His clarification came after Shaina NC slammed him for his comment that "imported does not work here as we carry original maal (goods) here". "I am a woman, not a commodity," she said, recalling that "this was the same Arvind Sawant" for whom she had campaigned in the 2014 and 2019 elections. "Look at his thinking when he calls a woman 'maal' (item). I would like to tell him that voters will make him 'behaal' in the elections," she added. She further said: "This shows the ideology of his (Sawant's) party. They call a woman maal (which means item in slang). When they say women are goods, that means items. I would like to ask him if every woman is a maal of Mumbadevi?a "Why is Sawant's party leadership silent? Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar and Nana Patole should speak now," she said. Meanwhile, NCP chief Ajit Pawar criticised Sawant, saying that derogatory words have no place in society, and in Maharashtra in particular. On the other hand, Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe urged the Election Commission to take action against Sawant. Mumbai, Nov 1 : Indian equity indices rebounded from a two-day decline in the Muhurat Trading session for the occasion of Samvat 2081 as Mahindra and Mahindra, Tata Motors, and Axis Bank became top contributors to the BSE's benchmark. At closing, Sensex was up 335 points, or 0.42 per cent, at 79,724 and the Nifty was up 99 points, or 0.41 per cent, at 24,304. Midcap and smallcap shares drove the rally. The Nifty Midcap 100 index settled at 56,496, up 383 points, or 0.68 per cent and the Nifty Smallcap 100 index closed at 18,794, up 192 points, or 1.03 per cent. The broader market trend was also positive during Muhurat trading. On the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), 3,017 stocks closed in the green, 558 in the red, and 73 closed unchanged. Twenty-five out of 30 stocks in the Sensex pack closed in the green. Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Nestle, NTPC, Tata Steel, IndusInd Bank, Titan, UltraTech Cement, Sun Pharma, ITC, Bajaj Finance, TCS, Maruti Suzuki, and JSW Steel were the top gainers. HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra, Wipro, ICICI Bank, and Asian Paints were the top losers. Almost all indices except IT closed in the green. Auto, PSU Bank, Power, Realty, Fin Services, Pharma and FMCG were major gainers. Vikas Gupta, Manager and CEO at Omniscience Capital said: "Despite the recent fall in the markets, the optimism during the muhurat trading signifies positive investor sentiment. It is likely that the current condition in the markets is likely to start correcting itself in the next few weeks. Possibly, somewhere between November 15 to January 15, the markets should start stabilising and demonstrate a definite trend, most likely positive." "From a medium to long-term perspective, we remain optimistic on Indian markets and expect indices to give returns in mid-double digits over 12 months period. However, from a short-term perspective, markets will be volatile and can see a 4-5 per cent correction. We prefer large-cap stocks over mid and small-cap and expect heavyweight to outperform over the next 12 months," Aditya Agarwal, Head of Derivatives & Technical Analysis at Sanctum Wealth, said. Kannur, Nov 1 : CPI-M leader and former Kannur district panchayath president P.P. Divya was questioned by the police for about four hours on Friday, a day after she was arrested in the controversial suicide of Additional District Magistrate Naveen Babu. After the questioning, Divya returned to the jail. Now, she will have to reside in the jail till Tuesday when her bail plea is going to be heard at a Sessions Court in Thalassery. Divya surrendered before the police and was sent to a jail in Kannur on Thursday after her anticipatory bail plea was rejected. The sequence of events which led to Divya ending up in jail started, when, she despite not being invited, turned up at Naveen Babu's send-off function on October 14 and made some critical remarks. Naveen Babu committed suicide the very next day (October 15) and following the furore, Divya first resigned as Kannur district panchayath President and was on the run for several days after a case was filed against her on October 17. Meanwhile, demands are coming from several quarters that the Kannur District Collector Arun Vijayan and a person T.V. Prasanth who said he paid a bribe to Babu to get a sanction for his petrol pump, should also be included as accused, apart from Divya. The wife of Babu, Manjusha and the family are in no mood to relent and have announced they will go to any extent to ensure that they get to know the truth about why Babu had to commit suicide. Congress and BJP have lent her all the support. But what has come as a big surprise is the way the Pathanamthitta district CPI-M committee has been staunchly supporting the family of Babu, while the Kannur district unit of the party is in wait-and-watch mode. On the other hand, Divya has been getting solid support from her party. CPI-M's District secretary in Pathanamthitta, K.P. Udayabhanu, said it's the responsibility of the Kerala government to take appropriate action against the district collector. He also added that the family of Babu has already raised their complaint against the collector. "With regard to action against Divya, it's an internal matter of the party," said Udayabhanu. Visakhapatnam, Nov 1 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu prepared tea at a beneficiary's house to formally launch 'Deepam-2' -- a scheme for providing three free cooking gas cylinders to BPL families in the state. CM Naidu visited the house of a beneficiary in Eedupuram village in Srikakulam district, walked into the kitchen, lit the gas stove, and prepared the tea as the housewife helped him in the process. Ambati Santhamma also interacted with the Chief Minister and explained how the scheme would benefit her family. While preparing the tea, CM Naidu told Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu in a lighter vein that he would have to pay money for this. He then added that he should get the money from the Centre. Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is a key ally in the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. After making the tea, CM Naidu consumed it with Rammohan Naidu, state Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar and other leaders accompanying him. Launching the scheme, the Chief Minister flagged off the transport vehicles carrying the gas cylinders and gathered the opinion of various beneficiaries on the welfare schemes being implemented in the state within 143 days of the TDP-led NDA coming to power. He then visited the house of one of the beneficiaries and supplied the gas cylinder to her. Chandrababu Naidu also visited the house of another woman beneficiary, Balijepalli Janaki, and personally handed over to her the NTR Bharosa pension amounting to Rs 4,000. He also enquired about her health. Under 'Deepam-2', three free cooking gas cylinders in a year will be given to all eligible women in the state. The Chief Minister on October 30 handed over cheques of Rs 894 crore to the officials of the petroleum companies for the subsidies for November. The scheme, which is part of the Super Six promises of the TDP and its allies, came into implementation on Diwali. The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet at its recent meeting gave its consent for the total expenditure of Rs 2,684 crore per annum for the supply of these free cylinders. The gas cylinder price of Rs 876, excluding the Central subsidy of Rs 25, will be credited to the personal account of every beneficiary in just 48 hours. New Delhi, Nov 1 : Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said on Friday that the state government has decided to declare November 7 as a public holiday on account of 'Chhath Puja'. Her announcement through a social media post on X came within hours of Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena reminding her to move the file to declare November 7 as a public holiday. In a message in Hindi posted on X, CM Atishi said, "I am happy to inform you that the Delhi government has decided to declare a holiday on November 7 for the festival of Chhath so that our Poorvanchali brothers and sisters can celebrate the festival with enthusiasm." The order released by the Chief Minister said, "Chhath Puja is an important festival for the people of NCT of Delhi. Accordingly, the Government of NCT of Delhi has decided to declare November 7, 2024, as a public holiday on account of 'Chhath Puja'." Earlier, the L-G's letter said that as of now November 7 has been declared as a restricted holiday, which is a voluntary holiday. In contrast, declaring November 7 as a public holiday would make it obligatory and all government employees and departments would be able to observe the holiday on that day. L-G Saxena, in his letter, said the Chhath festival would begin four days from Friday with the third day of the ritual -- when women make offerings to Sun God -- being the most significant. "The third day of the religious event would fall on November 7 which, due to an earlier government decision, is declared as a restricted holiday. I request the government to declare November 7 as a public holiday and move the file related to the proposal at the earliest," said the L-G in his letter. With Delhi Assembly elections just three months away, the declaration of a public holiday on November 7 assumes significance as the ruling Aam Aadmi Party tries to reach out to the Poorvanchali residents in the city. Purvanchali voters account for a third of the city's 1.53 crore electorate. While the ruling AAP is keen to take credit for declaring a holiday on Chhath, the Opposition BJP and the Congress have been attacking the AAP government for not making adequate arrangements for the religious event. Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva recently took a dip in the Yamuna River's polluted water to highlight its poor condition. He also criticised the AAP government for a lack of arrangements on Yamuna Ghats. During a recent visit to the Yamuna river, Delhi Congress Chief Devender Yadav hit out at the AAP government for laxity in removing dirt and garbage choking the Bhalswa lake and the Yamuna as lakhs of devotees would be forced to hold Chhath Puja in polluted waters. He attacked the AAP government for not taking steps to clean the water bodies and the Yamuna for making hollow claims and indulging in a blame game. New Delhi, Nov 1 : After 10 days, Justice Sanjiv Khanna of the Supreme Court will be sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI). Justice Khanna will have a tenure of around 6 months as the country's top judge. CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, who is due to retire on November 10, recommended Justice Khanna as his successor last month. Thereafter, the Centre has appointed Justice Khanna as the CJI with effect from November 11. Before his elevation to the Supreme Court, Justice Khanna served as a judge in the Delhi High Court till January 2019. Born in May 1960, he obtained his law degree from the Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. He enrolled as an advocate in the Bar Council of Delhi in 1983 and primarily practised taxation, arbitration, commercial law, environmental law, medical negligence law, and company law in the Delhi High Court. In the Supreme Court, Justice Khanna has been part of the landmark judgments on Article 370, decriminalisation of adultery, electoral bonds scheme, EVM-VVPAT tally etc. Here are the key judgments authored by him as an apex court judge. EVM-VVPAT tally verdict A bench headed by Justice Khanna had said that while it acknowledged the fundamental right of voters to ensure their vote is accurately recorded and counted, the same cannot be equated with the right to 100 per cent counting of VVPAT slips, or a right to physical access to the VVPAT slips, which the voter should be permitted to put in the drop box. The Bench, also comprising Justice Dipankar Datta, had said that giving physical access to VVPAT slips to voters is "problematic and impractical", and will lead to misuse, malpractices, and disputes. The Supreme Court had rejected the submission to return to the ballot paper system as "foible and unsound", adding that the weakness of the ballot paper system was well-known and documented. Interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal in ED case In a judgment passed on July 12, a bench headed by Justice Khanna opined that former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal may be released on interim bail, given the fact that the right to life and liberty is sacrosanct, and he has suffered incarceration of over 90 days. The 2-judge Bench, also comprising Justice Datta, referred to a larger bench Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest and subsequent remand by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the alleged liquor policy scam for an authoritative pronouncement on the questions of law involved. Asked Kejriwal to mull stepping down as CM In the same July 12 judgment, the Justice Khanna-headed Bench had asked Kejriwal to take a call on stepping down from the CM post. "We are conscious that Arvind Kejriwal is an elected leader and the Chief Minister of Delhi, a post holding importance and influence. We have also referred to the allegations. While we do not give any direction, since we are doubtful whether the court can direct an elected leader to step down or not function as the Chief Minister or as a Minister, we leave it to Arvind Kejriwal to take a call," it said. Referring Kejriwal's plea against his arrest and subsequent remand in the money laundering case to a larger Bench, the 2-judge Bench, also comprising Justice Datta, said: "Larger Bench, if deemed appropriate, can frame question(s) and decide the conditions that can be imposed by the court in such cases." Interim bail to Kejriwal during Lok Sabha elections In view of the 2024 general polls, a bench headed by Justice Khanna had ordered then CM Kejriwal to be released on 21-day interim bail in the money laundering case and had asked him to surrender on June 2. Imposing a slew of conditions, Justice Khanna-led Bench asked Kejriwal to not visit his office or secretariat, while out on interim bail. It clarified that the grant of interim relief should not be treated as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case or the appeal pending before the apex court. As per the SC order, Kejriwal was prevented from signing official files unless it was required and necessary for obtaining clearance/ approval from the Lt Governor. The Bench, also comprising Justice Datta, said that it had passed a "very clear" order fixing the timeline of Kejriwal's "release and surrender" and was not making any exception to anybody. Electoral bonds scheme In a unanimous verdict, CJI Chandrachud-headed Constitution Bench struck down the electoral bonds scheme saying that denying voters the right to know the details of funding of political parties would lead to a dichotomous situation and the funding of political parties cannot be treated differently from that of the candidates who contest elections. In his separate concurring opinion, Justice Khanna said that based on the analysis of the data, he arrived at the conclusion that the electoral bonds scheme failed to meet the balancing prong of the proportionality test. "However, I would like to reiterate that I have not applied proportionality stricto sensu due to the limited availability of data and evidence," he said. His opinion contained the data as available on the website of the Election Commission (EC) and the data submitted by the petitioners. However, Justice Khanna clarified that the court had not opened the sealed envelope given by the EC. Further, he observed that the majority of contributions through bonds have gone to political parties which are ruling parties in the Centre and the states. Manish Sisodia bail In October last year, a bench headed by Justice Khanna had denied bail to the former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia in the excise policy case but said that if the trial proceeds slowly in the next three months, he may apply for bail afresh. Subsequently, in August this year, a bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai granted bail to Sisodia taking note of the fact that he suffered incarceration of more than 17 months and the trial in the case has not yet commenced. Sanjay Singh bail In April this year, a bench headed by Justice Khanna granted bail to AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh in connection with the money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam. Noting that the ED had no objection to Singh being released on bail, the bench clarified that it has not made any comments on merits. Article 370 A 5-judge Constitution Bench, also comprising Justice Khanna, had upheld the revocation of Article 370. In a concurring opinion, Justice Khanna said: "Article 370 was enacted as a transitional provision and did not have a permanent character. The abrogation of Article 370 does not negate the federal structure, as the citizens living in Jammu and Kashmir do and will enjoy the same status and rights as given to citizens residing in other parts of the country." The Constitution Bench, headed by CJI Chandrachud, had ordered the Election Commission to take steps to conduct elections to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly by September 30, 2024, and said that "restoration of statehood shall take place at the earliest and as soon as possible". It had left open the question of whether the Parliament can extinguish the character of statehood by converting a state into one or more Union Territories, relying on the statement made by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that statehood would be restored to Jammu and Kashmir. In May this year, the apex court refused to review the Constitution Bench verdict and dismissed a batch of review pleas filed against its decision. Madrid, Nov 1 : The death toll from the flash floods devastating parts of east and southern Spain rose to 205 on Friday, according to the Centre of Coordinated and Integrated Operations in the Valencian region. Since Thursday, 50 additional fatalities have now been confirmed, bringing the total tally to 202 in the Valencian region. Three more deaths were recorded in neighboring Castilla-La Mancha and the southern region of Andalusia. The Valencian regional government has announced that the Valencia Congress Centre would be used as a temporary mortuary to accommodate the victims' bodies. Emergency services are continuing search and rescue operations, with more fatalities expected to be confirmed in the coming hours. Spain's Minister of Defence Margarita Robles confirmed on Friday that another 500 members of the armed forces are being deployed to assist in the affected regions, Xinhua news agency reported. The flood struck suddenly on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, bringing some areas over a year's worth of rainfall within four to five hours. Spain's Ministry of Transport and Sustainability has announced over 25 million euros (27.18 million US dollars) of emergency funds for immediate repairs on the most severely impacted roads. Mumbai, Nov 1 : The Mahim Assembly constituency is set to have a triangular contest as Shiv Sena legislator Sada Sarvankar on Friday announced that he will not withdraw his nomination but will contest and win the seat in the November 20 Maharashtra polls. The announcement makes the contest in Mahim interesting as the MahaYuti was 'backing' the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) candidate Amit Thackeray -- son of MNS chief Raj Thackeray. The BJP and Shiv Sena had even tried to make Sarvankar withdraw his candidature, but he remained adamant. Sarvankar is pitted against the Shiv Sena-UBT nominee Mahesh Sawant and MNS' Amit Thackeray. "People's blessings are with me, so there is no question of me withdrawing my nomination from Mahim constituency," said Sarvankar, who is a three-term legislator from Mahim constituency and also represented the area for three consecutive terms as corporator in the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation. Sarvankar's announcement came at a time when the BJP leaders, including Deputy Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Mumbai unit chief Ashish Shelar were making a strong pitch for the withdrawal of nomination by Sarvankar in support of Amit Thackeray. Incidentally, Shiv Sena supremo and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde earlier met Sarvankar and expressed his desire to support Amit Thackeray, but after Sarvankar's stance, he left the decision to him and the party workers. Sarvankar has also rejected BJP's repeated plea to withdraw to pave the way for a direct contest between Shiv Sena-UBT nominee Mahesh Sawant and Amit Thackeray to avoid a 'division of votes'. "There was no meeting held today at Varsha Bungalow (official residence of the Chief Minister). We don't meet CM Eknath Shinde every time," said Sarvankar. He further said: "Uddhav Thackeray's party has not done anything in Mahim. On the contrary, I am sure that the people from Mahim constituency will elect a Shiv Sainik like me who has worked for them for 365 days. Devendra Fadnavis has said that there are BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP in the MahaYuti and it is our responsibility to elect its candidates. However, MNS is not in the MahaYuti." He reiterated that "there was no question of me withdrawing from the election". "I am one of the ordinary Shiv Sainiks. People from Mahim will elect me," he said, adding that will not withdraw his nomination but contest and win the Mahim constituency. Two days ago, Sarvankar had appealed to Raj Thackeray to "not do injustice to a common Shiv Sainik". Sarvankar, who currently heads the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust, had said: "I have been a worker of Shiv Sena since forty years. I became MLA of Mahim thrice with our hard work and sweat. If Balasaheb Thackeray had been alive, he would not have asked me to give up my seat for his relatives. Fifty of his relatives live in Dadar-Mahim, but he nominated a common worker like me. Balasaheb was a leader who cherished the spirit of the workers. "Look at Eknath Shinde... even though his son was a three-time MP, he did not make him a minister at the Centre but gave that opportunity to a loyal Shiv Sainik. I request Raj saheb not to do injustice to a worker like me. Give me your support.a" Juba, Nov 1 : The World Food Programme (WFP) on Friday urgently appealed for 404 million US dollars to support its humanitarian assistance operations in South Sudan in 2025 amid warning of rising hunger. The WFP urged donors to give early funding for the operations in South Sudan next year, so that the UN food agency may preposition food to avert ballooning operational expenses and famine beyond 2025. Shaun Hughes, WFP's acting Country Director for South Sudan, said it can take months to turn pledged donor funds into food in the hands of hungry people in South Sudan. "The country's limited road networks are impassable for much of the year, particularly in the east and central parts of the country where food insecurity is highest," Hughes said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. The WFP's appeal follows the release of the "Hunger Hotspots" report by the WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization, which warns that South Sudan is a country of highest concern where humanitarian action is essential to prevent starvation and deaths. According to the report, acute food insecurity in South Sudan, where 56 per cent of the population already faces a crisis-level or worse hunger situation, is likely to worsen as the 2025 lean season approaches, typically starting in May. The WFP said the causes of this deterioration are high food prices, a severe economic crisis, conflict and insecurity, cross-border movements from Sudan, and flooding, Xinhua news agency reported. The UN agency said it currently has no food supplies in South Sudan to preposition for next year's humanitarian response and needs 404 million dollars to frontload assistance. "Failure to do so will leave WFP reliant on expensive airdrops later in the year to reach isolated communities who are facing the most severe levels of hunger and depend on humanitarian food assistance," it warned. The WFP said funds received before the end of this year will enable it to preposition food by road in remote hunger-hit areas during the brief dry season window from December to April. "Airdrops are always the last resort for WFP. Every dollar spent on planes is a dollar not spent on food for hungry people. But there is a simple solution: get food to communities by road before they are cut off by heavy rain and flooding," Hughes said. Imphal, Nov 1 : A court here on Friday cancelled the expulsion order of former spokesperson of the Manipur unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chongtham Bijoy Singh, from the party. Singh, who had filed a plea against the expulsion, had been a member of the BJP since 1994 and served as the chief spokesperson. He was expelled for six years in February 2022, "for anti-party activities". According to the petitioner, he was expelled from the party without any prior notice or opportunity to defend himself, violating principles of natural justice. The court found that expulsion had violated the principles of natural justice and the party's own disciplinary procedures, which require a show-cause notice and a chance to respond before any such action is taken. Judge Bonny Laishram in his order stated that the defendant failed to follow the necessary protocols outlined in the BJP's constitution. The counsel for the petitioner, Ningombam Bupenda Meitei, while talking to the mediapersons underlined the importance of upholding membersa rights within political organisations and highlighted the courtas affirmation of due process. The court earlier summoned state BJP President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi in connection with the case. Singh was expelled for six years for allegedly violating the party's rules and regulations, after he called ally National People's Party (NPP) a "parasite that had proved a menace" to the ruling coalition in the past five years. The NPP, headed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, has been an ally of the BJP government in Manipur since 2017 but in the Assembly elections in February 2022 both the parties are contesting against each other. Singh had also said he would support the Janata Dal-United candidate from Uripok, Kh Suresh, in the 2022 assembly elections as he was keen to contest the polls from this seat on a BJP ticket. He claimed that party candidate Raghumani, despite being "a corrupt man", got the BJP ticket for seat on the recommendation of "influential persons". BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. A delegation led by Israfil Mammadov, CEO of the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), recently had a working visit to Saudi Arabia, Trend reports via the SOFAZ statement. This visit was a part of SOFAZs broader efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships within the global capital market and further diversify its investment portfolio. The delegation engaged in high-level meetings with government officials, including the Minister of Finance, Mohammed Al-Jadaan, and Minister of Investment, Khalid A. Al-Falih, as well as with senior executives from leading companies such as BSF, Vision Invest, Gulf Islamic Investments, Investcorp, Sanabil, Dubai Holding, and Gulf Capital. These discussions centered on advancing mutual investment initiatives, exploring collaboration opportunities, and identifying strategic projects. The parties also exchanged views on fostering innovation, promoting sustainable development, and supporting economic diversification. As part of the visit, the delegation participated in the 8th Future Investment Initiative Forum (FII8), themed Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow," which was held in Riyadh on October 29-31. FII8 gathered influential leaders and experts from around the world to discuss transformative investment opportunities addressing global challenges. At the forum, the SOFAZ delegation held productive meetings with leading financial institutions, including Franklin Templeton, Starwood, and Brookfield. The forum provided SOFAZ with valuable insights into global investment trends and paved the way for new collaborative opportunities with international partners. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Guwahati, Nov 1 : CPI (M-L) leader Bibek Das on Friday sharply attacked the Congress, asserting that they will not allow the big brother attitude of the grand old party in the Assam alliance. The CPI (M-L) leader's statement assumes significance as the opposition unity faced a jolt after Congress fielded a candidate in the state's Behali Assembly seat for the forthcoming bypoll. The united opposition forum also put up a CPI (M-L) candidate for the upcoming by-elections which has brought more tension to the anti-BJP fold. Bibek Das told reporters here, "Majority of the opposition desire to fight unitedly against the BJP; however, we must get respect from the Congress in the alliance. We will not allow the big brother attitude of Congress." He also criticised Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, saying, "The Congress MP has undermined the proposals given by opposition leaders -- Akhil Gogoi, Lurinjyoti Gogoi, Ajit Bhuyan, Suprakash Talukdar by fielding Jayanta Borah in Behali. I believe that this is not a good thing for the opposition unity." Congress named Jayanta Borah as the party's nominee to contest elections in the Behali Assembly seat. He switched sides from the BJP and joined the Congress party a few days ago. The Behali seat became a bone of contention in the united opposition forum of 15 parties in Assam and Congress leader Bhupen Borah had to resign as forum's president following differences over seat sharing. By-elections to five Assembly constituencies -- Dholai, Samaguri, Behali, Bongaigaon, and Sidli were necessitated following the elections of the incumbent legislators to Lok Sabha this year. Congress will contest bypolls in all five Assembly segments. However, CPI-ML -- a constituent of the united opposition forum -- strongly demanded to leave the Behali seat for them. Bhupen Borah earlier said that a proposal to form a five-member committee to choose the Behali nominee was discussed at a meeting on October 18 in Guwahati that was attended by prominent Congress figures, including the General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and the Secretary in charge of Assam, Jitendra Singh Alwar. Borah backed this coalition manoeuvre because the CPI (M-L) had claimed the seat. The Congress leader mentioned that the AICC had rejected the committee's recommendation. Damascus, Nov 1 : One person was killed and seven others injured on Friday in forest fires raging across the northern countryside of the northwestern province of Latakia since Thursday, according to Syrian state TV. An unidentified object exploded during firefighting efforts, causing casualties in the village of Baytar. The report added that, in response to the threat, authorities evacuated several homes in Baytar to ensure the safety of residents. Firefighting teams, supported by Syrian army helicopters, are operating at full capacity, working to extinguish fires along the Mishrefeh-Sheikh Hassan axis, Badrousieh, and the Qardaha mountains, Xinhua news agency reported. Fazkin Jabarian, the head of the Kessab municipality office, stated that the fires are partially under control and noted that local residents have actively supported firefighting teams in their efforts to combat the blazes. Mumbai, Nov 1 : Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh who welcomed their first child on 8th September, 2024 revealed their daughter's name on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. Mumbai, Nov 1 (IANS) Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh who welcomed their first child on 8th September, 2024 revealed their daughteras name on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. Deepika Padukone took to Instagram to share pictures of her daughter's feet. She captioned the post: "Dua Padukone Singh." Deepika explained, "Dua means 'a prayer' because she is the answer to our prayers." The actress concluded, "Our hearts are filled with love and gratitude. - Deepika and Ranveer." Deepika and Ranveer started dating while shooting for the film aRam Leelaa. Later they got married in the year 2018. They married in Lake Como, Italy. They had two wedding ceremonies, one in South Indian style and the other one in Sindhi style. Deepika and Ranveer released their wedding video on 'Koffee With Karan', showcasing previously unseen moments from their special day. After being married for six years they welcomed their first baby in November 2024. Deepika was admitted to hospital on 7th November and delivered the baby on 8th Nov. On the work front Ranveer Singhas film aSigham Againa released in theatres on Nov 1. Ranveer Singh reprises his role as Simba in the movie, where he helps Singham fight against villain Arjun Kapoor. Deepika Padukone has also made a small cameo in aSingham Againa as Shakti Shetty. Her dialogue in the promo aMain Singham nahi, Lady Singham Haia has already caught everyoneas attention. Few days back Ranveer Singh said in a press conference that his baby has already made a debut as Deepika shot for aSingham Againa while she was pregnant. Prior to this, Deepika was seen in aKalkia and aFightera. While aKalkia did decent business, aFightera failed to meet makers expectations. While nothing is official but as per various reports Deepika will be next in the film aThe Interna. Paris, Nov 1 : At least five people were injured in a shooting on Thursday night in Poitiers, west-central France, leading to a gang brawl involving several hundred people, the French news channel BFMTV reported on Friday. According to BFMTV, it was around 10:45 pm local time (2145 GMT) when individuals in a car fired gunshots at a square in Poitiers. Police discovered five people injured by gunfire. Among them, a 15-year-old teenager was in serious condition with wounds in the head, BFMTV reported, adding that two other teenagers were shot in the shoulder and ankle. Shortly after the shooting, clashes broke out on the square, initially involving about 50 people. Police reportedly had to use tear gas to disperse the crowd. BFMTV cited the local prefect, Jean-Marie Girier, who stated that while several hundred people were present during the clashes, not all participated. A police source told BFMTV that the ongoing investigation points to violence between rival drug gangs, Xinhua news agency reported. In a press release, the mayor of Poitiers Leonore Moncond'huy expressed deep regret over the violence, calling it "unacceptable for the neighborhood and the city." She noted that the young age of the victims and the people involved was "particularly striking and worrying." Srinagar, Nov 1 : In yet another terrorist attack targeting people from outside Jammu and Kashmir, two labourers were shot and injured by terrorists in Budgam district on Friday. Officials said that the terrorist attack took place in Mazhama village of Magam area in Budgam. "Two non-locals identified as Sanjay and Usman, both from Uttar Pradesh, were shot at and injured by terrorists in Mazhama village of Magam area. They were shifted to a nearby hospital, where attending doctors described their condition as stable. Both were working on a Jal Shakti project," an official said, adding that the area has been surrounded by security personnel to apprehend the terrorists responsible. On October 20, two terrorists - one foreign and the other a local from the Kulgam district, fired indiscriminately at the workers' camp in the Gagangir area of the Ganderbal district, killing seven persons, including six workers from outside the UT and a local doctor working for an infrastructure company and four others injured. The infrastructure company is building a tunnel from Gagangir to Sonamarg tourist resort to make Srinagar-Sonamarg road an all-weather road. The tunnel will connect Sonamarg with the rest of the Valley around the year thereby generating employment for locals and helping the local economy. The attack was widely condemned. On October 25, terrorists fired at an army vehicle in the Botapathri area of Gulmarg in Baramulla district, killing three soldiers and two local porters working for the army. The attack was carried out by a group of terrorists which had infiltrated in August this year and were hiding in the higher reaches till their handlers in Pakistan ordered them to carry out the attack, officials said. J&K Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha said the army and the security forces have revised their strategy to meet the terrorist threat. Sinha also said that every drop of innocent blood spilt by the terrorists would be avenged. Thimphu, Nov 1 : Dimitrios Diamantakos fired East Bengal FC into the knockout stage of the AFC Challenge League 2024/25 after scoring a brace in their 3-2 win against Nejmeh SC of Lebanon in their final Group A match at the Changlimithang Stadium on Friday. Thimphu, Nov 1 (IANS) Dimitrios Diamantakos fired East Bengal FC into the knockout stage of the AFC Challenge League 2024/25 after scoring a brace in their 3-2 win against Nejmeh SC of Lebanon in their final Group A match at the Changlimithang Stadium on Friday. East Bengal finished as the Group A winners on seven points to seal progression. The Red and Golds had won 4-0 against Bashundhara Kings (Bangladesh) and drawn 2-2 with Paro FC (Bhutan) in their first two fixtures. East Bengal, who trailed Nejmeh by two points heading into this encounter, took the lead in the eighth minute when Madih Talalas corner kick was inadvertently headed into his own net by Baba Musah. The Indian side took further advantage of Nejmehas slow start to double their advantage in the 15th minute when Diamantakos scored for the third consecutive match when he prodded home a low cross from Mahesh Naorem. A shell-shocked Nejmeh, who had won their two earlier matches, fought back to quickly pull one back three minutes later when Rabih Ataya lobbed the ball for Collins Opare to stab home past Prabsukhan Gill. The Lebanese side rediscovered their confidence and drew level two minutes before half-time when Hussein Monzer bent an unstoppable free-kick into the top corner to set up an enticing second half. Knowing defeat could mean elimination, both teams adopted a more cautious approach in the second half although Nejmeh were still able to create several good chances. Hassan Kourani missed an open goal with a header in the 47th minute before further efforts from Mahdi Zein and Ataya were safely handled by Gill as things remained level heading into the final half an hour. Then came the defining turning point when Talal was brought down in the box by Ali Ismail with Thai referee Songkran Bunmeekiart pointing to the spot. Diamantakos put away the spot-kick with ease to restore East Bengalas lead in the 77th minute. Nejmeh tried to mount another comeback and put the East Bengal defence under pressure for the remaining minutes but it was to no avail as the Indian Super League outfit held on to take the win and top spot. East Bengal will now wait to find out their quarter-final opponents after all the AFC Challenge League group stage fixtures are over. Bengaluru, Nov 1 : Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy urged Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to not "demean the people belonging to the Dalit community by not merely playing the role of watchman of the Gandhi family". Interacting with the mediapersons on Friday at the BJP office - Jagannath Bhavan - here, Narayanaswamy said: "Kharge should exercise his authority as the president of the All India Congress Committee (AICC). I had earlier stated that Kharge was only temporarily appointed as a stop-gap arrangement as AICC President. I had advised Kharge not to just be a 'watchman' for the Gandhi family and Congress, but to exercise authority directly. However, Kharge displayed his helplessness." He said how a Dalit -- referring to Kharge -- is being disrespected by the Congress, due to his background."I appeal to the Dalit community to recognise the anti-Dalit policies of Congress and I urge Kharge not to demean the Dalit community by merely playing the role of a 'watchman'," the BJP leader said. He further said that all the five guarantees promised by the Congress-led government in Karnataka will go missing after the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. Claiming that the government was mired in infighting, he added: "Please don't ask who are fighting... understand that yourselves." He accused Congress of deceiving the public and gaining power through five guarantees, but "none of the five guarantees are truly reaching the people". "The Gruha Lakshmi scheme has not been active for three months. Even though Minister for Women and Child Welfare Laxmi Hebbalkar from Belagavi has been asking, no funds have come," he said. "The Anna Bhagya scheme is also unavailable... authorities keep saying the server is down. No one can say who received the Yuva Nidhi. In this situation, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has spoken about withdrawing the Shakthi scheme, he said. The BJP leader said that after being slammed, "they took a U-turn in a single day". "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said they would not backtrack for any reason. In light of the Maharashtra elections, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge hurried from Delhi to Bengaluru out of concern for their vote bank," Narayanaswamy said. "Kharge advised them to keep quiet until after the Maharashtra elections. It is evident that there is no money with the Congress government, and the Treasury is empty," he added. Imphal, Nov 1 : Assam and Manipur Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya celebrated Diwali with paramilitary forces in Senapati district in the violence-hit Manipur on Friday. Governor Acharya visited a CRPF camp in Senapati district headquarters and enjoyed the Diwali celebration with jawans. He acknowledged the efforts of the men in uniform who are posted far away from their homes on the festive occasion. The Governor greeted the officers and the jawans on the occasion of Diwali and wished them a very happy life ahead. He distributed sweets and attended the community lunch -- Barakhana with CRPF jawans on the occasion. Earlier, the Governor inaugurated an exhibition-cum-traditional food buffet held on the theme 'Peace through Culture and Identity', at the Astro Turf Ground located in the district headquarters. The programme was organised by Manipur North Economic Development Association. The Governor also witnessed a spectacular performance presented by differently-abled children and women. Governor Acharya also interacted with the government officials at the office of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) at Senapati. Upon his arrival at the district headquarters, the Governor was accorded a warm welcome by the Senapati DC Mamoni Doley. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the security forces stationed in Kachchh, Gujarat, on Thursday, wishing them a joyous Diwali, continuing the custom of celebrating the festival of light with soldiers. In the visuals, the Prime Minister was seen giving sweets to the soldiers stationed there while wearing an army uniform. At Lakki Nala in Sir Creek, Kachchh, Prime Minister Modi met with personnel of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the BSF. On the occasion of Diwali, the Prime Minister sent greetings to the security forces, stating that they reflected the thanks and sentiments of 140 crore Indians. PM Modi said, "The country sees in you a guarantee of security and peace, the world sees India's power and the enemy sees an end to evil intentions." New Delhi, Nov 1 : Two investigators of the Delhi Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) have won recognition from the Ministry of Home Affairs for their efforts in busting cases involving the Mexican Zambada Cartel, the largest and highest-rated darknet vendor in India, a statement said on Friday. Inspector Chetan Sharma and Inspector Sachin Kumar of Delhi Zonal Unit were awarded the Union Home Minister's Medal for Excellence in investigation for 2024 as they retrieved evidence from darknet forums, decoded encrypted messaging apps like Wickr Me, Session, Jabber and established crypto-currency transaction chains to successfully link Zambada cartel members to their real-world identity. It was also the operation where the largest number of LSD blots (29,013) were seized in India, said Anand Prakash Tiwari, Deputy Director General (Special Wing), NCB, in the statement. In all, NCBas 14 officers have been awarded the Home Minister's Medal for Excellence for the year 2024 a" nine for conducting Special Operations and five for excellence in investigation. The Special Operations Medal has been awarded to nine officers for conducting Operation Sagarmanthan-1 in February, in which a total of 3,272 kg of drugs including charas (hashish), heroin and methamphetamine were seized from an Iranian fishing vessel off the coast of Porbandar in coordination with officers of Indian Navy and Gujarat Police. Gyaneshwar Singh, DDG (OEC), S.D. Jambotkar (Additional Director, Ops), Sagar Pratap Kaushik (Assistant Director, OPS), Sandeep (Inspector), Yogendra Singh (Inspector), Pratham Rathee (SI), Mohit Kumar (Asst), Navnit Kumar and Akhil Remesh have been awarded Dakshata Padak for the operation for excellence in planning and execution of the operation in coordination with other agencies. Medal for excellence in the investigation has also been awarded to Aravind M.R., Superintendent (Ops), NCB Headquarters, for his role in dismantling an international pseudoephedrine trafficking syndicate spread across Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and India, in which five persons including a Tamil Film producer was also arrested in February. Aravindas investigation earned accolades from the United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC), International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and major investigative agencies like the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), USA, Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australia and New Zealand Police. The Dakshata Padak for investigation has also been awarded to Murari Lal, SI of NCB, Bangalore, for unravelling linkages due to which an entire cocaine trafficking network involving foreign nationals spread across the country could be identified. Akshay Hunurkar, Inspector of NCB, Chennai, also won the Dakshata Padak for his investigation to bust an international drug trafficking network involved in maritime drug trafficking between India and Sri Lanka across the Palk Strait, the statement said. Amaravati, Nov 1 : The YSR Congress Party has slammed the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and its allies for failing to celebrate the Andhra Pradesh formation day on November 1, labeling it as a blatant disrespect toward Potti Sriramulu, who sacrificed his life for a separate Andhra state. Former MLAs Vellampalli Srinivas and Malladi Vishnu paid floral tributes to Potti Sriramulu at the YSRCP Central Office and expressed their concerns over the TDP's handling of Andhra Pradeshas formation legacy. Addressing a press conference, Vellampalli Srinivas condemned the TDP-led coalition government for ignoring Andhra Pradesh's Formation Day, stating that it disrespects not only Sriramulu's sacrifice but also the Arya Vaishya community to which Sriramulu belonged. Malladi Vishnu demanded that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan publicly apologise to the Arya Vaishya community. He called for the government to reinstate November 1 as the official State Formation Day and recognise it with respect befitting its historical significance. Vellampalli reminded the public of the previous TDP government's actions, where instead of celebrating Formation Day, it chose to observe June 2 (the date Telangana was formed) incurring unnecessary expenses. He stressed that failing to mark Formation Day dishonors the sacrifices of Andhra Pradesh's founding heroes. Earlier, YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, through a social media post, greeted people on the occasion of state formation day. Vellampalli also criticised the state government for ignoring the Arya Vaishya community in the recent appointment of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Board members. Vellampalli expressed concern over the revival of the Chintamani drama, which he claims portrays Arya Vaishyas in an unflattering light. While YSRCP had previously abolished the play due to community appeals, recent attempts to reinstate it were criticised by Vellampalli, warning that the Arya Vaishya community would not tolerate such actions. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. The Chamber of Accounts of the Republic of Azerbaijan held a regular meeting under the leadership of the Chairperson Vugar Gulmammadov to discuss budgetary matters, Trend reports via the Chambers press service. The Chamber noted that the meeting addressed the Court's conclusions regarding draft laws of the Republic of Azerbaijanc "On the budget of the State Social Protection Fund for 2025" and "On the budget of the Unemployment Insurance Fund for 2025". The purpose of the conclusions is to assess the validity of projected budget indicators for revenue and expenditures, as well as their alignment with the anticipated goals of socioeconomic development and compliance with legislative requirements for budget preparation and submission. Key issues reflected in each section of the reviews were highlighted, along with evaluation results and recommendations in the meeting. Following the discussions, a decision was made to approve and forward the conclusions to the Azerbaijani Parliament. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel New Delhi, Nov 1 : The Congress on Friday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he slammed the grand old party over "unfulfilled poll promises" while claiming that the fiscal health of the Congress-ruled states is turning from bad to worse. While Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Siddaramaiah -- Chief Ministers of two Congress-ruled states -- Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka, respectively, took to X to express displeasure over PM Modi's assertion in a series of posts, Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal had select questions for the Prime Minister. Earlier on Friday, taking to X, PM Modi wrote: "The Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible. Campaign after campaign, they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly exposed in front of the people!" "Check any state where the Congress has Governments today - Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana - the developmental trajectory and fiscal health is turning from bad to worse. Their so-called Guarantees lie unfulfilled, which is a terrible deceit upon the people of these states. The victims of such politics are the poor, youngsters, farmers and women, who are not only denied the benefits of these promises but also see their existing schemes diluted," PM Modi further said. Responding to the Prime Minister, Venugopal wrote on X: "The uncrowned champion of puffery, misdirection and unfulfilled promises has the audacity to question Congressa unparalleled track record of delivering welfare. Where are the Ache Din, Mr. Modi? Where is the Amrit Kaal? What happened to delivering housing for all by 2022, 100 smart cities, or the many lies you told the people about the benefits of demonetisation? "Our government in Karnataka, on the other hand, is routinely delivering Rs. 2000 to 1.2 crore women. We are ensuring food security through the Anna Bhagya Scheme which the Centre opposed. Our Telangana Government has taken the burden of debt and misery away from lakhs of farmers. Three crore women of Karnataka have experienced newfound freedom due to the free bus travel guaranteed by the Shakti scheme." The senior Congress leader added that unlike the "BJP's election gimmicks, ours is a welfare model that has stood the test of time since independence". "Insincere, vengeful and non-performing leaders have no right to create doubt over our governance," he added. Responding to PM Modi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah proposed holding a public debate on the BJP manifesto released before the 2024 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Taking to X, he wrote: "PM Modi, time and again you have been making false allegations against the Karnataka government. Let's put a logical end to this 'Tu Tu Mai Mai..' discussion. Let's hold a public debate on the manifesto released by your party before the last two Lok Sabha elections. How many of the promises you made in the manifesto have you fulfilled? Let's discuss it publicly. How true is the intelligent people of the country? How many lies? Let's conclude that. He added: "We have done as we said, what happened to your promises? Rs 15 lakh has been deposited in everyone's account? Has black money disappeared? Two crore jobs created per year? Did farmers' income double? Where is your smart city? Where is your Make in India? What are your achievements? Did I push the country into debt pit? Covering up your failures with lies and slander?a debt "Dear Prime Minister... we have fulfilled every promise we made to the people - we have implemented our 5 Guarantee Schemes." Siddaramaiah said that "it is a regrettable development that the Prime Minister of the country, who should have encouraged the success of the implementation of the guarantee schemes and the growing economy of the state, is insulting the state of Karnataka and the Kannadigas by making false allegations". Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while addressing PM Modi on X, wrote: "The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh is steadfastly dedicated to fulfilling our promises and fostering inclusive development across the state. We are proud to have already delivered on five out of the ten guarantees made during the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections." In another post, he also listed the work done by his government. "Here's what we've achieved: Reinstated the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for state employees; secured a monthly allowance of Rs 1500 for eligible women; introduced English-medium education starting from Class 1; Launched a startup fund of Rs 680 crore to drive innovation and entrepreneurship across the state; first state to implement MSP for milk: Rs 45 per liter for cow milk and Rs 55 per liter for buffalo milk. "Ahead of Diwali, we disbursed salaries and pensions on October 28th and increased the Dearness Allowance by 11 per cent for government employees within just 22 months of governance. Through the 'Vyavstha Parivartan' initiative, we are working toward self-reliance despite a challenging financial situation: Rs 75,000 crore debt inherited from the previous BJP government and Rs 23,000 crore still pending from the Union Government," Sukhu wrote on X. Imphal, Nov 1 : Along with Bangladesh nationals, the arrest of Rohingyas in the northeastern state of Tripura continues unabated, as two more Myanmar nationals were apprehended by the Border Security Force (BSF) in the state on Friday, officials said. A BSF spokesman said that on a specific information, regarding the presence and movement of illegal migrants in the Karbook area in southern Tripura, two Rohingyas were apprehended at a bus stand by the border guarding troops of border outpost (BOP) Bhatiabari under Gomati District while they were planning to exfiltrate into Bangladesh. He said that both the apprehended Rohingya illegal migrants are inmates of the Rohingya refugee Camp located in Cox Bazar in southeast Bangladesh. Indian currencies, mobile sets and UNHCR cards were recovered from the possession of the detainees. In a separate incident, alert troops of BSF in different operations foiled various attempts of trans-border smuggling along the Indo-Bangladesh border and seized 1,600 kg of sugar and other contraband items worth Rs 4.76 lakh. The Rohingyas illegally entered India after fleeing their camps in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar where more than one million displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar have been living since 2017. BSF has enhanced the surveillance along the border to prevent trans-border crime and infiltration, the spokesman added. Over the last three and a half months, around 440 Bangladeshi nationals and over 60 Rohingyas were arrested by the Government Railway Police, BSF and Tripura Police from the Agartala railway station and various other places in Tripura after they illegally entered India. Though the majority of the Bangladeshi citizens illegally entered Tripura and arrested by the security forces were Muslims, there were Hindus also among the detainees. The spokesman said that since the unrest in Bangladesh, the BSF has further beefed up security along the 856 km India-Bangladesh border with Tripura to prevent illegal cross-border movement of people and crimes. Both the Bangladeshi nationals and the Rohingyas told the Indian security officials that they illegally entered India in search of jobs and shelter. Mumbai, Nov 1 : Amid the raging controversy over Shiv Sena-UBT Arvind Sawant's 'maal' jibe against Shiv Sena nominee from Mumbadevi Shaina NC, National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on Friday appealed to all parties to pay special attention to the identity and dignity of women. Mumbai, Nov 1 (IANS) Amid the raging controversy over Shiv Sena-UBT Arvind Sawantas 'maal' jibe against Shiv Sena nominee from Mumbadevi Shaina NC, National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on Friday appealed to all parties to pay special attention to the identity and dignity of women. In a post on X, Rahatkar wrote: "Elections are the biggest celebration of democracy. During this time 'we the people of India' choose the most suitable government for ourselves; but at present the anti-women statements being made by the leaders of various parties in the election states are against a strong democracy. "Maharashtra Police has taken action, Jharkhand Police should also immediately take cognisance of these statements.I request the leaders of all parties that we should all pay special attention to the identity and dignity of women. Only the safety, respect and empowerment of women power will take the country forward on the path of becoming a developed nation." She further added: "We must ensure the respect and dignity of 'half the population'." Rahatkaras appeal came after Sawant was slammed by Shaina NC who also filed an FIR against him. NCP supremo and Deputy Maharashtra Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also criticised Sawant saying that derogatory comments against women have no place in our society especially in Maharashtra where "Ladki Bahins are celebrated and honoured". "Such remarks, especially by a senior Shiv Sena UBT leader against Shaina NC are highly condemnable and unacceptable. They go against the very values of respect and dignity that define our progressive Maharashtra," he said. Further, the Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Speaker and Shiv Sena leader Neelam Gorhe filed a complaint with the Election Commission demanding action against Sawant. "Derogatory comments about women will not be tolerated," she warned. After his remarks sparked a major controversy, Sawant clarified that there was no question of disrespect to anyone. "In 50 years of (political) career, I have respected women. There are many women in the field like mine. I never use insulting words in my life. What I said is a statement in Hindi. 'Maal' in English translated as goods. Shaina NC is my old friend. She is not my enemy. But the question arises who taught her to set this narrative. I had said this two days ago but they noticed today. I will not disrespect anyone," he said. a--IANS sj/pgh Kolkata, Nov 2 : As Medinipur Assembly constituency in West Midnapore district of West Bengal is going for the bypolls this month, three factors are in favour of the Trinamool Congress candidate, which gives him an edge over his nearest competitors. The first advantage is the absolute organisational supremacy of the Trinamool Congress in the entire area of this assembly constituency. The second advantage is the past electoral records of Medinipur in three consecutive assembly elections in 2011, 2016 and 2016, where the ruling party candidates got elected by comfortable margins. Finally, the division in the opposition votes in the four-cornered contest for the bypolls where Congress and CPI(M)-led Left Front do not have any electoral alliance. Trinamool Congress this time has fielded local party organisational face Sujoy Hazra, who is confident of increasing the winning margin of his party by little over 24,000 votes in the 2021 state assembly elections. Medinipur Assembly is going for the bypolls as the erstwhile Trinamool Congress legislator from that constituency and actress-turned-politician June Malia got elected as the Lok Sabha member from Medinipur Lok Sabha in the general elections this year. The polls will be conducted on November 13 and the counting will be on November 23. Hazra's nearest contestants are BJPas Subhajit Roy, CPIas Mani Kuntal Khamrui and Congressas Shyamal Kumar Ghosh. The administration is apprehending some trouble in this constituency on the polling day since as on date pre-poll violence has been reported only from Medinipur, which is one of the six assembly constituencies that will be going for bypolls on November 13. From 1982 to 2011, Medinipur had been a traditional stronghold of the Left where from the party candidates got elected for six consecutive times. However, the power equation changed in favour of Trinamool Congress in 2011, which marked the end of the 34-year Left Front rule in West Bengal and the beginning of the Trinamool Congress regime in the state. Trinamool Congress candidates got elected from there for three consecutive terms in 2011, 2016 and 2021. Imphal, Nov 2 : Three influential Naga organisations on Friday set a '48-hour deadline' for the Manipur government demanding justice for two Naga youths who were reportedly "brutally beaten up", allegedly by the radical Meitei group "Arambai Tenggol" in Imphal. The Naga People's Organisation, Senapati District Students' Association, and Senapati District Women's Association issued a joint statement setting up a 48-hour deadline to the state government and said that they would continue to pursue justice for the two Naga youths. "The Manipur government must deliver justice to both victims without delay within 48 hours. "Failure to do so would leave us no option but to pursue further action to safeguard our community. We also call upon all citizens of the district to remain vigilant and ready to unite in the pursuit of justice for our Naga brothers," the three Naga bodies submitted. Strongly condemning the assault by "Arambai Tenggol", the Naga bodies claimed that the Meitei body violently assaulted V. Hrangao Blesson Poumai and Dalou Poumai on Thursday at Lamshang in Imphal. "In addition, a sum of Rs 61,400 was seized from the two youths by the outfit at gunpoint. Despite producing proof of their identities, they were repeatedly threatened and assaulted with automatic rifles, violating basic human rights and undermining fundamental values of life, respect, and dignity. This egregious act of violence has no place in our modern society." The Naga bodies' statement said that the assault on Blesson and Dalou constitutes a direct violation of their personal safety, dignity, and fundamental rights. "It is not only an attack on two individuals but also an affront to the values of entrepreneurship, hard work, and community contribution. This behaviour undermines the principles of professionalism, respect, and peace that our society strives to uphold," it said. Amid the ethnic violence during the past around 18 months between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, some incidents occurred in Imphal involving Naga community people. Mumbai, Nov 2 : Nearly 50 rebels are giving a tough time to both MahaYuti comprising BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP and the Maha Vikas Aghadi consisting Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP-SP as both are engaged in negotiations with them for withdrawal of their nominations before November 4 which is the last date for withdrawal. Of the 50 rebels, MahaYuti has 36 and 14 from the Maha Vikas Aghadi. As per the compilation made by MahaYuti partners, of the 36 rebels, BJP has hit the most with 19 followed by 16 belonging to Shiv Sena and one from NCP. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had held more than four region-wise meetings last month to review BJP's poll preparations, has already asked the state leadership to make all efforts to contain the rebellion by increasing outreach with rebels. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that efforts will be made to convince the rebels before the last date of withdrawal of nominations on November 4. He further added that a meeting was chaired by the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde two days ago and a communication channel has been opened by respective parties with rebels. "Our party is big, so naturally we also have a large number of interested candidates. But, contesting elections in an alliance comes with some limitations. It is not possible to give justice to every candidate. But, we will communicate with the rebels. We hope they will listen to us and withdraw their nominations," said Fadnavis. He hinted that there will be friendly fights in some constituencies. However, state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that the party will initiate disciplinary action if rebels fail to withdraw their nominations. Nine rebel candidates of Shiv Sena have entered into the electoral fray against the official candidates of BJP. These rebels have filed their nominations in Airoli, Belapur, Andheri East and Pachora in Jalgaon districts. Since few seats were bagged by Shiv Sena in its quota, BJP rebels have filed their nominations in those seats. These constituencies include Alibag and Karjat in Raigad district, Buldhana, Borivali and Jalana. Moreover, nine rebels from BJP and seven from Shiv Sena have filed their nominations against NCP led by Ajit Pawar while only one rebel from Ajit Pawar faction is contesting against Shiv Sena from Nandgaon constituency in Nashik district. As far as Maha Vikas Aghadi is concerned, of the 14 rebels, Congress is striving to convince 10 rebels from its fold while Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena is engaged in a series of talks with its four rebels. NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday hoped that the Maha Vikas Aghadi would succeed in pacifying the rebels. On its part, the Congress party has roped in former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to open communication with the party rebels and make them withdraw nomination papers. Party in charge Ramesh Chennithala said that the party hopes that rebels will not stick to their guns but agree to withdraw their nominations. Congress rebels are contesting against Shiv Sena UBT in Kopri Pachpakhadi, Byculla and Ramtek constituencies while rebel from Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena is taking on the Samajwadi Party nominee Abu Azmi from Mankhurd Shivajinagar. A rebel candidate of the Shiv Sena-UBT is also contesting from Versova in Mumbai and Mehkar in Buldhana. In some places, the rebels from NCP (Sharad Pawar) are contesting against Shiv Sena UBT nominees and Congress while in few constituencies the NCP SP is facing challenge from other allies or independents. This is not all, the Maha Vikas Aghadi's allies mainly smaller parties have fielded 14 candidates against Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP-SP nominees making the election more tough. The candidates of these parties including Peasants and Workers Party, CPI-M have fielded their nominees in Kurla, Solapur South, Solapur Central, Paranda, Sangola and Pandharpur to mention a few. (Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in) Patna, Nov 2 : Jan Suraaj Party leader Prashant Kishor is actively defending his party's choice of candidate for the upcoming by-elections in Bihar, where he has fielded Jitendra Paswan from the Imamganj constituency. Paswan, who has completed education up to the intermediate level, is locally referred to as 'Doctor Sahab', despite lacking formal medical qualifications. The opposition has seized on this detail, questioning the legitimacy of his qualifications and the implications for public health in the region. In response, Kishor addressed these concerns during a press conference in Gaya on Friday. He clarified that the Jan Suraaj Party's candidate selection process is conscientious and that Paswan's title of 'doctor' is a reflection of local community recognition, not a formal credential conferred by the party. "Bihar's healthcare crisis, rooted in decades of underinvestment, has led rural communities to rely on Registered Medical Practitioners (RMP) like Paswan who, while not formally qualified, fill critical healthcare gaps in underserved areas," Kishor said. He stated, "If he (Jitendra Paswan) is providing the wrong medical facilities, then it is the responsibility of the government and the district health department to take action." Kishor's defence highlights both the party's pragmatic approach to candidate selection in challenging contexts and his critique of Bihar's current healthcare infrastructure under successive administrations. As the by-elections approach, this debate over Paswan's qualifications may influence voter perceptions, particularly in rural areas facing ongoing healthcare access issues. Prashant Kishor directed sharp criticism at Bihar's healthcare system, calling for attention to its dependence on informal practitioners due to the longstanding inadequacies in rural medical services. He defended Jan Suraj candidate, Jitendra Paswan, as one of over 100,000 such RMPs across Bihar who are essential to delivering healthcare in rural areas where formally qualified doctors rarely operate. "It is precisely the lack of a robust healthcare system that has made these practitioners indispensable. The government should focus on strengthening the system rather than criticising those filling its gaps," Kishor said. Kishor's critique extended to Bihar's political establishment, particularly targeting the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Mahagathbandhan coalition. He pointed out that even in their ranks, a prominent figure -- previously appointed as Law Minister -- also practises as a "rural doctor" and even operates a hospital in his constituency Narkatiaganj in East Champaran district. Questioning the healthcare commitment of Bihar's leaders over the past 35 years, particularly under Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar, Kishor called for attention to the stark contrast between Bihar's situation and that of more developed cities. He pointed out that while Bihar's urban centres have seen some improvement, with Gaya now staying open until 8:00 p.m. as compared to 6:00 p.m. earlier during the RJD regime, this progress is minimal compared to cities like Bengaluru or Hyderabad. Kishor's rhetorical question, "When will Gaya or Patna become like Bengaluru or Hyderabad?" underscores his argument that Bihar's leaders have long focused on incremental changes instead of transformative development. Bhopal, Nov 2 : Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has asked its 'pracharaks' to take the agenda of bringing social harmony in Hindu society to the grassroots level as well as to every home. The RSS chief made this assertion on Friday while addressing a training camp for full-time RSS volunteers in Gwalior on Friday. The five-day RSS 'Pracharak Prashikshan' camp started on October 31 and will conclude on November 4 at Kedar Dham Saraswati Shishu Mandir in Gwalior. More than 550 'pracharaks' working for 31 Sangh-affiliated organisations from across the country are attending the programme. The camp aims to enhance the skills and methodologies of propagators working within various organisations. The session will cover key topics, prominently operational strategies and skill development. Sources told IANS that before addressing the session, Bhagwat held a meeting with all the 'pracharaks' attending the camp. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is likely to attend the programme on Saturday. Besides Bhagwat, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale and other top functionaries of the Sangh will also take part in the camp and hold discussions on works being done by the organisation across various fields. The RSS regularly holds training camps for its 'pracharaks'. Every five years, a camp is organised for the organisational secretaries of various Sangh-affiliated bodies such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarathi Parishad (ABVP), Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Arogya Bharati, Prajna Pravah, and Bharatiya Chitra Sadhana among others. Istanbul, Nov 2 : Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani have held a closed-door meeting in Istanbul, according to a statement from the Turkish presidential office. During their discussions on Friday, Erdogan highlighted the serious security threats that terrorist organisations pose to both Turkey and Iraq. He called for a unified strategy to combat these threats, stressing the importance of peace and stability for both nations, Xinhua news agency reported. Erdogan also expressed concerns over the rising "Israeli aggression" in Gaza and Lebanon. He urged the international community, particularly regional nations, to take collective action to stop the violence. The Turkish President emphasised the need to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly through the Development Road Project, which aims to improve connectivity between the two countries by establishing an extensive network of railways, roads, and ports to facilitate trade and transportation. The Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported that Al-Sudani and Erdogan called on Arab and Islamic countries, along with international organisations and the United Nations, to support efforts for a ceasefire in the region. They underscored the necessity of facilitating relief operations, providing humanitarian aid to those affected, initiating reconstruction efforts, and preserving the Palestinian presence on its "historical land". Additionally, the INA noted that the two leaders discussed ways to implement existing agreements and partnerships in various economic and development sectors. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 1. Kazakhstan and European Parliament delegation has discussed the issue of simplification of EU visa requirements for Kazakh citizens, Trend reports Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Alibek Bakayev, met with the Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Central Asia and Mongolia, Giuseppina Princi. Highlighting the high dynamics of political contacts and the productive work of the Parliamentary Cooperation Committee "Republic of Kazakhstan European Union," both sides expressed a mutual desire to further strengthen Kazakh-European partnership. The Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation on issues of mutual interest, including green energy, rare earth minerals, and transport connectivity. Additionally, during the discussion, representatives from the ministries of justice, culture, and information of Kazakhstan informed the European deputies about the measures being taken by the Kazakh government in the area of human rights protection and the rule of law. At the end of the meeting, Alibek Bakayev wished the European Parliament delegation a productive visit and expressed hope for the swift achievement of practical results. The European Union and Kazakhstan have been partners since the country's independence in 1991. In December 2015, the European Union and Kazakhstan signed an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA). This new Agreement, the first of its kind with a Central Asian partner, brought relations between the EU and Kazakhstan to a new level and represented an important milestone in more than 25 years of EU-Kazakhstan relations. PEN America has released its most recent report documenting public school book bans for the full 2023-2024 school year, finding 10,046 bans nationwidea more than 200% rise over the previous school year. The report, Banned in the USA: Beyond the Shelves, confirms and details the organizations preliminary findings, released in September, with the groups finalized stats indicating that 4,231 unique titles were banned during the 2023-2024 school year, impacting 2,662 authors, 195 illustrators, and 31 translators. This crisis is tragic for young people hungry to understand the world they live in and see their identities and experiences reflected in books, said Kasey Meehan, director of PEN Americas Freedom to Read program, in a statement accompanying the report. What students can read in schools provides the foundation for their lives, whether critical thinking, empathy across difference, personal well-being, or long-term success. The defense of the core principles of public education and the freedom to read, learn, and think is as necessary now as ever. According to the report, Florida and Iowa led all states in K-12 book bans during the 2023-2024 school year, due to laws in both states that censor books in public schools. Both laws are being challenged in court by a coalition of plaintiffs, led by publishers. The report is the latest in PEN Americas Banned in the USA series since its inception in 2021. Over the last three years, the organization has counted close to 16,000 instances of book bans in public schools impacting 6,143 titles. The report also once again found that individuals and groups espousing extreme conservative viewpoints predominantly targeted titles with themes of race, sexuality, and gender identity. Titles about LGBTQ+ people and characters, people and characters of color, and books with sex-related content were overwhelmingly affected. In addition, books that depict topics young people confront in the real world, including experiences with substance abuse, suicide, depression and mental health concerns, and sexual violence are increasingly being targeted. Nineteen Minutes by bestselling author Jodi Picoult was the most commonly banned book during the last school year, followed by Looking for Alaska by John Green; The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky; Sold by Patricia McCormick; and Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. Other frequently banned authors include Ellen Hopkins, Stephen King, and Sarah J. Maas. Having the most banned book in the country is not a badge of honor, its a call for alarm, Picoult said in a statement. My book, and the ten thousand others that have been pulled off school library shelves this year, give kids a tool to deal with an increasingly divided and difficult world. These book banners arent helping children. They are harming them. Israels war against Hezbollah was as inevitable as it was avoidable. Shaken by an unending war in Afghanistan and its concomitant withdrawal, the failure of which will live in eternal infamy, our political leaders over the last two decades came to favor diplomats promising to de-fund, disarm, and contain terror groups. As the world now witnesses the brutal outcome of these choices, it is clear the only path to decisive victory over terror is force. Consider Lebanon. In terms of undermining terror, our leaders barely tried to do so. The diplomatic tradecraft they relied upon failed so spectacularly that Hezbollah hollowed out whole regions of northern Israel with weapons imported under the noses of willfully blind U.N. peacekeepers. This led directly to both significant bloodshed and entire portions of Hezbollah-controlled southern Lebanon being turned to rubble once again. In contrast to that still-favored approach, Israel is decisively confronting and eliminating terror threats. The IDF has done so in remarkable fashion by killing Hezbollahs leaders, destroying its infrastructure, and choking off its access to money and weapons from Iran. As a result, both Jerusalems and Beiruts sovereignty is likely to be restored. The Holy Land and the Land of the Cedars stand a real chance of a brighter future unless the diplomats stop it first. It is critically important for the U.S. to learn from its past mistakes. The current war directly results from decisions made by the Bush administration in 2006 and the Obama administration in 2015. In both cases, the Presidents failed to accept that the only way to end a war in the Middle East is to win it. In 2006, President George W. Bush forced a premature U.N.-mandated cease-fire to a war Hezbollah provoked by kidnapping (and killing) Israeli soldiers and waged against civilians with Iranian-made rockets, missiles, and mortars. The U.S.-backed Security Council resolution promised that after Israel withdrew, Hezbollah would be disarmed in southern Lebanon, and the only armed presence in the region would be the Lebanese Armed Forces and U.N. peacekeepers. To no ones surprise, Israel complied, Hezbollah did not, and the U.S. moved on. In 2015, President Barack Obama compounded this mistaken effort of renting the veneer of stability in the Middle East by supercharging Irans capacity to fund terror proxies through its disastrous nuclear deal. Tens of billions of dollars flowed into Tehran, which in turn funneled hundreds of millions of dollars, and eventually, more advanced weaponry it could now afford to develop, to Hezbollah. Today, Washingtons anti-Israel left and neo-isolationist right have reached the same misguided conclusion that a stalemate would best serve U.S. interests. President Joe Biden and the nominees to succeed him in office must ignore these siren songs lest they continue to make the U.S. complicit in allowing Hezbollah to rebuild, rearm, and reestablish its reign of terror as a result. Continuing to handcuff Israel, be it through leaks to the press, withholding military aid, or attempting to impose a ceasefire, only guarantees a longer and more lethal conflict. Allowing Hezbollahs continued existence as an organized, strategically relevant military organization will inevitably lead to a greater loss of life in Lebanon and Israel while weakening the U.S. and strengthening Iran. Pursuing such an outcome and glorifying the same is as cowardly as it is foolish. Indeed, it is a recipe for achievement that only a Nobel committee could love. Better to have the temerity to testify that the only conclusion to this war, in the best shared interests of Israel, the U.S., Europeans and Lebanon, is total victory. Israels war with Hezbollah is necessary to prevent the next generation from an exponentially greater conflagration. American leaders from both sides of the aisle should express full-throated support for Israel while admiring its stunning success. As Israel has been more successful fighting terror in the past two months than the U.S. has been in two decades, this is the only posture worthy of serious consideration. Let us stand boldly with our stalwart ally as she does what no other country has had the want or will to do in the war on terror: win. Sandra Hagee Parker is the Chairwoman of the Christians United for Israel Action Fund. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made global headlines by announcing the expulsion of six Indian diplomats. The drastic measure follows serious allegations of Indias repression of and violence against the Indian-Canadian community and interference in Canadas democratic processes. The accusations are sensational: Indian diplomats and consular officials based in Canada leveraged their official positions to engage in clandestine activities. Canadas federal policing agency alleges that agents tied to the Indian government commissioned members of the India-based Bishnoi gang to target, harass, and murder activists. The murder-for-hire plot has extended its web to other countries, including ties to similar allegations in the US. The use of networks like the Bishnoi gang to silence activists abroad, if true, moves India into the company of Russia and Iran, which have employed similar tactics, hiring Hells Angels and other organized crime syndicates to suppress dissent on foreign soil. And like authoritarian regimes, India did not stop at physical intimidation against the diaspora community. It also interfered in the democratic processes of Canada, hoping to amplify sympathetic voices and suppress dissent. Canadas ongoing Inquiry into Foreign Interference has brought attention to the pervasiveness of the issue in Canada. And while the publics attention has focused on Chinese interference, India's actions are increasingly in the spotlight. Canada's diaspora communities are particularly vulnerable in this situation. Diaspora populations are being used as pawns by their countries of origin. These regimes pressure and coerce citizens living abroadwhether through intimidation, surveillance, or violenceto align with the interests of their home countries. Canada, with its reputation for multiculturalism and tolerance, has become a laboratory for foreign powers experimenting with these tactics. Canada has less political and financial muscle to combat these threats, and foreign powers have noticed. As Canadian professor Adam Chapnick noted in an interview with the CBC, More powerful countries with different interests than ours no longer take us seriously enough to fear that running roughshod over (Canada) would constitute a violation of any international norm. Indias response to Canadas allegations has been incredulous. In a press release, the Indian government said that it rejects these preposterous imputations and ascribes them to the political agenda of the Trudeau Government that is centered around vote bank politics. Indias claims centers on the heavy courting of diaspora communities by Canadas political parties. As subsequent foreign interference investigations have shown, highly concentrated groups of diaspora voters can make or break Canadian primaries and as such, these communities are courted heavily by political parties who treat them, rightly or wrongly, as monolithic voting blocks, hoping to win them over by engaging superficially on foreign politics. To put Trudeaus whirlwind week of India accusations in context, he is fighting for his political life. His much-ballyhooed holiday press conference on India conveniently overshadowed that several members of his party were publicly asking for him to resign. If the election were held in Canada tomorrow, the deeply unpopular Mr. Trudeaus party would be relegated to third-party status. As if to make Indias point about the whole thing being political, Trudeau took the stand at a Parliamentary inquiry into foreign interference and shockingly stated that he has the names of a number of parliamentarians, former parliamentarians and or candidates in the Conservative Party ... who are engaged, or are at high risk of, or for whom there is clear intelligence around foreign interference. But, upon cross-examination, he admitted that members of his party are in the same boat. The United States, by contrast, followed Canadas accusations by announcing that they were seeking the extradition of an Indian intelligence officer accused of orchestrating the attempted assassination of a US-based Sikh nationalist activist on US soil. The hard machinations were handled behind the scenes. The Indians reacted by saying they would be fully cooperating with the Americans as part of the investigation. As one Indian journalist put it, Trudeau did politics. America, hard diplomacy. When murder for hire is at stake, politics should take a back seat. Canada may not see justice for its citizens by playing politics with such a serious topic. The United States will have to do the heavy lifting to get to the truth of the matter, wading around Canadas diplomatic mess on the path to justice. If Canada hopes to push back against this foreign meddling, it must choose statecraft over stunts. Its grown-ups need to show up, put the political games away, and remember whats at stake. Jamie Tronnes is the executive director of the Macdonald-Laurier Institutes Center for North American Prosperity and Security. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate Canada's Drag Race Season 5 will feature such celebrity guests as Orville Peck, Ts Madison and Shea Coulee. ADVERTISEMENT Wow Presents Plus released a trailer Friday that shows the judges offering contestants supportive feedback. "Don't hold back, give it everything," says country star Peck. "You're all stars already." Lauren Chan, LU KALA, Peaches, Sarain Fox, Simone Denny and Steph Tolev will also appear on the upcoming season, a press release stated. Brooke Lynn Hytes is the host and judge and Brad Goreski and Traci Melchor are judges. In the preview, viewers are told that "11 fly girls spread their wings, serving nectar of the gods." Those 11 queens are Helena Poison, Jaylene Tyme, Makayla Couture, Minhi Wang, Perla, Sanjina DaBish Queen, Tara Nova, The Virgo Queen, Tiffany Ann Co, Uma Gahd and Xana. The teaser also shows one of the queens angrily walking away saying "I'm so done." FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Suki Doll, who won Miss Congeniality in Season 2, and choreographer Hollywood Jade will also appear in the upcoming season. Season 5 premieres on Nov. 21 on Wow Presents Plus. Photo: Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. A meeting with a delegation led by First Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of Belarus Alexander Lomsky was held at the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan, Trend reports. Both sides emphasized the dynamic development of cooperation across various sectors, including agriculture, highlighting Belarus as a key partner for Azerbaijan in this field. Discussions focused on collaborative efforts in agriculture, the creation and management of agricultural towns, the establishment of agro-industrial complexes, livestock cooperation, and increasing trade in agricultural and food products. The parties also talked about the transfer of modern agricultural technologies and the implementation of practical programs in research and education within the agricultural sector. As noted, the restoration work in the recently liberated areas is progressing rapidly, with Azerbaijan expressing its readiness to collaborate with friendly nations on agricultural recovery and development. The recently signed "Roadmap on joint measures to develop agricultural production between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Belarus" on October 3 was highlighted as a significant step toward enhancing ties in the agricultural domain. Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome, Alexander Lomsky emphasized Belarus's commitment to fostering cooperation with Azerbaijan in agriculture. The meeting also included discussions on the activities of the Azerbaijan-Belarus working group in the agricultural sector, with both sides recognizing the substantial potential for expanding collaboration. The meeting also featured a productive exchange of views on various topics of mutual interest. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Earlier this month, the Georgia Supreme Court reinstated Georgia's six week abortion ban. Heres a recap of the rulings that led up to this decision, and what it means for Georgians. On Oct. 7, the Georgia Supreme Court reinstated Georgia's six week abortion ban during its review of the state's appeal after the Superior Court of Fulton County struck down the ban on Sept. 30. The Superior Court of Fulton County found in their decision that the Georgia Constitution doesnt allow politicians to deny citizens the right to make personal healthcare decisions. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. From November 11-22, 2024, senior Biden-Harris Administration officials from more than 20 U.S. Departments, Agencies, and organizations will travel to Baku, Azerbaijan to highlight U.S. leadership on tackling the climate crisis and to work towards strong negotiated outcomes at the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29), Trend reports via the U.S. State Department. The U.S. delegation will be led by Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta. Other senior officials in the U.S. delegation include: Thomas Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture Jennifer M. Granholm, Secretary of Energy Ali Zaidi, Assistant to the President and White House National Climate Advisor Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality David Turk, Deputy Secretary of Energy Laura Daniel-Davis, Acting Deputy Secretary of the Interior Jane Nishida, Acting Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Rick Spinrad, Ph.D, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere & Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Bonnie Jenkins, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security In addition to those listed above, the U.S. delegation will include a wide range of other U.S. government officials working on how climate change relates to armed conflict, finance, food security, gender, global health, trade and investment, youth issues, and more. The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will be held in Azerbaijan in November this year. The decision was made at the plenary meeting of COP28 held in Dubai on December 11 last year. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties, which is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. A total of 198 countries are parties to the convention. Unless the parties have decided otherwise, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn 'Only 20 per cent of families in India buy cheese twice a year.' Kindly note the image has been published only for representational purposes.. Photograph: Francois Lenoir/Reuters Two years after announcing its joint venture, Britannia Industries and Bel Group last week inaugurated their first cheese factory in Ranjangaon, Maharashtra, with an investment of Rs 220 crore. Varun Berry, executive vice-chairman and managing director of Britannia Industries, and Cecile Beliot, chief executive officer of Bel Group, discuss capturing a larger share of the cheese market in India in an exclusive telephonic interview with Sharleen D'Souza/Business Standard. Will you be launching other milk products beyond cheese under Britannia Bel Foods? Cecile Beliot: This JV is dedicated to cheese, and we believe that we have so much to do in the cheese category right now. The cheese category is very nascent in India and has only 20 per cent penetration. Only 20 per cent of families in India buy cheese twice a year, and when you look at it in detail, 50 per cent of them are light users. If we succeed in convincing mothers in India to put a piece of cheese in every kitchen for their kids, the possibility of growth is exponential. This JV is dedicated to cheese, in a broad sense, with a lot of innovation already in the pipeline. Will you be using a different supply chain, or will you use the existing supply chain that Britannia already has in place? Varun Berry: It will use the Britannia distribution network. We are undertaking a project with Bain to determine how we can create more emphasis on cheese distribution as we move forward, which may involve having separate salespeople in certain centres where cheese is popular, like Mumbai and Delhi. We are conducting a large route-to-market study with Bain, and in about three months, we will have all those models ready. We will do whatever is necessary to give the right emphasis, but we will use the distribution muscle of Britannia. How will the cheese from Britannia Bel Foods be priced in India? Berry: For the time being, we are maintaining all the formats we currently offer. In addition to that, we are providing portions imported from the Bel factory in Vietnam. We are also offering key sachets priced at Rs 15. That is the extent of our portfolio expansion for now. However, as time goes by and we feel we have established a certain depth with these products, Bel has the capability to produce a wide range of formats for us. It will require some capital expenditure, but that's fine; we are ready to invest. The products have legs. Will you consider listing the JV at any point in the future? Berry: Not in its current state; it is too small. Would you consider opening more greenfield factories in this JV? Berry: The category is somewhat different from all the other categories we are involved in. Even if we need to expand, we will probably do so in the same location because these are high-value products. Locational closeness doesn't make as much of a difference. Efficiency in the collection and processing of milk, as well as the efficiency of the factory, is more crucial to our profit-and-loss statement. We have a lot of land in Ranjangaon, Maharashtra, and we've set aside 50 acres for dairy, with more land available for expansion. With competition heating up in the segment with more players entering the market, do you have an advantage over others? Beliot: We should not view them as competitors. When you are in a very nascent category with such a low level of penetration, it's beneficial not to be alone; it's advantageous to collaborate. Joining forces can help us build usage and awareness of the category among every family in India. It's not solely about gaining market share; it's much more about how quickly we can grow the overall market together. I believe we have a limited perspective on the market. We want to bring value and innovation. It's really about introducing innovations that are not currently available. We have the technical know-how and the research and development capabilities, but we lack a deep understanding of Indian consumer needs. That's where our partnership is beneficial: Britannia will provide a profound understanding of Indian consumers and families, while we will contribute the technical edge needed to accelerate and deliver value-added innovation to the market. What kind of revenue contribution will Britannia see from the JV? Berry: It will not make a material change to Britannia's revenues, but it doesn't matter, as we would like to grow this threefold in the next five years and capture one-fourth of the market in terms of market share. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com A 35-year-old man who was allegedly behind a series of hoax bomb threats to airports and railway stations across the country has been arrested after he presented himself before Nagpur Police, an official said on Friday. Image only for representation. Jagdish Shriam Uikey, resident of Arjuni Morgaon in Gondia district of eastern Maharashtra, arrived in Nagpur by flight after the city police sent him a notice seeking his presence for probe, and surrendered on Thursday evening, he said. In the 13 days leading up to October 26, more than 300 flights operated by Indian carriers received hoax bomb threats. Most of the threats were issued through social media. On October 22 alone, around 50 flights, including 13 each from IndiGo and Air India, received threats. Uikey operated from Delhi, the police official said. An email allegedly sent by him to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and railway police authorities on October 21 had led to increased security measures at railway stations too. In 2021, he allegedly made a phone call reporting a hoax bomb threat and was later arrested. After being released, he moved out of Arjuni Morgaon and told close friends that he had moved to Delhi, the official said. The investigators, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Shweta Khedkar, zeroed in on him based on the emails he had sent to various establishments. He has studied up to Std XI and written a book on terrorism titled Aaatankwad - Ek Tufaani Rakshas. Further probe is on, the official said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said the Congress stands 'badly exposed' in front of people for promising to them what the party knows it will never be able to deliver. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the armed forces during his visit to Lakki Nala in the Sir Creek area, Kachchh on Thursday. Photograph: ANI Photo Modi launched a fierce attack on the opposition party as he seized on its president Mallikarjun Kharge's comments that the Congress' state units should make promises that are properly budgeted and do not lead to financial troubles amid reports of fiscal problems the party-ruled states are facing in keeping some of their pre-poll announcements. The prime minister said, 'The Congress party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible. Campaign after campaign they promise things to the people which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly exposed in front of the people!' He said the developmental trajectory and fiscal health in the Congress-ruled states of Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana is turning from bad to worse. People will have to be vigilant against the Congress-sponsored culture of fake promises, he said. "We saw recently how the people of Haryana rejected their lies and preferred a government that is stable, progress-oriented and action-driven." There is a growing realisation across India that a vote for the Congress is a vote for non-governance, poor economics and unparalleled loot, the prime minister said in a series of posts on X with the hashtag 'fake promises of Congress'. He said the 'so-called guarantees' of the Congress lie unfulfilled, which is a 'terrible deceit' upon the people of these states. Modi added that the victims of such politics are the poor, youngsters, farmers and women who are not only denied the benefits of these promises but also see their existing schemes diluted. In Karnataka, the Congress is busier in intra-party politics and loot instead of even bothering to deliver on development. Not only that, they are also going to roll back existing schemes, Modi said. In Himachal Pradesh, he added, salaries of government employees are not paid on time and Telangana farmers are waiting for the waiver they were promised. "Previously, in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, they promised certain allowances which were never implemented for five years. There are numerous such examples of how the Congress works. The people of India want development and progress, not the same old fake promises of Congress," the prime minister said. A juvenile was apprehended on Friday for his alleged involvement in the shooting incident in Shahdara's Farsh Bazar area on Diwali evening in which a man and his teenage nephew were killed while his 15-year-old son was injured, police said. IMAGE: Visuals from the spot after the shooting incident in Shahdara, New Delhi. Photograph: ANI on X According to police officials, the juvenile, a distant relative of the victim, claimed during interrogation that he had a dispute with Akash Sharma involving Rs 70,000 which led him to a hatch conspiracy to kill him. The accused, who is around 17 years old, had hired a shooter to commit the crime, a police officer said. CCTV footage purportedly of the shooting incident that surfaced on social media on Friday showed one of the two accused touching Akash Sharma's feet before the other opened fire on him. The clip showed Akash along with his nephew Rishabh Sharma (16), and son Krish were seen celebrating Diwali outside their house in Bihari Colony when around 8 pm the two accused came there on a scooty. One of the bike riders touched Akash's feet while the other, wearing a mask and with a bottle in hand, stood nearby. Suddenly the masked man started firing, the footage from a CCTV camera showed. The shooter started running as he kept firing at Rishabh and Krish, who chased him. The three victims were taken to a hospital where Akash and Rishabh were declared dead while Krish was undergoing treatment, police said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Prashant Gautam said the juvenile accused, a distant relative of the victim, has been apprehended. "During interrogation, he said that he was having a financial dispute of Rs 70,000 with Akash. Investigations are still on and we are trying to nab the shooter," the DCP said. The officer said Akash had to return the money to the accused but was avoiding his calls and messages. According to the deceased's family, they had a rivalry with the accused and his kin over property and money. Akash's mother Shashi told reporters that they were getting threats for the past several days. "A day earlier, he came to our house with a packet of sweet. Since his family have an enmity with us, we avoided him," she said. "Because of that family, I lost my husband. Now my son and grandson have also been murdered," Shashi said. Another police officer said Akash used to run a cosmetic shop near his house and was booked several times in cases of gambling. Akash's brother too faces multiple criminal cases but he was not present at at the spot during the incident. The police said statements of the family members have been recorded and teams were formed to nab the shooter. Relentless bursting of firecrackers blanketed Delhi in dense smoke on Thursday, causing severe noise pollution and reducing visibility, as people defied a ban on firecrackers to celebrate Diwali. IMAGE: A thin layer of smog engulfs as the air quality continues deteriorating after Diwali, in New Delhi, November 1, 2024. Photograph: ANI on X The city's air quality dropped to the "very poor" category, with an Air Quality Index of 330 at 10 pm. Key areas, including Anand Vihar, saw the AQI plunge into the "severe" category while PM2.5 concentrations soared, creating hazardous conditions for respiratory health. In contrast to the clearer sky on Diwali last year, when favourable conditions kept the AQI at 218, this year's celebrations returned the city to its notorious pollution levels, a pattern worsened by unfavourable meteorological conditions, stubble burning and vehicular emissions. Although the city government had set up 377 enforcement teams and spread awareness through local associations to ensure compliance with the firecracker ban, neighbourhoods across east and west Delhi reported large-scale flouting of the restrictions. The city's 24-hour average AQI was recorded at 330, up from 307 the previous day. The smog-laden sky brought back memories of the "severe" pollution in 2020 as the PM2.5 and PM10 levels surged to 145.1 and 272 micrograms per cubic metre respectively at 9 pm. These fine particles, which easily penetrate the respiratory system, pose serious health risks, especially for children, the elderly and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. In an effort to combat the spike in pollution, the Delhi government had enforced a comprehensive ban on firecrackers for the fifth consecutive year, prohibiting their manufacture, storage, sale and use. Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai mobilised 377 enforcement teams, working closely with resident welfare associations, market committees and social organisations to ensure compliance. Police teams were deployed to monitor neighbourhoods, with officials warning that legal action would be taken against violators under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for defying government orders. However, reports indicated widespread defiance of the ban across east and west Delhi, with firecrackers lighting up the sky in areas such as Jaunapur, Punjabi Bagh, Burari and East of Kailash. Delhi's surrounding regions, including Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram, fared somewhat better, remaining in the "poor" AQI category, while Faridabad recorded a relatively moderate AQI of 181. Yet, unfavourable meteorological conditions, paired with emissions from vehicles, local pollution and stubble burning in neighbouring states, exacerbated the smog over Delhi-NCR, a phenomenon that peaks in winter. According to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the highest pollution levels are anticipated in early November as incidents of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana are expected to rise. Over the years, Delhi has seen fluctuations in the air quality on Diwali, recording an AQI of 312 in 2022, 382 in 2021 and 414 in 2020. Despite repeated government efforts to curb the use of firecrackers, the city's air pollution continues to spike during the festival. Hindu American groups have applauded Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump for promising to protect the human rights of Hindus across the world, including the US and Bangladesh and protect them from the "anti-religion agenda of the radical left." IMAGE: Donald Trump. Photograph: Leah Millis/Reuters In his Diwali greetings on Thursday, Trump strongly "condemned the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities in Bangladesh", which he said remains in a total state of chaos. It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength, he said. We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, Trump had said. Utsav Sanduja, founder and chairman of Hindus for America First told PTI in an interview that they are very grateful to President Trump. "I'm very grateful to President Trump, eternally grateful and eternally appreciative. It sucks that Kamala Harris hasn't said anything about this issue. I think that there's going to be a big change in this election coming from this, Sanduja said. HinduAction also thanked Trump for his statement. As you rightly pointed out, the situation of the Hindus in Bangladesh is precarious. Below is a summary head with regularly updated data on the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, it said. Thank you President Trump for showing moral clarity and unequivocally condemning anti-Hindu pogroms in Bangladesh, said Indian-American Nathan Punwani. Trump is a great man and, a great leader, full credit goes to him for wishing all the Hindus, Buddhists, and Jain Sikhs a very blessed Diwali. I think Trump really, really cares about these communities. He really understands what's going on in Bangladesh. He sees the ongoing persecution of Hindus. He is concerned about religious minorities that are suffering right now in that country, Sanduja said. He has done such a great favour to millions of Americans who are concerned about human rights issues. To deliver on Diwali, such an auspicious day, such a magnificent thing. I'd like to say that many of us in the Hindu community played a small part in persuading President Trump's team, talking about this, giving briefings, and putting papers together, he said. We are seeing that 60 percent of Indian Americans are supporting Kamala Harris. In the last election, I think 68 percent supported Biden. There's a dip in support for the Democratic presidential candidate. Trump, last time around, had 22 per cent of the Indian American community. Now he's at 32 percent. This is according to Carnegie Endowment's latest survey on Indian American attitudes, he said. With this statement, it's going to open up the eyes of more Indian Americans, Hindu Americans, and so on. They're going to give President Trump the vote, Sanduja said. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Nagrota MLA Devender Singh Rana, brother of Union minister Jitendra Singh, died on Thursday at a private hospital in Haryana's Faridabad. He was 59. IMAGE: Devender Singh Rana being welcomed at BJP office ahead of his swearing-in ceremony at J-K Legislative Assembly, in Srinagar on October 21, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo According to a senior BJP leader, Rana was undergoing treatment at the hospital. He is survived by his wife, Gunjan Rana, their daughters Devyani and Ketki, and son Adhiraj Singh. As the news of Rana's death spread, hundreds of people, including political leaders, gathered at his residence in the Gandhinagar area of Jammu. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also rushed to his house. Rana, who turned to politics from business as he built a multi-crore business from scratch, was a strong voice for Jammu's Dogra community. Rana was recently re-elected to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly from the Nagrota segment of Jammu district, securing the seat for a second term. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed shock and grief over Rana's sudden demise. 'In his passing, we have lost a patriotic and widely respected leader who was committed to the well-being of the people of J&K. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti,' the LG's office posted on X. Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary also expressed condolences. 'This news is especially disheartening on an auspicious day (Diwali). My condolences are extended to his family and PMO @DrJitendraSingh ji on the loss of his younger brother. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Om Shanti,' Choudhary wrote on X. PDP chief and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti also offered her condolences. 'Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Devender Rana Ji. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,' Mufti said on X. The Jammu and Kashmir BJP said his untimely demise is a great loss to the party and to the people of J-K. 'His contribution and dedication to society will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace, and may God provide strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss,' the party posted on X. Congress National General Secretary and MLA Ghulam Ahmed Mir expressed his shock and sorrow over Rana's death. 'My heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of the deceased. Having interacted with him in politics and beyond, Rana was a great, supportive, and visionary leader, an entrepreneur whose business acumen created opportunities for many in J&K,' Mir wrote on X. Other political leaders including Sajad Lone, Junaid Matoo, Sunil Sharma, Tarun Chugh, Sham Lal Sharma, Choudhary Zulfikar Ali also offered their condolences on Rana's passing. Once a trusted lieutenant of National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and his political advisor during his previous tenure as chief minister, Rana held considerable sway among Muslims, particularly the Gujjar community in Jammu. Born into a Dogra family in Jammu's Doda district in 1965, he was the son of former bureaucrat Rajinder Singh Rana and the brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh. After earning a degree in civil engineering from NIT Kurukshetra, Rana ventured into business, founding his own automobile company. He led the creation of the Jamkash Vehicleades Group, a multi-crore enterprise, and a cable TV channel from scratch, establishing himself as a top entrepreneur in Jammu and Kashmir. Rana began his political career with the National Conference (NC), where he rose to prominence as a key strategist and advisor, expanding the party's base in Jammu as Provincial President. As a trusted aide to Omar Abdullah, he played a significant role in shaping party strategies in Jammu. In his debut bid for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Rana contested from the Nagrota assembly segment -- a BJP stronghold -- and won it for the NC, defeating the BJP's Jugal Kishore Sharma, a three-time MP. This victory underscored his ability to connect with a diverse voter base. He had previously served as an MLC and as NC's Provincial President since 2009. After the abrogation of Article 370, Rana became a vocal advocate for the Jammu Declaration, calling for statehood restoration specifically for the Jammu region. His stance clashed with the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, a coalition seeking the restoration of Article 370 and statehood for the entire Jammu and Kashmir region. In October 2021, after more than two decades with the NC, Rana resigned and joined the BJP. His deep roots in the Jammu region and close connections with local communities made him a prominent figure in J-K politics, particularly for the BJP. Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday said he interacted with soldiers of China's People's Liberation Army along the Sino-Indian border near Tawang during a visit to an Indian Army post on Diwali. IMAGE: Union minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju interacts with soldiers as he arrives to celebrate Diwali with soldiers, in Tawang on Thursday. Photograph: ANI Photo Rijiju also said he celebrated Diwali with the Army jawans at Bumla in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday. In the short video, posted on X, the union minister of parliamentary and minority affairs was seen talking to three PLA soldiers through an interpreter asking them how they were managing while being posted in such a high-altitude area which is located 15,000 feet above sea level. The PLA soldiers replied that they had no problems while serving in such areas and they were comfortable. Rijiju also praised the kind of infrastructure built and other development works being carried out by the government along the international border. "After talking to Chinese soldiers and seeing the infrastructures, everyone will feel proud of India's border development now," Rijiju said. The union minister, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, also interacted and spent time with Indian Army jawans and celebrated the Diwali with them. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been celebrating every Diwali with jawans since 2014 and he (Rijiju) has also been doing the same since then. "Since you are far away from home during Diwali, we have also decided to be away from home and spend time with you," Rijiju said. He also cut a cake and shared it with the jawans, most of whom were from Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Rijiju's interaction with the PLA soldiers came about 10 days after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that an agreement was finalised between India and China to a resolution of the issues that arose in 2020. The agreement was firmed up on patrolling and disengagement of troops along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, a breakthrough to end the over four-year standoff. According to Army sources, Indian Army began patrolling at Demchok on Friday, days after Indian and Chinese troops completed disengagement at the two friction points in eastern Ladakh. The move marks a significant development in the pursuit of reduced tension along the LAC in eastern Ladakh since the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. The ties between the two Asian giants had nosedived following the clash. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) plans to present a single taxonomy principle at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the CBA Executive Director Shahin Mahmudzade said at a press conference on the refinancing rate in Baku today, Trend reports. Mahmudzade stated that the final stage of the taxonomy involved public consultations. "About 200 stakeholders participated, including local and international organizations as well as public and private entities. Two of them stand out due to their significance. Our local taxonomy is already in an economic context, and we plan to present it in three areas," said the executive director. He mentioned that two international organizations have worked together on adaptation and coordination with international taxonomies. "One of them is the Sustainable Finance and Banking Network, and the other is the International Platform on Sustainable Finance. These two organizations span over 110 countries, and we are proud to report that we have already reached agreements with all of them, while the coordination process is still in progress. We plan to present the unified taxonomy principle at COP29," he added. In a mere 10 days, Azerbaijan will host COP29, the decision about which was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. The COP takes place annually, unless the parties agree otherwise. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Germany's Berlin with its secretariat in Bonns. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Hezbollah's rocket attacks on northern Israel have resulted in the loss of seven lives in agricultural fields near Metula and Haifa, marking one of the deadliest days for Israeli civilians in months, according to a report by Times of Israel. IMAGE: Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs, after an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon, November 1, 2024. Photograph: Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters According to the authorities, tragedy struck near the border town of Metula on Thursday morning when a rocket fired from Lebanon slammed into an apple orchard, claiming the lives of five people. Hours later, two more people were killed while in an olive grove outside the Haifa suburb of Kiryat Ata, as Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets at the area, Times of Israel reported. The Israel Defense Forces also confirmed the attack by Hezbollah in a statement. Sharing a post on X, the IDF wrote, "Hezbollah rockets killed 7 innocent civilians inside Israel today. We will not let Hezbollah's deadly attacks go unanswered." All the victims were agricultural labourers who had been working in the orchard at the time of the strike. While one of them was an Israeli citizen, the others were foreign nationals. Meanwhile, Israel on Thursday targeted weapons storage facilities and command centres used by Hezbollah's Radwan Forces and its munitions unit in Syria. Sharing a post on X, the IDF wrote, "A short while ago, following IDF intelligence, the IAF (Israeli Air Force) struck weapons storage facilities and command centers used by Hezbollah's Radwan Forces and its Munitions Unit in the area of Al-Qusayr, Syria." It added, "Hezbollah's Munitions Unit is responsible for storing weapons inside Lebanon and has recently expanded its activities into the town of Al-Qusayr, near the Syrian-Lebanese border. With this, Hezbollah is establishing logistical infrastructure to facilitate the transfer of weapons from Syria into Lebanon via border crossings." The IDF further said that the strike on the weapons storage facilities is part of a larger effort targeting the infrastructure of Unit 4400, the Hezbollah unit responsible for smuggling weapons from Iran, through Syria, and into Lebanon. The IDF further said that it launched a strike on weapons storage facilities, targeting the infrastructure of Hezbollah's Unit 4400, responsible for illicit arms smuggling from Iran through Syria into Lebanon. "The strike on the weapons storage facilities is part of a larger effort targeting the infrastructure of Unit 4400, the Hezbollah unit responsible for smuggling weapons from Iran, through Syria, and into Lebanon. This includes recent strikes on several border crossings between Syria and Lebanon used by Hezbollah for weapons smuggling," IDF said. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said his statement on 'Shakti scheme' was distorted and presented as if the Congress government in the state wanted to withdraw it. IMAGE: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah with deputy CM and state Congress president D K Shivakumar attend a cultural program celebrating the 69th Karnataka Rajyothsava, at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, in Bengaluru on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo Shivakumar's reaction came after Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge subtly pulled him in public for his statement that some women wished to pay for travelling in the buses. "Whatever statement I had made was distorted as if we would stop it (Shakti scheme). I only said some section of people is saying so. There is no question of winding up any guarantee," the Deputy CM told reporters in Bengaluru. According to him, some people voluntarily wish to pay for their travel. "Even though these women are willing to pay, the conductors are afraid of collecting money from them. I said we will discuss it," Shivakumar said. Shakti is one of the five guarantees offering free rides for Karnataka women in non-luxury government buses anywhere in the state. The Deputy CM slammed the opposition parties for making a fuss about it. "Politics is important for the opposition parties. They could not introduce such schemes and now they are unable to tolerate it. Playing with emotions, clashes, fights between parents, siblings and in-laws is their job and not the development of the state is their (BJP) politics," Shivakumar said. Kharge on Thursday said, "You have given some guarantees. After seeing them, I too said in Maharashtra that there are five guarantees in Karnataka. Now you (Shivakumar) said you will withdraw one guarantee." The Congress chief said Shivakumar's statement about reviewing the Shakti scheme had given the BJP a chance. "Don't go for saying five, six, 10 or twenty guarantees. Give guarantees according to your state budget. If you give guarantees beyond your budget, you will become bankrupt. There will not be even soil to fill the road. People will blame you. If this government fails, then there will be nothing for the next generation. You will only get a bad name and not a good one," Kharge said at a function in Bengaluru. Regarding the Maharashtra election, he said the Congress will study the state's budget and accordingly, the guarantees will be announced. Kharge, who is the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha added that he would go to Maharashtra after the budget is studied and guarantees are well worked out. "Till then I will not go there. We started this exercise (of reading Maharashtra budget) a fortnight ago. We will announce guarantees in Nagpur and Mumbai," he said. Regarding Kharge's call for unity in the party, Shivakumar said the message was not for him or anyone else present there. "It was not for us. He (Kharge) has only sent a message to the workers on various occasions," the Deputy CM said. He also sought to know whether there was a single instance of discord either in the government or in the party ever since he became the Congress state president and the DCM. Shivakumar also ruled out any interference in the functioning of Congress. He said Kharge being a senior leader gives them guidance, keeping the national scenario in mind. Meanwhile, reacting to Kharge's statement, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi asked people to read between the lines. "Kharge said in a manner keep mum till the elections to the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly polls are over and withdraw it (Shakti) later'," Joshi said. He charged that the Congress is making states pauper by making bogus promises. The United States has imposed sanctions on 275 individuals and entities, including 15 from India, for allegedly supporting Russia's military-industrial base. IMAGE: Russian solders fire an 2S12 'Sani' 120 mm heavy mortar system during the 'Masters of Artillery Fire' competition at a range outside Saratov, Russia, on August 10, 2015. Image used only for representation. Photograph: Maxim Zmeyev/Reuters Companies from China, Switzerland, Thailand, and Turkiye have also been slapped with sanctions for supplying Russia with advanced technology and equipment that it desperately needs to support its war machine, the Department of Treasury said in a statement on Thursday. In addition to disrupting global evasion networks, this action also targets domestic Russian importers and producers of key inputs and other material for Russia's military-industrial base, the statement said. "The United States and our allies will continue to take decisive action across the globe to stop the flow of critical tools and technologies that Russia needs to wage its illegal and immoral war against Ukraine," Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo said. "As evidenced by today's action, we are unyielding in our resolve to diminish and degrade Russia's ability to equip its war machine and stop those seeking to aid their efforts through circumvention or evasion of our sanctions and export controls," Adeyemo said. The State Department has also targeted sanctions evasion and circumvention in multiple third countries, including several China-based companies exporting dual-use goods that fill critical gaps in Russia's military-industrial base and entities and individuals in Belarus related to the Lukashenka regime's support for Russia's defence industry, the statement said. The US also targeted several senior Russian Ministry of Defence officials and defence companies and those supporting Russia's future energy production and exports. As per the list released by the Department of Treasury, the India-based companies are Abhar Technologies and Services Private Limited; Denvas Services Private Limited; Emsystech; Galaxy Bearings Ltd; Orbit Fintrade LLP; Innovio Ventures; KDG Engineering Private Limited; and Khushbu Honing Private Limited. The Indian companies also include Lokesh Machines Limited; Pointer Electronics; RRG Engineering Technologies Private Limited; Sharpline Automation Private Limited; Shaurya Aeronautics Private Limited; Shreegee Impex Private Limited; and Shreya Life Sciences Private Limited. On Wednesday, the US had imposed sanctions on nearly 400 entities and individuals for enabling Russia's illegal war against Ukraine. 'The Department of State is targeting sanctions circumvention by parties in multiple third countries, several senior Russian Ministry of Defence officials and defence companies, and those that support the development of Russia's future energy production and exports,' Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said in a statement on Wednesday. The US, he said, is imposing sanctions on several Chinese companies exporting dual-use goods that fill critical gaps in Russia's military-industrial base as well as entities and individuals connected to the Lukashenka regime's support for Russia's defence industry. The Congress on Friday hit out at the Election Commission after it rejected allegations of 'irregularities' in Haryana assembly polls, saying if the poll panel's goal is to 'strip itself of the last vestiges of neutrality', then it is doing a 'remarkable job' at creating that impression. IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, LoP in Lok Sabha and party leader Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary K C Venugopal attend the party's Central Election Committee meeting, at AICC headquarters in New Delhi on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo The opposition party claimed that the EC's reply was written in a tone that is condescending and warned that if the poll panel persists with such language then it would have no choice but to seek legal recourse for getting such remarks expunged. The Congress's response came days after the EC rejected allegations levelled by it over 'irregularities' in assembly polls, saying the party was raising 'the smoke of a generic doubt' about the credibility of an entire electoral outcome as done in the past. The Congress said it is not surprised that the ECI has examined its complaints and 'given itself a clean chit'. The answer given to the question of the machines' fluctuating batteries seeks to confuse rather than clarify, it said. 'At any rate, the ECI reply is nothing more than a standard and generic set of bullets on how the machines function rather than a specific clarification on specific complaints. In short, while our complaints were specific the ECI response is generic and focused on diminishing the complaints and the petitioners,' the Congress said. In its letter to the EC signed by nine senior Congress leaders, including general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh, the party said, 'We have carefully studied your response to our complaints. Not surprisingly, the ECI has given a clean chit to itself. We would normally have let it be at that. However, the tone and tenor of the ECI's response, the language used, and the allegations made against the INC compel us to submit the counter-response.' The Congress letter said that if the Commission grants a recognised national party a hearing or examines issues raised by them in good faith it is not an 'exception' or 'indulgence' but it is the performance of a duty required to be done. 'If the Commission is refusing to grant us a hearing or refusing to engage on certain complaints (which it has done in the past) then the law allows recourse to the higher courts' extraordinary jurisdiction to compel the ECI to discharge this function (as happened in 2019),' the letter said. The Congress leaders, who had petitioned the EC alleging irregularities in the polls, said every reply from the EC now 'seems to be laced with ad hominem attacks' on either individual leaders or the party itself. 'The ECI's reply are written in a tone that is condescending. If the current ECI's goal is to strip itself of the last vestiges of neutrality, then it is doing a remarkable job at creating that impression,' the party said in its letter to the EC. 'Judges who write decisions do not attack or demonise the party raising the issues. However, if the ECI persists then we shall have no choice but to seek legal recourse to expunge such remarks,' said the letter signed by Ramesh, K C Venugopal, Ashok Gehlot, Bhupinder Hooda, Ajay Maken, Abhishek Singhvi, Uday Bhan, Partap Bajwa and Pawan Khera. They also said that the 'pattern' sought to be identified by the ECI in its reply is 'disingenuous' as sometimes acting on complaints immediately is the key. 'If they are not redressed on the ground then they become redundant. And then the only remedy available is an Election Petition which is a lengthy process taking years to resolve. Thus, we approach the ECI with whatever information we have, and the ECI with the vast resources at its command, examines and reviews this information to see if the same is correct. Many times, the ECI has found our information to be correct. Other times, not so. But we do not name and shame the ECI for those moments after the Election is over,' they said. The Congress said if they were 'bad faith actors', then they would never engage with the ECI to begin with. 'We would focus on naming and shaming the Commission with examples from the ECI's own recent history which do not shroud it with glory,' it said, adding that they would have never engaged in that case. The Congress said it has sent over a hundred complaints against the prime minister and home minister, but 'the ECI has taken action in precisely zero complaints, while calling our party president and former party president to account for their actions/speeches'. 'We would point out how the ECI never published a dissent note, actively suppressing it instead, by a former Commissioner in this regard. We would point out that the ECI has almost always fought any move for transparency and increase in VVPAT verification numbers, with the same having to be ordered by the Supreme Court. We challenge the ECI to fact check the above since it finds the INC's misgivings to be based on phantoms,' the Congress said. In a strongly-worded letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the poll panel had said such 'frivolous and unfounded' doubts have the potential of creating 'turbulence' when crucial steps like polling and counting are in live play, a time when both public and political parties' anxiousness is peaking. The Bharatiya Janata Party retained power in Haryana winning 48 of the 90 seats in the October 5 assembly polls. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Cloudy this morning with showers during the afternoon. Thunder possible. High 62F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Rain likely. Low 51F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. The Border Control Command of the State Border Service (SBS) of Azerbaijan is ready for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Elshan Verdiyev, Head of Border Control at the SBS said during a media briefing held at the command in Baku today, Trend reports. He pointed out that steps have been put in place to guarantee a smooth entry for foreign citizens coming into Azerbaijan for COP29. "Special technological equipment for efficient document verification has been fully prepared, and the necessary instructions have been issued in this regard," he added. In a mere 10 days, Azerbaijan will host COP29, the decision about which was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Germany's Berlin with its secretariat in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. The upcoming COP29 offers Azerbaijan a unique opportunity to enhance its role in the global climate action movement, an article by the French online outlet La Gazette du Caucase reads, Trend reports. "Within less than two weeks, Baku will host one of the worlds most important conferencesthe twenty-ninth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). While COP conferences are primarily organized under the auspices of the UN, the host countries play a crucial role in shaping the agenda. In this context, Azerbaijan has committed to meeting the requirements associated with hosting COP29," the article said. The article also highlights that COP29 is fundamentally rooted in the principle of sustainable development. "The goal of COP29 is to minimize carbon emissions during the conference, improve resource efficiency, promote renewable energy sources, and encourage sustainable practices. The aim is to conduct the event per the highest standards of environmental responsibility. The overarching goal of COP29 is to minimize negative environmental impacts while enhancing public engagement and promoting sustainable development and solidarity across all aspects of the event. Commitments to sustainability cover various areas, with a particular focus on achieving carbon neutrality. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions and attaining carbon neutrality through measures such as utilizing renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency, and implementing emission offset strategies," the article added. As mentioned, Azerbaijan signed the Paris Agreement, which supplements the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, on April 22, 2016. "In line with Article 4 of the agreement, Azerbaijan submitted its Nationally determined contributions (NDC) to the Convention's secretariat in October 2015. As part of its participation in global efforts to mitigate climate change, Azerbaijan plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2030 compared to the 1990 levels. At COP26, held in Glasgow in 2021, Azerbaijan also committed to reducing climate change impacts by 40 percent by 2050," the article said. The article highlights that the presidency of COP29 has developed a comprehensive strategy to achieve carbon neutrality, divided into three distinct phases. "The first phase is the calculation stage, where the goal is to accurately measure, monitor, and report actual carbon emissions occurring during COP29 across all operational areas. This includes assessing direct (Scope 1), indirect (Scope 2), and supply chain-related (Scope 3) emissions. Such a systematic approach ensures transparency and allows targeted reductions of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the event. The second phase focuses on neutrality, which encompasses three key aspects: - Sustainable transportation: This includes providing COP29 participants with free metro access, creating new routes for micro-mobility, launching electric shuttles, and utilizing hybrid/electric taxis. - Energy efficiency: This involves implementing energy-efficient lighting and equipment, employing energy management systems, and conducting regular energy audits at event venues. - Renewable energy: Priority will be given to the use of renewable energy sources at COP29 venues, including hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) and purchasing renewable energy. The final phase, termed offsetting, includes purchasing high-quality international carbon credits and supporting local initiatives aimed at mitigating climate change impacts in Azerbaijan," the article said. The publication notes that the exploration of implementing a carbon tax in Azerbaijan is one of the effective global strategies for reducing carbon emissions. "This method is gaining popularity on the international stage. The question on the agenda is: can carbon taxes be implemented in Azerbaijan? This topic has been under discussion for some time, particularly at the 5th Sustainable Development Goals Dialogue held at ADA University. Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Economy, Samad Bashirli, remarked that until recently, carbon taxes were seldom mentioned or only considered in specific documents. However, this issue has now become a significant item on the national agenda," the article added. "If all countries impose a carbon tax, we will have no choice but to follow suit," he said. The Deputy Minister acknowledged that this initiative will inevitably affect the real sector, emphasizing the need for Azerbaijan to adapt to global economic realities. Regarding the implementation of carbon taxes, Bashirli noted that while the concept may seem straightforward, it presents serious challenges. "Considering our resources, it is clear what contributions we can make in the areas of finance, investment, and trade. However, these contributions need to be strengthened. Our resources are limited, requiring greater synergy among these areas. Although this may seem appealing, it is complex and requires mobilization of efforts at both the global and national levels," he explained. Deputy Head of the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan Samira Musayeva also addressed the issue. She highlighted that the Azerbaijani government is actively discussing various scenarios for implementing carbon pricing with relevant institutions. Musayeva stressed the importance of developing mechanisms for returning collected carbon taxes, especially to mitigate the impact of carbon emissions on households and small and medium enterprises within the framework of carbon pricing. She pointed out that the primary goal of the tax is not revenue generation, but rather to stimulate investment in reducing carbon emissions, leading to decreased emissions and increased energy efficiency. "The main task of carbon pricing is to tax high-emission sectors to encourage investments in low-emission and energy-efficient sectors. At the same time, it is essential to ensure a just transition by redistributing these funds among socially vulnerable groups and micro-entrepreneurs who may suffer from rising prices," she concluded. "The discussions surrounding the potential implementation of carbon taxes further underline Azerbaijan's commitment to global efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The government recognizes the need for a balanced approach that fosters investment in low-emission technologies while supporting vulnerable communities affected by climate initiatives. Overall, COP29 presents Azerbaijan with a unique opportunity to strengthen its role in the global climate action movement," the French publication noted. TBILISI -- Electoral experts and data analysts have noticed anomalies in the graphical distribution of votes across Georgia's regions and suspect this may be indirect evidence of election fraud, similar to what is said to have happened during Russia's 2020 constitutional referendum. They call this trend the "Russian Tail." Against the backdrop of hundreds of violations identified by election observers and questions about vote secrecy, the president and opposition parties do not recognize the election results. The Central Election Commission and the ruling Georgian Dream party deny any falsification. In this article, we examine what the recently circulated graphs show, what they're based on, and what they cannot show. "If elections are conducted in a free environment without violations, the graphical representation of parties' received votes shows certain patterns," said Roman Udot, a data analyst and former political prisoner in Russia. "If conducted in an unfree environment with violations and various manipulations, we can see irregularities, deviations, and anomalies in the data's graphical representation. In Georgia, we see exactly such deviations." Udot, currently in Tbilisi, is one of several data analysts who independently concluded that Georgia's 2024 parliamentary election results show signs of manipulation. Russian Precedent How can simple numbers indicate to observers that citizens encountered some form of manipulation in the electoral process? Russian data analysts and scientists have been analyzing for decades what voter turnout, distribution of party votes, and patterns or irregularities in these expected patterns might tell us about election fairness using various methods. One of those scientists was Sergei Shpilkin, a Russian physicist whose approach is frequently used by analysts and journalists in Russia. The Russian monitoring organization Golos indicates has relied on the Kisling-Shpilkin method in observing numerous elections. Here's how this method works: Initially, public turnout is analyzed across all polling stations nationwide; in Georgia, turnout was 58.94 percent. According to the theory, in fair elections, turnout indicators typically follow a regular graphical representation that resembles a bell shape. If anomalies appear in the data -- for example, forms different from the bell shape or the bell "grows a tail" -- this indicates unfair elections. What Does Georgia's Data Show? Levan Kvirkelia, living in San Francisco, is one of the data analysts who published his findings on the social network X. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili later shared his findings. According to Kvirkelia, there are clear differences between voter turnout indicators in Georgia's urban and regional districts. While in cities the data representation mostly follows a bell shape, in the regions it is anomalously deviated. "In rural settlements, an unusual 'tail' is noticed -- on the graphical representation, on the right side -- which indicates falsification," he writes. Udot agrees, presenting the same data differently using the Sobyanin-Sukhovolsky method. Like Shpilkin's method, the Sobyanin-Sukhovolsky method is used to determine election manipulation based on numbers. It was developed by Russian researchers Sergei Sobyanin and Vyacheslav Sukhovolsky. The method relies on exactly the same data as Shpilkin's method but is graphically represented differently and focuses on votes received by parties. Specifically: The method analyzes vote distribution among political parties at all polling stations and tries to identify deviations that indicate unfair elections. According to the theory, if a number of stations emerge where one candidate -- the "beneficiary" -- is unusually high, this might indicate falsification. There's a high risk of manipulation where increased overall voter turnout is reflected only in support of the "beneficiary." How are the "points scattered" in Georgia? Udot says that in Georgia's big cities, a relatively regular picture appears, while the situation is different in the regions. Here's the graphical representation in Georgian cities: Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi, Poti, and Senaki: "Relatively healthy regions look like this -- starting from one point and gradually growing like a ray. Of course, certain deviations exist here, too, but not dramatic ones," Udot explained. 'Unhealthy' Anomalies "But when we look at all other districts, for me, they're simply strange. Unhealthy. Here the deviation is higher than expected. The scatter of points is wider than expected. It doesn't follow a straight line and, of course, raises suspicions." He explained: "The anomaly is high votes for Georgian Dream in specific points -- meaning stations...under high turnout conditions. The points were too scattered in specific stations, showing their received votes." "We'll get the same using Sukhovolsky's method," Udot said. "We call this number distribution a histogram, and the thin part of the histogram [is called] the tail. In my research, I call this the 'Russian Tail,' as we often see it in Russia. Over the years, we watched it grow like a tumor and eat away at the healthy parts of districts." But how can numerical anomalies be evidence -- even indirect -- of "falsification"? Couldn't these deviations be explained by other factors? "Yes, everything in this world can be explained differently. And the authorities in Russia explained our findings in thousands of ways.... Look, when a drunk person behaves as they do on the street, you can think of a thousand reasons why they behave that way, but in reality, we all know well that they simply drink too much," Udot told RFE/RL. "And when we observe these 'scattered points' and see them, we know this isn't normal." A senior aide to President Vladimir Putin has rejected any temporary cease-fire with Ukraine just hours before a US delegation arrived in Russia for talks with Moscow where they will urge the Kremlin to agree to a 30-day cease-fire proposal or face sanctions. Ukraine Invasion: News & Analysis RFE/RL's Ukraine Live Briefing gives you the latest developments on Russia's invasion, Western military aid, the plight of civilians, and territorial control maps. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said in an interview broadcast on state television on March 13 that U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed cease-fire, which Kyiv has agreed to, would only give Ukraine time to recover from pressure Russia has been exerting on its troops. "I have stated our position that this is nothing other than a temporary respite for the Ukrainian military, nothing more," said Ushakov, Ushakov, who has more than half a century of involvement in diplomacy and is considered to be the Kremlin's chief foreign policy adviser. He added that he had laid out Moscow's position in a phone call to US national-security adviser Mike Waltz a day earlier. "It seems to me that no one needs any steps that (merely) imitate peaceful actions in this situation," he said, noting that Russia wants a long-term settlement that addresses its interests and concerns into account. During a March 12 White House meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, Trump expressed confidence about securing a cease-fire for Ukraine and said that U.S. negotiators were traveling to Russia right now, as we speak. On March 13, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the US team reportedly headed up by Trump's special envoy. The state news agency TASS later reported that the envoy, Steve Witkoff, had arrived in Moscow. Trump had earlier told reporters that Russia "has no way out but cease-fire. If needed, we will sanction it, but I hope we won't need to." The US President has made ending Russia's more than three-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine a top priority since taking office for a second term less than two months ago, quickly dispatching his top officials to Moscow and Kyiv to prepare the groundwork for peace talks. His latest comments on the war come after Kyiv agreed to the temporary cease-fire plan following nine hours of talks with Trump administration officials in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, it is unclear how interested Russia is in the idea, with Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to speak on Ukraine on March 13 after talks with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko. "Regrettably, for more than a day already, the world has yet to hear a meaningful response from Russia to the proposals made," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on X on March 13. "This once again demonstrates that Russia seeks to prolong the war and postpone peace for as long as possible. We hope that U.S. pressure will be sufficient to compel Russia to end the war," he added. Putin Visits Kursk As Trump spoke at the White House, Russian President Vladimir Putin was donning combat fatigues for a visit to troops in Russia's Kursk region, where fierce fighting is currently taking place and Moscow's forces are advancing. Ukraine seized a swath of the Kursk region in a stealth incursion in August, a move seen as an effort to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and use the territory as a bargaining chip in any peace talks. That strategy is now at risk of failing as Russian forces slowly push the Ukrainians out of Kursk, having retaken more than half the territory initially captured by Ukraine. During his visit to Kursk -- his only visit since the incursion began -- Putin urged his troops to retake the region in its entirety "as soon as possible." He also said that captured Ukrainian soldiers would be treated as "terrorists." In an interview with Current Time, the editor in chief of Novaya Gazeta Evropa, Kirill Martynov, said that the US proposal of a cease-fire free of additional conditions had angered pro-war elements in Russian society, including so called Z-Channels on Telegram. Putins appearance in military garb was a response, said Martynov, and a way of showing this more aggressive group of citizens that everything is under control, and he continues to wage war. Absolutely in his style, after the situation has improved [in the Kursk region], he appears and takes credit for what is happening, Martynov said. Unconfirmed reports on March 12 indicated that Ukraine has begun to draw back units as Russian officials claimed their troops had captured more settlements, including Sudzha, the largest settlement that Ukraine had taken in the offensive. Ukraine's top military commander, General Oleksandr Syrskiy, said that fighting continued in and around Sudzha. "Despite increased pressure from the Russian and North Korean forces, we will maintain the defense of the Kursk region as long as it is appropriate and necessary," Syrskiy wrote on Telegram. In a Facebook post, Syrskiy said that saving soldiers lives is a priority and that Ukrainian troops would "maneuver to more favorable positions, if necessary," wording often used to describe a retreat. Concessions? Trump has so far used Washington's significant leverage over Ukraine -- namely military aid and intelligence sharing -- to get Kyiv to agree to the cease-fire proposal, which, if implemented, would leave almost 20 percent of the country in Russia's hands for the time being at least. The United States announced after the talks in Saudi Arabia that it would immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and restore military aid to Ukraine, which could be a boost to Ukrainian forces, whose battlefield positions have been under heavy pressure, particularly in Kursk. Trump lacks that kind of leverage with Russia, which has navigated sweeping US and European sanctions placed on its economy following the invasion much better than most experts forecasted. Putin may seek to drag out talks with Washington over a cease-fire to improve Russia's position on the battlefield, experts say, and hence at the negotiating table when and if Moscow and Kyiv hammer out a peace deal. Trump has also hinted that Ukraine would have to make concessions on land, something more and more experts say is inevitable given Russia's momentum on the battlefield. "When we talk cease-fire [with Ukraine], we talked land, who's withdrawing -- we discussed a lot of things [with Ukraine]," Trump said. "We don't want to waste time, people are dying. Russia is not in the best situation now. I hope [Putin] gets a cease-fire." Trump has said fresh sanctions could do "very unpleasant, very bad things, devastating for Russia," but has offered few details. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the cease-fire proposal and said he hoped it would be used as a draft for a lasting peace deal that included security guarantees for Ukraine. "It's now up to Russia what is next," he said at a March 12 press conference, and whether "it wants to continue its aggression against Ukraine or not." Moscow has so far declined to comment on the specifics of the proposal for the 30-day cease-fire. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was "carefully studying" the joint US-Ukraine statement issued following the Jeddah talks and will wait to comment until Russian negotiators receive more detailed information from Washington. Reaction on the streets of Moscow, however, was mixed, with one man saying that "agreeing to a truce now, when the enemy is weakened, is completely inappropriate and wrong." But others welcomed the news. "We just want this to end as soon as possible so that people stop dying," said one woman in the Russian capital. "So many have already perished." Meanwhile, on the streets of Kyiv, some Ukrainians told RFE/RL's Current Time that they doubted whether Russia would sign on to, and adhere to, a cease-fire deal. "I'm not sure what to say, but it all seems implausible, frankly speaking," said one Kyiv man, while a woman in the capital said the cease-fire talks were "meaningless without Russia taking part." Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking China's resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia. I'm RFE/RL's China Global Affairs Correspondent Reid Standish and here's what I'm following right now. Minding The Transatlantic Gap China is looking to capitalize on a transatlantic rift between the United States and Europe that is widening as U.S. President Donald Trump looks to quickly end the war in Ukraine. But how much of an opening is there actually for Beijing? Finding Perspective: The threat of tariffs, a war of words at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month, U.S.-Russia talks that excluded Europe and Kyiv, and a standoff at the United Nations over how to commemorate the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine have all been recent fissures between Washington and European governments. That brought new questions about relying on the United States to European capitals and left an opening for Beijing, which has been trying to woo back Europe over the past four years. On the sidelines in Munich, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held bilateral meetings with several top European officials, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Spain's foreign minister seems to be at least more open to the idea of keeping China closer amid tensions with the United States. Jose Manuel Albares told the Financial Times that the European Union should craft its own China policy and not follow the more confrontational line with Beijing advocated by those in the Trump administration. "Europe must take its own decisions, on its own. And we have to decide when China can be a partner and when China is a competitor," Albares told the newspaper. How We Got Here: During Trump's first term in office, Washington pushed European governments to take a harder line on China. That led to the bloc labeling China a "systemic rival" in 2019. The Chinese government's untransparent handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, trade, human rights, and supply chain concerns, and Beijing's backing of Russia throughout the war in Ukraine all saw that harder line solidify in Europe under former U.S. President Joe Biden's tenure. Now amid growing transatlantic tensions, some European governments see following Trump's tough stance on China as a way to win over Washington. Others, like the Spanish government, are arguing to preserve vital economic ties with Beijing, especially amid growing uncertainty about the United States. This has even led to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, one of Brussels's more hawkish voices on China, calling in January for a new effort to improve relations between Brussels and Beijing. A True Rift? Tensions on each side of the Atlantic are real. Following his party's victory in elections on February 23, Friedrich Merz, Germany's chancellor-in-waiting for the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said the Trump administration "does not care much about the fate of Europe" and that the Continent needs to act accordingly. "My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the U.S.A.," he said. Talk of a seismic shift in the geopolitical order is also under way in Brussels. One EU official recently back from discussions with U.S. officials told RFE/RL that the White House's focus is on ending the war in Ukraine and that there is a "take it or leave it" attitude from Washington. The Trump administration wants to "remove the Ukraine issue from the table and move on to other issues. It is becoming clear that Trump's goal is to rule the world together with Russia and China" and work toward "strategically separating them from each other," said the official, who was granted anonymity in order to discuss sensitive matters. Why It Matters: Europe may be grappling with a realignment, but that doesn't mean China is its only option to hedge. As European leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visit Washington, von der Leyen is set to arrive in India on February 27. James Crabtree, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told me that "it's hard to imagine a better time to re-energize Europe's and India's historically lackluster ties" and that a focus of the trip will be technology cooperation. "A meeting of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council -- only the second since its foundation in 2023 -- offers opportunities to deepen collaboration in areas ranging from artificial intelligence to clean technologies," he said. China may also be short on opportunities, with most EU members unable to look past its support for Russia amid the war in Ukraine. The bloc's most recent sanctions package passed on February 24 once again included Chinese companies and individuals. What is likely to emerge is a more fragmented Europe when it comes to China. While some governments look to countries like India, South Korea, and Japan to balance out their foreign policy, others -- such as the current Spanish government and Hungary -- will keep courting Chinese investment and create new openings for Beijing. Three More Stories From Eurasia 1. A Reverse Nixon? China publicly backed the Trump administration's recent talks with the Kremlin, but analysts and former U.S. officials I spoke with mostly said the prospect of a U.S.-Russia reset is also making Beijing "nervous" about having less leverage over its partner. The Details: "While a complete rapprochement might not be in the cards, they're nervous because if Trump lifts sanctions on Russia, then Moscow's dependency on China decreases," Dennis Wilder, who was a top White House China adviser to former U.S. President George W. Bush, told me. One of the hallmarks of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's foreign policy has been a burgeoning strategic partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin that's grown closer since Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Beijing has propped up the Russian economy through enhanced trade and energy purchases while fueling the Kremlin's war effort with the supply of key goods as both Xi and Putin have found common ground in wanting to challenge the West and unseat the United States. The fear of all that being derailed by a new type of U.S.-Russia relationship born out of a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine is real for Beijing. Wilder says he's had conversations with "very senior Chinese officials" since Trump's election in November who have expressed concern about a potential U.S.-Russia reset. He says they've used the phrase "Only Trump goes to Moscow," a play on the historical reference to former U.S. President Richard Nixon's landmark visit to Beijing in 1972, when he defied precedent and courted China to exploit its split with the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War. 2. But Can It Work? A grand bargain would be a major diplomatic feat, but it's something Trump administration officials have hinted at in public comments of late. What You Need To Know: The Trump administration has made clear it sees managing a long-term rivalry with China as its top foreign policy objective and may look to deprioritize regions like Europe and the Middle East in order to raise pressure on Beijing in Asia. Following the talks in Riyadh, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the possibility for future "geopolitical and economic cooperation" between Washington and Moscow was among the key points discussed. And in an interview this month with The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Washington was prepared to reset the relationship with the Kremlin following an agreement over Ukraine as a move to end Russia's isolation and its growing dependence on China since the war began. "It's not in Putin's interest to be the little brother in a coalition with China," Vance said. The thinking is that even new cracks between the two powers may loosen Moscow's alignment with Beijing and could have a deterrent effect on China, especially if it decides to use military force to take Taiwan. Still, both Beijing and Moscow are aware of what the White House is trying to do, and Beijing has made a point to show it and Moscow are still a tandem, including a recent phone call between Putin and Xi on the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Steve Tsang, director of SOAS University London's China Institute, told me he believes Washington's efforts to reset its Russia ties are also not all bad news for Beijing. "Xi does not want Putin to fail in the war, and so Trump delivering a peace that mostly meets Russian conditions is a positive," he said. "Who knows who will be the next U.S. president and if there will be a reversal of U.S. posture post-Trump." 3. Taiwan Watches A New U.S. Line On Ukraine Ukrainians living in Taiwan and local supporters protested outside the de-facto Russian Embassy in Taipei on the eve of the third anniversary of Moscow's invasion. What It Means: The self-governing island has been a vocal supporter of Kyiv, which the Taiwanese government sees as a foil for its own tenuous geopolitical position where China has long threatened to invade and annex Taiwan if it refused to peacefully accept unification. Those parallels have grown since Trump's election. The United States is Taiwan's largest military backer and its support is considered vital for its survival, but Trump's global shakeup, including launching negotiations with Russia without Ukraine and threatening to cut off future aid to Kyiv, has brought anxiety to Taiwan about a similar withdrawal of American assistance. When I was in Taiwan in December, I spoke with several senior officials who said they were closely watching what happened to Kyiv on the battlefield and with the new U.S. administration. So far, the White House has reaffirmed its support for Taiwan, but Washington has also threatened tariffs on the island's semiconductor industry, which is responsible for around 60 percent of world production for microchips and 90 percent of the most-advanced ones needed for the global AI boom. Across The Supercontinent Choking Off Iranian Oil: Earlier this month, the United States brought in a new tranche of sanctions on Iranian oil, my colleague Kian Sharifi and I reported . The move is seen as an opening shot against Tehran and Beijing -- Iran's top oil customer. New Bridge Deal: The Transport Ministry of Tajikistan and the Tajik branch of the Chinese company Zhejiang Communications Construction Group (ZCCC) signed a cooperation agreement for the construction of what will be the longest road bridge in Central Asia. New Tools For Tashkent: Uzbekistan showcased on February 25 newly purchased Chinese-made air-defense systems, including the FM-90 short-range surface-to-air missile system and the KS-1C medium-to-long-range air-defense system. One Thing To Watch A Chinese-crewed cargo ship is detained in Taiwan's southern port of Tainan after a key Taiwan-Penghu Internet cable was mysteriously severed. Taiwanese prosecutors are investigating whether this was an accident or part of a broader pattern of disruptions to vital communication lines, but the country's Coast Guard released footage of them apprehending the vessel. The move comes amid growing tensions from a rise of so-called gray zone tactics, the term often used by Taiwanese officials to refer to the hybrid tactics used to intimidate the island but which remain below the threshold for war. That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have. Until next time, Reid Standish US President Donald Trump said he sees a "very good chance" for peace between Ukraine and Russia after "very good and productive discussions" between US officials and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a March 14 post on his Truth Social site, Trump also said the United States had urged Russia to spare the lives of "thousands" of Ukrainian soldiers that Putin has said have been isolated by Russian troops in Russia's Kursk region. Ukraine disputes that claim. The post came just hours after the Kremlin said it was "cautiously optimistic" following a meeting late on March 13 between Putin and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. "We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end," Trump wrote. Trump added that "thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position." "I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared," he wrote. "This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II." Putin said a day earlier that a group of Ukrainian troops were "isolated" in the Kursk region, the site of a surprise incursion by Ukrainian forces last August. Responding to Trump's plea on March 14, he said the soldiers' lives would be spared if they surrendered and urged Kyiv to order them to do so. Officials in Kyiv have said that while Ukrainian forces have been slowly withdrawing in the Kursk region under heavy pressure from Russian troops, but the armed forces general staff said on March 14 that "[r]eports of the alleged 'encirclement' of Ukrainian units...in the Kursk region are false and fabricated." "There is no threat of encirclement of our units," it said in a statement on social media. Zelenskyy Challenges Putin's Motives Earlier on March 14, Putin's spokesman said there were grounds for "cautious optimism" over Trump's 30-day cease-fire proposal, which Ukraine accepted earlier this week at talks with US officials in Saudi Arabia. Ukraine, meanwhile, questioned Moscow's sincerity in ending the war, which is now in its fourth year since Russia's full-scale invasion on February 2022. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow that Putin sent Trump a message about his cease-fire proposal after his talks with Witkoff in the Russian capital. "When Mr Witkoff brings all the information to President Trump, we will determine the timing of a conversation (between Trump and Putin). There are reasons to be cautiously optimistic," Peskov said. Putin said a day earlier that he agrees in principle with the US proposal for a temporary cease-fire with Ukraine, but added that "there are nuances," such as Western weapons deliveries to Kyiv, that he wants addressed first. The Russian leader also said any agreement should lead to long-term peace that addresses the "root" reasons for the war, an apparent reference to NATO expansion and other developments Putin claims have put Russia's security in jeopardy. In a video posted late on March 13, Zelenskyy questioned Putin's motives, saying the Russian leader was preparing to reject the proposal but was afraid to tell Trump. "That's why in Moscow they are imposing upon the idea of a cease-fire these conditions -- so that nothing happens at all, or so that it cannot happen for as long as possible," Zelenskyy said. He followed up on March 14 with a post on social media accusing the Kremlin of trying to "complicate and drag out the process." "Russia is the only party that wants the war to continue and diplomacy to break down," he said on X after a call with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, cardinal Pietro Parolin. Putin's Response To Trump's Pressure Kyiv agreed to Trump's 30-day cease-fire proposal at a meeting in Jeddah on March 11, putting the onus for peace in Moscow's lap. Putin's response threw the ball back into US hands, at least to some degree. Trump called Putin's initial reaction to peace talk developments "promising" but incomplete, though he added he hoped Russia would "do the right thing" and agree to the deal. "I think the Russians are keen not to be seen as the intransigent party as that could lead to consequences from Trump, such as sanctions. So that informed Putin's comments today," John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia Program at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based think tank, told RFE/RL. Trump has made ending the war in Ukraine a top priority since taking office for a second term less than two months ago, and is wielding US leverage to get both Kyiv and Moscow to the table. On March 13, the US administration heightened pressure on Russia by increasing restrictions on the country's oil, gas, and banking sectors. Among the measures, the Treasury Department was allowing the expiration of a 60-day exemption put in place in January by the Biden administration that let some energy transactions involving sanctioned Russian banks continue. The move would make it more difficult for other nations, especially in Europe, to buy Russian oil. Meanwhile, the foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) -- which includes the United States, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan -- said they discussed imposing more sanctions on Russia and boosting support for Ukraine if the Kremlin does not agree to the cease-fire. Among the measures discussed during the March 13-14 meeting were caps on the price for Russian oil exports, they said in a joint statement. Western nations in late 2022 imposed a $60-a-barrel price cap on the export of Russian oil using Western ships or insurance. It is unclear if the G7 discussions touched on lowering the price cap. Russia's economy is heavily dependent on oil exports, which account for a third of federal budget revenues. In a joint statement following the meeting, the G7 said that "we reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty, and independence." "We welcomed ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire, and in particular the meeting on March 11 between the US and Ukraine in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," it added. Putin also said there were several unanswered questions in the proposal, such as what to do about Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region. "If we have a cease-fire, does that mean that everyone there would leave?" Putin said. "Should we release them [Ukrainian troops] after they committed crimes against the population? Or would they surrender?" Ukraine denies committing such crimes, saying it abides by humanitarian law and does not target civilians. Why Should Russia Agree To A Cease-Fire? Kyiv seized a swath of the Kursk region in a stealth incursion in August, a move seen as an effort to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and use the territory as a bargaining chip in any peace talks. That strategy is now failing as Russian forces supported by North Korean troops push the Ukrainians out of Kursk. Russia has regained more than half the territory in Kursk initially captured by Ukraine. Zelenskyy told reporters on March 14 that the situation in Kursk was "obviously very difficult." Among the other concerns Putin voiced about the cease-fire proposal is whether Ukraine would use the 30-day period to mobilize and train forces or rearm with the help of the West. He also raised the question of how the nearly 2,000-kilometer front would be monitored. Zelenskyy told reporters that the front could be monitored by US satellites. Experts had warned that Putin would likely seek to drag out cease-fire talks because his forces have the upper hand on the battlefield. Aside from the advances in Kursk, Russia is gaining territory in eastern Ukraine -- albeit at high human and material costs -- due to its significant manpower advantage. However, Zelenskyy said Ukraine has stopped Russian forces at the gates of Pokrovsk, a key logistical hub in Donetsk region, after months of fighting on the outskirts of the city. Zelenskyy asserted that the incursion into Kursk forced Russia to pull forces from eastern Ukraine, giving his troops time to defend the city. Russia is seeking to capture at a minimum the entirety of the four regions of Ukraine it claims to have annexed in September 2022: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson. A cease-fire freezing the current front lines would leave them short of that goal. "One way the Russians could slow down this process without coming out directly and saying 'no', is by dragging out those technical discussions on monitoring" the cease-fire, Hardie said. "That could also give them ways to try to pin the blame back on Ukraine, by insisting on certain technical matters that Ukraine might find objectionable," he said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. There will be no restrictions on the entry of vehicles with regional registration into Baku during the COP29 event, Deputy Head of the Intelligent Transport Management Center Namidan Piriyev said at a briefing on the transportation plan for the conference, Trend reports. He emphasized that vehicles will not be subjected to inspections at checkpoints. To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will be held in Azerbaijan in November this year. The decision was made at the plenary meeting of COP28 held in Dubai on December 11 last year. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for Conference of Parties, which is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. A total of 198 countries are parties to the convention. Unless the parties have decided otherwise, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn. A U.S. citizen serving as a political assistant at the Hungarian Embassy in Washington participated in a 2017 white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that left one counterprotester dead, an investigation by RFE/RLs Hungarian Service has found. Over the past seven years, Taylor Ragg has been involved in the conservative and far-right wings of the U.S. political landscape that have widely embraced Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's populist authoritarian rule as a model for the United States. Ragg, 29, has served as a political assistant at Hungary's Washington embassy since at least February 2021, according to archived screenshots of the embassys website and multiple sources close to the embassy. Video footage reviewed by RFE/RLs Hungarian Service shows that Ragg carried a torch during a nighttime march of white supremacists in Charlottesville on August 11, 2017, as part of a protest against the citys decision to remove a statue of General Robert E. Lee, the Confederate military leader during the American Civil War. Participants in the evening march shouted white-nationalist slogans, though video footage reviewed by reporters does not show Ragg, who carried a tiki torch, chanting along with other marchers shouting, You will not replace us. The following day, clashes erupted between participants in the protest, called Unite the Right, and counterprotesters, and a woman was killed when a man drove a car into a crowd of counterprotesters. The driver was convicted of hate crimes and sentenced to life in prison. Three sources close to the Hungarian Embassy in Washington confirmed to RFE/RLs Hungarian Service that the man seen on video footage of the torch-lit march on the eve of the deadly events is Ragg. Neither Ragg nor the embassy responded to questions about his employment sent by RFE/RLs Hungarian Service. A month after the deadly Charlottesville event, Ragg made national news in the United States when a woman studying at his university accused him of inciting harassment against her with a Facebook post calling on others to report this illegal at my school bragging about breaking the law. The woman, Paola Garcia, was brought to the United States by her parents at a young age and had been granted the ability to stay in the country under a program initiated under former U.S. President Barack Obama to allow undocumented immigrants to remain temporarily if they arrived as children. The president of Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, subsequently sent a statement to its community calling Raggs post reprehensible." The university subsequently announced that Ragg was no longer enrolled. Ragg was photographed last year at the Conservative Political Action Conference, an annual conference that attracts conservative activists and politicians, together with Mark Ivanyo, head of the self-described national-populist conservative advocacy group Republicans for National Renewal. Ivanyo has praised Orban , who has endorsed former Donald Trump, the former U.S. president and current Republican nominee in the November 5 U.S. presidential election, as a man of the people and for the people. Since his ascent to power in 2010, Orban has clamped down on civil rights and tightened control of the media, while his continuing ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin after Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine has put him at odds with other European leaders. WASHINGTON -- Following the U.S. presidential election on November 5, the decision by Americans to return Donald Trump to the White House has reverberated around the world. Ukraine, whose defense against Russia is heavily dependent on U.S. military, financial, and diplomatic support, may feel the effects more than any other foreign country. Under outgoing President Joe Biden, the United States has committed more than $56 billion to Ukraine in security assistance alone since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. It has allocated tens of billions more in financial and humanitarian aid. "The most significant factor that's going to be driving the outcome of the war, I think, and certainly what happens in the next few months, is the U.S. election," said Ruth Deyermond, senior lecturer in the Department of War Studies at King's College London. The result of the vote "will determine, in effect, whether Ukraine continues to be supported by the United States, or the extent to which its supported by the United States," Deyermond told RFE/RL. Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris expressed vastly different positions on backing for Ukraine. Harris said she would continue Biden's policy of aiding Ukraine, clearly expressing the desire to see Russia defeated. Trump has questioned U.S. support for Ukraine, saying that Europe should be carrying the bulk of the burden in backing Kyiv against the Russian invasion, and has left NATO's future in doubt. He has declined to comment on whether he wants Ukraine to win and has asserted repeatedly that if he is elected, he will end the war very quickly -- even before he takes office in January. "While we could expect a Harris White House to continue to act in much the same way, perhaps, as the Biden White House, certainly not a dramatic turn away from Ukraine, Donald Trump has made it very clear that he wants to see an end to the war quickly," Deyermond said. "And we know that one of his long-term foreign policy priorities, one of the few consistent foreign policy positions he's held since before he was elected in 2016, was, as he puts it, getting along with Russia," she said. "So he would want to see the war ended quickly, and on Russia's terms, I think." Trump has said Putin's conditions for peace talks are "not acceptable," argues that he was tougher on Russia than previous presidents, and claims that Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if had he been in the White House. In 2017, he gave the green light for the United States to provide lethal aid to Ukraine, something his predecessor, Democrat Barack Obama, had refused to do because of concerns about provoking Moscow. 'No More' In April, Trump said he would be open to something like the lend-lease program the United States launched to help allies during World War II as an alternative to aid grants. Trump has said little about how he would seek to engineer an end to Russia's war against Ukraine. In an interview with Fox News in July 2023, he indicated he would try to push Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate by threatening to open the aid spigots for Ukraine. Conversely, he said he would pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy by threatening to withhold aid. "I would tell Zelenskiy: 'No more. You got to make a deal.' I would tell Putin: 'If you don't make a deal, we're going to give [Zelenskiy] a lot. We're going to [give Ukraine] more than they ever got if we have to,'" Trump said. "I will have the deal done in one day. One day." Ukrainians fear that any push for a quick peace agreement would play into Russia's hands, leaving about one-fifth of their country under Moscow's control while also letting Putin use a cessation of hostilities as a chance to build up its forces for a future attack. Words And Actions In any case, exactly what Trump will do once in power is uncertain, and there are a number of variables that could affect the next president's actions. Zelenskiy's government has been frustrated with the Biden administration, saying U.S. military aid is coming too slowly and with too many restrictions. Despite persistent entreaties, Biden has not permitted Ukraine to use U.S. long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russia. Ukraine is still short of air defenses and ammunition, enabling Russia to pound its cities and critical infrastructure from the skies and advance deeper into the Donetsk region. This month, Russia has made its largest territorial gains since March 2022, the month after the full-scale invasion. One factor in how a Trump presidency would affect Ukraine and the Russian invasion would be the makeup of his cabinet. The Trump campaign is reportedly considering former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for the position of defense secretary and former national-security adviser Robert O'Brien for secretary of state. Both have criticized the Biden administration for restricting the use of U.S. weapons and called for more sanctions on Russia. In an opinion article in The Wall Street Journal in July, Pompeo called for creating a $500 billion lend-lease program to help the country defend itself. He also called for giving Ukraine NATO membership, something O'Brien said this week "is too provocative at this point." 'The Year Of Diplomacy' Yet another variable: Congress. While presidents have greater sway over foreign policy, the legislature holds the nation's purse strings and could force the White House to adjust its stance on the issue of military and financial support for Ukraine. Control of the House and Senate could flip in the November 5 election, with the Democrats gaining a majority of seats in the lower chamber and the Republicans in the upper chamber. That would be a more advantageous situation for Ukraine, as a Republican-controlled Senate would be likely to support aid to Ukraine, Kurt Volker, Trumps special envoy for Ukraine negotiations in 2017-19, told RFE/RL last month. He said a lend-lease program would be easier to get through Congress. "I think making the case for spending real U.S. taxpayer money for Ukraine is harder and harder, but letting them borrow as much as they need in order to buy U.S. weapons and fight the war, that should not be controversial at all, and I think should get massive bipartisan support," he said. But Charles Kupchan, an analyst at the Council on Foreign Relations, told RFE/RL that the United States would likely nudge Ukraine toward talks regardless of who wins the election, in part because the war is straining Western resources. "I would expect 2025 to be the year of diplomacy," Kupchan said. "I don't believe that where we are today is sustainable." At the same time, he said cutting off aid to Ukraine was not the way to get the two sides to the negotiating table. "That's an invitation to Putin to keep coming," Kupchan said. Steve Gutterman contributed to this report Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. Grainne Ni Aodha, PA Gardai intervened to disperse a large crowd that had gathered on Dublins O'Connell Street for a non-existent Halloween parade. Groups congregated on OConnell Street on Halloween night after posts online suggested there would be a spectacle there from 7pm. Just before 8pm, gardai posted on social media site X to appeal to people to leave. The An Garda Siochana account said: Please be advised that contrary to information being circulated online, no Halloween parade is scheduled to take place in Dublin City Centre this evening or tonight. All those gathered on OConnell Street in expectation of such a parade are asked to disperse safely. It asked people to share the message and said officers would be patrolling OConnell Street if assistance was needed. Galway arts company Macnas held a parade around Halloween last year in both Galway city and Dublin city, but no plans to hold a Dublin performance were announced this year. The Republic of Moldova Closer to the EU The citizens of the Republic of Moldova voted, on October 20, in favor of amending the country's Constitution to support its accession to the EU Klaus Iohannis and Maia Sandu (photo: presidency.ro) Corina Cristea, 01.11.2024, 13:26 The citizens of the Republic of Moldova voted, on October 20, in favor of amending the countrys Constitution to support its accession to the EU, and sent the incumbent, pro-Western president Maia Sandu, and Alexandr Stoianoglo to the second round of the presidential elections. The latter is supported by the pro-Russian Socialist Party. In their only electoral debate before the November 3 elections, Maia Sandu accused her opponent of being the Trojan horse through which others want to rule the country, and called him Moscows man on several occasions. The current president, who dismissed Stoianoglo from the position of general prosecutor, accused him of closing major corruption cases against Igor Dodon, Viaceslav Platon and Ilan Sor, but also for not supporting the referendum for joining the Union. Stoianoglo, who did not participate in the referendum, declares himself, however, a firm supporter of European integration, and states that he wants to strengthen friendly relations with Romania and Ukraine, but also good relations with Russia and China, which he called partners of development, alongside the EU. Throughout the campaign, Chisinau repeatedly denounced Russias interference in the electoral process, something denied by Moscow. There is clear evidence that criminal groups supported by foreign forces hostile to our national interests tried to buy 300 thousand votes, says Maia Sandu. At a turnout of 1.5 million, that would mean 20% of the votes being bought. The results show that, in the first round, Maia Sandu obtained almost 43% of the votes, and Alexander Stoianoglo about 26%. On the same day, at the referendum, over 750 thousand citizens voted in favor of amending the Constitution, the advance of the pro-Western camp being only about 12 thousand votes, with the balance tilting thanks to the decisive vote from the diaspora. The close result from the referendum can create problems for the president Maia Sandu in the second round of the presidential elections, according to the political analyst from the Republic of Moldova, Anatol Taranu. He believes that Maia Sandu will no longer benefit from the political advantage that an overwhelming vote in favor of European integration would have brought: The fact that the vote was so close creates problems, very serious problems regarding the opening of Moldovan society to a European option. It also creates very serious problems for those who initiated this referendum, because it was believed that, in the second round, Maia Sandu will go with a well-defined political gain, a success in the referendum. This success is not so obvious, which creates premises for Maia Sandus opponents to criticize her. University professor Ion Bogdan Lefter is not of the same opinion. According to him, things are settling down now, after in the first round the incumbent president obtained a considerable advance, psychologically speaking. This leads to, as sociologists, and electoral analysts sometimes say, a kind of electoral premium. Here is Ion Bogdan Lefter: Also, this success, even being so close, even with so few votes over 50% in the referendum that Ms. Maia Sandu promoted, and which indicates, regardless of the score, the decision of the Republic of Moldova to integrate into the EU, will generate the same type of attitude and reaction at the polls. So, if we take into account not only the electoral arithmetic, the strictly numerical results from the first round, if we introduce such electoral psychology arguments into the discussion, then I think that the second round still has a predictable result. It would be a huge surprise for Ms. Sandu to lose, and I dont think we will witness such a surprise. What is the geopolitical stake of the elections and voting in the Republic of Moldova? Eliminating Russias malignant influence, says political-military analyst Radu Tudor: The Republic of Moldova, unfortunately, has Russian occupation troops on its territory, in the Transnistria region. That territory is coordinated, subsidized and fed militarily by Russia. For more than 34-35 years, the Republic of Moldova has had this torment, has dealt with this threat. Lets not forget that in 1992, 300 Romanians were killed by Russians because they wanted the Romanian language, they wanted the Romanian language to be taught in the schools where their children study, and thats why they were killed. However, this threat of Russia, which we see in Transnistria, which we see in the barbarous invasion of Ukraine, must be deterred by such models. No matter how small the country is, no matter how small Maia Sandu may seem, if you have courage, determination, and Western support, behold, it is possible. The stake is for this people to be free, to no longer be prey to repeated Russian invasions, as has happened throughout history, and to exist in the west of Romania, lets say in the same model as in the east of Romania. That is, let there be peace, democracy, stability around our borders, let us not sit all the time with a sword over our heads and an aggressive Russian military presence at the gates of Romania and NATO. The stake is freedom, democracy and, last but not least, peace and security, says Radu Tudor, because, by supporting the Republic of Moldova, we are supporting ourselves, in order to remove as much as possible from our borders the most destabilizing factor for European security, which it is Russia. November 1, 2024 UPDATE A roundup of local and world news Newsflash Newsroom, 01.11.2024, 20:00 DEFENCE Romania and Norway continue to stand by Ukraine at these critical times, the defence minister Angel Tilvar said on Friday, after a meeting in Bucharest with his Norwegian counterpart, Bjorn Arild Gram. Minister Tilvar highlighted the successful cooperation between the two countries air forces under a programme in which the Romanian government awarded to Norway a contract for the procurement of 32 F-16 aircraft with initial logistic support, and for complementary goods and services from the US. A total of 12 airplanes have been received so far, after less than a week ago 3 F-16 Fighting Falcon multi-role aircraft arrived in Romania. The entire lot is expected to be received by the end of 2025. FLOODS A person on the list of Romanian nationals missing following the devastating floods in Spain has been found dead, the Romanian foreign ministry announced on Friday. The foreign ministry via the Romanian consular office in Castellon de la Plana and the Romanian Embassy in Madrid continues to check information on an estimated 15 Romanian nationals on the list of missing persons. The region of Valencia, in the south-east of Spain, has been hit by unprecedented floods. At least 205 people died in Spain following the rainfalls and floods, according to updates provided by the Spanish authorities. Scores of people are still missing. Spain declared 3 days of national mourning. ELECTIONS The election campaign for the parliamentary elections of December 1st officially got under way on Friday. Romanian voters will elect 466 MPs, 330 in the Chamber of Deputies and 136 in the Senate. The election campaign will come to an end on 30th November. Romanian citizens residing abroad will be able to cast their ballots either through postal voting or in person at one of the polling stations set up abroad. The Romanian foreign ministry submitted to the Permanent Electoral Authority its proposals for the 950 polling stations to be set up abroad for the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. The election campaign for the presidential elections began a week ago. The first round will take place on 24th November, and the second round on 8th December. In June, Romania also saw European and local elections. ANNIVERSARY Radio Romania Friday celebrated 96 years of uninterrupted service. With over 3 million listeners a day, the public radio station must reinvent itself and make itself more attractive to younger audiences, said the director general of the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation, Razvan-Ioan Dinca. Radio Romania broadcast its first programme at 5 pm on 1st November 1928. In recognition of its decisive role in the countrys history, in December 2019 Parliament declared 1st November National Radio Day in Romania. To mark this occasion, the Radio Concert Hall Friday night hosted an anniversary concert conducted by the celebrated Romanian conductor Cristian Mandeal. TRADE The Romanian minister of the economy, entrepreneurship and tourism, Stefan-Radu Oprea, and the trade minister of Turkey, Omer Bolat, Friday chaired the second session of the Romanian-Turkish Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO). The Romanian official said there is evident progress in terms of the value of bilateral trade, while Omer Bolat said bilateral economic relations have grown in all areas, from trade to investments, tourism, transport and services. He also appreciated Romanias support for his country within the EU, in respect of the modernisation of the customs union. The Romanian-Turkish JETCO establishment declaration was signed by the two economy ministers on the sidelines of the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogans visit to Romania on April 1, 2015. JOURNALISTS In most cases in which journalists get killed around the world, their killers go unpunished, said UNESCO in a report on International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, which is marked every year on 2nd November. 85% of all crimes against journalists recorded by UNESCO in 2006 are still not solved, the report also writes. Over the two years covered by the UNESCO report, namely 2022 and 2023, 162 journalists were killed, almost a half of them in countries with ongoing armed conflicts. In 2022, Mexico reported the largest number of journalists killed, 19, followed by Ukraine, with 11 journalists killed. In 2023, Palestine reported the largest number of journalists killed, namely 24. (AMP) Radio Romania 96 Radio Romania today celebrates 96 years of uninterrupted broadcasting. As a token of appreciation for the role it has played in Romanias history, the Romanian Parliament has declared November 1st as the national radio day November 1 - National Radio Day Sorin Iordan, 01.11.2024, 14:00 Radio Romania has celebrated 96 years since it first entered the listeners houses from Romania and abroad. On November 1 1928 the Romanians were able to listen to the first broadcast of the public service of the Radiotelephonic Company, today known as the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation and also as Radio Romania. In the same year 1928, conductor and song-writer Mihail Jora set up the Radio Orchestra, today known as the National Radio Orchestra, which has celebrated the same anniversary. According to its CEO, Razvan Ioan Dinca, Radio Romania channels are presently boasting over 3 million daily listeners. He also says that after so many years of activity on the domestic and international arena, this radio station has to reinvent itself and become more attractive for the younger generation, very well anchored in the online world. Razvan-Ioan Dinca: We have to think on how to reinvent the radio so that it may reach out to the young people as well. And an essential step in my opinion is to turn the on-air content into digital, which I think we have achieved this year by completing all Radio Romania webpages, including the regional ones. We are going to reintegrate all of them into one portal, which has to comprise all the news that we do on-air. I believe this will make the station more attractive to a younger audience. Dinca has praised the activity of Radio Romania Music and Radio Romania Culture, two channels broadcasting relevant cultural content, which enjoy solid audience rating, but also the covering of major sporting events, which took place this year. At the same time he has given assurances that in the context of the presidential and parliamentary election due later this year, Radio Romania will continue to be a platform of equidistant expression for the candidates and urged them to convey relevant messages for the listeners. Razvan-Ioan Dinca: The message I convey to those participating as candidates is a serious message on one hand, when I say that we are equidistant and we have a platform, which disseminates their messages towards three million-three million and a half listeners. On the other hand in a less serious note, I would like to say that whenever we measure audience rating during elections, we see that this is going down a little bit. So, we are politely asking those who are running in the parliamentary and presidential election to make the content of their promotional clips which, under the law we must broadcast and allot certain slots in our programmes relevant, to share with us interesting things, things that are going to raise the audience rating. As a token of appreciation for the crucial role the public station has had in the history of Romania, in December 2019 the Romanian Parliament declared November 1 as the National Radio Day. (bill) The manufacturing sector in Taiwan continued to expand in October, albeit at a slower rate, the latest survey from S&P Global revealed on Friday with a manufacturing PMI score of 50.2. That's down from 50.8 in September, although it remains above the boom-or-bust line of 50 that separates expansion from contraction. October's weaker PMI reading was closely linked to slower rises in both production and new orders. For output, the increase was the weakest in the current seven-month upturn, whilst growth in new work was the softest since April. Better market demand was nonetheless reported by several panelists, both at home and abroad. Indeed, new export orders rose slightly in October amid evidence of higher sales to Europe, North America and Southeast Asia. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 1. Uzbekistan will participate in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Azerbaijan, Trend reports via the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan. As part of COP29, the government of Uzbekistan will present a National Pavilion that reflects the traditional principles and technologies underlying Uzbek culture, history, and unique environment. The pavilion, designed in the style of a traditional Uzbek courtyard (hovli), will convey the atmosphere of an internal courtyard, which has been the heart of every Uzbek home for generations. Here, nature becomes a part of the home: greenery and vine-covered areas create shade and comfort, while traditional materials and ancient building methods embody ideals of sustainability and environmental friendliness. The two-week conference program will include high-level plenary sessions, a Summit of World Leaders on Climate Change, Executive Council meetings, coordination meetings, a Youth Climate Forum, a Global Climate Action Summit, the 17th Nairobi Program of Work Coordinators' Forum, round tables, and seminars on topics such as finance, investment, trade, green energy, technology and innovation, health, human development and youth, food, agriculture, water resources, nature and biodiversity, transport and tourism, gender equality, and more. A number of initiatives are planned for COP29, including the organization of over 20 events within the National Pavilion with the participation of the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as well as various bilateral and multilateral meetings and the signing of agreements with regional and international partners and donors. Specifically, the following key events are planned within the National Pavilion: - an official signing ceremony for the International Youth Strategy in collaboration with the International Public Fund "Zamin," featuring representatives from all participating countries as well as presentations of environmental educational projects and initiatives. - a meeting of the Ministers of the Turkic Environmental Forum from the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). - an event regarding the Climate Migration Declaration (Silk Road Declaration) with member countries of the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM), planned as a joint initiative between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. - an event for the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region, organized in collaboration with the UNDP coordination office in Uzbekistan. Overall, active participation of the Uzbek national delegation is planned in negotiation sessions and other key and ancillary meetings of the conference. In a mere ten days, Azerbaijan will host COP29, the decision about which was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Germany's Berlin with its secretariat in Bonn. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says North Korean troops will apparently join Russian forces in support of the war against Ukraine in the coming days, Austin revealed this at the conclusion of 2+2 meetings with South Korean officials at the State Department. "We now assess that North Korea has sent around 10,000 of its soldiers to train in eastern Russia," Austin said. "Our most recent information indicates that about 8,000 of those soldiers are now in the Kursk Oblast. Now, we've not yet seen these soldiers deploy into combat against Ukraine's forces, but we expect that these North Korean soldiers will join the fight against Ukraine in the coming days." Austin said Russian forces have trained the North Korean soldiers in artillery operations, unmanned aerial vehicle operations and basic infantry tactics, including trench clearing. "The Kremlin has also provided these troops with Russian uniforms and equipment, and all of that strongly indicates that Russia intends to use these foreign forces in frontline operations in its war of choice against Ukraine". "Make no mistake, if these North Korean troops engage in combat or combat support operations against Ukraine, they would make themselves legitimate military targets," the secretary added. He said the United States is consulting closely with allies and partners on these developments. "As I discussed last week in Kyiv, Ukraine's military continues to perform admirably on the battlefield, and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's forces have suffered serious losses in recent months." Ukrainian forces have caused more than 1,200 Russian casualties per day, more than at any other time during Putin's war, according to Austin. "By 'tin-cupping' to North Korea for manpower, Putin is showing the world another clear sign of weakness. The Kremlin's North Korean gambit just underscores how badly Putin's war has gone and how much trouble he is in." Austin said the U.S. will announce additional security assistance for Ukraine in the coming days. Austin, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and National Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun the 2+2 meetings. At the meetings, the United States and South Korea agreed to further enhance their interoperability and strengthen our extended deterrence. "Our countries are deepening our nuclear and strategic planning efforts through the Nuclear Consultative Group, and we're increasing the regular deployments of U.S. strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula," Austin said. The two countries agreed that attacks in space or cyberspace "that clearly challenge the security of the alliance could lead us to invoke Article III of the Mutual Defense Treaty". For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Seven people were killed in rocket attacks by Hezbollah in northern Israel Thursday. One Israeli farmer and four Thai workers were killed as rockets hit them at Metula, near the Lebanese border, reports quoting a local official said. A critically injured foreign worker has been hospitalized. Separately, two members of a family were killed in an attack targeting the coastal city of Haifa later in the day. The victims were an Israeli mother and her son, living near Kibbutz Afek. This marks the worst loss of lives that Israel suffered at the hands of Hezbollah since the Lebanese militant outfit began launching rockets across the border in October last year. Meanwhile, the Pentagon said U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant Thursday to discuss opportunities for regional de-escalation. "The Secretary reiterated U.S. commitment to a diplomatic arrangement in Lebanon that allows both Lebanese and Israeli civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border," Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a readout. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The United States has called on the Government of Israel to swiftly extend the indemnification of Israeli banks in West Bank for at least one year. Thursday, the Government of Israel approved a 30-day extension of its indemnification of Israeli banks, allowing them to continue correspondent banking relationships with Palestinian counter-parties. Responding to it, Secretary Of State Antony Blinken and Secretary Of The Treasury Janet Yellen said the very short-term duration of this extension creates another looming crisis by November 30, exacerbating uncertainty for international banks, Israeli companies operating in the West Bank, and most importantly for ordinary Palestinians who bear the greatest brunt of such uncertainty. They warned in a joint statement that Cutting off these banking ties would create significant economic turmoil in the West Bank, threatening the security of Israel and the broader region. Blinken and Yellen noted that the U.S. Government's deep concern in this matter is shared by the G7 and many of its closest partners. "To date, the U.S. Government's sustained engagement with both the public and private sector in Israel and the West Bank gives us confidence that Palestinian banks are adequately managing terrorist financing risks," they said in the statement. The two Secretaries urged Israel that future renewals of indemnification should be "transparent, predictable, and de-politicized". For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 1. Total exports from Turkiye to countries of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (which, along with Turkiye, includes Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Pakistan) amounted to $880.6 million in September 2024, marking an increase of 8.6 percent from the same month in 2023, Trend reports. Data from the Turkish Ministry of Trade shows that from January through September of this year, this figure grew by 18.3 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching a total of $7.46 billion. In September of this year, Turkiye's imports from D-8 countries amounted to $1.24 billion, rising by 10.3 percent compared to the same period in 2023. During the first nine months of 2024, the imports from D-8 countries by Turkiye grew by 12 percent compared to the same period last year, totaling $11.16 billion. Turkiye's foreign trade turnover reached $49.1 billion in September 2024. In the reporting month, Turkiye's exports decreased by 1.9 percent year on year to $21.9 million, and imports decreased by 1.4 percent to $27.1 million. Turkiye's foreign trade turnover reached $443.9 million from January through September 2024, compared to the same period last year. In the mentioned period, Turkey's exports from January through September 2024 increased by 2.6 percent compared to the same period in 2023, reaching $191.7 million, while imports decreased by 8.1 percent, to $252.1 million. Turkiye's foreign trade turnover reached $617.5 billion last year. The country's exports totaled $255.7 billion in 2023, up 0.6 percent compared to the same period in 2022, while imports decreased 0.5 percent to $361.7 billion. D-8 was founded in 1997 to encourage economic and development cooperation among the eight Member States. The D-8 aims include, among other things, boosting developing nations' positions in the global economy, diversifying new trade opportunities, and increasing participation in international decision-making. The D-8 prioritizes cooperation in the following areas: trade, industry, agriculture and food security, energy, transportation, and tourism. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel As Breitling celebrates its 140th anniversary, the watchmaker shares a selection of little-known anecdotes from its rich history in a forthcoming book to be published by Rizzoli. 1. Leon Breitling was not the familys first watchmaker While Leon Breitling is widely recognised as the companys founder, he wasnt the first in his family to put the Breitling name on a watch. Leons great-uncle had married into a watchmaking family and established Breitling-Laederich in 1850. It was through this company, which exported timepieces to the Americas, that Leon Breitling took his first steps in the watchmaking industry. Leon Breitling Breitling 2. Montbrillant: more than just a manufacture In 1892, Leon Breitling opened a workshop on rue de Montbrillant, a name now synonymous with the watch brand. However, the location originally served as both factory and family home. The central workshop premises were flanked by residential buildings, one wing of which welcomed three generations of the Breitling family. This structure, typical of late 19th-century industrial architecture, can also be found in Besancon, France, where the factory-residence of another major exponent of the chronograph, the Dodane family, can still be seen. Maison Atelier on rue de Montbrillant Breitling 3. Breitlings role in law enforcement Breitlings Vitesse chronograph, introduced in 1907, became an essential tool for law enforcement. As automobiles became more common, this device, capable of measuring speeds from 15 to 250 km/h, was used by police to issue speeding tickets essentially serving as the worlds first speed camera. Vitesse Chronograph from 1907 Breitling 4. The birth of the two-pusher chronograph Modern chronographs typically feature two pushers: one for the start/stop function and the other to reset the timer. This wasnt always the case the first examples did everything with a single pusher. In 1923, Gaston Breitling (Leons son) patented the two-pusher system, revolutionising chronograph design and setting a new industry standard. Advertisement from the 1950s Breitling 5. Gaston and his singing birds In a lesser-known chapter of Breitlings history, in the early 1900s the company briefly produced singing bird boxes. These diminutive automata were very fashionable at the time, and Breitling was keen to ride the wave of popularity. According to the family archives, they were crafted in Paris by Gaston Breitlings brother-in-law. 6. The forgotten regency The interregnum between Gastons and Willy Breitlings leadership is an often overlooked part of company history. When Gaston died at 43, his son Willy was only 14 and still in school. Given that the law mandated a minimum age of 20 to run a business, Willys mother Berthe managed the company for six years, helped (or hindered) by various administrators. 7. The Kodak inspiration Willy Breitlings encounter with the affordable Kodak Brownie box camera sparked a revelation: We should create an entry-level product thats accessible to everyone. This insight led Breitling to develop the market for popular, affordable chronographs, broadening their appeal beyond professional users. It was to prove a revolutionary approach. 8. The Navitimers predecessor The iconic Navitimers signature features chronograph, slide rule and notched bezel actually originated with the Chronomat 786. Introduced in 1942, this chronograph for mathematicians (chrono + math) is now an exceedingly rare collectors item, not to be confused with modern Chronomat models, whose name is rather a contraction of chronograph and automatic. Chronomat 786 Breitling 9. The enigma of the twin jet logo The Twin Jet logo was introduced In 1957, at a time when the Breitling name was widely associated with sailing and travel. Initially featuring on the case backs of SuperOcean and TransOcean models, it wasnt until almost a decade later, in 1965, that the logo first appeared on the dial of a Navitimer. Since then, this distinctive mark has become highly sought-after by collectors. But why two jets? To this day, no one has the faintest idea! Breilings twin jet logo on a plane David Carter / Delos Communication 10. Soaring into aviation history Breitlings aviation legacy now extends well beyond sponsoring aerobatic teams, encompassing partnerships with celebrities like John Travolta. John Travolta at the inauguration of the Breitling Rue de la Paix boutique in 2012 David Carter / Delos Communication The watchmaker even operated its own aerobatic team (the first and only such case in watchmaking history), the Breitling Jet Team, which was founded in 2000. The venture originated even further back, in 1994, when the watchmaker established the Breitling Aviation Academy, which would have celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. Russian comedian Maxim Galkin, who left the country with his family after the outbreak of a full-scale war and condemned the Kremlin's terrorist regime, visited the Ukrainian Museum in New York (USA). The comedian attended an exhibition of paintings by prominent Ukrainian artists and shared his impressions. ADVERTISIMENT A corresponding post appeared on the official Instagram page of the 48-year-old comedian. He showed his fans some of the most impressive exhibits presented there. "Today I visited the Ukrainian Museum in New York, a small but very interesting exposition of Ukrainian modernism: Davyd Burliuk, Volodymyr Burliuk, Maria Syniakova, Oleksandr Bohomazov and others," the celebrity wrote. According to Maxim Galkin, a separate floor was allocated to the works of the outstanding artist and illustrator Oleksandra Ekster. Paintings, sketches for scenery and outfits created by the cultural figure are displayed in a large room. ADVERTISIMENT "In one of the halls, one can see a fragment of the old movie Aelita with costumes designed by the artist, one of which is also presented at the exhibition," Maxim noted. In the comments, Maxim Galkin's followers from Ukraine thanked the comedian for making the works of Ukrainian artists public and shared their own opinions about the exhibits. The comedian even communicated with one of them in Ukrainian. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The main actors of the Marvel superhero franchise The Avengers have supported US Vice President Kamala Harris in her campaign for the White House. Scarlett Johansson, who plays the role of Black Widow, gathered her colleagues via video call to "defeat Donald Trump," Harris' main rival. ADVERTISIMENT In a video posted by Mark Ruffalo on his X-Men page, who plays the Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the stars expressed their support for the politician and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. "Thank you for answering my call," Johansson said during the video call. Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Don Cheadle, Danai Gurira, and Paul Bettany also joined the call. The video ends with a link to iwillvote.com, where you can check your voter registration status, find your polling place, and learn more about the voting process until November 5. Johansson acknowledges that people are still reflecting on a "tumultuous few years," but says it is vital to focus on the future. "I just hope that people will exercise their right to vote and participate in the elections, especially young people, because obviously it's their future," the actress told Vanity Fair. ADVERTISIMENT The celebrity admits that she is concerned that another Trump presidency could cause irreparable damage to her children, including her 3-year-old son. "My daughter is 10 years old, and I think about how much damage has been done not only politically and socially, but also environmentally under Trump," the star says. It's very urgent to support the opposite." On Instagram, her colleague Mark Ruffalo wrote: "Don't sit idly by. This is a case where we are losing big: Project 2025, women's reproductive rights, climate change, LGBT+ rights, public education, student debt relief, the Affordable Care Act, Social Security, and as of today, life-saving vaccines. This shit is real, and it's coming for you." Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! EUROPE Bosnia and Herzegovina Expected Council Action In November, the Security Council will hold its semi-annual debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The Council also expects to vote at the start of the month on the reauthorisation of the EU-led multinational stabilisation force (EUFOR ALTHEA) prior to its 2 November expiration. Background The 1995 General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), also known as the Dayton Peace Agreement, created two entities within BiH: the predominantly Bosniak and Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and the predominantly Serb Republika Srpska (RS). The two entities are linked by a rotating tripartite inter-ethnic presidency and a two-chamber legislative branch with equal representation by the three major ethnic groups (Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs). Both entities also have their own executive and legislative branches. The Dayton Peace Agreement also established the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and the NATO-led Implementation Force (IFOR) to oversee implementation of the agreements civilian and military aspects, respectively. In 1996, IFOR was replaced by the NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR), which in turn was replaced in 2004 by the EU-led Multidimensional Stabilisation Force (EUFOR). In December 1995, the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) was established to garner international support for the Dayton Agreement. The PIC Steering Board (SB), which serves as the executive arm of the PIC and provides the High Representative with political guidance, consists of representatives from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the UK, the US, the Presidency of the EU, the European Commission, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which is represented by Turkiye. In 1997, the PIC agreed to grant significant legislative powers to the High Representative. Known collectively as the Bonn Powers, these include the ability to take binding decisions and unseat elected officials who are found to be in violation of legal commitments made under the Dayton Agreement or the terms of its implementation. On 27 May 2021, following the announcement by then-High Representative for BiH, Valentin Inzko, of his intention to resign, the PIC issued a statement designating Christian Schmidt as his successor. Russia objected to Schmidts appointment, arguing that the decision was reached without the support of all PIC members and that Bosnian Serb representatives had not been adequately consulted. Furthermore, Russia argued that the appointment lacked the endorsement of the Security Council. However, the US and European members of the Council maintained that the PIC SBs authority to appoint High Representatives does not necessitate Security Council approval. The 1995 GFAP specifies that High Representatives are to be appointed consistent with relevant UN Security Council resolutions. In past practice, among the seven High Representatives preceding Christian Schmidt, only oneChristian Schwarz-Schillingwas appointed without the adoption of a Security Council resolution. Rather than adopting a resolution, Tanzania, in its capacity as Security Council president, issued a letter on 30 January 2006, welcoming the PICs decision to nominate Schwarz-Schilling as High Representative. On 22 July 2021, China and Russia introduced a draft Security Council resolution (S/2021/667) supporting the appointment of Christian Schmidt as High Representative until 31 July 2022, with the subsequent closure of the OHR. With a vote of two in favour (China and Russia) and 13 abstentions, the draft resolution failed to be adopted. In response, China argued that the outcome signaled a lack of Security Council support for Schmidts appointment, a sentiment Russia echoed, further claiming the position remained vacant. Subsequently, on 28 July 2021, Russia announced that it would cease participation in meetings of the PIC SB, and on 17 February 2022, declared it would suspend financial contributions to the OHR. Aligning itself with the positions of China and Russia, Republika Srpska has taken a series of steps challenging the authority of the OHR. In June 2023, Republika Srpskas National Assembly (RSNA) enacted legislation ceasing the publication of the High Representatives decisions in the entitys Official Gazette, rendering them invalid within Republika Srpska. In response, on 1 July 2023, Schmidt amended BiHs criminal code, enabling criminal prosecution of authorities or officials who fail to apply, implement, enforce or otherwise comply with a decision of the High Representative. In August 2023, BiHs Prosecutors Office filed charges against RS President Milorad Dodik for failing to implement the High Representatives decisions. The trial is currently ongoing. Key Recent Developments On 26 March, Schmidt issued a decree amending BiHs Election Law to strengthen election integrity across the country. In response, on 19 April, the RSNA adopted its own election law, which would establish a new entity-level election commission that would oversee all electoral processes within RS. Amidst these developments, BiHs Central Election Commission (CEC) announced on 8 May that local elections would take place on 6 October. On 21 May, RS authorities confirmed their participation in the local elections under the supervision of the CEC, affirming adherence to the state-level electoral framework. However, Dodik clarified that this decision is not an endorsement of Schmidts authority, pledging that RS would enforce its own Election Law in the 2026 general election. The RSNAs election law took effect on 17 July. The day before, the PIC issued a statement cautioning that the law could usurp responsibilities of the CEC and create parallel legal frameworks, while affirming that the international community retains the necessary instruments to uphold BiHs sovereignty and territorial integrity. On 19 September, BiHs Constitutional Court annulled the RSNAs election law, determining that it violated BiHs constitution. The latest report of the OHR (S/2024/777) notes that the 6 October elections were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere without any serious incidents. Preliminary results indicate that BiHs major national parties maintained their dominance over most of the countrys town halls, while some of those parties lost important mayorships in urban centres, including Sarajevo and Banja Luka. On 23 May, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 11 July as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Srebrenica Genocide. Among Security Council members, China and Russia voted against the resolution, two abstainedAlgeria and Mozambiqueand the remaining 11 members voted in favour. According to the latest OHR report, the adoption was met with an aggressive campaign of historical revisionism, repeated denial of genocide in Srebrenica, and glorification of war criminals on the part of the ruling coalition in the Republika Srpska. On the same day, the RSNA held a session in Srebrenica, during which it adopted a Draft Agreement on the peaceful disassociation from the FBiH. The OHR report describes the agreement as a document that disregards the statehood, sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH. A special session of the RSNA to discuss the agreement, scheduled for 9 July, was cancelled. Key Issues and Options The role of the OHR remains a key issue for the Council. Neither China nor Russia recognise Schmidts authority as High Representative. A draft Security Council resolution S/2021/667 (proposed by China and Russia in July 2021) supported Schmidts appointment as High Representative until 31 July 2022, with the subsequent closure of the OHR. Several Council members, including the P3 (France, the UK, and the US), opposed the draft text because it imposed a time frame for the OHRs closure without referencing the 5+2 Agenda, which is a set of five objectives and two conditions established by the PIC SB that need to be fulfilled prior to the OHRs closure. One option for the Council is to consider a presidential statement proposing an independent strategic review of the OHR that takes these views into consideration. Another key issue for the Council is the need to address the separatist rhetoric and actions of RS authorities. The Council may wish to issue a press statement endorsing the continued relevance of the GFAP and noting the continued willingness of the international community and major donors to lend their support. Council Dynamics Deep divisions related to BiHs Euro-Atlantic integration and possible accession to NATOparticularly between Russia on the one hand and the US and Council members from Europe on the otherhave long coloured Council dynamics on BiH. The European Council agreed to open accession talks with BiH on 21 March after having unanimously voted to grant BiH candidate status in December 2022. Overall, Council members have similar concerns about BiHs divisive ethnic politics. Most members are also critical of Dodiks rhetoric and his recent threats of dissolution, which they view as challenging BiHs sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia, however, tends to be supportive of Dodiks positions. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA AFRICA Central African Republic Expected Council Action In November, the Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), which expires on 15 November. The Central African Republic (CAR) sanctions regime expires on 31 July 2025, and the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 2745 CAR Sanctions Committee expires on 31 August 2025. Key Recent Developments On 23 October, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the CAR and Head of MINUSCA Valentine Rugwabiza briefed the Council on efforts to advance the implementation of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR, including progress in the disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration of former combatants; the implementation of security sector reform; and the restoration of state authority. (For more, see our 22 October Whats in Blue story.) On 26 September, CAR President Faustin Touadera, in his statement at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, expressed his satisfaction with the Security Councils decision to lift the arms embargo imposed on his country. In addition to lifting the embargo, resolution 2745 of 30 July also strengthened all other targeted sanctions measures against armed groups and associated individuals. (For more, see our 29 July Whats in Blue story.) Touadera also spoke about his countrys strong potential for expanding its mining industry and reiterated his governments call for the total lifting of the embargo on diamonds. The embargo was imposed by the Kimberley Process, a multilateral trade regime established in 2003 with the goal of preventing the flow of conflict diamonds that limited export volumes and their per-carat value. The suspension limits exports from production areas in the east and some parts in the west of the CAR, according to the Panel of Experts supporting the work of the 2745 CAR Sanctions Committee. This has led the CAR government to campaign for the lifting of the suspensions. The CAR has been preparing to hold local elections for the first time in four decades. MINUSCA is expected to provide assistance to the CAR authorities in organising the polls, in accordance with resolution 2709 of 15 November 2023, which renewed the mandate of MINUSCA. With a budget shortfall posing a major challenge, CAR authorities announced in August the postponement of local elections, which had been planned for 13 October, until April 2025. As at 1 October, only $4.8 million out of $14.8 million needed to organise the elections had been mobilised, according to the Secretary-Generals latest report on MINUSCA published on 11 October. The security situation has remained volatile, particularly in the northwest and east, because of competition over natural resources and control of major roads. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of instability in the country, and the use of explosive ordnance remains an ongoing challenge. Various armed groups are also involved in kidnapping for ransom. The influx of refugees and returnees to the CAR from Sudan has exacerbated the humanitarian situation. Since April 2023, over 29,000 Sudanese have crossed into the CAR to seek refuge, according to the Secretary-Generals report. In line with its mandate, MINUSCA continues to assist the CAR government in expanding state authority and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Human Rights-Related Developments On 7 October, the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the CAR, Yao Agbetse presented his report (A/HRC/57/79) to the Human Rights Council. The expert carried out two assessment visits to the CAR from 9 to 18 August 2023 and from 11 to 22 February. The report noted that between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024, the MINUSCA Human Rights Division documented 2,724 human rights violations and abuses affecting 4,121 victims, including 2,493 men, 426 women, 306 girls, 524 boys, 5 minors whose sex is unknown, and 367 collective victims. The report added that armed groups were responsible for 1,575 human rights violations, resulting in 2,199 victims. It further mentioned that violations committed by the army, police and gendarmerie have declined but not ceased. According to the MINUSCA Human Rights Division, state agents were responsible for 1,149 violations affecting 1,932 victims. The report highlighted that womens participation in national decision-making mechanisms remains marginal, as does their place in the ongoing peace and reconciliation process. The proportion of women in the National Assembly is 12 percent. Womens desire to be voters and candidates in local elections and to play a role in local development is impeded by psychological violence, stubborn prejudices and certain customary practices that confine them to subordinate roles, according to the report. Peacebuilding Commission Developments On 23 October, the Chair of the CAR country configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Ambassador Omar Hilale (Morocco), briefed the Council. He emphasised the need to support CARs ongoing efforts to promote stabilisation, recovery and sustainable development. He also stressed the need to ensure adequate financial support for the organisation of local elections in 2025 to consolidate sustainable peace in the country. Key Issues and Options The renewal of MINUSCAs mandate will be a key issue for Council members in November. In this regard, MINUSCAs transition could be a focus of attention during the upcoming mandate-renewal negotiation process. The MINUSCA strategic review, circulated to Council members on 14 August, recommended that the mission and the host country initiate discussions on a potential transition plan in 2026, following the presidential and legislative elections expected to take place in 2025-2026. The most likely option for Council members is to extend the missions mandate for one year, as recommended by the Secretary-Generals report. However, there could be discussions and negotiations on the missions mandate, priorities, and authorised strength. While the review said that there is currently no desire or request from the national authorities for the drawdown of MINUSCA, it acknowledged the host countrys desire to see the missions mandate adapted to support the CAR governments early recovery and development initiatives. The review also assessed MINUSCAs mandate as remaining relevant, stressing that its full and effective implementation required sustained support from the CAR government and the Security Council. Some Council members, however, may still want to advocate for a reduction in the missions authorised strength. The CAR authorities have formally requested the UN to provide electoral assistance to the presidential and legislative elections in 2025-2026. Pursuant to resolution 2709, MINUSCA has already been given the mandate to support the CAR authorities in organising local elections. Council members may note the postponement of local elections planned for October and call on the CAR authorities to ensure that fair and inclusive local elections are held in April 2025. They may also consider enhancing the current mandate to allow MINUSCA to provide support to the upcoming presidential and legislative elections. The restrictions on MINUSCAs freedom of movement and the use of uncrewed aerial vehicles, or drones, have been an ongoing issue. Since December 2023, the CAR government has restricted the use of drones, which some Council members argue undermines the missions ability to enhance its situational awareness, protect civilians, and ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers. According to the Secretary-Generals report, the mission had to terminate its contract for drones on 15 July because of these restrictions. The implementation of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) could also be an issue in the upcoming negotiations. The CAR authorities have raised concerns about tax exemptions, citing pressing economic challenges. MINUSCA is exempt from taxation, but the CAR authorities are trying to increase their tax revenue by renegotiating the SOFA to include taxes on MINUSCA. Council Dynamics Council members appreciate MINUSCAs work and the Special Representatives efforts in maintaining positive relations with host country authorities. Several members continue to raise concerns, however, about restrictions on the missions freedom of movement, particularly on its use of uncrewed aerial vehicles. On the other hand, Russia and the CAR have expressed concerns about armed groups that operate drones, which they give as the reason the CAR government suspended all drone flights. Some Council members, such as France, the US, and the UK, have expressed alarm at the increasing disinformation campaign against MINUSCA. The CAR has highlighted the governments continued efforts to counter this trend but notes that it should be seen as an expression of public dissatisfaction with the missions inability to meet peoples expectations. Regarding MINUSCAs mandate renewal in November, the CAR had in the past underscored the need to adapt the mandate to new priorities and realities on the ground, but the review said that the government is no longer pushing for a mission drawdown. China noted positively the strategic reviews recommendations for optimizing and adjusting the mandate and staffing of the Mission, so as to ensure that MINUSCA performs its duties efficiently. It seems that China may wish to see a reduction in the missions authorised strength at this mandate renewal. France is the penholder on the CAR, and Ambassador Amar Bendjama (Algeria) chairs the 2745 CAR Sanctions Committee. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON THE CAR ASIA DPRK (North Korea) Expected Council Action In November, the Chair of the 1718 Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Pascale Baeriswyl (Switzerland), is scheduled to brief Council members in closed consultations on the 90-day report regarding the Committees work. Key Recent Developments Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated markedly in recent months, while concerns regarding increased cooperation between the DPRK and Russia have also continued to grow. On 8 October, Republic of Korea (ROK) Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun reportedly told ROK politicians it was highly likely that media reports indicating DPRK military officers had been killed in a Ukrainian missile strike near Donetsk were true. Approximately a week and a half later, several media outlets reported that DPRK troops had been sent to eastern Russia for training and appeared to be readying for deployment in Ukraine, citing the ROK National Intelligence Service. On 23 October, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters there is evidence that there are DPRK troops in Russia, describing the situation as very, very serious. During a press conference held as part of the recent BRICS summit, which took place in Kazan from 22 to 24 October, Russian President Vladimir Putin neither confirmed nor denied that DPRK troops were in Russia, responding to a question regarding satellite images that appeared to confirm their presence by saying images, that is something serious, if there are images they are a reflection of something. On 28 October, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced that DPRK troops had been deployed to the Kursk region in Russia, where Ukrainian troops launched a cross-border offensive in early August. The Pentagon estimates that the DPRK has sent approximately 10,000 DPRK troops to Russia. The alleged deployment of DPRK troops on Russian territory comes after the DPRK and Russia signed a Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on 19 June. Among other matters, the treaty provides that in case any one of the two sides is put in a state of war by an armed invasion from an individual state or several states, the other side shall provide military and other assistance with all means in its possession without delay in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and the laws of the DPRK and [Russia]. Since the treaty was signed, the DPRK and Russia have bolstered ties in several different areas. According to media reports, independent groups have continued to document evidence indicating that the DPRK is supplying missiles to Russia for use in Ukraine. On 13 September, former Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu met with DPRK leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang for talks that focused on the implementation of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. DPRK Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui has also travelled to Russia twice in the last six weeks. In a 26 September statement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the denuclearisation of the DPRK as a closed issue. On 30 October, Council members convened for an open briefing regarding the DPRKs involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. The meeting was requested by Ukraine with support from France, Japan, Malta, Slovenia, the ROK, the UK, and the US and was held under the Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine agenda item. Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenca briefed. The increasingly close relationship between the DPRK and Russia has prompted the ROK to boost its cooperation with NATO. ROK officials briefed the North Atlantic Council and representatives of Australia, Japan, and New Zealand regarding the deployment of DPRK troops to Russia on 28 October, while the ROK Ministry of National Defence has reportedly indicated that it could send weapons or military personnel to Ukraine. Against this backdrop, tensions between the DPRK and the ROK have continued to rise. On 4 October, DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong-un said that the DPRK would not hesitate to use all the offensive forces it has, including nuclear weapons, if the ROK attempts to use armed forces encroaching upon the sovereignty of the DPRK. A week and a half later, on 15 October, the DPRK destroyed rail and road links between the two countries on the northern side of the demilitarised zone. This came days after the DPRK accused the ROK of flying drones carrying political leaflets over Pyongyang. On 17 October, DPRK state media appeared to confirm that the DPRK had amended its constitution and classified the ROK as a hostile state, a move first signalled in January when Kim Jong-un announced that the DPRK would no longer pursue reunification with the ROK. The DPRK has also continued to trial its weapons systems, including by launching ballistic missiles, firing rocket launchers, and testing suicide drones. On 13 September, the DPRK published photos showing Kim Jong-un inspecting a weapons-grade uranium manufacturing facility. The publication marked the first time that the DPRK has publicly revealed the existence of such a facility. On 31 October, the DPRK tested an intercontinental ballistic missile. On 16 October, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the ROK, the UK, and the US announced that they will establish the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team, a mechanism intended to monitor and report on violations of the 1718 DPRK sanctions regime. The announcement came approximately seven months after Russia vetoed a draft resolution that would have extended the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 1718 DPRK Sanctions Committee. (For more information, see our 22 March Whats in Blue story.) At the time of writing, it appears that the modalities and working methods of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team are still being determined by the participating member states. Human Rights-Related Developments The Secretary-Generals latest report on the situation of human rights in the DPRK was issued on 5 August (A/79/277). Among other matters, the report concluded that available information points to an increase in repression of fundamental freedoms, in particular freedom of expression and access to information, with the application of new laws severely constraining this right and introducing severe punishments. Key Issues and Options The alleged deployment of DPRK troops on Russian territory, together with reports of ongoing arms transfers from the DPRK to Russia, has created a major issue for Council members. As more information comes to light, the Council could choose to hold an open briefing to discuss any relevant developments. Given the direct involvement of a permanent member, a more substantive response is likely to be difficult. Council members are also considering how the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team could assist both the Council and the 1718 DPRK Sanctions Committee. Council members could choose to request an open briefing on the work of this mechanism once it is operational, including in relation to any information it obtains regarding violations of the 1718 DPRK sanctions regime. The heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula are another issue for the Council. Council members could consider holding an informal interactive dialogue or a closed Arria-formula meeting to discuss possible strategies for managing these tensions. Council Dynamics The Council is deeply divided over the DPRK. The P3 (France, the UK, and the US) and other like-minded countries, including Japan and the ROK, support using sanctions to manage the threat posed by the DPRK and often call on member states to comply with existing Council resolutions. Many of these members have urged the DPRK to engage in dialogue and abandon its weapons programmes, while emphasising that it is responsible for escalating tensions. Some of these members call for the Council to show unity and respond to the DPRKs weapons tests and argue that China and Russia have emboldened it by blocking Council action on the file. They also highlight evidence of arms transfers between the DPRK and Russia and note that these transfers violate Council resolutions. China and Russia, on the other hand, blame the US for heightening tensions and have accused it of not doing enough to incentivise the DPRK to participate in denuclearisation talks. These two members have also contended that sanctions should be eased because of their impact on the humanitarian situation and have expressed their support for a draft resolution circulated by China in October 2021 that would provide sanctions relief to the DPRK if adopted. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON THE DPRK In Hindsight: UN-AU Cooperation: A Path Toward Networked Multilateralism or Fragmented Responses? Introduction October was a significant month for UN-AU cooperation. The annual consultations of the members of the Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) took place in New York on 18 October, with the informal dialogue held in a retreat format for the first time on 16 and 17 October in Tarrytown. Council members received an update on the operationalisation of resolution 2719 of 21 December 2023 on financing AU-led Peace Support Operations (AUPSOs) pursuant to a 23 May presidential statement. The Security Council held its annual meeting on the Secretary-Generals report on UN-AU cooperation on 2 October and the AUPSC and the Peacebuilding Commission held their seventh annual consultative meeting in New York on 15 October. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and AU Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat also met in Addis Ababa on 21 October for the eighth UN-AU high-level conference. This was followed by an AU-UN retreat in Abidjan on 25 and 26 October, which brought together AU and UN Special Representatives and Envoys. These joint activities between the UN and the AU last month reflect how far the relationship has developed over the past decade and a half. This months In Hindsight examines the progress and challenges in UN-AU cooperation and offers ideas for charting the way forward. Institutionalised Cooperation Chapter VIII of the UN Charter governs the relationship between the Council and regional arrangements in maintaining international peace and security (For more, see our research report on The UN Security Council and Chapter VIII of the UN Charter: Toward More Effective Engagement between the Council and Regional Actors.) In this context, the UN maintains more extensive cooperation with the AU than with any other regional organisation. In 2017, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat initiated the annual UN-AU High-Level Conference, alternating between New York and Addis Ababa. During the meeting, the two leaders recognised the significant progress in enhancing the UN-AU cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening and deepening the partnership. The high-level conference complements the UN-AU Joint Task Force (JTF) meetings, which have been held biannually since 2010 at the senior officials level, and the UN-AU Desk-to-Desk (D2D) meetings, working level interactions formally known as the Annual Consultative Meetings on Prevention and Management of Conflicts, which began in 2008. These mechanisms have become a regular feature of UN-AU cooperation, serving as key platforms for discussing and coordinating the efforts of the two organisations in advancing peace and security in Africa. Furthermore, UN-AU cooperation is now bolstered by frameworks that align with the three pillars of the UNpeace and security, development, and human rightsas well as the AUs various normative instruments and initiatives. These frameworks include the UN-AU Joint Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, the UN-AU Framework for the Implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the UN-AU Joint Framework on Human Rights, signed in April 2017, January 2018, and November 2023, respectively. Relevant AU instruments and initiatives include Agenda 2063, a blueprint for Africas development transformation, and Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2030, one of the flagship projects under Agenda 2063 aimed at ridding the continent of conflict and violence. On its part, the Security Council has deepened its cooperation with its AU counterpart. It has been holding annual consultations with the AUPSC since 2007, alternating between New York and Addis Ababa. Starting in 2016, these consultations have been preceded by an informal seminar that provides a platform for members of the two Councils to exchange views mostly on thematic topics of shared interest. Additionally, since 2017, the President of the Security Council and the Chair of the AUPSC have been holding informal meetings to coordinate the two councils monthly work programmes. According to the latest Secretary-Generals report on strengthening the partnership between the UN and the AU on issues of peace and security in Africa, including the work of the UN Office to the AU (UNOAU) published on 26 August, there were nine informal meetings in the past year. While both councils have agreed in principle to conduct joint field missions, the modalities for implementing this initiative have yet to be worked out.[1] At the informal dialogue the idea of having joint visits at the subsidiary body level was discussed. Another suggestion from this meeting was a follow-up mechanism for the implementation of joint decisions from the annual consultations. The Role of the A3 The three African members of the Security Council (known as the A3) have become the linchpin in fostering cooperation between the Security Council and the AUPSC. The A3 grouping was born out of Africas experience in the Security Council during the 2011 Libyan crisis. Despite the AUs efforts to resolve the crisis through dialogue, it felt that the Security Council had not taken its views seriously. It was felt that the situation might have been different if Africa had presented a stronger, more unified voice within the Security Council.[2] Since then, the A3 members have steadily strengthened their coordination and unity to advance a common African position in the Security Council. A decade ago, the AU launched the Oran process, an annual high-level seminar designed to help incoming African members of the Security Council prepare to address African peace and security issues in the Security Council by articulating Africas common positions in its decision-making process. They are now increasingly speaking with one voice, regularly delivering joint statements in both country-specific and thematic meetings of the Council. While these joint statements were initially limited to African issues, they have since expanded to include other topics as well. The A3 has expanded on two occasions into the A3 Plus, when one of the like-minded Council members from Latin America and the Caribbean joined the group during their respective terms. This arrangement started with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which served as an elected Council member in 2020-2021, and continued with Guyana, currently serving as an elected member in 2024-2025. Discussions are ongoing on how to institutionalise this arrangement.[3] The A3 has also emerged as a cohesive negotiating bloc, significantly enhancing its influence within the Council. Recognising this, penholders on Council initiatives (usually France, the UK, and the US, otherwise known as the P3) have begun consulting with the A3 in a bid to secure their support in advance of negotiations on the mandate renewal of peace operations or the extension of sanctions regimes. Traditionally, the A3 members have been the penholder or co-penholder on West Africa and the Sahel, and the Central Africa regioncurrently Sierra Leone and Switzerland on the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), and Mozambique and the UK on the UN Office for Central Africa (UNOCA). The A3 Plus is now actively exploring the possibility of ensuring pen-holding or co-pen-holding on all African dossiers and dossiers of interest to Africa on the Councils agenda.[4] This year, Sierra Leone, which chairs the 1533 Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Sanctions Committee, became a co-penholder with France on the DRC file. (For more, see SCRs chart on penholderships.) In recent years, A3 members have jointly convened Arria-formula meetings and delivered joint press stakeouts to highlight African priorities. They have also increasingly voted together, though on certain issues aligning votes has proved challenging over the years. These include, among others, the renewal of sanctions regimes, the longstanding Western Sahara issue, and other African issues that may involve the direct interest of a given A3 member. There have also been times when pressure from a permanent member has disrupted A3 unity in voting, both on African and non-African files. Most importantly, the A3, individually and collectively, have spearheaded the adoption of Council products on important priority issues for Africa. Recent examples of Council products jointly proposed by the A3 include resolutions 2457 and 2719 on Silencing the Guns in Africa and the financing of AUPSOs in February 2019 and December 2023, respectively. These resolutions are likely to guide UN-AU cooperation in the years ahead. Challenges of the Partnership Despite the institutionalised cooperation between the UN and the AU, significant challenges remain in addressing crises across Africa. The two organisations regularly exchange views on various conflicts and crises on the continent, but they may not always share the same perspective on how to handle them. While the UN has increasingly deferred to the AU and its sub-regional mechanisms as first responders, the situations in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel highlight the limitations and difficulties the AU and its regional bodies face in effectively responding to crises on the continent. In turn, there have been differing views among Council members on when the Security Council should act more assertively, especially if regional and sub-regional responses are slow or ineffective. The strategic interests of permanent Council members and their interpretation of a given crisis often dictate the nature and scope of the Councils involvement. Some crises, such as the situation in Sudan, have not received as much attention from the Security Council due to competing global priorities, such as the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. Some African members have lamented what they perceive as double standards in the Councils work. For example, speaking on behalf of the A3 in a Council meeting on 16 March 2022, less than a month after Russias invasion of Ukraine, Gabon urged the European Union to show the same compassion, in keeping with international humanitarian law, to Africans fleeing security and climate crises for which they are not responsible as they did to refugees from Ukraine. Geopolitical rivalries have also hindered Council engagement on some issues, such as in the Sahel, where France, Russia, and the US have strong political and security interests; these interests have influenced the responses of the Council to the coups in West Africa in recent years, as well as its decision to shutter the peacekeeping mission in Mali in 2023. (For more, see our July 2022 In Hindsight titled The Security Council and Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa.) There also seems to be a growing feeling that the role of other external actors is complicating the crisis response by the AU and the UN on the continent. With UN peace operations in Africa rapidly declining, partly due to resistance from host governments and local communities, the space for AUPSOs and other regional forces has expanded. However, the operating environment has become more complex with the emergence of other external actors like the Africa Corps (formerly the Wagner Group)a Russian private security firm now directly overseen by the Russian Ministry of Defense. While AUPSOs and regional forces are being viewed as potential alternatives to such actors, recent experiences have shown that these operations may face the same challenges as UN peacekeeping missions on the continent. The Silencing the Guns initiative enjoys broad support at the UN, but there are questions about the AUs contradictory approach to implementing it. The AUs master roadmap for implementing the initiative outlines measures such as imposing arms embargoes on parties involved in conflicts and curbing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. Yet, the AUPSC has been calling for lifting existing Security Council arms embargoes in conflict zones already flooded with weapons. The A3s role in advancing common African positions is generally welcomed by other Council members. Nonetheless, the groups tendency to support African countries under the Councils purview based on solidarity has at times complicated negotiations on mandate renewals and the extension of sanctions regimes. This situation has given host countries to UN peace operations and those targeted by sanctions enormous leverage during negotiations. The A3 usually take their cue from the AUPSC, but there have been instances when they appeared to contradict Addis Ababa, as in the case of Sudan. While the AU was touting its roadmap to resolve the Sudan crisis, the A3 was initially reluctant to agree on a Council product supporting Sudans national position. Observations UN-AU cooperation has made significant strides, especially over the past decade, but realising the partnerships full potential requires moving beyond formalities and ritualistic engagements. To do this, the two organisations will need to strengthen the various cooperation platforms created over the years to allow for a frank exchange of views and to forge a shared perspective on addressing pressing peace and security issues on the continent. While it is sensible for the Security Council to defer to the AU and its regional mechanisms when they are capable of making an impact, it must be ready to take decisive action whenever those conditions are not met. In other words, the partnership should not be a pretext for the Security Councils inaction, particularly in the face of gross violations and crimes against humanity. The mantra of African solutions to African problems enjoys widespread support at the UN. However, there is a growing sense that it has sometimes been misused to shield regimes with poor governance and human rights records. Therefore, the African solidarity advocated by the A3 in the Security Council will only have real significance if it is anchored in the objectives and principles outlined in the AU Constitutive Act, particularly the principle of non-indifference, which marked a pivotal shift from the Organization of African Unity, the precursor to the AU. Adopting resolution 2719 marked a significant milestone in the UN-AU partnership, but its successful implementation will require both organisations to be pragmatic. The AU may need to manage the expectations of certain member states advocating for full UN funding of AUPSOs and show a commitment to sharing the financial burden. In the Security Council, navigating the influence of some powerful members who strongly oppose applying resolution 2719 to potential cases such as Somalia, despite support from the host country and the AU, is likely to be a challenge. If members are able to rise above the politics of this issue, the resolution, which outlines clear parameters for decision-making and authorisation, will prove a useful guide. The key challenge moving forward will be whether UN-AU cooperation can truly embody networked multilateralismas the Secretary-General envisaged in his A New Agenda for Peaceby fostering a coherent and effective response to crises in Africa or will instead become a reflection of a fractured and dysfunctional multilateral landscape. The multiple and complex peace and security threats on the African continent certainly cry out for the former to be the path forward. [1] In 2017 and 2018, the Security Council extended three invitations to the Chair of the AUPSC to participate in its field visits in Africa. However, he did not participate in any of these visits. The main reason was the AUs desire to agree on the modalities for the joint visit before implementing the decision. It seems that the AUPSC wants all of its members to participate in joint visits, which might be difficult to do from the Security Councils perspective because of technical and logistical constraints. The A3 had proposed draft modalities in 2018 for the AUPSCs consideration but there was no reaction from Addis Ababa. [2] AU Political Affairs, Peace and Security, The Oran Process and Africas Global Peace Agenda, 18 June 2024 https://youtu.be/sbiwIK03iRo?si=H8VrLt0MGnvPf-gl [3] African Union, Conclusions of the 10th High-Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa, Oran Process, 17-18 December 2023. d682ab_c555b7655584412c893eeba2270e44c8.pdf (africanunion-un.org) [4] Ibid. The Hollywood actor and director Steven Seagal, who publicly supports the Kremlin's terrorist regime and openly states that he is ready to fight against Ukraine, has gained a lot of weight in recent years. Recently, the Putinist released a propaganda documentary filmed in the temporarily occupied territories, which clearly shows that he has put on more than a few extra pounds. ADVERTISIMENT According to the New York Post, the director rarely appears on social media and attends public events in loose clothing that resembles a bathrobe and hides his figure. According to representatives of the film industry who have recently worked with Seagal, he has gained more than 22 kilograms. In the propaganda film, the Hollywood celebrity, who became a Russian citizen in 2016, came to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to show the "real events of the war." Interestingly, the film was shown only to Russians, but Steven Seagal confidently told how Ukrainians "provoked the aggression themselves." The star of the '80s and '90s action movies "Above the Law," "Under Siege" and "Mortal Kombat" did not appear in the best physical shape. His stomach was clearly visible under his bulky pants and shirt, and the Putinist himself carefully controlled the position of the equipment. ADVERTISIMENT "Seagal tended to be tightly controlled during the filming process. He constantly insisted on specific camera angles and did everything he could to avoid emphasizing his weight gain," the source told the New York Post. It should be reminded that after Steven Seagal received Russian citizenship, he has been talking about his love for Russia without ceasing. The propagandist confidently stated that he would never give up his passport of the aggressor country. On March 14, 2023, the Putinist attended the founding congress of the International Movement of Russophiles in Moscow. There, the director gave a speech during which he said that he considers himself "a million percent Russian." Recently, Segal spoke about a personal letter he sent to Vladimir Putin at the beginning of a full-scale war. In the message, the propagandist said: "I will stand by my president, I will fight by my president, and if necessary, I will die with my president." Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! MIDDLE EAST Lebanon Expected Council Action In November, Security Council members expect to receive a briefing in consultations on the Secretary-Generals report on the implementation of resolution 1701 of 2006. The report is expected by 13 November. Resolution 1701 reshaped the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in light of the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah and called for a cessation of hostilities between the parties. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix are the anticipated briefers. Council members are also likely to watch developments in Lebanon, Israel, and the region and evaluate whether additional Council action is required. Key Recent Developments The armed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has continued to intensify. Following the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas on 7 October 2023, Hezbollah and other armed groups have fired rockets into northern Israel in support of Hamas since 8 October 2023, while Israel has responded with airstrikes and the killing of Hezbollah commanders in Lebanon. In September, hostilities rapidly escalated with a wave of attacks widely attributed to Israel, which detonated thousands of Hezbollahs electronic communication devices and a large-scale Israeli airstrike campaign targeting several areas in Lebanon, including Beirut, with one of these airstrikes killing Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah on 27 September. Since 1 October, Israel has been carrying out ground operations in southern Lebanon to degrade Hezbollahs capabilities in the area while expanding its airstrike campaign. For its part, Hezbollah has continued to launch rockets and missiles towards Israel, expanding its targets to areas deeper inside Israel. On 22 October, it claimed responsibility for a failed drone attack on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus holiday residence. In a 25 October statement on social media, UNIFIL reported that since early October, peacekeepers have observed clashes on the ground in numerous locations in UNIFILs area of operations. On 29 October, Hezbollah announced the appointment of Sheikh Naim Kassem, who had been Nasrallahs deputy for over thirty years, as Hezbollahs new secretary-general. UNIFILs positions have repeatedly come under fire. Incidents included the wounding of two peacekeepers on 10 October after an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) tank fired towards an observation tower at UNIFILs headquarters in Naqoura, and the destruction of the main gate and forcible entry by two IDF tanks into a UN position in Ramyah on 13 October. UNIFIL said that, after the two tanks left, peacekeepers reported the firing of several rounds that emitted smoke, injuring 15 peacekeepers. On 29 October, UNIFIL reported that a rocket hit its headquarters, noting that it was likely fired by Hezbollah or an affiliated group. Israel has urged UNIFIL to move from its positions, stating that this is to avoid danger. On 2 October, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric said that, in response to Israels request, a decision was made both operationally and politically for UNIFIL to stay in its positions to implement its mandate. Israels warnings have raised concerns regarding the prospect of Israel launching a full-scale ground invasion in southern Lebanon. Commentators also noted that a withdrawal of UNIFIL troops would leave no impartial observers in that event. At a 10 October Security Council meeting on the situation in Lebanon, Lacroix said that UNIFIL has adopted measures to mitigate risks, including reducing the missions footprint by 25 percent at the most affected UN positions and temporarily relocating peacekeepers to larger bases in UNIFILs area of operations, while continuing to re-assess the forces posture against prevailing risks. While peacekeepers remain deployed, most civilian personnel have been temporarily relocated north of the Litani River. In response to the attacks on UNIFIL positions, a group of troop-contributing countries issued a joint statement on 12 October reaffirming support for UNIFIL and calling for the attacks to stop immediately. On 14 October, the members of the Security Council issued press elements expressing concern at UNIFILs positions coming under fire and urging all parties to respect the safety and security of UN personnel and premises. Members also expressed deep concern over civilian casualties and displacement and called for adherence to international humanitarian law. Additionally, members emphasised UNIFILs role in supporting regional stability and called for the full implementation of resolution 1701, while also recognising the need for further practical measures to achieve that outcome and emphasising the need for diplomatic efforts that would bring a durable end to the conflict and allow civilians on both sides of the Blue Line to return to their homes. (The Blue Line is a withdrawal line set by the UN in 2000 to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. While not representing an international border, the Blue Line acts in practice as a boundary between Lebanon and Israel in the absence of an agreed-upon border between the two states.) The humanitarian situation in Lebanon continues to deteriorate. A 30 October update by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), covering developments until 28 October, says that 2,710 people have been killed in Lebanon since 8 October 2023. The update notes that the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a sharp increase in the number of casualties among health sector workers. Healthcare and access to clean water have been severely affected by the hostilities, with reports of 15 hospitals being damaged in Lebanon and a confirmed case of cholera in the Akkar governorate. The OCHA update also indicates that journalists are also facing severe risks. During a 25 October press briefing, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq noted with concern reports of an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon which hit an apartment housing journalists and other media personnel. The airstrike killed three people and wounded three others. OCHA reports that displacement of civilians remains a key concern amid ongoing airstrikes and forced displacement orders issued across Lebanon by the Israeli army. As at 27 October, 834,746 people had been displaced in Lebanon, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Additionally, an estimated 440,000 people (Lebanese, Syrians, and third-country nationals) have crossed into Syria, and 22,498 Lebanese nationals have entered Iraq since the escalation of hostilities. According to Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlos 10 October Security Council briefing, more than 50 people had been killed and over 60,000 displaced in Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan since the start of the hostilities. DiCarlo also said that at least twelve Israeli soldiers had been killed in Lebanese territory since 1 October. On 24 October, France organised an international conference in Paris to mobilise support for Lebanon. Participants announced $1 billion in aid, including $800 million in humanitarian aid and $200 million to support Lebanons security forces. A statement issued by France after the conference said that the financial and in-kind support pledged to the Lebanese security forces should allow them to prepare a massive deployment of the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon, as part of a diplomatic settlement. The political situation in Lebanon remains unchanged. Lebanon has been without a president for two years since Michel Aouns term ended on 31 October 2022, with opposing politico-sectarian blocks unable to agree on a candidate. The presidential vacuum is compounded by the fact that, over two years since the 15 May 2022 legislative elections, Lebanons government remains in caretaker status. Human Rights-Related Developments In a 22 October press release, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said that he was appalled by the Israeli strike that occurred a day earlier near Rafik Hariri University Hospital, one of Beiruts main medical facilities in the densely populated Jnah neighbourhood. The strike reportedly killed at least 18 peopleincluding four childreninjured 60 others and damaged the hospital itself. Turk emphasised that the protection of civilians must be the utmost priority for all parties, stating that all feasible precautions must be taken to avoid, and in any event to minimise, incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects in military operations. He also stressed that hospitals, ambulances, and medical personnel are specifically protected under international humanitarian law due to their critical life-saving roles. Turk reiterated the UNs call for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Women, Peace and Security A 25 October UN Women update highlights the risks to the health, safety and dignity of women and girls in Lebanon against a backdrop of escalating hostilities and pre-existing discriminatory norms. According to consultations carried out by UN Women, women heads of households, widows, women with disabilities, migrant domestic workers, and older women are facing increased risks and need specific humanitarian support. The update says that, despite significant challenges, women-led and womens rights organisations are at the forefront of the humanitarian response and are actively engaged in delivering life-saving aid to displaced people. The update calls for funding these efforts and underscores the need for the humanitarian response to uphold the rights of women and girls. It also calls for strengthening the representation of women in decision-making forums. Key Issues and Options Returning to a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah and averting a regional conflagration in the Middle East are urgent issues for the Security Council. Council members may consider issuing a presidential statement urging all parties to immediately return to a full cessation of hostilities and to fully implement resolution 1701. The presidential statement could stress the importance of protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure, guaranteeing the safety and security of UNIFIL, and fully adhering with international law. Shortly before publication, several news outlets described a leaked ceasefire proposal between Israel and Lebanon drafted by the US. In the event of such an agreement, a key issue for the Council would be to evaluate the implications of the terms of the proposal on UNIFILs mandate and the framework established by resolution 1701. That the root causes of the hostility between Israel and Hezbollah and of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remain unaddressed is a long-standing issue. At the same time, a ceasefire in Gaza would contribute to de-escalating the situation along the Blue Line and in the wider region. Council members could renew their efforts towards that end. (For options in this regard, see the brief on The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question in our November Monthly Forecast.) Council Dynamics Council members ostensibly agree that there should be a return to a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Council members are also broadly supportive of UNIFIL. Council dynamics on this file remain difficult, however. There are sharp differences in Council members views of Hezbollah. Some members distinguish between Hezbollahs political and military wings and have only designated its military wing as a terrorist organisation; other members, including the UK and the US, have listed Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organisation. On the other hand, Russia sees Hezbollah as a legitimate sociopolitical force in Lebanon. The US has said that it supports Israels efforts to degrade Hezbollah while also stating that ultimately it wants to see a diplomatic solution to the conflict. In Council negotiations, it has apparently called for language stressing the need for a diplomatic solution to achieve the implementation of resolution 1701, rather than language directly urging the resolutions full implementation. The US has also apparently opposed language calling for de-escalation and a cessation of hostilities in recent negotiations on draft Council products on Lebanon. During the negotiations on resolution 2749, renewing UNIFILs mandate in August, the US sought at first to delete, and later to qualify, draft language directly demanding a restoration of the cessation of hostilities across the Blue Line, a move that some members interpreted as being motivated by the intention to avoid restricting Israels ability to fight Hezbollah. Proposals from the US to reduce the length of UNIFILs mandate renewal from 12 to 6 months or, alternatively, linking a one-year renewal to expressing the Councils intention to revisit UNIFILs mandate to help enable the full implementation of any future diplomatic understanding between the parties did not find support and were not included. Among other issues, several members were apparently uncomfortable with the Security Council linking UNIFILs mandate renewal to an agreement that was yet to materialise and the conditions and format to which they were not privy. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON LEBANON AFRICA Libya Expected Council Action In November, the Security Council will receive the biannual briefing of the ICC Prosecutor, Karim Asad Ahmad Khan, on the ICCs Libya-related activities. Background and Key Recent Developments Libya is not a state party to the Rome Statute of the ICC. The Security Council referred the situation in Libya to the ICC through the unanimous adoption of resolution 1970 on 26 February 2011, which invited the ICC Prosecutor to update the Council every six months. The ICC has jurisdiction over crimes listed in the Rome Statute committed on Libyas territory or by its nationals from 15 February 2011 onwards. The ICC opened investigations in March 2011 related to alleged crimes against humanity (including murder, imprisonment, torture, persecution, and other inhumane acts) and war crimes (including murder, torture, cruel treatment, and outrages upon personal dignity). The court has investigated these alleged crimes in relation to four priority lines of inquiry: 1) the 2011 Libyan Civil War; 2) military operations conducted between 2014 and 2020; 3) crimes committed in detention facilities; and 4) crimes committed against migrants. There is currently one open case before the court related to the first line of inquiry. It is centred on Saif al-Islam Qaddafi, the son of deposed Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi. In June 2011, the court charged him with two counts of alleged crimes against humanity and issued a warrant for his arrest. He remains at large. Regarding the second line of inquiry, on 4 October, the ICC unsealed arrest warrants for six individuals allegedly affiliated with the Al Kaniyat militia, which controlled Tarhunaa city of approximately 150,000 people located 90 kilometres southeast of Tripolifrom 2015 to 2020. The militia was allied with General Khalifa Haftars Libyan National Army (LNA) during its failed 2019-2020 military campaign to take Tripoli from the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), the predecessor to the current Government of National Unity (GNU). Since GNA forces ousted the militia from Tarhuna in June 2020, hundreds of bodies have been exhumed from mass graves in the town. The ICCs arrest warrants accuse the six individuals of war crimes, including murder, outrages upon personal dignity, cruel treatment, torture, sexual violence, and rape. In a statement announcing the unsealing of the warrantswhich were issued in April and July 2023Khan said that his office is seeking to work closely with Libyan authorities so that these individuals can face the charges against them in a court of law. (For more information on Al Kaniyats alleged atrocities in Tarhuna, see the 30 August joint report by the UN Support Mission in Libya [UNSMIL] and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [OHCHR].) Khans previous biannual report to the Council, dated 14 May, outlined a roadmap for the completion of the ICCs investigative activities in relation to the situation in Libya. The roadmap foresees applications for additional arrest warrants across several of the priority lines of inquiry, combined with renewed efforts with respect to arrest strategy, fugitive tracking and preservation of evidence to enable a transition to the judicial phase of the courts activities by the end of 2025. Following this transition, the prosecutors office would not seek additional arrest warrants, focusing instead on supporting trials before the court. At this stage, Khans report notes, Council members may consider how they would wish to mark the completion of the investigation phase, including with respect to the reporting requirements of the Office in relation to this situation. Regarding the broader situation in Libya, the political impasse continues between the GNU, based in Tripoli and led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah with advisory support from the High State Council (HSC), and the eastern-based Government of National Stability (GNS), which splintered from the GNU and is led by Prime Minister Osama Hamad and backed by the House of Representatives (HoR) and the LNA. According to the Secretary-Generals most recent report on UNSMIL, dated 8 August and covering events since 9 April, the parties have not achieved any progress in resolving disagreements about proposed electoral legislation that would allow national elections to be held and reconcile the countrys divided government. Among other issues, a key point of contention concerns the formation of a unified interim government to organise the elections, a move favoured by the GNS and HoR but opposed by the GNU and some segments of the HSC. The prolonged stalemate between the rival governmentswhich has persisted since the indefinite postponement of the 2021 electionsis a root cause of Libyas political, security, and economic instability. In August and September, the stand-off further escalated due to a dispute between the GNU and GNS over the leadership of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL)the countrys sole depository for public revenues and one of the few state institutions servicing both governments. The disagreement, which affected Libyas domestic oil production and access to foreign currencies, was eventually settled through an UNSMIL-mediated process that led to an agreement on compromise candidates to lead the bank. In a 9 October press statement, Council members welcomed the agreement, called on the parties to take steps toward establishing a unified national budget to ensure the stability of Libyas financial system, and reiterated their support for a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process to enable the holding of free and fair elections as soon as possible. During the Councils most recent 60-day briefing on the situation in Libya, held on 9 October, Deputy Special Representative and Political Officer in Charge of UNSMIL Stephanie Kourywho has been leading the mission since Special Representative and Head of UNSMIL Abdoulaye Bathily stepped down in Aprilannounced that she intended to build on recent positive achievements and advance an inclusive political process in the coming week aimed at breaking the political deadlock, addressing long-standing conflict drivers and moving towards national elections in the country. On 31 October, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2755, extending UNSMILs mandate for three months, until 31 January 2025, with a further automatic extension of an additional nine months, until 31 October 2025, if a new Special Representative and Head of UNSMIL has been appointed by 31 January 2025. (For more information on the mandate extension, see our Whats In Blue story of 30 October.) Key Issues and Options A key issue for the Security Council is how to promote justice and accountability for atrocities committed in Libya. Novembers briefing by Khan will allow Council members to take stock of the ICCs work toward this end, presenting the first opportunity for members to review the courts progress on its roadmap to transition from the investigative phase to the judicial phase of its activities in the country. In addition to Khans briefing, Council members could learn more about the significance of the courts recently unsealed arrest warrants for individuals affiliated with the Al Kaniyat militia by inviting a civil society representative who was impacted by the militias crimes to address the Council. Members that are party to the ICC could also continue the practice of holding a joint press stakeout in connection with the meeting. More broadly, supporting political momentum towards national elections to unify Libyas divided governments remains another key issue for the Council. In this context, an important objective for the Council is to help foster common political ground between the countrys rival governments to reach an inclusive agreement on electoral laws. Council members could consider holding a closed Arria-formula meeting with representatives of the rival governments to hear their perspectives and better inform the Councils decision-making. Council Dynamics Council members remain united on the need for a Libyan-led, inclusive political process resulting in elections that will help to restore political, security, and economic stability to the country. Members are divided, however, on the work of the ICC. Ecuador, France, Guyana, Japan, Malta, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the UK are states parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC, while Algeria, China, Mozambique, Russia, and the US are not. These distinctions largely reflect how members view the courts work on Libya, with the notable exception of the US, which is supportive of the ICCs efforts regarding the country despite not being a party to the Rome Statute. Following the ICCs March 2023 announcement that it had issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Commissioner for Childrens Rights Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia has been increasingly critical of the court, describing it as a Western political instrument and urging the Council to recall the situations in Libya and Sudan that had previously been referred to it. The UK is the penholder on Libya. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON LIBYA Overview In November, the UK holds the presidency of the Security Council. The UK plans to organise two signature events during the month. The first will be a briefing on the Middle East, which will be convened in addition to the monthly meeting on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy is expected to chair the meeting. A senior UN official is expected to brief. Additional meetings on the Middle East may be convened depending on developments in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), and the wider region. The second signature event is expected to be a briefing under the agenda item Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine. Lammy is expected to chair the meeting, at which Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo is scheduled to brief. There are likely to be additional meetings on Ukraine during the month. In November, the UK will convene a briefing on Sudan. The UKs Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury, is expected to chair the meeting. The anticipated briefers are DiCarlo, an official from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and a civil society representative. Other African issues on the programme of work in November are: Libya , the semi-annual briefing by the ICC Prosecutor concerning the courts work in the country; Sudan/South Sudan , briefing and consultations and mandate renewal of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA); South Sudan , briefing and consultations on the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS); and Central African Republic , renewal of the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Middle Eastern issues on the programme include: Syria , monthly meeting on political and humanitarian developments; Yemen , monthly meeting on developments, briefing by the chair of the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee, and renewal of the 2140 Yemen sanctions regime and the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee; and Lebanon , consultations on the implementation of resolution 1701 , which was adopted in 2006 and called for a cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. Regarding European issues, the Council is scheduled to hold its semi-annual debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina and to reauthorise the EU-led multinational stabilisation force (EUFOR ALTHEA). On Asian issues, consultations are scheduled on the work of the 1718 Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee, which focuses on non-proliferation issues, are scheduled for late in the month. Thematic issues will also be discussed during the month. The Council is expected to receive a briefing from the chairs of the three counter-terrorism-related committees: the 1267/1989/2253 Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee, the 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), and the 1540 Committee, which aims to prevent non-state actors from obtaining access to weapons of mass destruction. The Security Council will also hold an open briefing under the Protection of civilians in armed conflict agenda item on the Secretary-Generals recommendations on measures to prevent and respond to attacks against humanitarian and UN personnel, which the Council requested through resolution 2730 of 24 May. The 15 current Council members and the incoming five (Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia) will participate in the annual Hitting the Ground Running workshop organised by Finland on 21 and 22 November. Other issues could be raised in November depending on developments. AFRICA South Sudan Expected Council Action In November, the Security Council will hold a briefing, followed by consultations, to discuss the situation in South Sudan. Special Representative and Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Nicholas Haysom is expected to brief on the Secretary-Generals 90-day report on South Sudan, dated 25 October, and developments in the country. The mandate of UNMISS expires on 30 April 2025. Key Recent Developments On 13 September, all signatories to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) agreed to a 24-month extension of the transitional period. The decision again postponed the countrys first post-independence elections, which were scheduled for December 2024, until December 2026 and extended the transitional period until February 2027. (The original transitional period outlined in the R-ARCSS was set to end in February 2023; it had been extended until February 2025 through a roadmap adopted in August 2022.) In extending the transitional period, the R-ARCSS signatories cited lack of progress in implementing critical tasks necessary for holding elections, such as the constitution-making process, the registration of political parties, the holding of a census, and an integrated security plan. (For background and more information, see the brief on South Sudan in our August 2024 Monthly Forecast and 13 August Whats in Blue story.) The decision to extend the transitional period was endorsed during the third extraordinary plenary session of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), the body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the R-ARCSS. Although 35 members of the plenary, including UNMISS, voted in favour of the endorsement, six members abstained, including the members of the Troika on South Sudan (Norway, the UK, and the US) and the European Union (EU). Subsequently, South Sudans Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) ratified the extension. During a 9 October press briefing, Haysom expressed regret about the decision to extend the transitional period. He acknowledged the frustration and fatigue felt by the South Sudanese people at the political paralysis and inaction in the country. Haysom said that the only way forward for the South Sudanese authorities was to find compromises to implement a critical mass of the key political and operational benchmarks outlined in the R-ARCSS. Talking about the delays in the unification of forces, Haysom urged South Sudanese leaders to be open and honest about their intentions to unify their forces as it was the only way to sustainably prevent increasing subnational violence. He further noted that requests for financing from international partners for any aspect of the transition process needed to be accompanied by commitments demonstrating that South Sudanese authorities were ready to invest in their own democratic elections and processes. According to the Secretary-Generals 25 October report, on 7 October, the South Sudanese High-Level Standing Committeea senior South Sudanese ministerial-level body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the R-ARCSSfinalised their assessment and recommendations for aligning the Tumaini Peace Initiative with the revitalised agreement. (The Tumaini initiative refers to the high-level mediation talks between the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity [R-TGoNU] and the non-signatories to the revitalised agreement, facilitated by Kenya, in Nairobi.) On 28 October, the standing committee, led by South Sudanese Minister Martin Elia Lomuro, met with Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto in Nairobi. The security situation remains volatile, with intercommunal and subnational violence persisting in many areas of the country. On 16 October, the UNMISS Human Rights Division released its quarterly brief on violence affecting civilians (covering April to June), which documented 317 incidents of violence affecting 1,062 civilians. In comparison to the previous quarter (January to March), the brief reported a 32 percent increase in the number of documented violent incidents (from 240 to 317) and a 168 percent increase in the number of victims of sexual violence (from 47 to 126). In an 11 October press release, UNMISS expressed alarm about reports of a series of violent clashes in the greater Juba area of Central Equatoria state, resulting in the deaths of 24 people, including 19 civilians. It noted that these interconnected incidents allegedly involved attacks and counter-attacks between former members of the National Salvation Front, an armed group that continues to fight government forces. In response to the incidents, UNMISS intensified its patrols across Central Equatoria and engaged with state and local authorities and community leaders to access the area and prevent further escalations. The humanitarian situation in the country remains difficult, with nearly nine million people in need of humanitarian assistance and 7.1 million people facing high levels of food insecurity. The challenging situation has been further compounded by flooding and impediments to humanitarian relief. According to an 18 October update from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), flooding has affected more than one million people across 42 counties and Abyei, with Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Unity states accounting for more than 40 percent of the affected population. Heavy rainfall and flooding also rendered 15 key supply routes impassable, restricting physical access. Human Rights-Related Developments In a 25 September press release, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan attributed the decision to extend the transitional period to the failure of the countrys transitional political leaders to conscientiously implement the revitalised peace agreement, which it said has the potential to consolidate peace and uphold human rights protections. The Commission observed that this decision has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis, characterised by extreme hunger and food insecurity, and the displacement of more than four million South Sudanese both in the country and the region. Chair of the Commission Yasmin Sooka said that [s]ince independence in 2011, South Sudans unelected leaders have continued to entrench impunity for systematic and gross human rights violations, fuel insecurity, and deliberately thwart efforts to democratise the country. Key Issues and Options The fundamental concern for the Council is the significant political and security challenges in South Sudan stemming from the delays in political transition and implementing the R-ARCSS. A key issue in this regard is what the Council can do to encourage the parties to make progress towards implementing the outstanding tasks and create conditions necessary for holding elections. One option for the Council would be to invite Interim Chairperson of the RJMEC Major General (Retired) Charles Tai Gituai to brief the Council. Council members might be keen to learn about the progress of the inter-party dialogue and the Tumaini initiative mediation talks. In a 19 September joint statement, UNMISS, the AU Mission in South Sudan (AUMISS), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) underlined the need for South Sudanese leaders, among other things, to engage and accommodate all voices and viewpoints, including non-signatory parties, who have joined the Tumaini initiative, with a view to breaking the perpetual cycle of transitions in South Sudan. In addition, the Council could invite a civil society representative in November to brief on the challenges facing South Sudan, including the implementation of the revitalised agreement. Another option for Council members would be to issue a press statement, taking note of the decision by the South Sudanese authorities to extend the transitional period, expressing concern about the consistent delays in implementing the peace agreement, and urging all stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue and a consultative process to implement the outstanding tasks, including the agreed-upon benchmarks for holding peaceful general elections, in a timely manner. An additional key issue for the Council is the humanitarian and food security situations. An option would be to seek regular briefings on these matters from OCHA. The impact of the conflict in neighbouring Sudan on the humanitarian, political, and security situations in South Sudan remains a matter of concern for Council members. According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as at 11 August, approximately 819,402 peopleincluding 184,658 Sudanese refugees and 631,172 South Sudanese refugee returneeshave crossed into South Sudan since the outbreak of fighting in Sudan on 15 April 2023. The influx of refugees and returnees has exacerbated the strain on local communities, which are already grappling with diminishing resources. Council and Wider Dynamics Most Council members have similar concerns about the delays in implementing the R-ARCSS, the ongoing sub-national and intercommunal violence, and the economic and humanitarian crises in South Sudan. Members, however, have diverging views about the context of the situation and the extent to which the Council can and should apply pressure on the parties to fully implement the peace agreement. Some members, such as the US, are more critical than others about what they perceive to be the South Sudanese governments lack of political will to implement the R-ARCSS. On the other hand, Council members such as China, Russia, and the members of the A3 plus one (Algeria, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and Guyana) are less critical of the government, often highlighting the progress the South Sudanese government has made amidst the countrys severe challenges, including the dire humanitarian situation, intercommunal violence, and the economic crisis. On 18 September, the members of the Troika on South Sudan, joined by Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the EU, issued a joint statement, expressing disappointment at the decision to extend the transitional period. The decision, the statement said, reflects the failure of the transitional government to implement the 2018 revitalised agreement despite repeated promises made by the authorities. It called on all stakeholders to create the conditions necessary for holding peaceful, transparent and inclusive elections as soon as possible. It further stressed the need to engage all parties, including the non-signatories to the R-ARCSS, in a constructive process and demonstrate how they would use the proposed extension to advance the objectives that have not been realised in recent years. It added that the members expect the South Sudanese government to present a credible and transparent plan to finance the institutions responsible for implementing the peace process. The US is the penholder on South Sudan, and Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu (Sierra Leone) chairs the 2206 South Sudan Sanctions Committee. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON SOUTH SUDAN Status Update UN-AU Cooperation On 2 October, the Security Council held a briefing on cooperation between the UN and regional and subregional organisations in maintaining international peace and security, with a particular focus on the UNs cooperation with the AU (S/PV.9739). Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union and Head of the UN Office to the AU (UNOAU) Parfait Onanga-Anyanga; Permanent Observer of the AU to the UN Fatima Kyari Mohammed; and Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee briefed. Somalia On 3 October, the Security Council held an open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on the situation in Somalia (S/PV.9740). Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) James Swan briefed on the Secretary-Generals latest 120-day report on the implementation of the missions mandate (S/2024/698). The report was circulated to Council members on 27 September and covered developments from 24 May to 20 September. Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) Mohamed El-Amine Souef and civil society representative Ilwad Elman also briefed the Council. Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi represented his country at the meeting. On 10 October, the Security Council held a private meeting to discuss an update on the overall mission design and financing options for the proposed successor mission to ATMIS, as requested in resolution 2748 of 15 August. Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee; High Representative for the AU Peace Fund, Donald Kaberuka; and SRCC for Somalia and Head of ATMIS, Mohammed El-Amine Souef, briefed Council members. Ethiopia and Somalia participated under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure. On 30 October, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution S/RES/2753 (2024), renewing the mandate of the UNSOM until 31 October 2025. On 31 October, the Chair of the 2713 Al-Shabaab Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Kazuyuki Yamazaki (Japan), briefed on the work of the committee. UNDOF (Golan) On 3 October, Council members held consultations on the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan to discuss the Secretary-Generals latest report, dated 24 September, which covered developments from 21 May to 20 August. Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Mohamed Khaled Khiari briefed. Counter-Terrorism On 8 October, Council members issued a press statement condemning a terrorist attack near Jinnah International Airport in Pakistan (SC/15846). On 30 October, Council members issued a press statement condemning a terrorist attack on a patrol unit of the Law Enforcement Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran (SC/15875). Great Lakes Region (DRC) On 8 October, the Security Council held a briefing and consultations on the Great Lakes region (S/PV.9742). Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region Huang Xia briefed the Council on the Secretary-Generals latest semi-annual report on the implementation of the 2013 Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region (PSC-F) (S/2024/629). Sarah Kyabu Ntambwe, a Congolese civil society representative, also briefed. The DRC and Rwanda participated in the meeting under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure. Colombia On 15 October, the Security Council held a briefing on Colombia (S/PV.9749). Special Representative and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu briefed on recent developments and the Secretary-Generals latest 90-day report on the mission (S/2024/694). The Council was also briefed by Beatriz Quintero, Co-founder of La Red Nacional de Mujeres (the National Womens Network). On 21 October, Council members issued a press statement on Colombia (SC/15858), in which they re-emphasised the importance of ensuring the comprehensive implementation of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace concluded in 2016 between the government of Colombia and the former rebel group Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejercito del Pueblo (FARC-EP). Among other issues, they expressed concern that conflict-related violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, continues to have disproportionate effects on women and girls and on indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities. Members underlined the importance of security guarantees as a crucial element of the 2016 agreement and stressed the need to implement public policy for the dismantling of illegal armed groups and criminal organisations in conflict-affected areas. On 30 October, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2754, renewing the mandate of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia for one year, until 31 October 2025. Western Sahara On 16 October, Council members held closed consultations to consider the Secretary-Generals report on Western Sahara, dated 1 October, which covered developments since 3 October 2023 (S/2024/707). The Secretary-Generals Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, and the Special Representative and Head of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), Alexander Ivanko, briefed. On 31 October, the Council adopted resolution 2756, renewing the mandate of MINURSO until 31 October 2025. The resolution was adopted with 12 votes in favour and two abstentions (Mozambique and Russia); one member (Algeria) did not participate in the vote. Two amendments proposed by Algeria failed to be adopted because they did not garner the requisite number of votes. Anticipating the Impact of Scientific Developments on International Peace and Security On 21 October, Switzerland convened a briefing on Anticipating the impact of scientific developments on international peace and security under the Maintenance of international peace and security agenda item (S/PV.9753). Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis chaired the meeting, which was one of the signature events of Switzerlands October Council presidency. The briefers were Robin Geiss, Director of the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR); Jocelyne Bloch, Center for Research in Neuroscience, Faculty of Biology and Medicine at the University of Lausanne; Gregoire Courtine, Professor at the Center for Neuroprosthetics and the Brain Mind Institute at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL); and Amin Awad, President of the Foundation Council of the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF). On 21 October, the Security Council adopted a Swiss-authored presidential statement recognising the role that scientific developments can play in supporting the Councils responsibility to maintain international peace and security, as well as in promoting mutual trust and cooperation (S/PRST/2024/6). The statement expresses the Councils commitment to more systematically consider scientific advances, particularly with regard to their impact on international peace and security. International Court of Justice On 22 October, the Council held its annual private meeting with Judge Nawaf Salam, the president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Haiti On 22 October, the Council received its quarterly briefing from Special Representative and Head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) Maria Isabel Salvador on recent political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country and on the Secretary-Generals latest report on BINUH (S/PV.9757). The Council was also briefed by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and by Rosy Auguste Ducena, Programme Director for the National Network for the Defense of Human Rights, a Haitian civil society organisation. The Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Kenya participated in the meeting under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure. Women, Peace and Security On 24 October, the Security Council held its annual open debate on women, peace and security (WPS), titled Women Building Peace in a Changing Environment (S/PV.9760 and Resumption 1. President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd chaired the open debate. The briefers were UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed; UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous; and Effie Owuor, Chair of the AU Panel of the Wise and Co-Chair of the Network of African Women in Conflict Prevention and Mediation (FemWise-Africa), which serves as the Secretariat for the Global Alliance of Regional Women Mediator Networks for 2023-2024. Wai Wai Nu, founder and Executive Director of the Womens Peace Network, also briefed the Council. Kosovo On 30 October, the Council held its second briefing this year on the situation in Kosovo (S/PV.9765). Special Representative and Head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Caroline Ziadeh briefed on the Secretary-Generals latest UNMIK report and recent developments (S/2023/741). Marko uric, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia, participated under rule 37 of the Councils provisional rules of procedure and Donika Gervalla-Schwarz, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, participated under rule 39. AFRICA Sudan Expected Council Action In November, the Security Council will hold a ministerial-level briefing on Sudan. The UKs Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Africa Lord Collins of Highbury is expected to chair the meeting. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, an official from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and a civil society representative are the anticipated briefers. Key Recent Developments Hostilities continued unabated in Sudan as the warring parties engage in a protracted war of attrition. Fighting intensified across multiple front lines as the rainy season subsided. On 26 September, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) launched an offensive in Khartoum and the surrounding areas in a bid to besiege areas under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), making significant advances in the ensuing days. In addition, the SAF-aligned Darfur Joint Forces (a coalition of armed movements from Darfur) engaged in fighting with the RSF on several front lines in North and West Darfur states. In the past few weeks, the SAF had reportedly been able to make strategic advances in Sennar and Al Jazira states. (For background and more information, see the brief on Sudan in our October 2024 Monthly Forecast and 27 October Whats in Blue story.) Media reports indicate that, on 24 October, the RSF launched a retaliatory attack on villages in East Al Jazira, following the defection to the SAF of Abu Aqla Kikal, a prominent RSF commander. While UNICEF said that the attack killed about 124 people, others suggest that the death toll could be much higher. In a 26 October statement, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan Clementine Nkweta-Salami said that she was shocked and deeply appalled by reports of human rights violations in Al Jazira. The statement said that the RSF reportedly shot at civilians indiscriminately, perpetrated acts of sexual violence against women and girls, committed widespread looting of markets and homes and burned down farms. Consequently, approximately 47,000 people have fled their homes to several areas within the state, while others have been displaced to Gedaref and Kassala states. On 18 October, the Secretary-General submitted his report (S/2024/759) pursuant to resolution 2736 of 13 June, which requested him to make recommendations for the protection of civilians in Sudan. The report outlined the recommendations under three broad headings: intensifying diplomacy towards ending the fighting, changing the behaviour of the warring parties, and supporting broader protection measures. It highlighted an urgent need for a renewed diplomatic push, including through the personal involvement of some heads of state, to ensure that the warring parties uphold their legal obligations. It called on the warring parties and relevant stakeholders to pursue scalable, locally negotiated ceasefires and other measures to reduce violence, protect civilians, and prevent the spread of conflict. It strongly recommended that the warring parties establish a robust and transparent compliance mechanism, as a critical step to ensure implementation of the Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, which was signed by both sides in Jeddah on 11 May 2023. The report called for an immediate cessation of the direct or indirect flow of weapons and ammunition into Sudan, which continue to fuel the conflict. Highlighting the need to monitor violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses, the report underlined the importance of supporting and cooperating with regional and international independent investigation bodies. Efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict continued; however, without any significant breakthrough. On 25 September, France, Germany, the US, and the European Union organised a ministerial-level meeting in New York. In a press release issued following the meeting, the participants called on the warring parties to commit to localised humanitarian pauses and ensure immediate humanitarian access to El Fasher, Sennar, and Khartoum. They expressed readiness to support a cessation of hostilities monitoring mechanism and to take appropriate measures to ensure the protection of civilians. They noted that the international community needs to explore options to support implementation of such measures and the durability of any future local or nationwide cessation of hostilities. They called on all foreign actors to refrain from providing military support to the warring parties. On 3 October, AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) members undertook a field mission to Port Sudan to engage with senior officials from the Sudanese authorities and other key stakeholders. In a communique adopted following a 9 October meeting, AUPSC members requested the AU Commission (the organisations secretariat) to reopen the AU liaison office in Port Sudan in order to facilitate the AUs engagement with stakeholders in Sudan at all levels and to provide technical support to Sudan. (Sudans membership to the AU was suspended in the wake of the 2021 military coup detat.) The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen in Sudan. The war has displaced approximately 11.3 million people, 3 million of whom have sought refuge in Sudans neighbouring countriesCentral African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan, and Ugandamaking it one of the worlds largest displacement crises. Around 25.6 million people are facing acute levels of food insecurity, with famine conditions confirmed in the Zamzam camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in El Fasher and 13 other areas in nine states identified at risk of famine. The outbreak of multiple diseases and the collapse of the healthcare system have exacerbated the humanitarian situation. According to OCHAs 1 October update, approximately 3.4 million children under five years of age are at high risk of epidemic diseases. As at 15 October, more than 24,000 cholera cases, including about 700 related deaths, had been reported since mid-July. Human Rights-Related Developments In a 3 October press statement, the Designated expert on Sudan of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Radhouane Nouicer, called on the warring sides to take immediate measures to ensure the protection of civilians in the greater Khartoum area. He warned that the ongoing hostilities in greater Khartoum could result in a large number of civilian casualties among people trapped next to strategic locations, serious human rights violations and massive displacement. Nouicer also expressed alarm at reports of the summary execution of dozens of young men, reportedly from the Halfaya neighbourhood in Khartoum-North (Bahri), allegedly by the SAF and the Al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade, which has previously indicated support to the SAF. On 9 October, the Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on the human rights situation and humanitarian crisis in Sudan (A/HRC/RES/57/2). Among other things, the resolution expressed grave concern about reported acts of sexual and gender-based violence, the indiscriminate use of force against civilians by both parties to the conflict, the illegal recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, and sexual violence against children, primarily by the RSF. It underlined the critical need to ensure accountability to address the root causes of the armed conflict and prevent further instability in the country. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 23 in favour, 12 against, and 12 abstentions. Among Security Council members, France, Japan, and the US voted in favour, Algeria abstained, and China voted against. Key Issues and Options The overarching issue for the Security Council is how to halt the ongoing fighting and support efforts to achieve a sustainable ceasefire across Sudan. The levels of intercommunal violence and insecurity throughout the country are a related concern. In light of the continuing violence, the lack of implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, and the failure of mediation initiatives to achieve meaningful breakthroughs, Council members face several questions, including: how to bring the Sudanese warring parties to a meaningful dialogue; how to protect civilians and enforce compliance with international humanitarian law; how to ensure accountability for past and ongoing crimes; and how to mitigate the regional spillover effect of the conflict. The Council members could consider a resolution that: strongly condemns the ongoing violence across the country and indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure; demands an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities; reiterates the Councils demand to the RSF to halt the siege of El Fasher; expresses deep concern about the dire humanitarian situation and urges the parties to the conflict to allow and facilitate the rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need; demands that all parties to the conflict ensure the protection of civilians, including by full implementation of the 11 May 2023 Jeddah declaration; and welcomes the Secretary-Generals recommendations for the protection of civilians and expresses support for locally negotiated ceasefires and humanitarian pauses as well as for establishing a monitoring and verification mechanism in case of a ceasefire. Council members may also wish to convene a private meeting with the actors that have influence over Sudans warring parties to discuss the search for a mediated solution to the crisis and evaluate the implementation of the Secretary-Generals recommendations on the protection of civilians. An additional key issue for the Security Council is the humanitarian crisis and how to foster the continuous and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid while also securing the safety and security of UN officials and other humanitarian actors. The fact that aid at scale is not reaching people in need is a further concern for Council members. Periodic briefings by OCHA have helped keep the Council informed about the humanitarian situation on the ground. Council Dynamics One of the points of contention in the recent negotiations, including on resolution 2750 of 11 September, has been how to reference the central authorities in Sudan. Countries such as China, Russia, and the members of the A3 plus one grouping (Algeria, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and Guyana) were supportive of maintaining the term Sudanese government. Russia considers Sudans Transitional Sovereign Council, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the SAF, as Sudans highest legitimate authority. Some members, however, argued that the SAF has lost territorial control over parts of the country and underlined the need to use a broader term to encompass offshoots of the government body. (For background, see our 10 September Whats in Blue story.) During negotiations on a draft press statement proposed by the UK in October, members seem to have agreed to the term Sudanese Transitional Sovereign Council. However, disagreements persisted on other issues, including humanitarian access. Russia apparently requested the removal of the phrase administrative or other impediments with regard to humanitarian access, arguing that it suggests that Port Sudan authorities are creating artificial barriers for aid delivery and distribution. Some members, such as France, however, contended that several obstacles remain to the delivery of aid and suggested language encouraging cooperation to overcome persisting difficulties. Continuing disagreements among members resulted in the penholder to withdrawing the draft text after four revised drafts. Russia has argued that any cooperation and coordination on humanitarian assistance should be carried out via channels agreed with the central authorities as the sole entity responsible for aid distribution and relief assistance. In a similar vein, Russia maintains the position that Sudanese government forces remain responsible for protecting civilians. (For background, see our 13 June Whats in Blue story.) Amidst mounting protection concerns, however, several human rights organisations and Sudanese civil society actors have advocated robust measures, including the deployment of protection forces in Sudan. Some Council members are apparently exploring options for the possible deployment of an African Union (AU)-led mission and considering how the mission could be supported in the context of resolution 2719 of 21 December 2023 on the financing of AU-led peace support operations (AUPSOs). The Secretary-Generals 18 October report acknowledges these calls but notes that at present, the conditions do not exist for the successful deployment of a UN force to protect civilians in Sudan. Speaking at the 28 October Council meeting on Sudan, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (US) supported action from the Council regarding options for the protection of civilians. In this regard, she underlined that the international community should, in close collaboration with African partners, begin considering options to establish a compliance and monitoring mission, one that could strengthen the protection of civilians and support the implementation and durability of any future local or nationwide cessation of hostilities. At the same meeting, Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia (Russia) stressed that the Council needs to take a balanced approach, taking into account the current developments in the country and the complexity of the historical context in Sudan. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON SUDAN AFRICA Sudan/South Sudan Expected Council Action In November, the Security Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the Secretary-Generals semi-annual report on the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), which was circulated to Council members on 14 October. The Council is also expected to renew the mandate of UNISFA and extend the missions support for the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM), established in 2011 to conduct monitoring and verification activities along the Sudan-South Sudan border, before their expiration on 15 November. Key Recent Developments According to the Secretary-Generals UNISFA report, which covered developments from 16 April to 1 October, no progress had been made in resolving the final status of Abyei, the disputed area along the Sudan-South Sudan border, amidst ongoing hostilities in Sudan and political uncertainty in South Sudan. The report noted that, as at 1 October, an estimated 400 South Sudanese security personnel were deployed in southern Abyei, primarily in Agok, Athony Junction and Juljok, representing a decrease from the estimated number at the end of the last reporting period. South Sudan has argued that these forces have been deployed to de-escalate intercommunal violence in the region. Nevertheless, their presence violates the 2011 agreement between the Sudanese government and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement on temporary arrangements for the administration and security of the Abyei Area, as well as Council resolutions on UNISFA. During the period covered by the Secretary-Generals report, UNISFAs leadership travelled to Juba on two occasions to meet with senior South Sudanese government officials. The discussions focused on tensions between the Ngok Dinka and Twic Dinka communities in southern Abyei, the presence of South Sudanese security forces in the region, and challenges in implementing the missions mandate. UNISFA called for South Sudans support in re-establishing the JBVMMs presence in its Sector 1, including the sector headquarters in Gok Machar and team sites 11 (Safahah/Kiir Adem) and 12 (Sumayah/War Abar), which have remained closed since 2021. On 3 July, Sudans Transitional Sovereignty Council, headed by the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, appointed Hamed Manan Mohammed Mirghani as co-chair of the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee. (The committee is designed to provide administrative and political oversight of Abyei and is co-chaired by a Sudanese official and a South Sudanese official.) On 3 August, Sudans Transitional Sovereignty Council appointed Salouma Musa Yahya Boushara as the Sudan-appointed Chief Administrator for Abyei. The Secretary-Generals report further noted that the security situation in the Abyei region remained tense, despite a reduction in intercommunal armed clashes. Following an increase in intercommunal violence involving the Ngok Dinka, Twic Dinka, and Nuer elements in late 2023 and early 2024, there were no clashes reported among these communities during the period covered by the Secretary-Generals report. No clashes were recorded either between the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities in the same period. However, rumours of an attack between the Ngok Dinka and Twic communities prompted 756 people from Awolnhom and Anthony to seek refuge at UNISFA camps between 9 and 11 July. During the reporting period, 82 arms-related incidents were reported, resulting in 78 casualties, including 27 deaths. (For background and more information, see the brief on Sudan/South Sudan in our May 2024 Monthly Forecast.) In a 25 June press release, UNISFA reported that on 23 June, an alleged intrusion attempt at one of its camps in Abyei resulted in one death and one injury. It noted that despite repeated warnings, the intruders attacked peacekeepers, escalating the situation and forcing the mission to use force. During the period covered by the Secretary-Generals report, UNISFA recorded six incidents of intrusions into the mission headquarters and its bases at Noong, Highway Camp, and Kadugli. The fighting in Sudan has contributed significantly to the deterioration of the security and humanitarian situations in the Abyei region. The Secretary-Generals report documented the conflicts spillover effects, which include the proliferation of both small arms and higher calibre weapons inside Abyei. The fighting has also led to an influx of South Sudanese returnees, displaced Sudanese, and third-country nationals fleeing the crisis in Sudan. According to some estimates, at the time of writing, over 22,000 people had entered Abyei from Sudan since the onset of the conflict. Heavy rains and flooding have exacerbated the humanitarian situation in Abyei in the last couple of months. In a 3 October press briefing, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric said that more than 18,000 people in Abyei have been displaced by the floods, compounding the challenges of existing food insecurity and disease outbreaks. He added that UNISFA personnel have intensified their efforts to support communities affected by flooding, including through the distribution of essential supplies and the rehabilitation of roads to improve access for humanitarian assistance. In July, health authorities in Abyei declared an outbreak of the Hepatitis E virus following an increase in confirmed cases of the virus among refugees and returnees from Sudan. In a 19 September press release, Medecins Sans Frontieres reported 41 cases of Hepatitis E in Abyei, which resulted in six deaths. During the period covered by the Secretary-Generals report, the deployment of all peacekeepers as part of the reconfiguration of UNISFA was completed. The deployment of contingent-owned equipment for the reconfiguration reached its final stage, with the equipment of the Indian infantry battalion, the Ghanaian infantry battalion, the Nigerian base defence company, and most of the equipment of the Chinese quick-reaction force reaching the mission area between April and June. Key Issues and Options A key issue for the Council in November is UNISFAs mandate renewal. A likely option for Council members is to adopt a resolution renewing the missions mandate for one year. The fundamental issue for the Council remains how to reinvigorate the political process to address the final status of Abyei and the Sudan-South Sudan border issue amidst the war in Sudan, which has put the process on hold. In this regard, securing a ceasefire in Sudan appears critical to help mitigate the effects of Sudans conflict on the security, humanitarian, and socioeconomic conditions in Abyei. Also, an important issue for the Council is the continued presence of South Sudanese and Sudanese security forces in Abyei in violation of the areas demilitarised status. A related issue is the proliferation of arms in Abyei, which could further aggravate persistent intercommunal tensions in southern Abyei. The operational difficulties that UNISFA and the JBVMM face because of the presence of South Sudanese forces in Abyei, restrictions on the freedom of movement of the mission, and the conflict in Sudan are also matters of concern for Council members. (Sudanese airspace has remained closed since the outbreak of fighting in April 2023, preventing any aerial monitoring operations by the JBVMM). In renewing UNISFAs mandate and its support for the JBVMM, the Council could highlight the operational challenges facing the mission and urge the parties to engage with the mission to address their concerns in this regard. Council members could also request the Secretary-General to conduct a strategic review of UNISFA in the mandate renewal to assess its effectiveness in light of evolving political and security dynamics and present recommendations in this regard. Council Dynamics Council members agree on the important roles that UNISFA and the JBVMM play in supporting peace, security, and stability in Abyei and the broader region. Members share concerns about the incidents of inter-communal violence, attacks on peacekeepers, and the compounding effects of Sudans conflict on the political, humanitarian and security situation in the Abyei area. The unanimous adoption of resolution 2708, which last renewed UNISFAs mandate, demonstrated that Council members remain united in their support for the missions important role in promoting regional stability, protecting civilians, and advancing efforts towards a political settlement. Resolution 2708 introduced new preambular language on the safety and security of peacekeepers. It further underscored the need for the Secretary-General and troop- and police-contributing countries and member states to work together to ensure that UNISFA is adequately resourced and that all peacekeepers in the field are willing, capable and equipped effectively and safely to implement their mandate. (For more information, see our 13 November 2023 Whats in Blue story.) The US is the penholder on Abyei. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON SUDAN/SOUTH SUDAN MIDDLE EAST Syria Expected Council Action In November, the Security Council will hold a meeting on the political process and the humanitarian situation in Syria. Key Recent Developments The Israel-Hamas war that erupted on 7 October 2023 has fuelled an escalation of tensions and violence in the Middle East, including in Syria. Israel has continued to strike positions in Syria that it claims are associated with Iranian forces and affiliated militants, including Hezbollah. Iran-linked proxies, in turn, have attacked US and allied forces stationed in the region, including in Syria. On 8 October, an Israeli airstrike hit a residential and commercial building in the densely populated Mezzeh neighbourhood of Damascus that houses UN offices and several embassies, killing 13 people, including nine civilians. Media reports indicate that the Israeli military was targeting a senior Hezbollah official involved in weapons smuggling. As at 6 October, Israel had conducted 255 attacks in Syria since 7 October 2023, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, a non-governmental organisation that collects conflict-related data. Israel conducted large-scale attacks in Lebanon on 23 and 24 September, targeting Hezbollah positions in southern and eastern Lebanon as well as some areas of Beirut. In response, Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets into Israel. The hostilities have aggravated the suffering of Syrian refugees living in Lebanon, which, prior to the onset of hostilities, hosted approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees. According to the 25 October update from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), approximately 440,000 people are estimated to have fled from Lebanon to Syria since 23 September, 71 percent of whom are Syrians and 29 percent are Lebanese and third-country nationals. The security situation remains volatile as strikes, allegedly conducted by Israel, have been documented in the vicinity of the border crossings between Lebanon and Syria. Tensions continued to escalate within Syria across multiple front lines. In mid-October in north-west Syria, Russia carried out its first airstrikes in three months, coinciding with the increase in drone strikes and shelling by pro-Syrian government forces. In a 17 October statement, the UNs Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, David Carden, expressed alarm over the escalating violence in north-west Syria since 14 October. In the ensuing three days, he noted that at least 144 attacks were reported, 115 of which struck Idlib and western Aleppo, including residential areas, local shops and farmland. On 15 October, two airstrikes struck a power station west of Idlib city, disabling two water stations that serve 30,000 people. The fighting halted critical humanitarian activities, including services provided by ten healthcare facilities, he added. Between 14 and 16 October, the Syrian Network for Human Rightsa UK-based organisation that monitors and documents human rights violations in Syriareported at least 13 civilian deaths, including five children, with 42 people injured. On 29 September, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had conducted two targeted strikes in Syria that killed 37 terrorist operatives, including several senior leaders of ISIS and Hurras al-Din, an affiliate of the terrorist group Al-Qaida. On 11 October, CENTCOM conducted another round of airstrikes targeting several ISIS camps in Syria, with the aim of disrupting its capacity to plan and coordinate attacks against the US and its allies. On 23 October, Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen and Director of Operations and Advocacy at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Edem Wosornu briefed the Council on the political and humanitarian tracks in Syria, respectively. Two civil society representatives also participated at the meetingRegional Vice President (Middle East and North Africa) at the International Rescue Committee Suad Jarbawi and Abir Haj Ibrahim, a peacebuilder from Syria. Pedersen highlighted the urgent need to prevent Syria from becoming a free-for-all venue, where different actors settle their scores or fuel other theatres, nor a staging ground for attacks or retaliation. He called for de-escalating regional tensions and for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon. He also expressed concern about the prospect of further escalations between Israel and Iran and what this could mean for Syria. Moreover, he cautioned that regional escalation posed a risk of undermining ceasefire agreements that, despite their imperfections, have maintained a crucial freeze in the front lines within Syria for nearly four years. On the political front, Pedersen noted that partial, piecemeal or conflict-management approaches alone could not tackle the scale of the ever-mounting challenges facing Syria. He remarked that Syria would continue to be embroiled in crises unless the long-stalled Syrian-owned and -led political process facilitated by the UN resumes and begins to move forward. He underlined the need to develop a new and comprehensive path out of the conflict, one that addresses the political issues central to the conflict as well as issues pertaining to sovereignty, security, civilian protection, and economic issues. In her remarks, Wosornu stressed the need to ensure the safety and security of Syrians who are fleeing Lebanon under extreme duress and the freedom to reach their preferred destinations. She also called for unhindered access for the humanitarian organisations providing aid to those arriving and all people in need. She said that the humanitarian response is now shifting to providing assistance to people in the areas where they have settled and to support host families and communities, many of whom are themselves already stretched to breaking point. She said that attacks at the Lebanon-Syria border crossings have rendered the roads impassable for vehicles, forcing people to cross the border on foot. In addition, she pointed to the disruptions caused in the transport of humanitarian assistance and commercial goods because of damage to the roads connecting Lebanon and Syria. Wosornu also highlighted the UN inter-agency emergency appeal for $324 million for the influx from Lebanon to Syria to support up to 480,000 people over the next six months. This appeal is in addition to Syrias 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), which requires $4.07 billion. At the time of writing, the HRP was only 27.2 percent funded. She urged further support for the critical activities under these plans. Human Rights-Related Developments On 10 October, during its 57th session, the Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on human rights in Syria (A/HRC/RES/57/21). The resolution expressed grave concern over the conflict in Syria, characterised by consistent patterns of gross violations and abuses of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. It reaffirmed the critical need to establish appropriate mechanisms to achieve justice, reconciliation, and accountability for violations and abuses of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The resolution strongly reiterated the Secretary-Generals call for a global ceasefire; the Special Envoy for Syrias call for a complete, immediate and nationwide ceasefire throughout Syria; and the Syria Commission of Inquirys recommendation to ensure the space for Syrian-led negotiations, including full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation of women. The resolution was adopted with 26 votes in favour, four against, and 17 abstentions. Council members France, Japan, and the US voted in favour of the resolution, Algeria abstained, and China voted against. Key Issues and Options Addressing the spillover effects of the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Lebanonas well as de-escalating rising tensions in the region, including in Syriais also an issue of utmost importance for the Council. One option would be for the Council to request a briefing from the Secretary-General covering the regional impact of the Hamas-Israel conflict on Syria and other countries in the region. An important issue for Council members is the ongoing hostilities across multiple front lines in Syria. Continuing violence and the lack of accountability threaten to destabilise the country further. Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) remains one of the key security threats in Syria. The deteriorating socioeconomic conditions in the country are also of concern. Regardless of the escalating violence in the country, the international communitys attention appears to be inadequate in addressing the gravity of the situation. Another key issue is how to alleviate the growing humanitarian needs throughout the country. The Syrian refugee crisis is of paramount importance. Since the start of the civil war in 2011, approximately 6.8 million Syrians have sought refuge in third countries, including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkiye. Concerns about safety and security within Syria and the lack of livelihoods have been the key obstacles to the voluntary return of refugees. The recent escalation of hostilities in the region has left Syrian refugees in peril, however. One option would be for the co-chairs of the Informal Expert Group on the Protection of Civilians (Switzerland and the UK) to hold a meeting on the situation in Syria to receive briefings from relevant UN entities about the impact of the conflict on civilians. Another option would be a presidential statement on the deteriorating humanitarian situation, including the refugee crisis. The need to break the underlying political impasse in the country and support the Special Envoys work in this regard is another key issue. The Council could consider holding a private meeting with stakeholders to discuss the impediments to the resumption of the Syrian Constitutional Committee, including the issue of venue, and support Pedersens efforts to reinvigorate the political process. (The Syrian Constitutional Committee has not met since June 2022 because Russia, a close ally of Syria, opposed Geneva as the venue following Switzerlands imposition of sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.) Another option for Council members would be to adopt a press statement that could: express strong concern about the persisting violence across Syria and the spillover effects of the regional escalation and the resulting humanitarian consequences; call on relevant stakeholders to de-escalate tensions in the region and within Syria and make efforts toward a nationwide ceasefire; express strong support for the efforts of the UN and humanitarian actors on the ground; call on the international community to scale up the humanitarian response in Syria, including through enhanced funding; and express support for Pedersens efforts to reinvigorate the political process. Council Dynamics Over the years, Syria has been one of the most divisive files on the Councils agenda. China and Russia are supportive of the Syrian government, emphasising the need to respect the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity and drawing connections between unilateral coercive measures on Syria and the countrys challenging humanitarian and economic situations. In contrast, the P3 (France, the UK, and the US) and other like-minded members criticise the government for violating international humanitarian law and human rights law, arbitrarily detaining people, not engaging meaningfully in political dialogue, and not creating conditions for the safe and voluntary return of refugees. Ensuring accountability for violence against civilians also remains a key issue for these members. Russia has consistently criticised the presence of US forces in Syria, accusing them of destabilising the country. The US maintains that its deployment of forces in the country remains focused on fighting ISIL/Daesh and has blamed Damascus for allowing Iranian-backed militias to operate in the country. (For more information, see the brief on Syria in our October 2024 Monthly Forecast.) Switzerland is the penholder on the Syria humanitarian file. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON SYRIA The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question Expected Council Action On 18 November, the Security Council expects to hold an open briefing on the Middle East. A senior UN official is the anticipated briefer. One of the signature events of the UKs presidency, the meeting will be chaired by UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy. It appears that the UK intends to focus the meeting on securing longer term solutions to the conflict in the Middle East region. The Council also expects to hold its monthly meeting on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question (MEPQ). Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland is expected to brief. Council members may convene additional meetings during the month and evaluate whether further Council action is required. Key Recent Developments Israeli ground operations and heavy bombardment continue to be reported across the Gaza Strip, alongside fighting and rocket fire by Palestinian armed groups. The Security Councils resolutions on the war in Gaza (resolutions 2712, 2720, 2728, and 2735) remain unimplemented, as do the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the context of South Africas proceedings against Israel concerning possible violations in the Gaza Strip of obligations under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. (For background on the war, see the brief on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question in our October Monthly Forecast.) Since 5 October, Israel has been carrying out a military offensive in the north of the Gaza Strip, progressively putting under siege the Jabalia refugee camp and nearby areas, where Israel says that Hamas has attempted to rebuild its capabilities. Senior UN officials have expressed alarm about the dire impact of Israels offensive on the Palestinian population. In a 25 October statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said that, in the north of Gaza, the Israeli military is subjecting an entire population to bombing, siege and risk of starvation. Citing the Israeli armys orders directed at hundreds of thousands of people to leave the area, Turk warned that Israels policies and practices in northern Gaza risk emptying the area of all Palestinians and could amount to atrocity crimes, including potentially extending to crimes against humanity. On 26 October, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya said that hospitals have been hit, health workers detained, and first responders prevented from saving people from under the rubble. In a 27 October statement expressing the Secretary-Generals shock at the situation, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric noted that repeated efforts to deliver essential humanitarian supplies continue to be denied by the Israeli authorities, with few exceptions, putting countless lives in peril. Aside from limited missions, almost no aid operations have been permitted into northern Gaza, according to information provided by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) cited by Dujarric at a 31 October press briefing. The deteriorating situation in northern Gaza also led to the postponement of the UN vaccination campaign for variant poliovirus type 2 (polio) in that area. On 29 October, OCHA said that after sustained negotiations, agreement was reached with the parties to undertake the vaccination in the Gaza governorate between 2 and 4 November. Israels offensive in northern Gaza is taking place against the backdrop of widespread destruction, including of critical infrastructure, in the rest of the Gaza Strip and abysmal humanitarian conditions. Figures provided by Palestinian officials in Gaza cited by OCHA indicate that, as at 29 October, at least 43,061 Palestinians had been killed during Israels military campaign, while an estimated 10,000 remain under the rubble. Nearly the entire population of Gaza has been displaced multiple times. A 17 October Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report found that the risk of famine persists across the Gaza Strip, with nearly 133,000 people facing catastrophic food insecurity. According to Wenneslands 29 October Security Council briefing, 101 hostages remain captive in Gaza in unbearable conditions and have been denied visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross. Figures from Israeli officials cited by OCHA, indicate that over 1,565 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed between 7 October 2023 and 29 October, the majority during the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks in Israel. On 16 October, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) killed the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar. This followed the 31 July assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which has been widely attributed to Israel. While some analysts indicated that this could have marked a turning point for the prospects for a ceasefire, in a statement announcing Sinwars death, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly said that the war was not over yet. A senior Hamas official said that Sinwars death would only increase the strength and solidarity of [the] movement. On 27 October, indirect talks between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire and the release of the hostages resumed in Qatar after a prolonged lull. On the same day, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi proposedan initial two-day ceasefire in Gaza to exchange four hostages and some Palestinian prisoners as a first step towards a permanent ceasefire. On 29 October, a senior Hamas official reportedly said that Hamas will only accept a deal for a permanent ceasefire, the return of displaced Palestinians, and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. On 28 October, the Israeli Knesset (parliament) passed into law two bills on the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). One piece of legislation is aimed at preventing the agency from operating in Israel. The other is expected to affect UNRWAs diplomatic status and prevent Israeli agencies or representatives from having any contact with UNRWA. Key international interlocutorsincluding the UN and humanitarian and human rights organisationshave expressed deep concern at these measures for their anticipated severe impact on UNRWAs capacity to function in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, as well as for stability in the region. The legislation is set to go into effect in 90 days. UNRWA is mandated by the General Assembly to provide assistance to Palestine refugees, which the agency defines as persons whose place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948, and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 War. The descendants of male Palestine refugees, including legally adopted children, are also eligible for registration. Israels relations with UNRWA, historically strained, worsened significantly since the start of the war between Hamas and Israel. Israeli officials have repeatedly called for the agencys dissolution and for its functions to be handed over to other UN agencies. Legislators drafting the bills cited involvement of some UNRWA staff in the 7 October 2023 attacks, as well as the alleged affiliation of certain staff members with Palestinian armed groups. In January, several states announced the suspension of funding to UNRWA following allegations that twelve employees were involved in the attacks. UNRWA dismissed the staff concerned and, at the request of the UN Secretary-General, the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) launched an investigation into the allegations. On 5 August, the UN announced the results of the investigation, which found that nine UNRWA employees may have been involved in the attacks. Separately from the OIOS investigation, an independent review evaluated UNRWAs adherence to neutrality principles. The reviews report, issued on 20 April, noted that while neutrality-related issues persist, UNRWA possesses a significant number of mechanisms and procedures to ensure compliance with the humanitarian principles and a more developed approach to neutrality than similar entities. UNRWA has said that Israel has not substantiated any broader allegations against the agency and that measures taken against UNRWA are part of an ongoing effort to dismantle it in order to eliminate UNRWAs role in protecting the rights of Palestine Refugees and acting as a witness to their continuing plight. Nearly all countries that had paused their contributions to UNRWA have resumed their support, except for the US, where funds remain frozen until at least March 2025. On 30 October, the members of the Security Council issued a press statement on UNRWA expressing grave concern over the legislation, emphasising UNRWAs vital role and affirming that no organization can replace or substitute UNRWAs capacity and mandate. Members urged Israel to respect UNRWAs privileges and immunities and allow unhindered humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza. The statement highlighted the findings of the independent review, welcomed UNRWAs commitment to implementing its recommendations, and called for an accelerated implementation process. Members took note of the measures taken to terminate the employment of nine UNRWA staff and stressed the importance to take timely measures to address credible allegations. The situation in the West Bank remains volatile with violence continuing at alarming levels, including in the context of IDF operations against Palestinian armed groups, settler violence, and attacks by Palestinians against Israelis. In a 24 October update, OCHA said that, since the beginning of the month, it recorded approximately 180 incidents across the West Bank involving settlers, 60 percent of which were related to the olive harvest season. These incidents led to casualties or property damage in 104 cases. Human Rights-Related Developments The latest report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), including East Jerusalem, and Israel, examines attacks on healthcare and the treatment of detainees and hostages from 7 October 2023 to August. Among other things, it says that Israel has implemented a concerted policy to destroy Gazas healthcare system. The report found that with their actions, such as the deliberate killing, detention and torture of medical personnel, Israeli security forces have committed war crimes and the crime against humanity of extermination. Additionally, it highlights widespread abuse of Palestinian detainees, including torture and sexual and gender-based violence. The report also concludes that Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups committed crimes against humanity and war crimes, including torture, in their treatment of the hostages. Key Issues and Options The Councils failure to effectively expedite an end to the war in Gaza, prevent its regionalisation, and act to protect the viability of the two-state solution are fundamental issues undermining its credibility. That aid at scale is not reaching Palestinians in Gaza and that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure have continued unabated are also issues of major concern. Over a year into the war the Security Council is yet to issue a direct call for a ceasefire. The Council could consider a resolution that: demands an immediate and permanent ceasefire; demands the immediate release of the hostages; demands the immediate release of Palestinians detained without charge; requests the Secretary-General to establish a UN-monitoring mechanism in the case of a ceasefire to verify compliance; demands that the international community support an end to the violence by stopping the transfer of arms to Israel and Palestinian armed groups while there is a risk that they are used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law; imposes sanctions on those who impede humanitarian access or attack humanitarian personnel; imposes sanctions on Israeli officials responsible for advancing settlement activity; imposes sanctions on Israeli and Hamas officials for serious violations of international law. However, given that a more comprehensive resolution is unlikely, considering the US strong support of Israel, members could consider more focused outcomes, including on UNRWA and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Members could also start consultations on the deployment of an international protective presence in the OPT, as recommended in the latest report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. An option that would provide members with a better understanding of the impact of UNRWAs inability to operate is a briefing from UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini in a private meeting. Council Dynamics Before 7 October 2023, Council dynamics precluded effective action in response to the non-implementation of Security Council resolutions as well as a shared strategy to restart a political process between Palestinians and Israelis, with the US maintaining that the circumstances were not ripe for the reignition of such a process. These difficult dynamics shaped the Councils response to the war, which has been marked by contentious and prolonged negotiations, with multiple failed adoptions. The US has vetoed three draft resolutions on the war proposed by Brazil, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Algeria, respectively. The US also vetoed a draft resolution that would have recommended that the State of Palestine be admitted to membership in the UN. The position of the US on the war in Gaza has led to accusations of double standards in comparison to its position on the war in Ukraine, deepening the divide among some Council members. China and Russia vetoed two US-proposed draft resolutions on the war, in both cases being accompanied by the negative vote of the Arab member of the Council (the UAE in 2023 and Algeria in 2024). More recently, the US assented to the press statement on UNRWA and, on 13 October, sent a letter to Israeli officials listing measures to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. While it is too early to assess whether this will translate into a noticeable shift in Council dynamics, it is unlikely that the US position of steadfast military and political support to Israel will change. At the 16 October MEPQ meeting, the US said that the Security Council has an important role to play, but ultimately actions on the ground more than discussions in New York, are what will bring real progressan apparent reference to the US long-standing opposition to the adoption of Council products on this file. At the time of writing, the ten elected members of the Council were consulting on a possible draft resolution on Gaza. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION UN DOCUMENTS ON THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION EUROPE Ukraine Expected Council Action In November, the UK is expected to convene a meeting on the situation in Ukraine to mark one thousand days since Russias full-scale invasion of the country on 24 February 2022. Additional meetings on Ukraine are possible. Key Recent Developments In recent weeks, Russia has reportedly intensified assaults on Ukrainian Black Sea ports, damaging six civilian vessels and targeting grain infrastructure since 1 September. These attacks have disrupted Ukraines grain exports, driving wheat prices up by over 6 percent between 1 September and 14 October. The heightened risk has also led to a surge in insurance costs for Ukrainian exporters. At a 21 October Security Council briefing on Ukraine, requested by Slovenia and the US, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenca emphasised that the safety and sustainability of agricultural exports passing through the Black Sea remain critical for global food security. He affirmed the UNs ongoing efforts, in collaboration with Turkiye and other stakeholders, to ensure free and safe navigation in the Black Sea. In an 18 October press release, the National Intelligence Service of the Republic of Korea (ROK) accused the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) of sending approximately 1,500 soldiers to Russia for training, with the intent of deploying them to the frontlines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian intelligence suggests the number of DPRK troops preparing to join Russian forces is significantly higher, estimating it to be around 10,000. On 28 October, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed the deployment of DPRK troops to Russias Kursk region, describing the development as a significant escalation and a dangerous expansion of the war. On 31 October, the Council held a briefing to discuss the alleged possible involvement of DPRK troops in the war. The meeting was requested by Ukraine, with the support of France, Japan, Malta, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Slovenia, the UK, and the US. (For more information, see our 29 October Whats in Blue story.) Council members remain concerned over the reported transfer of weapons and related materials, including dual-use goods, to Russia from China, the DPRK, and Iran. During the Councils 24 September briefing on Ukraine, the US accused China of supplying Russia with machine tools, microelectronics, and other items allegedly used to support Russias military efforts. On 17 October, the US imposed sanctions on several Chinese companies for directly developing and producing complete weapons systems in partnership with Russian firms. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning dismissed the accusations, emphasising that China strictly controls the export of dual-use items including drones and opposes the use of civilian drones for military purposes. Russia, for its part, has maintained that the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine has undermined the prospects for a peaceful settlement to the war in Ukraine. At its request, the Security Council convened a briefing on 31 October to discuss this issue, marking the 19th time the Council has met on the topic since the war began. Russia also convened an Arria-formula meeting on 25 October, titled Systematic violations of IHL committed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the territory of the Russian Federation. (For more, see our 24 October Whats in Blue story.) On 27 September, Brazil and China convened a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly aimed at supporting the efforts of Global South countries in promoting a ceasefire and achieving lasting peace. Following the meeting, 13 member states, including Council members Algeria and China, signed a joint communique expressing their concern over the ongoing conflict and the serious risk of escalation. The communique underscored the importance of upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, particularly the respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity. The signatories also announced the formation of the Group of Friends of Peace with the aim of fostering common understanding to support global efforts to achieve lasting peace. In October, Zelenskyy presented a victory plan, which he has described as a bridge to the holding of a second peace summit on Ukraine. The plan comprises five pointsas well as three secret annexesincluding Ukraines admission into NATO and authorisation to use Western-supplied long-range missiles to strike military targets within Russian territory. These are steps that Kyivs allies have been reluctant to support. Additionally, Ukraine has announced its intention to prepare a joint peace framework that will incorporate the constructive positions of the Global South. Russia has dismissed Ukraines victory plan, characterising it as a set of incoherent slogans. During an 18 October meeting with media agencies ahead of the BRICS summit, which took place in Kazan from 22 to 24 October, Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced support for the peace initiatives put forward by Brazil and China. He described these proposals as balanced and sensible, suggesting they could serve as a solid foundation for further attempts to seek peace. Putin also noted that Moscow is carefully monitoring the activities of the Group of Friends of Peace. On 23 October, during the BRICS summit, its members adopted the Kazan Declaration, underscoring that all states should adhere fully to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interrelation. The declaration also acknowledged proposals of mediation and good offices aimed at finding a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue. In response, Ukraines foreign ministry issued a statement asserting that the declarations focus on the UN Charter indicated the lack of a unified stance among BRICS members regarding the war in Ukraine. Following the summit, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who participated in the proceedings, met with Putin in Kazan on 25 October. During their discussions, Guterres reaffirmed that Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine violates the UN Charter and international law. He further emphasised his support for establishing a formal agreement to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea. Ukraine has criticised the bilateral meeting. In a 26 October post on X, Ukraines Permanent Representative to the UN Sergiy Kyslytsya argued that there should be no meetings between UN officials and persons for whom the [International Criminal Court] has issued an arrest warrant. (The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023 on charges of war crimes, including the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.) Kyslytsya referenced a 2013 letter from the then-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the President of the Security Council, which provides guidelines on interactions with individuals under ICC arrest warrants or summonses. Guterres was scheduled to visit Kyiv following the BRICS summit, though media reports indicate that Zelenskyy declined to host him. Human Rights-Related Developments On 8 October, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk presented an oral update to the Human Rights Council on the findings in the report of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) regarding the situation of human rights in Ukraine. Turk described the war as quickly becoming a tragic, flagrant example of the devastation of war on people, the environment, and a common future. He reported that nearly all of the 174 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) interviewed by the OHCHR since March 2023 recounted experiences of torture or ill-treatment by Russian forces throughout all stages of captivity, while around half of the 205 Russian POWs interviewed described torture or ill-treatment by Ukrainian authorities, particularly during the early stages of their captivity. In a 22 October press release, UN human rights experts urged the Russian government to confirm reports regarding the death of Ukrainian journalist and human rights defender Victoria Roshchyna, who has been forcibly disappeared since early August 2023 when reporting in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine. The human rights experts called for the immediate return home of Roshchynas body should her death be confirmed, along with an independent investigation into the cause and circumstances of her death. They noted that at least 1,672 Ukrainian civilians, including 25 journalists, remain detained in Russia and urged the Russian government to disclose their fates and release those arbitrarily detained. Key Issues and Options The overarching priority for the Council is to promote a solution to the conflict in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and to facilitate dialogue among the parties to that end. One option is for the Council to issue a presidential statement recalling S/PRST/2022/3 of 6 May 2022, which expressed support for the Secretary-Generals efforts in search of a peaceful solution, and encouraging the Secretary-General to appoint a personal envoy to explore openings for a peaceful settlement to the war. While the Secretary-General has the authority to appoint such an envoy on his own initiative, the Councils request could provide important political backing. The Council has held 96 formal meetings on Ukraine since the start of the war in February 2022 and approximately 99 percent have been public meetings. This has allowed members to present their positions on the conflict but not to discuss possible solutions. If there is interest in discussing current ideas for a ceasefire, members could choose to meet in a closed format, such as a private meeting or informal interactive dialogue. Council Dynamics The Security Council remains starkly divided on the conflict in Ukraine and the appropriate framework for achieving a peaceful resolution. Ukraine and several of its allies on the Security Council have advocated for a just peace, conditioned on the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraines internationally recognised borders. Russia, in contrast, maintains that any settlement must reflect current realities on the ground, which, in its view, would require the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the four partially occupied regions in Ukraine: Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia. Other Council members have emphasised the need for de-escalation, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities without any preconditions. Such a move could effectively freeze the front lines, leaving Russia in control of substantial territory in eastern and southern Ukraine. Some of these members also call for inclusive dialogue that takes into account the security concerns of all parties. Usually, when we talk about vacationing in the Netherlands, the first thing we think of is the colorful and lively Amsterdam. However, this is not the only city in the country worthy of attention and detailed study. ADVERTISIMENT According to the Express, Eindhoven is considered one of the main centers of art and design in Europe. It is located in the south of the country and can offer a lot of interesting things without being overcrowded with tourists. Amsterdam, on the other hand, receives up to 20 million visitors a year with a population of less than 1 million. Eindhoven is known not only for its beauty but also for its walkability. You can easily explore its sights and move from one trendy cafe to another while stopping by stylish designer boutiques, lively markets and cultural centers. And when it's time to unwind with a beer, there's no better place than Stratumseind, a street lined with more than 50 pubs. ADVERTISIMENT Every October, the city hosts Dutch Design Week (DDW), one of the largest design festivals in Europe. This popular event honors the work of both renowned designers and newcomers. But the magic of Eindhoven's design does not disappear even after the event is over. The city is an open-air museum of contemporary design with countless creative spaces and art installations open all year round. The best place for design lovers is Strijp-S, a former Philips' industrial area that has now been completely transformed into a fashion, cultural and creative center. Here you can find many art studios, galleries, boutiques and cafes. You can also visit the world-famous Area51 skate park, one of the largest indoor facilities of its kind in Europe. The skate park has a large bowl, a large mini-ramp and a number of railings, ledges and jumps for roller skaters, skateboarders, scooters and BMX cyclists. ADVERTISIMENT As for Stratumseind, it is the longest pub street in all of Benelux. Parties take place here every day. At the same time, the beer here is of the best craft varieties, so it is also a desirable place to visit for gourmets. One of the most exciting aspects of Eindhoven is its street art culture. The best place to experience it is De Berenkuil. It is a series of tunnels transformed into a dynamic canvas for graffiti artists. The images on its walls are constantly changing and something new is regularly painted here, ruthlessly overlapping older works. It all culminates in the annual Step in the Arena Graffiti Festival, where more than 150 artists from around the world come to showcase their talents. ADVERTISIMENT If you want to admire more traditional art, be sure to visit the Van Abbemuseum and the Kazerne, both of which are excellent museums with outstanding collections. The Van Abbemuseum has a reputation as one of the most respected art institutions in Europe, housing works by giants such as Picasso, Kandinsky, and Mondrian. Its collection is constantly updated with contemporary and experimental works. On the other side of the city is the Kazerne, a former military barracks now transformed into a multidisciplinary space combining art, design and culinary experiences. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. MIDDLE EAST Yemen Expected Council Action In November, the Security Council is expected to renew the Yemen financial and travel ban sanctions measures, which expire on 15 November, and the mandate of the Yemen Panel of Experts (PoE), which expires on 15 December. (The targeted arms embargo on the Houthi rebel group established by resolution 2216 in April 2015 is open-ended.) The Council will also hold its monthly meeting on Yemen and receive a briefing from the chair of the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Joonkook Hwang (Republic of Korea). The mandate of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) expires on 14 July 2025. Key Recent Developments The ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including fallout from the Israel-Hamas war and the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, have had a negative effect on efforts to address Yemens political stalemate and humanitarian crisis. The past month saw the intensification of direct conflict between the Houthis and Israel, as well as the continuation of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and US-led retaliatory strikes. (For more information, see the brief on Yemen in our October 2024 Monthly Forecast and 14 October Whats in Blue story.) On 16 October, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had conducted airstrikes in Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, targeting numerous Iran-backed Houthi weapons storage facilities. The statement claimed that these hardened underground facilities contained weapons that were used to target US and international vessels in the Red Sea. At the Councils latest briefing on Yemen, held on 15 October, UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg warned that the cycle of retaliation is pulling Yemen deeper into the regional conflict and distracts from the urgent need to address the countrys internal crises. He stressed that peace in Yemen is achievable despite the difficult regional context and outlined existing tools to achieve that end. These include the commitment made by the Yemeni parties towards the establishment of a roadmap, including a nationwide ceasefire, addressing humanitarian and economic needs and preparing for an inclusive political process, which serve as reference points in discussions with the sides. In the context of these discussions, the Special Envoy has been holding consultations with political parties and civil society, including the Rashad Party, the Nasserite Party, and the Yemeni Socialist Party. According to a 23 October statement by the Office of the Special Envoy, participants in these consultations have emphasised the urgency of economic recovery and humanitarian relief while noting that issues such as the payment of salaries and the reopening of vital roads cannot be delayed until a political settlement is reached. Humanitarian conditions in Yemen continue to worsen, including the spread of cholera and growing food insecurity. In her briefing at the 15 October Council meeting, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya noted that more than 203,000 suspected cases of cholera have been reported and more than 720 people have died from the disease. She warned that the number of cases is expected to double by March 2025, noting that funding for the cholera response has run out. Unless urgent funding is received, 70 percent of the remaining diarrhoea treatment centres and 42 percent of the remaining oral rehydration centres will close by December, according to Msuya. In a 24 October statement, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF warned about the outbreak of variant poliovirus type 2 (polio) in Yemen, noting that 273 cases have been reported over the last three years. The statement said that the outbreak persists amidst increasing health emergencies, further straining the countrys overburdened health system. At the 15 October Council meeting, the briefers and many Council members reiterated their deep concern about the Houthis ongoing detention of several UN national staffers in Yemen as well as civil society personnel. Some speakers voiced alarm about reports that the Houthis had referred a significant number of detained personnel, including three UN staffers detained in 2021 and 2023, for criminal prosecution. Sanctions-Related Developments On 19 September, the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee discussed its PoEs final report, which was made public on 31 October. The report says that the scale, nature and extent of transfers of diverse military materiel and technology provided to the Houthis from external sources, including financial support and training of its combatants, is unprecedented. These sources include Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hezbollah, and Iraqi armed groups. The report makes several recommendations to the Security Council, including adding an expert to the panel to monitor maritime activities such as smuggling. It also suggests for the Security Council to call on regional armed groups to refrain from providing military and financial assistance to the Houthis and to express its intention to impose sanctions on those who commit such acts. At the 19 September committee meeting, it seems that many Council members welcomed the PoEs report, but at least one permanent member accused the panel of going beyond its remit. Human Rights-Related Developments On 11 October, the Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted a resolution without a vote on technical assistance and capacity-building for Yemen in the field of human rights (A/HRC/RES/57/37). The HRC expressed deep concern at the serious violations and abuses of international human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law committed by all parties to the conflict, including those involving sexual and gender-based violence, the continued recruitment of children, the abduction of political activists, the violations of human rights against journalists, and the killing of civilians. The HRC also requested all parties to the conflict to fully implement Security Council resolution 2216 of 14 April 2015which established an arms embargo on the Houthis and demanded that they withdraw from all seized areas and relinquish all seized armswhile noting that this will contribute to an improvement in the situation of human rights. Key Issues and Options Insulating Yemen from destabilising regional tensions and reinvigorating the stalled intra-Yemeni political process are overarching priorities for the Council. Members are likely to continue to call on Yemeni parties to exercise restraint and to take confidence-building measures to create conditions conducive to the resumption of talks. In this regard, members could encourage implementation of the economic de-escalation agreement reached on 23 July between the Houthis and the Yemeni government. Although the agreement includes a pledge by the sides to hold meetings to discuss economic and humanitarian issues, no such meetings have taken place. A key priority for the Council in November is renewing the Yemen sanctions regime and the mandate of the PoE supporting the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee. One option would be to pursue a straightforward renewal. Another would be to consider whether adjustments are needed, including any based on recommendations contained in the PoEs final report. Council Dynamics Council members have maintained general unity in support of UN mediation to achieve a sustainable resolution to the conflict in Yemen. The Red Sea crisis, however, has produced some notable divisions. The P3 members (France, the UK, and the US) have criticised the Houthis destabilising actions, while Council members such as Algeria, China, and Russia emphasise that ending the conflict in Gaza is critical to resolving the crisis in the Red Sea. The UK and the US have been calling for the Council to take further action to impede Irans supply of arms to the Houthis, including by strengthening the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM), which inspects ships travelling to Houthi-controlled ports to ensure compliance with the arms embargo against the group. Stronger Council action against the Houthis or Iran seems unlikely, however, given Council dynamics. Russia traditionally seeks to minimise references to the Houthis and is reluctant to single them out in Council products. A red line for Russia has also been language about Iran violating the arms embargo against the Houthis. At the 15 October Council meeting, the US referenced public reports alleging that Russia is considering providing the Houthis with anti-ship ballistic missiles and might be negotiating a deal to supply the group with small arms. These developments may further complicate Council dynamics on the issue. Therefore, members such as the UK and the US are instead seeking to enhance bilateral support to UNVIM, which relies on voluntary funding. The Council has been unable to agree on a unified message calling for the release of the UN staff detained by the Houthis. Although Russia has expressed concern about the situation of the detained personnel, it has not called for their release, focusing instead on calls for access to the arrested staff. It has also accused Western countries of double standards, arguing that although they call on the Houthis to release the UN staff, they fail to hold Israel accountable for its actions against the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the UN Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL). Given the complex dynamics on the file, members may opt to pursue a straightforward renewal of the Yemen sanctions regime in November. This would be consistent with the approach taken during the most recent renewal of UNMHAs mandate through resolution 2742 of 8 July. In general, recent years have witnessed difficult Council negotiations on the renewal of sanctions regimes. A notable example is the recent termination of the Panel of Experts assisting the 1718 Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee following a 28 March veto cast by Russia. The UK is the penholder on Yemen. The US and Japan have served as co-penholders on the Red Sea crisis. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON YEMEN The South Korean automaker Hyundai has unveiled a new concept SUV, the Initium, which embodies the company's ambitious plans to develop hydrogen technologies. This futuristic SUV not only demonstrates new design solutions but also promises impressive range and high performance. ADVERTISIMENT According to Autocar, the Initium is the successor to the popular Hyundai Nexo but offers significantly improved performance. Thanks to the use of third-generation hydrogen fuel cells, the new crossover is able to travel more than 640 kilometers on a single charge. This was achieved by increasing the capacity of hydrogen tanks and optimizing energy consumption. Design and functionality The exterior of the Initium is characterized by a bold and futuristic design that departs from traditional SUV shapes. Massive wheel arches, sharp corners, and aggressive lines give the car a dynamic and confident look. At the same time, Hyundai designers have managed to maintain a balance between sportiness and elegance. ADVERTISIMENT One of the key features of the Initium is the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function, which allows the car to be used as a powerful mobile power plant. This means that Initium owners can charge other devices, from power tools to camping equipment. Environmentally friendly and efficient The Hyundai Initium is one of the cleanest cars on the market, as it emits only water vapor while driving. This makes it an ideal choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. In addition, hydrogen cars have significantly shorter refueling times compared to electric vehicles. In addition, Initium will be equipped with a navigation system that will help drivers find the nearest hydrogen refueling stations. The Initium is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2025. This car promises to be a real breakthrough in the world of hydrogen technologies. Subscribe to the OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. CMC Markets announced a strategic partnership with New Zealand bank ASB on Friday, marking a significant expansion into the Australia-New Zealand region. The FTSE 250 company said the collaboration would allow ASBs clients access to CMCs trading technology via an ASB-branded web and mobile platform, integrated with the banks existing systems. It said the integration was expected to take between 12 and 18 months, with costs largely capitalised and expected to generate substantial revenue within CMCs Invest business. Under the agreement, customers of ASB - owned by Australias Commonwealth Bank - would gain access to CMCs trading platforms, featuring more than 15 international markets, along with market research and tax reporting tools. CMC, currently Australias second-largest stockbroker with over AUD 70bn (35.6bn) in assets under administration and over a million trading accounts, would also become a full trading, settling, and clearing participant of the NZX exchange as part of the partnership. We are delighted to be announcing this partnership with ASB Bank to deliver our market-leading white label technology, said CMC Markets CEO Lord Peter Cruddas. There is no higher endorsement of our company than when a major bank or financial institution trusts our technology to deliver a service to their valued clients and this agreement marks further progress in our ongoing diversification strategy, as our B2B technology and institutional-first approach continue to unlock global opportunities. We look forward to working with ASB Bank to deliver the best online share trading service in New Zealand. At 0827 GMT, shares in CMC Markets were up 0.72% at 308.7p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Ryanair said on Friday that it could cut up to 10% of its scheduled flights to and from UK airports next year, as it criticised the governments decision to increase the tax on airline tickets in the Budget. On Wednesday, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in Labours first Budget in 14 years that the government would be increasing Air Passenger Duty by up to 2 for an economy class short-haul flight and by 50% for flights on private jets. Ryanair condemned the decision on Friday, saying it would "further burden" ordinary UK families travelling abroad on holidays or to visit friends and families. It said a family of four flying to Spain on a low-cost holiday next year will pay 60 in air travel taxes "to a government whose Minister receives 1000s in free clothes and concert tickets". "This anti-growth tax hike will damage UK tourism, jobs and economic growth, especially the UK regions, with regional airports being particularly damaged by this tax on ordinary families," it added. The budget airline said the potential cut of up to 10% of flights to and from the UK will reduce air travel by up to 5 million passengers "as the Labour governments budget delivers higher taxes and tourism declines not growth". A riveting novel set in World War II's Southeast Asian theater imagines critical contributions by the United States's most unlikely intelligence officer: Julia McWilliams Child, beloved chef of French cuisine. The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R. Chambers is well-documented historical fiction that pays credit to Child's brave and clever intelligence work for the Office of Strategic Services. Woven among the trials of war is the romance between Julia and brilliant Paul Child, a mapmaker whose Visual Display unit works closely with Julia's. From her arrival in the Pacific arena in March 1944 until Japan's surrender in August 1945, Julia serves in regions vulnerable to enemy attack, even though she claimed in a memoir that she "was not a spy." Chambers unsparingly details the war's tragedies but balances the losses with lighthearted descriptions of friendship, cuisine, and natural beauty. Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), India, and China were vital to Allied defense from Japan, but they were also lands of rare birds, lush scenery, and exquisite flavors. Julia and Paul cautiously develop their relationship while working together, often in tenuous circumstances, to reveal military secrets and thwart espionage. Chambers hints at Julia's future as "the French chef" as they also share "pillowy stuffed dumplings," spicy sauces, and crunchy "mysterious tidbits." The Secret War of Julia Child is a fascinating glimpse into a little-known side of a famous personality and a revealing history of nations often not highlighted in books about World War II. Early in the novel, Julia muses of "tides of war flinging people together, then apart," but readers will celebrate Julia and Paul's happy ending. --Cheryl McKeon, Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, N.Y. Photo: Christophe Testi Sabaa Tahir is the author of the YA novels An Ember in the Ashes, A Torch Against the Night and the recently released A Reaper at the Gates (Razorbill, June 12, 2018). She grew up in California's Mojave Desert, at her family's 18-room motel. There, she spent her time devouring fantasy novels, raiding her brother's comic book stash and playing guitar badly. She began writing An Ember in the Ashes while working nights as a newspaper editor. She likes thunderous indie rock, garish socks and all things nerd. Tahir lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family. On your nightstand now: The Storm by Arif Anwar. This also doubles as the book that I bought for its cover--gray storm clouds and a woman in a bright orange sari. The contrast drew my eye. Favorite book when you were a child: Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Bahija Lovejoy and Barbara Cohen. This was my very first mirror book--I had never seen anyone even remotely resembling myself in fiction, and Buran, the heroine of this story, is both Muslim and brown. I checked the book out so much that eventually my school librarian gently suggested that perhaps I should "lose it" and then pay a fine (i.e., keep it forever). But I didn't want to get in trouble with my parents, so I just longed for it like it was my long-lost love. Eventually I bought my own copy in college. Your top five authors: I don't really have a top five list, but here are some of my auto-buy authors: Mohsin Hamid, a Pakistani author who can make you laugh and rip out your heart in one page. Alison Croggon, author of the Pellinor Quartet, a YA fantasy that is one of my favorites. Patrick Rothfuss. The Name of the Wind is a fantasy book that I still reread every couple of years. Marie Lu, author of the Legend Trilogy, the Young Elites Trilogy and her latest, Warcross. Marie writes with a keen eye for both plot and characterization--and I'm a sucker for her heroes. Nicola Yoon. I devoured The Sun Is Also a Star on a plane ride and then immediately started again from page one. Book you've faked reading: Nicholas Nickleby in seventh grade. I don't even know why. I guess since it was big I thought people would be impressed? I had a lot to learn about what impressed middle schoolers. Book you're an evangelist for: The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman. I absolutely adore this series and am forever pestering people to read it. It's like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but in Regency England. The lead character, Lady Helen Wrexhall, has to balance the demands of her high society life while murdering demons from another dimension. Book you hid from your parents: The Sandman series by Neil Gaiman. But it's not exactly fair to say that I hid it. I stole it from my brother who hid it in this giant green steamer chest filled with comics. Then I would sneak into his room, find his key (which he kept in an extremely obvious place) and then sneak them back to my room to read by flashlight. Book that changed your life: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. It's a story about mankind's first (doomed) mission to an alien planet and combines science fiction, philosophy and theology with questions of faith and trauma. It is the book that taught me what it means to try to write honestly. Favorite line from a book: This changes constantly, but my current favorite is from Circe by Madeline Miller: "But I saw the thought in him, living like a second body, and feeding in the dark." Five books you'll never part with: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein The SAS Survival Handbook by John Wiseman The Random House Book of Fairy Tales, adapted by Amy Ehrlich, illustrated by Diane Goode The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks Book you most want to read again for the first time: I wish so much that I could re-read Harry Potter. I was a freshman in college when I first read it. Everyone had gone to a concert but I had a cold and was miserable in my dorm room. A friend of mine dropped it off for me and while at first I refused to read it, she made me promise to read the first quarter of the book. I did and I was hooked. I snuck into her room a few hours later to read Book 2... and then Book 3. It was then that I learned there was no Book 4, and joined the legions of Potterheads forced to wait ages for the next book. Russian promoter Vladimir Khryunov was outraged by the suspension of former world heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin for violating anti-doping rules. The former manager of the Russian Knight ridiculously justified the boxer's use of banned substances in 2016 as a conspiracy against him. ADVERTISIMENT Khryunov said this in an interview with the propaganda TV channel Match TV. The promoter noted that Povetkin was "taken out of the way" 10 years ago, calling him "the best boxer in the world," despite the Russian's crushing defeats by Volodymyr Klychko, Anthony Joshua, and Dillian Whyte. "He is a very honest and kind person. That's why I don't believe that something like this could have happened ten years ago. He himself had already suffered in his time. At that time, there was a targeted struggle against Povetkin. I have no doubt that he would have defeated a lot of boxers then. But then, in fact, the best boxer in the world was being removed from the road. I urge everyone to support Alexander and not to believe in this latest provocation," Khryunov said. Earlier, Povetkin used the words "our fighter" to attribute Alexander Usyk's success in the professional ring to Russia. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! TP Gopalan Nambiar, the pioneering Founder of BPL Group, passed away peacefully at his Bengaluru residence on Thursday at the age of 94. Known fondly as TPG, Nambiar was a stalwart of Indias consumer electronics industry. He was the father-in-law of BJP leader and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), saying, It is with great sadness that I inform you all about the passing away of my father-in-law TPG Nambiar, Chairman BPL Group. Om Shanti. He was a true visionary and built one of India's most trusted consumer brands that remains popular to this day. Nambiar had been unwell for some time, and his passing has evoked tributes from prominent figures, including former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, who said, Saddened by the passing of Shri TPG Nambiar, founder of the iconic BPL brand, who has been a close acquaintance for a long time. Shri Nambiars enormous contributions and legacy will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. TPG Nambiar launched BPL (British Physical Laboratories) in 1963, steering the company into the consumer electronics market where it became a household name in the 1980s and 1990s. Initially specializing in batteries, telecommunication equipment, and medical devices, BPL diversified extensively, later gaining prominence in the television market. As India liberalized its economy in the 1990s, BPL competed against global giants entering the Indian market. At its peak, the brand commanded over 15 percent of the television market and was regarded as a trusted Indian alternative to multinational brands. LG and Samsung. A series of financial challenges led to BPLs decline in market share and influence. However, the companys success began to falter due to family disputes, diversification into unrelated sectors, and growing competition from South Korean companies such as. A series of financial challenges led to BPLs decline in market share and influence. Despite these setbacks, Nambiars legacy as an industry visionary endures. Under his leadership, BPL became a trusted household name, symbolizing quality and reliability for Indian consumers. His contributions to Indias electronics sector will be remembered as foundational in shaping the industrys trajectory. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The NYPD is seeking the publics assistance in locating a 65-year-old man reported missing from New Brighton. Edward Iaccarino, of the 100 block of Henderson Avenue, was last seen at his residence at around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. Iaccarino is described as standing approximately 5-feet, 8-inches tall and weighing around 200 pounds. He is also said to have gray hair, brown eyes and a light complexion. Iaccarino was last seen wearing blue jeans, a gray sweatshirt, a black-and-white vest and a gray hat. A photo of the man was supplied to the media by the NYPD. Anyone with information in regard to this case is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on Twitter @NYPDTips. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) will close several streets on Staten Island for road work next week. Affected roads are mainly in the New Dorp and Midland Beach neighborhoods, according to the DOT. A New Jersey woman was told by election workers in Hamilton Township that she had to cover up her pro-Donald Trump shirt and couldnt wear her MAGA hat in the polling place. Enraged, the woman took off the hat and shirt, spinning the shirt like a lasso, NJ.com reported. She then voted, wearing her bra, and hurled vulgar epithets at the workers before a crowd of as many as 100 voters, several people told NJ Advance Media. That wasnt the only voter whose clothing ran afoul of New Jersey poll site electioneering law, NJ.com reported. In Gloucester Township, a female voter entered the poll site wearing a red cloak and white bonnet, inspired by The Handmaids Tale, the dystopian book and television series about a patriarchal society where women are forced into sexual slavery to bear children for their masters. The voter complied with the request to remove her cloak and bonnet before voting. She then walked out quietly while putting her outfit back on. Electioneering is against the law in New Jersey. That means people cannot distribute or display any circular or printed matter or offer any suggestion or solicit any support for any candidate, party or public question within the polling place or room or within a distance of 100 feet of the outside entrance to such polling place or room, or within 100 feet of a ballot drop box in use during the conduct of an election. That includes wearing T-shirts, hats or buttons that support a candidate or can be interpreted as trying to sway a voters opinion, election officials said. Bumper stickers and flags on vehicles within 100 feet of polling places are also prohibited. Early voting began in New Jersey last Saturday, with heavy turnout so far. In addition to long lines, New Jersey poll workers have had to contend with, and sometimes confront, belligerent people who insist on showing their candidate preferences at the polls. Many voters may not realize that wearing political messaging while voting is not allowed, election officials told NJ.com, but some simply dont seem to care. Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per week Premium Includes: -- Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. You can download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. You can also clip & download articles or images from the e-edition to share with others The most recent 90 issues are available at any given time. -- Unlimited access to our award-winning online content -- Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community -- NEW! Access to our online-only digital crossword puzzle. A new puzzle every day, seven days a week! The inexpensive bestseller Skoda Octavia is a dream of many buyers. For those who need a more powerful option, the Czech manufacturer offers a model in the top RS version. The car was shown in detail online. ADVERTISIMENT The new Skoda Octavia RS 2024 debuted in two bodies - a station wagon and a five-door liftback (which looks like a sedan with four doors). Autogefuhl shows the powerful car. The new Skoda Octavia A8 RS has undergone very neat changes. The design of the headlights has been slightly refined, the grille has been enlarged, and the bumper has been replaced. A large dark splitter appeared in its lower part. The large and stylish wheels attract the most. The manufacturer has also modernized the taillights and replaced the bumper. Of course, new body colors have appeared in the model's palette. The interior of the Skoda Octavia RS 2024 has a 13-inch multimedia system monitor and updated trim. The vehicle features familiar 2-liter gasoline turbo engine, but its power has been increased to 265 hp. The price of the Skoda Octavia RS 2024 starts from 47,000 euros. After a long line of teasers, the South Korean car brand Kia has finally shown the first pickup truck in its history. And the car, called Tasman, impressed journalists and bloggers. ADVERTISIMENT According to Motor1, the mid-size model will be available in several variants. Kia will sell the Tasman in single and double cab bodies, as well as a stripped-down cab chassis suitable for customization. The experts were most surprised by the Tasman's appearance. It has a huge Kia logo on the rear door. And the strangest angle was called the profile with a body cladding in the form of a mustache. The Tasman also stands out for its unconventional front end with vertical headlights offset to the sides. Here you can see another enlarged Kia logo and a convex hood that makes the truck look more muscular. In general, this is not a Telluride pickup, as some people assumed. It's a body-on-frame truck, not a one-piece design like the Maverick or Ridgeline. ADVERTISIMENT Despite its rugged exterior, the Tasman has a more automotive interior with a triple screen. The cabin features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster connected to a 5-inch display in the middle and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. Despite the generous screen space, Kia has not abandoned the traditional switchgear. As before, there are several buttons and switches to access the most frequently used functions. Depending on the market, the new truck will be available with a six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmission, as well as in two- and four-wheel drive configurations. In Korea, the Tasman gets a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with 277 horsepower and 421 N-m of torque. Not that acceleration matters much in this segment, but it accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds. The top speed of the model is 185 km/h. ADVERTISIMENT In Australia, the Tasman will get a 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine with 207 hp and 440 Nm. It will have the same top speed but will accelerate to 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds. In the Middle East and Africa, customers can choose from these two gasoline and diesel engines. The payload varies from 1015 to 1200 kg, and the cargo compartment volume is 1172 liters. Kia has designed the Tasman with a double wishbone front suspension and a rigid rear axle with leaf springs. The company claims that the truck can overcome water obstacles up to 80 cm deep at a speed of 7 km/h, and as a safety measure, waterproof connectors are provided for some interior parts. All-terrain tires with 17- and 18-inch wheels are available, as well as several driving modes to overcome different surfaces: desert, mud, snow, and rocks. ADVERTISIMENT Kia claims best-in-class head, shoulder, and legroom in the second row, as well as the ability to recline the rear seats 22-30 degrees. When the rear seats are folded down, you can find two hidden compartments underneath for storing those valuable items. In addition, the Tasman has two wireless charging pads, a Harman Kardon sound system, a folding console table, and grab bars on the front pillars. Korea will be the first market where the Tasman will appear in the first half of 2025, before the first Kia pickup truck arrives in Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. The company believes that Saudi Arabia will become one of the main markets for the truck, so the world premiere will take place at the Jeddah International Motor Show. Tasman is not the only pickup truck Kia is working on. By 2027, an electric truck should also appear. Subscribe to the OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. Over the past two years, he has become increasingly fixated on what he sees as another threat: declining birthrates. He believes a global population collapse is coming that will wipe out humanity. His apocalyptic vision is unlikely, according to demographers, but on X, the social media company he owns, he has been encouraging followers to have as many children as possible. It should be considered a national emergency to have kids, Musk posted in June. A No Trespassing sign near Elon Musks properties in Texas. Credit: NYT For the moment, Musk is temporarily encamped in Pennsylvania, immersed in the presidential campaign and spending tens of millions of dollars to finance Trumps get-out-the-vote operations. But it is in Texas where Musk has moved much of his business operations and is trying to establish his family compound. The compound is off to a bumpy start. One of the mothers, Shivon Zilis, an executive at Neuralink, Musks brain technology startup, has moved into one of the homes with her children. But Claire Boucher, the musician better known as Grimes, who is the mother to three of his children, is in a protracted legal fight with Musk and has so far steered clear. The third mother is Musks first wife, Justine Musk, with whom he has five living children, all in their late teens or older. There is room in the Austin compound if they were to visit, though he is estranged from at least one of those children. In choosing Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate, Trump brought declining birthrates to the forefront of this years presidential election. Vance, who has raised alarms about the issue, made headlines for scolding childless cat ladies. In a biography published in 2015, Musk worried that educated people werent having enough children. Im not saying like only smart people should have kids. Im just saying that smart people should have kids as well, he said. I notice that a lot of really smart women have zero or one kid. Youre like, Wow, thats probably not good. Musk, his attorney and the head of his family office did not return requests for comment. Representatives for Boucher did not return requests for comment. Zilis and Shanahan also did not return requests for comment. All Musks children Elon Musk and his first wife, Justine Musk, had their first child, a boy named Nevada, in 2002, two years after they married. The child died unexpectedly in infancy. The couple had five children using IVF before they divorced in 2008: twins Griffin and Vivian, who are now 20, followed by triplets Saxon, Damian and Kai, now in their late teens. Elon Musk has said that IVF is a more efficient way of having children because it allows parents to control parts of the process, according to a person who understands his thinking. Shivon Zilis is one of the three mothers of children Elon Musk acknowledges. Credit: NYT By 2016, as the head of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk had amassed a net worth of more than $US11 billion, according to Forbes. That year, he warned for the first time on Twitter, the social network now known as X, that the world could be headed for population collapse. Consequences of population implosion greatly underestimated, he wrote in response to an article about falling birthrates. He twice married and divorced actress Talulah Riley, whose desire to focus on her career instead of having children was a factor in their breakup, according to three people familiar with her thinking. Representatives for Riley didnt return requests for comment. In 2020, Musk and Boucher, whom he started dating two years earlier, had their first child, a son they named X A-Xii, or X for short. Over the next few years, Musk had more children with Boucher as well as with Zilis. Musk has offered to share his DNA. At a dinner party held at the home of a well-known Silicon Valley executive last year, Musk offered to provide his sperm to a married couple he had met socially only a handful of times, according to two people who were present for the interaction. The couple had mentioned at the dinner that they were having trouble conceiving a child. Musk told them he was happy to assist, and boasted about his many children, according to the people present. Musk moved Teslas operations to Texas this year. Credit: AP The compound Initially, Musk had hoped to build a compound for his families on hundreds of acres that he and his companies owned outside Austin, near Teslas headquarters, according to four people familiar with the plans. But that idea appeared to fall apart after the Justice Department began investigating whether Teslas resources had been used on a secret effort to build a glass house for Musks personal use, according to The Wall Street Journal. In August 2023, Musk said he was not building a house of any kind, in a post on X. By that time, Musk had begun touring Austin for homes that could fit his growing families but was having trouble with at least one of the mothers of his children. He had been living with Boucher in a 6900-square-foot (641-square-metre) house on a small cul-de-sac, according to three people familiar with the couple, when the pair welcomed a third child, a son born via surrogate. Musk wanted to buy property next to the one he lived in with Boucher so he could create a private compound and incorporate more of his children. But Boucher, who once described her relationship with Musk as very fluid, moved out in the summer of 2023. She eventually left Austin amid a custody battle with Musk, according to three people familiar with her move. Still Musk continued his home purchase spree. Loading Its unclear which members of Musks families will live in those homes. Some of his oldest children arent close to their father, including his daughter Vivian, who is transgender. In an interview, Musk said Vivian was dead, killed by the woke mind virus. Vivian, for her part, accused Musk of pretending to care about his children. You are not a family man, she wrote on Threads in August. She declined to comment. Only Zilis is now living in Austin, where she is sometimes seen at events around the city, three people familiar with her said. In June, Musk confirmed to The New York Post that he had a third child with Zilis after Bloomberg reported on the childs existence. In September, pop star Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris for president, signing her Instagram post Childless Cat Lady. Musk posted on X, Fine Tayloryou winI will give you a child and guard your cats with my life. People close to Musk believe he was only half joking. Unofficially anyway, Im no party pooper, especially online. Happy to post a Crypt Keeper bikini photo, cheer on anyone not sure about their new bob haircut, weigh in on the old Thailand versus Bali debate. But people, please. Time and place. Not on LinkedIn. LinkedIn has seemingly lost its way and become a place entirely unrelated to work and careers. Credit: Michael Howard Is there anything more draining than the notifications that one person has viewed your profile, you have four invitations (mine today included one to congratulate a fellow called George K who looks like a 1990s magician but is an ambassador for a currency firm), or that someone needs affirming you got this, queen messages in response to their mental health status update? LinkedIn, the mental health being affected is mine. Once I could merely expand my professional network or see jobs I could get if I had skills other than being an organised fast typer. Letters go missing. Have you noticed? Others give up spots to new letters or change their sound. Just as some letters hop into bed with new friends, nestling in words they have no place in being. Frisky business. Like a dear friend whose antics are causing concern, English is spoiling for an intervention, a sober heart-to-heart or so the recent influx of emails told me. Last month, over 100 comments hit the screens, mainly due to H. The haitch vs aitch debate is far from settled. Credit: iStock Thats aitch or haitch take your pick, as nobody swings both ways. Robert Drewe sparked the piece, watching ABC TVs Guy Montgomerys Guy Mont-Spelling Bee and noting the haitch bias among contestants. As soon as I shared the news, the flame wars erupted. Sticklers and crusaders, all of you, saying why aitch is proper or haitch is logical. Logical?! seethed one poster online. If youre going to pronounce haitch, then why not mem, nen, sess or feff? Or wuh, for double-u. As pushback, one haitcher argued the aspirated version is more efficient since aitch asks you to twist your mouth into an unnatural position, while haitch just flows. Simple ergonomics. Advertisement FoodWine The most wanted wine in Australia is by a small producer you havent even heard of yet The Melbourne Royal Wine Awards uncovered some excellent new wines by some little-known winemakers. Heres the pick of the bunch. Katie Spain November 1, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share When a small, family-run wine producer in Canberra took out the prestigious Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy at todays Melbourne Royal Wine Awards, it instantly became the most wanted wine in Australia. Even the chair of judges, Melanie Chester, was surprised by the result. Id never heard of the wine brand before, Chester said. Then you google them [after the judging process] and go, What an amazing story. Theyre a second-generation, humble family set-up in the ACT, and the wine is absolutely magnificent. The honour went to the Four Winds Vineyard 2023 shiraz, produced north of Canberra by vignerons Sarah and John Collingwood. Vigneron Sarah Collingwood in her Four Winds Vineyard in Canberra. Wine Business Magazine Advertisement The wine won multiple major trophies at the presentation lunch held at Melbourne Showgrounds, including the Trevor Mast Trophy for Best Shiraz, the Douglas Seabrook Trophy for Best Single Vineyard Wine, and the Category Trophy for Best NSW/ACT Shiraz. Its the absolute dream outcome when a discovery wine wins the Jimmy Watson, Chester said. Youre especially stoked when its something youve never heard of before. Its a beautiful wine, and it blew me away; blue-fruited with incredible gravel-like tannin and in terms of brightness, its in a beautiful space. Its well-grown rather than just well-made. The Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for Best Young Red is a big deal. The accolade for the best one- or two-year-old dry red wine is arguably the most coveted award in the nation. Judging at the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards in 2024, the year small, upcoming wineries were in the spotlight. Past winners include Tasmanias Lowestoft and Home Hill, South Australias Hentley Farm and Bleasdale Vineyards, Victorias Fallen Giants, Yabby Lake and Bests Great Western, and Western Australias Xanadu and Deep Woods Estate. Advertisement The Melbourne Royal Wine Awards, established in 1883, attracts about 2500 entries annually from more than 400 wineries nationally. Judges include leading Australian winemakers, wine journalists, wine buyers, distributors and fine wine retailers. Chester, who is head of winemaking and vineyards at Yarra Valleys Giant Steps, was delighted to see unfamiliar brand names among the top picks. My favourite thing about the results this year is that while the classics that we know and love like Tolpuddle, Xanadu and Home Hill continue to make great wine, there are also new discovery wines, varieties, regions and producers in the mix like Four Winds, Tripe Iscariot and Wines of Merritt. The Premiers Trophy for the best-performing Victorian wine went to Oakridge, which won Best Victorian Chardonnay for the 2022 Oakridge 864 Henk Aqueduct Chardonnay. Melanie Chester, Rohan Smith and Marcus Satchell from the head judging panel of the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards. Advertisement Its chardonnay with meat on its bones and power, not just acidity, Chester said. This year marks the end of Chesters three-year tenure as chair of judges and 12-year involvement with the wine show. Im 35 years old and started as a steward, she said. For a third of my life Ive been turning up to the Melbourne Showgrounds in the second week of October to judge the wine show. Its one of the best wine shows in Australia, and Im very happy for all the exhibitors who made really tasty wine, particularly the small producers and edgier producers who won trophies this year. Five must-try Australian wines right now Four Winds Vineyard 2023 shiraz, ACT, $79 Advertisement Take a bow. This gorgeous little family puts a well-deserved spotlight on Murrumbateman. Its a shot in the arm for beautifully grown and made Shiraz. Act fast, with a Jimmy Watson under its belt, itll get snapped up by collectors fast. fourwindsvineyard.com.au Glenlofty Estate 2023 estate reserve marsanne roussanne, Pyrenees, Vic, $40 A beautiful, fresh white blend. Think white pear-meets lemon drop with a touch of delightful salinity that makes the mouth water and the brain beg for food. A dinner party banger that wont break the bank. glenloftywines.com.au Tripe Iscariot Kroos, 2023 chenin blanc, Margaret River, WA, $42 A killer wine. Numerous chenin blancs were entered in the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards this year, and this crunchy, textural beauty spin bowled them all. Made by Margaret River-based, South Africa-born winemaker Remi Guise a small producer to watch. tripeiscariot.com Advertisement Wines of Merritt 2023 Wilyabrup cabernet franc, Margaret River, WA, $45 Pause a moment and breathe deep. This perfumed stunner is uber aromatic, pretty and simultaneously hedonistic. Respect to small batch, low intervention producer Nick Merritt for raising the cab franc bar high. Outstanding. winesofmerritt.com.au Kirrihill Wines Regional Series Clare, 2023, Clare Valley, SA, $19 So affordable its almost criminal. This multi-award-winning Rizza screams value. Its a bright, head-snapping addition to the dinner table during summer, especially if seafood is on the menu. kirrihill.com.au Australian fine wines are world-class. So why dont they dominate our drinks lists? Celebrity accountant Anthony Bell has been enlisted to help steer the rebranding of hospitality company Nomad Group as former co-director Alan Yazbek heads to an ashram in India after pleading guilty to displaying a Nazi symbol. Yazbeks wife, Rebecca, announced on Friday the company, of which she will be sole director, would be renamed Edition Hospitality as part of a restructure that will remove her husband from any involvement in management or day-to-day operations. He will remain a shareholder. Alan Yazbek at court in October. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos Bell, one of Sydneys highest-profile accountants, whose clients have included Michael Clarke and Larry Emdur, has been appointed the companys business adviser. Nomad Group is already a successful company, Rebecca Yazbek said in a statement. I am confident this new structure will work towards our future success. This is the right time to move towards a new phase for my business. 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 Growing up as a close relative of pastor Noel Hollins, the all-powerful founder and leader of the Geelong Revival Centre (GRC), Stacy remembers a childhood combining privilege and pressure. Travelling the Pacific and South-East Asia, she watched her parents save souls by bringing them into the fold of one of Australias most extreme and secretive Pentecostal churches on the promise of eternal life. And back in Geelong, at the headquarters of the church which had branches across Australia as hundreds of people would fill the orange brick building in the working-class suburb of Norlane, there was no rush for a spot at the lunch table. Stacy was told she would have to marry the man who raped her. Credit: Jason South Being related to the pastor did sort of feel like royalty in a way, recalled Stacy, who has asked to use a pseudonym to protect her privacy. She also does not want to reveal her precise relationship to Hollins, who died earlier this year aged 93, for the same reason. On Sunday there would be meetings all day long. And in between those meetings, wed have lunchtime in the hall where everyone gathered to eat. And our spot was reserved right in the centre of everything. So everyone else would have to rush to get their seats, and we would just casually walk in and sit in our spot. Being a family member of Hollins, the man who controlled every aspect of GRC members lives, meant Stacy was constantly being watched and judged. Was she dressed correctly? Was she speaking in tongues the right way? Why was she talking to that boy? Advertisement Just the smallest thing they would run to the pastor and report it. I remember one time during communion, we all stand up and speak in tongues and our eyes are closed. And I had my eyes open for one of those sessions, and someone afterwards ran up to my dad and let him know that shes had her eyes open this entire time as if there was something wrong with that. And it kind of made me wonder, how did you know I had my eyes open the entire time? Stacys teenage years were spent battling depression and anxiety in a claustrophobic community that didnt believe in mental illness. Then, she was accused by a church member of having a secret and unapproved relationship with a young man. Sexual contact before marriage is one of the biggest breaches of the GRCs many rules a sin that results in long excommunication from the church, your family and friends. Geelong Revival Centre founder Noel Hollins. Stacy knew she would have to explain herself to Hollins, her pastor and senior family member. And when she went into his office to see him, she was carrying another big secret: her alleged rape by the young man at one of her first meetings with him a few years earlier. Hollins was, according to Stacy, unmoved as she detailed an alleged physical and emotionally abusive relationship. In his view, there was only one solution to right her wrong: she would have to marry her alleged attacker. The pastor was told that it was in fact rape, but that didnt change my sentence whatsoever. I was still out for a year and I still had to marry him, she said. The pastor never asked me if I was alright. Advertisement Stacys father, also a close relative of Hollins, was put out of fellowship by resisting the attempt to force his daughter into marriage. She did not report her alleged rape (which she says happened in the late 2000s when she was aged 18) to police because she was worried about being further traumatised by the criminal justice process. Loading And she said no one in the churchs leadership had any interest involving the police either. It was just get married. Fix this. Keep it quiet, she said. Stacys treatment is one of many shocking revelations about the churchs expectations and restrictions on women revealed in a new investigative podcast series, LiSTNRs Secrets We Keep: Pray Harder. Several former female members from the churchs Geelong headquarters and affiliate assemblies around Australia likened their experience to Margaret Atwoods dystopian novel The Handmaids Tale, which later became a popular television series. Former GRC members claimed violent punishments were given to them as children and instances of alleged sexual abuse went unreported to police. Advertisement Leaked audio recordings capture Hollins describing gay people as having made a covenant with death and claiming that people of Anglo-Saxon heritage are Gods chosen people. The GRC has been around since the late 1950s and has more than 30 assemblies in Australia and around the world, with total membership understood to be in the low thousands. It qualifies for tax-free status as a religious charity. Loading Former church members are speaking out in the hope that politicians will consider widening new laws making coercive control a criminal offence to include group settings such as the GRC, which they claim operates as a cult. Under Hollins strict rules, women are not allowed to initiate a relationship with a man. They must wait to be chosen by a man from their assembly or an affiliate church. Their union would have to be approved by a pastor. A woman known to have had sex before marriage is forbidden from wearing a white dress at her wedding. Single mothers will have a brother, the term used in the church to refer to a man appointed to oversee her conduct and that of her children. Advertisement Hollins preferred women to stay at home and not work. He also discouraged school-aged girls from pursuing tertiary education. Women in the church are expected to wear demure clothing such as long skirts and not to show any skin. Former female members say this was part of a mentality that saw women as temptresses. We often had talks about Adam and Eve, and how Eve deceived Adam, and how women ever since have been pretty deceptive. And you have to be very careful of women, Stacy said. And it was made very clear what our place was. We were discouraged from having careers. The best thing you could do was become a housewife, which was my goal at the time because I didnt realise I could do anything else. And I was happy just with the thought of becoming someones housewife. We should be wearing skirts or dresses. And our husbands were basically the bosses of us we werent on the same level. You had the humans, the men, and then you had the sub-humans, which were the women. Former Geelong revival centre member Natalie Murphy. Natalie Murphy, now a mother of two boys, was raised in the GRC. She remembers, growing up, only ever wanting someone to choose her as their wife. Wives are often referred to as helpmeets in the church. Advertisement 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 So the HECS debt saga goes on (Radical HECS cut on Labors agenda, November 1). Just cancel any interest payments on the original debt and thousands of professionals will return to Australia to fill so many vacant positions, especially in nursing and teaching. Its not rocket science, just a practical, logical decision for a dithering government. Money will not be lost as these professionals will never return under current debt arrangements. Would be a win-win result. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach The potential reduction of HECS debts is good news for students, but it does not encourage the speedy repayment of debts. Those earning a good salary should be encouraged to pay down their debt as quickly as possible, for their personal benefit and to contribute to the budget bottom line. An incentive to do this would be an offer to match the repayments with an additional percentage reduction of the debt. Geoff Harding, Chatswood Gough Whitlam: The man before the HECS plan. Credit: Rick Stevens The whole system for repayment of higher education loans needs to be radically overhauled, starting with the abolition of indexation. Considering the drastic shortages of essential workers, such as nurses, serious consideration should be given to reducing the fees for some courses to encourage more school-leavers into pathways that will lead them into employment in essential services. Stephanie Edwards, Leichhardt How ironic that the moniker for higher education loans was once HECS (yes, it was a hex), and was changed to HELP, which it patently is not, apart from only further helping to disadvantage our precious young people trying to help themselves through education. And how offensive that Labor started this descent into effectively privatising higher education by a user-pays model with the John Dawkins so-called reforms. Many other wealthy developed nations provide free publicly funded university education to their people. But not Australia, the never clever country. Robyn Dalziell, Kellyville What is so radical about a Labor plan to assist tertiary students by slashing debt? I had no university debt thanks to Gough Whitlam. Genevieve Milton, Dulwich Hill Flights of fancy Advertisement Is Peter Dutton serious (PM says treatment over Qantas saga unfair, November 1)? Asked his staff to contact Gina Rinehart to see if the jet was available to save the taxpayer an estimated $40,000 for a chartered flight? Could his office not organise a general ticketed flight? This whole ridiculous debate is about buying influence, yet Dutton sees nothing sinister about asking to use Ginas jet. Would Gina never ask for quid pro quo? Craig Duckmanton, Birchgrove Peter Dutton needs to ask the flight attendants on Ginas private plane for a Bex so he can lie down into the deep luxury of the jets beds and relax. While political leaders do need to manage the optics of their actions, it is ludicrous to believe that Albanese could have overturned decisions to help the Australian carrier because he got a flight upgrade on a commercial flight. My family members have received flight upgrades, but no one jumped on their throats or questioned their integrity. Are our leaders so poor or perverse that we cant trust them to have normal engagement with the world around them without using it to browbeat them out of office? I heard a wise woman say, He that is without flight privileges among the politicians, let him first tear up the others boarding pass. Manbir Singh Kohli, Pemulwuy Credit: Cathy Wilcox Duttons claim that his flight on Gina Rineharts jet was at zero cost to taxpayers is false. The costs of the flight would no doubt be claimed as a business expense, as would every freebie that MPs happily accept, and as such, it is paid for by taxpayers in lost government revenue. Brenton McGeachie, Queanbeyan West I note that in all the accusations and counter-accusations flying between Liberal and Labor over flight upgrades, not one member of either side has suggested they all should get their noses out of the trough. The rules around our decision-makers receiving gifts need to change, but theres no sign that any of them are going to suggest cutting off the hands that feed them. Prue Nelson, Cremorne Point Duttons latest virtue-signalling against Albaneses Qantas upgrades is yet another diversionary strategy concealing a policy vacuum. The record shows Albanese working hard in Australias interests, while Dutton works hard at excelling in flights of nuclear-powered fantasy and self-interest. Bring on the election. Frederick Jansohn, Rose Bay While the matter of politicians perks is in the news, I feel I must declare that 35 years ago, I bought a copy of the compact edition of the Oxford English Dictionary at a heavily discounted price from the wholesale source that supplied the council library I managed. Last year I donated it to Lifeline for its book sale to ease my conscience (and as it is now available online). John Flint, St Leonards Advertisement Stop all the fuss. Trying for an upgrade is a national sport. Better things to talk about. Enid Murphy, Manly Pollies and Qantas are both on the nose at present, so how about this? Instead of offering upgrades to well-paid pollies and celebs, offer them to those who are paying whatever last-minute price they must to attend a family funeral? Or perhaps a family travelling for medical treatment? Possibly a disabled passenger who might be very uncomfortable in cattle class? Sucking up to politicians isnt the only long game. Sue Hoad, Merewether Hey, Gina, may I borrow your plane on the weekend? Tony Hughes, Varsity Lakes (Qld) Name shame Your correspondent laments the name-calling of Anthony Albanese (Letters, November 1). Doesnt the letter writer remember all the nicknames and nastiness during Scott Morrisons governance? Name-calling comes with the job. Pamela Shepherd, Balgowlah Spains rain our pain Parts of Valencia received a whole year of rainfall in just eight hours this week, the latest catastrophic climate event (Deadly floods sweep through Spain, November 1). We all know that fossil fuels are wrecking life on the planet so heres an idea for all our politicians. Please do whatever it takes to remove Australia from the increasingly indefensible fossil fuel business. And please do not feed us the line that Australia has such a small part we cannot make a difference. Of course we can. Australia was a world exemplar with issues such as voting rights, dealing with AIDS and plain packaging for tobacco products. Rob Firth, Red Hill (ACT) Advertisement The pain of the rain in Spain is plain. Credit: AP Anybody with any knowledge of the correlation between rising CO2 emissions and extreme precipitation events would be truly horrified at whats unfolding in Spain, as it is irrefutably a harbinger of humanitys future unless we rapidly transition away from the fossil fuels driving it. Chris Roylance, Paddington Leave abortion rights alone Its alarming to read abortion rights could be taken away by conservative male politicians (Mens opinions shouldnt rule womens bodily choices, November 1). Likely consequences are a rise in backyard or self-induced abortions, with subsequent death and infertility, and forced parenthood under which unwanted babies would be raised in unsuitable, unstable environments, compromising their long-term prospects and adding to the welfare burden. Theres risk with any procedure, and women dont make the decision lightly. Its often heart-wrenching. But preserving the right of the primary caregiver to safe and timely terminations is the only sensible, compassionate, logical solution. Anne Matheson, Gordon Lets add to the discussion re men having a say in the abortion debate. Is it time to ban Viagra from the PBS list? Joy Heads, Wollstonecraft Halloween = landfill An ironic contrast in your newspaper appears in a photo of children enjoying Halloween above an article discussing Sydneys looming landfill crisis and the NSW governments plans to reduce plastic waste (Sydneys running out of bin space, November 1). Halloween, a relatively new celebration in Australia, creates significant environmental impact through non-recyclable oil-based plastic costumes, sweetie wrappers and decorative items, many of which harm wildlife and add to landfill waste. To the extent that real pumpkins are used, their disposal in landfill and their eventual decomposition releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Those objecting to the use of fossil fuels claiming they have an adverse impact on climate change need to be consistent. If we are committed to addressing global warming, sustainability during celebrations like Halloween is important. By all means, let children and their parents enjoy a fun-filled few hours, but lets try to be more environmentally responsible as we go about it. John Kempler, Rose Bay Advertisement Nothing left behind for landfill with these Halloween treats. Credit: Nine Hard to overlook the complete and utter rightful juxtaposition of two news stories on the Heralds front page (November 1): one with Donald Trump arriving at a rally driving a garbage truck emblazoned with his name; and the other about Sydney having nowhere to stash its rubbish. Judy Finch, Taree Residents railroaded No public transport around Macquarie Street (Letters, November 1)? Thank the last Liberal state government, which removed routes to the east side of the CBD for most of the eastern suburbs to improve service. In reality, to funnel passengers onto the light rail. Michael Berg, Randwick Light rail can be slow, but there should still be more of it, and more stops. Credit: I welcome your correspondents suggestion of a light rail loop around the CBD. And while theyre at it, how about installing additional stops in George Street between Town Hall and Haymarket, and between King and Market streets, the retail heart of the CBD? Were still waiting for the government to fulfil its election promise of a bus stop in York Street for our local 389 service to the CBD, nearly 20 months later. Elizabeth Elenius, Pyrmont ScoMos pandemic Advertisement Humble school fetes are transforming into mini Melbourne Shows, attracting big crowds with an array of amusement park rides, popup bars, gourmet food stalls and valuable prizes. The schools transforming ovals into festival sites this spring spend big on the events to raise funds for facilities, with the biggest profits coming from sponsorships (particularly from real estate agents), ride tickets and silent auctions. Parents sip on their drinks at the bar at the Hampton Primary School Twilight Fete. Credit: Simon Schluter At a primary school in Hawthorn East last year, fete auction prizes (donated by parents) included seven nights at a luxury Balinese hotel and a dinner for 10 at Chin Chin. This year, Lloyd Street Primary School parents in Malvern East keenly bid on a four-day grand prix ground pass ahead of its fair in October. The family of the driver whose car ploughed into children at a Melbourne primary school has offered condolences to the family of 11-year-old Jack Davey, who was killed in the crash. No words can truly convey the depth of this tragedy. We are all in shock, wishing this was just a bad dream, but sadly this is our reality, the family said in a statement on Friday. The scene of the crash at Auburn South Primary School. Credit: Joe Armao To Jacks family, we can only offer our heartfelt condolences; our hearts go out to you and to every family affected by this loss. As a family with children, we feel this grief profoundly, sharing in the pain others now carry. Its not about the words we say, but the genuine sorrow held within our hearts. Returning to that horror crash we reported earlier today police have now sadly confirmed the 39-year-old male driver of the truck has died. At about 8.50am the man was driving his yellow Isuzu truck south on Kwinana Freeway when it rolled about 500 metres south of Rowley Road. The truck smashed through the Mandurah train line barrier. Police confirmed the driver died at the scene. A driver has been seriously injured after a truck smashed through a barrier on the Kwinana Freeway. Credit: Twitter The crash closed two southbound lanes between Rowley Road and Anketell Road and cancelled train services on the Mandurah line. By 3.40pm train services were still cancelled but rail replacement buses were operating. Head to Transperth and Main Roads WA for updates. WA Police have urged witnesses of the crash or anyone who saw the truck before the crash to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au. Dash-cam or mobile phone vision relating to this crash can be uploaded directly to investigators via this link: https://wapf.au.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/kwinanafreewaywandi The fraudsters took advantage of the Ukrainian government's decision to pay UAH 1,000 in financial support to citizens. They started spreading fake messages on the Internet to gain access to Ukrainian bank accounts. ADVERTISIMENT The new fraudulent scheme was reported by the Ministry of Social Policy. The government agency noted that cybercriminals are looking for their victims on Telegram channels. The Ministry urged citizens and the media not to trust such messages, not to click on the relevant links, and not to disseminate this data. These resources are fraudulent those who follow the link will be asked to provide personal bank card details, after which fraudsters will be able to access all the funds in their accounts. "All reliable information on how to apply for financial support for UAH 1000 will be posted on the official government resources. And the opportunity to receive UAH 1,000 under the Winter ePidtrymka program will be provided through the official Diia application," the Ministry explained. Official information on social support for the population is available on the websites of the Ministry of Social Policy: ADVERTISIMENT UAH 1000 from the government: how to get the money To receive assistance for UAH 1000, you need to issue a virtual National Cashback card in the Diia app. After activating the "Get 1000" option, the funds will be automatically transferred to the recipient's account. There are no plans to tax these funds, as they are considered state aid. The program is being implemented on the basis of the remaining funds from the National Cashback program, for which the government has allocated about UAH 3 billion. According to analysts, payments under the program have a "labeled" purpose and can only be used for certain types of expenditures. These include: payment for utilities; purchase of medicines made in Ukraine; books, theater tickets, and other cultural events; donations to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT This mechanism allows us to channel funds to support critical sectors of the Ukrainian economy, which creates additional demand and supports the domestic market. With the option to donate to the army, Ukrainians can direct part of their aid to support the defense forces, but cannot directly allocate funds to defense due to international obligations. According to forecasts, about 15 million people may join the program, which means that the program will require about UAH 15 billion. The Ministry of Economy notes that the program does not require additional state budget expenditures, as funding is provided from funds not used in 2024 under other budget programs. But, as OBOZ.UA has already reported, the money is intended for all citizens living in Ukraine. That is, Ukrainian refugees living abroad will not be able to participate in the program. The program is aimed at supporting the country's population in the face of possible winter disruptions and has restrictions on the use of the funds received. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! In 10 years time, if I hadnt put my hand up, I would have regretted it, so I thought, why not take the opportunity, she said. Doolan said she was absolutely excited and eager to represent her constituents. And as a young person still living at home with her parents, she also has her sights on the LNPs promise to remove stamp duty. I am looking forward to being able to purchase my own property and moving into my own house, she said. Russell Field, Member for Capalaba (LNP) Field became an advocate for victims of crime three years ago, after his son and his sons pregnant fiancee were killed in a car crash while walking their dog in Alexandra Hills. The driver, 17 at the time, was on bail for other offences when he hit the couple, and had been before the Childrens Court seven times. Russell Field (right) says his familys loss opened his eyes to the injustice faced by victims of crime. Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt Field, a former builder and project manager, became a vocal opponent of the former governments record on youth crime. His run for office in the bayside electorate of Capalaba came after then-MP Don Brown angered victims by referring to coverage of youth crime as a media beat-up. My familys loss has opened our eyes to the youth crime crisis and injustice for victims in Queensland, Field said while campaigning. The current laws are inadequate, and Im standing up to do something about it. Amanda Stoker, Member for Oodgeroo (LNP) Stoker will be a new face in Queensland parliament after succeeding retiring LNP MP Mark Robinson in Oodgeroo, also on the bayside. But she is no stranger to politics. The 42-year-old has had careers in law where she practised as a barrister for a decade politics, and the not-for-profit sector, with one brief foray into the media as a right-wing Sky News host. New member for Oodgeroo Amanda Stoker was a Queensland senator for four years. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Stoker served as a Queensland senator in Canberra from 2018 to 2022, replacing the retiring George Brandis, and was criticised for appearing at an anti-abortion rally in 2018 while she was the federal assistant minister for women. Her candidacy drew interest before the election when federal member for Bowman Henry Pike remarked that she may move to an influential position in a new LNP government something the new premier has now ruled out, for now. Speaking to Brisbane Times this week, Stoker said it would be an honour and a joy to represent her local community. I look forward to working with my fellow Redlanders Russell Field and Rebecca Young to hunt as a pack for the investment and resources our region deserves, she said. Kerri-Anne Dooley, Member for Redcliffe (LNP) Dooley has run for the seat of Redcliffe, just north-east of Brisbane, six times over 12 years. The first time, it was as a Family First candidate, but since the 2014 Redcliffe byelection, she has contested the seat for the LNP. Dooley said her win came after Labor frontbencher Yvette DAths retirement provided an opportunity. Kerri-Anne Dooley ran for her seat six times over 12 years. Credit: AAP The former disability support worker and palliative care nurse vocally opposed Queenslands voluntary assisted dying (VAD) laws before they were passed in 2021. She faced criticism during the most recent campaign for speaking out against abortion access in the past. And in 2017, she came under fire for posting culturally insensitive content online. Dooley said she was grateful to those that voted for me and those that didnt, and she vowed to represent all of Redcliffe during her term. Redcliffe, being a peninsula, is a very tight-knit community, she said. Bisma Asif, Member for Sandgate (Labor) Asif has made history as the first Muslim MP in Queensland parliament. Bisma Asif (right) on election day, with Stirling Hinchliffe, Anika Wells, Labor volunteer Tim, and local councillor Jared Cassidy. Credit: Facebook Shes also the first Pakistani Australian to be elected as a Queensland MP, having moved to Australia when she was eight years old. On Saturday, Asif won the safe Labor seat of Sandgate on Brisbanes northside, taking over from former minister Stirling Hinchliffe. In his farewell speech, Hinchliffe anointed her as his successor, describing her as someone who embodies the task of modernising Queensland. Before running for office, the 28-year-old worked for Anika Wells, the federal minister for sport. Rebecca Young, Member for Redlands (LNP) Young says it was her lifelong roots in Redlands that helped her swing the seat on Saturday night, after it spent two terms in Labor hands. The business owner runs a freight forwarding company at Redland Bay, and spent several years as president of the local chamber of commerce. She said her focus as an MP would be to ensure Redlands interests are always at the forefront of the new governments agenda. Rebecca Young on the campaign trail with David Crisafulli at Redlands Fresh Flowers. Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt As someone who has lived in Victoria Point, raised my children here with my husband, and owned businesses in the Redlands region for the past 10 years, I understand implicitly the challenges and aspirations of our local families and businesses, she said. Wendy Bourne, Member for Ipswich West (Labor) Bourne has lived in the regional town of Rosewood, west of Ipswich, for three decades, having moved there to raise her son. Her win swings her seat back to Labor after the LNPs Darren Zanow triumphed in the March byelection then stepped down citing health reasons. Wendy Bourne has worked in government for two decades, but is new to representing her community in parliament. Credit: AAP Bourne also has more than 20 years experience in government, most recently as a staffer for former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Her background also includes voluntary work at the Rosewood & District Kindergarten, Ashwell State School, and Ipswich Grammar School. Kendall Morton, Member for Caloundra (LNP) Morton worked as a teacher before running a small business delivering in-home aged care on the Sunshine Coast. Her win in the seat of Caloundra, and the return of her colleague, Marty Hunt, to the seat of Nicklin, flips both seats back to the LNP, rendering the independently held electorate of Noosa the only non-LNP seat on the Sunshine Coast. Kendall Morton with Glass House MP Andrew Powell and David Crisafulli at Golden Beach during the campaign. Credit: AAP Morton said being elected was a great honour, adding: When youre doing something you believe in, its pure joy. Morton won Sunshine Coast businesswoman of the year in 2018, and said she was compelled to run for office after her experience in education and business exposed her to government institutions. Weve got a lot to look forward to in Caloundra, she said, citing $500 million in LNP pledges for local infrastructure in the region. More potential new faces A former mental health royal commissioner has called for a detailed breakdown of where exactly taxpayer money from the mental health levy is being spent, with a lack of transparency fuelling concerns its not being used as promised. Professor Allan Fels was a key architect of the levy and has backed demands, made by the Coalition and Greens, for the Allan government to improve monitoring of the cash that is supposed to be quarantined to cover billions of dollars in services. Former mental health royal commissioner Allan Fels Credit: Nikki Short When theres a specific levy, there should be full detailed accounting of how it is spent, Fels told The Age. The public stance from Fels comes as the state government has quietly shelved mental health pledges, and last week rejected a recommendation, from parliaments Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC), for there to be an annual breakdown of the specific mental health services or initiatives funded by the levy. Next time you are at the track, maybe even on Saturday at Rosehill, do yourself a favour and watch what jockey Joao Moreira does on the back of his horse before a race. Moreira can be seen whispering inside the horses ear, maybe giving it a rub down the neck, or even sprinting off the mark in an attempt to connect with the 500-kilogram animal under him. Joao Moreira works Golden Eagle favourite Ascoli Piceno at Canterbury. Credit: Jessica Hromas The 41-year-old Brazilian, who does the majority of his riding in Japan, is in town for the $10 million Golden Eagle, in which he rides favourite and Japanese champion Ascoli Piceno. Moreira has for a long time been regarded as one of the worlds best jockeys easily in the same class as Australias best, James McDonald, Hong Kong-based Australian Zac Purton, and Englands Ryan Moore. The favourite (El Castello) has drawn the car park and that horse needs a lot of luck. Outside of the favourite, anything can win really, Dee said on Friday. The horse Im riding won last-start quite impressively and is a good, tough Derby type of horse, so Im very happy. VRC Derby Day First race: 12.20pm Coolmore Stud Stakes: 3.40pm VRC Derby: 4.20pm TRACK: Good 4. RAIL: True. PATTERN: Fine and warm weather means trackman Liam OKeeffe can present a near perfect surface with the rail back in the true position for the first since the September 14 meeting. As a rule of thumb when the north wind blows, as forecast, outside barriers are the place to be in straight races. WEATHER: Saturday - mostly sunny, northerly winds 20-30km/h, top of 26C. Nick Ryan with his VRC Derby runner Red Aces. Credit: Eddie Jim Race 7: $2m group 1 VRC Derby (2500m), 4.20pm The favourite: El Castello ticks all boxes bar one he has drawn barrier 18 of 18, which is so wide it practically puts him in the Maribyrnong River to start the race. Other than that, he is absolutely the horse to beat. He kicked off this campaign with a win in a Warwick Farm maiden over 1400m and since then, has won another three straight, holding off all comers in the group 1 Spring Champion Stakes over 2000m at Randwick last start. If he can get across to the front without using too many petrol tickets at the start of the race, he can win. The threats: There is a sense of timing about King Of Thunder, who was the run of the race when finishing a nose third in last weeks Moonee Valley Vase behind Red Aces. Trainer John OShea has a skill of getting them right for Cup Week, and can be lethal when he legs super hoop James McDonald on board. Red Aces is a talented stayer for Nick Ryan, who was strong to the line winning the Vase, while there is little between Politely Dunn, China Sea, Keeneland and Goldrush Guru. Michael Dee is aiming for his second win in succession on Kingofwallstreet. Credit: Getty Images The outsiders: In one of the more open Derby events in recent memory, strong cases can also be made for the Matt Cumani-trained Kingofwallstreet, who beat China Sea and Keeneland home in the group 3 Norman Robinson (2000m) last start, while Ciaron Mahers Saint Emilion was a strong winner of the Geelong Classic (2200m). Tim Habel 1st El Castello (No.1), 2nd Red Aces 2 (No.2), 3rd Goldrush Guru (No.4) Habel says: El Castello is a class act and trainer Anthony Cummings has already prepared two Derby winners including Fiveandahalfstar (2012) which won on the same seven-day back-up this colt will attempt. Danny Russell 1st King Of Thunder (No.8), 2nd El Castello (No.1), 3rd Politely Dun (No.7), 4th: Red Aces (No.2) Russell says: A tough race in which a case can be made for half the field, I am settling on up-and-comer King Of Thunder, who put the writing on the wall with a strong third in the Moonee Valley Vase. Race 6: $2m group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), 3.40pm The favourite: Growing Empire brings in the A-grade form, having run second in the group 1 Manikato Stakes and then third in The Everest against the older horses. He also has big-race rider Mark Zahra doing the steering. The one query is whether he has already had his grand finals. The threats: There are a number of worthy challengers in a deep race. Golden Slipper-winning filly Lady Of Camelot ran a strong fourth in The Everest, a nose behind Growing Empire. Jamie Kahs ride Traffic Warden was fancied to win The Everest before playing up in the barriers and being scratched before the race. If he behaves himself on Saturday, he can win. Trainer Chris Waller has won the Coolmore five times since 2013, and is confident his colt Switzerland will run well. Bellatrix Star has been beating the older horses. The outsiders: Coleman finished second behind Switzerland at his last start and is three times the odds, while First Settler loves the Flemington straight and Bittercreek looks better than a 50-1 shot. Tim Habel Coolmore selections: 1st Traffic Warden (No.3), 2nd Growing Empire (No.1), 3rd Switzerland (No.5) Habel says: Traffic Warden was a late scratching at the barrier from the $20m Everest, but that means hes the fresh horse on the scene. Close second to stablemate Broadsiding in the Group 1 Golden Rose says he has the class. Habels Derby Day best: Schwarz (Race 3, No 6) - Talented sprinter from Sydney reserved for our carnival. Proven fresh, most of his rivals have met their mark and looks suited in barrier 10. Habels next best: El Castello (Race 7, No 1) - Sole Group 1 winner in the field, has the outside draw but on ratings he has lengths on this field. Habels roughie: Alsephina (Race 8, No 7) - Classy WA mare gallant in defeat in the Toorak Handicap. Set for the race and has placed in all five 1600m starts, four in Group company. Danny Russell Coolmore selections: 1st Switzerland (No.5), 2nd Lady Of Camelot (No.13), 3rd Growing Empire (No.1), 4th Traffic Warden (No.3). Russell says: Backing the trainer and the jockey - Chris Waller and James McDonald - as much as the horse here. Switzerland bounced back to form with an impressive two-length win in the group 2 Roman Consul last start. Russells Derby Day best: Another Wil (Race 4, No.2) - Shaping as the story of Derby Day if star hoop Jamie Kah can win aboard a horse owned by her late mate Colin McKenna. The biggest danger is stablemate Jimmysstar. Have a saver on the quinella. Russells next best: Schwarz (Race 3, No.6): No one sets a horse for Melbourne Cup week like John OShea. By all reports this horse has been flying. Typically, when an airline or online travel agent spots its mistake, it is entitled to cancel the tickets and offer a refund to customers. However, some airlines appear to see the mistake as an opportunity to get good PR. Honouring the tickets is costly, but cancelling them can come with a swath of negative press. Flight deals site Jacks Flight Club estimates about 70 per cent of error fares are honoured, while Going.com says between 80 and 90 per cent of error fare tickets go ahead without cancellation. Cathay Pacific honoured its tickets after accidentally selling first- and business-class fares for economy prices in 2019. Credit: How to find and secure an error fare There are a number of websites and newsletters that comb the internet for error fares, though most are focused on US routes. Jacks Flight Club publishes a premium newsletter ($8 a month) alerting subscribers to these fares as soon as they are detected. Drew Stewart, head of marketing at Jacks Flight Club, says: We find them like we do every other deal: scouring the internet for price drops on routes. If that price drop is so much cheaper than anything weve ever seen before, nearing half the price or more than wed usually expect a good price on that route to be, wed consider that an error fare. Jacks Flight Club advises that, after detecting an error fare, customers should try to book it directly via the airlines website. They say there have been instances where the airline has honoured direct bookings but asked OTAs to cancel the tickets. They also advise that more reasonable error fares are more likely to be honoured. For example, a $20 first-class ticket is less likely to be honoured than one costing $600. Other websites, such as Secret Flying, also log error fares, including hotel deals. Going.com (previously Scotts Cheap Flights) is another helpful resource, but it is primarily for US routes. All suggest the key to securing error fares is to act fast. Loading If you call or email the airline, or otherwise alert them about the error fare, there is a very high chance that they will correct the mistake, and/or cancel some or all of the bookings, advises US firm TravelPirates. Another way to detect error fares is to set up customised alerts on specific routes on price comparison sites such as Kayak. When an airfare drops below a certain price, you will receive an email alert. Other sites, such as Hopper, offer price alerts through an app, meaning you will receive a notification when one of your followed routes drops below a certain benchmark. Alternatively, go on Skyscanner or Google Flights, select the destination everywhere over flexible dates and see if you can find any tickets at unusually low rates. What are the risks? You are not breaking any laws by booking an error fare, although it will almost certainly be spotted by the airline before too long. Loading As outlined above, many error fares will be honoured, but it is advisable that you leave it a while before booking other elements of your trip such as car hire and accommodation. If theyre going to cancel tickets sold at a mistaken rate, airlines will likely do so soon after they have detected the error, though it is not unheard of that these tickets are cancelled weeks or months later. The chance that you could be left with non-refundable elements of a holiday, but no flights, is something to be taken seriously, and a scenario that your travel insurance provider will likely view with little sympathy. If you do decide to snaffle an error fare, it would be wise to book your ticket using a credit card, as they will be able to offer more support in getting a refund if the airline cancels your ticket. Beirut: Israel launched waves of deadly airstrikes across Lebanons north-east that killed at least 45 people on Friday, authorities said, and transformed once-bustling neighbourhood blocks in Beiruts southern suburbs into smouldering ruins. Meanwhile in central Gaza, Palestinians recovered the bodies of 25 people killed in a barrage of Israeli aerial attacks that began Thursday, hospital officials said. Israel said it targeted Hamas infrastructure near the Nuseirat refugee camp. Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike in Tyre, Lebanon on Friday. Credit: Getty Images The latest violence comes against the backdrop of the Biden administrations renewed diplomatic push, days before the US election, to reach temporary ceasefire deals. Israel has stepped up its offensive against Hamas remaining fighters in Gaza, pulverising areas in the north and raising fears of worsening humanitarian conditions for civilians still there. In recent weeks Israel has broadened its strikes in Lebanon to bigger urban hubs, like Baalbek, after initially targeting smaller border villages in the south, where Hezbollah draws deep support. Iran-backed Hezbollah doubles as a major political party and provider of social services in Lebanon. Last week, I sat on a couch with a view of the crenellations and spires of All Souls College, Oxford, and filled out an absentee ballot voting for Kamala Harris. Because Im registered to vote in Massachusetts, and because I live in a very small town where I know the town clerk by her first name, it was an easy thing to do. Thats not true everywhere. In some states in the US, casting a ballot has become an extreme sport, with queues hours long and laws making it a crime to give water to someone waiting or to save their place if they need to go to the loo. Australias sausage sizzles at polling places would probably be a felony, and being able to vote at the local surf club in a wet bathing suit on a weekend beach day is unimaginable in a country that statutorily mandates elections on a Tuesday. Geraldine Brooks is a dual US-Australian citizen and has voted in the US election but, as she is not in a swing state, her vote wont count, not really. Credit: Illustration by Michael Howard All Id had to do was stop by the town hall the week before I flew to England and apply for the ballot. As soon as it was available, the town clerk emailed it to me, and when I sent it back without the required cover sheet, she immediately informed me so that I could fix my error and ensure my vote would count. But it wont count, not really, and thats also because I live in Massachusetts. Its not a swing state; its solidly Democratic. (And I do mean solidly. In the 1972 presidential election, it was the only state in the nation that didnt go to Nixon.) The office of Arizona Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes is looking into whether Donald Trump broke state law when he said Liz Cheney should face rifles shooting at her to see how she feels about sending troops to fight. The Arizona Attorney-Generals Office is looking into whether Donald Trumps comments about Liz Cheney violated Arizona law, Richie Taylor, communications director for the office, said in a statement on Friday. The office has no additional comments to make at this time. Liz Cheney at a campaign event with Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. Credit: AP Trump made the comments about Cheney, one of the former presidents biggest Republican critics and the daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney, to former Fox News Host Tucker Carlson at a campaign event in Glendale on Thursday. Shes a radical war hawk. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her. OK, lets see how she feels about it. You know when the guns are trained on her face you know, theyre all war hawks when theyre sitting in Washington in a nice building, saying, Oh, gee, well, lets send, lets send 10,000 troops right into the mouth of the enemy. In an interview on Friday with 12News, a local television station in Arizona, Mayes said Trumps comments were deeply troubling. I have already asked my criminal division chief to start looking at that statement, analysing it for whether it qualifies as a death threat under Arizonas laws, Mayes told 12News. Im not prepared now to say whether it was or it wasnt, but it is not helpful as we prepare for our election and as we try to make sure that we keep the peace at our polling places and in our state, she continued. Associated Press The most popular cities in Italy have long suffered from excessive tourism. And Venice was one of the first cities to systematically combat this phenomenon. ADVERTISIMENT According to Reuters, the city authorities have decided to expand the system of tourist fees starting from 2025, almost doubling the number of days during which tourists will have to pay extra for a visit to the lagoon city. Moreover, those who do not take care of this in advance will face a significant increase in the amount of payment. Venice was the first city in the world to introduce a fee for day-trippers arriving on particularly busy days. Since April, such visitors have had to pay 5 euros to admire the city. The city authorities have tried to reduce the crowds of visitors, who have begun to create problems for the infrastructure and residents. ADVERTISIMENT The initial scheme, which attracted keen interest from other popular tourist destinations, covered 29 days during the four months from April to July. Next year, 54 days during the same window will be charged. The fee will apply during Easter and some other holidays, as well as on all weekends. For those who arrange everything in advance, the amount will remain the same it will be 5 euros. For those who book a day trip within just 4 days before arrival, it will increase to 10 euros. As before, people with hotel or guesthouse reservations will be exempt from paying the fee. According to Simone Venturini, the city councilor in charge of tourism, this system is still in the testing phase. However, the authorities of the Japanese city of Kyoto and the Spanish island of Formentera have already contacted Venice to learn more about its details. ADVERTISIMENT Critics say that the system of additional fees failed to slow down the flow of tourists. However, the mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, believes that it is too early to judge, as the exact data will not be available until later this year. He also added that Venice does not want to scare away tourists. The goal of the authorities is to encourage them to reconsider the dates of their visits. In addition, the mayor warned that fines are planned to be introduced in 2025 for guests without paid fees. It is already known that this year 485,062 people paid for a one-day pass to Venice. This brought the city 2.25 million euros. However, this amount covered only part of the costs of the system itself and did not replenish the city treasury. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. North Korea says test-fire 'perfected' new solid-fuel ICBM Seoul, Nov 1 (AFP) Nov 01, 2024 North Korea's latest weapons test "perfected" its newest and most advanced solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, state media said Friday, as global criticism mounts over Pyongyang's purported deployment of troops to Russia. Leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test of the Hwasong-19 missile, which flew higher and further than any previous missile, according to the North and to Seoul and Tokyo's militaries, which tracked it in real time. The official Korean Central News Agency hailed it as "the world's strongest strategic missile" and leader Kim "expressed great satisfaction" at the successful launch. Developing advanced solid-fuel missiles -- which are quicker to launch and harder to detect and destroy -- has long been a goal for Kim. The test proved that North Korea's "development and manufacture of nuclear delivery means... is absolutely irreversible", according to KCNA. The missile is now a "perfected weapon system", the agency said, with Kim describing the launch as an "appropriate military action" to send a message to the country's rivals. North Korea "would never change its line of bolstering up its nuclear forces," it said. State media released pictures of the ICBM and Kim observing the test in his signature black leather jacket, accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, who Seoul's spy agency recently said was being groomed as Kim's heir. The launch came just hours after US and South Korean defence chiefs called on Pyongyang to withdraw its troops from Russia, warning that North Korean soldiers in Russian uniforms were being deployed for possible action against Ukraine. Experts said the missile test seemed to have been carried out to divert attention from mounting international criticism over the purported troop deployment to Russia. The North has denied the move, but the United States said Thursday that up to 8,000 North Korean troops had reached Russia's border region with Ukraine, trained and ready for combat. South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun also said on Thursday that in addition to troops, North Korea has sent more than 1,000 missiles to Russia as well as millions of munitions. Seoul has long accused the nuclear-armed North of sending weapons to help Moscow fight Kyiv and alleged that Pyongyang has moved to deploy soldiers en mass in the wake of Kim Jong Un's signing of a mutual defence deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin in June. Japan, EU to announce new defence pact Tokyo, Nov 1 (AFP) Nov 01, 2024 Japan and the European Union were set Friday to announce a new security partnership which local media said would include more joint military drills, senior-level dialogue and defence industry cooperation. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell will meet his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya, who told reporters this week that the pact comes "as Japan and the EU face an increasingly challenging security environment". He did not mention China, but Japan has previously called its neighbour its greatest security challenge as Beijing builds up military capacity in the region. After the Tokyo talks, Borrell will head to South Korea, where concerns about North Korea will top the agenda. The United States has said thousands of North Korean troops are in Russia readying to fight in Ukraine. Pyongyang also test-fired one of its newest and most powerful missiles on Thursday, demonstrating its threat to the US mainland days ahead of elections. "My visit to two of our closest partners in the Indo-Pacific is a key milestone in our efforts over the past five years to strengthen the EU's active engagement," Borrell said in a statement Thursday. "We have secured alignment on geopolitical issues and advanced the values we share," he said, promising "a new chapter in our ever-closer relations". The Japan-EU Security and Defense Partnership, expected to be announced on Friday, "aims to further develop, deepen and strengthen cooperation and dialogue in all areas of security and defense," Iwaya said on Tuesday. "Specifically, we envision cooperation in the areas of maritime security, space, cybersecurity, and hybrid threats, including foreign disinformation and interference," he said. The security of the Asia-Pacific region is "inseparable from that of Europe and the Atlantic", Iwaya added. Japan is ramping up defence spending to the NATO standard of two percent of GDP by 2027, partly to counter China, which is increasing military pressure on Taiwan. Beijing claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under its control. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who could head a minority government after a disastrous general election last week, has said that "today's Ukraine could be tomorrow's East Asia". Ishiba has also called for the creation of a NATO-like regional alliance with its tenet of collective security, although he has conceded this will "not happen overnight". The same warning was issued by Ishiba's predecessor Fumio Kishida, who was hosted by US President Joe Biden for a state visit in April at which the allies announced plans to boost their defence partnership. Japan, which for decades has relied on the United States for military hardware, is also developing a new fighter jet with EU member Italy and Britain set to be airborne by 2035. Ivan Kotsiubailo, the younger brother of the soldier, Hero of Ukraine Dmytro Kotsiubailo ("Da Vinci"), died. He was only 27 years old. ADVERTISIMENT The tragedy was reported by their sister Mariana Kotsiubailo-Semenenko. On her Facebook page, she wrote that Ivan died on the morning of November 1, Dmytro Kotsiubailo's birthday. The latter also died at the front at the age of 27. He would have turned 29 in 2024. The circumstances of Ivan's death are not disclosed. "It is piercingly symbolic that he died at 27. It is piercingly painful that his love for his brother was boundless and now united them in another existence. As if some invisible bond united them even in death, as it did in life," Mariana wrote. ADVERTISIMENT The Burshtyn City Council (Ivano-Frankivsk region) also reported the tragic news and expressed condolences to the family and friends. "Eternal memory. May Ivan's soul find eternal peace, and may the Lord give the family strength and support in this difficult time," the press service said in a Facebook post. To recap: Dmytro "Da Vinci" comes from the village of Zadnistrianske, Ivano-Frankivsk region. He was brought up with four sisters and a brother. Their grandmother Ivanna Vynnyk previously said that they tried to serve Da Vinci's brother with a summons four times, despite his disability and Dmytro's death in the war. "Da Vinci" died on March 7, 2023, after being seriously wounded while defending Bakhmut in the Donetsk region from the occupiers. He volunteered for the front in 2014 when he was only 18 years old. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Colombia government, ELN guerillas to meet in Caracas Caracas, Nov 1 (AFP) Nov 01, 2024 Delegations from the Colombian government and the left-wing ELN guerilla group will gather from Friday in neighboring Venezuela for a meeting that seeks to restart peace negotiations and resume a ceasefire. Colombian President Gustavo Petro suspended the peace talks in September after an attack by the National Liberation Army (ELN) -- the country's biggest active armed group -- on a military base left three soldiers dead and 28 wounded. In a statement released this week by Colombia's presidency, chief negotiator Vera Grabe said the meeting will raise issues like "reactivating the ceasefire with the monitoring and verification mechanism". "It is possible that not all the issues will be resolved, but they will be put forward for new meetings," he added. The meeting's agenda was not made public, and Grabe declined to comment on the plans. The ELN had proposed "to examine the crisis in which the process finds itself," while denouncing violations on what was agreed on with the government. "As long as the government does not overcome the current situation of non-compliance with agreements, we will not be able to get out of the freeze," the armed group said. The government delegation accepted a meeting that would lead to "resuming our dialogue." "We want to address how far the ELN wants to advance with this government," Grabe said. The last meeting between the parties, held also in Caracas, was in May. The ELN has intensified attacks on military targets since August, when it decided not to renew a ceasefire that had been in force with the army since 2023. The military also resumed operations against the rebels. Petro, Colombia's first left-wing president, is trying to defuse the six-decade-old armed conflict by talking to various guerrilla groups and criminal gangs. He faces criticism from the opposition, which denounces a deterioration in public security. Dialogue with the ELN has taken place in Mexico, Cuba and Venezuela. CORRECTED: Japan and EU sign new security and defence pact: AFP TV Tokyo, Nov 1 (AFP) Nov 01, 2024 Japan and the European Union signed a new security and defence partnership in Tokyo on Friday, which EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell hailed as a historic and timely step, AFP TV footage showed. Borrell and his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya announced the pact, which local media said includes more joint military drills, senior-level dialogue and defence industry cooperation. Sweden's defence concerned by planned offshore wind power Stockholm, Nov 1 (AFP) Nov 01, 2024 Offshore wind power farms planned along Sweden's Baltic Sea coast could have a negative impact on its defence capabilities, the country's defence minister said Friday. According to a study done by the Swedish Armed Forces and published by public broadcaster SVT, more than a dozen planned projects in vast areas of the Baltic Sea could significantly disrupt sensors used by the military. The towers and rotating blades of the wind mills emit radar echoes and produce other interference, including underwater -- affecting the ability to detect submarines. Contacted by AFP, Defence Minister Pal Jonson said he was aware of the report. "Among other things, the warning time for a missile attack could be cut from two minutes to 60 seconds with offshore wind parks in the way," Jonson said in a written statement. Jonson also stressed the importance of the issue "considering the gravity of the security situation in northern Europe and the Baltic Sea." Tensions in the region have risen following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and NATO recently opened a new naval base in Germany's Rostock, with the aim of coordinating the forces of the member states in the area. At the same time, energy needs, particularly from renewable sources, are also high on the agenda. According to a government memo seen by AFP electricity demand in Sweden could more than double by 2045. "The government takes the issue of offshore wind power seriously, as it involves a conflict between two of our most important future concerns -- Sweden's security and energy needs," Jonson said. Jonson stressed the importance of a considering all aspects before any decisions on approvals for the wind power projects -- over which the government has the final word. The minister said there was currently no timetable for when such decisions would be made. Niger inks deal with Russia for three satellites Niamey, Niger, Nov 1 (AFP) Nov 01, 2024 Niger signed a deal Friday with Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of Russia's Roscosmos space agency, to buy three satellites to boost security in the Sahel nation and its neighbours, all battling jihadist attacks. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, all under military rule following a string of coups since 2020, joined together in September 2023 under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), after severing ties with former colonial ruler France and pivoting towards Russia. The neighbours are all battling jihadist violence that erupted in northern Mali in 2012 and spread to Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015. The deal covers a communications satellite, another for remote sensing and a third for radar, Nigerien Communications Minister Sidi Mohamed Raliou said at the signing ceremony in the capital Niamey. Their manufacture in Russia will take four years, he said. State radio in the West African nation reported that in the meantime Glavkosmos had agreed to loan similar equipment. "This very important project falls within the framework of the sovereignty of our countries," the minister said. "At the end of this project, the three countries will be able to pilot their communication satellites themselves and manage them as they wish," the ANP Nigerien press agency quoted the minister as saying. Over the past month and a half, Russian troops have become more active in the north of the Donetsk region, particularly in the Lyman sector. The number of Russian assaults there has increased significantly. ADVERTISIMENT The enemy is trying to capture the Lyman and try to reach Sloviansk. This was stated by Maksym Bilousov, spokesman for the 60th separate mechanized Inhulets brigade, on the air of "Suspilne. Studio." He noted an increase in the number of enemy attacks in the Lyman sector. "This direction is a high priority because it is one of the possible ways to reach the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. It is very important for them to capture the Lyman and through it, through Raihorodok, to reach Sloviansk," the military said. On the way to Lyman, the enemy has a natural obstacle the Zherebets River, which flows east of the city. Russians are currently trying to force it across. ADVERTISIMENT "It is important for them to get to Lyman via the Zherebets River. That is, in the short term, access to the Lyman. All other settlements are too small to be targeted. There is a certain difficulty here, they need to enter directly. It will be difficult for them to approach from the flanks because of the terrain, because of the peculiarities of the relief," said Bilousov. At the moment, the Russian command has deployed its better-trained units to the Lyman sector. "The last month and a half has been marked by constant attacks, constant assaults by the enemy. And if earlier it was, so to speak, prisoners or inexperienced enemy soldiers, now well-trained groups are storming our positions. The only conclusion is that they want to achieve results. Poorly trained or untrained soldiers can only expose our firing points and positions, while well-trained soldiers can achieve success. Their aviation and artillery systems are working," the 60th Brigade spokesman outlined the situation. Earlier, the Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine stated that the occupants are trying to increase the pace of the offensive in the Lyman area and are sending wounded to the assault. According to intelligence, the aggressor has sent additional assault units of the 283rd and 488th Russian motorized rifle regiments to this section of the frontline. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! White Buffalo FBI: MOST WANTED, Pictured: Dylan McDermott as Supervisory Special Agent Remy Scott. Photo: Mark Schafer/CBS 2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The violation. Emma and Trevor, two passionate young people, enter an art museum. Given how topical the show is, viewers know art defacing is imminent. Emma yells, "Art or the earthwhich is more important?" Trevor records their public act of defiance as Emma splashes pigs' blood on a painting. The complication. Witnessing this horrible act, a docent calls security for assistance. The guard draws his weapon and approaches Trevor. A struggle ensues. The gun goes off, killing the docent. The escalation. Trevor and Emma flee the museum with the loaded gun. The duo kills a second man when they steal a CO2 tanker. They ignore the FBI's order to stop and drive the tanker to a fair filled with families and children. They offer up their friend, Tori, as cover for their escape. Toris arrest gives Trevor and Emma time to release the compressed gas. While Remy and his agents are forced to focus on saving lives, Emma and Trevor slip away. The two dream up a new act of public defiance, identifying the pipelines transfer station as their new target. Trevor convinces Emma (sort of) that violence is the only answer. White Buffalo FBI: MOST WANTED. Pictured: Edwin Hodge as Special Agent Ray Cannon. Photo: Mark Schafer/CBS 2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The apprehension. Remy calls Trevor and Emma "piss aunt eco-terrorists," and he and his agents locate them quickly. Discovered, the duo abandons attacking the transfer station. Instead, they collect a hostage and move on to the pipelines injection site. This is a site where CO2 gas instead of a slurry of water, sand, and chemicals is used for fracking. This practice, illegal and dangerous, stokes Trevors anger. The hostage warns that if they set fire to the injection site, they will die. Ignoring the warning, Trevor starts the fire. Remy's crew approaches. Ray sees smoke and asks Remy, "What should we do?" Remy says they must ambush the duo or die. Trevor tries to cowboy up, but Remy shoots him. Emma holds her pistol to the hostage's head, screaming, "Trevor is dead; what do I have to live for?" Nina lowers her gun and tells Emma, "You can do more alive than dead." Emma surrenders. Remy handcuffs Emma and informs her that shes being arrested for domestic terrorism and for being an accomplice to murder. White Buffalo FBI: MOST WANTED, Pictured (L-R): Shantel VanSanten as Special Agent Nina Chase, Dylan McDermott as Supervisory Special Agent Remy Scott, Keisha Castle-Hughes as Special Agent Hana Gibson, and Edwin Hodge as Special Agent Ray Cannon. Photo: Mark Schafer/CBS 2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. That was the story, but it wasn't executed without baffling distractions. The distractions stem from competing themes, including activism versus terrorism, girls with Daddy issues, sexual fluidity and jealousy, and the appropriateness of the legend of the "White Buffalo." Activism and terrorism share the goal of driving social change. The difference between these terms is method and intent. While method (violence) was clear, Emma and Trevors intents were not. Trevor's motivations didn't feel genuine, and failed to convince me that Emma would follow him so easily when he was just some pathetic guy making up plans on the fly. Early in the episode, Nina is struggling with her fathers visit. Nina's father grouses about the filth and noise in New York City. Hes insulted by her partners willingness to pay for things. He questions Nina's marital status. Things are so tense at home that Nina feels relieved when she gets the call to investigate the murder. At the end of the episode, Nina contradicts her father's statement that she'd had a perfect childhood. Seething she snarls, "Everything was wrong." Her father walks out. Nina's sister, hesitating before she follows him, says, "Maybe this will all blow over," Nina replies, "I will be okay if it doesn't." We learn from Emma's landlord that her oil executive dad pays her rent. Yet she has chosen to become a climate change activist to target the fossil fuel industry. While its not a perfect parallel, we can surmise that Emma, like Nina, has daddy issues. Family conflict is the root of both womens motivations. It makes sense that it's Nina who talks Emma into surrendering. White Buffalo FBI: MOST WANTED, Pictured (L-R): Shantel VanSanten as Special Agent Nina Chase, John Finn as Jackson Chase, and John Boyd as Special Agent Stuart Scola. Photo: CBS 2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Emmas landlord clues us in on another detail - her apparent bisexuality. When Tori helps Emma and Trevor escape to Pennsylvania, the show makes it very apparent that the two women are attracted to each other. Trevor is the odd man out. Trevors first murder was accidental, which triggered his anger, fear, and insecurity. He flipped from activist to terrorist only after they spent the night at Tori's. Trevors true motivation was jealousy. He transferred and amplified these powerful emotions to his relationship with Emma, leading him to 'burn it all down'literally. Moreover, the showrunner clumsily weaves in the Legend of the White Buffalo. The Lakota people consider the birth of a white buffalo a sign of good fortune, the fulfillment of prayers, or a prophecy. According to the Google machine, the legend of the White Buffalo also symbolizes a 'pledge of allegiance to the planet'. Yes, the metaphor fits Emmas logic. Unfortunately, I perceived the introduction of the white buffalo as cultural appropriation. The show didnt handle the topic with care but handled it rather superficially. White Buffalo was a decent episode. However, the multitude of themes diluted the crime's narrative, leaving viewers like me uncertain about where to focus their emotional and intellectual investment. By focusing on one or two of the themes discussed above, the episode would have been more impactful with stronger viewer engagement. But what do I know? I only recently began reviewing FBI: Most Wanted for SpoilerTV. How did you like White Buffalo? Can anyone tell me what's up between Nina and her dad and sister? Did anyone else perceive jealousy as the driving force behind Trevor's actions or get lost in the sub narratives? Let me know. I'm always down to chat. Overall Rating: 8/10 Lynette Jones On Friday, November 1, Hero of Ukraine Dmytro Kotsiubailo, a soldier with the call sign "Da Vinci" and commander of the 1st Brigade "Da Vinci Wolves" of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, would have turned 29. He was killed on March 7, 2023, during the fighting near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, when one of the fragments of a mortar shell that exploded nearby hit him in the neck. ADVERTISIMENT On this day, the military, volunteers, friends, and family honor the memory of Dmytro, who became a legendary figure for Ukraine, a renowned commander and defender. Born in 1995 in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, Dmytro grew up in an atmosphere of patriotism his great-grandfather fought in the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. Since childhood, Dmytro was fond of drawing and dreamed of becoming an artist, so he chose the pseudonym "Da Vinci." He studied at the Ivano-Frankivsk Professional Construction Lyceum for three years. He volunteered for the front in 2014 when he was only 18 years old. In 2014, Dmytro was seriously wounded in Pisky, Donetsk region, but returned to the front after his recovery. In 2016, at the age of 21, he was appointed commander of the 1st "Da Vinci Wolves" Special Forces of the Air Force, reformatted into a battalion. Kotsiubailo's unit took part in combat operations in almost all hotspots of the ATO. This volunteer company was not part of the Armed Forces and was not actually subordinate to the army command. ADVERTISIMENT In early December 2021, Dmytro Kotsiubailo (call sign "Da Vinci") was awarded the highest state award, the title of Hero of Ukraine, by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He was the first volunteer to receive this title during his lifetime. Dmytro was killed on March 7, 2023, while defending the country in the battles near Bakhmut, he was 27 years old. Internet users honored the memory of the Hero of Ukraine Dmytro Kotsiubailo The Right Sector recalls its legendary fighter Dmytro Kotsiubailo "Da Vinci" as a leader and authority who became an example for many generations, a symbol of struggle, and an embodiment of dedicated nationalism. At the age of 18, he went to the Maidan and later to the war, choosing struggle over submission. "29 years ago, the Hero of Ukraine, Dmytro Kotsiubailo, was born in a small village of Zadnistrianske in Ivano-Frankivsk region. ADVERTISIMENT "You have to fight for your freedom. If you don't want to be a yoke or a slave, you have to fight," said Dmytro. He chose struggle over submission: at the age of 18, he went to the Maidan, and later to the war. His life as a nationalist led him from an inexperienced fighter of the Right Sector on the Maidan to a member of the leadership of the Right Sector National Liberation Movement. Exceptional military skill and efficiency became his hallmark on the battlefield. That is why he became the first volunteer to be awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine during his lifetime. Da Vinci was a leader, an authority, a legend. He became a role model for generations, a true symbol of struggle, and an example of a dedicated nationalist. To love Ukraine as Da Vinci loved it. To fight as Da Vinci fought. To live in a way worthy of the legendary commander's memory. Honor and glory to the Hero forever!" the Right Sector's Facebook post reads. ADVERTISIMENT The network also recalled how the legendary Right Sector fighter Da Vinci celebrated his 20th birthday on the battlefield 9 years ago. At the age of 19, he was seriously wounded at the front, but this did not stop the fighter, and with a titanium plate in his collarbone, he held the defense of Donetsk airport for 7 months. "November 1. The day when all our brothers and sisters remember the glorious Warrior, the legendary Da Vinci Commander Dmytro Kotsiubailo. ADVERTISIMENT Today, after taking an oath or vows at his grave, many will join our brotherhood. There will be a lot of emotions, and not all brothers and sisters will be able to share the memories and heritage of the common combat path. But they all carry on the banner of his struggle for the greatness and glory of Ukraine," Oksana Korchynska wrote on Facebook. "Today, Dmytro would have turned 29... Our Da Vinci... A young man who personified the power of the Ukrainian spirit and the courage of the people. Devoted to his principles and with boundless love and respect for his native land, he stood up to defend it at a very young age. And very young he died in the battle for freedom... ADVERTISIMENT We remember... We honor... Eternal glory to all the Heroes who are fighting for the free future of Ukraine at the cost of their own lives," Svitlana Onyshchuk, head of the Ivano-Frankivsk RMA, wrote on Facebook. "Today would have been the 29th birthday of Dmytro Kotsiubailo, call sign "Da Vinci" a legendary Ukrainian Volunteer, participant of the Russian-Ukrainian war since 2014, commander of the 1st OMB "Da Vinci Wolves" of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Hero of Ukraine (1995-2023). He was the first volunteer to be awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine for life (in 2021). In 2017, he was also awarded the Order of the People's Hero of Ukraine, a non-state award. ADVERTISIMENT His great-grandfather fought for Ukraine in the UIA. Since the age of 19, Dmytro has been fighting for Ukraine. The full-scale Nazi invasion caught him in Donbas. Back in 2014, he was seriously wounded but returned to the front a few months later. Dmytro was born on November 1, 1995, in Ivano-Frankivsk region. He studied to be an artist in Ivano-Frankivsk his call sign is associated with this talent. In March 2016, Dmytro was appointed commander of the 1st "Da Vinci Wolves" Special Forces of the Air Force, reformatted into a battalion. Dmytro Kotsiubailo died on March 7, 2023, near Bakhmut. Thousands of Ukrainians said goodbye to him on the Maidan in Kyiv. The Hero was buried at Askold's grave. It hurts that today I am not greeting you, but remembering... I remember," Lesia Hordiuk recalls the deceased. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, Da Vinci's grandmother told us what the Hero was like as a child. According to the woman, Dmytro was a very calm child. The boy liked to draw more than anything else, and in his youth, he was fond of searching for various artifacts with a metal detector on the outskirts of his village. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Kotsiubailo's mother Oksana Ivanovna also shared her memories of the hero's childhood and youth. She and the soldier's two sisters tattooed Dmytro's face on their arms in memory of the hero. Da Vinci's fiancee, paramedic Alina Mykhailova, also told about the moment of injury that became fatal for the hero. He was waiting for his subordinates to enter the basement and wanted to be the last one there, but he didn't have time there was an explosion, and the Hero suffered injuries incompatible with life. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! On Friday, Kavanagh, from Tamworth, appeared at the Old Bailey and pleaded guilty by video-link from Belmarsh prison to two charges of conspiracy to possess a firearm and two offences of plotting to possess ammunition. Police staff do the painstaking investigations to ensure criminals can be prosecuted successfully and are the first people the public speak to when they call 999. Its important we invest in them and make sure their pay does not lag behind. Residents of affected areas have posted images of missing people on social media in the hope of getting information about their whereabouts, while others launched initiatives such as Suport Mutu, or Mutual Support, which connects requests for help with people who are offering it. Asked if the likes of Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani and Justin Timberlake, whose voices appear in the film, knew they would end up as an animated character, he said: No we told them it was a documentary and that it would be animated. We wanted everyone to be themselves and not act in a certain way. China sees no threats in deepening cooperation between Russia and the DPRK. Official Beijing believes that Moscow and Pyongyang have the right to decide for themselves how to develop their relations. ADVERTISIMENT This statement was made by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian at a briefing, commenting on the information about the threat of escalation of Russia's war against Ukraine due to the presence of the North Korean military contingent in Russia. In particular, he said that relations between Russia and North Korea are their business. "Russia and North Korea are two independent and sovereign states, so the development of their bilateral relations is solely a matter for these two countries," Lin Jian said. The diplomat repeated the statement that Beijing is not aware of the details of bilateral exchanges and cooperation between Russia and the DPRK. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, he mentioned China's unchanged vision of how to end the war in Ukraine. "China's position on the settlement of the 'Ukrainian crisis' remains unchanged and is committed to the early de-escalation and political settlement of differences," the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said. As reported by OBOZ.UA, according to the Financial Times, Chinese President Xi Jinping was dissatisfied with the strengthening of Moscow's cooperation with Pyongyang even before the DPRK troops were sent to Russia. Beijing is concerned that this could destabilize the Korean Peninsula and strengthen US-led alliances in the region. According to The New York Times, the United States has asked China to prevent the DPRK army from participating in the war in Ukraine. Washington hopes to use China's influence on North Korea to put pressure on Pyongyang to return its military from Russia. The day before, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was surprised by China's "silence" on North Korea's involvement in the war in Ukraine. He also criticized the "zero" reaction of the West. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! US presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump has responded to criticism from his opponents who have spoken about his ties to Russia. He called those who consider him a "friend of Russia" "sick." ADVERTISIMENT As proof of the opposite, Trump mentioned the "Nord Stream 2" gas pipeline, noting that it was he who stopped the construction of this important project for Russia. The former US president said this in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson. Trump reacted sharply to the mention of criticism of his "friendship with Russia." The odious politician did not mince words. "They like to say that I was a friend of Russia, that I worked for Russia, that I was a Russian spy. These people are sick," the US presidential candidate said. Trump also mentioned the construction of "Nord Stream 2" and emphasized that it was during his presidency that the project was blocked. Earlier, Trump told how he threatened Vladimir Putin to stop him from a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to the former US president, he told the Russian dictator that if he dared to attack, the United States would strike Moscow. Instead, Putin said he "does not remember" a conversation in which Trump threatened him with such a strike. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's Peace Formula is the only viable option for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, Romania's Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu said on Friday, told Agerpres. She had a virtual appearance at the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of Zelenskiy's Peace Formula. The meeting, held in Montreal in a hybrid format, was co-organised by Canada, Ukraine and Norway. The head of the Romanian diplomacy talked about the sacred nature of human life and dignity. She said that there are so many tragic stories and each of them happened pointlessly and is unfair. Each of these is a war crime of Russia. The tragic stories of Ukrainian children, of Ukrainian civilians, compel us to demand full accountability for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine. That is the only way to achieve peace and, with our help, Ukraine will achieve exactly that, said Odobescu. She spoke in favour of international law being observed. While we are making efforts to develop Ukraine's Peace Formula, others call themselves friends of peace, said Odobescu, wondering how can you call yourself a friend of peace when you forget about the UN Charter, the territorial integrity of states, or about the many tragedies caused by Russian forces in Ukraine. The head of the Romanian diplomacy called for efforts for a just and not imposed peace. All of Ukraine's friends are friends of peace, friends of just peace, not of imposed peace, they are friends of the UN Charter, not of power politics, she said. As we see now, as on another occasion, Ukraine has many friends. With so many good friends and with the well-known resilience of the Ukrainian people, Ukraine will achieve peace and justice, added Odobescu. As part of the process of implementing the decisions of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, the objective of the ministerial conference was to identify practical solutions to speed up the efforts of the international community to return Ukrainian minors deported to the Russian Federation or to the territories temporarily occupied by Russian forces in Ukraine. The agenda of the talks also included the situation of prisoners of war, as well as the repeated violations of human rights by the Russian armed forces. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), through the Romanian Embassy in Madrid and the Romanian Consulate in Castellon de la Plana, is verifying the information regarding the disappearance of 16 Romanian citizens in the context of the recent floods. According to a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the representatives of the diplomatic mission and the consular office are in permanent contact with the competent Spanish authorities and with the Romanian citizens, including family members, who reported the missing persons, and remain ready to provide consular assistance, depending on the requests. Also, the Romanian Embassy in Madrid and the Romanian Consulate in Castellon de la Plana are verifying the information that appeared in the public space about the death of some Romanian citizens, victims of the recent floods in the Valencian Community. Romanian citizens can request consular assistance at the telephone numbers of the Romanian Consulate in Castellon de la Plana: +34 964.203.331; +34 964.216.008; +34 964.217.836; +34 964.203.234; +34 964.216.172; +34.964.212.446, the calls being redirected to the Contact and Support Center of Romanian Citizens Abroad (CCSCRS) and taken over by Call Center operators on a permanent basis. Also, the Romanian citizens who are faced with a difficult, special, emergency situation have at their disposal the emergency telephone number of the Romanian Consulate in Castellon de la Plana: +34 677 842 467. In exchange for speaking to journalists, prisoners ask for cigarettes. The guards at this detention centre in Ukraines Sumy province first open the packet to check that nothing forbidden is hidden inside. Roman accepts the cigarettes to smoke later with the dozen prisoners of war with whom he shares a cell. He is 32 years old and is one of more than 2,000 Russian soldiers who, according to the Centre for Defence Strategies, have been captured since August during the Ukrainian offensive in the Russian province of Kursk. Roman does not think there is a difference between being captured defending Russian territory or on the front in Ukraine: For most of my people, Russia and Ukraine are the same, they should be united. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has stressed that the POWs are a success because they represent a bargaining chip for an intensified exchange of prisoners held by Russian. The Ukrainian army can only defend and retreat on its national territory, but in Kursk its brigades advanced almost without resistance during the first month of the incursion, capturing hundreds of enemy soldiers who are speeding up the return home of dozens of Ukrainians. Kyiv has said that more than 3,700 people, including civilians and military personnel, had been repatriated by the end of October, thanks in large part to the mediation of third countries such as Qatar. Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets estimates that more than 13,000 of his compatriots are still in Russian captivity. Officers from two assault brigades fighting in Kursk told EL PAIS last Saturday during a visit to the border that the front in the Russian province is fluctuating; positions are constantly being lost and gained, which allows them to capture up to four enemy soldiers per company every day. These sources agree that half of the Russian troops are still recent recruits who are inexperienced and more inclined to surrender. Mugs, books and a radio in a Russian prisoner of war cell in Sumy, October 25. Cristian Segura Exchanges of prisoners of war have multiplied since the Ukrainian operation in Kursk began last August. The last one took place on October 18, when each side freed a total of 95 detainees. On the Russian side, many of the beneficiaries were recruits from Kursk. Some of them came from the Sumy prison. On October 25, there were dozens of Russian inmates there, according to its deputy director, who asked not to give precise details. This soldier, a colonel who asked, like the prisoners of war, to be identified only by his first name, reported that they had several hundred Russians in their custody. The largest prison for Russian soldiers in Ukraine is located in Lviv, in the west of the country. Roman is a man hardened by prison life, with a crooked nose from past brawls and a shaved head. He had been an installer of industrial refrigerators by profession, which is all he can say about his past before joining the army in 2019. It is a more stable job than what I had before, he explains, asking not to show his face on camera, dressed in a white shirt and trousers given to him by the prison administration. Roman is in a cell for officers; he was a sergeant in a motorized infantry regiment. He was captured in August. He says he has not fought in Ukraine. He reveals that he has cousins in the Ukrainian province of Khmelnitsky, but that they stopped communicating with him in 2014, when pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region took up arms. Roman says he does not understand why this part of his family broke off contact with him. Yevgeny, a Russian prisoner of war, on October 25 in Sumy. Cristian Segura Roman is an iceberg until he is asked if his parents in Bryansk know where he is. He sadly says he doesnt know, that he has written letters to them, but there has been no reply. Other prisoners say the same. The deputy director of the prison explains that prisoners write letters almost every day, and that these are handed over to the Red Cross, which sends them to Russia. I dont know what happens to these letters in their country, says the colonel. Better war than a Russian prison Yevgeny, 21, writes regularly to his family. He is the most talkative of the interviewees, and the most sensitive. He was sentenced to five years in prison for drug trafficking and last July signed a contract to join the army. A month later he was captured in Kursk, wounded by shrapnel and abandoned by his comrades, according to his account. The 40 men who made up his unit were former convicts. In Russia we think that anything, even war, is better than a Russian prison. The cell we are in now is incomparably better than that, says Yevgeny. Of the four interviewees, he is the only one who is against the war and points out that his parents are also against it. In one of the cells where the Chechen fighters are held, young Masud emphasizes the same thing as Yevgeny: the comforts they have, unthinkable in a Russian prison. There is heating, they can shower once a week, they have a television with channels on which they can watch Ukrainian news, but also films and sports. And they can borrow books from the centers library. Magomed, a Chechen soldier imprisoned in Ukraine, on October 25. Cristian Segura Magomed is 47 years old and from Grozny, the capital of Chechnya. He does not want to reveal what he did during the Chechen wars [1994-2017]; he simply says that he was at home. Has the Russian offensive that devastated his city reminded him of the invasion of Ukraine? Does he feel resentment towards the Russians? War is war, there is no other way, and I dont want to talk about politics, Magomed replies. He has two children and admits that he had not thought about the possibility that one day they might have to fight. But I dont want to talk about politics, he repeats. Why is Russia fighting against Ukraine? Does he believe that, as Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov claims, Europe has been taken over by Nazis and is a hotbed of degeneration of traditional values? I dont know, Ive never been to Europe, Magomed says. Yes, you have, youre in Europe now! Masud replies with a laugh. Why does he think they are in Europe? Masud says he sees them there, pointing to the television that is currently broadcasting images of a news program. The two volumes dedicated to Romania's accession process to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) represent an opportunity to highlight the added value of the OECD, "this third major strategic objective" of our country following accession to the North Atlantic Alliance and the European Union, national coordinator for Romania's accession to the OECD Luca Niculescu pointed out on Thursday, inform agerpres.ro. He sent a video message on the occasion of the launch of a new work from the Documentary Notebooks Series, titled "Romania in the OECD," dedicated to the accession process to the international organisation. "I am at one of the OECD hearings, one of the many examinations we have to pass this autumn, to maintain a sustained pace of the process, so that we can join the OECD as we have proposed. This first volume represents the most comprehensive documentation I have ever read about what the OECD means. The second volume, a selection of AGERPRES information about the OECD over the last quarter-century, is an opportunity to see publicly how our accession process was reflected, even before the first application for membership was submitted, 20 years ago. The two volumes also highlight the added value of the OECD, this third major strategic objective of Romania, after joining NATO and the EU. They review the complexity of the accession process, its benefits, from increasing investments, improving the quality of governance, engaging in dialogue on common interests with developed democratic states around the world, the possibility to participate in the formulation of policies and global standards, and much more," pointed out Luca Niculescu. Club Romania Publishing launched on Thursday, at the Central University Library "Carol I," the ninth volume of the Documentary Notebooks Series, titled "Romania in the OECD." According to Luca Niculescu, the volume includes interesting testimonies, such as that of the organisation's Secretary-General about the role of the OECD today, and those of representatives from states that have joined the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in recent years. "Better policies for better lives - this is the organisation's motto and it is exactly what these authors explain in their texts, discussing how they have applied OECD recommendations to develop and improve the lives of their citizens. This is what it will be about in Romania, how to live better. This is what joining the OECD will bring us. We still have some way to go until accession, and we hope it will be as short as possible. This journey is well marked, and if we stick to the exam schedule, and if we come well-prepared, as we have in the exams we've passed so far, we have every chance to join the OECD, as we have proposed," emphasised Luca Niculescu. Among others, the event was attended by Minister of Education Ligia Deca, academician Daniel Daianu, and former Prime Minister Adrian Nastase. The work "Romania in the OECD," coordinated by Marius Stoian, Ramona Jurubita, and Radu Puchiu, addresses both the public and private sectors, being a complex resource of information that traces the history and transformation of the organisation's vision over time. Mathias Cormann, the organisation's Secretary-General, says in his contribution to the volume that the main mission of the OECD is to support better policies for better lives. We provide evidence, best policy practices, and global standards in almost all areas of economic policy-making, based on our commitment to individual freedom, democratic values, the rule of law, human rights protection, and market-based economic principles, highlights Mathias Cormann. From a national perspective, Romania's accession to the OECD represents the most important foreign policy objective after joining NATO and the European Union, and the process for obtaining membership status is embraced at the political and public administration levels as a national project with transformative effects on Romanian society. Romania and Norway continue to stand with Ukraine in these "critical moments", stated on Friday, the Minister of National Defense, Angel Tilvar, who met, at the National Defense Ministry (MapN) headquarters, with his counterpart from the Scandinavian country, Bjorn Arild Gram. According to a press release from MApN, the substantial support that Norway provides to Romania in the acquisition of an advanced Patriot surface-to-air missile system represented another important topic of the discussions. The financial contribution of approximately 127 million dollars is provided within the Immediate Action Initiative for Air Defense, coordinated by Germany. "Through this significant contribution, Norway demonstrates not only its firm support for Romania, but also its commitment to allied security. We continue to stand together with Ukraine in these critical moments", declared the minister of National Defense. Angel Tilvar highlighted the successful cooperation between the air forces of the two countries in the framework of the "Air Force Multirole Aircraft" endowment program, through which the Government of Romania awarded the Government of the Kingdom of Norway the contract for the purchase of 32 F-16 aircraft, with logistical support initially, and a package of complementary goods and services from the Government of the United States of America. In total, 12 aircraft were received, after the arrival, less than a week ago, of three more F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole aircraft at the 71st "General Emanoil Ionescu" Air Base in Campia Turzii, in order to equip the 48th Squadron Hunting. Completion of the reception of the entire lot is estimated for the end of 2025. "The F-16 aircraft are delivered to Romania in operational condition, which represents, in fact, a transfer of capability between two countries of the Alliance, which directly contributes to the strengthening of NATO's defense posture on the Eastern Flank. The available resource of these aircraft ensure their operation for a transition period of at least 10 years, towards the 5th generation F-35 aircraft, a contract that we hope to sign by the end of this year", the Romanian minister said. Both Minister Tilvar and Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Stefan-Radu Oprea, who participated in the discussions, expressed openness to new collaborations in the defense industry between the two countries, with an emphasis on the transfer of modern technology to Romania - for the integration of the production of military equipment, in a process as large as possible, on the national territory or for the establishment of economic capacities intended for the maintenance, during the whole life, of the equipment that could be purchased from the Norwegian defense industry within the procurement programs of the Romanian Army. "The cooperation between Romania and Norway in the multirole aircraft acquisition program is a model of efficiency and professionalism, demonstrating how sustainable partnerships can be achieved, with long-term benefits for both parties. This is a collaboration that we want to replicate in other common projects", added the minister of National Defense. Angel Tilvar also presented the importance that the Black Sea Mine Action Group (MCM Black Sea) - established by Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey - has in combating the risks represented by sea mines and in maintaining navigation routes safe. In this context, the Romanian minister of Defense addressed the invitation to the Norwegian side to join this initiative, by sending personnel and specialized equipment. Bilateral economic relations have evolved in all areas, trade, investment, tourism, transportation and services, with many large Turkish companies and small and medium-sized enterprises investing directly in Romania, with around 19. 000 such companies, Turkish Minister of Trade Omer Bolat said on Friday, after the conclusion of the second session of the Joint Economic Trade Cooperation Committee (JETCO), which he chaired together with Romanian Economy Minister Stefan-Radu Oprea, inform agerpres.ro. "As far as energy cooperation is concerned, there are many ongoing projects. There are also projects on the transportation of gas from Romania to Western Europe, with Turkish companies contracted to provide services. In the defence industry, we see great opportunities for both countries for joint production and cooperation in defence procurement for land, naval and air forces. Turkey has made a major leap in the defence industry. Turkish defence products are sold in 138 countries. We sell about 220 different defence products," said the Turkish minister of Trade. The Turkish official appreciated Romania's support for his country within the European Union, for the modernization of the customs union. "Turkey has a customs union relationship with the European Union, where Romania is a full member, and both countries have excellent political relations, very close and warm neighborly relations in the economic field," Omer Bolat said. According to him, Turkey appreciates the "lifting the road quotas between the two countries". "We have just started a new ferry line between Turkey's northern Black Sea coast and Constanta, which will improve and boost transport between the two countries," the Turkish minister of Trade explained. It is a disconcerting fact that defies intuition: the 30 billion cells that make up a person share the same instruction manual, whether it is a neuron in the brain or a bone in the big toe. This common manual functions like an unusual cookbook, allowing each cell to prepare a different dish from the same recipe. Imagine the classic ingredients for paella listed on a page: rice, chicken, rabbit, saffron, garlic, oil, and so on. Each cell reads only a few select words, leading one to create paella, while another makes rabbit in garlic or rice with chicken. The same DNA yields different results, which is why a foot does not resemble a brain. On Thursday, a team of scientists from the Center for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona achieved a historic milestone by creating the first map of the intricate machinery responsible for this process: the spliceosome. Geneticist Juan Valcarcel, 62, points out that in reality, the process is a little more complicated. Words, as they are written in DNA, are separated by a bunch of meaningless letters. Cells have developed a machine, which I believe is the most complex they have, to eliminate those pieces that dont make sense, in a process called splicing, explains Valcarcel. Following the same example, the DNA recipe would be written like this: rice osdlsdkjg chicken ugdlsgjls rabbit igosgsjodi saffron bpnemrac garlic efffeouu oil. The spliceosome machinery, made up of 150 proteins, splices out what doesnt make sense: rice, chicken, rabbit, saffron, garlic, oil. And a second phenomenon, known as alternative splicing, selects only certain words: rice with chicken, rabbit with garlic. Human DNA is a two-meter-long molecule folded within each cell. It is divided into approximately 20,000 sections known as genes, which contain the recipes for producing essential proteins for life, such as collagen in bones, hemoglobin for oxygen transport in the blood, and myosin in muscles. Thanks to the spliceosomes work, human cells can produce 100,000 different types of proteins, despite having only 20,000 genes. Valcarcel has been studying this intricate machinery since 1986. Reading errors in the spliceosome can lead to millions of cases of cancer, as well as rare and neurodegenerative diseases. Valcarcels team has spent over a decade producing the first map of the spliceosome, published on Thursday in the journal Science, which showcases the best research in the world. This machinery consists of 150 proteins, plus an additional 150 proteins that function as regulators on its exterior. The researchers meticulously deactivated each of the 300 proteins one by one to observe the effects. For their experiments, the authors utilized cells derived from Henrietta Lacks, a tobacco worker who died in 1951 in Maryland from uterine cancer. There is enormous potential, says Valcarcel. The really interesting thing is alternative splicing. The same gene can produce a protein that kills cells or another that inhibits cells from dying. Or proteins that make cancer cells proliferate a lot or not at all. If we understand these mechanisms, we can reverse these decisions or, with genetic engineering, make customized proteins, says the geneticist. This new work gives us a kind of functional map of the 300 components of the spliceosome. It tells us what they do in cancer cells when reading the messages from the genes. Valcarcel is sitting in a large meeting room in the building of the Centre for Genomic Regulation. Next to him is the Polish biologist Malgorzata Rogalska, 37, the lead author of the study. Understanding the function and the structure are very different. The structure is a stable image in perfect conditions, but perfect conditions do not exist in our body. Understanding how the spliceosome adapts to different conditions is what has allowed us to draw up the first map, says Rogalska. The biologist compares splicing to the process of editing a film, where dozens of participants can take control and change the meaning of a scene. One of her main conclusions is that the 300 components of the spliceosome are so interconnected that the failure of one can trigger a domino effect. The researchers manipulated the SF3B1 component, whose mutations are linked to various types of cancer, including breast cancer, melanoma, and leukemia. Their experiment revealed that this alteration triggered a chain of errors that inhibited the growth of cancer cells. It is a potential Achilles heel that we can take advantage of to design new therapies. Our map offers a way to discover these weak points, says Valcarcel. Her spliceosome map is now available to the scientific community. Scientist Marina Serna, who has studied the structure of the spliceosome at the National Cancer Research Centre in Madrid, commends the accomplishment of her colleagues in Barcelona, although she did not take part in their research. Splicing has fundamental implications in cancer, she says. This work has not only identified all the regulatory factors that, when altered, clearly affect the function of the spliceosome, but it has also revealed how these factors regulate themselves and each other in an extremely complex way. If you adjust one, it doesnt affect just one other factor, it directly affects almost all the others. Serna underscores the scale of the challenge. A water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom (HO), while the formula for hemoglobin, the protein that gives blood its red color, is CHNOSFe. The structure of a single protein is already intricate, but the spliceosome, with its 300 components, is even more formidable. And the same protein has different conformations and interactions at various stages of the splicing cycle. The spliceosome is one of the most complex molecular machines known, says the researcher Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A Metro East businesswoman's killing while on a 2021 first date is the subject of Saturday's episode of "48 Hours." Leslie J. Reeves, 45, of Troy, Illinois, was shot to death on Thanksgiving Eve 2021 by an ex-boyfriend while on a date at a home in Farmersville, Illinois, about 75 miles north of St. Louis on Interstate 55. Reeves taught self-defense classes to victims of domestic violence. The man she was dating and who lived at the home, Christopher J. Smith, was shot in the head and barely survived. Smith, then 48, was left for dead, laying on his kitchen floor for 13 hours before he was found by a friend. Paramedic Dennis Hobson, a longtime friend of Smiths, found Smith on the brink of death in a blood-soaked kitchen. He found Reeves dead in the living room. With no weapon discovered in the house, investigators believed there had to have been an intruder. After several weeks in a coma, Smith regained consciousness but couldnt remember anything about the attack or of Reeves. I wish to God I could remember something even just a smidgen, but I remember nothing, he told Erin Moriarty of "48 Hours." An investigation had authorities convinced Reeves ex-boyfriend, Robert Tarr, of Collinsville, had secretly followed her that night and broke into Smiths home. Tarr was convicted earlier this year of the murder of Reeves, and the attempted murder of Smith. He was sentenced to 85 years in prison. Tarr continues to deny his role as the shooter. The program airs at 9 p.m. Central time Saturday on CBS (KMOV, Channel 4 in St. Louis). ST. LOUIS A man who sent death threats to a judge from prison and threatened to blow up the downtown federal courthouse was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison. Richard L. Russell, 58, pleaded guilty to two counts of retaliating against a federal official, two counts of mailing threatening communications and one count of threatening to destroy a building by a fire or explosion. Russell has spent the better part of three decades in custody, mostly for writing threatening letters. He was repeatedly evaluated for mental competency and diagnosed with depression, schizophrenia and personality disorders. His lawyer wrote in court documents that Russell has written over a hundred letters threatening "various horrible deeds." "After so many threatening letters, and no physical acts ever taken, it appears Mr. Russell is 'crying wolf,'" wrote his lawyer, Joseph Hogan, in a memo last week. Federal prosecutors, however, argued Russell is a "deeply disturbed life-long criminal who harbors an obsessional hatred" who is "powerless to exact his promised revenge only because he is in custody." Officials in the U.S. Bureau of Prisons will determine what, if any, mental health treatment Russell will receive while in custody. BEL-RIDGE A man was shot by police Wednesday afternoon after he fired a pistol at an officer near Natural Bridge Road and Interstate 170 after fleeing a traffic stop. The man, Je'von Henderson, 30, of Woodson Terrace, was charged Thursday with assault, armed criminal action and resisting arrest in connection with the incident. Police said he was in a hospital Thursday but didn't release his condition. No officers were hurt. One Breckenridge Hills police officer and two Woodson Terrace officers fired shots, St. Louis County police said. County police said the episode began about 4:30 p.m. when a Breckenridge Hills officer stopped a vehicle near Calvert and North avenues for a license plate violation and excessively tinted windows. During the stop, police said, the officer observed "clues of possible intoxication" and asked the man to get out of the car. The man drove off, police said, and the officer chased the driver, who crashed near Natural Bridge and I-170. As the officer tried to approach the car, police said, Henderson pointed a pistol at him and fired. Police returned fire, authorities said. Breckenridge Hills police asked county detectives to investigate. The Breckenridge Hills officer is 33 and has been an officer nine years. One of the Woodson Terrace officers is 30 and has been an officer three years. The second Woodson Terrace officer is 37 and has been on the force eight years. Kim Bell of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report Updated at 7:20 p.m. Thursday with additional information released by police Three Republican Missouri state senators including one running for secretary of state are once again being sued by the man they incorrectly identified in social media posts as being the shooter at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory celebration. Denton Loudermill of Olathe, Kansas, filed a lawsuit Thursday morning against state Sen. Rick Brattin of Harrisonville, accusing him of invasion of privacy and libel. Attorneys were in the process of filing similar lawsuits against state Sens. Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg and Nick Schroer of Defiance. Hoskins is the GOP nominee for secretary of state. Brattin is seeking reelection in the 31st Senate District. Schroer, who won his seat in the Senate in 2022, is not on the ballot this year. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. Similar lawsuits against all three men were dismissed Oct. 21 in Kansas federal court when U.S. District Judge John Broomes ruled he did not have jurisdiction over Brattin, Hoskins and Schroer. In the more than nine months since the Feb. 14 victory parade and pep rally, people have not stopped making him feel uncomfortable, Loudermill said in a news conference with one of his attorneys, LaRonna Lassiter Saunders. Loudermill works at a car wash. They come through looking at me, on video on their phone, saying yeah, thats him, he said. That worries me sometimes. In an interview with The Independent, Lassiter Saunders said she believes the jurisdictional issue is solved with the new filing. It was important to refile the cases quickly, she said, because the legal nuances could be missed by a public that has only heard the cases were dismissed. Its reported that the case gets tossed, then theyre thinking, theres some merit to the Missouri senators position, Lassiter Saunders said. Hoskins, reached via text message, declined to respond to the new filing. I have not been served and I have no comment at this time, he said. Brattin and Schroer did not respond to messages seeking comment. Like thousands of other regional residents, Loudermill went to Union Station in Kansas City for the pep rally that followed the Chiefs victory parade after this years Super Bowl. As the crowd was departing, an argument in the crowd resulted in gunfire. The shooting at the end of the victory celebration left one person dead and at least 24 people injured. Loudermill, who was born in Kansas and lives there now, was detained briefly because he was too slow to leave the area of the shooting, he told The Independent earlier this year. A photo of him, seated, with his hands restrained behind his back, was posted on X, formally known as Twitter, by an account with the name Deep Truth Intel. That post incorrectly identified him with a name associated with misinformation posted after other shootings and said he was an undocumented immigrant. Soon after that initial social media post, the Missouri Freedom Caucus, Hoskins, Brattin, Schroer and U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican, posted their own versions, some with the photo, some without. Burchetts post said he was one of the shooters and referred to him as an illegal alien. Burchett later deleted the tweet but included a screenshot of it that is still visible in a separate post. A lawsuit filed against Burchett in Kansas was also dismissed because of jurisdictional issues. Lassiter Saunders said Thursday that she is working with attorneys in the Washington, D.C., area to refile the case against Burchett. He is not off the hook, she said. Hoskins version on social media shared a screenshot of the initial anonymous post and blamed President Joe Biden and political leaders of Kansas City for making the shooting possible. Brattins first post linking Loudermill to the shooting, since deleted, demanded #POTUS CLOSE THE BORDER and incorporated the deleted anonymous post that kicked everything off. Schroer was the least certain post about the immigration and arrest status of Loudermill among the three. Schroers post included a link to one from Burchett stating, over Loudermills photo, that One of the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade shooters has been identified as an illegal Alien. Can we get any confirmation or denial of this from local officials or law enforcement? Schroer wrote. Ive been sent videos or stills showing at least 6 different people arrested from yesterday but officially told only 3 still in custody. The people deserve answers. In the complaint filed against Brattin, attorneys wrote that the lawmakers had no reason to make the comments directed at Loudermill. The publication of the false representation that plaintiff was an illegal alien and a shooter was not made in good faith nor was it made by (Brattin) with any legitimate interest in making or duty to make such assertions, the filing states. In the Kansas cases, the lawmakers were represented by Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who raised both the jurisdictional objections and claims that the senators were acting in their official capacity when they made their posts on social media. Therefore, the filings stated, they are protected by legislative immunity. When the case was dismissed, Bailey put out a statement saying it was a victory for keeping questions of Missouri law in Missouri courts. Baileys office did not respond immediately to an email asking if the office would again provide representation. Lassiter Saunders said the attorney general should not take the case again. I would hope not, but given the track record of the attorney general doing as he pleases, its a possibility, Lassiter Saunders said. Baileys participation in the case generated its own dispute. In a May letter to the commissioner of the Office of Administration, the state agency that certifies payments from Missouris legal expense fund, Gov. Mike Parson wrote that no payments related to the lawsuits should be certified without my approval or a court order. Baileys claim of legislative immunity is based in the Missouri Constitutions provisions on legislative privileges. Along with being immune from arrest for minor offenses while the General Assembly is in session, members also shall not be questioned for any speech or debate in either house in any other place. Social media posts are not statements or speeches made during debates in the chambers, Lassiter Saunders said. It wasnt legitimate legislative activity, she said. They were following this story like hundreds of thousands of other people seeing tweets, retweeting, and we dont believe it was the same. The lawsuit seeks to vindicate a core American principle, the right to be let alone, Lassiter Saunders said. I would like to refocus the attention from politics to the principle of, private citizens should have the right to live their lives privately, she said. The elected officials need to be mindful and do a better job of not just speaking out because they have the authority to do so. The lawsuit states that because of the hostility of some people in the public, Loudermill has injuries and actual damages including mental distress, sleeplessness, anxiety, and agitation. He rarely goes out, Loudermill said. Im just getting all the attention still, he said. I just want them to pay for that. Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com. Follow Missouri Independent on Facebook and X. JEFFERSON CITY U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley expressed no regret during a debate Thursday for his actions leading up to the violence that unfolded on Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol. Hawley, a Missouri Republican seeking his second term against Democrat Lucas Kunce, was the first senator to challenge the 2020 election results and cheered on supporters of President Donald Trump outside the Capitol the morning of the insurrection. During the televised hourlong matchup between the two leading U.S. Senate candidates, moderator Shirley Washington of KTVI (Channel 2) asked Hawley if he felt any responsibility for the violence that occurred. What I feel responsibility for is defending our Constitution, which is what I was doing on that day, Hawley responded. He said he believed firmly in election integrity and accused Pennsylvania of not following constitutional requirements. Kunce, in response, said Hawley couldnt take accountability and incited a riot that led to 174 police officers being injured, led to countless civilian injuries and several deaths. The two candidates also sparred on aid to Ukraine, firearms laws, immigration, and the measure to legalize abortion in Missouri, Amendment 3. Kunce cast Hawley as an out-of-touch country club politician who had failed to bring federal aid back to Missouri. Hawley, meanwhile, roasted Kunce for injuring a reporter at a gun range earlier this month, and for his past statement in favor of ditching all fossil fuels. Thank you to the reporters for being here. You know, it takes a little bit of courage to share a stage with Lucas Kunce after he shot a reporter last week, Hawley said. Kunce, 42, is making his second Senate bid after losing the 2022 Democratic primary to Trudy Busch Valentine. The Marine veteran from Independence has pitched himself as a champion for working people, aligning himself closely with the abortion-rights amendment on the Tuesday ballot. But as he attempts to win over Republicans in deep-red Missouri, the Democrat has refused to say whether he is voting for Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday a position Hawley looked to exploit Thursday night. I am not gonna decide for other people who theyre voting for. Im not gonna make this a national election. Josh Hawley wants this to be about national politics because he knows hes deeply unpopular here, Kunce said, declining to say whether he would vote for Harris. It sounds awfully politician-y doesnt it? Hawley asked after Kunces response. Hawley, 44, is looking for a second term after toppling Democratic incumbent Sen. Claire McCaskill in 2018. On abortion, Hawley said he was against the procedure but believed in exceptions in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother was in jeopardy. He also asserted that Amendment 3 would legalize transgender treatment for minors without parental consent. While Hawley claimed to support abortion rights in rape cases, Kunce noted that Missouris current ban doesnt allow abortions in those instances. When that law came into effect, Josh Hawley said, and I quote, Thank God, and he celebrated it, Kunce said. That is his true position on this thing outside of an election year. The two candidates also differed on whether the United States should provide military aid to Ukraine as the country resists Russias invasion. My opponent has said very clearly that he supports what were doing in Ukraine, supports the aid to Ukraine, supports all the spending in Ukraine, Hawley said, calling it a misfire, when the U.S. southern border isnt secure. Kunce also defended military aid to Ukraine, totaling $175 billion since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Russia is a bad, aggressive actor, Kunce said. Theyve been building up a military for a long time and they want to expand. Us supplying arms there is keeping us from having to have boots on the ground in a war with NATO, Kunce said. Kunce said he supported the Second Amendment and added he also favored real checks on gun sales and an age limit, or some sort of training that goes along with kids getting weapons. Hawley said the most important thing we can do when it comes to gun violence is put those who commit it behind bars, and put those who attempt to commit it behind bars. Kunce, asked if he would support mass deportation under Trump, said the money that that would cost is unbelievable. I think that what we need to do first is, we need to secure the border and then we can see about other things. Securing the border, Kunce said, included stopping the flow of fentanyl, ending the Biden administrations terrible catch-and-release program, and fully funding and equipping the Border Patrol. Those are very simple, straightforward solutions that I should be able to work with any president on, Kunce said. Josh Hawley said it just wasnt his job. He said, Oh thats the presidents job. Thats not true. He added later he supported the remain-in-Mexico policy for those seeking asylum in the United States. I dont think you should automatically be granted entry just because you apply for asylum, Kunce said. Hawley said Kunce was against a border wall, for amnesty and that he had sharply criticized President Trumps policies. I just think his positions off-target, Hawley said. Three of the five candidates for U.S. Senate Jared Young of the new Better Party, Nathan Kline of the Green Party, and Libertarian W.C. Young were not invited to participate in the debate. David Lazer, a 58-year-old professor from California, delivered a packed lecture at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, that focused on the need for a transatlantic coalition to study the influence of internet giants. In a subsequent interview at the Barcelona Computing Center, the distinguished researcher at Northeastern University who integrates computing and political science discussed the significant challenges posed by a platform-dominated world characterized by misinformation and polarization Question. How does disinformation alter the current democratic landscape? Answer. If the citizen is not well informed, they are not going to make decisions that are aligned with their preferences. Disinformation and being misinformed fundamentally undermine democracy. There is a lot more disinformation floating around than there used to be, to be sure. But there are also a lot more people trying to correct misinformation. The interesting question that we don't really know is: what is the end result? Q. What mechanisms do fake news use to reach and divide public opinion? A. There are new entrants that dont have the same traditional editorial standards that have entered the news ecosystem. And theres also been the possibility for what is sometimes called the democratization of information sharing, where people select what they want to share and others see that content. Also, sometimes people express opinions, even if they only see part of the puzzle, and they comment. This makes it possible to get a distorted view of what is happening in politics or in the world in general. That is the contemporary concern. Clearly, we can see a lot more misinformation now, but people were also quite misinformed a generation ago. Are things worse now than they were before? Are they better in some ways and worse in others? It is probably a mix of both. Q. And the misinformation is being spread on Twitter (now X), Facebook, Instagram A. There are a lot of mechanisms for it to spread. In social media, its small communities that share misinformation. On Twitter, for example, its a fairly small group that spreads a lot of misinformation, which wasnt there before. But the consequences are greater when political elites or the media get it wrong. One of the biggest crises in the U.S. is opioids. And a lot of that was based on misinformation about how addictive OxyContin and other opioids were, which was spread through doctors and the media. We focus a lot on misinformation and terrible content online, but the smallest amount of misinformation we see from credible sources can be very consequential. Q. Is mainstream media adopting disinformation more damaging than outright fake news? A. Disinformation is accidentally amplified by the media or politicians. We can see, for example, that in the U.S. some politicians routinely say things that are not true, and then that is reported by the media. The question is how should the media report on that? Do you put a headline saying that such-and-such person falsely claimed something? But then the media outlet is accused of taking sides by fact-checking a politician in the headline. But if you dont do that, some people dont even get past the headline. The media gets co-opted by the spreaders of misinformation. Q. How can we promote an information ecosystem that favors the truth? A. We see actors trying to purposely manipulate the system by flooding it with with misinformation, but it is limited. The problem is not just to avoid disinformation, what we need as societies is to find a way to continue supporting the production of high-quality information that is independent, because disinformation is much cheaper. That is difficult, because many business models that existed to generate quality information have been obliterated, especially local and small media, which creates blind spots for our political and civic systems. Q. To what extent will polarization influence the upcoming U.S. elections? A. Its clear that political polarization plays a huge role in what we see in the U.S. Each political side is less receptive to negative information about its candidate or to positive information about the other candidate. That makes the electorate very rigid and impervious to information, whether high or low quality. And why do we have this degree of polarization? Its a very complex concept, its part of the dysfunction of the moment. Why does it happen? What role do social media play? Does the internet somehow contribute to that? Q. Do you think social media is key in this moment? A. People have always been social Nowadays, the word talk includes things like WhatsApp or other types of instant messaging. My first experience with misinformation was when I spoke to a camp counselor who told me that John F. Kennedy wasnt killed. I went home and told my parents and they told me not to believe everything I heard We have to be careful about who we blame for misinformation In the U.S., many Republicans believe that the 2020 election was stolen and that Trump actually won. And thats because Republican political leaders are advocating that viewpoint. Politics has always been about creating information systems that make voters believe things that may not be entirely true. And there are very dark sides to this. If you believe that the election is being stolen, it can be the basis for strong reactions, like those we saw on January 6, 2021, when a mob invaded the Capitol. The question is where the U.S. is going politically, and not just in a few years, but next month. Q. Could the storming of the Capitol have happened without social media? A. There have been mobs that have overrun spaces before. I think social media created a space for dissemination and coordination that made it easier to do so, social media made it possible rally people together more quickly. That would have been harder in the past, but not impossible. Q. Does Elon Musks ownership of Twitter benefit Trump? A. It certainly matters, but it also matters a lot that Fox News has been very supportive of Trump. If I were Trump and I had to give one of the two up, I would give up Twitter, and keep Fox News. I think Twitters influence has been diminished by Musks partisan nature. Its still a space for debate, but its been reduced, because its a clearly more unbalanced and toxic place. Theres some irony in the fact that Musk has perhaps undercut Twitters power. Q. If Trump wins the election, could it be described as a victory for those who promote disinformation, fake news? A. To the extent that Trump himself has been a key source of repeated disinformation. Yes, I think thats true. He has promoted the myth of the falsehood of the stolen 2020 election, and so on. Q. What can we do to reduce misinformation? A. It would be good to create transparency about what the platforms are doing. And a lot of the capacity to study this is in academia. Academics should step forward and work with the media to create more transparency about what big tech companies are doing. And that would help determine the types of regulatory interventions that are needed and that, for example, in Amazons product recommendations, only scientifically validated claims are accepted. Q. In one of your studies, you came to the conclusion that the algorithm does not increase polarization. One would say the opposite A. What we found is that if you change Facebook's algorithm, you spend less time on Facebook. If you then go to X from there, I'm not so sure that that decreases the polarization of your news consumption In another article about Google, we looked at the filter bubble, to see if the algorithms are basically showing you the things you want to see. We showed that Google shows you pretty diverse content, but then people choose things that align with their preferences. The goal of the contemporary information ecosystem is to make it easy to access the information you want to consume. There's an active debate in the literature, which says that people are actually exposed to very diverse content online, but other arguments suggest that less diversity is consumed. If we think socially, we're generally disproportionately friends with people who are like us politically. If we look at partisan news consumption, we found that what Republicans read in The New York Times is very different from what Democrats read. And this has nothing to do with algorithms, but with the social processes of content dissemination. Q. Its all about us and our own choices. A. Theres a plausible argument that were creating curated feeds that create politically aligned information flows. That said, there are a lot of other things going on in societies like the U.S. The likelihood that your neighbor is in the same party as you is much higher than it was a generation ago because geographically weve become much more polarized along political patterns like city versus country, the urban-rural divide. I dont know how universal this is, but it just wasnt the case 30 years ago. Q. Do you think AI can help control misinformation or do just the opposite? A. Its a double-edged sword, well see which way it goes, probably both ways. On the one hand, it makes it much easier to produce large amounts of false information, which has always been cheaper than producing valid information. It will allow you to produce images or videos that could be very persuasive. But it may also be better at detecting misinformation. We can also think about how it will affect search, the central way we get from one place to another. For example, if I have a question about facts, I could just open my phone and talk to it and voila, an answer appears. The interesting question is about whether our AI systems actually produce correct information or just plausible information. Currently, AI tools are quite oblivious to truth values. Will this always be the case? Not necessarily. A lot of it depends on how much companies value truth versus how central that is to their business. Weve seen plenty of examples where the value placed on truth is very low. They value participation, retaining users, selling products, etc. more. And that is a big concern. Q. There is controversial AI regulation in Europe. What is your opinion on it? A. I dont have a clear-cut opinion. AI needs to be transparent and meaningful and have analytical capabilities. We need to think more about how we create transparency similar to that applied to government economic statistics. How many internet statistics, how much money is invested in internet statistics agencies for the government? They dont exist. We need to rethink how we create information and knowledge about these areas of enormous importance for contemporary society. And until we do that, rhetoric is going to vastly outweigh our knowledge. We need to think about how we invest in some kind of independent platform for creating knowledge. Q. Finally, who do you think will win the US elections? A. Do you have a coin that can be flipped? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition This Election Day, St. Louis city voters will consider Proposition S, a measure that would add a 3% tax to short-term rentals to fund affordable housing initiatives in the city of St. Louis. While it is no doubt well-intentioned, Proposition S is short-sighted and, if enacted, will have significant unintended consequences, which would harm both consumers and the local economy. To maintain a thriving business environment, taxes should not be increased on any business, but creating a special tax for only short-term rentals and not for competing business models, such as hotels places an unfair burden on citizen-led tourism. Proposition S is inherently anti-competitive, as it would create an imbalanced business environment that unfairly favors traditional hotels over newer and more innovative accommodation options like short-term rentals. The fairer approach would be to allow short-term rentals to compete on a level playing field with hotels, rather than subjecting them to a uniquely burdensome taxation regime. Additionally, this targeted tax risks diminishing the appeal of St. Louis as a flexible and affordable destination for visitors. Short-term rentals attract tourists, who contribute to the local economy by spending money on restaurants, shops, and attractions often outside traditional tourist corridors. Targeting short-term rentals with additional costs may discourage local residents from opening their property to visitors, which would in turn limit affordable accommodation options for visitors and encourage them to choose other destinations. Reducing St. Louiss supply of accommodations is also likely to reduce the citys tourism revenue. Tourism supports 91,000 hospitality jobs in the St. Louis region. According to Explore St. Louiss annual report for fiscal year 2022, Taxes paid by tourists reduce the tax burden of each St. Louis household by an estimated $1,201. In 2023, the Gateway Arch National Park alone attracted 2.4 million visitors. Yearly economic value generated by tourism is in the billions. Whats more, visitors pay local occupancy and sales taxes every time they stay in a short-term rental in St. Louis, generating valuable tax revenue for the city. Hamstringing this industry with foolish taxation of short-term rentals will only harm the city. Other cities have attempted to severely limit short-term rentals, and it has ended poorly for residents and visitors alike. These efforts do nothing to promote the interests of the public. Instead, they only benefit the interests of hotels. New Yorks onerous regulation of short-term rentals which hotel-industry groups lobbied hard for demonstrated this fact. Shortly after the regulations went into effect, Wired reported that Hotel occupancy rates in New York have been slightly up year over year. The other beneficiaries were nearby localities that didnt penalize short-term rentals. Jersey City has seen demand [for short-term rentals] rise 77 percent year over year as of mid-Februarywhile in Weehawken and Hoboken, demand has increased 45 and 32 percent, respectively, Wired says. Proposition Ss narrow and anti-competitive scope would create a blatantly uneven playing field and undermine the citys tourism economy. Property owners should not have to endure unfair taxation to make use of their property as they see fit. Tourists and other renters should have access to the best and cheapest types of accommodations provided by the free market. Because short-term rentals are a relatively new business, they can seem like an easy political target for new taxes. However, that doesnt make unfair taxation good policy. The fact that, in the fast-paced modern economy, people continue to find new ways to make themselves and their property of use to others in their communities is a good thing for St. Louis and cities across the U.S. St. Louis should not discourage new business models with poorly considered taxes and regulations. U.S. Army Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla speaks at a ceremony at Pointe du Hoc, France, on June 5, 2024. Kurilla, the head of U.S. Central Command, is being investigated over a claim that he shoved an airman during a flight in September. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) NAPLES, Italy The Pentagons top general in the Middle East is being investigated over a claim that he shoved a subordinate during a heated exchange on a recent flight to Israel, an official told Stars and Stripes on Friday. The incident reportedly occurred in early September during a C-17 Globemaster III flight when Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, grew annoyed by communications issues on the transport plane, Military.com reported Thursday, citing an unidentified defense official. Kurilla is accused of pushing an airman who asked him to take his seat and buckle up, according to an NBC News report the same day, citing three defense officials familiar with the investigation. The Army Criminal Investigation Division is aware of an alleged incident (regarding Kurilla) and is currently looking into it, agency spokesman Mark Lunardi said in an email Friday. No additional information is available at this time. CENTCOM did not immediately respond Friday to questions about the investigation. As of Thursday, Kurilla had not been suspended from his position. Typically, officers who violate decorum or laws are suspended with pay pending the outcome of an investigation, according to Military.com. Kurilla assumed command of CENTCOM in April 2022, overseeing U.S. operations in the Middle East and Asia, including efforts to counter Houthi militant attacks against ships in the Red Sea and operations in Iraq and Syria against the Islamic State group. Kurilla commissioned into the infantry from the U.S. Military Academy in 1988, according to his service biography. His 36-year career includes multiple combat and operational deployments, and he has served as commander of the 82nd Airborne Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps, among other leadership roles. He also was Joint Staff deputy director for special operations and counterterrorism, and CENTCOM chief of staff. SAN DIEGO Leonard Glenn Francis, the rotund U.S. Navy contractor, con man and escape artist who repeatedly outwitted federal officials over two decades, could be freed from prison in as little as one year under a new plea agreement he has reached with the Justice Department, court records show. The admitted mastermind of the most extensive corruption scandal in U.S. military history, Francis is scheduled to be sentenced on fraud and bribery charges Tuesday in U.S. District Court in San Diego, 11 years after he was first arrested here in an international sting operation and two years after he escaped and fled to Venezuela. In December, Francis returned to the United States in shackles as part of a high-stakes prisoner swap negotiated between the Biden administration and the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Under federal sentencing guidelines, Francis normally would be expected to receive a prison term of between about 17.5 and 22 years for his crimes, court papers show. But as part of its plea agreement with Francis, the Justice Department has agreed to support a much lighter punishment, citing the extensive cooperation he provided to federal agents investigating corruption in the Navy before he absconded to Venezuela. Francis, 60, is currently being held in jail in San Diego. A Malaysian citizen, he would be deported upon completing his sentence. Long known as Fat Leonard within maritime circles because of his girth, his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia, once held $250 million in federal contracts to resupply and service Navy ships during port visits in Asia. In court papers, Francis has acknowledged bribing scores of Navy officers to look the other way while his company overbilled the federal government for tens of millions of dollars in port visit expenses. Since the early 1990s, documents show, he treated visiting admirals and ship captains to lavish dinners in Michelin-star restaurants, hosted sex parties during which he supplied Navy officers with prostitutes, and enticed 10 U.S. sailors to leak him military secrets. As part of the plea deal, federal prosecutors are recommending that U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino impose a total prison sentence of 140 months, or slightly less than 12 years. Franciss attorney, meanwhile, is urging the judge to sentence Francis to just under nine years. Francis has already spent more than six years behind bars since he was first arrested in 2013, time that would count against his sentence. He is also likely to be eligible for substantial early-release credits that would further shorten his prison stay. With those reductions, he could win his freedom by the end of next year if the judge adopts the sentence recommended by his attorney, according to lawyers familiar with the case. If the Justice Department prevails, Francis would probably have to wait about three and a half years before he is eligible for release. Sammartino, who has served on the federal bench since 2007 and has overseen the prosecution of Francis and 32 other defendants in the Navy corruption scandal, is not bound by the recommendations and could impose a stiffer or more lenient sentence. Francis is the lone remaining defendant in the case. His sentencing will mark the end of a saga that paralyzed the Navys leadership for nearly a decade. In a recent court filing, prosecutors said Francis orchestrated a bribery campaign that, for all practical purposes, engulfed a generation of U.S. Navy command staff. After his arrest, nearly 1,000 people came under scrutiny, including 91 admirals. Federal prosecutors brought criminal charges against 34 defendants, while the Navy court-martialed four people and disciplined numerous others. Dozens of other high-ranking officers implicated in the case were passed over for promotion or forced to retire. Francis first pleaded guilty to fraud and bribery charges in 2015. As part of his initial plea deal, he became a cooperating witness. Between 2015 and 2017, federal agents and prosecutors questioned him for more than 300 hours. During those interviews, he incriminated hundreds of Navy personnel by providing detailed evidence of how they had accepted his gifts and favors. Federal authorities thrilled with Franciss assistance gradually gave in to some of his demands for special treatment. While imprisoned in late 2017, Francis was diagnosed with kidney cancer and other serious ailments, including complications from weight-loss surgery that he had undergone before his arrest. During secret court proceedings, his attorneys asked for his release on medical furlough, asserting that he was likely to die if he remained in custody. Fearful that they could lose their star witness, Sammartino and federal prosecutors agreed so Francis could receive treatment from private doctors. But federal officials also allowed him to live in luxurious comfort, residing in a $5,000-per-month mansion in San Diego with a swimming pool and servants. Over Labor Day weekend in 2022, the ailing con man fled. He cut off an electronic ankle bracelet that court officials were using to track his whereabouts, hailed an Uber and raced south for the border. By the time anyone noticed he had vanished, he was already in Mexico, en route to Venezuela. Francis was arrested a few weeks later during a layover at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia. At the time, he was trying to make arrangements to travel to Russia. In addition to bribery and fraud, Francis has agreed to plead guilty to a new charge related to his escape. Federal prosecutors said in court papers that he merited a lighter punishment than called for under sentencing guidelines because he had provided so much evidence against corrupt Navy officials. Perhaps a harsher sentence would be justified given Franciss egregious and prolonged criminal conduct, as well as his violation of the Courts trust with respect to his release on medical furlough, they wrote. But the substantial assistance provided by Francis cannot be ignored, and the degree and significance of his cooperation cannot be overstated. Joseph Mancano, an attorney for one of the Navy officers whom Francis provided evidence against, called the proposed sentence woefully inadequate given the totality of his crimes. He flees the country and the government has to engage in a prisoner swap to get him back. Thats ridiculous, Mancano said. They were basically caught with their pants down. In a court filing, Douglas Sprague, Franciss attorney, sought forgiveness for his clients flight from justice, calling it a horrendous mistake of judgment. For many reasons, Leonard now sees this as one of the greatest mistakes in his life, Sprague wrote. Leonard understands that this decision was inexcusable and wrong. Sprague said Francis panicked because he feared being sent back to jail from his rented mansion, which meant he might never again see his mother, who was also in ailing health. (They were never reunited. She died in Malaysia in May.) According to Sprague, Francis also worried that he might have to indirectly pay the price for mistakes made by federal prosecutors during a 2022 criminal trial of five Navy officers on corruption-related charges. Though a jury convicted four of the officers, Sammartino determined that prosecutors had committed flagrant and outrageous misconduct. She later vacated the felony convictions. The Justice Department allowed the officers to plead guilty instead to a single misdemeanor each. The misconduct tainted several other prosecutions, and the assistant U.S. attorneys handling Franciss case were reassigned. As a result, Francis feared his cooperation agreement with the Justice Department might effectively fall apart and that he would end up with a lengthy prison sentence, according to his attorney. As part of his original plea agreement with the government, Francis promised to forfeit $35 million in illicit profits that he had fleeced from the Navy. He paid $5 million of his debt nine years ago but still owes the rest, court records show. (iStock) Halloween is over, Christmas is still far away, and here in Europe, theres no Thanksgiving holiday to brighten the otherwise lackadaisical month of November. Despite its dearth of unmissable events, this junction of the year earns its place in a tourists time through thinner crowds, discounted prices and an overall less frenetic pace. Here are just a few ways to make the month a memorable one: Taste the wine: By November, the grapes for this years vintage have been harvested, pressed and left to ferment, leaving many winemakers with time enough to either host their own wine tasting events or travel to venues where producers meet consumers. From intimate affairs in ancient cellars to large-scale events in exhibition halls, tastings allow would-be consumers to discover for themselves the wines that most appeal to their own particular tastes. Switzerland hosts two wine affairs of note in November. The Weinfestival Basel, running through Nov. 3, features 120 exhibitors showcasing some 3000 wines from around the world. The Expovina, currently being held in Zurich through Nov. 14, is notable for the fact that it takes place on board ships docked in the citys lake. In Italys South Tyrol region, the Merano Weinfestival, on from Nov. 9-12, offers visitors the chance to sample wines alongside culinary specialties in the refined surroundings of the Kurhaus. Tasting events in Germany are smaller but no less atmospheric; these include a chance to sample wines of the Pfalz in the cellar of Weingut Wolf in Bad Durkheim-Ungstein Nov. 16-17. Note all above-mentioned events charge entry fees. Have one last go at an autumn fun fair: Imagine a volksfest, Middle Ages festival, massive beer hall, farmers and goods market and an agricultural fair rolled into one and youll have a good approximation of what the Hochheimer Markt is all about. The celebrations of the fair-weather months are capped off by this massive, free-entry affair set to take place just east of Wiesbaden, Germany Nov. 8-12. Online: tinyurl.com/tpmx2f9t Kick off carnival season: While carnival celebrations peak only in February and March, tradition holds that the start of the carnival season actually occurs at 11:11 a.m. on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Carnival stronghold cities including Mainz and Cologne in Germany and Maastricht in the Netherlands celebrate the day with street parties attracting thousands of costumed revelers. Feast like a local: While family and friends can never be replaced, a lack of turkey on the table can be mitigated by indulging in the traditional foods of the place you presently call home or happen to be visiting. Mid-November in Germany, Austria or the Czech Republic means Saint-Martins day menus; many restaurants will offer a multi-course, set meal typically consisting of goose, dumplings and red cabbage. Toward the end of the month, restaurants throughout Denmark will begin offering Julefrokost, a Christmas lunch, often served buffet-style, consisting of pickled herring and other cold seafood, liver pate, crispy duck, carmelized potatoes and rice pudding. Those with hankerings for sweet treats in Italy are well catered-to in November. Theres yet another reason to be happy to have made way to beautiful Cremona between Nov. 9 and 17, as the Festa del Torrone celebrates its delectable vanilla nougat. Online: festadeltorrone.com Meanwhile in Perugia, the cocoa-fueled frenzy otherwise known as Eurochocolate brings melt-in-your-mouth goodness to its visitors Nov. 15-24. Online: eurochocolate.com Visit Europes great cities in their quiet months: Short-term rental apartments that displace natives, shops catering only to tourist needs, inflated prices and water shortages are only a few of the reasons why local residents of some of Europes great cities have had enough of tourists. Yet places such as Venice, Amsterdam, Dubrovnik and Barcelona are so uniquely beautiful, its hard to resist their magnetic pull. Is there a way to be a responsible traveler in places plagued by overtourism? Traveling in the off-season, staying in hotels, hostels or guesthouses instead of AirBnBs, patronizing local, non-chain shops and restaurants, using public transportation and avoiding fragile environments are all ways to mitigate negative impact. Hiring a local guide is a great way to not just see the town but hear a locals point of view on the topic of overtourism. Learn to cook: Take advantage of this period of low visitor numbers from abroad by booking a cooking class, all the better when the item one learns to prepare is symbolic of the citys cuisine. In Naples, the art of pizza making is introduced in a course titled Pizzamaker for a Day. The four-hour course offered by The Association of True Neapolitan Pizza Makers costs 94 euros. Online: tinyurl.com/2he53eud Seville, Spain, is synonomous with paella, and this rice dish is at the center of a 3.5 hour cooking class offered by Taller Andaluz de Cocina. A small group first tours the local market to get familiar with the ingredients needed to prepare the days meal, a soup, tapa, paella and light dessert. Sangria served during the course is sure to make light work of the preparations. The cost of the course is 70 euros. Online: tinyurl.com/44wyrvs9 (iStock) I never considered myself an old-fashioned Navy wife, who showed up at command events with my signature chicken fricassee casserole, clutching my husbands arm and my pearls. However, unlike many modern military spouses, Ive never been one to express my political opinions publicly. I havent put a political candidates election sign in my yard or campaign bumper sticker on my car. I dont post, share or comment on political memes on social media. Ive never attended a political rally or debate. And I havent yet contributed to any political campaigns. One may assume that Im a wishy-washy wimp whos afraid to take a side, but this couldnt be further from the truth. I have very strong political beliefs that Ive been honing since I first voted in 1992. In the hotly-contested national election happening in a matter of days, I know exactly who Im voting for, and why. Dont ask me, because Ill never tell. Why? Not entirely sure, but Id be lying if I said that being a Navy wife hasnt affected my willingness to share my political preferences. Back in the days when I was still trying to figure out how much to tip the baggers at the commissary, my husband said, Whoever wins the election will end up being my boss, so I keep my political opinions to myself. He didnt cite DoD 1344.10, a detailed directive prohibiting members of the U.S. Armed Forces (including military retirees) from participating in a long list of partisan political activities. Nor did he serve me with 10 U.S.C 888, Article 88, which states, Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall be punished as a court-martial may direct. I didnt need legal citations to understand that, if my husband took a public political stance, it could get him in big trouble. Even though these laws didnt apply to me, my husband and I felt most comfortable adopting an unwritten policy that would protect his job: We dont discuss political preferences outside the family. But then, as our nation crept closer to the hotly-contested November election, the pressure to voice opinions built like the steam in a pressure cooker, leaving me waffling. I began wondering, is our long-standing family policy antiquated, like the old etiquette manuals warning military wives not to be a stone around his neck? Is it silly to think that modern military spouses political activities can put their spouses at risk of being court-martialed? Are military spouses worth measured by the transparency of their political views? Before I donned a campaign T-shirt and booked a bus to the next political rally, I decided to take a deeper dive into the legal implications for military families. Although DoD 1344.10 and Article 88 apply to military members only, spouses who are unit volunteers cant engage in partisan political activities while volunteering or use their volunteer positions, email accounts or social media platforms for partisan political purposes. Also, partisan political activities of military spouses who are federal employees are restricted under the Hatch Act. Additionally, military spouses could get their service members into hot water if they use certain spouse-shared spaces to engage in political activities, such as soliciting votes or campaign contributions for a particular candidate on a shared social media account, posting political campaign signs bigger than bumper stickers on shared vehicles or outside of shared base houses, or sending email blasts disparaging the President from a shared email accounts. Military members may take an oath that justifies curtailing their free speech, but military spouses make no such promises and may therefore not be silenced. Regardless, the unique nature of military marriage requires that spouses apply common sense when exercising their First Amendment rights. Milspouses, feel free to shout your politics from the mountaintops, just do so while protecting your service member partners from unintended negative consequences. And for those spouses like me, theres no shame in remaining silent about the the upcoming election, as long as youre reserving your political expression for the voting booth. Read more at themeatandpotatoesoflife.com and in Lisas book, The Meat and Potatoes of Life: My True Lit Com. Email: meatandpotatoesoflife@gmail.com Since 2017, Northrop Grumman has received more than $600 million in Navy contracts to produce and modify the MQ-4C Tritons. (U.S. Air Force) A pair of Navy surveillance drones have returned to Andersen Air Force Base on Guam after working out of Okinawa for five months, according to the sea service. Even with the MQ-4C Tritons departure, drones will continue to fly from Kadena Air Base courtesy of ongoing Air Force and Marine Corps deployments. The Tritons, which arrived at the 18th Wings home in May, carried out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations on behalf of Indo-Pacific Command and were not a response to any specific provocation or action, according to a 7th Fleet spokeswoman. We will continue to closely coordinate with the Government of Japan and leadership in Guam on the MQ-4C deployment, she told Stars and Stripes via email Thursday. The Triton resembles the RQ-4 Global Hawk, but its wings are stiffened to permit dives to below 10,000 feet for a closer look at targets, and the leading edges are toughened to withstand bird strikes. Its avionics are designed to withstand power surges from lightning. Since 2017, Northrop Grumman has received more than $600 million in Navy contracts to produce and modify the Triton. Each one costs $32.8 million per year to operate. Merrill would not say when the maritime surveillance aircraft returned to Guam, citing operational security concerns. However, a spokesman for the Okinawa Defense Bureau, an arm of Japans Ministry of Defense, said they left Okinawa in mid-October. The bureau shared this information with Okinawa city, Kadena town, Chatan town and the prefecture on Oct. 23, the spokesman said by phone Thursday. We cannot answer the specific date they departed because it is related to U.S. military operations. A spokeswoman for the prefectures Military Base Affairs Division confirmed the notification by phone Thursday but said the prefecture knows no further details. Some Japanese government officials are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. The drones were deployed to conduct intelligence missions in the Nansei region and its surrounding areas, strengthening surveillance and reconnaissance, the Military Affairs Division spokeswoman said in May. The Nansei, or Ryukyu, islands stretch from Taiwan to Kyushu, the southernmost of Japans main islands. The Marine Corps deployed several MQ-9A Reaper drones to Kadena in August, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing spokeswoman 1st Lt. Jude Hydrick said at the time. The drones are assigned to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The Reaper, made by General Atomics of San Diego, is a medium-altitude, long-endurance aircraft used primarily for surveillance, according to the Air Force. It may also carry Hellfire missiles and Paveway laser-guided bombs and cost $56.5 million each. Fewer than six Marine Reapers are at Kadena, the defense bureau said at the time. They support realistic domain awareness training, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing spokesman Maj. Joseph Butterfield said via email Thursday. Selecting Kadena Air Base as the deployment site minimized the impact on our host nation by leveraging existing infrastructure already in use for similar aircraft at the base, he wrote. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drones assigned to the 319th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron also operate from Kadena, 18th Wing spokeswoman Maj. Alli Stormer said by email Thursday. Eight Air Force Reapers moved to Kadena late last year from Kanoya Air Base on Kyushu. The aircraft is conducting airborne reconnaissance operations in close coordination with the Japan Ministry of Defense in furtherance of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, she wrote. Due to operational security, we will not disclose the number of MQ-9s nor any mission specifics. A microchip fabrication plant in Taichung, Taiwan, owned by the worlds most advanced chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, or TSMC. (An Rong Xu/The Washington Post) TAIPEI, Taiwan A few weeks ago, analysts at a specialized technological lab put a microchip from China under a powerful microscope. Something didnt look right. Figuring out where a tiny electronic chip was made is a bit like trying to authenticate a painting. A trained art appraiser can tell its provenance by brushstrokes, the signature, the chemical composition of pigments. For chips, details like the microscopic layout and material makeup of the transistors are telltale signs of which foundry produced it. The microscopic proof was there that a chunk of the electronic components from Chinese high-tech champion Huawei Technologies had been produced by the worlds most advanced chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. That was a problem because two U.S. administrations in succession had taken actions to assure that didnt happen. The news of the breach of U.S. export controls, first reported in October by the tech news site the Information, has sent a wave of concern through Washington, expressed among others by Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Virginia), chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence, in a letter to President Joe Biden on Wednesday. Warner castigated the Commerce Department for what he called leadership failures in keeping the technologies underpinning next-generation artificial intelligence from filtering their way to China. TSMCs production of chips for Huawei has serious implications for U.S. national security, he wrote. The chips were routed to Huawei through Sophgo Technologies, the AI venture of a Chinese cryptocurrency billionaire, according to two people familiar with the matter, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive topic. The Commerce Department defended itself in a statement, saying that more than 400 Chinese entities had been added to its controlled list under the Biden administration and that it was constantly updating controls to address diversion tactics. It said it could not confirm whether any investigation was underway. No Commerce Department in history has been tougher on China, the agency said. The technologys presence in a Chinese champions products underscores the challenges for the U.S. government as it attempts to slow Chinas AI development by reaching beyond U.S. borders to police the activities of companies using American technology like TSMC. It raises some fundamental questions about how well we can actually enforce these rules, said Emily Kilcrease, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security in Washington. Huaweis semiconductor operations have been in the U.S. governments crosshairs since 2020, when the Trump administration implemented a first round of export controls against its chip division. These controls blocked foundries like TSMC from doing business with Huawei if they wanted continued access to critical U.S. technology. In a rare area of bipartisan agreement, the Biden administration doubled down on that approach. It blocked upstream purveyors of tools used to make chips from selling to Huawei and warned that Chinas attainment of advanced AI capabilities would be a military threat to the United States and its allies. After TSMC was alerted to the presence of its chips in Huawei technology by TechInsights, the Canada-based semiconductor research firm which operates the specialized lab that identified them, the Taiwan company voluntarily disclosed the finding to the U.S. Commerce Department, which is now investigating it, according to one of the people familiar with the matter. TSMC was able to trace that the chips at issue were originally ordered by Sophgo through a serial number on one of them, according to the other person. Taiwans Ministry of Economic Affairs confirmed that TSMC recently halted shipments to a certain customer and notified the United States after suspecting that customer might have directed its products to Huawei. TSMC said in a statement that it had not supplied Huawei since 2020, adding that it conducts robust due diligence and is committed to complying with all applicable rules and regulations, including applicable export controls. Under U.S. export controls, TSMC is allowed to sell less advanced chips to some Chinese companies that are not on sanctions lists. Sophgo denied it was under investigation and said in a statement on its website it has never been engaged in any direct or indirect business relationship with Huawei. It also said it provided a detailed investigation report to TSMC to prove that the firm is not related to the Huawei investigation. TechInsights declined to comment this week. Details in this article of how TechInsights conducts forensic chips analysis is drawn from an earlier interview with one of the companys executives, and well as from an interview this week with one of the people familiar with the alleged Sophgo diversion. Huawei told The Washington Post in a statement that it had not produced any chips via TSMC since 2020 and doesnt have any business deal with Sophgo. The company added that it had not been contacted by the U.S. government or TSMC about this matter. Crypto tycoon Micree Zhan was Chinas richest cryptocurrency billionaire in 2018, according to the Hurun China Rich List, with a personal fortune of $4 billion. An engineer by training, he broke onto the Chinese business scene in 2013 when he co-founded Bitmain, a firm that designs crypto-mining chips. Zhan was identified as Sophgos chairman in 2021 by his alma mater, Shandong University. Starting around 2017, the Chinese government turned against the crypto industry, eventually banning trading and mining of the digital currencies. The crackdown coincided with Zhans shift in focus to chips for artificial-intelligence applications. Sophgo was sent up in 2020, according to its website. It designs chips and runs research centers in 10 cities across China as well as a presence in the United States and Singapore. Zhan named one of his AI chips after the supercomputer in The Three Body Problem, the Chinese science fiction hit. Theres been much intrigue in recent days in the industry over how the crypto billionaires TSMC-made chips reportedly ended up at Huawei. Critics accuse Sophgo of working to help Huawei evade the export controls, but it is also possible that they were sold through an intermediary, which would align with Sophgos denial of having any business relationship with Huawei. Zhans companies and Huawei have crossed paths in Chinas chip sector, which has received tens of billions of dollars of government funding and been elevated to a national priority in recent years. Huawei, one of Chinas largest tech employers, announced in 2018 that Bitmains BTC.com bitcoin wallet was being made available on its phones. The app was removed from Huaweis app store in 2021, Huawei said. The two companies worked together on a city computing project organized by Fuzhous municipal government, according to Chinese state media. Bitmain released a statement this week saying it was not involved in the supply chain investigation. This is not the first time that companies related to Zhan have landed in hot water for skirting the rules to access Taiwanese chip technology. In 2021, Taiwanese prosecutors accused two Bitmain affiliates of illegally recruiting Taiwanese semiconductor engineers, according to the New Taipei City prosecutors office. Four Taiwanese individuals pleaded guilty. Arms race Semiconductors are at the center of the U.S.-China technology race. The minuscule components are required for everything from missiles to electric vehicles and toaster ovens, while the chip supply chain is a web of international companies in places like the Netherlands, South Korea and Taiwan. TSMC chips ended up in Huaweis latest advanced AI processor, the Ascend 910B chip set, according to one person familiar with the matter, a product the company has been developing despite the U.S. governments attempts to hamstring its innovation in that realm. AI development has triggered a global chips arms race, with hundreds of thousands of chips used at a time by companies like OpenAI to train large language models, at a cost of millions of dollars. TSMCs involvement in this case poses issues for Washington, partly because the United States is so reliant on the semiconductor giant, which makes a huge proportion of the worlds advanced chips. We need TSMC to be a trusted partner thats fully compliant with our export control laws because we are putting a lot of our economic security eggs in that basket right now, Kilcrease said. The Commerce Departments role is further complicated by the fact that it is providing grants to TSMC to build a factory in Arizona through the CHIPS Act, legislation passed in 2022 aimed at bolstering the U.S. semiconductor supply chain, she said. Theres a big messy web of relationships here that need to be sorted through and managed pretty carefully at this point, she added. I dont think that there is any U.S. government interest, either from a security perspective or from an economic perspective, in hammering TSMC. While export controls are often hard to enforce, semiconductors are especially hard to manage due to the large and open nature of the global chip trade. Since the Biden administration implemented sweeping controls in 2022, there have been reports of widespread chip smuggling and semiconductor black markets allowing Chinese companies to access necessary chips. Its always been really difficult to keep your hands on chips, said James Lewis, a senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Its a very open market. Its very hard to get control of it. For the new administration, regardless of who is elected president next week, questions about the efficacy of the chip export controls will be front and center as they evaluate the future of China policy, particularly on private-sector compliance and public-sector enforcement. Paul Triolo, technology policy lead at Albright Stonebridge Group, said companies were trying to figure out what lengths they had to go to for due diligence: The guidelines are murky. Dou reported from Washington. Vic Chiang in Taipei, Taiwan, and Ellen Nakashima in Waimea, Hawaii, contributed to this report. Movement and borders were always present in the life of Jason de Leon, 47, but they never really caught his attention. The son of a Filipino immigrant and a Mexican immigrant, both members of the U.S. Army, De Leon traveled extensively in his childhood between military bases, but mostly grew up in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas and in Long Beach, California. He crossed the border into Mexico countless times, and many of his family members were undocumented. But it wasnt until he finished a college degree in archaeology that he developed an interest that would lead to nearly two decades of in-depth research on migration. Working on archaeological sites in Mexico, he began talking to men and women who had recently been deported or were planning to cross the border soon, and the Olmecs were quickly forgotten. Since then, all of his work has been oriented towards researching immigration. He is Professor of Anthropology and Chicano Studies at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Executive Director of the Undocumented Migration Project (UMP) which studies clandestine migration between Latin America and the United States using a combination of ethnographic, visual, archaeological and forensic approaches to understand this violent social process and author of two books on migration, The Land of Open Graves: Living and Dying on the Migrant Trail and Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling, which was published this year. Question. Given the recent evolution of the immigration narrative, how do you view the upcoming U.S. election? Answer. There is the worry that if Trump gets reelected, that things are going to get a lot worse, that now this thing will become totally unhinged. At the same time, its always been like this in some way, shape, or form. And I feel like Trump is just a manifestation of many of the things around immigration that get said behind closed doors but are kind of hidden. Its just that depending on whos in office, theyre better at hiding it. If I had to put a positive spin on it, it might be the thing that finally breaks the camels back and makes people go, this is unacceptable. We had our Black Lives Matter moment, we havent really had an immigration moment. Trump could be the person that pushes us in that direction, to then force more difficult, but I would hope more productive, conversations. Id be mortified for him to get reelected, but I have two small kids at home, and so part of my job I think is just trying to be as positive as I can. Donald Trump speaks at the U.S.-Mexico border on August 22, 2024. Rebecca Noble (Getty Images) Q. How has the Democratic Party adapted to this now seemingly prevalent narrative on migration? A. I think the Democrats are hypocrites. They went from promising comprehensive reform, promising us an alternative to Trump, but then [Joe] Biden gets elected and none of those things happen. And now, as much as I want Kamala Harris to win, theres a lot of pandering to the right: now suddenly were really tough on immigration. But as long as you dont say Im going to shoot immigrants in the street, anything is going to seem reasonable and kind of pro-immigrant. Q. Yet even within Latino communities, who are directly impacted by the rhetoric and its consequences, a genuinely pro-immigrant narrative doesnt seem to resonate... A. I think part of it is that Latinos are tired of being defined by immigration. It is a reflection of this assimilation, of generations of people now who have less and less of a connection to the home country. People are like, what about the economy? What about global warming? What about all this other stuff? Another part of the problem is that theyre not doing a good job of speaking to those people. Were all sick of the border stories, were all sick of migration stories. Q. Youve told those border stories yourself, what is the best way of telling them? A. I think its difficult because there are so many out there, we are completely saturated. We dont need another book about the U.S.-Mexico border. We dont need another book about the plight of the migrants, at least not books that are the same story with different people. And so the trick is to tell it in a new way that gets you to think about it in an interesting way. But also trying to tell stories about people that just happen to be migrants, just happen to be crossing the border. The struggles that they have or the experiences they have are much more universal. So someone can pick up the story and say this is a story about the working class, this is a story about being powerless. For me, focusing on smugglers was, like, what happens if I commit as much time and energy to telling the stories of these people who are always dehumanized? Starting from the point of saying, Im here to just fully recognize that these are human beings who are not wholly defined by what they do, but are part of this much bigger system. People want a black and white story. And thats usually what the migration stories are reported as: good migrants, bad border patrol, or the other way around. And for me, its like this whole thing is gray. Armando Mayorga, Nicaraguan migrant deported from the U.S., looks toward California from the border fence in Tijuana, Mexico, in 2019. Gregory Bull (AP) Q. In that grayness, what have you found undocumented migrants and guides or smugglers have in common? A. I think theres this assumption that smugglers are just doing bad stuff to people all the time. But if that was the case, they would cease to exist, right? People dont really think about them as service providers, which is, I think, what they are. It might be brutal, and it might be unpleasant and expensive, but those people are providing a service and thats how they stay in business. The other misconception is that people who do that job are somehow rich kingpins. Really, its just like a mom-and-pop operation. I would say the majority of them are failed migrants, and they are worse off than the people that they are providing services for. If we were to talk about undocumented migration and the smuggling industry and its connections to all kinds of economies, I think people would have a better understanding that this is a global business. It is driven by capitalism, by things like climate change, by political instability. I want the American public to realize that we are responsible for fueling this whole industry, and that theyre coming here to make my food and all these services that I seek out relatively inexpensive. Q. What have you actually seen on the ground along the migratory routes? A. Smuggling up until around 2014 was pretty informal. When all of these Central American kids, especially from Honduras, start showing up at the U.S.-Mexico border, the U.S. says to Mexico, make it stop. So they start stopping these flows, and then the cartels realize they can really formalize their taxation. Now there are these low-level smugglers who are failed migrants who all have gang associations, but who are incredibly expendable. On top, transnational gangs, like MS 13, control these migrant trails. And then they have to pay up to different cartels who own these different plazas all across the country. It used to be that there were no quotas for migrants crossing Mexico until you got to the northern border. And now there are quotas all over the place. I think that really signals that the cartels understand that this is easy money. Q. Mass deportation is looming large. What do you think about Trumps key election promise? A. If Trump gets elected, and they try this move, I think, politically, there are a lot of roadblocks that can be put up. But also to put someone in the White House who wants to do stuff like this, its going to radicalize the left in ways that weve never seen. I dont think that half of the American public is going to sit by idly and watch their family, their neighbors, their friends, their coworkers be deported. I dont necessarily want it to get to that because I think that comes with a lot of other things. But youre about to see how far you can push people before they stand up to these incredible injustices. U.S. Border Patrol agents talk with migrants seeking asylum at a makeshift camp near Jacumba, California, in February 2024. Gregory Bull (AP) Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A vessel departs Apra Harbor at Naval Base Guam, March 15, 2018. (Stacy Laseter/U.S. Navy) Building the $1.7 billion missile-defense system proposed for Guam may have significant consequences for the islands housing, health care and natural environment, according to a draft environmental impact statement by the Missile Defense Agency. The Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System will take approximately 10 years to construct and bring more than 2,000 contractors, Defense Department personnel and their families to Guam, according to the 678-page report released last month. The effects on housing, health care and the environment could be long-term and significant, with sharp consequences for low-income and minority residents of Guam, according to the impact statement. The missile-defense project coincides with plans to add nearly 5,000 more Marines to the recently established Camp Blaz and bring three more Coast Guard cutters to Naval Base Guam. All told, the islands already stressed health care system, housing market and at-risk natural environment are teed up for further delays, shortages and degradation, according to the report. The DOD is holistically reviewing the projects needs, including housing and medical facilities, with further evaluation expected in the future, Fred Hair, spokesman for the Missile Defense Agency, told Stars and Stripes by email Friday. 360-degree protection The agency aims to build 16 sites around the island to provide 360-degree protection against cruise, ballistic and hypersonic missile attacks by potential adversaries, including China, North Korea and Russia. Guam, a 210-square-mile U.S. territory, could become an important hub in a regional conflict because of its location 1,500 miles west of the Philippines. Building the missile-defense project will require approximately 400 workers annually over a 10-year period, and approximately 1,000 people to man it. Another 1,300 dependents are expected on the island, as well, according to the draft impact statement. That influx represents just 1% of the approximately 168,000 population of Guam, but it coincides with the expected arrival of 1,300 Marines as the permanent garrison at Camp Blaz, and 3,700 Marines transferred from Okinawa as a rotational force, according to the report. Together, they represent a 4% increase in Guams population, but the missile-defense system alone may further stress Guams already burdened health care system and housing supply. Guam Memorial Hospital in Tamuning is one of just three hospitals on the island, the others being U.S. Naval Hospital Guam and the private Guam Regional Medical City. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes) Medically Underserved The impact on Guams health care system is expected to be long-term, major, and significant, according to the report. The island is considered a Medically Underserved Area by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, meaning it has a shortage of primary health care services. Its remote, rural location hinders efforts to recruit medical specialists, forcing residents who need that care to travel at their own expense to Hawaii or the U.S. mainland, according to the report. The increase of 2,300 new residents could place an additional strain on Guams public medical resources, which are already experiencing a longstanding need for additional medical professionals and specialists to support the existing population, the report states. Most people affiliated with the defense project will have access to medical facilities at military bases on the island, but at least 274 contractors may rely on local health care services, according to the report. Housing impact That influx may also strain the islands housing market. Guam is facing a significant shortage of affordable housing, and Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero in July established an Attaining Housing Commission to address rising construction costs and high mortgage rates. To alleviate some of the strain, the DOD plans to bring the missile projects personnel to Guam in phases and house most of them on military bases. Contractors and DOD civilian employees would live in surrounding communities. All 16 missile project sites are on 900 acres of DOD property, but construction would destroy 269 acres of Guams native limestone forest, home to at least two threatened species. The Mariana fruit bat and the Cycas micronesica tree are listed as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; both are predominantly found among Guams limestone forests. The missile project would remove approximately 4,900 Cycas micronesica trees, 1% of the remaining trees, the report states. The species population has declined at an annual rate of 8.1% due to other construction, climate change and various pests. Impacts on the limestone forests, the Cycas micronesica trees and the fruit bats would be major, direct, long-term and significant, according to the environmental impact statement. The Missile Defense Agency suggests mitigation efforts, primarily by improving a commensurate area of limestone forest elsewhere. However, the impacts would remain significant even with successful mitigation efforts, according to the statement. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said 8,000 North Korean troops have deployed to the Kursk region in Russia. (Defense Department) WASHINGTON Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday that 8,000 North Korean troops have deployed to Russias Kursk region and the U.S. expects to see them fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine in the coming days. Russia has been training [North Korean] soldiers in artillery, [drones], basic infantry operations, including trench clearing, indicating that they fully intend to use these forces in front-line operations, Blinken said during a news conference following a meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and South Koreas foreign affairs and defense ministers. Pentagon officials reported earlier in the week that 10,000 North Korean soldiers were training in eastern Russia, including that a small number of them were already in Kursk near the border with Ukraine and another roughly 2,000 troops were moving toward the region. This 10,000 wont come close to replacing the numbers that the Russians have lost. I think theyre at a point now that if they got to go seeking for assistance to a country like [North Korea], I think they have some problems, Austin said. Despite the addition of North Korean forces, Austin said Ukrainian troops in Russia can hold on to Kursk, which they attacked in August. Austin had said Wednesday following an initial meeting with South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun that North Korean troops are being outfitted in Russian uniforms and equipment as they move from training in eastern Russia to the Kursk region. He acknowledged North Korean troops joining the fight in Ukraine could encourage other nations to take action. But he did not elaborate. During a joint news conference, Austin and Kim condemned North Korea for supplying troops to Russia for its war against Ukraine. Within hours, North Korea carried out a rare intercontinental ballistic missile launch. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was present at the launch site and described it as an appropriate military action in response to unnamed rivals who intentionally intensified the regional situation, according to a report by the state-run Korean Central News Agency on Thursday. Kim typically means the U.S., South Korea and Japan when he refers to rivals, whose actions he said underscore the importance of strengthening our nuclear forces, according to KCNA. Austin said Thursday, while early in the assessment, the U.S. does not see any indication there was Russian involvement in the launch. During their meetings, U.S. and South Korean officials discussed what North Korea could get in exchange for sending troops to Russia. Kim said Wednesday that there is a high chance that North Korea will ask Russia for technological help to advance its tactical nuclear weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles, reconnaissance satellites and ballistic missile submarines. Since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the Ukraine invasion, more than 600,000 Russian troops have been killed or injured in the fighting there, Pentagon officials have said. The estimate is a sharp increase from estimates early in the year that were in the 350,000 range. Russia has been suffering some 1,200 casualties a day in the east, more than at any other time during the war. And with the deployment of these North Korean troops this is the first time in 100 years that Russia has invited foreigners into its country, Blinken said. The war in Ukraine has raged since Russian forces invaded in February 2022. Since then, the U.S. has provided about $59.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine. Austin and Blinken said more security assistance will be announced in the coming days. Ukrainian law enforcement officers comfort a woman crying over the body of her 15-year-old son following a missile attack in Kharkiv on Oct. 31, 2024. Two children were among three killed in a Russian bombardment of an apartment building in Ukraine's second-largest city, with dozens more injured, the local governor said on Oct. 31, 2024. (Sergey Bobok/AFP/Getty Images via TNS) (Tribune News Service) Russias army is gaining speed in its advance in eastern Ukraine, seizing more land last week than at any point this year, increasing pressure on Kyivs U.S. and European allies to bolster its defenses. The gain of more than 77 square miles adds to territory taken in a grinding summer offensive thats involved huge losses of Russian troops and equipment. Russia has captured 442 square miles in Ukraine since Aug. 6, about a quarter more than in the first seven months of the year, according to Bloomberg Intelligence calculations based on changes recorded by the DeepState map service thats maintained in cooperation with the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. The outcome of next weeks U.S. election may mean Kyiv is forced to accept peace under unfavorable conditions or face the prospect of continuing the fight against Russia on its own, according to two people close to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys office, speaking on condition of anonymity because the matter is sensitive. Theres a deepening sense of despondency among officials about the course of the war, one of the people said. That mood is starting to be shared more broadly in Ukraine, as the struggle and sacrifice of holding off Russias invasion for nearly 1,000 days takes its toll on a war-weary population. More than two-thirds of Ukrainians believe its time to start peace talks with Russia, according to a September survey of 2,016 people by the Kyiv-based Razumkov Centre, an increase of 14 percentage points on the same period last year. The Russian advance remains incremental and is far from controlling all of the territory in four eastern regions of Ukraine that President Vladimir Putin has illegally declared to be part of his country. Still, Putin is pressing his advantage on the battlefield with the U.S. consumed by the presidential election race and allies in Europe nervously contemplating a victory for Donald Trump. The Republican Party contender has said hed quickly bring the war to an end and has expressed skepticism about continued Western support for Ukraines defense. Zelenskyy told journalists Tuesday that his forces have received only 10% of a $61 billion U.S. aid package pledged in April, blaming delays on bureaucracy and logistics. He has repeatedly asked the U.S., so far without success, to provide long-range weapons so Ukraine can strike military targets in Russia. NATO allies are indecisive in providing additional support for Ukraine, fearful of escalating the confrontation with Russia, according to two western officials familiar with the situation. Allies see no sign Russia is interested in negotiations to end the war, they said, asking not to be identified discussing internal deliberations. Thats as Ukrainian forces continue to occupy territory in Russias Kursk region. The surprise incursion in August was partly intended to relieve pressure in eastern Ukraine by compelling Moscow to redeploy some troops. So far, Russia has shown no sign of being distracted. Russian troops took over the town of Selydove this week, with the cities of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove among their next targets. Both are important logistical hubs for Ukraines defense in the Donetsk region. Should the cities fall into Putins hands, it would become another milestone on his path toward taking Ukraines entire industrial east. Ukrainian troops are gradually losing ground in the Kursk region, as Russia ramps up attacks. Thousands of North Korean troops have arrived in the region and may soon join up with Russian forces on the battlefield, according to U.S. and South Korean officials. Ukraine is now politically committed to maintaining its presence in Kursk, which means more troops will likely have to be sent there, even as lack of manpower is its biggest overall weakness, said Konrad Muzyka, a Poland-based defense analyst. You may have very well-developed and fortified defensive lines but if you dont have troops to man them then they have no utility, he said. What Bloomberg Economics Says... Russian territorial gains in the past three months are likely the result of Russian troops numerical superiority and their dominance in artillery use, due to much greater availability of shells compared to Ukrainian forces. Yet these localized Russian successes dont indicate a turn in the war, which remains a war of attrition. Alex Kokcharov, Geoeconomics Analyst for Russia and Eastern Europe. Legislation that took effect in May lowered the wartime conscription age in Ukraine to 25 from 27 and required men to register for potentially being drafted. But mobilization has stirred tensions among the population as Ukraine seeks to expand its army thats still outnumbered by Russian forces. Ukraine intends to mobilize more than 160,000 people under its conscription plan, National Security & Defense Council Secretary Oleksandr Lytvynenko told lawmakers Tuesday. More than 1 million have already been drafted, he said. Russia, too, faces challenges in sustaining its war effort that involves throwing waves of troops at defensive positions in Ukraine, incurring casualties that the U.S. this week put at 1,200 per day. Russia has rejected such estimates, while not disclosing data on its losses. The Kremlin is unwilling to order another mobilization, fearful of stoking a repeat of the domestic tensions over the war that followed the call-up of 300,000 reservists in September 2022. It has relied instead on offering ever-larger recruitment bonuses to persuade Russians to sign army contracts to fight in Ukraine. Putin has turned to Iran for drones, and to North Korea for missiles and millions of artillery shells to supply his army in Ukraine. Russias defense industry is straining to increase production further in the overheated economy. Russia currently doesnt seem to have the strategic resources to develop its tactical battlefield gains for a decisive breakthrough in the war, said Ben Barry, senior fellow for land warfare at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. The chances of either side achieving a breakthrough are very low, he said. Russia may take full control of Ukraines east by next summer if the current pace of advance is maintained, according to Sergei Markov, a political consultant close to the Kremlin. Some in Moscow hope Putin will be ready to open peace talks once Russian troops reach the administrative border of the Donetsk region, he said. Theres no sign so far that Ukrainian defenses are breaking down, according to Evgeny Buzhinsky, a former top Russian Defense Ministry official. There are no massive surrenders and chaotic retreats. Ukrainians keep fighting, he said. There is always a breaking point, we just havent reached it yet. But we will. With assistance from Aliaksandr Kudrytski, Olesia Safronova, Volodymyr Verbianyi and Andrea Palasciano. 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Voters visit the Park Tavern polling location to cast their ballot for the primary elections on March 12 in Atlanta. (Megan Varner/The Washington Post) The Justice Department on Friday said it will send election monitors to 86 jurisdictions in 27 states on Tuesday, the most in two decades amid growing fears of improper partisan influence and voter suppression. The announcement comes as officials in some Republican-led states have warned they might attempt to ban federal authorities from entering polling sites on Election Day. They have cast such oversight as partisan, even though Democratic and Republican administrations have monitored elections for potential voting rights irregularities for decades. The number of jurisdictions subject to in-person federal scrutiny this year represents a 49 percent increase from 2020. It matches the total in 2004, the first presidential election cycle after the Supreme Court helped decide the fiercely disputed 2000 contest between George W. Bush and Al Gore. All seven of the nations most closely contested swing states are represented on the list, with monitors planning to visit six counties in Michigan, five in Georgia, four in Wisconsin and Arizona, three in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, and one in Nevada. Monitors also will be present in a mix of red and blue states, including California, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio and Virginia. Texas and Massachusetts have the most jurisdictions on the list with eight apiece. In 2022, Republican leaders in Missouri and Florida banned federal monitors from entering voting locations. The Washington Post reported this week that officials in those two states said their position that state laws do not explicitly permit federal monitors has not changed. GOP officials in other states, including Texas, also said in recent interviews that federal monitors could be prevented from going inside polling sites. Former federal officials said monitors aim to be as unobtrusive as possible, raising any concerns about potential election law violations with local officials and reporting broader observations about election operations to U.S. attorneys offices and the Justice Departments civil rights division. I do think its very promising and very much needed that the number of jurisdictions [being monitored] has increased, said Katherine Culliton-Gonzalez, a former Justice Department voting rights lawyer who now serves as chief policy counsel at Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Monitors go to places where there is a potential for problems, she said. Normally, monitors have a very calming effect. Since the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Justice Department has dispatched government officials into polling sites to ensure fair ballot access for vulnerable populations including racial minorities, disabled people and those with limited English-language ability and protect against unlawful partisan influence. Jurisdictions where monitors will be sent are selected based on factors that include requests from local officials, federal court settlements and areas with fast-changing demographics. Legal experts said the federal government lost significant legal recourse in 2013, when the Supreme Court struck down key provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The court eliminated the federal governments preclearance authority, which required nine states and dozens of counties with a history of voter discrimination, mostly in the South, to request permission to change voting regulations. The ruling also meant the Justice Department needed a court order or the express cooperation from state and local officials to enter polling sites. The number of federal monitors dropped significantly in the ensuing election cycles. Migration has been a key element in Donald Trumps discourse since 2016, when he proposed building a wall on the border with Mexico. Even so, now more than ever, the arrival of hundreds of thousands of immigrants in major U.S. cities since spring 2022 is conditioning next Tuesdays elections on both sides of the political spectrum. The Republican discourse, which associates migrants with insecurity and describes them as drainers of scarce resources, such as housing or food aid, has greatly influenced the Democrats: Kamala Harriss position is now noticeably tougher than during the 2020 campaign. The importance that voters ascribe to this issue shows, however, a partisan gap: for 90% of registered Republicans, immigration is very important, compared to 68% of independents and 50% of Democrats, according to a recent Ipsos/Langer poll for ABC News. The image of chaos and lack of control projected by Republicans regarding what is happening in Democratic cities such as New York, Chicago, Boston, or Denver has pushed many politicians in Harriss party to defend sealing the border because the backflow of overflowing migrant centers is already reaching suburban areas. While 64% of all New Yorkers believe that the crisis has worsened in the last year, the majority of residents of these residential neighborhoods consider it very serious, according to an August poll by Siena College. With his well-known xenophobic narrative, Trump last Sunday himself reiterated his promise to carry out mass deportations of illegal immigrants not far from Times Square, which, he claims, has been taken over by undocumented immigrants. In two years, 210,000 foreigners have arrived in the Big Apple, chartered by the Republican governors of the border states to put pressure on the federal government. Chicago, Boston and Denver have received about 50,000 each. They are the perfect scapegoat, sacrificial victims on the altar of votes, no matter what party they are from. Migrants arrive at a bus station in Chicago. Chicago Tribune (TNS) Immigration has become a national concern, especially for Republicans. The peak was after December, when the border reached record levels. But it has remained high, and so Republicans are particularly concerned, even more so than in 2016 when Trump made immigration an issue, Lydia Asad, director of Social Research at the Gallup polling firm, recently explained. They both want people to enter the country legally, but once they arrive, thats where the biggest partisan divide occurs: Republicans in favor of sending people back, versus Democrats and independents, so you could say that the border is a much hotter issue today than it was in 2016. The data linking undocumented migrants to crime refutes the Republicans accusations, but although the number of entries has plummeted in recent months and immigration pressure in New York seems to have stabilized, the crisis also carries its own shameful aspect: it has highlighted the seams of social services and specifically, the capacity of the citys shelter system, already strained since the pandemic. Local homeless people and immigrants are eking out a living in an almost Darwinian struggle for scarce public resources, while politicians try to profit from the situation. The current immigration crisis has been an added factor to the Republicans maximalist narrative, while the opportunism to adapt reality to the discourse, or vice versa, has modulated that of the Democrats. Immigration is a key issue for Republicans because the migration crisis is now stressing communities across the U.S., not just in border states. Democrats would love to talk about any other issue, but they find it difficult in the midst of an invasion [sic] on the southern border, explains Republican political consultant Chapin Fay. Natalia Mendez prepares free meals for migrants in New York, June 2024. CORRIE AUNE Beyond the current situation, the migration crisis refers to a structural phenomenon with two aspects: rooted in the particular geography and history of the United States, in its economic strength as a magnet for its neighbors, and, globally, in a much broader problem that few countries can avoid. Now, the majority of those arriving are Africans. Venezuelans are already here, very few are coming now, explains Natalia Mendez, whose restaurant in the Bronx is an institution for refugees. Every day we prepare a 100-liter pot of soup to distribute. When it runs out, if there are still people outside, we make another one But we also have 200-liter pots, even 400-liter pots, says Mendez, who is undocumented despite having arrived in the U.S. 30 years ago from Oaxaca (Mexico). Her children, dreamers, help her in the kitchen and with the distribution, sometimes also of clothes, because they arrive with only what they are wearing. Fixing a broken system One of Harriss most repeated promises when asked about the border is to fix a broken system. The immigration system is broken, but its not new, its been broken for many years, Mendez adds, referring to her own family experience. I have never been able to return to my country because if I leave, I wouldnt be able to come back here. I cant vote, but I couldnt tell you which of the two candidates is the most suitable to fix this system, which needs a comprehensive and fair reform: we are talking about human beings. Trump has at least been loudly warning us of everything he intends to do, so no one can say they were fooled, she says, shrugging her shoulders regarding the other option. In the city that was forged by immigration, the port of entry to the United States for millions of exiles and the dispossessed, Mendez says she has seen migrants arrive with shackles on their ankles, put on them by migra [the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service]. Migrants cross the Rio Grande in Texas in 2021. FELIX MARQUEZ (AP) On the ground, the scene is changing day by day: from the hundreds of foreigners camped out for weeks at Boston airport, who were eventually evicted, to the convenient diversion of buses full of migrants arriving in Chicago so as not to mar the Democratic convention in August, to the crossing of the border with Canada on foot by thousands of people in search of better living conditions. From the requisition of hundreds of hotels in New York to house the new arrivals, or the occupation of the public roads around overflowing establishments, to the tide of illegal immigrants the vast majority of them women carrying babies on their backs while selling sweets on the subway. They no longer do this, due to increased surveillance on the subway system and the intervention of social services, but now it is easy to find them, every two blocks, surrounded by their offspring, with a cardboard box full of chocolates as their only source of income. Giordana, a 43-year-old Ecuadorian, spends her afternoons squatting on a sidewalk in Manhattan, with her two children and two grandchildren, all of whom are in school. The woman, who arrived six months ago, says she cannot aspire to a conventional job with a set schedule: The children leave school at 2 p.m. and someone has to pick them up and be with them. We cannot pay anyone to look after them because what my daughter [the mother of two of the children] and I earn is not enough. A block away, outside a supermarket where several customers approach to give them food, a Venezuelan family father, son, daughter-in-law, and a one-year-old granddaughter who crossed the Darien Gap aged five months asks for help. The father, a worker at a state sugar mill who fled the country after a strike, is waiting for his asylum request to be processed so he can work; the four of them live in a shelter (families have an easier time finding accommodation than migrants who travel alone). We left Venezuela eight years ago. We lived in Colombia and then in Ecuador, from where we fled because of gang violence: a gang asked us to give them money to let us live in the neighborhood. In our building, they killed a Venezuelan who refused. They are waiting for their papers to move to Pennsylvania, where they have relatives. Other papers are those of the ambitious bipartisan bill to fix the border in reality another ratcheting up of security whose processing was frustrated by Trump for electoral leverage and which the Democrats brandish, as a lost opportunity, whenever the issue comes up. A legislative deadlock that the uncertain result of the polls can turn into a quagmire or a hell, the territories furthest from the promise that so many migrants expect when they begin their journey to nowhere. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Damien Fahey (39) was allegedly armed with a crowbar when he threatened staff at a Dublin off-licence last Sunday. Damien Fahey is accused of stealing from an off-licence. Photo: Paddy Cummins An alleged robber was identified as the culprit due to a distinctive pair of Croc-style shoes he had on, a court heard. Damien Fahey (39) was allegedly armed with a crowbar when he threatened staff at a Dublin off-licence last Sunday. Judge Mark OConnell remanded the accused in custody with consent to bail to appear before Cloverhill District Court next Tuesday. The accused, of Fortlawn Drive in Clonsilla, is charged with robbery at Carry Out off-licence in Mulhuddart on October 27. Gardai objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the charge, A garda witness told Blanchardstown District Court it was alleged that Mr Fahey entered the off-licence armed with a crowbar and threatened staff, before forcibly taking 300 from the cash register. A garda said CCTV footage of the incident was viewed, and Mr Fahey and his shoes were clearly identifiable. Mr Fahey was arrested following a number of searches, the court heard, and when arrested he was allegedly still wearing the same shoes that he had on in the off-licence. Defence solicitor Darren Gray put it to the garda the CCTV footage wasnt clear, and Mr Fahey was wearing a pair of shoes which were quite common, and could easily be bought by anyone in Penneys. The garda disagreed, saying the shoes were clearly identifiable on CCTV and Mr Fahey was still wearing them when he was arrested. Mr Gray said his client was entitled to the presumption of innocence and was willing to abide by any bail conditions. Judge OConnell remanded Mr Fahey in custody with consent to bail, including a cash surety of 400. As part of his bail conditions, Mr Fahey must obey a curfew, sign on twice daily at his local garda station and provide gardai with a contact number. Mr Fahey has also been ordered to stay out of the Carry Out off-licence. He has not yet indicated how he intends to plead. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Margaret Casey was preoccupied and upset following a hospital visit to her brother A 73-year-old woman whose car collided with a pedestrian following a momentary lapse in concentration has been given a suspended sentence. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Margaret Casey was preoccupied and upset following a hospital visit to her brother when she momentarily lost control of her car after striking the kerb. She hit a pedestrian who suffered serious injuries but has since made a significant recovery. The man did not wish to make a victim impact statement, saying Casey had been through enough. Defence counsel said it was a case which hammers home to the public the requirement to maintain full concentration at all times because of the tragic consequences a lack of control can have. Casey of Wesley Lawns, Sandyford, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm at Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 11, on June 17, 2023. She has no previous convictions. Passing sentence today, Judge Orla Crowe said it was a very unusual case. She noted the court had seen documents outlining how deeply unwell Caseys brother was at the time and that she had been on her way home from a difficult medical situation. She said Casey had a momentary lapse and veered onto the footpath, mounting the kerb. She attempted to take evasive action, but it was too late. She said Casey had been momentarily distracted resulting in terrible consequences for which she is very remorseful. She noted she had stayed at the scene, fully co-operated with gardai, and no other aggravating factors such as intoxication, speed, or phone use were present. The judge noted the very significant injuries caused to the pedestrian. Judge Crowe said letters before the court speak to the woman Casey is and she had never had any other adverse attention. She noted how stressful the situation has been. The judge said that sometimes the process of being prosecuted constitutes a penalty. Judge Crowe set a headline sentence of two years imprisonment and in light of the mitigating and personal circumstances she imposed a 12-month sentence fully suspended for two years. The offence also carries a mandatory four-year driving disqualification. Garda Jennifer Burns told Oisin Clarke BL, prosecuting, that at approximately 4pm a car driven by Casey mounted a kerb on the Orwell Road, Rathgar, and collided with a pedestrian on the footpath. The road was very narrow at the point of collision, with little room for deviation. Casey, who had remained at the scene and co-operated with gardai, gave a voluntary statement the following month. She fully accepted her role in the incident. She said she believed her car hit the kerb and she lost momentary control of the vehicle. Casey became upset when shown the CCTV. The court heard the car was in perfect working order, and samples taken from Casey were negative. Casey sent a letter of apology to the Director of Public Prosecutions in which she outlined her immense anguish and deep sorrow for the injuries caused to the pedestrian. She said she would pray for his recovery. The pedestrian, a man in his sixties, suffered a fractured jaw, as well as injuries to his skull, ribs and neck. He spent five days in hospital. The court heard the man, who did not wish to prepare a victim impact statement, thinks Casey has been through enough. He has significantly recovered from his injuries. Gda Burns agreed with David Staunton BL, defending, that just prior to the point of impact the car had drifted to the edge of the footpath and right before impact Casey corrected it, trying to move back out, but she was unable to do so without the front portion of the car striking the pedestrian. The garda agreed with counsel that the case involved a momentary lack of concentration and that Casey's behaviour at the scene had been exemplary. The garda agreed that Casey had not wished to prolong the case and did not contest any matter. Mr Staunton said this was a case involving two decent people of a similar age going about their business, but their paths cross in tragic circumstances, which Casey knows is down to her. He said it was a simple case of lack of concentration with tragic consequences, and none of the classic aggravating circumstances were present. Mr Staunton said Casey was devasted by the case. He said she did not wish to pursue any other paths and sought to deal with the case as efficiently and appropriately as she could. Counsel said Casey, a retired teacher, was a very private individual with a family to be proud of. He said she had lived a full life and contributed to her community and charity across the board. Letters before the court spoke to the character and manner in which she has led her life. Mr Staunton said that, at her age, the last place she had ever expected to be sitting was in this courtroom. He asked the court to take into account documents before the court outlining her brothers illness and the immense level of commitment she has to his care. He asked the court to take into account that the mandatory loss of her licence would be profound as she is involved in her brothers care. A jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court deliberated for four hours and 15 minutes before returning guilty verdicts on eight counts against Herbert Kilcline A former solicitor has been found guilty of multiple counts relating to the fraudulent procurement of two Dublin City properties. A jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court deliberated for four hours and 15 minutes before returning guilty verdicts on eight counts against Herbert Kilcline. A co-accused Matthew Murphy was acquitted by the jury of the four charges he faced. A third accused, Philip Marley, pleaded guilty to three counts during the trial. Herbert Kilcline, (62), a former solicitor with an address at Bessborough Parade, Rathmines, Dublin, was found guilty of a total of eight counts, which included failing to apply the required measures as a designated person, using a false instrument and fraudulent procurement of entry to the land registry between September 2016 and June 2018. Matthew Murphy, (52), with an address at The Hardwick, Brunswick Street, Dublin 7, was found not guilty of four counts, including money laundering, theft, and failing to keep records between April 2017 and April 2018. Two of the not guilty counts were by the direction of the trial judge. Philip Marley (53) of Rathbourne Court, Ashtown, Dublin, pleaded guilty to three counts, which included procuring the registration of a false deed, fraudulent procurement of an entry into the land registry and deception. All counts relate to two properties, one located on Phibsborough Road and the other on St Marys Road. Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain thanked the jury for their diligence throughout the trial and excused them from jury duty for the next five years. She set a sentencing date of December 9 of this year for both Kilcline and Marley. Both men were remanded on continuing bail to the sentence date, when full facts will be heard. At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford granted the adjournment in the case of Mark Hayes (35) who is charged with false imprisonment of his then girlfriend at a house at Rineanna View in Shannon A judge has granted an adjournment to the State in the trial of a Shannon man who is charged with the assault causing harm and false imprisonment of his then girlfriend on St Patrick's Day this year. At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford granted the adjournment in the case of Mark Hayes (35) who is charged with false imprisonment of his then girlfriend at a house at Rineanna View in Shannon on March 17th last contrary to Section 15 of the Non Fatal Offences against the Person Act. Mr Hayes of Aidan Park, Shannon is also charged with the assault causing harm of the same woman at the same Shannon address of Rineanna View contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act on March 17th. Mr Hayes is also charged with threatening to kill his then girlfriend at the same address on the same date contrary to Section 5 of the Non Fatal Offences against the Person Act. Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL said that the State has received a medical report concerning the alleged victims attendance at hospital after the alleged assault. Ms Comerford (instructed by Clare State Solicitor, Aisling Casey) said that an updated medical report is required in the case in order to be fair to the alleged victim in the case and the State was seeking an adjournment on that basis. Counsel for Mr Hayes, Patrick Whyms BL (instructed by solicitor, Stiofan Fitzpatrick) said that it was his clear instruction to oppose the application to adjourn. Mr Whyms said that the trial was listed as a priority case. Ms Comerford said that the State was reliant on medical professionals to provide the new medical report. Judge Francis Comerford said that he would grant the application to adjourn the case but wanted an update on the status of the medical report on Friday. Judge Comerford said that if the medical report is available, it may be possible for the trial to proceed next week. At a previous district court hearing in the case, Det Sgt Kevin OHagan of Shannon Garda Station said that the alleged victim spent 11 days in hospital after the alleged assault. Ahmed Abdirahman, 31, who was arrested in Dublin and charged with murdering the young woman on September 25 at her house on Melrose Street in south Belfast, was refused bail today Mary Ward was murdered at her home in Belfast Belfast mother-of-one Mary Ward had been in a "tumultuous relationship" with her former partner and died as a result of a "laceration to her neck" at her home, a court has heard. Ahmed Abdirahman, 31, who was arrested in Dublin and charged with murdering the young woman on September 25 at her house on Melrose Street in south Belfast, was refused bail today. He was located in the city on October 9 and was remanded in custody two days later. However, the accused, originally from Somalia, brought an application before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs at the High Court in Cloverhill, Dublin, to be released with rigorous conditions. Today, the judge noted that he had left the jurisdiction where the event allegedly occurred and had "no ties" in the Republic. The hearing was told the accused turned up at Dublin's Mater hospital on September 26, a day after Ms Ward was last seen alive, with arm and leg injuries, saying he had fallen on broken glass. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) commenced a murder probe after the lifeless body of Mary Ward, 22, was discovered on October 1 in her home. The PSNI and An Garda Siochana conducted a joint investigation, and detectives attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) arrested Mr Abdirahman. At his first District Court hearing two days later, the accused, who had used an address at Kinlay House, Dame St, Dublin 2, was remanded into prison custody. Detective Sergeant James King had said Mr Abdirahman's reply to the charge was: "Not guilty". Today, in the High Court, Detective Sergeant King objected to the bail. He told Keith Branagan BL, for the State, that the accused travelled to this jurisdiction by bus late on the 25th or morning of September 26 and arrived in Dublin. It was established the young mother died from "a laceration of the neck", and a "bloodied broken piece of glass" was found at the crime scene. The court heard Mr Abdirahman turned up at the hospital in Dublin to be treated for wounds to his arm and left leg, and a piece of glass was removed. He allegedly told medical staff that he fell on broken glass the night before He was arrested after using a Revolut card in a Dublin city-centre shop; the court heard his account was linked to his phone allegedly found at Ms Ward's home. Messages downloaded by the PSNI showed they had a "tumultuous" relationship, but Ms Ward's phone was not found. Fingerprint, DNA, mobile phone and CCTV evidence had been obtained. The court was told the accused originally came to the Republic in 2019 and had residency status due to a family reunification process with a half-sibling who has citizenship in Ireland. He had no prior convictions. Defence counsel Oisin Clarke, instructed by solicitor Wayne Kenny, pleaded that rigorous bail conditions could alleviate the garda and court's concerns. The barrister submitted that an address was possibly available and his client would not have the means to leave the jurisdiction and go somewhere other than Northern Ireland. The court heard another person paid for his bus ticket to Dublin. The accused sat silently at the side of the court and was not required to give evidence. In her ruling, Ms Justice Biggs said: There are no conditions whatsoever that will allay my fear in that regard". Under the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act 1976, a person can be charged and tried in the Republic for offences allegedly committed in Northern Ireland. Earlier, the PSNI had issued a statement: "An Garda Siochana will now lead the joint investigation into the death of Mary Ward with continued support from the PSNI," it continued. An Garda Siochana also said it would continue to work closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on this investigation. Mr Abdirahman is also due before the District Court on November 15 and awaits the DPP's directions, and a book of evidence must be served before a return-for-trial order is granted. Jaroslaw Byczkowski, 46, was refused bail amid claims he was carrying them because of issues with the fast food outlet A man accused of taking a hammer and a knife into a Turkish kebab shop beside his home in east Belfast must remain in custody, a judge ruled today. Jaroslaw Byczkowski, 46, was refused bail amid claims he was carrying them because of issues with the fast food outlet. District Judge George Conner held: There is still too high a risk of further offending. Byczkowski, of Cregagh Road in the city, faces charges of possessing an offensive weapon and a blade in public over two separate incidents earlier this year. Belfast Magistrates Court heard CCTV footage first showed him entering the neighbouring kebab shop on August 23 and acting erratically while holding the handle of a kitchen knife. The blade was said to be positioned up the sleeve of his jumper. Police called to the scene detained Byczkowski at his home and located the suspect knife in the kitchen area. He was arrested again following a second incident at the same outlet on October 9. On that occasion Byczkowski was topless but had a hammer tucked into the waistband of his trousers, the court heard. Opposing bail, a PSNI officer said: He was in breach of a condition not to be in the store due to the incident with the knife. A defence lawyer confirmed Byczkowski has made admissions to both charges. There was no offensive use of either (item) but he has pleaded guilty because there was no lawful reason for having either, the solicitor said. All of this seems to surround his use of alcohol and an issue he has with the neighbouring kebab shop. Byczkowski is also facing prosecution for alleged disorderly behaviour on the Woodstock Road at the start of last month. His lawyer described it as a bump in the road for a man with addiction and mental health issues. Denying bail, however, Judge Conner cited concerns that he would not comply with any conditions imposed. Judge Elma Sheahan said the accused was convicted following a trial of assault causing harm A taxi driver who dislocated a man's shoulder after he clamped his car has been handed a suspended sentence. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Feliks Andrianov (54) of Corduff Green, Blanchardstown, Dublin, was found guilty after a trial of assault causing harm at McDonald's restaurant, Dublin Airport on July 5, 2019. He has no previous convictions. Andrianov, who discharged his legal team after his trial, represented himself at the sentence hearing. At a previous hearing, he was remanded into custody for two hours after he raised his voice at Judge Elma Sheahan. When he returned to the courtroom, he was asked by the judge if he wanted to continue to represent himself or seek a new legal team. He was still representing himself when sentence was passed down today. Judge Elma Sheahan said the accused was convicted following a trial of assault causing harm. She said the aggravating factor in this case was the seriousness of the offending. Feliks Andrianov Judge Sheahan said that the mitigating factors were Andrianov's previous good character, his co-operation with the gardai, his long history of employment in Ireland, and his family's support. The judge said that this was an unusual case and that Andrianov had fought the case believing that CCTV and body cam footage had been tampered with. He also refused to accept the jury's verdict. Judge Sheahan sentenced Andrivanov to 18 months in prison but suspended it in full for 18 months. Garda Paul Murphy told Derek Cooney BL, prosecuting, that Michael Norris began work as a security worker at 7am on the morning of July 5, 2019. He was working at McDonalds located across from Dublin Airport. Mr Norris was instructed that if he saw anyone park their vehicle and walk off the site, he should clamp it. The court heard that not long after 7.30am on the morning in question, Mr Norris saw a taxi driver park his car and leave the area to go to Circle K. Signs stating that cars parked here would be clamped were located throughout the area. Mr Norris proceeded to clamp the car. A short time later, the taxi diver, who was later identified as Andrianov, returned to his car, and Mr Norris walked over. Andrianov was informed that this car park was for McDonalds customers only and not for Circle K customers. Mr Norris then turned on his body cam. The court heard that Andrianov looked down at the body cam, put his hand over it and then instigated an altercation by grabbing Mr Norris. The security worker noticed that his left shoulder was injured, and he was unable to move it. He went into McDonalds and an ambulance was called. He was treated at Beaumont Hospital with an X-ray showing he had a dislocated left shoulder. During questioning, Andrianov told gardai that he had been struck first by the security guard. Gardai obtained CCTV and the body cam footage, which showed that the security officer did not hit the taxi driver. A victim impact statement was read to the court by the prosecuting counsel, stating that Mr Norris had to leave this employment due to fear of being assaulted at work. He said that he was unable to work for a period of time due to his injuries. The court heard his partner gave birth 10 days after the assault, and he was unable to hold his baby and help his wife. He also had to sell his car and buy an automatic car due to his injury. The court heard that Andrianov came to Ireland over 20 years ago and has worked here for his entire time. He is a married man and father. He is originally from Lithuania. His mother still lives there and is dependent on him. Documents were handed into the court by Andrivanov, which outlined his work history, a medical report from when he was involved in a car accident many years ago and documents outlining the ill health of his mother. Andrivanov told the court: The truth will come out. Jack Kavanagh had been arrested in May 2023 at Malaga Airport by officers from the Spanish National Police, as he was transiting from Dubai to Turkey. The son of Thomas Bomber Kavanagh has admitted helping his father in a plot to amass an arms cache to dupe authorities. Jack Kavanagh (24) was extradited to the UK last month along with his father to face trial over the weapons plot. Bomber, originally from Drimnagh in Dublin, is regarded as the head of the Kinahan Cartels UK wing. Jack had been arrested in May 2023 at Malaga Airport by officers from the Spanish National Police, as he was transiting from Dubai to Turkey. On Friday, Kavanagh, from Tamworth, appeared at the Old Bailey and pleaded guilty by video-link from Belmarsh prison to two charges of conspiracy to possess a firearm and two offences of plotting to possess ammunition. Judge Philip Katz remanded the defendant into custody to be sentenced on December 4. Last month, his father Bomber (57) was jailed for six years for orchestrating the plot. He had hoped that by leading the National Crime Agency (NCA) to a buried stash of 11 "fearsome" weapons, he could influence his sentencing in a multimillion-pound drug smuggling case. Running the conspiracy from prison, Kavanagh enlisted the help of his son, as well as his brother-in-law, 44-year-old Liam Byrne, and associate Shaun Kent, 38, in the plan to deceive the NCA. In May 2021, Thomas Kavanagh provided information to the NCA which led them to a field in Newry, Northern Ireland, where two holdalls were unearthed. They contained seven machine guns, three automatic hand guns, an assault rifle and ammunition. The plot was foiled after the NCA uncovered incriminating messages on encrypted EncroChat which had been cracked by French counterparts. Between January 2020 and June 2021, the defendants agreed to "acquire as many arms as possible" from the UK, Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Kavanagh had run the conspiracy from HMP Dovegate where he was serving a three-year sentence for possession of a stun gun and had been remanded on serious drug charges since March 2020. Those charges related to smuggling "multiple kilos" of cocaine and cannabis into the UK for which he was sentenced in March 2022 to 21 years in prison. Liam Byrne (left) and Thomas 'Bomber' Kavanagh In September, Kavanagh, Byrne, and Kent, from Liverpool, admitted two charges of conspiring to possess a prohibited weapon, and two charges of conspiring to possess prohibited ammunition, between January 9 2020 and June 3 2021. Kavanagh and Kent also admitted conspiring with others to pervert the course of justice. Byrne - who fled to Majorca after the events - was jailed for five years while Kent was handed a six-year prison sentence. Kavanagh will serve his sentence consecutive to his jail time for previous offending. Liam Byrne was previously been described in the High Court as the leader of the Byrne Organised Crime Group, effectively the Dublin branch of the Kinahans international network. His brother David was shot dead in the Regency Hotel attack in 2016, which sparked the Hutch/Kinahan feud. The judge had said that the three can serve half their sentences in custody, which means that Byrne is eligible for release on licence after two-and-a-half years. Thomas 'Bomber' Kavanagh However, Liam Byrne is likely to be released before then given he has been in custody since he was arrested in Spain in June 2023 and extradited to the UK last December. The three men were sentenced after a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation uncovered an elaborate plot to acquire firearms and ammunition to help the head of an organised crime group get a reduced prison sentence. Whilst on remand for drug trafficking offences in 2019, Thomas Kavanagh, 57, who was based in upmarket Tamworth, set in motion a series of events that he hoped would result in a significant discount to any sentence he was likely to get at the end of his trial, the NCA said in a statement. He sought the assistance of trusted associates Shaun Kent, 38, from Liverpool and Liam Byrne, 44, originally from Dublin, directing them via a fellow inmate in prison to purchase firearms and ammunition and bury them, so he could reveal their whereabouts to NCA investigators. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Katie Farrell (27) of The Orchard, Ardee, Co Louth, came forward on a signed plea of having drugs for sale or supply at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport, on January 16, 2024 A young woman who was caught with just under 300k worth of cannabis herb at Dublin Airport has been described as a vulnerable person who was manipulated and used by others. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Katie Farrell (27) of The Orchard, Ardee, Co Louth, came forward on a signed plea of having drugs for sale or supply at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport, on January 16, 2024. She has no previous convictions. Passing sentence today, Judge Elva Duffy said Farrell came forward on signed pleas, was fully cooperative and went into custody voluntarily. She also noted her personal circumstances and considered these as mitigating factors. Judge Duffy said, taking the mitigating factors into account, I feel I can depart from the mandatory minimum sentence of ten years. The judge outlined that Farell may be at the lowest rung, but she is still a cog in the wheel. Judge Duffy sentenced Farell to four years in prison but suspended the final twelve months for two years. She was also placed under the supervision of the probation services for twelve months upon release. She backed dated the sentence to when Farrell went into custody on this matter. Detective Garda Tanya Shinkins told John Quirke, BL, prosecuting, that Farrell was stopped after her luggage was screened. She had travelled alone from Alicante in Spain. Cannabis herb weighing 14.9 kg was found in her luggage with a street value of 299,626. She was arrested and made no admissions during interview. Det Gda Shinkins agreed with Michael OHiggins, SC, defending, that his client was acting as a courier and that the drugs belonged to a third party. The detective agreed with counsel that Farrell was under the instruction of someone close to her. She was described as a people-pleaser and was on the lowest rung in regard to this offence. Mr OHiggins said that when this case was before the District Court, his client did not take up her bail and opted to go into custody. He said that she indicated very early that she would be coming forward on a signed plea. Counsel said there is evidence in the reports before the court that outlines his client as someone who has vulnerabilities and is easily led. She has also had issues with drug addiction in the past. Mr OHiggins said that during her school years, Farrell struggled and just wanted to fit in and gravitated to people who did not have her best interests in mind. He said she suffered from low self-esteem. He asked the court to take into account his clients high level of cooperation and feelings of remorse, her sense that she has let down her mother and child and that she is engaging well during her time in custody. He concluded by saying that Farrell was a vulnerable person who was manipulated and used by others. He asked the court to consider a sentence that was as minimal as possible and to consider suspending a portion of it. In recent months, gardai have seized over 3m of drugs linked to the gang as well as more than 500,000 in cash and several luxury vehicles. A father and son who are suspected of operating a drug-trafficking network have been arrested on suspicion of organised crime offences. In recent months, gardai have seized over 3m of drugs linked to the gang as well as more than 500,000 in cash and several luxury vehicles. Detectives believe the crime group is led by a father and son, aged in their 60s and 30s, who are based in south Dublin and run one of the capitals biggest drug networks. This crew have become one of the bigger operations in Dublin recently. They operate relatively below the radar, but are making plenty of money from the sale and supply of drugs, a source said. The Sunday World understands the father comes from a well-known crime family in the city, while his son has been investigated in the past for drug-related crimes. One of those incidents includes an alleged abduction in 2020 when a young man was lifted from Wexford and taken to Dublin over a 15,000 drug debt. Both suspects remained in custody on Thursday night and were being questioned in relation to organised crime offences. A third man, aged in his 20s, was also arrested as part of the operation. He is suspected of being a money launderer for the crime network. This gang are massive. They have been connected to other drug conspiracies, not just on the east coast, but in Cork as well, a source said. Announcing the arrests, An Garda Siochana said they involved the drug and serious crime units at Terenure and Sundrive Road stations as part of ongoing investigations into organised criminal activity in the south Dublin and eastern regions. The investigation targets persons suspected of being involved in drug trafficking, money laundering and drug-related intimidation as part of a criminal organisation, a spokesperson said. The suspects are being detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 and can be held for up to a week. In a previous operation against the gang, more than 3m worth of cocaine was seized in Wicklow, along with 353,000 in cash. Around 300,000 in bank accounts was frozen, while eight vehicles, valued at more than 200,000, were seized as evidence of money-laundering and being the proceeds of crime. Jewellery, including designer watches, and laptops and smartphones were also seized. Gardai are discreetly monitoring criminal as he divides his time between Balbriggan and Spain Brian Rattigan spent 18 years behind bars for the murder of Declan Gavin, which sparked the Crumlin and Drimnagh feud in south Dublin Convicted killer Brian Rattigan has been living in north county Dublin, where he is playing a background role in directing organised crime. The gangland criminal, who is in a new relationship, is dividing his time between Balbriggan and Spain, where he has built up very significant criminal contacts. Gardai have been discreetly monitoring his movements, given the number of criminal feuds in parts of the capital. The drug dealer, who was one of the leaders of the bloody Crumlin-Drimnagh feud, was jailed for 18 years, and there had been suggestions his criminal operation had diminished in that time. However, despite his lengthy spell behind bars, he is suspected of playing a background role with a number of criminals based in the south inner city and in his native Crumlin-Drimnagh, as well as directing criminal activity from Spain. He has also linked up with veteran criminals from the Finglas area, whom he knows from his time in prison. In August, it emerged that two of Rattigans junior associates had been arrested with a loaded firearm in Dublin. While he seems to be living the quiet life in Balbriggan when he is back here, this doesnt mean that Rattigan is not involved in the background of very serious criminal activity, a source said. He has very significant criminal contacts in Spain, where he spends most of his time, and information received by gardai has indicated that Rattigan has access to cash and has travelled to a large number of countries within Europe. Since his release from prison over three years ago, Rattigan has lived mostly in Spain. However, he has been seen around Balbriggan on a number of occasions this year. Before being released from the high-security Portlaoise Prison in August 2021, Rattigan had been in custody since 2003 after being charged with the murder of Declan Gavin two years earlier, a killing that sparked the Crumlin-Drimnagh feud that claimed 16 lives. Rattigan was later convicted of Gavins murder and, while serving that sentence, he was also found guilty of running a drugs operation from Portlaoise Prison. Gardai had seized 1m worth of heroin and linked the drugs to Rattigan. He was later jailed for 17 years for that offence. However, that sentence, imposed in March 2013, was backdated to the time when gardai made the massive bust in June 2008. His murder conviction was overturned in 2017, and two years later he was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for manslaughter. In June last year, Rattigan was ruled out as a suspect in the gun murder of criminal Gary Carey (41), who died in August 2022 after being shot multiple times in a hotel car park two months earlier. Despite a number of arrests by gardai based in Kilmainham, there have been no charges in the Carey case, even though a violent gangland criminal has been identified as the chief suspect. However, a file on the murder case is almost ready to be sent to the DPP. The victim was brought to Mullingars Midland Regional Hospital after a house in Ballynacargy, Co Westmeath was broken into shortly before 8pm on Monday Gardai have launched an investigation after a man in his 60s was hospitalised following an aggravated burglary in Ballynacargy, Co Westmeath on Monday evening. A man in his 60s has been taken to hospital after a firearm was taken during an aggravated burglary in a rural midlands village. The victim was brought to Mullingars Midland Regional Hospital after a house in Ballynacargy, Co Westmeath was broken into shortly before 8pm on Monday. The Irish Independent has learned a bag containing a licensed firearm was taken during the raid which gardai have since retrieved. Gardai are investigating an aggravated burglary that occurred on Monday, October 28, 2024, at a residence on Harbour Street, Ballynacargy, Co. Westmeath, said a garda spokesperson. The occupant, a male in his 60s was injured in the course of the incident. He was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Mullingar Hospital. The scene was preserved and technically examined and the firearm has been recovered. Gardai have confirmed a man in his 20s was subsequently arrested and questioned at a local garda station before being released without charge. A file will now be readied for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to determine the next course of the investigation. One suspect, an adult male has been arrested as part of the investigation and detained at a Garda Station in Westmeath, he has since been released without charge. "A file will be prepared for the DPP in due course. The investigation is ongoing. Mr Smith, who has no previous convictions for any offences, told the Sunday World he wanted to move on with his life when we called to his home. Desmond Smith tells our reporter Alan Sherry he wants to leave his conviction in the past A 65-year-old man handed down a suspended sentence for helping the Continuity IRA in a bizarre attack on Enniskillen PSNI station said its in the past when the Sunday World called to his home. Desmond Smith, from Kilnavara Crescent, Co Cavan, was one of two men who Judge Tony Hunt described as surprising candidates for involvement in activity of this type when they appeared before the Special Criminal Court last week. Both Mr Smith and his co-accused, Stephen Hamill (52), of Willow Ridge, Gortnakesh, Co Cavan, pleaded guilty to knowingly rendering assistance to an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA in the performance or furtherance of an unlawful object in March 2021. Mr Smith, who has no previous convictions for any offences, told the Sunday World he wanted to move on with his life when we called to his home. Its in the past, he said before saying he was not interested in being interviewed about the bizarre case. There was no answer at Mr Hamills home when the Sunday World called this week. Desmond Smith tells our reporter Alan Sherry he wants to leave his conviction in the past Neither man was alleged in court to be members of CIRA and both took to the stand to vow that they would disassociate themselves from criminal organisations and Republican paramilitaries. They swore that they repudiated unlawful organisations and all their acts. Mr Smith was described in court by his barrister as a decent man caught up in these activities. It is unusual to hand down suspended sentences in cases involving dissident republican activity but Judge Hunt said given the men took to the stand to say they repudiated unlawful organisations and entered early guilty pleas, he felt on balance suspended sentences were warranted. The case revolves around a supposed attack on Enniskillen PSNI station in March 202 which was subsequently claimed by the CIRA but went unnoticed by police at the time. A call made to the media about the supposed attack led to a search during which an improvised slam gun was found close to the station. Before sentencing the pair, the judge noted there was a bizarre element to the cases as authorities were unaware of the activities involved until phone calls made were followed up and the relevant materials were found. However, he said lending assistance to the kind of organisation with which the two men became embroiled was a very serious matter. Mr Justice Hunt imposed a sentence of four years in respect of Hamill but suspended this for a period of four years on condition that he enter into a bond of 100. He sentenced Smith to two years and nine months imprisonment and suspended this for a period of three years. Smith and Hamill were both arrested in February last year by members of the Special Detective Unit of An Garda Siochana. Detective Garda Sergeant Ronan Judge told a previous hearing that between March 13 and 16 2021, a sequence of phone calls were made to media outlets in the North and border region from different SIM cards by callers purporting to be from the CIRA. The detective told the court that a caller claimed a weapon had been fired from a device across the shore from Enniskillen PSNI station and said that there was no intention to harm civilians. On March 17, 2021, detectives searching near the station found an improvised device, made of a telescopic pipe inserted into a wider pipe, which was activated by smacking the base of the device. Det Sgt Judge said this device was known as a slam gun. In February 2021, Hamill had gone to a hardware store in Cavan and purchased telescopic pipes, similar to those discovered used in the attack on the PSNI station. A garda investigation, run in conjunction with the PSNI, used shop receipts, CCTV and interviews to identify Hamill buying SIM cards and phone top-ups in Cavan town in March 2021. A search of Hamills home led to a number of phones being seized and to his arrest. In an interview, Hamill admitted that he had also put someone intimately related to him in position to buy phone top-ups. A search of Smiths home found a number of phones and a handset used in some of the phone calls. The court previously heard that Smith has no previous conviction, while Hamill has three for road traffic offences. As we walk through Whitechapel, the guide recounts the stories of the murders that each get progressively worse Political satire cartoons about the police's failure to catch Jack the Ripper were popular at the time Ten Bells pub is closely associated with the story of the Ripper As the chill of a late September evening settles over Whitechapel, I find myself in the shadow of the Ten Bells pub. An eerie atmosphere clings to the streets as a projector flickers against the pubs stone wall and a bright image is revealed. This is the body of Mary Jane Kelly, Jack the Rippers most infamous victim, the guide voice breaks the silence, revealing the gruesome scene from 136 years ago . To my right, is Nicola Tallant, host of the Crime World podcast, leaning in with a level of fascination that is both impressive and slightly concerning. She, and the podcast, are the reason I am here today, on a tour of the Whitechapel murders. To my left, a self-proclaimed Ripperologist, enthusiastically dishing out gut churning facts, each somehow more unsettling than the last. As you can see he skinned her alive and cut off both her breasts. He placed one behind her head, along with both her kidneys, and the other between her feet and liver. Ten Bells pub is closely associated with the story of the Ripper "He put the rest of her organs on her bedside table and placed her intestines around right shoulder. Her heart was nowhere to be found the Ripperologist explains, pointing to the picture of the woman, barely recognizable as a human being. Mary Jane is the only one of his victims to have been killed in her own room at Millers Court, which explains the brutality of the murder, he says. The violence of the brightly projected image is overwhelming, stopping passers-by in their tracks, as they glance back in confusion and disgust. Having lived in London for years, I have never felt the weight of history quite like this. Ive spent a lot of time in Aldgate and passed through Whitechapel on countless occasions. Like any young woman living in London, Ive experienced fear. Never had I imagined however, sensing anything like the blood curdling fear that gripped Whitechapel in 1888. This tour, as it unfolds, feels quite different from anything Ive experienced. The darkness, the quiet, and the decaying remnants of a gruesome past, seem to creep their way into the present as the guides voice echoes through the cobbled streets, bringing an unsettling feeling of reality to the story I thought I knew. Jack the Ripper, who brutally murdered at least five women in 1888, terrorised the East End of London. His victims, often sex workers, were found mutilated in ways that terrified the city, already drowning in poverty and despair. In Whitechapel, a neighbourhood that was both overcrowded and filthy, the poor were overlooked and forgotten. The Ripper, a West Londoner, described by witnesses as wearing a dark expensive suit with a black lambswool collar, a dark moustache and deerstalker hat, took advantage of Whitechapels vulnerability and used it as his hunting ground, preying on women who were already ignored by the rest of society. Jack the Ripper terrorised old London He wrote the blueprint for modern serial killers, explains the guide, who we met earlier that evening on Whitechapel High Street, comparing him to the likes of Richard Ramirez and David Berkowitz. As we walk through Whitechapel, the guide recounts the stories of the murders that each get progressively worse. However it is a detail in the first victims case that strikes me as the most revealing of Victorian society. Mary Ann Nichols was discovered with her throat slashed open and her body savagely mutilated. The most shocking detail however is the grim indifference of the authorities at the time. Her body was left out on the main road because the mortuary got drunk the night before and couldnt find the keys to bring her inside, explained the Ripperologist. Her mutilated body was dumped and disregarded for days for everyone to see. Sadly, we havent learned much as a society, he says. There is a stark truth in his statement. This isn't just a tale from Victorian London; it's an unsettling reflection of deep class disparities and systemic neglect. The guide turns to me with a smile, Nowadays we take for granted that we live under the blanket of liberal democracy, don't we?. The irony of his reassurance hits hard as Im looking up at Mary Jane Kellys butchered body. How far have we really come? The societal issues that facilitated the Ripper's reign of terror may look different, but their core remains disturbingly familiar, now cloaked by new layers of societal complexity. Political satire cartoons about the police's failure to catch Jack the Ripper were popular at the time While democracy may have evolved, it hasn't exactly made us immune to serial killers. If anything, they seem to have greatly increased since 1888. As we continue to tour Whitechapel, it becomes clear that the fascination with Jack the Ripper goes beyond just the brutality of his crimes. More than a hundred years later, tourists flock to this area, drawn to the dark details of his murders. A few streets away, a Crime Con weekend is taking place, attracting true crime enthusiasts with a similar dark curiosity. Serial killers, unsolved cases, and gruesome stories have become something of an industry, and Jack the Ripper is its most enduring figure. And what better destination for true crime fans than Whitechapel, the undisputed epicentre of historic crime. Back then the streets were filthy, the stench of death and decay was overpowering. Without streetlights, the faint glow of old lamp posts would only illuminate three feet in front of you describes the guide. It's easy to imagine, walking along Dorset Street, how vulnerable these women must have felt, with nothing but shadows and danger lurking at every corner. I thought these streets felt unsafe now, turns out, they were downright terrifying back then. As we come to the end of the tour the Ripperologist tells us about the different theories surrounding the murderers true identity. Was he a wealthy man who preyed on the poor? A doctor with a gruesome knowledge of anatomy? Some believe he may have been using the organs for medical experiments. The mystery, it seems, is part of the allure .... People dont want the case to be solved, the guide says. They dont want a face. They want the shadowy figure, the mystery. Jack the Rippers story has turned into an industry, rivalling even Buckingham Palace as a must-see tourist attraction. This story is a horrifying reminder of what can happen when society neglects its most vulnerable. On one hand as I leave Whitechapel, I feel a sense of relief that life is so different for women nowadays. On the other hand, I cant shake the feeling that, in some ways, these horrors dont feel so distant. The dark corners and hidden alleyways are still here. The past feels closer than ever. He was last seen alive on May 14 1977 when republicans abducted him from the Three Steps Inn near Dromintee in south Armagh, where it is believed he had gone to meet an informer An area of farmland in County Louth is being examined for the remains of Captain Robert Nairac, who was abducted and murdered by the IRA while working undercover. An area of farmland in County Louth is being examined for the remains of Captain Robert Nairac, who was abducted and murdered by the IRA while working undercover. The search to recover the remains of missing British army officer Captain Robert Nairac is to continue, the Sunday World has learned. Earth-moving machinery was recently removed from a site near the border without revealing any trace of 28-year-old Guardsman who was murdered and secretly buried by the IRA in 1977. But we have been told the diggers will be back on site as soon as possible. A former IRA man who has been centrally involved in the search for the missing soldier told us: We are still convinced Capt Nairacs remains are in the area where we were previously digging and the search for him will recommence in the near future. The Grenadier Guards Captain who was also a liaison officer to the SAS was the highest profile of 17 mainly IRA victims known as The Disappeared. He was last seen alive on May 14 1977 when republicans abducted him from the Three Steps Inn near Dromintee in south Armagh, where it is believed he had gone to meet an informer. An area of farmland in County Louth is being examined for the remains of Captain Robert Nairac, who was abducted and murdered by the IRA while working undercover. He was beaten, abducted and driven across the border to County Louth where he was shot. Earlier this month a search operation which had been centred on a hillside near the site of the ancient Battle of Faughart and St Brigids Shrine at Monascreebe, Co Louth, was called off. But a former IRA man who was the driving force behind the search told the Sunday World this week: We may have called a halt to the dig but its far from over. We are still convinced Robert Nairacs remains are hidden at this location. Since we began digging here earlier this year, we have received even more information from people with knowledge of this case. Obviously, this needs looked at in detail and we need time to do that properly. The main thing we learned was that local people including some who were high-ranking IRA members at the time want this resolved. And of course that means helping return Capt Nairacs remains. Its now well known that there were no IRA members present when Capt Nairac was abducted. In fact, the whole thing was a debacle. But nevertheless, we are determined to see this through and finish the job. The IRA man devoted much of his life to trying to recover Capt Nairacs remains after he was saved by a British army medic during a firefight in Crossmaglen in the 1970s. He told how as he lay badly wounded, he was surrounded by British troops and thought they were going to let him die. But the medic appeared from the base and told the soldiers to get back, saying: This man is a soldier and deserves to be treated as one. Robert Nairac with an IRA armalite After being released from jail, he set about quizzing IRA members some of them abroad in a bid to find Capt Nairacs body. This man was a soldier and he deserved proper respect. Also, he has sisters who want to see his remains returned, he said. Earlier this month, investigators with the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains said the search, which began in August, had been unsuccessful. A joint statement issued by ICLVR representatives Tim Dalton and Rosalie Flanagan read: It is bitterly disappointing that the search for Robert Nairacs remains has ended without success and our thoughts are with the Nairac family, in particular his sisters Rosemond and Gabrielle. The picture shows the 32-year-old actor, known for Saltburn and The Banshees Of Inisherin, wearing a flat cap and leaning out the side of a car as he pulls up to an industrial building The first look of Barry Keoghan in the Peaky Blinders film A first look image at Oscar nominee Barry Keoghan in the Peaky Blinders film has been released by Netflix. The picture shows the 32-year-old actor, known for Saltburn and The Banshees Of Inisherin, wearing a flat cap and leaning out the side of a car as he pulls up to an industrial building. Nothing has yet been revealed about the Dubliners character as he stars opposite Cillian Murphy, who continues to play Birmingham gangster Tommy Shelby in the movie. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Returning to the film written by creator Steven Knight and following on from the BBC period drama which ran for six series, is also British actors Stephen Graham and Sophie Rundle. Boiling Point star Graham played docker Hayden Stagg and Gentleman Jack actress Rundle portrayed Ada Thorne, the only female Shelby sibling, during the show. Dune actress Rebecca Ferguson and Pulp Fiction actor Tim Roth are also among those joining the cast, as the action shifts to follow the Shelby family into the Second World War. The original BBC show was set in the wake of the First World War, and explored the rise of fascism through Me Before You actor Sam Claflin, playing British Union of Fascists leader Sir Oswald Mosley, as well as Irish republican politics and communist activities. It had seemed at the end of the sixth season that Tommy would be putting his criminal past behind him. Im genuinely thrilled that this movie is about to happen, Knight told Netflixs Tudum site. It will be an explosive chapter in the Peaky Blinders story. No holds barred. Full-on Peaky Blinders at war. During the shows run from 2013 to 2022, Murphy was nominated once for a TV Bafta in 2023 for Peaky Blinders, and the programme earned a 2018 gong for best drama series. Murphy, also known for 28 Days Later and Batman Begins, won the best actor Academy Award for blockbuster Oppenheimer earlier this year. In 2023, Keoghan won a best supporting actor Bafta for The Banshees of Inisherin, and was also nominated at the awards show for roles in Saltburn, and Calm With Horses in other years. There has been no release date sent for the Peaky Blinders film. "We played two weekends, so we went on that stint across the country, and everyone was so sweet to her Garth Brooks is facing allegations in the US Garth Brooks has revealed how wife Trisha Yearwood is pushing hard to buy a house in Ireland. In the wake of sexual assault accusations made against him, the country star said his Queen wants to move here after she fell head over heels in love with the country." In a recent episode of his Facebook Live series, Inside Studio G, Brooks was addressing an Irish fan who'd heard that he had dreams of buying a home in her country and offered herself as a house guest if those dreams ever become a reality. "Actually, the Queen is pushing hard for that house over there, he said. I think this last time over there, she just fell head over heels in love with the country." Garth Brooks is facing allegations in the US In 2014, Brooks famously pulled the plug on a planned set of gigs at Croke Park after Dublin City Council refused to grant permission for two of his five concerts which were already sold out after objections from locals. However, he returned in 2022 to perform a number of sold-out shows across two weekends at the venue. He also appeared at some impromptu pop-up gigs at local pubs while exploring the country with Trish between shows as they soaked up the beautiful scenery. "We played two weekends, so we went on that stint across the country, and everyone was so sweet to her," Brooks recalled. According to the online news site NewsBreak, the nation still holds a special place in his and Yearwood's hearts two years after their visit. Brooks, meanwhile, is seeking damages from his sexual assault accuser, claiming that she fabricated her allegations for a multi-million-dollar payout. It emerged earlier this month that the country music star had been accused of sexual assault and battery in a US lawsuit by a former employee. The female employee claimed that Brooks raped her in a hotel room in 2019 and subjected her to unwanted sexual conduct, including exposing himself on several occasions and groping her breasts. The woman, identified as Jane Roe in the lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, claimed the trauma from the alleged sexual assault became so unbearable that she contemplated taking her own life. Two-time Grammy winner Brooks has since said the lawsuit is an attempt at extortion for millions of dollars. In a statement to the PA news agency, Brooks said: For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars. It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face. Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money. In my mind, that means I am admitting to behaviour I am incapable of ugly acts no human should ever do to another. The country superstar has since named the woman who, as Jane Roe, accused him of rape and sexual assault. In a court filing in Mississippi lawyers for Mr. Brooks portrayed the star as the victim of a shakedown and said the womans lawyers had flouted the authority of a judge in a related case. In the new filing in Mississippi, lawyers for Mr Brooks asked for compensatory and punitive damages, and for an injunction prohibiting the woman from continuing her extortionate behaviour and from further publicizing her false allegations. Douglas H. Wigdor, the womans lawyer, said in a statement that his firm would be moving for maximum sanctions against Mr. Brooks immediately. Garth Brooks just revealed his true self, Mr. Wigdor said, according to the New York Times. Out of spite and to punish he publicly named a rape victim. With no legal justification Brooks outed her because he thinks the laws dont apply to him. Big smiles, swishing costumes, shaking hips, rhythmic drums, toe-tapping dancing, delicate hand movements and soulful voices... The performances of many unique island cultures will engulf Katikati College as it hosts the Pasifika Festival in the Bay for the first time this Saturday, November 2, from 10am. Nearly 40 Bay of Plenty school groups will perform in traditional costumes, representing nations from all over the Pacific including Tokelau, Niue, Cook Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Kiribati, Fiji and more. Alongside Pacific market-style stalls packed with authentic foods from the islands will tempt taste buds. For Katikati Colleges head of faculty for languages and literacy Vetekina Pekipaki, the festival has so many benefits not only for Katikati and BOP students but also the wider community. Pekipaki said it provided opportunity for the community to learn about its Pasifika cultures within and it gives Pasifika people the chance to make connections outside their traditional communities. We are grateful to God for this opportunity to host the festival this year. As Pasifika people of faith, we are filled with joy to sing, dance, and share our cultures with our communities, to bring glory to God! Its great that we can host it so not only our Pasifika cultures can learn about each other but our European and other cultures within Katikati can come and celebrate the day and get to know our cultures. The other way round is our Pasifika cultures can get to know other cultures as well. Pekipaki said Katikati Colleges kapa haka and Pasifika groups have been hard at work, preparing to host an event that allows students showcase their culture and heritage to their peers, families and the wider community. This year our Pasifika group and our kapa haka group will take part. Thats about 70-odd students from Year 7-13, who will be involved, said Pekipaki. In fact, some students will perform in both the Pasifika group and kapa haka group. Pekipaki said the colleges kapa haka group will open the festival. And within that our Pasifika students will take part too which is great as were all about coming together, the unity with Maori and the Pasifika connection that we do have. The festival begins at 10am, and the colleges Pasifika students will perform in two categories. Our 20 junior students of Year 7-10 girls and boys will perform a remix of Samoan cultural dances in the Samoan bracket. Then our full group will perform the Sasa, a powerful performance that both male and female can take part in, either seated or standing. Each hand movement tells a story, capturing the rhythm of our daily lives whether its planting, fishing, or gathering. Its very entertaining and the kids love it. The second bracket of Fijian and Tongan culture would see Pasifika senior boys perform songs theyd been working hard to learn for Fiefia night last Friday. We finish off with a whole-group performance called a Mauluulu, a Tongan performance and dance accompanied by singing and drums. Its very traditional and we have community members perform the drums and sing with us so its very much a community item. Pekipaki said the colleges students feel very proud the festival is hosted by their school. The kids are excited, happy and theyre proud to be Pasifika and to share their dances, their culture and their languages with other people. Theyre also very proud its in Katikati because we do have a strong and big Pasifika community here. And its great we can have people experience our side of the BOP and see the amazing things that we do, the amazing people that live here. Pekipaki said Katikati College will also honour its late teacher Gaylia Bundle at the festival, who died last weekend. Its a difficult time for our staff, students and community but we are coming together at Pasifika in the Bay to honour the kind of person she was kind, caring, and always willing to help anyone that needed it.. Honouring Gaylia at Pasifika in the Bay feels right, as she gave so much to our school community and to each one of us. Gaylias kindness, strength, and commitment to her work uplifted everyone around her. Her presence was a reminder of the power of compassion and dedication, values that lie at the heart of our Pasifika spirit. This Saturday, as we celebrate our culture and community, we carry Gaylias legacy with us. May her memory be a blessing, woven into each performance, every dance, and all the laughter we share. Her spirit lives on in our hearts, reminding us to lift each other up and to be there for one another, just as she was for us. All are welcome at Pasifika Festival in the Bay at Katikati College this Saturday, November 2, from 10am. Iwi leader Willie Te Aho has slammed police tactics for the trauma left on children having to watch their parents arrested after orchestrated raids on Mongrel Mob homes in Auckland, Taupo, Wellington and Bay of Plenty resulted in 28 arrests and 99 drugs charges. On Tuesday, October 22, police executed multiple search warrants across the North Island. Maori community leaders Te Aho and Tame Iti attended a meeting in Opotiki, the Eastern Bay of Plenty town, where locals outlined issues caused by the police raids where mokopuna were forced to watch as whanau were arrested by armed police. Willie Te Aho. No more will we tolerate this. I do not agree with the combined political and NZ Police Head Office approach to last Tuesday in Opotiki, Te Whanau a Apanui lead negotiator Te Aho said. There was no engagement before or after by the NZ Police with Whakatohea a Tiriti o Waitangi partner to the Crown of which the NZ Police is a part. Nor do I agree with how politicians have framed their view of Opotiki. We have a positive view of Opotiki and the Eastern Bay of Plenty as a whole. Police Minister Mark Mitchell during Question Time in Parliament earlier this month. Photo / NZME Police Minister Mark Mitchell has been extremely vocal on Opotiki who he says has been held to ransom by gang activity. Police have also rejected Te Ahos innuendo. Iwi leadership across Whakatohea have previously told us that they are very appreciative of this recent operation, in which police have prevented the extremely harmful supply of methamphetamine into Opotiki from these alleged offenders, therefore ensuring the health and wellbeing of their mokopuna is improved, a police spokesperson told the Herald. For operational reasons, police do not give advance notice to anyone of intentions to execute search warrants and/or arrest warrants. Police staff will be meeting with key iwi members this morning to discuss the matter further. Te Aho is unapologetic. I was in Opotiki during the tangi that politicians have complained of. Contrary to their view as people who were not there at the time, it was business as usual. People were grieving and showing that grief in their way. But not disrupting our community, Te Aho said. I heard the direct concerns of mothers of sons arrested, for their sons, and the children left behind and the concern for those tamariki going into CFS (Oranga Tamariki). I heard from the partner of one of the men arrested and the impacts on them in terms of housing, work, vehicle, mobile phone and childs school laptop. Also, a teacher who relayed how children turned up to school in the same clothes and when asked by the teacher why the child said that both of their parents were in prison now. I stated that: We are the mana of this land. Superintendent Tim Anderson and Detective Superintendent Greg Williams were in charge of the raids in Auckland, Hamilton and Bay of Plenty last week. If the NZ Police Head office or any other government agency like Oranga Tamariki think that they can do what they have done again in our district again then they have another thing coming. The other thing coming is that we will establish our own intelligence and surveillance of them. When an emergency is triggered we will blockade them at the houses that they raid and not relent until the rights of our people have been validated and our tamariki mokopuna. Todd Muller, a US political junkie, former leader of the National Party, and MP for Bay of Plenty, has never seen America as divided as it is now. On November 5, the United States of America will elect Kamala Harris or Donald Trump as President. Muller attended the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2016 when Trump was first nominated. Trump had not yet wholly overrun the Republican Party as it had eight years later, Muller said. It was still very much the country club Republicans, he said Like the Rotarians with a blue blazer, white shirt, beige pants. Former National leader Todd Muller. Photo / file The Republican Party has now been entirely consumed with Make America Great Again (MAGA) and started to change the political landscape of the United States. So much has changed that George W Bushs former Vice President Dick Cheney can no longer support Trump due to his disregard for Americas institutions and traditions. There are many high-profile Republicans who are doing that, including many who worked for Donald Trump, Muller said. Trump has done an excellent job of tapping into the traditional blue-collar base of the Democratic party, stoking fears around immigration and the economy, Muller said. Trump has a remarkable ability to talk to the fears of America. The change in US politics is not the first time America has seen such a political swing where Ronald Regan captured many Democrats during his campaign. That did not last long though. America is a country of 350,000,000 people, and from the outside, it can be very easy to see the United States through the lens of social media, Muller said. There is great anxiety across the country. Trumps stoking of fear around immigrants and threats to round them up is unacceptable. However, Muller believes that comparing him to Hitler only worsens the toxic political atmosphere in the US. In New Zealand, there are roughly 1991 members of Democrats Abroad who are likely to vote, said Democrats Abroad Chair James A Winston III. This does not account for any other registered voters who may be Republicans, Independents, or Libertarians, he said. On November 5, voters will go to the polls in 50 states and five voting territories. Each has its election bylaws and standards for counting the ballots. In Michigan, they have begun counting and processing absentee ballots while others such as Texas do not begin counting early and absentee ballots until after polls close in the state, Winston said Overseas votes can vary, and some have to mail their ballots home via an online portal or fax. When Donald Trump faced Hillary Clinton in 2016, Winston said there was an immediate change in policy and the USs global standing. Candidate for President of the United States, Donald Trump. Photo / supplied From 2016 to 2020, Americans experienced Trumps leadership firsthand, and allies and adversaries gained insights on engaging with his administration. In October of 2020, Trump told the Domestic Terrorist group the Proud Boys to Stand Back and Stand By, he said. In the current election cycle, he has threatened to prosecute the enemy within and has included mainstream politicians who oppose him and the press who report his actions and words. Voting is just as important overseas as it is on American soil. Many people living overseas still have friends, family, and financial interests in the country, many of which will be impacted by the outcome of this election. It is not just the presidency that is up for reelection; Americans will have 20-40 races to vote in. A third of the US senators are up for election every 2 years, as are all congressional representatives, Winston said. Many states will have elections for governor this round along with other state elected positions, and even counties and cities may have elections coinciding with the presidential election. Winston said that the presidency was chosen by winning the Electoral College. The Electoral College is the system used to elect the president and vice president of the United States. It comprises 538 electors435 from the House of Representatives, three delegates, and 100 Senatorsand a candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win. Political parties select electors, and each state legislature appoints them. Most states and Washington DC use a winner-takes-all system, awarding all electoral votes to the candidate who wins the majority of the popular vote in that state. Established as a compromise at the US Constitutional Convention, the Electoral College has faced over 700 reform proposals in the past 200 years, including moving to a national popular vote system, but none have been successful. SIDNEY--In the 10/31/2024 edition of the Sidney Sun-Telegraph, we covered Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn's stop in Sidney and town hall-style meeting at Beans & Steams on Glover Road. During his talk with the crowd, Osborn made comments concerning U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) and other issues. In the interest of fairness, The Sun-Telegraph reached out to the Senator's office and received a reply from Fischer Campaign Manager Derek Oden to the article published in the Sun-Telegraph. Concerning Osborn's statement that Senator Fischer "killed" the Border Bill due to pressure from the Big 4 Meatpacking companies, Oden said, "Senator Fischer has opposed weak border bills because they don't secure the border." Osborn's comments were in the context of Senator Fischer being "controlled by big-money interests", to which Oden replied, "Nebraska is a conservative state and Deb Fischer is a conservative senator. She represents the will of the majority of Nebraska voters-which is why they keep re-electing her." Osborn said that his being an Independent would make it so either political party would have to come to him to be the "51st vote" to break deadlocks, and he also said he was in favor of getting rid of the filibuster in the U.S. Senate. Oden responded, "Dan Osborn supports killing the filibuster because doing so would help Democrats pack the court, pass gun control bills, and enact nationwide no-limits abortion." Finally, on Osborn refusing to say which presidential candidate he supports or would vote for, Oden said, "Dan Osborn won't say who he's voting for President because he's voting for Kamala Harris." Senator Deb Fischer, from Valentine, NE, has been a member of the U.S. Senate since 2013. In 2004, she was elected to the Nebraska Legislature representing the 43rd District. Her first elected office was as a member of the Valentine Rural High School Board of Education, where she served from 1990 to 2004. Dan Osborn is a U.S. Navy Veteran, industrial mechanic, and former labor union leader. Osborn served in the Nebraska Army National Guard before working at Kellogg's Omaha plant. As the president of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers, and Grain Millers International Union Local 50G, he led the strike at Kellogg's Omaha plant in 2021. Cristino Pinto Malaga Friday, 1 November 2024, 11:36 Compartir Many are still surprised by the way chestnuts are prepared in Malaga. "In Zaragoza, they don't peel them this well!" remarks a pair of tourists at one of the historic stalls on the Alameda Principal, near Atarazanas. When asked about the perfect touch for roasted chestnuts, few sellers reveal their secrets: "Everyone has their own way, that's not something we can share," laughs the chestnut seller at this stall, which has been passed down from his great-grandmother and, more recently, from his mother, Ana Santiago Cordoba. "I remember photos of my great-grandmother dressed in period clothing with her stall right next to the tram here," the seller recalls. The chestnut tradition in Malaga province dates back to the 1950s, originating in the Serrania de Ronda, specifically in the Genal valley. Towns such as Igualeja, Pujerra, and Parauta hold the largest forested areas, but together with Genalguacil, Jubrique, Yunquera, Juzcar, Cartajima, Farajan, Alpandeire, Benadalid, and Benalauria, they form what's known as the 'Copper Forest'. This is one of the most beautiful autumn scenes in the province's interior, and its name is a metaphor for the colours of this natural landscape. Zoom Bread made with chestnut flour. D. M For many residents of these towns in Malaga, chestnuts are their primary source of income. This is true for Manuel Aguilar's family with Castanas Blas, a company in Igualeja with 40 years of experience. "We start in September and finish in January; we used to only sell to street vendors, but now we also distribute to markets. The price of chestnuts has kept rising, and they're becoming harder to find. Additionally, we face more challenges now as many chestnuts we source are not suitable. Sometimes we end up discarding 40% of what we purchase," explains Manuel Aguilar, distributor at Castanas Blas. Recently, Asaja Malaga (farmers' agricultural association) raised concerns about chestnuts: "This year's harvest is seeing a drastic reduction due to a combination of adverse factors, primarily water scarcity, the chestnut gall wasp infestation, and ink disease, a fungus severely affecting chestnut trees in the region. If this trend continues, chestnut cultivation could have only a few decades left in the province," the association warned in a statement. This is part of what goes unseen behind the famous paper cones of roasted chestnuts that are sold on street corners in the city at this time of year. Chestnuts go far beyond that. They're even incorporated into a wide range of dishes: from salads, breads, and stews to flans, jams, chocolates, candied chestnuts, and various desserts. Many restaurants and chefs in the Genal valley use them as a star ingredient, one of whom is Ivan Sastre, known as 'the chestnut chef' at La Bodega del Bandolero in Juzcar. The chef arrived in the Serrania de Ronda 20 years ago and has not stopped creating and reinventing chestnut recipes since. "It's quite a versatile product. I just added the traditional 'piononos' (traditional Spanish sweet) to my menu but made with marron glace chestnut cream. I also make a bread that people really enjoy because it's unusual. We make the flour from chestnuts, which gives the bread a wonderful flavour and is full of beneficial properties," explains Ivan Sastre, who also prepares a seasonal stew with chickpeas, chestnuts, and sweet potatoes. "There are dishes with chestnuts on my menu pretty much all year round," he adds. The 'chestnut chef' was fascinated by the number of chestnut trees in the area when he arrived in the Genal valley. That's why he began treating chestnuts as an essential ingredient in his dishes. "Before, they were only roasted, but now they're truly part of the cuisine in a variety of recipes," he said. However, he cannot help but feel concerned about the situation: "The reality is that the drought is uncontrollable, and it's making the raw material scarcer. It's a shame, but without water, we have nothing," the chef explains. Now, in the midst of chestnut season, the popular 'tostones' (roasted chestnut festivals) are celebratedmany of which have been declared provincial tourist singular festivalsand they typically begin around November 1st. During these festivities, it's customary to roast chestnuts and pair them with a drink: in Ojen, at the Fiesta del Toston Popular, they are enjoyed with anise; in towns like Pujerra or Arriate, they are accompanied by mistela - a traditional anise-flavoured liqueur. Arriate also hosts the Fiesta de la Castana on the weekend closest to the start of November; in Yunquera, the tradition continues with the Fiesta del Vino and the Castana. The world of chestnuts knows no bounds in Malaga province, extending far beyond the nearly fifty autumn stalls in the city. It starts with the growers, moves to the distributors, and continues in the hands of the chestnut sellers, the consumers, and the chefs, who create genuine works of art with this product, which is undoubtedly one of the historical staples of the province's cuisine. Alekk M. Saanders Friday, 1 November 2024, 20:24 Compartir The 19th century was marked in the history of Cadiz not only by the withdrawal of Napoleon and the famous La Pepa Constitution, but also by the cultural splendour and economic prosperity of the city that followed. It was at this time that Carlos Maier decided to leave Bavaria and settle in this Andalusian city on the Atlantic coast. Just like in Bavaria To his Bavarian surprise, no craft beer was brewed in Cadiz. So Carlos decided to set up a brewery, producing beer as well as soft drinks and sparkling water. In 1867, the Gran Fabrica appeared on Zorrilla Street, which since has been considered to be the most beer-centred in the city due to founding breweries and beer bars. In the 19th century, Carlos Maier decided to leave Bavaria and settle in Cadiz experiencing the cultural splendour and economical prosperity Carlos Maiers project was successful. His brewery grew and soon changed locations. There is not much information about that period. It is known that later his heirs merged the company with La Austriaca, a prosperous brewery in Cantabria at the time, which eventually merged with La Cruz Blanca. In 1961 they opened a brewery in Cadiz, being one of the last places to retain the La Cruz Blanca brand, which still gives its name to many establishments in the city specialising in beer. 'A cannon beer' Morerecently, now in the 21st century, three friends had the idea of setting up a craft brewery. They also wanted to present Cadiz as a city with a beer tradition and create additional tourist routes telling the citys history of beer-making. They also planned to run courses and sell equipment that customers could use to brew their own beer at home. In 2011, the friends' plans became reality and a small craft brewery was launched. It was called Maier in honour of Carlos Maier In 2011, the friends' plans became reality and a small craft brewery was launched. It was called Maier in honour of Carlos Maier. At first, they brewed 50,000 litres a year of cannon beer (as it was advertised), in reference to the brewery's logo: a cannon, like the ones placed on street corners in the old town. The founders did their best to make sure the beer was of high quality and in line with local drinkers' tastes, or better still, not bitter at all. To make it more palatable, they added some honey from the Sierra de Cadiz to the recipe, which softened the product. The beer makers also travelled to the UK, one of the places where craft breweries are most developed. In Germany, they took a course at a university to gain knowledge and to be able to experiment with their product. The only reminders of Carlos Maier in Cadiz now are the tourist apartments located in the old town, which keep images of Maier beer in their interior The first beer produced by the Maier brewery was a Pale Ale with a light bronze colour, though darker than the light beers. No additives were used in its production; only malt from barley was added (four times more than in industrial beer). The flavour was more intense because the beer was not pasteurised. Additionally, it was lighter because no gas was added to the beer. The alcohol content, however, was the same as industrial beer - about 4.5 degrees. Besides, Maier beer was not filtered, so to prevent it from being cloudy, it was recommended that the bottle be held upright before drinking so that suspended particles would sink to the bottom of the bottle. Zoom The tourist apartments Maier in Cadiz. SUR All these characteristics of Maier beer produced in Cadiz have been described in the past tense, as the beer no longer exists. As SUR in English was told by a person involved into the production, the people of Cadiz were not happy to pay more for craft beer, being able to buy even two bottles of industrial beer for the same money. To make matters worse, the pandemic caused sales to plummet and the young company, which was trying to immortalise the German brewer's name, was forced to cease production, perhaps until better days. The only reminders of Carlos Maier in Cadiz now are the tourist apartments located in the old town, which keep images of Maier beer in their interior. HM Hospitales sign on Las Canteras in Velez-Malaga where the private hospital will be built Eugenio Cabezas Velez-Malaga Friday, 1 November 2024, 14:14 Compartir Following the Junta de Andalucias approval of the environmental report last week, Velez-Malaga town hall on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol is now moving ahead with plans to build a 50-bed private hospital in the town. The new hospital, the first private one of its kind to be built in the Axarquia, will be located on the land next to the Camino de Torrox road, between Velez-Malaga and Caleta de Velez, on an area known locally as Las Canteras. According to the developer the Madrid-based HM Hospitales group the hospital could be ready in 2027. The announcement came following a meeting between the company and the town hall on Wednesday 30 October. Zoom The meeting between Velez-Malaga town hall and HM Hospitales on Wednesday. SUR This meeting has been essential to review all the necessary aspects and ensure that this ambitious project moves forward with the speed and quality that our town deserves, town hall sources said in a statement. With an investment of 20 million euros, the new hospital will not only improve healthcare in the area, but will also become an engine for local employment, generating around a hundred jobs. This will be the only private hospital on the eastern coast of Andalucia, and will have six operating theatres and 50 beds, the statement said. Nour and Lujain (via videocall), meeting with UMA staff (Maria Jose Berlanga, vice-rector for Equality and Social Policy, on the left; Inmaculada Crespillo, head of the UMA Access and Admissions Service; and Manuel Ladoux, social worker) and, on the right of the picture, Aisling Devlin, a participant in last year's camp-out by students in support of Palestine. Cristina Vallejo Friday, 1 November 2024, 21:07 Compartir Nour and Lujain are 22-year-old friends from Nablus (West Bank) who want to study at the University of Malaga (UMA). Recently, they held a meeting - Nour in person and Lujain via videocall from Palestine - with various university representatives to discuss their options. Among them were Maria Jose Berlanga, vice-rector of equality and social policy, Inmaculada Crespillo, head of the admissions service, Manuel Ladoux, a social worker at the university, and Aisling Devlin, a participant in last year's student camp calling for support for the Palestinian people and an end to the university's relations with Israel. Nour just needs to complete the internship she is currently doing in Malaga's tourism sector to graduate in Translation and Lujain has already earned her degree in Public Relations and Communication. However, Lujain, speaking from Nablus, explained that although they have finished their studies at An-Najah National University or are about to, they haven't experienced a normal university life. Due to the war and the frequent attacks on Palestinian cities, they haven't been able to attend classes in person and have had to study online. They want to make up for lost time and experience the typical university life that has been taken from them by a conflict that has intensified over the past twelve months and lasted for far too many decades. Moreover, they want to study in an education system they consider better than the one in their homeland, as they argue that quality education is difficult to achieve in such a tense environment. While their area is not the Gaza Strip under constant siege, there are still constant tensions. Lujain explained that just the day before their meeting with UMA she saw Israeli soldiers storming the cafe where she was sitting. The workers locked the doors tightly to protect their customers and when she left, she found out that people had been killed as a result. "You can't study like that," she said. Now, Lujain explained, classes remain online. Due to checkpoints and restrictions, even teachers are unable to reach the classrooms to teach. At UMA Nour and Lujain are looking to pursue a Master's degree, either in Business Administration or International Relations. However, it is not because they really want to stay in Malaga or Spain; their true desire is to return to Palestine, open an academy and contribute to the education of their people. They also shared that, in recent years, they have seen that many people from other countries have travelled to the Palestinian territories as they are interested in learning about the region and its people. With this planned venture, they aim to strengthen the connections between Palestine and other parts of the world. Knowing the language They had hoped to enrol at UMA this year, but that won't be possible. During their meeting with university officials, it was determnied that they need to improve their Spanish proficiency and demonstrate that they have a sufficient level to follow the courses. So, this academic year, they will start language classes offered by the UMA Foundation for foreigners, and they will most likely be receiving a scholarship for this. Afterwards, they will need to take a Cambridge exam. Lujain had already wanted to come to Spain to complete her eduation before the escalation of the Middle Eastern conflict a year ago, so has some knowledge of Spanish and hopes the language will not be a problem. "As Palestinians, we always hold onto the hope that one day everything will return to normal. Everyone in the region has the right to live in peace" Do they consider returning to Palestine even as the war not only persists but escalates and spreads to Lebanon or Iran? "As Palestinians, we always hold onto the hope that one day everything will return to normal. Everyone in the region has the right to live in peace," replied Lujain. Nour has been in Spain for over a month and plans to stay until December, although now that she is about to start her Spanish studies, she may extend her stay. In Malaga, she is with her brother Amr, who has been living in the city for two years. As a digital nomad, he works for a medical marketing company based in Palestine. Amr came to Spain to escape the conflict, drawn by the Spanish culture, which he appreciates for its openness and Mediterranean influence which makes it similar to his own. He admits that now that his sister is also here, his family have mixed feelings: on the one hand, they think they are safer here, but on the other, they miss them and fear they will never return to Nablus. However, their strong attachment to their homeland leads them to rule out staying in Spain forever, just as their family is hesitant to join them in Malaga. "They don't want to leave, they want to live," Amr said. The support for Palestinian students goes beyond just these two cases. There is also Leena Siyam, who is already living in the university residence at UMA. Additionally, at least one more girl, currently sheltered in Egypt with her parents, could join her. The faculty members who participated in UMA'S demonstrations for Palestine, along with those from other European universities, are compiling a list of young people who can study in the Europe. This initiative aims to prevent the Palestinian people from losing more human capital as a result of this ongoing war. UMA refugee programme UMA has been welcoming Palestinian students for more than just the past year. According to Manuel Ladoux, the UMA Refugia program was established in 2015 in response to the Syrian war, with the goal of providing resources for students. This includes, covering their tuiton, housing, living expenses, Spanish language courses and psychological support.. In order to support this initiative, the university collaborates with organisations like CEAR, Red Cross, Malaga Acoge and Accem, which help refugees in the province and refer them to UMA. So far, 68 individuals have participated in classes at the Teatinos and El Ejido campuses, with 17 having completed either a bachelor's or a master's degree. Initially, most of the students were from Syria, Afghanistan, or Africa, but since 2019, the majority have come from Venezuela and Colombia. Now, the programme is also welcoming students from Ukraine and Palestine. Additionally, it is open to researchers, educators, and all university staff. In order to participate, they have to prove that they have the qualifications required for university admission. As Crespillo explained, while UMA is flexible and understands that those arriving from conflict zones may struggle to gather their documentation, they ultimately require that all paperwork be in order. Therefore, the two young women in this report will need to submit their degrees from their Palestinian university in order to pursue their masters programme. However, they are determined to study here and return to their country to help it grow and prosper. . Vanessa Melgar Ronda Friday, 1 November 2024, 15:51 Compartir From January 2025 only vehicles that are domiciled and registered for tax purposes in Ronda will be allowed to drive over the iconic Puente Nuevo bridge in the town. The measure was announced last Wednesday by Ronda town hall. This affects the road that climbs up the hill (Cuesta de las Imagenes) in the historic district of San Francisco and links to Calle Virgen de la Paz by the walkway above the gorge (the Alameda del Tajo). Ronda's mayor, Maria de la Paz Fernandez, explained that this is a measure included in the town's sustainable urban mobility plan and that it aims to halve the traffic passing through this area and especially driving over the iconic monument. She indicated that currently around 5,000 vehicles pass through this point every day, with peaks of up to 7,000. This restriction will be monitored by cameras and visitors will be offered alternative routes that will be signposted. Zoom Traffic on Ronda's famous Puente Nuevo bridge. V.M. "It is a very necessary move for the here and now, we are all aware of the accumulation of vehicles that pass over this link road, we have to regulate it and take measures," said Fernandez, who spoke of a measure that "does not harm the people of Ronda", reminding people that currently there are almost 28,000 vehicles registered in Ronda. The mayor argued that the measure had been made public in advance of coming into force to provide a margin for people who live in Ronda, but who do not have their vehicle registered in the town, to make any necessary changes. She added that tourists who, for example, stay overnight in accommodation in the area, will have to inform the Local Police in advance of their stay, in order to gain access by vehicle. It should be noted that Ronda has been trying for several years to reduce the flow of traffic over the bridge and that a previous local government team even partially restricted the flow of all traffic over the bridge. However, the current council reversed this decision and promised the construction of an alternative urban road to go from one side of the town to the other, as the town is naturally split in two by the Tajo gorge, without using the current ring road. This was promised in response to the unease that the partial cut-off caused among some sectors of the population, especially in the district of San Francisco where a local lobby group was formed and protests were organised. This group called for an urban alternative before restricting traffic over the bridge. SUR Malaga / Valencia / Madrid Friday, 1 November 2024, 08:54 | Updated 09:07h. Compartir Spain began three days of national mourning this week after the devastating flash flooding of Tuesday that had, by Thursday evening this week, claimed 158 lives, with many more still unaccounted for. The worst hit area by far was to the south and west of Valencia city and the regional government called in the army there from Friday to assist the search and clear up. On Thursday there were reports of looting as frustrations started to boil over. There was also one victim in inland Malaga province and two in the Castilla-La Mancha region as well flooding in many areas including Cadiz, Castellon and Teruel provinces. From top: A woman weeps in a devastated street in the Valencian town of Sedavi, rescuers in Mira in Cuenca (Castilla- La Mancha) and a person is evacuated in Letur (Castilla-La Mancha). EFE / AFP / GC To blame was an isolated pocket of low pressure, typical of the Mediterranean coast at this time of year and known as a Dana in Spain. This brought extreme amounts of rainfall in short periods of time to small areas. Worst recorded was over 45 centimetres of rain in just 12 hours at Chiva, 30 km west of the metropolitan area of Valencia, Spains third largest city. However, high readings of 20 or 30 centimetres were recorded in many other places in the surrounding hills. The effect was to send torrents of water down rivers onto the plains around Valencia causing sudden, devastating flooding on the southern dormitory towns, industrial parks and main, arterial roads as rivers burst their banks, unable to cope. The full scale of the loss of life and damage was still becoming apparent long after the tragedy first struck. On Wednesday evening, the regional president of Valencia, Carlos Mazon, had said that over 100,000 people remained without electricity. Many people had not yet been reached by emergency services, who continued to search low-lying homes and businesses and hundreds of vehicles swept away off roads for possible bodies or people still alive but trapped. Harrowing reports Harrowing tales of people disappearing or just about surviving were being told non-stop across national media. Bodies of the dead were being taken to a morgue at the Valencia law courts. The worst affected areas were the towns immediately to the south of Valencia city, where the rivers and streams from the mountains pass to reach the coast. One place, Paiporta, with a population of 25,000 and just a few minutes from the centre of Valencia, was particularly hit, with over 40 of the victims so far identified coming from here. Authorities there described the situation as a humanitarian emergency. These included six residents of an old peoples home who had been unable to escape while residents were having dinner downstairs together and two Guardia Civil and the girlfriend of another who had gone down into the garage of their base to try to remove vehicles but had become trapped. Many victims had been surprised in their cars driving as water rose on the main roads around the west and south of the city. These remained closed, some with major damage, and train services out of action, including the high-speed line from Valencia to Madrid. As the floodwaters began to subside and the clean-up operation began as best it could, there were doubts over why it had taken so long for local residents south of Valencia to receive an emergency alert message on their telephones. The first came just after 8pm on Tuesday as floodwaters were already rising after it had been raining heavily upstream for many hours. The national interior ministry said it was down to the regional government to relay alerts. In reply, regional president Carlos Mazon hit back, saying, I am not going to indulge in bad politics and I am not going to go there, adding that we are not weather forecasters, we followed procedure. A red weather warning had been in place from forecasters since earlier in the day. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said there would be guaranteed aid from the government and from the EU to deal with the tragedy and rebuild homes devastated by flood waters. The public authorities are working together to do everything possible and we are going to provide all the necessary means today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes for us to recover from this tragedy. We are not going to leave you alone, Sanchez said. King Felipe VI also offered his condolences and support. KYODO NEWS - Nov 1, 2024 - 12:17 | All, World North Korea on Friday said that a missile it test-fired a day earlier was a new intercontinental ballistic missile called the Hwasong-19, according to its state-run media. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "expressed great satisfaction" at the successful test-firing of the new missile, calling it the "ultimate version" of an ICBM. He also said his country's "hegemonic position" in the development of means for nuclear delivery is "absolutely irreversible," according to the official Korean Central News Agency. The projectile was fired Thursday morning toward the Sea of Japan on a lofted trajectory, marking the longest-ever flight time for a North Korean ballistic missile of 86 minutes, according to the Japanese government. It fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. KCNA said the missile reached a maximum altitude of 7,687.5 kilometers and flew a distance of 1,001.2 km for 85 minutes and 56 seconds before landing on the preset area. "The test of the latest strategic weapon system updated the recent records of the strategic missile capability of the DPRK and demonstrated the modernity and creditability of its world's most powerful strategic deterrent," KCNA said, referring to the acronym for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name. The "perfected" ICBM Hwasong-19 weapon system will be used by North Korean forces along with the Hwasong-18 in line with "the long-term plan for building the state nuclear forces," and will serve as "the primary core means" for defending North Korea, KCNA reported. Kim, who oversaw the test at the site, pledged that his country will "never change" its stance of bolstering its nuclear forces, KCNA said Thursday. The launch of the ICBM capable of reaching the U.S. mainland came ahead of the country's presidential election next Tuesday. Similar to the Hwasong-18, the Hwasong-19 is believed to be a solid-fuel missile that does not require fueling before firing like a liquid-fuel missile. Military experts say solid-fuel missiles make it harder for countries to detect launch preparations and provide better preemptive strike and retaliatory capabilities. Related coverage: North Korea conducts longest-ever ICBM test, condemned by Japan, U.S. North Korea finishes preparations for nuclear test: South Korea North Korea troop dispatch threatens world order: Japan minister Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Salina, N.Y. The state Office of Child and Family Services is investigating suspected abuse at a Salina day care that led to the arrest of two workers. The two employees accused of mistreating children at Shining Stars Day Care have been fired, according to Stella Penizotto, owner of the Shining Stars Day Care company. The OCFS is investigating each incident of mistreatment and complaint made against the day care center, according to Karen Male, a spokesperson for the state agency. Syracuse, N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday that $4.5 million will be coming to Central New York to battle juvenile crime. Hochul said in Syracuse that theres a need for more money for county, city and non-profit programs working to divert youths from criminal activity. Haul out the holly because the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be making its way through Upstate New York for its annual jolly journey to Canada. Each year, this beautifully illuminated train travels across two historic railways (Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern) spreading holiday cheer and raising donations to help people struggling with food insecurity. This year, seven Upstate NY towns from the Capital Region to Northern NY will get a special visit from this Christmas train filled with festive light displays and live music shows. The CP Holiday Train will make stops in New York over Nov. 25-26 before crossing the Canadian border. Once the train pulls into a safe spot in front of the crowd, the stage lowers and a band will open with its first song. This years performers include Canadian country group, James Barker Band and soulful star Clerel. After a brief presentation from local officials, music continues with a mix of traditional and modern holiday-themed songs and popular original songs. While attending these events are free, CPKC is encouraging every attendee to make a monetary or heart-healthy food donation to ease hunger needs in their community. Local food banks will be accepting donations at each stop to help ensure those in need can access adequate food this holiday season and year-round. Since its inaugural journey back in 1999, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train has raised over 5.3 million pounds of food and more than $24.3 million for community food banks. Here is the 2024 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train schedule in Upstate NY: Menands Location: Menand Road railway crossing at Ganser Smith Memorial Park (53 Menand Rd, Menands, NY 12204) Date: Nov. 25 Time: Train arrives at 3:45 p.m. | Show starts at 4 p.m. Mechanicville Location: 300 Park Ave., Mechanicville Date: Nov. 25 Time: Train arrives at 5:45 p.m. | Show starts at 6 p.m. Attendees can park in the lot next to the Canadian Pacific trains tracks. Location: Amtrak Station, 26 Station Lane, Saratoga Springs Date: Nov. 25 Time: Train arrives at 7:15 p.m. | Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Fort Edward Location: Amtrak Station, 70 East St., Fort Edward Date: Nov. 26 Time: Train arrives at 2:00 p.m. | Show starts at 2:15 p.m. Port Henry Location: Amtrak Station, 20 Park Place, Port Henry Date: Nov. 26 Time: Train arrives at 4:55 p.m. | Show starts at 5:10 p.m. Plattsburgh Location: Amtrak Station, 121 Bridge St., Plattsburgh Date: Nov. 26 Time: Train arrives at 7:05 p.m. | Show starts at 7:20 p.m. Rouses Point Junction, New York/Quebec Location: Railway crossing on Pratt Street at the border of New York and Quebec Date: Nov. 26 Time: Train arrives at 8:45 p.m. | Show starts at 9 p.m. You can see the complete U.S. schedule on the CPKC website. KYODO NEWS - Nov 1, 2024 - 13:01 | All, Japan Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko will visit Turkey in early December, the Japanese government said Friday, as the two countries mark this year the 100th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations. The prince, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito, and his wife will arrive Dec. 3 in the capital Ankara where they will meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Japanese nationals residing in Turkey on Dec. 4, according to the Imperial Household Agency. The couple will fly to Istanbul the following day to attend a commemoration ceremony. They will return home on Dec. 8. In Istanbul, the prince and princess will also visit a naval museum with exhibits about the Ottoman warship Ertugrul, which sank off Japan's Pacific coast in 1890 due to a typhoon. Some of the crew were rescued by local people in what is now the town of Kushimoto in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan. The incident is considered the starting point of the friendship between Turkey, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire, and Japan. Related coverage: Japan gov't protests U.N. call for reviewing male-only imperial succession U.N. body again urges Japan to allow separate surnames for couples Japan's former Empress Michiko turns 90 On November 7, 1864, Syracuses Republican mayor, Archibald Campbell Powell, issued two connected and rather telling proclamations to his fellow citizens. First, he reminded them that, however much it might assuage their tension and anxiety related to the impending Presidential election, state law forbade the sale of alcohol within a quarter mile of any polling place. Violators, he stated, would be duly arrested and brought to trial. Second, and more importantly, Powell declared that in the name of bipartisanship and in view of keeping the public peace of our city at the election to take place tomorrow, he, thought proper to commission policemen of both political partiesin the preservation of order. The mayor forewarned his officers that should any member of the force so appointed conduct himself in a noisy, illegal, or oppressive manner, they would be out of a job. As evidenced by Mayor Powells edicts, Syracuse, like the nation, was barreling towards what most contemporary observers viewed as the most consequential election in the history of the Republic. Nearly four years into a bloody civil war that already claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, the fact that the election was taking place at all was a miracle; this had never been attempted before by any nation on Earth. A clipping from The Daily Courier and Union illustrating the rhetoric hurled about during the 1864 presidential campaign.Courtesy of the Onondaga Historical Association According to a correspondent in the Syracuse Daily Journal, the citys Republican organ, the stakes were nothing less than the destiny of the great American Republicthe weal or woe of many millions of men. Upon this decision, he continued, is suspended the success or failure of popular government in the whole world and during a boundless future. For months in the leadup to election day, November 8, the pages of Syracuses daily newspapers traded insults and fiery rhetoric alongside updates from the front. This intoxicating combination of bloodletting and blood lust created an environment, both in print and reality, of an apocalyptic showdown between Lincoln and his opponent, Gen. George B. McClellan. McClellan was the former Commanding General of the U.S. Army, whom Lincoln relived of command in March 1862. Many observers believed McClellan was the perfect standard bearer for the Democratic ticket because despite his dismissal two years earlier, he was thought to be held in high regard amongst Union soldiers and much of the public. On one side stood Lincoln and the Republicans, whose platform in the wake of the Emancipation Proclamation and the proposed 13th Amendment was now uncompromising on the issue of abolition. That as slavery was the cause, and now constitutes the strength of this Rebellion we are in favor, furthermore, of such an amendment to the Constitutionas shall terminate and forever prohibit the existence of Slavery within the limits of the jurisdiction of the United States. As for the war, the President said repeatedly that he would prosecute it until its stated ends, putting down the rebellion and, after 1863 the abolition of slavery, were completed. This stood in stark contrast to the Democratic Party platform, which promised to end the war soon as possible and bring the Union back together with slavery intact. McClellan initially repudiated the infamous peace plank of the platform but was ultimately convinced by the Copperheads (a derisive name given to northern Democrats by the Republicans) to recant. Throughout the summer and fall here in Syracuse, the Democratic Party paper, the Daily Courier and Union, conveyed the message that come November, a war weary American electorate would finally vote the usurper and tyrant Lincoln out of office. Citing his inability to end the war and, in their opinion, his wholly unconstitutional emancipation proclamation as the chief grievances. Ultimately, as many historians point out, Lincolns re-election was most likely ensured when General William T. Sherman and his armies, which included over 1,000 men from Syracuse in the NY 149th, finally took Atlanta on September 2, 1864, after a siege of nearly three months. In part, this victory seemed to shore up Lincolns support amongst the Union soldiers, who were, along with their Confederate counterparts, were taking part in a noble democratic experiment begun during the war, the use of absentee (mail-in) ballots. For many it seemed, the fall of Atlanta made the prospects of the wars end as real as it had been since it began. Even the Daily Courier and Union took a break from its usual attacks to praise Sherman and his men for a victory they had said for months was never going to happen. In fact, just days before reporting Shermans victory, the paper had declared that the selection of McClellan as their partys nominee meant that Abraham Lincolns days are numbered. In a macabre coincidence, just a few columns down from this editorial pronouncement, was an advertisement for the famous British actress, Laura Keene, whose travelling theatre company was bringing their version of the popular comedy, Our American Cousin, to Syracuses Wieting Hall on September 3; the play Lincoln was watching at Fords Theatre when he was assassinated eight months later. - The Wieting Opera House in Clinton Square in Syracuse was the sight of numerous important events leading up to the 1864 election, including the National Convention of Colored Men, which met there Oct. 4 to 7. Onondaga Historical AssociationCourtesy of the Onondaga Historical Association With the stakes so high, both sides began to ramp up talk of voter fraud and election interference by partisans and by foreigners as well. On November 5, just a few days before the election, the Daily Courier and Union ran a column under the emboldened headline LOOK OUR FOR ILLEGAL VOTES AND COLONIZED VOTERS. The piece warned Democratic partisans that suspicious looking strangers in various cities. are Canadian raiders who come to burn and destroy. Such strangers, it continued, are important to vote the Republican ticket. Similar stories accusing Copperheads and confederate sympathizers appeared in the Daily Journal in increasing numbers in the last week before the election. Against all odds, the election went ahead with only minor incident and millions of Americans cast their ballots. On November 9, the Daily Journal informed its readers of the good news. THE REPUBLIC SAVED! THE COPPERHEADS CRUSHED! RE-ELECTION OF LINCOLN. President Lincoln received 2.2 million votes to 1.8 million for McClellan, crushing him in the Electoral College, 212 to 21. Lincoln carried Onondaga County and New York State. In Syracuse, he won 3,235 to 3,049; an incredibly close race in a city of approximately 30,000. According to the Daily Journal, the election was, the quietest and most orderly ever held in this city. All parties seemed to have resolved in advance, that it should be so. Like millions of his countrymen, Mayor Powell must have breathed an enormous sigh of relief. Mark Twain famously said that history doesnt repeat, but it often rhymes. We shall see. Robert Searings weekly articles are supported by the William G. Pomeroy Public History Media Series. To learn more about the William G. Pomeroy Foundations work to promote public history, visit wgpfoundation.org. By Steve Hughes | Times Union, Albany Albany, N.Y. A state appeals court ruled Thursday that Kenneth Chesebro, an attorney for former President Donald J. Trump, will have his law license suspended and could ultimately be disbarred in connection with his guilty plea in what Georgia prosecutors said was an effort to overturn that states 2020 election results. Chesebro was the architect of the scheme to have states Trump lost in 2020 submit fake certificates to Congress, claiming Trump won those states electoral college votes. In August, Chesebro was indicted, along with Trump, Rudy Giuliani and 16 others in Georgias Fulton County for their role in trying to overturn that states presidential election results. In October, Chesebro pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to commit filing false documents, a felony, and was sentenced to five years probation. He has also been indicted in Wisconsin and was identified as a co-conspirator in other criminal cases. Chesebro was admitted to practice law in New York in 2007. The states Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Department requested Chesebro be disbarred due to a felony conviction or be disciplined for his criminal actions. Giuliani, one of Chesebros co-conspirators, was disbarred in New York in July. Under state rules for attorney discipline, an attorney convicted of a felony in New York, or of a felony in another state that would be a felony in New York, is disbarred. Alternatively, if an appellate division panel finds an attorney is convicted of a felony outside of New York that is not a felony in New York, but involves elements of misrepresentation or fraud, it can suspend the attorneys license while it determines a final disciplinary order. The Attorney Grievance Committee argued Chesebro had admitted to committing a felony in Georgia that is on par with filing a false instrument in New York. The five-judge panel disagreed, ruling that the crime Chesebro pleaded guilty to was the conspiracy, not the actual filing of a false instrument. Conspiring to commit a felony-level offering a false instrument for filing is not a felony in New York. But they decided Chesebros plea amounted to him admitting he had committed what would be a serious crime in New York involving misrepresentation or fraud. Chesebros attorney argued that under Georgias First Offender Act, he had not technically been convicted because if he completed probation, he would be considered to have never been criminally convicted. The panel disagreed, noting that New York has long recognized similar pleas in other jurisdictions qualify as convictions in New York. The court did not set a date for when it would issue a final decision in Chesebros case. ___ (c)2024 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com New York State Police say they are continuing to search for the bodies of a mother and her two children who went over Niagara Falls on Monday night. The victims, identified as 33-year-old Chaianti Means, her 9-year-old son Roman Rossman, and her 5-month-old daughter Mecca Means, are presumed dead. The Niagara Gazette reports investigators are starting to shed some light on what they know, calling the incident intentional in nature. We do believe this is intentional, but the circumstances of what actually happened are under investigation. They definitely went there that night and none of them returned. Due to information, we do know it was an intentional act, but the reason why is a tougher answer, said Trooper James OCallaghan, a State Police Public Information Officer. The circumstances of how that went down, that is the part we may be able to solve or we may never know. Not going to get into what the witnesses saw because its still an active case, but it is alarming what they told us. OCallaghan said the incident was captured on video by surveillance cameras in the state park and near the brink of the falls. The 9-year-old boy entered the water first, going over a 3-to-4-foot safety railing around 9 p.m. Monday, followed by the baby girl; then their mother jumped in. The boy went over the falls first, he said. When asked if Means was chasing after her children, OCallaghan said: No, we believe this was intentional. Investigators are working to determine if mental health issues may have played a role, according to the Gazette. The fathers of both children have been very cooperative, OCallaghan added. Means, who lived in Niagara Falls with her family, reportedly worked as a domestic violence counselor in Western New York. The investigation and search for the bodies are both continuing. Searchers, including Park Police marine units and drones, have been focusing on the Niagara River gorge and shoreline. * * * * * Are you or a friend is thinking about suicide? Heres how to get help Dial 911 if you or your friend is in immediate danger. National Suicide Prevention Hotline, 1-800-273-8255. This toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. By dialing 1-800-273-TALK, the call is routed to the nearest crisis center in a national network of more than 150 crisis centers, including Contact Community Services in Syracuse. 988 Suicide & crisis lifeline: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, this confidential, free service can be accessed by calling or texting 988. You can chat at 988lifeline.org Contact Community Services Hotline, (315)-251-0600, provides 24-hour telephone counseling. Veterans and Military Crisis Line, 1-800-273-8255 Press 1. Crisis Text Line, a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7 and confidential. Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation Program (CPEP), 205 Prospect Ave., Syracuse, (315) 448-6555. This licensed psychiatric emergency room at St. Josephs Hospital Health Center provides evaluation and treatment for individuals of all ages who are experiencing an acute mental health crisis. St. Josephs Mobile Crisis Outreach, (315)-726-8650 or (315)-569-4129, provides off-site initial evaluation and assessment of individuals in an emotional crisis. Upstate High Risk Psychiatry Program, (315) 464-3117, outpatient treatment for people at high risk of suicide. Anyone interested in the program can call. Referrals are not needed. Spotlight Japan - Nov 1, 2024 - 14:35 | Spotlight, Travel/Tourism, Japan It's a testament to the enduring appeal of surfing that despite facing the adversity of a tsunami and nuclear disaster a beach community in Fukushima is revitalizing the region through surf tourism. The beach at Kitaizumi, in the city of Minamisoma, offers some of the most consistent surf to be found anywhere in Japan. Local surfers and community leaders are using the almost year-round supply of waves to drive a so-called surf tourism initiative to revitalize the city through marine leisure. >>Read the full article with visuals and video on Spotlight Japan>> In early October, surfers from around Japan came to Minamisoma to compete during the Kitaizumi Surf Festival. The event took place just over a year after the government began releasing treated water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean, less than 30km away. Among the festival guests was one of the most famous names in surfing, former world champion Joel Parkinson. Parkinson, or "Parko" as the Australian is affectionately known, said he had enjoyed some fun surfs during the festival. The 2012 ASP World Champion also took some of the next generation of surfers through their paces during a surf school attended by local children, one of a program of events offered alongside the contest. "Of course, there was the issue of the nuclear power plant, but we need to move on from that. Having overseas guests like Parko spread the word to the world about what a great place this is, is so important," Shinji Murohara, chairman of the festival's organizing body, said. Murohara, a prominent local surfer, is one of the leading figures of surf tourism in Minamisoma. He believes the festival marked a turning point for the initiative. "To a certain extent, the situation here has been communicated to the rest of Japan - that the area is safe, that more people are coming here," he said. "Now it's time to tell the world that this area is safe." >>Read the full article with visuals and video on Spotlight Japan>> This article was submitted by a contributing writer for publication on Kyodo News Plus. Doped Silicon: Building a very personal PC system has never been easier. The number of case types that can adapt to anyone's needs is frankly staggering at this point, though someone made the unique choice of using a few tower cases as suitcases, of sorts, for an unlawful drug trafficking operation. A Malaysian man was recently caught by Australian authorities while trying to import 100kg (220 pounds) of methamphetamine into the country. Working together with the Australian Border Force (ABF), the Australian Federal Police (AFP) discovered the dangerous shipment on October 16, 2024, when the items arrived from Malaysia through an air cargo consignment. Australian authorities said that when ABF officers examined the consignment, they discovered blocks of a "white substance" hidden within an unspecified number of PC tower cases. Lab tests returned a positive result for methamphetamine, so the ABF alerted the Federal Police to properly deal with the case. The drug blocks were understandably removed from their unusual shipping "containers" and the drug-free consignment was eventually delivered to a Kingsgrove storage unit on October 30. The 45-year-old Malaysian man was there to pick the PC cases up, and he was subsequently arrested by AFP officials. The alleged smuggler has been charged with one count of attempted drug possession, which could result in a life sentence. AFP Acting Superintendent Stuart Millen said that the amount of methamphetamine discovered in some ordinary PC cases could have been sold as "one million street-level deals." The drug could have had a very negative impact on Australian daily life, resulting in domestic violence, hospital cases, or road incidents. Criminals do not care about the harm they can cause, Millen said, they just want to make as much money as possible. They will also attempt to hide their deadly drugs in creative ways to try and evade detection, as the PC tower case clearly shows. Australian border inspectors are well aware of this lateral way of thinking, so they have been trained to properly monitor and check any large consignments coming through Australian borders. As for the specific case models used by the Malaysian criminal to smuggle the drug, the PC towers discovered by the ABF appear to be almost completely empty Dell Optiplex units; they could be recycled cases coming from office surplus or closeouts. Every case could apparently house a significant amount of carefully packed methamphetamine. Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust In a nutshell: Extreme ultraviolet lithography is one of the most complex technological innovations in recent years. EUV machines are essential for producing smaller, more powerful microchips, but they consume massive amounts of power. Worse yet, their thirst for electricity is only expected to grow significantly in the coming years. According to a recent TechInsights report, fabs equipped with EUV tools could see electricity consumption exceed 54,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually by 2030. Put into perspective, that's more than the total power usage of smaller nations like Singapore or Greece. Dutch company ASML is currently the world's only manufacturer of EUV tools, which require substantial investment and effort to integrate into chipmaking operations. Fabs using EUV systems for high-volume manufacturing can be found in countries such as Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, the US, Germany, and Ireland. Current-generation EUV tools consume up to 1,170 kilowatts, while next-generation High NA EUV scanners are expected to reach power consumption levels of around 1,400 kilowatts. TechInsights currently lists 31 fabs employing EUV machines for their chipmaking operations, with an additional 28 expected to come online by the end of 2030. While EUV tools consume a significant amount of electricity, they account for only about 11 percent of the total energy consumption of an entire chip fab. By 2030, the 59 chipmaking plants equipped with EUV capabilities are projected to consume a staggering 54,000 gigawatts annually, which is 19 times the electricity needed to power the Las Vegas Strip. As foundry businesses around the world rapidly adopt EUV machines, TechInsights warns that this trend will have significant environmental implications. The report also offers potentially useful advice to chipmaking giants, who will soon face a crossroads between continued innovation and substantial energy implications. The industry should invest more heavily in energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources, the report notes. Although reopening long-closed nuclear plants may not seem like the most environmentally friendly option, the debate on this issue continues. Why it matters: For decades, Miranda the small, icy moon of Uranus was thought to be nothing more than a frozen hunk of rock and ice. However, new research from Johns Hopkins University is challenging that assumption in a big way. The findings suggest that Miranda may actually harbor a subsurface ocean, potentially even capable of sustaining life. "To find evidence of an ocean inside a small object like Miranda is incredibly surprising," said Tom Nordheim, a planetary scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab who worked on the study. Miranda is the smallest of Uranus's major moons, measuring just 290 miles across about one-seventh the size of Earth's moon. Since the Voyager 2 spacecraft flew by in 1986, capturing several photographs, the prevailing belief has been that Miranda, like Uranus's other natural satellites, is primarily composed of ice mixed with rock. Recently, however, scientists revisited those decades-old images and data, applying modern modeling techniques and a fresh perspective. By mapping Miranda's rugged, heavily cratered surface and comparing pattern alignments, they built a compelling case for the moon concealing a liquid ocean layer beneath its icy shell. Their models suggest that Miranda likely harbored a subsurface ocean about 62 miles deep beneath a frozen layer roughly 19 miles thick, between 100 and 500 million years ago. Even more surprising is that this ocean may have been warm enough to remain liquid, despite Miranda's extreme distance from the Sun. If true, the source of Miranda's internal heating could be attributed to a gravitational "dance" with Uranus's other moons, a process known as orbital resonance, which generates enough frictional heat to prevent complete freezing over long timescales. Researchers speculate there's a real possibility that some liquid could remain beneath Miranda's surface even today. Miranda wouldn't be alone in the "ocean moon" category, either. NASA's recently launched Europa Clipper is en route to investigate a suspected subsurface ocean on Jupiter's moon Europa. This ambitious mission will travel 1.8 billion miles over six years to reach its target. Last year, NASA also examined Uranus's moons Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon for similar evidence of subsurface water layers. Other candidates include Saturn's moons, Enceladus and Titan. As we explore further, it seems that subsurface oceans may be relatively common on icy moons throughout the solar system. While NASA hasn't scheduled a mission to Miranda just yet, these findings may help spark interest in sending a robotic explorer back to study the moon more closely. As Nordheim put it, "We won't know for sure that it even has an ocean until we go back and collect more data. We're squeezing the last bit of science we can from Voyager 2's images. For now, we're excited by the possibilities and eager to return to study Uranus and its potential ocean moons in depth." Why it matters: There have been several incidents of authorities shutting down major ransomware operations this year, including the seizing and disruption of LockBit. As such, you'd be forgiven for thinking that ransomware is declining, but it's not. According to an expert, 2024 is set to be another record-breaking year for this type of malware, with victims handing over more money than ever before. Allan Liska, a threat intelligence analyst at cybersecurity firm Recorded Future, spoke to TechCrunch about the depressing state of ransomware in 2024. "The curve is going to flatten a little bit, which I guess is good news. But a record-breaking year is still a record-breaking year," Liska told the publication. "We've also this year, for the first time that I'm aware of, had four eight-figure ransoms paid." In February, UnitedHealth-owned health tech company Change Healthcare suffered a security incident that was later confirmed to be the work of an affiliate of Russian ransomware gang ALPHV, aka BlackCat, which stole the medical data of at least 100 million Americans. UnitedHealth paid the gang $22 million, one of the eight-figure ransoms Liska mentioned. Ransomware attacks are usually associated with gangs encrypting a target's systems, preventing access until money for a decryption key is paid. However, Liska says there's been a rise in data-theft-only attacks this year, up 30% in 2024. "A lot of the newer threat actors just don't want to deal with encryption, decryption, or anything like that," he said. In February, law enforcement agencies from 12 countries came together in a joint operation that saw the LockBit ransomware website taken down (below), the seizure of servers critical for the group's infrastructure, and the arrest of several gang members, including one while he was vacationing outside of Russia. Ransomware gang Radar (aka Dispossessor) also had its servers seized by the FBI. Despite these victories, Secureworks revealed this week that there has been a 30% year-over-year rise in active ransomware groups this year, with 31 new groups appearing. Law enforcement agencies usually advise victims not to pay ransomware gangs as there's no guarantee they will hand over/decrypt the data, but it still happens. White House cyber boss Anne Neuberger suggested a way to stop this was to ban insurance company policies that cover reimbursement of ransomware payments. Liska previously stated that banning payments wasn't the answer, but with eight-figure ransom payments incentivizing more attacks, he now believes it may be necessary. "My answer is: ban ransom payments, which is a terrible solution, but it may be the least-bad solution that we have," he said. AI vs Web: Alphabet attempted to curb ChatGPT's growing popularity by accelerating the launch of its AI-based consumer services. However, the chatbot continued to gain market share and public interest. Now, it's going on the offensive, challenging Google's monopolistic position in the web search business. OpenAI has just launched its new ChatGPT Search service, which offers a novel way to use the AI chatbot to find relevant information on the web. According to OpenAI, ChatGPT is now significantly more proficient at internet searching, offering "fast, timely" answers to users' questions. The chatbot's prompt-based interface can now work alongside up-to-date information and data, though it may still produce occasional hallucinations. The web search feature will be available on the ChatGPT main site as well as through official apps for desktop PCs and mobile devices. Access is afforded to all Team and ChatGPT Plus users, while enterprise and education customers will receive it in the coming weeks. All free users will eventually gain access over the next few months. OpenAI noted that today's web search is not as useful as it once was, claiming that obtaining relevant answers often requires "a lot of effort." With ChatGPT Search, users will no longer need to conduct multiple search queries or browse links. Instead, the chatbot can provide a "better answer" to search requests and further refine results through follow-up questions. ChatGPT search results will now include the sources consulted by the chatbot, displayed in a sidebar on the right. OpenAI explains that its search model uses a fine-tuned version of GPT-4, trained with novel, "synthetic" data generation techniques. These search results are powered by unnamed third-party search providers, along with high-quality content partners to further refine accuracy. ChatGPT's search feature was developed based on feedback from the earlier SearchGPT prototype, and OpenAI plans continuous improvements to the language model. Key content partners include the Associated Press, Conde Nast, Financial Times, Gedi, Le Monde, Reuters, and Time, among others. Additionally, any publisher can choose to allow OpenAI crawlers to include their site in search results though likely with no compensation. Le Monde CEO Louis Dreyfus noted that AI-based search will be the primary way future generations access information, placing the French publication at the forefront of this digital shift. Vox Media President Pam Wasserstein emphasized the "trustworthiness" ChatGPT can offer when paired with reliable news sources, potentially elevating the standard of premium journalism. Here's hoping the AI revolution lifts us up before it fully takes over. Contesting Fake News in Digital Society: Safeguarding Election Integrity and Protection Democratic Principles In an era where AI-driven misinformation challenges democratic processes, Brunel University researchers Asieh Tabaghdehi, Ashley Braganza, and Lefteris Krestos, explore urgent strategies for safeguarding election integrity. Download as PDF here. Authors: Asieh Tabaghdehi [1], Ashley Braganza [2], Lefteris Krestos [3] Brunel University London, Brunel Business School Supported by Brunel Public Policy Fake news has been a persistent issue throughout history. As Richard Gray has mentioned lies, propaganda and fake news represent a significant challenge for our age4. In today's digital society, AI-driven data has heightened the problem, leading to unprecedented levels of misinformation globally. The explosion of fake news causes a significant threat to democratic processes, especially with In 2024, elections are scheduled or have already occurred across 77 countries, encompassing 16 in Africa, 12 in the Americas, 17 in Asia, 28 in Europe (including the UK), and 4 in Oceania. These democratic processes face significant challenges, as emerging AI-driven techniques- such as deep fake manipulation and microtargeting- pose unprecedented risks to electoral integrity globally. These technologies have the capacity to shape public opinion and manufacture consensus, exacerbating division and diminishing democratic participation. The spread of fake news undermines the integrity of elections and damages public trust in democratic institutions. Recent studies by Kim et al. (2024) highlight the severe economic and social consequences of false information, with societal costs reaching extraordinary levels annually. The spread of fake news undermines the integrity of elections and damages public trust in democratic institutions. In response to these challenges, there is a pressing need for regulatory action to address the risks created by AI to democracy. Policies must be implemented to safeguard election integrity and mitigate the dissemination of misinformation. Additionally, efforts to enhance digital literacy among voters and promote critical thinking skills among citizens are essential to combating fake news. Moreover, addressing key inquiries through digital news assessment, promoting transparency, developing reliable algorithm frameworks, and integrating ethical tools to enhance societal resilience against misinformation are crucial steps in combating the spread of fake news and preserving the integrity of democratic processes. Thus, a comprehensive approach involving governments, media outlets, tech companies, and civil society is necessary. By collaborating to combat fake news and misinformation, we can protect election integrity and ensure a more informed and resilient democracy for all. Together, we can support the integrity of democratic processes and build a more resilient and informed society for future generations. The state we are in: Beyond government initiatives Various regulatory and policy measures have been endorsed by national governments, particularly in Europe, to tackle the explosion of fake news and disinformation. For example, the French government initiated the "On te manipule" campaign in 2017 to combat conspiracy theories and false information on social media. This campaign, highlighted on the official French government website, provides resources to educate citizens about the prevalence of false information and offers guidelines to protect themselves. Similarly, Spain's Guardia Civil and Policia Nacional launched the #stopbulos campaign to combat misinformation, focusing on debunking hoaxes spread via WhatsApp. Legal and social organizations in Spain, such as the Platform for the Defence of Freedom of Information (PDLI), also organize events to address fake news. In Germany, the Ministry of Justice proposed legislation targeting hate speech and illegal fake news on social media platforms, imposing obligations on providers to swiftly address user complaints and remove illegal content. Additionally, initiatives like the "Defense Center against Disinformation" were proposed ahead of the parliamentary elections. Italy introduced the "Gambaro Law" to regulate the online landscape and promote media literacy, while Luxembourg established the BEE SECURE platform to raise awareness about safer technology use and combat fake news. Sweden considers measures to counter misinformation, particularly concerning Russia's strategic aims in the Baltic region. The Czech Republic's Ministry of the Interior established the "Centre Against Terrorism and Hybrid Threats" to address misinformation campaigns, especially ahead of elections. At the EU level, the "East Stratcom Task Force" tackles misinformation, primarily in Eastern Europe, and proposes regulations for online privacy protection. So, media outlets, public institutions, and organizations have been highly active in combatting fake news and misinformation/disinformation. For instance, in early 2017, Facebook expanded its tool for marking "fake news" in France, collaborating with eight French media outlets to verify content identified by users. A similar effort called "CrossCheck" was launched for the French presidential elections, involving Facebook, Google, and 17 French media outlets. In Germany, Bild appointed an Ombudsman for readers to report inaccuracies, while Facebook partnered with Corrective to tackle fake news. Similarly, El Pais in Spain launched the "Hechos" blog to involve readers in exposing fake news. During the UK's Brexit referendum, BBC established the "Reality Check" team to address misleading stories, now permanently investigating false content. Notably, the First Draft Partner Network involves major tech platforms and news organizations to verify social media content. Facebook's News Feed feature flags inaccurate stories and reduces the spread of debunked content. Facebook and Google jointly aim to halt advertisements on websites with false news. In the UK, Full Fact collaborates with media outlets and Google to develop a mobile fact-checking app. The rise of fact-checking organizations globally, with over 113 groups identified by the Reuters Institute, reflects a broader international movement. Additionally, the International Fact-Checking Network under the Poynter Institute promotes transparent and rigorous fact-checking methods. Yet, the explosion of fake news has been experiencing a significant increase, with its detrimental effects spreading globally. Effective or simply more Dangerous? There are concerns surrounding the adoption of controversial tactics in combating fake news, as they could potentially be misused to manipulate public opinion. Such "truth-checking" initiatives have raised fears of triggering a "witch hunt," which could undermine media quality and freedoms in Western democracies. Critics worry that government actions may turn into restriction and expression control under the guise of providing reliable information to citizens. There's skepticism regarding media self-regulation, especially concerning ownership and shareholder interests, as well as private companies in validating news and information. These concerns highlight the risks to freedom of expression and the spread of ideas, particularly in today's context marked by rising populism, the proliferation of far-right narratives, and the amplification of hate speech rhetoric. Overall, addressing fake news has sparked significant government concern, but there's ongoing debate about the appropriate level and type of intervention, given the potential threats to freedom of expression. The link between fake news and democratic processes like elections highlights the political nature of the issue and its impact on public decision-making. Additionally, the internet's dominance over traditional media complicates legal and technical efforts to tackle fake news effectively. So, much more efforts are needed to address the escalating challenge of fake news and misinformation, exacerbated by advancements in AI and technology, particularly during electoral periods. Reviewing the prior analysis of governmental and private sector initiatives, several key conclusions emerge: Governmental legislative actions and the imposition of fines remain constrained, as administrations are wary of accusations resembling Orwellian "Ministry of Truth" scenarios. Even when legislation is pursued, it typically involves engagement with content providers. In cases such as France, an independent mediator approach is favored for overseeing "illegal" content, albeit lacking enforceable authority. Self-regulation emerges as the preferred approach, necessitating collaboration among all stakeholders: public and private entities, media outlets, social media platforms, and citizens. Self-regulation takes various forms, including ethical codes for websites, internal news evaluation by journalists, or voluntary tagging and removal of "fake" or "inaccurate" news from digital platforms. Government involvement typically revolves around incentivizing and supervising these processes. Governments and institutional bodies exhibit increased activity in labeling and exposing fake news affecting to them, disseminating accurate information through dedicated institutional websites, Twitter accounts, etc. (e.g., Czech Republic, Spain, European External Action Service). Delicate state engagement is observed in educating citizens, especially youth, about media operations, the political-economic interests behind content, online economic exploitation, and the evaluation of reliable sources. Given the rapid dissemination of internet information and the challenges in removing "illegal" content, media literacy education emerges as the most effective tool. This necessity aligns across all governmental initiatives. Reinforcing professional and investigative journalism through journalist education and ensuring media freedom and diversity serves as a counterbalance to fake news, bolstering the credibility of traditional media outlets [1] Senior Lecturer in Strategy and Business Economy [2] Professor in Business Transformation [3] Senior Lecturer in Business Management [4] https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170301-lies-propaganda-and-fake-news-a-grand-challenge-of-our-age Related: Security officials examine the explosion site in Mastung district of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, Nov. 1, 2024. Four people including three school children and a policeman were killed, and 15 others injured when a bomb went off in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Friday morning, official sources said. (Str/Xinhua) ISLAMABAD, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Four people including three school children and a policeman were killed, and 15 others injured when a bomb went off in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Friday morning, official sources said. The incident happened in Mastung district of the province where a police vehicle was targeted by a bomb explosion, the sources told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. "The primary target of the terrorists was the police vehicle, but as the explosion happened near a school, a school van which was passing by the police vehicle also got hit by the bomb," the sources added. The injured people, including policemen and school children, were shifted to a nearby hospital. Several vehicles including the police vehicle and school van were damaged in the attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. An injured man is transferred to a hospital following an explosion in Mastung district of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, Nov. 1, 2024. Four people including three school children and a policeman were killed, and 15 others injured when a bomb went off in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Friday morning, official sources said. (Str/Xinhua) Injured people are transferred to a hospital following an explosion in Mastung district of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, Nov. 1, 2024. Four people including three school children and a policeman were killed, and 15 others injured when a bomb went off in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Friday morning, official sources said. (Str/Xinhua) Armenia pips foe Azerbaijan to host 2026 biodiversity COP: summit vote Cali, Colombia, Nov 1 (AFP) Nov 01, 2024 Parties to the UN Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) voted in Colombia Thursday for its next Conference of Parties (COP), in 2026, to be held in Armenia -- which had vied for the privilege with foe Azerbaijan. Armenia won with 65 votes out of 123 cast in a secret ballot at the CBD's 16th Conference of Parties (COP16), winding down in the city of Cali, the meeting's president Susana Muhamad announced. The inharmonious neighbors both put forward offers to host COP17 in two years' time, and representatives presented detailed pitches, complete with videos highlighting their countries' natural beauty, to fellow delegates earlier this week. It had been decided at COP13 in Cancun, Mexico, that COP17 will be hosted in a country from the central and eastern European region, which includes Azerbaijan ally Russia. Uzbekistan had also been in the running, but pulled out. This was the first time the CBD parties had voted on the next host from among two candidates, according to spokesman David Ainsworth. In the past, parties had reached consensus on a candidate to put forward, but this time, the appointed host region was unable to agree on one. Former Soviet republics Azerbaijan and Armenia have seen decades of war and tension over Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway ethnic Armenian region in Azerbaijan. After a series of slow-moving negotiations, Azerbaijan rushed in troops last year and swiftly seized back the area, whose entire population of nearly 120,000 people fled to Armenia. The next, 29th, annual COP on climate change will be held in the Azerbaijani capital Baku in November. The international community has been ramping up pressure for an agreement between the neighbors before COP29. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Azerbaijan in August. Taiwan cleans up after Typhoon Kong-rey leaves two dead Taipei, Nov 1 (AFP) Nov 01, 2024 Workers cleared fallen trees and shop owners swept up debris in Taiwan on Friday after one of the biggest typhoons to hit the island in decades claimed at least two lives. Typhoon Kong-rey was packing wind speeds of 184 kilometres an hour (114 miles per hour) when it slammed into eastern Taiwan on Thursday, toppling trees, causing flooding and triggering landslides as it swept over the island. A 48-year-old motorcyclist was killed by a falling power pole in the capital Taipei on Thursday, taking the storm's death toll to two, with more than 500 injured, the National Fire Agency said. A search was also under way for four people who went hunting in the mountains of central Taiwan on Wednesday and have not been heard from since that evening. Kong-rey weakened to a severe tropical storm as it moved across the Taiwan Strait towards China on Friday, the Central Weather Administration said. In Taiwan, life was returning to normal, with offices, restaurants and schools reopening. "The typhoon was so strong yesterday," Pan Li-chu told AFP at her restaurant in Taipei, where the awning had been bent by the force of the wind. "The trees over there at the elementary school were uprooted. The big banyan tree was uprooted," she said. Kong-rey dumped more than a metre of water in some of the hardest-hit areas along the east coast, the Central Weather Administration said. In Taitung county, where the storm made landfall, a fire department official told AFP there had been no reports of "severe damage". "It's mostly trees falling down and crushing into electricity poles that caused a power outage," said the official, who gave only his surname Huang. "There are four reported cases of flooding and all have receded. There are also three reported cases of mudslides, including one near a tunnel, which we are verifying now." Forecasters had warned of a severe impact from Kong-rey as it intensified into a super typhoon during its approach to Taiwan. More than 11,500 people fled their homes as authorities warned of landslides. Kong-rey was the same strength as Typhoon Gaemi, which was the most powerful storm to hit Taiwan in eight years when it made landfall in July, but Kong-rey's radius of 320 kilometres made it the biggest in nearly three decades. Taiwan is accustomed to frequent tropical storms from July to October, but the weather agency said it was unusual for such a powerful typhoon to hit this late in the year. Scientists have warned climate change is increasing the intensity of storms, leading to heavier rains, flash floods and stronger gusts. Kong-rey is the third typhoon to hit Taiwan since July. Gaemi killed at least 10 people, injured hundreds and triggered widespread flooding in the southern seaport of Kaohsiung. That was followed in early October by Krathon, which killed at least four people and injured hundreds, triggering mudslides, flooding and record-strong gusts. Taiwan cleans up after Typhoon Kong-rey leaves two dead Yilan, Taiwan, Nov 1 (AFP) Nov 01, 2024 Workers cleared fallen trees and shop owners swept up debris in Taiwan on Friday after one of the biggest typhoons to hit the island in decades claimed at least two lives. Typhoon Kong-rey was packing wind speeds of 184 kilometres an hour (114 miles per hour) when it slammed into eastern Taiwan on Thursday, uprooting trees, triggering floods and landslides, and knocking out power as it swept over the island. A 48-year-old motorcyclist was killed by a falling power pole in the capital Taipei on Thursday, taking the storm's death toll to two, with more than 500 injured, the National Fire Agency said. A search was also underway for four people who went hunting in the mountains of central Taiwan on Wednesday and have not been heard from since that evening. Two Czech hikers who were trapped in the Taroko Gorge in Hualien county during the typhoon were rescued on Friday. Kong-rey weakened to a severe tropical storm as it moved across the Taiwan Strait towards China on Friday, the Central Weather Administration said. In Taiwan, life was returning to normal, with offices, restaurants and schools reopening. But nearly 100,000 households were still without power and 191 domestic and international flights were cancelled. Dozens of ferry services and some train lines remained suspended. "The typhoon was so strong yesterday," Pan Li-chu told AFP at her restaurant in Taipei, where the awning had been bent by the wind. - Mud and rocks - Kong-rey dumped more than a metre of water in some of the hardest-hit areas along the east coast, the Central Weather Administration said. Torrential rain in Toucheng town, in Yilan county, sent mud and debris flowing down the street and into a building in Wu Hsuan-kai's backyard. Wu said he was watching television on Thursday morning when he heard a strange "rumbling sound". "When I opened the door, I saw a mudslide coming down slowly. I picked up my car key and rushed out," Wu, 55, told AFP. In Taitung county, where the storm made landfall, a fire department official told AFP there had been no reports of "severe damage". "It's mostly trees falling down and crushing into electricity poles that caused a power outage," said the official, who gave only his surname Huang. "There are four reported cases of flooding and all have receded. There are also three reported cases of mudslides, including one near a tunnel, which we are verifying now." Further north in Hualien county, some residents living in the mountains were assessing the damage to houses hit by landslides. "There are mud, small rocks, big rocks and driftwood -- I don't know where they came from," a resident in Zhuoxi village told local news channel TVBS. "I can't go inside (my home). In some houses the mudslides are more than waist-high, it's a little better in my home which is below the knees." - Model workers - Across the island, workers were up before dawn clearing trees, branches and other debris from roads. "We started cleaning from 5:00 am till now and have only cleaned one road section. It took us about two and a half hours," Lee Chia-hsin, a member of the New Taipei City cleaning crew, told AFP. In the southern city of Kaohsiung, Australian firefighter calendar models visiting for a charity event put on high-visibility vests to help clear debris. "Happy and proud that we could come out and assist your crews and give back to the Taiwanese people," one of the firefighters told local media. Forecasters had warned of a severe impact from Kong-rey as it intensified into a super typhoon during its approach to Taiwan. More than 11,500 people fled their homes. Kong-rey was the same strength as Typhoon Gaemi, which was the most powerful storm to hit Taiwan in eight years when it made landfall in July, but Kong-rey's radius of 320 kilometres made it the biggest in nearly three decades. Taiwan is accustomed to frequent tropical storms from July to October, but the weather agency said it was unusual for such a powerful typhoon to hit this late in the year. Scientists have warned climate change is increasing the intensity of storms, leading to heavier rains, flash floods and stronger gusts. KUNMING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have discovered two rare species of flying squirrels, Priapomys leonardi and Petaurista nobilis, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, according to the Kunming Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Thursday. The Bhutan giant flying squirrel (Petaurista nobilis), which is one of the largest in its family of flying squirrels, and the Himalayan large-eared flying squirrel (Priapomys leonardi) were observed and specimens collected during fieldwork in 2022 and 2023. Designated as a "Near-threatened" species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Bhutan giant flying squirrel was documented in China for the first time, noted Li Quan, an associate researcher at the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The Himalayan large-eared flying squirrel, previously known to inhabit only the northwestern part of Yunnan Province and northern Myanmar, is now officially recorded in Xizang, according to Li. This discovery extends the known distribution range of both species and underscores the rich biodiversity of the Himalayan region, according to researchers. The findings were published in the mammalogy journal Acta Theriologica Sinica in September. China hopes for 'consistency' in US climate policy Beijing, Nov 1 (AFP) Nov 01, 2024 Beijing hopes the US will maintain "consistency" in its climate policy and continue bilateral cooperation regardless of next week's election result, a Chinese official said Friday. The two countries have expanded climate policy cooperation since Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden met in San Francisco nearly a year ago. But the US election on November 5 could see climate sceptic Donald Trump return as president. Beijing "hoped the US can continue to maintain the stability and consistency of its policies in the climate field," Xia Yingxian, director of China's Department of Climate Change, told a news conference when asked about the potential impact of a new US administration on collaboration. Xia also hailed the "very sustained and in-depth cooperation" between the two countries through mechanisms such the US-China Working Group on Enhancing Climate Action, established in January. Since then, climate has been a rare area of cooperation between the geopolitical rivals. In September, US climate envoy John Podesta visited Beijing and, after meeting Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, said plans were moving forward for a summit with China on reducing methane emissions. China and the US are the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases, which cause climate change. Next month they will join hundreds of countries for climate talks at the COP29 summit in Azerbaijan. China plans to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. Spain flood deaths top 200, more troops join rescue Paiporta, Spain, Nov 1 (AFP) Nov 01, 2024 Rescuers on Friday raised the death toll in Spain's worst floods for a generation to 205 as the government deployed more troops in an increasingly desperate search for survivors. The floods that have tossed vehicles, collapsed bridges and covered towns with mud since Tuesday are the European country's deadliest such disaster in decades. The organisation coordinating emergency services in the hardest-hit eastern Valencia region said 202 people had been confirmed dead there. Officials in neighbouring Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia in the south had already announced a combined three deaths in their regions. Rescuers equipped with drones and sniffer dogs waded through water and rummaged through debris in search of dozens of people the authorities believe are still missing. The government has deployed another 500 troops to the stricken areas to bolster the 1,200 already on site for search, rescue and logistics tasks. Another 500 will be dispatched on Saturday. Some cut-off areas remain without water, food or power three days after the floods began, and many roads and rail lines remain inaccessible. In the devastated town of Paiporta near Valencia city, some residents complained aid was coming too slowly and frustrating the efforts of volunteers. "There aren't enough firefighters, the shovels haven't arrived," Paco Clemente, a 33-year-old pharmacist, told AFP as he helped clear mud from a friend's house. Thousands of people remain cut off from the electricity and telephone networks, but it is hoped the estimated number of missing people will fall once connections are restored. - 'People are desperate' - With several places seeing signs of order breaking down, government minister Angel Victor Torres on Thursday vowed an uncompromising response to looting. Police said they had arrested 50 people for incidents including theft from vehicles and a jewellery store. In the Valencia region town of Aldaia, Fernando Lozano told AFP he saw thieves grabbing items from an abandoned supermarket as "people are a bit desperate". "Until things return to normal and the supermarket opens, it's going to be very bad here." Sports centres and schools were among the sites being used for emergency food distribution, Valencia region leader Carlos Mazon told reporters. Slabs of tarmac from destroyed roads littered fields inundated with murky brown water and mud caked the ground floor of homes in the Valencia region. The courthouse in Valencia city has been converted into a morgue, where health workers wearing smocks carried stretchers covered with white sheets. - 'We all have to help' - An army of hundreds of volunteers set off from Valencia on Friday armed with shovels, buckets and shopping trolleys laden with food and nappies to help distressed neighbours in the city's flooded suburbs. Among them was chef Nacho Huerta, who told AFP he felt "a lot of emotion" and that "we all have to help". Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hailed "the limitless solidarity and dedication of Spanish society" on X and pledged aid "for as long as it takes". But the Valencia regional government urged people to stay at home, saying they risked holding up the emergency services travelling to the worst-affected areas. Pope Francis expressed his solidarity with the victims and their families in Spain, historically a deeply Catholic country. The storm that sparked the floods formed as cold air moved over the warm waters of the Mediterranean and is common for the time of year. But scientists have long warned that climate change driven by human activity is increasing the ferocity, length and frequency of such extreme weather events. bur-imm/sbk European Greens urge Jill Stein to withdraw from US election Brussels, Belgium, Nov 1 (AFP) Nov 01, 2024 European Green parties issued a joint call Friday for fellow environmentalist Jill Stein to withdraw from the US election -- for fear her candidacy could siphon away Democratic votes and clinch the presidency for Donald Trump. "Right now, the race for the White House is too close for comfort," said a statement co-signed by 18 national parties as well as the Greens -- the environmentalist bloc in the European Parliament -- with just days to go until Tuesday's election. "We call on Jill Stein to withdraw from the race, and endorse Kamala Harris for the presidency of the United States," they wrote, calling the Democratic vice-president "the only candidate who can block Donald Trump and his anti-democratic, authoritarian policies from the White House." "The stakes of these elections could not be higher," wrote the parties. "Climate policies require democratic institutions, which we fear would be dismantled if Trump is elected." The groups also highlighted their opposition to policy plans by the Republican former president they said would extend curbs on abortion and curtail LGBTQ and immigrant rights, if he secures a second term. Stein is on the ballot in nearly every battleground US state -- and while the perennial Green Party candidate has no chance of winning, many Democrats fear her candidacy could stymie their White House chances. Democrats recently ran a campaign ad attacking Stein that aired in three critical swing states -- Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania -- warning that "a vote for Stein is really a vote for Trump." Republicans won Wisconsin for the first time in nearly three decades in 2016, when Hillary Clinton lost by just under 23,000 votes to Trump -- a shock defeat that some Democrats blamed on Stein for taking around 31,000 votes. The European Greens issued their appeal even though they have no formal link with the US Greens, which are no longer a member of the global organisation of Green parties, the statement noted. Wave of solidarity washes over epicentre of Spain floods Paiporta, Spain, Nov 1 (AFP) Nov 01, 2024 An army of volunteers armed with shovels, buckets, broomsticks, food and nappies mobilised on Friday to support victims in the epicentre of Spain's deadliest floods in decades. "We took what we had at home, and now it's time to help. It's emotional, it gives you goosebumps," 55-year-old engineer Federico Martinez told AFP as he clutched a shovel on his shoulder. While the eastern Mediterranean city of Valencia was spared by the floods that have killed more than 200 people, suburbs lying a few kilometres away drowned in a destructive sea of sludge. Hundreds of Valencia residents rushed to the streets carrying what basic necessities they could to make for the stricken zones on foot during a public holiday. As they crossed the bridges on the city's outskirts, the once picturesque agricultural landscape slowly transformed into a mud-covered wasteland. "Thank goodness that Spain stands together," said Alicia Izquierdo, who with her sister Marta pushed two shopping trollies stuffed with food. They were headed to their brother's home in Paiporta, a Valencia suburb at the heart of the destruction, but getting supplies from the supermarket was a challenge during severe transport disruption. Tamara Gil did not think twice before walking the three kilometres (2 miles) of fields and industrial estates separating Valencia from Paiporta, where she works as a teacher. A worried Gil, pushing a cart of water and other essentials, said she "knows nothing" about her students or their families despite a night of fruitless telephone calls on Tuesday when the flooding peaked. - 'Toll on the elderly' - Once in Paiporta, where thousands of survivors are making do without power or water, the volunteers were greeted with a dystopian scene of mud and overturned cars. The authorities have urged people to stay at home, warning that the well-intentioned masses of volunteers risked blocking the emergency services. But the helpers kept coming, many loading bags and water containers at the municipal hall where dozens of people queued at an aid distribution point. Ramon Vicente, 73, and his wife Fausti lived through a 1957 flood that left dozens dead in Valencia and scarred generations of locals -- but this week's catastrophe has eclipsed it. "I remember that and the city needed a lot of time to recover," Vicente told AFP, worrying about where to secure food, water and medicines which they usually receive from a now inaccessible hospital. "This is going to take a toll on us elderly." - 'Lack of organisation' - Paiporta's streets were a hive of activity on Friday as residents and volunteers shovelled out waves of sticky mud from homes and shops. In the town's main church, volunteers bailed out bucketfuls of water that still reached their ankles. But some feel a lack of support from the authorities is undermining the wave of solidarity washing over Valencia. "There's a lack of organisation. People want to help, but there's no one organising," said Montse Fernandez, a volunteer from a town north of Valencia who was clearing mud from a street in Paiporta. "There aren't enough firefighters, the shovels haven't arrived," added Paco Clemente, a 33-year-old pharmacist. Holding her snoozing month-old baby in her arms, Estefania Garcia felt fortunate despite the hellish past few days. "We have lost the cars, part of the house, but it's fine, we're alive," she said. Spain takes to social media in search for flood missing Valencia, Spain, Nov 1 (AFP) Nov 01, 2024 When Vanesa Molina saw the plight of hundreds of compatriots desperately seeking news of their missing loved ones following Spain's worst floods in decades, she decided to act. The marketing specialist, 38, now manages the Instagram account "@dana.desaparecidos" where people can post photographs and information about their missing relatives. Spanish authorities estimate dozens of people remain missing as rescue workers search the mud and debris, particularly in the eastern Valencia region. More than 200 people have been confirmed dead. "The idea was to try to contribute and help as I could," with the social media posts designed to "reach as many people as possible", Molina told AFP by telephone. Families send her photographs with a precise description of the clothes, telephone number and vehicle registration plate, as many victims were trapped in their cars when the floods surged on Tuesday. "His name is Ramon Garcia Gisbert. He lives in Albal. He's my brother. His telephone has been switched off since Tuesday. Please, share to find him." Such are the dozens of messages that have been posted on Molina's account, which she manages from an island in the Mediterranean Balearic archipelago off the coast of the Valencia region. In Paiporta, a suburb of Spain's third-largest city Valencia and ground zero of the floods, dozens of residents remain unaccounted for. Chayma Bouchafra's uncle Aziz was among the missing for two days. Unable to contact him as the telephone and internet networks were partly down, she launched an appeal for help on X. The attempt worked: the post amassed more than 4,000 shares and 216,000 views, and Aziz was found within 24 hours, Bouchafra said on the platform. - Heart-warming messages - Social media is not the only channel frantic relatives have resorted to. Public broadcaster TVE and major radio station Cadena SER have dedicated air time to announcements aimed at locating the missing. But as hopes of finding survivors fade three days after the disaster, more and more relatives only find the dreaded news at morgues. Two temporary morgues have been set up in Valencia city to identify bodies, including one at the courthouse where only relatives are occasionally allowed to pass a police cordon, an AFP journalist saw. The regional authorities have asked families of the victims not to go to morgues because the staff will be unable to provide them with enough information or service. However, a surge of online solidarity has helped make up for that lack. Volunteers heading to the hardest-hit areas provide information to the administrators of online accounts dedicated to information about missing people. Nurses sent to the town of Benetusser near Valencia city "inform me about the situation in real time", said Molina, who updates her Instagram page once someone has been found. "We have had dozens of instances of good news" and moving messages of thanks, she added. One enterprising internet user has even used all the data to create an interactive tool on Google Maps where each GPS point provides the name, surname, age and measurements of the missing person. Photographs of animals have also been shared by the hundred, occasionally with a happy ending, including for a Bull Terrier with an injured muzzle found in Benetusser on Friday, according to the account "@danadesaparecidos Valencia". Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Beijing on Friday. Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Slovakia, Xi said that after three-quarters of a century of development, the traditional friendship between the two countries is full of vitality, and the cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries. "We have decided to elevate China-Slovakia relations to a strategic partnership, which meets the future development needs of both countries and will inject new and powerful momentum into bilateral cooperation," Xi said, adding that China is willing to work together with Slovakia to open a new chapter in bilateral relations and lift their ties to a higher level. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The People's Republic of China and the Slovak Republic on Friday issued a joint statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership. Please see the attachment for the full text of the statement. Enditem Full Text: Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the Slovak Republic on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership Russia has demanded Google pay a fine worth more than the worlds GDP for blocking pro-Kremlin media outlets. Judges in Moscow are seeking around $US20 decillion ($30.4 decillion) from the technology giant, many times the estimated $US100-trillion size of the global economy. If written out in full, the fine would be 20 followed by 33 zeros. Google was fined a daily penalty of 100,000 roubles four years ago and warned that amount would double every 24 hours if it went unpaid. Credit: Bloomberg The penalty, which far eclipses Googles own $US2-trillion market value, comes after the US technology business barred pro-Moscow propaganda channel Tsargrad TV, which is owned by oligarch Konstantin Malofeev, from YouTube four years ago. Google was fined a daily penalty of 100,000 roubles and warned that amount would double every 24 hours if it went unpaid. The technology giant now owes more than 2 undecillion roubles, a 36-digit figure, lawyer Ivan Morozov told the state-owned TASS news agency. A representative of Morocco's Agadir receives the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award) in Alexandria, Egypt, Oct. 31, 2024. The Global Observance of 2024 World Cities Day was held on Thursday in Egypt's Alexandria, with five cities winning the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award). The five cities were Morocco's Agadir, India's Thiruvananthapuram, Qatar's Doha, Mexico's Iztapalapa, and Australia's Melbourne. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) ALEXANDRIA, Egypt/SHANGHAI, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Global Observance of 2024 World Cities Day was held on Thursday in Egypt's Alexandria, with five cities winning the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award). The five cities were Morocco's Agadir, India's Thiruvananthapuram, Qatar's Doha, Mexico's Iztapalapa, and Australia's Melbourne. World Cities Day stemmed from the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, which advocated for the idea of "Better City, Better Life." Celebrated annually on Oct. 31, the day promotes international urban dialogue. This year, the World Cities Day's event was held on the theme of "Youth Leading Climate and Local Action for Cities." Chinese Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong said that World Cities Day has always focused on promoting sustainable development of global cities, and is committed to creating a development pattern that is inclusive, balanced, coordinated and inclusive, featuring win-win cooperation and common prosperity. It has become an important platform for cities to share experiences, seek common development and create a future together, he said, adding that World Cities Day has greatly promoted the joint efforts of countries to build better cities in the fruitful first decade since its inception. "We believe that in the second decade, World Cities Day will play a greater role in promoting the sustainable prosperity and development of cities around the world," the Chinese minister said. Anaclaudia Rossbach, executive director of the UN Human Settlements Program, depicted the day as an important platform for cities that are really engaged in and working towards "sustainable and equitable transformation." Addressing the opening ceremony, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said, "This event gives us the opportunity to explore new solutions to the environmental challenges facing cities, especially those under increasing pressure from climate change, such as our coastal cities." The Shanghai Award is dedicated to recognizing the outstanding progress and achievements of cities and municipalities around the world in their implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as well as the New Urban Agenda. A representative of India's Thiruvananthapuram receives the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award) in Alexandria, Egypt, Oct. 31, 2024. The Global Observance of 2024 World Cities Day was held on Thursday in Egypt's Alexandria, with five cities winning the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award). The five cities were Morocco's Agadir, India's Thiruvananthapuram, Qatar's Doha, Mexico's Iztapalapa, and Australia's Melbourne. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) A representative of Qatar's Doha receives the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award) in Alexandria, Egypt, Oct. 31, 2024. The Global Observance of 2024 World Cities Day was held on Thursday in Egypt's Alexandria, with five cities winning the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award). The five cities were Morocco's Agadir, India's Thiruvananthapuram, Qatar's Doha, Mexico's Iztapalapa, and Australia's Melbourne. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) A representative of Mexico's Iztapalapa receives the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award) in Alexandria, Egypt, Oct. 31, 2024. The Global Observance of 2024 World Cities Day was held on Thursday in Egypt's Alexandria, with five cities winning the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award). The five cities were Morocco's Agadir, India's Thiruvananthapuram, Qatar's Doha, Mexico's Iztapalapa, and Australia's Melbourne. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) A representative of Australia's Melbourne receives the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award) in Alexandria, Egypt, Oct. 31, 2024. The Global Observance of 2024 World Cities Day was held on Thursday in Egypt's Alexandria, with five cities winning the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award). The five cities were Morocco's Agadir, India's Thiruvananthapuram, Qatar's Doha, Mexico's Iztapalapa, and Australia's Melbourne. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly speaks during the Global Observance of 2024 World Cities Day event in Alexandria, Egypt, Oct. 31, 2024. The Global Observance of 2024 World Cities Day was held on Thursday in Egypt's Alexandria, with five cities winning the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award). The five cities were Morocco's Agadir, India's Thiruvananthapuram, Qatar's Doha, Mexico's Iztapalapa, and Australia's Melbourne. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) Anaclaudia Rossbach, executive director of the UN Human Settlements Program, speaks during the Global Observance of 2024 World Cities Day event in Alexandria, Egypt, Oct. 31, 2024. The Global Observance of 2024 World Cities Day was held on Thursday in Egypt's Alexandria, with five cities winning the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award). The five cities were Morocco's Agadir, India's Thiruvananthapuram, Qatar's Doha, Mexico's Iztapalapa, and Australia's Melbourne. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly speaks during the Global Observance of 2024 World Cities Day event in Alexandria, Egypt, Oct. 31, 2024. The Global Observance of 2024 World Cities Day was held on Thursday in Egypt's Alexandria, with five cities winning the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award). The five cities were Morocco's Agadir, India's Thiruvananthapuram, Qatar's Doha, Mexico's Iztapalapa, and Australia's Melbourne. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) Chinese Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong speaks during the Global Observance of 2024 World Cities Day event in Alexandria, Egypt, Oct. 31, 2024. The Global Observance of 2024 World Cities Day was held on Thursday in Egypt's Alexandria, with five cities winning the Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities (Shanghai Award). The five cities were Morocco's Agadir, India's Thiruvananthapuram, Qatar's Doha, Mexico's Iztapalapa, and Australia's Melbourne. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen) After the storm receded, having dropped a years worth of rain in a few hours, and the rescuers began to wade through the mud and wreckage with the cadaver dogs, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told his nation, For those who at this moment are still looking for their loved ones, the whole of Spain weeps with you. Illustration by Dionne Gain Credit: The news still emerging from Spain is horrific. In one retirement home, residents some in wheelchairs were sitting down to dinner when the water rose suddenly. I could hear people from the residence screaming, help, help, Marisol Lara, a 62-year-old woman, said through tears, Londons Daily Telegraph reported. Six died in the retirement home, just as five died last month in a retirement village in Florida. Climate disasters have a way of finding the most vulnerable. Advertisement Eating outJust open Box Hill, Frankston and Eltham have been thirsty for good new bars, and now they have them The much-needed newcomers include a big boozer channelling 80s Miami and a second bar for two seasoned operators in the north-east. Tomas Telegramma November 1, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share As featured in the Melbourne hit list for December 2024. See all stories . Melbournes bar scene is intoxicating in the best way. And its rapidly spreading beyond the CBD and inner city. In the month since Good Food published this round-up of new neighbourhood bars bringing better booze to under-served areas across town, more newcomers have hung up a shingle. Bar Conexaos moody, art-filled space was previously a photography studio. Deb McFadzean Bar Conexao, Eltham Eltham has embraced tapas bar Little Drop of Poison so enthusiastically that its emboldened owners Geo Tapia and Deb McFadzean to open a sibling, Bar Conexao, 200 metres away in the Eltham Town Mall precinct. With Little Drop full most nights, we wanted another venue we could send people to ... so [the venues] can bounce off each other, says Tapia. And so locals can bar crawl without having to fork out for an Uber or catch the train 20 kilometres into the CBD. Advertisement Wet your whistle with a tiny, briny martini then explore a wine list that Tapia says champions small-scale producers, such as the couple behind Tasmanias Anim Wines. Green Apple Sour cocktail at Bar Conexao. Deb McFadzean Where Little Drops menu is substantial, centring on Spanish and Latin American food, Bar Conexaos is more snacky (theres no kitchen), with stars such as gochujang-spiced devilled eggs, prawn cocktail, and tarragon-forward chicken dip with tortilla chips. And if you feel as if youre hanging out in a gallery, youre half right. The moody, art-filled space was McFadzeans photography studio, and her creative flair is still all over it. Open Wed-Sat 4pm-11pm Advertisement Shop 4, 10-18 Arthur Street, Eltham, barconexao.com.au Hotel Paradiso, Frankston Not far from the Frankston foreshore but tucked away in an industrial pocket a trio of mates has given new life to an old warehouse with the opening of 330-person Hotel Paradiso. When co-owner Chris Burgess, who lives in nearby Mount Eliza, found himself constantly venturing further down the Mornington Peninsula (or into the city) for a drink, he decided it was time for Frankston to get a cracking new neighbourhood bar. Sun umbrellas on Kookaburra Street, Frankston, mark the spot for Hotel Paradiso. Advertisement With its 80s-Miami-inspired fitout, you dont feel like youre in Frankston any more, says co-owner Reece Turfus. A sun-drenched deck marks the spot on Kookaburra Street, and the interior is livened up with pastel hues and greenery galore, plus a big disco ball. Twenty taps pour everything from Victoria Bitter to beer from nearby Seaford brewery Banks, as well as wallet-friendly vino and spritzes. Shaken-to-order cocktails include rum-spiked dark-chocolate espresso martinis and smoky mezcal margs. Neapolitan-style pizzas are the food focus from the classic margherita to ham and pickled pineapple studded with pancetta alongside triple-cooked hand-cut chips. Dedicated weekly pasta, steak and burger nights will soon add variety to the menu. And, come summer, therell be even more reason to get on the beers in Frankston, with craft brewer Moon Dog readying a 2000-square-metre beach club in the suburb. Open Thu 4pm-late; Fri-Sun noon-late Advertisement 10 Kookaburra Street, Frankston, hotelparadiso.com.au Bar Nearby in Box Hill. Bar Nearby, Box Hill I just wish there was a bar nearby. That thought crossed Ella and James Bishops minds so often that they took matters into their own hands, opening Bar Nearby on the outskirts of Box Hill, close to their home in Blackburn. The dining options in Box Hill are as diverse as they are delicious. But the drinking options? Not so much. Its no longer a dry zone, and there are places to drink, admits Ella, who grew up in the area. But a proper neighbourhood bar theres not really one. Advertisement The couples bar and bottle shop leans into the welcoming British pub culture of Jamess native Worcestershire. One beer tap will always pour the crowd-pleasing Carlton Draught; the rest will oscillate between local brewers such as Hargreaves Hill. And you can just as easily get a $13 glass of local wine as a Coravin pour of premier cru chablis. If dinners on the cards, you can BYO or order takeaway from a local restaurant. Open Wed-Thu 4pm-11pm; Fri-Sat 2pm-11pm 1115 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, barnearby.au Collection Your November hit list: The hot, new and just-reviewed places to check out, right now Advertisement Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up He bought a 30-metre fishing boat, the Axel-D, for $665,000 as his flagship to move up to 30 tonnes of cannabis around the world. A police tracking device had been planted on the ship when it was off the Australian coast. He used US military propeller planes to bring in hashish from Pakistan, and formed a fake rock band as a cover using giant outdoor speakers to import cannabis. The four-man group was called Laughing Grass. He had 43 aliases, driving licences under the names of Elvis Presley and Waylon Jennings and a passport under the name Donald Nice. Marks had 89 phone lines and 25 worldwide companies controlling boutiques, bars, recording studios and travel agencies to launder the millions made from drug deals. Howard Marks drug brand. Howard was a likeable rogue, more ageing hippy than an angry gangster. Even the cops who investigated The Enterprise liked him. He is an engaging character, one DEA agent told me. I have written stories on gangsters called Mr Death, Rentakill, Mad Dog and Badness. Marks was known as Mr Nice. A DEA agent was kind enough to send me Marks cannabis brand that was the equivalent of the Royal Seal, guaranteeing the quality was the best in the world. Between 1975 and 1978 Marks and his associates imported 25,000 kilos of hashish and marijuana into New York in 24 separate deals for a profit of $48 million. He had connections to the IRA, the Mafia, the Yakuza, the Australian underworld, Nepalese monks, the Thai army, the Palestine Liberation Organisation and international spy agencies, including the CIA and MI6. I marched into the office of a Sunday Times Insight section editor with what I knew was a world scoop a real life James Bond story. I was staggered with his lukewarm response, with him saying many of their readers were dope smokers and wouldnt be interested. I decided to do the story myself and send it to my paper, the Sun News Pictorial. Marks had already been arrested in a joint US, British and Spanish operation and was in a Florida jail. For some reason, I tried my luck and rang the North Dade Detention Centre in Florida and asked for Marks. I was shocked at the answer yes. The next voice was a cultured Welsh one, with the timbre of someone who smoked dope for decades, with just a touch of the Oxford posh. It was Howard. He was remarkably open admitting he was a massive dope dealer but said the agents inflated many of the figures. The DEA remains convinced I have $200 million buried somewhere in the Swiss Alps, which is, of course, nonsense. They may think Im very clever, but the DEA have been known to hopelessly exaggerate things. He explained his business, one that Australian crooks who tend to shoot each other over the most trivial matters should adopt. Howard Mr Nice Marks. Credit: Steve Pike When he was ripped off in deals, he would cut ties and move on never seeking revenge. It was just part of the business. I abhor violence. You try not to take it all too seriously and keep a sense of humour. It was an amazing, exciting life. We made very good money. I didnt seem to be any good at any other type of business other than dope dealing. Rogue Peer Lord Moynihan, who ratted out Marks. For a laid-back guy, you had to admire his work ethic as he would have between three and 10 international drug deals on the go at any one time. Even when Moynihan ratted on him, Marks took the betrayal with good humour. He said he ignored a warning from a major Australian criminal that the rogue lord would become a police informer. Marks blamed himself for ignoring the obvious, saying if he saw Moynihan he would demand he buys the next round. Marks was close to three of Australias biggest crooks, Jack The Fibber Warren, Keith Albert Silver Collingburn and Laurence Edward Joe the Boxer McLean. I like Joe (McLean) very much. I admired his wit and sense of adventure, Marks said. Yes, I knew Jack Warren. An older guy, a very amusing fellow, obviously a criminal. He recounted a night in Manila with Warren, some nuns, homeless people and dwarf entertainers where they ended up in a five-star restaurant. The nuns hoed into the food, the dwarfs drank heroically, and the homeless bagged up all the seafood to take back to the streets. Years earlier he had beaten serious charges in Britain over a tug full of Mexican cannabis, telling the jury he was infiltrating the drug syndicate to stop them using the funds to arm the IRA. I dont think for one minute they (the jury) believed the defences presented to them. They just didnt want us nice guys to spend countless years in jail for transporting beneficial herbs from one part of the world to another. This time around, Marks planned to use a cover story involving the sinister Australian merchant bank Nugan Hand, the CIA and MI6. Far from being a drug smuggler he was a double agent, about to expose the CIAs connection to a corrupt Australian bank. I was convinced this Australian defence could work, he said. It wasnt even as bizarre as the successful Mexican secret agent defence. But did American juries have a sense of humour? The trouble was some of his closest connections agreed to testify against him in return for plea deals. He was facing 40 years, and so he agreed to plead guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence. He would serve seven years. John, there is a bloke here who would kill for the phone. And I mean that literally. Howard Marks, in a Florida prison Eventually, Howard said he needed to terminate the conversation. John, there is a bloke here who would kill for the phone. And I mean that literally. Not that much later I was called back into the same boss office. Seems he hadnt been frank with me about the lack of interest in Marks. In fact, they were planning a book on him. Journalist Lindsay Murdoch in 1977. Credit: The Age Turns out Howard thought I was part of the research team. After Marks did his time, we kept in touch. Me because he was such an interesting storyteller and he because he wanted publicity for the many books he wrote. He settled in Majorca not far from Australian businessman turned fugitive Christopher Skase. Marks died in 2016. As my stint at The Sunday Times was ending I was in dire need of some entertaining company and there is no more entertaining company than former police reporter and accomplished foreign correspondent Lindsay Murdoch. Lindsay was based in Singapore where I intended to stop on my way home. Loading I rang him suggesting we get on the beers over a feed of chilli crab. (He was actually busy on assignment.) The reporters in the small Insight office were silent. I would later suspect they were not aware of the excellent work of Lindsay, but were very aware of another Murdoch clan, Rupert, Lachlan and James the owners of their newspaper. Would their lack of collegiate spirit now turn around and bite them like a red-bellied black snake? Would their careers disappear like a plate of chilli crab? From her home in Bendigo, 150 kilometres away, Jacinta Allan has announced that as Victorias population massively grows, she has a plan to sacrifice the liveability of our city and grow Melbourne into a mega-city. Its pretty rich for a premier to be wrecking our city, when she doesnt even live here. As the premier keeps saying, Melbourne is set to grow to the size of London by the middle of the century. With Melbourne currently home to 5 million people and London 9 million, Allan will oversee the doubling of the size of our city. James Newbury, the Liberal MP for Brighton. Credit: Scott McNaughton Thats why the premiers mega-Melbourne needs to be stuffed full of towers up to 20 storeys high in our suburbs. Of the announced activity centre growth, half of it is in three council areas Bayside, Boroondara and Stonnington. This is instead of fixing the housing crisis properly through decentralisation and moderate growth fairly shared across the whole state. Well, no, I dont support the governments plan, its bad policy and its bad for our future. I hate to break it to the bulldozing premier, but no one has asked Victorians if they want to grow Melbourne into a mega-city and the government certainly doesnt have a mandate for it. Massive growth will come at a cost. You cannot double the size of our city without sacrificing our liveability. Loading It has rightly been said that the greatest strength of our nation is our diversity. But our other great strength is our liveability. From 2011 to 2017 Melbourne held the Economist Intelligence Units title of the most liveable city in the world. Its a title we have lost. That liveability is founded in our suburbs. Each suburb is a unique community. Where I live, we call it our village. Our unique communities have been built by the people in them. They build the homes, run the businesses, volunteer in community groups, and care for the neighbourhoods. In case the premier didnt get the message when she first announced her activity centres plan, no government has the right to wreck those communities. Especially when they dont live in them. It is time to have a proper conversation with Victorians. Its time this government asked if we want Melbourne to be a mega-city. Do we want to see Melbourne double in size and sacrifice our liveability? Do we want this government to allow the bulldozing of homes in our suburbs and the imposition of skyscrapers in our streets? I dont. The premier can call people like me a blocker all she wants. Id rather be a protector of our suburbs than the premier who wrecks them. Because unlike the premier, I live in this city. So does my family and my children. I want Melbourne to be the most liveable city in the world again, and for it to stay that way. As the premier embarks on her plan to wreck Melbourne, she can count on me standing in her way. If youre at all uncertain about independent travel, a guided tour is the answer and a personalised tour will take account of your individual wants and needs. The operator Id recommend in this case is Sam Lister of Tailormade Andalucia. The company is based in Seville and theyre well-equipped to take care of your touring needs in Portugal as well as in Spain. A group tour would likely be less expensive and in that case you might look at tours in Spain and Portugal from Intrepid Travel and G Adventures. However, given that youre a multi-generational family, a group tour would cater less to your individual needs and might be less satisfying than a personalised tour which gives greater opportunity to influence your own itinerary. We have booked six nights in Portovenere as a base to visit Cinque Terre next May, but are we better off staying in one of the CT villages? Or perhaps three nights in Portovenere and three in one of the villages? P. McGillion, Avondale, NSW Located just to the south of the Cinque Terre villages, Portovenere is a handsome, fortified village at the northern headland of the Bay of La Spezia. Its also a UNESCO World Heritage Site on account of its cultural heritage which encapsulates the continuous history of human settlement in this region over the past millennium. Theres plenty to keep you occupied here for several days, including a hike up to majestic Doria Castle or even Campiglia, a small town north of Portovenere with amazing views. Strolling around the boats and cafes on Palmaria Island and enjoying aperitivi and seafood dishes overlooking the harbour are other highlights. Dont miss the staircase that takes you down to the luminous green waters close to Byrons Grotto, one of many sculpted sea caves along this part of the coast. Although there are ferries from Portovenere to the Cinque Terre its not a particularly good base for exploring the five villages. You would be better off staying in one of the Cinque Terre villages and in May youre ahead of the summer crowds. Opinions differ over which is the best town to base yourselves in the Cinque Terre, but my pick is Vernazza because it has two swimming beaches, its within easy walking distance of Monterosso and Corniglia, the views from the local lookouts are amazing and there are plenty of restaurants and bars. Senior citizens practice Tai Chi at a community college for seniors in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 31, 2024. Beijing has entered a moderate aging society, with the permanent elderly population in the city reaching 4.95 million by the end of 2023, accounting for 22.6 percent of the city's total permanent population, according to the municipal civil affairs bureau. The city has developed a community-based nursing service model and plans to establish 100 elderly care service centers at subdistrict and township levels. As of Sept. 20, 60 of them had been completed. In addition, the city has stepped up professional home care to serve the bedridden elderly at home. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Student volunteers work in the kitchen at an elderly care service center in Dongcheng District in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 31, 2024. Beijing has entered a moderate aging society, with the permanent elderly population in the city reaching 4.95 million by the end of 2023, accounting for 22.6 percent of the city's total permanent population, according to the municipal civil affairs bureau. The city has developed a community-based nursing service model and plans to establish 100 elderly care service centers at subdistrict and township levels. As of Sept. 20, 60 of them had been completed. In addition, the city has stepped up professional home care to serve the bedridden elderly at home. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Staff members of an elderly service care center assist senior citizens in making bonsai works in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 31, 2024. Beijing has entered a moderate aging society, with the permanent elderly population in the city reaching 4.95 million by the end of 2023, accounting for 22.6 percent of the city's total permanent population, according to the municipal civil affairs bureau. The city has developed a community-based nursing service model and plans to establish 100 elderly care service centers at subdistrict and township levels. As of Sept. 20, 60 of them had been completed. In addition, the city has stepped up professional home care to serve the bedridden elderly at home. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Senior residents learn calligraphy at an elderly care service center in Dongcheng District in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 31, 2024. Beijing has entered a moderate aging society, with the permanent elderly population in the city reaching 4.95 million by the end of 2023, accounting for 22.6 percent of the city's total permanent population, according to the municipal civil affairs bureau. The city has developed a community-based nursing service model and plans to establish 100 elderly care service centers at subdistrict and township levels. As of Sept. 20, 60 of them had been completed. In addition, the city has stepped up professional home care to serve the bedridden elderly at home. (Xinhua/Li Xin) A staff member of an elderly care service center guides a senior citizen on using smart devices in Dongcheng District in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 31, 2024. Beijing has entered a moderate aging society, with the permanent elderly population in the city reaching 4.95 million by the end of 2023, accounting for 22.6 percent of the city's total permanent population, according to the municipal civil affairs bureau. The city has developed a community-based nursing service model and plans to establish 100 elderly care service centers at subdistrict and township levels. As of Sept. 20, 60 of them had been completed. In addition, the city has stepped up professional home care to serve the bedridden elderly at home. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Community residents purchase lunch at a community canteen for seniors in Dongcheng District in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 31, 2024. Beijing has entered a moderate aging society, with the permanent elderly population in the city reaching 4.95 million by the end of 2023, accounting for 22.6 percent of the city's total permanent population, according to the municipal civil affairs bureau. The city has developed a community-based nursing service model and plans to establish 100 elderly care service centers at subdistrict and township levels. As of Sept. 20, 60 of them had been completed. In addition, the city has stepped up professional home care to serve the bedridden elderly at home. (Xinhua/Li Xin) A doctor and a staff member of an elderly care service center prepare daily medications for senior citizens in Dongcheng District in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 31, 2024. Beijing has entered a moderate aging society, with the permanent elderly population in the city reaching 4.95 million by the end of 2023, accounting for 22.6 percent of the city's total permanent population, according to the municipal civil affairs bureau. The city has developed a community-based nursing service model and plans to establish 100 elderly care service centers at subdistrict and township levels. As of Sept. 20, 60 of them had been completed. In addition, the city has stepped up professional home care to serve the bedridden elderly at home. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Beijing on Friday. Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Slovakia, Xi said that after three-quarters of a century of development, the traditional friendship between the two countries is full of vitality, and the cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries. "We have decided to elevate China-Slovakia relations to a strategic partnership, which meets the future development needs of both countries and will inject new and powerful momentum into bilateral cooperation," Xi said, adding that China is willing to work together with Slovakia to open a new chapter in bilateral relations and lift their ties to a higher level. Xi said the two countries need to deepen political mutual trust, calling on both sides to maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication, adhere to mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns. In order to expand pragmatic cooperation, Xi said the two countries should make good use of the newly established inter-governmental cooperation committee to strengthen synergy in new energy, transportation and logistics, infrastructure construction and water resources management. China encourages its enterprises to invest in Slovakia and welcomes Slovak enterprises to explore the market in China, he said. Xi said the two countries should promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges. He called on both sides to carry out communication and dialogue among political parties, local governments, youth, think tanks, and the media, and make good use of platforms such as the Confucius Institutes to consolidate the foundation of public opinion for China-Slovakia friendship across generations. China has decided to grant 15-day visa-free entry to Slovak citizens, Xi added. Xi noted that the two countries need to strengthen international cooperation. In a complex and rapidly changing world, Xi said, both sides should uphold true multilateralism, firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, embrace a vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. China attaches great importance to China-EU relations, Xi said, adding that next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, and China-EU relations should demonstrate due maturity and stability. Xi expressed the hope that the new EU institutions will adhere to the orientation of the China-EU partnership, adopt a positive and pragmatic approach, properly manage differences, and refrain from politicizing economic and trade issues. Fico said Slovakia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate government representing all of China. Slovakia opposes any interference in other countries' internal affairs and advocates for respecting each country's choice of development path. Slovakia appreciates China's decision to grant Slovak citizens the 15-day visa-free treatment, Fico said. Slovakia supports facilitating people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, and welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in the country and strengthen cooperation in areas such as new energy and infrastructure, he added. Slovakia appreciates the three major global initiatives put forward by President Xi, and is willing to strengthen exchanges with China on state governance experience and actively promote the EU's commitment to handling differences through dialogue and consultations, Fico said. The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Xi expounded on China's consistent principle and position, commending Slovakia for adopting an objective, rational and impartial stance. He welcomed Slovakia, as well as more like-minded countries, to play a positive role in promoting peace talks. Fico stated that China's position on the Ukraine crisis is fair, objective and constructive. Slovakia is willing to join the group of Friends for Peace on the Ukraine crisis and work with China to contribute to the political settlement of the crisis. Following the meeting, the two sides issued a joint statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) NAIROBI, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Kithure Kindiki was sworn in as the country's new deputy president Friday in a ceremony held in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, a day after the High Court lifted orders that barred his inauguration. The inauguration of Kindiki, who was the immediate former Cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Interior and National Coordination, follows the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua by the Senate on Oct. 17 over allegations of corruption and gross misconduct. President William Ruto nominated Kindiki, 52 and a lawyer by profession, as the country's third deputy president under the 2010 Constitution on Oct. 18, with the Parliament giving unanimous approval the same day. The High Court, however, initially issued an order blocking Kindiki's swearing-in after Gachagua filed over 30 legal challenges to prevent his impeachment and replacement. On Thursday, a three-judge panel lifted the order, citing public interest and the need for continuity in the office of the Deputy President. Gachagua's impeachment was first approved by the National Assembly on Oct. 9 before being confirmed by the Senate. In addition to corruption, he was accused of insubordination, engaging in ethnically divisive politics, money laundering, undermining government initiatives, intimidating public officers, and threatening a judicial officer. At the swearing-in ceremony, witnessed by the chief justice and chief registrar of the Judiciary, Kindiki took the oath of office before an audience of around 10,000 people, including government officials and diplomats. His appointment has stirred divisions within the ruling party Kenya Kwanza, as Gachagua was a former ally of President Ruto, sparking speculation of political realignments. Kindiki, also a former senator for Tharaka-Nithi County, pledged to serve the president and the Kenyan people by providing the assistance and support needed to transform the country. "I promise you, Mr. President, before this congregation and before God, that I will not let you down for this privilege you have granted me," he said. Grateful for his appointment, Kindiki thanked institutions involved in the transition and highlighted Kenya's democratic maturity, underscored by the unprecedented political and legal hurdles set by his predecessor. He emphasized his commitment to unity, professional integrity, and upholding the Constitution. "This moment calls for an individual who takes pride in a job well done, is humble enough to be a loyal servant of the people, is selfless enough to reach out and mobilize the entirety of government towards delivering for Kenya, is experienced enough to understand the importance of engaging all sectors of our economy to drive transformation, and is committed enough to serve professionally, with loyalty and integrity," Kindiki said. Kamala, you are fired, thunders Trump PHILADELPHIA : Dressed in a garbage vest, Trump arrived at the venue of the rally in Wisconsins Green Bay area in a dump truck How do you like my garbage truck? This truck is in honour of Kamala and Joe Biden, Trump asked VICE President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump held competing rallies in Wisconsin while trying to outperform each other in the key battleground state as the race for the White House remained razor tight five days ahead of the election day. The latest CNN polls showed that Harris has a narrowadvantageinMichiganand Wisconsin, while she and Trump remain tied in Pennsylvania. In Michigan, Harris holds a leadoverTrumpby 48per cent to43percentamonglikelyvoters, according to the findings. Harris also leads Trump in Wisconsin, where 51 per cent support her to 45 per cent for Trump, but the race is tied in Pennsylvania, with both having 48 per cent support. As the race for the White House remained very close, Trumpmountedasharpattack onHarriswhileusingPresident Joe Bidens comments that appeared to call Trumps supporters garbage. Dressed inagarbage vest, Trump arrived at the venue of the rally in Wisconsins Green Bay area inadump truck and addressedseveralthousandof his supporters, arguing that Harris is not fit to become the President. My response to Joe andKamalais very simple:You cant lead America if you dont love Americans, its true. You cant be President if you hate the American people, which I believe they do, and Kamala Harris is not fit to be President of the United States, he said. Kamala, you are fired, Trump thundered. Before the rally, Trump said. Howdoyoulikemygarbage truck? This truck is in honour of Kamala and Joe Biden, he said. For Joe Biden to make thatstatement--itsreallyadisgrace, he said. Earlier, Harris distanced herself from Bidens garbage remarks, saying she strongly disagrees with criticising anyone based on how theyvote.I am sincere in what Imean:WhenelectedPresident of the United States,Iwillrepresent all Americans, includingthosewhodontvoteforme, and address their needs and their desires, she said. TheDemocraticPartyleader also cautioned people against electing Trump. On day one, DonaldTrumpwouldwalkinto office with an enemies list, said Harris. She also touched upon various policy issues, including how she plans to cut taxes on small businesses and expand healthcare coverage for families. The US Presidential Election Day is on November 5. Over 59 million Americans have already casttheir votes in early voting. Disengagement processin certain areas along LACalmost complete: Rajnath ITANAGAR : DEFENCE Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the disengagement process in certain areas along LAC was almost complete based on consensus achieved between India and China. Unveiling a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and inaugurating the Major Ralengnao Bob Khating Museum of Valour at Tawang, Singh referred to the broad consensus achieved by India and China to restore the ground situation in certain areas along the LAC. India and China have been holding talks at both diplomatic and military levels to resolve the differences in some areas along the LAC. As a result of the talks, a broad consensus was developed on the basis of equal and mutual security. The consensus includes the rights of patrolling and grazing in traditional areas, he said. Based on this consensus, the process of disengagement is almost complete. Our efforts will be to take the matter beyond disengagement; but for that, we will have to wait a little longer, he added. Singh, who could not travel toTawang due to inclement weather, virtually inaugurated the statue of Patel and the museum from Tezpur in Assams Sonitpur district. The Defence minister recognised Major Bob Khatings crucial role in establishing Indian administration up to McMahon Line in February 1951, highlighting Tawangs strategic significance. Major Khathing not only led the peaceful integration ofTawanginto India butalso established essential military and security frameworks, including the Sashastra Seema Bal, NagalandArmedPolice,and the Naga Regiment. The Museum of Valour now standsasatributetohisbravery and foresight, inspiring generations to come, he said. Singh commended the Indian Army and local communities for their initiative in creating the museum. Singh paid glowing tributestoSardarPatel,acknowledginghis instrumentalrole in unifying over 560 princelystatespost-independence, a feat that stands as a testament to his indomitable resolve and commitment to a unified India. This statue Desh Ka Vallabh will inspire people reminding them of the strength in unity and the unwavering spirit required to build a nation as diverse as ours, he said. The Defence Minister underscoredthesignificance of unity and harmony, and theNorth-Eastsunique role in the nations identity. He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of ensuring economic and infrastructure development of the entire region. Holistic development of the nation is possible only when the North East prospers. We will create such a North East which is strong andprosperousnotonlynaturallyandculturallybutalso economically, he added. Singhalsohighlightedthe crucial role of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in the progress of the region. He made special mention of the Sela tunnel linking Assam and Tawang, a project which enhances connectivity across Northeast regions. In the times to come, the ArunachalFrontierHighway projectwillplay a majorrole in connecting the entire North East region, especially the border areas. This 2,000-km long highway will prove to be an important strategicandeconomicasset for the region as well as the entire nation, he said. Singh further commendedtheArmedForcesengagementintheregion,fromNCC initiatives and local economicsupporttocrucialdisaster relief efforts. Armed Forces not only provide security but also becomeamediumfordevelopment in that region by cooperatingwiththepeople ofthe border areas. This furtherstrengthensIndiascommitment to ensuring development, peace, and security in the Northeast, the Defence Minister said. Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd), Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Manipur Chief MinisterNBirenSingh,Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi,GOC-inC Eastern Command Lt Gen RC Tewari, 4 Corps GOC Lt GenGambhirSinghandother senior civil and military officials attended the event at Tawang. Forces orces in in and and outside outside India India tr tryingto destabili destabilise se countr country: PM Modi EKTA NAGAR : PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said some forces in and outside India are trying to destabilise the country and portray a negative image of the nation in the world, underscoring the need to identify urban Naxals and unmask them. He was addressing a gathering near the iconic Statue of Unity at Ekta Nagar in Gujarats Narmada district after paying floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on the birth anniversary of Indias first Home Minister. Since 2014, Sardar Patels birth anniversary has been celebrated on October 31 as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day. Due to Indias increasing strengths and capabilities, some forces in and outside are trying to destabilise the country and spread anarchy. They want to hurt Indias economic interests. They want to send a wrong message to foreign investors by portraying a negative image of the nation in the world, the PM said. Without taking names, Modi said these people are also targeting Indias armed forces through a disinformation campaign and trying to ignite sentiments of separatism in the Army. These people are trying to divide the country on caste lines.Their only goal is to weaken the Indian society as well as peoples unity, he said. They dont want to see India as a developed country because what suits them is the politics of a weaker and poor India, he said, adding that such dirty politics went on for nearly five decades. Modi alleged that though these forces always talk about democracy and the Constitution, they are actually working to divide the country. The Opposition led by the Congress has repeatedly targeted PM Modi claiming that Indias democracy and Constitution areunder attack by the ruling BJP. The PM urged the people to identify this nexus of urban Naxals, which he said is trying to break the country. As Naxalism is ending in jungles, a new model of urban Naxals is raising its head, he said. We need to identify such people who are dreaming of breaking the country. We have to fight these forces. Today urban Naxals target even those who say that you will remain safe if you remain united. We have to identify urban Naxals and unmask them, he said. He said due to the Governments efforts in the past 10 years, Naxalism is counting its last breath in India. Recalling Sardar Patels contribution, Modi said though there were people who were skeptical of Indias unification after the independence, Sardar Patel made it possible. He added that the country will celebrate Patels 150th birth anniversary forthenexttwo years. According to Modi, every scheme floated by his government reflects the spirit of unity. He said benefitswere given to every citizen without discrimination, be it Har Ghar Jal, Ayushman Bharat or PM Awas Yojna. Modi said that after the success of the one nation, onetaxinitiativeintheform of GST (Goods and Services Tax),onenation,one ration card, and one nation, one healthinsuranceintheform of Ayushman Bharat scheme, his government is nowworkingononenation, one election. This approach will strengthen democracy and give optimumoutcomes on availableresources, he said. We are also moving towardstheimplementation of one nation, one secular civil code. Sardar Patels message of unity in society isatthecoreofthisdecision. This will eliminate discriminationandstrengthenunity among people, said the PM. Referring to the abrogation of Article 370, PM Modi said it stood as a barrier in implementing the Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir, where assembly elections were held recently. For the first time in 75 years, the Chief Minister of JammuandKashmirhastakenoathontheConstitution. I see it as a very important milestone forIndias unity. I salute the people of Jammu and Kashmir who gave respecttotheConstitution, he said. Abouttheongoingwarsin different parts of the world, ModisaidIndiahasemerged as Vishwa Bandhu (friend of the world). India has emerged as Vishwa Bandhu when relations between different countries are getting strained. When differences between nations are growingtoday,countriesarecomingclosertoIndia.Anewhistory is being written. The worldiswatchinghow India is bringing solutions to its decades-old challenges, said the PM. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers sweets to jawans during the Diwali celebration in Gujarats Kutch. PM celebrates Diwali with soldiers in Kutch BHUJ, Oct 31 (PTI) PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India cannot compromise on even an inch of land on its borders, adding the people believe in the strength of its armed forces for defending the country. Indias enemies see the end of their sinister plans when they see the Indian armed forces, he said at Sir Creek in Gujarats Kutch district, as he kept up his tradition of celebrating Diwali with personnel of the armed forces. The spot is located close to the Indo-Pak border. People of India feel their country is safe because of you; when the world sees you, it sees Indias strength, when enemies see you, they see the end of their sinister plans, Modi said, addressing personnel of the Border Security Force, Army, Navy and Air Force. Today there is a Government in the country which cannot compromise even on one inch of the countrys borders, the Prime Minister added. His Government believes in the strength of the army to defend the country and does not depend on the words of the countrys enemies, Modi further said Notably, Indian and Chinese troops earlier this week completed disengagement at two friction points at Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh following an agreementbetweenthetwocountries to end an over fouryear-oldstand-offalongthe Line of Actual Control. The Prime Minister, meanwhile, also said that we see the Army, Navy and Air Force as different entities, but their strength will increase manifold when they come together. Development of infrastructure in border areas was a top priority, he added. As the country is moving fast towards the goal of developedIndia,youallare protectors of this dream, Modi told the soldiers. He also said that Kutch has immense tourism potential, and border tourism is an aspect related to national security which is not discussed much. Indian, Chinese troops exchange Diwali sweets NEW DELHI : TROOPS of India and China exchanged sweets at several border points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the occasion of Diwali onThursday. The traditional practice was observed a day after both countries completed troop disengagement at the two friction points at Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh, bringing a fresh thaw in the Sino-Indian ties. Sweets exchange between members of the troops of India and China took place at several border points along the LAC on the occasion of Diwali, an Army source told PTI earlier in the day. The exchange took place at all the five Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) points along the LAC -- Bum La and Wacha/Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh, Chushul-Moldo and Daulat Beg Oldi in Ladakh and Nathu La in Sikkim -- among several other locations, the sources added. On Wednesday, an Army source said that troops of both sides had completed the disengagement at the two friction points and patrolling would commence soon at these points. The verification process after the disengagement was in progress and patrolling modalities were to be decided between ground commanders, the source said then. Talks will continue at the local commander level, the Army source added. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on October 21 said in Delhi that an agreement was finalised between India and China following negotiations over the past several weeks and that it would lead to a resolution of the issues that arose in 2020. The agreement was firmed up on patrolling and disengagement of troops along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, a breakthrough to end the over four-year standoff. The move marks a significant development in the pursuit of reduced tension along the LAC in eastern Ladakh since the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. The ties between the two Asian giants had nosedived following the clash. As a traditional practice, Indian and Chinese troops have in the past exchanged sweets and greetings at several border posts along the LAC, including in eastern Ladakh, to mark festivals and other important occasions. Jichkars nomination cleared for West Ngp Assembly segment Staff Reporter : The battle for West Nagpur Assembly segment is now going to get more fierce as the dark clouds hovering over nomination form of Congress rebel Narendra Jichkar were finally blown over. Now the battle is surely going to be three cornered between official Congress nominee Vikas Thakre and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Sudhakar Kohale and Jichkar. The Returning Officer for West Nagpur constituency gave his ruling on the validity of Jichkar's nomination form. A voter from Gittikhadan area had filed an objection stating that Jichkars form be rejected since he was Director in M/s Anjanikrupa Logistics Pvt. Ltd. and the firm had also obtained Government contracts from time to time. This is violation of Sec. 9A of The Representation of People Act, 1951, alleged Rajesh Gopale, Independent candidate, in fray. A notice was issued to Jichkar asking for an explanation. Jichkar stated MSEDCL is a public limited company and does not come under purview of State Government as per the prevaling rules. He also cited Apex Court ruling to justify his stance. Further, Jichkar said, he had already resigned from the position of Director of said company in January 2024 and submitted documents to that effect. So the challenge on part of people who wanted a straight fight in the constituency failed. Jichkar has already made his intentions clear by trying to take on Vikas Thakre, who is also President of Nagpur City (District) Congress Committee, in West Nagpur Assembly segment that latter represents. Since last two years, he has been engaged in public contact programme. His presence in the field may impact the final outcome. Adv Virat Mishra appeared for those who had filed objections while Jichkar's case was pleaded by Adv R M Bhangde. KIGALI, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda and the African Union (AU) on Friday inaugurated the African Medicines Agency (AMA) headquarters in Kigali, paving the way for the operations of the continental regulatory body for medical products. Speaking at the event, Rwandan Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana said that the agency has arrived at the right time for Africa, as it will support the growth of local pharmaceutical production and catalyze trade. "For Rwanda in particular, the agency will strengthen our efforts and is expected to become a hub for healthcare services, research and quality medicine in Africa," he added. Minata Samate Cessouma, AU commissioner for health, humanitarian affairs and social development, said that the agency will make a significant contribution to the production and distribution of medicine across the continent. "The inauguration of the AMA headquarters marks a significant milestone for healthcare on the continent. We are grateful to Rwanda for its commitment to host the headquarters," she said. Cessouma explained that the agency will evaluate medical products for the treatment of priority diseases as determined by the African Union, and it will regularly inspect, coordinate and share information about products that are authorized for marketing. According to officials, the specialized AU agency will facilitate pandemic preparedness, expand access to medicines, support collaboration among regulators, and build resilient health systems. The handover involved a fully equipped building, vehicles and essential resources to support the AMA's mission. Selected as the host nation at the 2022 African Union Executive Council meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, Rwanda will facilitate the AMA's pivotal role in standardizing and regulating medicines across Africa. by Xinhua writers Lyu Yanhao, Huang Kun BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Springer Nature has seen rapid growth in China's scientific research output in recent years, the chief publishing officer at the world-renowned scientific publishing group told Xinhua. "China has been publishing in all key artificial intelligence (AI) research areas," Harsh Jegadeesan said in a recent interview, adding that publications from China are experiencing double-digit growth in all AI-related fields including machine learning, data management, and data science. Springer Nature is a global publisher whose journal Nature is the world's leading multidisciplinary science publication. He said Springer Nature published nearly 3,000 machine learning-related papers from China last year, triple the number from around 1,000 in 2019. China has developed rapidly in science and technology, and the quantity and quality of the papers produced are also rising rapidly, he said. "Taking Nature, our flagship journal, as an example. If you go back to 1997, there were four papers from China, and last year we published around 160 papers with Chinese corresponding authors," said Jegadeesan. "If you look at Nature Index, for example, just from 2019 to 2023, overall AI output increased more than five times from China," he said, adding that six of the ten research institutions with the fastest growth in global AI output are from China. The Nature Index is a database of author affiliations and institutional relationships. The index tracks contributions to research articles published in high-quality natural science and health science journals. The Nature Index shows that China is right behind the United States in terms of AI research output but is growing faster, he said. Regarding Springer Nature's attitude toward using AI in writing papers, Jegadeesan said, "Our policy on this is clear -- author must be human, and AI cannot be listed as author or co-author." Springer Nature has launched two artificial intelligence tools this year to help identify fake content and problematic images generated by AI in papers. "We're fighting AI with AI," Jegadeesan said. While AI presents certain challenges, it offers substantial support to the scientific research community by helping researchers stay updated on advancements in their fields, breaking down language barriers, and eliminating fake content, he said. "AI will be a game-changer for the industry, I'm very optimistic about the use of AI," he said. VIENTIANE, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Representatives from the Lao government, development partners and the private sector convened in Lao capital Vientiane to exchange views on foreign investment and small and medium enterprises (SME) development. The challenges and opportunities in private sector development in Laos were the main topics of discussion at the 23rd Trade and Private Sector Working Group meeting held here on Wednesday, according to a report from Laos' Ministry of Industry and Commerce on Friday. Over 80 participants representing line ministries, embassies, development partners, and domestic and foreign business communities attended the meeting. Speaking at the meeting, Lao Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Manothong Vongsay said: "While we are making good progress in integrating with regional and global economies, especially under the framework of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and World Trade Organization, a lot still needs to be done." "For Laos to gain full benefits from international integration, especially in the context of the AEC, it is essential that our country can enhance its national competitiveness by further deepening economic integration, creating a favorable trade and investment environment, and improving the productivity of Lao enterprises," said Manothong. Trade and Private Sector Working Group is one of the ten sector working groups under the Round Table Process and is the main forum for policy dialogue between the Lao government and development partners. The working group meetings are organized semi-annually to address issues related to trade policies, investment promotion, infrastructure development and other matters that affect the private sector and trade within the country. MADRID, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the flash floods devastating parts of east and southern Spain rose to 205 on Friday, according to the Center of Coordinated and Integrated Operations in the Valencian region. Since Thursday, 50 additional fatalities have now been confirmed, bringing the total tally to 202 in the Valencian region. Three more deaths were recorded in neighboring Castilla-La Mancha and the southern region of Andalusia. Emergency services are continuing search and rescue operations, with more fatalities expected to be confirmed in the coming hours. The Valencian regional government has announced that the Valencia Congress Center would be used as a temporary mortuary to accommodate the victims' bodies. The flash flood suddenly struck east and southern Spain on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, bringing some areas over a year's worth of rainfall within four to five hours. Spain's Minister of Defense Margarita Robles confirmed on Friday that another 500 members of the armed forces are being deployed to assist in the affected regions. These troops will join the 1,200 already deployed, with the aid of 400 vehicles and 15 search and rescue helicopters. "The army has been here since the first day and it will continue to help ... there are places where there are cars stacked one on top of the other and people and families could be trapped inside," noted Robles. On Friday, the electrical company Iberdrola confirmed that over 23,000 households remain without power, an improvement from the initial 130,000 homes affected by outages at the onset of the disaster. Spain's Ministry of Transport and Sustainability has announced over 25 million euros (27.18 million U.S. dollars) of emergency funds for immediate repairs on the most severely impacted roads. Approximately half of this amount will go toward repairing a viaduct on the A7 highway, which partially collapsed in the flooding, with significant damage also reported on the N-330 and N-322 highways. On Thursday, Spain's Minister for Transport Oscar Puente stated that the high-speed rail link between Madrid and Valencia would likely be out of service for approximately three weeks due to the collapse of two tunnels on the route. Around 80 km of local railway lines have also been destroyed by the floods. It was confirmed on Friday that the MotoGP race scheduled for late November at the Cheste racetrack outside Valencia had been canceled due to extensive flood damage to the circuit and surrounding areas. In addition, all sporting events in the Valencia region, including the La Liga match between Valencia and Real Madrid, have been postponed as Spain observes three days of official mourning. BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The world's first mobile thermal-injection platform was recently delivered in China's Shandong Province, offering new opportunities to tap into China's vast potential for heavy-oil recovery, according to the country's major marine oil-mining company. China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) announced on Thursday that "Recai No.1" or "Thermal Recovery No.1", the mobile thermal-injection platform developed and built by China, has been delivered in waters off Weihai, Shandong. The two-deck platform is 82 meters long and 42 meters wide, with a total deck area of over 3,000 square meters, a weight of over 10,000 tonnes and a height equivalent to a building of more than 20 stories. Equipped with four legs that are over 70 meters high, the platform can operate in waters at the depth of 35 meters, and withstand typhoons up to category 16. According to CNOOC, the platform features a number of pioneering technologies, including the mobile thermal-injection system and the compensation technology for high-temperature, high-pressure steam pipelines. It is equipped with three steam boiler systems that can simultaneously inject high-pressure steam at temperatures exceeding 350 degrees Celsius into six oil wells, reducing the viscosity of heavy oil and turning it into more fluid and easily extractable crude oil. The platform can be towed to different oil-recovery platforms by tugboats to carry out rapid thermal injection, effectively reducing the development costs of heavy oil and realizing large-scale thermal recovery of heavy oil. Heavy oil refers to crude oil that is relatively viscous and has poor fluidity, making it difficult to extract. Unlike the cold-recovery method used for conventional crude oil, heavy oil is typically developed by thermal recovery. Heavy oil makes up more than two-thirds of the world's proven crude oil reserves. As one of the world's four major producers of heavy oil, China has an estimated heavy-oil resource volume of about 19.87 billion tonnes. In the Bohai Sea area with which Shandong Province has a coastline, heavy-oil reserves account for nearly half of the total proven crude oil reserves in the area. BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Friday met here with Sam Hou Fai, who was newly elected as the chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region and recently appointed by the central government. HONG KONG, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Friday welcomed the announcements of the first batch of brokers eligible to participate in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect Pilot Scheme. Fourteen licensed corporations in Hong Kong are qualified to offer cross-boundary investment services for investors from the GBA, according to the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. They will work in partnership with brokers of the Chinese mainland confirmed by the China Securities Regulatory Commission. A spokesperson for the HKSAR government said that the Wealth Management Connect has been growing steadily since its launch in September 2021, and measures commencing on Feb. 26 this year to enhance the scheme have received enthusiastic market response. The first batch of brokers joining the scheme can help better satisfy GBA residents' demand for asset allocation and create more development opportunities for the industry, the spokesperson said. This will strengthen Hong Kong's status as an international asset management center, the spokesperson added. SYDNEY, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- A Sydney university has launched a new initiative to boost screening and treatment for cervical cancer in the south Pacific. The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney on Friday announced that its world-leading health research institute, the Kirby Institute, has received 25.9 million Australian dollars (17.04 million U.S. dollars) in a donation to support vital cervical cancer screening and treatment services for over 130,000 women in the south Pacific region. The donation, the single largest in the history of UNSW Sydney, was made by global conglomerate the Swire Group and would enable the Kirby Institute to work with regional partners to conduct cervical cancer screening. Cervical cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the south Pacific region. The vast majority, 99 percent, of cervical cancer cases are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Most women with HPV infection do not experience symptoms, making screening, which looks for HPV and abnormal cells, crucial for early detection. The cervical cancer incidence and mortality rate in Australia has fallen by half since the introduction of the government-funded National Cervical Screening Program in 1991. This photo taken on Oct. 29 shows that at the 2024 Global Water Drinks Congress held in Frankfurt, Germany, Yili Innovation Center Europe expert Gerrit Smit holds the Global Water Drinks Award on behalf of China's Yili Group. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) "This preserves the authentic flavor of high-quality tea. With just a twist and shake, a fresh bottle of tea is ready in three seconds," Yili expert introduced the company's innovative product, which gained an award in Germany. FRANKFURT, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- How quickly can one make a fresh delicious cup of tea? For Chinese dairy giant Yili, the answer is just three seconds. With its innovative product, INIKIN Brewed Tea, Yili has made this rapid experience possible and received global recognition, winning a prestigious water drink award on Tuesday night. The achievement, announced at the 21st Global Water Drinks Congress, a three-day event that concluded here on Wednesday, has garnered praise from industry experts and tea enthusiasts worldwide. This photo taken on Oct. 30 shows that Yili Innovation Center Europe expert Gerrit Smit (left) introduces a product to a participant at the 2024 Global Water Drinks Congress held in Frankfurt, Germany. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) Gerrit Smit, an expert at Yili Innovation Center Europe, explained to Xinhua the technology behind the product: "Using optimal freshness technology, INIKIN employs a unique bottle cap that keeps freeze-dried tea powder separate from water, with no additives. This preserves the authentic flavor of high-quality tea. With just a twist and shake, a fresh bottle of tea is ready in three seconds," he said. Richard Hall, chairman of Zenith Global, the event's organizer, commended Yili's product as a shining example of Chinese innovation in the beverage industry. As the representative of the only invited Chinese company, Smit introduced a concept of harmonious coexistence between humanity, nature, and society, underscoring Chinese companies' commitment to green development in the global drinking water sector. A robot is seen arranging boxes of milk at a milk production base of the Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd. in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Feb. 11, 2020. (Photo by Li Zhipeng/Xinhua) "At Yili, we take sustainability very seriously." He noted that Yili aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire supply chain by 2050. The 21st Global Water Drinks Congress provided industry leaders, suppliers, customers and advisers with insights into the latest market trends, innovations, and challenges, while facilitating networking with key figures in the sector. PUL-E-ALAM, Afghanistan, Nov.1 (Xinhua) -- The construction of a water supply project has been completed and put into operation in the Kharwar district of eastern Afghanistan's Logar province, a statement of the provincial administration office said Friday. The statement said the network provides clean water in several villages at a cost of 3,896,350 afghani (58,175 U.S. dollars). Additionally, it will assist farmers in irrigating hundreds of acres of land in the area. Afghanistan has been suffering from drought for years and the residents of big cities, including the capital city of Kabul, are facing extreme shortages of drinking water over the past couple of years. ADDIS ABABA/KIGALI, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda is heading in "a good direction" in its efforts to contain the deadly Marburg virus disease, with only four confirmed cases reported in the last two weeks, a senior Rwandan health official has said. During a special online media briefing on Thursday, held alongside officials from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to discuss the multi-country mpox outbreak in Africa and the Marburg virus disease outbreak in Rwanda, Yvan Butera, Rwandan minister of state in the Ministry of Health, said the country has so far confirmed 66 Marburg virus disease cases. With four confirmed cases reported during the last two weeks, Butera said: "the trend is leaning toward fewer and fewer cases being detected over time, and in terms of death as well." He said since the beginning of the outbreak, the country has recorded 15 Marburg virus disease-related deaths, with a case fatality rate of 22.7 percent. "The priority is rapid detection, rapid testing, quick isolation and treatment of positive cases, along with widespread infection prevention control measures ... all of which contribute to what we are seeing right now, a well-controlled outbreak," Butera said. He further affirmed Rwanda's commitment to contributing to the global knowledge pool of Marburg and similar public health threats. "Consider Rwanda as a resilient and innovative partner in global health, more particularly in global health security, as some of these diseases have a potential of becoming a bit serious for many more people," he said. Despite progress in containing the spread of the virus, the Rwandan minister stressed that the outbreak is not yet over, highlighting the need to further continue the positive trend and boost response efforts. "It is not yet time to declare victory, but in terms of the numbers that we are seeing, the number of contacts that are being followed up and the positivity rates that we are seeing, I think we are headed in a good direction," Butera said. The Marburg virus disease outbreak, which was first declared in Rwanda on Sept. 27, marks the country's first outbreak of the virus, which also coincides with Rwanda's ongoing response to a multi-country outbreak of mpox. Marburg virus disease is a severe and often fatal hemorrhagic illness transmitted from fruit bats to humans. Human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with an infected person's bodily fluids or contaminated materials. There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for the virus. Infection prevention and control protocols similar to those used for Ebola are essential to limiting its spread. COLOMBO, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Three students from Sri Lanka's General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University (KDU) were killed with at least 35 others injured in a bus accident in southeastern area of the country on Friday morning, police reported. Police spokesperson DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that the bus, carrying around 41 passengers, overturned around 7:45 a.m. on the Badulla-Mahiyangana road in Uva Province. The injured students were taken to a major hospital in the provincial capital of Badulla, with six of them being treated in the intensive care unit (ICU), according to local media reports. Police have not yet determined what caused the accident. Motor vehicle accidents are common in the South Asian country. In 2023, there were 2,557 deaths recorded in 2,200 fatal traffic accidents. A court in Mumbai has directed Shenpenn Khymsar, a Darjeeling-based filmmaker, to repay more than Rs 3 crore that he had allegedly borrowed from a person in Portugal for making a film. Mr Khymsar had made a bilingual (Hindi and Nepali) film Broken Wings based on a tragic love story set in the backdrop of Gorkhaland agitation during 1986. Advertisement He had borrowed a sum of CAD 5,00,000 (Canadian Dollars) or around Rs 3.31 crore from Frank Teleghani, a businessman in Portugal, in three installments as loan to make the film. He had promised Teleghani that he would repay the money once the film is released, said Kshitij Pal, an advocate in Mumbai, who represented Teleghani in the case. Advertisement He had taken the money in 2019 and 2020 for the full-fledged film, Mr Pal said. The film had Vinay Pathak of Bheja Fry fame in the cast and others like Mrinal Singh, Sunakshi Grover and Neetu Pandey. The filmmaker didnt pay the money to Frank Teleghani, nor did appraise the latter of the earnings made from the film, prompting the financier to move the city civil and sessions court in Greater Bombay, according to Mr Pal. The court heard the case during the end of August and ordered Mr Khymsar to deposit in court Rs 3.31 crore that he owes Teleghani within a month. But Mr Teleghani is yet to get back the money, Mr Pal said. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to increase the number of central forces for by-elections in six Assembly constituencies Medinipur, Naihati, Haroa, Taldangra, Setai and Matharihat in five districts including East Midnapore, North 24 Parganas, Bankura, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar. The bypolls in the six seats will be held on 13 November. Advertisement According to sources in the office of the state chief electoral officer (CEO), under the ECI, the Commission will deploy 108 companies of central forces for bypolls this time. Earlier, the ECI had decided to send 89 companies to the Central Armed Police Force. Advertisement The CAPF have already been pressed into services in different clusters in the six constituencies for area domination and confidence among electorates. With demands for deployment of more central forces in some areas under these constituencies, the ECI reportedly urged the Union home ministry to increase the number of CAPF personnel. Responding to the Commissions request, the home ministry decided to send additional 19 companies of central forces to West Bengal. Sources said the forces 29 companies of the CRPF, 40 of the BSF, CISF and ITBP 12 each, and 13 of the SSB would cover 1,583 polling stations in the six constituencies, with an average of 5.6 personnel per booth. Additionally, five companies of the CRPF will be deployed to guard the strong rooms. Opposition BJP has already met the CEO Aariz Aftab and demanded to exclude civic volunteers from the polling duty and rely solely on central forces for the purpose for peaceful elections. We want the by-elections to be conducted by the central forces. We asked the commission not to use civic volunteers in this election. Our party representatives have already met the CEO on Monday and submitted our demands, a BJP leader said. The BJP delegation demanded the suspension of the beneficiary verification process for the Banglar Awaas Yojana, initiated by the state government on 21 October, calling it a violation of the model code of conduct in the five districts. Every verified beneficiary will receive Rs 1.3 lakh for the construction of a pucca house. This is a gross violation of the model code of conduct. The commission should take immediate steps to stop this verification process because it is the basis of the project, the BJP leader said. Neighbours clashed with each other over drying clothes in front of the houses at Sitalpur under Kulti police station area and two rounds were fired from a revolver with one person being injured. Sanjib Sharma started beating his neighbour Kalicharan Ram and broke one of his hands with a rod and sticks. Ayush Shome, his son, rushed to save his father from the hands of Sanjib Sharma and his son. Advertisement Sharma, who is a priest by profession and locally known as Pandit Ji rushed inside his house and then fired two rounds from his revolver. Advertisement Kulti police reached the site after locals informed them and arrested Sanjib Sharma and his son Pintu. Locals alleged that seeing police coming to his house, Sanjib Sharma had thrown his revolver in the adjacent paddy fields. Kalicharan Shome was admitted at Asansol district hospital. Locals took video of the clash on their cell phones and handed them over to the police. Sanjib Karra, ADCP (West) of Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate said that after altercations between two neighbours, two rounds were fired and one person sustained injuries. The police are combing the area to seize the firearm. The passenger of an auto-rickshaw was critically injured in a head-on collision with a car in East Delhi following which the driver of the car, a serving police constable, was arrested. The police received information about a person admitted to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital in critical condition. On inquiry, the cops came to know that he was injured in an accident. Advertisement The local police registered a case immediately after being informed about the same. Advertisement Upon reaching the accident site, a police team found a badly damaged car and an auto involved in the crash. Initial investigation revealed that the vehicles were coming from opposite directions when the collision occurred resulting in serious injuries to the passenger. The car driver, a police constable posted in Mayur Vihar, was arrested and made a part of the investigation. We conducted a breathalyzer test, which showed no traces of alcohol, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Apoorva Gupta stated. The driver has been medically examined, and samples have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for further analysis. The results of the FSL tests will determine the next steps in the case. The injured victim remains critical while the authorities are continuing their investigation to establish all the details leading up to the accident. The investigation will proceed based on whatever findings emerge from the analysis. We will ensure that appropriate legal action is taken, Gupta said. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the well-known actor and former governor of California, recently surprised many by endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, for the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Despite his Republican background, Schwarzenegger emphasized that his focus is on the countrys future rather than party allegiance. On Wednesday, Schwarzenegger shared his thoughts on the current political climate on social media platform X, expressing both frustration and hope for Americas future. Although he usually avoids endorsing candidates, he felt compelled to speak out during what he considers a critical election period. I want to move forward as a country, he said, acknowledging that while he may not align entirely with Harris and Walzs platform, he believes they offer the best path forward for America. Advertisement I dont really do endorsements. Im not shy about sharing my views, but I hate politics and dont trust most politicians. Advertisement I also understand that people want to hear from me because I am not just a celebrity, I am a former Republican Governor. My time as Governor taught me to Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) October 30, 2024 A significant part of his statement centered on his disapproval of former President Donald Trumps refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election. Schwarzenegger condemned such behavior as un-American, saying, For someone like me who speaks with people worldwide, calling America a trash can is so unpatriotic it makes me furious. As a naturalized citizen, Arnold Schwarzenegger takes pride in his American identity and believes it supersedes any party affiliation. I will always be an American before I am a Republican, he stated, hoping his words resonate with those feeling disconnected from current political discourse. Schwarzenegger also criticized the divisive atmosphere surrounding issues like immigration reform and the national debt, accusing politicians of failing to enact meaningful solutions. To them, its just a game, but to my fellow Americans, its life, he observed, expressing frustration with what he perceives as political grandstanding. Further, Schwarzenegger voiced concern over Trumps potential impact if re-elected, warning that another term would likely deepen the divisions among Americans. We need to close the door on this chapter of American history, he said, adding that Trump would likely prevent that. Schwarzenegger closed his statement by reiterating his hopes for a unified and forward-moving nation. I want to move forward as a country, he concluded, underscoring his support for Harris and Walz as a step toward that vision. Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds a welcoming ceremony for Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is on an official visit to China, in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2024. Li held talks with Fico in Beijing on Friday. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with visiting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Beijing on Friday. Noting that Slovakia is one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with China, Li said that over the past 75 years, China-Slovakia relations have developed in a healthy and stable manner. The two sides enjoy mutual respect, equality and friendly cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, he added. China is willing to maintain high-level political mutual trust with the Slovak side, Li noted, saying that the two sides should expand cooperation led by the high-quality Belt and Road development. Li said that both countries should give full play to the role of the joint economic committee and the science and technology cooperation committee, and promote cooperation in fields including China-Europe Railway Express, connectivity, and infrastructure construction. The two sides should further expand bilateral trade volume, and explore the cooperation potential in emerging industries such as digital economy and green economy, to jointly foster new economic drivers for both countries, said Li. China and Slovakia should make joint efforts to provide a better business environment for enterprises in each other's countries, said the premier. He noted that both sides should continue to improve exchanges in cultural tourism, science, education, sports, media, youth, and other areas of people-to-people exchanges, and promote the establishment of cultural centers in each other's countries to enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. For his side, Fico mentioned that China's development accomplishments in recent years have set an example for countries around the world. He said Slovakia supports the global initiatives proposed by China. Slovakia firmly abides by the one-China policy, and recognizes that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, said Fico. The prime minister said that Slovakia opposes the extra tariffs imposed by the EU on Chinese electric vehicles, adding that the EU and China should seek a proper solution through dialogue and consultation. He said that Slovakia is willing to strengthen exchanges and coordination with China in international affairs to jointly tackle global challenges. After their talks, Li and Fico witnessed the signing of multiple documents on bilateral cooperation in the fields of transportation, economy and trade, culture, tourism, and green and low-carbon development. Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Ten wild elephants, from a herd of 13 jumbos, have died possibly after consuming some poisonous substance at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Madhya Pradesh within three days from Tuesday to Thursday. Two elephants undergoing treatment in critical condition succumbed on Thursday taking the death toll to 10. According to MP Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), V K N Ambade, one elephant undergoing treatment died on Wednesday evening while the other two on Thursday. The remaining three elephants of the herd are said to be fine. Advertisement Earlier, seven wild elephants had died at the world famous BTR in Umaria district of MP till Wednesday afternoon. Advertisement Initially two elephants were found dead on Tuesday but during search and investigations launched by the forest departments patrolling teams, five more tuskers were found dead. Three more elephants were found seriously ill and senior officials and teams of veterinarians rushed to the spot to provide treatment to the sick elephants. The postmortem of the dead tuskers was also carried out to ascertain the exact cause of death. Initial investigations surmise that the elephant herd possibly grazed on kodo millet crops that were sprinkled with pesticide leading to their deaths. Madhya Pradesh forest minister Ramniwas Rawat expressed grief at the incident. The minister ordered an inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the matter on Wednesday. Senior wildlife officials including National Tiger Conservation Authoritys Central Zone Assistant Inspector General Nandkishore Kale rushed to the spot along with officials of the state forest department. Veterinarians from the School of Wildlife Forensics and Health at Jabalpur and from the Pench and Kanha national parks also rushed to the spot to provide treatment to the ill elephants and also carry out the postmortem of the deceased tuskers. According to BTR Deputy Director Prakash Kumar Verma, the elephants were found dead in Salkhania and Bakeli beats under the Khitoli and Pataur Kor ranges of the reserve. The New Delhi-based Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has also set up a committee to initiate an inquiry into the deaths. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had said on social media that the deaths of elephants at BTR is absolutely shocking. The former union forest and environment minister said that the population of elephants at the BTR has receded by 10 per cent in this one incident. He demanded a full inquiry into the matter immediately. Dismissing the Shakti scheme as one of several poll guarantees of Congress that promises of which the grand old party merely makes announcements, the BJP said on Friday the free bus rides to women in Karnataka is one such gimmick to fool the public for the sake of votes. The BJP was reacting to the advice of Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge the state units of his party preparing for elections to announce guarantees aligned with their budgets. His advice had come in the wake of the Congress government in Karnataka suggesting that it could review the Shakti scheme which ensured free bus transport for women. Advertisement In this context, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad demanded an apology from the Congress chief and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi as both of them misled the public going by their admission. The Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge has accepted that we should make an announcement for only those items for which we have budgetary provisions and financial availability Has the Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge taught this lesson to Rahul Gandhi? Rahul Gandhi is an expert in making announcements, and he keeps doing it, Prasad said while addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here. Advertisement Today, the Congress party has accepted through its president that what they have been doing is an attempt to deceive the public! Will Kharge Ji apologise for what his party has done to the people? For whats happening in Telangana, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh, the senior BJP leader said. Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge has stated that only those guarantees should be announced for which there is a budget. Listening to this, one wonders whether President Kharge has taught the lesson of wise thinking to his leader Rahul Gandhi, Prasad said. The BJP would like to ask very clear and categorical questions to the esteemed Congress party President. Rahul Gandhi, time and again, represents the uncertainty surrounding his election promises. Rahul Gandhi is an expert at making announcements, but never intends to fulfill those, the senior BJP leader said. Citing the example of Himachal Pradesh, Prasad said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has asked state government employees not to take their salaries. What about their announcements and promises in Himachal Pradesh? However, the CM there has asked state government employees not to take their salaries. They were also planning to impose a tax on toilets as well but had to withdraw the decision following a row over it, he added. The BJP leader further said that Congress just makes announcements and fools the public for the sake of votes. They (Congress) just make announcements and fool the public for the sake of votes and then they dont implement their promisesIn Karnataka, they (Congress) announced five guarantees. Today, they (Congress) are talking about reviewing the free bus scheme (Shakti)BJP always fulfills the promises that we make, he stated. Hence, he said Congress has accepted today through its president that Congress has always talked about trying to deceive the public. For the first time, Congress has accepted that they have misled the publicWill Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge apologise for what is happening in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh? The INDI alliance will do the same in Maharashtra and Jharkhand and mislead the publicMallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the nation, the BJP leader said. Earlier in the day, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge advised to the Congress units headed for polls cautioning them to announce guarantees on the basis of their budget. He urged for careful consideration and warned that an unplanned approach could lead to financial difficulties and negatively impact future generations. During a press conference, he underscored the importance of fiscal responsibility, stating that if the government fails to deliver on its commitments, it could result in a bad reputation and hardships for the community. In Maharashtra, Ive said that they shouldnt announce 5, 6, 10 or 20 guarantees. They should announce guarantees based on budget. Otherwise, therell be bankruptcy. If theres no money for roads, everyone will turn against you. If this government fails, the future generation will be left with nothing but a bad name. Theyll have to live in exile for 10 years. Kharges statement came after the Congress government in Karnataka suggested that it could review the Shakti scheme which ensured free bus transport for women. However, on Thursday, Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that there would be no review or stoppage of the scheme. Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, after reconsidering his statement, said, Karnataka guarantee model is a model for the entire country. The BJP and other parties are also adopting it and we are proud that we could implement that and we could deliver that. The people of Karnataka and the country are very happy with our model, Shivakumar told reporters. Speaking to media reporters, DK Shivakumar said his statement was twisted and whatever the elders say we have to follow that. Whatever our elders say, we follow that. My statement was twisted. A few have suggested what I have said. There is no question of closing the schemes. I had just said that we will discuss it. But the BJP just wants to do politics. They have nothing to do better, he said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Friday, expressed deep condolences on the passing away of Dr. Bibek Debroy, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) and renowned economist. He prayed for peace for the departed soul and strength for his family to bear this grief. Advertisement Sharing his heartfelt tribute to the on the social media platform X, the chief minister wrote, The passing of Dr. Bibek Debroy, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Honourable Prime Minister and a distinguished economist, is deeply saddening. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to his family to endure this great loss. Om Shanti! Advertisement Dr. Debroy was instrumental in shaping Indias economic policies, with numerous reforms enacted under his guidance. His departure has left not only the economic community but the entire nation bereft of a knowledgeable and devoted economist. Dr. Debroy passed away at the age of 69 on Friday at 7 am at AIIMS Delhi, following a struggle with an intestinal illness. He received the prestigious Padma Shri Award for his contributions to the nation. Before heading the Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Council, he served as chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE), Pune. Meanwhile, CM Yogi expressed grief over the demise of senior BJP worker and former MLA Narayan alias Bhulai Bhai. He has described his demise as an irreparable loss for the party. Paying tributes to him, he shared a post on social media platform X saying his contribution would always be remembered. The chief minister said Narayan alias Bhulai Bhai was one of the oldest workers of the BJP who had shown immense dedication and loyalty to the party during his lifetime. With his demise, the BJP has lost one of its hard-working and popular leaders. A 25-member Indian Army contingent has departed for Cijantung, Jakarta, Indonesia, to participate in the 9th edition of the India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise GARUD SHAKTI, scheduled from November 1 to 12. Representing India, the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) will engage with the 40-member Indonesian Special Forces unit, Kopassus. Exercise GARUD SHAKTI 24 aims to build familiarity with each others tactical approaches, improve interoperability, and strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation between the two armies. Through a range of discussions and tactical drills, the exercise is set to deepen military cooperation and foster a strong bond between the two nations. Advertisement The exercise will focus on planning and executing special operations, with training in advanced Special Forces skills, as well as the sharing of innovations in weaponry, equipment, and operational techniques. GARUD SHAKTI will also include joint jungle operations, simulated strikes on terrorist camps, and a final Validation Exercise, combining basic and advanced skills. Cultural exchanges between the contingents will further enhance bilateral ties. Advertisement This collaborative training offers a platform for both nations to strengthen their military partnership, share best practices, and work toward shared security goals. US presidential candidate Donald Trump has said that he would protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical Left and strengthen his countrys partnership with India and my good friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a social media post on X on the occasion of Diwali, he said his rival in the election and Vice-President Kamala Harris Kamala Harris would destroy small businesses of Hindu Americans with more regulations and higher taxes. By contrast, I cut taxes, cut regulations, unleashed American energy, and built the greatest economy in history. We will do it again, bigger and better than ever beforeand we will Make America Great Again, the former president said and wished Happy Diwali to All. I hope the Festival of Lights leads to the Victory of Good over Evil! Advertisement Mr Trump also strongly condemned the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which, he said, remains in a total state of chaos. It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and (President) Joe (Biden) have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength! the former president said. Advertisement President Joe Biden, in his message on the occasion, said, This Diwali, may we show the power in the gathering of light. The light of knowledge, of unity, of truth. The light for freedom, for democracy, for an America where anything is possible. In her Diwali message, Vice-President Harris said, Tonight, we join more than 1 billion people across America and around the world lighting diyas and celebrating the fight for good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness. Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating the Festival of Lights! Ms Harris is the Democratic Partys nominee for president in the election. She is the first woman, the first African American, and the first Asian American to be vice-president, due to her Afro-Jamaican and Indian American descent. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote on X, Diwali is more than just a festival; its a powerful reminder of the values we all cherish: patience, togetherness, kindness, and unity. To all who celebrate, all over the world, and with us here in the U.S., I wish you a Diwali filled with joy, peace, and prosperity. After four years of heightened tensions and the deadly clashes in the Galwan Valley that led to a military standoff between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), joint patrols resumed in Demchok, eastern Ladakh, on Friday following an agreement for mutual disengagement. Indian defence sources indicated that the patrols in the Depsang region are also expected to start shortly. Advertisement The renewed patrolling came close on the heels of Diwali, marked by a traditional exchange of sweets between Indian and Chinese troops at multiple LAC locations, including Chushul Maldo and Daulat Beg Oldi, celebrating the occasion as a step toward normalcy. This gesture followed a complete troop withdrawal from both sides along the eastern Ladakh border, an outcome of recent peace talks. Advertisement The 2020 clashes in the Galwan and Pangong Tso areas that cost the lives of 20 Indian soldiers prompted both countries to mobilise large contingents along the LAC. Disputes over infrastructure development in the Galwan River Valley, particularly a key road connecting Indias strategic Daulat Beg Oldi airbase, triggered tensions in this historically contested region. On Friday, after verification procedures were completed, the joint patrols resumed in Demchok, and similar efforts are planned for Depsang. Troop activities are being carefully managed, with protocols in place to avoid misunderstandings and prevent future escalations. Surveillance along the LAC will continue, employing advanced technologies to uphold the disengagement agreement. While these developments mark a milestone, talks remain ongoing to resolve standoffs in other contested areas, such as Galwan, Gogra Hot Spring, and Pangong Tso. In addition to troop reductions, ground-level communication at the brigadier level will help maintain order and reduce the likelihood of future tensions. A contingent of the Indian Army has departed for the United States to participate in the 15th edition of the joint special forces exercise VAJRA PRAHAR, scheduled from November 2 to 22, at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho. The previous edition of VAJRA PRAHAR took place in December 2023 in Umroi, Meghalaya. This marks the second major exercise of the year between the Indian and U.S. armies, following Exercise YUDH ABHYAS, conducted in Rajasthan in September 2024. Advertisement The joint exercise will see contingents of 45 personnel from each country, with the Indian Armys Special Forces and the U.S. Armys Green Berets representing their respective nations. VAJRA PRAHAR aims to strengthen military cooperation by enhancing interoperability, sharing specialized tactics, and conducting joint operations in desert and semi-desert terrains. Advertisement Key activities during VAJRA PRAHAR include joint team mission planning, reconnaissance, the use of unmanned aerial systems, execution of special operations, and the role of Joint Terminal Attack Controllers. Psychological warfare techniques will also be rehearsed, focusing on improving coordination in complex scenarios. By sharing best practices and experiences, Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR is expected to foster interoperability, teamwork, and camaraderie between the two forces, strengthening ties and collaborative readiness for joint special operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday mourned the death of BJP leader Devender Singh Rana, who passed away at a hospital in Faridabad due to a prolonged illness. Rana was a veteran political leader and the voice of Jammu regions Dogra community. He was 59. He was also the younger brother of Union minister Jitendra Singh. Advertisement Rana was a committed leader and was a pillar of the National Conference for decades before he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2021. He won the recent Assembly election from the Nagrota seat with the highest margin of votes in J&K. Earlier in 2014, he won the seat as a candidate of National Conference. He was political adviser with the status of a minister to the then chief minister Omar Abdullah. Advertisement The news of his death came as a shock and a large number of people gathered at his residence here. His body will reach here this afternoon for cremation. Rana is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son. Expressing grief on his death, Modi wrote on X, Devender Singh Rana Jis untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmirs progress. He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J&K. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and supporters. Home Minister Amit Shah said, Devender Rana ji, who was always dedicated to the peace and development of Jammu and Kashmir and the interests of the people, made an invaluable contribution to the progress of the region. His demise is an irreparable loss for the BJP family. BJP President and Health Minister, JP Nadda said; His dedication to public service and contributions towards the development of the people of Jammu & Kashmir will be remembered. His departure is an irreparable loss to the party. Grieving the death of his younger brother Rana, Dr. Jitendra Singh wrote on X; Untimely demise of my brother Sh Devender Singh Rana is a deep personal loss, which is not only irreparable but painful and the void created will continue to haunt me for the rest of my life .I sincerely thank all those standing by me and the family in these testing times. Former Governor NN Vohra also mourned the death of Rana and described him as a man of the masses. Lt. Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha said; In his passing away, we have lost a patriotic & widely respected leader, who was committed to the well-being of the people of J&K. Although Rana quitting the National Conference had come as a shock for the Abdullahs, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah shared a heartfelt tribute to his late friend Rana. Omar wrote on X and also posted three pictures with Rana; The terrible news from late last night isnt really sinking in. I know the last few years have been marked by our differences Devender but I prefer to focus on the fun times we shared together, the excellent work we did together & the memories. You have been taken from us all too soon & will be missed. May your soul rest in peace now DSR. My heart goes out to your family as I struggle to find the words to convey my condolences to them. Former CM and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti was among those who mourned Ranas death. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh were among hundreds who bid a tearful adieu to veteran political leader Devender Singh Rana on Friday as his last rites were held here. Rana, a sitting BJP MLA and a prominent voice for Jammu regions Dogra community, passed away on Thursday at a hospital in Faridabad after a prolonged illness. He was 59 and had a wide circle of friends across the country. Advertisement Omar Abdullah arrived here from Srinagar to pay tribute to his longtime friend, Rana. He first visited Ranas home and then attended the last rites at the Shastri Nagar cremation ground. Deputy CM Surinder Chaudhary accompanied Omar. Advertisement Rana is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son. Cutting across party lines, political leaders expressed condolences on his passing. Rana was the younger brother of Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. Rana was a committed leader and a pillar of the National Conference for decades before he joined the BJP in 2021. He won the recent Assembly election from the Nagrota seat on a BJP ticket with the highest margin of votes in J&K. Earlier, in 2014, he won the same seat as a National Conference candidate. He also served as a political adviser with the status of a minister to then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Expressing grief on his death, Prime Minister Narendra wrote on X; Devender Singh Rana Jis untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmirs progress. He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J&K. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and supporters. Home Minister Amit Shah wrote on X, Devender Rana ji, who was always dedicated to the peace and development of Jammu and Kashmir and the interests of the people, made an invaluable contribution to the progress of the region. His demise is an irreparable loss to the BJP family. BJP President and Health Minister JP Nadda said, His dedication to public service and contributions towards the development of the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be remembered. His departure is an irreparable loss to the party. Grieving the death of his younger brother Rana, Dr. Jitendra Singh wrote on X, Untimely demise of my brother Sh Devender Singh Rana is a deep personal loss, which is not only irreparable but painful and the void created will continue to haunt me for the rest of my life. I sincerely thank all those standing by me and the family in these testing times. Former Governor NN Vohra also mourned the death of Rana and described him as a highly intelligent person and an exceptionally rare example of a gentleman-politician. In his sad departure, the J&K polity and the Jammu region have lost a very popular and effective leader. Lt Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha said; In his passing away, we have lost a patriotic & widely respected leader, who was committed to the well-being of the people of J&K. Although Ranas departure from the National Conference came as a shock for the Abdullahs, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah shared a heartfelt tribute to his late friend. Omar wrote on X, alongside three pictures with Rana, The terrible news from late last night isnt really sinking in. I know the last few years have been marked by our differences Devender but I prefer to focus on the fun times we shared together, the excellent work we did together & the memories. You have been taken from us all too soon & will be missed. May your soul rest in peace now DSR. My heart goes out to your family as I struggle to find the words to convey my condolences to them. Former CM and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti was among those who mourned Ranas death. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal on Friday successfully concluded his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During the visit, Goyal participated in the Plenary Session of the 8th Edition of Future Investment Initiative (FII), with representatives from global governments and the industry. Advertisement He highlighted the critical role of international partnerships and economic diplomacy in fostering global cooperation, innovation, technological advancement, and investment. Advertisement The minister urged global investors to seize emerging opportunities in India, particularly in high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. He also co-chaired the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the Economy and Investment Committee under the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) along with Minister of Energy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud. The Committee reviewed the progress achieved by the four Joint Working Groups: Agriculture and Food Security; Energy; Technology and Information Technology; and Industry and Infrastructure. During his visit, Goyal held fruitful ministerial engagements in Riyadh, including with the Minister of Energy, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources and Minister of Investment. Piyush Goyal also met with Peter Herweck, CEO of Schneider Electric and William E. Ford, Chairman and CEO of General Atlantic, to discuss Indias economic landscape and investment opportunities across sectors. Piyush Goyal interacted with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) chapter in Saudi Arabia and emphasized the role of chartered accountants in supporting Indias expanding global trade network. The minister also launched the Lulu Wali Diwali Festival at the Lulu Hypermarket by lighting a Big Diya made with LED, furthering India-Saudi cultural and economic ties. The launch was followed by unveiling of a giant product wall comprising 10,000+ Indian products including Ghee from Uttarakhand, Ladakh Apple, Indian Cavendish banana, Dragon Fruit from Maharashtra, new range of Millets based breakfast cereals, and Qaadu Organic beauty products. At the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, the Minister unveiled the One District, One Product (ODOP) Wall, featuring unique products from various districts across India. The ODOP initiative, part of the Government of Indias Vocal for Local campaign, aims to promote regional craftsmanship by showcasing the rich cultural heritage of India through distinctive, high-quality products. KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's sexual assault against children cases reached 1,389 in 2023, a significant increase of 21.1 percent as compared to the figures of the previous year, official data showed Friday. The Department of Statistics Malaysia said in a statement that the number of sexual offences involving children reported to the Royal Malaysia Police increased 26.5 percent year-on-year to 1,567 in 2023. Meanwhile, non-physical sexual assault on a child and child pornography offences recorded 91 cases and 67 cases respectively in 2023. Based on the perspective of child protection, the number of children in need of care and protection recorded by the social welfare department increased 26.1 percent year-on-year to 8,536 in 2023. The number of children under 18 is 9.14 million, 26.8 percent of Malaysia's total population of 34.06 million. President Droupadi Murmu on Friday greeted residents of various states and Union territories on their formation day. The states of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Lakshadweep came into being on this day in 1956. Punjab and Haryana were formed in 1966, while Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000. Advertisement I extend my heartfelt greetings to the people of Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Lakshadweep on their formation day. Advertisement I wish that the people of all these states and Union territories continue to contribute to the countrys development journey and that their lives be filled with peace and prosperity. I wish them and all the countrymen a bright future, she said in a post on X. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi also extended their heartfelt greetings on the occasion. In his message to Madhya Pradesh, Modi said, Best wishes to all the residents of Madhya Pradesh on the State Foundation Day. I hope this state, rich in natural resources and cultural heritage, continues to set new standards of development in every field. For Haryana, he expressed admiration for its historical significance and impact on the nation. The prime minister acknowledged Chhattisgarhs rich tribal heritage. He also shared special messages for Kerala and Karnataka, applauding Keralas global contributions and Karnatakas development. Kerala Piravi greetings! Kerala is known for its mesmerising landscapes, vibrant traditions, and hardworking people. May the people of Kerala keep progressing in the times to come, Modi posted, adding, Kannada Rajyotsava is a special occasion recognising Karnatakas exemplary culture and traditions. The state has remarkable people driving progress and innovation in all sectors. May Karnatakas people always be happy and successful. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi emphasized Indias unity in diversity. In a post on X, he said, Greetings to the people of Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Lakshadweep on their Foundation Day today. These vibrant cultures, diverse languages, rich histories, and enduring traditions are the heart of Indias strength. Let us celebrate and safeguard this unity, recognising each states unique contribution to our nation, he added. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and MLA of Nagrota constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, Devender Singh Rana passed away on late Thursday night in a hospital in Faridabad, BJP sources said. He is the younger brother of Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Science and Technology, and Minister of State (Independent charge) for Earth Sciences. Advertisement Devender Singh Rana had won the 2014 Assembly elections on the National Conference (NC) ticket, but he retained the Nagrota seat on BJP ticket by a margin of 30,472 votes. His nearest rival, NCs Joginder Singh got 17,641 votes. Advertisement Rana won the 2024 legislative Assembly election by the highest margin against his rival. No other candidate in the 2024 Assembly elections could manage such a massive victory against his rival candidate. In the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, the NC has 42, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 29, Congress 6, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 3, CPI-M 1, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) 1, Peoples Conference (PC) 1 and Independent candidates have 7 seats. Six out of the 7 independent MLAs have joined the NC. The NC has formed the government headed by Omar Abdullah with the support of the Congress, 6 Independents, one Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and one AAP candidate. The Congress, CPI-M and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have not joined the government. Congress has said that it will not join the Jammu and Kashmir government till statehood is restored. The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet headed by Omar Abdullah in its first meeting passed a resolution for restoration of statehood. Omar Abdullah went to Delhi and submitted a copy of this resolution to Union Home Minister, Amit Shah and Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The National Conference has also decided to bring in a resolution for the restoration of Article 370 in the legislative assembly session that begins on November 4. While all other linguistically reorganised states celebrate November 1 as their foundation day, Tamil Nadu is deeply divided on this with the ruling DMK holding it on July 18, when the state was officially rechristened as Tamil Nadu. It was on this day, 68 years ago, Tamil Nadu was carved out of the erstwhile Madras Presidency which was later christened Madras State. This once again exposes the deep schism between the DMK and its archrival, AIADMK as well as the BJP and Tamil nationalists. Advertisement The DMK government had, in 2022 declared July 18 as Tamil Nadu Day by rescinding an earlier order of the previous AIADMK government making November 1. For, it was on July 18, 1967 the first DMK government of CN Annadurai passed a resolution in the state assembly to rechristen the state as Tamil Nadu which was called Madras State till then. Later, parliament gave its approval for the same. Advertisement However, this day could not be abandoned since the opposition AIADMK, Naam Tamil Katchi (NTK) of Seeman, BJP, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam of Vijay have extended greetings. Chief Minister MK Stalin chose to mark the day to honour the sacrifices of the heroes who had fought for retaining the borders of Tamil Nadu during the linguistic reorganisation of states. November 1 is the day to honour the struggles of the valiant heroes who fought for retaining the borders of Tamil Nadu in the north and south. I salute them for their sacrifices to get the areas where Tamils lived and where Tamil was spoken united with Tamil Nadu. The DMK has found support from its ally, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) with its president Thol. Thirumavalavan, MP, stated that November 1 was a day when Tamil Nadu lost some of its traditional parts to its neighbours. Only July 18 is appropriate for celebrating Tamil Nadu day, he said in a statement. While extending wishes for the State Day, PMK founder S Ramadoss said in a statement, Rather than gaining, Tamil Nadu has lost geographically to its neighbours which continue to be the root cause for its many problems including sharing of river waters. Because of the outdated Dravidian ideology we are losing our rights and Tamil is deprived of its identity. Let us strive to reclaim our lost rights on this day. Two migrant labourers from Uttar Pradesh were on Friday injured in a terrorist attack in the Budgam district of central Kashmir. Reports said that terrorists fired at the labourers, Usman and Sufyan, in the Mazhama village of Budgam.The injured labourers were rushed to the hospital where their condition is stated stable. Advertisement Security forces have cordoned the area and launched a search operation. Advertisement Congress has alleged that Uttarakhand has become a business centre for Gujarat contractors as the BJP government is preparing to sell more than 700 acres of land in Chopta Hills of the Kedar Valley where bypolls are scheduled to be held on November 20. The Congress party claimed that all big government contracts in the state are being pocketed by Gujarati companies and businessmen. Advertisement Congress MLA and partys nominee for Kedarnath bypoll Manoj Rawat alleged that all major construction projects in Uttarakhand are being handed to contractors from Gujarat. He said if elected, he would raise the issue in the state assembly and seek answers from the state government for the reasons to dole out contracts to the firms and businessmen from Gujarat. Advertisement All major construction contracts in Kedarnath and the Badrinath shrine areas and other parts of the state have been given to firms and contractors from Gujarat. Does that mean the Gujarat model BJP government has failed and contractors there are not having enough work? On the other hand, Uttarakhand contractors and skilled workers are not getting enough work in their own state, he lamented. Rawat added that after Mussoorie and Haridwar, the Uttrakhand government is planning to sell precious land in the Chopta hills of the Kedar Valley. Chopta is the most beautiful and highly-priced land. The state government is planning to sell it to the people outside the state. It has already begun the process and deployed officials to create a conducive atmosphere for the smooth sale of more than 700 acres of land at Chopta. This is one of the finest and the most sought-after places for the bulk land buyers in the Himalayas for high-end tourism class, said Manoj Rawat. He asserted that the Congress party wont let it happen and expose the nefarious design of the state government before the people. We will hit the streets and block the state governments move to sell off the Chopta hills matter will also be raised in the house. The BJP government which is earning goodwill with its claim to bring in state-centric land laws is not serious on this issue. Had they been serious about preventing outsiders from taking away state land in the hills, the land laws would have been in place by now, added the Congress leader. Chopta Hills lies in the Ukhimath block of the Kedarnath assembly seat in Rudraprayag district. Bypoll in Kedarnath will held on November 20 along with 10 assembly constituencies in Uttar Pradesh in the last phase of Jharkhand and Maharashtra state elections. Homes illuminated with lights and diyas, families and friends exchanging Diwali gifts and well wishes, and the worship of Maa Lakshmi and Ganesh in every household this is perhaps the most common portrayal of Diwali for many of us. But for people in the eastern part of India, especially Bengal, Diwali is synonymous with worshipping Maa Kali, the goddess often misunderstood for her fierce expression. Behind this intense figure lies the story of a deity who protects the cosmos and the living. Kali Puja is a prominent festival in West Bengal, celebrated on the new moon day (Dipannita Amavasya) of the Hindu calendar month of Kartika. The appearance of Maa Kali often evokes fear, with her garland of skulls, skirt made of human arms, and protruding tongue as she stands on Lord Shivas chest, holding a skull believed to belong to a demon she has slain. Maa Kali embodies Adi Shakti and is the protector of the living, while her name, Kali, also signifies death. Advertisement Maa Kali is a manifestation of Parvati. According to legends, when the demons Shumbh and Nishumbh created chaos and defeated the gods, Parvati shed her dark skin, giving birth to another form we know as Kali. Advertisement Raktabij, a demon who had a boon that each drop of his blood would give rise to another Raktabij, posed a formidable threat in the battle between gods and demons. To ensure victory, Maa Kali licked every drop of his blood before it hit the ground, thus killing the demon. However, after ridding the world of evil, she could not control her wrath and began destroying the mortal world, killing anything in her path. To stop her, Lord Shiva lay in front of her, and upon realizing she had stepped on her husband, her tongue protruded in shock this is the form we worship today. Maa Kali is often worshipped to ward off negativity and evil, for she is the Adi Shakti, the Divine Mother, who governs both creation and destruction. With the West Bengal Transport Minister, Snehasish Chakraborty, announcing, in end-September, the virtual closure of trams, Kolkatas heritage transport system is now facing an existential crisis. The state plans to shut down most networks, preserving only a short route from Esplanade to Maidan, with trams branded as slow and a cause of traffic congestion. The death knell is delayed because of public interest litigation in the Calcutta High Court by environmental activists. In any event, the citys tram networks have been shrinking gradually since the 1990s as policymakers began to prioritise roadbased transportation, going against the global trend. The decline has been particularly steep since 2011. Over the past 13 years, functional routes have dwindled from 37 to three. This policy of facilitating vehicular traffic by shutting down an environment-friendly and affordable mass transport system is based on outdated thinking and needs to be questioned. Globally, trams and light rails are now undergoing a renaissance as cities worldwide try to reduce fossil fuel emissions. The number of cities having functional tram/LRT systems has crossed 400 and an average of 6.5 new systems are being added every year since 2015. Even Istanbul, one of the oldest cities in the world, with a high-density urban core, narrow, congested roads and uneven topography, had substantially augmented its already formidable tram network by adding newer lines. Hong Kong, another densely populated city, also runs a highly popular doubledecker tramway. As Kolkata faces a severe pollution and congestion crisis, it is time to reappraise the automobilecentric mobility policy. Advertisement It was ranked 12 in the list of 20 millionplus cities in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) as far as PM2.5 concentration is concerned in April 2024 in a list prepared by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) after analysing PM2.5 concentration data of the Central Pollution Control Boards real-time ambient air quality monitoring stations in the IGP. It is also one of Indias most congested cities with the highest vehicular density. The issues of pollution and traffic congestion are closely intertwined in the case of Kolkata, as high vehicular emission is the foremost factor behind the citys environmental woes. Advertisement Most of the city roads are chocka-block with traffic and low vehicular speed results in higher emissions causing lung infections and respiratory ailments. With the tram services all but stopping, private vehicles and auto-rickshaws took over the road spaces, aggravating congestion and pollution. Between 2019 and 2022, the number of private two-wheelers and four-wheelers incre a sed by 18.5 per cent. While some tram users have shifted to private modes, anecdotal data suggests that most people now take autos, which run on shuttle routes and allow frequent stops. Between 2016 and 2022, the number of registered auto-rickshaws had jumped from 40,740 to 46,320 to go by Statista. The policy of encouraging a swarm of auto-rickshaws at the expense of trams is unsustainable. One double-compartment tram can comfortably carry between 100 to 120 passengers, while an autorickshaw transports just four. On stretches like Rash Behari Avenue between Ballygunge Railway Station and Kalighat Metro Station, about 25 to 35 auto-rickshaws now take up the space that could be served by a single tram on Route 24/29. Not only do these three wheelers take up precious road space but their chaotic road behaviour adds to traffic snarls and places commuter safety at risk. Autorickshaws also tend to use illegal fuels and seat more people than is sustainable, given their engine capacity. The inefficiency of the trade-off is obvious. While entirely credible and updated data on road space availability is not available on the KMDA, KMC and Kolkata Police websites, road space in the KMA area is 4,018 km according to the Annual Report of the Kolkata Traffic Police (2023) and the citys total area is about 185 square kilometers (or about 71 square miles). One can work out the math. It leaves one in no doubt that is a chimera for Kolkata to pursue an automobile-centric mobility strategy. Delhi frequently gets gridlocked despite having 21 per cent of the city space available for roads. Accommodating the everexpanding number of automobiles by stopping trams and widening roads is a never-ending game. While seemingly intuitive, this approach to relieving urban congestion has proven ineffective worldwide. In fact, it perpetuates a vicious cycle of car dependency and worsens the very problem it seeks to solve. Increasing road capacity encourages more people to drive, which ultimately results in the same, if not greater, levels of traffic congestion. Instead, urban mobility solutions for congested cities like Kolkata must prioritise mass transit systems, which are more sustainable and efficient in reducing congestion and improving the quality of life. Incidentally, the last significant transportation planning initiative for the city, the Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2001-25 report by the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority, projected the need to augment daily passenger carrying capacity of the tram system from two lakhs in 2001 to 10 lakhs in 2025. Instead of relegating trams to a mere heritage attraction, it is essential to recognize their potential as a cornerstone of a clean and green mobility solution. While ebuses are more suitable for travelling unhindered along longer stretches having few stops, trams are ideal for inner-city short-haul travels with frequent stops. With a commitment to modernisation, innovative funding strategies and technology upgrading, Kolkatas trams could be reinvigorated as a feeder transit option linked to suburban trains, metro rails and e-buses. Here are three ways the government can raise funds for the tram system without straining the public exchequer. Monetisation of land assets: The Calcutta Tramways Corporation owns over 17 hectares of land across the city, much of it in prime locations. Funds can be generated by monetising these land assets through long-term leases or joint ventures. Commercial structures can be built over the tram depot at higher levels without hindering tram operations at the ground level. Solar panels can be installed on the rooftops of such depot buildings to generate electricity. Hong Kong and several other cities have applied similar strategies to upgrade their transit services. Kolkata had also leased tram depot lands earlier. However, for the sake of accountability and transparency, it has to be ensured that profits from such ventures are cycled back to upgrade and expand tram infrastructure and not diverted to meet other priorities. Increased parking fees for private vehicles: Parking fees in Kolkata are low compared to other metro cities. It is essential to raise parking fees along transit corridors to discourage the use of private vehicles and reduce traffic congestion. The additional revenue generated from increased parking fees can be earmarked for transit infrastructure improvements, including walkability. Kolkata has recently taken significant steps to restrict street vending activities to one-third of the footpaths and free up pedestrian space. The next logical step will be to improve walkability by fixing potholes and uneven surfaces. The city has a high-density development pattern, mixed land use and short distances. Thus improvements in walkability and tram services, along with high parking fees, can be a viable option for the city to reduce congestion and carbon emissions. Bonus floor area for properties along transit routes: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation is believed to be considering bonus FAR (Floor Area ) for property owners who offer a part of their land for road widening purposes. However, this has to be done in a planned manner as indiscriminate road widening may encourage automobiles and worsen the congestion crisis. Instead, properties along tram and metro corridors can be offered premium FAR against payment. Property developers can purchase premium FAR to build additional floors in exchange for contributing to the tramway modernisation fund. Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai are following similar approaches to encourage transit-oriented development and reduce automobile dependency. Kolkata has been historically a transit-oriented city until cars began hitting its streets in a big way since the 1990s. An elaborate tram network linked to metro and suburban trains was its backbone. The city needs to revisit its past to draw inspiration for its future. Shutting down the system would be a grave mistake and a disservice to future generations who deserve cleaner air, safer streets and equitable public transit options. Instead, the focus should be on modernizing Kolkatas transportation and administering it in line with global patterns. (The writers are, respectively, Professor, Urban Management and Governance, Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, and a Transportation and Environmental Planning Consultant) The Bahai Faith, is a religion founded on the principles of unity, justice and peace. All over the world, followers would be celebrating the Twin Birthdays of their Founders, this year on the weekend of 2-3 November soon after another great festival, Deepavali. The two days mark the births of the Bab (the Gate) and Bahaullah (Glory of God), whose lives and teachings have profoundly influenced millions around the world. As the harbinger of a new era in human history, the Bab declared that as per the prophecies in the Sacred Scriptures of all the religions 1844 was the commencement year. His mission was to prepare for the advent of the Promised of All the religions, Bahaullah, who would soon manifest himself. Despite facing severe persecution, the Babs message of hope and renewal resonated with many and his short but impactful ministry laid the groundwork for the Bahai Faith. The Bab was publicly executed in July 1850. Just 13 years after the Babs martyrdom, in 1863 Bahaullah told his followers that he was the Promised One and his mission was to guide humanity towards a just and harmonious world, the next stage in the collective spiritual and material evolution of humanity. Advertisement Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of Bahais during the past 150 years the vast majority of humankind, it seems to me, are too preoccupied with their worldly affairs and least bothered to investigate the divine message brought by Bahaullah. Had humanity responded positively, the present-day catastrophes and heart wrenching suffering throughout the planet could have been definitely averted. During his 40-year long exile and imprisonment Bahaullah enunciated the true purpose of dharma or religion and presented a blueprint for establishing the promised Ram Rajya or Gods Kingdom. Advertisement He categorically warned that if humanity rejected it there would be major convulsions and afflictive ordeals worldwide. No wonder a sense of fatality seems to pervade present-day society where the majority of populations in every country appear to be disillusioned, directionless and sore-tried. Collectively, it is evident that the spirit of solidarity which seemed to be on the rise at the turn of the century when the worlds leaders agreed on a set of global ambitions has steadily eroded. Progress made over decades is going downhill. And the scale and complexity of global challenges rapidly outpace the evolution of the systems designed to respond to them. In fact, Bahaullah uncannily predicted some 150 years ago: The world is in travail and its agitation waxeth day by day. Its face is turned towards waywardness and unbelief. Such shall be its plight that to disclose it now would not be seemly. Its perversity will long continue. And when the appointed hour is come, there shall suddenly appear that which shall cause the limbs of mankind to quake The distressing trends that one has to confront on a daily basis are in fact symptoms of a deeper ailment facing societies: an inability on the part of the global community to fully embrace the reality that humanity is inextricably interdependent. There is every reason to believe that severe crises will continue to deepen until those responsible for governing world affairs, indeed the generality of humankind, embrace the profound implications of this truth. For our age, Bahaullah, has made it possible for every man, woman, youth and child through a collective act of will, to take part in laying the foundations for a better world, indeed, the next stage in our shared history towards a just and harmonious future. Most recently this was the theme of many public statements during the Summit of the Future at the United Nations General Assembly held in September. For the followers of the Bahai Faith, it is quite evident that humanity cannot continue to hold on to outworn concepts and unworkable assumptions, leaders be they secular or religious, together with the peoples of the world, must arise, and with resolute will, consult together in search of appropriate solutions. During a two-day festival celebrated consecutively, Bahais around the world gather to pray, read from the Holy Scriptures, engage in joyous programmes and offer hospitality to family and friends. These gatherings often include cultural events fostering a sense of unity and fellowship. Of the eleven Bahai holy days in the year according to the Bahai calendar, the Twin Birthdays are second only in importance to the two Most Great Festivals which commemorate the Declaration and their missions by the Bab and Bahaullah respectively. The main celebration in Delhi would take place at the Bahai Lotus Temple on 2nd and 3rd November and all are welcome to attend the special Prayer Services and visit the Exhibition at the Information Centre. The occasion serves as yet another opportunity to renew ones commitment to the spiritual and social uplift of our country and to strive towards building a better world for all humanity. In essence, the Twin Birthdays of the Bab and Bahaullah are a testament to the enduring legacy of these two remarkable figures. Their lives and teachings continue to inspire and guide millions, fostering a global community united in the pursuit of peace and justice. Laying the unshakeable foundation upon which our future can be built is a collective challenge. It is to this end, the eight-million strong worldwide Bahai community, is unitedly committed, transcending race, caste, creed, religion, nationality, and any other limiting identity. For, the well-being of humankind, its peace and security are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established. The earth is but one country, and humankind its citizens. (The writer is an independent researcher and social worker. He also serves as Secretary, Bahai Spiritual Assembly of Delhi NCT and General Secretary, Temple of Understanding India Foundation. Views expressed are personal.) The recent warning by Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the rise of digital arrest scams signals a new, concerning trend in the landscape of online fraud in India. Scammers, posing as police officers or government agents, have exploited unsuspecting citizens by creating realistic scenarios where victims are falsely accused of crimes and coerced into making payments. Through video calls, elaborate setups, and deep-fake technology, these fraudsters orchestrate convincing hoaxes that ensnare even the most cautious individuals. The digital arrest scam is particularly disturbing for two reasons: its use of high-tech deception and its reliance on psychological manipulation. By creating an environment of fear and isolation, scammers drive their targets into compliance. This is no ordinary phone scam; it is a sophisticated operation that exploits personal vulnerabilities and exploits widespread anxieties surrounding law enforcement. For many, the fear of legal entanglements is deeply unsettling, especially when official-sounding accusations and fabricated documents appear to lend credibility to the claims. Indias growing reliance on digital platforms has made its citizens particularly susceptible to such attacks. The vast reach of smartphones and internet access has transformed the way Indians work, connect, and conduct transactions, but it has also made people more accessible to malicious actors. Scammers have adapted to the digital age, using tools like WhatsApp and video calls to access victims directly and convincingly. However, these scams reveal a need for stronger digital literacy and security awareness among the population. The Prime Ministers call for vigilance reflects the urgency of this issue. Advertisement The three-step guideline he provided ~ remaining calm, documenting the encounter, and remembering that no real enforcement agency would threaten anyone online ~ offers a proactive approach to handling these situations. The national cyber helpline is an excellent resource, but more public awareness campaigns are essential to inform people across different demographics about these types of scams. Fraud prevention should be as much a priority as digital innovation, as a digitally empowered population can only thrive if its members feel safe online. While its heartening to hear the Prime Minister addressing cyber threats, it also raises questions about how our institutions can better protect citizens. Digital fraud is a complex problem that requires a multi-layered response. Alongside educating the public, there should be stronger penalties for cybercrime and better mechanisms for reporting and addressing cases. Advertisement Partnerships with technology firms to detect and prevent scams could also be beneficial. Ultimately, Indias digital future depends on a balance between innovation and security. As we embrace the benefits of a digital economy, we must also confront its risks. The digital arrest scam is a reminder that technology, while transformative, can also be weaponized in unexpected ways. To ensure that the digital world is safe for all, there must be an ongoing effort from government, private sector, and citizens alike to stay informed, alert, and prepared Ahead of the upcoming presidential elections, former US President Donald Trump vowed to safeguard the interests of Hindu Americans, protecting them from the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. In a bid to strengthen ties with India, Trump also expressed his desire to boost partnership with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he referred to as a good friend. Sharing a post on X, Trump wrote, We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi. Advertisement The former President also condemned the violence against the Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh after the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He said, I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos. Advertisement Notably, Sheikh Hasina resigned from her post of Prime Minister on August 5 and fled to India in a military aircraft, following mounting protests against the contentious government job quota system that had sparked widespread anti-government demonstrations. Following Hasinas resignation, a caretaker government was formed in Bangladesh, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Trump also criticised President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, and said that they have ignored Hindus globally and in the United States. He said, It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength! Trumps criticism also extended to other areas, including economic policies. He said, Kamala Harris will destroy your small businesses with more regulations and higher taxes. By contrast, I cut taxes, cut regulations, unleashed American energy, and built the greatest economy in history. We will do it again, bigger and better than ever beforeand we will Make America Great Again. He also extended his Diwali wishes and said, Also, Happy Diwali to All. I hope the Festival of Lights leads to the Victory of Good over Evil! BELGRADE, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Eight people have died following the collapse of an awning at Novi Sad railway station, Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic confirmed on Friday. In a government press release, Dacic stated that rescue operations are ongoing on, with emergency teams in contact with two individuals trapped under the debris. Two injured individuals have been transported to the hospital, one of whom remained in critical condition. Describing the incident as a "major tragedy," Dacic emphasized that rescue efforts are proceeding under extremely challenging conditions. BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The crew of China's Shenzhou-18 spacecraft held a handover ceremony with the Shenzhou-19 crew and transferred the keys of the country's space station to the latter on Friday. The Shenzhou-18 crew has now completed all planned tasks. The three astronauts will take the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft and return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Nov. 4, according to the China Manned Space Agency. At present, the landing site and all participating systems are making final preparations to welcome the trio back. BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping's meeting with Sam Hou Fai, the incoming chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), fully demonstrates the central authorities' wholehearted support for Macao's development, a spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of China's State Council said on Friday. The Friday meeting also reflects the central authorities' earnest expectation for Macao to continuously advance the successful practice of "one country, two systems," said the spokesperson. The sound environment of Macao today is a vivid testament to the great vitality and strength of the "one country, two systems" principle, the spokesperson said. During the meeting, President Xi reiterated that the central authorities will stay committed to fully and faithfully implementing the "one country, two systems" principle under which the people of Macao administer Macao with a high degree of autonomy, noted the spokesperson, adding that this constitutes the greatest source of confidence for securing steady and continued success of "one country, two systems" in Macao. The spokesperson also expressed the belief that the new chief executive and government of the Macao SAR will unite all sectors of the Macao society and continuously break new ground in the practice of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics. Job Title: Junior Procurement and Contracting Specialist Organization: GIZ Uganda Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda About the Company: GIZ is a German agency in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work dedicated to shaping a future worth living around the world. Uganda faces various challenges in the 21st century to provide its people with a social, economic, and sustainable livelihood that meets international standards. Uganda receives support from various international development partners, including the Federal Republic of Germany. The bilateral negotiations between Uganda and Germany determined the following core areas of cooperation: Peace and inclusive societies: Here the focus is on good governance as well as the issues of displacement and migration. Transformation of agricultural and food systems: Particular attention is paid to rural development and agriculture. Climate and energy: the goal is a just transition with a focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as climate adaptation measures and climate resilience partnerships. Job Summary: GIZ is recruiting a Junior Procurement and Contracting Specialist to support implementation of the programme. Key Duties and Responsibilities: The Junior Procurement and Contracting Specialist will be responsible for; Managing procurement of Financing Contracts, material, goods, services and works for the GIZ Country Office, Programs/Projects according to GIZ rules and regulations which will guarantee timely acquisition essential for project implementation and operations. Contract management for the different financing options as per GIZ guidelines Effective coordination with colleagues of the Department. Specific Tasks The Junior Procurement and Contracting Specialist performs the following tasks: Tasks Ensure that all procurement contracts, finance agreements and local subsicdies guidelines of GIZ are observed and adhered to at all stages of the procurement process The incumbent will manage procurement and contracting process including issuance of tenders, receipt and evaluation of offers, draft contracts and record them in the required GIZ systms. Actively participate in the evaluation exercises (expression of interest, Quotations, bids and proposals) and ensuring adherence to procedures and guidelines Offer timely technical advice on procurement to projects and providers (all stakeholders) Preparation of Contracts, orders for review by the authorized signatories Support contract management through monitoring orders of supplies, goods and works progress and delivery schedules and pointing out any shortcomings (in delivery, cost, quality and contract administration) to the line manager. Manage the procurement and disposal unit archive by ensuring proper referencing and keeping up to date procurement files for each procurement /disposal carried out as per GIZ guidelines. Keeps an up-to-date suppliers/consultants data base and conducts regular search for alternatives Prepare procurement progress reports, procurement weekly, monthly and quarterly reports Update and maintain complete procurement files and records including all correspondence related to procurement activities and ensure that the records are safeguarded and properly kept for future reference Organise pre-bid or Pre-proposal meetings and negotiation meetings. Participate in the preparation of bidding documents, request for proposals, consultants shortlist and other documents based on relevant procedures for the procurement of goods, works and consultant services and facilitate the Post Procurement Reviews (PPR) exercise and follow up implementation of PPR recommendations. Receives and checks delivered material for the Country Office and for the Programmes/Projects Advises suppliers of defective goods delivered and arranges necessary follow-ups Checks suppliers / consultants invoices, delivery notes and any other relevant documents required to complete the file. Generate procurement system reports monthly to have all files completed contracts closed in SAP Other Duties/Additional Tasks Perform other duties and tasks at the request of management. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: Bachelors degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Economics, Law or other related courses Possession of full CIPS (CIPS level 6) is an added advantage. Details of experience 3 years of professional working experience in a similar position with international organisations. Knowledge, skills and competences Excellent knowledge of procurement procedures and contract management. Knowledge and understanding of SAP- systems is added advantage. Excellent command of MS-Office. Good working knowledge of modern telecommunication systems (telephone, e-mail, internet and its software) Excellent command of both written and verbal English language How to Apply: Applications and CVs should be in one document and a maximum of 5 pages only and sent electronically, quoting the position and reference number. Please include name and contact of three references. One official reference from your current workplace is a MUST. Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply to the Head of Human Resources by email to [email protected] Deadline: Sunday 17th November 2024 by 11:59pm Please note: This is a national position. Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Disclaimer: GIZ DOES NOT charge any kind of FEE(s) at whichever stage of the recruitment process. For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline Date Posted 2024-11-01T03:32 Valid Through 2024-11-18T00:00 Employment Type FULL_TIME Hiring Organization GIZ Uganda Job Location Kampala, Kampala, Kampala , 0256, Uganda Related Jobs remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Celebrated fashion designer Rohit Bal, fondly known as "Gudda" among his friends and followers, passed away on Friday. He was 63. According to the Indian Express, Rohit Bal was a cardiac patient. He needed medical attention today and was rushed to a hospital. However, his life couldn't be saved, the daily quoted a Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) office bearer as saying. "We mourn the passing of Legendary designer Rohit Bal. He was a founding member of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI). Known for his unique blend of traditional patterns with modern sensibilities, Bals work redefined Indian fashion, and inspired generations. His legacy of artistry, and innovation along with forward thinking will live on in the fashion world. Rest in peace GUDDA You are a legend," FDCI wrote on its Instagram page. In 2010, Rohit Bal had suffered a cardiac arrest and had undergone an angioplasty procedure, the Indian Express report said. He was living with a pacemaker for several years, which started causing issues in 2023, another report said. When he showed up the Lakme India Fashion Week earlier this year, his followers reportedly noticed that he was not keeping well and were concerned. Heartbroken to say goodbye to an incredible friend. You brought so much light, laughter, and kindness into the lives of everyone around you. Im grateful for every moment we shared, every laugh, every conversation. Youll be missed beyond words, but your spirit will live on in pic.twitter.com/uH1L2Z73i0 Gautam Singhania (@SinghaniaGautam) November 1, 2024 "Heartbroken to say goodbye to an incredible friend. You brought so much light, laughter, and kindness into the lives of everyone around you. Im grateful for every moment we shared, every laugh, every conversation. Youll be missed beyond words, but your spirit will live on in all of us. Rest peacefully, my friend," chairman and managing director of Raymond Ltd Gautam Singhani said on X while reacting to the legendary designer's demise. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, requesting her intervention to release the Union government's share in the viability gap fund (VGF) for the ambitious Vizhinjam International Seaport. He asked that this be done without imposing the condition that the state must later repay the amount. The Vizhinjam Port was the first port project in the country to receive approval for viability gap funding under the Scheme for Financial Support to Public-Private Partnerships in Infrastructure. The Department of Economic Affairs' Empowered Committee (which is under the Ministry of Finance) had recommended final approval for the project in its 41st meeting, endorsing a sum of Rs 817.80 crore under the scheme. In the letter, Vijayan noted that for the release of the VGF, the Empowered Committee has, however, imposed a condition: the VGF disbursed by the Centre for the project must be repaid by the state government in Net Present Value (NPV) terms through premium (revenue) sharing. The Vizhinjam International Seaport, intended as a deep-water container transshipment hub, is now in its final commissioning stages. The state government raised concerns that any confusion about the nature of the funds provided at this critical juncture could hinder progress. "Viability gap funding is invariably provided as a grant, not a loan. Thus, the defining elements of any VGF is that the payment to the concessionaire is non-repayable, it is a one-time grant and that it is over the construction period of the project," the CM noted in his letter. "In this case, Government of India and Government of Kerala, as the two project proponents, have jointly decided to give this grant to the Concessionaire. But to further stipulate the condition that one of the project proponents, viz.- the Government of India, will advance this money as a deferred 'loan' to the other project proponent viz.- the State Government, defies the rationale behind the VGF itself." The Kerala government is spending Rs5,595 crore out of the total project outlay of Rs 8867 crore, and the CM raised the plea noting that Kerala has only limited financial resources and that the state has already made tremendous sacrifices for the project. The state government also raised the argument that as the repayment of Rs 817.80 crore is expected to be made on NPV basis, this would involve a further loss of Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 crore to the state exchequer in actual terms. The CM also noted that last year, approval was granted for the outer harbor project of VOC Tuticorin Porta project similar to the Vizhinjam International Seaport project, but no condition of repayment of VGF was imposed. The 15th edition of the India-US joint special forces exercise, 'Vajra Prahar', will be held from November 2 to 22 at Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA. This will be the second exercise between the Indian and the US Army this year as 'Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2024' was held in Rajasthan in September. Exercise #VajraPrahar 2024 The 15th edition of Exercise #VajraPrahar 2024, a joint military exercise between #IndianArmy & #USArmy, #SpecialForces, is scheduled to be held at the Orchard Combat Training Centre, Idaho, USA from 02 to 22 November 2024. The aim of Exercise pic.twitter.com/XUkjAL76TJ ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) November 1, 2024 The 'Vajra Prahar' military exercise aims to promote military cooperation between India and the US through the enhancement of interoperability, jointness and mutual exchange of special operations tactics. The exercise will enhance combined capabilities in executing joint special forces operations in desert/semi-desert environments and will focus on a high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, and joint tactical drills. ALSO READ: Special forces of India, Indonesia unite for joint jungle warfare, anti-terror operations drills in GARUD SHAKTI 24 Planning a joint team mission, reconnaissance mission, employment of unmanned aerial systems, execution of special operations, actions of joint terminal attack controller, and psychological warfare in special operations will be rehearsed during the joint training. Exercise Vajra Prahar will enable the two sides to share their best practices and experiences for conduct of joint special forces operations. The exercise will facilitate developing inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between soldiers of both the countries, the defence ministry said in a statement. The Indian Army contingent at the exercise will be represented by special forces units and the US Army contingent will be represented by Green Berets of US. The 1989-batch IAS officer from Kerala cadre Rajesh Kumar Singh took over as defence secretary at South Block in New Delhi on Friday. He succeeds Giridhar Aramane, a 1988-batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, who superannuated from service on October 31 (Thursday). Singh had assumed the charge of the Officer on Special Duty (Defence Secretary-designate) on August 20. Singh was the secretary of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry from April 24, 2023 to August 20, 2024. Before that, he was the secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying. ALSO READ: OPINION: Not having a defence university reflects strategic myopia Before taking charge, Singh laid a wreath and paid homage to the fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. The nation will remain forever indebted to our brave soldiers who make the supreme sacrifice in the service of the motherland. Their extraordinary bravery and sacrifice is a source of strength and inspiration for us to make India a safe and prosperous nation, he said. READ MORE: LCA Tejas Mk 1A delivery update: GE Aerospace to begin delivery of engines by April 2025 after much delay Singh has held many other important positions in the Union government as Director, Works and Urban Transport in the Ministry of Urban Development; Commissioner (Lands) - DDA, Joint Secretary - Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas; Joint Secretary - Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare and Chief Vigilance Officer Food Corporation of India. He was also the finance secretary in the government of Kerala. On Friday, Congress criticised the Election Commission (EC) after it rejected allegations of irregularities in the Haryana assembly polls. If the poll panel's goal is to "strip itself of the last vestiges of neutrality", then it is doing a "remarkable job" at creating that impression. Congress slammed ECs response over the concerns raised by the party regarding the Haryana assembly polls. In a letter to EC, the party said, "We have carefully studied your response to our complaints. Not surprisingly, the ECI has given a clean chit to itself. We would normally have let it be at that. However, the tone and tenor of the ECI's response, the language used, and the allegations made against the INC compel us to submit the counter-response." The letter was signed by nine senior Congress leaders, including Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh, the party's general secretary in charge of communications. The Congress leaders also alleged that every reply from the EC now seems to be laced with ad hominem attacks on either individual leaders or the party itself. "The ECI's reply are written in a tone that is condescending. If the current ECI's goal is to strip itself of the last vestiges of neutrality, then it is doing a remarkable job at creating that impression," the party said in its letter to the EC. In a strongly-worded letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the poll panel had said such "frivolous and unfounded" doubts have the potential of creating "turbulence" when crucial steps like polling and counting are in live play. In the recent Haryana assembly elections, BJP retained power by winning 48 of the 90 seats with the Congress bagging 37 seats, INLD two and Independents three seats. From the Centre to state government and other local authorities, no one is left unharmed as cyber attacks reach alarming levels. If you thought tech and private companies, and individual users like you and me, are the ones most targeted by cyber attackers, think again. Increasingly in the crosshairs have been the Centre and state governments, as well as other local authorities. According to the ministry of electronics and IT, 373 Central and state government websites were hacked between 2018 and 2023. According to another study, the number of cyber attacks against Indian entities, both public and private, was nearly 600 in just the first six months of the current year. Worse, patterns indicate the attacks target periods of heightened national activity, like this years summer when a good chunk of the government and bureaucracy were busy with the general elections. Cyber attacks particularly against government bodies peaked in May 2024, at the height of the elections, before tapering off next month. The increasing number of attacks has worried authorities so much that the Parliamentary committee on communications and IT called on the government a few months ago to urgently increase the security of government websites and networks. ALSO READ: Ex-NRI loses Rs 6 crore to fake share market apps According to a study by FalconFeeds, data breach is one of the most common forms of cyber attacks targeted at corporates and the government. The thriving underground market for unauthorised access to corporate and government networks underscores the importance of strong access control measures, regular monitoring, and swift response to unauthorised access attempts, the report said. It suggested mitigative measures like educating government (and other) employees on phishing, the importance of having regular data backup, multi-factor authentication, limiting access to sensitive data and network segmentation. The lure for cyber attacks like ransomware is the sensitive data that particularly government departments and those in sectors like healthcare, banking and insurance deal with. A typical ransomware attack at a big entity, by 2024 industry estimates, could cost an average of Rs 24 crore to mitigate. The situation is worse with government bodies often not having the latest software or operating systems, nor having enough cybersecurity budgets to stay up to date. For example, the parliamentary committee report earlier this year noted with aghast how many bureaucrats were using outdated Windows operating systems on their official devices. Replacing or updating legacy infrastructure is essential, as is implementing zero-trust architecture to limit unauthorised access and mitigate the spread of ransomware. Proactive threat detection systems and AI-based monitoring tools, provide critical real-time insights into network activities and can significantly improve response times to threats, said Ruchin Kumar, vice president (South Asia) of Futurex. Govt staff must be equipped to identify phishing attempts and follow secure data handling practices since human error often contributes to breaches. Centralising incident response capabilities and fostering partnerships with private-sector cybersecurity firms can also offer smaller government bodies access to specialised expertise and technology, enhancing their defences, he added. Major government bodies hit by cyber attacks this year include Telangana Police, Tamil Nadu labour department and the National Disaster Management Authority. Last year, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Indias largest hospital, was hit not once, but twice, by cyber attacks. Senior Jammu and Kashmir BJP leader Devender Singh Rana, brother of MP and Union Minister Dr Jitender Singh, passed away last night at a hospital in New Delhi. Rana was elected from the Nagrota assembly constituency in the recently held assembly elections. He is survived by his wife and three children, including two daughters and a son. He began his political career with the National Conference in the early 2000s and worked as an advisor to NC leader Omar Abdullah. He was also a successful businessman in the automobile sector, and one of the promoters of JamKash Vehicleades. Rana was one of Jammus wealthiest political figures, with a reported net worth of over Rs 123 crore. His recent victory in the Nagrota Assembly seat, achieved with a record-breaking margin, had positioned him as a likely candidate for the BJP Legislative Party leader. In October 2021, he joined the BJP alongside fellow politician Surjit Singh Slathia after discussions with Home Minister Amit Shah. He was recognised for his ability to engage with a wide range of communities, including Hindus, Muslims, and particularly the Gujjar community, which gave him considerable influence in Jammus political landscape. His cremation is scheduled for Friday. Shri Devender Singh Rana Jis untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmirs progress. He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J&K. In this hour of grief, my pic.twitter.com/ohmAFJ8UJl Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2024 Political leaders have expressed their condolences to his family following his passing. "The terrible news from late last night isnt sinking in. I know the last few years have been marked by our differences, Devender, but I prefer to focus on the fun times we shared together, the excellent work we did together, and the memories. You have been taken from us all too soon and will be missed. May your soul rest in peace now, DSR. My heart goes out to your family as I struggle to find the words to convey my condolences to them," Abdullah wrote on X, sharing pictures of himself with Rana and Nasir Aslam Wani, a senior NC leader and advisor to Abdullah. The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir also expressed condolences for Rana's demise, stating, "I am deeply grieved to learn of the untimely demise of Shri Devender Singh Rana Ji. In his passing, we have lost a patriotic and widely respected leader, who was committed to the well-being of the people of J&K. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti," Sinha posted on X. With Rs 6,000 crore in exports, the apple season has been highly successful for Sopore Fruit Mandi in Baramulla, North Kashmir, Asia's second-largest fruit market. Over 9 lakh metric tons of apples have been dispatched to date, earning Rs 6,000 crore. Around 300 trucks are loaded daily at Mandi, bound for destinations across India and neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. This impressive output underscores the critical role of horticulture, particularly high-density apple cultivation, in Kashmir's economy. Fayaz Ahmad, President of Sopore Mandi, revealed that the facility currently holds around 24 lakh metric tons of apples. Despite a relatively dry season, approximately 95% of the produce has met high-quality standards. "This year, we have dispatched 9 lakh metric tons so far, generating Rs 6,000 crore in revenue for our farmers and the local economy," he said. He said the prices have rebounded after a mid-season dip, offering much-needed relief to farmers across Kashmir. Sopore Mandi alone accounts for nearly 40% of the region's apple production, with almost 70% of India's exported apples originating from Kashmir. Improvements in transportation infrastructure, especially on national highways, have greatly supported the region's horticulture growth. However, growers are urging further government intervention to address issues about infrastructure upgrades and counterfeit pesticides. They hope the new government will prioritise these concerns. Established in 1989, Sopore Mandi has become the central hub for horticultural trade underscoring its lasting economic importance for Kashmir and beyond. More than 30 lakh people in Kashmir, including seven lakh farmers, are linked with horticulture directly or indirectly. Experts opine that investment in exporting apple juice and other products like jam can boost the revenue generated by the horticulture sector in Kashmir and employ thousands of youth. BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- To support China's initiatives to improve the birth rate, the northern Chinese city of Lyuliang, Shanxi Province, has introduced a new regulation offering a 1,500 yuan (about 211 U.S. dollars) reward to women who marry aged 35 and under. This incentive will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025, and the couple can collect the money at the marriage registration office, according to the regulation, which aims at improving the birth support policy system. It is only applicable to first-time marriages of both parties. The policy implemented by Lyuliang is among the latest local government efforts to foster a birth-friendly society, which aligns with China's growing focus on addressing demographic challenges and supporting family development. Childbirth has been a hot subject of discussion among Chinese netizens in recent years. A nationwide survey conducted by the National Health Commission in 2021 showed that Chinese women were less willing to have children, primarily due to concerns about economic burdens, a lack of time to care for children, and career development. "The pressures of buying a home, high costs of child education, and exhausting work demands are all real obstacles to childbirth," commented one user from Beijing on the popular microblogging site Weibo. Over the years, China's local governments have accelerated the pace to build a society more conducive to raising children, with measures ranging from better maternity insurance, more childcare slots, to the expansion of health insurance to cover assisted reproductive medical services. In east China's Shandong Province, an employment model known as the "mom post" has recently been introduced, offering flexible job positions for women caring for children under 12. These positions offer flexible working hours and management style, helping the mothers balance their work and childcare, supporting their return to the workforce, and enhancing their fulfillment, happiness and security. "The issue of childbirth is not merely a matter of personal choice, it also involves family members, the social environment and employer support," said Shi Yi, an associate researcher at the China Population and Development Research Center. "From this perspective, an individual's decision to have children reflects not only personal intentions and beliefs, but it is also significantly influenced by social and family environments." As one of the world's most populous countries, China faces the mounting challenge of a population of 1.4 billion aging at a rapid rate. According to official data, nearly 300 million Chinese citizens are aged 60 or above -- a figure projected to surpass 400 million by 2033 and approach 500 million by 2050. By then, seniors are expected to account for nearly 35 percent of the nation's population. In response to these demographic shifts, China has gradually relaxed its family planning policies over the past decade. In 2013, China allowed couples to have a second child if either parent is an only child, and in 2016, it allowed married couples to have two children, phasing out the decades-long one-child policy. In 2021, it announced support for couples who wish to have a third child. On Monday, the State Council, or China's cabinet, announced an array of new birth support policies, including expanding childcare systems, cultivating a birth-friendly social atmosphere, and strengthening education, housing and employment support. "The measures address the immediate needs of the public in areas such as childbirth, childcare and education, tackling pressing issues that people are eager to see resolved," said Shi. "Promoting long-term balanced population development requires joint efforts from families, society, the market and the government," said Yuan Xin, vice president of the China Population Association. November 4. The last date for withdrawal of candidature for the Maharashtra assembly elections. Whether Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will give in to BJP's demand to withdraw the candidature of Nawab Malik from the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency, will be known on this date. Malik filed his nomination on October 29 as a candidate of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The BJP is in alliance with Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena under the Mahayuti banner. The Mahayuti government has been witnessing much strife over Malik's candidature, with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis asserting that he or his partys leaders will not campaign for Malik. Instead, the Mahayuti leaders will campaign for the Shiv Sena candidate in the constituency. Malik was a minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. NIA had registered a case against Dawood Ibrahim and his associates Chhota Shakeel and Tiger Memon, and arrested Malik in that case in 2022. Supreme Court, however, granted Malik bail on medical grounds in August last year. ALSO READ: Nawab Malik or Bullet Patil? Nawab Malik is the sitting MLA from Anushakti Nagar. However, his daughter Sana Malik is contesting from the seat on the NCP ticket this time. The BJP has declared that it does not have any objection to her candidature. Earlier, Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar, too, had retiterated that Ajit Pawar should not have given the ticket to the controversial NCP leader. "The serious allegations and chargesheet against him [Nawab Malik] are unacceptable to Maharashtra, Shelar was quoted as saying by ANI. #WATCH | #MaharashtraElection2024 | On NCP candidate Nawab Malik, Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar says, "Ajit Pawar should not have given a ticket to him, there are several people in Maharashtra who think this. The kind of serious allegations and chargesheet he has against him can pic.twitter.com/5rE4FZTt8N ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2024 The BJP has made its stance clear. Maharashtra opposes an international terrorist like Dawood. Despite this, if he has been given a ticket, the BJP cannot associate with such people. We won't campaign for this candidate. Instead, we will support the candidate running against him." Shelar had earlier released a video message making the party's stand clear that it will not campaign for Malik. Meanwhile, in an interview with Rajdeep Sardesai, Malik said he does not want the support of the BJP or the Shiv Sena. He said he will always support Ajit Pawar. The Maharashtra assembly elections will be held in a single phase on November 20, and the counting will take place on November 23. After Mallikarjun Kharge's remark on poll promises, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday slammed the Congress saying that the party is realising the hard way that making "unreal promises is easy, executing them properly is tough." Reportedly, in a statement, Kharge advised his party state units to make only those promises that are fiscally doable. The Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible. Campaign after campaign they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2024 "Campaign after campaign they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly exposed in front of the people!" said the PM. The people of the country will have to be vigilant against the Congress sponsored culture of fake promises! We saw recently how the people of Haryana rejected their lies and preferred a Government that is stable, progress oriented and action driven. There is a growing Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2024 PM Modi also mentioned Congress's developmental trajectory, which includes governments in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana. In Karnataka, Congress is busier in intra-party politics, and loot instead of even bothering to deliver on development, he said. "Their so-called Guarantees lie unfulfilled, which is terrible deceit upon the people of these states. The victims of such politics are the poor, youngsters, farmers and women, who are not only denied the benefits of these promises but also see their existing schemes diluted," he added. Hitting out at Kharge, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad asked if Kharge has given his first 'gyan' to Gandhi, noting the former Congress president often boasts of 'khata khat' transfer of money to people belonging to different segments during state and national elections in the case of his party coming to power. The BJP leader sought Kharge's apology to the country. "I greet Kharge sahab for realising this wisdom at this age. This should have dawned on him earlier. Please give the first lesson of your confession to Rahul Gandhi," the BJP leader said. PM Modi also added that there is a growing realisation across India that a vote for Congress is a vote for non-governance, poor economics and unparalleled loot. Two non-local labourers working on the Jal Jeevan Project in the Mazhama area of central Kashmirs Budgam district were shot at and injured by suspected militants on Friday evening. The labourers were working at Mazhama graveyard near the banks of Nallah Sukhnag when they were attacked. One labourer sustained a bullet injury to his arm and another to his leg. Both are stable and out of danger. ALSO READ | J&K: Defence official says Pakistani terrorists are deliberately targeting locals to evoke fear in Valley #WATCH | Security heightened in Jammu and Kashmir's Mazhama, in the Magam area of Budgam district where terrorists fired upon two non-locals. The injured were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, where their condition is said to be stable. The whole area was pic.twitter.com/a14b03QNdu ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2024 Reportedly, the two migrant workers--Sufiyan and Usman-- were from Uttar Pradesh. The area has been cordoned off, and a search operation is underway to locate the attackers. ALSO READ | Jammu: Three militants killed in encounter after they open fire at Army vehicle Both injured labourers were initially treated at SDH Magam and later referred to SKIMS Bemina for further care. This attack marks the third major incident in recent weeks. On October 23 in Gagangeer, Ganderbal, a local doctor and six labourers were killed in a targeted attack. This was followed by an assault in the Gulmarg area of Baramulla, where two army porters and three soldiers lost their lives. ALSO READ | BMP-2 combat vehicles, NSG commandos: Inside details of the 20-hour operation in Akhnoor In the recent series of terror attacks, terrorists belonging to Pakistan-sponsored Jaish-e-Mohammed attacked an ambulance in an Indian Army convoy in J&K's Akhnoor sector. In counter-terror operations, the security forces eliminated three terrorists. The terrorists were planning a major strike, utilising the Akhnoor route, which was traditionally used by operatives of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group, reported PTI. Reportedly, the terrorists entered the region through the Battal area, and a wireless set seized from them confirmed their association with the JeM. Ahead of the November 13 bypolls in six assembly constituencies in West Bengal, the ruling Trinamool Congress has been marred with internal feud. On Thursday, Usha Rani Mondal, a TMC MLA from the Minakhan constituency in North 24 Parganas district, was allegedly attacked by a group of TMC workers. Usha Rani was attacked while returning from the nearby Haroa constituency, where she had attended a Kali Puja event with her husband. Reportedly, a mob blocked their car and threw stones at it. The MLA stated that the mob forcibly pulled her from the car and assaulted her with rods near the auto stand in Haroa, one of the constituencies set for the by-election. She reportedly suffered an injury to her right leg. Some of her supporters travelling with her were also attacked. Usha Rani lodged a complaint at the Haroa Police Station, accusing Khalek Mollah, a local TMC leader in Haroa, of orchestrating the attack. Molla denied the allegations, claiming instead that the MLA and her supporters had attacked Mallika Mondal, the local panchayat chief and a fellow TMC member. Khalek accused Usha Rani of having ties with the BJP. During the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign, she missed a rally held by Mamata Banerjee, which led to strong criticism from the party. Khalek also claimed that someone from Usha Rani's group fired shots at the panchayat chief and her supporters. He further alleged that since Usha Rani has been sidelined by the TMC leadership, she was trying to play a victim card. On Thursday, another case of internal conflict within the TMC emerged when the car of Sandeshkhali MLA Sukumar Mahata was reportedly attacked by a group led by local party leader Abdul Kader Mollah. The attack took place as Mahata was returning from Nazat in. North 24 Parganas district after inaugurating a Kali Puja. Allegedly, Abdul, a panchayat-level leader, is said to be a close associate of Sheikh Shahjahan, the TMC strongman who was arrested earlier this year on charges of sexual assault, illegal land grabbing, and masterminding an attack on ED officials. ALSO READ: Who is Shahjahan Sheikh, the alleged mastermind behind attack on ED officials? Another incident of TMC infighting was reported from South 24 Parganas districts Gosaba. During an administrative meeting in the aftermath of cyclone Dana, some TMC workers complained to Sundarban Development Minister Bankim Chandra Hazra against local MLA Subrata Mondal, accusing him of extorting money from them. Reportedly, after the meeting, several party workers, allegedly loyal to Mondal, attacked those who had raised the complaints. Police have arrested 11 individuals in connection with this incident. With four days left for the US elections, Donald Trump extended Diwali's wishes on Thursday by invoking the violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. He also used the opportunity to slam Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and US President Joe Biden for "ignoring Hindus across the world and in America." This is the first that Trump ever raised the issue of Bangladesh unrest and subsequent violence though it is two months since the event brought the Sheikh Hasina government down. In a post on Truth Social, the Republican candidate, who called Prime Minister Narendra Modi his friend, said "Bangladesh remains in a total state of chaos". "I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos," Trump said. He claimed that such a thing would have never happened on his watch, calling the currrent administration a disaster. "Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America," he said, adding that a government led by him would "protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left." "We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi," Trump said. "Also, Happy Diwali to All. I hope the Festival of Lights leads to the Victory of Good over Evil," said the former president. Harris, Biden celebrate Diwali Diwali celebrations were held at many places in the US, including at temples and many iconic places across the country. "This Diwali, may we show the power in the gathering of light. The light of knowledge, of unity, of truth. The light for freedom, for democracy, for an America where anything is possible," Biden said in a post on X. Earlier this week, he hosted the largest ever Diwali at the White House by inviting some 600 eminent Indian-Americans from across the country. Harris too put up a post wishing Diwali. "Tonight, we join more than 1 billion people across America and around the world lighting diyas and celebrating the fight for good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness," Harris said. A German vessel, reportedly carrying military-grade explosives for Israel, has run into a controversy after human rights lawyers filed a court appeal in Berlin seeking to block it from delivering the cargo to Israel's defence contractor Elbit Systems. MV Kathrin allegedly carries a 150-metric-ton shipment to be delivered to Israels biggest defence contractor. LSEG data and vessel-tracking website Marine Traffic showed the vessel is docked in Egypts port at Alexandria on Monday. However, Germany-based Lubeca Marine, which owns the vessel, said the ship was never scheduled to make any port calls in Israel and had recently discharged its cargo in Bar, Montenegro. The plea was filed by the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) on Wednesday on behalf of three Palestinians from Gaza. It argued that the shipment of primarily RDX explosives would be used in munitions for Israeli weapons to be used in Gaza. The explosives will be used to manufacture weapons, such as bombs, mortars, and rockets. Though the ship is said to be in Egypt's Alexandria, it wasn't a smooth sail as Namibia denied it port access after discovering its military cargo in August. It also tried in vain to dock at various African and Mediterranean ports. In October, Portugal revoked the vessels flag forcing it to reflag in Germany, according to ELSC. However, after reports surfaced that the ship was in Egypt now, the country's army issued a statement stating the reports were untrue. It denied allegations that it assisted Israeli military operations. "The Egyptian Armed Forces categorically deny what has been circulated on social media and suspicious accounts and what is being promoted about assisting Israel in its military operations in general and in detail," the army said in a statement. Many human rights organisations have now rallied against the shipment reaching Israel. "The deadly cargo believed to be on board the MV Kathrin must not reach Israel as there is a clear risk that such cargo would contribute to the commission of war crimes against Palestinian civilians," said Natasa Posel, head of Amnesty International Slovenia. Now that it has run into legal troubles, the fate of the vessel and its controversial cargo remains uncertain. Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas coalition, Jatiya Partys central office in Dhaka, was set on fire following clashes on Thursday night. #WATCH | Bangladeshs ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas coalition, Jatiya Party's central office in Dhaka vandalised and set on fire. pic.twitter.com/nUWQtYkclm ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2024 Protesters vandalised Jatiya Party offices, pulled down signboards and smeared ink on party founder Ershads picture on the wall. Reportedly, clashes erupted when protesters carrying the Chhatra Sramik Janata banner marched with a torch procession in front of the Jatiya Party's central office in the Kakrail area. ALSO READ | When will Bangladesh seek extradition of Sheikh Hasina from India? Interim leader Muhammad Yunus clears the air Jatiya Party chief Ghulam Muhammed Quader, who had also served as the former commerce minister under Hasina's leadership, said that such protesters were "splitting" the nation. "The country is now divided," Quader was quoted by AFP. "They disregard everyone else, splitting the country into 'pure' and 'impure' factions... They determine who is culpable and who is not, leaving no room for justification. Once they tag someone as culpable, it's final." ALSO READ | Bangladesh president says no documentary evidence of Sheikh Hasinas resignation Meanwhile, Shakiluzzaman, a leader of Gono Audhikar Parishad, alleged that when they were passing in front of the Jatiya Party office, bricks were thrown at them from the roof of the office provoking the clash. Gono Audhikar Parishad is one of the political parties that participated in the movement against Sheikh Hasina. The Jatiya Party, founded by the late President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, was part of the Bangladesh Awami League-led Grand Alliance. The party participated in the last three general elections despite a major party BNP boycott. "Jatiya Party terrorists themselves set fire to their office and escaped. Jatya Party acted as a proxy of the fascist Awami League in the 2014, 2018 and 2024 elections," Shakiluzzaman was quoted by ANI. On August 5, Hasina, fled to India amid wide protests erupted in Bangladesh against a controversial quota system in government jobs. Hundreds of people died in the protests that erupted since mid-July. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Beijing on Friday. Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Slovakia 75 years ago, bilateral relations have been developing steadily and the traditional friendship has been strengthened. He said China is ready to work with Slovakia to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, consolidate the political foundation, expand the Belt and Road cooperation and China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) cooperation, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, and take China-Slovakia relations to a higher level. Zhao added that the NPC of China is willing to deepen exchanges at all levels and in all fields with the National Council of Slovakia, strengthen exchanges of governance experience, and provide policy support and legal guarantee for bilateral practical cooperation. Fico said Slovakia attaches great importance to developing relations with China, adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to further enhance bilateral cooperation, promote exchanges between legislative bodies, serve the development of both sides and benefit the two peoples. The U.S. on Thursday imposed sanctions on senior members of the armed wing of a Mexican drug cartel that operates on border territories in and around Chihuahua, Mexico. Five Mexican citizens and two companies linked to La Linea, a violent Mexico-based drug trafficking organization that smuggles fentanyl and other synthetic drugs into the U.S. on behalf of the transnational Juarez Cartel, were hit with economic sanctions Thursday. The latest action is meant to stem a major source of the fentanyl coming into the U.S; the powerful opioid, is the deadliest drugs in the U.S. today. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that drug overdose deaths in the U.S. have increased more than sevenfold from 2015 to 2021, though the agency reported a 3% decline in the number of drug overdose deaths this year. Over the past two years, Treasury has sanctioned more than 350 people and firms connected to drug trafficking, from cartel leaders to labs and suppliers. Mexico and China are the primary sources of fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances trafficked directly into the U.S., according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, which is tasked with combating illicit drug trafficking. Nearly all the precursor chemicals that are needed to make fentanyl come from China. La Linea and the Juarez Cartel are known for inflicting violence on innocent people, and U.S. authorities have tried to pursue them in July 2022, a North Dakota federal judge ordered La Linea to pay $4.6 billion in monetary damages to the families of nine Americans killed in an ambush in Northern Mexico on Nov. 4, 2019. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement Thursday that if La Linea continues to directly contribute to the proliferation of deadly fentanyl throughout our communities, Treasury will continue to use every tool in our arsenal to go after their criminal activity. The Biden administration has taken a slew of actions against fentanyl traffickers charging powerful traffickers with drug and money laundering offenses and announcing indictments and sanctions against Chinese companies and executives blamed for importing the chemicals used to make the dangerous drug. In December 2023, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen launched a Counter-Fentanyl Strike Force that brings together personnel and intelligence from throughout the Treasury Department from its sanctions and intelligence arms to IRS Criminal Investigations to more effectively collaborate on stopping the flow of drugs into the country. And President Joe Biden signed into law the bipartisan FEND off Fentanyl Act as part of the supplemental spending package signed in April, which among other things, declares that the international trafficking of fentanyl is a national emergency. Combatting fentanyl has increasingly become a political issue. Republicans say fentanyl smuggling across the U.S.-Mexico border should be viewed alongside migration issues, which are a focal point of the 2024 presidential election. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has blamed migrants for the trafficking of drugs like fentanyl, even though federal data suggests many people smuggling fentanyl across the border are U.S. citizens. (AP) House Speaker Mike Johnson, along with Rep. Mike Lawler and former Congressman Lee Zeldin, visited Rockland County on Thursday in support of Lawlers reelection bid. The high-profile visit included meetings with numerous local Jewish community leaders, underscoring the support Lawler enjoys among residents. The delegations first stop was in Monsey, where they met with the Viznitzer Rebbe. Speaker Johnson then proceeded to meet with the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Joel, HaRav Aron Teitelbaum Shlita, who made a special trip to Monsey from Kiryas Joel, greeting the Speaker at his vacation residence. The group then visited the Skvere Rebbe, where Chaskel Bennett, a member of Agudath Israel of Americas Board of Trustees, was also in attendance. The day concluded with a rally in New City, where Speaker Johnson voiced his endorsement of Congressman Lawler, rallying community members to support Lawlers campaign in the upcoming election. (Source: MonseyScoop.com) Mayor Johnson who had nothing worthwhile to say when a Jewish man was targeted in a shooting this past Shabbos initially stood by the embattled board president, citing Johnsons remorse and commitment to making amends. However, pressure escalated after Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a large majority of Chicagos council members publicly called for Johnsons removal. The social media posts in question, reported by Jewish Insider, were made in the wake of Hamass October 7 attack and during the subsequent conflict in Gaza. In one post, Johnson wrote, People have an absolute right to attack their oppressors by any means necessary. Another post read, My Jewish colleagues appear drunk with the Israeli power and will live to see their payment. Johnson had only been sworn in last week, with Mayor Johnson appointing him to lead the Chicago Board of Education. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) After six days of ignoring the glaring facts, Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, has finally been charged with felony terrorism and hate crime charges for shooting and wounding a Jewish man in the West Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago last Shabbos. The victim, 39, was shot by the illegal migrant who was released by federal authorities, while walking to shul Shabbos morning on the citys North Side. According to Chicago Police Department Chief Larry Snelling, Abdallahi fired multiple shots at the victim before opening fire on responding police officers and paramedics from various locations. Officers returned fire, striking Abdallahi, who remains hospitalized. Charges One felony count of terrorism One felony count of hate crime Six counts of attempted first-degree murder Seven counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm One count of aggravated battery with the discharge of a firearm Investigators were unable to interview Abdallahi due to his injuries but gathered evidence from his phone indicating he targeted individuals of Jewish faith, Chief Snelling stated. What that evidence was is unclear. Abdallahis next court appearance is scheduled for November 7. Abdallahi is from the West African country of Mauritania, Fox News Bill Melugin reported. The suspect was detained by Border Patrol in the San Diego sector in 2023, before being released, at which point he apparently traveled to Chicago. Sanctuary-city policies in Cook County, Ill., where the shooting took place, bar local authorities from cooperating with ICE detainer requests. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The House Education Committee has released a damning report on antisemitism in colleges, following a nearly year-long investigation that led to the resignation of at least two university presidents. The probe collected over 400,000 documents from 11 schools, exposing shocking concessions made by universities to protesters, including partnering with a Palestinian university tied to Hamas and going as far as removing Sabra hummus from campus. This investigation marked the first time in the committees history that lawmakers subpoenaed university leadership. The report concluded that universities prioritized protester demands over Jewish students safety, administrators withheld support from Jewish students, university leaders failed to discipline students engaging in antisemitic activities, and universities resisted the Houses investigation. Chair Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) condemned university administrators, saying, While Jewish students displayed incredible courage, university administrators, faculty, and staff were cowards who fully capitulated to the mob and failed the students they were supposed to serve. Northwestern University considered removing Sabra hummus, while Columbia University offered secret concessions, including reviewing divestment from certain companies and partnering with a Palestinian university. Harvard University refused to condemn a letter blaming Israel for the October 7 attack, leaving Jewish students feeling unsupported. Columbia University let students who occupied Hamilton Hall go unpunished. Critics accuse Republicans of overstepping, with Columbia saying it strongly condemns antisemitism and all forms of discrimination. The committee urges the executive branch to enforce laws and ensure colleges provide a safe learning environment, citing potential Title VI violations. Foxx emphasized, It is time for the executive branch to enforce the laws and ensure colleges and universities restore order and guarantee that all students have a safe learning environment. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A co-chair of Donald Trumps transition team said Trump supporter Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants access to federal health data so he can show vaccines are unsafe and lead to them being pulled from the market in a second Trump administration. Howard Lutnick echoed a number of Kennedys debunked anti-vaccine talking points in a CNN interview Wednesday, including falsehoods about the vaccine schedule and the disproven theory that vaccines cause autism. Trump has talked often about how Kennedy, who suspended his own presidential bid and endorsed him in August, will have a big role to play if the former president returns to the White House. While Lutnick said Kennedy would not be chosen as secretary of health and human services, he was not specific about what Kennedys role might be. Lutnick made the comments the same day that Kennedy told NewsNation that Trump asked him to reorganize agencies including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration and some agencies under the Department of Agriculture. The comments by Lutnick raised immediate concerns among public health experts that giving influence to one of the most prominent anti-vaccine activists in the world could lead to what one said would be severe health consequences for Americans, especially children. They come just days before the Nov. 5 election and as Trump, a Republican, and Democrat Kamala Harris are vying to sway late-deciding voters to their side. Lutnick, the CEO of the financial services company Cantor Fitzgerald, told CNN that Kennedy wants access to data so he can say these things are unsafe and that will stop the sales. He says, if you give me the data, all I want is the data and Ill take on the data and show that its not safe. And then if you pull the product liability, the companies will yank these vaccines right off of the market. So thats his point, Lutnick said. It was unclear what data Lutnick was referring to since extensive data and research on vaccine safety is publicly available. The World Health Organization has estimated that global immunization efforts have saved at least 154 million lives in the past 50 years. In recent days, Trump has said he would let Kennedy go wild on health, food and medicines. Kennedy has said repeatedly that he plans to exercise his influence over a wide range of policies if Trump wins and said Trump had promised him control over health agencies and told him he wanted him to reorganize them. Asked about Kennedys comments and his role in a Trump administration, Jason Miller, a senior adviser for the campaign said the only thing Trump and his campaign are focused on is winning on Nov. 5. Everything after that is after that, and President Trump has made clear that Bobby Kennedy will play an important role, Miller wrote. It would be extremely dangerous to put Kennedy in a position of power where he could make decisions or have the ability to change regulatory policy, said Joshua Sharfstein, vice dean for public health practice at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Removing vaccines from the market would lead to severe health consequences for America, said Sharfstein, a former deputy commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We go about our daily lives in the United States not worrying about a lot of preventable diseases like measles because of the protection that the vaccines provide. But if there were to be a systematic effort to use the tools of the federal government to undermine vaccination, children wont be safe. Full stop. Even if Kennedy is given a lesser role where he provides input and comments but doesnt have control over policy, it could still be damaging, according to people who have served in public health roles in government. Advisers like Scott Atlas have demonstrated the significant influence they can wield without congressional oversight, raising fears of misinformation and harm, Trumps own surgeon general, Dr. Jerome Adams, wrote in an email, referring to Trumps former COVID-19 pandemic advisor, a radiologist with no background in infectious disease, who advocated for the widely discredited herd immunity strategy. Adams said he believed it was unlikely that Kennedy could be appointed to lead a major health agency because he has no medical expertise, it would likely be difficult for him to pass a background check for a top secret clearance and hed likely lack support in Congress though Trump circumvented the background check system during his first administration and stocked his Cabinet with acting officials who had not received congressional approval. Kennedys anti-vaccine organization has a lawsuit pending against news organizations including The Associated Press, accusing them of violating antitrust laws by taking action to identify misinformation, including about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. Kennedy is on leave from the group but is listed as one of its attorneys in the lawsuit. Republican lawmakers have long enjoyed and reciprocated support from pharmaceutical companies, even vowing to dismantle a law signed by Democratic President Joe Biden that allows the government to negotiate the price of prescription drugs for Medicare enrollees. Republicans have argued the law will hurt the businesses and stifle innovation in the industry. But vaccine skepticism, growing across the country, has become deeper among conservatives. In addition to peoples health and well-being, the possibility that Kennedys influence would result in debunked ideas like a vaccine link to autism being again dredged up and wasting time, energy and money disheartened public health advocates. Trump helped bring the vaccine to market, and he took the vaccine. I dont know why hes giving this person this mouthpiece, said Amy Pisani, CEO of Vaccinate Your Family, noting Trumps Operation Warp Speed helped bring the COVID-19 vaccine to market, though Kennedy has relentlessly attacked it. Vaccinate Your Family is a nonpartisan group co-founded by former first lady Rosalynn Carter and former Arkansas first lady Betty Bumpers that has worked on vaccine programs with both Republican and Democratic presidential administrations for the past 30 years. I dont want to go back 30 years to fighting the anti-vaccine movement again, Pisani said. To go back in time and waste millions and millions of taxpayer dollars on this witch hunt again is just untenable. (AP) Some people who took a new schizophrenia drug for a year improved with only a few side effects, but many dropped out of the research, the company announced Thursday. The results underscore the difficulties in treating schizophrenia, a severe mental illness that can cause people to hear voices, feel paranoid and withdraw from others. High dropout rates are typical in schizophrenia drug studies. Finding a drug that works can be a long ordeal punctuated by crises and hospitalizations. Side effects of existing medications weight gain, tremors, restlessness cause some people to stop taking medicine and relapse. Theres been great hope among doctors for Cobenfy, which was approved in September, because it acts in the brain differently than other schizophrenia drugs. Instead of blocking dopamine receptors, Cobenfys main ingredient, xanomeline, works on a different receptor that indirectly blocks dopamine release. Cobenfy also contains trospium, which blocks some of the side effects. The most common are nausea, vomiting and indigestion. In contrast to the weight gain seen with other schizophrenia drugs, people lost a few pounds while taking Cobenfy, made by Bristol Myers Squibb. Dr. John Krystal of Yale University has led research on other schizophrenia drugs but was not involved in the new studies. He noted that just 10% to 20% of participants in the new studies dropped out because of side effects. That is pretty good, he said, noting that fewer or milder side effects could mean people will stay in treatment longer. That could mean fewer problems associated with untreated mental illness: substance use, homelessness and unemployment. So why did some patients stick with treatment while others dropped out? Krystal said it will be important to understand more about that as doctors start prescribing the drug. The Food and Drug Administration approved Cobenfy on the strength of two encouraging company-sponsored five-week trials and other safety data. The latest results announced Thursday at the Psych Congress meeting in Boston come from two longer studies, providing a fuller picture. In one study, focused on severely ill patients, 78% dropped out, leaving only 35 people for the final analysis. In the other, focused on more stable people, 51% left the study, leaving 283 who took the drug for a year. Its not any higher or any lower than what we typically see in schizophrenia studies, said Dr. Greg Mattingly of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Mattingly is a consultant for Bristol Myers Squibb and a researcher on one of the studies. In the more severely ill group, 69% of people had a meaningful improvement in their symptoms at the end of the year. In the other group, 30% saw a meaningful benefit. Results of interviews with a sample of study participants conducted by an independent research team and shared by Bristol Myers Squibb showed the likelihood of continuing treatment. After six months, 36 said they would continue taking Cobenfy after the trial if given the option; 10 said they would not. Some participants said the drug reduced the voices while others said it didnt work for them. The estimated yearly cost for Cobenfy is $22,500 compared to $540 for a generic antipsychotic. Krystal and others worry that insurers will require people to try cheaper drugs first before covering Cobenfy. Most patients out-of-pocket costs will be much lower, depending on insurance and other factors. One cheaper generic called clozapine is widely considered one of the best treatments for schizophrenia, Krystal said. It is underused in the U.S. compared to some other countries because of a cumbersome blood testing program. The FDA started the blood tests to watch for the risk of severe neutropenia, a rare side effect which can be fatal. But doctors and families have told the FDA that patients have relapsed when their clozapine was withheld or delayed because of the testing requirements. Sally Littlefield, 29, of Alameda, California, said what works for her is a monthly injection of a long-acting antipsychotic medication. Littlefield, who has schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, wants to learn more about the experiences of people whove taken Cobenfy and not just from players with a financial stake. Mindy Greiling of Roseville, Minnesota, wants to see data on how Cobenfy compares to clozapine, which works for her 47-year-old son, Jim. Weight gain was a problem for him, but since taking diabetes medication, hes back to his normal weight, Greiling said. Cobenfy is getting a lot of ballyhoo, as any new drug does, Greiling said. Its just a nonstarter for me unless it turns out that its better than clozapine. (AP) Donald Trump is planning to cast his vote on Election Day despite having previously said he would vote early. In a radio interview with Fox News host Brian Kilmeade that aired last week, Trump had said that he intended to early vote something Kilmeade had suggested might serve as an example for his supporters. Trump and his campaign have been urging voters to cast their ballots early, even as the former president and GOP nominee continues to criticize the option and sow unfounded doubts about potential fraud. Ill be voting early. Ill be voting early, Trump told the host. But he wont. Trump instead will be voting Tuesday morning near his estate in Palm Beach, Florida, according to a person familiar with his schedule who spoke on condition of anonymity before a formal announcement. Trumps declaration that he would vote early had come after Kilmeade had asked on two separate occasions whether Trump might do so to kind of set an example. Trump has made clear his trepidations. Im very mixed on it, Trump responded the first time. I say the main thing I say is vote. Kilmeade then re-asked the question as he ended the interview, telling Trump that he could vote early and set an example if you wanted to in Florida. That would be an interesting decision. Well, you know, its interesting. I really feel Im very mixed, Trump said once again, pointing to the old standard of the Tuesday vote as well as those who like to vote before Election Day. You know, people have different feelings about it. But the main thing is you got to get out, you got to vote. And Ill be voting early, he said. In the final weeks of the race, Trump has been urging his supporters to bank their votes, with large signs at his rallies spelling out: VOTE EARLY! I am telling everyone to vote early, Trump said in a podcast interview with Dan Bongino, who has widely spread false information about early voting and the 2020 election. But Trump often sows doubts about the process in the very same breath. We got to get out and vote. And you can start right away. You know that, right? he told his supporters at a rally in Indiana, Pennsylvania in September. Now, we have this stupid stuff where you can vote 45 days early. I wonder what the hell happens during that 45. He went on to describe a hypothetical situation in which ballots could be tampered with, even though allegations of similar issues in 2020 were widely disproven. See these votes? Weve got about a million votes in there. Lets move them. Were fixing the air conditioner in the room, right? No, its terrible, he said urging his supporters to deliver him a victory too big to rig. Still, Republicans appear to be heeding the early vote call. Republicans have been flocking to the polls for in-person voting ahead of Election Day, with early turnout breaking records in swing states such as Georgia and North Carolina. Trump is planning a flurry of events as the the election comes to a close, ramping up his schedule during the races final stretch. Hell hold four rallies Monday that will include stops in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, according to the person. And in keeping with tradition from his first two campaigns, he will hold his finale rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Monday night. (AP) Germany ordered the closure of all three Iranian Consulates in the country on Thursday in response to the execution of Iranian German prisoner Jamshid Sharmahd, who lived in the United States and was kidnapped in Dubai in 2020 by Iranian security forces. Sharmahd, 69, was put to death in Iran on Monday on terrorism charges, the Iranian judiciary said. That followed a 2023 trial that Germany, the U.S. and international rights groups dismissed as a sham. The decision to close the Iranian Consulates in Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich, announced by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, leaves the Islamic Republic with only its embassy in Berlin. The German Foreign Ministry had already summoned Irans charge daffaires on Tuesday to protest against Sharmahds execution. German Ambassador Markus Potzel also protested to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, before being recalled to Berlin for consultations. Sharmahd was one of several Iranian dissidents abroad in recent years either tricked or kidnapped back to Iran as Tehran began lashing out after the collapse of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers including Germany. Iran accused Sharmahd, who lived in Glendora, California, of planning a 2008 attack on a mosque that killed 14 people including five women and a child and wounded over 200 others, as well as plotting other assaults through the little-known Kingdom Assembly of Iran and its Tondar militant wing. Iran also accused Sharmahd of disclosing classified information on missile sites of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard during a television program in 2017. His family disputed the allegations and had worked for years to see him freed. Iran pushed back against Germanys protests. Araghchi wrote Tuesday on social network X that a German passport does not provide impunity to anyone, let alone a terrorist criminal. He accused Baerbock of gaslighting and wrote that your government is accomplice in the ongoing Israeli genocide. Germany is a staunch ally of Israel and has sharply criticized Iranian attacks on Israel as tensions spiral over the wars in Gaza and Lebanon. The closure of consulates, a diplomatic tool Germany seldom uses, signals a major downgrade to diplomatic relations Baerbock said were already at more than a low point. Last year, Berlin told Russia to close four of the five consulates it then had in Germany after Moscow set a limit for the number of staff at the German Embassy and related bodies in Russia. Irans government knows above all the language of blackmail, threat and violence, Baerbock said Thursday. The latest comments by the Iranian foreign minister, in which he puts the cold-blooded murder of Jamshid Sharmahd in the context of German support for Israel, also speak for themselves. We repeatedly made unmistakably clear to Tehran that the execution of a German citizen would have serious consequences, said Baerbock, adding that the cases of Germans held in Iran were a central part of a meeting she held with Araghchi in New York a month ago. She said Berlin will continue with tireless work to get an unspecified number of other Germans released. On Tuesday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the execution of a European citizen is seriously harming relations between Iran and the European Union. In view of this appalling development, the European Union will now consider targeted and significant measures, he said in a statement, without elaborating. Baerbock noted that the EU imposed a new set of sanctions in mid-October and that she is pushing for Irans Revolutionary Guard to be put on a list of terror organizations. Sharmahd had been in Dubai in 2020, trying to travel to India for a business deal involving his software company. He hoped to get a connecting flight despite the coronavirus pandemic disrupting global travel. Sharmahds family received their last message from him on July 28, 2020. Its unclear how the abduction happened, but tracking data showed that Sharmahds cellphone traveled south from Dubai to the city of Al Ain on July 29, crossing the border into Oman. On July 30, tracking data showed the phone traveled to the Omani port city of Sohar, where the signal stopped. Two days later, Iran announced it had captured Sharmahd in a complex operation. The Intelligence Ministry published a photograph of him blindfolded. Germany expelled two Iranian diplomats last year over Sharmahds death sentence. (AP) BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Sam Hou Fai, who was newly elected as the chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and recently appointed by China's central government. The meeting took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Witnessed by Xi, Premier Li Qiang presented Sam with a decree of the State Council appointing the latter as the sixth-term chief executive of the Macao SAR. Xi congratulated Sam on his appointment, and commended him for holding a firm stance of loving the country and Macao, conscientiously fulfilling his duties, and making contributions to Macao's prosperity and stability during his long tenure as the president of Macao's Court of Final Appeal. "In the election, you were nominated and elected by an overwhelming majority, which demonstrates the broad recognition and support from the society of Macao. The central authorities fully acknowledge this and have full trust in you," Xi said. JIUQUAN, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Dongfeng landing site in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, north China, is ready to welcome the return of the Shenzhou-18 astronaut crew, according to Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. To ensure search and rescue readiness, the last comprehensive drill was carried out at the Dongfeng landing site from Thursday evening to early morning on Friday, said the center. The return capsule of the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship, carrying three astronauts, is scheduled to touch down on Earth in the early morning on Nov. 4. The comprehensive drill was designed to target any difficulties and requirements expected from challenging conditions, such as the weather, the center added. All personnel and equipment at the Dongfeng landing site are ready to be deployed to support the search and rescue missions. Moreover, the Shenzhou-18 crew completed all preparations before leaving the Tiangong Space Station. China launched the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship on Wednesday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. The Shenzhou-19 and Shenzhou-18 crews met in the Tiangong space station, starting a new round of in-orbit crew handover. This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli warplanes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 1, 2024. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday accused Israel of rejecting efforts to reach a ceasefire as Israeli forces resumed bombing Beirut's southern suburbs and other areas in Lebanon at dawn on Friday. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) BEIRUT, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday accused Israel of rejecting efforts to reach a ceasefire as Israeli forces resumed bombing Beirut's southern suburbs and other areas in Lebanon at dawn on Friday. Israel's "renewed expansion of the scope of its aggression" and "its repeated threats to the population to evacuate entire cities and villages" are "all indicators of Israel's rejection of all efforts" in reaching a ceasefire, Mikati said during his meeting with Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, chief of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. In a statement released by the Lebanese Council of Ministers, the prime minister reaffirmed "Lebanon's permanent commitment to UN Resolution 1701," calling on the international community to assume its responsibility to stop this "aggression." According to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA), a series of violent raids targeted different areas in Beirut's southern suburbs at dawn on Friday, causing massive destruction in the targeted areas, with dozens of buildings leveled to the ground and fires breaking out. The Israeli forces also resumed intense airstrikes on the eastern city of Baalbek at noon on Friday, according to the Elnashra news website. On Wednesday, Israel's state-owned Kan TV revealed a document claimed to be a draft agreement between Israel and Lebanon, proposed by the United States, to end the current Israeli-Hezbollah clashes. Quoting senior Israeli officials, the channel reported that the war cabinet is satisfied with the draft formulated by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein and submitted to Israel, and its chances of being accepted are high. Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has launched an unprecedented, intensive air campaign on Lebanon in a dangerous escalation with Hezbollah. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported on Thursday that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon since the beginning of the war on Oct. 8, 2023, has reached 2,867, with injuries climbing to 13,047. This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli warplanes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 1, 2024. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday accused Israel of rejecting efforts to reach a ceasefire as Israeli forces resumed bombing Beirut's southern suburbs and other areas in Lebanon at dawn on Friday. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli warplanes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 1, 2024. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday accused Israel of rejecting efforts to reach a ceasefire as Israeli forces resumed bombing Beirut's southern suburbs and other areas in Lebanon at dawn on Friday. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) DAMASCUS, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Firefighters in Syria's northwestern coastal Latakia province were battling a massive wildfire Thursday in the dense forests, local media reported. The fire has been raging in the rural area of Badrousiyah in Latakia as strong winds and thick vegetation drove flames toward the Kasab area near the Syrian-Turkish border. Kasab is home to some of Syria's largest forests, making containment efforts especially challenging. Additional firefighting teams have been dispatched from nearby provinces to assist, and residents in the areas of Badrousiyah and Mushayrifa have been evacuated. People take part in a rally held in front of the City Hall in downtown San Francisco, the United States, Aug. 17, 2019. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua) Today, American civilians own more than 400 million guns, exceeding the country's population. NEW YORK, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Jaden Thakur will never forget the day his uncle nearly became another victim in America's gun violence crisis. The college student, who grew up in New Jersey, recounted the nightmarish scene: One day, while strolling down the street, Thakur's uncle accidentally bumped into someone, sparking a heated altercation between the two. "At first, it was verbal, and then the guy kind of showed his gun and made my uncle back down," he said. At that critical moment, a passerby intervened, drawing his own gun to defend Thakur's uncle, ultimately preventing the situation from spiraling out of control. "It was just crazy," said Thakur, his voice still laced with disbelief. "It's far too easy to acquire weapons in the United States than in other places." In Thakur's view, gun violence is "probably the biggest safety issue" confronting the United States. Official statistics underscore this grim reality: in 2023 alone, the Gun Violence Archive recorded 18,854 fatalities from gun violence, excluding suicides. Mass shootings, defined as incidents with four or more casualties, have doubled over the past decade, peaking in 2021 at 689. Schools are becoming increasingly unsafe due to the prevalence of guns. According to a CNN report, by Oct. 15 this year, at least 58 school shootings had left 28 dead and 72 injured across American schools, from kindergartens to colleges. In recent years, school shootings have sharply increased, with 2021, 2022, and 2023 each marking record highs not seen since at least 2008. People attend a candlelight vigil for victims of a school mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, the United States on May 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) Today, American civilians own more than 400 million guns, exceeding the country's population. Deep partisan divisions and influential lobbying groups, such as the National Rifle Association, have routinely stalled gun control laws in Congress. However, gun violence reflects only one aspect of the rising crime rates in the United States in recent years. In 2020, the United States saw a nearly 30 percent increase in homicides, marking the largest annual rise on record, according to data released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In 2022, murder rates remained well above pre-pandemic levels, and property crimes, such as burglary, rose to a staggering 1,954.4 incidents per 100,000 people. A growing sense of public insecurity has made violent crime one of Americans' top policy concerns in this election year. A Pew Research Center report in February revealed that 68 percent of Republicans and nearly half of Democrats deemed crime reduction as a policy priority. Even political violence is on the rise, with presidential candidates becoming targets. Since July, the Republican candidate Donald Trump has escaped three assassination attempts, while the suspect accused of shooting at Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign office in Arizona was found to possess over 120 guns and over 250,000 rounds of ammunition in his home and was preparing for a "mass casualty" act, according to U.S. media reports. Both candidates have been framing the crime issues in their favor ahead of the election. Harris said in September that violent crime has declined to a "near 50-year low," citing FBI data on crimes reported by police departments, while Trump claimed that violent crime has "skyrocketed" during the Biden-Harris administration, citing a Justice Department survey. Such a crime landscape underscores deeper ills of the U.S. society, such as systemic racism, economic inequality, and political marginalization, all of which are often prolonged and ignored by politicians. Demonstrators take part in an anti-racism protest outside the U.S. Embassy in London, Britain, on June 7, 2020. (Xinhua/Han Yan) According to an analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice, the number of shootings doubled in the neighborhood of East New York and nearly tripled in Brownsville in 2020, both hot spots of violence for more than a quarter-century. The center noted that these increases reveal a more troubling pattern, which sociologist Patrick Sharkey described as the "rigid geography of violence." In this pattern, crime remains relatively concentrated in specific areas even as overall levels decline. A Brookings Institution study links high rates of violent crime and police shootings to socioeconomic inequities, particularly in marginalized communities. Structural racism has fostered conditions where Black populations disproportionately reside in under-resourced areas, with limited access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. This concentration of disadvantage thus feeds cycles of violence. With election day approaching, Thakur said he remains undecided over which candidate can make America safe as neither appears capable of solving gun-related issues. "Overall, I don't think anyone's going to change anything." NEW YORK, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Jaden Thakur will never forget the day his uncle nearly became another victim in America's gun violence crisis. The college student, who grew up in New Jersey, recounted the nightmarish scene: One day, while strolling down the street, Thakur's uncle accidentally bumped into someone, sparking a heated altercation between the two. "At first, it was verbal, and then the guy kind of showed his gun and made my uncle back down," he said. At that critical moment, a passerby intervened, drawing his own gun to defend Thakur's uncle, ultimately preventing the situation from spiraling out of control. "It was just crazy," said Thakur, his voice still laced with disbelief. "It's far too easy to acquire weapons in the United States than in other places." In Thakur's view, gun violence is "probably the biggest safety issue" confronting the United States. Official statistics underscore this grim reality: in 2023 alone, the Gun Violence Archive recorded 18,854 fatalities from gun violence, excluding suicides. Mass shootings, defined as incidents with four or more casualties, have doubled over the past decade, peaking in 2021 at 689. Schools are becoming increasingly unsafe due to the prevalence of guns. According to a CNN report, by Oct. 15 this year, at least 58 school shootings had left 28 dead and 72 injured across American schools, from kindergartens to colleges. In recent years, school shootings have sharply increased, with 2021, 2022, and 2023 each marking record highs not seen since at least 2008. Today, American civilians own more than 400 million guns, exceeding the country's population. Deep partisan divisions and influential lobbying groups, such as the National Rifle Association, have routinely stalled gun control laws in Congress. However, gun violence reflects only one aspect of the rising crime rates in the United States in recent years. In 2020, the United States saw a nearly 30 percent increase in homicides, marking the largest annual rise on record, according to data released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In 2022, murder rates remained well above pre-pandemic levels, and property crimes, such as burglary, rose to a staggering 1,954.4 incidents per 100,000 people. A growing sense of public insecurity has made violent crime one of Americans' top policy concerns in this election year. A Pew Research Center report in February revealed that 68 percent of Republicans and nearly half of Democrats deemed crime reduction as a policy priority. Even political violence is on the rise, with presidential candidates becoming targets. Since July, the Republican candidate Donald Trump has escaped three assassination attempts, while the suspect accused of shooting at Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign office in Arizona was found to possess over 120 guns and over 250,000 rounds of ammunition in his home and was preparing for a "mass casualty" act, according to U.S. media reports. Both candidates have been framing the crime issues in their favor ahead of the election. Harris said in September that violent crime has declined to a "near 50-year low," citing FBI data on crimes reported by police departments, while Trump claimed that violent crime has "skyrocketed" during the Biden-Harris administration, citing a Justice Department survey. Such a crime landscape underscores deeper ills of the U.S. society, such as systemic racism, economic inequality, and political marginalization, all of which are often prolonged and ignored by politicians. According to an analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice, the number of shootings doubled in the neighborhood of East New York and nearly tripled in Brownsville in 2020, both hot spots of violence for more than a quarter-century. The center noted that these increases reveal a more troubling pattern, which sociologist Patrick Sharkey described as the "rigid geography of violence." In this pattern, crime remains relatively concentrated in specific areas even as overall levels decline. A Brookings Institution study links high rates of violent crime and police shootings to socioeconomic inequities, particularly in marginalized communities. Structural racism has fostered conditions where Black populations disproportionately reside in under-resourced areas, with limited access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. This concentration of disadvantage thus feeds cycles of violence. With election day approaching, Thakur said he remains undecided over which candidate can make America safe as neither appears capable of solving gun-related issues. "Overall, I don't think anyone's going to change anything." This meeting was more about image than policy and it started off with a bang. As always or blog focuses on the silly . . . Thursday nights debate was less than 30 seconds old when Hawley injected a snarky reminder that a bullet fragment fired by Kunce struck a television reporter in the arm at a shooting range near Kansas City earlier this month. Kunce provided first aid and the injury was not serious, but it has been the butt of snarky social media posts from Hawley and his campaign. Hawley referred to it in his opening answer of the debate. It takes a little bit of courage to share a stage with Lucas Kunce after he shot a reporter last week, Hawley said. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Josh Hawley, Lucas Kunce trade insults in only televised debate of Missouri Senate race * Missouri Independent Republican Josh Hawley sparred with Democrat Lucas Kunce over abortion rights and the 2020 election in a Missouri U.S. Senate debate. For close readers we check up on quite a few deets on the topic of local law enforcement, jail time, court cases & victims sharing their stories. Check TKC news gathering . . . One of three men prosecuted in Hereford House explosion, arson fire released from prison Mark Sorrentino, one of 3 men prosecuted for the 2008 fire that destroyed a KC Hereford House restaurant, was released from federal prison. Overland Park's 1st female police chief has arrived, explains reforming policing, holistic crime approach The city of Overland Park has been without a police chief since September 2023 after Frank Donchez resigned. Overland Park's new police chief, Doreen Jokerst, was officially sworn in on Oct. 14. Family releases video of final moments before Black man's death in Missouri prison A criminal complaint alleges that guards at the Jefferson City Correctional Center in Missouri pepper-sprayed Othel Moore Jr., placed a mask over his face and left him in a position that caused him to suffocate. Four former staffers face murder charges in Moore's death. Investigation continues into hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen KC devices Investigators continue to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen devices as thieves attempt to fence them in the Kansas City area. Copper thief sticks local credit union with nearly $80,000 in repairs Bankers at the United Consumers Credit Union on East 23rd Street claim they've told police about a series of copper thefts, which have ruined several large air conditioning units. Defamation case against lawmakers over Chiefs parade shooting posts refiled in Missouri * Missouri Independent Three Republican Missouri state senators are again being sued by the man they incorrectly identified in social media posts as being the shooter at the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory celebration. Arkansas man sentenced in Shawnee attempted murder case A man from Arkansas charged with attempted first-degree murder after attacking a liquor store employee last year is sentenced. Independence, Missouri man pleads guilty to $1.4 million COVID fraud scheme An Independence, Missouri, man admitted to filing false claims to receive nearly $1.4 million in COVID-19 relief funds. The Star moves to intervene in lawsuit between KCK and KCPD to get body camera videos The Kansas City Police Department investigated two police shootings in Kansas City, Kansas. The Star requested case files for those investigations under Missouri's Sunshine Law. Woman charged with stealing money by lying about home visits with parents in 2 school districts A woman who worked for two years as a contract employee for two school districts is charged with stealing money by lying about home visits she claimed she made as part of Parents as Teachers programs. City of Independence reports phone line issues impacting some police systems Some calls are being dropped mid-call. 'I can't fully mourn': Kansas City mother calls on police for answers following son's death After a tear-filled, candle light vigil on Monday night, a family continues their fight for justice and answers. Mothers in a Kansas prison are growing closer to their kids by recording books for them A literacy program has helped mothers and grandmothers in prison improve their reading abilities while also giving them the chance to bond with their loved ones. 'He would love it': Family of man killed at Northland Walmart continues special Halloween tradition As Halloween approaches, there's a home in the Northland that will catch the eyes of many with one of the biggest displays in the community. Developing . . . More than anything else, the statement from "Mean Jean" offers context for this tragic local case. We've highlighted her remarks . . . Jackson County judge convicts two gang members in Crown Center shootings A Jackson County judge on Friday convicted two Kansas City defendants of multiple felony and misdemeanor charges in connection with a gun battle on a January afternoon this year inside Crown Center, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today. The judge convicted Brian Favela, 23, and Joel Olivas, 24, identified by prosecutors as East Side gang members of two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Class B felonies, and two counts of Armed Criminal Action, as well as three misdemeanor counts of Harassment in the 2nd Degree. The judge dismissed one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Armed Criminal Action finding not enough evidence was shown to overcome Missouri's self-defense laws on those two counts. "Today's verdict points to a level of accountability that this office will seek for individuals who engage in this kind of insidious conduct, even when the defendants are armored with Missouri's very generous self-defense laws," Baker stated. "We will take every step possible to hold offenders accountable for their own criminal behavior. I'm grateful for this trial team who worked so hard and so quickly to get these offenders to trial. And I am so grateful for the management team at Crown Center and Hallmark and the KCPD, who helped in every possible way to get today's verdict." ################ Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Two gang members convicted in Crown Center shootings A Jackson County judge on Friday convicted two Kansas City defendants of multiple felony and misdemeanor charges in connection with a gun battle on January 17 inside Crown Center. Two Kansas City men convicted of Crown Center gun fight that injured 6 Judge Margene Burnett convicted Brian Favela, 23, and Joel Olivas, 24, of several felony charges, but dismissed other weapons counts due to Missouri's self-defense laws. Prosecutors said the two men were gang members. Gang members convicted in Crown Center shooting Two East Side gang members were convicted of charges stemming from a gun battle inside Crown Center in January. Developing . . . Right now hottie Sabrina inspires our post-Halloween peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Kansas City Upgrade Arrives Swope Park to receive a $4.25 Million face lift Changes are on the way to Swope Park, located at Swope Parkway and East Meyer Boulevard. Voting Etiquette Guide The do's and don'ts while at Missouri and Kansas polls Election Day protocol is important, so FOX4 took your questions to two people who know best. Meth Town Crash Aftermath Intoxicated driver hits Independence Police car An intoxicated driver hit a police car early this morning. Golden Ghetto Democracy Endures Your Johnson County commission election primer Early voting in Johnson County begins Saturday, Oct. 19, and voters will be able to cast advanced ballots between then and Election Day on Nov. 5. This crit ... Ballers Slams Handsy Interloper KC Royals legend calls out ESPN for response to Yankees fan incident at World Series Eric Hosmer has called for players to boycott an ESPN reporter for his response to the fan interference incident during Game 4 of the World Series. Diva Wins Halloween Sabrina Carpenter dons Playboy bunny costume for Halloween concert Sabrina Carpenter embraced the Halloween spirit at her concert in a bold Playboy costume-just days after her ex Shawn Mendes shared the 'truth' about his sexuality during his own show. MAGA Against GOP Again Trump says 'war hawk' Liz Cheney should be fired upon in escalation of violent rhetoric against his opponents | CNN Politics Donald Trump said former Rep. Liz Cheney is a "war hawk" who should be fired upon, as he raged against one of his most prominent intra-party critics while campaigning Thursday night in Arizona. Veep Confronts More Criticism Harris ripped for 'word salad' after heckler interruption during campaign speech: 'The gibberish never ends' VP Kamala Harris was mocked on social media over her response to a heckler in the crowd while she was speaking in Reno, Nevada on the campaign trail Thursday night. Talker Speaks Of Super Natural Tucker Carlson reveals gory details of terrifying attack by 'demon' Tucker Carlson claims he was 'clawed and bloodied' by a 'demon' in a terrifying attack in a new documentary. Winter Worries Over Vlad Europeans told to stockpile food in case of war with Russia Report outlines how European Union citizens should increase preparedness in case of emergencies, including Russian aggression. Holy Land War Forever Hezbollah rocket attacks kill seven in northern Israel They were killed in two areas, in the deadliest series of rocket attacks on Israel in months. Today's Obligation Spiritual, not spooky. After Halloween, Christians observe All Saints' Day WARSAW, Poland (AP) - It's the time of year - tradition says - when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is lifted. That traditional belief has morphed over the centuries into the spooky and secular celebration of Halloween. But one day later, Christians in many countries around the world are... Hipsters Share Wish List Some of KC's Favorite Chefs and Restaurant Owners Share Their Fantasy Wish and Gifts Lists - IN Kansas City Magazine If you're hunting for the perfect holiday gift for the food and drink lovers in your life, you've come to the right place. When planning our holiday issue, the team at IN Kansas City thought: Who better to ask about gifts to give food lovers than the local chefs who feed us? Soggy November Starts FIRST WARN FORECAST: Heavy rain moves in for the weekend A fantastic start to November, but heavy rain moves in for the weekend. Sabrina Carpenter - Please Please Please / Taste / Espresso is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. NAIROBI, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Kenya has launched a new initiative aimed at promoting the planting of bamboo trees along the Nzoia River basin in western Busia County. This project, funded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences through its Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, is designed to control flooding, enhance climate resilience, and improve food security for local communities, as well as to restore the ecological health of the Nzoia River, a major tributary of Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater body. Titled "Ecosystem Restoration for Enhancing Livelihoods and Addressing Climate Change: China-Kenya Cooperation on Bamboo Technology Transfer," the project is implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Program's affiliated International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP). The launch event, held on Thursday, was attended by senior government officials, scientists, farmers, and environmental advocates. Key partners in the bamboo plantation initiative include the Kenya Forestry Research Institute, the Wildlife Research and Training Institute of Kenya, and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology. Dan Opilio, director of climate change in Busia County, emphasized that expanding bamboo acreage offers a sustainable, nature-based solution to the persistent flooding issues plaguing the Nzoia River basin. "The bamboo agroforestry project will act as a buffer against flooding, restore biodiversity along Nzoia river basin, and transform livelihoods of local communities through mixed cropping," Opilio said. UNEP-IEMP Program Manager Wang Guoqin highlighted the project's potential to regenerate the Nzoia River basin and enhance its resilience to climate-related shocks while curbing biodiversity loss. The project will showcase China's expertise in ecological restoration through bamboo while facilitating skills and technology transfer to foster a vibrant bamboo industry in Keny, said Wang, adding that local farmers and fishermen will receive training on establishing bamboo nurseries, planting, and managing the trees until maturity, which will help stabilize the riverbank ecosystem, sequester carbon, and provide wildlife habitats. Judith Nyunja, a senior scientist from the Wildlife Research and Training Institute, noted that large-scale bamboo cultivation offers a cost-effective and sustainable approach to managing recurrent floods that have exacerbated poverty, displacement, and disease outbreaks in the area. Kenya's national bamboo policy aligns with the government's ambitious goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, which aims to restore degraded forests and freshwater bodies, said Nyunja, emphasizing that this initiative will significantly contribute to achieving that objective. The former Mayo Pete gave current KCMO Mayor Q something to smile about today . . . Sent by BEST & BRIGHTEST TKC READERS for the sake of edification and local knowledge. Today Mayor Q celebrates cowtown bridge bright side news whilst strengthening connections with the feds ahead of election day . . . Check-it: "Just spoke to Secretary Buttigieg on the phone who noted Kansas City received the largest award in the bridge program. Thank you to the outstanding team weve assembled at City Hall, including Mayors grant writer Jill Lawlor, and exceptional federal leaders like Rep. Cleaver!" Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com screencap . . . Developing . . . Sorry . . . But from our perspective this sentiment seems more like something that progressive, middle-class white people want to hear and many Latinos have a cultural weakness for people-pleasing in polite company. And so . . . Here's the obligatory talk of racism against MAGA which kinda ignores that support for Prez Trump is still trending amongst many Latinos as well. Check-it . . . "As nativist rhetoric hits a fever pitch ahead of the 2024 election, immigrants and refugees in Kansas City question their safety, and their future, in the U.S." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Ladies clap back against diversity goal that, they claim, hurt Missouri biz. Here are the basics of their complaints . . . Diversity and economic growth will be stifled without proper support from our legislative authorities, said Brungardt, associate director at the Kansas City office of the Womens Business Development Center. It is crucial for the development of diverse business owners in both Kansas City and the state as a whole that there is continued advocation for them. Rescinding the hiring goals is a step backward, not forward. Gov. Mike Parson, R-Missouri, earlier this month quietly rescinded 177 executive orders that he said no longer fit the needs of the Show-Me State in an effort to leave state government better than he found it. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Guests attend the opening ceremony of the 2024 Beijing Forum in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Wei Mengjia) BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- A forum in Beijing has gathered global scholars and experts to discuss how to drive human advancement through innovation, as the world faces both opportunities and challenges posed by rapid scientific and technological progress. "The rapid development of science and technology, along with emerging ideas and technologies, has not only transformed industrial and social structures but also posed new challenges to the international order and human civilization," said Gong Qihuang, president of Peking University, while addressing the opening ceremony of the 2024 Beijing Forum on Friday. Humanity needs more international scientific and technological cooperation than ever to solve common development problems, Gong added. Building on the overarching theme of "The Harmony of Civilizations and Prosperity for All" from its inaugural edition in 2004, this year's forum is themed "The Era of Innovation and Advancement of Mankind." Gong said that the ongoing event aims to drive development through innovation and create a platform for joint efforts in exploring the path to modernization for human society and the prosperity of global civilization. Emphasizing the vital role of innovation in tackling global challenges, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won said that no single country or organization can address these issues alone in today's era of innovation. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former prime minister of Pakistan, called for efforts to bridge the digital divide to ensure inclusive economic growth and prioritize human development so that innovation can be fully leveraged. "We must ensure that innovation serves humanity's greater good." According to Qian Chengdan, a well-known historian at Peking University, innovation is not only technological advancements or the development of new tools but also systemic innovations, new human ideas, and transformative changes in the overall fabric of human life. The participants at the forum acknowledged China's position as a global leader in innovation. Gerard Mourou, the 2018 Nobel Prize winner in physics, noted that China has witnessed incredible advancements in scientific and technological development over the past decades. Mourou, who assumed the role of a chair professor at Peking University this October, said he is highly impressed by the abilities of Chinese students, noting that they excel not only in their coursework but also in innovation. Hani K. Findakly, chairman of the International Oversight Committee of the State of Qatar Chair in Middle Eastern Studies, Peking University, lauded China as a leading innovator. He noted that the country will play a crucial role in addressing climate change and other global challenges. According to an innovation index report released by the World Intellectual Property Organization this year, China has ranked first in the number of the global top 100 sci-tech city clusters for two consecutive years. Looking back at history, China has made significant contributions to human development and is poised to play an increasingly vital role in driving innovation in the future, Qian said. This year's forum garnered significant attention by drawing more than 500 experts and scholars from over 30 countries and regions, highlighting its status as a prominent global hub for academic and people-to-people exchanges. Co-sponsored by Peking University, the Beijing Municipal Education Commission and the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies, the annual forum has attracted more than 7,000 distinguished guests and scholars from over 80 countries and regions since 2004. | By Laura Lee In the state-of-the-art dental clinic at the Universities at Shady Grove in Montgomery County, fourth-year dental student Daniel Mazza paused between patients. He had already completed four extractions that morning, part of a Mission of Mercy event that would serve 82 patients in a single day. Ramsay Koury, DDS, supervises students at the Shady Grove Mission of Mercy. The Mission of Mercy program provides critical dental care to uninsured and underserved adults who might otherwise go without treatment. Through a partnership between the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD) and Catholic Charities of Washington, D.C., the Shady Grove clinic offered free extractions and fillings to adults ages 18 and older who lack access to regular dental care. The second floor of the Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Building hummed with activity as 35 fourth-year students worked across 20 dental chairs, supported by faculty supervisors and Spanish language translators, demonstrating the program's commitment to accessible care. "I really like how the speed of things is going, how we're able to see all the patients," said Mazza, who treated three patients before noon. "I'm personally really enjoying this experience." Halima Karim, DDS, director of Clinical Services at Shady Grove and a 2012 graduate of the dental school, is a critical factor in the events success. "There are pockets of communities around here that need these services," said Karim. "By doing an event like this, we're able to spread the word about the care we have here. One grateful patient was Lekan Sofolaham, who traveled from Frederick for treatment of a front tooth he cracked on a chicken bone. They did some magic, Sofolaham exclaimed as he revealed his restored smile to his wife. The volunteer clinic is a natural fit for Ramsay Koury, DDS, clinical assistant professor and Mission of Mercy coordinator whose interest in dentistry was sparked by a college mission trip. Koury has been coordinating Mission of Mercy clinics at UMSOD for 10 years and encourages students and faculty to volunteer. This is the most fun Im going to have all day, he said. It makes you fall in love with dentistry again. Since it began in 2022, the Shady Grove Mission of Mercy has steadily grown from serving 50 patients at the first event to over 80 patients this fall. The program, which runs every April and October, marks a successful partnership between UMSOD and Catholic Charities in addressing community dental health needs. But the clinic's mission extends beyond a single day of treatment. As patients finish their care, staff discuss ongoing dental options, including reduced-fee services at the Shady Grove facility. "None of these patients really has a dental home," explained Koury. "We're trying to get them a place where they can get continuing care. We're talking to them about whether they qualify for Healthy Smiles or other plans." Sofolaham and his wife are looking for a dental home and intend to return to Shady Grove. Oh, yes, Ill be back, he said, smiling. I got good care today and with a reduced rate, of course, Ill be back. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Indian visa closure likely to further strain ties with Bangladesh A top Indian diplomat in the Indian High Commission posted in Dhaka confided that lack of security at the visa centres deters normal functioning Friday November 1, 2024 3:42 PM , Saleem Samad On 5 August, the day the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina collapsed after angry students joined by protesters and she fled to India , the first thing the Delhi administration decided was to shut down the visa processing centres in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country indefinitely. A couple of Indian visa centres were vandalised by anti-Indian mobs in the aftermath of the collapse of the kleptocracy regime. In the absence of police and auxiliary forces in fear of reprisal from the angry students for the deaths of more than a thousand protesters, they abandoned their posts and went into hiding. Responding to a query from a journalist, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesman Randhir Jaiswal in Delhi said that India would resume normal visa operations in Bangladesh soon.The MEA spokesperson in New Delhi said: We are issuing limited visas. If someone needs to come to India for medical or urgent reasons, we are providing a limited number of those visas. He, however, said: We are already issuing medical visas and visas for emergency requirements. Once the law and order situation improves and the situation becomes conducive to our resumption of normal visa operations (in Bangladesh), we will do that. The MEA spokesperson mentioned the law and order situation, which literally means Bangladesh is a lawless country. The mindset of bigwigs sitting in the Indian capital, after Sheikh Hasina fled to Delhi, is the country has plunged into chaos, like in Haiti or Kabul. Indian media seems hesitant to raise the ongoing closure of visa processing for most categories. Instead, they are busy critiquing the Interim Government of Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus . Playing with Hindu cards worried about the threats on the Hindu community by radicalised Muslims and Islamist groups. The Indian media hardly wrote a line on the intermittent attacks, vandalism of business establishments and desecration of temples during the 15 years of Sheikh Hasinas autocratic regime. Squeezing of issuance of Indian visas to Bangladesh nationals is a tit-for-tat for August incidents of idol vandalism during Durga Puja celebrations at various places in Bangladesh. India feels that the situation has not yet normalised, as indicated by the spokesperson. Indian media and South Block have aptly ventilated their anger and frustration blaming Dr Yunus for his failure to contain the sectarian riots in several cities and towns. Jaiswal further stated: I would advise the interim government of Bangladesh to implement the assurances they have given (to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi) regarding the protection of Bangladeshs religious minorities. Measures should be taken to ensure they feel safe. On the other hand, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain observed that issuing of visa is a sovereign decision of India, and cannot be questioned. The Indian High Commission has resumed operations after a brief suspension during the student movement in July but is currently issuing only a limited number of visas. However, we have communicated with the Indian High Commission, as many individuals travel to India to obtain visas for other countries. This situation also affects students who wish to study in countries that issue visas from the New Delhi mission", Touhid said. Touhid suggested to the High Commissioner that if you relax the visa process, it will be helpful for us. The Indian High Commissioner Pranay Kumar Verma updated Bangladeshs Foreign Adviser on the situation, noting that they are currently operating at 10% capacity and have security concerns to address. He (Verma) also mentioned that the South Block in New Delhi is working to facilitate visa applications for countries that do not have missions in Dhaka. When asked if Bangladesh would reciprocate by restricting visas in response to Indias limited issuance, the adviser said: Thats speculative. They have not stated that they stopped issuing visas. They mentioned its a temporary problem due to manpower issues and security concerns. The MEA spokesperson added: Only when the law-and-order situation improves and we have a suitable environment for our regular operations will we be able to issue visas as before. We will try to ensure security for the Indian Visa Centres, the Adviser added. Meanwhile, the flights from Dhaka and Chattogram have significantly reduced to several Indian destinations due to fewer passengers. Similarly, the direct trains from Khulna and Dhaka to Kolkata and Siliguri have also stopped for want of passengers. Only the land borders are open to several Indian states, including West Bengal, Meghalaya, Assam, and Tripura. The reduction of tourists to Indian cities, especially Kolkata has severely dented the hotel, restaurant and tour operator industry. Shopping tourism from Bangladesh has been equally harmed, according to Indian media. Among the top 15 countries, Bangladesh (22.3 percent) topped in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India in 2023, while the United States of America and the United Kingdom stand second and third respectively, according to the Indian Ministry Of Tourism. Approximately 2.12 million tourists visited India in 2023, making Bangladesh the top source of FTAs in India that year. A top Indian diplomat in the Indian High Commission posted in Dhaka confided that lack of security at the visa centres deters normal functioning. Over a hundred non-essential Indian staff managing the centres have left for India in the aftermath of the student uprising and attacks in some centres outside the capital Dhaka. He could not say when the visa processing centres are expected to resume normal operation. The decision remains with the government in New Delhi after consultation with Dhaka. It seems that tens of thousands of tourists are not expected to begin their journey in the coming winter. [The writer, Saleem Samad, is an award-winning independent journalist based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A media rights defender with the Reporters Without Borders (@RSF_inter). He is a recipient of Ashoka Fellowship and Hellman-Hammett Award. He could be reached at saleemsamad@hotmail.com; Twitter (X): @saleemsamad. The above article was first published by the Northeast News, Guwahati, India, 1 November 2024. Views are personal] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Israel's real enemy is: Ehud Olmert blasts Netanyahu, his genocide gang Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert once again came down heavily on Benjamin Netanyahu and his government colleagues saying they are actually the real enemies of Israel Friday November 1, 2024 10:49 PM , ummid.com News Network Occupied Jersualem: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert once again came down heavily on Benjamin Netanyahu and his government colleagues saying they are actually the real enemies of Israel. The real enemy of Israel is not Iran, Hezbollah or HamasThe real enemy is from within. The Messianic, crazy, extreme groups of Israelis that think they can kick out the Palestinians and annex their territories, Ehud Olmert said in an interview with the American broadcaster CNN. I am fighting against them. I am campaigning against them. (But) unfortunately Netanyahu depends on them politically to the extent he closes his eyes and allows them to do things which are totally intolerable and unacceptable, he said. Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert: The real enemy is from the within, the messianic, crazy, extreme groups of IsraelisThe governmentNetanyahu Netanyahu is a monster. And backed by Starmer. Starmer is making the UK an accomplice to genocide.pic.twitter.com/15k31QmiL7 Howard Beckett (@BeckettUnite) October 31, 2024 A day before the CNN interview, Ehud Olmert talking to Kathimerini had said, "Benjamin's far-right partners are tarnishing the states image in the international community." The former Israeli Prime Minister, a strong critic of the far right Zionist regime, also said,"Netanyahu is trying to draw US into an open clash with Iran" Ehud Olmert's statements came amidst the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza, Lebanon and other occupied Palestinian territories that has killed around 45,000 civilians - majority of the women and children. This is not the first time Ehud Olmert has criticised Netanyahu and his colleagues. Back in December 2023 , he had called the Israeli Prime Minister a national disaster and his cabinet colleagues butchers, killers and terrorists. Describing Ben Gvir , Smotrich and the Hilltop Youth in the occupied West Bank, a terrible event, Ehud Olmert called them enemies, butchers, killers, murderers and terrorists. Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Yoel Smotrich both are far right Israeli politicians. The former is Minister of National Security whereas the latter is Minister of Finance in the Netanyahu cabinet since 2022. Ehud Olmert was Prime Minister of Israel from 2006 to 2009 and also served as a cabinet minister from 1988 to 1992 and from 2003 to 2006 when he also served as Mayor of the Occupied Jerusalem. As Prime Minister, Olmert agreed that Israel would share Jerusalem as the joint capital of Israel and a Palestinian state and hand over its holy sites to a multinational committee, land swaps that would allow Israel to keep its major settlement blocs in the West Bank, the construction of a tunnel connecting the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Tourists visit the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkiye, Oct. 31, 2024. Established in the 1660s, the Spice Bazaar remains one of Istanbul's most iconic covered shopping complexes and touristic attractions. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) Tourists visit the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkiye, Oct. 31, 2024. Established in the 1660s, the Spice Bazaar remains one of Istanbul's most iconic covered shopping complexes and touristic attractions. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) Tourists visit the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkiye, Oct. 31, 2024. Established in the 1660s, the Spice Bazaar remains one of Istanbul's most iconic covered shopping complexes and touristic attractions. (Xinhua/Liu Lei) Revisiting Jamia Millia: Story of 100 Year Journey Coffee table book released on the 104th Foundation Day of Jamia Millia Islamia Friday November 1, 2024 9:03 PM , Manzar Imam Jamia Millia Islamia: Whatever I know and wherever I am today is due to my days spent at the Jamia, said Javed Ali Khan, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), a former student leader and alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI). Javed Ali was speaking at 104th Foundation Day of the prestigious university on October 29, 2024 at the release of Dayaar-e-Shauq Jamias Centenary Volume (1920-2020). For Khan, Jamia is not only an educational institution, but a movement that had played critical part throughout its history. He especially recalled the universitys contribution to the people of Palestine in the early 1980s when Israel had attacked on it soon after Yasser Arafats visit to India. That character seems to have weakened especially over the last few decades, said he, adding that that democratic character needs to be restored and strengthened. Kunwar Danish Ali, member of Jamia Court, former Member of Lok Sabha, and also an alumnus of the varsity, echoed the sentiments while remembering his days at his alma mater as a student. Danish said: "It is the responsibility of the Jamia Biradri (fraternity) to keep the dreams of the founders alive and let that fire burning. Prof. Majid Jamil welcomed the guests and, paying tribute to and prying for the maghfirat of the founders of Jamia, spoke about what led an idea to shape into the Centenary Volume. He also welcomed the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mazhar Asif hoping that his stay in Jamia would be a memorable one and fruitful for the university which has grown gradually over the years and which is one of the finest academic institutions in the country where teachers are committed to its growth. He also highlighted the role of the now inactive Jamia Teachers Association (JTA). Prof. Jamil informed the audience that the idea of the coffee table book (Dayaar-e-Shauq) came from Prof. Naheed Zahoor of the Department of Teacher Training & Non-Formal Education, but there were a number of teachers and even students who gave it the actual shape that turned out to be a beautiful collection that contains the institutions hundred years story, significant landmarks and the many milestones it has achieved. Prof. Ghazanfar Zaidi, one of the members of the coffee table book, presented a detailed account of the special volumes conceptual design. He said that the volume contains both written and pictorial history for which a number of photographs have been taken from archival records while some of the photographs have been provided by some alumni which were never published. Prof Zaidi made an oblique reference to the discontinuation of the historic Talimi Mela (Education Fair) stating that although we have a three-day programme but the Mela used to be a unique feature of the university which was also a way of public outreach. A detailed report of the books contents was provided by Prof. Anisur Rahman, ex-registrar and former head of the Department of English, JMI. Rahman took the audience to the old days of the university where people would doubt whether one should even join it, because the university was then typecast by critics. He also referred to the immense contribution made by some self-less lovers of the university at a time when it was doubted whether it will be able to sustain. Abdul Ghaffar Madholi was one such lover whose book about the Jamias history is a classic. Historian Margrit Pernau, who joined the programme online, spoke about Gerda Philipsborn , popularly known as Jamias Aapa Jaan, which is also the title of her book, mentioning about Philipsborns immense contribution to the development of Jamia school. Pernau also informed that she is working on a monograph on the history of Jamia. She said what we hear today about Biradri (fraternity) also had women at the centre . Author Lawrence Gautier said that women had played role at the development of education at early childhood. She specially highlighted the role of Saliha Abid Hussain. Prof. Ameena Kazi conducted the programme which had begun with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Watch: Afghanistan, China freight train service restarts Afghanistan and China Thursday October 31, 2024 announced resumption of direct freight train services between the two countries. Friday November 1, 2024 9:48 PM , ummid.com News Network Beijing/Kabul: Afghanistan and China Thursday October 31, 2024 announced resumption of direct freight train services between the two countries. The railway connection between China and Afghanistan was established in 2016. It links Afghanistan to China through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, creating a direct route for trade and facilitating the movement of goods between the two nations. The regular train services however was non-operation because of the unrest and the war inflicted upon Afghanistan by U.S. and its NATO allies. Yue Xiaoyong, Chinas Special Envoy for Afghanistan, termed the resumption of freight train service between Afghanistan China a significant step toward enhancing trade relations. A freight train departed from Nantong in Chinas Jiangsu Province known as a hub for the Belt and Road Initiative, this morning, carrying 55 big wagons destined for Afghanistan, Yue said in a post on social media platform X. BREAKING NEWS: The freight train between Afghanistan and China was inaugurated. The train has 50 containers loaded with electrical goods, equipment, and other goods. this train departed from Nantong, China, and is expected to reach Hairatan Port, Afghanistan, in 20 days, Insha pic.twitter.com/4Do0ErWDGX W.A. Mubariz - (@WakeelMubariz) October 31, 2024 Confirming the resumption of the train service between the two countries, Talibans Ambassador to China, Bilal Karimi, confirmed that the freight train departed from Chinas Jiangsu Province is bound for Hairatan port in northern Afghanistan. Chinese officials, including Yue Xiaoyong, Beijings special envoy to Afghanistan, attended the inauguration ceremony. The rail project is part of Chinas Belt and Road initiative, aimed at enhancing infrastructure and trade networks across Asia. Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021 , China has maintained economic engagement, securing contracts for mining and infrastructure projects with the Taliban-led administration. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Confirmed mpox cases in Africa have surged by over 500 percent this year compared to the total for all of last year, with the number of affected countries rising to 19, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). During an online media briefing Thursday evening, Ngashi Ngongo, chief of staff and head of the executive office at Africa CDC, said since the beginning of this year, Africa had reported 48,093 mpox cases, with 10,372 confirmed and over 1,048 deaths. "When we compare (the confirmed cases reported this year) with the entire 2023, that is more than a 500 percent increase," Ngongo said, adding that "the situation is not yet under control. We are still on the upward trend generally." Mauritius became the latest African country to report mpox cases, bringing the total number of affected countries to 19. Data from the Africa CDC also show that the Central Africa region is the most affected by the outbreak, accounting for 85.7 percent of all reported cases and 99.5 percent of deaths. In the past week, the African continent reported 2,766 new cases, with 1,254 confirmed, along with 34 new deaths. He said the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi accounted for 94 percent of all new confirmed cases. The AU's specialized healthcare agency also expressed concern over the recent increase in mpox cases in Liberia and Uganda. According to Ngongo, some of the risk factors contributing to the rapid spread of mpox in Uganda are related to cross-border and sexual transmissions of the virus. Mpox, known as monkeypox, was first detected in laboratory monkeys in 1958. It is a rare viral disease typically spread through body fluids, respiratory droplets, and other contaminated materials. The infection usually causes fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. In mid-August, the Africa CDC declared the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa a public health emergency of continental security. Soon after, the World Health Organization also declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, activating its highest level of global alert for mpox for the second time in two years. Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage Attaullah Tarar on Friday expressed his resolve to restore the lost legacy of the Pakistan Television (PTV) by revitalizing its workforce, operations and reputation ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Nov, 2024) Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage Attaullah Tarar on Friday expressed his resolve to restore the lost legacy of the Pakistan Television (PTV) by revitalizing its workforce, operations and reputation. The minister, in an exclusive interview with the national broadcaster, highlighted the persistence of corruption within PTV, where, according to him, some employees have been drawing salaries for decades without fulfilling their duties. There are mafias in ptv for over 30 years, with people being paid while staying at home, he said, while pledging "zero tolerance against corruption". Tarar said he would not bow to any pressure and would continue his mission to carry out the reform agenda that included recruitment of highly qualified professionals across all departments, especially anchorpersons, IT specialists, and engineers. The minister said he had a mission to transform the PTV that only reflects excellence and integrity. A significant step in this direction has already been taken, with a fresh look and new anchors introduced to the channel, he said, adding the deserving people who are working with the national broadcaster professionally would be given opportunities. He also expressed his commitment to address issues faced by pensioners, who have reportedly struggled with irregular payments. The minister said he faced malicious campaigns in the media to deter him from taking these much-needed reforms. However, he affirmed that his mission to revive the glory of PTV would continue uninterruptedly. I want people to feel pride in PTV, he said, expressing his intention to giving space to the opposition on the national tv where they would be allowed to do constructive criticism against the government. However, nobody will be allowed to cross the red line," he noted. With financial reforms underway, particularly within the finance department, the minister has emphasized that every aspect of PTVs operations would be scrutinized. Unnecessary expenditures and inflated salaries, especially in cases with little or no performance, would be curbed. This is my mission to revive the legacy of PTV, and if I am unable to achieve it, I will consider myself a failure, he remarked, reiterating his dedication to establishing a corruption-free, people-centric, and high-standard national institution. LUSAKA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) highlights China's commitment to global openness and willingness to engage in trade with countries worldwide, a Zambian economic expert has said. Bernadette Deka-Zulu, founder of Shaping Futures Zambia, a non-governmental organization supporting youth involvement in policy, described China's move to embrace opening up as a significant step toward fostering a global environment conducive to free trade among nations. "The CIIE has offered itself as a leading example to bring about different countries and companies representing various regions, and this is offering an openness. China is saying we are ready to trade with anyone, it also shows that China is open for business," she told Xinhua in an interview on Thursday. She noted that the CIIE not only contributes to China's economic growth but also serves as a gateway for emerging economies to access an open market, allowing them to display their products and tap into China's demand for diverse commodities. As a former executive director of the Policy Monitoring and Research Center, Deka-Zulu emphasized that the CIIE will also offer a valuable platform for China to learn from other nations and for other countries to observe China's industrialization progress. She further emphasized that China's commitment to globalization through events like the CIIE has set a benchmark for global economic integration, ensuring equal participation for all countries regardless of economic size -- a move critical for enhancing global livelihoods. In an era marked by protectionist policies, China's openness creates a strategic advantage for emerging economies in global trade, she said, praising China's zero-tariff policy for all least-developed countries with diplomatic relations, calling it a tangible example of its commitment to fair trade. She expressed optimism that this initiative would boost exports and elevate economies in these countries. Additionally, she noted that nine Zambian companies have so far registered for this year's expo, marking a notable increase from previous years and paving the way for more participation in future events. Scheduled from Nov. 5 to 10 in Shanghai, the annual CIIE has, since 2018, supported international procurement, investment promotion, cultural exchange, and cooperative partnerships. PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Nov, 2024) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has signed an agreement with a private company to lay down its own power transmission line. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has become the first province in the country to undertake this initiative. The signing ceremony took place at the Chief Minister's House in Peshawar, where officials from Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO)and the private company NetRecon inked the agreement in the presence of Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur. In the first phase, a 40-kilometer-long 132/220 kV transmission line will be laid from Matiltan to Madian. This project, estimated to cost 8 billion rupees, is expected to be completed within a year and a half. The transmission line will deliver electricity generated from the 84 MW Matiltan Hydropower Project and other provincial projects in Swat to the national grid, or at discounted rates to local industries. Upon completion of the first phase, the provincial government is projected to earn an annual revenue of 7 billion rupees. In the second phase of the Swat Corridor Transmission Line project, an additional 80-kilometer line will be extended from Madian to Chakdara. Currently, numerous high-capacity hydropower projects are underway under the provincial government in Swat. Ali Amin Gandapur said that this transmission line project is crucial for the sustainable development of the province. He labeled it as one of the provincial government's flagship projects and a significant achievement. The project is expected to bring transformative changes in the energy and industrial sectors in KP. Through this transmission line, the provincial government will be able to supply electricity at lower rates to local industries, thereby attracting more investors to the province. Chief Minister Gandapur highlighted the immense potential for hydropower generation in KP and reiterated that the provincial government is working diligently to harness these resources effectively for development, prosperity, and job creation. He also mentioned that the provincial government is working on establishing its own Power Regulatory Authority. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif launched Green Tractor Program by conducting digital balloting, here on Friday LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Nov, 2024) Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif launched Green Tractor Program by conducting digital balloting, here on Friday. Rs 10 lakh subsidy will be given on each tractor to 9,500 farmers under the scheme. We want to enter a modern era of mechanisation of agriculture in Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif observed. The CM termed the Green Tractor Program as relaunch of Nawaz Sharif's green tractor scheme for farmers in Punjab, after a lapse of 12 years. She inspected four types of green tractors to be given to the farmers, and also rode a tractor to review its features. Maryam Nawaz described tractor driving as a pleasant experience. She was apprised by the authorities concerned after the balloting,Mohammad Yasin, son of Mohammad Ashraf of Okara, is the first farmer to get a green tractor. Talib Hussain, son of Muhammad Hussain of Chakwal, is the second farmer, while Ghulam Akbar son of Haji Ghulam Hussain of Dera Ghazi Khan is the third farmer to get a green tractor. She was further briefed that 339 farmers in Okara, 111 in Chakwal and 276 farmers in DG Khan will get green tractors under the scheme. CM congratulated all farmers who got green tractors, and said,Names of all lucky winners have been displayed on the portal of CM Punjab Green Tractor Schemeand the website of Agriculture Department. The list of successful farmers is also available in the offices of Agriculture Department. She also announced to give 1000 green tractors to wheat growers on 25-50 acres of land absolutely free of cost through balloting. Provincial Agriculture Minister Ashiq Hussain Kirmani gave a detailed briefing about the Green Tractor Scheme on the occasion. (@FahadShabbir) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Nov, 2024) A transshipment policy was being drafted to enhance Pakistans role in regional and international trade, Minister for Maritime Affairs, Qaiser Ahmad Shaikh told the National Assembly on Friday. Responding to the question in the National Assembly during question hour, the minister said this policy will establish clear guidelines and incentives for transshipment activities, streamline operations at Pakistani ports and promote economic growth and job creation. In response to another question, the minister explained that sending hujjaj to Saudi Arabia by ship is not feasible because there is no significant difference between airfares and shipping costs. However, a study is currently underway to assess fare differences, and a ship-based Hajj service will be implemented if a notable disparity is identified. APP/szm-sra ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Nov, 2024) The Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum met on Friday under the chairmanship of Senator Umer Farooq and discussed critical issues related to oil and gas drilling, third-party sales, and local development initiatives. The committee received a detailed briefing on the drilling activities conducted by oil and gas companies over the past three years. Senator Umer Farooq raised concerns about the outcomes of wells that have not been drilled for the past six months. The Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Petroleum Division, explained that although initial 2D and 3D surveys have been completed, maintaining a technical team and evaluating potential opportunities is a time-intensive process requiring careful deliberation. The committee chairman requested that comprehensive details on each oil and gas company and their achievements be presented at the next meeting. The discussion also covered the recommendations from the Petroleum Division regarding third-party sales in the Badin-IV South Block. Members noted that numerous items sold through third parties have caused national-level damage in Pakistan. Officials indicated that based on the second inquiry recommendations, a request to suspend activities in the Badin-IV South Block has been submitted. Senator Farooq acknowledged the members' concerns and suggested that a hearing date be communicated, allowing for a thorough discussion at the next meeting. The committee also addressed the development efforts in the village of Ghurzandi, Tehsil Lachi, by MOL Company through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. The chairman emphasized the need for effective utilization of these funds, highlighting the prolonged nature of the issue. He pointed out discrepancies regarding the completion of a road previously mentioned to him, noting that it was reported as 2 kilometers when it was actually only 1 kilometer. The Additional Secretary of the Petroleum Division informed the committee that political alignment or consensus is essential for progressing these initiatives. In response to the local population's suffering, the committee recommended appointing a notable authority in the area to expedite the resolution of these issues. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Nov, 2024) Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar has felicitated the newly elected office bearers of the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), stressing that the free and active media is indispensable for strengthening the democracy. The minister, in a news release, specifically congratulated PBA Chairman Mian Amir Mahmood, Senior Vice Chairman Salman Iqbal, and Vice Chairman Mir Ibrahim Rehman. He also extended felicitation to other newly elected office bearers including Secretary General Shakeel Masood, Joint Secretary Ahmed Zuberi, and Finance Secretary Azhar Qazi. Tarar noted that the media is a crucial pillar of the state, expressing the hope that the newly elected officials would play their due role for uplift of the media industry. He said the government would continue its efforts for the freedom, development and promotion of the media institutions in the country. Meanwhile, Federal Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Ambreen Jan and Principal Information Officer Mubashir Hasan also extended heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected office bearers and expressed the best wishes for them. The Federal Secretary acknowledged the critical role of the PBA in provision of a correct information to the masses. The Principal Information Officer hoped that the newly elected body would play its role in resolving the issues of media workers by ensuring development of the media industry. (@Abdulla99267510) Jail officials say the US Embassy delegation spent an hour with prisoners, who were identified as American citizens Abid Malik, Siddiqa Saeed and Alex Plado ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Nov 1st, 2024) A three-member delegation from the U.S. Embassy was granted consular access to three detainees held in Adiala Jail under the Foreign Act, the sources said on Friday. The embassy delegation met with the inmates in the office of the Additional Superintendent of the jail. Jail officials said that the U.S. Embassy delegation spent an hour with the prisoners, who were identified as American citizens Abid Malik, Siddiqa Saeed, and Alex Plado. The delegation from the U.S. Embassy included Irfan Jan, Mike Murphy, and Raheel Javed. Following the meeting, the U.S. delegation departed from Adiala Jail. MIRPUR-AJK, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Nov, 2024) The Youth Conference at Women's University Bagh, organized by the Institute of Dialogue, Development and Diplomatic Studies (IDDDs) in collaboration with CISSRA focused on the complexities of the Kashmir conflict under the theme "Indian Military Invasion, Aggression and Illegal Occupation." According to the Dr. Waleed Rasool, Director of IDDDs and a keynote speaker, presented a research study on India's political strategies since 1947. He argued that India's military presence in Kashmir is driven by land-centric motives, prioritizing control over the territory rather than the welfare of the local population. The conference featured prominent speakers and academics who provided diverse perspectives on both historical and contemporary challenges in the region. Prof. Dr. Hameed Peerzada, Vice-Chancellor of the university welcomed delegates, faculty and students emphasizing the importance of academic efforts in clarifying contested narratives. He highlighted that the Kashmir issue affects 12 million people whose future relies on peace and stability. Mr. Zaffar Iqbal, Additional Registrar stressed the need to understand India's diplomatic tactics to avoid international mediation. He noted that while the pace of progress may differ, a clear direction is essential for Kashmir's aspirations. Dr. Shahid, Head of the International Relations Department, highlighted the critical role of youth in the Kashmiri movement and encouraged them to stay updated on regional and global issues. The conference concluded with awards for top paper presenters, recognizing their contributions to understanding the complex dimensions of the Kashmir dispute. APP/mwa/378 Botswana's opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) has won a majority in parliament and can form the next government, the electoral commission announced Friday, marking a historic defeat for the party that had governed the diamond-rich country for nearly six decades Gaborone, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Nov, 2024) Botswana's opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) has won a majority in parliament and can form the next government, the electoral commission announced Friday, marking a historic defeat for the party that had governed the diamond-rich country for nearly six decades. Outgoing president Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat in Wednesday's general election and said his administration would begin handing over the reins of government in the next few days. "The UDC has reached the minimum requirement to be declared the next government," Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) spokesperson Osupile Maroba told AFP. The UDC needed 31 seats out of 61 to govern alone and its results combined with those of two other opposition parties had already reached that target earlier Friday. It meant that Masisi's Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) -- in power since independence from Britain in 1966 -- had no chance of winning enough seats to remain in power. The IEC is expected to confirm final results later in the day. UDC leader Duma Boko, 54, a Harvard-educated human rights lawyer, who is expected to be the next president, praised the peaceful handover as an example of democracy in action. "What has happened today takes our democracy to a higher level," he told the independent Mmegi newspaper. "It now means we have seen a successful, peaceful, orderly democratic transition from one regime to the next and this happened in full view of every citizen of this country with their full participation and endorsement." The defeat was a major blow for the BDP and Masisi, 63, who was elected in 2018 and had been confident of securing a second term. "We got it wrong big time in the eyes of the people," Masisi conceded. "We were really convinced of our message. But every indication, by any measure, is that there's no way that I can pretend that we're going to form a government." "I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth and transparent transition process ahead of inauguration," he said. Unemployment and mismanagement topped concerns among the more than one million registered voters, out of a population of 2.6 million. The Chinese economy is intricate, yet one of the most straightforward ways to assess it is through agricultural and industrial output, stated Yao Jingyuan, former Chief Economist of the National Bureau of Statistics of China, during the 2024 annual meeting of Harvard Business Review in Beijing BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Nov, 2024) The Chinese economy is intricate, yet one of the most straightforward ways to assess it is through agricultural and industrial output, stated Yao Jingyuan, former Chief Economist of the National Bureau of Statistics of China, during the 2024 annual meeting of Harvard business Review in Beijing. During year 2024, China has recorded a significant grain harvest and substantial growth in industrial output, underscoring its stable and robust production capacity. With almost four decades of experience in economic analysis, Yao is well-versed in China's economic indicators. He began by highlighting the impressive performance of the agricultural sector, projecting that national grain output will reach a new high of 1.4 trillion jin (approximately 700 million tons) this yearan increase of about 100 billion jin (50 thousand tons) compared to the average of the past nine years. This achievement not only signifies several consecutive years of ample grain production in China but also reinforces the country's food security. Yao emphasized the importance of stable agricultural product supply. Rather than focusing solely on statistics, one should observe the food market, he remarked, noting the abundance of meat, poultry, eggs, and vegetables, along with a decline in prices, China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Friday. Regarding the industrial sector, Yao pointed out that equipment manufacturing grew by 7.5%, while high-tech manufacturing surged by 9.1% in the first three quarters of this year. "Manufacturing remains the backbone of the industry and is gaining momentum, particularly in the high-tech sector," he noted, adding that energy consumption per unit of added value among large industrial enterprises decreased by 3.8% year-on-year in the same period. "Exports, a key driver of economic growth, have performed impressively this year," Yao stated. In the first three quarters, China's exports increased by 6.2% year-on-year, reflecting the country's sustained competitiveness in global trade. Yao attributed this strong export performance to three main factors: China's robust and comprehensive industrial and supply chains, its formidable production capacity, and the vitality of the private sector, which constitutes 55% of the economy. "Therefore, I anticipate that China's import and export activities will maintain positive momentum over the next two months," he asserted. However, Yao also highlighted pressing issues that need attention. By the end of September, the total accounts receivable for enterprises across the country reached 25.72 trillion yuan, representing nearly 30% of the working capital of designated industrial enterprises. This has significantly strained cash flow for businesses. Additionally, inventory levels have reached a historical high of 6.74 trillion yuan. "To tackle these challenges, the government is implementing policy measures to stimulate investment in three key areas: infrastructure, industry, and property," Yao explained. "Currently, the most promising area for investment is industrial investment, particularly in large-scale equipment upgrades," he added. According to the National Development and Reform Commission, in 2023, investment in equipment for key sectors such as industry and agriculture in China amounted to approximately 4.9 trillion yuan. "The government plans to increase this investment by 25% over four years, targeting 7 trillion Yuan by 2027, which translates to an annual addition of 350 billion yuan in new industrial investment," Yao indicated. While he acknowledged that investment in infrastructure is more challenging due to local government debt burdens, Yao noted that the central government is addressing this issue through fiscal policy measures. On October 12, the Ministry of Finance introduced targeted incremental policy measures aimed at stabilizing growth. This package includes enhanced support to mitigate local government debt risks, the issuance of special government bonds to bolster the core tier-one capital of large state-owned banks, and the integration of fiscal tools to support the housing market. "China's central government has allocated 700 billion yuan from its budget for project investments in major national strategies and capacity-building initiatives in key areas," Yao reported. Additionally, the full allocation of 1 trillion yuan in ultra-long special treasury bondsdesigned to fund signiificant national strategies and enhance security capabilitieshas beeen made to projects and local governments. Yao anticipates that China will continue to issue ultra-long special treasury bonds in 2025. Recent data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on October 31 indicated that China's manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) reached 50.1% in October, a 0.3 percentage point increase from the previous month, signaling an ongoing recovery and improvement in economic prosperity. Regarding the real estate sector, Yao noted that although investments, new home sales, and sales volumes all experienced negative growth in the first nine months, positive developments have emerged since September 26, following the central government's announcement of a goal to stabilize and reverse the downward trend in the real estate market. According to data from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, in October, the total transaction volume of new and second-hand homes in China increased by 3.9% year-on-year, marking the first growth after eight consecutive months of decline since February of this year. The growth is even more pronounced in first-tier cities, where the transaction volume of newly built homes rose by 14.1% year-on-year, while the transaction volume of second-hand homes increased by 47.3% year-on-year. Cities such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Nanjing saw year-on-year increases in new home transactions exceeding 30%, while Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou experienced year-on-year growth in second-hand home transactions surpassing 50%. In terms of consumption, Yao asserted that increasing residents' income, creating more job opportunities, and fostering personal wealth appreciation are essential for expanding domestic demand. He also highlighted the necessity to stabilize the stock market and gradually elevate it to enhance consumer confidence and stimulate consumption. Yao expressed strong confidence in the future of the Chinese economy, calling for collaboration across all sectors of society to seize emerging development opportunities. "We must believe that China will overcome challenges and restore public confidence and expectations," Yao emphasized. "We have faced severe obstacles during our most trying times, such as the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Asian financial crisis in 1998, and the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis in 2008. We are in a much stronger position than we were in those situations, and we will succeed once again. Reflecting the theme of this meeting, investing in China truly means investing in valuable opportunities," Yao concluded. APP/asg (@FahadShabbir) New Halfa, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Nov, 2024) Khadir Ali and his family managed to survive a harrowing paramilitary attack in war-torn Sudan. But by the time they got to safety, he realised that one person was missing. "We escaped in total chaos -- there was gunfire coming from every direction," said the 47-year-old civil servant of the October 22 Rapid Support Forces attack on Rufaa in al-Jazira state. "But once we got out of the city, we noticed my nephew wasn't with us," he said. Mohammed, 17, suffers from a congenital skin condition and "needs special care". The teenager is among scores of people reported missing as the RSF stages major attacks across eastern al-Jazira state after a high-ranking officer from the area defected to the army. In retaliation, the RSF has been "killing people in their homes, in markets and on the streets, and looting property including from markets and hospitals", rights group Amnesty International said on Wednesday. "Six days have passed, and we know nothing about him," Ali said, speaking in New Halfa in Kassala state. He and his family have taken refuge there after an arduous 150-kilometre (90-mile) journey. At least 124 people have been killed and dozens wounded in the fighting in al-Jazira state over the past 10 days, according to the United Nations. The death toll for the whole month is at least 200. War has raged in Sudan since April 2023 between the army under the country's de facto ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF, led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The conflict has triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. More than half the population -- 25 million people -- face acute hunger. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with an Australian high-level business delegation at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes Australian enterprises to strengthen cooperation with China in trade, investment, finance and other areas, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said on Friday. He made the remarks in a meeting with an Australian high-level business delegation led by David Olsson, National President of the Australia China Business Council. While China is advancing high-level opening up and further easing market access, it will protect the national treatment and legitimate rights and interests of foreign-funded enterprises, said He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. He welcomed Australian firms to share the opportunities brought by the Chinese modernization to achieve win-win results. Representatives of Australian enterprises said that they are optimistic about China's economic prospects and are willing to commit to long-term cooperation with China and promote the sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade ties. MADRID, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Nov, 2024) The death toll in Spanish floods rises to at least 202 on Friday, with more expected in the coming hours, according to authorities coordinating rescue operations in the Valencian region, eastern Spain. The unfolding situation in the northern Gaza Strip is "apocalyptic", United Nations chiefs said Friday, warning that its entire population was at "imminent risk" of death Geneva, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Nov, 2024) The unfolding situation in the northern Gaza Strip is "apocalyptic", United Nations chiefs said Friday, warning that its entire population was at "imminent risk" of death. They said the entire middle East region was now on a precipice and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Israel launched a major air and ground assault in northern Gaza last month, saying it wanted to stop Hamas militants regrouping there. "The situation unfolding in North Gaza is apocalyptic," said the joint statement from heads of organisations that form the UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee. "The area has been under siege for almost a month, denied basic aid and life-saving supplies while bombardment and other attacks continue. Just in the past few days, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and thousands have once again been forcibly displaced. "The entire Palestinian population in North Gaza is at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine and violence." They urged all parties fighting in the besieged Palestinian territory to protect civilians, and called on Israel "to cease its assault on Gaza and on the humanitarians trying to help". "Humanitarian aid cannot keep up with the scale of the needs due to the access constraints. Basic, life-saving goods are not available. Humanitarians are not safe to do their work and are blocked by Israeli forces and by insecurity from reaching people in need," they said. "Humanitarian relief must be facilitated, and we urge all parties to provide unimpeded access to affected people," while hospitals "should not turn into battlegrounds". The statement was signed by the heads of the UN humanitarian, health, food, rights, migration, refugee, development, children and women's agencies, among others. "The entire region is on the edge of a precipice. An immediate cessation of hostilities and a sustained, unconditional ceasefire are long overdue," they said. Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel last year and resulted in 1,206 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory bombardment and ground war have killed 43,259 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to data from the health ministry, figures the UN considers reliable. Paiporta, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Nov, 2024) Rescuers on Friday raised the death toll in Spain's worst floods for a generation to 205 as the government deployed more troops in an increasingly desperate search for survivors. The floods that have tossed vehicles, collapsed bridges and covered towns with mud since Tuesday are the European country's deadliest such disaster in decades. The organisation coordinating emergency services in the hardest-hit eastern Valencia region said 202 people had been confirmed dead there. Officials in neighbouring Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia had already announced a combined three deaths in their regions. Rescuers equipped with drones and sniffer dogs waded through water and rummaged through debris in search of the dozens of people the authorities believe are still missing. The government is deploying an extra 500 troops to the stricken areas to bolster the 1,200 already on site for search, rescue and logistics tasks. An army of volunteers armed with shovels, buckets, broomsticks, food and nappies mobilised on Friday to support victims in the epicentre of Spain's deadliest floods in decades Paiporta, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Nov, 2024) An army of volunteers armed with shovels, buckets, broomsticks, food and nappies mobilised on Friday to support victims in the epicentre of Spain's deadliest floods in decades. "We took what we had at home, and now it's time to help. It's emotional, it gives you goosebumps," 55-year-old engineer Federico Martinez told AFP as he clutched a shovel on his shoulder. While the eastern Mediterranean city of Valencia was spared by the floods that have killed more than 200 people, suburbs lying a few kilometres away drowned in a destructive sea of sludge. Hundreds of Valencia residents rushed to the streets carrying what basic necessities they could to make for the stricken zones on foot during a public holiday. As they crossed the bridges on the city's outskirts, the once picturesque agricultural landscape slowly transformed into a mud-covered wasteland. "Thank goodness that Spain stands together," said Alicia Izquierdo, who with her sister Marta pushed two shopping trollies stuffed with food. They were headed to their brother's home in Paiporta, a Valencia suburb at the heart of the destruction, but getting supplies from the supermarket was a challenge during severe transport disruption. Tamara Gil did not think twice before walking the three kilometres (2 miles) of fields and industrial estates separating Valencia from Paiporta, where she works as a teacher. A worried Gil, pushing a cart of water and other essentials, said she "knows nothing" about her students or their families despite a night of fruitless telephone calls on Tuesday when the flooding peaked. - 'Toll on the elderly' - Once in Paiporta, where thousands of survivors are making do without power or water, the volunteers were greeted with a dystopian scene of mud and overturned cars. The authorities have urged people to stay at home, warning that the well-intentioned masses of volunteers risked blocking the emergency services. But the helpers kept coming, many loading bags and water containers at the municipal hall where dozens of people queued at an aid distribution point. Ramon Vicente, 73, and his wife Fausti lived through a 1957 flood that left dozens dead in Valencia and scarred generations of locals -- but this week's catastrophe has eclipsed it. "I remember that and the city needed a lot of time to recover," Vicente told AFP, worrying about where to secure food, water and medicines which they usually receive from a now inaccessible hospital. "This is going to take a toll on us elderly." - 'Lack of organisation' - Paiporta's streets were a hive of activity on Friday as residents and volunteers shovelled out waves of sticky mud from homes and shops. In the town's main church, volunteers bailed out bucketfuls of water that still reached their ankles. But some feel a lack of support from the authorities is undermining the wave of solidarity washing over Valencia. "There's a lack of organisation. People want to help, but there's no one organising," said Montse Fernandez, a volunteer from a town north of Valencia who was clearing mud from a street in Paiporta. "There aren't enough firefighters, the shovels haven't arrived," added Paco Clemente, a 33-year-old pharmacist. Holding her snoozing month-old baby in her arms, Estefania Garcia felt fortunate despite the hellish past few days. "We have lost the cars, part of the house, but it's fine, we're alive," she said. (@FahadShabbir) Geneva, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Nov, 2024) The World Health Organization said Friday it was deeply concerned about Israeli attacks hitting healthcare workers and facilities in Lebanon, in its war against Hezbollah. "We're deeply concerned about the rising attacks on health workers and facilities in Lebanon. The numbers are really quite shocking. There have been 102 deaths, 83 injured" in such attacks, WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told a media briefing in Geneva. The WHO records attacks on healthcare but does not attribute blame. "Overall we've had 55 attacks verified, but the Ministry of Health is reporting that there are much higher numbers, as many workers are being killed and injured while off duty -- and this matters because health systems are already overstretched," said Harris. "Health workers are already overworked and displaced. So we are continuing to lose health workers at the very time when they are needed most. "We are again and again and again emphasising that healthcare is not a target; health workers are not a target. Former President Donald Trump appears poised to again secure a major proportion of the Wyoming vote, with only 2 percent of the population reporting that they are undecided in a survey conducted by the University of Wyoming over the past month. Wyomings political landscape remains staunchly Republican, with a strong show of support for Donald Trump, says Ryan Williamson, an assistant professor in UWs School of Politics, Public Affairs and International Studies. Our results indicate that almost 66 percent of Wyomingites plan to cast their ballots for Trump, reinforcing his continued popularity in the state. The statewide survey was conducted Sept. 24-Oct. 27, yielding 739 responses from randomly selected Wyoming residents. The margin of error for the distribution of responses on any individual survey question is plus or minus 3.6 percentage points. Men and women from all age groups and all counties in Wyoming are proportionally represented in the survey data. The final survey data have been weighted to reflect the actual population distribution in Wyoming on gender, age, county of residence, party affiliation and education. In previous election cycles, Trump garnered significant support in Wyoming, securing 68 percent of the vote in 2016 and about 70 percent in 2020. This long-standing trend of Republican preference is expected to continue in the upcoming election. Among self-identified Republicans in Wyoming, an overwhelming 91 percent remain steadfast in their support for Trump. Meanwhile, 5 percent have indicated their intention to vote for the Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, with the remaining 4 percent opting for alternative candidates outside of the major parties. Conversely, self-identified Democrats show near-unanimous support for Harris, with 98 percent backing her candidacy. Only 1 percent of Democrats surveyed plan to cast their vote for Trump, and an additional 1 percent favor other candidates. Wyomings independents present a more divided picture: 41 percent plan to vote for Trump, while 47 percent intend to support Harris, and 12 percent are leaning toward candidates outside of the traditional party lines. Our polling reveals that, despite strong partisan divides, independents in Wyoming have more varied electoral preferences, Williamson says. Vote Count Confidence Meanwhile, more than 58 percent of Wyomingites believe that vote counts across the country will be very or somewhat reliable, according to the survey. Confidence levels are even higher within the state, where 88 percent of residents trust that the vote count in Wyoming will be reliable. Matching this sentiment, 89 percent of respondents express similar confidence in the reliability of vote counts within their own counties. These findings highlight a community that values and trusts its democratic processes, with high confidence reported at both state and county levels, Williamson says. The survey reveals diverse opinions among Wyoming residents regarding voting by mail, reflecting preferences for both traditional and alternative voting methods. The survey indicates that less than 1 percent of Wyomingites favor conducting elections entirely by mail. Meanwhile, 38 percent believe that citizens who wish to vote by mail should have the option to do so, highlighting an openness to flexible voting solutions. Additionally, 45 percent of respondents support mail-in voting specifically for individuals with special needs that prevent them from voting in person, showcasing a desire to accommodate those requiring assistance. Conversely, 16 percent of those surveyed advocate for maintaining all voting as an in-person activity, underscoring a significant preference for traditional voting practices. These findings highlight a balanced approach in Wyoming towards voting methods, with consideration for both traditional and accessible voting solutions, Williamson says. Concerns Over Political Violence The survey reveals that a majority of Wyoming residents consider political violence a pressing issue, with 55 percent identifying it as a major problem. In contrast, 44 percent view it as a minor issue or not an issue at all. The results further highlight that 78 percent of Wyomingites believe political violence is never acceptable. However, 22 percent of respondents consider political violence justifiable under certain circumstances, consistent with a growing pattern of such attitudes across the United States. As political tensions intensify, Wyomingites largely advocate for nonviolence, Williamson says. Varied Opinions on U.S. Involvement in Ukraine The survey reveals diverse opinions among Wyoming residents regarding the extent of U.S. involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Nearly half of those surveyed advocate for comprehensive aid to Ukraine, paired with a cautious approach to avoid escalation, Williamson says. The survey indicates that 11 percent of respondents believe the United States should do whatever it takes to assist Ukraine, even at the risk of entering a direct war with Russia. This perspective underscores a commitment to supporting Ukraine despite potential escalations. Meanwhile, 44 percent support providing comprehensive aid to Ukraine but emphasize caution to avoid risking a direct conflict with Russia. This view suggests a balanced approach that prioritizes strategic support without escalating tensions. Conversely, 44 percent of Wyomingites believe the United States should not be involved in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia at all, highlighting a significant portion of the population favoring non-involvement and focusing on domestic issues. Biennial surveys of Wyoming residents are conducted by UWs School of Politics, Public Affairs and International Studies in partnership with the Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center. The questions focus on attitudes toward government, elected officials, candidates for office and contemporary policy issues. Questions regarding the survey can be directed to WyOpinion@uwyo.edu. A top-line report with methodological outline and complete survey results can be found at https://wysac.uwyo.edu/wysac/projects/weys24/. A random sample of all cellular and landline telephones was generated for the UW survey. Selected respondents were contacted via email, mail and phone to complete the survey, with 59 percent of responses on the web and the remaining 41 percent via live-interviewer telephone (92 percent cellular). This approach to the survey methodology gives every person in Wyoming with a phone an equal probability of selection for the survey, says Brian Harnisch, director of the Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center. Survey respondents accurately reflect the statewide population in terms of general demographic characteristics that include age, gender and county of residence, as well as other benchmarks such as party affiliation and educational attainment. DHAKA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's success in urbanization, particularly in areas like advanced transportation systems, pollution control and enhanced public engagement, has set an example for Bangladesh, a Bangladeshi scholar has said. Shamsad Mortuza, director of the Center for China Studies at the University of Dhaka, shared insights with Xinhua on World Cities Day regarding the transformative effects of China's urban policies and their relevance for Bangladesh. Bangladesh's urban population share reached 40.47 percent in 2023, up 0.8 percent from the previous year and continuing an upward trend over recent years, according to Statista data, an international data and business intelligence platform. "This steady urban growth is promising for Bangladesh," Mortuza said. "Dhaka is on its way to becoming a cosmopolitan city, with projects like metro rail, elevated expressways, and modernized airport terminals contributing to a more organized urban layout." However, Dhaka's role as a migration hub in a country with a population of about 173 million remains a challenge. "Many newcomers lack familiarity with urban norms and civic codes," Mortuza said. "While we're making strides in infrastructure, fundamental issues like traffic congestion, pollution, and inefficient waste disposal persist as barriers to a sustainable urban future." Emphasizing that decentralizing growth from Dhaka is essential for sustainable development, Mortuza underscored that Bangladesh could learn valuable experience from China's urban planning practices. Citing the vast network of waterways in Dhaka, he proposed that Bangladesh leverage its rivers for public transport to ease congestion, similar to the way Chinese cities have optimized their natural resources. "Expanding river-based transport could ease traffic pressure while offering a cleaner, efficient mode of transit," he said. During Mortuza's visits to cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Kunming, he learned about China's varied and successful urban approaches. "Beijing is culturally rich, Shanghai showcases modernity and urban planning at its peak, and Kunming presents a relaxed and eco-friendly lifestyle with parallels to Bangladesh's environment," he said. He was particularly impressed with the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center. "Their vision for managing waterways and repurposing suburban areas is truly inspiring," Mortuza said, adding that Dhaka's suburbs could also be transformed by rehabilitating neglected areas for housing, public parks, and other uses. The Bangladeshi scholar emphasized that pedestrian-friendly and green urban spaces, which he has seen in Chinese cities, are crucial for fostering a healthier and more active lifestyle. "China's parks and public spaces serve as valuable examples. Expanding green areas in Dhaka could improve air quality, reduce heat, and encourage recreational activities," he said, adding that with more space dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists, Dhaka could improve mobility and the quality of life. China's approach to urban energy management offers valuable experience for Dhaka, especially in leveraging renewable energy sources for urban infrastructure, Mortuza said. "Cities like Shanghai have efficiently integrated energy management into public transport and building design in efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. Dhaka could follow suit by promoting energy-efficient practices in construction and urban lighting." In terms of public transportation, he said that China's advanced systems serve as a model. "China addressed transportation challenges similar to those we face by building sophisticated networks," he said, stressing that Bangladesh could benefit greatly from this approach. "Traffic congestion and pollution remain critical barriers to a healthy urban lifestyle in Dhaka. China's efforts to address these issues serve as a blueprint for us to build a cleaner and more livable city," Mortuza said. Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam. A bomb blast in southwestern Pakistan early Friday morning killed at least nine people, including five schoolchildren, and injured 17 others. Authorities said that a homemade bomb attached to a motorcycle was detonated in Mastung, a district in the violence-affected Balochistan province, apparently targeting a police vehicle near a school. At least one police officer was among the dead, and several others also sustained injuries. Officials reported that a police vehicle was transporting personnel to protect polio vaccination teams involved in the ongoing national campaign to immunize children against the paralytic virus. Pakistan is facing a resurgence of polio cases in 2024. The country has reported 43 infections this year, with 22 occurring in Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan. The provincial government and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in separate statements, condemned the violence as a terrorist attack. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing in Balochistan, renowned for its abundant natural resources, where several ethnic Baloch separatist groups routinely target security force members and government installations. On Tuesday, gunmen attacked workers at the site of a dam in the sparsely populated provinces Panjgur district, killing five and wounding two others. The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army, or BLA, claimed responsibility for that attack. Last month, heavily armed assailants stormed a coal mine in another district and massacred 21 coal workers. BLA, listed as a global terrorist organization by the United States, and other allied insurgent groups claim to be fighting for Balochistans independence. They have also targeted China-funded projects in the province and Chinese nationals working on them, alleging Beijing is assisting Islamabad in exploiting the regions resources. Both countries reject the charges and label insurgents as enemies of the development in impoverished Balochistan. Polio teams targeted Earlier this week, militants in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which sits on the Afghan border, killed two police officers guarding polio vaccinators going door-to-door. Islamist militants, commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban, are believed to be targeting polio teams in northwestern districts, suspecting them of spying for the government. The Pakistani government launched its weeklong vaccination campaign on Monday, aiming to administer polio drops to more than 45 million children nationwide. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries where polio continues to be endemic and paralyze children. The World Health Organization has reported 66 polio infections this year: 43 from Pakistan and 23 from Afghanistan up from six each in both countries in 2023. Xiaolei Wu, a Chinese student who had been serving a nine-month prison sentence for threatening pro-democracy activists in Boston, received an early release on September 16 and returned to China, according to federal documents obtained by VOAs Mandarin Service. U.S. and Chinese officials have not commented publicly on Wu and whether he may have been part of a prisoner swap, but his return to China came about the time that American pastor David Lin was released and returned to the United States after serving 18 years in prison. Documents from the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts and the U.S. Justice Department confirm Wu's release and that President Joe Biden signed a clemency document on September 12, reducing Wu's total sentence to time served, saying that it was in the "national interest" of the United States for him not to serve his full sentence. The pardon document states that Wu began serving his sentence on June 7. The conditions for the commutation said Wu must leave the United States and never again set foot on U.S. soil and territories, and that he must not commit any crimes against the U.S. or violate U.S. laws again. Wu, a former student of Berklee College of Music, was found guilty in January of stalking and threatening a pro-democracy activist in Boston in fall 2022. On April 24, Wu was sentenced to nine months in prison and three years of supervised release. Prosecutors said Wu, 26, threatened to chop off the hands of a Chinese pro-democracy activist known as "Zooey," a pseudonym that the Berklee student has used to avoid retaliation. Wu threatened to report Zooeys family to Chinese police and asked others to find out where she lived. He also published Zooeys email address. Two of Zooey's friends told VOA Mandarin on Wednesday that Zooey learned from prosecutors in September that Wu had been released and reciprocally exchanged for Lin. The two friends, who requested anonymity, citing security concerns, said Zooey was shocked and puzzled by this and worried about her safety. One of Zooey's friends said he received a threatening message from Wu on Instagram a few days ago. The message said: "Do you really think that I won't be able to find you if you wear a mask and change your voice on Voice of America?" Another friend said that Wu recently posted a video of himself playing guitar on WeChat, Chinas biggest social media platform. The location indicated it was published in Beijing. Zhou Fengsuo, a former student leader during the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement in China and co-founder of the NGO Humanitarian China, told VOA Mandarin in a phone interview that while Wu had gotten off easy, his case may serve as a deterrent against future similar cases. This is a very important case. We have observed that the Chinese pro-CCP nationalists have been restrained a lot on American campuses, Zhou said. I have participated in activities in many American universities this year and have not encountered any of these people. I believe this has a lot to do with Wus conviction. Of course, his early release is not the result we want to see." Zhou also said that if Wu's release is indeed part of an exchange for David Lin, it could mean that Wu has certain connections in China. He also told VOA Mandarin the swap is still beneficial. "Pastor David Lin was detained in China for a very long time, so it is still very precious to exchange for his return," Zhou said. VOA was unable to independently confirm whether Wu's early release was directly related to the release of Lin. VOA contacted the U.S. State Department and the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney's Office in charge of Wu's case but has yet to receive a response. The White House declined to comment to VOA. Rescue workers scoured piles of concrete and twisted metal for survivors on Friday after a roof collapsed at the entrance of a railway station in the Serbian city of Novi Sad, killing 14 people. Cranes and bulldozers helped sift through the wreckage alongside dozens of rescuers and construction workers, while medical staff and ambulances waited nearby. The collapse of a 35-meter length of roofing occurred at noon local time (1100 GMT) on a sunny day in the city, about 70 kilometers northwest of the capital, Belgrade. Bodies were pulled from the rubble throughout the afternoon and into evening. "Our windows were open as it was warm outside and I heard a huge rumble and saw a plume of dust, that's all I saw. Later I heard what happened," said Vera, an 86-year-old pensioner who lives about 200 meters away. Earlier in the afternoon, rescuers freed two women who had been trapped under the rubble. They were in critical condition, said Vesna Turkulov, the head of the Vojvodina medical center where they were taken. The search and rescue operation was complicated by the sheer weight of the concrete and was expected to continue through the night, said Luka Causic who heads the interior ministry's center for emergency management. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic told Tanjug news agency earlier he did not expect the death toll to rise significantly. Five of those killed have not yet been identified, said Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. "It is difficult to say anything meaningful," he said in a televised address. "As the president of Serbia I demand that all those who are responsible for this are ... punished." Train officials, which reported that a building reconstruction had been completed this summer, said departures were halted from the station, according to N1 news channel. The part of the roof that collapsed had not been included in the project, N1 said. "This is a black Friday for all of Serbia and Novi Sad," Prime Minister Milos Vucevic told reporters. "Regardless of the fact that this building was constructed in 1964, we will insist that those responsible for this tragedy are identified." BAGHDAD, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a Shiite militia group, on Friday claimed responsibility for six drone attacks on Israeli targets. According to its statements, the group's fighters launched three drone attacks on "vital sites" in southern Israel, two more on targets in the occupied Golan Heights, and a sixth one on a site in central Israel. The statements did not provide further details about the targeted sites or report any casualties. The group said that the strikes were carried out "in solidarity with our people in Palestine and Lebanon," pledging to continue targeting "the enemy's strongholds at an escalating pace." Since the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has repeatedly attacked Israeli and U.S. positions in the region to show support for Palestinians in Gaza. The militia has stepped up its attacks on Israel after the latter intensified strikes against Hezbollah across Lebanon on Sept. 23. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday sued the main opposition leader and Istanbul's powerful mayor over allegedly slanderous remarks made at a protest rally a day earlier, the Anadolu news agency reported. Filed on Friday, the two separate lawsuits targeted Ozgur Ozel, head of the Republican People's Party (CHP), and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, also a top party official. One accused Ozel of "publicly insulting the president" and "clearly committing a crime against the reputation and honor of the office of the presidency." The second suit alleged Imamoglu had made "unfounded accusations including slander, that violated Erdogan's rights" and had "acted with the aim of humiliating the president in front of the public." Each lawsuit sought 1 million Turkish lira ($30,000) in damages from the accused. The legal action centers on remarks the pair allegedly made Thursday at a demonstration in the Istanbul district of Esenyurt a day after police arrested its opposition mayor for alleged links to the banned Kurdish PKK militant group. It was not immediately clear which remarks prompted the legal action, but Ozel, who took over as CHP leader just a year ago, quickly hit back. Erdogan "pretends to have been insulted without any insult being made, and tries to make himself the victim ... as if it was not he who insulted and victimized Esenyurt" by arresting its mayor, he told reporters. Imamoglu, who was elected as Istanbul mayor in 2019, is often portrayed as Erdogan's biggest political rival and is widely expected to run in the 2028 presidential race. He is seen as one of Turkey's most popular politicians. Two years ago, Imamoglu was sued for defamation after describing Istanbul election officials as "idiots" during the 2019 Istanbul mayoral election. A court found him guilty, sentenced him to nearly three years in jail and barred him from politics for the duration of the sentence, prompting an international outcry. Imamoglu has appealed while continuing to serve as mayor. At the time, Erdogan insisted the case had nothing to do with him. The 70-year-old Turkish leader launched his own political career in the 1990s by being elected as mayor of Istanbul. First, it was the COVID-19 pandemic that halted education in the Tigray region, and then, a deadly war, claiming many lives and displacing hundreds of thousands. Tenth-graders Yonas Nugus and Helen Berhe escaped with their families when their school in the town of Mekelle was closed due to the war. Education was the last thing on their minds at the time, but they said they did not give up hope. The situation seemed hopeless and never-ending. It was tough to overcome, but we managed to get through it, said Yonas, who like Helen recently completed a national exam and qualified to go on to university. The Tigray conflict flared up in November 2020 following a dispute between Ethiopias federal government and the Tigray regional administration led by the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, or the TPLF party, which previously ruled the country. The United Nations and other institutions estimate that 600,000 civilians died in Tigray and more than 2 million were displaced from November 2020 to August 2022. In addition to the death and displacement, some women and girls were subjected to rape, as recorded by human rights agencies. During the war, a smart student with us committed suicide when they entered her area and raped her, Helen said. When I heard stories like that, I wasnt sure that something like that could happen to me tomorrow. It was not the time you could come in peacefully for school. So, even if I was going to die, I believed I would die fighting for my freedom. For Yonas and Helen, both 17 at the time, the war had halted their dreams, but it did not kill those dreams; it just delayed them. In November 2022, the government and TPLF rebels concluded a cessation of hostilities agreement in Pretoria, South Africa. As the recovery from war began, school restarted, and the survivors came out of hiding and returned to Kallamino school in Mekelle. The students from Tigray whose education had been disrupted were provided with special teaching materials and teachers to make up for the lost time. When we returned, our school lay in ruins. Our belongings left behind due to the COVID-19 pandemic were strewn about, Helen said. Before the war, it took us a year to complete a class in school. However, we had to finish a year's education in just four months after the war. Then, we had to take the test. It was a very irregular learning process. For Helen, the past has been challenging, filled with fear and anxiety. She has forgotten much of what she was taught before the war and faces a new language barrier because the instruction is now in English. But she also said the war taught her a different kind of lesson. It taught me to find purpose in life, she said, attributing her success to this experience. I convinced myself that the past three years had been wasted and I needed to work hard for the future. I learned from the difficult times that I must walk with purpose. So, with the help of our friends, we finished our two-year course quickly, Helen said. In the latest national exam results in Ethiopia, only 5.4% of high school students passed the university entrance exam, according to Minister of Education Birhanu Nega. Of the 674,823 students who took part in the entrance exam in the last academic year (2022-2023), only 36,409 obtained the average required to be admitted to university. That figure was an improvement compared with the previous year, when only 3.3% passed the exam. Yonas recorded the highest score of all those taking the test, scoring 675 out of 700 points. Helen scored highest among female students, getting 662 points out of 700. Yonas and Helen will now pursue higher education at the University of Mekelle, the regions capital, or in Addis Ababa, Ethiopias capital. Yonas has chosen to study computer science; Helen plans to study medicine, specializing in neurology. Schools halted in Amhara region As Tigray starts recovering from war, students in another part of Ethiopia face an uncertain future as schools were shut by a new conflict between government forces and Fano rebels. In the town of Bahirdar, capital of Amhara region, parents did not send their children to school for a week after explosions shook the city earlier this month. Two students and a teacher were injured in an explosion on October 4, said Mulualem Abe, the head of the city's Education Department. Days earlier, two teachers were killed in Sinan district of East Gojam zone in Ethiopia's Amhara region after being shot by gunmen, authorities said. In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the local administration said the teachers were preparing to start their teaching work for the current school year, which started in late September. Without naming a particular group, the statement accused armed groups who swear in the name of the Amhara people of being behind the killing. A spokesperson for the Fano rebel group denied involvement in the killing of the teachers but indicated they are against the reopening of schools. This story originated in VOA's Horn of Africa Service. Aster Misganaw contributed to the report from Addis Ababa. The Biden administration says it is looking into Iran's apparent recent detention of an Iranian American dual national who is the only U.S. citizen publicly reported to have been jailed by the Islamic republic since a rare U.S.-Iran prisoner swap in September 2023. Responding to a VOA inquiry last week the State Department said in a statement that it was "aware of reports that a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen has been arrested in Iran." The reports refer to Reza Valizadeh, a former journalist for VOA sister network Radio Farda who had left the Persian-language network in 2022. He flew to Tehran in February to visit his family after living in the West for 14 years, according to his last post on the X platform in August. Iran views VOA, Radio Farda and other Western-based Persian media as hostile entities because they draw attention to public dissent and protests against the nation's authoritarian Islamist rulers. "We are working with our Swiss partners who serve as the protecting power for the United States in Iran to gather more information about this case," a State Department spokesperson said. "Iran routinely imprisons U.S. citizens and other countries' citizens unjustly for political purposes. This practice is cruel and contrary to international law," the spokesperson added. An informed source inside Iran told VOA's Persian Service that Valizadeh was arrested in Iran in late September on charges of collaborating with overseas-based Persian media. The source requested anonymity due to Iran's repeated harassment of individuals who provide comments publicly to Western media. The Iran-based human rights group Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRAI) and the U.S.-based media rights group Committee to Protect Journalists reported in mid-October that Valizadeh had been held in Tehran's Evin prison without access to a lawyer since his arrest. The reports cited two sources: one close to Valizadeh's family, and one who previously worked with Valizadeh. Iran's U.N. mission in New York acknowledged receiving a VOA request for comment about Valizadeh's case last week but provided no response. Skylar Thompson, HRAI's Washington-based deputy director, said in a message to VOA that the State Department "must utilize all available diplomatic channels to investigate Valizadeh's detention and ensure his immediate, unhindered access to legal counsel." In his last X post in August, Valizadeh wrote that he had returned to Iran in February after having only "half-completed" a negotiation with the intelligence arm of Iran's top military force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He said he decided to return voluntarily, even without having received a prior written or verbal commitment that the IRGC would not impede his visit. In Valizadeh's previous X post, published in February upon arrival in Iran, he said Iranian intelligence agents had summoned and pressured his family members to persuade him to return. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has tried to persuade Iranians living abroad that they have nothing to fear by returning. "We must assure them that if they return to Iran, we will not file a case against them. We will not harass them, and we will not prevent them from leaving," Pezeshkian said in an August interview with state news agency ISNA. Jason Brodsky, policy director of U.S. advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, told VOA that Valizadeh's arrest should be a warning to Iranians with dual nationalities that Tehran's assurances cannot be trusted. "There have been cases over the years in which Iranians abroad will get authorization from one governmental entity in Iran to enter, and then a competing agency will scoop up this person and take him hostage," Brodsky said. Valizadeh was slated to go on trial before Revolutionary Court judge Abolghassem Salavati, according to sources cited by HRAI and Iranian freelance journalist Nejat Bahrami, who first reported Valizadeh's arrest in a social media post on October 13. Salavati has been sanctioned by the U.S. government for harshly punishing Iranian citizens and dual nationals for exercising their freedoms of expression or assembly. "It seems as though Valizadeh is wrongfully detained," said Kylie Moore-Gilbert, an Australian political scientist who herself was detained in Iran from 2018 to 2020 on what Western nations said were bogus security charges. In an email to VOA, Moore-Gilbert wrote that Valizadeh's journalism "would certainly make him a person of interest to the IRGC." "The fact that he has been referred to the Revolutionary Court of Salavati is also telling, as this judge is favored by the IRGC for dealing with political cases including the wrongful detention of foreign and dual nationals," she wrote. Granting a wrongful detention designation to a U.S. national means U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens is authorized to work with a coalition of government and private sector organizations to secure the detainee's freedom. Designations are granted if a review by the secretary of state concludes that the U.S. national's case meets criteria defined in the Levinson Act of 2020. Any of Valizadeh's family members residing abroad or legal representatives should "immediately apply" to the U.S. secretary of state for a wrongful detention designation, Moore-Gilbert said. Valizadeh's recent work as a journalist should make the process "relatively straightforward" in contrast to other cases, she added. The State Department spokesperson who sent the statement to VOA said the agency "continuously monitors the circumstances surrounding the detentions of U.S. citizens overseas for indicators that the detentions may be wrongful." The Biden administration secured the release of five Iranian Americans whom it deemed wrongfully detained in Iran in a September 2023 deal in which five Iranians in the U.S. also won reprieves from detention and prosecution. That deal is the only U.S.-Iran prisoner exchange of Biden's term so far. It also involved the U.S. allowing $6 billion in Iranian funds frozen under U.S. sanctions in South Korean banks to be transferred to Qatar for Iran to use for humanitarian purchases. A U.S. Treasury Department spokesperson told U.S. media last month that the funds remain "immobilized" following Iran's backing of the October 2023 Hamas terror attack on Israel. "Valizadeh's detention raises questions as to whether the Iranians are holding him hostage for an exchange involving the movement of those assets in Qatar or something even greater," Brodsky said. "Every time we do a deal like that, it emboldens the Iranians to take more hostages," he added. "So we need a comprehensive strategy, working with our allies and partners, to employ common hostage-taking penalties against Iran involving sanctions and diplomatic isolation." This report was produced in collaboration with VOA's Persian service. Germany will close three Iranian consulates in response to Irans announcement of the execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a German Iranian national and a U.S. resident, earlier this week. "We have repeatedly and unequivocally made it clear to Tehran that the execution of a German citizen will have serious consequences," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Thursday in announcing the closure of the consulates in Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg. Germany will allow Irans embassy in Berlin to remain open. And Germany will "continue to maintain our diplomatic channels and our embassy in Tehran, Baerbock said. "The fact that this assassination took place in the light of the latest developments in the Middle East shows that [Iran's] dictatorial, unjust regime ... does not act according to normal diplomatic logic," she said. "It is not without reason that our diplomatic relations are already at an all-time low. Sharmahd, 69, was accused of a role in the deadly bombing of a mosque in Shiraz in 2008. He was convicted of the capital offense of corruption on Earth, a term Iranian authorities use to refer to a broad range of offenses, including those related to Islamic morals. His family has denied the charges against him. In an exclusive interview with VOAs Persian Service, Sharmahds daughter Ghazaleh Sharmahd warned that her father's execution on Monday would not silence the movement for justice. They made a huge mistake, thinking that by killing my father and the people of Iran, these movements would end. But they were wrong killing only makes these movements stronger, more intense and more energized. ... The Islamic Republic made a huge mistake, she said. Ghazaleh Sharmahd also said she is seeking the truth of her fathers death. She told VOA that the Islamic Republic informed the U.S. and Germany about her fathers death. They accept the words of terrorists and send me their condolences? she said. They have a duty to investigate what really happened. VOAs Persian Service contributed to this report. Some information came from Agence France-Presse and Reuters. After nearly a years deadlock, Iraqs parliament elected a new speaker Thursday. Prominent Sunni lawmaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, who served as parliaments speaker from 2006 to 2009, was elected by 182 of the 269 politicians in attendance. Iraqs parliament has been without a speaker since last November, following a ruling of the Federal Supreme Court in a case that involved then-speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, the countrys most powerful Sunni politician, and fellow lawmaker Laith al-Dulaimi, also Sunni. In the lawsuit, Dulaimi claimed Halbousi forged Dulaimis signature on a resignation letter, according to an Associated Press report. Halbousi denied the claim. Iraqs top courts ruling in the case dismissed both lawmakers from parliament but did not give a reason for the verdict. Iraqs political landscape operates under a delicate power-sharing system, created to avoid factional conflict. Under the arrangement, the countrys president is always a Kurd, the prime minister is Shite and parliaments speaker is Sunni. Mashhadanis selection as speaker was made possible by a Sunni and Shite bloc, according to reports. Under such a fragmented system, the speaker plays a critical role. The speaker is expected to ensure that politicians adhere to proper legislative order. In addition, the speaker is also tasked with resolving conflicts and building consensus among the lawmakers. Mashhadani assumes the speaker position at a critical and fractious time, as the Middle East has erupted in wars and Iraq is seeking to maintain its relationships with several countries, including former adversaries Iran and the U.S. Some information provided by Reuters and The Associated Press. Israel launched strikes overnight and early Friday on the Beirut suburbs, causing heavy damage and loss of life as a U.S.-led effort to restart cease-fire talks in Lebanon and Gaza is underway. In the first attacks of its kind in more than a week, Israel airstrikes pounded the southern Lebanon suburb of Dahiyeh and other areas early Friday after issuing evacuation orders to residents. Video from the scene showed some buildings in rubble as smoke rose above the skyline. The Associated Press, citing Lebanon's state National News Agency , or NNA, reported 24 people were killed in Friday's strikes in the Beirut area. Israel Defense Forces, or IDF, is reporting seven people were killed in northern Israel by cross-border rocket attacks from Hezbollah. In statement posted to its X social media account, the IDF said during the night Thursday into Friday, its fighter jets "attacked with precise intelligence" sites for weapons production, as well as what it said were Hezbollah central headquarters and other "military infrastructures" in the Beirut area. The IDF said its fighter jets also attacked overnight what it described as Hezbollah's "southern front" headquarters throughout Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon. They said advance warnings were given to the population in the area to mitigate the risk to civilians. NNA reported Lebanon's acting prime minister, Najib Mikati, said Friday the overnight strikes and the "expansion of Israeli aggression" in Lebanon show that Israel "rejects all efforts" to reach a cease-fire. Earlier this week he had expressed hope for the possibility of such an agreement. In Gaza, doctors and local sources report more than 30 people killed in Israeli strikes on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza overnight Thursday into Friday. Officials at al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, told The Washington Post that 26 bodies arrived at the hospital, including 21 from Nuseirat refugee camp. The IDF said in a statement its troops had identified and eliminated "several armed terrorists" in central Gaza and had eliminated "dozens of terrorists" in targeted raids in northern Gaza's Jabalia area. They also told the AP they had hit a Hamas infrastructure site and had targeted a militant who was operating in the Nuseirat area. Meanwhile, U.S. diplomats remain in the region pushing for cease-fires in both Lebanon and Gaza. U.S. CIA Director William Burns met Thursday with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sissi, one of the mediators of the suspended cease-fire negotiations. A statement from Sissi's office said the two discussed ways to de-escalate tensions in Gaza, advance cease-fire talks, release hostages and improve access to humanitarian aid. His visit came as U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein and U.S. Middle East adviser Brett McGurk met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials to discuss efforts to craft a cease-fire on both fronts. Netanyahu said any cease-fire deal with Hezbollah would have to guarantee Israel's security. At a news conference Friday in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he remains optimistic regarding peace and cease-fire efforts on both fronts. Regarding Lebanon, Blinken said once again, the basis of a diplomatic resolution to the crisis would be the effective implementation of the 2006 U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for Hezbollah to withdraw its armed presence from an area south of the Litani River and for Israeli forces to get out of Lebanon. Blinken made the comments at a joint briefing with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The two held talks Friday with their South Korean counterparts in Washington. Blinken was asked about a letter he and Austin sent to Israel, calling on Tel Aviv to take steps to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza or face possible restrictions on U.S. military aid. The secretary of state said their teams are tracking "very carefully" Israel's response and efforts regarding humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Blinken said, there has been "progress" but added it has been insufficient. "We're working on a daily basis to make sure that Israel does what it must do to ensure that this assistance gets to people who need it inside of Gaza," Blinken said." It's not enough to get trucks to Gaza; it's vital that what they bring with them can get distributed effectively inside of Gaza." Blinken also mentioned the World Health Organization's successful initial polio vaccination campaign for hundreds of thousands of Palestinian children in Gaza. He said for that campaign to be concluded, there must be a second round of vaccinations completed quickly, and he called on Israel to facilitate that effort. The WHO said Friday the next phase of the polio vaccination campaign will begin Saturday after being postponed from October 23 due to a lack of access and a lack of humanitarian pauses in the fighting in Gaza. The war in Lebanon erupted late last month, nearly a year after Hezbollah began low-intensity cross-border fire into Israel in support of Hamas. Hamas and Hezbollah have been designated as terror groups by the United States, the U.K. and other Western countries. The conflict in the region began when Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and captured about 250 hostages in their October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel. Israel says it believes Hamas is still holding 101 hostages, including 35 the military says are dead. Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 43,259 Palestinians, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, with Israel saying the death toll includes thousands of militants. The Israeli campaign has devastated much of the Gaza Strip, while the fighting and Israeli evacuation orders have displaced about 90% of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people. The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters provided some information for this story. The Japanese government and the European Union signed a security and defense partnership agreement Friday amid escalating tensions with China and concerns about its support for Russia's war in Ukraine. The partnership was announced during a visit to Tokyo by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell for the first-ever Japan-EU Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue with his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya. "We live in a very dangerous world," Borrell told reporters without specifically naming China, Russia or North Korea, the top security concerns for both Japan and the EU. "Given the situation in both of our regions, this political framework deepens our ability to tackle emerging threats together." Borrell described the security pact as "historical and very timely," noting it is "the first agreement of this nature" the EU has made with an Asia-Pacific country. The text of the EU-Japan Security and Defense Partnership, seen by Agence France-Presse, says the two parties will promote "concrete naval cooperation," including through activities such as joint exercises and port calls, which may include "mutually designated third countries." It also says the EU and Japan will discuss "the development of respective defense initiatives including exchange of information on defense industry-related matters." Katsuya Yamamoto, program director and senior research fellow of security studies at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, said, "By repeating joint training, cruising, port visit, cross-boarding in peacetime, our like-minded countries can continuously make it known to China and the surrounding countries that the European fronts and the Indo-Pacific fronts are standing together." He said, "It will make China understand that this is not a regional security challenge, but a worldwide [problem]." Beijing and Moscow have been developing closer relations, including militarily, since the West cut ties with Russia over its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In September, the two countries held joint military drills near Japan. In an August visit to Taipei, Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba voiced concerns that China could invade Taiwan as Russia did with Ukraine. Taiwan is a self-governing and democratic island that Beijing considers a breakaway province that must one day reunite with the mainland, by force if necessary. Russia has repeatedly backed China's position on Taiwan, and its defense minister earlier this month visited Beijing to bolster their defense ties. China on Thursday said it had carried out its first naval exercises with its two aircraft carriers in the South China Sea, where Beijing's territorial claims overlap with the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. China and Japan have competing claims to islands in the East China Sea. Stephen Nagy, professor at the Department of Politics and International Studies of International Christian University in Japan, told VOA the EU-Japan agreement aims to deal with the threats to stability in the East China Sea, the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, where China has conducted repeated threatening military exercises. "This may include sharing information and technology related to maritime domain awareness, countering hybrid warfare including cyber and disinformation. I believe we may see more joint transits through the Taiwan straits as well." Wei-Hsiu Huang, a project researcher at the Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia at the University of Tokyo, said Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's activities in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea have been a factor in the enhanced Japan-EU cooperation. But, he said, "The future direction of security cooperation between Japan and Europe will be very broad, and it will not be limited to the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, North Korea and Russia." Analysts say Europe's role in East Asian security could become more important if former U.S. President Donald Trump is re-elected. Trump has pushed for Taiwan and Japan to do more for their own defense, indicating he might support less U.S. military involvement in the region. His opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, would be expected to continue current Biden administration policies in the region. Nagy warned that Japan and the EU cannot mount a sufficient deterrent to keep China from rewriting the region's security architecture "if the U.S. were to withdraw entirely from the region," which he called "unlikely." Yamamoto said that regardless of whether Trump or Harris is elected, the U.S. government and society will expect greater efforts from Japan and Europe. Huang agreed that Japan's cooperative relations with Europe are unlikely to be affected by the U.S. presidential election "because no matter who is elected, it is in the interests of the U.S. to strengthen security cooperation between Japan and Europe." After Japan, Borrell will visit South Korea to discuss mutual concerns about North Korea, which has been sending weapons, ammunition and now thousands of troops to Russia for its war against Ukraine. On Thursday, North Korea test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile with a range sufficient to hit almost anywhere in the United States. The test was condemned by the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Europe and the United Nations secretary-general. Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report. Europe is bracing for former President Donald Trumps potential return to power even as his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, remains a mostly unknown quantity. Many Europeans believe much is at stake in the nail-biting U.S. elections: from NATO and the transatlantic alliance to Russias war on Ukraine, trade relations and the future of their own democracies. Lisa Bryant reports from Paris. In a crowded church filled with mourners on September 6, a young high school teacher sat among friends, her face streaked with tears as she gazed at the makeshift shrouds covering the small bodies laid out before her. Among them were her students children she had taught, known and cared for deeply. "I couldn't recognize some of them," she whispered to me, her voice trembling. The previous night, the war refugee camp where she lives in Myanmar's Paekon Township, near the Karenni and Shan state borders, had been transformed into a scene of unimaginable loss. The ruling junta had dropped two 500-pound bombs on the camp, killing 10 people, seven of them children. The attack unfolded just before 9 p.m. local time, as families were settling in for the night. The ominous hum of a military plane filled the air, circling over the camp. Shouts of "Run! Run!" echoed as people scrambled for safety, but there was barely time to react. The teacher described the chaos, recounting how, on its second pass, the plane released a bomb that tore through makeshift shelters filled with families. "The children were covered in blood, wandering aimlessly in the dark," she said, her voice heavy with grief. "Some were hit directly only their small hands were visible. It was horrific." On the ground, scattered amid the rubble, lay textbooks and notebooks filled with the handwriting of the students evidence of lives interrupted and dreams shattered. Pages written by those young hands lay torn and trampled, a haunting reminder of the futures lost in the blast. Throughout the night, Karenni Armed Revolutionary Forces and camp officials worked tirelessly to rescue survivors and tend to the wounded, but the losses were devastating. In the dim light of the following morning, the teacher's sorrow echoed through the crowd of mourners, each bearing the weight of lives cut short. "There is no safe place, no demilitarized zone," she told me. "We cannot live like this, in constant fear." State symbolizes hope Karenni State, known as Kayah, a beautiful mountainous region in eastern Myanmar, has become a powerful symbol of resistance and resilience in the country's fight for democracy and federalism. Nestled along the border with Thailand, Karenni is home to a diverse ethnic community with a distinct cultural heritage. Decades of conflict with Myanmar's military regimes, beginning with Karenni's fight for independence in 1957, have left the region deeply scarred. Yet its people push forward, determined to build a self-governing future and protect their land. Reaching Karenni involved a challenging three-week journey, crossing from Thailand along rugged mountain roads while carefully avoiding junta outposts. Travel was only possible in areas controlled by Karenni resistance forces, who provided protection along the way. Eventually, I reached Demoso, a town about 138 miles from Naypyidaw, the junta's military-built capital. In Demoso, where electricity is rare, residents depend on generators and Starlink for internet, though outages are frequent. Artillery fire and airstrikes echo through the hills, a constant reminder of the relentless conflict gripping the region. Despite these challenges, local leaders have forged ahead with efforts to establish a self-governing administration, train young resistance fighters and rebuild communities. Their successes have made them a model for other ethnic states in Myanmar striving for a future grounded in democracy and federalism. 'Feels like retaliation' The day after the airstrike, survivors and community members gathered at a Catholic cathedral about a 20-minute drive from the refugee camp to mourn the 10 lives lost in the junta's assault. Inside the church, the bodies of six children lay surrounded by grieving friends and neighbors; outside, makeshift graves marked the final resting places of others who had perished in the attack. The crowd gathered in silence, their faces clouded with sorrow as they paid their last respects. A Catholic priest who also volunteers as a health worker voiced his suspicions about the timing of the bombing. "The junta's soldiers are dying in battles at the front. Just days ago, their chairman, Min Aung Hlaing, visited Loikaw and was fired upon," he said. "This [bombing] feels like retaliation against innocent refugees who had no way to defend themselves," he said, his voice filled with quiet anger. 'No time to run' As I spoke with the survivors, their tragic stories weighed on me. I met a 14-year-old girl with severe injuries to her face and thigh when I visited a makeshift hospital whose exact location cannot be disclosed for security reasons. Her younger brother, just 2 years old, had been hit in the head and could not be saved. "We were all sitting in our tent. I heard the plane but had no time to run," she said. Two sisters, both young students, lay nearby with broken bones and deep wounds. Their parents had sent them to the camp to protect them from the fighting. I spoke to another seriously injured patient, the wife of a police officer who was injured in an earlier bombing that same morning. Her husband, standing next to her, told me, "They dropped two bombs on the building, then opened fire with machine guns. My wife is four months pregnant, and we lost the baby." Junta denies responsibility At Dosei Middle School, located west of Demoso, the principal described to me the devastating attack on February 5 that leveled all three of the school's buildings. "The school, once filled with the lively shouts of students, fell silent within minutes as the sound of an approaching plane grew louder," she recounted. "The roar of bombs exploding was quickly followed by the rattle of machine gunfire, leaving the classroom lifeless the last refuge of four middle school students. There was no time to reach a bomb shelter." She added, "The elementary school children were incredibly lucky they were outside for physical activities when the junta's jet dropped bombs on the other side of the building. Otherwise, every child, including my youngest daughter, who studies here, would have been buried beneath the rubble." The junta consistently denies responsibility for civilian deaths caused by airstrikes in Karenni. Following the jet attack on February 5, the junta's information team stated, "There were no Tatmadaw [Myanmar army] flights in Demoso Township on that day." Since the military seized power on February 1, 2021, Karenni State has become a battlefield, with civilians trapped between junta forces and Karenni resistance fighters. Just one day before the September 5 airstrike, General Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Loikaw to meet with his troops. In response, the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force fired artillery toward Loikaw. The following night, junta forces shelled northern areas of Demoso, forcing families to flee again. Pleas for protection Throughout Karenni State, survivors echo the same plea a desperate call for protection from relentless airstrikes and shelling. The Interim Executive Council of Karenni State, or IEC, condemned the bombing as "unprovoked violence" targeting civilians, including children. At the site of the attack, the head of the Interior Department of the IEC expressed his outrage: "I absolutely condemn this. It's pure bullying a brutal act of violence that I cannot accept. This is Karenni territory, where our people live and work. The damage is not only to property but to lives." The principal of Dosei Middle School also made a heartfelt appeal for action by the international community, including a halt to the sale of jet fuel to the junta and for stronger international pressure to stop the use of airstrikes against civilians. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. First aid, drone operation and weapons safety handling are now part of a new subject in Ukrainian schools called "Defense of Ukraine," meant to teach children lifelong lessons on survival and patriotism. Lesia Bakalets reports from Kyiv. BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- "Should we allow the world to descend into the abyss of disorder and chaos, or should we strive to steer it back on the path of peace and development? This reminds me of a novel by Nikolay Chernyshevsky entitled What Is to Be Done?" said Chinese President Xi Jinping recently. "The protagonist's unwavering determination and passionate drive are exactly the kind of willpower we need today. The more tumultuous our times become, the more we must stand firm at the forefront," Xi said in a speech at the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. It was not the first time that Xi mentioned the novel when meeting foreign friends. Over a decade ago, when meeting with Russian sinologists, Chinese language students and media representatives in Moscow, he said he was inspired by the novel when he was young. "Chernyshevsky was a democratic revolutionary, and his works have given us much inspiration. I read his What Is to Be Done? while living in the cave dwellings of Liangjiahe, and it had a profound impact on me," he once said. In the novel, the protagonist lives an ascetic life, even going so far as to sleep on a bed of nails to strengthen his will. Xi was so moved that he emulated the protagonist and removed his cotton-padded mattress and chose to sleep on a brick bed so as to steel his own willpower. The Chinese leader has always been an extensive reader of domestic and foreign literature. In the 1960s, when he was sent from Beijing to work as a farmer at Liangjiahe, a village in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, he brought two suitcases full of books. During his stay in the village, Xi read nearly all the literary classics he could find. Once, after he overheard that a young man from Beijing had a copy of "Faust," he walked over a dozen kilometers of bumpy and dusty country road to borrow it. His extensive reading has significantly shaped his global perspective. Since assuming leadership in China, he has prioritized cultural interaction as a trademark of his diplomacy to foster a deeper understanding between China and the international community. "What's past is prologue," he quoted Shakespeare -- whose works he first read 40 years ago -- at the British Parliament during his state visit to Britain in the autumn of 2015, shedding light on his country's perspective on China-UK relations. He likes to quote classic books by French luminaries, particularly Victor Hugo, in his speeches. Addressing the landmark 2015 Paris climate change conference to call for a deal, Xi cited an insightful line from Les Miserables: "Supreme resources spring from extreme resolutions." Xi also draws insight from the classics for his visions of building a better world for all. A decade ago when Xi attended the sixth BRICS summit in Brazil, he mentioned in his speech a book named Brazil: A Land of the Future. The book, a significant work by Austrian Writer Stefan Zweig, offers an essential reading for understanding Brazil, as well as profound reflections on humanity. "A Brazilian friend told me about a bestselling book titled Brazil: A Land of the Future, which expresses a beautiful hope for human civilization. I look forward to the BRICS countries jointly becoming, as envisioned in the book, a future of prosperity, strength, democracy, and civilization. Together, they can create a brighter future where global economic growth is more diverse and international relations are more democratic," Xi said. A decade on, in the speech at the 16th BRICS Summit, Xi reaffirmed the vision for the BRICS inspired by the book and proposed to build it into a primary channel for strengthening solidarity and cooperation among Global South nations and a vanguard for advancing global governance reform. "China is willing to work with all BRICS countries to open a new horizon in the high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, and join hands with Global South countries in building a community with a shared future for mankind," he said. For the first time in years, the Middle East and North African region is seeing a surge in interest from international investors. Major companies like Google, Microsoft and Adobe recently took part in one of the largest technology events in the region when Dubai hosted Expand North Star 2024, which attracted over 6,500 exhibiting companies, 1,800 startups and 1,200 investors from 180 countries. Over the last year, more than half of all investors in regional startups have come from outside, reflecting how attractive the Middle East and North Africa, or MENA, have become for those seeking new areas for growth, including investors from the U.S., Europe and beyond. Farah el Nahlawi, a United Arab Emirates-based research team leader at venture data platform MAGNiTT, provided hard numbers on the surge of international investment in the MENA region. In the first nine months of 2024, we recorded a total of 390 investors in the MENA region, with 199 of them being international investors, Nahlawi said. When we break down these international investors, we see a diverse mix of contributors: 37% from the USA, 13% from the U.K. and 8% from Singapore. Financial technology According to a recent report from MAGNiTT, the financial technology sector emerged as a key driver, securing $480 million in funding. At the heart of this trend is the desire for many countries in the region, like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, to move beyond traditional resource-based industries like oil, Nahlawi, said. Theyre investing heavily in technology, education and innovation, creating fertile ground for startups and entrepreneurs. Nahlawi pointed to significant government initiatives across the region. Programs such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE's economic policies have been pivotal in attracting international capital, she said. These initiatives have notably improved the investment climate through economic diversification, aimed at reducing reliance on oil, she added. By promoting sectors like tourism, technology and renewable energy, these governments are making their economies more resilient and appealing to investors seeking long-term stability. Willingness to do business in the region has drawn criticism from some venture capitalists who spoke on background to publications like Financial Times, calling the investments a "Faustian bargain" with governments and monarchs accused of human rights violations. Saudi Arabia's alleged killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, CNBC reported in September, "remains an issue for some Western partners and startups." The Post reported in May that "some tech executives and security researchers" remain wary about those abuses, along with the possibility that some countries in the region could "use American technologies for surveillance including to target U.S. citizens." But for many international investors, the MENA region offers the chance to enter a fast-growing market with high returns. For local governments, its a way to secure long-term growth beyond oil. Sergii Malomuzh, founder of Rewump a business incubator for next-generation web startups said regional governments are adopting progressive and flexible regulatory approaches to support emerging technologies and industries. This supports innovation and creates a favorable business climate for foreign investments, he told VOA. Malomuzh also said markets like the UAE remain attractive because of their high growth potential and stable economic policies. From my experience investing in and working with the MENA region, Ive noticed that investors come from various places, including the U.S., Europe, and the Gulf. Talent in Sudan Yousif Yahya, co-founder of Sudans Savannah Innovation Labs, a prominent incubator and consultancy firm, emphasized Sudans unique position within the MENA investment landscape. Although much of Sudans young, talented and mobile workforce has been displaced by war, Yahya told VOA that some victims were fortunate enough to find opportunities outside Sudan, sometimes filling skills gaps and contributing to cross-border innovation. Yahya also noted that a surge in international interest is partly driven by countries like Egypt, where comprehensive policy reforms have been enacted to attract and protect foreign investments. These measures, he argued, reflect a commitment across the region to build a stable, predictable and investor-friendly environment. Robert Mogielnicki, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, highlighted the regions potential for entrepreneurial growth despite conflicts in several countries. Countries in the MENA region boast young and growing populations and contain many promising startup scenes, he told VOA. Mogielnicki pointed out that many MENA governments, particularly in the Gulf, are actively investing in entrepreneurship. In some cases, government entities provide direct support and investments to startups. In other instances, governments are seeking to enhance the startup and entrepreneurial ecosystems through supportive policies. However, he cautioned, wars and geopolitical tensions could impact startups differently. The implications for startups and their ability to secure investments depend greatly on the industry they operate within, the potential for disruptions to operations, and fluctuating levels of available investment capital, Mogielnicki said. Russia seized on the U.S. mainstream media's decision to break with their tradition of endorsing a presidential candidate ahead of the November 5 election to claim the Kremlin's influence on the American press. More than 200 U.S. news media outlets, including The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and USA Today, have announced they will not be endorsing the Republican or Democratic Parties' candidates former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. In Russia, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, claimed that decision was made because both candidates have been marked with a "Russian stamp." "American newspapers, the bigwigs of the media business, refuse to support any candidate in the U.S. elections one after another. This time they cannot support anyone, because both have the stamp 'Russian.' The American media industry itself appointed Trump as such [labeled Trump as pro-Russian], having been making up fables for almost 10 years. And [Russian President Vladimir] Putin promised to support Harris' candidacy. That is why the information mainstream in the States has been torn apart," Zakharova wrote in her Telegram channel, as reported by the state-owned news agency RIA Novosti on October 29. The claim is false. Undoubtedly, Russia remains a part of the pre-election rhetoric in the United States due to its war against Ukraine and its destabilizing effect on the American allies in Europe, as well as the aid the U.S. provides to Ukraine's defense. The Kremlin also reportedly paid millions of dollars to U.S. social media influencers to push narratives aimed to sow division in the American society months ahead of the presidential elections. In early September, the U.S. Justice Department charged two Russian nationals who worked for RT, a media outlet funded by the Russian government, with covertly hiring U.S. influencers to create videos pushing narratives favorable to the Kremlin. However, Zakharova's claim that the "bigwigs" of American media do not endorse presidential candidates because both are marked with the "Russian stamp" is an exaggeration of the Kremlin's influence over U.S. media of gargantuan proportions. The editorials that the news outlets published to explain their decision not to endorse do not mention Russia at all. In contrast with Zakharova's speculations, this shift away from the old tradition is part of a yearslong discourse about press freedom, impartiality and political partisanship. The issue is much bigger than Russia and as American as it gets. Critics of the move speak about the level of influence media moguls are able to exercise over the editorial decisions of the media outlets they own after at least three major outlets said the owners influenced the decision. The Washington Post publisher William Lewis announced on October 25 that "to provide through the newsroom nonpartisan news for all Americans, and ... to be independent," the paper "will not be making an endorsement of a presidential candidate in this election." Several media outlets, including the Business Insider, alleged that the decision was made by the owner of The Washington Post, American billionaire Jeff Bezos, and out of business interests rather than political. Bezos could be trying to secure federal contracts for his rocket company Blue Origin in case the presidential election had gone to a candidate other than the one supported by The Washington Post, the report said. Three days later, Bezos denied the allegations in an October 28 op-ed published by The Washington Post. He took responsibility for the shift from the paper's 36-year tradition but said his decision had nothing to do with his economic interests, or Blue Origin. "What presidential endorsements actually do is create a perception of bias. A perception of non-independence. Ending them is a principled decision, and it's the right one," Bezos wrote. He never mentioned Russia in that op-ed. The Los Angeles Times published its 2024 election recommendations on September 10. It did not include a recommendation to endorse any of the U.S. presidential candidates. The newspaper's owner, Patrick Soon-Shiong, a renowned medical inventor and businessman said the decision was his, and he made it because choosing one candidate "would only exacerbate the already deep divisions in the country." His daughter, political activist Nika Soon-Shiong, said the candidates' position on war in Gaza played a role in the decision not to support them, but her father denied that. USA Today and more than 200 other outlets owned by Gannett, a New York City-based American mass media holding company, will not endorse a presidential candidate. "None of the USA TODAY Network publications are endorsing in presidential or national races," Lark-Marie Anton, USA Today spokesperson, told The Hill on October 28. According to Anton, Gannett made this decision because the company believes "America's future is decided locally one race at a time And with more than 200 publications across the nation, our public service is to provide readers with the facts that matter and the trusted information they need to make informed decisions." Zakharova's claim about Putin's support for Harris refers to Putin's comment in early September that he would like Harris to win, only if for her "infectious" laugh. In the U.S., most news media reported Putin's comment was "teasing" and "not to be taken at a face value." Later in September, Zakharova's boss, foreign minister Sergey Lavrov told Sky News Arabia that Putin was "joking" about supporting Harris. North Koreas foreign minister Friday pledged to support Russia until it achieves victory in its war against Ukraine, during a visit to Moscow as some 8,000 North Korean troops are reportedly poised to join Russian troops on the battlefield. Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui held talks with her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. As cameras rolled after their meeting, each praised the new levels that the relationship between the two nations has reached. The North Korean top diplomat accused the United States and South Korea of a military build-up and war provocations, and praised Russias efforts to put an end to hegemonic practices of the U.S. and the West and to establish a new international order. She said the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has unwavering faith that Russia will achieve victory and said her country will stand with them until that victory is achieved. Lavrov expressed Russias gratitude for its Korean friends and for their principled position regarding the events that have now unfolded in Ukraine, and praised the very close contacts that have been established between the military of the two countries. Neither diplomat made any direct reference to North Korean troops being deployed in the region. Speaking Friday in Washington, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said during a joint briefing with his South Korean counterpart it is believed at least 10,000 North Korean troops are set to be deployed to the region, with about 8,000 of them already in Russias Kursk oblast. At the same news conference, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. expects North Korean troops to enter the war against Ukraine in the coming days. More than a half-million Russian troops have been killed or wounded in Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale illegal invasion on February 24, 2022, U.S. officials said, adding that Russia is now turning to pariah state North Korea to bolster its forces. In an interview with Estonias public broadcaster ERR Friday, Estonian Defense Forces intelligence chief Colonel Ants Kiviselg said he thinks North Korean troops are likely to suffer heavy losses, potentially even more than the Russians. He said they are not familiar with or trained for combat in the regions terrain, climate or geography. Also Friday, the U.S. Defense Department, or DOD, announced an additional $425 million in security assistance for Ukraine. It is the 69th tranche of equipment to be provided from DOD inventories for Ukraine since August of 2021. In a statement, the department said the defense package will provide Ukraine with assets to help the country meet some of its most urgent security needs, including air defense interceptors, munitions for rocket systems and artillery, armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons. The statement said the United States will continue to work together with some 50 allies and partners through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and its associated capability coalitions to meet Ukraine's urgently needed battlefield requirements and defend against Russian aggression. Meanwhile, Kyivs military reported Friday that Russia launched 2,023 drone attacks on Ukraine in October, the most since the war began. The report said that the total is nearly 700 higher than the number of attacks launched in September, the month with the previous record for drone attacks. The report said Russia has launched 6,987 since the beginning of 2024. Earlier Friday, Russia's Defense Ministry reported its defenses shot down 83 Ukrainian drones over six regions early on Friday. In a statement posted to its Telegram social media channel, the ministry said, 36 drones were shot down over the Kursk region, 20 over the Bryansk region, 12 over Crimea, eight over the Voronezh region, four over the Oryol region, and three over the Belgorod region." Separately, Aleksandr Bogomaz, the governor of Bryansk, said one person was wounded when a Ukrainian drone crashed into an apartment building in the city of Bryansk. In the Stavropol region, a drone fell on an oil depot in the city of Svetlograd, regional Governor Vladimir Vladimirov said on Telegram. In Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa, a Russian missile struck a fire station, wounding two firefighters, regional Governor Oleh Kiper reported. Meanwhile, Ukraine's air force said its defenses shot down 31 Russian drones and one missile over nine regions Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Cherkasy, Vinnytsya, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Chernihiv and Poltava. Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse. North Korea on Friday bragged about its recently tested new intercontinental ballistic missile, calling it "the world's strongest." Outside experts saw the claim as propaganda, though the test did show advancement in the North's quest to build a more reliable weapons arsenal. A missile that North Korea launched Thursday flew higher and stayed in the air longer than any other weapon the country has so far fired. It signaled that the North has achieved progress in acquiring a nuclear-armed ICBM that can hit the U.S. mainland. But foreign experts said the country has still a few technological issues to master. On Friday, the North's Korean Central News Agency identified the missile as the "Hwasong-19" ICBM and called it "the world's strongest strategic missile" and "the perfected weapon system." KCNA said leader Kim Jong Un observed the launch, describing it as "an appropriate military action" to express North Korea's resolve to respond to its enemies' moves that escalated tensions and threats to North Korea's national security. It said Kim thanked weapons scientists for demonstrating North Korea's "matchless strategic nuclear attack capability." South Korea's military earlier said that North Korea could have tested a solid-fuel missile, but Friday's KCNA dispatch didn't say what propellant the Hwasong-19 ICBM uses. Observers said the color of exhaust flames seen in North Korean media photos of the launch suggested the new ICBM uses solid fuels. Before Thursday's test, North Korea's most advanced ICBM was known as the Hwasong-18 missile, which uses solid fuels. Pre-loaded solid propellants make it easier to move missiles and require much less launch preparation times than liquid propellants that must be fueled before liftoffs. So it's more difficult for opponents to detect launches by solid-fuel missiles. In recent years, North Korea has reported steady advancement in its efforts to obtain nuclear-tipped missiles. Many foreign experts believe North Korea likely has missiles that can deliver nuclear strikes on all of South Korea, but it has yet to possess nuclear missiles that can travel to the mainland U.S. There are questions about whether North Korea has acquired the technology to shield warheads from the high-temperature, high-stress environment of atmospheric reentry. Many foreign analysts say North Korea also must improve altitude control and guidance systems for missiles. They say North Korea needs the ability to place multiple warheads on a single missile to defeat its rivals' missile defenses. All of North Korea's known ICBM tests, including Thursday's, have been performed at steep angles to avoid neighboring countries. South Korean military spokesperson Lee Sung Joon said Thursday that a high-angle trajectory launch cannot verify a missile's re-entry vehicle technology, though North Korea has previously claimed to have acquired that technology. Observers say that Thursday's launch, the North's first ICBM test in almost a year, was largely meant to grab American attention days before the U.S. presidential election and respond to international condemnation of North Korea's reported dispatch of troops to Russia to support Moscow's war against Ukraine. North Korea's reported troop dispatch highlights the expanding military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. South Korea. the U.S. and others worry North Korea might seek high-tech, sensitive Russian technology to perfect its nuclear and missile programs in return for joining the Russia-Ukraine war. As the dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia over sea access escalates, Ethiopia's prime minister on Thursday said his country was seeking access to the Red Sea "through peaceful means." Speaking at the parliament where he was questioned by lawmakers, Abiy Ahmed said Ethiopia has a "clear stance" on the issue. "Let the world hear today, Ethiopia maintains a clear national interest it needs Red Sea access through peaceful means," he said. "If we do not succeed, our children will," Abiy added. Somalia and Ethiopia have been involved in a heated diplomatic dispute since Addis Ababa in January signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the self-proclaimed independent republic of Somaliland, a move Somalia sees as infringing on its sovereignty. Ethiopia and Somaliland defended the MOU which, if implemented, would give Somaliland recognition from landlocked Ethiopia in return for the leasing of about 20 kilometers of seafront, according to Somaliland officials. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly last month, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said Somalia faced a "serious threat" from Ethiopia for signing a sea access deal with Somaliland. Barre said Somali ports have always been accessible for Ethiopia's legitimate commercial activities but alleged that Ethiopia has other motives. "Ethiopia's attempts to annex parts of Somalia under the guise of securing sea access are both unlawful and unnecessary," Barre said. Barre warned that Ethiopia's approach and deal with Somaliland could "embolden secessionist movements." Abiy on Thursday denied any interest in annexation. "When we signed the MOU with Somaliland, we requested a 99-year lease, but they didn't agree, and we signed a 50-year lease agreement," he said. "How can a 50-year lease be an annexation?" Abiy asked. Abiy told MPs that Ethiopia did not have any agenda in Somalia other than access to the sea. "Ethiopia is a country which has the second-largest Somali population in the world next to Somalia. They are our brothers," he said. Ethiopia has several thousand troops in Somalia helping its government in its struggle against Islamist extremists. Somalia on Tuesday expelled an Ethiopian diplomat, accusing him of engaging in "activities incompatible with his diplomatic role." Somalia did not specify the actions allegedly committed by Ali Mohamed Adan, a counselor at Ethiopia's embassy in Mogadishu, but said in a statement that they "constitute a breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations." Abiy did not comment on the expulsion of the diplomat during the session at Parliament. This story originated in VOA's Horn of Africa service. Airstrikes carried out by the U.S. military this week against several Islamic State targets in Syria highlight concerns about the terror group's growing presence in the war-torn country, experts say. U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, said Wednesday that its forces had conducted strikes on Monday targeting multiple camps belonging to IS, or ISIS, in the Syrian desert. Nearly 35 IS operatives, including senior leaders, were killed in the airstrikes, the U.S. military said. Despite its territorial defeat in 2019, IS has been carrying out attacks through sleeper cells across Iraq and Syria. In recent months, militants affiliated with the group have increasingly become active in areas controlled by forces loyal to the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad and their Iranian and Russian allies. The Syrian Desert, also known as the Badia, where the U.S. forces struck IS positions this week, has seen a significant surge in violence by IS militants in recent months. IS had maintained training camps in the Syrian desert for many years, according to Gregory Waters, a research analyst at the Counter Extremism Project who closely follows IS activities in central Syria. "These are the places where it trains the next generation of fighters often children it recruits from northeast Syria and where adult fighters can return to in between their operations," Waters told VOA. "While the central Syrian desert is under Russian and Syrian regime control, ISIS does not abide by these arbitrary lines." He added that IS cells in the central desert support the cells operating in northeast Syria, which is largely under the control of U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF. The United States has about 900 troops in northeast Syria as part of a global coalition against IS. "Oftentimes the fighters will cross from one region to the other to either conduct attacks or to escape from counter-ISIS operations," Waters said. Colin Clarke, director of research at The Soufan Group, said the U.S. strikes demonstrate that the terror group remains a significant threat in Syria. "Moreover, the Assad regime lacks either the will or the capability to counter ISIS, so the United States has remained vigilant in its efforts to keep the group on the defensive," he told VOA. "Any time you have a terrorist group with the legacy of the Islamic State, with a proven track record of being able to recruit, plan and conduct attacks, including external operations in the West, it is never a good idea to become complacent," Clarke said. "The strikes are necessary to keep ISIS from regrouping, whether in Syria or the hinterlands of Afghanistan." Abdul Wahab Assi, a researcher at the Istanbul-based Jusoor Center for Studies, said the U.S. strikes in the Syrian Desert carried a political message, as well. "It sent a message to Russia, which ostensibly operates against IS in that particular area, that it's not doing enough" to counter IS activities in Syria, he told Syria TV, a news channel affiliated with the Syrian opposition. Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced the killing of the IS leader in Iraq and eight other senior IS commanders in a joint operation by U.S. and Iraqi forces. CENTCOM said in its Wednesday statement that alongside its allies and partners in the region, it "will continue to aggressively degrade ISIS operational capabilities to ensure its enduring defeat." This story originated in VOA's Kurdish Service. A Russian former employee of the U.S. Consulate in Russia's Far Eastern city of Vladivostok has been sentenced to four years and 10 months in prison for "secret collaboration with a foreign state," Russian agencies said Friday. Robert Shonov worked for more than 25 years for the U.S. Consulate until 2021, when Moscow imposed restrictions on local staff working for foreign missions. Afterward, he worked as a private contractor compiling news accounts from publicly accessible Russian media, according to the U.S. State Department. He was arrested this year on suspicion of passing secret information about Russia's war in Ukraine to the United States in exchange for money. According to the judgment published on the website of Valdivostok's Primorye court, $4,343 and an electronic device linked to the commission of the offense were seized. In September 2023, Russia also expelled two U.S. diplomats it accused of acting as liaison agents for Shonov. According to Washington, Shonov had only been hired by the U.S. Consulate to carry out routine monitoring of freely accessible Russian media. In recent years, several U.S. citizens have been arrested and sentenced to long jail terms in Russia. Others are being held pending trial. Washington, which supports Ukraine militarily and financially against Russia's invasion, accuses Moscow of wanting to exchange them for Russians held in the United States. The United States and Russia exchanged prisoners including The Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich in a landmark swap in August, but several U.S. nationals and dual nationals remain in detention in Russia. The Two Plus Four Agreements Article 5, paragraph 3 regards the time frame following the withdrawal of the Soviet troops from Germany. However, Article 6 states that the conditions of Article 5, paragraph 3 no longer apply after Germany joins an alliance. For regular audiences of Polish public broadcaster Polskie Radio, the headlines on its website appeared strange: "The unacceptable truth: The EU will manage without Poland" and "Ukraine will stay outside of the EU." The pro-Russian, Euroskeptic narratives didn't align with the broadcaster's usual coverage. But at first glance, the website appeared legitimate. Those who looked closer saw the giveaway: The domain name of the site was polskieradio.icu. The real Polskie Radios domain is polskieradio.pl. The pro-Russian narratives were placed on a Russian cloned website one specifically designed to mislead. The incident, recorded in April, is part of a wider trend of fake websites employed in a "persistent" disinformation campaign spanning two years, according to an article published on the website of the Austria-based International Press Institute and signed by it and three other European press freedom groups. These watchdogs say Russian agents are creating false news websites that mimic reputable sources and posting fake stories to those phony sites. "Its really hard to see that its a fake website, so it really works," said Camille Magnissalis, who monitors press freedom violations for the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ). "If you dont know, you can be easily misled." The U.S. Department of Justice said in a September press release that such websites are part of "Russian government-directed foreign malign influence campaigns" informally known as "Doppelganger," after the German word for a person who is almost exactly identical to another. At the time, the Justice Department announced its "ongoing seizure" of 32 internet domains used in Doppelganger campaigns. The websites may look like trusted European media outlets but in fact mislead readers with malicious stories and propaganda. That content is often shared on social media either through advertisements or bot accounts. "Its often related to political stakes because they want to influence people," Magnissalis told VOA. "In the end, these stories are integrated into the media landscape and have impact." The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) consortium described the Russian disinformation campaign in its biannual media monitoring report covering the first half of 2024. European press freedom watchdogs, including EFJ and IPI, make up the consortium. In 2023, fake articles made up most of the content on the phony websites, according to the MFRR report. This year, most attacks have involved artificial intelligence, or AI, either as deepfake images or fake audio clips of well-known journalists. Such content destabilizes trust in the news and creates a "climate of chaos" for European news readers, according to the report. The domains for these fake websites were purchased through cryptocurrency transactions, obscuring the identity of the purchaser. The crypto wallets used were associated with Russia, according to the IPI article. "They use really refined techniques to mask the fact that theyre trying to misinform anyone," said Karol Luczka, IPI's Eastern Europe monitoring and advocacy officer. "They try to make sure nobody realizes that Russia is doing this." The Russian operation has targeted Ukraine, Poland and Germany. It targeted France ahead of its presidential elections last summer, spoofing the website of the French daily Le Monde. The Russian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to VOAs request for comment. Although the campaign is widespread throughout Europe, doppelganger websites first started appearing in Ukraine, attempting to manipulate the public's opinion of the Russia-Ukraine war, Luczka said. According to Luczka, the false stories on those sites primarily pushed one of three narratives: that Ukraine is losing the war, that Ukraine is running out of resources, or that the Ukrainian government is corrupt. Before 2022, in Ukraine Russia had primarily published disinformation in the Russian language. The modern-day doppelganger campaign, however, adapts its language to the targeted country. This difference makes audiences much more likely to believe what they are reading, Luczka told VOA. "Russian disinformation tactics are becoming more subtle and more refined," he said. "That means they are also becoming more efficient, sadly and worryingly." Facebook has been crucial to the popularization of these websites and their false information, Luczka said, adding that it is one of the main social media platforms where Ukrainians receive news. Around 54% of the Ukrainian population uses Facebook, according to data collected by the World Population Review. This creates a challenge for big tech companies like Meta, Facebook's owner, Magnissalis of EFJ said. These platforms have a responsibility to monitor the disinformation posted to their website, she said, including that coming from Russian actors. "They just create fake accounts and spread links to those websites everywhere," Magnissalis said. "It's not new, but it is problematic." The death toll from historic flash floods in Spain climbed to least 205 people Friday, with many more believed to be missing, as the initial shock gave way to anger, frustration and a wave of solidarity. Spanish emergency authorities said 202 of the victims were in the Valencia region, and officials warned that more rain was expected in the next days. The damage from the storm Tuesday and Wednesday recalled the aftermath of a tsunami, with survivors left to pick up the pieces as they mourned loved ones lost in Spains deadliest natural disaster in living memory. Many streets were still blocked by piled-up vehicles and debris, in some cases trapping residents in their homes. Some places still dont have electricity, running water or stable telephone connections. The situation is unbelievable. Its a disaster and there is very little help, said Emilio Cuartero, a resident of Masanasa, on the outskirts of Valencia. We need machinery, cranes, so that the sites can be accessed. We need a lot of help. And bread and water. In Chiva, residents were busy Friday clearing debris from mud-filled streets. The Valencian town received more rain in eight hours on Tuesday than it had in the preceding 20 months, and water overflowed a gully that crosses the town, tearing up roads and walls of houses. Mayor Amparo Fort told RNE radio, Entire houses have disappeared. We dont know if there were people inside or not." So far 205 bodies have been recovered 202 in Valencia, two in the Castilla La Mancha region and one more in Andalusia. Members of the security forces and soldiers are busy searching for an unknown number of missing people, many feared to still be trapped in wrecked vehicles or flooded garages. I have been there all my life, all my memories are there, my parents lived there ... and now in one night it is all gone, Chiva resident Juan Vicente Perez told The Associated Press near the place he lost his home. If we had waited five more minutes, we would not be here in this world. Before-and-after satellite images of the city of Valencia illustrated the scale of the catastrophe, showing the transformation of the Mediterranean metropolis into a landscape inundated with muddy waters. The V-33 highway was completely covered in the brown of a thick layer of mud. The tragedy has unleashed a wave of local solidarity. Residents in communities such as Paiporta where at least 62 people died and Catarroja have been walking kilometers in sticky mud to Valencia to get supplies, passing neighbors from unaffected areas who are bringing water, essential products and shovels or brooms to help remove the mud. The number of people coming to help is so high that the authorities have asked them not to drive there because they block the roads needed by the emergency services. In addition to the contributions of volunteers, associations such as the Red Cross and town councils are distributing food. And as authorities repeat over and over, more storms are expected. The Spanish weather agency issued alerts for strong rains in Tarragona and Catalonia, as well as part of the Balearic Islands. Meanwhile, flood survivors and volunteers are engaged in the titanic task of clearing an omnipresent layer of dense mud. The storm cut power and water services on Tuesday night, but about 85% of 155,000 affected customers had their power back on by Friday, the utility said in a statement. This is a disaster. There are a lot of elderly people who dont have medicine. There are children who dont have food. We dont have milk, we dont have water. We have no access to anything, a resident of Alfafar, one of the most affected towns in south Valencia, told state television station TVE. No one even came to warn us on the first day. Juan Ramon Adsuara, the mayor of Alfafar, said the aid isn't nearly enough for residents trapped in an extreme situation. There are people living with corpses at home. Its very sad. We are organizing ourselves, but we are running out of everything," he told reporters. "We go with vans to Valencia, we buy, and we come back, but here we are totally forgotten. Rushing water turned narrow streets into death traps and spawned rivers that tore through homes and businesses, leaving many uninhabitable. Some shops have been looted, and the authorities have arrested 50 people. Social networks have channeled the needs of those affected. Some posted images of missing people in the hope of getting information about their whereabouts, while others launched initiatives such as Suport Mutu or Mutual Support which connects requests for help with people who are offering it. Others organized collections of basic goods throughout the country or launched fundraisers. BEIRUT, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Human Rights Office voiced concern on Friday regarding the severe civilian impact of Israeli military operations in Lebanon, with a focus on damage to religious and cultural landmarks. According to the UN office, since last October, Israel has destroyed or heavily damaged at least 10 mosques and churches. It emphasized that under international law, attacks on religious sites are prohibited. Expressing further concern over strikes near the UNESCO-listed ancient temple complex in Baalbek, the UN noted that international humanitarian law mandates the protection of civilian sites, except where military use is confirmed. Even in such cases, it underscored, attacks must be proportionate and executed with caution. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN special coordinator for Lebanon, also warned on social media of risks to Lebanon's heritage sites in Tyre and Baalbek, home to UNESCO-designated Roman ruins. "Lebanon's cultural heritage must not become another casualty in this devastating conflict," she stated. Hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah escalated on Friday as Israeli airstrikes targeted southern Beirut and resumed assaults on Baalbek's eastern regions at noon. Heavy clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces also erupted near Khiam, where Israeli air and artillery bombardments met with Hezbollah's retaliatory attacks on Israeli military positions. Hezbollah claimed it had carried out 63 operations within three days, targeting sites as far as near Tel Aviv. The Israel-Hezbollah conflict, part of the broader Gaza-centered Israel-Hamas war, has intensified since Sept. 23 with ongoing exchanges of fire along the Lebanese-Israeli border. The navigation systems of thousands of passenger aircraft are being disrupted every day as they fly close to conflict zones, according to researchers, who warn that the blocking or spoofing technology could one day put lives at risk. There has been a big increase over the past two years in the use of electronic warfare technology, which is frequently used to disrupt drones or missiles that use global positioning system or other satellite navigation technology to home in on their targets. However, the blocking or spoofing of GPS signals also affects commercial aircraft, explained Raphael Monstein, a research associate at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland. Spoofing is when an actor sends out malicious signals to all the receivers that are in the coverage area. And it tricks the receiver into believing that it is in a different position than it actually is. And particularly in aviation, that has quite some consequences, which can be quite negative, he told VOA. It has a lot of side effects in the cockpit, and they can range from spurious warnings obviously the loss of situational awareness because you're not quite sure when your GPS indicates you're somewhere else. You can have very different reactions of the aircraft, depending a bit on the aircraft type, Monstein said. Conflict zones Monstein and his team in Zurich track GPS interference of civilian aircraft in real time and publish it on an online map. They have detected a big increase in such incidents since the beginning of the year. And they are mainly around conflict zones. One of them would be the Middle East. One would be the Black Sea and around Russia, he said. We talk about on an average day about 1,000 aircraft at least being affected by that. And that is a very big scale. That is novel. We haven't seen that kind of [interference] anywhere in the world so far. Commercial aircraft The disruption isnt only happening above war zones. In April, Finnair, Finlands national carrier, suspended flights to Tartu in eastern Estonia near Russia after GPS disruptions prevented two aircraft from landing at the airport. Finnair resumed the flights in June after the airport installed navigation systems that do not rely on GPS. Experts say most airports have such alternative equipment already installed. Finnair previously reported similar problems when flying close to the Finland-Russia border and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The interference began in 2022, the year Finland applied to join NATO, after Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February of that year. At the time, Estonias defense minister said it was a deliberate Russian tactic. We all understand that these hybrid attacks are still very acute. We have to be ready also for these, Hanno Pevkur told reporters on May 15. Russia denies seeking to disrupt GPS signals of commercial aircraft. Passenger dangers How dangerous is GPS disruption for air travelers? It's not that an aircraft is going to fall out of the sky because it loses its GPS signal, Monstein explained. There are a lot of systems in aviation that were built in for a reason, and one of them is, for example, the ground proximity warning system. And if you have to deselect that one because it gives you spurious warnings, it chips away on the safety margins, and that is not good. And in the long run, there can be a high risk for something to happen, he added. GPS blocking and spoofing also affects navigation systems on the ground. Residents of Moscow have recently complained of malfunctioning smartphone applications, such as map, taxi-hailing or food delivery apps. Experts have linked the disruption to Russian attempts to defend against Ukrainian drone attacks. Moscow has not commented on the issue. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump sued CBS News on Thursday over an interview of Vice President Kamala Harris that aired on the network's "60 Minutes" news program this month. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in the Northern District of Texas, alleged that the network aired two different responses from Harris responding to a question about the Israel-Hamas war. The version that aired during the "60 Minutes" program on October 6 did not include what the lawsuit referred to as a "word salad" response from Harris about the Biden administration's influence on Israel's conduct of the war. The lawsuit follows Trump's threats to revoke CBS's broadcasting license if elected. Trump's campaign and office did not immediately reply to VOA's email requesting comment. The suit called for a jury trial and about $10 billion in damages, the filing showed. It alleges violations of a Texas law that prohibits deceptive acts in the conduct of business. A CBS News spokesperson told VOA that "Trump's repeated claims against 60 Minutes are false" and that the interview was not doctored. "60 MINUTES fairly presented" the interview "to inform the viewing audience, and not to mislead it," the spokesperson said in an email. "The lawsuit Trump has brought today against CBS is completely without merit and we will vigorously defend against it." In a statement earlier this month, CBS said "60 Minutes" gave an excerpt of the Harris interview to "Face the Nation" that used a longer section of her answer than what was aired on "60 Minutes." "Same question. Same answer. But a different portion of the response," the statement said. "The portion of her answer on '60 Minutes' was more succinct, which allows time for other subjects in a wide-ranging, 21-minute-long segment." And in a letter to Trump's legal counsel earlier this month, CBS said Trump has no legal basis to sue over the interview, CNN reported. Trump had also agreed to give an interview to "60 Minutes" before ultimately backing out. Clayton Weimers, the head of the U.S. office of Reporters Without Borders, dismissed the lawsuit as a publicity stunt. "The lawsuit itself looks like a publicity stunt, but it reinforces the very real threats that Trump has issued to use the U.S. government to punish media outlets he doesn't like should he regain the White House," Weimers told VOA. Some information for this report came from Reuters. In the run-up to the presidential election, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris campaign has increased its outreach to Arab and Muslim Americans, particularly in battleground state Michigan. But it is her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, who has made surprising gains with this group that makes up a significant portion of voters angry about President Joe Biden's policies on the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. On Friday, Trump visited a cafe in Dearborn, Michigan, a city dubbed the Arab capital of America, in a state home to almost 400,000 Arab Americans. Many of them have expressed determination to punish Harris over the Biden administrations support for Israel. "We have a great feeling for Lebanon, and I know so many people from Lebanon, the Lebanese people," Trump said in response to a reporter asking him for the reason of his visit. "The Muslim population, they're liking Trump, and I've had a good relationship with them. This is it. This is where they are, Dearborn. But we want their votes, and we're looking for their votes, and I think we'll get their votes." Trump's visit is a continuation of his outreach to the Arab and Muslim community that has resulted in endorsements from leaders of two nearby Michigan cities that, while tiny, carry symbolic importance. Bill Bazzi, the first Muslim and Arab American mayor of Dearborn Heights, and Amer Ghalib, the Yemeni American mayor of Hamtramck, the only U.S. city with an all-Muslim city council, have both endorsed the Republican candidate. My meeting with President Trump was positive, and we hope that he can change the current situation, Ghalib told VOA. He said he doesn't want wars, and he will listen to our concerns. Three of the six members of the Hamtramck City Council followed Ghalibs endorsement and the rest endorsed Harris a split that reflects the communitys polarized views of the candidates. Harris has answered this question many times that she is going to work with Gaza. Shes going to be fair with people of Gaza, council member Mohammed Alsomiri told VOA. Trump, I don't believe him, and I don't trust him. Imam endorses Trump The former president has been courting the group intensively. At a rally last week in the Detroit suburb of Novi, about a half hour drive from Dearborn, he said Muslim and Arab voters "want a stop to the endless wars and a return to peace in the Middle East. That's all they want." Trump was joined onstage by what his campaign described as prominent leaders of Michigans Muslim community, including Imam Belal Alzuhairi of the Great Mosque of Hamtramck. We, as Muslims, stand with President Trump because he promises peace, not war! said Alzuhairi. This despite Trump suggesting that he would give Israels military offensives against Hamas and Hezbollah more leeway, telling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a recent call to do what you have to do. He often boasts he will end the wars in the Middle East in 24 hours, without explaining how. As president, Trump in 2017 called for a total and complete shutdown on Muslims, banning individuals from six Muslim-majority countries from entering, a policy that activists said was cruel, inhumane, and violated international law. The Trump campaign has not responded to VOAs queries on outreach to the community. Harris' outreach On the anniversary of Hamas October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, 25 Muslim leaders released an open letter telling Muslim voters that backing Harris far outweighs the harms of the other options. The Harris campaign says it has been "working hard" to engage the community. The vice president met with a small group of leaders in Detroit, Michigan, in August, shortly after she became the Democratic nominee, and with leaders in Flint, Michigan, in early October. She has had one other meeting since then with Black imams and community leaders in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, another key swing state. The Harris campaign said it is working hard to engage the community. The vice president met twice with a small group of leaders in Michigan, in Detroit in August shortly after she became the Democratic nominee and in Flint in early October. She has had one other meeting since then, with Black imams and community leaders in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, another key swing state. Afghan American Nasrina Bargzie and Egyptian American Brenda Abdelal, two lawyers spearheading Muslim and Arab outreach for the Harris campaign, have met with groups in Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Minnesota, Arizona and Nevada, the Harris campaign told VOA. Phil Gordon, Harris' national security adviser, met virtually in early October with leaders across the country, the campaign said. But many of these meetings have been with friendlier groups, suggesting that they were not aimed at changing hearts and minds. Gordons meeting excluded major Muslim and Arab organizations as well as pro-Palestinian activist groups and was more of a check the box engagement, according to James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, who participated in the eight-person meeting. Governor Tim Walz, Harris vice presidential pick, has had one engagement with Arab and Muslim Americans, an October virtual meeting with Emgage Action, the political arm of an 18-year-old Muslim American advocacy group, which already endorsed the Democratic presidential candidate in September. Third-party candidates While polls suggest Arab Americans' and Muslim Americans' support for Trump is unlikely to surpass their support of Harris' they also show that third-party candidates could pull a significant portion of votes from her. In Michigan, Green Party candidate Jill Stein has been campaigning on a platform to "end the genocide." A poll released Friday by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, the nations largest Muslim advocacy organization, showed that 29.4% of American Muslims plan to vote for Harris, 29.1% for Stein, and 11.2% for Trump. More than 16% remain undecided. The numbers suggest an improvement for Harris and Trump among the group. Before Bidens withdrawal, CAIRs poll showed Biden received 7.3% support and Trump 4.9%. Compared to Biden, Harris has been more vocal in expressing sympathy for Palestinians and calling out Israel to follow humanitarian law. She has also addressed the suffering in Lebanon and announced $157 million in assistance from the administration. At a Harris rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this week, Assad Turfe, an Arab American official from nearby Wayne County, said that Harris is a leader who will give voice to our pain. But in that rally, Harris was heckled by pro-Palestinian protesters, as she has been in other campaign events. "Hey, guys, I hear you," she said. "We all want this war to end as soon as possible." A candidate must secure a minimum of 270 out of 538 Electoral College votes to win. With 16 Electoral College votes, Michigan could tip the balance in what is expected to be a close election. Biden won the state in 2020 by 154,000 votes. In 2016, Trump won the state over Hillary Clinton by just under 11,000 votes. The Israel-Hamas war in Gaza has been a divisive issue among the community. At a Dearborn news conference announcing Arab American leaders endorsement for Harris earlier this week, a group of anti-Harris Arab Americans confronted them, calling them traitors. Ronald Stockton, a professor emeritus at the University of Michigan-Dearborn who has studied the community for decades, said he had never seen such polarization. "There will be permanent scars left behind," Stockton told VOA. "Like battlefield scars that remain decades after the war ends." VOA's Iram Abbasi contributed to this report. Turkey is seeing a boom in winemaking, with hundreds of new producers emerging over the last few years. The trend runs counter the Islamist, conservative policies of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that have included restrictions and taxes on alcohol. Dorian Jones reports from Manisa, Turkey. Americans who head to the polls on November 5 not only are deciding who will be president, they are voting for thousands of local and state officials. In Texas' Fort Bend County, outside Houston, two Pakistani Americans are vying for the position of constable. Incumbent Democrat Nabil Shike is being challenged by Republican newcomer Ali Sheikhani. VOA Urdu's Iram Abbasi's reports from Houston. As North Korean troops prepare to join Russian forces in the war on Ukraine, Kyiv is stepping up a psychological warfare campaign to target the North Korean soldiers, a high-ranking Ukraine official said. The effort is liable to get a boost from a team of South Korean military observers that Seouls defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, said this week will be going to Ukraine to watch and analyze the North Korean troops on the battlefield. Last week, the Ukrainian military intelligence service-run project "I Want to Live" released a Korean-language video message on YouTube and X. The project also posted a Korean-language text message on Telegram. The messages urged North Korean soldiers to surrender, arguing that they do not have to "meaninglessly die on the land of another country." It also offered to provide food, shelters and medical services. Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the Center for Combating Disinformation under Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, told VOA Ukrainian on Wednesday that "in the future, additional videos featuring North Koreans will be published." "The North Koreans will undergo training in modern warfare and then be used in actual combat," Kovalenko said. "We (the Center for Combating Disinformation) are actively involved in identifying the individuals who have arrived and the units they are joining, as well as gathering evidence of their presence in Russia, their likely participation in combat against the Ukrainian army, and their presence in temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine." Influence campaign Ukraine has been running similar psychological operations toward the Russian soldiers since the beginning of the Russian invasion, U.S. experts said. "Ukraine has been doing that with the Russians early on in the war," Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation, told VOA Korean on the phone Thursday. "They got a lot of Russians to defect, and I suspect they will try to do the same things with the North Koreans." Bennett added that drones can also be used for sending messages in leaflets and in audio form to North Korean soldiers in the war zone. David Maxwell, a former U.S. Special Forces colonel who served on the Combined Forces Command of the U.S and South Korea, said this could be "a great opportunity" to learn how to employ psychological tactics on North Korean forces in the time of war. "Bombing and gunfire doesnt happen 24/7," he told VOA Korean by phone on Wednesday. "Military operations are also characterized by large amounts of boredom and inactivity, where soldiers are waiting for something to happen, and this is the time when loudspeakers and leaflets can really have an effect, because those messages give them something to think about." Earlier this week, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed in a phone call "to intensify the intelligence and expertise exchange" and "to develop an action strategy and a list of countermeasures," according to a statement released by the Ukrainian presidential office. Some experts in South Korea said the team of South Korean military observers headed to Ukraine will likely include psychological warfare strategists who can offer advice to the Ukrainian officials. Cho Han-bum, a senior research fellow at the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification, said psychological warfare could be a real threat to the North Korean army. "In the case of North Korean soldiers, they now have been mobilized for a war without any justification," he told VOA Korean by phone on Tuesday. "It is hardly likely that they have a strong will or high morale." South Koreas role Cho said the South Korean government can help Ukraine develop psychological tactics against North Korean soldiers, since the country "has the know-how of a long-term psychological war with North Korea." Ban Kil-joo is a senior research professor at Korea Universitys Ilmin International Relations Institute. He told VOA Korean in a phone interview Tuesday that psychological warfare could help weaken the military cohesiveness between Russia and North Korea. "The Ukrainians don't know much about North Korea, dont understand the North Korean culture, as we do," Ban said. "We can provide indirect support in a more social sense, rather than military or operational support." Ban added that it is important for the South Korean team to be "well-integrated with the Ukrainian forces through its supporting role," to achieve the desired political and operational effect of a psychological campaign. Other experts, however, are not convinced that psychological warfare will be effective to persuade North Korean soldiers to surrender. Mykola Polishchuk, a Ukrainian author who wrote the book Northern Korea in Simple Words, said Ukraines counterpropaganda will not work with North Korean soldiers. "As for North Koreans, they are not particularly politicized," Polishchuk told VOA Ukrainian. "These individuals have little interest in politics." Robert Rapson, a former charge d'affaires and deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul from 2018 to 2021, told VOA Korean that South Korea should carefully make a decision about whether to be engaged in Ukraines psychological warfare. "If the ROK [Republic of Korea] does decide to deploy technical personnel to Ukraine to solely monitor and help advise the Ukraine military on matters related to North Korean troops deployed to the region, they would need to ensure they do not acquire, inadvertently or otherwise, status as combatants," he said. "There are, of course, clear risks to ROK personnel whether theyre combatants or not." Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has deepened military ties with North Korea. North Korea has exported dozens of ballistic missiles and more than 18,000 containers of munitions and munitions-related material to Russia since the invasion, according to the U.S. State Department. In June, the two countries signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement mandating immediate military assistance if either of them is attacked by a third country. VOA Koreans Kim Hyungjin contributed to this report. Most of the North Korean troops sent to Russia are now deployed near the Ukrainian border and are expected to join the fight against Ukraine in the coming days, according to top U.S. and South Korean diplomats and military officials. We now assess that there are some 10,000 North Korean soldiers in total in Russia, and the most recent information indicates that as many as 8,000 of those North Korean forces have been deployed to the Kursk region, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday. Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin co-hosted South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun in Washington on Thursday to discuss pressing security threats as they closely monitor North Korea's deployment of thousands of troops to Russia. Our assessment is that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's forces have trained these North Korean soldiers in artillery operations, UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] operations and basic infantry operations, Austin said during a joint press conference. He also noted that Putin has provided the North Korean troops with Russian uniforms and equipment, and all of that strongly indicates that Russia intends to use these foreign forces in front-line operations in its war of choice against Ukraine, Austin added. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, over half a million Russian troops have been killed or wounded, according to U.S. officials. Facing an estimated 1,200 casualties daily, Russia is now turning to North Korea, a pariah state, to bolster its forces. While Russia has used foreign volunteers and mercenaries in the Ukraine war, the current deployment marks the first time in 100 years that Russia has invited regular forces of another nation onto its soil. Should these North Korean troops engage in combat or combat support operations against Ukraine, they would become legitimate military targets, U.S. officials said. In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is in talks with North Korea to deploy a "large number of civilians" to work at Russian weapons production facilities. Zelenskyy said he plans to discuss air defense assistance with South Korea. Western nations have also expressed concerns about what North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's regime will get in return from Moscow for its troops. North Korea is under international sanctions for its illicit nuclear and ballistic missile programs. No evidence of Russian technology Earlier Thursday, North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time in nearly a year, demonstrating a potential advancement in its ability to launch long-range nuclear attacks on the mainland U.S. It prompted swift condemnation from South Korea, Japan and the United States, which accused Pyongyang of raising tensions and risking the destabilization of regional security. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated through a spokesperson that North Korea's missile launches using ballistic technology violate U.N. Security Council resolutions. South Korea announced it would impose new sanctions on North Korea, including export controls on materials essential for producing solid-fuel missiles. Its very early in our assessment phase, and we don't see any indication at this point that there was Russian involvement, said Austin. Meanwhile, visiting South Korean officials in Washington noted that, although they cannot confirm Russian technical support in North Korea's latest ICBM launch, they remain concerned about the potential transfer of technology and arms from Russia to North Korea. Through a translator, Foreign Minister Cho told reporters, We also need to watch what kind of quid pro quo the DPRK will receive from Russia before deciding on weapons support to Ukraine. Currently, we're not in a position to share the specifics, he added. Cho was referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name. The South Korean government indicated it would consider sending weapons for defense and attack and may also dispatch military and intelligence personnel to Ukraine to analyze North Korean battlefield tactics and assist in interrogations of captured North Koreans. U.S. officials said additional security assistance for Ukraine will be announced soon, with continued support from over 50 countries to strengthen Ukraine's defense in the coming months. Chinas silence Washington and Seoul also urged Beijing to use its influence over Pyongyang to curb North Koreas provocative activities. This week, senior U.S. officials engaged in a robust conversation with Chinese officials, according to Blinken. He voiced alarm about Russia's possible efforts to strengthen North Korea's military capabilities, which should be a real concern to China because it's profoundly destabilizing in the region. Through a translator, Defense Minister Kim told reporters, China still continues to be silent, noting that a clearer assessment is that Beijing is watching and waiting. However, if the situation worsens, China may intervene, either as a mediator or in some other capacity. There will be a point where the interests of China will be violated, and it is at that point that China will begin to play a certain role, Kim added. Domestic instability Some experts suggest that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is facing domestic instability. Although he has managed to alleviate some of these issues by securing money and food from Russia through the sale of munitions, his dwindling stockpiles have led him to shift to selling soldiers as a new source of revenue. "The Russians are running 1,200 casualties a day in their fight in Ukraine," said Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation. "If they use the North Koreans the same way likely they will there are going to be massive casualties in the North Korean forces." "This is a really dire development for the [North Korean] families whose kids have been sent to Ukraine. There could be some real instability that's generated by his action, Bennett told VOA. VOA reporter Kim Lewis contributed to this report. Moldova's Constitutional Court on Thursday validated the results of last month's referendum, formally recognizing the country's decision to join the European Union. The "yes" result, however, was an incredibly close one, much closer than polls had predicted, and the road toward EU membership for Moldova is not expected to be smooth either. Supporters of the measure attribute the much closer than expected result to Russian meddling in the run-up to the vote held on October 20, together with the presidential election. Both campaigns were marred by massive Russian disinformation and an alleged vote-buying scheme said to have cost the Kremlin tens of millions of dollars. Some have described an atmosphere of bitterness and division with unprecedented mud-slinging and "hate speech," including ethnic slurs and fascist tropes, leaving the country, some would say, dangerously divided. The top two presidential candidates, incumbent pro-Europe President Maia Sandu and pro-Kremlin former prosecutor general Alexandr Stoianoglo, face a run-off vote on Sunday. "I hope that the pro-European forces, that Maia Sandu will win elections, but I am worried that this victory will be achieved with a small margin," Ludmila Barba, host of Moldovan program The European Vector, told VOA. "That was the case with the referendum. And this state of affairs means that this antagonism in society will remain." Moldova is a parliamentary republic and those elections will take place next year. Right now, the government is controlled by Sandu's PAS party, but some predict it could lose control next year. Analysts expect Moldova will remain a battleground for hearts, minds and political allegiances for some time to come and Moscow is no doubt poised to further exploit divisions. It has been throwing its weight around Moldova since the collapse of the USSR but has been honing its meddling technique since last year's local elections. "It was like a bootcamp for them [the Kremlin] for interference and then they scaled it," Orysia Lutsevych, deputy director of the Russia and Eurasia Program at London's Chatham House, told VOA. "They've seen what worked and that was vote-buying, trying to put eggs in different baskets but underneath it all, having influence, having them on the payroll of Russia." The most audacious part of the scheme was the participation of fugitive Russia-based oligarch Ilan Shor, who was convicted in 2017 of banking fraud in Moldova. He is accused of buying off a network of up to 300,000 Moldovans, paying them to vote against Europe in last month's referendum. "They have been paid for their activity, from the equivalent of 50 euros a month and up. It's not big money, but when you take into account the complicated economic and social situation in Moldova, for people with a low income, these 50 euros are important," Barba said. President Sandu called out the scheme but was unable to stop it. Moldovan runoff follows Georgia election Moldova's runoff comes on the heels of a hotly disputed victory for Georgia's pro-Russian Georgian Dream party. Georgia's opposition-aligned president, Salome Zourabichvili, declared the results illegitimate, describing a "Russian Special Operation" to undermine the vote and she is fighting back, at this point, with uncertain effect. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE]) has noted voter intimidation, ballot stuffing and bribery in Georgia, but Moscow claims its hands are clean. Regardless of the ultimate outcome, the showing by the pro-Russian party is a dramatic turn for a country that had full-blown war with Russia in 2008. "I would never have imagined Russia or a Russian agenda having such a strong comeback in Georgia. There was for a while so much open hatred toward Russia, that anything suspected to be related to Russia would immediately be rejected," Lutsevych said. "This is where Russians are smart in how they play the subversion game. They are not openly saying this is a Russian agenda." The recent passage in Georgia of a "Foreign Agent" law, an act clearly inspired by Moscow, got the EU to pause further discussion about bringing Georgia into the bloc. And the conduct of last week's elections was to be another "litmus test" for Brussels on Tbilisi's readiness to join. While there may be clever, forward-thinking manipulation on the part of Moscow, Barba says one cannot ignore the effect of the immediate raw rage coming from the Kremlin. "This is the first election since the Russian aggression in Ukraine began. The situation is more complicated because Russia is furious that it didn't manage to take Ukraine in three days and that makes it more aggressive," she says. "Since it was not able to clinch victory in Ukraine, it is going after smaller ones in Georgia and Moldova to prove or assert its status." For the people of Moldova, fear has become the main theme of the elections. Barba points out that the pro-Russian side has said that if Moldova stays close to Russia, "the country will be safe. That Ukraine has war because they went toward the EU." "That narrative is going around. And thepro-Europeans say if we end up with Russia, we will have war, we will be dragged in. Both sides are trying to say that the other option could lead to war." According to Lutsevych, fear can ultimately drown out Sandu's main message that Moldova can have a brighter future with Europe. And this is taking its toll on some young members of Sandu's team. "They don't feel it's a fair game. They don't feel they can win against that. It's so powerful. It's hard to compete when someone like Russia fuels anger, fear, and you have to compete on a positive agenda." Still, getting into Europe is a fight in itself and Lutsevych praises Sandu for taking up that fight. And the nature of this election campaign, she concludes, has put Moldova more front and center on Europe's agenda and perhaps put enhanced focus on what Russia is doing on the sidelines of the Ukraine war. Whoever U.S. voters choose as their next president former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris the election has global implications, with the probability it will affect other economies, foreign conflicts and personal freedoms, analysts told VOA. South African independent political analyst Asanda Ngoasheng said the winner could usher in policies that affect ordinary people in Africa. I hope that as Americans vote, theyre aware that whatever decision they make, its going to determine the future of not only America but the rest of the world, she said. How we engage with issues of termination of pregnancy, how we engage with issues of LGBT rights, how we engage with issues of race and racism will be determined by this election, not just for America but for everyone else and everywhere else in the world, Ngoasheng continued. The abortion issue is a particularly divisive topic for U.S. Republicans and Democrats. While the United States is the largest funder of global reproductive health programs, Trump slashed that funding during his presidency by extending a policy that barred U.S. aid from going to any organization that supported abortion. Experts said they believe that a second Trump presidency would likely do that again and could negatively affect PEPFAR, the U.S.s key HIV/AIDS program. Trade is another key area in which analysts think Harris and Trump would differ, given Trumps America first policy. African governments hope that next year the U.S. will renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act, a Clinton-era policy that gives countries duty-free access to the U.S. market. Ray Hartley, research director of South African Brenthurst Foundation think tank, does not have high hopes for a second Trump presidency. I think that a Trump presidency would reinforce Americas isolationist approach in international affairs, and that might not be good for trade, he said. Other analysts said they believe general U.S. policy toward Africa wont differ radically regardless of who wins. They said that while Africa was often neglected in terms of U.S. foreign policy, that has shifted in recent years amid renewed competition with Russia and China on the resource-rich continent. Moscow has strengthened military ties with many African governments, while U.S. troops have been kicked out of Niger and Chad. Beijing, meanwhile, is Africas largest trade partner and has been building infrastructure throughout the continent. Ebenezer Obadare, senior fellow for Africa studies at U.S. research organization Council on Foreign Relations, said, Insofar as the United States is intent on competing with those powers in Africa, keeping its old alliances and building new ones, I dont think one administration is likely to differ much from another, strictly in terms of their Africa policy. As vice president, Harris traveled to the continent, where she pushed President Joe Bidens line that the U.S. was all in on Africa. The Biden administration also started holding an annual U.S.-African leaders summit. And, as it increases competition with China, the current administration has also undertaken funding the biggest U.S. infrastructure project in Africa in generations: the Lobito corridor, a railway connecting Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo that will be used to transport critical minerals. Biden was forced to reschedule a promised visit to Africa and is now expected in Angola in December. The choice of country has been criticized by some for what they say is Angola's shoddy human rights record. Trump's signature initiative involving the continent was creating Prosper Africa, a U.S. agency designed to assist American companies doing business in Africa. However, he also offended many Africans during his first term, using a derogatory term to refer to countries on the continent and mispronouncing Namibias name. More recently he raised ire by comparing himself to South African icon Nelson Mandela. Analysts said that while Harris and Trump have generally ignored Africa over the course of their campaigns, whoever becomes America's next president would do well to keep up engagement with the continent, which boasts the world's youngest population. By Mqondisi Dube GABORONE, BOTSWANA Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi is defending the countrys electoral body amid criticism of its preparedness as voting began Wednesday. Critics said some polling stations opened late, there werent enough stations to handle the number of voters, and lines were long. Masisi, who is seeking a second and final term, told journalists after casting his vote in his home village of Moshupa, southwest of Gaborone, that he is confident of victory. The election will determine the makeup of parliament, and lawmakers will later elect the president. Masisi also said he was content with the conduct of the Independent Electoral Commission, which has faced criticism from opposition parties on how it has handled the pre-election period. He said any appearance that the IEC is not independent of his executive branch is really almost cosmetic, explaining that the government budget process requires the executive branch to present a budget on behalf of all other areas of the government, including the judiciary. Some are suggesting for the IEC to be independent, Masisi said, [that] they must go to parliament to present [their own] budget. But they are not members of parliament. How do you get an independent body to account to politicians? Voting began with some polling stations opening late. IEC spokesperson Osupile Maroba acknowledged the difficulties but said they were resolved early enough to allow voters to cast their ballots. On the eve of the election, opposition parties took the IEC to court, questioning the electoral commissions readiness. Maroba said the parties were within their rights to seek the intervention of the courts. We are dealing with a sensitive emotive process that will always bring about complaints, Maroba said. It will bring about challenges that will lead to going to the courts. As the laws of Botswana allow, anybody who is not happy with a process has a way to try and seek redress. Meanwhile, Masisi said the time spent at the polling stations could be improved through a digital voting system. Some voters were at the polling stations as early as 4 a.m. One voter, Mosedi Kenosi, said he ran out of patience due to the slow process. Maybe I will go back later, he said. The process has been slow. I waited for more than three hours to vote. The verification process takes forever, which discourages voters. The elections come as the country faces an economic downturn due to weak global diamond sales. The opposition has criticized Masisis party, the Botswana Democratic Party, for failing to provide solutions. Polling stations were expected to close at 7 p.m., with early results expected Thursday morning. This story includes information from The Associated Press. MOGADISHU, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) began operations on Friday in the country, succeeding the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), a UN official said. UN Secretary-General's Acting Special Representative for Somalia James Swan reaffirmed the world body's commitment to the government and people of Somalia in building a strong country and a better future. "We look forward to working together as partners throughout this planned two-year transitional mission, as Somalia further reinforces national ownership and self-reliance," Swan said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. The UNTMIS was established following the UN Security Council's adoption of resolution 2753 (2024) on Wednesday, which was in line with the request of the Somali government. In the resolution, the Security Council established the UNTMIS with a focus on priority areas critical to Somalia's needs. The UNTMIS said that from the start of its mandate, it will undertake a phased transition of functions to Somali institutions, the United Nations country team, and other stakeholders. Other priorities of the UNTMIS include supporting Somalia in the area of state-building including the constitutional review process and efforts to conduct free and fair elections, promotion and protection of human rights, rule of law, justice, corrections and security sector support. I had previously mentioned efforts on bringing public emergency and weather alerts to free software and free infrastructure, which was also my initial motivation to work on push notifications. With that moving forward its time to explain a bit more whats happening there. FOSS Public Alert Server As part of the initial push notification work I had written a simple prototype server which aggregates alerts from about a hundred countries and allows clients to subscribe to be notified about alerts in a given area of interest. With the push notification client and server parts for KDE released and deployed, thats now the next thing to tackle. After teaming up with FOSS Warn (a free alternative to the proprietary emergency and weather alert apps in Germany), who need the same kind of infrastructure theres now even NLnet funding to turn this into production-ready software. Work is going to happen in this repository on KDEs Gitlab instance, and can be followed on this Mastodon account. Public emergency alert push notification. Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) For this to scale globally we need standardized data models, data formats and protocols. And thankfully those exist in form of OASIS Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) since many years and are widely in use. CAP describes an XML format for alert messages, covering categorization, severity, certainty, urgency, affected area, and multi-lingual descriptions and instructions. Build on top of that are CAP feeds, which are basically RSS or Atom feeds of CAP alert messages. Theres also a bunch of national- or agency-specific profiles which for example define additional information elements or specify the use of existing fields more precisely for their use-case. From a technical point of view none of that is particularly challenging, we already have support for CAP alerts in KWeatherCore for example. CAP is widespread for internal use in various international, national or sub-national emergency warning systems, for connecting alerting authorities with e.g. media broadcast or mobile network providers. In many countries CAP feeds are also publicly available, which is the interesting part for us here. CAP Workshop After having gotten in touch with other people working in this area we got invited to the CAP Workshop that happened last week, a rather unassuming name for a three day international conference with national delegations from more than 120 countries, several UN agencies and NGOs like the International Red Cross/Crescent, and quite a bit more formal than what we are used to from other events. Unfortunately I couldnt be there in person and only followed this online, but even that provided quite some interesting insights. OASIS work on extended event codes, which should help with better display and filtering of alerts in client applications. Several talks covered the usability of alerts, ie. how to word/present warnings so that they are understood by everyone and so that they result in the intended reaction. Much of this is in the hands of the alert issuers, but client software can help here as well, e.g. regarding accessibility (TTS, both visual and audible notifications, translations and understandable language in general, etc). Google showed the various places where they integrate alerts in their products: displayed on maps, discoverable via search, location-dependent push notifications, integrated with weather forecasts and in routing before entering an affected area. Can be inspiration for what we could do as well. A talk presented work on Mexicos earthquake early warning system. As earthquakes cant be predicted this uses the fact that an alert can outrace the shockwave and thus might still reach people further away in time (same as tsunami warnings work, just at a much shorter timescale). Their estimate from a simulation of past earthquakes was 10 seconds making a difference of 10k lives. Thats a level of responsiveness our current CAP feed polling approach is not going to be able to reach, this would need direct listening to the alert radio signals. Theres several CAP feeds that arent publicly available yet, whenever such a case came up there was push for changing that in the following Q&A session. Good, we need that. How you can help Theres plenty of things to do here. On the software development side theres getting the server code production ready and deployed, building monitoring tools for that and turning the demo app into a reuable client library and integrating that in places where it makes sense. Equally important though is finding more CAP feeds and in some cases additional data sets to resolve area codes used in the alerts to geographic polygons. This is something that often needs local knowledge and understanding the local languages. And where there are no CAP feeds yet, nagging your local authorities to change that also helps. We should soon get a dedicated Matrix channel for coordinating this, and well be at 38C3 and FOSDEM 2025 if you want to talk about this in person. In December 2023, former Bolivian President Evo Morales denounced a "dark plan" aimed at eliminating him and his partys leaders, Andronico Rodriguez, Leonardo Loza and Gualberto Arispe. A 2015 investigation was reopened against Evo Morales for "rape, trafficking and human trafficking", after being closed in 2020, then six other investigations were opened against him on various grounds. Since 14 October, his supporters are blocking the countrys main roads to protest against the "judicial persecution" of their leader, but also against the governments management of the crisis in which the country is plunged. Violence followed violence, pitting police against demonstrators, while blockades caused further economic turmoil. According to Bloomberg, the clashes have already caused $5 billion in losses, or 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP). On 26 October, the entire military high command was renewed by President Luis Arce. On 27 October, Evo Morales was the victim of an assassination attempt while driving in the Chapare, in the center of the country. His two vehicles were riddled with 14 bullets and his driver was injured. He had already been the subject of assassination attempts in 2009 and during the 2019 coup. He said: "The car I arrived in was shot 14 times. I was surprised. Fortunately, today, we are alive [...]. It was hooded men who fired [...]. It was planned, it was to kill Evo [...]. [President] Luis Arce destroyed Bolivia, and now he wants to eliminate our movement by ending Evos life. Well see how were going to prepare [...]. A state of siege is underway." The assailants used military helicopters and retreated to the 9th Divisions barracks. Minister of the Interior Eduardo del Castillo refuted this version, saying that it was a "staged act" by Evo Morales. He explained at a press conference that the incident occurred during a road check set up as part of the fight against drug trafficking in Chapare. Deputy minister of security Roberto Rios put forward the hypothesis of a "self-attack" on the part of Evo Morales. Evo Morales admitted that his car and escort vehicle belonged to Venezuela. He said: "I will not leave Bolivia, I am with my people and with the people we will resist and we will face and defeat a corrupt government, a government of Narcos." Evo Morales lawyers have referred the case to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. President Luis Arce plans to declare a state of emergency. Over the past four years, the Latin American left has become increasingly divided and aligned with the North American and European left. It is abandoning the defense of proletarians for that of minorities. In Ecuador, President Lenin Moreno has turned his back on his predecessor, Rafael Correa, to align himself with Washington and pursue neoliberal policies. In Peru, President Pedro Castillo was overthrown and imprisoned to be replaced by his former Minister of Development, Dina Boluarte, now allied with the right. Voltaire, International Newsletter is a weekly newsletter on international politics. It features 10 to 15 pages of contextualized, sourced news items. Its aim is to enable you to follow the decline of the unipolar world and the emergence of a multipolar system. The newsletter is published in several languages. Several foreign ministries from different countries have already subscribed. Our director of publication and editor-in-chief directed French magazines several years ago, and has won journalism awards abroad. He has regularly contributed to some fifteen major dailies and magazines around the world. Voltaire, International Newsletter is available by subscription for 500 a year, is published 42 times a year (not in July-August, nor during the Christmas holydays). Its an indispensable tool for any professional in international relations or defense. Whats more, 10 times a year, subscribers are invited to Zoom virtual meetings with publications director Thierry Meyssan. Contents of issue N106 EDITORIAL 2308 Luis Arce allegedly planned the assassination of his rival Evo Morales AMERICAS 2309 Robert Kennedy Jr. calls for a vote against Kamala Harris neocon 2310 For Washington, Iran is not in the military nuclear race 2311 Netflix removes Palestinian movies from its catalog 2312 US Peace Plan in Gaza EUROPE 2313 Londons support for genocide is nothing new 2314 London considers that Israel should support UNRWA, rather than ban it 2315 International Conference in Support of the Population and Sovereignty of Lebanon 2316 Germany prepares to restore compulsory military service 2317 Nordic Council backs Zelensky regime 2318 Austria condemns Israeli attack on UNIFIL 2319 Towards European Intelligence Coordination 2320 European Commission pressures Serbia, Georgia and Turkiye to condemn Russia 2321 EU will not help Lebanese refugees in Syria 2322 Sakharov Prize awarded to pro-Western Venezuelan opposition 2323 According to EU, Russia is violating UN nuclear non-proliferation resolutions 2324 UN and EU condemn Polish law banning abortion for malformations 2325 According to the European Commission, China is distorting UN Resolution 2758 2326 International Conference for the Liberation of Ukrainian Prisoners and Deportees 2327 Russia unable to pay its share to the SCO AFRICA 2328 Morocco receives Emmanuel Macron ASIA 2329 Israel bombs Iran 2330 Channel 12-star reporter destroys building in Lebanon 23331 Knesset authorizes interior minister to expel relatives of terrorists 2332 Medical condition of Israeli soldiers 2333 Israel bans UNRWA 2334 Consequences of the agreements between the Haredim and Benjamin Netanyahu 2335 Racist Likud Bill 2336 Hamas position in the negotiations 2337 IDF raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital 2338 Campaign against Israeli literary institutions 2339 Human toll in Gaza 2340 IDF destroys Hezbollah tunnel at risk of earthquake 2341 Evolution of Hezbollah 2342 Ansar Allah resumes attacks on Israel-linked ships 2343 Israeli Attack on Iran 2344 Baloch attack on Iran 2345 Execution of German spy in Iran 2346 The Japanese Liberal Democratic Party loses its majority INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS 2347 NATO and EU set up a high-level task force to strengthen cooperation If what you want from any Ryan Murphy venture is just sheer, scary camp, we humbly suggest our new novel Feast While You Can. Much like Grotesqueries balloon-filled crime scene or mid-investigation carpool karaoke, Feast plays with a camp sensibility that extends from your final girl to the demon shes fighting. Angelina Sicco lives with her brother in the tiny, conservative mountain town where she was born, doing her best to lure hot queer women with her disheveled femme antics. Shes a little too successful when a family party brings two intruders: her brothers ex-girlfriend Jagvi, now an out lesbian and a constant thorn in Angelinas side and the eldritch supernatural beast from local legend. We wrote Feast While You Can as a contribution to the horror canon that flexes humor as one of the most surprising and unsettling tools at its disposal, so sign up for a monster who calls you baby and a love interest ready to fight the monster for (literal) possession. SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's exports grew for the 13th straight month due to strong demand for locally-made semiconductors and automobiles, government data showed Friday. Export, which accounts for about half of the export-driven economy, gained 4.6 percent from a year earlier to 57.52 billion U.S. dollars in October, continuing to rise since October 2023, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Import climbed 1.7 percent to 54.35 billion dollars in October, sending the trade surplus to 3.17 billion dollars. The trade balance stayed in black for the 17th consecutive month since June 2023. Of the country's 15 major export items, 10 products saw an expansion in outbound shipment. Semiconductor exports jumped 40.3 percent over the year to 12.54 billion dollars in October, maintaining an upward trend for the 12th successive month. The double-digit growth was attributed to demand for high-end chips such as DDR5 and high bandwidth memory (HBM) used in generative artificial intelligence (AI) chipsets. Mobile device shipments advanced 19.7 percent to 2.05 billion dollars due to the global smartphone market recovery, while computer exports soared 54.1 percent to 960 million dollars on steady demand for solid-state drives (SSD). Display panel exports tumbled 22.7 percent to 1.62 billion dollars owing to weaker demand for panels used in home appliances and other IT products. Automotive shipments swelled 5.5 percent to 6.2 billion dollars in October compared to the same month of 2023, keeping an upward trend for the second straight month on the back of robust demand for hybrid electric vehicles. Auto parts exports mounted 5.9 percent to 1.88 billion dollars, but general machinery shipment declined 8.1 percent to 3.96 billion dollars. Shipments for oil products plunged 34.9 percent to 3.37 billion dollars due to cheaper crude oil, while petrochemical exports increased 10.2 percent to 3.99 billion dollars. Dubai crude, South Korea's benchmark, averaged 74.9 dollars per barrel in October, down 16.5 percent from a year earlier. Exports for steel products, home appliances and textiles rose in single digits to 2.87 billion dollars, 690 million dollars and 860 million dollars each, but secondary battery shipments reduced 9.0 percent to 620 million dollars. Exports to the United States expanded 3.4 percent over the year to 10.4 billion dollars in October, keeping an upward trend for the 15th successive month since August 2023. Shipments to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) shrank 4.5 percent to 10.05 billion dollars owing to lower demand for oil products and ships, but exports to the European Union (EU) gained 5.7 percent to 5.3 billion dollars. Exports to Japan, India and the Middle East slipped to 2.42 billion dollars, 1.51 billion dollars and 1.53 billion dollars each, but shipments to Latin America surged 21.6 percent to 2.37 billion dollars. Regarding import items, the import of three major energy sources, including crude oil, natural gas and coal, reduced 6.7 percent to 11.16 billion dollars in October compared to the same month of 2023. Non-energy imports grew 4.1 percent to 43.19 billion dollars on higher semiconductor demand. Youd have to have had one hell of a night to be relieved at the sight of Officer Kaya Blanke arriving at your apartment to arrest you for criminal mischief, and that is exactly whats happened to former child star Mackenzie Altman (Brittany OGrady) when she wakes up with no memory of how she got blood on her white Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itchstyle dress, or her hair cut into bangs, or a tattoo celebrating the love of Rick and Amy (people she does not know), or a hickey from what seems to have been a very small mouth. And! As weve already seen, Mac dreamed that shed shot a werewolf-masked assailant, and as it happens, her handgun is not in its locked safe. Oh, dear. Thank goodness Kaya was the arresting officer, because Elsbeth can now get in on the case. I knew wed get a Halloween episode this season and was very curious about how Elsbeth would approach her costume. Would she carry several options around town in her tote bags, changing into different options over the course of the episode? Would she convince Kaya and Captain Wagner to do a group costume? Instead, she went for a flawlessly executed one-costume strategy, keeping things simple by dressing as Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffanys, complete with a very chic updo and one of those long cigarette holders, which unfortunately made smoking look very glamorous way back when. Character Development Twist No. 1: The extremely starchy Lieutenant Connor is the only other staff member at the precinct to be in costume. Hes gone for something equally on brand: Winston Churchill, complete with bowler hat, pocket square, and what I can only assume is a very well-starched shirt. Character Development Twist No. 2: Captain Wagner does not dress up because he hates the sanctioned mayhem of Halloween. However, he was an expert high-volume trick-or-treater in childhood: Wed change costumes twice and hit each block three times. I salute the creative problem-solving and efficiency of this method. As Mac cools her heels in a meeting room, Kaya furnishes helpful exposition: Mac played the eldest daughter on Fathers Keepers, a show on KidPow (a Nickelodeon or Disney Channel analog) about a widowed father raising four daughters. Her roommate Cissy (Zolee Griggs) who wisely advised Mack to say nothing and wait for her attorney to arrive played one of her younger sisters on the show. Neither of them made the Miley-style leap from child stardom to adult careers in the industry, but not for lack of trying on Macs part. Her very tenacious lawyer/manager/agent/accountant, Danny Beck (Ryan Spahn), sails in, saying the club owner is dropping the charges because it was all a misunderstanding. This is entirely of a piece with Dannys strong record of getting celebrity clients out of scrapes; hes extracted one client from a cult and another from a drug cartel in Bogota all for a price, of course. Youd think Mac would be more relieved to learn that she can go free, but eventually confides in Elsbeth her lack of memories from the evening before and her suspicion that she may have killed someone. She wants to get to the bottom of it, regardless of the consequences for her, which is more than I expect from a spoiled former child star. With the assistance of Cissys memory, Instagram posts, a bartender, and tattoo artist, Kaya, Elsbeth, and Mac retrace Macs steps from the night before to piece together what happened, furnishing a timeline to fill in the sizable gaps in Macs memory, and, sadly, a dead body. It seems Mac did shoot someone, and he wasnt unknown to her. The victim was an aspiring rapper named Sonny Miller (Geronimo Ambert), who was also Macs on-again, off-again friend and hookup. Its a good thing Mac has Elsbeth and Kaya on her side because Detective Smullen (Danny Mastrogiorgio) is ready to call this case fully closed purely on the basis of Sonny being dead and Mac having gunshot residue on her hands from a gun that matches the caliber of the one that killed Sonny. Smullens inclinations here reek of resentment rather than a healthier competitiveness that would drive him to bring a solid case against his main suspect. Our glorious two-episode streak free from resentful veteran detectives is over, but Elsbeth and Kayas work is not! Off the top of their heads, there are at least three reasons not to bring charges against Mac yet: She couldnt have brought the gun with her when she went out for the evening (no pockets, no bag, and the PostMark party had a metal detector); she helped them find Sonnys body, and her total lack of memories about the night before suggests not having been blackout drunk, but having been roofied. Elsbeth and Kaya continue to chase down details of Macs evening and relationships. Cissy lives with Mac, but is crashing, not her roommate. The arrangement has soured their relationship, though, with each of them thinking of the other as a user Mac doesnt even know Cissys real name! She doesnt have any real friends at all. Compounding or maybe just exploiting her social isolation is the extreme degree to which Danny is involved in her life. Hes pretty intense and very protective, but Mac excuses it as caring too much. Hes negotiating a multi-film deal with the PostMark Channel on her behalf and has been managing the design and construction of a club in Montenegro, to the East of Italy on the Adriatic Sea. The club was meant to be a cash cow and to make both Mac and Dannys future retirements easy and lucrative. Shes invested over $6 million so far, but owing to weather delays and bad contractors, the club hasnt been opened yet. Danny did say that Mac is highly suggestible and too trusting for her own good. Is it possible that it was less a critique of his client and more of a confession about what he actually does in his capacity as her manager of everything? To Smullens credit, he has been working the case, too, and has learned that two days before Sonnys murder, he called a production company in Montenegro to get the ball rolling for the video shoot Mac had agreed to let him use her club as a set. What a coincidence: The man Sonny spoke with told him that no such club exists. His next call was to Danny, likely providing a motive for Danny to kill Sonny if that call was to let Danny know the jig was up and to blackmail him, that would make a lot more sense than Mac killing Sonny for the flimsy reason that he was messing with her sobriety (which was tenuous, anyway the Tampa sobriety of alcohol and Xanax is pushing the definition pretty hard). But somehow Mac still pulled the trigger? Bloodwork results furnish evidence for Elsbeths roofie hypothesis; Mac had high levels of a substance called scopolamine in her system. Captain Wagner explains that its a nightshade (so its related to tomatoes and eggplant) commonly called Devils Breath, which Colombian drug cartels use to hypnotize people and compel them to carry out terrible crimes. Kaya pipes up that its pretty easy to acquire here because it also has a legitimate use in small doses as an anti-nausea medication. Danny chimes in to cite a law stating that defendants cant be held responsible if they commit crimes while involuntarily intoxicated, which is an incredibly convenient thing for him to know as someone who was deeply intertwined in all of Macs business and finance dealings, and who knows the combination to her gun safe. Elsbeths bolt from the blue-style realization that Danny could well have learned all about Devils Breath when he rescued a client from a drug cartel in Bogota, which is the capital city of Colombia! A quick Zoom with Jesse Fox (Dan Hoy), the former client in question, confirms that suspicion, along with Dannys penchant for embezzling (which is why Jesse is a former client). The final piece of the puzzle snaps into place as the gang attends a party thrown by Macs friend and former producer Roya (Haven Burton), who happens to own the monkey that gave Mac that embarrassing small-mouth hickey. Roya had hosted a party the night before, which didnt have a metal detector but did use invisible ink stamps to show who had been admitted. The previous party stamps were on the right wrist, and the second one was on the left. Dannys been maintaining all along that he never left the PostMark party, too bad, so sad, but whats this? An invisible ink stamp from Royas earlier party on his right wrist? Off to jail with you, sir! Mac who knows she has some real growing up to do cant be held criminally responsible for poor Sonnys death, but the legal process that will set her free will take some time. Kaya and Elsbeth reframe the entire experience as an opportunity to start her life afresh with new, actual friends. Probably she should retire her obnoxious Fathers Keepers-era Ill be the judge of that catchphrase, too. Meanwhile, at the precinct, Wagner saw the disgruntled Detective Smullen sign up for a slot to speak with Lt. Connor as part of his audit, and is keen to hear about Connors progress so far. The results summary is bad for Wagner; staff morale is low, and the rank-and-file perceives him as a remote captain and thinks he plays favorites with Elsbeth and Kaya. Oh, also, Elsbeths undefined role makes others uncomfortable. Harrumph! Out that evening with his wife, Claudia (Gloria Reuben), Wagner is brooding. Hes not remote, hes shy! Claudia encourages him to make more of an effort at approachability and then wonders aloud if Connors efforts are in aid of moving on Wagner or perhaps on Elsbeth herself. Neither option is good. In This Weeks Tote Bag In this episode, we get a fleeting glimpse of a more assertive Elsbeth. When Smullen suggests that Macs fame is misleading that shes being snowed by an actress, Elsbeth shoots back that of course he doesnt believe Mac; men dont generally believe anything a woman says unless that woman is their mother. Not all men, of course, but for sure way too many men. I dig feisty Elsbeth and would love to see her again. I dont smoke, but should I wish to cultivate the eccentric air conferred on a person holding one of those long cigarette holders, is eBay the place to look? Martha. Photo: Martha Stewart/Netflix When Martha Stewart eventually passes away, she should order that director R.J. Cutler also be buried along with her inside her death pyramid. With the new Netflix documentary, Martha, he has constructed the greatest possible tribute one could want for a figure as godlike as Stewart a warts-and-all portrait of the lifestyle mogul that somehow still manages to be a hagiography. Although she clearly cooperated with the production, Stewart has reportedly criticized Cutlers finished film, which is understandable. In Martha, she comes off as combative, egomaniacal, impatient, uncaring, and at times delusional, as well as a wronged visionary who has reemerged on top. And not just merely on top: As someone says early in the film, Martha Stewart essentially created the world were currently living in a world of influencers and borrowed lifestyles and perfect surfaces, all while deep beneath us roll the storms of chaos. Is Martha a good movie? Im not sure. But it might be an essential one. Anyway, into the pyramid you go, R.J. Cutler. Formally, the film is no great shakes. Its an amiably edited journey through Stewarts life and career with plenty of archival footage, synopsizing her early years in Nutley, New Jersey, with an abusive, embittered father who made the family raise their own vegetables; her young marriage to law student and future publishing-house chief Andy Stewart; the couples move to a Westport, Connecticut, fixer-upper that she transformed into a tony manse; and the discovery of her catering and entertaining talents after her lavish dinner parties. Like so many streaming-era documentaries, the picture effectively opens with a trailer for itself, briefly previewing its main points before settling into a by-now familiar cadence of bland insights, light historical context, and obvious music cues. (When young Martha Kostyra takes up modeling, we hear Etta James sing Good Lookin on the soundtrack. When she becomes a stockbroker, we hear Nancy Sinatras These Boots Are Made for Walkin. When her career as a lifestyle guru takes off, we hear the synth beats of Depeche Modes Just Cant Get Enough.) What makes Martha fascinating is the now-83-year-old Stewart herself, who presides over the film with a contemporary onscreen interview. (Other interviewees including family members, friends, employees, and inmates she did time with at Alderson Federal Prison remain offscreen as they attest, choruslike, to her gumption, her drive, and, occasionally, her goodness.) She makes a hard-nosed guide to her own life, pushing back when Cutler presses her on tougher topics. When Stewart talks angrily about how Andy cheated on her, Cutler notes that she also cheated on him. Her answer? Yeah, but Andy never knew about that. When Cutler replies that Andy did in fact know, Martha dismisses her own affairs as minor dalliances. This sort of back-and-forth actually helps humanize Stewart, however much she may hate it in retrospect. And it lifts Martha the movie up from just another bit of swoony celebrity blather to something more interesting. Stewarts surface perfection powered her business. She created beautiful spaces with beautiful things and cooked beautiful dishes, all while still looking beautiful. As the film makes clear, she connected with a generation of women who had been raised by working mothers; many of them didnt get homemaking knowledge or recipes passed down. Stewart filled that gap, and she did so without requiring any kind of emotional reciprocity. She was there, smiling and infallible, the MacGyver of good housekeeping, ready to turn a used glass jug and some tissues into an elegant centerpiece at the drop of a hat. An incredible amount of initiative and energy went into all this, but she made it look so effortless partly because she had taste. When Stewart did fall from grace, however, the celebrity culture that had embraced and lionized her bit back. She had always seemed so unfazed by everything, so the world now delighted in seeing her brought down several pegs. The infamous insider-trading scandal that landed her in prison is still a raw subject; Stewart and others involved continue to claim she did nothing illegal, and that she became a target because then-U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York James Comey wanted to make a name for himself by bagging a celebrity. Stewart was also genuinely changed by prison and made friendships there among the women incarcerated alongside her. Once her mask of perfection fell, she seemed to open herself up more to the world. All this would make an ideal rise-fall-rise narrative for a standard documentary, and you can imagine what the pitch memo for this might have looked like: Watch Martha Stewart achieve success, then watch the world unfairly humiliate her, then watch her claw her way back to fame and relevance. And maybe Martha still thinks it is that kind of movie. But Cutlers onscreen interactions with Stewart, as well as occasional forays into the way she treats the people around her, turn the picture into something a lot slippier and the subject into someone more captivating. While most films would crystallize their theses as they near their end, Martha invites ambiguity and uncertainty. The more we see of Stewart, the more we feel for her and the less we understand her. She cannot be summarized. And as much as Martha might try, in its failure to do so lies its unlikely power. The Diplomat Dreadnought Season 2 Episode 6 Editors Rating 4 stars * * * * Previous Next Previous Episode Next Episode Photo: Alex Bailey/Netflix Well, well, well, bet you didnt see that one coming, huh? By that one, of course, I mean Lydia Trowbridge making her triumphant return to a place of influence with her husband, Nicol, now that Margaret Roylin is no longer his most important unofficial adviser. Why? Does something else important happen in this episode? Decisions made, then unmade, then made again as new information comes to light and alliances shift some more? Im joking, but Im also serious: With Roylin out of the picture and still a guest of the CIA, Trowbridge is damn lucky to have Lydias far cooler head to rely on, and his decision to do so is every bit as consequential as the big twist at the end of the episode. Trowbridge knows his good fortune; he hates that Lydia has advised him to resign to protect the integrity of the investigation into Lenkovian influence within his government and, per usual, is flailing around about it in the manner of a preschooler with an excellent vocabulary and no emotional regulation skills. They manage to agree that Dennisons opinion and involvement are crucial, so he comes for a close the door, sit down conversation about the future of the government and the investigation and surprises both of the Trowbridges by (eventually, under duress) agreeing that Nicol should resign. Hes entitled to an advisory role, but he cannot be the one to right the ship of state, and the investigation needs to be initiated and move forward ASAP. (Its worth noting for viewers outside the U.K. that resigning his role as prime minister would not necessarily mean Trowbridge was out of parliament altogether. Hed most likely maintain his seat in the House of Commons representing whatever constituency had elected him.) This big stroppy baby grudgingly agrees to consider resignation, based on the sage counsel of my beloved and my beloathed, and stomps off, leaving Lydia and Dennison to share a sigh. These two have a lot of hard work ahead of them. Im not a fan of Trowbridges habit of ending conversations he finds uncomfortable by hurling maximum words at everyone else in the room, but I do love the tiny character beat embedded in each of those verbal blizzards; theyre linguistically playful, and they give us a glimpse of the person who probably wanted to stick with studying Russian Romanticism and got roped into politics instead (by his mother. Nicol Trowbridge is so Freudian it hurts). He promises, and then fails, to confide in his MI5 liaison, Tom, that day to get the ball rolling. This really isnt a matter that can bear Trowbridges shame-averse behavior for much longer, but Dennison can try to maneuver him into it again tomorrow, I guess? As Trowbridge resentfully considers stepping down from his powerful post, similar conversations are taking place over at Winfield. Following Hals revelation about Grace Penn having given Roylin the bright idea to hire the Lenkov Group, he and Kate indulge in a little light slander of Scotland (inadvisable, IMO), and Kate eventually concludes that Penn must resign and that she will have to be vice-president. Considering that the Cold War is well within Kates and Hals living memories and their understanding of both historical and contemporary international anxiety about Russias nuclear power, not to mention their very basic knowledge that Scotland is way, way, way up North, its bizarre that theyve failed to connect these dots, which are more like massive flashing red lights. Do they really think this is only about Scottish independence and the dangers to Western democracy that it could pose? Well delve more deeply into that in due course. Meanwhile, Stuarts day of jubilee has arrived at last! Out of respect for the many VP staffers in the building, they forgo a giddy hug and set about being prepared, whether or not a formal offer will arrive anytime soon or ever. They dont know Penns resignation timeline, but Stuart now has Kates blessing to do what you must to soup this up. Step one of Operation Soup Up and Suit Up is setting aside her black-and-charcoal-gray suits in favor of a baby-blue number paired with a black blouse and baby pink heels, and an amusing exchange with Stuart about the dangers of getting newsprint and water on herself. Step two is putting her hair up. Penn notices both changes at once and offers helpful advice about bobby pins for bun maintenance, and knowing when to leave it alone. The rapport between them isnt just the veneer of friendliness that girl talk provides, either; whatever discomfort or resentfulness or international conspiracies persuading the U.S.s closest ally to attack itself may lie between them, theres also a powerful drive toward mutual respect and enjoyment of each others company. Its nice! Were it not for Trowbridge trying to salve his guilty conscience by persuading President Rayburn to name Penn the U.S. nuclear czar, this all might have worked out smoothly. He clearly doesnt know about Penn and Roylin, and Billie insists she can and will walk back this appointment. Stuart manages to put the kibosh on Trowbridge mentioning the appointment in his pre-dinner toast, but Penn knows that Kate had a hand in it, precipitating Kate laying her cards on the table and prompting Penn to deliver the lecture of a lifetime. By the thinnest of margins, this lecture for one on the state of Russian nuclear armament and tandem British-American attempts to contain it is the second-best scene of the episode. We know Penn is a gifted, savvy political operator, and now we get an even more compelling look at the depth of her knowledge, including the very helpful visual aid of a big map dragged in from the Blenheim Palace foyer. I dont recall Roylin or Doud having previously mentioned the disproportionate significance of Creegan, the U.K.s only nuclear base, and the only one in Europe where U.S. nuclear submarines can dock, but it seems pretty important! If only for Penns explanation of Creegans outsize strategic importance, Trowbridges description of her as uniquely qualified to serve as the U.S. nuclear czar seems correct. Penn also upends Kates belief that she would try to wriggle out of taking responsibility for the attack on HMS Courageous or that it was a difficult decision. By Penns lights, its a both/and, not an either/or: she believed the planned attacks risk to human life was low and will carry the horror of having been responsible for the deaths of 43 people, and she still believes even that tragedy is worth it if it prevents a cataclysmic attack fatal to tens of thousands or even millions, more. Penns parting shot instructing Kate to keep her eyes on her own paper is revealing: She doesnt just want to protect her chances to serve in an even more globally significant role than the vice-presidency; she believes Kate is in way over her head already as ambassador. Why should she care what actions Kate thinks are disqualifying? Shes not up to the task! Kate is convinced, or maybe its more accurate to say she isnt unconvinced. Either way, shes somewhat chastened, and her decision to pursue being VP is once again up in the air. Unsurprisingly, shes suspicious of Hals motives in encouraging her and once again believes Penn should stay on as VP and, presumably, as the U.S. nuclear czar, rather than be punished. Hal wants Kate to report the situation to Ganon, which is a fair point: This is precisely the thing that Roylin said Kate and Eidra would feel obliged to report. That obligation still exists, and had Kate learned about Penns advice to Roylin prior to meeting her, she would have done so right away. Hals decision to zig when he was meant to zag something we should all see coming at every opportunity by this time leads to Rayburn suffering a fatal heart attack, making Grace Penn the president of the United States, complete with twenty Secret Service agents racing in two sprinting phalanxes towards her across the Winfield back lawn. Seconds before, Kate was failing to convince Penn that she has not and will not leak Penns role in the Lenkov debacle and that shes not still gunning for V.P. (her tell: she may be wearing one of her old suits, but shes still got vice presidential hair!). Now, Penn is President; Kate is still Ambassador for the moment but has lost Dennison as an ally; Trowbridge is still Prime Minister, and his secret investigation into a conspiracy within his government has not yet begun; nobody in his government knows about Penns connection to the attack on HMS Courageous. Everything is chaos, and the special relationship between the U.S. and U.K. may never have been asked to endure a stress test on this scale. Season three cant get here soon enough! Tea, Scones, and Intrigue Speaking of The Diplomats third season, heres my wish list so far: more scenes among Austin Dennison and Nicol and Lydia Trowbridge what a fascinating study in contrasts they all are; Stuart finding a venue outside of the workplace to talk with Eidra about personal stuff, or better still, ceasing to do so altogether now that theyre broken up, their whole thing is beyond ridiculous; and more amusing nicknames for Kate in Penns repertoire. If its not too much trouble, I would also like Netflix to post a supercut of Keri Russells line deliveries of fuck to YouTube; its fun to see an actor sink her teeth into the English languages most versatile word. Ill close out on a more serious analytical note about Dennisons ice-cold, seemingly final dissolution of every aspect of his partnership with Kate. I think its driven primarily by his decision to seize the moment in a now Roylin-free administration and his understanding of Kate as a chronically and deeply messy person. He disavows his previous attempt to overthrow Trowbridge, and while he may be sincere in that resolution, his rationale that without Roylin in his ear, Trowbridge is safe from further atrocities is wobbly at best (though I fervently hope it wont veer into great wobbling-jelly territory like poor old Merritt Grove did). Sharp-eyed TV viewers know that the wildest developments tend to unfold in penultimate episodes and that relationship shifts are The Diplomats fuel. Even with that understanding, the volume and pace of shifts that occur in Our Lady of Immaculate Deception threaten to rev its dramatic engine into the red. Strap in and well break this down. Whither Margaret Roylin? She is out of immediate danger of bleeding out but probably should go to a hospital, something Roylin rejects out of hand as too dangerous. She didnt confess and name names only to see the scandal get out and ruin both Trowbridges career and splinter the U.K. because she could do with a transfusion and maybe a head CT. Eidra doesnt want to take Roylin back to the London safe house, but Trowbridges refusal to take custody of her until he knows the full extent of the conspiracy within his government ensures that thats exactly what happens. Even hours later, following a cocktail hour and dinner where he was catatonic and some time spent jotting down everything he can recall from his confrontation with Roylin, Trowbridges head is barely any cooler than it was as he was choking her and screaming that shes a murderer. Any reconciliation between the two seems unlikely. Once Trowbridge susses out that Kate knew more than he did at every step and suspected he was involved in the attack on HMS Courageous and the subsequent London bombing, hes pretty much done with her, too, hurling a barrage of rhetorical bombs in her face: she brought him into the room with Roylin to entrap him with a conspiracy in his own government and believed that he was a mass murderer when she said he was the quickest thinker shed met since meeting Hal. Theres no denying any of it, and matters do not improve when Kate tries to have a quick word with Dennison as hes heading to the motorcade back to London. His frosty farewell youve done quite enough, Ambassador when translated into regular English from Dennisons Exceedingly Well-Mannered dialect is the rough equivalent of fuck off and die, you foolish and possibly evil hag. Ouch. Seeing him hop into Trowbridges SUV must feel like having a bucket of lemon juice dumped on many full-body paper cuts, and Kates just got to hope that things will look less terrible in the morning. Theres scarcely time to think about how much easier things might be after a good nights sleep, because surprise! something in Eidras overnight briefing to Langley on the situation with Roylin has shaken loose enough international relations doohickeys to prompt Grace Penn (Theeeeee Allison Janney, at last!) to ditch her previously scheduled visit to a school in Bethesda for a quick jaunt across the Atlantic. Shes there for the express purpose of supporting the British at this trying time. Sure! In the wee hours, poor Stuart takes the call announcing the VPs arrival and is very diligently trying to glean from Billie and Eidra any details that might help him identify moments to pull Kate out of one of her meetings with Penn, but keeps hearing things that stun and trouble him. The CIA and U.S. Embassy have been up on the PM? Up on in the manner of The Wire? As in, a phone tap? A literal sting operation?! What else doesnt he know about? Trowbridge is in the clear? Great, but also, now its his turn to tell Eidra that its starting to look like Im not the problem anymore. What the fuck are you doing? For her part, Kate is prepped to brief the VP but is also the most flustered weve seen her lately as she and Hal approached Winfield after disembarking from Marine Two, they caught a glimpse of Penn from the lawn, and even at that distance, it was obvious from her body language that she knows about Kate being shortlisted to take her job, and she knows that Kate knows that she knows. After a few awkward stop-and-starts, they find their groove, and each has the opportunity to be impressed by and curious about the other. Penn finds it interesting that everyone calls on Kate when they have intelligence to share and doesnt seem convinced by Kates explanation that shes the beneficiary of proximity and good teamwork. Kate is dazzled by Penns grasp of the potentially catastrophic longish-term consequences to all of European democracy should Scotland successfully secede from the U.K. The Diplomat has always been good at playing with the audiences history with its actors, and by adding Allison Janney to the cast, that aspect of the series has shifted into a higher gear. I cant not see Kate Wyler as a distant cousin of Elizabeth Jennings, Keri Russells Soviet superspy character in The Americans, and its fun to think about all of the cads Rufus Sewell has played over the years, then learning that his Hal Wyler is so faithful to Kate that he literally cant get it up for any other woman. Now we are treated to seeing Allison Janney draw on her years as The West Wings C.J. Cregg, ensuring that Grace Penn instantly radiates both authority and warmth. Whether we should trust any of those sense memories is an open question; I hate roller coasters, but I am having a splendid time not knowing whether my years of accumulated associations with the characters Russell and Janney have previously played will be affirmed or confounded as their characters arcs unfold. All of this to say, the transition Penn leads Trowbridge through in her and Kates meeting with him and Dennison is both troubling and riveting. Kate shifts into staff-in-the-room mode, sitting quietly and saying little as she observes the woman whose shoes shes meant to fill smooth Trowbridges feathers, assert and lay claim to a support role he didnt understand that he needed, then plant the seed of simply not making public any details of the Lenkof affair and wait to watch it flourish. Kate has described certain aspects of her relationship with Hal as magic; this is akin to watching a guy who likes to practice card tricks discover the genius of Ricky Jay. I dont think its good that the United Kingdom is going to remain united on the basis of a conspiracy and mass murder swept under the rug (bold, I know), but Kate, Grace, and Trowbridge all seem to be happy enough about it. The only person who leaves that meeting unsatisfied and perturbed is Austin Dennison. He takes his leave of Winfield disgusted with Kate and coldly states that Roylin shouldnt look forward to any protection from the government. As far as hes concerned, she can keep her doors locked at home if shes that concerned for her safety. Will we see her alive again? Who knows! Id been thinking that its possible that Dennison is too good for politics, but maybe hes not such a cinnamon roll, after all. On the other hand, Kate seems to have moved immediately from a seemingly principled insistence on justice for the fallen to a pragmatic (or is it cynical? Potato, poTAHto) embrace of maintaining the status quo. If I were Dennison, learning that my professed ally is no longer in my corner, Id probably be reeling and have a few choice words for her, too. Im also very curious to see how Dennisons current alliance with Trowbridge is going to play out. Trowbridge choosing not to relinquish his premiership keeps Dennison from advancing in government, and is Trowbridges commitment to anyone really rock solid? The remainder of the episode is studded with scenes I have been waiting for all season: Penn and Kate getting down to brass tacks with the visual language and requirements of being a female vice-president and the two of them having an after dinner heart-to-heart over whiskeys, during which Kate decides shes going to help Penn fight to serve out the remainder of her term. I know Im not the only one whos been on tenterhooks for these developments, because the two-minute sneak peek that appeared on YouTube last week are from the moment that likely outgoing VP Grace Penn gives her likely successor a not-unkind but no doubt unsettling and thorough critique of her look from top to bottom. The hair that looks as if she styled it with an electrified fork and suggests that shes never heard of dry shampoo, the paperclip holding up her slacks, all of it is subject to scrutiny thats sharp, yet still far tamer than what Kate would face from a public who are unfamiliar with her game. More importantly, all of these interactions with Penn lead Kate to find herself entirely on the VPs side. Trowbridge gets to stay in office, and so should this brilliant, capable woman. Solidarity, yay! Theres just one thing, which Hal now must wrestle Kate into the mattress to get her to hear: Roylin may have hired the Lenkov Group, but the idea to do so was Grace Penns. Tea, Scones, and Intrigue Blink and youll miss Trowbridge refer to bomb-setter Leonard Stendig as a toad in a Brioni, a perfect insult that also immediately conjures a mental image of the Italian menswear brands most famous current customer. Do Secret Service details for the president and vice president always travel with a cooler of blood in case an emergency transfusion situation transpires? Is it type-specific? Is it the principal protectees own blood, drawn and saved for this purpose? Does everyone just refer to it as The Blood? Look what you made her do: Alyse Alan Louis in Teeth. Photo: Valerie Terranova What a difference a poncho can make. Those audience members in the front row of Teeth, in its new iteration at New World Stages, are given plastic coveralls as they enter the theater, like guests sitting in the splash zone at SeaWorld except that theyll be splattered in blood instead of water. The implication of the poncho, even if you arent wearing one (I was happily a few rows back, safe from flying fluids), is that you shouldnt take all this too seriously. Were here, it says, to have a campy good time. While the musical remains largely similar to the version that ran at Playwrights Horizons earlier this year, directed again by Sarah Benson and with most of its cast intact, this iteration of Teeth has undergone light orthodontia that has left it tightened and brightened. Crucially, as the poncho suggests as do a few dozen more severed penises, which pop up at just the right moment the show has been recalibrated as a crowd-pleaser, which makes the roller-coaster ride both more thrilling, and more damning too. Teeth takes, as its basis, the 2007 horror movie of the same name, in which a sheltered Christian girl from middle-of-nowhere America (her town is called Eden) has been taught to fear her sexuality but, pressured into sex by a high-school boyfriend, discovers that her vagina has dentata. Michael R. Jackson, a maximalist both musically and intellectually, considering his work on A Strange Loop and White Girl in Danger, has written a book and lyrics that offer a winking homage to the spirit of late 90s and early 2000s horror comedies its easy to imagine all this as a case of the week on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Anna K. Jacobss score lies in the pop-rock vein of Heathers and, crucially, the much beloved, hated, and overanalyzed Carrie: the Musical. We meet Alyse Alan Louiss Dawn at her most virginal and imperious, lording over her clique of Promise Keeper Girls at a church study group, while sheepishly but desperately lusting over her boyfriend, played by Jason Gotay. Their duet, the coyly horny Christian folk Modest Is Hottest, is the number most likely to get stuck in your head, aside from the gothic motif that arrives at the moment of her self-discovery that blares, TEETH TEETH TEETH. Jacobs and Jackson take their time to get there, though its clear from the jump that ominous forces hang in the air around Eden. Adam Riggs set, with wooden walls and a mass of red carpet, all of it dominated by a large cross, is so generic its unsettling; Im sure they had Twin Peaks Red Room on a mood board. Dawns stepfather is an overblown pastor (here played by Andy Karl, replacing Steven Pasquale) who rages against all temptation while her stepbrother Brad (Will Connolly) is a dweeb getting radicalized by far-right manosphere ideology, an addition to the original film that mostly works as an inverse to Dawns own journey of feminine empowerment. As in the original, he seethes against Dawn with an old wound; he lost part of his finger to her teeth when they played together as kids. Who is she underneath her skin? What lurks behind her eyes? He intones to his friends online, Where are her fangs and tentacles? When will her dark moon rise? The tricky part of Louiss performance, and of Teeth itself, is to effect Dawns transformation into something like that monster without losing the audiences well, sympathy isnt quite the right word; in this case its more like enthusiasm along the way. Louis and Benson make the smart choice of establishing her as an officious queen bee, a lead sorority-sister type among her PKGs, an intensity that transmutes clearly into a vengeful streak once Dawn discovers and later embraces her powers. As in A Strange Loop, Jackson excels in describing the sick pleasure of masochism. I need the sting of shame in my body, Louis belts, I need it to whip me again. And then, a few scenes later, the Pastor does beat Brad with a belt. Every American ideology from Christian traditionalism to radical misandry, the show suggests, hinges on the joy of enacting violence on another, or, when internalized, yourself. Dawn, after killing her boyfriend, seeks comfort in a do-gooder gynecologist (also played by Karl) who reveals himself to be a predator. Teeth pays homage to Little Shop of Horrorss dentist with a scene where Karl goes full ham, running along the lip of the stage with a bleeding limb (thats when you need those ponchos). Karl is delightfully manic and hilarious, though you do miss the cool glint of cruelty in Pasquales performance that made him actually terrifying. More successfully, Teeth plays with the trope of the helpful gay best friend (an excellent Jared Loftin, sweet then sinister), who offers to help Dawn learn how to retract her teeth but then betrays her in his own act of selfishness. The first iteration of Teeth, in the higher-brow context of Playwrights Horizons, tied itself in ideological knots as it barreled into its back half. Jackson and Jacobs have Dawn, here endowed with eldritch powers that infect the rest of Teeths female ensemble, become all too powerful. Teeth builds to a big, bloody, apocalyptic climax again, very much in the mode of Carrie and especially Little Shop and as it gets there, suddenly inserts a reminder that revenge taken to any extreme is bad. Beware a feminocracy, it says, as much as a patriarchy. Its a fair conclusion, if also the sort of thing that can read as a cop-out. In this go-round, Benson has placed a heavier emphasis on the thrill of Dawns rise to power, and she floors it, coherence be damned. During Dawns tense falling-out with Loftins character, shes wearing a Taylor Swift T-shirt that reads A LOT GOING ON AT THE MOMENT. Then theres all that blood and the hail of severed genitalia. All contribute to a feeling that were all sailing Thelma & Louisestyle over the cliff of bad taste and reveling in it as we go down. The momentum gets the audience to the place where the recrimination may sting more pointedly. You wore the poncho. You cheered for the blood. Youve got teeth in you too. Teeth is at New World Stages. Photo: Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Last night, for the first time in more than 900 days, Young Thug did not sleep in a concrete cell. The Atlanta rapper, born Jeffery Williams, was released from jail on October 31, after pleading guilty to a number of charges in the long-running RICO trial against his label, YSL. (He pleaded nolo contendere, or no contest, to the central RICO charge and a gang-leadership charge, and his attorneys continue to dispute the claim that YSL is a criminal street gang.) Thug was sentenced to five years in prison, commuted to time served, allowing him to be released after his non-negotiated plea. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported he left Fulton County Jail the night after his plea and sentencing. In court, his attorney, Brian Steel, said Thug was looking forward to spending time with his family and taking care of his health. Thug was also sentenced to 15 years of probation, under a slew of terms. He has a 20-year prison sentence backloaded following his probation, which will be commuted if he satisfies the terms of his probation. During sentencing, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker reminded Thug that the backloaded sentence can be served in custody and will be served in custody if you are not successful on your probation. Thug must also pay a $40,000 fine. The terms of Thugs probation clear a path for him to continue his music career under certain stipulations. Speaking to media outside the court, his attorneys declined to address specific aspects of his probation. There comes a time in any case, if a person is sentenced, that were out of the courtroom and now what happens to that person is entirely up to them, said Keith Adams, who has also been representing Thug. He has the ability, the incentive, to go forth and do everything he needs to do to put this behind him, and were confident that he will. Heres what we know about whats next for Young Thug after his plea, based on his probation and what he told the court. Hes leaving Atlanta As part of his probation, Young Thug is required to leave the Atlanta metro area where the crimes alleged in the indictment took place within 48 hours from yesterdays sentencing and stay away for the next ten years. He will be allowed to return for family weddings, funerals, and graduations. (At Steels request, Whitaker added family medical emergencies.) The judge is also requiring him to return to give four anti-gang and -violence presentations per year to Atlanta children. The presentations can be at schools or other organizations, and can include a benefit concert; theyll count toward the community-service requirements of his probation. Thug had originally offered to serve the first three years of his probation under house arrest, which Whitaker did not require. She said the state does not seem to be particularly worried about Mr. Williams, if on the streets, would be a danger to society, considering they previously offered a sentence commuted to time served. During his presentation, Steel noted that Thug has residences and recording studios in California as well, so hell presumably be living there while hes away from Atlanta. Thug will be able to travel, and he is allowed to keep his passport. He will not have to testify about YSL According to Steel, the sticking point of plea negotiations that led to Thugs non-negotiated plea was what the state wanted Thug to say about YSL. Steel said in court that Thug told him, Im not doing these conditions and admit that Im the leader and Im involved in the killing and my music just promoted everybody to do that. So Thug pleaded nolo contendere to one count of conspiracy to violate the RICO Act and a leadership count of criminal street gang activity, against the states objections. Also known as no contest, these pleas work as guilty pleas without an admission of guilt. That means Thug did not admit to being a gang leader, as Steel continued to note in his presentation. He doesnt need the Cleveland Avenue drug deals for $15, Steel said. He doesnt need the shootings. (Thug did plead guilty to one count of criminal street gang activity. Whitaker said she would not be permitting his nolo plea to the leadership charge if you were not pleading guilty to at least one of them.) Nothing in the plea or probation now requires Thug to testify about YSL. He can keep working with Gunna Thug cannot be in contact with known gang members, including those named in the YSL indictment, while on probation. Whitaker made exceptions for two YSL indictees: Unfoonk, who is Thugs brother, and Gunna, who Thug is contractually obligated to work with through Young Stoner Life Records. Unfoonk, born Quantavious Grier, is currently serving a nine-and-a-half-year prison sentence for possessing a firearm on probation, after he previously pleaded guilty in the YSL case. But Gunna, born Sergio Kitchens, is currently out on probation after pleading in December 2022. (He made an Alford plea, in which he pleaded guilty for his interest while maintaining his innocence.) Gunna has been back to releasing music since then, dropping the album A Gift & a Curse on YSL Records in 2023. Steel called Gunna a phenomenal artist in court, noting that Thug and Gunna frequently perform music together. Thug will be able to keep working with Gunna for as long as they are contractually obligated, per the conditions of his probation. YOUNG THUG SPECIFICALLY ASKS TO BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO MAKE MUSIC WITH GUNNA pic.twitter.com/RFRl6M4TfQ THUGGERDAILY (@ThuggerDaily) October 31, 2024 He has and wants to perform community service Each year of his probation, Thug will be required to perform 100 hours of community service, including those required presentations. But as part of his suggested sentence, Steel noted that Thug wished to contribute to the Atlanta community in additional ways. Hes going to do this anyway, Your Honor, but we made it part of the sentence, Steel said. That includes an annual benefit concert, with proceeds donated to a nonprofit, and pledging $100,000 for three years to the Fulton County Sheriffs Office to fund an illegal gun buyback program. You know, I dont mind doing stuff like free shows, and I always did that, Thug later told the court, noting he had raised money for single parents and breast-cancer patients with benefit shows. I put millions of dollars back into my community, for real, he added. Whitaker did not include those suggested terms as part of Thugs sentence and probation, but still encouraged him to do them. He cannot use drugs or firearms As is typical under probation, Thug wont be allowed to use drugs or be near firearms. He will have to sign a Fourth Amendment waiver and be subject to random screenings. However, Whitaker made an exception for Thug to be near members of his security team, who lawfully carry guns. He could be starting a new musical chapter Thug had already released an album from behind bars 2023s Business Is Business and signs point toward him continuing his music career out of jail. However, it will be under new scrutiny. Thugs probation does not allow him to promote gang activity, make gang signs, or use gang-related language. So far, its unclear whether YSL is considered a gang under those terms, considering thats the question at the heart of the still-ongoing trial. For instance, the state has argued that the word slatt, which Thug has used in his music, is gang language, standing for Slime Love All the Time. Could Thug get in trouble if he says slatt on a future song? What if he raps an old song with the word slatt? And, while it would be a drastic decision, there is even precedent for rappers having their lyrics approved while on probation. Steel has continuously argued against considering rap lyrics in the case, arguing that theyre fictional and dont actually condone violence. However, Thug himself told Judge Whitaker he hoped to move on from rapping about violence in the future. I understand, you know, rap lyrics, I understand how it could be twisted, I understand what it could do to the mind of people, he said in court. I understand all that, and I promise you Im 100 percent changing that. He said the trial helped him become aware of his influence as a rapper. I have came to my senses; I understand what I mean to this world, he said. Thug added that he has more to rap about now, too. Im older, Im grown now, he said. YOUNG THUG SPEAKS pic.twitter.com/BohRHUcgei THUGGERDAILY (@ThuggerDaily) October 31, 2024 Before delivering her sentence, Whitaker instructed Thug to continue to be aware of his role as a rapper. Whether it is fake or not, it has tremendous impact on kids and young people who think, This is cool. This is what I wanna do. Look at him, hes a millionaire. I can do that by being, you know, a gangster in the streets, she said. And that is not true. Whitaker acknowledged Thug was talented while encouraging him to be more of the solution and less of the problem. If you choose to continue to rap, you need to try to use your influence to let kids know that that is not the way to go, she said. Opposition leaders from Unity-National Movement, Coalition for Changes, and Strong Georgia have announced plans for a rally on Rustaveli Avenue on Monday, November 4, at 19:00, aiming to contest the legitimacy of the October 26 parliamentary elections.At the rally, the opposition will detail their planned actions, which Ana Dolidze describes as "lawful, peaceful, and organized." The opposition's core demand is for the election results to be declared illegitimate. In a statement on Facebook, Dolidze outlined their goals, which include:- Securing international non-recognition of the elections.- Pushing for an international investigation, involving the EU and the USA, to protect Georgia's long-term security.- Annulling the election results through legal and diplomatic efforts.The announcement follows a series of consultations, though members of Gakharia-Georgia were notably absent. Dolidze affirmed the opposition's commitment, stating, "There are many of us, we are victorious, and it will all work out for us."Press freedom organizations, including the International Press Institute (IPI) and several European press rights groups, have called on Georgian authorities to address escalating attacks on journalists covering the October 26 parliamentary elections. The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) reported at least 30 election-related incidents of violence involving 34 media workers. Journalists faced physical and verbal assaults, equipment damage, and intimidation, mostly at the hands of ruling Georgian Dream party supporters, according to reports.Incidents included an assault on a CNews journalist in Kutaisi and entry restrictions for two foreign journalists. Czech journalist Ray Baseley was detained at the airport for 34 hours, denied contact with legal representation for 20 hours, and held under surveillance. Swiss photojournalist Stephan Goss was similarly detained for 11 hours. Both journalists received no clear explanation for their detainment, only a vague reference to Georgian legislation. HELSINKI, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Finland's government announced on Friday that Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will attend the upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai. "China is an important trading partner for Finland, so it is useful to support export promotion and trade in sectors that benefit Finnish businesses. This is the fourth time that Finland has a national pavilion at the CIIE," Tavio stated in a press release. The release also noted that Shanghai hosts the largest cluster of Finnish businesses in China. According to the release, Tavio will lead a Finnish trade delegation in China from Nov. 4 to 8. Following engagements in Shanghai, he and the delegation will travel to Shenzhen in southern China, with the visit ending in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The seventh China International Import Expo is scheduled in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10. David Raleigh A man who admitted possessing and distributing depraved videos and images of children being raped by adult men, as well as young children engaging in sex acts with one another, has been remanded on bail for sentencing. The man, who was nine days short of his 18th birthday when the explicit child sexual abuse material was seized by gardai, cannot presently be named due to reporting restrictions. Prosecuting barrister, John OSullivan flagged with the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions could see no basis as to why the man should not be identified, but he said the question of the mans anonymity would be decided at his sentencing hearing, which was scheduled for November 7th. The 22-year old man appeared before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday evening, which heard harrowing evidence of the offences to which he had pleaded guilty. The court heard the man had previously admitted two offences under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, including that, he did distribute child pornography on March 28th, 2020, and that he was in possession of child pornography on June 4th, 2020. Specially trained forensic gardai discovered the extremely explicit illegal material on a mobile phone and two laptops owned by the defendant. The devices were seized during a search of a house run by Tusla, the Child and Family agency, in which the defendant was residing, on June 4th, 2020. The court heard that, in 2018, the defendant, then aged 16, had been placed in Tulsa accommodation with other young adults after his mother had expressed concerns about her son in respect of alleged inappropriate sexual behaviour. The defendant later disclosed to a school guidance councillor that he was sexually aroused by young boys, said Mr OSullivan. Tusla were alerted, and in turn, the agency alerted gardai who obtained a search warrant and conducted a search of the property where the defendant was staying. Mobile phone The court heard that gardai discovered 186 videos and 226 images of the most graphic and explicit child rape and sexual abuse on the defendants mobile phone. Gardai classified all 186 videos as Category One material, meaning the videos were of the upmost gravity. Some of the material showed adult men raping boys aged as young as five years, as well as children engaging in sex acts with one another, it was heard. Gardai classified 141 of the 226 images as Catgeory One, and the remaining 85 images Category Two, meaning the images involved childrens exposed genitals and anal area. They discovered another 11 Category One videos as well as 32 explicit images containing (24 Category One photographs) and (eight Category Two photos) on the defendants two laptops. A Garda forensic examination of the devices unearthed evidence the defendant had tried to delete the explicit material as well as his internet browsing history. Gardai discovered that the defendant used the web browser TOR to search the Dark Web for child abuse material. He also used an online chat application platform KIK to distribute two explicit videos to an unknown user. The defendant shared these videos with this user after the pair engaged in a private chat in March 2020 about their shared sexual interest in children. The defendant was arrested by gardai when he went to a Garda station by appointment on February 22nd 2021. He initially denied distributing the material and said he had only shared videos of himself, but he eventually entered guilty pleas at the outset of the prosecutions case against him. Mr OSullivan said the defendant told gardai he had viewed the explicit material out of a morbid curiosity but, later, he admitted to being sexually aroused while viewing child pornography of this nature. Gardai agreed with Mr OSullivan that the defendants interaction with graphic child pornography and his openness surrounding his sexual preference for this type of material is a worrying aspect of this case. A probation report completed last July flagged the defendant as being at risk of re-offending. Inappropriate behaviour Barrister Antoinette Simon, defending, argued that while Tusla alerted gardai in 2020, it appeared the agency was not in contact with Gardai about the defendant despite Tusla being aware he had been flagged with the agency for alleged inappropriate behaviour with minors as far back as 2013, 2015 and 2019. During Thursdays sentencing hearing, Ms Simon asked a garda detective familiar with the case against her client, if Tusla contacted Gardai prior to the garda search in 2020. Im not aware of any previous contact in relation to (the defendant)...it is my understanding that they (Tusla) refer if they believe a crime may have occurred, the Garda added. Ms Simon said she was not here to lay blame with anyone, and, she said she was not trying to soften the culpability of the defendant, nor claim my client being a victim in this, certainly not. But, certain interventions could have been there for my client back in 2013, when he was 11; in 2015 he was 13; and certainly in 2019 again when he opens up to his guidance councillor, and referrals were made by a social worker, Ms Simon said. The defence barrister submitted that whatever sentence is imposed, she believed the defendant would require long-term consistent therapeutic interventions to try to reduce the risk of him re-offending. She said the man had used cannabis from a very young age and he is currently employed and living in the mid-west region. The maximum sentences open to the court is one of 14 years on the distribution offence and five years on the possession offence. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. Participants pose for a group photo during the sixth Friends of the Paris Agreement High-Level Dialogue in Paris, France, on Oct. 28, 2024. The sixth Friends of the Paris Agreement High-Level Dialogue was held in Paris on Oct. 28-29. Organized by the European Climate Foundation and co-organized by the Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development of Tsinghua University, the dialogue has drawn over 20 high-level officials from signatory countries. (the European Climate Foundation/Handout via Xinhua) PARIS, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The sixth Friends of the Paris Agreement High-Level Dialogue was held in Paris on Oct. 28-29, where global leaders and stakeholders gathered to review both the significant progress and ongoing challenges faced by the international community in addressing climate-related crises since the Paris Agreement's enactment. The dialogue was co-chaired by Xie Zhenhua, former China's special envoy for climate change, and Laurence Tubiana, former France's climate change ambassador and special representative for COP21. Organized by the European Climate Foundation and co-organized by the Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development of Tsinghua University, the dialogue has drawn over 20 high-level officials from signatory countries. Among the attendees are Laurent Fabius, president of the French Constitutional Council and former French prime minister, John Kerry, former U.S. Secretary of State, Teresa Ribera, European Commission's first executive vice-president, Luiz Alberto Figueiredo Machado, former Brazilian minister of External Relations, Catherine McKenna, former Canadian minister of environment and climate change, Selwin Hart, special adviser to the UN Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General of the Climate Action Team, and Liu Zhenmin, China's special envoy for climate change. As next year marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, participants reached a consensus on the need for all countries to embody the spirit of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) amid the current complex global challenges. They also emphasized a strong commitment to defending and upholding multilateralism, advancing the global process for climate action, and adhering to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. The attendees also agreed that countries must continue advancing climate actions under the framework of the Paris Agreement, adopt faster and larger-scale international cooperation to ensure the timely achievement of global climate goals, and accelerate the global transition toward green, low-carbon, and climate-resilient development. The participants also held in-depth discussions on various climate-related issues, such as the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), climate finance, energy transition, and technological innovation. They all agreed to further strengthen the role of the "Friends of the Paris Agreement," supporting and advancing the success of this year's UN Climate Change Conference in Baku (COP29) and laying the foundation for next year's UN Climate Change Conference in Belem (COP30) in line with the goals and principles established by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. The Friends of the Paris Agreement High-level Dialogue was initiated in 2019. It is hosted annually on a rotating basis by the European Climate Foundation and the Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development of Tsinghua University. The dialogue, gathering high-level representatives who have played key roles in the formulation and implementation of the Paris Agreement, serves as a platform for them to provide recommendations to the United Nations, the host countries of the Climate Conference and the secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, to promote the multilateral process. Waterford and Ramallah are officially twin cities, as Mayor Jason Murphy and Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid signed the agreement at Waterford City Hall. The historic event was attended by Mayor of the Metropolitan District Cllr. Joe Kelly, Deputy Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr. Adam Wyse, elected representatives, members of the Waterford-Ramallah Twinning Committee and Sean McKeown, Chief Executive, Waterford City and County Council. Ramallah is located on the occupied Left Bank and is the de facto administrative capital of Palestine. The ceremony marks years of planning organising and cross-community exchanges between the two cities. Mayor Cllr. Murphy warmly welcomed Ambassador Abdalmajid and expressed hope for a bright future of friendship. He said: "We are here to celebrate a new connection between Waterford and Ramallah, to formalise a friendship that will bridge two distinct cultures and foster collaboration, understanding, and shared prosperity. "In a world where division too often overshadows connection, our cities today are planting seeds of friendship, of peace, and of solidarity. Let this twinning serve as a reminder that we are all part of a global community, where each city and each person has something to teach and something to learn." Ambassador Abdalmajid urged the people to 'keep talking about Palestine'. Mayor of Ramallah Issa Kassis joined the reception virtually from Ramallah, and said that the Ramallah Municipality was proud to raise the Irish flag earlier this year when Ireland officially recognised the State of Palestine. In the past 12 months, over 40,000 Palestinian men, women and children have been killed due to Israeli military action and bombardment. While there are international calls for ceasefire, war and death is delivered onto Occupied Palestine on a daily basis. Gaza, a city only 80km away from Ramallah, has been nearly obliterated by constant airstrikes, missiles and bombardment. Formed in 2018, the Deise Womens Shed has become a beacon of community for women across county Waterford. The Shed provides a safe environment for women to come together to share skills, form friendships, socialise, and engage with community initiatives. One of the Sheds staples has been their Blankets of Hope project, providing blankets made by the members to people of all ages facing illness across the county. Countless blankets have been delivered to local hospitals and palliative care units since the inception of the initiative. The Waterford News & Star stopped by the Sheds fundraiser last week to ask some members what the Shed means to them. Eileen said: I had retired from work, my son had gone to university and I was at home on my own, so we decided to start something for the women. We organize different outings and different people to come and give talks. People also just come to meet and make new friends. Everybody has their own reason to come. It really gets you out of bed in the morning." Eileen, from Deise Women's Shed Maureen added: If youre a widow and you live on your own and living in the country, you can be very isolated. So when we open Monday and Tuesday mornings, people are welcomed in and they feel part of a family. The shed has kept me going and I find it helps everybody in a different way. Trish added: Especially after Covid, a lot of things closed and didnt come back, so the Shed might be the only time some of the ladies would meet people and get out of the house. Eleanor said: We have companionship here and people who have lived alone have made friends. Everybody comes together to sit down or have a cup of tea and that makes a huge difference to a person. Its like a new lease of life for people. Its taken away the loneliness from peoples lives which is fantastic. By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA Opposition parties are urging the Government to push through a bill next week that would ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land. Sinn Fein and the Social Democrats have put time aside in the Dail next week to enact the Occupied Territories Bill, which Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns said would send a powerful message. Tanaiste Micheal Martin said the bill needs to be substantially amended and will not be progressed before an election is called. Independent Senator Frances Blacks bill, tabled in 2018, has been frozen for years in the legislative process due to concerns that it would breach EU law. Tanaiste Micheal Martin and the Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean Clancy speak at Custume Barracks in Athlone, Co Westmeath (Brian Lawless/PA) But the Government has said in recent weeks that an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the summer, that declared that Israels occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal under international law and states have an obligation not to facilitate it, has changed the context. The coalition has been put under pressure to pass the bill before the Dail is dissolved ahead of the election. It is expected that an election will be called next week and Friday, November 29th is seen as the most likely date to be announced. Tanaiste, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin said on Thursday the Government would aim to move the bill to committee stage next week to prove their bona fides. What Im hoping to do, and Ill have to consult with the chair of the foreign affairs committee, is that we believe that a hearing on the bill next week would be a demonstration of our bona fides in respect of progressing this legislation, he said. It will not be progressed before a general election but, of course, if its at committee stage, it can be reintroduced at committee stage in a new Dail and that would be the intention. He said that the bill needs significant amendment, which he said has been acknowledged by Senator Black, while opposition parties have said the amendments are technical. Mr Martin said: The amendments are around making it constitutionally safe from challenge and also other aspects of the bill in terms of ensuring that we can strengthen it to withstand any challenge that could come against the bill. It would be focusing on the public policy interest framework within existing legal frameworks and also then situating it in the context of the conclusions of the ICJ advisory opinion. Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said passing the bill could be a fitting end to this Dail term and send a powerful message of solidarity to the Palestinian people. Her party and Sinn Fein have set aside four hours of Dail time to facilitate the enactment of the bill. I am urging the Government to seize this valuable opportunity to get this important bill, which would prevent Ireland from importing goods that originate from illegal Israeli settlements, over the line, Ms Cairns said. As the Governments proposed amendments to the bill are believed to be technical in nature, there is no reason why this legislation could not be passed within the additional Dail time offered by the Opposition today. It must not squander this opportunity to enact the Occupied Territories Bill. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said: If the Government are sincere, and if they are serious and I really hope that they are I am asking them to avail of the opportunity that we will give them next week to make this bill law. We are ready for that. A third date has been added for The Scratch at Bank Lane next month, following unprecedented demand from locals. The Scratch are a four-piece act from Dublin, who are born from a shared love of metal and traditional Irish music. The group's sound is described as a "moulding of triumphant melodies with the groove and intensity of metal". Started as a fun experiment in the kitchen of a house in Perrystown, Dublin, The Scratch have already built up a serious buzz nationwide. A 2017 busking trip to the Rory Gallagher festival in Ballyshannon saw the band score their first viral video, racking up an astonishing one million views in just a week and shared around the world. Their debut album released in 2020 reached number nine in the Irish Album Charts, number two in the Independent Charts and clocked the most vinyl sales for an artist in a single week that year. The band say that their output of videos, shot and edited by themselves, has been extremely important to their success and identity. The surge in demand is not unique to Waterford, however, as every headliner they have played in Dublin has sold out, including at The Underground, The Grand Social, Whelan's and the Button Factory, which sold out three months in advance. The band are no stranger to the Waterford stage either, having performed in the Something Kind of Wonderful tent at All Together Now. The band continue to grow, with their live shows having garnered a cult-like following in Ireland, the UK and most recently mainland Europe and North America. At Bank Lane, the December 27 gig is now sold out, with tickets still available on December 28 and 29. Tickets cost 27.50, available at banklane.ie Employees are more willing to commute and work in an office when its located on the CBDs fringe says the boss of a large property fund citing leasing data to back up its claim. Ross Lees, the newly minted chief executive of Growthpoint Property, said leasing in his funds large office portfolio is pointing to greater workplace participation by employees in city fringe markets. Anecdotal evidence from corporate recruitment firms also points to a similar trend. Growthpoint Propertys Ross Lees is optimistic about the prospects of all major property asset classes. Credit: They [recruitment firms] are seeing the bulk of their new business coming from markets like Cremorne and Richmond [in Victoria], where all the tech firms are establishing themselves, Lees said. Growthpoints strategy of owning and leasing out office blocks in key metro areas on the fringe of Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydneys CBDs appears to be paying off. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson racially vilified Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi in a tweet telling her to piss off back to Pakistan, the Federal Court has ruled. In a summary of his judgment on Friday, Justice Angus Stewart described the post on Twitter, now X, as an angry personal attack that conveyed a strong form of racism. Senator Mehreen Faruqi leaves the Federal Court on Friday. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer Faruqi launched proceedings against Hanson under racial discrimination laws after the tweet was posted on September 9, 2022. Stewart said Hansons post conveyed three essential and interrelated messages, all directed to Senator Faruqis status as being from somewhere else. Everything stopped for me that day. Herran was booked on a flight back to France for the day he disappeared. Investigators later confirmed he had checked in at Sydney Airport, before catching the train to Watsons Bay. Former NSW Police detective Michael Gerondis led the original investigation. He remained convinced Herran faked his death to stay in Australia, and was now living under an assumed identity. Theres no way he jumped, the ex-detective said. He was so calm on the phone ... All his stuff was with his backpack except his passport. I think he kept that just in case. Hed been to an immigration place just beforehand to ask, How do I get to stay in Australia? And they told him no chance, mate. Childhood photos of Antoine Herran with sister Sophie. Credit: Sophie Giampetruzzi Gerondis a private investigator believed Herran was probably in north Queensland, would now be 54 years old and possibly passing himself off as Italian. That was his second time to Australia and he loved it. He loved Queensland and went on a helicopter tour out there, the ex-detective said. Its because he lived in northern France, where its cold and raining all the time. He said to his parents thats ideal Australia, thats what his notion of Australia was and he loved it there near Cairns thats where I think he is. Parents of missing French tourist Antoine Herran, Francoise and Jean-Francois, in Sydney. Giampetruzzi and Gerondis have reconnected recently. This year they organised to conduct DNA testing in the hope of tracking down any children Herran may have in Australia. I made this decision simply to find out if my brother is still alive, Giampetruzzi said. I think it would be another possibility to find a trace of him somewhere. I know its been 26 years already, but there isnt a single moment in my life when I dont hope to see him again. I am now 50 years old, I remarried in 2022 and I have no children. This is surely linked to my brother unconsciously. Really, I am still angry at his gesture of having disappeared of his own volition. There is surely a reason for him that he considers valid. The notorious coastal cliff known as The Gap at Watsons Bay. Credit: Brendan Esposito But for me, it changed my whole life, all my personal projects. Asked if Herran could have jumped and washed out to sea, Gerondis remained steadfast. Theres no way in the world. It doesnt make sense, he said. Hes here. I just dont know what hes doing. Giampetruzzi said the mystery had put huge strain on her family. In reality, I think that wanting to find a missing person is purely selfish but also an act full of love, she said. Selfish because I would like to know if he is alive so that I can see him at least once and know that despite all these years, he is happy to have made this terrible choice. Loading People can think what they want, its normal. They say to themselves, if he disappeared of his own volition, it is because he had his reasons and so let him live quietly. These people do not know the suffering of waiting to know the truth about the disappearance, the tearing apart between family members, friends or others. Herran was 182 centimetres tall, with brown hair and blue eyes. The assassination attempts on former US president Donald Trump represent the growing threat of online extremism fuelled by ultra-partisan misinformation trending on social media, according to Admiral Mike Rogers, former director of the US National Security Agency and commander of the United States Cyber Command. Rogers served in the US Navy for 37 years and is now in the private sector, on the advisory board of Australias largest cybersecurity firm, CyberCX. In his mind, he said in an interview in advance of the US election, one cyber threat loomed larger than hacking, malware or ransomware. If you ask me what cybersecurity issue concerns me the most, Ill be honest with you, its misinformation and disinformation, Rogers said. Admiral Mike Rogers served in the US Navy for 37 years and is now in the private sector, on the advisory board of Australias largest cybersecurity firm CyberCX. Credit: SMH He describes these as the manipulation of opinion and perspective in a democratic, free and open society; where adversaries, both outside as well as inside, are turning our freedoms against us to keep us divided and to keep us fighting each other. Phoenix, Arizona: Puerto Rican-American pop star Jennifer Lopez branded Donald Trump the biggest domestic adversary the US has ever faced in a fiery speech endorsing Kamala Harris targeted at women, Latinos and their allies in the final days of the election. Lopezs appearance at a Harris rally in Las Vegas came as the Democrats capitalised on controversial incidents this week in which a guest speaker at a Trump rally called the US territory of Puerto Rico a floating island of garbage, and Trump vowed he would protect American women whether the women like it or not. Jennifer Lopez speaks during the Kamala Harris rally in Nevada. Credit: AP Although nearly a week old, the comedians joke about Puerto Rico, while warming up Trumps audience at Madison Square Garden, has proven potent as the campaign nears its end and both leaders headed west for a final blitz of battleground states with a sizeable Latino population. It wasnt just Puerto Ricans who were offended that day. It was every Latino in this country, it was humanity, and anyone of decent character, Lopez said. At Madison Square Garden, he [Trump] reminded us of who he really is and how he really feels. BEIRUT, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Forty-eight people were killed and 50 others injured in Israeli airstrikes that targeted the city of Baalbek and dozens of surrounding towns and villages in eastern Lebanon on Friday, according to Lebanese sources. The Lebanese military sources, who spoke anonymously, told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes and drones carried out 34 strikes in the area, killing and wounding dozens of people. Sources from the Lebanese Civil Defense told Xinhua that most of the casualties occurred in Baalbek, Al-Alaq, Younine, Badnayel, Al-Bazaliyah, Amhaz, Iaat, Labweh, Harbata, Nahle, Taraya, and Hawsh An Nabi. They added that the Civil Defense teams, the Lebanese Red Cross, and the Islamic Health Authority are still working to remove the rubble of destroyed homes, where estimates indicate that 15 are still missing under the rubble. For its part, Hezbollah said in a series of statements that it targeted Israeli gatherings in the al-Maslakh neighborhood, south of the southeastern Lebanese village of Khiam, with rocket barrages. It added that its rockets also targeted the northern Israeli cities of Karmiel, Ma'alot-Tarshiha, and Kiryat Shmona. The death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon since the beginning of the war on Oct. 8, 2023, has reached 2,897, while injuries went up to 13,150, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The Israeli army has been waging intensive attacks on Lebanon in an escalation with Hezbollah since late September. RIGA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Renewable energy company Utilitas Wind on Friday inaugurated the largest battery energy storage system (BESS) in Latvia to date, local media reported. Installed at the Targale wind farm in Latvia's western municipality of Ventspils, the system can store up to 20 MWh and dispatch up to 10 MW of electricity. This fall, the facility will be connected to the Latvian power transmission system, which is a major step in the development of the Baltic country's energy supply system. Investments in the BESS project have so far reached 7 million euros (7.59 million U.S. dollars). "This is a historic moment in Latvia's modern energy sector. We have been actively working on this project for two years and are proud to contribute to strengthening Latvia's energy security. We are ready to continue our contribution to the development of the energy supply system," Utilitas Wind board member Renars Urbanovics said at the inauguration event. The project ensures that energy stored in the system can be dispatched in situations where the power grid is running out of electricity. In periods of high winds, when more power is generated than consumed, the surplus energy can be conveniently stored in the BESS. Rolands Irklis, chief executive officer of the Latvian power transmission system operator Augstsprieguma Tikls (AST), voiced his hope that other similar projects will soon be launched in Latvia. "Systems of this type have a high potential to provide AST with the balancing capacities it will need when participating in balancing capacity markets and optimizing the balancing costs for all system participants," he said. The combination of batteries with wind or solar generation also facilitates an efficient use of the transmission infrastructure, which benefits all system users in the long term, he added. Utilitas Wind is an Estonian company specializing in renewable energy production, particularly wind energy. It is part of the Utilitas Group, Estonia's largest renewable energy producer and district heating company. Nagula Chaviti This is observed on the fourth day of the bright fortnight in the month of either Sravana or Kartika. This is a pre-historic celebration of Naga or Serpent-worship observed throughout Andhra. Every village in Andhra has some or other Naga idol carved in stone or wood. Generally the women fast on this day and propitiate Nagas by offering fresh, un-boiled cow's milk. Many families have ant - hills which have been worshipped for generations. Miniature silver eyes and hoods of the Serpent God are placed on the ant - hills and coconuts are broken. Some people have gold and silver images along with their family deities for daily worship. Charimidi, Pamakam and vada pappu are the special dishes for this day. After praying to the Naga for protection of the family and children, particularly from snake bite, people smear their eyes and ears with the earth from the ant - hills. There are many Telugu folk songs sung in the praise of the Serpent God. ALGIERS, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Algeria celebrated on Friday the 70th anniversary of the launch of its Liberation Revolution against French colonial rule with a grand military parade. In his address, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune emphasized that the celebration for the 70th anniversary reaffirms Algeria's enduring legacy of triumph, declaring, "Algeria, which once overcame colonialism, continues its path of victories with confidence." He highlighted that the Algerian army's armaments serve solely for Algeria's defense, stressing the army is dedicated to safeguarding Algeria's sovereignty and contributing to international peace and security. The military parade displayed a variety of aerial, naval, and land units, as well as defense equipment, including Su-30 fighter jets, long-range missile-capable submarines, air defense systems, and T-90 tanks. On Nov. 1, 1954, the National Liberation Front of Algeria launched attacks against French targets within the country, initiating the Algerian War, which ultimately led to the nation's independence. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Tom Tuite Belfast mother-of-one Mary Ward had been in a "tumultuous relationship" with her former partner and died as a result of a "laceration to her neck" at her home, a court has heard. Ahmed Abdirahman, 31, who was arrested in Dublin and charged with murdering the young woman on September 25th at her house on Melrose Street in south Belfast, was refused bail on Friday. He was located in the city on October 9th and was remanded in custody two days later. However, the accused, originally from Somalia, brought an application before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs at the High Court in Cloverhill, Dublin, to be released with rigorous conditions. On Friday, the judge noted that he had left the jurisdiction where the event allegedly occurred and had "no ties" in the Republic. The hearing was told the accused turned up at Dublin's Mater hospital on September 26th, a day after Ms Ward was last seen alive, with arm and leg injuries, saying he had fallen on broken glass. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) commenced a murder probe after the lifeless body of Mary Ward, 22, was discovered on October 1st in her home. The PSNI and An Garda Siochana conducted a joint investigation, and detectives attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) arrested Mr Abdirahman. At his first District Court hearing two days later, the accused, who had used an address at Kinlay House, Dame St, Dublin 2, was remanded into prison custody. Detective Sergeant James King had said Mr Abdirahman's reply to the charge was "Not guilty". On Friday, in the High Court, Detective Sergeant King objected to the bail, citing flight risk concerns. He told Keith Branagan BL, for the State, that the accused travelled to this jurisdiction by bus late on the 25th or morning of September 26 and arrived in Dublin. It was established the young mother died from "a laceration of the neck", and a "bloodied broken piece of glass" was found at the crime scene. The court heard Mr Abdirahman turned up at the hospital in Dublin to be treated for wounds to his arm and left leg, and a piece of glass was removed. He allegedly told medical staff that he fell on broken glass the night before He was arrested after using a Revolut card in a Dublin city-centre shop; the court heard his account was linked to his phone allegedly found at Ms Ward's home. Messages downloaded by the PSNI showed they had a "tumultuous" relationship, but Ms Ward's phone was not found. Fingerprint, DNA, mobile phone and CCTV evidence had been obtained. The court was told the accused originally came to the Republic in 2019 and had residency status due to a family reunification process with a half-sibling who has citizenship in Ireland. He had no prior convictions. Defence counsel Oisin Clarke, instructed by solicitor Wayne Kenny, pleaded that rigorous bail conditions could alleviate the garda and court's concerns. The barrister submitted that an address was possibly available and his client would not have the means to leave the jurisdiction and go somewhere other than Northern Ireland. The court heard another person paid for his bus ticket to Dublin. The accused sat silently at the side of the court and was not required to give evidence. In her ruling, Ms Justice Biggs said she was satisfied that on the balance of probabilities, Mr Abdirahman would seek to evade justice if granted bail, and she said, "there are no conditions whatsoever that will allay my fear in that regard". Under the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act 1976, a person can be charged and tried in the Republic for offences allegedly committed in Northern Ireland. Earlier, the PSNI had issued a statement: "An Garda Siochana will now lead the joint investigation into the death of Mary Ward with continued support from the PSNI," it continued. An Garda Siochana also said it would continue to work closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on this investigation. Mr Abdirahman is also due before the District Court on November 15 and awaits the DPP's directions, and a book of evidence must be served before a return-for-trial order is granted. COMMUNITY NOTES: CLAREMORRIS - WESTERN PEOPLE (OCTOBER 29 EDITION) The four-star McWilliam Park Hotel has been announced as the winner of the Business Hotel of the Year. The hotel took first place at the Irish Hotel Awards. This was not the only success for the hotel at the awards, however. Ann Marie Mee was the overall winner in the Duty Manager of the Year category. On top of all that, the Connacht section of the Bar Manager of the Year went to Boris Dungandzic, another very deserving recipient. Lukas Kodl, the McWilliam Park manager, was naturally delighted with the awards. A massive thank you to our incredible team for their hard work and dedication in making this possible, Lukas said. This achievement is a true testament to the commitment and passion of the team at the McWilliam Park. This latest success comes just a couple of weeks after the hotel was awarded the prestigious Georgina Campbell Award for Family Friendly Hotel of the Year. The Georgina Campbell Awards are the longest-running independent hospitality awards in Ireland and this latest recognition reflects the dedication and hard work of the McWilliam team who always make a special effort to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for guests. BEIRUT, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a Lebanese roadmap for a ceasefire, Arabic newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported, citing Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. "The Israeli prime minister rejected the Lebanese ceasefire roadmap that we agreed upon with U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein," Berri was quoted as saying, considering that the political movement to resolve the crisis has been postponed until after the U.S. elections scheduled for Nov. 5. "Israel's rejection leaves matters in Lebanon subject to developments on the ground," he said. In a meeting with Chief of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, Berri also stressed that "Israel has squandered more than one real opportunity to cease fire, to implement UN Resolution 1701, and to return calm and displaced persons on both sides of the border." According to a statement issued by his media office, Berri briefed the UNIFIL chief on the understanding reached with the U.S. envoy as part of his efforts toward a ceasefire. The Israel-Hezbollah conflict, part of the broader Gaza-centered Israel-Hamas war, has intensified since Sept. 23 with increasing Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon and persistent exchanges of fire along the Lebanon-Israel border. Councillors in the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District have criticized the upcoming lowering of speed limits on Mayos local and rural roads from 80km/hr to 60km/hr which will see just four roads in the MD retaining the limit of 80km/hr. The four roads, Pullathomas to Bellanaboy, Glenamoy to Carrowteige, Bangor to Bellanaboy and Bangor to Glencastle, will be given a Special Speed Limit of 80km/hr as assessments carried out by Mayo County Council showed they met certain safety standards. This will come into effect at an as-of-yet unannounced date in November. Councillors considered this matter at last weeks MD meeting, however, Cllr Gerry Coyle said that the decision had already been made without councillors having a say. Our hands are tied, take it or leave it, were doing it anyways. Thats the attitude, he said. It impacts our roads and these decisions are being taken by someone who never even stepped foot in Doohoma. Cllr Paul McNamara said that there was no common sense being applied to the Speed Limit Review and that the fact only four roads could maintain the current limit was telling. We have only four local roads that can go back to 80km/hr. That shows how bad local roads are in this District, he said. I have been shouting about how little funding we get for these roads for years and that is now coming home to roost. The local roads in Achill are in a terrible state. There is neither head nor tail to this today. On the N59 from Newport to Mulranny, funding was pulled and it was gone back to tender yet a decision can be made overnight to reduce the speed limit. Every single department is using this to cover themselves if there is a fatality. Common sense is not prevailing in any of this, he said. Cllr Peter Flynn said no roads in the Westport part of the MD were included to be kept at 80km/hr and this proved that west Mayo was the poor relation in the county. Cllr Chris Maxwell said rural Ireland is being left to suffer with the current state of its roads and it would take tanker-loads of money to bring them up to an acceptable standard. Senior engineer Heather Gibbons said they assessed the roads in accordance with criteria set by Government and there will be a chance for a review in late 2025. The move from 80km/hr to 60km/hr on the majority of local roads is in line with new national policy on speed limits being rolled out in three phases. Phase 2 will see national secondary roads being reduced to 80km/hr from 100km/hr and the third phase will see urban speed limits reduced from 50km/hr to 30km/hr. Mayo County Council this week signed contracts on two different projects that will revitalise the town centre of Castlebar. Under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (Call Two) the Castlebar Historic Core Reactivation project received a grant of 8.53 million towards the overall project cost of 11.37m, that will stimulate regeneration by redressing the deterioration of underutilised historic properties and back lands that frame the Mall in Castlebar. This week Mayo County Council signed a contract valued at 2.22 million with MVS Construction Ltd. for the restoration and reconfiguration of the former Post Office Building Castlebar, and conversion to a new Community Youth Resource Centre. A contract valued at 282,900 was also signed with Taylor McCarney Architects to develop a Public Realm Masterplan and design work for the Mall and the backlands of Ellison Street, to refurbish and rejuvenate its setting and to provide an enhanced connection to other parts of the town, including the Military Barracks and Ellison Street. Cathaoirleach of the Castlebar Municipal District, Cllr Donna Sheridan welcomed the signing of the contracts saying: This is a fantastic day for Castlebar, the new youth centre will be a place where dreams are nurtured, and futures are forged. This is more than just a building, it is an investment in our communitys future, it will foster creativity, encourage teamwork, and empower the youth of Castlebar to reach their full potential. The development of a Public Realm Masterplan for the Mall and the backlands of Ellison Street will provide us with a roadmap of how we will continue the rejuvenation of this historic area in the town and set it up for an exciting future. David Mellett, Head of Castlebar Municipal District added: The signing of these contracts marks a significant milestone in Mayo County Councils journey to revitalise this historic area of Castlebar. This masterplan will help us transform our public spaces into a vibrant and welcoming hub for communities. It will see us protect our heritage and create a new high quality public urban space in the centre of the town. The construction of the new youth centre along with the masterplan is not just about bricks and mortar, it is about investing in our future, our culture, businesses and the quality of life of residents of the town and making it more attractive for those who visit. Gardai were called to a road traffic collision on the N17 at Lisduff, Claremorris, Co Mayo at around 2.45pm on Thursday, 31st October, 2024. A male pedestrian was brought by ambulance to Mayo University Hospital and treated for minor injuries. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Claremorris Garda Station on 094 937 2080, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Most villages and small towns around the Ox Mountain region had an operational mill at one time or another. My neighbouring village of Cloonacool in south Sligo had no less than three mills that operated at one time or another over the past 200 years. The passage of time and the introduction of more efficient ways of milling means that such mills have not operated for more than a century at this stage, but they were once a hugely important part of rural life. Their unique mechanics and low running costs were a marvel and an powerful example of old-time creativity and ingenuity. Hydropower Most mills used the flow of water to turn a large waterwheel. A shaft connected to the wheel axle was then used to transmit the power from the water through a system of gears and cogs to work machinery, such as a millstone to grind corn. Watermills were usually built beside streams or rivers, which provided them with a water supply. Very often these supplies were improved by the provision of a mill race to help overcome the problems of different seasonal water levels. Mills were classified by wheel orientation; vertical or horizontal. One was powered by a vertical waterwheel through a gear mechanism as described above, and the other was built with a horizontal waterwheel without such a mechanism. Millstones were a vital component of any mill and had to be made from special hardwearing stone which was not readily found locally. The Romans imported stone from the Rhine Valley in Germany to England, and during the Middle Ages, the best stone was sourced from France. Millstones were fitted in pairs, the upper runner millstone moving against a lower fixed millstone. Stones were usually about four feet in diameter, weighed more than a ton and were geared to turn at about 125 rpm. That took some power. First mills Jesmond Dene, a public park near Newcastle-upon-Tyne in England, occupies the narrow steep-sided valley of a small river Ouseburn. This park is cared for by a volunteer group who have under their care an old mill which dates back to the early 1700s. As part of their information on the mill, they go back to the origins of milling. The first documented use of watermills was in the first century BC and the technology spread quite quickly across the world. Commercial mills were in use in Roman Britain, and by the time of the Doomsday Book in the late 11th century, there were more than 6,000 watermills in England. By the 16th century, waterpower was the most important source of motive power in Britain and Europe. The number of watermills probably peaked at more than 20,000 mills by the 19th century. Local mills The Doyle Family of Millers: A History of Mills and Milling in the North-West of Ireland, by Tom Doyle, gives a detailed account of milling in the region; how they operated and who operated them. It was Doyles own forefathers that inspired his research, the family having a long association with milling in both Sligo and Mayo. Mills were once the vanguard of industrial technology, spearheading change they spread rapidly throughout Ireland in the early 1800s. Landlords, landowners and entrepreneurs developed mill sites in line with this trend. The Doyle family took advantage of this opportunity to become a family of millers that consolidated their skills and experience to set up and run mills across south County Sligo and over the border into County Mayo. The Doyle family passed on their experience and skill of the trade through generations and some were regarded as master millers. Doyle goes on to tell us a bit more about his family heritage, their involvement in milling and the towns and villages locally where they operated. He also makes a distinction between the larger industrial mills and the smaller, more local mills which were a simpler affair. From a purely practical standpoint, the main function of mills was to grind grain on commission for local supply. It was an industry that serviced farmers needs and was a key component in the Irish food supply. This industry was central to the economy of the island. In terms of milling in Sligo, according to McTernan, it played an important role in the local economy, especially in rural areas. He notes that mills have been found all over the county but with particular concentration on the Drumcliffe, Duneill, Easkey, Moy, Owenboy, Owenmore, Unsin and Sligo rivers. More than 90 per cent of these concerns were corn mills, some of which had kilns attached. The principal mills that are associated with these water sources would include Ballincar, Ballisodare, Ballymote, Collooney, Coolaney, Dromore West, Riverstown and Sligo. In these regions it is more than likely that oats were grown for the domestic market where it would have been used for porridge and for feeding animals. The rest of the produce would have gone to the Sligo market where it was purchased for export. A photograph of the old mill in Coolaney, Co Sligo. Picture: Courtesy of Tom Doyle Master millers Doyle informs us of the places where his family once plied their trade and goes on to describe the eventual demise of the local milling way of life. It seems, like most things that pass away, such mills were surpassed by evolving technology and a need for greater efficiency. I imagine at that time little thought was given to the passing of a once vibrant local tradition. It seems in between the canal era and the age of rail, local mills came and went. The Doyles, who were descended from Andrew Doyle, a miller of Flaughana, Doocastle, were the principal milling family in the county for close on a century. Successive generations were described as Master Millers and were associated with mills at Banada, Castlerock, Cloonacurragh, Curry and Montiagh, in addition to Coolaney. Further research can now include the following mills associated with Doyles: Battlefield, Carrountubber and Cloonacool. Most of the mills the Doyle family ran are now long gone, and some of the buildings disappeared less than 100 years after they were built. However, the mills that survived either adapted or were in very rural regions that were slow to change. These buildings are still in situ, albeit tenuously, and in most cases their watercourses are still intact. Mills are an important part of our industrial heritage and because they were once so common on the landscape, they effectively are considered not rare enough to be conserved. Bygone days One of the mills in the small village of Cloonacool was run by a branch of the Doyle family. While the mill has not been in use for over 150 years, its footprint remains by the side of the Mad River, a mountain tributary of the Moy. The last remaining member of that Doyle family, John, who still lived beside the old mill, passed away in recent years. His passing drew the curtain on a once great local industry. The Doyle family, and their old mill, are still remembered in Cloonacool village. The Mill Community Cafe opens every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 2pm, and the old millstone from Doyles mill stands proudly in the centre of the village as a reminder of bygone days. By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA President Michael D Higgins has led tributes to former broadcaster David Davin-Power, who has died aged 72. The Dublin-born journalist began working with RTE News in 1978 and became one of the first presenters of Morning Ireland. Mr Davin-Power later served as Northern Ireland editor and then worked as a political correspondent in Dublin for more than 15 years. The Dublin-born broadcaster was a presenter on RTE Radios Morning Ireland programme (RTE/PA) He retired in 2017 but continued to write columns for the Times Ireland edition and the Sunday Independent. Mr Higgins said Mr Davin-Power was a consummate broadcaster and communicator who provided decades of incisive analysis across his roles at RTE. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, his colleagues in the media, across the Oireachtas and by the public who were so informed by his work, he said. Retired RTE newsreader Bryan Dobson paid tribute to his friend Mr Davin-Powers ability to make complex stories immediately understandable and to hone in on what really mattered. Weve really lost a giant of public service broadcasting, he told Drivetime. Director-general of RTE Kevin Bakhurst said Mr Davin-Power had one of the most incisive political brains at RTE and indeed in Ireland. For many years, he was familiar to audiences, colleagues and politicians as insightful, eloquent and scrupulously fair. Off-screen, he was also funny, a great storyteller and was hugely loyal to colleagues, friends and to RTE itself. More than all of that, he loved his family and spoke of them with huge pride and joy. When I saw him in the summer he was already very ill but was on great form wanting to talk politics: Irish, UK, US and of course RTE. Always with a glint in his eye, some mischief and his memorable laugh. We will all miss him hugely. Tributes have been paid to David Davin-Power who has died aged 72 (RTE/PA) Taoiseach Simon Harris paid tribute to him as a trusted name who was welcomed into homes across the country throughout his long career. He was one of the first presenters of Morning Ireland, an accomplished Northern Editor of RTE at a key moment in history, a political correspondent who knew the Dail inside out, and in recent years, a witty and insightful columnist. David was always a consummate professional, a thorough journalist, and a gentleman. He was a storyteller who was generous with his time, he was an interesting person who was interested in other people, and he was kind to those around him. Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he was thorough and razor sharp in his questioning and analysis, but fair. He was always driven to get to the bottom of every story he worked on. I always enjoyed my engagements with David, and our conversations over the years. He had an outstanding ability to explain even the most complicated of stories, making the news accessible to all. His contribution to journalism was immense. My thoughts are with Davids family, friends and former colleagues at this difficult time. He is survived by his wife Dearbhla, five children and wider family. Jackdaws Chant The Blues is the exciting new collection of poems from North Mayo native, Seamus Ruttledge. The Tuam-based songwriter is a great observer of life and this shines all through this collection of poetry. Ruttledges poems are a journey through mystery, mysticism and the secrets of country people. Jackdaws Chant The Blues celebrates country life with evocative imagery and at times humour, through poems like No Flowers Please, Winter Is Nearly Done, and In Times Of Change. Ruttledge expertly uses the ways of country life as a prism to explore conflict, nature and mystery. The impact of pop culture on the lives of young country people is addressed through poems like Ways To Live and Bowing In The Backroom, but this collection is mainly a homage to life in rural settings. Jackdaws Chant The Blues is a journey of discovery through times of change with Ruttledge capturing mood and emotion with ease, drawing the reader into his world, almost as a co-creator. His observations are sharp, never overpowering and affords space, like a musician uses silence between notes. The cover of the new book of poetry from North Mayo native Seamus Ruttledge. This definitive collection from Seamus Ruttledge draws us nearer to ourselves, our lives and our world. The poems will make us think while also supporting us within the kaleidoscope of life in rural Ireland. The language is honest and the energy is sincere. We cannot ask for anything more. Ruttledges poems document change and aspects of a rural past where nature was supreme, but the struggle to make sense of what it means to be truly human, in a complex modern world, remains at the heart of his work. Award-winning author Mike McCormack is a fan of the work of Seamus Ruttledge. "Ruttledge's poems come straight from a heart full of truthful songs. With grace and melody they sing us through past and present, love and loss, towards some greater understanding of who we are." The book is available instore and online from Books n More, Tuam; Charlie Byrnes Bookshop, Galway; Pangur Ban Bookshop, Ballina; The Bookshop, Westport; McLoughlin's Bookshop, Westport. ISTANBUL, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani held a closed-door meeting on Friday in Istanbul, according to a statement from the Turkish presidential office. During their discussions, Erdogan highlighted the serious security threats that terrorist organizations pose to both Turkiye and Iraq. He called for a unified strategy to combat these threats, stressing the importance of peace and stability for both nations. Erdogan also expressed concerns over the rising "Israeli aggression" in Gaza and Lebanon. He urged the international community, particularly regional nations, to take collective action to stop the violence. The Turkish president emphasized the need to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly through the Development Road Project, which aims to improve connectivity between the two countries by establishing an extensive network of railways, roads, and ports to facilitate trade and transportation. The Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported that Al-Sudani and Erdogan called on Arab and Islamic countries, along with international organizations and the United Nations, to support efforts for a ceasefire in the region. They underscored the necessity of facilitating relief operations, providing humanitarian aid to those affected, initiating reconstruction efforts, and preserving the Palestinian presence on its "historical land." Additionally, the INA noted that the two leaders discussed ways to implement existing agreements and partnerships in various economic and development sectors. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Cloudy, breezy, and warm with occasional showers developing, especially in the afternoon; a gusty downpour or strong thunderstorm possible in the afternoon and evening. . Tonight Cloudy, breezy, and mild with showers and a few gusty storms or downpours in the evening; drying out late at night. Despite more options to treat opioid use disorder, uneven access to effective treatments has furthered disparities in addiction and recovery along racial and economic lines. For decades now, the United States has been ravaged by the opioid crisis, considered to be the worst drug epidemic in national history. Despite preliminary data showing a slight drop in opioid-related overdose deaths in 2023, the epidemic continues to wreak havoc on individuals and communities. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 80,000 people died from opioid-related overdoses between January 2023 and 2024, more than double the amount reported between January 2015 and 2016. Ophelia analyzed data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at the Department of Health and Human Services and other academic studies to examine disparities in access to opioid treatment in the United States and its ramifications for people in addiction recovery. Deaths from opioid overdoses in the United States can be traced to three main waves. The first wave, following an increase in prescription opioids in the 1990s, triggered a rise in overdose deaths. By 2010, heroin-related overdoses surpassed those from prescription misuse, culminating in a new wave of overdose deaths. When illicit synthetic opioids like fentanyl entered the market in 2013, the third wave began, and it continues to plague the nation today. Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids also spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic in multiple countries, according to the World Health Organization. Further, opioid overdose deaths disproportionately impact Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Black Americans. A 2022 Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of overdose death data shows Native communities are experiencing the highest death rates, which are increasing at much higher rates than those of any other ethnic group in the United States. KIGALI, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- More than 1,600 people have been vaccinated against the Marburg virus disease in Rwanda, including those at high risk of contracting the virus and contacts of positive cases, a senior official has said. Yvan Butera, Rwandan minister of state in the Ministry of Health, announced the figures on Thursday during a media briefing on the status of the Marburg virus outbreak in the country. With 500 contacts of positive cases being followed, the priority remains rapid detection, rapid testing, quick isolation, treatment of positive cases and vaccination, Butera said, noting that the measures have contributed to containing the outbreak. Since the declaration of the Marburg virus outbreak in late September, Rwanda has recorded 66 confirmed cases and 15 deaths as of Thursday, according to the latest data from the health ministry, with the majority of the people affected being healthcare workers. Besides, at least 49 people have recovered from the deadly disease while two are being treated. Butera said the fatality rate is at 22.7 percent, probably among the lowest recorded. In terms of testing, the minister said that nearly 6,000 people mostly at risk have been tested as well as contacts of positive cases. The Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. Symptoms include high fever, severe headaches and severe malaise and many patients develop severe hemorrhagic symptoms within seven days. JUBA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The World Food Program (WFP) on Friday urgently appealed for 404 million U.S. dollars to support its humanitarian assistance operations in South Sudan in 2025 amid warning of rising hunger. The WFP urged donors to give early funding for the operations in South Sudan next year, so that the UN food agency may preposition food to avert ballooning operational expenses and famine beyond 2025. Shaun Hughes, WFP's acting country director for South Sudan, said it can take months to turn pledged donor funds into food in the hands of hungry people in South Sudan. "The country's limited road networks are impassable for much of the year, particularly in the east and central parts of the country where food insecurity is highest," Hughes said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. The WFP's appeal follows the release of the "Hunger Hotspots" report by the WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization, which warns that South Sudan is a country of highest concern where humanitarian action is essential to prevent starvation and deaths. According to the report, acute food insecurity in South Sudan, where 56 percent of the population already faces a crisis-level or worse hunger situation, is likely to worsen as the 2025 lean season approaches, typically starting in May. The WFP said the causes of this deterioration are high food prices, a severe economic crisis, conflict and insecurity, cross-border movements from Sudan, and flooding. The UN agency said it currently has no food supplies in South Sudan to preposition for next year's humanitarian response and needs 404 million dollars to frontload assistance. "Failure to do so will leave WFP reliant on expensive airdrops later in the year to reach isolated communities who are facing the most severe levels of hunger and depend on humanitarian food assistance," it warned. The WFP said funds received before the end of this year will enable it to preposition food by road in remote hunger-hit areas during the brief dry season window from December to April. "Airdrops are always the last resort for WFP. Every dollar spent on planes is a dollar not spent on food for hungry people. But there is a simple solution: get food to communities by road before they are cut off by heavy rain and flooding," Hughes said. Wits Plus advances lifelong learning The launch of the reimagined Wits Plus highlights Wits commitment to expand access to short courses in line with the growing needs for skills development. In a move to respond to the changing world of work and the digital revolution, Wits University has relaunched the reconfigured Wits Plus (PTY) Ltd which consolidates short courses from across the University under one roof. Wits Plus offers short courses in engineering, business management, architecture, construction, health sciences, law, languages, real estate and property, and more. At the core of Wits Plus is the mission to promote lifelong learning. The digital earthquake is upon us and the picture of education is changing. Getting a degree and just moving on to work and closing the books is no longer an option, said Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal at the launch on 30 October. The future of professions is lifelong learning, obtaining micro-credentialing, learning online and in many other ways. Building these skills will prepare us for the future that we are trying to build. In upskilling professionals in South Africa and beyond, Vilakazi stressed that Wits remains committed to ensuring that learning is accessible, relevant and changing with the demands of a fast-evolving technology and society. This was echoed by Professor Ruksana Osman, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic who has been stewarding the establishment of the company, in line with the broader learning and teaching plans of the University. We recognise that in society, people need access to education and that these opportunities have to come in different formats, said Osman. At Wits, we now offer full- and part-time studies, contact teaching, online programmes, and short courses all of which form part of the overall teaching and learning suite. Wits has provided part-time learning for more than 50 years, mostly through contact classes and more recently in a hybrid format and will now also offer fully online short courses. Towards a common goal In preparation for the role to serve the diverse needs of todays learners and professionals, different departments at Wits have been involved in Project Wits Plus which began more than a year ago. I am proud of the strong partnership within our University and beyond, from quality assurance divisions, administrators and Deans - all of whom have been crucial and will continue to be key in the long-term success of Wits Plus. You are all engaged in a common purpose and have reached a sweet spot of coherence and collaboration, added Osman. Wits Plus Director Natalie Zimmelman also expressed her gratitude for the support. The richness and depth of resources that we find within the University are unparalleled and will help us to develop the right answers and the right skills, said Zimmelman. We speak about building the city, building the skills within the city. Those skills have got to continue to be built because the world tomorrow will not look like today. Wits history is rooted in the history of Johannesburg dating to the gold rush and producing the skills for the resulting industries and societal needs. It continues to develop the high-level scarce skills required to advance the economy and the new world of work. Zimmelman advises people to keep studying. This is about you, and your personal growth you need to invest in yourself and in your education, so that you develop in-demand skills and capabilities, Learn about the latest research and how to use new technologies to become a specialist in your area, Learn in a group - ongoing skills development will help to unlock key growth for individuals and companies, placing you ahead of competitors, and Contribute towards building the economy and the country through ongoing skills development that can unlock key growth opportunities. Lifelong learning should be part of our lifestyle, adds Zimmelman. Nowadays, people can study in person, online or through blended learning, with easy-to-use learning management systems. There are so many opportunities, sometimes we just have to get up and get going. For more information on WitsPlus, visit Wits Plus Short Courses. DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The central bank of Tanzania on Friday reiterated its move to withdraw old Tanzanian shilling banknotes from circulation. Ilulu Ilulu, acting director of currency management at the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), said the withdrawal of the old banknotes will be conducted from Jan. 6, 2025, to April 5, 2025. "After this period, the old banknotes that will not be withdrawn from circulation shall cease to be legal tender," he told a news conference at the port city of Dar es Salaam. He said banknotes to be withdrawn are in denominations of 20, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, and 10,000 shillings issued from 1985 to 2003, and 500 banknotes issued in 2010. Ilulu said the BoT has instructed all commercial banks and financial institutions to accept deposits and facilitate the over-the-counter exchange of called-in banknotes from the public and make the payment of face value thereof. "Prior to the commencement of this exercise, the bank will train personnel from banks and financial institutions with the view of ensuring that only genuine old banknotes are honored during deposit or exchange of called-in banknotes," he said. "They will be required to observe the security features of the called-in banknotes and adhere to guidelines for sorting, counting, packaging, cash depositing, and counterfeit detection issued by the central bank in 2015," added Ilulu. At the invitation of the Chinese side, Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim will pay a working visit to China from November 4 to 7. Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting: I have a question about the terrorist attack in Iran. On Saturday, October 26, 2024, a foreign terrorist group supported by and linked with ISIS-Khorasan, carried out a terrorist attack on two vehicles of the patrol unit of the Islamic Republic of Iran Police Command in the city of Taftan in the province of Sistan and Baluchistan. This attack by the Jaish al-Zalm terrorist group unfortunately led to the martyrdom of 10 Iranian policemen. What is the Chinese governments comment in this regard? Lin Jian: China condemns the terrorist attack. We oppose terrorism of all forms and support Irans effort to keep the country safe and stable. Reuters: Viet Nam on Thursday said they have protested against Chinas alleged detention of Vietnamese fishermen and fishing vessels in the Paracel Islands. Please could the Foreign Ministry confirm this? Lin Jian: Xisha Qundao is Chinas inherent territory. China hopes Viet Nam will earnestly raise the awareness of its fishermen and make sure they will not engage in illegal activities in waters under Chinas jurisdiction. AFP: A question about the reported presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said he was surprised by Chinas "silence" on this issue of the North Korean soldiers. What is Chinas response to the Ukrainian President? Lin Jian: We have noted some reports related to this and responses from various parties recently. The DPRK and Russia are two independent sovereign states, and how to develop bilateral relations is a matter for themselves. China is not aware of the specifics of bilateral exchanges and cooperation between the DPRK and Russia. Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. Let me stress that China hopes that parties will work to ease tensions and remain committed to the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. This position remains unchanged. China will continue to play a constructive role to this end. AFP: Still a question on the same topic about the reported presence of North Korean soldiers in Russia. The US said that up to 8,000 North Korean troops have reached Russias border region with Ukraine. Do you confirm these claims and is China in contact with North Korea on this issue? Lin Jian: I am not familiar with this. On the Ukraine crisis, I have shared Chinas consistent and clear position just now. Reuters: Myanmars local media reports the head of Myanmar will visit China. Please could the Foreign Ministry confirm this visit? Lin Jian: I have nothing to share on that. AFP: Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, is visiting Japan starting from today. During the visit, the Japanese government and the European Union will sign the Japan-EU Security and Defence Partnership agreement, which according to local media reports, targets China. What is Chinas response to the agreement between the EU and Japan? Lin Jian: Security and defense cooperation between various parties should be conducive to regional peace and stability, and not target any third party or undermine the security interests of other countries. Let me stress that due to historical reasons, Japans military and security moves have been closely watched by the international community and its Asian neighbors. We urge Japan to earnestly draw lessons from history, adhere to peaceful development, respect the security concerns of its neighbors in Asia, and stay prudent in military and security areas. We also hope that the EU will not interfere in the disputes on territorial and maritime rights and interests between regional countries, but instead play a constructive role for regional peace, stability, and development. The Paper: The seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) will kick off next week, and the preparations are almost completed. According to statistics, the number of participants will hit a new record, with 297 Fortune Global 500 companies, industry leaders and nearly 800 trading groups from various countries set to attend the event. How do you view the significance of this years CIIE to Chinas effort of expanding high-standard opening up? Lin Jian: Hosting the CIIE is an important step for China to further open up and a concrete action China took to build an open world economy. The numbers you just mentioned showcase the appeal of Chinas mega-sized market, speak volumes about the strong confidence of the international community in Chinas economic outlook, and demonstrate the common aspiration of all sides for win-win result through open cooperation. Since the first CIIE in 2018, the event has been upgraded and expanded into a window for China to forge a new development paradigm and a platform to advance high-standard opening up. The CIIE has an expanding network of friends and growing significance as an international public good. This years CIIE provides support for 37 least developed countries to participate in country exhibition and business exhibition, and further expands the exhibition area for African products in the food and agricultural products exhibition, in an effort to help more developing countries take part in the universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. Openness is the core value of the CIIE and a defining feature of todays development in China. China is striving for high-quality development by advancing high-standard opening up. We stand ready to work with all sides through the CIIE to make the pie of opening up bigger and the list of cooperation longer, so that the opportunities of Chinas huge market can be shared by all countries and benefit people across the world. Bloomberg: Viet Nam said it has asked China to immediately release vessels and fishermen detained in the South China Sea. It has also demanded compensation for losses. Would the Foreign Ministry like to respond to this? Lin Jian: I answered the relevant question just now. ****************************************** The following question was raised after the press conference: During the meeting with Slovakias Prime Minister Robert Fico, President Xi Jinping announced Chinas unilateral visa-free policy to Slovakia. Could you share with us more details? Besides the 20 other countries whose ordinary passport holders have enjoyed the unilateral visa-free policy, has China rolled out this policy to more countries? Lin Jian: To further facilitate cross-border travel, China decided to give visa-free treatment to more countries by extending the visa-free policy to ordinary passport holders from Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and the ROK on a trial basis. From November 8, 2024 to December 31, 2025, ordinary passport holders from these nine countries can be exempted from visa to enter China and stay for no more than 15 days for business, tourism, family visit and transit purposes. KABUL, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces have rescued a child in western Afghanistan's Herat province and arrested two kidnappers, a district police chief, Mohammad Hasan Ihsan, said on Friday. The child was kidnapped one year ago, and police found him in the Injil district recently and handed him over to his family, Ihsan said, adding police have arrested two persons on the charge of involvement in the kidnapping. This is the third child released from kidnappers' clutch over the past month in Herat province. The Taliban-run administration has vowed to crack down on outlaws to ensure law and order in the war-torn country. HANOI, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's manufacturing sector in October started to recover from the effects of September's typhoon, recording renewed increases in both output and new orders, according to a S&P Global Market Intelligence report released on Friday. The country's manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index posted 51.2 in October, up from 47.3 in September and back above the 50.0 no-change mark following the disruption caused to the sector by Typhoon Yagi in the previous month, said the report. Alongside the rise in total new business, Vietnam's new export orders also increased in October, according to the report. Andrew Harker, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said "October data showed that the recovery from the disruption caused by Typhoon Yagi got underway during the month, with firms seeing a rise in new orders and being able to expand their production." "We should hopefully therefore see growth pick-up as more manufacturers get back up to full capacity towards the year-end," he said. BISHKEK, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyzstan has introduced a visa-free policy for organized tourist groups from China, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce announced Thursday. The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan adopted a resolution Monday to amend the rules for foreign citizens' stay in the country. The resolution introduced a visa-free policy for organized tourist groups from China, requiring groups of five to 25 people to enter Kyrgyzstan under a pre-approved tourist program. Tourist groups can stay in Kyrgyzstan for up to 21 days without a visa if they hold a return ticket to their home country or a third country. They may re-enter without a visa after a 21-day interval, the ministry said. The ministry noted that the visa-free policy for Chinese tourists aims to strengthen Kyrgyzstan-China cooperation, boost tourism and develop economic ties on a mutually beneficial basis. VIENTIANE, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Laos is seeking to promote sustainable agricultural production and encourage farmers and producers to increase the export of agricultural produce to China through the China-Laos Railway. "I've heard that several Chinese businessmen have expressed interest in growing durian in Laos to feed the surge in demand for the fruit among Chinese consumers. And I've seen how much Chinese people love durian. I think this is a golden opportunity for Laos to benefit from the Chinese market," Phonesak Jaliya, a vendor who sells fruits in the Lao capital Vientiane, told Xinhua. "Laos has abundant natural resources and we have land that's suitable for cultivation. I think Laos could become a potential supplier of the crop for China," he said. The Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and a Chinese business group recently convened a meeting to explore the potential of Laos' durian sector for export to China. At the meeting, Vice President of LNCCI Bounleuth Luangpaseuth emphasized the rapid growth of durian cultivation in Laos' fertile agricultural land, highlighting the China-Laos Railway as a crucial transport link. Also speaking at the meeting with the Chinese business group, President of the Lao Agribusiness Association Bounthieng Lattanavong said the Lao and Chinese governments have invested a lot in infrastructure development, especially the China-Laos Railway, so that Lao products can be sent to the large markets in China. "The Lao government has also paid attention to improving relevant laws and regulations to strongly promote the production, processing and export of agricultural products," he said. Manichanh Bounheuang, a vendor in the Lao capital Vientiane, said the China-Laos Railway emerged as a crucial factor in boosting exports. The railway has a critical role in ensuring the prompt movement of farm products, especially fresh produce. "Lao farmers need to manage quality control of their products, including packaging and logistics. China is a large market, and if their products meet the quality standards required for export to China, I believe they will earn lots of money," said Manichanh. A shipment of 390 tons of bananas has been transported by rail to China on a refrigerated train traveling from Lao capital Vientiane to Kunming and onwards to Pinggu District of Beijing. The train left Vientiane on Oct. 12, and arrived in Beijing on Oct. 20. Laos earned more than 1.4 billion U.S. dollars from agricultural exports in 2023. The value of production in agriculture and forestry accounted for 21.4 percent of the gross domestic product in 2023. The Lao government is encouraging farmers and producers to supply more goods to the domestic market and to produce more for export to bring in much-needed foreign currency and help reduce high foreign exchange rates. JAKARTA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Several people were killed, and nine others were injured when a large fire broke out at a cooking oil factory near Jakarta, Indonesia's largest city, on Friday, according to Agung Priambodo, head of the Jakarta Search and Rescue Office. Approximately 20 fire trucks are currently working to contain the blaze at an industrial complex in Bekasi, a town near Jakarta. "So far, about half of the fire has been brought under control," Priambodo told Xinhua. "Twelve body bags containing body parts have been retrieved from the scene. Earlier, we were informed that nine people were missing," he said, noting that around 30 personnel are engaged in the search and rescue efforts at the site. Priambodo added that nine people had been rescued from the scene, most of whom sustained burn injuries. Missouri has one of the nations strictest abortion bans. Now its up to voters to decide whether to keep it MANILA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Friday that it approved a loan of 85 million U.S. dollars to fund the modernization of irrigation networks and increase agricultural production in Nepal. The ADB said the Irrigation Modernization Enhancement Project will develop a more efficient and climate-resilient agriculture and irrigation system for about 56,000 farm households across five provinces in Nepal. Nepal's agriculture sector contributes 26 percent to the gross domestic product. However, growth has stagnated at 2.7 percent annually due to unreliable irrigation, while climate-related hazards such as floods, droughts, and heat waves have intensified food insecurity and reduced resilience. The project promises to upgrade more than 31,000 hectares of agricultural command areas covering 100 farmer-managed irrigation systems. The total project cost is 133.64 million dollars. This includes 16.14 million dollars from the government and 2.5 million dollars from farmer-beneficiaries. The government is in the final stages of securing a loan from a development partner to bridge the remaining 30 million dollars funding gap through co-financing. Channel 4s Undercover: Exposing the Far Right, available here, is an important piece of investigative journalism and documentary filmmaking, revealing the international and financial connections of the global fascist movement. Among a range of focusses, the strongest and most politically significant is the undercover investigation by Harry Shukman and Patrik Hermansson into a network of well-funded race scientists, published by Hope Not Hate earlier in October. Undercover: Exposing the Far Right [Photo: Channel 4] Scheduled to be shown at the London Film Festival, the screening was cancelled at the last minute by the organisers, citing safety concerns. Director Havana Marking described herself as furious that our film has lost a planned theatrical release so late in the day. She added that it was getting harder to make documentaries with political content, and if they are not guaranteed a screening it really does not help. Shukman spent months undercover in Britains far-right. The documentary makes the risks involved clear by detailing the threats regularly levelled against other Hope Not Hate employees. It begins with his attendance at the Scandza Forum in May 2023, held in Tallinn, Estonia hosting more than 100 fascists from the around the world. While there, he picks up the thread of the Aporia online magazine, apparently backed by a wealthy investor with a big tech background in the United States. At time of writing, Aporia has over 15,000 followers on Substack and close to 10,000 on X/Twitter. It is pitched as the reasonable face of racist, eugenicist pseudoscience: so-called race realism. Shukman meets the publications editor-in-chief Matthew Archer (real name Matthew Frost) in Tallinn and spends the next months gaining his trust, posing as a potential investor. He is able to uncover both the identity of Aporias investor, and the wider network of which it is a part. Archer reveals that the magazine is the public face of the Human Diversity Foundation (HDF), a limited lability company run by Emil Kirkegaard (under his legal name, William Engman). HDF, Shukman discovers, is the continuation of the Pioneer Fund, originally set up by the multimillionaire heir of a textile business Wickliffe Draper in 1937 to champion Nazi racial hygiene laws, and which has funded race scientists ever since. Directed by Richard Lynn from 2012, it was unclear how the Fund would continue to function after his death in 2023. Archer tells Shukman, It was left to Emil and now that becomes part of our organisation, HDF. That organisation comprises an underground research arm and public operations like Aporia. A presentation given to Shukman lists 10 researchers and two journals handled by HDF, and another six people working on the media side, including Aporia. Explaining their target audience, Archer says, We want to be read by the elite, the aspiring elite. And they have a hearing. Over dinner in Athens with Archer and AfD member Erik Ahrenswho participated in the notorious Potsdam Conference last NovemberShukman learns that $1.3 million has been given to the HDF by American tech billionaire Andrew Conru. More extensive details of the HDFs work, Conrus background, and Shukmans conversations with Archer and Kirkegaard, which have been published in a series of articles by Hope Not Hate, do not make it into the documentary. This is worth summarising. Archer, referring to a thread he posted claiming the average Palestinian IQ is 85, close to the threshold for mental disability, told Shukman Palestinians are different. They cant be reasoned with; you cant educate them. In another conversation, he described his wish for mass, forcible remigration of people of foreign descent from Europe; he told Ahrens and his AfD party Its your fucking duty to do this. Ahrens has played a leading role in HDFs efforts to cultivate networks of social media figures, with 17 far-right influencers already on board in Germany. HDFs most prominent asset on this front is Edward Dutton, who promotes race science and other fascist talking points on his Jolly Heretic YouTube channel with 110,000 subscribers and Substack with over 12,000 subscribers. According to Hope Not Hate, The Jolly Heretic brings in an estimated $133,000 a year for HDF, which pays Dutton roughly $40,000 a year and helps him with video production. Another major figure is Jared Taylor, president of the white supremacist New Century Foundation and recipient of over $200,000 from the Pioneer Fund historically. He has appeared on Aporias podcast and was apparently the connection between Kirkegaard and Conru, a relationship which developed over years. According to Archer, Conru realised at the tail end of last year [2022], this needed to be scaled up, systematised, and this was how the HDF was formed. His support has allowed the company to run a $600,000-a-year operation involving, Hope Not Hate write, at least four full-time staff members, six part-timers and multiple researchers, contributors and developers paid on an ad-hoc basis, plus production costs and extensive travelling. Notwithstanding Conrus lame denials after the publication of this exposure, he has also given $150,000 to the far-right Turning Point USA organisation, $5,000 to the violently racist and Holocaust denying Unz Review, and an undisclosed sum to fund the publication of Simon Webbs The Equalitarian Dogma: Why Ideology and not Science Dominates Debate on Ethnicity and Race in the Modern World. He gave $50,000 to disgraced academic and former Pioneer Fund recipient Bryan Pesta and $200,000 to the Center for the Study of Partisanship & Ideologyrun by Richard Hanania, who called for the sterilisation of those with low IQ and likened race mixing to destroying a unique species or piece of art. Conru was not the only billionaire Archer and company had in discussion. Prior to HDFs founding, Kirkegaard met with Peter Thiel, commenting that he did not secure funds on that occasion but that the discussion had gone well. As Archer explained his ambitions to Shukman, In three or four-years time, this will be the destination for controversial social science. We would rather be read by a few billionaires than 10,000 normies. Judging by our email list, this is already happening: I can look down and see academics, entrepreneurs, journalists at the New York Times. This fuller picture underscores the fact that the growth of the far right is the result not only of people being angry and scared about their social conditions, though thiscoupled with the bankruptcy and betrayals of the official left which is given a free pass throughout the Undercover documentaryis undoubtedly a major factor. It is the carefully curated product of a fascistic section of the ruling and middle class: a wide network of academics, billionaires, prominent media personalities, and political operators. Race science and eugenics play, as throughout the 20th century, a central role. The World Socialist Web Site explained in February 2020, in response to the appointment as a government advisor of the social Darwinist Andrew Sabisky: In every case, social Darwinism and race science has come to prominence in the ruling class in response to a sharpening of the class struggle, under conditions of deep capitalist crisis. Its fundamental purpose is as an ideological weapon against Marxism and the socialist movementinsisting on a biological rather than social cause of inequalityand its consequences are the denigration, suppression and racial division of the working class. Two years earlier, the WSWS and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality had taken up a fight over the London Conference on Intelligence, attended by Archer, and the appointment to a Cambridge research fellowship of Noah Carl. We placed a focus on Carls relationship with Kirkegaard and his OpenPsych website, and with Lynn and Mankind Quarterlythe Pioneer Funds journal, now taken over by HDF. What we have here, wrote the WSWS, is a network of right-wing ideologues, who set up what have rightly been called pseudo journals through which they publish and review one anothers tracts. After persistent student protests, Carls fellowship was withdrawn. An enormous hue and cry went up in the bourgeois media denouncing the mob rule which was crushing free speech on campus and portraying Carl as an innocent victim honestly pursuing controversial but important research. The WSWS described how he was playing a significant role in the attempt to create a right-wing counter spiral in mainstream academia. Hope Not Hates HDF investigation confirms the extent of this conspiracy. Carl is the current editor of, and a regular writer for, Aporia. He was suggested to Thielalongside Nathan Cofnas, another disgraced race scientist formerly with Cambridge Universityby Kirkegaard as someone whose work might interest him. At one point in Undercover, a member of Hope Not Hate explains, Its terrifying to think that there are people out there who have so much money that theyre basically unaccountable. This is fundamentally true, but it is important not to see these oligarchs as out-of-step, rogue figures. Their fascistic ideas increasingly find a resonance in government, the media and the wider ruling class. It cannot be left to the state to hold them accountable. As the WSWS wrote in conclusion on the Noah Carl case in October 2019: Networks of professors and politicians across the world are working to prove that German fascism was justified, that race exists as a meaningful scientific category, that the eugenicists have a point. In opposing this campaign, appeals to scientific reason can only have a lasting impact if they are joined with a progressive, socialist political programme. Falsifications and pseudo-science gain power despite their untruth because they animate and are promoted by reactionary social forces of the kind strengthening daily under conditions of a global capitalist crisis. The fascist and fascistic movements in which these ideas find a home are being cultivated to defend and enforce explosive levels of social inequality and imperialist violence. Defeating them therefore requires a defence of historical and scientific truth based on a turn to a far more powerful force with diametrically opposed social intereststhe international working class, now coming forward into mass struggles against inequality, war and dictatorship. Volkswagen wants to cut the wages of its 120,000 employees in Germany by almost 20 percent, thereby saving 2 billion a year. This became known on Wednesday evening after the second round of negotiations on the VW company wage agreement. VW factory gate in Wolfsburg Finance daily Handelsblatt had already reported on the proposed cuts in advance: Wages will be reduced by 10 percent (instead of the demanded 7 percent increase) and frozen for the years 2025 and 2026. Supplementary payments, bonuses and gratuities will be cancelled without replacement. Older workers who have been able to reduce their weekly working hours to between 25 and 33 hours (on the assembly line) or 26 and 34 hours (in administration) since the Future Pact contract of 2005 will have to work a full 35 hours again. Temporary workers will no longer be paid according to VWs own wage scales, but rather according to the lower industry scales. The number of apprentices will be reduced from 1,400 per year. The threat of mass layoffs and the closure of entire plants is still on the table with this provocative offer. Volkswagen wants to save a total of almost 4 billion a year. But management has indicated that it would be willing to discuss the preservation of production locations if the IG Metall union and the works council agree to massive wage cuts, whereby maintaining a location does not mean that all jobs will remain. A wage reduction, as provocatively being demanded by the VW management, is unprecedented in post-war German history. For many VW workers who have families, houses to pay for and other obligations to meet, it would be financially devastating. Nevertheless, the IG Metall and the works council have already signalled their willingness to compromise. Since the head of the works council, Daniela Cavallo, went public on Monday with the warning that VW intended to close three plants and lay off tens of thousands, all statements by the works council and IG Metall officials have focused on the demand to maintain all locations. They did not question the companys cost-cutting targets, nor did they call for a fight against them. Instead, they demanded management work very closely with them on the cuts and job losses, as it has in the past. IG Metall negotiator Thorsten Groger, for example, declared that a viable future concept for all locations was the entry ticket for further negotiations. By a viable future concept, Groger meansjust as VW boss Oliver Blume and the shareholder families Porsche and Piech doa concept that yields at least a 6.5 percent return. Stephan Weil (Social Democrat, SPD), State Premier of Lower Saxony, which holds a 20 percent stake in the VW Group and where the company headquarters and main plant are situated, also stated that it was crucial to maintain the industrial substance of the automotive industry in Lower Saxony, and that all sides would have to contribute to this. Coinciding with the second round of contract bargaining, Volkswagen reported a 64 percent drop in profits for the third quarter compared to the same period last year. But if one takes a closer look at the figures, the shareholders and managers are continuing to make massive profits. In 2023, the group as a whole, which also includes brands such as Skoda, Seat, Audi and Porsche, posted record sales of 332 billion and a profit of 22.6 billion. It paid out 4.5 billion in dividends, more than is now to be saved on the VW brand in one year. The VW Group was thus in line with the trend. The 40 most valuable German companies listed on the DAX stock index distributed a total of 54 billion in dividends in 2023also a historic record. The front-runner was the Mercedes-Benz car company, which gave its shareholders 5.5 billion. The Volkswagen brand, which has the lowest return on investment in the VW Group, is still in the black despite the slump in profits. It generated a surplus of 1.6 billion in the third quarter of 2024. The austerity programme, for which the workers at VW are to pay with their jobs and incomes, is a consequence of the bitter global struggle for market share and profits, which is being fought on the backs of the international working class and is increasingly taking the form of trade wars and outright war. Volkswagen is rapidly losing market share, especially in China, where it sold one in three cars until recently. Last spring, Volkswagen lost its position as market leader there to the Chinese electric carmaker BYD. BYD now sells more cars in China than all VW brandsVolkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Skoda, Jetta and Seholcombined. The attack on jobs and wages can only be repelled if workers unite internationally and place their social rights above the profit claims of the corporations. This requires breaking with the trade unions and their works council representatives, which take the side of their respective national corporations in both the international trade war and the attacks on workers. To drive back the planned attacks and defend all plants and workplaces, independent action committees must be built and linked up worldwide in the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). Bolivias former President Evo Morales accused the government of President Luis Arce of sending elite agents of the Bolivian state to kill him after attackers shot multiple times at his caravan of vehicles on Sunday morning. The incident marks a sharp intensification of the conflict between factions of the ruling class in the resource-rich, South American country. Screenshot of a video showing reflection of former President Evo Morales in bullet-shattered truck window [Photo: Evo Morales] Morales published a video on social media showing him switching from a vehicle whose tires had been blown up to another vehicle, which also came under fire during a high-speed chase. The windshields and body of the trucks were riddled with bullets and the driver was hit in the arm and another bullet grazed his scalp. Morales was not injured. In a statement, the dominant wing of the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party, which is controlled by Morales, charged that men dressed in black carried out the attack from two unmarked vehicles. They were then seen entering a military barracks at the site of the shooting and leaving in a helicopter. The statement concludes by blaming the Arce administration and calling it fascist. The attack against Morales took place after several failed attempts by the police to clear major roadblocks, mostly in the central Andean highlands city of Cochabamba, which the ex-presidents supporters have maintained for over two weeks against attempts to arrest him. President Arce had named a new military high command the night before the attack, ordering it to ensure the restoration of public order against the pro-Morales protests. Significantly, the military leadership had already been reshuffled in late June, leading to the ousted commander of the Army, Gen. Juan Jose Zuniga, launching a failed coup attempt aligned with the fascistic right to overthrow Arce. Now, government officials are openly considering demands for a state of exception and a military deployment made by the far right, which has close ties to the US Embassy, including the fascist Santa Cruz Civic Committee, the Santa Cruz government, and the jailed leader of the US-backed coup that deposed Morales in 2019, Jeanine Anez. Unable to suppress mass opposition, Anez was compelled to call for elections in 2020, which were won by Luis Arce, at the time a close ally of Morales. On Tuesday, police attacked a roadblock in Mairana, Santa Cruz, but the pro-Morales crowd led by indigenous groups ambushed the police with rocks and dynamite. The government claims that about two dozen police officials and two journalists were kidnapped and tortured for several hours and that it would announce new repressive measures in response. The Arce administration has sought to pin the blame for the failed assassination attempt on Morales himself, so far unconvincingly. Government Minister Eduardo del Castillo said during a press conference that the former presidents caravan had previously sped through a checkpoint of drug enforcement police, shooting at the officials and running over one of them. Del Castillo then played a recording where Morales apparently acknowledged to an interviewer that he personally fired shots at a tire. However, Morales was clearly speaking in broken Spanish about the shots at his own vehicle, while the video does not show anyone in his caravan shooting back as they were being attacked. The government has nonetheless filed charges against Morales for attempting to kill a police official, with Del Castillo warning: No one and nothing will save him from this criminal process, no one who attacks a police officer can remain unpunished. The pro-Morales leadership has responded by expanding the roadblocks, and Morales warned on Wednesday to news agency EFE that if he were captured there would be an uprising among indigenous movements and mutinies within the police and the military. For months, his supporters have demanded the resignation of Arce, whom they blame for growing economic ills, and letting Morales run for re-election, which is banned by the Constitution. The most recent wave of roadblocks was spurred by an arrest warrant issued against Morales after the Arce administration resurrected allegations first made by the Anez regime in 2019 that Morales had impregnated a 15-year-old girl in 2016, when he was still in power. Morales, who has barricaded himself in his hometown of Villa Tunari, Cochabamba to avoid arrest, has indicated that a prosecutor in Tupiza, where the alleged victim lives, had dropped the case based on a lack of evidence, and that no one can be prosecuted twice on the same charges. Arces allies in the judiciary then opened three other criminal cases against Morales, including one of foreign intervention for using a truck allegedly donated by the Venezuelan state oil company. The pro-Morales wing in Congress launched its own sexual scandal against Arce, preparing a press conference where a woman named Yessica Villarroel denounced the current president for having a secret relationship with her and forcing her to have an abortion. As the political conflict in Bolivia moves from mudslinging to an assassination attempt and potentially civil war, Morales and Arce have relied on their control of sections of the capitalist state, the MAS party, peasant organizations and the union bureaucracy. All factions, however, are doing everything possible to preempt a mass intervention of the working class in the political and economic crisis. A major hike in the cost of living this year, shortages of fuel and dollars and economic stagnation have led to limited strikes among teachers, truckers, and other workers, as well as pot-banging protests in cities. Following its economic miracle in 2003-2014, when the economy boomed in tandem with the rising gas export prices, Bolivia has proven to be a weak link in the breakdown of bourgeois rule internationally as a result of the US-led imperialist drive to recolonize and redivide the world, which includes securing control over lithium and other key natural resources in Bolivia and Latin America against China and Russia. Facing economic stagnation as a result of the drying up of natural gas, lower gas and lithium prices, the growth of public debt and the depletion of foreign reserves, each faction of the Bolivian ruling class is vying for support from one or another imperialist or capitalist power. This process, which is taking place across Latin America, threatens to drag the country and the region into world war. At the same time, however, the entire ruling class is determined to secure capitalist rule and exploitation against the working class. Carlos Romero, a leader of the pro-Morales camp and former minister, had insisted earlier this year that Morales is doing everything possible to contain a social mobilization. On Tuesday, he warned Arce: Military intervention would lead to an escalation of deaths and the escalation of deaths will provoke an uprising of greater dimensions and a greater state crisis, so what is the best way forward? For the government to convene a major national dialogue. Nonetheless, from Anez to Arce and Morales, no faction of the Bolivian ruling class has any other response to the deepening crisis of Bolivian capitalism than resorting to police state rule. None of them has any legitimacy in the eyes of the millions of Bolivian workers due to their record of austerity measures, corruption and repression. Workers cannot stay on the sidelines. The only way forward lies in mobilizing politically for power as part of a world socialist revolution. The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature. Europe Thousands of metal and engineering workers in Germanys auto industry strike for pay rises Around 71,000 German metal and electrical engineering workers at Porsche, BMW, Mercedes and 370 other companies went on a national strike Tuesday to push for higher wages. The IG Metall union members, part of a four-million strong workforce in the industry, want a 7 percent pay increase while the employers associations are offering 3.6 percent over 27 months. Workers at a Volkswagen factory also walked out over closure concerns. Car workers globally face a jobs massacre as part of the transition to electric vehicles, as companies compete to offset the cost of investment through job losses and lower wages. Valeo car parts workers in France strike to protest possible job losses Around 270 factory workers at the multi-national giant car parts manufacturing firm Valeos factory in Suze-sur-Sarthe, France went on unlimited strike October 21. Workers fear potential redundancies at the factory and two others in the north west France region. The firm, which mainly supplies battery coolers to Stellantis, has been looking to sell since July. The General Confederation of Labour members decided to take action after a decision on the possible companys closure was postponed for another month. Strike by administrative staff at UKs Ford car manufacturer over pay Around 1,000 administrative staff at auto manufacturer Fords UK sites at Dunton in Essex, Stratford and Dagenham in east London, Daventry in Northamptonshire and Halewood on Merseyside held a one-day stoppage Wednesday. The Unite union members are seeking a permanent pay rise after rejecting Fords one-off payment offer for 2024 and linking pay for 2025 to performance. They oppose Fords plans to dilute sick pay and renegotiate its collective agreement with Unite. The staff have taken action short of striking since August 22 in the dispute. Car parts manufacturing workers in Llanelli, Wales walk out over low pay Around 200 workers employed by Llanelli Gestamp, in Llanelli, Wales began a two-week walkout Monday. The Unite union members who make car parts for major car manufacturers such as Nissan, BMW, JLR, Aston Martin and INEOS are protesting low pay. Many of them only earn the national minimum wage, currently 11.44 an hour. They rejected a pay rise from the company as too small. They are seeking parity with Gestamp workers in County Durham, who are set to earn 13.77 an hour from January. The Spanish based company had revenues of over 12 billion in 2023, with profits of 1.4 billion. Seasonal firefighters from across Greece demonstrate for permanent employment as part of countrywide strike upsurge An estimated 2,500 seasonal firefighters from across Greece demonstrated for 48 hours Wednesday outside the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection in Athens. They demanded the government fill 4,000 unfilled vacancies and give them 12 months permanent employment each year. The firefighters say that every October they are left unemployed after being overworked for the whole high season and then the fire service is left dangerously understaffed the rest of the year. The firefighters struggle is part of the broader austerity driven movement building towards a general strike on November 20 against Kiriakos Mitsotakiss New Democracy government. This includes strikes by seamen, teachers, food and tourism workers, doctors and healthcare workers. Spanish bus drivers strike nationwide for earlier retirement Thousands of bus drivers across all regions of Spain walked out Monday to demand special early retirement for workers in the industry due to the stress and danger involved in driving. The General Union of Workers and Workers Commissions members want the same retirements benefits as other workers engaged in risky employment, such as miners, marine workers and freight drivers, and plan further action through November and December. Thousands of teachers demonstrate in Pamplona, Spain for improved pay and conditions An estimated 4,000 teachers gathered from across the province of Navarra, Spain to march in Pamplona Tuesday to protest poor working conditions. The teachers, members of many different unions, assembled outside the Department of Education of the provincial government demanding better pupil- staff ratios and improved salaries. According to Europa Press, one banner stated, We create smiles with laughable wages. Housing repair staff at West Midlands social housing provider in England strike over pay Around 200 staff working for social housing provider Citizen Housing in the West Midlands, England walked out on Monday. The Unite union members who are employed as administration staff, builders, electricians and gas engineers rejected a 4 percent pay offer from Citizen Housing. They provide a service to around 30,000 households across an area including Birmingham, Coventry, Hereford and Worcester. Further stoppages are planned for November 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25 and 29. Middle East Continuing protests and strikes across Iran as living standards plummet Monday saw further protests by retirees of the Telecommunications Company of Iran over their inadequate pensions. Protests took place in Ahvaz, Bijar, Ilam, Isfahan, Sanandaj, Tabriz, Tehran and Zanjan. The protests by the telecom retirees in Ilam were joined by municipal workers, who have not been paid for several months. Students at Tehran Universitys Faculty of Social Sciences held a protest against increasing commercialisation of university facilities, attempts to separate students on the basis of gender and attacks on student political activities. They chanted, No to a militarized university. On Tuesday, family members of prisoners on death row gathered outside the parliament building opposing the death sentence. They chanted Dont execute. The same day saw protests by disabled people in Chabahar and Tehran. Among their demands were for back payment of care allowances outstanding, support benefits and for the implementation of financial assistance in line with welfare legislation. Also, South Pars Gas Company oil contract workers in Bushehr walked out, holding a further Tuesday Protest to demand increased pay and safer working conditions. The collapse in living conditions, exacerbated by US sanctions, is worsening as the US and Israel escalate war preparations against Iran. Africa Health workers in Nigeria hold seven-day strike over unpaid allowances and welfare issues Nigerian health workers began a seven-day warning strike on October 25. Workers in five unions comprising the Joint Health Sector Unions and the Healthcare Assembly of Professionals are demanding payment of outstanding COVID-19 allowances, tax waivers on allowances, payment of the outstanding 25 percent review arrears, payment of regulatory agency staff (owed nine months salary arrears) and other issues. The unions gave the federal government a 15-day ultimatum before calling the strike but received no official response. On April 28, Muhammad Pate, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare promised to initiate a process to adjust the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, which is part of the health workers' demands, but the government has done nothing since. University staff in Nigeria begin indefinite strike over unpaid salaries A strike by Nigerian university staff begun October 28 brought many universities to a halt, especially those run by the federal government. The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions members walked out after the government's failure to pay four months outstanding salaries, breaking the terms of an agreement made on August 20, 2022. Branch Chairman of SSANU at the University of Lagos, Olugbenga Adenaiya said, Remember that we went on strike early this year and it was suspended because the government promised to pay us the withheld salaries, but that has not been the case. Poor pay and conditions has led to a growing exodus of health professionals from Nigeria. Staff at University of Bahr el-Ghazal in South Sudan continue their strike Both academic and non-academic staff at the University of Bahr el-Ghazal in South Sudan began a stoppage October 14 to demand 11 months of unpaid dues, allowances and medical arrears. Since then, the authorities paid only one month of arrears. The chairperson of the University Academic Staff, Joseph Lual Dario, said, We are still demanding our salaries for 10 months. The one-month pay will not do much for us as we have many debts and bills to pay. South Sudan's crude oil export revenue has fallen since the conflict in 2013 to 2018. Recently, its economy has been hit by export disruptions due to the war in its larger neighbour Sudan. Pay strike at Mister Sweet in Germiston South Africa continues A strike at Mister Sweet in Germiston, South Africa has entered its 11th week. Around 385 out of 602 employees walked out in August. The Simunye Workers Forum (SWF) members rejected a 7 percent pay offer negotiated by the United Chemical Industries Minng Electrical State Health and Allied Workers Union. They are demanding R,12,500 a month and R16,500 for higher level staff. Owner Premier Foods refuses to recognise the SWF, a new union. To break the strike, the company is employing unqualified casuals, four of whom lost fingers in what is a hazardous occupation. It also instructed 150 strikers back, to work at another plant in Manhatten. Premiers revenue grew 3.6 percent last year, from R17.9 billion to R18.6 billion in March. Defence workers picket at Denel headquarters in South Africa for wage rise Workers at Denel, South Africas largest defence manufacturer, picketed head office in Centurion October 24. The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa members, whose pay rose by only 4 percent the past five years are demanding a 15 percent increase. During this period food prices rose 68 percent. Workers also want R5,000 relocation grant and the companys contribution to the pension fund reinstated. According to NUMSA, the government is running down the company, which is teetering on bankruptcy due to corruption and mismanagement to make ready for its privatisation. When a reporter last week asked Marit Stiles, the Ontario New Democratic Party (ONDP) Leader of the Opposition, whether the party would stand a candidate against the expelled NDP legislator Sarah Jama in the next provincial election, Stiles declared, As far as I know, it wont be her, (who will be the partys candidate) and Im the leader. This comment underscored that Canadas social democrats are doubling down on their support for Israels genocide of the Palestinians, which Jama was thrown out of the NDPs parliamentary caucus for speaking out against in October 2023. Stiles terse statement will come as no surprise to anyone. It is of a piece with the NDPs position both federally and provinciallysupporting the Israeli governments ongoing, US and Canadian imperialist-backed genocide in Gaza, while shedding a few crocodile tears over the extent of the slaughter in a pathetic attempt to salvage even a shred of what remains of the partys political credibility. Sarah Jama at last spring's anti-genocide encampment at McMaster University in Hamilton [Photo: Sara Jama/Facebook] Throughout the relentless attacks launched against Jama, federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who previously served as deputy leader of the ONDP, has maintained a despicable silence and continued to support the pro-genocide Trudeau Liberal government. Jama, a rookie MPP, holds the heavily working class seat of Hamilton Center. Her crime, from the standpoint of the Canadian political establishment, was her issuing of an Oct. 10, 2023 statement on X (the former Twitter) comparing the oppression of the Palestinians with apartheid and demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. As Israels savage bombardment of Gaza got under way, Jama called for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation. We must look to the solution to this endless cycle of death and destruction: end all occupation of Palestinian land and end apartheid. Canada must hold true to its tradition of peacemaking, and refrain from military intervention. My heart genuinely goes out to all those impacted by this ongoing violence. In the past, Jamas statement would hardly have seemed exceptional. As numerous United Nations resolutions have affirmed, Israels occupation of Palestinian lands captured in the Six Day War of 1967including its de facto imprisonment of 2.3 million Palestinians in Gazais illegal. Prior to October 7 2023, Israels systematic and brutal regime of oppression against the Palestinians was described as akin to apartheid by many Israeli legal scholars and by Amnesty International, hardly an organization renowned for its radicalism. But today, under conditions in which the imperialist powers have fallen over each other to demonstrate their full-throated support for the far-right Netanyahu governments extermination of the Palestinians, such statements are intolerable. Jamas statement prompted a torrent of abuse and threats from all quarters, and served as the starting gun for a smear campaign and state assault on all anti-genocide protesters, supported by the entire political establishment. Right-wing forces raised the demand that Jama go back to Somalia, her familys homeland. She was universally denounced by the capitalist media, hard-right Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and Zionist organizations as an antisemite and a defender of Hamas terrorists. Editors and columnists demanded that Jama remove her tweet, apologize and resign her seat. After her office was inundated with death threats, Jama was forced to work from home. Premier Ford poured political fuel on this fire. He demanded Jama be ejected from the legislature, citing her history of antisemitism, which supports the rape and murder of Jewish people. Unbowed, Jama went on the offensive, and launched a libel suit against the Ontario Premier, a perfectly justified act of self-defence. Ford, undeterred, expanded his offensive against pro-Palestinian demonstrators by agitating for increased police oppression as protests grew throughout the winter. In response to the initial torrent of denunciations, Jama issued a short appendix to her initial tweet, stating, I understand the pain that many Jewish and Israeli Canadians, including my own constituents, must be feeling. I apologize. To be clear, I unequivocally condemn terrorism by Hamas on thousands of Israeli civilians. I also believe that Israels bombardment and siege on civilians in Gaza, as was also noted by the United Nations, is wrong. As a member of the Ontario NDP caucus, I stand by the position of our federal party, and believe that violence against civilians is never justified, and that there is no military solution to this conflict. Her retreat only encouraged the hard-right agitators, who stepped up their calls for Jama to resign. With no resignation forthcoming, Fords government then moved to officially censure Jama, which would remove her right to even speak in the legislature. At every point, the right-wing political witch hunt was facilitated by the NDP. Before her expulsion from the caucus, Stiles had insisted that Jama enter into an agreement with her, the purpose of which was to effectively muzzle Jama from expressing her views on the massacre in Gaza. Those of us committed to Palestinian life refuse to be distracted, Jama stated before she was censured. I restate my call for an immediate ceasefire by Israeli forces and for the immediate restoration of food, water, fuel and electricity in Gaza, she continued. I ground my words in the realities of the Israeli apartheid and Israels ongoing domination and occupation of Palestinian lands. Governments and institutions in Canada are trying to use their voice and weight to silence us, to silence workers, students, educators and peace-loving people who dare to support Palestine. Fords majority government then passed the censure motion, which imposed a gag order preventing Jama from speaking in the legislature. Shortly thereafter, Stiles kicked Jama out of the NDP caucus. She now sits as an independent and has since garnered support amongst her constituents to stand in the next election as an independent, a prospect which has riled NDP officials who fear that vote splitting may lose them the seat. Stiles statement last week was aimed at making clear to the ruling class that a government led by her party and backed by the NDPs trade union sponsors would witch-hunt anti-genocide protesters just as ruthlessly as Ford and Trudeau. It would continue to endorse the Toronto Police Services Project Resolute, which has be involved in the arrest of dozens of activists, and whip up hysteria over student protests on university campuses calling for a halt to the butchery. The NDPs treatment of Jama is typical for a party that has consistently barred pro-Palestinian candidates from contesting elections on the party ticket and suppressed discussion of pro-Palestinian motions and resolutions at its conventions. At the federal level, with the full support of the trade union bureaucracy, the NDP still secures the parliamentary viability of the pro-war Trudeau government, which has been no less emphatic in its support for the Israeli regime than the Biden administration. Although Singh formally ended the confidence-and-supply agreement with the Liberals in early September after almost two and a half years, he and his party have continued to promote the big business Liberals as a progressive ally in the fight against the far-right Tory leader Pierre Poilievre. This progressive government is the same one that has massively hiked Canadas military spending and positioned Ottawa as a key player in US imperialisms war on Russia and preparations for war with Iran and China. The critical task facing young people and workers outraged by the NDPs bitter hostility to the rights of the Palestinians and contempt for democratic rights is to draw a political balance sheet ofand break fromthis right-wing party of austerity and war. Like social democratic parties around the world, the NDP long ago abandoned even the most tenuous association with a reformist program aimed at ameliorating capitalisms worst excesses in favour of an open embrace of unrestrained corporate profiteering and imperialist war. The continuing genocide in Gaza and the expansion of Netanyahus war into Lebanon and Iran with the full-throated support of all the western powers underscores that the orientation of those organizing the anti-genocide, pro-Palestinian protests towards pressuring the Liberal-NDP-union alliance to change course is a dead-end. The fight to put an end to the genocide requires a turn not to the powers that be, who are enabling mass suffering and death, but to the working class, the only social force capable of stopping war and genocide. The struggle against war and imperialist barbarism must be aimed at its root, the capitalist system. The urgent task for those seeking an end to the Gaza genocide is to build a mass anti-war movement led by the working class to fight for the socialist transformation of society. MADRID, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the flash floods devastating parts of east and southern Spain rose to 205 on Friday, according to the Center of Coordinated and Integrated Operations in the Valencian region. Since Thursday, 50 additional fatalities have now been confirmed, bringing the total tally to 202 in the Valencian region. Three more deaths were recorded in neighboring Castilla-La Mancha and the southern region of Andalusia. The Valencian regional government has announced that the Valencia Congress Center would be used as a temporary mortuary to accommodate the victims' bodies. Emergency services are continuing search and rescue operations, with more fatalities expected to be confirmed in the coming hours. Spain's Minister of Defense Margarita Robles confirmed on Friday that another 500 members of the armed forces are being deployed to assist in the affected regions. The flood struck suddenly on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, bringing some areas over a year's worth of rainfall within four to five hours. Spain's Ministry of Transport and Sustainability has announced over 25 million euros (27.18 million U.S. dollars) of emergency funds for immediate repairs on the most severely impacted roads. Take up the fight for rank-and-file control! Join the Boeing Workers Rank-and-File Committee! Text (406) 414-7648, email boeingworkersrfc@gmail.com or fill out the form at the end of this article. Boeing workers on the picket line after union members voted to reject a new contract offer from the company, Wednesday, October 23, 2024, outside Boeing facilities in Renton, Washington. [AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson] The International Association of Machinists announced a third tentative agreement with Boeing Thursday night in a bid to shut down the seven-week strike of 33,000 aerospace workers. The vote is scheduled for next Monday, the day before the US presidential election. Once again, the IAM bureaucracy has put forward a contract which meets none of workers demands. The wage proposal is only 38 percent, 3 percent more than the contract workers voted down last week and still less than the 40 percent minimum workers have made clear they will accept. Most importantly, the deal does not budge at all on restoring pensions, workers main demand. The pensions were stolen in 2014 when Boeing coerced workers into a 10-year extension under threat of moving production to its nonunion plant in South Carolina. Instead of waging a struggle, the IAM helped Boeing ram that deal through by a narrow margin. The only other change to the proposal workers rejected by 64 percent is moving money from the 401(k) to the signing bonus. This is an attempt to utilize the economic insecurity of workers, caused by the union stringing them out on $250 a week in strike pay, in order to ram through basically the same deal. The deal also allows the company to continue 17,000 global layoffs to make workers pay for the safety crisis caused by profit-driven cost-cutting. There can be no doubt the company is holding even deeper cuts in reserve to announce the moment the strike is shut down, as took place last year after the passage of contracts in the US auto industry and at UPS. This is now the third consecutive sellout agreement which the IAM bureaucracy has brought back in violation of the memberships clear mandates. This underscores the fact that victory is only possible if workers seize control of the strike from the sellout bureaucracy. The Boeing Workers Rank-and-File Committee must be expanded so that workers can take control of the strike, from adequately staffing picket lines, to real control over all future talks, to expanding the fight to broader sections of the working class. The IAM bureaucracy has a strategy not for victory, but to help the government and management impose a betrayal. After workers humiliated the bureaucrats before the White House last week by rejecting a deal brokered by Bidens acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, the government gave its marching orders to the union to make them vote again. IAM officials have again cited Sus central role in the new agreement. Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su speaks before President Joe Biden during a visit to the U.A. Local 190 Training Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan Friday, September 6, 2024. [AP Photo/Paul Sancya] Significantly, the IAM has officially endorsed the latest TA after it had declined to officially take a position on the last one. The bureaucracy is clearly under pressure from both the government and Wall Street to finally shut down a strike which has cost them billions of dollars. Workers responded furiously to the announcement Thursday night. This is a terrible offer, one worker told the WSWS. They just moved the $5,000 401k contribution (which is un-taxed), to the signing bonus (which is taxed), so the only thing that changed is a 3 percent general wage increase. Its not even worth voting on if I was the one negotiating. The union also sold out in 2014. I completely disagree with endorsing any of these offers. This is the same as the last one! said another worker. By scheduling the contract vote before the presidential election, the worker said that the union was trying to improve Kamala Harris chance of winning. I talked to many of my coworkers and we all said we will vote before the election. The union bureaucrats are selling us out to gain something for themselves. We all can see that. The decision to schedule the vote before the general election is a highly conscious decision. Even beyond whatever impact it may have on the Democrats election chances, the whole ruling class is determined to shut the strike down before the post-election political warfare begins. Trump and the Republicans, having learned from the mistakes of January 6, 2021, have well-advanced plans to take power regardless of the results, inciting violence with the aim of establishing a fascist dictatorship. Even though it is the immediate target of these conspiracies, the Biden White House is aiding and abetting Trumps plans by suppressing the class struggle. The Democratic Party fears mobilizing the population even more than it fears Trump. That is because workers will intervene in the political crisis with their own demands against social inequality and war, which would cut across the Democrats efforts to form what amounts to a government of national unity with the Republicans. Positioning Harris as the candidate of stability, the Democrats sole fixation is preparing the country for war. This includes not only the escalating conflicts with Russia and Iran, but developing plans for a massive shooting war with China. This requires brutal austerity, the suppression of strikes and democratic rights and a vast increase in the exploitation of the working class. This is why both capitalist parties agree on the need to shut down the strike at Boeing, a major defense contractor. Earlier this week, three Republican governors issued a public letter against the strike, threatening economic blackmail through furloughs and layoffs. The seven-week strike at Boeing has now reached a decisive stage. Workers are openly engaged in a struggle not just against management, but in a fight against the pro-corporate political system. The decisive question, as the Boeing Workers Rank-and-File Committee discussed in a public meeting last weekend, is mobilizing the independent power of the working class on a world scale to meet the united front of the ruling class against the strike. The precondition for this is developing new structures which give workers the ability to act independently of the union bureaucrats and establish lines of communication with workers around the world who are also facing cuts. On Tuesday, the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees issued a call for a global campaign in response to mass layoffs in the auto industry, including worldwide pickets and rallies and culminating in international strike action. The ground for this must be prepared by establishing lines of communication between autoworkers in the US, Germany and other countries, in alliance with workers in other industries facing cuts, including at Boeing, which has announced 17,000 layoffs in retaliation against the nearly seven-week strike, the IWA-RFC stated. On Wednesday, the mayor of Istanbuls Esenyurt Municipality, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ozer of the Republican Peoples Party (CHP), was detained and subsequently arrested on charges of being a member of the armed terrorist organisation PKK/KCK. The Ministry of Interior announced that the deputy governor of Istanbul, Can Aksoy, had been appointed trustee of the municipality. Ahmet Ozer giving a speech in Van, Turkey [Photo by Mezopotamya Ajans / CC BY 3.0 This arrest and the appointment of a trustee to replace an elected mayor is a clear attack on basic democratic rights. The government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long sought to stifle political opposition through such anti-democratic operations, building a police state. This reactionary practice, which the government has systematically resorted to after 2015 by dismissing elected mayors, especially from the Kurdish nationalist movement, also means the de facto abolition of the constitutional right to vote and be elected. According to the statement of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutors Office, Ahmet Ozers communications were intercepted because his name was mentioned in organisational documents... seized from members of a terrorist organisation. It was claimed that during the 10-year period Ozer had been in contact with PKK members many times and had contacted Kongra-gel co-chairman Remzi Kartal 14 times. Sevket Tuci, one of the people Ozer is accused of meeting, has been his lawyer for 17 years and was present during his testimony to the police and prosecutors in this case. Faik Kaplan, who made the money transfer mentioned in the accusation against Ozer, said that his daughter was a tenant in Ozers house, that he paid the rent and had a rental agreement. It was also reported that Ozer was from the same tribe as Remzi Kartal, with whom he last met in 2015, and that at that time various official meetings were held with Kartal in Europe as part of the peace process. All this points to the fabricated nature of the charges and the political nature of the case. Ozer was elected mayor of Esenyurt on March 31 with 49 percent of the vote. Esenyurt, an industrial city with a large Kurdish electorate, is the largest district in Turkey with a population of around 1 million. Ozer, a Kurdish sociologist and academic, was nominated as a candidate in the local elections as part of the cooperation between the CHP and the Peoples Democracy and Equality Party (DEM Party). In line with this strategy, the DEM Party did not nominate any candidates in some cities and districts, especially in Istanbul, and called on people to vote for the CHP. In his first statement, which was leaked to the press before his arrest, Ozer said the following: I am an author who has written around 40 books, some of them on regional development, some of them novels, some of them on the Kurdish question. I have published around 200 national articles and around 300 papers. Emphasising that this was a political case, Ozer continued as follows: I am a scientist who [became] a professor at a young age, I am an academic, I have been a member of the CHP for more than 10 years, I was a candidate in the last elections, I worked as an advisor to Imamoglu [the mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality], I worked at the State Planning Organisation... until today there is nothing, they are trying to remove me from my post by bringing up some events from 10-15 years ago. CHP leader Ozgur Ozel in his first statement said that The treatment of a scientist, opinion leader and politician who has held senior positions in the public sector and academia for years, who received clean papers from the relevant authorities as a candidate only six months ago, and who came to office with the great favour of the voters of Esenyurt in the elections he participated in, is unfair and the accusations are baseless. Ozel also said, These events are not independent of what has happened in recent weeks. We see the ugly game, the big conspiracy. We will neither be part of it nor surrender. The CHP leader called for a mass protest in Esenyurt on Thursday. Speaking at the rally, which was supported by the DEM party and attended by thousands of people. Neither a condolence call to a relative nor a phone call from 10 years ago can be linked to terrorism. Erdogan himself openly announced that Ahmet Ozer would be arrested. So this was planned, said Ozel, adding that the prosecutors acted on Erdogans orders. The DEM Party condemned the operation in a statement on social media, saying, The arrest of Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Ozer and the appointment of a trustee for Esenyurt Municipality is an open coup against the will of the people, a usurpation of the peoples will. This is a disregard for local democracy and the will of the people. We will not remain silent against this lawlessness and political coup.calan Before Ozers arrest on fabricated charges and the appointment of a trustee in his place, Turkey had witnessed important developments. On Tuesday last week, Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the fascist ally of the Peoples Alliance led by Erdogan, made an unprecedented statement. Bahceli suggested that jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan should lift his isolation and address parliament, shouting that terrorism is completely over and the organization [PKK] has been dismantled. Bahcelis statement, supported by Erdogan, was welcomed by the DEM Party and the CHP as the beginning of a new peace process with the PKK. Ocalan was allowed to meet with his nephew Omer Ocalan, DEM deputy for Sanlurfa, as a sign of lifting the 44-month isolation imposed on him. However, just one day after Bahcelis speech, while Erdogan was in Russia for the BRICS summit, a bomb and gun attack took place at the Ankara facilities of the state-owned strategic defence company Turkish Aerospace Industries Corporation (TAI). Seven people were killed, including two of the attackers. The PKK claimed responsibility for the attack. Ankara responded with days of airstrikes on what it claimed were PKK-YPG targets in Syria and Iraq. In the last week, 198 terrorists were neutralised, the Ministry of National Defence said on Thursday. The Mesopotamia Agency reported that 17 people, mostly civilians, were killed and 65 wounded in Syria as a result of air strikes. This was followed by a wave of arrests against the Kurdish political movement in the country. It was reported that 55 people were arrested in 17 provinces. These developments come at a time when, in the Middle East, US-backed Israel has accelerated the genocide in Gaza, invaded Lebanon and is preparing a full-scale attack on Iran. Turkeys ruling elite is seeking to strengthen its hand at home, fearing that a widening of the war could undermine its interests in the region. Erdogans statement, While the maps are being redrawn in blood, while the war that Israel has waged from Gaza to Lebanon is approaching our borders, we are trying to strengthen our internal front, was a clear expression of this. Erdogan approved Ozers arrest and addressed CHP leader Ozel, who opposed it, saying, Why are you worried about this when our geography has turned into a ring of fire and members of the terrorist organisation are ravaging Esenyurt? On the one hand, the Erdogan government advocates the release of Ocalan and reconciliation with the Kurdish movement inside Turkey in order to force the PKK to lay down its arms. At the same time, it defends the arrest of a mayor elected by the CHP-DEM party alliance on fabricated charges and continues its policy of military repression against the PKK-YPG. These are the efforts of the Turkish ruling elite to protect its interests through contradictory manoeuvres under the conditions of an escalating war in the Middle East. The latest developments also show how hollow are the promises of the Turkish ruling elite, which is deeply bound up with imperialism, to establish democracy and peace. The way forward lies in mobilising the working class on the basis of an international socialist programme, the only social force capable of securing the release of all political prisoners, consistently defending democratic rights and stopping genocide and war. A little over a month since it came to power, Sri Lankas Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)/National Peoples Power (NPP) administration has abandoned its pledge to abolish the notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The JVP/NPP presidential election manifesto explicitly promised the Abolition of all oppressive acts, including the PTA, and ensuring civil rights of people in all parts of the country (A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life, page 129). Sri Lankan public security minister, foreign minister and JVP Politburo member Vijitha Herath [Photo: Facebook/jvpvijithaherath] The PTA would not be repealed or amended at this juncture, JVP Politburo member and Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath told a weekly cabinet briefing on Wednesday. He claimed that the draconian law would not be abused by the new regime. Along with dumping its commitment to remove the PTA, the the JVP/NPP administration is maintaining the wide-ranging and anti-democratic executive powers of the presidency, which it also pledged to abolish. Contrary to its democratic posturing during the presidential election, the JVP and other Sinhala chauvinist formations held meetings and demonstrations in 2006 to demand that then President Mahinda Rajapakse reimpose the PTA. The draconian law had been suspended temporarily in 2002, during Colombos ceasefire with the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). This weeks announcement further highlights the new regimes deep connections with the state apparatus and clearly indicates that it will use repressive measures to try and crush mass opposition to its International Monetary Fund (IMF)-mandated program. Elected in late September, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake formed a three-member cabinet and quickly used his executive powers to call snap parliamentary elections for November 14. He and the JVP/NPP are pushing for a strong government with a substantial parliamentary majority to ruthlessly and rapidly implement its austerity program. These measures include significant tax increases targeting workers, the privatisation, commercialisation or shutdown of over 400 state enterprises and the destruction of an estimated 500,000 public sector jobs. The government also plans to continue slashing subsidies, further affecting public health and education. Last month the government blocked a salary increase for public sector workers previously agreed by the Wickremesinghe government, igniting anger among state employees. The pay rise was promised by the Wickremesinghe government in response to mass protests and strikes in July by hundreds of thousands of public sector workers. Public Security Minister Heraths announcement confirms the Socialist Equality Partys warnings about the class character of the new regime. Dissanayake and his ruling-class backers live in fear of a new eruption like the multimillion-strong mass protests across all language, religious and ethnic barriers that brought down the Rajapakse regime in 2022. The JVP/NPPs retention of the PTA is a clear signal to international capital and Sri Lankan big business that it will unleash the state against the working class if the trade union bureaucracies are unable to contain and divert the growing working-class opposition. Originally enacted in 1979 under then-President JR Jayawardene, the PTA was initially justified as a means of combatting Tamil militant groups. It was, however, viciously used against Tamils across the island during Colombos 26-year civil war against the LTTE. Subsequent Sri Lankan governments have used the PTA against political opponents, particularly during the rural unrest in the south from 1988 to 1990, when state forces killed tens of thousands of youth. The governments of Mahinda Rajapakse and Ranil Wickremesinghe extensively utilised the PTA to detain political activists and other dissenters. The PTA allows the military and police to make arbitrary arrests based on vague suspicions of unlawful activities, with little or no evidence required. Detainees can be held without trial for up to 90 days, which can be extended to 18 months. Trials are conducted in the high court without a jury, undermining the right to a full and fair court hearing based on the presumption of innocence. Many detainees have reported torture to extract confessions, which can then be used as evidence in court. Human Rights Watch has documented severe abuses, including rape and other torture methods, by security forces. Government figures released in July 2017 indicated that 70 prisoners had been held in pretrial detention under the PTA for more than five years, and 12 for over 10 years. Last month, the Dissanayake government used the PTA to detain at least two individuals. The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) informed the Colombo Magistrates Court that the suspects were arrested in connection with a planned terrorist attack targeting a synagogue and Israeli tourists in Arugam Bay, a popular tourist destination in southeastern Sri Lanka. They are being held under a PTA 90-day detention order issued by President Dissanayake, as the acting minister of defence. Heraths claim that the PTA will not be abused is double talk aimed at trying to cover up the history of this draconian law and the JVPs political record. The PTA has not been abused. It has been used by successive governments as it was intendedto repress political opponents and undermine basic democratic and legal rights. Attempts by previous administrations to introduce new legislation to replace the PTA were aimed at misleading the public. Despite assurances to amend the hated law, the proposed alterations were cosmetic modifications that retained all its anti-democratic essentials. In 2017, the former government of President Maithripala Sirisena drafted a Counter Terrorism Act. In 2023 the Wickremesinghe administration introduced an Anti-Terrorism Bill. While both governments claimed they were intending to replace the PTA, their proposals retained many of its harsh provisions. The current regime has simply dispensed with this sort of posturing. The SEP and the Revolutionary Communist League (RCL), the forerunner of the SEP, opposed the PTA from its inception and have continuously fought for its repeal alongside other oppressive laws, such as the Public Security Act, the Essential Public Services Act and the Emergency Regulations. The SEP has campaigned against the communal war and anti-democratic laws like the PTA, uniting working peopleSinhala, Tamil and Muslimthroughout the island. The JVP/NPP, like the broader Colombo political establishment, has strong ties to the security forces which will no doubt be celebrating this weeks announcement. The Dissanayake government has categorically rejected United Nations Human Rights Council resolutions calling for investigations into war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan military during the almost three-decade war against the LTTE and human rights violation since 2009 when the war ended. The JVPs expansion of the NPP involved the establishment of groups of retired military and police officersthe Retired Tri-forces Collective and the Retired Police Officers Collectivemost likely including individuals connected to war crimes and human rights abuses. The working class must recognise the new regimes escalating threats to its basic democratic rights and prepare accordingly. The fight against IMF-imposed austerity measures and the defence of democratic rights is inseparable from the fight against capitalism. To resist the government attack on their basic democratic rights, workers across the countryin the factories, offices, plantations and rural communitiesneed to form their own action committees and take matters into their own hands. These committees must be independent of all Sri Lankan capitalist parties and their affiliated trade union bureaucracies. The SEP is campaigning for a democratic and socialist congress of workers and rural masses, consisting of representatives from these action committees, to discuss and coordinate this fight. Repealing these repressive laws will be a central demand of this congress and integral to the revolutionary fight for the establishment of a workers and peasants government committed to a socialist and internationalist program. The SEP is participating in the November 14 general election, standing 41 candidates across three electoral districtsin Colombo, Jaffna in the north, and Nuwara Eliya in the central plantation areato fight for this political program. We urge workers, students, and youth to support and get involved in our election campaign to take forward this perspective. Join the fight against layoffs! Join the Autoworkers Rank-and-File Committee Network by filling out the form below. Ford workers at Rouge Electric Vehicle Center [Photo by Ford Media] Rank-and-file autoworkers reacted with anger and disgust to Fords announcement that it was shutting down production at its electric vehicle truck plant in Dearborn, Michigan, for at least two months. According to the Automotive News, Ford plans to stop building its F-150 Lightning from mid-November through the end of the year. The seven-week shutdown will begin at the end of the day November 15, with production resuming January 6, the industry publication reported. But Ford already cut 1,400 jobs, or two-thirds of the workforce, at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center (REV-C) in March, dropping the facility to just one shift. Now, it is not certain when or if the remaining 750 workers will be brought back. They laid off two shifts back in March, a Rouge worker told the WSWS. Now theyre closing the plant. They say its going to open back up in January, but there is no guarantee. When it opened three years ago powered by the most up-to-date robotics and computer-driven technology, corporate and United Auto Workers officials said the REV-C plant would provide an expanding workforce with top pay and benefits for decades to come. The idling of the plant is part of a jobs massacre by the global automakers, including this weeks announcement that VW will shut as many as three plants in Germany, slash thousands of jobs and impose an across-the-board pay cut of as much as 20 percent. In the US, Stellantis, GM and Ford have carried out thousands of job cuts after the imposition of the UAWs sellout contracts in 2023. Throughout the world, the global car companies are seeking to shift the cost of the slower than expected transition to electric vehicles onto the backs of the working class. During the first months of the new Lightning model in May 2021, Ford automaker said it would have to double production to meet customer demand; and at one point, the company stopped taking reservations to cope with the overwhelming response. Earlier this year, however, the company said it was cutting its production targets for the EV pickup by half. When these electric trucks first came out, they couldnt keep enough of them around, even at $75,000 and up, the Ford Rouge worker continued. Now these big corporations, Volkswagen, Stellantis and Ford are shutting down because they overproduced. The UAW bureaucracy pushed through its sellout contracts with the Big Three following last falls phony stand up strike based on the claims that the deals contained unparalleled job protections. As the WSWS warned at the time, UAW President Shawn Fain was working with the Biden-Harris administration to pave the way for the massive job cuts that would result from the transition to EVs, which analysts say require 40 percent less labor to produce. But US and European automakers cannot keep up with Chinese car companies, which dominate the EV battery market and supply chains and can produce the vehicles far more efficiently and cheaply. The US and European governments have responded with massive tariffs against Chinese vehicles, even as automakers reduce capacity and slash tens of thousands of jobs in Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, the US and China itself. Responding to the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) call For a global rank-and-file campaign against job cuts in the auto industry, the Ford worker told the WSWS, I agree that everything is global now. We are using global symbols and international operational systems. Production is global. Engineering is global. You have to organize a worldwide movement of the workers to get control of the resources and the money that is now in the hands of the billionaires and distribute all of it equally. That way we can put an end to inequality and put an end to these wars which are erupting everywhere. When Obama came in back in 08, the economy was so bad that all the major industries took away the pensions, and people were forced to work as temps for four and five years at half pay and no benefits. Now, they are trying to get Trump in again to overthrow whats left of this democracy. Hes a convicted criminal, who should be in prison right now. You know they are not going to give it up without a fight. They want an autocracy where the billionaires rule through the heavy hand of a dictator. In a statement issued Thursday night, Socialist Equality Party vice presidential candidate Jerry White denounced the job cuts and the complicity of the UAW bureaucracy. The shutdown of the REV-C facility at the Ford Rouge complex in Dearborn, Michigan for at least two months is part of the ongoing jobs massacre by the global automakers. This includes VWs announcement earlier this week that it is closing three plants, cutting tens of thousands of jobs and imposing massive pay cuts on the remaining workers. This is the brutal face of capitalism, a system of labor exploitation, which is fully backed by Harris and Trump. Corporations extract billions in profits from workers and the toss them out like used machinery. Opposition from rank-and-file workers is growing, including the vote by GM workers at Ft. Wayne, Indiana assembly plant who angered over the firing of 250 temporary workers and other job cuts. But this struggle cannot be left in the hands of the UAW bureaucracy, which functions as a tool of corporate management and the warmongering Biden-Harris administration. That is why I support the call of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees to launch a global counter-offensive to defend jobs. On its third-quarter earnings call with analysts Monday, Ford President and CEO Jim Farley said there is a global price war with EVs, fueled by overcapacity, a flood of new EV nameplates and massive compliance pressure. Ford Model e (the automakers electric vehicle business) reported a loss before interest and taxes of $1.2 billion in the third quarter, continuing a trend of Ford losing money on EVs. Farley said Ford expects about 150 new EV nameplates to hit the North American market by the end of 2026. In response, he said the company was focusing on costs by shifting launches, trimming capacity of batteries and accelerating the mix of its batteries so that it can take advantage of tax credits available by producing lithium iron phosphate batteries at the battery factory it is building outside Marshall, Michigan. At every meeting of international economic and financial organisations, such as the International Monetary Fund, there are warnings that tariffs and other protectionist measures are fracturing the global economy, leading to slower economic growth or worse, including the formation of antagonistic trade blocs that characterised the 1930s. Models pose near the BYD Seal 06 Dmi unveiled during Auto China 2024 held in Beijing, Thursday, April 25, 2024. [AP Photo/Ng Han Guan] But despite these warnings, which are repeated in comments by financial and economic analysts, tariff barriers continue to be erected. The US has been in the lead with higher tariff barriers and controls on high-tech exports, initiated under the Trump presidency and markedly intensified by Biden. It is now being joined by the European Union, which this week imposed an additional tariff of 35 percent on Chinese electric vehicles on top of a 10 percent tariff already in force. The new measures, which will come into force next week, are to last five years. They were introduced on the basis that Chinese EV makers were benefiting unfairly from state subsidies. The Chinese government rejected the claim of undue state support, saying it would continue to take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of all Chinese companies. While subsidies and assistance are provided, as in other countries, the real reason for the growing Chinese penetration of the EU market is that Chinese technology is more advanced, and its cost structure is significantly lower. This is one of the reasons why the imposition of the tariffs met major opposition from the German government and German auto makers who are looking to collaborate with Chinese producers as their road to survival in the intensifying global struggle in the industry. They also fear that tariff measures will bring retaliatory actions that will hit their markets in China. The decision to impose the tariffs came after eight rounds of talks aimed at trying to devise a mechanism through which a minimum price could be set along with the volume of Chinese exports. But the talks broke down with both sides saying the differences remained significant. Further talks are to be held, with the EU accepting an invitation by China to send envoys to Beijing to see if some agreement can be reached on these mechanisms. The tariffs came as the result of an investigation launched by European Commission (EU) President Ursula von der Leyen which was initiated in October last year. Their imposition received considerable opposition within the EU. Of the 27 members five, with Germany and Hungary in the lead, voted against and 12 abstained. In the lead up to the decision the Spanish government called for a reconsideration of the plan. But the commission decided to go ahead, which tends to indicate that geo-political considerations, not least alignment with the US economic war against China, rather than the issue of subsidies, played a considerable part. Announcing the decision, EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis stuck to the line that it was all about subsides and unfair market practices by China. He said that by adopting these proportionate and targeted measures after a rigorous investigation, were standing up for fair market practices and for the European industrial base. We welcome competition, including in the electric vehicle sector, but it must be underpinned by fairness and a level playing field, Dombrovskis stated. However, the reference to the need to protect the European industrial base at least indicates one of the underlying reasons for the decision was that all the major powers seek to develop their capacities to shift to a war economy. The divisions within the EU, which must rank as some of the most significant on trade issues in the history of the Union, were underscored by comments from Germany. Hildegarde Muller, the head of the German auto industry association, VDA, said the decision was a setback for free global trade and so for prosperity and Europes growth. The industry is not naive in dealing with China, but the challenges must be resolved in dialogue, a statement said. A statement issued by the German Finance Ministry said that Berlin stands for open markets. Because Germany in particular, as a globally interconnected economy, is dependent on this. The chief executive of BMW Oliver Zipse said protectionism would only make cars more expensive for consumers and accelerate plant closures in Europe. The interconnectedness of the global car industry was indicated by Roberto Vavassori, who told the Financial Times (FT) that for many suppliers in the automotive industry, [the Chinese] are both the biggest threat and the biggest customer. The attitude of some of the major car manufactures appears to be that under conditions where China is developing more technologically advanced components, their best hope for survival in the intensifying global struggle for markets and profits is not by erecting tariff walls, which raise costs and invite retaliation, but in developing some form of collaboration with Chinse producers. The lower cost structure is significant. The FT has reported that major Chinese producers are turning out EVs that are more technologically advanced than their European counterparts and 30 percent cheaper. Speed of innovation, not just cost, is another factor. According to one estimate cited by the FT, Chinese companies are developing new cars, incorporating better technology and design, in just one year compared to four years in Europe. The motivations behind the opposition to the tariffs by some of Europes major producers were indicated in comments to the FT by Andy Palmer, the former head of the British firm Aston Martin. He asked: What did the Chinese do, what did the Japanese do and what did the Koreans do when they were behind on technology? They collaborated. The European industry needs to get the Chinese to localise in Europe and it needs to collaborate with them, particularly around battery technology in order to catch up. For workers in the auto industry, in Europe and internationally, neither path is the way forward in a situation where they face a wave of job destruction and wage cutting. Tariff hikes will not defend jobs but will be accompanied by the intensification of the exploitation of those that remain, which will be enforced by the trade union apparatuses. Likewise, efforts by companies to develop joint ventures or other forms of collaboration will involve a vast reduction in the cost structure, to be achieved by job and wage cuts. The only viable perspective is one based on a socialist program, that is, the fight to take political power and bring the giant global auto companies into public ownership so that the enormous advances in technology can be used and developed for the benefit of all, rather than boosting the bottom line. Speaking in Michigan on Monday, former President Bill Clinton justified the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza, openly advocating the targeting of civilians and collective punishment against non-combatants, both of which are war crimes. Former President Bill Clinton speaks at a campaign event supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris [AP Photo/John Locher] Arab Americans in Michigan think too many people have died, Clinton said. People who criticize it are essentially saying ... look how many people youve killed in retaliation. So how many is enough for you to kill to punish them for the terrible things they did? To this, Clinton replied, What would you do if ... one day they come for you and slaughtered the people in your village, you would say ... Im not keeping score that way. ... It isnt how many weve had to kill. Clinton spoke as the Netanyahu government adopted and implemented a plan to systematically starve the population of Gaza, ethnically cleanse the entirety of northern Gaza and massacre everyone who remains. According to official figures, over 43,000 people in Gaza have been killed by Israel since October 7, including 13,000 children, and virtually the entire population has been turned into homeless, starving refugees. Clintons defense of the Israeli genocide flagrantly violates both criminal and international law, neither of which allows revenge as the justification for the murder of unarmed people. In criminal law, if someone commits a murder in revenge, he will still be prosecuted for murder. The same holds true for international law. In words that seem like a rebuttal to Clinton, the UN commission of inquiry into the war in Gaza declared last month, The collective punishment of the entire population for the actions of a few is a clear violation of IHL [International Humanitarian Law]. The law of revenge was, in fact, the policy pursued by Nazi Germany during World War II in response to acts of resistance against its brutal occupation of Europe. After the assassination of leading Nazi Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazis indiscriminately massacred civilians in the Czech village of Lidice. Following a bomb attack on German auxiliary police units in Rome in March 1944, the Nazi occupiers ordered a ratio of 10 civilian deaths for every policeman killed. In what became known as the Ardeatine Caves massacre, they executed 335 Italian civilians, none of whom had any connection with the attack. Continuing his open defense of Israeli war crimes, Clinton declared the numbers of Gaza civilians killed is irrelevant because Hamas makes sure that theyre shielded by civilians. He continued, Theyll force you to kill civilians if you want to defend yourself. First, Israel has no right to defend itself against the population of Palestine, whose land it has illegally occupied in Gaza since 1967. As International Court of Justice Judge Navanethem Pillay declared at a press conference the same day as Clinton spoke, You have to distinguish between Israel and Palestine, because one is an occupier and the other occupied. Gaza is one of the most densely populated urban areas in the world, into which Israel has dropped the equivalent of multiple nuclear bombs worth of ordnance over the past year. The Netanyahu government has overwhelmingly used massive 2,000-pound bombs in leveling Gaza because maximizing, not minimizing, the death toll is its aim, in line with its strategy of ethnically cleansing Palestine and incorporating it into greater Israel. In defending the massacre of the Palestinian people and the Israeli aim of illegally annexing the territory of Palestine, Clinton invoked the Biblical myth of King David. Addressing the Palestinian people, Clinton declared: Well, I got news for them. They [the Israelis] were there first before their faith [Islam] existed. They were there in the time of King David, the southernmost tribes had Judea and Samaria. First, there is no archeological evidence that a king named David ever ruled in the Levant, much less that his supposed kingdom included the territory of what is now called the West Bank. But what may or may not have happened in the Bronze Age has precisely zero bearing on contemporary international law, whose highest body, the International Court of Justice, ruled categorically this year that Israel has no right whatsoever to the West Bank or any other part of the occupied Palestinian territories. Israels ability to conduct the genocide is due above all to the unconditional support it enjoys from American imperialism. Washington views the final solution of the Palestinian question as a critical component of its preparation for a region-wide war targeting Iran, which moved one step closer last week with Israels US-backed missile strike on Tehran. The planned Middle East-wide war is one front in American imperialisms pursuit of world war, including against Russia in Eastern Europe and China in the Asia-Pacific, to consolidate its global hegemony against its rivals and nominal allies. War and genocide enjoy bipartisan support within the US political establishment. The fact that Clinton provided such an explicit defence of the genocide of the Palestinians proves this and reveals how far to the right the entire political establishment has moved. Clinton has been throughout his career a bitter enemy of the Palestinian people. His open advocacy of the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestine recalls the fact that he negotiated with Palestinian leaders entirely in bad faith throughout his presidency. In fact, the negotiations at Camp David in 2000 only paved the way for a quarter-century of Israeli murder and oppression, capped by what is now unfolding as the final solution of the Palestinian question. His defense of genocide is the authentic voice of American imperialism, which has supplied Netanyahu, Gallant and the Israel Defense Forces with tens of billions of dollars in high-powered weaponry to slaughter men, women and children for more than a year. While Trump openly declares his intention to erect a fascist dictatorship if he wins the election on November 5, Harris and the Democrats ignore this threat so as to avoid mobilizing popular opposition against him, while at the same time endorsing the fascist extermination of the Palestinians. Harris responded to Netanyahus thuggish defence of the genocide in his July speech to a joint session of Congress by holding a one-on-one meeting with the Israeli prime minister. Addressing the media afterwards, she vowed that Washington would supply Jerusalem with the military equipment it needs to fight Iran and Iranian-backed militias, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. On the campaign trail, Harris has taken to underlining this pledge with the declaration that her main goal in the White House will be to ensure that the US maintains the most lethal military force in the world. The bourgeoisies endorsement of fascistic violence in pursuit of its economic and geostrategic interests is not limited to the United States. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told the Bundestag in October, When Hamas terrorists hide behind people, behind schools, then we end up in very difficult waters. But were not shying away from this. This is why I made it clear at the United Nations that civilian sites could lose their protected status if terrorists abuse this status. Thats what Germany stands forand thats what we mean when we refer to Israels security. The resurgence of capitalist barbarism not seen since the first half of the twentieth century is linked to the eruption of a new redivision of the world between the imperialist powers. All of the red lines that supposedly separated ostensibly democratic regimes from the fascist dictatorships of the past have been obliterated in the struggle for raw materials, markets, and geopolitical influence. This struggle is driven by the irreconcilable contradictions of world capitalism, between the nation-state and global production, and the private ownership of the means of production and the mass, social character of the productive process. The Gaza genocide has exposed the leaders of every imperialist country as a pack of war criminals. But their criminality expresses the bankruptcy and decay of the entire capitalist social order, which is the ultimate cause of imperialist war and social barbarism. New Zealands National Party-led coalition government is desperately seeking to minimise the fallout from the explosive findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. People arrive at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, for the tabling of a wide-ranging independent inquiry into the abuse of children and vulnerable adults in care over the span of five decades wrote in a blistering final report. [AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay] The long-running inquiry released its final 3,000-page report in August, documenting in horrifying detail the physical, psychological and sexual abuse suffered by generations of children, young people and psychiatric patients. The 3,000-page report concluded that as many as 256,000 people between 1950 to 2019 were abused and neglectedabout one third of the total numbers placed in state or religious institutions. The commissioners found that state and religious leaders knew, or should have known, about the abuse and neglect that was happening. They failed not only in their duty to keep people in their care safe from harm, but they also failed to hold abusers to account. They also wrote: Political and public service leaders spent time, energy and taxpayer resources to hide, cover up and then legally fight survivors to protect the potential perceived costs to the Crown, and their own reputations. On November 12, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and opposition Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins are scheduled to jointly deliver a national apology to survivors. The government says it will also reveal details of its response to the Royal Commissions report, which included recommendations for redress, independent oversight of care institutions and the reopening of police investigations into specific allegations. The aim of the apology is to divert public attention from the role played by numerous current and former government ministers, senior public servants, church leaders and senior police officers in the decades-long cover-up. On October 23, Attorney-General Judith Collins rejected calls by survivors for the resignation of Solicitor-General Una Jagose, the governments top legal advisor. Collins told Newsroom that she had confidence in Jagose even though the latter accepted that the way in which Crown Lawover the yearsconducted its litigation has not necessarily been focused on victims. Jagose joined the Crown Law office in 2002. In 2015 she briefly served as head of the Government Communications Security Bureau, the countrys spy agency, before being appointed to her current role in 2016. Leoni McInroe, who was abused as a teenager at the Lake Alice psychiatric hospital during the 1970s, told Newsroom: [Jagose] has made it very clear in all of their legal technicalities and assault on children that were abusedeither in Lake Alice or in other situationslegally, she has fought vigorously and aggressively to have us go away. Jagose is mentioned numerous times in the Royal Commissions report as she played a major role in defending the Crown against allegations from victims. McInroe and other Lake Alice patients were given electro convulsive therapy (ECT) as a form of punishment, which the Royal Commission said amounted to torture. In the 1990s she filed a civil claim over what she had endured, which Crown Law spent years fighting in the courts. Newsroom points out that The Crown held overwhelming documentary evidence these allegations of torture [against Lake Alices Dr Selwyn Leeks] were true but withheld this evidence on numerous occasions. In 1999, then Health Minister Bill English publicly admitted that there had been cases of torture at Lake Alice. Yet Leeks and other staff who abused more than 200 children and young peopleincluding with electric shocks to the genitals and acts of rapewere never held accountable. In a detailed analysis of the cover-up, Newsroom reporter Aaron Smale explains that it was the Crown that held the largest body of documentary evidence [about the crimes committed at Lake Alice]. But if Leeks were held fully responsible, the Crown would be legally and financially liable. Extensive evidence pointing to Leeks guilt was kept secret and withheld from police. In May 2000, Labour Party Prime Minister Helen Clark and Health Minister Annette King presented a Cabinet committee with options for dealing with the Lake Alice allegations. Their preference was for out-of-court settlements that limited liability and did not set a precedent. Clark and King also recommended that Cabinet seek Crown Law advice on the likelihood of success of technical defences against the alleged victims. The prime minister and health minister expressed the hope that by putting the onus on plaintiffs, who had extremely limited resources, to prove their claims, a denial of liability by the Crown may succeed. Smale concludes that The victims of the state were effectively treated as legal enemies of the state. The victims of the states crimes were treated like criminals, while the real criminals walked. In another case examined by the Royal Commission, a man referred to by the pseudonym Earl White took legal action in 2007 against the Crown for trauma resulting from being sexually abused at Hokio Beach School. The Crowns lawyers knew that the perpetrator Michael Ansell, the school cook, had been convicted for sexually abusing other children at the school in the 1970s, but this information was not provided to Whites lawyer. One of the government lawyers involved in the case was Jagose. Smale reports that in the lead-up to the White trial, the Ministry of Social Development and Crown Law hired private investigators to dig dirt on Whitea fact that was only admitted in 2018. The Crown accused White of an abuse of process and sought to discredit his claim that the abuse had caused him significant harm. High Court Justice Forrest Miller sided with the Crown: despite finding that White had been abused at least 13 times, he declared that it had been embarrassing, not traumatic, and had not contributed to his severe mental health and addiction issues. Thus, the Crown avoided liability. Miller asserted, without any evidence, that Whites difficulties were caused by early childhood experiences and genetics. Jagose defended Millers extraordinary decision when White went to the Court of Appeal, which again ruled in favour of the Crown. The Royal Commissions report states that Hokio Beach School had a culture of severe violence including severe corporal punishment, sometimes inflicted with weapons and to the genitals. In addition, peer-on-peer violence was encouraged, sexual abuse was pervasive, racism and cultural abuse was normalised and solitary confinement was misused. Jagose was also involved in representing the Crown against Keith Wiffin, who took legal action against the Ministry of Social Development in the 2000s over sexual abuse at Epuni Boys Home in the 1970s. Crown Law withheld information from Wiffins lawyer Sonja Cooper, including the fact that the perpetrator Alan Wright-Moncrief had been convicted for sexually abusing other children. In her evidence to the Royal Commission, Jagose admitted that the information should have been disclosed. Asked why it was not, she replied: I dont know, I cant answer. It should have been. In September 2008, Crown Law wrote to Wiffins lawyer to dissuade him from proceeding with his criminal complaint. Wiffin told the Royal Commission he was led to believe that Crown Law was engaged in its own investigation of Wright-Moncrief, which it was not. Newsrooms Smale observes that The political and official cover-up highlighted by the Royal Commission has had no direct consequences at all. Several politicians, state officials, judges, lawyers and others implicated by the inquiry remain in positions of power and influence. While the government and opposition parties prepare to deliver their national apology, the brutalisation of young people continues. Another 519 children were abused in state custody last year. The victims are overwhelmingly from poor, working class backgrounds, including large numbers of Maori. The far-right coalition government recently reintroduced military-run boot camps for teenage offendersdespite the Royal Commission documenting cases of bullying, extreme violence and rape at similar programs. The Royal Commission revealed the brutal reality of capitalism in New Zealand. As the global economic crisis intensifies, the business elite views hundreds of thousands of young people as surplus to requirements. They are condemned to a life of poverty, unemployment, incarceration or being pushed into the military to fight imperialist wars abroad. For this reason, the continuing fight for justice for the victims of abuse at the hands of the state must be linked with the political struggle for socialism; that is, for a society that will put an end to all forms of social inequality, exploitation and militarism. The US Department of Agriculture reported on Wednesday detection of the H5N1 bird flu virus in a pig from a farm located in Crook County in central Oregon. This is the first case of a pig in the US infected with the current strain of the virus. Although the sequence of the virus causing this outbreak has not been shared with the public, Oregons Department of Agriculture (ODA) informed the media that it was not associated with the strain detected among dairy cattle. In this December 2, 2021, photo a hog walks in a pasture on a farm near Elliott, Iowa. [AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall] The animal was euthanized, and an autopsy of the tissue revealed the virus was present throughout the body, according to state veterinarian Ryan Scholz. In all, five pigs and 70 chickens, ducks, and geese on the farm were culled as a precaution to prevent further spread of the highly contagious virus. The property is presently under quarantine while surveillance is under way. Authorities believe exposure to infected waterfowl was the cause of the outbreak. Poultry and pigs had been housed together. Experts speaking at a press briefing Wednesday raised concerns in particular about the appearance of the virus in pigs, as these animals are susceptible to viruses from both birds and humans. This means the viruses can intermingle with each other and lead to mutations, producing a hybrid virus through a process called reassortment of their genetic makeup. Dr. Dean Sidelinger, an Oregon epidemiologist, admitted, We do worry about changes in this virus, but then quickly downplayed the danger, saying, The risk to the public remains low. However, scientists speaking with STAT News, who are waiting for more details on the investigation, were not as reassured. Dr. Florian Krammer, a flu virologist at Mount Sinais Icahn School of Medicine, said, If it doesnt spread from pigs to pigs and it just happened on that one farm, its not a big deal. However, he cautioned, If it starts to spread from pigs to pigs, then its much more of a problem. If it ends up in large pig populations in the U.S., similar to cows, I think this would be a disaster. The current outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu virus among dairy cattle was first detected in March of this year and has spread to 14 states across 404 dairy cattle herds. Colorado had been the epicenter of the outbreak this summer. But this has shifted to California where 202 cattle herds have been affected, 158 just in the last 30 days. Human cases of H5N1 in total have reached 39 thus far. Twenty of these infections have occurred among cattle handlers, with 16 workers in California infected. Among workers handling poultry, 18 have so far been found with the virus, nine of which were in Colorado. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has only tested about 300 people and has monitored over 6,100 people. The origin of an H5N1 case in Missouri remains unknown, a troubling indication of potential human-to-human transmission of the virus. Together with the continuously rising numbers of infections among livestock and their human handlers, concerns of a novel H5N1 bird flu pandemic among human populations begin to loom larger. The addition of pigs to the mix raises even further the specter of the development of a potential pandemic pathogen. Dr. Thomas Peacock, an expert in influenza viruses at Pirbright Institute in Britain, remarked, Pigs are absolutely full of influenza viruses that in the past were human seasonal influenza viruses or human pandemic influenza viruses. So, they have a really, really rich genetic material in them. This is the whole idea that pigs are a mixing vessel in that they are a place where avian and human influenza viruses could potentially mix. CDCs Emerging Infectious Diseases journal published in April 2024 raised such concerns about the emergence of the H5N1 bird flu among swine, warning, If an avian IAV [Influenza A Virus] strain, such as H5Nx 2.3.4.4b, successfully infected domestic swine, pig-to-pig transmission, reassortment with endemic swine IAV, or acquisition of adaptive mutations that might enable an avian-to-mammalian switch could potentially occur (1). Continued circulation in the wild bird population and peridomestic wild mammal infections elevate the risk for exposure of swine because of the current outbreaks wide distribution in states with large pig populations. Dr. Richard Webby, flu virologist and director of the World Health Organizations Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals, told STAT News that although pigs infected with H5N1 do not easily spread the virus, the fact that the current strains of H5N1 are able to more readily infect pigs than previous strains would ratchet up the risk substantially from where we are. Furthermore, speaking with Scientific American, Webby theorized that the development of a pandemic virus would require more than a reassortment of the circulating strains. Its going to take reassortment, followed by some critical mutations in [one specific] gene. What Webby means is that such a mutation may allow the virus not just to infect the conjunctiva of the eyes, as seen among the currently infected animal workers, but adapt itself to the respiratory tract and transmit via airborne aerosols. He added, [The] hurdles are high that this virus has to overcome to become a human virus. But anything that gives it more opportunity to do so is obviously a concernwhether thats just more human infections from farm animals or that potential of reassorting with a human seasonal virus. All of those things would increase the risk. Although the current infections among farm workers with the bird flu virus have not led to serious illness, recent laboratory experiments with isolates of these strains in animal models have led to alarming results. One study that was published this week in the journal Nature by Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka and colleagues from Wisconsin, showed that the bird flu virus isolated from the eye of an infected Texas animal handler proved to spread efficiently in human respiratory cells and was lethal in mice and ferrets. They also showed the virus, without any prior adaptation, spread via aerosol to other animals, proving lethal for them as well. The researchers warned, Based on these observations, every effort should be made to contain HPAI H5N1 [bird flu virus] outbreaks in dairy cattle to limit the possibility of further human infections. In another recently published study by CDC investigators using ferrets as an animal model for evaluating the bird flu virus pathogenicity, the researchers wrote: In this study, we employed the ferret model, a well-characterized species that permits concurrent investigation of viral pathogenicity and transmissibility in the evaluation of A/Texas/37/2024 (TX/37) A(H5N1) virus isolated from a dairy farm worker in Texas. Here, we show that the virus has a remarkable ability for robust systemic infection in ferrets, leading to high levels of virus shedding and spread to naive contacts. Ferrets inoculated with TX/37 rapidly exhibited a severe and fatal infection, characterized by viremia and extrapulmonary spread. The virus efficiently transmitted in a direct contact setting and was capable of indirect transmission via fomites. Airborne transmission was corroborated by the detection of infectious virus shed into the air by infected animals, albeit at lower levels compared to the highly transmissible human seasonal and swine-origin H1 subtype strains. Our results show that despite maintaining an avian-like receptor binding specificity, TX/37 displays heightened virulence, transmissibility, and airborne shedding relative to other clade 2.3.4.4b virus isolated prior to the 2024 cattle outbreaks, underscoring the need for continued public health vigilance. These alarming developments need to be widely discussed and shared with agricultural workers and more generally. Public health should not be relegated to scientific conferences and publications in journals, while left on the fringes of news reporting. These results require action on the parts of local and federal governments to prevent the development of the next pandemic. A wait-and-see approach is foolish and carries potentially lethal global consequences. PARIS, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were injured in a shooting on Thursday night in Poitiers, west-central France, leading to a gang brawl involving several hundred people, the French news channel BFMTV reported on Friday. According to BFMTV, it was around 10:45 p.m. local time (2145 GMT) when individuals in a car fired gunshots at a square in Poitiers. Police discovered five people injured by gunfire. Among them, a 15-year-old teenager was in serious condition with wounds in the head, BFMTV reported, adding that two other teenagers were shot in the shoulder and ankle. Shortly after the shooting, clashes broke out on the square, initially involving about 50 people. Police reportedly had to use tear gas to disperse the crowd. BFMTV cited the local prefect, Jean-Marie Girier, who stated that while several hundred people were present during the clashes, not all participated. A police source told BFMTV that the ongoing investigation points to violence between rival drug gangs. In a press release, the mayor of Poitiers Leonore Moncond'huy expressed deep regret over the violence, calling it "unacceptable for the neighborhood and the city." She noted that the young age of the victims and the people involved was "particularly striking and worrying." As global markets navigate the complexities of rising U.S. Treasury yields and tepid economic growth, investors are increasingly drawn to dividend stocks as a potential source of steady income amidst market volatility. In such an environment, selecting stocks with reliable dividend yields can offer a measure of stability and income generation, making them an attractive consideration for those looking to bolster their portfolios. Top 10 Dividend Stocks Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Tsubakimoto Chain (TSE:6371) 4.13% Yamato Kogyo (TSE:5444) 4.09% Globeride (TSE:7990) 4.02% Intelligent Wave (TSE:4847) 3.93% Wuliangye YibinLtd (SZSE:000858) 3.18% KurimotoLtd (TSE:5602) 5.44% HUAYU Automotive Systems (SHSE:600741) 4.97% Innotech (TSE:9880) 4.75% FALCO HOLDINGS (TSE:4671) 6.56% E J Holdings (TSE:2153) 3.79% Click here to see the full list of 2029 stocks from our Top Dividend Stocks screener. We're going to check out a few of the best picks from our screener tool. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: KOMATSU MATERE Co., Ltd. manufactures and sells various fabrics both in Japan and internationally, with a market cap of 30.92 billion. Operations: The company's revenue is primarily derived from its Textile Business, which generated 36.82 billion. Dividend Yield: 2.9% KOMATSU MATERE Ltd.'s dividend payments are well covered by earnings, with a payout ratio of 32%, and cash flows, with a cash payout ratio of 71.8%. Despite past volatility in dividends, they have grown over the last decade. The dividend yield is low at 2.93% compared to top payers in Japan. Recent share buyback announcements aim to enhance capital efficiency and shareholder returns amid changing business conditions. TSE:3580 Dividend History as at Oct 2024 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Tokyo Tekko Co., Ltd. manufactures and sells steel products for the construction industry in Japan, with a market cap of 41.34 billion. Operations: Tokyo Tekko Co., Ltd.'s revenue is primarily derived from its Steel Business segment, which accounts for 80.89 billion. Dividend Yield: 4.3% Tokyo Tekko's dividend yield is in the top 25% of the JP market, supported by a low payout ratio of 26.7%, indicating dividends are well covered by earnings and cash flows. Despite a history of volatility, dividends have grown over the past decade. The stock trades significantly below its estimated fair value, suggesting potential undervaluation. However, investors should note the unstable dividend track record despite recent robust earnings growth of 65.5%. A high dividend yield can be very alluring to an income investor. In theory, it would enable investors to generate more income for every dollar they invest. Unfortunately, a high yield can often be like a siren's song and lead an investor to a destructive outcome when the company slashes its payment. NextEra Energy Partners (NYSE: NEP), Annaly Capital Management (NYSE: NLY), and Community Healthcare Trust (NYSE: CHCT) currently have monster dividend yields. However, they have some scary financials. Income investors should therefore avoid these high-yield dividend stocks right now. Start Your Mornings Smarter! Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free The signs are obvious NextEra Energy Partner's dividend yield is approaching 20%. A yield that high should send shivers down the spines of income-seeking investors. It clearly indicates that the market expects the company to slash its payout shortly. The renewable energy dividend stock has been hinting that a cut is forthcoming. NextEra Energy Partners had previously expected to continue increasing its dividend, aiming for 5% to 8% annual growth through 2026, with a target of 6%. It could achieve that while maintaining a dividend payout ratio in the mid-90s, which is awfully high. However, it removed that language from the outlook of its most recent earnings report. The company replaced it with some more information about the alternatives it's evaluating to address its high cost of capital and remaining convertible equity portfolio financing obligations. It noted that it's "focusing on its capital structure and the potential for redeployment of more cash flow toward driving organic cash flow growth." This statement suggests it will reduce its dividend and allocate that cash toward organic expansion investments. NextEra Energy Partners plans to complete its review by January, meaning it could cut its payout early next year. Walking on a tightrope Annaly Capital Management's dividend currently yields more than 13%. While it's not uncommon for a mortgage REIT to have a high yield, Annaly's big-time payout is on shakier ground than most of its peers. The main cause for concern is the decline in Annaly's earnings available for distribution (EAD). Its EAD was down to a mere $0.66 per share during the third quarter, dangerously close to its current dividend level of $0.65 per share. EAD was $0.68 per share in the third quarter and $0.89 per share at the end of 2022. The slide in EAD forced the REIT to cut its dividend from its prior level of $0.88 per share in early 2023. That was one of the many reductions it has made over the years. United States Capitol Police Limit Peaceful 1st Amendment Activities at the US Capitol Due to Security Concerns NEWS PROVIDED BY Christian Defense Coalition Nov. 1, 2024 WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2024 /Standard Newswire/ -- On Friday, November 1, Rev. Patrick Mahoney was informed by the Capitol Police that his prayer vigil and worship service for November 3 on the Capitol grounds would have to be reduced in size, because of "an increased security posture." Below are portions of an email, sent by the Special Events Section of the United States Capitol Police, to Rev. Mahoney. "...the Special Events Section has been advised that an increased security posture on U.S. Capitol Grounds has been put into place. Due to this enhancement of security, East Front Demonstration Areas will only be able to accommodate groups of 30 participants or less." -- Special Events Section of the United States Capitol Police. The Christian Defense Coalition had received an approved permit for November 3 to hold a prayer vigil and worship gathering on the grounds of the United States Capitol to pray for national healing, the elections, spiritual awakening and a peaceful transference of power. Rev. Mahoney was also informed by the US Capitol Police his prayer gatherings on the steps of the Capitol before and after the elections may be prohibited based on security concerns. The prayer and worship service at the US Capitol on Sunday, November 3rd at 2:30 PM, will still go on as planned. Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition based in Washington, D.C., states: "For weeks we have been praying there would be no violence before and after the election this November 5. Regardless of who might be our next President, violence has no place in the political process. Americans should be able to express their political views and differences openly and free from the threat of violence. "Our prayer and worship and service on the grounds of the United States Capitol on November 3rd, will be a time of asking God to bring healing to a divided America, ensure there would be no violence, and seek God for national spiritual awakening. "As we pray on the grounds of the US Capitol this November 3rd, we would ask the US Capitol Police to continue to allow peaceful 1st Amendment activities at the Capitol from now until the Inauguration. It would be tragic during this election season if free speech and prayer were banned from the Capitol grounds." For more information or interviews call Rev. Patrick Mahoney at: 540.538.4741 SOURCE Christian Defense Coalition That's because its dividend yield is fat -- and the company has been increasing its payout for more than 50 years in a row. Better still, its payout ratio, the percentage of its earnings being paid out in dividends, was recently 68%, suggesting that its dividend is sustainable. The company has been investing in cigarette alternatives, too, such as vaping products. Altria, the tobacco giant, may seem like an odd stock to include, as the rate of cigarette smoking in the U.S. hit an 80-year low earlier this year, per Gallup. Not surprisingly, Altria's top Marlboro brand has seen shrinking volumes of sales . Still, it's worth considering as an investment if you're more interested in dividend income than in stock-price appreciation. Here, then, are five dividend-paying stocks to consider for your long-term portfolio. You'll note that each offers a solid or hefty current dividend yield, and each has been hiking its payout over time, too -- though not always at a good clip. I included an S&P 500 index fund, too, for comparison purposes. I'll introduce you to five solid dividend payers shortly. But first, check out the numbers below, from a Hartford Funds report, to appreciate the power of dividends. Start Your Mornings Smarter! Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free For starters, a company generally needs to grow enough to have relatively reliable income, giving management the confidence with which to initiate -- and then maintain -- a dividend payment to shareholders. Such companies will then offer not only the chance of stock price appreciation, but also a good chance of increasing dividends over time. If you don't have many dividend-paying stocks in your portfolio, you might want to rethink your asset allocation because dividend payers can be surprisingly powerful long-term performers. Story Continues 2. Chevron Chevron's recent stock performance has been lackluster -- in part due to relatively low oil prices. But oil prices tend to fluctuate, and Chevron has performed fairly well in varied economic environments. Its dividend is generous, recently yielding more than 4%, and it has been hiking its payout at a good rate -- upping it from $4.32 per share in 2017 to $5.16 in 2020 and $6.52 most recently. Its recent payout ratio of 62% is reassuring, too. Anyone optimistic about the energy industry might consider investing in Chevron. 3. Verizon Communications Verizon's dividend yield is steep, in large part because the stock is down over the past few years. The company has been struggling to boost revenue, but its profitability has been improving. It also generates lots of free cash flow, which can be used not only for dividends, but also for paying down its considerable debt and investing in growth. Verizon may not grow quickly, but it should grow as it expands its fiber and 5G networks. 4. AbbVie AbbVie is a drug company, spun off from Abbott Laboratories in 2013. Its dividend yield is on the small side compared to others in the table above, but note that its stock price has been growing much faster than the others, too. Its payout ratio was recently above 100%, which is not ideal, and it has been challenged by the loss of patent protection for its big seller Humira, but it has other irons in the fire, such as its next-generation immunology drugs. Debt is another issue, but the company does generate lots of free cash flow, and its fortunes could change with some new blockbusters. 5. Realty Income Finally, there's Realty Income, a real estate investment trust (REIT). REITs are companies that own lots of real estate properties, charging rent for them. They're required to pay out at least 90% of their taxable earnings as dividends, so they're often good dividend payers. Realty Income is actually one of relatively few monthly dividend payers -- most companies pay quarterly. As of the end of June, the company boasted 15,450 properties, leased to 1,551 customers in 90 industries. It's still growing, too, with second-quarter revenue rising 31% year over year. Don't forget exchange-traded funds (ETFs)! If you're not confident enough to choose individual dividend stocks, that's perfectly fine -- because you can do quite well with exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are focused on dividends and income generation. Here are a few to consider. ETF Recent Yield 5-Year Avg. Annual Return 10-Year Avg. Annual Return SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (NYSEMKT: SPYD) 4.18% 8.67% N/A Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT: SCHD) 3.61% 13.05% 12.02% iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (NYSEMKT: DGRO) 2.24% 12.59% 12.49% Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (NYSEMKT: VIG) 1.65% 12.93% 12.33% Data source: Morningstar.com, as of Oct. 22, 2024. However you go about it, it's a sound strategy to add dividend payers to your long-term portfolio. Should you invest $1,000 in Chevron right now? Before you buy stock in Chevron, 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 Chevron 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 $865,595!* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of October 28, 2024 Selena Maranjian has positions in AbbVie, Realty Income, Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF, and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends AbbVie, Abbott Laboratories, Chevron, Realty Income, Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF, and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool recommends Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 5 Dividend Stocks to Double Up on Right Now -- Plus Some Dividend ETFs was originally published by The Motley Fool Note: This post contains descriptions of physical violence, bodily harm, death, suicide, and cannibalism. Please proceed with caution. Recently, redditor u/DrunkenConifer asked people to share the historical events that were actually grislier and grosser than most people think. So, I did deep dives on 17 of the events mentioned in that thread and summarized the dark, often unknown details here for you. Let's get into them: Note: The following facts include summaries of these events and by no means are extensive explanations. If you'd like more information on any of the following facts or occurrences, sources have been linked out to for each of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1."The Great Pox" aka the 1495 syphilis epidemic that swept across Europe prior to the existence of the antibiotics to treat it. Like today, the first stage of the sexually transmitted infection began with painless ulcers, typically on one's genitals, that often went away on their own. The next phase manifested in the form of rashes, swollen lymph nodes, and at its worst pustules "which oozed a foul-smelling discharge." Again, these would go away, fooling people into thinking they were cured. In the third and final phase, permanent and more intense symptoms arose. Though they were still alive, infected people's skin and bones would literally start rotting and disintegrating on their faces. This often resulted in the collapse of their nasal cartilage, which made them appear as though they had no nose at all. Other symptoms included the formation of gummas or "grotesque tumor-like growths" and severe damage to internal organs. You can read more about the early syphilis epidemic here. Suggested by: Creme_Bru-Doggs Florilegius / Florilegius/Universal Images Group via Getty Images 2.In January of 1919, The Great Molasses Flood took Boston's North End by storm. While you might think the famously thick, slow-moving syrup surely couldn't be all that deadly, the flood actually killed 21, injured 150, and caused massive damage. The 2.3 million gallons of molasses traveled at speeds up to 35 miles per hour. It "knocked an elevated train off of its tracks, crushed buildings, moved a firehouse and other buildings off their foundations, and suffocated both humans and animals." The flood came after Purity Distilling's 50-foot-tall tank of molasses split open, wreaking havoc on the crowded neighborhood in the middle of the day. According to structural engineers, the tank was poorly built, with walls that were too thin to support the weight of the product and made of unsuitable material that could and did easily crack with a sudden temperature change. While the severity of the flood was a shock, the tank had been experiencing issues long before the catastrophe ever happened. Residents had been complaining about the tank leaking molasses, but in response, the distilling company simply painted it brown so locals wouldn't notice the molasses seeping through its seams. Suggested by: natterca The Boston Globe via Getty Images / Bettmann / Contributor 3."The low reflective bumper on the rear of an 18-wheeler trailer is called a Mansfield Bar. It's named after actor Jayne Mansfield, who died after her driver ran into the back of a trailer at 2 a.m. in 1967. Jayne, her lawyer, and her children, including 3-year-old Mariska Hargitay, were in the vehicle. The car slid under the trailer and none of the adults survived the crash." u/thescrapplekid Archive Photos / Stringer / Bettmann / Contributor / Getty Images 4.Contrary to what was portrayed in Netflix's Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story series, what was actually found in Dahmer's Milwaukee apartment was much more sinister. According to police findings, there were "seven skulls, two human hearts, an entire torso, a bag of human organs, two skeletons, a pair of severed hands, two severed and preserved male genitalia, a mummified scalp and a 57-gallon drum that included three dismembered torsos." The Oxford Apartments that Dahmer resided in were torn down in 1992, and it remains an empty, grassy lot despite efforts to repurpose it into a children's play area. You can read the FBI report for yourself here. Suggested by: AddictedToDurags Bureau of Prisons / Getty Images / Marny Malin/Sygma via Getty Images / Steve Kagan / Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 5.Like its sister ship, the Titanic, the Britannic met its demise at sea. In 1916, the hospital ship reportedly hit a German mine, causing an explosion. Despite the flooding of six of its compartments, it remained afloat, so the captain ordered the ship to go at full speed to land. This only made it sink faster, so he ordered it to slow back down. Unfortunately, before it did, two lifeboats full of passengers fled the ship without getting permission first. Thinking they were escaping to safety, they were sucked into the ship's propellers. Suggested by: Tarkus_Edge Bettmann / Bettmann Archive 6.In 1992, Stella Liebeck a 79-year-old McDonald's customer sued the fast food giant after suffering burns from their coffee. While many saw the case as a quick way to make a buck from a massive corporation, Stella was seriously injured. She was sitting in the passenger seat of her grandson's car at the time of the incident and had ordered a hot coffee at a McDonald's drive-thru. While parked, she put the cup between her legs and opened the lid, which spilled burning hot coffee all over her. Her sweat pants soaked up the hot liquid, keeping it in contact with her skin. She suffered third-degree burns on 6% of her body, "including her vagina, perineum, buttocks, thighs, and groin area." She had to be hospitalized for eight days and required skin grafts. After reaching out to McDonald's about the incident to cover her medical fees, they offered her a mere $800. After the trial, she was awarded $200K in compensatory damages and an additional $2.7 million for punitive damages. Suggested by: u/the-wrong-lever Nurphoto / NurPhoto via Getty Images 7.More than half of the 81 people that made up the Donner party were children, six of which were infants. Overall, about half of those who survived being stranded ultimately succumbed to cannibalism. In most instances, they consumed the flesh of the members of their party who died naturally, though prior to that, they considered the men of the party dueling or drawing straws to determine who would be sacrificed for food. On one occasion, though, they killed two Native American men who'd joined them prior to being stranded. The two men had refused to eat human flesh and had attempted to flee, fearing they'd be future targets. They were correct. Other members of the party "slaughtered their pack animals, cooked their dogs, gnawed on leftover bones and even boiled the animal hide roofs of their cabins into a foul paste." They were also reported to have eaten boiled pieces of leather and tree bark." Suggested by: Ziggysan Fotosearch / Getty Images 8.On March 18, 1937, tragedy struck a school in New London, TX, just fifteen minutes before classes were to end for the day. A massive explosion killed nearly 300, including students from fifth through eleventh grade. It was so big that it was felt by residents up to 40 miles away and reportedly shot a two-ton slab of concrete 200 feet away from the school. The explosion was caused by a cost-saving measure the school had taken earlier in the year in an effort to save $300 a month on gas. Plumbers had tapped a "residue gas line"; however, there was a faulty connection, and gas had been pooling under the school. On the day of the explosion, some students reported watery eyes and feeling lightheaded, but odors hadn't yet been added to natural gas in the 1930s, so it went undetected. That very year, gas odorization was mandated in the state of Texas. You can read more about the tragedy here. Suggested by: GloveBatBall Bettmann / Contributor / Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 9.Flight data during the Challenger space shuttle disaster in 1986 revealed that it was likely some of the astronauts on board were still alive after the explosion. According to NASA, at least three of the emergency breathing packs were turned on following the Challenger's explosion, leading them to believe that some of the crew remained conscious for at least 10 seconds following the disaster and were alive when it hit the water. They were believed to have been coherent enough to understand the severity of what was occurring. Reportedly, the final word they heard from the crew which was uttered by the shuttle's pilot, Michael J. Smith, 73 seconds after they took off was a simple, "Uh oh." Suggested by: Yournaughtyjedi Bettmann / Bettmann Archive 10.The gritty details of Travis the Chimp mauling Charla Nash in 2009. Travis who'd been raised by Sandra Herold in a particularly human-like life had been described as "agitated" on the day of the incident. Charla Sandra's friend who had often looked after Travis when she was away had arrived at Sandra's home to help for the day. Whether Charla offered to come or Sandra asked her to is debated by the two. Regardless, Charla drove over and exited the car holding an Elmo doll. Almost immediately, Travis began assaulting her. The violent attack went on despite Sandy coming after him with a snow shovel and, later, a knife. He even stopped to look her in the eyes. After police arrived at the scene, Charla was found mostly naked, "covered in nearly half [her] blood supply," and with pieces of her scalp and fingers strewn about the yard. Per New York Mag, "Travis had bitten or torn away her eyelids, nose, jaw, lips, and most of her scalp. Hed broken nearly all the bones of her facial structure. Hed fully removed one of her hands and virtually all of the other. Hed rendered her blind." She was in critical condition, but alive, and underwent over a year of intervention. After a chase with the local police department, Travis was shot and, ultimately, died. Pictured above is Charla in 2012. Suggested by: Party-Welder3777 Hartford Courant / Tribune News Service via Getty Images 11.The aftermath of the American Civil War was more gruesome than most realize. Redditor u/senorgrub shared their perspective as a Gettysburg local, "The part you don't think about is the aftermath. We think they fight and leave, but [it wasn't] that simple." Infection and blood loss made battle wounds all the more deadly, which not only resulted in many dead bodies, but also contributed to the piles of amputated limbs. According to one Confederate soldier, "There were piles of legs, feet, hands and arms, all thrown together, and at a distance, resembled piles of corn at a corn-shucking. Many of the feet still retained a boot or shoe." It's estimated that roughly 620,000 died on both sides during the war. Further, OP pointed out that "a lot of these battles were in warm areas during the summer months. Gettysburg was the first week in July in southern Pennsylvania. [We're] talking 100-degree heat and rotting flesh, bugs, and animals consuming that stuff ...That flesh took YEARS to clean up." Suggested by: senorgrub Interim Archives / Getty Images 12.Similarly, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in and around New Orleans in 2005 was even more devastating than commonly believed. Approximately 1,170 people died in Louisiana, with 47% of the deaths being a result of acute or chronic disease and 33% being a result of drowning. 80% of New Orleans and the parishes surrounding it were flooded by 20 feet of water. Redditor u/thetruckboy shared their first-hand experience of it: "I was down there twice immediately after the storm, and the stench from dead bodies was almost overwhelming. My sister and brother-in-law bought a house on the other side of Lake Pontchartrain a few months later, and there were STILL bodies floating up on the north shore of the lake." You can learn more about the statistics surrounding deaths due to Hurricane Katrina here. Suggested by: thetruckboy Marko Georgiev / Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 13.A decent chunk of what doctors know about hypothermia and how to deal with it came from "Nazi science" in WWII. The Dachau Hypothermia Experiments were "medical experiments" or, rather, brutal torture conducted at the Dachau concentration camp with the goal of discovering the most effective treatments for immersion hypothermia. The use of their findings was highly debated, with some arguing that using it would be wholly unethical, and others considering it valid medical data that could save lives and using it in their studies. You can read more about it here. Suggested by: u/CommieKiller304 Vm / Getty Images 14.King Leopold II's treatment of the people of the Congo (now called the Democratic Republic of Congo) during the late 1800s was so cruel that other European colonial powers despite their own violence towards Africans simultaneously condemned it, and the Belgian parliament had to step in to take it from his control. Packaged as a "humanitarian and philanthropic mission," Leopold II's reign was brutal. If villages failed to produce an adequate yield of rubber, ivory, or minerals for trade, it was not uncommon for a member of the village often a young child to have their hands or feet chopped off. His administrators were also known to have "child colonies" made up of kidnapped orphans who were expected to work and train as soldiers. It's believed that over half of them died in the "colonies." Further, Leopold II had a "human zoo" at his palace in Tervuren, with over 260 Congolese people in it. His actions were not condemned until 1908. You can read more about his horrific reign here. Suggested by: RonNumber Hulton Archive / Getty Images 15.On December 14, 1799, George Washington died...and was nearly (attemped to be) brought back to life. While he had succumbed to his throat ailment (there's debate as to the specific illness) fairly quickly, he tried a variety of remedies, from gargling molasses, vinegar, and butter to having his throat "swabbed with a salve and a preparation of dried beetles." Additionally, he requested his doctor to bleed him and lost 40% of his blood in the process. By the time his friend surgeon Willian Thornton arrived, Washington was dead and frozen due to the cold. Thornton proposed they thaw the former president in warm water, that he perform a tracheostomy, and that they inject Washington with lamb's blood in an attempt to revive him. Ultimately, the procedure was not supported by those close to Washington. You can read more about it here. Suggested by: wagadugo Mpi / Getty Images 16."The first suicide hotline was created after a man 23-year-old deacon Chad Varah conducted the funeral of a 13 or 14-year-old girl. She killed herself after she got her period for the first time and assumed it was an STD, since no one talked about periods at the time." While the actual hotline itself didn't come into fruition until nearly two decades later, his "vision began" after that funeral in 1935. u/SapphicsAndStilettos Rubberball Productions / Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 17.For hundreds of years, people dumped human, industrial, and animal waste into London's River Thames. By 1858, it caused such a horrendous odor to plague the city that it became dubbed "The Great Stink." The river's longtime pollution caused many Londoners to become violently and sometimes deathly ill with cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, as water wells lied near leaking cesspools and even water pumped from outside the city was still at risk of sewer contamination. In several cholera epidemics between 1831 and 1854, roughly 30,000 Londoners died. In 1855, Royal Institution scientist Michael Faraday claimed the river's water was an opaque pale brown fluid and that near its bridges, people could see dense clouds of fecal matter at the surface. Ultimately, the "Great Stink" and its horrific consequences were the catalyst for London's sewage system, which was conpleted in 1870. You can read more about it here. Suggested by: LonelyWanderess UniversalImagesGroup / Contributor / Heritage Images / Contributor / Getty Images Do you know of any dark historical facts like these? From pop culture to politics, I wanna hear all of them. If you'd like, you can share them in the comments below or via this anonymous form for an opportunity to be included in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community post. OKLAHOMA (KTLA) Actor Zachery Ty Bryan, who famously starred as Brad Taylor on the 90s sitcom Home Improvement, has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence for the second time this year. Bryan was arrested in Oklahoma on the morning of Oct. 25 and booked in Custer County for allegedly driving under the influence without a valid drivers license, according to sheriffs office records obtained by Deadline. Fox News obtained dashcam footage of Bryan being taken into custody by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The outlet reports that Bryan refused to take a sobriety test and was placed in the front seat of the officers vehicle before being taken to jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yankees fans who interfered with Mookie Betts banned from World Series Game 5 Actor Zachery Ty Bryan attends P.S. ARTS and OneWest Banks Express Yourself 2016 at Barker Hangar on November 13, 2016 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images for P.S. ARTS) Im just a good dude, man. I dont know why everybody Im sorry I like to drink, Bryan told the trooper in the video. According to the probable cause affidavit obtained by Fox News, Bryan was found sleeping in the back of his Range Rover, which was parked on the side of the road. A trooper parked up the road from Bryan, who then started his car and drove by. The trooper pulled Bryan over, and he reportedly confessed to being intoxicated. From there, the first trooper was called to take over the arrest. Bryan told authorities he went out the night before and down a secret road and pulled over because he knew he couldnt drive. He then said he was running from California right now and explained that he hates that place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two troopers talked about Bryans license being suspended due to a previous DUI. UPS hiring is thousands of seasonal workers for the holidays When asked if it was just one DUI, Bryan paused and said Oh no, Ive had multiple. He then bowed his head down and said, Everyone depends on me, man. As one trooper directed Bryan to the front of the car for sobriety tests, the actor reportedly said he just wanted to sleep. When asked if he felt safe to drive, Bryan said, No. After a brief exchange, the trooper explained that he was placing Bryan under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt Bryans first arrest for a similar charge this year. In February, he was arrested in LaQuinta, California, after he displayed indications of impairment during a traffic stop. Last summer, the former child actor was arrested in Oregon for alleged domestic violence, robbery, and harassment charges, according to Nexstars KOIN. He faced similar charges in Oregon in October 2020 following a fight with his girlfriend, police said. While most of the charges were dropped, Bryan ultimately pleaded guilty to assault and menacing charges in 2021 and was sentenced to 36 months of probation and fined $200. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From 1991 to 1999, Bryan played the role of Brad Taylor, son of Tim The Toolman Taylor, in the Tim Allen-led sitcom Home Improvement. Throughout the years, he appeared in 2006s The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and 2009s Thor: Hammer of the Gods. According to IMDB, his latest work was in 2022 in The Guardians of Justice (Will Save You!) Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The LeBron James Family Foundation is auctioning off a behind-the-scenes experience in Akron to raise funds for the foundation's initiatives. The auction, being held on eBay, offers a chance to see the Akron landmarks that impacted James growing up and the projects his foundations have launched in the city. The LeBron James "Chosen One" "Sports Illustrated" cover. "With his Foundations team rolling out the red carpet every step of the way, the in-person experience begins at LeBrons headquarter office in Akron, Ohio where all the magic happens," the description on eBay reads. "Have a seat at LeBron's desk, see his childhood artwork and signature sneakers on the walls, and meet with his team that makes everything the world sees possible." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The six-hour experience includes a hosted driving tour through Akron, starting at Hickory Street, where James, his mother and grandmother lived when he was first born. It then continues to Spring Hill to see the apartment where James lived that inspired the name of his production company. Next is a walking tour of St. Vincent St. Mary High School, James' alma mater, and the Lebron James Arena that he renovated, "and sit in the locker room where LeBron sat long before being dubbed 'The Chosen One.'" The choice is clear to me: LeBron James endorses Kamala Harris for president Lunch at James' favorite local spot, Swenson's, is included "have his order made fresh for you, just as he orders it each time he goes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tour includes a drive by the I Promise School, the school James' foundation helped open in conjunction with Akron Public Schools, "to serve the kids growing up like he did." "Then head just down the street to his iconic House Three Thirty that is changing his hometown forever," the ad states. "Get a behind the scenes look at the venue that offers exclusive retail, dining, programming and more including the world's first and only official LeBron James museum." The House Three Thirty tour includes meeting some of James' childhood friends, members of the Fab Five team that played with James at St. V's and are now part of the work of the foundation. The tour ends with a four-course meal at House Three Thirty's "Hideaway" that offers a "customizable Chef's Table culinary experience like no other." The winning bidder can bring up to 10 people for the experience, and will receive one authenticated LeBron James No. 23 Lakers jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bidding starts at $10,000. The eBay web page for the auction lists an end time for bidding as Saturday at 3 p.m. The LeBron James Family Foundation has several initiatives in the city seeking to transform the area just west of downtown Akron. In addition to the school and House Three Thirty, the foundation has two housing complexes for families in the I Promise program through the school, and recently opened a medical center. The I Promise School is a public school that receives tax dollars, but the foundation provides money for extra teachers and extensive wraparound services for students and their families. Contact education reporter Jennifer Pignolet at jpignolet@thebeaconjournal.com, at 330-996-3216 or on Twitter @JenPignolet. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: LeBron James Family Foundation auctioning behind-the-scenes Akron tour 04-tucker-carlson-RS-1800 - Credit: Janos Kummer/Getty Images Right-wing Christians who claim to have prophetic insight into Americas spiritual warfare are declaring Fox News decision to sack Tucker Carlson a victory for Lucifer. The religious clamor around the ousting of the conservative prime-time host has provided further fuel as our divided country hurtles toward another combustible presidential election. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lance Wallnau promoter of a seven-part plan for Christians to capture America filmed a live video late Tuesday night in which he denounced demonic mischief behind Carlsons departure from the network. The devil hates [him], Wallnau said, because Carlson has the voice of the populace. Wallnau insisted that Tucker is a casualty of war, and added, I dont like it when the devil wins. Carlson is not deeply religious Im literally an Episcopalian, he recently joked but he has mainstreamed noxious beliefs popular with conservative Christians, in particular against trans Americans and abortion rights. At a speech at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., over the weekend, Carlson blasted the former as practitioners of sexual mutilation and the latter as child sacrifice. Wallnau, who is famous for popularizing the idea that President Trump was Gods chosen heathen, referred to Carlson in similar terms. Ive talked about the secular prophets like Rush Limbaugh, or [Steve] Bannon, or Tucker Carlson, Wallnau said. These are the people God has his hands on, he insisted. Theyre actually used by God more powerfully than a lot of preachers, Wallnau said. The devil wants to silence these voices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Wallnau, Satan is moving to silence Carlson, whose existing contract with Fox News, he suggested, might be enforced in such a way as to pay to keep him off the air and away from competitor news outlets. He might not be coming back for three years, Wallnau alleged, because the devil has him on a contract for $20 million. Amid the fallout of Carlsons exit from prime time, Wallnau is far from the only Christian voice denouncing satanic influence behind Foxs decision. Shane Vaughn, a Pentecostal preacher from Mississippi with a large online following, took to Rumble to declare that Carlson is gone because of spiritual warfare. In comments first spotlighted by Right Wing Watch, Vaughn asked his listeners to focus on the spiritual tug-of-war between heaven and hell over the fate of America. We know that Tucker Carlson was a victim of demonic power, he said. And these demons are bringing America under attack. There have been a lot of theories floated about what prompted Fox News to abruptly fire Tucker Carlson, but MAGA pastor Shane Vaughn knows what really happened: "We know that Tucker Carlson was a victim of demonic power." pic.twitter.com/9v1PpCa9ew Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) April 26, 2023 Vaughn also claimed that in his virulent Heritage address, Carlson had a visitation by the Holy Spirit, and that God used his mouth as a prophet. In the sudden firing of Carlson on Monday, Vaughn argued, the devil had worked to silence Carlson before he could spread the same message to his TV audience. Satanic powers will never allow their true agenda to be exposed by such a powerful platform, Vaughn insisted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other self-styled Christian prophets used the firing of Carlson as receipts proof of their supposed gifts of heavenly foresight. On the Christian-nationalist broadcast FlashPoint, Pastor Hank Kunneman cited a pair of past prophetic words he said came from God following Carlsons exit. The claims were captured by Rolling Stone writer Nikki McCann Ramirez and posted to Twitter on Tuesday: On Kenneth Copeland's grifty Christian news channel, Pastor Hank Kunneman claims he prophesied Tucker Carlson's firing. pic.twitter.com/DxKGMY3mq0 nikki mccann ramirez (@NikkiMcR) April 26, 2023 Similarly, popular prophet Julie Green appeared on the podcast of the ReAwaken America Tour alongside frontman Clay Clark to affirm that she, too, had received advance word of this weeks cable-TV shakeup. The Lord had talked about CNN; the Lord had talked about Don Lemon; the Lord had talked about Fox News [being] in a deep amount of trouble, along with other mainstream news media, Green said. And the Lord has talked about how he was going to silence them and bring them down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Green added of Carlsons departure: Prophetically, this is on point. I get excited when I start seeing these things happen, because God had already said this, before it happened. Such prophetic gloating left a bad taste in Wallnaus mouth. He called out his Christian colleagues for putting self-promotion above the spiritual struggle. Im mad for a good reason right now, he said. I dont like it when the devil wins, and I dont agree with the prophets prophesying Yeah, I said this would happen. Its not a victory, Wallnau continued on Tuesdays video, when you prophesy youre gonna lose the Super Bowl. The object is to win it not predict it. Win it! Wallnau then asked his followers mourning the loss of Carlsons platform, How do we win? How do we reverse this? Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. The cast of ABC's hit political drama Scandal may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina. Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction. Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the Scandal-pace, assured Young over Zoom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said. Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on Scandal, was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow Scandal actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018. Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet. Young said it's been devastating to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North Carolina Gov. Roy Coopers office, Asheville's Mayor Esther Manheimer's office and City Council representatives. We've realized that we really transitioned from the period of immediate relief and aid into recovery and rebuilding, said Young. The state estimates those efforts will cost $53 billion, as much of the infrastructure has been destroyed. More than 100,000 residents who use city water remain under an indefinite boil water advisory. Young says she's not surprised that her former co-stars all agreed to take part, and she's certain the fans of the show, known as gladiators, will also want to join in. Now living in New York, Young is stopped all the time to talk about Scandal. I just spoke to someone on 53rd Street, she said Thursday. Helene was the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since Katrina in 2005. Steven Seagal looked practically unrecognizable in new images published earlier this week. The American actor, who has publicly supported Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the resulting war between the two countries, appeared in a new Russian TV documentary, images from which The Daily Mail previewed on Thursday, Oct. 31. SIGN UP for Parade's Trending News newsletter & we'll keep you in the know on the viral pop culture moments & celebrity news everyone is talking about Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photos from the project, which a state media outlet released earlier this month under the title In the Name of Justice, showed the 72-year-old former Hollywood star exploring war-torn areas of Russian-occupied Ukraine. In the snapshots, Seagal appeared to have gained weight since he was last spotted out in public. See the new photos! A description of the short film published by IMDb claimed that Seagal personally spoke with the victims of Ukrainian nationalists and saw with his own eyes what is happening in Ukraines Donbas region. The Hard to Kill star made a name for himself in the late 1980s and early 1990s as an actor who brought his background in martial arts to the silver screen. Years after making his splash in Hollywood, Seagal sought to obtain Russian citizenship, which Russian President Vladimir Putin granted in 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two years after securing that citizenship, Russias Ministry of Foreign Affairs named Seagal a Special Representative for Russia-US Cultural Links, Cultural and Historical Heritage, a voluntary position for which Seagal was tasked with strengthening direct contacts, mutual understanding and trust between people in Russia and the U.S. Seagal has since been awarded the Order of Friendship, a special medal he received directly from Putin during a ceremony held at the Kremlin earlier this year. Seagal was recognized for his "big contribution to development of international cultural and humanitarian cooperation, according to TASS, a Russian state news agency. Next: Mike Myers Is Nearly Unrecognizable in Recent Outing With His Wife The wife of Graham "Dingo" Dinkelman, dubbed "South Africa's Steve Irwin," said her husband's "love for his family" was his true driving force Dingo Dinkelman/Facebook Dingo Dinkelman. Dingo Dinkelman. The wife of Graham "Dingo" Dinkelman, the wildlife conservationist and YouTuber who died after being bitten by a venomous snake, is remembering her husband for the "incredible impact" he had on others, including his family. On Saturday, Oct. 26, Kristy Dinkelman confirmed that her husband had died, one month after he was first rushed to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I want to start off by thanking you all for your incredible support and the love that we have felt over the past few week," Kristy wrote in a post shared to Africa Reptiles and Venom's Facebook page. "Today is one month since the incident and we have experienced such comfort and love from your messages and prayers from all over the world." "Dingo fought incredibly hard throughout this very difficult period. We know that he was fighting to be here with us and we are so grateful for this," she continued. "Sadly, despite his strength and resilience, my beloved husband passed away peacefully today, surrounded by his family." Dingo Dinkelman/Instagram Dingo Dinkelman. Dingo Dinkelman. Related: 7-Year-Old Girl Went 30 Hours Without Realizing She Was Bitten by Rattlesnake and Nearly Lost Her Leg "His presence has brought so much warmth, love, passion and laughter to our lives, as well as all of those who knew him, loved him and supported him," Kristy continued as the tribute came to an end. "We love you Dingo and we will always celebrate your incredible impact on each of our lives ." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dingo, who had over 110,000 subscribers on YouTube and ran a wildlife sanctuary called Dingo's Farm and Reptile Park, was known for getting up close and personal with dangerous reptile. He was often referred to as "South Africa's Steve Irwin" due to his similarities to the late Australian conservationist. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In an Instagram post from last month, Kristy shared that after being bitten, her husband went "straight into anaphylactic shock" and was rushed to a hospital. When she shared the post on Sept. 30, she said that he was in a medically induced coma in the ICU. "The doctors are keeping him heavily sedated to give his body as much of a fighting chance to fully recover," she wrote. "We have a very long road ahead of us." Dingo Dinkelman/Instagram Dingo Dinkelman. Dingo Dinkelman. A short time later, in a follow-up Instagram post on Oct. 9, Kirsty wrote that Dingo was still in the ICU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He continues to fight with all his strength, and so we continue to have hope in his recovery," the mom of three wrote. "Thank you so much for all the support we have received, and for everyone who has reached out. We continue to be overwhelmed with messages of love and concern." Related: Music Exec Run Over by Garbage Truck Had Decades-in-the-Making Love Story, Husband Shares in Emotional Tribute In a lengthy tribute shared on her husband's Instagram page this week, Kirsty shared that while her husband was "renowned" for is love of snakes and other reptiles, "his compassion extended to all creatures." But, "it was truly his love for his family that was always behind his purpose, drive, and passion." "One of Dingos greatest joys was being able to have his family work so closely with him. Our three children Taylor (14), Maddy (12), and Rex Dinkelman (9) were central to Dingo, who never missed an opportunity to express his love and pride for his family," she added. "Sharing his passion for all creatures, we will continue his legacy, promoting conservation and continuing to share his sense of awe and wonder with the world. His presence has brought so much warmth, love, passion and laughter to our lives, as well as all of those who knew him, loved him and supported him," she added. "We love you Dingo and we will always celebrate your incredible impact on each of our lives." (Reuters) - Abbott Laboratories (ABT) shares rose nearly 5% before the bell on Friday, after a jury cleared the company and a Reckitt unit of liability in a lawsuit over their premature baby formulas' risks. A jury in St. Louis, Missouri found on Thursday that Abbott and Reckitt unit Mead Johnson are not responsible for a young boy's severe intestinal disease, marking the first victory for the companies after large losses in two previous trials. The lawsuit was one of about 1,000 similar cases pending nationwide over allegations the companies failed to warn that their specialized formulas used by newborn intensive care units in hospitals could cause necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). NEC almost exclusively affects premature infants and has an estimated mortality rate of more than 20%. After the verdict and the "overwhelming societal support of infant formula, we think its prudent to lower the liability exposure and raise the odds of an Abbott victory in the trials, or at least improve the company's negotiating power in a settlement," J.P.Morgan analyst Robbie Marcus said in a note. Marcus said investors were assuming a potential liability of $2 billion to $3 billion in NEC-related cases and the win could reduce Abbott's total liability by $500 million to $1 billion. Verdicts in two lawsuits had already led to settlements of $60 million against Mead and $495 million against Abbott. After that, however, U.S. regulatory agencies and some scientists convened by the National Institutes of Health said current evidence does not support the hypothesis that the formula causes NEC. While the companies were not allowed to present the agencies' statement to the jury in the latest trial, Evercore analyst Vijay Kumar said it further strengthens Abbott's position in NEC-related lawsuits. Abbott shares are priced at 24.25 times their estimated earnings for the next 12 months, a common benchmark for valuing stocks, compared with 14.73 for Reckitt. (Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar) After a historic drawn-out trial, Young Thug has officially been released from prison after pleading guilty in his long-standing RICO case. Standing before a judge earlier today, the rapper, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, pleaded no contest to RICO and gang leader counts, and pled guilty to the rest of his charges including two gun charges and three drug charges. The judge sentenced him to time served on several counts as well as 15 years of probation, which if successfully met would lead to the commutation of his service portion. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the sentencing, Thug spoke for the first time in the case after spending the past two years in prison. I am a smart guy, I am a good guy, and I really got a good heart, he told the judge. I found myself in a lot of stuff because I was just nice and cool, and I understand you cant be that way when you reach a certain height because it could end bad. During the dramatic hearing in court earlier today, Thug changed his plea after Superior Court Judge Paige Whitaker asked if he had agreed to a non-negotiated plea, meaning prosecutors and defense could not agree on a sentencing deal and the power to determine punishment turned over to the judge. Georgia prosecutors had previously offered a plea that Thug turned down. That deal would have allowed him to walk free today for 15 years on probation, which if completed would have allowed him to avoid jail time, but would potentially put him behind bars for 23 years if he violated probation. Thug was initially booked into jail in Georgia in May 2022 as part of a street gang bust. He was one of 28 people named in a 56-count indictment that included violation of Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and participating in criminal street gang activity. The case focused on YSL (Young Slime Life) which prosecutors claimed was a street gang that formed in 2012 in Atlanta. Thug was accused of being one of the three founders of YSL, and was charged with two counts: conspiracy to violate RICO and participation in street gang activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, three of Thugs co-defendants Rodalius Ryan (aka Lil Rod), Quamarvious Nichols (aka Qua) and Marquavius Huey (aka Qua) accepted plea deals in the case. Ryan, who was already serving a life sentence for a murder case from when he was 15 years old, pled guilty to a conspiracy to violate the RICO Act. His 10-year sentence would be commuted to time that hes already served. Nichols had several charges dropped, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison with seven to be served on probation. Huey, who was indicted on 19 charges, had some of them reduced or dropped. He was sentenced to 25 years, only nine of which he will serve in prison. Alongside Thug, two other defendants in the case remain on trial. Deamonte Kendrick (aka Yak Gotti) and Shannon Stillwell (aka Shanon Jackson, or SB) have a litany of charges including conspiracy to violate RICO, murder counts, participation in street gang activity and more. Gotti recently rejected a plea deal and instead opted to pursue a jury trial. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Rapper Young Thug is a free man after changing his plea to guilty today (Oct. 31) as part of what had become the longest criminal trial in Georgia history. The 33-year-old artist, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, was indicted in 2022 under the states Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statute for allegedly leading the street gang YSL (Young Slime Life). Prosecutors asked for a 45-year sentence comprising 25 in prison and 20 on probation, but Fulton County Judge Paige Reese Whitaker set Williams free with credit for time served. His sentence includes a number of restrictions, including 15 years of probation and a potential 20-year jail sentence if he were to violate terms of said probation. More from Spin: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams is also not permitted to be in the Atlanta metro area for the first 10 years of probation, other than when he will deliver anti-gang and violence presentations multiple times per year at schools and community organizations. Williams was at the center of the governments case against YSL, whose members have been accused of a variety of crimes, including murder, drug dealing and robbery. Three co-defendants accepted plea deals earlier this week on racketeering conspiracy charges and were sentenced to probation and time served. One of the men, Rodalius Ryan, will remain in jail after a 2019 life sentence for murder. The case initially had 27 co-defendants, with Williams own livestreamed trial beginning in January 2023 with jury selection. Opening statements did not take place until last November. The original judge, Ural Glanville, recused himself this summer following allegations of misconduct by Williams attorneys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, the case appeared on the brink of a mistrial after a prosecution witness accidentally read an unredacted document out loud in front of the jury. Young Thug, who has been in jail since his May 2022 arrest, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with his first two albums, 2019s So Much Fun and 2021s Punk. He shared in the 2019 Song of the Year Grammy for co-writing Childish Gambinos This Is America. Words cant express the incredible happiness and relief I feel to learn of Jefferys freedom, says music executive Kevin Liles, who has worked with the rapper for many years. There will be a time to discuss the criminalization of hip-hop lyrics and the use of bond denial as a weapon against defendants, but in this moment everyone should feel nothing but joy that this amazing artist and even better man can hug his children, parents, siblings and other loved ones tonight. We must always remember artists arent fictional characters. Theyre human beings first. God bless Jeffery and his family. To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here. Originally appeared on E! Online Young Thug is being freed. After being the subject of the longest-running criminal trial in Georgia's history that began in January 2023, the rapper pleaded guilty to drug- and gun-related charges and no contest to charges of conspiracy and participating in a street gang stemming from his May 2022 arrest, according to NBC News. After entering his guilty plea, Young Thug was sentenced to 40 years , with the first five years in prison. However, the judge overseeing his case, Judge Paige Whitaker, commuted the time he has already served, therefore releasing him, followed by 15 years on probation. However, he could serve an additional 20 years in custody if probation is not successful, as reported by the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the 33-year-oldreal name Jeffery Lamar Williamshas been ordered to stay away from the Metro-Atlanta area and to have no contact with any affiliated gang members. Following the sentencing, Judge Whitaker told the Grammy winner, per NBC News, "There better be no violations, but if there are any, you're coming back to see me." More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge also encouraged him to give back to his community, telling him that "if you choose to continue to rap, you need to try to use your influence to let kids know that is not the way to go." "There are ways out of poverty besides hooking up with the powerful guy at the end of the street selling drugs," Judge Whitaker continued. "I want you to be more of the solution and less of the problem." Prince Williams/Wireimage Young Thug acknowledged the power he holds in his Atlanta community, telling the court he would take "full responsibility for my crimes and for my charges," according to NBC News. "I know what I bring to the table and I know what I am," he said. "I know the heights I've reached and I know the impact I've got on people in the community." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, Young Thug was one of 28 people named in a 56-count indictment which centered around the group "Young Slime Life" (YSL). The original filingwhich was obtained by E! News at the timealleged the rapper was one of the street gang's 2012 founders and that it had ties to the national well-known Bloods gang. E! News has reached out to Young Thug's lawyer for comment on the sentencing, but has not heard back. (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Editors Note: This CNN Travel series is, or was, sponsored by the country it highlights. CNN retains full editorial control over subject matter, reporting and frequency of the articles and videos within the sponsorship, in compliance with our policy. Every year in Thailand, on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar usually in November thousands of locals and tourists head for the nearest body of water to celebrate Loy Krathong. As part of the festival, people release small floats krathongs that are commonly covered in decorative banana plant leaves and topped with flowers, incense and candles. These are set adrift as offerings to the water goddess, an act many people believe brings luck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loy Krathong falls on November 15 this year, and events will be held all over the country, but the biggest celebration takes place in the city of Sukhothai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Featuring traditional parades, light and sound shows and fireworks, the week-long Festival of Lights gives visitors a rare chance to see the citys ancient monuments dramatically lit up as it celebrates the historical parks impressive heritage. But even if you cant make the journey to Sukhothai for its Loy Krathong festivities, from November 8-15, its worth visiting any time of the year. The birthplace of Siam Sukhothai was the first capital of the Kingdom of Siam (Thailands former name), in the 13th and 14th centuries, before it was conquered by Ayutthaya, which became the new capital in 1438. Today, several impressive Buddhist monasteries and other examples of early Thai architecture can be explored in the Sukhothai Historical Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UNESCO, which added the city and its associated towns to its World Heritage list in 1991, credits Sukhothai with developing many of the unique identifying characteristics that represent Thai culture today, including language, religion and architecture. The great civilization which evolved in the Kingdom of Sukhothai absorbed numerous influences and ancient local traditions; the rapid assimilation of all these elements forged what is known as the Sukhothai style, says its inscription. The Sukhothai Historical Park is particularly beautiful at sunset. - Roberto Moiola/Sysaworld/Moment RF/Getty Images Sirawee Lamsudjai, who was born in Sukhothai, is a cultural officer at the citys Ramkhamhaeng National Museum. She says what surprises many tourists isnt just the beautiful architecture and Buddhist monuments, but the slow-paced way of life. The first impression for many tourists visiting Sukhothai is how peaceful it is, how the local lifestyle coexists harmoniously with the historical sites, she says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though compact, theres a lot to see here. Wat Mahathat sits at the center of the historical park and features a grand pagoda. Sirawee says another top highlight is Wat Traphang Thong, or Golden Lake Monastery, which is the main location for the Festival of Lights. Wat Si Chum is also a popular site, particularly among photographers, thats not to be skipped. Tourists are impressed with its giant seated Buddha statue, which is housed in a building with no roof, says Sirawee. The statue looks beautiful, especially when the sunlight touches it, giving a feeling of serenity. A city of innovators Sukhothai might be renowned as a place where arts, language and religion flourished many scholars refer to it as the cradle of Thai culture but its also lauded for its innovation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As people walk around the Sukhothai historic sites, they will find manmade ponds that are systematically linked together, says Sirawee. The city is known for having the most efficient water system in Siamese history. UNESCO also highlights Sukhothais strides in the development of hydraulic engineering in its inscription, pointing out the kingdom successfully modified the local landscape by constructing reservoirs, ponds and canals to control flooding and bring in water to serve a variety of agricultural, economic and ritual functions. But while historians are certain of Sukhothais water management successes, questions about its connection to Loy Krathong remain unanswered. Many people believe the former capital is the birthplace of the festival, but the reality is a bit murkier given the lack of concrete evidence and varying historical accounts, claim experts. Every year, Sukhothai hosts a week-long festival to celebrate Loy Krathong. - Patrick Aventurier/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images Sirawee says its not clear when Loy Krathong activities were first adopted in Thailand, but notes Sukhothai records do mention candle and fireworks festivals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tongthong Chandransu, a well-known historian and scholar who has conducted extensive research into Thailands legal, political and cultural history holds a similar view. He tells CNN there was no mention of floats being released into the water written on Sukhothais famed Ramkhamhaeng Inscription, a stone monument covered in Thai script that includes descriptions of what life was like in the kingdom under the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng. The origin of Loy Krathong culture is still a subject of academic debate, he says. But (we do know) the activity has been practiced by Thais for over 200 years since the Rattanakosin era (17821932). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most commonly agreed-upon theory is that the floats were originally a symbolic way of expressing gratitude to the Goddess of Water, Phra Mae Khongkha. Thai peoples lifestyles were heavily dependent on water, from general consumption to farming. In the past the river was the main transportation route everything was carried out around water, says Tongthong. This photo taken in 2023 shows a woman releasing a "krathong" into the water in Bangkok. - Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images Because of this, some historians believe the offerings were made as an apology to the goddess for disturbing her with so many activities. Over time, Tongthong says people began to associate the release of krathongs into the water with the release of bad fortune, though in recent years its been impossible to ignore the environmental impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Releasing flower krathongs made out of banana plant stems and leaves was never a problem until recently, when the population increased drastically. Of course it creates a mass of krathongs and pollutes water, he says. In response, many people are now choosing more sustainable ways to honor the tradition, such as making their krathong bases out natural materials. Others just light a digital krathong online, or release them in bodies of water that dont have wildlife, such as swimming pools. It is a very charming festival, says Tongthong. The timing is perfect, the water level is at its peak on the rivers and it happens at the transition period of the rainy season to winter season. Moreover, the moon is full. Its very beautiful. Getting in and around Sukhothai Regardless of whether Sukhothai is the birthplace of Loy Krathong culture, it remains one of the best places to experience it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city is about a six-hour drive from Bangkok, while flights take about 80 minutes. Bangkok Airways offers daily flights to Sukhothai Airport from the Thai capitals Suvarnabhumi Airport. Sukhothai is filled with a range of hotel options to suit all budgets and tastes, many within walking distance of the historical sites. Bike rentals are widely available and an enjoyable way to see the major highlights, while guided tours offer added insights. For those who would like to learn more about the citys impressive history, the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum right outside the historical parks gates features a wide variety of artifacts discovered during a series of excavations in the 1960s. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The rose-red promise of the sunset, blooming behind the ramparts of the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, is one of the Caribbeans greatest sights. As the sky shifts through its various end-of-day shades, this 16th century Spanish fortress pinned to the western tip of its miniature peninsula turns to silhouette. Sitting on the grassy expanse in front of it, watching kite-flyers harness the evening winds as the lights of Old San Juan begin to twinkle behind them, I am wholly entranced by the picture. It is, all told, rather lovely. Certainly, you would struggle to dismiss it as a floating pile of garbage; the phrase deployed to mock Puerto Rico by the comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, speaking in New York, at a rally for Donald Trump, last Sunday. Apparently meant in jest, the words were sufficiently intemperate for the former presidents campaign team to issue a statement that this joke does not reflect the views of the Republican candidate amid speculation that the comment may yet cost him Latino votes in a tight and increasingly bitter election. Flights arrive into Puerto Ricos buzzing capital of San Juan - iStockphoto Whether Hinchcliffes sense of humour does prove to be expensive will be revealed in the coming days. But on Puerto Rico itself, it is likely to have prompted little more than a resigned shrug of the collective shoulders. Because the largest chunk of the American Caribbean is used to being disparaged. Even after almost seven decades, the outside perception of the island is still, perhaps, most clearly defined by the racial tensions outlined in the 1957 Sondheim-Bernstein musical (and subsequent movies) West Side Story where the Sharks street gang are recent immigrants from San Juan to New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In truth, Puerto Ricos relationship with the USA has been complicated ever since it passed from Spanish into American hands via the Treaty of Paris in 1898. In some ways, it remains caught between the two countries; visibly, audibly and linguistically Hispanic in its culture, food, music and heritage yet tethered to Uncle Sam, not by the formality of full statehood, but via the looser arrangement of being a US Territory. The statehood question has been discussed regularly, without resolution. Six referenda have been held on the issue since 1967; the most recent, in 2020, producing an (admittedly non-binding) outcome of a narrow 52-48 split in favour of those wanting complete integration into US life. The sense of an island stuck between worlds extends to its own internal discussions. Puerto Rico is the fourth biggest island in the Caribbean - Getty In other ways, much of this is immaterial. Because beyond geopolitics, beyond the ballot box, beyond all such noises and distractions, Puerto Rico is a place of remarkable beauty. The fourth biggest island in the Caribbean eclipsed only by its immediate neighbour Hispaniola (the troubled combination of the Dominican Republic and Haiti), as well as Cuba and Jamaica Puerto Rico offers 270 miles of coastline, and some of the regions finest beaches. Should you opt to spend a few days on its sands, you might aim for the gorgeous arc of La Playuela at its south-west corner, or Crash Boat Beach at its north-west. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The landscape is lushly forested in other places, while there is buzz aplenty in the urban pockets which underpin a wider population of 3.2 million. And an air of history hangs over everything, drifting back past Spanish conquest to the mists of the islands indigenous yesteryears. Outside perception and verifiable reality are very different things. So why is it not well-known as a destination? An American responding to that question would argue that it already is. Some 5.1 million passengers land at San Juans Luis Munoz Marin Airport each year. The vast majority are sun-seekers from the US mainland, who know they can fly in and flop without a passport. But for British tourists, the story is different: Puerto Rico is a mystery package that hardly anyone bothers to unwrap. In the main, this is down to a relative inaccessibility. There is no non-stop flight between the UK and San Juan; the last direct service, launched by British Airways (from Gatwick) in March 2011, had been scrapped come the April of 2013, in what the airline referred to as a commercial decision. There seems scant chance of a restoration when Barbados, St Lucia et al provide such easy Caribbean alternatives. Even that short-lived BA route paused in Antigua on its way to Puerto Rico. The Museo de las Americas is a must visit - Alamy Yet those who attempt to make the journey by following an indirect path Madrid and Miami tend to be the most pragmatic change-points find a great deal to enchant them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a 500-year-old city, Pablo Garcia Smith tells me, when we meet in Plaza de la Beneficencia. You cannot take a step without there being tales and history and legends. And, more pertinently, things to eat. A guide for San Juan-based food-tour specialists Spoon, Smith will take me on a dash around some of the Puerto Rican capitals key culinary hotspots. We stroll through the Cuartel de Ballaja, the one-time Spanish barracks which now doubles as an art gallery (the Museo de las Americas) and a nest of cafes, Don Ruiz Coffee serving strong brews in the old colonnade. We halt at La Taberna Lupulo, the sort of day-drinking haunt where you might find yourself on a stool next to Hemingways ghost, perhaps sipping at a Beermosa (a pleasing mixture of ale and passionfruit juice). San Juan is a 500-year-old city - iStockphoto Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And we dip into Deaverdura, an unfussy restaurant serving local favourites. Pablo talks of the Columbian exchange of food and flavours, between the Old and New Worlds. It is still ongoing today, he muses. Who had heard of quinoa 15 years ago? It is an excellent point, even if the portion of pork shoulder with beans and rice, placed in front of me on the formica table, is more hearty than hip. Still, it is also utterly Puerto Rican. But then, such flourishes of identity are not hard to find. Soft in its sunset glow, the Castillo San Felipe del Morro is a staunch sentinel in the midday glare. It protected San Juan so effectively over four centuries, in both the Spanish and American eras, that it was still operational during the Second World War. Deep in the old town, the Catedral de San Juan Bautista is so firmly grounded a foundation stone that, constructed in 1535, it ranks as the oldest cathedral on American soil, outpacing the missions of New Mexico by almost a century. Many tourists are drawn to Puerto Rico for its bird watching opportunities - Alamy The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, meanwhile, offers a contemporary twist on the theme in the more modern district of Santurce. Its exhibits are diverse the Miss World crown won by Puerto Rican actress Denise Quinones in 2001 sits in the same collection as La Virgen del Cafe, a 1983 painting by artist Marta Perez which riffs on traditional religious iconography, placing the Virgin Mary next to the islands bounteous coffee crop but hint at the same thing. A place with soul, and a grasp of its own worth. The fertile landscape implicit in Perezs brushstrokes is most obvious 30 miles from San Juan, where El Yunque National Forest cloaks the north-east corner of the island in green. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part protected playground, the only tropical rainforest in the USs National Forest system, it is also part buffer zone its thick foliage acting as something of a brake on hurricane winds barrelling into the island from the east. But on the day I visit, it is nothing less than tranquil. La Coca Falls spills down its slick slab of black-grey rock; the Angelito Trail curls down to the slow currents of the River Mameyes. Be it beach, nature or culture, a trip to Puerto Rico covers all bases - Alamy And the Yokahu Tower named after a benign spirit of the forest, venerated by the islands pre-Columbian inhabitants rises above it all, its observation deck offering a panorama at 1,575ft (480m). Down in the trees below, the endangered Puerto Rican Parrot burbles among the branches, while the Rio Blanco Petroglyphs remember the indigenous Taino who once strode these paths. The precise location of these boulder carvings is kept secret, but numerous other strands of yesteryear wrap themselves around the island if you know where to search for them. On the south coast, for example, Ponce is named after Juan Ponce de Leon, the ruthless conquistador who became the islands first Spanish governor in 1509 (and is buried in San Juans cathedral). But it takes its cue from a less frenetic era. Though it has fallen away from its glory days as a hub of coffee and sugar export in the 19th century, it wears its experience well. Puerto Rico is also known for its lush greenery - Getty Its own cathedral, a neoclassical jewel built in 1839, has weathered wind and earthquakes to stand, elegance enshrined, at the heart of the Plaza Las Delicias. Alongside it, a statue recalls Juan Morel Campos the composer, born in the city in 1857, who is considered one of the chief exponents of Puerto Ricos lilting danza music. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then there is a more recent tale half a mile east, at the south end of Callejon Comercio, where the Mural Para Pensar (murals to make you think) covers one side of a disused fish market. Many of its paintings concern the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria, whose arrival in September 2017 caused some 2,975 deaths on the island. With this, the tone of the art is understandably sombre, though it takes time to point an angry finger at the islands last key encounter with the man who would be president again capturing Trump during his notorious visit to an emergency shelter, where he tossed paper towels at survivors in a manner which overlooked the seriousness of the situation. Whether he returns to the White House next week, and whether his relationship with Puerto Rico improves if so, the island is unlikely to change a tune that can be feisty, and yet fabulous. Three holidays to Puerto Rico Puerto Ricos beaches are among the finest in the Caribbean - iStockphoto Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beach For many visitors from the American mainland, a holiday to Puerto Rico does not stretch far beyond the luxury resorts on the north coast, on either side of San Juan. It often doesnt need to. A case in point is the Condado Vanderbilt, the five-star property which marked the birth of upscale tourism on the island when it opened in 1919. It retains its sophisticated sheen and splendid location today, and has added four swimming pools to the mix. A seven-night getaway, flying from Heathrow (via Boston) on December 7, costs from 1,511 a head, with Expedia (020 3024 8211). Wildlife While the islands feathered population has long suffered the effects of deforestation, it clings to the canopy in remote and special places. Naturetrek (01962 733 051) offers a nine-day Birds of Puerto Rico escorted tour which explores not just El Yunque National Forest but the likes of the Rio Abajo State Forest and the Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge, in search of the Puerto Rican Parrot and the Elfin Woods Warbler. The next edition of the trip is scheduled for March 7 to 16 2025 (with another to come in March 2026) from 4,295 per person, including international flights. Touring A wider glimpse is provided by the Tropical Puerto Rico itinerary offered by Flashpack (07883 301 912). This five-day group trip, aimed travellers in their thirties and forties, drops anchor in San Juan, but also enjoys a bomba dance workshop on the beach in north-coast Loiza, and heads to Vieques to admire the bioluminescence of Mosquito Bay. From 1,685 per person, not including flights. Regular departures in 2025. Travel essentials Getting there There are no non-stop flights to Puerto Rico from the UK. Indirect options include Iberia (020 3003 2109), via Madrid, American Airlines (020 7660 2300) via Miami or Philadelphia and Delta (020 7660 0767) via Boston and JFK. Further information discoverpuertorico.com; visittheusa.co.uk 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. When it comes to the habits that cardiologists want people to never, ever do, you might have read about not taking your blood pressure seriously, not knowing your specific risk factors for heart attacks and smoking and vaping. These behaviors can (obviously) lead to heart conditions and other health complications. Related: This Is the Worst Habit for Heart Health, According to Cardiologists According to a recent study's findings, however, there's another habit that's dangerous for your heart healthand it's pretty alarming, because it's a habit that's really common. Cardiologists Are Begging People to Stop This Common Habit ASAP That habit is binge drinking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new study shows that binge drinking can lead to arrhythmias, or an irregular heartbeat, and that those arrhythmias may last even longer than expected. The study, carried out in Germany and published in the European Heart Journal in October 2024, gave electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors to 193 people ahead of a planned night of heavy drinking. At the end, it found clinically relevant arrhythmias in over five percent of participants that were otherwise healthyand even youngprimarily in the recovery phase. This condition is called "holiday heart syndrome." SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week How Binge Drinking Can Cause Arrhythmias When you picture the dangers of binge drinking, you may imagine unsafe sexual behaviors, car accidents and liver problems. How do arrhythmias fit in hereespecially for typically healthy young adults? Related: What Is the BORG Binge Drinking Trend on TikTok? Heres What Parents Should Know "Alcohol disrupts the balance of the autonomic nervous system, activating the sympathetic response (adrenaline release), which can irritate the heart muscle and interfere with electrical signaling," explains Dr. Sam Setareh, MD, MS, FACC, the director of clinical cardiology at Beverly Hills Cardiovascular. "This autonomic imbalance continues into the recovery phase after drinking, with a heightened risk for arrhythmias like AFib and even ventricular tachycardia, as observed in some participants." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In short, basic terms, alcohol messes with the heart and nervous system, which can lead to an irregular heartbeat. With that said, its helpful to know the parameters of binge drinking. That typically means five or more drinks for men or four or more drinks for women within about two hours. In the study, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) threshold was set at 1.2 g/kg, which is really high. Why Arrhythmias Are So Serious Attending to an irregular heartbeatregardless of age and other medical conditionsis vital. Dr. Setareh says this is important especially in the case of atrial fibrillation (AFib), or an irregular, very rapid heart rate, because of the heightened risk of serious complications, such as stroke and heart failure. Plus, the more often arrhythmias happen, the more dangerous they can be. "With repeated episodes, arrhythmias can lead to structural heart changes, increasing the long-term risk for cardiovascular events," he adds. Related: AFib Is the Most Common Type of Heart ConditionHeres How To Know if You Have It, and What To Do What To Do if You Notice the Signs of an Arrhythmia Dr. Setareh says arrhythmia symptoms include heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chest pain and dizziness. The American Heart Association adds fatigue or weakness, fainting, shortness of breath, an alternating fast-and-slow heart rate, sweating and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you notice these signs, Dr. Setareh urges you to get an immediate medical evaluationeven if they don't seem "that bad" at the moment. "Arrhythmias triggered by alcohol consumption can escalate, particularly in the hours or days after a binge episode, when the body is in a heightened recovery state and susceptible to further cardiac events," he says. Your best bet, though, is to prevent that worry from ever becoming relevant. So, the next time you go out drinking during the day or at night, consider drinking less or at least drinking more slowly. Your heart will love you for it. Up Next: Related: This Heart Attack Condition Is 3 Times More Common Than We Thought, Study Finds Sources The nonprofit provider of medically tailored meals and nutrition services, Community Servings, has announced its $1 million goal for its 32 annual Pie in the Sky fundraiser. The fundraiser is known for helping those with critical illnesses, food insecurities, and to bring the community together through the joy of baking. From November 1 to November 23, people who would like to donate can send $35 to their website to receive a fresh, locally baked pie for Thanksgiving. The donation also helps provide a weeks worth of food for Massachusetts and Rhode Island residents who experience a critical or chronic illness like HIV/AIDS, cancer, and diabetes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, Community Servings welcomes National Grid as one of its sponsors, alongside an already stacked list, featuring Coldwell Banker Realty Cares Foundation, Digitas Media Company, ScrubaDub Auto Wash Centers, Titos Handmade Vodka, Signature Boston, Boston Baking Inc. and Big Foot Moving & Storage. Thanks to the strong support and dedication of our local hospitality community, hundreds of volunteers and generous sponsors, we are able to serve more and more neighbors each year, said David B. Waters, CEO of Community Servings. Delivering a record amount of scratch-made medically tailored meals to individuals and families impacted by critical and chronic illnesses is quite a feat, but we know we can do it when the community comes together to make a difference. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Amanda Lacommare and her husband, Leonardo, tried everything for three years to become parents. They went through rounds of IUI, two cycles of IVF, and piled up tens of thousands in medical debt. The endless procedures and constant disappointment were overwhelming. Just when they were close to giving up, Amanda stumbled upon a viral TikTok that has accumulated over 3.4M views that would change everything. In it, Kat Pond shared her story of finding IVF success overseas at the Barbados Fertility Clinic. After doing her own research, Amanda thought, Why not us? Two trips to Barbados, covering all expenses from flights to groceries, cost them about $30,000half the price of IVF in Florida. This time, it worked. In 2023, Amanda and Leonardo welcomed their son, Mateo, into the world. The risk they took suddenly felt more than worth it. Now theyre sharing their story resonating with hopeful parents considering every option to build their families. What is medical tourism? For Amanda, going abroad was a last resort. Medical tourismtraveling internationally for medical careisnt new, but social media success stories inspire more people to give it a shot. According to the CDC, millions of U.S. residents travel abroad each year to seek healthcare services. IVF is a significant factor, with clinics abroad offering prices up to 50% lower than U.S. clinics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, medical tourism has risks, like potential infections or communication challenges. Amanda acknowledges this but says the possible reward outweighed the risks. My biggest fear was going out of the country, Amanda shares, but now I wish Id done it sooner. What Amanda loved most was the personalized care she received in Barbados. During her complimentary consultation, the doctor suspected high natural killer cells could be affecting her pregnanciessomething her U.S. doctors hadnt identified. After a specialized test in Chicago confirmed the condition, Amanda followed a tailored plan to suppress her immune system. With her sisters help as an egg donor and two more cycles, Mateo was finally on his way. In Barbados, Amandas experience went beyond standard fertility care. She received acupuncture, Reiki, and stress management support, which made her feel truly cared for. Amanda hopes her story inspires others to explore all options while taking the necessary precautions. The ripple effect of accessible and affordable reproductive care Amanda and Leonardos story highlights a reality faced by many aspiring parents: the prohibitive cost of fertility treatments and limited access to quality care in the U.S. Reproductive rights arent just about the choice to avoid pregnancytheyre also about the right to seek support in building a family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IVF and other fertility treatments are financially out of reach for many, with the average cost of a single IVF cycle in the U.S. hovering around $12,000 to $15,000, and insurance coverage often sparse or nonexistent. Without adequate coverage or accessible options, people are usually forced into extreme measures or, as in Amandas case, seeking solutions abroad. Ensuring that reproductive care is affordable and accessible in the U.S. is essential to supporting all families. By expanding affordable access to fertility treatments, we support healthier, more inclusive communities where people can make empowered decisions about their family-building journeys. Policymakers and healthcare leaders must recognize that ensuring affordable reproductive care for all is both a moral imperative and an investment in our collective future. Supporting affordable access to fertility care doesnt just impact individual familiesit strengthens our communities and gives every hopeful parent the chance to pursue their dream of family. SISTER BAY - Amy and Scott Heidler have enjoyed taking their boat out on the water for cruises for pretty much all of the 35 years they've been married. But while they've taken their boat on what some would consider to be longer cruises, such as covering one Great Lake or another, they wanted something a bit more adventurous. "We boaters love boating," Scott said. Scott and Amy Heidler of Sister Bay swap out the white America's Great Loop flag for their gold looper flag upon returning to Ephraim Yacht Club on Aug. 24 after 11 months, one day and 6,682 miles of boating. The white flag indicates a boat that is working to complete the Great Loop, a boating journey that circumnavigates the eastern part of the U.S. and Canada, while the gold flag indicates the boat finished the loop once. Well, Amy and Scott got what they wanted and love 11 months and 6,628 miles of boating in the waters of three different countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Heidlers, their dog, Memphis, and their 54-foot-long powerboat completed what the Americas Great Loop Cruisers Association calls "America's Great Loop," a boating journey that circumnavigates the eastern part of the U.S. and Canada, plus any number of side trips boaters want to make along the way. In completing their adventure, the Sister Bay couple earned a BaccaLOOPerate degree from the cruisers association (AGLCA), a somewhat unique achievement. One hundred and fifty boats complete the Great Loop each year, and while that may seem not so rare, the AGLCA notes it's fewer people than annually scale Mount Everest (an average of 500 to 600 people reach the summit annually, including guides and locals) or try to swim the English Channel (about 300 a year according to the BBC, although only one in five actually make it all the way). Other Door County boaters have completed the loop, most recently Peter and Cheryl Glassen of Gardner in 2022. The AGLCA, a South Carolina-based organization made up of people who are interested in the loop, maps out a variety of potential loop routes ranging from a minimum of 5,250 miles to more than 6,000. It also serves as a resource for those who want to make the cruise or get involved in other ways, such as hosting those attempting the loop. Those working toward a BaccaLOOPerate have the option of doing it in segments over a period of time or in one continuous cruise that generally lasts about a year, depending on reliability and side trips along the way. A 6,600-mile adventure with a few side trips Scott said he and Amy have been into boating since before they were married and have hit the water for innumerable cruises, but they were looking for something new and unique. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We've cruised a lot in Lake Michigan, Lake Superior. We did a lot of cruising," Scott said. "We decided we wanted a longer journey. We had some friends who did this in 2016, and we decided it was something we wanted to do. It was an excellent opportunity to do some long-range boating. You get kinda bored going up and down Lake Michigan all the time." The couple and their chocolate Labrador set off from Ephraim Yacht Club on Sept. 20, 2023, and returned to the yacht club 11 months and one day later, Aug. 21, 2024. In the 6,628 miles they covered, they went through not just lakes and rivers and canals but also 107 locks and made 127 stops in three countries and 17 states, planning before they left where they hoped they would be able to stop and visit. "Amy and I sat down before we left on our trip and said, let's write down the things we want to see along the route," Scott said. He also said, "We like side trips," as will be seen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The route took them down Lake Michigan to Hammond, Indiana, where they picked up the Illinois River and took it across to the Mississippi River. From the Mississippi, the Heidlers picked up the Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee and Tombigbee rivers and various canals and waterways to get to Mobile, Alabama, and the Gulf of Mexico, albeit with a lengthy side trip on the Tennessee to visit Chattanooga. "It was a 500-mile round trip out of our way," Scott said. "But it was spectacular." Scott and Amy Heidler of Sister Bay cruise their 54-foot-long boat, Who Dat, past the fall colors up the Tennessee River toward Chattanooga as part of their 6,682-mile-long journey on America's Great Loop, a boating journey that circumnavigates the eastern part of the U.S. and Canada. The Heidlers set off on the loop from Ephraim Yacht Club on Sept. 20, 2023 and completed it 11 months and one day later. Once in the gulf, the Heidlers followed the Florida panhandle shore to Carrabelle, cut across the gulf to Tarpon Springs (in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area) and headed down to the Florida Keys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coming around to the Atlantic Ocean side of Florida, the couple detoured into the ocean and over to the Bahamas, staying for about two months in the archipelago nation of about 700 islands and visiting all of its 31 districts. From there, Scott and Amy returned to Fort Pierce, Florida, and headed north on the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway as far as Norfolk, Virginia, where another side trip saw them venture into Chesapeake Bay, through the Chesapeake-Delaware Canal to the Delaware River and down to Cape May, New Jersey. Then they cruised up the Atlantic to New York, from where they took the Hudson River to the Erie and Oswego canals and into Lake Ontario, then heading northeast into the St. Lawrence Seaway to visit the Thousand Islands straddling the U.S./Canada border before coming back into Lake Ontario. The couple then left that lake to travel through Ontario inland on the winding Trent-Severn Waterway, which empties into Georgian Bay, then from there into Lake Huron, through the Straits of Mackinac to Lake Michigan and back to the bay of Green Bay and the Ephraim Yacht Club. The boat they used Scott said their Great Loop vessel, a Eastbay 54SX called Who Dat, wasn't necessarily the perfect boat to use on a journey like the Great Loop. An Eastbay 54X can have a top speed of 25 to 30 knots (28 to 35 mph), depending on the engines in the boat, but "Loopers," as those who have made or are trying to make the loop are called, generally won't go that fast because they're taking in the sights and they're often in tight, shallow waterways unsuitable for high speeds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's a little longer and has a 5-foot draft (the depth of water needed to avoid scraping the bottom), so it's more difficult to maneuver in tight spaces and not the best for shallow water," Scott said about Who Dat. "Some people would never take a boat like this out in less than 12 feet of water, but on the loop you're in less than 12 feet of water more than half the time." 'Don't make a schedule, and stick to it' While they planned their loop, Amy and Scott also realized they probably wouldn't stick to a strict schedule because, well, things happen on a long cruise adventure like this. It wasn't all calm waters for Scott and Amy Heidler and their dog, Memphis, as they completed their 6,600-mile America's Great Loop boating journey. A "buddy boat" on their adventure took this photo of the Heidlers navigating 6- to 8-foot waves as they cruised from Key Largo, Florida, to Bimini in the Bahamas. Scott said they were very fortunate with the weather on their journey, unlike boaters currently attempting the loop who had to deal with hurricanes Helene and Milton this summer and fall and the devastation the storms caused to coastlines, marinas and harbors in Florida and elsewhere up and down the East Coast. However, the just-serviced, shouldn't-have-broken transmission on the boat did break, which laid them up for six weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You have to make 'soft plans,'" Scott said. "Probably the best lesson we learned is, don't make a schedule. The AGLCA slogan is, 'Don't make a schedule, and stick to it' (laughs)." Blue Bahamas waters and U.S. history While Amy and Scott visited a lot of places and saw a lot of things on their Great Loop, neither cited one specific site as their "best" or "favorite," although Scott said passing through the industrial sections built up along the Illinois River was the least favorite part. However, one especially noteworthy moment sticks out in their minds, Scott said, happening when they were in the Exumas, a chain of about 365 islands and cays in the Bahamas. "The most surreal part was when we arrived in the Exumas," he said. "You're probably as far out as you can get (on the Loop), the water is so clear and blue, and we're sitting there grilling lobsters, watching the sun set and thinking, boy, we've come a long way." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked what was the most important or memorable thing he took from the adventure, Scott said it was finding out how the U.S.'s history and growth is tied to its oceans, lakes, rivers, streams and canals. "One of the things we didn't expect was, there's a lot of the history of our country built around our waterways," he said. "We learned a lot of that history. It's really fascinating to see how the country built up around our waterways." They met other Great Loopers, a NASA engineer and a chef to the stars Just as memorable were the people Amy and Scott met along the loop. The loopers' association has a roster of Harbor Hosts, volunteers who can offer assistance, advice and information on local services, and things to see and do to loopers stopping by on their way through. A map from the America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association shows some of the 5,200- to more than 6,000-mile routes that can be taken for boaters to complete America's Great Loop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott said he and Amy made friends with a number of other boaters they met along the way who also were attempting the Great Loop. including one couple who was stuck in the Bahamas for about a year because they happened to be there when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. He said one of the couples they met came to Door County to visit them after they returned. "Probably the best part of doing this journey is (that) the AGLCA is an unbelievable network and community forum for people who are doing this or have done it," Scott said. "That community was invaluable as we were going along. We met Loopers who've been on it three, five years and haven't completed it yet. The friendships and support system were wonderful." The Heidlers also met a number of fascinating non-Loopers. Such as when they toured NASA's U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Hunstville, Alabama, and an older man approached them and asked if they had any questions. It turned out he was Jay Foster, until his retirement one of NASA's top engineers who worked on the Redstone, Jupiter and Saturn rocket programs that powered the Mercury and Apollo missions, and among his jobs was to fire retrorockets as the Apollo 11 landing craft approached the moon. They ended up talking with him for an hour and a half. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then there was a "chef to the stars" they met in the Bahamas who became especially interested in the Heidlers when he found out they were from Wisconsin. He badly wanted Wisconsin cheeses, so he and the Heidlers bartered to exchange cheeses for fresh seafoods and other delicacies. Yes, they'd do it again without having to look for gators Scott said he and Amy would consider doing the Great Loop again, but if they do, they'll make one big change they won't take Memphis with them the next time. Memphis doesn't perform its bodily functions on board the boat, so the Heidlers had to make pit stops or overnight stays in marinas where they could leave the boat to let the dog relieve itself. "That changed the dynamic," Scott said. "There were some things we missed because of that." Or, they had to take Memphis close to shore with a dinghy and wade through shallow waters to land in remote locations, which Scott said was rather nerve-wracking in some swampy Southern waters at night where alligators might have been lurking "It's dark, and you're shining a spotlight to see if there's any eyes poking up out of the water," he said. Scott said he and Amy aren't finished with boating after this, far from it, with plans to circumnavigate Lake Superior next on the agenda. But the loop was far more than just an 11-month trip for them. "It's not a vacation. It's a journey and an adventure," he said. FYI For more information on the Americas Great Loop Cruisers Association, call 877-GR8-LOOP (478-5667), visit greatloop.org or email info@greatloop.org. Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@gannett.com. MORE: 2024 election guide: Here's who's running and where to vote in Door County MORE: $100,000 winner: Lottery ticket sold at Door County gas station claims game's top prize MORE: Play about the keepers of a historic Door County lighthouse set to premiere in Chicago theater FOR MORE DOOR COUNTY NEWS: Check out our website This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: 11 months, 6,600 miles on a boat: Sister Bay couple completes Great Loop (RNS) When former Christian artist Michael Gungor first hosted a new spiritual community in Los Angeles this year, worship began not with an organ blast or sermon series video promo, but with blowing bubbles. Appropriately dubbed Play, Gungor envisioned the event which featured painting, dancing, corporate singing and meditation, but no religious creed as a celebration that redefines worship. I want to be in a room and see each others eyes and smell each other and hear each other singing out of key. This is something weve always done as a species, Gungor said. I think theres something important, really grounding and human about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ This content is written and produced by Religion News Service and distributed by The Associated Press. RNS and AP partner on some religion news content. RNS is solely responsible for this story. ___ Gungors idea of worship wasnt always so experimental. In packed churches and concert venues, thousands once sang along to the band Gungors 2010 hit Beautiful Things, a song that became a permanent fixture on the setlists of youth group bands. But in 2014, Gungors critiques of the Christian music industry as well as his public musings on Genesis as a poem rather than historic fact led to his exclusion from the Christian music business. Now, after a long process of wrestling with his inherited evangelical faith documented on his podcast The Liturgists Gungor says hes more interested in embracing the current lived moment than being tethered to a set of religious beliefs, though he describes Christianity as his native tongue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those like him who have deconstructed a popular term today for the process of questioning and sometimes letting go of the teachings of ones faith tradition Gungor still sees a desire for ritual and for communal gathering. He recognizes the power of the collective and aims to write non-dogmatic music for corporate, if not religious, worship. Weve gotten rid of some of the shame-based stuff and some of the dogmas that were oppressing and hurting a lot of us, but now were kind of just wandering around alone What are we missing? Is there anything we can find back here? In the last two decades, several Contemporary Christian Music powerhouses Audrey Assad, DC Talks Kevin Max, Hawk Nelsons Jon Steingard, among several others have publicly exited the CCM industry. For many of these musicians, questioning the industrys theological parameters meant becoming unwelcome in mainstream CCM spaces. Years later, after interrogating their beliefs, a handful of these onetime CCM artists are revisiting faith in some fashion, trying on elements theyd previously discarded and writing music for listeners who might be more spiritual than religious. In many ways, these artists break from institutional Christianity and hunger for a broader form of belonging exemplifies national religious trends. One of the earliest CCM artists to publicly depart the industry was Jennifer Knapp, who burst onto the Christian music scene with her debut album Kansas in 1998. But while Knapp was drawn to Christianitys teachings on human dignity and divine love, she soon realized that the Christianity promoted in the CCM world drew hard lines around who belonged, and who didnt. Her lyrics about the Christs humanity and questions about the necessity of substitutionary atonement the idea that Jesus died as a substitute for humanity began to draw criticism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was already getting critiqued at the time and being basically told you werent a Christian anymore, said Knapp. And then I was like, oh, well, Im wondering what you guys are going to think about my sexual orientation. In 2002, Knapp pushed the eject button on the Christian music scene and her faith. When she returned in 2010, it was as an openly gay musician no longer publishing music under the Christian banner. For longtime Bethel Music recording artist William Matthews, it was in part the rigid homogeneity of the Christian Music industry that ultimately led him to walk away. Raised in a Black Church of God context, he came to Christian music by way of spontaneous worship models promoted by Morningstar Ministries in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri. Though skeptical about the existence of hell, Matthews, who spent his evenings watching Bill OReilly on Fox News, largely felt at home in the prophetic corner of the Christian music world. In the early 2010s, he led worship at the conferences of charismatic leader Lance Wallnau, now known for his pro-Trump prophecies. But by 2015, Williams found non-violent Christian theology a more compelling approach. He watched as anti-immigrant rhetoric and opposition to the Black Lives Matter movement reached a fever pitch in evangelical circles and grew frustrated with what he saw as the Christian music industrys conservative bias. After spending nearly 15 years thinking hed been bridging cultures as one of the only Black people in white-majority evangelical spaces, he was shattered to discover that many of those hed grown close to seemed ambivalent toward racism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That led me to really walk away from Christian music, said Matthews. He attributes the CCM industrys apparent conservative slant to its target audience of white, suburban, Midwest or Southern moms. In catering to that demographic, Christian radio executives and Christian bookstores are known to censor songs or albums that cross conservative theological or political boundaries. What the CCM industry, or Christian music, is selling is security, said musician Derek Webb, founding member of the Christian rock band Caedmons Call. The people who run or appear to be gatekeeping the CCM industry are not doing that as a means of holding some kind of moral plumb line. Webb believes the pushback usually has more to do with a companys bottom line than personal convictions. Despite the Christian music industrys restrictions, exiting the industry often means leaving behind record labels, the Christian music festival circuit and radio play and requires promoting music to a market thats much less defined. While some boundary-pushing Christian artists like Semler and Flamy Grant, two queer artists whove scored top spots on the Itunes Christian charts, have found success via social media and streaming platforms, many onetime Christian artists are labeled too Christian for mainstream music spaces and too secular for explicitly religious ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its this kind of no mans land, algorithmically, said Gungor. I still have more listeners of Beautiful Things, than anything else I make. Creating music for a more nebulous spiritual audience might not guarantee commercial success, but if it means creating music that feels authentic, for many former Christian artists, its worth the tradeoff. Known for his provocative approach to songwriting, Webb says his lyrics cause him to both shed about a quarter or third of his audience every 18 months and gain new listeners. After 30 years in the music industry, hes comfortable with the ebb and flow. In 2017, three years after his divorce from fellow Christian artist Sandra McCracken, Webb released Fingers Crossed, an album documenting his departure from Christianity. But though he still considers himself an agnostic, his latest album, The Jesus Hypothesis, grapples more explicitly with Christian themes. I wanted to go back into the rubble of where all this was pulled down and burned down, and where I was in here with an ax before, I want to come back in with a scalpel, he said of the album. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Webbs return to the debris of his Christian faith coincided with a return to Caedmons Call, which recently produced a re-record of its self-titled debut album in honor of its 25th anniversary. The 2022 release is emblematic of the ways several former Christian artists have been coming back to reclaim elements of their religious heritage. More than a decade since her return to the music world, in May, Knapp offered a re-release of her first album, Kansas 25. She graduated from Vanderbilt Divinity School in 2018, and now views Christianity as a source of wisdom whose teachings on liberation have fueled her own LGBTQ+ advocacy. The outpouring of support for Kansas 25, Knapp said, caused her to see her early music in a new light. If ever I had any bitterness about my role inside of evangelical Christianity, or concern that maybe I tied people down, exposed them to too much religious trauma because of the conservative evangelical space that I came from, this was a real joy to be able to witness, that our faith can teach us something, and it can expand beyond some of the harms sometimes that our smaller religious spaces offer to us, said Knapp. Gungors next project has emerged from his desire to see communal songs that trade religious lyrics for more universal themes, like love and unity. This fall, he gathered with over 20 other songwriters in Colorado for a songwriting retreat to begin writing and recording music for the project, called The Mystic Hymnal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a long hiatus from Christian music, William Matthews, too, is releasing new, honest songs about spirituality. Earlier this year, he was invited by the evangelical authors of a recent anti-culture war statement to write and produce a corresponding album intended to call the church out of political idolatry. Titled Return to Love, the September album was recorded by artists from a range of theological and political perspectives and is designed for those who are full of faith or struggling to believe. Im always in the middle of wrestling. Does church even matter to my life? said Matthews, who leads worship at a progressive LGBTQ-affirming church in Los Angeles where former evangelicals regularly attend. I will say, in my life, Ive somehow always managed to come back. Maybe its cyclical. Youre always returning home or to a sense of home or to a better expression of home. By Tim Hepher PARIS (Reuters) - Airbus has delivered its first A321XLR jet to Spain's Iberia, the European planemaker said, stepping up a battle with Boeing in the middle of the jet market. The plane, which took five years to develop and targets a market previously served by Boeing's out-of-production 757 or larger wide-bodies, was handed over late on Tuesday and was due to fly to Madrid on Wednesday, according to Flightradar24 data. The delivery, first reported by Reuters on Tuesday, highlights a drive by Airbus and Boeing to extend the performance of the industry's best-selling single-aisle jets. Launched in 2019 to steal a march on Boeing's plans at the time to build a new jet in the middle of the market, the A321XLR targets a gap left by the out-of-production Boeing 757, where the A321 family outsells the largest versions of the 737 MAX. The industry's largest single-aisle jet features a novel type of fuel tank, moulded into the contours of the fuselage to eke out more space for fuel and deepen its transatlantic range. The design initially raised concerns among regulators about the risk of fire and evacuation times in the event of an accident, prompting design changes before it could be certified. Analysts say the resulting extra weight chipped away at its maximum range, though Airbus says the roughly 200-seat model will still allow airlines to open up multiple new routes. Iberia plans to introduce the A321XLR on flights from Madrid to Boston after a handful of trials in Europe. Airbus said it had sold over 500 A321XLR jets, which will be delivered in coming years, reflecting long industry lead times. PRESSURE ON BOEING Boeing has said the XLR addresses only a small niche in the overall market for single-aisle jets, the busiest part of the industry, which it pegs at 33,380 aircraft over 20 years. Critics have also questioned the impact of the range on running costs, suggesting the aircraft and engine will be pushed to their limits and require more frequent maintenance. However, the delivery also exemplifies pressure on Boeing to win certification for its own largest single-aisle, the 737 MAX 10, following delays by an issue with an anti-ice system. Boeing has said the timing of certification is a matter for regulators. Iberia has said that the arrival of the A321XLR would help it comply with its environmental commitments, part of an industry-wide effort to eliminate net CO2 emissions by 2050. The airline plans an event on Nov. 6 to celebrate the latest milestone, though several observers noted the industry's usual tight discipline on carbon-neutral messaging was dented by the choice of registration marked on the plane's fuselage: EC-OIL. In celebration of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, Krispy Kreme is giving customers free original glazed doughnuts. Participating in our democracy should be celebrated! So, were happy to sweeten everyones day with free Original Glazed doughnuts on Election Day, Dave Skena, global chief brand officer for Krispy Kreme, said in a statement. Anyone interested in celebrating doughmocracy can receive a free original glazed doughnut at participating shops, no purchase necessary. There is a limit to one doughnut per guest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to free doughnuts, Krispy Kreme is will hand out I Voted stickers, especially for those who voted early and want a fresh sticker along with their fresh doughnut. More election day freebies Fazolis Only on Election Day, Fazolis customers can get $2 off baked menu items, including loaded baked spaghetti, baked chicken Parmigiano and spicy baked ziti with Italian sausage, per Franchise Wire. Ikea The Scandinavian department store will give customers a free frozen yogurt in the bistro on Election Day. The coupon is available here. Johnny Rockets Any customer who can provide proof they voted in the election (an I Voted sticker counts) can get a free milkshake with any purchase, per Franchise Wire. Lyft Lyft will give rides to polling places for 50% off on Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every American citizen should be able to exercise their right to vote without worrying about the cost or difficulty of getting to the polls, said David Risher, Lyft CEO, in a press release. Everyone from a driver whos given a thousand rides to a rider who hasnt taken her first one yet deserves to have their voice heard at the polls. Round Table Pizza Round Table is selling large and extra-large pizza for $6 off on Election Day, reports CNN. Uber Uber is offering rides to polling places at 50% off on Election Day. Use the new Got Vote section on the app to take advantage of the deal. With Election Day just around the corner, were here to make it as effortless as possible as you begin to make your plan to vote, Uber wrote in a press release. Yogurtland On Election Day, if you show your I Voted sticker at Yogurtland, you can receive a 15% off discount on your order, reports The International Frozen Yogurt Association. This is not a trick, it's a treat. Mother Nature has given children the equivalent of a meteorological full-sized Snickers bar. The forecast for Halloween night is perfect and will allow every child to show off their costumes. Here's a look at the Delaware weather forecast. New Castle County weather All the ghosts and goblins will see clear skies with temperatures in the mid-60s for trick-or-treating. Kent County weather Disney princesses and superheroes will have partly cloudy skies with lows around 66 degrees as they go out trick-or-treating. Sussex County weather Little vampires and werewolves will see partly cloudy skies with lows around 64 degrees when they go trick-or-treating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What's in your bag?: Here are the 5 best and worst trick-or-treat candies your kids will get this Halloween Leftover candy? Don't throw away excess candy; donate it Why do we celebrate Halloween? Initially, Halloween was the Celtic holiday of Samhain, according to History.com. The celebration on Nov. 1 marked the end of the harvest season. Celts believed the night before ghosts of the dead returned to the earth. The celebration was combined with a Roman festival in 43 A.D. Eventually, the Catholic Church changed the holiday to honor all the Christian martyrs and saints All Saints Day. The night before is All-Hallows Eve or Halloween. When is Labor Day?: History of the holiday, what offices are closed and what's there to do Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Halloween: Here's Delaware's trick-or-treat times When did Halloween trick-or-treating start? According to History.com, between 1920 and 1950, the practice of trick-or-treating was also revived. It was a relatively inexpensive way for a community to celebrate. The tradition grew and today, Americans spend an estimated $6 billion annually on Halloween, making it the countrys second-largest commercial holiday after Christmas. How old is too old to trick-or-treat? Some communities, like Chesapeake, Virginia, have strict trick-or-treat laws. In Chesapeake, children over 14 and any child trick-or-treating after 8 p.m. are guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. While there are no Delaware laws regarding age limits, it's best to check your community's standards and when children can go trick-or-treating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Delaware law you won't have to worry about this year is in Rehoboth where it's illegal to trick-or-treat on a Sunday. When Halloween falls on a Sunday, trick-or-treating is held on Oct. 30. The next time Halloween falls on a Sunday is 2027. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Halloween 2024: Trick-or-treating Delaware weather forecast Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and First Lady Janet Holcomb welcomed a new four-legged member to their family this week, a Miniature Schnauzer puppy named Oliver. Oliver, whose parents call him Ollie for short, is named after Oliver Morton, who was the first Indiana-born man to become governor of the Hoosier State and helped organize the Republican Party. Morton served as governor of Indiana from 1861 to 1867. Since meeting his new family, Ollie has met Topper, Indianas First Cat, and is exploring the Indiana Governors Residence, according to Holcombs office. He is between eight and nine weeks old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ollie is the Holcomb familys first dog since the passing of Henry Holcomb late last year at age 13. Henry was a popular figure, joining X when it was still called Twitter, and making appearances in parades, fundraisers and the engagement and wedding of one Republican couple who had known the Holcombs for years. From December 2023: First Dog Henry, Gov. Eric Holcomb's miniature schnauzer, passes away at 13 Ollie introduced himself Thursday on Henrys former X page, recognizing the Holcomb pup that came before him. I am a little nervous because I know I have big paws to fill, the post reads. Hello I am Oliver Holcomb, but my mom and dad call me Ollie. Im still pretty new to this bark to text technology, and I am a little nervous because I know I have big paws to fill. pic.twitter.com/OkImE88UIH Henry Holcomb (@FirstDogHenry) October 31, 2024 IndyStar reporter Kayla Dwyer contributed to this story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter/X@CarloniBrittany. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb welcomes new Miniature Schnauzer puppy Thanksgiving is less than a month away, which means people all over the country are making plans to either travel to or host family and friends for the holiday. Whether you're looking for a quick trip through a drive-thru on your way to the airport, a full lunch as you await Thanksgiving dinner, or you just need a cup of coffee for a midday boost, consumers will have plenty of options to choose from this year. While some companies, like McDonald's and Starbucks, have hours that vary by location, others, such as Cracker Barrel and Hooters, will be open on Thanksgiving. Advertisement Advertisement Here's what you need to know about restaurants and fast food chains on Thanksgiving, including whether they'll be open and their hours. Eat for less: ALDI's Thanksgiving dinner bundle is its lowest price in 5 years: How families can eat for less Target Thanksgiving meal deal: Target's Thanksgiving meal deal is $5 cheaper than last year: Here's what's included When is Thanksgiving 2024? Thanksgiving is on Thursday, Nov. 28 this year. Is Starbucks open on Thanksgiving? Starbucks store hours vary by location. You can find hours for a specific store using the Starbucks app or here. Is Dunkin' open on Thanksgiving? Dunkin' hours vary by location. You can find hours for a specific store using the Dunkin' store locator or the Dunkin' Rewards app. Is McDonald's open on Thanksgiving? Hours vary by location, but most McDonald's locations will be open on Thanksgiving. You can check hours for your local restaurant here. Is Chick-fil-A open on Thanksgiving? All Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving, according to the company's website. Is Wendy's open on Thanksgiving? Wendy's locations will be "open and ready to serve fans throughout the holiday season," the company told USA TODAY, however hours vary by location. Check with your local restaurant for specific holiday hours. Is Cracker Barrel open on Thanksgiving? Yes, Cracker Barrel locations will be open normal hours on Thanksgiving, the company confirmed to USA TODAY. Is Taco Bell open on Thanksgiving? Hours vary by location, but you can check your local Taco Bell's hours here. Is Burger King open on Thanksgiving? According to the company, holiday hours vary by location, so it is best to check with your local restaurant for its specific hours. You can find the closest restaurant to you using Burger King's store locator. Is Subway open on Thanksgiving? Subway restaurants are independently owned and operated, so hours vary by location. Customers should check with their local restaurant regarding specific holiday hours. Are Hardee's or Carl's Jr. open on Thanksgiving? No, both restaurants will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28, the company confirmed to USA TODAY. Is IHOP open on Thanksgiving? Yes, IHOP locations will be open on Thanksgiving. Hours vary by location, so check with your local store regarding their specific hours before visiting. Is Outback Steakhouse open on Thanksgiving? No, Outback Steakhouse restaurants will be closed on Nov. 28, the company confirmed to USA TODAY. Is Carrabba's Italian Grill open on Thanksgiving? No, Carrabba's locations will be closed on Thanksgiving. Is Bonefish Grill open on Thanksgiving? Bonefish Grill restaurants will be closed on Nov. 28 this year, the company told USA TODAY. Is Texas Roadhouse open on Thanksgiving? No, Texas Roadhouse restaurants will be closed on Thanksgiving. Is Applebee's open on Thanksgiving? Select Applebee's locations nationwide will be open on Thanksgiving, although hours may be reduced, the company told USA TODAY. Hours vary by location, so customers should contact their local restaurant for specific holiday hours before visiting. Is Hooters open on Thanksgiving? Yes, Hooters locations will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight on Thanksgiving, the company told USA TODAY. Advertisement Advertisement Locations in Michigan will open at 11 a.m. for the Detroit Lions game and will close at 10 p.m., while locations in Dallas will open at 3 p.m. for the Cowboys game and close at midnight. Is Red Lobster open on Thanksgiving? No, Red Lobster restaurants in the U.S. will be closed on Thanksgiving, the company told USA TODAY. However, locations in Canada will remain open. Is Fogo de Chao open on Thanksgiving? Yes, Fogo de Chao restaurants will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 28, the company told USA TODAY. Is Whataburger open on Thanksgiving? Yes, Whataburger locations will be open on Nov. 28, the company told USA TODAY. Is Domino's Pizza open on Thanksgiving? Domino's store hours vary by location, however the company told USA TODAY it is not requiring stores to be open on Thanksgiving. Customers should check with their specific locations regarding holiday hours. Is Chili's open on Thanksgiving? No, Chili's restaurants will be closed on Nov. 28, the company confirmed to USA TODAY. Is First Watch open on Thanksgiving? No, First Watch restaurants will be closed on Thanksgiving, the company confirmed to USA TODAY. Advertisement Advertisement Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which restaurants are open, closed on Thanksgiving 2024? What to know For more than a year Royal Caribbean has been talking about building smaller ships. The cruise line has been pushed on this issue by loyal passengers who have seen the cruise line pursue a bigger-is-better strategy, ordering more Oasis- and Icon-Class megaships. Related: Royal Caribbean CEO makes unintentional point for Kamala Harris Many cruise passengers like smaller ships because they offer a more classic cruise experience. Some older passengers feel the older ships were more elegant and offered a more refined experience than the larger, more family-friendly ships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, smaller ships can dock in places that larger ships can't. For passengers who consider a ship's itinerary, not the amenities it offers, the smaller ships become very important. Royal Caribbean Chief Executive Jason Liberty addressed the matter during Royal Caribbean's second-quarter-earnings call. Royal Caribbean older ships are smaller "And of course, the other thing ... that's important when you think about ship classes, whether they could be small, they could be larger, is ... that we also have ships that are reaching 30, 35 years," Liberty said. "And so some of this is not just about we want to build same-size ships, smaller ships. It's also replacing ships that will eventually kind of reach their end of life." Those older ships are the cruise line's smaller classes, Liberty confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're looking potentially at smaller ships that will probably replace some of those older ships," he said. "It's a little bit less about the sourcing market. It's more about where those ships can go. It's getting them into maybe some of the more unique and bespoke destinations to further diversify our footprint around the world." Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. No Royal Caribbean small ships are coming soon Liberty has formally shared the name "Discovery Class" as the working title for the cruise line's new class of smaller ships. And while the CEO has said that design work has begun, Royal Caribbean hasn't set a specific date on which it will add one of the new ships to its fleet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think when your question comes about the drivable market, the ships that you're referring to that we're looking potentially at, smaller ships will probably replace some of those older ships," he said. Those comments have given hope to the cruise line's passengers who want newer and smaller ships. But those plans come with a major caveat, according to comments Liberty made on the company's most recent earnings call. "I think for the most part, you certainly have seen all of our orders through 2027 and maybe even into 2028," he said during the Q3 earnings call. The current order book includes three Royal Caribbean Icon-Class ships, one Oasis-Class ship, and an Edge-Class ship for Celebrity Cruises. ALSO READ: Top travel agents share how to get the best price on your cruise "We continue to look to moderately grow our fleet, moderately grow each of our brands," Liberty said. "And again, as just a general reminder, when we order ships and we take ships, they're not at all going to the same brand, they're not all going to the same market, they're not all going to the same itinerary. We operate a very large global footprint." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New small ships are coming for Royal Caribbean but the first one likely won't arrive before 2029. Are you taking a cruise or thinking about taking one? Visit our Come Cruise With Me website to have all your questions answered. Where can you dine and dance in the Olympia area? Thats the question owner Cameron Bluhm has decided to answer by launching Beat Drop Kitchen and Event Center, a restaurant, dance venue and event center thats set to open at 1225 Ruddell Road SE in Lacey, near Saint Martins University, on Wednesday, Nov. 6. Bluhm, who already owns an event business called DJ Sound Dragon, decided there was a need for a new dance destination to fill the void left behind by the closure of places such as Jakes on 4th in downtown Olympia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bluhm said he combined two vacant spaces, including one that had been a burger business called Rod Knock, to create a 6,000-square-foot spot for his venue. The business will operate 3:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. The early part of the evening will be devoted to an all-ages restaurant that intends to serve gourmet flatbreads, burgers, steaks and macaroni and cheese, to name just a few items on the menu. However, around 9:30 p.m. the dance floor will open and shift to an adults-only operation that serves cocktails and other beverages, he said. The five days of dancing will look like this: country music and line dancing on Wednesdays; wild card night on Thursdays (think Taylor Swift music, Bluhm said); Latin music and salsa dancing on Fridays; club music on Saturdays; and then Beat Drop will wind down the week with karaoke and dancing on Sundays. Late-night food also will be available in the form of chicken wings, mozzarella sticks and other items, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a nod to the bigger dance club atmosphere, Bluhm is going to offer a VIP experience where groups can rent booths that come with a bottle of champagne, premium cocktails and a server that caters to them, he said. Beat Drop Kitchen and Event Center is set to open in Lacey on Ruddell Road Southeast on Wednesday, Nov. 6. Florist remodels, has new hours Capitol Florist, a longtime floral shop in downtown Olympia at 515 Capitol Way S., is staying put, owner Rae Salazar said. The business was looking to move, she told The Olympian in October 2023. Instead, Salazar decided to remodel her space and tweaked her hours. The business is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m and 3 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays and open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. Saturdays are appointment only, she said. Coming out of the pandemic years has been a challenging task, but Capitol Florist owner Rae Salazar sees a brighter future for her downtown Olympia business which has been a floral shop since the 1920s. Program for expecting mothers MultiCare Capital Medical Center is offering a new program for expecting mothers in early 2025 called Centering Pregnancy, the health organization announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program offers expecting mothers and babies group education during prenatal and post-partum check-ups, all in an effort to improve newborn health outcomes and reduce health disparities, according to MultiCare. The program will be led by MultiCare midwives in partnership with the local Doula community; Twinstar Credit Union has provided funding for the program. New home under construction The Artisans Group, an architecture and planning business, is building a new home in Tumwater for its business but the building also will provide housing, according to its Facebook post. The site is at 6504 Capitol Blvd. SE, near Eagans Drive In & Espresso. Heres the scoop, the post reads. This new space will feature a cutting-edge design with three stories of innovative architecture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main floor will be our new office, complete with a specialized interiors department. Plus, were adding six rental units, a rooftop deck, and a courtyard. The Artisans Group is building a new home at 6504 Capitol Blvd SE in Tumwater. County to hear business proposals Two new businesses are set to be pitched to Thurston County officials as part of a pre-submission conference on Nov. 14, according to county information. Pre-submission conferences give developers a chance to learn what will be expected of their projects. One of the businesses is a stone countertop business proposed for 7301 Meridian Road SE and the other is a coffee stand at 6311 Rich Road SE. People news Drew Phillips, director of business development at Olympia-based Forma Construction, has retired, the business announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, he has been a laborer, carpenter, project manager, estimator and principal, according to a news release. During his tenure, Phillips helped deliver a number of high-profile projects, including more than five major facilities at Saint Martins University. Among them: the Father Bede Ernsdorff Center for the Department of Natural Sciences. Other Phillips projects include Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA) on Boulevard Road in Olympia and the recent refresh of the Washington Center for the Performing Arts downtown. Olympia Coffee Roasting Co. and Moonrise Bakery in Seattles Queen Anne neighborhood have hired executive pastry chef Michele Pompei. His 30 years of experience encompasses classical and contemporary European training, two beloved bakery projects, a James Beard recognition, and a semifinalist position in a nationally broadcasted baking competition, the businesses announced. If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com. "In the treatment chair, I like to wear my Fitbit next to my hospital bracelet, because I can stay focused on where I want to be: running, not in the hospital." Photo Courtesy Of Jen Underwood I like to tease my friend Aimee about her oddly formal emails, so I clicked her name in my inbox with anticipation. This time, she wrote: I hope spring break treated you and your family well! It seems that I have been diagnosed with breast cancer, too. If possible, I would love to chat with you in the coming week. I called her right away, phone to my ear as I jogged down to the elementary school to pick up my son. I had just been through three surgeries, including the removal of my breasts, my uterus, my ovaries, and my dignity. I felt scraped and gutted, still confused by this new reality. At that time, I was a year into my journey, finally gaining some distance and wisdom. Aimee, only 38 years old, told me she had discovered the lump while nursing her newborn infant. As she talked, I stood apart from the other parents, on the phone calculating how we could arrange her meal train and her doctors. I waved to my son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I guess they are in the process of scheduling my SLNB, whatever that is? she said, and my arm dropped. I felt slick with sweat. She would have to go through the SLNB nipple injections. I didnt know what to say. Should I tell her? Or was it better not to know? SLNB stands for sentinel lymph node biopsy, and its part of the staging process to determine if cancer has moved beyond the breast. My breast surgeon is an older man, kind and experienced, and he was excited to tell me about the procedure. He is proud to offer this minimally invasive option, because in the past, surgeons removed all the lymph nodes as a precautionary measure, which left many women with severe disabilities. Instead, an SLNB offers the possibility to remove only 1-3 nodes to examine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He explained that prior to my surgery, I would receive injections of blue radiotracer injections through my nipple, which would travel through the ducts, up into my armpit, and stain the sentinel lymph nodes, where breast cancer typically travels first. Doctors use the dye to identify the necessary lymph nodes for removal during mastectomy. Assuming this was successful, then I would report to ambulatory surgery for check-in, registration and anesthesia. The surgeon would remove the sentinel nodes and the tumors, stitch me up, and I could go home that night. We want you to feel whole at the end of this process, he told me, his blue eyes looking straight into mine. On the morning of my first surgery, I arrived at the nuclear medicine suite. I followed the nurse to the procedure room, a little shaky from the overnight fast. The nurse gave me a gown, and I undressed and climbed atop the procedure table, on my back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My left breast was already bandaged and sore, courtesy of yesterdays procedure, in which my tumors had been localized and threaded with metal wire, which was then taped against my skin with white duct tape. Its a medieval experience, but there had been local anesthesia, and somehow I could still sleep through the night, even with wires sticking out of my skin. The nurse was friendly and reassuring, probably just a few years older than me, in her 40s. I told her that my children hoped to see blue Smurf pee, when I came home. Sometimes that can happen, she said, smiling. She unwrapped the bandages carefully, tucked the wires aside. With a thin marker, she marked five dots around the periphery of my areola, like numbers on a clock. My left arm was outstretched, tucked between the table and her warm scrubs. Just to warn you, she said, prepping the injection needles, this can sting a bit, as it goes in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I took a breath. OK, I said. The needle pierced my nipple. I watched her green eyes as she pressed the plunger, and the dye ripped and raced through my breast with a searing surge. Whoa. I began to pant and cry out, gripping the sheet on the bed, Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. Sorry, she told me. It can take a minute for the dye to travel, so I have to inject slowly. It didnt feel slow at all, it felt like everything was happening at once, and I could barely find my breath, low in my stomach. OK, were through the first one, she tried to reassure me, in a strained voice. By the end of the second injection, I could hear myself screaming, my head turning back and forth in a no gesture that I couldnt even speak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Try not to arch your back, please? Another nurse appeared, carrying washcloths, Need some backup in here? she asked calmly. Yeah, these injections can be a little rough. Why dont you squeeze my hand? I was still screaming as they did the next two injections; all I could feel was heat and pain. I couldnt move. When she finished, the second nurse used the washcloths to wipe all the tears that trailed into my ears and soaked my hair. All done, OK? Now we just have the gamma scan, which doesnt hurt at all. One in 8 women in America will be diagnosed with breast cancer within their lifetime, and rates are climbing. Based on the current population, if cancer rates stay the same, 21 million American women could undergo these areolar injections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For months, I would wake in the night, hyperventilating, returning to that moment, where I couldnt move and couldnt stop them, and I couldnt say no, because I needed the surgery. I didnt return to the moment when I woke up from surgery with gauze piled up to my chin. I didnt relive the reveal that I had multiple tumors, a more complex cancer than expected. I didnt need to relive telling my kids, my mother, my patients. Somehow those experiences left me alone. It was the injections that gave me PTSD. It was the injections, and then my confusion, because the nurse was so nonchalant when she strolled into the room. Maybe I was the type of person who just couldnt handle needles. Maybe this just doesnt bother other women, because they are brave. Not like me. My friends called me a warrior mama and so strong, but I couldnt even manage the memory of some shots? I felt ashamed. I sought out a psychiatrist to prescribe sleep medicine, and I tried to explain to my therapist, but the flashbacks continued. I cried out in my sleep. My husband would wake me, and I would try not to hit him. When I mentioned the injection pain to my surgeon at my follow-up, he shrugged and said, Every woman responds so differently. Some women are more sensitive. But the important thing is, youre here now, and the cancer is out. The nightmares had finally disappeared for a couple months when Aimee contacted me about her diagnosis. Aimees journey was different from mine, because she has a different type of breast cancer, but I wanted to support her. We spent hours on the phone together that week. At the end of a call, on a Friday, she mentioned that she had her SLNB appointment that Monday. Because she was still weaning, they needed to stage her cancer quickly, as a separate surgery from her milk-delayed mastectomy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I tried to hint, Have you thought about taking Xanax beforehand? Or maybe Tylenol? I wasnt sure if I should warn her, or if I would stress her out. Would ignorance be bliss? I finally just said, Im not gonna lie, its gonna be rough. What isnt rough, at this point? she replied. I felt nauseous all weekend. I could barely sleep. I couldnt get rid of the image of Aimee arching up against the pain Id experienced. I felt deadened, sick, distant from my children and their various requests. I sent her a good-luck text in the morning. She sent me a masked smiley face. As I was coming back from a meeting, I saw that she had texted me. Everything went smoothly. I think Im still numb from that cream, though! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I replied, From the what? Hey, she said when she picked up the phone. Aimee explained that at her hospital system, the patient instructions had told her to pick up a numbing cream from the pharmacy and apply it to her breast an hour before her appointment. After she arrived and the nurse prepped her on the table, the staff gave her ice for a few minutes while she rested. When they returned, they sprayed her with a cooling spray, followed by a series of lidocaine injections into the ducts. The staff prepared her body with care before they injected the dye. Totally painless, she said. Now Im just worried about the results. I always thought it was a cliche to say my jaw dropped, but I really couldnt close my mouth. What? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jen? she asked. Wait you didnt have any anesthesia? I dont think I stopped shaking in anger for days. I became obsessed with understanding and solving this mystery. How did this happen to me? The angry shaking only got worse when I discovered that there have been multiple research studies dating back to 1999 that document the acute pain that women often experience during SLNB injections. The EMLA cream Aimee was prescribed available over the counter! is a highly concentrated lidocaine dose mixed with moisturizer. The special spray was just frozen nitrogen or carbon dioxide, in a pressurized container. There was a very cheap solution that could have reduced my suffering. Moreover, I wasnt crazy, and I wasnt a wimp. The medical world knows that these injections can be excruciating. The author (right) with her best friend from college on the day of the biopsy and first surgery. Photo Courtesy Of Jen Underwood In one study, women rated the SLNB injection pain score as an average 8 out of 10 without any anesthesia, and another study cited a pain score of 8.8 out of 10. Although some women do not find the procedure painful, and do not want the numbing cream, many others are happy for the option. One study cites a breast surgeon who notes that injections are the most painful part of breast cancer treatment for most of her patients. The procedure doesnt just sting. Although there is variability among womens reports of pain reduction with the EMLA cream, one study concludes that a bag of ice should be the minimum reasonable standard. The word standard, though, doesnt mean much, because there are no standards for expected pain relief during this procedure beyond a specific hospital systems internal protocol. Every hospital gets to choose if they want to just go fast through the injections, or if they want to offer multiple levels of relief. For the best results, hospitals need to apply the lidocaine jelly 15-40 minutes prior to the areola injections. I assume this process is similar to the use of topical lidocaine on a Q-tip before dental procedures. It takes time. My hospital was in a hurry. Similar to what happens when women suffer through painful IUD insertions, they had just incorporated our screams into the realities of a stressful job. After I talked to Aimee, I began to grill my doctors about these injections. At my next follow-up appointment, I confronted my breast surgeon again about the pain. He shrugged and said, Oh I know ... its a work in progress. I was too stunned to say what I wanted to say: I know how much you care about your patients, so why doesnt this bother you more? Eventually, I found an ally in my OB/GYN, a younger female physician with a strong interest in womens pain management. After listening carefully to my experience, and reading through the research articles, she convinced the head of breast surgery to look into the procedure. As a result, I am proud to report that my health system ultimately implemented the EMLA cream as a standard protocol across all its hospitals for the SLNB procedure. From now on, all women will have the choice to apply numbing cream before the injections. My doctor notified me and thanked me for my work to prevent future patient suffering. While Im grateful that I could have an impact, this one change doesnt solve the larger problem, which is about systemic desensitization to womens pain, as well as the decentralization of the American health system. How could there be no law, no guideline, no governing body that protects patients from unnecessary pain during cancer procedures and surgeries? Legally, surgeons arent even required to prescribe pain medication after a double mastectomy or hysterectomy. Although regional nerve blocks are known to reduce postoperative pain for patients undergoing breast surgeries, they are not required, and only used 33% of the time. Much like epidurals in childbirth, regional pain control is optional, at the discretion of the breast surgeon or plastic surgeon. The opportunities for bias are immense. An analysis of prescription trends among breast surgeons uncovered staggering variations between providers: some doctors send home 30-40 pain pills. Some doctors prescribe only Tylenol. If I suffered to that degree, with great health insurance, white skin, and a graduate degree, in a major metropolitan area, I cant imagine how health systems treat Black and brown women and those with Medicaid. I suppose the statistics speak for themselves. Black women in America are 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than white women with the same diagnosis. Brown women (Hispanic, Latina, Native American, and Native Alaskans) are 8 percent more likely to die than white women. Studies have documented that physicians tend to undertreat both women and racial minorities for cancer-related pain. According to the doctors, I am done with surgeries for the immediate future. I will be receiving endocrine therapy and infusions for many years, but they are optimistic about my prognosis. I am currently considered to have no evidence of disease. In the old days, doctors called this remission, but now they are more honest: They think the tumors are gone, but there is no guarantee. "My husband, Marc, and I won the bowling team 'costume contest' for our breast cancer awareness outfits. We tied for first place with the people who dressed as literal breasts." Photo Courtesy Of Jen Underwood Meanwhile, womens suffering continues to be disregarded and ignored. The doctors know. The nurses know. Everybody knows, but no one says, This has to stop. Without any governing body to create or enforce pain relief protocols, nobody can be held accountable. These daysI do what I can to stay physically resilient and attempt to keep the cancer away. I need to stay strong: After this experience, I have so much to say, and I might not have time. We all need to speak up for the women lying on those tables, bare and unprotected. Jen Underwood is a person, mother, writer, and psychotherapist. Her essays have appeared in HuffPost and Business Insider. She is writing a book about her dual roles as therapist and cancer patient, and what it means to evolve, not simply survive. She lives outside Chicago. Related... The solar power era is getting brighter by the day. With U.S. states such as Massachusetts moving forward on legislation to revitalize the state's solar industry and K-12 schools reportedly quadrupling solar power use in the past 10 years, the benefits of this clean energy technology are being felt everywhere. Homeowners are also embracing the value of rooftop solar. Solar energy can reduce demand on the electrical grid while potentially helping to save neighborhoods around $3 million (40%, including incentives) on utility bills. In a 2023 residential solar study conducted by the MarketWatch Guides team, 924 out of 1,000 survey respondents from across the U.S. who have purchased or leased a solar panel system shared an overwhelming consensus on customer satisfaction, being either "very satisfied" or "mostly satisfied" with their solar installations. Coupling this with the 73 who were "somewhat satisfied," 99% of homeowners have been pleased with their solar systems. If you were to install home solar panels, which of these factors would be your primary motivation? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind The survey showed that the most popular system size for respondents' home solar installations was 7 kilowatts. Almost half of respondents (48.7%) reported also purchasing a solar battery, and more than a quarter (26.7%) reported purchasing an electric vehicle charger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Installing rooftop solar panels has become popular for homeowners looking to save money on energy bills and increase their home's value. The long-term savings are substantial, meaning panels generally pay for themselves over their lifetime. In the United States, the federal government offers the Solar Investment Tax Credit, a nationwide incentive for solar panels and other renewable energy systems. If you install an eligible system, you can claim a federal tax credit equivalent to 30% of your total solar project costs. EnergySage's free tools can help you get quick solar installation estimates and begin the transition to clean energy. By utilizing home technology that lowers bills and reduces reliance on dirty fuels, communities can become more resilient in the face of a warming planet. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. New York's Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, benefit applications open on Nov. 1. If you heat your home with electricity, natural gas, oil, coal, propane, wood or wood pellets, kerosene or corn, HEAP can help you heat and cool your home by providing up to $900 in benefits. Emergency HEAP can help you heat your home if you are in a heat or heat-related emergency. The benefits are based on your income, available resources and the type of emergency. Applications for this program open Jan. 2, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what to know. Who qualifies for HEAP? New York's Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, benefit applications open on Nov. 1. Your eligibility and benefits depend on your income, household size, primary heating source and if there's a member of your household who is under age 6, over age 60 or permanently disabled. You may be eligible if: A member of your household is a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides for your household size. For example, a family of four must make at or below $6,390 to qualify. You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits You receive Temporary Assistance (TA) You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benefits for households paying directly for heat based on actual usage are paid directly to the vendor who supplies your primary source of heat. To find out which vendors participate in HEAP, visit heapoil.com and select your county of residence and the fuel type used to heat your home. NYSEG, RG&E expands HEAP eligibility requirements This year, NYSEG and RG&E have expanded the eligibility requirements to qualify for HEAP, according to the companies. Customers can complete an application and submit proof of participation for enrollment if they receive any of the following: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Medicaid Federal Public Housing Assistance Veterans Pension and Survivor Benefits Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Tribal Lands Head Start Lifeline Telephone Service Program HEAP grant applied to a fuel vendor other than NYSEG or RG&E As we anticipate the colder months, we encourage our customers to apply for HEAP to help manage their energy costs, says vice president of Customer Service for NYSEG and RG&E Christine Alexander. We recognize that our customers may need a little extra help during the winter heating season, and understanding the full range of assistance we offer can help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's why: SSI recipients will get two checks in November, but none in December How much are this year's benefits? Base benefit amounts fall anywhere between $21 and $900 depending on your living situation. Eligible households that live in government subsidized housing or a group home setting with heat included in their rent could receive a base amount of $21 . Eligible households who have heating costs included as part of their rent could receive a base amount of $45 or $50 . Eligible households whose primary heat is oil, kerosene or propane and who make direct payments to the vendor for heating costs could receive $900 plus applicable add ons . Eligible households whose primary heat is wood, wood pellets, coal, corn or other deliverable fuel and who make direct payments to the vendor for heating costs could receive $635 plus applicable add ons . Eligible households whose primary heat is electricity or natural gas and who make direct payments based on their household's actual usage to the vendor could receive $400 plus applicable add ons. Your base benefit amount will increase $61 if your household's gross income is in the Tier 1 income range. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And if your household contains a member who is 60 or older, under age 6 or permanently disabled, your base benefit amount will increase $35. NY STAR checks are on the way: Find out when youll receive yours How to apply to HEAP You can apply by visiting myBenefits.ny.gov or in person or by mail to your local district HEAP contact. In the Rochester area, any questions should be directed to the Monroe County Department of Human Services by calling 585-753-6477 or emailing dfa2a26.sm.monroe.HEAP@dfa.state.ny.us. Lifespan of Greater Rochester can also provide assistance by calling 585-244-8400, extension 102 as well as Catholic Charities Family and Community Services at 585-238-8620, extension 13221. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Westchester area residents, questions should be directed to the Westchester County Department of Social Services by calling 914-995-3333. Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Networks New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Want to cut your heating bill? See if you qualify for NY's HEAP program Aramco has entered into a Collaboration Framework Agreement with Petrovietnam, setting the stage for potential joint efforts in the energy sector. The agreement could enhance the storage, supply, and trading of energy and petrochemical products between the two entities. It was signed during the Prime Minister of Vietnam H.E. Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Saudi Arabia for the 8th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh. Aramco downstream president Mohammed Y. Al Qahtani said: This agreement lays the foundation for potential collaboration across the hydrocarbon value chain. We look forward to exploring multiple opportunities with Petrovietnam that complement Aramcos global downstream ambitions, contribute to Petrovietnams own strategy, and reinforce Asias importance in global energy and petrochemicals markets. The agreement highlights the shared intent to identify opportunities that could optimise operations and generate additional value. Petrovietnam CEO Le Ngoc Son said: The signing of the Collaboration Framework Agreement between Petrovietnam and Aramco is a strategic step, which is evidence of the strong cooperative relationship between Petrovietnam and Aramco in particular, and between the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in general. In a parallel development, Aramco has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Riyadh Air. This MOU, also signed at the FII event, focuses on exploring potential cooperation in areas such as the supply of low-carbon fuel and sustainability initiatives. Aramco executive vice-president of products & customers Yasser M. Mufti said: We are delighted by the prospect of exploring a wide variety of opportunities for collaboration between Aramco and Riyadh Air. Both companies have expressed a desire to adopt [the] latest technologies, elevate experiences and contribute to sustainability objectives. Aramcos work to develop lower-carbon fuels, its strong focus on digitalisation and its aviation experience, among other things, provide a strong platform for potential cooperation with Riyadh Air. "Aramco and Petrovietnam sign agreement to explore energy cooperation" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. DENVER (KDVR) Denver police said a man was arrested for the shooting death of David Richardson, 28, and is facing several charges. The Denver Police Department reported in August that David Richardson was found dead in the 1200 block alley between North Verbena Street and North Wabash Street on the evening of Aug. 15. Family hopes $10K Crime Stoppers reward will bring closure 7 months after teens death Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Richardson was known to his friends as Envy, or E, and was shot at an unknown location before his body was left in the alley. On Thursday, police said theyd arrested Taleur Davis, 27, on investigation of first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body and tampering with physical evidence. According to jail records, Davis was also arrested for a parole violation. Davis is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 1 for this case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) One person is dead and two people are injured after a shooting at Vancouver Mall, according to the Vancouver Fire Department. The two people with injuries are being taken to a local hospital. Vancouver police said that anyone sheltering in place inside the mall can exit the building and that there is no active threat inside the mall. Authorities said the suspect is still outstanding and possibly armed. However, Kim Kapp, a Vancouver police spokesperson, told KOIN 6 News that there is no longer an ongoing danger to the people at the mall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vancouver Police Department said they initially responded to reports of a shooting at the mall at 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Driver around 7:30 p.m. Witnesses reported that a person in the food court area shot another individual and fired other rounds that struck two other individuals, Vancouver police said in a release. When police arrived, they located one person deceased and two other people who were injured who were transferred to an area hospital for evaluation and treatment of their injuries. At first, employees and people shopping in the mall were ordered to shelter in place, officials said. As of 10 p.m. Thursday night, there is still a heavy law enforcement presence at the mall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fake ballot boxes spotted in Clark County, officials say Washington 2 hours ago Members of the Lower Columbia SWAT Team and other law enforcement agencies are currently going through the mall, systemically clearing it out of all its occupants. On the outside of the building, people who were previously shopping inside are being reunited with loved ones. The reunification area for anyone who was separated during the incident is outside the Hobby Lobby at the Vancouver Mall. KOIN 6 News spoke to a witness who was in the mall when the shooting happened. She wished to remain anonymous but said it was a harrowing scene as the shopping center was full of kids trick-or-treating, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Terrifying. The most terrifying thing that Ive ever seen .. very scary, the woman said. It happened so fast. Theres a lot of kids here tonight. That was my first thought. I saw dozens and dozens of kids trick or treating in the mall. I was sacred for the. I could hear kids crying everywhere, kids screaming. One girl saying, I dont want to die, I dont want to die. She was probably eight years old. Law enforcement authorities said they are looking over surveillance video as part of the investigation, trying to identify the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call Vancouver Police. This is a developing story. KOIN 6 News will update this story when more information becomes available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Andrew and Libby Potter look over the letter they received in October, telling them that their regions largest hospital system would no longer be considered in-network for Libbys Medicare Advantage policy. The Potters live in Huntsville, Ala., where Libby is a retired middle school librarian and Andrew is a professor at a state university. (Anna Claire Vollers | Stateline) HUNTSVILLE, Ala. Libby and Andrew Potter usually ignore the avalanche of Medicare Advantage ads that land in the mailbox at their home in Huntsville, Alabama, each fall as Medicares open enrollment period begins. Libby, a retired middle school librarian, has what she considers good health insurance through the state employee health plan. Andrew has insurance through his job as a university professor and plans to join Libbys insurance when he retires next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this year, a few days before open enrollment began, a letter arrived from UnitedHealthcare, informing the Potters that the regions largest hospital system would no longer be considered in-network for Libbys Medicare Advantage plan. The Potters spent the next couple of weeks worried and unsure what to do. It seemed incredible that 14 area hospitals, including the areas only Level 1 trauma center, could suddenly become much, much more expensive. We were being very careful in how we go up and down stairs, Libby joked. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people over 65 and those with certain disabilities. Medicare Advantage is a version of Medicare run by private insurance companies that contract with the government. These plans typically offer extra benefits, such as dental, vision and prescription drug coverage, that arent included with traditional Medicare. More than half of eligible Medicare beneficiaries now get their coverage through private Medicare Advantage plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this year, as Medicares open enrollment season kicks off, more than 1 million patients will have to shop for new health insurance. Facing financial and federal regulatory pressures, many insurers are pulling their Medicare Advantage plans from counties and states theyve deemed unprofitable. Meanwhile, large health systems in states including Alabama, Minnesota and Vermont have cut ties with some Medicare Advantage plans. Its a situation thats alarmed state insurance regulators, who are fielding questions from older adults concerned about their hospitals and doctors withdrawing from their Medicare Advantage plans. Last month, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners sent a letter to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services asking for guidance. Beneficiaries are faced with either paying the increased out-of-network costs or rescheduling their necessary medical services with another provider who may not have prompt availability, the insurance commissioners group wrote. A delay in access to medically necessary services is likely to result in harm. The Potters eventually learned that Libbys copayments at the hospital would remain the same whether or not the hospital was in-network for the state educators Medicare Advantage plan. But those with other UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans will have to pay more or find another plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When a contract leaves the market, that can threaten continuity of care and access to care, said Dr. Amal Trivedi, professor of health services, policy and practice at the Brown University School of Public Health. The beneficiary will have to choose a new plan, and each of these plans is going to have a different benefit structure, different provider network, different prior authorization policies and different [prescription drug] formularies. The worry is thats going to affect their out-of-pocket costs, expose them to catastrophic spending, or compromise their access to care. How we got here Insurance giants such as UnitedHealthcare have been aggressively pushing enrollment in their Medicare Advantage plans for the past several years, luring customers with perks and bonuses not available through traditional Medicare. These plans tend to have low or even no monthly premiums and offer extra benefits such as vision and dental coverage, gym memberships, transportation to medical appointments, and even debit cards for medical supplies. And theyre simple: They provide all of a persons coverage in one plan, unlike traditional Medicare, under which people must get separate prescription drug coverage and supplemental coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there are trade-offs. Medicare Advantage plans often have a limited network of hospitals and physicians. And while the premiums are typically low, enrollees could end up paying more in the long run in copays and deductibles if they develop a serious illness. The worry is thats going to affect their out-of-pocket costs, expose them to catastrophic spending, or compromise their access to care. Dr. Amal Trivedi, professor of health services, policy and practice at Brown University School of Public Health Medicare Advantage programs also are more likely than traditional Medicare to require prior authorization for hospital stays and other high-cost services. The plans prior authorization requirements have prompted increased scrutiny in recent years. A congressional investigation by Democratic Senate staff released this month, for example, found the nations largest Medicare Advantage insurers denied a quarter of all prior authorization requests for post-acute care in nursing homes, rehab hospitals and long-term care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medicare Advantage is popular among large employers, many of which are shifting their Medicare-age retirees into these plans. And most states offer Medicare Advantage plans to retired state employees; in 13 states, its the only option. In some of those 13 states, retirees forfeit their health benefits in perpetuity if they choose coverage under traditional Medicare. North Carolina Treasurer Dale Folwell, whose office administers the state health plan, said its Medicare Advantage plan is popular. What we hear from our retirees, is that they are grateful and happy to have such a great offering as a result of their retirement benefit, the Republican said. Thats why nearly 89% of our retirees over age 65 have availed themselves of the [Medicare Advantage] product we offer them. Insurers retreat This year, the handful of insurance giants that dominate the Medicare Advantage market have said theyre scaling back or eliminating plans, to shed members and boost sagging profits. They blame new federal changes to their reimbursements, including a small cut to their base payments, and say patients are using more medical services and benefits than they anticipated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though most companies havent released data on specific counties where theyre making cuts, plans are reportedly shuttering in states such as Alabama, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Texas and Vermont, affecting hundreds of thousands of older adults. Experts say the reasons why a company might find certain markets unprofitable are complex, but can include demographics, availability of providers and plans that are already in the market. [T]he industry broadly is going to be trimming benefits and in some cases significantly, and exiting from certain counties that arent profitable, Aetnas former President Brian Kane told shareholders on an earnings call in May, before he left his position. Aetna, a subsidiary of CVS Health, is the third-largest Medicare Advantage insurer in the nation. I think thats an industry issue and I think its clearly an Aetna focus as well. Executives at CVS Health, Aetnas parent company, told shareholders the priority for its Medicare Advantage program would be improving profit margins rather than increasing the number of enrollees. They have not announced publicly which counties will lose Medicare Advantage plans, but noted their changes could push out 10% of their membership, meaning up to 420,000 patients could be forced to shop for a different plan. Canceled plans Even with the decline in the number of plans available next year, there are still a lot of plans and people have a lot of options, said Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, associate director of the Medicare policy program at KFF, a health policy research organization. Next year, the average Medicare beneficiary will have access to 34 Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage, down from 36 this year, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that average masks wide variation across states and even counties in how many plans are available. There are a handful of counties, more than in previous years, where all Medicare Advantage plans exited and those look to be predominantly rural counties, said Fuglesten Biniek. Were talking fortyish counties out of 3,000. For those people in those counties, that matters, but overall, its a smaller number. Experts say there isnt enough data available yet to know whether the plan exits are concentrated in certain states or counties. But research has shown that Medicare Advantage plans that enroll higher shares of Black beneficiaries are more likely to be terminated, said Trivedi, of Brown University. Black enrollees have more lower-quality Medicare Advantage plans available in their counties of residence than white enrollees, research shows; terminated contracts tend to have lower-quality ratings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The consequence is that contract terminations in Medicare Advantage seem to have a disproportionate effect on Black beneficiaries because their contracts are more likely to be terminated, Trivedi said. A disproportionate share of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are Black, Hispanic, and Asian and Pacific Islander. These patients tend to have lower incomes than white beneficiaries, and may by drawn by the lower upfront costs of Medicare Advantage plans. [Insurers] like to frame it as, People are choosing us because were awesome, said Brandon Novick, program outreach assistant at the Center for Economic and Policy Research. But its because financially it makes more sense in the short term for people with limited incomes. Meanwhile, at least 28 health systems in 21 states have stopped accepting some Medicare Advantage plans this year, according to an analysis from Beckers Hospital Review, an industry publication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health systems have cited delayed reimbursements, cumbersome prior authorization requirements and high rates of patient claim denials for their decisions to drop Medicare Advantage plans. Nearly 1 in 5 health systems stopped accepting one or more Medicare Advantage plans last year, according to a report by the Healthcare Financial Management Association. A tough ask For retirees like Libby and Andrew Potter, losing access to trusted doctors and hospitals can mean going longer without needed medical care. Finding a new doctor and getting an appointment can take months, particularly for specialists. And for older adults living in rural areas, losing an in-network hospital or physician can mean choosing between a long drive for care or high out-of-pocket costs. There are really important access-to-care issues when providers no longer contract with your Medicare Advantage plan, Trivedi said. He said the sheer number of plans and differences in benefits might be overwhelming for older adults. To sort through all of that when somebody also may have frailty or cognitive impairment, thats a really tough ask, Trivedi said. I study health policy for a living and itd be hard for me to sort through 40 different options. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX YORK COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) One person is severely injured after a house fire in the Springfield Terrace Subdivision Thursday night. According to officials, crews were dispatched to the 100 block of Oakmont Circle around 11:30 p.m. for reports of a residential structure fire. This is in the Springfield Terrace Subdivision on York County. Crews arrived to the scene and found heavy fire and smoke involving a detached shed and the house. All of the residents were able to exit the house before the arrival of fire crews, but one person suffered severe injuries as a result of the fire and was transported to the VCU Medical Center Hospital. No additional injuries were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation, and the American Red Cross has been called to assist with those displaced. Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. NEW YORK (PIX11) Authorities offered a $10,000 reward to anyone who can provide information leading to an arrest and conviction of the person who shot a New York State trooper on Wednesday night. Citizens Outraged at Police Being Shot (COP SHOT) announced the cash reward on Thursday. More Local News We understand this Trooper was attempting to see if the motorist needed assistance. For his efforts, he was fired upon and struck by a bullet, said John Provetto, chairman of COP SHOT. We hope our $10,000 cash reward will help police apprehend this suspect and take a dangerous criminal off the streets. Someone out there knows something, and we urge them to call our confidential 24/7 COP SHOT hot-line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number to submit tips is 1-800-COPSHOT. State Trooper Thomas Mascia, 27, was patrolling the Southern State Parkway on Long Island when he spotted a black sedan. Before approaching the sedan, he noted a temporary New Jersey license plate that read 997636 T. As Mascia approached the rear of the vehicle, several shots were fired, officials said. Mascia was wounded in his right leg and was taken to a hospital to be treated for his injuries. Authorities said he required surgery and is recovering as of late Thursday evening. The shooter remains at large, and no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is urged to call New York State Police Troop L at (631) 756-3300. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story comprises reporting from PIX11 News reporters Erin Pflaumer and James Ford. Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Eleven North Texas police officers have been disciplined, including three who were fired, due to inappropriate physical conduct during a prostitution investigation. According to a statement by Lewisville Chief of Police Brook Rollins on Friday, Nov. 1, an Internal Affairs investigation concluded that there had been inappropriate physical contact between some officers and alleged prostitutes. Rollins said that 13 police officers were found to have violated department directives and protocol, and 11 of them were disciplined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three of the officers were terminated, one was demoted, and seven were suspended without pay for various periods and will return to duty when their suspensions are served, Rollins said. Two employees were given counseling, which is not considered a form of discipline, he said. Terminating, demoting, and suspending officers is a challenging aspect of the job. It is not something I enjoy doing, Rollins said. But, as the Chief of Police, I must hold all of us accountable. These outcomes weigh heavily, and the aftermath is tough for all of us in the Department. All members of the department were notified about the investigations findings and the disciplinary actions that were taken, Rollins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late June, the Lewisville Police Department initiated the internal investigation involving the departments Street Crimes Unit. Officers with the Street Crimes Unit had been conducting an operation to identify and eliminate alleged prostitution at local massage businesses, Rollins said. The Internal Affairs investigation started because of concerning aspects of 23 prostitution cases that had been filed with the Denton County District Attorneys Office, the chief said. The 23 cases included 32 criminal charges against 28 suspects. The district attorneys office chose not to prosecute those cases, according to Rollins. LPD obtained the list of declined cases from the DA and began an administrative review, which showed possible misconduct was occurring. These cases were referred to the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers for a concurrent yet separate criminal investigation, the police chief said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no evidence that any officer had sex with any of the alleged prostitutes, Rollins said. Not all of the employees receiving discipline were found to have engaged in inappropriate contact; some were disciplined for ineffective supervision or communication that facilitated those incidents. No criminal charges have been filed, he said. The department did not release the names of the officers involved. LAKE CITY, S.C. (WBTW) A 16-year-old student was taken into custody Friday morning after allegedly making a threat on social media against Lake City High School, according to the Florence County Sheriffs Office. After learning about the threat, the sheriffs office said investigators quickly located the source of the threat and took the teen into custody. Im tired of it: Florence County sheriff vows to tackle school threats, says parents need to step up Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier Friday morning, Brian Huckabee, director of communications for the Florence School District 3 said authorities had deemed the threat not credible and that schools were operating on a normal schedule. The safety and well-being of our students and staff are always our top priority, Huckabee said in an email news release. We are committed to addressing any incidents seriously and will respond in accordance with the Florence School District 3 Code of Conduct and in collaboration with law enforcement when appropriate. The sheriffs office said the teen was being taken to the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia. The safety of our schools is one of our top priorities, Sheriff TJ Joye said. I have made it clear that we will have zero tolerance for any threat to our schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fridays incident is the latest in a series of school threats that have led to arrests in Florence County this fall. In early September, authorities arrested two juveniles accused of making social media threats against Lake City High School, a situation that came a day after local authorities said there was confusion about another unrelated social media threat that turned out to be directed at a school in Lake City, Florida. Another threat in early October ended with the arrest of a ninth-grade Hannah-Pamplico High School student, authorities said. * * * Jordan White is a Digital Producer at News13. She joined the News13 team in August 2024. Jordan, a Myrtle Beach native, graduated from St. James High School in Murrells Inlet and is a graduate of Coker University. Follow Jordan on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * * * Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. A swanky cocktail lounge in the R Street Corridor. Old-timey burgers in Curtis Park. Build-your-own vermicelli bowls at a modern Southeast Asian spot in Placer County. These 17 restaurants opened around the Sacramento region in October, from Davis to El Dorado Hills. Acai Fresh (431 G St., Davis): Yolo Berry Yogurt owner Lee Pflugraths new frozen concept creates a base from organic acai berries and apple juice, then finishes bowls with strawberries, chia seeds, granola and other toppings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bollywood Pizza (6601 Folsom Blvd., Suite 100, Sacramento): Tandoori chicken, malai paneer and other Indian flavors top pies at this fusion-forward pizzeria, which opened Oct. 1 near Sacramento State. Chick-Fil-A (1490 Blue Oaks Blvd., Roseville): Franchisee Ben Lavin opened his second Chick-Fil-A in Roseville on Oct. 3, adding the popular chicken sandwich chain to West Rosevilles rapidly-growing development. Extreme Hummus (2320 Sunrise Blvd., Rancho Cordova): Farid and Shahnaz Akbarpours second Extreme Hummus location (the original opened in Citrus Heights a decade ago) serves kebabs and gyros as well as outlandish chickpea spreads involving artichoke, pesto and jalapenos. Good Luck Lounge (1421 R St., Sacramento): Ace of Spades adjoined cocktail bar opened Oct. 4 in the R Street Corridor with Korean-inspired chicken wings, loaded sweet potato fries and other bar bites to accompany Gold Rush-themed drinks. Good Luck Lounge inside Ace of Spades has emerald green walls, cerulean velvet stools and no shortage of gambling-inspired decor. Handels Homemade Ice Cream (8055 Madison Ave., Citrus Heights): This old-timey ice cream parlor founded in 1945 its updated to serve dog-friendly frozen treats opened its sixth area location on Oct. 8 in Almond Orchard shopping center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luckys Drive-In (2565 Franklin Blvd., Sacramento): Michael Feagins and Willow Eskridges retro burger bar, first opened in Washington in 2015, debuted its second location Oct. 3 in Curtis Park. Saevory Kitchen (4789 Granite Drive, Rocklin): Brothers Kai, Lai and Lo Saechaos fast-casual setup asks customers to design their own rice, vermicelli or salad bowls, or create banh mi with proteins such as lemongrass pork or brisket in thopezay (Iu Mien fermented soybean paste) barbecue sauce. Shabu Shack (606 L St., Sacramento): Heading to Golden 1 Center some chilly fall evening? Stop by this Japanese hot pot den, which opened its fourth location Oct. 20 on the ground floor of the Frederic building. Shipwrecked Tiki Bar (1510 16th St., Suite 300, Sacramento): University of Beer owners Melissa and Nate Yungvanitsait debuted their tiki bar concept in Davis last year; the Paradise Island iteration in downtown Sacramento includes food such as oysters on the half-shell, jerk shrimp skewers and crinkle-cut fries served with white truffle oil aioli. Sunny Side (1221 19th St., Sacramento): Midtown brunch gets an Asian fusion lens at Sunny Side, which serves chicken and waffles with gochujang maple syrup, salmon Benedicts with spicy yuzu hollandaise and Koji dry aged rib-eye steaks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tallow Organic Grill (3905 Park Drive, Suite 100, El Dorado Hills): This wellness-focused eatery, opened on Oct. 18, uses no seed oils, gluten or plastic kitchenware to prepare pasture-raised barbacoa bowls or tri-tip tacos. Taqueria La Puerta (4391 Gateway Park Blvd., Suite 650, Sacramento): Tacos rule at this easygoing Cali-Mex joint in North Natomas, from Baja-style fish to quesabirria with consomme. Tasty Pot (707 2nd St., Davis): This Taiwanese-style hot pot chains fifth area location brought stews centered around kimchi dumplings, stinky tofu, curry pork and more to downtown Davis. The Melt (2070 Fair Oaks Blvd., Sacramento): This Campus Commons outpost in the Boulevard shopping center, opened on Oct. 3, marks the Melts second standalone area location for cheeseburgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese and all other things cheesy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wabune Sushi (4040 Sunrise Blvd., Suite 140, Rancho Cordova): An extensive menu with bento boxes, sushi rolls and specialty items such as seared giant scallops in mango cream sauce have drawn customers to Sunridge Plaza shopping center since Wabunes opening. Wienerschnitzel (4855 Granite Drive, Rocklin): Franchisee Bal Son brought the worlds largest hot dog chain (known for chili cheese dogs in particular) to Rocklin on Oct. 17. GREENWOOD, S.C. (WSPA) Police have arrested a man accused of shooting into a home Wednesday in Greenwood. The shooting happened at a home on Plowden Avenue. Greenwood Police said the suspect, identified as 18-year-old JaKwon Elmore, was charged with six counts of attempted murder, firing into a dwelling, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Elmore was taken into custody in Abbeville County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said their investigation into the shooting is still ongoing. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the Greenwood Police Department at 864-942-8407. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Beware, this seemingly innocent act is actually a crime in Las Vegas casinos It's common for visitors of Las Vegas casinos to walk around and immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of Americans gambling at various machines and tables. But if you happen to pass by a slot machine with some money left in it, it's probably best to walk away. Sometimes, gamblers might leave a machine if there's only a small amount of winnings in it once they run out of cash or maybe they had to suddenly leave. Either way, if you find an abandoned slot machine that still has money in it and you use it to play or cash it out, even if it's a few cents, you could get in big trouble. Don't miss Here's what you should keep in mind the next time you go on a gambling trip. The surprising gambling offense A.J. Werling had just turned 21 years old when he visited a casino with friends in Black Hawk, Colorado, but he departed with a criminal record that haunted him for years. "It's been a nightmare," he told FOX31 Denver in 2017. "I'm not a criminal. It's ridiculous. It's 76 cents." So, what was the crime? Werling says he put $20 into a slot machine, unaware the previous player had left in 76 cents. Security approached, and Werling says he was accused of trying to steal the pocket change. At the time of the interview, it had been 13 years since the offense, and he explained that he continued to face obstacles finding a job or housing. "I have to disclose why I have a gambling theft conviction on my record," he said. Court records obtained by FOX 31 Denver show Werling was convicted of fraud, fined nearly $500 and forced to perform 24 hours community service. The local broadcaster also reported there had been hundreds of similar cases recorded in the state. It's important to note laws regarding this type of activity may vary depending on jurisdiction. Plus, there may be consequences from the casino itself. Read more: These 5 magic money moves will boost you up America's net worth ladder in 2024 and you can complete each step within minutes. Staying in Vegas Las Vegas is the U.S. city most closely associated with gambling, and in Nevada, there are actually two laws that could make taking tickets a crime. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) A new effort to keep Hasbro in Rhode Island involves moving the companys headquarters to Providence. The I-195 Redevelopment District Commission said its voting on a resolution Wednesday that would allow Hasbro, which is mulling a relocation to Boston, to develop a new headquarters on Parcel 42. Weve done our due diligence and a new Hasbro headquarters is a perfect fit for the 195 District, for Providence, and for Rhode Island, Marc Crisafulli, chairman of the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission, said about the pitch. Were putting the pieces in place in advance of a meeting with Hasbro to show that we are committed and ready to move forward with this site for their new corporate headquarters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BACKGROUND: Hasbro mulls leaving Rhode Island Courtesy: I-195 Redevelopment District Commission The plan would be to construct a 300,000 square-foot building that includes on-site parking, an open floor plan and a retail store on the ground floor. There would also be a toy museum in the 195 District Park. In September, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said the city should be considered if a deal to keep the company in Pawtucket doesnt pan out. Parcel 42 is where the Fane Tower would have been built before the project was scrapped last year. ALSO READ: Could Hasbro come to Providence? Mayor Smiley says its possible Last month it was announced that Hasbro had a 15% dip in revenue. In a memo sent to employees, CEO Chris Cocks said at the earliest, a move wouldnt come until mid-2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State leaders and Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien have held meetings with Hasbro about staying in Rhode Island. The mayor and the citys team are still in close communication with Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks and his team, a spokesperson for Grebien told 12 News. Despite Hasbro wanting to move out of their current space, we are committed to keeping Pawtucket as their home. We look forward to continuing talks with them. Smiley said Friday that he wants Pawtucket to still have first dibs, but if Hasbro declines he would be ready to make that pitch. NEXT: Judge puts Providence Place mall into receivership Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. (NewsNation) Two people died and six others are in the hospital after being shot in downtown Orlando in the early morning hours after Halloween, the Orlando Police Department said Friday. Police arrested 17-year-old Jaylen Dwayne Edgar, who was previously arrested for grand theft charges last year, in connection to the shootings. The victims were between 19 and 39 years old. Rapper Young Thug pleads guilty to gang, drug and gun charges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shots broke out on the Central Boulevard and Orange Avenue block of the downtown area when police first arrived. Minutes later and one block over, a second series of shots rang out, which officers witnessed, according to the OPD. Nearly 100 officers were patrolling Downtown at the time of the shooting, due to the large crowd expected on Halloween, the department wrote in a Facebook post. The Orlando Police Department is also assessing the need for increased patrols Downtown this weekend. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) Two people were killed and six others were wounded in two early morning shootings during Halloween celebrations in downtown Orlando, Florida, on Friday, authorities said. Six victims, who range in age from 19 to 39, were taken to Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center in stable condition, according to Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith. Florida officers believe they caught an undetected serial killer Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 1:07 a.m., police responded to reports of a downtown shooting, and shortly afterward, police received another call about a shooting a short distance away, according to the Orlando Police Department. Smith said during a briefing Friday morning that officers quickly made an arrest. Smith showed video from street security cameras and a police body camera showing the two shootings and the suspects arrest at the second shooting location. Smith stated that the suspect, a 17-year-old, was taken into custody, adding that the teen has a previous arrest record. A handgun was recovered at the arrest scene and there are no other suspects, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orlando Police said that nearly 100 officers were patrolling downtown when the shooting occurred due to the large crowd expected for Halloween. The crowds were estimated to be between 50,000 and 100,000 people, Smith said. The Halloween celebration took place about 10 miles from Orlandos tourist district, and it primarily attracts central Florida residents. Revelers usually also celebrate by the tens of thousands in downtown Orlando on the Saturday after Halloween. During past Halloween celebrations, police officers would close off downtown streets and use dogs to screen for weapons as people walked past entry points, but they changed their procedures after Florida lawmakers passed a permit-less concealed carry law in 2023, the police chief said. Florida State Attorney Andrew Baine said charging the teen suspect as an adult is possible, but his agency would await further information from the police investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Queen City News. Two Southern California gang members were sentenced to prison for a violent robbery targeting elderly victims at a shopping mall. Corey Thomas, 18, of Los Angeles, and Jonathan Requejo, 18, of Inglewood, were sentenced to two years in state prison for the incident, the Ventura County District Attorneys Office announced Thursday. On June 27, Thomas, Requejo and three other juvenile suspects drove from the L.A. County area to The Oaks shopping mall in Thousand Oaks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As they entered a Macys store, security footage captured the group suddenly attacking two elderly shoppers. They stole a Rolex watch from the male victim and a purse and cell phone from the female victim, authorities said. Both victims were left with significant injuries from the assault. Police responded to the scene, spotted the suspects vehicle and attempted to pull them over. They refused to yield and led officers on a high-speed pursuit on the southbound lanes of the 101 Freeway. From left: Corey Thomas, 18, of Los Angeles and Jonathan Requejo, 18, of Inglewood are seen in booking photos from the Ventura County District Attorneys Office. During the chase, one of the suspects threw a loaded firearm out the window. The driver eventually pulled over and three of the four occupants hopped out and began fleeing on foot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police eventually located all four suspects and took them into custody. The stolen items from the elderly couple were also recovered during the arrest. Both Thomas and Requejo were identified as documented Crips gang members by L.A. County law enforcement. On Sept. 10, both men pled guilty to multiple felony counts of second-degree robbery, elder abuse, theft from an elder, and conspiracy to commit second-degree robbery. Thomas also pled guilty to illegal possession of a firearm and felony evading from law enforcement. 3 arrested for series of violent follow-away robberies across SoCal The special allegations also found true included that the crimes involved great violence, the victim was vulnerable and great bodily injury was inflicted on an elder over the age of 70. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every citizen in Ventura County deserves the right to be safe and secure while going about their day, said Hayley Moyer, a deputy district attorney who prosecuted the case. While we cannot reverse the irreparable harm done to these victims, we hope the sentences today sends a message that we will prosecute those responsible for violent crimes to the fullest extent. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11) Two teenagers were shot on Manhattans Upper West Side on Halloween night, police said. The shooting happened near West 71st Street and Amsterdam Avenue around 6:30 p.m., according to the NYPD. More Local News Witnesses told PIX11 News a group of teenagers were playing a dice game on West 71st Street when the shooting occurred. A 17-year-old was shot in his leg, and a 19-year-old was shot in his arm, police said. Both were taken to hospitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man who lives in the area described what he heard when the gunshots rang out. We were just coming in from trick-or-treating with my 5-year-old. We were going inside. We get upstairs Pop, pop, pop. Three gunshots go off. Kids start to scatter, said Eric Papa, an Upper West Side resident. My doorman said two kids tried to run into the building for their own safety. No arrests have been made. Police are searching for two suspects who fled on a Citi Bike. One suspect was wearing a navy blue sweatshirt and black pants and had a gray backpack, according to police. The other suspect was wearing a black hooded shirt and blue jeans, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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). Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) More relief help from the Valley will be on its way soon to North Carolina. Twenty-thousand pounds of dog and cat food were loaded on a truck Friday morning in Austintown. The supplies will go to Wilkesboro, North Carolina, about a half hour from Asheville, which had heavy damage from Hurricane Helene. The vehicles doing the heavy lifting were donated by the Fred Martin dealership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A member of the staff heard about the problems of the hurricane and took action. I thought I had something I needed to do, and I called it the Food for Furbabies. Lets fill the showroom, and started posting on Facebook and one thing led to another, and here we are, so were heading to Wilkesboro tomorrow, said salesman Curt Putnam. Before long, close to 6,000 pounds had been collected by the dealership, along with other pet supplies, but more would soon be coming another 14,000 pounds from the American Legion Post in Columbiana. The supplies were originally supposed to go down to the Asheville area last month, but circumstances got in the way, forcing American Legion members to come up with a Plan B. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The light came on. Curts a member of the American Legion. Picked up the phone, called him 9 o clock at night he called us back, and plans were set in motion, and now its going to work, said Ernest Thomas, of the American Legion Post 290. Organizers said they focused on pet supplies, knowing storm victims wouldnt want to ignore their animals. Good people with good hearts will always make sure their pets are fed prior to feeding themselves, Thomas said. The pet food and supplies will be delivered to a faith-based organization in western North Carolina, which will supply it to families in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WAIMANALO, Hawaii (KHON2) Board of Water Supply crews are responding to a 20-inch water main break on Kalanianaole Highway, affecting most of the Waimanalo community. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The transmission main break happened on Mekia Street near Shimas Supermarket. Waimanalo community members between Mekia Street and Sea Life Park, including Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School, are the most affected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department of Education officials contacted parents and staff that the school is expected to be without water until repairs are made. DOE reports progress on fire alarm systems Additionally, the main break has caused a full closure of Mekia Street between Kalanianaole Highway and Lukanela Street. When you get to top of this hike, its spooky and eerie: Hawaii hikes Reports said traffic heading into Hawaii-Kai was also heavily impacted. Officials modified traffic to allow one lane in each direction. Mid-Pac collaborates with DOE. How your keiki can benefit Drivers are advised to use Poalima Street during the full road closure and to drive with caution when moving through the work area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont leave that ballot box blank! Heres why Waimanalo customers are urged to minimize water use to essential needs only, such as cooking, cleaning and sanitary needs. Roving water wagons are heading to the area for affected customers. Requests can be made by calling (808) 748-5000 extension 1. Updates can be monitored on the BWSs website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Heavy snow in the forecast for the Cascades means crews will close Chinook Pass and Cayuse Pass on state Route 410 and state Route 123, the Washington State Department of Transportation said in a news release Thursday. The agency said the forecast calls for 20 inches of snow over 24 hours. The National Weather Service in Seattle posted on X Thursday: A weather system will continue to impact the area through Friday. Rain will spread northward, becoming steadier later today into tonight in the lowlands. Mountain snow will increase tonight, with the heaviest snowfall amounts through Friday night around Mount Rainier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinook Pass is at 5,430 feet and Cayuse Pass is at 4,675 feet. The Washington State Department of Transportation made the decision to temporarily close both passes for the safety of maintenance crews and travelers amid worsening road conditions and a heightened risk of avalanches, the news release said. Crews were set to close the gates at 12:30 p.m. Thursday from Crystal Mountain Boulevard to Morse Creek. Theyll decide Monday whether to reopen the passes. WSDOT posts updates about mountain pass conditions online. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A man with a criminal history dating back to 2017, when he was shot by Albuquerque police during an attempted carjacking, has a warrant out for his arrest. Since that incident, hes been in front of a judge numerous times and keeps getting breaks. Lee Brandenburg thanked Judge Stanley Whitaker back in 2020 during a parole violation hearing, but he continues to get into trouble. Hes currently got a warrant out for his arrest. The Albuquerque Police Department says he burglarized a storage unit on Second Street in northwest Albuquerque and posted the items on his Facebook Market page. KRQE first reported about Brandenburg in 2017, when he tried to carjack a woman outside a state building on San Antonio off of I-25. Brandenburg pointed a pellet gun at the victim and APD opened fire, hitting him and the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Repeat offender sentenced for latest car theft case She asked for justice. I think he should pay for what hes done, said the victim in court. Brandenburg was found guilty of car theft and attempted armed robbery. But he only spent a year and a half behind bars before getting paroled in 2020. While on parole, he was caught with meth and burglary tools. Judge Whitaker called this violation a hiccup and let him off. While on probation for the 2017 incident, he was arrested for trying to steal items from a storage facility on Academy in 2021. He didnt report this to his parole officer and received 15 months in jail for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Brandenburg took a plea deal for the storage theft and was given supervised probation for 18 months by Judge Lucy Solimon who gave him a warning. If you fail to comply with your conditions of release or probation then you are facing the habitual offender time as well as the time for the underlying charge, said Solimon. Brandenburg was charged with traffic violations in April of 2022, violating his probation again. The charges were dismissed because the officer or prosecutor failed to show up for court. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. HILTON HEAD, S.C. (WSAV) One of the races we will closely watching on election night is in the Lowcountry: South Carolina House District 123. 50-year Hilton Head resident Lisette Cifaldi is facing off with the incumbent Jeff Bradley, who is looking for his sixth term in office. Bradley is a staunch conservative who believes his time in office and ability to work with a close-knit Republican supermajority in the state legislature benefits the district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says that experience makes him the best candidate for the job. I am on the side of the supermajority and Im more apt to get legislation passed if theres something that we need done, explains Bradley. But I also have the experience of being involved in the state of South Carolina and I actually have a seat at the table. Cifaldi says she isnt afraid of being the new kid in town. Her experience as a therapist helps her connect with people. One of the things that I was taught growing up was to preserve the relationship, says Cifaldi. Were allowed to have disagreements. Were allowed to have debates. But in the long run, the relationship matters. That is a core value of mine. So I think that core value lends itself very well in the state House to be able to talk to people who dont think the same way as me, maintain that relationship and perhaps bring them over a little bit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that question, honestly, or a lot of people is probably what intimidates them and feels like they dont have a shot or they are not going to make a difference, and I think that is inherently dangerous. I think that we always have to believe that our voice matters. With no women in the room. We are missing a very important demographic and important information, continues Cifaldi. When women are in state legislatures, you see more family friendly and children friendly legislature proposed. What I found in this whole process is its not just womens voices that are not being heard. Education reform and school choice is also a key topic for both candidates, The Constitution says that were required to provide education for children, explains Bradley. It doesnt say that it has to be public education. So were trying to create as many venues as possible so that it will kind of the belief that competition sharpens the skills of all the participants. It is the belief that competition sharpens the skills of all the participants. So if you have a choice in schools, then your larger monolithic, monolithic system of the public school could be challenged to improve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The voucher program that Jeff Bradley championed had a lot of flaws in it, says Cifaldi. It was a three-year pilot program. In the first year, they were intending to spend $30 million to send 5000 kids in underperforming schools to private schools. We have 750,000 kids in our schools. So that doesnt make fiscal sense to me that we would do that. The candidates also have very different views on reproductive rights and the current abortion ban in South Carolina The current legislation that exists in South Carolina went through a full process, says Bradley. During that process lesson. Weston Newton and I worked very hard to get exceptions for, in the case of life of the mother, rape, incest and fetal fatal fetal anomalies. And we were able to get that in. And if we hadnt done that, it wouldnt have it wouldnt have been in the bill. So to be accused of being insensitive to that, Im just not I do believe that protecting unborn children has validity. Thats not true. Its just simply not, says a defiant Cifaldi. His very first vote was for no exceptions. So if he was going to fight for those exceptions, he should have fought for them out the starting gate. So he has consistently voted for the most extreme abortion bans over the course of his ten years in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I listen to what is said on both sides. I try to accommodate the opposing views wherever possible, said Bradley. But when it comes down to a philosophical difference, there are times when I cant agree with them. If you look at his voting record over the years, its gotten more and more conservative, said Cifaldi. And so I think as a district, were not getting more and more conservative. I think that I just dont think that his voting record represents the district any longer. I think him actually sponsoring an abortion ban, with no exceptions is an indicator of his conservative voting record, said Cifaldi..I think the voucher program and the way he set that up is an indication of that because, you know, he ran on it being as something thats going to help, you know, children in underperforming schools have an option. But then he removed the income requirement. So that means its not necessarily benefiting, you know, maybe economic equality, challenged children in underperforming schools. It then benefits wealthy individuals with their kids already in private schools and so that is much more of a conservative bent. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BlackRock BlackRock Inc., the world's biggest ETF issuer, is the latest company to seek permission to carve exchange-traded funds from mutual funds since No. 2 issuer Vanguard Group Inc. lost its exclusivity on the process last year. BlackRock asked the Securities and Exchange Commission in an Oct. 30 filing to add an ETF share class to its mutual funds. How long an approval would take was not clear; the SEC said it declined to comment on individual filings. Granting permission would allow the New York-based investment bank, with $11.5 trillion in total assets, to dramatically boost its ETF offerings: it currently lists 584 mutual funds and 438 exchange-traded funds. Those ETFs, mostly issued under the iShares brand, hold $3.04 trillion in assets according to etf.com data; a mutual fund AUM was not immediately available. Fund issuers from Fidelity to Morgan Stanley to Dimensional are seeking permission to create ETFs from mutual funds using the process that had been exclusively Vanguard's from 2000 until May 2023. Investors are choosing ETFs, with their ease of trade and tax benefits, over mutual funds: and the latter investment vehicle has lost trillions in assets in recent years while ETFs soared to around $10 trillion in assets this year. BlackRock Eyes Growing ETF Demand In its application, BlackRock said financial professionals and clients "have reported a greater interest in ETFs," as "ETF model portfolios grow in popularity. Applicants continue to see demand for ETFs to help investors meet their distinct financial goals." Vanguard is the No. 2 ETF issuer with $2.64 trillion in 86 exchange-traded funds. The exclusive right to create ETFs from mutual funds added $100 billion in gains to Vanguard shareholders, Bloomberg reported last year. The U.S. arm of Australias Perpetual Group was the first company to seek such so-called exemptive relief, applying for it in February 2023. "The multi-class structure opens an important new avenue of choice for clients to invest in the manner that helps them achieve their distinct financial goals," BlackRock's head of U.S. iShares Product Rachel Aguirre said in an emailed statement. BlackRock reported $11.3 trillion in total assets for the third quarter without breaking out mutual fund assets. Permalink | Copyright 2024 etf.com. All rights reserved With two days to go until Election Day, the candidates making in their final appeaks to voters over the weekend. After popping up on "Saturday Night Live," Vice President Kamala Harris will campaign in battleground Michigan on Sunday. Former President Donald Trump is hitting three swing states on Sunday: Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia. Latest Developments Nov 3, 10:53 AM North Carolina breaks early voting record by 600,000 votes With more than 4.2 million North Carolinians voting early in-person this year, the Tar Heel State easily beat its previous record for early voting, set in 2020 when 3.6 million people cast their ballots early. The state's early voting period concluded on Saturday afternoon. Turnout in the 25 counties covered by the Hurricane Helene federal disaster declaration outpaced the state's average turnout by 2 percent, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections. PHOTO: People vote at a public library turned to an early to an early voting polling station in Black Mountain, N.C., Oct. 29, 2024. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images) In total, 4,465,548 people -- nearly 57 percent of the state's registered voters -- have voted between absentee and early in-person methods. -ABC News Peter Charalambous Nov 3, 10:35 AM Dem super PAC-funded canvassing effort hit more than 36 million doors Future Forward, one of the top Democratic super PACs in the country, is known for using its beefy wallet to help candidates blanket the airwaves. But this year, it also dumped tens of millions of dollars into a canvassing effort, expanding the work it's typically known for. Since the summer, Future Forward has invested $40 million in America Votes for voter registration and comprehensive voter contact programs. The funding has helped America Votes knock on over 36 million doors so far in seven swing states. The group, which revealed the funding first to ABC News, said it is the largest field program ever funded by a super PAC. "Winning a race this close requires a full-court press and person-to-person conversations are one of the most effective ways to break through the noise. In the field is where the America Votes coalition excels, and Future Forward has stepped up in levels not seen from past presidential organizations with significant funding to fuel our largest ever voter engagement and mobilization campaign," America Votes President Greg Speed said. The effort compounds Democrats' canvassing advantage fueled by what the party casts as a superior ground game by Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign compared to former President Donald Trump's, which has been largely farmed out supportive super PACs, including one led by billionaire Elon Musk. Nov 3, 10:39 AM Harris and Rudolph are Not the Same Person In a behind the scenes video posted on social media, Harris and actress Maya Rudolph poked fun at their resemblance during the vice president's Saturday Night Live appearance. Standing side by side, the two sang the lyrics to an old parody music video titled "We Are Not the Same Person" from Vine stars Danny Gonzalez and Drew Gooden. PHOTO: Maya Rudolph and Democratic Presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris appear on NBC's Saturday Night Live in New York City, Nov. 2, 2024. (Jeenah Moon/Getty Images) Boarding Air Force Two to travel to Detroit after midnight on Sunday, Harris said it was fun of her appearance and gave the press pool a thumbs-up. -ABC News Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, Fritz Farrow and Will McDuffie Nov 3, 9:46 AM Trump playing defense in Iowa In the last days of his campaign, Trump is going on defense in Iowa after a Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll showed Harris holding a 3% lead. No President has done more for FARMERS, and the Great State of Iowa, than Donald J. Trump. In fact, its not even close! Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. Similar to his campaign pollster, Trump is switching attention to another poll calling the Registers poll an outlier. All polls, except for one heavily skewed toward the Democrats by a Trump hater who called it totally wrong the last time, have me up, BY A LOT, he wrote. -ABC News Lalee Ibssa, Soorin Kim and Kelsey Walsh Nov 3, 3:18 AM Harris campaign says Trump 'appears to be unraveling' after North Carolina rally Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign said late Saturday night that former President Donald Trump "appears to be unraveling" following one of his North Carolina rallies. Trump said at his event in Greensboro that he would be "in trouble" if he loses the election "after all this talk." PHOTO: Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump dances onstage at a campaign rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Nov. 2, 2024. (Brian Snyder/Reuters) "Please go and vote," Trump said to attendees. "I mean, I came here, whatever the hell time it is, who the hell knows -- I'm giving you the full board I would have been home sleeping right now." -ABC News' Fritz Farrow, Gabriella Abdul-Hakim and Will McDuffie Nov 3, 2:59 AM Michelle Obama hits out at 'conman' during Pennsylvania rally Former first lady Michelle Obama spoke at a rally in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Saturday night evoking the "yes we can" ethos and slogan of former President Barack Obama. Her theme was that of a divided America, and her call to voters one of staying the course and defeating the "conman" who she said wishes to "tear" the country apart -- though Obama did not mention former President Donald Trump by name. PHOTO: Former First Lady Michelle Obama speaks at a rally on Oct. 29, 2024, in College Park, Georgia. (Brynn Anderson/AP) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It always felt as though, even with our differences, something true, something fundamental, was stitching us together, the values that have guided and nourished us for generations," Obama said, as quoted by ABC News' Philadelphia station WPVI. "Pennsylvania -- this is who we are, this is us," she added. "This is our creed as Americans, that if we keep our feet on the ground and our eyes on the horizon, we will leave this country a little better than we found it." "The tactics to tear it apart are not new," Obama continued. "Sadly, they have become more insidious, more cunning, led by a more skilled conman who is more brazen and bombastic. But this, too, is part of the great experiment that we call democracy. Can people who strongly disagree still find common ground?" MORE: Liz Cheney hits back at Trump's violent rhetoric: 'This is how dictators destroy free nations' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She continued: "We have had our fair share of dark moments, some lasting for decades, stretches of time that have been hard and scary, but for anyone who's ever endeavored to build or do something hard or scary, erecting a skyscraper, scaling a mountain, even a child building a sand castle, you learn very quickly that it's a lot easier to destroy than to build up." Obama hit out at Trump's campaign without naming him, criticizing "the folks telling us that things may not be as they appear, that we should be suspicious of our neighbors, that military service and sacrifice is for suckers, that there's an enemy from within." "Every time I hear someone say that the hope and pride that I feel for the country I love is misplaced, that down is up and right is wrong -- my god, it's bewildering. It is dangerous. It is shameful." -ABC News' Gabriella Abdul-Hakim Nov 3, 12:14 AM Harris joins Maya Rudolph on 'SNL' cold open Coming from a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, Air Force 2 made a surprise landing at LaGuardia Airport Saturday evening. Vice President Kamala Harris made a quick appearance on Saturday Night Live, joining her doppelganger Maya Rudolph during the shows cold open. The matching duo traded lines rhyming words with Kamala, "The American people want to stop the chaos, and end the drama-la, with a cool new step mom-ala." Continuing on, "watch a rom-com-ala, like 'Legally Blonde'-ala, and start decorating for Christmas, fa-la-la-lala." PHOTO: US-VOTE-POLITICS-HARRIS (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images) The vice president stepped out from behind the mirror to join Rudolph in saying, Live from New York, it's Saturday Night! Harris has previously endorsed Rudolphs SNL impression of her while on The View last month, saying, "Maya Rudolph, she's so good, she had the whole thing, the suit, the jewelry, the mannerisms." Nov 3, 12:13 AM Trump calls himself 'father of fertilization' Speaking during his second North Carolina rally of the day, former President Donald Trump called himself the father of fertilization, as he described conversations with an Alabama senator about in vitro fertilization treatments. I consider myself to be the father of fertilization, said Trump to laughs from the audience, explaining his support for IVF, which was thrust into limbo in Alabama after a court decision in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. Katie Britt, the senator from Alabama, called up. Sir, you have to help us. You have to help us. I said, Explain. She said, About what happened with the IVF. The judge said, close all the clinics all over Alabama. And she said, Everyone is furious. I said, Explain it to me.' And when she explained, it took me about two minutes to figure it out, and I came out with a very strong statement, totally in favor. Trump attacked Vice President Kamala Harris for saying he would attempt to limit IVF treatments, distancing himself from the far-right think tank proposal Project 2025. PHOTO: Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump Campaigns In North Carolina (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) "I've never read it. I don't want to read it, because that way I can be honest with you, I don't want to read it. Some people got together. I assume they're extremely conservative, that's OK. Then they came up with a plan. But I told them, I don't know about the plan. They had a couple of people that work for me in the administration, I guess, or something. But they came up with some kind of a plan, and it's on the conservative side, I assume. And they keep talking about Project 2025, but I said, I don't know about it Everything she says is a lie." -ABC News' Lalee Ibssa, Soo Rin Kim and Kelsey Walsh Nov 2, 10:39 PM Trump campaigns in longshot Virginia Three days out from Election Day, former President Donald Trump made a stop in Virginia as the campaign attempts to expand its electoral map. Trump told the crowd that he was capable of making the longshot bid to win Virginia before quickly saying it wouldnt be that important. PHOTO: US-VOTE-POLITICS-TRUMP (Allison Joyce/AFP via Getty Images) I'll tell you what. We win Virginia, we win the whole thing without question," he said. "Now it's very possible that without winning Virginia we're going to win the whole thing, too, but wouldn't it be cool? The last Republican to win Virginia was George W. Bush in 2004. In a state where Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin successfully ran on education in his winning 2021 gubernatorial bid, Trump struck a similar tone, saying he would "stop the indoctrination of your children." He added, "And we will not let them try to change your kid's gender We won't be changing your children's gender with their transgender craziness." Trump also brought to stage members of the Roanoke College womens swimming team to highlight his anti-trans messaging. The team was embroiled in a controversy last year after members of the team called for the NCAA to change policies to ban transgender athletes from competing in women's sports. Continuing to court suburban women, Trump also highlighted a promise to expand the child tax credit and to create a tax credit for family caregivers. Trump went on to argue that if immigration numbers were released before the election, Harris wouldnt get a single Black person to vote for her, making the racial argument that immigrants were stealing the jobs of the African American community. The African American population of this country is being decimated by the hundreds of thousands of people that just keep pouring through the open borders of stupid Kamala." -ABC News' Lalee Ibssa, Soo Rin Kim and Kelsey Walsh Nov 2, 9:16 PM Harris to appear on 'SNL' tonight: Source Vice President Kamala Harris will make a guest appearance on tonight's episode of "Saturday Night Live," a source familiar with the planning told ABC News. It is unclear when she will be appearing during the variety program, which will be hosted by comedian John Mulaney. -ABC News' Selina Wang Click here to read the rest of the blog. Three suspects wanted for a series of violent follow-away robberies across Southern California have been arrested. The suspects were identified by the Los Angeles Police Department as: Nhazel Warren, 19, from Los Angeles Chazon Brown, 28, from Los Angeles Isaiah Moore, 32, from Fresno Police described the trio as prolific robbery suspects responsible for many other robberies that involved many victims who have yet to be identified. From left: Chazon Brown, 28, from L.A.; Nhazel Warren, 19, from L.A.; and Isaiah Moore, 32, from Fresno are seen in booking photos from the Los Angeles Police Department. One of the robberies took place on Sept. 19 when the suspects allegedly confronted a male victim in a parking lot in the 23000 block of Mulholland Drive in Woodland Hills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was punched and attacked as the impact knocked him to the ground. He remained pinned to the ground as the robbers forcibly removed his jewelry before fleeing in a black BMW sedan. On Oct. 23, another male victim was targeted in the 21000 block of Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills. He was allegedly followed by the trio to a local business when a black BMW sedan suddenly drove up to him. Two passengers in the backseat exited while armed with handguns before forcibly taking the victims jewelry and fleeing the area. Detectives later determined the three suspects were allegedly responsible for the violent robberies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 24, Brown and Moore were arrested by LAPD. Authorities also seized numerous items of evidence including two semiautomatic pistols. The third suspect, Warren, was arrested later that night in Long Beach. All three suspects were arrested for armed robbery and are being held on $1 million bail each. While the crimes were being committed, Warren was still wearing a GPS ankle monitor from the L.A. County Probation Pre-Trial Services following his arrests in two unrelated felony cases that occurred in July and August. On Oct. 29, Warren posted bond for a third time and was released, police said. Detectives believe there are many more victims of the trio who have yet to come forward. Photographs of the men were released in case anyone recognized them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who was a victim or has information on the crimes is urged to contact Detectives Mrakich and Delph at 213-486-6840 or email rhdtipline@lapd.online. The public can also call the LAPD at 1-877-527-3247. Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.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 KTLA. Three Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee want answers from the Biden administration on Israeli strikes that reportedly killed members of the Lebanese armed forces (LAF), attacks they say could escalate the conflict in the Middle East. Reports that Israel is harming LAF forces in its war against Hezbollah run contrary to the U.S. interest in de-escalating violence in the region, Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), wrote in a letter sent Thursday to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Israel in September stepped up airstrikes in Lebanon and later launched a small ground invasion against Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The actions have further inflamed tensions in the region already destabilized by Israels war on Hamas in Gaza and has resulted in the deaths of numerous Lebanese armed forces members. The lawmakers point to the most recent incident, caused by an Israeli airstrike on Oct. 20, which reportedly killed three Lebanese soldiers evacuating wounded Lebanese citizens. We have all stood firm for Israels ability to defend itself from external threats posed by Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. But the United States has also made a commitment to the people of Lebanon to provide humanitarian assistance and continue to support the LAF, according to the letter, which also calls the Lebanese military a key sovereign institution critical to promoting stability amidst ongoing crises. The letter represents another bid by Democrats to push the administration to pressure Israel to pare back its attacks in Lebanon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also comes as U.S. envoys were in Israel Thursday to attempt to secure cease-fires in both Lebanon and Gaza. In their letter, the senators ask Austin and Blinken for their assessment of Lebanese armed forces casualties as a result of Israeli military operations including whether they were Israeli targets and if so, any operational justification for singling them out. They also want to know if Israel communicated its use of U.S.-supplied weapons in these operations, any communication Washington has had with the Israelis to protest actions leading to Lebanese military casualties, and if Israel has made any commitment to focus its efforts against Hezbollah so as to protect Lebanese troops, citizens and international aid workers. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Police are searching for three suspects in an assault of an elderly man in a Bakersfield restaurant parking lot last week. Police said an elderly man was assaulted in the parking lot of Honey, Im Home on Auburn Street on Oct. 25 at around 5 a.m. The suspects then tried to steal an employees purse who tried to help the elderly victim, according to a statement. The suspects fled westbound towards Columbus Street, according to police. Sugardaddys Womens Boutique announces closure Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three suspects are described by police as one female teenager around 5 feet tall, with long, brown hair and a slim build. A second suspect was described as a male juvenile, possibly related to the teenage girl. A third suspect was only described by police as a male. The police department did not release images of the suspects from the incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective C. Ott at 661-326-3871 or the Bakersfield Police Department at 661-327-7111. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. Three teens have been arrested in connection with a shooting in Methuen in October that left three other teenagers injured, authorities announced Thursday. Jayden Moreno, 18 of Methuen, Reggie Wells, 18, of Salem, New Hampshire, and an unnamed 16-year-old are all facing assault to murder and firearm charges after a shooting in the city on Oct. 21, according to Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara. Officers responding to a report of gunfire in the area of 113 Boston Street just after 1 a.m. found two male victims, ages 17 and 18, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, Methuen police said. Investigators later learned that a 16-year-old boy had also been wounded in the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 17-year-old victim remains in critical condition at a regional trauma center. The other two victims have since been released from hospitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A subsequent investigation involving state and local police detectives yielded crucial evidence across multiple locations, including an untraceable ghost gun, a second firearm, and ammunition casings, among other items, according to McNamara. This case underscores our departments commitment to addressing violence in our community, McNamara said in a statement. The tireless work of our officers, along with the support of our local and regional partners, exemplifies the strength of collective efforts in ensuring public safety. An investigation is ongoing. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW For the last three weeks, Californians of Sikh descent have been making their way from Bakersfield to Sacramento in a 350-mile march through the Central Valley. Organizers say they expect around 500 Sikhs to walk the final stretch from West Sacramento over the Tower Bridge to the state Capitol on Friday. The Fearless for Justice march was initially focused on commemorating the 40th anniversary of a genocide in India that killed thousands of Sikhs, causing tens of thousands to seek refuge in California. But current events have altered the focus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Driven by reports from U.S. and Canadian intelligence agencies revealing assassination plots by the government of India targeting Sikh leaders in California, New York and Canada, the march has turned into a civil rights demonstration against transnational repression. As the march entered Elk Grove on Wednesday, an emotional Bobbie Singh-Allen, who in 2020 became the nations first elected Sikh female mayor, walked with marchers as traffic whizzed by. I will always stand with my people, Singh-Allen said. Were commemorating history, but what is happening today is terrifying. People are dying and being threatened. Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen passionately addresses a crowd at the Gurdwara Sacramento Sikh Society in Vineyard on Wednesday, after the arrival of a group on a multi-day march to mark the 40th anniversary of deadly anti-Sikh riots in India. The group started in Bakersfield on Oct. 9, and marched 16 miles from Lodi on Wednesday. U.S. adversaries like Iran and Russia are well known for practicing transnational repression, which the FBI defines as when a foreign government reaches beyond its border to intimidate, silence, coerce, harass or harm members of their diaspora. There is a growing body of evidence that Sikhs in California, especially those advocating for an independent nation of Khalistan in what is today Indian Punjab, have been surveilled, threatened and even shot at in California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement March leaders say Californias response to threats against Sikhs has been muddled, partly because of lobbying from groups with close links to the Indian government. Police chiefs, elected district attorneys and federal officials were told in training sessions run by groups aligned with India that Sikh activists, the vast majority of whom are law-abiding U.S citizens, are linked to terrorism and organized crime. Although roughly 40% of people of Indian descent in California are Sikhs, with most having settled in the Central Valley, in India they are a minority, comprising 2% of the population. According to Human Rights Watch, Prime Minister Narendra Modis ruling BJP partys ultranationalist Hindu ideology of Hindu supremacy known as Hindutva, has fueled and encouraged violence against religious minorities including Sikhs. Californias estimated 250,000 Sikhs have plenty of reasons to be nervous. Last month, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expelled Indias top diplomat and six other consular and embassy officials for their alleged role in the assassination of a Sikh leader, along with other murders and acts of intimidation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June 2023, Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a devout Sikh who founded the organization Sikhs for Justice to advocate for Khalistan, was assassinated in the parking lot of a Sikh gurdwara temple in Surrey, British Columbia. In announcing the expulsion of diplomats, a visibly shaken Trudeau described criminal syndicates teaming up with diplomats to commit violent crimes. You cant make this stuff up, said former Canadian intelligence official Dan Stanton, who has helped lead an inquiry into foreign interference in the Canadian Parliament. The Indian government was using their embassy and consulates as command and control centers to manage and plan serious crimes, homicides, violence, arson and extortion, all to create the illusion that Canada is being overrun by criminal gangs and terrorists dedicated to the cause of a free Khalistan, Stanton said. Sikh leaders want Governor Gavin Newsom to take a stand. Leaders at 26 Sikh gurdwara temples in California told Newsom in a letter Tuesday that they are troubled by attempts to spread disinformation to local law enforcement agencies in California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Referencing a Sacramento Bee investigation last month, the Sikh leaders said they were troubled by law enforcement training by the Hindu American Foundation, which they said was rife with disinformation being spread about the Sikh American community in California. In a statement on its website, the Hindu American Foundation defended its outreach to California law enforcement. HAF does not call for widespread surveillance of the Sikh community. Alleging that HAF supports a warrantless surveillance program of any community is a lie. The gurdwara leaders told Newsom that after a transnational repression bill supported by the state Assembly was killed in an appropriations committee after lobbying by Hindu nationalist organizations, they want Newsom to use his influence to fast-track a new bill. When we came to the United States, we believed that we were safe from the government-sponsored terrorism of our homeland. However, in recent years, the long arm of the Indian Government has begun reaching into our communities in America and threatening our leaders and advocates, especially in California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the clearest evidence of violence sponsored by India has occurred in Canada, home to the largest population of Sikhs outside of India, evidence of India-sponsored transnational repression in California is abundant. Sikh activists have been shot at on freeways, surveilled at their homes, and threatened with immigration consequences by a man claiming to represent the Indian consulate of San Francisco. That incident, which happened at a Stockton gurdwara, was more than a year ago. Despite video evidence, which showed the man and the license plate of the SUV he was driving, no evidence of a federal or state investigation has publicly emerged. On the one hand, were grateful. I mean, the FBI thwarted assassination attempts. But theres anxiety out there. We want to see results, said Naindeep Singh, a march leader and the executive director of the Jakara Movement, a civil rights and youth empowerment nonprofit with programs in 90 high schools across California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Singh, also an elected school board official in Fresno, appears to have become a target of transnational repression. Calls for surveillance of local Sikh activists The Bee previously reported that Singh was labeled a terrorist with links to organized crime by a group of Hindus last October who met with the mayor and police chief of Fresno. The visitors insisted that Singh and another respected local Sikh leader, Gurdeep Shergill, a third-grade teacher and radio host, should be followed by law enforcement, former police Chief Paco Balderrama said. Singh said he is not active in the Khalistan cause but believes he attracted the attention of Hindutva organizations, and the Indian government, because he is a key leader in the push for recognition of a Sikh genocide. Naindeep (Deep) Singh, Central Unified School District trustee and executive director of The Jakara Movement, stands in front of a mural commissioned in his honor at Jaswant Singh Khalra Park on May 13, 2022. Balderrama said the meeting atendees were alarmed that both men attended a demonstration in Fresno last year protesting the involvement of India in the assassination of Nijjar. They provided photographs of Shergill interviewing Singh at the Nijjar protest, along with internet clippings suggesting that Nijjar and others in the Khalistan movement were terrorists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sense I got was that they wanted us to somehow stop these kinds of demonstrations from happening in the future, Balderrama said. After The Bee revealed the undisclosed meeting, Fresnos Mayor Dyer met with Sikh leaders and said he opposes transnational repression and stands with local Sikhs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fresno, with a population of around 50,000 Sikhs, has the largest population of Sikhs of any major city in the United States. Indian officials have long taken an interest in Sikh activism in Fresno. In 2016, The Fresno Bee reported that the top official from the Indian Consulate of San Francisco met with every member of the city council to convince city leaders not to approve a resolution recognizing the deaths of thousands of Sikhs in India in 1984 as a genocide. The lobbying effort delayed the vote, but the resolution eventually passed. In April, Indias Consul General, Srikar Reddy traveled to Fresno to meet with Mayor Dyer. Its unclear if concerns about Sikh activism in the city came up. Dyers meeting with the Indian diplomat came six months after the October 2023 meeting when the two local Sikh leaders, Singh and Shergil, were described as nefarious actors. Following an October 2023 meeting with Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer (second from right lower row) and former Fresno Police Chief Paco Ballerama (far right lower row), meeting participants who allegedly said a local elected official of Sikh descent was linked to terrorism, pose for a photo in Fresno City Hall. A photograph taken that day at city hall, and sources familiar with the meeting revealed who some of the participants were. They included a prominent doctor, Harsh Saigal, his wife Sue Saigal (a former city council candidate), Anand Kapoor, a senior manager for Caltrans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kapoor did not return messages from The Bee. Anthony Presto, a spokesperson for Caltrans said the meeting was not connected to their agency. Sue Saigal said in a brief phone interview, that there was no mention of Sikh activism at the meeting and called it a meet and greet focused on cleaning up Fresno. Balderrama stands by his account. He said Saigal and others described Shergill and Singh as extremists who should be surveilled. Arjun Sethi, a Georgetown Law Professor and expert in TNR who advises Congress on the issue, said the Fresno meeting with police and other lobbying in California raises the possibility of violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act. U.S Justice Dept. officials use FARA to prosecute espionage and secret lobbying by foreign governments. Certain individuals and organizations met with law enforcement, prosecutors, and lawmakers, and peddled the very same disinformation as the Modi regime, namely that Sikhs who engage in peaceful activism, are criminals and terrorists. Sethi said the question is whether there is coordination between these individuals, organizations and the Indian government, and why the misinformation and demands are exactly the same. Being described as a terrorist wasnt the only disturbing thing that happened to Singh in Fresno over the last year. Singh said after the meeting between the Hindu representatives and the mayor and police chief, he was followed for about a month. He kept notes of the encounters, noting a partial license plate of a car that repeatedly followed him. The alleged surveillance stopped in November 2023, after U.S. justice officials thwarted an assassination attempt against the U.S. leader of Sikhs for Justice, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. That plot was linked to the Indian government and a top intelligence official who was indicted for being part of the conspiracy. FBI warned California Sikhs about threats Other prominent Sikhs said they have been surveilled. The Bee reviewed security videos that show chilling footage at the home of Dr. Pritpal Singh, an influential Sikh who met White House officials to discuss the TNR threat to Sikhs in October, according to reports from Reuters. Days after the Nijjar killing, Singh, who lives in the Bay Area, received a call from an FBI office in Dallas. He says an agent identifying himself only as Jason told Singh that his life was in danger. After the call, SIngh reviewed security footage and discovered chilling surveillance of his home. The June 2023 video was not the only surveillance of Singh. Security cameras captured another incident involving two men in a Tesla in November 2023 hurriedly taking cell phone photos. Pritpal Singh, director of the American Sikh Caucus Committee, attends the Yuba City Nagar Kirtan Sikh parade on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. Singh provided a license plate number to the FBI that The Bee traced to a Bay Area man. Singh said since then he has not heard from the FBI or California law enforcement about the incident. Im grateful to the FBI for saving so many Sikh lives. At the same time, its disconcerting. We want to know whats going on. Weeks after the second surveillance of Singhs home, federal law enforcement officials announced they had thwarted the assassination plot against Pannun. According to that same indictment, there were additional targets in California. One of those targets may have been Singh. Khalistanis are terrorists Legislation aimed at training law enforcement to recognize transnational repression died in the Senate Appropriations Committee. Its unclear why. The legislation had passed the California Assembly 72-0 and had the support of the California Sheriffs Association. One thing that is clear is that non-profit organizations linked to the Indian government worked hard to oppose it by claiming it was Hinduphobic and in the interest of Khalistani terrorists. Legislation is being proposed by terrorist and separatist supporters under the guise of stopping transnational repression, read one communication, which said Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains, D-Delano, who authored the legislation, was giving cover to terrorists. The document came from the Hindu American Political Action Committee, which is closely tied to the Hindu American Foundation. Federal Election Commission documents show the Hindu American PAC was initiated by several board members of HAF. Texas businessman Rishi Bhutada who also provided over a million dollars to HAF, regularly infuses the PAC with funds, hosts the email server and pays for the PACs PO box. Momentum builds builds in California for a renewed TNR bill Although it received scant attention at the time, accusations made in August that Californias failed TNR bill, AB 3027 was giving cover to Sikh extremists, has recently created a stir in the state legislature. The California Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus (AAPILC) released a letter last month denouncing any organization that says a California legislator is associated with terrorism. The Hindu American PAC has used dangerous rhetoric to mischaracterize Assembly Bill 3027, which received bipartisan support in the state legislature, regarding transnational repression that was introduced by Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains, the letter said. There are other signs that the pushback against TNR is having an impact. State Senator Anna Caballero, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee has not explained what happened with the previous bill. As appropriations chair, she would have almost certainly signed off on any decision not to advance the legislation. Punjabi Sikhs march Wednesday on Bradshaw Road toward the Gurdwara Sacramento Sikh Society in Vineyard to conclude a 16-mile trek from Lodi. The group started in Bakersfield on Oct. 9, with the goal of marching 350 miles in the Central Valley to mark the 40th anniversary of deadly anti-Sikh riots in India. But march organizers Caballero plans to march with the Sikh activists on Friday. In a letter she sent to Sikh leader Dr. Pritpal Singh, stated she would like to see new legislation soon. The rise of transnational repression, she said, is unacceptable in any society and highlights a larger pattern of harassment and threats directed at individuals based on their political and religious views. I support the overall goal and intention of Assembly Bill 3027 and have committed to work with Assemblywoman Bains and my colleagues in the legislature to take swift and immediate action to ensure the health and safety of members of the Sikh American community. When asked in an interview if he was weary from the nearly 350 miles of walking alongside freeways and farmland in the Central Valley, Naindeep Singh,said he was more energized than exhausted. The march leader, whose Sikh identity and pride in his heritage led to unfounded allegations that he is a terrorist, and alleged encounters with cars following him on California highways, says the fight against repression will lead to a safer environment in California. Because of the way we have pushed back, in a peaceful but forceful way, there is a growing awareness about this issue. Maybe the governor will even meet with us. (This story was updated to add new information.) Former President Donald Trump will hold his final 2024 campaign event on Monday night in Grand Rapids, in what has become a tradition, the campaign announced Friday. Trump finished his successful 2016 campaign in Grand Rapids and also held his final campaign event there in 2020, when he lost the election to President Joe Biden. Trump is scheduled to speak at 10:30 p.m. Monday at a rally at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids in what is expected to be his final campaign event of 2024, the Trump campaign said in a Friday news release. Former president Donald Trump leaves the stage after speaking to an audience during a town hall meeting at Dort Financial Center in Flint on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. Michigan is a key battleground state and Kent County, where Grand Rapids is the county seat, is a key swing state within Michigan. A Free Press poll published Friday showed Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, with a 3-percentage point lead over Trump in Michigan. National polls also show an extremely close race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for Monday's Trump event in Grand Rapids. Those who want to attend can register on the Trump campaign website. Trump is campaigning in Warren on Friday. Haris plans to return to Michigan on Sunday. Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on X, @paulegan4. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Donald Trump to wrap up his campaign in Grand Rapids, Michigan Election worker Davina Trejo carries a box of ballots to her work station at the Salt Lake County Government Center in Salt Lake City as votes are cast in Utahs primary election on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Heading into the final weekend before Election Day, Utahs voter turnout is still tracking well behind 2020s record returns. As of Friday morning, Utahs statewide voter turnout rested at 38.1%, according to Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson. In 2020, when there were four days left before the election, the states returns were at 54.1%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get out and vote! Henderson posted on X, encouraging Utah voters not to wait to cast their ballots. FOUR MORE DAYS Election update 11/01/24 Ballots processed as of this morning: Total 683,346 By mail 659,627 In Person 23,719 Statewide 38.1% (Four days before the 2020 election, we were at 54.1%.) Get out and vote!https://t.co/6KZM4Ey6wU#Election2024 pic.twitter.com/PHpHM7A0wc Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson (@LGHendersonUtah) November 1, 2024 This years returns include 683,346 ballots so far returned and processed out of Utahs 1.79 million active registered voters. That includes 659,627 Utahns that have already cast their votes by mail, and 23,719 who voted in person by taking advantage of early voting locations. Its not surprising that voter turnout rates are lagging behind 2020 patterns. The year of the COVID-19 pandemic saw unusually high, record-breaking voting returns, and election officials have said that year was an anomaly that will likely be hard to beat. Voter turnout is also typically higher during presidential election years, but in 2020 Utahs voter turnout hit about 90%. This year, Utah is likely to see return rates hit somewhere in the 80% range, Shelly Jackson, the states deputy elections director, predicted. Id love to be wrong, she said, but it will be tough to surpass (2020). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fridays turnout, however, is tracking higher than Jackson originally expected. Im pleasantly surprised, she said, though shes warning county clerks to expect a big wave of ballots to be returned over the weekend. [2024 Voter Guide: The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote.] Weve said, you should ramp up ballot counting in coming days, Jackson said, adding that some counties could see double the amount of ballots that have been returned thus far. Monday will be busy. Some counties are tracking higher return rates than others (mostly rural counties where there are fewer voters overall). As of Friday, Grand County was in the lead, with 59.8% turnout. Wayne County had 59.4%, Piute County had 58.7%, and Garfield County had 56.1%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county with the lowest turnout so far is Utah County (the states second most populated county), where Utah County Clerk Aaron Davidson, a Republican, has discouraged voting by mail in favor of using ballot drop boxes or in-person voting this year while expressing distrust in the U.S. Postal Service. Voters have until Monday, the day before Election Day, to mail their ballots but Utah law requires them to be postmarked no later than Nov. 4, so to avoid any potential mail delays and to make sure their ballots are postmarked in time, voters can take their ballots directly to a post office. Voters can also drop their by-mail ballots in drop boxes until 8 p.m. on Election Day or vote in person at polling places on Election Day. For more information on how to vote, visit vote.utah.gov. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The name of the woman killed in a homicide Monday in southwest Sioux Falls has been released by the Sioux Falls Police Department. Sioux Falls day care owner charged with child abuse On Thursday, police said Jimmie Ledbetter Jr. , 55, had been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Police said the victim in the case was Ledbetters wife, who had recently filed for divorce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ledbetter Jr. made his first court appearance late Friday morning in Lincoln County. He pled not guilty in court. Judge Alison Nelson set bond at $1 million cash-only bond. The victims name is Angie Ledbetter, 44, of Sioux Falls but family members have told KELOLAND News they are remembering her as Angie Scholl. The family has shared this GoFundMe page for people to donate. Lt. Aaron Nyberg, with SFPD, said the case started with police responding to a call on Monday in the 5300 block of South Anthony Avenue. He said the cause of death was manual strangulation and no tool was used. Nyberg confirmed police had responded to prior calls at the same location but he wouldnt go into details regarding previous police contact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ledbetter had described the relationship as rocky, according to court documents. The victim had filed for divorce from Ledbetter. Court documents said a family member told police that Ledbetter had come into Angie Ledbetters bedroom at about 2 a.m. on Sunday and it had scared her. After that incident, the victim had changed the locks and garage passcode at the residence. Earlier this week, Jimmie Ledbetter had created another GoFundMe for Angie and posted in on his Facebook page. Police said they will look at possible crimes for the GoFundMe account, but added people should learn as much information before giving money. According to court documents, investigators gathered video from around the neighborhood, and in one of them you could hear screaming while the suspect was inside the home with the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers use tools like surveillance cameras to establish timelines and things like that, Nyber said. KELOLAND News spoke with Ledbetter in 2018 for a story on domestic violence. In the story Ledbetter said he wanted to see the courts be stiffer when you see the abuse happen. Women are losing their faith with the courts. The family of Angie Scholl sent KELOLAND News this statement. Angie was everyones favorite person. She was the most selfless and loyal person Id ever met. She made sacrifices for her family and friends over and over again, constantly prioritizing others needs before her own. Her smile was bright and her laugh was so contagious. She leaves behind three children who will all have a huge void in their hearts from her loss. She boasted about her kids accomplishments any time you talked to her, she absolutely loved them and will surely continue to be proud of them from up above. She touched the lives of many, her passing is incomprehensible, she will be deeply missed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KELOLAND News will have more coverage from this case on air and online. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) A 46-year-old man is behind bars for sex crimes that occurred for over 10 years, according to a news release from Attorney General Marty Jackley. State voting system facing issues Friday Donnie Edwards, 46, was sentenced Friday. He had been found guilty in August by a Stanley County Circuit Court Jury of four counts of First Degree Rape, one count of Fourth Degree Rape, two counts of Aggravated Incest, one count of Incest, and one count of Sexual Contact with a Child Under the Age of Sixteen. The charges occurred between 2007 and 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These were horrendous crimes committed against vulnerable children, and these crimes will always be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, Jackley said in a news release. Thank you to law enforcement and prosecutors for their difficult work, and the strength of the victims to seek justice. Edwards faces 60 years in prison. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Sara Bowen, Boeings vice president for the DEI department, announced her resignation from the company on LinkedIn after the department was shuttered Thursday. (Photo: William Derrickson/AirlineGeeks) This story originally appeared on AirlineGeeks.com Boeing dismantled its global diversity, equity and inclusion department on Thursday, according to a report by Bloomberg citing sources familiar with the matter. The report stated that staff from Boeings DEI office will be combined with another human resources team focused on talent and employee experience. Sara Bowen, Boeings vice president leading the DEI department, also announced her resignation from the company on LinkedIn Thursday. Today I turn in my blue badge, Bowen said in her LinkedIn post. It has been the privilege of my lifetime to lead Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Boeing company these past 5+ years. Our team strived every day to support the evolving brilliance and creativity of our workforce. The team achieved so much sometimes imperfectly, never easily and dreamed of doing much more still. All of it has been worth it. The DEI department is the latest staffing cuts within the company as 17,000 jobs are reportedly on the chopping block for layoffs by early next year. AirlineGeeks has reached out to Boeing for comment. New contract vote The move comes as striking members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) are scheduled to vote on a new contract offer Monday. Over 33,000 IAM members have been on strike at Boeing locations in Washington, Oregon and California since Sept. 13. According to a news release from IAM, the new contract proposal would deliver a 38% wage increase over four years and a $12,000 ratification bonus. It would also reinstate Boeings Aerospace Machinists Performance Program (AMPP) incentive plan with a guaranteed minimum annual payout of 4% for both 2024 and February 2025. Additionally, the contract includes a 401(k) employer match of 100% up to 8%, a special company retirement contribution of 4% into 401(k) and a $105 pension multiplier per year for those vested in the pension plan. The union rejected a previous contract from Boeing after putting it to a vote last week, though sentiment may now be growing toward accepting the newest offer. IAM District 751 posted an endorsement of the newest offer on X/Twitter, calling for members to approve the new contract. Your Union is endorsing and recommending the latest IAM/Boeing Contract Proposal, IAM District 751 posted. It is time for our Members to lock in these gains and confidently declare victory. We believe asking members to stay on strike longer wouldnt be right as we have achieved so much success. IAM District 751 President Jon Holden and IAM District W24 President Brandon Bryant issued the following joint statement in a news release from the union: ELBERT COUNTY, GA (WSPA) Five people are now facing charges in connection with a deadly shooting at a high school after-party in Elbert County. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said five people from Anderson County have been charged with murder and gang act violations, including one person who was arrested in mid-October. 20-year-old Destanne Mathis and 18-year-old Aanidras Parks were arrested on October 28, while 19-year-old Jerimiyah Hughes and 18-year-old Desmond Latimer were arrested on October 30. 18-year-old Jarquavious Scott was arrested on October 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All five are charged with murder and violation of the Georgia street gang terrorism and prevention act. Scott and Parks each face four counts of aggravated assault and one aggravated battery charge while Hughes was charged with three counts of aggravated assault and aggravated battery. The shooting happened Saturday, October 12 at a homecoming dance after-party on Evergreen Drive near Elberton just before midnight. 15-year-old Bryshun Treviyus OBrian Jordan, a student at Hart Academy in Hart County, was killed in the shooting. Four other people were shot while three others had injuries related to the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All five suspects have been booked into the Elbert County jail. The GBI said the shooting investigation remains active and ongoing and anyone with information should contact the Elbert County Sheriffs Office at 706-283-2421 or the GBI regional investigative office in Athens at 706-552-2309. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) Thousands of people are reported lost or missing in national parks every year and there are a few missing persons cases of people who disappeared in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that remain unsolved years later. National Park Service spokesperson Cynthia Hernandez spoke with 6 News on Thursday to explain more about missing or lost persons cases in national parks. She explained that through July 22 of this year, more than 2,200 people had been at the center of search and rescue incidents in national parks in 2024. Superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park leaving to head up Yosemite Conservancy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That number, which includes data from the more than 400 national parks nationwide, she said includes cases where a child is temporarily separated from their parents and is reunited with them at a visitor center as well as more complex, multi-day searches. She explained that the vast majority of the people who are considered lost in national parks are quickly reunited with their families by rangers. The National Park Service has a list of the 25 cold cases on its website, and only four are missing persons cases from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While four of 25 may feel like a high percentage, the park with the most missing persons cases on the list is Yosemite National Park, which has 10 entries on the list. Hernandez said that as long a case is open, there is still an operation in progress to find them even though it may look different than a search for someone who might go missing today. Learn more about the cases involving people who disappeared inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park below. Dennis Lloyd Martin Martins case is one of the oldest missing persons cases in East Tennessee. On June 14, 1969, the six-year-old Martin disappeared while playing hide-and-seek in Spence Field near the Appalachian Trail. According to his profile on the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, Martin disappeared behind a bush and was never seen again. When he went missing, Martin was wearing a red T-shirt, green shorts, white socks, and oxford shoes. He had dark brown, wavy hair and brown eyes. NamUs also attached an age progression to his profile from 2014 showing what he might have looked like at age 51. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Case of men found dead at Meads Quarry remains unsolved after 55 years If he was found today, Martin would be 62 years old. Teresa Trenny Gibson While on a trip with her high school on October 8, 1976, 16-year-old Gibson disappeared. NPS reports state that she was last seen hiking with her group back from Andrews Bald Trail to parking area of Kuwohi, formerly known as Clingmans Dome. The records explain that Gibson was last seen by a few others in the group around 2:50 p.m. as they were about half-a-mile away from the parking area. One person in the group told crews that they thought she may have tried to go cross-country to [the] Dome parking area. A photo of Teresa Trenny Gibson included in National Park Service records detailing the search for her. (GSMNP) Teresa Trenny Gibson (NamUs) An age progressed photo of Teresa Trenny Gibson (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) Searches for Gibson initially continued through October 18, 1976 and continued again the following spring. In the years since, the records state that multiple law enforcement agencies have contacted the National Park Service since 1991 in regards to unidentified remains cases that could potentially match Gibsons description. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When she disappeared, Gibson was about 53 tall, and weighed around 115 pounds with light brown hair. She was wearing a brown plaid jacket, a blue-and-white striped sweater, blue jeans, and blue Adidas shoes. She would be 64 years old if found alive today. Thelma Pauline Polly Melton Pauline Melton. (NamUs) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Florida woman disappeared in Deep Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park more than 40 years ago. She was hiking with two friends on September 25, 1981, when she reportedly walked over a hill and out of view around 4 p.m. A few hours later, her friends reported her missing to a park ranger. Theyll never be forgotten: Veteran shares journey to identify graves in the Great Smoky Mountains According to the Charley Project, which works to create profiles for missing persons whose cases have gone cold, Melton was familiar with the trail and there was no indication that anyone had ventured off the trails path. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of her disappearance, Melton was 58 years old. She was around 511 tall, 180 pounds with brown eyes and red hair. If she was found alive today, she would be 101 years old. Derek J. Lueking At the time he disappeared, Lueking was 23 years old and was last seen leaving a Cherokee, N.C. hotel on March 3, 2012. His car was found parked in the lower lot of Newfound Gap, at the state line. Lueking was reported missing two weeks after he was last seen. He is described as 511 tall and weighing 220 pounds, with green eyes, brown hair and a short beard. If he was found today, he would be 37 years old. Human remains found by TDOT mowers in Loudon County still unidentified after nearly 5 years Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is also at least one additional person who is believed to have disappeared into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park who still has not been found that is not included in the NPS list: William Bradford Bishop Jr. Bishop disappeared in March of 1976, and he was added to the FBIs Most Wanted list in 2014. According to the FBI, just one day before he was last seen at a sporting goods store in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Bishop allegedly bludgeoned his wife, mother, and three sons to death in Bethesda, Maryland. Bishops car was found more than two weeks later in the Elkmont Area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, according to NamUs. The FBI said was charged with murder by the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office in Rockville, Maryland, and federally with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. In 2014, the FBI believed Bishop might have assumed a new identity and was hiding in plain sight. In 1976, Bishop was 61, 180 pounds, with brown hair. Notably, the FBI says he had a six-inch vertical surgical scar on his lower back. See the slideshow below for photos of Bishop and age progressions of what he may have looked like more recently. William Bradford Bishop, Jr. (NamUs) William Bradford Bishop (FBI) A photo of William Bradford Bishop from around 1970-1975. (FBI) A photo of William Bradford Bishop from around 1970-1975. (FBI) An image of what William Bradford Bishop May have looked like at age 77. (FBI) An image of what William Bradford Bishop May have looked like at age 77. (FBI) If Bishop was found today, he would be 88 years old. The FBI says anyone with information about Bishop and where he might be should contact the nearest FBI office or American Embassy or Consulate What to do if someone is lost in a national park If you know someone who may be lost or could need help in a national park, Hernandez said to reach out to the park and report it immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you suspect that someone could be needing help, a member of your party or someone you passed, or you know your friends who are on the trail didnt check in with you that they got back on time, dont hesitate to ask. Call the rangers. Go to the visitor center. Call 911, she said. Dont wait to ask for that help because parks have trained staff to look for folks who go missing and it is better that they find that the person quickly and they were already on their return journey home and like oh, you didnt have to call anyone, than you know the alternative that you didnt inform authorities and the person definitely needs help two weeks down the line. National park tourism contributed over $2 billion to Tennessees economy in 2023 She also shared that one of the reasons they see people become lost in national parks is because people are not prepared for what they are trying to do inside the park. While staff at each national park work to ensure that people who are lost inside the park are found quickly, there are practical steps you can take to ensure your own safety before travelling to a national park. Hernandez said it is important to plan your trip before you leave home, take enough water and snacks that will help you stay hydrated, wear proper clothing for the environment you are visiting, and plan ahead by downloading or printing out a current map of where you plan to go and making sure you know how to do it. In some cases, people can lose their way more easily if they are not on established trails that have many signs. Hikers may also chose to go on a route, which requires more wayfinding and knowing reading a map than trails, and in those cases, its important to know where you are going and to have a compass that you know how to use. She added that before hitting the trail, its also important to consider if you are up for the task at hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some other steps that can help searchers find you if you do get lost is to stay on the path, update people who know where you are going if your plans change, and take along a mirror and whistle, which might help get the attention of searchers. Hernandez added that its also important to consider what the terrain you are travelling in will look like and considering wearing something that would stand out, such as a layer of bright clothing. Its also important to note that weather and terrain may make searches for people who are missing more complex. Hernandez also shared an important reminder for people to think about when they hit the trails: I would just ask readers to be careful, take care of themselves, make good decisions while youre out on your activity, and dont be afraid to speak up and say that you need to turn around because turning around and getting back to civilization sooner than you expected is better than the alternative. If youre considering heading to a national park, visit the NPS trip planning guide and find out more about current conditions, entrance fees, permits, road closures and more on the NPS website. Authorities say nearly 400 people go missing in Tennessee each year. Thats five people for every 100,000. Check this list of people missing from East Tennessee to see if you can help locate someone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. TOPEKA (KSNT) Engineers are monitoring numerous lakes in northeast Kansas this month as drought conditions continue to sap their water levels. 27 News reached out to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Kansas City District to learn more about the reservoirs it monitors in the Sunflower State. Recent dry weather, low rainfall and drought conditions have impacted each of these lakes by causing their water levels to drop recently. The Kansas City District operates nine reservoirs in Kansas, said Christine Paul, public affairs specialist with the USACE. These all eventually flow into the Missouri River. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USACE monitors each lake by comparing its desired pool elevation to where it is measuring at currently. The reservoirs listed below feed into the Smoky Hill, Kansas or Marias Des Cygnes river basins with the statistics being accurate as of Oct. 30. How to become a bounty hunter in Kansas All of the reservoirs being monitored by the Kansas City District of the USACE are below the desired water level with Clinton lake being the sole exception. Tuttle Creek has dropped the most out of all the reservoirs at more than five feet. Kanopolis Desired level 1463 ft. Current elevation 1461.88 ft. Wilson Desired level 1516 ft. Current elevation 1511.29 ft. Milford Desired level 1144.4 ft. Current elevation 1143.13 ft. Tuttle Creek Desired level 1075 ft. Current elevation 1069.53 ft. Perry Desired level 891.5 ft. Current elevation 890.43 ft. Clinton Desired level 875.5 ft. Current elevation 875.73 ft. Melvern Desired level 1036 ft. Current elevation 1034.88 ft. Pomona Desired level 974 ft. Current elevation 973.01 ft. Hillsdale Desired level 917 ft. Current elevation 914.78 ft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul said the USACE tries to keep each reservoir full but, during dry periods, water will be released. This is to help with water supply and quality in the river basins. Kansas net farm income projected to drop by $1.24 billion in 2024 The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) shows that much of Kansas, more than 75%, is currently experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions. This prompted the USACE to take action in late October by reducing the amount of water it draws from its northeast Kansas lakes as part of its water management plan. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. For 906 days, Young Thug was beholden to the Fulton County court and prison system. On Halloween (Oct. 31), the rapper, born Jeffery Williams, was finally released. Trending Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thugs freedom isnt without certain conditions, though. Firstly, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis team of prosecutors, which includes Chief Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love, failed to get Williams to agree to their terms. Since negotiations broke down, Williams entered whats called a blind plea or non-negotiated plea of guilty, which meant allowing the terms and conditions of the plea deal up for Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker to decide. After the prosecutors and Thugs legal team, Brian Steel and Keith Adams, presented their sides of the case and desired terms, Judge Whitaker made her decision. She decided to allow for Young Thugs immediate release, giving him 15 years of probation along with a lengthy list of very specific special conditions. Below is a breakdown of Young Thugs special conditions of probation as outlined by Superior Court Judge Whitaker. 1. Young Thug pled guilty to 6 out of 8 charges The 88-page YSL RICO indictment had Thug pinned for eight charges, among them included the RICO charge and another for being a leader of a gang. He pled nolo contendere, or no contest, to both of those charges, which is essentially him not accepting or denying responsibility of the charges. He pled guilty to being associated with criminal street gang activity, violating Georgias Controlled Substance Act three times and two firearm charges. His lawyer, Steel, made it clear following the trial that he wished for Thug to receive a not guilty verdict by jury but supports Thugs decision to accept the plea deal since that would have required him to stay locked up longer. 2. Young Thug must do 15 years of probation Young Thug was officially sentenced to 40 years with 5 years in prison, which was commuted to time served. Now, he must do 15 years of probation with 20 years backloaded in case he has a misstep on his special conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fifteen years of probation may seem excessive to many, but it appears to be the norm for the state of Georgia. Under the states Early Termination of Probation Law, however, if Thug were to fulfill his probation obligations successfully, he would be eligible to request a motion to end it early after three years. The early termination of his probation will also restore his right to vote. If for some reason the judge were to decline the motion, the sentence will be commuted to time served after 15 years. 3. Young Thug must stay away from the metro Atlanta area for 10 years Although Young Thug is an Atlanta native, the courts have ordered him to stay away from the metro Atlanta area, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, for 10 years. Atlanta proper is already big, and the surrounding metro area is even bigger as its the sixth largest metropolitan area in the United States, according to the U.S. Office of Budget and Management. This means he would need to not only stay out of Fulton County but also DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett and Clayton County, among others. There is some flexibility to these terms depending on the situation, however. He is allowed to return to the city if an immediate family member is having a wedding or graduating from school. Another exception includes more dire situations such as a medical emergency. Hell just have 48 hours to leave the city following the event. 4. Young Thug must do live anti-gang, anti-gun violence presentations for kids and 100 hours of community service Each year of his probation, Young Thug is required to return to metro Atlanta four times a year to do a live show or presentation for kids in the city and 100 hours of community service. Steel had already offered to do something similar, so this was in line with that. Young Thug giving back to his city isnt new to him. As he mentioned to the judge, he was already fond of raising money for causes he cares about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These events can also be counted as part of his community service hours. Hell just have 48 hours to leave the city afterwards. 5. Young Thug cannot associate with any YSL RICO co-defendants outside of his brother, Unfoonk, and labelmate Gunna As Steel was presenting to Judge Whitaker the stipulations of his release that he was hoping for, one thing that was requested was that hed be allowed to associate with his brother, Quantavious Grier, also known as Unfoonk, as well as be allowed to record music with Sergio Kitchens, professionally known as Gunna, who took an Alford Plea in 2022. Judge Whitaker granted this request for as long as he and Gunna are contractually obligated to each other with the agreement that he doesnt associate with the other 26 co-defendants listed in the indictment. 6. Young Thug cannot promote the gang lifestyle in any way As Young Thug shares newly recorded music with the world, fans will notice that all gang activity-bearing lyrics will be axed and missing from his social media presence. The stipulation specifically states that he cannot use any language, hand signs or terminology that represents criminal street gang nor can he participate in any kind of gang activity. Furthermore, Young Thug cant contact any of the victims, nor their families, who are listed on the indictment without legal counsel. 7. Young Thug waived his Second and Fourth Amendment rights Under these special conditions, Thug has also given up his Second Amendment right to have a firearm on his person. He is allowed to be around licensed individuals, such as security and law enforcement, however. Its the norm for a superstar of his status to have licensed security around them for protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also gave up his Fourth Amendment right, which protects citizens from unreasonable searches by the government. For the duration of his probation, he is subject to searches at any moment at the governments discretion. This includes the search of his cars, homes, computers and phones for drugs, guns and anything else to be considered gang related. 8. Young Thug is free to travel around the world and may serve his probation wherever hed like Although Steel offered house arrest for three years as part of their stipulations, Judge Whitaker passed and is allowing Thug to travel around the world freely. He can also serve his probation wherever he likes. He has homes in Los Angeles as well as a studio, so it wouldnt be surprising if Thug served out his probation there. Hell just have to be careful not to not break any laws in Georgia or any other state in the United States, as part of his special conditions. You Might Also Like Police are investigating a mass shooting that happened during Halloween celebrations in downtown Orlando. According to our sister station WFTV, Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith confirmed Friday morning that eight people were shot at around 1:07 a.m. Two victims died, and six others were taken to a hospital for treatment. Police said a 17-year-old, identified as Jaylen Edgar, was taken into custody after the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Halloween is one of our busiest nights of the year, Chief Smith said to WFTV. Smith said around 100 officers were working in the area. Police said the gunman ran off after the shooting, and another shooting happened nearby, WFTV reports. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Local Halloween parade receives backlash over float depicting Trump leading Harris in chains 3 people taken to hospital after being bitten by dogs during trick-or-treat hours in Tarentum Retiring Pittsburgh police chief denies misleading council VIDEO: 2024 was Pittsburghas hottest Halloween on record, reaching 80 degrees DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating after an 88-year-old woman died after crashing into a tree in Northwest D.C. On Oct. 24 at about 1 a.m., officers responded to a report of a vehicle crash. Man shot, killed in Northeast DC Police report that a woman was driving north on the 1800 block of Foxhall Rd. when she hit the curb, lost control of her vehicle and hit a tree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman was transported to the hospital. She died on Oct. 30 of her injuries. The woman was identified as 88-year-old Francoise Parmentier of Northwest D.C. Anyone with information should call the police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Departments TEXT TIP LINE at 50411. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. With only a few days remaining before Election Day, George Stuart headed out to knock on doors as part of a final push to put Floridas abortion rights ballot initiative over the top. Polls show the measure heading for a nail-biting finish. He didnt want to watch from the sidelines. Women deserve to have control over their own bodies, said Stuart, 37, preparing to talk to prospective voters in a downtown Orlando neighborhood. My wife is seven months pregnant. Seeing all the stories, its terrifying, he said of reports that Floridas strict, six-week abortion ban limited care for women facing pregnancy complications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jakub Avila Kowalkowski, 21, has been canvassing in Orlando, too, urging voters to say no to the amendment, convinced the state has a moral obligation to protect the unborn. This is a human issue and this is a human right we are discussing, the right to life, said the University of South Florida student. After months of petition gathering and emotional debate, decision day is coming Tuesday for abortion in Florida, and the people will get their say. Tens of millions of dollars have been spent trying to persuade them. Gov. Ron DeSantis has thrown his political muscle into the fight, spearheading an all-out onslaught against the abortion amendment. But the outcome could all come down to this concluding effort, where every door knock and every phone call could make the difference, said Cheyenne Drews, a spokeswoman for Progress Florida, a group supporting Amendment 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That last bit that we need to win is going to be because of one-on-one conversations, because this issue is so personal, said Drews, who helped to organize canvassing events in Orlando. Its the culmination of a year-and-a-half of work. Volunteers across Florida have spent their weekends and evenings gathering petitions and channeling energy into overturning the states six-week abortion ban implemented in the wake of Roe v. Wades reversal by the U.S. Supreme Court, Drews said. They feel the urgency of this moment, she said. As Floridians, were used to having to vote against things, and this notion of being able to vote for something, people want to be a part of it. Of the 10 states voting on abortion rights this year, Florida differs in that Amendment 4 needs 60% of the vote to pass. In other states, the measures can pass with a simple majority. Similar measures have succeeded in other states but failed to reach that supermajority status that Florida requires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initiatives in Ohio and Michigan passed with just under 57% of the vote. A recent Florida Atlantic University poll showed Amendment 4 on the edge of passing with 58% in support, 32% opposed and 11% saying they dont know. Amendment 4 would protect abortion access until viability, usually considered about 24 weeks of pregnancy, or when deemed medically necessary by a patients health care provider. Nearly 1 million Florida voters signed a petition to put the measure on the ballot. Floridians Protecting Freedom, the group sponsoring Amendment 4, raised more than $110 million for the petition drive and subsequent advertising efforts. Contributions have spanned from as little as a dollar into the millions. Marsha Laufer, a Palm Beach County philanthropist and political activist, donated more than $9.5 million to the campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents have had far less cash at their disposal. Various political committees raised a combined $11.8 million to defeat Amendment 4. But they have the states Republican Party and many religious leaders behind them. They argued voters should reject the ballot initiative because it failed to define key terms like viability and healthcare provider, obscuring the amendments scope. DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban last year, which the amendment would undo. In the weeks leading up to Election Day, he barnstormed the state to hold anti-abortion events resembling campaign rallies. His administration also waged an unprecedented state-funded campaign targeting Amendment 4 with agencies producing what they called educational videos but critics slammed as thinly veiled political advertisements paid for by Florida taxpayers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kowalkowski, the USF student, said he doesnt think the abortion amendment has the support it needs based on the reaction hes gotten from voters. He spent Wednesday canvassing in the Holden Lakes neighborhood south of downtown Orlando. Several people told him they either voted against Amendment 4 or planned to vote against it. I have not really faced any animosity, said Kowalkowski, who estimated he knocked on more than 200 doors in the Tampa Bay and Orlando area. People are very open to either taking what you have to give or having some conversations. The Catholic Church and other religious groups have urged worshippers to reject Amendment 4, distributing prayer cards and posting videos opposing the measure. It is our duty to protect the most vulnerable and support expectant parents, Stephen Rummage, the leader of the Florida Baptist State Convention, said in a video urging Baptists to vote against Amendment 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although considered one of the strictest abortion bans in the country, Floridas law includes exceptions to protect a pregnant womans health. It also grants exceptions for rape and incest up to 15 weeks of pregnancy. Critics, though, say these exceptions are problematic because of the hurdles women must jump. Rape victims must show proof, such as a police report. Medical exceptions require two doctors to sign off. Physicians supporting Amendment 4 have said they are often afraid to care for women with pregnancy complications, and sometimes, they must wait for guidance from hospital lawyers. State officials have dismissed those concerns, issuing a provider alert reiterating that Florida law allows for abortions in medical emergencies and warning that failing to provide that life-saving treatment could constitute medical malpractice. Former President Donald Trump said he would vote against Amendment 4 but also expressed concerns that the six-week ban is too strict. As a potential contingency plan if it passes, anti-abortion advocates have filed a lawsuit accusing petition gatherers of fraud and seeking to get the results tossed. Amendment 4 supporters deny those accusations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stuarts sister, Ann Elisabeth Stuart Samson, who grew up in Orlando and now lives in Toronto, Canada, joined him for one of the final canvassing events supporting Amendment 4. She traveled back specifically to volunteer ahead of Election Day. Its devastating, she said. I have a daughter and I would not encourage her to move to Florida for university or anything else. ORLANDO, Fla. With only a few days remaining before Election Day, George Stuart headed out to knock on doors as part of a final push to put Floridas abortion rights ballot initiative over the top. Polls show the measure heading for a nail-biting finish. He didnt want to watch from the sidelines. Women deserve to have control over their own bodies, said Stuart, 37, preparing to talk to prospective voters in a downtown Orlando neighborhood. My wife is seven months pregnant. Seeing all the stories, its terrifying, he said of reports that Floridas strict, six-week abortion ban limited care for women facing pregnancy complications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jakub Avila Kowalkowski, 21, has been canvassing in Orlando, too, urging voters to say no to the amendment, convinced the state has a moral obligation to protect the unborn. This is a human issue and this is a human right we are discussing, the right to life, said the University of South Florida student. After months of petition gathering and emotional debate, decision day is coming Tuesday for abortion in Florida, and the people will get their say. Tens of millions of dollars have been spent trying to persuade them. Gov. Ron DeSantis has thrown his political muscle into the fight, spearheading an all-out onslaught against the abortion amendment. But the outcome could all come down to this concluding effort, where every door knock and every phone call could make the difference, said Cheyenne Drews, a spokeswoman for Progress Florida, a group supporting Amendment 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That last bit that we need to win is going to be because of one-on-one conversations, because this issue is so personal, said Drews, who helped to organize canvassing events in Orlando. Its the culmination of a year-and-a-half of work. Volunteers across Florida have spent their weekends and evenings gathering petitions and channeling energy into overturning the states six-week abortion ban implemented in the wake of Roe v. Wades reversal by the U.S. Supreme Court, Drews said. They feel the urgency of this moment, she said. As Floridians, were used to having to vote against things, and this notion of being able to vote for something, people want to be a part of it. Of the 10 states voting on abortion rights this year, Florida differs in that Amendment 4 needs 60% of the vote to pass. In other states, the measures can pass with a simple majority. Similar measures have succeeded in other states but failed to reach that supermajority status that Florida requires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initiatives in Ohio and Michigan passed with just under 57% of the vote. A recent Florida Atlantic University poll showed Amendment 4 on the edge of passing with 58% in support, 32% opposed and 11% saying they dont know. Amendment 4 would protect abortion access until viability, usually considered about 24 weeks of pregnancy, or when deemed medically necessary by a patients health care provider. Nearly 1 million Florida voters signed a petition to put the measure on the ballot. Floridians Protecting Freedom, the group sponsoring Amendment 4, raised more than $110 million for the petition drive and subsequent advertising efforts. Contributions have spanned from as little as a dollar into the millions. Marsha Laufer, a Palm Beach County philanthropist and political activist, donated more than $9.5 million to the campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents have had far less cash at their disposal. Various political committees raised a combined $11.8 million to defeat Amendment 4. But they have the states Republican Party and many religious leaders behind them. They argued voters should reject the ballot initiative because it failed to define key terms like viability and healthcare provider, obscuring the amendments scope. DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban last year, which the amendment would undo. In the weeks leading up to Election Day, he barnstormed the state to hold anti-abortion events resembling campaign rallies. His administration also waged an unprecedented state-funded campaign targeting Amendment 4 with agencies producing what they called educational videos but critics slammed as thinly veiled political advertisements paid for by Florida taxpayers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kowalkowski, the USF student, said he doesnt think the abortion amendment has the support it needs based on the reaction hes gotten from voters. He spent Wednesday canvassing in the Holden Lakes neighborhood south of downtown Orlando. Several people told him they either voted against Amendment 4 or planned to vote against it. I have not really faced any animosity, said Kowalkowski, who estimated he knocked on more than 200 doors in the Tampa Bay and Orlando area. People are very open to either taking what you have to give or having some conversations. The Catholic Church and other religious groups have urged worshipers to reject Amendment 4, distributing prayer cards and posting videos opposing the measure. It is our duty to protect the most vulnerable and support expectant parents, Stephen Rummage, the leader of the Florida Baptist State Convention, said in a video urging Baptists to vote against Amendment 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although considered one of the strictest abortion bans in the country, Floridas law includes exceptions to protect a pregnant womans health. It also grants exceptions for rape and incest up to 15 weeks of pregnancy. Critics, though, say these exceptions are problematic because of the hurdles women must jump. Rape victims must show proof, such as a police report. Medical exceptions require two doctors to sign off. Physicians supporting Amendment 4 have said they are often afraid to care for women with pregnancy complications, and sometimes, they must wait for guidance from hospital lawyers. State officials have dismissed those concerns, issuing a provider alert reiterating that Florida law allows for abortions in medical emergencies and warning that failing to provide that life-saving treatment could constitute medical malpractice. Former President Donald Trump said he would vote against Amendment 4 but also expressed concerns that the six-week ban is too strict. As a potential contingency plan if it passes, anti-abortion advocates have filed a lawsuit accusing petition gatherers of fraud and seeking to get the results tossed. Amendment 4 supporters deny those accusations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stuarts sister, Ann Elisabeth Stuart Samson, who grew up in Orlando and now lives in Toronto, Canada, joined him for one of the final canvassing events supporting Amendment 4. She traveled back specifically to volunteer ahead of Election Day. Its devastating, she said. I have a daughter and I would not encourage her to move to Florida for university or anything else. _____ The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences laid off 16 staffers as part of a restructuring of its archive and library, TheWrap has learned. The cuts represent an estimated 2% of total AMPAS staff. In an internal email to staff obtained by the Los Angeles Times, Academy CEO Bill Kramer said the cutbacks were part of a broader strategic initiative. We are working hard to bring teams together that share roles and responsibilities and with this we have some colleagues who have left the organization while others have moved into new roles, Kramer wrote. While these moments can be challenging, they are designed to align our operations by combining functions with shared purposes and priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Academy is part of two worlds that are rapidly evolving the film industry and the non-profit arts community, Kramer concluded. We are working hard to stay focused on our mission while addressing this pivotal moment. And while we know how difficult these moments can be, we are confident in our steps to shape a sustainable organization that is well-suited to meet our goals now and in the future. News of the layoffs became public Thursday morning after former archivist Brianna Toth posted about it on X, describing the situation as a death knell for the 3rd largest film archive in North America. Yesterday 7 of the 30+ employees were laid off at the Academy Film Archive without notice. This included the Director & Head of Preservation who was one of the best managers I ever had. This feels like a death knell for the 3rd largest film archive in North America. (1/3) Brianna Toth (@brianna_toth_) October 31, 2024 Academy representatives had no comment, but an individual with knowledge of the matter disputed that characterization, and noted that Toth hasnt worked for the Academy in several years. This month the organization announced major acquisitions to its collection, including drawings by Spirited Away director Hayao Miyazaki; Quentin Tarantinos original handwritten script draft for Pulp Fiction; objects from Guillermo del Toros Pinocchio; and costumes worn by Jamie Lee Curtis, Kurt Russell, Meryl Streep and Joanne Woodward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Note: A previous version of this article mistakenly referenced the Academy Museum. TheWrap regrets the error. The post Motion Picture Academy Cuts 16 Staffers in Restructure of Archive and Library appeared first on TheWrap. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) On Friday, local families celebrated National Adoption Day by making their forever families official in court. Some adoptions can take years, making this date a significant milestone for those celebrating. In Montgomery County, there are an estimated 700 to 800 kids in the foster care system ranging from newborns to teenagers. Of those kids, at least 100 need a forever home. DeWine orders flags lowered after 2 Ohio mayors die Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Adoption Day raises awareness and educates people on how they can become involved in the adoption and foster care process. Court officials say, their primary goal is to reunite kids with their biological families, but when that is not possible, those kids become eligible to be adopted. So there is always a pressing need to find a safe home to place children, whether it be permanent or whether it be temporary, said Judge David Brannon, Montgomery County Probate Court. 2 NEWS spoke with two mothers who completed adoptions today. I dont want them to have to wonder what home theyre going to next, whether theyre going to be abused by that foster home, whether theyre going to have enough food. They have to look no more. I am their last stop until they reach adulthood, said Dameron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Significant delays: Fire closes busy bridge over Ohio River Deborah Wilson says it has been a long journey to adopt her daughter. She says she is grateful to celebrate with other families who have gone through the adoption process. So this is a new beginning for us. So and Im loving it. I mean, Ive been waiting for this day and its exciting to see that, you know, a lot of other kids are going through the same thing as we went through, said Wilson. Montgomery County Children Services has profiles of kids who are looking for a home right now on their website MCOHIO.org. There you will find more resources on how to start the adoption process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. AGUA CLARA, Brazil (AP) A historic agreement that's helped curb deforestation in Brazils Amazon for nearly two decades suffered a major blow after Mato Grosso, the countrys largest soybean-producing state, passed a law ending incentives for participating processing and trade companies. The law passed last week was designed to void the Soy Moratorium a 2006 deal in reaction to a Greenpeace investigation that linked soy produced in illegally deforested areas to U.S. commodities giants Cargill, Bunge and ADM. Under pressure, the companies agreed at the time not to buy soy produced in areas cleared after 2006. The date was later revised to July 2008. Several studies in recent years have shown the moratorium contributed to the Amazons preservation. A 2020 study in the journal Nature Food found that the agreement, in combination with public policies, contributed to the steepest reduction of deforestation recorded in Brazils Amazon, between 2003 and 2016. Backed by soybean producers and most of Mato Grossos lawmakers and mayors, the new legislation cuts tax benefits to companies that participate in any agreement that imposes restrictions on expanding agricultural activities into areas that can be legally deforested. Governor Mauro Mendes signed the law Oct. 24. It goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2025, but regulations are pending. It states that only the illegally deforested area of a farm will be prevented from selling soy. In other words, if a 4,000-acre (1,618-hectare) property clears 200 acres (81 hectares) unlawfully, just the output from that specific area is blocked. Specialists warn that such refined monitoring is technically challenging, if not unfeasible. Under the moratorium, property with any post-2008 deforestation is forbidden altogether to sell its crops, regardless of whether the deforestation is legal. Supporters of the new state law have long claimed the moratoriums 2008 limit is stricter than Brazilian legislation that allows the deforestation of up to 20% of a large rural property in the Amazon. We will not rest as long as the moratorium harms even one producer," the Mato Grosso soy producers president Lucas Costa Beber said in a celebratory statement. "And until this agreement is extinct, the trading companies will not have a peaceful sleep." Environmental nonprofits and the entity representing leading soybean trade and processing companies have criticized Mato Grossos initiative. The law is a setback, said Bernardo Pires, sustainability director of the Brazilian Association of Vegetable Oil Industries (Abiove), which supports the moratorium. Companies committed to sustainability should receive twice as many benefits instead of losing them. Gary Arnold (left), former head of Little Rock Christian Academy, accepts the appointment from Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (right) to the State Board of Education on Friday, November 1, 2024. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate) This article was updated on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 at 4:40 p.m. with comments from the governors spokesperson. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed former Little Rock Christian Academy administrator Gary Arnold to the State Board of Education on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I love most about Gary is his passion for education, his belief that every student can learn and his relentless commitment and pursuit of his faith, Sanders said in a press conference announcing the appointment. Arnold is an advocate for school choice and was a member of the rules and regulations task force the state used to implement the wide-ranging LEARNS Act of 2023, Sanders said. Through Garys careful stewardship, the first school year with Arkansas LEARNS was a huge success, and the second year is shaping up to be even better, Sanders said. LEARNS created the Education Freedom Account program, a taxpayer-funded school voucher system that will be available to all Arkansas students in the 2025-26 school year; 14,297 students are participating in the program this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders said Arnold will represent the interests of EFA participants during his term on the board, which will expire in 2027. He succeeds Steve Sutton, who stepped down from the board last year in the middle of his seven-year term. The Governor wanted to find the right, experienced addition to the Board of Education who could help put every student on the pathway to success, and thats exactly what Gary will do, Sanders communications director, Sam Dubke, said when asked why the governor took nearly 11 months to appoint Suttons successor. Arnold is Sanders third appointee to the nine-member education board, after Ken Bragg and Leigh Keener last year. Former Republican state lawmaker Bragg co-authored the LEARNS Act, and Keener participated in a LEARNS work group focused on early childhood education, which is her area of expertise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The LEARNS Act also raised the states minimum annual teacher salary to $50,000 and required literacy screenings for K-12 students. Arnold praised these and other aspects of the LEARNS Act and said he was honored to accept the appointment and the responsibility of joining this team. He likened working in education to author Mark Twains experience as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River in his memoir Life on the Mississippi, which Arnold said he recently reread. From left: Arkansas State Board of Education member Gary Arnold, Teacher of the Year Beau McCastlain, board member Ken Bragg and Education Secretary Jacob Oliva chat in the governors conference room at the Arkansas State Capitol on Friday, November 1, 2024 after Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Arnolds appointment to the board. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate) The most important function and job of the boat pilot is to learn the river, Old Man River, because it changes every day, Arnold said. One day the currents will be this way, one day there will be a tree or shoal that wasnt there before Life in the schools changes every day. We just have to learn the river and have that growth mindset. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders said both Arnold and Education Secretary Jacob Oliva think deeply and critically about how we can fix the areas of our school system that are broken. Arnold was head of school at Little Rock Christian Academy from 2007 to 2023. He is now the Director of Head of School Certification at The Council on Educational Standards and Accountability and the founder of the consulting company NextEd. Both organizations serve Christian schools. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Election worker Paula Boswell operates the Agilis ballot sorting machine on Election Day at the Adams County Government Center in Brighton, Nov. 7, 2023. (Kevin Mohatt for Colorado Newsline) Colorado officials said Friday that state employees had completed the process of updating passwords on elections equipment across the state that had been affected by the improper disclosure of certain system passwords. Employees were deployed to affected counties across the state to coordinate with local elections officials, update the passwords and review access logs to ensure that no systems were compromised. The effort concluded successfully Thursday evening, the office of Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said in a press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We appreciate the swift work to update these passwords and provide voters confidence in Colorados elections system, Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, said in a statement. While the leaked passwords compromised just one of many layers of security that protect our election integrity in Colorado, we knew it was critical to take swift action and to work with Secretary Griswold and the county clerks to update the passwords immediately. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Griswold disclosed on Tuesday that a document posted to her offices website included a hidden but accessible worksheet containing Basic Input Output System or BIOS passwords. The passwords reportedly were for more than 700 election system components in every Colorado county except Las Animas. The leak reportedly was brought to her offices attention by an affidavit sworn by an unnamed person and shared in a mass email this week by the Colorado Republican Party. By Thursday, eight staff members from the Colorado Department of State and an additional 22 state cybersecurity employees had been dispatched to affected counties to complete the process of changing the passwords. The employees worked in pairs under the supervision of local elections officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This password disclosure never posed an immediate security threat to Colorados elections, nor will it impact how ballots are counted, the secretary of states office said. Changes to passwords were made out of an abundance of caution. In the days following the leaks disclosure, county clerks from both parties as well as independent election security experts have echoed that assessment. Duncan Buell, a computer scientist who researches election systems and serves as the chair emeritus of the Computer Science and Engineering department at the University of South Carolina, told Newsline Wednesday that while the leak is concerning, he believes there are sufficient safeguards in place that this is not a disaster. The Colorado County Clerks Association said Thursday that anyone in possession of the BIOS passwords who wished to tamper with elections systems would still require physical access to the voting equipment, something strictly controlled by each county clerk and monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by video surveillance. I want to thank Gov. Polis for deploying extra state resources to help in this effort, Griswold, a Democrat, said in a statement. Colorado has many layers of security to ensure our elections are free and fair, and every eligible voter should know their voice will be heard. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Four North Carolina cities and towns voted on housing bond proposals in the 2024 general election. (Photo: Clayton Henkel) Voters in at least four North Carolina cities and towns will be asked to approve affordable housing bonds totaling $165 million in this years general election. In Charlotte, voters have been asked to approve a $100 million housing bond the majority of which$35 millionwill go toward producing rental housing. The bond ask doubles the $50 million housing bond Charlotte voters approved in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second largest share of the Queen City bond would go toward helping to improve homeowner opportunities. Vice President Kamala Harris has made affordable housing a key part of her campaign for president. Harris has pledged to create $25,000 downpayment assistance program for first-time homebuyers. First-time homebuyers who have paid rent on time for two years would be eligible for the downpayment assistance. If approved, Charlottes housing bond would also provide $14 million for rental housing preservation and anti-displacement; $9 million for supportive housing and increasing shelter capacity and $5 million for building rehab and emergency repairs. The Town of Cary is asking voters to approve a $30 million housing bond to support affordable housing initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bond would support programs and initiatives in the Cary Community Plan vision and 2021 Cary Housing Plan. Those goals include new housing opportunities, preservation of existing housing, housing instability support, and nonprofit partnerships. The bond funds would finance housing initiatives that target residents who earn up to 60% and up to 80% of the areas median income. In Asheville, voters are being asked to approve a $20 million housing bond to supplement the citys Housing Trust Fund, which offers low-or no-interest loans to groups that make investments in affordable homes; support homeownership through down payment assistance and purchase land and existing homes for future affordable housing. A portion of bond funds would also support homeownership through home repair programs. The bond issue in Asheville comes as the city and western North Carolina struggle to recover from Hurricane Helene. It is estimated that the historic storm caused nearly $15 billion in damage to the regions housing stock. Meanwhile, a $15 million housing bond in Chapel Hill would support development of affordable housing projects that align with the Towns Affordable Housing Plan and Investment Strategy. Projects funded through this bond order may construct new affordable housing, preserve existing affordable housing, or acquire property to be used for affordable housing. Bond funds would also allow the town to leverage state and federal funding as well as local and regional partnerships. BLUEFIELD, WV (WVNS) Early voting in West Virginia was well underway as we approach Election Day. But one local candidate has been left off of a ballot completely. The clock is ticking as election day gets closer, but many have already hit the polls to cast their vote. However, when looking at the ballot, it came as a shock that Democratic candidate Jeff Disibio, was left off the ballot in Mingo County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disibbio wrote on his Facebook page during the primary election, Mingo County Election Officials reportedly allowed hundreds of illegal votes to be cast. Heres what to do if you lose an absentee ballot before Election Day The two candidates competing for that state Senate District 6 seat are Disibbio and Republican Craig Hart, who is also a Mingo County resident. 59News spoke with West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin about what the next steps will be. Those who had already voted by absentee because a part of that 679 number includes absentee. Theyre going to receive a registered letter and theyre going to get a chance to vote over. Unfortunately, what were hearing from the secretary of states office and from that county clerk down in Mingo County, the voters who voted in person, that those those votes will be in question, said Pushkin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Confusion and concern over Amendment 1 Disibio stated on his Facebook that nearly 700 people had already voted in early and absentee ballots. This is not the first challenge that has come out of Mingo County. Republican senator Chandler Swope challenged the Mingo Countys results, stating that the vote totals were incorrect and that some registered Democrats voted in the Republican primary. 59News will bring you updated info on the ballot issue as it is released. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Attorney Generals Office on Friday, announced its Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program will now operate under the Office of the Attorney General office. According to the AGs office, the program is designed to investigate and resolve complaints involving long-term care facilities. The change comes on the heels of Senate Bill 1709 authorizing the move from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to the Office of the Attorney General. The Older Americans Act requires all states to have a program to address complaints and advocate for improvements in the long-term care system, says Drummond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By integrating this vital program into our office, we will enhance our ability to investigate complaints, advocate for residents rights and ensure the highest standards of care in our nursing homes and assisted living facilities, said Attorney General Gentner Drummond. This move aligns with our mission to safeguard Oklahomans and allows us to bring additional resources and oversight to the critical work of protecting our older citizens. The program helps Oklahomans in the following ways: Resolves complaints made by or for residents of long-term care facilities. Educates consumers and long-term care providers about residents rights and good care practices. Promotes community involvement through volunteer opportunities. Provides information to the public on nursing homes and other long-term care facilities and services, residents rights and legislative and policy issues. Advocates for residents rights and quality care in nursing homes, personal care, residential care and other long-term care facilities. The Oklahoma Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is supported by local volunteers who are committed to improving the lives of older people in institutions. To learn about becoming a volunteer, call 800-211-2116. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To file a complaint against a long-term facility, email ombudsman.intake.line@ltco.ok.gov. For more information on the Oklahoma Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, go to oklahoma.gov/oag/ltco. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) As he did the previous two times, former President Donald Trump will visit metro Grand Rapids on the eve of Election Day. Trump will host a rally at Van Andel Arena downtown Monday night. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and he is scheduled to speak around 10:30 p.m. People who wish to go can register online. In 2016, Trump wrapped up his presidential campaign with a visit to DeVos Place, arriving at 12:30 a.m. on Election Day to a waiting crowd of thousands. In 2020, his last campaign stop was at Gerald R. Ford International Airport, where he spoke starting around midnight to a large crowd of supporters waiting outside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump won Michigan in 2016. President Joe Biden won it in 2020. With voting already underway in key battleground state Michigan, this presidential race remains tight. An EPIC-MRA poll released Friday shows that 48% of Michigan respondents said they intended to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the election and 45% for Trump. Because the margin of error is plus or minus 4%, thats a statistical tie. Harris is scheduled to host a rally at Michigan State University in East Lansing on Sunday evening. State data shows that as of Friday morning, nearly 737,000 people had voted early in person statewide and more than 1.8 million absentee ballots had been returned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Friday afternoon, an aggravated assault case turned into a murder investigation in Sioux Falls. We first told you about 59-year-old John Mitchell last week, at the time he was accused of beating 49-year-old Carie Coyle so badly that she was hospitalized in critical condition. Police now confirm that she has died of her injuries. Investigators were unable to talk to the victim because she was in a coma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nebraska County issues drinking water notice While she was still conscious, the affidavit says she told her children that Mitchell had strangled her and threatened to kill her. Friday an updated complaint was filed in the case. Mitchell is now charged with premeditated first-degree 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 KELOLAND.com. HONOLULU (KHON2) The states currently taking bids for a new parking structure at Honolulu Airport. Officials say its not just another project, but a key piece for future plans there. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news This is the site of the states new parking structure near Honolulu Airport near the intersection at Ualena and Paiea Street. About 5,200 parking stalls for employees and the public, office space, and a shuttle bus station. Estimated cost $350 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its super important, said Rep. Darius Kila, state House transportation committee vice-chair. I think the public knows how dilapidated some of the resources and facilities is at the airport, were decades behind. But this infrastructure improvements are gonna put us decades ahead. When you get to top of this hike, its spooky and eerie: Hawaii hikes State transportation officials tell us the cost includes design, demolition, and construction. They also say theyre terminating the leases of certain businesses along Ualena street to make way for the new parking structure. They say they are already coordinating with those affected businesses. Enhanced security coming to Aloha Stadium Swap Meet Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From above, the proposed site seems like its out of the way from the terminal. But thats because the terminal will eventually get closer. Mid-Pac collaborates with DOE. How your keiki can benefit Officials say the parking structure is the first piece of the states Diamond Head Extension Development program. That long term plan extend Terminal 2 towards Diamond Head, then add more gates, a TSA checkpoint, a new inspection area for international arrivals, and more baggage claim. Dont leave that ballot box blank! Heres why Let Honolulu be that international, world class facility that, be an airport that were proud of because if you think about it, this is probably the first stop for some folks if theyre coming from across international waters, but even nationally too, said Kila. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say some airport improvements are funded 80% with federal money, 20% with state. Just this week, the state got $17 million in federal grants for fire safety upgrades at Honolulu Airport. The state is also working on fire safety upgrades at Kahului, Hilo and Kona airports. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You We should be proud of our airport so with all these upgrades in the pipeline, I think once its said and done, we are on track to making this a world class facility, said Kila. Once started, construction on the new structure is estimated to take 5 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. State Crime Information Director Maury Mitchell presents information to members of the Alabama Justice Information Commission at a meeting on Oct. 31, 2024 meeting. The group, comprised of law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies, opted not to allow the Alabama State Board of Education access to its LETS system. (Ralph Chapoco/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama Justice Information Commission Thursday voted to allow two agencies to have access to portions of its database of criminal reports but did not act on a similar request from the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). The commission, composed of judges, law enforcement agencies and other people involved in the criminal legal system, voted to allow the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission access to the incident reports contained within its database. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also voted, 6-4 with two abstentions, to give some coroners permission to retrieve data from the Law Enforcement Tactical System (LETS), a criminal information database available to agencies such as sheriffs, police departments and district attorneys. The coroners can only access the data if they have approval and complete a training program. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX But members of the commission said they were uncomfortable allowing the Alabama Department of Education to have access to LETS for what representatives of the board said was investigating potential wrongdoing by instructors or other personnel who interact with students. You have to be very careful about the information you are allowing people to have access to, Derrick Cunningham, Montgomery County Sheriff and chair of the commission, said in an interview after the meeting. Just like with law enforcement, I cant run a car tag and give you that information it is against the law for me to do that. When you give everyone access or permission to be able to look at certain things, without any controls, then you have problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission maintains a variety of databases, but the membership was most protective of LETS. The state keeps exact information in LETS confidential. According to the University of Alabama, the system contains information related to vehicles, drivers and violation data while also producing photos for law enforcement to obtain positive identification. State Crime Information Director Maury Mitchell said that the database can list gang affiliation and whether a person is linked to sexual offenses. It allows law enforcement to know who the people who are in front of them when they stop a vehicle, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A coroner testified Thursday that the platform can also retrieve Social Security numbers as well as emergency contact information of specific individuals. Several coroners wanted access to LETS to allow them to identify someone who has passed away without assistance from law enforcement. The commission split on giving coroners access, with judges on the commission supporting it and members of law enforcement and the district attorneys on the commission voting against them. Representatives from the Alabama Department of Education faced intense questioning at the privacy and security subcommittee meeting prior to the full commissions meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont really understand what specifically you are looking for in LETS and how it would apply in determining an employment question regarding a teacher, said Glenn Thompson, a retired circuit court judge from Morgan County and chair of the subcommittee. I cant fit that into an official law enforcement, criminal justice purpose. The representatives from the education department said personnel can be entangled in criminal legal situations where there is no record available through court databases, or that may have occurred in a venue that does not retain records, such as municipal court. The law allows the department to solicit the help of law enforcement to search through the database, but that can be cumbersome. Our process requires us, right now, to reach out to each individual agency, sometimes we get quick responses, sometimes not so quick responses, said James Ward, associate general counsel for the State Board of Education. Our hope is that having greater access would help us get the information we need and reduce the burden on local agencies who oftentimes have to go back and forth with our team or other folks about just the mechanics of getting information to us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Thompson expressed concern that the board would use LETS data to terminate personnel, such as teachers, The administrative action could take place without obtaining complete information available through the court system, which could include exculpatory information. Are you going to take action before he is adjudicated guilty? Thompson said. What if he is adjudicated not guilty? Some on the subcommittee questioned whether the Department of Education meets the definition of law enforcement, to whom access to LETS is reserved. The privacy subcommittee did not vote on the request, allowing representatives to more fully explore the information that staff would need from the database. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, I see way too many opportunities for abuse of it, in taking whats in LETS and using it, and then later finding out it wasnt actually the whole truth, Thompson said. Updated at 11:26 a.m. An earlier version of the article misstated that the agency seeking access to LETS was the Alabama State Board of Education. It was the Alabama Department of Education. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, one of Alaska's largest hospitals, is seen on May 3, 2022. An annual report released by the Alaska Department of Health quantifies patient stays, conditions requiring treatment and billing totals at hospitals around the state. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) Alaskans were charged about $5.78 billion for hospital stays in 2023, according to an annual report published by the state Department of Health. Total charges increased from $5.31 billion in 2022 and $4.94 billion in 2021, according to the report. The figures were released in the Alaska Health Facilities Data Reporting Program 2023 Annual Report issued this week by the department. The report quantifies total hospital discharges, emergency department discharges, outpatient surgeries and other medical procedures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The annual report is based on data provided by 24 hospitals and 17 surgery centers around the state. The report does not include information from the military hospitals at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Fort Wainwright. Based on those hospitals records, there were 60,684 inpatient hospital discharges in 2023, the report said. That number is the total hospital stays rather than individual patients; some patients could have had multiple stays during the year, the report notes. The top reason for being in the hospital in 2023 was being a newborn baby, according to the report. The median charge for the 6,949 babies born in Alaska hospitals last year was $6,621 and the median stay was two days, the report said. The second-most-common reason for hospitalization was septicemia, for which the median charge was $83,071. Septicemia, the term for infection of the bloodstream, generally affected older patients, according to the numbers in the report. The third-most-ommon reason for hospitalization was complications during childbirth, for which the median charge was $22,712 and the median stay was two days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heart failure was the fourth-leading cause of hospitalizations, and alcohol-related disorders ranked fifth, according to the report. Among the reports details is information about the fading impact of COVID-19 since the peak of the pandemic. In 2023, there were 1,467 hospitalizations for COVID-19, compared to 3,100 in 2022, the report said. COVID-19 hospitalizations were costly, the report shows. The average billed charge for patients hospitalized in 2023 with the disease was $123,236, and $187,260 for patients admitted to intensive care units, the report said. For all hospital stays, the most common payer was Medicaid, which covered 31.4% of hospitalizations, followed by Medicare, which covered 30.6%, the report said. Emergency departments around the state fielded 285,134 visits, for which there were total charges of about $1.59 billion, with a median billed charge of $3,576, the report said. That compares to 275,568 visits and $1.28 billion in total charges, with a median bill of $3,091, in 2022 and 244,319 visits and total charges of $1.18 billion, with a median bill of $3,122, in 2021, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The top three reasons for emergency department visits were abdominal pain and other digestive or abdomen problems, upper respiratory infection and alcohol-related disorders, the report said. The medical facilities annual reporting dates to 2001, when the system was voluntary. Reporting is now mandatory under Alaska law, with regulations that became effective in December 2014. Those regulations have gone through some updates since then. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) Algeria has pardoned a journalist who emerged as a key voice during the countrys 2019 pro-democracy protests and was later imprisoned for taking foreign funding for his media outlets and threatening state security. Ihsane El Kadi was released from prison Thursday evening, one of his lawyers, Fetta Seddat, told The Associated Press. He was among a larger group of figures pardoned and released on the 70th anniversary of the start of Algerias revolution, a national holiday that authorities have in the past used as an occasion to offer pardons. El Kadi was the veteran editorial director of the media company responsible for the francophone station Radio M and news site Maghreb Emergent. Both reported heavily on Algeria's weekly pro-democracy Hirak protests, which began in 2019 and led to the resignation of octogenarian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Known as the voice of the Hirak, both became forums for pro-Hirak voices and debates on protesters' objectives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Known as one of the rare independent voices in Algerian media, El Kadi was among the figures from the Algerian media to be targeted by authorities as the protests continued under Bouteflika's successor, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. He covered everything from economics to the Algerian Civil War, which plagued the nation throughout the 1990s and cemented the military's grip on power in the gas-rich North African nation. El Kadi was arrested in 2022 and charged with undermining state security and violating laws prohibiting media organizations from receiving foreign funds. Investigators said his daughter sent money from the United Kingdom. Both Radio M and Maghreb Emergent were shuttered. His arrest and seven-year prison sentence garnered international condemnation and became emblematic of Algeria's crackdown on free expression and voices critical of the government. El Kadi was greeted by his wife and daughter upon his Thursday release from El Harrah prison. Pro-democracy activists and press freedom advocates celebrated the pardon. Reporters Without Borders' North Africa Representative Khaled Drareni, said in a statement that El Kadi, should never have been imprisoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is to be hoped that this release will also signal the ending of restrictions on press freedom, he added. Reporters Without Borders ranked Algeria 139th out of 180 countries in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index, calling the media landscape deteriorated as journalists continue to be pressured, jailed and prosecuted. El Kadi was among 4,000 people released Thursday based on clemency decrees signed by Tebboune, according to a statement from his office. Those released included people imprisoned for low-level crimes and for undermining public order, a charge that Algerian authorities have used to target dissidents in the past. Tebboune also pardoned Mohamed Tadjadit, a pro-democracy activist known as the poet of the Hirak" for his outspoken writing, which he did in Algerian Arabic. He was detained in January after criticizing the authorities on social media. The detention came after several years in which he was detained and subsequently pardoned for similar criticisms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, before Tebboune was elected to a second term, Amnesty International decried Algeria's crackdown on freedom of expression and said it contributed to a climate of fear and censorship in the country. Authorities have continued to clamp down on journalists through arbitrary detention and prosecutions, arbitrary restrictions on their right to freedom of movement and unfounded sanctions imposed on media outlets, the human rights group wrote in a Sept. 2 statement. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito on Thursday rejected Cornel Wests ask for an emergency order requiring signs be posted at Pennsylvania polling places next week telling voters they can write in the independent candidate as their choice for president. West filed the emergency appeal after lower courts denied his bid to appear on the ballot in the key swing state. With Election Day now less than a week away and voting having already begun, West abandoned his effort to appear directly on the ballot when he brought his case to the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, he asked for an intervention that would order polling places statewide to advertise to voters he and his running mate, Melina Abdullah, can still receive votes as write-in candidates. Alito, who by default handles emergency appeals arising from Pennsylvania, denied Wests application in a one-sentence order without explanation, as is typical. West can renew his application to another justice, but historically the prospect of success is slim to none. Alitos order comes after the high court denied a series of ballot access emergency appeals from former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court rejected Kennedys effort to get on the ballot in New York and to be removed from the ballot in the swing states of Michigan and Wisconsin. Stein unsuccessfully attempted to get on the ballot in Nevada, another key battleground. The ballot access cases are not the only election-related matters that have landed on the Supreme Courts emergency docket, however. The court is weighing a request from the Republican National Committee to block Pennsylvanians whose mail votes are voided as naked ballots, meaning they dont have an inner secrecy envelope, from voting provisionally on Election Day. The outcome could impact thousands of votes. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court granted an emergency appeal from Virginia election officials, enabling them to resume their purge of more than 1,600 voter registrations suspected as noncitizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Non-essential Allegheny County and City of Pittsburgh employees will be dismissed from work early on Monday ahead of political rallies for Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Information released by the county on Friday afternoon said non-essential county and city workers will be dismissed at noon Monday. Harriss campaign is hosting a Get out the Vote concert at Point State Park from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement >> VP Kamala Harris to hold Get Out the Vote concert, rally in Pittsburgh day before Election Day Trumps campaign has a rally at PPG Paints Arena at 6 p.m. >> Former President Trump to hold rally in Pittsburgh day before Election Day Both candidates will attend their respective events in Pittsburgh. Polls open in Pennsylvania Tuesday at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Heres everything voters need to know for Election Day. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization in June 2022 ended federal abortion rights. (Photo by Sofia Resnick/States Newsroom) We should live not by lies; the truth will set us free. Gov. Ron DeSantis The contentious battle over Amendment 4 and what it would do if passed by voters has been shrouded by half-truths and misdirection by its most strident critic, Gov. Ron DeSantis, but arguably also by those pushing the initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis has been crisscrossing the state with state agency chiefs and physicians opposed to the amendment, contending that proponents of the measure are subjecting Floridians to a blizzard of lies. Floridians Protecting Freedom and supporters of the measure have pointed fingers back at the governor, contending he is distorting the amendment and using the power of the state to do so. Heres a look at some of the rhetoric being tossed around in the increasingly bitter battle over Amendment 4 and abortion access in Florida. No interference Specifically, Amendment 4 would ban the Legislature from passing any law that prohibits, penalizes, delays, or restricts abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patients health, as determined by the patients healthcare provider. DeSantis argues using the term healthcare provider would allow abortions to be performed by someone who is not a physician. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis argues the amendment does not define key terms such as viability, healthcare provider, or patients health. Ten states have abortion access on the ballot via 11 different amendments, because Nebraska voters will decide between two varying approaches to abortion regulation and access, a KFF website shows. For instance, the Colorado abortion amendment would repeal an amendment voters adopted in 1984 that had the effect of denying insurance coverage for abortion care for public workers and Medicaid beneficiaries. The amendment on the ballot now would recognize the right to abortion and make clear that government shall not deny impede or discriminate against the exercise of that right including prohibiting health insurance coverage for abortion. In South Dakota, the abortion debate is around trimesters. The amendment there would ban government interference in the first trimester and allow the state to regulate abortion subsequently only in ways reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant patient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of Nebraskas amendments would ban abortions in the second and third trimesters, except in medical emergencies or when the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest, to protect unborn children. The other amendment establishes a right to an abortion until viability, which is defined. And in New York, voters are being asked to approve a swath of anti-discrimination protections including for pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive health care and autonomy. That amendment doesnt address viability. Six proposed amendments, including Floridas, do frame access around viability of the fetus. Of those, Amendment 4 in Florida is the only one that doesnt define viability. However, a Florida statute defines viability as the stage of fetal development when the life of a fetus is sustainable outside the womb through standard medical measures. Cuts out the doctor Under existing Florida law, a patient has to have two face-to-face meetings with a Florida licensed physician to qualify for an abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amendment 4 uses the term healthcare professional, which prompted DeSantis to argue, You will have non-medical doctors doing this. I dont know if theres any other state that has ever gone down that road. Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks against Floridas abortion rights amendment during a press conference at the The Grove Bible Chapel in Winter Garden on Oct. 22, 2024. (Screenshot via Florida Channel) Several states have changed their abortion laws to expand the types of providers who can render the care since the Dobbs decision. According to a 2022 analysis of state policy conducted by Connecticuts Office of Legislative Research, clinicians, such as advanced registered nurses, nurse-midwives, or physician assistants, may perform medication or procedural abortions there. Sixteen states allow advanced practice clinicians to perform both medication and procedural abortions, and three states allow specified non-physicians to perform only medication abortions. Seven of the 11 abortion-related amendments reference the providers who may perform abortions. Of those, only South Dakota requires that abortions be performed by physicians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That South Dakota amendment would preclude government interference with abortion in the first trimester and allow regulation in the second trimester only in ways reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant patient. Third-trimester abortions would be prohibited unless is necessary, in the medical judgment of the womans physician, to preserve the life or health of the pregnant woman. Legislature still in control Nova Southeastern University law school professor Robert Jarvis told the Florida Phoenix he supports abortion rights but agrees with the governor that the language is vague. This is a black box. You have no idea what youre voting for, Jarvis said. This is so vague it means whatever the voter wants it to mean. Indeed, Jarvis expressed surprise that the Florida Supreme Court allowed the language on the ballot given its lack of clarity. This makes the average voter have to guess, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also would force the Florida Legislature define its terms even though DeSantis has suggested it would tie lawmakers hands. Florida Capitol That contention runs contrary to legislative history. In 2018, more than 64% of voters approved an amendment to restore voting rights to all but the most serious felons who have completed all terms of their sentences including parole or probation. (By coincidence, that also was labeled Amendment 4.) To limit the reach of the amendment, the Legislature passed, and DeSantis signed into law, a bill (SB 7066) that requires former felons to pay court-imposed financial obligations such as fines, fees, and restitution before having their voting rights restored. The legislation prevailed when challenged in federal court. And, indeed, in its majority opinion approving the abortion amendment for the ballot, the Florida Supreme Court underscored the continued influence the Legislature will exercise over abortion policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court opined, [T]he proposed amendment would not prohibit the Legislature from passing laws interfering with abortion after the point of viability and when the mothers health is not in jeopardy. The ballot titles inclusion of the word limit is therefore not misleading but accurately explains that the Legislature will retain authority to interfere with abortions under certain circumstances. The Florida Supreme Court building. (Photo by Michael Moline/Florida Phoenix) DeSantis has alleged that the sponsor is trying to mislead voters but, during oral arguments over the amendment, Chief Justice Carlos Muniz wrote: It just doesnt seem like this [language] is trying to be deceptive. Additionally, The people of Florida arent stupid. I mean, they can figure this out. Not only would the Legislature retain control, but it can and has designed its own definitions, sometimes departing from generally accepted medical principles. For example, in 2016 the Republican-led Legislature agreed to a bill that changed the definition of pregnancy trimesters. Pregnancy is often grouped into three trimesters. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists defines the first trimester from the first day of the last missed period to 13 weeks and six days; the second trimester as 14 weeks to 27 weeks and six days; and the third as 28 weeks to 40 weeks and six days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By contrast, Florida law defines the first trimester as beginning at fertilization through the end of the 11th week of gestation. The second trimester is 12 weeks through the 23rd week of gestation, and the third trimester runs from the beginning of the 24th week of gestation through birth. The definitions are important because Florida law regulates abortion clinics based on whether the procedures are performed during the first or second trimester. Its always very confusing and detrimental to good patient care to have regulations or statutes that conflict with generally accepted good medical practice, said Allen Grossman, an attorney who practices administrative and regulatory law and has represented a wide array of health care professionals before the states licensing boards. The Legislature theoretically could crack open definitions such as viability and make them more restrictive, Grossman said. I wouldnt be surprised, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Existing situation Florida law bans abortions after six weeks gestation for most pregnancies. Before undergoing an abortion, a patient must have two physician visits, a sonogram, and wait 24 hours. Minors must notify and receive permission from a parent. The law allows minors to bypass parental consent if they can persuade a circuit judge they are sufficiently mature to decide for themselves although judges sometimes refuse permission. There were 170 petitions filed in circuit court in 2023 to bypass those requirements. About 91% of the time the petitions were granted, court documents show. The 16 petitions that were dismissed were filed in a spate of county courts: Leon, Marion, Polk, Miam-Dade, Hillsborough, Calhoun, Seminole, and Collier. There are exceptions to the six-week ban. Abortions are allowed past that point to save the patients life or avert a serious, substantial, and irreversible physical impairment of bodily function (other than psychological). Abortions are allowed past six weeks for fetal anomalies and in cases of rape, incest, or human trafficking. There are caveats for all those exceptions. Two physicians must certify in writing that the termination is necessary to avert death or permanent injury (or one physician in an emergency situation). Abortions for fetal abnormalities require written certifications from two physicians. And the exception for rape, incest, or human trafficking requires copies of restraining orders, police reports, medical records, or other court documents supporting the claims. But not all people report rape. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network says that 2 out of every 3 sexual assaults go unreported. Floridas law contains no exception for the mental health of the mother even though mental health conditions accounted for more than 20% of pregnancy-related deaths as of 2020. The Centers for Disease Control report includes data from 38 states, including Florida. Pregnancy-related deaths are those that occur during pregnancy, delivery, and up to 1 year postpartum. Ad campaign DeSantiss anti-amendment rhetoric comes as the state tussles in court with the political committee sponsoring Amendment 4 and its Caroline ad and whether the group mischaracterized the six-week abortion ban in its ad. The doctors knew if I did not end my pregnancy I would lose my baby, I would lose my life, and my daughter would lose her mom. Florida has now banned abortion even in cases like mine. Amendment 4 is going to protect women like me. We have to vote yes, she says in the ad. Following the ads release, the Department of Health sent letters to television stations airing it and suggested they could be subject to criminal penalties if they kept them up. In response, Floridians Protecting Freedom took DOH Secretary and State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo to federal court, arguing the health departments cease-and-desist letters to television stations violated its First Amendment rights. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker granted a temporary restraining order preventing the state from taking action against the stations. The DOH maintains that the ad isnt truthful. Caroline is featured in the Yes on 4 ad the Florida Department of Health threatened television stations to take down. (Photo courtesy of the Yes on 4 campaign) The fact is these ads are unequivocally false and detrimental to public health in Florida, wrote James Williams, the departments communications director, in an email to Florida Phoenix. The media continues to ignore the truth that Floridas heartbeat protection law always protects the life of a mother and includes exceptions for victims of rape, incest, and human trafficking. Caroline is one of many political ads in support of the amendment. The first ad, Before, aired during the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. The ad says Floridas law is an extreme ban with no real exceptions. Not for her health. Not even for rape. Politifact, a fact-checking website, deemed the ad mostly false for claiming that the six-week ban has no real exceptions. Barriers exist A Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) review of exceptions in state abortion bans found that in practice health and life exceptions have often proven to be unworkable, except in the most extreme circumstances, and have sometimes prevented physicians from practicing evidence-based medicine. Another report released by Physicians for Human Rights suggests doctors are afraid that performing an abortion can wreck their careers. Thats because if theyre found to have violated the law they can be charged with a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine, and loss of licensure. That latter report included interviews with 25 OB-GYNs, abortion providers, genetic counselors, and other health care professionals who recounted specific instances when they had to navigate the legal minefields in the states abortion law. DeSantis played down those concerns, saying patients denied life-saving health care should sue their physicians for medical malpractice. You should lose your medical license, quite frankly. If you dont know the law, youre not fit to be practicing medicine in this state, he said. License on the line His comments represent more than an idle threat. The DOH is recommending that the Board of Medicine revoke the license of Dr. Candace Cooley, who violated the states 24-hour waiting period while working at the Center of Orlando for Women. The waiting period was initially passed in 2015 but due to years of legal wrangling didnt take effect until April 25, 2022. Clinic management called health care regulators 14 times asking about the effective date of the waiting period but never got an answer. According to the administrative case against Cooley, officials told the clinic in May to stop calling and check a state website for the information. Not even an aspirin DeSantis has also said: Right now in Florida we have parental consent not just for abortion but for anything involving medical with a minor. They cant give your kid an aspirin unless you consent and that is the way it should be for parents. But thats not true. Gov. on DeSantis is waging a war of words against Floridas abortion-rights amendment. (Getty Images) The Florida Legislature passed and DeSantis signed into law a bill (HB 817) in 2021 that allows physicians in Florida to provide emergency medical care or treatment to a minor without parental consent when a child has been injured in an accident or is suffering from an acute illness, disease, or condition and delaying treatment would endanger the health or physical well-being of the minor. The care can be administered in a hospital or college health service setting. Additionally, state law allows emergency medical personnel and paramedics to provide emergency care or treatment in an ambulance or at roadside without parental consent. Repeal a right DeSantis also has claimed that if passed Amendment 4 would be the first amendment actually in the history of the state of Florida to actually repeal a right. Specifically, to parental consent before a child undergoes an abortion. There are several examples of amendments approved by Florida voters one could argue repealed rights. For instance, more than 69% of voters in 2018 approved an amendment that ended greyhound racing in the state. In 1994, nearly 72% of voters approved a constitutional amendment that banned net fishing in Florida waters. In 2002, 71% of voters approved an amendment that banned smoking in workplaces, such as bars and restaurants. 1977: Women taking part in a demonstration in New York demanding safe legal abortions for all women. (Photo by Peter Keegan/Keystone/Getty Images) Other amendments didnt exactly eliminate rights but did restrict them. In 1988, 71% of voters authorized a three-day waiting period for handgun purchases and, in 2004, nearly 65% of voters approved an amendment that required minors to notify their parents about their abortions (which Amendment 4 would not repeal). Agreement on litigation There is something both sides of the Amendment 4 debate agree on: This is not the end of the debate and there will be plenty of litigation. Right now, people are writing the very lawsuits that will be filed, Jarvis said. Some have already been filed. Four anti-abortion advocates have asked a state trial court to remove Amendment 4 from the ballot or to nullify votes cast in its favor. They cite a preliminary report from the Florida Department of State accusing Floridians Protecting Freedom of widespread election fraud. \ The complaint has been amended to add DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis based on their roles as members of the state Elections Canvassing Commission. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX With the 2024 presidential election in a dead heat, every dollar between now and Election Day counts. And the American Federation of Teachers, the 1.7-million member teachers union and defender of Democrats up and down the ballot, knows that better than most. The unions political action committee began the 2024 cycle with $4 million in cash on hand, raised $12 million and has spent $13 million leaving it with roughly $2 million to dole out before Election Day, according to the latest data from OpenSecrets, the non-partisan organization that tracks money in politics. The vast majority of its spending this election cycle roughly $9 million was donated to super PACs supporting Democrats and to local, state and federal candidates and parties. Among the top receivers: $3 million to the Senate Majority PAC, $1.6 to House Majority PAC, $445,000 to the Harris Victory Fund ($300,000 of which was originally donated to the Biden Victory Fund before the president stepped aside), and $420,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The AFT is traditionally one of the biggest supporters of Democrats, lending both the power of its PACs purse for advertising and mailings, and its strength in numbers for boots-on-the-ground get-out-the-vote operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the top 20 PACs based on contributions to Democratic candidates, total fundraising, total spent, and total spent in independent expenditures and communication costs, the AFTs PACs place 8th. Its donated $1.5 million to democratic congressional candidates, including to 196 House Democrats and 19 Senate Democrats. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz believe in the promise of America and will spend their time solving problems, not sowing fear, so every American can partake in that promise, AFT President Randi Weingarten said in a statement. But its not just what we can gain, its also what we will lose with Trump and Vance: our democracy, our freedoms, our public schools, our right to have a union, a vote and a voice. Extending the ladder of opportunity or destroying it. Union members get this, she said. And thats why we will fight every hour of every day for the next fortnight to get out the vote to elect candidates who proudly stand for freedom, democracy and opportunity. Earlier this month, the AFT teamed up with the National Education Association, the Service Employees International Union and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees the nations largest public service unions in a coordinated, multi-state voter outreach initiative across battleground states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This joint action represents a significant escalation of labors political engagement, with the unions pooling resources and mobilizing their combined membership of several million workers and includes people of all backgrounds working across the public service as nurses, child care providers, sanitation workers, first responders, teachers, education support professionals and higher education workers, among others, the announcement of the effort reads. Notably, labor unions play an outsized role in many of the elections most crucial swing states: 21% of votes cast in Michigan in the 2020 presidential election were from union households, representing approximately one-fifth of the electorate, according to the union. The same is true for Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where union households accounted for 18% and 13% of votes cast, respectively. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) An American Legion post in Grand Rapids is asking the community for help in repairing what theyve called home since 1950. We need a lot of repairs here. We need so many repairs, Robert Hamilton, a member of the American Legion Post 459. said. Hamilton has been a member at the post located on Michigan Street for 21 years. The Vietnam veteran is one of the bartenders there and said its a place for him to socialize, get to know people and help the community. However, now they need the communitys help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a meeting place and its a social place and its a place where we make things happen, Hamilton said. One of the biggest problems is the two dividers that they use for meetings. It takes three or four people to move them, and it damages their carpet. They also need to repair the signs outside, siding, carpeting, electrical, plumbing and update the lighting and security. Margo Forrester, the auxiliary president and chairman of Operation Post 459, said in total, the repairs could cost more than $150,000. They hope that fixing these problems will bring new members in. I think if you want people to come in, most people would prefer a little nicer environment, Forrester said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From October 30 to November 9, the post is having a silent auction. The building will be open to the public, where you can come and bid on items like a $250 gift card to Firekeepers Casino Hotel and gift baskets. You can check the posts Facebook page for more information on the auction and prizes here and visit its website to donate. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) On Thursday, the Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office and Colorado Springs Police Department arrested the suspect in Grand Junctions ANB Bank robbery after officials say he robbed a second establishment in Centennial, Colorado. The Grand Junction Police Department said in a release a man matching the bank robbery suspects description entered a jewelry and loan business at about 4 p.m. Monday, stole jewelry then fled the scene on foot. GJPD seeks help to find ANB Bank robbery suspect Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GJPD worked closely with the Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office and the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force to identify the suspect and issued a warrant for his arrest. The suspect was contacted and taken into custody on Thursday. Malachi James Salus, 22, faces charges of aggravated robbery and theft related to the Grand Junction ANB Bank robbery, and additional charges related to the Arapahoe County robbery. The GJPD thanks the Mesa County community for providing tips and information related to the robbery. This case is still active; case details are under review by the district attorneys office. No further information is available at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. WASHINGTON (WTNH) Connecticut has received about $77.8 million as part of its first batch of federal funding this year for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the states federal delegation announced on Friday. How to apply for Connecticut Energy Assistance Program Nationwide, states received $3.6 billion in funding. High costs are spreading families thin, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) said in a written announcement. No family should have to choose between keeping their home warm during the colder months, keeping their lights on, or putting food on the table. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I secured $77.8 million for the program to help Connecticuts families keep warm this season. Every family deserves warmth. I am committed to ensuring no household goes cold this winter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. October was a scorcher by fall standards. Multiple cities posted record or above-normal average temperatures and below-normal precipitation, leading Utah's drought intensity to increase heading into November. However, Utah is in line to receive another round of relief this weekend through a low-pressure system currently over the Pacific Northwest. A cold front ahead of the storm is set to arrive in Utah sometime in the late morning or early afternoon on Saturday, bringing a round of showers with it, said KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson. It will sweep through the Wasatch Front and other parts of the state later in the day, providing a mix of valley rain and mountain snow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Rain showers from (northern to southern Utah) ... really start filling in Saturday night with a nice punch," he said. "It's sped up a little bit. The brunt of the rain will be Saturday night into Sunday morning." Rain and snow showers are expected to linger into Sunday, primarily impacting the eastern half of the state. Johnson said some showers may remain along the Wasatch region in the morning and afternoon. Elevations above 5,000 feet will likely receive snow from the storm. Most mountain tops are expected to receive about 4 to 8 inches of snow, but parts of the Cottonwood Canyons could receive an inch or more, according to the National Weather Service. Higher-elevation communities like Park City may receive a few inches of snow. KSL Weather models indicate the storm's core expected to impact central Utah could produce about two-thirds of an inch in some valleys by Sunday evening. About a quarter or a third of an inch is possible along the Wasatch Front and northern Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's slightly smaller than other storms over the past few weeks, but it can still provide Utah with much-needed precipitation after a warm and mostly dry October. "This would be nice if we can get this storm to perform the way it's looking like it will," Johnson said. "It gives us some really beneficial rainfall." Full seven-day forecasts for areas across Utah can be found online, at the KSL Weather Center. Record warmth piles onto drying conditions Salt Lake City posted a record average temperature of 62.4 degrees, almost 8 degrees above normal and nearly 2 degrees above its previous October record over the past 150 years, according to National Weather Service data. It was boosted by a record 14 days of 80 degrees and its first-ever 90-degree October day since records began in 1874. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A statewide report will be released next week, but average temperatures were above normal in about every city with available public data well above average, in many cases. October warmth The listed average temperature of 15 locations scattered across the state and the amount above each location's listed normal, according to National Weather Service data. Alta: 47.1 degrees (6.8 above normal) Blanding: 58.5 degrees (5.3 above normal) Brigham City: 56.7 degrees (6.4 above normal) Bryce Canyon National Park: 47.2 degrees (2.2 above normal) Canyonlands National Park: 67.4 degrees (7.6 above normal) Capitol Reef National Park: 61.5 degrees (7 above normal) Cedar City: 57.2 degrees (6.7 above normal) Fillmore: 60.7 degrees (8.9 above normal) Jensen: 53.8 degrees (6.4 above normal) Logan (Utah State University): 57.3 degrees (7.8 above normal) Manti: 56.6 degrees (6.4 above normal) Provo: 61 degrees (6.3 above normal) Salt Lake City: 61.7 degrees (7.4 above normal) St. George: 69.9 degrees (6.9 above normal) Tooele: 57.9 degrees (5.8 above normal) The two major storms that slammed the state in the second half of the month only cooled things down a little bit. Those also snapped dry spells that carried over from the prior month, which was the state's third-warmest and 14th-driest September since 1895. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santaquin was a big October winner, receiving 2.24 inches of precipitation, while Tooele, Price and Fillmore ended up above 1.5 inches. Provo fell just shy of 1.5 inches, putting it on the list of below-normal cities. Salt Lake City's 0.81 inches fell nearly a half-inch below its monthly normal, while Ogden, Logan and a large chunk of southwest Utah also fell below normal. The latter is a key reason why severe drought returned to Washington County on Oct. 8. About half of the county is now listed in that category, while the rest remains in moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. This map shows Utah's drought situation at the end of October. About 20% of the state is in moderate drought or worse, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. | U.S. Drought Monitor The latest report lists about one-fifth of the state in drought, about double the amount as it did heading into the month. Parts of the West Desert and Uinta Mountains are also in moderate drought, while most of the rest of the state is listed as "abnormally dry." Per Utah Division of Water Resources data, the state's reservoirs still entered November about 75% full, similar to last year and 20 percentage points above the median average for the month. Novembers uncertainty However, Utah may also see relief beyond this weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another storm is forecast to impact northern Utah on Election Day on Tuesday, while the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center updated its November outlook on Thursday to list Utah and most of the West as having equal chances when it comes to temperatures and precipitation. That means there is no clear signal as to whether this month will produce above, below or near-normal temperatures and precipitation. Initial November models leaned toward warmer and drier conditions. Johnson said the shift indicates that Utah's storm odds are improving ahead of the vital meteorological winter, which factors into the state's water supply. This is really good news, he said. Its good to see that the scales continue to tilt toward a wetter and cooler pattern. The 2024 election and its stakes are on the tip of everyone's tongue in nearly every area of American life. But not on corporate earnings conference calls. On call after call throughout October, top executives dodged election-related queries or refused to answer outright with an intensity that, to some observers, exceeded past election cycles. A Yahoo Finance review of major earnings calls from Amazon (AMZN) to Bank of America (BAC) to Microsoft (MSFT) found no mention of the election season. Even companies that have recently found themselves in the political spotlight, like McDonald's (MCD), ignored the topic. Some executives simply shut down conversations when it came up. When he was asked on one such call with reporters about his conversations with the presidential campaigns and why he wouldn't publicly endorse a candidate, JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon responded: "I'm not going to talk about who I'm speaking to," adding, "I'm not going to get into politics on this particular call." The boss of the biggest US bank has been somewhat more willing to weigh into political topics elsewhere, from slamming regulators in a recent speech to speaking regularly to both campaigns and favoring Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in private conversations, according to a source familiar with his thinking. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon speaking on Oct. 24 in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images The authors at The Transcript newsletter on Substack, who track comments like this full-time, found only a few errant examples of companies gingerly weighing in during this earnings season. "There's clearly election anxiety, if you will," Robert Half International (RHI) vice chairman M. Keith Waddell offered on the call for his HR consulting firm. CEOs cautious about politics are, of course, nothing new. But this year's heated contest between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Harris has perhaps made CEOs more wary than at any time in recent history. "I think everybody is kind of in a play not to lose situation here from a political standpoint," Scott Krisiloff, The Transcript's founder and editor, noted in an interview. "I think people are being a little more quiet about it just because there is so much visceral emotion," he added. Read more: What the 2024 campaign means for your wallet: The Yahoo Finance guide to the presidential election A question of whether the election 'really doesn't matter' (at least for markets) The CEOs appear to be stepping gingerly in part because of Trump's history of aggressive tactics with the business community; he has often threatened companies he views as crossing him. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. KOLR 10 Investigates is looking into the factuality of information displayed on anti-Amendment 3 fliers placed on doorsteps in south Springfield. Amendment 3 asks Missouri voters to make decisions about abortion rights. A yes vote would overturn the states abortion ban and restore rights until fetal viability, which is 24 weeks of pregnancy unless otherwise determined by the state. FACT CHECK: Does Missouris Amendment 3 include transgender procedures? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ads paid for by the Missouri Constitutional Conservatives PAC claim Amendment 3 would allow doctors to perform partial birth abortions a non-medical term for the procedure known as dilation and extraction which is already illegal in Missouri and on the federal level. KOLR 10 Investigates described the flier to Marcia McCormick, a law professor at St. Louis University, and asked whether Amendment 3 would legalize the procedure explained at the bottom of the flier. Does Amendment 2 really guarantee millions for Missouri schools? To the extent that theres a federal ban, Missouris Amendment 3 cannot validate that procedure so it would be preempted by federal law. Marcia McCormick | SLU Law Professor Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCormick doesnt see that changing if Amendment 3 passes on Nov. 5. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. A billboard featuring the picture of Steve Clark, part of a campaign by Republican Voters Against Trump. (Photo courtesy of RVAT) Starting Friday morning, commuters driving in and out of Milwaukee will see a barrage of billboards with the faces of men and women who previously voted for Donald Trump but wont in the 2024 election. The billboard takeover is the capstone project of a $40 million campaign throughout the long election cycle by Republicans and conservatives who oppose returning Trump to the Oval Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With just five days to go until Election Day, Republican Voters Against Trump has purchased the time for the mass billboard project in the principal metro areas of three swing states that have been labeled the Blue Wall essential for a Democratic victory: Detroit in Michigan and Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, along with Milwaukee in Wisconsin. More than 150 electronic billboards in the three states will feature the messages. Republican Voters Against Trump is a project of a superPAC called the Republican Accountability Project. The billboards bear the faces of people who identify as previous Trump voters and who have disavowed the 45th president and GOP nominee for 2024. Some declare they are voting for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee. Others state only that they are not voting for Trump. Participants in the campaign include four people from Michigan and two each from Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a critical mass of Americans who cast votes for Trump in the past and are supporting Harris this time around, said Sarah Longwell, executive director of Republican Voters Against Trump. These are the strongest possible messengers for reaching persuadable, conservative-leaning swing voters in the Blue Wall. We couldnt think of a better closing message. One of the Wisconsin participants in the campaign, Steve Clark, a retired University of Wisconsin-Madison immunology professor, said he didnt vote for Trump in 2016, writing in the name of his running mate that year, Mike Pence, instead. But during his four years in office, Trump did a fairly good job. Id give him a C-plus, Clark said, and so in 2020 he voted for Trump for reelection. Trumps refusal to accept he lost that year, and his response to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters who sought to stop the certification of Joe Biden as the next U.S. president, turned Clark against Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clark said he doesnt blame the former president for instigating the Capitol attack, but he certainly did not do anything to quell it. He also opposes Trumps foreign policy stances, his advocacy of tariffs and his isolationism in international affairs. A lot of what Trump is doing is not conservative, said Clark, who admires Ronald Reagan. He stood up to tyranny in the old Soviet Union, he said of Reagan. I think the world is too dangerous right now for someone like Trump to lead the country, Clark said. While at least some of the campaigns participants are affirmatively lining up to support Harris, however, Clark is an exception. He plans to vote for Republicans down the ballot and write in the name of Nikki Haley for president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clark supported Haley, the former UN ambassador under Trump, in her primary campaign against Trump earlier this year, when she criticized the former president harshly. After running a distant second, however, Haley went on to endorse Trump when he had secured the Republican nomination. That was disappointing, Clark said. Shes loyal to her party, and so I understand. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WASHINGTON (AP) Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are in a tight race for the White House, but in Ohio, its a contest further down the ballot that has been getting the bulk of the attention in the Nov. 5 general election. Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Browns bid for a fourth term is shaping up to be his toughest to date, as his party tries to cling to a narrow majority in the chamber. His Republican opponent is Bernie Moreno, a Cleveland businessman who had Trumps backing in the GOPs competitive March primary. Ohio has fallen off the list of presidential battlegrounds: In 2020, Joe Biden became the first president since fellow Democrat John F. Kennedy to win the White House without winning Ohio. But the Harris-Trump matchup has loomed over the contest that will play a role in deciding the Senates balance of power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, Brown called on then-presumptive presidential nominee Biden to drop out of the race a month after his shaky debate performance against Trump. He endorsed Harris to replace Biden on the ticket but skipped the Democratic National Convention in August. Moreno has accused Brown of distancing himself from Harris, which the senators campaign has dismissed. Fellow Ohioan and GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance and Trump have also kept a spotlight on the state, most notably by spreading unfounded conspiracy theories about Haitian migrants in Springfield. The race is on track to be the most expensive Senate contest this cycle. The campaigns, parties and outside groups have spent more than $400 million on campaign ads, according to the campaign ad tracking firm AdImpact. Campaign finance reports show that Brown has spent more than $80 million on the campaign as of the start of October, far eclipsing the $19 million Moreno spent in the same period. But the two began the month on an almost equal footing in terms of cash in the bank; Brown had $4.5 million while Moreno had $3.2 million. Moreno loaned his campaign $4.5 million over the course of the Republican primary. In addition to the Senate contest, two Democratic Ohio congresswomen also face competitive challengers. In the 9th Congressional District, longtime incumbent Marcy Kaptur seeks a 22nd term against Republican Derek Merrin. In the 13th District, first-term U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes faces Republican Kevin Coughlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a look at what to expect in the 2024 election in Ohio: Election Day Nov. 5. Poll closing time 7:30 p.m. ET. Presidential electoral votes 17 awarded to statewide winner. Key races and candidates President: Harris (D) vs. Trump (R) vs. Jill Stein (Other) vs. Chase Oliver (Libertarian) and two others. U.S. Senate: Brown (D) vs. Moreno (R) and one other. 9th Congressional District: Kaptur (D) vs. Merrin (R) and one other. 13th Congressional District: Sykes (D) vs. Coughlin (R). Ballot measures: Issue 1 (create citizens redistricting commission). Other races of interest State Supreme Court, state Senate and state House. Decision Notes In both the 2020 presidential election and the 2022 U.S. Senate contest between Vance and then-U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, both Biden and Ryan took sizable leads in the vote count when the first votes were reported after polls closed at 7:30 p.m. ET. These were comprised of mail and early in-person votes, which have tended to favor Democrats in recent elections. Those leads steadily eroded over the next two hours as more Republican-friendly votes cast on Election Day were included in the count, with Republicans Trump and Vance each overtaking their Democratic opponents in the vote count by about 9:30 p.m. ET. Both Biden and Ryan went on to lose statewide, Biden with 45% of the vote and Ryan with 47%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In statewide races, Republicans tend to post their strongest numbers in western Ohio along the Indiana border, central Ohio in the ring of counties beyond Columbus and to the south along the Kentucky and West Virginia borders. They do well in most of the rest of the state as well, although sometimes by slightly smaller margins. The Democratic bases are clustered around Ohios biggest cities of Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo and, to a lesser extent, Akron. They also do well in smaller Athens County, home of Ohio University. Biden, Ryan and Hillary Clinton all carried these six counties in their last unsuccessful statewide runs. In addition, Biden and Ryan carried the Dayton area, while Clinton and Ryan carried Lorain County on the Lake Erie shore. Clinton also won Mahoning County in the northeast in 2016. Brown should be able to hold all six of the core Biden-Clinton-Ryan counties on election night. Whether he wins reelection will also depend on how he does in Montgomery (home of Dayton), Lorain and Mahoning counties, as well as the seven additional counties he carried the last time he ran in 2018. They are Ottawa and Wood outside Toledo, Erie bordering the lake and Ashtabula, Lake, Portage and Trumbull in the northeast. Hell also need to post big margins in vote-rich Franklin (home of Columbus) and Cuyahoga (home of Cleveland), where he hovered around the 70% mark in 2018. The Associated Press doesnt make projections and will declare a winner only when it has determined there is no scenario that would allow the trailing candidates to close the gap. If a race hasnt been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, like candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear it hasnt declared a winner and explain why. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recounts in Ohio are automatic if the margin is less than 0.25% of the total vote in statewide races or 0.5% in district races. The AP may declare a winner in a race that is eligible for a recount if it can determine the lead is too large for a recount or legal challenge to change the outcome. Past presidential results 2020: Trump (R) 53%, Biden (D) 45%, AP race call: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, 12:19 a.m. ET. Voter registration and turnout Registered voters: 8,060,554 (as of May 10, 2024). Voter turnout in 2020 presidential election: 73% of registered voters. Pre-Election Day voting Votes cast before Election Day 2020: about 59% of the total vote. Votes cast before Election Day 2022: about 35% of the total vote. Votes cast before Election Day 2024: See AP Advance Vote tracker. How long does vote-counting take? First votes reported, Nov. 3, 2020: 7:39 p.m. ET. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By midnight ET: about 95% of total votes cast were reported. ___ Associated Press writers Hannah Fingerhut and Maya Sweedler contributed to this report. ___ Read more about how U.S. elections work at Explaining Election 2024, a series from The Associated Press aimed at helping make sense of the American democracy. The AP receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about APs democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. The Israeli military early on Friday carried out strikes on targets in southern Beirut for the first time in nearly a week, with local residents describing the fallout as "apocalyptic." At least 11 airstrikes hit the district of Dahiyeh from about 2 am (0000 GMT), according to Lebanese security sources and eyewitnesses. Police in Beirut said they registered at least 20 strikes. A dpa reporter saw plumes of black smoke rising over the area. Explosions could be heard across large areas of the Lebanese capital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's military said the air force's attacks had targeted weapons manufacturing facilities and Hezbollah command centres in the Beirut area, accusing the Lebanese militia of deliberately storing weapons used for attacks on Israel in civilian areas. Steps have been taken to spare civilians, the military said. The information could not be independently verified. An Israeli drone also hit an apartment in Qumatiya, in the Aley district, some 20 kilometres south-east of the capital, killing at least two people including a member of the Hezbollah militia, security sources said. The Lebanese Health Ministry said later that three people were killed and five wounded in the drone strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few hours earlier, the Israeli military had announced it would attack Hezbollah facilities in southern Beirut, a stronghold of the Iranian-backed militia. The armed forces published two maps with the targets and called on residents to keep at least 500 metres away from the buildings. 'We left in our slippers' Locals talking to dpa following the strikes likened the destruction to scenes in a well-known war film. "Look it reminds me of 'Apocalypse Now,'" said one man who was standing on the rubble of his neighbours' house on the old road to Beirut's airport. "If the Israelis hadn't given us one hour, you would have seen a massacre here today," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man, who identified himself as Ali, said "the scenes are the same as Gaza, the same tactics, destruction and displacements." A dpa photographer could only reach bombed areas on a motorbike as rubble was covering the roads. People were seen wearing masks due to the smell of smoke coming from destroyed houses. Black fog was covering the capital following the strikes. "I don't know the areas anymore," Mohammed told dpa near the roundabout of the Kuwait embassy in the Ghobeiri district targeted earlier on Friday. "We left in our slippers after the warning came from Israel yesterday," Fatmia, who lives in Ghobeiri, recounted. "The kids were terrified as we walked in darkness to leave our houses." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Lebanon's acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati, the renewed violent attacks by the Israeli military in Lebanon show that Israel has no real interest in a ceasefire. Israel has no intention of agreeing to a ceasefire based on UN Resolution 1701, Mikati said after a meeting with the head of the UN peacekeeping operation in Lebanon, Aroldo Lazaro, state news agency NNA reported. Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, Gaza also continue The Israeli Air Force on Friday also reported strikes on more than 200 targets in both the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours, targeting command centres and rocket launchers operated by Hamas and Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palestinian and Lebanese reports spoke of civilian deaths. Israeli troops were continuing "their limited, locally concentrated and targeted activities in southern Lebanon, in which they eliminated terrorists, traced weapons and destroyed terrorist infrastructure and launch ramps," a report from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. The IDF said that more 150 airstrikes had been flown in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon within 24 hours on Thursday. It added that the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia had fired 90 projectiles towards Israel in the same period. Almost 50 killed in Gaza strike At least 47 people have been killed and many others injured in Israeli overnight airstrikes on the centre of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Friday, citing medical sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strikes hit the Nuseirat refugee camp and the towns of Deir al-Balad and al-Zawaida. Residential areas were targeted, where displaced people were being housed, according to WAFA. Many of the dead were children, the agency reported. "Eyewitnesses reported that following the initial strikes, residents rushed to help those affected, only to be targeted again by subsequent bombings. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, as efforts continue to locate missing individuals trapped under the rubble," WAFA reported. The IDF said they were checking the reports, while operations continued in central Gaza. IDF operations also continued in Jabalia in the north of the Gaza Strip and in Rafah in the south. In both areas, military positions had been attacked and a number of Palestinians killed, the IDF reported, terming them "terrorists." The Israeli military carried out strikes on targets in southern Beirut for the first time in nearly a week on Friday, with residents describing the fallout as "apocalyptic." At least 11 airstrikes hit the district of Dahiyeh from about 2 am (0000 GMT), according to Lebanese security sources and eyewitnesses. Police in Beirut said they registered at least 20 strikes. A dpa reporter saw plumes of black smoke rising over the area. Explosions could be heard across large areas of the Lebanese capital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's military said the air force's attacks had targeted weapons manufacturing facilities and Hezbollah command centres in the Beirut area, accusing the Lebanese militia of deliberately storing weapons used for attacks on Israel in civilian areas. An Israeli drone also hit an apartment in Qumatiya, in the Aley district, some 20 kilometres south-east of the capital, killing at least two people including a member of the Hezbollah militia, security sources said. The Lebanese Health Ministry said later that three people were killed and five wounded in the drone strike. A few hours earlier, the Israeli military had announced it would attack Hezbollah facilities in southern Beirut, a stronghold of the Iranian-backed militia. The armed forces published two maps with the targets and called on residents to keep at least 500 metres away from the buildings. 'Reminds me of "Apocalypse Now"' Locals talking to dpa following the strikes likened the destruction to scenes in a well-known war film. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Look it reminds me of 'Apocalypse Now,'" said one man who was standing on the rubble of his neighbours' house on the old road to Beirut's airport. "If the Israelis hadn't given us one hour, you would have seen a massacre here today," he said. The man, who identified himself as Ali, said "the scenes are the same as Gaza, the same tactics, destruction and displacements." Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon continue The Israeli Air Force on Friday also reported strikes on more than 200 targets in both the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours, targeting command centres and rocket launchers operated by Hamas and Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palestinian and Lebanese reports spoke of civilian deaths. A dpa photographer could only reach bombed areas on a motorbike as rubble was covering the roads. People were seen wearing masks due to the smell of smoke coming from destroyed houses. Black fog was covering the capital following the strikes. One of last Hamas leaders killed in Gaza, scores more dead Fighting continued in Gaza where the Israeli military said it killed Izz al-Din Kassab, one of the last senior Hamas officials in the Strip, as UN agencies called for an immediate halt to fighting. Kassab was a member of the Islamist terrorist organization's politburo and responsible for relations with other extremist groups in the coastal strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fifty-five more people were killed and many others injured in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority. Some 50 were killed in strikes on the Nuseirat refugee camp and the towns of Deir al-Balad and al-Zawaida, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported earlier, citing medical sources. Residential areas were targeted, where displaced people were being housed. Many of the dead were children, the agency reported. Israeli operations also continued in Jabalia in the north of the Gaza Strip and in Rafah in the south. In both areas, military positions had been attacked and a number of Palestinians killed, the Israeli military reported, terming them "terrorists." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, the heads of 15 UN aid organizations and private groups called for an immediate end to the fighting in the Gaza Strip in a joint statement. They pointed to the dire situation in the north, where the entire population is at risk of death due to famine and violence. Iranian adviser to supreme leader says Tehran to respond Iran will respond to the latest Israeli attacks, according to a close adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "The Israeli attacks will not go unanswered," Kamal Kharrazi, Khamenei's foreign policy adviser, told Arabic news channel Al Mayadeen, according to Iran's IRNA state news agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kharrazi's comments referred to Israeli attacks in recent weeks on Iran's military installations and anti-aircraft defence system, which caused little damage, according to Tehran. The attacks were in retaliation to Iran launching around 200 missiles at Israel at the beginning of October. (Bloomberg) -- As money managers push to bring private credit to public markets, investors in a new breed of exchange-traded fund will want to know how they can get out when markets are stressed. Their early plans arent resolving doubts. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Securities and Exchange Commission is set to review three recent filings for private-credit ETFs, including a proposed partnership between Apollo Global Management Inc. and State Street Corp. Securities law experts say the lack of information on how retail investors can easily withdraw money from funds loaded with illiquid assets will likely prompt scrutiny, while consumer advocates are already drawing comparisons to securities that imploded. The lack of details in the filing is pretty staggering, said Elisabeth de Fontenay, a law professor at Duke University. It feels like a cut-and-paste job from your usual ETF filing. The SEC could reject or approve the plans in the next few months, with the caveat that the agency is likely to experience policy shifts regardless of who wins the US presidential election. A denial from the regulator risks drawing another legal challenge by industry. A green light would open the floodgates for similar funds, adding fuel to the $10 trillion US ETF market and letting the average investor tap opportunities often reserved for institutions and the wealthy. But first, the firms must clear hurdles that will include sharp scrutiny of liquidity, conflicts of interest and disclosures. Regulators concerns about the rapid growth of the broader private fund sector, which exceeds the size of the US bank industry, could also cloud the picture for the State Street-Apollo ETF and other proposals by Virtus Investment Partners Inc. and BondBloxx. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SEC, Apollo, State Street and Virtus declined to comment. BondBloxx didnt respond to requests for comment. The novelty of private-credit ETFs and the big liquidity question have alarmed investor advocates. In a letter to the SEC, the Consumer Federation of America described a hypothetical scenario where stressed markets lead to liquidity strains on the State Street-Apollo ETF. The group made comparisons to the implosion of the auction-rate securities market during the 2008 financial crisis. In that case, investors had depended on investment banks to provide liquidity for the market. But when the banks experienced their own liquidity crises, they retreated and auctions collapsed, Micah Hauptman, the CFAs investor protection director, wrote in the Oct. 4 letter. What had previously been considered highly liquid, cash like assets suddenly became illiquid, causing significant financial hardship for tens of thousands of investors, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 15% Cap The planned State Street-Apollo ETF will have to comply with SEC rules that impose a 15% cap on illiquid investments in a funds net assets. But the agreement between the two firms isnt public, making it hard to determine how they will ensure the ETF doesnt go past the limit, Hauptman said. At least 80% of the funds net assets would be in a portfolio of investment grade debt securities, including those from private credit investments sourced by Apollo, based on the filing. Thats an indication that State Street and Apollo intend to treat the private credit portions of the fund as though they were liquid, according to SEC observers. Thats not the way we usually define liquidity, Dukes de Fontenay said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The disclosures, she said, dont indicate whether that treatment applies to all or only a portion of the assets held in the fund. SEC staff typically ask issuers for additional disclosures on their products. But for the private-credit ETFs, the agency may push for more details on how the firms will navigate conflicts of interest and how they select the underlying private credit assets. Many of those assets will be comprised of collateralized-loan obligations, a $1.3 trillion market that repackages leveraged loans into securities of varying risk and size. The agency will home in on whether any conflicts can be addressed through simple disclosures, or if they need to be resolved, said Val Dahiya, a partner at the law firm Morrison Foerster and a former branch chief in the SECs Division of Trading and Markets. If they cant be addressed, the agency is more likely to deny the proposals, she said. Apollo plans to source some of the private credit assets wrapped into an ETF, provide valuations for those assets and offer intraday trading liquidity for those assets, according to the SEC filing. The money manager has pledged to purchase a certain amount of the asset-backed and corporate finance investments held by the ETF, up to a daily limit, at prices that it sets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Street will serve as the investment adviser for the fund. CLO Market The BondBloxx and Virtus private-credit ETFs would include a significant amount of collateralized loan obligations in their investment mixes. In BondBloxxs fund, CLOs could represent up to 80% of net assets. The firms filing didnt specify the debt ratings of the CLO assets. Virtus said it would keep at least 80% of its portfolio in AAA-rated CLOs under normal market conditions. The idea that CLO ETFs will be able to convert their assets into cash to service redemptions its difficult to see how that would really work in a distressed environment, said Christopher Jackson, a partner at the law firm A&O Shearman in New York who specializes in private credit issuance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The filings acknowledged the issue. Virtus wrote that the funds ability to acquire or dispose of CLOs at a price and time the fund deems advantageous may be impaired during periods of limited liquidity or higher price volatility. The new frontier of ETFs follows decades of expansion by the private credit market. SEC Chair Gary Gensler said last week that private credit benefits capital markets and investors by encouraging greater competition in lending, but he also highlighted possible risks in its intersection with the insurance and banking sectors. Though private credit has existed in some form for years, given its size has increased significantly, how will it weather times of stress at todays or greater magnitude? he asked during the Bloomberg Global Regulatory Forum. Apollo Chief Executive Officer Marc Rowan recently said he anticipates that the firms ETF plan will further blur the lines between retail and institutional markets. Once that happens, whats the difference between public and private? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. METAIRIE, La. (WGNO) Archbishop Gregory Aymond will be celebrating an All Saints Day mass at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home on Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. According to Lake Lawn, the Greater New Orleans community is invited to attend the celebration, which is planned to occur outdoors barring inclement weather, at 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. NOLAs giant friendship bracelet traded to friends in Indianapolis The celebration is reportedly a long-standing tradition at Lake Lawn and intends to align with the holidays purpose of honoring the lives of Christian saints by remembering loved ones who have passed away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Refreshments and a commemorative gift will be available for attendees following the mass. In the event of bad weather, the mass will be moved into the chapel. 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. Argentinian ultra-liberal President Javier Milei has fired his foreign minister, Diana Mondino, after she condemned the US trade embargo against Cuba at the United Nations, according to a statement from the presidential office released on Wednesday. Milei, who has been in office since December, sacked Mondino after she voted in favour of lifting the US economic embargo on Cuba at the UN General Assembly, continuing Argentina's stance from previous years. "Our country is categorically opposed to the Cuban dictatorship and will remain firm in promoting a foreign policy that condemns all regimes that perpetrate human rights violations," the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UN General Assembly in New York had, as it has every year since 1992, condemned the US trade embargo against Cuba. Argentina, along with 186 other nations, voted against the sanctions. Only the United States and Israel supported them while Moldova abstained. The decision does not result in any binding consequences. The US imposed the trade embargo on the socialist Caribbean island following the Cuban Revolution in 1959. In addition to state mismanagement and massive emigration, the sanctions are a reason for the catastrophic economic situation in Cuba. In recent years, Argentina has consistently voted for the lifting of the embargo like most other countries around the world. However, since taking office almost a year ago, Milei has pursued a staunchly right-wing foreign policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The country is going through a period of profound changes and this new stage requires that our diplomatic corps reflect in each decision the values of freedom, sovereignty and individual rights that characterize Western democracies," said the statement from the presidential office. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) Argentinas President Javier Milei on Wednesday dismissed his foreign affairs minister hours after the country voted in favor of lifting the U.S. economic embargo of Cuba at the U.N. General Assembly. Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino was replaced by Argentina's ambassador to the U.S., Gerardo Werthein, Milei's spokesman Manuel Adorni said on his X account. Adorni didn't elaborate on the reasons behind the replacement, but the announcement came hours after Argentina voted Wednesday in favor of ending the embargo of Cuba. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Presidents office later confirmed in a press release that the dismissal was because of the vote at the U.N. Our country is categorically opposed to the Cuban dictatorship, and it will remain firm in promoting a foreign policy that condemns all regimes that perpetuate the violation of human rights and individual freedoms, Mileis office said. On Wednesday, 187 nations, including Argentina, voted in favor of a U.N. resolution condemning the U.S. embargo of Cuba, with only the United States and Israel voting against it. Since taking power in December 2023, libertarian Milei has veered his country's foreign policy to be more aligned toward the U.S. and Israel interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milei has expressed his total support of right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government over its bombardment and invasion of Gaza. His stand differs from most of Latin America where Bolivia and Colombia have even severed ties with Israel and at least five countries in the region, including Brazil, have pulled ambassadors from Tel Aviv. Argentinas vote at the U.N. is the latest episode of a troubled period of Mondino as Foreign Relations minister. Last week, Modinos office removed a press release after writing Falklands instead of Malvinas, as the Argentina calls the British-controlled archipelago in the South Atlantic. And in May, she traveled to China trying to improve the bilateral relations after some criticism from Milei of the Asian giant. But during her visit she was criticized because in a media interview she said that all Chinese look like the same, referring to their physical features. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mileis office also said that his government will do an internal audit at the Foreign Relations Ministry with the aim of identifying promoters of agendas opposed to freedom. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america While the Armenian government is doing its best to demonstrate the peacefulness of its country, the Armenian Church continues to provoke tensions at the height of this policy. The day before the start of the COP29 summit in Baku, on November 10, the Armenian Church will organize a prayer service in Geneva on behalf of the World Council of Churches (WCC) for the release of war criminals under investigation in Azerbaijan. This provocative event has been announced as an initiative of the WCC, a global Christian organization. Initially, it seems that a kind of world prayer service will be held in Geneva's Saint Pierre Cathedral with the participation of guests from all over the world who will ask heaven for Armenia and for the villains awaiting trial for their crimes against the Azerbaijani people. However, it soon becomes clear that the prayer service will be of a local nature, that is, it will be an ordinary service, just at the request of the Armenians, criminals and separatists who want to return to Karabakh with music, from where they left completely voluntarily with far-reaching intentions, will be mentioned during it. The Armenian community of Switzerland has found a way to involve this country in provocations. Some time ago, the Armenians called on Bern to hold a so-called peace conference on the return of Armenians to Azerbaijan. But the path to this goal turned out to be very difficult. It is much easier to play the religious card, take advantage of the fact that the WCC headquarters is located in Geneva, and show Azerbaijan that the Armenians, they say, have long arms. Thus, on November 10, a prayer service will be held in St. Pierre Cathedral in cooperation with the Armenian community of Switzerland (which the Armenians do not hide), during which Christians are invited to pray for Armenia, for the return of the separatists to Karabakh and for the unconditional release of the "hostages". Of course, the head of the Armenian Church, Garegin, does not expect that heaven will hear the calls and send lightning to Baku, however, as the Catholicos himself says, "this spiritual effort will raise global awareness of this ongoing humanitarian crisis and will contribute to a peaceful solution based on truth and justice." It's funny that the Garegion has also brought some "prisoners of conscience" here, endlessly flashing in Western instructions for propagandists in connection with the COP in Baku. The flowery words of Catholicos Garegin mean nothing even to the Armenian faithful. Nothing will change if a group of Christians, most of whom will be local Armenians, have a good evening in pleasant company with pleasant conversations to the Armenian ear. There has been so much shouting and noise, so many tantrums and smear campaigns in recent months - and what? Nothing. The so-called "Christian club" is the last trump card that Azerbaijan's opponents can use. At the same time, they want it to look like a Christian initiative, not an Armenian one. Calls for the return to Karabakh of illegally residing foreign citizens and pleas for the release of war criminals, uttered under the wing of the World Council of Churches, will sound more authoritative than if it were an ordinary cackle from the Echmiadzin chicken coop. As for the World Council of Churches, representatives of the WCC will certainly participate in the World Summit of Religious Leaders in Baku, which will be held on November 5-6. The WCC is a large organization that unites representatives from hundreds of countries around the world, and it cannot but be represented at this forum. Representatives of the organization will certainly learn from this visit some experience and clearer ideas about us and our country. We hope that this will be the case. Although, I must admit, one fact haunts me. The World Council of Churches provides a platform for aggressive Armenian propaganda equipped with artificial angel wings, forgetting about its own recent history. Recall that the first action of the terrorist organization ASALA was an explosion in the Lebanese office of the World Council of Churches. It happened on January 20, 1975. Although no one was killed then, fortunately, it is strange that the WCC did not draw any conclusions from that incident. According to Armenian sources, the terrorist attack at the WCC office is explained as follows: "The World Council of Churches historically facilitated the emigration of Armenians from Armenia and prevented the return of their historical homeland to Armenians - "western Armenia"." For the World Council of Churches, this should have been a serious alarm signal. The explosion at the WCC office was the first step towards the transformation of a terrorist group called the "Group of Prisoner Gurgen Yanikyan" into the Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA). Inspired by success and impunity, the gang soon turned into an army. And this army has been closely cooperating with the AAC from the very beginning. In a certain sense, the church was and remains the headquarters of the Armenian terror. And on November 10, adherents of the AAC with a stained conscience will blaspheme, hiding behind the name of the World Council of Churches. It is unlikely that the Armenians will be able to turn a local church service into a worldwide action, although agitprop will try to present the case in this way. By betting on the religious factor in the fight against Baku, the Armenian side is making another mistake. On a practical level, that is, when it comes to specific steps and solutions, it has never worked and will not work. And in general, the AAC sends its complaints to the wrong address. Heaven does not help those who live by hatred and malice. The AAC is the sponsor and ideologue of Armenian terrorism, it is behind the most terrible crimes committed by Armenian nationalists, and thousands of innocent lives of Azerbaijani and Turkish elderly and children are on its conscience. So the heavens of Garegin with ordinal numbers will not hear. The Armenians should think about why, with all their connections, with all their influence and huge expenses for the lobby, with all their need and the incredible support provided by the West, the Armenians failed to achieve anything. Well, it's not that nothing at all - they still got foreign territories under the state. However, the strategic goal generated by a sick imagination and criminal intentions has not been achieved. Today, it can be stated that the Armenians have exhausted all their "historical" chances to turn illusions into reality. If there's one thing that a dividend investor can't resist, it is a large yield. That's probably why British American Tobacco (NYSE: BTI) has caught your eye. At 8.6%, the stock's yield is way higher than the 1.2% you could collect from the S&P 500 index (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) or even the 2.5% of average consumer-staples stock, using Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (NYSEMKT: XLP) as an industry proxy. But before you think that the stock's high yield will set you up for life, you need to consider a few facts. British American Tobacco: Double the 4% rule of thumb There's a rule of thumb that investors can withdraw 4% of the value of their portfolios each year and, for the most part, not have to worry about outliving their savings in retirement. While the actual 4% figure has been argued over, some suggest the number is lower and others that it is higher. The point here is that 4% of a portfolio isn't a huge amount of money. And it is actually based on the notion that you will sell assets to fund the 4% withdrawal of cash that you'll use to pay for living expenses. Start Your Mornings Smarter! Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free Image source: Getty Images. One of the reasons why income investors like dividend stocks is that the dividend income they generate allows them to avoid having to sell anything. They simply collect the dividend, and the principle remains untouched (and, presumably, it continues to throw off a stream of income in the form of additional dividends). This is where bigger dividend yields start to come into play. If you own a stock with a 4% dividend yield, you are basically in line with the 4% rule. And yet, that's not a huge number. Unless your portfolio is fairly large, 4% may not provide you with that much income to augment your Social Security checks. But at over 8%, British American Tobacco can give you twice the 4% rule's proposed income stream. And, since it is dividend income, you get to protect your principal, too. No wonder so many investors are drawn to ultra-high-yield stocks. There are big risks to consider with British American Tobacco That said, most stocks don't have ultra-high yields unless there is a good reason. For some, such as 7.2%-yielding midstream master limited partnership (MLP) Enterprise Products Partners, the reason is slow expected growth. For other companies, however, the problem is that their businesses are under immense strain. That's the situation at British American Tobacco. What's that strain? The company's most important business is selling cigarettes. But cigarette volumes have been in a slow decline for years. In the first half of 2024, cigarette volume fell 6.8%. In 2023, volume was down 5.3%. In 2022 the drop was 5.1%. This is clearly an ongoing issue. Maricopa County is seeking election workers following a record-breaking surge of early voters four years after the Arizona county became the target of Donald Trumps election fraud claims. Dubbed the nations ultimate swing county by the Associated Press, Maricopa County could determine the presidential race. But first, they need to find more early voter tabulators as over one million people have already cast their ballots early, officials said. The Maricopa County Recorders office URGENTLY needs additional help processing early ballots, an email from the Maricopa County Public Health Department said on Wednesday. The message read: Temporary assistance needed for the Recorders Office to assist in counting early ballots. This position pays $16 per hour, according to a reporter from 12 News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elections officials said in a press conference last week they only had hired 584 of the 786 temporary workers 74 percent needed for this election, the outlet reported. As of Tuesday, more than 75,000 people had voted early at polling centers in Maricopa County, making it the highest number of early in-person voters in the countys history, Maricopa County supervisor Bill Gates said at a press conference. On top of this, as of Tuesday, the county had received more than 940,000 early ballots by mail. A voter casts their ballot at a secure ballot drop box at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center in Phoenix. The county is seeking more temporary election workers to help tabulate early ballots (AP) The countys central counting facility is 90 percent staffed while the voting locations are 96 percent staffed, Scott Jarrett, the director of elections for the county, said at the press conference. Weve expanded our staff that we are hiring for this election even to include night shifts as well, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to election workers already on staff, county workers are stepping up to assist with the process and beginning tomorrow night, shifts will be taking place around the clock at Maricopas tabulation center to support these efforts, Jennifer Liewer, Maricopa County deputy elections director for communications, told The Independent in a statement. Democracy is a team sport, and we are grateful for the hard work and long hours that election and county workers will be doing in the coming days and weeks to ensure a smooth election. The influx of early voting isnt totally surprising; officials have been encouraging early voting because there is a two-page ballot, which can slow down lines. Its the first two-page ballot in the county since 2006. Were telling people to make a plan in advance, take the time to do your homework, review the individual propositions and all of the contests, Gates said. Some voters told 12News that they had waited up to an hour to cast their ballot. One person said that wasnt an issue: I would have waited for 10 hours in this election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The voters steadfastness to cast his ballot is a reminder of the contentious nature of this election especially in Maricopa County, which became the epicenter for Trumps rigged election conspiracy in 2020. Trump won the district in 2016, but lost it in 2020, making it the perfect scapegoat for such claims. To combat these baseless claims, in 2024, the county home to 62 per cent of Arizona residents has been trying to promote transparency. If the transparency tab on its website wasnt enough, the recorders office also offers tours so people can see the facility firsthand and the wires in Maricopa Countys tabulation center are exposed, in hopes of quelling any fears about the systems getting hacked. Still, election officials have warned that it could take 13 days before all the ballots are counted in the county, the Associated Press reported. While scientists studying the climate have become polarizing figures as the battle over fossil fuel dominance grows ever more heated, medical professionals remain some of the most trusted voices in a community, research shows. Knowing this, Arizona medical doctors and nurses joined together to share a message about the importance of supporting climate action at the polls this year for the well-being of residents exposed to some of the nation's highest temperatures, worst air pollution and most dire drought conditions. At a recent symposium, members of the group Arizona Heath Professionals for Climate Action dispensed nonpartisan information about which candidates and initiatives on the 2024 state ballot all the way down the ballot are most likely to deliver policies aligned with the health directives these doctors prescribe. Advertisement Advertisement "We work with local, federal and state senators and legislators as well as policy and decision-makers and local organizations," said Brian Drummond, an emergency physician based in Tucson and co-founder of the AZHPCA group. "They're doing the hard work, but we can help be that trusted voice and speak to the health aspects." For voters hoping to elect a presidential candidate likely to enact policies that will slow climate impacts destructive to human health and the economy, the choice between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris is clear, advocates have said. As vice president, Harris cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, historic climate legislation that has infused Arizona's solar, battery storage and electric vehicle industries with nearly $12 billion in investments and more than 18,000 jobs geared toward building cleaner energy use and cutting climate-warming emissions caused by burning fossil fuels. Trump, on the other hand, has called climate change a "hoax," echoed the oil industry rally cry of "drill baby drill" at campaign rallies, including in Glendale in August, and is under investigation by U.S. Senate committees for promising to roll back environmental regulations in exchange for $1 billion in campaign contributions from oil executives. Increasing domestic drilling would offer limited benefits for Arizona, which does not have any local oil or gas reserves. Advertisement Advertisement The presidential race: Climate was barely mentioned in the debate, but Harris and Trump showed wide differences Statewide races for Arizona's federal offices offer less stark but still notable differences on climate issues. As a Democrat, Senate candidate Ruben Gallego is more likely to support climate action (though he did not mention it as a priority in response to an Arizona Republic questionnaire) than his Republican opponent Kari Lake, who has aligned herself with Trump's policies and was recently named as one of the top 12 federal candidates nationwide to "consistently side against the environment" by the LCV Victory Fund. Abe Hamadeh, a Republican candidate for a House seat representing central Arizona's District 8, is also a Trump cheerleader and has nothing on the issues page of his website about energy, water or the environment. Advertisement Advertisement In District 2, which covers much of the northeast part of the state, including the Navajo Nation, voters will decide whether to replace Republican incumbent Eli Crane, who has opposed government incentives for renewable energy projects and supported increasing domestic oil production, with Democrat Johnathan Nez, who is the former President of the Navajo Nation. Nez has spoken about Native land stewardship values and recently expressed support for expediting solar energy development to The Arizona Republic, though he has also opposed government overreach in the name of climate change. He noted how progress on water and energy issues for Indigenous communities regressed under the last Trump administration, which he hopes to instead expand and extend to all Arizonans. "During the Obama administration, there was a lot of support for getting the needs of tribal communities met," Nez said at a recent event in Flagstaff. "Then four years later, that went away (under Trump). The Biden-Harris administration had to re-establish the tribal summit and tribal consultation." Medical professionals have been clear about how access to adequate electricity for cooling and water for washing is vital to maintaining human health standards, particularly in rural areas far from hospitals. Advertisement Advertisement More: In its first climate plan report card, Phoenix claims some progress, with work still to do In the state capital, both candidates in the race for mayor of America's hottest and fifth-largest city have stated support for climate action and enhanced water conservation efforts. Republican candidate Matt Evans' website articulates a need to "safeguard against the unpredictability of climate change" but lists his priority issues as homelessness, public safety, business-friendly policies, and the fentanyl crisis, among others unrelated to the costs and safety risks posed by a warming atmosphere. His Democratic opponent, incumbent Mayor Kate Gallego, has made heat relief, shade trees, and electrification central parts of her approach and recently published the city's first official Climate Action Plan progress report, in contrast with a state legislature that has passed just one pro-environment bill since 2022. Advertisement Advertisement In the state senate and house, Republican Rep. Gail Griffin of Hereford was ranked as having the worst recent track record on the environment by a Republic analysis published in August, while Democratic Sen. Priya Sundareshan of Tucson did the most to advance environmental policy. Both are seeking reelection. Former Sen. Vince Leach, who is running to return to the Legislature, was named to the LCV Victory Fund "dirty dozen" list as one of the worst candidates for the environment in state races nationwide. His campaign declined to comment or offer any defense against this ranking. For votes cast even further down Arizona's ballot, Drummond and other members of the AZHPCA put together an overview of climate implications for their patients, a civic prescription for a cleaner environment and bill of health. The Arizona Corporation Commission To explain the importance of the race for the five seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission, Drummond turned it over to Eve Shapiro, a pediatrician in Tucson. Advertisement Advertisement Arizona is one of 10 states that elect their utility regulators, who make decisions about how energy infrastructure is approved, the balance of cleaner or more polluting fuels, regulations around railroad and pipeline safety, and buyback rates for rooftop solar customers, among other topics. In 2023, the existing board, a majority of whom are Republicans, voted against adopting a plan to reach 100% clean energy in the state by 2050, opting to instead stick with a statewide 15% clean energy requirement. Sep 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, United States; Arizona Corporation Commission candidate Joshua Polacheck speaks during a Citizens Clean Elections debate at BitFire Studios. To Shapiro, who has spoken with The Republic previously about how air pollution from burning fossil fuels threatens the respiratory health of Arizona's children and seniors especially, that is nowhere near enough. "We need to have clean energy being a much larger percent of meeting our energy needs," Shapiro said. Advertisement Advertisement She explained that, in a recent debate between ACC candidates, the three Democrats running, Ylenia Aguilar, Jonathon Hill and Joshua Polacheck, "came out strongly in favor of solar and other renewable sources, and they were critical of rate increases, which did not take into account the impact on some communities." Sep 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, United States; Ylenia Aguilar speaks during the Arizona Corporation Commission Debate at BitFire Studios in Phoenix on Sept. 3, 2024. In contrast, Shapiro said, the Republicans in that debate, Rene Lopez, Lea Marquez Peterson and Rachel Walden "favored a more diversified mix, including fossil fuels." Walden was another one of 12 candidates in state races across the nation to be named to the LCV Victory Fund's recent "dirty dozen" list of officials who would be most detrimental to clean energy goals. (Arizona is the only state to have two candidates on this list of 12 nationwide.) In response to a request for comment about this, Walden told The Republic, "The ranking makes no sense because I have no voting record to support such a designation." She elaborated that, as a prior Mesa School Board member, she has voted to replace aging HVAC systems and increase energy efficiency in schools and said that her stance is to prioritize fiscal responsibility over environmental oversight. Advertisement Advertisement "There are a wide range of resources about climate change on both sides of the aisle," Walden told The Republic. The consensus among climate scientists worldwide that climate change is a crisis for humanity and must be addressed via a rapid transition to cleaner energy sources is very strong over many decades. There is also a strong consensus among physician members of the AZHPCA that, while it is not about party, the three democratic candidates for the ACC would ferry the state most expeditiously to climate solutions that would safeguard Arizonans' health. "We can't be partisan in this discussion, that's why we're educating about what these people represent and what they would do as policy," Shapiro said. "But it is really important that we encourage people to vote down ballot and vote for this race." Sep 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, United States; Jonathon Hill speaks during the Arizona Corporation Commission Debate at BitFire Studios in Phoenix on Sept. 3, 2024. Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board Another group of elected environment regulators that Arizona voters may not be thinking much about before heading to the polls is the Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board, elected by residents of Maricopa, Pima and Pinal Counties. This year, five of these unpaid positions are up for grabs, all in Maricopa County. The candidates serve six-year terms as members of the 15-person, nonpartisan board. Advertisement Advertisement Most Arizonans have some familiarity with the region's water shortages and the political controversy over securing and managing water from the Colorado River. Fewer are paying attention to these elected officials in charge of distribution and management of those flows. Pat VanMaanen, a nurse with 35 years of experience in public and children's health and who chairs the Arizona Nurses Association's Climate Change and Health Workgroup, gave an overview. "(The Central Arizona Project) created the canals that we see around Phoenix and Tucson, and it really provides 80% of Arizona residents with water," said VanMaanen. "The district and the board were created to provide Arizona a means to run the CAP once it was built and to repay the federal government for the reimbursable costs of the construction." The Central Arizona Project Canal winds past a neighborhood in Phoenix carrying Colorado River water. Since the six candidates on the ballot are not listed with a party affiliation and with all but one are set to secure a spot, the climate choice here may be less clear. Without endorsing anyone, VanMaanen just encouraged voters to not overlook the activity of this elected board. "Because this drought contingency plan was put in place in 2019 (and expires in 2026), the board members we elect, along with the other members that are serving, will be the ones responsible to renew and revise this plan," VanMaanen said. "So for January 2027, we should have a new plan in place, and we need to make sure they're knowledgeable and have our best interest in (mind), to protect our water and provide it for our state." Proposition 139: Constitutional right to an abortion The final issue health professionals with AZHPCA discussed is one that has been especially politically polarizing and less clearly connected to climate change. However, in 2017, Project Drawdown published a seminal book on climate solutions, with one of its featured actions being to expand access to family planning for women. "Why is this empowerment of women to have children when they want to important?" said Drummond, the emergency doctor and co-founder of AZHPCA. "Well, it has huge public health outcomes: women that have children when they are ready and when they want to will have a lower infant mortality rate. They'll have a lower maternal mortality rate. The women will have increased earning power and economic security." May Tiwamangkala, Advocacy Director, Arizona Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Advocates speaks to a group of supporters of Proposition 139 at Moonpie in Phoenix. The ballot initiative would create a fundamental right to abortion in Arizona. For this reason, members of AZHPCA are encouraging Arizonans to vote "yes" on Proposition 139, which would enshrine the right to an abortion up until fetal viability, about 24 weeks gestation, in the state constitution. "It's a way that you can tie some of these issues back to empowerment of women for family planning, and relate them to climate health," Drummond said. Climate + abortion feature story: In Arizona, a generation fears uncertainties in abortion access and climate action Young Arizonans also recently spoke with The Republic about their support for this proposition, saying that disasters catalyzed by climate change make it critical they not be forced into parenthood under strained personal or planetary circumstances. At the same time, Arizona physicians worry that overly restrictive abortion policies could limit the state's ability to attract and retain enough medical professionals. "States that have more abortion laws in place are attracting less medical residents," said Dr. Vivian Huang, a preventative medicine physician in Phoenix who is active with AZHPCA. "And we do know that medical residents tend to stay in the state they train in. These abortion laws ultimately affect the general health of people in the state accessing medical care." That's why these young people and medical professionals hope Prop 139 passes as a protection for the well-being of Arizona's health care system and as a step toward creating a livable climate where future children would thrive. Read our climate series: The latest from Joan Meiners at azcentral on climate change Drummond summed up the position of these health care watchdogs by saying that, while there are many approaches to building a better future for Arizonans, voting is certainly one of them. In this election especially, at a moment when the country has just weathered some of the most destructive and deadly climate-fueled disasters in history, it may be crucial to empowering leaders who will advocate for the health of humans and the climate we need to survive. "There's lots of different adaptation techniques that can lead to more resiliency and less vulnerability for Arizona and other areas," Drummond said. "So that's something that you want to see in policy." Joan Meiners is the climate news and storytelling reporter at The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Her work has also appeared in Discover Magazine, National Geographic, ProPublica and the Washington Post Magazine. Before becoming a journalist, she completed a doctorate in ecology. Follow Joan on Twitter at @beecycles or email her at joan.meiners@arizonarepublic.com. Sign up for AZ Climate, The Republic's weekly climate and environment newsletter. Read more of the team's coverage at environment.azcentral.com. Support climate coverage and local journalism by subscribing to azcentral.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: An Arizona physicians group outlines climate choices on the ballot LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Arkansas State Police arrested a Hot Springs man who they say was involved in at least two September road incidents. According to ASP officials, 39-year-old Asa Matthew Sarver is facing two felony counts of aggravated assault and two counts of obstructing governmental operations in connection to the incidents. ASP: Man shot in eye during road rage incident, Jacksonville teen arrested Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said state troopers responded to one of the incidents shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24 on Interstate 30. Special agents said a witness told investigators that someone was driving a white Ford F-150 aggressively and pulled out a gun. ASP officials said they responded to another road rage incident two days later around 10:15 a.m. on Interstate 430. State troopers said a witness told investigators that someone was speeding, attempting to pass her in a white Ford F-150. The witness also said that the driver pulled out a gun. Sherwood police say road rage incident led to man being injured in shooting, suspect in custody Special agents said Sarver was taken to the Pulaski County Detention Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sarver pleaded not guilty to the charges on Wednesday. His next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 4. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. An armed group has taken control of a military post in central Bolivia and is holding more than 200 personnel hostage. The Bolivian military said Friday that an irregular armed group had kidnapped military personnel and seized weapons and ammunition from the base situated near the central Bolivian city of Cochabamba. The Bolivian Foreign Ministry said more than 200 military personnel had been taken hostage during the incident. Bolivian president Luis Arce said that the armed group was affiliated with former president Evo Morales, but did not offer evidence for the claim. CNN has reached out to Morales team for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The armed forces urged the group to leave the barracks immediately and peacefully, emphasizing that these actions would be considered treason to the country. The incident is the latest escalation in a period of unrest in the South American country as Morales and Arce clash ahead of the 2025 election. In recent weeks, Morales supporters have set up blockades on major highways across the country, including in Cochabamba, in reaction to the government unveiling human trafficking charges against Morales. The blockades, which Bolivian police said involve violent armed groups, have led to food and fuel shortages in some cities. Morales and the government have also traded accusations over an exchange that occurred in Cochabamba last weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bolivian Minister of Government Eduardo Del Castillo alleged that individuals in a car carrying Morales opened fire on police while trying to evade a checkpoint set up to deter drug trafficking. The former president denied the charge and accused the government of trying to orchestrate his assassination by firing at his vehicle. CNN has reached out to the Bolivian government for more information on the events at the military base. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Army has racked up 170 kills with Coyote counter-drone interceptors in operational deployments globally. This underscores Coyotes centrality in the services arsenal of systems to help tackle growing threats posed by uncrewed aerial systems. Army officials highlighted Coyotes achievements at the Falcon Peak 2025, a counter-drone capabilities demonstration at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado this week, which The War Zone and reporters from other outlets observed. The service currently has Coyotes deployed at 36 unspecified sites outside of the United States. A Coyote Block 2 interceptor. Raytheon So were in [the] CENTCOM region, AFRICOM, [and] EUCOM, Army Maj. Alyssa Tallmadge from the services Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space told The War Zones Howard Altman on Wednesday, referring to the top U.S. military commands in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. As were over there for Coyotse, were at 170 successful kills in all those regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Falcon Peak 2025, Tallmadge did not provide a more specific breakdown of kills per region or whether Coyotes have scored kills everywhere they have been deployed. The War Zone has reached out for more information. Operational use of these interceptors, which defense contractor Raytheon produces, in the Middle East has been previously reported. Coyotes were also notably among the defensive capabilities deployed to protect a temporary pier attached to the shore of the Gaza Strip that the U.S. military briefly operated to try to help get more humanitarian aid into the enclave earlier this year. The primary versions of Coyote that the Army currently employs in the counter-drone role is the jet-powered Block 2 variant and its subtypes, which use a high-explosive warhead to destroy their targets. The service has also been looking to acquire Block 3 versions based on the original electric motor-driven pusher propeller design carrying unspecified non-kinetic payloads, which might include electronic warfare systems or high-power RF pulse payloads. The interceptors are part of a larger system of systems in Army service collectively referred to as the Low, Slow, Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (LIDS), which includes mobile (M-LIDS) and fixed-site (FS-LIDS) components. The mobile end of LIDS currently includes multiple configurations of 44 M-ATV mine-resistant vehicles, including ones armed with Coyotes and 30mm XM914 automatic cannons, as well as radars and other sensors. The Army is now pursuing a new M-LIDS platform that consolidates all of the existing capabilities onto a single 88 Stryker light armored vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FS-LIDS includes palletized Coyote launchers and sensor systems that can be rapidly emplaced, including at remote and austere forward locations. A promotional shot showing the FS-LIDS launcher and radar components, as well as an M-LIDS vehicle in the middle. Raytheon The LIDS system of systems can be integrated into larger air and missile defense ecosystems using various network architectures. The FS-LIDS components at Falcon Peak 2025 were linked to additional sensors via a Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2) system and other networks during the demonstration. Its worth noting here the Army is also in the process of fielding a new over-arching air and missile defense-focused network called Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), which is expected to eventually subsume many existing systems like FAAD C2, as you can read more about here. A graphic showing a general concept of deploying M-LIDS and FS-LIDS in combination with other sensors, effectors, and networking capabilities. US Army A graphic showing a general concept of deploying M-LIDS and FS-LIDS in combination with other sensors, effectors, and networking capabilities. This also highlights the kinds of threats the Coyote-based counter-drone systems are mean to defend against. US Army Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As noted earlier, it has already been clear that Coyote, together with the rest of LIDS, occupies a central place in the Armys current counter-drone arsenal, and that this only looks set to grow in the near term. Last year, the service disclosed plans to buy as many as 6,000 Block 2 and 700 Block 3 Coyotes, as well as hundreds more launchers and radars, between Fiscal Years 2025 (which started on October 1 of this year) and 2029. Earlier this year, the Army further announced plans to establish nine new dedicated counter-small UAS (C-sUAS) batteries as part of a broader force restructuring focused heavily on expanding air and missile defense capabilities and capacity. How those batteries might be equipped is unclear, but giving them combat-proven Coyote interceptors and the rest of LIDS would be obvious potential options. At the same time, the Army has stressed the importance of taking a broader, layered approach to defeating drone threats that requires a wider array of capabilities. When I was at the Joint Counter-UAS Office, we helped field some of the Coyote interceptors, Army Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey told The War Zone and the other reporters at Falcon Peak 2025 this week. But also we fielded directed energy type of systems [that] work very well in the counter-UAS space, anywhere from 10 kilowatt systems all the way up to 50 kilowatt systems. And we are employing those type of systems globally right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gainey is currently head of the Armys Space and Missile Defense Command (SDMC). It is important to point out here that Army officials have publicly acknowledged significant issues with certain counter-drone laser directed weapons that have been deployed to date. Still, the service has remained publicly very interested in this kind of capability. An 88 Stryker-based laser directed energy weapon, one of a number of such systems in limited US Army service now. US Army One of the Armys initial prototype DE M-SHORAD vehicles. US Army There are also low-collateral interceptors, which I was pretty excited about in that [in] my previous capacity, Gainey continued. And these are interceptors that would have some sort of onboard net capturing system, or streamers, or whatever, to be able to take down some of your smaller UAS. Again, part of the layer, not the sole system, to help you be able to get after several different [threat] systems. Limitations with drones that fire nets or streamers have emerged, as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gainey also highlighted ongoing work to develop and field high power microwave directed energy weapons for counter-drone use, as well as soft kill options, such as electronic warfare jamming. A rendering of a Stryker armed with a high-power microwave directed energy weapon. GDLS The Army is also known to be fielding or at least exploring a variety of other counter-drone capabilities, including containerized systems that fire 70mm laser-guided rockets and gun-armed robot dogs and other uncrewed ground platforms. The service also recently demonstrated the ability of its AH-64 Apaches to engage uncrewed aerial threats with radar-guided AGM-114L Hellfire missiles. . @USArmy Soldiers engage an unmanned aerial system (UAS) from an AH-64 with upgraded Hellfire missile during Red Sands training exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. @usarmycentral pic.twitter.com/HG9ChuWxt6 U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) September 30, 2024 Loitering counter-drone interceptors are increasingly entering the picture, as well. Defense contractor Anduril just announced earlier this month that it had received major new U.S. miltiary contracts to ramp up deliveries of its jet-powered Roadrunner-M, which can also be reused if it doesnt execute an intercept. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless, you have to have a system of systems approach, in layers, where you have the ability to not only have RF [radiofrequency electronic warfare jamming], but also sensor/detectors, and also a complement of some type of kinetic effector, to give you the ability [to respond] across a range of threats, Lt. Gen. Gainey stressed. Obviously, adversaries are looking for opportunities to outpace what were producing. So if you employ capability in a layered approach, [it] is where you see the best opportunities for success. Its worth noting that Gaineys comments here came as other U.S. military officials at Falcon Peak 2025 stressed that they are not interested, at least for now, in using kinetic effectors, such as surface-to-air interceptors or gun-based systems, or directed energy weapons to defend domestic facilities and assets against uncrewed aerial systems. This is despite a steady stream of glaringly concerning drone incidents over and around U.S. military bases, training ranges, and warships offshore, along with critical civilian infrastructure. Often confusing authorities and policies for deploying and employing anti-drone capabilities within the U.S. homeland, as well as concerns about collateral damage, have a significant impact on the current domestic counter-drone landscape. You can read more about these issues and their broader implications in other recent War Zone reporting from Falcon Peak 2025 here. As The War Zone has highlighted many times in the past, the U.S. military continues to very much be playing catch-up to drone threats, which are not new and continue to rapidly evolve, even when it comes to protecting forces deployed down-range. The ongoing war in Ukraine, where various tiers of drones are employed on a daily basis on both sides, together with crises in and around the Red Sea and elsewhere in the Middle, have provided significant new emphasis for the already urgent need for more defensive capabilities. In the meantime, Coyote interceptors do continue to prove their worth overseas as part of a counter-drone arsenal the Army is still working to expand capabilities. Contact the author: joe@twz.com One of the Pentagon's top generals is under investigation for allegedly shoving an airman on a flight in early September, a defense official and a spokesperson for the Army Criminal Investigation Division confirmed to Military.com. Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, who oversees U.S. Central Command, allegedly put his hands on an airman during a C-17 Globemaster III flight on a trip to Israel after becoming frustrated with access to communications and following a heated argument with the flight crew, one defense official with direct knowledge of the situation said. "The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division is aware of an alleged incident and is currently looking into it," Mark Lunardi, a CID spokesperson, said in a statement to Military.com. "No additional information is available at this time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read Next: Victims of Domestic Violence Can Now Get Help More Easily Through Top Army Nonprofit Kurilla is among the highest-profile senior officers in the Pentagon. Central Command oversees troops and operations in Asia and the Middle East, including much of the U.S. military's role in Israel and its ongoing combat operations in Iraq and Syria. He had not been suspended from his position as of Thursday afternoon, but officers who commit offenses that break decorum or laws are commonly suspended with pay pending the conclusion of investigations, which can take months. Before his current role, Kurilla served as the commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps. His resume also includes commanding the 82nd Airborne Division and the 75th Ranger Regiment. He was commissioned into the Army as an infantry officer in 1988. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his career, Kurilla has been awarded the Bronze Star for valor and two Purple Hearts. He's a veteran of the U.S. invasion of Panama, the Gulf War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The news comes as Army Gen. Charles Hamilton, who as head of Army Materiel Command oversaw much of the service's logistics operations, remains suspended following a Military.com investigation that found he may have subverted the Army's selection process for its senior commanders, improperly propping up a subordinate officer otherwise deemed unfit for command. Whether Hamilton is outright fired is now in the hands of Army Secretary Christine Wormuth. If he's terminated, he would be the first Army 4-star fired from their position in a decade. Related: Suspended Army 4-Star Asks for Command Back After Pressuring Panel to Prop Up Career of Unfit Subordinate WASHINGTON (AP) The Army's Criminal Investigation Division is looking into allegations that the four-star general who heads U.S. Central Command shoved a member of his air crew during a trip overseas, according to U.S. officials. Officials said Army Gen. Erik Kurilla became upset during a flight and pushed the service member. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the assault allegations, which recently came to light. Kurilla is still in his job and is currently in the Middle East. The Army Criminal Investigation Division said in a statement Friday that it is aware of an alleged incident and is currently looking into it. No additional information is available at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The division routinely conducts preliminary inquiries when allegations of misconduct are made to determine if a full investigation is warranted. Kurilla has been traveling extensively in the Middle East, including numerous trips to Israel and other allies in the region as Israel's war with Hamas and subsequent battles against Hezbollah in Lebanon have raged on. The inquiry was first reported by NBC. Arnold Schwarzenegger has officially weighed in on the 2024 presidential election. Despite admitting that he doesn't usually "do endorsements" when it comes to the presidential election, the actor and former bodybuilder has now broken his silence in the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump. SIGN UP for Parade's Trending News newsletter & we'll keep you in the know on the viral pop culture moments & celebrity news everyone is talking about Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Terminator star shared his unfiltered opinion in a lengthy message on X (formerly Twitter) this week, shocking fans with the revelation that he will be casting his vote for Harris and Tim Walz. He began his post by prefacing, "I don't really do endorsements. I'm not shy about sharing my views, but I hate politics and don't trust most politicians." However, he noted, "I also understand that people want to hear from me because I am not just a celebrity, I am a former Republican Governor." Schwarzenegger, now 77, served as Governor of California from 2003 to 2011, an experience he now says taught him to "love policy and ignore politics." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When getting into the nitty-gritty about the candidates on the ballot next week, Schwarzenegger said, "Let me be honest with you: I don't like either party right now." "It is probably not a surprise that I hate politics more than ever, which, if you are a normal person who isn't addicted to this crap, you probably understand," he continued, adding, "I want to tune out." "But I can't," Schwarzenegger added while calling out Trump's rejection of the 2020 election results "as un-American as it gets." I dont really do endorsements. Im not shy about sharing my views, but I hate politics and dont trust most politicians. I also understand that people want to hear from me because I am not just a celebrity, I am a former Republican Governor. My time as Governor taught me to Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) October 30, 2024 "To someone like me who talks to people all over the world and still knows America is the shining city on a hill, calling America [a] trash can for the world is so unpatriotic, it makes me furious," the Austria native said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, "And I will always be an American before I am a Republican." "That's why, this week, I am voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz," Schwarzenegger declared while urging his followers, "We need to close the door on this chapter of American history, and I know that former President Trump wont do that. He will divide, he will insult, he will find new ways to be more un-American than he already has been, and we, the people, will get nothing but more anger." "Vote this week. Turn the page and put this junk behind us," the Total Recall star concluded, before encouraging all of his followerseven those who disagree with himto cast their vote on Nov. 5. Next: George W. Bush's Daughter Barbara Sends a Strong Political Message With Surprising Endorsement When Helene made landfall in September, it took away the main ingredient to brew in self-proclaimed Beer City USA: water. Asheville was known for having some of the most pristine water in the country, which helped make the city into a beer mecca. But Helenes wrath has transformed one of the cleanest supplies of water into what one city spokesperson described as chocolate milk. More than a month after the storm, only non-potable water is flowing through the majority of Asheville. And the citys brewery industry is looking for new, inventive ways to keep their businesses afloat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without a timeline on when water will be restored, fears about the challenges many will face in the waiting period have heightened. In addition to higher costs, owners are dealing with concerns about their workforce returning and the many hours it takes to adapt. Flooding damage to Hi-Wires River Arts location has resulted in the loss of the building. The stakes are high. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says that nearly half of small businesses never reopen after a natural disaster. And some brewery owners say many local businesses were still reeling from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and were preparing for a tough financial winter. This crisis is exponentially more challenging than COVID to our brewers, Clark Duncan, vice president of economic development for the Asheville Chamber of Commerce said. Vince Tursi has had a frustrating experience trying to run his brewery DSSOLVR without a consistent source of clean water. Every option was accompanied by a potential obstacle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tursi said hes in the process of having a small reverse osmosis filter installed to help him get clean water to brew. But the small filter will make for a time consuming process. It will take 5 gallons of non-potable water to make 1 gallon of clean water a much more wasteful process, he says. Hell only be able to pull 500 gallons a day of clean water compared to 2,000 during a normal time. If hed known there would be no potable water for five-plus weeks, he would have made other arrangements. Trying to figure out how to navigate this is a brand new Tetris puzzle, Tursi said. Costly workaround options The brewery industry in Asheville is massively important. In 2019, breweries contributed $935 million to the citys economy and was the second largest manufacturing industry, according to a study by an arm of the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. On October 23, Hi-Wire Brewing had a water tanker delivered to its facility. The brewery is storing the water for local breweries and restaurants to use. Helene destroyed 90% of Hi-Wire Brewings beer at its River Arts location, the brewerys co-owner Bryna Frosaker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While they were able to salvage and are now selling the 75% of finished product from their other locations, shes now in a position of trying to make sure their taps dont run dry. But access to potable water isnt the problem. Its affordable potable water thats impossible to come by. Water is readily available. It just costs a good amount of money, she said. One option that some breweries are looking toward is buying or renting tanker trucks full of potable water. On average, a standard tanker truck can hold anywhere from 2,000 to 6,000 gallons of water. But locals say they have seen the cost vary widely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For some of the larger breweries, Duncan said the cost to buy and store a tanker truck on their property can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $70,000. Thats a huge burden on any industry to take on for such a short term impact, Duncan said. Erin Leonard, spokesperson for the chamber, said that she thinks the high prices are linked to the logistics of transporting large amounts of water. Dealing with such costs are tough, said Karis Roberts, executive director of the Asheville Brewers Alliance a group created to promote the citys breweries, cider makers and craft soda makers. Its really scary, Roberts said. Im sure maybe some people are taking out loans. I really dont know how theyre able to afford that much. Hi-Wires River Arts location was lost due to flooding after the storm. This location was the headquarters for brewing and distribution. The Asheville Brewers Alliance was able to coordinate with Cleveland County and a private trucking company to provide local brewers and restaurants with a limited amount of potable water this week. Hi-Wire is storing this water on behalf of the Alliance, but Frosaker says it would be too costly for them to brew with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without more affordable total water, its not really feasible to brew at this point, she said. As a workaround, she has been able to coordinate contract brewing with the NODA Brewing Company in Charlotte, which is making large batches of Hi-Wires top-selling IPAs. Low profits and workforce concerns Asheville has launched a project to clean sediment from its North Fork Reservoir. Its installed a giant filtration curtain and is treating water with aluminum sulfate to try to clear the water. If it works as intended, a pocket of relatively clear water could flow into the reservoirs treatment plant as soon as next week but delivering clean water to homes and businesses will take longer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the wait for consistently clean water, there are other threats to Ashevilles beloved brewery industry. The lack of water has not only hindered brewing, its been a massive blow to profits and leaves some unsure about their workforce, owners say. DSSOLVR is open only four days a week now and making less than 20% of its typical revenue, Tursi said. In the meantime, hes been working 80 hour weeks, in part to drive finished beers to stores across the state to land more customers. Customers sit on the patio at Hi-Wires Biltmore Village location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asheville, he said, still feels like a ghost town. While he understands why tourists havent flowed back, customers are essential for his business. You know, the message that everybody got was, Do not come to Asheville. Stay away, he said. I understand where everybody else is coming from, but for a tourism economy, that does mean that literally no one is coming and spending money. Without the ability to brew, Frosaker said she hasnt been able to bring much staff back. And some have left town and are assessing if its realistic to return. Potable water is back and flowing in parts of Asheville as the Mills River Water Plant which largely serves southern Asheville is now fully operational. Frosaker said with water flowing across town, it puts her in a tough position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im at a risk of losing my employees across town where they can get a job that pays them now, you know. So its just kind of a tough, tough spot to be in to not know when well have potable water, and you dont really know what decisions to make, she said. Young workers between the ages of 25 and 34 make up a large portion of the brewery industrys workforce, according to the chambers study. Duncan said losing these workers is among his greatest concerns at the moment. Local residents in their 20s are least equipped to handle, you know, financial hardship or furloughs or layoffs, the kind of things that happen in times of crisis, he said. Theres a significant concern about how we can retain that young, educated talent that is fueling this and many industries across the area. Its too soon to know the long term impact on Ashevilles brewery industry. But FEMA saying that nearly half of small businesses dont return after a natural disaster has been deeply concerning, Duncan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet this crisis has exposed the resilience of Ashevilles brewing industry, Duncan said. Many breweries like Hi-Wire and DSSOLVR are open and welcoming customers. And several are helping each other by storing and giving away water. Despite the destruction and tragedy, Roberts said she feels hopeful for the path forward. With tragedy, theres usually some kind of rising of the ashes in the Phoenix situation where there can be hope and there can be rebirth, she said. And Im hopeful that that can happen here. A lot of readers seem to have questions about how the Free Press' Michigan polls and polling in general works, so we wanted to clear the air somewhat headed into the Nov. 5 general election. The first thing to know is that polls are based on the statistical likelihood that a survey of a sample population, such as likely voters, will predict an outcome consistent with circumstances at the time they were surveyed. It doesn't mean circumstances won't change and the outcome with it and it doesn't mean it's always right. In fact, a polling error when looking across averages of political polls compared to the Election Day outcomes of 3 or 4 percentage points is not at all unusual (and can seem like a great deal in a closely contested race). Still, independent polls are more reliable than anecdotal evidence, campaign trail predictions by politicians or media punditry independent of data and are generally accurate up to a point: Polls always come with what's known as a margin of error, which is based on factors like the size of the sample. The margin of error says that, for the full sample, the result's accuracy is really expected within a range (such as, for a Free Press poll where 600 likely voters were sampled, a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What that means is that if the poll says Candidate X is ahead of Candidate Y, 52% to 48%, it could be a tie or X could be ahead 56%-44% or Y could even be ahead by a couple of points. The range of those possibilities certainly favors X but that's not meant to be a guarantee. That margin of error and the poll as a whole could be off, too, though statistically speaking that should happen rarely in good polls (that's what's known as the confidence level). But let's take a look at the Free Press' and EPIC-MRA's final polls of the top-of-the-ticket races from 2016 to 2022. In 2016, the final poll had Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton winning by 4 points. She lost, to Donald Trump, on his way to becoming president, in effectively what was a tie, by two-tenths of a percentage point. Two years later, the final poll had Democrat Gretchen Whitmer winning the gubernatorial election by 5 points. She beat Republican nominee Bill Schuette by 9. In 2020, the final EPIC-MRA poll had Democrat Joe Biden winning Michigan over Trump by 7 points. He did indeed win on his way to becoming president but by about 3 points. And in 2022, the firm had Whitmer winning reelection over Republican Tudor Dixon by 11 points which she did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In each of those cases, the final result may not have hit the exact percentages of support that were predicted for each of the top two candidates. But in terms of the margin of victory or defeat they did come within (or pretty close to) that 4-percentage-point margin of error of being correct yes, even when Trump won Michigan in 2016. Again, that's not to say a poll can't be wrong. It can be. Sometimes, it is. It's also important to remember that reputable pollsters, like EPIC-MRA of Lansing, which does polling for the Free Press, don't pick respondents to its surveys based on their political preferences or the answers they might give. They're picked randomly. And every effort is taken so that the questions themselves don't seem to be leading to a particular answer that might favor one political position or another. We talked this week with EPIC-MRA pollster Bernie Porn about how that random selection of voters is made and how the Free Press' Michigan polls come together. He said that the firm maintains a database of Michigan voters by matching phone numbers with the state's Qualified Voter File. Generally speaking, the universe of voters selected for possible contact by the pollsters for a survey can include newly registered voters but it's also going to zero in on voters who have been active in recent elections, voting, say in presidential or gubernatorial contests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the survey, if it's of likely voters, people who are contacted are asked how sure they are that they're going to vote and if they're unsure, the survey ends. Porn said that EPIC-MRA's statewide surveys are arranged geographically, meaning the firm looks at how much of the statewide vote each region of Michigan and the state's largest cities accounted for in a given set of previous elections (such as the previous two presidential elections), then that's used to divvy up the target sample proportionally between those geographic subdivisions. Then the firm's callers EPIC-MRA uses live callers, not computerized calls, and these days 80% of those calls are made to cell phones, not landlines start making the calls with a set script to ask each person who agrees to take part and responds to all of the questions. If they don't get enough responses to hit the set geographic proportion, they keep calling until they do. Porn said the only other forced part of the survey is the gender breakdown, which is 53% women and 47% men and approximates the statewide electorate. (In Detroit, he said, that breakdown is 57% or 58% women because of the difference in the electorate there and its size relative to the rest of the state.) "Very seldom do we have to do any weighting," said Porn, referring to a practice where the responses from a subgroup say self-identified Democrats or men without a college degree or union households or voters over the age of 65 are balanced within the poll in an attempt to represent their perceived voting strength. One caveat, he said, is Black voters, whose responses are weighted only if they represent less than 11% of the statewide survey. (The 2020 Census showed Black people made up about 14% of the state's population and exit polls indicated Black people were 12% of the electorate in the 2020 election.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Porn also said that EPIC-MRA tries to make sure more younger voters are represented in the random voter pool in the hope they are adequately represented in the final sample as they tend to be harder to reach. And, yes, he said, getting responses from voters can be difficult. Across all regions of the state taken together, Porn said, it can take from 15 to 20 calls in order to get one respondent that completes a survey. That means 9,000 to 12,000 calls need to be made for every survey. One final thing: We get a lot of emails from readers who wonder why, after living in the state for so long, they haven't been polled. The answer is it's a simple matter of math. There are about 7.2 million registered voters in Michigan, meaning the chance of being selected for a 600-person sample is about 1-in-12,000. That's just a little less than the odds of being struck by lightning at least once in your lifetime. Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: You asked and we answered: How the Free Press polls work Trump Media & Technology Group stock (DJT) extended its double-digit declines on Thursday as the stock reversed sizable gains from earlier in the week. Shares ended almost 12% lower, and trading was briefly halted due to volatility. The massive swings come as the stock suffered its largest percent decline on Wednesday after shares plunged around 22%. Since Tuesday, more than $3 billion has been shaved from the company's market cap, although the stock is still up roughly 130% from its September lows. The oscillating of shares between highs and lows will likely continue as the election nears. One current investor warned that if Trump loses the election next week, shares of DJT could plunge to $0. "It's a binary bet on the election," Matthew Tuttle, CEO of investment fund Tuttle Capital Management, told Yahoo Finance's Catalysts show on Monday. Tuttle, who currently owns put options on the stock, said the trajectory of shares hinges on "a buy the rumor, sell the fact" trading strategy. "I would imagine that the day after him winning, you'd see this come down," he surmised. "If he loses, I think it goes to zero." In a call with Yahoo Finance on Wednesday, Interactive Brokers' chief strategist Steve Sosnick said DJT has taken on a meme-stock "life of its own," noting that "volatility works in both directions." "It was volatile on the way up and when a stock is that volatile in one direction, it has a tendency to be that volatile in the other direction," he said. Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Resch Center, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ASSOCIATED PRESS Prior to this week's sell-off, shares in the company, the home of the Republican nominee's social media platform Truth Social, had risen as both domestic and overseas betting markets shift in favor of a Trump victory, with prediction sites like Polymarket, PredictIt, and Kalshi all showing Trump's presidential chances ahead of those of Democratic nominee and current Vice President Kamala Harris. National polls, however, show both candidates in an incredibly tight race. Polls in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, which are likely to decide the fate of the election, also show razor-thin margins. In September, the stock traded at its lowest level since the company's debut following the expiration of its highly publicized lockup period. Shares had also been under pressure as previous polling in September saw Harris with a bigger lead on the former president. Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak on the final day of the Democratic National Convention, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) ASSOCIATED PRESS Trump founded Truth Social after he was kicked off major social media apps like Facebook (META) and Twitter, now X, following the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Trump has since been reinstated on those platforms. He officially returned to X in mid-August after about a year's hiatus. WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL)Earlier in the month, the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) announced plans to rebuild 200 homes damaged by Hurricane Helene. On Thursday, the team started its rapid rebuilding phase. Chris Schroeder, vice president of New Build and Disaster Recovery for ASP, told News Channel 11 that they have already started building three new homes in Jonesborough for families that have lost their homes to flooding. Appalachia Service Project commits to rebuilding 200 homes for those impacted by Helene Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are calling what were doing here now rapid rebuild is the phrase that were using, said Schroeder. Our goal is to finish these houses that are underway now in just a matter of a few weeks. Schroeder said that normally, it takes them 3-4 months to build one home, but with such a great need in the region, they hope to get families back into safe homes. Were building the houses here at what they call base flood elevation plus another three feet, said Schroeder. Even if it is a flood akin to what weve seen in the last couple of weeks or hurricane or whatever the case may be, these structures, the subfloor of these structures begins three feet above their base flood elevation. Vicki Hunter lives in Jonesborough. She said flooding from Helene caused her to lose her home, her dog and her husband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I could replace a house, I can replace vehicles, said Hunter. Those are the easy things in life but to lose someone that you love to lose a pet, those are really hard. Hunter will be receiving a new home from ASP. They were able to rebuild her property because it is not in a flood plain, something many dont have the option to do. Having a home built for me means that I can stay; I mean, I didnt have flood insurance, said Hunter. No one expected the water to come up; no one in this area expected that, and so we didnt have flood insurance, so it took my house. Hunter said having the Appalachia Service Project help rebuild her new home has given her the hope she needed. A GoFundMe page has also been set up for Hunter to help her with other flood damage-related costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Atlanta and Fulton County officials on Monday took a major step toward reducing local arrests with the launch of a facility intended to serve people experiencing behavioral and mental health issues. The Center for Diversion and Services is a rehabilitative hub open around the clock, seven days a week, where law-enforcement officers and community response teams can bring people in need of support who would otherwise be incarcerated. Rather than taking them to jail, this more community-based approach is essential for creating a more effective and compassionate public safety ecosystem, Mayor Andre Dickens said Monday afternoon during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the downtown Atlanta center, which is housed inside the Atlanta City Detention Center but has its own entrance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The need for alternatives to incarceration is paramount, considering Fulton County Jails history of overcrowding and inmate mistreatment. Last summer, the U.S. Department of Justice announced an investigation of the correctional facility for civil rights violations, specifically against people with psychiatric disabilities. The same 2023 report revealed Black people were 87% of the jails population, despite making up less than half of the population in both Fulton County and Atlanta. Politicians and activists alike have called for a human-centered approach to public safety that prioritizes people and recognizes that a prison cell is not a solution for a person in crisis. At the diversion center which is operated by Grady Health System those individuals can address immediate needs related to mental illness, homelessness, extreme poverty, or substance abuse with access to a sobering room, showers, laundry services, and a food pantry. They can also be connected with the longer-term support services led by the Georgia Justice Project and Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative (PAD). PADs case managers will be tasked with helping people improve their situations by connecting them to necessary support services, such as medical and mental health care, substance-use treatment, housing support, and help in securing an ID or governmental benefits. The Georgia Justice Project will operate a warrant resolution clinic to work with people to resolve any active warrants they might have in Fulton County Superior or State Courts, or in Atlanta Municipal Courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I could not be more delighted that this idea has become so much bigger than PAD or any one agency but has really started to become the fabric of our city and our county and part of the new normal in how we respond to peoples needs with care instead of punishment, said PADs executive director, Moki Macias. According to Grady Health Systems president and CEO, John Haupert, 14% of people admitted into the psychiatric emergency room are brought in by police. Until now, officers may not have had any choice but to take the individual to jail or to Grady, Haupert said of the center. But the diversion center will offer an alternative location, potentially freeing up 130 psychiatric emergency room beds a month at the hospital. With the resources it provides, the center the product of a partnership between Atlanta and Fulton County could serve more than 5,000 people each year, according to Fulton County Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Policy Board oversaw the creation of the Center for Diversion and Services. Fulton Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney and Atlanta City Council member Dustin Hillis serve as co-chairs. We have for too long said: Thats a trespasser, thats a drunk, thats a homeless guy, thats a problem, McBurney said. And we havent been thinking, thats a person, a person with a story. A person with some problems but that person isnt the problem. That is a neighbor, thats a community member. McBurney added that if the center achieves its purpose, hed like to see it moved into a larger location in the next few years. The post New Atlanta Diversion Center Offers a Different Vision of Public Safety appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta. Editors Note: The video above first aired in February 2024. MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) September was Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about food insecurity and inspire action to combat hunger, and now Atmos Energy is donating $2 million to food banks across the eight states it serves, which aims to help provide food security for the natural gas companys neighbors in need. It takes significant resources to fight hunger and address nutritional instability, so the goal of these dollars is to aid food banks who coordinate with local charities, schools, churches, and shelters to support individuals and families struggling to afford basic necessities, said Brandi Price, Atmos Energy vice president of public affairs. As Atmos Energy continues Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities, we are extremely proud to partner with the West Texas Food Bank and further their mission of collecting, purchasing, and distributing food to feed the hungry in West Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas leads the nation in food insecurity, heres how local organizations are helping: Among the hundreds of food banks that Atmos Energy supports, the West Texas Food Bank is set to receive $48,000, which will provide a food pantry at Big Spring High School for three years. Were thrilled to provide vital support to Big Spring students, made possible by the incredible partnership with Atmos Energy, said Libby Stephens, CEO of the West Texas Food Bank. As the cost of living rises, so does the need for emergency food assistance. This collaboration allows us to make a meaningful impact, ensuring that families and individuals have access to the nourishment they need when they need it most. Hunger Action Month, a national campaign established by Feeding America in 2008, aims to educate the public about the widespread issue of hunger and encourage individuals, communities, and businesses to act by volunteering, donating, or advocating for policy change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Atmos Energy said Hunger Action Month is an important opportunity for communities to come together and make a positive impact on the lives of those struggling with hunger and food insecurity. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. For 13 months of ghastly war in the Gaza Strip, the U.S. has repeatedly pressed Israel to limit civilian casualties and let in more humanitarian aid. Israel repeatedly brushed aside U.S. advice and requests, with more than 42,000 Palestinians killed, according to Gaza health officials. The flow of aid has been so slow, often halted by Israel, that many Palestinians face starvation. In the offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, a similar pattern is emerging. The U.S. urged bombings be limited and targeted, but Israel blasted away in southern Lebanon, Beirut and as far north as Tripoli. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet when it came to Israels retaliatory airstrikes on Iran , the dynamic was different. Iran launched a barrage of nearly 200 missiles and rockets at Israel on Oct. 1 in retaliation for Israels killing of several senior Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders. Most were intercepted by Israeli forces and air defense systems, backed by the U.S. and Britain. Israel immediately vowed it would retaliate. The question was when and how. Read more: The rest of the world, too, anxiously awaits U.S. election results President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid hitting nuclear research sites and oil fields. And when Israeli fighter jets fired missiles at Iran on Oct. 26, in its largest such operation ever, they hit primarily military targets and only four people all soldiers were reported killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a look at the thinking that went into Israels actions in Iran. Why did Netanyahu limit targets this time? The Israeli prime minister undoubtedly recognized that Iran was a different adversary, far more powerful and potentially dangerous than militant groups Hamas and even Hezbollah, Irans main proxy in the region. Iran would be in a position to respond more violently than those groups, even though it has proved itself adverse to direct conflict. That in turn could lead to far greater escalation and destabilization across the region, possibly pulling in additional countries and drawing the U.S. deeper into the conflict. Israel has managed to destroy most of Gaza and is in the process of pulverizing parts of Lebanon to international condemnation and outrage and political and diplomatic isolation, but without facing effective efforts to rein it in. The price to pay for all-out war with Iran would probably be higher. Was it easy for him to make the decision? Probably not. U.S. officials applied unusually strong pressure on Israel to scale back its targets, according to people familiar with the talks. Initially both the nuclear sites and the oil fields and other energy facilities were on the list. The Israelis agreed to remove the nuclear installations because of the risks involved and the difficulty of taking them out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eventually, they also relented on the oil sites so as not to disrupt the global energy market. After Irans Oct. 1 barrage, Israel also apparently realized it would not be able to fend off a full Iranian attack alone and would need support from other countries. So it could not risk alienating the U.S. in these talks. There were several carrots offered by the U.S. The Biden administration also convinced Israel by offering several incentives. It imposed yet another batch of sanctions on Iran, this time cracking down on the so-called ghost ships, unmarked oil tankers Iran allegedly uses to export illicit petroleum products; fast-tracked to Israel an advanced ballistic missile air-defense system, known as THAAD; and launched airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen as a show of solidarity. Instead of nuclear and energy facilities, Israel said it took out many of Irans missile batteries and missile-production factories. In what it called precise airstrikes, Israel also crippled much of Irans air-defense network, the Netanyahu government said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was as much as Israel could take without a major schism with the Biden administration, said Bradley Bowman, a military expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington. The operation left Iran vulnerable, he said. Is it over? Not by any means. Both Israel and Iran say they want to avoid conflagration, but both continue to threaten each other. Israel routinely turned aside U.S. requests regarding Gaza and Lebanon, but the attack on Iran was different. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. DEVON, PA A Devon man who earlier this year pleaded guilty to felony attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child under 16 was sent to prison. David Kohlmeier, 49, of Devon, pleaded guilty to felony attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child under 16 in March. Main Line Media News reports Kohlmeier was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 11-and-a-half to 23 months in a Montgomery County facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was arrested on Sept. 16, 2022 and charged with felony contact with a minor-sexual offense, attempted involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, attempted statutory sexual assault, attempted aggravated indecent assault and criminal use of a communications facility, along with related misdemeanor counts. According to police charging documents, Kohlmeier, when interviewed by investigators, said he had recently moved to Pennsylvania with his husband and two children in order for the husband to attend a school in Philadelphia. Around the same time, Kohlmeier accepted a position as a minister with the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, according to a criminal complaint. He was released from custody after posting 10 percent of $99,999 bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint also says that Kohlmeier told detectives that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was living in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and had used the social media app Grindr to communicate with a 16-year-old male. "Kohlmeier met with the 16-year-old male and the two 'kissed and did other things.' When asked what 'did other things' mean, Kohlmeier stated that he could not remember," the criminal complaint states. "Kohlmeier did describe the male as being foreign, who did not speak English." Investigators said Kohlmeier was taken into custody after attempting to meet up with the fictitious teenager who was actually an undercover detective. He was arrested by members of a surveillance team at the meetup location in Conshohocken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police documents show that Kohlmeier had been messaging with the undercover investigator at the time the two were attempting to meet up. Attempted Sex With Underage Boy Lands Devon Man In Prison: Report originally appeared on the Tredyffrin-Easttown Patch Attorney John Sheeran is resigning from his West Pierce Fire Commissioner position following his indictment Oct. 21 in federal court for allegedly smuggling drugs into a King County Jail. The Board of Fire Commissioners will address his letter of resignation during their Nov. 5 meeting, according to an agenda posted on their website. To fill the vacant seat, the department will follow the procedures outlined in RCW 42.12.080, West Pierce Fire & Rescue spokesperson Jenny Weekes told The News Tribune via email Thursday. This section of the Revised Code of Washington details how special purpose districts, which govern separately from towns, cities or counties and provide services such as fire protection or electricity, are to fill vacancies of nonpartisan positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the code, members of the districts governing body must nominate at least one candidate to replace the vacant member at a meeting. They must publish notice of the vacancy and the name of the nominee (or nominees) in three public places, one of which must be the districts website if it has one, for at least 15 days. Voters who live in the district may also submit nominations to the governing body during this period. The districts governing body then meets to appoint a replacement from the nominated candidates. They have a deadline of 90 days from when the vacancy occurred to appoint the replacement. If they fail to fill the position by then, the county legislature authority that governs the area where the district is located, or its largest portion, is authorized to appoint the replacement within 180 days of the vacancy. In this case, thats the Pierce County Council. Should they also fail to do so, the county legislative authority or the districts governing body may petition the governor to appoint a replacement. The appointee shall serve until a qualified person is elected at the next election at which a member of the governing body normally would be elected, and the person elected shall take office immediately and serve the remainder of the unexpired term, according to the code. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheerans term is set to expire next year, according to the West Pierce Fire & Rescue website. The News Tribune has submitted a public records request for a copy of Sheerans letter of resignation. The request is pending. Jennifer Wellman, the attorney representing Sheeran, told The News Tribune in a statement Monday about the charges: We look forward to responding to these allegations in court. News Tribune archives contributed to this report. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Austin Police Department said it was searching for a man in connection with an Oct. 21 robbery that occurred at a north Austin 7-Eleven. APD said the robbery took place at approximately 3:45 a.m. in the 9200 block of Burnet Road. According to police, the suspect entered the store armed with a handgun and demanded money from the clerk. Still images from surveillance footage of robbery suspect (APD photos) Police described the suspect as a Black man between the ages of 30 and 40 with a medium build. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, a white N95 mask, grey sweatpants with black stripes on the sides, a white sock on left foot, a black sock on right, and grey slippers. He was also carrying a small black backpack. Anyone with information was asked to contact APDs Robbery unit at 512-974-5092. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest, APD said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Federal investigators with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced theyve dismantled what they describe as Canadas largest and most sophisticated drug superlab ever, preventing over 95 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl from reaching Canadian communities or the international market. The October 25 takedown, led by RCMPs Pacific Region Federal Policing program, targeted a major transnational organized crime group producing massive amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine at a Falkland, British Columbia, lab and associated locations in Surrey. During the raids, RCMP seized 54 kilograms of fentanyl, 390 kilograms of methamphetamine, 35 kilograms of cocaine, 15 kilograms of MDMA, and 6 kilograms of cannabis, in addition to 89 firearms, including handguns, AR-15-style rifles, and submachine gunsmany loaded and ready for use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RCMP officers also uncovered explosives, body armor, high-capacity magazines, silencers, and approximately $500,000 in cash. Nine of the firearms were confirmed as stolen. This extensive operation, involving RCMPs Drugs and Organized Crime Group-6 and specialized tactical units, uncovered a sophisticated facility capable of producing multiple drug types. The RCMP Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement and Response team and Kamloops RCMP were among those who supported the bust, which RCMP described as a decisive blow against organized crime. The primary suspect, Gaganpreet Randhawa, has been arrested and is in custody, facing multiple drug and firearm charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to RCMP, several large methamphetamine shipments intended for export were intercepted during the investigation, with 310 kilograms seized in partnership with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) before reaching their international destinations. RCMP officials say the investigation remains ongoing, with further probes into the sources of precursor chemicals used at the Falkland site and another rural property in Enderby, BC, where 30 tons of chemicals were confiscated. ONEILL, Neb. (KCAU) Services are continuing to return to Avera St. Anthonys Hospital in ONeill, Nebraska after an explosion and structure fire near the building. Hospital officials say the labor and delivery services, along with surgery services, have been restored. The emergency and inpatient services were stored on Oct. 29. NTSB preliminary report provides more details on Norfolk plane crash The emergency department will be operating out of a repurposed space in the inpatient area until repairs in the actual department are done in the coming months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The explosion and fire on Oct. 7 happened at St. Patricks Parish Center after a man drove into the gas line that goes into the 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. A baby powder sold on Amazon and in 35 states is being recalled following concerns it has been contaminated with asbestos. Dynacare Baby Powder was first recalled in 12 states last month but that number has now been expanded to 35 after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected asbestos in finished products during routine sampling. The product was sold in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin and through Amazon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency is recalling the 14-ounce and 4-ounce sizes, while Dynacare is asking customers to stop using the product and return it for a full refund. There are no public reports of illnesses linked to its use yet, and Dynacare has also ceased distribution of the powder as an investigation remains ongoing to determine the cause of the contamination. Dynacare has had to recall its baby powder in 35 states after fears over asbestos contamination. (FDA) Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral often found near talc, an ingredient in many cosmetic products. As a carcinogen, its health risks are well-documented. If talc mining sites are not carefully chosen or if proper steps are not taken to adequately purify the talc ore, it may contain asbestos, the FDA said. Questions about refunds and returns can be directed to Dynarex Corporation at 888-396-2739 or 845-365-8200 during business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, or by email at recall@dynarex.com, the agency said. By Makiko Yamazaki and Ritsuko Shimizu TOKYO (Reuters) - Tokyo's high court has ruled the fair value of FamilyMart shares was 13% higher than Itochu's buyout offer, in another landmark win for minority shareholders with implications for future deals in Japan. The ruling, dated Oct. 31 and reviewed by Reuters, said FamilyMart shareholders that petitioned for a better price should be paid 2,600 yen ($17.08) per share, 300 yen more than the 2,300 yen that Itochu offered for the convenience store chain's shares it did not already own in 2020. The decision, which largely upheld a lower court's ruling, could reopen the door for minority shareholders unhappy with buyouts to get a court decision on a fair price for the target company, a route that had been inactive in Japan since a 2016 court ruling. FamilyMart said it planned to appeal the decision, adding it was "highly disappointed that the fairness of the procedures we have insisted upon has not been recognised." Itochu declined to comment. The high court said Itochu's tender offer was not conducted through generally accepted fair process because it failed to reflect the opinion from FamilyMart's independent committee that the price was not high enough. The financial adviser to FamilyMart's independent committee had suggested a range of 2,472 yen to 3,040 yen. Structurally, there is always a potential conflict of interest between a parent seeking to take its listed subsidiary private and the subsidiary's minority shareholders, or between company executives and shareholders in management buyouts. As the number of buyout deals rise in Japan, more minority shareholders have been exercising appraisal rights to seek higher prices for their shares after they are squeezed out. But Japanese courts have refrained from assessing fair value in buyouts since a 2016 ruling over a Jupiter Telecommunications tender offer where the supreme court concluded a tender offer price agreed through a generally accepted fair process should constitute fair value. The ruling effectively mandated petitioning shareholders to prove the tender offer process was flawed before making courts look into fair value, significantly reducing the chances of winning a higher price. ($1 = 152.2400 yen) (Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki and Ritsuko Shimizu; Editing by Jamie Freed) The silence that filled her animal shelter after it began flooding unnerved Pam Harris. As water infiltrated the room, employees had no time to speak as they grabbed nearly 100 dogs and cats and loaded them into trucks. The dogs, typically barking or whining, made no noise as the water rose around their beds at the facility in Erwin, Tennessee, in September. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats how you knew how terrified they were, said Harris, assistant director of the Unicoi County Animal Shelter. She had no choice but to find her animals new homes at shelters across the country or with foster families after flooding from Hurricane Milton destroyed her facility. Weeks after back-to-back hurricanes swept through the Southeast, many shelters and rescues destroyed in the storms are in a similar situation - forced to send their animals to new locations across the country, with little control over what will happen to them. Many of the facilities on the receiving end are struggling to keep up with the influx, while hundreds of other pets that were abandoned during Hurricanes Helene and Milton remain homeless. The fallout has exacerbated overcrowding in shelters nationwide, making many facilities busier than they have been in years. Staff members who work to limit animal diseases, spay and neuter pets to prevent them from reproducing at will and help stray animals find homes say they are overwhelmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Animal sheltering right now is in crisis, Mirah Horowitz, founder of Lucky Dog Animal Rescue in Arlington, Virginia, told The Washington Post. Many animal shelters were overcrowded before this years hurricane season - an issue Horowitz said was partly caused by the increased price of veterinary care and the growing trend of shelters refusing to euthanize their animals. Before hurricanes, shelters that expect to be affected send some of their animals to other facilities to make room for abandoned and injured pets. Afterward, shelters call on the public and national rescue organizations to donate supplies - food, blankets, kennels, water - so they can care for their new animals. After pets have stayed at a shelter for a few weeks or months, they often need to find a new home or a shelter that isnt at maximum capacity. Some shelters euthanize pets to make space for new animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Furry Friends, a no-kill shelter in Florida, hoped to avoid animal deaths by busing dozens of pets at a shelter impacted by Hurricane Helene to shelters in the Northeast and Midwest. As Hurricane Milton loomed two weeks later, Furry Friends barricaded many of its own pets at its 27-acre Palm City facility, outside Miltons expected landfall near Tampa Bay. But the shelter didnt foresee the tornadoes that hit South Florida hours before Miltons landfall. Strong winds destroyed windows at Furry Friendss facility, tumbled a building designed for veterinarian services on its side and caused power lines to fall. Dogs in urgent need of walks the following morning dodged glass, metal and building parts. Employees loaded dogs and cats into vans to take to Furry Friendss other shelter in Jupiter, Florida, about 20 miles southeast. They planted pet cages on the floor in whats usually a meeting room. They placed other animals on buses to northern states Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We went from being the helper organization to being the shelter that really needed the help, said Jess Grand, the shelters chief of staff. To take in abandoned animals from Milton, Furry Friends rented a former racing track for dogs in West Palm Beach while their Palm City facility is being rebuilt. They set up kennels, purchased washing and drying machines and created makeshift veterinary care areas. Other shelters have helped by taking in more animals than their buildings were designed to fit. After Hurricane Helene struck Asheville, North Carolina, in September, Amanda Peck, the shelter manager at Hope for Brevard in Melbourne, Florida, volunteered to care for cats from the area. She thought she would receive about 70 - a bit more than shelters typically send her after hurricanes. But when overcrowded shelters asked her to take 147 cats, Peck said she couldnt say no. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It just becomes for you: Who do you leave behind? said Peck, 32. So thats not an option. The option is just to save as many as we can. Peck was sheltering 156 cats before the new litter arrived in early October. Her rescues floors were covered with gray, black, yellow and blue crates, most of which featured a strip of tape that listed the cats name. She turned meeting rooms into homes for cats. Peck said shes paying about $25,000 out-of-pocket for veterinary care that involves neutering and spaying, microchipping and vaccinating the cats. She said food, litter and garbage bags for the cats have cost about $1,000 per week. About 20 of the new cats have been selected for adoption, Peck said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well keep all of them until we get them to where they have to be, she said. Shelters like Pecks have been crucial, especially after some buildings were demolished from the hurricanes, like the Unicoi County Animal Shelter. Employees didnt have enough kennels for all their pets when they evacuated them from flooding, so they placed multiple dogs in the same cage praying that they just didnt fight, Harris said. The power went out that morning, and Harris said she wouldve missed a black Australian Shepherd, Chili Flake, in his kennel, if she didnt see his white teeth. In five trucks and a trailer, employees took the pets to a local supermarket and a hardware store that agreed to temporarily house them. Harris and her staff called neighbors, other shelters and national organizations for help, and dozens of their animals were fostered. The Humane Society of the United States, one of a few national nonprofits that assists animals after disasters, later relocated some of the pets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris, 41, said about four feet of flood and sewer water had engulfed her shelter. Shes raising money for repairs, which she expects to cost about $350,000. But even after losing her workplace, Harriss work of finding pets homes was far from over. When she visited her shelter the day after the floods, Harris said, a box of four abandoned kittens sat amid mud and water on the destroyed front porch. Related Content How Elvis Costello teamed up with T Bone Burnett to make one of his best albums Vance claims teens become trans to get into Ivy League in attack on gender craziness Its not too late to turn in your mail-in or absentee ballot in Oklahoma to ensure your vote counts during Tuesdays election. More than 124,000 absentee ballots were mailed to voters before registration closed on Oct. 11. The deadline for all absentee ballots is not until Election Day itself, giving voters one more weekend to return the ballot to the Election office. Heres what you need to know about when and how to turn your ballot in to get them to count. When are absentee ballots due? Absentee ballots are due no later than 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. If they are hand-delivered, they must be received by the close of business on Monday, Nov. 4. Do I need a stamp for my mail-in ballot? Postage is prepaid, so your ballot does not require a stamp. Can I mail my ballot? You can mail your ballot, but be sure to observe when it is expected to be delivered. If you think the time is cutting too close to the deadline, other options may be better suited. The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing absentee ballots at least one week before the due date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stay informed: Sign up for The Oklahoman's Daily Briefing newsletter If you have mailed your ballot, you can track the ballot on the State Election Board website. If your absentee ballot was rejected, you will receive a letter from the county election board following the election explaining why your ballot could not be counted. Can I deliver my ballot? You may hand deliver your absentee ballot(s) to your county election board any day during their regular business hours until the close of business on the Monday preceding Election Day. You must show proof of identity to county election board personnel. An assistant or agent may not hand deliver your absentee ballot. What happens to my absentee ballot in Oklahoma? According to Oklahoma election laws, when an Oklahoma county election board receives absentee ballots, the secretary of the county election board is required to place them in a ballot box locked with three locks in a secure place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county election board may meet at 10 a.m. on the Thursday before the election, publicly remove the outer envelopes from all absentee ballots, and place them in a ballot box. The county election board designates one or two more special absentee voting boards, which consist of two members of different political parties, to remove the outer envelopes and examine the ballot affidavits. When are absentee ballots counted in Oklahoma? On the day of the election, the county election board meets at the county courthouse or at the offices of the election board to count absentee ballots. The secretary of the county election board appoints absentee counters that meet the same qualifications required of precinct counters. If approved by the secretary of the State Election Board, the county election board may begin counting absentee ballots before Election Day, but results can't be printed or made known earlier than 7 p.m. on the day of the election. Alexia Aston contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma absentee ballot deadline: The latest you can turn your vote in At Senator Ruben S. Ayala Senior High School in Chino Hills, students this semester complained of broken air conditioners and bathroom sinks, faulty Chromebooks and Wi-Fi and, in one classroom, a ceiling leak that dripped into a bucket by a teachers desk as rats scurried across the floor. But recently, school administrators dealt with a different in-classroom issue: the appearance of 4-by-6-inch rainbow-pattern note cards imprinted with the phrase "safe space." Some teachers saw the cards as a way to show support to LGBTQ+ students. But school leaders said they went against a district ban on non-American flags, including rainbow ones, a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride. The cards are now gone. The incident reflects the ongoing tensions inside the Chino Valley Unified School District 37 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, where a conservative board has for two years faced both praise and scorn as a relentless fighter in education culture wars, including "parental notification" issues, book bans and other polices that involve LGBTQ+ students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a politically mixed county that voted for President Biden by more than 10 points in 2020, the school board faces its own referendum on Tuesday when three of the five seats are open in election that could flip the conservative majority. During the months leading up to the election, the school board has robustly moved forward with its agenda and politics. Last year California sued the district over the board's approval of a parental notification rule requiring schools to alert parents if a student requested to be "identified or treated as a gender other than their biological sex or the gender listed on their birth certificate. The district passed a revised policy that removed references to gender identity and applied to all students. A judge later issued a permanent injunction against all of the original policy except a portion that required schools to notify parents of unofficial or official changes to student records. Over the summer, the state enacted a law that prohibits schools from mandating that teachers notify families about student gender identity changes. Read more: Judge blocks Chino Valley policy mandating schools notify parents if students are transgender Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in the latest salvo, the Chino board last month approved a "no deception" policy that requires all employees to "be truthful and honest and not misrepresent, either directly or by omission, to parents. Opponents say the rule is another attempt to circumvent the new state law on parental notification and is overly expansive. Supporters say it is meant to force dishonest educators to be transparent with parents on all matters, although they are vague about what deceptions they believe to have taken place. The new Chino regulation does not apply if disclosure is prohibited by law. Last November, the board also approved a rule requiring school libraries to pull books if any district resident complains they are "sexually obscene." The board then decides whether they should be permanently banned. Board members said they did not know how many books have been removed in total. Karen England, a Tennessee-based activist who runs a national campaign to teach parents and boards how to challenge books, said during a get-out-the-vote event in Chino Hills this month that 25 books were taken out of Chino Valley libraries from 12 schools in early October, including "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison. The board's book rule borrowed language from one of England's online guides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier, the board had banned rainbow pride flags in district classrooms, allowing for only government and military flags. "It boggles my mind what goes on in this district," said Donald Bridge, a former U.S. history and government teacher who is the lone dissenter on the Chino Valley board and finishing out his last term. "We want to teach students and give them a better education. But we seem to be focused on everything but that." Parental notification policies and laws also called "forced outing" measures by LGBTQ+ advocates have passed in eight states, and many more local school districts across the U.S., according to the Movement Advancement Project. But the debates have unfolded in every state. "This is a national movement. ... A win in California looks really good for them because if you can win in liberal California, you can win anywhere," said Maurice Cunningham, a retired professor from the University of Massachusetts at Boston who has studied conservative activism in education. The costs of culture wars in schools A new national study from the Institute for Democracy, Education and Access at UCLA found that of 467 public school superintendents in 46 states who were surveyed, close to 66%, said their districts have seen "moderate to high levels" of conflict on topics ranging from COVID-related measures to race and LGBTQ+ issues. The study estimated that public schools spent $3.2 billion in the 2023-24 school year on costs stemming from such conflicts. The tab included legal fees and increased security and communications workloads to respond to misinformation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The topics that school boards have focused on have shifted, going from a fairly narrow focus on teaching and learning about race and racism in 2021 to increasingly attacks related to LGBT+ student rights," said John Rogers, a professor at UCLAs Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, who co-authored the report. Read more: How conservatives are waging a coordinated, anti-LGBTQ+ culture war in California schools His research found that 50% of superintendents said they had been subject to harassment last school year over cultural conflicts, and roughly 10% had seen related threats of violence or property vandalism. In the Chino Valley district, legal costs have soared totaling more than $1.2 million last school year, more than double the annual total in 2022. The district says that the Chicago-based Liberty Justice Center, a conservative legal firm, is representing it for free in its legal battles with the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sonja Shaw, the board president, blames the teachers union for increased administrative and legal spending. "They are wasting money and time of our staff," she said, citing union complaints over new board policies and accusations that she has violated state law over open meetings. A high-profile board president In TV interviews, public events and from the school board dais, Shaw speaks against "woke indoctrination" of students. During a board meeting last year, she said non-binary and transgender students could use the help of "non-affirming" parents to "get better." A parent to two public school teens, she was an outspoken critic of the board during pandemic school closures before winning her seat in Nov. 2022. She says she is not anti-LGBTQ+ and faces opposition because she is "Christian and loves Jesus." Sonja Shaw, Chino Valley Unified School District board president, speaks at a California Policy Center event at Rancho Madera Community Park in Simi Valley on Sept. 26, 2023. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) On the "safe space" rainbow cards, Shaw said: "I don't get this mindset of us telling students that we are safe as a district or we are safe as teachers but your parents are not." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regarding the "no deception" rule, Shaw said it has "nothing to do with parental notification" about transgender teens. Instead, she called the policy a "statement of philosophy." "All we are saying here is let us make decisions for our community," Shaw said. "What goes in L.A. may not go here. Let us have local control. If our community doesn't like it, they will let us know." Read more: Righteous mother or right-wing zealot? The soccer mom leading California's parental rights movement The community's response by the way of votes will be known next week. In the three board seats up for election, it's become a contest of liberals vs. conservatives. Candidates in each race are speaking against the districts current direction. Incumbents in two races are promoting board positions. The Associated Chino Teachers union has endorsed candidates opposed to parental notification and other LGBTQ+-related policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such issues have also become contentious on schools boards in Temecula, Redlands, Murietta and Riverside, which are also facing elections. The California Teachers Assn., in which the Chino union is a chapter, has become increasingly involved supporting more liberal-leaning candidates, including at a teachers rally held last week outside a Temecula shopping center. In Chino Valley, Shaw's seat isn't up for two years. Two years ago, when voters elected Shaw and another conservative board member, Jon Monroe, Shaw won by 317 votes and Monroe by 1,055. A little more than 10,000 ballots were cast in each race. The area, while more conservative than Los Angeles County, is not a GOP stronghold. In 2020, Joe Biden won the precinct where the district building is located by 19 points. But in several nearby precincts, Donald Trump won by close to 10 points. Read more: Conservative Temecula school board president officially loses recall vote Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Chino Valley district, 26,000 students are spread over 34 schools. About 55% are Hispanic, while roughly 26% are Asian American, 11% white and 3.7% Black. Campus tensions Students interviewed from multiple high schools in Chino Valley say they are growing increasingly concerned. At a board meeting this month over the "no deception" policy, dozens showed up with parents and hand-held rainbow flags to register their protest. Jeremiah, a senior at Ayala High School, was one of them. During the public comment period, he urged the board "to stop peddling lies that weaponize parents' care for their children against teachers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview, Jeremiah, who is gay and did not use his last name because he feared retribution for speaking out, said he felt a shift the past two years toward less tolerance for LGBTQ+ students. Jeremiah, a senior at Ayala High School in Chino Hills, on Oct. 31, 2024. He is the founder of Chino Valley Students 4 Change, a group organizing to oppose school board policies on LGBTQ+ students. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) "I grew up in a family that is loving of me," he said. "But that is not the case for other students and their families." Some Chino Valley students went further, saying the school board stances have created an increasingly hostile environment for LGBTQ+ teens and supportive teachers. They spoke of a September incident at Ayala, where anti-gay insults were hurled at the leader of the campus LGBTQ+ group during a school-wide club recruitment event. A student flipped over a table, causing the LGBTQ+ club leader to hit his head on a planter. Police were notified of the alleged bullying attack. Shaw has expressed concern over the incident. "I reject that our districts policies have created an unsafe environment for students," Shaw said. "Bullying of any kind is unacceptable." Last month, the district put the teacher who advises the club under leave for "unprofessional conduct." The allegations are unclear. Shaw confirmed the leave but would not elaborate. The teacher and her union also declined. Pro-LGBTQ+ parent activists are accusing the district of retaliation against an outspoken board critic. During the October board meeting, another district student told the board she felt her "rights were being stripped away." She said her high school had other issues that were more important, like broken air conditioners and bad Wi-Fi. The student, who said her name was Akeel, did not say which school she attended. Read more: Newsom signs bill banning schools from notifying parents about student gender identity Teachers also spoke out. Amanda Swager, a chemistry teacher at Chino High School who said they were intersex, said "these sideshows, these resolutions do absolutely nothing." Students and teachers who attended the board meeting last month were overwhelmingly against the board and its policies. But parents, including a contingent from the Calvary Chapel Chino Hills megachurch that has backed conservative board members, came out to support the "no-deception" policy. Misty Startup, a parent of a Chino Hills High School sophomore, said she was pleased board leaders worked against "lies by unions and their candidates." Startup, a nurse, said in an interview that the district was wrongly painted as anti-LGBTQ+. "If a child is worried about their sexual orientation, gender or having suicidal thoughts, the response should always be 'let's talk with your parents,'" Startup said in an interview. "Not, 'oh, don't tell your parents, they might not be supportive.'" "The story here is parents who love their kids and want the best for them," she said. "People twist it into homophobia and racism." Kristi Hirst, who co-founded the liberal-leaning education advocacy group Our Schools USA, was also present. "They're obsessed with being able to out kids," Hirst, a parent of three children in the system and a former district teacher, said of the board in an interview. "This is literally their entire focus of the last two years. We can only hope that, come the election, things change." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Former U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign event for Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, at the James R Hallford Stadium on October 24, 2024 in Clarkston, Georgia. The former president has recorded a message for Shomari Figures in Alabamas 2nd Congressional District, urging voters to lead the charge for change once again. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Former President Barack Obama has recorded a message encouraging Alabama 2nd Congressional District voters to support Democratic 2nd Congressional District nominee Shomari Figures, invoking the states civil rights past and saying they would lead the charge for change once again. Shomari Figures, running for Alabama 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary, seen at the debate Feb. 20, 2024, hosted by the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund in Montgomery. (Alander Rocha/Alabama Reflector) The Figures campaign said in a statement that Obama was calling on voters to to lead the charge for change once again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alabama, youve led the way in securing voting and civil rights for everyone in America, making journeys like mine possible, Obama said. Figures, who served in Obamas administration as Domestic Director of Presidential Personnel and later at the U.S. Department of Justice under President Joe Biden, expressed gratitude for the endorsement in the statement. His humility, integrity, decency, and historic leadership continues to inspire millions of people around the world, and I am thankful he gave a kid from Mobile, Alabama the chance to play a small part in such a historic and productive chapter in Americas story, Figures said in a statement. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2nd Congressional District stretches from Mobile County through the southern Black Belt and Montgomery to the Georgia border. A federal court last year approved a new congressional map for Alabama, making the 7th Congressional District a majority-Black district, as it has been since 1992, and the 2nd district a near-majority Black district. The court found that voting was racially polarized in Alabama, with white Alabamians tending to support Republicans and Black Alabamians tending to support Democrats. The court designated the 2nd Congressional District, with a Black Voting Age Population of nearly 49%, as an opportunity district giving Black voters a chance to elect their preferred candidates. Figures faces Republican nominee Caroleene Dobson in the contest. With a closely divided U.S. House, the result of the election could help swing control of the chamber. Figures campaign has drawn attention from state and national Democrats. U.S. House of Representative Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries; former Attorney General Eric Holder and Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham have all campaigned in the district this week. Figures had a speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention in August, appearing on the same night that Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the partys nomination for president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Figures wins election and Sewell is re-elected, Alabama will have two Black representatives serving in Congress at the same time for the first time in history. The state sent three Black men to the U.S. House Benjamin Turner; James Rapier and Jeremiah Haralson between 1871 and 1877, but each served in the chamber at different times. Three other Black Alabamians have served in the House since 1993 Earl Hilliard; Artur Davis and Sewell but all came from the 7th Congressional District and succeeded each other. By sending Shomari Figures to Congress, youll have someone committed to improving economic and healthcare outcomes for everyone. I know this because Shomari served in my administration, helping implement policies to make life better for all Americans, Obama said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BARBOURVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) Finding the light even in the darkest of times can be difficult for many, but one young girl in Barbourville is showing the community its not impossible. Saying goodbye can be tough, especially if youre parting ways for good. Read more of the latest Kentucky news May 12, 2021, was the last time Faye McNab got to see her Dad. But shes making sure his legacy lives on by turning her heartache into something her Dad would be proud of. By selling lemonade, Faye has been raising money for her fathers perfect headstone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Me and Mom were struggling to get him a headstone. Me and mom came up with the idea to start a lemonade stand for everybody, Faye said. He didnt have a headstone before we put him down, and I felt bad, so Mom and I wanted to pick out a headstone. Striving to find the perfect headstone proved to be a challenge and after months of searching Faye finally found one, she thinks her dad would be proud of. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: I picked out, like, a black headstone and it going to be like, lasered on it, with some deer and cabins And of course, because he loves cabins and he also loves hunting and he always dresses in camo, said Faye. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The headstone is still in the final stage, making sure everything is perfect before placing it in the cemetery. Faye says she strives every day to make her father proud and has one final message. I would tell him I love him and. Hes proud of me. And I just love him so much, she said. If youre interested in donating to the cause, contact Parkway Monument. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. Air quality monitoring continues Thursday in homes next to the Critical Mineral Recovery facility following a large fire the day prior. Residents who live on the street next to the battery plant are still under an evacuation for the next few days. Those homeowners said there is a lot of confusion about when they can go back inside. We thought that the evacuation was lifted this morning because there were no barricades at the road, Kathy McDaniel said. So, we came down here and went in the house, but I got really sick after we got in there, and he got a really bad headache. The CMR facility is located near Highway OO and Highway 72 in Fredericktown, Missouri. The fire broke out around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flames and heavy smoke billowed from the plant for several hours on Wednesday. 5 Missouri Senate debate moments everyone will be talking about HAZMAT crews and at least 25 fire agencies were on-site Wednesday, battling the flames with the support of the plants extensive fire suppression system. The suppression system includes a 200,000-gallon water storage tower, 54 high-powered nozzles, and stationary sprinklers that discharge biodegradable foam to expand water capacity. Fire officials continue to emphasize the need for caution and have warned against exposure to the hazardous fumes. The EPA and Missouri Department of Natural Resources spent Thursday testing ground and air quality of homes directly next to the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would just like to know if our house is safe to go into and the order that theyre taking to take care of this situation. Yeah, our dogs, Shay and Jennifer Tourville said. So far it has been minimal on what we know but, you know, we have pets. Are they okay to go in the backyard? Answers were wanting to know. The Critical Mineral Recovery is about 90 miles south of St. Louis and 20 miles south of Farmington in Madison County, Missouri. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Initiated Measure 28 would do away with the states share of the sales tax on items for human consumption, which includes groceries. Supporters say eliminating the tax on groceries is one of the best ways to help families that are struggling financially. However, opponents say IM 28 is poorly written and leaves room for misinterpretation. On the ballot, Initiated Measure 28 is titled an Initiated Measure Prohibiting Taxes on Anything Sold for Human Consumption. Its the term human consumption that opponents dont like. They fear it could mean the elimination of taxes on more than just groceries. Be informed on the seven 2024 ballot measures Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors bill two years ago House Bill 1075 included the term food and food ingredients which is defined in South Dakota law, said Nathan Sanderson, the Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association. The phrase anything sold for human consumption is not defined in state law and obviously includes much, much more than food and food ingredients. And so there is no arguing its frankly drafted incorrectly. But one of the backers of IM 28 says the intent of the proposal is to eliminate the state tax on nothing more than groceries. Rick Wieland points to the fiscal note on the ballot, which says IM 28 would result in a reduction in sales tax revenue for the state of 123.9 million dollars. That number indicates the states share of sales tax on groceries only. Its a tax on food, not toilet paper, we dont eat toilet paper, we dont drink gasoline. We eat food and South Dakotans need a break this is a savings of 123.9 million dollars, a tax savings to the people of South Dakota, said Weiland. Wildflower Academy owner arrested for child abuse Weiland also says the fiscal note contains clear instructions that counties, cities and towns could continue to tax anything sold for human consumption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been a lot of hypotheticals, and not facts, hypotheticals I think have created an atmosphere of fear and not facts, said Weiland. But opponents arent convinced. For the state of South Dakota, the lions share of its revenue comes from sales taxes. And so if we erode that sales tax base, that only leaves us two options, find an alternate way to pay for it or make significant cuts, said Sanderson. According to Weiland South Dakota and Mississippi are currently the only two states that tax groceries at the full sales tax rate. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Nate Raymond (Reuters) - Elections for seats on state supreme courts that once drew little attention have become prominent abortion battlegrounds since the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision reversing its landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized the procedure nationwide. That ruling essentially moved the fight over reproductive rights to the states, clearing the way for 13 conservative states to ban abortion and legislatures in others to severely restrict it. It also prompted voters in four states to approve initiatives enshrining abortion rights in state constitutions, with similar measures on ballots in 10 states this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State supreme courts have the final word on interpreting state constitutions and new constitutional amendments, significantly raising the stakes for elections to their benches - something that in the past drew far less attention and fewer voters than presidential and other races higher on the ballot. Advocates on both sides of the abortion issue are targeting judicial races in Michigan and Ohio, two of the 33 states nationwide in which supreme court seats are on the ballot in the Nov. 5 election either through competitive elections or votes to retain appointed jurists. Advocacy groups are also pouring money into races in states including Montana and North Carolina, where both parties are laying the groundwork for future electoral battles to tilt the courts' makeup, and Arizona, where two Republican-appointed justices who upheld a 1864 abortion ban hope to retain their seats. "As the U.S. Supreme Court continues to undo federal protections, state supreme courts are going to get more and more on lots of groups' radars," said Deirdre Schifeling, the American Civil Liberties Union's chief political and advocacy officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her group, which has been litigating against state abortion restrictions, has sunk $5.4 million into elections in Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina and Montana to tell voters which judicial candidates support abortion and civil rights. Planned Parenthood Votes, the political arm of the reproductive healthcare and abortion rights group, and the National Democratic Redistricting Committee jointly committed in May to spending at least $5 million on state supreme court races in those four states plus Kentucky and Arizona. Conservatives are spending millions of dollars countering those efforts, with the Republican State Leadership Committee's Judicial Fairness Initiative targeting judicial elections in Michigan, Ohio, Montana, North Carolina, Arizona and Texas. In Montana, where the state's high court ruled in 1999 that the state constitution protects abortion rights, Republicans are throwing their support behind two candidates, Cory Swanson and Dan Wilson, whose opponents, Jerry Lynch and Katherine Bidegaray, say they agree with the abortion ruling's reasoning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IDEOLOGICAL BALANCE AT STAKE The 2024 contests come a year after record-breaking spending in recent state supreme court races in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where the focus on abortion rights helped fuel Democratic victories. Liberal Janet Protasiewicz won a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the most expensive state supreme court race ever, costing more than $50 million. In Ohio, six candidates are vying for three seats on the state's supreme court, with Democrats seizing on abortion rights to try to retain two seats they currently hold and claim a third in an open contest. Should they do so, they would flip the ideological balance of a court that currently has a 4-3 Republican majority. "Extremist judges put Ohio at risk, threatening our freedom and access to abortion," the narrator in a television ad sponsored by Democratic incumbent Justices Michael Donnelly and Melody Stewart and Democratic candidate Lisa Forbes says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are campaigning on the issue even after Ohio voters last year approved a constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion rights. Ohio's Republican state attorney general post-amendment is still defending abortion restrictions in court. In Michigan, where voters also enshrined the right to abortion into their state constitution, two seats are in play in an election that is nonpartisan, but whose candidates are nominated by the Democratic and Republican parties. Currently those backed by Democrats have a 4-3 majority on the court. The Democratic candidates, incumbent Justice Kyra Harris Bolden and University of Michigan law professor Kimberly Ann Thomas, are significantly outspending Republican rivals Patrick William O'Grady and Andrew Fink, according to campaign finance reports. SPEAKING ABOUT 'VALUES' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Douglas Keith, a senior counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice who tracks judicial elections, said campaigning by candidates on partisan issues, including abortion rights, marks a change from how would-be justices in the past "would talk about how they believed in fairness and justice and family values, and that would be about it." Democratic North Carolina Justice Allison Riggs, a former civil rights lawyer, is among those talking about abortion as she vies for a full eight-year term following her 2023 appointment by the state's Democratic governor to fill a vacancy created by another justice's resignation. Her opponent, North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin, describes himself as "an originalist and a textualist," referring to legal doctrines conservatives on the U.S. Supreme Court have relied upon in recent rulings expanding gun rights and curtailing the right to abortion. Riggs said it's important voters know her own "values" as Democrats fight to keep control of her seat so they can potentially regain a majority over the next two elections on a court that now has a 5-2 Republican majority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm not promising how I will vote, but I have a lived experience of what it means to control my own body and make my own healthcare decisions," Riggs said. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Deepa Babington) More than 100 BBC staff have signed a letter accusing their employer of pro-Israel bias. Anonymous signatories have joined former Tory party chairman Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and pro-Palestine actress Juliet Stevenson in demanding that the corporation report without fear or favour. In an open letter to Tim Davie, the director-general, they accused the BBC of failing to provide fair and accurate coverage of events in Gaza and of dehumanising Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter sets out a series of demands, including that the BBC provide historical context predating October 2023 when reporting on the war which broke out when Hamas terrorists killed more than 1,000 civilians and took 251 hostage. The letter, also co-signed by historian William Dalrymple, pushed for the corporation to make it clear when there is insufficient evidence to back up Israeli claims, and making clear where Israel is the perpetrator in article headlines. Protesters gather outside the BBC building in Birmingham last month to criticise UK media - Martin Pope/Zuma/Shutterstock It adds: Every television report, article and radio interview that has failed to robustly challenge Israeli claims has systematically dehumanised Palestinians. The letter is also signed by the Guardian columnist Owen Jones and Rizwana Hamid, the director of the Muslim Council of Britains Centre for Media Monitoring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter comes after growing concerns among Jewish staff at the BBC about the corporations coverage of the conflict in the Middle East, and the threat of anti-Semitism at work. In February, Mr Davie acknowledged anti-Semitism at the corporation for the first time and promised to stamp out abhorrent abuse. He told staff in an email: As many of you may have seen, sadly in recent weeks we have been alerted to some anti-Semitic behaviour by people who have worked with us. I want to be clear that there can be no place at the BBC for racist abuse of any kind, whether towards our Jewish colleagues or indeed colleagues from any background or belief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pledge came after The Telegraph revealed comments by Dawn Queva, a BBC staffer, who wrote in Facebook posts that Jews were Nazis and white people mutants and a virus. Members of the Jewish community protest outside the BBC last year - Carl Court/Getty Jewish staff at the time raised concerns that they were working alongside colleagues who might be anti-Semitic. The BBC launched an urgent investigation when it appeared that some of its journalists appeared to justify the killing of Israeli civilians by Hamas. BBC News Arabic endorsed comments likening Hamas, a designated terrorist group, to freedom fighters, as well as describing the Oct 7 atrocity as a morning of hope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A BBC spokesman said in response to the letter: When we make mistakes or have made changes to the way we report, we are transparent. We are also very clear with our audiences on the limitations put on our reporting including the lack of access into Gaza and restricted access to parts of Lebanon, and our continued efforts to get reporters into those areas. 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. TOPEKA (KSNT) Bounty hunting may conjure up images of figures from movies about the Wild West or works of fiction, but this profession hasnt disappeared from the Sunflower State. If you have a vision of traveling across the high plains in search of criminals or cattle rustlers, you may be more than a century late. However, while the age of the classic bounty hunter has ended, you can still try to pursue a role as one in the modern day and even try to follow in the footsteps of people like Duane Chapman, also known as Dog the Bounty Hunter, or Bob Burton. Kansans pursuing a role as a bounty hunter will first need to get an official license before they get started. Prospective bounty hunters will also need to read up on some important regulations surrounding the practice to make sure they dont end up on the wrong side of the law. What do bounty hunters do? Bail enforcement agents (BEA), also known by the titles of bounty hunters or fugitive recovery agents, find and recover fugitives who are avoiding court appearances, according to Mintz Private Investigations based out of Iola. Agents are usually former law enforcement who use tricks instead of physical force to capture fugitives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What are sovereign citizen license plates and are they legal? The National Association of Fugitive Recovery Agents (NAFRA) points out there can be different types of people working in the industry who gravitate towards fugitive recovery and/or enforcing the conditions of a bail bond contract. The terminology used for bounty hunters, fugitive recovery agents and BEAs may differ depending on which state youre in. Bounty Hunters are those that are in the business of tracking and / or capturing fugitives for the purpose of collecting a reward offered by government and non government organizations, they normally operate autonomously rather than by contract. NAFRA website excerpt Agents working with fugitive recovery and bail bonds may be paid in-house or by commission, according to NAFRA. The commission may be anywhere between 10% to 25% of the bond if an agent is operating independently. Getting a license BEAs working in Kansas are required by a 2016 law to register with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). This is a requirement for them to obtain a license to pursue their line of work and it generally starts with filling out an online form. These agents are described as the following under Kansas law: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KHP trooper warns of tire gator danger on Kansas highways A person not performing the duties of a law enforcement officer who tracks down, captures and surrenders to the custody of a court a fugitive who has violated a surety or bail bond agreement, commonly referred to as a bounty hunter, but is not a surety or bail agent. K.S.A. 22-2809a excerpt. Applicants must also meet some eligibility requirements to become a BEA in Kansas and make payments such as an initial licensure fee of $200 along with submitting fingerprints. Some other stipulations listed for BEAs include the following: No felony convictions. No state residency required. No pre-requisite training required. Must pass a criminal history records check. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People who possess a BEA license in Kansas may not be allowed to carry weapons, such as a knife or firearm, even if their criminal history has been expunged. The OAG encourages BEA license holders to consult with a private attorney on whether or not they can carry a weapon with them. What to do if you see a mountain lion in Kansas Breaking the law Bounty hunting does come with some risks, including violating the law as was the case with Louisiana bounty hunters Wayne Lozier and Jody Sullivan, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The pair were charged after kidnapping a Missouri woman from her home in 2019, using a tazer on her multiple times and taking her across state lines. Sullivan pleaded guilty while Lozier was convicted in 2023 of federal charges related to kidnapping and conspiracy in association with the incident. Lozier received a 10-year prison sentence in early 2024 while Sullivan received five years of probation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are encouraged to make reports to the OAG if they believe someone is acting as a bounty hunter without a Kansas license. The reporting form can be found online by clicking here. Similarly, you can also file a complaint form for bounty hunters in Kansas. How rare is the Kansas state quarter in your pocket and is it worth more than $0.25? For more information on BEAs and the regulations that surround their work in Kansas, along with a list of people who currently hold a BEA license in the Sunflower State, click here. People can read through a basic FAQ list on acquiring a BEA license in Kansas by clicking here. You can also check out the 1990 book, Bail Enforcer: The Advanced Bounty Hunter, which acts as a basic training manual for bail enforcement agents. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. By Shariq Khan NEW YORK (Reuters) -U.S. oil producers Exxon Mobil and Chevron posted better-than-expected third-quarter profits on Friday, outperforming their European rivals, as record U.S. oil production cushioned the blow from a plunge in fuel margins. The two focused on expanding oil and gas production as rivals BP and Shell spent heavily on wind, solar and renewables that have yet to pay off. Both U.S. oil firms have meanwhile benefited from acquisitions of smaller oil producers. Still, their surging production could soon face a challenge from uncertain demand, especially in top oil importer China, and the potential for OPEC to lift production curbs as soon as next month. The group is expected to delay a plan to add 180,000 barrels per day amid concerns over weak demand and oversupply. Exxon pumped a record 4.6 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) in the third-quarter, up more than 24% from a year-ago, as its $60 billion bet on Pioneer Natural Resources and purchase of Denbury paid dividends. Chevron, whose $53-billion takeover of Hess has been held up, posted a 7% increase in third-quarter output to 3.36 million boepd, mostly from gains in its U.S. shale business which pumped a record 1.61 million boepd. It added a drilling rig in the Permian basin last quarter and will begin a production expansion in Kazakhstan next quarter. Both companies reported lower year-over-year profits as weak global refining margins that hit BP and TotalEnergies hard and also cut their oil earnings. Exxon's third-quarter profits were 5% lower than last year, while Chevron's fell 21%. But their declines were smaller than Wall Street expectations and not as steep as top European rivals. BP this week reported a 30% drop in profits from a year ago, and TotalEnergies posted a 37% decline in adjusted net income. Exxon's $1.92 per share profit was four cents higher than Wall Street's outlook, whereas Chevron's $2.51 per share adjusted income was well ahead of analysts' average estimates of $2.42, according to LSEG data. Chevron shares gained 3.1% to $153.41 in midday trading while Exxon was largely unchanged at $116.77. Both pumped record amounts of oil and gas from the Permian basin, the top U.S. shale field. Exxon's output from the basin, which spans across Texas and New Mexico, hit a record 1.4 million boepd. Exxon is not planning to take its foot off the gas. "We see tremendous opportunities to invest in profitable growth in both our existing and new businesses," said finance chief Kathryn Mikells. Beirut fighters and civilians begin to search through smoldering debris after overnight Israeli airstrikes on the neighborhood of Kafaat, in Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday. Israeli forces carried out more than 10 airstrikes against targets in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, causing several casualties with numbers yet to be confirmed. Belarus scrambled a fighter jet on the night of 31 October 1 November due to a group of Russian UAVs on its territory. Source: Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring media outlet, citing Telegram channels Details: Belaruski Hajun reported that the UAV group had entered Belarus near the Ukrainian settlement of Liubech and proceeded northwest, heading towards Khoiniki and then Mazyr, rather than flying back towards Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, the media outlet added that another fighter jet belonging to the Belarusian Air Force had been scrambled from the Baranavichy military airfield at around 01:40 (local time ed.). Support UP or become our patron! Belarus rushes forward with a presidential election, seeking to hand Alexander Lukashenko a victory six months ahead of the official term's end. In an interview, Lukashenko says North Korean troops fighting against Ukraine would be an escalation. Belarus and Russia to hold major joint military drills in September 2025. Belarus court sentences two Ukrainians to 20 years in prison for alleged terrorism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Lukashenko claims willingness to consider pardon for opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava, human rights activists say her prison is known for widespread torture. Subscribe to the Newsletter Belarus Weekly Join us Presidential campaign kicks off in Belarus six months ahead of schedule The Belarusian Central Election Committee (CEC) on Oct. 29 registered an initiative group supporting the candidacy of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko for the presidency, while rejecting applications to register groups for two other candidates. The move effectively allows Lukashenko to run for a seventh consecutive term in office unopposed. The election is to be held on Jan. 26, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the first CEC meeting, only Lukashenko's group received the registration necessary to start campaigning. Now, several more candidates were registered, all allies of Lukashenko and his regime. Aleh Haidukevich, leader of the pro-Lukashenko Liberal Democratic Party, said he is an active supporter of Lukashenko since 1994. Alexander Hizhnyak, leader of the pro-Lukashenko Republican Party, said "Lukashenko is right choice for president." Another "candidate" is Olga Chemodanova, a former spokeswoman of the interior ministry, supported the suppression of protests and persecution of the opposition, saying that she supports the president in full. Belarus hasnt had free or fair elections since 1994, when Lukashenko came to power. The previous presidential election, which Lukashenko claimed to have won by a landslide with 80% of the vote, provoked nationwide protests and a subsequent regime crackdown on dissent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the course of quelling the opposition, Lukashenkos regime eliminated independent media, closed over 1,700 non-profit civic organizations, banned all but four political parties loyal to the regime, and jailed over 1,300 political prisoners. Read also: Lukashenko tightens grip on power as regime prepares for new elections In late October, the Belarusian parliament approved Jan. 26 as the date for the seventh Belarusian presidential elections, nearly half a year earlier than stipulated in the countrys election legislation, and a month earlier than the previously rumored date of Feb. 23. The Belarusian Central Election Commission, led by Ihar Karpenka, justified bringing the election forward as necessary for kicking off the new five-year socio-economic development cycle with a re-elected leader. Some experts, however, attribute the rush to hold the election to Lukashenkos desire to secure his domestic political position ahead of potential negotiations over Russias war against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RFE/RL political analyst Valer Karbalevich suggested Lukashenko may be eyeing a role in future peace negotiations, while analyst Alexander Friedman noted that the accelerated election could also be a preparation for a potential escalation of the conflict. Meanwhile, political analyst Artsiom Shraibman argues that the early election process is attributable to Lukashenkos desire to mitigate risks of unrest by holding it in the cold winter month of January. Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya denounced the election as a sham, accusing Lukashenkos administration of running a fake electoral process under an atmosphere of terror. In a joint statement with her shadow cabinet and the oppositions Coordination Council, Tsikhanouskaya urged her supporters to vote against all on the ballot in protest. Belarusian political analysts believe that while the proposed tactics wont stop Lukashenko from being reelected, they are the only possible and safe way for voters to register opposition to the authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though the opposition is campaigning for Belarusians to vote against all candidates, a member of Tsikhanouskayas shadow cabinet, Yury Hubarevich, attempted to register as a presidential candidate. We must confirm with practical steps that no one but people approved by the regime will be able to participate in these elections, Hubarevich told Zerkalo.io, explaining why he was attempting to register. The current election legislation is stacked against the exiled Belarusian opposition: Only people who have been resident in Belarus for the past 20 years can register as presidential candidates, and they can hold no foreign residencies or citizenships. Most of the opposition activists also have convictions in politically motivated criminal cases, ruling them out as possible candidates for president. Russia has already backed Lukashenko's candidacy. We will definitely be following the developments of the election campaign very closely, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russia's state-run TASS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier, Russias Ambassador to Belarus, Boris Gryzlov, said Moscow will assist Minsk if there are attempts to destabilize the situation during the 2025 presidential elections in Belarus. As the election campaign nears, Belarusian police have tightened their control of former political prisoners and those sentenced to house arrest, the independent Belarusian media outlet Euroradio wrote. Lukashenko opponents are summoned to police stations and forced to sign a formal warning, prohibiting them from carrying out actions aimed at changing the constitutional order by force. Sign up for our newsletter WTF is wrong with Russia? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign up Even Lukashenko says North Korean troops fighting against Ukraine would escalate conflict In an interview with the BBC on Oct. 23, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko dismissed reports that North Korean troops have been deployed in Ukraine, saying that such a move would be a step towards escalation. Knowing his character, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin would never try to persuade another country to involve its army in Russias special operation in Ukraine, Lukashenko said, when the information about the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia was already confirmed by Kyiv and Soul. Hours later, the deployment was confirmed by Washington D.C. Lukashenko argued that the involvement of the armed forces of any other country would be a step towards escalation and prompt NATO to deploy its troops in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if we (Belarus) got involved in the war, this would be a path to escalation. Why? Because you, the Anglo-Saxons, would immediately say that another country had become involved on one side... so NATO troops would be deployed to Ukraine, Lukashenko said. Russian propagandists commonly refer to the English-speaking countries, primarily the United States and the United Kingdom, as Anglo-Saxons. While being Russias steadfast ally, Belarus has not sent its troops to the front line. However, the Russian military used Belarusian territory and infrastructure to stage its failed assault on Kyiv in the early days of the all-out invasion. In the interview, Lukashenko denied providing Belaruss territory for the attack. According to him, Putin had been withdrawing the troops from the Belarus-Ukraine border but was provoked to turn them on Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In reality, there was a months-long buildup of Russian troops in Belarus and in parts of Russia close to the Ukrainian border. Russian troops also attacked Ukraine from the south, and from the Russian-occupied Crimea. Lukashenko also denied being requested to commit his troops to the battlefield. Never. Neither he (Putin), nor (former Defense Minister) Sergei Shoigu, nor the current Defense Minister Andrei Belousov has ever raised that question. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraines military intelligence agency, earlier said that the first North Korean units were expected to arrive in Kursk Oblast on Oct. 23. Ukraine began a cross-border incursion in August and still holds significant swathes of territory there. Two North Korean brigades of up to 6,000 personnel each are currently undergoing training in Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. According to military intelligence, some North Korean officers are already in the occupied territories of Ukraine, Zelensky said on Oct. 17. North Korea has denied the reports, while the Kremlins spokesperson Dmitry Peskov gave an evasive answer. Read also: Hungarian FM to attend and speak at Eurasian security conference in Belarus this week Belarus and Russia schedule major joint military exercise for September 2025 Belarus and Russia will hold joint strategic military exercises in Belarus in September 2025, Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces Commander Andrey Lukyanovich told Belarusian state-owned TV channel STV on Oct. 28. According to Lukyanovich, Russia and Belarus will conduct preparative operative-tactical exercises with live firing in 2025, leading to a joint strategic exercise in September 2025. The Air Force Commander did not name the exercise, yet the announcement comes on the heels of a meeting of the joint board of the Defense Ministries of the two states on Oct. 23, which approved the concept of the Zapad-2025 joint strategic exercise of the armed forces without specifying the dates. The previous Zapad strategic exercise took place in 2021, involving 200,000 Russian and Belarusian troops, with approximately 12,800 hosted in Belarus. It was followed by another military drill, the Union Resolve 2022, which was actually a disguise for the buildup of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border in late 2021 ahead of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Belarus sentences two Ukrainians to 20 years each for alleged terrorism A Belarusian court has sentenced Serhiy and Pavlo Kabarchuk, a father and son from Ukraine, each to 20 years in prison for allegedly organizing a terrorist act in Belarus, the Belarusian state-owned news agency Belta reported on Oct. 23. The two were detained on Feb. 15, 2024, after allegedly trying to smuggle weapons and explosives across the border of Belarus, helped by Ukraines SBU security agency and State Border Guard Service. The next day, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko announced a successful counterterrorist operation, and a state TV channel aired footage of the Kabarchuks confessing, likely under duress, of working on the orders of the SBU. Ukrainian State Border Guard Service Colonel Andriy Demchenko dismissed the claims, saying, there is no end to Lukashenkos absurdity. The Kabarchuks trial started on Sept. 26 in the southern Belarusian city of Homiel. The charges against them included attempting to commit a terrorist act, the illegal handling of firearms and explosives, smuggling firearms across the border, and undercover activities. The Belarusian authorities said both the father and son cooperated with investigators. At least 12 Ukrainian citizens are held behind bars in Belarus on trumped-up charges, according to the Viasna Human Rights Group. The pressure on the Ukrainian community in Belarus has intensified since the all-out Russias invasion of Ukraine, in which Belarus sided with Russia and provided its territory for attacks on Ukrainian targets. Human rights activists publish report detailing torture in prison where opposition figure Kalesnikava is held Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (C) holds a photo of her jailed husband Sergei Tsikhanousky while other demonstrators hold photos of Belarusian opposition figures Maria Kalesnikava and Viktar Babaryka as they protest in front of the Belarusian Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, on March 8, 2024. (Photo by Petras Malukas/AFP via Getty Images) Penal Colony No. 4 in the southern Belarusian city of Homiel, which houses prominent Belarusian political activist Maria Kalesnikava, uses torture against political prisoners, including placement in an outdoor cage on the territory of the colony, the International Committee for the Investigation of Torture. The report, presented on Oct. 22, includes testimonies from 20 political prisoners convicted after a crackdown on dissent in Belarus that followed protests against sham presidential elections held in 2020. All interviewed prisoners served their terms in Homiels penal colony No. 4 between May 2021 to February 2024. One of the most heinous (punishments) is the cage located on the colonys territory at the checkpoint between the residential and industrial zones, the report reads. Women are reportedly placed in it for up to eight hours for refusing to comply with the demands of staff or for violent conflicts with other prisoners. Among the multitude of repressive tools in the colony, human rights activists highlight the blockade of communication with the outside world, being deprived of hygiene products and medical care, arbitrary punishments, the use of solitary confinement, and humiliating practices such as strip searches. Political prisoners face retaliation for their political views, according to Sergey Ustinov, the co-founder of the International Committee for the Investigation of Torture in Belarus. The committee is part of the International Accountability Platform of Belarus, a coalition of Belarusian and international human rights organizations documenting human rights violations by the Lukashenko regime. High-profile political prisoners like Kalesnikava are frequently subjected to solitary confinement, isolated from others, with fellow inmates forbidden from speaking to them. Kalesnikava, who led the campaign of presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka, who was in turn sentenced to 11 years in prison, has been held incommunicado for over 600 days since being admitted to intensive care with a severe medical condition that developed while she was in detention. In remarks to the BBC on Oct. 23, Lukashenko declared he was ready to consider Kalesnikavas plea for a pardon. He claimed her family hadnt been granted visits because they didnt want to visit her. Members of Kalesnikavas family, who are actively seeking her release, say she is malnourished, weighing 45 kilograms (99 pounds) while being 175 cm (57) tall. They said prison food is unsuitable for her condition, and they report having no contact with her. Since July 2024, Lukashenko has released 115 out of the countrys 1,300 political prisoners in four rounds of pardons while at the same time jailing more. Over July and August, human rights activists added 115 new names to Belaruss list of recognized political prisoners. On Sept. 16, that count rose again, with 22 new names added. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Restoration of the historic Belle Isle Boathouse is progressing, as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has selected a proposal after years of debate on preserving the structure. The chosen proposal is a $30 million-$35 million public-private restoration plan called the Belle Isle Gateway project. It aims to turn the boathouse into a year-round community hub with new amenities to boost both land- and water-based activities with a new public marina, several new dining options, an event space and more. A rendering of the completed Belle Isle Gateway project. David Carleton, the lead developer of the project and principal of the selected Detroit-based company, Stuart Pitman Inc., called the proposal "a working document" that was put together in the span of eight weeks due to a state deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We still have some steps to go before it's a done deal," he told the Free Press. "There's still a lot more in the exploratory stage, but we basically want to restore the building and make sure it becomes a community asset, not the private club that it was." Ahead of a public meeting set for Thursday at Belle Isles Flynn Pavilion, the Free Press obtained the project proposal through a Freedom of Information Act request to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which is responsible for overseeing Belle Isle as a state park through a lease with the city. "The renovated boathouse will create another exciting headline for the City of Detroit and the entire state," Carleton said in the proposal. "In the shadow of the Michigan Central Station and the Book Tower, the renovated site will be equally anticipated, create countless jobs and will offer a number of exciting new assets for the local community." So what could be new to the boathouse? Elevating visitor experience by expanding accessibility, activities While Belle Isle is a major destination for boating, it has no public docking space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At this point, unless you belong to the Detroit Yacht Club, there's no place for anyone of the isle a fisherman, a casual boat or someone with a sailboat to actually dock on the island," Carleton said, adding that a new marina at the Belle Isle Boathouse could fix that. Whether to enjoy the boathouse itself, the aquarium or the conservatory, a public marina would give people the option to boat to the island and dock at the rehabilitated facility. Also in the proposed plan are three new dining options that include a dock-and-dine casual eatery, a formal restaurant in the historic Oak Room and an ice cream parlor. As part of the restoration effort, the boathouse's original grand ballroom will return to hosting weddings and special events. A rendering of the completed Belle Isle Gateway project. Developers also aim to offer outdoor courts for seasonal activities, along with rental services for bikes, kayaks and canoes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eventually, the project could provide Detroit residents and visitors with access to Belle Isle from multiple locations along the Detroit River using water taxis, as well as on-island shuttles to reach various attractions, which would help mitigate traffic issues. However, according to Carleton, these services may take some time to implement. "It just creates that opportunity for these exciting things that the island has danced around for a long time," he said. The building previously housed the Detroit Boat Club and currently is under lease by the Friends of Detroit Rowing. Significant damage has occurred to the structure in recent years, worsening in 2022 as sections of the roof, flooring and exterior stucco collapsed, combined with other structural issues, according to the DNR. A better home for nonprofit sailing and rowing programs The rehabilitated Belle Isle boathouse would continue hosting the longstanding sailing and rowing programs run by Friends of Detroit Rowing and the Detroit Community Sailing Center. However, the project will create an updated and elaborate space for the two groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My goal here initially was really just to restore this incredible structure. It's a great piece of architecture. But then I became enamored (with) the two programs there," Carleton said. "They are doing great work in the community, getting people more involved on the waterfront, and teaching water safety and the like." The sailing and rowing programs have faced restrictions since the partial porch collapse in 2022. The renovation would provide modern facilities, expand programming space and increase community access. Detroit Community Sailing Center members are teaching young students how to sail as part of their Challenge the Wind program on Thursday, July 20, 2023 from the banks of the Belle Isle Boathouse. Challenge the Wind was started by the Detroit Community Sailing Center who teaches youth ages 10-17 how to sail. The emphasis is on water safety and STEM to help increase access to Detroit's waterways for youth who would otherwise not get the opportunity. Funding Stuart Pitman Inc. and its partners estimate renovations to cost around $30 million-$35 million which will be financed through a mix of nonprofit, for-profit and public funding, according to the proposal. A newly established nonprofit organization, Belle Isle Boathouse Management Inc. (BIB Management), will manage the boathouse long term, guaranteeing public access while also seeking philanthropic and for-profit donations. "It's really going to be a mixed bag of financing. The nonprofit arm would just allow us to receive donations from individuals or foundations," Carleton said. What's next? A 6 p.m. public meeting is set for Thursday at the Belle Isle Flynn Pavilion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the meeting, Carleton will outline his plan to the Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee and receive questions and comments from the committee and the public. After gathering input, meetings with the internal DNR team, Detroit officials and key stakeholders will follow including the Friends of Detroit Rowing, the Detroit Community Sailing Center and Belle Isle Conservancy, said DNR representative Tom Bissett. The goal is to address outstanding questions and determine the necessary steps regarding the proposal. "This is just the first step. It's just a proposal; that doesn't necessarily mean everything in that proposal will get done, and it doesn't mean nothing in the proposal will get done," Bissett said. "The next step of exploratory discussions, I think, is probably what we have to look forward to." If financing and agreements are secured, the project could begin in early 2025 and the Belle Isle Boathouse could be open to the public by late 2027, according to the proposed plan. Renovations will begin with the outside of the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The heavy lift is that exterior. The roof, while it's in very good shape, isn't 100%. We need to get a new roof on. We need to deal with the failing part of the deck that happened two or three years ago, and then that exterior of the concrete material that's literally peeling away, we're going to strip that down," Carleton said. "We got to protect the shell so that we can get inside and make the improvements we need." Restoration teams plan to remove unsuitable materials, repair the brick substructure and preserve the building's original design. Carleton previously restored Detroits Grand Army of the Republic Building, the castle-like triangular building located at the intersection of Cass, Grand River and Adams avenues in downtown Detroit. "My last project was saving a Civil War-era building in downtown Detroit, which started to tell that part of the city's history. I didn't think I'd have another opportunity like this to do something so meaningful, so I'm obviously thrilled at the chance," he said. "Hopefully, before too long, we come to an agreement with the state and the city, and we're off and running." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her nrahal@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Belle Isle Boathouse restoration proposal: Restaurants, public marina TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A bicyclist was hit and killed Thursday evening along Gandy Boulevard, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 57-year-old St. Petersburg man was biking across the highway west of Brighton Bay Boulevard when he was hit by a sedan traveling east, troopers said. FHP said the man was thrown from the bike, which was then hit by an SUV. The man, who has not been publicly identified, died in the crash, according to troopers. The two people driving the vehicles were not injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No other details were immediately 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 WFLA. President Biden will not attend the United Nationss climate summit in Azerbaijan this year, his second consecutive year skipping the event after attending the first two years of his presidency. A White House official confirmed to The Hill that the president will not be present at the COP29 summit in Baku, set to run from Nov. 11-22. Biden also did not attend 2023s COP28 summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with Vice President Harris attending in his place. The White House did not clarify whether Harris would attend this year but should she prevail in the presidential election, transition planning will likely be underway. An official State Department list of the U.S. delegation for this years conference, released Thursday, names senior White House climate adviser John Podesta as the leader of the delegation. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory and Biden climate adviser Ali Zaidi are also listed as attendees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news means Biden will not be physically present to close out a presidency where he has sought to assure other nations of the U.S.s commitment to climate action after then President Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement. Biden rejoined the international compact shortly after taking office. Biden is not the only world leader planning to sit out the summit this year. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are also expected to skip the conference. China, India and the U.S. comprise the three biggest national sources of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who attended the COP28 Dubai summit and emphasized the South American nations commitment to climate action, canceled his own plans to attend this years conference on the advice of his doctors following a head injury in October. An official with Harris office told The Hill it had no travel plans to preview for the vice president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 6:59 p.m. EDT Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Joe Biden reminded Pennsylvanians on Friday that he, Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democrats safeguarded more than 1 million peoples pensions without any help from the GOP. Visiting a union hall in Philadelphia, Biden and local union leaders highlighted the American Rescue Plan of 2021 and how it funded union pension plans that were facing insolvency. The pensions of an estimated 1.2 million workers and retirees have been protected from cuts due to the legislation. It was no accident that the event took place in Pennsylvania, perhaps the most critical of battleground states for Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, and for her opponent, former President Donald Trump. Democrats have worried about Harris strength with the kind of blue-collar union voters whose pensions were backstopped by the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden made sure anyone listening knew that the pension rescue got no Republican backing when Democrats muscled it through Congress over three years ago as part of a larger, pandemic-era stimulus package. It passed on a party-line vote in the Senate, with Harris casting a tie-breaker at a critical juncture for the bill. The president said the vote underscored the hyperpartisan nature of Congress these days. We used to have real differences in the Senate. But at least when the critical things, we ended up getting together. But not anymore, Biden said. This is a different deal were working with. Not a single, solitary Republican in the House or the Senate, not one, voted to help with the pensions. Not one single one. Its the way things have gotten, he added. Its wrong. President Joe Biden speaks about his administration's support for unions in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. TING SHEN/AFP via Getty Images He said that he and Harris worked like hell to include the pension rescue, known as the Butch Lewis Act, as part of the American Rescue Plan, and theorized that some Republicans would have voted for it but were afraid to cross party leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe a lot of those Republicans who voted no thought it was wrong. But theyre afraid to vote the right way, Biden said. The legislation provided an estimated $74 billion to $91 billion to shore up troubled multiemployer pension plans, which are funds that employers pay into under collective bargaining agreements. The funds can run into trouble when union membership declines over time, with more retirees drawing down benefits and fewer contributions going in on behalf of active workers. The White House said Pennsylvania is home to an estimated 65,000 of the workers and retirees helped by the legislation. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., a government-run entity that insures multiemployer pension plans, said Friday it had approved an application to pump $684 million into a plan covering 29,000 workers and retirees in the service sector. The pension rescue became something of a campaign story after the International Brotherhood of Teamsters executive board declined to make an endorsement in the presidential race. The Teamsters had the largest pension plan saved from cuts, and so the decision not to back Harris angered many members and labor allies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Pishko, a retired Teamster from western Pennsylvania, spoke at the Philadelphia event about how the legislation helped save his retirement. He said he was set to lose 30% of his pension benefit, or about $1,000 a month, before Democrats stepped in with the bailout. Thats a pretty substantial cut to any working man, Pishko said. It was devastating. He had assumed he would never be able to stave off those cuts. It matters when you have a president and vice president who has your back, he said. (Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden will not attend a major UN climate change summit opening just days after the US election and set to shape the countrys approach to the issue for years to come. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bidens absence at the high-level COP29 negotiations was confirmed by a person familiar with the matter who wasnt authorized to speak publicly. Instead, the US delegation will be headed by John Podesta, the senior presidential adviser for international climate policy. Other top federal government officials who will be in Baku, Azerbaijan, according to a State Department listing, include Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Ali Zaidi, the national climate adviser. US presidents arent mainstays at the annual UN summits, but Biden used appearances at the 2021 and 2022 sessions to assert the country was resuming its leadership in a global fight against climate change largely ceded during former President Donald Trumps first term in the White House. National leaders sometimes also make virtual and videotaped remarks, even if they forgo in-person attendance. This year, the US election could cast a long shadow over the talks in Baku, where nearly 200 countries are set to hash out how much public financing developed countries should steer toward helping vulnerable nations counter climate change. Its a key issue because of the trillions of dollars experts say are necessary to help developing countries meet climate targets. And Trump, the Republican nominee, has vowed to once again withdraw from the Paris Agreement. This will be the second time Biden is skipping the annual climate talks; Vice President Kamala Harris attended last years summit in Dubai in his place. The event partially coincides with another high-level gathering; the Group of 20 nations leader summit is taking place Nov. 18 and 19 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An existing climate finance commitment for $100 billion annually runs through 2025, but negotiators are looking to chart pledges that could run through the next decade, and officials from the US and other developed nations are hoping to expand the pool of contributing countries so it includes China. --With assistance from Josh Wingrove. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Like all U.S. presidents, Joe Biden took office in January 2021 with a decidedly low bar to clear for engagement with Africans. But his immediate predecessor, former President Donald Trump, had lowered that bar even further. Trump referred to African states as shithole countries and imposed visa bans on Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea and Tanzania. And in its final months in office, the Trump administration blocked the selection of Ngozi Okonjo-Iwealaa dual citizen of Nigeria and the United Statesas the World Trade Organizations first director-general of African descent. This article may contain affiliate links that Yahoo and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links. Given the contempt and hostility that characterized Washingtons engagement with Africans during Trumps presidency, even the slightest improvement by his successor would seemingly indicate progress in the relationship. And for a time, it even seemed like Biden might surpass that bare minimum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than a month after taking office, in a recorded message to Washingtons African partners ahead of the African Unions annual leaders summit, Biden expressed his administrations commitment to rebuilding our partnerships around the world and re-engaging with international institutions like the African Union. At the second U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in December 2022, Biden declared that the United States was all in on Africa and all in with Africa. He promised at that same gathering to visit the African continent before the completion of his term and is expected to fulfill that pledge with a belated visit to Angola in December, during the transition period from his administration to that of his successor. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. But after getting off to what at least appeared to be a good start, the Biden administrations engagement with African capitals proved to be lethargic, reactive and unambitious. In many ways, that shouldnt be surprising. As a presidential candidate, Biden scarcely campaigned on issues of foreign affairs and was not expected to prioritize engagement with Africa following his inauguration. His administration was always likely to grant more urgency to Europe, the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East given Washingtons strategic rivalries with Russia, China and Iran. As expected, those countries and regions took up much of the administrations bandwidth amid devastating wars in Eastern Europe and the Middle East as well as an increase in tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More broadly, over the course of his political career, Biden had not demonstrated much familiarity with or enduring interest in African countries or the issues they care about, except for his opposition to apartheid-era South Africas white-minority regime in the 1980s. For their part, few African governments expected any dramatic shifts in policy from the Trump administration, although they likely held out hope for pleasant surprises. As noted, some did come in early, like Bidens reversal of the Trump administrations travel bans and lifting of Washingtons opposition to Okonjo-Iwealas WTO candidacy. In addition, after a sustained wave of global pressure over pandemic-era vaccine apartheid, the U.S. announced in May 2021 that it would support a temporary waiver of Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, or TRIPS, for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Although the final agreement was weakened at the WTO at the demand of pharmaceutical companies, the Biden administration leveraged the opportunityin addition to the distribution of vaccines and other emergency supplies to developing countriesto earn some goodwill from African states. Over the course of its tenure, the Biden administration unveiled more initiatives with which it hoped to develop stronger relations with Africans. In August 2022, it released a strategy document that laid out what it described as Washingtons priorities on the continent for the next five years. The following month, Biden told delegates at the United Nations General Assembly that the U.S. would support efforts to reform the Security Council, including permanent seats for African countries, although he did not lay out any specifics at the time. At the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, Biden called for the G20 to admit the AU to its ranks and promised to dispatch his administrations top officials to the continent in addition to his stated plan to visit Africa. The Biden administrations words and deeds signaled that Washington still views Africa as a tertiary geopolitical battleground and is interested in engagement only on those terms. Most recently, in September 2023, the U.S. and its European allies launched the Lobito Corridor project, a strategic economic corridor initiated under the G7s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment that will link the Central African Copper Belt areas of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to European and North American markets via Angolas Atlantic coast. The Biden administration cast the Lobito project as the blueprint of what it described as an alternative model of cooperation with African countries, one that it argued leverages Washingtons ability to mobilize private capital to invest in key areas like infrastructure, digital technology and energy security. U.S. officials claim that Washington has mobilized $4 billion to develop the corridor, although they have not provided a breakdown of how they arrived at that figure. Broadly speaking, African governments welcomed these developments and the proposals rolled out by the Biden administration, notwithstanding some of their misgivings about the substance of those policies and skepticism over Washingtons commitment to following through with the heavy lifting required to make them effective. And it is on the latter front in particular that Bidens record of engagement with Africa fell short. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, the outcomes of Bidens policy proposals consistently failed to match the lofty rhetoric he and his officials aimed at African governments and their publics, on issues ranging from his democracy promotion agenda to his administrations pledge to expand commercial relations with African nations. A major reason for this dissonancebut by no means the only oneis that Washingtons outreach to the continent is driven more by cynicism and an irrational apprehension over perceived gains by China and Russia than a desire to pursue a genuinely robust, sustained partnership with Africans. In that regard, Biden was not much different than his recent predecessors, despite the insistence of his administrations officials to the contrary as well as their pledge to chart a new course in Washingtons relations with the continent. Their own words and deedsfrom their opposition to common African positions on key global issues to their inability to make an affirmative case about a partnership with the U.S. without casting aspersions on Africans engagement with Chinasignaled that Washington still viewed the continent as a tertiary geopolitical battleground and was interested in engagement only on those terms. On other scores, as well, Africans did not see the Biden administrations behavior as diverging significantly from that of its predecessors. Biden invited the leaders of Nigeria, Niger, Congo and Angola to a virtual summit on democracy despite their dubious track record on human rights, democracy and anti-corruption. During the pandemic, his administration imposed a discriminatory travel ban of its own on seven southern African countries after researchers in South Africa and Botswana identified the omicron COVID-19 variant. And when nearly half of the African members of the United Nations did not vote for a U.S.-backed U.N. General Assembly resolution condemning Russias all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Washingtonin concert with its European allieslaunched a heavy-handed diplomatic full-court press to pressure African capitals into what the West regarded as stronger support for Kyiv. Meanwhile, the administrations ballyhooed Africa strategy was released only in August 2022, more than 18 months into its term. Its announcement of $55 billion in investments across the continent made at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit featured repackaged funds from existing programs, raising questions about the seriousness of the declaration. To serve as his point person for U.S. engagement with a continent where the median age is 19, Biden selected Johnnie Carson, an 81-year-old retired ambassador who had earned a reputation in many African capitals for undiplomatic conduct. Last year, Washingtons ambassador to South Africa publicly accused that country of arming Russia amid the war in Ukraine without providing any evidence to substantiate his claims. In far too many examples, the Biden administration opted for a cynical, narrowly defined stability over accountability in dealing with Washingtons African partners that represented continuity with past policy rather than the change it had promised. Some examples include the military juntas in Guinea, Gabon, Chad and Sudan that toppled civilian leaders but nonetheless remain in Washingtons good books; partner governments in Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania whose record of human rights abuses and violations of democratic norms have drawn little rebuke from the United States; and Congo and Nigeria, where deeply flawed presidential elections were embraced by the U.S. due to realpolitik considerations of great-power competition. Washingtons inability to influence events in the Horn of Africa has been keenly felt amid devastating conflicts in Sudan and Ethiopia that have killed hundreds of thousands of people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Few countries better illustrate the continued dysfunction of Washingtons approach under Biden than Niger, where despite the toppling of a U.S.-backed civilian leader by a military junta, the Biden team sought to maintain the U.S. militarys counterinsurgency mission in the country. In the end, however, the junta expelled U.S. troops from the country due to Washingtons perceived condescension, followed by the arrival of Russian soldiers and equipment weeks thereafter. Bidens trip to Angola, initially planned in October but postponed to December in what essentially amounts to a consolation visit of sorts, neatly encapsulates the halfhearted, uninspired nature of Africa policy during his administration. Despite Bidens emphasis early in his term on democracy promotion, Angola was picked mainly for its strategic value in the competition with China over critical minerals for the green energy transition, despite its spotty record on democracy and human rights. Regardless of who wins next weeks U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5, there is unlikely to be a radical shift from the status quo, to say nothing of a major improvement. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, has no demonstrable record of meaningful interest in or engagement with Africa, while Trumpthe Republican standard-bearerspent his first term in office displaying his open disregard for the continent. As a result, any authentic interest Washington takes in Africa will continue to decline overall, as its footprint on the continent continues to be defined by competition with its geopolitical rivals, security cooperation and the race for critical minerals. In fairness, this is not a problem that originates in Washington. Few Americans have any interest in Africa, and there is not a robust constituency in the U.S. Congress, the private sector or the U.S. think tank ecosystem for developing stronger relations with the continent. In a multipolar age when Africas global partnerships are rapidly increasing, thats a major handicap for Washingtons ability to convince Africans of its sincerity in wanting to be their trusted partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All this stands in marked contrast to the United States African counterparts, where despite a clear-eyed understanding of the shortcomings of and limits to Washingtons engagement, there is still deep and broad cultural goodwill among African populations toward the United States. That means there are opportunities for the U.S. to achieve tangible accomplishments in partnership with African states and regional institutions, but it may fall to the continents governments to create those opportunities for themselves. Chris Olaoluwa Ogunmodede is an editor, analyst and consultant who writes about African politics, security and foreign relations, with a focus on West Africa. He was formerly an associate editor at WPR. The post For Biden and the U.S., Africa Is Still an Afterthought appeared first on World Politics Review. (Bloomberg) -- Two videos that falsely appeared to show voting fraud and political corruption were manufactured by pro-Russian groups, according to a statement Friday from US officials. Most Read from Bloomberg One video appeared to show individuals who claimed to be from Haiti illegally casting votes for Vice President Kamala Harris in multiple counties in Georgia, an image that spread on the social media platform X. The video is an example of targeted disinformation, according to the statement from the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Thursday had asked X to remove the video, suggesting it was the work of a Russian troll farm. The original post appears to have been deleted, though other accounts with large numbers of followers previously amplified the footage. Pro-Kremlin operatives have focused their efforts on the presidential election for months, according to US officials and security analysts tracking online misinformation. A recent artificial intelligence-generated video of Harris falsely depicted the Democratic candidate making incendiary remarks about her Republican challenger, former President Donald Trump, Microsoft Corp. determined. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence also said in October that Russian propagandists had produced videos of vice presidential candidate Tim Walz. Another false video appeared to show a person associated with the Democratic presidential ticket to be accepting a bribe from an entertainer. That video was also the work of a Russian influence campaign, US officials said Friday. The statement also warned that the intelligence community expects to see more Russian disinformation released before and after Election Day. Russia denied it was behind videos that falsely appeared to show voting fraud in the US election. We have noticed the statement of the US intelligence services accusing our country of disseminating fabricated videos about electoral violations in the United States. We view these allegations as baseless, the Russian embassy in the US said in a statement on Telegram. --With assistance from Henry Meyer. (Updates with comment from Russian embassy in final paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. ORLANDO, Fla. Former President Bill Clinton will campaign for the Democratic ticket in Orlando on Sunday, according to the Kamala Harris presidential campaign. Clinton will join U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., at a noon event on the final day of early voting in most Central Florida counties, often known as Souls to the Polls day for the large numbers of Black voters who head to voting sites directly from church. The exact location of the event was not yet announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hillary Clinton, the partys 2016 candidate for president, will precede her husband in campaigning for Democrats in Florida with an event in Tampa on Saturday. The Clintons are among the few national political names to hold campaign events in Florida this election cycle, a far cry from 2016 when Hillary Clinton and then-Republican candidate Donald Trump held multiple events in Central Florida and across the state. Bill Clinton also held a rally at Rollins College that year. Campaign events in 2020 were cut back because of the COVID-19 pandemic, though Joe Biden and Harris held smaller events in Kissimmee and Orlando. Trump held several rallies in Central Florida, including kicking off his campaign in Orlando in 2019 and in Sanford holding his first major event after testing positive for COVID in October 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Democrats have not won Florida since former President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, with Trump winning in both of his first two campaigns. Florida, where Republican registered voters outnumber Democrats, is not considered one of the key battleground states this year. This year, Trump leads Harris in most polls in Florida, with the average lead at 6.6 points according to elections website 538. The U.S. Senate race between Republican U.S. Rep. Rick Scott and former Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is much closer in the polls, however, and Central Florida has a number of competitive down ballot races including congressional and state House seats. A bipartisan group of senators wrote to Secretary of State Tony Blinken on Thursday pressing him to redesignate the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Their letter suggests growing frustration on Capitol Hill over the administrations refusal to take the step after a year of Houthi attacks on U.S. forces, Israel and commercial shipping lanes. The administration has faced bipartisan pressure from lawmakers to reinstate the Houthis FTO designation since as early as January, when the administration imposed a separate Specially Designated Global Terrorist designation which confers less stringent sanctions authorities. While we recognize that your administration has listed the Houthis as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), that designation is nowhere near as impactful as an FTO listing. Designating the Houthis as an FTO would impose meaningful costs on the Houthis and degrade their ability to commit acts of terrorism, the lawmakers wrote. Since the misguided revocation of the Houthis FTO designation in 2021, the Houthis, backed by the Iranian regime, have only escalated their efforts to destabilize the Middle East, they added. The lawmakers noted that the Houthis attacks have continued in spite of U.S. and allied military strikes to destroy and disrupt their capabilities, and said that the U.S. needs to take further action to impose costs on the Houthis before Americans are killed in the groups attacks. The letter argues that the enhanced designation would enable the United States to better target the groups assets and financial support and hold the group accountable. The letter was organized by Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), co-signed by Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). Rosen and Casey are both running in competitive re-election races in swing states, and have both previously been outspoken about the need to redesignate the Houthis. Caseys support for this letter, describing the initial decision to rescind the FTO designation as misguided is notable given that hehe signed and has taken flak on the campaign trail for a May 2021 letter which described the rescinding of the FTO designation as one of several positive steps the Biden administration had taken to address the situation in Yemen. Bipartisan House-passed legislation that seeks to bypass the administration and reimpose the FTO designation has been pending in the Senate for months. A pig was infected with bird flu in Oregon, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Wednesday. Its the first time bird flu, also known as the H5N1 virus, infected a pig in the United States a troubling development, as this gives the pathogen another mammalian reservoir that could raise the risk of a pandemic. Meanwhile, six bird flu cases were confirmed in humans in Washington and three more human cases were reported in California this week, bringing the national total of human infections to 36 cases since April 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Tuesday. The rate at which humans are being infected with the virus is accelerating, with more than half of the confirmed cases in humans thus far reported in the past two weeks. All human cases since the outbreak began, apart from two people in Missouri, occurred when workers came into direct contact with farm animals. An investigation in Missouri could not determine how the two individuals, who shared a home, infected there came into contact with the virus. However, it did confirm that no healthcare workers who cared for the patients were infected, calming concerns that the virus had developed the ability to spread between humans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDC maintains the risk of contracting bird flu for the general public to be low, but many public health experts are concerned that as the virus continues to spread, it has more chances to evolve into a form that can better infect humans. Pigs, in particular, are sometimes called a mixing vessel, for flu viruses because they can pool together human and bird flu viruses at the same time, STAT reported. The fear is that various viruses could coexist in the body, swap genes, and produce a new strain that can more efficiently spread between people. If it doesnt spread from pigs to pigs and it just happened on that one farm, its not a big deal," Florian Krammer, a flu virologist at Mount Sinais Icahn School of Medicine in New York, told STAT. "If it starts to spread from pigs to pigs, then its much more of a problem, he said. If it ends up in large pig populations in the U.S. similar to cows, I think this would be a disaster. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Next week, U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell will award millions of dollars to Birmingham City Schools to expand its mental health services. On Nov. 4, Sewell will announce that she has acquired $3.1 million in grants to expand mental health services with the school system. The announcement will be made at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at A.H. Parker High School. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. About 8,000 North Korean troops in Russia are in the countrys Kursk border region and are expected to enter Moscows war with Ukraine in the coming days, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday. Russia has been training the North Koreans in artillery, basic infantry operations, drones and trench clearing, indicating that they fully intend to use these forces in front-line operations, he told reporters following a meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and their South Korean counterparts in Washington, D.C. Weve not yet seen these troops deploy into combat against Ukrainian forces, but we would expect that to happen in the coming days, Blinken said, adding that if the North Korean troops enter the fight they would become legitimate military targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pentagon earlier this week said about 10,000 North Korean soldiers were training in Russia and were seen outfitted in Kremlin uniforms and equipment en route to Kursk, where Ukrainian forces launched an incursion this summer. Blinken and Austin said Russian President Vladimir Putins reliance on the new troops is a sign the Kremlin is struggling in the fight. The U.S. has assessed the Russian military is suffering 1,200 casualties per day, more than at any time in the war. Putin has been throwing more Russians into a meat grinder of his own making in Ukraine. Now hes turning to North Korean troops, and that is a clear sign of weakness, Blinken said. Austin, meanwhile, said the 10,000 North Korean soldiers assessed to be in Russia wont come close to replacing the numbers Moscow has lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the meeting, the U.S. and South Korean officials discussed a range of options to respond to the development, and Blinken said Washington would announce new security assistance for Ukraine in the coming days. The group also agreed that China should do more to curb North Koreas provocative actions and to stop supporting Russias defense industrial base, Blinken said. The meeting between U.S. and South Korean officials comes after Pyongyang conducted its longest ever test flight of an intercontinental ballistic missile earlier Thursday. The weapon flew for about 86 minutes before crashing into the sea off Japan. North Korea called the missile the worlds most powerful strategic weapon, and an appropriate military action against enemies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seoul, meanwhile, warned that Pyongyang could be gaining missile technology from Moscow for sending its troops to fight in Ukraine. Austin said its early in the U.S. assessment of the launch, but they did not see any indication there was Russian involvement in the event. He also called the launch irresponsible and urged North Korea to cease and desist its behavior. South Korea and Japan have also condemned the launch, which Tokyo said reached an altitude of 4,350 miles and flew a distance of about 620 miles. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) While many look to the skies over Pensacola for the NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow this weekend, others will be able to get an inside look into different aspects of the U.S. Navy. That inside look is through the Navys new Strike Group. According to a news release, it is a multi-media scenario, mixed-reality experience that is scheduled to be at the Homecoming Airshow this weekend. UPDATE: 15-year-old boy killed on Arcturus Lane Halloween night Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials explained that the mixed reality experience is designed to showcase and provide a hands-on experience for different roles within the Navy ranging from flying an aircraft carrier to diving and welding to fix a broken pier after a storm. From the depths of the sea to the heights of the stars, Americas Navy is the most highly skilled, technologically advanced military force in the world, said Rear Admiral James P. Waters, Commander, Navy Recruiting Command. A career in the Navy provides a life-changing experience filled with adventure, teamwork, and support, and the Strike Group brings all these aspects to life in the most realistic ways possible. For more information on the experience, visit the Navys Strike Group 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 WKRG News 5. Boeing union workers have been on strike for nearly 7 weeks due to a dispute on wage increases. The planemaker proposed a new deal that includes a 38% pay increase over 4 years, the union said. Union leaders said it is recommending workers to approve the deal on Monday. Boeing union leaders are endorsing a sweetened contract offered by the airplane maker, signaling an end to a nearly seven-week strike that put a halt to the company's manufacturing operations. The International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, or IAM, said in a social media post on Thursday evening that Boeing had offered a new contract that includes a 38% raise over four years. The union said it is endorsing the contract and recommends that its members approve the deal during Monday's vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We encourage all of our employees to learn more about the improved offer and vote on Monday, Nov. 4," a Boeing spokesperson said in a statement to Business Insider. The spokesperson noted that the new deal improves on the company's previous offer of a 35% raise over four years. Workers rejected the proposal on October 23. The new contract also stipulates a $12,000 ratification bonus, up from $7,000 in the previous proposal. A representative for the IAM did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Boeing machinists have been on strike since September 13 after workers rejected a proposal to raise pay by 25% over four years. Union members demanded a 40% raise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IAM represents over 32,000 workers in the Pacific Northwest. Boeing's last strike was in 2008 and lasted nearly two months, causing billions of dollars in depressed revenue, the company said at the time. The financial impacts of the seven-week strike are not yet clear, but the National Association of Manufacturers estimated that, by October 2, the total "regional economic loss" could be more than $1.65 billion. A group of Bank of America analysts later estimated the strike could cost Boeing $50 million a day. "The potential economic impact of this strike cannot be overstated. The aerospace industry directly supports more than 500,000 manufacturing workers in America, and the ongoing strike at Boeing's Puget Sound facilities is poised to have significant economic consequences, not just in the Pacific Northwest but across the entire United States," NAM CEO Jay Timmons said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recent strike added to the litany of issues the more than 100-year-old company has faced this year alone, including a mid-flight panel blowout, leadership shake-ups, a safety audit, and a layoff of about 10% of its 170,000-member workforce. Read the original article on Business Insider LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) Bolivian President Luis Arce on Friday condemned the seizure of three military units by supporters of former President Evo Morales, calling it an absolutely reprehensible criminal act that is far from any legitimate social claim of the Indigenous peasant movement. In a message on the social media platform X, Arce wrote that the taking of a military unit is a crime of treason against the homeland and an affront to the country's Constitution." Earlier on Friday the Bolivian Armed Forces said in a statement that irregular armed groups had kidnapped military personnel and took control of military units in the center of the country, where police officers began to clear the roads blocked 19 days ago by supporters of former President Evo Morales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the statement, the armed forces urged those responsible for the takeover to immediately and peacefully abandon the facility and warned that anyone who takes up arms against the country will be considered a traitor. The warning came after videos circulated on social media with statements from a military leader who is believed to be detained confirming the peaceful takeover of a regiment in the coca-growing area of Chapare. The authorities have neither confirmed nor denied that he is a member of the Army. Meanwhile, the police mobilized a large number of troops and tractors to clear the roads of debris with the support of a fraction of the military police. Officers clearing the roadblocks found an unexpected ally in the popular All Saints Day holiday, as many protesters left the roads to celebrate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conflict broke out three weeks ago when Bolivian prosecutors launched an investigation into accusations that Morales fathered a child with a 15-year-old girl in 2016, classifying their relationship as statutory rape. Morales has refused to testify in court. Since reports circulated of a possible warrant against him, the ex-president has been holed up in the Chapare region, in central Bolivia, where loyalist coca growers have kept watch to prevent his arrest. Last week, 30 police officers were injured and more than 50 protesters were arrested after a standoff between security forces and supporters of Morales. But the so-called blockers regained control of the roads after the law enforcement agents passed through. The most critical situation is taking place in the coca-growing region of Chapare, a political bastion and refuge of Morales, where his followers have surrounded and threatened to take over police and military barracks, demanding the closure of the judicial cases against the former president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several groups, including the mayor of La Paz, Ivan Arias, have asked the government to declare a state of emergency in Cochabamba, the region hardest hit by the protests. The government has avoided sending out soldiers en masse to clear the roads. Opponents say the government is showing weakness in dealing with the conflict in the midst of an economy in crisis with rising living costs and fuel shortages. Morales, a former coca grower, has retained significant support among poor and Indigenous Bolivians despite his resignation in 2019 amid mass protests over his disrupted re-election. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america Hong Kong secured billions of dollars in financial commitment from Saudi Arabia after one of the city's biggest business delegations to the kingdom sealed almost a dozen deals for start-ups and collaboration accords over three days. The highlight of the week was the US$1 billion accord announced on the final day of the 2024 FII summit by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to support companies based in the Greater Bay Area - including Hong Kong - that plan to expand to the Middle East. Two days earlier, the Saudi incubator agreed to let start-ups at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP) tap into its US$300 million fund for their expertise in artificial intelligence, food technology and biomedical science. Two exchange-traded funds (ETFs) valued at a combined US$1.8 billion began trading this week on the Tadawul exchange, allowing Middle East investors to tap into Hong Kong's publicly traded companies. 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. "It is not just talk," Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said at a media briefing in Riyadh. "We have seen more than 10 multimillion-dollar deals made during the past three days. Many Middle Eastern investors have a great interest in investing in Hong Kong and Chinese companies." Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP) CEO Albert Wong Hak-keung (seated, right) and Beta Lab founder and managing partner Abdulrahman Alolayan (seated, left) at a signing ceremony on October 29, 2024 at the FII summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Enoch Yiu. alt=Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP) CEO Albert Wong Hak-keung (seated, right) and Beta Lab founder and managing partner Abdulrahman Alolayan (seated, left) at a signing ceremony on October 29, 2024 at the FII summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Enoch Yiu.> The successful trip of 110 officials, executives and start-ups led by Chan was the capstone of two years of bilateral exchanges between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia that began with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu's February 2023 trip to Riyadh. This week, Cathay Pacific Airways resumed the direct Hong Kong-Riyadh service that it had halted in 2017. The direct flight shaved about five hours off the travelling time between the two cities to nine hours, said Chan after flying on the route on Monday. Cathay Pacific is in code-sharing talks with Riyadh Air to expand each other's route network after Saudi Arabia's second carrier placed a multibillion-dollar order of 60 Airbus aircraft. Kingstree, S.C. (WCBD) A man in Bonneau says a local car dealership has been giving him the run around after he traded in a vehicle four months ago. He said the car was never paid off, his credit score has been taking a hit, and he is now responsible for two car payments. David Wright purchased a brand-new 2024 Chevy Silverado from Winding Chevrolet GMC in Kingstree on June 22. At the same time, he traded in his 2017 Silverado, which had a balance of around $35,000 on it. Wright then rolled that balance into the amount he financed with GM Financial for the new truck, making the dealership responsible for paying off the trade-in vehicle. However, in August, Wright said he received a letter from the bank that his old truck was financed through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I got a letter from TD Bank wanting money I said What in the world,' he explained. So I called them and she said late on the payment, I said maam I traded this truck in June.' Wright said he immediately called Winding Chevrolet to ask why they had not paid and was told that their bank account had been hacked. And they were trying to get everything straight so they could take care of it, he said an employee told him. As soon as they got it where they could get the money back in the bank they would pay it off. Wright said after some back and forth, the dealership made one payment of $812 on August 20. But Wright continued to get calls from the bank about other missed payments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now my credit is going down by them being late, late, late really late, he said. Last week, Wright received a letter notifying him that the truck could be repossessed by TD Bank if payments were not made. They have made no attempts to change nothing, he said about the dealership. I got a letter right to cure where they are fixing to start repossessing the truck, and once they repossess it then thats really messing my credit up. When News 2 went to the dealership for answers, the lot was empty and the new cars were gone. The owner, Michael Winding, said the cars were removed because they are in the process of changing out GM Financial as their floor plan loan company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other customers spoke to News 2 about their frustrations with the business. Eventually, an employee asked Mr. Wright to come inside to discuss his situation. They ultimately agreed to cancel the trade-in contract with him, notify GM Financial, and give Wright his old truck back. And channel 2 news came up here with me and now low and behold I got my truck back and they got theirs, said Wright. Winding also told News 2 they were facing growing pains as a dealership and said the trade-in deal should not have happened. Winding also confirmed that he submitted a request to cancel the new car deal with Wright and that he would be compensated for what was already paid under the contract. Wright is still waiting on final confirmation of this from GM Financial but is hopeful the situation is resolved so he can move forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now I got to get my credit straightened back out, he said. The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs said if someone is in a similar situation they can always file a complaint for SCDCA to look into, or they may want to seek advice from a private attorney. Consumer advocates also remind South Carolinians to ensure promises to pay off a trade-in vehicle are included in the contract and to follow up with the lien holder to make sure its been paid off. Overall, SCDCA recommends avoiding the risk if consumers can, by paying off a car before trading it 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 WCBD News 2. A Boston man is being arraigned this week and held without bail on charges that he exposed himself to an underage girl at the Granary Burial Ground. Wayne MacDonald, 65, was charged on Wednesday at Boston Municipal Court Central Division on one count of open and gross lewdness, subsequent offense. He was on probation until 2029 under a conviction of the same offense. MacDonald has had similar charges on his record dating back to 1992. The incident occurred on July 25, when a mother and her teenage daughter were visiting the burial ground when MacDonald exposed himself to the teen. The daughter and mother confronted MacDonald who denied any wrongdoing. Boston police were notified and through surveillance footage and the Boston Police Sexual Offender Registry Unit, detectives were able to issue a warrant and arrest MacDonald. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MacDonalds bail was set at $500, but Judge Joseph Griffin has ordered MacDonald to be held without bail until he serves a probation violation hearing on December 5. Its unfortunate for any young person to have an experience like this, but I praise her and her mother for acting so responsibly in providing police with a description of the incident and the person responsible. That information, combined with solid detective work, helped bring this defendant forward to answer to the charges, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A Boston woman has pleaded guilty in federal court to the armed robberies of U.S. Postal Service letter carriers in 2022, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Myesha Lewis, 22, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery of any person having lawful charge, control, or custody of any mail matter or of any money or other property of the U.S., aiding and abetting and two counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees, aiding and abetting. The armed robberies happened in Mattapan on Nov. 29, 2022 and in Hyde Park on Dec. 16, 2022. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Dennis F. Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Feb. 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2023, along with Kenneth Demosthene of Stoughton. Last month, Demosthene was sentenced to three years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to the charges in July. The U.S. Postal Service has seen a rise in the use of arrow keys to facilitate the theft of U.S. Mail, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. An arrow key is a specific key designed to open designated blue USPS collection boxes in a specific area. These arrow keys are the property of USPS and it is a federal offense for an unauthorized person to possess one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since July 2022, there have been at least 23 assaults on USPS letter carriers in Boston and surrounding cities and towns, and 15 of those assaults involved assailants armed with a knife, firearm, or both, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. These incidents included the attempted or successful robbery of USPS arrow keys from letter carriers. On Nov. 29, 2022, in Mattapan, Lewis and Demosthene forcibly robbed a USPS letter carrier of an arrow key, prosecutors said. Demosthene approached the letter carrier and said, Im going to need your master key, before reaching into the letter carriers mail satchel and grabbing the arrow key, prosecutors said. The key was secured around the letter carriers belt with a brass chain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The force used to physically break the brass chain caused the letter carrier to be pulled off the front steps, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a statement this week. Lewis and Demosthene then fled the scene in a rental vehicle. On Dec. 16, 2022 in Hyde Park, Lewis and Demosthene robbed another USPS letter carrier of an arrow key at knife point, prosecutors said. Demosthene approached the USPS letter carrier and said, Give me your (expletive) arrow key, prosecutors said. The letter carrier put their hands in the air as the two attempted to remove the arrow key, at first by force pulling at the chain, prosecutors said. Lewis and Demosthene then tried to cut it with the knife, eventually breaking it loose and running away on foot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges of robbery of any person having lawful charge, control, or custody of any mail matter or of any money or other property of the United States each provide for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Elon Musk leaps on stage with Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump, during a campaign rally Oct. 5, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) As Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump remain locked in a tight race according to public polling, both campaigns projected confidence Thursday. Decision 2024: On-the-ground election coverage in Colorado and by local reporters in all 50 states. Fair. Fearless. Free. With the election just five days away, the Democratic and GOP presidential candidates are making their final pitches to voters and zooming in on swing states with neither showing a measurable advantage in the polls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A senior Harris campaign official said Thursday on a call with reporters that they feel very good about what were seeing. And the Trump campaign sent reporters a memo showing Trump with polling leads in five of seven swing states, based on Real Clear Politics polling averages. The Trump memo, written by pollster Tony Fabrizio, showed Trump with slim leads in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Nevada and larger advantages in Arizona and Georgia. More than 63.6 million early votes were documented as of Thursday evening, according to the University of Florida Election Labs early voting tracker. Across the states that have data on party registration data, Democrats remained ahead with over 12 million voters registered with that party, compared to over 11.2 million Republicans and more than 7.8 million registered with another party or no party. Senior Harris campaign officials also suggested that Trump is clearly worried about losing the race, noting he is ramping up baseless claims of election fraud and irregularities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They referenced a Truth Social post from the former president on Wednesday in which Trump claimed that Pennsylvania is cheating, and getting caught, at large scale levels rarely seen before. REPORT CHEATING TO AUTHORITIES. Law Enforcement must act, NOW! Trump wrote. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The former presidents campaign won a lawsuit Wednesday in the Keystone State over claims that voters in Bucks County were turned away when waiting in line to get mail ballots. A judge extended the mail ballot deadline in Bucks County to the close of business on Friday. The statewide deadline was set for Tuesday at 5 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [2024 Voter Guide: Congressional candidates and ballot measures.] Needless to say, Pennsylvania is not cheating, a senior Harris campaign official said on the call, adding that a handful of people were allegedly turned away from early voting lines in Bucks County and the county responded by agreeing in court to additional days, not just hours, of early voting. A senior Harris campaign official said the system is working just as it should, referencing three counties in the Keystone State that identified suspicious registrations and declined to process them while also coordinating with law enforcement. All of this is cheating only in the mind of someone who wants to claim he was cheated, and its yet another example of how Donald Trump tries to sow doubt in our elections and institutions when hes afraid he cant win, the official said. Elon Musks voter sweepstakes Meanwhile, a Pennsylvania judge on Thursday placed a lawsuit against billionaire Elon Musk and his America PAC on hold while the fate of a federal court taking on the case is up in the air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner sued Musk and his super PAC earlier this week over allegations that the Trump allys $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes constitutes an illegal lottery. Musks lawyers argued Wednesday that the state court was not the proper venue for the lawsuit and filed to move the case to a federal court. Though the worlds richest man was ordered to appear at Thursdays hearing, he did not show up. Many voters feeling anxiety, frustration over campaign Roughly 7 in 10 Americans feel frustrated or anxious about the 2024 presidential campaign, while a little over one-third feel excited, according to an AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly 80% of Democrats feel anxious about the race, compared to nearly two-thirds of Republicans and about half of independents, per the poll. Americans feelings about the 2024 presidential campaign are similar to 2020, when, according to the same pollsters, 3 in 10 felt excited, nearly 7 in 10 were frustrated and almost two-thirds said they felt anxious. Upcoming from the Harris, Trump campaigns Harris is set to hold a campaign event in the Appleton area of Wisconsin on Friday and a rally and concert in Milwaukee later in the day. The veeps running mate, Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, is slated to campaign in Nevada and Arizona over the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio GOP Sen. J.D. Vance, Trumps running mate, is scheduled to hold rallies Friday in Portage, Michigan, and Selma, North Carolina. Trump is set to hold Friday rallies in Warren, Michigan, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Harris campaign said Thursday it will host its election night at Howard University in Washington, D.C. the vice presidents alma mater. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com. Have the latest Reality Checks delivered to your inbox with our free newsletter. Sen. Josh Hawley and his Democratic opponent Lucas Kunce have spent most of 2024 trying to distinguish themselves from each other in Missouris U.S. Senate race. But theres a common thread running through both of their campaigns populism. Hawley, a Missouri Republican, has become a key figure in his partys burgeoning populist wing. Kunce says hes running a populist campaign attempting to fundamentally change who has power in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Populism is a loose term used differently by reporters, politicians, historians, political scientists and sociologists. It is less political ideology and more political perspective, making it possible for two candidates on ideological extremes to both present themselves as the populist candidate in the race. Both candidates claim to represent the will of Missourians. Both have courted the labor movement and have said they will prioritize workers. Both claim they will take on corporate greed. Both claim the other is a phony. Those guys are fake populists, Kunce said at a campaign event this summer, referring to Hawley and former President Donald Trump. What populism really is, is its about uniting everyday people to go against the system in mass with our combined power to break a system thats not working for us. A day after winning an uncontested Republican primary in August, Hawley dismissed a question about who he believed is the true populist in the Senate race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I mean what (Kunce) is, is a guy who is 100% for the radical nutty left wing agenda, Hawley said. ...I dont care what label he applies to himself. Thats just nuts. Political candidates often use lofty rhetoric that highlights the common man. But Kunce and Hawleys open embrace of populism comes in a political moment informed by distrust and discontent with powerful institutions highlighting a Missouri that appears to be clamoring for political change. Populism can be very important, said Jennifer McCoy, a political science professor at Georgia State University. And it usually rises when theres a general rejection of the political parties as a whole, the whole political establishment, because its been unresponsive to the real needs of people. What is populism? Populism can generally be boiled down to three characteristics: anti-elitism, presenting themselves as the voice of the people and speaking in moralistic terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are variations on the theme. One persons elites may be liberal movie stars, anothers might be conservative billionaire donors. One persons common man might be a socially conservative farmer in rural Missouri, anothers might be a suburban single mom. But both left-leaning and right-leaning populists tend to take on an us versus them mentality. Neither Hawley nor Kunce perfectly fit the definition of a populist, but both embrace many of its features. While Kunce has been open about calling his campaign populist, his definition centers on changing the structure of power in Washington than trying to present himself as a moral voice of the people. Kunce frequently says the federal government as broken and unable to help everyday Missourians. He rails against the fact that lawmakers can trade individual stock, creating the appearance of politicians who are out to help themselves. He claims corporations have too much power over politicians and argues that the federal government should be sending more resources to the state, to help communities that were gutted when manufacturing businesses moved overseas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I stand for is fundamentally changing power in this country, and taking it back for everyday people, Kunce said. Thats what I think populism is. Kunce and Hawley sometimes sound similar. Both men have pushed for Congress to ban lawmakers from trading individual stock, criticized the government for policies that encouraged businesses to shift manufacturing overseas and showed up to the picket line to support striking workers. When Kunce was working for an anti-monopoly advocacy group in Washington, he worked with Hawleys office and at one point provided them with talking points that Hawley used in a committee hearing, according to NOTUS, a non-profit news organization. But where Kunce often blames corporations and wealthy politicians for not looking out for the interests of working people, Hawley tends to pin the blame on the left, an amalgam for progressive coastal elites and woke corporations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he rails against the left, Hawley often takes on a moralistic tone and injects Christianity into his speeches. In one speech, at the National Conservatism Conference, Hawley embraced Christian Nationalism as he claimed to represent the countrys values of faith, work, family and patriotism. He said the left both corporations, LGBTQ activists and liberal politicians wanted to eliminate those values. They expect their preachments to be obeyed. They may speak of tolerance, but they practice fundamentalism, Hawley said. Those who resist are called deplorable. Those who question are labeled threats to democracy. While Hawley often leans into populist rhetoric in his speeches and essays, his record in Congress appears more mixed. He supported a recent failed effort to expand the child tax credit, but voted against a bill aimed at promoting semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. The bill, which passed with bipartisan support, helped a St. Charles County plant receive $400 million in federal funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im glad to see some of the policy shifts in so far as they may produce more positive outcomes for working families in the state, said Jeff Smith, a former Democratic state Senator in Missouri. I cant say for sure that its fake or that its real. Why populism? Much of the rhetoric from Hawley and Kunce appears to be a reaction to the ongoing realignment of the countrys two political parties. Missouri once a top bellwether state has become a reliably Republican state since the rise of former President Donald Trump, who also often sounds like a populist on the campaign trail. Over the course of a decade, Trump has helped shift the demographics of the two parties. Suburban, college-educated voters have increasingly voted for Democrats like President Joe Biden while rural, working class voters have increasingly voted for Republicans like Trump and Hawley. For Kunce to win Missouri, he has to appeal to working class Trump voters, people who are drawn to Trumps promises to disrupt the status quo in Washington. Kunce has refused to say whether hell support Vice President Kamala Harris in November and has said he supports securing the southern border a top issue for many Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is trying to do that by taking more centrist positions on hot button cultural issues, keeping some distance from the national Democratic brand, which is, frankly, not in great shape in large swaths of Missouri, and emphasizing an anti big corporate world view that may have some appeal in particular to small to mid-sized Missouri farmers, Smith said. Hawley, meanwhile, has openly embraced the shifts in the Republican Party. In the 2022 midterms, Hawley said the Republicans werent able to win control of the Senate because their policies dont do enough for working class voters. He was complimented by Teamsters President Sean OBrien from the stage at the Republican National Convention. Theres an argument that a lot of these Chamber of Commerce issues have not helped working people, said James Harris, a Republican consultant in Missouri. And then theres a very easy argument to go is this good policy? And I think Josh is a natural at articulating, breaking those things down. While Hawley has been quick to adopt the populist language on the campaign trail, Charles Postel, a political science professor at San Francisco State University, bristles at the idea that Hawley would be called a populist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I mean, it has, it has no historical resonance, said Postel, who wrote a book on the history of the Populist movement. Those people are always conservatives and anti-populists in American history. Always. Postel said the Populist Party of the 1890s was an association of farmers and laborers who were focused on advancing their political interests in a moment when they were feeling exploited. They pushed for concrete action on issues like a graduated income tax, an effort to ensure the wealthy were paying their fair share. There were people who were pushing for social conservatism in the 1890s similar to the way Hawley has embraced Christian Nationalism but Postel said those people were rarely considered populists. This is how the party of the big capitalists and bankers appeal to workers, Postel said. You cant win elections without some appeal to ordinary people. GABORONE, Botswana (AP) The party of Botswana's opposition candidate Duma Boko was declared the election winner Friday over incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi in a seismic change that ended the ruling partys 58 years in power since independence from Britain. Masisi conceded defeat even before final results were announced, with his Botswana Democratic Party trailing in fourth place in the parliamentary elections in what appeared to be a humbling rejection by voters and a landslide victory for the main opposition party. Hours later, Chief Justice Terence Rannowane announced that the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change party had won a majority of seats in the election, making its candidate, Boko, the next president of the southern African country, which is one of the worlds biggest producers of mined diamonds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Masisi said he had called Boko to inform him he was conceding defeat. The final results of the election were yet to be formally declared, but Rannowane said the UDC had reached the 31-seat threshold to win a majority. I concede the election," Masisi said in an early-morning press conference two days after the vote. "I am proud of our democratic processes. Although I wanted a second term, I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process. I look forward to attending the coming inauguration and cheering on my successor. He will enjoy my support. Masisi's BDP dominated politics in Botswana for nearly six decades, since independence in 1966. The nation of just 2.5 million people will now be governed by another party for the first time in its democratic history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We lost this election massively, said Masisi, a 63-year-old former high school teacher and UNICEF employee. I have not packed a shoe. I did not expect it, he added. Boko is a 54-year-old lawyer and Harvard Law School graduate who also ran in 2014 and 2019. He didn't immediately comment but posted on his official page on X: Botswana First with a picture of a UDC campaign poster with the words Change is Here. Botswana has been held up as one of Africa's most stable democracies and is regarded as a post-colonial success story having built one of the highest standards of living in the region through an economy that largely relies on diamonds. Botswana is the world's second biggest natural diamond producer behind Russia and has been responsible for all the biggest diamonds found in the last decade. But Botswana faces new challenges and the mood for change became evident as a downturn in the global demand for diamonds badly impacted the economy, becoming the central issue for the campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unemployment rose to more than 27% this year, and significantly higher for young people, as the government saw a sharp decrease in revenue from diamonds. Masisi and his party had faced criticism for not having done enough to diversify the economy and the nation has been forced to adopt recent austerity measures. Even the BDP conceded throughout its campaign that policy change was needed and tried to convince voters it was capable of leading the country out of its economic troubles. Diamonds account for more than 80% of Botswana's exports and a quarter of its GDP, according to the World Bank. Masisi said the country had hardly sold any diamonds since April through its Debswana company, which the government jointly owns with diamond miner De Beers. Botswana's general elections decide the makeup of its Parliament, and lawmakers then choose the president. The party that gains a majority is in position to choose its candidate as president. All five of Botswana's post-independence presidents have been from the BDP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BDP was one of the longest-serving parties in Africa still in power and its sharp defeat came as a surprise after what was expected to be a tight race. It followed an equally momentous change in neighboring South Africa, where the long-ruling African National Congress lost its 30-year majority in an election in May and was forced to share power for the first time in a coalition government. ___ This story has been updated to correct the spelling of President Mokgweetsi Masisi's first name. ___ AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa The News Botswanas President Mokgweetsi Masisi has conceded defeat after parliamentary elections in which voters overwhelmingly rejected the ruling party that had been in power for 58 years. Official results were yet to be confirmed by the electoral commission early on Friday, but early tallies showed the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) had lost its parliamentary majority. The evidence is overwhelming. We lost the election massively, Masisi said in his concession speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post on X, he offered his heartfelt congratulations to Duma Boko, leader of the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), referring to him as the president-elect. Know More Boko, a human rights lawyer, spent five years between 2014 and 2019 as the countrys leader of opposition. The UDC accused the ruling party of corruption and economic mismanagement in the run up to this months election. Notably, ex-President Ian Khama campaigned against his former party, having fallen out with his protege Masisi. The BDP had been in power since the diamond-rich southern African country gained independence in 1966. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opposition partys victory is in line with various polls that showed the UDC leading the BDP by up to eight percentage points in some instances. Disapproval ratings for Masisi were also high, fueled by discontent over slow economic growth and lack of opportunities. Botswana is one of the worlds biggest producers of rough diamonds by value. But global diamond sales have been hit by oversupply and poor demand, in part tied to rising sales of lab-grown gems. At a presidential debate earlier in October, Masisi said shrinking revenues from the diamond market had affected economic growth, even as the country seeks to diversify its economy. Our diamonds have not been selling since April so yes, our revenues are down but the fundamentals are still intact, he said. Investment management company Franklin Templeton has named George Stephan as the global chief operating officer of Wealth Management Alternatives. In this newly created role, Stephan will report to Franklin Templeton global distribution head and executive vice-president Adam Spector. Stephans responsibilities will include overseeing product innovation in alternative investments, enhancing investor services, and supporting business development, management and operations. Spector said: With more than 40 years of experience in alternatives and 382 alternative investment professionals around the world, we have been deliberate about building our capabilities in multiple ways through acquisitions of specialists like Benefit Street Partners, Lexington and Clarion and by onboarding our offerings to key advisor platforms to make them more accessible to investors. The result is that Franklin Templeton is one of the few traditional asset managers to build a successful alternatives business spread across a broad range of strategies and geographies. Stephan previously worked at KKR as the head of strategy and business development for the global client solutions business. Before this, he was the COO and head of investor relations for KKR's Global Wealth Solutions business in the Americas. Earlier, Stephan also had a nine-year stint at Morgan Stanley's wealth management division. Franklin Templeton's specialist investment managers offer a range of alternative asset capabilities, such as private credit, real estate debt, real estate equity, secondary private equity, co-investments, hedged strategies, and pre-IPO growth equity investments through its various divisions. Earlier this year, Franklin Templeton introduced the Franklin FTSE Japan Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) exchange-traded fund (ETF), bringing the total number of indexed ETFs to 22. "Franklin Templeton hires global COO for wealth alternatives" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. By Brian Benza GABORONE (Reuters) -Botswana's voters delivered a shock defeat to the party that has ruled them for nearly six decades, registering their anger over economic stagnation linked to a decline in the diamond trade by handing victory to opposition presidential candidate Duma Boko. The 54-year-old, of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) coalition, will replace President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who on Friday conceded defeat after his Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) lost by a landslide for the first time in 58 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "From tomorrow... I will start the process of handover," Masisi said in an audio clip posted on social media of his phone call to Boko, signalling a smooth power transition. In his first public remarks after being sworn-in as the new president, Boko said he was humbled by the election outcome. "I pledge with every fibre of my being that I will do everything I can, not to fail, not to disappoint, appreciating always the enormity of the responsibility bestowed upon me by the people of this republic. It is their government," he said. Analysts blamed mounting economic grievances, particularly among young people, for the downfall of the BDP, which has governed the southern African state of around 2.5 million people since independence from Britain in 1966. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like many African countries, Botswana's economy has largely depended on the export of a single commodity - in its case, diamonds. Unlike many, its leaders have largely resisted the urge to steal or squander their commodity windfall, instead spending it on health, education and social welfare. Botswana's GDP per capita was $7,250 in 2023 - compared with an average for sub-Saharan Africa of $4,800, World Bank data shows. But a downturn in the global diamond market caused economic growth to plummet this year to a projected 1%, while unemployment rose to 28%. Botswana is the world's top producer by value of diamonds, and the government owns a 15% stake in diamond giant De Beers, a unit of Anglo American. Masisi last year negotiated a bigger share of its raw diamonds with the company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are an economy that depends on diamonds... So we've got to try and safeguard the goose that lays for us the golden egg in the short to medium term, at the very least," Boko said. He said he would try to reach out to De Beers "as quickly as possible" to hear its concerns. "As matters stand, they have been considering walking away, not signing at all, which is dire, (a) very dangerous position to be in as a country," he said. 'NOTHING TO OFFER' Local newspaper Mmegi showed that based on results from 58 of 61 constituencies, the UDC had won 35 seats in parliament, four more than it needed for a majority. The largest party chooses the president. The BDP was in last place out of four parties, with only four seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After 58 years in power (the BDP) didn't have anything new to offer," said analyst Ringisai Chikohomero of the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies. The UDC, by contrast, put forward ambitious policy proposals, he said. It pledged to more than double the minimum wage, improve social services and create a more independent judiciary, among other measures. The capital Gaborone was calm on Friday, with small groups of opposition supporters celebrating in the streets. "I did not ever think I would witness this change in my life," 23-year-old student Mpho Mogorosi said. "The BDP had stayed too long ... and I am proud to be part of the people that removed them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BDP was the second long-ruling party in southern Africa to lose its majority at the polls this year, after South Africa's African National Congress failed to win more than half of votes for the first time in 30 years. Neighbouring Namibia will hold elections later this month in which the ruling SWAPO party, which has governed since 1990, is also expected to face a stiff challenge. "The outcome of Botswana's elections should serve as a warning to long-time ruling parties across southern Africa and beyond that without economic progress and employment opportunities, political dominance will falter," said Zaynab Hoosen, an Africa analyst at consultancy Pangea-Risk. (Reporting by Brian Benza; Additional reporting by Nellie Peyton and Bhargav Acharya in Johannesburg; writing by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Alexander Winning, Tim Cocks and Ros Russell) Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) on Thursday asked Elon Musk, the owner of X, previously known as Twitter, and leaders of other social media platforms to remove a fake video from their sites, which he claimed is most likely a production of Russian troll farms. The video, which has gone viral, purports to show a Haitian immigrant who allegedly moved to the U.S. six months ago holding multiple Georgia drivers licenses and claiming to have voted multiple times in the 2024 election for Vice President Kamala Harris. Raffensperger debunked the video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is false and is an example of targeted disinformation weve seen in this and other elections, Raffensperger said in a statement. It is likely foreign interference attempting to sow discord and chaos on the eve of the 2024 Presidential election. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has called on social media companies to remove a fake video with "targeted disinformation" related to the election from their platforms. Carlos Osorio/File via Associated Press Raffensperger added that state partners and the federal Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency are working to identify the origin of the clip. In the meantime, we ask Elon Musk and the leadership of other social media platforms to take this down, he said. This is obviously fake and part of a disinformation effort. Likely it is a production of Russian troll farms. As Americans we cant let our enemies use lies to divide us and undermine our faith in our institutions or each other. CNN reported that while the original post featuring the video was taken down, the clip has continued to make the rounds on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, the U.S. intelligence community warned that the Kremlin would continue to disseminate media content with the intention of dividing Americans and creating distrust in the U.S. election system. The federal intelligence officials cited a recent fake video showing someone destroying mail-in ballots of people who voted for Trump in Pennsylvania, a key battleground in this election. They said it was created and shared by Russian actors. Raffensperger has repeatedly sought to reassure Georgians about the integrity of the election. No matter which side of the partisan divide a voter might be on, every voter in our state should know that the results will be valid because the election is secure, he wrote in an opinion piece for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published on Thursday. Musk, who endorsed Trump over the summer, has become a top surrogate for his campaign, holding events and donating millions in support of the former presidents White House bid. Related... SAO PAULO (AP) Brazil's government broke its silence Friday over growing tensions with neighboring Venezuela, with the Foreign Ministry saying it was surprised by the offensive tone adopted by Venezuelan authorities toward Brazil. In recent days, Venezuelas government has escalated its criticism of Brazilian foreign relations officials and even President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a long-time ally. The choice of personal attacks and rhetorical escalations, instead of political and diplomatic channels, does not align with the respectful manner in which the Brazilian government treats Venezuela and its people, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Nicolas Maduros government intensified its criticism of Brazil after a top adviser to Brazils president said the country had not supported Venezuelas bid to join the BRICS bloc of developing economies at the recent summit in Russia. That decision added to tensions between the two nations over disputed results in Venezuelas July presidential election and calls for transparency from Brazil and other countries. Venezuelas Foreign Ministry said Wednesday it summoned Brazils charge daffaires in Venezuela, Breno Hermann, to express its strongest rejection of the recurrent interventionist and rude statements of spokespersons authorized by the Brazilian government. The ministry also accused Celso Amorim, Brazils former foreign minister and special adviser to Lula, of acting like a messenger of American imperialism by issuing value judgments on processes that only correspond to Venezuelans and their democratic institutions. It added that his actions threaten the ties that unite both countries. Initially, Brazils diplomatic approach was to avoid commenting to prevent escalating tensions, a Foreign Ministry source told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue publicly. However, this stance shifted after Venezuelas Bolivarian National Police shared an image Thursday on social media depicting what appeared to be Lulas silhouette over Brazils national flag with the text: If you mess with Venezuela, you wilt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our homeland is independent, free, and sovereign. We do not accept blackmail from anyone; we are not anyones colony, the publication added. In the Friday statement, Brazils Foreign Ministry said it values non-intervention and fully respects the sovereignty of each neighboring country. The statement explained that Brazils interest in Venezuelas electoral process stems from its role as a witness to the 2023 Barbados Agreements, in which Venezuelas government and opposition settled on electoral conditions. The Brazilian government remains convinced that partnerships should be based on open dialogue, respect for differences, and mutual understanding, the statement said. Amorim, the former foreign minister, in a Tuesday hearing before Brazilian lawmakers, acknowledged discomfort between the two countries, attributing it to the Maduro administrations refusal to publish detailed election results. He said that improving diplomatic relations will depend on actions taken by Venezuela, without providing specifics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Venezuelas electoral authorities claimed they could not publish the detailed results because their website was hacked. At the same time, the main opposition coalition secured vote tally sheets from more than 80% of the electronic voting machines used across the country, published them online and declared that its candidate, former diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez, had defeated Maduro by a landslide. After the July 28 election, Lula, Colombian President Gustavo Petro and then-Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador all leftists and friendly with Maduro inserted themselves into Venezuelas election standoff to attempt a peacemaking effort. But it went nowhere, and Maduro has since consolidated his rule, reshuffled his Cabinet and jailed more than 2,000 opponents. The BRICS bloc, which initially included Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has expanded to embrace Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Brazil opposed including Venezuela at the groups summit earlier this month. Brazil does not want an indefinite expansion, Amorim, Lula's special adviser, told lawmakers. Brazil believes its members should be countries with influence that can help represent the region. And Venezuela today does not meet these conditions, in our opinion." Venezuelas Foreign Affairs Ministry characterized the move as irrational behavior and likened it to the economic sanctions that the U.S. imposed against the South American country. By Lisandra Paraguassu BRASILIA (Reuters) - The Brazilian foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday it was taken by surprise by an "offensive tone" that Venezuelan authorities used against Brazil, the latest development of a diplomatic row between the two leftist-led countries. In the statement, Brazil's foreign ministry said the choice for "personal attacks and rhetorical escalations" does not match the respectful way its government treats Venezuela and its people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, the Venezuelan government recalled its ambassador in Brazil over what it described as "repeated interventionist and rude statements" from Brasilia, while also criticizing Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's top foreign policy advisor Celso Amorim. The diplomatic escalation comes after months of tension following Venezuela's disputed presidential election in late July. Brazil has not recognized claims of victory by either Venezuelan President Nicoals Maduro or his opposition. Relations further soured earlier this month when Brazil vetoed Venezuela's admission into the BRICS group of emerging economies, which Venezuela has branded as an "inexplicable and immoral aggression." On Thursday, Venezuela's national police posted on its official Instagram account a photo of Lula's silhouette, with Brazil's national flag behind him, and the sentence: "Whoever messes with Venezuela will pay for it." (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia; Writing by Andre Romani; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle) SAO PAULO (AP) Brazil's federal police on Friday indicted 20 people for rock salt mining in the northeastern coastal city of Maceio that destroyed five urban neighborhoods and forced tens of thousands of people to leave their homes. The alleged crimes include damage to public property and environmental crimes. A police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed to The Associated Press that those indicted were employees or contractors of Braskem, one of the biggest petrochemical companies in the Americas. Braskem is owned primarily by Brazilian state-run oil company Petrobras and construction giant Novonor, formerly known as Odebrecht. It operated the mining of rock salt in the area for four decades and has been under investigation since the neighborhoods began collapsing in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to The Associated Press, Braskem said it had not yet reviewed the full police report and therefore would not comment on the individuals indicted who were connected to the company. The petrochemical firm stated that it has cooperated with the investigation and has always acted in compliance with industry laws and regulations, regularly informing and reporting to the competent authorities. Rock salt mining is a process of extracting salt from deep underground deposits. However, brine-filled cavities left behind when the salt has been extracted can eventually collapse, causing the soil above to settle. Structures built on top of such areas can topple. Around 200,000 people in the Alagoas state capital Maceio were affected by the excessive extraction of rock salt, according to the Brazil Senates website. In July, 2023, Braskem announced a $356-million settlement with the city. The money would be used for structural works in the city and for a residents support fund. In December, a closed rock salt mine partially collapsed. The area had been previously evacuated. Business owners who lease space at the Sadler Square shopping center in Davidson said they had 30 days to close and now the time is up. New apartment owner evicts tenants with little notice This has been everything for me for 12 years, said Hope Sams, the owner of The Beach Tanning and Beauty Spa. Im not married. I dont have kids. Ive dedicated everything to this business, everything I have. Piedmont Capital Real Estate bought Sadler Square in February, and Sams said she thought the company would help her business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, she said Piedmont Capital sent her salon and the other businesses in the shopping center eviction notices last month. We got it through our email, and we got a certified letter. And it said our lease will terminate on Oct. 31, Sams said. The businesses were told to close by Friday but were still given a few extra days to move out. Shes now searching for a new location and her biggest worry is letting down her employees and customers. The holidays are around the corner. That breaks my heart, Sams said. I hate doing that to them. Im going to cry. I hate doing that to my clients. Her equipment is in storage as she and the other business owners try to figure out what to do next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know its going to be a blessing in disguise, she said. I know everything happens for a reason. Its just really, its just really tough right now. Channel 9 reached out to Piedmont Capital, including the partner handling the changes to Sadler Square, but we have not heard back. VIDEO: SC woman gets to stay after apartment threatened eviction When campaigning for office earlier this year, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised the Labour Party would not raise taxes on "working people." But he was cagey about exactly who the "working people" are. Now, Starmer says those who own assets such as property or shares in companies don't fit his definition of "working people." A spokesperson later clarified that people who own small amounts of stock could be working people and Starmer was referring to people who primarily earn their income from assets. The post Brickbat: Common People appeared first on Reason.com. A mild tremor was felt in northeast Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley Thursday afternoon, after a preliminary 2.9 magnitude earthquake struck near Pasadena. The earthquake hit around 4:04 p.m. less than two miles southwest of Pasadena near Alhambra, at a depth of about 6.4 miles, according to the United States Geological Survey. Multiple people told KTLA that they experienced the temblor, which caused rattling closet doors and couldve easily been confused for a large truck or a heavy-footed neighbor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you felt any shaking from Thursdays earthquake, you can submit a Felt It report with the USGS. For the most recent earthquakes in our area, click here. 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HONG KONG (AP) A British businessman was ordered Friday to remain in custody after being charged with murder in Hong Kong over the death of an Indonesian woman at a park waterfall. Jamie Tzewee Chapman, 34, did not enter a plea in the court appearance and his lawyer did not request bail. The judge adjourned the case to January to allow time for further investigation. Chapman and his wife, a Hong Konger, were arrested Tuesday when they returned to the city from mainland China. His wife had been held on suspicion of assisting an offender before being released on bail pending further investigation, police said Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Chapman and the Indonesian woman went together to a waterfall in a park on Hong Kong Island on Sunday night. He left about half an hour later, and residents spotted the woman's body in the pond below the waterfall Monday morning, police said. She had been struck in the head and drowned. Mevi Novitasari, who was about 25, was a domestic worker in Hong Kong but did not work for the suspect, police have said. She was from Cilacap in Central Java province, Judha Nugraha, director of protection of Indonesian citizens and legal entities, said from Indonesia. Her employment agency and the Indonesian consulate will facilitate the repatriation of the remains and the consulate general will continue to monitor the investigation, he said. ___ Associated Press writer Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report Last week, eight US senators urged President Joe Biden to order a security review of the global network of undersea communications cables, citing the "threat of sabotage" by Russia - and China. It was just the latest expression of US concern over China's potential espionage in handling network traffic, an accusation Beijing has repeatedly rejected. Usually running along the bed of the world's seas, undersea cables are the backbone of the global internet for daily communications. 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. About 95 per cent of the US population and nearly 75 per cent of China's use data that is transferred through undersea cables, and the number is growing. As global powers jockey for technological and economic supremacy, undersea cables are increasingly at the centre of the competition. Here are five things to know about the undersea information network, and what it means to the US-China relationship. Undersea cables, also called submarine cables, are fibre optic cables laid on the seabed between land-based stations. They carry up to 99 per cent of internet traffic between continents and are vital for transmission of data, from personal email, online shopping to scientific research. Financial transactions on platforms like banking networks, like Swift, as well as fintechs and blockchains also depend on data traffic through the cables. The first undersea cable was laid in 1850 between France and Britain, and as of September, there were 532 active undersea cable systems, with another 77 planned, according to telecommunications research company Telegeography. A 15,000-pound (6,800kg) undersea cable being readied in Washington for transport to Brazil. Photo: US Navy/Reuters alt=A 15,000-pound (6,800kg) undersea cable being readied in Washington for transport to Brazil. Photo: US Navy/Reuters> Their importance to national security Data is now a driving force of digital economy, and data security has become vital to not only economic security but also the national security of governments around the world. While undersea cables are buried in the sea - at some points as deep as 8,000 metres (five miles) to protect against potential damage by fishing trawlers - this data infrastructure is not always safe. In 1914, when Britain entered World War I, it cut German telegraph cables under the sea, forcing the Germans to shift to radio communication that was easier to intercept. King Charles IIIs visit to Australia and Samoa was modified in light of his cancer diagnosis, but still saw him pack in multiple engagements across 10 days in the two countries. And as the trip came to an end this weekend, Buckingham Palace has made it known that he is ready for more next year, with plans for a normal-looking schedule of overseas tours for 2025. Were now working on a pretty normal-looking full overseas tour program for next year, which is a high for us to end on, to know that we can be thinking in those terms, a palace official was quoted as saying in a report from the U.K.s press association. Usually, members of the royal family would carry out two major overseas tours each year: one in the spring and one in the autumn. It is not yet known where Charles plans to travel in 2025; however, Canada seems a likely destination, after it was reported that a trip there this spring was postponed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no specific information about the kings health or his treatment in this latest update from the palace, which is in line with its ongoing position. Aside from the initial announcement in February that the king had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer, any information about his illness or recovery has been given only in the context of how it is relevant to his working schedule. However, an update such as this onethat he will be returning to normal travelingis clearly a positive indicator as far as his health goes. Indeed, reports suggest the king, who will be 76 in November, thrived on the tours schedule. He has genuinely loved this tour. He has genuinely thrived on the program. Its lifted his spirits, his mood, and his recovery. In that sense, the tourdespite its demandshas been the perfect tonic, the BBC quoted a palace official as saying. Charles and Queen Camilla were greeted by cheering crowds at points during the visit, but they also faced protests and controversy. Indigenous Australian senator Lidia Thorpe attracted much attention with her confrontation with the king at Canberras Parliament House, and there were other reminders elsewhere that many Australians want to move on from having the British monarch as head of state. The king did not react to Senator Thorpes condemnation and was said to have been unruffled by the indecent. You Might Also Like Voters line up outside the Bucks County administration building in Doylestown Oct. 31, 2024 (Capital-Star photo by Ian Karbal) DOYLESTOWN Volunteers outside the Bucks County Board of Elections office on Thursday were in a celebratory mood, especially the Republicans. A recent legal victory had extended the deadline for on-demand mail ballot voting for three extra days, until Nov. 1. That meant hundreds of people, many of whom had been told they would not be able to earlier, could request and submit a mail ballot at the office ahead of Election Day. One Republican volunteer marched up and down the line that had formed carrying portraits of former President Donald Trump, the GOP nominee for president, to mild applause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The extension was the result of a lawsuit brought by Trumps campaign against the Bucks County Board of Elections. On Oct. 30, a judge ruled that the decision to block some voters from participating in on-demand mail ballot voting before the process effective deadline violated Pennsylvanias election code. For their part, the Bucks County government said in a written statement on Tuesday that no one had been blocked from voting. They said they told only the voters who arrived at the election offices too late to make it through the line that they would have to come back. But voters could still submit applications for mail ballots, which they could pick up at the office later or have mailed to their homes. This led to confusion at Bucks County election offices ahead of the Oct. 29 mail ballot application deadline effectively also the deadline for on demand mail ballot voting and some voters thought they were being told they couldnt vote. Despite a judge ruling in the Republicans favor, and extending the on-demand mail ballot deadline for those who were turned away, the whole saga left some in line wary of election officials ability to fairly oversee the upcoming general election. And the rapid spread of viral misinformation about what had actually been occurring in Bucks County concerned disinformation experts bracing for a flood of fake news during the upcoming election. Communication breakdown Former Secretary of the Commonwealth Kathy Boockvar, a Bucks County resident, told the Capital-Star she has voted through the on-demand mail ballot process for the last several elections. Typically, she said, shed been able to get in and out of her election office in 15 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this year, even voting on the second or third day on-demand mail ballot voting was available, it took 45 minutes. That was days before the rush of people requesting mail ballots before the deadline and reports of lines being cut. There was a line even then, Boockvar said. Theres definitely more voting by this method than Ive ever seen before. Boockvar attributed this, in part, to Trump. In 2020, he urged his voters to vote in person, on Election Day. This year, hes encouraged them to vote early and in person. But Pennsylvania does not allow early in-person voting as many understand it. On-demand mail ballots are the closest alternative, but still a wholly different option. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On demand voting had also been advertised by the Bucks County Board of Elections at an Oct. 7 hearing, and by the Department of State on its election information site, as a way to go in person and cast a ballot before Election Day. Neither mentioned the possibility of voters being turned away before election offices closed. Some who arrived at the Doylestown office on Saturday, Oct. 26 told the Capital-Star they were expecting a process like early voting in other states, where polling places operate similarly to how they do on Election Day itself. Instead, county election officials had them fill out mail ballot applications. Officials checked the applications against county and state records to verify that applicants were eligible to vote and hadnt already voted, printed a ballot for each voters voting precinct, and printed an envelope with a unique barcode for each voter. County officials said the process takes 12 minutes per application. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement County officials did not respond to emails with specific questions about how they communicated the limitations to voters. In a court filing, they submitted an official flier notifying voters that on-demand mail ballot voting was not the same as early voting, and voters arriving too late to get a mail ballot by closing time could apply online for one to be sent to them. Questions sent to Gov. Josh Shapiros office were forwarded to the Pennsylvania Department of State. Dept. of State spokesperson Amy Gulli pointed to an Oct. 25 email sent to county election officials warning them of a potential surge of voters, and urging them to make plans to ensure everyone who arrived at their offices before 5 p.m. would be able to apply for a mail ballot. The Department of State is in regular communication with all of our county partners, providing guidance and assistance, Gulli said. Ultimately, Pennsylvanias elections are run at the county level, and county boards of elections are responsible for individual staffing and resource decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ari Mittleman, the executive director of Maryland-based Keep Our Republic, a non-partisan group that studies election threats and conducts civic education around voting rules and issues, says part of the issue is Pennsylvanias election code, which does not explicitly mention on-demand mail ballot voting. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US The Pennsylvania election code is fairly antiquated, Mittleman said. I think that Democrats and Republicans are gonna learn, or are learning on the fly, a lot of lessons, some of which, I think, could have been predicted. Recent legislative efforts to create a legal framework for early voting as it exists in other states have failed, largely due to partisan gridlock. Mittleman said the result of not having a more formal system to allow voting ahead of election day is that the rules around on-demand mail ballots are kind of a patchwork. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its clearly not the most efficient or modern patchwork, Mittleman said. Thats when Fox News and the other news stations came Seemingly the most popular man outside the Doylestown election office on Thursday was Scott Presler, who wore blue jeans tucked into black boots and had long hair falling to the middle of his torso. Hes something of a MAGA celebrity. Many voters approached him to shake his hand or take a selfie. He regularly interrupted his interview with the Capital-Star to shout words of appreciation to voters arriving in Trump hats or shirts. Presler has been involved in pro-Trump activism in Pennsylvania and elsewhere for years. In 2020, he organized stop the steal events in Harrisburg after Trumps loss in that election. Before that, he had a leadership role in ACT for America, a group that the Southern Poverty Law Center calls an anti-Muslim hate group. Presler said he bought a home in Pennsylvania in May so he could vote for Trump in the state. He also founded a Republican get-out-the-vote organization called Early Vote Action and claims to have 70 employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal of Early Vote Action is two-fold: to create a Republican voter-turnout infrastructure that can match more established Democratic efforts, and to document what he views as suspicious activity at election offices and polls. If you see me, its because something has gone wrong and Im here to make it right, Presler told the Capital-Star. I want to say a very peaceful, peaceful and stern warning: Anyone who cheats, we will catch you. We will find those people who are doing anything illegal. He said that was why he was in Doylestown because something had gone wrong. Presler leveraged his social media reach he has 1.7 million followers on X to help spread viral images of Bucks County security guards telling voters that they couldnt get in line to cast on-demand ballots, despite the offices remaining open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Presler attributed some of his popularity to having his posts shared by billionaire X owner Elon Musk, who this week replied to several videos alleging Bucks County voters were being denied access to polls. One such video was taken at Preslers request by Harry Tiffany, a New Britain resident who went to the Doylestown election office on Thursday just to thank Presler for helping draw attention. Tiffany said that on Oct. 28, he had been told by a security officer that he wouldnt be able to cast an on-demand ballot, though he had arrived before closing time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knowing Presler from social media, Tiffany sent him a private message to tell him what he was seeing. Presler asked him to record it. That video, along with others taken both individually and at Preslers insistence, worked its way around MAGA social media. Thats when Fox News and the other news stations came, Tiffany said. I dont want to brag, but it feels pretty good that this happened. Some of the videos were shared with misleading captions. In a post with one such video, right wing activist Jack Posobiec, a prominent spreader of misinformation around the 2020 election. wrote BUCKS COUNTY PA HAS NOW SENT OUT OFFICERS IN THE MIDDLE OF EARLY VOTING TO STOP PEOPLE FROM STANDING IN LINE TO VOTE. Before the election offices had closed on what was then the last day of on-demand mail ballot voting, the videos had spread so widely that the county felt the need to respond. Contrary to what is being depicted on social media, if you are in line by 5 p.m. for an on-demand mail-in ballot application, you will have the opportunity to submit your application for a mail-in ballot, a spokesperson posted to the Bucks County Government Facebook page. We are aware that, due to a miscommunication, individuals in line to apply for an on-demand mail-in ballot were briefly told they could not be accommodated. In fact, these voters were given the opportunity to submit mail-in ballot applications today. That night, on Oct. 29, after the 5 p.m. deadline to apply for a mail ballot in Pennsylvania, Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley appeared to cite social media videos in a speech at a Trump rally when he announced the campaign would sue Bucks County. Voters line up outside the Bucks County administration building in Doylestown Oct. 31, 2024 (Capital-Star photo by Ian Karbal) The next morning, Trump himself posted on social media that, Pennsylvania is cheating, and getting caught, at large scale levels barely seen before. One social media post containing a video taken in Bucks County, filmed by a woman being told that she would not be able to cast an on demand ballot, was cited in the Trump campaigns lawsuit. The post mistakenly claims that the woman was being blocked from an early voting line. And the lawsuit alleges that the video is proof of people being denied a chance to apply for a mail ballot. But on inspection, that appears false. The woman filming the video is handed what appears to be the same flier submitted to the court as evidence by the Bucks County Board of Elections. The flier notifies people of the difference between early voting and on demand mail ballot voting, and contains a QR code link to where voters can apply for a mail ballot online. The lawsuit was successful regardless, and the judge ordered three Bucks County election offices to allow all eligible voters who lined up during business hours until Nov. 1 to receive an on-demand mail ballot. Erik Nesbit, a professor at the Northwestern University School of Communication who studies mis- and dis-information, says that successful viral campaigns, whether intentionally misleading or not, often make viewers emotional and portray something novel. And videos and images are often more successful than words. Seeing people supposedly turned away, or security being called when theyre trying to vote, hits both of those, Nesbit said. Its novel and its very emotional. Nesbit also noted the speed with which claims about Bucks County spread online. He believes this is a result of practice by distributors of election misinformation, or a predisposition among recipients to distrust election officials after years of attacks. The ground has been clearly fertilized for us to be inundated with false, misleading claims about the election process, Nesbit said. Trust in the election process has been degraded so much among a segment of our population. Boockvar was also concerned by the speed that misleading claims about what happened in Bucks County spread. She, in part, attributes that to a much more established ecosystem of disinformation, than there was even in 2020. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX That ecosystem, she said, is being used by foreign entities as well as Americans. A video posted on X on Oct. 24 claimed to show a man tearing up Bucks County ballots cast for Republicans. On Oct. 25, federal investigators said the video was fake and produced as part of a Russian disinformation campaign targeting Pennsylvanians. But it still spread through the same social media networks as the misleading Bucks County videos. Boockvar noted that, while foreign adversaries are still producing disinformation campaigns, over the last decade, election-related mis- and dis-information, like the Bucks County videos, has increasingly been originated by Americans. When we are doing it to ourselves, we are doing the work for foreign adversaries, she said. And Boockvar, who was involved in many lawsuits challenging the Pennsylvania election in 2020, noticed another difference between then and now. In her observation, many misleading claims about the 2020 election that circulated on social media began with Trump campaign lawsuits or lawyers. She remembers hearing Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani make a claim that there were more ballots cast in the 2020 election than there were ballot applications. She recognized, from public data on her departments website, he was comparing ballot applications cast in the 2020 primary election to ballots cast in the general election. If you see me, its because something has gone wrong and Im here to make it right. Conservative activist Scott Presler Because it was so easy to debunk, Boockvar said, she wrote it off. But after a time, the claim picked up steam and virality online. It was 100% obvious what they had done, Boockvar said. But it spread like crazy. In this case, she says, the pipeline appears to have reversed. It largely went in the other direction, so, from lawsuit to viral social media, mostly, Boockvar said. It was kinda just another opportunity to vote One thing both Democrats and Republicans in Doylestown agreed on was that it was a good thing to have more time to vote with on-demand mail ballots. Skylar DiBerardinis and her fiance Jimmie Cianfaro had recently moved to the area from upstate New York. They were both voting for Harris. They had planned to vote on Election Day, but, after seeing they had an opportunity, decided to go early. It was kinda just another opportunity to vote, Cianfaro said. Both of them believe they can trust the results of the election. Asked whether the reports of election workers stopping voters bothered her, DiBerardinis said I didnt really pay too much attention. Colette Paprocki, a Democrat who has supported Trump since 2016, doesnt see anything necessarily nefarious either. I understand people dont want to work overtime, she said about the elections office turning people away when the lines got long. I just think they werent anticipating [the crowd]. Paprocki also says she trusts the results of the election, though expects some issues to arise. A Pennsylvania mail-in ballot for a Bucks County voter (Photo by Tom Sofield) Fred Webster, a voter from New Hope, has lost trust. I think people were trying to keep people from voting, Webster said. I think it was partisan. He believes the 2024 election will be more accurate than last time, but is confident there will also be fraud, particularly in urban areas like Philadelphia. Charlie Kamps, whos also from New Hope, says hes a bit skeptical on 2024. But it feels [like] the Pennsylvania Republican party has done a good job shoring it up. Larissa Hopwood, a Democrat who was staffing a Harris table, was primarily glad more people had the opportunity to vote. The Democrats had actually been fighting for [expanded early voting laws], Hopwood said. It keeps being blocked and all that kinda stuff. Hopefully this will change that, making people a little more aware of what the actual process is. She didnt believe the election workers in Bucks did anything wrong, at least not intentionally. But the apparently coordinated messaging she saw from the far right around people being blocked from the election office gave her pause. She was uneasy with so many Republicans, who she saw as historically opposed to early voting, suddenly championing it. And there was the presence of Presler, a known MAGA influencer, who she didnt think was from Bucks County. It seems to me that the Republicans were organized for this eventuality, she said about the on-demand mail ballot voting extension. Like they knew that this was coming down the pipe. Correspondent Christina Kristofic contributed SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz greeting supporters in Bristol Township Oct. 31, 2024 (Photo by Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com) Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, was met with applause and cheers at the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 13 Union Hall in Levittown on Thursday where he made the case for the Harris-Walz ticket just days before the election. Addressing union members and local Democrats, Walz touted achievements in labor relations and job creation, pointing to Vice President Kamala Harriss role in spearheading the White Houses Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of what Democrats have said is the most pro-union administration in history, Harris helped create millions of good-paying jobs and has been an ally in the fight for fair wages, Walz stated. The governor didnt hold back in contrasting his tickets policies with those of former President Donald Trump and his running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio). Walz labeled the Trump agenda as anti-worker and detrimental to union interests. He criticized the Project 2025 agenda, which he claimed would raise taxes on working families by nearly $4,000, threaten overtime pay for many workers, and rollback workplace safety protections. Walz said a Harris-Walz administration would support manufacturing jobs in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They know nothing about manufacturing, he said. The only thing they know how to manufacture is bullshit. The candidate reinforced the Democratic campaigns stance on various freedoms, including a womans right to choose, support for IVF treatments, opposition to book bans, and a balanced approach to the Second Amendment that ensures safety in schools and communities. Walz, an Army National Guard veteran and former teacher, expressed his patriotism and love for the American flag. Ill be damned if Id fly an American flag with some mans picture pasted on it, he said, alluding to flags with Trumps face on them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event was attended by local and state Democratic officials, including Bucks County commissioners Bob Harvie and Diane Ellis-Marseglia, Congresswoman Madeleine Dean, and state representatives Tina Davis, Jim Prokopiak, and Perry Warren. Harvie noted that he and Walz are both former teachers and believe in supporting the middle class, like those in Levittown. In her comments to the largely union crowd, Ellis-Marseglia said Trump has continually insulted union members and people in the trades over the years. He has been notorious for not paying people, paying people late, she said. Santarsiero encouraged the audience to watch less MSNBC and worry less about the polls, but instead, get outside and encourage friends and neighbors to vote for Harris and Walz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want you to make a difference in this election, he said. In her appeal to voters, Davis said Harris and President Joe Biden have invested in the community and that has helped small businesses like the trucking company her husband owns. She added that she knows what its like when finances are tight and Harris and Walz have plans to help Americans. Brad Mickatavage, the business manager and secretary treasurer of Boilermakers Local 13, welcomed Walz to Bristol Township and introduced him to the union members. About 200 people packed the union hall to hear Walz and many were outside to cheer and wave as his motorcade passed by. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Trump supporters stood along the street and waved Trump signs and flags at the Democratic candidate. Following the event, Walz made an unannounced visit to the Bharatiya Temple in Montgomery Township, Montgomery County, to celebrate Diwali. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visits Bharatiya Temple in Montgomery County Oct. 31, 2024, to celebrate Diwali. (Photo by Tom Sofield for the Capital-Star) At the temple, he highlighted the Harris-Walz tickets commitment to the South Asian American community. Harris is both Black and South Asian American. Walz greeted temple members and Montgomery County Democratic officials before lighting a diya and receiving a blessing. First Congressional District Democratic candidate Ashley Ehasz was in attendance. He then continued to Erie for another campaign stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kush Desai, a Trump campaign spokesperson, criticized the Harris-Walz ticket would be a continuation of the Biden administrations policies, predicting the Democrats defeat in the upcoming election. This first Bucks County campaign stop for Walz follows recent visits by both Harris and Trump, with Pennsylvania playing a critical role as a key battleground state in the election. After the event, Walz traveled through Lower Bucks County to Trenton-Mercer Airport and took a flight to a campaign event in Erie. Walz flew in late Wednesday night and stayed at a hotel in Montgomery County, according to a campaign official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kush Desai, a Trump campaign spokesperson for Pennsylvania, said that Walz and Harris will fail if elected and the country will reelect Trump next week. The visit was the first campaign stop in Bucks County for Walz and follows recent stops by Harris, former President Donald Trump, and Trumps running mate U.S. Sen. JD Vance. Pennsylvania is seen as a key state for both the Harris and Trump campaigns to win, with its 19 electoral votes. Democrats won Bucks County in 2016 and 2020, but Republicans believe there is a chance that Trump could win the county this election. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Budget, laced with lofty rhetoric but weighed down by chaotic delivery and broken promises, is a tragedy of political governance rather than a triumph. Despite the attempts to paint it as a victory for economic prudence, it lays bare a series of disappointments that many are finding hard to forgive. From embarrassing gaffes like social media banners from The Chancellor reading Difficult Descisions (value for money means cutting the costs of spell-checkers now), to ministerial confusion about the definition of working people, the public has been treated to a spectacle that would almost be amusing if it werent so destructive. And while it may resemble an episode of The Thick of It, what it signifies a lack of coherence and direction cannot be so easily dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This Governments swift, and arguably reckless, reversal on its promises has left working people, small business owners, and family farmers facing profound uncertainty. The biggest tax burden on working families since 1993 comes as a direct blow, despite repeated pledges that Labour would spare working people from further financial strain. The abandonment of fiscal promises and an inflated tax bill signifies a turning point that has bred disillusionment. For everyone, this Budgets broken promises are more than a misstep; they are a breach of trust that may mark a decisive shift in public opinion. A cornerstone of this breach lies in the new National Insurance hikes, which have raised the rate for employers by 1.2 per cent, resulting in an overall rate of 15 per cent and shifting the earnings threshold. Branded as a 25 billion tax on jobs, this change is expected to hit small businesses arguably the lifeblood of the British economy hardest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are the enterprises that have historically weathered economic storms, finding ways to innovate and grow despite obstacles. Now, however, they are cornered by a government intent on clawing back funds in ways that stymie economic expansion. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will likely see reduced capacity to hire, lower investment, and diminished potential for growth, with much of this tax rise being absorbed through cuts to wages, lay-offs, or elevated prices. The Labour governments Budget also unveils an unexpected threat to the agricultural sector. A revision to the Agricultural Property Relief is set to levy a 20 per cent tax on farms valued above 1 million a move that targets small to medium-sized family farms and stands to be devastating. Our farmers have faced an onslaught of challenges recently: poor harvests, volatile energy costs, and rising competition from abroad. Labours move, rather than offering relief, adds to this burden, forcing many farms that have been family-run for generations to make untenable choices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several farmers in my part of southern Hampshire have expressed fears to me that this may well be the final straw. For them, selling out looks like the only viable option. This tax is more than a financial hit; its a potential death knell to a way of life, a blow to the rural economy, and a threat to food security in a time of global instability. One of the more unsettling aspects of this Budget is its borrowing strategy, a 30 billion splurge that reflects the governments risky reliance on debt. Already brushing the limits of its own fiscal framework, the governments fiscal policies are causing concerns in the market. In the wake of the Budgets release, the pound fell to its lowest in 18 months, while gilt yields a bellwether of investor confidence rose sharply. These indicators reveal the anxiety that has taken hold among investors, and many are left questioning whether this government is capable of delivering the economic stability it claims to uphold. Far from a sustainable approach, the borrowing binge appears to signal a dependency on debt that the government may find difficult to overcome, especially if market reactions continue to reflect growing unease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chancellor opened her address with a focus on her historic appointment as the first female Chancellor a noteworthy milestone in itself. Yet as the details of this Budget unfold, it becomes apparent that this governments approach to fiscal responsibility and economic growth is anything but revolutionary. Reeves may champion her own success in breaking barriers, but this high-tax, high-spend Budget offers little to inspire future generations. Instead of exemplifying a new, progressive vision for Britains economy, the policies here are a return to a bygone era where high taxes and high borrowing stifle innovation, punish small businesses, and discourage hard work and ambition. Hardly a model for young women to emulate. In the wake of this Budget, we are left to consider the broader implications. This government has often prided itself on supporting working families, promoting business growth, and fostering innovation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But through broken promises, increased burdens on small businesses and farms, and a fiscal policy that leans heavily on debt, it has weakened the economic bedrock it once vowed to protect. A Government that no longer supports the aspirations of its people cannot inspire them. For those watching, this Budget was not merely an economic exercise; it was a betrayal of the hard-working Britons who are now left to pay the price. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. An Avon man was seriously injured after being attacked by a bull in his pen on Wednesday. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office says the 45-year-old man was injured by a bull at 16046 County Road 52 in Holding Township around 9 a.m. The caller reported that the man was still in the pen with the bull. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found the man lying in a cattle pen while the bull had been secured in a separate pen. Pixabay Deputies and Holdingford Rescue provided aid before Mayo Ambulance Service eventually took him to the St. Cloud Hospital with serious injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change. Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Its a stunning fact: there were more than 775 overdose drug deaths in Multnomah County alone last year, according to county data. The figures are tracking slightly better for 2024 but overdose fatalities from any drug remain a day-to-day reality for first responders. While Narcan remains one of the most effective ways to prevent something like a fentanyl overdose from becoming fatal, Portland Fire & Rescues CHAT unit rolled out an additional tool months ago thats proving highly effective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a medication called Buprenorphine, Bupe, for short and fire medics like Tyler Greenfield say its saving lives after they rush to an OD call. Because it binds to all the same receptors as if it were fentanyl, people virtually feel no withdrawal symptoms with no intoxicated effects, said Greenfield. A sign explaining buprenorphine in the PF&R CHAT office, October 2024 (KOIN) Showing a secure pouch, he explained how there are little tablets in here, like little strips of film, that you put in your gums, and it gets absorbed that way. By removing severe withdrawal symptoms, first responders say it gives patients a better chance at trying to stay clean. [Theres] almost night-and-day difference from how they look in withdrawals, to how they look when this medication is working, said Greenfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Portlands pilot program launched in February with funding help from CareOregon, and is run through the larger Community, Health, Assess and Treat (CHAT) team. Michelle LaVina helps track a lot of the day-to-day of the program as the nurse manager. So far this year, the team has responded to some 750 actual overdose calls, administering Bupe dozens of times. By using the medicine on the streets, instead of a more traditional hospital or clinical setting, LaVina said theyre freeing up other, critical resources and putting someone on a faster track to getting clean. PF&R Medic Tyler Greenfield, October 2024 (KOIN) Being able to facilitate this treatment at the 911 call and in the community, and bypass the ER, and reconnect people to treatment directly is what our country needs right now, she said, and our city definitely needs it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once someone gets an initial treatment, they can seek out follow-up care with a CHAT team member. We can connect with the individuals for the next 90 days, thats the goal. Within the first few weeks, we may see them almost daily, because you need a lot of support, said Kyle LaClair, one of the caseworkers. At any one time, CHAT may have up to 30 clients trying to navigate things like housing, medical care or even food. The Portland Fire & Rescue CHAT team vehicle, October 2024 (KOIN) For those trying to get clean, an actual prescription for Buprenorphine can prove critical. They have a doctor, theyre taking the buprenorphine daily, theyre fed daily, overall the quality of life is better, said LaClair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parts of Clackamas County, and also Clark County in Washington, are trying similar pilot programs. Seattle also recently announced plans to expand its pilot program. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. BURLINGTON, Vt. (myCV) The Vermont man linked to four local bank robberies was taken into custody by Burlington Police Friday afternoon. James Plunkett, 39, of Burlington, was found and arrested by officers on Riverside Avenue at roughly 3:40 p.m. Plunket is the suspect who allegedly robbed one Winooski bank and three Burlington Banks, according to BPD investigators. Plunkett was also caught on camera attempting to break into a New North End residence. Burlington police have reportedly been searching for Plunkett since the first robbery at M&T bank on Pine Street on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His most recent alleged robbery was on Thursday, October 31, at Opportunities Credit Union on North Avenue. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. A week out from Election Day, Buzz Aldrin is officially making his pick for president known. On Wednesday, Oct. 30, the famed Apollo 11 astronaut issued a lengthy statement discussing his opinion on American politics and the choices voters have in the upcoming presidential election. In it, the 94-year-old admits that the decision made at the polls "may not be easy" for some, but that's not the case for him. SIGN UP for Parade's Trending News newsletter & we'll keep you in the know on the viral pop culture moments & celebrity news everyone is talking about Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For me, for the future of our Nation, to meet enormous challenges, and for the proven policy accomplishments above, I believe the nation is best served by voting for Donald J. Trump," he shared. "I wholeheartedly endorse him for President of the United States. Godspeed President Trump, and God Bless the United States of America." Elsewhere, he explained that his decision was influenced by Trump-era policies he was fond of, including the reestablishment of the National Space Council and the creation of the U.S. Space Force. "Over the years, I have seen our government's approach to space wax and wane, a fluctuating dynamic that has disappointed me from time to time. But under the first Trump Administration, I was impressed to see how human space exploration was elevated, made a policy of high importance again," he wrote. "Under President Trump's first term, America saw a revitalized interest in space. His Administration reignited national efforts to get back to the Moon, and push on to Mars programs that continue today." Aldrin went on, even shouting out private sector "visionary" Elon Musk, claiming the tech guru's accomplishments "enthuse" and "excite" him, as well as align with his "concerns and America's policy priorities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Notably, Aldrin did not address the names on the Democratic ticketcurrent VP Kamala Harris and Minnesota governor Tim Walzthe work Harris has done as the chair of the National Space Council, which includes advancing security norms in space and setting the framework for future novel space missions, or the pair's policies on either issue, should they be elected. His endorsement is of little surprise, though, as Aldrin has been active in Republican politics for quite some time and his relationship with Trump dates back at least five years, when the then-president invited Aldrin and other astronauts to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing at the Oval Office in 2019. At the time, Aldrin said he was "a little disappointed" in the government's investment in space exploration and programs like it for "the last 10 or 15 years," per Politico. But after convening with Trump and the top heads at NASA that day, he left with his mind changed as he tweeted: "Just had an excellent meeting with President Donald Trump! We discussed Americas future in space, ways to address space challenges, and the need to keep exploring beyond the horizon. Keep America Great in Space!!" Just had an excellent meeting with President Donald Trump! We discussed Americas future in space, ways to address space challenges, and the need to keep exploring beyond the horizon. Keep America Great in Space!! #Apollo50 #ApolloXI https://t.co/zv2LgoCheD Dr. Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) July 19, 2019 As Americans prepare to head to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5, several other celebrities have also spoken out in support of their preferred candidate, with Aldrin joining Dr. Phil, Dennis Quaid and Brittany Mahomes backing Trump and his vice presidential hopeful JD Vance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Mariska Hargitay are just a few of the A-listers supporting Harris-Walz. Next: Arnold Schwarzenegger Makes a Rare Move by Publicly Endorsing a Presidential Candidate Ahead of Election CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office (CPSO) is alerting residents that this years property tax notices will be delayed due to a change in the required approval process. We remain committed to keeping the community informed and providing sufficient time for residents to fulfill tax obligations, said Sheriff Henry Whitehorn, Sr. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our residents as we work through the updated timeline. Explainer: Why government projects take so long to complete Caddo Parish property taxes may be paid: In person at the Tax Department in the Caddo Parish Courthouse (501 Texas Street, Room 101, Shreveport). CPSO states, Payment may be made with cash, check, cashiers check, money order, or credit card. Personal or business checks are not accepted after February 28th each year. Residents may mail their tax payment to the Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office, PO Box 20905, Shreveport, LA 71120-0905. By telephone with your credit card by calling 1-833-538-8539 or online at www.caddosheriff.org Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CPSO says notices are typically sent by November 1 and will be mailed starting December 1, 2024, with taxes due by December 31. Residents can contact CPSOs Property Tax Department at (318) 681-0638, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. Huawei Technologies founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei said he appreciates the "openness and inclusivity" of the US tech community, and yet the Chinese company "had no choice" but to build its own tools because of US sanctions. Ren, 80, said Huawei needs to learn from the receptive culture of the US, which has allowed the country to become highly advanced in science and technology, according to a transcript of his recent conversation with students and academics. It was published on Thursday on the website of the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC), a prestigious global coding competition for university students. "The US has set an example for all countries and companies worldwide on being open," he said at the Huawei-sponsored event. "If [a country] is closed off, it will fall behind." 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. Shenzhen-based Huawei has been barred from buying hardware, software and services from American hi-tech suppliers since May 2019, when it was added to Washington's trade blacklist. Tightened trade restrictions imposed by the US government in 2020 further limited Huawei's access to advanced semiconductors developed or produced using US technology, regardless of where they were manufactured. People line up outside a Huawei store in Beijing. Photo: EPA-EFE alt=People line up outside a Huawei store in Beijing. Photo: EPA-EFE> Since then, Huawei has transformed itself into a major force supporting China's self-sufficiency drive, in areas ranging from artificial-intelligence (AI) chips to operating systems. The company last year launched a series of surprise smartphones containing advanced processors that were fully made in China. It has also removed support for Android-based apps on its self-developed mobile operating system HarmonyOS. It is currently developing home-grown alternatives to US chip designer Nvidia's much-coveted AI processors. Ren said the AI trend is "unstoppable". "Just like how the invention of trains, textile machinery and ships in Britain created a turning point in history, AI applications are creating the turning point of our times," he said. Despite the company's recent breakthroughs, Huawei is "still struggling", according to Ren. "Until today, we cannot say for certain that we can survive," he said, while underscoring Huawei's lack of access to better chips and technologies that are available to its competitors. House of Representatives control runs through California, experts say, where several incumbents are at risk of losing their seats. The San Joaquin Valley holds Californias most vulnerable incumbent, according to projections from Inside Elections, a nonpartisan election analysis organization. A neighboring race could also go either way, making this politically mixed stretch of farmland one of the most important areas of the country for determining whether House Democrats or Republicans hold the power in 2025, or at least how much of a majority either party has. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The winners here and in other competitive California races may not be declared for weeks after Election Day. These 10 congressional districts with close November 2024 contests were the same number in 2022, when California helped secure a razor-thin majority for Republicans. Many of the districts on the list are held by the GOP. Democrats would need to flip four seats nationwide to take the majority. Inside Elections, The Cook Political Report and Sabatos Crystal Ball rate swing elections on a sliding scale from likely to leans to a tossup for either political party. Tilts, a unique rating to Inside Elections, is close to a tossup. Control of the House itself is a tossup too, according to these organizations. Their projections have shifted over time, and its possible they change again as Nov. 5 nears. Here are California races on election analysts radars. The ratings below are a consensus of the analysts organizations, as not all agree on every election. 3rd Congressional District Likely Republican Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freshman Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Roseville, faces Democrat Jessica Morse, a wildfire resiliency specialist, in this Lake Tahoe district that reaches into the northeastern Sacramento suburbs and down to Death Valley. Analysts have been eyeing this district one that could grow bluer over time, but all agree its likely going for the Republican this year. The 3rd district holds Alpine, Inyo, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas and Sierra counties, plus parts of El Dorado, Sacramento and Yuba counties. 9th Congressional District Likely Democratic Rep. Josh Harder, D-Tracy, faces Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln, a Republican, in this San Joaquin County district. While more voters there are registered Democrats than Republicans, the 9th chose the GOP gubernatorial candidate over Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2022 by 5 percentage points. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analysts cited national Republican enthusiasm to flip this seat as a reason why its likely, but not definitely, theyre picking Harder,. He was first elected to Congress in 2018. The 9th takes in most of San Joaquin County and parts of Contra Costa and Stanislaus counties. Its anchored by Stockton. 13th Congressional District Tossup Rep. John Duarte, R-Modesto, and former Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced, are in a bitter rematch for this San Joaquin Valley district that might not have a clear winner for weeks after Election Day. While Cook and the Crystal Ball say its a tossup, Inside Elections says it tilts Democratic. This makes Duarte the second most vulnerable incumbent nationwide, according to a list compiled by news outlet Roll Call based on the Inside Elections ratings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duarte, a freshman, hasnt shown the same resilience against challengers as other California incumbents whove been in office longer. The farmer and businessman beat the 10-year Assemblyman in 2022 by just four-tenths of a percentage point. The district has more registered Democrats than Republicans and a growing no-party-preference population. Its one of more than a dozen districts nationwide held by a GOP congressman that President Joe Biden would have won in 2020 if current legislative boundaries had been in place. The district would have picked Biden over former President Donald Trump by 11 percentage points. Congressional districts were redrawn based on 2020 Census data. The 13th district has a Latino-majority voting-age population and a large proportion of young people, two groups that historically have leaned Democratic in California. Shifts in voter registration have added some Republican support in the 13th since 2022. The San Joaquin Valley tends to have lower turnout compared to the rest of California. Low turnout, particularly among Latino and young voters, tends to give older, white, more conservative voters a disproportionate influence on elections here. Still, presidential general elections tend to spur the most turnout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 13th holds all of Merced County and chunks of Madera, Stanislaus, Fresno and San Joaquin counties. 22nd Congressional District Tossup Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, and former Assemblyman Rudy Salas, D-Bakersfield, are also in a San Joaquin Valley rematch. This race too might take weeks to decide. In 2022, Valadao bested the 10-year Assemblyman by 3 percentage points. While Cook and Inside Elections say its a tossup, the Crystal Ball changed ratings to say it leans Republican due to Valadaos history of winning when Democrats at the top of the ticket prevailed. Valadao, a dairy farmer, was first elected to Congress in 2012. He lost his seat in the 2018 blue wave midterms on a razor-thin margin, then won it back in 2020 on a similarly slim margin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 22nd, which has more Democrats than Republicans and a growing no-party-preference bloc, includes most of Kings County and parts of Tulare and Kern counties. It would have picked Biden by 13 percentage points in 2020. Like the 13th, the 22nd also has a Latino-majority voting-age population and a high proportion of young voters. And it also tends to have low turnout compared to the rest of the state. 27th Congressional District Tossup Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, faces Democrat George Whitesides, former CEO of spaceflight company Virgin Galactic, in this northern Los Angeles County district. Garcia, a Navy veteran, first entered Congress after a 2020 special election. Whitesides, a new challenger for Garcia, was chief of staff of NASA in former President Barack Obamas administration. Californias 40th Congressional District Likely Republican Rep. Young Kim, R-La Habra, who has represented this area since 2021, faces Democrat Joe Kerr, who served as an Orange County firefighter for over three decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 40th holds parts of Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Californias 41st Congressional District Tossup Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, and Democrat Will Rollins, a former federal prosecutor, are on the ballot again in this Riverside County district. The Republican, first sworn into Congress in 1993, had his closest House race in over a decade against Rollins in 2022. Calvert won by less than 4 percentage points. The analysts are mixed on rating this district Cook says its a tossup, Inside Elections says tilts Republican and the Crystal Ball says leans Republican. 45th Congressional District Tossup Rep. Michelle Steel, R-Seal Beach, faces Democrat Derek Tran, a consumer rights lawyer, small business owner and veteran. The 45th takes in parts of Orange and Los Angeles counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steel was first elected to Congress in 2020; she previously was on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, as chair and before that vice chair. All the analysts shifted their projections since the March primary to say this race grew closer toward Election Day. 47th Congressional District Leans Democratic Republican Scott Baugh, an attorney who ran here in 2022, and State Sen. Dave Min, D-Irvine, will battle in November to succeed Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine. Porter lost her Senate bid in the March primary. Baugh was the Republican leader from 1999 to 2000 in the Assembly. He served in the Legislature from 1995 to 2000. Min has been in the Legislature since 2020. Porter is leaving the Orange County seat after a failed U.S. Senate bid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike Cook and the Crystal Ball, Inside Elections says the race is a tossup. 49th Congressional District Leans Democratic Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, and Republican Matt Gunderson, a business owner, vie here in November. The 49th covers northern coastal areas of San Diego County. Levin has held congressional office since 2019. Cook and Inside Elections shifted their ratings over the year toward leaning Democratic, while the Crystal Ball still rates the district as likely Democratic as of Oct. 24. LOS ANGELES California and Nevada voters are weighing whether to repeal legal loopholes in their state constitutions that allow slavery and involuntary servitude to be used as criminal punishment. If passed, the amendments would end the practice of forcing inmates to work for less than $1 an hour or face additional punitive measures. Instead, inmates would have the option to spend their time participating in rehabilitation programs, which proponents say would reduce recidivism. California and Nevada would join a growing national trend that started with voters in Colorado repealing involuntary servitude in 2018. Utah and Nebraska joined the movement in 2020, and several more states, including Alabama, Tennessee and Oregon, instituted similar measures in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slavery and involuntary servitude were banned nationally by the 13th Amendment with one exception as punishment for a crime. An attempt to repeal the federal exemption was introduced by Democratic members of Congress in 2023 and remains in committee. California prioritizes prison slave labor over rehabilitative programming thats proven to reduce crime when incarcerated people return to our communities, Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., said in a statement. This is exacerbating recidivism rates, creating more victims, and increasing costs to taxpayers for a prison system that fails more often than it succeeds. Inmate labor is behind a multitude of everyday items -- like license plates, office furniture and groceries -- that end up on the shelves of major suppliers across the country. If incarcerated people refuse to work, they can face solitary confinement or jeopardize their chances of parole. In 2016, Shawna Lynn Jones became the first incarcerated woman to die while fighting a fire in California, according to the state corrections department. She was struck in the head by a falling rock after asking the fire captain if she could move further back from the fire line. The captain said no, according to an advocate for Yes on Prop. 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prop. 6 offers us the opportunity to take a stand for human rights and ensure that incarcerated individuals are treated with respect and compassion, Alyssa Mireles of the League of United Latin American Citizens, the countrys oldest Latino civil rights group, told reporters Wednesday. Its about giving incarcerated people the choice to participate in meaningful work without the threat of punishment, and its about ensuring that when they work, they are fairly compensated and given the care they need, she added. Lawrence Cox, an advocate for formerly incarcerated people, said he was subjected to dangerous conditions while working in hot kitchens during his 17 years in prison. He estimates he received an extra 60 days to his sentence after receiving three disciplinary job-related infractions. Cox said he earned about $22 a month for full-time work and was denied the opportunity to participate in enrichment programs, like anger management classes, that would have better served him after his release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People who are incarcerated actually do want to work, he said. Its just some people prioritize being rehabilitated in a different way. In an emailed statement, Terri Hardy, a spokesperson for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, said the agency has eliminated all unpaid work assignments. As of April, wages have doubled from 37 cents for the highest paid laborer to 74 cents. Firefighters make a little more than $10 a day. CDCRs goal is for every incarcerated person to take advantage of positive programming and rehabilitative opportunities such as education, self-help, vocational and other programs, Hardy said. These rehabilitative pathways are intended to ease the transition back into their communities and reduce recidivism. No argument was submitted against the California initiative but it appears to be lagging, according to a recent poll by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Support for the measure has declined slightly since September, when 50% of voters said they would vote against Prop. 6. As of October, 56% of likely voters said they would vote against Prop. 6, according to the most recent poll. The numbers appear to be a part of a larger statewide trend away from decarceration after a perceived rise in crime during the Covid pandemic, when images of looting and smash-and-grabs permeated headlines. Preliminary numbers provided by the FBI show that crime was dropping in the early part of this year, continuing a trend as the U.S. came out of the pandemic. But that has done little to sway some voters. An overwhelming number of likely voters in California 73% said they would vote yes on Prop. 36, an initiative which would allow felony charges for possessing certain drugs and for thefts under $950. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public has reached a tipping point, said Greg Totten, a retired prosecutor and proponent of Prop. 36. There's growing recognition weve gone too far the other way and we need to restore some balance. Esteban Nunez, with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, the main proponent behind Prop. 6, said the initiative has faced a major education challenge in the lead-up to Election Day. It qualified for the ballot in June and only just started a paid campaign. The word slavery does not appear in the initiatives title, a misstep he feels might confuse voters. People just dont know what that really means, he said of the term involuntary servitude." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when we tell people were trying to remove an exception to slavery, no one wants an exception to slavery," he added. Should Prop. 6 fail on Nov. 5, his group is prepared to reintroduce the initiative in the next election cycle and the one after that. "If it means we have to come back to California voters in two years or four years, then that's what we'll do," Nunez said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com On a recent Sunday at the ungodly hour of 8 a.m., I was on a coach bus headed to Reno with 150 Sacramento Democrats to help swing Nevada to the Democrats in the Nov. 5 election. Leading the charge was Maggy Krell, an elite prosecutor who appears destined to be elected to the Assembly; that is to say, Krells odds of winning the 6th Assembly seat seem as sure as Vice President Kamala Harris odds of winning Californias 54 electoral votes next week. Opinion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So instead of campaigning against Republican opponent Nikki Ellis, Krell opted to use nearly $60,000 in campaign donations to gather supporters for a trip to Reno in aid of Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom, a progressive coalition created to enshrine the right to abortion in Nevadas constitution (much like Californias Prop. 1, passed in 2022). This years Question 6 in Nevada is a proposed constitutional amendment that would protect the right to an abortion until fetal viability (around 23 or 24 weeks) or when necessary to protect the health of the mother. Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen led a karaoke sesh on the bus for a solid hour as we wound our way over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. She was joined on the microphone by Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho, State Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, state senate candidate Christopher Cabaldon, SMUD Director Rosanna Herber and even Krell herself. The esteemed group sang crowd-pleasers at the top of their lungs, like ABBAs Dancing Queen and Dont Stop Believin by Journey. (Which is the only correct way to sing Dancing Queen and Dont Stop Believin, in my opinion.) But alongside the early-morning enthusiasm fueled mainly by coffee and hope, I felt a sense of dread and desperation, too a desperation I share. Many others that day told me they felt like they didnt do enough in 2016 to stop Donald Trump from being elected to the presidency. Maggy Krell, an elite prosecutor likely bound for state assembly this November, opted to use nearly $60,000 in campaign donations to gather her supporters for a trip to Reno in aid of Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom. We didnt want to wake up on Nov. 6 feeling like, Shoot, if wed just done something. So here we are, and it feels like the right thing to do, Krell supporter Robin Imagire told me while we canvassed around the suburbs surrounding Reno High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I didnt understand why so many Californians felt they needed to drive to another state to affect outsider politics. But then again, Ive never lived in the swingiest county in the swingiest state, as Lindsey Harmon, executive director of Planned Parenthood Votes Nevada, told Krells gathered supporters before canvassing started. We arent knocking on doors about an issue thats specifically (about) Nevada, Imagire said, (Reproductive rights are) a nationwide issue, it doesnt matter where you come from because people get abortions across state lines. Shipping out to Reno Its not that I think that Nevadans are particularly excited about busloads of people from outside (their state), Krell said. When youre at someones front door and youre connecting with a stranger about something that really matters to you, you have a power and an opportunity to convince someone to vote who might otherwise stay home. Krell, a former lawyer for Planned Parenthood, was instrumental in helping shut down Backpage, an online site that allowed illegal sex work activities like pimping and sex trafficking. Krell worked on that project under the auspices of then-California Attorney General Kamala Harris, and the site was shut down in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though Krells group of canvassers werent legally allowed to discuss Harris that day, it was a smart play by Democrats in Nevada and Arizona to put abortion rights on the ballot this November Question 6 and Prop. 139, respectively to turn out liberal voters. If Harris loses Pennsylvania, she must win Nevada to have an alternate path to victory, said state elections expert Paul Mitchell. The only thing that is going to help at this point is boots on the ground. And with abortion ballot measures in both those states, they can work to turn out voters who otherwise may stay at home. (Harris) could lose if her lower-turnout supporters dont get off the couch and vote. A misjudgment from the start Predictably, not all of the Nevadans that day were happy to see Californians on their porch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one house in Reno, Krell supporter America Ramirez said she met a woman who slammed the door in her face and told her to send Nevadans and take care of your own state. Ramirez, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico who has lived in the U.S. for much of her life, said the woman had misjudged their intent from the start. Im just as much an American as she is. I pay my taxes, but I dont have access to voting or other rights, she said. Were giving up our day and putting a lot of effort into it. Ironically, the Las Vegas Review-Journal recently reported that nearly 158,000 California expats have relocated to Nevada since 2020, accounting for 43% of all new residents there in the past four years, according to data from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. They could play a large role in handing the states six crucial electoral votes to Trump. Will fleeing conservatives from too-blue California tip the Silver State toward Trump? Or will Harris double whammy of a strong closing message and a campaign focused on reproductive rights constitute a one-two-punch at the polls? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who knows. What we do know is that knocking on doors is the single most effective way to flip peoples votes, according to election experts like Mitchell. Harris supporters are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to do just that in swing states in these final days, while Republican supporters seem to be spending much of their time, energy and money harassing voters as poll watchers. Id rather live in a world where overconfident Californians bus to Nevada than one where ballot boxes are routinely lit on fire. National election is still a coin toss Like life, elections are always clearer in hindsight than foresight. What campaigns should have spent their money on is nearly impossible to predict, though people like Mitchell, who are skilled at such prognostications, make a good living at it for a reason. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Krell will almost certainly win an Assembly seat. Harris, her former boss, is less assured of her seat. Nevadans will also almost certainly pass Question 6, and Prop. 139 is polling well in Arizona. Will encouraging voters in those states turn out the vote for Harris? Will Harris win Nevada? Does she have a path to the presidency if she loses Nevada? These are tough questions and I certainly dont know. But crazier things have happened, like me singing the Spice Girls Wannabe on a touring bus at 9 a.m. with half of the Sacramento regions elected officials. Whod have thought? CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (WNCT) Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune is giving students a chance to explore career paths through its STEM expo. Students across Onslow County, and at the base, were at the hospital exploring different career opportunities in the STEM field. Around 150 students from six different high schools went to the base. They got to go through different stations exploring different career paths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some were pharmacy, labs and other healthcare and science fields. All the stations were led by the centers sailors and staff. One Richlands High School student who wants to go into pediatric physical therapy came to learn more about her future field. Just really getting to know what its like to work inside of a hospital and getting to see like different aspects, like what you dont normally see as a patient. Elizabeth Graham said. The STEM coordinator said they got to see everything that goes into running a hospital. Theyll get exposed to other options in this career field. Maybe they gain an understanding of what some of their friends and family, or other relatives are doing and how they got started, STEM Coordinator Monika Johnson-Turner said. Maybe theyll even be a source of inspiration to maybe one of their friends who want to pursue something like this in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune offers this program annually and works with different schools over the summer. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The little-noticed law added to last years state budget allows New Hampshire candidates to accept an unlimited number of contributions from political advocacy organizations, without those organizations needing to disclose their donors. (Getty Images) In her quest for the New Hampshire governors office, Kelly Ayotte is breaking financial records. As of Oct. 30, the Republican nominee and former U.S. senator has raised $21 million into her personal campaign fund since running for the office and spent nearly $19 million of it. The amount far surpasses the funds raised by Ayottes Democratic opponent, former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, who brought in $7.3 million into her campaign fund as of that same deadline. And it dwarfs the $1.7 million raised by Gov. Chris Sununu during his entire 2022 re-election effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the money is unusual for other reasons: A majority of it 70 percent comes from a single political action committee. And none of those transactions can be traced to individual donors. The strategy is the direct result of a 2023 campaign finance law that removes limits on donations to candidates from political action committees. And after recent validation from the Attorney Generals Office, the Ayotte campaigns application of the law could become common practice in future elections. In an Oct. 10 opinion, the offices Election Law Unit wrote that Ayottes practice of accepting millions of dollars from a political action committee supplied by the Republican Governors Association is legal, rebuffing a complaint by Democrats. Since then, Democrats have followed the RGAs lead and embraced the technique on their own, pouring larger sums of money to Craig. In addition to the $7.3 million controlled by the Craig campaign, the Democratic Governors Association has also poured nearly $9 million into another political committee, Put New Hampshire First, which has largely paid for attack ads against Ayotte. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The little-noticed law added to last years state budget allows New Hampshire candidates to accept an unlimited number of contributions from political advocacy organizations, without those organizations needing to disclose their donors. The maneuver has another benefit: Candidates can use that money to buy cheaper ads. Federal law requires that television stations give political candidates a cheaper rate to buy ads than political organizations in the 60 days ahead of an election. That incentivizes PACs to transfer funds directly to candidates in the final stretch. Campaign finance reform advocates have objected to the state law, arguing the removal of the limits has diminished transparency and accountability for candidates. But the new tool has proven attractive for some campaigns this year. The states online campaign finance system shows that the Republican Governors Association contributed a total of $21.3 million to a political action committee named the Live Free PAC this campaign cycle. That political advocacy organization has sent much of that money $14.7 million on to the Ayotte campaign, and $6 million to the New Hampshire Republican State Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats challenged that set-up, arguing the Live Free PAC had wrongfully registered as a political advocacy organization, which allows it to accept unlimited donations from the RGA. The New Hampshire Democratic Party said it should have registered as a political committee, which would cap the number of donations it could receive from the RGA to $30,000 for the entire election season. But the Attorney Generals Office response this month asserts that the Live Free PAC is a validly registered political advocacy organization, and is thus able to raise unlimited amounts and transfer unlimited amounts to candidates. Political committee vs. political advocacy organization The 2023 law allows unlimited donations to candidates in many but not all cases. Individual donors and corporations are still capped at donating $15,000 in total to a candidate, per the law, RSA 664:4. Wealthier individuals often skirt this cap by registering multiple limited liability corporations and donating the $15,000 maximum from each corporation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And individuals and businesses are still prevented from donating more than $30,000 in one election cycle to a political committee or political party. But individuals are not capped in how much they may donate to a political advocacy organization. And after the 2023 change, a political advocacy organization can now pass on an unlimited amount of funds directly to a candidate. That change means individuals or large party organizations like the RGA and DGA can pass major donations on to candidates as long as they send those donations through a political advocacy organization. And it raises a legal question: What is the difference between a political committee, which is capped, and a political advocacy organization, which is not? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statute is less than clear. A political committee is defined as any organization that promotes the success or defeat of a candidate or candidates or measure or measures. And a political advocacy organization is any organization that spends at least $2,500 for communication that is functionally equivalent to advocacy for a candidate or measure, even if that is not the organizations primary role. In Ayottes case, Live Free PAC has registered as a political advocacy organization in the 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024 election cycles, campaign finance records show. And after the passage of the 2023 law, the PAC has taken advantage of the new unlimited powers, transferring large amounts to the Ayotte campaign, usually in tranches of $1.5 million at a time. All of Live Free PACs money comes from the RGA. The fundraising strategies are a major difference between the two gubernatorial campaigns. Craig has raised $4.4 million from individual donors, or 65 percent of her funds overall. Ayotte has raised $3.7 million from individual donors, but that comprises just 18 percent of her total haul. The other $17 million comes from the $14.7 million in Live Free PAC transfers and money transfers from other organizations and PACs. If you cant beat em In its Sept. 18 complaint to the Attorney Generals Office, the New Hampshire Democratic Party alleged that the Live Free PAC had wrongly registered as a political advocacy organization, when it really met the definition of a political committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Richard Lehmann, an attorney representing the Live Free PAC, disputed that argument. In an Oct. 8 letter to the Attorney Generals Office, Lehmann wrote that Live Free PAC met the definitions of a political advocacy organization, or PAO, and argued that neither the Legislature nor the Attorney Generals Office had issued guidelines that would prevent that registration. If the Legislature intended to restrict the ability of organizations to register and conduct themselves as PAOs, it would have imposed additional conditions or restricted the ability of organizations to qualify, Lehmann wrote. It did not do that. Assistant Attorney General Brendan ODonnell, chief of the Election Law Unit, sided with the PAC, writing in response to the NHDP that the PAC registered as a PAO and met the statutory definition of a PAO. ODonnell added that just because Live Free PAC also met the statutory definitions of a political committee did not mean it needed to follow those contribution limits, since it didnt register as one. Following the advisory opinion, the Democrats changed tack. After months of running a political committee titled Democratic Governors Association New Hampshire and adhering to the $30,000 limits on individual receipts, the Democratic Governors Association registered its own political advocacy organization on Oct. 11, a day after the Attorney Generals Office opinion, campaign records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That entity, named DGA New Hampshire PAO, has accepted a number of funds, including a $3.2 million transfer from the Democratic Governors Association, and has transferred $800,000 to the Craig campaign and $3.1 million to the New Hampshire Democratic Party, as of the latest filings. Blessing or a curse? When the 2023 law passed, some welcomed it, arguing that New Hampshire has always had loopholes allowing large transfers of wealth to candidates. The new law, they argued, simply eased the process for major campaigns. I believe that money is speech, and so Im opposed to placing limits on that, said Rep. Joe Sweeney, an original sponsor of the legislation, in an interview last year. Others, like Olivia Zink, were appalled. Zink, executive director of Open Democracy, an advocacy group that pushes to reduce money in political campaigns, says she worried last year that the law would bring in vast and unaccountable sums of money to the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, Zink feels she was proven right. And she argues lawmakers should return donation limits to campaigns. I think candidates need to answer who theyre getting their campaign cash from, she said. Voters are being flooded with ads, and if theyre being paid for by nondisclosed, out-of-state donors, is that how theyre going to run our state? Legislators mingle on the House floor ahead of the governor's budget address on Dec. 6, 2022, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) South Dakota Republican legislative leaders are directing extra money toward a handful of competitive races in the state, while a few Democrats are outspending or nearly keeping pace with their Republican opponents ahead of the Nov. 5 general election. All 105 seats in the South Dakota Legislature are on the ballot. Republicans had locks on roughly half of the seats before any votes were cast, because of Democrats failure to field a full slate of candidates in many districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following are summaries of some races where campaign finance reports filed ahead of an Oct. 21 deadline indicated a potentially competitive contest, based on money raised and spent since last spring. Senate District 32 (Rapid City) The Senate race in District 32, which covers portions of central Rapid City, has shaped up as a proxy war for factions within the Republican Party. Incumbent Republican Sen. Helene Duhamel faces a challenge from Karen McNeal, who is running as an independent while campaigning as a conservative. There is no Democrat in the race. Sen. Helene Duhamel, R-Rapid City, looks to the Senate gallery on Feb. 20, 2024, in Pierre. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight) Duhamel raised about $72,000 and spent over $43,000. Nearly $24,000 came from individual donors, with another $40,000 from political action committees representing industries such as health care, corn growers, utilities and chambers of commerce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the political action committee money, $25,000 came from the Senate Republican Campaign Committee, which is chaired by Republican Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree, R-Madison, and reported spending a total of $80,000 to support various candidates ahead of this election. McNeal collected about $17,000 in donations and spent the same. About $15,000 came from individual supporters, while Republican Rep. Scott Odenbachs Liberty Tree PAC contributed $2,000. Odenbachs committee targeted Republicans in the June primary that he deemed insufficiently conservative, helping to defeat 14 Republican incumbents. House District 32 (Rapid City) In the District 32 House race, Duhamels husband, incumbent Republican Rep. Steve Duffy, is in a three-way race for two seats with Republican Brook Kaufman and Democrat Nicole Uhre-Balk. Republican Rep. Kristin Conzet is not running. Kaufman spent about $31,000, followed by Duffys spending of $23,000 and Uhre-Balks spending of $20,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaufman received $18,000 from political action committees and $12,000 from individuals, while Duffy received $19,000 from PACs and $2,000 from individuals. Uhre-Balk received $4,000 from PACs and $18,000 from individual contributions. Senate District 34 (Rapid City) Democrat Kehala Two Bulls is well-funded in her race against Republican former legislator Taffy Howard for the District 34 Senate seat vacated by the retiring Republican Mike Diedrich. The district covers western Rapid City and adjacent outlying areas. Two Bulls has taken in $7,000 in contributions of $100 or less, and $16,000 in contributions over $100. In total, shes taken in $29,000 and spent $21,000. Howard has raised $3,500 in contributions of $100 or less, and $15,000 in contributions over $100. Shes taken in a total of $23,000 and spent $40,000, after starting with $33,000 from past campaigns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Toby Doedens Dakota First Action political action committee gave Howard $3,800. The group recently held a gala criticized by some Republicans for its inclusion of a speech from North Carolina Republican gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson, who was outed by CNN for racist and sexually explicit remarks more than a decade ago on a pornographic websites message board. Senate District 12 (Sioux Falls) In District 12, which covers a portion of southwest Sioux Falls straddling Minnehaha and Lincoln Counties, Republican incumbent Sen. Arch Beal has been out-fundraised and outspent by Democratic challenger Clay Hoffman. Beal took in $48,000 and spent $30,000. Of his campaign contributions, $250 came from individuals giving $100 or less, and $14,250 came from people giving over that amount. Another $1,000 came from Anheuser-Busch and $1,000 from TRGU LLC, his company. Other political action committees gave another $29,000, including $15,000 from the Senate Republican Campaign Committee. [2024 Voter Guide: The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote.] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also received $3,900 worth of campaign material and travel expenses during door-knocking events from the Students for Life Action committee, which is a group of student anti-abortion advocates. Hoffman took in $66,000 and spent $45,000. Of the contributions, $12,000 came from individuals giving $100 or less, and another $32,000 came from people giving over $100. Former Democratic candidate for governor Jamie Smith, who is running for Senate in District 15, contributed $1,000 from his campaign to Hoffmans. The Majority PAC, run by Sioux Falls Democratic state Sen. Reynold Nesiba, of Sioux Falls, who is not seeking reelection in District 15, made the largest donation to Hoffman, contributing $5,000. Senate, District 14 (Sioux Falls) Another Republican state Senate incumbent being outspent by a Democratic challenger is Larry Zikmund in District 14, which covers a portion of southeast Sioux Falls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrat Sandra Henry has raised $58,000 and spent $39,000. Zikmund has raised $42,000 and spent $34,000. Zikmund was helped by $15,000 from the Senate Republican Campaign Committee. Another $12,000 of Zikmunds campaign chest came from individuals. For Henry, the vast majority of contributions came from individuals, including $13,000 in contributions of $100 or less. Another $1,000 came from Nesibas PAC. Senate District 18 (Clay, Yankton counties) District 18, which covers Yankton County and a portion of Clay County, has an open Senate seat after Republican challenger Lauren Nelson toppled Sen. Jean Hunhoff in the June primary, ending Hunhoffs 24-year legislative career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nelson, of Yankton, has raised $23,000 and spent $30,000, after starting with $8,000 leftover from the primary. She took in $2,000 in donations of $100 or less. The campaigns biggest donation was $8,000 from her and her husband. Odenbachs Liberty Tree PAC kicked in $500. The Democratic candidate, Sarah Carda, also of Yankton, took in over $28,000 and spent $24,000. She received $3,500 in donations of $100 or less, and $10,000 from Nesibas PAC. House District 1 (Brown, Day, Marshall, Roberts counties) In District 1, which covers the northeast corner of the state, six candidates are vying for the districts two House seats: two Republicans, two Democrats and two Libertarians. Incumbent Republican Joe Donnell did not run for reelection, and Republican incumbent Tamara St. John lost to two other Republicans in the June primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of those Republicans, Logan Manhart, of Aberdeen, has taken in $14,500 and spent over $16,000. Of that, $30 came from individuals giving $100 or less and nearly $10,000 came from people giving over $100, though several names listed are companies. Manhart received $500 from Odenbachs Liberty Tree PAC. Fellow Republican Christopher Reder, of Warner, took in about $8,000 and spent $8,000. Of that, $170 came from individuals giving $100 or less and $3,200 came from those giving over $100. He also received funds from Liberty Tree PAC, as well as the South Dakota Freedom Caucus PAC, another group advocating conservative positions. Reder and Manhart both received about $1,400 from Dakota First Action, and both attended the event that featured Mark Robinson. The House GOP PAC, chaired by House Majority Leader Will Mortenson, who criticized the Robinson event, gave Reder and Manhart $1,500 each. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrat Steven McCleerey, of Sisseton, raised about $21,000 and spent $16,000. Of that, $2,000 came from individuals giving $100 or less. Another $11,100 came from people giving over over $100. Fellow Democrat Mark Sumption, of Frederick, raised and spent $11,000. His biggest contribution was $1,500 from Bluestem Initiative, a political action committee chaired by state Rep. Erin Healy, D-Sioux Falls. That group gave a total of $15,500 to various candidates. Libertarians Josh Dennert, of Aberdeen, and Tamara Lesnar, of Grenville, raised under $2,000 combined. House District 3 (Aberdeen) In District 3, which covers most of Aberdeen and surrounding areas, a Democratic challenger has raised more for her campaign than either of the two Republicans in the three-way race for two seats. The Democrat, Erin Rudner, brought in over $46,000, including a $5,000 loan from herself to her campaign. She raised $4,000 from individuals giving $100 or less, and another $22,520 from people giving over $100. One 605 Victory Fund gave her campaign its greatest contribution, of $9,500. That funding predominately came from Steve Pfeiffer, of Aberdeen. Term-limited Republican state Sen. Al Novstrup is attempting to switch from the Senate to the House. His campaign brought in $13,000, including a $3,700 loan from himself. Incumbent Republican Rep. Brandei Schaefbauer raised $21,000, including a $10,000 loan from herself. Sen. Al Novstrup, R-Aberdeen, on the Senate floor during the 2024 legislative session. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Senate District 27 (Bennett, Jackson, Pennington, Oglala Lakota counties) Sen. Red Dawn Foster, D-Pine Ridge, took in $13,000, and spent $19,000. Her committee already had $9,00 on hand. Her biggest donation was $5,000 from Nesibas Majority PAC. Her Republican challenger, Anthony Kathol, took in about $8,000 and spent $12,000. His biggest reported contribution was $3,700 to his own campaign for food and gas. The second biggest was $1,250 from Fosters 2022 Republican challenger David Jones. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE For seven days The Telegraph is running a series of exclusive essays from international commentators examining the impact of Canadas progressive legislation on issues such as drugs, free speech, trans rights and assisted dying. Our third essay is by Maxime Bernier, a former Industry and Foreign Affairs minister in the Conservative government of Stephen Harper and now leader of the Peoples Party of Canada. Newsflash: Canada is in the process of falling apart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, its not because Quebec is once again threatening to hold a referendum on separation, although this may happen again in the coming years. Our country is experiencing a series of crises because of the deliberate policy of mass immigration instigated by Justin Trudeaus Liberal government soon after its election in 2015. Last year, Canadas population increased by almost 1.3 million people, or 3.2 per cent. This was the fastest annual population growth rate since the post-war years. The difference however is that this was not caused by a baby boom, since 97 per cent of the growth was due to international migration, mostly from Asia and Africa. This includes not only immigrants per se or permanent residents but also so-called temporary foreign workers, foreign students, and asylum seekers. Although supposed to be temporary, the last categories have in fact become pathways to seek permanent residency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of this, housing in Canada has now become completely unaffordable. Young couples who want to have children just cannot afford to buy a home with a nice backyard where they can raise them any more, with the result that our birth rate has dropped dramatically. Our hospitals, social services, and infrastructures are being overburdened by this massive demographic tsunami. Immigration is often justified by its supposed positive impact on the economy. But productivity and wages have been stagnant for a decade in Canada, as cheap immigrant labour is favoured by employers over capital investment and automation. Canadian politics has been mired for months in scandals over foreign interference, in particular China and India. India has been the largest source of immigrants to Canada for several years. Last week, Canada and India expelled diplomats over allegations by the Trudeau government that Indian diplomats have been involved in attacks against Khalistani militants in our country, including the murder last year of one that India considers a terrorist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of mass immigration, Canadian politics is more and more focused not on actual Canadian issues, but on ethnic, religious, and foreign issues and wars, with establishment politicians spending an extraordinary amount of time courting the votes of minority ethnic groups in suburban marginal ridings. The third most important national party, the New Democratic Party that has kept the Trudeau minority government in power, is headed by Jagmeet Singh. A Sikh by background, he initially declined to condemn Talwinder Singh Parmar, the mastermind responsible for the 1985 bombing of an Air India plane in which hundreds of Canadians were killed. However Singh did change his stance when a Canadian inquiry concluded that Parmar was definitely behind the outrage. For his part, the leader of the Conservative Party and very likely our next prime minister, Pierre Poilievre, is known for donning national or religious dress as he panders to members of various communities. In 2018, as a then Conservative Member of Parliament, I posted a series of tweets that denounced what I called Trudeaus cult of diversity which, I contended, would lead to the Balkanisation of Canadian society, and potentially to violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost daily scenes of Muslims attacking Jewish institutions, Sikhs burning the Indian flag, and Ethiopian factions fighting each other in the streets of our cities, have proven me right. Publicly attacking these woke dogmas wasnt allowed at the time in Canada though, and it provoked a huge outcry. Even my leader and colleagues in the Conservative Party denounced me, which led me to resign and launch a populist right-wing party which is broadly the Canadian equivalent of Nigel Farages Reform Party. If you believe that more diversity is always good and always enriches your society, then its logical and inevitable that you will end up importing lots of people with incompatible values and attitudes from around the world, including religious fanatics and even terrorists, who cant possibly integrate in a country with a European, secular Christian heritage. Thats what weve been doing for years, and thats why everything that historically made Canada what it was is rapidly being destroyed. I know there has been a similar trend in the UK and other European countries, but Canada went way further down this road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canadas demise started when what was already a very diverse country (with Indigenous, French and British founding peoples, and many different regional cultures) fell for this radical version of multiculturalism instead of tempering it with a focus on shared values and attitudes, pride in our history, and in the achievements of Western civilisation. Now, not only are our democratic institutions, our economy, and our social peace and cohesion, falling apart, but so are our very identity and reason to exist as a country. All these trends are so overwhelming that, unable to deny the reality any more, the Trudeau government finally announced this week that they would be gradually lowering their immigration targets in the coming years instead of continuing to increase them. Although this is a massive U-turn for this government, it is far from being a sufficient reduction, and a lot more will need to be done to repair the damage. Otherwise, I dont believe Canada will survive the 21st century. 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. Canada has been trying to persuade other countries of the necessity of granting Ukraine permission for long-range strikes on targets within Russian territory. Source: Ukrinform news agency, citing Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly after the Peace Formula conference, as reported by European Pravda Details: Joly indicated that Canada supports allowing Ukraine to strike deep within Russia. She emphasised that this is a part of Ukraines right to self-defence against Russian aggression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "We are also seeking to persuade other countries to adopt this position." Background: Previously, US intelligence and the Pentagon assessed that allowing Ukraine to conduct long-range strikes on Russian territory could bring Kyiv more drawbacks than benefits and thus recommended maintaining the current policy. Last month, the US president hinted at the possibility of lifting the relevant restrictions on Ukraine's use of long-range weapons, saying that his administration was "working on this issue". At the same time, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin supported the US restrictions on Ukraines long-range strikes with Western weapons and insisted that it can defeat Russia even without such a capability. Support UP or become our patron! Canada is planning to announce a new sanctions package against Russia in response to the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied territories. Source: Ukrinform, citing Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly after the Peace Formula conference Quote from Joly: "A US representative announced new sanctions against Russia yesterday, primarily related to deported children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are currently coordinating our sanctions with the US and the European Union." Details: Joly emphasised that Canada aims to continue exerting "maximum pressure" on Russia. Background: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged for increased support for Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch It feels right and just that this election will end with Americans arguing over what two elderly men with broken brains actually meant to say while rambling semi-lucidly about their political enemies. Two days after Joe Biden supposedly described Donald Trumps supporters as garbage (I think he did), Trump supposedly suggested executing Liz Cheney. I think he didnt: Trump Fantasizes About Shooting Female Rival in the Face is how the Daily Beast characterized his comments. The Washington Post, a bit more precisely, claimed Trump suggests war hawk Liz Cheney should have guns trained on her face. Some outlets understood him to mean that Cheney should face a firing squad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheneyherself was stark in reply: This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. I dont think Trump was threatening her with death. It would be useful to the cause of defeating him for me to say insincerely that he was, as a final nudge to civic-minded conservatives to vote for Kamala Harris on Tuesday. But only propagandists prioritize whats useful over whats true. Trump wasnt calling for a firing squad, he was resurrecting ye olde chickenhawk smear of the Iraq War era. Many doves at the time insisted that war supporters were hypocrites unless they were willing to enlist themselvesand that logic is tailor-made for an audience that would turn out for an event hosted by isolationist (and amateur demonologist) Tucker Carlson. When Trump sneered at Cheney for being a radical war hawk and said lets put her with a rifle, he plainly wasnt imagining a firing squad. When a firing squad assembles, the condemned doesnt get to shoot back. What he meant, I suspect, is to call her a coward who wouldnt dare condone foreign interventions if she had to face the enemys rifles on the battlefield herself, never mind how he handled the call of duty when he had the opportunity to serve. And indeed, thats what he claimed in a Truth Social post on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I understand why others heard him differently. His reference to nine barrels shooting at her was weirdly specific and did call to mind a firing squad, not a military skirmish. The detail about the guns specifically being trained on her face was gratuitous and unnervingly vivid. And what he said wasnt said in a vacuum: A few months ago, he promoted a users post on Truth Social accusing Cheney of treason for her work on the January 6 Committee and calling for televised military tribunals. No one owes this creature the benefit of the moral doubt, especially at this late hour. I can easily believe, in fact, that what came out of Trumps 78-year-old mouth was a garbled blend of political logic and fascist impulse. He meant to make the chickenhawk point straightforwardly, perhaps, but the thought of one of his political nemeses facing a violent death pleased him so much that he instinctively layered elements of a firing-squad fantasy onto it. It isnt the first violent fantasy hes had lately. And if Tuesday night doesnt go well for him, it wont be the last. It also feels right and just, then, that this campaign will end with the candidate of peace openly salivating at the thought of one of his domestic enemies being shot at as the great and good American people prepare to hand control of the U.S. military back to him. War and peace. There are three things to remember as we suffer through the rights contrived indignation that anyone might think kindly old Donald Trump has violent designs on his opponents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One: They would have lost their minds at Kamala Harris had she lapsed into some similar reverie about guns being trained on the face of a political enemy (or if an Iraq-era Democrat had said something similar about Liz Cheneys dad), particularly if she had a years-long habit of doing so. After nine years of Trumps dreck, every drop of every ounce of Republican outrage at Biden and other Democrats for irresponsible rhetoric is insincere. But it is politically useful, and propagandists care only for whats useful. Two: If a second Trump presidency is as dystopian as doomers like me expect and Liz Cheney somehow ends up before a military tribunal, you should trust with every fiber of your being that most people on the American right will strain to rationalize and justify it. Theres no liberal principle left to which they feel greater allegiance than the allegiance they feel to their leader. The same people who tell us today that were crazy to think hell abuse his power to persecute Cheney will tell us next year that were crazy to think persecuting her wasnt warranted. Three: To be clear, most of Trumps supporters have no problem with radical war hawks. Many of them are radical war hawks. Many of the people around Trump himself are radical war hawks. It should go without saying by now, but Trump doesnt divide the world between hawks and doves, Republicans and Democrats, or whichever other ideological fault line you prefer. He divides the world between friends and enemies. That partly explains why, as I wrote yesterday, his populism is an inch deep in substance. If given the option to ally himself with a radical war hawk who idolizes him on the one hand or an America First isolationist who finds him problematic on the other, theres not an iota of doubt which hed choose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were talking about a man who, in his first term, staffed up with the likes of John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, and Nikki Haley, each of them every inch Liz Cheneys equal as Reaganite hawks. To this day, some of Trumps favorite Republican cronies in the Senate are among the chambers staunchest interventionists. Tom Cotton, Lindsey Graham, and Marco Rubio are welcome guests at his events despite the fact that their approach to foreign policy veers closer to George W. Bushs than to J.D. Vances. Liz Cheney herself proves the point. No matter how many times Trump claims that her supposedly bottomless appetite for war has led her to despise him, the fact remains that she endorsed him in 2016 and again in 2020 and voted no on his first impeachment. Nor did he appear to have any problem with seeing her ascend the ranks of the House Republican leadership, her radical war hawk preferences notwithstanding. Only when she supported impeaching him for the coup attempt that led to January 6 did he start daydreaming about enemy rifles being pointed at her face. His dispute with her has nothing to do with foreign policy and everything to do with the fact that, to paraphrase John Kelly, Cheney doesnt believe Trump should have the ability as president to do anything he wants, anytime he wants. The candidate of peace doesnt care about peace, he cares about total personal impunity and will demagogue anyone who wont grant it to him with any political weapon available. Warmonger, RINO, communist: In his telling, theres always an ulterior motive when someone seeks to hold him accountable. Of all the ways in which Trump is guilty of psychological projection toward his opponents, none is more considerable than how he dresses up personal grudges as ideological disputes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre ever tempted to take his rhetoric about war and peace seriously, consider the double standard he and other MAGA Republicans routinely practice toward displays of American strength. Every time the Biden-backed Ukrainian military inflicts some damage on Russia, bleats of World War III! reliably sound from the populist intelligentsia. At one point this year, J.D. Vance stooped so low as to say that if Donald Trump wanted to start a nuclear war with Russia, Mike Pence would be at the front of the line endorsing him right now. We must take care not to provoke a fellow nuclear power, you see. Yet when Trump was asked a few weeks ago by the Wall Street Journal how he would have handled Russias invasion, he claimed to have had this exchange with Putin while president: I said, Vladimir, if you go after Ukraine, I am going to hit you so hard, youre not even going to believe it. Im going to hit you right in the middle of fricking Moscow. Youre going to be hit so hard, and Im going to take those f domes right off your head. You can worry earnestly about World War III or you can attack Russia in the middle of fricking Moscow, but you cant do both. I invite you to imagine the reaction among the very principled doves of the populist right if radical war hawk Liz Cheneyor President Joe Bidenhad proposed bombing the Kremlin if Putin dared lay a finger on poor Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its still not too late for Mike Pence to endorse, I guess. Enemies foreign and domestic. Trump wasnt really going to bomb the Kremlin, you might say. Assuming that conversation even happened, he was talking tough to try to deter Russia from invading. I agree. But if you recognize its a bluff and I recognize its a bluff, what are the odds that Putin also recognized it as a bluff? How much deterrence is there in an obviously empty threat? Deterrence, not World War III!, is the reason radical war hawks like Liz Cheney support American military alliances in Europe and the Far East. Its not a happy accident that Putins invasion of Ukraine hasnt spilled over into NATO territory and drawn in countries like Poland. We can and will debate until the end of time whether stationing American troops near expansionist powers increases the odds of war by raising the risk of a confrontation or reduces them by raising the cost of aggression by those powers. But youre a child if you dont recognize that preventing war, not starting a nuclear war with Russia, is the goal of those alliances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Insofar as the candidate of peace goes about dismantling them and their record of meaningful deterrence in a second term, his fickle tough-guy bluster will not completely fill the vacuum in their absence. On the contrary: If and when Trumps bluffs are exposed for what they are and the Pax Americana starts to unwind, lots of war will follow overseas from the provocative weakness hes displayed. You may recall that America First foreign policy the first time around produced peace for the United States in the short term and something not so peaceful in the longer run, at immense cost here and abroad. How is it, then, that radical war hawks like Tom Cotton can coexist so comfortably with the candidate of peace? I think its a simple matter of priorities. The newly nationalist right can put aside its differences on foreign policy because its various factions broadly agree that the greater enemy is the enemy from within. Thats the only way to explain how Cotton, a Ukraine supporter, has ended up on the short list of potential defense secretaries for a guy who believes Volodymyr Zelensky is somehow to blame for the war with Russia. I dont think Trump views Cotton primarily as a hawk, I think he views him as a friend who supports using the U.S. military against American rioters. Thats the kind of creative thinking Trump wants in his Cabinet in a second term. He can work with deputies who disagree with him about foreign enemies; what he wants is their support in dealing ruthlessly with domestic ones. The candidate of peace neither expects nor desires domestic peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg compared the dread shes feeling about Election Day with the dread one feels while waiting for the results of a biopsy. In case Tuesdays diagnosis turns out to be malignant, she imagined how Trumps mass-deportation program might be received: If this happens, there will almost certainly be large protests. And when they break out, it is not far-fetched to think Trump would order the military to violently suppress them; the generals now warning about a second Trump term say he wanted to do just that in the past. This is what I envision when I think of MAGA fascism: people demonized as vermin being dragged off to camps, while dissent is violently crushed by the armed forces. I dont know how anyone who has listened to Trump and those around him can dismiss this scenario as hysterical. Ive envisioned something similar playing out. It isnt hysterical, its likely. There will be a serious effort to deport illegal immigrants en masse, successful or not; it will draw enormous disruptive protests, particularly if mass deportation is as bloody as Trump expects; and he will demand that his deputies crack down hard on protesters with the sort of iron fist he admires in Xi Jinping. Goldberg is right when she says that hes made those demands before. If the scenario she imagines never comes to pass, it will only be because Trump somehow ended up being advised once again by conscientious figures like Mark Esper and Mark Milley. And thats quite unlikely: The whole point of his second term is to purge the government of disloyal subordinates who wont blindly follow his orders like certain generals hes been known to admire once did with their own leaderor so he believes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How, then, can anyone fault Liz Cheney for detecting a threat in Trumps chickenhawk jab? Shes been dealing with the personal consequences of having him as an enemy for years. He despises her, he believes in using the power of the state against people he despises, and if he wins on Tuesday, hell conclude that he has both a legal and political mandate to do so. If you knew that a mafia don had been heard fantasizing vividly about guns being pointed at your face, the context of his fantasy wouldnt reassure you. Go figure that Cheney doesnt feel reassured by context when the mafia don in this case is poised to gain control of the Pentagon and the Justice Department. Nothing good can come from any of thisexcept one thing. I think it would be very funny if the Trump campaign, spooked by the possibility that hes offended Cheney Republicans, deployed Nikki Haley on the trail in the races final days to try to soothe those voters. Shes pathetically eager for the chance, but Trump has thus far resistedand why wouldnt he? According to the latest Times national poll, hes winning as many Democrats as Harris is winning Republicans. (Four percent apiece.) He doesnt need Haleys help to keep GOPers inside the tent; theyre not going anywhere, it seems, the hype about a big Never Trump crossover vote this year notwithstanding. But I hope he relents and puts Haley to work anyway, as it would be a scream to watch her make excuses for the candidate of peace after he menaced Liz Cheney for having the same foreign policy as Nikki Haley. The great Reaganite hope of this years Republican primary knifing a fellow Reaganite like Cheney on behalf of a fascist who destroyed Reaganism would be the perfect ending to the decade-long corruption of the right thats led us to this moment, a coup de grace delivered by a servile moral weakling against a rare conservative with real courage. Im sure Haley is willing. All Trump needs to do is ask. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Intel Almost a week after the October 24 release of Intel's Core Ultra 200S (Arrow Lake) desktop processors, Germany's largest PC components online retailer still hasn't sold a single unit. While some Arrow Lake chips have sold out of stock on American sites like Newegg and Amazon, all Intel CPU sales make up just 5% of CPU share at Mindfactory, with AMD raking in 95% of CPU sales on the site. The Tweet below displays Mindfactory's CPU sales numbers for the past week. None of the five Arrow Lake desktop SKUsCore Ultra 9 285K, Core Ultra 7 265K/KF, or Core Ultra 5 245K/KFappear on the chart. In fact, Intel's highest-performing CPU, the Core i5-13400, takes 21st place behind a wall of Ryzen chips. A trio of 14th Gen Core i7s and Core i9s take up the rear, with all of Intel's processors selling around ten units each. Intel's approximately 40 sales at an average sale price of 388 each represents 5.19% of Mindfactory's CPU sales. Compare this with just AMD's first- and second-place chips, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D and Ryzen 7 5700X3D, sitting at 190 and 80 units sold, respectively. AMD's motherboard sales share went from 88.65% to 93.75%, knocking Intel steadily out of the water. As we found in our 3-star review, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is an alright release but represents a generational regression in gaming performance. Its productivity increases are not enough to save it from being considered a disappointing launch, and Germany's sales represent this. Curiously, the 285K is out of stock at most American retailers. The next-best chip, the Core Ultra 7 265K, is in stock on Amazon and Newegg but has only six combined reviews across both sites, also pointing to disappointing sales. Arrow Lake's disappointing launch, which is almost forgettable less than a week after its release, is not good news for the struggling Intel. The company has been in one of its worst financial states in years, with its August earnings call revealing a loss of $1.6 billion in one financial quarter. The company's sacrifices include a 15% reduction in staff and a scaling-back of ongoing fab construction efforts. According to financial analysts, Intel's yet-unfinished Magdeburg, Germany, plant has reportedly stopped construction and may be abandoned. Germans with a $30 billion unfinished Intel fab in their backyard are likely not thrilled about buying more Intel processors, perhaps contributing to Arrow Lake's feeble sales in the country. MEMPHIS, Tenn. An individual has been detained after a driver struck a South Memphis home. At 4:06 pm, officers responded to a crash in the 100 block of Frank and saw that a vehicle struck a home. Fortunately, police say no injuries have been reported. Woman charged with vehicular homicide in 2022 crash West Memphis Police say that an individual has been detained. West Memphis Police confirmed to WREG that their officers identified a suspicious vehicle and were in the process of alerting MPD when the driver sped off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They added that their officers are coordinating with the Memphis Police Department to investigate the incident and ensure the safety of the surrounding community. 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 WREG.com. CAMPBELL, Ohio (WKBN) The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a crash involving a WRTA bus Thursday night. The crash happened on 12th Street near Porter Avenue in Campbell. According to police, a car tried to pass a WRTA bus, spun out and crashed into it. No one was hurt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MEXICO CITY (AP) Halloween is gaining ground in Mexico, but in a country wracked by drug cartel violence there are real fears about ghosts, ghouls and skeletons walking the streets. The concern isnt so much about competition for Mexicos traditional, home-grown Day of the Dead celebrations, which are going off Friday and Saturday without a hitch in cemeteries around the country this year. Rather, in at least three violence-plagued cities in Mexico, authorities have cautioned residents about masks, which are frequently used by cartel gunmen in Mexico to hide their identities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the northern cities of Tijuana, Culiacan and Hermosillo, authorities warned residents not to stay out late, and for adults not to wear masks. Arnulfo Guerreo, the local government secretary for the city of Tijuana, announced special security measures Thursday for the city's Operation Halloween, which involved hundreds of police guarding the downtown Halloween-style celebration. It's already in the regulations that you can't wear masks, said Arnulfo Guerreo, the local government secretary for the city of Tijuana, a rule that largely refers to the ski masks favored by gunmen. That's not to say, don't wear costumes, it's just the issue of masks, it's something that helps protect us and our families, Guerrero said. Authorities later told local media that police would use their judgment in applying fines, and the rule would only apply to adults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on social media videos of celebrations on Tijuana's Revolution Avenue Thursday night, the rule appeared to have gone largely unenforced: adults could be seen carousing in masks and disguises from Beetlejuice, Scream, Friday the 13th and other popular horror movie franchises. Also just before Halloween, the head of police in the northern state of Sinaloa which has been wracked for weeks by infighting between factions of the Sinaloa drug cartel gave a more somber warning. The recommendation is not to go out too late, go out trick or treating, or wear disguises, said state police chief Gerardo Merida, adding the spooky phrase at night, all cats are black. While that might sound like a terror movie curse, it's a phrase used in Spanish to mean in the darkness, it's easy to confuse something for something else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a city where trigger-happy military forces have already killed one bystander while looking for cartel suspects, it was a chilling warning. Brigades of police and militarized National Guard officers had been sent out to patrol the streets of Culiacan, the state capital, Thursday night, and thankfully Merida told local media Friday that Halloween had gone off relatively peacefully for the embattled city, with only a couple of reports of gunfire. Hermosillo, the capital of neighboring Sonora state, had also urged residents to do without Halloween masks in public. Elsewhere in Mexico, Day of the Dead was celebrated Friday to mark those who died in childhood; Saturday is dedicated to those who died as adults. Observances included entire families cleaning and decorating graves, which were covered with orange marigolds. At both cemeteries and at home altars, relatives lit candles, put out offerings of the favorite foods and beverages of their deceased relatives. A cow in a pasture near Eureka in September 2024. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) A group of ranchers and cattle industry associations is suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture in federal court in South Dakota to block a rule requiring electronic ear tags for cattle that cross state lines. The lawsuit aims to undo a rule published in May that some in the ranching community see as expensive, unnecessarily burdensome and implemented in conflict with federal rulemaking norms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rule comes from the USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and versions of it have seen significant pushback from ranchers since 2019. Previous proposals were scrapped after public comment periods. The latest version of the rule was published in May, and would phase out traditional ear tags in favor of electronic identification for cattle and bison older than 18 months that are shipped across state lines, all dairy cattle and cattle or bison used for rodeo or recreation. Electronic tags, the agency says, reduce the possibility of human error, because they wouldnt require a person to manually log information on ear tags. The electronic tags are also meant to make it easier for veterinarians to access information about a herd when attending to a sick animal. The rule is meant to take effect on Tuesday. While many ranchers and ranch groups oppose the mandate, the opposition is not universal. The National Cattlemens Beef Association supports the electronic ID rule, and has been releasing guidance for livestock growers on how to comply throughout the year. The National Milk Producers Federation has also pushed for ID rules. New lawsuit for previous rule opponents The plaintiffs in the South Dakota lawsuit are the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA), South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, Kenny and Roxie Fox, Rick and Theresa Fox, and Tracy and Donna Hunt of the MW Cattle Company of Wyoming and South Dakota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the same plaintiffs challenged a similar mandate in 2019. The USDA dropped its pursuit of the mandate in the face of resistance from numerous corners of the livestock industry shortly thereafter. The rule came back in a new form in 2023 in the run-up to the May 2024 final rule. The groups argue in their new lawsuit that by bringing the rule back in a form substantially similar to previously ditched efforts, the USDA violated federal laws on administrative rulemaking. The tags are expensive and impractical, the plaintiffs argue, and are not necessary to achieve the goals of the law for which the USDA wrote the rule. The USDA has argued that the tags can help trace animal diseases across state lines more effectively than the brands and ear tags commonly used by smaller producers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In comments to the USDA last year, the plaintiffs wrote that the rule was unnecessary because current animal disease traceability methods are adequate and does not actually address a fundamental problem with the current system. All of Plaintiffs comments and concerns were rejected or ignored, the lawsuit states. The plaintiffs are asking a judge to invalidate the USDA rule and permanently prevent the agency from imposing it on them. Case leans on recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling The case is among the first filed in South Dakota that leans on this years U.S. Supreme Court June 28 decision in Loper Bright vs. Raimondo, which undid a four-decade precedent called the Chevron doctrine. The doctrine expected federal court deference to the judgment of federal agents who write rules to carry out the mandates in laws passed by Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Chevron, plaintiffs who sought to challenge agency regulations had to clear a high bar to prove that an agency overstepped its authority. Without Chevron, judges are no longer expected to give preferential weight to the expertise of agencies when rules are challenged in court. Loper Bright has sparked a flurry of court challenges to federal rules since June. Google Scholar lists more than 200 federal cases nationwide citing Loper Bright so far this year. The case in South Dakota, which cites Loper Bright, spins out of longstanding resistance in some quarters to the electronic tagging requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, a group of ranchers held a rally in Rapid City, at which some speakers with the industry suggested the mandate would end the cattle industry. The rally was held in tandem with the annual convention of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association. According to coverage from The Dakota Scout, ranchers are concerned about the cost of the tags, but also fear that electronic tracking will be used to clamp down on ranchers in the name of climate change. U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, spoke at the event, and warned that ID tags in Denmark have helped that nations government levy taxes on livestock producers over emissions from their animals. Rounds aims to block rule with legislation Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, has railed against the rule for years. In May, shortly after the most recent version of the rule was published in the federal register, Rounds introduced a bill that would bar the USDA from instituting electronic tagging mandates. Hageman has introduced a similar bill in the House of Representatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Dakota state lawmakers have also weighed in on the issue. In 2022, Gov. Kristi Noem signed a bill into law that says livestock owners can choose any of the identification options available under federal rules from 2013, or options endorsed by the state Animal Industry Board. Earlier this month, Rounds brought up Loper Bright during a question and answer session with the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. For too long, he said, agencies had too much authority in rulemaking, citing the electronic tagging rules as a particularly egregious example. Ranchers arent opposed to ear tags necessarily, but Rounds said the USDA shouldnt impose rules for specific types of tags from afar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why in the hell is the federal government telling our farmers or ranchers what kind of a damn ear tag theyve got to put in the ear of their livestock? the senator said during the Oct. 9 event in Sioux Falls. The rule may be a good idea, Rounds said, but he doesnt think regulators should be making laws without listening to the industry and taking its concerns seriously. Overturning the Chevron doctrine, he said, has given ranchers a better chance to succeed in court. On that type of a deal, can they come back in under Chevron and challenge it? he said. Yeah, I think they probably can. A representative from the USDA told South Dakota Searchlight by email that the agency cannot comment on pending litigation. The attorney representing the ranchers in the federal lawsuit did not immediately responded to requests for comment Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A news release from Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund says the rule imposes punishing new financial and practical burdens, particularly on smaller and independent cattle producers. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) Surveillance camera video captured the moment a gunman opened fire into a crowd in downtown Orlando on Halloween night. The 17-year-old shooting suspect wounded eight people, killing two of them, according to the Orlando Police Department. A ninth person was hurt by being trampled. 2 dead, 7 injured in Orlando shooting at Halloween celebration: OPD The video showed a large crowd gathered at a Halloween celebration near East Central Boulevard and North Orange Avenue. The suspected shooter pulled out a gun and turned around, firing it into the crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crowd scattered in the chaos, but police were able to track down the suspect. Police body camera video showed his take-down and arrest. I saw him shoot! the officer shouted as he brought the suspect to the ground. Six people were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center and were in stable condition, as of this report. The victims ages range from 19 to 39, according to police. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office released surveillance footage showing the moments an inmate attacked a deputy. The video was taken inside the Falkenburg Road Jail on Oct. 19. The attack lasted for several minutes before another inmate stepped in. Sheriff Chad Chronister filed a motion Thursday asking for the full video to be sealed by the courts. He said it shows how many surveillance cameras are in the jail and where they are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said it shows where deputies are located inside the jail, something he said, if released would let inmates know how long it takes deputies to respond to a certain spot. Investigators said a detention deputy questioned inmate Raheem Fulton over contraband. Its what happened next that sent the deputy to the hospital. It was very scary to see that cut pause and that officer being overpowered, Center for Justice Research & Policy Co-Director Edelyn Verona said. In the video, the deputy tries to put Fulton in handcuffs. Thats when investigators said Fulton turned around and punched the deputy in the face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fight continued for just under four minutes before an inmate finally intervenes. Another minute goes by before another deputy enters the video and restrains Fulton, something Verona said she was shocked to see. What was astounding to me is that it went on for a while, she said. I didnt see another officer come in as quickly as you might expect. Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez said the states pre-trial detention motion was granted, so Fulton will now be held without bond until trial. If this defendant is going to be brazen enough to do this to a deputy inside of our jail, theres no telling what he would do to someone on the outside, Lopez said. Hes already on probation for an armed robbery, so we know hes a dangerous individual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state attorney said because Fulton is a prison release reoffender, he could be looking at decades in prison. Getting out of prison, within three years, he picked up a violent offense, which is aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, so he is looking at a day for day sentence of 30 years in prison and thats what were going to go after, Lopez said. As for the deputy, members of the sheriffs office said he suffered an eye socket fracture and had to undergo surgery. He has since been released from the hospital. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Cecile Richards, the former president of Planned Parenthood, has spent her career fighting for abortion rights. Now, Richards has cast her vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the first presidential election post-Roe v. Wade, where abortion has taken center stage like none other before it. I voted early in New York City and was assisted by Daisy, a lifelong New Yorker, who couldnt be more excited, Richards said in an email to The 19th. I told her I had been waiting for this chance all my life and she had too! It felt so powerful to vote for Kamala and to know that young women and men are getting to cast their first votes ever for Kamala. Electing Harris would be the culmination of decades of work done by leaders like Richards, who worked for years as an activist and deputy chief of staff to former Speaker Nancy Pelosi before taking the reins of Planned Parenthood. A Harris win would be a major electoral victory for the abortion rights movement, but the long odds of federal legislation restoring abortion rights means that the fight to reestablish access will continue for years at the state level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In all honesty, I fear it will take us a long time to restore the rights we once had, Richards wrote. For people who face challenges based on race, geography, income and more, these inequities are deep-seated, intersectional and much more difficult to eradicate. We need to be ready for a multi-year fight. After leaving Planned Parenthood in 2018, Richards co-founded Supermajority, a progressive organization focused on womens representation in politics, and Charley, a chatbot that connects people with practical information about abortion. She also serves as co-chair of the super PAC American Bridge 21st Century. In January, Richards revealed she had been diagnosed in 2023 with glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. During Richards 12-year tenure leading Planned Parenthood, she established the organization as a powerhouse within Democratic politics and pushed the party to embrace and fight for abortion rights in turn. Harris candidacy encapsulates that evolution. Harris took the lead on the White Houses response to the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. She also was the first president or vice president to visit a clinic that provides abortions and has put reproductive rights squarely at the center of her campaign. The loss of federal abortion rights was still hypothetical while Richards was fighting efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and combating mounting abortion restrictions at the state level. But when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe in June 2022, it sparked a historic political backlash driven by women one that has set the stage for Harris to possibly become the first woman and first woman of color to be elected president. Voters across the political spectrum have moved to enshrine abortion rights in their state constitutions in four states, and polls indicate they could do so in several of the 10 states voting on abortion this November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are finally making this shift from abortion being a political issue to being understood as a fundamental health care matter, Richards wrote. For too long, abortion has only been covered in terms of a political horse race rather than as a basic need unconnected to politics. As the stories pile up, we are seeing that abortion bans and maternal health care deserts affect everyone, though some more than others. Richards has continued her work advocating for abortion rights while living with cancer. At the Democratic National Convention in August, where abortion was a major theme, Richards had a speaking slot and helped cast the ceremonial votes for her home state of Texas for Harris alongside Kate Cox, the Texas woman who made national headlines when she sued the state in a bid to obtain an abortion. We need to give credit to the women, doctors, and health care providers who have gone public over the last 10 years for leading us to this moment, Richards wrote. Abortion stories used to be only told in the shadows. It takes enormous courage to tell your story and repeatedly do so. I will never forget Doctor Rachael Phelps and Doctor Emily Godfrey, who broke their silence in the New York Times Magazine and proudly declared themselves abortion providers. Cecile Richards speaks during a rally outside of the Capitol Building on July 27, 2017, in Washington, D.C. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images) In a New York Times op-ed published in January 2022, Richards wrote that her one regret from her time at the helm of Planned Parenthood was that she underestimated the callousness of Republican politicians. While abortion rights advocates couldnt have worked harder, she wrote, they could have been tougher. Two and a half years after Dobbs, she said, the consequences of the decision to end federal abortion rights are still coming into focus. Other forms of reproductive health care, including in-vitro fertilization and birth control, have also come under attack. Former President Donald Trumps running mate JD Vance said that if elected, Trump would seek to cut funding for Planned Parenthood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are only just scratching the surface when it comes to fully comprehending the damage done by overturning Roe v. Wade. This isnt like the Titanic sinking for women across our country, the Titanic is continuing to sink every single day. Stories of womens deaths are being reported, but these stories take a long time to unearth and research, Richards wrote, pointing to recent reporting from ProPublica on women who died seeking care for miscarriages under Texas near-total abortion ban. Richards said shes especially inspired by the tenacity, commitment, and bravery of young people carrying the torch in fighting for reproductive rights. But Richards, who is no stranger to tough campaigns and legislative battles, cautioned that the road ahead will be long and wont end with Harris election. It is so important we make clear that a single election will not solve our problems, Richards wrote. There are politicians in so many states who have built their careers around taking away our rights and they wont give up easily. I am heartened by the resilience of the majority coalition in this country, which knows that politicians should not be making medical decisions. To check your voter registration status or to get more information about registering to vote, text 19thnews to 26797. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The post Cecile Richards on voting for Kamala Harris: I had been waiting for this chance all my life appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) Cedar Park cut the ribbon on its brand new library Friday morning. The new Cedar Park Public Library is a two-story, 47,000-square-foot facility designed to deliver a reimagined library experience that provides various learning opportunities and encourages community connections, according to the city. The new library opened to the public Friday morning after the old librarys location closed for half of October so it could move. New Cedar Park Public Library opens to the public on Nov. 1, 2024 (KXAN Photo/Mercedez Hernandez) New Cedar Park Public Library opens to the public on Nov. 1, 2024 (KXAN Photo/Mercedez Hernandez) New Cedar Park Public Library opens to the public on Nov. 1, 2024 (KXAN Photo/Mercedez Hernandez) New Cedar Park Public Library opens to the public on Nov. 1, 2024 (KXAN Photo/Mercedez Hernandez) City officials said that community priorities for the new library included advanced technology and STEM learning opportunities. Officials promised the library would deliver a growing collection of books and learning resources, including materials in additional world languages and more STEM kits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new public library was constructed as part of Cedar Parks Bell District, a 50-acre mixed-use development project planned over a decade ago with a vision of rejuvenating one of the oldest, primary corridors in the city, per the citys website. The Bell District will feature restaurants, retail, residences, offices, and greenspace alongside the new library. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. The Army is investigating allegations that the head of U.S. Central Command shoved an airman while on a military flight headed to Israel. The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division is aware of an alleged incident and is currently looking into it, CID spokesman Mark Lunardi told Military Times in an email statement today. No additional information is available at this time. The alleged incident, first reported by Military.com on Thursday, indicates that Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM commander, shoved an airman during a C-17 Globemaster III flight. The alleged physical altercation occurred after Kurilla had a heated argument with the flight crew over problems accessing communications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An NBC News article quoted unnamed defense officials who described the alleged incident, which occurred several weeks ago. Senate confirms Kurilla as new CENTCOM commander The general got frustrated with communication problems and left his seat to address the problems, according to NBC News. After an airman asked Kurilla to sit down and buckle up for safety reasons, the general allegedly pushed the airman aside and lashed out in front of multiple witnesses. When reached for comment Friday, a CENTCOM spokesperson told Military Times that they were not aware of the investigation nor the incident. Kurilla has headed CENTCOM since April 2022. The position is a three-year term, which means he is likely to leave the post in April 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He previously served as the commanding general for the 18th Airborne Corps. His prior commands also include the 75th Ranger Regiment and 82nd Airborne Division, according to his official biography. Kurillas awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge with Star, Master Parachutist Badge with Combat Jump Device, Ranger Tab and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. European prosecutors are actively investigating allegations of fraud and corruption related to the manipulation of European Union funds during Manfred Weber's election campaign. Weber is a prominent figure in European politics and the leader of the European People's Party (EPP). The European Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) initiated this investigation to identify the misuse of EU funds. Information about the investigation was provided by two representatives of the Belgian police and the prosecutor. According to available documents, Belgian police are focusing on three individuals, including two high-profile officials linked to Weber's 2019 campaign. The main objective is to determine whether these individuals received illegal payments from the EPP, as taxpayer money allocated to parliamentary groups cannot be used for political campaigns. The EPPO is working in cooperation with Belgian law enforcement agencies. Their documents indicate that witnesses will be called to discuss criminal charges, including forgery, corruption, and fraud. The EPP group stated that it was unaware of the investigation: "We have not received any requests from the EPPO, Belgian authorities, or other law enforcement agencies regarding this matter. Our party adheres to strict financial standards and is subject to regular inspections to ensure compliance." In recent weeks, the Belgian anti-corruption directorate has interrogated witnesses who worked on Weber's team during the 2019 European Parliament elections. They sought to determine whether these individuals received any money related to the party's activities during the campaign. Documents indicate that two of Weber's assistants left their positions in the European Parliament in early 2019 to take on roles within the party. The third participant remained with the party both before and after the campaign. One representative of the group stated that they were not aware of the ongoing investigation and confirmed that the assistants did indeed leave their posts in the European Parliament during the campaign, providing documentation to support this. Weber himself has acknowledged receiving additional payments for his dual roles. In addition to his salary of approximately 8,000 euros per month as an MEP, he earns 14,120 euros as president of the EPP, which has sparked debate within his political party. At present, no formal charges have been filed against any individuals. The EPPO is responsible for investigating serious crimes related to EU financial interests and actively cooperates with national law enforcement agencies. An EPPO representative stated, "We are investigating suspicions of misuse of EU funds by members of one of the political groups in the European Parliament. Currently, we are focused solely on the factual circumstances." A previous investigation conducted by Belgian and German law enforcement agencies resulted in a search of the EPP's Brussels office due to suspected corruption related to contracts for the 2019 elections. The party has rejected these accusations as "baseless." These events unfold amid internal opposition to Weber, who is seeking to reform the party and modernize its structure, including appointing a new general secretary. What if you had the flexibility to choose how to use your 401(k) match? One company has just started allowing it. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ruled that employees at an unnamed company can designate a portion of their employer match to student debt repayments or health reimbursement accounts, in addition to their traditional 401(k). Don't miss In August, the IRS provided the so-called private letter ruling to the unnamed company, stating that they could offer workers more flexibility with their 401(k) accounts. At the beginning of each year, employees can decide where to allocate their funds. If a choice isnt made, funds will automatically go into an employees retirement account. Although the ruling isnt widespread at this time (the unnamed company had submitted a request to the IRS for the change), its being viewed by many as a trial run for the IRS one that could potentially allow for more businesses to offer flexibility with 401(k) matches. If this happens, American workers would be able to funnel their funds toward specific goals outside of retirement but is it really a good idea? The benefits of a flexible 401(k) match If the IRS expands its ruling to more (or all) companies, businesses could benefit in a big way. For starters, it could be a powerful recruiting tool for employers because they'd be better able to alleviate their workers' biggest financial concerns outside of the retirement years. Individual employees could also benefit, as they could get more support in different aspects of their financial journey. Fidelity reports that roughly 22% of employees don't claim their full employer match on 401(k) plans. These workers may be leaving free money on the table because they can't afford to earn the full match and still pay their bills. If they can use matching contributions to help them pay off medical or educational debt, they'd get the money they're missing out on, and maybe become debt-free faster which could make future retirement savings possible. Even employees currently maxing out their match might prefer to instead use the money to pay off student loans or medical bills for a couple of years. TREMONT, Ill. (WMBD) 13 Tremont residents who died in various wars throughout American history were honored with a special Fallen Soldier Ceremony at Jacks Cafe Thursday morning. Rick Otey is a volunteer for the event and is a Vietnam War veteran himself. He said those like him owe it to those who didnt come back from war. We were blessed enough to return so its our responsibility to make sure theyre not forgotten, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gold Star Families honoring fallen heroes of Central Illinois To symbolize the fallen soldiers, a chair at the table sat empty. The names of the 13 were read as well as when they served. The significance of the tablecloth, lemon, salt, and a vase with a red rose in it was also explained. Kay Sommer is the secretary of the Tremont History Museum, which helped put together the ceremony. We felt like it was an extension of what we could do, she said. Sommer spoke about what it means to honor those who died making the ultimate sacrifice. It recognizes the soldiers as well as Ricks dedication to trying to recognize the soldiers. His involvement with the veterans in this area is just unbelievable, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The names of the veterans and when they died are listed below. Dudley Holmes 1862 Solomon Dean 1862 Frank Norman 1918 Joseph Thaller 1918 Charles Giffhorn 1918 Jacomb Bertchtold 1918 Otto Ripper 1942 William Cooper 1942 Frances Lamb 1942 Marlowwe Kawfman 1945 John Luick 1947 Oscar Roth 1951 Wilford Williams 1951 Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Porter County Prosecutor Gary Germann dismissed a murder charge against a woman Friday in a murder-for-hire case enmeshed with state and federal cases from Lake County because he said there isnt sufficient credible evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she committed the crime. This is the second time the prosecutors office has dismissed charges against Sheaurice Major, 53, now living in Gary. Major, who has previously lived in Merrillville and Portage, was first charged with felony counts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder 12 years ago. The most recent charges have been dismissed without prejudice, which means they can be filed again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Majors attorney, Matthew Fech, declined to comment. Major was released from Porter County Jail in January 2019 on her own recognizance because she had surpassed the six-month limit she could be held in jail without trial between the two cases that had been filed against her. The case stemmed from the killing of a 72-year-old man outside his Portage home. Major was initially charged on the same counts in 2012 in the slaying of Carl Griffith Sr., but after a key witness in the case was murdered, the state dismissed the charges against her in March 2017 without prejudice. The changes were filed again in October 2018 under former Porter County Prosecutor Brian Gensel, who said at the time, My prosecutors and the investigators in this case never stopped working to bring those alleged to have been involved in the death of Carl Griffith to justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germann said in a statement Friday that the dismissal followed an exhaustive review of the evidence and a comprehensive evaluation of the circumstances surrounding the case. That, Germann said, included a thorough analysis of thousands of pages of discovery and documents from state and federal law enforcement agencies. Moreover, we took into account Ms. Majors voluntary cooperation with the Office of the United States Attorney in the Northern District of Indiana, particularly in connection with another related case, Germann said. Griffith was shot three times on Nov. 1, 2012, outside his home in the 2700 block of Locust Street, court records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dontaye Singletary, 26, was sentenced in 2015 to 65 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of murder and conspiracy to commit murder in Griffiths slaying. He is serving his sentence at the Miami Correctional Level 3 Facility south of Peru and his earliest possible release date is Nov. 13, 2077, according to online records with the Indiana Department of Correction. Singletary, who also is serving a 45-year murder sentence from Lake County concurrently with the one in Porter County, previously told authorities that he wished to provide a statement implicating Major in Griffiths murder, according to a probable cause affidavit. Singletary understood and agreed to participate in any procedure or hearing required in the prosecution of Sheaurice Major, stating, Ill tell it a thousand more times if I have to,' the affidavit states. Singletary told investigators that on Oct. 31, 2012, Antoinetta Johnson told him that she needed money for (Antoine Gates) bond and asked if he would kill someone and get paid for it, the affidavit states. Singletary agreed, and Johnson called Major to say she had someone to do what she needed, according to the affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheaurice Major told Singletary that she wanted Griffith killed and that Johnson would provide him with all the information he needed, the affidavit states. Gates was approached first for the job but got arrested before he could carry out the murder, according to the affidavit. According to information in Singletarys case, Major wanted Griffith dead because he helped her ex-husband, Ronnie Major, get out of prison and fire her from his company, Affordable Towing. Singletary and Johnson planned to kill Griffith the morning of Nov. 1, 2012, while he was working at Affordable Towing, the affidavit states. When Griffith wasnt there, Singletary and Johnson found a vehicle close by that could be used to lure Griffith to them in the 3300 block of Kentucky Street, according to the affidavit. When the tow truck arrived, Singletary began firing, but the gun jammed, and Singletary retreated to meet Johnson, the affidavit states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Singletary said he needed to know where Griffith lived so that he can get it done that same night because he believes Griffith saw him, according to the affidavit. The two went to Sheaurice Majors apartment, and she showed them an empty lot that would give a clear view of Griffiths driveway, court records state. After Griffith arrived home and went to his mailbox, Singletary said something to get his attention and then fired two rounds at him once Griffith looked in his direction, the affidavit states. Griffith fell and Singletary moved closer to shoot once more, according to the affidavit. Sheaurice Major paid Singletary $5,000 from an envelope of money in her freezer, and Singletary gave Johnson $2,500 for her involvement, but mainly to help Gates, the affidavit states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheaurice Major then asked Singletary if hed also be willing to kill Ronnie Major for $20,000, according to the affidavit, and Singletary agreed. Johnson stopped taking Singletarys calls, which were presumably to get more information on Ronnie Major in order to kill him, court records state. Singletary and another person talked about whether Johnson had spoken with police, and Singletary said, If she does, you know what to do, the affidavit states. Johnson was fatally shot on Dec. 13, 2012, in her Gary salon, Visions of Beauty. Johnson was the sole cooperating states witness against the two of them and gave testimony implicating them prior to their arrest, Gensel said when Sheaurice Majors charges were previously dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors were able to establish that Singletary, through gang connections, was involved in her murder to prevent her from testifying, Gensel said then. Also, Ronnie Major was charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in Lake County, with two other co-defendants, in the alleged contract killing of a witness, Jocelyn Pie Face Blair. Blair, who was an eyewitness to a 2008 shooting in Gary for which Ronnie Major was later convicted of battery, was shot to death early on Dec. 19, 2010, at Coney Island Restaurant in Gary. Ronnie Major, 54, of Gary, was indicted in October 2021 in U.S. District Court in Hammond as part of a 15-man racketeering and drug conspiracy for Sin City Deciples, a reputed Gary motorcycle gang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Major pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and murder. Court documents indicate he served as the groups vice president at one point. In August, he fired his attorney and said he wanted to withdraw his guilty plea. A status hearing is expected sometime this month. Post-Tribune archives contributed. alavalley@chicagotribune.com An off-duty Washington County deputy has been charged with being drunk when he crashed into a family's car head-on this past Sunday. Campbell Blair, 58, of Hastings, has been charged with felony criminal vehicular operation and a misdemeanor for carrying a weapon while under the influence. Blair, a Washington County Sheriff's Office deputy and was not on duty, allegedly crashed his Subaru into a Ford Expedition on Highway 95, with the Ford carrying a couple and five children aged two to nine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crash happened around 10:30 a.m. on Highway 95 and Scenic Lane in Afton, with deputies finding Blai, wearing his Washington County Sheriff's deputy uniform, with his duty vest and pistol on his front passenger seat. He was covered in cuts but was conscious and breathing. According to the charges, he told a trooper that he had worked at Regions Hospital earlier that morning and was called back to work. Several witnesses reported seeing him weaving over lane lines and driving erratically. Two witnesses in a car in front of Blair's Subaru said they saw him continuously going from lane to lane for about two miles. Charges state that at the time of the crash, troopers believe Blair was going 55 miles per hour, and no braking was attempted before the collision. The crash happened in the southbound lane of Highway 95 when Blair drove over the center line and struck the Ford Expedition head-on. Troopers soon learned that Blair was never called back to work on Sunday, and it is unknown why he was in full uniform with his duty vest and pistol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When troopers asked Blair if he had drunk anything, he denied drinking any alcohol, but troopers could smell it on him. He agreed to give a PBT sample and provided a weak sample with a result of .092, above Minnesota's legal limit of .08, the charges state. The Ford driver, Erik Sward, 38, said that he had been driving southbound on Highway 95 in the correct lane and did not have time to verbalize anything or hit the brakes. He did, however, have time to turn the wheel to the right to try and avoid being crashed into. "As my sons family was on their way to celebrate my granddaughter's 2nd birthday at the apple orchard, a drunk driver collided head-on with their SUV," said his mother, Jodi Sward, on Facebook. "Thankfully, Erik's quick reflexes allowed him to swerve at the last moment, preventing a more severe crash. His children and their cousins emerged with only minor scratches and bruises." While the children only sustained minor scrapes and bruises, Erik suffered a fracture in his left knee, a complex fracture-dislocation in his left ankle, and a compression fracture in his T1 vertebra. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Washington County Sheriff's Office said, "We are aware of the motor vehicle injury crash involving an off-duty Washington County deputy." "The Minnesota State Patrol is currently investigating the incident, and we will take all appropriate actions in accordance with our policies and procedures pending the investigation's outcome." The Office also confirmed that this is his first reported infraction as a Deputy. He has since been placed on administrative leave. Blair is not in custody now, and a court date has still not been announced. Related: Off-duty deputy may have been drinking before Afton crash that injured family A St. Paul man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly setting multiple fires and attacking an officer while being detained. Vinai Hang, 38, faces two criminal charges second-degree arson and fourth-degree assault of an officer after allegedly setting a car on fire in a St. Paul parking lot before resisting arrest from police. Hang is known to St. Paul police for being a suspect in multiple other arson cases, authorities said. Charges state that a St. Paul sergeant saw an unoccupied Honda Civic on fire just before 9 p.m. in a parking lot at 7th Street and Payne Avenue. Officers discovered that the car was registered in Hang's name. St. Paul Fire Department, Twitter Hang allegedly called 911 multiple times throughout the night, calling right before the sergeant found the car ablaze. Before the car fire, Hang had also set a fire around 6:30 p.m. to a portable restroom located on a trail behind 689 Rivoli Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A video from a nearby residence showed a man with long hair and a red jacket walking in the front yard of a home on the the street and an officer recognized the person as Hang. After seeing the Honda Civic on fire, officers searched for Hang and found him lying on the ground near the front door of the Department of Human Services, located at 444 Lafayette Road in St. Paul. He had a can of oven cleaner spray next to him and a lighter clipped to his pants. When officers approached, charges allege that Hang picked up the oven cleaner and began spraying it at an officer. An officer used pepper spray on Hang while Hang ignored commands to drop his can of oven spray. Officers placed gas masks on and eventually managed to arrest him. Among the items in Hang's possession were five lighters, the oven cleaner spray and an empty gas container. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Hang was confronted by officers multiple times before his most recent arrest. One officer stated he found Hang seated on a bench at the St. Paul Fire Station at 505 Payne. He was told to leave the area and walked toward The Minnesota Music Cafe before spraying the officer with the same oven cleaner. Hang's first appearance in court was on Friday at 9 a.m., and his bail has been set at $40,000.00. According to court records, an evaluation for competency has been ordered to determine if Hang can stand trial. A South Carolina judge sentenced a Charlotte man to 30 years in a South Carolina prison Friday after a jury found him guilty in a 2022 Interstate 77 crash that killed a 7-year-old boy. Jason Connell Palmer, 37, drove a van almost 100 miles per hour before hitting an SUV in Chester County south of Rock Hill on July 10, 2022, prosecutors said. Max Shanks of Matthews, N.C. died in the crash. Shanks father, Corey, suffered brain injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jury deliberated two hours after five days of testimony before convicting Palmer Friday of reckless homicide and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, prosecutor Candice Lively said. The trial started Monday at the Chester County Courthouse. South Carolina Judge Brian Gibbons sentenced Palmer to the maximum on both charges. Reckless homicide carries up to 10 years and the assault charge carries 20 years. Prosecutor: Palmer did not brake at 98 MPH A S.C. Highway Patrol investigation showed Palmer did not brake before the 98 miles per hour crash on northbound I-77, Lively said. Jurors heard from witnesses who saw Palmer speeding or tried to help after the crash. Max Shanks died at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maxs mother was driving the SUV and his younger brother was also in the vehicle. The family was on their way home to North Carolina from a South Carolina restaurant around 5 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon when the crash happened. Lively said after the trial Palmers reckless and dangerous driving caused the crash that the Shanks family has dealt with for over two years. She praised the family, and law enforcement and first responders in the case. It truly took a team effort to bring justice to this family, Lively said. Defense: Palmer will appeal Palmers lawyer, Chester County Public Defender William Frick, called the crash a tragedy but argued in the trial the crash was an accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While I am in disappointed in the verdict, I respect the jurys decision, Frick said. Frick said he will file an appeal on Palmers behalf. Palmer had been in jail since he was arrested the day of the crash in 2022. His prison sentence will include credit for that two-plus years already served, lawyers said. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) A Chatham County man has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to receiving images of child sexual abuse. David Johnathan Perry, 43, of Savannah, was sentenced to 97 months in prison after pleading guilty to Receipt of Child Pornography. A judge also ordered Perry to pay $55,000 in restitution and to serve 15 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Protecting our most vulnerable citizens is essential, and that includes preventing the spread of sexual abuse material depicting children, said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. We commend the work of our law enforcement partners for their success in identifying and eliminating these threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received multiple reports of child sexual abuse material stored on a Google account registered to Perrys residence. Investigators searched the residence and seized electronic devices found to contain thousands of images and videos depicting child pornography. Every time one of these images is shared or viewed it revictimizes an innocent child and makes the healing process start over again, that is why stopping those who traffic in these disturbing images of abuse so important, said Steven N. Schrank, acting special agent in charge of HSI Atlanta that covers Georgia and Alabama. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to detect, investigate and prosecute those who seek to exploit our most vulnerable population. Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Chautauqua County man was arrested last Thursday for fourth-degree stalking after he allegedly put a tracking device on a victims vehicle, New York State Police announced. According to police, troopers responded to a possible stalking incident in Westfield last Sunday. A 28-year-old victim had located a Tracki Model TRKM 110-T on their vehicle which was then taken into evidence. Account details came back to Robert Spoon, 46, of Westfield after a subpoena was issued for the device. Spoon was arrested and transported to Cattaraugus County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An order of protection was issued. Latest Local News Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. A Pennsylvania vote-by-mail ballot envelope (Capital-Star photo by Peter Hall) The Chester County board of elections unanimously decided to deny more than 200 rejections to mostly-Democratic mail-in ballot applications at a Friday hearing. Several voters whose mail ballot applications were called into question testified at the hearing, as well as voting rights advocates urging the county to throw out the challenges. Voters pick their leaders. Leaders dont pick their voters, Amy Widestrom, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania and a member of a coalition pushing back on the challenges, said. What we saw presented today was an argument full of misunderstanding of the law and a total lack of evidence. We call on all Pennsylvanians to stand together against these apparent voter suppression tactics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The challenges were brought by individuals suspected to be working with a network of right-wing advocates who filed similar challenges in other counties like Bucks, Montgomery and Delaware. According to the conservative outlet Broad and Liberty, altogether, over 800 mail ballot applications, most of which came from registered Democrats. Broad and Liberty, which appeared to grant the challengers anonymity, explained their methodology for finding voters they alleged had moved and were ineligible to vote. They said they compared U.S. Postal Service data against state voter data to find instances where voters addresses didnt match. But experts have long criticized that specific methodology. Not only does Pennsylvania law not require voters to receive mail at their residence, but many Americans move temporarily or permanently without alerting the post office, for reasons such as work, school or military service. One voter who had her application challenged appeared at the Chester County Board of Elections hearing to push back on the challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel obligated to speak out against unsubstantiated allegations by a concerned citizen who does not know me,said Ana Harley, the spouse of an active duty military member. More challenges may be heard in other counties before the election. Jim OMalley, a Bucks County spokesperson, said a board of election hearing would happen soon, but was not scheduled as of Oct. 31. Votebeat, an outlet dedicated to covering voting rights and election issues, reported a spokesperson for Delaware County told them a challenger brought froward 140 challenges to mail ballot applications, but balked before formally submitting them when asked to sign an affidavit. Votebeat also reported a Montgomery County spokesperson said no challenges had been received as of Oct. 30. The youngest person accused of killing a man who intervened during a failed car-theft attempt in a Milwaukee Taco Bell parking lot has been convicted of homicide. A Milwaukee County jury found Tramaine Walton, 18, of Chicago, guilty of first-degree reckless homicide, as a party to a crime with the use of a dangerous weapon, and other charges stemming from the May 5 shooting that killed Stanley Smith, Jr., 41. The jury, made up of seven men and five women, reached its verdict after less than 90 minutes of deliberation. Sentencing will be Jan. 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walton was 17 at the time of the shooting. Three other men Lamont D. Stanton, 19; Correnthis C. Neal, 18; and Jovani J. Velazquez, 31, all of Chicago also were charged. Their cases are being handled separately. Assistant District Attorney Daniel T. Flaherty presented 37 witnesses and more than 90 pieces of evidence, including video footage from various surveillance cameras, during the week-long trial. More: 'I had a gun, I shot the gun': 2 teens arrested in deadly Washington Park Juneteenth shooting Velazquez became a key witness in the case after he reached a deal with prosecutors last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Velazquez, who prosecutors believe drove the other defendants that day, agreed to plead guilty to attempted armed robbery as a party to a crime, fleeing or eluding an officer and possession of a machine gun and serve 15 years in prison. Velazquez testified against Walton at trial and portrayed him as a willing participant in both the robbery and the shooting. Here's what prosecutors say happened The shooting took place May 5 shortly after 6 p.m. in the Taco Bell parking lot, located at 5630 W. North Ave. The incident began at a nearby bar, Scene 1 Restaurant & Lounge, located at 5526 W. North Ave. According to a criminal complaint, Smith was at the bar and parked in a Taco Bell parking lot. The DJ made an announcement some people were outside breaking into cars. That led to patrons, including Smith, rushing out the bar toward their vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One witness described Smith as being in a "tussle" with masked men before gunshots rang out, resulting in him laying motionless in the parking lot, the complaint states. Jurors got to see surveillance footage of the incident. The video showed four males get out of a vehicle and approach a white Jeep SUV in the lot next to Smith's vehicle. Soon, more people showed up from the bar and the four males scattered. Moments later, three of the males held their arms up as if they're pointing guns, while the fourth person engaged in physical struggle with Smith, according to the complaint. Shots were later fired before the males drove away in a gray Jeep Grand Cherokee. Police found casings from multiple different guns at the scene, the complaint states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Teen gunman gets 13 years in shooting at Milwaukee McDonald's that left 2 dead Earle said no fingerprints or DNA found at the scene linked Walton to the crime. He argued the video evidence was too blurry to definitively prove his client was involved. Earle urged jurors to be skeptical of Velazquez's testimony, saying his deal with prosecutors made him "not a credible witness." Looking ahead What's next for the other men charged in the case? Neal has a plea hearing scheduled for Nov. 7. A status conference for Stanton is scheduled for Nov. 20. Velazquez has a status conference set for Jan. 10. Car thefts in Milwaukee are up this year According to Milwaukee police data, 5,254 reports of vehicle theft have been made so far this year. That number is up 3% compared to the same period in 2023, when a total of 6,277 such thefts were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, 8,099 vehicles were stolen in the city. A report in April by the National Insurance Crime Bureau said vehicle thefts continue to surge nationwide, with more than 1 million reported stolen in 2023. Kia and Hyundai vehicles were among the most-stolen. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Chicago man found guilty of killing man in Milwaukee Taco Bell parking lot The recently appointed head of Chicagos school board resigned Thursday after reports from the Jewish Insider and Chicago Sun-Times exposed what some Chicago leaders called antisemitic and sexist posts on his social media, as well as a 9/11 conspiracy post. The Rev. Mitchell Ikenna Johnson, who was president of the Chicago Board of Education for just seven days, resigned effective immediately at Mayor Brandon Johnsons request Thursday over statements that were not only hurtful but deeply disturbing, the mayor said in a release. I want to be clear: Antisemitic, misogynistic, and conspiratorial statements are unacceptable, the mayor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor had appointed Mitchell Johnson to the boards top post. Mitchell Johnsons abrupt departure follows weeks of tumult at the school board, which saw every member resign at once earlier this month. We want every single child in the city of Chicago to feel protected and loved, and particularly right now our Jewish community, the mayor said about the resignation while speaking Thursday at a news conference about a separate issue: an announcement of terrorism and hate crime charges against a person who police say shot a Jewish man who was walking to a synagogue in the city over the weekend. The media reports about the posts on Mitchell Johnsons social media which the Jewish Insider reported stretched back for months had prompted Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and nearly the entire Chicago city council to call for his resignation. According to a post shared by WMAQs longtime political reporter Mary Ann Ahern, a photo of the 9/11 terror attacks was reposted on Mitchell Johnsons social media in January one that said 3,000 experts agree: 9/11 really was an inside job with the caption Facts!! CNN is working to independently verify this post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A CNN review of just a few of the posts on Mitchell Johnsons Facebook account shows that on May 27, he reposted a picture with a message that said: When a man earns money he dreams of giving his family and wife the best. But when a woman earns money she feels she does not need her man and her family. Sounds harsh but its reality. The photo was captioned: Sad Facts. Another post highlighted a video in which an audience member asks writer and podcaster Max Blumenthal if Palestine initiated the war with Israel with Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Blumenthal argues that Israel initiated the war in 1948. If you allow ignorance to be your guide, injustice will eventually be at your front door. We should all support a free and independent Palestinian State, said the caption on the post. Pritzker called for Mitchell Johnsons resignation Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A city council letter calling on Mitchell Johnson to step down was penned by 50th Ward Alderman Debra Silverstein on Wednesday, and co-signed by dozens of city council members. We are deeply troubled by the antisemitic and pro-Hamas comments made by Rev. Mitchell L Ikenna Johnson, Silverstein wrote. The thousands of Jewish families who send their kids to Chicago Public Schools deserve representation who values them and does not express hate toward the Jewish community. CNN has attempted to contact Mitchell Johnson for comment but has not received a response. CNN also has sought additional comment from Pritzker and Silverstein. Mitchell Johnson apologized for his comments, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school board, currently appointed by the mayor, oversees Chicago Public Schools. The panel is scheduled to transition to a mix of elected and appointed members in January. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Taylor Romine contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com CHICAGO A day after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson unveiled a plan to balance the city budget with the largest property tax increase in a decade, his top three budget officials are arguing that the unpopular decision could be prudent. Chicagos budget director, chief financial officer, and comptroller sat down with WGNs Mike Lowe on Thursday to discuss the recently announced decision. Inside the Chicago company on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its done in a prudent manner first, in terms of fiscally sound and what is necessary to serve the people of Chicago, Chasse Rehwinkel, Comptroller for the City of Chicago, said. Thats what this budget does, It recognizes the significant obligations of this city, it tells the truth to our residents about those obligations, and it puts really solid plans in place to lessen that burden on the taxpayers, City of Chicago Budget Director Annette Guzman said. The three budget officials helped explain the decisions that led to what the Chicago Sun-Times dubbed the Mayors 300 Million Dollar Broken Promise. The real goal with this budget was to be financially responsible, to not repeat the mistakes that have been made by multiple administrations prior to this, and to also do so with as much respect as possible for the value of a taxpayer dollar, Jill Jaworski, Chief Financial Officer for the City of Chicago, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement $15K reward offered as FBI searches for group responsible for multi-state armed robbery string The mayors 2025 city budget proposal is a 17-point, $3 billion spending plan. The money the city has to spend is actually $982.4 million short of what is needed. To bridge the gap, the mayor is proposing a $300 million increase in property taxes, the use of a $570 million surplus of tax increment financing funds, an increase to the tax on alcohol sales and the elimination of 743 vacant jobs. Weve had discussions with labor and those discussions are ones we will continue to have, but there are practical realities there. We are not in open negotiations. Our contracts are not open with our unions right now, so we are limited with the options that we have, Guzman said when asked how they decided on a property tax increase without looking at or asking unionized workers to either take furlough days or layoffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone loves a dog: Meet the Chicago Lighthouse Guide Dogs Guzman noted that the citys significant pension obligations as one of the biggest needs to raise taxes as a long-term structural fix to a long-broken budgeting process. How do we, you know, as a city, ensure that we are fixing this, so that were not just continually coming back to this same well year after year, asking for taxpayers to do more? Guzman said. The mayors proposal is better described as a starting point. There will be negotiations with city council members and ultimately, 26 aldermen have to agree to the budget for it to take effect by the end of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Bloomberg) -- China is taking further steps to attract foreign money just days before US elections that have raised concern about the impact on the worlds second-biggest economy from a return of Donald Trump to the White House. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foreign individuals are now allowed to provide capital for publicly traded firms as strategic investors, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the Commerce Ministry and four other regulators said in a statement late Friday. Previously, an overseas foreign investor aiming to take a non-controlling stake in an enterprise had to have at least $500 million. Thats now cut to $300 million, according to the statement. Foreigners can now also make strategic investments through tender offers other than private placements or transfers-by-agreement. At the same time, regulators removed the 10% minimum stake requirement for investments made in private placements. The mandatory holding ratio for shares acquired through tender offers or transfers-by-agreement was reduced to 5%, with the lock-up period for all types shortened to 12 months from three years. Beijing is doing so now to mitigate the impact of a potential Trump victory on sentiment, but an announcement beforehand could avoid leaving the impression that Beijing is wary of Trump or worried about the possible outcomes of the US elections, said Neo Wang, Evercore ISIs New York-based managing director for China research. Given the recent poor FDI inflows to China, these measures have been long overdue, regardless of who will get elected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Net foreign direct investment into China has deteriorated over the past several quarters amid disappointing economic growth figures and continuing concerns about the regulatory backdrop. US voters head to the polls Tuesday in whats shaping up to be a tossup between Trump and and his Democratic rival Kamala Harris. The former president has said he might impose a tariff on Chinese goods of more than 60% if elected. Higher US tariffs on Chinese goods could dent growth but also force a long-awaited shift to the consumer in the Asian nation, according to economists at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Editors Note: Sign up for CNNs Meanwhile in China newsletter which explores what you need to know about the countrys rise and how it impacts the world. The winner of the US presidential election could have a sweeping impact on the contentious relationship between the worlds two largest economies and rival powers. But in China, where election news is filtered through heavily censored state and social media, the focus has been more on spectacle than substance with a sense that no matter who wins, the tensions of the US-China relationship will remain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To us ordinary Chinese people, whoever becomes the US president, whether its candidate A or candidate B, it is all the same, Beijing resident Li Shuo told CNN in the lead-up to polls opening. Part of the reason for that may well be a consensus in China from policymakers down to regular citizens that the die is cast for a US administration that wants to constrain Chinas rise on the global stage, regardless of whether Vice President Kamala Harris or former president Donald Trump wins. Trumps last term saw the Republican slap tariffs on hundreds of billions worth of Chinese goods, launch a campaign against Chinese telecoms giant Huawei and use racist language to describe the virus that causes Covid-19, which was first identified in China. The past four years under President Joe Biden have seen a tone shift and effort to stabilize communication. But US concern about Chinas threat to its national security has only deepened, with Biden targeting Chinese tech industries with investment and export controls, as well as tariffs, while also appearing to sidestep longstanding US policy in how he has voiced support for Taiwan a red line issue in the relationship for Beijing, which claims the self-ruling island democracy as its own. Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden walk together after a meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' week in California last November. - Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images/File Meanwhile, people in China have seen their economic prospects dim as the country has struggled to fully rebound following its stringent pandemic controls amid a wider slowdown and property market crisis, among other challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, while the presidential campaigns are still playing across Chinas daily news coverage and online discussions, interest in the candidates and their policies appears muted compared with past US elections. (It) doesnt matter who it is (that wins), one social media user wrote in a popular comment on Chinas X-like platform Weibo. Their containment of China wont ease. Watching the turmoil As the campaigns unfolded over recent months, Beijings state media has honed in on social discord and polarization in the US. In recent days, the top post under the US election hashtag on Weibo has been about American concerns over potential post-election violence. The post, by an arm of state broadcaster CCTV, cites survey data from US media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A recent cartoon from state-owned newspaper China Daily circulated in domestic media showed the Statue of Liberty being crushed in the jaws of a dragon labeled political violence. All walks of life in the United States are highly nervous, and public opinion is in turmoil, reporters from state-run news agency Xinhua wrote in a recent dispatch, which also noted that as political polarization and divisions in public opinion intensified in this years US election, political violence has also intensified. A magazine affiliated with Xinhua has alternatively portrayed the elections as lacking hope, being ultimately decided by invisible forces of power, like Wall Street. Some nationalist bloggers have published videos and posts at times gleefully playing up what they describe as the potential for a post-election American civil war rhetoric echoed in chatter on social media platform Weibo, which is heavily censored and largely dominated by nationalist voices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While picking up genuine concerns reported by American and international media in what has been a contentious and violent US election cycle, the coverage and conversation appears geared to telegraph the superiority of Chinas own political system. There, Chinas ruling Communist Party has an iron grip on political power and discourse. But despite the coverage, many in China have also keenly observed the democratic process and pointed out the contrast to their own. Theres no perfect system, but at least they allow people to question them, one social media user said on Weibo. Candidate of choice? Both Harris and Trump have been hot topics on Chinese social media platforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris appeared to be relatively unknown to Chinese social media users prior to becoming the Democratic candidate after Bidens July withdrawal from the race. Since then, many posts and videos on Tiktoks sister video app Douyin have mocked the vice president, for example picking on her laugh in line with what is often a chauvinistic tone on Chinas social media platforms and echoing comments made by Trump himself. Some posted clips of Harris speeches have a positive spin, however. Those point to her middle-class background and rise to the second-highest American office, a contrast to todays China where the top echelons are stacked with men who often hail from politically elite families. This is a true ordinary persons story, read one comment with hundreds of likes posted under a video with a clip of a recent Harris speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has at times captured tongue-in-cheek admiration across the Chinese internet. As president he earned the nickname Chuan Jianguo, or Trump, the (Chinese) nation builder a quip to suggest his isolationist foreign policy and divisive domestic agenda were helping Beijing to overtake Washington on the global stage. But after the tumult of the past eight years, Trump fever appears to have cooled. People are not optimistic about these two candidates as their image and abilities cant compare to those of past figures, said Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies at Shanghais Fudan University. Thats one reason why the level of Chinese public interest in this election appears lower than in the previous two votes, he said. The second, and perhaps more important reason, is that many believe that regardless of who gets elected, US-China relations wont improve anyway, Wu told CNN. This is also a significant backdrop. View from the top Whoever wins the US race, Communist Party leaders likely expect there will be little improvement in tense ties, analysts said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking to the future, regardless of whether Harris or Trump becomes the next US president, the continuity in US policy toward China will almost certainly outweigh any potential major shifts, said Shi Yinhong, an international relations professor at Renmin University in Beijing. Beijing is careful not to directly comment on any views of the election, but likely sees Trump as bringing more uncertainly and thus risk into the relationship. The former president has threatened upwards of 60% tariffs on all imports from China and is known for his volatile foreign policy. But Beijing could see benefit in that if it weakens US overseas partnerships, observers say. The Biden administration has sought to work more closely with allies in Europe and Asia to counter what it sees as the most serious long-term challenge to the international order China, while Trump has repeatedly questioned traditional US alliances. Chinese leaders will also be closely watching how a Trump presidency would handle the war in Ukraine with Beijing likely wary of him taking steps to mend US relations with Russia and President Vladimir Putin, a critical ally for Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the global stage. The end of that war which Trump has claimed he can quickly achieve would also likely bring more US focus back to Asia-Pacific, which China doesnt want to see. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump is still seen in Beijings policy circles as likely to drive a more fractious relationship with China than Harris would. The vice president is expected to tread a similar path to that laid by Biden maintaining pressure on China to limit the development of its technology and military, but trying to keep some exchange and dialogue open. That means it will be a mixture of tension, friction, and some limited degree of exchanges and cooperation (while) Trump would present greater challenges to US-China relations. The main issue is that (Trump) handles US-China relations in an unconventional manner, lacking a sense of proportion and boundaries, said Wu in Shanghai. The most you can say is that the challenges to the relationship will vary depending on who is in office. CNNs Nectar Gan contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Summary China is nearing completion of an advanced facility to measure neutrinos, the smallest subatomic particles known to physicists. Its underground central sphere will soon be sealed off and filled with liquid. NBC News toured it before that happens. The neutrino observatory is the first of three expected to open worldwide in the next decade, preceding projects in Japan and the U.S. GOLDEN ROOSTER TOWN, Kaiping, China In a granite cavern deep beneath the forested hills of southern China, workers will soon complete a 600-ton sphere that could crack open some of the deepest mysteries of modern physics. The plexiglass sphere is the centerpiece of the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory, or JUNO, a $300 million facility designed to measure neutrinos, the smallest subatomic particles known to physicists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes called ghost particles, neutrinos are invisible and nearly massless, and they travel at close to the speed of light. They come in three mass states, the biggest of which is estimated to have one-millionth the mass of an electron. Neutrinos can pass through the Earth and other matter without interacting with it, which is a large part of the reason they have thus far remained elusive for physicists. Understanding them could help unravel a puzzling imbalance at the heart of the Big Bang theory: According to the standard model of physics, that event should have produced equal amounts of matter and antimatter. But the former is much more abundant, and scientists dont know why. The goal for JUNO and other neutrino observatories expected to come online in the coming years is to measure differences among the masses of neutrinos. Because the particles are so small, its difficult to do that precisely. JUNO has been built 2,300 feet below the Earths surface, therefore, to shield the neutrinos under study from the interference of cosmic rays. Reaching the observatorys sphere requires a slow trip by cable car, which crawls at about 4 mph down a long, sloping tunnel carved into the granite. Before operations start next year, the sphere and the underground area around it will be sealed off and filled with liquid never to open again. NBC News joined one of the final tours before that happens. How to detect a neutrino The cable car ride down to JUNOs sphere lasted about 15 minutes, with cool white lights casting contrasting shadows on the rock. At the end of the tunnel, visitors were given hard hats and full white body suits with plastic booties for their feet. Then each entered a blower unit, where fans sent a pulse of air to clean potential contamination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside the cavern where the sphere lies, workers climbed railings and beams carrying flashlights and wiped down smudges. Purring drill bits echoed off the walls. The sphere at JUNO in China's Guangdong province on Oct. 11. Trillions of neutrinos pass through our bodies every second. The sun produces them through fusion; so do nuclear power plants. Some come from supernova explosions in space. Neutrinos pair with antineutrinos, which scientists think mirror their behavior. So JUNO is designed to capture antineutrinos specifically, those emitted from two nuclear power plants about 33 miles away from the observatory. JUNOs sphere, which is 13 stories tall, will be filled with a special liquid called scintillator and submerged in a cylinder of purified water, said Wang Yifang, the project leader and director of Chinas Institute of High Energy Physics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When antineutrinos pass into the liquid, theyll trigger chemical processes that will produce a brief glimpse of light, which can be captured by sensors lining the sphere. The event will trigger a flash lasting only about 5 nanoseconds, which we hope to capture with the thousands of photomultiplier tubes surrounding the sphere, Wang said, clad in a hard hat as workers behind him installed the tubes. We hope to catch 60 events a day. Thanks to that approach, JUNO should be able to measure differences in the masses of antineutrinos about 10 times better than previous equipment. The first of three new neutrino observatories JUNO is part of Chinas ambitious efforts to become a global science powerhouse. In a speech this year, President Xi Jinping laid out plans to transform the country into a science and technology giant by 2035. Workers at the bottom of JUNO's sphere on Oct. 11. JUNO is expected to be the first of three next-generation neutrino observatories opening in the next 10 years, which makes it a kind of spearpoint in a new era in physics. In Japan, the Hyper-Kamiokande observatory is scheduled to open in 2027. And a U.S.-backed program called the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, or DUNE, calls for a particle accelerator to send a beam of neutrinos underground from Illinois to South Dakota starting in 2031. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three forthcoming observatories all plan to use different technologies to detect the particles, so they are at once complements and competitors. Each involves sprawling international collaboration designed to propel the field forward, spawn new spinoff technologies and train a new wave of scientists. Its not unlikely that we will observe something unexpected when we turn these experiments on, said Chris Marshall, an assistant professor of physics at the University of Rochester, who is working on the DUNE project. Trying to tease out these really complicated effects ... is going to require having multiple experiments that are measuring things in different ways. To some degree, each observatorys ability to answer key physics questions will depend on how well researchers are able to work between projects and with one another. But concern is growing among some scientists worldwide that rising geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China and the resulting souring of their scientific relationship could hinder progress. In recent years, the U.S. has pursued policies designed to prevent Chinese scientists from taking U.S.-based technology to their home country and to prevent China from poaching star science talent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wang said that the U.S. denied his visa requests in 2022 and 2023, without explanation, and that it has limited U.S. involvement in JUNO. In science, cooperation and competition is good, but it should not be competition only, he said. Wang points out features to journalists at the bottom of JUNO's sphere on Oct. 11 U.S.-based scientists said theyve noticed new roadblocks to working with Chinese scientists, as well. From the U.S. side, it becomes more difficult to obtain funding for collaboration with Chinese colleagues and it has become rather difficult for our Chinese colleagues to obtain U.S. visa, Patrick Huber, director of Virginia Techs Center for Neutrino Physics, said in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ignacio Taboada, a professor of physics at Georgia Tech who helps lead an existing neutrino observatory at the South Pole, said, Its not impossible to collaborate with Chinese scientists its just getting harder and harder. Solving the mysteries of neutrinos Data generated at JUNO could go a long way toward settling key mysteries about how and why neutrinos shape-shift more than other subatomic particles. Neutrinos can oscillate, or morph, among three so-called flavors as they travel muon, tau and electron. The sun, for example, sends electron neutrinos toward Earth, but sometimes they arrive as muon neutrinos. When neutrinos interact which happens only rarely they settle on a particular flavor. In addition, scientists think that neutrinos travel as one of three different mass states and that the states help determine the likelihood that a neutrino interacts as a particular flavor. But its not yet clear which of the states has the most mass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scientists also think that neutrinos and antineutrinos might morph differently as they travel and that those differences might be responsible for part of the imbalance in physics between matter and antimatter in the universe. Journalists take pictures at the top of JUNO's sphere on Oct. 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If so, learning more about the masses and oscillations of neutrinos and antineutrinos could help researchers understand whether the standard model of physics the rule book for particles and how they interact is missing pages or whether previously unknown particles or forces might be playing an unseen role. Our beautiful theory of reality, the standard model, is not the final theory, said Sergio Bertolucci, an Italian particle physicist and co-spokesperson for DUNE. Weve discovered we need to know more about neutrinos to answer things the standard model cannot answer. Wang wants JUNO to win the race to determine the mass hierarchy of neutrinos before the U.S. and other countries. We just want to be good scientists. In science, to be the first is most important. To be second is nothing, he said. As a scientist, I cant just be a follower all the time. I want to have my own. The entrance to the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory in China. If JUNO explains the story of neutrino masses before DUNE comes online, the U.S.-led project would then be able to measure the question differently and confirm JUNOs results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan for DUNE is to measure neutrinos as they leave a facility in Illinois, after which they will travel 800 miles through the Earth, where they will be able to interact and oscillate. Once they arrive in South Dakota and can be detected, scientists should be able to compare the mix of neutrino flavors at the start and end of their journey. The project has had delays and cost overruns, however. JUNOs rich dataset, which will be one of a kind ... will play a key role in helping us determine the mass ordering before 2030, either on its own or in combination with other experiments, said Pedro Ochoa-Ricoux, a professor of physics and astronomy at the University of California, Irvine. Several scientists behind neutrino observatory projects admitted, though, that its impossible to predict the practical, earthly benefits of the research. Down the road, they suggested, it could spin off new technologies, drive innovations in data-intensive computing and advance particle accelerator science. If you improve a candle, youll never make an electric lamp, so you need a step. You need a discontinuity, Bertolucci said. Fundamental research essentially is a generator of discontinuities. Wang put it another way, attributing his work to pure curiosity: I am engaged in useless science, he said. CORRECTION (Oct. 31, 2024 5:25 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misattributed a quote. It was Sergio Bertolucci, not Mary Bishai, who said: If you improve a candle, youll never make an electric lamp, so you need a step. (Both Bertolucci and Bishai are spokespeople for the DUNE project.) This article was originally published on NBCNews.com China has completed the production of its largest tunnel-boring machine (TBM), measuring 16.64 meters (54.5 feet) in diameter. The machine is named Jianghai, which means "river and ocean" in Chinese. It weighs approximately 5,000 metric tons (11 million pounds) and is 475 feet (145 meters) long; it is the largest tunnel-boring machine designed in China. The machine was built in Changsha, Hunan Province, through a collaboration between China Railway Construction Heavy Industry (CRCHI) and China Railway 14th Bureau Group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, China claimed to have developed the worlds first boring and blasting machine (BBM) that offers 30 percent more efficient tunneling. Advanced tunnel boring machine The new TBM will be used to build a tunnel across the Yangtze River in Jiangsu province, linking Nantong and Suzhou. The tunnel is part of a 24-mile (39-kilometer) highway expected to be completed by 2028. Spanning approximately 7 miles (11.2 kilometers) beneath the Yangtze River, it will reach depths of up to 246 feet (75 meters). According to You Shaoqiang, the project chief engineer at China Railway 14th Bureau Group (CR14G), the tunnel faces challenges due to underground water sources, soft soil, and silt, making traditional manual tunneling impossible, reports news publication China.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5odl-wNABo&pp=ygUedHVubmVsIGludGVyZXN0aW5nIGVuZ2luZWVyaW5n The advanced TBM will progress at a rate of 12 to 16 meters (39 to 52 feet) per day, and tunneling is projected to take about two and a half years. As the tunnel lies near the Yangtze River estuary, tunneling precision must stay within 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) to ensure the safety of river dams. The machine is 476 feet long and weighs about 5,000 tonnes (11 million pounds), with a cutter head diameter comparable to a fiveor six-story building. CRCHI chairman Zhao Hui stated that this development represents a significant achievement in the industrialization of 16-meter-class, large-diameter tunnel boring technology in China. Boosting infrastructure innovation In 2022, a 16.07-meter (52.7 feet) diameter TBM was produced by CRCHI and China Railway 14th Bureau Group (CR14G) for a renovation project in Beijing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to CRCC senior engineer Fan Ruiqiang, the team spent over two years developing the new, larger TBM. This advanced machine is more intelligent, featuring a database that logs past tunneling issues, allowing it to offer drivers suggestions when similar challenges arise, according to China.org. Wang Jun, deputy head of the Jiangsu transport project construction bureau, noted that this TBM represents a critical step for Jiangsus highway project, a major transport initiative for the province. Wang added that this machine is a significant breakthrough for China's manufacturing industry, reflecting both engineers hard work and the nations progress in large-scale machinery production. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwAnmY--W4Q&pp=ygUedHVubmVsIGludGVyZXN0aW5nIGVuZ2luZWVyaW5n The BBM system, unveiled in May, was developed by China Railway Science & Industry Group Corporation and Tsinghua Universitys National Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering. The system uses completely different drilling and blasting methods and is claimed to be a boon for water conservation, mining, railways, and highway projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new TBM is designed to perform in challenging fault fracture zones and withstand sudden mud or water inflows. Its ring cutter head enables excavation in extreme conditions, while a dual-mode operation allows simultaneous drill and blast methods, improving speed and efficiency. The hollow cutter head facilitates navigation through complex geology. Tsinghua University researchers see extensive applications in water conservancy, hydropower projects, mining, and infrastructure, positioning China as a leader in advanced tunneling technology. According to a trial's findings, "the hollow cutter head's efficiency can be increased by 30 percent after pre-cracking treatment under extremely hard rock conditions." Chinese scientists linked to the Peoples Liberation Army have been using software developed by Meta, Facebooks owner, to develop artificial intelligence (AI) for the countrys military. Researchers from the Academy of Military Sciences, the Chinese armys research division, have been using the US technology giants AI product known as Llama to fine-tune software for military means, according to academic papers. Metas AI products are open source, meaning they are free for anyone to download and experiment with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the technology giant prohibits their use for military, warfare, nuclear industries or espionage, there is little it can practically do to enforce its rules once someone has downloaded its AI software. Any use of our models by the Peoples Liberation Army is unauthorised and contrary to our acceptable use policy, a Meta spokesman told Reuters, which first reported the news. In the global competition on AI, the alleged role of a single and outdated version of an American open-source model is irrelevant when we know China is already investing more than $1 trillion [771bn] to surpass the US on AI. A June research paper seen by the news agency described military scientists using Metas Llama to create a chatbot they called ChatBIT. The bot was optimised for dialogue and question-answering tasks in the military field, the research said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other papers described how researchers at the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, which the US says has ties to the Chinese military, said it had used a Meta Llama algorithm for the training of airborne electronic warfare interference strategies. Mark Zuckerberg claims Metas AI software is open to the public to help the technologys development - David Paul Morris/Bloomberg Another paper said Llama had been used for intelligence policing to improve the decision-making of Chinas security services. Mark Zuckerbergs Meta has been investing billions of dollars in AI as it seeks to challenge OpenAI, the Google and Silicon Valley start-up which developed ChatGPT. The entrepreneur believes that making its AI tools widely and freely available is crucial to winning the race against its rivals. The billionaire has claimed this means more people around the world have access to the benefits and opportunities of AI, that power isnt concentrated in the hands of a small number of companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some technologists have warned that making powerful AI tools widely available could allow rogue actors or nation states to spread disinformation or use the products to advance their own military aims. However, in July Mr Zuckerberg said: Some people argue that we must close our models to prevent China from gaining access to them, but my view is that this will not work and will only disadvantage the US and its allies. Our adversaries are great at espionage, stealing models that fit on a thumb drive is relatively easy and most tech companies are far from operating in a way that would make this more difficult. Constraining American innovation to closed development increases the chance that we dont lead at all. 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. Michigan prosecutors charged a Chinese citizen with voter fraud and perjury after he allegedly cast a ballot in the 2024 election, authorities announced Wednesday. Sources familiar with the matter told CNN that the 19-year-old Chinese man who allegedly voted is a student who lives in Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan. Authorities said the man isnt a US citizen, and therefore cant vote in federal elections. The announcement from Michigans secretary of state and attorney general, and local prosecutors in Ann Arbor, comes as former President Donald Trump and his Republican allies spread concerns about mass voting by non-citizens. Experts say illegal voting by non-citizens is extremely rare, and when it does happen, it is usually caught quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chinese man a student at the University of Michigan cast his ballot on Sunday and then reached out to local election officials later that day in an attempt to get the ballot back, according to a source familiar with the situation. The man registered to vote at the polling place on Sunday, the source said. He used his university ID and other documents to demonstrate his residency in Ann Arbor while filling out a same-day voter registration forms, the source said. The Detroit News first reported the details. The suspect is legally present in the US, the source added. If he is convicted, he could potentially be deported over the incident, legal experts said. Investigations in multiple states and nationwide have found no evidence of large numbers of noncitizens registering to vote. Even less common is a noncitizen actually casting a ballot. When it does happen, we take it extremely seriously, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit, both Democrats, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also said that any noncitizen who attempts to vote fraudulently in Michigan will be exposing themselves to great risk and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Investigators in Michigan are still looking at whether this was an isolated incident, an accident or possibly part of an attempt by China to interfere in the 2024 election, and federal investigators are also looking into the matter, a source familiar with the matter told CNN. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is also a Democrat, said in a statement that her office has launched an independent, parallel investigation into the situation. Authorities did not identify the Chinese student accused of voting in the election. He is facing one count of illegally attempting to vote and one count of perjury both felonies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It appears that the students vote cant be nullified after the fact and will be counted. Washtenaw County Clerk Lawrence Kestenbaum told CNN ballots cant be retrieved once they have gone through the tabulator. Unlike vote-by-mail, ballots cast at in-person voting locations dont contain any identifying information about the individual voter, making it impossible to determine which one belonged to the student, Kestenbaum said. Theres a box of ballots underneath the tabulator and all of the ballots they all look the same theres no way to go back and undo it, Kestenbaum said in an interview. Experts said this is a standard election procedure to maintain secrecy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An in-person ballot is placed in a tabulator or ballot box, intermingled with other ballots. This is to preserve secrecy, so you cant go into the ballot later and confirm who a particular parson voted for, said David Becker, a former Justice Department voting rights official and founder of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation & Research. After the charges were announced, Michigan GOP operatives and state lawmakers seized on the news to criticize Democrats for not requiring proof-of-citizenship to vote. Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, an election law expert at Stetson University, said this is one of the downsides of the secret ballot, which was instituted to prevent vote-buying. Earlier in US history, different color ballots were sometimes used for different political parties, making it easier to meddle in the process. The secret ballot for in-person votes ensures no one can trace a particular vote to a particular voter, Torres-Spelliscy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plucking out an improperly cast ballot is basically impossible because it looks like every other ballot cast by an eligible voter, Torres-Spelliscy, a CNN contributor, said, adding that the Chinese national who voted in Michigan swore under penalty of perjury that he was an American citizen, thus this explains why poll workers would give him a ballot. When asked about the incident in a regular scheduled briefing in Beijing on Friday, Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they had noted the relevant report. The Chinese government has always required Chinese citizens overseas to abide by local laws and regulations and not engage in any form of illegal activities, spokesperson Lin Jian said. At the same time, we also ask the United States to investigate fairly and in accordance with the law, properly handle the relevant case, and effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese citizen involved. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com This is an adapted excerpt from the Oct. 30 episode of "All In with Chris Hayes." Tuesdays election is shaping up to be one of the closest races anyone has seen in U.S. history. Polls nationally and in the key states show a dead heat between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. People in what we used to call a reality-based community understand that this is a very tight race in a closely divided country and it could go either way, but the story on the right is ... not that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to conservative media, Trump is set to win next week's election by a landslide. Guests on Fox News are predicting the former president will win every swing state and host Greg Gutfeld already declared the election over, Donald Trumps got this. For a while now, the story on the right has been that Trump is cruising to victory and that hes way ahead. They say that the Harris campaign has collapsed and the only way they can win the election is by stealing it. Now, thats just as untrue as it was four years ago but that hasnt stopped Trump from telling the same lies on the campaign trail this year. Trump can very well win this election outright but, as hes been telegraphing for four years, the plan is to cheat and sow doubt about the outcome in advance so, if things dont go his way, he can claim the election has been stolen. Just like he did last time. In fact, on Tuesday, one of the ex-cons advising Trump, Steve Bannon, gave a press conference after getting out of jail and almost immediately said Trumps main mistake on election night in 2020 was that he took too long to falsely declare victory. A mistake he said Trump shouldnt make again this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are running the same Stop the Steal playbook as they did four years ago you know, when they tried to overturn the 2020 election results, for which Trump and dozens of others are still facing prosecution. On Wednesday, a reporter asked the former president about his election night plans and if he anticipates being able to declare victory that night. Trump, while donning a reflective vest and climbing into his name-branded garbage truck, told the reporter, I hope that were going to declare a victory, and then raised suspicions about results taken from voting machines. Its the same old song. But this time, the Republican central message is getting a big signal boost. Not just from Fox News, but also from the social media platform X and its owner, Elon Musk, the Trump-loving reactionary billionaire and the worlds biggest broker of disinformation. Thats just one place where Trump and his allies are now posting false claims about cheating at large scale levels in Pennsylvania early voting. Now, it turns out there might be some voter fraud being committed but not in Pennsylvania and not by Democrats. On Tuesday, Indiana state police said they had arrested Larry Savage, a Republican precinct committeeman and former congressional candidate. Police say he stole two ballots from a test of voting machines and then claimed the machines were flawed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, the investigators also searched Savages phone and found a text that read: sis, they say anything about the ballots i took. Investigators also say he posted on a social media page condemning the countys election procedures, shortly before police found the stolen ballots in his truck. Meanwhile, as Republicans are setting the scene for another attempted theft of the election, Democrats are trying to do what they did in 2020 and 2022, which is to get people out to vote and win a close race. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Artificial intelligence (AI) has been all the rage over the past couple of years and has seen its adoption growing at a dramatic pace. This, in turn, has accelerated the sales, profits, and resulting market caps of some of the world's most well-known companies. Indeed, six of the top-seven most-valuable companies in the world hail from the "Magnificent Seven," a group of companies with inexorable ties to AI. Leading the list are four of the world's leading developers of AI-centric technology. Apple tops the chart at $3.4 trillion. Nvidia, Microsoft, and Alphabet round out the quartet, with market values of $3.2 trillion, $3 trillion, and $2.16 trillion, respectively. Start Your Mornings Smarter! Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free With a market cap of roughly $977 billion (as of this writing), it might seem a bit premature to predict that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM), often referred to as TSMC, will soon be eligible for membership in this exclusive fraternity, but the company has all the trappings of success. The adoption of AI continues to grow, and the advanced semiconductors that underpin these sophisticated algorithms have seen demand explode. As the largest foundry in the world, TSMC is the world's largest provider of these next-generation processors, so its ascent into this prestigious club seems inevitable. Image source: Getty Images. A side of chips TSMC has been a leading provider of semiconductors for more than three decades, but the advent of AI has brought the company out of the shadows. Management describes TSMC as the "world's largest and best semiconductor foundry," which explains why it's a key player in the accelerating adoption of AI. These systems require state-of-the-art semiconductors, putting TSMC in the pole position. Its customer list helps illustrate its advantage, as it includes industry leaders such as Nvidia, Arm Holdings, Advanced Micro Devices, Broadcom, Apple, and others. Furthermore, while processors used in smartphones once accounted for the bulk of its fortunes, high-performance computing (HPC) and AI now represent 51% of TSMC's revenue. Its results are enlightening. Revenue grew 36% year over year to $23.5 billion in the third quarter, while earnings per share (EPS) of $1.94 jumped 54%. Management expects the company's stellar growth to continue, guiding for Q4 revenue of $26.5 billion at the midpoint of its guidance, or growth of about 35%. That forecast may well be conservative. In September, the company reported revenue that grew 40% year over year, which was well ahead of management's guidance. The average age of an owner-occupied house in California is 45 years, which is a reminder that your home was probably built relatively recently. I was an adult when my "historic" midcentury ranch was first sold (for around $50,000 including the lot). It was part of a futuristic neighborhood of 200-plus properties plopped in a farm field. Everything around meincluding our city's Gold Rush-era downtownwas once a fallow field. Sorry for being Captain Obvious, but many people seem to have forgotten that our cities, suburbs and small towns were the product of ingenuity, investment, creativity and construction. It's not a coincidence the American Dream of homeownership has slipped awaywith home prices in California now topping $900,000after years of no-growth rules, urban-growth boundaries and other limitations on development. The Legislative Analyst's Office nine years ago pointed to a problem that's only gotten worse: chronic underbuilding, especially in coastal communities. Developers could easily meet the demand. But government meddlingfrom voter-backed slow-growth restrictions to state environmental rulesmakes it inordinately costly and difficult for them to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, the housing crisis has gotten so troubling that even California's progressive lawmakers have tried to address it by allowing streamlined "by right" development approvals. They've got the right idea, but they're steeped in an urbanist ideology that despises car-centered suburbia. As a result, they've only loosened rules for the high-density projects that few people prefer. The state is at a crossroads, but fortunately some of its wealthiest and most-innovative residents are crafting plans to do what previous Americans have always done: build new cities. It's uncertain whether they can break through the Byzantine slow-growth regulatory process the state has developed in the last 50 years, but at least someone is trying to shake up the development process. The highest-profile new-city proposal is known as California Forever. Its East Solano Plan would create a 50,000-plus population city on ranch land between the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento. The project, spearheaded by Bay Area tech moguls, envisions a new downtown with traditional walkable neighborhoods. The proposal became national news after The New York Times reported the group was quietly buying acreage. After tepid public support, the project's backers pulled the November ballot measure. They haven't given up, but instead have agreed to delay the project and work with the county to secure rezoning through the normal, life-sucking county entitlement process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But two other new-city projects have gained recent attention. As The Sacramento Bee reported, Sutter County supervisors gave the go-ahead on the next phase of groundwork for a portion of Sutter Pointea proposal that would build around 17,500 new homes north of Sacramento in what the newspaper refers to as "effectively a new city." It's not as gee-whiz as the East Solano Plan, but it's also more likely to move ahead quickly. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Chronicle reports on a new project in north Sonoma County called Esmeraldasomething it calls "a future tech utopia with the look of a rustic Italian village." It sounds like just another upscale pseudo-European village in wine country, but so what? California needs more housing and experimentation of all kinds. Oddly enough, the Chronicle reports a somewhat favorable reaction among many locals. The Chronicle quoted a scoffing social-media post from a journalist who was "referencing the vision among some in tech for a decentralized digital-first community that seeks to replace existing institutions and systems of governance." I'm stunned by the degree to which critics fear efforts that might challenge encrusted local institutions. That's one of the most compelling parts of the new-city movement. New cities offer not only more housing but the possible rethinking of local government. We've all read endless stories about homelessness run amok, urban crime, failing public schools, crumbling road infrastructure, outsized pensions that consume public budgets, lousy transit systems, and multibillion-dollar municipal governments that can barely manage to build a public toilet. Is it absurd to try better ways to provide public services? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some developing countries, entrepreneurs have created Special Economic Zones that bypass corrupt public agencies with self-governing cities. They mostly have been successes, creating businesses and housingand offering modern infrastructure in places where it's a rarity. Our country has had successful privatized governments. New-city developers in California have largely been mum on their governance plans (and likely envision some traditional model), but it's still worth thinking about the possibilities. And a critic might say these new cities aren't much different than the master-planned communities that have long been part of California's landscape (although they use different buzzwords). Again, so what? As California Forever explains, "all cities were new cities." Our country long has encouraged new developments of every type, which have provided the neighborhoods and homes we live in today. It's time to start encouraging them again. This column was first published in The Orange County Register. The post New Cities Offer a Chance To Rethink How Local Government Works appeared first on Reason.com. A citizen of the Peoples Republic of China has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for allegedly stealing trade secrets from his employer, a global investment management firm, while working in Massachusetts in 2021. Xiao Zhang, 33, of Shanghai, China, was indicted on one count of theft of trade secrets, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a statement Thursday. Zhang currently remains at large overseas. According to the indictment, in 2021, Zhang allegedly used a virtual private network (VPN) to access his employers network from the Peoples Republic of China, which enabled him to circumvent the companys controls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zhang then allegedly made copies of his employers code, projects and research, and sent the copies through a Peoples Republic of China-based file-sharing application, enabling him to again evade his employers controls. Prosecutors allege that Zhang then used the stolen items with the intent of establishing his own investment firm in the Peoples Republic of China. The name of the investment management firm was not released. The charge of theft of trade secrets provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW BROOKVILLE, Ohio (WDTN) People in Brookville have filed a petition to recall the mayor and vice mayor, citing concerns over a strain on resources. Some residents are concerned about the citys continued plans to develop land for business and residential use. The petition has gathered more than 800 signatures, and those who signed all agree that theres been a rush of growth the area isnt ready for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teen visitor policy changing at The Greene We feel that is a huge statement from our community that people were willing to put their name to paper, said Jaime Iaquinta, Keep It Rural spokesperson. Now, theyre calling for the replacement for the mayor and vice mayor, pushing to have their voices heard. The group behind Issue 2 in Brookeville as well as the Recall Petition, Keep It Rural, say the city is developing 27 acres of business and 51 acres of residential properties. Residents say the decision is going fast, and without community input. Brookville cant accommodate all the new people both in the schools, city services, including wastewater treatment, fire, police, EMS, city, street maintenance and so forth, without raising taxes, and nobody wants that right now, said Bruce Garber, Keep It Rural spokesperson. Vice Mayor James Zimmerlin shared the following statement with 2 NEWS: Being on City Council is a thankless job. There are very few, if any, decisions made where you are going to get 100% consensus from voters. Just a few years ago, the City of Brookville was in a precarious situation financially. We lost several of our biggest employers, including Payless, which required City Council to make some tough decisions. I believe City Administration and City Council has done a great job to move the needle on turning the city around financially. I am proud of the work we have done and believe the City of Brookville is well positioned for the future. Development is something that is affecting a lot of communities across the Miami Valley. Brookville is not alone. New development, both commercial and residential, is a critical lever needed to keep municipalities financially solvent and to support our business community. Change is difficult, but most of the residential development in Brookville were planned long before I got on City Council. Every decision that I have made considers the comprehensive land use plan, current zoning, and ensuring to protect the City of Brookville from litigation. I do not take the referendum or potential recall petition personally, as it is part of the process that is afforded to the residents by the City Charter. I stand behind every decision that I have made and will continue to make through the remainder of my term. I do not believe the those leading this recall effort are doing so with the best of intentions, nor do I think it is putting the City of Brookville in a positive light. Im looking forward to fighting to retain my seat on city council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mayor of Brookville Charles Letner says hes aware of the petition but declined to provide a statement. Keep It Rural says theyre frustrated and hope growth comes when everyone agrees to it. If a number of citizens agree, yes, this needs to be rural, we need to keep it small, we need to keep things, not that we never let it grow. growth is inevitable. we want it to be smart, we want it to be sustainable, said Iaquinta. Kettering bank alerting residents to scam Actually ask people what they want, residents, and abide by their desires. because that is what they are supposed to do. they are to represent the residents of Brookville, said Garber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group hopes there will be a pause in these developments, and says city officials should get back to helping the community through other avenues to grow without loosing their tight-knit community. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. MILILANI (KHON2) The Honolulu City Council is considering the need for a new police sub-station in Mililani, it comes after several high profile cases last year. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Mililani residents said they have been asking for a substation for years. This is a resolution that the Mililani neighborhood board passed unanimously in June 2023, explained Danielle Bass, Waipio/Mililani Neighborhood board chair. So, seeing it come to fruition at a city council level and having city council talk about it is exciting and fulfilling for our board and community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, there was a violent acid attack, a body found in a burned car in the high school parking lot, a woman run over in a busy shopping parking lot, and several barricade situations. On Friday, city council public safety chair Val Okimoto introduced a resolution urging HPD to create a substation in Mililani. Weve had some high profile crime thats happened in Mililani, specifically, so I wanted to hear those concerns and take it to heart, she said. We understand our police department has a shortage of officers, we also understand there are other parts of the island that have needs for this type of substation or station, but as always I want to hear the concerns of the community, Okimoto added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Honolulu police statistics for violent crime, since January 1, 2024, there have been nearly double the amount of aggravated assaults in west Oahu (106) than central and north shore combined (58). But nearly the same amount of robberies and sexual offenses. Mililani to Kahuku had 30 robberies compared to Nanakuli to Makuas 35. Central and North Shore had 58 sexual offense cases; compared to West Oahus 60. West Oahu also leads the island with the highest number of murders this year with 10. The challenge here is North Shore, Mililani and Wahiawa, were all sharing the same substation in a large district and I think we need to look at that district and make sure we have adequate amount of police presence for all of these communities, Bass added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resolution also shows Mililanis population increase with census data showing it as the fifth most populated zip code in the state. Thats really what this resolution is, can we look into it? What is possible? If not, what are other options we can look at? she continued. She said the best choice would be city property or looking at existing buildings or structures. The resolution will be heard in mid-November. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news For now, HPDs Deputy Chief Keith Horikawa said in a statement: The HPD greatly appreciates the City Councils support in enhancing public safety. HPDs assessment of District 2 operations indicates that the currently existing facilities, resources, and policing efforts are meeting the communitys needs and there are no plans to build a substation in Mililani at this time. This could possibly change in the future, but in the meantime we will continue to employ hot-spot policing and community engagement initiatives to serve the community effectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An employee adds a stack of mail-in ballots to a machine that automatically places the ballots in envelopes at Runbeck Election Services on Sept. 25, 2024 in Phoenix. Clackamas County has had problems with its Runbeck sorter that caused a backlog in ballot counting. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images) Clackamas County election workers face a backlog of tens of thousands of unprocessed ballots due to the repeated breakdown of a ballot sorting machine, county officials said Friday. Catherine McMullen, the clerk in Oregons third largest county, said in a news conference that its ballot sorting machine was at the end of its life and had posed persistent problems in this election cycle, forcing a technician from the company to fly in and work on the machine. McMullen indicated that the technician from Phoenix who worked on the machine on Thursday appeared to be very experienced, and she expressed confidence that workers would make progress in the coming days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do expect to stay on track and to start to catch up from where we were through the week, she said. Election staff started the day Friday with a backlog of 52,000 ballots and by early afternoon still had 48,400 to sort. The machine is the first step in the ballot counting process. It snaps a photo of the signature on the envelope and scans the barcode for an election worker, who reviews the signature to determine whether it is valid. If so, the ballot is run again through the machine to continue the vote-counting process. In response to the machine breakdowns, the county doubled the number of signature verification stations for hand sorting to 20, McMullen said, and it increased the number of personnel working on verification by reassigning people to that task. Hand sorters can scan about 500 ballots an hour compared with 700 for the machine. The Secretary of States Office shows that 26.1% of the nearly 320,000 registered voters in Clackamas County had voted as of Friday, but McMullen said the figure is probably closer to 45% counting all the ballots the office has received but not yet processed. That would be much higher than Multnomah County at 30.8% on Friday and Washington County, with 38.8%. Both Grant and Wallowa counties tied for the highest turnout so far in the state 55.9% while the statewide total is 38%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McMullen said she expects all ballots to be counted in Clackamas County by next Friday, after all ballots are processed, and she estimates a turnout of 85%. Some ballots may still trickle in during the following few days, as Oregon law requires counties to count any ballots postmarked on or before Nov. 5 that arrive within a week after Election Day. Theres a lot at stake in the county, which is part of the 5th Congressional District where Republican Rep. Lori-Chavez-DeRemer, the incumbent, is in a tight race with Democrat Janelle Bynum, a state representative. The result could determine who controls the U.S. House and is being widely watched across the country, with the candidates raising more than $12 million total. In 2022, the county also had issues in the primary caused by a printing error that delayed the processing of 300,000 ballots. The 20-year county clerk initially rejected help from the state and the debacle ended up costing about $600,000. Hall was ousted in the 2022 general election by McMullen, who got about twice as many votes. McMullen said the county has regularly maintained the machine and knew it was reaching the end of its life. Last year it signed a contract for a new one. The machines cost about $690,000 with installation and maintenance over several years, and only the larger counties have them. The new machine will be used next year, she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (File/Getty Images) On Nov. 1, 2024, South Carolina is set to execute Richard Moore for the 1999 killing of James Mahoney. While Mahoneys death is a heartbreaking tragedy, Moores execution raises significant concerns about justice, fairness, and humanity. Gov. Henry McMaster has the power to intervene, both as a universal act of humanity and mercy, and also to prevent capital punishment at least in those cases where its application would compound rather than resolve injustice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore entered the store intending to commit a robbery but was unarmed. During the encounter, Mahoney, the store clerk, drew two guns, and a struggle ensued. Both men were shot, with Mahoney tragically losing his life. Richard Moore (Provided/Justice360) Moores actions led to this outcome, but there was no premeditated intent to kill. This was a robbery gone terribly wrong, not a calculated act of murder. South Carolinas death penalty is purportedly reserved for cases involving deliberate cruelty and clear intent to kill. But this case doesnt even come close to meeting that standard. Gov. McMaster, as someone who has fought for justice in many forms, knows how important it is that punishment fits the crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The death penalty is South Carolinas most severe punishment and must not be applied in cases where there is any question of intent or premeditation. Thats not what happened here. Richard Moore deserves to be held accountable and has been in jail for 25 years well over half of his adult life but taking the rest of his life would be a gross overreach of justice. Furthermore, racial bias tainted Moores trial. The prosecutor removed all Black jurors, leaving a nearly all-white jury to decide the fate of a Black man. In a state like South Carolina, with a history of racial disparity in its justice system, this raises serious concerns about the fairness of Moores sentence. The possibility that racial bias played a role in sending a man to death row should give pause before proceeding with such an irreversible punishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This may be why the trial court judge, two of the original jurors, the former director of the state prison system, and numerous state and community leaders have begged for clemency for Moore, noting that he deeply regrets his crime and is a force for good behind bars both for fellow inmates and his children and grandchildren. Beyond the legal arguments, this is about recognizing the potential for rehabilitation. Thanks in large part to the efforts of South Carolina Department of Corrections Director Bryan Stirling, South Carolina boasts one of the lowest recidivism rates in the nation, which reflects the effectiveness of its correctional system. Both Gov. McMaster and Stirling have made a priority of getting inmates to turn their lives around, so Moores spotless record behind bars and his reputation for helping other inmates merits a reprieve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, the state intends to execute a model prisoner who is a force for good in the prison and says he still ha[s] a story to tell. If we throw away the key the moment we swing the cell door shut, why are we advocating for and investing in rehabilitation? What incentive are we giving inmates to be that model prisoner if even complete rehabilitation still results in a poisoned needle? Clemency would allow Moore to spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole serving his time while continuing to reflect on and take responsibility for his actions. This would uphold justice while also demonstrating in a concrete way that all life has value and the hope of redemption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As someone who has spent years working in the justice system and advocating for the sanctity of life, I know how deeply personal decisions like this are. Its not just about law; its about humanity. Gov. McMaster, youve championed values of fairness and justice, and this is a moment to demonstrate that South Carolina believes in holding people accountable without taking life unnecessarily. Clemency for Moore does not diminish the seriousness of his crime it ensures that the punishment fits the crime. The death penalty in South Carolina has been reserved for the worst of the worst, and this case, tragic though it is, does not meet that high bar. Moores execution wont bring James Mahoney back, and it wont provide the true closure many victims families hope for. In fact, studies show that executions often leave families without the healing they seek. Gov. McMaster, clemency is the right choice here. It reflects South Carolinas commitment to fairness, justice, and the possibility of rehabilitation. By commuting Richard Moores sentence to life without parole, you can make a decision rooted in both justice and humanity. KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) Michigan clerks are explaining what measures are in place to verify a voters eligibility after a noncitizen cast a ballot in Ann Arbor, according to the Secretary of States Office. On Wednesday, the Michigan Secretary Of State Jocelyn Benson along with the Washtenaw County Prosecutor announced that a 19-year-old University of Michigan student who is not a U.S. citizen claimed to be one while registering to vote and then cast a ballot on Sunday. Officials say the man later called the Secretary of States Office to request back his ballot, but it was already tabulated so it will be counted. International student arrested, charged for voting in Michigan Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck said its a disheartening case but says the response by law enforcement and local clerks is reassuring. I think that is ultimately encouraging and such a really good example, both for our voters to see that, but also for others who would be contemplating committing any kind of election fraud, its not a good idea, Roebuck said. Bensons office clarified that only U.S. citizens can vote. The suspect was arrested and charged with attempting to vote as an unauthorized elector and perjury for making a false voter registration. Clerks: Michigan election results could come faster this year Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Secretary of States Office said people are required to state under the penalty of perjury that they are a citizen when they register to vote, request an absentee ballot, send that ballot back or request a ballot in person. The consequences can be steep from prison time to even deportation. Roebuck said because the Secretary of States office handles elections, IDs and driver licenses, theres a system in place constantly checking the eligibility of voters. With most voter registrations happening at the same time as ID and drivers license renewals or applications, Roebuck said its a secure process. In Michigan, you can register to vote through Election Day Because of the REAL ID Act, which is federal law, anyone who is obtaining a drivers license has to prove U.S. citizenship and so that is a huge win for us on the on the voter rolls as well. Now noncitizens may obtain drivers licenses in Michigan. However, theyre not connected to that database thats going to register them to vote, Roebuck said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for registering online or by mail, Roebuck said there is a federal ID requirement that calls for either the last four digits of a voters social security number or drivers license. As for how officials are certain these cases are isolated, Roebuck explained because voter roles are public and name each voter. We dont know how our voters cast their ballots, and thats very important not to know, but we do know that people have voted, he said. The clerk said he does want to see tighter regulations on voter registration during the 14 days before election days. Small election, big impact: Why you shouldnt skip downballot races Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said once ballots are tabulated, they cant be traced back to one voter, which is why the ballot submitted by the noncitizen voter cant be returned. He said election officials know the number of ballots they have and the number of voters in their poll books, which is a number they must keep balanced. We need to know the number of ballots that we have left over after an election and we keep critical controls on the ballots themselves. But ultimately, once you cast your ballot and when you go into a polling location and you vote and cast that ballot, that ballot then becomes a part of the public record. That is your receipt of your vote. But it is not identifiable to you and that is for a very good reason, said Roebuck. He said the idea behind the secret ballot has been to prevent voter intimidation and manipulation since the earliest elections of our nation. The Michigan Secretary of States Office said in a statement that cases of noncitizens voting are an extremely isolated and rare event. They added that investigations in several states find that theres no signs of large numbers of people registering to vote who are noncitizens, much less actually voting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. An 84-year-old woman stood on a wooden dock Thursday, overlooking the same lake she used to fish at in south Macon during the 1950s. LuReese Harbin, who now lives off North Mumford Road, recalled when she would trek up an untouched, shrub-filled cliff near the now called Cliffview Park, which has undergone about $1.8 million in completed renovations. Everything looks so different than it did, like what, 70 years ago, Harbin said, walking through a newly built half-mile trail. See, none of these trees were grown up like this when wed come down here fishing It was just low-growing shrubbery and cattail brush type stuff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her aunt, Eva Bates, owned the property until she died in 1976, the year former President Jimmy Carter was elected, as Harbin put it. She joined Macon-Bibb County officials at the 23-acre parks grand opening and ribbon cutting at 663 Cliffview Drive Thursday morning. The project was under construction since May. The park is snuggled behind a neighborhood near Houston Avenue, which is mostly low income and has been crying out for assistance for a long time, according to Alex Morrison, executive director of the Urban Development Authority and director of Planning and Public Spaces. Having a gem of a park can be something divisive and can remove people from their neighborhood, reattach people to the place and can spark a neighborhood-led revitalization, Morrison said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A blighted house was demolished near the parks entrance and replaced with a pavilion and picnic chairs, as part of Macons Blight Fight initiative. The project was funded and approved by the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, and organized by the county, private contractors, First Choice Primary Care, Macon Area Habitat for Humanity and others. Mayor Lester Miller said a free and safe park will help stabilize the community. Its one step toward plans to increase affordable housing options and increase the local population nearby. We have a lot of blight around there. You dont have housing, you dont have investment, then you dont have that neighborhood that can walk together to school and be that true community, Miller said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Macon resident and local Walmart employee Nulona Gordon, 39, lives near the park, but didnt know it existed until recently. Gordon cast her rod at the lake on her day off. Theres not that much to do in Macon but Im going to bring my son here, the New York native said. Hes autistic so when I take him fishing, hes like, Mommy I understand why you go. Its so calming and relaxing. Climate change is to blame for the spread of a debilitating, mosquito-borne virus that is piling pressure on hospitals in Pakistans largest city, local officials have said. Karachi sweltered through a record-breaking heatwave in October, with a minimum average temperature of 30.9 degrees the hottest ever recorded in the city in that month. The high temperatures, combined with rainfall, have created more favourable breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes that carry Chikungunya, as well as Dengue fever and Zika, Nida Khuhro, Parliamentary Secretary for Health of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) told the provincial parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some 181 people have now tested positive for Chikungunya in Pakistans south-eastern province of Sindh since the outbreak began in May. But the true number of infections is believed to be far higher, and the health authorities are in the process of screening suspected cases of the virus, which, along with debilitating joint pain, also causes fever and nausea. It is these symptoms that give Chikungunya its name, which means to become contorted in the Kimakonde language from Tanzania, where the virus was first discovered in 1952. Due to climate change, vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Chikungunya have increased, putting pressure on the healthcare system, Ms Khuhro said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the fatality rate is low thought to be around one in 1,000 cases the duration of the symptoms can vary from a few days to weeks, months or even years. In the most severe cases, complications can include neurological issues like paralysis or coma, as well as heart and eye problems that necessitate prolonged hospital treatment and intensive care. Province facing a dire situation Cases have been rising steadily in Karachi, Pakistans most populous city, since May. The outbreak is straining the citys hospitals, which already have to care for a population of over 20 million people. Government hospitals in the city are dealing with hundreds of new suspected cases every day, according to local media reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The influx of suspected Chikungunya cases has been so intense that the emergency departments of every government hospital in the city were left unable to accommodate any new patients, according to a survey conducted by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) earlier this month. It is crucial to understand that Sindh is currently facing a dire situation due to an increase in epidemic diseases, Jawed Bilwani, the KCCI President, said in a letter to Syed Murad Ali Shah, the Chief Minister of Sindh. A report from the Aga Khan University Hospital said severe cases of Chikungunya had been reported in Karachi, particularly among the elderly as well as people suffering from diabetes. Judging the true scale of the outbreak is a challenge because PCR tests are in short supply and are only available at a few private hospitals. They also cost about 8,000 rupees (22), putting them out of the reach of the vast majority of people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A technical team of entomologists is constantly monitoring vector-borne diseases and conducting surveillance across Sindh during both peak and off-seasons for timely detection and control, Ms Khuhro said. She added that the provincial government is planning an awareness campaign and was taking preventive measures, including fumigation campaigns to eliminate mosquitoes. Along with Chikungunya, Pakistan has also been grappling with a major outbreak of Dengue fever, with the rugged province of Balochistan worst-affected and thousands of new cases being reported every week. While Chikungunya cannot spread between people, if a mosquito bites a person carrying the virus, it can then be passed on to others. It is also carried by wild animals, such as monkeys, that serve as a reservoir for the virus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One vaccine has been approved for use in the United States, Canada and Europe, and several others are in development, none are available in Pakistan. Experts have frequently warned that climate change is extending both the geographic range and seasonal window of outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases like Dengue, Zika and Chikingunya. Since it was first detected in Tanzania, there have been frequent outbreaks of Chikungunya across Asia and Africa. But Pakistan only reported its first human case in 2011, in the city of Lahore. In 2016, the country suffered a major outbreak that began in Karachi. Health authorities estimated that some 30,000 people required treatment for Chikungunya during the 2016 outbreak, which was also blamed on climate and poor sanitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) While clocks are turning back an hour this weekend, advocates say Ohio should abandon daylight saving time and observe standard time permanently. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, closing the annual period when U.S. clocks spring forward an hour in March and fall back in November. Yes, this means we get an extra hour of sleep when the clock remains in the secondhand position for another hour. Jay Pea, president of the nonprofit Save Standard Time, advocates for extending standard time to the entire year and testified at the Ohio Statehouse last fall against a bipartisan resolution passed by the House of Representatives that urges the U.S. Congress to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill to transition to perpetual daylight saving nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why Trump called legislation impacting Intels Ohio plant so bad Permanent standard time would protect start times for schoolchildren and essential workers by letting most sleep naturally past dawn year-round. Its benefits to circadian health would improve immunity, longevity, mood, alertness, and performance in school, sports, and work, Pea said. Standard time is the natural clock, set to the sun. Any effort to enact daylight saving in Ohio would be curtailed until federal law changes. Under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, states can change to standard time but not daylight saving, which requires a change to federal law to transition to perpetual daylight saving. Passing the Sunshine Protection Act would mean later sunsets in the winter but also later sunrises. For example, the sun rises around 7:15 a.m. and sets around 4:30 p.m. on the first day of winter in New York. The Sunshine Protection Act would change sunrise to 8:15 a.m. and sunset to 5:30 p.m. This weekend, the sun will set in Ohio at 6:28 p.m. on Saturday, then set at 5:27 p.m. on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Garrahan, a Save Standard Time board member, also submitted testimony against the Ohio Houses resolution and argued permanent daylight saving would be harmful to the health and safety of residents. Garrahan said darker winter mornings would have an adverse effect of students unless schools alter their schedules. Ohio State announces fall commencement speaker Bitcoin-free Rather than impose this burden on school districts just to maintain their present level of safety, health, and academic performance, it would be better to keep standard time so that a schedule change can improve conditions, Garrahan said. The Ohio Statehouses measure is now under consideration in the Senate, where it received a hearing in the General Government Committee in June. Reps. Rodney Creech (R-West Alexandria) and Bob Peterson (R-Sabina), the bills primary sponsors, argued the U.S. no longer needs the biannual tradition of changing clocks, pointing to studies that say moving clocks in the spring and fall causes a number of work, school, safety and sleep-related issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Continuing to change the time results in a higher number of cardiac issues and strokes and prolonged seasonal depression, Creech said. A recent study revealed that sleep loss, even for as little as one hour, can decrease a childs quality of life, showing significant negative impacts on the childrens physical well-being as well as their ability to cope with the school environment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. A woman who had been in a relationship with a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer before he was arrested for allegedly harassing her in Rock Hill told a South Carolina judge Thursday shes afraid for her safety because of him. Dylan Lineberger, 32, a nine-year CMPD veteran, faces first-degree harassment charges in Rock Hill from incidents last week, according to court testimony and an arrest warrant obtained by The Herald. The woman said in court she had to move twice in the past month because she does not feel safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I truly fear my safety, and the safety of my loved ones, she said in Rock Hill city court. Rock Hill Municipal Judge Dolores Williams set Linebergers bail at $10,000. She also ordered Lineberger to wear a GPS monitor while the case is pending and have no contact with the woman. Police extradited Lineberger to Rock Hill Wednesday after Lincoln County deputies arrested him Tuesday afternoon. Rock Hill police: Ongoing problem from NC Lineberger is accusing of trying to contact the woman several times in North Carolina after the break-up in September, according to documents and court testimony Thursday. Lineberger allegedly drove a rental car to Rock Hill on Oct. 21, where he conducted surveillance outside an apartment before he threw Pepto Bismol on the womans car, Rock Hill police Detective Robert Smith said in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arrest warrant stated video showed Lineberger passed the apartment nine times. Lineberger then followed her a few days later to a Rock Hill grocery store and tried to contact the woman, Smith said. This is all part of an ongoing problem out of North Carolina, Smith said. The Rock Hill arrest warrant stated CMPD told Lineberger previously not to contact or interact with the woman. A Rock Hill police victim advocate testified the woman reported Lineberger to CMPD Internal Affairs on Oct. 9. Lineberger is on administrative leave at CMPD as that department conducts an internal investigation, CMPD officials said Tuesday. He works in CMPDs Central Division. Defense lawyer: Lineberger a decorated cop Lineberger did not speak in his first Rock Hill court appearance other than to answer basic questions from the judge about the charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His lawyer, Chris Lusk of Columbia, told the judge that Lineberger has had a well-decorated career as a law enforcement officer in Charlotte. Lusk said Lineberger has no criminal record and is not a threat to the community or a flight risk. Lineberger had voluntarily received mental health treatment before he was arrested Tuesday on the Rock Hill charge after leaving a medical facility. Lineberger has a pending court date in North Carolina in November concerning the womans request for an order for protection against Lineberger but that is not a criminal matter, Lusk said. There is no evidence Lineberger tracked the woman, Lusk said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not someone who had run-ins with the law before, Lusk said. The Rock Hill charge is a misdemeanor that carries up to three years for a conviction under South Carolina law, police and court officials said Thursday. No trial date has been set. A coal company once headed by the governor of West Virginia has failed to fully reclaim a surface mine visible from the highest peak in Kentucky, leaving a large scar in view of a planned tourist attraction on the mountain. A&G Coal Corporation agreed in January 2023 to finish reclaiming the site by Aug. 31, 2023 but has not finished the work. The mine, called Looney Ridge, lies at the center of the view from atop Black Mountain in Harlan County, where local officials are pursuing a project to build a 40-foot-high observation tower in hopes of attracting more visitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The eroding expanse of bare dirt and rock is an eyesore, said Steve Esch, who stopped at an overlook on the mountain on Oct. 24 during a motorcycle tour of Appalachia with friends Dave Shea, of Minneapolis, and Jeremy Sparks, of Richmond. It definitely looks like an industrial waste site and it takes away from the beauty of the landscape, Esch, 40, of Milwaukee, said of the mine. Hopefully they can get that cleaned up. The company involved in the issue is A&G Coal Corporation, which first received a permit in 2004 to mine the site, according to a federal lawsuit. At that time, it was owned by James C. Jim Justice II, who was elected governor of West Virginia in 2016 and reelected in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justice switched his party registration to Republican during his first term and is now running for U.S. Senate. His son, James C. Jay Justice III, was president of A&G when the company pledged in January 2023 to reclaim the Looney Ridge mine by the end of August 2023. The company entered into that deal to settle a lawsuit filed by Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards, Appalachian Voices and the Sierra Club. The lawsuit said members of the citizen groups were concerned about the risk of erosion, landslides and polluted runoff from Looney Ridge and two other surface mines A&G had failed to reclaim as required, called Canepatch and Sawmill Hollow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three sites are in Wise County, Va., which borders Harlan County. Mine reclamation not done for years In surface mining, coal companies use explosives and heavy equipment to move earth and rock to uncover coal seams. Federal law requires companies to reclaim surface-mined sites. That typically includes grading to eliminate sheer walls created during mining called highwalls and sowing grass and other vegetation to keep down erosion. That work is supposed to be done soon after digging out the coal, but years passed without A&G properly reclaiming the three mines at issue in the lawsuit. For instance, A&G stopped mining at Looney Ridge in April 2013, but hundreds of acres at the mine were still unreclaimed when the environmental groups sued in January 2023, their complaint said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coal company acknowledged as part of the complaint that almost 2,500 acres at the three mines had yet to be reclaimed and revegetated at the time the lawsuit was filed. The January 2023 agreement between A&G and the environmental groups included deadlines for the company to finish reclaiming the three mines; required it to put $600,000 in an account to cover the costs and to keep enough equipment at the sites for the work; and file progress reports. It also outlined financial penalties for not fulfilling the deal. On Thursday, the three groups filed a new motion in federal court in Virginia arguing A&G has utterly failed to comply with the deal, called a consent decree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company didnt keep enough equipment at the sites, didnt submit status reports, failed to fund the dedicated account for reclamation, and missed the deadline to finish fully reclaiming the Looney Ridge and Canepatch mines. At Looney Ridge, for instance, a state inspection on Sept. 26 more than a year after the deadline to finish reclaiming the site showed that only 275 of 590 acres had been reclaimed, the new motion says. The amount of acreage reclaimed as of the September inspection was the same as in November 2023, meaning there was no progress in those 10 months, according to the motion. At the Canepatch mine, which was supposed to be done by the end of February, an inspection on Oct. 8 showed only 93 acres of 699 acres that had been disturbed by mining had been reclaimed, the environmental groups said. A view of the Looney Ridge surface mine in Wise County, Va., before a deal to fully reclaim it. The deadline to reclaim the Sawmill Hollow mine is the end of this year, but A&G is likely to miss that as well, the new motion says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company may also have mined more coal at one or more of the mines in violation of the consent degree, and wants to do additional mining at Sawmill Hollow, according to the motion. Persistent failure to meet reclamation deadlines A&Gs persistent failure to meet reclamation deadlines at these sites and their continued pursuit of coal extraction despite court orders show a blatant disregard for both environmental obligations and legal commitments, Matt Hepler, environmental scientist for Appalachian Voices, said in a release. In a court filing of its own on Thursday, A&G said that when it signed the deal to reclaim the mines, it anticipated selling coal to a utility to get money for the work. That deal fell through, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A&G currently has no mining operations or revenue and cant pay to reclaim the three sites unless it can mine and sell some coal, according to the filing. The company proposed changing the consent decree to let it mine coal at the Sawmill Hollow site. The mining wouldnt require tearing up any new ground and would generate enough money for reclamation at all three mines, according to the company. A&G said the environmental groups have refused to agree to that additional mining, which frustrates both the public good and the purpose of the original agreement. The company asked a judge to approve the mining over the objection of the environmental groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An attorney for the groups responded that A&G isnt supposed to mine at the sites when it is not in compliance with the initial agreement, and that the company is shamelessly and ironically accusing the citizen groups of frustrating a deal it has violated repeatedly. The motion the groups filed Thursday asks a judge to enforce the January 2023 reclamation deal, with new deadlines at Looney Ridge and Canepatch; make the company file progress reports and put $600,000 in the dedicated reclamation fund; and give any money it made on coal mined at any of the sites since Aug. 31, 2023 to the Upper Tennessee River Roundtable, a water-quality initiative. It also seeks an order for A&G to pay penalties estimated to be at least $900,000 for violations of the deal. Black Mountain observation tower project still a go While that controversy plays out in court, Harlan County will continue pursuing the project to build the observation tower atop Black Mountain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local officials, businesses and residents have worked to develop tourism in the county as a way to improve the economy in the wake of loss of hundreds of coal jobs. Tourism is the shortest economic bridge to cross in trying to boost the local economy, said Paul Browning III, a county magistrate and director of tourism for Cumberland. There are a number of attractions in Cumberland and the historic coal towns of Benham and Lynch, which lie together at the foot of Black Mountain. Those include Kingdom Come State Park, the Kentucky Coal Museum and Portal 31, an underground mine tour. Miners outside the portal of U.S. Steel Mine No. 31, which was in the heart of Lynch. The company built the town beginning in 1917 to get coal needed for manufacturing operations. Today, Mine. No. 31 is the site of an exhibition coal mine that visitors can tour. A section of KY 160, which goes from Lynch, Benham and Cumberland across the mountain into Virginia, is one of the routes that a group called Backroads of Appalachia promotes to try to increase visitation by motorcycle riders and motorsports enthusiasts The route, called the Dragon Slayer 160, has more than 220 curves. The Looney Ridge mine that A&G hasnt fully reclaimed is visible from an overlook on that route. The tower project is part of a larger plan to improve the Portal 31 tour which has been completed and renovate a native-stone bath house built more than a century ago so miners could clean up after their shifts. There is still work to be done on the tower, called the Black Mountain High Point project, including final design work and raising some additional money, said Steve Gardner, the project engineer. But Gardner said his goal is to start construction in early 2025. Visitors will be able to see almost to the Smoky Mountains from atop the tower on a clear day, he said. Except for the blemish of the unreclaimed Looney Ridge mine, its a stunning view, Gardner said. Police arrested a man they say painted a political sign with a hate symbol on Wednesday. Frederic Laidlaw, 74, of Cohasset, is facing a felony charge of defacement of property. According to authorities, Laidlaw entered a private property in the area of Route 3A and painted a swastika on a political sign. He was arraigned in Quincy District Court on Thursday. The Massachusetts Attorney Generals Office Civil Rights Division was notified of the arrest. An investigation remains ongoing. "You take out the arts, you take out the humanity, says Colman Domingo. You need art to survive. Im standing on the rooftop of a Downtown Los Angeles high-rise with actor Domingo an Emmy winner (Euphoria) and Oscar nominee (for his titular role in George C. Wolfes 2023 biopic Rustin) deep in conversation about his latest cinematic endeavor, the heart-searing yet wholly uplifting drama Sing Sing, set inside New Yorks infamous maximum security prison on the banks of the Hudson River. Domingo dazzles in Gucci. PHOTOGRAPHS: IRVIN RIVERA; STYLING: WAYMAN + MICAH; GROOMING: JAMIE RICHMOND; DIGITECH: PHIL LIMPRASERTWONG, PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT: ANDREW LOPEZ Directed by Greg Kwedar, from a script based on the real-life account of inmates auditioning for the prisons RTA (Rehabilitation Through the Arts) theater program, Sing Sing made independently on a shoestring budget of $1.5 million has amassed steady accolades since bowing at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, where it was snatched by A24, which released the pic July 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Domingo plays true-life inmate John Divine G Whitfield, incarcerated for a crime he did not commit and for whom theater functions as a salve amid the bone-deep pain of life behind bars. Like the film, he has curried fervent critical favor, generating an enthusiastic crescendo of awards season buzz. But prizes are never what the 54-year-old actor-writer-producer is focused on, not even today as he leaps toward the sunny L.A. sky dressed head-to-toe in designer duds while a magazine photographer trails his every twirl, angling to get the shot. I try not to think about it, Domingo says of any impending Oscar recognition. Even with Rustin, I thought, Well, I did the work and I believe in the work, and I believe in the films that I do. That said, I love the fact that were in these Oscar conversations, because [Sing Sing] is such a special, unique film. It wasnt made with the thought of being a contender in any way; it was made with the essence of love and grace and tenderness. We just hoped that it would exist in the world. And now that its playing nationwide, people can discover it right along with, say, Deadpool. And if we continue down this road with all this Oscar buzz, I would love that. Because thats what these honors are for, to help get more eyeballs on this kind of film. After some 30 years in this business, I consider that a blessing. Domingo in Louis Vuitton Irvin Rivera for LA Magazine Long before Domingo was courting industry kudos decades before he was fielding Tony Award noms for headlining The Scottsboro Boys (2011) and producing Fat Ham (2023) on Broadway and scooping up SAG and Critics Choice Award ensemble nods for the big-screen musical The Color Purple (2023) the Philadelphia native was cutting his teeth on the San Francisco theater scene, performing three shows a day for young audiences at junior high schools in the Bay Area. It was there he met veteran actor-cum-playwright Sean San Jose, who co-stars in Sing Sing as Mike Mike, Divine Gs cellmate. (Domingo and San Jose currently collaborate at Edith Productions, the banner Domingo co-founded with his husband, Raul Domingo. Ediths current slate includes the Sundance horror hit Its Whats Inside, which Netflix released Oct. 4.) Reflecting on both his roots and his current professional chapter, Domingo emphasizes the importance of the meta message about the arts that Sing Sing carries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our arts funding is always one of the first things to be cut, and it should not be, says Domingo, whos also a director and playwright (Broadways 2018 Summer: The Donna Summer Musical). The arts have been imperative to our growth as human beings since the Romans and the Egyptians and time immemorial. The arts have never been frivolous. I would go to these Bay Area schools and I remember thinking, Wait, there are no theater programs. Whats happening? Why are they cut? And as I grew up, I started to make the connection between the prison industrial complex and the lack of arts funding. Today, it feels very conscious to me. You harden people you take out art. Domingo rocks a red Ferragamo suit and Tiffany & Co. jewelry Irvin Rivera for LA Magazine Sing Sing, featuring Oscar-nominated Sound of Metal actor Paul Raci as playwright Brent Buell, revolves around the reformative powers of dramaturgy and arts education. In the film, it is the process of creating, of manifesting art for the stage, which enables inmates to not only ascribe meaning to their lives but to withstand the harshness of the world to flourish, to heal, sometimes even to thrive. Sing Sing is a semi-fictionalized story, but its rooted in an overarching truth. The film hits hard because the RTA program has given real-life prisoners a reason to live. We watch as their emotional growth unfolds before our eyes, and this remarkable evolution is made all the more poignant when you discover that actual former convicts round out the films cast: Clarence Divine Eye Maclin and Jon-Adrian JJ Velazquez are alumni of Sing Sings RTA program, who returned to play stripped-down versions of themselves. According to Domingo, the result is so raw and threadbare that hes watched the film in its entirety only once. Otherwise, he explains, it would be too emotional an experience to be able to handle a talk-back and press junkets championing the films core values. Domingo, Sean San Jose and Dominic Leon in 'Sing Sing' Dominic Leon/ Courtesy A24 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In making this film, I gave a little bit more than my soul because I thought it was necessary, says Domingo. I had to call on my skills as an actor in a different way, to blend in with these brothers and tell their stories in a deeply humanistic way. Finding all this tenderness and grace that these men have extended from themselves through this program of rehabilitation in the arts, all the healing work thats been done it not only taps into the characters that I care about in this film but it also taps into something in me. Indeed, while making Sing Sing, several former inmates cast in the production told Domingo that if they had had access to a theater class growing up be it Shakespeare or Ionesco or August Wilson perhaps they would not have wound up in prison in the first place. The irony is that these men found no such opportunity until they were removed from society. Domingo in 'Sing Sing' Dominic Leon/ Courtesy A24 They were only given permission to be tender in a program like RTA, because the systems not set up for them to win, says Domingo. The system is set up for them to go back out and come back in and be a part of this prison industrial complex. But this program, this little gem, it helps these men find another way and another outlet to express that which has been repressed. These Black and brown men grew up probably being told they should not use their heart, that they should not be tender, they should not be soft, they should not be playful, that all of these things attack our societal standards of masculinity and we know that that is false. We know that is a lie. But not all prisons are buildings with barbed wire, and human beings are forever struggling to escape from confined spaces emotional, psychological, spiritual sometimes of our own design. What makes the performances in Sing Sing so miraculous are the ways in which they collectively lay bare both the depths of sorrow and the boundless joy of the human condition. Domingo can relate. For him, too, theater has been a lifeline. Domingo in Ferragamo suit and Tiffany & Co. jewelry Irvin Rivera for LA Magazine I didnt find the theater for myself until I was in my second year of college, and what it gave me is something that I am still trying to articulate after being a theater practitioner for 34 years, he says. It gave me a sense of place and identity and purpose and community. Before I discovered theater, I was a different person. I didnt know myself. I didnt know who I was in the world. I wasnt as vocal. I didnt know all these complex feelings that I had. With theater, I have somewhere to place these feelings, to wrestle with them in a place where I am allowed to be soft, to be angry, to be hard, to be a villain to go to the darkness, to go to the light. Theater is a safe space for all. Colorado wildlife experts are at odds over whether a ballot measure to ban the hunting of certain wildcats would help or hurt the formidable felines that have long been intrinsic to Rocky Mountain ecosystems. Centennial State voters on Tuesday will decide whether to approve Proposition 127, which would amend Colorado statutes by forbidding the hunting or trapping of bobcats, lynx and mountain lions. Wildlife conservation experts and hunters have been offering a wide range of contrasting perspectives on the possible effects of the proposed hunting ban ahead of the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, more than 300 sportsmen and women gathered in front of the Colorado Capitol in Denver to rally against the measure, which they described as an out-of-state funded, emotion-based ballot initiative that contradicts well-established and science-based best management. The principal arguments against the proposition revolve around its capacity to limit how officials with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) make science-based decisions to achieve the states ecological objectives, according to an analysis included in Colorados 2024 State Ballot Information Booklet. Opponents of the proposition, who include some wildlife conservation experts as well as hunters, view the states current practices for managing the populations of the animals including regulated hunting as working, while emphasizing that hunting lynx is already illegal, per the analysis. Those against the measure also contend that hunting big cats provides critical income to local communities and that the elimination of reimbursements to landowners whose property or livestock are damaged by mountain lions that would occur as a consequence of the proposition could cause undue harm to residents, the analysis stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those in favor of Proposition 127, meanwhile, have maintained that the pursuit of big cats causes the animals pain and trauma and that trapping these animals sometimes for trophies or fur trade is a superfluous practice, per the ballot bulletin analysis. Supporters of the measure, who include other wildlife conservation experts, also argue that these big cats can naturally regulate themselves without the need for hunting and trapping and that a ban would not bring new dangers to Coloradans. The measure would prohibit intentionally killing, wounding, pursuing, entrapping or discharging a deadly weapon at these animals. Individuals convicted of any of these activities would be subject to up to 364 days of jail time, a fine of up to $1,000, or both, as well as a five-year prohibition on holding a CPW hunting license. The proposition does contain some carveouts for certain extreme circumstances, including the killing of these animals in the defense of human life, livestock, personal property or a motor vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other exceptions listed are vehicular accidents, scientific research, humane euthanasia or situations in which federal or state employees or contractors act in an official capacity or with a special license from CPW. Such official actions could also include managing animals that pose a threat to agricultural resources, according to the ballot bulletin. While Colorado law requires compensation for the destruction caused by big game species, the ballot measure would also remove mountain lions from that category. Mountain lions, bobcats and lynx all have deep histories in the Centennial State. Lion populations have been growing since 1965, when they were first categorized by the state as big game, according to CPW. Lynx and bobcats do not have this classification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 3,800-4,400 independent lions inhabit the state, while Colorados bobcat population is about 21,000, per agency estimates. Neither mountain lion nor bobcat communities are biologically threatened, and the latter is the most populous wildcat species in North America numbering somewhere between 1.4 million to 2.6 million, CPW stated. Wildlife officials began reintroducing the Canada lynx, which is listed as endangered by both the state and federal governments, into Colorado in 1999. Although the state now has a secure lynx population, legal protections prohibit the hunting and trapping of these animals, according to CPW. No lynx in Colorado has ever been reported as incidentally trapped by bobcat fur harvesters, the agency stated. From 2020 to 2023, an average of 880 bobcats and 500 mountain lions were harvested in Colorado each year, according to the state-issued ballot bulletin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One group that has been vocal against Proposition 127, Colorados Wildlife Deserve Better, characterized the measure as a blatant attempt to undermine the authority of Colorado Parks & Wildlife, and emphasized that science-based wildlife management is under attack. Prohibiting the hunting of these animals could result in rapid population increases, which would pose a significant threat to other species in Colorado, a statement from the group said. On the other side of the issue, the Endangered Species Coalition, a global network of conservation activists, has voiced support for Proposition 127, stressing in a statement that hunters today are able to use packs of dogs with GPS collars and even drones that chase down a mountain lion until it finally retreats up into a tree. The Cats Arent Trophies initiative the campaign directly responsible for the ballot measure characterized the proposition as protecting big cats from wealthy out of state trophy hunters engaging in recreational killings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign has recruited various celebrities, including former Denver Broncos wide receiver Mark Jackson, who recently described such practices as turning a majestic animals life into a gruesome spectacle. As for the government agency responsible for the management of these cats, CPW stressed its staunch neutrality in a factsheet about Colorados mountain lion, bobcat and lynx populations. Colorado Parks and Wildlife takes no position for or against proposed initiatives such as Proposition 127 and will diligently implement all laws duly passed by the legislature and the Governor or by the voters, CPW stated. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A view of a Pueblo County Sheriff's Office facility. (Screenshot from Pueblo County Sheriff's Office video) The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment denied Pueblo Sheriff David Luceros appeal of a decision requiring him to bargain with the recognized labor union representing the departments staff. Members of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 837 organized after the Colorado Legislature passed a law in 2022 giving government employees in many counties the right to collectively bargain over pay, benefits and working conditions. But Lucero has argued that his office is excluded from the state definition of county, and that the law does not apply to his office because of the elected and constitutional nature of the sheriffs position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state recognized IBPO Local 837 as the union for Pueblo Sheriffs Office employees in December 2023. In February, members of the newly established union asked to begin contract negotiations with Lucero, when he refused to bargain, according to the states initial decision on the unions March 14 unfair labor practice complaint. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The state ruled in the unions favor in July, ordering the sheriff to begin negotiations with union representatives. The first meeting for contract negotiations was held on July 31, and Lucero then appealed the ruling on Aug. 9. The states decision on that appeal, signed by administrative law judge Raja Raghunath on Wednesday, says the constitutionality of the sheriffs office does not mean it cannot be regulated by statute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That an elected Sheriff is a constitutional office in Colorado and is separate and distinct from the board of county commissioners does not mean that the legislature is prohibited from enacting laws that govern the sheriffs relationship with employees of the sheriffs office, Raghunath wrote. Raghunaths order cited Douglass v. Kelton, a 1980 Colorado Supreme Court decision, in which the court ruled that the mere creation of an official position does not automatically vest that official with unlimited powers. Luceros office did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication. Brad Riccillo, president of IBPO Local 837, said he felt encouraged by the appeal decision. He said he thought the initial decision was clear in describing how the new law applied to the sheriffs office, and hes glad to see that reaffirmed after the sheriff exercised his right to appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riccillo said negotiations are scheduled to continue on Friday, Nov. 8. He said that while negotiations so far have covered basic issues such as definitions, hes hopeful that now they can move on to more substantial issues relating to their contract. I am optimistic that bargaining is going to improve. I dont want to see any further trouble, Riccillo said. In a perfect world, I would like to see negotiations that last all day for several days in a row. With negotiations having started in July, Riccillo said the bargaining process should be over by now, and his fellow union members have been upset and discouraged by how the process has gone so far. The membership wants to see some things change, and I dont blame them, Riccillo said. I want to see some things change, too, without retaliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lucero reassigned Riccillo to clerical duties at the end of August over a 2013 disciplinary incident, a move he and labor advocates said was retaliation for his union involvement. With its decision Wednesday, the state canceled an appeal hearing initially scheduled for Nov. 12. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Colorado Gov. Jared Polis speaks during a news conference about a bipartisan property tax reduction bill on May 6, 2024, at the Colorado Capitol. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline) Gov. Jared Polis said Thursday that he is deploying state resources to complete the process of securing voting systems in affected Colorado counties after it was revealed that partial system passwords had been exposed in a document published on a state elections website. Decision 2024: On-the-ground election coverage in Colorado and by local reporters in all 50 states. Fair. Fearless. Free. In a press release, Polis office said that state employees who have cybersecurity and technology expertise and have undergone appropriate background checks and training will be deployed throughout the state using air and ground assets to coordinate with local elections officials, update the passwords and review access logs to ensure that no systems were compromised. An emergency rule adopted on Thursday by the Colorado Department of State authorizes these state employees to change the passwords and take actions to investigate the voting system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorado has countless layers of security to ensure voters voices are heard, Secretary of State Jena Griswold said in a statement. Im thankful to the Governor for his support to quickly resolve this unfortunate mistake. We want to resolve the current situation quickly by lending resources to help get the necessary passwords changed as quickly as possible with minimal impact on county clerk operations, Polis said. Griswold disclosed on Tuesday that a document posted to her offices website included a hidden but accessible worksheet that contained Basic Input Output System or BIOS passwords for more than 700 election system components in every Colorado county except Las Animas. The leak reportedly was brought to her offices attention by an affidavit sworn by an unnamed person and shared in a mass email this week by the Colorado Republican Party. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Griswold, a Democrat, says that the leak does not pose an immediate security threat to Colorados elections, a position echoed by county clerks from both parties as well as independent election security experts. Duncan Buell, a computer scientist who researches election systems and serves as the chair emeritus of the Computer Science and Engineering department at the University of South Carolina, said Wednesday that while the leak is concerning, he believes there are sufficient safeguards in place that this is not a disaster. The Colorado County Clerks Association reiterated in an update Thursday that anyone in possession of the BIOS passwords who wished to tamper with elections systems would still require physical access to the voting equipment, something strictly controlled by each county clerk and monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by video surveillance. We have been preparing for this election, including incident response and remediation, for years, Boulder County Clerk and Recorder Molly Fitzpatrick, president of the CCCA, said in a statement. We are confident that our security protocols will protect all ballots and ensure that each ballot is counted according to each voters intent. Trump campaign responds In a letter to Griswold dated Oct. 30, an attorney for former President Donald Trumps 2024 campaign demanded the secretary of state take a series of actions to immediately to protect the integrity of Colorados general election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump campaigns demands include the completion of a new trusted build the secure process by which software is installed and configured on local elections equipment in every affected county, as well as a halt to all processing of mail ballots until such a process is completed. We recognize these steps may be an inconvenience for your office and for the affected counties, wrote attorney Scott Gessler. But this inconvenience is necessary because it is the only way to guarantee that the elections equipment in those counties whose current BIOS passwords were disclosed by your office are secure and that the chain-of-custody for that equipment required by Colorado law and regulations is unbroken. Gessler, who served one term as Colorados secretary of state from 2011 to 2015, has represented Trump in multiple legal proceedings in Colorado over the last several years, and has a history of spreading false and exaggerated claims about elections. In an unsuccessful bid for chair of the Colorado Republican Party in 2021, Gessler echoed Trumps false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. During his term in office, he was a vocal promoter of allegations of voter fraud, which elections experts and law enforcement agencies have consistently found is extremely rare. Following the 2012 election, Gessler announced that he had referred 155 suspected cases of voter fraud to local prosecutors across Colorado. Only four people were charged, and prosecutors ultimately only secured a single conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Claims of widespread fraud in 2020 and in other recent U.S. elections have been debunked by elections officials, experts, media investigations, law enforcement, and the courts. Throughout the 2024 campaign, Trump has continued to deny the legitimacy of his 2020 defeat and consistently evaded questions about whether he will accept the results of this years election. Matt Crane, executive director of the CCCA and a former Republican clerk in Arapahoe County, urged Coloradans on Thursday to cast their ballots with confidence in our system. It was built with many layers of security to protect against just this type of occurrence, Crane said. Every clerk is taking this issue seriously and is staying laser-focused on delivering the safe and accurate elections that Coloradans have come to expect from us. Mail ballots were sent to all eligible Colorado voters beginning Oct. 11. Its too late to return ballots through the mail, but voters can return them through a secure drop box or vote in person by visiting a polling center. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE By Scott DiSavino NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices edged up on Friday on reports Iran was preparing a retaliatory strike on Israel from Iraq in coming days, but record U.S. output weighed on prices. Brent futures were up 29 cents, or 0.4%, to settle at $73.10 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 23 cents, or 0.3%, to settle at $69.49. At their session highs, both benchmarks were up over $2 a barrel. Brent posted a weekly decline of about 4% with WTI down about 3%. On Thursday, U.S. news website Axios reported that Israeli intelligence suggests that Iran is preparing to attack Israel from Iraq within days, citing two unidentified Israeli sources. "Any additional responses from Iran might remain restrained, similar to Israel's limited strike last weekend, hence primarily intended as a demonstration of strength rather than an invitation to open warfare," said SEB Research analyst Ole Hvalbye. Iran and Israel have engaged in a series of tit-for-tat strikes within the broader Middle East warfare set off by fighting in Gaza. Previous Iranian air attacks on Israel on Oct. 1 and in April were mostly repelled, with only minor damage. Iran is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and produced about 4 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil in 2023, U.S. Energy Information Administration data showed. Iran was on track to export around 1.5 million bpd in 2024, up from an estimated 1.4 million bpd in 2023, according to analysts and U.S. government reports. Iran backs several groups that are currently fighting Israel, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and the Houthis in Yemen. A U.S. official asked Lebanon to declare a unilateral ceasefire with Israel to revive stalled talks to end Israeli-Hezbollah hostilities, a senior Lebanese political source and a senior diplomat said - a claim denied by both sides. Oil prices were also supported by expectations OPEC+ could delay December's planned increase to oil production by a month or more on concern over soft oil demand and rising supply. A decision could be made as early as next week. OPEC+ includes OPEC and its allies like Russia and Kazakhstan. As OPEC+ holds back on production, U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil said its global output hit an all-time high, while Chevron said its U.S. production hit a record high. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said this week that drillers pulled a record 13.5 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil out of the ground. EIA also said this week that output in August hit a record 13.4 million bpd, and has said that annual output was on track to hit a record 13.2 million bpd in 2024 and 13.5 million bpd in 2025. For a previous report on this story view the video player above. COLUMBUS (WCMH) A fugitive on the run, who was arrested on murder charges in Columbus over two years ago, was arrested Friday morning in the Cincinnati area. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, deputies arrested Mercedes Reyes, who is accused in a South Linden murder in 2022 and who recently posted an adjusted bond in March. A deputy told NBC4 that Reyes, 27, failed to appear in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas this summer after being indicted for the murder of Shomari Little. Man detained by Columbus police arrested for fatal shooting near Kroger Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little, 26, was shot and killed in the 1300 block of East 13th Avenue on Sept. 10, according to Franklin County Municipal Court records. The following day, Reyes, who reportedly fled the scene after the shooting, was named a suspect and a warrant was issued for her arrest. A Franklin County Municipal Court judge issued Reyes a $3 million bond, which was then adjusted to $1 million in common pleas court in Oct. 2022. Her bond was adjusted once again in Feb. 2024 to $500,000, which Reyes posted and twice in the spring of 2024 her release was upheld after meeting the terms of her bond, which included house arrest and wearing an angle monitor. But Reyes bond was forfeited when she failed to appear in court in June, around the time investigators believe she fled central Ohio. What the jury did not hear in the murder trial of former Columbus police officer Adam Coy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation by U.S. Marshal deputies, along with the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team, located Reyes in Norwood, Ohio and she was arrested near the 5100 block of Rhode Island Ave. It is unknown when she will be extradited to Columbus to resume her case, which includes two counts of 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. We live in a world of partisan media, in an ecosystem in which facts can go unchecked and opinion forms the reality for many audiences. But it didnt used to be this way. In the 1940s, concern over the dominance of the then-three major TV networks, ABC, CBS and NBC, led Congress and the Federal Communications Commission to establish the Fairness Doctrine, a policy that ensured that broadcasters would give airtime to contrasting opinions. It was in place until the late 1980s. Despite Congress attempts to codify it into law, the FCC under President Ronald Reagans administration repealed it, allowing for an environment in which biases can run rampant and public trust in journalism is at an all-time low. The news media play an important role in our society, including by helping citizens understand their society. Political scientists Paul Pierson and Eric Schickler go further, suggesting in their new book Partisan Nation that society has come to rely on the media as arguably the dominant pathway through which citizens make sense of the political world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given this dominance, there is an argument to be made not only for responsible journalism but also some new version of the Fairness Doctrine one that doesnt just give voice to different opinions but also ensures that they are rigorously fact-checked. The media have an opportunity to play a role in quelling polarization and helping lead people back to a moderate understanding of their country and the world in which they live. Critics argue that attempts to regulate what broadcasters say runs counter to the First Amendment. Given the array of news outlets, they argue that there are ample opportunities to hear different perspectives it is not the place of authorities to dictate what is fair access and which opinions can be presented. The fact is that not all people live in areas with reliable internet or cable connections. Last year, Forbes, citing a study by technology company BroadbandNow, reported that 42 million Americans have no access to broadband. And even if they have reliable access to sources of information, do we expect too much from people who are struggling with the realities of day-to-day life? Do they have the wherewithal to fact-check politicians claims? Audiences should be able to trust their media to provide them with balanced coverage that is free from lies. This has become all the more important as people become unable to separate truth from partisan fiction spewed by political leaders. When former President Donald Trump called into question the professionalism and impartiality of BBC reporter Jon Sopel, who is subject to the British version of the Fairness Doctrine, he reinforced the idea that we should distrust journalists particularly those asking the tough questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our journalists must remain free to subject politicians to debates and interviews we as voters need. We require our media to challenge both sides. If people are led to distrust sources that challenge their beliefs, that is a recipe for misinformation and susceptibility to disinformation, Yochai Benkler, Robert Faris and Hal Roberts argue in their book Network Propaganda. Challenging our preconceptions isnt just about helping us admit when we are wrong but also confirming when we might be right. If we fail to listen to different sides of the argument and sources of information, it doesnt matter how plentiful those sources might be. While some believe that the former president was facing three opponents during ABCs presidential debate, checking wild and baseless claims must be the duty of journalists standing up for principled reporting. When one side appears more extreme in their views, objectivity will of course seem imbalanced, but we can little afford audiences succumbing to ludicrous propaganda, such as about Haitian immigrants eating pets. We must push against confirmation bias and remain tethered to reality so that important policy differences can be questioned and decisions reached about charting the best course forward. Unfortunately, we live in a time in which people are prone to believing stories not based in fact but rooted in emotion, anchored in a toxic environment of polarizing partisanship. To counter this, we need journalists to be empowered to ask hard questions and challenge perspectives, but most importantly, to be believed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While we should of course protect free speech, there are media entities that appear to require a new set of rules or journalistic code to ensure that they do not fail in their fact-checking and truth telling. Public trust relies on ethical journalism, and in these high-stakes times, we need guidance so our societal tensions dont boil over and we dont lose the ability to see the truth and make sense of the world. ____ James Coltella is a freelance writer and strategic communications professional. He recently graduated from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government with a masters in public administration. He grew up in the United Kingdom and Italy. _____ I am old enough to remember a time in our countrys history when a president was someone to respect and emulate. John F. Kennedys book Profiles in Courage was an inspired read to this scruffy South Side Chicago kid, who had aspirations of becoming president, or perhaps a lawyer, like my other hero Abraham Lincoln. Equally aspirational was Lyndon Johnsons continuation of Kennedys Great Society, a place, Kennedy said, where the meaning of mans life matches the marvels of mans labor. Out of this vision came the 1965 Medicare amendment to Social Security, an amendment that I use with each trip to see my growing list of specialists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Visionary words matched subsequent deeds, as when the historic Civil Rights Act was passed, making it a crime to discriminate in the workplace and all public facilities based on race and gender. Head Start was established. Volunteers in Service to America sent thousands of idealistic young people into impoverished regions of the United States as part of Johnsons 1964 War on Poverty. These programs led to my own engagement in our sacred democracy. They have lifted up our nation and remain examples of how the government can be a safety net for those who struggle. And, for this aging boomer, Johnson, Kennedy and Lincoln will always have my respect. I so badly miss that time of presidential reverence, a time that younger Americans certainly cannot imagine in this campaign cycle of swear words, crass sexual innuendos, gaslighting and blatant lies. When I listen to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump bellow out his profane tropes against his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, and anyone who will not flatter him, I am reminded of an over-the-hill comedian performing in a Las Vegas nightclub. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have three grandchildren who I want to be engaged in our fragile democracy. I want them to respect the office of the president. I want their generation to look to whoever holds that office as an inspiration to a higher calling. I want my grandkids to view a president as someone who will inspire them to be their best selves. Country over party. Selflessness over selfishness. I want them to be able to quote a presidents speech, with the same enthusiasm they exhibit when they sing Taylor Swifts lyrics. I lit up with patriotism when Kennedy said, Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: Ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. So I ask you, my fellow Americans who support Trump: What words has your pick to be president said during this campaign that inspires you? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Was it the recent riff on Arnold Palmer? When he took showers with the other pros, they came out of there, they said, Oh my God, thats unbelievable.' Perhaps it was this quote that solidified your vote for Trump: I used to think the Democrats were crazy for saying men have periods. But then I met Tim Walz. Or did you cheer when your man attacked solar farms in Arizona? He roared that they were all steel and glass and wires. It looks like hell. And you see rabbits get caught in it. Huh? For Veterans who Support Trump, did the following comment he made during his presidency make you salute? Vietnam would have been a waste of time for me. Only suckers went to Vietnam. Trumps bone spurs diagnosis assured that he would not be a sucker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When U.S. Sen. John McCain died and the flags were correctly lowered to half-staff to honor a true hero, Trump raged to his aides, Were not going to support that losers funeral. What the (expletive) are we doing that for? Guy was a (expletive) loser. Note: If McCain is not a hero, who is? Does any of the above inspire you or your children and grandchildren to be their best selves? Do you want your offspring to parrot those words? What sort of vulgar example is this for future generations that we hope will cherish and defend our sacred democratic values and freedoms? Words can enlighten and educate, but they also have the power to hurt and sting. The insulting obscenities that Trump utters during his stand-up routines are dangerous. _____ Author and journalist Stephen J. Lyons is a former speech writer at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. _____ No matter who wins on Election Day, the nations newsies will be left playing a losing hand. My sisters and brothers of the Fourth Estate have taken a brutal beating in these treacherous political times. News organizations and journalists are being blamed for everything from inspiring assassination attempts to manufacturing fake news to swinging the Nov. 5 presidential election. We are despised, mistrusted and ridiculed at every turn. As a result, our legacy media are crumbling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American newspapers are vanishing at an alarming rate, according to a study just out from Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism. The research by the schools Medill Local News Initiative found that 127 newspapers went under in the last year more than two per week. The nation has lost 3,200 newspapers, more than one-third, since 2005. That trend has inspired more news deserts that is, communities that suffer from having no local source for news. The study found there are 208 counties across the country without any news source, up from 204 last year, the research shows. Another 1,563 counties have only one news source. Altogether, that means almost 55 million people in the United States have limited or no access to local news. And more than 7,000 newspaper jobs disappeared between 2022 and 2023, compared with a few hundred the year before. Broadcast media are also losing audiences to massive cable cutting and the streaming mania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, traditional staples such as editorial board endorsements, once sought by candidates and valued by news consumers, are going by the wayside. Last week, the owners of The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times triggered the ire of readers when they decided that their papers editorial boards would not endorse a 2024 presidential candidate for the first time in decades. That move has spurred more than 200,000 Washington Post readers to cancel their digital subscriptions. That number represents about 8% of the papers paid circulation of 2.5 million subscribers, which includes print as well, according to NPR. Several Post editorial staffers quit in protest. Many believe the owners of these Democrat-leaning newspapers ducked the endorsements for fear of retribution from former President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Billionaire newspaper owners, it seems, are cowed by the presumed power of a second Trump term. Still, I am not canceling my subscription. I will not add to the deluge of assaults on my profession. We must build back up, not tear down. There has been a long slide of credibility in my profession. The trust has been broken. The presidential race has ramped up the peril, according to a report released Oct. 1, What the U.S. election could mean for journalists and global press freedom, from the Committee to Protect Journalists. Interviews with journalists, lawyers and press freedom advocates revealed that media workers are confronting challenges that include an increased risk of violence, arrest, on- and offline harassment, legal battles, and criminalization, report author Katherine Jacobsen writes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She cites other concerns: Political polarization, the legacy of the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol, and a lack of police accountability for their treatment of journalists emerged as additional causes for concern. It was a wakeup call to the fragility of our democracy and trust in institutions like journalism, like the government thats been eroding for a very long time, photojournalist Amanda Andrade-Rhoades said. Assaults on journalists in the United States are skyrocketing, jumping by more than 50% this year, as compared with 2023, according to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, a nonpartisan news website and database that monitors such incidents. The dark and angry demonization of the media in politics, courtesy of Trump and his allies, is a chief instigator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I say up front, openly, and proudly, that when I win the Presidency of the United States, they and others of the LameStream Media will be thoroughly scrutinized for their knowingly dishonest and corrupt coverage of people, things, and events, the former president wrote last month in a Truth Social post. He attacked the iconic CBS magazine show 60 Minutes for editing one of Harris answers in an interview, though that is a routine and accepted practice. At a recent campaign rally in Arizona, Trump resurrected an attack from his 2016 campaign, when he charged that journalists are the enemy of the people. ABC News quoted Trump declaring to a jeering crowd: Theyre the enemy of the people. They are. Ive been asked not to say that. I dont want to say it. And some day, theyre not going to be the enemy of the people, I hope. When news organizations attempt to fact check their lies at speech, debates and rallies, Trump and running mate U.S. Sen. JD Vance have bitterly complained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps July appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago kicked off more than an hour late, reportedly because the campaign would not allow him to take the stage unless the journalists group agreed to refrain from fact-checking his comments. NABJ held firm, and prepared to cancel the event, until the Trump campaign relented. In this election year, misinformation and distrust are winning out over facts, figures, reality and truth. Social media and intentional misinformation campaigns are fanning those flames. Win or lose, Trumps MAGA movement will continue its efforts to discredit and threaten journalists everywhere. The threats to the media are all around, and they affect not only my colleagues and the news organization they work for; they also threaten your freedom, our democracy and everything that you value. How much longer will journalists be there to fight back? ____ (Laura Washington is a political commentator and longtime Chicago journalist.) _____ If we didnt know any better, we might flip through the newspaper and conclude that the international order the United States helped construct after World War II was coming apart. We might also be led to believe that four countries, China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, are not only contributing to its demise but also forming an alliance to destroy the so-called rules-based order that senior U.S. officials crow about. Since the war in Ukraine erupted in February 2022, U.S. foreign policy experts have used the word axis to describe the blossoming relationships among Beijing, Moscow, Tehran and Pyongyang. Some refer to the bloc as an axis of upheaval; and others frame it as an axis of revisionist powers or the wordier axis of growing malign partnerships. Even the phrase the axis of evil, which President George W. Bush famously cited during his 2002 State of the Union address, is reappearing in popular discourse. But is any of it true? Is this axis framing correct? Or is the U.S. dealing with a collection of adversarial states whose interests at the moment are temporarily aligned? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, cooperation among China, Russia, Iran and North Korea is in fact happening. They may be very different countries with different languages, cultures and history, but all four view the United States as a hostile adversary. The U.S. has sanctioned Iran and North Korea to the hilt, and the sanctions have grown only stronger over the last few years. China sees the U.S. as its primary competitor and a country seeking to corral allies to contain Chinese power and development. Russia, of course, has even bigger gripes; were it not for more than $60 billion in U.S. military aid, Russian President Vladimir Putins troops would likely be in a more advantageous position in Ukraine than they are today. But we shouldnt overstate the similarities and ignore the nuances. What the U.S. and its allies are confronting is less an axis, per se, than a temporary alignment that is shallower than it appears. Take the Russia-North Korea relationship, which is making news at the moment. According to officials from the U.S., South Korea and Ukraine, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un deployed approximately 12,000 of his troops to Russia, where they are undergoing training before being sent to the Kursk region to fight off the ongoing Ukrainian offensive. On the surface, this looks like a big deal: One country, North Korea, is putting its citizens in harms way on behalf of another, Russia. The deployment comes four months after Kim and Putin signed a comprehensive partnership agreement that binds both to come to each others defense if either one is attacked or invaded. Even this dramatic development, however, is driven by pragmatism. Kim isnt lending thousands of North Koreans to Russia out of the goodness of his heart or because he buys the Kremlin narrative that Ukraine is an artificial creation. Hes doing it because, presumably, Russia will pay North Korea back down the line. Indeed, Pyongyang appears to be getting some returns on its investment in the form of desperately needed food aid, energy assistance, support at the United Nations Security Council and transfers of military technology that could improve Pyongyangs satellite program. For example, Russia killed off an extension of a U.N. panel monitoring North Korea sanctions in the spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cost-benefit ratio is in North Koreas favor at the moment. What about ties between China and Russia? Even before the war in Ukraine, relations between these two former antagonists were improving quite well. The Russian and Chinese delegations have frequently teamed up at the Security Council to stonewall or block U.S. initiatives. The Russian and Chinese militaries are exercising with each other more regularly and even poking the U.S. in the eye on occasion in July, the U.S. Air Force intercepted a few Russian and Chinese bomber aircraft operating in Alaskas Air Defense Identification Zone. Of most concern to President Joe Bidens administration, China continues to serve as a lifeline for the Russian economy and the Russian war effort, with Beijing receiving discounted oil from Moscow and exporting dual-use items, such as microchips, that could be reapplied to military systems. But even the strategic partnership between Beijing and Moscow has its limits, notwithstanding what Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Putin may assert otherwise. While theres no question that Russia would be in far worse shape were it not for Chinas support Secretary of State Antony Blinken said as much in April Beijing is careful not to throw all its eggs in its Russian basket. The last thing Xi wants to do at a time when the Chinese economy is starting to slow down is jeopardize relations with the West, which remains Chinas major trading partner. Russia, whose own trade with China reached a record $240 billion last year, simply cant compete with markets in the United States and the European Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Geopolitically, China likely isnt particularly happy with Russias closer relationship with North Korea. Beijing is used to being the predominant external powerbroker with respect to the North and aims first and foremost to maintain balance and stability on the Korean Peninsula. One cant say the same thing about Russia, whose appetite for risk is higher now than it was. With the war in Ukraine churning on, more U.S. focus on East Asia works for Russia. Not so with China. International politics are too complicated for neat binaries. ____ Daniel DePetris is a fellow at Defense Priorities and a foreign affairs columnist for the Chicago Tribune. ___ Floodwaters and a destroyed building block a road in Swannanoa, N.C., on Sept. 27, 2024. Credit - Mike BellemeThe New York Times/Redux For the first two days after Hurricane Helene, Ken Floyd, a 41-year-old general manager of the Monte Vista Hotel in Black Mountain, North Carolina, was in a state of stress. The father of three was trapped at home with his family as a landslide rampaged the surrounding area, taking down trees and impacting roads, barring his ability to check in on others. It was just a constant worry of when can we get out of here? says Floyd. I was worried and concerned about my staff at the hotel. I wanted to make sure everybody was okay. Monte Vista Hotel became a meeting point for the community after two managers sprung into action to feed hungry guests. About two days later, I was able to finally get outand they had turned feeding those 10 guests to feeding the entire town, Floyd says. I saw hospitality at its heart. I've been doing this for 20 years, and I saw it at its heart for really the first time that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But despite local efforts for recovery, some residents feel frustrated by delays in federal aidand worry whether the government will meet the moment. This was a 1000-year storm, says Floyd, echoing meteorologists who have said the chances of a hurricane like Helene, with such rainfall, had less than a 0.1% chance of happening in any given year. Floyd, who is calling for greater financial support from state and federal officials, including FEMA, says that rebuilding efforts post-storm are difficult given the new hurricane-resistant construction guidelines they must follow and delays in federal assistance. People are trying to go back in and rebuild and fix their houses, and now they're being told they have to elevate it or they can't build it all, he says. Gov. Roy Cooper met Valley residents at the Monte Vista Hotel in the wake of Hurricane Helene in Black Mountain, North Carolina, on Oct. 1, 2024. USA TODAY NETWORKReuters More than 100 people in the stateand at least 228 across the U.S.died due to the storm, nearly half of which came from Buncombe County, the western North Carolina county home to the small mountain town of Black Mountain. The region was devastated by Hurricane Helene on Sept. 28, with some nearby communities, like Busick, North Carolina reporting more than 30 inches of rainfall, which caused historic rates of flooding. North Carolinas Budget Office estimated recovery would cost some $53 billion to help repair the more than 600 bridges destroyed, 7,000 sites of road damage, and more. The effects of Helene extend past North Carolina. Hurricane Helene made landfall near Perry, Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on Sept. 26, bringing 15 feet of storm surge to the Big Bend, according to preliminary data, before impacting Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Alabama as well. After Helene, Milton, a Category 3 hurricane, arrived on Oct. 9, further damaging Florida and causing 150 tornado warnings in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We always find ways to recover but this last one, or the last two, was kind of a one-two punch between Helene and Milton, says David Buzza, a 65-year-old based in Madeira Beach, Florida, whose home was destroyed by the storm surge. It's the first time we've had direct hits. In the immediate aftermath of the storms, FEMA provided $750 serious needs assistance to help affected individuals across the U.S. pay for food, water, and other disaster-related goods. And in the weeks since Hurricane Helene, FEMA has given out $883 million in individual assistance and $524 million in public assistance. Some residents have reported delays. To date, I've not received one penny from FEMA. I have received a penny from my insurance carrier. We've been assessed. We made the claim the day after [the hurricane]. And here we sit, says Buzza, who was approved for FEMA aid in mid October. Buzza has invested at least $75,000 to help repair his home, he says. How many people you know can do that? In response to questions about delays, FEMA said that once a survivor is approved for assistance, they should receive direct deposits within 3 business days or 7-10 business days if they opted for a check. They pointed applicants to the DisasterAssistance.gov portal, FEMA app, or FEMA Helpline (1-800-621-3362) to check in on their application status. Floyd says that FEMA officials, who came to visit the community, have done a good job in sending linement to restore cell towers and power. In fact, FEMA has restored power across 99% of households and approximately the same percentage of cellular sites. But Floyd and others think the federal presence arrived too late. We were seeing an influx of volunteers from other states, from: Vermont, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, Alabama, people coming from all over, to help us in the first couple of weeks, before I even saw a FEMA official, he says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five weeks later, residents are still navigating life post-hurricane amid an uncertain restoration timeline. Both Black Mountain and Madeira Beach have local economies that depend on tourism. Floyd, who serves on the local chamber board, says that local officials are working hard to try to help businesses, but the storms impact is massive. We're hoping that we'll be able to kind of get some of that [tourism] back, but we don't know, says Floyd. I grew up in Florida, so I'm familiar with how hurricanes impact areas. I've never seen anything like this before. Volunteers wearing personal protective gear shovel mud out of a Main Street business after severe flooding from Hurricane Helene, in Marshall, North Carolina, U.S. October 10, 2024. Jonathan DrakeReuters Alex Matisse, founder of East Fork Pottery in Asheville, North Carolina, says that his production facilities were fortunate enough to not be impacted by the storm. The town was hit hard by Helene and had already received significant rainfall prior to the hurricane, making the soil oversaturated and causing the French Broad Rivers to overflow, cutting out power, and impacting cell tower lines. The lack of electricity made it impossible to make new dinnerware, but East Fork Pottery was still able to sell existing pottery online. We did this big saleand people showed up, says Matisse. [That] let us keep our people on payroll when so many people in Asheville were immediately laid off, especially because so much of this is tourism driven. Restaurants, hotels, all of those businesses closed immediately. East Fork Pottery has employed 19 additional workers to help fulfill the surge of orders theyve received in the aftermath of the hurricane. But Matisse is worried about other local business owners. One of the biggest struggles is that Asheville is a ghost town and October is [usually] the busiest seasonit's where everybody basically makes their profit for the year. Asheville saw water restored a week ago, but residents are still under a boil water notice. While local businesses may want to re-open, Matisse points out that the cost of doing so is a massive undertaking. Restaurants need to buy all of their food again and start people on payroll without a guarantee that customers will arrive. Some hotels, he says, have been able to reopen by purchasing massive tanks for potable water that Matisse says charge 10 cents per gallon and $600 for every tank delivery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The physical reminders of the hurricane have also affected residents. Buzzas Florida home is in a high humidity climate, which, when combined with flooding, made his house a burgeoning habitat for mold. While hes working on home restorations to make his home livable, he says some of his neighbors have not taken those precautions because of the lack of information regarding home remediation after flooding. And besides fears about unsafe living conditions due to mold in homes, the 12-foot-long pile of debris outside his home is a grim reminder of the last five weeks. Going through [the hurricane] and then continuing to see [the debris] in your face every single day is extremely difficult to emotionally deal with, says Buzza. Pinellas County, where Buzza lives, said in a mid-October announcement that debris pickup would be a major operation that will take months to complete. The county estimates there are approximately 1 million cubic yards of residential debris just in the unincorporated areas (not including the cities). The city of Madeira Beach alone has collected more than 20,000 cubic yards of debris as of the latest report on Oct. 22. However, residents remain frustrated. I understand it's a huge, huge task for FEMA to take on, but at the same time, this isn't the first rodeo, says Buzza, who is considering paying for the private removal of the debris. There's been other big storms, so I don't understand the breakdowns in the debris removal and the flow of money to people. Matisse reports similar wait times for debris pick-up in Asheville, which he says adds a very eerie feeling in so many places. Landscape changes have also been haunting. So many natural places have changed so muchplaces that were for refuge. Rivers have changed, hiking trails have changed with landslides. Theres so much of that as well. Overall, some residents say that while officials have ensured that there is sufficient food and connected those in need with temporary housing, greater immediate financial investment is necessary. Floyd fears that FEMA assistance, which caps at $43,500 per person, will be insufficient as some insurance companies are not covering water damage from the hurricane. You hope there's going to be a lot of other agencies out there that can assist, he says, because I don't think FEMA is going to be able to help as much as they should. Contact us at letters@time.com. WALTERBORO, S.C. (WCBD) A group of pastors and community members demanded further action from the Colleton County Sheriffs Office after a September incident involving a deputy outside of Cypress Creek Christian Church. He chose in mid-September to stop on this African American church property and do his business, said Pastor Thomas Dixon, a community activist, during a news conference on Thursday outside of the Walterboro church. And so, now were coming forward wondering why is it that hes not held to the same standard as everyone else? A video surfaced on social media a few weeks ago showing what CCSO claimed is Deputy Nathan Tuten about to urinate on the pump house outside of the church. The agency said Tuten didnt go through with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While we recognize that he made the bad choice to attempt to relieve himself behind a pump house on the propertysituated away from the church and highwayhe promptly returned to his patrol car upon seeing a camera and left the area immediately. Sheriff Hill and Deputy Tuten personally met with the Church Pastor and the Board of Trustees to offer their apologies, Detective Laura Rutland, the Public Information Officer for the Colleton County Sheriffs Office, said in part. Deputy Tuten did receive a consultation and verbal counseling for violating a department policy, according to Det. Rutland. The agency said the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Public Integrity Unit also investigated but submitted a letter of declination. What may seem as nothing more than a bad decision or poor judgement is very well a sign of the uttermost disrespect to those that are past, present, and those in the future, Pastor Keon Stephens, who is a Colleton County resident, remarked during the news conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pastor Dixon called for Deputy Tuten to be charged with indecent exposure and to be placed on unpaid administrative leave. So, whether he did it, or whether he didnt, the intent to disrespect, to violate, to desecrate, this property was done by that officer, Pastor Dixon said. Colleton County Sheriff Guerry Buddy Hill and Deputy Tuten issued a public apology back in September, calling the actions, inappropriate. Editors Note: Cypress Creek Christian Church was not involved in the press conference. The church pastor said they are satisfied with their conversations with the sheriffs office and Tuten. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Two American sociological companies that conducted exit polls during the 26 October parliamentary elections in Georgia have questioned the official results, which showed a victory for the ruling party, Georgian Dream. Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda Details: Edison Research, which conducted an exit poll commissioned by the opposition TV channel Formula, stated that the discrepancies between its results and those announced by the Central Election Commission could suggest possible fraud. The exit poll had projected 41% support for Georgian Dream and over 50% for the united opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The 13-point difference between Edisons estimate and the official result of 54% for Georgian Dream cannot be explained by normal variation alone and suggests local-level manipulation of the vote," the company said. Edison noted that the discrepancy between the forecasts and the official result was particularly noticeable at specific polling stations in villages. HarrisX, which conducted the exit poll for the opposition party Mtavari Arkhi, also questioned the official results. "We see statistically unexplainable discrepancies amounting to over 8 percent of the total vote, or at least 172,523 raw votes, across a minimum of 27 districts," the company said in a statement. Background: In their interim report on the elections in Georgia, international observers drew attention to the pressure on and intimidation of voters. Meanwhile, despite its victory, the ruling Georgian Dream party accused the opposition of supposed "vote theft" and is filing a complaint with the prosecutor's office. Support UP or become our patron! Two exit polls in last weekend's contested elections to the Georgian parliament conducted for opposition broadcasters have revealed wide discrepancies with the official results amid reports of irregularities. According to the official result, the ruling Georgian Dream party chaired by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili emerged the clear winner with 54% of the votes cast. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze termed the vote free and fair, but opposition parties backing closer links with the European Union called for protests on Monday, with another demonstration scheduled for Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Exit polling mirrored the identity of the commissioning organizations, with one conducted on behalf of broadcaster Imedi, which backs Georgian Dream, giving the party 56%. By contrast Edison Research, a US polling organization, gave 41% to Georgian Dream. Edison spokesman Rob Farbmann said the 13-point difference between its exit poll and the official result could not be explained by normal variations and indicated manipulation at local level. Another US-based polling organization, HarrisX, gave 42% to Georgian Dream and also said a variance of this kind could not be explained by statistical variance. The pollsters pointed to a striking example: In the Marneuli constituency, HarrisX put Georgian Dream on 40%, while the official result came in at 80%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) noted cases of intimidation, pressure on the authorities and violence directed at observers. It also noted instances of vote-buying and ballot-box stuffing. It also said preparations for the elections had been properly conducted and that there had been a broad choice with 18 parties on the ballot papers. The EU has put talks on Georgian accession on hold. House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner believes that the United States and NATO allies should be prepared to "attack directly North Korean troops" if they become involved in combat operations in Ukraine on Russia's side. Source: European Pravda with reference to Voice of America Details: Turner also believes Ukraine should respond to Russian attacks with strikes using weapons provided by alias on targets deep within Russian territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He emphasised that the involvement of North Korean forces in the war against Ukraine should be a red line for the US and NATO and allies should not rule out attacks on North Korean troops if they fight in Ukraine. Quote: "I think the United States and NATO allies should seriously discuss and consider attacking directly North Korean troops that are in Ukraine and that are attacking Ukraine." "North Korean troops do not belong in Europe attacking another European nation," Turner said. "I think it is in NATO's interest and certainly the United States' interests as a member of NATO that Asian North Korean communist troops should not be marching into a European country and attacking it," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turner stressed that a decision to attack North Korean troops does not necessarily need to be made but stated that "a valid discussion should be had". "I think they should have the discussion that North Korean troops should not be free from not being valid military targets by both NATO and the United States," Turner pointed out. Background: U.S. officials recently reported that around 8,000 North Korean troops are currently stationed in Russia's Kursk Oblast. The latest US estimate is that North Korea has deployed approximately 10,000 troops to Russia for training and to support combat operations against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the current Western response to North Koreas involvement as "zero". Support UP or become our patron! Oil prices rose on Friday amid warnings that Iran is plotting a retaliatory strike against Israel. The threat of escalating tensions led to prices rising by more than $2 a barrel, as traders responded to fears that fresh hostilities in the Middle East could disrupt global oil supplies. By mid-morning on Friday, the price of Brent crude had risen to $74.64, up from $72.31 on Thursday and $70.90 on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recent jump comes amid reports Iran is preparing to launch an attack against Israel within days, potentially from Iraqi territory. In a speech on Thursday, Major General Hossein Salami, of Irans Revolutionary Guards, said Tehrans retaliation against Israel would be unimaginable. It comes after Israel launched airstrikes on Iran last weekend. Ashley Kelty, research director at Panmure Liberum, said: It appears that markets have been too quick to write down the war premium for the Middle East, and the rise on Thursday reflects this. While the impact of the attacks would be on the smaller scale, the potential to drag Iraq into the equation for the conflict would open up scope for future attacks which could damage Iraqi energy infrastructure, and disrupt supplies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest rise has partially reversed the longer-term trend of declining oil prices, as the cost of a barrel was previously above $90 in April. A gradual fall over the summer was largely caused by concerns over global oversupply and reduced demand caused by an economic slowdown in China. However, while the recent rhetoric from Tehran has fuelled an increase in prices, Ole Hvalbye, a commodities analyst at Norwegian investors SEB Research, told Reuters neither Iran nor Israel will want to trigger a full-scale regional war. He said: Any additional responses from Iran might remain restrained, similar to Israels limited strike last weekend, hence primarily intended as a demonstration of strength rather than an invitation to open warfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analysts have also warned that future oil prices will be impacted by the outcome of the US election, as well as uncertainty surrounding the Opec cartels decision to increase oil production this month. Several international events have converged at the turn of the month that could see oil markets in for a bumpy ride in early November, said Mukesh Sahdev, from Rystad Energy. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Congressman Richard Neal met with MassDOT, state, and local leaders at Springfield Union Station to give an update on the West-East Rail project. Springfield was located in North, South, West, East opportunity, it was seen with that vision and now were in the stage of full implementation, said Neal. Springfield Union Station is expected to become a robust hub for railroad transportation, connecting the commonwealth. The project was given nearly $37 million from the federal railroad administration earlier this week. This is all part of the Springfield Area Track Recognition project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Track, signal, and infrastructure improvemnts are expected to be made to Springfield Union Station, reducing congestion and increasing rail capacity. The rail service will expand between western, central and eastern Massachusetts, connecting Pittsfield, Springfield, and Worcester. Some of the improvements expected to be made are high level platforms to make it easier for passengers to board a train. Along with designing new layover modern facilities for trains to be stored overnight or lightly serviced. Folks need to get in and out of the places they live, work and go to school. And weve seen very constantely investing in transportation and infrastructure not only improves peoples lives but improves the econmony and creates new jobs, said Massachusetts Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure, Quentin Palfrey. Now this is not the only effort being made towards improving the rail services. $500,000 dollars will be used to start scoping the Boston Albany corridor, which will begin in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement $108 billion is expected to go to track work in between Worcester and Springfield. This will enable two daily round trips to run from Boston to Springfield to New Haven. Construction for this is set to begin in 2027 and be completed by the end of 2029. There is also planning and design efforts for a furture Palmer Station and a track capacity improvement program in the area of Pittsfield. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Tired of seeing dozens of political text messages on your phone? Police departments across Connecticut are now warning that some of them may be sinister. The FBI has issued similar alerts about scammers who are using Election Day to take advantage of your wallet. Criminals are using local, state and national elections to financially exploit victims. Theyll use real candidates names, logos and slogans to try and solicit donations and sell merchandise or even still personal information that can be used in other frauds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Receive a text that claims youre not registered to vote? Do not click on any clinks. Instead, check with your local election office. You can also verify your registration status online. Does Connecticut allow same-day voter registration? Another example is scammers promising to give you a return on your donation if you invest in a pool to fund a campaign. Youre also encouraged to recruit friends and family. Others pretend to be part of a political action committee (PAC). The merchandise scams include selling you a product that doesnt exist. Police and the FBI stressed caution about receiving unsolicited calls, texts, emails or surveys. Do not lick on unknown links or provide your personal information to someone you dont know. Also look up a company online before making purchases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) A New Mexico cactus at the heart of an endangered species battle is now heading for a court battle. According to conservationists, the unique plant is at risk of disappearing in oil country and theyre suing for federal protection. Its beyond time that these species be protected, said Legal Fellow for the Center for Biological Diversity, Drew Baloga. Weve lost so many native species already. You want future generations to see this part of New Mexicos natural heritage, said Endangered Species Advocate with the WildEarth Guardians, Joanna Zhang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in 2020, WildEarth Guardians and the Center for Biological Diversity jointly filed for the fish and the cactus to be listed under the Endangered Species Act. The Fish and Wildlife Service responded to that petition with a positive 90-day finding which recognized that there were threats to these species that required more research, said Baloga. The federal government had a one-year deadline to determine if protection was warranted, something the groups said the Fish and Wildlife Service never met. Advocates said the flowering Clovers Cactus is a native species to San Juan, Rio Arriba, and Sandoval counties. However, the cactus is threatened by off-road vehicles and oil and gas production. Meanwhile, advocates said the Rio Grande Shiner is losing habitat with lower water levels. Thats why were moving forward with this lawsuit is to just ask the Fish and Wildlife Service to move forward with doing their status assessments, said Zhang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the lawsuit, the Fish and Wildlife Service told KRQE they dont comment on pending litigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Arkansas Childrens Hospital officials announced Friday that Nabholz Charitable Foundation has donated $1 million to the hospital. Hospital officials said the Nabholz donation is for the hospitals expansion project. They said the project now has $12.1 million in funding thanks to donations toward its $253.2 million goal. Arkansas Department of Human Services announces new prevention pilot programs for children and families Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nabholz Corporation CEO Jake Nabholz is chairman of the hospitals board of directors. He said the donation checks several boxes for the company. This year marks our companys 75th anniversary, and I cannot think of a better way to celebrate, Nabholz said. Our purpose is to grow our people, serve our clients, and build our communities. This gift reflects our ongoing commitment to our communities as Arkansas Childrens continues its legacy of excellent pediatric healthcare. Hospital officials said Nabholz Corporation has been a partner since the late 1970s when founder Bob Nabholz joined the hospital board. They added that four Nabholz executives have served as board members since then, while the company continues its philanthropic and volunteer service by supporting the hospital. Arkansas Childrens Hospital celebrates donors generosity Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hospital executive vice president and chief development officer Fred Scarborough said the two organizations have a shared vision. Their dedication to safety and community-building aligns perfectly with Arkansas Childrens core values, Scarborough said about Nabholz. Both organizations share a deeply rooted commitment to improving the lives of children. This shared vision has nurtured a partnership that has stood the test of time. UAMS, Arkansas Childrens awarded $3.2 million to develop next-generation treatments for rare childrens anomaly To learn more about the hospital and its vision, head to ARChildrens.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) After two straight days of record-breaking, summer-like weather in Syracuse, cooler air is coming back to Central New York to kickstart November. Mother Nature brought back summer one more time to make it the hottest Halloween on record in Syracuse! November starts much cooler We spent the morning in the 60s, but we will lose ground and drop through the 50s throughout the day. The gusty northwesterly wind makes it feel even chillier to round out the week. As the air progressively gets cooler down at the ground and aloft, we should begin to see some showers off Lake Ontario, especially late afternoon into the evening. Quiet weekend High pressure is building in for the weekend so the weather for Central New York looks to be quiet. With light winds to start Saturday, our clouds may be a bit stubborn so dont be surprised by a grey sky heading up to the Dome for the Syracuse-Virginia Tech game. As high pressure settles over us in the afternoon, however, there is increasing sunshine. There is a crisp, fall feel with temperatures only rising to near 50 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weather starts Sunday sunny with increasing clouds in the afternoon. These clouds are ahead of an approaching warm front. Warming up again next week The warm front mentioned above moves through Central New York on Monday so this is when we would expect our best chance for showers over the next seven days. Once the warm front moves to our north, we get another taste of warm weather for Election Day Tuesday. It may not touch 80 degrees like we have just enjoyed, but low to even mid 70s are possible and any rain chances look low. Click here for the latest 7-day forecast. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. A Grover Beach mayoral candidate and self-styled corruption-buster who was once named Hero of the Taxpayer has been accused of cheating the city by claiming low-income subsidies she may not deserve. As reported by The Tribunes Joan Lynch, Debbie Peterson is receiving discounted utility rates through the Grover Beach Customer Assistance Program, which helps low-income residents with water and sewer bills. She also receives a break on her electricity bill through PG&Es CARE program which is financed directly by ratepayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To qualify for the subsidies, a household of one or two people can earn no more than $40,800 a year in gross income. Some Grover Beach residents, including current Mayor Karen Bright, say Peterson earns more than that just from her vacation rentals. (They used the amounts shes paid the city in transient occupancy tax to determine her rental earnings.) On top of that, Peterson has other sources of income: She runs a successful real estate agency; she has written four books sold on Amazon; and in 2022, she was hired by Psychology Today to write a blog dealing with women, government and ironically corruption. She owns two homes the one in Grover Beach and one in Hawaii, which also doubles as a short-term rental. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not exactly the profile of someone in need of a leg up. And yet Peterson who has not responded to the allegations or repeated Tribune requests for an interview receives a break on water and sewer rates not just for herself, but also for her paying guests. And shes still not been satisfied. A $1,149 water bill When Petersons water bill was unexpectedly high for March and April $1,149 she asked the city to reduce it, even though it appeared the cause was most likely guests on March 26th who allowed water to overflow overnight to the point that it dripped through a water fixture on the floor below and flooded a closet, she wrote in a letter to the city, obtained by The Tribune through a Public Records Act request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately .... I am unable to pursue the guests or Airbnb on this matter and cannot recover it through my insurance due to a high deductible, she wrote. Peterson went on to ask the city to waive the costs over and above my regular water use. (The city politely refused to offer her special treatment, though it did allow her to make payments over time.) This was a problem created by Petersons guests. Yet she expected the city and, by extension, its taxpayers to pick up the tab? As a former council member and the citys first directly elected mayor a position she held from 2012 to 2014 she should know the city is not in a position to grant such favors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nor is it the type of behavior characteristic of a taxpayer hero especially one whos turned corruption-busting into a side hustle. Heres something she penned for Psychology Today: Psychologists provide observations on how corruption spreads. It starts when one person commits what may be a very small act that strays from best practice. In an organization, it may be as simple as stealing a pencil or taking a safety shortcut on a production line. If the act is not criticized, it becomes the standard for what is allowable. A once-promising career At one point, Peterson had what appeared to be a promising career in local politics. The Tribune Editorial Board enthusiastically endorsed her in the past, including when she ran for mayor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lately, though, shes been waging a type of war against the city of Grover Beach. She led a campaign against a water rate increase, ultimately succeeding in getting the City Council to back down and reverse its decision. (That helped earn her the hero award from the Central Coast Taxpayers Association.) Grover H20 a group Peterson leads still has a measure on the ballot to roll back water and sewer rates, jeopardizing some much-needed sewer repairs. The same group has another measure on the ballot to recall Councilman Dan Rushing because he supported the water rate increase even though he later voted to rescind it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grover H2O also collected enough signatures to force a vote on whether to elect rather than appoint a city clerk. That election will cost the city an estimated $300,000. Now that same group is collecting signatures to force a vote on whether the city should elect its city attorney. An elected city attorney? Only a handful of cities in California have elected attorneys and they are mostly large ones like Los Angeles, where the city attorney heads up a staff of 1,000 legal professionals. How much will it cost Grover Beach to deal with that nonsense? (Note to Grover voters: We urge you not to sign the petition.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Debbie Peterson is not some hero who has swooped in to save the city of Grover Beach from corrupt officials. She is an entitled private citizen who appears to be carrying out some vendetta against a small city thats doing the best that it can with limited resources. She is acting in her own best interests, rather than doing whats best for the citizens of Grover Beach. As mayor, she would be in a position to do even more damage. What kind of hero does that? Warnings are already mounting: Dont be surprised if we dont know on election night, Nov. 5, who won the presidency. It appears to be a historically close race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, after all. Some states will have to wait for nearly every ballot to arrive, be processed and be counted. Its not unusual, especially in a nation so evenly divided. All fair points. But if just a few more states would do things the way Texas does, we could lessen days of uncertainty and thus suspicion about the results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are the main culprits. They are perhaps the likeliest states to determine the Electoral College results. And both, maddeningly, decline to do what Texas and smarter swing states, such as Arizona and Georgia, will do. When election administrators in Texas counties release the first batch of actual results Tuesday night, they will include the complete tally of votes cast early both by voters who showed up in person the previous two weeks and those whose mail ballots arrived before Election Day. Thats typically a large percentage of the vote. It will tell us quickly which races are close and which may be over. Thanks to days of painstaking work allowed, and in some cases required, by state law, Texans can usually be sure theyll know who won even the closest races by the next day, at the latest. Texas law attempts to balance security, transparency and efficiency. Ballots cast early cannot be tabulated until Election Day, and they must be securely stored with rigorous measures specified under the law. But in the largest counties, including Tarrant, elections officials can begin the work to count those ballots after early voting ends Friday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The time is needed, an official in the Texas Secretary of States office notes, for tasks such as determining if write-in votes should count. County officials will work all weekend and Monday, if necessary, so that votes can be tabulated and released but only after polls close Tuesday. Extra time on the front end relieves pressure when anxious candidates and voters are waiting for information on election night. Mail-in votes, the subject of so much consternation, can be prepared ahead of time for counting. Voter signatures can be checked as votes roll in, as long as the transparency requirements for the countys Ballot Board are met. That provides time for a voter to correct an error that might disqualify a vote, even as late as Election Day. Deadlines are aggressive. Mail ballots sent within the U.S. must arrive within a day of the election. (Overseas ballots, including those for members of the military, have several more days to work their way here.) Counties must complete their counts within 24 hours. In Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, the law prohibits the kind of advance work that Texas encourages. Ballots that could be processed and prepared for immediate tabulation are left to sit until Election Day. In Pennsylvania, they cant be tabulated until the polls close on Tuesday. That, and the closeness of the race between Trump and Joe Biden, is why it took several days to determine the winner in Pennsylvania in 2020. In 2020, these Pennsylvania voters were still awaiting results on the Thursday after Election Day. That combination undermines confidence in the election. In 2020, Trump and some of his supporters over-simplified the narrative, noting that Trump led early tabulations but that the lead switched as more votes came in. Thats not fraud; its math. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But trust in elections is built upon transparency and efficiency. It doesnt take a conspiracy theorist to watch a process so unnecessarily delayed and wonder: Could someone be using that to game an advantage? Beyond the swing states, New York and California can take weeks to determine congressional winners, another blow to faith in elections. The partisan leaning isnt clear-cut, though. Some lawmakers in both swing states tried to improve their processes since 2020, but they ran into opposition, often from Republicans. Maybe it will be moot; maybe the election breaks one direction or the other and its obvious, even if not entirely official, who won by the end of the night. It happened as recently as 2012 and 2016, although that year, Trumps win wasnt confirmed until well after midnight. But if not, trouble will ensue. It would be a simple change for more states to follow the lead of, say, Georgia, where the top elections official said recently that he expects all but a handful of votes to be counted on election night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Texas, no one expects anything different. Any number of problems are possible results could be delayed if judges order counties to keep polling locations open late because of equipment problems. Harris County, which faces the dual challenges of incompetence and sheer size, could keep us wondering whether Ted Cruz or Colin Allred will head to the Senate. Texas elections are far from perfect. Its too hard to register to vote. Our booming urban and suburban areas need better infrastructure to reduce wait times, and theres a perpetual challenge of recruiting enough workers to get through an election cycle. But when it comes to counting, when tensions and suspicions can run high, we know what were doing. Well quickly know the results of almost every election in the state and have ample reasons to be confident in them. Every state could operate this way. It makes you wonder why some dont. A dog that looks similar to Gov. Jim Justice's English bulldog Babydog appeared in one of the west mural in the West Virginia Capitol. (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography) Legal counsel for Randall Reid-Smith filed a motion Thursday to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that Reid-Smith and other state officials did not follow proper procedures in the lead up to the installation of several murals in the state Capitol. The motion to dismiss was filed in Kanawha County Circuit Court by Charleston attorney Michael Hissam, who is representing Reid-Smith, the cabinet secretary for the states Department of Arts, Culture and History. In the motion, counsel says the initial filing against Reid-Smith and others is nothing more than an attention-seeking lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit was filed in September on behalf of citizen Gregory Morris and McDowell County artist Tom Acosta, who previously entered a bid to create the murals. It alleges that the lead up to the decision to install the murals circumvented state purchasing requirements and violated open meetings laws. The plaintiffs also allege that the inclusion of an English bulldog in one of the murals one with an uncanny likeness to Gov. Jim Justices pet and political prop, Babydog was evidence of Reid-Smith, who oversaw the drafting and installation of the murals, using his position for political and personal gain. In the suit, the filers ask for the purchasing contract for the murals to be voided, the payments for them to stop, the murals be removed and any future work on the project halted until a fair and competitive bidding process is held. They also want Reid-Smith who is named in the suit in both his cabinet secretary position and as chair of the Capitol Building Commission to pay attorneys fees for the legal proceedings on top of paying back the state the more than $400,000 already put into the mural project. In the newly filed motion on behalf of Reid-Smith, counsel argues that these demands for relief and the allegations made in the lawsuit are baseless and without any merit. [The lawsuit] does not allege any facts even suggesting [Acosta and Morris] were harmed by the allegedly unlawful action other than mere speculation that [Acosta] should have had the opportunity to be selected, the motion reads. It does not allege any facts suggesting a personal stake or particularized interest in the case whatsoever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The filers, counsel wrote in the motion, failed to identify any actual or particularized injury caused by the legal violations alleged in this case. The motion also disagrees with the attempt to include the judicial process in what is clearly a problem of politics and personal taste. It is patently clear from the face of the complaint and the tenor of Plaintiffs allegations that attack the artistic appearance of the existing murals, this case is not about the law, but about Plaintiffs personal disagreements with the murals themselves, the motion reads. According to arguments in the initial lawsuit, Reid-Smith made a unilateral decision without the OK from the Capitol Building Commission which reviews and rules on proposed alterations within the state Capitol complex to move forward with the mural project nearly 10 years after it was initially approved and, ultimately, scrapped. Initial approval for the project came from the commission in 2010. There were no funds available at the time, however, to move forward with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reid-Smith began work in 2021 to revisit the mural project, but the project was never brought to the Capitol Building Commission for another vote. The contract for performing the installation was given to Connecticut-based firm John Canning & Co., which was the original winner of a 2010 bid, without consideration or approval by current members of the commission. But last month, the Capitol Building Commission met and voted to ratify the mural project, which Thursdays motion argues makes the complaints lodged against the Commission and Reid-Smith in the initial suit moot. As a result [of that vote], Plaintiffs requests for relief have now been mooted by this official action, for which this Court can take judicial notice, counsel wrote. Four of the murals that are part of the project have already been installed and unveiled in the rotunda. The next phase of the project which is scheduled to be finished and unveiled in coming weeks will feature four more allegorical murals, also created and installed by John Canning & Co. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE JACKSON, Miss. (AP) An appeals court says a federal receiver can proceed with a takeover of a Mississippi jail where a judge found unconstitutional conditions and a stunning array of assaults, as well as deaths. A panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves acted properly in 2022 when he appointed a public safety consultant to act as a receiver for the Raymond Detention Center in Hinds County. The judges also wrote that we find that some constitutional violations remain current and ongoing at the jail outside Jackson. The takeover has been blocked pending the appeal by Hinds County, which argued that a federally appointed consultant would be utterly unaccountable to voters and taxpayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the appellate judges told Reeves to reevaluate the scope of the consultant's work and remove his budgeting power, ruling that the judge had given him overly broad authority to determine the annual budget for the jail, including for staff salaries and benefits, medical and mental health services and facility improvements. Giving those financial decisions to the consultant would allow him to ignore the budgetary constraints that the Hinds County Board of Supervisors has had to deal with in managing the jail, they wrote. Reeves put the jail into receivership in July 2022 after citing poor conditions, including deficiencies in supervision and staffing. Seven people died in 2021 while detained at the jail, he said. At that point, federal and state judges had ordered receiverships or a similar transfer of control for prisons and jails only about eight times across the country, according to Hernandez Stroud, an attorney at the Brennan Center for Justice at the NYU School of Law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October 2022, Reeves appointed Wendell M. France Sr., a public safety consultant, former correctional administrator and 27-year member of the Baltimore Police Department, to improve conditions at the jail. France was scheduled to assume operational control of the jail on Jan. 1, 2023. When he ordered a receivership, Reeves wrote that cell doors did not lock. A lack of lighting in cells made life miserable for the detainees who live there" and prevented guards from adequately watching detainees, he wrote. He also said that guards sometimes slept instead of monitoring the cameras in the control room. Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones has said county officials are committed to fixing the jail's problems, many of which stem from staffing shortages. In October 2023, Jones announced that one of the worst parts of the jail had been closed and 200 inmates had been transferred to a privately run prison in Tallahatchie County, nearly 150 miles (241 kilometers) to the north. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) An appeals court says a federal receiver can proceed with a takeover of a Mississippi jail where a judge found unconstitutional conditions and a stunning array of assaults, as well as deaths. A panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves acted properly in 2022 when he appointed a public safety consultant to act as a receiver for the Raymond Detention Center in Hinds County. The judges also wrote that we find that some constitutional violations remain current and ongoing at the jail outside Jackson. The takeover has been blocked pending the appeal by Hinds County, which argued that a federally appointed consultant would be utterly unaccountable to voters and taxpayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the appellate judges told Reeves to reevaluate the scope of the consultants work and remove his budgeting power, ruling that the judge had given him overly broad authority to determine the annual budget for the jail, including for staff salaries and benefits, medical and mental health services and facility improvements. Simpson County coach charged with sexual battery Giving those financial decisions to the consultant would allow him to ignore the budgetary constraints that the Hinds County Board of Supervisors has had to deal with in managing the jail, they wrote. Reeves put the jail into receivership in July 2022 after citing poor conditions, including deficiencies in supervision and staffing. Seven people died in 2021 while detained at the jail, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At that point, federal and state judges had ordered receiverships or a similar transfer of control for prisons and jails only about eight times across the country, according to Hernandez Stroud, an attorney at the Brennan Center for Justice at the NYU School of Law. In October 2022, Reeves appointed Wendell M. France Sr., a public safety consultant, former correctional administrator and 27-year member of the Baltimore Police Department, to improve conditions at the jail. France was scheduled to assume operational control of the jail on Jan. 1, 2023. When he ordered a receivership, Reeves wrote that cell doors did not lock. A lack of lighting in cells made life miserable for the detainees who live there and prevented guards from adequately watching detainees, he wrote. He also said that guards sometimes slept instead of monitoring the cameras in the control room. Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones has said county officials are committed to fixing the jails problems, many of which stem from staffing shortages. In October 2023, Jones announced that one of the worst parts of the jail had been closed and 200 inmates had been transferred to a privately run prison in Tallahatchie County, nearly 150 miles (241 kilometers) to the north. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hinds County Board of Supervisors released the following statement. Hinds County has received the recent ruling of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the Raymond Detention Center. The County remains pleased that it is no longer under a Consent Decree for its detention facilities. That is an accomplishment that is ten years in the making. We are aware that elements of the United States District Courts Injunction regarding the Raymond Detention Center remain in effect. However, currently, no operating portion of the Raymond Detention Center has been declared unconstitutional. Therefore, Hinds Countys legal team will continue to review the Fifth Circuits ruling and seek clarification as to the current application of the United States District Courts Injunction. In the meantime, Hinds County will continue the construction of the new detention center complex that will appropriately serve the citizens of Hinds County in the near future. Hinds County Board of Supervisors Close Thanks for signing up! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) -Federal prosecutors charged a Pennsylvania man on Thursday with insider trading for using tips from his domestic partner to trade illegally ahead of CVS Health's $9.5 billion purchase last year of primary care provider Oak Street Health. Carlos Sacanell, 58, of Willow Grove, was also charged with lying to the FBI by denying having received the tips before the takeover was announced in February 2023. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a related civil case against Sacanell. Authorities said Sacanell generated $617,000 of trading profit in Oak Street stock and options after his partner, a senior Oak Street executive, shared material non-public information about the planned takeover. The SEC said the trading began two days after Sacanell's partner, who had learned a takeover might be in the offing, lamented in a text message that it was "very uncomfortable having information I can't share." Sacanell texted back that his partner should tell inquiring co-workers "you don't know" what's going on, the SEC said. The defendant was arrested on Thursday at his home, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero in Philadelphia. Sacanell's partner was not charged. Zak Goldstein, a lawyer for Sacanell, said in an email he was disappointed with the indictment because there had been an "enormous amount of public information" about the takeover. He said Sacanell looked forward to resolving the matter in court. CVS, the drugstore chain and pharmacy benefits manager, agreed to buy Oak Street for $39 per share, 50% above where the stock traded shortly before news of the takeover became public, the SEC said. Oak Street's share price rose 36% over the next two days, including after CVS announced the takeover. CVS valued the transaction at $10.6 billion including debt. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Marguerita Choy) TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) The Texas Third Court of Appeals denied an emergency motion filed by the Travis County Republican Party this week that asked the court to order the County Clerk to replace election officials at polling sites, alleging there was an imbalance of Democrat and Republican poll workers. The Chair of the TCRP announced today it appealed the decision to the Texas Supreme Court. The party originally filed a formal complaint to the Office of the Attorney General and the Secretary of State last week, according to a news release. The TCRP filed the emergency petition on Wednesday and requested quick action from the court because of the election. A response from the Third Court of Appeals came a day later and said the motion for expedited relief is dismissed as moot, according to a court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED | Travis County GOP sues over lack of Republican poll workers, had sent in over 900 names The mootness reason cited by the 3rd Court of Appeals can reasonably apply to Early Voting which ends today, but it cannot reasonably apply to Election Day, which is Tuesday, Matt Mackowiak, the Chair of the TCRP, said in a statement on Friday. As long as I am TCRP chair, we will hold local government accountable when they violate our rights and risk election integrity. This is an egregious example, and we look forward to having our day in court. The Travis County Clerks Office was pleased with the courts decision. In a statement to KXAN, the office said, This sends a strong message to our staff and election workers that their hard work is valued. We take all allegations of this nature seriously but are not distracted from administering an open and accessible election for all eligible voters. We appreciate the continued dedication of the team of bipartisan election workers and their ongoing commitment to serving Travis County. In a news release earlier this week, the TCRP alleged nearly a quarter of polling sites in the county do not have any Republican alternate judges and half of the sites do not have any Republican polling workers for the morning or evening shifts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is totally unacceptable that large portions of our country have no Republican election judges assigned, despite our providing far more than the number of available workers needed, Mackowiak said in Fridays release. The release also said the TCRP sent the County Clerks Office a list of 900 names of qualified Republican volunteers in June. The party alleged only 72 Republicans were selected for the 306 total clerk positions. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. PHOENIX (AP) Arizona's secretary of state office must release a list of tens of thousands of voters who were mistakenly classified as having access to the full ballot because of a coding glitch, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled Thursday. Secretary of State Adrian Fontes' office initially denied a public records requests for the list that was filed by America First Legal, a group run by Stephen Miller, a onetime adviser to former President Donald Trump. Fontes' office cited concerns over the accuracy of the list and the safety of the voters included. Judge Scott Blaney said the court received no credible evidence showing the information would be misused or encourage violence or harassment against the voters whose citizenship hasn't been verified. Blaney set a deadline of noon Monday for Fontes' office to release a list of 98,000 voters and information Fontes relied on when announcing in early October that even more voters had been impacted for a total of 218,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arizona is among the most closely watched states given its presidential battleground status, and both campaigns have ramped up their presence in recent weeks to court undecided voters. The coding glitch doesn't impact federal races. But it led to a decision from the state Supreme Court in September that the misclassified voters representing about 5% of all undecided voters still could vote the full ballot even though officials haven't confirmed whether they are U.S. citizens. That number of voters could tip the scales in tight local and state races, as well as fiercely competitive ballot measures on abortion and immigration. The voters are nearly evenly registered as Democrats, Republicans or with neither of those parties. Fontes has said he has the list of 98,000 voters but not a more expansive one despite declaring many more were affected. His office said Thursday that it's reviewing Blaney's decision and weighing its options. Blaney restricted Strong Communities Foundation and its legal counsel, America First Legal, from distributing information they receive from Fontes' office ahead of Election Day on Tuesday to anyone but county recorders, the Arizona Senate president and speaker of the Arizona House and members of the elections committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement America First Legal's counsel, James Rogers, said in a statement Thursday that the group is hopeful the records could be used to verify the citizenship of voters on the list. It is unfortunate that Secretary Fontes so aggressively opposed our common-sense efforts to help restore trust in our states election system, Rogers said. The ruling also requires Fontes office to release communications and data transmissions with a number of government agencies, including the Arizona Department of Transportation and Gov. Katie Hobbs office. The misclassification of voters from federal-only to full-ballot voters was blamed on a glitch in state databases involving drivers' licenses and the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arizona is unique among states in that it requires voters to prove their citizenship to participate in local and state races. Those who havent but have sworn to it under the penalty of law are allowed to participate only in federal elections. The state considers drivers licenses issued after October 1996 to be valid proof of citizenship. However, the system coding error marked 218,000 voters who obtained licenses before 1996, mistakenly, as full-ballot voters, state officials said. A judge has ruled against 10 Miami Beach voters who challenged the City Commissions recent decision to remove a referendum from the ballot. The ruling came after the Miami Beach City Commission voted on Wednesday to repeal Referendum 8, a Nov. 5 ballot question on whether to implement a 1% food and beverage tax to support homelessness and domestic abuse services. Referendum 8 will still appear on ballots, which have already been printed, but voters will be instructed not to vote on the measure. Any votes on it will not count. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his ruling, Circuit Court Judge Antonio Arzola expressed concern about the timing of the commissions decision to repeal Referendum 8. Nevertheless, he maintained, the City Commission had the authority to do so. The plaintiffs had not suffered irreparable harm, Arzola determined, so he said that he could not grant them an injunction against their local government. But while voters arent able to vote on the measure this election cycle, he added, they may well be able to vote on it in a future election by petitioning for it to be reintroduced. The plaintiffs, all Miami Beach voters, sought a court injunction to nullify the City Commissions decision. With the election already underway, the plaintiffs attorney, Gerald Greenberg, argued in court Friday that the repeal was unprecedented, unlawful and disenfranchised voters. For the first time in the history of Florida, an election would be called off while it was already happening, said Greenberg. This is not about the right or wrong of the tax. This is a democracy question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miami Beach Deputy City Attorney Henry Hunnefeld, who represented the City Commission, countered that the referendum and whether or not to put it on the ballot is a political question. As such, argued Hunnefeld, it was the commissions prerogative to scrap the ballot question. The courts, he said, should stay out of it. Were dealing with the will of the commission, the elected body of the city of Miami Beach, said Hunnefeld, adding, Theyve determined that they dont want this issue to go forward. Bad timing? Timing is everything in this case. In their official complaint, the plaintiffs referenced the Miami Beach City Commissions effort to remove the ballot question six days before the Nov. 5 general election and weeks after early voting began and approximately 20,000 residents had already voted. Votes that have already been cast will be thrown out, argued Greenberg, who questioned why the City Commission waited until just days before the election to scrap the referendum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The citys response: A new commission was elected last November, after a July 2023 resolution to vote on the tax this year took effect. Since then, said the city, the commission simply hasnt had time to address the issue. David Suarez, one of the commissioners who took office last year and has opposed the tax, said he was unaware that Referendum 8 was even on the ballot. Regardless, Hunnefeld asserted, and the judge agreed, that because it was the commission that passed the resolution calling for the referendum in the first place, the commission could pass a resolution repealing the referendum. A logistical headache Both sides agreed that informing voters of any change will be a logistical headache. Ballots have already been printed, meaning the question will appear regardless. Greenberg, the plaintiffs lawyer, said that if the Elections Department puts up notices urging voters not to vote on Referendum 8, which it will now do, it could cause confusion in such a big-ticket election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunnefeld made a similar argument, which Arzola echoed in his ruling, but from the opposite opinion. Citing Miami Beachs social media platforms, television channel and the Heralds coverage of the repeal, the city contended that many voters had already been informed of the referendums cancellation. To put it back on the ballot, he said, would cause further confusion. Background In a non-binding 2021 straw poll, 53% of Miami Beach voters asked the City Commission to urge the state legislature to allow Miami Beach to levy a 1% food and beverage tax to fund homeless and domestic violence services. The Florida Legislature agreed. In response, the Miami Beach City Commission passed a resolution last November calling for the tax to go to a vote during the Nov. 5, 2024, general election. The 1% tax would apply to all food and beverage sales at businesses that sell alcohol for on-site consumption and whose annual revenue exceeds $400,000. Hotels and motels are excluded from the tax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bal Harbour will vote on the measure. Ron Book, chairman of the Homeless Trust, Miami-Dades homeless services agency, estimates that the tax would generate upwards of $10 million annually. Eighty-five percent of that money would go to the Homeless Trust, said Book, with the remaining 15% going to domestic violence shelters. That sum, Book told the Heralds Editorial Board, would be enough to get everyone off the streets whos willing to come off in up to two years. Commissioners Suarez, Kristen Rosen Gonzalez and Joseph Magazin, as well as Mayor Steven Meiner, opposed the measure, expressing concerns about the messaging pushed by a political action committee surrounding the ballot question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suarez asserted that the ballot question was intentionally misleading and aimed to take advantage of taxpayer money by transferring it from Miami Beach taxpayers to an unelected county organization, referring to the Homeless Trust. I find it enormously unfortunate, Book said of the ruling, adding that the plaintiffs were leaning against appealing the decision due to time constraints. But, said the Trusts chairman, well attempt to work with the city, and well try to see if we can find a better way to get this back on the ballot in the future. CRAWFORD COUNTY, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) The Crawford County Airport has been awarded 2024s best small airport in Illinois. This comes less than two years after a tornado completely destroyed the airport. Secretary of the Crawford County Airport Authority Board Vicki May said that this is an honor that they have been trying to get for years. Local stores host Trick-or-treating around Rockville Square It is huge because of us always wishing we could win this and be recognized for, to us, an excellent small airport, said May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement May says that they are now in the process of building a new office space that will also allow the reboot of some of their aviation education programs. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com. TAYLORVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) Christian County Crime Stoppers is asking the public to help them figure out who broke a window at a Taylorville home last week. Crime Stoppers said that early on Oct. 20, an unknown person damaged a picture window at a home on Haner Street near West Springfield Road. The unknown person is said to have walked up to the front porch, picked up a piece of concrete and broke the window. Three teens accused of robbing Decatur pizza delivery driver Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this time, Crime Stoppers does not know how much it will cost to repair the damage. Christian County Crime Stoppers asks that anyone with information on this crime to call them at 824-9100, text them at CRIMES(274637), on contact them on their website at Christian County Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1000 for information that leads to an arrest and double for information that leads to an arrest for the crime of the week. Crime Stoppers also said theyll never ask for a tipsters name, only their information. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. (HUERFANO COUNTY, Colo.) The 3rd Judicial District announced that a plea agreement has been reached with Michael Estrada for Second-Degree Murder for his involvement in a crash that happened on March 9. According to the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), on March 9 at 2:50 p.m., troopers were dispatched to a serious crash on Colorado State Road 12 at mile marker 13. The crash involved a 2013 EMC Sierra driven by Estrada and a 1999 Jeep Wrangler driven by Brendon Beach. CSP said Estrada was driving between 89 mph and 93 mph in a 45 zone and hit Beach head-on at about 66 mph. When troopers arrived, they found Beach dead on the scene from his injuries. During their investigation troopers suspected Estrada was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Estrada was arrested and found to have a BAC of .134 and under the influence of marijuana. The crash that took this mans life and forever changed an entire family wasnt just a high-speed drunk-driving crash; it was murder, stated Trooper Yoder, Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit. Changing attitudes and thoughts is the communitys best hope for reducing drunk driving. If more people regarded drunk driving as a deliberate and dangerous act, fewer families would grieve these senseless losses. Estrada had two previous DUI convictions from Texas and will be convicted of two more in Colorado, one from this case and another from an arrest in January, according to CSP. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. MIDDLEFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) A Middlefield man arrested for DUI for a second time claimed he was speeding because he was late to a concert, according to Connecticut State Police. Steven Hettrick, 59, of Middlefield, has been charged with reckless driving, and with a second offense of illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs. He has been released on a $3,500 bond. Police received a 911 call at about 5:45 p.m. Thursday that an person was speeding in a Volkswagen Jetta and was unsafely passing other vehicles on Route 2 East in Bozrah. A trooper then clocked the Jetta going 100 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Hettrick was pulled over, he had watery eyes and failed a field sobriety test, according to state police. He then admitted to consuming alcohol and cannabis before he got in the car. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WACO, Texas (FOX 44) After seven years of fostering creativity and community, Cultivate 7Twelve will close its doors on January 15, 2025. Owner Debbie Wright joined the organization in October 2021 and took over ownership in 2023. She expressed deep sadness over the closure, citing rising rent as the primary reason. Our landlord has decided to raise our rent, and many properties in downtown Waco are experiencing the same situation, Wright said. We just cant keep up with that. Its absolutely devastating and heartbreaking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wright has curated over 30 art shows and hosted nearly 500 events during her time with Cultivate. She emphasized that the closure will particularly impact local artists who found a safe space to showcase their work at the venue. What hurts me the most is knowing that many of my artists wont have a place to showcase their talent, Wright noted. This building became a refuge for many of them. Despite the challenges ahead, Wright remains hopeful for the future. Im able to be here in the community and be an advocate for the arts and small businesses, she said. We can be stronger through this, and it gives me solace knowing Im not alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wright is committed to keeping the spirit of Cultivate alive beyond its current location. Were not just Cultivate 7Twelve at 712 Austin Avenue. We will continue to cultivate Waco in a different way, she stated. We really want people to come and support us in our last two months, as it may help us explore future possibilities in 2025. As the closing date approaches, Cultivate 7Twelve will host three final events including a major art show tomorrow night, a last showcase in December and the Big Lucky Number 7 fundraiser. Wright encourages the community to participate and continue supporting the local arts scene as they navigate this transition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. (NewsNation) The 2024 presidential election is still anybodys game, but polling suggests Democrats are facing an uphill battle to maintain control of the U.S. Senate. Republicans have to win just one of two competitive races in red states Montana or Ohio to secure a surefire majority, assuming everything else goes as projected. NewsNations election partner, Decision Desk HQ, shows Republicans with a 74% chance of winning the Senate as of Nov. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current odds in every battleground state Scott Tranter, the director of data science at DDHQ, recently explained what goes into that projection: We have over 20,000 polls in our database from this cycle, as well as past performance and voter registration [data]. Other variables, like fundraising amounts, also go into the model, Tranter said. In this election, GOP candidates are favored to flip blue seats in Montana, Ohio and West Virginia. Two other Democratic incumbents Senator Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin and Senator Bob Casey from Pennsylvania are in closely contested races. Meanwhile, Democrats will try to pull off upsets in Missouri and Texas, hoping to unseat two prominent GOP senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley both of whom are in closer races than theyd prefer. Here are the current odds in 13 key Senate races. Arizona: Kari Lake vs. Rep. Ruben Gallego In this combination photo, Kari Lake speaks in Dallas, Aug. 5, 2022, left, and Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., is seen in the Capitol, July 14, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo) Chance of winning, according to Decision Desk HQ (as of Nov. 1): Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gallego (D): 79% Lake (R): 21% GOP: Anything short of 52-seat Senate majority would be a failure Decision Desk HQ polling averages (as of Nov. 1): Gallego (D): 49.4% Lake (R): 44.3% What to know: Trump-backed former TV anchor Kari Lake is eyeing an Arizona Senate seat after coming up short in her 2022 bid for governor, but polling suggests she has a tough hill to climb. As recently as July, Lake and U.S. Rep Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., were within three points of each other, but since then, Gallego has widened the margin to more than five points. Hes also raised considerably more money: over $56 million versus Lakes $21 million. Florida: Sen. Rick Scott vs. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), left, and former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-Fla.) are in a tight race for Floridas Senate seat. Chance of winning, according to Decision Desk HQ (as of Nov. 1): Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott (R): 75% Mucarsel-Powell (D): 25% Decision Desk HQ polling averages (as of Nov. 1): Scott (R): 49.5% Mucarsel-Powell (D): 44.8% What to know: Once a hotly contested swing state, Florida now leans Republican. That bodes well for GOP Senator Rick Scott, the incumbent, who won by a slim 10,000 vote margin in 2018. Democratic challenger Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a former representative from Miami, will have to overcome a roughly 5-point polling gap and a $10 million spending disadvantage to flip the seat blue. Maryland: Larry Hogan vs. Angela Alsobrooks On the left, candidate for Maryland Senate Angela Alsobrooks speaks during day two of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images). On the right, Former Maryland governor and and Republican Senate candidate Larry Hogan speaks during a campaign event at the VFW Post 9619 in Morningside, Maryland. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) Chance of winning, according to Decision Desk HQ (as of Nov. 1): Alsobrooks (D): 99% Hogan (R): 1% Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Decision Desk HQ polling averages (as of Nov. 1): Alsobrooks (D): 53.8% Hogan (R): 41.0% What to know: In August, an AARP poll showed Democrat Angela Alsobrooks and former GOP Governor Larry Hogan in a dead heat, but the race hasnt been particularly close since then. Maryland hasnt had a Republican U.S. senator since 1987. Michigan: Rep. Elissa Slotkin vs. Mike Rogers This combination photo of Michigan Senate candidates shows Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., in Detroit, Aug. 6, 2024, left, and former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., Aug. 6, 2024, in Lake Orion, Mich. (AP Photo) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chance of winning, according to Decision Desk HQ (as of Nov. 1): Slotkin (D): 67% Rogers (R): 33% Decision Desk HQ polling averages (as of Nov. 1): Slotkin (D): 48.4% Rogers (R): 45.2% What to know: U.S. Rep Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., has outspent her GOP opponent, former Rep. Mike Rogers, by more than 5 to 1, yet the race remains tight. Rogers has narrowed the polling gap in recent weeks, but Slotkin still holds a three-point advantage, according to Decision Desk HQ. Missouri: Sen. Josh Hawley vs. Lucas Kunce Republican Sen. Josh Hawley and Democrat Lucas Kunce engaged in an impromptu showdown at the Missouri State Fair. The candidates have been fighting over a potential debate. (Kacen Bayless/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) Chance of winning, according to Decision Desk HQ (as of Nov. 1): Hawley (R): 89% Kunce (D): 11% Decision Desk HQ polling averages (as of Nov. 1): Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawley (R): 51.5% Kunce (D): 45.2% What to know: Republican incumbent Josh Hawley has become one of the more recognizable figures on the new American right, but attorney Lucas Kunce, a Marine veteran, is trying to change that. To do so, Kunce will have to dramatically defy expectations in a state that backed Donald Trump by more than 15 points in 2020. Get fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 with the NewsNation app. Download it here. Montana: Sen. Jon Tester vs. Tim Sheehy Republican challenger Tim Sheehy, left, and Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.). Chance of winning, according to Decision Desk HQ (as of Nov. 1): Sheehy (R): 76% Tester (D): 24% Decision Desk HQ polling averages (as of Nov. 1): Sheehy (R): 50.0% Tester (D): 45.2% Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What to know: Senator Jon Tester, the incumbent, is the most vulnerable Democrat this cycle and is now considered an underdog against GOP challenger Tim Sheehy. The reason is fairly straightforward: Montana is a solidly red state that Trump won by more than 16 points in 2020. [Testers] reputation as a straight-shooting, authentic, and deeply rooted rural Montanan arguably matters less than ever in a highly nationalized electoral environment and in a Montana that has changed dramatically since his last run in 2018, Kal Munis, a political scientist and Montana native, wrote in a recent Brookings article. Nevada: Sen. Jacky Rosen vs. Sam Brown US Senate candidate Sam Brown, left, and Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) Chance of winning, according to Decision Desk HQ (as of Nov. 1): Rosen (D): 71% Brown (R): 29% Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Decision Desk HQ polling averages (as of Nov. 1): Rosen (D): 48.3% Brown (R): 45.5% What to watch: Republican presidential candidates have been gaining ground in Nevada in recent elections, so much so that it has become a legitimate swing state. But losing by less and winning are two different things. Republican Adam Laxalt came up short in his 2022 Senate bid, losing to Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto. Now, polling suggests Democratic incumbent Jacky Rosen is heavily favored to retain her seat against Republican challenger Sam Brown. The net worth of richest Congress members New Mexico: Nella Domenici vs. Sen. Martin Heinrich Democratic Senator Martin Heinrich (left) and Republican challenger Nella Domenici (right) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chance of winning, according to Decision Desk HQ (as of Nov. 1): Heinrich (D): 93% Domenici (R): 7% Decision Desk HQ polling averages (as of Nov. 1): Heinrich (D): 50.5% Domenici (R): 39.2% What to watch: Democratic incumbent Martin Heinrich has raised more than twice as much as GOP challenger Nella Domenici, the daughter of the last New Mexico Republican elected to the Senate. Domenici will have to pull off a major upset to get elected in a state that Joe Biden carried by more than 10 points in 2020. Ohio: Sen. Sherrod Brown vs. Bernie Moreno This combination photo shows Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Oct. 26, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington, left, and Cleveland businessman Bernie Moreno, a Republican candidate for Senate, in Westlake, Ohio, March 19, 2024. (AP Photo) Chance of winning, according to Decision Desk HQ (as of Nov. 1): Moreno (R): 55% Brown (D): 45% Decision Desk HQ polling averages (as of Nov. 1): Moreno (R): 47.6% Brown (D): 46.8% What to know: Polls suggest Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown could be in trouble against Republican businessman Bernie Moreno. A few elections ago, Ohio was a key battleground state, but since then, its grown increasingly red. Theres been several polls over the last week that have [Moreno] anywhere from one to three points ahead, on top of the fact it looks like Donald Trumps going to probably win the state by five to seven points, Tranter told NewsNations Markie Martin on Monday. What time do the polls close in my state? Pennsylvania: Sen. Bob Casey vs. David McCormick This combination of photos taken in Pennsylvania shows Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., left, at a campaign event, Sept. 13, 2024, in Wilkes-Barre, and David McCormick, the Republican nominee for Senate in Pennsylvania, at a campaign event, April 25, 2024, in Harrisburg. (AP Photo) Chance of winning, according to Decision Desk HQ (as of Nov. 1): Casey (D): 66% McCormick (R): 34% Decision Desk HQ polling averages (as of Nov. 1): Casey (D): 48.2% McCormick (R): 46.0% What to know: Businessman David McCormick is back after narrowly losing to Dr. Mehmet Oz in the Republican primary election for the Senate in 2022. McCormick was trailing by about seven points in early September but has since cut Democratic incumbent Bob Caseys lead to about two points. Caseys war chest is almost twice as big, and hes outraised McCormick $52 million to $27 million. Texas: Sen. Ted Cruz vs. Rep. Colin Allred (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File/J. Scott Applewhite) Chance of winning, according to Decision Desk HQ (as of Nov. 1): Cruz (R): 75% Allred (D): 25% Decision Desk HQ polling averages (as of Nov. 1): Cruz (R): 49.1% Allred (D): 45.9% What to watch: Former presidential hopeful and current Senator Ted Cruz is facing a tough battle for his seat in the Lone Star State. If Democratic challenger Rep. Colin Allred can pull it off, it would be a major upset. Current polls suggest thats unlikely, though not impossible. Ted Cruz won his last race by 2.6% against Beto ORourke six years ago, and right now, hes polling better than that, Tranter said. West Virginia: Jim Justice vs. Glenn Elliott West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and Glenn Elliott are facing off for the Senate seat in West Virginia. Chance of winning, according to Decision Desk HQ (as of Nov. 1): Justice (R): >99% Elliott (D): <1% What to know: Republicans are all but guaranteed to pick up outgoing Senator Joe Manchins seat. Trump carried the state by roughly 30 points in 2020, meaning the Senate candidate with R by their name has a pretty good shot. That means West Virginia GOP Governor Jim Justice is likely headed to the U.S. Senate. Hes outspent his Democratic opponent, Glenn Elliott, by 5 to 1. Wisconsin: Eric Hovde vs. Sen. Tammy Baldwin Sen. Tammy Baldwin, left, (D-Wis.) speaks before President Biden at the Earth Rider Brewery Jan. 25, 2024, in Superior, Wis. Eric Hovde, right, a Republican businessman and real estate mogul announces he is for running U.S. Senate against incumbent Baldwin, Feb. 20, 2024, in Madison, Wis. Chance of winning, according to Decision Desk HQ (as of Nov. 1): Baldwin (D): 59% Hovde (R): 41% Decision Desk HQ polling averages (as of Nov. 1): Baldwin (D): 48.4% Hovde (R): 47.9% What to know: Wisconsin is another state where anything could happen. Democratic incumbent Tammy Baldwin has a major fundraising advantage but just narrowly leads in the polls. GOP challenger Eric Hovde, a businessman, currently has the momentum. At the start of October, Hovde was behind by more than four points; now, that gap is half a point, according to Decision Desk HQ. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. All the polls put next weeks US presidential election on a knife edge. But Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson says the result could still be a shock landslide - for either candidate. She explains what pollsters are missing, Trumps enduring popularity, and why independents think Harris is deceptive. Plus, travel journalist Simon Parker travelled 4000 miles through 11 US states, from Cape Flattery on the Pacific Ocean to Floridas Key West - all on a bicycle. He shares with Kamal and Camilla what he learned about politics across the pond. Visit the Telegraph Bookshop to buy Simons book A Ride Across America with 15% off. Watch episodes of the Daily T here. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and subscribe to The Daily T newsletter for updates. 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. This story was originally published on Food Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Food Dive newsletter. PepsiCo is closing three more bottling plants, resulting in more than 300 job losses as the beverage giant streamlines its manufacturing network. The company said it has stopped production in Cincinnati; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Atlanta. The closures will result in 136 people in Cincinnati, 127 in Harrisburg and fewer than 50 individuals in Atlanta losing their jobs. PepsiCo said each location will continue to operate a warehouse. The shuttering of these locations comes just three days after PepsiCo abruptly closed a plant its last plant in the city of Chicago that employed 131 people. We're investing in a more agile and optimized manufacturing network to best meet dynamic consumer needs, PepsiCo said in a statement to Food Dive. As a result, we have stopped production operations in four locations. PepsiCo this month lowered its sales outlook for the year as consumers pull back on purchasing beverages and snacks to save money amid a run-up in prices. The New York-based company said beverage volume in North America so far is down 3.5% in 2024. PepsiCo is the latest company to announce plant closures as businesses look to increase the efficiency of their production networks and bring supply in line with demand. Wonder bread maker Flowers Foods, canned fruit and vegetable giant Del Monte Foods and Slim Jim manufacturer Conagra Brands are just a few of the companies to announce the shutdown of plants. In some cases, companies are closing some facilities while opening other locations. PepsiCo is constructing a 1.2 million-square-foot manufacturing facility in Colorado, that will be its largest plant in the U.S. The facility is reportedly behind schedule. Earlier this year, PepsiCo announced it was permanently closing a Danville, Illinois, Quaker Oats plant that was temporarily shuttered after products it made were recalled due to Salmonella contamination. Campbell Soup also said in May it was closing one plant and reducing the size of a second facility. The soup and snacks maker also announced it would invest $230 million through fiscal 2026 in newer, more efficient plants as it aims to improve the competitiveness of its supply chain. Recommended Reading PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) A Pinellas County senior was forced to evacuate from his assisted living facility for Hurricane Helene, but five weeks later, he still hasnt been allowed back in his home. Now his frustrated family is turning to 8 On Your Side for answers. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 8 on Your Side James Donarskis family said he left The Barclay at Pasadena with just two days worth of clothes and a weeks worth of medication and now he needs to get back into the facility. Turns out, James isnt the only one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am homeless, and thats a hell of a feeling, Donarski said. Donarski relied on medication for his congenital heart failure to keep him healthy at 92 years old. Judge orders St. Pete non-profit that lost $100M be shut down for good This is unbelievable that they wont let me get in that building, Donarski said. Residents at The Barclay at Pasadena were told to evacuate on Sept. 26 before Hurricane Helene. Some were bussed to a sister property in Sarasota, forced to sleep on cots. Others, including Donarski, went to stay with family. Hes not that independent outgoing fella, said Cathy OBrien, James daughter. He looks at me and goes, help I go, Im trying, dad.' OBrien said her dads zest for life is gone as five weeks have passed without being allowed to return home. Hes lost 10 pounds in one month, she said. OBrien said staff at the Barclay only retrieved two small bags of her dads items. Whos watching whats going on over there? OBrien asked. The valuables are photos, but theres also other things that no one needs to be going in and out of my fathers room unless youre a nurse or management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cameras inside other residents rooms have caught strangers going in and out at all hours of the day. 8 On Your Side has learned those cameras have since gone dead. QSLM is ensuring that the men and women inside are contractors working, adding the buildings have no power. Investigator Brittany Muller asked if OBrien thinks someone needs to be held accountable, she responded, I do. Adding to the confusion for families and residents, a new property management company, QSLM, took over Oct. 15. Theyve told residents they wont move back in before 2025 because of damage from both Helene and Milton. Leland Rice, Chief Growth Officer at QSLM, shared this statement with 8 On Your Side: QSLM is driven by a strong purpose to help seniors live rich, full lives, and our top priority is and always will be the safety of our residents. We recognize and understand the uncertainty and frustration our residents are feeling following the tragic impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton on their residences, said Rice. We deeply regret the impact these hurricanes have had on our residents, and are fully focused on ensuring we do everything in our power to help them wherever we can. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rice also said, We have been in regular touch with our residents over phone, email and social media channels, and recently held several town hall meetings to hear and address their concerns and work on ways to improve their experiences. The severe damage sustained by The Barclay at Pasadena has unfortunately rendered it unsafe for occupancy or public access at this time, and we are prohibited from allowing access to the building, he said. This damage has led to a high fire risk due to damaged electrical and mechanical systems and non-functional sprinklers, made all elevators either inoperable or unsafe, and significantly flooded the floors with unsanitary sewage, ocean water and ground water. We have processes in place to have our staff enter the building and retrieve residents personal items and have already completed a large number of these retrievals. Residents should reach out to evacinfo@barclayseniorliving.com or call (727) 381-5411 to schedule a time. As the weeks pass with uncertainty about a date to move back in, OBrien and her father feel they have few options. Were forced to find him a new home, she said. I feel left out, insulted, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents at the Barclay said they have other worries, too. For example, with no plan to get their mail to them, they say their mail in ballots had been marked return to sender. 8 On Your Side asked QSLM about their plan to make things right, they said theyve been in touch with the Pinellas County Supervisor Of Elections to help them get an expedited replacement ballot or register to vote in Sarasota. You can call 727-464-8683 to request an expedited replacement ballot. You will need to give your current address at Sarasota or Boynton Beach. Your replacement ballot will be overnighted to you. QSLM said a member of its leadership team will collect secured votes and overnight them back to the Pinellas County voting location. For anyone who was not registered for mail-in ballots: Please call the Sarasota voting office (941-861-8600) or the Palm Beach County voting office (561-656-6200) and ask for a change of address for in-person voting. Once complete, you will be eligible to vote in your current location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For any Pasadena resident wishing to vote in person in your home precinct, Bayada Home Health has generously offered to provide transportation to and from Pinellas County on election day. For this option, you must have physical possession of government-issued identification. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Prosecutors said Daniel Penny may be an "honorable veteran" and "nice young man" but he used too much force for too long and was reckless with Jordan Neely's life because "he didn't recognize his humanity," as the highly publicized trial over Neely's death on a New York City subway train got underway Friday. The defense, meanwhile, argued in opening statements that the former Marine stood up to "protect thy neighbor." Penny is charged with manslaughter and negligent homicide in the May 2023 death of Neely, a homeless man who was acting erratically on a subway car. "He was aware of the risk his actions would kill Mr. Neely and did it anyway," Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran said of Penny in her opening statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Jordan Neely took his last breaths on the dirty floor of an uptown F train," she told a rapt jury. Defense attorney Thomas Kenniff countered that Penny sought to protect passengers as Neely's threats echoed through the closed confines of a subway car and he spoke with "unhinged rage." "This is a case about a young man who did for others what we would want someone to do for us," Kenniff said. "It doesn't make him a hero, but it doesn't make him a killer." On the first day of the trial, jurors also saw body camera video that had not yet been publicly released of Penny's initial encounter with police, four and a half minutes after letting go of Neely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Opening statements to begin Friday in Daniel Penny trial over Jordan Neely subway death Penny 'went way too far,' prosecutor says Neely entered a moderately crowded subway car at the Second Avenue stop and began making threats about hurting people, scaring many of the passengers, Yoran said. She pointed at Penny as she told the jury, "This man, took it upon himself to take down Jordan Neely. To neutralize him." PHOTO: Daniel Penny, accused of choking a distressed Black subway rider to death, arrives for opening statements in New York, Nov. 1, 2024. (Kena Betancur/AP) Thirty seconds later, the train arrived at the next station and all the passengers left the train car, except two men who were helping Penny restrain Neely. The prosecutor said Penny hung onto Neely for 51 seconds after Neely's body went limp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "By doing so, he pushed Mr. Neely to the point of no return," Yoran said. "He left Mr. Neely lying on the floor unconscious and didn't look back." Penny has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in Neely's death. His attorneys have said Neely was "insanely threatening," but Yoran said Penny's actions were unnecessarily reckless because he continued the chokehold for 5 minutes and 53 seconds after the subway car was empty of passengers. "A grasp that never changed," Yoran called it. "The defendant did not intend to kill him. His initial intent was even laudable," Yoran said. "But under the law, deadly physical force such as a chokehold is permitted only when it is absolutely necessary and for only as long as is absolutely necessary. And here, the defendant went way too far." MORE: Who is Jordan Neely, the man killed in NYC subway chokehold death? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecutor told jurors they would see video of the chokehold. "You will see Mr. Neely's life being sucked out before your very eyes," Yoran said, appearing to upset one of the jurors who grimaced and briefly shut his eyes. Penny heard Neely say 'I will kill': Defense attorney Penny was on the F train headed to swim at a gym when a "seething, psychotic Jordan Neely storms on and announces his presence," Kenniff said in his opening statement. "Neely whips his jacket over his head and slams it to the ground with such force that even those who don't see it hear it." The defense said things on the train escalated from "concern to fear" as they sought to portray Neely as far scarier than a prosecutor described in her opening statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Neely sets his sights on a bench of female passengers," Kenniff said. "Danny sees a mother barricading her son behind a baby stroller in fear of Mr. Neely." Penny heard Neely say "I will kill," the defense said, and said there was no opportunity for him to de-escalate or stop Neely from the harm he was threatening. "What Danny does do is leap into action," Kenniff said. Borrowing from "a bit" of martial arts training he received in the Marine Corps, Penny put Neely into a chokehold without intending to kill him but, the defense said, to hold him until police arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "His conduct was consistent with someone who values human life and that's why he was trying to protect it so fiercely," the defense attorney said. Kenniff insisted his client "does not want to use any more force than is necessary," but Neely "aggressively resisted" while in Penny's grip. He said Penny thought Neely, who was unarmed, might have a weapon as he waited for police. "The evidence will show that this struggle did indeed last between 5 and 6 minutes," but Penny "was not squeezing," Kenniff said. Instead, the defense suggested Neely's death may have been caused by cardiac arrest, a genetic condition or some other reason that was not asphyxiation. The defense said the risk of Neely's death was not something Penny could have perceived or anticipated. Body-camera footage shown for 1st time The first witness, a New York City police officer, was among those who tried unsuccessfully to revive Neely. The officer, Teodoro Tejada, testified that Neely did not have a pulse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jury saw the officer's body-worn camera footage that captured the attempts to save Neely and showed his lifeless body on the subway floor. When searched for weapons, the only thing officers found in Neely's pockets was a muffin. Nothing else was found in the jacket, Tejada confirmed. Penny is heard saying, "I put him out," when the officer asked what happened. To prosecutors, the footage -- which had not been seen publicly until now -- is evidence Penny disregarded Neely's basic humanity. Jurors attentively studied the video that shows officers frantically trying to revive Neely. At one point, a juror had her hand over her mouth watching as the camera bounced when Tejada joined the chest compressions. Neely's body is seen splayed on the subway floor, sneakers, jeans and grimy, white T-shirt still on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On cross-examination, Kenniff asked if the officer responded to any calls "of a white male causing any trouble," which Tejada confirmed he did not. The defense also used Tejada's testimony to suggest to the jury Penny did not behave like a criminal by fleeing the scene. "Did he appear cooperative?" the lawyer asked. "Yes," the officer replied. "It didn't appear that he had anything to hide?" Kenniff asked. "No," Tejada said. Protest audible from courtroom The sounds of a sidewalk protest over the death of Neely were audible in the 13th-floor courtroom ahead of opening statements. Protesters were heard calling Penny a "subway strangler." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Max Wiley said he would instruct jurors to ignore "noise outside the courthouse." PHOTO: A Protestor speaks before Daniel Penny, the white veteran accused of choking a distressed Black subway rider to death, arrives for opening statements at the court in New York, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Kena Betancur/AP) Penny, in a slate blue suit, strode confidently into the courtroom and took his seat at the defense table ahead of opening statements. The jury of seven women and five men, four of whom are people of color, will be asked to do something prosecutors concede is difficult: convict someone of an unintentional crime. To convict, prosecutors must prove Penny's use of lethal force was unjustifiable and that Penny acted recklessly and consciously disregarded the substantial risk of putting Neely in the chokehold for so long. Prosecutors do not have to prove Penny intended to kill Neely, which defense attorneys have said Neely did not intend to do. Wiley denied Penny's bid to dismiss his involuntary manslaughter case in January. The trial is expected to last between four and six weeks, according to Wiley. The case has fueled political narratives about urban crime and captivated a city in which the subway is indispensable. Differing accounts of the incident While there is no doubt that Penny's actions led to Neely's death on May 1, 2023, witness accounts differ regarding the events that led up to Penny applying the fatal chokehold, according to various sources. Many witnesses reported that Neely, 30, who was homeless at the time of his death and was known to perform as a Michael Jackson impersonator, had expressed that he was homeless, hungry and thirsty, according to prosecutors. Most of the witnesses also recounted that Neely indicated a willingness to go to jail or prison. Some witnesses also reported that Neely threatened to hurt people on the train, while others did not report hearing those threats, according to police sources. MORE: Daniel Penny's defense team wants to 'smear' Jordan Neely in subway chokehold case, prosecutors say Additionally, some witnesses told police that Neely was yelling and harassing passengers on the train. However, others have said that while Neely had exhibited erratic behavior, he had not been threatening anyone in particular and had not become violent, according to police sources who spoke with ABC News following the incident. According to prosecution court filings, some passengers on the train that day said they didn't feel threatened. One said they weren't "really worried about what was going on," while another called it "like another day typically in New York. That's what I'm used to seeing. I wasn't really looking at it if I was going to be threatened or anything to that nature, but it was a little different because, you know, you don't really hear anybody saying anything like that." Other passengers, however, described being fearful, according to court filings. One said they "have encountered many things, but nothing that put fear into me like that," while another said Neely was making "half-lunge movements" and coming within a "half a foot of people." Neely had a documented history of mental health issues and arrests, including alleged instances of disorderly conduct, fare evasion and assault, according to police sources. Less than 30 seconds after Penny allegedly put Neely into a chokehold, the train arrived at the Broadway-Lafayette Station, according to court records. "Passengers who had felt fearful on account of being trapped on the train were now free to exit the train. The defendant continued holding Mr. Neely around the neck," said prosecutor Joshua Steinglass in a court filing objecting to Penny's dismissal request. According to prosecutors, footage of the interaction, which began about two minutes after the incident started, captures Penny holding Neely in the chokehold for about four minutes and 57 seconds on a relatively empty train, with a couple of passengers nearby. Prosecutors said that about three minutes and 10 seconds into the video, Neely ceases all purposeful movement. "After that moment, Mr. Neely's movements are best described as 'twitching and the kind of agonal movement that you see around death,'" prosecutors said. The case is expected to feature testimony of passengers who were aboard the subway at the time, as well as a roughly six-minute video of the chokehold. PHOTO: A picture of Jordan Neely seen as protesters gather at a 'Justice for Jordan Neely' rally in Washington Square Park in New York City. (Ron Adar/Sopa Images/Sipa USA via AP) MORE: Vigilante violence disproportionately harms marginalized communities: Researchers Jury to hear eyewitness statements Before opening statements on Friday, Wiley granted a defense request to allow some of the statements that eyewitnesses to the chokehold made to police that were captured on body-worn cameras. One witness, a Ms. Rosario, was captured on body-worn camera 15 minutes after the incident aboard the F train. "I can see most of that statement coming in as an excited utterance," Wiley said. The judge declined to allow a part of her statement in which an officer is heard asking whether she thought Neely was on drugs. PHOTO: Daniel Penny trial for the death of Jordan Neely on subway, in New York (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters) A Mr. Latimer is captured a minute later and Wiley said his statement is "well within the immediacy of the event" and could be admitted. "This person displays emotion, excitement as he's describing what happened. It's narrative," Wiley said. Most of the passengers who were aboard the train and who witnessed the event are expected to testify at trial. Jury will see evidence that Neely did not have a weapon The judge also previously ruled that the jury will see evidence that shows Neely was unarmed. Penny's defense had sought to preclude evidence or testimony about the lack of a weapon recovered from a search of Neely's body but in a written opinion issued Thursday, Wiley said such evidence and testimony is relevant to the case. "The fact that Mr. Neely was unarmed provides additional relevant information to aid the jury, namely, it clarifies what could have been perceived by someone in the defendant's position," Wiley wrote. "The possibility that a person in the defendant's situation could have been reasonable in mistakenly believing that Mr. Neely had been armed is appropriate for consideration by the jury and well within their capability." The defense worried that including evidence that Neely was unarmed could bolster sympathy for the victim but Wiley said it would help the jury decide whether Penny's actions were justified. Penny's lawyers and Neely's family speak ahead of the trial Members of Neely's family were seated with the spectators for opening statements Friday. "I loved Jordan. And I want justice for Jordan Neely. I want it today. I want justice for everybody and I want justice for Jordan Neely," his uncle, Christopher Neely, said before entering court. Prosecutors in the Manhattan district attorney's office are expected to concede that Neely may have seemed scary to some subway riders, but will argue Penny continued the chokehold well past the point where Neely stopped moving and posed any kind of threat. PHOTO: Daniel Penny trial for the death of Jordan Neely on subway, in New York (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters) Penny's attorneys have said that they were "saddened at the loss of human life," but that Penny saw "a genuine threat and took action to protect the lives of others," arguing that Neely was "insanely threatening" to passengers aboard the subway train. While Penny's defense will argue that he had no intent to kill Neely, prosecutor Steinglass has noted that the second-degree manslaughter charge only requires prosecutors to prove Penny acted recklessly, not intentionally. "We are confident that a jury, aware of Danny's actions in putting aside his own safety to protect the lives of his fellow riders, will deliver a just verdict," Penny's lawyers, Steven Raiser and Thomas Kenniff, said earlier this year, after Penny's request to dismiss the charge was denied. "This case is simple. Someone got on a train and was screaming so someone else choked them to death," Neely family attorney Donte Mills said in a past statement to ABC News. "Those two things do not and will never balance. There is no justification." "Jordan had the right to take up his own space. He was allowed to be on that train and even to scream. He did not touch anyone. He was not a visitor on that train, in New York, or in this country," Mills added. Daniel Penny tells police 'I put him out' in never-before-seen video as subway chokehold trial gets underway originally appeared on abcnews.go.com MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (WDTN) A Middletown woman has been charged with murder after her mother was stabbed to death. The Middletown Division of Police reports officers were sent just before midnight on Oct. 30 to the 600 block of 14th Avenue on reports of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers found a female victim, identified as 72-year-old Minnie Lewis, inside the home suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was transported to a local hospital where she later died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police have identified the suspect as 44-year-old Mekeshia Lattimore, who is the victims daughter. Lattimore was taken into custody and charged with murder. If you have any information about this incident, please contact Detective Glassburn at 513-425-7724 (office), 513-425-7700 (dispatch) or patrickg@cityofmiddletown.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 WDTN.com. Spc. Wooster Rancy, 21, is charged with murder and obstructing justice in relation to the death of 23-year-old Sgt. Sarah Roque U.S. Army Fort Leonard Wood/Facebook Sgt. Sarah Roque Sgt. Sarah Roque A little more than a week after a U.S. Army sergeant was found dead in a dumpster at her Missouri base, authorities have charged a fellow soldier with murder in connection with the case. Spc. Wooster Rancy, 21, was also charged with obstructing justice on Wednesday, Oct. 30, in connection with the death of Sgt. Sarah Roque, U.S. Army Fort Leonard Wood officials said in a statement shared on Thursday, Oct. 31. Its unclear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials believe Roque, 23, was killed on Oct. 20, per the statement. The Army said she was reported missing the next day after she did not show up for duty in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., PEOPLE previously reported. Her body was later found in a dumpster at the base, officials said. Related: Missing 23-Year-Old Soldier Found Dead in a Dumpster, Army Officials Investigating Her Death as a Homicide: Devastating Loss On Oct. 24, Fort Leonard Wood officials announced that a person of interest has been taken into custody in relation to Roques death, which was being investigated as a homicide. The Army Criminal Investigation Division previously told PEOPLE there are "limited" public details because it is still an active investigation. U.S. Army Fort Leonard Wood/Facebook Sgt. Sarah Roque Sgt. Sarah Roque Sergeant Roque was a daughter, sister, friend and Soldier who chose to serve our country bravely and honorably, Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck said in a previous statement announcing Roques death. Her passing has caused a tremendous void throughout our team, and while there are no words to ease the pain, we continue to provide care, resources and support to those who are affected during this difficult time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roque was from Ligonier, Ind., and later moved to Fort Leonard Wood, where she completed Basic Combat Training. The central Missouri military training installation trains nearly 80,000 people every year. As for Rancy, Army officials said he is from North Miami, Fla., and serves as a combat engineer with the 509th Clearance Company, 5th Engineer Battalion. He joined the Army in 2022 and attended basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood. Officials said Rancy is being held in pretrial confinement and is awaiting a preliminary hearing. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The nations capital is on high alert as D.C. city leaders prepare security measures for Election Day and the days after. Some businesses near the White House are boarding up just in case things get out of hand. This is just a proactive measure, and theres no need for any alarm, Pamela Smith, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia said. Smith says there will be more law enforcement throughout the city starting Election Day and the days after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will remain vigilant and ready and prepared to address any issues of concern that may arise across our city, Smith said. Law enforcement say right now there are no credible threats, but businesses near the White House are boarding up as a precaution. D.C.s police chief has a message for those looking to do harm. We will not tolerate any riots. We will not tolerate the destruction of property. We will not tolerate any unlawful behavior, Smith said. In a statement, the U.S. Secret service said in part, The U.S. Secret Service is constantly monitoring events occurring within the vicinity of the White House and other protected facilities in the D.C. area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement George Washington University political expert Todd Belt says a lot of the concern speaks to how divided the nation is going into this election. Whoever wins half of the country is going to be very, very angry, Belt said. Belt says another issue for law enforcement will be securing polling locations. I dont know that they will have as much of a police presence or a National Guard presence in force to deter any potential attacks, Belt said. Not only is D.C. preparing for Election Day fallout, but officials are also preparing for the Jan. 6 election certification and inauguration. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Editors Note: This article includes details that might be disturbing. Discretion is advised. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A D.C. man was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison Friday for owning and uploading videos of underage girls being raped and sexually abused. The U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO) for D.C. said in a news release that 37-year-old Stephen Rattley Johnson uploaded these videos in 2020. Court documents and evidence said that in September and October of 2020, Johnson uploaded hundreds of child pornography files to his Google Drive cloud storage account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google identified 220 files as known child pornography, closed his account and reported the files to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Charging documents: Former University Park mayor had over 45K child pornography files at time of FBI arrest Officials arrested him on Oct. 7, 2021, while he lived in the H Street Corridor in Northeast. Law enforcement took his phone and laptop from his home. Johnson had deleted the files, but experts were able to recover information proving that he had received the files and opened and watched them. Johnsons web browser history also showed that he had visited child pornography sites online, and his cell phone provided evidence proving that he continued to seek child pornography after Google closed his account, according to the USAO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USAO stated that the videos depicted children under 12 years old. A federal jury found Johnson guilty of five counts of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography in April. A judge also ordered him to pay $52,600 in restitution and special assessments. Johnson will have to serve 10 years of supervised release and register as a sex offender after his prison sentence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. MANSFIELD Roche Bros Supermarkets Inc., a 20-store eastern Massachusetts grocery chain under the Roche Bros., Sudbury Farms and Brothers Marketplace banners, said it has entered into a "strategic partnership" in which its Connecticut-based supplier has acquired a majority stake in the business. In a press release, Roche Bros. executives did not release details about the deal with Bozzuto's Inc. But attorney Andrew Upton said Oct. 29 during a Boston Licensing Board meeting that Bozzuto's has purchased 51% of Roche Bros. as a result to members of the grocery chain's ownership group set to retire. "This decision was made thoughtfully and with our team, our customers, and our shared values as our guiding priorities," Roche Bros. co-owners Caitlin, Ed and Rick Roche said, in a prepared statement. After many wonderful years as a family-owned business, this partnership will allow us to reinforce our stability, ensure quality and continue our positive impact in the community. This Sudbury Farms grocery store on Route 20 in Sudbury is part of the Roche Bros. supermarket chain. 'Best of the best': Roche Bros. opens new store at Arsenal Yards in Watertown Roche Bros. was founded in Roslindale in 1952 as a meat and produce shop. Since then, it has expanded to 20 stores, including locations in Acton, Boston (two), Bridgewater, Cambridge, Duxbury, Easton, Marshfield, Mashpee, Medfield, Millis, Natick, Needham (two), Sudbury, Watertown, Wellesley, Westborough, Weston and Westwood. Both parties say grocery chain's operations will continue as normal Bozzuto's was before the Boston Licensing Board on Tuesday because of the transfer of alcohol licenses with some of its Boston stores. During the meeting, Upton said nothing else would change. "No aspects of any operations here (Boston) or anywhere in Massachusetts will be changing," he said. Roche Bros. Supermarkets Inc. opened a store at Arsenal Yards in Watertown in 2021. Roche Bros., in a press release, reiterated Upton's statement, saying customers will not notice a change. Caitlin and Rick Roche will remain in management roles. Michael Bozzuto, owner of Bozzuto's, could not be reached for comment. Bozzuto's, founded in 1945 and based in Cheshire, Connecticut, is a food wholesaler that has supplied Roche Bros. since the mid-2000s. More: Roche Bros. official explains to Sudbury health officials how mice problem was solved "Michael Bozzuto shares our passion for serving the community and supporting our associates," the Roche family said in their statement. We are grateful for this partnership, which we believe honors our legacy while bringing exciting opportunities for growth. Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime. This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Roche Bros supermarkets sells 51 percent stake to supplier Bozzuto's "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Archaeologists were recently able to confirm an 800-year-old tale of medieval biological warfare. The Norwegian historical chronicle Sverris saga tells the story of an attack that involved a corpse hurled down a well in order to poison the local water supply. Scholars long debated the veracity of the story, but a team of archaeologists used DNA analysis to confirm that a corpse found at the site was indeed the much-discussed Well Man. Was a deadly bioweapon once dropped in a royal Norwegian well? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The concepts of biological warfare and bioterrorism have been the fodder for plenty of science-fiction novels and paperback thrillers in recent years. But, in fact, instances of germ warfare have appeared in some of humanitys earliest histories and epics. One particular story from the Middle Ages detailed an especially grim biological attack. According to the Norse epic Sverris saga, in the midst of the Norwegian civil war (which spanned from 1130 to 1240 C.E.), the archbishop-aligned Bagler faction laid siege to the castle stronghold of King Sverre Sigurdsson, only to find the king was not there. So, after some pillaging, the Baglers unleashed an unconventional weapon: a corpse. According to the Sverris saga, they hurled the dead man headfirst down a well in order to contaminate the strongholds water supply. Scholars have long debated the chronicles reliability as a historical document, The New York Times noted in regards to this particular account of medieval germ warfare. The conflict took place centuries ago, historical accounts from that period arent always reliable, and what kind of concrete proof could one possibly find? In this instance, the proverbial smoking gun was a rotting corpse. And, after someone discovered the well (and, of course, the corpse at the bottom of it), DNA analysis revealed that that unfortunate figure was indeed the Nordic bioweapon dubbed Well Man. Wikimedia Commons This is the first time that the remains of a person or character described in a Norse saga has been positively identified, Michael D. Martin, an evolutionary genomicist at the museum of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, told The New York Times. The study detailing this analysis was recently published in the journal iScience, and corroborates written history with ancient DNA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Interestingly, the body from which the DNA came was actually discovered decades ago. In 1938, an archaeological team was excavating an abandoned well amidst the ruins of Sverresborgthe castle stronghold of the aforementioned King Sverre Sigurdssonwhen they discovered well-intact human remains roughly 21 feet below ground. But,00000 given the limits of their equipment at the time, they could only photograph the corpse and move on. The outbreak of WWII scuttled any further plans to examine the site, and it wasnt until the new millennium that archaeologists were able to revisit the corpse that could be the remains of Well Man. An initial partial exhumation allowed the team to radiocarbon date a shard of his ribs, and that analysis indicated that the man had lived 800 years agoright at the time the bioweapon attack of the Baglers took place. Later on, in 2016, Anna Petersenan archaeologist with the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research in Osloled a larger-scale excavation in which the timber constructs of the well were exposed and the body was exhumed. The man, who was between 30 and 40 years old when he died, was clad in nothing but a perfectly preserved leather shoe, and missing a foot, an arm and a shoulder blade. To me, he looked as if he had been severely injured prior to being tossed in the well, assessed Petersen, In the back of his skull was a fresh wound possibly caused by a blow to the head. Above ground and out of the well for the first time since the Baglers sacked Sverresborg 800 years ago, it was finally time to learn just who was turned from a man of the kings court into a biological weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As The New York Times described: To glean insights into the Well Mans ancestry, the research team collaborated with deCODE Genetics, an Icelandic company that has compiled one of the worlds most comprehensive collections of population data on genealogy, genotypes and phenotypes. DNA extracted from his premolars suggested that, like pretty much everyone in todays Norway, he had blue eyes, fair skin and blond or light-brown hair. The geneticists also concluded that his ancestors hailed from the southernmost Norwegian county, present-day Agder. The fact that the Well Man hailed from the south is significant. As Martin told the NYT, Well Man appears to have hailed from the same region as the Baglers who sacked Sverresborg and ultimately hurled him down the well. It goes to show Martin quipped, that you cant couple genetics with political association. You Might Also Like NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) On November 1, 1924, Andrew Valero was born in Manhattan, New York, and exactly 100 years later, its been quite the life this now-retired Army veteran has lived. Luck, faith and family: 99-year-old WWII veteran reflects on time served Speaking with the retired Valero, better known as Sgt. Andy, the day before his 100th birthday, he had so many stories to tell. When asked about the secret to a long and good life, Sgt. Andy immediately said an education and good friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He shared that he was not the best student growing up, but he worked hard to eventually get his high school diploma. He laughed in his recollection of skipping a number of his high school classes to flirt with some of the girls at his school. Valero had a mischievous twinkle in his eye when he said his mother didnt know about his high school hijinks until he had already been drafted by the U.S. Army in April 1943 and began basic training at Camp Stewart, Georgia. After his training, Sgt. Andy was dispatched to Europe as a replacement soldier for the 9th Infantry Division. He fought in multiple battles, including the Battle of the Bulge, Ardennes Forest, Hurtgen Forest, and a 14-mile overnight march to the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, Germany. It was there where Sgt. Andy and his fellow service members ran into serious trouble, ending in the brave rescue of one of their own. We were caught out in the open, Valero said. There was a bluff. There was no cover at all and they opened fire. They were Hitler Youth. [Private] Estes was hit in the face. He was standing up. When he turned to me, I was the closest one to him. And when he turned around, his face was distorted with blood, and you couldnt hear my voice because of the rifle fire and the yelling. The guys were yelling, orders being given. I was a private then, and I crawled over to him, and I told him, Get down, get down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I found out later he was in a coma, or in shock, and [he was] just standing there and moving very slowly, but standing. I tried to getting him down, but he was like granite. I couldnt get him down, and finally two guys came over after I was yelling medic and just yelling, Help, I need help, and the three of us got him down. We got him down that bluff there because artillery started to come in, and that was another big problem, but luckily it was friendly artillery and things quieted down, not entirely, but enough that we could yell and hear each other. We got him down to a bluff and there was a jeep with two soldiers maybe 100 yards away, and one of the guys ran over, and he came back with a driver. The driver told me, Weve got to get over to the jeep. We ran, stumbling and running, but we were in the clear. That bluff helped us. Eventually, he and his fellow soldiers got Private Estes to a safe location. Sgt. Andy later learned Estes survived. In the meantime, Sgt. Andy suffered several injuries, the last of which was trench foot and frostbite due to the extreme cold in Germany. He was treated at the American Hospital in Paris. He received the Presidential Citation and two Bronze Stars. Following the surrender of Nazi Germany, Sgt. Andy was assigned to post war occupation in Germany as part of the 71st Infantry Division. He said they took over guarding the Dachau Concentration Camp shortly after it was liberated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We took over that, guarding the prisoners, said Sgt. Andy. He remembers being issued submachine guns to guard the prisoners. They were always sneering, looking at you, but we were on top of it, he said. I was a sergeant then. I had a detail. That was a huge camp, and that stayed with me for a long time. I wasnt the same when I came home. I think [what I saw at the camp] was worse than combat. How could one population do that to another? When Sgt. Andy returned to the states, he eventually met his wife, Lola. He credits her with helping him move forward from some of the horrors he saw in Germany. The two had three children, one boy and two girls. The Valeros were married for 59 years. Sgt. Andy still lights up when he talks about his beloved wife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is also very proud of his time as an x-ray technician for the New York City Fire Department. He said getting the job with the NYFD was like getting a Christmas present, because he found out he got the job in December 1949. He worked in the NYFD for 31 years. Sgt. Andy and his family moved to Norfolk in 1999. His hobbies include playing the violin, spending time with his family and attending events with other veterans. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Photo by Issac Morgan/Florida Phoenix) A group of Central Florida Democrats asked Orange County Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean Friday to add substantial additional support at six early voting sites in the county including one on the campus of the University of Central Florida to address long lines. All of these sites have seen longer than 2-hour wait times in the middle of the week; the lines during the last weekend of Early Voting will undoubtedly be much longer, the Democrats, including U.S. Reps. Maxwell Frost and Darren Soto, say in a letter. Glen Gilzean via Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office. We are asking you to immediately take all available actions within your power to ease the strain on all voters; precinct-specific check-in machines can and should be deployed to polling rooms; and Election Day poll workers can gain valuable experience by reporting to Early Voting sites in the final days of Early Voting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This includes ensuring that each of the above locations has the maximum number of check-in machines, voting booths, and poll workers to efficiently administer the election, adds the letter, signed by 13 Central Florida Democratic public officials. The UCF location, in particular, experiences frequent and prolonged bottlenecks, given the need for students and first-time voters to update their addresses. Poll workers should be deployed and check-in should be improved to help students in line vote. Gilzean is aware of the long lines. Last Friday, he held a press conference to announce that his office had launched an interactive map that gives wait times at the 22 early voting locations in the county. And his office has added three new overflow voting sites to handle the added demand. But the lawmakers say more is required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We appreciate your addition of Early Voting locations to act as overflow sites for some existing locations, but the inaccessibility of these sites to minority groups and less affluent voters is a serious concern, they write. Incredibly long Orlando House Democrat Anna Eskamani went to social media to make the lawmakers demands known. State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, (Photo by Colin Hackley/Florida Phoenix) The lines at several Early Voting locations have been incredibly long, but its not necessarily due to increased turnout. UCF for example has wait lines up to four hours right now with empty voting booths inside, she wrote on X on Friday. She added in a phone conversation with the Phoenix that theres not that many students here who are able to vote. Theres only been 400 students who have been able to vote today and theyre waiting four hours in line, she said. Its not an influx of students who are voting, its that my understanding is they only have two check-in clerks, so there is just not enough infrastructure to support a basic turnout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christopher Heath, the Orange County Chief Elections Administrator, said he had been in constant contact with Eskamani since early voting began last week to get the word out to UCF students that many of them arent registered to vote in the county. He said that there were actually three check-in stations at the UCF polling location, and that UCF has the same number of stations as Marks St., which he said has actually processed 9,132 voters compared to UCF at 6,632. They may be registered somewhere else in the state, so when they show up to vote theyre having to stop and take about 5-10 minutes to update their registration, which obviously adds to the time it takes to move the line along because now youre tying up a clerk with a registration update, he said. Long ballot Heath added that the length of the ballot in Orange County is adding to wait times. The ballot includes charter amendments and a school tax referendum in addition to all of the choices for federal, local, and state office. It is a lengthy two-page front and back ballot, he said. Its just taking time for voters to complete it but were doing everything within our power to ensure anyone who wants to vote has the opportunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eskamani said that local officials have been asking for changes at the six specific polling locations but that the elections office is unwilling to adjust. This has been going on for three days, so the letter is the last straw for us, she said. Weve been having good faith negotiations over the past three days on this, with just no changes. Gilzean was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to serve as supervisor of elections in March to fill the vacancy left by former Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles, who retired in January. He is not running for re-election this month. MIAMI National Democrats spent months dangling a potential cash infusion over Florida, saying theyd seen good signs that a Senate seat in the former battleground was once again in play. But with only days until the election, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has spent just over $1 million on a single TV ad the week of Oct. 15 boosting Republican Sen. Rick Scotts Democratic opponent, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. The Chuck Schumer-aligned Senate Majority PAC added another $500,000 into the race last week, via an affiliated committee, for digital ads. The unimpressive showing comes after Mucarsel-Powells campaign said national party leaders needed to make a large investment into Florida during the final three weeks of the campaign if she was going to compete for air time in major media markets in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are all disappointed there wasn't more money here earlier in the year, said Democrat Alex Sink, who lost to Scott in the 2010 gubernatorial race. The end result is that Scott, who has spent tens of millions of dollars of his own money on his elections in Florida, is on track to run his least expensive statewide race ever after narrowly escaping Democrats' grasp in three prior elections for governor and Senate. If Scott does win another term on Tuesday, the result will offer further evidence that national Democrats have all but given up on making Florida purple again in spite of repeatedly flirting with the idea. The DSCC said as recently as Thursday that it was looking at Florida, as well as Texas, as its 51-49 majority appears imperiled ahead of November. But Texas is the favorite of the two states in terms of both cash and strategic attention. POLITICO previously reported that DSCC has spent $13 million on TV advertising during the full cycle to support Rep. Colin Allred, who is running against Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas, and, last week, Senate Majority PAC announced a $5 million ad investment there. Texas also got a visit from Vice President Kamala Harris last weekend, with a Beyonce appearance to boot. If Scott is afraid of losing his reelection, he isnt spending as though thats the case. Scott, whos the richest member of the Senate, has contributed at least $24.5 million of his own money to the race, according to a POLITICO review of campaign finance disclosures. It would put him in the upper echelon of self-funders this cycle, but it is still significantly less than in 2018, when he spent nearly $64 million on his successful run against then-incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On paper, Florida was seen as having key ingredients that might have helped Democrats succeed this election cycle, including amendments on legalizing recreational cannabis and abortion rights. Almost $240 million combined has been spent in support of both efforts, in the same year that Florida banned most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. Democrats also still hope turnout will be different than in 2022, when many of their voters failed to show up at the polls. More voters tend to turn out in a presidential election year, and Harris ascension to the top of the ticket generated newfound energy and volunteers. Scotts Democratic opponent is one many operatives view as being right out of central casting: A Hispanic, bilingual woman whos accomplished, telegenic and warm, running on support for reproductive rights in the first presidential election since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. She out-fundraised Scott, who had unfavorable ratings with voters, and some polling shows the race is close. Scott has only gotten elected by tiny margins, including in his 2018 Senate race, when he unseated Nelson by about 10,000 votes out of nearly 8.2 million cast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has been a struggle to understand how this guy got elected three times, said Steve Schale, a Democratic political strategist and adviser to Sinks 2010 gubernatorial campaign against Scott, who spent $78 million of his own money that year. Every one of his races, if you were on my side of the aisle, was heartbreaking. Yet important dynamics have shifted: Mucarsel-Powell isnt an incumbent and hasnt been elected at a statewide level. And while she accepted three debates and proposed a fourth in Spanish, Scott didnt accept, denying his lesser-known opponent the exposure. When Scott started out in politics, it was Democrats who had the sizable voter registration advantage. Now, its Republicans, by more than 1 million registered voters. By all indications she is running a David versus Goliath campaign where it's going to come down to the size of her slingshot, because she doesn't have an army of resources or a national coordinated campaign behind her to help push her over the finish line, Miami-based Democratic pollster Fernand Amandi said. So the odds look, at least, daunting. Scotts allies and even many Democrats including Schale say that, putting cash aside, Scott brings to each race machine-like discipline, indefatigable workdays and consistent messaging. Bill McCollum, who had been favored to win the 2010 GOP gubernatorial primary before Scott came in with his millions, said he thought the resources made the difference but also that he had good advice and hired good people to build a strong campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scotts supporters also point to how he comes through by showing up in places important to many Floridians, whether it be standing next to Donald Trump during his Manhattan trial, hitting Lincoln Day dinners in far-flung areas of the state, rallying with Venezuelan leaders after the countrys flawed election or working alongside local leaders during hurricane season. If Rick Scott has told me once he has told me 100 times: The key to success is showing up, said Adam Hollingsworth, who was Scotts chief of staff when he was governor. Its not the picture of Scott his detractors see. Some Republicans in Washington pointed fingers at Scott after the GOP fell short of a Senate majority in 2022. They singled out his Rescue America plan, which drew backlash over how it initially appeared to target Medicare and Social Security (though Scott denied it). Democrats warn he cant be trusted because his former health care company got hit with a massive fine for Medicare fraud and, as governor, he promised to expand Medicaid health care coverage to Floridas poorest adults but ultimately didnt do so. Sink said she hoped the forthcoming election might bring out an undercurrent of anger and dissatisfaction with the way things are going and that Democrats might catch Scott asleep at the wheel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has a history of doing whatever it takes to do what he thinks he needs to win, she said. He might be surprised this time. Scott campaign spokesperson Jonathan Turcotte said the senator had a history of winning because no one works harder for Florida, citing visits to all 67 counties and Scotts aggressive campaign schedule. Democrats can get their hopes up all they want, he added, it will only make the sting of another loss to Senator Rick Scott hurt more. Cash hauls aren't always a guaranteed win. When Democratic Senate candidate Val Demings fundraised massively two years ago, she still lost to Sen. Marco Rubio by more than 15 points. National Democrats have made other, smaller investments in Florida this year. The Democratic National Committee sent the Florida Democratic Party $400,000 to engage Puerto Rican voters and launched a five-figure print, digital and social media ad buy to reach Haitian voters. The DSCC also sent staff to Florida and ran digital ads against Scott, both beginning in 2023. The TV ad they ran with the Mucarsel-Powell campaign depicted Scott as a snake, calling him a slippery politician whos been ripping you off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mucarsel-Powell also has appeared at campaign rallies with DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Rep. Adam Schiff, whos expected to be elected Californias next senator. Democrats insist they have an ideal candidate for Florida with Mucarsel-Powell, whose life story of leaving Ecuador during a period of military dictatorship was seen as crucial in a state where Republicans have effectively lobbed the socialist label toward Democrats in a bid to scare off voters who escaped similar political strife. (Scott, though, has run TV ads trying to portray her as a silly socialist anyway.) Democratic strategist Joshua Karp, who has advised her campaign, pointed to how Mucarsel-Powell has been outspoken on denouncing authoritarianism on the right and left following Venezuelas elections and disagreed with the Biden administration on removing Cuba from the list of countries that dont cooperate fully against terrorism. DMP has run her entire campaign, Karp said, as a very different kind of Democrat not beholden to the national party. Less than a week before Election Day, third-party presidential candidates still present an unknown factor in key swing states where dozens of Electoral College votes rest on the knife's edge and their getting even 1% could make all the difference. Democrats, traumatized after third-party contenders ate at Hillary Clinton's vote share in 2016, launched a full court press early in the election cycle to kneecap groups like No Labels and candidates like the Green Party's Jill Stein, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who ran as a Democrat before becoming an independent and then endorsing former President Donald Trump, and Cornel West. The Democratic National Committee pumped millions of dollars into casting them as spoilers at best and deceptive vessels of Republican subterfuge efforts at worst. Outside groups, including centrists and progressives, formed unconventional alliances to clear the way for a head-to-head matchup between Trump and President Joe Biden, and later Vice President Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Operatives involved in the effort expressed satisfaction at the effort. No Labels, once floating a centrist "unity ticket," ultimately folded. Kennedy dropped out and became more aligned with Trump, possibly hurting the former president in states where he remains on the ballot. And Stein and West are stuck at the bottom of polls. MORE: RFK Jr. says Trump has 'promised' him 'control of the public health agencies' But nobody is resting on their laurels. "Democrats are taking nothing for granted. We've learned the lessons of 2000 and 2016, when third-party candidates helped throw the White House to Republicans, and we're not going to allow a repeat of that in 2024," said Lis Smith, a communications adviser to the DNC on third parties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, "we're not going to pat ourselves on the back but, but we are satisfied that we took the third-party threats seriously," she said. "At the beginning of this cycle, people were talking nonstop about No Labels and RFK, Jr. But both of them, because of what Democrats did, ended up either not running or being complete non-factors in this race." Democrats were haunted by the 2000 and 2016 election results, when they claim third-party candidates nabbed enough swing-state votes to rob their nominees of victory. That danger would not go unheeded this year, they determined. The DNC set up an internal group specifically designed to message against third-party candidates. Progressive groups like MoveOn and center-left organizations like Third Way banded together to help clear the runway for Biden and later Harris to face Trump one-on-one. A third-party "unity ticket" from No Labels was kiboshed after Democrats painted the effort as a spoiler and heavily lobbied would-be candidates against joining the crusade. Digital operations were stood up to quickly highlight controversial comments candidates like Kennedy, Stein and West. Millions of dollars were pumped into advertisements highlighting backing from Republican operatives for supportive super PACs. And Democrats filed lawsuits to try to prevent other candidates from getting a spot in swing-state ballots at all. PHOTO: Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein speaks during a rally in Dearborn, Michigan, October 6, 2024. (Rebecca Cook/Reuters) Democrats now told ABC News they're happy that their work made a difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy, in part because of Democratic efforts and in part because of his own views on things like vaccines and COVID-19, was effectively viewed as more aligned with Trump than his family's political heritage. Stein, while still on the ballot in six out of seven swing states, saw her support drop to normal levels after fear that frustrations with Biden would help it jump. And Democrats no longer view West as a serious threat. "There was a different point in the race where No Labels, where RFK was stronger, where I think the threat was a little bit more existential. I think the threat is still troubling, but I think that Democrats have worked hard to offer voters who are persuadable by third-party candidates an alternative view on what those candidates provide and also on the risk associated with parking a protest vote with those candidates," said Joel Payne, MoveOn's chief communications officer. "Third parties are certainly a factor, but I don't know if they are the same factor at this point in the race that they were, say, six, nine, 12, months ago." MORE: Election 2024: Mail-in voting has become very common and many measures are in place to secure it Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, their existence on ballots at all poses a risk to both parties, and there's little either can do about it. Stein is on the ballot in the ballot in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The Supreme Court denied Kennedy's efforts to remove himself from the ballot in Michigan and Wisconsin. Libertarian Party candidate Chase Oliver is also on most ballots. PHOTO: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (Evan Vucci/AP) Democrats can knock Stein as much as they want, and Kennedy can shout from the rooftops about his support for Trump, but operatives said they're virtually guaranteed to win over some marginal support. At the end of the day, operatives said, some voters are immovable -- and in races that are won or lost on the margins, taking even 1% of the vote can make a difference. "If you're still a Jill Stein voter, and you think it will have an impact on the outcome that may help Trump, then in the end, we probably weren't going to get you anyway. So, I think 1% is probably realistic, but if Chase Oliver is getting 1%, that's a Trump problem too," said Jim Kessler, a Third Way co-founder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both parties could have particular concern in Michigan -- anger over Biden's handling of the war in Gaza could push some members of the state's large Arab population away from Harris and toward Stein, and with Kennedy still on the ballot, he risks Trump's ability to take advantage of that dynamic. A CNN/SSRS poll released Wednesday showed Kennedy nabbing 3% of the vote in Michigan and Stein getting 2%. West also got 1% in the poll, though Oliver did not get enough support to register. In Wisconsin, Kennedy and Stein each got 1%, while Oliver and West didn't register. In Pennsylvania, Stein and Oliver each got 1%. PHOTO: Presidential candidate Dr. Cornel West speaks to the community and congregation at Second Baptist Church in Santa Ana, March 29, 2024. (Leonard Ortiz/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images) "They're going to get a few percentage points, and that could affect the outcome in a close election, which by all polls, it appears very, very likely it's going to be very close," said nonpartisan Michigan pollster Bernie Porn. And in an election cycle that's already seen a president drop out, two assassination attempts, 34 felony convictions and more, any question mark presents yet another opportunity for uncertainty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You could see somebody playing a spoiler if the race is that tight in a lot of these states," GOP pollster Robert Blizzard said. "I don't believe Trump ever got over 50 in Pennsylvania, Michigan or Wisconsin before, and yet, he's won those states at least once before. And so, third parties, give voters who are concerned about Harris and fatigued about Trump a place to go. But I just don't know what role they're going to play Yet Democrats have been the party most publicly wringing their hands about the threat Stein and others pose, loathe to relive their past traumas. And in the home stretch, operatives who spoke to ABC News sounded content that the party had done as much as they could. "What we can do at this point is making sure that voters are doing this just out of laziness, that they know the repercussions of that choice. And then in the end, it's up to voters," Kessler said. "I'm satisfied that the effort is robust." Third-party candidates could be swing-state spoilers even after intense Democrat efforts originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Some Democratic lawmakers warn that in addition to further rollbacks of womens reproductive rights, a second Donald Trump presidency would also mean a reversal of the progress that has been made in womens health research under President Biden. We are dealing with a contrast here that will either advance womens health or put it in a sort of retrograde, Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) said. The Biden administration has really begun to turn the page for us and the only way that I see that continuing is with the election of Kamala Harris as the first woman president of the United States, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health conditions that predominantly affect women have historically been under-researched, in part because many researchers have preferred to conduct studies mainly on male bodies either due to concerns over potential unborn children or worries over fluctuating hormones tied to the female reproductive system. Research into womens health also receives far less funding than that focused on health conditions that mostly affect men. One 2021 study found that in almost three-quarters of cases, diseases that mainly affect women are underfunded for the amount of people they impact and illnesses that primarily affect men are overfunded. The Biden administration has taken steps to try to counter that imbalance. Last year, it created the White House Initiative on Womens Health Research to boost investment in research on conditions that primarily affect the female reproductive system, like menopause and endometriosis; that impact women differently than men, like cardiovascular disease; or that occur more commonly in women than men, like many autoimmune diseases. In February, first lady Jill Biden announced the first major deliverable under the initiative the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Healths (ARPA-H) Sprint for Womens Health, which aims to ramp up advances in womens health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, the initiative has been able to garner commitments from the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Institutes of Health to invest a combined $700 million in womens health research. Earlier this month, ARPA-H announced that it had awarded $110 million to 23 different recipients to develop health technology like a first-of-its-kind blood test to diagnose endometriosis and new ways to measure chronic pain in women, according to a release. Several Democrats who have sought to advance womens health research in their time in Congress expressed concern that a second Trump term would stymie the headway being made on the issue, however. Clarke pointed to past actions by the former president, specifically citing Trumps role in the Supreme Courts 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade as an example of how womens health including research efforts will worsen if he is reelected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has repeatedly touted the role his appointment of three conservative Supreme Court justices played in the overturning of the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision, which ruled the Constitution protected the right to an abortion. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) agreed with Clarke, arguing that the momentum under the Biden administration to advance womens health research can only continue if Vice President Harris wins in November. Donald Trumps record proves hes actively working against us, she said in an email to The Hill. As the architect of the womens health crisis unfolding in this country, we simply cannot trust him to invest in our care when he has proven that he doesnt care about our health, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) pointed to the future outlined in Project 2025, a presidential transition plan for the next Republican administration spearheaded by conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation, as evidence that a possible Trump return to the White House will mean less investment in womens health research. Trump has denied any connection to Project 2025, which was published last year by the Heritage Foundation along with more than 100 other conservative groups, but many of the authors of the plans policy initiatives previously served in his administration or as his advisers. The project has four components, the most heavily criticized of which is a policy guide for the next presidential administration. The guide includes recommendations on how the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) can reform the department and have it return to serving the health and well-being of all Americans at all stages of life. In the recommendations, author Roger Severino, who served as the Trump administrations director of the HHSs Office of Civil Rights, criticizes the National Institutes of Health for maintaining inappropriate industry ties that create conflicts of interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the actions recommended in the guide is to mandate that funding for agencies and individual government researchers must come directly from the government with robust congressional oversight. I see a Trump win as further going down the road of less access for women, less resources for women, less research for women, Kelly said. Womens health research advocates, however, are hopeful that progress can still be made on the issue regardless of who wins in November given the bipartisan efforts in the House and Senate to pass legislation related to womens health. One example is the Endometriosis CARE Act, which was reintroduced by Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) this spring and is now co-sponsored by one Republican lawmaker: Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another is the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2024, which has 35 co-sponsors, nine of whom are Republican. Neither of those measures have passed, however. The Endometriosis CARE Act was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health in May, and the Women and Lung Cancer and Preventive Services Act of 2024 was placed on the U.S. House of Representatives Union Calendar in July, meaning it was eligible for floor consideration in the late summer. One womens health advocate told The Hill that bills related to womens health research fail to pass not because of pushback from a particular elected official or party but because they are forgotten about in the hustle to get more immediately pressing legislative work done. I think whats happening is that it just gets lost in the end-of-the-year rush to do Medicare extenders or keep the government from shutting down, the advocate said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A broad rallying point that can capture the big picture of how important womens health research is would probably help future legislation get passed, according to the advocate. The Society for Womens Health Research, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that advocates for policies that improve womens health outcomes, is committed to working with Congress and the incoming presidential administration to ensure sustained and adequate funding for womens health research, said Katie Schubert, CEO of organization. All policymakers should recognize the value of investing in womens health research and that such research is imperative to improve health care outcomes for all, she added. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A crowd cheers and watches Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Raph Graybill at the Pub Station in Billings during a rally on Nov. 1, 2024 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan). With less than 100 hours to go in an election season that has seemed to drag on for years, a group of Montana Democrats who are running for statewide office were sprinting across the state making their final pitches to voters and urging volunteers to get out the vote. Montana has been the recipient of more polling than in previous cycles, largely due to the U.S. Senate race, and most of those have shown Democrats lagging behind Republicans. Recent elections in 2020 and 2022 have continued to strengthen the GOPs numbers, so while Republicans have not been holding as many events, Democrats are stopping in dozens of places leading up until Tuesdays election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The message from the Dems was simple and repeated: The 2024 Election is a fight to bring back Montana, a reference to the harder political shift to the right, and an influx of new residents that has seemed to change the state from a ticket-splitting purple state to one that is nearly completely dominated by Republicans. At a campaign stop in Billings on Friday afternoon in which several hundred people were nearly spilling out of the Pub Station in downtown, the lone elected Democrat at the statewide level made his pitch to continue representing Montana in the U.S. Senate, as well as possibly keep the nations upper chamber of Congress under Democratic control. Billings is the biggest population center in the state. How much we get Billings to turn out and vote is going to be the deciding factor on whether its going to be the Montana we know, said incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat from Big Sandy who is seeking his fourth term. Nearly all the top Democrats are on a whirlwind tour of the state, canvassing the state, rallying supporters and described it as a working weekend full of door knocking and talking to friends and family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the candidates spoke of the tight races between Democrats and Republicans both nationally and on a statewide level, although polls for Montana have shown a variety of results. Attorney and lieutenant governor candidate Raph Graybill urged rally-goers to keep on working with just hours left to go. The people who will decide these races are still out there, and theyll be there till Tuesday, Graybill said. Graybills running mate, Ryan Busse, who is challenging incumbent Gov. Greg Gianforte, said that Graybills success as an attorney demonstrates what is wrong with the state. Busse said that during the past four years, Graybill, as an attorney, has waged 19 different lawsuits focusing on violations of the Montana Constitution. Busse said that Graybill remains 19-0, winning every one of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We shouldnt need a Raph Graybill to protect the constitution, Busse said. Busse said new polling numbers that his campaign had received showed a tight race between him and Gianforte, even though others, like the Mountain States Poll, which was released on Tuesday, showed a nearly 20-point tilt toward Gianforte. Busse said that the polls havent quite captured the dissatisfaction about Montana residential property taxes rising, something that the Democrat from the Flathead has laid at the feet of Gianforte throughout the election. Traveling the state, the one thing that I have learned is that Republicans dont like property taxes, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A recent event in Cardwell, population 52, had more than 80 people, and Busse said that is the kind of energy that will help Democrats flip otherwise Republican voters. We dont have to trust any broken national polls, because we know what is happening on the ground, Busse said. Montana Auditor candidate John Repke speaks to a crowd of supporters at a rally at the Billings Pub Station on Nov. 1, 2024 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan) Democrat John Repke, who is running for state auditor against current Public Service Commission President James Brown, a Republican from Dillon, said that as much as policies are important, so, too, are the types of people that Montanans elect to represent and reflect them. Even more important is character, Repke said, referring to recent reporting that showed Brown attending meetings at the auditors office using assumed names of fictitious superheroes in official sign-in records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes helped jack your utility rates up by 28%, Repke said. And hes worked as an an attorney for out-of-state dark money groups. Attorney Ben Alke is running to unseat incumbent Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen, who has been recently mired in a several high-profile conflicts, including turmoil within the the Montana Department of Highway Patrol. Knudsen is also facing a suspension from the Montana bar after the Commission of Practice ruled that he had violated ethical rules during his tenure as the Attorney General. Knudsen said he would appeal the recommended suspension. I get the pleasure of beating the worst attorney general in Montana history, Alke told the crowd. I want to give my children the Montana that I had. I am running because I am pissed off. I am upset at what is happening at the Department of Justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alke ticked off a list of former attorneys, both Democrat and Republican, who served as the Montana Attorney General and said that they had done a fair and impartial job until it came to Knudsen. We need to come together around the concept that justice needs to be fair and impartial, Alke said. If youre doing the job of attorney general right, it doesnt matter whether you are a Democrat or Republican. Montana legislator and former education advisor Shannon OBrien, who is running for superintendent of public schools to replace Republican Elsie Arntzen of Billings, who has termed out of office, said that Montana was siphoning too much money from public schools and putting into private endeavors. Shes running against Republican Susie Hedalen. Calling Arntzen a trainwreck, OBrien recounted a troubling recent audit in which $67 million of federal funding may have been used improperly. She said during her tenure, shell fight to fully fund education so that low teacher pay wont mean that instructors are second-class citizens. China's largest state-owned carmaker and the private sector's biggest assembler, both at the top of the European Union's electric vehicle (EV) tariffs list, denied they sought separate deals to avert the import levies. SAIC Motor, the biggest state-owned carmaker and the partner of General Motors and Volkswagen, said it was "deeply involved" in the collective bargaining by China's carmakers. "There has never been a proposed deal for SAIC alone during the communications and negotiations with the European [trade bloc]", which slapped a 35.3-per cent import tariff on it last month, SAIC said. The Shanghai carmaker, which shipped 83,000 EVs to Europe last year bearing the MG and Maxus badges, had sought to "explain its case" to the EU, according to its statement in July. 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. Geely Automobile Holdings, the biggest of China's private-sector assemblers and the owner of such brands as Volvo, Lotus and Zeekr, said any suggestion it negotiated separately with the EU was "slanderous". "Geely unswervingly supports the efforts to strike a collective deal with the EU," the Hangzhou-based company said on Thursday. The two denials followed Monday's statement by the Ministry of Commerce, which reiterated that the state-backed industry guild the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products was the sole representative authorised to engage with the EU on tariff. Any separate discussions would "undermine trust" and harm the "continued efforts to resolve the issue," the ministry said. The war of words underscores how the different assemblers in China's automotive industry are scrambling to respond to the EU's levies, as they seek to preserve a fast-growing exports market amid a brutal discount war at home. "The negotiations are more than commercial talks," said David Zhang, general secretary of the International Intelligent Vehicle Engineering Association. "The EU tariff issue is likely to trigger escalated trade frictions between the two large economies. There will be drawn-out negotiations and there are still lots of uncertainties." In October, the EU voted to impose tariffs on Chinese-built pure-electric cars following an anti-subsidy investigation that began in September last year. The new duties are on top of the standard 10 per cent tariff applied to pure-electric cars made in China. The tariffs will be in effect for five years. The News More than a third of Africans want to move permanently to live somewhere else, a new high, according to a 2023 survey by Gallup. In 2012, 29% wanted to migrate; last year the number was 37%. Africans desire to leave their countries has not risen everywhere in the last decade. While more of the populations in Zambia, Mauritius, Ethiopia and Senegal want to leave, the reverse has happened in Gabon, Burkina Faso, the Gambia, Comoros, and by a lesser degree Nigeria. Still, the continents overall increased longing to set up home elsewhere mirrors global trends. Some 16% of the global adult population in 2023 wanted to move to a different country, compared with 12% a decade ago, Gallup said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even in the United States and Canada the top two destinations for all aspiring migrants over the past decade more people said they wanted to move abroad, compared to the previous survey. Only in the European Union was the percentage stable. Know More West Africa is the epicenter of the most intense push for migration away from Africa. The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria are five of six African countries where at least half the population wants to move abroad, according to Gallup. These countries are also in the top 10 countries worldwide with the highest desire for migration. Nigeria, Africas most populous nation, has experienced a bubbling wave of migration in recent years, especially driven by young people seeking work, education and security. A measure of this wave is the increase in companions joining migrant students in their new countries. Between 2018 and 2022, the number of dependents of Nigerian graduate students in the UK shot up from a little over 1,000 to more than 60,000 people. Only India and the Philippines have more foreign educated nurses in the UK than Nigeria, according to the nursing regulator. Not everyone who wants to leave for a foreign country can, however. The percentage of people worldwide who have plans to move is much lower than the percentage who would to move, Gallup said. During a public conversation in Arizona, Trump described Cheney as "a radical war hawk" who "always wanted to go to war with people." In that vein, Trump hypothesized a situation in which Cheney, armed with a rifle, is "standing there with nine barrels shooting at her. OK, let's see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face ..." Albeit a potentially dangerous escalation of violent rhetoric and imagery on Trump's part, in context his words did not amount to an explicit threat against Cheney. As the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign drew to a close in early November, rumors began to circulate online that former U.S. president and Republican candidate Donald Trump had called for the execution of former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, a Republican from Wyoming (archived): Trump is threatening Liz Cheney with firing squads and yall in corporate media are covering garbage propaganda. Do your d*mn jobs. Scott Dworkin (@funder) November 1, 2024 This post on X had amassed 678,800 views and 34,000 likes as of this writing. Someone else posted that with these remarks, Trump had violated the terms of his bail in an ongoing court case (archived): Trump violates the terms of his bail by threatening the life of Liz Cheney. pic.twitter.com/jHjXWVB1Ci Tom Joseph (@TomJChicago) November 1, 2024 Meanwhile, CNN presenter Kasie Hunt argued on "CNN This Morning" the remarks represented an "escalation of his violent rhetoric" (archived): Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement https://x.com/kasie/status/1852299148243980335 The Drudge Report, a historically right-wing political blog that turned on Trump during his 2016-2020 administration, claimed the same thing on its homepage (archived): (The Drudge Report) Trump's verbal target, Cheney, addressed his comments in a post on X (archived): This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. #Womenwillnotbesilenced #VoteKamala https://t.co/URH5s929Sa Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) November 1, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the remarks require some context. Cheney was one of the most prominent Republicans to oppose Trump, and she endorsed his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, for president. While in Congress, she was the vice chairwoman of the committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, seeking to clarify Trump's role in the events. She later lost her seat in the House of Representatives. Trump's supporters, meanwhile, defended his remarks, saying that his opponents were taking the outrage too far. For example, the presenters of the Fox News show "Fox and Friends" argued that all Trump meant was that it is easy for people to advocate for war when they are safe from combat. "He said just to clarify President Trump was talking about how Liz Cheney wants to send American sons and daughters to fight in wars despite never being in a war herself," they said, adding: "She knows better." Snopes found the recording of the conversation Trump had with former Fox News presenter Tucker Carlson, in which he made the remarks in question (at roughly the 01:09:00 mark). It took place in Glendale, Arizona, on Oct. 31, 2024 five days before Election Day. Here's a transcript of what he said about Cheney, including the context (emphasis ours): And [former U.S. Vice President D*ck] Cheney was so, he said, I really want to thank you. He said, now, I'm so glad that I actually endorsed you. It's amazing but that you would do this and I didn't speak to him about it. But then, you know, go a couple of years forward now and I don't blame him for sticking with his daughter. But his daughter is a very dumb individual, very dumb. She's a radical war hawk. Let's put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her. OK, let's see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face, you know, they're all war hawks when they're sitting in Washington in a nice building saying, oh, gee. Well, let's send, let's send 10,000 troops right into the mouth of the enemy, but she's a stupid person. And I used to have, I have meetings with a lot of people, and she always wanted to go to war with people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While his supporters' defense of his comment was plausible, Trump's detractors, including Hunt, viewed it in the wider context of what they perceived as the rising stridency of his language as the election approached. For example, on Oct. 13, 2024, he made statements that were widely interpreted as a threat to send the U.S. Military against his political opponents, a point he doubled down on during a town hall in Georgia two days later. Trump's remarks about Cheney did not amount to an explicit threat of violence against her. However, we reiterate that what Trump did do was describe, in explicit terms, a hypothetical scenario in which Cheney would face the threat of deadly violence from the barrels of nine guns "trained on her face." Sources: 'Democrats Promote Liz Cheney to Vice Chairwoman of Jan. 6 Panel'. PBS News, 2 Sept. 2021, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/democrats-promote-liz-cheney-to-vice-chairwoman-of-jan-6-panel. DRUDGE REPORT 2024. https://www.drudgereport.com/. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former President Trump Campaigns with Tucker Carlson in Glendale, Arizona | Video | C-SPAN.Org. https://beta.c-span.org/program/campaign-2024/former-president-trump-campaigns-with-tucker-carlson-in-glendale-arizona/651374. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024. Rascouet-Paz, Anna. 'Did Trump Say He Would Use Military Against Opponents on Election Day?' Snopes, 21 Oct. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/10/21/trump-use-military-opponents/. '"She Knows Better!" Fox & Friends Ridicules Liz Cheney and Drudge Over "Totally Irresponsible" Reaction to Trump's "Guns at Her Face" Comment'. Mediaite, 1 Nov. 2024, https://www.mediaite.com/tv/she-knows-better-fox-friends-ridicules-liz-cheney-and-drudge-totally-irresponsible-reaction-to-trumps-guns-at-her-face-comment/. Zeleny, Eric Bradner, Jeff. 'How Liz Cheney Lost Wyoming's Lone Seat in the House | CNN Politics'. CNN, 17 Aug. 2022, https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/17/politics/why-liz-cheney-lost/index.html. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Two current mayors from Ohio have died, according to Gov. Mike DeWine. According to the governor, Village of Dresden Mayor Greg Morrison and Village of Somerset Mayor Tom Johnson recently died. In Dresden and select public buildings and grounds across central Ohio, flags have to remain at half-staff until sunset on Nov. 5. Flags in Somerset are ordered to be at half-staff until sunset on the day of Johnsons funeral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeWine said flags at locations anywhere across the state are able to be lowered, but it is at their discretion to do so. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. (Bloomberg) -- An opposition coalition emerged as the shock winner of Botswanas parliamentary elections, the first time power has changed hands in the diamond-dependent southern African nation since independence almost six decades ago. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duma Boko, a Harvard-educated human rights lawyer, was sworn in as president Friday after his Umbrella for Democratic Change secured an outright majority in the 61-seat legislature. He succeeds Mokgweetsi Masisi, whose Botswana Democratic Party was widely expected to retain its majority, yet finished in fourth place. Voters punished the BDP for an economic downturn triggered by a collapse in the diamond market, which generates the bulk of government revenue and export earnings. Public anger over a 28% unemployment rate has been compounded by rising levels of crime and corruption. I will respectfully step aside, Masisi told a briefing in the capital, Gaborone, that was broadcast on state television. I wish to congratulate the opposition. I respect the will of the people. While Botswana has long been held up as one of Africas most successful democracies, disaffection with the system has surged, an Afrobarometer survey published in July shows. Just 30% of respondents in the country expressed satisfaction with democracy, down from 70% a decade ago which was among the sharpest drops on the continent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar patterns have emerged elsewhere in the region, including neighboring South Africa, where the African National Congress in May lost the parliamentary majority its held since the end of apartheid three decades ago. In Mozambique, the party thats ruled for the past 49 years extended its tenure in Oct. 9 elections that observers and opposition parties said were marred by irregularities. The BDPs implosion stunned its leadership, with outgoing Vice President Slumber Tsogwane saying he had no clue why it performed so badly. The party won just four parliamentary seats, down from 38 five years ago. The UDC secured 36 seats, the Botswana Congress Party 15, and the Botswana Patriotic Front five, while one went to an independent candidate, final results released by the electoral commission on Saturday show. Moeti Mohwasa, Bokos spokesman, said the countrys outgoing leaders held themselves aloof from the people they were meant to serve, werent accountable and failed to ensure resources were equitably distributed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boko, 54, who has run for the presidency twice before, has pledged to create at least 400,000 jobs within five years, boost the minimum wage, clamp down on corruption and cut water and electricity tariffs. Those undertakings clearly resonated with the electorate even though they may be hard to fulfill. The free elections reflected the voice of Botswanas people, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who congratulated Boko and his coalition on their victory and commended Masisi for his commitment to a peaceful transfer of power. Botswana is the worlds largest producer of rough diamonds by value, with almost all of its gems mined by Debswana which is jointly owned by the government and De Beers, a unit of Anglo American Plc. Global diamond sales have been impacted by oversupply, poor demand from the crucial Chinese market and pressures from lab-grown gems. Masisis administration last year negotiated a new 10-year accord with De Beers that will give the nation access to more diamonds and help it secure 10 billion pula ($751 million) in development funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boko criticized the way the deal was negotiated and said it had adversely affected the countrys relationship with De Beers, which was now considering walking away from it. The new administration will engage with the company to understand its concerns. We have to safeguard the goose that lays the golden egg and have some revenue generation while we pursue diversification of the economy, he told reporters Friday. In a July interview, Boko said he wants Botswanas government to increase its stake in De Beers to 51%, from 15% currently, and called for the company to relocate its headquarters from London to Gaborone. Anglo American paid $5.1 billion for the Oppenheimer familys 40% stake in De Beers in 2011. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, Anglo American wrote down the value of its 85% share in the diamond producer by $1.6 billion to about $7 billion, and in May it put the unit up for sale after fending off a $49 billion takeover bid for the group from BHP Group Ltd. It is an opportunity for the government of Botswana, in our view, to acquire a substantial controlling stake in De Beers, Boko said in the interview. When its in some crisis, its normally the best time to acquire. --With assistance from Matthew Hill, Arijit Ghosh, Gordon Bell, Chris Miller and Robert Jameson. (Updates with final election results in seventh paragraph, reaction in 11th.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. School resource officers Chase Boyd and Brandon King ran toward the sound of gunfire, rounding a corner inside a Winder, Georgia, high school to find a hallway shrouded in dust and smoke and through the haze, the silhouette of a shooter. The reason he is still alive is because we couldnt see him to shoot him, Boyd told the Barrow News-Journal of the 14-year-old accused of opening fire on September 4 at Apalachee High School, killing two students and two teachers. Seven others were wounded. The officers comments to the newspaper were their first public accounting of the shooting, which authorities previously said ended with the gunman surrendering to the deputies once confronted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement God was a huge factor that day, King said, also nodding to the training he and Boyd had undergone prior to the shooting. If it wasnt for God, I wouldnt be here today We did what God put us here to do. The Barrow County Sheriffs Office declined a CNN request to interview the deputies Thursday, saying they were unavailable. A series of revelations in the aftermath of the shooting have raised questions about whether more could have been done to prevent it. Particular focus has been paid to the accused shooters father who allegedly provided his son access to the weapon used despite knowledge of his deteriorating mental health and his mothers claim she called the school that morning to warn of an extreme emergency after receiving a concerning text message from her son. The sheriff has said there was no prior warning of a possible threat. But the deputies and their swift response have been credited with halting the gunfire before the shooter could claim more victims. And it highlights the crucial role law enforcement can play in the early moments of a school shooting, offering a contrast to cases like the 2022 shooting at a Uvalde, Texas, elementary school, where scores of officers waited 77 minutes to confront a gunman who killed 21 people, mostly children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our mindset needs to be that we will probably get shot, Boyd told the News-Journal. Whether or not we die is a coin flip, he added, but our job is to stop the shooter from taking more lives. Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith who previously told CNN affiliate WANF Boyd and King were the true heroes confirmed to CNN the deputies experience had already prompted changes to his agencys active shooter training, inspiring the use of smoke machines to imitate a low-visibility environment. Were just ordinary people Boyd usually works at a different school, the News-Journal reported, but had gone to Apalachee High that morning to drop off a Bible to a student there. When the shooting started, the pair of school resource officers were in the schools atrium talking about that evenings Bible study, which would focus on Ephesians 6:10-18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first two verses of one translation read: When the gunfire erupted, it sounded like a muffled snare drum because of the way the sound traveled through the schools hallways, Boyd said. Several teachers, he said, had mistakenly believed the sound of gunfire was students kicking lockers. The two deputies ran toward the sound, they told the newspaper. It wasnt until we kept getting closer, then it started registering more like the sound of gunfire, said King. The News-Journal reported it took just one verbal command for the shooter to surrender, dropping the AR-style rifle investigators said hed concealed in his backpack that morning. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has said the gunman was apprehended at 10:26 a.m. several minutes after law enforcement received the first reports of an active shooter. A young girl and her mother watch as law enforcement and first responders surround Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on September 4, after a shooting was reported. - Christian Monterrosa/AFP/Getty Images My personal belief is whatever demon or whatever was in that kid to make him do pure evil left when God rounded that corner, Boyd told the News-Journal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were just ordinary people, Boyd said. Throughout scripture, you can see where God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. The deputies have since been working to comfort the school community still reeling from the shooting eight weeks later, and to assure them of their safety. We want to help give comfort to the students and staff that theyre as safe as they can possibly be with us here, King told the newspaper. We want everyone to know how quickly we reacted not for recognition, but for their peace of mind, he added. It wasnt hours or minutes. It was seconds. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The mans two young children were inside their house when their father was shot and killed, say authorities KHOU/YouTube House in Houston, Texas, where a man was shot to death on Halloween. House in Houston, Texas, where a man was shot to death on Halloween. Police in Houston, Texas, are searching for a gunman who walked into a mans garage on Halloween night possibly wearing a Michael Myers mask from the movie Halloween and shot and killed him, authorities said. On Thursday, Oct. 31, at about 11:15 p.m., a child called 911 to report that her father had been shot at their home on Hawks Nest Drive in Houston, the Harris County Sheriffs Office said in a statement sent to PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EMS and HCSO deputies raced to the scene and found an adult male lying in his garage, unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, the sheriffs office said. Two young children were found inside the house, unharmed. The suspect was nowhere to be seen, the sheriff's office said. The man who was shot could not be saved and died in his garage, police said in the statement. Detectives spoke to witnesses and reviewed security videos from neighboring homes and learned that a possible suspect was seen walking in the area wearing a Halloween-themed Michael Myers mask, the sheriffs office said. Multiple neighbors heard the gunshots, including the children, who were inside the home when the shooting took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A third child, a toddler, was staying with a relative and was not home when the shooting took place, ABC 13 reports. The killing is under investigation, and the motive, along with the suspect shooter's identity, is unknown at this time. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Police did not identify the victim. During the investigation, detectives learned that the mother of the three children, who was also the estranged wife of the victim, had been killed in a homicide in August of 2024. "Detectives are working to establish if both incidents are related," the sheriff's office said. The children were released to their grandmother. Authorities are continuing to investigate. A witness who claims to have footage of celebrities being abused by the rapper Sean Diddy Combs will appear before a grand jury, a new report reveals. Ariel Mitchell, an attorney representing the witness, said her client was summoned to testify before a grand jury on Thursday, CNN reports. Mitchell, who represented two other women who brought allegations of abuse against Combs, told the outlet the witness has evidence related to accusations of sexual abuse and other crimes by the rapper. Another source revealed to the outlet the witness claims to have footage of the abuse. The witness is not an alleged victim. Some of the people who faced the alleged abuse include fellow celebrities, CNN reports. Mitchell revealed the witnesss identity, but CNN did not report his name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Combs, a rapper and music mogul credited with helping launch the careers of some of the biggest stars in recent years, was arrested in September on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. Federal prosecutors allege that Combs and his associates threatened, abused and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires. Sean Diddy Combs was arrested in September on racketeering and sex trafficking charges (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) This allegedly includes forcing victims into engaging in recorded sexual activity which he referred to as Freak Offs. Prosecutors told CNN that, since his arrest, the governments investigation against the rapper has been ongoing. One source even revealed to the outlet people with new accusations and witnesses have been meeting with federal prosecutors since September. The grand jury is always meeting, a source familiar with the matter told CNN. This is an ongoing investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The grand jury has never stopped, another source told the outlet. Combs could be facing more than 100 new lawsuits just two weeks after he was arrested by federal agents in New York. The latest wave of legal filings was announced on October 1,The Los Angeles Times reported, with more than 100 people alleging that Combs sexually abused and exploited them. The music mogul was also recently hit with a $100 million default judgment on September 9 over an alleged sexual assault from a 1997 party against Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith. Then, on Monday, Combs was hit with two new lawsuits accusing him of drugging and sexually assaulting two boys. The lawsuits say they were underage at the time, with one of them just 10 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lawyer for the hip-hop artist called Combs an innocent man with nothing to hide. We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorneys Office, his attorney, Marc Agnifilo, previously told The Independent. The Independent has contacted Combss representative for comment. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 27-year-old man was charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury after he allegedly attacked a friend with a beer bottle, leaving the victim with a partially amputated nose, back in January off the roadway of Carrizo Canyon Road near the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation, according to court documents obtained by KTSM. According to court documents, Lewis Michael Bigmouth, 27, was arrested and has been in custody in the Dona Ana County Detention Center since Oct. 24 for tribal charges that include aggravated battery. On Jan. 5, police in Lincoln County responded to an assault incident. Upon arrival, officers met with the victim who had suffered a severe injury to his nose. Approximately 1/3 of the skin and cartilage was cut off from the tip of the victims nose, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, the victim told officers at approximately 12:30 p.m. he picked up his friend, Bigmouth, at his mothers house in Carrizo Trails to run errands in Ruidoso. The victim stated he took Bigmouth to the bank to get money, then they went to Walgreens to purchase alcohol. Later, the two of them went to order pizza and waited across the street at a bar while they waited for their food. After the pizza was done, they went to drink more alcohol. Later, Bigmouth wanted to go to another place to drink and the victim said that at that point, Bigmouth was heavily intoxicated, according to court documents. According to court documents, the victim said he and Bigmouth were traveling on Carrizo Canyon Road when they traveled off the roadway and got the vehicle stuck in the snow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim said he and Bigmouth got into a verbal altercation that turned physical after the vehicle got stuck in the snow. The victim also said he initially saw Bigmouth grab a beer bottle at the neck and struck him in the face, according to court documents. According to court documents, the victim did not realize how severe his injuries were. He was more focused on getting his truck unstuck from the snow. Bigmouth immediately left the scene after the incident and caught a ride from a random person. The victim stated there were no witnesses present during the incident, according to court documents. According to court documents, at approximately 5:25 p.m. and after the altercation, the victim called his mother to help him pull his truck out of the snow. They then traveled to the victims house where he took a shower and noticed how severe his injuries were. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims mother took him to the hospital where they recommended transfer to the University Medical Center (UMC) in El Paso for further treatment and surgery. The victim was transferred the same day, according to court documents. A tribal criminal complaint and an arrest warrant were issued for Bigmouth. However, after the incident, Bigmouth fled the area. He was not arrested on the tribal warrant until April 24, and he was booked at Lincoln County Detention Center for tribal charges that include aggravated battery, according to court documents. According to court documents, on April 30, Bigmouth was interviewed at the Lincoln County Detention Center where he stated he and the victim were childhood friends and that their families were close. Bigmouth stated they both were drinking and were heavily intoxicated. When they were driving home, they ran off the road and got stuck in the snow. Bigmouth said he sat there in the victims vehicle for a minute and blacked out. He then said he woke up in another car and did not remember what he did to the victim, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, Bigmouth read the tribal criminal complaint and stated that the victim didnt deserve what he did to him. Bigmouth indicated he wanted to apologize to the victim but said he never reached out because he was scared. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. A documentary that will be shown at Scott Community College examines human trafficking in Iowa. Gridshock: A Film About Sex Trafficking in Iowa, will be be shown 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Scott Community College Welcome Center, Student Life Center, Room 2300, 500 Belmont Road, Bettendorf. Parking is in Lot D on the main campus. The screening is sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the North Central Iowa Coalition Against Human Trafficking, highlighting a collaborative effort to combat this critical issue. For more information, visit here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The movie is designed for those ages 16 and older, and aims to raise awareness about human trafficking. The audience can ask questions after the screening. Melody Stone, human-trafficking expert who will present Gridshock, discussed the powerful documentary, with Our Quad Cities News. The film, she said will help people to identify human trafficking, and to learn to recognize signs and understand the realities surrounding the crime; understand the crisis about why human trafficking is considered the fastest-growing crime globally; how to separate fact from fiction with evidence-based information; gain insight about protecting yourself and others from sextortion and other trafficking forms; and explore ways to create a safe, more informed community. While many people think this is only a problem in other countries or large cities that is not the case, said filmmaker Vanessa McNeal, herself a survivor of sexual violence. These atrocities are occurring every day in our own back yards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. France's long-standing policy of claiming "motherhood" over Armenia continues unabated. Particularly, the periodic unfounded accusations against Azerbaijan from the French embassy in Armenia have become a habit, exacerbating the already existing tensions in the region. Recently, French Ambassador Olivier Decottignies explicitly portrays Baku as an aggressive country in an interview with the Armenian media outlet "Hetq," using baseless statements regarding Garabagh that lack any factual basis. His "opinions" against Azerbaijan regarding military actions and humanitarian conditions are completely biased and hypocritical. Ignoring the genocide and atrocities committed by Armenia on Azerbaijan's territory over the past 30 years, the ambassador refers to Armenians sent safely to Armenia and granted the right to live in Azerbaijan as "internally displaced persons," while discussing the importance of preserving their "centuries-old cultural heritage." Such statements from the ambassador reflect France's position in the region. They dismiss the expulsion of Azerbaijanis who once lived in Armenia, as well as the historical fact that Yerevan was the centre of the Azerbaijani Erivan Khanate. France also disregards the illegitimate establishment of the current Armenian state on Azerbaijani lands, which has contributed to the separation of Nakhchivan from the main lands of Azerbaijan. However, France is well aware of history. As affirmed by UN resolutions, the international legal recognition of Garabagh as Azerbaijani territory cannot be ignored. Ambassador Decottignies's reference to the term "Arsakh" is a sign of disrespect and impropriety. Beyond its biased policies, it is unacceptable for a state to dismiss another's natural rights, covering up Armenia's aggressive policies while slandering Azerbaijan. This not only challenges Azerbaijan's sovereignty but also contributes to escalating tensions in the region. Instead of contributing to the resolution of the conflict, France is engaged in sowing seeds of discord. It is clear that this activity is not intended for Armenia's prosperity. The Elysee Palace today is making calls for war and revenge rather than encouraging the Armenian side toward peace, claiming to support Armenia in the media while actually leading Yerevan to disaster. The victories of Azerbaijan in counter-offensive operations in 2020 and 2023 have long proven how helpless and isolated Armenia is in a real war, despite claims of support from French politicians, who continue to issue statements "encouraging" Armenians. Ultimately, it is the suffering Armenian people who bear the brunt, and the responsible parties are the Armenian authorities that have ignored Azerbaijan's repeated calls for peace and engaged in provocations at the border. As Azerbaijan and Armenia wish to continue peace talks after the war, the French government's actions that provoke scandal by violating international law, humanity, and professional ethics are a disgrace. Moreover, after its disgrace at the Summer Olympics, it is shameful for Paris to exploit every opportunity to claim that Azerbaijan is not a capable host for COP29, using this event for its own nefarious games. While many countries discuss the global climate crisis that poses a threat to the planet, Frances pursuit of the supposed ignored rights of Armenians returning to Armenia only reveals its deeply selfish nature. The Armenian government must understand that the sole purpose of its supposed ally and partner France is to seize Armenia in place of the colonies it lost in Africa. Paris, seeking to assert itself and expand its sphere of influence in the Caucasus, openly offers false promises and meaningless statements in a pretence of supporting Armenia. The reality is that France is the one that will abandon Armenia in times of danger. Shanghai's municipal government seeks to encourage local biopharmaceutical firms to get their products certified by the US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency, as part of a broad plan to enhance the city's "international competitiveness" in this field. According to the government's 2024-2027 action plan published on Thursday, Shanghai will boost support for local biopharmaceutical companies to have their drugs and medical devices approved in overseas markets. This initiative aims to generate 50 billion yuan (US$7 billion) from medical product exports by 2027, with up to three local companies expected to achieve more than 10 billion yuan in annual overseas sales. 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. The action plan, which was passed by Shanghai's municipal government on September 30, is expected to help local biopharmaceutical firms go global, with a focus on research and development (R&D) in the areas of "synthetic biology, cell and gene therapy, nucleic acid drugs and brain-computer interfaces, as well as artificial intelligence (AI)-supported pharmaceuticals". The plan will also back local firms' efforts "to set up R&D centres and other branches overseas", as well as create overseas research teams that cooperate with high-level research institutes and leading drug makers overseas. Shanghai's latest action plan aligns with mainland China's broader endeavour to move forward the country's biopharmaceuticals industry, reducing reliance on foreign products. This year's government work report, delivered by Premier Li Qiang in March, mentioned for the first time "innovative drugs" - newly developed medication that can offer breakthrough treatment. In 2023, there were 58 overseas out-licensing cases - which grant external companies the rights to manufacture, market, or sell a company's pharmaceutical products - for innovative, China-developed drugs, according to a Frost & Sullivan report in September. There were 34 such deals reported in the first half of this year. A bird's-eye view of the Lujiazui financial district in Shanghai on June 5, 2024. Photo: AFP alt=A bird's-eye view of the Lujiazui financial district in Shanghai on June 5, 2024. Photo: AFP> Under Shanghai's 14th Five-Year Plan, issued in 2021, the city has prioritised three leading industries: integrated circuits, biopharmaceuticals and AI. Official data shows that the scale of Shanghai's biopharmaceutical industry reached 933.7 billion yuan in 2023, a 4.9 per cent year-on-year growth. John Barnes is among Idahoans whose stories about how Medicaid expansion improved their lives will be highlighted in a documentary by health advocacy groups. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun) A documentary highlighting how voter-approved Idaho Medicaid expansion has saved lives is premiering Nov. 13 in Boise. Documentarians visited Pocatello, Boise and Coeur dAlene for interviews to highlight stories from across the largely rural state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The film will feature accounts from two patients including a cancer survivor as well as a patient navigator who works for the Shoshone-Bannock Community Health Center and a North Idaho physician who works for Kootenai Health, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Networks Idaho Grassroots Manager Erin Riley told the Idaho Capital Sun. Every time I watch it, I get goosebumps, Riley said. The documentary is in partnership with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and Idaho Supports Medicaid, a network of health care providers, community organizations and advocates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The documentary is focused on showcasing why Medicaid expansion is helping people, how it is a success, and why we want to protect Medicaid expansion in Idaho, she said. In August, an Idaho Capital Sun story detailed how John Barnes told documentarians that without Medicaid expansion, I would probably have been dead a long time ago. How to attend the documentary screening? When: The screening will start at 6 p.m. Nov. 13, with a panel event planned. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Where: Treefort Music Hall in downtown Boise, at 722 W. Broad St. How to attend: Registration is available online at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Networks website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other ways to watch: The documentary will be available online after the screening, Riley said. The groups are also considering other screening events. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX What is Idaho Medicaid Expansion? In 2018, 60% of Idaho voters approved a ballot initiative to expand Medicaid coverage to a broader range of low-income earners. Idahos expansion took effect in 2020, raising the maximum income for Medicaid qualification from 100% of the federal poverty limit to 138%, which is currently $2,970 a month for a family of three, or around $35,600 a year. In August, Idaho Medicaid expansion covered about 94,000 people, an Idaho Department of Health and Welfare previously told the Idaho Capital Sun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voter-approved expansion followed years of stalled legislative efforts to address a health insurance assistance gap in Idaho, dubbed the Medicaid gap. People in the gap made too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to get subsidies on Idahos insurance exchange, Your Health Idaho. Ten states havent expanded Medicaid since the Affordable Care Act passed in 2012, according to KFF, a health policy research group. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE HONOLULU (KHON2) The Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) announced it is making strides in addressing faulty fire alarm systems in schools. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Since April, 15 schools have been removed from the fire watch list. A recent report identifies 72 schools with fire alarm systems older than 20 years that lack replacement parts, along with 76 schools with systems under 20 years old but also missing replacement components. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nurses and healthcare workers on Maui and Lanai plan three-day strike Deputy Superintendent for Operations Randy Moore highlighted the need for funding, noting that if a fire alarm system typically lasts 20 years, about 13 schools per year require replacement at an estimated cost of $2.5 million each. We need to spend over $30 million in perpetuity to keep our fire alarm systems operable, he said, not accounting for ongoing maintenance costs. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Additionally, the DOE is considering implementing wearable devices for schools on the fire watch list to enable quicker emergency responses with the push of a button. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) We are less than a week away from Election Day, but does your county have your absentee ballot? News 3 asked elections supervisor, Ronda Walthour, about ways to check your absentee ballot status. You can always check your absentee ballot status on the MVP [My Voter Page] website for the Secretary of State or you can actually call in the office to verify that the ballot was mailed off or if weve actually received it, Walthour said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If your local election headquarters hasnt received your ballot and you suspect it to be lost in the mail, you can request a cancellation affidavit. The same goes for if you havent received your requested ballot. When they do the cancellation affidavit, they are allowed to vote in person, just making sure that they sign and say that they will not cast that ballot that was mailed to them or if they did not receive it, Walthour told News 3. She added, Its normal. yes, it happens. The thing is, we make that process so easy for you to cancel your ballot. We dont first that we dont do anything. We just ask that if you do receive it, please return it back to the office in the way that you got it. Then thats how we just go ahead and take care of them and let them vote Walthour told WSAV that if you are mailing your ballot, plan accordingly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its up to the elector to get it back to us in a timely manner by Nov. 5, by 7 p.m. The last day to early vote in Georgia is Nov. 1. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. After all the ballots in this year's presidential contest are cast, the count will begin to be reported. But in the United States' unusual election system, there are in essence two counts the popular vote and the results in the electoral college. Here's how they work: What is the popular vote? The popular vote is your vote the votes of the people. The popular vote is equal to the number of ballots cast. What is the electoral college? The electoral college is made up of 538 electors one for every representative and senator in Congress, plus three for the District of Columbia. To become president, Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Trump needs to reach a majority of 270 electors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The electoral college is based upon a state's representation in Congress, which is based upon a state's population. As the most populated state in the country, California has the most electors: 54, for its 52 representatives and two senators. Harris is widely expected to win the popular vote in California, and therefore collect all 54 electors. In most states, whichever candidate wins the popular vote in a state is awarded the state's electors in a winner-take-all system. However, two states Maine and Nebraska have a proportional representation electoral college. Both states award two electoral votes to the candidate who wins the popular vote, and then one for the winner of each congressional district (Maine has two congressional districts, Nebraska has three). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each state's political party generally appoints the slate of electors. So how does a candidate become president? To become president, a candidate must win 270 electoral votes. A president can win the electoral college without winning the popular vote. This has happened four times in U.S. history, twice in the 1800s and twice this century. Trump lost the popular vote to Democrat Hillary Clinton but prevailed in the electoral college in 2016. Republican George W. Bush lost the popular vote in 2000 but defeated Democrat Al Gore. What happens if the electoral vote is a tie? If the candidates tie at 269 electors each, the election turns to the House of Representatives. Each state gets to cast one vote for president, and at least two-thirds of the chamber must be present to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last time the House of Representatives decided a presidential election was in 1824, when it picked John Quincy Adams. Why do swing states matter so much? While there are voters of many parties in every state, and those aligned with none, most states have a comfortable majority of either Republicans or Democrats. In California, for example, 46% of registered voters are Democrats, compared with almost 25% Republicans and nearly 22% voters stating no party preference, as well as 7% others. With voter registration numbers like that, the Democratic candidate for president is almost guaranteed to win the popular vote and, as a result, the state's electors. However, in the seven swing states Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan the numbers are much closer, so the popular vote can come down to a very slim margin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, for example, Joe Biden won Pennsylvania by 80,555 votes over Trump, getting all of the state's electors and clinching the presidency. Biden won some states by even smaller margins, such as Arizona, where he bested Trump by just over 10,000 votes. When are electors certified? The electors meet in their respective states on Dec. 17 to cast their ballots for president and vice president. Their votes are recorded on a certificate of vote, which is then sent to Congress. On Jan. 6, a joint session of Congress is held to certify the electoral votes. As president of the Senate, the vice president presides over the joint session and announces the official count. In 2021, Vice President Mike Pence served this role, despite Trump's objections and a mob that stormed the Capitol building in an attempt to disrupt the election certification. The president-elect is inaugurated as president on Jan. 20. Why do we have an electoral college? When the Founding Fathers were drafting the Constitution, they created the electoral college process as a compromise between those who wanted Congress to pick the president and those who wanted to leave it to the people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some activist groups, like Making Every Vote Count, have been advocating to do away with the process by passing a constitutional amendment. Rachelle Chong, one of the group's spokespeople, cited a 2023 Pew Research Center study that found 63% of U.S. adults want the presidency to be decided by the popular vote. "The way a democracy works should be one person, one vote, right?" she said. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Charlotte Kates, a New Jersey native and Rutgers Law School graduate who co-founded the pro-Hamas organization Samidoun, has become the focus of an ongoing legal debate: When does free speech cross the line into breaking federal anti-terrorism laws? Over the last year, Kates, who lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, said she met with mid-level leaders of at least two U.S.-designated terrorist organizations at a public conference in South Africa. She also joined members of the groups in online seminars in which they urged the audience to support Hamas and Hezbollah. The Palestinian resistance and the Lebanese resistance are not engaging in terrorism, Kates told NBC News. Theyre engaging in a national liberation struggle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Treasury officials sanctioned her organization two weeks ago and declared it a sham charity, alleging that it was funneling money to a second, lesser-known U.S.-designated terrorist organization. At the same time, the Canadian government declared Samidoun a terrorist entity. Germany banned the organization last November, and Israel designated it a terrorist organization in 2021. Republican members of Congress and several Jewish groups have petitioned the Justice Department, the FBI and other federal agencies to crack down on protest groups that openly praise terrorist organizations. Kates open support of terrorist organizations puts her in the middle of a growing legal dispute: When does free speech cross the line into breaking federal anti-terrorism laws? FBI policy draws a distinction between protected speech and rhetoric that poses an immediate threat to public safety. The rules were enacted in response to decades of illegal surveillance and attempts to smear political groups by the FBI during the Civil Rights Movements and the Vietnam War era. Spokespeople for both the FBI and the Justice Department said the agencies can neither confirm nor deny the existence of ongoing investigations. The FBI spokesperson added that the agency doesnt open cases solely based on protected First Amendment activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tom Petrowski, a former supervisory special agent and legal counsel with the FBI who led the Joint Terrorism Task Force in Dallas, is one of several former federal law enforcement officials who called for the Justice Department to launch a criminal investigation into Samidoun. The decision to open a counterterrorism investigation based on advocacy is usually a very difficult call, Petrowski told NBC News. In this case, it is not. The FBI would be derelict in its duty to not have a full investigation open on Samidoun. Dr Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, speaks in a video posted Sept. 8 on Samidoun's page on a video platforming site. Petrowski argued that Kates advocacy for terrorist groups, coupled with her participation in webinars with members of Hamas, Hezbollah and Palestine Islamic Jihad, may have violated a U.S. law that bans working under the direction or coordination of U.S.-designated terrorist organizations while providing material support. Civil rights attorneys and free speech advocates argue that the Constitution allows people to advocate for hate groups, including terrorist organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Goldberger, the former legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union who defended American Nazis in court when they petitioned to march through a Jewish community in Skokie, Illinois, in 1977, argued that the First Amendment protected Kates participation in the webinar. Goldberger said Kates online appearance with members of Hamas and Hezbollah doesnt mean the terrorist organizations are also helping coordinate Samidouns protests and teach-ins which would violate federal anti-terrorism laws. What is the direct coordination? And to do what act? he asked. As far as Im concerned, this is legitimate political advocacy, unpleasant as it may be. What is knowingly coordinating with a terrorist organization? Since its founding in the 2010s, Samidoun has mentored college activists across the U.S., held teach-ins, conducted letter writing campaigns on behalf of Palestinian prisoners and helped organize anti-Israel protests in New York, Chicago and elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kates, 44, defended her online appearances with members of Hamas, Hezbollah and other U.S.-designated terrorist groups in an interview. She argued that the designation process is unjust and that federal law enforcement wrongly stigmatizes Arab men. In January, Kates joined an online panel with mid-level leaders of Hezbollah and Palestine Islamic Jihad both U.S.-designated terrorist organizations. The video is still up on YouTube. A few weeks later, she joined a Hamas official on a webinar in which they both praised Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Kates introduced Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, and said the two of them met at a pro-Palestinian conference in South Africa late last year along with representatives from Hezbollah and other U.S.-designated terrorist organizations. Naim told the online audience that a needed front of Hamas war with Israel is stripping the enemy of its international support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, Kates helped lead an online class for students at Columbia University and encouraged them to help build a mass movement to support armed resistance. There is nothing wrong with being a member of Hamas, Kates told the audience. Its important for us to come together to do everything that we can to make support for the resistance. For the fifth day, pro-Palestinian students occupied a central lawn on the Columbia University campus in New York City on April 21. Leaders of pro-Hamas protest groups, along with former federal law enforcement officials, all point to the same 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling when theyre asked about the legalities of Kates actions. Months after the 9/11 attacks in 2001, Congress expanded material support for terrorism laws and banned knowingly giving a service to a terrorist organization, including expert advice or assistance that is derived from scientific, technical or other specialized knowledge. People convicted of violating material support laws can face a maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court ruling stemmed from a series of federal lawsuits filed by the Humanitarian Law Project, a nonprofit organization that wanted to lawfully train two U.S.-designated terrorist groups the Kurdistan Workers Party and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in peaceful mediation tactics. The suits argued that material support laws are unconstitutional. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that material support for U.S.-designated terrorist groups as described in post-9/11 laws does extend to a narrow category of speech in which activists knowingly coordinate with terrorist organizations and dont work independently of them. The statute is carefully drawn to cover only a narrow category of speech to, under the direction of, or in coordination with foreign groups that the speaker knows to be terrorist organizations, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the 2010 decision. In a dissenting opinion, Justice Stephen Breyer, joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, wrote that the material support law was unconstitutional because it punished the communication and advocacy of political ideas and lawful means of achieving political ends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kates cited the Humanitarian Law Project case to defend appearing in online panels with members of terrorist groups. Were not taking direction from an organization by speaking alongside somebody at the event, Kates said in the interview. Its important for more people to speak alongside the designated resistance organizations, to, again, break this taboo on political and moral support for the rights of Palestinians to liberate themselves by all means, including armed struggle. NBC News shared Samidouns events and activities with nearly a dozen former and current federal officials. Most said Kates appearances in webinars with members of U.S.-designated terrorist groups, along with telling college students there is nothing wrong with being a member of Hamas, is enough for the FBI to begin an investigation. Its not so much like theres a smoking gun, but rather its a totality of the circumstances, said Frank Figliuzzi, a former FBI assistant director for counterintelligence. Makes one question whether they are, indeed, an arm of these groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Figliuzzi, now an NBC News contributor, added, I think its a strong case to at least open it up. But Columbia Law Professor Daniel Richman, a former federal prosecutor, pointed to the Humanitarian Law Project ruling in discussing whether Samidouns webinars with Hamas and Hezbollah members would meet the standards of a successful prosecution. Then the question in that context is, is it a joint appearance, coordination? Richman said. Definitionally, there is some coordination, because were showing up at the same place. Richman argued that it isnt clear whether Kates doing online panels with known members of terrorist groups would meet the standard for a criminal conviction. It is not clear whether that skeletal coordination as to synchronization satisfies the standard for criminal liability, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 15, the Treasury Department classified Samidoun as a sham charity that raises money for a lesser-known designated terrorist organization, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, or PFLP, whose attacks include blowing up a Swiss airliner in 1970 and assassinating the Israeli tourism minister in 2001. Treasury officials also designated Kates husband, Khaled Barakat, as being a member of the PFLP and said he and Samidoun play critical roles in external fundraising for the PFLP. Asked whether her husband was ever part of a terrorist group, Kates argued that Barakat was being vilified by Zionist organizations because he is a very effective advocate for Palestine and for Palestinian liberation. Samidoun said on its website that it doesnt have any material or organizational ties to U.S.-, Canadian- or European-designated terrorist organizations. An online flyer posted on the Instagram page of Columbia University Apartheid Divest, an unauthorized student organization known as CUAD, advertises a March 24 webinar that featured Charlotte Kates of Samidoun and other pro-Hamas speakers. Building a material support case After the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York, lawmakers passed a statute banning material support to terrorists that includes providing money or property. Then, after 9/11, Congress passed the Patriot Act, increasing federal law enforcements legal power to investigate people suspected of engaging in terrorism-related activities. The Patriot Act also expanded the definition of material support to include providing expert advice or assistance to a terrorist group. And in 2010, the Supreme Court upheld the expansion. Dubbed the Brandenburg Test, named after the 1969 Supreme Court ruling in Brandenburg v. Ohio, FBI policy says federal law enforcement can respond to advocacy that is likely and intended to incite imminent lawless action. Petrowski argued that Kates appearing in a webinar with Naim, the Hamas official, who also appears in a Samidoun video on the website odysee.com, shows not only that Samidoun advocates on behalf of the terrorist organization but that it also has an ongoing relationship with its leadership. On top of that, Treasury officials now say Samidoun helps raise money for the PFLP, he said. This designation demonstrates they are in open collaboration with Palestinian terrorists, Petrowski said. When NBC News asked about his relationship with Samidoun and Kates, Naim distanced himself. I was only invited to one of their activities, he wrote in an email. The most aggressive step for the FBI would be to open a full investigation, which, according to FBI policy, has a high legal bar to clear and needs to include articulable facts that show that activity constituting a federal crime or a threat to the national security has or may have occurred, is or may be occurring, or will or may occur. Full investigations that involve speech and other First Amendment issues require agents to get the green light from in-house FBI attorneys and federal prosecutors before they go to judges to request warrants, subpoenas or wiretaps, former agents said. Lara Burns was the FBI agent who led the investigation into the Holy Land Foundation, a Texas-based charity that prosecutors said was raising money for Hamas. Five Palestinian American men who worked with the foundation were sentenced to prison for 15 to 65 years. Pro-Palestinian activists say the men were wrongfully convicted. Burns, now the head of terrorism research at George Washington Universitys Program on Extremism, said Samidoun should be under full investigation by the FBI. Burns pointed to the 2019 federal conviction of a Texas man who never committed violence but was convicted of conspiracy to provide material support after he spent years online advocating for the Islamic State terrorist group and lied to investigators about his activity. You have a right to speak your mind, Burns said. You dont have a right to pick and choose which law to follow. Not all federal law enforcement experts agree with Burns approach. Barbara McQuade, the former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, suggested that the FBI conduct an assessment. McQuade said that would allow agents to recruit confidential informants and look into the actions of pro-Hamas groups without asking judges to sign off on investigative tools like wiretaps and warrants. This is where national security investigations become very challenging for investigators, but for good reason, because we dont want people to be investigated merely because of their political speech, even if we find it to be repugnant, said McQuade, now a legal analyst for NBC News. So we want to look for actual direction and control. And I think that [Hamas] webinar comes really close. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com NEW MEXICO (KRQE) Is New Mexico ready to charge the wave of electric cars expected in the years ahead? Lawmakers are now hearing from government and utility leaders on whether they can meet the coming commuter power demand. New Mexicos biggest electric provider, PNM agrees more electric cars are hitting American roads: Youll notice in 2022 the average market share was seven percent; in 2023 that rose to 9.4 percent; and it has flattened somewhat in 2024 at 9.7%t, said John Williamson, manager of Transportation Electrification with PNM. The trend is similar for the state of New Mexico. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PNM says they aim to provide $22 million between 2024 and 2026 in infrastructure incentives for electric vehicle charging stations. Today, in New Mexico, there are 803 EV charger ports located across 332 locations. PNM is very proud to have supported or provided incentives to 72 of those EV charger ports, and Id like to highlight that we have 92 additional charger ports in the pipeline, Williamson said. The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) says the states received more than $130 million in state and federal funding for electric vehicle infrastructure since 2021. NMDOT says one of its goals is to help establish New Mexicos leg of a national electric vehicle charging network which should have 500,000 chargers coast to coast by 2030. You can see the map thats generated there. These are all the charging locations that have been deployed by the state of New Mexico, said Andrew Gonzales, deputy director of the Office of Special Project for the NMDOT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department is looking at issuing requests for proposals with private and public partnerships soon to get these charging stations in place. The idea is to provide drivers with a convenient reliable accessible affordable experience, Gonzales said. NMDOT has designated eight alternative fuel corridors for these electric vehicle projects including I-25, I-40, and I-10. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has touted public education reforms as one of his key accomplishments as he campaigns for a second term. Coxs opponent, state Rep. Brian King, has framed these same reforms as one of his greatest liabilities. Since entering office in 2021, Cox, a Republican, has approved record budgets for education, increased the weighted pupil unit by at least 5% every year, and green-lit millions in COVID-19-related teacher bonuses. During the past two legislative sessions, Cox backed the state GOP supermajority in promoting parental rights and protecting against inappropriate or discriminatory conduct in schools. These measures which include prohibiting explicit materials in school libraries, pairing $8,000 student vouchers with teacher raises, clarifying restrictions on bathroom use and banning diversity, equity and inclusion practices sit at the center of Coxs reelection bid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for some previous supporters of Cox, the new laws are a dealbreaker. From the perspective of some teachers, these laws, which King, a Democrat, largely opposed, have felt like impractical oversight that prioritizes culture war concerns over the needs of educators and students. For others, including many parents and policymakers, Cox has struck the right balance between shoring up public schools while opening up educational opportunities. Utah should fit all. But how? While still undecided, Utah County voter Madelynne Evans said she leans toward giving Cox another four years because of his push to strengthen the public education system while also supporting parents who want to create a more personalized experience for their children outside of that system. I am a firm believer that if we have more to work with, theres more opportunity, Evans said. Brittany Maddux, a parent volunteer, helps third grader Babby Akina with math at Westfield Elementary School in Alpine on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Evans has raised her 7-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter in between moves to Alaska, New Mexico and Ohio, giving her a view of public education across the country. After returning to Utah just over a month ago, Evans, who is studying to become an elementary school instructor, started as a volunteer for her local Parent Teacher Association in the Alpine School District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evans was surprised to find more community involvement in schools than she had found anywhere else and increased willingness from teachers to apply special resources to help struggling students like her son. Her support for the incumbent governor comes from the $6,000 pay raise he negotiated to bring starting teacher salaries to $60,000 a year, Evans said. Evans was excited to learn that as part of the negotiations, the governor signed into law the Utah Fits All Scholarship, which enables qualifying parents to use $8,000 in state funds for private school, home schooling or other private educational options. This program is exactly what she has been looking for as she has tried to find more affordable private education options for her daughter, she said. Jon England, the education policy analyst at Libertas Institute, is also all in on the Utah Fits All Scholarship. But he is no stranger to public schools. Before joining the libertarian think tank, England taught fifth and sixth grade and was a school principal in the Weber School District. But what he observed as principal was that much of his time was spent helping students who didnt fit that system. What the Utah Fits All program does is it allows a parent of that child to find something that does fit, said England, who homeschools his five children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allowing families like his own to receive state funding for private educational experiences isnt another big government program, its ensuring that parents who dont want their kids in public education arent forced to pay for a school system that doesnt benefit them, according to England. If were going to pay for our children to be educated, which is a noble goal, the funding needs to follow the student and parents should be able to direct how those funds are spent, England said. The Libertas Institute supported the passage of the Utah Fits All scholarship but does not make any political endorsements. Public school funding: Fixed or flexible? While Cox has shone a spotlight on his bid to increase teacher pay in exchange for increasing parental choice, one of Kings central campaign promises is to repeal Utah Fits All, saying it negatively impacts public funding in rural communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Viewing vouchers as a threat to guaranteed public school funding is also what led the largest teachers union in the state to flip their support from Cox to King. In 2020, the Utah Education Association endorsed Cox based in part on his stance on school vouchers. Four years later, the UEA came out in support of Coxs Democratic opponent for the same reason. Mary Mahoney, a parent volunteer, helps Max Nelson with math at Westfield Elementary School in Alpine on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News The competition that public education has now been thrown into because they are using funding from the income tax fund to fund the voucher program we know that you cannot have two different education systems, one private ... versus public school, said UEA President Renee Pinkney. All you have to do is look at Arizona and see what that does to a budget. Since Arizonas Empowerment Scholarship Account voucher program became universal in 2022, it has ballooned in size, serving over 80,000 students or around 7% of school-aged children in Arizona. The cost of the program, now approaching $865 million a year, has led to the incremental decrease in funding of public education in the state, according to critics. Others have challenged that narrative. More than 15,900 applications on behalf of 27,270 students were submitted for Utahs inaugural K-12 school choice scholarship program. This fall, 10,000 scholarships of $8,000 were awarded, for a total of $80 million, to be used according to specific guidelines enforced by ACE Scholarships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Utah PTA has also approved resolutions opposing vouchers and other attempts to give public education funding directly to families for other purposes. PTA Education Commissioner Amber Bonner said school vouchers allow scholarship recipients to use public funding to pay for activities, whether its kayaking, crafts or cello lessons, that arent available in public school settings. Bonner said the all-volunteer organization also opposes the legislatures attempt to amend the state Constitution so that income tax revenue can be used for purposes other than education to increase budget flexibility. Cox supported the amendment and King opposed it. While the amendment currently on ballots as Amendment A has been voided by courts because it was not adequately publicized, Bonner said efforts to eliminate the income tax earmark represent a desire by lawmakers to remove guarantees surrounding public education funding. Its difficult to give up a constitutional protection for protections that could be changed by a future legislature at any time, Bonner said. That earmark feels like a commitment from the citizens of Utah. And the concern is that removing it might cause other issues that we then are going to be unable to anticipate and would be problematic. Madelynne Evans, a parent volunteer, helps Grant Shoff in Kristin Kukahikos fifth grade class at Westfield Elementary School in Alpine on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News What Utah voters want on education King has campaigned heavily in opposition to Coxs support of two bills in the 2024 legislative session: HB261, which prohibits school programs that discriminate based on characteristics like race, gender and sexual orientation; and HB257, which increases penalties for individuals who use public bathrooms that dont match their biological sex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Anna Williams, an English and debate teacher at Park City High School, these laws fit into a national trend of conservative policies but dont fit the needs of individual schools and classrooms. Williams, who strongly supports King for governor, sees restrictions on identity-based outreach, bathroom use and classroom material as preventing teachers from creating the best experience possible for every student. I feel as though some of that oversight is far reaching and hurts some of the most marginalized students within our community, Williams said. Williams also finds fault with a bill Cox signed this year that would remove books from public schools statewide if three school districts, or two school districts and five charter schools, determine the materials are pornographic or indecent. Books already pass through a careful process before they land on school shelves and banning them removes representation of important perspectives, Williams said. Williams voted for Cox in 2020 but cant get past his support for regulations on teachers and his tying of school vouchers to teacher raises. More than anything, Williams wants a governor who will support teachers without these ridiculous political games and culture wars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were professionals. And it would be nice if parents trusted professionals to do the work we were hired and trained to do, Williams said. I dont think that any of us have ulterior motives and theres no hidden agenda. But freedom to exit the public school system does not mean weakening it, according to Megan Allen, who started homeschooling her youngest daughter during COVID-19 because she was falling behind in math and reading. Since starting with a private homeschool group, Allens daughter, who is in seventh grade, is now ahead of grade level average in reading. Allen has nothing against public school her oldest six children all went to public schools but she believes that in addition to supporting teachers, the governor should ensure schools remain a safe place for children and that parents can pursue other educational opportunities if that is what seems best for them. There needs to be an alternative because public schools, across the board, no matter what state youre in, it is one size fits all education. Theres hardly any wiggle room, and some kids dont learn that way, Allen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen didnt vote for Cox in Junes GOP primary election but she is open to voting for any candidate in the general election who recognizes the need to increase funding for teachers who Allen says are stretched too thin and the need to empower parents to meet the unique needs of their children. Even though Im home school, there are some parents that public school is great for them. It works for them, its what they need, Allen said. And just as much as I want my kid to succeed, I want their kids to succeed too. (NEXSTAR) Election Day is nearly upon us, meaning millions of Americans will be heading to the polls to cast their vote. Depending on where you live, you may have had to register a month ago. Or, maybe youre among the millions who live in a state that allows you to register to vote moments before you cast your ballot. Twenty states and the District of Columbia allow voters to register on Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In most cases, in-person registration is the only applicable method. However, in Hawaii and Vermont, residents are also able to register online on Nov. 5 before heading to the polls. In Maine, same-day registration is only available online: the last day to register by mail or in person was Oct. 15. Below is a list of states that allow in-person, same-day voter registration: California Colorado Connecticut District of Columbia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Iowa Maryland Michigan Mississippi Montana Nevada New Hampshire New Mexico Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Wisconsin Wyoming What you need to bring to register may vary slightly by state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youll need your drivers license, a state ID card or your Social Security card in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland and Washington. An ID showing your current address is enough in Iowa, but if the address is no longer accurate, youll need to bring another document to serve as proof of residence. Mississippi requires only a photo ID, while Nevada will only accept a valid state drivers license or ID card. In Wyoming, youll need a photo ID to register, or at least two other documents that constitute proof of [your] identity. Other states are more broad about what proof of residence is acceptable. In Connecticut, youll need a copy of a valid photo ID, like your drivers license or a state ID, or a copy of a current bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or a government document with your name and address. States with similar lists of acceptable proof of residence guidelines include Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Vermont, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Some states require two forms of identification. In Idaho, you need a photo ID and proof of residence. An applicable photo ID could include not only your drivers license and state ID, but your passport, a federal ID, a tribal ID card or a concealed weapons license issued by a county sheriff. Your proof of residence could be any of those identification cards or the aforementioned bills or documents with your address on them. Utah has similar requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois calls for two forms of identification, with at least one showing your current home address. While you need a photo ID to vote in Wisconsin, you dont need one to register to vote. You do, however, need a proof of residence document. In New Hampshire, you need to prove your identity, age, citizenship, and domicile to register. The state lists multiple forms of identification that can prove some or all of those requirements. Many states use provisional votes when it comes to same-day voter registration. These ballots are not counted until your identity has been confirmed. Your vote will still count (if you are who you say you are), but may not be counted until after Election Day. Be sure to check with your local elections official to ensure you have what you need to register to vote. Its important to note that you may not be able to register to vote at your polling place. Instead, you may need to go to an office dedicated to handling these requests. You can find that information from your state or county elections office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) South Dakota is witnessing a rise in Whooping Cough cases with the Department of Health reporting an increase in infections this year. One of the hardest hit areas was Brookings, SD. South Dakota State University sent out a letter more than one week ago about multiple cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, on campus. There were also cases across town at Brookings High School. With the recent cases, local leaders in Brookings decided to expand a POD, or point of dispensing event, already scheduled at the Brookings high school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brookings held a mass scale vaccination event for both Influenza and Whooping cough with the Department of Health offering 1,000 TDAP doses for the county and the people that live in the county. Artificial Intelligence and KELOLAND forecasts State Epidemiologist Joshua Clayton said in an interview with KELOLAND News, that cases are still on the rise in South Dakota. We have had 77 cases as of the end of September, that compares to a five-year baseline of 25 cases, so thats over a 200% increase and unfortunately the trend is continuing for October, some of our preliminary numbers for October are that we will add an additional 40 cases for the month of October, Clayton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clayton added they are seeing a decrease in some of those vaccinations rates specifically in the younger population. When we look at the latest data for children that are 2 years of age we saw a nearly 8% decrease in the population of those two year olds that are receiving that DPT vaccine and then for kindergarteners that are entering school we saw almost a 2% decrease, Clayton said. Clayton said most people are typically vaccinated very young. With Pertussis it is one of the routine childhood diseases that we have a vaccine for and so it is recommended that children start receiving the Pertussis vaccine at 2 months of age and we do see that carrying from 2,4,6, and 15 months of age with another booster at 4-6 years of age and then their is the Tdap vaccine around that 11-15 years of age, Clayton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clayton pointed out those most at risk are children less than one year of age specifically those less than 6 months old, pregnant women in their 3rd trimester and people with pre-existing health conditions such as asthma. Clayton said Whooping Cough can be somewhat treacherous with its early symptoms. It usually starts with a runny nose, you can have a low grade fever present and then a cough and the cough doesnt start in a severe form its typically a mild cough and thats kind of the insidious nature of Pertussis, Clayton said. It takes several days to several weeks before you start to have more and more severe Pertussis symptoms. Avera Pediatrician, Dr. Rick Kooima said in an interview with KELOLAND News said what you should do if you believe you have symptoms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have had close contact with someone who has had Pertussis and you have a cough thats been lingering on for a week to 10 days thats not improving its a good idea to see your health care provider, Koomia said. If you do have Pertussis, there is a treatment with antibiotics in the first 3 weeks of the disease. Clayton said they do see increases in Whooping Cough approximately every 3-5 years. The last time that we had in South Dakota was in 2018 and 2019, Clayton said. Part of that is the vaccine, you do have waning immunity. It does a really good job right after you do get vaccinated of protecting you and it does have waning immunity over about 5 to 6 years. Clayton said the school settings could lead to a bigger increase in Whooping Cough cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately we have seen Pertussis cases in many communities across South Dakota we dont have cases in any one particular area, Clayton said. I think what were starting to see now with Pertussis making its way into the school setting is we are seeing in schools due to the close nature of student contact so we are probably going to see some additional cases going forward. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The United States Justice Department will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in three counties on the Pine Ridge Reservation and in Minnehaha County for the Nov. 5 election. State voting system facing issues Friday The department enforces federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all eligible citizens to access the ballot. A news release from the U.S. Attorney in South Dakota said the Justice Department regularly has staff that monitors compliance across the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monitors will include Justice Department personnel, who will contact state and local election officials as needed throughout election day, according to the news release. The release provided information on how citizens can report or possible violations of federal voting rights laws. On Election Day, Civil Rights Division personnel will be available all day to receive questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws. Reports may be made through the departments website www.civilrights.justice.gov or by calling toll-free at 800-253-3931. The U.S. Attorneys Office will also be available to receive complaints on Election Day at (605) 838-9446. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (605) 334-6881. Individuals with questions or complaints related to the ADA may call the departments toll-free ADA information hotline at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or submit a complaint through a link on the departments ADA website at www.ada.gov. Complaints related to any disruptions at a polling place should always be reported to local election officials (including officials based in the polling place). Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported immediately to local police authorities by calling 911. These complaints should also be reported to the department after local authorities have been contacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Siemens, a German technology giant, has signed an agreement to acquire Altair Engineering, a US-based provider of software and cloud solutions for approximately $10bn (9.2bn). The acquisition will see Altair shareholders receive $113 per share, a 19% premium over the closing price on 21 October 2024, the last trading day before speculation of the deal surfaced. Altair, a company specialising in computational science and artificial intelligence (AI), offers software and cloud solutions across various domains. These include simulation and analysis, data science and AI, and high-performance computing. This acquisition is expected to bolster Siemens' position as a technology company and further strengthen its industrial software capabilities. Siemens said the addition of Altair's simulation portfolio, particularly in mechanical and electromagnetic capabilities, will enhance its digital twin offerings. Siemens Xcelerator will now integrate a full-suite, physics-based simulation portfolio, providing comprehensive solutions to its customers. Altair's simulation capabilities, powered by data science and AI, enable a broad range of users, from engineers to generalists, to harness simulation expertise. This facilitates reduced time-to-market and accelerates design iterations. Furthermore, Altair's data science expertise is expected to unlock new potential within Siemens' industrial domain knowledge, particularly in product lifecycle and manufacturing processes. Founded in 1985 and having gone public in 2017, Altair is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, and employs more than 3,500 people, with around 1,400 dedicated to Research and development. Siemens president and CEO Roland Busch said: Acquiring Altair marks a significant milestone for Siemens. This strategic investment aligns with our commitment to accelerate the digital and sustainability transformations of our customers by combining the real and digital worlds. The addition of Altairs capabilities in simulation, high performance computing, data science, and artificial intelligence together with Siemens Xcelerator will create the world's most complete AI-powered design and simulation portfolio. Altair founder and CEO James Scapa said: This acquisition represents the culmination of nearly 40 years in which Altair has grown from a startup in Detroit to a world-class software and technology company. We have added thousands of customers globally in manufacturing, life sciences, energy and financial services, and built an amazing workforce, and innovative culture. UPDATE: Suspect in custody after hours-long SWAT standoff in Salt Lake City SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Police have been called to a domestic disturbance turned SWAT standoff at an apartment complex in the 1900 block of West North Temple. Police tell ABC4.com they got the call around 6:30 this evening. Crisis negotiators are also currently on the scene, currently speaking with the individual, who police say is known to them and has a history with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four-story apartment building catches fire in Salt Lake City Police have not released the mans name, they have only identified him as a 40-year-old male. Police say the man went into a unit that was not his, but the person who dwells in that unit from a previous relationship. The man held a woman against her will in the unit. The woman was able to escape but the man had access to weapons, which resulted in calling SWAT and crisis negotiation teams to the apartment complex. This isnt the first time the man has had SWAT called on him. SWAT was called on the man a few weeks ago. The woman, who also was not identified, has an active protective order against the man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No injuries have been reported at this time. There is currently no threat to the community, police say. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. A Dominican national living most recently in Lawrence has been indicted on fentanyl distribution charges after serving a federal prison sentence and being deported in 2023, according to the U.S. Attorney. Angel Martinez, also known as Aneudy Rios, 44, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston with distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Josh Levy said in a statement on Thursday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer Boal entered a voluntary order of detention and scheduled a court hearing on Dec. 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martinez is currently on supervised release for 2019 federal drug distribution charges that resulted in five years in prison, Levy said. Following his prison sentence, Martinez was transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation, Levy said. In September, Martinez unlawfully returned to the United States and sold fentanyl to a cooperating witness in Haverhill, Mass. which was captured on video, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 HONOLULU (KHON2) As Hawaii approaches a pivotal moment in its voting history, local leaders are urging residents to pay close attention to Question One on the state ballot. This question has significant implications for marriage equality and broader civil rights. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Commissioner Kathleen ODell, Ph.D., Chair for the Hawaii State Commission on LGBTQ+ Affairs, emphasized the importance of voting yes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The language on the ballot can be a little bit confusing, she said. But the most important thing is to vote yes and not to leave it blank, because a blank vote counts as a no vote. Commissioner ODell stressed that this vote isnt just about semantics; its about ensuring rights that many might take for granted. The proposed amendment seeks to repeal outdated language that could threaten the rights of same-sex couples. We want to make sure we repeal this old language so that our rights to marry and remain married are kept safe here in Hawaii, she stated. This is especially crucial in light of recent Supreme Court rulings that have raised concerns about the future of marriage equality across the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abby Simmons, Chair of the Stonewall Caucus, echoed Commissioner ODells sentiments and expanded on the historical context of the legislation. In 1998, there was a constitutional amendment that stated the legislature had the right to define marriage as solely between opposite sexes, Simmons explained. By voting yes, were ensuring marriage equality and removing that outdated power. Both leaders highlighted the broader implications of this vote and emphasized that it impacts not just same-sex marriages, but the rights of all individuals. A lot of the language in our state statutes is discriminatory, Commissioner ODell noted. We need to understand that by protecting marriage rights, we are also advocating for equity across various dimensionsrace, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simmons reinforced this point. She stated, This is not just a fight for same-sex marriage; its about fairness for everyone. The future of many relationships could be at stake if we allow discriminatory language to persist in our laws. With the Supreme Courts unpredictable stance on marriage rights, Commissioner ODell warned of the potential consequences if the amendment does not pass. If the Supreme Court decides to overturn its previous rulings, our rights could be in jeopardy. We must act now to safeguard those rights, she said. The urgency of this moment is clear. People often ask why we should care about this now, Simmons added. While we did legalize same-sex marriage in 2013, that constitutional amendment still remains on the books. If it stays, it could be used to undermine our rights in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, the importance of marking the box on Question One cannot be overstated. Unless you vote yes, not marking the box will count as a no, Simmons explained. This is a constitutional amendment, and we need everyones support to ensure our rights are protected. Both Commissioner ODell and Simmons highlighted the potential fallout if this question fails. If we allow the legislature to have the power to define marriage solely between opposite sexes, we risk rolling back progress made in civil rights, ODell warned. This could affect interracial marriages, same-sex unions, and any future efforts for equality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simmons added, Think about it: Racially diverse marriages have only been legal in this country for about 50 years. We cannot afford to take steps backward. Voting yes is essential for the future of all marriages in Hawaii. As the election approaches, Commissioner ODell and Simmons are rallying support for this vital cause. Its a matter of justice and fairness, ODell concluded. By voting yes on Question One, you are standing up for everyones right to love and marry who they choose. The call to action is clear: Vote yes on Question One. This is more than a ballot measure; its a chance to safeguard the rights of all individuals in Hawaii. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can click here to learn more about the Vote Yes on 1 initiative. You can click here to learn more about the Hawaii State Commission on LGBTQ+ Affairs and here to learn more about the Stonewall Caucus. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 Your vote matters, and your voice can make a difference. Dont let this opportunity pass byensure your voice is heard in this critical moment for equality. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Former President Donald Trump created a new and threatening image when discussing former Rep. Liz Cheney during his conversation with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Speaking of the Republican former member of Congress from Wyoming, who is a frequent critic, Trump said, She's a radical war hawk. Let's put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her. OK? Lets see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face. Trump made his remarks Thursday at a rally at the packed Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said Friday she was investigating the comments as a potentially prosecutable threat. Trump campaign National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to Mayes' move as a "a desperate attempt to help out Kamala Harris failing campaign. The conversation touched on what Trump called Cheney's willingness to send U.S. troops into combat and the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, was the vice chair of the committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection and has endorsed and campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheney responded on X: "This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant." Harris on Friday called Trump's comments "disqualifying" while praising Cheney as "a true patriot." Even worse, he has increased his violent rhetoric Donald Trump has about political opponents, and in great detail, in great detail, suggested rifles should be trained on former Representative Liz Cheney," Harris said. "This must be disqualifying. Anyone who wants to be president of the United States who uses that kind of violent rhetoric is clearly disqualified and unqualified to be president." Trump "is increasingly ... someone who considers his political opponents the enemy, is permanently out for revenge, and is increasingly unstable and unhinged," Harris said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., who suffered a near-fatal gunshot wound to the head in a 2011 assassination attempt, also weighed in on X: "I was shot and nearly killed serving the people of Arizona. So I ask my fellow patriots to reject Trumps calls for violence and retribution." For his part, Trump doubled down Friday on his comments, painting Cheney as a warmonger who would never actually go to war herself and calling her "a disgrace." "She's a war hawk. She kills people. She wanted to, even in my administration, she was pushing that we go to war with everybody. And I said if you ever gave her a rifle and let her do the fighting, if you ever do that, she wouldn't be doing too well, I will tell you right now," Trump said while campaigning in Michigan. "She's a war hawk. She wants to go kill people unnecessarily and if she had to do it herself, if she had to face the consequences of battle, she wouldn't be doing it. So it's easy for her to talk. But she wouldn't be doing it. She's actually a disgrace." Using language familiar to those who have attended or watched his rallies, he also disparaged the intellect of Harris, the character of Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic nominee for president, and John Bolton, his former national security adviser. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Trump on Liz Cheney in Arizona: 'She's a radical warhawk' LITITZ, Pa. (WHTM) Former President Donald Trump will hold a rally in Lancaster County today. According to the campaign, Trump will appear at the Lancaster Airport on Sunday, November 3. Those interested in attending can still apply for up to two tickets per mobile number. Doors opened for the event at 6 a.m. and the rally is expected to start at 10 a.m. Trump will also hold events in Reading and Pittsburgh on Monday, November 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kamala Harris is expected to spend Monday in Allentown, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia. This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. At a Halloween night stop on Tucker Carlsons national tour, Donald Trump joined Carlson on stage for an hour-and-a-half conversation that included many of his usual talking points but also some striking remarks imagining Liz Cheney being sent to war. After criticizing Cheney for regularly pushing for the United States to engage militarily overseas, Trump said that he didnt blame her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, for sticking with his daughter. But his daughters a very dumb individual, very dumb, Trump said of Liz Cheney, to laughs from the crowd. Shes a radical war hawk. Lets put her with a rifle standing there, with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Lets see how she feels about it you know, when the guns are trained on her face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know, theyre all war hawks when theyre sitting in Washington in a nice building saying, Oh gee, lets send 10,000 troops right into the mouth of the enemy,' Trump continued, in some surprisingly antiwar remarks. But shes a stupid person. Id have meetings with a lot of people and she always wanted to go to war with people. Trump was led into the topic when Carlson asked Trump if he felt it was weird to have Dick Cheneys repulsive little daughter Liz Cheney supporting Harris and opposing him. Trump said that he felt that Cheney supporting Harris actually hurt his Democratic opponent. Shes a deranged person, Trump began. The reason she doesnt like me is that she wanted to stay in Iraq, she wants tough person, people get killed all over shes real tough, right? Trump said sarcastically. Theyre not the tough people. He also recollected fondly opposing her after she voted for him to be impeached, leading her to be soundly defeated as she ran for re-election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She lost for Congress with the highest number in history, Trump said, beaming. There has never been a Congressperson that lost by almost 40 points, and the reason is because if they were ever in that situation, theyd quit. The reason she couldnt stand me is that she always wanted to go to war with people, Trump continued, before going on a run in praise of peace. I dont want to go to war. She wanted to stay in Syria, I took em out. She wanted to stay in Iraq, I took em out. I mean, if it were up to her, wed be in 50 different countries. Trump pointed to the danger of wars and the number of deaths they cause, before speaking at greater length about the expense. He complained about modern wars not leading to the United States taking resources, such as oil, following those wars. The Republican candidate argued that Iran and Iraq used to serve as checks on one another, fighting over territory but that after the United States attacked Iraq, its given Iran control of the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also criticized Dick Cheney and a former member of both the Bush and Trump administrations, John Bolton, for their respective enthusiasm for war. I was never a fan of Cheney. I was always very critical, Trump said, again turning back to the expense of spending $9 trillion bombing the hell out of the Middle East. And what the hell did we get, other than lots of dead people, including our people? Trump asked. We got nothing. The conversation also included Trump specifically targeting both Hillary Clinton and, of course, Kamala Harris. He contrasted the pair, praising Clintons intelligence while continuing to allege that Harris isnt a smart person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hillary Clinton, whos a smart woman much smarter than Kamala, but doesnt lie as much, Trump asserted. Hillary was a liar, a horrible scoundrel. But this one lies so much. And shes a low IQ individual. She doesnt even know shes lying, Im telling you. This is not what you want for your president. He continued, also bringing Joe Biden in for an attack. Shes a very low IQ individual. Shes dumb as a rock, and you cant have that, you cant have that, Trump said. We love our country too much. You cant have it. We just went through four years of it, you cant have anymore a country can only take so much. Trump did not provide any evidence to back up his insults about his rivals intelligence. You can watch the full interview by Tucker Carlson with Donald Trump in the video above. The post Donald Trump Suggests Sending Very Dumb Liz Cheney Into War, With Guns Trained on Her Face | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Just days before the presidential election, Donald Trump is threatening his detractors with violence. Comments the former president made about Liz Cheney are currently going viral, with Trump being accused of advocating for violence against the former Republican representative, who has backed his opposition. Here's everything to know about what Trump said and how the political world is responding. Liz Cheney undefined Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What did Trump say about Liz Cheney? (@) twitter.comTrump said during an onstage discussion with disgraced Fox News host Tucker Carlson that Cheney would not be a "war hawk" if "guns are trained on her face." He called her "a stupid person," a bad person," and a very dumb individual." Shes a radical war hawk, Trump said. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her. Lets see how she feels about it. You know when the guns are trained on her face you know, theyre all war hawks when theyre sitting in Washington in a nice building." Why is Trump attacking Liz Cheney? (@) twitter.comCheney, a Republican, has recently been a vocal critic of Trump's and instead endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election, which Carlson and the former president were discussing when Trump issued his threats. Cheney stated at an October rally in Wisconsin that I have never voted for a Democrat, but this year, I am proudly casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris." Her father has also endorsed Harris for president. Donald Trump was willing to sacrifice our Capitol, to allow law enforcement officers to be beaten and brutalized in his name, and to violate the law and the Constitution in order to seize power for himself, she said at the time. I dont care if you are a Democrat or Republican or an independent, that is depravity and we must never become numb to it. How did Liz Cheney respond to Trump? (@) twitter.comCheney interpreted Trump's "war hawk" comments as a direct threat, referring to him as a "dictator" and "tyrant" who levies violence against his critics to intimidate them into silence. This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death," she wrote. "We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. #Womenwillnotbesilenced #VoteKamala. Donald Trump undefined Kamala Harris Did Trump actually threaten Liz Cheney? (@) twitter.comIt isn't just Cheney who viewed Trump's comments as a direct threat several other lawmakers have condemned his "war hawk" remark as a direct instigation of violence. Gabby Giffords, a former Democratic representative from Arizona who survived an assassination attempt in 2011, also viewed the comments as advocating for violence and called on Republicans to rebuke him. "Declaring that a person should be shot and killed simply for supporting a different candidate is un-American," Giffords said. "Any Republican who claims to respect the constitution and rule of law has a responsibility to speak out against Donald Trump's dangerous comments immediately." Will Trump get in trouble for his Liz Cheney comments? (@) twitter.comIt's possible that Trump's remarks about Cheney will land him in legal trouble Kris Mayes, Attorney General of Arizona, where Trump made the comments, said that her office will be investigating if he violated the law. I have already asked my criminal division chief to start looking at that statement, analyzing it for whether it qualifies as a death threat under Arizonas laws, Mayes said during a taping for a local show affiliated with NBC. Im not prepared now to say whether it was or it wasnt, but it is not helpful as we prepare for our election and as we try to make sure that we keep the peace at our polling places and in our state." In the waning days of the 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump has sued CBS over the way that 60 Minutes edited an interview with Kamala Harris. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Amarillo, TX, seeks $10 billion in damages and is just the latest litigation that Trump has filed against a media entity that broadcasts or publishes content he doesnt like. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit claims that the network violated Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, which generally is aimed at false advertising. Trump has been fixated on 60 Minutes and has threatened to sue CBS ever since it aired an interview with Harris as part of its election special on October 7. Trump initially agreed to sit down for an interview for the special, but then backed out, according to the network. During the Harris interview, correspondent Bill Whitaker asked Harris about the situation in Gaza and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not listening to the administration. In a promo for the 60 Minutes special that aired on Face the Nation, Harris answered, Well, Bill, the work that we have done has resulted in a number of movements in that region by Israel that were very much prompted by or a result of many things, including our advocacy for what needs to happen in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 60 Minutes broadcast, Harris answered, We are not going to stop pursuing what is necessary for the United States to be clear about where we stand on the need for this war to end. Trump claims that CBS intentionally sought to present Harris more succinct answer in the 60 Minutes broadcast to help her campaign. To paper over Kamalas word salad weakness, CBS used its national platform on 60 Minutes to cross the line from the exercise of judgment in reporting to deceitful, deceptive manipulation of news, the lawsuit claimed. Trump has called Harris a very low IQ person, and the lawsuit is the latest attack, late in the campaign, on her syntax. The latest filing seems designed to drive home some of Trumps attacks on Harris and the media. It includes some of his Truth Social posts following the 60 Minutes interview, including one in which he called Harris a moron. The lawsuit gets the dates of the Face the Nation and 60 Minutes broadcasts wrong by a day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A number of times before, the former president has filed lawsuits against media outlets, seeking to call attention to what he considers media unfairness, only to have judges dismiss the complaints. They include Trump lawsuits against the New York Times and CNN. CBS said in a statement that Trumps repeated claims against 60 Minutes are false. The interview was not doctored and 60 Minutes did not hide any part of Vice President Harris answer to the question at issue. 60 Minutes fairly presented the interview to inform the audience, and not to mislead it. The lawsuit Trump brought against CBS is completely without merit and we will vigorously defend against it. As Trump continued to blast the network, the show told viewers that Harris two different responses were all one answer to the same question. In a statement, the show said, Same question. Same answer. But a different portion of the response. Networks routinely trim interviews to fit into a segment length. Fox News, for instance, trimmed part of Trumps town hall with Harris Faulkner, removing portions that showed audience participants openly advocating for the former presidents election, CNN reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a letter sent to Trumps legal team earlier this month, CBS News SVP Gayle C. Sproul wrote that 60 Minutes did not hide any part of the Vice Presidents answer to the question at issue. Sproul wrote in her letter to Trumps attorneys, It begs logic to argue that 60 Minutes hid the first part of the Vice Presidents answer to the question. It did not. The public is aware of that part of her answer because 60 Minutes itself publicly distributed it by providing it to Face the Nation for promotional purposes and posting it on X and other 60 Minutes-branded social media for the same reason. Sprout also declined to provide Trumps team with a transcript of the interview. Trump has continuously brought up the 60 Minutes interview at campaign rallies and other events, and he has called for the network to lose its FCC license over it, as he has other networks over their coverage. After his latest attack, FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel spoke out against it, saying that his comments were threats against free speech that are serious and should not be ignored. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This article is part of HuffPosts biweekly politics newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Election Day is Tuesday. And while plenty of politicos and pundits are out there predicting what will happen, the reality is that nobody knows. The polls are super close, nationally and in the swing states. Forecasting models see the race as a coin flip. But you can spot some clear storylines that say a lot about how the two presidential campaigns have unfolded so far, and that might even help explain the outcome after the fact. One of those storylines is the determination and enthusiasm of women who back Democrat Kamala Harris, including women who might be afraid to say so publicly because their husbands support Republican Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I first heard about this last week, in Michigan, while covering a campaign event for Democratic Senate candidate Elissa Slotkin. Slotkin said canvassers were reporting stops at houses with large Trump signs, where women would answer and when asked which candidate they were supporting would quietly point to a photo of Harris on the canvassers campaign literature. Slotkin went on to say shed been hearing of an organic campaign to put notes in bathroom stalls, reminding women that their votes are confidential and that they should vote like their daughters lives depend on it. A sticker, spotted in a women's restroom at a Georgia airport, promotes Kamala Harris for president. Jennifer Bendery It all sounded a little apocryphal. But it turns out that there really is a sticker and sticky note campaign, and it has been underway for at least several weeks, as Ms. Magazine and then NBC News reported in September. And though the movement appears to have started on its own and spread over social media, lately the underlying sentiment has been getting high-profile support from figures like former first lady Michelle Obama, who in a recent Harris campaign appearance said, If you are a woman who lives in a household of men that dont listen to you or value your opinion, just remember that your vote is a private matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Are there enough hidden votes to change who wins a state? Probably not. But the emotional fuel for it, the determination of so many women to elect Harris over Trump, absolutely could prove decisive. If that happens, it would be one of the more ironic twists in modern political history and one of the more fitting ones, too because a campaign pitting men against women is exactly the campaign Trump and his advisers wanted. The Boys vs. Girls Election Its no secret that this years gender gap is shaping up to be the largest in memory, with polls showing men favoring Trump by double digits, and women favoring Harris by a similar margin. In many ways, that gap was preordained not because of whos on the ballot, but whats at stake the future of reproductive freedom, and one side thats actively pushing to regress back toward restrictive gender roles and limited rights. But instead of trying to counter that, Trump has leaned in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the eve of this summers Republican National Convention, even before President Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid and Harris became their partys nominee, Trump campaign officials boasted about how they were hoping to create what Axios called a boys vs. girls election, with Donald Trumps chest-beating macho appeals vs. Joe Bidens softer, reproductive-rights-dominated, all-gender inclusivity. So powerful was this appeal, Trumps campaign managers told The Atlantics Tim Alberta, that Trump would manage to peel off some of the Black and Hispanic men who would traditionally vote Democratic, enough to offset losses among women. For every Karen we lose, were going to win a Jamal and an Enrique, one Trump ally had previously told Alberta. The Trump campaign has unfolded just as his team promised which helps explain why, for example, Trump has spent the final weeks before the election appearing alongside former Fox News host Tucker Carlson (who recently suggested that the country needed Trump to be a dad who would deliver a spanking) while sidelining former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (who has been popular with independent female voters). And the strategy may very well work. Polls have shown Harris struggling to hit the margins among Black and (especially) Hispanic men that previous Democrats have. Former President Donald Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential nominee, sits to the left of conservative pundit Tucker Carlson at an event on Friday, Oct. 31, 2024, in Phoenix, Arizona. Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images But the Trump gambit depends on winning over more men faster than he alienates women. And thats hardly a safe bet. In just the last few years, the gender gap has been increasing at a faster pace than before, as my colleague Lilli Petersen explained recently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of the reason for this shift is the Republican Partys assault on reproductive freedom, culminating in the Supreme Courts 2022 ruling striking down its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and the enactment of abortion bans in multiple states. Trump has bragged about appointing the justices who made that ruling possible. Trump, by all accounts, has come to understand that abortion is a political liability. Thats why over the past year he has, on occasion, suggested that some of the state bans go too far or promised to protect access to in vitro fertilization, something at risk under abortion bans because it can involve the destruction of embryos. But with Trump being Trump, hes been inconsistent and vague about what he would or wouldnt support when it comes to reproductive rights. And thats not to mention the message his campaign has been sending about forcing adherence to traditional gender roles, in part with Trumps selection of Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate. Vances past includes statements that women without children are childless cat ladies who have too much influence in politics, as well as suggestions that the sexual revolution made it too easy for women to leave bad marriages. After these comments came to light, Vance doubled down essentially apologizing to cats, but not women. A campaign determined to win over more women would have made a serious effort to walk back these statements, starting with an apology. Vance never offered one, and neither did Trump. The Backlash And Its Potential How is this all shaking out? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, according to a recent Politico analysis, women are accounting for 55% of the early vote across battleground states. And in Pennsylvania, a state that many strategists consider the most important for each candidate, data suggests that early voting includes a relatively high proportion of Democratic women who did not vote there in 2020. Early voting is a notoriously unreliable predictor of outcomes, for the simple reason that the data about who is voting doesnt say that much about how they are voting, especially in an environment without solid baselines for comparison. Early voting did not become particularly widespread until 2020, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and with Trump advising his supporters not to vote by mail. (This year, hes generally encouraged them to vote early if they can.) But women are a larger proportion of the population and, historically, they have voted at higher rates too. Last month, political scientist and Brookings senior fellow Elaine Kamarck ran the numbers on different scenarios to see what would happen if women came out to vote in the same proportion as in 2020, given the latest polling numbers available. She found Harris would win Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin enough to win the election. The underlying polling numbers are now a month old, plus theres no way to know how accurate they were. And a significant increase in turnout among men could easily elect Trump, Kamarck went out of her way to note. But, she concluded, if womens turnout stays the same as in 2020, it could be a good year for Harris; if it increases, it could be a very good year for her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why the intensity of Harris support among women is so important, and why I reached out to Nikki Sapiro Vinckier, a Democratic activist in the northern Detroit suburbs. Sapiro Vinckier, 36, is an OB-GYN physicians assistant and abortion-rights advocate. Shed volunteered for Democratic campaigns before, but after watching Trumps 2024 campaign unfold and then seeing Harris become the Democratic nominee she started making her own lawn signs and, more recently, stickers that shes distributing locally and through social media. The stickers say: Ladies, no one will know who you vote for. Vote for your daughters, your sisters, yourself. Vote Kamala. Sapiro Vinckier told me she has already ordered more than 30,000 stickers and is on her way to distributing all of them. Sapiro Vinckier said she knows shes not the only one getting so involved. You have women who are coming out in tremendous numbers to vote, but you also have women coming out in incredible numbers to organize, she said. Theres no way to know if Harris will end up prevailing. But if she does, stories like Sapiro Vinckiers will probably be a big reason why. WEST PALM BEACH The moment Cole Taschman felt the pain in his feet "like the sharpest knife you can imagine," he knew what had happened and that it wasnt good. A shark had bitten him on the hand while he surfed at the same location, Bathtub Beach in Martin County, more than a decade earlier. This attack was much worse. Taschman said an eight- or nine-foot bull or tiger shark launched at him while he was surfing with his friends Hunter Roland and Zach Bucolo on the afternoon of Oct. 25, a Friday. His feet were dangling off the back of his board when the shark latched onto both of them at once. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I got a glimpse of him and screamed, Im bit! said Taschman, 28, a fishing charter captain who lives in Stuart and has ridden waves near Bathtub Beach since he was 6 years old. (The shark) looked at me as if I was an injured fish. It happened so quickly. There was a big adrenaline rush and a lot of shock. 'I ended up in a shark den': Deck hand bitten in fall from boat needed 100-plus stitches Stuart shark bite victim's friends recognized scope of wounds, rushed to hospital Taschman was about 200 yards out when the shark attacked. He caught a wave and rode to shore with Roland and Bucolo. Once on the sand, Taschman hobbled to his friends truck and they loaded him into the back. Ana Peci, Taschman's girlfriend, had been filming the surfers. She said she shook with fear when she learned what happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I looked over at my buddy and said, How bad is it? He said, Lets go. Dont even look, Taschman said. Taschman said he almost passed out after he saw his wounds for the first time. Cole Taschman and his girlfriend Ana Peci talk about Taschman's recent bite from a shark, surgery and recovery at a press conference at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach on October 31, 2024. Taschmans friends turned their surfboard leashes into tourniquets, tying them around his thighs to control the bleeding. Then they drove as fast as they could to Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital, a seven-mile ride across the Stuart Causeway from Bathtub Beach. After an hour there, doctors sent Taschman to St. Marys Medical Center in West Palm Beach, a Level 1 trauma center that handles multiple shark bite victims each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Tashman was bitten on the hand by a shark over 10 years ago, he needed 12 stitches. This injury required 93. The only clue Taschman had to be wary that day was that the water off Bathtub Beach was murky, keeping swimmers and surfers from seeing what ocean creatures were nearby. Otherwise, it was a clear, sunny afternoon. The three friends had paddled out from the beach to honor another friend who had recently died. Taschman said twice is enough for him. Even though he's surfed near Bathtub Beach since elementary school, he said he has decided not to surf there anymore, calling it a very sharky place." The biggest lesson of this is: Dont surf alone. If no one was on the beach, things could have been a lot different," Taschman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He and Bucolo plan to start a surf safety course in Martin County to teach people how to care for themselves if they get hurt while surfing. Several of his friends also have suffered shark bites. One is Marlin Wakeman, who fell into a shiver of 20 sharks in the Bahamas in April. 'The luckiest guy': Shark bite victim recounts his 'shredded' arm, stranger who saved him So much sand in Florida shark bite victim's wounds that it showed up on X-ray Dr. Ibrahim Jabbour of St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach talks about medical care given to Cole Taschman after he was bitten by a shark at Bathtub Beach in Martin County on Oct. 25, 2024. Taschman needed nearly 100 stitches and staples. Taschman is the sixth shark bite patient that Dr. Robert Borrego, who directs St. Mary's trauma center, has treated this year. He performed two surgeries on Taschman. Borrego said the shark pulled a large amount of tissue from Taschmans foot and injured three tendons. He had to super wash out the wounds because they were covered in sand and dirt, so much so that debris showed up on X-rays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the trauma center team had stabilized Taschman's bleeding, it concentrated on keeping his wounds from becoming infected, with Borrego prescribing him multiple antibiotics. Sharks swimming close to shore often have high concentrations of bacteria in their mouths, studies have found. Taschman spent four days at the hospital and is now healing at home. Borrego said he should recover in three to six months, but he should not surf again until after at least six months. The wounds were pretty devastating, especially on his right foot, Borrego said. But hes a young, healthy guy. Hes healing beautifully. Everything is coming along perfectly as I suspected. Peci is raising funds to help cover Taschman's medical expenses through an online fundraiser. For details, go to www.GoFundMe.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maya Washburn covers northern Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her at mwashburn@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Shark bites both surfer's feet at Bathtub Beach in near Stuart Florida US-based radiology software provider Sirona Medical has added nine new practices to its Unify radiology workflow solution. Among the new adopters are Cascaid Health, Diagnostic Medical Group of Southern California, Kansas Imaging Consultants, Jacobson Memorial Hospital, Newport Diagnostic Center and Radiologic Associates of Fredericksburg. Sirona Medical said these practices had recognised the benefits that a unified, Cloud-based platform could offer to radiology. Kansas Imaging Consultants radiologist and vice-president Dr John Anderson said: Sirona is uniquely able to provide the tools independent practices like ours require to thrive in the current radiology landscape. Their cloud-native unified platform is essential to our continued growth and success. The platform is Sirona Medical's flagship product and was launched a year ago. Unify provides reporting, picture archiving and communication (PACS), diagnostic viewing and a universal worklist among other capabilities. Featuring advanced AI capabilities such as impression generation, the platform is designed to streamline operations and reduce the complexity of technology management within radiology practices. Sirona Medical anticipates that around 20 new practices will go live on the full Unify platform by next year. Sirona Medical founder Cameron Andrews said: In 2018, Sirona embarked on radiology's most ambitious software engineering effort since digitisation. A year after we launched Unify publicly, it's clear that all practices - large and small, private or public, hospitals, and health systems - are ready for something new from their radiology IT software. Unify's explosive growth since launch represents the beginning of a new, cloud-native era in radiology IT software, one Sirona has been building towards for nearly seven years. Sirona Medical's modern workflow platform aims to simplify operations for radiologists by consolidating clinical software into a single platform. It also focuses on simplifying data security and access, providing real-time monitoring, enabling seamless integration of AI algorithms, and supporting continuous innovation and updates. "Sirona Medical adds nine new practices to its Unify radiology workflow platform" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand. By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL (Reuters) - More than 100 North Koreans have gone missing after being caught by secret police while trying to defect from the isolated country or even for trying to call relatives in South Korea, a Seoul-based human rights group said on Thursday. The Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG) released a report detailing patterns of enforced disappearances through its study based on interviews with 62 North Korean escapees in South Korea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tens of thousands of North Koreans have defected in the decades since the Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice, with many of those caught or repatriated sent to prison camps or other detention facilities before being released. The group identified 113 people in 66 disappearance cases, including the cases in an archive run with other international organisations, as well as maps depicting transfer routes. Of the 113, 80%, or 90, were arrested inside North Korea and the rest in China or Russia, with about 30% disappearing since leader Kim Jong Un took power in late 2011. Almost 40% of them went missing after being caught trying to flee the country, while 26% took responsibility for another family member's crime. Nearly 9% were accused of being in touch with those in South Korea or other countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 81% vanished after being transferred to and detained by the Ministry of State Security (MSS), the North's secret police known as "bowibu", according to the report. An interviewee who defected to the South in 2018 from the Chinese border city of Hyesan said his friend was arrested by the MSS while trying to recover a Chinese mobile phone hidden in the mountains, and was now rumoured to have died. "Once (the MSS) finds call records with South Korea, they are considered serious offences," the interviewee was quoted in the report as saying. Kang Jeong-hyun, director of the project, said the report was intended to underscore enforced disappearances committed by the Kim regime as transnational crimes also involving China and Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report was published just days before the U.N. Human Rights Council is due to issue its five-yearly Universal Periodic Review on North Korea. The United Nations estimates up to 200,000 people are held in a vast network of gulags run by the MSS, many of them for political reasons. A 2014 U.N. Commission of Inquiry report said the prisoners faced torture, rape, forced labour, starvation and other inhumane treatment. Pyongyang has long denounced defectors as "human scum", and Kim has further tightened border controls over the past few years. The North's Korea Association for Human Rights Studies this month rejected a U.N. report on its human rights violations including forced disappearances, calling them "fabrications" and a conspiracy by the West to escalate confrontation and tarnish the countrys image. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beijing has denied there are any North Korean defectors in China, instead describing them as illegal economic migrants. (This story has been refiled to fix a typo in the headline) (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Ed Davies and Lincoln Feast.) SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) Several dozen participants will be rappelling down Spartanburgs tallest building to help raise money for local cancer patients. The Cancer Association of Spartanburg & Cherokee Counties will send more than 50 people Over the Edge of the Dennys building. 7NEWS anchor Olivia Donnelly will be one of the participants who will rappel 190 feet down the side of the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the event, the Dennys Mobile Relief Diner will serve free pancake breakfast to community members from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Watch Olivias journey down the building in the video player above. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. UK Defence Intelligence has indicated that North Korean troops involved in the hostilities against Ukraine will have problems with interoperability with Russian forces and the use of equipment. Source: UK intelligence report on 1 November; European Pravda reports Details: The UK Ministry of Defence cites recently disclosed information that about 10,000 DPRK troops are already in Russia, and some of them are "almost certainly" deployed in Kursk Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Russian and DPRK forces would almost certainly experience interoperability difficulties having not previously carried out joint military exercises," the review says. Among other things, the DPRK troops will "almost certainly" have problems with the use of Russian equipment, integration into the Russian command and control structure, and overcoming the language barrier with Russian troops. Background: Estonian intelligence also stated that the participation of North Korean units on the Ukrainian battlefield will not bring much change so far, and they are likely to suffer heavy losses. The United States recently announced that there are already about 8,000 North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast, who may be involved in active hostilities in the coming days. In addition, Mike Turner, Chairman of the US House Intelligence Committee, believes that the United States and NATO allies should consider launching an attack directly against North Korean troops if they are on Ukrainian territory and take part in hostilities on the Kremlin's side. Support UP or become our patron! OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Drivers license delays with Service Oklahoma almost prevented a metro mother from casting her ballot. Shes now giving a warning to other voters. Michelle Karolicki said shes been without a valid drivers license for a month, after renewing her recently expired license online. Service Oklahoma. (KFOR) I received an email saying that the registration was accepted and that my credentials would be here within about 10 days. That was early October, Karolicki said. Its important for people to stay on top of the dates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When calling Service Oklahoma for an update on her license, she said she was told that they were unable to print any drivers licenses due to a card manufacturer issue. Before deciding to call herself, Karolicki said she was not contacted by Service Oklahoma about the delay. Karolicki said she had plans to cast her vote by absentee ballot and ran into a problem with her notary because of her license. Photo IDs, there are only certain ones that are accepted, and my drivers license is the only ID I would have had. So I would not have been able to submit for notary, Karolicki said. According to the Oklahoma Secretary of States office, notaries are required to ask for an ID with a photo and signature. This would be a drivers license or passport. Click here for more notary information provided by the Secretary of States office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why some Oklahoma counties have more places to vote early It concerns me that there is a potential for voter suppression, Karolicki said. Karolicki had to work around her tight schedule and make an appointment to get a temporary license. She said if she had waited any longer, she may have not been able to vote. News 4 reached out to Service Oklahoma about the delays with driver license delivery and received the following statement. When Oklahomans renew or replace their driver license or state ID online, applications are reviewed by a Service Oklahoma Driver License Examiner. Through the application process, we make it clear that a temporary credential will not be issued with an online renewal or replacement and that it may take up to 30 days for their ID or license to arrive by mail. To help Oklahomans stay informed during the process, Service Oklahoma created the License Mail Tracker, a simple tool where Oklahomans can track the status of their online renewal here. For urgent needs requiring immediate identification, we recommend Oklahomans visit any licensed operator or Service Oklahoma location to order a new credential. There, a temporary state ID or driver license is printed for the customer to use until the physical credential arrives. Britnee Joyner, Senior Public Information Officer for Service Oklahoma Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Karolicki said shes grateful she didnt wait until Election Day to get her ballot notarized. I am a mom, I have two kids, I work full time. Theres no way that I would have been able to get in and out of there and able to go to work that day, Karolicki said. The deadline to submit your absentee ballot is election day by 7 p.m. If youre voting in person on Election Day, or taking part in early voting, state law does not require a photo ID, you just need your voter ID card. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nearly every county in southwestern Pennsylvania is under a Drought Watch. The Pennsylvania Drought Task Force announced Friday that Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties are under a Drought Watch. Adams, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Clearfield, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Somerset and York counties are also under a Drought Watch. Berks and Schuylkill counties are under a Drought Warning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Drought Watch is typically declared for a county with three of the four factors in a watch status. Residents are encouraged, but not required, to voluntarily reduce their water use by five to 10 percent. A Drought Warning is typically declared for a county with three of the four indicators in warning status. Residents are encouraged, but not required, to reduce their water use by 10-15 percent. Pennsylvania received very little rain over September and October, capping off a dry six months, particularly in the southeast part of the state. DEP makes drought declarations based on long-term trends; a rainy week may not lift the drought status for an area, said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. We want residents to be aware of these conditions and be mindful of their water use. It is not required, but residents and businesses are encouraged to voluntarily conserve water by reducing nonessential water use. Drought declarations are based on four factors precipitation, stream flows, groundwater levels, and soil moisture. DEP makes its drought declarations after assessing the departures from normal ranges for periods of three to 12 months. DEP also factors in information it receives from public water suppliers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of the Commonwealth is at a high risk for fire danger as a result of dry conditions, and it is critical that Pennsylvanians use extreme caution when handling fire or avoid any burning as these conditions persist, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. Stay up to date with the latest information using DCNRs Wildfire Danger Forecast Map and be sure to follow all local guidance pertaining to burn bans to do your part to keep our natural resources and communities safe from fire. More information about drought can be found on the DEP website. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Local Halloween parade receives backlash over float depicting Trump leading Harris in chains 3 people taken to hospital after being bitten by dogs during trick-or-treat hours in Tarentum Retiring Pittsburgh police chief denies misleading council VIDEO: 2024 was Pittsburghas hottest Halloween on record, reaching 80 degrees DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Mayor Mike Duggan has named a banking executive as his new chief operating officer. Duggan named Marcus von Kapff, JPMorgan Chase commercial banking chief financial officer, to replace Brad Dick, who left for a job at Wayne State University as a senior associate vice president for finance and business affairs, and deputy chief business officer. Von Kapff, who will be paid $189,238 a year, spent his career building high-performing businesses within large multinational corporations, according to the city, and brings a focus on long-term sustainable growth. The bank executive spent 20 years at JPMorgan in a variety of management roles. As CFO for 10 years, he doubled the size of the business to $10 billion in revenue with 13,000 employees, helped with its expansion to 40 countries, doubled technology investment and implemented new CRM and data systems, according to the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People around the country are taking note of Detroits revitalization, and I am thrilled to now be a part of the team that has been doing such extraordinary work, von Kapff said in a statement. I look forward to working with the great leaders in each of these departments to help deliver even better results for our residents. Mayor Mike Duggan hired Marcus von Kapff, JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking chief financial officer, as the city's new chief operating officer. Prior to JPMorgan, he was the international general manager for Transamerica Commercial Finance, also working stints at McKinsey & Co. in Los Angeles and Johannesburg, focusing on financial services. One of his career highlights was "helping to end apartheid-era business practices during the Mandela presidency" in South Africa, according to the city. With his level of experience and accomplishment, Marcus could have gone anywhere and made a lot of money, but his heart drew him to Detroit and public service, Duggan said. He is going to be a tremendous asset to this administration and to our city. He will oversee multiple city departments, including: Detroit Water & Sewerage Department, Building Safety, Engineering and Environmental Department, Detroit Department of Transportation, Detroit Fire Department, Housing and Revitalization Department, Detroit Housing Commission, Department of Innovation and Technology, Lean Team (Citywide Process Improvement) and Human Resources. His job was effective as of Monday, Oct. 21. Other promotions Andrea Taverna, who was serving as director of policy and implementation in the mayors office, has been promoted to deputy chief operating officer. Taverna helped manage Community Violence Intervention initiatives and service improvements at DDOT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Timothy Stark, who has been serving as the mayor's policy adviser, has taken the role of deputy chief of staff, under Chief of Staff Stephanie Washington. The mayor also named two new group executives. Deputy Chief Operating Officer Jessica Parker and Construction and Demolition Department Director LaJuan Counts were each promoted to group executive. Parker will serve as group executive for public services. Parker has worked in the general services department and in 2018 became chief enforcement officer of the building department, where she oversaw teams of attorneys, inspectors and support staff responsible for holding property owners of blighted properties accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parker also managed beautification and cleanup initiatives across the city and helped property owners bring their properties into compliance. Parker joined the mayor's office in 2023 as deputy chief operating officer, according to the city. Deputy Chief Operating Officer Jessica Parker was promoted as group executive of public services for the city of Detroit. In her role, she will oversee and provide coordination between the multiple city departments and agencies, including: General Services Department, Recreation, Arts & Culture, Fleet and facilities maintenance, Coleman A. Young Airport, Municipal Parking Department, Public Lighting Authority, Public Lighting Department and the Greater Detroit Resource Recovery Authority. "It fills me with pride to be part of this administration that is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the people of Detroit. Our commitment to our residents will remain unwavering as we strive to deliver top-notch public services," Parker said in a statement. LaJuan Counts will serve as group executive for construction and building operations. As director of the Construction & Demolition department, Counts was responsible for managing major construction projects in the city, as well as residential and commercial demolition programs. Construction and Demolition Department Director LaJuan Counts was promoted as group executive of construction and building operations. Under her watch, the city removed 7,000 vacant homes that were considered dangerous, under Proposal N and dozens of vacant commercial buildings that "served as impediments to progress in neighborhoods across the city," including the former Packard Plant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Counts will oversee multiple departments, including: Department of Public Works, Detroit Building Authority, Detroit Land Bank Authority, and the Construction & Demolition Department. "Its inspiring to see how much we can accomplish together, creating opportunities for growth and development across our city. I look forward to leading our talented teams in building a stronger, vibrant and more inclusive Detroit," Counts said in a statement. Both began their roles Oct. 21. Duggan also announced Melia Howard as his new deputy mayor after Todd Bettison left the post to fill in as the Detroit Police Department's interim police chief. Bettison will replace Chief James White, whose last day is Nov. 10 as he moves on to a new role as CEO of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: JPMorgan Chase executive Marcus von Kapff hired as Detroit COO ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) Two women were arrested at Boscovs in Altoona, allegedly trying to steal thousands in merchandise claiming they were going to sell the items in Peru. Nandy Roller, 37 (Blair County Prison) Liz Cornejo Serpa and Nandy Roller, both 37, from Patterson, N.J., were arrested this week and charged with retail theft and conspiracy to retail theft after police said they were found removing security tags from items at Boscovs in Altoona. According to the affidavit of probable cause, the duo was spotted by Boscovs security Sunday, Oct. 27, with carts full of merchandise and allegedly removing the security ink tags from numerous items. Liz Serpa, 37 (Blair County Prison) Logan Township Police were called and approached the duo and took them off the sales floor to talk to. In the process, officers noted that Serpa tried to hide items by putting them on racks, including a red handbag police said was full of the security tags they removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DUI crash kills Altoona student athlete, driver nearly three times legal limit According to the complaint, the duo said theyre from Peru and would often steal items to sell in their home country. Police took the two into custody and were able to identify them via fingerprints, saying their addresses were in New Jersey. It was noted in the complaint that at the time of their arrest, the duo had more than $2,450 worth of merchandise in their carts with the security tags removed. 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. Serpa and Roller were placed in Blair County Prison with bail set at $50,000 each. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BERLIN (Reuters) - Effective flood warning systems could help to avoid the level of destruction that has occurred in the Valencia region of Spain this week, the World Meteorological Organization said on Friday. "We do need to ensure that the early warnings reach those who need them," WMO official Clare Nullis told a regular U.N. briefing. "We need to ensure that early warnings lead to informed early action." Nullis declined to comment on whether Madrid had acted too slowly in warning residents about the floods, saying only that it was something that "Spanish authorities need to examine". (Reporting by Friederike Heine, Editing by Rachel More) It took Paul Singleton just 10 minutes to vote Friday morning at the St. Helena Branch Library, one of four voting centers set up to handle early voting across Beaufort County. The 50-year-old carpenter appreciated the convenience of the simple voting process, which gave him the opportunity to avoid the typical rush during the traditional Tuesday election day and quickly return to work. I dont have to stand in a long line, Singleton said. Voting is occurring at a record-setting pace across the county for late October and early November thanks to a new way the Board of Voter Registration and Elections is offering ballots thats been a big hit with residents like Singleton because of its simplicity. Its real easy, says Singleton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early voting is offered over a two-week no excuse period as opposed to voting on just the traditional election day. The process differs from the absentee voting. That process allows residents to receive a ballot in the days preceding the election, but they must provide acceptable excuses such as an illness or age. The pace of no excuse early voting has Marie Smalls, who heads the Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections, excited about this years voter turnout. Residents enter the early voting center at the St. Helena Branch Library Friday morning. As of 1 p.m. Friday, 56,855 people, or 40% of the countys 141,221 registered voters, had voted already in the election, Smalls said, which is the highest percentage of early voting in the county since at least 2008. We have record number turnout, Smalls told the Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet. Thats a change from what happened before in the other previous elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early voting was introduced in the mid-term election in 2022 and accounted for 20% of the turnout, according to the county. But this election is the first time early voting is being tested on a large scale during a presidential election and a nail-biter to boot with Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump virtually tied in national polls in the dwindling days of the campaign. A bevy of federal, state and local races and a $950 million transportation referendum are ramping up interest as well. While early voting is just two-years old, Smalls says the presidential race of 2020 provides somewhat of a comparison to this years early voting pace. In 2020, in-person absentee voting was higher than usual because restrictions on who could vote absentee were dropped due to the coronavirus pandemic. That year, in person absentee voting was 33,591 compared to the 56,855 people who had early voted as of 1 p.m. Friday. Voting information shows the level of early voting in 2022 and 2024 and absentee voting in prior years. Through Thursday, about 5,000 votes were being cast a day through early voting, Smalls said. Lines have gradually gotten shorter at the locations as we got into the swing of things. If that trends holds during the final two days of early voting Friday and Saturday, its possible that 64,000 or 45% of the eligible voters will have voted by the time election day rolls around Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beaufort County turnout for the 2020 presidential election was 71%. Smalls believes the county will top that turnout this year in part because of early voting. We are all excited about the turnout, Smalls said, which is allowing our voters the opportunity to come out and cast their votes early. Early voting began Oct. 21 and was scheduled to end at 6 p.m. Saturday. Voters stand in line for early voting at the Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County photographed on Oct. 24, 2024 on John Galt Rd. in Beaufort. Estimated to take an hour to cast a vote for the November 2024 presidential election for those voters standing, curbside voting was busy but had numerous open spaces. On Friday morning, dozens of blue and white rectangular campaign signs were interspersed with the oak trees lining Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. A cluster of candidate signs at the intersection with Jonathan Francis Sr. Road clearly marked the turn to the St. Helena Branch Library and the early voting center. Voting was brisk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to make sure my vote is in and counted, said David Berry of Ladys Island, a Great Britain native whos now a U.S. citizen. Residents wait to enter the early voting center at the St. Helena Branch Library on St. Helena Island Friday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Calling this election critical to the future of the nation and its two-party system, Berry said early voting makes it less liking that there will be issues with counting the votes on election day. About 85 temporary elections workers were hired to work the four early polling locations and to answer phones and open mail at the main elections office in Beaufort, Smalls said. Early votes will not be tabulated until after the polls close at 7 p.m. on election day Tuesday, Smalls said. What we are hoping is the number of people who have turned out in the early voting will reduce the turnout on election day, which will allow the results to probably get in or finished at a reasonable time, Smalls said. However, any voter who is in the line on election day before 7 p.m. will be processed. For election day, Beaufort County added 31 additional precincts this year. The hope is that will reduce the number of residents who need to report to any one precinct, reducing the lines and making the election night process run smother, Smalls said. OLATHE, Kan. Diners in the Kansas City metro now have one less option to choose from. Six Applebees locations closed late Tuesday night. Now, employees are searching for new jobs. One store manager told FOX4 each store has at least 20 employees who are now out of work, and wondering if theyll get paid. The six Applebees locations that have locked up for good were owned by local franchisee Apple Central Kansas City. FOX4 has received a bankruptcy filing that spells the end for a half-dozen restaurants. I immediately called my general manager and said, tell me this isnt true, Erica Woolery, a former shift leader and bartender at the Applebees at 135th and Brougham in Olathe, said. KC security cameras, businesses impacted by streetcar construction Woolery said shes worked for Applebees for five years, and shes spent time on staff at five different locations. Its heartbreaking. It really is. Im on the hunt for a new job and I didnt expect to be. I recently got engaged, and now, I have to push my wedding plans back, Woolery said. Former restaurant staffers like Laney Mahoney, who was also a bartender at the Applebees store where Woolery worked, said some employees havent been paid. A spokesperson for Apple Central Kansas City said instructions have been sent to former staffers through a company email portal. However, Woolery and Mahoney both said theyre already locked out of their messages and they believe others are too. We loved working here, so we felt extremely blindsided and disrespected that there was no warning or anything. A lot of us were just left with no job, Mahoney said on Thursday. Applebees website said it boasted more than 1,600 locations at one point. Only two remain in the Kansas City metro in Blue Springs and Gladstone. Dan Janssen, who used to work in the company headquarters, which made its national home in the Kansas City metro, left that job more than a decade ago to start The Rub BBQ, an Olathe-based restaurant. Janssen said the consumers demands have changed, and now, preference steer away from the casual dining options that were popularized three decades ago. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android You cant change the concept drastically and maintain your customer base with the evolution of the life cycle of a restaurant, its difficult, Janssen said. Both Woolery and Mahoney say they already have interviews for new jobs lined up. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Anna Louderback cast her ballot during early voting at Nashville's Casa Azafran. (Photo: John Partipilo) More than 2.2 million Tennesseans cast ballots during early voting over the past two weeks as turnout nearly reached 46%, nearly 3% fewer than the 2020 presidential election total. Early voting in person totaled 2,132,610, and 82,253 were cast by mail, for a total of 2,214,870 through Oct. 31, the final day of early voting, according to the Secretary of States office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though some involved in the presidential election are calling it the most important one in this era, early voting numbers dont quite match that view, falling 2.89%. Tennessee typically sees about half of voters go to the polls early. Early voting turnout in the 2020 presidential election between current President Joe Biden and Donald Trump, who was the incumbent at the time, hit 2,280,767, nearly 66,000 more than cast ballots so far in this years election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump. Both early voting totals, though, are much higher than in 2016 when 1.67 million Tennesseans cast ballots early as Trump defeated former Vice President Hillary Clinton, the Secretary of States figures show. Enthusiasm across Tennessee through the 14 days of early voting was evident, as Tennessee saw more than 2.13 million registered voters cast their ballots in person a new record. Doug Kufner, Tennessee Secretary of State's office Among the states biggest counties, Davidson, typically a stronghold for Democrats, showed a major decline in early voting from four years ago, dropping off 13.3% as 219,411 cast ballots early compared to 253,123 in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davidson County Elections Administrator Jeff Roberts said the difference could be that 34,000 people voted by absentee ballots during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 compared to 13,000 this year, a difference of 21,000. All of those are counted as mail-in ballots. Absentee balloting fell off by nearly 61% this fall to 82,253 from 210,428 in 2020 when many voters were afraid to go to the polls and risk catching COVID-19. The American Civil Liberties Union sued the state to give voters more exceptions to vote absentee four years ago. Davidson County was split into three congressional districts before the 2022 vote, a move that gave Republicans an advantage in winning all three seats and forced longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper to step away from Congress. Early voting in Shelby County, another focal point for Democrats, fell off even more dramatically, dropping by 20.9% to 257,733 this fall from 326,007 in 2020. Shelby Countys decrease of 68,274 early voters topped the total state decline of 65,900. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamilton County, in contrast, saw a 13.2% increase with 117,254 casting ballots early compared to 103,590 four years ago. Knox County reported a small decrease, down .61% to 170,736 from 171,790 in 2020. Rutherford County also reported a 2.7% decrease in early voting, dipping to 117,040 from 120,281 four years ago. In addition, Williamson County dipped .57%, from 122,277 in 2020 to 121,585 this year. Secretary of State spokesperson Doug Kufner said early voting ran well because of the work of county election commission staff and poll workers statewide. Enthusiasm across Tennessee through the 14 days of early voting was evident, as Tennessee saw more than 2.13 million registered voters cast their ballots in person a new record. Seventy-six counties also exceeded their in-person early voting turnout from 2020. We anticipate a robust Election Day turnout, and we encourage all registered Tennesseans who have not yet voted to make their voice heard on Nov. 5, Kufner said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In spite of disruptions from Hurricane Helene, most of the counties that suffered from massive flooding reported early voting increases. In some instances, election officials in those counties had to change voting sites because of flood damage and road outages. Greene County, for instance, experienced an early voting increase of 30.4% with 19,851 casting ballots this year, compared to 15,220 in 2020. Carter County saw early voting increase by 21.2% with 14,753 participating this year compared to 12,169 four years ago. Washington County experienced a 6.8% jump in early voting totals, going to 45,825 from 42,909. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson County saw a small increase of 1.92% as early voting went up to 5,474 from 5,371 in 2020. Cocke County also saw a bit of an increase with early voting jumping 3.3%, to 10,670 from 10,325 in 2020. Unicoi County saw a slight decline of 1.73% to 6,067 this year from 6,174 four years ago. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: UniversalImagesGroup/Getty Images Global warming caused vital Atlantic Ocean currents to collapse just before the last ice age, a new study suggests. The weakening currents triggered a cascade of effects, resulting in a dramatic cooling of the Nordic Seas the Greenland, Iceland and Norwegian seas while the surrounding oceans grew warmer. And scientists say we could be heading toward the same thing again, as the world warms with climate change and temperatures race closer to the levels that existed before the last ice age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our study is indeed alarming regarding what we might be heading to," study lead author Mohamed Ezat , an associate professor and paleoceanographer at The Arctic University of Norway, told Live Science in an email. The Last Interglacial period (130,000 to 115,000 years ago), which occurred between the previous two ice ages, was a relatively warm stage of Earth's history characterized by higher temperatures, higher sea levels and smaller ice sheets than we see today. Climate scientists say the Last Interglacial provides an analogue for the near future if countries fail to slash greenhouse gas emissions, with temperatures reaching 1.8 to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1 to 2 degrees Celsius) above preindustrial levels. "The time period we investigated, the Last Interglacial, is an interesting and very timely period to study," Ezat said. "We found that about 128,000 years ago, enhanced melting of Arctic sea ice had a significant effect on the overturning circulation in the Nordic Seas." Related: 'We don't really consider it low probability anymore': Collapse of key Atlantic current could have catastrophic impacts, says oceanographer Stefan Rahmstorf Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nordic Sea currents play a critical part in a wider system of Atlantic Ocean currents called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which includes the Gulf Stream. The AMOC is essential for warming the Northern Hemisphere and functions like a giant conveyor belt, with warm waters from the Southern Hemisphere riding northward on the ocean surface and then cooling and plunging to the bottom in the North Atlantic to travel back south. Melting ice in the Arctic can significantly impact the AMOC, because fresh water pouring into the North Atlantic dilutes surface waters, preventing them from sinking to the bottom to form deep currents. Research shows the AMOC is already slowing down as a result of global warming, and scientists say the system could grind to a halt in the coming decades . A simplified animation of the global AMOC Earlier this month, 44 leading climate scientists rang the alarm bell on the AMOC in an open letter addressed to the Nordic Council of Ministers, an intergovernmental forum that promotes cooperation between the Nordic countries. The letter outlined the risks linked to an AMOC collapse, including major cooling in the Northern Hemisphere and catastrophic shifts in tropical monsoon patterns . Climate models suggest the AMOC could collapse before 2100, but there are huge uncertainties in predicting the timescales. "Looking at the distant past of the Earth's climate history in particular when it was warmer than today can reduce such uncertainties," Ezat said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the new study, Ezat and his colleagues analyzed new and existing data from sediment cores from the Norwegian Sea. They compared these data to similar information from North Atlantic sediments to reconstruct the sea ice distribution, sea surface temperature, salinity, deep ocean convection and sources of meltwater during the Last Interglacial. The results, published Oct. 27 in the journal Nature Communications , suggest Arctic meltwater blocked the formation of deep-ocean currents in the Norwegian Sea during the Last Interglacial. This considerably slowed the southward flow of the AMOC, in turn slowing the engine that brings heat to the Northern Hemisphere. RELATED STORIES The Gulf Stream stopped pumping nutrients during the last ice age and the same could be happening now Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gulf Stream's fate to be decided by climate 'tug-of-war' 'We are approaching the tipping point': Marker for the collapse of key Atlantic current discovered "In brief, we found cooling in the Nordic Seas that we were able to link to a warming global climate and enhanced melting of sea ice," Ezat said. The study highlights what could happen to the AMOC in the near future, Ezat said. Satellite observations show a drastic decline in Arctic sea ice over the past four decades, and scientists say ice-free summers will likely take hold by 2050 . These will have major consequences for the AMOC. "It sends out another reminder that our planet's climate is a delicate balance, and that climate action is an emergency," Ezat said. "We know that severe weakening of the AMOC isn't unlikely, and if it happens it will have serious implications [for] the high latitude regions and beyond." When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Earth shines in eerie colors in several spectral (light wavelength) observations by Hera, a European Space Agency spacecraft that launched recently to study a binary asteroid system. | Credit: European Space Agency A strange Earth shines in new imagery captured by a European asteroid mission. The Hera spacecraft, which launched this month to study a binary asteroid system up close. turned its gaze back at our planet to capture spooky views of Earth in multiple wavelengths of light. The imagery was captured fro roughly 1.25 million miles (2 million kilometers) away, using Hera's HyperScout H hyperspectral imager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besides being beautiful space art, the imagery "allows us to observe cloud patterns on our planet", instrument team member Marcel Popescu of Romania's University of Craiova said in a European Space Agency (ESA) statement released today (Oct. 31). Popescu paraphrased planetary scientist and space popularizer Carl Sagan (1934-1996): "All our lives are contained within these few pixels. The Hera mission, led by ESA, launched Oct. 7 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in coastal Florida. Related: SpaceX rocket launches Europe's Hera planetary defense probe to visit asteroid smacked by NASA Hera's mission calls for the spacecraft to arrive at an asteroid pair in 2026 to follow up on NASA's Double Asteroid Redirect Mission, or DART for short. The smaller asteroid moonlet, called Dimorphos, was directly impacted by DART. The orbit of Dimorphos around its larger companion, Didymos, was permanently altered by the collision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED STORIES: Cubesats on Europe's Hera asteroid mission phone home after Oct. 7 launch Hera probe snaps its 1st images of Earth and moon on way to asteroid crash site SpaceX rocket launches Europe's Hera planetary defense probe to visit asteroid smacked by NASA DART demonstrated a planetary defense strategy that could be useful in moving threatening asteroids away from Earth. Hera's job is to look at the collision's aftermath from up close, given that DART's impact has only been examined by telescopes to date. HyperScout H, the Hera instrument that just observed Earth, will examine the mineral composition of Dimorphos when it arrives. "This first calibration test was an exciting experience, which showed that both the instrument and its data processing chain are working well," said instrument principal investigator Julia de Leon, of the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands, in the same statement. By Oliver Griffin CALI, Colombia (Reuters) -Indigenous environmental defenders in Ecuador are suffering an increasing number of threats and sometimes deadly attacks amid spiraling violence in the country, activists said during U.N. COP16 nature talks in Colombia this week. Nearly 200 countries are gathered in the city of Cali in an attempt to agree on a deal to implement the landmark 2022 Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework agreement that aims to end destruction of nature by 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the goals of that agreement was heightened protection for environmental defenders. But during the summit, slated to end late on Friday, Indigenous activists from Ecuador said danger for their communities was growing. "It's become a tense and terrible problem in Ecuador," Juan Bay, president of the Waorani Indigenous community, told Reuters, adding that threats have increased since a 2023 referendum in Ecuador approved a ban on oil drilling in the Amazon. COP16 host Colombia is regarded as the world's most dangerous country for environmentalists and land rights defenders, with dozens of activists killed each year. Ecuador has experienced rising violence in recent years at the hands of organized crime, with President Daniel Noboa declaring a state of internal armed conflict earlier this year and designating almost two dozen gangs as terrorist groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Negotiations at COP16 include discussions around monitoring killings of people targeted for efforts to protect the environment, but a proposed measure for recording them does not go far enough, said Natalia Gomez, the climate change policy advisor for advocacy group, EarthRights. "Unfortunately, that indicator being discussed is optional and binary, which means that governments will only say, 'Yes, we're doing it', or 'No, we're not doing it'," she said. According to the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity website, Ecuador has not reported on its aims to protect environmental defenders. "Ecuador has seen an increase" in threats, Astrid Puentes, U.N. special rapporteur on the right to a healthy environment, told Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ecuador's government must comply with standards for environmental protection and implement protection measures for those who might receive threats, Puentes said. Ecuador's secretariat of indigenous peoples and nationalities did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters. Reported killings are creating a climate of fear for Indigenous communities trying to protect their homes, said Jhajayra Machoa, from CONFENIAE, the main organization of indigenous groups in Ecuador's Amazon. "It's very hard to face this situation," she said. (Reporting by Oliver GriffinAdditional reporting by Alexandra Valencia in QuitoEditing by Jake Spring and Sandra Maler) By Blake Brittain (Reuters) -Ed Sheeran, his record label Warner Music and music publisher Sony Music Publishing persuaded a U.S. appeals court on Friday to uphold a decision that his 2014 hit "Thinking Out Loud" did not illegally copy Marvin Gaye's 1973 classic "Let's Get It On." The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan agreed with a lower-court judge's dismissal of a lawsuit from Structured Asset Sales, which owns rights to the Gaye song that previously belonged to co-writer Ed Townsend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Structured Asset Sales' owner - investment banker David Pullman - said the company was reviewing all of its options after the decision. Donald Zakarin, an attorney for Sheeran and the labels, said they were "gratified" that the 2nd Circuit upheld the ruling. In May 2023, Sheeran defeated a separate copyright lawsuit by Townsend's heirs, who own a separate share of his interest in "Let's Get It On," in a closely watched jury trial. SAS sued Sheeran in 2018. U.S. District Judge Louis Stanton dismissed its case following the verdict in the heirs' case. Stanton found that the musical elements Sheeran allegedly copied were too common to merit copyright protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appeals court agreed, saying that protecting the elements could stifle creativity, and that Sheeran's and Gaye's songs were not similar enough for Sheeran's to have infringed on SAS' copyright. It also rejected the argument that Stanton should have reviewed Gaye's actual recording, which according to Pullman included key elements that Sheeran copied, rather than focus on the song's sheet music deposited with the U.S. Copyright Office. SAS has filed another lawsuit against Sheeran based on its rights in Gaye's recording. That case is currently on hold. (Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington and Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Rod Nickel) Is Congressman Rep. Cory Mills who he claims to be? This may seem like a curious question to ask or at the least, a strange time to ask it. Mills, a freshman Republican, is just a few days away from likely re-election in U.S. House District 7. Hes certainly got the money and connections to win: His main campaign account shows he took in five times as much cash as his opponent, Democrat Jennifer Adams. His website offers a constellation of shiny endorsements and an opening-page video that shows Mills striding forcefully past familiar Central Florida sites while decrying elite politicians and launching into his own history of poverty and redemption, which hits a climax with his military experience: I deployed several times and spent more than seven years in Iraq and two years in Afghanistan. I was hit not once but twice with improvised explosive devices and explosive formed projectiles. After you take a hit like that, you dont know if youre going to survive or not. would you take a hit like that for your country? Would you risk your life for the Constitution? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are a lot of people in Mills district who can answer those questions Yes. More than 50,000 District 7 residents are veterans. National figures suggest that about 30% of them have combat experience. Without his military backstory, its likely Mills would not have made it out of the crowded Republican field in the 2022 election. He certainly wouldnt have become the feted darling of ultra-conservative talk shows, a reliable fountain of partisan belligerence topped with a generous gloss of military legitimacy. So why, then, are military and national security experts and veterans backing Adams? And why are high-ranking retired officers and other media outlets raising questions about Mills service record, and potential conflicts between his familys business interests and his access through his House committee assignments to information that could have a bearing on national security? Lots of questions, few answers We tried to raise those questions with Mills Monday, with an emailed list of detailed questions. Late Tuesday, the Sentinel received a response from Mills attorney that referred us to his website and included a thinly veiled threat to sue. We asked if more on-point answers would be coming, but didnt hear back until late Wednesday night with a brief and vague response. Throughout the course of this editorial, we have included the entire text of that response, though some of it addresses allegations we werent able to substantiate for this editorial (such as a discussion of Mills military commendations). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well start with the claim, in his website video, stories and press releases, to have spent seven years in Iraq and two in Afghanistan, with no disclaimer or asterisk. Mills official service record and discharge papers (known as a DD-214) shows an Army enlistment date of July 1999 and discharge date of August 2003. Under foreign service, it says zero days. None of the roles listed on that document are combat roles despite the fact that hes been referred to, dozens of times, as an Army sniper. Mills service record says he was a medic. (While the DD-214 we viewed was obtained from a political rival, its been authenticated by the Daytona Beach News-Journal and other sources.) Part of that conflict is easily explained. Its not uncommon for enlisted personnel to go on to much higher-paid positions, working as private security personnel or in other roles in the same countries where American forces are deployed. After leaving the Army, Mills signed on with a series of private military contractors; the year of the hit he describes in his website biography was 2006, which corresponds with his employment at a military contractor called DynCorp as listed in his LinkedIn work history. That history describes him as working in Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas where American troops were serving. But his critics including high-ranking military officers take issue with two things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, Mills rarely differentiates between his actual military service and his time working for contractors. He wasnt doing it for the Constitution. He was doing it for the Benjamins, says retired Major Gen. Randy E. Manner, who served in many roles that include deputy commanding general of the United States 3rd Army in Kuwait; acting vice chief of the National Guard Bureau; and deputy director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. He agrees with the assessment by retired Army Col. David McDonald, a 25-year veteran whose service culminated as deputy director for intelligence plans and operations for the U.S. Southern Command. The cycle here just doesnt add up, McDonald says of Mills service record. Both Manner and McDonald reviewed Mills record as members of National Security Leaders for America, a bipartisan group that has endorsed a slate of candidates all Democrats, including Adams in the 2024 elections. But it should be noted that neither has made these claims about any other candidate. And their distaste for Mills goes far beyond oddities in his service record that conflict with things Mills has said about himself, and claims others have made about him that he did not correct. We did find one such correction: A Fox News interview following Julys attempt on ex-president Donald Trumps life, in which Mills clarified that when I was doing the counter-sniper I wasnt with the United States Army, it was actually with the U.S. State Department. Mills LinkedIn page does not show that he was ever employed by the U.S. Department of State, though it does show that he worked with State while employed by DynCorp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills response: I received awards from the Army, as confirmed by the Department of the Army, including a Bronze Star, Combat Medic Badge, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and campaign medals, recognizing my overseas service for the U.S. government across the armed services, the State Department, and other agencies. We had asked Mills about commendations, but were not able to nail down their status through the Army in time for this editorial. Daytona Beach News-Journal: With Congressman Cory Mills facing accusations of stolen valor, Army confirms medals Daytona Beach News-Journal: Longshot versus extremist weirdo: Congressional contests examined A potential conflict The next area of concern addresses Mills record in private business his founding of PACEM, a firm that sells weapons and other defense equipment including tear gas and other less lethal munitions to police agencies and foreign countries that he wont identify, except to say that PACEM has successfully delivered millions of defense products around the world to some of the most challenging regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve written about Mills gleeful commercial, describing products produced by a subsidiary being used against Black Lives Matter activists and other U.S. protest participants (as well as a veiled threat to deploy them against journalists). A glance at the website of that subsidiary, ALS Less Lethal, reveals rubber projectiles meant to fire into crowds, barricade penetrators that can deliver chemical agents through doors and windows, and thermite incendiary grenades that can quickly destroy enemy equipment. So who, exactly, is Mills selling them to? Theres another issue. It seems obvious to us and others that his ownership of this company, currently run by his wife, Rana Alsaadi, could be an inherent conflict of interest to Mills membership on House committees including the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. His committee membership gives him access to secret information. Could that be used to bolster his business interests? Again, we are not the first to raise these concerns: A 2023 story on the news site Business Insider, titled Rep. Cory Mills founded a company that sells arms to foreign governments. He wont say which ones, said it found deep ties between PACEM and other countries, including sales to Iraq, Ukraine and Colombia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the very least, Mills and his wife should disclose business contracts in enough detail to determine whether their products are being used against civilians in Ukraine, Gaza and other global flashpoints and whether his congressional access to information is being used to leverage profits for his familys business interests. Mills response: I currently have no operational involvement in any defense company and am in full compliance with ethics guidelines, a fact that has been addressed time and again. PACEMs website lists Mills wife Alsaddi as co-founder and executive chairwoman. The bottom line for now These are just a handful of the allegations repeated on a website (corymillswatch.com) operated by a group of people including Mills only GOP opponent in 2024, Mike Johnson. That site flat-out accuses Mills of stolen valor, a designation usually applied to people who claim military credentials they didnt earn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Endorsement: U.S. House District 7 needs representation that puts constituents over stunts We have asked Mills through his press contact about what weve found. We intend to keep working on the issue. At OrlandoSentinel.com/opinion, well also include links to stories by the Daytona Beach News-Journal that delve more deeply into Mills military and business background. But its also important to ask why highly decorated service members including the two officers quoted here and those who traveled to Port Orange last week to stand behind Adams and back her for Mills seat are so alarmed by Cory Mills. Hes proven himself to be a master of patriotic narrative, but its impossible not to wonder how he can claim to have been injured in defense of the Constitution, and then boast about his companys munitions being used against Americans exercising their First Amendment rights. While he might claim those protesters were rioting, theres evidence of painful chemical agents and non-lethal weapons being used against protesters who were acting peacefully. Were those products purchased from Mills company, as he appeared to claim? He stood there as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene talked about beating down insurgents, McDonald said. Its terrifying. Manner also objects, strongly, to Mills participation in false accusations of stolen valor againt vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As you can see, Mills responses are, for the most part, pretty non-responsive, and most of the really specific areas we asked about werent really addressed. The statement provided by his spokesperson included a few areas we havent asked about in this editorial, however. In the interest of fairness well include the rest of his statement: Mills response: In my civilian capacity, Ive continued to serve this nation, most recently assisting in rescue efforts for Americans stranded in North Carolina following the destruction caused by Hurricane Milton. I have also led evacuation efforts for Americans stranded overseas, including in Afghanistan, Israel, and Haiti. Despite repeated attempts by Democrats to undermine my record with false accusations and defamatory claimsincluding those from the left-leaning Orlando Sentinel, which has endorsed my opponent I stand by the oath I took and will continue to serve this country, standing by my record of service. So thats what were left with: Many, many unanswered questions. Ones that Mills could easily put to rest if he wanted to. He wont. District 7 voters deserve those answers if not now, soon after the election. And we intend to keep looking. The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. Contact us at insight@orlandosentinel.com EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) The Effingham County Sheriffs Office (ECSO) has announced that it has received two grants from the Governors Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). One grant is designated for High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) and the other for the Southeastern Traffic Enforcement Network (TEN). HVE combines evident and proactive law enforcement to target a specific traffic safety issue and change unlawful and dangerous driving behaviors that contribute to most of the fatal and serious injury traffic crashes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement efforts are integrated with visibility elements and public notification to educate the public on traffic safety and promote voluntary compliance with the law. The TEN grant is in recognition of the lifesaving work that ECSO has performed as part of the network. Sixteen traffic enforcement networks across the state help enforce Georgias year-round safety belt, speed and impaired driving campaigns. The HVE grant is $75,248 and the major traffic enforcement grant is $33,011.12. Together, the grants total $108,259.12. Receiving these grant funds for traffic enforcement enables us to enhance public safety, reduce dangerous driving behaviors, and ensure that our roads are safer for everyone, says Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie. With these resources, we can dedicate more personnel and technology to address critical traffic concerns and save lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State to investigate fire near Coastal State Prison Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. BOARDMAN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) Elba Lillian Navarro, 79, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, October 27, 2024. Elba was born April 8, 1945 in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, a daughter of Julio Fuentes and Rosa Rentas. She came to the Youngstown area in the late 1940s as a child. Find obituaries from your high school She was a 1963 graduate of South High School and right after high school she went to beauty school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elba married the love of her life, Flor Shorty Navarro on August 28, 1965 at Santa Rosa de Lima Church in Youngstown. They were married for 69 years. Her dream was always to become a teacher. She fulfilled this dream by graduating from Youngstown State University with both a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Spanish and Education. She taught in the Youngstown City Schools at Roosevelt Elementary and Chaney High School for 30 years. She was given the Class Act Award from Channel 21 in which you had to be nominated by a student. She was also awarded the Martha Holden Jennings Educator Award. After her retirement she volunteered at her church as an usher and greeter. She was also on many fundraising committees for OCCHA, a social service agency. Her favorite was the annual OCCHA Gala. Together with her husband, Shorty, they are great Friends of the University having been given this honor in 2014. They have a business and education scholarship at YSU, as well as scholarships for Hispanic students. Elba was also a member of Easter Seals, Akron Childrens Kids Crew, AARP Canfield Chapter and OCCHA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elba was of the Catholic faith and a long- time member of Santa Rosa de Lima until its closing, later attending many of the area Catholic churches on Sundays. She enjoyed reading, going shopping and spending summers at their lake home entertaining friends. She especially enjoyed going to lunch with her friends. Elba will be deeply missed and always remembered by her husband, Shorty; her sister, Nereida Rita Lopez of Florida; her cousins, Aida, Henry, Nancy, Luis and Migdalia and many nieces and nephews that she deeply loved. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Marvia Alicia Jusino and Hilda Torres and a nephew, Edwin Torres. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Navarro family has entrusted their loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home in Campbell. In keeping with Elbas wishes, services were private. Entombment took place at Lake Park Cemetery. The Navarro family would like to thank the aides and nurses from Care Builders, the doctors and nurses at Mercy Health ICU, Blood and Cancer Center and her family and friends for their compassionate and loving care. Donations can be made in Elbas memory to OCCHA, Childrens Programs, 3660 Shirley Road, Youngstown, OH 44502. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elba Lillian Navarro, please visit our floral store. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A television tribute will air Sunday, November 3 at the following approximate times: 8:58 a.m. on FOX and 9:58 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Arizona saw a relatively smooth day of voting as of Tuesday afternoon, save for technical issues and long lines in the northeastern corner of the state. Officials statewide were prepared for a busy day at voting sites, and turnout was roughly in line with previous estimates. Counties largely reported a steady stream of voters filtering through voting locations with a morning, lunch and evening rush. Some jurisdictions faced a lengthy, two-page ballot that election officials worried would take voters longer to fill out at the polls and cause lines. As anticipated, some waits appeared throughout the day, particularly as voters rushed to cast ballots in the hours before polls closed. Advertisement Advertisement Still, lines were short for most of the day at all but a few voting locations statewide. The few longer waits that did pop up were largely within or just over the one-hour timeframe officials had predicted. Only one issue appeared to mar the otherwise calm Election Day. Apache County, located along the state's north and eastern borders with Utah, Colorado and New Mexico, experienced problems with its electronic pollbooks and printers on Tuesday morning. Apache County, which is rural and several hours away from metro Phoenix by car, has its voters electronically check in on pollbooks, which then communicate the correct ballot style for the voter to ballot-on-demand printers at each voting site. The Arizona Secretary of State's Office and Apache County officials confirmed in statements to The Arizona Republic that there was a technical glitch impeding that process. Advertisement Advertisement Voters were given emergency, provisional ballots to use amid the issues. But some sites ran out of those ballots, leaving voting operations reliant on accessible devices typically used by voters with disabilities. Voting continued slowly, but the issue left some voters on the Navajo Nation waiting in line for hours. Some gave up and left the polls. "Right now it's chaos," said Tim Hardy, a veteran and Navajo Nation voter who cast a ballot at the Fort Defiance Chapter House after waiting in line for three hours. "They are way behind, and it's getting worse." State and county officials said the issues were largely resolved by mid-afternoon, with hours still left for voters to cast ballots before the polls closed. "All polling places have remained open and voting has continued all day for registered voters who want to cast their ballots in Apache County," said Elections Director Rita Vaughan. Advertisement Advertisement But tribal officials said they were concerned that the technical glitch may have disenfranchised some voters. They noted that voters on the Navajo Nation are particularly influential in top-of-the-ticket races in Arizona. Nearly 5% of the state's voting-age population is Native American and Native voters typically vote for Democrats. When Native voters have high turnout rates, they can swing close races to the left. "Navajo voters are always a threat in these big elections," said Navajo Speaker Crystalyne Curley. "We can sway a vote. We've been talking about this within our own council, that we have to make sure everything goes smoothly." Amid wave of election denialism, officials see no 'credible' threats Voters headed to the polls Tuesday in an election landscape irrevocably changed by false claims of stolen races. Four years after former President Donald Trump lost the state and election denialism took root, officials continue to see threats, protests and harassment. But voting proceeded without incident at polling places statewide on Election Day. Maricopa County Sheriff Russ Skinner said there had been no credible issues relative to public safety as of midday Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Election 2024: See Arizona election results | Live coverage on Election Day Officials previously sought to assure voters they were prepared to respond to any security incidents at the polls and during the counting process. New election buildings statewide boast state-of-the-art security measures, from cameras to fencing to bulletproof glass, and Skinner said there would be "zero tolerance" for criminal activity and threats in Maricopa County. "We've done our level best to make sure our 15 counties are prepared for every scenario from equipment failures to security threats at our polling places," said Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes last month. "We stand united against those who threaten our democracy, and we're ready to defend our elections through a peaceful, democratic process." There were a few harrowing moments on Election Day. Most notably, Fontes announced during an afternoon press conference that law enforcement was investigating bomb threats in Navajo County, a rural jurisdiction in the northern portion of the state that overlaps parts of Navajo Nation. Advertisement Advertisement But Fontes said those threats were not credible, calling them a scare tactic. "We have no reason to believe any voters or any polling places are in any sort of jeopardy," Fontes said. Counties successfully navigate two-page ballots Nine jurisdictions including populous Maricopa and Pima counties saw double-sided, two-page ballots on Election Day. Officials statewide repeatedly warned that could lead to wait times, machine jams and other issues. But wait times stayed well under an hour statewide in the morning and early afternoon, even as a steady stream of voters rushed to the polls before working hours and while on lunch break. Very, very short lines out there, so thats great, said Maricopa County Supervisor Bill Gates at a midday news conference. Advertisement Advertisement Poll workers on the ground largely said voting was going smoothly throughout the day. Donna Scovil, a poll worker at Dove of the Desert United Methodist Church in Glendale, said most voters were coming prepared with "cheat sheets." Maricopa County Elections Director Scott Jarrett previously said he hired additional election workers, added new vote centers, increased the capacity of polling places and made other changes to mitigate the impacts of the lengthy ticket. Officials also encouraged voters to consider casting an early ballot or at least research contests on their ballot before arriving at the polls. Officials in several voting jurisdictions also readied themselves by reaching out to counties in other states with experience in multipage ballots. Maricopa, Pima, Coconino and other counties shared insights from those discussions among themselves to coordinate efforts to minimize lines. In the evening, lines quickly picked up. Maricopa County saw lines peak at a little over an hour at its busiest polling sites. About two dozen voting locations in Pima County saw wait times of more than 20 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement But even at the busiest voting locations, poll workers and voters generally reported that voting was going smoothly. Jakob Gerhard, a 23-year-old Mesa resident, said his voting experience took about two hours in total from getting in line to casting his ballot. "It's really long in there, but I knew I had to come and do this," he said. "I think it's just people taking their time and reading everything over." Lots of electioneering, but candidates largely followed the rules Campaigns and political advocates were out and about at the polls on Tuesday. Democratic volunteers served free churros from a blue food truck in Mesa. A pink party bus sporting a "Trump Train" sign paid visits to voting sites around the Valley, ready to shuttle voters to nearby polls in case of lines. Advertisement Advertisement Republican Kari Lake made appearances at several polling places in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. Her opponent, Democrat Ruben Gallego, was briefly spotted at a voting site near the University of Arizona in Tucson. But despite all the activity, election officials reported few rule breaks. There was one notable exception: Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, a Republican, got kicked out of a voting center at Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix for crossing the 75-foot line that marks the campaigning limit. Arizona law limits polling places to select groups, including voters who have not cast their ballots, election officials, political party monitors, voter assistants and minors accompanying voters. Candidates, protesters and journalists are not allowed to enter the 75-foot perimeter. Horne, 79, said he did not realize he was within the 75-foot perimeter while collecting signatures for his 2026 reelection campaign. He said he immediately stopped asking for signatures when somebody informed him that he was violating the law. He only collected a few signatures before leaving the restricted area, he said. Advertisement Advertisement There were also a few instances of vitriolic comments. In one case, a group of men blasted vulgar music from their car with the windows down, shouting obscenities about Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris as they left the parking lot of Marley Park in Surprise on Tuesday evening. But at other polling sites, Republicans and Democrats campaigned side-by-side in peace. Outside a library in Queen Creek, volunteers staffing tables for Harris and Trump were friendly with each other while gabbing with voters on their way to cast ballots. Is smooth election enough to regain voter trust? False claims of a rigged vote marred the 2020 election. Then, widespread technical issues in Arizona's biggest cities added fuel to the fire in 2022. Election Day was a chance for officials statewide to regain trust. Voters interviewed at polling sites described going to cast their ballots with a deep sense of unease. Many said they felt like the future of the country was riding on top-of-the-ticket races. In the weeks leading up to the election, poll workers and voters also expressed anxiety over potential security issues at the polls and the wait for election results. In battleground Arizona, voters said they knew every vote mattered and that their vote could ultimately play an outsized role in deciding who takes the White House in January. I am definitely feeling anxious. This is a big one, said Greg Meecham, 22, who voted at First United Methodist Church near the University of Arizona in Tucson. There is a lot riding on this election regardless of what party youre in and its nerve-wracking. Still, voters seemed to leave the polls feeling hopeful. Paradise Bush, 29, of Phoenix, said she went to drop off her early ballot feeling "fatigued," but was relieved once she did so. "I'm just really happy and excited to see what the (outcome) is, no matter what it is," she said. "Hopefully, after, we can all come together and get more positive with each other." Will a new state law delay election night results? Waits weren't expected to end once polls closed. Recent, smaller elections suggested a new state law designed to hasten full unofficial results may delay publication of election night returns. The new statute was created in reaction to another recent law that requires recounts in races with wider margins than had been required before. That statute sparked fears that more recounts could disrupt Arizona's election certification schedule. Getting a timing fix through the Arizona Legislature this spring required compromises from election officials including one that stipulates counties must count the number of early ballot envelopes received at each of their voting sites on election day and report those figures to the public on election night. That counting process delayed the return of Election Day tallies during the state primary. Maricopa County officials were anticipating another wait Tuesday evening that could escalate tensions as politicians, pundits and voters across the country eagerly await initial rounds of election results. "It really depends on the volume of drop-offs," said Assistant County Manager Zach Schira. "It's going to be, as every election is, unique to whatever those circumstances are." What happens next? Results from Tuesday night offer only a partial snapshot of election results. Arizona allows voters to return their early ballots until polls close on election day. Each cycle, hundreds of thousands of voters drop off their so-called "late earlies." Those ballots must be processed and go through signature verification, a mandatory safeguard against voter fraud. That means getting full results often takes upwards of a week. The more last-minute early ballots received, the longer it generally takes to count votes and determine tight races which are often a certainty in Arizona. Jennifer Liewer, a spokesperson for the Maricopa County Elections Department, said officials there are currently expecting counting to run for 10 to 13 days. Media outlets may be able to call the outcomes of some races quickly, but others are likely in for a wait that is nearly certain to inflame national tensions. "Although we will be tabulating ballots more quickly than ever, we want people to know that it will take time to get results," Liewer said. "Our races will be close." This story will be updated throughout Election Day. Reporters Arlyssa Becenti, Endia Fontanez, Reia Li, Hayleigh Evans, Sarah Lapidus, Daniel Gonzalez, Nicholas Sullivan, Lane Sainty, Jose Romero, Ray Stern, Meredith White and Mary Jo Pitzl contributed reporting to this article. Sasha Hupka covers county government and election administration for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at sasha.hupka@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X: @SashaHupka. Follow her on Instagram or Threads: @sashahupkasnaps. Sign up for her weekly election newsletter, Republic Recount. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Election 2024: Smooth voting in Arizona, some rural printer glitches In his first quarterly earnings call with Wall Street analysts as Starbucks CEO on Wednesday night, Brian Niccol offered investors and employees alike something they've long been longing for: clarity and decisiveness. The last few years have been bumpy ones for the coffee-store chain. The company has been through four CEOs since 2022, and has jumped between different strategies. The result is often-chaotic store operations, three consecutive quarters of declining same-store sales, and a brand gone adrift. Niccol, who turned around Chipotle Mexican Grill before joining Starbucks, was hired away from the burrito chain in August to arrest Starbucks' decline. Wall Street was so relieved at the news that shares of the coffee company shot up 24% the day his new role was announced. While Niccol had already teased some elements of his strategy and leadership style over the past few days, he outlined his "Back to Starbucks" plan in detail on the earnings call. And even more important, he cut a figure as a decisive CEO who knows how to communicate a path forward. "It is clear we need to fundamentally change our strategy to win back customers and return to growth, Niccol told Wall Street analysts. The CEO announced a number of additional initiatives aimed at returning Starbucks to the basics of its business, reversing moves that had slowed operations and frustrated patrons. Among these are returning self-service stations with milk and sugar to its thousands of U.S. cafes beginning in 2025 so customers can choose how much to put in their drink rather than ask a barista. Starbucks will no longer charge customers extra for nondairy milk alternatives. And Niccol mentioned cutting down the complex menu and bringing "common-sense guardrails" to mobile orders. Niccol showed that kind of quick action and decisiveness at Chipotle in 2018, when he was brought in to help it recover from a devastating food safety crisis made worse by top management. Wall Street analysts expressed relief to see those qualities on display again during the Starbucks call. The new CEO's approached provided "a clear and detailed vision for the future, and aspirational, like the Starbucks brand when at its best," Morgan Stanley wrote in a note, according to Investing.com. Niccol's performance also won him some kudos from Stifel, whose analysts wrote that Niccol "delivered his message with a level of clarity and precision that is typically the hallmark of a talented leader." The focus on returning to a "welcoming coffee house," and a clarity about that vision, is exactly what Starbucks employees and customers alike need after an extended period of tumult. For years, Starbucks touted its stores as a "third place," apart from the home or the office, where customers could go and relax. But a few years ago, it decided to focus on turning stores into mobile order hubs as well. Along with creating chaotic pick-up traffic at peak times, it also made Starbucks' products feel more like a commodity than an experience, and shrank the size of some stores. NEW YORK (PIX11) This Election Day, New Yorkers will vote on a handful of federal, state, and local offices, including the next president of the United States and a Senate seat representing New York. The deadline to register to vote in New York was Oct. 26. New York voters have several options to cast their ballot, including early voting, vote-by-mail, and in-person voting on Nov. 5. More News: NY Elections Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Workers in New York could be entitled to paid time off to vote on Election Day. To see if you qualify for up to two hours off, click here. For a quick recap of the June primary results, click here. More News: Politics Heres what you should know before heading into the voting booth on Election Day: Check if youre registered to vote To check if you are registered to vote in New York, click here. The deadline to register for this election was Oct. 26. Early voting in New York Early in-person voting will be available across the state from Oct. 26 through Nov. 3. Early voting hours in New York City are from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. For more information on hours and polling locations outside New York City, click here. What time voting is open in NY On Election Day, voting locations will open at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. Find your voting location Every registered voter is assigned a location to cast their ballot on Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To find your voting location in New York City, click here. To find your voting site elsewhere in New York, click here. Mail-in voting If you were looking to vote by mail, you had to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot by Oct. 26. But you can still apply in person for a mail-in ballot until Nov. 4. All mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 5. New NY poll shows Gillibrand leading, Hochul approval sagging Who is running in New York? U.S. Senate : Incumbent Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is defending her seat against political newcomer Mike Sapraicone. On Oct. 1, PIX11 hosted a forum for the two candidates to discuss issues like abortion, the economy, and immigration. Watch the forum here to learn about their priorities. U.S. House of Representatives: To look up your representative and district, click here. On Oct. 9, PIX11 News hosted a live debate between the candidates for the 18th Congressional District, Democratic incumbent Pat Ryan, and Republican challenger Alison Esposito. Watch the NY-18 debate here to learn about their priorities. On Friday, Nov. 1, PIX11 News will host a live debate between the candidates for the states 17th Congressional District, Mike Lawler and Mondaire Jones. Tune in to PIX11 News or stream online beginning at 7 p.m. State Legislature: All New York State Assembly and Senate seats are up for reelection in 2024. For the Assembly, the majority of races are contested. In the state Senate, the majority of races are uncontested, meaning youll only see one name on your ballot. To learn more about New York Assembly elections, click here. To learn more about New York Senate elections, click here. Judges: To find information on civil and supreme court judges up for election, click here. District Attorney: Residents in Albany and Westchester counties will vote on a new district attorney. New York ballot questions Prop One, Equal Protection Amendment: Voters will decide whether to amend the New York State Constitution to include a clause that addresses discrimination based on ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. The amendment specifically addresses protecting reproductive health care and autonomy. For more information on Prop One, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are also local ballot measures, like a New York City Charter amendment to adjust how city property is cleaned and public safety legislation. Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The statewide Election Integrity Project has sued five California counties including Kern County demanding special monitors be appointed to oversee Tuesdays election. The suit claims the EIP found tens of thousands more votes than voters in Californias 2022 election. The suit a request for a writ of mandate was filed Thursday in Sacramento County Superior Court. It was filed as a priority election matter and the EIP asked for a ruling before Wednesday, but it wasnt immediately known if a hearing would be scheduled before then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get to know the candidates: How CA-22 candidates responded to basic questions The suit says EIP compared a list of voters in the November, 2022 statewide general election with the certified election results. According to the suit, there was a statewide difference of more than 40,000 votes. In Kern County, there was a difference of 490 votes. The suit is not challenging the 2022 results but says it seeks to ensure the accuracy of next weeks voting. It asks for special masters to be appointed to oversee next weeks elections in the five named counties and for a review of the 2022 election results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 17 News Alerts The suit names the California Secretary of State and registrars of voters in Kern, Tulare, Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties. It was filed by a law firm called Advocates for Faith & Freedom on behalf of the EIP and five individuals, including Tom Pavich and Charles Shinn of Kern County. Because the filing was announced late in the day at 4:59 p.m. Thursday Kern County Registrar of Voters Aimee Espinoza said she could not comment because she did not have a chance to read the suit. Others involved could not be reached for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Link said Thursday she is concerned about a surge in misinformation that is even worse than what she saw in the 2020 presidential election during once-in-a-century pandemic. Link, whos facing a reelection challenge from a candidate raising questions about the voting systems security, said the amount of incorrect and misleading information in this election, which is just days away from its conclusion, is at the top of her list of worries. She spoke as early voting hits the homestretch and her office gears up for Election Day polling at 377 locations. We know that China, Iran and Russia are very actively involved in using AI (artificial intelligence) to get a lot of misinformation out there and it looks real, Link said. It gets voters very nervous and it doesnt help anyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Certainly, it doesnt help with the democratic process, she added. Link said her staff is willing to investigate any concerns. We want people to be aware that if they see something or hear something that concerns them or doesn't seem like it's right, please call us right away, Link said. Let us research and look into it for you and get you that answer, because it's very important. Link used the opportunity speak Thursday to debunk rumors she said are specifically intended to deceive and confuse the Palm Beach County electorate regarding mail-in ballots and touchscreen machines predominantly used in early voting. An election worker places ballots in a machine to be counted at the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office on October 31, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. Link praised the electronic voting system that allows voters to cast a printed ballot they filled in via a touchscreen machine, and she demonstrated how the system generates a paper record of the ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The touchscreen machine is really a printer that issues the paper ballot after voters make their selections, she said, noting the device is quicker and more direct than filling in ovals on a printed ballot, while still offers the same record and effect. "Florida is a paper ballot state," she said. She also recounted a first-time voter becoming panicked after hearing that her mail-in vote would not count because she didnt receive a receipt when it was dropped off. Thats just false information, and its designed to make people nervous, she said. Reports about ballot drop boxes set afire in the Pacific Northwest need not concern Florida voters, she added. Drop boxes, officially known in Florida as "secure ballot intake stations," are never left unattended unless they are empty and no longer accepting ballots, Link said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what else you should know as the last days before the quadrennial ritual of choosing a commander-in-chief hits the homestretch. Election workers gather ballots delivered by the postal service to place into a sorting machine at the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office on October 31, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. Check your polling place before heading out to vote Concerns about security, the war in the Middle East and the constitutional reproductive rights question on this years ballot have resulted in more than the usual number of churches, temples and homeowner associations withdrawing from serving as early voting sites. Link urges people voting on Election Day to confirm the polling place that corresponds with their address before they head out to vote at www.votepalmbeach.gov. The information is under the "Find My Precinct" tab. We don't want someone to go stand in line and then find out that they have to go someplace else, Link said. Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Wendy Satory Link talks to reporters at elections headquarters on October 31, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. Get in line before the 7 p.m. deadline The number of mail-in and early votes cast Thursday meant that Palm Beach County crossed the threshold for 50% turnout possibly an all-time high for votes cast before Election Day, Link said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lines and waits on Election Day are likely, however. Anyone who gets in line by 7 p.m. Tuesday will be allowed to vote, Link said. If you are in line at seven o'clock, you will be permitted to vote, no matter how long that line is, Link said. Our poll worker will get behind the last person in line at seven, and that will indicate that this is the last person who's able to vote. However long it takes we're going to get everybody through. Election worker open and sort ballots at the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office on October 31, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who received a mail-in vote should not return it through the U.S. Postal Service at this point, however. Any ballot dropped in the mail now runs the risk of not arriving at the elections office in time to be counted. Instead of the mail, those who wish to use a mail-in ballot need to take it to an early voting location through Nov. 3 or to an elections office on Election Day, Link said. The first results may be released while people are still in line on Tuesday evening. Early voting and mail-in votes are expected to be reported on the website around 7:15 p.m. on election night. New this election: Student greeters An outreach to the schools means that voters, on Election Day, may be greeted by a student from the local schools or a college or who is homeschooled. Several hundred students have already undergone a 10-minute training to be greeters and been assigned a location, Link said. Its going to be a fun way to get the young students involved, Link said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While in line to cast a ballot, voters might also meet a furry friend. Local pet adoption agencies will be auditioning some of their four-legged charges at specific early voting sites, Link said. Its just a really good way for some civic engagement and to hopefully get some pets some really good homes right now, Link said. And dont forget You need a valid photo ID with a signature to vote in Florida. If you dont have it, you will be able to use a provisional ballot. 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: Palm Beach County elections chief: Voting misinformation tops even 2020 From checking equipment to cybersecurity improvements, state election officials assured Congress earlier this fall that theyve been working for months to secure voting ahead of Election Day. The rigorous testing that we conduct allows us to eliminate problems before ballots are cast, said Cord Byrd, (R) Florida Secretary of State. We ask the good guys to try to hack us and tell us where there are holes in our fence so we can patch those, said Frank LaRose, (R) Ohio Secretary of State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And election leaders say theyre ready for November 5. Maybe Im a little biased, but I have never seen a more prepared elections community than ever before, said Carolina Lopez, executive director of PLEJ. Lopez leads the Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions also known as PLEJ. The organization connects election officials from across the country to help them exchange ideas and best practices. Lopez said shes seen more collaboration between election administrators since 2020. What happens if you know the election nights results page goes down for five seconds? What do you do? What if theres power grid failure, said Lopez. Like these individuals have a playbook, a really robust playbook, to make sure the show must go on, and it will. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to those preparations, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission expects more than 98 percent of voters to cast a paper ballot this year. But earlier this month, comes as federal intelligence agencies warned that Russia and Iran may try to encourage violent protests after Election Day. Some internet security experts also warn cyberthreats are constantly evolving. Its both foreign and domestic actors that are responsible for these attacks, said Marci Andino, insecurity security expert. Andino is vice president at the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EIISAC). Her team helps election officials stay a step ahead of cyber-hackers and prevent the spread of malicious activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can identify trends, and in doing so, we send out alerts. We also provide them with tools so that they can become more proficient in protecting against cyber threats, she said. Andino said some of the biggest threats are ransomware attacks, phishing attempts, and new AI technologies. Both deep fakes in the form of robocalls and videos being used in the election space, said Andino. She said another concern are perceived data leaks. This is when someone will take voter registration information or poll worker information and they post it on the dark web, and theyre alleging that this is from a new breach or a new data leak, and this impacts the publics confidence in the election, said Andino. In some states, voter registration information is available publicly. So, it may not have been from a leak at all, but it still impacts the confidence that voters have in the election system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike other events, you cant move or change Election Day and thats why election administrators say theyre prepared for whatever comes their way. We are going to get through this. We are going to make sure that theres voting opportunities for our voters, and were going to do this as quickly as possible to make sure they have the best voting experience, said Lopez. The federal government has also been helping officials prepare. The nations top cybersecurity agency has conducted more than 1,000 physical security assessments and over 700 cyber assessments since the start of 2023. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW From checking equipment to cybersecurity improvements, state election officials assured Congress earlier this fall that theyve been working for months to secure voting ahead of Election Day. The rigorous testing that we conduct allows us to eliminate problems before ballots are cast, Cord Byrd, (R) Florida Secretary of State, said. We ask the good guys to try to hack us and tell us where there are holes in our fence so we can patch those, Frank LaRose, (R) Ohio Secretary of State, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And election leaders say theyre ready for November 5. Maybe Im a little biased, but I have never seen a more prepared elections community than ever before, Carolina Lopez, executive director of Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions, said. Read: Jacksonville mayor urges calm, compassion in wake of recent political violence Lopez leads the Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions, also known as PLEJ. The organization connects election officials from across the country to help them exchange ideas and best practices. Lopez said shes seen more collaboration between election administrators since 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What happens if you know the election nights results page goes down for five seconds? What do you do? What if theres power grid failure, Lopez said. Like these individuals have a playbook, a really robust playbook, to make sure the show must go on, and it will. In addition to those preparations, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission expects more than 98 percent of voters to cast a paper ballot this year. Read: Election officials ramp up security measures after increased threats of violence, harassment But earlier this month, federal intelligence agencies warned that Russia and Iran may try to encourage violent protests after Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some internet security experts also warn cyber threats are constantly evolving. Its both foreign and domestic actors that are responsible for these attacks, Marci Andino, insecurity security expert, said. Read: On Election Day, more states will consider whether to approve ranked choice voting Andino is vice president of the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EIISAC). Her team helps election officials stay a step ahead of cyber-hackers and prevent the spread of malicious activity. We can identify trends, and in doing so, we send out alerts. We also provide them with tools so that they can become more proficient in protecting against cyber threats, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andino said some of the biggest threats are ransomware attacks, phishing attempts, and new AI technologies. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Both deep fakes in the form of robocalls and videos being used in the election space, Andino said. She said another concern is perceived data leaks. This is when someone will take voter registration information or poll worker information and they post it on the dark web, and theyre alleging that this is from a new breach or a new data leak, and this impacts the publics confidence in the election, Andino said. In some states, voter registration information is available publicly. So, it may not have been from a leak at all, but it still impacts the confidence that voters have in the election system. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Unlike other events, you cant move or change Election Day and thats why election administrators say theyre prepared for whatever comes their way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are going to get through this. We are going to make sure that theres voting opportunities for our voters, and were going to do this as quickly as possible to make sure they have the best voting experience, Lopez said. The federal government has also been helping officials prepare. The nations top cybersecurity agency has conducted more than 1,000 physical security assessments and over 700 cyber assessments since the start of 2023. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Fred Blackman II, a minister, poses for a photo at the Peoples Community Clinic in Austin, Texas, where he is board chair. Blackman has to take dozens of pills every day to deal with the pain and complications of a catastrophic back injury. The results of Tuesdays election could have a huge impact on health care coverage. (Blaine Young) A decade ago, an old work injury put Fred Blackman II in the hospital with a slipped spinal disc that threatened to paralyze him. The Austin, Texas, minister spent the next five months there, enduring five back surgeries, extreme pain and a brain infection. He almost died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After discharge, he returned to a life he didnt recognize. Hed lost his job at an insurance company, his health coverage and his house, and his marriage was falling apart. He could barely walk and owed more than $500,000 in medical bills. He got emergency Medicaid coverage with the hospitals help, but it lapsed after a few months. He was in desperate need of health care and therapy. I had nothing, he says. The minister, now 51, would eventually emerge from the crisis, but the health and financial effects persist. And Blackman says he came to better understand the importance of having access to affordable care and the governments role in providing that. Hes now a public advocate of expanding health care access in Texas and the nation. If Texas had expanded Medicaid eligibility for low-income adults under the Affordable Care Act, as 40 other states and Washington, D.C., have done, Blackman would have easily qualified for coverage of the care he needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More Americans could find themselves in Blackmans position uninsured, in financial stress and locked out of the largest federal safety net for health care if leading conservative visions for the program come to fruition. Three notable blueprints The Heritage Foundations Project 2025 report, the fiscal year 2025 Republican Study Committee budget plan and the FY 2025 House budget resolution all propose Medicaid cuts and changes that are more likely to happen under a Trump administration and a Republican Congress. Some researchers say all three plans would slash federal Medicaid dollars and scrap the 90% federal matching rate for Medicaid expansion enrollees. In interviews with Public Health Watch, health economists and policy experts said the plans would drive up the uninsured rate and financially strain hospitals and health providers that care for uninsured and Medicaid patients. The people most likely to be affected would be those with the fewest resources to obtain health insurance elsewhere, such as from private employers and the federal marketplace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the proposals, such as cutting federal Medicaid funds and imposing work requirements on beneficiaries, have been Republican staples for years. The latter was tried and struck down in federal court during the first Trump administration. In his current run for the White House, Donald Trump has not talked specifically about his plans for Medicaid and denied any association with Project 2025. A New York Times report found numerous ties between the project and his campaign. Based on actions during his first term including attempts to repeal both the ACA and Medicaid expansion political observers believe that Medicaid will again be a target if Trump is elected Nov. 5. I think they may use the same playbook they did during the first Trump administration, said Nicole Huberfeld, a professor of health law at Boston University School of Law and School of Public Health. It could just happen faster this time around because they already have a blueprint for the policies they want. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trio of conservative plans assert that Medicaids financing is in need of reform to address a substantial rise in federal Medicaid spending. This unrestrained growth in Medicaid spending is unsustainable, states the House budget resolution. The Congressional Budget Office projects that Medicaid spending will rise by more than 60% over the next decade, to $898 billion, or 2.2% of gross domestic product. The GOP plans also cite a few studies that have found, in some cases, Medicaid patients are more likely to have poor health outcomes than the uninsured, and health care expansions have minimal effects on health. A review of nearly 200 studies by KFF, a nonprofit research group, found instead that Medicaid expansion benefits patients with many conditions, from cancer to mental health. Asked how Project 2025 and the GOP plans would affect uninsured rates, the Heritage Foundation declined to comment. A spokeswoman said it doesnt comment on coverage related to an election because, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it is prohibited from involvement in campaigns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokeswoman for the Republican Study Committee and its chairman, U.S. Rep Kevin Hern, an Oklahoma Republican, did not respond to requests for comment. The stakes are high. As of June, almost 73 million adults and children, or more than one in five Americans, relied on Medicaid for affordable health care. The federal-state insurance program pays for more than 40% of U.S. births, provides supplemental coverage to 7.2 million poor seniors and insures more than 10 million people with disabilities. Nearly 60 years old, Medicaid covers more Americans than Medicare, the insurance program for people aged 65 and older. Some experts say that conservatives plans would likely result in a radical downsizing of Medicaid and destabilize a critical piece of the countrys health care infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tens of millions of people could either become uninsured entirely or lose access to the care they need, said Edwin Park, a research professor at Georgetown Universitys Center for Children and Families. Capping Medicaid dollars After COVID-19 sent the country into recession, state Medicaid rolls ballooned to record highs, catching millions of Americans who suddenly were jobless and couldnt afford health insurance. The jump in enrollment wasnt a surprise. Medicaid numbers typically surge during severe economic downturns, such as during the Great Recession in the late 2000s. State Medicaid programs can respond quickly in economic crises because states have a deal with the federal government: It pays a percentage of state Medicaid costs regardless of how many people enroll. States are guaranteed a certain share. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The percentage for traditional Medicaid varies by state, ranging from 50% to 78%, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. For people covered by expansion low-income, nonpregnant adults without dependents or disabilities the federal government pays 90% of costs. Park said that flexibility could fade under conservative proposals because they would use block grants or per-capita caps to limit federal Medicaid dollars. Block grants would give Medicaid programs a fixed amount of federal funds instead of a percentage of overall costs. A risk is that if states faced unexpected Medicaid demands such as from a natural disaster or an expensive new drug therapy they could be on the hook for 100% of costs. Per capita caps are similar, with states getting a fixed amount of federal dollars per beneficiary. The Project 2025 plan also includes lifetime limits on Medicaid benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Park said the GOP plans dont detail how the grants or caps would be implemented. But such measures are typically designed to generate large savings over years, he said, as states see a diminishing flow of federal Medicaid dollars. The three plans also would slash the 90% federal rate for people covered by Medicaid expansion, which as of February this year insured more than 23 million people. Thats a huge cut, Park said. Eventually, most states would likely have to drop expansion because its such a big cost shift. The Trump administration tried to cut Medicaid funding using budget legislation and the Medicaid waiver process but didnt succeed. Park said if a major cut is made, states could face stark choices: Increase state funding, perhaps by raising taxes, or reduce Medicaid services and eligibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How some states might react could be seen in the recent Medicaid unwinding, in which states began removing enrollees again after a suspension of the process during the pandemic, said Benjamin Sommers, a professor of health care economics and medicine at Harvard. Texas, for example, was aggressive in its approach to unwinding, removing more than 2 million people from the Medicaid rolls, most of them children. A Texas Tribune/ProPublica investigation found the state ignored federal guidance meant to prevent eligible Texans from being disenrolled. I imagine, in some states, it would be a race to the bottom, Sommers said. Those who are eager to have small Medicaid programs will move fast. Federal cuts could also cause a surge in uninsured rates. Medicaid expansion alone covers tens of millions of people. The newly uninsured can turn to already-strained safety-net programs, such as federally qualified health centers, or FQHCs. But research shows that having health insurance is associated with better health outcomes and longer life. A wave of coverage loss would likely worsen all kinds of health measures, Sommers said. After Blackman, the Austin minister, lost his health insurance, his providers recommended that he visit the Peoples Community Clinic, a local FQHC that serves uninsured residents. He credits the clinic, where he now serves as board chair, with saving his life and pulling him out of a deep depression. But it cant provide all of the complex specialty care Blackman needs. After two years of going uninsured and failed attempts to qualify for Texas Medicaid, he qualified for Medicare because of his new disabilities. But it doesnt cover his costs as much as Medicaid would, so he depends on family, friends and his church to help fill the gap. Hes lucky. In 2020, they raised $10,000 for his latest back surgery. His bones had finally healed enough so doctors could insert the metal screws and plates to keep his spine intact. Hed put the surgery off for more than a year because he couldnt afford the out-of-pocket Medicare costs. How many people are in my position? Blackman asked. I see homeless people in wheelchairs and I think, Could that have been me if I didnt have family or church? Impact in every state Medicaid is the single largest source of health coverage in the U.S. If Republican and right-leaning Medicaid proposals were to become reality, no state or community would be left unaffected. Timothy McBride, a health economist and professor at Washington University in St. Louis, put it bluntly: Turning Medicaid into a block grant would cause states to run out of money. Is it the fault of the Medicaid program that health care costs are rising so much? he said. I dont think it is. Rural areas, which generally have higher uninsured rates than urban ones, could be especially hard hit, McBride said. Almost half of children and 1 in 5 adults in small towns and rural areas depend on Medicaid or CHIP, according to a Georgetown University report. Shifting to block grants wouldnt be an easy lift. Republican Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush proposed such a change, but the efforts failed. During Trumps first term, GOP lawmakers supported bills to repeal the Affordable Care Act that also included measures to block-grant or cap federal Medicaid dollars. Huberfeld, the health law professor in Boston, said the federal-state funding arrangement for Medicaid is enshrined in statute, and to alter it, Republicans would need enough votes in Congress and a president willing to sign the bill. In her view, the way the Medicaid Act is written, this is not a waive-able feature of the program. But another Trump administration might try to go around Congress, using tactics it tried in his first term. Under Medicaid, states can apply for federal waivers, which gives them the flexibility to try different approaches in carrying out the program. Near the end of Trumps term, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services used its waiver authority to approve a demonstration project in Tennessee that capped nearly all of the states federal Medicaid dollars for a decade. The Biden administration renegotiated the Tennessee waiver, scrapping the block-grant plan. Also in Trumps first term, the CMS used waivers to approve work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries. Only one state, Arkansas, implemented those, which data show resulted in large coverage losses and didnt increase employment. A federal court struck down the requirements in 2020, calling the administrations decision to approve them arbitrary and capricious. Project 2025, the Republican committee budget plan and the House budget resolution call for Medicaid work requirements. Its unclear exactly how another Trump term would target Medicaid. But Park, at Georgetown, said that cutting the program could be floated as a way to offset the costs of extending the Trump-era tax cuts, which expire in 2025. Ultimately, I think the goal is to dramatically shrink Medicaid, Park said of conservatives efforts over years. Blackman, the Austin minister, knows more than most what its like to live in a state with a bare-bones Medicaid program. In Texas, low-income adults who are not pregnant or in postpartum or dont have dependents or disabilities dont qualify for Medicaid. Parents in a household of four dont qualify if they make more than $4,000 a year. Republican state leaders oppose Medicaid expansion. Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation which Blackman considers a badge of shame. His own experiences have turned him into an outspoken advocate for improving health care access in the state where generations of his family have lived. He meets with lawmakers in Austin and travels to Washington, D.C., to tell his story. At the state Capitol, he said, the words Medicaid expansion are a nonstarter these days, despite polls showing most Texans support it. He works around this, undeterred, drawing strength from his favorite Bible verse, which says that old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. I know Im on the right path, Blackman said. I know that advocating for health care for Gods people is something that needs to be done. This story is part of Uninsured in America, a collaborative project led by Public Health Watch that focuses on those with little or no health insurance and the 10 states that havent expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Tennessee election officials know it's going to be a late night of counting votes on Nov. 5. Some other states have warned their totals won't be available the night of the election, but Tennessee is more optimistic. Knox County Administrator of Elections Chris Davis told Knox News local results should be out at about 11 p.m. Long lines at polling locations, especially at the time polls close at 8 p.m., could push that timeframe back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Results for different races will come in at different times. Tennessee election officials expect earlier results for the US. Senate and House of Representatives races. The presidential total may take longer. Doug Kufner, a spokesperson for Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett, told Knox News reporting data will start flowing in right after 8 p.m. "We anticipate unofficial results to begin coming in for all races shortly afterward," he said in an email. That stands in contrast to massively important swing states. In Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania, election officials have said their counts wont be finished on Election Day. When will Georgia results be available? In Georgia, a new law requires the results of all early votes and early accepted ballots to be reported an hour after polls close, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told CBS News. The state allows election workers to begin counting mail-in ballots at 7 a.m. on Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's 70%, maybe even 75% of all the vote totals will be reported no later than 8 p.m. on election night, said Raffensperger, who pointed out that overseas ballots can be received until Nov. 8. In 2020, President Joe Biden won Georgia by about 12,000 votes. The Associated Press didnt call the state for Biden until Nov. 19, more than two weeks after polls closed. State officials certified the results on Nov. 20, 2020. When will Michigan results be available? Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said she expects unofficial results in her state to be available by the end of Nov. 6, the day after Election Day. But that said, we will always prioritize accuracy and security over efficiency, Benson told CBS News. Understanding how much people will want those results, we're still going to make sure the process is secure and accurate before we put anything out to the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden won Michigan by about 154,000 votes in 2020. The AP called the race Nov. 4, a day after Election Day, and election officials certified Bidens victory Nov. 23. When will Pennsylvania results be available? Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt told NPR its unlikely a winner will be known in the state on Election Day, in part because of a state law that doesnt allow election workers to open mail-in ballots until that morning. Schmidt warned about the potential for false and misleading information to spread while votes are being counted. The message is please be patient, Schmidt told CBS News. Our counties are working night and day to count their voters' votes. They're doing so as quickly as they can, and with integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden won Pennsylvania by about 81,000 votes in 2020. The AP called the state for Biden on Nov. 7, four days after Election Day, and his victory was certified by state officials Nov. 24. States often take days or weeks to certify election results The growth in popularity of mail-in ballots has extended the time it takes media outlets to project winners of specific races in recent years. It isnt unusual for state officials to spend days or weeks finalizing election results. David Becker, executive director of the nonpartisan Center for Election Innovation & Research, told USA TODAY that counting votes has never been finalized on Election Day in any state at any time in the countrys history. The results released to the public on Election Day are mostly from that days in-person voting, along with early in-person voting and preprocessed mail ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Media outlets generally feel confident calling the race when the partial unofficial results they receive, matched with exit polling and sufficient margins, allow them to confidently project that the remaining votes left to be counted cannot exceed the margin," Becker said. But states dont certify election results until days or weeks after Election Day. "Some states certify the following week, some states take over three weeks," Becker said. "All results until then are unofficial and partial results." USA TODAY reporter Chris Mueller contributed to this report. Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: When will we see results? When will we know who won? What experts say ELKINS, W.Va. (WBOY) After closing for air quality and water concerns and being on remote learning for most of the week, Elkins Middle School students will continue to be at home on Monday. Multiple students were treated for carbon monoxide symptoms on Thursday, Oct. 25, and school was canceled the following Friday. After returning to school on Monday, school officials said students would be on remote learning the rest of the week. Now, that will continue until at least Monday, Nov. 4, the school district announced Friday. Wetzel County town declares state of emergency, conserve water order Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Superintendent Shawn Dilly said as of Wednesday that all tests at the school have been within the normal range with no carbon monoxide (CO) or other hazardous levels present. There have been at least six separate inspections, including air and water testing by the Elkins Fire Department, Fire Marshal, West Virginia Department of Education, and Army National Guard. Results of the most recent testing are available on Randolph County Schools 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 WBOY.com. By Luc Cohen (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Friday denied Elon Musk's bid to move a Pennsylvania lawsuit over his $1 million voter prizes to federal court, moving the case back to state court. It was not immediately clear if the decision would affect the billionaire's plan to keep awarding money until the U.S. presidential election on Tuesday. The decision was issued by U.S. District Judge Gerald Pappert in Philadelphia federal court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk has been giving $1 million checks to randomly selected registered voters who sign a petition supporting free speech and gun rights. Musk's America PAC had awarded $1 million prizes to 14 people as of Friday and said the final prize will be given on Tuesday. Democratic Philadelphia District Attorney Lawrence Krasner sued Musk and his political action committee, which backs Republican former President Donald Trump, on Oct. 28 in a state court to try to block the giveaway. Krasner called the program an illegal lottery. Two days later, Tesla CEO Musk and his America PAC sought to move it to federal court, arguing Krasner's lawsuit raised questions about free-speech rights and election interference that belong in federal court. That prompted the state judge who had been overseeing the case to put it on hold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In arguing that the case belonged in state court, Krasner called Musk's maneuver an attempt to "run the clock until Election Day." Krasner did not allege the giveaway violates federal law. Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania, one of seven battleground states likely to determine the outcome of the race between Trump and his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. Musk's offer is limited to registered voters in the seven states expected to decide the election - Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Musk gave away the first $1 million at an Oct. 19 America PAC rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's state capital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The giveaway falls in a gray area of election law, and legal experts are divided on whether Musk could be violating federal laws against paying people to register to vote. The U.S. Department of Justice warned America PAC the giveaway could violate federal law, according to media reports, but federal prosecutors have not taken any public action. Musk has so far given nearly $120 million to America PAC, according to federal disclosures. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York) (Bloomberg) -- Elon Musks X is lagging behind on its political advertising disclosures, making it harder for outsiders to understand how politicians and PACs are using the social network to influence the upcoming election. X, formerly known as Twitter, last updated its political ads library on Oct. 25. The company typically refreshes the list a spreadsheet detailing political ad spending on its site every two business days. X isnt legally required to update the database, but its become an expected practice for the company and its tech peers. X also missed one update last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US presidential election is just four days away and Musk has ramped up his use of the platform he owns to promote Donald Trumps campaign. His super political action committee, America PAC, is spending heavily to help the former president defeat Vice President Kamala Harris. Musk is the worlds richest person with a net worth of $262.6 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. X didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Social media companies like Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc. first started disclosing details about political marketing after Russia-linked groups bought ads during the 2016 election. Meta unveiled an ads library to improve transparency in 2018 and has made it broadly available. Twitter announced its own library that year and banned political ads entirely in 2019 a decision that was reversed shortly after Musk acquired the company in late 2022. Xs lack of updates probably doesnt violate any reporting requirements. Though the Federal Election Commission mandates disclaimer language on certain internet ads, it doesnt require social media companies to maintain a database. The Federal Communications Commissions rules apply to radio and TV broadcast stations, not social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk has turned most of his attention to Pennsylvania in recent weeks, a state he believes is a must-win for Trump. He has hosted a series of town-hall-style talks and launched an incentive program for swing state voters to sign a petition and receive cash in exchange. Musk recently upped the payouts from $47 to $100 for recruiting someone to endorse the petition. Hes now giving away $1 million every day through Nov. 5 to one random signer an effort that the Philadelphia district attorney is trying to stop. America PAC has spent more than $233,000 on advertisements on X, according to earlier disclosures. It had previously mostly targeted Georgia and Nevada, but on Oct. 7, Musks PAC took over the @America handle on X and has only run ads targeted to users in Pennsylvania since. --With assistance from Priyanjana Bengani. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Stellantis saw its revenues drop 27% in the third quarter across the globe compared with the same period a year ago as the automaker worked to address a variety of challenges, particularly its hefty inventory numbers in the United States. A decline wasnt unexpected, as the automaker had released an estimate two weeks ago of its shipments, which were down everywhere but in South America, but the revenue drop hit every region and the companys luxury Maserati brand. The company reported global revenues of $36 billion (33 billion euros) for the quarter and consolidated shipments of 1.1 million units, down 20%, which mirrored the forecast. Stellantis, unlike its Detroit Three competitors, releases full earnings reports only for the first and second half of each year, so the results released Thursday dont show how profitable the automaker was. For the quarter, Ford reported adjusted operating earnings of $2.6 billion, up 18%, and General Motors reported adjusted earnings before interest and taxes of $4.1 billion, up 15.5%, according to prior Free Press reporting. More: UAW's Fain says strike will cripple Stellantis Among Stellantis' regions, North America had the steepest revenue decline, down 42% to more than $13 billion (12 billion euros), compared with the same period in 2023. The official tally on shipments was a 36% decline to 299,000 units. Negative cash flow for year, but 'strong balance sheet' As for net revenues in the other regions, enlarged Europe was down 12%, Middle East and Africa had a 37% drop, South America declined 2%, China, India and Asia-Pacific fell 40% and Maserati, which is typically reported with the companys regions, fell 61%. The company, which owns the Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat brands, said it also reaffirmed its previously reduced financial guidance for the year, with an adjusted operating income margin of 5.5 to 7% and industrial free cash flows down more than $5 to $10 billion (5 to 10 billion euros). Doug Ostermann, who was named as chief operating officer a few weeks ago in a management shakeup, noted the impact of what he called temporary operational issues and said the company is positioned to absorb what is likely to be a negative cash flow this year. We fundamentally have a strong balance sheet, he said. More: Stellantis has time to pick Tavares' successor, but that doesn't mean it will be easy In its news release, the company noted that its stock buyback program of more than $3.36 billion (3 billion euros) was completed in October, returning a total of $8.4 billion (7.7 billion euros) to shareholders in 2024. However, Ostermann noted that a discussion around stock buybacks would be warranted. The state is receiving more than $110 million in federal grants to help in its goal to achieve zero emissions as it strives to be an economic powerhouse with a rapidly growing transportation system to move goods to where they are needed throughout the country. It is an incredible and historic day for our state, said Ben Hart, executive director of the Utah Inland Port Authority. He said that the grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, announced Friday, mark an incredible effort to work with the west side community. Generations, he stressed, will look back at the achievements made possible under the funding and how the money helped to curtail the states persistent air quality problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This, he said as he stood against the backdrop of the Salt Lake Intermodal Terminal on Friday afternoon, is the heartbeat of Utahs economy. As he spoke, a steady stream of semitruck tractor trailers left the terminal for routes unknown and passenger jets flew overhead after taking off from the Salt Lake International Airport. We have to be cleaner, smarter and more efficient, Hart said. The grants celebrated are: The Utah Department of Environmental Quality received $112 million through the EPAs clean port program. That money will help with the deployment of electric vehicles and equipment such as terminal tractors, drayage trucks, locomotives, cargo handling equipment and charging infrastructure. The Utah Inland Port Authority was awarded $2.4 million for emissions inventory, emissions reductions, workplace analysis and community engagement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelly Watkins, chief of staff for Region 8 of the EPA that covers Utah among other states, said it was a testament to the convictions and skill of Utah to receive this funding. Overall, $3 billion was available in the pot, and Utah was awarded two of those grants out of 55 submissions. She added it was refreshing and marked a growing acknowledgement that ports are not isolated to coastal areas. Kim Shelley, executive director of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, knows all too well Utahs fight with tamping air pollution and arriving at innovative solutions to maintain a thriving economic environment but also acting as caretaker and embracing stewardship over ways to curtail harmful pollutants. She said these grants represent an important step forward, again for generations to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement $110 million is a staggering number, she said, adding it will build on the work of other federal money, such as the Beehive grant of $74 million. Yard checker, Staci Stratton, works on an inventory of the yard while semi-trucks drive through the Salt Lake City Intermodal Terminal in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. Utah has been selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to receive a historic grant of $112 million through the Clean Ports Program. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News Nathan Peterson, senior director of public affairs for the Union Pacific Railroad, said people should consider that every time a freight train travels down a track, it is carrying goods consumers have ordered: computer equipment, clothing and everyday products necessary for a good quality of life. Union Pacific Railroad is the largest railroad in North America. Peterson said it is working hard to decrease emissions and these grants come with zero emission stipulations. As Utah is often referred to as the Crossroads of the West, Union Pacific is a key and vital part of its economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And freight trains are also efficient. One gallon of fuel will move a ton of freight 480 miles. Peterson added he is excited to work with the port authority and DEQ to gain greater efficiencies when it comes to emissions. Charlotte Fife-Jepperson, second vice president of the Westside Coalition, said the grants give her hope that the westside communities impacted most by truck and train traffic as well as the airports volume, have not been forgotten. We advocate for the safe quality of life, she said. Victoria Petro, the Salt Lake City Council member representing the west side, was enthusiastic and emotional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Welcome to the west side, the best side, she said. There has been fear and resistance to the change all these transportation developments will bring, but in the end, fighting tailpipe emissions and ensuring a healthy, stable workforce will be helped by these grants. We have to make good on this now. UPDATE: The man was found safe by law enforcements. CALLAWAY COUNTY, Mo. An Endangered Silver Advisory has been issued Thursday morning for a 73-year-old man. If anyone has seen the missing man, they are advised to dial 911 or call the Callaway County Sheriffs Office at (573) 592-2486. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. With the 2024 general election just days away, state election officials say voters have several opportunities to ensure their vote is accurately counted. After the voter makes their selections using the ballot-marking device, a review screen appears on the machine that shows all the selections on the ballot, John Michael Catalano of the State Election Commission said. The ballot is printed by the ballot-marking device after the voter confirms their selections are correct. If there was a mistake made by the voter on the printed ballot, they can request a new one from a poll manager. In addition, Catalano said every ballot-marking device used in an election is publicly tested before being deployed to ensure it is working properly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a voter suspects that a ballot-marking device is not working as it should, they should notify a poll manager immediately so that the equipment can be checked to ensure that there are no issues, Catalano said. Earlier this week, a Lexington-Richland 5 school board member reported on her Facebook page that there have been some instances of voter selections not matching the final review. This has happened on the machine screen and on the printed ballot, Catherine Huddle said in the Facebook post. This isnt a common situation. It doesnt happen often, but every vote is important, she continued. Huddle, who is seeking reelection to a Lexington County seat on the school board, told The State one voter alerted her to a faulty voting machine after the machine printed a ballot that did not reflect the voters selections. Huddle was unable to provide a phone number for the voter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One person replied to Huddles post by saying she had experienced the same issue on Monday. Nobody responded to an inquiry from The State Media Co. posted on Huddles Facebook page asking for anyone who experienced the problem to contact the newspaper. Huddle urged voters to pay attention to the final review of their ballots before feeding them into voter machines. Lexington County elections director Lenice Shoemaker said shes unaware of any such occurrences, adding that voting machines are thoroughly tested before being made available to the public. Ive never seen that, Shoemaker said, referring to ballot inconsistencies. We do serious testing here. If someone has a question about their vote once (its) entered into the machine, we can spoil that ballot and get them another one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shoemaker said that voters have an opportunity to review their selections twice before the machine prints a final review of their ballot. Following that, if a voter determines that their selections arent correct, the voter can alert a poll worker, who, Shoemaker says, will cancel the voters selections and provide them with a new ballot. Richland County elections director Travis Alexander, likewise, said there have been no reports of faulty voter equipment. The State Election Commission also has not found any issue that would cause a ballot-marking device to print any selections on a voters ballot other than the ones made by the voter, Catalano said. To alleviate voter concerns, each county offers the public an opportunity to test voter machines prior to voting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Catalano and Shoemaker, Alexander advised that voters have two opportunities to review their selections on the voting machines screen before printing a final review. If the final review reflects inaccurate selections, he said, they can alert a poll worker who will then spoil that ballot and issue a new one. Huddle said that while she was at the Midlands Tech voting precinct on Harbison Boulevard in Lexington County on Monday, a voter approached her and said her ballot wasnt accurate. The voter spoke to Huddle after submitting the ballot to a reader that featured a locked box. I was like whoa, Huddle said in response. It very well could be human error, she told The State. I am not one of these people who think that the voting machines are messing up, although anything is possible. But Im just trying to tell people to make sure you check your ballot before you put it in the reader, because if you dont, its too late. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huddle said, while shes been at the Harbison polling location all week, only one voter has alerted her of the error. I just think people need to double check (their ballots), because youre pushing a lot of buttons, and if you miss one, youre not going to be able to correct it after putting it in the (ballot) reader, Huddle said. EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (WKBN) Almost 21 months have passed since the train derailment in East Palestine and work is still being done to get rid of what was left behind. Around the derailment site itself, large pieces of machinery can still be seen indicating the clean-up is continuing but the site where storage tanks sat filled with hazardous water has been cleaned up and grass planted. These lands have all been sampled at the surface and at depth to make sure there were no hazardous materials spills here, said Mark Durno, the Environmental Protection Agencys response coordinator in East Palestine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Durno says the EPA is still focused on three aspects of the clean-up. First is making sure the contaminated areas are clean. Underneath the areas where the empty or burned-out tank cars were scrapped out and the impacted ditches and some of the impacted land next to the ditches were cleaned up those are all getting reassessed to make sure we didnt miss any contamination, Durno said. Second is making sure the contamination in Sulfur and Leslie Runs is gone and third, restoring the derailment site itself. The old car scrapping areas where the contaminated burned-up tank cars were processed, all that excavation is done. We verified its clean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After all thats finished the EPAs emergency response effort will be done and the long-range team will take over. If a judge approves a plan with Norfolk Southern, there will be health monitoring for the next 20 years while groundwater, private wells and surface water will be monitored for 10 years. Durno says the reassessing of the contaminated areas should be done this year and the testing of the creeks during the first quarter of next year. He said the EPA office in downtown East Palestine may eventually close but the EPA will have an involvement there for years or decades to come. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Epic Charter offers laid-off teachers a pay decrease instead OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Epic Charter Schools sent out a second letter this week to teachers who were laid off with an option to stay on, but it comes with a pay decrease. On top of that, many of the teachers told News 4 that they were told they could not talk about the agreement and sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement with Epic. One teacher who didnt want to be known sent her agreement ,which told her she had just over a day or so to decide. The deadline to decide was set for the end of the workday on October 31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some are losing more than one months pay, some are losing for the entire year, said one teacher who had received the agreement. This comes a few days after Epic sent a letter out to many teachers announcing the layoffs came because their student enrollment numbers did not meet expectations. Teachers told News 4 that they were told administration positions are taking a 1% decrease in pay. In an email obtained by News 4, Superintendent Bart Banfield explained that Epic is dealing with financial challenges due to student enrollment numbers not meeting our anticipated growth and that decisions would have to be made to adjust to the challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its ridiculous that teachers are effectively being held hostage, said Representative Andy Fugate (D-Del City). Fugate has been a strong supporter of teachers for years in public, private, and otherwise. Epic Charter Schools in a statement to News 4 said, Epic Charter Schools is currently going through a school-wide reorganization to right-size programs, services, and staffing due to student enrollment numbers that did not rise to our anticipated growth for the 2024-2025 school year. We are doing everything we can to ensure the educational experience isnt disrupted for our current students and families, and to support those impacted by the staffing position adjustments. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. New York City Mayor Eric Adams is set to stand trial on corruption charges on April 21, a federal judge ruled Friday, according to The New York Times. The judge said he would decide at a later date whether he would throw out a bribery charge against the mayor a request by Adamss lawyers, the Times said. The ruling comes as Adams faces a five-count criminal indictment stemming from a federal corruption investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams was charged with wire fraud, foreign contribution solicitation and bribery earlier this year. After he was charged, Adams insisted he would not resign from office. He pleaded not guilty in September to federal charges alleging he accepted foreign campaign donations and trips for political favors. The Hill has contacted the mayors office 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. PBS Wisconsin News and ICT (formerly Indian Country Today) have selected Erica Ayisi as an Indigenous Affairs Multimedia Reporter for a collaborative partnership between PBS Wisconsin and ICTs parent company, IndiJ Public Media. An independent journalist and media educator, Ayisi comes to PBS Wisconsin and ICT with experience writing, reporting and producing documentary films around the world. She has also worked as a multimedia reporter in commercial news, taught video production in classroom settings and has provided professional development to journalists in university settings across the United States. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Arts degree from the New York Institute of Technology. In her new role, Ayisi will work with PBS Wisconsin and ICT to produce news content and reporting on issues from Indigenous communities in Wisconsin. This reporting will be published online and shared on social media and broadcast platforms by both organizations. She will begin her work Monday, Nov. 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are excited not only for Erica to start in this new role, but also for the Indigenous communities in our region to get the news coverage they deserve on issues that impact them, said Karen Lincoln Michel, CEO of IndiJ Public Media and president of ICT. This partnership is built on the journalistic integrity of both our organizations and is an example of whats possible when we join forces for the good of the communities we serve through our journalism. A critical part of PBS Wisconsins mission is to ensure that our work reflects the full diversity of our state, said Christine Sloan-Miller, PBS Wisconsin Director of Production. We have long respected ICT and its journalism, so it is an honor to join together in this new partnership. We look forward to serving our combined audience with this unique shared reporting project that will focus on Wisconsins Indigenous communities and issues. Reporting on diverse communities is at the heart of what I do as a journalist," Ayisi said. "I'm delighted and honored to amplify the issues, concerns and achievements of Wisconsin's Indigenous communities in this new collaborative partnership between PBS Wisconsin and ICT. Since its inception in 1981 as a weekly newspaper, ICT has grown into the largest news organization serving Native American communities. In April 2020, the organization expanded into public broadcasting through the daily ICT newscast, reporting on how the coronavirus pandemic affected American Indians, Alaska Natives and First Nations. New journalism partnerships, including this one with PBS Wisconsin, expand the reach and impact of ICTs work covering indigenous communities across the U.S. while also expanding the coverage of Wisconsins Native communities on PBS Wisconsins broadcast and digital news platforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a leader in public media journalism, PBS Wisconsin News content is broadcast statewide each week on Friday night with Here & Now, daily reporting at pbswisconsin.org/news, and is also featured regularly on national PBS News Hour broadcasts. ICT is the news division of IndiJ Public Media, an Arizona 501 (c)(3) public charity. IndiJ Public Medias vision is to honor our ancestors and future generations through stories that make Indigenous peoples come alive. ICT reaches audiences through a digital platform, ictnews.org and a broadcast carried via public television stations. IndiJ Public Media sustains ICT through funding from members, donors, foundations and supporters and offers a variety of advertising, sponsorship and underwriting opportunities. Find ICT on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube, subscribe to our email updates and check ictnews.org for the latest stories. PBS Wisconsin is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV, Madison; WPNE-TV, Green Bay; WHRM-TV, Wausau; WLEF-TV, Park Falls; WHLA-TV, La Crosse; and WHWC-TV, Menomonie-Eau Claire. Learn more and donate at pbswisconsin.org. PBS Wisconsin is a service of the Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Nov. 1, 2024 For More Information: Erik Ernst, PBS Wisconsin Communications Associate Director, erik.ernst@pbswisconsin.org Ebonye Delaney, ICT executive producer, ebonye@ictnews.org Attachment: Photo of Erica Ayisi, photo credit: Grey Matter Photography Theres plenty of finger-pointing going on right now over the debacle involving Erie County mail-in ballots. In court on Thursday, the Erie County clerk placed blame on the vendor hired to send the mail-in ballots. That vendor in turn said delays by the post office during election season are nothing new. Meanwhile, thousands of Erie County voters are left wondering if their vote will count. Erie County Board of Elections sued by Pennsylvania Democratic Party Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We mailed our application around the beginning of September. We never received the ballot, said Nancy Pertl, Erie County voter. Nancy Pertl is not alone. In fact, its estimated that 19,000 mail ballots reached voters late or not at all. Meanwhile hundreds maybe even a thousand duplicate mail-in ballots may have been sent to Erie County voters. A lawsuit was filed by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party against the Erie County Board of Elections on Wednesday. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News The Pennsylvania Republican Party is now a second plaintiff with Judge David Ridge hearing the case this week. The lawsuit is asking the court to enter an injunction ordering measures to help ensure affected voters can exercise their right to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erie County Clerk Karen Chilcott was on the stand voicing frustration with Election IQ, the vendor hired to send the absentee ballots. She blamed them for the duplicates and said she doesnt even trust they sent the ballots they say they mailed. Chilcott said her department has been on daily calls with the Department of State trying to track down the ballots and make impacted voters aware of the issues. What a mess. I dont know if something was done intentionally but I would say the vendor was certainly not very well vetted, Pertl said. Extended hours at Erie Co. Board of Elections hope to alleviate remaining voting complications Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Dan Chalupsky, the vice president of Election IQ. took the stand virtually and said the post office has a history of late mail during the election season. (Will you ever do a mail-in ballot again?) Probably not. I just want to be able to be and be able to vote, Pertl added. Have a ballot issue? Heres what to do: If you received a duplicate ballot, youre urged to notify the board of elections. If you havent received your mail-in ballot, you can get a new one at the board of elections headquarters. They now have extended hours including weekends from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can fill it out right there and place it in a drop box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are homebound, you can designate someone to get a new ballot for you. Click here to learn more about voting in this years election. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. Temu, the cross-border shopping platform owned by Chinese e-commerce giant PDD Holdings, faces heightened government scrutiny in Vietnam, posing new challenges for the company's expansion plans in Southeast Asia. The budget-shopping platform, which is legally domiciled in Boston, is applying for formal approval to operate in Vietnam, after its recent launch in the country raised regulatory compliance questions, according to local media outlet Vietnam Net. Temu debuted in Vietnam early in October, wooing shoppers with perks that included up to 90 per cent discounts and referral bonuses. Soon after, Vietnam's industry and trade ministry warned consumers against buying on unregistered platforms, citing concerns over the quality of cheap products being offered, local news outlet Lao Dong reported. 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. Vietnam has a legal basis to punish unregistered online shopping platforms, and it has fined those that failed to abide by regulations, Nguyen Van Thanh, director of the ministry's Centre for E-commerce Development, was quoted as saying. Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in Southeast Asia. (Photo: AFP alt=Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing e-commerce markets in Southeast Asia. (Photo: AFP> PDD did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday. Temu competes with Shopee, Tiki, TikTok Shop and Lazada in Vietnam. Lazada is backed by Alibaba Group Holding, owner of the South China Morning Post. Chinese cross-border bargain sites, which ship goods directly from the mainland to overseas consumers, are grappling with growing regulatory scrutiny in Southeast Asia, as governments become increasingly wary of the damage that these platforms could pose to local businesses. Temu - which debuted in the US in September 2022 and has expanded into Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe - was recently banned in Indonesia, Southeast Asia's biggest e-commerce market, where authorities accused the platform of running a business model that cuts local resellers and shippers from the supply chain. Indonesia last year also briefly suspended the e-commerce business of ByteDance's TikTok Shop, before it resumed local operations by acquiring domestic player GoTo Gojek Tokopedia. Despite the challenges, Southeast Asia has emerged as a major market for China's cross-border e-commerce businesses. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) When Erie County voters head to the polls this year, they will have two propositions at the bottom of their ballot. The first is a statewide proposition that would amend the NYS Constitution. The second proposal specifically affects Erie County taxpayers. Every two years, theres an extra 1-percent and an extra .75-percent that Erie County has to pass a resolution opting into adding to our sales tax, said Republican Legislator Lindsay Lorigo. Thats been a temporary sales tax that weve had for decades. It was meant to get us out of a fiscal crisis. It has become a permanent sales tax that were used to seeing on our bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the language of the proposal, voting yes would no longer require two-thirds of the legislature a super majority to pass the authorized sales tax, instead requiring a simple majority. It would also remove the need for a public referendum. The legislature has 11 members. In a simple majority, only six affirmative votes would be needed as opposed to the eight required in a super majority. Democrats argue this prevents gridlock. Were the only county that requires a super majority of the county legislature to uphold sales tax, said Erie County Democratic Chairman Jeremy Zellner. Were trying to get past the point where politics plays a role whether the county functions or not. A sample ballot shows the location of each proposal But, Republicans like Lorigo argue this takes away the voice of residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minority caucus represents more towns and villages just because of our geographic size. So youre taking away the voice from all these towns and villages that benefit from this temporary sales tax, because it is dispersed then to towns, villages and schools, she said. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5. Latest Local News Marlee Tuskes is an award-winning anchor and reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2019. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. Escambia County, Florida park gets more trees after $23K grant ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) A local park is getting a new amenity after a grant from the Florida Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry, according to Escambia County officials. UPDATE: Over 150 shell casings collected for evidence after deadly Saraland shoot-out The amenity is some more trees, an Escambia County news release said. According to officials, the Escambia County Natural Resources Management Department planted 43 trees at the Byrneville Community Park in Century following a $23,650 grant from the Florida Service and Urban Community Foresty to Escambia County and a partnership with the Northview High School Future Farmers of America chapter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement County officials said it will provide many benefits to the park. Obviously trees provide shade, which is a major benefit, Environmental Technician Kolby Sprague with the Escambia County Natural Resources Management Department said. Another big one is that they help with erosion. Their roots keep the soil intact when it rains, and the canopy helps the rain fall slower so theres not a lot of runoff with sediment going into ditches and rivers. Trees also just help with the overall beauty of an area and increase its value. The county provided the following map of the new arboretum: Nurse saves paramedic at Alabama football game using CPR Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said all of the trees are now planted and identification signs will be added to increase the educational benefits of the arboretum. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. The deployment of North Korean troops to the Ukrainian front will not bring much change for the time being, and they are likely to suffer heavy losses. Source: Estonian public broadcaster ERR, citing Colonel Ants Kiviselg, Commander of Estonian Defence Intelligence Centre, as reported by European Pravda Details: Commenting on the arrival of North Korean military personnel in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Kiviselg noted that they were likely deployed in early October and have since undergone preliminary training lasting two to four weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After that, he said, "their redeployment to the Ukrainian front began". "It is expected that North Korea has promised to send between 10,000 and 12,000 troops, including 500 officers and three generals, to the Russian Federation. The arrival of North Korean soldiers on the Ukrainian front is likely to be gradual. The deployment of the next North Korean units to the Ukrainian front will take place in the coming weeks," the Estonian intelligence official said. He noted that, as a rule, North Korean soldiers are trained to fight in mountainous terrain, which means they are not familiar with Ukrainian territory, its climate and geography. "And their training does not include combat operations in such conditions. The training they receive in the Russian Federation is certainly not of a very high level. Therefore, we can expect North Korean units to suffer heavy losses in Ukraine, and likely even more losses than Russian forces have suffered so far," Kiviselg said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, according to Kiviselg, North Korea is likely to continue to send troops to Russia and the Ukrainian front. "Nevertheless, the current intelligence assessment remains that this deployment of North Korean units in Ukraine will continue," he said. At the same time, according to the military, this will not bring significant changes to the front line. "However, if this additional deployment of units to Russia, along with their training and subsequent arrival on the Ukrainian front, continues over the long term, it could indeed bring some changes to the front line," he concluded. Background: The latest US estimate suggests that North Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia to train and join the war against Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the current reaction of Western countries to the involvement of North Korean troops as "zero". In addition, Mike Turner, Chairman of the US House Intelligence Committee, believes that the United States and NATO allies should consider launching an attack directly against North Korean troops if they are on Ukrainian territory and take part in hostilities on the Kremlin's side. Support UP or become our patron! European firms are not close to an agreement with Azerbaijan to replace Russian gas flows through Ukraine, Slovakian state-owned gas importer SPP told Reuters on Nov. 1, contradicting earlier media reports that said a deal was at hand. Ukraine currently transits Russian gas to the European Union as part of a deal signed in 2019, which is set to expire in December 2024. Europe and Ukraine have been in talks with Azerbaijan to replace Russia as a supplier. Bloomberg reported on Oct. 1 that energy companies from Hungary and Slovakia were nearing a contract for up to 12-14 billion cubic meters of gas from Azerbaijan per year, citing people familiar with the negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slovak energy supplier SPP dismissed these reports in a statement to Reuters. "We regularly discuss the topic with our partners, but the information about the upcoming conclusion of a gas supply contract with the participation of SPP is not true," SPP's statement read. Slovakia is among the countries most reliant on Russian energy supplies. While Moscow cut much of its pipeline gas transit to Europe in 2022, Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary remain heavily dependent on Russian imports. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Sept. 6 that negotiations are underway with the EU, Moscow, and Kyiv to transport Azeri gas after Ukraine stops transiting Russian gas. Gas supplies from Azerbaijan would have to first transit through southern Russia before reaching Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Europe is "fully committed" to phasing out Russian gas and is "ready to live without this Russian gas coming from the Ukrainian transit route," EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said on Sept. 11. Read also: Why Russia still rakes in cash transporting gas through Ukraine: 4 key charts Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Bloomberg) -- European buyers are nearing a commercial agreement with Azerbaijan to keep natural gas flowing to the continent after a transit deal between Russia and Ukraine expires at the end of the year. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Companies from Hungary and Slovakia are close to signing a contract for as much as 12-14 billion cubic meters of gas a year from Azerbaijan, according to people with knowledge of the matter. It would use the same pipeline network that now carries Russian gas across Ukraine to the European Union. The supplies would effectively substitute for shipments that Europe now receives under the transit deal. The contract would need to involve a so-called swap agreement between Azerbaijan and Russia because Azerbaijan doesnt have enough export capacity to replace the existing supplies. European gas for December plunged as much as 8.1% on the news of progress in the talks, before paring the loss. A deal which has yet to be finalized may help keep a lid on prices following recent volatility in the market. Still, the European Commission, the EUs executive arm, has previously said the regions energy security wont be at risk after the transit deal ends. Slovakia and Austria are among European countries that continue to import Russian supplies by pipeline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the commercial agreement, Azerbaijans state-energy company Socar would deliver gas to Sudzha on the Russian-Ukrainian border. Hungarys MVM Zrt. and Slovakias Slovensky Plynarensky Priemysel AS would then take over and bring it to Europe. Any commercial agreement would need political support from Ukrainian authorities in order to enable the nations gas-grid operator to book capacity. Ukraines state-run energy company Naftogaz didnt immediately comment, and the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine declined to comment. Socar, SPP, MVM didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Austrias OMV AG said it has diversified its supply contracts and can continue delivering the fuel to its customers even if gas deliveries from Russia are halted. Russias Gazprom PJSC declined to comment. Before the war, Gazprom supplied Europe with more than a third of its gas, but the region has since moved to diversify supplies. The EU now relies more on other sources, including Norway, North Africa, Azerbaijan and liquefied natural gas from the global market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deal would mean Ukraine will continue to receive transit fees to utilize its pipeline network, which have brought the country about $800 million annually in recent years. For Azerbaijan, the accord cements energy ties with Europe. The Caspian Sea nation already supplies gas to eight countries on the continent via a pipeline running through Turkey. --With assistance from Jonathan Tirone, Daryna Krasnolutska, Veronika Gulyas, Daniel Hornak, Kateryna Chursina, Elena Mazneva and Zulfugar Agayev. (Updates with gas price in fourth paragraph, OMV comment in eighth.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The News The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times decisions to forgo endorsing a candidate in the 2024 presidential race has drawn scrutiny and mass subscription cancellations, but the papers are not outliers in the current media landscape. Across the US, print media has increasingly chosen not to endorse a White House contender this year, according to a Semafor review of every states newspaper of record, along with other notable local and national outlets and magazines. Of the publications that have endorsed, the overwhelming majority backed Harris, while a handful supported Trump. The growing number of outlets deciding to remain on the sidelines marks a significant shift from 2016, when 57 of Americas top 100 newspapers supported Hillary Clinton, with only 26 of the countrys largest papers choosing not to endorse, according to a University of California, Santa Barbara research project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For some publications, a non-endorsement is standard: The Wall Street Journal hasnt endorsed in a presidential race since 1928, when it backed Republican Herbert Hoover. Others have shifted away from tradition in recent years, and now only endorse in local or state races; newspaper chains including Gannett, Alden Globals MediaNews Group, and Tribune Publishing have all axed presidential endorsements, impacting dozens of papers. Both Gannett and MediaNews Group defended their decisions by saying they were doubling down on just-the-facts reporting at a moment of intense political polarization. Some local papers publicly defended their decision not to endorse by arguing that Americans dont need editorial boards to inform their vote: We are confident in the ability of informed citizens to decide whom they wish to vote for, the Minnesota Star Tribune told its readers. Were endorsing you! Still, many of the countrys largest papers continue to back candidates, including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and the San Francisco Chronicle, which plans to publish its choice on Sunday two days before the election. SIGNALS Newspaper endorsements can sway voters sometimes Sources: Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, The Review of Economic Studies, Economic Enquiry Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the commentators reacting to the decisions by the LA Times and The Washington Post not to support a presidential candidate argued that ultimately endorsements have little influence on voters. But media experts have argued that endorsements have had an impact in the past: Newspaper endorsements changed more than 17 million votes in the five presidential elections from 1960-1980, one researcher found. The most effective endorsements, however, are those that go against the perceived political leanings of the publication, multiple studies have found. Some experts suspect that as political partisanship increases and publications continue supporting the same party every election, endorsements have become less meaningful. Trump seizes on non-endorsements Sources: The Hill, The Atlantic, The Washington Post Donald Trump has been quick to seize on the non-endorsement decisions by major newspapers expected to endorse Kamala Harris. Do you notice the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times arent endorsing anybody? Trump said at a rally in North Carolina. Theyre saying, this Democrat is no good. Both editorial boards, though, had a draft of a Harris endorsement ready, only for the papers owners to block the endorsements. While their reasons are unclear, many reporters, including those at The Washington Post, have noted that Post owner Jeff Bezos space company Blue Origins would benefit from a better relationship with a Trump White House than it had in his first term. Bezos denied ending presidential endorsements out of self-interest, writing that it was a principled decision in the face of cratering public trust in the news media. Channing Smith/Getty Images Its clear that, for many people, abortion law and reproductive rights after Roe v. Wade are consequential issues compelling them to vote in the 2024 general election. But while voters across the US weighed in on the issue indirectly by who they choose for president, voters in 10 different states had a more direct opportunity to show how they feel. Ballot measures are proposed laws that voters decide to pass or not pass during an election, and this year, 10 states had measures about abortion on the ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The big news on election night came in Missouri, where voters chose to restore abortion rights, and in Florida, where the amendment to enshrine abortion rights failed, even though it got 57 percent of the vote. The measure needed 60 percent to pass, and it is the first abortion rights ballot measure to not pass after the fall of Roe. Three other states also voted to protect abortion rights: New York, Colorado, and Maryland. The rest have not yet been called. The states where voters are weighing in on abortion rights vary. Some, like Colorado, are already among the most progressive areas in the country on the issue and are turning their current laws into Constitutional amendments to shore them up ahead of a potential Donald Trump presidency. Others are letting voters decide whether or not to roll back extremely restrictive bans on abortion that were passed after the fall of Roe. Below, you can find Glamours primer on each ballot measure and the current status abortion laws in each state. This story will be updated as results come in. TOPSHOT-US-politics-RIGHTS-abortion SAUL LOEB/Getty Images Arizona Proposition 139 The laws surrounding abortion in Arizona post-Dobbs are complex. But in the 2024 election, voters will have a chance to (somewhat) change that by choosing whether to enact Proposition 139. It states that Arizonans will have the fundamental right to abortion before the point of fetal viability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, fetal viability, of course, is complicated, as theres no clear date upon which a fetus suddenly becomes viable (in fact, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology strongly discourages using this language in abortion legislation because of this). According to the proposition, though, this term conveys the point at which in the good-faith judgment of a treating health care professional, the fetus has a significant likelihood of survival outside the uterus. Currently in Arizona, abortion is legal up to 15 weeks of pregnancy, and is allowed after the fact if theres a medical emergency. So Prop 139 would not only allow abortions later in pregnancy, when many fetal anomalies are first detected, but would enshrine reproductive rights into law. Colorado Amendment 79 Colorado has been among the most liberal states in the nation when it comes to reproductive rights; its one of a handful that doesnt put a restriction on abortion at any stage. But now, the state will enshrine those rights into its Constitution. Voters approved Amendment 79, which will make the right to an abortion a recognized guarantee, ensuring that the government can not deny, impede, or discriminate against the exercise of that right, including prohibiting health insurance coverage for abortion. It also repeals an amendment from 1984, which stops public funds from being used for abortions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the measure is an amendment to the state Constitution, it required 55 percent of the vote, which it cleared. Florida Amendment 4 Floridians did not reach the threshold to pass Amendment 4, which would have made abortion legal up to the point of viability. While 57 percent of voters chose to approve the measure with 43 percent against, the measure failed because it needed 60 percent of the vote to pass. This makes it the first pro-abortion rights ballot measure to fail since the Dobbs decision overturned Roe in 2022. Floridas Republican-controlled legislature enacted a near-total abortion ban earlier this year. The current law bans abortions after six weeks of gestation, a.k.a. two weeks after a missed period and before many women even know they are pregnant. It doesnt include exceptions for rape or incest. It also makes it a felony for doctors if they are charged with performing an abortion outside of these narrow legal parameters. Maryland Question 1 Like Colorado, Marylands amendment on abortion rights is more of a preventive measure rather than a mandate that will enact sweeping change. Thats because the state similarly does not restrict abortion at any gestational age, making it another of one of the most progressive places in the country for reproductive rights. And Maryland voters approved it, strengthening those protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With reproductive rights under attack, we must amend our state Constitution to ensure politicians can never undermine our rights in the future, organizers of the amendment said before the bote. The amendment enshrines in the states Constitution that every person has the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end ones own pregnancy. Missouri Amendment 3 Voters in Missouri resoundingly struck down their restrictive abortion ban, passing Amendment 3 with 53 percent of the vote. The state's current ban restricts the procedure in nearly all cases, and the only exception is for cases of medical emergency, which the law does not further define. The state was one of the first to nearly totally ban abortion post the fall of Roe, with its trigger law going into effect the same day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amendment will strike down Missouris current abortion ban and legalize the procedure until fetal viability. Montana CI-128 In Montana, voters will also have the chance to further enshrine current law on abortion by amending their states Constitution. CI-128 would make it constitutionally protected for people to make and carry out decisions about ones own pregnancy, including the right to abortion. The measure also draws the line at fetal viability, saying the state cannot enact any restrictions on the procedure before that milestone, and further says the state cannot restrict abortions if the life of the pregnant person is at risk. The measure wouldnt change much on the ground in Montana, where current law already allows for abortion up to the time of fetal viability. But advocates say its an important step to make sure those protections never go away. This is an exciting opportunity to secure our rights for generations to come, the ACLU of Montana stated. Nebraska: Initiative 434 and Initiative 439 Nebraskans have perhaps the most unique ballot regarding abortion on Election Day: They will cast their votes on two competing measures on the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first, Nebraska Initiative 434, would essentially keep things as is. Currently, Nebraska bans abortions after 12 weeks of gestation, and the measure would amend the states Constitution to state that unborn children shall be protected from abortion in the second and third trimesters. It does include an exception for the health of the pregnant person or rape and incest. The second, Nebraska Initiative 439, would also amend the states Constitution but would restore reproductive rights further into pregnancy. It states that pregnant people would have a fundamental right to abortion up until the time of viability, or when the life or health of the patient is at risk. If youre wondering what happens if voters vote yes on both measures, the one with the most votes overall will win. New York: Proposal 1 New York voters chose to enshrine abortion rights into law as part of a larger measure to ensure women and other groups will be treated fairly. New Yorkers voted yes on Proposal 1, or the states Equal Rights Amendment, which amends the state Constitution to add several protected classes to the clause that now protects against discrimination based on race, color, creed, or religion. The new version bans discrimination based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy. Enshrining these protections into law will protect reproductive freedom in the state, which currently allows for abortions up to 24 weeks, and at any time if your health or pregnancy is at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its an interesting approach to enshrining abortion rights into law, especially because the amendment doesnt use the word abortion. Proponents say that wording the law in this way is meant to be a protection against any sort of federal anti-abortion law that could hypothetically arise, according to The City. Nevada: Question 6 In Nevada, voters will get a chance to amend their states Constitution to protect reproductive rights under slightly different wording. In its ballot measure, the right to abortion care up to fetal viability is referred to as an individuals fundamental right, one which the measure says will allow an individual to make their own decision. It also would allow an individual to get an abortion to protect their own health or life. Nevada abortion law hasnt changed since Roe was overturned and is currently allowed up to fetal viability, which it defines as 24 weeks. Similar to some of the other measures, this would fortify current law rather than create anything new. South Dakota: Constitutional Amendment G In South Dakota, abortion is currently banned with very limited exceptions, and if medical professionals are charged with unlawfully performing the procedure, they could face the risk of being charged with a felony. But now, voters have the chance to change that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Constitutional Amendment G is not as progressive a measure as some of the others being considered in other states, as it only codifies the right to an abortion within the first trimester, during which, it states, the procedure may not be regulated. During the second trimester, abortion may be regulated but only in ways that are reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant woman, while in the third, abortion may be regulated or banned except for when the pregnant persons health or life is at risk. If passed, the Argus Leader reported, the amendment would invalidate the current abortion ban, which went into effect the same day Roe was overturned. Originally Appeared on Glamour Abortion After Roe Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epsteins relationship has been documented for decades, but resurfaced this week after the reporter Michael Wolff alleged that Epstein once showed him photos of Trumpwho denies this accountposing with topless young girls. Trump, 78, has made some glowing comments about Epstein over the years and once remarked his former pal had a penchant for younger women in a 2002 interview with New York Magazine. More recently, Trump referred to the sex trafficker as a good salesman in a podcast appearance with Lex Friedman. Far outnumbering Trumps praise of the late Epstein, however, has been his hard-and-fast distancing from the former financier since his arrest on July 6, 2019two weeks before authorities say he died by suicide while in custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below is some of Trumps commentsthe good, bad, and uglyabout Epstein over the years. Terrific guy who likes his women young Donald Trump partying with Jeffrey Epstein in 1992. Perhaps Trumps most infamous comments about Epstein came in 2002 when he spoke to a New York magazine reporter for a profile that was detailing the life of his fellow New York City native who, like Trump, frequented Palm Beach. Trump told a reporter over the phone that hed known Epstein for 15 years. Trump then described Epstein, 49 at the time, as being a terrific guy who likes to have fun. Trumps next line, however, is likely the one he regrets the most. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, Trump said, And many of them are on the younger side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps quote in the two-decade-old piece closed with, No doubt about itJeffrey enjoys his social life. It was during this period where, according a source who spoke to The Washington Post, Trump and Epstein were so close they were each others wingmen. A bitter real estate rivalry View of the fountains and a sculpture on the grounds of the Maison de l'Amitie estate, Palm Beach, Florida, on Jan. 30, 1990. The mansion was purchased by Donald Trump in 2005. Just two years after he sang Epsteins praises to a magazine reporter, things reportedly got nasty between Trump and Epstein during a bitter bidding war for a prime property on the Palm Beach coast, reported the Post. The property, known as the Maison de lAmitie, had been put up for auction in 2004 after being seized from the bankrupt nursing home magnate Abe Gosman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Post explained that Trump wanted to buy the estate and flip it for a profit, while Epstein wanted to make the property his permanent home. While their reasons for pursuing the waterfront mansion differed, their desire to win at all costs reportedly pushed them to bash each other behind closed doors. The trustee overseeing the auction, Joseph Luzinski, told the Post that each man tried to convince him the other didnt have the funds to afford the estate. Luzinski told the Post: It was something like, Donald saying, You dont want to do a deal with him, he doesnt have the money, while Epstein was saying: Donald is all talk. He doesnt have the money. They both really wanted it. Trump drove up the price in a bidding war on auction day, which was mere months before Epstein was first investigated by Florida cops for sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump won the auction and purchased the property for $41.35 million to outbid a third potential buyer and Epstein, whose final bid was $38.6 million. There were no public reports of interaction between Trump and Epstein after the sale. Hes a real creep Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump. Trumps private bashing of Epstein wasnt limited to the real estate rift. Trump also disparaged Epstein to a 2016 campaign aide as being a real creep, the Post reported. Trump also reportedly claimed to that aide during his 2016 campaign that he banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago because hed acted inappropriately toward a girl there. The earliest report of the supposed Mar-a-Lago ban appears to have come from the New York Post in 2007. The tabloid quoted a source as saying: [Epstein] would use the spa to try to procure girls. But one of them, a masseuse about 18 years old, he tried to get her to do things. Her father found out about it and went absolutely ape-[bleep]. Epstein denied that he was banned from Mar-a-Lago and told the paper that hed been invited to an event there recently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, who records show flew on an Epstein jet at least seven times in the 1990s between New York and Palm Beach, has repeatedly pointed to the club ban as proof that he distanced himself from Epstein at the first sign of red flags. An uncomfortable pool party Roger Stone is a former adviser to Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roger Stone, a former adviser to Trump, gave a chilling account of what Trump claimed to have witnessed at Epsteins Palm Beach estate. In Stones 2016 book, The Clintons War on Women, he wrote that Trump noted to a Mar-a-Lago member after a visit to Epsteins home that a crowd of girls in the financiers pool appeared to be underage. The swimming pool was filled with beautiful young girls, Trump said, according to Stone. The book said Trump then jokingly added: How nice, I thought, he let the neighborhood kids use his pool. Stone reportedly said in a later appearance on Lindell TV that Trump left Epsteins place after just 15 minutes because he was uncomfortable with the mix of younger women and the limited number of men. Its unclear when Trumps supposed visit to Epsteins home took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stones book said Trump was invited to Epsteins infamous private island, but always declined. Another account from Trump that dates to 2016 came via San Nunberg, an ex-campaign aide. Nunberg told The New York Times that he questioned Trump during his first campaign about his ties to Epstein. The then-candidate Trump reportedly dismissed the connection as being dealt with. I kicked him out of the clubs when this stuff became public, Trump said, according to Nunberg. And I made sure NBC knew. Reacting to Epsteins arrest Donald Trump adressed his relationship to Jeffrey Epstein in 2019 by declaring he was not a fan. Epstein was arrested midway through Trumps presidency on July 6, 2019. Trump was immediately called on to answer questions about his relationship with Epstein, to which he asserted that he had a falling out with him and hadnt spoken to him for 15 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pressed about their relationship on July 9, 2019, Trump responded to a reporter: Well I knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him. I mean, people in Palm Beach knew him. He was a fixture in Palm Beach. I had a falling out with him a long time ago. I dont think Ive spoken to him for 15 years. I wasnt a fan. I was notyeah, a long time ago, Id say maybe 15 years. I was not a fan of his. That I can tell you. I was not a fan of his. Trump echoed that sentiment on other occasions, including three days later when he was asked if he had knowledge of Epsteins crimes. No, I had no idea, Trump said on the White Houses south lawn. I had no idea. I havent spoken to him in many, many years. But I hadI didnt have no idea. Trump added in response to another question that day: Jeffrey Epstein was not somebody that I respected. I threw him out. In fact, I think the great James Patterson, who is a member of Mar-a-Lago, made a statement yesterday that, many years ago, I threw him out. Well wishes for Epsteins procurer Donald Trump, Melania (Knauss) Trump, financier Jeffrey Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell pose together at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida, on Feb. 12, 2000. (Photo by Davidoff Studios/Getty Images) While Trump was spoken harshly about Epstein, he had much nicer words in July 2020 for his longtime procurer, Ghislaine Maxwell, after she was arrested in connection to Epsteins crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wish her well, frankly, Trump said of Maxwell. Ive met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach, and I guess they lived in Palm Beach. But I wish her well, whatever it is. Trump was harshly criticized for the comment, which came just months prior to the 2020 election. Those criticisms didnt stop him from doubling-down on giving his well wishes to Maxwell, however, with him repeating the line a second time in a televised interview with Axios a month later. Her friend, or boyfriend, was either killed or committed suicide in jail. Shes now in jail, Trump said. Yeah, I wish her well. Id wish you well. Id wish a lot of people well. Good luck. Let them prove somebody was guilty. Maxwell, 62, was sentenced in 2022 to two decades behind bars for conspiring with Epstein. Like Epstein, she was photographed alongside Trump at Mar-a-Lago in the early 2000s. An Epstein jet on the campaign trail Jeffrey Epstein stands in front of his Gulfstream G550 private jet. Trumps campaign conceded to the Daily Beast in September that the former president had accidentally chartered a private jet to a fundraiser that once belonged to Epstein. The gaffe, much like Wolffs claim did this week, resurfaced Trump and Epsteins relationship that goes back more than three decades. A spokesperson for the Trump campaign explained that the jet was provided by a charter flight company after Trumps plane was forced to be grounded for repairs. The temporary jet, which Trump flew on just once, had been outfitted with pro-Trump decals by the planes owner, who also claimed to know nothing about his Gulfstream G550s sordid past. The campaign had absolutely no idea the aircraft we rented was previously owned by Mr. Epstein, a Trump official told the Daily Beast, adding that Trumps advisers only learned of the jets shady past once journalists contacted them. Trump did not personally address the gaffe, just as hes avoided speaking about the latest allegationsand leaked audio clipbrought forward by Wolff this week. Some Social Security beneficiaries are scheduled to soon get the first of three checks yes, three in the month of November. It's not a mistake, just an oddity of the calendar. Those who also get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will get three checks in the month of November. Here's the lowdown: SSI recipients should get their November payment on Nov. 1. Then, SSI recipients will get their regular Social Security retirement benefits on a Wednesday in November, based on the Social Security Administration's usual schedule. Later in the month, SSI recipients will also get their December SSI check. The reason? Those checks usually come out on the first business day of each month. Since Dec. 1 is a Sunday, December SSI payments will be distributed on Friday, Nov. 29, according to the SSA calendar. Holiday shopping: Stores are marketing for holidays earlier. Experts say it's stressing us out. Why would SSI recipients get two checks in November? More than 7.4 million Americans get SSI, which provides payments to people with limited income resources, beyond traditional Social Security benefits. Because of the way the days of the month play out in December, SSI recipients will get their November payment on Nov. 1 and their monthly payment for December a bit early, on Friday, Nov. 29, according to the SSA calendar. SSI schedule quirks continue through early 2025 The calendar quirks do not end there. Since the first business day in January 2025 is New Year's Day, a federal holiday, SSI recipients will get their January payment early, too. It will be issued on Dec. 31, 2024. Then, according to the 2025 SSA calendar, SSI recipients will get their February 2025 payment on Jan. 31, 2025, and their March 2025 payment on Feb. 28, 2025. That means SSI recipients will not get a payment during the calendar month of March. SSI recipients will also get two checks in May with the monthly SSI payment to be issued on May 1 and the June SSI payment on May 30, according to the SSA calendar. As a result, SSI beneficiaries will not get a payment in the calendar month of June. This happens again in the month of August: SSI recipients will get two checks the September payment is to be issued on Aug. 29 but no payment in the calendar month of September. SSI payment schedule SSI checks will go out on the following dates through 2025. See the 2024 calendar and 2025 calendar for more details. With days before Tuesday's Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are neck-and-neck in Pennsylvania, one of several key swing states that could determine the winner, a new exclusive USA TODAY/Suffolk poll shows. Harris and Trump are tied with 49% of the vote each, according to a statewide poll of 500 likely voters conducted from Oct. 27 to 30 with a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points. A poll of 300 likely voters in Erie County, which could indicate which way the state trends, was also tied 48% to 48%. Northampton County, another Pennsylvania bellwether, leaned slightly towards Trump, with 50% saying they supported him, to Harris' 48%. The results of the county polls are within the margin of error of 5.65 percentage points. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election 2024 live updates: The latest campaign news as Trump, Harris make final push Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and former President Donald Trump, right. Together, David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, said, the county and statewide data show Pennsylvania is truly a toss up. We have all the results within the margin of error its basically a statistical tie, Paleologos said. Pennsylvania holds 19 electoral votes the most out of the swing states. Both candidates have campaigned in the state this week. Trump held a rally in Allentown on Tuesday, while Harris visited Harrisburg on Wednesday. More: Harris, Trump deadlocked in battleground Michigan, new exclusive poll shows Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden won Pennsylvania by a razor-thin margin of one percentage point in 2020. He flipped both Erie and Northampton County, which Trump had won in 2016. The state is part of the "blue wall," a group of states that voted blue in recent federal elections, until Trump won three of them Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin in 2016. Undecided and third-party voters Most voters in Pennsylvania have already decided who to support, but with the race as tight as it is, the small percentage of undecideds could sway the results of the election in the state and the country. So could third-party candidates. In Pennsylvania, there are two options outside of Trump and Harris on the ballot Green Party candidate Jill Stein and Libertarian Party candidate Chase Oliver. They each notched 1% or less support in the USA TODAY/Suffolk poll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But if the election in Pennsylvania is as close as polls suggest it could be, a candidate with .5% could tip the scale for Harris or Trump, Paleologos said. Jason Danner, 38, is among the few still undecided voters left in Pennsylvania. While Danner said he believes that Trump was a good president, he has concerns that Trump uses divisive and undemocratic rhetoric and seems to not respect the Constitution. On the other hand, hes worried that Harris would continue the policies of Biden. Jason Danner, a 38-year-old undecided voter from York County, Pa. A registered Democrat, when Danner ultimately gets into the voting booth, he said hes most likely going to vote for Harris. But hell just do so begrudgingly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I voted my whole life, he said. This is almost the first election where I'm like, I don't even want to vote because I've become so apathetic to our political climate. Sean Doyle said he plans to vote, but will leave the presidential box blank. After casting a vote for Biden last election cycle, Doyle said he can't accept that Harris wasn't chosen in a primary process. "We needed an honest primary, and that was taken from us," he said. "I can't abide voting for the candidate whose party thinks it's OK to snub the voters like that." A veteran who served for 12 years, Doyle said his politics most align with the Libertarian Party, but feels that casting a third-party vote would be a waste of his ballot. In 2020, he decided at the last minute against supporting Trump after he "remembered all the things that he said negatively about veterans." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While he favors Democrats' economic policy, he feels increasingly "disillusioned" with the party. "I've been seeing less and less and less when it comes to anything that actually helps me," he said. The gender gap Nationally, Harris is leading decisively among women and Trump has garnered a similar edge with men. And in Pennsylvania, that gender gap is very pronounced, Paleologos said. Trump is up by 20 points among men in Pennsylvania, 57% to 37%, while Harris has an 18% hold on women over Trump, 57% to 39%. Thats compared to Trumps 16-point advantage among men nationally and Harris 17-point advantage among women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where the rubber hits the road is in the married couple's household, Paleologos said. It's the married women and married men who are struggling with this election because they're talking about it under their roof. Kathleen Keshgegian, 42, said women's rights are central to why she already cast her ballot for Harris. "I have two daughters, and that's my big issue," she said. Kathleen Keshgegian, 42, who already cast her ballot for Harris, and her family. "I have terminated a pregnancy, and if I didn't have that option, I think my life would be totally different, and most likely not a good way," said Keshgegian, a stay-at-home mom of three kids, aged 11, 8, and 6, who lives in Oreland, a Philadelphia suburb. Although Keshgegian voted in 2020 for President Biden because she felt he was the best choice, she "would prefer someone younger, more in tune with a change in the government, as opposed to the same old white men," she said. She feels more connected to Harris, who she finds more relatable and compassionate and less divisive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keshgegian said Trump may be able to bring down prices, and she understands people may vote for him for that reason. But she can't abide by what she sees as his other characteristics. "He's rude, he's sexist. I'm pretty sure he's a criminal," she said. "I'd rather have less money in my pocket than have someone with his ideals." That calculus weighs differently for others. Luanne McDonald, from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, said she has mixed emotions about the election and views both Trump and Harris as terrible candidates. A self-described independent, McDonald doesnt agree with Trumps stances on abortion or womens rights, but believes Harris is weak and wishy-washy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020 and plans to again on Nov. 5. When it comes to the issues that matter most to her the economy and law and order McDonald said she feels Trump will do a better job. I could buy a Babka at my Whole Foods when he was president, I can't afford it now, McDonald, a former nurse, said, referring to a traditional Jewish sweet bread. Ive never felt poor until now." Unsurprisingly, more than 70% of people who viewed current economic conditions as poor said they supported Trump. Harris outperformed Trump with those who believed the economy was in fair, good or excellent shape. Eric Huhn, 62, plans to vote Republican, from Trump all the way to the bottom of the ticket. Eric Huhn, 62, said he is voting Republican down the ticket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The owner of a house painting and wallpaper business in Chalfont, about 30 miles north of Philadelphia, Huhn said economic issues are his top priority. "Being self-employed, nothing affects me more than what the government does to the economy," he said. He believes the Republican platform can deliver. Cheaper energy "will help bring down cost of goods, less regulation will also help encourage growth to business," he said. "I like Republicans for their more conservative viewpoints about spending and limited government." Trevor Borchelt, from Berks County, Pa., describes himself as a Reagan-era Republican, who believes in fiscal conservatism and moral responsibility. But he said the party has lost sight of those ideals under Trump and plans to vote for Harris on Election Day, citing democracy as his biggest concern. I don't disagree with some of Trump's policies, Borchelt, 44, said, noting the former president's tax and pro-manufacturing policies. But if you don't pass the bar of accepting the results of an election, [you] don't get to be involved in a democratic election. Trump is facing multiple criminal trials for efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and has refused to say that he would accept the outcome of the 2024 race. Borchelt has never cast a ballot for Trump in 2016 he voted for Libertarian Party candidate Barry Johnson and in 2020 he supported Biden. This year, he said, he hopes that Trump will lose, and politics will return to honest debates about real issues, instead of all the name calling and the violence and ugliness. Im kind of fed up, he said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pennsylvania election poll: Voters split evenly between Harris, Trump COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) South Carolina put Richard Moore to death by lethal injection Friday for the 1999 fatal shooting of a convenience store clerk, despite a broad appeal for mercy by parties that included three jurors and the judge from his trial, a former prison director, pastors and members of his family. Moore, 59, was pronounced dead at 6:24 p.m. Moore was convicted of killing James Mahoney, the Spartanburg clerk, in September 1999 and sentenced to death two years later. Moore went into the store unarmed, took a gun from the victim when it was pointed at him and fatally shot him in the chest as the victim shot him with a second gun in the arm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moores lawyers asked Republican Gov. Henry McMaster to reduce his sentence to life in prison without parole because of his spotless prison record and willingness to be a mentor to other inmates. They also said it would be unjust to execute someone for what could be considered self-defense and unfair that Moore, who was Black, was the only inmate on the states death row convicted by a jury without any African Americans. But McMaster refused to grant clemency. In a letter, he did not give a reason why but said he reviewed all the items submitted by Moores lawyers and spoke to the victims family. No South Carolina governor has reduced a death sentence, and 45 executions have now been carried out in the state since the U.S. Supreme Court allowed states to restart them nearly 50 years ago. Unlike in previous executions, the curtain to the death chamber was open when media witnesses arrived. Moore's last words had already been read by Lindsey Vann, his lawyer of 10 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore had his eyes closed, and his head was pointed toward the ceiling. A prison employee announced the execution could begin at 6:01 p.m. Moore took several deep breaths that sounded like snores over the next minute. Then he took some shallow breaths until about 6:04, when his breathing stopped. Moore showed no obvious signs of discomfort. Vann cried as the employee announced the execution could start. She clutched a prayer bracelet with a cross. Sitting beside her was a spiritual advisor, his hands on his knees, palms up. Two members of the victims' family were also present, along with Solicitor Barry Barnette, who was on the prosecution team that convicted Moore. They all watched stoically. Afterward prison spokeswoman Chrysti Shain read his last words at a news conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To the family of Mr. James Mahoney, I am deeply sorry for the pain and sorrow I caused you all, he said. To my children and granddaughters, I love you and am so proud of you. Thank you for the joy you have brought to my life. To all of my family and friends, new and old, thank you for your love and support. His final meal was steak cooked medium, fried catfish and shrimp, scalloped potatoes, green peas, broccoli with cheese, sweet potato pie, German chocolate cake and grape juice. Three jurors who condemned Moore to death in 2001, including one who wrote Friday, sent letters asking McMaster to change his sentence to life without parole. They were joined by a former state prison director, Moore's trial judge, his son and daughter, a half-dozen childhood friends and several pastors. They all said Moore, 59, was a changed man who loved God, doted on his new grandchildren the best he could, helped guards keep the peace and mentored other prisoners after his addiction to drugs clouded his judgment and led to the shootout in which Mahoney was killed, according to the clemency petition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was not a danger to anyone, and the state eliminated a glowing example of reform and rehabilitation, the Justice 360 law firm, which represented Moore, said in a statement. By killing Richard, the State also created more victims. Richards children are now fatherless, and his grandchildren will have to grow up without their Pa Pa.' Moore previously had two execution dates postponed as the state sorted through issues that created a 13-year pause in the death penalty, including companies' refusal to sell the state lethal injection drugs, a hurdle that was solved by passing a secrecy law. Moore is the second inmate executed in South Carolina since it resumed executions. Four more are out of appeals, and the state appears ready to put them to death in five-week intervals through the spring. There are now 30 people on death row. The governor said before the execution that he would carefully review everything sent by Moore's lawyers and, as is customary, wait until minutes before the execution started to announce his decision after hearing that all appeals were finished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clemency is a matter of grace, a matter of mercy. There is no standard. There is no real law on it, McMaster told reporters Thursday. Prosecutors and Mahoney's relatives have not spoken publicly in the weeks leading up to the execution and did not speak after. In the past, family members have said they suffered deeply and wanted justice to be served. Moores lawyers said his original attorneys did not analyze the crime scene carefully and left unchallenged prosecutors' contention that Moore, who came into the store unarmed, fired at a customer and that his intention from the start was a robbery. According to their account, the clerk pulled a gun on Moore after the two argued because he was 12 cents short for what he wanted to buy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore said he wrestled the gun from Mahoney's hand and the clerk pulled a second weapon. Moore was shot in the arm and fired back, hitting Mahoney in the chest. Moore then went behind the counter and stole about $1,400. No one else on South Carolinas death row started their crime unarmed and with no intention to kill, Moores current attorneys say. Jon Ozmint, a former prosecutor who was director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections from 2003 to 2011 and who added his voice to those seeking clemency, said Moore's case was not the worst-of-the-worst kind of crime that would usually prompt a death penalty case. There are plenty of people who were not sentenced to death but committed much more heinous crimes, Ozmint said, citing the example of Todd Kohlhepp, who was given a life sentence after pleading guilty to killing seven people including a woman he raped and tortured for days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawyers for Moore, who is Black, also said his trial was not fair. There were no African Americans on the jury even though 20% of Spartanburg County residents were Black. This execution underscores the flaws in South Carolinas death penalty system. Who is executed versus who is allowed to live out their lives in prison appears to be based on no more than chance, race, or status. It is intolerable that our state metes out the ultimate punishment in such a haphazard way, Justice 360 said. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Richard Moore, who is scheduled to be executed by injection Friday in South Carolina for the fatal shooting of a convenience store clerk in 1999, has one final chance to have his life spared. Moores lawyers have asked Republican Gov. Henry McMaster for clemency, which no governor in South Carolina has granted in the previous 44 executions in the state since the death penalty restarted in 1976. Governors in 24 other states have done so. Three jurors who condemned Moore to death in 2001, including one who wrote Friday, have sent letters asking McMaster to change his sentence to life without parole. They are joined by a former state prison director, Moores trial judge, his son and daughter, a half-dozen childhood friends and several pastors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They all say Moore, 59, is a changed man who loves God, dotes on his new grandchildren the best he can, helps guards keep the peace and mentors other prisoners after his addiction to drugs clouded his judgment and led to the shootout in which James Mahoney was killed, according to the clemency petition. Moore is scheduled to die at 6 p.m. at a Columbia prison. He has had two execution dates postponed as the state sorted through issues that created a 13-year pause in the death penalty, including companies refusal to sell the state lethal injection drugs, a hurdle that was solved by passing a secrecy law. Moore would be the second inmate executed in South Carolina since it resumed executions. Four more are out of appeals and the state appears ready to put them to death in five-week intervals through the spring. If Moore dies Friday, there would be 30 people remaining on death row. The governor said he is carefully reviewing everything sent by Moores lawyers and, as is customary, will wait until minutes before the execution starts to announce his decision once he hears by phone that all appeals are finished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clemency is a matter of grace, a matter of mercy. There is no standard. There is no real law on it, McMaster told reporters Thursday. In an interview for a video that accompanied his clemency petition, Moore expressed remorse for the killing of Mahoney. This is definitely part of my life I wish I could change. I took a life. I took someones life. I broke the family of the deceased, Moore said. I pray for the forgiveness of that particular family. Prosecutors and Mahoneys relatives have not spoken publicly in the weeks leading up to the execution. In the past, family members have said they suffered deeply and want justice to be served. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moores lawyers say his original attorneys did not analyze the crime scene carefully and left unchallenged prosecutors contention that Moore, who came into the store unarmed, fired at a customer and that his intention from the start was a robbery. According to their account, the clerk pulled a gun on Moore after the two argued because he was 12 cents short for what he wanted to buy. Moore said he wrestled the gun from Mahoneys hand and the clerk pulled a second weapon. Moore was shot in the arm and fired back, hitting Mahoney in the chest. Moore then went behind the counter and stole about $1,400. No one else on South Carolinas death row started their crime unarmed and with no intention to kill, Moores current attorneys say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jon Ozmint, a former prosecutor who was director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections from 2003 to 2011 and who has added his voice to those seeking clemency, said Moores case is not the worst-of-the-worst kind of crime that would usually prompt a death penalty case. There are plenty of people who were not sentenced to death but committed much more heinous crimes, Ozmint said, citing the example of Todd Kohlhepp, who was given a life sentence after pleading guilty to killing seven people including a woman he raped and tortured for days. Lawyers for Moore, who is Black, also say his trial was not fair. There were no African Americans on the jury even though 20% of Spartanburg County residents were Black. Moore, a born-again Christian, can continue to mentor and positively influence fellow inmates if his sentence is reduced to life without parole, Ozmint said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He wants to continue his work of having a positive impact on everyone around him he can reach, Ozmint said in the clemency request video. I hope that Gov. McMaster will give Richard the rest of his life to pour into others. Moores son and daughter said he has remained engaged in their lives. He once asked them about schoolwork and gave advice in letters. He now has grandchildren whom he sees on video calls. Several letter writers mentioned the harm to them if Moore is removed from their lives. Even though my father has been away, that still has not stopped him from making a big impact on my life, a positive impact, said Alexandria Moore, who joined the Air Force at her fathers encouragement. She said her 5-year-old daughter asks, Is that Pa Pa? when the phone rings at their home at a military base in Spain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is a great man, and I want her to know her grandfather as the man that he is, she said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Currently, Nebraska law bans abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape and incest, as well as when the mothers life is at risk. Initiative 434 would prohibit abortion in the second and third trimester, with exceptions to cases of medical emergencies or pregnancies from sexual assault and incest. It would also allow state lawmakers to pass additional restrictions before the 12-week mark. Dan Osborn makes pitch to voters in northeast Nebraska Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, Initiative 439 would provide Nebraskans the right to abortion until fetal viability, which is around 24 weeks, or when its necessary to protect the life and health of the mother. The measure prevents legislators from adding restrictions before fetal viability. Both ballots would make amendments to Nebraskas constitution. For either to pass, a simple majority (50 percent plus one) of voters will need to say yes. Lets suppose that 434 and 439 both pass, Creighton University law professor Patrick Borchers said. The one that gets the higher number of affirmative votes, it controls over the one that got less votes. Whichever ballot wins with more votes then becomes a part of the Nebraska Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Article three of the Nebraska Constitution, section four, says that the governors veto power does not extend to a ballot initiative, Borchers said. While Governor Jim Pillen cant veto the initiative, he still has some power over the new law. As we saw with Medicaid expansion, which Governor Ricketts was not a fan of, it took quite a while before that actually got implemented, Borchers said. What races, measures are KCAU 9 following for the General Election? Borchers understands that these ballot initiatives can be confusing, and so has this simple guide for Nebraskans: If you put yourself in the pro-life camp, then vote yes on 434 and no on 439, he said. If you put yourself in the pro-choice camp, then vote no on 434 and yes on 439. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election Day is less than a week away. To learn more about other ballot initiatives going on in your state, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. (Bloomberg) -- Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp. beat analysts profit, output and sales estimates as rising oil production from the Permian Basin helped offset weaker crude prices. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Exxons third-quarter adjusted earnings exceeded expectations by a nickel on Friday, while Chevron surpassed estimates by 11 cents. The strong results underpinned the companies commitments to continue rewarding investors with hefty buybacks and payouts in contrast to European rival BP Plc, which earlier this week warned fluctuating oil prices may imperil some share repurchases. Shell Plc and TotalEnergies SE havent wavered on buyback pledges, although the French oil titan noted its pace of purchasing depends on reasonable market conditions. Exxon shares initially rose, then slipped 0.8% Chevron surged as much as 4.8%, the most intraday in nearly 19 months. Despite the 20% decline in oil prices since early April, Exxon had ample cash flow to cover third-quarter payouts, while Chevrons fell short, forcing the supermajor to rely on borrowing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Exxon is the best-performing oil major this year, rising more than 15% even as international crude prices declined. North Americas largest energy explorer demonstrated it has more oil and natural gas production growth and at lower cost than peers. Exxon increased dividends for the 42nd consecutive year to 99 cents a share, higher than the 97-cent Bloomberg Dividend Projection. Exxon was able to fully fund dividend payouts and share repurchases with cash flow without resorting to debt, Chief Financial Officer Kathy Mikells said during an interview. The company also has a $27 billion cash pile and a net-debt-to-capital ratio of just 5%, leaving it in a strong position ahead of any oil-market downturn, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have done a lot of work to fundamentally improve the underlying earnings power of the business and thats going to put us in really good stead, Mikells said. Exxons fast-growing oil developments in Guyana and the Permian Basin are producing crude for less than $35 a barrel at a time when a barrel fetches more than $70, and Exxon is working on several gas-export projects in Texas, Papua New Guinea and Mozambique. Its now the biggest producer in the Permian region after its $60 billion acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources Co. earlier this year. During a call with analysts, Exxon Chief Executive Officer Darren Woods said the cost savings from buying Pioneer are considerably higher than expected as executives work to integrate the companies. What were finding through that process is theres a real big opportunity to bring a lot of what Pioneer is doing into our operations, Woods said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for Chevron, the explorer expects to close asset sales in Canada, Congo and Alaska by the end of the year as part of a plan to raise as much as $15 billion from divestments by 2028. The driller also is targeting as much as $3 billion of cost reductions by the end of 2026. During interviews, Wirth indicated those reduction could include job cuts but said it was premature to discuss specifics. Dont read the intent of continuing to become more cost efficient, which is inherent in a commodity business and something you can never step away from, as only being about jobs, he said. Its about much, much more than that. And jobs are a small part of the total. Also See: Chevron Flags Possible US Job Cuts in $3 Billion Cost Cutting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chevrons oil and natural gas output increased 7% from a year earlier, with production in the US Permian Basin touching a new quarterly record. It also commenced output from Anchor, the first in a series of new Gulf of Mexico investments. The company expects full-year average production growth to be at the top end of its 4%-to-7% guidance range. Third-quarter dividends and buybacks amounted to $7.7 billion, outpacing the periods $5.6 billion in free cash flow. Earlier this year, Chevron pledged to repurchase $17.5 billion of shares annually, or about 6% of its market value, making it one of the biggest buybacks in the industry. Management has indicated its willing to fund the payout with borrowed money if necessary because the companys debt is currently well below its medium-term target. But analysts at Citigroup Inc. said explorers with the highest buybacks such as Chevron and Equinor ASA may need to reset distributions in response to lower oil prices. These negative rate-of-change stories will be seen as an issue for some investors, Citis Alastair Syme wrote in an Oct. 23 note. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wirth strongly defended the decision to increase debt to fund buybacks, saying production is rising, free cash flow is growing 10% a year over the next three years, and the company is underlevered by historical standard. Chevron stock has underperformed Exxon this year amid an arbitration battle thats stalled the $53 billion deal to buy Hess Corp. New projects in the Gulf of Mexico and Kazakhstan will deliver meaningful cash flow from next year but in the meantime Chevron is heavily reliant on the Permian Basin, where about half its position involves stakes in wells operated by other companies. Wirth acknowledged that the Hess arbitration has been a drag on Chevrons stock but said hes confident Chevron will prevail in the dispute. The company has also been embroiled in a high-profile dispute with the state of California over refining regulations that it claims add to costs and gasoline prices. Chevron announced plans to relocate its corporate headquarters to Houston from the San Francisco Bay area earlier this year after 145 years of being based in the Golden State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his call with analysts, Wirth took a parting swipe at California, implying it was a socialist state. Putting bureaucrats in charge of centrally planning key segments of the economy hasnt worked in other socialist states, he said. I doubt it will be any different in California. --With assistance from David Wethe. (Updates with details starting in the fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) A Facebook group has led to an animal cruelty arrest in Abilene after rescuing two emaciated dogs. Aaron Hartley was taken into custody on a Cruelty to Animals warrant Thursday in connection to the allegations. Court documents state a concerned citizen went to Hartleys home in February 2024 after pictures of a dog that appeared to be severely emaciated were posted to the A.G.R.O. (Abilenes Gentle Rescuers) Facebook group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the concerned citizen arrived and contacted Hartley, he gave her two dogs that were so severely emaciated, they were diagnosed as malnourished when the concerned citizen took them to the vet the next day. At this point, law enforcement was contacted, and the documents state that when officers when to question Hartley, they learned from neighbors that he had 5 dogs total. Investigators believe that Hartley did, fail unreasonably to provide necessary food for an animal. Hartley is now being held in the Taylor County Jail on a $1,000 bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. People are expected to show up in record numbers to vote on Missouris hotly contested Amendment 3. It will reverse the states abortion ban if it passes, which is currently one of the most restrictive in the country. Some opposition groups claim the measure would also legalize tax-payer funded transgender surgeries for minors without parental consent. Differing political interpretations Not only do Missouri politicians have differing opinions about the right to abortion, they have different interpretations of the ballot language for Missouris Amendment 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor candidate Crystal Quade supports the measure. Folks know that we have one of the most drastic abortion bans without exceptions for rape and incest, said Quade, a Democrat. As a survivor of child abuse myself and as a mother I understand just how important passing Amendment 3 is. Her opponent Mike Kehoe is against it. Kehoe told us he sees Amendment 3 as an extreme measure that includes transgender procedures. Anti-Amendment 3 ads in Springfield claim the measure legalizes partial birth abortions It also allows for transgender surgeriespublic funded transgender surgeries without parental consent, said Kehoe, the Republican in the race for Missouri governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KOLR 10 Investigates went through the ballot language line by line. Read the full ballot text here. It doesnt directly mention gender-affirming care, but we took the ballot language to Marcia McCormick, who teaches law at St. Louis University, to get her expert opinion. Legal experts interpretation of Amendment 3 Opponents of Amendment 3, some, are arguing that the term reproductive healthcare is very broad and could include gender-affirming care and its not clear that that is a reasonable interpretation at all because gender-affirming care is generally unrelated to pregnancy, the desire to become pregnant, or to terminate a pregnancy, said McCormick. Theyre just not the same things at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Does Amendment 2 really guarantee millions for Missouri schools? She says its also unrealistic to think Amendment 3 would legalize tax-payer funded transgender surgeries for minors without parental consent. I cannot conceive a scenario in which, against a parents wishes, a childs gender-affirming care would be covered by the state, she said. Abortion rights in America Missouri is one of ten states with abortion measures on the ballot on Nov. 5. Arizona, Nevada, and Floridas measures would also establish abortion rights until viability. South Dakotas amendment would legalize abortion in the first trimester. If you have a story youd like our investigative team to look into, email Chief Investigative Reporter Lauren Inman at Investigates@OzarksFirst.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Claim: An October 2024 YouTube video accurately reported that medical doctors "confirmed" former U.S. President Donald Trump experienced a stroke while climbing onto or riding inside a garbage truck on Oct. 30, 2024. Rating: Rating: False On Oct. 30, 2024, the progressive Vote Blue Network YouTube channel posted a video (archived) displaying a title that claimed medical doctors confirmed former U.S. President Donald Trump had a stroke. According to the title, "Doctors CONFIRM Trump Has STROKE ON GARBAGE TRUCK," Trump experienced a stroke while climbing onto or riding inside a garbage truck earlier the same day. The clip received around 100,000 views in less than 24 hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The video featured a thumbnail image showing the former president wearing an orange vest while gesturing to cameras. We previously fact-checked that photo as authentic. However, we uncovered no evidence of doctors claiming, much less "confirming," that Trump had experienced a stroke just days before the U.S. Election Day. Further, the YouTube channel and one of its onscreen hosts who identifies himself as Christo Availis have a history of promoting made-up claims. That complete lack of evidence and the channel's untrustworthy track record led us to our conclusion that the claim is false. For example, the Vote Blue Network YouTube channel previously uploaded false video titles featuring clips of news broadcasts and onscreen appearances by Availis, including "Trmp LF Lv n G, RWD R RRR" and "Trm F Durng h, udn R RRR." We've reported about other misleading videos promoted by Availis, in which he falsely claimed a Fox News host interrupted Trump to call him a crude name, for example, and that violent protesters stormed a courtroom during one of the former president's trials. Trump's Garbage Truck Photo Op Hours before the Vote Blue Network channel published the video falsely claiming Trump had a stroke on a garbage truck, the former president and his campaign staffers landed at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump emerged from the Trump-branded aircraft wearing an orange vest. Moments later, he walked over to climb into the passenger side of a garbage truck. Upon approaching the truck's door, a video showed Trump failing to grasp the handle at least two times a failure reported by The Associated Press. Trump seems to be really struggling physically. pic.twitter.com/yRk7ZB2kDx Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) October 30, 2024 That moment of Trump walking over to the door and failing to grab the handle led several users on X including the progressive MeidasTouch network to posit that the former president had previously experienced one or more strokes. None of the accounts offered credible evidence. The point of Trump's vest and the garbage truck was to draw attention to a recent remark from President Joe Biden, who purportedly called Trump's supporters "garbage." Sources: Licon, Adriana Gomez, and Jonathan J. Cooper. "Donald Trump Boards a Garbage Truck to Draw Attention to Biden Remark." The Associated Press, 30 Oct. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-garbage-truck-wisconsin-1b9b2882b59639ba0dc898b0b45e395b. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liles, Jordan. "Photo of Trump Wearing Orange Vest Is Authentic." Snopes, 31 Oct. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/trump-orange-vest-garbage/. Rascouet-Paz, Anna. "Did Biden Call Trump's Supporters Garbage?" Snopes, 30 Oct. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/10/30/biden-trump-supporters-garbage/. Claim: An authentic screenshot shows Liz Cheneys X account posted, Donald Trump is now literally threatening to have me killed. If you dont want to live in a banana republic run by a senile man, with some sort of Daffy Duck disease, vote for Kamala. Rating: Rating: Fake In November 2024, just days before the U.S. presidential election, a purported X post from former lawmaker Liz Cheney went viral, in which she allegedly said former U.S. President Donald Trump had "Daffy Duck disease." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She appeared to be responding to Trump's comments on Oct. 31, 2024, when at a campaign event, he called her a "war hawk," "a deranged person" and suggested she should have guns "trained on her face." Cheney's purported post on X stated, "Donald Trump is now literally threatening to have me killed. If you don't want to live in a banana republic run by a senile man, with some sort of Daffy Duck disease, vote for Kamala." (Screenshot via X ) While Trump did indeed make the above comments about Cheney, the screenshot of her X post is fake. Cheney did not make such a post on her verified X account, nor did she use the above words to describe Trump. She did, however, respond to Trump's statement by calling him a "tyrant." As such, we rate this claim as fake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The above screenshot had a number of spelling errors. We also noticed that it was not posted by Cheney's own verified X account, but by @Liz_Choney, an account that does not exist. The screenshot is also labeled as a "parody." There was no evidence of such a post calling Trump "a senile man" with "Daffy Duck disease" on Cheney's official X account. Cheney did have a response to Trump's comments, however. On Nov. 1, 2024, her X account posted, "This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. #Womenwillnotbesilenced #VoteKamala" This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. #Womenwillnotbesilenced #VoteKamala https://t.co/URH5s929Sa Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) November 1, 2024 Cheney, a fellow Republican, has been a vocal critic of Trump for years. She is the daughter of former Republican U.S. Vice President D*ck Cheney, who also criticized Trump in 2022. Trump, in his Oct. 31 remarks, pointed out D*ck Cheney did not support his presidential run, and then said, "his daughter is a very dumb individual." "She's a radical war hawk," Trump continued. "Let's put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Let's see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained to her face." Sources: "Cheney Slams Trump after He Suggests She Should Have 'Guns Trained on Her.'" Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/1/cheney-slams-tyrant-trump-after-he-suggests-she-should-face-firing-squad. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Former President Trump Campaigns with Tucker Carlson in Glendale, Arizona." C-SPAN.Org, Oct. 31, 2024. https://www.c-span.org/video/?539683-1/president-trump-campaigns-tucker-carlson-glendale-arizona. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024. Ibrahim, Nur. "Dick Cheney Once Called Trump the Greatest Threat to US Since Its Founding?" Snopes, 10 July 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/dick-cheney-republicans-against-trump/." target="blank">https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/dick-cheney-republicans-against-trump/.">https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/dick-cheney-republicans-against-trump/. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024. Liles, Jordan. "Did Liz Cheney Say the Republican Party Is 'Very Sick'?" Snopes, 22 Aug. 2022, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/liz-cheney-republicans-sick/." target="blank">https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/liz-cheney-republicans-sick/.">https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/liz-cheney-republicans-sick/. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024. Calling Vice President Kamala Harris a liar, former President Donald Trump claimed that he never wanted to terminate the Affordable Care Act an accusation Harris has repeatedly levied against him on the campaign trail. Lyin Kamala is giving a News Conference now, saying that I want to end the Affordable Care Act. I never mentioned doing that, never even thought about such a thing, the former president posted on X Thursday. Facts First: Trump is trying to rewrite history. Repealing and replacing the landmark health reform law, popularly known as Obamacare, was among his top campaign promises when he first ran for president in 2016, and he spent the initial months of his term pushing Congress to pass legislation to do just that. Trump revived the idea early in the current campaign before backtracking. At Septembers presidential debate with Harris, he called the Affordable Care Act lousy and said we are working on things to replace it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even before he ran for office, Trump was crusading on Twitter, now known as X, to repeal the law signed by his predecessor, Barack Obama. During his 2016 campaign, he promised supporters that he would quickly dismantle the Affordable Care Act. Within hours of taking office in January 2017, he issued an executive order aimed at rolling back the law. After the GOP-led House of Representatives passed a repeal bill in May 2017, Trump called them to the White House for a celebratory appearance and said Obamacare was essentially dead. This is a great plan. I actually think it will get even better. This is a repeal and replace of Obamacare. Make no mistake about it, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, even though Republicans controlled Congress and the White House that year, they failed to unite behind a plan to do so, ending any serious attempts to completely jettison the Affordable Care Act. Trump spent the rest of his term chipping away at the law. The former president revived the debate over the laws fate in November 2023, when he wrote on his Truth Social platform that hes seriously looking at alternatives and that the failure to terminate it was a low point for the Republican Party, but we should never give up! Trump has recently tried to change his tack promising to come up with a health care plan thats better. What we will do is were looking at different plans, Trump said at Septembers debate, noting that he had concepts of a plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we can come up with a plan thats going to cost our people, our population, less money and be better health care than Obamacare, then I would absolutely do it. But until then, Id run it as good as it can be run, he said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com People walk inside the Old Capitol Town Center Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa. Editor's note: The Iowa Board of Regents on Wednesday approved the University of Iowa's request to purchase the Old Capitol Town Center The University of Iowa has unveiled plans to purchase the Old Capitol Town Center in downtown Iowa City for $20.6 million. The university already owns a 55% stake in the mall, which includes mainly office space on the second floor for UI administrative and student services. The University of Iowa is requesting approval to proceed with the purchase at next week's Board of Regents meetings, Nov. 6 and Nov. 7. More: 4 things to enjoy this weekend in Iowa City from music to a jack-o'-lantern demolition Cars drive on Clinton Street past the Old Capitol Town Center Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa. UI already has an agreement in place The school has an "option to purchase" agreement with the Old Capitol Town Center, which requires the university to notify the mall's current owners of its intent to proceed with the purchase by Oct. 1. If approved, the University of Iowa will close on the mall in October 2027. The seller will have an option to accelerate the closing date with six months' advance notice to the university. Otherwise, ownership and all mall leases will transfer on Oct. 1, 2027. The school will pay 10% of the purchase price upfront, and the remaining will be due on the final closing date in 2027. The university intends to fund the purchase with University Funds. More: Iowa City City Councilor Andrew Dunn is stepping down at the end of the year Raising Canes, Buffalo Wild Wings, CVS, others will retain leases The Old Capitol Town Center spans two city blocks and encompasses 375,000 square feet of space. The university plans to maintain a retail presence within the mall to help offset operational costs of the building. When the University of Iowa takes over ownership, existing leases like CVS and Raising Cane's will transfer. The university will also approve any new leases within the mall. Acquiring the remaining 45 percent of the building "is an important strategic purchase," according to the Board of Regents proposal. The university believes owning the mall outright will further support student and staff needs due to its central location on campus. The university has been programming and using the building as a UI student and Old Capitol Town Center staff transaction hub, the proposal reads. As the university secures ownership of the balance of the building, it would continue to develop spaces to serve student and operational needs that benefit from immediate adjacency to the UI campus core. People walk past the Old Capitol Town Center Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa. More: UI FIJI criminal case dismissed, ending litigation over alleged 2020 sexual assault The family of a man who died after eating a McDonalds Quarter Pounder has now spoken out after learning that he was the first fatality linked to a multi-state E. coli outbreak. James Charles Smith Jr, who goes by JC, was a frequent visitor of the Golden Arches near the Grand Junction, Colorado, home he shared with his wife, Doris. The elderly couple, who had just celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary, would always order the same item on the menu: a Quarter Pounder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, after one such visit in late September, Smith fell ill. My mother had been up all night. He had been in the bathroom all night and he had the bloody diarrhea and he was so weak, Smiths daughter Debbie Bonnell told CBS News on Friday. When I got here he was so weak he couldnt walk. He was hospitalized for four days with E. coli O157:H7. At the time, the source of the outbreak wasnt clear and so, when he had recovered, Smith and Doris went back to McDonalds and ordered themselves another Quarter Pounder each. The Smiths ordered the same burger, but Doris made one small adjustment: she removed her onions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I took mine off and gave mine to him, Doris told CBS. I feel guilty now because I gave him some onions. This time, his symptoms returned far more aggressively. I would hold his hand and pray and tell him to try and rest, We are here with you and We are getting help for you, his daughter said. On October 20, the 88-year-old former firefighter passed away due to complications with E. coli. E. coli outbreak is believed to have stemmed from slivered onions in McDonalds Quarter Pounders (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid) All he wanted to do was enjoy a hamburger with his wife, Smiths daughter Debbie Bonnell told CBS News on Friday. He put his trust in these restaurants, and all we really want is our dad back. We watched my daddy have excruciating pain for many days thrashing his arms and legs around. It was very hard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith is one of 90 people across 13 states infected in an E. coli outbreak linked to onions on McDonalds Quarter Pounder burgers, according to the latest update from the Food and Drug Administration. Colorado is one of the worst impacted states, the agency said. While the 88-year-old is the sole fatality, at least 27 people have been hospitalized and two developed Hemolyticuremic syndrome (HUS), a rare but serious complication from E. Coli that can cause kidney failure, according to the FDA. It is not clear if Smith developed HUS. Health officials reported the outbreak to the public two days after Smiths death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FDA investigators now believe slivered yellow onions served in the Quarter Pounders to be the source of the E. coli outbreak. The onions, which came from the Taylor Farms distribution facility in Colorado Springs, have been recalled from affected McDonalds locations. The onions have been recalled from affected McDonalds locations (AFP via Getty Images) Smith wasnt the only Colorado resident to fall ill after visiting the fast food chain in the state. Kamberlyn Bowler, 15, also of Grand Junction, was flown 250 miles to a hospital near Denver in mid-October after eating McDonalds Quarter Pounders three times in recent weeks. Bowler ended up needing dialysis for 10 days to save her kidneys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bowler family is now looking to sue McDonalds. The Smiths said they are just focusing on mourning the father, grandfather, great-grandfather and husband. Smiths son Jim told CBS his father was taken too soon. We still had lots of plans, he said, adding: All and all, my dad was a loving person. He was compassionate. If he needed to be stern, you didnt want to be on that side. Smith was laid to rest on Tuesday afternoon at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, according to the Snyder Memorial and Funeral Home. The Independent has contacted McDonalds and Taylor Farms for comment about Smiths death. Friends, family and the Atascadero Police Department were searching for missing San Luis Obispo County resident Todd Pinion on Thursday. Pinion, 34, was reported missing to the Atascadero Police Department at 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, his mother Melody Brownell Pinion said. Atascadero city spokesperson Terrie Banish confirmed the Police Department was searching for Pinion as of Thursday. He was last seen at the Atascadero McDonalds in the early morning hours of Oct. 23, Brownell Pinion told The Tribune. He doesnt own a cell phone, but he often used the restaurants WiFi to communicate with people through his Chromebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pinions mother said she felt deeply worried when she heard her son was missing. Im living a nightmare, she said. Adding to the worry: Pinons beloved dog, Spock, was found dead at the base of the Cuesta Grade on Thursday morning. How his dog ended up on Cuesta Grade dead is beyond me, because he would never let that dog out of his sight, she said. A CHP helicopter flew over the same area on Thursday to look for Pinion, but the officers did not locate him, his mother said. Pinion is 510 and described as slender with long, brown hair. He often wears a leather fox mask and has multiple tattoos, including a fox wrapped around his right arm and a dream catcher on his left arm. Todd Pinion was reported missing on Oct. 31, 2024. He was often seen wearing a leather fox mask. Raised in Atascadero, Pinion graduated from Atascadero High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pinion previously suffered a head injury and has been homeless for about a year, his mother said. He recently lived in the Salinas Riverbed in Atascadero and in a Paso Robles homeless encampment, where he started doing drugs, she said. His last known residence was in Nipomo. It just spiraled ever since, she said. She plans to fly to San Luis Obispo County from Oklahoma on Saturday to assist with the search. Anyone with information about Pinions whereabouts can contact the Atascadero Police Department at 805-461-5051 or Melody Pinion at 805-712-9777. When it comes to the groceries we love, it should never be too much to ask for a quality product void of all contaminants and unwanted bacteria. We put a lot of trust in the brands that create our favorite foods, and in turn, these companies owe the consumer a certain level of assurance. In the unfortunate event that a product recall is necessary, it's a very comforting fact to know that the brands we love are holding up their end of the deal. This year, we have seen quite a few recalls pop up on our feeds. Some of the more notable ones have included the Coca-Cola brand's Minute Maid Zero debacle and the shockingly large nationwide meat recall. And while we can only hope that each separate issue gets promptly nipped in the bud, that doesnt make us safe from recalls that follow suit. SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we approach the holiday season, yet another recall has just been announcedthis one coming from International Delight, known for their cold foam creamers, iced coffee and other mix-ins. The recall was announced on October 12 and includes the Home Alone International Delight Peppermint Mocha Zero Sugar coffee creamer, sold as a 32-ounce plastic bottle that has and packed into a case of six. International Delight has specified the reason for the recall being a mis-labeling issue, stating that the bottles printed with zero sugar on the label, in fact, do contain sugar. Nearly 1,800 cases have been identified as featuring the mis-labeled bottles, each with a best by date of 2/25/25. The mislabeled bottles of creamer are said to have been distributed in Iowa, Indiana, Tennessee and Texas. Further distributed bottles have potentially ended up in Arkansa, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin. Related: Costco Has Issued a Recall On a Fan-Favorite Breakfast ItemHere's What You Need to Know Those looking for more details can find information on the recall printed here, though it is important to note that no illnesses have been reported due to the mislabeling so far. Customers who have purchased the recalled product in question should return it to where it was purchased for an exchange or refund, especially in cases where the mislabeling might present a health risk. Up Next: Related: This Popular Burger Joint Has Been Forced to Close More LocationsHere's What's Happening The ruling conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP) on Friday accused the head of the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO), Herbert Kickl, of exceeding his authority by signing a declaration of friendship with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. OVP Secretary General Christian Stocker termed Kickl's behaviour "political presumption." The declaration, which was signed on Thursday, states that Hungary and Austria confirm their neighbourly friendship and their unshakeable attachment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It contains the most important principles of the FPO and Orban's conservative nationalist Fidesz party with respect to Europe. Stocker noted that the FPO was not part of the ruling coalition and could not sign declarations in Austria's name. The FPO emerged the largest party in elections at the end of September with 28.2% of the vote, but the other parties are refusing to enter into a coalition with it. Coalition talks are proceeding, with the current coalition of the OVP and the Greens lacking a majority in the new parliament. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Ken and Keli Chaffin A father-daughter team has decoded a mock "alien" message after a year of trying. Now, citizen scientists are trying to figure out what the decoded missive truly means for Earth. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), Ken and Keli Chaffin from the U.S. were the first to crack the code, which was sent from ESA's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter as part of a citizen science project in May 2023. Three radio observatories on Earth heard the message, and the data were made available to the public. The first step was to extract the signal from the raw data, and the second was to decode it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The message is part of " A Sign in Space ," a science/art project that explores how humanity might react after receiving a real alien message. It took only 10 days for an online community to extract the message from the raw data, but decoding it was more difficult: That wasn't achieved until June 7, 2024, when the Chaffins messaged Daniela de Paulis, the founder and artistic director of the project, with the solution. ESA publicly announced their success on Oct. 22 . The message turned out to be an image depicting the structure of five amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. It was the brainchild of a group of "simulated extraterrestrials," according to A Sign in Space, which included de Paulis, as well as a computer scientist, a poet, a radio engineer, a physicist and space lawyer, and several astronomers and astrobiologists. Related: Infamous 'Wow! signal' that hinted at aliens may actually be an exceptionally rare cosmic event RELATED STORIES Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 8 possible alien 'technosignatures' detected around distant stars in new AI study Repeated signals from the center of the Milky Way could be aliens saying hello, new study claims What messages have we sent to aliens? The project had additional support from the SETI Institute a nonprofit dedicated to the search for extraterrestrial life and the Green Bank Observatory in West Virginia. Decoding the message required many hours of computer simulations. The Chaffins managed to crack the code when they figured out that the message included some biological features, ESA reported. (NewsNation) The FBI confirmed to NewsNation on Friday that it is conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity at the home of John-Paul Miller in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The agency did not give any information on why the search was being conducted. He is the husband of Mica Miller, whose death while in the process of divorcing her husband came under scrutiny. Daniel Penny trial opening arguments begin Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NewsNation local affiliate WBTW reported multiple law enforcement vehicles and around 25 agents at the home, which is owned by Solid Rock Ministries. John-Paul Miller did not appear to be home when the warrant was served. John-Paul Millers home was searched by the FBI. (James Cole) Multiple law enforcement vehicles were spotted at the home. (James Cole) John-Paul Miller did not appear to be home during the search. (James Cole) John-Paul Miller has denied any involvement in his wifes death. (James Cole) FBI agents outside the home of John-Paul Miller. (James Cole) Law enforcement vehicles were parked outside John-Paul Millers home. (James Cole) John-Paul Millers home is owned by Solid Rock Ministries. (James Cole) FBI agents at the home of John-Paul Miller, whose wife Mica Miller died in April. (WBTW) Mica Millers death was officially ruled a suicide, but her friends and family have suggested otherwise and pointed to what they say is a history of abuse by John-Paul Miller against his wife. Miller was found dead of a gunshot injury in Lumber River National Park in North Carolina. After her death was ruled a suicide, other theories spread online based on information about the couples marriage, including a 911 call days before her death where Miller said she was scared for her life after finding a GPS tracker on her car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple was estranged while Miller was seeking a divorce from her husband, and her family has said, based on her statements and journals, that she was a victim of abuse and coercive control by her husband. What Google searches from Delphi murders suspect Richard Allen reveal John-Paul Miller had served as a pastor at Solid Rock Church but was released after his wifes death. He has denied all reports of abuse and said he was trying to get help for his estranged wife, who he said was mentally ill. Anna Francis, Mica Millers sister, told NewsNation that the family is focusing energies on a benefit for her when asked for comment on the search. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for more 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 NewsNation. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) The Florida Division of Emergency Management is commending the city of St. Petersburg on efforts of getting debris cleaned up. Executive director Kevin Guthrie spoke at the city council meeting Thursday. St. Pete is leading the way on getting that done, cutting through red tape and saying were going to do the right thing by our residents, Guthrie said. The clock is ticking on the deadline to be reimbursed by FEMA. All the debris must be collected by Jan. 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im sorry, that just seems like an awful long time, Al Oaks said. Guthrie told city council with the devastation done to Ft. Myers Beach from Hurricane Ian, it took them 11 months to clear it. Ok, Ill take the 90 days, Oaks said. People living in the Gateway neighborhood were getting ready for trick-or-treating. Though piles of debris still sit in front of many homes in the area. Its for the kids, said one trick-or-treater. Residents said living with this debris sitting in front of their homes is not normal. We got rats, and I see them at night, just running. So we cant do nothing but wait, thats about it, Donald Harrison said. We want them to actually come a little bit earlier if they can. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some said a January deadline doesnt seem realistic. Because I feel like this side would take months as it is, at the rate that it seems to be going, Shay Scanlon said. Not saying that it cant happen but I havent seen anything. A representative from the city of St. Petersburg referred 8 On Your Side to their Debris Map. They said crews are collecting around 23,000 cubic yards daily, putting them a third of the way closer to their one million cubic yard goal. Honestly Im not seeing it so thats all I have to say about it, Scanlon said. The city said theyll get it done in time, and until then, residents said theyll try to enjoy the holiday season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yup, not going to break our spirits, Happy Halloween, a trick-or-treater said. The city has an exemption on the agreement with FEMA, so workers are not cleaning up debris 24/7. That is as long as they commit to picking up the debris in the 90 days. The city also said workers may be off for the Thanksgiving holiday but will work the days around it. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Federal cybersecurity and intelligence officials said on Friday that a viral video purporting to show Haitian immigrants engaging in voter fraud was made by Russian interference groups that are trying to undermine confidence in U.S. elections. The video, which began circulating on social media this week, shows two men who claim they arrived to the U.S. from Haiti six months ago. They claim to have American citizenship and that they are voting for Vice President Kamala Harris in multiple Georgia counties, showing cards that appear to look like drivers licenses. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly told MSNBC on Friday that the video was Russian-produced and specifically designed to go viral and undermine American confidence in the security and the integrity of our election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CISA, the Director of National Intelligence and the FBI released a joint statement shortly after, pointing to Russian influence actors as responsible for the video. Russian entities also created a video that falsely accuses a person linked to the Harris-Walz ticket of taking a bribe from an entertainer, the agencies said. Georgias Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger had pushed back on the video earlier this week, saying it was obviously fake and an example of targeted disinformation. This is false and is an example of targeted disinformation weve seen in this and other elections, Raffensperger said in a statement Thursday night. The video was amplified on X by RNC committeewoman from Georgia Amy Kremer, prompting criticism from Gabriel Sterling, the chief operating officer for Raffenspergers office. (Kremer helped to organize the rally that led to the violent attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No responsible person would retweet this ridiculously obvious lie and disinformation, Sterling responded. Those doing so are acting to further the efforts of Americas enemies and undermine the security of our nation. No responsible person would retweet this ridiculously obvious lie and disinformation. Those doing so are acting to further the efforts of Americas enemies and undermine the security of our nation. The judgement of those sharing this should be questioned in all things. pic.twitter.com/Rkv1JSnqmn Gabriel Sterling (@GabrielSterling) November 1, 2024 In his statement Thursday, Raffensperger urged social media platforms to remove the video from their websites, singling out in particular Elon Musk, the owner of X. Election misinformation has run rampant on X under Musks leadership, and the acerbic billionaire, who has endorsed Donald Trump, has personally amplified political conspiracy theories on the platform. The video was still available on the platform as of Friday afternoon. The video in question combines two of Trumps most egregious false claims: his racist, baseless attacks on Haitian migrants in the U.S. and his unfounded claims that Democrats are cheating in the election by allowing immigrants to vote. There is no evidence that Democrats are granting citizenship to immigrants as a means to obtain more votes. Election officials have also repeatedly struck down the claim that widespread noncitizen voting is a real issue. In Georgia, the most recent state audit of voter rolls found 20 noncitizens out of 8.2 million registered voters, Raffensperger said last week, only nine of whom have ever voted in the U.S. CORRECTION (Nov. 2, 2024, 3:52 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated the number of noncitizens that the Georgia state audit found to have voted. It is nine, not 11. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com U.S. District Courthouse for the Southern District of Iowa in Des Moines on Nov. 1, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) There are 250 names on Iowas voter registry that appear to be noncitizens according to federal officials at a federal court hearing Friday, but their identities have not shared the identities of these individuals with state officials. U.S. District Court Judge Stephen Locher heard arguments in a case brought by the ACLU on behalf of naturalized citizens and the League of United Latin American Citizens calling for Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate to rescind his guidance to county auditors to challenge ballots of registered voters listed as potential noncitizens by the state office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit was filed late Wednesday against the state office and five county auditors. It is challenging a list of 2,022 individuals registered to vote or who have voted who identified themselves to the state most commonly the Department of Transportation as noncitizens in the past 12 years. Pate announced the list in late October after early voting was underway. Pate said in a news conference Wednesday that he directed local elections officials to challenge the qualifications of these voters because he was not able to secure information from the federal government confirming their citizenship status. A majority of the people on this list are expected to be naturalized citizens who have the right to vote in federal elections. But some including the 250 mentioned in court Friday are understood to still not have citizenship status and are not eligible to register or vote in U.S. elections. Voting or registering to vote as a noncitizen constitutes a class D felony charge in Iowa, punishable by up to five years in prison and fines of $750 to $7,500. Earlier in the week, Pate criticized the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service for not granting Iowa access to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database to confirm the listed individuals citizenship status, and for not allowing the Des Moines USCIS office to share its completed review of all named information with the state office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement Friday, Pate said that allowing the state access to this information was vital ahead of the Nov. 5 election next week. According to the federal government, there are approximately 250 noncitizens registered to vote in Iowa, Pate stated in a news release. Yet the federal government will not share this data with us, which is critical to ensuring only eligible U.S. citizens vote in our elections. Officials with the Iowa Attorney Generals Office said USCIS has been in communication with the state about the list of potential noncitizens but needed to further review the information before sharing it with the state. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird issued a statement in support of defending the Secretary of States actions and the AG offices work in court to defend Iowas election integrity laws and safeguard the vote. Every legal vote must count and not be canceled out by a noncitizens illegal vote, Bird said. State and federal law are clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rita Bettis Austen, the legal director for the ACLU of Iowa, told reporters following the hearing that their organization does not have more information about the 250 people brought up by federal officials, but that this information does not invalidate their challenge. What I can say is that, that is a much smaller number than 2,022 people who the Secretary of State has directed to challenge as being noncitizens, Austen said. So its very clear that the Secretary of State understands that this list consists primarily, or entirely, of U.S. citizens who have exactly the same fundamental core right to vote as the rest of U.S. citizen Iowa voters. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of four naturalized citizens, who do have the right to vote, who are on the states list to have their eligibility challenged in the 2024 election. Attorneys representing these citizens and LULAC argued that Pate violated the federal 90-day quiet period ahead of the election for removing ineligible voters from voter rolls with the directive, in addition to violating naturalized citizens constitutional rights on due process and equal protection. Eric Wessan, solicitor general of the Iowa Attorney Generals Office, argued in court that these arguments were invalid as no one suffered irreparable harm from the list, as no individuals were removed from voter rolls during the process. Voters listed as potential noncitizens by the state office still have the ability to vote, but must bring proof of U.S. citizenship with them to cast a regular ballot, or cast a provisional ballot and later present documentation to the absentee and special voters precinct board to have their vote counted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Locher said he aims to issue a ruling by Sunday. Clarification: A previous version of this story implied that attorneys representing the federal government or specific federal agencies spoke at the hearing. This story has been updated to clarify that no legal representation for the federal government spoke. US and China are engaged in high-level dialogue regarding North Korea sending troops to Russia as the Kremlin wages war on Ukraine, America's top diplomat said on Thursday. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described "a robust conversation" with China taking place this week about Moscow and Pyongyang's military cooperation in the Ukraine war. Blinken urged Beijing to "do more" to curb "provocative" actions being taken by two of its closest partners. 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. "I think they know well the concerns that we have and the expectations that, both in word and deed, they'll use the influence that they have to work to curb these activities. So we'll see if they take action," Blinken said of China after a meeting he and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin held with their South Korean counterparts in Washington. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right) with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul at the State Department in Washington on Thursday. Photo: Getty Images via AFP alt=US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right) with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul at the State Department in Washington on Thursday. Photo: Getty Images via AFP> His remarks came after a New York Times report on Thursday said his deputy, Kurt Campbell, and other State Department officials met Chinese diplomats "for several hours" in the residence of Xie Feng, Beijing's envoy to Washington, on Tuesday. Asked about the meeting, the Chinese embassy in Washington told the Post that China and the US "have always maintained regular, routine and normal communication on China-US relations and international and regional issues". "China's position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. China strives for peace talks and political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. This position remains unchanged. China will continue to play a constructive role to this end," said spokesperson Liu Pengyu. The Sino-American engagement came amid Washington and Kyiv's latest assessments that North Korean troops could see combat against Ukraine "in the coming days". North Korean troops were reported last week to be in eastern Russia in a major escalation of the armed conflict that began in February 2022. Blinken said at least 8,000 North Korean soldiers were now in Russia's Kursk region and receiving training in "artillery, UAVs, basic infantry operations, including trench clearing". A voter shows identification to an election judge. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images) A federal district judge in Ohio has given the green light to a requirement that naturalized Ohio U.S. citizens show proof of citizenship to cast a ballot. In 2006, the same judge determined a statute requiring challenged voters provide proof was unconstitutional because it subjects naturalized citizens to disparate treatment, and permanently enjoined the law. [2024 Voter Guide: The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote.] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, however, the judge says circumstances are different, and the plaintiffs demanding enforcement of that 2006 order havent demonstrated standing. They brought the challenge after Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose revised the form used when a voters citizenship is challenged at the polls. Following the 2006 ruling blocking the law, a challenged voter only had to attest under oath that they were a citizen to receive a regular ballot. We urge naturalized citizens to look at their license. If it still bears a noncitizen notation, bring your naturalization papers or U.S. Passport if you plan to cast a ballot in person, in case you are challenged. ACLU of Ohio (@acluohio) October 30, 2024 LaRoses changes reverted to the show-me-your-papers requirement, citing the enjoined statute as the relevant authority. Following the judges order, the ACLU of Ohio issued a warning to naturalized voters urging them to bring citizenship documentation to the polls in case theyre challenged. The judges opinion District Judge Christopher Boyko, a George W. Bush appointee, emphasized that, The legal landscape has significantly changed in the nearly two decades since his previous order. He noted the statute itself has been amended to reduce the list of people who can challenge voters to precinct election officials, rather than a broader universe of potential challengers. That omission likely limit(s) the risk of random challenges based on appearance or name or accent, he contended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Boyko also noted lawmakers have passed legislation requiring all voters show photo ID to cast a ballot, and that the Secretary has sent letters to new citizens warning them to update their license. On the question of standing, the judge was skeptical the voters who challenged Ohios law in 2006 continue to face actual or imminent concrete injury from the secretarys actions. They have offered no affidavits at all, he wrote. None saying that these six plaintiffs intend to vote and possess a photo identification card with the non-citizen designation, subjecting them to further questioning and proof or be restricted to voting provisionally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added the plaintiffs didnt attest to missing the secretarys letter urging them to update their IDs, placing special emphasis on the fact all voters must show photo identification. Unlike in 2006, he concluded, plaintiffs have not demonstrated an undue burden on their fundamental right to vote nor that they have suffered disparate treatment so as to warrant the exercise of the Courts remedial powers on their behalf. At the same time, the judge declined to lift the underlying injunction, in an apparent effort to keep voter challenges to only those who show up at the polls with a noncitizen drivers license. Another big legal win for election integrity You can't make this upthe @ACLUOhio sued me to try to force us to accept NON CITIZEN IDs without proof of citizenship. We fought and WE WON! American elections are only for American Citizens and in Ohio we make sure of it. Frank LaRose (@FrankLaRose) October 30, 2024 Reactions After succeeding in court, LaRose took to social media calling it a big legal win for election integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You cant make this up the (ACLU of Ohio) sued me to try to force us to accept NON CITIZEN IDs without proof of citizenship, LaRose wrote. We fought and WE WON! American elections are only for American Citizens and in Ohio we make sure of it. Meanwhile, the ACLU of Ohio focused on informing affected voters about what they need to do to cast a regular ballot. We urge naturalized citizens to look at their license, the organization wrote. If it still bears a noncitizen notation, bring your naturalization papers or U.S. Passport if you plan to cast a ballot in person, in case you are challenged. Any naturalized citizens who are challenged at the polls, but dont have proof on hand, can still vote a provisional ballot. But for that ballot to count, theyll need to go back to their board of elections with documentary proof of citizenship. The deadline for curing a provisional ballot is November 9. Follow OCJ Reporter Nick Evans on Twitter. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Federal officials will monitor the polls in four Wisconsin cities and towns on Election Day. The U.S. Department of Justice said Friday that officials would be at the polls in 86 jurisdictions around the country, including the following four Wisconsin cities and towns: Milwaukee: Wisconsin's largest and most diverse city, which has been targeted in the past by false claims of widespread voter fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thornapple: A town in Rusk County that in October was ordered by a federal judge to return to using voting machines accessible to people with disabilities. The judge ruled Thornapple had violated federal law "by failing to provide a voting system equipped for individuals with disabilities" during the April 2 and Aug. 13 elections this year. Lawrence: Another town in Rusk County that was sued by the U.S. Department of Justice over allegations of failing to provide voting machines accessible to people with disabilities. The DOJ previously said it had reached an agreement with the Town of Lawrence. Wausau: A city in central Wisconsin where the mayor unilaterally decided to remove a drop box for absentee ballots. Civil Rights Division staffers will be available on Election Day to receive questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws. Reports may be made through the departments website www.civilrights.justice.gov or by calling toll-free at 800-253-3931. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People with questions or complaints related to the Americans with Disabilities Act can call the departments toll-free ADA information hotline at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or submit a complaint through a link on the departments ADA website at www.ada.gov. The DOJ said complaints related to any disruptions at a polling place should always be reported to local election officials (including officials based in the polling place), while complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported immediately to local police authorities by calling 911. Those complaints should also be reported to the department after local authorities have been contacted, the DOJ said. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Federal officials will monitor polls in these 4 Wisconsin communities I am the son of missionaries, raised in the evangelical church, and I understand that many evangelicals believe Donald Trump will establish policies in keeping with their Christian values. But what will be expected in exchange? This is a bullying man who will continue to demand loyalty to his own agendas, not just the agendas of the church. If you give close attention to the former president, you will see that his values are antithetical to the teachings of Jesus. I could point to his enormous pride or greed or lust. But I am most alarmed by the tyrannical intimidation so fundamental to his leadership. In a 2018 interview with Fox News, Trump spoke enthusiastically about his friendship with Kim Jong Un, the North Korean dictator who maintains power through repeated acts of violence, such as ordering the execution of his own deputy premier for education. Heres what Trump had to say: Hey, hes the head of a country, and I mean, hes the strong head, dont let anyone think anything different. He speaks and his people sit up at attention. I want my people to do the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Note especially the sit up comment. Ironically, Kim Jong Un executed the head of education in North Korea simply because he had shown disrespectful posture at a meeting. Note also that Trump uses the possessive pronoun my for American people, which is a sign of how he sees all voters owned by him and in submission. Any wavering, and they will be punished. Jesus resisted bullying pharisees who wanted to pass a death sentence on an adulterous woman: Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone, he said in John 8:7. But look at what Trump has said, by comparison, at a recent rally: Is there anybody here thats going to vote for lying Kamala? Please raise your hand. Please raise your hand. Actually, I should say, dont raise your hand. It would be very dangerous. We dont want to see anybody get hurt. Please dont raise your hand. Implicit in his mocking attitude toward voters who dont endorse him is the threat of being physically assaulted stoned, in essence. And look at how Trumps spite feeds the bullying instinct in crowds, encouraging hateful outbursts. The Washington Post reported this from a rally just a few days ago: He referred to Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom as Gavin New-scum. He jabbed at former GOP primary rival Chris Christies weight. And he called Adam Schiff, the Democratic nominee for an open Senate seat in California, unattractive and repeated his frequent criticisms of the size of Schiffs neck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pencil neck! A woman in the crowd yelled as others cackled. Tampon Tim! a man shouted as Trump spoke, referring to the nickname MAGA supporters have given to Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz. Shes a ho! others yelled as Trump moved on to Harris, using a vulgar slang term for a sexually promiscuous woman. My question for Christians who plan to vote for Trump is simple: Does that voting bloc sound like it will maintain the respectful, love-your-enemies attitude demonstrated by Jesus? And what kind of America can you expect from a leader who boasts about potential violence the way he did while campaigning at a Christian college in southeast Iowa: I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldnt lose any voters, OK? Tim Bascom is author of The Comfort Trap: Spiritual Dangers of the Convenience Culture, a study of Christianity in America, plus two prize-winning memoirs about coming of age in Ethiopia, where his parents served as missionaries. He lives in Topeka, Kansas. HENDERSONVILLE, North Carolina Mike Toomey called a federal helpline last week to get disaster aid after Hurricane Helene flooded his home in western North Carolina. He got a recording instead. They said I was 675th in line, Toomey, a painter in a spattered shirt, recalled as he waited outside a federal recovery center in Hendersonville. Hundreds of thousands of people who are trying to recover from disasters nationwide have been unable to get through to federal call centers or have stayed on hold for excessive periods of time in the weeks since Helene barreled into southern Appalachia last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overwhelmed by Helene and Hurricane Milton, the centers failed to answer nearly half of the incoming phone calls over the course of one week recently. For the calls that were answered, it took more than an hour for federal workers to pick up, on average. The disaster agency's ability to provide financial relief has become a burning issue in the presidential election. Former President Donald Trump campaigned recently in two heavily damaged swing states Georgia and North Carolina and made misleading statements about the Biden administrations response. But as the federal calls data shows, the hurricane response has encountered genuine problems amid a steady toll of disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which published the call data Tuesday, also disclosed that its struggling with staffing levels a month after the hurricanes heavily damaged states from Florida to Tennessee. FEMA data shows that the agency has almost no capacity to deal with another major disaster two weeks after the Small Business Administration ran out of money to provide low-interest disaster loans for small businesses and households. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency said Wednesday that it has given survivors in the six damaged states more than $1.2 billion in emergency aid. It came as Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks was meeting with state and local officials in North Carolina. After a speaker at a Trump rally on Sunday made racist and hateful comments, Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign aired ads criticizing Trump for his response to Hurricane Maria after it demolished Puerto Rico in 2017. FEMA has struggled to deal with catastrophic disasters such as Helene and Milton since at least 2005, when Hurricane Katrina killed almost 1,400 people in the Louisiana area. When Hurricane Sandy devastated New York and New Jersey in 2012, FEMA call centers did not have the staff or technology needed to keep pace with survivors requests for information, the agencys own analysis found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2017, FEMAs workforce was overwhelmed when Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria slammed Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico in quick succession, the Government Accountability Office found. Agency call centers, plagued by low morale and inadequate training, failed to answer 2.3 million phone calls during an eight-week period. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell lamented the agencys workload when talking to reporters shortly after Helene made landfall in Florida last month. I have over 100 open disasters, Criswell said. Were seeing more disasters exceeding the state capability to respond. Former FEMA Administrator Brock Long said the agency has been deluged with more disasters and new responsibilities, such as performing a leading role in the government's pandemic response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve been redlining since Harvey and have never recovered, said Long, who ran FEMA from 2017 to 2019 and lives in Hickory, North Carolina, where his house lost power for four days. Youre seeing hundreds, if not thousands, of FEMA employees being put out in the field to essentially run all aspects of disaster recovery. Thats got to change, added Long, who's the executive chairman with Hagerty Consulting, which specializes in disasters. US disaster management in trouble FEMA saw a surge in phone calls when people began seeking help after Helene and Milton, agency spokesperson Daniel Llargues said. We will not rush disaster survivors to get off the phone. Were going to stay on the phone with them as long as they need to stay on the phone to get all their answers, Llargues said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Workers match callers with appropriate FEMA programs, such as payments for hotels and minor home repairs and providing emergency cash. We want to make sure you understand the programs to see which program youre best qualified for, Llargues said. The phone data published by FEMA shows that 900,000 calls were made to agency call centers during the week from Oct. 14 to Oct. 20. Forty-seven percent of the calls were not answered. For those that were answered, callers waited an hour and five minutes on average to speak with someone. The situation improved the subsequent week, which began Oct. 21, when FEMA received 500,000 calls and answered 68.5 percent. FEMA took 25 minutes on average to answer calls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The call data is for 19 disasters nationwide, including Helene-stricken counties in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, and Hurricane Milton in Florida. The FEMA Daily Operations Briefing also showed that it was responding to 110 major disasters on Tuesday and had just 530 workers available for a new assignment. (The number was 504 on Wednesday.) Every one of FEMAs 55 federal coordinating officers, who directly oversee disasters, was assigned or unavailable. On FEMAs busiest day after Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria Sept. 23, 2017 the agency had 1,752 workers available. They have very little capacity left to handle another multibillion-dollar event, said Long, the former FEMA administrator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even before Helene and Milton drained FEMA of workers, lawmakers were complaining about the agency's response times. Vermonts all-Democratic congressional delegation told FEMA in a Sept. 13 letter that people dealing with recent flooding continue to face delays, confusing and conflicting guidance, and inefficiencies in getting clear answers and timely responses from FEMA. In recent days, the Biden administration increased its presence in the six hurricane-damaged states, particularly in North Carolina. FEMA now has 21 disaster recovery centers spread across 39 counties in North Carolina with 1.7 million households. Florida has the same number of centers. But they are spread across 52 counties with 6.1 million people, an analysis by POLITICO's E&E News shows. When Long was FEMA administrator, he questioned whether the agency should raise its financial threshold for states to receive federal disaster aid in an effort to reduce the number of disasters FEMA handled. Now members of Congress are trying to expand FEMAs responsibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are 10-12 bills to strap new programs to the rusty old bicycle, Long said. The business model of emergency management in this country is in trouble. Its overloaded. During a town meeting last week at a hotel conference room in Lake Lure, one of the hardest-hit towns in North Carolina, a FEMA official told an overflowing crowd of survivors that the agency would continue to help. We are going to be here with you all until the state kicks us out, the official said. On Saturday, Israeli F-35 stealth fighter aircraft penetrated highly defended Iranian airspace, struck a broad number of military targets and returned home safe. Days earlier, U.S. B-2 stealth bombers struck multiple deeply buried Houthi arms caches. These missions illustrate a key point: Despite trendy arguments to the contrary, the United States still requires the most advanced fighters and bombers in our arsenal if we want to win in future conflicts. Questioning the value of modern combat aircraft is not new within the Washington defense arena. Some observers of Russia-Ukraine fighting in trenches extrapolate that small drones are changing the nature of air warfare. However, these assertions ignore the fact that the drones impact is largely isolated to tactical Army ground operations, not on air warfare. Infantry and armor cannot move without being targeted by drones. Ukrainian fighter aircraft moving at 500 miles an hour are not affected. While it is appropriate to recognize the impact of small drones in the battlespace, it is also crucial to be clear-eyed about the scale and scope of that potential. Quadcopters did nothing to prevent the Russia-Ukraine war from descending into a withering slog. Conditions for that type of fight were set when neither side secured air superiority. The U.S. must bear this in mind with extreme care as it prepares for a potential fight against China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deterring adversaries requires a successful plan and the requisite means to defeat them. This starts with the ability to control the air in times and places necessary to execute conventional strategic attack of key enemy centers of gravity, such as war material production, logistics, command leadership, control centers, communications, power generation and supply depots. An opponent cannot sustain a fight if their means to execute it are paralyzed or negated. This is why the stealthy penetrating B-21 bomber is so important. Fighters like the F-35 and F-22 secure air superiority over enemy territory and U.S. forces while adding to strike capacity. The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) advanced stealth fighter working in conjunction with uninhabited Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) will take these mission capabilities to new heights. Anyone questioning the importance of these critical airpower missions should review recent headlines. Consider the recent B-2 strike in Yemen. After months of intercepting Houthi missiles targeting international shipping in a reactionary, whack-a-mole fashion, the Biden administration finally sought to eliminate a source of these attacks by striking arms caches buried in hardened underground facilities. B-2s have the unique ability to carry weapons large enough to destroy these protective measures while also harnessing their stealth to avoid enemy threats. A swarm of quadcopters would be useless in this attack. Range, payload and survivability matter. Similarly, Israel turned to the F-35 in its recent strikes against Iran because this aircraft possesses the ability to penetrate robust air defenses, deliver powerful precision strikes and get home safe. Nor is this the only recent use of the F-35. Israel, along with the U.S., used the F-35, plus other fighter aircraft, to intercept over 100 Iranian missiles launched in April. The results were impressive and heralded a historic air-and-missile defense accomplishment. Of note, no quadcopters carrying hand grenades were used in either Irans attack or the coalitions defense of Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bottom line: Modern fighters and bombers provide essential security options. Design attributes tied to range, payload, flight performance, survivability and lethality found in the F-22, F-35, B-2, B-21 and NGAD penetrating counter-air fighter are make-or-break. While some may criticize the cost of these aircraft, they evidence much more value than less costly aircraft without stealth. Back in Desert Storm, one stealth aircraft exhibited the capability to deliver the same effects that it took 19 less costly but nonstealthy aircraft. Today, modern stealth multiplies that figure. Analysts should focus on cost-per-effect, not unit aircraft cost. The question that really matters is the cost of not having enough modern fighters and bombers. The price of not possessing these capabilities is on display every day in Ukraine. Despite having millions of drones and thousands of missiles, Ukraine is stuck in a World War I-style trench warfare fight with Russia. They lack the means to wage sufficient deep strikes that would put Russia on the defensive. They also lack modern air superiority fighters necessary to secure its skies from attack. Quadcopters with grenades targeting individual tanks or military personnel may be tactically useful in trench warfare, but they are of little relevance at the operational or strategic level. Overreliance upon such technologies invites catastrophic risk when facing a larger opponent who can win simply by not quitting. The U.S. should bear this in mind with extreme care as it prepares for a potential fight against China. Serious threats demand serious solutions. The U.S. is facing a greater set of threats than it has ever faced before. Small drones, Collaborative Combat Aircraft and next-generation missiles will have a role in the equation, but we must not confuse them as the critical components of airpower that are essential to win in war. Recent world events prove this in stark terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last three decades have seen a decline in the combat inventory of the U.S. Air Force by over half. As a priority, America must now rebuild its arsenal of fighters and bombers. Neglecting this imperative will put credible deterrence and its necessary prerequisite our ability to win at risk. USAF Gen. T. Michael Moseley (ret.) served as the 18th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. Pivotal demographic: Totaling around 59,000 registered voters, Filipino Americans comprise a significant share of Nevadas electorate, representing nearly 12% of voters statewide, according to APIAVote. Historically Democratic-leaning but somewhat independent in recent years, Nevada's fastest-growing Asian American group faces targeted campaigns from both parties. Harris's team has launched initiatives such as "Pinoy Pride" billboards, community events and Filipino-focused ads discussing healthcare and the economy, while Republicans, including Trump, have used Filipino American surrogates and traditional Filipino cultural references to connect with the community. As the 2024 election winds down, Gwen Walz, the first lady of Minnesota and wife of Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, made a stop in Macons Pleasant Hill neighborhood Thursday to knock on doors. She was hoping to convince residents to vote in the upcoming presidential election, where Georgia could have a pivotal role. The event is one of many in Macon seeking to increase voter turnout and featuring national figures from both sides of the aisle. Early voting turnout in Georgia has already shattered records, but both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump hope that turning out their supporters could swing a state that President Joe Biden won in 2020 by less than 12,000 votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent weeks, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst have been among Macons visitors. With early voting ending Nov. 1, Walz hoped to encourage turnout and highlight on-the-ground efforts by Democrats to raise support for Harris. A new way forward, its right here, Walz said. Its within our reach. Gwen Walz, First Lady of Minnesota and wife of Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, speaks during a canvass launch on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at the Macon Bibb County Democratic Committee office in Macon, Georgia. Walz stopped in Macon on a campaign trip through Georgia supporting the Harris Walz campaign one day before the last day of early voting. A new battleground After Georgia flipped for Biden in 2020, it became a major battleground state for Democrats and Republicans alike. Polls currently show Georgia in a dead heat, and its 16 electoral votes could be a boon for whoever wins it. Some Maconites have been caught off guard by the rush of attention their city has received in the last few months. Prior to this year, visits from presidential candidates to Middle Georgia were few and far between, with campaigns instead choosing to focus on areas with a higher population such as Atlanta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Democrats have varied their strategy to try and pick up more votes in rural areas and areas with large Black populations. This coupled with Republicans wanting to solidify their popularity among white voters in rural places has made Middle Georgia an appealing stop on the campaign trail. Residents of the Pleasant Hill neighborhood, where Walz knocked on doors on behalf of the Harris/Walz campaign, said they had no idea Walz was coming until the secret service motorcade pulled down the street. Gloria and William Lowder, residents Walz spoke with, said they were surprised to see someone involved on a presidential ticket in their neighborhood. William called Gloria while she was at church and told her the Harris/Walz campaign was coming. Gloria rushed home, worrying that something was wrong, only to find Walz on her front porch a short while later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was exciting, Gloria said. I didnt know what it was going to be like. Another voter who received a visit from Walz, 23-year-old Shay Johnson, voted for the first time this election. She was at home with her family when a Secret Service agent knocked on the door to tell her Walz was coming to ask a few questions about voting. She took a photo with Walz and was excited to tell her she had voted for Harris at the polling location in the Macon Mall. Its my first time, so I want to give it a shot, Johnson said. Early voting turnout in Georgia is breaking records During visits to Georgia, both the Harris and Trump campaigns have urged supporters to vote early. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early voting opened on Oct. 15 and will close on Nov. 1. So far, Georgia has reported record breaking voter turnout, with more than 3.3 million votes having already been cast, according to the Georgia Secretary of States website. The turnout is even beating voter turnout numbers from 2020, where convincing people to go to the polls was also a major goal. Both Democrats and Republicans have focused on early voting and absentee ballots, which can allow voters to avoid long Election Day lines. While Democrats have been proponents of early voting and voting by mail in the past, encouraging these forms of voting is a big change for Trump, who has previously claimed widespread fraud among absentee and early votes during the 2020 race. Experts, investigators and government officials have affirmed that there is no evidence for widespread fraud among absentee and early votes. A strike sign is seen on display as Boeing workers gather on a picket line near the entrance to a Boeing facility during an ongoing strike on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Seattle. Experts say a pair of major hurricanes and labor strikes influenced a weak jobs report for October, the final one U.S voters will see with only days left in the presidential campaign. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) U.S. businesses added only 12,000 jobs in October, the Labor Department announced Friday, in a weak final jobs report heading into the final days of the presidential election. But experts say a pair of major hurricanes and labor strikes in manufacturing, hotels, and cargo transport obscure the view of the economy a key issue for voters picking who should lead the country. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1% after falling a tenth of a percentage point the prior two months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strikes in October made it challenging to meaningfully understand the abysmal jobs number, said Lauren Saidel-Baker, an economist at ITR Economics, a nonpartisan economic research and consulting firm based in New Hampshire. Thats really where we see the difference between, say, the unemployment rate that was steady at 4.1% against this very disappointing jobs figure, she said. Those are two different surveys. One is from households and one is from businesses, and so with a strike, a striking worker can say, Im still employed. I havent lost my job. Im just temporarily absent from it. Whereas the employer says theyre not here, theyre not working. This isnt a job. The number of jobs added was far below Goldman Sachs analysts forecast of 95,000 jobs this month. Manufacturing jobs fell by 46,000 last month, with the vast majority of these numbers reflecting a massive strike. Job growth was projected to fall by at least 50,000 jobs or more in October in most estimates, according to the Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning economic think tank. The number of hours worked was also expected to change, but average weekly hours remained the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tens of thousands of machinists at Boeing have been on strike since September for increased pay and better retirement benefits in September. Hotel chain workers have also been striking over health benefits and hiring to lessen the workload after COVID-19 pandemic-related staffing cuts. The unemployment rate for leisure and hospitality was 6% compared to 5.5% a year ago. In early October, dockworkers stopped work for a few days for better wages and a ban on automation. Hurricane Helene ripped a path from Florida to the Carolinas in late September and is blamed for more than 200 deaths. Hurricane Milton followed just weeks later in October, devastating more communities in Florida. Economists expected to see this show up in the jobs data. Carlos Martin, a senior fellow at Brookings Metro, said that although climate displacement of households is an issue, a lot of people stay where their job is. But if their job no longer exists because businesses have left or ended operations, that could mean a lot for the population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im curious on how [the hurricanes] affects the businesses there, including the small and medium-sized businesses. Are they going to leave?, he said.If businesses arent coming back, employment is not going to be maintained or go up in these places. Thats where youre going to have major population loss.. Many of the same trends seen in past jobs reports continued in Octobers report, including the addition of jobs in healthcare, government, and construction, but professional and business services fell by 49,000 jobs. Wages rose 0.4% in October and increased 4% over the past year. The labor force participation rate and employment-population ratio, which have been strong in past reports, did not change significantly over the past month or past year. The category of permanent job losers, or people who did not voluntarily end their employment and who began looking for work, also increased, to 1.8 million in October. Saidel-Baker said that although this is something to watch for in future reports, she doesnt see it as something to worry about now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Economists are also watching the jobs report closely to see what influence it may have on the Federal Reserves decision to cut its key rate, which affects everything from credit cards to mortgage rates. The Personal Consumption Expenditures index fell to 2.1% year over year in September low enough for economists to argue that the Fed should get ready to take deeper cuts. Todays report shows that the two hurricanes we just experienced had sizable impacts on peoples ability to continue working. While that damage will likely be limited to this months report, job growth has been slowing in recent months and the Federal Reserve should not use it as an excuse to delay their planned rate cuts, Lindsay Owens, executive director of Groundwork Collaborative, a progressive economic think tank, told States Newsroom on Friday. But the Fed will likely not make any big changes in their decision-making due to one jobs report, particularly one this messy, Saidel-Baker said. I think the Fed has signaled pretty clearly that they will not be hanging on this one jobs number, she said. They know everything that went into it, the hurricanes, the Boeing strike, etc. Millions of people have already cast their ballots through the mail or early voting, and the final day of voting in the U.S. is Tuesday. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 24: A strike sign is seen on display as Boeing workers gather on a picket line near the entrance to a Boeing facility during an ongoing strike on October 24, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. Yesterday, members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 751 voted to reject Boeing's latest contract offer. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) U.S. businesses added only 12,000 jobs in October, the Labor Department announced Friday, in a weak final jobs report heading into the final days of the presidential election. But experts say a pair of major hurricanes and labor strikes in manufacturing, hotels, and cargo transport obscure the view of the economy a key issue for voters picking who should lead the country. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1% after falling a tenth of a percentage point the prior two months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strikes in October made it challenging to meaningfully understand the abysmal jobs number, said Lauren Saidel-Baker, an economist at ITR Economics, a nonpartisan economic research and consulting firm based in New Hampshire. Thats really where we see the difference between, say, the unemployment rate that was steady at 4.1% against this very disappointing jobs figure, she said. Those are two different surveys. One is from households and one is from businesses, and so with a strike, a striking worker can say, Im still employed. I havent lost my job. Im just temporarily absent from it. Whereas the employer says theyre not here, theyre not working. This isnt a job. The number of jobs added was far below Goldman Sachs analysts forecast of 95,000 jobs this month. Manufacturing jobs fell by 46,000 last month, with the vast majority of these numbers reflecting a massive strike. Job growth was projected to fall by at least 50,000 jobs or more in October in most estimates, according to the Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning economic think tank. The number of hours worked was also expected to change, but average weekly hours remained the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tens of thousands of machinists at Boeing have been on strike since September for increased pay and better retirement benefits in September. Hotel chain workers have also been striking over health benefits and hiring to lessen the workload after COVID-19 pandemic-related staffing cuts. The unemployment rate for leisure and hospitality was 6% compared to 5.5% a year ago. In early October, dockworkers stopped work for a few days for better wages and a ban on automation. Hurricane Helene ripped a path from Florida to the Carolinas in late September and is blamed for more than 200 deaths. Hurricane Milton followed just weeks later in October, devastating more communities in Florida. Economists expected to see this show up in the jobs data. Carlos Martin, a senior fellow at Brookings Metro, said that although climate displacement of households is an issue, a lot of people stay where their job is. But if their job no longer exists because businesses have left or ended operations, that could mean a lot for the population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im curious on how [the hurricanes] affects the businesses there, including the small and medium-sized businesses. Are they going to leave?, he said.If businesses arent coming back, employment is not going to be maintained or go up in these places. Thats where youre going to have major population loss.. Many of the same trends seen in past jobs reports continued in Octobers report, including the addition of jobs in healthcare, government, and construction, but professional and business services fell by 49,000 jobs. Wages rose 0.4% in October and increased 4% over the past year. The labor force participation rate and employment-population ratio, which have been strong in past reports, did not change significantly over the past month or past year. The category of permanent job losers, or people who did not voluntarily end their employment and who began looking for work, also increased, to 1.8 million in October. Saidel-Baker said that although this is something to watch for in future reports, she doesnt see it as something to worry about now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Economists are also watching the jobs report closely to see what influence it may have on the Federal Reserves decision to cut its key rate, which affects everything from credit cards to mortgage rates. The Personal Consumption Expenditures index fell to 2.1% year over year in September low enough for economists to argue that the Fed should get ready to take deeper cuts. Todays report shows that the two hurricanes we just experienced had sizable impacts on peoples ability to continue working. While that damage will likely be limited to this months report, job growth has been slowing in recent months and the Federal Reserve should not use it as an excuse to delay their planned rate cuts, Lindsay Owens, executive director of Groundwork Collaborative, a progressive economic think tank, told States Newsroom on Friday. But the Fed will likely not make any big changes in their decision-making due to one jobs report, particularly one this messy, Saidel-Baker said. I think the Fed has signaled pretty clearly that they will not be hanging on this one jobs number, she said. They know everything that went into it, the hurricanes, the Boeing strike, etc. Millions of people have already cast their ballots through the mail or early voting, and the final day of voting in the U.S. is Tuesday. The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge and both sides of Interstate 471 over the Ohio River are shut down for the morning commute after a massive fire early Friday. The 471 bridge is going to be shut down for quite some time until we can evaluate the damage on the bridge. Its very likely going to carry over into rush-hour traffic, a first responder said on the police radio around 4 a.m. What are alternate routes across the Ohio River? When one bridge needs maintenance or repairs, drivers divert to another. Here are other bridges commuters in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas use to cross the Ohio. The Brent Spence Bridge The Brent Spence Bridge, built in 1963, carries both local traffic and vehicles traveling I-71 and I-75. Its top deck, with four lanes, carries Kentucky-bound traffic. The bottom deck, with four lanes, takes vehicles north into Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September 2011, the bridge made news when chunks of concrete from the Ohio side ramp fell onto a vehicle. Following a fiery crash that involved two semi-trucks, in November 2020, it closed for six weeks. Have video or photos of the fire on the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge? You can share them with us here Clay Wade Bailey Bridge Opened in 1974, it carries U.S. Route 42 and U.S. Route 127 traffic across the Ohio. The 675-foot bridge has one lane in each direction with a center lane that changes between north and south depending on the time of day. Combs-Hehl Bridge The CombsHehl Bridge carries Interstate 275 traffic across the Ohio, connecting the eastern side of Cincinnati, Ohio (near Coney Island amusement park) to Campbell County, Kentucky. It opened in 1979. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Pro-tip for eastside commuters: The fastest route to downtown Cincinnati is the Combs-Hehl. Go two miles on I-275, then pick up Interstate 471 north to downtown.) John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, originally known as the Cincinnati-Covington Bridge, runs between Cincinnati and Covington. Pedestrians also use the bridge to travel between Covington and downtown Cincinnati. Taylor-Southgate Bridge The TaylorSouthgate Bridge moves four lanes of U.S. Route 27 traffic from Cincinnati to Newport. The Taylor-Southgate replaced the Cincinnati-Newport Bridge or what some people called the Central Bridge. That truss bridge, built in 1890, was razed in 1992. Carroll Lee Cropper Bridge The Carroll Lee Cropper Bridge takes I-275 traffic over the Ohio River and connects Indiana and Kentucky. Opened in 1977, the four-lane structure spans 1,759 feet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bridge is the only one across the river for 20 miles west of downtown Cincinnati. Purple People Bridge The Purple People Bridge became a pedestrian bridge after Newport Southbank Bridge Co. purchased it in 2001. The Newport Southbank Bridge known now as the Purple People Bridge opened in 1872 as the first railroad bridge over the Ohio between Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. It went by three different names over time, becoming the pedestrian-only Purple People Bridge after Newport Southbank Bridge Co. purchased it in 2001. More than over 800,000 people now cross the bridge each year to commute to work, exercise or attend events, according to the bridges site. The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge, shown in 2020, is better known as the Big Mac because its yellow paint makes it resemble the McDonalds signature M. What is the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge? The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge is better known as the Big Mac because its yellow paint makes it resemble the McDonalds signature M. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2,100-foot Beard bridge was installed in 1976 and carries eight lanes of I-471 traffic between Cincinnati and Newport, Kentucky. The bridge is named for one of the founders of the Boy Scouts of America. Beards boyhood home at 322 E. Third St. in Covington is a National Historic Landmark overlooking the Ohio and Licking rivers. Jennifer Edwards Baker contributed to this report. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Here are other bridges to cross the Ohio River in Cincinnati and NKY By Alimat Aliyeva The gas trading center as part of the international gas hub project, involving Bota and Gazprom, is set to be established in 2025, Azernews reports. "During 2025, we will create a robust infrastructure that, in partnership with Bota and Gazprom, will manage the trading platform in the Istanbul Financial Center. We have sent a memorandum of understanding to the involved parties," Bayraktar told Milliyet newspaper. "[Russian President Vladimir] Putin has confirmed to our president [Recep Tayyip Erdogan] that he will give instructions to Gazprom in this direction. The Istanbul Gas Index will operate here, meaning the price of gas will be determined in Istanbul," the Turkish minister explained. "Now, when Russia sells its gas, it will state: 'I sell this gas according to the formula with the Istanbul Gas Index,'" Bayraktar added. This initiative reflects Turkish ambitions to become a regional energy hub and highlights its strategic importance in the global energy market. As countries increasingly seek alternatives to traditional energy sources, the establishment of the Istanbul Gas Index could provide a new benchmark for gas pricing, potentially influencing energy trade dynamics in Europe and beyond. Furthermore, the project aligns with Turkish broader goals to diversify energy routes and enhance energy security in the region. Americas supply chain vulnerabilities were on full display Thursday after drone manufacturer Skydio told customers it was facing a battery squeeze after being hit with sanctions from China. This is an attempt to eliminate the leading American drone company and deepen the worlds dependence on Chinese drone suppliers, Skydio CEO Adam Bry said in a letter to customers first reported by the Financial Times. The company, which provides drones to Ukraines military and Taiwan's National Fire Agency, manufacturers its products in the United States but still relies on a global supply chain for many of its components; one of the most critical components, batteries, are still sourced in China. As a result of the sanctions, which bar Chinese companies from doing business with Skydio, customers will be limited to one battery per drone, Skydio told customers. While Skydio has a substantial stock of batteries on hand, it doesnt anticipate new sources coming online until spring of next year. In the meantime, the company is extending the software license, warranty, and support term for orders affected by the battery ration by the length of time it takes for the full complement of batteries to be delivered. Skydio is Americas largest drone manufacturer and operates an enterprise-only business after shutting down its consumer drone business in 2023. It has sent thousands of its drones to Ukraine to aid that countrys warfighting efforts. This is a clarifying moment for the drone industry, Bry said. If there was ever any doubt, this action makes clear that the Chinese government will use supply chains as a weapon to advance their interests over ours. The drone maker has sought help from the Biden administration and has been in touch with Taiwanese VP Hsiao Bi-khim as it faces this crisis, the Financial Times reported. The sanctions, which were imposed on October 10 and included two other companies, were reportedly imposed in retaliation for the U.S. government's announcement that it would provide additional military assistance for Taiwan. Ten executives were also sanctioned, including Bry and Skydios Asia-Pacific General Manager Tom Moss. This isnt the first time the U.S. and China have traded jabs over drone technoloy: DJI, the worlds largest drone maker, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government earlier this month over being designated a Chinese military company, claiming the designation is unlawful and misguided. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Its going to be another couple of weeks before the newly-installed fire escape outside Youngstown City Hall can be used. The structure has been in place for a couple of months now while work continues to install new safety doors and other equipment. It was February of last year when the old fire escape was determined to be in such bad shape that it had to be shut down. It all hinges on the contractors, said Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown. Working on the exit signs, the electric work for exit signs, so I know theyre working on it right now and we cant get our inspectors to say its ready to go before those happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor says he expects the work to finally be complete this month. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (KCAU) Daylight savings time ends on Nov. 2, but while your focus might be on setting the clock back an hour, theres something else to check in your house that could save your life. The South Sioux City Fire Department is asking all residents to start changing the batteries on their smoke detectors. Experts say smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced every ten years to ensure the safety of everyone in your home. Wayne to receive $1.3M in funding for park renovations Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyones household needs to have working smoke detectors South Sioux City fire chief Doug Koopman said. Thats probably the best home defense for fires that take place while youre sleeping. Itll alert you early to a fire thats building in your home. The South Sioux City Fire Department will be offering free smoke detector installations at residents houses. If you are having any trouble, you can call the fire department at (402) 494-7555. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. FARUKH NAGAR, India The words Indian Fireworks are spelled out faintly in Hindi on the disused storefront. The small factory and dozens of others in this town a couple of miles from Indias capital, New Delhi, once produced a dizzying array of fireworks. Using craftsmanship honed over decades, family-owned businesses made small bomblets that exploded on the ground, and others that spun rapidly while bursting with colorful sparks. Among the most popular were the flower pots, which unleashed a fountain of color and rockets that shot into the sky with a hiss and burst into a grand pattern. Now there are neither fireworks nor any shoppers at the abandoned workshops of Farukh Nagar, which had produced the pyrotechnics since before the countrys independence from British colonial rule in 1947. The town stands as a grim reminder of the governments crackdown on pollution and what it deems dangerous fireworks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reminder is especially pointed during the Hindu holiday of Diwali, which is being celebrated on Thursday and Friday in India and around the world with gifting sprees, brightly decorated homes and mountains of sweets. But mainly it is known for the riotous setting off of fireworks, increasingly in defiance of local bans. It used to be so lively and beautiful, said Mohammed Hamid, who says his family business was run aground by government regulations. No place celebrated Diwali like we did. Boxes of firecrackers stacked on shelves at a store in Farukh Nagar on Wednesday. Indian authorities have long struggled to curb air pollution in and around its bustling capital, which is home to more than 30 million people. On Thursday, a thick orange-gray layer of smog blanketed the city, with air quality dropping to very poor at nearly 400 on the air quality index. Air in the city is so bad year-round that experts say residents, who already complain of itchy eyes and runny noses, may also have shorter life expectancy due to respiratory illnesses. Smog to smoke Officials trying to reduce pollution have focused on Diwali because, on and around the festival, New Delhis ubiquitous smog, made sluggish by low winds and colder temperatures, turns into heavy smoke from firecrackers. While the government has banned their sale and production in the capital, many still travel to places like Farukh Nagar to procure them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The manufacturing of traditional firecrackers stopped completely in 2016, but some shops in the town sell eco-friendly ones that produce less smoke. Still, some question the impact of banning traditional firecrackers for just a handful of days. The effect of the firecrackers ramps up on the day leading up to Diwali. It just vanishes soon after the festival is over, said Sachchida Nand Tripathi, dean of the Kotak School of Sustainability at the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur, who has researched air pollution during the festival. And firecrackers are not the only source of pollution this time of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farm fires in neighboring states and vehicular pollution are considered the main causes of New Delhis troubles, prompting the closure of schools and construction sites and the deployment of anti-smog guns. While Hamid, 23, acknowledges that firecrackers produce smoke, he blames the government for not working with manufacturers to help reduce their emissions. Vendors selling fireworks ahead of Diwali in Farukh Nagar on Wednesday. Our old crackers, yes, used to be more polluting, he said. If the authorities had asked us to produce less polluting crackers, we would have done it. We know firecrackers inside out, Hamid added. His Indian Fireworks factory is among the dozens that now sit empty on one side of town, rust creeping along their metal beams. Hamid and about 80 other families had their manufacturing licenses rescinded in 2016 after pollution and a series of fatal accidents prompted a clampdown on manufacturing in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It belonged to my great-grandfather, then passed to my grandfather, then to my father. Not sure if I will ever get it now, he said, standing beside crumbling blue brick walls overrun with wild grass that still bear the name of Hamids family business in chipped red paint. The towns fireworks prowess is also evident in language. Burning firecrackers is called Atishbazi in Hindi, named after what the community calls itself: Atishbaz, meaning those who make firecrackers. Mohammed Hamid outside his factory in Farukh Nagar on Wednesday. Like others in the town, Hamid learned the craft while growing up. For a month leading up to the festival, he would take leave from school to help manage the factory. They say when theres a car in the house, you will eventually learn how to drive it, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now his family runs a small clothing store nearby, he said. At its peak there were nearly 400 fireworks stores in the town, Hamid said. But as he and others were shutting down their businesses in 2016, a new wave of shops emerged. A greener Farukh Nagar Entering from Delhi, its nearly impossible to miss the dozens of billboards advertising the new handful of shops that have been granted license to sell fireworks that are supposed to be less polluting and are mostly imported from southern India. Crackers in all colors and sizes line all four walls of Rajiv Jains 4,500-square-foot Anant Trading Company. Chaos akin to that of a Wall Street trading floor reigns in the crammed shop, where the shopkeepers yell prices across the store to buyers and security guards (the store employs four) keep the crowd moving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though Jains crackers are all imported, primarily from Sivakasi in the state of Tamil Nadu, where the majority of the countrys firecrackers are now produced, Farukh Nagars reputation still attracts shoppers from the capital. Boxes of fireworks are stacked at an outdoor store in Farukh Nagar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I couldnt find [firecrackers] anywhere else in Delhi. So I had to come here, said Aditya Verma, 23, who had filled a sack on his motorcycle with fireworks worth about $160. Jain, who opened his store in 2014, also laments the government crackdown on crackers. When the new government was formed, werent there people bursting firecrackers? It didnt cause pollution then? he said. People use them for only a few hours on Diwali. Everybody freaks out about pollution, Jain added. Gufran Beig, a meteorologist and professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, in southern India, doesnt think the extra-polluting firecracker ban is a bad thing, for Delhi at least. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delhi is difficult because it suffers from a diverse source of emissions, Beig said. The climatology is such that Delhi is already in trouble due to the local sources like vehicles. The hostile weather around Diwali adds to the misery, he added. But its not just the pollution that worries officials. Almost every Diwali there are reports of explosions at fireworks shops or events. On Monday, more than 150 people were injured in a huge explosion at a festival in a temple in southern India, the news agency PTI reported. Last year, eight people were killed at a fireworks factory, and in 2018 a fire at another factory killed 17 workers, The Associated Press reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Farukh Nagar, Mohammed Naim acknowledged the danger of fires and accidents, while lamenting the craftsmanship that was being lost as a result of the ban. There has been economic progress, yes, but the Atishbaz have fallen behind, Naim, 50, said, referring to his communitys nickname. Like Hamid, Naims family also made and sold firecrackers for generations. But since his manufacturing license was revoked a decade ago, he has struggled to find work, mostly as a manual laborer, he said. We are being pushed around in life, Naim said. At my peak, I was feeding 35 families, he added. Now other families feed me. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) First Lady Dr. Jill Biden will campaign in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania on Sunday in support of Vice President Kalama Harris. According to the Harris-Walz campaign, the First Lady will begin her campaign stretch on Sunday, November 3, in Spring House, Montgomery County at 11 a.m. She will continue to King of Prussia in the afternoon and finish the day in Harrisburg around 3 p.m. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania The exact locations of the visits were not publicly announced. The campaign stops come two days before Election Day and is the third time the First Lady has visited Harrisburg this year. Both of her previous visits were in support of President Joe Bidens campaign. Vice President Harris will also be crisscrossing the Keystone State in the final hours before Election Day with scheduled stops in Allentown, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia on November 4. Donald Trump will also hold a rally in Lancaster County on Sunday and events in Reading and Pittsburgh on Monday, November 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election Day is Nov. 5. Registered voters in Pennsylvania can drop off mail ballots at their county election office or visit their local poll from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Nov. 5. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. A rendering for a starter home being constructed sits on display during a groundbreaking ceremony for The Orchards at JDC Ranch, a housing development with 275 homes capped at $400,000 located in Plain City, Utah on Oct. 31, 2024. (Katie McKellar / Utah News Dispatch) Dark storm clouds rolled in from the north, but they stayed away long enough to keep the dusty construction site dry Thursday while a crowd of shivering onlookers listened to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, who stood beneath an arch formed by two excavators supporting the U.S. flag. Behind him, the South Ogden-based housing development company Nilson Homes had already begun building the first of 275 starter homes priced below $400,000 as part of a larger, 1,000-home project approved in Weber County named The Orchards at JDC Ranch. But the governor, along with Weber County officials, local leaders and others, came to celebrate the project during a groundbreaking ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cox lauded Nilson Homes as the first developer in the state to take advantage of one of the financing tools the 2024 Utah Legislature approved as part of an effort to encourage cities and developers to build more owner-occupied attainable starter homes as the state wrestles with a growing housing shortage and a median housing price thats been hovering well above half a million dollars. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony for The Orchards at JDC Ranch, a housing development with 275 homes capped at $400,000 located in Plain City, Utah on Oct. 31, 2024. (Courtesy of the Utah Governors Office) Cox pointed to U.S News & World Report ranking Utah as the No. 1 best overall state while saying a friend of his recently asked him to contemplate a scenario. If Utah were to ever lose its high ranking, what could possibly cause that to happen? No one had ever asked me that question before, and so I started thinking and then it just hit me like a lightning bolt, Cox said. If 20 years from now were (ranked) in the mid-30s, its because our kids and grandkids couldnt afford to live here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utahs affordable housing crisis which sharpened especially after the COVID-19 housing frenzy sent prices skyrocketing amid a yearslong housing shortage that has only gotten worse is an existential crisis, the governor said. It is the crisis of our time, he said. And we have to do something. The first fruits of a yearslong effort with a daunting road ahead The Republican governor and the GOP-controlled Utah Legislature have been trying for years to address Utahs housing crisis in their own, gentle way. Largely favoring a free-market approach, lawmakers have passed a slate of bills meant to increase opportunities for homeownership. Last year, they put $50 million toward a new first-time homebuyers program for Utahns buying newly-built homes under $450,000. Theyve also passed legislation that chews around the edges of housing policy, trying to break down regulatory barriers and offer more financing tools to make affordable housing projects more feasible while also not upsetting city councils and mayors by taking away their local planning powers. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and press conference attendees listen to the national anthem during a groundbreaking ceremony for The Orchards at JDC Ranch, a housing development with 275 homes capped at $400,000 located in Plain City, Utah on Oct. 31, 2024. (Courtesy of the Utah Governors Office) Next year, the 2025 Legislature is set to do more. It remains to be seen exactly what, but its possible theyll take more aggressive steps in the face of a legislative audits recommendation to allow an increase of zoning density, in some way, on a wide scale throughout the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cox has also set an ambitious goal. At the onset of 2024, he asked developers and cities to help build 35,000 new starter homes across the state by 2028. He said hes had people very close to me say, Dont take this on. Its too complicated. No one has figured it out. Canada, the U.K., its not just a U.S. problem, its a global problem. Nobodys figured it out, and youre not going to be able to solve it and youre just going to look bad four years four years from now when youre done. Thats probably good advice, Cox said, but he argued we cant look away. Directing his comments to planning commissioners, city councils and mayors, the governor urged them to look at The Orchards starter home project and allow more projects like it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an example. You can do it. It will work. It absolutely can be done in a way that makes your community better stronger and doesnt decrease the quality of life, Cox said. To every builder in this state, you can do this too. You may be able to make more money doing something else, and thats OK, but Were working to make sure that you can make money doing this. Then Cox issued a challenge to Utahns addressing one of the biggest challenges that cause more affordable, higher-density housing projects to stall, when residents show up to city council meetings up in arms, fearful that a new housing development will change their neighborhoods character, roil traffic and increase crime. The governor urged Utahns to think not just about themselves, but where future generations will live in the next five, 10 or 20 years. We have to ask ourselves a question right now. Are we going to be the first generation in the history of Utah that makes life worse for our kids and grandkids? Cox said, repeating the question for emphasis. Are we going to be the selfish generation? Or or are we going to be the problem solvers? Are we going to be the only state, the first state, to figure this out, to show the rest of the country that we can do this? A rendering for a starter home being constructed sits on display during a groundbreaking ceremony for The Orchards at JDC Ranch, a housing development with 275 homes capped at $400,000 located in Plain City, Utah on Oct. 31, 2024. (Katie McKellar / Utah News Dispatch) What it took to build 275 starter homes A new law passed by the 2024 Utah Legislature made the 275-affordable home piece of The Orchards project possible. HB527 uses $300 million from the states existing Transportation Investment Fund to offer low-interest loans to developers building certain owner-occupied affordable housing projects. To qualify for those low-interest loans, a development must have at least 60% of its units that are owner-occupied and cost no more than $450,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While The Orchards 275 units are part of a larger project that totals 1,000 units, Steve Waldrip (Coxs adviser on housing strategy and innovation), told Utah News Dispatch that Nilson Homes qualified for HB527s low-interest loans because they financed specific packages or portions of the project that included an at least 60% mix of affordable units, and the financing only applied to those portions that include more affordable homes rather than all 1,000 units. So it gives the developers and builders flexibility to focus on specific areas where these are appropriate, Waldrip said. In the face of a goal of 35,000 starter homes, Waldrip acknowledged that 275 homes seems small, and that theres so many more needed to achieve that goal. However, he said the project is still significant because it opened the door to home ownership to that many more families, allowing them the chance to start creating wealth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When multiplying 275 by the median wealth of a homeowners in the U.S. (about $396,000), thats (roughly) $110 million of value that was created by a stroke of a pen by Weber Countys planning commission. I mean, thats an astounding number. Jed Nilson, owner and president of Nilson homes, told Utah News Dispatch he decided to take advantage of the low-interest loans more from a moral standpoint rather than a business standpoint. He said he could have made more money if he built and sold all of these homes at market-rate prices. Theyd sell for probably $50,000 more, and we could make way more, he said. But that doesnt accomplish the vision. Nilson said he grew up in Ogden, and I love Utah. He said hes been involved in conversations with Coxs administration and others while trying to figure out what to do to fix the housing crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I finally looked at it and said, everybodys going to have to give a little bit, he said. The states making less money on their interest. The banks are making less money on interest. Im making less money on houses. The county agreed to a higher number of homes being built. Everybody had to give. Nilson said everyone has to be involved in the effort to bring home prices down. If nobody starts, its never going to happen. With The Orchards, he said he hopes it will set an example for other developers as well as other cities and counties, which he hopes will allow him to build similar projects in their communities as well. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will open up doors for me to build all across the state of Utah, he said. So, you know, well be fine financially. But we dont have to make a killing; we dont have to make the most (profit) on every single (project). The Orchards more affordably-priced homes are all priced under $400,000. The cheapest, starting at about $370,000, are small 1,000 to 1,500 square feet, with two or three bedrooms and two bathrooms with one-car garages. Nilson also said when the homes go on presale for two weeks, theyll first be available for purchase by first-time homebuyers, first responders, active-duty military members, and teachers. Weve already got a waiting list in those categories, he said, adding that if they qualify for financing, they can purchase the homes when theyre finished. The first 12 homes of the 275 will first be put up for sale in December, Nilson said. All 1,000 homes, however, are slated to be constructed over the next eight years, and the rest of the 275 homes are scattered throughout the entire project alongside other larger homes. So it will take years for all of them to become available to buyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a start, though, Nilson said, and he hopes more developers will see starter homes as not only possible, but also profitable in a state where Utahns are hungry for them. As this gains momentum and we can build these communities faster, so it doesnt take five years to get it off the ground, then it can become more profitable, he said. A rendering for a starter home being constructed sits on display during a groundbreaking ceremony for The Orchards at JDC Ranch, a housing development with 275 homes capped at $400,000 located in Plain City, Utah on Oct. 31, 2024. (Katie McKellar / Utah News Dispatch) SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE STREETSBORO, Ohio (WKBN) Austintown Fitch topped Wooster in five sets (19-25, 25-19, 18-25, 25-23, 15-12) in the Division II volleyball Regional Semifinals on Thursday night at Streetsboro High School. Rylie Simons piled up 35 assists, 13 digs, 3 kills, and 3 aces in the win. Katie Wilt added 15 kills, 6 digs, and 2 aces. Kylie Folkwein tallied 12 kills, 18 digs, and 8 aces. Morgan Roby finished with 8 kills, 13 digs, and 8 aces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaliana Ray helped the cause with 4 kills, 6 aces, 1 block, and 4 digs for the Falcons in the win. With the victory, the Falcons advance to face Avon in the Division II Regional Final on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Streetsboro High School. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Gustavo Alfonso Castano Restrepo was charged with kidnapping resulting in death Family Photo Liliana, right, and Daniela Moreno Liliana, right, and Daniela Moreno A 55-year-old Miami man has been charged in connection with the 2016 disappearance of his 8-year-old daughter and her mother. Liliana Moreno and her 8-year-old daughter Daniela Moreno were last seen in May 2016 in Miami-Dade County, Fla., federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Florida said in a release. More than eight years later, authorities have arrested a suspect, 55-year-old Gustavo Alfonso Castano Restrepo, prosecutors say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to an indictment obtained by PEOPLE, Castano Restrepo is charged with kidnapping resulting in death. It is not immediately clear if he has entered a plea. His listed attorney declined to comment. CBS Miami and Local 10 both report that Castano Restrepo is Danielas father. Though the indictment doesnt contain many details surrounding the allegations, prosecutors claim that Castano Restrepo abducted Liliana and used a cell phone, the internet and a motor vehicle to commit the alleged crime. Prosecutors further allege that the kidnapping led to the deaths of both Liliana and Daniela. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. A detention hearing is currently scheduled for Friday, Nov. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Castano Restrepo was reportedly the last person to see the mother and daughter, and told police that he dropped them off near the Florida Turnpike, according to reports from CBS, Local 10 and WSVN. The outlets report that Castano Restrepo stabbed himself days later and lost his right eye after being tased during a confrontation with police. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) When the federal government approved the Rhyolite Ridge lithium mine in Nevada a week ago, conservationists said they would sue to protect Tiehms buckwheat, a rare native wildflower that only grows where the mine is located. On Thursday, the Center for Biological Diversity, fulfilled that promise. A 67-page lawsuit names the U.S. government agencies and their leaders alleging they didnt follow their own protocols in approving the mine, taking shortcuts in the approval process that eliminated important standards. This lawsuit is about much more than just preventing the extinction of Tiehms buckwheat, Patrick Donnelly, Great Basin director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a news release. The Bureau of Land Managements authorization of the Rhyolite Ridge Mine is a flagrant violation of numerous environmental protection laws, and the integrity of these bedrock conservation laws is at stake. We need lithium for the crucial transition to renewable energy, but the government cant break the law and drive species to extinction to get it. Tiehms buckwheat. (Photo: Patrick Donnelly, Center for Biological Diversity) The Biden administration fast-tracked approvals for development of renewable energy resources, and lithium is a critical component in the production of batteries for the growing electric vehicle market. Domestic sources for lithium have become a priority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fight over the mine has been going on for years, and final federal approval for the project was announced on Oct. 24. The mine is about midway between Las Vegas and Reno, not far from the nations only active lithium mine at Silver Peak, just west of Tonopah. Tiehms buckwheat grows on 10 acres that fall completely within the footprint of the boron- and lithium-rich soils of the Silver Peak Range in Esmeralda County. As a result of the Centers petition and subsequent lawsuits, the buckwheat was protected under the Endangered Species Act in 2022, materials provided by the Center for Biological Diversity said. The lawsuit does not name Ioneer, the Australian company behind the Rhyolite Ridge project. Instead, the lawsuits plaintiffs the Center for Biological Diversity, Great Basin Resource Watch and the Western Shoshone Defense Project directly go after the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Interior Secretary Debra Haaland, BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning, USFWS Director Martha Williams, and Laura Daniel-Davis, acting Deputy Secretary of the Interior. The lawsuit claims that BLM violated the National Environmental Policy Act, the Federal Lands Policy and Management Act, and the Endangered Species Act in approving the mine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 241031-001-ComplaintDownload In addition to allegations regarding the approval process, the lawsuit includes assertions from the Western Shoshone tribe that accuse the government of mismanaging the environment it is supposed to protect. The U.S. and corporations claim to be saving the planet as they destroy land and pollute water by bending and breaking the law, according to Fermina Stevens, director of the Western Shoshone Defense Project. This, however, comes as no surprise to the Western Shoshone. The U.S. government has been dishonoring its word, and its laws, since arriving in our territory 200 years ago. A grave risk of extinction: Conflict over lithium, Nevada wildflower looms large Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stevens said, One cannot save the planet from climate change while simultaneously destroying biodiversity. Conservation groups expect springs in the area to go dry as the mine pumps groundwater each year. The mine plan calls for a 1,000-foot-deep open pit surrounded by 2 square miles of waste rock dumps and a sulfuric acid processing plant. Hundreds of truck trips per day would create an industrial zone in a currently pristine area thats home to bighorn sheep, golden eagles and hundreds of species of plants, the Centers news release said. Officials at Ioneer reached out to 8 News Now with this statement defending the BLMs decision: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ioneer has spent years diligently working with Esmeralda County, Nevada and federal regulatory authorities, the Fish Lake Valley community and tribal nations to sustainably develop our Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project. That fact is reflected in the recent Record of Decision issued by the Bureau of Land Management following an extensive multi-year permitting process. We are aware of the lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity against the Bureau of Land Management concerning our permitted project. We are confident that the BLM will prevail against this lawsuit. We intend to intervene and vigorously defend the BLMs decision which was based on its careful and thorough permitting process. We do not expect this lawsuit to meaningfully affect our proposed development timeline. Ioneer continues to advance its work in securing a Final Investment Decision from its Board and partners. Chad Yeftich, Vice President Corporate Development and External Affairs, Ioneer. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Crews responded to a fire at a two story apartment building in Dayton. According to Dayton Police and Fire, the incident occurred just after 2 a.m. in the 2900 block of Prescott Avenue. Heavy fire was reported by crews at the scene. As they entered the structure to extinguish the fire, crews located people inside. Vacant apartment complex catches fire in Dayton Fire District Chief Adam Landis said that medical transports were made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fire department later confirmed that two people were transported to area hospitals for medical evaluation. No firefighters were injured during the extinguishing of the fire. The American Red Cross was called to the scene to assist those displaced by the fire. The cause of the fire was ruled accidental that happened as a result of cooking according to the DFD Fire Investigations 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 WDTN.com. A new rule set to go into effect in 2025 will make canceling subscriptions much easier. violetkaipa/iStock via Getty Images Plus Signing up for a subscription to a streaming service or newspaper has never been easier. Canceling it, on the other hand, can be a cumbersome journey involving phone calls, letters or finding the option to cancel buried in a remote menu on an app. And thats if you remember to cancel in the first place. Now, thanks to a new rule passed by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, you may have an easier time getting rid of subscriptions you no longer want. The rule aims to make canceling a subscription as easy as setting one up. The Federal Trade Commission refers to it as click-to-cancel under the logic that one click should be able to cancel a subscription. It will go into effect on April 14, 2025. The move updates a 1973 regulation called the Negative Option Rule, which governed subscription services for products like magazines or book-of-the-month clubs physical items sent over and over. The phrase negative option refers to the fact that a subscriber, under the rules of the service, doesnt need to do anything to remain subscribed; if a customer fails to cancel a subscription, a company can charge customers for another year. Silence is acceptance. The 1973 rule only regulated prenotification subscriptions, in which a service would send subscribers a product and, if no action were taken, the customer was responsible for paying for it a model that Columbia Records used for its Columbia House Record Club, which would periodically send music to subscribers and charge them for it if they didnt return it. The new rule requires companies that sign up customers online to allow customers to cancel online. Some companies have been forcing customers who had signed up online to cancel over the phone or in person. Under the click-to-cancel rule, companies will no longer be able to force customers to cancel in a different manner. But I do wonder if this rule is merely a Band-Aid on a broken leg, particularly since more and more companies are starting to see value in making sure customers get locked into regular payments and, in some cases, never fully own what they buy. Unending consumption According to the 2021 Subscription Economy Index, the subscription economy had grown by 437% since 2012. And as subscriptions mount, it can be difficult to remember them all, particularly since they usually operate through automatic payments. Subscriptions services include mainstays like newspapers and magazines. But now there are razor blade, video game, software and meal subscriptions. BMW even briefly required subscriptions in some countries to use features in their cars, such as heated seats, before backing down amid an outcry. Nose-wiping during food prep. Insects, by land and air, in the food. Sewage backups. Those are some of the issues greeting us with the return of the Sick and Shut Down List of restaurant inspections. Fourteen restaurants in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties have state inspections uglier than D-Wades statue or the Dolphins season. So, lets get to those found wanting by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation inspectors. Unless noted, each restaurant passed re-inspection the next day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In alphabetical order: A-1 Restaurant, 2056 S. Military Tr., Unincorporated Palm Beach County: Routine inspection, seven total violations, five High Priority violations. The most obvious problem were the flies, especially the six crawling on food (cooked rice) stored in an open container on the stove and landing on sugar, chopped onions, chopped peppers, fish sauce, crushed peanuts and crushed dried garlic. Stop Sales rained on all the fly-contacted food. Elsewhere, 20 flies were on a kitchen garbage bin, 10 on the three-compartment sink, three on utensils that were clean before the flies. Don Rodone, 3333 Sheridan St., Hollywood: Routine inspection, seven total violations, five High Priority violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Two of the kitchen roach motels had more than five dead guests. One live roach sitting on a bin of flour next to the fryer brought a Stop Sale down on the flour. Inside a cookline oven, seven roaches couldve had a poker game. Three roaches scurried under the oven. A kitchen shelf with clean pans had one roach. One roach was on a kitchen electrical outlet and another was inside the outlet. One roach lived dangerously, in the drip pan under a stove burner. A roach was near the food expediters window in the kitchen. Roach excrement was found at the water heater under the three-compartment sink. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside the two-door stainless cooler, food should have been at or under 41 degrees for safe-keeping. Instead, the cooked rice (60 degrees), cooked pasta (59) and cheese (59) all were way too warm for the cooler and too warm to be safely served. Stop Sales put them all in the garbage. READ MORE: 7,600 pounds of croquetas marked as made in Hialeah were recalled from Florida and Texas El Mayoral, 13726 SW 88th St., Kendall: Routine inspection, 15 total violations, three High Priority violations. Interior of microwave soiled with food debris. In a cookline reach-in cooler, trays of chicken, pork, fish and beef werent covered. The dishwasher didnt have sanitizer, but did have four roaches crawling on top. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The handwash sink next to the three-compartment sink had only water, no soap or paper towels. The bar handwash sink had water and soap, but no paper towels. El Portal Maya, 3660 Davie Blvd., Fort Lauderdale: Routine inspection, seven total violations, four High Priority violations. See the dry storage shelf. See the bucket of dry red beans on the dry storage shelf. See the one dead roach and two live roaches in the bucket of dry red beans. See the dry red beans in the garbage. There were three other dead roaches and five other live roaches. Non food grade bags were used in direct contact with food. Where? In the reach-in freezer in the front of the kitchen, raw chicken was stored in thank you bags. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the re-inspection, five roaches behind a kitchen area dry storage rack and two roaches on a cookline shelf with plates kept El Portal closed. The re-re-inspection went better. Florida City Restaurant, 1209 NW Ninth Ave., Florida City: Complaint inspection, 35 total violations, five High Priority violations. Objectionable odor throughout the entire establishment. Maybe thats because the handwash and toilet were dirty in the bathroom, there was a lack of toilet tissue at each toilet, and the womens restroom was in disrepair. Also, the restroom was not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the customer bathroom didnt have any soap at the handwash sink. No paper towels at handwash sinks throughout the entire establishment. Three of the five dead roaches counted sat in a rat trap near the three-compartment sink in the kitchen. Chicken in a reach-in cooler wasnt covered. To-go containers sat on the floor in dry storage. Probably not the best storage strategy when youve got enough rodents to leave 40 droppings behind a kitchen reach-in freezer, another 10 on glass plates on a prep table and another 10 on a dry storage shelf with onions, and powdered beverage in the kitchen. A/C vent soiled with dust in the dining area. Also observed walls and floors soiled with grease throughout kitchen Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of the coolers worked: Observed all coolers in establishment not maintaining proper temperatures. Also all the reach-in coolers in establishment maintaining an ambient temperature of above 50F. Thats a problem when their whole raison detre is getting food under and keeping it under 41 degrees. This means a rain of Stop Sales on raw shrimp, chicken and chicken gizzards from the reach-in cooler. The hot water at the three-compartment sink couldnt even make room temperature, reaching only 72 degrees. Saturdays re-inspection ended in failure because of two pieces of rodent poop on the prep table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no online record of passing a second callback inspection. 4 Szn Grill, 2540 Village Walk Cir., Wellington: Complaint inspection, seven total violations, four High Priority violations. We have a Barkov Award (formerly Gretzky Award) winner for a hat trick of inspection failures. Inspection No. 1: Observed employee touch under the nose with gloves on; then, touched walk-in cooler door; then, handled the slicer to slice cabbage. No glove change; no hand wash. Seven of the nine dead roaches were legs up between a flip top cooler and a wall near a prep table. Crawling on the wall behind that flip top cooler and under it were eight very alive roaches. Two roaches roamed under the prep counter, on a shelf among containers of sauces. One roach got on an empty container. Five roaches were under a cookline oven. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sanitizer wasnt strong enough to properly sanitize cookware or utensils. After touching hair or the face, an employee engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Inspection No. 2, Re-inspection No. 1: Five roaches, one under a handwash sink, four crawling behind the aforementioned flip top cooler. Inspection No. 3, Re-inspection No. 2: Live roaches spotted behind the flip top cooler again and under the handwash sink Inspection No. 4, Re-inspection No. 3: Passed. Golden Wok, 1428 W. Lantana Rd., Lantana: Routine inspection, 12 total violations, five High Priority violations. No doors between dry storage and the cookline. Thats important when the inspector spots more than 50 pieces of rodent regularity under a dry storage shelf. There were another 10 rodent droppings under the cookline coolers. Out in the dining area, there were more than 20 poop pellets on a window sill. Yet with all these live, food-seeking rodents, no one covered the cooked chicken in the walk-in cooler. The entire outside of a chest freezer, the vertical curtains in the dining area and the dining area window sill were soiled. Inside smoker soiled with grease and food debris. No paper towels at the handwash sink next to the triple sink. Cooked rice got left out at room temperature for too long. Stop Sale. No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink next to triple sink. La Bodega, 13774 SW 88th St., Kendall: Complaint inspection, 37 total violations, 12 High Priority violations. Observed sewage from the dishwasher machine disposal at floor in kitchen area, which is why the kitchen floor had standing water. The drain is clogged. And wastewater from handwash sink was draining on floor in the bakery area. Food placed in soiled container/equipment. Observed bread stored in soiled drawer at bakery station. The bakery station shelves had a dead roach. On the floor were single service articles. The dishwasher had no sanitizer. The interior of the microwaves has an accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris... Back at the bakery station, the reach-in coolers gasket was soiled and there was a heavy accumulation of grease and debris on the stove. While its nice to bring food in to work, theres a problem if you bring it in and sell it. So, homemade deserts and tamales made in someones home might be tasty, but the home kitchen isnt subject to inspection. Stop Sales came down on those and on these foods still not under 41 degrees since despite being in the cooler the previous day: ground beef, mashed potatoes, cooked shrimp, octopus. The prep areas handwash sink lets you get your hands wet. Thats it. No wash (no soap for you!), no dry (no paper towels. Oh, and the handwash sinks water doesnt get hot enough. La Ventantita, food truck, Palm Beach County: Routine inspection, eight total violations, four High Priority violations. The food truck didnt have a waste tank. The inspector wrote that the manager said the tank was removed. Observed wastewater from the handwash sink and the three-compartment sink draining into a pipe on the floor. The handwash sink also was missing a faucet. Employee switched from working with raw food (beef) to ready-to-eat food (tortillas) without washing hands. Thats a no-no. Employee handles broom then change gloves and proceeded to handle food without washing hands. Thats also a no-no. The Mexican Avocado Grill 2, 1941 S. Military Tr., Unincorporated Palm Beach County: Routine inspection, three total violations, one High Priority violation. The roaches did it all on their own. Six dead roaches right under the containers with cheese at the standing glass cooler. As for the living, there were seven roaches crawling on the floor under the fryer, five on a light switch, four under clean utensils above the triple sink, two on a kitchen floor, two more on a wall. Oceans Grille, 3720 N. Ocean Blvd., Fort Lauderdale: Routine inspection, 10 total violations, four High Priority violations. An employee used a disposable tissue to wipe his nose then engaged in making customers food order without washing his hands. To be fair, the prep area handwash sink didnt have any soap. There was a live roach near the front counter, four more at the cookline, two more under the dishwasher and another two under the three-compartment sink. The sticky roach traps collected eight dead roaches under the slicer; five behind a cookline cooler in one trap, three in another; and killed two roaches on the wall next to magnetic storage for the knives. Soda gun holster soiled with slime-like substance. Hope that didnt put extra flavor in your Sprite. The dishwasher sanitizing was at 10 parts per million and could get up to only 50 ppm. Ceiling vents soiled with accumulated dust throughout establishment. At re-inspection, the soda gun holster was still slimy and the inspector spotted five live roaches. Oceans passed a second callback inspection. Pa Heladitos Shadday, 1222 Lucerne Ave., Lake Worth Beach: Routine inspection, four total violations, one High Priority violation. In this one-room restaurant, two live roaches were near the handwash sink and one was on the lid of a out-of-use flip top cooler. A dead roach was inside. A bag of corn thawing in the handwash sink gets you a double shot of citations improper thawing of food and anything being in the handwash sink. The ice cream joint got back scooping and scoring after the next days re-inspection. RC Caribbean Restaurant, 220 Congress Ave., Delray Beach: Routine inspection, five total violations, one High Priority violation. Sewage backing up through the floor drain under triple sink, when the handwash sink is in use. Employees are walking through the waste water. The area can not be isolated. Thatll get you closed, if every time somebody washes their hands, sewage slushes up from the floor. Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. The cutting board at the steam table has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. The wiping cloth sanitizing solution lacked sanitizer. Red Crab Juicy Seafood, 6177 Jog Rd., Unincorporated Palm Beach County: Routine inspection, 23 total violations, 11 High Priority violations. Anybody else think of Mr. Krabs and the Krusty Krab? Establishment advertised Haddock on the menu but serves Swai fish instead; no boxes or invoices of Haddock observed Under cookline cooking equipment lay six dead roaches. The inspector saw two live roaches. And, the inspector saw approximately 25 rodent droppings on the wooden shelves used to store flours and seasonings, large bags by the walk-in freezer. Food stored in a location that is exposed to splash/dust. Do what? Seasoning bags stored under moldy, dripping condenser line on the wooden shelves next to the walk-in freezer... Yet another dishwasher with sanitizing powers but no sanitizer. Be that as it may, an employee placed a raw fish inside a bowl, dropped the food inside a fryer and rinsed bowl in the three-compartment sink with water only. Employee placed bowl back on prep table to be used again. No washing, no sanitizing. There were approximately 20 live small ants under seasoning and flour bags on the wooden shelves by the walk-in freezer, in a room adjacent to the main kitchen. A spider crawled across seasoning bags. On top of that, no paper towels or blower to dry hands. (The Hill) A float at a Halloween parade in Pennsylvania is sparking sharp criticism, as many called its depictions of former President Trump and Vice President Harris racist and offensive. Several photos and videos circulating online show a person wearing a mask of Trump, standing alongside a sniper atop a small vehicle, leading someone who resembles Harris, with a rope or chains around her wrists and mock Secret Service agents looking on. The event was sponsored by the Mount Pleasant Borough Volunteer Fire Department. The borough issued a statement explaining there was no vetting process for the floats because no similar incidents had occurred in the past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To say that the display was appalling and caused concern not only to the residents of the Borough of Mount Pleasant and the dedicated volunteer members of the Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department is an understatement, the borough said in a statement. Please know that this type of display is not condoned or acceptable by the Borough of Mount Pleasant and the Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department now or ever, it added. Mount Pleasants Volunteer Fire Department, which has sponsored the parade for more than 70 years, also condemned the float in a statement on Thursday. We, the members of the Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department, want to take a moment to sincerely apologize for allowing the offensive participants to take part in the Mount Pleasant Annual Halloween Parade last evening. We do not share in the values represented by those participants, and we understand how it may have hurt or offended members of our community, the fire department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire department added that while it has traditionally provided safety and traffic control at the parade, it will be reviewing its planning processes to prevent a similar event from occurring again. Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D) made a thread of posts on the social platform X on Friday, also denouncing the float. Im horrified by the disgusting display of hate at this weeks Halloween parade in Mount Pleasant. Depicting Vice President Harris in chains at the hands of her opponent is grounded symbolism from our countrys painful past, she wrote in the post. McClinton called for other state leaders to speak out against the hate, while calling on those responsible need to be held accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hill has contacted the Harris and Trump campaigns 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. A company contracted by Florida and several other states to track the cultivation and sale of legal marijuana has been linked to two men who have been penalized for insider trading, records show. Michael Shvartsman was sentenced in October to more than two years in prison following his guilty plea to securities fraud. Shvartsman made millions of dollars in illegal profits from insider trades in a company that merged with Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. The other man, Eric Hannelius, agreed to pay a civil penalty in September to settle a civil suit, which also accused him of insider trading in relation to the merger with the media company owned by former President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shvartsman and Hannelius have been named in numerous corporate records connected to Alleaves, which is the parent company for BioTrack, which holds the contract to track legal cannabis in Florida. The two men, along with Hanneliuss wife, were listed as beneficial owners of an Alleaves subsidiary that bought BioTrack last year, giving them ultimate control of the subsidiary, according to court records filed this year. Their connections to BioTrack are being revealed for the first time by the Miami Herald and Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project as voters in Florida debate whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Florida currently only allows people with certain medical conditions to obtain marijuana. Alleaves said that neither man currently has a role with the company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Shvartsman does, it could potentially pose a problem because the 2022 contract between BioTrack and the state of Florida stipulates that no one convicted of [f]raudulent practices, false pretenses and frauds, can work on the project, or have access to data it generates. That contract pays the company up to $768,000 over five years to provide software that tracks the lifecycle of legally grown cannabis from seed-to-sale, to ensure that none of it is diverted for illegal use. The company said that neither man has any role with Alleaves now and that Shvartsman has no stake in the company. However, Hannelius was listed as one of the Alleaves directors on corporate records filed in Delaware and Florida earlier this year and is currently listed as a director of Alleaves in the Florida corporate registry. Michael Shvartsman, hides from photojournalists using an umbrella after exiting Federal Court, Thursday, July 20, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) When asked to explain this discrepancy, company spokesperson Emily Vetter said Hanneliuss inclusion in the public records was a mistake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe that was an administrative error that needs to be corrected, she said. Shvartsman and Hannelius did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Floridas Department of Health, which holds the contract, didnt respond to numerous requests for comment. In addition to Florida, BioTrack has contracts with Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, New York and North Dakota to operate traceability systems. The company also signed contracts to run portals for medical cannabis patients in New Hampshire and Virginia. While states have taken numerous measures to keep criminal elements out of the burgeoning legal marijuana market, BioTracks connection to two men penalized for a financial crime suggests there is an uphill challenge for regulators to keep pace with a rapidly evolving industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can say this with confidence that every state has had to figure out how to create an infrastructure and regulate a federally illegal substance and with few resources, this has never been done before, said David Vaillencourt, whose Colorado-based consultancy GMP Collective helps companies enter the complex cannabis market. Payment Problems Cannabis is big business in the U.S. Sales revenue is expected to reach nearly $43 billion this year, according to Statista Market Insights, and it is legal for recreational use in nearly half the states in the country. But theres a problem: While some states have legalized marijuana, it is still illegal under federal law, which has made most banks reluctant to work with cannabis companies. Thats where BioTracks parent company, Alleaves Inc, comes in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alleaves acts as an intermediary in a system that allows the purchaser to pay a marijuana dispensary using their debit card. To the bank, the payment looks like a cash withdrawal, but its actually a cashless debit payment to the dispensary. The money still has to go somewhere, though. Shvartsman and Hannelius were sued earlier this year for fraud and breach of contract by a bank in Oklahoma, which alleged that they lied about whether their businesses were connected to the cannabis industry. Alleaves wasnt named in the lawsuit, but BT Assets Group, which the company used to acquire BioTrack, was a party to the suit. Shvartsman, along with Hannelius and his wife, are the beneficial owners of BT Assets Group meaning they have ultimate control over the company according to court files. The suit is still pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with their ownership of BT Assets Group, corporate registry documents reveal the role of Shvartsman and Hannelius in Alleaves. Shvartsman and Hannelius have each been listed as CEO of the company in state corporate filings in recent years and Hannelius is listed as a director on the companys most recent filings in Florida and Delaware. The purchase of BioTrack for $30 million in February 2023, by BT Assets Group, then controlled by Shvartsman and Hannelius, came the year after the firm signed its contract with Florida to monitor the flow of legal marijuana. Vetter, the spokesperson for Alleaves, said that Alleaves divested BT Assets Group in December 2023, 10 months after SEC filings show that the sale was completed. And she said that despite corporate records showing both Shvartsman and Hannelius as officers of the company in the past, to our knowledge neither man has a role at the company. She didnt say when their relationship with the company ended. The companys current listed CEO, Michael Beedles, did not respond to multiple phone calls and emails seeking clarification on the relationship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alleaves touts the integration of BioTrack into its payment systems as a selling point for cannabis companies that already use the firm to keep tabs on the marijuana they produce or sell. Alleaves acquisition of BioTrack came four months before the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York unveiled charges against Shvartsman. Ahead of Shvartsmans sentencing, prosecutors accused him and his circle of investors of netting nearly $40 million in illegal profits from well-timed investments in the company that merged with Trump Media. The defendants criminal conduct was flagrant, manipulative and motivated by sheer greed, prosecutors wrote. Shvartsman, who owns a 4,000 square-foot condo in the Porsche Design Tower on posh Sunny Isles Beach, pleaded guilty earlier this year and agreed to forfeit the $18.2 million in profits he made as part of his plea deal. At his sentencing he was also fined an additional $1 million. Porsche Design Tower Miami. Shvartsman could be deported after serving his prison sentence because he is not American. Born in Ukraine when it was part of the Soviet Union, Shvartsman immigrated to Canada as a child and later became a citizen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hannelius settled a civil suit brought by the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission by agreeing to give up his proceeds from the trades, which totaled $168,000, plus interest. He also agreed to pay a penalty of the same amount. The agreement allowed Hannelius to end the case without admitting or denying the charges. The Herald previously reported on another member of the insider trading circle, a Russian American businessman named Anton Postolnikov. He hasnt been charged, but federal prosecutors allege that he made $14.5 million off of illegal insider trades in the company that merged with Trump Media. A company controlled by Postolnikov later loaned millions of dollars to Trump Media. This story was produced in coordination with Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, OCCRP, an investigative nonprofit newsroom with staff on six continents. TALLAHASSEE Florida already has one of the toughest systems for citizens to get constitutional amendments on the ballot, but that isnt stopping Gov. Ron DeSantis elections enforcers from recommending new laws to make it even harder. For nearly 50 years, Floridians have put proposed amendments on the ballot, asking their fellow citizens to change state law when the Legislature wouldnt. And for decades the Legislature has passed laws creating higher hurdles to getting those amendments on the ballot. Residents have used citizen-driven amendments to restore felon voting rights, create a free preschool program, mandate a minimum wage, ban gill net fishing, require smaller classes in public schools and allow medical marijuana. On Nov. 5, voters will decide if they want to legalize recreational marijuana and restore abortion rights after the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration, opposed to both the marijuana and abortion amendments Amendments 3 and 4 on this years ballot are fed up. What a ridiculous way to govern, DeSantis said at a recent press conference in Clearwater, where he railed against this years amendments that, if approved, would let adults smoke pot without fear of arrest and overturn the states current six-week ban on abortion. Your default when voting on constitutional amendments should be no, he said. In an unprecedented 348-page report, the DeSantis administration earlier this month claimed significant fraud on the petitions citizens signed to get the abortion amendment on the ballot and recommended the Florida Legislature again make that process stricter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report blamed local supervisors of elections for the problems, saying they failed to catch fraud on the petitions a charge they reject. No specific recommendations have been made, but the report said investigators gathered enough information to show a need for more effective regulation of the companies and people paid to circulate petitions, tighter signature verification and tougher enforcement measures. Parts of the report hint at requiring petition contractors to register as corporations with the state, requiring petition gatherers to be state residents and banning felons from gathering signatures. The report speaks for itself, said Mark Ard, spokesman for the Secretary of State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The right of citizens to put constitutional amendments on the ballot by petition was adopted in 1968. Until then, only the Legislature or a constitutional revision commission could do that. The first use of the ballot initiative came in 1976 when voters approved the Sunshine Amendment to make campaign contributions public. Supporters of ballot initiatives say they have resorted to petition drives because the Legislature refused to enact laws that the people wanted. Lawmakers cant get rid of the process without changing the constitution by popular vote, so theyve tried to make it harder to get petition initiatives on the ballot, said Daniel Smith, an expert on ballot measures and head of the political science department at the University of Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a challenge to their monopoly on power, Smith said, regardless of whether they are Republican or Democrat. Those rules imposed by Legislature have made getting a proposal on the ballot more expensive and cumbersome, requiring supporters to raise millions of dollars to hire professional firms to gather signatures because of the increasingly complex process. Supporters of the abortion measure, for example, spent at least $27 million to gather the nearly 900,000 signatures required to get Amendment 4 on the ballot, campaign records show. Lawmakers also raised the bar in 2006 on the percentage of voters needed to get a ballot initiative approved from 50% plus one to the current 60%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyve also raised the number of signatures required, changed the way petition gatherers are paid, altered how far they can stand from polling places and shortened the timeline for getting a measure certified to be on the ballot. In 2019, lawmakers failed to pass a law requiring petition gatherers to be state residents and to raise the threshold for passage from 60% to two-thirds of the vote. They did pass a ban on the longtime practice of paying petition circulators per signature, however, among other changes. DeSantis supported those because he said too many amendments were on the ballot the previous year. Juan Penalosa, executive director of the Florida Democratic Party at the time, said the adopted measures were a blatant power grab by the Republican-dominated state government to take away the voice of the people at the ballot box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states recent audit raised questions about whether some of the validated petitions for Amendment 4 should have been rejected. And their re-examination cast doubts on the ability of elected county supervisors of elections and their staff to do their job properly. Several county election supervisors bristled at the charges, saying their staff are well trained to identify the difference between a real signature and a fake one. One cant deny that theyre second guessing us, said Alan Hays, the Republican elections supervisor for Lake County, a GOP stronghold. Hays defended his staff, noting that every year they go through a retraining program on signature verification. But he also conceded its a subjective process and wondered if the state auditors used a different standard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement County elections supervisors operate under the assumption that signatures are accurate unless there are glaring red flags, said Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley. Examples of when we start seeing instances of fraud would be when the voter information matches, except for the signature, or when several signatures in a row appear to be written by the same hand, Earley said. Or we get voter information for a dead person who was somehow resurrected. State auditors also alleged that petition circulators were paid per signature, in violation of state law. Thats a lie, said Angelo Paparella, president and CEO of PCI Consultants, which collected signatures for the abortions rights measure. The idea of massive fraud is ridiculous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paparella, whos conducted petition drives in Florida since 1996, said there is too much on the line to allow fraud because of the time and expense involved and the potential harm to the reputations of both the amendment supporters and their contractors. Steve Vancore, a Tallahassee political consultant with 40 years of ballot initiative experience, said one recent change in state law has created the misperception that more fraudulent petitions are being filed. Before 2020, when you knew you had a petition that was no good you threw it out, Vancore said. The law changed, requiring you to turn in any form with the petition circulators ID. So youre a fraudster because you turned in petitions you were required to turn in. (iStock Getty Images Plus) Theres a new face to Floridas Medicaid program. Brian Meyer is now deputy secretary for Medicaid, the Agency for Health Care Administration website shows, which makes him the states Medicaid director. Meyer has been in the position since Oct. 7, AHCA Deputy Chief of Staff Alecia Collins told the Florida Phoenix in an email. He is paid $200,000 annually. Meyer was initially hired at AHCA in 2005. He worked alongside Tom Wallace, AHCA deputy secretary for health care finance and data, who abruptly resigned his post on Sept. 19. AHCA Secretary Jason Weida announced the departure in an email that also said Wallace was taking annual leave before his resignation took effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Nov. 1, Wallaces name still appeared on AHCAs website and in the state payroll system. Wallaces annual salary is about $184,000 Former AHCA Secretary Liz Dudek described Meyer Friday as hard working. Hes a really good, young guy, bright. He works hard and works well with others, Dudek told the Florida Phoenix. There were 4.3 million people enrolled in Floridas Medicaid program as of Sept. 30. Medicaid is a safety net program for the poor, disabled, and elderly. It is jointly funded by federal, state, and even local dollars. The state 2024-25 fiscal year budget appropriates $33.34 billion to the program, including $10.9 billion in state tax dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state spends nearly 40% of its budget on health and human services programs, including Medicaid, but general revenue accounts for about 33% of that amount. Meyers arrival comes as the state is embroiled in a class action over the way the states Medicaid program is easing out beneficiaries who were added during the COVID public health emergency. Additionally, the state has finalized provider contracts for its Medicaid managed care and dental programs. Florida requires most Medicaid patients, from infants to the elderly, to enroll in these managed care plans. Medicaid is working with the Department of Health to solicit bids on its Childrens Medical Services, reserved for children with complex medical conditions. This story has been changed to clarify the DOH procures the contracts for the Childrens Medical Services program. Residents of a sustainable hurricane-proof community in Florida can't say enough good things about their homes after they survived major Hurricanes Helene and Milton and kept the lights on the whole time. As CNN reported, Hunters Point, a waterfront neighborhood in Cortez, Florida, is touted as the world's first residential development to attain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design net-zero credentials. That means the homes' rooftop solar panels generate more electricity than residents use, leaving plenty to be stored in backup batteries in an outage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The solar scheme was put to the ultimate test during Hurricane Milton, and it passed with flying colors. Even though the storm left 2.5 million customers in the dark across Florida, the power in Hunters Point stayed on. "Everybody around us was completely dark at like five in the morning, and you see the lights on in our houses," Marshall Gobuty, the president of Pearl Homes the developer that built Hunters Point told CNN. "So, it really was a test of why we did this." However, the homes have much more going for them than just the cutting-edge solar system. The homes are built to withstand Category 5 hurricanes, the most catastrophic type of tropical cyclone. Built with concrete walls, hurricane-proof windows and doors, and hard foam insulation for additional strength, the houses are practically fortresses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the homes are in a flood zone, the builders elevated them 7 feet above flood levels to meet building codes. Even if floodwaters got into the homes, the ground floor the garage is equipped with flood vents to drain excess water, as CNN explained. The second floor houses the living spaces and sits 16 feet above sea level, keeping residents dry even in a worst-case scenario storm surge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plus, the homes are fortified with steel straps that connect the floors and roof, and the solar panels are attached to raised vertical seams to prevent them from flying off in strong winds. The Hunters Point development has all the features homeowners need to feel safe in intense storms, which are becoming more frequent in our warming world. "They built a great house, a strong house," William Fulford, a Hunters Point resident who stayed behind during Milton, told CNN. "And I just feel comfortable. I feel like we're high enough up, even if we get a storm surge." "Solar, batteries, and the way we construct homes will be part of the future, because we see it's performing." Gobuty said. "The world is changing, and this is the test people are waiting to see." Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. PALM BAY, Fla. (WFLA) An 18-year-old Florida man is behind bars after deputies said he waterboarded a cat and threw the animal off a third-floor balcony. Were about to walk a sorry individual into our jail for animal cruelty, Sheriff Wayne Ivey of the Brevard County Sheriffs Office said on Wednesday. Kieran McKinney, 18, of Brevard County, likes to beat up cats, the Sheriff added, after accusing the teen of torturing the animal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 18, Palm Bay police responded to a domestic call after McKinney was involved in an altercation with another individual. It was during that response that they discovered the animal cruelty, in which they reached out to the sheriffs office to investigate. Florida officers believe they caught an undetected serial killer Sheriff Ivey said several different instances of the abuse occurred out of retaliation. One time McKinney threw the cat onto a couch, and another time he threw the cat from a third-floor balcony, across the parking lot, and broke its leg. A video, which can be viewed above, also shows McKinney waterboarding the cat, by using a hose to spray the animal three different times while it was locked in his carrier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was just torturing this poor cat because the cat had had an accident, Sheriff Ivey said. During this instance, McKinney also had deprived the cat of food and water, due to its behavior. Go sit in the corner and think about what youve done, the Sheriff said. Because thats what your little punk self deserves. Former Disney World employee accused of hacking menus, adding profanity After the Sheriff was finished speaking, he, along with several other deputies, grabbed McKinney and escorted him into the jail from their patrol car. After the jail door slammed, the Sheriff said, Thats the sound of justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKinney was charged with animal confinement without food and water and three counts of aggravated animal cruelty. He is being held in the Brevard County Jail on an $80,000 bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) Former President Bill Clinton is expected to visit the Augusta area on Sunday to encourage voters ahead of Election Day. According to an announcement, President Clinton will campaign for democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Governor Tim Walz and other democrats on the ballot in Augusta on Nov. 3. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. Photo via Getty Images A Maricopa County Superior Court judge has ordered the names of 218,000 voters who are improperly registered to vote due to a data glitch can be released to a Trump-aligned group and GOP lawmakers who are seeking the data. The conservative non-profit America First Legal, led by Stephen Miller, a former senior advisor to Trump and the architect of the former presidents anti-immigration policies, filed a lawsuit to compel Fontes office to produce the records after it refused to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement America First Legal and Jennifer Wright, the former head of the Arizona Attorney Generals Election Integrity Unit, represented Strong Communities Foundation of Arizona, a nonprofit led by conservative activist Merissa Hamilton, in the suit. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX According to the lawsuit, after learning about a glitch in the states drivers license database that resulted in improper voter registration for more than 200,000 Arizonans all of whom had been residents of the state for decades, and many registered for just as long Hamiltons group filed a public records request seeking a subset of the Statewide Voter Registration Database that contains only those registered (active and inactive) voters that were part of the data glitch. A few days later, the Secretary of States Office responded, saying that the records will be made available for inspection at the soonest available time and to the extent the law allows access. But no access will occur before the 2024 General Election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a hearing earlier this week, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes argued that releasing the data could result in harassment or violence against those who appear on the list. He also argued that restricting the access of the list to county recorders, Hamilton and Republican leadership in the state legislature could also lead to voter information being misused or leaked to bad faith actors. At several points during his testimony, the Secretary argued that he would withhold the requested information if his act of withholding could save just one life, or words to that effect, Maricopa Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney wrote in his ruling. If the Court were to adopt this standard that a public official may withhold public records whenever he subjectively believes such withholding could somehow save even one life the Court would be adopting an impermissibly broad, arbitrary standard where the best interest of the state exception swallows the entirety of the Arizona Public Records law. The glitch, which was first discovered last month, meant that some Arizonans who received a drivers license prior to 1996 were inaccurately labeled as having provided proof of citizenship, a requirement to register to vote in the Grand Canyon State beginning in 2005. The error in the database used by the states Motor Vehicles Division affects people with pre-1996 licenses who have since received replacements. The voters affected have been registered to vote for decades, but were never required to prove their citizenship because of the data coding oversight in the system, according to the Secretary of States Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The office has said the affected voters include 79,000 Republicans, 61,000 Democrats and 76,000 who arent a member of either party. Arizonans who cannot provide proof of U.S. citizenship are only permitted to vote in federal races, after voters in 2004 approved a ballot measure requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. Arizona is the only state that requires proof of citizenship to register to vote. Voting by undocumented immigrants is incredibly rare. The court rejected Fontes claims that voters on the list could face potential harassment or violence, saying that the claims were not credible and not supported by evidence. Blaney also swept aside an argument made by Fontes that the records are not available in the form that Hamiltons group requested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no exception under the Public Records Law for imperfect or unreliable information, Blaney said. An agency cannot withhold records because it believes that these records contain imperfect or unreliable information. Indeed, when public agencies make mistakes, the public has an even greater interest in the disclosure of such information. The court ordered Fontes to produce the list by noon on Monday, along with communications with county recorders that contain any dataset of the impacted voters as well as communications about the issue with the Governors Office, Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division, Arizona Department of Health Services and the Arizona Legislature. The lists or information that includes any personally identifiable information can only be distributed to county recorders, the president of the Arizona Senate, the speaker of the state House of Representatives and members of the House and Senate Elections committees. However, the courts limitation on sharing of data ends after November 6. The court also awarded Hamilton attorney fees, a common practice when someone wins a public records lawsuit against a government agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for Fontes office said they are reviewing the decision and intend to file an appeal. The case will likely make its way to the Arizona Supreme Court. Voting advocacy groups voiced their concern Thursday over the courts decision. At this point, releasing the incomplete and unvetted names of the affected voters this close to the election will in no way benefit voters, Alex Gulotta, All Voting is Local Arizona state director, said in a statement. In fact, the decision could allow the opportunity for bad actors to target hundreds of thousands of eligible voters, whether through challenges or other threats. We are disappointed in the result because we know it will lead to more distractions and attempts to sabotage our elections. Hamilton and the conservative legal group behind the fight applauded the judges decision, calling it a win for transparency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Secretary Fontes discovered the glitch that allowed 218,000 individuals to register without providing proof of citizenship, he should have immediately shared the list of affected individuals with Arizonas county recorders, who are in charge of verifying the citizenship of voters, James Rogers, America First Legal Senior Counsel, said in a statement. Instead, he has jealously guarded the list, refusing to share it with anyone. Our only intent has always been to ensure the Recorders and Legislative leadership can do their jobs! Hamilton said on X, formerly Twitter. And legal voters are enfranchised with confidence that their government is following the law in the operation of the elections! Although Hamiltons group is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates, it does advocate for conservative causes and the officials who push them. And Hamilton personally has endorsed a number of Republicans on social media. VOTE JUSTIN HEAP FOR RECORDER, Hamilton wrote in one post on X. In another, she tells a user they dont deserve freedom for sharing a story critical of Heap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heap is a Republican state representative from Mesa and the Republican candidate for Maricopa County Recorder in the November election. While Heap refuses to answer questions about whether he believes the 2020 and 2022 elections were stolen from Republican candidates, he has close ties to election deniers and has voted for proposed legislation based on election fraud conspiracy theories. Hamilton, likewise, is closely allied with people who have pushed evidence-free claims about election fraud. Hamilton told the court that she does not engage with any groups or people who promote violence or harassment. But she was closely tied to a group that, in 2022, collaborated with militia groups to monitor ballot drop boxes in Arizona. The Arizona Mirror confirmed that Hamilton was an administrator of a group chat for America First Polling Project. Leaked AFPP chat logs, made available to reporters by the group Distributed Denial of Secrets, show how the organization worked with those militias and how election misinformation led members of the group to make violent threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamilton was asked repeatedly by an attorney representing Fontes office if she could guarantee that, if the data was released, it would not fall into the hands of anyone besides members of the Arizona Legislature and county recorders. You cannot guarantee to this court what these people will or will not do with it, can you? attorney Craig Morgan asked Hamilton. I disagree with the basis of your question, Hamilton answered, saying she refused to impugn the motives of members of the state legislature. The Arizona Legislature has been a breeding ground for conspiracy theories surrounding elections, going back to 2020 when some state lawmakers held a news conference where they made spurious accusations of election fraud. They held the event at a Phoenix hotel because then-House Speaker Rusty Bowers would not allow it at the Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Months later, GOP leaders of the Arizona Senate hired conspiracy theorists with no experience in auditing or election administration to conduct a partisan hand-count of the 2020 election based on the premise that the election had been stolen from Trump only to find more votes for President Joe Biden than the original count, and no evidence of fraud. And the Legislatures two election committees have often amplified known election deniers and other conspiracy theorists. Former and current members of the Legislature have also encouraged people to watch drop boxes for evidence of voter fraud to back up false claims that have been spread since 2020. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE By Marianna Parraga and Mircely Guanipa HOUSTON/MARACAY (Reuters) - Venezuela's oil exports rose to a four-year high, approaching 950,000 barrels per day in October, boosted by growing crude output and more sales to India and the United States, according to shipping data and documents from state firm PDVSA. The increase happened despite a large storage terminal fire last month, tighter U.S. sanctions since June and the arrest of the country's former oil minister, Pedro Tellechea, and former PDVSA executives over corruption allegations. A bounce in crude production, mainly due to the stabilization of processing operations at Venezuela's largest oil region, the Orinoco Belt, has allowed the recovery of heavy crude inventories, the PDVSA documents showed. In total, PDVSA and its joint ventures exported an average of 947,387 bpd of crude and fuel, 21% over the previous month and the highest monthly figure since early 2020, according to the data, based on tanker movements. The South American country, which has remained under U.S. sanctions since 2019, also exported 314,500 metric tons of oil byproducts and petrochemicals, slightly more than the 267,000 tons of September. Crude shipments by Chevron to the United States reached a peak of 280,000 bpd, the highest since the U.S. producer resumed exports of Venezuela's heavy grades early last year. Spanish producer Repsol also exported Venezuelan oil cargoes to the U.S. and Spain last month. PDVSA increased exports to India, which used to be a top market before the sanctions, sending three cargoes, or about 141,000 bpd, last month, the data showed. Crude deliveries to the U.S., Europe and India are authorized under U.S. licenses to some PDVSA's joint venture partners and customers, including Chevron, Repsol, Eni, Maurel & Prom, and Reliance Industries. However, China remained the main destination of Venezuela's oil exports in October with 385,300 bpd shipped to the world's top oil importer directly and indirectly. Exports to China had been higher in September, when they averaged some 451,500 bpd. Venezuela's exports to political ally Cuba, which is struggling to overcome an acute energy crisis, slightly rose to 28,000 bpd, from 22,000 bpd in September. Venezuela also saw an increase in fuel imports to 81,000 bpd, from 67,000 bpd the previous month, according to the data. (Reporting by Marianna Parraga in Houston and Mircely Guanipa in Maracay, Venezuela; Editing by Marguerita Choy) ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) Food City and the Eastman Foundation donated $2,131,703.37 to the United Ways of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee to help area flood victims. Food City hosted various campaigns to help raise funds for those impacted by Hurricane Helene. All of the funds collected will go to local United Ways. When you look at the amount of damage thats been experienced over Southwest Virginia, in Northeast Tennessee, we knew we couldnt do it alone, United Way of Southwest Virginia Executive Director Megan Parks said. The scale and the scope [were] too large. To have their support to come in, in our moment of need. We were honored to have the opportunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trees downed from Helene brings increased chance of active fire season Initially, both Food City and Eastman pledged $100,000 each. Phoenix Medical Supply Company then donated $1,000,000. This was the largest fundraising effort that weve ever had, Food City President and CEO Steve Smith said. Having grown up in the coal fields, personally, Ive seen my share of floods, and floods are a terrible thing, and they just take so long to clean up the mud and the debris that you have to put up with. People need help. Thats why Im just glad our company, our team was able to not only step up but to get other partners in the community to be able to do likewise. Parks said the funds will go directly towards purchasing supplies and rebuilding homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Lieutenant General Yurii Sodol, the former commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, was dismissed from military service based on the conclusion of a military medical board. Source: Ukrainska Pravda source in military circles Details: The Ukrainska Pravda source said that Sodol was dismissed from the Armed Forces on 14 October. The reason was a decision by the military medical board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The source did not provide any other details. Previously: MP Mariana Bezuhla, who is well-known for criticising the military leadership, has posted on her social media that Sodol left the army because of the military medical boards decision. Read more: Changes in Ukraine's military top brass: who was fired and why, and what we can expect from their successors Background: Tetiana Ostashchenko, former Commander of the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has resigned from military service due to health issues. She has also been removed from military records. General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Lieutenant General Serhii Shaptala, former Chief of the General Staff, were released from military duty for health reasons based on a report by the military medical board in March 2024. Bohdan Krotevych, Chief of Staff of the Azov Brigade of the National Guard, filed a request with Ukraines State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) calling for an investigation into Lieutenant General Yurii Sodol, the commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Krotevych accused the general of abuse of power and incompetent command of troops leading to the loss of a large part of Ukraine's territory, and requested an investigation into the commanders potential collaboration with Russia. The Azov Chief of Staff also said he was prepared to testify in the case. After the request was made public, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy replaced Sodol with Brigadier General Andrii Hnatov. The State Bureau of Investigation confirmed to Ukrainska Pravda that it had received a complaint and added that investigators were working on it. Support UP or become our patron! BOSTON (WWLP) A former employee at a Massachusetts pharmaceutical company was sentenced to prison in connection with embezzling over $2.5 million. According to the Department of Justice, in 2022, 40-year-old Priya Bhambi of Brookline and her alleged co-conspirator orchestrated and executed a scheme to defraud Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) of at least $2.3 million in payments for purported consulting services by submitting fabricated invoices on behalf of a sham consulting company. Massachusetts booker for high-end brothels pleads guilty Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bhambi had previously engaged in the same fraud using a different sham consulting company, resulting in payments from Takeda totaling nearly $300,000 for consulting services that were never provided. It is alleged that the two incorporated Evoluzione Consulting LLC (Evoluzione), created a false website and submitted a statement of work to Takeda. A master services agreement with Evoluzione was signed by Takeda and a purchase order for consulting services for $3.542 million. It is alleged that five separate invoices for services by Evoluzione were also paid by Evoluzione for $460,000 each before discovering the scheme. Bhambi pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud. She was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,585,480 in restitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Bhambi was court-ordered to forfeit a Mercedes-Benz Model E, over $1 million in fraud proceeds held in bank accounts, and a $49,985 wedding venue deposit, all seized by the government, as well as a diamond engagement ring and a Seaport condominium purchased with fraud proceeds. The alleged co-conspirator is set for trial on December 2. Pure greed drove Priya Bhambi to take advantage of her senior-level, highly compensated position at Takeda to steal millions of dollars from the company, said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. I commend Takeda for reporting this fraud to the authorities promptly. As a result not only has Bhambi been held accountable for this egregious breach of trust, but the government was able to seize assets with an estimated value of over $1.5 million traceable to her theft. The sentence sends two strong messages first, there are very serious consequences for executives who exploit their positions to line their own pockets and second, for companies who are victims of embezzlement, law enforcement stands ready to do whatever it can to recoup stolen funds and hold individuals accountable for fraud against their employers. Priya Bhambi apparently felt her nearly half-a-million-dollar salary at Takeda wasnt enough, so she orchestrated a complex financial fraud scheme to steal millions more to enhance her paycheck, said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. In doing so, she used the companys cash to buy everything from a diamond ring, to a Mercedes Benz, and even put a down payment on a condo and wedding venue. Fraud is never the answer if you feel your paycheck is not up to par. With this sentence Ms. Bhambi will now pay for her crimes through restitution and prison time. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) A former local Jehovahs Witnesses elder was sentenced to prison for sexually abusing children decades ago, the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office announced Friday. Norman Aviles-Garriga, 45, who was a Jehovahs Witness elder in Lancaster County, will spend between 11.5 to 23 years in prison for the sexual abuse of three children, Attorney General Michele Henry said. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Livestream Alerts This defendant, who abused his position within the religious community and sexually assaulted multiple children, was sentenced to over a decade in state prison. He was also found to be a sexually violent predator, which will require lifetime registrations as a sex offender, Attorney General Henry said in a statement. The courage and strength these victims displayed is so admirable and appreciated. Even after the trauma they endured at the hands of this defendant, they came forward, they testified, and now this defendant stands convicted and sentenced for his heinous crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aviles-Garriga was found guilty by a Lancaster County jury of 12 of his charges including aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, and endangering the welfare of children after a three-day trial. Between 1999 and 2003, Aviles-Garriga abused the children in Lancaster City, the AG said. Two victims reported the abuse to Jehovahs Witnesses leaders, but they never reported it to police, the AG said. The abuse was later disclosed to counselors and the AG Office investigated, leading to charges and a conviction. In February 2023 Attorney General Henry announced that Aviles was among five men with ties to Jehovahs Witnesses congregations who were facing crimes for the sexual assault of children. Since then additional charges have been filed against congregants with ties to Jehovahs Witness. This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Frustrated defense team questioned former lead prosecutor on the Walmart shooting case who resigned last year after criticizing District Attorney Bill Hicks on how he is handling the case. Loretta Hewitt, the former lead prosecutor, was one of the six witnesses who were sworn in for Thursdays hearing. In her testimony, Hewitt explained how she found four recordings of jail phone calls between Patrick Crusius and his defense attorneys while still working for the DAs office in August 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Hewitt, the recordings were on a DVD and, at the time of the hearing, did not play on the computer. She said she noticed the calls were marked with a phone number that she immediately recognized belonged to one of Crusius attorneys. After realizing what the DAs office had in possession, she alerted DA Hicks who agreed to have the DVD destroyed. However, she said she did not receive instruction on notifying the defense or Judge Sam Medrano. According to Hewitts testimony, she proceeded to turn over the DVD to defense without the DAs consultation. The prosecutors in the office and the paralegals continue to have unrestricted access to the phone calls. So, the point was to stop that from continuing to happen. It was for the protection of Mr. Hicks, Hewitt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she believes Hicks did not handle the matter with urgency when it came to investigating who accessed the files and who listened to the tapes. A report from the Countys IT department revealed four people accessed the files but could not determine who had actually listened to the tapes, according to Hewitt. She was able to confirm one of the paralegals, Claudia Hernandez, had listened to the tapes. Hernandez is expected to take the stand as a witness in continuation of the hearings. DA Hicks claimed his office turned over the tapes to the defense and destroyed them on their end. The defense team said they also discovered 11 additional tapes, alleging that the DAs office did not disclose or destroy them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hicks argued those tapes were not in his offices possession. GTL is the portal that allows access to the phone system that is in the jail, that records those calls from the jail. Those are not transported to our office. We dont have custody of those phone calls, Hicks said. The defense brought up another issue they had previously filed in their motions to Judge Sam Medrano, saying that the DAs office did not disclose all of their evidence. Hewitt continued her testimony with mentions of notes from interviews with Crusius former neighbors and pre-trial interviews with families of victims and survivors of the Aug. 3, 2019, shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Hewitt, she intended to turn over her personal notes from the interviews that only included what her interviewees and potential witnesses had said, without mentions of case strategy. Hewitt said there were about six large notebooks full of notes. The defense claimed the DAs office was obligated by law to turn over those notes. The DAs office cross-examined Hewitt and argued they were not required to do so and that the notes were lost since Hewitt had left the office. Judge Medrano ordered the prosecutors to continue looking for the notes and file them to the court once they are found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hearing will proceed at 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 1 with several other witnesses lined up to take the stand including Assistant District Attorney John Briggs and three sheriffs deputies from the El Paso County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Two former Microsoft employees are claiming they were unjustly terminated after they held a vigil at the companys headquarters for Palestinians killed in Gaza during Israels war with Hamas. Abdo Mohamed and Hossam Nasr held the vigil during their lunch break. Both workers were members of a coalition of employees called No Azure for Apartheid that has opposed Microsofts sale of its cloud-computing technology to the Israeli government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vigil was not authorized by the company, but the former employees say the event was similar to other Microsoft-sanctioned giving campaigns for people in need. To Microsoft, the image of Microsoft workers honoring the victims of genocide is more offensive than the images of Palestinians being burned alive, in a genocide Microsoft is powering and funding, said Nasr in a news release. After the firings, Microsoft released a statement that read, Microsoft is dedicated to maintaining a professional and respectful work environment. Due to privacy and confidentiality considerations, we cannot provide specific details. This isnt the first time a company has terminated employees over activities related to the war. In April, CNN reported that Google terminated more than 50 workers. The firings stemmed from sit-in protests at Google offices over Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion contract signed in 2021 for Google and Amazon to provide the Israeli government with cloud computing and artificial intelligence services. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The former Missouri police officer charged in the death of his police dog will go on trial. A judge will set that date next week. Staffers left wondering about payment after KC-area Applebees locations close Daniel Zeigler lost his job with the Savannah, Missouri Police Department in September. On June 20, Zeiglers dog Horus died after being left for several hours in a police car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zeigler reported the dogs death himself. He has pleaded not guilty to animal abuse. Testing showed someone had turned off the vehicles safety system. That system is designed to honk repeatedly, roll down windows and activate a fan. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Zeigler appears in court again on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, flanked by his wife and other family members, speaks to reporters after the 2022 guilty verdicts. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN Former Nebraska U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry has asked a judge to toss felony charges that were refiled against him in a case that led him to resign his congressional seat. Fortenberry was convicted in 2022 of concealing illegal foreign donations to his congressional campaign and lying to federal agents about whether he knew they were illegal, based on recorded conversations with FBI agents and an informant. His trial was held in the Central District of California, in part because the charges involved a 2016 campaign fundraising event in that state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He later got his convictions overturned, arguing successfully that the charges were filed in the wrong jurisdiction. Motions allege political motivations This week, his attorneys filed a series of motions aimed at collecting evidence of any alleged political motivations for his prosecution. In court documents, federal prosecutors denied any political purpose to filing charges. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the conviction in late 2023, ruling that Fortenberry should have been tried in Nebraska or in Washington, D.C., where the conversations with investigators took place. U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry and his wife, Celeste, leave the downtown U.S. Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner) The appeals court concluded that the bulk of the charges concerned an alleged coverup on Fortenberrys part, and not the act of accepting the illegal campaign donation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last May, a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., charged Fortenberry again, this time with two felonies that were tied to his FBI interview in D.C.: falsifying and concealing material facts and making false statements to federal investigators. A third initial charge stemmed from an FBI interview with Fortenberry at his Lincoln home. But the statute of limitations on that encounter expired before the new charges were filed. Recording was key evidence In the 2022 trial, prosecutors played a recording of Fortenberry from 2018 speaking by phone with the organizer of the California fundraiser. Fortenberry was told that the $30,000 raised was likely illegal and had been delivered in a paper sack. Fortenberry was charged with lying after he denied being told by the events organizer, who was by then an FBI informant, what the recording revealed he had been told. He also denied being aware of the illicit contribution during the fundraiser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the charges, Fortenberry allegedly knew that Lebanese billionaire Gilbert Chagoury, who lives in France, was the source of the money and that he had asked the organizer of the original event to host another fundraiser for his campaign. Fortenberry claimed bad connection Fortenberry argued at trial that he had a bad telephone connection with the informant and may have misheard the call. He and his attorneys argued he gave the illegal contributions to charity after he learned that they were illegal. But the FBI and prosecutors argued he knew about the problem sooner and did not share his concerns with the Federal Election Commission. U.S. District Courthouse in Los Angeles where U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberrys trial was held. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner) Fortenberry supported Chagourys organization, In Defense of Christians, which protects Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East. Chagoury admitted making the illegal donations and was fined $1.8 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Documents filed in the new case make clear federal prosecutors tried to negotiate a plea deal to help Fortenberry avoid the risk of additional embarrassment and potentially more serious punishment, including prison. Prosecutors offered deal Prosecutors offered Fortenberry the chance to plead to falsifying and concealing material facts and offered to recommend a sentence of the time he had served on probation, his former hours of community service and the same $25,000 fine. Fortenberrys lawyers, the documents show, rejected that offer and countered with the equivalent of a thrown gauntlet, saying the government should drop the case outright, which would let Fortenberry argue his post-conviction innocence. They argued in a separate filing this week that they could find no recent record of similar charges being re-filed against someone sentenced to probation. They also asked that the prosecutor be removed because he interviewed Fortenberry in July 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors have not yet responded to the filings. At this point, the trial is likely to extend into the next presidential administration. Fortenberry could have an ally in the White House if former President Donald Trump is elected. Trump has said he thought Fortenberry was treated badly. And Trump is no stranger to asking his Justice Department to reconsider prosecutions he thinks are unfair. The former congressman has largely stepped back from political life since resigning. He went to work for a company owned by a former donor and supporter at Sandhills Publishing, Tom Peed, according to court documents. He has denied wrongdoing. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Former state Sen. Ray Holmberg arrives at the Quentin N. Burdick U.S. Courthouse in Fargo for a plea hearing in North Dakota U.S. District Court on Aug. 8, 2024, (Dan Koeck/For the North Dakota Monitor) Former state senator Ray Holmberg has surrendered himself to the U.S. Marshals Service, the agency confirmed Friday afternoon. Dallas Carlson, U.S. Marshal for the District of North Dakota, did not release information about where Holmberg would be held. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jail roster for the Sherburne County Jail in Elk River, Minnesota, shows Holmberg was booked into the facility northwest of Minneapolis on Friday. Ray Holmberg booking photo from Nov. 1, 2024, at Sherburne County Jail in Minnesota. Holmberg, once one of North Dakotas most powerful state lawmakers, pleaded guilty in August to one count of traveling abroad with the intent to have sex with adolescents under age 18. U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland on Tuesday ordered Holmberg to report to the U.S. Marshals Service by 1 p.m. Friday after U.S. prosecutors asked for a review of the former lawmakers post-plea release. Ordinarily, people convicted of child sex crimes are held in custody while they await sentencing. Hovland allowed Holmberg to remain at home in Grand Forks at the recommendation of both the prosecution and the defense, due to his age and medical issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conditions of Holmbergs release included mandatory location monitoring, no contact with victims or witnesses, limited internet access and no drugs or alcohol, among other terms. The U.S. Probation Office reported in court filings that Holmberg has violated these rules several times, including by accessing social media sites without prior approval, frequenting an adult novelty store and testing positive for alcohol. In light of the U.S. Probation Offices findings, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Puhl earlier this month asked Hovland to review Holmbergs release. The prosecution also claimed that the medical issues Holmberg was dealing with at the time of the agreement have improved. Holmbergs attorney, Mark Friese, has said that the allegations by the U.S. Probation Office are inaccurate and that Holmberg still faces numerous medical problems that require him to stay out of custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holmbergs sentencing date has not been set. The former senator faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release. In Holmbergs plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to seek a sentence on the lower end of federal sentencing guidelines. Friese has previously said sentencing guidelines call for between three or four years in prison, which can vary depending on other factors determined by the court. Holmberg resigned from his seat in the North Dakota Senate in 2022 after federal investigators searched his home in late 2021. This story was updated Nov. 2 with information about where Holmberg is in custody. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Former President Bill Clinton will be in the Queen City this weekend, campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris as we inch closer to Election Day. The former president plans to attend a church service at 10 a.m. in Charlotte on Sunday, Nov. 3, and encourage voters to cast their ballot for Harris and Governor Tim Walz. The exact location in Charlotte has not yet been released for security reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clintons visit will come just one day after Harris scheduled rally in Charlotte this weekend. Saturday marks the last day of early voting in North Carolina. Voters have until 3 p.m. to cast their ballot. Polls open at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday for Election Day. MORE: Harris, Trump to visit NC again this weekend just days before General Election As of 2 p.m. on Friday, more than 3.7 million voters had cast ballots in person during the early voting period that started on October 17, beating the previous record from 2020. So far, the total turnout for the 2024 general election now exceeds 4 million voters, according to the NC State Board of Elections. Ballots cast through 2 p.m. Friday 4,009,149 represents a turnout of more than half, 51.2%, of North Carolinas registered voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flurry of visits by the candidates in recent weeks shows how critical the campaigns see the Tar Heel State. With over 3.7 million ballots cast during early voting so far, there are still several million votes up for grabs. Harris and Trump are largely competing for registered unaffiliated voters who have become a significant portion of the voter pool. 4 Days Until Election Day There are four days left until the 2024 general election. Registered voters can cast their ballots during early voting through 3 p.m. Nov. 2. YOUR LOCAL ELECTION HQ: North Carolina Election Guide 2024 Click here to find early voting sites and schedules in your county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Bill Clinton campaigned on behalf of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in Portland, Maine, four days before the election. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star) Former President Bill Clinton campaigned in Portland on Friday for Vice President Kamala Harris, four days before the presidential election as part of a final push for the Democratic nominee. The Democrat told voters that it isnt too late to talk to friends and neighbors about their voting plan, encouraging them to think about what the candidates stand for while taking the opportunity to denounce former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So just tell your neighbors. Its not too late to talk to people, he said. The next four days will shape the next forty of fifty years, so give it all youve got. Clinton made his pitch after several hundred thousand Mainers already cast their ballots. As of Nov. 1, there were a total of 386,161 absentee ballots requested and 343,959 returned, surpassing the early voting numbers from the 2016 presidential election, the last comparable year as the 2020 presidential race occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Janet Mills and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree joined the former president on stage, in addition to former U.S. Rep. Dave Emery, a Republican who represented Maines 1st Congressional District from 1975 to 1983. The speakers focused on highlighting the positive impact of the Biden and Obama administrations and Harris promises to boost the economy, provide tax credits and incentives to families and small businesses, and protect reproductive rights. They also contrasted those promises with Trumps first term and emphasized the adverse impact a second Trump term could have on reproductive rights, the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs, the economy, as well as the balance of the U.S. Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There isnt a minute to lose, because I dont want a president who promises to protect me by taking away my freedoms, Mills said. I dont want a president who coddles our enemies and discourages our people. I dont want a president whos running for office to stay out of jail. Several speakers, including Mills, also highlighted Republican support for Harris. In addition to Emery, a number of prominent Maine Republicans have come out in support of the Democratic nominee, including former Republican state Sen. Peter Mills, Tony Payne, the former executive director of the Maine GOP, and former Augusta mayor and assistant Senate minority leader Roger Katz, among others. Many Republicans like me may disagree from time and time on the issues of the day, but we are united in the fundamental importance of protecting our priceless democracy and defending our freedoms, Emery said. Portland Mayor Mark Dion attended the event to reaffirm our belief in our country, he said. He said he was heartened by the common ground he has found with Republicans like Emery who are voting for Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the Trump candidacy is about a square-in-the-face attack on how we should conduct ourselves in the government arena, Dion said. It pleases me more than I can tell you that Republicans see duty to the country as we do, Dion said.When this is over and we return to a stable process that instills confidence and trust, then we can resume debate in a way that benefits this country. Volunteers prepare for final push Many attendees said that in these final days they plan to keep campaigning for Harris, working at the polls or volunteering their time with municipal offices on Election Day, and having conversations with family, friends and neighbors. All six voters the Maine Morning Star spoke with mentioned reproductive rights as a particularly important issue motivating them to vote and volunteer. Some that attended the event had already voted, but wanted to show their support for the Harris-Walz campaign and hear Clinton talk, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kate Meredith and Susan Eldridge, a married couple from Buxton, already voted but decided to come to the Harris event because of how important this election is, they said. We want womens rights restored, for us and for the future of our children, Meredith said, Its more important than ever to preserve marriage equality and womens rights for future generations, they said. And under Trump, that is threatened, Eldridge added. Portland voters Doug Emerson and John Kaminski at a Harris Walz campaign event featuring former President Bill Clinton (Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star) John Kaminski said besides the threat to reproductive rights, he thinks a Trump presidency would be a disaster for future Supreme Court nominations and for a fair economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres absolutely room for a final push, he said. Its going to be a close election here in Maine, and a close election nationally. Im encouraging everybody to go out to the polls, its absolutely critical. Kaminski already voted, but will be volunteering at the polls in Portland next Tuesday. His friend and fellow Portland resident Doug Emerson has been driving up to Oxford County every day for canvassing, and he said he is heartened by the conversations he has had and the minds hes changed in Maines more conservative 2nd Congressional District. Were finding that old Republicans, in their 70s, 80s and 90s, are virulently against Trump, and its so refreshing, Emerson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those people are for America. They may never vote for a Democrat again, but theyre patriotic, and theyre voting for Kamala. For Emerson personally, he said he was alarmed by Trumps handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which Mills also mentioned at the event, saying when the governors reached out to him for aid, he left states to fend for themselves. We cant have that man handle anybodys healthcare, let alone a womans right to choose, he said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE (WJET/WFXP) Former President Bill Clinton plans to visit northwest Pennsylvania this weekend. According to Harris campaign officials, Clinton will appear in Erie, PA, on Saturday at noon to highlight Kamala Harris Opportunity Economy plan. A location has not been given at this time. Clinton originally planned to visit the Flagship City earlier this week but that trip was later canceled. Vice presidential candidate Tim Walz made a stop in Erie on Thursday at Vilmas Kitchen talking about Puerto Rican rights and the importance of getting out to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Story will be updated as new details become available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Former President Bill Clinton will be in Little Rock next month to discuss his new book as the Clinton Presidential Center celebrates its 20th anniversary. Clinton will discuss his soon-to-be-released memoir Citizen: My Life After the White House at the Clinton Presidential Center on Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. Bill Clinton memoir planned for post-election release The book details Clintons life after serving as president of the United States and following events including the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Great Recession, effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Jan. 6 insurrection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program will be moderated by Emmy-nominated actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson. As the former president makes a return to the capital city, the Clinton Presidential Center will be celebrating 20 years. Clinton Presidential Center announces 2024-2025 school year plans According to its website, the Clinton Center had a groundbreaking in 2001 and opened in November 2004. The Clinton Center has seen more than 5 million visitors and hosts thousands of public and educational programs, according to the website. To learn more about the Clinton Presidential Center and to purchase event tickets, visit ClintonFoundation.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Former President Bill Clinton will stump for Kamala Harris at a Charlotte church service on Sunday, a Harris presidential campaign spokeswoman said Friday. Clinton will appear a day after the vice president is scheduled to visit the Queen City again. Saturday is the last day of early voting in North Carolina. At least 3 million residents have already voted. For security reasons, the Harris-Walz campaign didnt name the church where Clinton will speak at 10 a.m. Former President Bill Clinton visited Raleigh on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris. Clinton will stump for Harris at a Charlotte church service on Sunday, Nov. 6. Clinton and other political celebrities have repeatedly visited the state in recent weeks given North Carolinas status as a key swing state. In a presidential race that remains close. Former President Donald Trump polls 47% of likely voters, a near tie with Kamala Harris 45%, according to a national poll released by the UMass Lowell Center for Public Opinion on Thursday. A former Savannah, Missouri sheriff pleaded not guilty to animal abuse in the death of his K-9 partner, a German shepherd named Horus, this summer. Horus died of heat exposure on June 20 after Zeigler allegedly left him alone in a hot car for more than 13 hours, according to affidavits filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Zeigler contacted Savannah police Chief Dave Vincent at 5:54 p.m. on June 20 to say that Horus was dead, according to court documents. The pair had completed their last overnight shift at 4:49 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The temperature on June 20 peaked at 88 degrees around 4 p.m., according to court records. A functionality test completed on June 26 found that the vehicles AceK9 system which would activate the horn and fan and roll down the car windows as a response to heat was in working order on June 20, but had been manually disabled. The city of Savannah announced Sept. 10 that the Savannah Board of Alderman had voted to terminate Zeiglers employment on Sept. 9. Horus joined the Savannah Police Department in 2021, when he was almost 2 years old, according to police. Zeigler will next appear in court on November 5 at 10 a.m. for a trial setting hearing. Previous reporting by The Stars Noelle Alviz-Gransee and Kendrick Calfee contributed to this article. A Nebraska man who assaulted a former U.S. senator as she was jogging in Council Bluffs has been sentenced to probation and time served. Martha McSally, a retired Air Force officer, represented Arizona in the Senate as a Republican from 2019 to 2020. In November 2023, McSally was in Iowa in advance of a scheduled speaking engagement in Omaha, Nebraska, just across the Missouri River, when she called police to report she'd been attacked while out for a run in a park along the river. Then-Senator Martha McSally, R-Arizona, in a 2020 file photo. McSally was assaulted in November 2023 while jogging in Council Bluffs, where she was visiting for a speaking engagement in nearby Omaha. McSally posted a video to Instagram saying a man had come up behind her and "engulfed me in a bear hug." She said he groped her and that she fought him off, then chased him into a nearby wooded area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers reviewing surveillance footage identified a suspect leaving a restaurant near the park and were able to identify him as Dominic Henton, 26. According to court records, Henton's last known address was in the Omaha suburbs, but at the time of the assault he was believed to be living in a homeless shelter. Henton gets suspended sentence Henton was arrested two days after the attack and charged with assault with intent to commit sexual abuse. On Thursday, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of first-degree harassment. Judge Craig Dreismeier ordered Henton to serve five years of probation in lieu of a 360-day jail sentence. He suspended all but the 89 days Dreismeier had already been held in jail and suspended an $855 fine. Among other conditions, he ordered Henton to reside at an unspecified treatment center and complete sex offender treatment. The court extended a no-contact order between Henton and McSally for five more years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his sentencing order, Dreismeier said he weighed Henton's remorse and lack of criminal record against "the unusually vicious or harsh manner in which (Henton) committed this offense." Henton's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. McSally in 2023: 'I felt like I took my power back' McSally, who also could not be reached for comment, made headlines while a U.S. representative in 2018 and 2019 with public statements about being sexually abused in high school and by a superior officer during her military service. She said after the Council Bluffs attack that the incident had "tapped a nerve" from her past experiences but that she wanted to process the event in a healthy way. In this case, I felt like I took my power back. He tried to take power from me, but I turned it on him and he was running from me instead of the other way around," she said. "Not giving anyone advice on how to respond in situations like this. It could have been much worse. But Im safe and Im glad that I did that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arizona GOP Gov. Doug Ducey appointed McSally to the Senate to replace the resigning Sen. Jon Kyl, who himself had been appointed to fill out the term of the late Sen. John McCain. The following year, McSally lost a November special election to Democrat Mark Kelly. If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE & online.rainn.org). William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Man who assaulted former US Sen. Martha McSally sentenced to probation Angela Pluta walked into the visitors center at the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation in Omaha, Nebraska, around 10 a.m. last Friday, unsure of what to expect. She was looking for a job and someone at a safe house for formerly incarcerated women, where she has been living, told Pluta that the center had an opening for canvassing work, paying $25 an hour. She was hired and started training immediately, which opened Pluta to a new world of possibilities. Though she is 49 years old, she had never voted before. Politics and the voting process had felt overwhelming and confusing. Now, here she was, learning about all of the candidates on the ballot, where they stood on the issues and what the wording of each ballot measure meant in a way that actually made sense. Before that, I had no idea that there were so many different things and subjects on the ballot that you could vote on, Pluta told The 19th. A big part of what stopped me from voting before is, basically, I didnt feel like I had any business going out there voting because I didnt follow it enough to be informed to even know what I was voting for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, the canvassing trainer asked her a question she didnt expect: Have you voted yet? Pluta answered honestly no. The trainer informed her that if Pluta were interested, the center would cover the transportation cost to get her to a polling place where she could not only register to vote, but also vote early. Pluta needed to decide quickly; the voter registration deadline was that day. Before she knew it, she was making the 20-minute Uber ride to the Douglas County Election Commission. Just 10 days earlier, Pluta had been legally barred from voting in Nebraska because of her criminal record. Nebraska is one of 48 states that restricts voting access for people with felony convictions. In 2024, an estimated 4 million U.S. citizens nationwide, representing 1.7 percent of the voting-age population, will be ineligible to vote due to these restrictions, according to a report released by the Sentencing Project last month. Of those, about 764,000 are women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The laws vary by state. Twenty-three states prohibit voting for people while they are physically in prison, according to the Sentencing Project report. Others require people to complete all terms of their sentence, including paying any outstanding fines or fees associated with their crime and incarceration, before they can move to reclaim their voting rights. For nearly 20 years in Nebraska, where Pluta lives, people with felony records had been able to register and vote two years after completing all terms of their sentence, including probation and parole. This summer, though, Nebraska found itself in the middle of a court battle between voting rights advocates who wanted to remove the two-year restriction and state officials who wanted to keep it in place. On October 16, the Nebraska Supreme Court issued a ruling allowing people with felony records, like Pluta, to vote immediately after completing the terms of their sentence. Others who are still in prison or on probation still cannot vote until those periods are over. Plutas four-year probation ended last year. Without the states Supreme Court decision, she would have been ineligible to vote until 2025. Even once she had the ability to vote, though, something held her back, she said. I dont know how to explain it. Its like once you get denied the right to something, there are many people who have a negative attitude about it, she said. When you get rejected, youre like, I dont even care about that anyway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the voter education through her canvassing training made her feel that maybe her vote would do something. Maybe her opinion mattered. Maybe her voice could be heard. Pluta found the line to vote snaking around the building when she got to the Douglas County Election Commission. The more she waited, the more excited she got, feeling inspired by those around her who were sacrificing their time to do their part, she said. She recalled overhearing an elderly couple speaking. The woman was in pain and didnt know if she could stand for much longer. Her husband reassured her that they could leave if she needed to. That felt unfair to Pluta, so she stepped out of the line and approached a poll worker to let her know about the couples concerns. The poll worker followed Pluta to where the elderly couple stood and then guided the husband and wife inside the building, where they were able to sit down while they waited to vote. An hour or so later, the same couple approached Pluta, who was still in line. They handed her a bouquet of roses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman told me, Thank you for allowing me to vote today, Pluta said. That just made my day. After more than four hours in line, Pluta cast her own vote for the first time. She declined to share with The 19th which presidential candidate she supported, but listed her desire to expand abortion access as one of her top issues. Nebraska is one of 10 states with ballot measures in 2024 that may enshrine abortion rights in their state constitutions. Pluta said she is the mother of three adult children, but does not think the government has the right to tell people what to do with their bodies. So, she voted yes on Initiative 439, which proposes to amend the state constitution to establish a right to abortion until fetal viability. When Pluta finished she felt like a different person. For years, she and other formerly incarcerated women have felt like lesser citizens; they have often struggled to find housing, to find employment and to live without judgment by society. But Pluta said having the opportunity to vote made her feel like she was part of something bigger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 3:30 p.m. Pluta walked out of the polling place, roses in her arm, and rushed like a kid to put her I voted sticker on her jacket. I guess I could have never anticipated how excited I would be, or how fulfilling it was for me to be able to vote and to be able to peel that sticker off and put it on the outside of my jacket, she said. Its almost like a little badge or something, like youre a Girl Scout. You want to make sure everybody knows you voted today. The post A formerly incarcerated woman just cast her first vote ever. It changed her life. appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. FORT DODGE, Iowa In 2023 Fort Dodge had several shooting incidents which led to young people losing their lives. Frustrated, the group NextGen stepped up to do events to help young people focus on positive endeavors. On Thursday, a room full of middle school students gathered in the early morning to focus on starting a Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The leader of the FCA at the Middle School, Dalton Summers, works with students at the Fort Dodge Middle School and was active in NextGen. Des Moines campaign phone banker warns of fake events Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I realize that sometimes in life everything is gonna hit you at once and I realize that in this town thats what happened to us, said Summers. Everything hit us at once and we all came together as a group, we werent just gonna talk about it, were gonna be something bigger. When I see even one of my friends do one bad decision it like makes me nervous for them because I know one bad thing can lead to many others, said Brooklyn Lamoureux, a Fort Dodge Middle School Student and FCA member. Even when things are going bad, all you have to do is talk to God, said Middle School student Jerry Crockett. Because with every bad thing, a good thing comes after. Another angle to working with youth is Southside Martial Arts gym, where Nik Myers works with all sorts of kids. He teaches not just self defense skills, but also confidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Way too many kids in this community dont have a role model at all, said Myers. You know, they dont have a dad, they dont have grandpa, like theres a lot of kids that dont have a mom or anything, so I really want to try to be a positive influence. Latest Iowa News: Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Marlena Bennett, left, and Andrew Wall have been jointly charged with a number of sexual offences. (Facebook - image credit) Warning: This article discusses sexual and child abuse. An Alberta judge sentenced a Fort McMurray, Alta., woman to 10 years in prison on Wednesday, after she was convicted of child pornography charges and sexual interference of a minor. On Wednesday, Court of King's Bench Justice Shaina Leonard said Marlena Bennett, 37, committed the offences to appease her partner, Andrew Wall, but she still had high moral culpability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leonard also believes Bennett to be a risk to the public and children, because Bennett is still in a relationship with Wall and has been unwilling to end communication with him. Bennett and Wall were arrested in February 2021, after police seized their computers and electronic devices in October 2020 and conducted a forensic analysis, according to the 2021 ALERT release. The child pornography investigation involved an infant victim, police said. Bennett was initially charged with two counts of distribution of child pornography, and one count each of possession of child porn, sexual assault, sexual interference and bestiality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, she was found guilty of the child porn charges and sexual interference. With credit for time spent in remand before trial, she has just over nine years left to serve. The judge also imposed multiple conditions on Bennett, including prohibiting her from communicating with Wall during her sentence. She also recommended that Bennett attend a program for sex offenders offered by Corrections Canada. Moral culpability attenuated by Wall's behaviour Defence lawyer Frank Carbonaro acknowledged Bennett's offences were severe, but argued her moral culpability was reduced because she was in an unhealthy relationship with Wall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bennett faced significant duress, coercion and bullying by Wall when she committed the offences, he said. Leonard said Bennett's moral culpability was high, but agreed Wall's behaviour played a role. The judge noted Bennett had tried unsuccessfully to resist Wall and that she committed the offences to please him. However, Bennett has stayed in touch with Wall since the arrest, and she considers them still in a relationship, Leonard said, adding that Bennett has been unwilling to stop communicating with Wall. As a consequence, Leonard found Bennett is still a risk to the public and to children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the expert report received by the court, Bennett poses a moderate risk of reoffending. She was described as a likely target of coercion, leading to further offences. Bennett engaged in the production of child sexual abuse material through lengthy text messages and "vulgar and explicit" images she shared with Wall, the report said. Bennett did not speak during the sentencing hearing. Carbonaro, her lawyer, declined an interview. Crown satisfied with the sentence Crown prosecutor Bonnie Parker was pleased with the "very well-articulated" sentence and does not plan to appeal it, she told CBC News after Wednesday's hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sentence is significant, given Bennett's involvement, "but was critically necessary given the aggravating factors," Parker said. Bennett doesn't have a previous criminal record, so Parker hopes the sentence sends a strong message, she said. "I would hope women of every background appreciate that infants are not appropriate sexual partners and if your partner wishes to have a sexual relationship with an infant, you need to be strong enough to get out of that relationship," Parker said. Parker said "there's no doubt" that Wall is more culpable than Bennett because he coerced her. But she finds it concerning that Bennett "does not seem to appreciate that he was manipulative and coercive," given Bennett was abused and manipulated during her childhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If she is released from custody and does get back together with [Wall], the expert report recognizes there's a very real risk that she will commit similar offences," Parker said. Wall will be sentenced at a later date, which hasn't yet been set. Since 2006, one of the countrys largest public exhibits of Civil War memorabilia found its home in a faux southern manor in White Settlement, a few hundred feet off Loop 820. Collin Jefferson stood by the gift shop of the Texas Civil War Museum late Thursday morning, as the first of its final visitors began to trickle in. The store had mostly been scraped clean, save for some T-shirts and containers of disfigured, 0.58 caliber bullet casings selling for 92 cents a piece. The mood has been kind of sad, Jefferson said. The 31-year-old Plano native sported the blue overcoat and cap of a Union infantryman, rifle and flask slung over his shoulder. He began volunteering at the museum as a docent about five years ago, having participated in Civil War reenactments since he was 14 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve gotten a lot of people to see the collection and give a thought to the history, he said. I think its pretty much fulfilled the mission. The pet project of Fort Worth oilman and part-time history buff Ray Richey announced its closure in late August. Financial and familial pressures compelled the family to shut down the exhibit after nearly 20 years in operation. When he went into a home three years ago, we had enough money in the account to keep it from closing for about three more years, Marcus Richey, Richeys son and the museums director, said. It was my dads passion and joy. He just wanted to share it with everybody. Richey senior spent the better part of forty years amassing thousands of Civil War artifacts, now valued at upward of $10 million. His wife, Judy, pieced together her own collection of Victorian dresses showcased in an adjoining hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The museum rarely thrived during its lifetime, typically attracting around 20 visitors on any given day, by Marcus estimate. His father largely covered the museums expenses out of pocket, with little expectation of turning a profit. News of its shutdown stimulated a surge in attendees in recent months. Richey designed the museum with the intent of balancing portrayals of Confederate and Union experiences during the war. The owner had so many artifacts that he set up each one of these cases to mirror image one another, the museums sales director, Dennis Partrich, explained. He motioned toward three consecutive rooms of glass displays of rifles, knives, hats, flags, bone saws and cannons, the north-facing wall storing Union gear and its opposite housing Confederate apparel. I think it gives a really great juxtaposition of both sides, at least just in the military artifacts, Jefferson said. Collin Jefferson, a docent at the Texas Civil War Museum, explains an exhibit on the museums final day. Controversy Political currents and the scrutiny of historians challenged the museums bid for neutrality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The museums collection makes next to no mention of slavery. The Star-Telegram documented at least two during its visit Thursday both in a short film celebrating the valor and grittiness of Texan fighters in the War Between the States broadcast on repeat in the museums auditorium. A snippet explaining how early Texas became more southern by the day showed a grainy photograph of a clapboard storefront where white patrons bought and sold Black slaves, never saying the word outright. One of the films closing scenes briefly described the emancipation of enslaved Texans at the wars end. Critics over the years have struggled to understand how an institution ostensibly committed to educating future generations about the character and courage that all Americans demonstrated in helping to build this nation could skirt around the conflicts principal cause and the suffering of its victims. It was the major part of the Civil War, Marcus Richey told the Star-Telegram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His father acknowledged as much, he added, but refrained from engaging with the topic. Hes like, I didnt want to spend money on such a sad part of history, Richey explained of his dads thinking when curating exhibits. I just want to stay away from all of that and just say: Heres what they had, heres what they fought with, heres their uniforms, and thats it. Patti Crummel looks at different types of dresses worn in the 1800s on display at the Texas Civil War Museum. The museum had also cultivated close ties with the United Daughters of the Confederacy, whose Texas division manages displays of Confederate memorabilia in their own corner of the building. The museums former executive director, Cynthia Harriman, was a life-long member of the group. Founded by the female relatives of Confederate fighters three decades after their surrender, the United Daughters of the Confederacy has the stated goal of honoring the memory of its Confederate ancestors and supporting its descendants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Historians have long denounced the organization for peddling distorted narratives of the war in schools and public forums, lionizing the southern cause and sanitizing the white supremacy that underpinned it. Much of the groups advocacy took the form of erecting monuments honoring Confederate leaders and regiments. UDC patrons commissioned a granite obelisk commemorating Our Heroes in Gray on the museums front patio in 2012. National debates surrounding the purpose and impact of these structures prompted many local governments to tear them down. Dallas hauled off an imposing metal effigy of Confederate general Robert E. Lee from a park bearing his name in Sept. 2017. The city considered shipping it to Richeys museum before electing to sell it to a private buyer. The future of history The United Daughters of the Confederacy will reclaim their portion of the collection once the museum shuts its doors. Richeys paraphernalia is being appraised and sold off by a consignor in Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marcus, a youth pastor, plans to take up his fathers oil-and-gas business once the museum operation winds down. Jefferson, an aerospace engineer by day, hopes to stay active in the reenactment scene, and maybe even start a live history exhibition of his own, if the pressures of work and fatherhood allow. Museum visitors take a look at the artifacts on display at the Texas Civil War Museum. The museum welcomed its final visitors Oct. 31. What kind of gap in Civil War discourse the museum will leave behind, and what, if anything, might fill it, neither could say for certain. A lot of people dont really know much about the Civil War, because a lot of the Civil War is not taught for very long in school, Richey said. Its such a touchy subject, I think people shy away from it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Social studies curricula in Texas public schools only began listing slavery as a central facet of the Civil War in the 2019-20 school year. But as the countrys past crises become co-opted and distorted for political purposes, clarifying the historical record has taken on new urgency. Sometimes people come in with absolutely no understanding (of the Civil War), no basis whatsoever, Jefferson said. That makes it all the more important, because I think its being seriously misconstrued one way or the other. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Democrat Helena Foulkes still isnt a declared candidate for Rhode Island governor in 2026, but she continues to raise money like one. Ahead of Thursdays deadline to file a financial update with the R.I. Board of Elections, Foulkes revealed that she raised $412,000 during the three-month period ending Sept. 30. I am grateful for the support as I continue to meet with Rhode Islanders and listen to their concerns about our states future, Foulkes said in a statement. She declined further comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fundraising total for Foulkes, a former CVS executive, significantly outpaced incumbent Gov. Dan McKee. She nearly wrested the Democratic gubernatorial nomination from him in 2022 and is planning to run again in 2026. A report filed Thursday afternoon by McKees campaign showed the governor raised $144,000 over the same period. Foulkes campaign said she ended the quarter with $842,000 in cash on hand, while McKee had $505,000. That cash gap is much wider than it was at the end of the previous two quarters. No polling has been conducted in the 2026 gubernatorial race, but surveys have shown a decrease in McKees job approval rating this year as his administration has struggled to deal with the closure of the Washington Bridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKee hasnt officially announced that he will run for reelection in 2026 but has said he is positioning himself to be able to do so. House Speaker Joe Shekarchi who is already sitting on roughly $3 million in his campaign account has expressed interest in seeking the Democratic nomination if McKee bows out. Secretary of State Gregg Amore has, as well. For now, the governor is keeping a close eye on the moves made by Foulkes and her allies. At a news conference Thursday, McKee accused Attorney General Peter Neronha of investigating the ILO contract scandal in part to help Foulkes, whom Neronha voted for in 2022 and is expected to support again in 2026. Neronhas spokesperson replied that the governor was engaging in deflection as an effort to distract public attention from his actions. Ted Nesi (tnesi@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesis Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Threads and Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Nesi's Notes Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. In recent weeks, the City of North Myrtle Beach has called to remove their city manager, had him sign a confidentiality agreement about the end of his employment and denied four Freedom of Information Act requests. All of these denials are illegal, according to South Carolina Press Association attorney Taylor Smith. Assuming you even have an expectation of privacy and the performance of your public duties, which our Supreme Court has already rejected in most circumstances, if you chose to withhold an entire record under a claim of exemption, you would use what the statute says as your tool, meaning, with redaction, you can black out every single word, even perhaps punctuation, if that would reveal somehow information that is private, he said. That is the way in which they would withhold the personnel file lawfully, which theyre not doing here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two different FOIA requests for former city manager Mike Mahaneys personnel file, filed a month apart, were both denied, according to emails between the city and The Sun News. The information requested is exempt from disclosure pursuant to section 30-4-40(a)(2) of the Code of Laws of South Carolina because the information is of a personal nature where the public disclosure thereof would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy, the city cited as their reason for denying Mahaneys personnel file again on Oct. 24. At the bottom of a second denial email, Public Information Officer Lauren Jessie listed Mahaneys salary as $253,010.42 and wrote that his contract began on July 6, 2010, and it ended on Oct. 22, 2024. In a separate, and third FOIA request for now acting city manager Ryan Fabbris personnel file, Jessie cited the same reason, and refused to release documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below her citation of the same state statute used to withhold Mahaneys file, Jessie wrote that Fabbris salary is $130,000. An email sent to Fabbri on Oct. 22 asking for a copy of his personnel file went unanswered as of Thursday morning. A fourth request for text messages that contained the words Mike Mahaney, Mike, Mahaney or City Manager and were sent or received by elected city council members, the mayor and Fabbri within 30 business days of Sept. 18 were sent on Oct. 30, which is more than a month after the request was made. Those responses included five grainy photos of individual text messages without the name of the sender, the times or the dates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A subsequent Freedom of Information Act request asking for the numbers and names of the texts senders, was denied in part. The names and phone numbers of the Citizens from Texts 1 and 2 are exempt from disclosure pursuant to section 30-4-40(a)(2) of the Code of Laws of South Carolina because the information is of a personal nature where the public disclosure thereof would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy, the denial said. According to the Federal Records Act, communications of government officials are public record. Smith said that there is no expectation of privacy when communicating with public employees or officials, and that a phone number does not constitute as an unreasonable invasion of privacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is difficult for me to even assume that by learning a telephone number seven or 10 digits that I suddenly also am linked to a person by their name, address or other identifying information, meaning, if its just a number, it is a number, he said. It does not even glean personal information, much less information which are behind an expected zone of privacy, and even less that it would be an unreasonable invasion of privacy to release said number. At the end of email exchanges with public employees or elected officials, many sign-offs will indicate that the exchange is subject to FOIA and part of public record. All e-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to public disclosure under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the bottom of Fabbris email signature states. This correspondence is intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is proprietary, privileged, confidential or otherwise legally exempt from disclosure. Mahaney was first removed from his role and placed on paid administrative leave during a special meeting on Sept. 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Approximately one month later, on Oct. 22, city council voted to accept his letter of resignation, and pay him more than $300,000 in exchange for him signing a non-disparaging agreement with North Myrtle Beachs Mayor Marilyn Hatley. A request for a copy of Mahaneys resignation letter remains pending with the city, as of Thursday morning. BANGKOK (Reuters) -Four Thai nationals were killed and one was injured by rocket fire near the town of Metula, close to the border between Lebanon and Israel, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa posted on the social media platform X on Friday. Last year, 46 Thais were among the 1,200 people killed when Hamas militants launched an attack across Israeli borders, according to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thirty Thai nationals were abducted during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack, and six are believed to still be in captivity, according to Thai authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli response to the attack has since laid waste to the Palestinian territory of Gaza and killed tens of thousands of people. Israel has also launched attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. Before the conflict, about 30,000 Thai nationals worked in Israel, mostly in the agriculture sector, making up one of the largest groups of migrant workers in Israel. "Thailand continues to strongly urge all parties to return to the path of peace, in the name of the innocent civilians gravely impacted by this prolonged and deepening conflict," Thai foreign minister Maris said. (Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng, Editing by John Mair and Christian Schmollinger) Uniquely is a Fresno Bee series that covers the moments, landmarks and personalities that define what makes living in the Fresno area so special. On Oct. 31, 1990, Fresno magician Joseph The Amazing Joe Burrus attempted a daring feat. Following in the footsteps of famed escape artist Harry Houdini, Burrus planned to be buried alive in a plastic-glass coffin under feet of cement, only to emerge unscathed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I consider myself a master of illusion and escape artist. I believe Im the next Houdini and greater, Burrus told The Fresno Bee in 1990 before the stunt. To me, thats what an escape artist is: to put myself in an impossible situation and get out of it. However, the trick went tragically wrong. Like Houdini, Burrus died on Halloween night. What happened that Halloween night more than 30 years ago? The Bee revisited the tragic event. Who was Fresno magician Joe Burrus? Born in April 10, 1958, Joe Burrus grew up in Fresno and attended Central High School before moving to Salem, Oregon. His mother, Bette Burrus, told The Bee in 1990 that her son had been diagnosed with dyslexia and struggled with drug and alcohol abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burrus supported himself as a tree trimmer for years before deciding that he had grown too old for that work, The Bee previously reported. Magic was his new life. When Burrus became interested in the art of illusion, he stopped drinking, his family said. Burrus started with routine sleight-of-hand tricks such as linking rings and floating wands, but he soon became interested in high-profile stunts and escapes. He had a burning desire to become famous, his mother said of her son. He knew Houdini did crazy stunts, and Joe knew he had to gain notoriety by doing something people would be willing to look at. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He already thought of himself as one of the greats, one of Burrus assistants, J.D. Bristow, told The Bee in 1990. Amazing Joe Burrus What was escape artists signature trick? One of Burrus signature tricks involved a classic buried alive stunt. The magician was handcuffed, chained and locked inside a clear coffin that was then covered with five feet of dirt. Burrus practiced his trick countless times in front of his neighbor and frequently discussed the stunt with passersby at job sites, The Bee reported. Burrus even carried his coffin with him on a truck as he traveled throughout Fresno, according to The Bees archives, along with placards promoting The Amazing Joe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One year before his death Burrus performed the trick successfully in public in Oregon escaping in about 30 minutes after he was buried under the earth, his oldest son, Joe, recalled on the 2018 Netflix series Death by Magic. For his next feat, the magician planned to escape from a coffin covered with dirt and wet cement at a fundraising event at Blackbeards Family Fun Center, a Fresno amusement park. He wanted to raise money for The Third Floor, a Fresno drug rehabilitation home. Burrus reportedly told Bob Klise, executive director of Third Floor, that the coffin represented drug addiction. The act of emerging from the coffin represented his recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burrus had another, equally personal reason for attempting the feat: This event was to be his springboard to fame, Bristow said. Before attempting the stunt for real, Burrus conducted an above-ground trial run at a Fresno pumpkin patch, The Bee reported, placing his coffin on a wooden platform near several hay stacks. Burrus told bystander David Byrd that hed have to get out of his chains, handcuffs and the coffin in one minute, before the concrete covered him, The Bee reported. But by the time he emerged from the clear coffin ... five minutes had passed. Still, Burrus was convinced the stunt would work, assuring Fresno resident Paula Scelzi that there was a trick to everything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was so sure of this, so confident, Scelzi told The Bee. He said Houdini had tried it with dirt and that he could be just as good or better. Her 8-year-old daughter, Pam Scelzi, had a different opinion. She said, Hes going to die, mom. Hes going to die, Paula Scelzi said Using ropes, workers lower Joe Burrus and plastic coffin. What happened on Halloween? On the night of Halloween 1990, Burrus dressed in a white tuxedo and white patent leather shoes before heading to Blackbeards Family Fun Center in a white limousine, The Bee previously reported. First, Burrus did some magic tricks for a crowd of 150 people that included his children Joe, then 13, and Joshua, then 10 and his ex-wife, Linda Jaurique. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At about 9:30 p.m., Burrus was handcuffed, chained and locked in his plastic-glass coffin. Then, as a camera projected the scene onto a large video screen, the coffin was lowered into a 7-foot-deep grave. When we started burying him, he knocked and wanted us to stop, Sean Henderson, a Third Floor resident who helped bury Burrus, told The Bee in 1990. So we stopped and uncovered the edges of the coffin and unkeyed the locks and opened the coffin enough so that he could talk. Burrus reportedly told Henderson that the chain around his neck was too tight. After Burrus slipped off the chain, he asked his assistants to put the locks back on and start burying him again, Henderson said, giving his helpers two thumbs up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The assistants shoveled about 3 feet of dirt into the hole before a truck poured in another 3 feet of wet cement. As soon as we finished and the truck pulled away, the whole thing dropped about 2 feet, Henderson said, and witnesses heard the coffin shatter. The . . . cement busted the coffin, Henderson said. Workers pulled Burrus out of the hole, but paramedics couldnt revive him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Workers try to rescue Fresno magician Joseph Amazing Joe Burrus after a stunt went wrong on Oct. 31, 1990. What went wrong with buried alive stunt? While Burrus had previously practiced his buried alive stunt by covering a coffin with dirt, Halloween 1990 marked the first time he attempted a mix of earth and wet concrete. Combined, the two substances weighed as much as 7 tons, according to The Bees archives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bristow told The Bee that Burrus had made no attempt to calculate the weight of the dirt and wet concrete and tested the strength of the coffin simply by jumping on it. The plastic-glass box had no steel reinforcing rods and had been previously damaged, Bristow said. When a piece of plastic-glass fell off, Burrus used glue purchased from a hardware store to repair it, The Bee reported. Escape is a different discipline from stage tricks. Its dangerous, John Lewis, owner of Mister Mystics Magic Corner in Salem, Oregon, told The Bee in 1990. You have to do a lot of planning, Lewis said. Houdini practiced everything again and again and again. Joe didnt practice in advance, didnt build mock-ups and didnt do obvious things like test the strength of the casket with sand. Fresno County Coroner David Hadden is pictured in the coroners homocide autopsy room in 2014. Hadden performed the autopsy on Fresno magician Joseph The Amazing Joe Burrus. What killed Central Valley man? According to Fresno County Coroner David M. Hadden, Burrus died of asphyxia caused by the compression of his chest. Burrus body showed no bruising, The Bee reported in 1990, and he had no dirt in his lungs. Pathologists found concrete under Burrus fingernails, indicating that he had worked hard to escape. He was on his way up when everything came crashing down on him, his son, Joe Burrus, told TV station ABC 30 in 2018. He actually made it out. He just didnt have a chance to get out of the grave because he suffocated. The coroner found traces of marijuana in Burrus system, according to The Bees archives, but determined that the small amount of the drug probably was not enough to impair the magicians judgment or affect his physical abilities during the trick. This was not a failure on the part of Joseph, The Amazing Joe Burrus, his mother told The Bee in 1990. It was an equipment failure. What is the legacy of The Amazing Joe? Over the years, Joe Burrus tragic death has captured the attention of magic fans and TV producers alike inspiring episodes of Investigation Discoverys True Nightmares and Netflixs Death by Magic. Buruss would have likely appreciated the attention. Joe wanted to be in the limelight and he wanted to be in it all the time, Lewis told The Bee. I think Joe thought he was indestructible. He never talked negatively about his plans and never talked about dying. Buruss eldest son told news publication Your Central Valley in 2016 that his father died doing what he loved: entertaining. Its something he enjoyed doing for his family, his friends, for anybody whod look, the younger Joe Burrus said. I know that he died doing what he wanted to do, and I wouldve rather had it that way than any other way. Donald Trumps first stint as commander-in-chief between 2017 and 2021 was anything but smooth sailing, with firings and acrimonious departures as much a feature of his administration as it was central to his hit NBC reality show The Apprentice. And, the years that followed have also been eventful for the most notable characters from his presidency. Some have ended up in prison or criminally charged in connection to their involvement with the former president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some have become his most vocal critics, sounding the alarm about the dangers of a second term. Few are still on speaking terms with him. Now, with Trump now on the cusp of election victory and a second term in the White House heres a reminder of some of the key figures in Trumps first administration and where they are now: Mike Pence Mike Pences relationship with Trump irreparably collapsed over the events of 6 January 2021 (AFP/Getty) Trumps vice president stuck by him throughout his presidency but their relationship irreparably collapsed over the events of 6 January 2021. A mob of MAGA supporters stormed the US Capitol, some chanting Hang Mike Pence! and erecting a gallows, based on Trumps false claims that his VP could stop the certification of the 2020 election results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pence briefly challenged Trump for the Republican nomination last year before dropping out of the race, declining to endorse him. Mike Pompeo Mike Pompeo was one of the few members of the administration not to fall out with Trump (Getty) Along with the likes of education, housing and transportation secretaries Betsy DeVos, Ben Carson and Elaine Chao, Pompeo was one of the few members of the administration not to fall out with Trump, serving first as director of the CIA and then secretary of state. He has since joined the conservative think-tank the Hudson Institute, the board of directors of an Israeli counter-disinformation company and a Texas criminal law firm, and has also founded a PAC and published a memoir. Steve Mnuchin Steve Mnuchin and Pompeo were reportedly involved in discussions about invoking the 25th Amendment to remove the president over the Capitol riot (AP) A former Hollywood movie mogul with executive producer credits on a string of blockbusters between 2014 and 2017, Mnuchin served as Trumps treasury secretary for the duration of his administration and was another rare member of the Cabinet with whom he had a non-contentious relationship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That said, both he and Pompeo were reportedly involved in discussions about invoking the 25th Amendment to remove the president over the Capitol riot. He has since kept a low profile. Jim Mattis Jim Mattis resigned midway through Trumps term in opposition to his decision to withdraw American troops from Syria (AP) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Marine Corps four-star general, Mad Dog Jim Mattis commanded forces in the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War before becoming Trumps first defense secretary. After numerous disagreements over Middle East policy, Mattis resigned midway through Trumps term in opposition to his decision to withdraw American troops from Syria. He was replaced by Mark Esper and has since retired. John Bolton John Bolton has since emerged as an outspoken anti-Trump talking head (Sky News) Trumps hawkish second national security adviser, appointed in April 2018 to succeed HR McMaster, left the administration in September 2019 after falling out with his boss, despite successfully lobbying for the withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bolton, who said he would be prepared to testify against Trump at his first impeachment trial should he be subpoenaed by the Senate, has since emerged as an outspoken anti-Trump talking head and wrote a memoir about his time working for the businessman in 2020. He also returned to an old post, working as an adviser to the Rhone Group private equity fund. Bill Barr Bill Barr resigned shortly after the Justice Department found no evidence of voter fraud in the 2020 election (CNN) Trumps second attorney general, who replaced Jeff Sessions and shielded him from the Mueller report in 2019, resigned shortly after the Justice Department found no evidence of voter fraud in the 2020 election, contradicting the presidents baseless narrative that the White House was stolen from him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barr subsequently became more critical of Trump, memorably likening him to a defiant nine-year-old kid whos always pushing his glass towards the end of the table, defying his parents to stop him from doing it. John Kelly John Kelly has spoken out to warn against a second Trump administration (AP) Initially Trumps homeland security secretary before being moved to White House chief of staff to replace the short-lived Reince Priebus, John Kelly believed he could be one of the adults in the room to keep Trump in line. He left in dismay in 2019 and has since retired from public service. In recent weeks, he has spoken out to warn against a second Trump administration, calling the GOP candidate a fascist and recalling his alleged praise of Aolf Hilter. Mark Meadows Mark Meadows was indicted in both Georgia and Arizona over the unlawful attempt to overturn Joe Bidens 2020 election victory (AP) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps third and final chief of staff, a former North Carolina congressman, ended up being held in criminal contempt of Congress for refusing to talk to the House January 6 committee. He was also indicted, along with others, in both Georgia and Arizona over the unlawful attempt to overturn Joe Bidens 2020 election victory. Steve Bannon Steve Bannon walked free from jail just in time for Election Day (AP) The ex-Breitbart editor only actually served as Trumps senior counselor for the first eight months of his presidency but has remained a major figure in right-wing media. Like Meadows, he refused to comply with a subpoena from the House January 6 panel, was found guilty on two counts of contempt of Congress by a jury and, after taking his fight all the way to the Supreme Court, was finally jailed in Connecticut from July 1 to October 29 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He re-emerged to a heros welcome from the MAGA movement to resume podcasting just in time for Election Day. Kellyanne Conway Kellyanne Conway served as his White House senior counselor between 2017 and 2020 (Getty) Immortalised for coining the Orwellian phrase alternative facts in answer to the dispute over the size of the crowd at Trumps inauguration, Conway served as his White House senior counselor between 2017 and 2020. She remains a popular guest on conservative media and split from her husband George Conway, who is one of the most outspoken of the Never Trump Republicans. Sarah Huckabee Sanders Sarah Huckabee Sanders was Trumps press secretary from 2017 to 2019 (AP) Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders was Trumps press secretary from 2017 to 2019, spending her days defending him as the adminstration stumbled from one publicity disaster to the next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was last heard from in September for attacking Harris for not having children of her own to keep her humble, despite the vice president having two step-children. Stephanie Grisham Stephanie Grisham has since come out as an outspoken opponent of Trump (Reuters) Sanderss successor lasted less than a year in the job and has since come out as an outspoken opponent of Trump, even addressing this summers Democratic National Convention. Speaking to CNN earlier this year, she said of the 45th president: He used to tell me when I was press secretary, Go out there and say this. And if it was false, he would say, It doesnt matter, Stephanie. Just say it over and over and over again, people will believe it. Anthony Scaramucci Anthony Scaramucci regularly speaks out against Trump (Getty) The brash New Yorker, who famously lasted just 10 days as communications director, has built a successful media career since leaving the White House, regularly speaking out against Trump and currently co-hosting the US edition of the popular The Rest is Politics podcast. Nikki Haley Nikki Haley ran against Trump for the Republican nomination in 2024 (AP) The former South Carolina governor was Trumps ambassador to the United Nations but earned his lasting emnity by running against him for the Republican nomination in 2024, where he mocked her remorselessly as Birdbrain and even questioned her husbands military service. Incredibly, she subsequently endorsed him, but Trump has largely shunned her help in campaigning. Peter Navarro Peter Navarro was jailed for ignoring subpoenas from Congress relating to January 6 (Reuters) Like Bannon, Trumps former trade adviser enthusiastically pushed election conspiracy theories and was jailed for ignoring subpoenas from Congress relating to January 6. Navarro received a rapturous reception from Trump supporters when he emerged from prison in Florida, going on later that same day to address the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. NBC News Yamiche Alcindor interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris just before her rally at the Talking Stick Amphitheatre in Phoenix on Thursday afternoon. Read the full transcript: ALCINDOR: Thank you so much for speaking with me, Madam Vice President. What concerns you most when you think about how close this election is and these key swing states that you need to win? HARRIS: It is my responsibility to be everywhere I can to talk directly with voters and talk to them about the issues that are at stake in this election so that I can earn their vote. So thats why Im here today in Arizona, why yesterday I was in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania. And Im going to be all over the country pretty much especially in the swing states talking with folks about the issues that relate to them and the contrast between me and Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALCINDOR: Former first lady Michelle Obama said she stays up at night wondering why this election is so close. Do you do that? What keeps you up at night? HARRIS: What keeps me up at night are the challenges that face the American family and my role and responsibility and my to-do list to address those issues. Whether it be on bringing down the cost of groceries, bringing down the cost of housing, what we need to do to make sure that child care is affordable for working families, what I will do to make sure that Medicare covers in-home care for seniors. Those are the things that keep me up, which is doing the work that will directly impact the people of America. And this, again, is a big contrast between me and Donald Trump. He spends full time talking about himself, his personal grievances, his enemies list. On Day One, I will walk into the Oval Office with my to-do list, which is about helping the American people deal with their challenges and also tap into their ambitions and dreams. ALCINDOR: Former President Donald Trump has said that he would be a protector of women, whether they like it or not. What do you make of that, and how does that contrast with your views on women and their rights and needs? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HARRIS: Well, Ill just speak on behalf of myself, but also the Americans that I speak with every day around our country, regardless of their gender, which is the majority of Americans, believe that women are intelligent enough and should have and be respected for their agency to make decisions for themselves about what is in their best interest and not have their government, and certainly not Donald Trump, telling them what to do. And his latest comment is just the most recent in a series of examples that we have seen from him, in his words and deeds, about he how he devalues the ability of women to have the choice and the freedom to make decisions about their own body. ALCINDOR: Former President Trump also rode around in a garbage truck to call attention to President Bidens comments about his supporters and their rhetoric. Are you concerned that President Bidens comments might undermine your own messaging that you want to be a president for all Americans? HARRIS: Well, Ive addressed how I feel about those comments. One, that the president explained what he meant, but two, I do not believe, and I will speak for myself, that we should ever criticize people based on who they vote for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But lets understand again where we are in this election. On the one hand, you have Donald Trump, who refers to people by the most demeaning words, who attempts to really take from them the dignity that they so rightly deserve. He is someone who talks full-time about the enemy within. He speaks ill of America. He refers to us as a garbage can, and he does not understand that most people are exhausted with his rhetoric, exhausted with that approach, exhausted with an approach that Donald Trump has that's trying to divide our country and have Americans point fingers at each other. Theyre done with it, and theyre ready to turn the page and accept and receive a new generation of leadership, which I offer. ALCINDOR: As he and his supporters grab on to that language, though, from President Biden, youre not at all concerned that that might undermine your messaging? HARRIS: I am very clear that in this election what the American people want most is to know that I have a plan, that we have a plan to bring down the cost of living and invest in American families, invest in small businesses, invest in our economy. I am proud that I have the support of leading economists in our nation who recognize that I actually have a specific plan and that it will strengthen Americas economy. He has very little of a plan besides giving tax breaks to the richest people, and his plan, whatever it may be, will actually weaken our economy. ALCINDOR: Ive talked to Americans from all across this country in all walks of life who are inspired by your story. Whats your message to them as they are looking at your journey, especially the history that you are making and might make as the first Black woman and Indian woman to break down this, this glass ceiling? And even now, of course, making the history that youre making now? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HARRIS: Well, you know, youve probably heard me say many times my mother said to me, 'Kamala, you may be the first to do many things; make sure youre not the last.' And what I see in the people who are coming to rallies such as this are, you know, young men, young women, people of every age, every background, every race, who are excited about the possibility of a new generation of leadership and excited about the fact that they have a choice to have a president of the United States who actually sees them, gets them and wants to do the hard work that is about improving their life. ALCINDOR: Day One, whats your first executive action? HARRIS: Well, my first priority, which will be probably the package of bills, is about bringing down the cost of living. So its about housing, its about child care, its about what we need to do to deal with grocery prices. So its not one, but its a package that is, with one singular purpose, bringing down the cost of living. ALCINDOR: We have to go, but you talk about your mother, and what would you what do you think your mother would be telling you in these final days before this election against Donald Trump? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HARRIS: Just go beat him. Thats probably what shed say. Yeah, thats my mother. ALCINDOR: OK, well, I know she gave you a lot of lessons. So thank you so much. HARRIS: Thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you. Good to talk with you. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Floridians are about to vote on Amendment 3, a ballot measure that would legalize recreational marijuana for all adults. The state is already the countrys largest medical-only market, with 831,000 doctor-approved patients spending more than $2 billion annually. Legalizing it fully would open sales to the Sunshine States 140 million annual visitors. This potential bonanza has the cannabis industry salivating. Tallahassee-based Trulieve, one of the countrys largest pot companies, with almost 160 dispensaries in Florida alone, has put more than $140 million into the effort, more than 90 percent of total contributions. For comparison, the two sides in Floridas likely Republicanrated Senate race have raised a combined $73 million. Like the states upcoming vote on whether to protect the right to abortion until fetal viability, Amendment 3 needs 60 percent support to pass. Legalization has never been more popular: A year ago, Gallup found 70 percent of Americans support it87 percent of Democrats and 55 percent of Republicanswith support more than doubling since 2001. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its among the least-partisan issues in the country, a reflection of the policys general popularity and the oppositions low voltage. Almost no one protests pot shops. But the politics, somewhat removed from our familiar redblue divides, are anything but docile. And in Florida theyre a proxy fight for how the cannabis industry will take shape nationwide. The ballot measure, on the eve of the vote, appears closer than legalizations broad popularity suggests. A new poll from Florida Atlantic University puts support at exactly 60 percent. Reluctance among some voters in the state may owe to controversy over whether the amendment is too friendly to Trulieve and other big companies in how it would shape the states market. Leading the opposition to the big weed cartel that Amendment 3 would create is Floridas Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. Despite making his name as one of Americas staunchest conservatives, DeSantis picking this fight is unusual for several reasons. First, politicians dont normally volunteer to oppose things that are as broadly popular as legal weed, especially when it requires going against a good portion of their voters, allies, and donors. Now, due largely to DeSantis opposition, Amendment 3 has split Florida Republicans. Longtime legalization supporter Rep. Matt Gaetz has sided with DeSantishe says it shouldnt be resolved in the state constitutionbut Donald Trump endorsed the measure, soon after a reported meeting with Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One can see the logic in DeSantis, who has built his career on anti-wokeness, taking on weed, which still carries a vague whiff of the anti-capitalist left. But in fact, Trulievewhich won Floridas first medical marijuana license in 2015had ties to Tallahassee Republicans when DeSantis was a congressional backbencher. The governors position while in office, since 2018, has been to project his distaste for the product and its putrid smell while quietly working with the industry, which in Florida meant working with Trulieve. DeSantis position was tenable, if not especially principled. Quite a few 420-averse politicians, of both parties, have managed to convey their views without anchoring themselves to an apparent losing position. But instead of voicing his opposition to Amendment 3 and getting out of the way, DeSantis is holding press conferences and spending taxpayer money on opposition ads. Over the past 10 years, as recreational state markets expanded from one (Colorado) to 24, no elected official has expended as much political capital against the plants ineffable progress. Whatever the virtues of the antiAmendment 3 argument, DeSantis political brand and history with the industry makes him a particularly poor messenger. With legal weed now popular and accessible to most Americans, anti-weed ads have evolved in tone. Several of the No on 3 ads are more anti-Trulieve than anti-weed. One spot, titled Them, intones: They wrote it. They rigged it. You cant grow yours. You have to buy theirs. It then references Lorna McMurrey, a 27-year old who collapsed during her shift at a Trulieve factory in Massachusetts and later died at a hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before DeSantis took on Trulieve, he was its ally. The first bill he signed as governor, in 2019, allowed sales of smokable medical weed, in addition to vapes. The next year his Department of Health allowed dispensaries to start selling edibles. And while he now rails against Trulieve as a weed cartel, the Florida market he has overseen is arguably the least friendly of all the state pot markets for small businesses. The state mandates vertical integration of legal weed companies, meaning that all licensed companies must own their own farms, factories, and retail stores. Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, has endorsed Amendment 3 while calling for a legislative overhaul that would allow more companies into the market. This is about freedom, she said. This is about opportunity to make sure that we go back to the libertarian state that we always have been. My read was that DeSantis (like other staunch social conservatives) had correctly assessed weeds waning value as culture war fodder. Surely he realized that when places like Missouri and Ohio have fully legalized, Floridahome to Florida Man and a great many retired boomersseems like an unlikely place for legal weed to meet its Waterloo. But I may have assigned him better political instincts than he actually has. And now hes enmeshed in the weed industrys very messy civil war. In recent years, pot politics have turned nasty as legal usage soars and the industry continues to struggle under taxes, regulations, and other burdens stemming from its ongoing federal illegality. And an incident generally understood to be an accident of Congress has made the issue far more complex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Up for reelection in 2018, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tossed a bone to Kentucky farmers by championing the legalization of hemp, which is cannabis containing a very small amount (0.3 percent) of the intoxicant THC, compared to 15 to 25 percent in a store-bought joint. Hemp, advocates say, has the potential to be used in insulation, building materials, and potentially many other industrial uses. With McConnells support, legal hemp was added to the massive agriculture law, or farm bill, that Congress usually enacts every five years. Hemp has not yet gained much business traction as an industrial material. However, after the farm bill passed, companies soon started manufacturing intoxicating products from the nonintoxicating compounds found in hemp (such as CBD). Because these products are derived from the federally legal hemp plants (which, to be clear, are the same species of plantcannabis sativaas federally illegal marijuana plants), hemp-derived products are not subject to many of the onerous requirements imposed on legal weed. The lower cost and easier production means hemp products now pose a serious threat to licensed weed businesses. (McConnell, who still opposes legalization, has never commented on the chaos he unleashed.) While state-legal cannabis is generally sold only at licensed dispensaries, hemp-derived gummies, joints, and vapes soon arrived in gas stations and smoke shops nationwide. Websites materialized for buying them across state lines, a no-no for licensed weed. Intoxicating hemp sodas quickly became available in liquor stores, bars, and restaurants in some states, whereas Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes have faced protracted struggles in some of the same states. Floridas hemp industry quickly grew to several times the size of its marijuana industry. Legal-cannabis states generally impose limits on potency, ban sales to minors, and ban kid-friendly advertising, like labels with cartoon characters, but these rules didnt initially apply to intoxicating hemp products, and states had to catch up. Now some hemp companies paint themselves as more responsible operators and call for common-sense regulations, such as no sales to kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The marijuana industry meanwhile howls about having to compete with unregulated, lower-taxed hemp products and the dangers they pose to public health. Its a reasonable point. And in response some states have been striving to rein in the hemp industry. In September, California Gov. Gavin Newsom effectively banned hemp products, calling them a threat to children, even as his administration struggles to regulate hazards in the licensed cannabis industry. But in June, when DeSantis was presented with a bill that would have imposed a similar hemp ban, he vetoed it. In the following weeks, CBS reported on text messages that showed hemp executiveswhose lobbyists also have deep ties to Florida Republicansrallying around DeSantis and pledging $5 million to the Florida Republican Party. Those messages showed that in turn, the state GOP would use that money to fight Amendment 3. We know nothing in life is free and neither was this veto, said an introductory post in a WhatsApp message group called Save Florida Hemp. In an interview with CBS, an executive with a hemp distributor denied any quid pro quo. What this is is a governor who fought for small business, who said clearly when he issued the veto that he didnt like the legislation because it was going to hurt small business. And this is small business stepping up to the plate and supporting that governor against an initiative that not only he feels is wrong, but we as an industry feel is wrong. His office has real-time access to this list and is seeing these names and every contribution, one hemp executive posted in the WhatsApp group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis office has denied there was any deal regarding the veto. It also denied monitoring contributions from the hemp industry. He has said he vetoed the hemp-ban bill because it would impose debilitating regulatory burdens on small businesses. In fairness, DeSantis has tried to address the hemp issue. He signed a bill banning hemp sales to kids and kid-friendly packaging the previous year. Still, with 9,000 Florida stores selling hemp products, cannabis industry representatives say noncompliant products are widespread and that enforcement is lax. (Further confusing matters, many so-called hemp products are actually mislabeled weed illegally exported from other states.) Many questions about weed legalization remain unanswered, but after a decade, theres now a basic understanding of how state marijuana markets work and are regulated. However the DeSantishemp alliance came about, it now looks like hes attacking the gray industry of legal weed to benefit the grayer industry of legal hemp. Brady Cobb, the CEO of Ft. Lauderdalebased Sunburn Cannabis, and a politically plugged-in registered Republican, didnt expect DeSantis to oppose full legalization. What happened? I think he got some bad advice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When intoxicating hemp products started gaining traction, around 2021, there was especially strong demand in the generally more conservative states which have not (yet) legalized pot. And it gained a reputation as red-state weed. Now in a position of greater strength, the industry is in no mood to concede ground. Some hemp partisans have assumed a MAGA sneer. Its kind of absurd to characterize the situation as unfair competition, a hemp industry lobbyist previously told me. Hemp operators waited until it was legal. The new hemp industry wont go away if Amendment 3 passes. But if Trulieves initiative fails, hemp will no doubt be emboldened to press its economic advantage over marijuana more widely. For consumers, the consequences of Big Weed and Big Hemp butting heads are unclear. But there are echoes of DeSantis failed primary campaign against Trump, when he tried to be more MAGA than the MAGA king. If that had worked, hed be at the top of the ticket on Tuesday. GALESBURG, Ill. (WMBD) The Galesburg Police Department arrested three men on child pornography-related charges over the last week. According to Galesburg Police Chief Russ Idle, their department was making a joint investigation into three child pornography-related incidents. On Oct. 24, officers executed a search warrant and arrested Kyle Clark, 38, for two counts of dissemination of child pornography, and two counts of possession of child pornography. On Oct. 25, officers executed a search warrant and arrested Timothy Agans, 25, and was arrested for 11 counts of possession of child pornography. He was previously arrested for possession of child porn in 2021 and completed a diversion program. On Oct. 31, officers executed a search warrant and arrested Edward Cox, 25, who was charged with seven counts of possession of child pornography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We take our mission to protect the children of our community very seriously, Idle said. Those who would prey on our young people will be identified, arrested, and brought to justice. Man arrested in Chicago for Galesburg shooting Both Clark and Cox are being detained in the Knox County Jail. Agans has been released from the county jail at this time due to the provisions of the Pretrial Fairness Act. The Illinois State Police, Knox County Sheriffs Office, Illinois Attorney Generals Office Technical Division, and the Knox County States Attorneys Office assisted with the investigations. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Vice President Harris brought her message to the west Thursday and was joined by Senate hopeful Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) in hitting the key battleground of Arizona. It is time for a new generation of leadership in America, and I am ready to offer that leadership as the next president of the United States, she said during a stop in Phoenix. By the way, happy Halloween, Harris said to the crowd, adding that Friday is the last day for early voting by mail in Arizona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vice president was interrupted by a shouting pro-Palestinian protester, which has happened at her rallies throughout this week, and she spread a message of free speech in response. Democracy can be complicated but we believe in democracy and the right of everyone to have their voices heard, its alright, Harris said. Harris was introduced by Gallego, who is in a tight race for the states Senate seat against Republican Kari Lake, a former President Trump ally. Ive known Ruben a long time, and of course Arizona knows him so well. He is a veteran of the Marine Corps, a proven leader, a champion for all of Arizona and please send him to the United States Senate, Harris said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five days Arizona, its time to get the job done, Gallego said in his remarks. If we fight together we can, number one, beat Kari Lake. Number two, defeat Donald Trump. Number three, fight for a better future. Gallego is ahead of Lake by more than 6 percentage points in the Arizona Senate race, according to Decision Desk HQ/ The Hills aggregation of polls. The race for the White House in the state is much closer. Trump is polling at 49 percent and Harris is polling at 47.1 percent in Arizona, according to Decision Desk HQ/ The Hill. When she landed in the city, Harris was greeted by former Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, a Republican who has endorsed Harris and served as ambassador to Turkey during the Biden administration. The vice president is leaning into her GOP endorsements to grow her coalition in the final days before Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She then traveled to Nevada for visits to Reno and Las Vegas, where the band Mana will perform and Jennifer Lopez will introduce Harris as part of her outreach to Latino voters. Trump is also out west Friday, traveling to New Mexico and Henderson, Nev., and then to Arizona. Trump has a razor-thin lead in Nevada, too. He is polling at 48.1 percent, compared to Harriss 47.4 percent, according to the aggregate polling. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Two East Side gang members were convicted of charges stemming from a gun battle inside Crown Center in January. A Jackson County judge found Brian Favela, 23, and Joel Olivas, 24, guilty of numerous charges in the shooting, including two felonies for unlawful use of a weapon, two felonies for armed criminal action, and three misdemeanor harassment counts, according to a news release from the Jackson County Prosecutors Office. Staffers left wondering about payment after KC-area Applebees locations close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said a dispute and argument preceded the gunfire. Six people were hit in the January 17 shooting, according to court documents, including three victims not involved in a disturbance between two groups. Investigators found 54 spent shell casings, live rounds on the ground, and recovered eight spent bullets and 22 bullet fragments. The victims all had non-life threatening injuries, but FOX4 is asking about the extent of those injuries, and to what degree those people have recovered. Todays verdict points to a level of accountability that this office will seek for individuals who engage in this kind of insidious conduct, even when the defendants are armored with Missouris very generous self-defense laws, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker stated in the news release. We will take every step possible to hold offenders accountable for their own criminal behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecutors office says the judge dismissed one count of unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action, determining there wasnt enough evidence to surmount Missouris self-defense laws. The defendants were also found not guilty of terroristic threat. Sentencing for Favela and Olivas is set for December 12 at 2 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. The small town of Geary lost its police chief and all of its police officers Thursday morning, after the chief announced her and the officers resignations. According to a statement from the city's public information officer, Terryl Allen, the city has an interim police chief and will receive assistance from both the Blaine County Sheriff's Office and the Canadian County Sheriff's Office. The interim police chief is JJ Stitt, a distant cousin of Gov. Kevin Stitt and an Oklahoma and Texas peace officer, according to a Facebook comment from the police department. The Oklahoman made a call to Geary City Hall and was told Allen would not be working today, and that no one at city hall had a comment on the situation. The Oklahoman was told by the police department that Stitt would return the request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Be the first to know: Sign up for breaking news email alerts According to the city's Facebook page, the police department employed four patrol officers in addition to the chief of police. "We would like to let our citizens know we are conducting business as usual," Allen said in the statement. "If you have an emergency, please contact 911 like you normally would and an officer will be dispatched to assist you. We would also like to offer our thanks and appreciation to our former Chief of Police and Officers for their service to our community and wish them all the best of luck." Why did the Geary Police Department resign? Alicia Ford, the city's former police chief, said in a statement Thursday resigning from their posts was a difficult choice for her and the other officers to make. But, she said, it was the right choice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have watched the officers serve this community selflessly, working hard to protect and provide the best quality of service possible," Ford said in the statement. "They have been an amazing team that was always willing to sacrifice for this community." While Ford doesn't say why the resignations took place, she went on to encourage residents to "get to know your council members" and be involved in the city government and attend city council meetings. "Your voices are stronger when you stand together as one, and you all have the ability to affect the change you want to see in your community," Ford said. "It has been my honor to serve Geary, and I will forever cherish the people of this community." The announcement left the community in confusion, with dozens of comments expressing questions about why the officers would resign and what it might have to do with the city council. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Entire Geary Oklahoma police force resigns, leaving community confused EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) GECU was honored by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Lone Star Chapter 393 of El Paso as a Purple Heart Business for its outstanding support of the military and veteran community, the company announced in a news release. Photo courtesy of GECU Photo courtesy of GECU The recognition, which was announced on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at GECUs Operations Center, 1225 Airway Blvd., is given to organizations who demonstrate unwavering commitment to honoring and supporting our nations Veterans, particularly for those who have been wounded or killed in combat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are deeply honored to be recognized as a Purple Heart Business by the Military Order of the Purple Heart Lone Star Chapter 393, GECU president and CEO Crystal Long said. Supporting our military and Veteran communities is an important part of GECUs people helping people philosophy, and we remain committed to honoring those who bravely serve our country. The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in present use and was initially created as a Badge of Military Merit by George Washington in 1782, read the news release. The Purple Heart was the first American service award or decoration given to common soldiers and is specifically awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded or killed in combat. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Climate activists march over Brooklyn Bridge to protest fossil fuels on Sept. 20, 2024, in New York. Credit - Selcuk AcarGetty Images Gathering at a rooftop venue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in late October, a group of Gen Z influencers and activists hosted ZCON, a two-day meeting that aims to channel Gen Z values into action and reinvent the conference experience. The idea is to bring together like-minded individuals, connecting nonprofit and private sector businesses with Gen Z activists, influencers, and thought leaders. Following its debut in Los Angeles in 2023, ZCONs goal is to highlight the ways that Gen Z is particularly affected by issues impacting the younger generation, and how they are working towards solutions. I see ZCON as a creative classroom where different people come together to express their forms of art, whether that's through lifestyle, education, or activism, Isaias Hernandez, a climate activist who spoke at ZCON in 2023, tells TIME. And to me, it also does not just bring all these young people together, it brings brands, philanthropists, different people from the private sector, to understand the ways in which stories can be molded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ZCON attendees are well-versed in the ways that Gen Z and younger activists are utilizing social media and influencer culture to tell their stories and call for change. Within panels and breakout groups, ZCON creates space for young activists to commiserate and come together For the 2024 session, the ongoing climate crisis was understandably at the center of the impact discussions, which also held a particular focus on social impact work, such as climate education and communication, as well as fundraising tactics for nonprofits. The Gen Z climate activists are aware that they do not speak for the entire climate activist spaceand admit that they may not agree on everything. Yet, they still see ZCON as a space to imagine what comes next for their community, and what might be achieved in the future. Here is what Gen Z climate activists are prioritizing in the coming year: Environmental justice policy Environmental justice looks at addressing the ways that the climate crisis can and has disproportionately impacted certain vulnerable groups. For Alexia Leclercq, a speaker at ZCON, environmental justice is personal to her, as shes watched the climate crisis affect her indigenous community and other communities of color. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though they see Justice 40the federal governments initiative to flow 40% of the overall benefits of certain climate and energy initiatives to marginalized communitiesas a good step, Leclercq believes there's more work to do. Now that it's kind of like rolled out for a couple years, we've seen gaps in it, and how communities of color are still not getting funding the support necessary, she says. Okay, this was step one. How do we move forward from there? Hernandez also emphasizes the need for focusing on communities of colorparticularly through federal policy and accountability. He sees Gen Z as the generation who will not take the status quo and will keep pushing for policy that cuts against things like animal agriculture subsidies and pushes for policies examining the environmental footprints of the private sector and equitable access to clean water and sustainable transportation. I still think that there's a lot of climate policies that can be pushed within the environmental justice lens, and that looks into making sure that Americans, for example, have access to clean water, Hernandez says. And the second thing is transportation. We are increasing our population size each year as a society, and we need to be able to work with the public sector and governmental agencies to expand our public infrastructure. Alexia Leclercq (third from the left) and Jorge Alvarez (right) speak on a panel about technologys role in connecting people at ZCON 2024. Nick Dybel, Ari ElgharsiUTA Next Gen Education and job access Another undercurrent of conversations happening among Gen Z activists centers on the need for education and access to green jobs for young people entering the workforce and wanting to combat the climate crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leclercq points to her home state of Texaswhere consistent battles have been fought at the local and state levels over how climate change messaging is delivered in school classrooms. Project 2025 didn't come out of nowhere, she says. I think it's really important for the environmental movement to be in the classroom with a narrative that goes beyond science and merges messaging with a social and political understanding of our current state. Sage Lenier, executive director of Gen Z focused Sustainable & Just Future, attended ZCON with a goal in mind: How to equip her fellow Gen Z-ers with accurate and solution-oriented climate education. For Lenier, who was named one of TIMEs Next Generation Leaders in 2023, part of that education includes sharing how individuals can make an impact with their everyday choices, and making sure that the climate crisis is everybodys problem. It is our consumption habits; it is our society. The world's global supply chain is built on serving us, she says, sharing her thoughts on Western societies. I think we need to shift towards more people understanding that this [the climate crisis] needs an economic resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jorge Alvarez, a mental health advocate who recently has been working more towards addressing climate anxiety, also focused on how hard it is for Gen Z to enter into the working force right now. Hes hearing from his peers that they need more opportunities for green jobs specifically. We need to fund pipeline programs, specifically for young people when it comes to green jobs, and also more people of color engagement workperiod, Alvarez says. Read More: 7 Ways to Deal With Climate Despair Balancing optimism and urgency For activists like Alvarez, mental health is a core focus. Climate change anxiety is a serious issue for young people. About two-thirds of Americans (65%) report being worried about global warming, according to a January 2024 report from the Yale Program for Climate Communication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hernandez is also focused on climate anxiety, and says that in 2025, hes hoping to have more conversations about how as a community young people can come together to have conversations that drive action forward, all while looking towards a brighter future. Yet, Lenier says that this optimism must be balanced with the urgency and realities of how climate change will actually affect Gen Z in the future. We need to start doing that work to prepare for the worst, she says. I think, right now, there needs to be work around, like lean, dialing in on the essentials, like food, energy, you know, infrastructure, those kinds of things, right? That's the bare, bare, bare minimum. Contact us at letters@time.com. With days before Tuesday's Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are neck-and-neck in Pennsylvania, one of several key swing states that could determine the winner, a new exclusive USA TODAY/Suffolk poll shows. Harris and Trump are tied with 49% of the vote each, according to a statewide poll of 500 likely voters conducted from Oct. 27 to 30 with a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points. A poll of 300 likely voters in Erie County, which could indicate which way the state trends, was also tied 48% to 48%. Northampton County, another Pennsylvania bellwether, leaned slightly towards Trump, with 50% saying they supported him, to Harris' 48%. The results of the county polls are within the margin of error of 5.65 percentage points. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election 2024 live updates: The latest campaign news as Trump, Harris make final push Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and former President Donald Trump, right. The gender gap in the polls Nationally, Harris is leading decisively among women and Trump has garnered a similar edge with men. And in Pennsylvania, that gender gap is very pronounced, Paleologos said. Trump is up by 20 points among men in Pennsylvania, 57% to 37%, while Harris has an 18% hold on women over Trump, 57% to 39%. Thats compared to Trumps 16-point advantage among men nationally and Harris 17-point advantage among women. More: Harris, Trump deadlocked in battleground Michigan, new exclusive poll shows Women's rights a 'big issue' Kathleen Keshgegian, 42, said women's rights are central to why she already cast her ballot for Harris. "I have two daughters, and that's my big issue," she said. Kathleen Keshgegian, 42, who already cast her ballot for Harris, and her family. "I have terminated a pregnancy, and if I didn't have that option, I think my life would be totally different, and most likely not a good way," said Keshgegian, a stay-at-home mom of three kids, aged 11, 8, and 6, who lives in Oreland, a Philadelphia suburb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Keshgegian voted in 2020 for President Biden because she felt he was the best choice, she "would prefer someone younger, more in tune with a change in the government, as opposed to the same old white men," she said. She feels more connected to Harris, who she finds more relatable and compassionate and less divisive. Keshgegian said Trump may be able to bring down prices, and she understands people may vote for him for that reason. But she can't abide by what she sees as his other characteristics. "He's rude, he's sexist. I'm pretty sure he's a criminal," she said. "I'd rather have less money in my pocket than have someone with his ideals." That calculus weighs differently for others. Trump landing support from people who think economy isn't doing well Luanne McDonald, from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, said she has mixed emotions about the election and views both Trump and Harris as terrible candidates. A self-described independent, McDonald doesnt agree with Trumps stances on abortion or womens rights, but believes Harris is weak and wishy-washy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020 and plans to again on Nov. 5. When it comes to the issues that matter most to her the economy and law and order McDonald said she feels Trump will do a better job. I could buy a Babka at my Whole Foods when he was president, I can't afford it now, McDonald, a former nurse, said, referring to a traditional Jewish sweet bread. Ive never felt poor until now." Unsurprisingly, more than 70% of people who viewed current economic conditions as poor said they supported Trump. Harris outperformed Trump with those who believed the economy was in fair, good or excellent shape. Eric Huhn, 62, plans to vote Republican, from Trump all the way to the bottom of the ticket. Eric Huhn, 62, said he is voting Republican down the ticket. The owner of a house painting and wallpaper business in Chalfont, about 30 miles north of Philadelphia, Huhn said economic issues are his top priority. "Being self-employed, nothing affects me more than what the government does to the economy," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He believes the Republican platform can deliver. Cheaper energy "will help bring down cost of goods, less regulation will also help encourage growth to business," he said. "I like Republicans for their more conservative viewpoints about spending and limited government." Trump's denial of 2020 results turns off some voters Trevor Borchelt, from Berks County, Pa., describes himself as a Reagan-era Republican, who believes in fiscal conservatism and moral responsibility. But he said the party has lost sight of those ideals under Trump and plans to vote for Harris on Election Day, citing democracy as his biggest concern. I don't disagree with some of Trump's policies, Borchelt, 44, said, noting the former president's tax and pro-manufacturing policies. But if you don't pass the bar of accepting the results of an election, [you] don't get to be involved in a democratic election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is facing multiple criminal trials for efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and has refused to say that he would accept the outcome of the 2024 race. Borchelt has never cast a ballot for Trump in 2016 he voted for Libertarian Party candidate Barry Johnson and in 2020 he supported Biden. This year, he said, he hopes that Trump will lose, and politics will return to honest debates about real issues, instead of all the name calling and the violence and ugliness. Im kind of fed up, he said. How many electoral votes does Pennsylvania have? Pennsylvania holds 19 electoral votes the most out of the swing states. Both candidates have campaigned in the state this week. Trump held a rally in Allentown on Tuesday, while Harris visited Harrisburg on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden won Pennsylvania by a razor-thin margin of one percentage point in 2020. He flipped both Erie and Northampton County, which Trump had won in 2016. The state is part of the "blue wall," a group of states that voted blue in recent federal elections, until Trump won three of them Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin in 2016. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: PA poll: Gender gaps present in Trump, Harris support CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) A little village in Louisiana gets a boost in tourism thanks to a new generation moving back home. Alexandra Meachum takes us there for this weeks Destination Louisiane. For the third year, Belcher residents are celebrating a fall festival. The family-friendly event allows local businesses to showcase their products. It gives them a chance to sell some of their wares and get the community together, said residents JD Riech and Hannah Riech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Riechs were born and raised as neighbors in Belcher. They moved off for college but returned and fell in love. Mural in Belcher, La. serves as lasting tribute to hometown hero What was it like growing up in Belcher, asked Alexandra Meachum. Oh, a blast! Hannah Riech replied. Weve always known each other growing up next to each other. Now were married. Together, they oversee the Belcher Fall Fest Committee to grow their quaint villages attractions. Its just comfortable and cozy. You can come ride your bike, walk around, you can wave to your neighbors. Everybody knows everybody, Hannah Riech said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They say they decided to stay because their village is known as a safe place to live and raise a family. Just ask the police chief. Its one of the safest communities in Caddo Parish, said Chief Major Fant, Belcher Police. The Fall Festival features music, bounce houses, and activities for children, including a special visit from Walter B. Jacobs Nature Park. A good time to visit with those you havent seen in a while and get to see the new babies in town, said Lisa Miller, Belchers librarian. Local kids get to decorate the pumpkin displays. Ive been here about 25 years, and I just love Belcher. Its a little village, small town, but its a lovely place to live, said one Belcher resident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The festival celebrates what it means to be from a small town. I think it brings everybody together, said another resident. The Fall Fest also unveiled the villages new mural, highlighting the towns history. We really love it. Were proud to live out here, take care of it, and put things on like this event, JD Riech 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 KTALnews.com. At a brief court appearance Thursday morning, prosecutors charged Doral real estate broker George Pino with felony vessel homicide more than two years after he crashed his boat into a concrete channel marker in Biscayne Bay, killing a 17-year-old girl and severely injuring her classmate. Prosecutor Laura Adams announced the new charge before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Lizzet Martinez, who transferred the case to felony circuit court. Previously, the state had charged Pino with three careless boating misdemeanors in the Sept 4, 2022, boat crash that killed Luciana Lucy Fernandez, an Our Lady of Lourdes Academy senior, and severely injured Katerina Puig, a Lourdes soccer team captain. The new charge stemmed from a witness who came forward after reading articles in the Miami Herald that detailed how boaters who were immediately on the scene after the crash were never contacted by state investigators. The new witness, a Miami-Dade firefighter who was on the scene shortly after the crash, told prosecutors that Pino showed signs of being intoxicated when he came upon him in the bay. George Pino, a prominent Doral real estate broker, is now facing a vessel homicide felony charge stemming from when he crashed his boat into a channel marker in Biscayne Bay in 2022, killing one of his passengers, a 17-year-girl who had attended Our Lady of Lourdes Academy. Initially, he had been charged with three careless boating misdemeanors but the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office reevaluated his case. READ MORE: New witness leads to felony homicide charge 2 years after boat crash killed Lourdes girl Heres what to know about the vessel homicide charge: What is vessel homicide? Under Florida law, vessel homicide is the killing of a person through the reckless operation of a boat. Its considered a form of manslaughter, said attorney Roy Kahn, a former prosecutor-turned-defense attorney with decades of experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To prove the charge in court, prosecutors must show that the victim is dead, the boats captain piloted the vessel in a reckless manner and the victims death was caused by the captains driving, Kahn said. The offense is virtually the same as vehicular homicide. Whats the possible punishment? Second-degree vessel homicide the charge Pino faces carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, if he were to be convicted. But the law also includes a first-degree vessel homicide charge, which carries a maximum penalty of up to 30 years behind bars. Once you prove that its vessel homicide, the [punishment]... would be increased to first degree if at the time of the accident you knew or should have known that the accident occurred and you failed to give information and render aid as required, Kahn said. How does it differ from manslaughter? Unlike vessel or vehicular homicide, manslaughter doesnt require a boat or a car. Manslaughter centers around a persons negligence causing anothers death, Kahn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So you could be in a bar... in a fight and you pick up a bottle to hit somebody, not in self defense, not intending to kill them, [but] just being negligent culpably would be manslaughter, the attorney said. In vessel and vehicular homicide cases, the law exchanges negligence for reckless operation. The law says, If youre using that [vehicle or vessel] in a reckless manner, its culpable negligence, Kahn said. The terminology is a little different, but the wrongful conduct is pretty much the same. Vessel homicide cases, however, are rare, said Kahn, who has prosecuted and defended manslaughter cases over four decades. Hitting another boat is more rare than is hitting another car and causing a death at 95 miles an hour, he said. MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) Georgia's third-largest county is running late in mailing more than 3,000 absentee ballots to voters just a few days before the election. To deliver the ballots on time, election officials in Cobb County north of Atlanta were using U.S. Postal Service express mail and UPS overnight delivery, and sending the ballots with prepaid express return envelopes. We want to maintain voter trust by being transparent about the situation, county Board of Elections Chairwoman Tori Silas said in a statement Thursday. We are taking every possible step to get these ballots to the voters who requested them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Silas blamed the delay on faulty equipment and a late surge in absentee ballot requests during the week before the Oct. 25 deadline. However, a judge ruled Friday that Cobb County voters receiving their absentee ballots late can return them by Nov. 8, three days after Election Day, as long as they're postmarked by Tuesday, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The ruling came after the American Civil Liberties Union and the Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit seeking to extend the deadline. Georgia voters have shattered early turnout records since advance voting began Oct. 15. As of Friday afternoon, more than 3.8 million ballots, reflecting more than half the state's active voters, had been cast, according to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's office. The tally includes more than 238,000 absentees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Cobb County, election officials said voters whose awaiting absentee ballots were late could still vote in-person on the final day of early voting Friday or on Tuesday. The county's election headquarters planned to stay open to accept hand-delivered absentees through the weekend and on Monday. However, the Board of Elections said that more than 1,000 of the absentee ballots being mailed late were being sent to people outside of Georgia. A county spokesperson, Ross Cavitt, declined to comment Friday on what number, if any, of the late ballots still needed to be mailed, citing pending litigation. The civil rights groups' lawsuit was filed on behalf of three Cobb County voters who said they still had not received absentee ballots by mail as of Friday. The lawsuit said that although county election officials have taken some steps to help alleviate the problem, those actions are not nearly enough to safeguard their right to vote. Georgias top election official on Thursday night blamed likely foreign interference for a video that is quickly racking up views on social media and purports to show a newly-arrived Haitian migrant claiming he voted for Kamala Harris just six months after arriving in the United States. The video is targeted disinformation, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said, as he specifically called on Elon Musk, the billionaire Donald Trump supporter, to take down the video. Raffensperger said his office is working with federal officials to investigate the video, which had more than half a million views on Musks social media platform X as of Thursday night. In a press release, Raffensperger said that we ask Elon Musk and the leadership of other social media platforms to take this down, adding, This is obviously fake and part of a disinformation effort. Likely it is a production of Russian troll farms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raffensperger said federal law enforcement officials at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are investigating the video. Last week, U.S. intelligence officials blamed Russia for a fake video designed to smear Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz. During the 2024 election cycle, Musk has emerged as one of Trumps top boosters, pouring roughly $119 million into a Super PAC, called America PAC, to promote the former president. Musk has frequently shared unfounded claims of anti-Trump election fraud, and this week he requested that users submit instances of election integrity issues to the X Election Integrity Community, a channel that features America PACs branding. While Musk hasnt personally shared the new video flagged by Raffensperger, the video has been shared in multiple posts featured in the X Election Integrity Community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The video depicts a young Black male claiming he is from Haiti and came to the U.S. six months ago. We are voting Kamala Harris, the male says in the video. Yesterday we voted in Gwinnett County and today were voting in Fulton County. The male and another male in the video then display six Georgia IDs, at least three of them duplicates, apparently as proof that theyd acquired the documents required to vote. After Trump lost in Georgia in 2020, he and his allies attempted to overturn the election results in the state leading to criminal charges for Trump and 18 others. In the years since, Trump and the MAGA movement have worked diligently to cement his election lies into policy in the state, packing election boards at the state and county level with election deniers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In both counties mentioned in the fake video Gwinnett and Fulton election officials have questioned the results of 2020s election and backed rules passed by the new MAGA majority on the Georgia State Election Board that were designed to give county election officials authority to arbitrarily refuse to certify election results. Those rules, and another designed to slow counting of votes, were recently found by judges to be unconstitutional and will not be in place for Tuesdays election. Election board members in the two counties did not respond to a request for comment. One of them, David Hancock of the Gwinnett County election board, posted in an election-denial Facebook group to let its members know he had searched for the supposed illegal voters in county records but couldnt find them. Nearly two hours after Raffensperger declared the video a fake, Hancock was reaching the same conclusion. I believe this is some sort of fake, but I dont understand the motive, he wrote Thursday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The motive is to sow doubt in the election and to push the narrative that non-citizens are voting, another forum member wrote. The post has since been deleted, and Hancock did not respond to a request for comment. The fake video, which began circulating as early as 1 p.m. on Thursday, has more than 500,000 views in various posts on X. The disinformation video comes amid Trump and his VP candidate J.D. Vances vicious smear campaign against Haitian migrants living in Springfield, Ohio; they have baselessly claimed the migrants are eating neighbors cats and dogs. Trump has threatened to deport them, even though most of them are living in the U.S. legally. It is illegal, and extremely rare, for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. Republicans have nonetheless frequently claimed that Democrats are allowing migrants into the U.S. so they can gain their votes, and the GOP intends to use claims about noncitizens voting however unfounded to call the 2024 election results into question if Harris wins or has the lead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not long before Raffenspergers press release, a screenshot of the video was shared on the Facebook page of Georgias most prominent election denial network, VoterGA. He needs to go to jail, wrote a woman in the forum, referring to the male in the video. Musks call to use X as a forum for sharing claims of election fraud has been heeded by users, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). Last week, Greene took to X to claim that voting machines in her district had switched votes. Local election officials and Raffenspergers office quickly debunked the claim, saying that the voters printed ballot did not match up with her selections on the machine because the woman had made mistakes herself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene has gone on to continue to claim that machines are flipping votes, posting a video on X Thursday night that purported to show one such instance in Arkansas. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) Multiple Bryan County schools are being honored for their continued excellence in literacy and math. Georgia State Superintendent Richard Woods visited Bryan County Middle High School to present banners to four Bryan County schools for remarkable achievement in literacy and math. The honor highlights the hard work Bryan County educators, students and parents put into academic excellence. During the visit, Superintendent Woods honored Bryan County Elementary School, Bryan County Middle High School, Richmond Hill Middle School and Richmond Hill High School. These recognitions are part of the Georgia Department of Educations goal to spotlight schools that have demonstrated exceptional advancement in literacy and math proficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These accolades mark significant milestones in educational achievement within Bryan County and illustrate the schools focused efforts to advance math education, culminating in significant growth and high levels of achievement in proficiency. On behalf of the Board of Education, we would like to congratulate our students, teachers, and administrators for their exceptional dedication and hard work, said Dr. Paul T. Brooksher, Superintendent of Bryan County Schools. This recognition in literacy and math is a testament to their commitment to excellence, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements in fostering academic growth throughout our district. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream, has stated that it will not withdraw the law entitled On Transparency of Foreign Influence, which has become one of the reasons for the deterioration of Tbilisi's relations with its Western partners and the freezing of the country's movement towards the EU. Source: Georgian TV channel Channel One, citing Mamuka Mdinaradze, Executive Secretary of the Georgian Dream party, as reported by European Pravda Details: During a briefing, Mdinaradze was asked about the possibility of withdrawing the controversial law, to which he replied: "No. You won't be happy, but we're not going to withdraw it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mdinaradze said that if Georgia did not have this law, "tens of thousands of people would be standing on Rustaveli Avenue [Tbilisi's central street] right now". "Both this law and the ban on propaganda [the law banning 'LGBT propaganda' ed.] were legitimised by the majority of the Georgian people," he added. Background: The EU has repeatedly emphasised that adopting a law similar to Russia's "foreign agents" legislation has stalled Georgia's progress towards European integration. The EU has also criticised the legislative package that restricts the rights of the LGBT community, noting that it further diverts Georgia from the EU path. Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated on 30 October that repealing the laws on "foreign influence" and "family values" is a prerequisite for Georgia to resume its path towards EU membership. At the summit on 17 October in Brussels, EU leaders reiterated their statement that Georgia's European integration process had effectively been halted. Support UP or become our patron! Nov. 1 (UPI) -- The Georgia secretary of state said Thursday that a post spreading on social media claiming "illegal Haitians" are being flown into the United States to vote for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in his state is false. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said the claim, circulating in a video on social media, is "obviously fake," and probably a product of foreign interference "attempting to sow discord and chaos on the eve of the election." "Earlier today, our office became aware of a video purporting to show a Haitian immigrant with multiple Georgia ID's claiming to have voted multiple times," Raffensperger said in a statement on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raffensperger said the post is "likely a production of Russian troll farms." "As Americans we can't let our enemies use lies to divide us and undermine faith in our institutions -- or each other," Raffensperger said. Amy Kremer, a member of the Republican National Committee, tried to breathe life into the questionable claim by spreading it on X while asking "How did they get multiple IDs?" and saying it "is illegal & not okay." Gabriel Sterling, the chief operating officer in the Georgia secretary of state's office, criticized Kremer on social media for sharing the video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No responsible person would retweet this ridiculously obvious lie and disinformation. Those doing so are acting to further the efforts of America's enemies and undermine the security of our nation. The judgment of those sharing this should be questioned in all things," Sterling said on X. Raffensperger also asked X's owner, Elon Musk, to take the video down. Georgias ruling party, Georgian Dream, has accused the opposition of alleged fraud in the parliamentary elections, despite its official claim of victory with over 50% of the votes, and has filed a complaint with the prosecutor's office. Source: Mamuka Mdinaradze, the partys executive secretary, cited by Georgia-News, as reported by European Pravda Details: Mdinaradze alleged that the United National Movement, Mikheil Saakashvilis party, and its allies were involved in vote theft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "We have 81 confirmed cases, which we will present to the Georgian prosecutor's office today. Since the opposition either cannot or will not provide evidence, we will submit ours. As they are not cooperating with the investigation, we will cooperate to ensure no one in this country can commit such crimes." Mdinaradze appears to be referring to cases where opposition members have refused to testify on potential violations, expressing distrust in Georgian authorities and demanding investigations involving international organisations. Details: The Georgian Dream general secretary claims that the opposition had used two "vote-stealing" schemes. The first allegedly involved registering supporters of the ruling party as representatives of opposition groups in distant voting districts, thus preventing them from casting their ballots. The second scheme reportedly involved portable ballot boxes, with Mdinaradze claiming that opposition representatives selectively omitted the signatures of Georgian Dream supporters, leading to the cancellation of results from those ballot boxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They chased down every vote, stole the choice of individual supporters of Georgian Dream, and stole our votes So I urge the Georgian prosecutors office to thoroughly investigate these incidents," Mdinaradze concluded. Background: The Georgian Central Election Commission recently announced that Georgian Dream had won nearly 54% of the vote. However, the opposition and the president have refused to recognise the results, accusing the government of electoral fraud. International observers in their preliminary report pointed out numerous issues during the voting process. Previously, Georgian Dream announced that it would not withdraw the controversial "foreign agents" law, which has been a significant factor in strained relations with Western partners and the stalling of Georgias EU membership aspirations. Support UP or become our patron! German drivers could be banned from reversing out of parking spaces under plans by the Green party to reduce the rate of traffic accidents. Alke Vo, the Greens mobility officer in the northern city of Kiel, is seeking to pass new local rules that would require forward-facing parking spaces in large car parks. Under the proposal, drivers in Kiel would enter a parking space from the front and then continue forward once they are ready to leave, instead of reversing out of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But some Right-wingers have cried foul over the idea they argue is part of a wider climate agenda to make life more difficult for motorists. Ms Vo said the ban on reversing could significantly reduce the number of driving accidents in Kiel and contribute towards the long-term goal of Vision Zero, a global policy initiative to prevent car deaths and injuries. She was referring to official statistics in Schleswig-Holstein, where Kiel is located, which state that 27.2 per cent of traffic incidents in the state involve errant reversing. Eco-friendly madness The proposal has caused consternation in Kiel, with a regional branch of the hard-Right Alternative Fuer Deutschland (AfD) party branding it eco-friendly madness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volker Schnurrbusch, an AfD MP in the Schleswig-Holstein state parliament, told The Telegraph: This is about nothing less than a continued fight against cars. First Kiel, then Schleswig-Holstein, then the whole of Germany could become car-free, even if it means the car industry perishes along with our crafts and trades. Thorben Steinbrecher, the leader of the AfD faction in Kiel, added: We are convinced this measure is not only restrictive of citizens right to free choice in their form of transport, but is also sending an anti-car signal. The centre-Right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party said the proposal was a classic case of over-regulation, which would end up having a massive impact on parking space availability in the city centre, where spaces are already difficult to find. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ban on reversing would apply to new residential or commercial car parks, and redesigns to existing car parks, according to local newspaper Kieler Nachrichten. Small car parks with five or fewer spaces would be exempt. Ms Vo told the newspaper: Current accident figures show...that accidents involving personal injury occur particularly in vehicles driving backwards. Long-term Vision Zero Die Welt, a German newspaper, said the proposal is likely to be approved by city authorities, as the Greens have a power-sharing agreement with the governing party in Kiel, the centre-Left Social Democratic Party. According to Germanys Road Transport Safety Council, Vision Zero is a goal to eliminate fatal road accidents and severe injuries in the long term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sweden was the first country to formally adopt Vision Zero in 2007, and it is also influencing traffic strategies in Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and the United States. Vision Zero has also been adopted by Transport for London (TfL), which has set the goal of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries on its public transport systems by 2041. On TfLs website, it states that major cities around the world are taking a stand to end the toll of deaths and injury seen on their roads and transport networks by committing to Vision Zero. London is at the forefront of this approach and the Mayors Transport Strategy sets out the goal that, by 2041, all deaths and serious injuries will be eliminated from Londons transport network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Friday afternoon, rumours were swirling in Kiel that the reversal ban had already been dropped by the Greens due to the backlash. A CDU party source said a Greens motion to discuss the proposal at a committee hearing next week had mysteriously vanished from the agenda. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expects proposals from his meetings with trade union leaders, industry lobbyists and major company chief executives to be put forward sometime in December, his spokesman said on Friday, while trying to tamp down talk of a possible early elections. Scholz convened an industry summit at the Chancellery earlier this week in response to stagnant growth and news of potential mass layoffs and plant closures at German manufacturers, especially the iconic Volkswagen carmaker. Scholz plans to hold a further meeting on November 15, and said his aim is to put forward a "pact for industry" to boost the German economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This process is now under way and will come to a conclusion in the foreseeable future, I suspect by the beginning of December, mid-December," said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit. Whether Scholz's summits will produce decisive proposals remains unclear. But they have emphasized just how sour relations have become within Scholz's three-party coalition. The chancellor, a member of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), has pointedly excluded from the invitation list both Economy Minister Robert Habeck, a Green, and Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FDP). Linder's FDP convened a competing economic summit, while Habeck has released papers outlining his own proposals for major investments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parties are deeply divided over the draft budget for next year, with Lindner demanding deep cuts and Habeck instead fighting for spending backed by new government debt. Parliament is currently supposed to pass the budget by November 29, but it remains unclear whether the coalition can reach a compromise to make up for billions of euros in remaining shortfalls. The stalemate has raised prospects that the coalition could collapse and force snap elections, something that's happened only very rarely in Germany's postwar democratic history. There have been rumours that Lindner's FDP might break with the government. Polls suggest the FDP's popularity has suffered badly as part of the unpopular coalition, and nationwide support for the party is now below the 5% threshold needed to take seats in German elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have also been conflicts within the coalition over migration and economic policy, among other contentious topics. The next nationwide general election is currently scheduled for September 2025. Hebestreit on Friday sought to push back on such speculation, saying that the government "will work together constructively for the next 11 months or so until the regular election date for the next general election." He said that the coalition has held together three years, even amid foreign policy crises and considerable challenges. He also added that he "remains confident" that a deal will be struck on the budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on Friday, Transport Minister Volker Wissing published an op-ed in the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper in which he argued a premature break-up of the coalition would be "disrespectful" to voters. "Coalitions are not easy. Governing is not easy. Democracy is not easy. We have a responsibility to ensure that we succeed together," wrote Wissing, a member of Lindner's FDP. Steffen Hebestreit, spokesperson for the German government, has said that the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine depends not so much on finances as on the availability of appropriate systems. Source: Ukrinform Details: Hebestreit noted that the question was not whether something would be delivered, but to what extent it was possible. Hebestreit said that there were always limitations, but these were not due to whether Germany could finance it, but to the availability of weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He stressed that Germany had managed to maintain a constant flow of weapons to Ukraine. Hebestreit stated that Germany was constantly reviewing what else it could provide as military support to Ukraine and called on its partners to do the same. He also pointed out that another package of similar assistance was delivered two weeks ago. The journalists said that when asked whether German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's attitude to the issue of providing Ukraine with German long-range weapons could change amid the escalation caused by Russia's involvement of the North Korean military in the war, Hebestreit answered with a firm "No." Hebestreit explained that this would not have any impact on Scholzs stance on the issue, as the German Chancellor has reiterated his position several times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hebestreit also ruled out the possibility of the German government supporting the idea of sending Western troops to Ukraine. Background: Germany, led by Olaf Scholz, has consistently refused to supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles even after the UK, France and the US have supplied their long-range weapons. Recently, Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's opposition Christian Democratic Union party, stated that supplying Ukraine with Taurus missiles would not make Germany a party to the war. The day before, the German Foreign Ministry acknowledged the possibility of imposing new sanctions on the DPRK if North Korean troops participated in Russia's war against Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! Austrian police said on Friday that they have found the car of a hunter who is suspected to have fatally shot two men in the north of the country earlier this week. A passer-by alerted the police to the vehicle in a forest in the village of Altenfelden, north of the city of Linz, they said. The hunter has not yet been found. Police have warned residents that the man may be on the move in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man is said to have shot two men in the head within two hours on Monday. The victims were the mayor of the town of Kirchberg ob der Donau and a former hunting manager. Police suspect the crime was related to a dispute over hunting rights. More than 250 officers are searching for the fugitive, and authorities in the neighbouring Czech Republic and Germany have also been alerted. "We are looking for a very dangerous person," police spokesman David Furtner said. According to earlier statements by investigators, the man has two long guns and a handgun with him. Around 50 members of the hunting community have been placed under police protection or taken to safe places as a precaution because of a dispute that the man had with numerous people in the community. Rudy Giuliani is asking for a homestead exemption for either his New York City penthouse or his Florida condo, one week after a federal judge ordered him to hand over the Manhattan property along with a myriad of other valuables to a pair of election workers he defamed. The cash-strapped former New York City mayor is asking a court for an exemption for one of his two properties. He is primarily seeking to protect his Palm Beach condo from getting into the hands of Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss whom he defamed and owes $150m but alternatively, he asked to protect his Madison Avenue co-op apartment, a Friday filing says. Both properties are thought to be worth millions. This request comes after a judge ordered him on October 22 to transfer his Upper East Side apartment as well as some cash, a watch collection, his Mercedes Benz, a signed Joe DiMaggio shirt, and other belongings to Freeman and Moss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Movers were supposed to arrive at his Manhattan apartment on Thursday, according to filings. Its not immediately clear whether any of his property was seized or if the movers showed up. Nathan said he was unable to comment on the matter when asked on Friday afternoon. This isnt entirely surprising. Rudy Giuliani speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. He is making a last-ditch effort to save his Manhattan apartment from being seized by two election workers he defamed (AP) Not only did the judge allow the former mayor to claim this exemption on or about November 1, but on Wednesday, Giulianis lawyer said he was not ready to make the transfer, one day before movers were set to show, according to a filing from Aaron Nathan, a lawyer for Freeman and Moss. Giulianis lawyer allegedly could not even answer basic questions about the location of the receivership property, including the co-op shares and any particular items of physical property, or the amount of the cash accounts subject to turnover, Nathan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His Manhattan apartment is estimated to be worth $5.6m while his Palm Beach place is estimated to be worth $3.5m, The Independents review of his assets found. The future of his Palm Beach place was left up in the air as of the October 22 ruling, which made clear he is prohibited from doing anything to diminish its value as the judge determines whether it can also be transferred to Freeman and Moss. The disbarred attorney has long been protective of his Florida condo, which he has represented as his primary residence. During his bankruptcy case, one of his lawyers suggested that forcing the 80-year-old to sell his Palm Beach condo could make him join the ranks of the homeless. GLENDALE, S.C. (WSPA) The Glendale Fire department is finding ways to save tens of thousands of dollars, benefitting taxpayers and the people they serve. Jonathan Wells, chief of Glendale Fire Department, explained how the department buys used military vehicles through a collaboration with the South Carolina Department of Forestry and U.S Department of Defense. Its a tremendous save for the department and the taxpayer, said Wells. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we were to purchase that truck manufactured, it would probably be looking at about $100,000 so we save $90,000 to taxpayers by purchasing a used military truck and refurbishing it to our needs and using it that way, Wells explained. But the process can be long. Bob Morris, vice chairman of the Glendale Fire District Commission, said it can take months or years before the department hears back about an inquiry. Once the department is able to get the vehicle, they have six months to renovate. It took us about four months for each vehicle, Morris said. We got it repainted, fixed the interiors, the seats, and then fixed it up the way we wanted it so we could be out there using it. Morris said there are certain requirements like decals and equipment that must also be added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wells explained that all of the work, besides the paint, was done in house by working firefighters. Weve done all the work ourselves other than the paint, said Wells. The guys chipped in and they took the truck apart and they cleaned and they fixed it, so its rewarding to them. If it wasnt for a group of people who are willing to jump in and do this, we probably couldnt have done it. Wells and Morris said doing this allows them to spend money in other areas. One of the things weve always said is we can spend a whole lot of money on equipment and some of it you do need, said Morris. We can spend a lot of equipment, but that equipment is no good if we dont have a firefighter to sit in that seat and respond to the calls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said the department is currently hiring and firefighters and EMTs. If you are interested in working with the Glendale Fire Department can reach out to them at 864-579-3804. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Heading out of town? Here are some music, stage and art event around the state of Colorado. (Bloomberg) -- Most Read from Bloomberg Higher US tariffs on Chinese goods could dent growth but also force a long-awaited shift to the consumer in the worlds second-largest economy, according to economists at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the event of higher levies, Beijing would be forced to step up fiscal support to further bolster domestic demand, analysts led by Xinquan Chen said in a research note Friday. They said that the wave of government stimulus this year which includes a household appliances trade-in program and real estate support is already set to shift growth next year inward. If Chinese goods face higher US tariffs next year, this would accentuate the shift towards domestic demand, the researchers wrote. Analysts and investors increasingly see Chinese officials pivoting more to consumption only if the trade picture weakens further. Veteran Asia investor Weijian Shan, executive chairman of PAG, also said a tough external environment would spur officials to prioritize greater consumption to drive economic growth. China has identified shrinking demand as a key challenge since 2021 and repeatedly vowed to promote consumption at gatherings of the Politburo, a body comprising Chinas top officials. Many economists including policy advisers and those working at private institutions have proposed cash handouts for families to boost spending over the past few years but so far Beijing shows no sign of taking that advice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizations including the International Monetary Fund have also called for economic rebalancing in China away from such a heavy reliance on investment and trade. The US has joined the chorus, criticizing oversupply in the Chinese economy. For Beijing, rising hostility from the US and measures to limit China in key technologies have only bolstered President Xi Jinpings determination to prioritize tech self-reliance and the manufacturing sector. US voters head to the polls Tuesday in whats shaping up to be a tossup between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The former president said he might impose a tariff on Chinese goods of more than 60% if elected. The Goldman analysts assume a 20% tariff on Chinese goods if Trump wins the presidency, shrinking the Asian nations gross domestic product by 0.7 percentage points and hitting capital formation and exports. In that case, they also expect China to tolerate a weaker yuan to mitigate the hit, expand the household goods and equipment replacement programs, and provide targeted cash handouts to some households. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 Bloomberg L.P. A new national discount retail chain is set to come to West Bend. Ollie's Bargain Outlet is coming to the former Big Lots location at 1690 S. Main St., Jess Wildes, assistant city administrator confirmed. An opening date has not yet been set. Big Lots, which opened in February 2023, closed in August. According to Ollie's Bargain Outlet's website, it sells items at discounted prices because its buyers look for "closeouts, overstocks, package changes, manufacturer refurbished goods and irregular" products. What kinds of departments do Ollie's Bargain Outlets have? Ollie's Bargain Outlets has a plethora of departments, including food and snacks, books, flooring and rugs, electronics, pet supplies, home decor and products, clothing and accessories, and furniture. How many Ollie's Bargain Outlet stores are in Wisconsin? Ollie's Bargain Outlet just opened its first Wisconsin store in June in Kenosha, according to a news release on its website. How many Ollie's Bargain Outlet stores are in the country? According to its website, there are more than 520 Ollie's Bargain Outlet stores in 31 states. When did the first Ollie's Bargain Outlet store open? Ollie's Bargain Outlet opened its first store on July 29, 1982, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Where can I get more information on Ollie's Bargain Outlet? For more information about Ollie's Bargain Outlet, visit www.ollies.us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Early voting starts today in Wisconsin. Here are locations, dates and times for Milwaukee and the suburbs More: Washington County Board approves funding of video surveillance of election drop boxes Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ollie's Bargain Outlet to open second Wisconsin location in West Bend An attendee dons a camp Harris-Walz cap at President Kamala Harris' rally UAW Local 652 in Lansing, Oct. 18, 2024 | Angela Demas More Michigan Republicans have publicly identified their support for Vice President Kamala Harris in her race to win the White House over former President Donald Trump, and urged other Republicans to join them in putting country over party. Ahead of the visit to Portage set for Friday afternoon by GOP vice presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), former state Reps. Dave Maturen (R-Vicksburg) and Dave Pagel (R-Berrien Springs) gathered in Kalamazoo and urged Michigan Republicans to reject the authoritarianism of a second Trump term and help turn out voters for Harris. Trump also is slated to hold a rally in Warren on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive worked with Democrats and Republicans at the county and state level. Regardless of someones political party, theres a few qualities that any true leader needs to have, such as character, morality, honesty and integrity. Thats what this country deserves in a president, and those are traits that Donald Trump knows nothing about, said Maturen. Trump spent four years undermining trust in our democracy, and then when he lost the 2020 election, he egged on a violent mob to storm the Capitol and overturn the will of the voters. Now, hes spreading lies about the integrity of this election, laying the groundwork for another big lie and the potential for violence once again. Pagel, meanwhile, said Trump was simply unfit to lead this country, unfit psychologically, emotionally, intellectually and most of all morally. Political opponents are not the enemy within, and we should never use that hateful term, added Pagel, referencing comments Trump made during an appearance on Fox News in which he referred to Democrats as the enemy within. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I always say, we have two enemies, Trump said. We have the outside enemy, and then we have the enemy from within, and the enemy from within, in my opinion, is more dangerous than China, Russia and all these countries. Donald Trump is simply not an acceptable choice, said Pagel. We need to turn the page, end the divisiveness, the name-calling, the petty, small-minded and even hate-filled politics that Donald Trump thrives on. America is better than this. Maturen and Pagel are among dozens of Republican leaders both in Michigan and nationally who are members of Republicans for Harris, a coalition of GOP members working to reach and mobilize Republican voters in support of Harris and opposed to allowing Trump, who has been impeached twice and awaits sentencing on 34 felony convictions, from a return to power. The group is co-chaired by Republican former U.S. Rep. Dave Trott (R-Commerce Twp.), and includes fellow former U.S. Reps. Fred Upton and Joe Schwarz; former executive director of the Michigan Republican Party Gary Reed, and Bill Nowling and Jimmy Greene, lifelong Republicans who served on Nikki Haleys Michigan leadership team for her 2024 campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans for Harris emphasizes the consistent level of opposition to a second Trump presidency, noting the more than 356,000 Republican primary voters who cast ballots against Trump in Michigans GOP presidential primary in February, more than double the margin of votes President Joe Biden needed to win Michigan in 2020. Another group, Haley Voters for Harris, has also been organizing GOP voters in Michigan. Gary Reed, a former executive director of the Michigan GOP, this week wrote a column endorsing Harris. And Rusty Hills, a former MIGOP chair and senior adviser to Republican former Attorney General Bill Schuette, this week wrote a column in the Detroit Free Press urging Republicans not to vote for Trump. Also at Fridays press conference was reproductive rights advocate Amanda Stratton, who said Trump was directly responsible for women across the country now living under abortion bans that denied them the care they need. Their doctors are worried about going to jail, and some women have even lost their lives. And if he gets back to the White House, hell ban abortion nationwide. It wont matter that we voted overwhelmingly to protect reproductive rights here in Michigan he will make sure that all of that work goes to waste, and in our state, well have to live with that same fear, said Stratton, who added that Harris has led the Biden administrations response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, including being the first sitting vice president to visit a reproductive health care clinic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This election isnt just about politics. Its about decency, its about choice, and its about personal freedom. If you believe in those things, then I hope youll join me in supporting Kamala Harris as the next president of the United States, said Stratton. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version. What Might Have Been As we head into the final weekend before the most momentous election in U.S. history, we got a faint echo Thursday of what might have been. Special Counsel Jack Smith submitted a new filing in the Jan. 6 case against Donald Trump. The particulars of it hardly matter at this point, but for the record it was a response to Trumps belated challenge of the legality of Smiths appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In reminding the court how the case arrived at this point, Smith wrote: In November 2022, it was known publicly that the defendant was the subject of two ongoing federal criminal investigations. The first investigation involved potential criminal violations in connection with the 2020 presidential election, and the second investigation involved the defendants alleged retention of classified documents at his residence in Mar-a-Lago and related obstruction of justice. On November 15, 2022, while both investigations were pending, the defendant declared his candidacy for the presidency in 2024. Its a sobering reminder of how Trumps aggressive strategy of delay succeeded in avoiding accountability for his alleged criminal conduct. The Mar-a-Lago case has been dismissed by the egregious U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, and the Jan. 6 case has been knee-capped by the similarly egregious six-justice right-wing supermajority of the Supreme Court. Even his conviction in New York state has been called into question by the Supreme Court and his sentencing delayed until after the election. And so it is that we head into the election of our lives unable to rely on the rule of law to dispatch a flagrant criminal like Donald Trump. He has seized on the opportunity to position himself to retake the White House and then make the criminal cases against him go away for good. But hes done more than that. So much more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In barnstorming the country threatening to uproot the Constitution, exact retribution against his perceived foes, and use the military against the enemy within, among other threats and fomentations, Trump has promised to reorder civic life in an authoritarian image, undermining the rule of law not just for him but for all Americans. If he wins, those promises become a mandate. If he loses, the criminal cases against him are revived. The rule of law has a chance to be resurrected and hardened against future attack. The worst case scenario will have been averted, but the work to keep this from ever happening again will have just begun. The Disinformation Environment CNN: Election officials are outmatched by Elon Musks misinformation machine WaPo: Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger warned that a video purporting to show Haitians claiming that they illegally voted for Kamala Harris is fake and likely the product of a Russian troll farm. WSJ: Foreign Adversaries Target Specific Demographics in Attempt to Sway U.S. Election Election Threats Watch LawFare: David Clements: The Evangelist of Election Refusal NBC News: Theres no white knight coming: Federal authorities will face limits responding to 2024 election lies TPMs Khaya Himmelman: Swing State Election Officials Are Preemptively Shutting Down Rogue Clerks By The Numbers A series of new Marist College polls of the Blue Wall states is out. These are all likely voter numbers: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President: PA : Harris 50%, Trump 48% MI : Harris 51%, Trump 48% WI: Harris 50%, Trump 48% Senate: PA-Sen : Bob Casey 50%, David McCormick 48% MI-Sen : Elissa Slotkin 52%, Mike Rogers 46% WI-Sen: Tammy Baldwin 51%, Eric Hovde 48% Tea-Leaf Reading Data points, not predictions: Doug Sosnik: Why Trump Has a More Plausible Path to the Presidency, in 19 Maps Politico: Trump lagging in early vote with seniors in Pennsylvania Aaron Blake: Polls show Harris with big lead, ranging from 19 to 29 points, among those who have already voted. 2024 Ephemera Politico: Kamala Harris has more than twice as many donors as Trumps campaign apparatus. WaPo: MAP: Where millions of Americans have cast ballots during early voting Politico: European Green parties implore Jill Stein to withdraw her candidacy. A Deeper Dive On What SCOTUS IS Up To In Election Cases Georgetown law professor Steve Vladeck was so appalled by the Supreme Courts intervention this week in the Virginia purge of supposed non-citizen voters that hes out with a special edition of his weekly newsletter: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [W]hether you like the bottom line the justices reached or not, these kinds of cases are the precise disputes in which all of usstate election officials; voters; and everyone in between, including the Court itselfwould be better off with more clarity as to why the Supreme Court did what it did. For reasons sketched out below, Im skeptical that such an opinion wouldve been persuasive; but it sure wouldve been better than what we got. Stay tuned for the Supreme Courts pending decision in a election case in Pennsylvania. Trump Sues CBS News In One-Judge Texas District Donald Trump filed a specious lawsuit against CBS News, claiming it interfered in the presidential election by editing a 60 Minutes interview Kamala Harris. Trump filed the lawsuit in the Texas district where it is assured of being assigned to the sole federal judge there: the notoriously reactionary Trump appointee Matthew Kacsmaryk. Quote Of The Day Jamelle Bouie, on the historical consequences of a Trump II presidency: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Free of the guardrails that kept him in place the first time, affirmed by the Supreme Court and backed by allies and apparatchiks in the conservative movement, Trump will merge the office of the presidency with himself. He will shake it from its moorings in the Constitution and rebuild it as an instrument of his will, wielded for his friends and against his enemies. In doing so, he will erode the democratic assumptions that undergird our current constitutional order. And he will have the total loyalty of a Republican Party that itself is twisting and abusing the counter-majoritarian features of the American system to undermine and unravel democracy in the states it controls. LOL Charlie Kirk is upset that Republican women may undermine their husbands and secretly vote for Harris while telling their husbands they voted for Trump, even though the husband works his tail off to make sure that she can have a nice life. pic.twitter.com/3ttLOqROBy Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) October 31, 2024 Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know! BOSTON (WWLP) A group of homeowners dealing with crumbling concrete have asked Governor Maura Healey to create a special commission that would help them pay to fix their foundations. Last legislative session, lawmakers in the State Senate passed an amendment added to the Affordable Homes Act that would have started the process. But, it was removed from the bill right before it was passed by Governor Maura Healey. We did get an explanation a little bit of just time ran out, said State Senator Ryan Fattman. Thats unacceptable. Time is running out of these peoples homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are now asking the governor to use her executive powers to create a special commission on crumbling concrete that would figure out the best solution to this issue and how to pay for foundation repairs something that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and is not covered by insurance. Out of all our owners, we have a good percentage that are retired and they are fixed income, said Scott Derosa, who lives in a condo complex in Dracut that has crumbling concrete. Dracut is not one of those rich towns. We are a working-man town. We need some assistance so we can handle it somehow. A spokesperson for Gov. Healey, Karissa Hand, told 22News The Healey-Driscoll Administration recognizes the importance of providing support to homeowners whose concrete foundations are crumbling. We will continue to work together with our partners in the Legislature to evaluate potential solutions that would provide relief to homeowners. People dealing with this issue say her support is not enough. They want to see action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Massachusetts needs one now, not years down the road, said Karen Riani whose Holden home had crumbling concrete. Were asking today Governor Healey please help us not years from now. Now we need the help. As time goes on, this crisis is growing, said Michelle Loglisci, who founded the group Massachusetts Residents Against Crumbling Foundations. As one homeowner has said its coming to a town near you! The homeowners are urging the Governor to create this commission quickly so any legislation written can get in front of lawmakers during the next legislative session. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Gov. Phil Murphy said he is hopeful the state's budget "will be able to support the implementation of Stay NJ." (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill Friday making a series of technical changes to three state tax relief programs. The bill seeks to align Stay NJ a tax credit program that promises to cut seniors tax bills in half, to an indexing cap of $6,500, beginning in 2026 with the senior freeze and Anchor property tax rebate programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am signing this bill because I believe the streamlining of Senior Freeze and Anchor will be of benefit to our seniors, and I am hopeful that the State budget will be able to support the implementation of Stay NJ, the governor said in a statement released with the bill signing. Among other things, the bill alters the definition of income under Stay NJ to include Social Security, retirement, and other types of income typically excluded from taxation. The changes could push some residents above Stay NJs $500,000 income limit. It requires residents who receive tax relief under the three programs to reduce a property tax deduction on the states income tax by an amount equal to their awards and allows officials to pay out Stay NJ benefits through rebates while officials stand up a tax credit system that aligns with all three programs. Some have doubted whether Stay NJs promised tax relief will ever materialize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program is expected to cost the state $1.2 billion annually once it is in full effect, and statutory language bars New Jersey from administering Stay NJ tax credits if the state cannot make full pension payments, fully fund school aid, and maintain a surplus equal to 12% of spending. The spending bill Murphy signed into law in late June anticipates the state will have 10.9% of appropriations as surplus by the end of the July-to-June fiscal year and features a $2.1 billion structural deficit. The limits are not absolute. Lawmakers overwrote Stay NJs surplus requirement through budget language in the current fiscal year and could do so again in the future. I am committed to maintaining these guardrails while working with my partners in the Legislature to achieve the goal of sustainable property tax relief for seniors, Murphy said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Friday that she appointed Gary Arnold to serve on the Arkansas Board of Education. Arnold currently serves as the director of head of school certification at The Council on Educational Standards and Accountability. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders appoints Ken Bragg to Arkansas State Board of Education This announcement marks Sanders third appointment to the Board of Education. #NEWS: @SarahHuckabee announces Dr. Gary Arnold, former Head of Little Rock Christian Academy, to Arkansas Board of Education. Sanders says Arnold worked closely with education freedom accounts under LEARNS Act. @KARK4News @FOX16News @CapitolViewAR #arpx pic.twitter.com/6p1LHsSRJQ Samantha Boyd (@samanthaboyd98) November 1, 2024 Sanders said Arnold supported the Arkansas LEARNS Act, which focuses on teacher pay, school choice funding and emphasizing literacy in early education. The act was signed into law in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gary is a longtime education leader and was one of our key allies in the LEARNS implementation process as part of the Rules and Regulations Taskforce, Sanders said. With the help of Garys careful stewardship, the first school year with Arkansas LEARNS was a huge success, and the second year is shaping up to be even better. Now parents will have Gary on the Board of Education, fighting for a better Arkansas. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs Arkansas LEARNS into law Arnold has served in several educational positions, including the head of Little Rock Christian Academy, head of school at the Trinity School of Cape Cod and other leadership positions in Illinois. The best part of being an educator is learning something new every day. If were honest, were all students for life. Always learning. Always growing. Always getting better. That drives ADEs vision for Arkansas to be a national leader in student-centered education, Arnold said. Im honored to now be on this team, and I look forward to helping champion Governor Sanders bold reforms. Together, were taking Arkansas to the top. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arnold will replace Steve Sutton, with his term expiring in 2027. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. ALBANY, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) New York Governor Kathy Hochul said its really scary to hear former President Donald Trump bash the federal legislation credited with incentivizing Micron to promise a $100 billion project in Central New York. The governor was referring to Trumps comments on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, in which he called the CHIPS and Science Act so bad. The comments triggered concerns that, if elected on Tuesday, a future President Trump could discontinue the CHIPS Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, a Republican who was locally instrumental in attracting the Micron project, is less anxious about the continuity of the CHIPS Act if Trump is reelected. Latest local news The governor, seeming more unsettled by Trumps comments, said: I just want to reassure all New Yorkers that no matter what happens, I will be here making sure we fight the outsourcing of manufacturing to places like China, which is what happens when you dont have a bill like this to incentivize businesses to the do the work right here. And it does put our nation at risk. Trump said: That chip deal so bad. We put up billions of dollars for rich companies to come and then borrow the money and build chip companies here and theyre not going to give us the good companies anyway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican candidate for president touted tariffs hes been pitching as part of his campaign. You put a big tariff on the chips coming in. I say: You dont have to pay the tariff. All you have to do is build your plant in the United States. We didnt have to give them the money to build the plant. Besides that, theyre very rich companies. The CHIPS and Science Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022, earmarks $280 billion in funding to incentivize research and manufacturing of semiconductors in the United States. The law is designed to attract computer chip-making companies back to the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor Hochul calls the bill transformational for the State of New York and the nation and our national security. Not long after the laws passing, Micron announced its $100 billion project at the White Pine Commerce Park in the Town of Clay, promising to bring 50,000 jobs to Central New York. The same month of the announcement, October of 2022, President Joe Biden visited Central New York. Micron and the U.S. Department of Commerce later agreed to a value of $6.1 billion in federal funding from the CHIPS Act to be shared between Microns project in Clay and its addition to its headquarters in Boise, Idaho. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Biden visited Syracuse a second time once the funding was announced. That $6.1 billion in federal funding is still preliminary but is expected to be finalized before President Biden leaves the White House. Still, people worry about Trump backing out of it later as he did with other agreements during his first term as president. On Newsmakers Thursday, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said, I believe that the contracts related to the business deal will already be in place. I think likely they are probably are close to being place now. So the money I believe that deal is already done or very close to being done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McMahon said hes not concerned about funding being pulled by President Trump after the agreement is finalized by President Bidens administration. He said: The CHIPS Act was passed under President Biden. The momentum and build-up for the CHIPS Act was started under President Trump. Republicans and Democrats, in the Senate and the House, passed the CHIPS and Science Act, McMahon said, referencing the bipartisan legislation that resulted in direct funding and tax incentives. Im going to fight like hell if anybody thinks those will not continue regardless of what happens on Tuesday, said Governor Hochul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. This screenshot from a body camera video was attached to criminal charging documents published Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, by the Alaska Department of Law. It shows an Alaska State trooper kicking a man in May 2024. The trooper and one other have been charged with felony assault. (Screenshot) A grand jury in Kenai has indicted Alaska state troopers Joseph Miller and Jason Woodruff on first-degree assault charges after they severely injured a local man while trying to detain him. The troopers had misidentified the man as someone subject to an arrest warrant. The indictment was announced Thursday by the Alaska Department of Law. First-degree assault, a class A felony, carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a presumptive sentencing range of 7-11 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woodruff and Miller are scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 12. The two were previously indicted for fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor. When that lesser indictment was announced in August, it was an extraordinary act: Police in Alaska rarely face criminal prosecution for actions taken on the job. But in a news conference, James Cockrell, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Public Safety, said that body camera footage made it clear that charges were warranted. When I reviewed this video, I was totally sickened by what I saw, Cockrell said in August. It was not immediately clear why prosecutors presented the case to jurors for a new indictment. A spokesperson for the Department of Law declined comment, citing the ongoing nature of the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Criminal Division always continues to evaluate our cases, even after charges are filed. The indictment represents a reassessment of the case, and the grand jury determined the higher charge was warranted, said Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore in a prepared statement on Thursday. A spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Public Safety said on Thursday that Miller and Woodruff remain employed by the department but have been off duty since Cockrell became aware of the incident that led to their indictment. The spokesperson declined to say whether they are on paid or unpaid suspension. Troopers union contract with the state says that When a member is indicted the member shall be placed on Authorized Leave Without Pay (LWOP) or allowed to use accrued personal leave pending the conclusion of the criminal proceeding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Alaska Department of Public Safety continues to fully cooperate with the Office of Special Prosecutions as they prosecute this case, said the spokesperson, Austin McDaniel. The alleged actions of Joe Miller and Jason Woodruff do not represent the work that the Alaska State Troopers do every day to protect Alaskans and ensure public safety. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Leading Colorado Republicans on Wednesday called on Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold to resign after the state's top election official admitted that someone in her office posted a spreadsheet online that "improperly" included passwords to voting equipment used throughout the state. Where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron connect, powerful water currents rush in opposite directions over an antiquated pipeline known as Line 5. Along the pipelines route from Wisconsin to Ontario, via the Straits of Mackinac, more than 1 million gallons of oil have reportedly spilled in the past 50 years. Experts say Line 5 is vulnerable to future leaks and poses a risk to the livelihood of Indigenous communities, the regions thriving wildlife and the drinking water of millions of Great Lakes residents. Decades-old battles to remove the Canadian-owned pipeline from the Bad River Band reservation by Lake Superior and the lakebed of the Straits of Mackinac have played out mostly in Wisconsin and Michigan, respectively. Activists seeking the shutdown of Line 5 recently brought the fight to Chicago to consolidate a larger grassroots effort ahead of a presidential election that policy experts say will be critical to the pipelines future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Essentially, what we are asking for and urging that the current and the next administration do, is come up with a regional plan that continues this clean energy transition were already on, said Bentley Johnson, director of federal government affairs at the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. Lets start by decommissioning the most dangerous infrastructure that we have and we really feel like the facts show that Line 5 is Americas most dangerous pipeline. In Bad River, were one storm away, one bad flood away from eroding the river bank and exposing this pipeline, he said. In the straits, were one anchor strike away, were one crack away from a devastating oil spill that jeopardizes the drinking water for tens of millions. Clean water remains the top environmental concern for most Americans, according to a Gallup poll conducted earlier this year. And protecting the Great Lakes, one of the worlds largest surface freshwater ecosystems, has become urgent as population growth and human-made climate change cause water shortages in parts of the United States. According to research by Colorado State University, nearly half of the countrys 204 freshwater basins might not be able to meet monthly water demands by 2071. Line 5 is owned by Calgary-based Enbridge. With its large network of pipelines, the company transports about 30% of the crude oil produced in North America and nearly 20% of the natural gas used in the United States, according to its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In order to continue transporting over 20 million gallons of crude oil and natural gas liquids daily, and in response to state and federal lawsuits, Enbridge has proposed building a tunnel for the section of the pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac. It also wants to reroute the portion traversing the Bad River reservation to a new segment nearby but farther away from Lake Superior. We remain committed to operating Line 5 responsibly with enhanced safety measures in the Straits that protect Michigans natural resources and infrastructure in the Straits, according to Ryan Duffy, company spokesperson. Enbridge hosts regular community gatherings to answer questions about our operations and the relocation project in northern Wisconsin. We regularly discuss pipeline safety which is the very foundation of our business at Enbridge. Duffy said Enbridges monitoring data shows Line 5 operates safely. The company and environmental advocates have different priorities when it comes to the Great Lakes ecosystem, economy and energy needs. But both camps are leveraging their positions to secure U.S. government support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enbridge needs federal permitting pending an environmental review from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move the pipeline out of Bad River Band, as well as state and federal approval to start building the tunnel in the straits. Anti-pipeline activists hope for sweeping executive action to revoke a presidential permit that allows Line 5 to operate in the country. A ticking time bomb Linda Sullivan grew up in the South Shore neighborhood and every day during the summer, she and her friends would ride their bikes to the lake at Rainbow Beach or Promontory Point and take a dip in the water pushing through hundreds of alewives and questionable muck before passage of the Clean Water Act of 1972. I didnt think a thing of it. I knew it was gross, Sullivan laughed. But, you know, Im very emotionally attached to Lake Michigan, as I think almost everyone in Illinois is. Its our lake. And I, and everyone I love and know, not to mention the millions of people I dont know, drink Lake Michigan water every day. She now lives in Lombard, 30 miles west of her old neighborhood. But she has found a way to stay connected to the lake, volunteering in the federal action team of the Sierra Club chapter in Illinois. The group speaks with their congressional representatives about Line 5 in her case, with U.S. Rep. Sean Casten to have them pressure the president to act in favor of American citizens who depend on the Great Lakes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates pointing to Line 5s history of more than 30 spills say future, and more destructive, spills are inevitable unless proactive steps are taken to close that vulnerable portion of the pipeline. According to research by Beth Wallace, Great Lakes climate and energy director at the National Wildlife Federation, 33 such cases in the last 50 years spilled 1.13 million gallons of oil as reported by Enbridge to the federal agency that regulates pipelines. However, operators are only required to report spills of a particular size or cost threshold. Between 1999 and 2010, Enbridges operations in North America had more than 800 spills that dumped nearly 6.8 million gallons of oil, according to a NWF report. In July 2010, more than 1 million gallons spilled into the Kalamazoo River system from the companys Line 6B due to external corrosion after protective tape coating detached from its surface. Experts say the complex currents in the Straits of Mackinac could make a spill there catastrophic, spreading oil rapidly and across long distances in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. It could pollute miles of shoreline, harm countless species and habitats, and cause billions of dollars in damages. Cleanup would also be extremely difficult. At a rally at Prudential Plaza last week, activists gathered to raise awareness about the pipeline issues beyond Wisconsin and Michigan. They are hoping to build more support to pressure the Biden administration to shut down Line 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strikingly lifelike cardboard fish and birds, including red-eyed loons and colorful trout, sat atop the heads of rally participants. Seventy-seven-year-old Susan Simensky Bietila grabbed a megaphone: The pipeline is as old as I am, said the longtime activist-artist from Milwaukee. The coating is coming off, the turbulent water is washing away the anchoring to the ground. People have been fighting to protect the water there, she said. And we will not allow Canadian companies and multinational corporations to turn the Upper Midwest into a resource extraction disaster zone. Russ Bennett traveled to Chicago for the rally from Madison with the climate action group 350 Wisconsin. He wore a pumpkinseed hat, made by the groups art collective.These creatures are all counting on us to do the right thing, he said. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, spearheading legal action to decommission Line 5, has repeatedly called it a ticking time bomb. In 2020, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer revoked an easement allowing for the operation of the dual pipelines in the straits where the 30-inch diameter of Line 5 splits into two 20-inch pipes. She called them an unreasonable risk and said the company had violated its terms by ignoring structural problems at the site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Whitmers action does not preclude Enbridge from moving forward with its current plan to build a tunnel under the straits for a new pipeline, which opponents say would continue to pose a risk to the health of the Great Lakes, especially if the current line remains unprotected during construction under the lakebed. Duffy said a tunnel at the straits would make what has always been a safe pipeline even safer. He said Enbridges public opinion polls indicate support for the tunnel project from 70% of Michiganders; 33 counties have passed resolutions in its favor. Line 5 supplies almost 40% of the crude oil used at refineries in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Canada. That oil, as well as natural gas transported by the pipeline, is turned into propane and used by millions of people for cooking, heating homes and drying farm crops, Duffy said. Some of these refineries have said themselves they would likely close entirely; others would be forced to severely cut back on their production and could become non-competitive. This would cause refined product shortages and price hikes throughout the region, he said. Thousands of pipeline jobs and jobs at refineries and other processing facilities and industries are reliant on the continued operation of Line 5, as made clear by major labor unions and the government of Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents say decommissioning Line 5 would not lead to propane shortages or significant price increases; the Sierra Club has noted that propane can be transported by rail or truck, and Nessel says prices would only go up by 5 cents to 11 cents a gallon. Expert testimony in court has indicated increases in Michigan and Wisconsin might be less than 1 cent per gallon. Bad River Band Communities in territories crossed or bordered by Line 5, such as the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians in northern Wisconsin, lead efforts to protect the land and water resources that have sustained humans and wildlife across the Great Lakes region for generations. After his family relocated from northern to central Wisconsin when he was 6 years old, Joe Bates returned to the Bad River reservation almost every weekend and each summer. There, his uncles taught him how to hunt, fish, harvest wild rice and coexist with land and water. Thats what I learned how to do here. Thats what I taught my children, said Bates, a tribal elder with the Bad River Band. My oldest son continues to harvest balsam. He harvests pine cones, and he also takes his children with him. They helped him, just like when (he was) young. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bates also attended last weeks rally in Chicago. Members of the Bad River Band feel the long-standing presence of a Line 5 segment, which traverses 12 miles of their land, threatens their way of life. As erosion moves the course of the Bad River, it risks unearthing portions of the buried pipeline According to a federal complaint by the tribe, the river was 320 feet from Line 5 in 1963. By 2020, Bates said, it was no more than a dozen feet away. We dont need a flood, he said, a 4-inch rainfall could very well take that pipeline out. In 2013, the band refused to renew an easement allowing Enbridge to operate on their land after the previous one expired. Nine years later, a federal judge in Wisconsin ruled the continued presence of Line 5 meant the company was trespassing on tribal land. Enbridge was later ordered to close the portion that crosses the reservation by 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The band is asking the federal government to honor their rights to the land guaranteed by an 1854 treaty. Bates said the 170-year-old agreement supersedes a later 1977 pipeline treaty between the United States and Canada that Enbridge has brought up in its defense. The Biden administration, however, has offered mixed signals in support of both the Bad River Band and Enbridge and stopped short of any executive action, which many advocates say is their best recourse. Bates said promises made by Vice President Kamala Harris and running mate Tim Walz to uphold tribal sovereignty are empty words until they honor the Treaty of 1854; hes disappointed, too, in Walzs approval to replace Line 3 in Minnesota, which is similarly controversial and also owned by Enbridge. For that reason alone, Im voting for the lesser of two evils, Bates said. Im not totally sold on their campaign, but its certainly a better alternative than what wed have with Trump. In 2020, Enbridge proposed a new route for the pipeline, removing it from tribal lands and away from Lake Superior. However, environmental activists and the Bad River Band contend the site would still be too close and continue to pose a threat to the watershed and the reservation. A relocation, opponents add, would threaten spills in other places, including the Kakagon Sloughs the only extensive coastal wild rice bed in the Great Lakes region and downstream into Copper Falls State Park. Duffy said the company has reached agreements with all private landowners along the 41-mile project reroute, which was chosen because it minimizes construction impacts and protects critical and cultural resources. The company also hired RPS, a UK-based global firm that provides consulting and engineering services, to model more than 13,000 spill scenarios. That expert concluded that based on the modeling, there is no credible scenario that could result in crude oil reaching Lake Superior, Duffy said. Precedent-setting politics Activists and experts point out that the pipeline moves Canadian products through the United States as a shortcut only to end up back in Canada. Were taking all the risk and Canada is benefiting the most, said Johnson, of the Michigan conservation league. I hope that our decision-makers can really think about whats best for the U.S. Enbridge argues that the Biden administration has expressed a strong interest in complying with the 1977 treaty in order to safeguard trade and diplomatic relations between both countries. But environmentalists would rather invoke the obligations of the U.S. government to its citizens, urging Biden for years to take a strong, precedent-setting stance and revoke the pipelines presidential permit simultaneously honoring the 1854 agreement that Bates said guaranteed the Bad River Band a forever home. He could really go out that climate hero and a hero to our water and to our way of life, to tribal sovereignty, Johnson said, and send a real strong message that these Indigenous nations are on equal footing when it comes to the U.S. honoring treaties that go back way before any treaties related to pipelines and oil. But the decision is not without cross-border and fossil fuel industry pressures. Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly backed expanding fossil fuel use. Depending on the elections outcome, Biden and Harris might make different calculations on how to proceed with lame-duck actions. Were really making headway congressionally, said Sullivan, the Sierra Club volunteer. I dont know how powerful the congressional delegates can be if Trump gets in, but Im very, very hopeful that if Harris gets in, were going to see a new day. She said she cares about the future of Line 5 because she cares about the world her grandchildren and their children will live in. I remember my father, when he was my age, saying: Look, this isnt about me. Im going to be dead. This is about you. And I feel the same way, Sullivan said. Theres five kids that I love so much, and I just picture their sweet faces in a future with drought and heat waves and constant dissension and war, and its what motivates me. It echoes the Native American philosophy and commitment to protecting natural resources for the next seven generations. Its kind of like camping, Bates from the Bad River Band said. When you go camping, you always want to leave your camping spot better than when you got there. We want to try to leave the best that we can so that the unborn that choose to call this home have the same advantages that we have today. I want to be able to say that I thought about those that have yet to come, like our ancestors before us when they sat down (for) the Treaty of 1854. adperez@chicagotribune.com Diamondback terrapin numbers have dipped by 75% across most of their habitat in the last half-century. Now, conservationists are attempting to throw these turtles a lifeline by way of federal protection. In the past, Chesapeake Bay Magazine explained, this reptile was overfished in places like Maryland and Virginia, where turtle soup was once a regular food source. Now, it faces a deluge of other threats across its range, which spans from Massachusetts to Texas. These include habitat loss from sea level rise, shorefront development, pollution, and boat and vehicle strikes. Plus, one of the most imminent threats to these turtles is drowning in crab traps. To help, the Center for Biological Diversity is joining forces with 20 other organizations to secure Endangered Species Act protection for the species. The groups filed a petition to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in September. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind "Tens of thousands of terrapins are drowning in crab traps each year," Will Harlan, a senior scientist with CBD, told Chesapeake Bay Magazine. "Without the lifeline of Endangered Species Act protection, they'll sink into extinction." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The diamondback terrapin is a keystone species in the salt marshes and mangroves that it calls home, according to CBD. One important ecosystem service that these reptiles provide is eating marsh snails, which can harm marsh grasses when they reach high numbers. Culling these snail populations helps to keep these ecosystems healthy, which directly benefits humans. For instance, mangroves help to reduce flood impacts on coastal communities during extreme events like hurricanes, according to The Nature Conservancy. The organization also explains that these unique ecosystems trap and store carbon in their soils, helping us to mitigate the impacts of an overheating planet. If granted Endangered Species Act status, terrapins will join a number of other animals that have benefited from such protections. For instance, California's gray wolf population has recently doubled thanks to state and federal protections. Similarly, Britain is seeing a comeback of beneficial beavers because of reintroduction efforts there. "On behalf of more than 400 scientists and conservationists who comprise the [International Union for the Conservation of Nature] Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, I urge you to take action to protect the diamondback terrapin at the federal level," Craig Stanford, chair of the group, said in a statement included in the petition. "Extensive scientific studies have shown that from habitat loss to roadkill mortality to crab pot drownings this species is in peril. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Diamondback terrapins are in danger of extinction across a significant portion of their range," the petition read. "They urgently need both listing and critical habitat designated under the Endangered Species Act to protect this iconic and unique American species emblematic of our shrinking estuarine and coastal habitats." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. The owner of The Guardian has said it will retain a stake in the Observer as bosses try to quell a staff rebellion over plans to sell the Sunday newspaper to a loss-making media start-up. In a note to staff on Thursday, Anna Bateson, chief executive of Guardian Media Group, said the Scott Trust would keep a small stake in the Observer if the deal goes ahead. She added: This would be a sign of confidence in the future success of the title. The Guardian chief also dismissed concerns that the sale would contravene a house agreement with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) that protects staff from compulsory redundancies. The company said the potential new owner is legally obliged to carry over the agreement as part of the transfer of staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Guardian is facing an escalating backlash over the proposed deal, which would see the Observer pass from the 1.3bn Scott Trust endowment into the hands of Tortoise Media, a digital venture founded by former BBC News boss James Harding. The NUJ has branded the plans a betrayal of the Scott Trusts obligations to the Sunday paper, which was founded in 1791. It is now balloting journalists on a potential strike, and anger has reached boiling point. In a bid to assuage these concerns, Harding last month gave a presentation to staff outlining his plans for the business. This included an ambition for the newspaper, which has been loss-making for decades, to break even in 2027. He has also set a target of 173,000 paying subscribers by 2029, up from its current circulation of 114,000. Tortoise Media boss James Hardings pledge to invest 25m in the Observer over five years has come under scrutiny - OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images Hardings original pledge to invest 25m over five years has come under scrutiny, however. Under questioning he has now said he will in fact secure 20m of new capital, with a further 5m to come from future profits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Observer journalist brands the targets magical thinking, adding: No one is convinced, literally no one. It would be something that no ones ever achieved before, the source adds. Sunday newspapers didnt work as a standalone 30 years ago, let alone in the present day. Staff worry about the precarity of moving from the safety net of the Scott Trust to a start-up that has lost more than 16m since its launch in 2018. They have raised concerns about the possibility of disentangling the Observer from its sister paper given high levels of overlap between the titles, as well as the prospect of essentially turning the newspaper into a magazine. Many at The Guardian express support for Harding, who is also a former editor of The Times, on a personal level. But this is not enough to release him from the scrutiny of his industry colleagues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The whole thing is being governed by this good chap theory of British politics and society, says one journalist. Its supposed to be enough that James Harding is a good chap and we should take his word for it. A spokesman for Tortoise said: We have the required financing in place. We have been public about the new and existing investors who will fund our investment, who are committed for the long-term and are signed up to the principle of editorial independence. We are confident that the investment that Tortoise brings, as well as the vision, shared values and digital experience, are in the best long-term interests of the Observer, its readers and its journalists. Ultimately, though, staff fury is not directed at Harding, but rather Guardian bosses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concerns have been raised about the links between Harding and Bateson. The pair have previously holidayed together on a 15m superyacht owned by TalkTalk tycoon Sir Charles Dunstone, as well as in the French ski resort of Val dIsere. Harding and Bateson have previously holidayed together on the 15m superyacht Shemara, owned by TalkTalk tycoon Sir Charles Dunstone - CAROLINE BEAUMONT/AJAX/Alamy The Guardian said Bateson declared her friendship with Harding, who has now hired Dan Roberts, a former Guardian journalist and colleague of Hardings at The Financial Times, who now works for the communications adviser Brunswick, to handle his PR. It has argued that the deal has required extensive due diligence by its boards, as well as by independent advisers. Nevertheless, staff worry that Harding has been handed a sweetheart deal, particularly given the nominal price he appears to be paying for the Observer, and question why it wasnt put out to competitive bids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, they accuse bosses of taking a more aggressive approach. Theyve just given up on selling the deal to us, says an editor. Now theyre just trying to scare us and say that if the Observer stays theres going to be pain. In her email this week, Bateson appeared to confirm this shift in strategy. If the deal does not go ahead, the status quo is not an option, she wrote, warning that there would be difficult decisions. Anna Bateson, chief executive of The Guardian, this week warned there would be difficult decisions if the deal did not go ahead A source familiar with the deal defended it, saying: Just because a decision is unpopular, it doesnt mean it isnt the right one for the future of journalism at both titles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For many at The Guardian, though, the proposed sale is the culmination of a wider drift in strategy for the Left-leaning newspaper. Long-serving reporters fear the Scott Trust has moved away from its founding principles to a more commercial bent under chairman Ole Jacob Sunde, who does not have a journalistic background. Two board members with journalistic pedigree Emily Bell and Mary Ann Sieghart were transferred onto the junior Guardian News & Media board in 2021. Katharine Viner, The Guardians editor-in-chief, sits on both boards. One insider describes her position as completely impregnable, adding: Kath cannot tolerate any form of challenge to her authority. She previously prevailed in a power struggle with Batesons predecessor, Annette Thomas, who had sought greater control over spending but instead left after little over a year in the job. Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief of The Guardian, has made no public comment since the takeover talks were first revealed - Alicia Canter/eyevine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some see the Observer sale as merely an attempt to get 70 employees off the companys books to clean up the balance sheet after losing 37m last year. At the same time, The Guardian is emphasising its international reach, fuelling fears it is losing sight of its purpose. This is about moving away from a commitment to quality UK liberal journalism and is more about going and getting the low hanging fruit around the world, and thats extremely concerning, says one journalist. I dont think the commercial side of the business really understands the journalism anymore. Another senior journalist describes the Observer sale as the last straw, adding: I think theres a general feeling in the union that this is just the last in a long series of examples of how they completely undervalue their journalists and treat them with contempt. There could yet be a way back. Staff have drawn up a counter proposal, calling for a strategic review into the future of the Observer that would include investing in its digital presence. The NUJ has called a meeting on Friday to discuss the latest developments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One source says: My big concern is that this could be the opportunity to save the Observer and people are not engaging with how good it could be for the title and its journalists. Instead, they are fighting for something that isnt real at The Guardian that things stay as they are. The numbers are bad. There will be no more investment for the Observer at The Guardian, only decline and maybe even closure. But others have begun scrutinising their employers governance structure and are now calling for a more root-and-branch reform. Theyve totally underestimated it, says one member of staff. Its now not enough to stop the deal for the staff. So for Viner, who has made no public comment since the talks were first revealed, the decision to put the Observer up for sale could represent a test of courage. She has previously been criticised over a perceived failure to confront internal conflicts, such as over the reporting of trans controversies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Viner is expected to attend a leaving party for Paul Webster, the outgoing Observer editor, at the London Welsh Centre next month. One insider suggests that if the deal is still live at that point the acidity in the air will be enough to sour her prosecco. Another journalist claims the authority of Viner a distant figure to most Guardian journalists rarely seen in the newsroom is fatally undermined. Regardless of whether the industrial action stops the sale, this is the end of the line for the editor. The Guardian declined to comment on criticisms of management. 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. TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE, N.Y. (WWTI) A 17-year-old teen from Guatemala is facing multiple charges after an alleged sexual assault earlier this week. New York State Police stated they responded just after 3 a.m. Wednesday, October 30 to McGowan Road in the town of Oswegatchie for a sexual assault complaint. Jefferson Co. woman facing welfare fraud charges An investigation found that 17-year-old male forcibly grabbed and forcibly attempted to take the victims clothing off while sexually assaulting the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Police said the alleged victim was able to get away and then called a roommate to come back to the residence. State Troopers and U.S Customs and Border Protection officers continued to investigate the alleged incident and determined the 17-year-old male provided false documentation and false identity. The 17-year-old was charged with first-degree attempted rape, forcible touching, second-degree possession of a forged instrument, second-degree criminal possession. The male was arrested and transported to the state police headquarters in Ogdensburg for processing. He was arraigned in the St. Lawrence County Youth Court and was remanded to St. Lawrence County Jail in lieu of $750 cash bail or $1,500 bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teen was transported to U.S. Customs and Border Protection office for further questioning and processing. He will be held in a juvenile detention center until further notice. New York State Sheriffs Association opposes Proposition 1 State Police were assisted by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the St. Lawrence County Sheriffs Department. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. In this photo illustration, the names of candidates for the 2024 Presidential election appear on a vote-by-mail ballot on Oct. 23, 2024, in Silver Spring, MD. Credit - Chip SomodevillaGetty Images This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox. As we finally hit the last weekend before Election Day, plenty of our friends are suddenly experts on the polls. Whether its a political circle, a YA book club, or even the line at the grocery store, the chatty ones have just one topic atop their minds. Did you see that gender gap in The New York Times final survey last week? What about Thursdays Gallup poll showing voter intensity among Democrats higher than any point in the last 24 years? But I heard on NPR that Trump is polling better than any Republican in the last two decades, including when Trump won in 2016? It can be a lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those who want to do it, going down the rabbit hole of polls can be a choose-your-own-adventure tale of self-assurance, self-torture, and deep confusion. And, to be frank, each path is entirely valid. Sure, there are plenty of metrics by which to pour through to assess the health and potential of the two presidential campaigns. Campaign finance data, ad strategy, where the candidates are planting themselves in the final days. Oh, and dont even get me started about the imprecise modeling behind early-vote numbers. But, really, polls are the easiest way to get a sense of the race. In August, we published a primer on how to read the polls like a pro. But in the final days of an election cycle like no other, many wonder if pollsters are getting the presidential race completely wrong again. Heres a rundown of why polling in 2024 is different from any other year, and why thats creating more confusion about whos getting it right. Dont all the polls show this is basically a coin toss? Yes, but no. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With apologies to readers who are looking for an easy answer, one is not in the offing. As Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson notes, the numbers are remarkably consistent across different surveys even as pollsters are following a different set of assumptions to get there. The Times poll showing a tied race at 48% and the CNN poll showing a tied race at 47% can be accurate in each case, but there are big differences in how they reach similar conclusions. Put in legal terms, Jurors A and B can both find someone guilty of a crime but get that verdict by prioritizing a different set of facts. That doesnt mean the defendant is not guilty, but the rationale for each juror can be as true as it is divergent. Part of this multi-track path toward the same end comes down to different polling shops prosecuting different theories of the electoral case. Is Harris changing the electorate in ways unseen before, with a dramaticand still unrealizedsuccess among women and college-educated voters? Is she putting together the old Obama coalition from 2008? Is Trump reviving the base a la 2016 or is he banking on a different coalition that has grown more tolerant of his disregard of norms? And should the voting patterns of 2020 be ignored, given that we were in the middle of a pandemic? All of those scenarios can be true, but to what degree? Different pollsters consider some of these questions more relevant than others in deciding who will turn out. So, yes, polls are close. No one in either camp is sleeping comfortably these days, if theyre sleeping at all. The candidates are busy for a reason: this thing may be decided by fewer than 100,000 people in three (still-unknown) states. And no one knows who they are. So these polls arent all using a common baseline? Nope. Not even close, if theyre being honest. Every polling operation has to use its own best understanding of who will actually show up. Usually, as Election Day draws closer, pollsters shift from a wider universe of registered voters to likely votersand therein comes a blend of statistical modeling, historical trends, and more than a little gut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The co-director of Vanderbilt Universitys solid polling operation, Josh Clinton, published an incredibly useful illustration of this challenge. Using a raw dataset from a national survey taken in early October, the wonk found Harris is ahead by about 6 percentage points. That finding reflects who the pollsters were able to reach, which may not accurately reflect who ultimately turns out to vote. Thats where every pollster makes different decisions on how to adjust the raw data. When Clinton adjusts the data to fit the 2022 turnout universe, Harris is actually up 8.8 percentage points. Plug-in 2020s turnout, its a 9-point race in Harris advantage. And if you use the 2016 figures, Harris still wins by 7.3 percentage points. But then this is where things can get interesting. If you overlay modeling on how many voters out there identify as Democrat, Republican, or neither, you can get vastly different looks at the race. If you believe Pew Research Centers data of the nations electorate, Harris lead shrinks to a 3.9 percentage point head start if turnout resembles 2020. Pivot to Gallups snapshot of the electorate and that advantage drops to 0.9 percentage points. So, you can see how modeling alone, using the same raw numbers, can swing this race by 8 points. And thats just the most basic example of how a tweak hereon just one input questionand a bump there on dozens of other factors can throw the whole system. This is happening at every single polling outfit in the political universe, and each set of data nerds is looking at the datasets through different lenses. Its why the same set of voters can say the same thing to pollsters and see themselves reflected in an entirely different race. Theres a reason why we had to show our work in math class; the process matters as much as the answer. So we shouldnt compare, say, the CNN polls with the New York Times Polls? Absolutely not. The best practice is to compare like with like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year includes the added twist of Democrats dumping Joe Biden for Kamala Harris as their nominee in July. Basically, most comparisons between pre- and post-Biden Exit have a limited utility. The same is true for cross-pollster comparisons given theyre all making different assumptions about the electorate. Theres also little value in comparing polls of registered voters and those of likely voters. Theyre completely different universes. Wait. Did no one fix political polling after 2016? The 2016 polls became punchline and gut punch after their misalignment with reality became apparent quickly on Election Day. Hillary Clinton, after all, was thought to be coasting toward a clean defeat of Trump. But with the benefit of hindsight, it was pretty clear that the pollsters assumed too many college grads would show up, as just one of the most obvious misses. Pollsters did their best to fix it four years later, but again the polls thought Biden would do better than he did. Part of it is the Trump effect, which again has pollsters second-guessing themselves, and in particular, which factors matter most in gaming out voter behavior. A research team at Tufts University did a survey of, well, the surveys, and found that some of the biggest shifts on the back-end modeling since 2016 have come in giving much more heft to education, voting history, and where the voters actually live. They also document a shift away from giving respondents income and marital status too much clout. Most pollsters have also adjusted the weight they give to age, race, and gender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, yes, pollsters have taken steps to iron-out the wrinkles that were so apparent in 2016. But this is a public-opinion science that has to bake-in some assumptions. And those are simply those: best-educated guesses about the universe in play. (Just to be contrarian: A credible counter argument is that the polls in 2016 werent that off, just that the national surveys didnt match the state-by-state results that mattered most. Clinton allies would rather blame the pollsters for inflating her voters confidence to the point of complacency, but the reality is far more nuanced.) So Youre Saying We Should Cool It With The Polls? Absolutely. Polls are informative, not predictive. By the time you read them, theyre already out of date. Each one of them is making some informed assumptions about who will bother to cast a ballot. Almost every crosstab from a pollsters latest release includes a judgment call, and no one gets all of them correct. But lets be honest: we wont cool it. Its just not what the armchair wonks know how to do. After twoif not fourfull years of waiting for this final push, the catnip of these numbers is too much. It might be a waste of time, but ultimately it could actually have virtue in the most unlikely of ways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The closeness of the polls may be a bankshot for getting more people to vote if they think they may actually determine the outcome. So, in that, these tight polls might be good for the exercise of democracy and simultaneously garbage for the discussion of it. Yet its all were going to talk about for the next few daysand maybe beyond if the expectations they create are too far afield of the outcome. Im as likely to be as guilty of this as anyone. And, no, I probably wont repent. Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the D.C. Brief newsletter. Write to Philip Elliott at philip.elliott@time.com. During a campaign stop in New Mexico, Donald Trump used the final moments of the 2024 election to continue spreading false claims, telling voters the previous two presidential votes in the state were rigged. Albuquerque officials, meanwhile, were worried about a different count: the roughly $445,000 they say the Trump campaign still owes for a 2019 visit. Ahead of the former presidents visit to the state, mayor Tim Keller said part of the reason the Albuquerque Convention Center turned down a Trump campaign request to use it for Thursdays rally was because of the remaining bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With anyone who wants to use any [city-owned] facility you cant have money owed to the city, Keller said, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. For us to consider the fact that were half a million dollars short is something we would do for any candidate or anyone who wants to rent the convention center in general. The Independent has contacted the Trump campaign for comment. The bill stems from a 2019 rally in nearby Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and includes $71,000 for police services, $7,000 for barricades, and $132,000 for other city resources, according to local station KOAT, a total thats risen since because of interest. The mayor of Albuquerque says Trump campaign still owes over $445,000 for 2019 event (Getty Images) Local Republicans criticized Keller, arguing the bill claims are a stupid political game, given that the city doesnt historically bill campaigns. City officials told KOAT We have billed for extreme use of resources and services, such as Trumps 2019 visit that shut down City Hall and required additional barricading downtown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Mexico isnt the only place where Trump is allegedly trailing IOUs. The campaign still owed over $25,000 in Arizona, over $208,000 in Minnesota, and over $65,000 in Washington, Al Jazeera reported last week. As of early October, the Trump campaign allegedly owed more than $750,000 across five jurisdictions, including Pennsylvania, Texas, Montana, and Arizona, according to an investigation from NBC News. Part of the problem is that many of the costs related to a campaign visit, especially by a high-profile party frontrunner / former president like Donald Trump, flow from local law enforcement assisting the Secret Service, rather than the campaigns directly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Secret Service told NBC it lacks a mechanism to reimburse local governments for their support during protective events and has identified this issue as a critical need that could be improved with congressional reform. Trump, who campaigns on the idea that hes a master dealmaker and successful businessman, has long been accused of stiffing his partners in his business career. Trump has long been accused of not paying business partners and employees (Reuters) During the 2016 campaign, hundreds of former contractors and employees, including carpenters and dishwashers on various Trump enterprises, said they went unpaid for their work. Some of the alleged costs are multiple decades old, including from workers on the Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, which opened in 1990. CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WMBD) It was a special Halloween around central Illinois, as businesses and neighborhoods celebrated the special day. In Peoria, Jim Maloof Realtor had their entire office decked out in Halloween decorations to see which employee decorated their office the best. Managing Broker Dori Dewitte-Scotti invites the community out, saying its a safe place to trick or treat. Its a place to come in, out of the elements and its a safe place. You have agents here that are going to give out safe treats and food and candy and beverages things like that, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She hopes for the event to become an annual one. Over in Morton, Tom Godfrey and his family put on a Halloween-themed lights show with music and animations that danced to the music. Godfrey said he hopes it brings the community a sense of happiness. Were in the older section of town and we dont get a lot of kids initially, but with this show we definitely get a lot of kids that drive up or walk by. We do some pretty special treats for Halloween night, and we have a pretty good setup, he said. The Godfrey family has put on the light show for eight or nine years, according to Tom. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Some local authorities in Mexico implemented some restrictions on Halloween costumes on Thursday with the aim of guaranteeing the safety of the population amid growing violence in the country. In Sinaloa, home of notorious former drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who headed the Sinaloa drug cartel, police urged the population not to dress up as bandits. Plastic weapons, tactical equipment and other costumes that could alert the police or frighten the population should be avoided, said Gerardo Medina, the head of the police in the western state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ignoring the measures could be interpreted as an expression of approval of a criminal act, which is a criminal offence, the police chief warned. In cities such as Tijuana and Rosarito in the north-western state of Baja California, wearing masks and make-up covering the entirety of the face, has also been banned for security reasons, according to the media. In addition to the usual Halloween costumes, masks of "El Chapo" can be found in markets and at festivals in Mexico City. Guzman was sentenced to life in a US federal prison in 2019 for leading the drug cartel and for 26 drug-related crimes and one murder conspiracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Halloween precedes the Day of the Dead, a traditional celebration taking place on November 1-2 during which Mexicans make offerings to late family members in their homes and in cemeteries. Mexico's population has been suffering from widespread violent crime for years. The Missouri House chamber during the 2022 legislative session (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications). Missouri Democrats have been slowly chipping away at the GOP legislative supermajority in recent years, culminating in 2022 when the party grew its caucus in the House to its highest total in a decade. Heading into Tuesdays election, Republicans hold a 111-52 advantage in the House and 24-10 majority in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether or not Democrats can deny the GOP its veto-proof majority on Tuesday will come down to a handful of districts across the state. Both Democrats and Republicans expect the 19th Missouri Senate District in Boone County to flip from Red to Blue this year. That puts the spotlight on three Senate districts the 11th in Jackson County, the 15th in St. Louis County and the 17th in Clay County that observers believe will be the most competitive on Tuesday. Over in the House, Republicans are spending big to knock off incumbent Democrats who squeaked out wins in 2022. But the party is also defending myriad seats in suburban districts that have grown increasingly favorable to the Democrats and supported President Joe Biden four years ago. With all that in mind, here are 10 legislative races expected to be among the most competitive on Election Day. Senate District 11: Republican Joe Nicola vs. Democrat Robert Sauls Senate District 11 in Jackson County includes eastern Kansas City and Independence. While held by a Democrat for the last few election cycles, former President Donald Trump carried the district in 2020 with 54% of the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sauls, an attorney and former prosecutor, has a big fundraising advantage in the race over Nicola, a pastor. Between his campaign committee and a PAC supporting him, Sauls reported spending more than $500,000 in October, compared to only $66,000 for Nicola. But both candidates are also getting help from outside groups. The Missouri Senate Campaign Committee, which supports GOP candidates for Senate, has dumped $530,000 into the race to help Nicola. Meanwhile, Sauls has gotten $600,000 in spending help from two Democratic PACs Majority Forward and the Missouri Voter Project. Senate District 15: Republican David Gregory vs. Democrat Joe Pereles The 15th District includes a large portion of suburban St. Louis County, including Chesterfield and Ballwin. It has historically been a Republican stronghold, but has slowly trended towards Democrats in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gregory, an attorney and former state legislator, reported spending $180,000 in October between his campaign committee and an independent PAC. Over the same period, the Missouri Senate Campaign Committee spent nearly $1 million to help Gregory. Pereles, a retired Drury Hotel executive, and the PAC supporting him reported spending more than $1 million in October. Majority Forward, a PAC that supports Democratic Senate candidates, reported spending around $240,000 in the race.. Senate District 17: Republican Jerry Nolte vs. Democrat Maggie Nurrenbern The 17th District covers Clay County and was held by Republicans until 2018, when Democratic state Sen. Lauren Arthur captured the seat in a special election and cruised to an easy re-election in 2020. Nolte, a former state lawmaker and Clay County presiding commissioner, reported spending roughly $200,000 in October between his candidate committee and an independent PAC. The Missouri Senate Campaign Committee has chipped in $240,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nurrenbern, a state representative from Kansas City, spent more than $400,000 in October, with Majority Forward and the Missouri Voter Project spending a combined $600,000 in the race. House District 17: Republican Bill Allen vs. Democrat Shirley Mata In a Clay County district that had been held by a Democrat for years and voted for Biden by five percentage points in 2020, Allen squeaked out a win in 2022 by only 50 votes. Allen, vice chancellor of the online University of Arkansas Grantham, reported spending $39,000 in October, with another $70,000 in spending by the House Republican Campaign Committee. Mata, an autoworker and union leader, reported spending $80,000 in October. She also benefited from $12,000 in spending from Taxpayers Unlimited Inc.; $10,000 from the House Democratic Campaign Committee; and $10,000 from Missouri Women For Progress. House District 34: Republican JC Crossley vs. Democrat Kemp Strickler This race is a rematch from 2022, when Strickler beat Crossley by only 45 votes in a Jackson County district that voted for Biden in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strickler, a retired Hallmark executive, reported spending $74,000 in October, compared to only $13,000 for Crossley, a retired business owner. But Crossley has benefited from more than $150,000 in spending this month by the House Republican Campaign Committee. Meanwhile, a group called Missourians for a Fair Economy spent $7,000 in the race, and the House Democratic Campaign Committee spent $11,000. House District 96: Republican Brad Christ vs. Democrat Leslie Derrington Another rematch from 2022, when Christ bested Derrington by more than 500 votes in the St. Louis County district that voted for Biden four years ago. Christ, a corporate risks and benefits consultant, reported spending $84,000 in October, with another $110,000 from the House Republican Campaign Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Derrington, a stay-at-home mother, reported spending $30,000, with another $11,000 coming from the House Democratic Campaign Committee. House District 100: Republican Philip Oehlerking vs. Democrat Colin Lovett This is yet another 2022 rematch in a St. Louis County district carried by Biden four years ago. Oehlerking, who worked previously at the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, defeated Lovett by only 200 votes in 2022. He reported spending only $8,000 in October. The House Republican Campaign Committee spent more than $80,000 this month on the race. Lovett, a business owner, reported spending $81,000 in October, with another $7,000 from the House Democratic Campaign Committee. House District 101: Republican Ben Keathley vs. Democrat Jacqueline Cotton Keathley, an attorney, won this St. Louis County seat by more than 500 votes two years ago, despite it going for Biden in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He reported spending $33,000 in October, with the House Republican Campaign Committee chipping in more than $100,000. Cotton, a small business owner, reported spending $10,000 in October, with $9,000 in support from the House Democratic Campaign Committee. House District 105: Republican Colin Wellenkamp vs. Democrat Ron Odenthal Republican state Rep. Adam Schwadron gave up this St. Charles County seat to run for secretary of state. He held the seat for Republicans in 2020 despite Biden carrying the district. Wellenkamp, who serves as executive director of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, reported spending $14,000 in October. He also got $120,000 in support from the House Republican Campaign Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Odenthal, a retired KPMG senior network analyst, reported spending only $6,000. The House Democratic Campaign Committee has spent around $13,000 in the race. House District 136 Republican Jim Robinette vs. Democrat Stephanie Hein Hein, a professor emerita at Missouri State University, flipped this Springfield district for the Democrats in 2022 by just over 200 votes. She reported spending $85,000 this month compared to $49,000 by Robinette, an Army veteran. The House Republican Campaign Committee has spent more than $150,000 in the race to boost Robinette, while the House Democratic Campaign Committee has spent $8,000 and Missourians for a Fair Economy spent $13,000. Wilson County-based franchisee Sam Patel has had his hands in Pleasant View's business since 2005 and he will soon add even more new business to the area. Patel owns the Subway sandwich shop location on Hwy 41 A, a soon to open Hangry Joes Hot Chicken & Wings at 216 Ren Mar Dr. where Guthrie Paint LLC used to be and Prime Time Liquors on Hwy 41 A, which opened just a few months ago. He's also working to add an ice cream shop to his growing list of businesses, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That community has been so good to me, Patel said. You see the whole Middle Tennessee area getting diverse people are moving here, its a great place to raise a family, youre close to downtown Nashville, close to Clarksville its a great community and great people. Cheatham Countys a great community to live, work and eat Im a big fan of it. Sam Patel poses in front of the new Subway site on Eastgate Boluevard in Lebanon, Tenn., Tuesday, March 1, 2022. The Subway that Patel owns will replace the franchise that was in a building destroyed by the March 2020 tornado. The Subway sandwich shop site on Hwy 41A features a drive thru and adjoining tenant space Patel currently leases out to Great Clips, a national hair salon chain. Each of the buildings are within a few hundred feet of one another. Prime Time Liquors on Hwy 41 A in Pleasant View opened in 2024. Patel and his wife, Pinal, worked as a husband-and-wife team to open Primetime Liquors, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pinal, another business owner in the family, opened Maharani Collections in Mt. Juliet earlier this year. She and her husband's efforts in Wilson County have been happening alongside those in Pleasant View, with several businesses opening or in the stages of preparing to open in both locations this past year. Together, the couple has remodeled several businesses and their home in recent years after sustaining significant storm damage from a tornado in 2020. Pinal Patel is opening Maharani Collections in Mt. Juliet. More: From Indian clothing to kickboxing, dance, here are four new Mt. Juliet businesses to see More: 'Rebounding in a positive direction': Wilson County Subway marks a new beginning after 2020 tornado Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Pleasant View Subway location is not the first in the area for Patel. Before designing and building a standalone location for the new restaurant on Hwy 41 A, he previously ran a Subway location not too far down the road in a retail development that includes a Dollar General Market on Ren Mar Drive. In a full circle moment, that former Subway location has become the site for the areas first Hangry Joes Hot Chicken & Wings, seated between the DG Market and Sidelines Grill restaurant. A Subway sandwich shop on Hwy 41A in Pleasant View features a drive thru and adjoining tenant space that currently houses Great Clips, a national hair salon chain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I decided to do a Hangry Joes there, so Im going back in the same spot where Subway used to be at it worked out perfect, he said. This will be the first hot chicken establishment in Pleasant View, so I think its going to be a pretty big hit. He decided to become a franchisee of the Nashville-style hot chicken chain after trying one of its well-known dishes, the Chicken Sando. After I ate the sandwich, I went around to different shops, tried a lot of food out and Im like, hey, I love this food, he said. He started with one location in Lebanon and has built it in tandem with his second location in Pleasant View. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both locations are set to open on Nov. 11. Hangry Joe's sells Nashville-style hot chicken. When will Hangry Joes Hot Chicken & Wings open? Looking to get your hands on Hangry Joe's Hot Chicken & Wings? More: Franchise owner plans to expand Hangry Joe's Hot Chicken brand in Middle Tennessee Hangry Joe's Pleasant View Hot Chicken & Wings is set to open at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at 216 Ren Mar Dr. in Pleasant View. "Hangry Joe's Pleasant View, TN is officially flapping its wings wide open! Get ready to dive into the ultimate hot chicken sensation and satisfy your cravings like never before," Hangry Joe's Pleasant View Hot Chicken & Wings said on Facebook. The Pleasant View site be the second location to open in Tennessee. An existing location, at 3119 Medical Center Pkwy in Murfreesboro, is open 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday and 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there won't be two locations for long. The Lebanon location is also set to open on Nov. 11, albeit a little later in the day. It has a 1 p.m. scheduled opening at 1431 West Main St in Lebanon. "Epic" prizes will be handed out to the first 100 chicken enthusiasts in line at each grand opening. Hangry Joe's has nearly two dozen other locations in several states, including Alabama, Illinois, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia. Featuring a signature Nashville-style chicken sandwich and signature sauce, the franchise blends tradition with trend on its menu with chicken dishes like the Chicken Sando, Chicken Fingers and Korean Chicken Nuggets found on the Hangry Joe's website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spice levels range from no seasoning to Angry Hot, which requires customers to sign a waiver before eating. For the most up-to-date information on the grand openings, visit facebook.com/hangryjoespleasantview and facebook.com/hangryjoeslebanon. The Nashville-style hot chicken chain Hangry Joe's Hot Chicken & Wings aims to expand its reach in Middle Tennessee with two new locations including one in Pleasant View. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baskin-Robbins & Dominos Pizza & Sams Greek Cafe, oh my! After the recent grand opening of Prime Time Liquors and the impending grand opening of Hangry Joes Hot Chicken & Wings, Patel is already working towards opening another restaurant in Pleasant View. This time, the focus will be ice cream. Baskin-Robbins fans will soon be able to grab a cup or cone of their favorite sweet treat closer to home. A 5-tenant, roughly 6,712-square-foot building is expected to open in the spring of 2025 and feature a lineup of new and first-time businesses in Pleasant View. Current signees are Dominos Pizza, Sams Greek Cafe, Baskin-Robbins and The UPS Store. Dubbed Ren Mar Center II, a 5-tenant strip mall will cost an estimated $1.7 million to build in Pleasant View. Dubbed Ren Mar Center II, the strip mall located on Ren Mar Drive next to the Hangry Joes Hot Chicken and behind the H. G. Hill grocery store off SR 49 E will cost an estimated $1.7 million, Debbie Keenan of The Keenan Group, Inc. said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baskin-Robbins and Dominos Pizza will serve as the bookend tenants and each have their own drive thrus. The (Baskin-Robbins) floor plan is already designed as well, so we should have drawings here hopefully in about a month, Patel said. Lease agreements have been signed by each of the tenants, Keenan noted, though the 5th and final tenant space has yet to be finalized. While a building permit has been approved, it has not been issued, meaning changes could still be submitted, according to the Town of Pleasant View Buildings and Codes Department. If theres any changes, they would be minute. Not in tenants, but maybe in their requirements, Keenan said. Weve already excavated, and this next week, theyre going to start putting the building up. A $1.7 million and roughly 6,712 square foot, 5-tenant strip mall-like structure is expected to open in the spring of 2025 and feature a lineup of new and first-time businesses in the Town of Pleasant View, a half-way point between Clarksville and Nashville. The pre-manufactured metal building is expected to go up quickly, she said. And more restaurants may be on the horizon. An additional acre was reserved by The Keenan Group next to the strip mall site for future development, Keenan said. If this goes well, we could put up another strip the same size right next to it we would love to have more of an upscale sit-down restaurant on that property, she said. Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: This $1.7M project is bringing unique flavors to Middle Tennessee Maine's ranked-choice 2024 presidential ballot. (Photo by Maine Morning Star) When accounting for ranked-choice voting, a new survey found Vice President Kamala Harris is slightly ahead among likely Maine voters and more so in the 1st Congressional District. However, the poll predicts that Republican candidate Donald Trump is likely to prevail in the 2nd District, which would earn him an electoral vote under Maines unique system. A narrow majority (51%) of likely voters said if voting today they would rank Harris first on the states ranked-choice ballot, according to the SurveyUSA/FairVote ranked choice poll released Friday. Another 43% said they would rank former President Donald Trump first, with independent and Green Party candidates getting support from a sliver of voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the poll shows Trump pulling ahead in the 2nd District, as he did the other two times he ran. Though the poll didnt find him earning a majority, 49% of likely voters in the large, mostly rural district said they would rank him first, compared to the 44% who would pick Harris as their top choice. With undecided voters removed, Trump secures 51% of the 2nd District, the poll said. Because Maine divides its electoral votes by statewide popular vote and congressional district, if the polls findings bear out, Maine would give three votes to Harris, who also earned a majority in the 1st District (58%), and one electoral vote to Trump for the 2nd District. The presidential race in Maine will use ranked-choice voting because of third party candidates Jill Stein of the Green Independent Party, Libertarian Chase Oliver and Cornel West with the Justice for All Party. More than eight in 10 voters say ranked-choice voting is easy or very easy, the survey found, which is an increase from previous years. Under ranked-choice voting, voters indicate which candidate is their first choice, second choice, and so on. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes on election night, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated and their votes get reassigned to whomever their voters ranked second. This process is repeated until one candidate wins a majority of votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the poll, most voters who picked independent and third party candidates as their first choice ranked multiple candidates, whereas fewer voters who selected Harris or Trump ranked others. As expected, third-party voters are using the opportunity RCV provides to express their preference if their first choice doesnt have a chance to win, a news release from FairVote said. An August poll that did not consider ranked-choice voting conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center found 55% of likely voters said they would vote for Harris if the election were held today, with another 38% saying they would vote for Trump. That Pine Tree State Poll also found the presidential race too close to call in the 2nd District. Maines congressional races The new survey showed incumbent U.S. Jared Golden pulling ahead among 2nd District voters, compared to other previous polls. The Democrat is projected to secure a fourth term with 53% of the vote compared with 43% support for Republican candidate Austin Theriault. The survey had a credibility interval of 3.6 percentage points. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A mid-September poll found the two candidates in a tight race, with Theriault having a slight edge and 9% of voters undecided. Since there are only two official candidates, that race wont use ranked-choice voting. Maines two other congressional races will use ranked-choice voting: the U.S. Senate and the 1st Congressional District seats. While the poll found that neither of these races needed to actually utilize ranked-choice tabulations, it was close with some candidates just barely securing a majority of votes. Independent incumbent U.S. Sen. Angus King led his three challengers with 54% of the vote while Republican Demi Kouzounas continued to be his biggest threat with the poll showing 28% of likely voters backing her. In the poll, Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree earned 60% of the vote, compared to 28% for Republican Ron Russell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SurveyUSA surveyed 1,079 likely Maine voters between Oct. 24-29 using a sample drawn from home telephones and an online panel on smartphones, laptops and tablets. The pool was weighted to targets for gender, age, education, home ownership, and 2020 presidential vote. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris is greeted by Jennifer Bell, as she arrives to speak at a rally at the Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Wednesday. via Associated Press APEX, N.C. Georgias former lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan likes to talk about a whisper caucus of fellow Republicans who tell him quietly that they, like him, plan to vote for Kamala Harris next week. John Robertson might just be a solid member. He doesnt like to talk about politics with friends and neighbors to avoid arguments. He has voted for Republicans in the past. And he is absolutely done with Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robertson was among the 36,358 voters in Wake County who backed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in North Carolinas presidential primary. Eight months later, he is supporting the Democratic vice president over the coup-attempting former president. The Republican Party is not what it used to be. Its not my fathers Republican Party, Robertson said as he stood in the early voting line Thursday at the John Brown Community Center. Its no longer Republican. Brittany Samuel, a 38-year-old nurse, was another Haley-Harris voter in line to cast her ballot. Hes a criminal, she said about Trump, whom she voted for in 2016 but not in 2020. And I just dont feel that a criminal should be running our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Samuel and Robertson were willing to talk about their decision to vote for Harris. Many others, North Carolina Republicans for Harris leaders said, would just as soon keep their choice to themselves. At a news conference earlier Thursday in downtown Raleigh, Duncan appeared with former Republican Reps. Joe Walsh and Susan Molinaro, and former Trump White House national security aide Olivia Troye to urge Republicans who similarly did not want Trump to regain the presidency to join them in voting for Harris. We know its going to be close, Duncan said. We know its going to come down to just a handful of votes, and we know exactly where those handful of votes are going to come from. And this is certainly one of those areas. Duncan added that, given all the Republicans who approach him to tell him that they agree with what he says about Trump but that they will only express that view at the ballot box, he is optimistic that Harris will win. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the whisper caucus is going to show up in epic proportion on Tuesday, he said. A quarter-million votes for Haley As the last candidate standing against Trump in the GOP presidential primaries, Haley became the vessel for opposition to Trump within the Republican Party even after it was clear she had a nearly impossible path, following her loss in both the New Hampshire primary in January, then in her home state of South Carolina a month later. By the end of the primaries in June, she had won 4.4 million votes, 20% of those cast. Of those, 1.2 million were in the seven states that will likely decide the November election, which has made the voters who cast them a key focus of the Republicans for Harris effort. North Carolinians cast 250,838 votes for Haley in the March 5 primary, just under a quarter of all votes cast on the Republican side that day. It wasthe second-biggest anti-Trump turnout in the primariesamong the seven swing states, with only Michigan registering higher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans for Harris officials believe that if she can win over three out of 10 of those quarter-million Haley voters, that would provide Harris the margin she would need to win in that state. In North Carolina on Wednesday, Harris had one of those Haley voters introduce her at a rally a public affirmation of how important her campaign believes anti-Trump Republicans are to assembling a winning coalition. Jennifer Bell said she voted for Trump in 2016 because she was a Republican and Republicans voted for their candidate in presidential elections. She said she quickly came to regret that choice. Any Haley voters for Harris? Bell asked from the stage before a crowd of 8,000. Conservatives for Harris? Yes, were all a family now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bell, a 49-year-old engineer, told HuffPost later that she is appalled by what has happened to the party she grew up in. The Republicans used to the party of intellect, the party of business savvy. Thats all gone, she said, adding that she makes a point to wear her Republicans for Harris-Walz T-shirt whenever she goes outside to spread the word. If you dont want to see Trump elected, you have to vote for Harris. ... Hopefully there was a conservative Republican out there in the crowd that maybe I got to change their mind. The overwhelming majority of those who attended Harris rally at an open-air amphitheater on the outskirts of Raleigh were longtime Democrats. They said they were glad their candidatewas reaching out to the other party. I think its a fabulous idea, said Jill Bliss, who is 70 and a retired public school librarian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her husband, Bill Bliss, 72, and a retired advertising executive, said he couldnt understand some Democrats anger about Harris welcoming the endorsements of former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter, former Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney both conservative Republicans. When Democrats said, No, you cant forgive him, kick him out I dont think thats the right way to do it, he said. The shy Harris voter In 2016, the Trump campaign said they had determined the existence of shy Trump voters, those who would not tell friends or family or pollsters of their intention to vote for him to avoid criticism. Eight years later, it is Harris supporters who think and hope that there are in pro-Trump areas shy Harris voters, people who are fed up with the former president but would prefer to keep that view a secret. I equate it to the 2016 stealth Trump vote, which nobody predicted, said Robert Orr, a former justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court and a Republicans for Harris co-chair in the state. I think in 2024, its a stealth vote for Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Christian group backing Harris, in fact, has created an ad targeting a subcategory of that group, women whose pro-Trumphusbands expect them to vote MAGA, too. In the ad, narrated by actress Julia Roberts, two women catch each others eyes in the polling place and, out of view of their husbands, smile and cast ballots for Harris. Former first lady Michelle Obama at a rally last week in Michigan made that same point. If you are a woman who lives in a household of men that dont listen to you or value your opinion, just remember that your vote is a private matter, she said. Regardless of the political views of your partner, you get to choose. It was a message repeated by Liz Cheney on Sunday in an interview with CBS. I think youre going to have, frankly, a lot of men and women who will go into the voting booth and will vote their conscience and will vote for Vice President Harris, she said. They may not ever say anything publicly but the results will speak for themselves. Of course, not every Haley voter will be persuaded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shiva Gangu said he voted for Haley in March in large part because he thought Trumps various criminal cases he was found guilty by a jury in May of a felony and continues to face dozens of other felony charges for his Jan. 6 coup attempt would be his undoing. Trump was going through what he was going through, said Gangu, 48, as the early voting line inched toward the door. Now, that hes come through, he said, well I dont want to say, but you can see my leanings. Vice President Kamala Harris, Democratic presidential hopeful (left) and former President Donald Trump, who is the Republican nominee. (Jonathan Ernst/Scott Olson/Getty Images) In the presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris holds a 10-point lead over former President Donald Trump (51-41%) in Virginia, according to a new poll released Friday by the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College. Independent Cornel West and Libertarian Chase Oliver both poll at 2%, and Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate, takes 1% of the vote. In the U.S. Senate race, Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine leads his Republican challenger Hung Cao, a retired U.S. Navy captain, with 51-40%, the poll found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fridays survey marks a significant expansion of Harris advantage compared to a previous Roanoke College poll from Aug. 20, when the Democratic nominee edged her Republican opponent by just three points (47-44%) in a head-to-head matchup in Virginia. Kaines 11-point lead over Cao lead remains unchanged. The new poll isnt good news for the Trump campaign, which is set to hold a high-stakes rally Saturday at the Civic Center in Salem, where the Republican nominee plans to make his case to Virginians for the last time before Tuesdays election. In recent weeks, some leading Republicans have claimed that because of a fired up base and a tightening of the poll numbers, Virginia could be in play for Trump, who lost in the commonwealth in both 2016 and 2020. But according to Fridays survey, only 2% of likely voters say they are still undecided four days before the election, and another 2% say they will vote for someone other than the five candidates on the ballot. Just less than half (47%) say they are almost certain to vote, while 40% report they have already voted. Almost one-fourth (24%) still plan to vote prior to Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kamala Harris has increased the slim lead she held in the August Roanoke College Poll, said Harry Wilson, senior political analyst for IPOR and Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Roanoke College. She is claiming 95% of Democrats and leads 49%-36% among independents. Trump is supported by 90% of Republicans, but that might not be enough for him to win in Virginia. With so few undecided voters, its a tough uphill climb for Trump, Wilson said. Democrats continue to take advantage of early voting. Republicans are catching up, but they need massive turnout on Election Day. The poll also found that a large majority (85%) of those who have not yet voted are very certain of their vote choice, and another 9% are somewhat certain. Two-thirds (66%) said they are very enthusiastic about voting, and another 17% are somewhat enthusiastic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The economy was named as the most important issue by 43% of respondents. Abortion (20%) and immigration (12%) were cited as most important more frequently than foreign affairs (8%) and crime (3%). The survey further says that likely voters trust Harris to do a better job on abortion (57%, compared to 36% for Trump), but the candidates are viewed about equally on other issues (tied at 48% on immigration; Harris favored 49-45% on both crime and foreign policy; and Trump seen as doing a better job on the economy 49%-46%). Asked if the candidate understands and cares about people like them, only 37% think that Trump understands and cares compared to 46% for Harris. Respondents are closely divided regarding the impact of the federal government, with 44% thinking the government makes their life worse and 40% thinking it makes their life better. The results of the Roanoke College poll are consistent with an Oct. 7 poll by the Wason Center for Civic Leadership at Christopher Newport University that had Harris leading Trump by 11 points (52-41%) among Virginia likely voters. The survey found that 4% of voters remained undecided four weeks before the election, while 3% said they will vote for someone else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For its survey, the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research interviewed 851 likely registered voters in Virginia between Oct. 25 and Oct. 29, 2024.The survey has a margin of error of 4.6%. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Despite Donald Trumps boasts of an unprecedented lead in early voting, polling suggests that Kamala Harris is actually significantly ahead among those who have already voted either through absentee, mail-in or in-person ballots. Recent national polling from ABC News/Ipsos, The News York Times/Sienna College and CNN show that Harris leads Trump 62 percent to 33 percent; 59 percent to 40 percent; and 61 percent to 36 percent respectively, according to an analysis by the Washington Post. The same trend is also true across almost all of the swing states, according to surveys from CNN, Fox News, Marist Poll and US Today/Suffolk University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The polls find that Harris is leading in early voting across Arizona (between nine and 12 percent), Georgia (between seven and 10 percent), Michigan (between 26 and 39 percent), North Carolina (between two and six percent), Pennsylvania (between 17 and 35 percent) and Wisconsin (between 22 and 60 percent). CNNs polling of those who said theyve already voted finds that Trump leads Harris in Nevada by six points. Early voting records have been smashed already this election cycle with 65 million estimated to have cast their ballots, according to the University of Florida. An estimated 65 percent of likely voters either have or intend to cast their ballot before Election Day on Tuesday, according to Marist Poll. Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally at the Alliant Energy Center on October 30 in Madison, Wisconsin (Getty Images) Excitement in the GOP camp is mounting as polls show Republicans have embraced early voting much more than in 2020 when Trump dissuaded the use of mail-in ballots, despite the US being in the depths of the Covid pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Pennsylvania, for example, registered Republicans make up about 32 percent of the early vote this year a significant increase from 21 percent in 2020, according to CNN. Trump has claimed that his party is in fact storming ahead in the polls among early voters. Were leading in early voting for the first time ever. As you know, Democrats always lead in the early part and Republicans like to go there on, the former president said at a Henderson, Nevada, campaign stop on Thursday. Trump delivers remarks during a rally at Lees Family Forum in Henderson, Nevada, on October 31 where he claimed his party is storming ahead in the polls among early voters (REUTERS) But were doing really well. And to be leading in early voting is unprecedented. Despite enhanced GOP voter turnout, Harris is expected to go into Election Day with a substantial lead, the polls show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same was, however, true of 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Polls from ABC News/Washington Post and McClatchy/Marist College suggested the former New York senator had between an eight and 16-point lead among early voters. Some strategists warn that the early voting picture isnt an accurate representation of total votes for the presidential rivals. Early voting totals dont tell us anything about whos winning, and people should be extremely wary of claims that one side, or the other, is pulling away with this race, David Becker, who runs the Center for Election Innovation and Research, told CNN. National polls of all likely voters including those who say they have not yet voted put the presidential candidates on a much more even footing. The Independents national polls tracker, which uses data from FiveThirtyEight, finds Harris currently has a 1.4-point lead over Trump, with 48.1 percent to 46.7 percent. The candidates are almost deadlocked across the swing states too. WASHINGTON Vice President Kamala Harris holds narrow leads in Pennsylvania, Michigan in Wisconsin four days from the presidential election, according to new polls of the three "blue wall" states released Friday by Marist College that show the Democratic nominee gaining with independent voters. In Pennsylvania, Harris is ahead of Republican nominee Donald Trump 50%-48% among likely voters, Marist found, and leads Trump 51%-48% in Michigan and 50%-48% in Wisconsin. The polls some of the most encouraging surveys for Harris in recent days were taken Oct. 27 to Oct. 30. Each result is within the polls' margins of errors of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points in Pennsylvania, 3.5 percentage points in Michigan and 3.4 percentage points in Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris is buoyed in the polls by independent voters shifting her direction. In Pennsylvania, Harris leads 55%-40% with independents, Marist found, a turnaround after Trump had a 4-point advantage with Pennsylvania's independent voters in September. Harris leads among independent voters 52%-46% in Michigan and 51%-46% in Wisconsin. More: Presidential election polls 2024: Latest surveys on Harris vs. Trump with 4 days to go Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris (L) speaking during a campaign rally at Reno Expo Center in Reno, Nevada, on October 31, 2024. Harris underperforming with Black voters, but gaining with white voters Reflecting a defining trend of the 2024 election, the polls found large gender gaps, with Harris faring better among women and Trump with men. In Pennsylvania, Harris is ahead 53%-45% with likely women voters, while Trump leads likely male voters 51%-47%. Harris leads likely Michigan women voters 55%-44% over Trump and likely Wisconsin women voters 55%-43%. Trump is ahead with likely Michigan male voters 52%-46% and likely Wisconsin male voters 53%-44%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Harris breaks with Biden over 'garbage' comment about Trump's supporters after reluctance to distance herself More: Trump pounces on Biden's 'garbage' comment. But he's used the same word for opponents Despite Harris' polling leads, the vice president is underperforming with Black voters compared to President Joe Biden's performance in the 2020 election, Marist found. Harris leads Trump 84%-16% among Black voters in Pennsylvania and 75%-25% among Black voters in Michigan. Biden won support from 92% of Black voters in 2020. Harris has support from 63% of non-white voters in Wisconsin, while Biden had support from 73% in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet Harris is overcoming the lagging numbers with Black voters by doing better than Biden performed with white voters. Trump leads Harris 51%-47% with white voters in Pennsylvania, below the 57% Trump garnered with this group in 2020. Trump leads white voters 51%-48% in Michigan, a narrower margin that his 55%-44% performance four years ago. Trump leads Wisconsin's white voters 50%-48% after carrying the state's white voters by 6 points in 2020. What is the blue wall? The polls, conducted through a combination of phone interviews, texts and on online, used samples of 1,642 Pennsylvania voters, 1,429 Michigan voters and 1,549 Wisconsin voters. Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan each carried by President Joe Biden in 2020 have voted as a bloc in every presidential election since 1988, with one of the presidential candidates sweeping all three. Trump flipped the three "blue wall" states to the Republican column in 2016 en route to his defeat over Democrat Hillary Clinton. If Harris carries all three "blue wall" states in the Nov. 5 election, then she would likely secure enough electoral votes to win the presidency even if she loses the four other battleground states North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada. That's assuming Harris wins Nebraska's 2nd congressional district, where she is polling ahead, and all other states she is heavily favored to win. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Trump, a victory in any of the "blue wall" states particularly Pennsylvania, which has 19 electoral votes, the most of any battleground would open a path for him to secure the necessary 270 electoral votes by pairing that win with victories in the Sun Belt states, where he is polling stronger. Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Harris ahead in Pennsylvania, Michigan Wisconsin: Marist polls Vice President Kamala Harris said Friday that Donald Trumps recent comments imagining a violent scene with guns aimed at former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney should eliminate him in the race for the White House. This must be disqualifying, she told reporters in Madison, Wisconsin. Anyone who wants to be president of the United States who uses that kind of violent rhetoric is clearly disqualified and unqualified to be president. The Democratic nominee for presidents remarks come a day after Trump dreamed up a violent scenario for Cheney, a Republican whos endorsed Harris and appeared with her on the campaign trail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes a radical war hawk. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Lets see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face, the Republican presidential nominee told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson during an appearance in Arizona. Trumps remarks, Harris said Friday, are indicative of how he plans to treat his political opponents if he wins the presidency next week. Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris speaks during a moderated conversation last month with former Rep. Liz Cheney at Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield, Wisconsin. KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI via Getty Images Rep. Cheney is a true patriot who has shown extraordinary courage in putting country above party, Harris said. Trump is increasingly, however, someone who considers his political opponents the enemy, is permanently out for revenge and is increasingly unstable and unhinged. His enemies list has grown longer, his rhetoric has grown more extreme and he is even less focused than before on the needs and concerns and challenges facing the American people. Trump has made over 100 public threats to investigate, prosecute, imprison or otherwise punish his perceived opponents, NPR reported last week. Most notably, he suggested last month that members of the radical left represent an enemy within that hed confront with military force if elected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has mocked concerns about him imprisoning his political enemies. Its unbelievable. Did you see Donald Trump wants to put us in jail, he said in North Carolina on Wednesday, parroting the alarm. Donald Trump is going to go after some of the scum that you see back there, he continued, gesturing to the press pit at his rally. Theyre so dishonest. Donald Trump is doing terrible things. He wants to put us in prison. Thats what theyve been trying to do to me for three years they got this story mixed up. Related... PHOENIX Vice President Kamala Harris said Thursday that former President Donald Trump's remarks this week about protecting women whether they "like it or not" is another sign of how he "devalues" women. "His latest comment is just the most recent in a series of examples that we have seen from him in his words and deeds about how he devalues the ability of women to have the choice and the freedom to make decisions about their own body," Harris said in an exclusive interview. Harris also argued that most Americans "believe that women are intelligent enough and should have and be respected for their agency to make decisions for themselves about what is in their best interest," rather than the government's or Trump's "telling them what to do." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump campaign did not immediately comment on Harris remarks. Follow live updates on the 2024 election Trump said Wednesday that his "people" had instructed him not to say he wanted to "protect the women." "I said, Well, Im going to do it, whether the women like it or not.' Im going to protect them," Trump said at his rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In an interview on NBC News' "Meet the Press NOW," Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt was asked whether she can see how Trumps comments about doing something whether the women like it or not might make women uncomfortable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, I cant. Because if you look at the full context of President Trumps remarks, he brought this up in the context of illegal immigration and protecting women from the illegal immigrant criminals, Leavitt said Thursday. Billionaire and Harris surrogate Mark Cuban also weighed in on Trumps comment about women during an interview Thursday on ABC's The View. Donald Trump, youve never seen him around strong, intelligent women ever. Its just that simple, theyre intimidating to him. He doesnt like to be challenged by them, Cuban said. After his remark sparked criticism, including from some Republican lawmakers, Cuban said in a post on X that he knows many strong, intelligent women voting for Trump, and that he knows the former president has worked with strong intelligent women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump in turn blasted Cubans initial remarks. He is very wrong, I surround myself with the strongest of women, Trump said in a post on X before delivering a series of insults directed at Cuban. All strong women, and women in general, should be very angry about this weak mans statement, Trump added. In a Thursday statement responding to an NBC News question about Harris saying that Trump devalues women, Leavitt pivoted to Cuban's remarks. Why does she take issue with President Trump wanting to protect women, men, and children from migrant crime and foreign adversaries, and why wont she denounce these comments from her top surrogate?" Leavitt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris on Thursday also talked about President Joe Biden's "garbage" remark this week, when he appeared to criticize either Trump supporters or a comedian who delivered racist jokes at Trumps rally in New York. She reiterated that she does not believe "that we should ever criticize people based on who they vote for." In addressing Biden's comments, Harris pointed to Trump's rhetoric about "the enemy from within" and comparing the U.S. to a "garbage can." "He does not understand that most people are exhausted with his rhetoric, exhausted with that approach, exhausted with an approach that Donald Trump has that's trying to divide our country and have Americans point fingers at each other," she said. "They're done with it, and they're ready to turn the page." Harris spoke to NBC News before her rally in Phoenix. Her next campaign stops Thursday were in Nevada, where she was to hold rallies in Reno and Las Vegas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polling indicates a neck-and-neck presidential race less than a week before Election Day. Asked what she thinks her late mother would say to her in the final days before the election, Harris smiled. "'Just go beat him,'" she said, laughing. "That's probably what she'd say. Yeah, that's my mother." Yamiche Alcindor reported from Phoenix and Megan Lebowitz from Washington. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Vice President Kamala Harris has a commanding lead over former President Trump in California heading into the final days of the election, but it is smaller than the victory margin that President Biden enjoyed in the state in 2020, according to a new poll. Rep. Adam B. Schiff also enjoys a major advantage in his U.S. Senate race against Republican former Dodger All-Star Steve Garvey. Among likely California voters and those who have already cast ballots, Harris had a 57% to 35% overall lead in California over Trump, which is the same margin as a month ago and hardly changed from her August margin of 59% to 34%, according to the survey by UC Berkeleys Institute of Governmental Studies, co-sponsored by The Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 5% of voters were undecided, and 3% were backing other candidates. Harris' lead is substantially smaller than the margin of victory Biden held in 2020, when he won the state by 29 points 63.5% to 34.3%. Some of that decline is due to decreased support among Latino and Asian American voters, who account for more than a third of the state's electorate, and especially among men in those groups. That trend could have real implications if it holds true in Western swing states with similar Latino communities, said Mark DiCamillo, the poll's director. "You're not seeing the same kind of strong support for the Democratic ticket among Latinos," he said. "That has implications for Arizona and maybe Nevada as well." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Senate race, Schiff was supported by 55% of respondents, while Garvey was backed by 34%, the poll found. That's not far off from where the race stood at its start, after a competitive primary campaign, DiCamillo said. "It's not really a campaign," DiCamillo said of the Schiff-Garvey race. "It looks very similar to what we got in late February." Schiff, a prominent Trump critic, has been so confident that he has spent much of his time campaigning for other Democrats in swing districts. His campaign declined to comment about the opinion survey. The Garvey campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Harris and Trump have been barnstorming through swing states. Their campaigns also did not respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, which is coordinating closely with the Trump campaign, said in a statement to The Times that Trump "will be a president for all Americans, including those in traditionally blue states that Kamala Harris and the Democrats have left behind." The latest poll, which was conducted Oct. 22 to 29 in English and Spanish, surveyed 4,341 Californians considered likely to vote or who have already voted. It comes at an intense moment in the broader presidential race, which is stunningly close across a slate of seven swing states including Arizona and Nevada, but also Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Pollsters and political observers are watching closely for trends among different demographics of voters, including by race in an election where racism has been featured prominently and where a Black woman tops a major party ticket for the first time. They are also paying close attention to voting differences among men and women including whether men are moving away from Harris and women are moving toward her, in part because of their discomfort and anger over losing abortion rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DiCamillo said California is not directly comparable to other parts of the country. It has a huge Latino population, and is heavily Democratic, he noted. Men in California in particular seem to vote differently than their counterparts in other parts of the country, he said. Still, the latest Golden State polling does provide a window into a large and diverse part of the country, he said. And its trends, including the decline in Latino and Asian American male support for Harris, could provide insight about the race overall, he said. Four years ago, California exit polling found about three in four of the state's Latino and Asian American voters backed Biden. The latest polling put support for Harris at 57% among Latino voters and 56% among Asian American voters and at just about 50% among Latino and Asian American men. DiCamillo said California Latino voting patterns are pretty comparable to Latino voting patterns in Arizona and Nevada, if not the east coast, and the decline in support for Harris isn't a good sign for her in the western swing states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When we poll Latinos here in California, we're getting a pretty good measure," he said, noting that a large percentage of the nation's Latino population lives in the state. Also noteworthy, DiCamillo said, is that Harris' losses among certain voting segments in California are being offset by gains among white voters, who are supporting Harris at higher levels than they did Biden. White voters backed Harris over Trump 58% to 36%, the poll found, compared to Biden's victory margin of 51% to 47% over Trump. College-educated white voters in the state especially favored Harris, backing her 67% to 26% over Trump. Half of white voters in the state who have not graduated college backed Trump, compared to 45% for Harris. Black voters overwhelmingly supported Harris, though their support took a slight dip from where it stood for Biden with 77% of California's Black voters backing Harris, compared to 82% who supported Biden, the poll found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The poll found that Harris dominates among Democratic voters in the state, and Trump among Republican voters. Harris also dominates in the state's largest metro areas, including Los Angeles and the Bay Area, while Trump holds wide margins of support in the San Joaquin Valley. Voters in Orange County were roughly split. Overall, DiCamillo said, the latest polling supports the assumption that Harris will win California as has every Democratic candidate for president since President George H. W. Bush beat Michael Dukakis in 1988 and take the state's whopping 54 electoral votes, the largest electoral prize of any state. The polling also supports the assumption, he said, that California will continue to be represented in the Senate by a Democrat, with Schiff winning the seat that was long held by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The United States is concerned about China's rapid expansion of its military capabilities in space, Azernews reports. "The number of Chinese space weapons and the speed of their development pose a significant threat," a US military official stated during a visit to Europe. He emphasized that the United States established its Space Force in 2019 in response to the advancements made by China and Russia in this area, highlighting their demonstrated capabilities to conduct warfare in space. On October 28, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian remarked that Beijing opposes US activities aimed at the militarization of outer space and called on Washington to refrain from actions that threaten global security. The Chinese diplomat also stated that China does not intend to engage in a space race with any country to gain an advantage in this realm. This ongoing tension underscores the strategic importance of space in global security. As nations increasingly recognize the potential for conflict beyond Earth's atmosphere, investments in space technology are becoming a priority. The US Space Force aims to protect American interests and maintain a competitive edge, while China continues to develop its capabilities, including potential anti-satellite weapons. This rivalry may lead to an arms race in space, prompting discussions about international regulations to prevent conflict in this new frontier. El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker said on a Colorado Springs radio program Thursday that he would call for the resignation of Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold after the top election official admitted the leak of voting computer passwords online earlier this week. "Right now (what) I'm looking (at) as a clerk and recorder is the competency level, the lack of leadership in the secretary of state, and I am sitting here and prepared to ask for her resignation as the El Paso County clerk and recorder," Schleiker said while appearing on KVOR's Richard Randall Show Thursday morning. Hours later, Schleiker told The Gazette he was waiting to clarify his position until the release of a statement his office plans to put out in the next couple of days. The security breach was brought to the public's attention Tuesday by the Colorado Republican Party in a file posted to the Secretary of State's Office website. Griswold said a person in her office posted an online spreadsheet that "improperly" included voting equipment passwords. "We have no reason to believe that there are any security breaches or compromises in the state of Colorado," Griswold said in an interview with Gazette news partner 9News on Tuesday. According to 9News, the passwords were visible for months in a hidden tab of a spreadsheet posted on the Secretary of State's Office website that lists voting machines used by county clerks by serial number, county, model and vendor. When unhidden, the tab showed one of two passwords necessary to make changes in each computer. A spokesperson with the Secretary of State's Office said that knowledge of the passwords was not enough to pose an "immediate security threat" to the election, and that elections have "many layers of security." The spokesperson said the two passwords necessary to access a voting computer are kept separately, and the machines must be accessed in-person in a secure room. In an email Thursday, the Secretary of State's Office announced it would be modifying election rules to allow a background-checked employee with cybersecurity experience to change the passwords on an emergency basis. The designated employee may also "investigate the voting system," according to the new rule. Alongside Colorado Department of State employees and in coordination with county clerks, the designated employees will enter only badged areas, in pairs, to update the passwords for election equipment in counties, a joint news release from Polis' and Griswold's offices said Thursday. They will be directly observed by elections officials from the local county clerk's office. Schleiker confirmed that a Secretary of State's Office employee as well as two local clerk's office employees changed the passwords on El Paso County voting machines at the Clerk and Recorder's Office Thursday afternoon. He said that the process was observed by a bipartisan panel of two Republican and two Democratic election judges. Featured Local Savings The governor's and secretary of state's offices said the goal was to update all the passwords by Thursday evening, as well as check the security of all voting components. Schleiker said he was not concerned about a breach of security in his county. He said that the affected components required more than one password to make changes and that the room with voting machines was protected with alarms and on-site security. In 2023, the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder replaced its voting machines with ones that were not Wi-Fi enabled and could only be accessed physically, he said. "I never had any concerns here in El Paso County whatsoever," Schleiker said. Though the disclosed passwords were visible online for months, Griswolds office only began changing them after the Colorado Republican Party publicized its discovery of the passwords on Tuesday, 9News reported. Multiple Colorado Republican leaders have since called for Griswold's resignation. GOP chair Dave Williams called Wednesday for an emergency legislative hearing to investigate the incident. Calling the breach and Griswold's response a "cover up," he announced Tuesday he was raising money to sue the Secretary of State. Schleiker said on the radio program that he had been fielding calls from constituents about the leak. "The clerk and recorders are in the trenches, and we are the ones answering the questions from our voters and citizens, not the Secretary of State's Office," he said on the show. He said on the show that he and other clerk and recorders statewide had a meeting with the deputy secretary of state but had not heard from Griswold personally by Thursday morning. "I was not very pleased with the security breach," he said. With North Carolina firmly situated as a battleground state for the 2024 presidential election, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are stopping in the Charlotte area on the same day to make a final push for voters ahead of Election Day. Theyll be in the area on Saturday, with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump holding a campaign rally in Gastonia and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris hosting a rally in Charlotte. Trump made the announcement about the Gastonia rally on Wednesday, and hes set to start speaking around noon Saturday at the Gastonia Municipal Airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris event is set for Saturday afternoon, and shes bringing a concert lineup with her to PNC Music Pavilion. Brittney Spencer, Jon Bon Jovi, Khalid, and The War And Treaty are slated for the lineup, and Kerry Washington will give remarks. SPECIAL SECTION >> The Political Beat Scores of people are expected to line up for the rallies, and Davidson College Political Science Professor Susan Roberts told Channel 9s Ken Lemon that Harris and Trump seem to be done courting undecided voters in North Carolina. Theres not enough time left in the campaign to convince people to vote or convince people that youre the candidate, Roberts said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said theyre just trying to get enough of their supporters out to win the states 16 electoral votes. Winning the presidential race without those delegates will be hard for either candidate. Its a toss-up, Roberts said. Gaston County Elections Director Adam Ragan said the rallies have been effective. Poll workers have heard people in line talk about visiting rallies as they got a ballot. They go to these rallies and then they come back and theyre enthused to vote, regardless who the candidate they are voting for, Ragan said. With both campaigns set to arrive through Charlotte, expect traffic delays along major roads and highways Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early voting in North Carolina runs through Saturday. If youre not registered to vote yet, you can register in person and vote early but you cant register in person on Election Day. Well update this story when we learn more about the campaign stops. (VIDEO: Early voters in Cabarrus County met with long lines) LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Vice President and Democratic nominee for the highest office in the U.S., Kamala Harris, stopped in the Las Vegas valley Thursday, continuing a run of jam-packed days for the candidate leading up until Election Day. Harris took the stage just after 9 p.m. at the Craig Ranch Amphitheater in North Las Vegas. She was preceded by the band Mana and pop artist Jennifer Lopez. The Vice President made a final pitch to gain votes from those last undecided votes before Tuesdays Election Day. Kamala Harris took the stage just after 9 p.m. at the Craig Ranch Amphitheater in North Las Vegas. She was preceded by the band Mana and pop artist Jennifer Lopez. The Vice President made a final pitch to gain votes from those last undecided votes before Tuesdays Election Day. (KLAS) It is time for a new generation of leadership in America, and I am ready to offer that as the next President of the United States, Harris said. Nevada, you know me, I am not afraid of tough fights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the rally, Harris addressed several topics, including affordable housing, rental concerns, and eliminating taxes on tips. She also addressed the concerns of home care for the elderly. I took care of my mother when she was sick. If you are taking care of an elderly parent, this is personal for me, she expressed to the crowd of supporters. My plan will cover the cost of home care for your elder parent under Medicare so that you dont have to spend down your savings in order to qualify for Medicaid. So seniors can get the help and care they need to stay in their homes and this is just a matter of dignity. In Clark County, many people have already voted, with around 300,000 ballots processed as of Wednesday. A total of 307,000 voters have participated in early voting for the election. The North Las Vegas stop is just the latest for the Vice President in a busy few days. Earlier on Thursday, she was joined by Mexican band Los Tigres Del Norte before heading to Southern Nevada. She is set for dueling rallies with Republican nominee Donald Trump in Wisconsin on Friday. Democrat Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz is set to visit Las Vegas on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The man accused of shooting a Jewish man who was walking to synagogue in West Rogers Park last weekend now faces additional charges of terrorism and hate crime, officials announced Thursday. Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, was arrested Saturday morning following a shoot-out with Chicago police officers. He allegedly opened fire on responding officers and paramedics, and was later shot by police. He remained hospitalized as of Thursday, officials said. Abdallahi was charged Monday with several felonies in connection with the shooting, including attempted murder, but hate crime charges were not immediately filed, because detectives were unable to interview Abdallahi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This shooting is personal to members of our Jewish community, we know that, but this shooting should be personal to everyone across the city, Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling said during a Thursday news conference to announce the new charges. Since the shooting occurred, our investigative response team has worked their fingers to the bone to determine a motive, Snelling added. There must be sufficient evidence to support hate crime and terrorism charges. And it was important that we took our time to thoroughly investigate and confirm that this was indeed a crime of that nature. Snelling said Chicago Police Department detectives uncovered evidence on Abdallahis cellphone that indicated he planned the shooting and specifically targeted people of Jewish faith. This evidence allowed us to secure the terrorism and hate crime charges, Snelling said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ald. Debra Silverstein, 50th, thanked her wards constituents for their patience in recent days as police and prosecutors worked to bring the new charges. I know its been a very, very difficult time for us, Silverstein said. We are a strong, united, resilient community and we will remain that way. Around 9:30 a.m. Saturday, a 39-year-old Orthodox Jewish man was in the 2600 block of West Farwell Avenue when Abdallahi allegedly approached from behind and shot him in the shoulder, police have said. Neighbors came to the aid of the wounded man while the shooter remained in the area. Soon after, once police were on the scene, the shooter emerged from an alley and opened fire on officers, CPDs deputy chief of detectives, Kevin Bruno, previously told reporters. For the next two and a half minutes, Bruno said, the man popped out of various locations, exchanging shots with officers. No officers were injured, but a Chicago Fire Department ambulance was struck by the gunfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CPD officers returned fire, critically wounding Abdallahi, police said. He remained at Ascension St. Francis Hospital in Evanston in critical condition as of Thursday. The 39-year-old man was treated and later released from the hospital. Monday, Abdallahi was charged with six counts of attempted murder, seven counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm and one count of aggravated battery. Records show Abdallahi was born in Mauritania. Police did not directly address some media reports that the man charged shouted an Arabic phrase while firing at officers. Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx said Thursday that prosecutors would give a fuller picture of the allegations against Abdallahi during his next scheduled court date, on Nov. 7. A hazmat team responded to a suspicious letter at the United States Postal Service office downtown Friday afternoon, but crews did not detect anything hazardous in preliminary testing. That's according to Jeff Fleming, the mayor's spokesperson, as well as a postal inspector and a fire official, who spoke to reporters about 1 p.m. Friday. No roads outside the post office, at 345 W. St. Paul Ave., were closed, according to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milwaukee Fire Lt. Carlos Velazquez Sanchez said the focus was on an unknown powder. It was deemed a non-dangerous substance. Everything it was tested for came back negative, he said, but crews did not know what it was. In situations like this, he said, things are tested for biological, chemical, radioactive and other contaminants. Firefighters and crews from the Milwaukee Hazmat Regional Response Team were seen walking out of the post office about 1 p.m. Crews were dressed in white protective jumpsuits, masks and carrying tanks on their backs. Several Milwaukee Fire Department trucks that were parked outside the building had departed by 1:20 p.m. Francis Pilon, supervisor with US Postal Service Inspection Service, said officials intercepted the letter this morning. He also said it's part of a criminal investigation, and that multiple locations may be involved. Additional testing on the substance will take place, officials said. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Hazmat team responds to Milwaukee post office for suspicious powder WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Former President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) are denying accusations they are plotting to repeal the Affordable Care Act also known as Obamacare. On Monday, Johnson was recorded at a campaign event in Pennsylvania, promising supporters massive health care reforms. Health care reforms going to be part of the agenda, Johnson said. When I say weve got a very aggressive first 100 days agenda, weve got a lot of things on the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President Kamala Harris seized on his remarks. Ahead of a campaign rally Thursday, she told reporters Trump with the help of Johnson will try and repeal the federal health care plan. He has made dozens of attempts to get rid of the Affordable Care Act. And now we have further validation of that agenda from his supporter, the speaker of the House, Harris said. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called his opponent a liar and wrote he never thought of it. Trump has previously said on the campaign trail, he will not repeal the Affordable Care Act, unless he creates a better option. In August he told a crowd the program stinks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to do something with it. If we can do better. Meaning less expensive and better health care for you, Trump said. Trump has yet to roll out a specific health care policy plan. Brookings Institute Senior Fellow, Matthew Fiedler says thats likely on purpose. I think many of these proposals, you know, were fairly unpopular back in 2017, Fiedler said. They dont necessarily want to be explicit about it. Fiedler says during Trumps first term, Republicans in Congress tried to pass reforms that would have stripped health care coverage from an estimated 20 million Americans. The proposals rolled back enrollee tax credits, states Medicaid expansion programs and relaxed insurance company regulations that required coverage for Americans with pre-existing conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Department of Health and Human Services, 50 million Americans, or one in seven U.S. residents, have been covered through the Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace since 2014. Ultimately Republicans will need to win the White House, House and Senate to pass health care reforms. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Editors Note: The video above is previous coverage on the COVID vaccine. (AP) A regional public health department in Idaho is no longer providing COVID-19 vaccines to residents in six counties after a narrow decision by its board. Southwest District Health appears to be the first in the nation to be restricted from giving COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccinations are an essential function of a public health department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winter weather outlook: Will it be a harsh or mild season in Northeast Ohio? While policymakers in Texas banned health departments from promoting COVID vaccines and Floridas surgeon general bucked medical consensus to recommend against the vaccine, governmental bodies across the country havent blocked the vaccines outright. Im not aware of anything else like this, said Adriane Casalotti, chief of government and public affairs for the National Association of County and City Health Officials. She said health departments have stopped offering the vaccine because of cost or low demand, but not based on a judgment of the medical product itself. The six-county district along the Idaho-Oregon border includes three counties in the Boise metropolitan area. Demand for COVID vaccines in the health district has declined with 1,601 given in 2021 to 64 so far in 2024. The same is true for other vaccines: Idaho has the highest childhood vaccination exemption rate in the nation, and last year, the Southwest District Health Department rushed to contain a rare measles outbreak that sickened 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 22, the health departments board voted 4-3 in favor of the ban despite Southwests medical director testifying to the vaccines necessity. Our request of the board is that we would be able to carry and offer those (vaccines), recognizing that we always have these discussions of risks and benefits, Dr. Perry Jansen said at the meeting. This is not a blind, everybody-gets-a-shot approach. This is a thoughtful approach. Opposite Jansens plea were more than 290 public comments, many of which called for an end to vaccine mandates or taxpayer funding of the vaccines, neither of which are happening in the district. At the meeting, many people who spoke are nationally known for making the rounds to testify against COVID vaccines, including Dr. Peter McCullough, a Texas cardiologist who sells contagion emergency kits that include ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Board Chairman Kelly Aberasturi was familiar with many of the voices who wanted the ban, especially from earlier local protests of pandemic measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wendys is closing 140 restaurants by end of year Aberasturi, who told The Associated Press that hes skeptical of COVID-19 vaccines and national public health leaders, said in the meeting and in an interview with the AP that he was supportive of but disappointed in the boards decision. He said the board had overstepped the relationship between patients and their doctors and possibly opened a door to blocking other vaccines or treatments. Board members in favor of the decision argued people can get vaccinated elsewhere, and that providing the shots was equivalent to signing off on their safety. (Some people may be reluctant to get vaccinated or boosted because of misinformation about the shots despite evidence that theyre safe and have saved millions of lives.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people getting vaccinated at the health department including people without housing, people who are homebound and those in long-term care facilities or in the immigration process had no other options, Jansen and Aberasturi said. Ive been homeless in my lifetime, so I understand how difficult it can be when youre trying to get by and get ahead, Aberasturi said. This is where we should be stepping in and helping. But we have some board members who have never been there, so they dont understand what its like. State health officials have said that they recommend that people consider the COVID-19 vaccine. Idaho health department spokesperson AJ McWhorter declined to comment on public health district business, but noted that COVID-19 vaccines are still available at community health centers for people who are uninsured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aberasturi said he plans to ask at the next board meeting if the health department can at least be allowed to vaccinate older patients and residents of long-term care facilities, adding that the board is supposed to be caring for the health and well-being of the districts residents. But I believe the way we went about this thing is we didnt do that due diligence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. SPRINGFIELD, Mass (WWLP) Election Day is on Tuesday and while many people have already voted, the majority of voters will go to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots. Massachusetts lawmakers call for permanent Daylight Saving Time Across Massachusetts, there are many contested races voters will decide. In the US House, 1st district, Congressman Richard Neal has held the position for 34 years. This year, he is being challenged by Independent Candidate, Nadia Milleron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Being a representative is about doing investigation and holding hearings and using the press to highlight the issues of the district so I would do much much more than just bring money into the district, said Nadia Milleron, Independent Candidate for 1st Congressional District. On a wider scale, Congressman Neal is rallying behind Vice President Kamala Harris in her campaigning to win the battleground states of Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. My anticipation is that the vice president is in pretty good stead going into those three states. We call it the blue wall, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and that is likely to determine the outcome, said Congressman Richard Neal. Besides the Congressional race, there are a number of other contested races across the state and in Western Massachusetts at the federal, state, and local levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the five ballot questions and the 1st District Congressional race, Massachusetts voters will also decide the race for President, U.S. Senate, and the 2nd District in the House of Representatives. There are also local races, including the Hampden County Register of Deeds and the State Legislature. Over 1.4 million Massachusetts voters have already cast their ballots and there is still time to cast your ballots early. November 1st is the final day for in-person early voting in Massachusetts and if you havent mailed them back already, the USPS is urging voters to return their mail-in ballots as soon as possible. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The race between Sen. Rick Scott and former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell enters its final stretch ahead of Election Day. As the end approaches, the temperature between the campaigns remains high. In an attack ad, Mucarsel-Powell depicted Scott as a snake while criticizing his leadership over a healthcare company decades ago. That company was fined $1.7 billion after a Medicare and Medicaid fraud investigation. While in Tampa Bay last week, the senator was asked about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I havent seen it, Scott said. My opponent is silly. Shes a silly socialist. Shes not serious about anything. She lies about everything. The socialist label was also used in an attack ad about Mucarsel-Powells voting history in the House when it comes to aid for migrants. While in Tampa last week, Mucarsel-Powell pushed back on the socialist title and the criticism of her voting record. Its an insult because its a false attack. Its an insult to the legacy of my mom who had to fell Ecuador. Its an insult to people who had to flee Venezuela; Cuba, Mucarsel-Powell said. Its typical of someone who is, again, running scared. He is the least bipartisan member in the senate. The Democratic hopeful also challenged Scott to a debate. The senator explained why he never accepted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We went through a few hurricanes, three bad storms. We worked on that. We got back. We campaign every day, Scott said. His opponent didnt buy the explanation. I think its a dereliction of duty, to be honest with you, Mucarsel-Powell said. USF Political Science Professor J. Edwin Benton also weighed in on the debate. I think youd have to conclude he would have more to lose than to gain from entering into a debate with his opponent, Benton said. When it comes to the U.S. Senate, Scott hopes to replace Leader Mitch McConnell, if re-elected by Floridians. Professor Benton said thats a plus for Floridians, if he wins that position in the chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He could steer legislation that would be positive policy toward Florida, Benton said. Benton also said if Mucarsel-Powell wins the election, Democrats will make sure they keep Sunshine State in mind. They would do everything in their power to appoint her to committees where she can be influential to help Floridians, Benton said. Records show the candidates have raised a combined $70 million to battle it out in Florida. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Hennepin County employees are planning to rally, claiming the county is refusing to give sufficient pay raises to workers such as those in child protective services despite attempting to give hefty pay increases to commissioners this year. AFSCME Local 34 is currently in contract negotiations with the county, but employees have described the opening offer of 1%, 0.5%, and 0.5% raises over the next three years as "insulting." It comes after Hennepin County commissioners made headlines over the summer by proposing a 49% pay raise for themselves, which was ultimately scrapped following public outcry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple AFSCME labor branches have organized a rally for Nov. 12 at the Hennepin County Government Center from noon to 2:30 p.m. Tony Webster, Flickr "AFSCME members in child protection, probation and parole, clerical, corrections, and other critical roles across Hennepin County have been stretched nearly to their breaking points, asked again and again to shoulder more and more responsibilities even while being paid uncompetitive wages that fall short of what they deserve," AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Bart Andersen said in a statement. "The relentless demand on our workers is not just unsustainable; its an affront to the dignity and worth of these dedicated workers. That is why our union members are standing together, rallying, and bargaining for the respect theyve earned: fair wages that reflect their value, reliable benefits that support their families, and the right to feel safe at work." According to GovSalaries.org, the median range for employee salaries in 2023 was around $73,029. The Minnesota Star Tribune reported in March that Hennepin County Administrator David Hough received a 20% pay raise, making him the countys highest paid employee at $353,284 a year, up from $294,784. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple letters from CPS employees have been sent to labor relations, commissioners and County Administrator Hough about the emotional toll their job brings and how they are financially impacted by "not being paid adequately." One employee, who refers to herself as a mother, foster parent and a social worker, shared her struggles with being able to juggle her own personal life, having to sacrifice her duties to continue her social work. "The safety of other children often trumps my ability to be the best mother I can be, because of my lack of presence, accessibility, and a lack of approachability," the letter reads. "I have experienced some of the most traumatic cases of my career in Child Protection while serving in Hennepin County. Now, more than ever, I am experiencing high levels of secondary trauma, feeling fatigued, mentally exhausted, and minimally supported. "At this point, I am disappointed and saddened by Hennepin County and its decisions to not consider the value of the work provided to the community by its employees." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bring Me The News reached out to Hennepin County for comment and Public Relations officer, Carolyn Marinan, said that negotiations are still underway. This is a process that is defined and structured with a goal of reaching a fair and equitable contract for employees while balancing the budget, Marinan said. To ensure that discussions are productive and respectful, we believe it is important for negotiations to occur in the proper forum. We look forward to continued discussions with our union partners at the negotiation table. Related: Hennepin County commissioners backtrack on 49% pay raise plan El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker said on a Colorado Springs radio program Thursday that he would call for the resignation of We often focus on the immunization schedule for infants and small children. However, adults also benefit from rolling up their sleevessometimes annually. "Some viruses are very stable over time and don't change," says Dr. Linda Yancey, MD, an infectious disease specialist with Memorial Hermann. "This is why the hepatitis B vaccine series is only needed once in a lifetime. Other viruses change rapidly over time so we need updated vaccines on a more regular basis." The flu and COVID-19 vaccines fit the "annual" bill for everyone over six months, and it's important to make an appointment to ensure you get yours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If you don't get [certain] vaccines every year, then you could have a more severe case of the respective illness this season," says Dr. Edward Liu, MD, MPH, FACP, FIDSA, chief of infectious diseases with Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center. However, your age and health status may make you eligible for more vaccines that, while not currently annual, are important to get if you haven't already. In fact, the CDC just lowered the age threshold on one vaccine. Knowing the facts and what you're eligible for is crucial. Related: These Are the Six Vaccines Doctors Are Begging Everyone Over 50 To Get This Fall What Happens When You Don't Get Certain Vaccines Every Year 1. Flu The flu vaccine is likely the annual shot you're most familiar with, as it was developed in the 1930s. The CDC recommends everyone six months of age and older get it yearly, including pregnant people and individuals with egg allergies. Why? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Much like fashion trends, the flu virus has a new fall lineup for 2024, and we all need to stay up to date," Dr. Yancey explains. "Skipping the flu vaccine opens folks up to getting a nasty case of the flu and can put the people around you at risk." People generally have the most coverage for three months after receiving their flu shot and some coverage for up to five months, explains Dr. Sharon Nachman, MD, the chief of the division of pediatric infectious diseases at Stony Brook Children's Hospital. For this reason, experts generally recommend getting your flu shot in the late summer or early fall (September or October, though it's not too late to get one before the holiday season and still get excellent protection). The flu shot does more than protect you from a more severe case of the virus. It helps others, too, such as newborns too young to receive the vaccine. "Not everyone is able to get the flu vaccine, and people on some medications like steroids and chemotherapy will not respond to the vaccine," Dr. Yancey says. "Skipping the vaccine can put these people at risk of catching the flu from you." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The good news? It's super easy to find a flu vaccine. Dr. Liu says you can find them at pharmacies, primary care offices and clinics. Related: This Is the Exact Best Time To Get the Flu Shot To Make Sure Youre Protected All Season Long 2. COVID-19 COVID-19 upended life as we knew it in early 2020, but vaccines were key in returning to the normalcy and in-person connections we crave. Like the flu shot, the CDC recommends the COVID-19 vaccine annually for people six months and older. "Similar to flu, this virus manages to reinvent itself often and can be a match to a vaccine or miss it entirely," Dr. Nachman explains. "Your immunity is the sum of many parts, including how many times you have been vaccinated plus had illness." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While we may have joked (to keep from crying) that COVID-19 variants were giving us a lesson in the Greek alphabet, it's not a laughing matter. "This virus makes variants faster than flu, so we often see many more circulating variants at any given time," Dr. Nachman says. "The hope for the future is to develop a vaccine that targets the non-variable region so that even if the virus does evolve, the new vaccine will still help make protective antibodies." For now, receiving the COVID-19 vaccine each year gives you the best shot at preventing severe illness, including hospitalization and even death. Also, there's likely no cause for alarm if a COVID-19 or flu vaccine make you feel a bit under the weather. "Neither the current flu or COVID injectable vaccines are live, so you can't get a viral illness from them," Dr. Nachman says. "Could you feel ill? Yes. An immune response often invokes the same response that a natural infection does, so sore arm, fever and myalgia (muscle aches) may be seen with vaccination, but it is not an infection. You cannot pass it to anyone else." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The good news? "It means that your immune system is working well, and you will make protective antibodies," Dr. Nachman says. Related: Will We Need a Yearly COVID Booster, Just Like the Flu Shot? Immunologists Weigh In 3. RSV Dr. Nachman says the RSV vaccine targets specific, high-risk people, including older adults. There's a separate immunization to protect babies and some toddlers. It's also not currently an annual vaccine, but you may be eligible for it this year. When it comes to older adults, the CDC recommends getting an RSV vaccine if you are: Ages 75+ Ages 6074 and at an increased risk of severe RSV disease get an RSV vaccine (such as having lung disease) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Nachman says this group is most at risk for severe cases, including death. "While they would have seen many seasons of RSV over the years, they have significant waning immunity and lack of ability for memory B cells to make antibodies with each new season as they age," Dr. Nachman says. RSV is a leading cause of hospitalization in infants, per the CDC. To protect this vulnerable population (and some children up to 24 months with certain underlying conditions), the CDC recommends a maternal RSV vaccination between 32 to 36 months or infant immunization that gives them protective monoclonal antibodies. The CDC says one of the two is typically all it takes, but caregivers can discuss their child's individual needs with a pediatrician. Dr. Yancey says choosing one of these options is a gift to a little one who is vulnerable to severe cases of RSV and hospitalization. Related: The One Habit Doctors Are Begging You to Break ASAP If You Don't Want to Get Sick This Fall 4. Pneumonia Again, this is not an annual vaccine, but you may be eligible for a pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine. The CDC recently updated its guidance on eligibility, lowering the age recommendation to 50 from 65. Children under 5 can also get one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vaccine helps protect against streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacteria that can trigger mild illnesses like ear and sinus infections. However, it can seep into the lungs, bloodstream and brain and cause pneumococcal meningitis. Per the CDC, one in six older adults who develop a pneumococcal bloodstream infection or pneumococcal meningitis will, unfortunately, die. "Expanding the number of people protected by the vaccine is a great idea," Dr. Yancey says. "Pneumococcal pneumonia is a serious disease. It moves quickly, and patients deteriorate so fast that it can be difficult to treat them in time...The more people who are protected, the better." Infectious disease experts say that updated vaccines have helped drive down rates and save lives. "It is not a live vaccine, but does a great job pushing your immune system to make a protective response," Dr. Nachman says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This vaccine is not annual, though researchers are looking into optimal cadence. If you received an older version, you may need an update. "Discuss with your doctor or provider which ones you will need," Dr. Liu says. "These are available at primary care offices, pharmacies and clinics." Related: The Vaccine Doctors Are Begging Every Single Person Over 50 to Get This Winter Resources For Vaccine Facts, Including Eligibility Let's be honest: There's a ton of information on vaccines, and some of it is more up-to-date (and factual) than others. It can be hard to sift through the noise. Dr. Nachman suggests streamlining your search. "There are many good resources, including the CDC, regarding vaccine questions and effectiveness and outbreaks of illnesses," she says. "Each state department of health tracks what is happening in that state and often presents data by zip code or county so that you can be up to date with what is happening nearby." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Liu suggests the World Health Organization and your primary care doctor or child's pediatrician can share personalized information. However, the key takeaway: "Vaccines are a very safe way to protect yourself against these diseases and avoid hospitalization," Dr. Liu says. Up Next: Related: Im an Infectious Disease Expert, and This Is the #1 Vaccine Myth I Wish Everyone Would Stop Believing' Sources: All products featured on them. are independently selected by them. editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Conde Nast may earn an affiliate commission. Photos via Getty Images; photo-illustration by Them Sign up for The Agenda Them's news and politics newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Thursday. Gallons of digital ink have been spilled in the past year about Project 2025, the sprawling far-right policy document that promises to gut LGBTQ+ rights, abolish the Department of Education, and ban abortion should Donald Trump regain the presidency. But while it undeniably represents a chilling vision of anti-democratic Christian nationalism, its roots go all the way back to the 1970s, when a group of Christian conservatives who thought Richard Nixon was too liberal founded the think tank that would go on to produce Project 2025: the Heritage Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Half a century later, Heritage is a GOP juggernaut, the brain trust that staffed and advised the first Trump administration after shaping U.S. conservatism as we know it for 30 years. You may not know their names, but Heritage leaders have given rise to some of the most odious anti-LGBTQ+ policies and propaganda of the past decade and even its earliest work carried the seeds of the poisonous bigotry Project 2025 represents today. The Heritage Foundation was founded in 1973, the brainchild of conservatives who believed then-President Nixon was too much of a welfare-state centrist. Irritated at fiscal liberalism and the slow expansion of the federal government, co-founders Paul Weyrich and Edwin Feulner persuaded brewery executive Joseph Coors to bankroll their idea: a right-wing think tank similar to the influential Brookings Institution, delivering policy proposals for like-minded conservative legislators in order to influence debate and push for favorable legislation. Coors bit, giving the founders $250,000 in seed money and an annual grant of $300,000 for many years to come. Heritages early years are often said to have been focused on economics, rather than anti-LGBTQ+ activism, as the U.S. gay liberation movement itself had just begun gathering steam a few years prior. Still, the religious underpinnings that would make Heritage into a juggernaut of homophobia were present from the start. Both Weyrich and Feulner were keenly observant Christians: Feulner came from a devout Roman Catholic family, while Weyrich himself was an ordained deacon of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. In 1979, six years after co-founding Heritage, Weyrich also coined the term Moral Majority in reference to a perceived Christian voting majority, and helped found the organization of the same name with Jerry Falwell, one of the most infamous figures of the modern Religious Right. Though ostensibly formed to advance conservative economic theory, Heritage was already acting as a tool for Weyrich and Feulners fundamentalist beliefs by 1974, when the organization fomented its first major political controversy. With Heritages assistance, Alice Moore, a board of education member in Kanawha County, West Virginia, whipped up a moral outrage over planned school curriculum texts including the works of e.e. cummings, Paradise Lost, and The Autobiography of Malcolm X. According to historian Nancy MacLean, Heritage provided training, publicity, and links to potential allies for Moore and other leaders of the ensuing violent anti-textbook protests. In many ways, this was a harbinger of the modern rights campaigns against critical race theory and anti-LGBTQ+ book bans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kit Thornton, whose evangelical father joined the protests, recalled in 2022 that a group of Heritage operatives from outside of the area came in and started showing slideshows to the people in the churches claiming that the textbooks were teaching atheism, godlessness, [and] homosexuality. Even when school buses were shot and multiple bombs exploded in vacant school buildings, Heritage didnt shy away from the protests. The organization sent attorney James McKenna to give an address to at least one protest; later, when anti-textbook agitator Reverend Marvin Horan was indicted on conspiracy charges in January 1975 for plotting the bombings, McKenna was assigned to be his defense counsel. Horan was eventually sentenced to three years in jail. But it took the election of Ronald Reagan for Heritage to truly establish itself as the thought leader in Republican politics. Less than two weeks after Reagan declared victory, Heritage published its first Mandate for Leadership, a sprawling report containing thousands of policy proposals for shrinking the federal government and cutting regulations. The original Mandates authors proposed what is now referred to as supply-side or trickle-down economics, theorizing that if business owners were taxed at lower rates and faced fewer regulations, theyd use their savings to stimulate the economy. That theory has since been proven grimly false, but in 1981, it quickly became the cornerstone of Reagans presidency. Reagan distributed copies of the first Mandate to his staff, appointed some contributors to administration positions, and even included Heritage bankroller Joseph Coors in his unofficial kitchen cabinet of business advisors. (Later, some Reagan officials like Attorney General Ed Meese would in turn be employed at Heritage.) By 1984, Heritage itself estimated that 60% of its Mandate proposals had been implemented by the Reagan administration, the core of so-called Reaganomics that has now inflicted irreparable harm on millions, especially racially and sexually marginalized communities. That year, Reagan sailed into a second term, capturing more than 58% of the popular vote nationwide not that an electoral mandate meant much in Weyrichs worldview. I dont want everybody to vote. Elections are not won by a majority of people they never have been from the beginning of our country and they are not now, Weyrich infamously told a crowd of conservative Christians in Dallas in 1980. As a matter of fact, our leverage in the elections quite candidly goes up as the voting populace goes down. Like an aging televangelists veneers, Heritages economic policy facade had lost a lot of its sheen by the 1990s, and the organization leaned ever heavier on its evangelical roots. A sterling example was William Bennett, a Heritage Foundation fellow (and Reagans former Secretary of Education) who delivered frequent tirades against sex education and LGBTQ+ rights things he warned heralded the moral and spiritual decline of the nation. In 1997, Bennett made TV appearances and penned an article in Newsweek claiming that gay men had an average life expectancy of 43; that statistic was completely phony, but Bennett who himself cribbed it from the similarly anti-LGBTQ+ Family Research Institute repeated it just often enough for it to gain traction in other conservative outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Heritages White House influence waned slightly in the Clinton years, their policy proposals still had the ear of Congressional Republicans, and helped the GOP recapture majority control of both houses in the 1994 midterms with the regulation-slashing Contract With America platform. As the Foundation for Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) noted in 1996, the foundation repeatedly denied claims of lobbying, even as it pushed for specific policies and legislation that would directly benefit its donors. With a robust roster of lobbyists-by-any-other-name and resounding Capitol Hill support from newly crowned House Majority Leader Newt Gingrich, Heritage flourished, pushing forward its vision in bills like a welfare reform package that disastrously impacted the poorest people in the nation. Its kind of what the right describes as the deep state, this kind of group of people, unelected, who just kind of exist from administration to administration, Reaganland author Rick Perlstein said of the Heritage Foundation on MSNBC earlier this year. I think a Rip Van Winkle in the Heritage Foundation who fell asleep in 1980 and woke up in 2024 could just show up for work on Monday. He would just need a glossary: say woke instead of social engineering. As the LGBTQ+ rights movement grew in the ensuing years, so too did Heritages commitment to fighting it. By 2004, the clamor for marriage equality had grown so loud especially in Massachusetts, where it was legalized by the state Supreme Court in November 2003 that Heritage published grim-toned policy documents sounding the alarm. Gay marriage threatens the very coherence and stability of marriage as a social institution, Heritages Matthew Spalding warned, and would lead to nightmarish social change businesses would be prevented from discriminating based on sexual orientation, and heterosexual and homosexual relations will be presented in public schools as fundamentally equivalent expressions of individual autonomy. (The horror!) Massachusetts ruling posed such a threat that Heritage worked directly with the states Republican governor, Mitt Romney, to figure out how to get around it. Spalding himself consulted with Romney on how to prevent the decision from being fully implemented, landing on a bid to class gay marriages as civil unions which was ultimately unsuccessful. Romney was a game figurehead for the anti-equality struggle, though, warning the audience at a Heritage fundraiser in 2004 against a society that is indifferent as to whether children have a mother and a father and calling marriage reforms social experimentation. The organization even pushed President George W. Bush to endorse a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, which one director called essential. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With their urgent 21st-century mandate to stop gay marriage, Heritage tried a more direct-to-consumer form of propaganda in 2006 with their site FamilyFacts.org. Ostensibly a repository of social science findings, the factoids on FamilyFacts all supported Heritages position that gay marriage would destroy the country; the sites Top 10 Findings sidebar contained facts claiming that heterosexual marriage made people more likely to be affluent, less depressed, and more sexually satisfied. Of course, most of the content was bogus. A Political Research Associates analysis the year after it was launched found that FamilyFacts was a poor source of scholarship, often cherry-picking evidence and presenting non-representative data out of context to make its sweeping anti-LGBTQ+ claims. Heritage leaders remained on the front lines against marriage equality until the twilight years of the Obama administration, by which time the writing was on the wall. Even as moderate religious communities slowly softened to LGBTQ+ acceptance, Heritage participated in a 2014 interfaith colloquium at the Vatican titled The Complementarity of Man and Woman, where speakers took it in turns to propose anew the beauty of the relationship between the man and the woman. The same year, Heritage spun off its in-house blog into a new digital publication, The Daily Signal, where Heritage writers continued to spin dubious horror stories about the sociopolitical consequences of LGBTQ+ equality. 2015 brought the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision, in which the Supreme Court held that states are required to perform and recognize marriages of same-sex couples. It was exactly what Heritage had feared. Yet the foundations 2016 Mandate for Leadership, released shortly before the election, made little mention of LGB rights apart from an oblique reference to protecting conservatives beliefs about marriage. Instead, Heritage had already begun pivoting to anti-transgender rhetoric, warning against Obamas transgender bathroom directive to schools likely referring to Obamas order earlier that year applying Title IX protections to trans students. Weeks after the 2016 election, Heritage had already become the driving force in staffing the incoming Trump administration, Politico reported at the time. Rolling back Obamas trans-inclusive Title IX guidance was just one of the scores of Heritage policies Trump enacted in his first year. By 2018, Heritage was reliving its Reagan glory days, boasting that Trump had enacted two-thirds of its 2016 Mandate proposals and hosting Jeff Sessions at private events. Increasingly, those proposals included eliminating transness from public life a goal the Heritage leaders were all too happy to share with trans-exclusionary groups like the Womens Liberation Front (WoLF) and 4thWaveNow, members of which participated in an anti-trans panel discussion hosted by Heritage in 2019. By weakening public consensus for trans rights, Heritage leaders hoped to revitalize their anti-LGBTQ+ platform as a whole, under the banner of protecting religious liberties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, that strategy has seemingly paid off for Heritage thanks in large part to the efforts of Heritage fellow Christopher Rufo, the architect of the anti-diversity and groomer moral panics which helped push anti-woke grievance politics fully mainstream in the 2020s. With Project 2025, the newest Mandate for Leadership document released last year, Heritage writers no longer need to drape their white Christian nationalism in the tattered robes of fiscal conservatism. Angling for a second Trump presidency, the new Mandate declares trans identities to be pornographic, and demands that pornography itself be banned; opposes all government programs that promote LGBTQ+ equity, recommending they be replaced with others encouraging marriage, work, motherhood, fatherhood, and nuclear families; and pushes for married men and women to be positioned as the ideal, natural family structure. Today, Heritage holds more influence over the Republican Party than ever before, and is among the most influential conservative institutions in the world. It has moved past lobbying and policy recommendations to now craft model legislation for rapid distribution and implementation in Republican-controlled governments across the country. Although Trump himself professes to know nothing about Project 2025, numerous former Trump advisors worked directly on the document, and Trumps own Agenda47 platform is largely similar to the Heritage manifesto. Fifty years after Heritage helped foment religious violence in West Virginia, it has become a core component of the U.S. far-right machine and even provides inroads for other authoritarian regimes, like that of Hungarys Viktor Orban, to expand their own influence in Washington and abroad. All products featured on them. are independently selected by them. editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Conde Nast may earn an affiliate commission. The 19th Explains: What You Need to Know About Project 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 920-page policy blueprint contains the Heritage Foundations vision for a second Trump administration with impacts on women, LGBTQ\+ rights, families, education and the workforce. Heritages current president and Project 2025s director, Kevin Roberts, would clearly like to do to the LGBTQ+ rights movement what he allegedly admitted doing to his neighbors dog with a shovel. Thats only half metaphorical, as Roberts this summer infamously declared an imminent second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be. Even if Trump doesnt win this years election, the Project 2025 blueprint will be redeployed in ensuing cycles, as Heritage extremists continue goading voters into endorsing religious hate, however it is rebranded. As long as the anti-woke economy thrives, Heritages current business model for Christian nationalism will pay interest. We probably have lost the culture war, Weyrich grimly intoned back in 1999. Just that once, we wish hed been right. Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here. Originally Appeared on them. His sacrifice will live on. An Army staff sergeant from Staten Island who died saving a fellow soldiers life in Afghanistan was honored at an emotional ceremony at his old school Wednesday. War medals earned by Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis who leapt between a suicide bomber and Polish Lt. Karol Cierpica in Ghazni in August 2013 were donated for a memorial display at The Michael J Petridies School during the heartfelt event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael was a real hero, said Cierpica, who flew from Poland with his family to pay respect to Ollis. He showed me the definition of service. Michael ran after me, without helmet, without body armor, only with gun and he ran to me because he knew someone needed help, he said. I feel that part of my heart is on Staten Island. Cierpica was joined by his son, Michael, who he named after the fallen soldier. Naming my son after Michael was my wifes idea and it made sense to me, said Cierpica, who was flanked by his wife Basia and elementary-school-aged son Michael. He also told attendees including Ollis mom Linda and father Bob that the Staten Island soldiers memory will continue in his own family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Naming my son after Michael was my wifes idea and it made sense to me, said Cierpica, who was flanked by his wife Basia and elementary-school-aged son Michael. During the ceremony, speakers urged the audience to be like Mike and students unveiled a heroes corner with details about his life prompting Ollis family to tear up. Ollis war medals were donated for a memorial display at The Michael J Petridies School during the heartfelt event. Its an emotional day for us, Linda Ollis, told The Post. Being here brings back so many memories for us from when he was a little boy. Ollis donated medals include the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest military decoration, campaign medals and the purple heart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robert Ollis said his son had a special connection to the school where his medals will now be kept. Michael got into mischief but he loved coming to school. He never gave us a hard time coming here. He didnt love homework but he had good friends and was a good friend to many, he said. Ollis leaping in between a suicide bomber and Polish Lt. Karol Cierpica in Ghazni in August 2013 saved Cierpicas life as he traveled from Poland to pay his respect for Ollis family at the ceremony as Cierpica said, Michael was a real hero. Gabriella Bass The New Dorp native was 24 years old when he was killed by a suicide bomber while on his third tour of duty during Operation Enduring Freedom. He was due to return home just two months later. Ollis bravery was memorialized in a book written by Tom Sileo which detailed the devastating day Cierpica was saved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Staten Island ferry was also named after him in 2021. The book revealed Ollis had spent eight months in Ghazni and was about to fly out to Bagram when a truck carrying 3,000 pounds of explosives slammed into the walls of the soldiers base. The unprecedented attack from insurgent forces was followed by mortars and machine gun fire. As smoke filled the air, Taliban fighters advanced and Ollis who, without any protective gear, sprung into action returning fire amid the onslaught. Much of the area was littered with body parts with the identity of fallen soldiers masked among the chaos. Thats when Ollis saw the Polish soldier caught in the crossfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suddenly, a Taliban fighter wearing a suicide bomb vest charged toward Cierpica, who had been working as an officer in NATOs Reconstruction Team. Within seconds, Ollis jumped between Cierpica and the suicide bomber bearing the brunt of the blast. Despite medical assistance, he was pronounced dead, just three weeks before his 25th birthday. Rocket barrages fired by Hezbollah have killed three Israelis and four Thai workers, the deadliest strike from Lebanon since Israel invaded last month, as Israeli strikes pounded the Lebanese capital of Beirut and the Gaza Strip. Projectiles crashed into an agricultural area in Metula, Israels northernmost town, killing four Thai workers and an Israeli farmer, officials said. Hours later, the Israeli military said Hezbollah fired more than two dozen rockets at an olive grove in a suburb of the northern Israeli port city of Haifa, killing a 30-year-old man and 60-year-old woman while wounding two others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thailands foreign minister Maris Sangiampongsa announced the deaths of the four workers, saying that another was injured. He added: Thailand continues to strongly urge all parties to return to the path of peace, in the name of the innocent civilians gravely impacted by this prolonged and deepening conflict. The residents of Metula evacuated in October 2023. Only security officials and agricultural workers remain in what are now closed military zones. The Hotline for Refugees and Migrants, an Israeli organisation that advocates for foreign workers, said authorities had put the Thai workers in danger by allowing them to work along the border without proper protection. Palestinians search through the rubble following Israeli strikes in Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip (AFP via Getty Images) Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 2,800 people in Lebanon in the past year, the majority of whom have died in the past two months, when Israels air force stepped up its assault on Hezbollah ahead of their ground invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lebanons health ministry, however, says a significant proportion of those deaths have been civilians. Early on Friday morning, the latest series of powerful airstrikes struck the southern suburbs of Beirut, suspected to be home to Hezbollah officials. The health ministry added that an Israeli airstrike on the mountain town of Qamatiyeh overlooking Beirut had killed three people and wounded five. On Thursday, the ministry said that Israeli strikes had killed 24 people, among them 13 people in the countrys eastern Bekaa Valley, a day after the Israels military warned residents there to evacuate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, in Gaza, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that forty seven people had been killed and dozens injured in an overnight Israeli bombardment of the centre of the enclave. The attacks occurred in the city of Deir Al-Balah, the Nuseirat camp and the town of Al-Zawayda, it said. The Israeli military said its troops had identified and eliminated several armed terrorists in central Gaza and had eliminated dozens of terrorists in targeted raids in northern Gazas Jabalia area. Municipal workers check the debris in the aftermath of an overnight Israeli airstrike that targeted a neighbourhood in Beirut's southern suburbs (AFP via Getty Images) The Gaza war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on 7 October last year, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels subsequent assault on Gaza has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians and reduced most of the enclave to rubble, Palestinian authorities say. The exchange of strikes followed a renewed but as yet of fruitless bout of US-led diplomacy aimed at getting a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon to stop over a year of fighting between Israel and Iran-backed groups Hamas and Hezbollah. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday that Israel and Lebanon were moving toward understandings on what is required for implementing a long-violated United Nations resolution, 1701, that would be the basis for ending the current conflict. But time is running thin to get a resolution before US elections on 5 November and Lebanese officials and analysts were pessimistic after reports US envoy Amos Hochstein would not be heading to Beirut from Israel, where he was on Thursday. HONOLULU (KHON2) The Honolulu Fire Department has expanded its fleet with the addition of a new twin-engine Bell 429 helicopter to enhance its wildfire response and rescue operations. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The state-of-the-art aircraft features a larger water bucket, a 600-pound hoist, and improved stability in windy conditions. This upgrade is expected to bolster the departments emergency response capabilities while ensuring the safety of both personnel and the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOE reports progress on fire alarm systems Dustin Harris, a senior helicopter pilot with HFD, emphasized the importance of the new helicopter, stating, This helicopter has the tools on board to ensure that we get home safely as a flight crew. We can all go home to our families, and any community member relying on us for rescue will be safely brought on board and returned to their loved ones. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Training for pilots and tender drivers on the new helicopter will commence next week and is anticipated to last six months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Hickman Mills School District officials went public this week with their frustration about the Missouri School Improvement Program known as MSIP 6. I cant say I blame them. The south Kansas City school district badly wants to change its accreditation from provisional to full. Because of changes made this past spring to MSIP 6, Hickman Mills current classification could remain that way until 2026. That is, unless the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Missouri School Board of Education act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, the state board of education approved a change on how a districts classification is determined. Beginning this year, officials will use an average composite score consisting of three years of APR data to determine classification. These new parameters means Hickman Mills classification could remain unchanged for two more years unless the state votes otherwise. On Thursday, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced a delay in the release of Missouris latest annual performance report for all schools. Ill wait for that data to become public before making a final determination on what the department should or should not do. But according to preliminary information Hickman Mills received about its annual performance report, an argument could be made that student achievement growth in the district is beyond measurable, Superintendent Yaw Obeng said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We made the grade, Obeng said. In an open letter sent Thursday to state educational officials, Obeng and school board President Irene Kendrick urged Education Commissioner Karla Eslinger to review the districts recent progress and make a recommendation to the state board for full accreditation. Under MSIP 6, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has the authority to make such a recommendation, but ultimately the state school board has the final say. In the correspondence sent to the state, Obeng and Kendrick referenced an alternative process used in Kansas City Public Schools quest to regain full accreditation two years ago and called on Eslinger to act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education developed an alternative framework for provisionally accredited schools like Kansas City Public Schools. State education officials viewed KCPS steady leadership under former Superintendent Mark Bedell as a plus. Other factors leading to that districts classification change included strategic planning, financial stability and quality of teachers. In addition, graduation rates and college and career readiness were taken into account. According to Hickman Mills officials, the district has demonstrated substantial improvement in graduation rates, academic performance and success readiness components. Obeng is in his fifth year leading the district. We ask that Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Dr. Karla Eslinger select a framework be it MSIP 6 or the alternative model used for KCPS and consider the recent achievements of HMC-1 to reclassify our district to full accreditation, Obeng and Kendrick wrote. Our students, staff, and families deserve recognition for their hard work and perseverance, and full accreditation will signify that our collective efforts have succeeded. In a statement sent via email, spokeswoman Mallory McGowin wrote: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has received this letter from Hickman Mills and will share it with members of the State Board of Education for their review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Going public this way was a bold move. But if Hickman Mills has the data to back up its case as Obeng claims, then this is potentially good news for stakeholders in that area. More than a decade has passed since Hickman Mills was a fully-accredited school district. A score of 70 or better is considered full accreditation range. In 2023, the districts APR was 62.5, according to state data. Last year, data shows Hickman Mills performed at or above average for growth in every category but math. HMC-1 has met the standards necessary for full accreditation, and we respectfully request that you review the latest data and vote to reclassify our district during the upcoming December 3, 2024 Board Meeting, district leaders wrote to the state board. The district has worked tirelessly to ensure that our students receive the highest quality education, and our progress is evident, the correspondence continued. Ten years have passed since Hickman Mills was classified as a provisionally- accredited school district, according to Obeng. While the pathway back to full accreditation hasnt always been smooth, the district has worked extremely hard in recent years to raise student achievement, test scores, graduation rates and other benchmarks, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, the district remains stuck in limbo, according to Obeng. By continually changing some of the criteria in the school improvement program, state educational officials keep moving the goalpost, Obeng said. In a news release, district leaders noted the impact reclassification for Hickman Mills would have on not only the district but for the entire Kansas City area. If the district regains full accreditation, it would mean that all districts in metropolitan Kansas City were fully accredited for the first time in almost two decades, according to district officials. Full accreditation isnt just about meeting state standards its about creating opportunities for our students, building community pride, and strengthening Kansas City as a whole, Kendrick, the board president, said. With full accreditation, we can assure our students and families that we are on par with the highest standards in Missouris education system. Its been a long time coming, but Hickman Mill students deserve to graduate from a fully-accredited school district. Will Missouri education leaders give them a chance to do so? Kentucky Community and Technical colleges are celebrating a milestone: more than 4,400 GEDs earned by incarcerated individuals through the system since 2020. Fourteen KCTCS colleges provide education through Kentucky Adult Education, the state agency that administers GED programs. Classes are held at county jails and prisons. In total, more than 14,400 people enrolled in GED prep programs, with 4,460 incarcerated people earning their GED. Many people who are incarcerated will be released one day, and they will be our neighbors, said Maggie Price, director of student success at Maysville Community and Technical College. We want our neighbors to be educated and involved in enhancing our communities. Research supports these reasons as well. We are seeing more studies being published stating people are less likely to reoffend when they participate in educational programs during incarceration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Research shows that inmates who work towards certificates have lower rates of recidivism when released, Price said. When we say KCTCS is education for all, thats exactly what we mean. Supporting those who lack a high school diploma is a key priority for our state and workforce, System President Ryan Quarles said. Have something that should be considered for the next round-up? Contact higher education reporter Monica Kast at mkast@herald-leader.com. KCTCS, KSU announce transfer scholarship A new program was announced that would give students at KCTCS colleges free tuition at Kentucky State University. Scholarship applications for the Kentuckians Pathway Scholarship close Nov. 15. Pell-elligible KCTCS students who earn their associates degree through KCTCS and transfer to KSU will be able to earn their bachelors degree are eligible, with the scholarship covering fall and spring tuition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KSU is committed to removing barriers and expanding opportunities in higher education and we see that this scholarship has the potential to positively change students lives, said KSU President Koffi Akakpo. We see our partnership with KCTCS and this scholarship as a necessary investment in our future leaders and world changers by ensuring Kentuckians have access to affordable postsecondary education. According to KCTCS data, 63% of associate degree earners received a Pell grant during the 2022-23 academic year and could be eligible for the scholarship. We know education opens doors to opportunities that change lives forever. We also know that we have to do all that we can to make higher education affordable for Kentuckians, Quarles said. While not every student needs to attend a four-year institution to be successful, many of our students will continue their education after earning their associate degrees. Barnstable Brown Gala raises $1M for UK The Barnstable Brown Gala donated $1 million to the UK Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center from its 2024 gala. In total, more than $21 million has been donated to UK from the gala to go toward diabetes treatment and research since 2008. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gala is held each year around the Kentucky Derby, drawing many celebrity guests. The Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center at UK offers treatment for patients and focuses its research on diabetes treatment and care. This $1 million donation from the Barnstable Brown Brown Gala is another transformative donation for the Center and the battle against diabetes, said Dr. Simon Fisher, director of the University of Kentucky Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center. The Barnstable Brown familys longstanding support has made a tremendous impact on the care we provide here in Kentucky and on the research we conduct to advance diabetes care around the world. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A trucker has been named a Highway Angel after wading through rapidly rising flood waters and risking his own life to save a Plant City couple trapped in their home. George Maxwell, a Tampa native who works for TransAm Trucking Inc. out of Olathe, Kansas, was in Plant City when Hurricane Milton made landfall on the night of Oct. 9. Disturbance in the Caribbean expected to develop this weekend: NHC Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rain had already started billowing down as Maxwell was heading to move his semi-truck to higher ground, according to the trucking company. He drove his personal pickup truck through the worsening conditions, but by the time he got to the lot where he had parked the semi, Maxwell realized there was no time to save both vehicles. Im in the truck, Maxwell said. Im watching the water come up higher, and its getting bad. He then abandoned his personal vehicle and focused on getting his semi-truck to safety. But while preparing to leave, his journey took an unexpected turn. Maxwell said he noticed that the owners of the truck parking lot were trapped in their nearby home. It was around 3 a.m., and floodwaters were already surrounding the residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said they thought they were safe there, but its not safe, Maxwell recounted, noting that the water was chest-deep at that point. The rain was pouring nonstop, and the wind was blowing like 100 miles per hour. How many hurricanes have hit Florida in November? After wading through the waters, Maxwell led the couple back to his semi-truck, where he provided them shelter as he drove to higher ground. Maxwells employer said his actions ensured the couples safety amid what could have been a catastrophic situation. His own vehicle was not so lucky. Floodwaters eventually consumed the pickup truck and left it inoperable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even so, Maxwell said he would do it again. I just did what Id hope anyone would do for me, the trucker added. Maxwells quick thinking also earned him recognition as one of the Truckload Carriers Associations Highway Angels. Since the programs inception in August 1997, nearly 1,400 professional truck drivers have been recognized as TCA Highway Angels for kindness, courtesy and courage displayed while on the job. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. During a book talk at Carnegie Hall, the former Secretary of State urged everyone to vote, saying 'I don't think there could be higher stakes' in the election ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Hillary Clinton at the Democratic National Convention DNC on August 19, 2024 Hillary Clinton at the Democratic National Convention DNC on August 19, 2024 When Hillary Clinton moved into the White House in 1993 as First Lady, she started noticing that some of her favorite wardrobe items were nowhere to be found. I did not know until I left the White House that my staff had actually hidden certain clothes that I brought with me, the former Democratic presidential nominee recalled while discussing her latest book, Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty at a book tour stop in New York City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I didn't know what had happened to them, she said as the Carnegie Hall audience erupted in laughter. Where is that Christmas sweater? I know I had it somewhere! Related: Hillary Rodham Clinton Announces New Book Coming This Fall: She Has 'Looked at Life from Both Sides Now' During her talk, Clinton spoke about the long-lasting friendships shes had over the years, the focus of one of the chapters in her latest New York Times bestselling memoir. My very good friend Anna Wintour is here," she added, joking that the iconic Vogue editor has been very tolerant of me and my, Im going to say, less than fashion icon status. Hillary Clinton Moderator Mika Brzezinski, who co-hosts MSNBCs Morning Joe with husband Joe Scarborough, interviewed Clinton about the book, which covers everything from her 50-year marriage to being in the exclusive club of former First Ladies. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Brzezinski focused most of her questions on what is going on in the news, particularly the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that the voters, as well as Vice President Harris and her campaign are very, very well prepared for these last six days because what they know is that the polls are unreliable, said Clinton, who noted she has traveled all over the country talking to audiences in the last month. We also know that the Trump campaign and their allies know how to flood the zone with a lot of polls that are very favorable to him. So the most important thing to remember, she added, is that it matters only who shows up and votes. In a conversation about reproductive rights, Brzezinski asked Clinton, Am I wrong to fear the future? We should fear the future," Clinton replied. If Trump were to be re-elected, there will be a national abortion ban, she continued. Make no mistake that the agenda that Trump, the allies he has who have written Project 2025, and all the people who are working to get him re-elected have is a deeply sexist, anti-woman agenda. DREW ANGERER/AFP/Getty Bill and Hillary Clinton at a state dinner on April 10, 2024 Bill and Hillary Clinton at a state dinner on April 10, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Project 2025, she added, "is a roadmap for doing away with democracy. And by doing away with democracy, undermining not only our constitution, our institutions, the rule of law, but our fundamental freedoms and rights. And so I don't think there could be higher stakes than what we see in this election." Related: PEOPLE's Best Books of September 2024: Sally Rooneys Intermezzo and Memoirs from Kenny G, Connie Chung and Hillary Clinton Citing a recent speech made by Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, Clinton said, this Supreme Court, which never fails to side with Trump, is possibly going to send other very important rights back to the states: gay marriage, contraception, even, some have speculated, interracial marriage. Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, on the other hand, supports womens reproductive and other freedoms and will make a great president, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for whether a woman can run the biggest economy in the world and serve as the commander in chief of the American military, Clinton said, The answer is obviously yes. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer , from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty, is available now, wherever books are sold. DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) Tens of thousands of minority Hindus rallied Friday to demand that the interim government in Muslim-majority Bangladesh protect them from a wave of attacks and harassment and drop sedition cases against Hindu community leaders. About 30,000 Hindus demonstrated at a major intersection in the southeastern city of Chattogram, chanting slogans demanding their rights while police and soldiers guarded the area. Other protests were reported elsewhere in the country. Hindu groups say there have been thousands of attacks against Hindus since early August, when the secular government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown and Hasina fled the country following a student-led uprising. Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel peace laureate named to lead an interim government after Hasina's downfall, says those figures have been exaggerated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hindus make up about 8% of the country's nearly 170 million people, while Muslims are about 91%. The countrys influential minority group Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has said there have been more than 2,000 attacks on Hindus since Aug. 4, as the interim government has struggled to restore order. United Nations human rights officials and other rights groups have expressed concern over human rights in the country under Yunus. Hindus and other minority communities say the interim government hasn't adequately protected them and that hard-line Islamists are becoming increasingly influential since Hasina's ouster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The issue has reached beyond Bangladesh, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi voicing concern over reports of attacks. While the administration of United States President Joe Biden has said it is monitoring Bangladeshs human rights issues since Hasinas ouster, U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump has condemned what he described as barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities in Bangladesh. In a post on X, he said: I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos. Hindu activists have been staging protest rallies in the capital, Dhaka, and elsewhere since August to press a set of eight demands including a law to protect minorities, a ministry for minorities and a tribunal to prosecute acts of oppression against minorities. They also seek a five-day holiday for their largest festival, the Durga Puja. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friday's protest in Chattogram was hastily organized after sedition charges were filed Wednesday against 19 Hindu leaders, including prominent priest Chandan Kumar Dhar, over an Oct. 25 rally in that city. Police arrested two of the leaders, angering Hindus. The charges stem from an event in which a group of rally-goers allegedly placed a saffron flag above the Bangladesh flag on a pillar, which was considered disrespecting the national flag. Hindu community leaders say the cases are politically motivated and demanded Thursday that they be withdrawn within 72 hours. Another Hindu rally was planned for Saturday in Dhaka. Separately, supporters of Hasina's Awami League party and its allied Jatiya Party have said they also have been targeted since Hasina's ouster. Jatiya's headquarters was vandalized and set on fire late Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Jatiya Party Chair G.M. Quader said his supporters would continue to hold rallies to demand their rights despite risking their lives. He said they would hold a rally Saturday at the party headquarters in Dhaka to protest price hikes of commodities, and what they call false charges against their leaders and activists. Later Friday, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police announced it was banning any rallies near the Jatiya Party's headquarters. Hours after the police decision, the party said it postponed their rally to show respect to the law and a new date for the rally would be announced soon. The police decision came after a student group strongly criticized the police administration for initially granting permission for the rally, and threatened to block it. A Colorado man with a history of DUI convictions will serve 20 years behind bars after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. On Oct. 21, the 3rd Judicial District in Huerfano County, Colorado announced an agreement with Michael Estrada in which he will be convicted of second-degree murder for causing the death of Brendon Beach while driving under the influence. On March 9 at 2:50 p.m., the Colorado State Patrol was dispatched to a "serious injury crash" on Colorado 12 at mile marker 13. The crash involved a 2013 GMC Sierra driven by Estrada and a 1999 Jeep Wrangler driven by Beach. Estrada was traveling between 89 mph and 93 mph in a 45 mph zone and hit Beach head-on at approximately 66 mph. When troopers arrived, Beach was dead from various injuries related to the crash. During the investigation into the incident, law enforcement suspected Estrada to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Upon his arrest, he has a blood-alcohol level of .134% and small amount of marijuana. Featured Local Savings Estrada is set to be sentenced on Dec. 19 to serve 20 years in state prison, followed by five years of mandatory parole after a minimum of 15 years served, according to a press release by Colorado State Patrol. Estrada had two other DUI convictions in cases from Texas, and will now be convicted of two more DUIs in Colorado, the other stemming from an arrest in January. The crash that took this mans life and forever changed an entire family wasnt just a high-speed drunk-driving crash; it was murder, stated Trooper Yoder of the Colorado State Patrol in a press release. Changing attitudes and thoughts is the communitys best hope for reducing drunk driving. If more people regarded drunk driving as a deliberate and dangerous act, fewer families would grieve these senseless losses. On behalf of the victims family, we are grateful to have secured a murder conviction for what is now a four-time convicted DUI offender, stated Deputy District Attorney Nick Dale, who prosecuted the case. He added, The District Attorneys Office thanks the tireless effort of the Colorado State Patrol in this case and truly appreciates the support of the victims family in reaching this agreement as they grieve the loss of their loved one due to this senseless murderous act. NEWARK, N.J. The Star-Ledger and a cup of coffee are how many people in Newark start their day. But part of that routine, at least in some way, will soon fade away. More Local News I was shocked, honestly, said Tyquan Chalmers of East Orange. In an article posted Wednesday on NJ.com, the Star-Ledger -along with The Times of Trenton, South Jersey Times, and Hunterdon County Democrat- will end their print editions in February, with all but the latter going to an online format. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The papers production facility in Montville will also shut down, marking the end entirely for the Jersey Journal, a Hudson County-based news source, after nearly 160 years. Customers at newsstands in Newark say theyre upset that theyll soon not find the Star-Ledger paper waiting for them when they come in. You get information from the TV, but some people just like to relax with a paper, said Raymond Gibson, a Newark resident of 50 years. The Star-Ledger is the descendant of newspapers that have been published since the late 18th century, 1796, said Tom Ankner, Supervising Librarian in the Newark Public Library. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For decades, the Star-Ledgers front pages told New Jersey history, from 9/11 to political scandals to stories that impacted the world. Theres a kind of visceral feel from handling an old paper, said Ankner. I know were moving forward in a digital age, but its nice to just hold a newspaper in your hands, said Kathy Barrett Carter, a staff reporter for the Star-Ledger for more than 25 years. Holding on to those great stories and seeing their placement in the paper. I would say, My storys above the fold, and my kids were like, Whats that mean? I said, Well it means it must be kind of an important story. so those things, people will lose somewhat in the digital age. Its a sad day for journalism in New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The lone yard sign for the Congressional District 2 race in Lea County Precinct 53 is in the front yard of Marcos Carranza Benitez, a Democrat and oilfield worker. Until Tuesday, this small precinct in Southeast Hobbs has voted for the eventual winner of the CD2 race, one of the nations closest congressional elections, every year since 2014.(Photo by Patrick Lohmann / Source New Mexico) HOBBS, N.M. Wanda Bell keeps a stack of old yearbooks from Booker T. Washington School, flipping through them every so often to remember her decades as a school employee and the distinguished alumni who once walked its halls. In the back pages of most of her yearbooks, past the smiling faces of hundreds of students, are unique artifacts of this neighborhoods political history: Paid ads from candidates for New Mexicos Second Congressional District. Thats one of the nations closest House races and key to Democrats hopes of retaking the chamber this November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They know heres where the votes are, Bell said, laughing, as she flipped through a 2002 yearbook featuring an ad from the late John Arthur Smith, the longtime New Mexico Democrat who was running for CD2 that year. The yearbook was a special edition to welcome alumni for the 50-year reunion for the Class of 1952. Hobbs schools were still segregated back then and would be until 1957. Bells home on East Humble Street and Booker T. Washington School are both in Precinct 53 in Southeast Hobbs, a working-class and diverse neighborhood where many work in the oilfields. In addition to being one of the states few historically Black neighborhoods, the precinct also has a strange relationship with the Second Congressional District writ large: Wanda Bell, left, with her friend, Ramona, at her 25-year high school reunion in 1999. (Courtesy photo) In each of the past five elections, it has voted for the eventual CD2 winner, even though the seat has flipped between Democrat and Republican four times in the last decade. When redistricting excised the rural part of the precinct in 2021, what was left of Precinct 53 voted for Democrat Gabe Vasquez, who won the seat race by the tiniest of margins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are 548 precincts that have remained in CD2 since redistricting a few years ago, according to a Source New Mexico analysis. Lea Countys Precinct 53 is one of only three so-called bellwether precincts, which have voted for the district winner in each of the last five elections. The winners of the last five elections for the congressional seat were Republican Steve Pearce in 2014, who was re-elected in 2016, followed by Democrat Xochitl Torres Small in 2018, Republican Yvette Herrell in 2020, and ending with Vasquez in 2022. In 2014, the earliest year for which precinct-level data is readily available, Precinct 53 voted for Pearce, then Pearce again, then Torres Small, then Herrell in 2020 and Vasquez in 2022. Exactly the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herrell and Vasquez are again vying for the seat this November. Vasquez won by 1,350 votes last time. Will Precinct 53 get it right again? More than a dozen people, including voters, religious leaders and local politicians, spoke to Source New Mexico recently about what could be occurring thats allowed voters there to keep their finger on the pulse of a sprawling congressional district stretching from southeast to northwest New Mexico. They offered various reasons. It could be that the precinct is made up of highly engaged voters with open minds. Or the boom-bust cycle of oil and gas has made the precinct grow and shrink with new voters over the past decade. But all of them acknowledged they had no real idea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They just pick winners, man, said Jonathan Sena, a Republican Lea County commissioner and pastor who grew up in the precinct. Also unclear is how closely candidates in one of the nations tightest races are looking at precincts like Precinct 53. Voters said they hadnt been inundated with mailers this cycle. A drive through the precinct on a recent Sunday showed only one sign for Vasquez in the yards of homes in the neighborhood. Vasquezs campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Herrell, on a recent visit to Senas church a block from the precinct boundary, said she was unaware that this slice of Hobbs was unique. Several voters in Precinct 53 who spoke to Source New Mexico brought up said they felt ignored by the rest of the state or used as political props. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the state continues to reap the benefits of the Hobbs-area oil boom, the city of 40,000 was recently cleaved in two by redistricting, with the northern half of the city folded into Congressional District 3 near Precinct 53s north boundary. Redistricting also cut out the rural area in Precinct 53 outside the Hobbs city limits, excising 33 square miles of the precinct and removing 300 registered voters. The precincts political makeup went from 36% Democrat and 29% Republican in January 2021 to 41% Democrat and 22% Republican in January 2022. As a result, the roughly even mix of the two major political parties that contributed to Precinct 53s bellwether status is gone, and the precinct is more likely to vote for a Democrat again this cycle. So, along with so much else at stake this election and in CD2, Herrell winning could also end the winning streak of a precinct now just slightly over a square mile in area. Wanda Bell Sitting on her patio on a recent Monday, Bell, 68, reflected on her childhood in a segregated oil town, pointing down and up the street toward restaurants, hotels and homes that no longer exist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She never saw the inside of Georgies restaurant a real nice, white restaurant even though her uncle worked in the kitchen, she said. Her grandmother used to clean rooms at a stately hotel in downtown Hobbs, owned by a wealthy white woman, but she and her sisters were barred from entering. One Christmas, word came down that the hotel owner had a special gift for her employees families. Bell and sisters gathered excitedly outside the front door to the lobby, she recalls, which is as close as they were allowed to get. We couldnt go in. So we were at the door waiting for it to come, she said. We thought we were really fixing to get a big Christmas gift, you know? Something real nice. The gift was a small packet with a handful of unseasoned pecans. I never forgot that. I never did, she said. We were so mad, me and my sisters. We was like, We cant believe she gave us a bag of pecans for Christmas. Who does that? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was around the time Hobbs was forced to integrate its schools, thanks to a 1954 Supreme Court decision. Hobbs was the last city in New Mexico to fully integrate, following a three-year fight between the local school board and a group of segregationists.The group was led by a prominent Baptist preacher who sought support among white oil workers to keep schools separate by race, repeating his motto that God willed segregation and warning of riots if the school board had its way. Hobbs schools wouldnt fully integrate until 1957. First graders in 1950 pictured in the Booker T. Washington School yearbook (Photo courtesy of Wanda Bell) Between the late 1920s and the 1950s, Black students in Tatum, Eunice and Lovington were bused to Booker T. Washington School in Hobbs, even though they lived a few blocks from the public schools in their towns, according to a history compiled by researcher Jean Dalton for the states Historic Preservation Division and published in 2021. The bused-in students arrived to find a school that had far fewer resources than the white schools elsewhere in Hobbs, according to Daltons research Back then, a burgeoning group of Black activists were fighting for an end to segregation and infrastructure improvements in what is now Precinct 53 and was then known as the Flats or Harlem Heights. Several organized into a statewide group, the New Mexico Colored Democrat Committee, and called on Black voters to switch affiliation from Republican to Democrat. History of African American segregation in New Mexico Read Duncans exhaustive research into segregation in nine New Mexico cities, published in November 2021, here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Hobbs Daily Sun in 1938, according to Daltons research, the leader of the committee called on Black voters to change affiliations: We defied all the privations that came against us, yet we stood steadfast, waiting for the 40 acres and the mule, the leader wrote. Why should not the colored brother draw his sword Excalibur and fight side-by-side with the soldiers who are already in the trenches for a happy and a glorious victory, by voting a straight Democratic ticket. Bell said she intends to vote for Vasquez this election and Democrats up and down the ticket, which is what her grandmother did, too. She said shes concerned about crime in Hobbs and has been saddened to see so many generations of her neighbors leave the city to find better opportunities elsewhere. Still, she believes she and her neighbors are best served by Vasquez and other Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont hold anything against a Republican. Its just that I feel like Democrats try to really focus in on helping people, she said. If you sit down at a table with a Democrat and theyre running for a position, if they win, then you can see changes. Benitez sits in his living room on a Sunday evening in September. A Spanish-language version of the UNM study on Latino oilfield workers that he participated sits on the couch to his left. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann / Source New Mexico) Marcos Carranza Benitez Marcos Carranza Benitez lives half a mile east from Bell. Hes a retired oil worker and Mexican immigrant. He became a U.S. citizen in the last few months. A Gabe sign sits in his front yard. Benitez, 67, got the yard sign in August when Vasquez, for a campaign event, held a carne asada cookout at a nearby Hobbs park. He even welcomed Vasquez into his home of 18 years, he said, where they discussed his fears for his sons who are in the same industry, among other things. Im an old man, he said. But I got sons. I got grandsons. And theyre going to need some other opportunities. In an interview in his home recently, he handed a reporter a Spanish-language version of a study published this year by the University of New Mexico on attitudes and fears among oilfield workers. Benitez participated in the focus groups, he said. The study, commissioned by advocacy group Somos Un Pueblo Unido, reported that Latinos make up 46% of the states oil and gas workforce, which is estimated to be in the tens of thousands. The workers described dangerous working conditions and long hours, relying on overtime from 12-hour shifts to make ends meet. Benitez joined other workers in calling for affordable, accessible training for workers like his sons to transition from oil and gas. Part of the reason is they fear the collapse of the oil industry in the next decade, which would turn Hobbs into a ghost town, Benitez said, without an alternative industry. Over the last 10 years, as Precinct 53 and the rest of CD2 has flipped back and forth from Republican to Democrat, hes seen oil prices rise and fall. When oil prices dip, he sees the effects on his neighbors immediately, including those who go back to Mexico. Everybody goes. Everybody sells their cars, sells their houses. They have no money for the payments, he said. Benitez said hell vote for Vasquez because the congressman recognizes the importance of immigrant workers like him, those who work hard. They work so hard for the states benefit but need a path to stable and good-paying work. Vasquez sees that, he said. Now they know in the White House that we stay here. We live here, he said. We are in this point of the map. LEFT: Winford Gipson speaks to his congregation about Gods forgiveness at Little Zion Baptist Church. RIGHT: Jonathan Sena takes a photo of Herrell with voters at Kings Gate Church. (Photos by Patrick Lohmann / Source NM) Two pastors There are six churches in the 1.1-square-mile Precinct 53 and several others just outside it. On a recent Sunday, congregations at two of them heard pastors say their sins would be forgiven if they accepted Jesus into their hearts. One pastor is a Democrat, the other a Republican. Kings Gate Church Pastor Matt Sena and his brother, associate pastor Jonathan Sena, both Republicans, grew up in Precinct 53 next door to Winford Gipson, pastor of Little Zion Baptist Church. Gipson is a Democrat, but he said hes voted for Republicans in the past. At Little Zion on a recent afternoon, he held up a sheet of paper with his sermon printed on it, then flipped it over to demonstrate a slate wiped clean. Its as if you have done nothing wrong, he said. Can you imagine that? In an interview in his office, he said his neighbors in Precinct 53 are open-minded and care more about a candidates character than the political party attached to their name. At Kings Gate Church, Pastor Matt Sena told those gathered to rejoice in the fact that they are former sinners. He wrapped up the sermon and offered the stage to his brother, Jonathan. Jonathan called on the audience to leave the four walls of the church and make a difference in their communities. Then he turned their attention to Herrell, the Republican CD2 candidate, who was sitting in the front row. This woman here sitting in the front row that joined us this morningshes one of the most real, godly people I have ever met in my life. She actually cares about people, she loves people, wants to serve them, and shes made a big impact on my church and our community. Herrell smiled and waved to the people behind her. Make sure you talk to her, go shake her hand after church, Sena continued. Shes going to be on your ballot on election day. So you remember, if youre in that district, its kind of switched up a little bit, shes an extraordinary woman, Yvette Herrell. As the sermon wrapped up, Herrell lingered for selfies with voters before leaving for another event. In a brief interview with Source New Mexico outside the church, she said her message to voters across the vast district was the same, regardless of whether theyre in precincts that have only voted for one party the last five elections or flipped back and forth like nearby Precinct 53. Were just praying hard and working hard, but I think voters, in general, recognize the importance of this election, she said. Everything kind of goes to the same priorities: the border, the economy, crime and education. It all drifts back that way, regardless of party, or precinct, even, she said. Do bellwethers matter? Three of 548 precincts that have stayed in Congressional District 2 have a surprising history in one of the nations closest elections. Even though the seat has flipped back and forth from Democrat and Republican four times in the last decade, precincts in Valencia, Socorro and Lea County have voted with the eventual CD2 winner in each of the past five elections. Michael Rocca, a political science professor at the University of New Mexico, said it might be tempting for candidates or others to look closely at bellwethers, hoping to divine some truth about what really matters to voters or predict who will win a close race. But, according to research on bellwether counties in presidential elections from all the way back in the 1970s, he said, doing so is a waste of time. Its just luck, he said. Theres nothing about these districts or precincts or states that are predictive. Being a bellwether simply means two things, he said. First is just the random chance that a political district would line up with the winner repeatedly. And the second, more important thing, he said, is that a bellwether wouldnt exist unless a race was very competitive. After all, he said, a solidly Democrat or Republican district would have numerous precincts that voted repeatedly in line with the eventual winner of their seat. The only reason that we consider these to be a bellwether or interesting at all is if the underlying precinct or district or whatever is, is competitive, because then youve got some flipping, right? he said. Also unlikely, he said, is that voters in Lea Countys Precinct 53 are more open-minded than other voters. Theyre responding to the same issues, negative political ads and other concerns as voters across the district. The people living in the precinct have no idea. So all theyre doing is that theyre responding to the same stimuli, the same context that every single other voter is or non-voter is responding to, he said. The voter doesnt understand that they live in a different type of precinct than anybody else. The fact that bellwethers arent crystal balls, as Rocca said, was affirmed as part of former President Donald Trumps attempt to overthrow the results of the 2020 election. Numerous courts have ruled that Trump, in fact, lost the election, despite circumstantial evidence his campaign circulated regarding bellwether counties. In a 12-page document Trumps team produced in June 2022, his team noted that Trump won 18 of 19 bellwether counties that had voted alongside the winner of the race in every election since at least 1980. One of those counties is Valencia County, which, until 2020, voted for the presidential election winner every election since 1952. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) With the recent announcement of the upcoming Walmart+ InHome Delivery service rollout in the Rochester area and holiday shopping season approaching, New York State Police are issuing some safety reminders when using delivery services. Walmart+ InHome Delivery will soon be available to an additional 13 million potential households, including some in Rochester. The service allows customers who opt in to have Walmart associates deliver groceries and other items directly inside their home. Walmart offers safety features within the service for both the associate and customer, including associate background checks and the ability to live-stream footage of the delivery process. There are additional safety protocols that customers are encouraged to follow, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York State Police point out this new convenience adds another layer of caution for customers. Walmart associates would not only deliver groceries to the doorstep but also bring them inside and even into the fridge if given entry, Trooper Lynnea Crane said in a written statement to News 8. This service introduces unique security considerations. For instance, consumers need to weigh the security of allowing delivery personnel into their homes. Trooper Crane suggests having additional security monitoring, such as cameras, in well-lit areas of your home can be beneficial while limiting associate access to areas that have valuables or important items. Learning about background checks, expectations and requirements for associates to do home-deliveries, and actively communicating with your driver on specific spots to leave packages and items inside or outside your home are also important. A common theme to these safety tips is open communication with your delivery associate and protecting your home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Rochester, while some smaller (delivery) services offer similar door-to-door deliveries, few provide the same level of in-home service that Walmarts InHome will offer, Trooper Crane said. For any delivery service, residents should keep an eye on package theft (which has been on the rise in many communities) and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement. For those who may not yet feel comfortable with at-home delivery services like Walmart+ but prefer using online shopping platforms, Amazon offers package pickup locations. When placing an order, the customer can opt to have their package shipped to a nearby Amazon Locker, often inside a department store. Some of these locations include Whole Foods Market, Kodak Center and University of Rochester. Rochester has more than 20 Amazon Lockers that customers can choose to pick up their packages at, some of which offer accessibility accommodations. You can find the location closest to you on their Amazon Pickup page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. People wait in line to cast their ballots on the first day of early voting at East Point First Mallalieu United Methodist Church on Oct. 15, 2024, in Atlanta. Georgia has become a focal point for election law changes aimed at reshaping the voting process ahead of the Nov. 5 election. (Megan Varner/Getty Images) Civil rights groups say new Georgia voting rules have made it too easy to challenge the eligibility of people living in nursing homes, college dormitories and military facilities, and will make it more difficult for homeless people to register to vote. The new rules are included in a broader law, signed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in May, that makes it easier for U.S. citizens to challenge somebodys eligibility to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law says there is probable cause to challenge a persons voting eligibility if that person lives at a nonresidential address a category that might include shelters, nursing homes, dorms and other places that show up as nonresidential under local zoning laws, according to critics. The provision took effect in July, so it can be used to challenge peoples eligibility to vote in the upcoming election. The law also states that in order to register, homeless people without a permanent address must collect election-related mail at the registrars office in the county where they live. Other Georgians are allowed to receive election-related mail wherever they choose. That provision takes effect in January, so it wont have an effect on eligibility to vote in the upcoming election. Elections lack integrity when eligible voters are disenfranchised. Ryan Snow, an attorney with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Last month, the Georgia State Conference of the NAACP and Georgia Coalition for the Peoples Agenda Inc., a voting rights coalition, filed a lawsuit against the state, arguing that the two provisions violate the voting rights of Georgians who are homeless or housing insecure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homeless people face significant barriers to voting many of them lack photo identification, for example but most states have rules designed to make it possible for people without permanent addresses to register to vote and cast ballots. Critics say the new Georgia rules would have the opposite effect and worry that other states might duplicate them. Ryan Snow, an attorney with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said its critical to challenge the housing provisions before other states adopt similar ideas, which could lead to a widespread assault on the voting rights of housing-insecure and vulnerable populations. Elections lack integrity when eligible voters are disenfranchised, said Snow, who is among the attorneys representing the plaintiffs. This isnt about voter fraud its about preventing the wrong type of voter from participating. In a news release, the committee asserted that the mailing address requirement would affect more than 10,000 Georgia voters more than half of them Black people and nearly a third of them victims of domestic violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Georgia Republican state Sen. Max Burns, who sponsored the law, called it a testament to our commitment to restoring faith in Georgias elections in a statement he issued when Kemp signed it. In a March hearing, Burns argued that the rules designating the local registrars office, typically located in the county courthouse, as the mailing address for unhoused people would ensure their participation in the electoral process. Republicans in the Georgia Senate declined a request to comment on the new rules. A focal point Georgia, which once again is poised to play a decisive role in determining who will occupy the White House, has become a focal point for election law changes aimed at reshaping the voting process ahead of Nov. 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2021 law gave Georgia residents less time to ask for mail-in ballots and added new ID requirements. It reduced the number of drop boxes and barred election officials and nonprofits from sending unsolicited mail-in ballot applications to voters. The law also gave the State Election Board more power to determine the makeup of local election panels. More than 63,000 Georgians have had their eligibility challenged since the law Kemp signed this year took effect in July, according to an analysis by The Associated Press that included all of the new rules for challenging eligibility that have taken effect, not just the one regarding people living at nonresidential addresses. In 2023 and the first half of 2024, before the law went into effect, about 18,000 voters were challenged, according to the analysis. However, fewer than 800 voters have been removed from the rolls since July, the news organization found. Homelessness and voting A person is not required to have a home to vote. In all states, a person must have a mailing address to receive voting information by mail, but it does not have to be a fixed home address. Many states allow homeless voters to list a shelter, a religious center, a post office box or the address of a friend or relative who lives nearby. Some states allow people to list a description of the place where they live such as a park or intersection as a home address, though not as a mailing address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new Utah law, for example, allows homeless people to use parks and intersections as addresses to vote. Colorados voter registration form allows people experiencing homelessness to list a common location where they sleep. Iowas registration form instructs voters without a permanent, established address to describe where you reside. And Ohio allows people without a fixed permanent address to list shelter or other location as a residence. But numerous barriers make it nearly impossible for unhoused individuals to regularly participate in elections. Some states dont require ID to register to vote, but most do require that you bring identification to vote in person, and many homeless people dont have ID. Weve had experiences where voters come in and say, Im homeless, and the only address I can use is a UPS store in a shopping center, because I live in my car in the parking lot, said Zach Manifold, the elections supervisor for Gwinnett County, Georgia. Manifold said its unclear how the new rule on homeless people will work out, but the uncertainty it brings is concerning. Georgia Democratic state Sen. Derek Mallow voiced concerns that the provision on nonresidential addresses could create barriers for older people living in nursing homes and for military personnel deployed overseas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have great concerns about the probable cause to challenge voters, especially at a nonresidential address, Mallow said. My grandmother, who owned her home until the day she died, lived in a nursing home. I would have an issue with somebody challenging her right to vote. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X. DE PERE, Wis. (WFRV) A diverse group gathered recently to remember the sacrifice of the Hmong people who fought with the Americans during the Vietnam War. They also remembered how the Hmong people lost their country and found a new home in the United States. Sturgeon Bay honors fallen USS Westchester County sailors with memorial plaque The Hmong immigrants followed the legendary General Vang Pao and settled primarily in northeast Wisconsin, Minnesota, and California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our country owes a sincere debt of gratitude to the Hmong people, the Hmong community, and what theyve done, said Retired Army Lt. Col. Rick Crosson, who now serves on the Green Bay School Board. Their sacrifice and their citizenship. Crosson was among the city, state, and local officials who took part in a procession with the son of the late General Vang Pao and other Hmong military leaders who fought communism with the Americans. My fathers a Vietnam Veteran, Crosson added. I understand the Hmong tribesmen at the time were very supportive of the U.S. military. They sacrificed themselves, and they were in a situation where their culture was at serious risk of being exterminated. This unprecedented gathering ushered in the return of the Hmong Festival at the Brown County Fairgrounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What the Hmong people endured in SE Asia has only come to light as more American Vietnam Veterans find their voice. Local 5 has profiled Air America pilot and author Neil Hansen, who flew secret missions in the CIAs secret airline. He told us he would make airdrops of supplies in Laos to Hmong fighters. Its a real shame that this isnt common knowledge, Captain Hansen said. And the sad part is over 60% of Americans didnt know we had a war in Vietnam. The Generals son says its important to acknowledge what is known historically as the Secret War, where the CIA supported Hmong fighters in what was neutral Laos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We fought alongside the U.S. Government in Laos as a secret army, explained WaChong Vang. My father was the leader of that secret army group. We are happy to serve the Americans during the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, the U.S. pulled from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia and we lost our country. But, we are happy that the U.S. government brought us into this country. He admits that the dreams of returning to their homeland died with the elders. Yet, he is hopeful for the survival of Hmong culture and its resurgence with the next generation. We must respect our elders, respect our veterans, Vang declared. And we must try to keep our good name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here for more sounds and stories from Wisconsins Hometown Heroes Crosson said there is just as much today that links Americans and the Hmong as when they first fought together for freedom. I think they are part and parcel of that whole effort to move this country forward. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. HONOLULU (KHON2) Honolulu EMS treated a motorcyclist who suffered critical injuries and the driver of a vehicle who crashed around 4:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Police said a 26-year-old male motorcyclist was traveling northbound on Kamehameha Hwy behind a 27-year-old motorist when he attempted to overtake the driver. As the motorist attempted to make a left turn from Kamehameha Hwy onto Ke Nui Road, she was broadsided by the 26-year-old motorcyclist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kalanianaole Hwy closes for police investigation The motorcyclist was ejected onto the roadway as a result of the collision. He was taken to the hospital where he succumbed to his injures. Police said he was not wearing a helmet at the time. The motorist sustained minor injuries and was taken to an area hospital in stable condition. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Police are continuing to investigate, but believe speed appears to have played a factor. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NATIONAL CITY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) Members of the public are invited to experience what its like onboard a U.S. Navy ship this weekend to kick off San Diego Fleet Week. Different types of military vessels will open their doors this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Navys Meet the Fleet at 32nd Street event. The event will be held on Naval Base San Diego, Pier 13. Vessels available to tour include the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, Navy destroyers Pinckney and USS Higbee, and littoral combat ship USS Montgomery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City of San Diego hopes to restore former Village Grill restaurant in Balboa Park Naval Base San Diegos Harbor Patrol Unit will also put on a live demonstration of blank round firing and a simulation of critical operations. The demonstrations are scheduled for 9:45 and 11:30 a.m., and 1:15 and 2:30 p.m. The experience also includes military working dog demonstrations at 9:15, 10:30, and 11:45 a.m. as well as 2 p.m. The Navy dog team and decoy will showcase the skills and teamwork between four-legged heroes and their handlers, and their integral role in military operations. Meet the Fleet is free and open to the public. IDs are required to access the piers for ship tours, but IDs are not required to park and enter the event area. All visitors at least 18 and older must show a valid U.S. federal or state-issued ID or passport to go on the ship tours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are some restrictions. Ships are not ADA compliant and no pets are allowed onboard. For a list of prohibited items, visit the event webpage. The event will also include Navy band performances, rides and inflatables for the kids and food and beverage vendors. All guests must access the base through Gate 9 located at 8th Street and Harbor Drive in National City. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Two assassination attempts. A last-minute candidate switch. War in the Middle East. Border issues. Dire predictions of dictatorship and death threats against election workers. And all of it sitting atop an economy that almost no one feels is going well, despite record stock market gains, low unemployment and rising wages. This is the knife-edge presidential race no one could have predicted, creating a pressure cooker of stress, anxiety and fear, supercharged by talking-head television, social media memes, "gotcha" moments and celebrity endorsements. USA TODAY interviewed dozens of voters across the country to sample how they're feeling as the country faces a nail-biter of a decision between former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Everybody's on edge, from day to day, from now till Election Day," said Arkansas resident and Trump voter Laura Henderson, 64. Across the country: -- In Georgia, landscaper Graham Stewart, 49, worries a second Trump presidency will mean his transgender relatives might be attacked. -- In Michigan, Emily Gregory, 42, fears her oldest daughter won't be able to find a job if Harris wins, even if a vote for Trump means she loses abortion access. -- In Raleigh, North Carolina, Claude Allen, 58, says he's considering carrying a gun for protection should Trump again refuse to accept a loss. -- And in California, Joyce Lucich, 76, is just holding her breath. She's going to vote for Trump, and while she and her husband have concerns about his approach to Ukraine and Gaza and how he conducts himself, she says the economy is just too important to risk another four years of liberal policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I see it all the time: People are terrified. They are stressed, overly stressed," said Dr. Arash Javanbakht, founding director of the Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic at Wayne State University's School of Medicine in Detroit. "And politicians keep saying this is the scariest time of your life." Javanbakht, the author of "AFRAID: Understanding the Purpose of Fear, and Harnessing the Power of Anxiety, specializes in anxiety treatment, and said he has seen a notable increase in people seeking help as the campaign has intensified. And it's easy to see why. Trump frequently paints a dire picture of the country's future, warning voters that only he can save the United States from ruin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His supporters say they're being crushed by the high cost of living and that Trump is the needed economic leader. Angered by what they say are large flows of migrants in recent years, Trump supporters say his vow to deport people living illegally in the United States is a strong first step in protecting the things that make America special. They also cite his efforts to block abortion access and dramatically downsize the federal government to reduce spending while also spurring even more oil and gas drilling to bring down energy costs, and promises of more tax cuts. And they support his efforts to punish China with high tariffs and his "peace through strength" approach to national defense and NATO. We're in such a horrible mess right now that I think that he's the one that can pull us out of it for my kids and my grandkids, said Jennifer Wilson, 47, an Arkansas voter and Trump supporter. Liberals see a second Trump presidency as a threat to democracy after a mob of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol and tried to stop the certification of Biden's win in 2020. They can't understand how anyone could vote for a convicted felon or someone who they say is so disrespectful to women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They fear his plans to forcibly deport millions of people living illegally in the United States and are angry he appointed Supreme Court justices who ended the federal right to an abortion. They also worry about a possible loss of access to birth control. And say they're willing to pay higher prices for goods and services if it means protecting the Earth's climate. But they also say Harris, as a woman of Black and Southeast Asian heritage, provides an important sense of hope and forward-looking optimism a candidate who wants to expand protections and rights for all Americans. Many say they're relieved President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, a shocking decision that reshaped the election. "Harris is amazing," said Sandra MacDonald, 61, of Nashville. "Put aside that shes Black and Asian and a woman. Put that aside. Shes a bright, enthusiastic candidate. Abortion, economy rank among top voter concerns Long gone are the days of polite presidential debates and compliments by the candidates about their opponents. Instead, Trump and Harris backers have drawn battle lines and are preparing for the worst, slinging insults on Facebook, sharing the latest "can you believe they said that" video clips and arguing with relatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And above all they remain mystified how anyone could vote for the other candidate. Kellie Love, 44, an independent voter in Louisville, Kentucky, said she will vote for Harris and worries what a Trump win would mean for her personally and how the country would react to a Trump defeat. "I dont think Im included in the future that he sees, Love said. I just dont foresee him being able to say, OK, I lost. Its very scary to watch." But James McMorrow, a Republican voter from Cape Cod, said he remembers things being better under Trump, whom he voted for in 2020. McMorrow, 22, said he's working harder than ever to afford the cost of living, and he believes Trump will improve the economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I still get paid the same and everything else is more expensive, McMorrow said. "Hes been president before, so Im hoping it will go as well as it did last time. That's my reasoning." Echoed Lucich: I just can't vote for another four years of what we've had. Even though we may not like Trump as a person, because of our economy and what we've gone through the last four years, we can't do this again. What bothers me is that so many people say they're voting because of abortion rights when it affects so little of the population. But the economy and immigration affects all of us, every single person in the United States, but most people are going to vote for (Harris) because shes pro-abortion." Cleveland-area resident Barbara Balogh, 51, said that's precisely why she's voting for Harris: "The fact that she doesnt want to take away all our rights and send us back 100 years, thats pretty compelling to me." Said Allen, the Raleigh resident: "If somebody takes rights away from you, that's like taking away your life, and that's not fair." Fear of violence, loss of rights worries many In interviews, many voters said they feel their voices aren't reflected in the candidates. Others say they have a hard time seeing a peaceful future for the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arizona electrician Mike Miley, 23, said that while gas prices and immigration are among his top concerns, he's worried about the potential fracturing of the United States, and he is supporting Trump again. Miley said he believes Trump won the 2020 election and that "rich people" decide who will actually be president. Trump is just putting the timer back up on the time bomb rather than disarming it. I think its just extending it," he said. "Something big is going to happen either way. In interviews, Harris voters often cited fears that Trump will ignore the Constitution and use extralegal means to target his enemies, whether that's undocumented migrants, trans people or his political enemies. And the Jan. 6, 2021, attempted insurrection by Trump supporters feels like a dangerous example of the risk, they said. Were keeping our fingers crossed now that theres no violence, no bad stuff going on," said Brenda Butler, 82, of Nashville, who voted for Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, not every voter sees this election as one of the highest-stakes decisions the United States has ever made. Said California Democrat David Ponce, 25, who said he might skip voting: It doesn't matter who you vote for, because things are still going to have to get done at the end of the day. We are still the USA, so no matter who is in office, things wont really change. Nashville voter Ben McCreary, 35, said he hopes Americans can put their difference behind them once the votes are counted and a president is elected. He didnt want to talk about for whom he voted. "It's going to be what it is, McCreary said. At the end of the day, when its all said and done, lets move on and hopefully get the boat rowing in the same direction and quit moving in separate directions." America nears an answer in 2024 presidential race For those exhausted by the election, there is some good news, at least: The end of this presidential cycle means a pause to the television and social media advertisements, campaign emails and fundraising text messages. And that means a chance to dial back on that anxiety by dialing back on your media consumption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Javanbakht said the patients he treats at his clinic often acknowledge they watch hours of cable TV a day, and he tries to assure them that things are rarely as bad as they think. He said there's a difference between acknowledging political differences and obsessing over them. After all, he said, most Republicans aren't actually going around attacking migrants, and Democrats aren't forcing anyone to give up their guns. "I don't recommend that you be ignorant. But you want to reduce your exposure to the source of negativity. If you eat garbage all day, your stomach is going to feel terrible," he said. "When you cut down on cable news exposure, you get better. I tell my patients, every time they are sitting there stewing, ask yourself, 'What good are you doing for yourself?' Maybe go take a walk." Contributing: USA TODAY Network reporters Paul Egan, Arpan Lobo, Cy Neff, Vivian Jones, George Russell, Sabine Martin, Stacey Barchenger, Jessie Balmert, Kathryn Palmer, Sarah Gleason, Melissa Cruz and Maya Marchel Hoff. (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: As election day looms, an anxious America holds its breath The full horror of the flash flooding in Spain began to emerge on Friday, just as new rainfall lashed southern parts of the country. The storm has killed at least 205 people, with 202 of those in the hardest-hit region of Valencia, emergency services in the region said Friday. It marks Spains deadliest natural disaster in decades. The death toll is expected to rise as emergency workers fight to rescue those who are trapped and recover bodies. Authorities warned Friday that roads have collapsed in some areas, with emergency services unable to get access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Spanish Armed Forces have already rescued 4,607 people, Spains Minister of Territorial Policies Angel Victor Torres Perez said on Friday. SOS Desaparecidos, an association dedicated to sharing information about those missing through social media, said they have received reports of at least 1,300 people who remain unaccounted for. The country has experienced significant autumn storms in recent years, but nothing comes close to the devastation wrought in the past few days. More details are emerging of the devastation in the Valencia region, with residents reporting large amounts of damage and horrific encounters with the rapidly rising water. A courthouse was turned into a temporary morgue in the regions capital, Valencia city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the citys La Torre neighborhood, where the water rose to chest level, volunteers continue to search for more missing people. Rescue teams discovered the bodies of seven people in an underground parking garage there on Thursday, according to national broadcaster RTVE, citing police. unknown content item - The father of one of those who died in the parking garage, a local policeman, told Spains El Mundo newspaper that residents had rushed to move their cars, but the water rose faster than people were expecting, trapping them. Another woman was dragged into the parking lot by the moving water and died, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The town of Paiporta, Valencia, where at least 62 people died, was described by Spanish public broadcaster RTVE as the ground zero of the tragedy. A witness who was caught in the flash flood there told RTVE that he saw multiple cars floating past him with people begging for help. Many drivers found themselves caught on a highway and were swept away in their cars, as the road appeared to merge with a nearby river. A bridge also collapsed in the area. At least six people died in a nursing home on the outskirts of the town, Paiportas mayor told the Spanish national broadcaster. While staff managed to bring most of the elderly people to the first floor, they were unable to save everyone. Mud still fills the streets in many areas, with the mayor of Valencia sharing images of community clean-up efforts on Friday. Vehicles are being removed, the square is being cleaned and food and water are being collected, Mayor Maria Jose Catala said of La Torre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The regional government of Valencia said power has been reestablished in 90% of places. Carlos Mazon, the president of the Valencias regional government, defended his administration amid accusations that authorities failed to alert residents on time. The forecasts we received initially did not predict this (meteorological) revolution, he said in a video posted on X. Mazon said the regional government sent out close to hundreds of red alerts during the day of the storm, including an SMS alert reserved for the worst possible scenario. Parts of Spain continue to see intense rainfall on Friday, and authorities issued a red warning overnight for the Huelva coast, in Andalusia, which had 140mm (5.5 inches) of precipitation in just 12 hours. Orange and yellow alerts also remain in place in isolated parts of Valencia. CNNs Mia Alberti and Sophie Tanno contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Pierce County Sheriff As Pierce County data shows more incidents of violent crime and fewer residents feeling safe, voters have a choice of new leadership for the Pierce County Sheriffs Department. Current, one-term Sheriff Ed Troyer is not seeking reelection, clearing the path for 35-year PCSD veteran Patti Jackson and 33-year-old Seattle Police veteran Keith Swank to run for the office. Swank and Jackson were the top two candidates in the August primary. Hiring struggles for law enforcement deputies that have hampered other law enforcement agencies have been less so in Pierce County, where vacancies dropped from 50 last year to around a dozen today. Read more about the candidates here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patti Jackson votepattijackson.com Statement: Patti Jackson found her purpose by serving you and our community as a member of the Pierce County Sheriffs Department. She has the skills, experience, and record of recruiting success to ensure the department can continue to serve all of us with distinction. Patti Jackson seeks to create an environment where every member of our diverse community including agency members feels heard, valued, and equally served, prioritizing fairness, accountability, and innovation in law enforcement practices. Through collaborative efforts with residents, community organizations, local businesses, and government partners, she will champion law enforcement strategies proven to address the root causes of our countys biggest challenges, creating lasting positive change. Under Patti, the Sheriffs Department will serve as a beacon of transparency, integrity, and community engagement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patti is proudly endorsed by County Executive Bruce Dammeier (R), County Council Chair Ryan Mello (D), majorities of the Pierce County and Tacoma councils, dozens of current and former law enforcement leaders, and many other Republicans, Democrats, independents, community leaders, and residents. Im running to provide community-centered leadership and strengthen the bonds between our diverse community and law enforcement through trust and open communication. I ask for your vote. Keith Swank swankforsheriff.com Statement: July 28, 2006A police dispatcher answers a 911 call; a man committing a mass shooting at the Seattle Jewish Federation is on the line. At a loss for words, the dispatcher turns to then Sergeant Keith Swank, commander of the 911 center. Swank defuses the situation and convinces the killer to surrender without further injury or loss of life to hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, Captain Swank was the SWAT Team commander called on to finally clear and secure the CHOP/CHAZ riot zone in Seattle. Serving on street patrols for over 15 years, Swank made countless high-stakes arrests keeping the community safe, including over 100 undercover busts of violent criminals and sex offenders. Swanks priorities will be arresting violent offenders, fighting the opioid/fentanyl crisis, enforcing immigration laws, and humane cleanup of homeless encampments. Low staffing, moral, and other serious problems in the sheriffs department will be addressed. Captain Swank served proudly under members of both parties and is endorsed by democrats and republicans. The office of sheriff is too important for on-the-job training. For safer streets the choice is clear, vote Keith Swank, our most qualified, accomplished, and well-rounded choice. Pierce County Executive For the first time in eight years, Pierce County will have a new Executive to lead Washingtons second-largest county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Pierce County Council Member Ryan Mello and Republican State Representative Kelly Chambers are the two candidates vying for the seat. Chambers is a former teacher, co-owns a home health business, and became the ranking member on the Washington House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee. Mellos first elected office came 17 years ago on the Tacoma Metro Parks Commission. He has also served on the Tacoma City Council before the Pierce County Council. Read more about the candidates here. Kelly Chambers (Republican) kellychambers.org Statement: Less crime, more jobs, and more common sense. When I talk with people on their doorstep, those are the things I hear again and again, and I couldnt agree more. Its why I have a plan to work on these issues (and more!) on day one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Countless people are suffering from addiction and mental illness in our community. The high-risk lifestyle is driving crime in our downtown core and neighborhoods. My plan ensures families are safe while getting vulnerable people the treatment they need. As a small business owner, Ive grown a company that employs hundreds of people. As a former teacher, I know everything starts with a good education. I will ensure crucial skills are taught in our classrooms and expand early childhood learning opportunities so the future stays bright. Pierce County is home to unmatched natural beautyand its our responsibility to be careful stewards of the land. Unfortunately, too many things done in the name of stewardship are cruelly unrealistic, like the recent natural gas ban. Ill ensure green policies that work and are fair. Together, well continue moving Pierce County in the right direction. As your county executive, I will listen and I will act. Ryan Mello (Democratic Party) ryanmello.com Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Statement: I first moved to Tacoma to attend college, and quickly fell in love with the people and this beautiful place. Over the past 17 years, Ive worked across communities to improve our quality of life. My leadership advanced Made-in-Pierce County solutions to issues that matter: increasing support for our first responders, expanding mental health services, and creating good-paying, union jobs. Ive championed broadband expansion, funding thousands of affordable housing units, and reducing traffic deaths and serious injuries. As Council Chair, I passed a balanced, bipartisan budget that invests in law enforcement, addressing root causes of crime, senior centers, parks, small business growth, childcare access, transportation solutions, veterans services, and more. Ill continue finding balanced solutions to our most pressing challenges. Ive proven how important collaboration is to strengthening our community. Pierce County deserves trusted, results-oriented leadership for real progress. As your Executive, Ill protect our communities, reproductive health and freedoms. Endorsed by Democrats like U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer & Marilyn Strickland, Republicans and Independents like Lakewood Mayor Jason Whalen and University Place Mayor Javier Figueroa, Pierce County Labor Council, Pierce County Professional Firefighters, Washington Conservation Action, and more. Id be honored to earn your vote. Pierce County Council District 4 Rosie Ayala (D) and Rodney Robinson (D) are running for the seat left open by Ryan Mello, who is running for Pierce County Executive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosie Ayala (Democrat) peopleforrosieayala.com Statement: As a Metro Parks Commissioner, Ive fought for equitable policies and improvements to quality of life for our community. My parents immigrated to this country. I saw them struggle with language barriers, and work tirelessly, yet need public services to provide for the family. Like so many in Pierce County, Ive worked multiple jobs to pay bills and know making ends meet is hard. Thats why Im running for office I want better for people and Im the leader with the lived and professional experience to bring positive change. My years of advocacy and community-oriented work have prepared me to lead in this position. Im ready to tackle Pierce Countys toughest challenges: housing affordability & services, safety & violent crime, and investing in youth so they can grow and lead. My upbringing taught me that when government works alongside people we create opportunities for all. Regional collaboration is key to addressing our challenges and I will continue to work tirelessly to make government work for everyone, just like Ive done on the Parks Board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Endorsed by County Council Chair Ryan Mello, PC Labor Council, House Speaker Laurie Jinkins and 50+ elected and community leaders across Tacoma, Fircrest and University Place. Rodney Robinson (Democrat) electrodneyrobinson.com Statement: As a born and raised Tacoman, I am deeply rooted in the fabric of our community. From attending Henry Foss High School to serving on the front lines of our most pressing challenges, I have spent my entire life working to make Pierce County a better place for all. With nearly two decades of experience in the human services sector, I have been a fierce advocate for the most vulnerable members of our community. I have worked to address homelessness through my leadership roles in the Office of Homeless Youth Advisory Board. I have also been involved in efforts to promote public safety, including serving on the Tacoma Gang Intervention Task Force and the Washington State Coalition Against Sex Crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As your representative on the County Council, I will bring a homegrown perspective and a deep understanding of the issues that matter most to our residents. I will champion policies that support working families, invest in education, and address crime by focusing on prevention, intervention, and community-based solutions. I will be a tireless advocate for the place I am proud to call home, and work every day to build a safe, equitable, and prosperous Pierce County for all. Pierce County Council District 6 Incumbent Jani Hitchen (D) is fighting to keep her seat against challenger Loujanna LJ Rohrer (R). Hitchen has been on the council since 2020, but Rohrer was a staff member under former council chair Doug Richardson until he reached his term limit in 2020, according to the Tacoma Weekly. Jani Hitchen (Incumbent) (Democrat) electjanihitchen.com Statement: As a teacher, I know how important homework and attendance are. For the last four years, Ive worked hard and shown up every day for our community to bring real change on issues that matter to our district. To address housing, affordability, safety, and the recent rise in crime, Ive reached across the aisle and found pragmatic solutions to Pierce Countys most pressing issues. We need collaborative and compassionate councilmembers who will listen to all the people they represent and act in their best interests. As your councilmember, I stepped up to address the needs of our youth, advocate for survivors of domestic violence, and find solutions for our housing crisis. Ill continue to be your voice, to ask tough questions, and to push for the unique needs of our communities in District 6. Whether you reside on Anderson or Ketron Island, in Dupont, Lakewood, Parkland, Steilacoom, or JBLM, Im committed to listening to your concerns, representing your interests, and would be honored to continue to serve you. Im honored to be endorsed by many great leaders and organizations including the PC Central Labor Council, Washington Education Association, Puyallup Tribe of Indians and West/Central Pierce Fire & Rescue. Loujanna LJ Rohrer (Republican) votelj.com Statement: As a 44 year resident of Pierce County with a decade of policy experience and public service, Ill serve our community with integrity. Im a proven leader with a track record of bringing people together and solving problems. Together, we can build a better Pierce County. Pierce County is headed in the wrong direction. Over the past four years, weve seen increasing crime, a growing homelessness and drug crisis, and higher taxes, despite county revenues nearly doubling this past decade. Ill oppose tax hikes that threaten hardworking families, renters, and seniors and veterans on fixed incomes. Im a fierce advocate for public safety, our local businesses, effective approaches to homelessness, and responsible government spending. Ill fight for strong communities, as Ive done as a senior legislative aide at the House of Representatives, assistant to the County Council, and School Board Director. Ill fight for you on the County Council. Im endorsed by County Executive Bruce Dammeier, former Council Chair Doug Richardson, Lakewood Mayor Whalen, Steilacoom Mayor Muri, DuPonts Deputy Mayor Winkler, and retired Sheriff Paul Pastor. I have their vote, and humbly ask for yours. On behalf of my four children and husband of 28 years, thank you. Light smoke might be visible Friday morning as the Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station fire department performs controlled live fire training exercises starting at 9 a.m. These exercises will take place at the base fire training center and should not last past noon on Friday. While nearby residents may see some smoke from the training, station officials say they have safety protocols in place for the training. All fire will be contained in a controlled environment, according to the station's news release. Cheyenne Mountain SFS, an installation supported by Space Base Delta 1, hosts multiple Department of Defense missions and serves as NORAD and USNORTHCOM's Alternate Command Center and as a training site for crew qualification. Conservative columnist Hugh Hewitt resigned from The Washington Post on Friday, shortly after exiting a stormy livestream debate. Hewitts is the latest resignation to rock the Post but this time unexpectedly from the right. It shows Jeff Bezos crisis isnt easing up but instead hitting both sides of the political dividealthough Hewitt did not resign in protest at the papers owner censoring its endorsement of Kamala Harris. Instead, Hewitt walked off the Posts show First Look, with liberal columnists Jonathan Capehart and Ruth Marcus, after a heated discussion on Donald Trumps lawsuit about alleged voting irregularities in Pennsylvania. .@HughHewitt tells @CapehartJ, "The major stories of this morning help Donald Trump ... The jobs report just dropped; there were supposed to be 112,000 jobs created in October, it's only 12,000 jobs. A disaster for Kamala Harris ... The environment is good for Trump." pic.twitter.com/AvDRQgL6eS Washington Post Live (@PostLive) November 1, 2024 Capehart started by asking Marcus if Trump is laying the groundwork for contesting the election by complaining that cheating was taking place in Pennsylvania? He cited Trumps lawsuit against Bucks County for alleged irregularities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No election can be fair in Donald Trumps mind unless Donald Trump wins it, Marcus said. As Hewitt tried to interject, Capehart said, Let Ruth finish, Hugh. Well, Ive just got to say, were news people, even though its the opinion section, Hewitt said. Its got to be reported. Bucks County was reversed by the court and instructed to open up extra days because they violated the law and told people to go home. So that lawsuit was brought by the Republican National Committee, and it was successful We are news people, even though we have opinions, and we have to report the whole story if we bring up part of the story. So, yes, hes upset about Bucks County, but he was right and he won in court. Thats the story. After a pause, Capehart said, I dont appreciate being lectured about reporting when Hugh, many times, youve come here saying lots of things that arent based in fact. Hewitt then called the livestream the most unfair election ad hes ever done and left the set. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hewitt has been at the Post since 2017. He also hosts a radio show where he recently interviewed Trump. As the newsrooms live journalism platform, Washington Post Live is known for its dynamic conversations and thought-provoking perspectives on top issues of the day, such as this mornings First Look program, a Post spokesperson said in a statement to the Daily Beast. The newspaper has been under fire this week over its owner Jeff Bezos decision not to allow it to endorse a presidential candidate. North Carolina human and civil rights groups are demanding that state officials take action to ease prison overcrowding worsened by Hurricane Helene. (Image: Adobe Stock) A coalition of eight North Carolina human and civil rights groups are demanding the release of nearly 2,000 incarcerated people to ease what they are calling dangerous, inhumane overcrowding, in state prisons a situation exacerbated by Hurricane Helene. The state is incapable of properly providing humane conditions and constitutional care for the people who are inside of prisons, and as a result, it has a constitutional duty to rectify that situation, said Dawn Blagrove, executive director of Emancipate NC, in this morning press conference at the NC Correctional Institution for Women. Emancipate NC Executive Director Dawn Blagrove (Photo: https://emancipatenc.org/) Last month, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction announced that it transferred 2,190 people from five prisons in western North Carolina to facilities in the central and eastern parts of the state due to the storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, the department said space was the primary factor considered when relocating inmates to other prisons. The agency said it also took into account the medical needs of each inmate to ensure they could receive appropriate care at their new location. But now, advocates say the transfers have further strained resources and overcrowded prisons further east, exacerbating an already dire situation marked by severe staff shortages. In April, NC Newsline reported that about 39% of correctional officer jobs in North Carolina prisons were vacant. For the incarcerated, a shortage of correctional officers means long lockdowns, limited access to health care, counseling, or programming, and reduced opportunities for recreation and showering, the advocates wrote in a letter to prison officials. These conditions only increase tensions between the prison population and the staff and result in more incidents of violence. Since the emergency prison transfers due to Hurricane Helene, these conditions have become all the more dire. According to the letter, several prisons, including Anson Correctional Center for Women, now operate at over 100% capacity, with some facilities exceeding 130%. People report being forced to sleep on gym floors and having restricted access to food, sanitation and medical care, the groups wrote. They say the overcrowding has also led to increased tension and even violent incidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To ease the burden on the system, advocates are urging prison officials to consider the release of 400 women, and 1,500 low-risk men through compassionate release. The proposal echoes measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, when prison officials sent nearly 4,500 individuals home. DAC denies the allegations made in the letter, calling them grossly exaggerated. The Department of Adult Correction has received a letter from a coalition of advocacy groups expressing concerns about prison system conditions in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Many of the claims made in the letter are misinformed or grossly exaggerated, according to DAC spokesperson Keith Acree in a statement. The five affected western North Carolina prisons are Avery-Mitchell Correctional Institution in Spruce Pine, the Black Mountain Substance Abuse Treatment Center for Women, the Craggy Correctional Center in Asheville, Mountain View Correctional Institution in Spruce Pine, and the Western Correctional Center for Women in Swannanoa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The relocations are expected to last until utility repairs are completed, which could take an extended period. The department maintains an offender locator website that it said is being regularly updated. Acree said the timeframe for water and sewer restoration to the five facilities remains unclear, but Craggy Correctional Institution in Asheville may be reopened in the coming weeks. The timeline for return to facilities in Spruce Pine and Swannanoa appears to be longer, he said. Organizers say they are prepared to take legal action if the state fails to address the crisis within three weeks. The following groups signed the letter: The ACLU of North Carolina, Disability Law United, Disability Rights NC, Emancipate NC, Forward Justice, North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services, Coalition for Social Justice and The Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law. Mate Paczolay, the spokesman for the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the negotiations on a bilateral agreement with Ukraine, but said that the issue of Ukraine's NATO membership was not discussed in it. Source: Paczolay comments to the Hungarian pro-government MTI news agency; European Pravda reports Details: The Hungarian representative said that negotiations on a comprehensive cooperation agreement between Hungary and Ukraine are ongoing, and the agreement should emphasise "the restoration of the rights of the Hungarian national community". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paczolay added that during negotiations, they had made it clear to the Ukrainian side that Ukraines intention to join NATO could not be part of the agreement, emphasising that their position on this matter had been repeatedly and clearly expressed without any changes. He reiterated his earlier statement in Budapest that Ukraine's accession to NATO "would lead to the outbreak of World War III". Background: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Kyiv and Budapest were working on a bilateral agreement that would address security issues and Ukraine's accession to NATO. Zelenskyy claimed that as part of this agreement, Ukraine would ask Hungary "not to block" its future accession to the Alliance. This week, the European Commission acknowledged in a new report on enlargement that Ukraine has fulfilled the 2022 requirements, including those for Hungarians. Support UP or become our patron! The National Hurricane Center said Friday it is tracking three systems in the Atlantic, including one that is likely to become a tropical depression in the coming days. The NHC said a "broad area of low pressure" is likely to develop over the southwestern Caribbean Sea during the next day or so, and "gradual development" is possible thereafter. But for those keeping track in the U.S., forecasters have good news: It's unlikely the storm will track that far north, thanks to "hostile" winds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hurricane center gives the system a 70 percent chance of formation through the next seven days. The next named storms of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season will be Patty and Rafael. "A tropical depression is likely to form late this weekend or early next week while the system drifts" in the Caribbean Sea, hurricane center forecasters said Friday morning. Hurricane season 2024: Disastrous hurricane season costs soar past $100 billion in US, estimates say "Regardless or development, locally heavy rains are possible over portions of the adjacent land areas of the western Caribbean," the NHC said. Could the brewing storm affect the US? Forecasters say most long-range models keep the system away from the U.S. due to fierce winds over the Gulf of Mexico. "Hostile wind shear consistent with what wed expect in the Gulf in early November says this doesnt make it very far," noted WPLG-TV meteorologist Michael Lowry in his blog Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to AccuWeather, an area of high pressure expected to develop over the U.S. East Coast next week could be strong enough to push it into Central America or Mexico. The National Hurricane Center said Friday it is tracking three disturbances in the Atlantic, including one that could become a tropical depression this weekend or early next week. "So while whatever comes of the system could bring impacts to parts of Mexico and Central America next week, its unlikely the U.S. will see any significant impacts given the hostile upper-wind configuration of early November," Lowry said. He added that even if the system bends northward into the central or northern Gulf next week, itll get "quickly dismantled by a blistering wall of wind shear tearing across the entirety of the northern and central Gulf of Mexico." NHC keeping tabs on 2 other systems in Atlantic The hurricane center also said it is tracking two other systems in the Atlantic, although both have low chances of formation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first one is described by the NHC as a "trough of low pressure" located near Puerto Rico that is producing a "large area of showers and thunderstorms" over portions of the Greater Antilles and the adjacent waters of the Atlantic and northeastern Caribbean. "Slow development of this system is possible during the next few days as it moves west-northwestward near the Great Antilles," NHC forecasters said Friday morning, although after that time, the system is expected to be absorbed into the low pressure area over the Caribbean. "Regardless of development, locally heavy rains are possible during the next several days from the northern Leeward Islands westward across Puerto Rico and Hispaniola to eastern Cuba an the southeastern Bahamas," the NHC said Friday. The second system is described by the hurricane center as a "storm-force non-tropical low pressure area" located about 400 miles west of the western Azores. The system is producing limited shower activity, and some subtropical development is possible while the system moves eastward during the next few days, according to the NHC. Atlantic storm tracker Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Storm tracker: NHC tracking 3 disturbances in Atlantic In this file photo, the rotunda of the Idaho State Capitol is decked out in Christmas decorations. (Christina Lords/Idaho Capital Sun) The Idaho Capitols official Christmas tree is set to be cut Nov. 25 in downtown Boise. That day, the tree will be moved to the front of the Idaho State Capitol Building to become the official 2024 state Christmas tree, and a planned lighting ceremony will follow later. How to attend the Christmas tree cutting ceremony The tree will be cut and then moved to its typical spot in front of the Idaho State Capitol Building, the Idaho Department of Administration announced in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cutting will start at 9 a.m. Nov. 25 in front of the Len B. Jordan building, located at 650 W State St. in downtown Boise. Around 11 a.m., the tree will be moved to the Idaho State Capitol Building. The tree will be cut and rigged for lifting by the Idaho Department of Lands. Apex Crane Service will load the tree. The Idaho Transportation Department will haul it to the Idaho Statehouse. Boise police will escort. Early the next day after the cutting, facility services crew with the Department of Administration will start decorating inside the Capitol building, and stringing the tree with thousands of LED lights. From around 9-11 a.m., State Street between Sixth and Eighth Streets will be closed. From around 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a road closure is also expected for Jefferson Street in front of the Capitol building. Closure times may change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idaho Gov. Brad Little and first lady Teresa Little are planning to host the Statehouse Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Later, the governors office will announce event details. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A regional public health department in Idaho is no longer providing COVID-19 vaccines to residents in six counties after a narrow decision by its board. Southwest District Health appears to be the first in the nation to be restricted from giving COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccinations are an essential function of a public health department. While policymakers in Texas banned health departments from promoting COVID vaccines and Florida's surgeon general bucked medical consensus to recommend against the vaccine, governmental bodies across the country haven't blocked the vaccines outright. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I'm not aware of anything else like this, said Adriane Casalotti, chief of government and public affairs for the National Association of County and City Health Officials. She said health departments have stopped offering the vaccine because of cost or low demand, but not based on a judgment of the medical product itself. The six-county district along the Idaho-Oregon border includes three counties in the Boise metropolitan area. Demand for COVID vaccines in the health district has declined with 8,102 given in 2021 to 93 so far in 2024. The same is true for other vaccines: Idaho has the highest childhood vaccination exemption rate in the nation, and last year, the Southwest District Health Department rushed to contain a rare measles outbreak that sickened 10. On Oct. 22, the health departments board voted 4-3 in favor of the ban despite Southwest's medical director testifying to the vaccine's necessity. Our request of the board is that we would be able to carry and offer those (vaccines), recognizing that we always have these discussions of risks and benefits, Dr. Perry Jansen said at the meeting. This is not a blind, everybody-gets-a-shot approach. This is a thoughtful approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opposite Jansen's plea were more than 290 public comments, many of which called for an end to vaccine mandates or taxpayer funding of the vaccines, neither of which are happening in the district. At the meeting, many people who spoke are nationally known for making the rounds to testify against COVID vaccines, including Dr. Peter McCullough, a Texas cardiologist who sells contagion emergency kits that include ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine drugs that have not been approved to treat COVID-19 and can have dangerous side effects. Board Chairman Kelly Aberasturi was familiar with many of the voices who wanted the ban, especially from earlier local protests of pandemic measures. Aberasturi, who told The Associated Press that he's skeptical of COVID-19 vaccines and national public health leaders, said in the meeting and in an interview with the AP that he was supportive of but disappointed in the board's decision. He said the board had overstepped the relationship between patients and their doctors and possibly opened a door to blocking other vaccines or treatments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Board members in favor of the decision argued people can get vaccinated elsewhere, and that providing the shots was equivalent to signing off on their safety. (Some people may be reluctant to get vaccinated or boosted because of misinformation about the shots despite evidence that theyre safe and have saved millions of lives.) The people getting vaccinated at the health department including people without housing, people who are homebound and those in long-term care facilities or in the immigration process had no other options, Jansen and Aberasturi said. Ive been homeless in my lifetime, so I understand how difficult it can be when youre ... trying to get by and get ahead, Aberasturi said. This is where we should be stepping in and helping. "But we have some board members who have never been there, so they dont understand what its like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State health officials have said that they recommend that people consider the COVID-19 vaccine. Idaho health department spokesperson AJ McWhorter declined to comment on public health district business, but noted that COVID-19 vaccines are still available at community health centers for people who are uninsured. Aberasturi said he plans to ask at the next board meeting if the health department can at least be allowed to vaccinate older patients and residents of long-term care facilities, adding that the board is supposed to be caring for the health and well-being of the district's residents. "But I believe the way we went about this thing is we didn't do that due diligence. ___ This story has been corrected to show that The Associated Press, citing Southwest District Health statistics, erroneously reported the number of COVID-19 vaccines the district provided in 2021 and 2024. The count was 8,102, not 1,601, in 2021, and 93, not 64, in 2024. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Pro-cryptocurrency money is pouring into the 2024 election, with the industry having spent more than $119 million this cycle according to the watchdog group Public Citizen. More than 50 million Americans are estimated to own the digital money, not backed by government or banks. Crypto is a really important election issue, Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-N.C.) said. While American University Washington College of Law Professor Hilary Allen disagrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honestly I dont think this is an issue thats on many voters minds at all, Allen said. But it is an issue seeing a lot of money, which could lead to a more pro-crypto Capitol Hill. This is really a tool for financial inclusion, Nickel said. Candidates for the White House are also courting the crypto vote. Former President Donald Trump told a Bitcoin conference in July hed make the U.S. the crypto capital of the planet. And in a break from the current administrations crackdown on the industry, Vice President Kamala Harris has signaled support for crypto. If there is a Trump win, I think we will see very crypto friendly policy. I think if theres a Harris win, I think itll really come down to who gets key positions in the administration, Allen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen says much of the pro-crypto rhetoric ignores the risks. If you want to gamble, I guess thats fine, but you should be aware thats what youre doing, Allen said. Allen says when it comes to casting your ballot: What you should be thinking about is where is this money coming from, Allen said. Think about who the candidates are and what they can do for you on the issues that you actually do care about. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. A federal judge on Thursday sentenced an incarcerated man to 10 additional years in prison after he admitted making repeated threats to a judge and former probation officer and threatening to blow up the Thomas F. Eagleton Federal Courthouse in downtown St. Louis. Richard L. Russell, 58, pleaded guilty to two counts of retaliating against a federal official, two counts of mailing threatening communications, and one count of threatening to destroy a building by fire or explosion. The case was tried in the U.S. Court for Eastern Missouri, but Steven Weinhoeft, assistant U.S. attorney for Southern Illinois, served as special prosecutor in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recommending the maximum sentencing allowable, Weinhoeft described Russell as a lifelong criminal who harbors an obsessional hatred for the sentencing judge and wrote consistently about dark fantasies of retribution against the court officials and other threats including rape, incest, murder and school shootings. According to court documents, Russell has been in prison since 2013, when he was sentenced to serve 112 months for threatening to murder a U.S. magistrate judge. But on June 1, 2022, the most recent criminal complaint against him stated, officials at the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse received two similar handwritten letters containing death threats addressed to a sitting federal judge and retired probation officer. Each were signed by Russell and mailed from the Grady County Criminal Justice Authority, a Bureau of Prisons transfer facility in Chickasaw, Oklahoma. A deputy U.S. marshal recovered the letters and envelopes, which were included in a sentencing memorandum written by Weinhoeft and filed with the court record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russells animosity toward the judge and probation officer had been simmering for over a decade and because he is in prison he is powerless to carry out his threats by any means other than written correspondence, Weinhoeft wrote in the memorandum to the sentencing judge. A lengthy term of imprisonment is required to ensure he remains in prison for a long time, he wrote. The threatening letters Russell sent to the judge were graphic in their violent details strewn with profanity. I cant stand the sentencing judge at all, one said. I am going to blow that son a bitch (expletive) brains out. I promise you that st. I am going to blow your (expletive) brains out. You (expletive) me over in 2013. You gave me 112 months for no reason at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russell wrote in the letters that he plots every day to kill the judge. Ive got nothing to lose, he wrote. Other times, Russell graphically described in horrific detail prior crimes that he claims to have perpetrated, such as raping a 60-year old woman in Brinkley, Arkansas in 1994, sentencing referendum said. Weinhoeft said Russell has suffered a lifetime of psychological issues, but that they do not affect his thinking ability to follow through on complex tasks. He understands what hes doing, Weinhoeft wrote in his memorandum to the judge. Federal judges, probation officers and prosecutors with the Eastern District of Missouri were recused from this case. The U.S. Marshals Service led the investigation. Judges and probation officers serve the public by upholding the rule of law and supervising offenders in the court system. To threaten their lives for doing their jobs in abhorrent, said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe in a release. This offender will spend another decade in prison for sending death threats and making threats of violence. The incoming Los Angeles Police Department chief stands to get paid more than L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, the leaders of the police departments in New York and Chicago the nation's two largest and even the president of the United States. The Board of Police Commissioners, the LAPD's civilian oversight body, has proposed paying Jim McDonnell an annual salary of $507,509 significantly more than the chief he replaced, Michel Moore. The salary proposal, put forward Thursday, is expected to be discussed at next week's Commission meeting and still requires City Council approval. The compensation is on the high end of the pay range advertised months ago for the position by Bob Murray and Associates, the Northern California firm that led the nationwide chief search. The half-million-dollar figure represents McDonnell's proposed base salary and doesn't include benefits or potential bonuses; nor does it encompass any pension payments that he is collecting from his previous law enforcement stops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonnell didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment through a department spokesperson. Read more: What type of LAPD chief will Jim McDonnell be? Clues may lie in the past The salary is sure to draw resistance, amid broader conversations around police spending amid the city's growing financial woes. Last year, the council approved a four-year package of raises and bonuses for rank-and-file police officers over the objections of critics who said the deal is too expensive and would take away from paying for basic services. City leaders in April also signed off on pay increases for the department's command-level officers, who have a separate union. Under the terms of that contract, a senior deputy chief can eventually make an annual salary of $437,937. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonnell was appointed to the chief's job last month, beating out two other finalists for the job: LAPD deputy chief Emada Tingirides and Robert "Bobby" Arcos, a former assistant chief who works for the L.A County District Attorney's office. McDonnell appeared before the council's public safety committee on Tuesday to answer questions about his views on immigration, traffic enforcement and unarmed alternatives to police responses. After a public comment period dominated by speakers opposing his appointment, the committee voted 4-1 to forward his name for consideration by the full council on Nov. 8. If confirmed, McDonnell would be sworn in on Nov. 14. He has for the last several years worked at USC, where he ran the schools Safe Communities Institute. Records released by the city show that McDonnell has also disclosed operating a consulting company, which draws in between $10,0001 and $100,000 a year. His predecessor's salary also came under scrutiny. When Moore was first hired, his base salary from the Police Department was $350,000. But in total he collected nearly $600,000 a year after enrolling in a controversial retirement plan known as the Deferred Retirement Option Plan, or DROP, which pays veteran cops and firefighters essentially double for the last five years of their careers. Moore briefly retired before taking over as chief, earning a a lump sum retirement payment of $1.27 million from the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Historically, some LAPD chiefs have outearned their civilian bosses, the mayor. Even with the extra zeros in his banking account, McDonnell still won't be the highest-paid executive in the city. Department of Water and Power general manager Janisse Quinones, appointed to the role this spring, will earn $750,000 a year nearly twice as much as her predecessor, Marty Adams. Read more: A top detective alleges the LAPD is toxic toward women. Will her lawsuit bring change? Chuck Wexler, executive director of the Police Executive Research Forum, a policing think tank based in Washington, said the LAPD chief's job traditionally is one of the highest if not highest salaries in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roughly three-fourths of big-city police departments have seen a leadership change in recent years, which comes as police budgets have held steady or increased in cities across the country, Wexler said. Police officer salaries have gone up across the country, driven by the significant increase in retirements and resignations," Wexler said. So the whole compensation of policing has shot up exponentially, so I would say that chief salaries have gone up at the same level. A 2021 PERF study found that about 7% of the 335 chiefs polled reported an annual salary of more than $250,000. The last two permanent commissioners of the New York Police Department had a salary of about $243,000, according to news accounts. Garry McArthur, the superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, makes roughly $260,000 a year, city records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By comparison, whoever wins the presidential election, Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, will be paid $400,000 yearly to serve as U.S. commander in chief. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. As India eyes the prospect of more Chinese and Pakistani warships and submarines traversing the Indian Ocean, Delhi is boosting its nuclear-powered submarine fleet. India is now working on a new class of attack submarines (SSN) after the government approved 400 billion rupees (US$4.8 billion) for the construction of an initial two 6,000-ton boats. Local media reported that more than 90% of the boats content will come from domestic sources, and that an eventual six SSNs in this class are planned for the Indian Navy (IN). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The submarines will help the sea service keep tabs on Chinese activity in the Indian Ocean and monitor strategic waterways like the Malacca Strait, Gulf of Aden and Persian Gulf. Chinas naval presence in the Indian Ocean has been gradually increasing, spurred by ongoing Gulf of Aden counter-piracy rotations since 2008. The SSNs will be armed with torpedoes and BrahMos anti-ship, land-attack missiles, but it will be many years before the first vessel built in Visakhapatnam enters service. Delhi has previously leased SSNs from Russia, most recently an Akula-class boat from 2011-2021. After years of delay, another Akula may be leased from 2028 as a stopgap. However, constructing its own boats means India will become more self-sufficient in the future. As well as SSNs, India is investing in nuclear-powered, ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN). In August, INS Arighaat, a 6,000-ton SSBN, was commissioned in Visakhapatnam. This is Indias second SSBN, after INS Arihant entered service in 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, India is surging ahead to become a developed country, said Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh. Its essential for us to develop rapidly in every field, including defense, especially in todays geopolitical scenario. Along with economic prosperity, we need a strong military. Singh asserted that the 111.6m-long Arighaat will strengthen Indias nuclear triad, enhance nuclear deterrence, help establish strategic balance and peace in the region, and play a decisive role in Indias security. It took a protracted 15 years to construct Arighaat. No photos are publicly available of the vessel, whose keel was laid in 2009 and which was launched in 2017. A Ministry of Defence press release states: The technological advancements undertaken indigenously on this submarine make it significantly more advanced than its predecessor Arihant. The presence of both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat will enhance Indias capability to deter potential adversaries and safeguard its national interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Modifications are believed to be a larger missile capacity, improved internal design and better propulsion. The MoD stated, The construction of INS Arighaat involved the use of advanced design and manufacturing technology, detailed research and development, utilization of special materials, complex engineering and highly skilled workmanship. A third SSBN, measuring some 20m longer and designated S4, should commission in 2025. Then, as India continues to boost its sea-based nuclear triad, a fourth 7,000-ton SSBN called S4* was launched on Oct. 16. Oct. 31 (UPI) -- India is eying a return to the moon in 2028, aiming to collect 6.6 pounds of lunar samples from an area thought to be rich in water and ice near the lunar south pole, the Indian Space Research Organization has announced. The mission is projected to cost about $253 billion in U.S. dollars, the agency said. ISRO will work to perfect several new types of technology before launching the Chandrayaan-4 2028 lunar mission, including the ability to scoop material from the moon's surface and drill six feet into the subsurface. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chandrayaan-4, India's moon sample collector, is expected to complete that trip then follow up with a joint lander and rover expedition with one with Japan called LUPEX. It's a collaboration between ISRO and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. As part of the LUPEX mission, India will provide the lander, parts of the payloads and oversee mission planning. Japan will contribute the launch vehicle, various payloads and the lunar rover. A simulated image of the landing of Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the south pole of the moon in 2023. India has announced plans to return to the lunar surface in three years. File Image by Indian Space Organization (ISRO)/ UPI Payloads will include ground penetrating radar, spectrometers and water analysis instruments. Both India and Japan will contribute those items. The LUPEX mission is scheduled to happen in 2028 or 2029. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ISRO has a long history of space exploration and has been building up its launch capabilities since the early 1960s. The country launched its first satellite, called Aryabhata, into orbit aboard a Soviet rocket in 1969. A new state report shows Indiana's average teacher salary was $60,557 during the 2023-24 school year. (Getty Images) As Republican state lawmakers applaud a new report showing that, for the first time, Indianas average annual teacher pay exceeded $60,000, Democratic leaders continue to push for a state salary minimum that would ensure all educators make at least that much from day one. The average teacher salary in Indiana during the last school year was recorded at $60,557 up from $58,531 the year prior according to the 2023-24 state teacher compensation report by the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board (IEERB). Before that, average annual salaries were $56,609 in 2021-2022 and $ 53,991 in 2020-21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lowest teacher salary reported was $40,000 the current state-mandated minimum. The highest was $110,000. Teacher pay is ultimately set by local school districts. Nearly all 98% of Hoosier school districts gave teachers a raise last year, benefitting about 92% of educators statewide, the report indicated. Story continues below. 2023-24-Teacher-Compensation-Report-FINAL-3 The IEERB reported that about 32,000 full-time Hoosier teachers earned above the 2023-2023 statewide average, while roughly 31,300 educators still earned below that margin. The report cited 63,462 full-time teachers employed during the academic year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond, who chairs the senate education committee, lauded the new salary report in a weekly email to constituents, as did multiple other members of his caucus. He additionally pointed to a 2023 law he sponsored that ensures at least 62% of schools state tuition support is used for teacher salaries and benefits. Raatz emphasized, too, that in 2021, Indiana lawmakers included a provision in the previous state budget that barred schools from reducing the total amount budgeted for teacher salaries, with limited exceptions. Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb and other top state GOP officials have repeatedly said they intend to make teacher pay competitive with surrounding states and get Indianas average teacher salary up to $60,000. The same increase was recommended by the governors 2020 Next Level Teacher Compensation Commission. Democratic lawmakers have made numerous unsuccessful attempts in recent years to pass definitive teacher pay boost legislation. The partys gubernatorial candidate, Jennifer McCormick, specifically said in her platform that she will fight for a minimum base salary of $60,000 for all Hoosier teachers, and adjustments for veteran teachers salaries to reflect their non-educator peers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An education plan released by her GOP competitor, Mike Braun, called for raises to Hoosier teachers base salaries, and guaranteed professional benefits like new parent leave, as well as improved health insurance options. Brauns campaign has not indicated a specific teacher pay minimum, however, nor does it detail how much the proposal would cost overall. New data shows progress The IEERB has issued its Collective Bargaining Report each year since 2013. All Hoosier school corporations and employers that bargain with an exclusive representative organization are required to complete the survey. In the latest analysis, 304 entities submitted data for the latest analysis; 289 were traditional public schools, nine were special education cooperatives, and six were career centers. (Graph from the Indiana Education Enrollment Relations Boards 2023-24 teacher compensation report) Total salary costs for all teachers across Indiana totaled more than $3.8 billion. At least 287 school corporations use federal grants and 52 use property tax referendums to support teacher salaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The total compensation for all teachers which accounts for salaries, benefits, stipends and other supplemental pay surpassed $5 billion. Including benefits, the average teacher compensation in Indiana is nearly $80,000, per the IEERB numbers. Indianas newest teachers those with just one year of experience averaged $48,129 per year. Average pay increased with more years spent in the classroom: five years of experience: $52,268 10 years of experience: $56,993 15 years of experience: $62,810 20 years of experience: $70,235 25 years of experience: $75,215 30 or more years of experience: $78,613 During the last school year, the average Indiana teacher had 13 years of experience. Push for higher pay continues Nearly 3,600 new-to-teaching hires were also brought into school during 2023-24, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, 4,464 full-time teachers who already had classroom experience were hired by districts across the state. Another 1,149 teachers retired. About as many teachers are being retained. According to the IEERB survey data, 55,971 teachers were retained in 2023-24 from the previous year. Thats compared to 55,227, the year before. There were 55,682 teachers who stayed in classrooms in 2021-22, and 56,999 in 2020-21. Indianas average teacher salary is ranked 36th in the United States by the National Education Association as of September. The states average teacher starting salary is ranked 28th. Hoosier lawmakers will craft the states next two-year budget during the upcoming 2025 legislative session, during which school funding and teacher pay are expected to be debated. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Indiana Supreme Court heard a case that could impact all local county elected officials. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Are elected officials entitled to health insurance regardless of the number of hours they work? That question is before the Indiana Supreme Court, who heard arguments in a Perry County case Thursday that could have statewide implications for local officials. The case began after the Perry County commissioners discontinued health insurance coverage for certain part-time county employees in June 2023. A Perry County councilman, Keith Huck, sued and sought an injunction to keep his insurance. He works about nine hours a month, according to evidence in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A local judge granted Hucks injunction, but the Indiana Court of Appeals disagreed. The appeal to the Indiana Supreme court is interlocutory, meaning it is occurring while the case is ongoing. This court should declare that local unit elected officials who work less than 30 hours a week should be part-time employees for purposes of group health benefits, said attorney Maggie Smith, representing Perry County. Exempting all local unit elected officials from being considered part-time employees will have such a drastic fiscal impact on the publics fisc that such an exemption should be the result of a public policy decision of the Legislature, and that has not happened yet, she added. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She argued that state law gives local units the right to not offer health insurance to part-time employees and thats what Perry County did when facing a fiscal crisis. The decision impacted 12 of the 21 local elected officials they deemed part-time, including the Perry County commissioners who made the decision. Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush pointed out that state law says elected county officials are not required to report hours and cant determine or change compensation based on the number of hours worked. She asked if insurance is part of compensation. Smith said it isnt part of compensation at the county level and said counties are allowed to exempt part-time employees from health care benefits. She also acknowledged confusion between statutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I agree with you that these statutes, as is sometimes the case, are not the pillar of clarity, but the answer to that in this case is precisely why this court should not create rights that have such a significant financial impact, she said. Justice Geoffrey Slaughter said county council members on the same board could work different hours and therefore one could be eligible for insurance and the other not. Supreme Court Justice Mark Massa also noted there are elected county prosecutors in smaller communities that might not meet 30 hours a week. Attorney Robert Burkart, representing Huck, said a county can choose not to offer insurance at all, but if they do, then elected officials have a right to participate. Slaughter questioned that contention: Essential to your argument is that the county cannot treat elected officials as part-time employees. But where does it say that? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burkart said justices must look at a progression of statutes from 1957 to 1990 and to a non-binding attorney general opinion from 1978. Basically, the General Assembly giveth and only the General Assembly can taketh away from elected officials if the insurance is offered, he said. The court also has to consider whether Huck losing county-paid insurance counts as irreparable harm that would require an injunction. Smith said Huck could have gone on COBRA insurance or bought a plan on the marketplace. But Burkart said the plans would have different levels of protection and there would be continuity of care issues. But Slaughter said Huck can receive damages at the end of the case if he wins to cover his losses. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A Mahoning County grand jury has returned indictments in a Youngstown murder case. Andre Bailey, Vincent Marbley and Eddie Winphrie are each charged with two counts of aggravated murder with firearm specifications, murder with a firearm specification, aggravated robbery with a firearm specification, tampering with evidence and having weapons under disability. Daniel Ramsey faces charges of involuntary manslaughter with a firearm specification and tampering with evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richard Lightner and Shawn Jones are each charged with tampering with evidence. The six were charged in connection with the Oct. 18 shooting death of Reynaldo Hernadez, 24. Hernandez was found about 6:50 a.m. at a cemetery at Wardle Avenue and Liberty Road. Police believe he was shot the night before at a home on Bott Street. Investigators have not yet said how Hernandez ended up where he was found. Police arrested Ramsey last week in New Castle, Pa., and he is now in the Mahoning County Jail. Lightner and Jones are in jail on $150,000 bond after they were arraigned last week in municipal court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bailey is in jail on $1 million bond. U.S. Marshals are still looking for Marbley and Winphrie. Joe Gorman contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Bay County, Fla. (WMBB) The invention of the printing press was the beginning of mass communications, you might say it was the original social media. The Panama City Publishing Company Museum is honoring the nearly lost art of the printing press in November, with an exhibit called Ink! Without ink, you cant print. It is an important part of the printing press. The exhibit shows how ink has changed through the centuries. There are artifacts from the 1800s, like letters, poetry, and stained clay used by ancient Egyptians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bay District Police hold Trunk or Treat to reward student attendance You can also see the pen and ink used by George Mortimer and Lillian West. November 1st is Fountain Pen Day. There will be a pen and ink meetup from 5:30 to 7 pm. Writers and artists interested in fountain pens can see the different types of inks and pens. Youre going to be able to look at some different inks that were made with walnut, with different teas, and with coffee. There are all kinds of things that you can make ink with, Historic St. Andrews Waterfront Partnership Executive Director Lisa Barnes-Tapscott said. One of the Panama City Publishing Company Museums goals is to preserve the history of the printing press. Volunteers still come in almost every day to print on the museums three printing presses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. DUCHESNE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A Duchesne County inmate is facing charges of drug possession within a correctional facility after he reportedly snuck a bag of methamphetamine into Duchesne County Jail and sprinkled the substance over other inmates food. Kane Olvera-Swain, 20, now faces charges of possession of a controlled substance within a correctional facility, a third-degree felony; distribution, offering, or arranging distribution of a controlled substance, a second-degree felony; surreptitious administering of a certain substance, a third-degree felony; and use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a class B misdemeanor. 60K fentanyl pills seized by local, federal authorities, man arrested on drug charges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a probable cause statement obtained by ABC4.com, officers of Duchesne County Jail searched Olvera-Swains tote where they found a baggy that had a white, crystalline substance consistent with that of methamphetamine. The inmate was shocked [officers] found meth. Officers had this inmate drug test and he was clean of any drugs, the probable cause statement said. Authorities also spoke with other inmates who said that Olvera-Swain had been acting strange. An inmate who had borrowed a pen from Olvera-Swain said that the pen tasted like meth. That inmate was tested for drugs and he tested positive for meth. It was indicated that he had placed the drugs into other peoples food as well. [They] did not know about it. Kane admitted to sprinkling meth into other inmates food so that if the pod was drug tested, then he wouldnt be the only one to test positive, the probable cause statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police then went to interview Olvera-Swain who originally said that he knew nothing of the substance. He later reportedly admitted to authorities that he smuggled the bag of meth into the jail, and knowingly distributed it to a few other people who also knew what it was. Olvera-Swain said the other inmates took it willingly. Authorities charged Olvera-Swain while he stayed in Duchesne County Jail. 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. LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) A Laurel County official apologized on Friday after receiving backlash for his Halloween costume. Halloween happened to be the first day of no-excuse early voting in Kentucky. While many were gearing up for trick-or-treating, over 200,000 Kentuckians hit the polls, according to Secretary of State Michael Adams. RELATED: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laurel County Clerk Tony Brown went with an election-themed costume, which some called distasteful and unprofessional. The costume was a play on hanging chads, an issue that stalled the results of the 2000 Al Gore v. George W. Bush election. Hanging chads were the result of paper ballots that werent properly punched, leaving remnants of paper behind that kept the ballot from being read properly through the machine. According to History.com, this led to multiple recounts that lasted several weeks in a race that was simply too close to call. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown shared a photo of his costume on his countys official Facebook page thats since been deleted. In the photo, Brown dons a red t-shirt that reads Hi! Im Chad, with a noose around his neck. Laurel County Clerk Tony Brown apologized on Friday after receiving backlash for his Halloween costume (Tony Brown Laurel County Clerk) On Thursday evening, Brown formally apologized on Facebook. I want to apologize for my Halloween costume today. I was trying to be funny and make a joke about Bush/Gore election and I did not think about how that could be offensive and insensitive. It was poor judgment on my part and I am truly sorry that I hurt people I care about, Brown wrote. The costume controversy came after the Attorney Generals Office reported to the Laurel County Courthouse annex after a video of a ballot marking machine malfunctioning went viral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more of the latest Kentucky news The Attorney Generals Office has since deemed the issue as a result of user error, and the machine has been cleared for voters to use. All Kentucky voters can have confidence that our elections are secure and any potential issues will be addressed quickly, Attorney General Russell Coleman assured voters on X. In response to Browns apology, many stood by his character while others appreciated Brown taking accountability. Im so sorry Tony. Those of us that know you know that you would never do anything that you thought would hurt someone, one comment read. I know its been a very stressful day with early voting, machine glitches, and now this. Get some rest, my friend, Im praying for you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement YOUR LOCAL ELECTION HEADQUARTERS | Read more Ky. election coverage I know there will be a lot that think its funny but coming from a person that is in leadership I truly thought it was unprofessional and distasteful. I thank you for apologizing, another said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. In the first days of April 2020, Internal Revenue Service workers were on the verge of a victory lap. Despite tight deadlines imposed by Congress and pandemic-caused supply chain disruptions making it hard to secure paper, they were on track to disburse billions of dollars of economic stimulus payments and more than 100 million notices to recipients. Then, Donald Trump swooped in. He had a demand unprecedented in recent times: to include his signature prominently with the support payments. It blindsided IRS workers, forcing them to miss key deadlines and delaying the mailing of payment notices for several days, according to documents obtained by HuffPost through the Freedom of Information Act. Staff feared Trumps overt politicization of the COVID support payments would tarnish the agencys reputation, with some worrying that their actions violated federal law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The effort, orchestrated by the White House and former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, gained wide attention at the time, with critics accusing Trump of violating the Hatch Act by mobilizing federal resources to benefit his reelection campaign against current President Joe Biden. The Justice Department did not pursue any action against Trump for his self-branding of the stimulus package, which was passed by Congress with bipartisan support. Former President Donald Trump's name appears on the coronavirus economic assistance checks that were sent to citizens across the country on April 29, 2020, in Washington, D.C. Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images But the documents, first reported by Bloomberg News, highlight the degree to which Trumps self-aggrandizement disrupted the agencys efforts to get the stimulus payments and notices sent under tight deadlines and pandemic-era resource shortages. Former President Barack Obama has recently harped on Trumps efforts to take credit for the stimulus checks. I often hear folks say, Donald Trump sent me a check during the pandemic, Obama tweeted Monday. I want to make sure you understand this: Congress sent you a check. By the way, Joe Biden also sent you a check during the pandemic, just like I gave people relief during the Great Recession. The difference is that we didnt put our names on it because it wasnt about feeding our egos or advancing our politics, it was about helping people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IRS had already drafted its notice to recipients of economic impact payments and was finalizing its negotiations with vendors to mail the notices on April 10, 2020, when staff began to receive word that Trump wanted his name to appear prominently somewhere on the check, the notice, or both. Staff heard about it unexpectedly from a Treasury functionary without direct confirmation from then-IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig, leaving them confused about whether the instructions they received were correct. The Treasury Department is the parent agency of the IRS. Did Counsel push back on this? Jeffrey Tribiano, the IRS Deputy Commissioner for Operations, wrote in an email. Did anyone raise the concern about how this makes the IRS appear? Mnuchin and Trumps last-minute change paralyzed the process for days, as the agency received contradictory and constantly changing guidance from the Treasury Department and the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first, it appeared they wanted Trumps signature on the check. But the president cannot legally disburse funds, so that idea was abandoned in favor of putting his name on the memo line of the check. For several days IT workers were left in the dark about whether or how to include Trumps name. The White House then made clear it wanted Americans to also receive a letter signed by Trump. The IRS then substituted a routine letter informing recipients that they had received a payment with a far more dramatic one penned by the White House that praised its own efforts to wage total war on this invisible enemy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House version did not include key information about what recipients should do if they do not receive their payments within seven days even though the prior IRS draft did. The letter bore Trumps printed name below a large image of his illegible signature, a series of broad squiggles resembling an EKG reading. Implementing the changes posed repeated technical problems. The IRS, now clearly doing the bidding of the White House, did not know whether to include its agency logo on the letter, or whether to use its own return address. Hours away from the deadline to send the letter to printing vendors, the White House told the IRS it wanted Americans to receive Trumps letter on official White House letterhead. The White House didnt provide the graphics, however, leaving IRS workers to Google White House stationary. IRS staff ultimately just included a header reading The White House above the word Washington. The letter was supposed to read in English on the front and Spanish on the back, but Trumps oversized, fat-lettered signature did not line up on both sides, making portions of the letter unreadable. Workers struggled to match the font of the Spanish translation with the English original, and worried about the political implications of translating the words White House at the top of the letter into Spanish. IRS workers wonder whether they should translate "The White House" into Spanish. IRS People might be shocked! shocked! to see translating in la Casablanca [sic], IRS Assistant Director of Media and Publications Rick Baker quipped in an email in which his colleagues contemplated the change. The final translation left White House in English. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House also insisted on mailing out a letter that is as traditional as possible, so it looks like it is being sent from the president, IRS Publishing Director Steve Manno wrote on April 10. At least one vendor, however, had already committed to mailing the notice as a self-mailer a single, enclosed sheet with perforated edges. IRS staff repeatedly raised concerns about the ethics and legality of branding the federal payments with Trumps name. Nice political statement, one staffer wrote in an email. Did we do this with Bush and Obama A letter from the president. The one thing I want to document and get for us on the IRS side is a position from the OGE [Office of Government Ethics] that the IRS is not violating the HATCH act and our team who working [sic] and process the notice are not liable in respect to Hatch and the law, IRS Wage and Investment Commissioner Kenneth Corbin wrote in an April 11 email. The Office of Legal Counsel concluded by April 14 that putting Trumps name on the memo line of stimulus checks approved by Congress did not amount to using government resources to support his future reelection. IRS FOIA redacted all legal discussions from the documents, citing attorney-client privilege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is interesting about OLC, an IRS lawyer wrotein an email. It least [sic] that will provide some authoritative cover. IRS staff, however, continued to worry about how Trumps actions made the agency look. As late as April 14, days after the agency had blown its deadline to send its notice to print vendors over Trumps 11th-hour changes, Commissioner Rettig was urging the Treasury Public Affairs Office to pro-actively share the existence of the letter, citing a request for information from the House Ways and Means Committee. The White House clearly raised costs by butting into the process, though its unclear by how much or who bore them. Missing the deadline forced the agency to renegotiate its pricing with vendors, but the IRS FOIA Office redacted all discussions related to pricing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Halting the distribution of notices while the agency sorted out how to put Trumps name on economic impact payment checks without violating the law forced vendors to rent and guard tractor trailers holding millions of letters at an estimated cost of $50,000 per day. The Government Printing Office said that this cost was ultimately not charged, however. And the White Houses insistence on mailing out its notice as a traditional letter sealed in an envelope was 25% more expensive than a self-mailer. Intelligence agencies on Friday condemned Russian interference in the U.S. election, identifying the U.S. adversary as being behind a recent video amplifying false claims of Haitians attempting to vote in Georgia. The [intelligence community] assesses that Russian influence actors manufactured a recent video that falsely depicted individuals claiming to be from Haiti and voting illegally in multiple counties in Georgia, the FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said in a joint statement. This judgment is based on information available to the IC and prior activities of other Russian influence actors, including videos and other disinformation activities. The Georgia Secretary of State has already refuted the videos claims as false. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Thursday called for X and other social media platforms to remove content he said was obviously fake and part of a disinformation effort. Earlier today, our office became aware of a video purporting to show a Haitian immigrant with multiple Georgia IDs claiming to have voted multiple times, Raffensperger said. This is false, and is an example of targeted disinformation weve seen this election. It is likely foreign interference attempting to sow discord and chaos on the eve of the election. The joint statement went on to also flag as false a video accusing second gentleman Doug Emhoff of accepting a bribe from P. Diddy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian influence actors also manufactured a video falsely accusing an individual associated with the Democratic presidential ticket of taking a bribe from a U.S. entertainer, the intelligence agencies said. U.S. intelligence agencies have identified Russia as being behind a number of different efforts to flood social media sites with false claims that inflame American divisions. In an assessment released two weeks before the election, the intelligence agencies warned that Russia was ramping up its tactics. The IC is increasingly confident that Russian actors are consideringand in some cases implementinga broad range of influence efforts timed with the election, the ODNI said in a report, using an abbreviation for the intelligence community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of these are aimed at inciting violence and calling into question the validity of democracy as a political system, regardless of who wins. Others are aimed at amplifying false information and conspiraciesthat may exacerbate post-election tensions in the United States. Updated at 4:17 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. U.S. elections are free, fair and secure, research shows but about 20% of Americans still said in a September 2024 Gallup survey that they are not at all confident that the presidential election results will be accurate. Faith has been declining in the integrity of U.S. elections in recent years, and the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection revealed how deadly and dangerous this mistrust can be. Most countries in the world, from Bolivia to Sierra Leone, invite independent international election monitors people who visit polling sites and monitor the technologies voters use to cast their ballots to promote election integrity and public confidence in elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the U.S. government supports nonpartisan election monitors in other countries, this practice has a low profile in U.S. elections and varies in its prevalence across the states. A team of 79 independent international election observers began monitoring the election process across the U.S. on Oct. 5, 2024. This group is trained by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, or the OSCE, an international organization that promotes peace and democracy and does election monitoring in other countries. The U.S. invited this group in March 2024 to observe the presidential election. The U.S. government regularly sends out election monitors across the country. There are also thousands of anticipated partisan observers affiliated with both the Republican and Democratic parties who will be at polling places monitoring the balloting and counting of the votes. Nonpartisan observers who are receiving support and training from well-known nonprofit groups that try to advance democracy globally, like the Carter Center, will also monitor the vote in New Mexico. We are scholars of democracy, elections and public opinion. The U.S. could likely benefit in terms of public confidence from giving greater access and paying more attention to credible, nonpartisan election monitors who observe what happens before, on and after Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Research shows that election monitoring can help make elections more democratic and boost peoples trust in the process. International election observers from The Carter Center present their credentials to a soldier standing guard outside of a polling station in Caracas, Venezuela, during the presidential election on July 28, 2024. Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty Images What election monitors do Election monitoring most often involves independent and impartial people observing elections. Sometimes, these observers come from other countries and are part of international organizations such as the European Union, as well as nongovernmental groups like the Carter Center. Credible foreign observers have the common goal of assessing whether an election is conducted fairly, transparently and in line with international standards for democratic elections. People can also observe elections within their own countries, according to related standards. Observers might check to see whether polling stations open and close on time on Election Day and whether eligible voters are casting their ballots freely and without intimidation. They can also track and publicize any inability to gather information. Their influence comes from their reputations as quality sources of information on election integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the October 2024 presidential election in Mozambique, for example, European Union election observers were critical of some parts of the process, because they were prevented to observe tabulation processes in some districts and provinces. Governments in countries where an election is taking place generally invite international election monitors to observe. In other cases, countries are members of international organizations, such as the OSCE, whose members are expected to invite observers to their elections. Nearly every country in the world has invited international election observers to its national elections at least once. About 80% of national elections in countries including Bangladesh, Moldova, Nigeria and Ghana have had international election monitors present in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well-trained international monitors observe the entirety of a countrys election cycle not just on Election Day. Before an election, monitors assess the political and media environment and gather information about voter registration and campaigning. On Election Day, they visit polling stations to ensure that voters are not being intimidated and the voting technology is working appropriately. In some countries, voting may occur over multiple days or even weeks. After the election, observers oversee the counting of ballots and resolution of election disputes. Finally, they issue reports that detail their assessments about an elections integrity and make suggestions about how election quality can be improved in the future. Election monitoring usually strengthens democracy High-quality election monitoring improves the quality of elections and ultimately strengthens democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, election monitors can help deter fraud. Would-be cheaters do not want to be caught by monitors if they try to inflate vote counts. When international observers were present at polling stations in Armenia during the countrys 2003 presidential election, they were estimated to reduce fraud by about 6%. Second, when independent election monitors uncover evidence of wrongdoing, such as improper vote-counting procedures, they publicize it. This public attention can reach domestic and international audiences and generally leads to more accountability during and after an election. International monitors criticized the election process in Serbia and Georgia in 2003. This attention helped the public mobilize and protest the flawed elections, ultimately leading to the ousting of dictators in Serbia and Georgia. Monitors can also reassure the public that elections are genuinely democratic. We conducted survey research in Tunisia following the countrys 2011 revolution. The countrys first democratic elections that same year could have been mired in uncertainty given a long history of authoritarianism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We found that international election observers presence and reports contributed to Tunisians beliefs that the elections were democratic, although the effects were dependent on the identity of the observers as well as the party identification of the Tunisian voter. Election monitorings potential pitfalls Still, election monitoring has a few downsides. Protests about flawed elections might lead to government repression and violence against protesters, as happened in Kenya in 2007. Second, even high-quality election monitors have their biases. Sometimes, they are less critical of flawed elections when they are worried about election violence or for other reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, some authoritarian regimes especially those connected with Russia have increasingly invited sham observers who endorse flawed elections. This helps dictators create a facade of legitimacy for their elections. Members of the European Unions Election Observation Mission speak ahead of the presidential election in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in September 2024. Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP via Getty Images Lessons for the US Since the early 2000s, the U.S. has hosted international observers like the ones now observing the election who are part of and trained by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The U.S. is a member of this group. The OSCE observers have generally been complimentary about the democratic character of U.S. elections, although they also suggest areas for improvement. Their 2020 report issued immediately after the November presidential election was pointed in its criticism of Trumps efforts to undermine trust in the election. U.S.-based groups such as the League of Women Voters also train nonpartisan election monitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State laws vary greatly on whether and how observers can even monitor elections. Sixteen states, including North Carolina and Pennsylvania, officially authorized only partisan poll watchers as of 2016 although they may have unofficially allowed nonpartisan groups to observe. Indeed, partisan poll watchers are more often seen at U.S. elections, and their presence may have mixed effects on voter confidence. Some states that dont allow nonpartisan election observers are missing a key opportunity to enhance transparency and accountability through a mechanism that has been proven globally to promote electoral reform. Just as important, Americans in many states are missing the chance to hear from the nonpartisan groups that are most likely to reassure them about election quality. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Sarah Bush, University of Pennsylvania and Lauren Prather, University of California, San Diego Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Sarah Bush receives funding from Public Agenda and States United Democracy Center. Lauren Prather receives funding from Public Agenda and States United Democracy Center. Social media users have claimed that they can create authentic voter ballots from King County, Washington, using a real address but under a fake name. Some users have alleged this is evidence of voter fraud. However, the King County Elections office clarified that while internet users are able to generate a provisional ballot online, those ballots would not be processed nor counted unless that person was a verified registered voter in the county. One Facebook user reported that she was able to download an authentic ballot through the countys website. She wrote: It literally just created a voter ballot for a random fake named individual that I created at a random address in one of the countys towns that I can print out and mail in and vote!!!! While the post was initially shared to a private Facebook group, it soon went viral after another Facebook user reposted it to their public account. Why is it so easy to create and issue real/official ballots to fake voters? one X user asked, including in their post a video demonstrating how they accessed an authentic ballot online for a fictional voter. Jim Hoft, writing on his far-right website Gateway Pundit, highlighted the X users claims and video. What a great tool for those who hate America! Hoft wrote. If this is an accurate report, then this puts the entire Washington State elections into question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 100% PROOF OF BALLOT FRAUD CAPABILITY IN WASHINGTON STATE!! another X user tweeted. Anyone can print a ballot at a fake address and they are issued one. All legit and filled in for you!! THIS IS TREASON!!!!!!! King Countys government website allows users to access a provisional ballot based on a given address through its online ballot marking process. The online tool provides a digital copy of the ballot, which users can either mark online or print out and mark in print. Eligible registered voters can then return their ballot in the mail, or submit it to a voter drop box or polling site. The county website feature is available to all internet users, but it is specifically designed to help military and overseas voters receive ballots in instances where they do not have reliable mail delivery and blind or visually disabled voters who may need a screen reader to assist them in voting. Halei Watkins, communications manager for King County Elections, explained to The Dispatch Fact Check that the county verifies each ballot it receives is from an eligible, registered voter before it is processed and put through the tabulator. Just because a ballot is created and printed doesnt mean it will be counted, Watkins said. If someone were to make up a name and address, they are essentially accessing a provisional ballot and it would be rejected. Watkins explained that when ballots are received at their headquarters in Renton, Washington, election officials will verify that the ballot is from a registered voter in the county and that that person had not already voted in the election. If it fails either of those marks, the ballot is rejected and not counted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Could an internet user then use an authentic registered voters name and address to generate a ballot online, and fraudulently vote on their behalf? Election workers also verify the ballots signature to the signature on the associated voters registration form. Ballot envelopes dont even get opened until we confirm the signature is a match, Watkins said. Attempts to cast fraudulent votes through ballots generated via the countys online tool are also pretty rare, according to Watkins. Of the nearly 560,000 ballots the county received in the August 2024 primary elections, only two were from an unregistered voter. And of the 522,000 ballots cast in the countys November 2023 general election, a mere six were from unregistered voters. All of those votes from unregistered voters were rejected by the county in those races. Watkins also warned that even attempting to use the countys online ballot-generating tool to facilitate voter fraud is illegal and could come with serious jail time. State law around voter fraud doesnt require a person to succeed in fraudit penalizes the attempts, she told The Dispatch Fact Check. Each count of voter fraud can earn the perpetrator up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000. King County Elections does not hesitate to refer suspected cases of attempted voter fraud to the Prosecuting Attorneys Office. If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Four voters and a Hispanic civil rights group sued Iowas top election official, alleging he infringed upon their rights when he directed election workers to challenge some voters ballots in an attempt to keep ineligible noncitizens from illegally voting. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa filed a legal challenge in federal court late Wednesday on behalf of four individuals flagged by Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate as registered voters who might not be citizens. They are naturalized citizens, according to the complaint. The suit also names some of Iowas county auditors, who are tasked with facilitating elections. Concern about elections being undermined by noncitizen voting has been a focus of political messaging this year from Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump and other Republicans, even though such voting is rare in American elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pates office said last week that it provided county auditors with a list of 2,022 people who told the states Department of Transportation that they are not citizens but subsequently registered to vote or voted. Since those individuals may have become naturalized citizens in the lapsed time, Pates office told county elections officials to challenge their ballots and have them cast a provisional ballot instead. They would have seven days one more than usual because of a federal holiday to provide proof of their citizenship status so that their ballot is counted. Orcun Selcuk is one new voter who registered last year, a day after he became a U.S. citizen, and has since voted in elections without issue. He voted early this month but recently received a letter stating that his ballot was being challenged. Now, the native of Turkey who settled in Decorah fears other new citizens will be intimidated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a political science professor, I understand and feel deeply about the importance of voting in a democracy, he said. The ACLU is also representing the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, of Iowa. It is illegal for non-U.S. citizens to vote in federal elections, but there is no evidence that it is occurring in significant numbers, though Iowa and some other states have identified dozens of such cases. Before the lawsuit was filed, Pate told reporters at a news conference Wednesday that the DOT list is the only list that we have available to us without access to federal immigration records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were balancing this process. We want everyone to be able to vote. Thats why none of them have been taken off the voter rolls, he said. But we do owe an obligation to make sure that they are citizens now. How and where to vote in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota With early voting well underway and just days to go before the Nov. 5 election, the lawsuit asks for the list to be rescinded and voters on it to not be challenged on this basis. It alleges Iowas election officials are burdening the right to vote and discriminating against naturalized citizens, treating these voters differently from others in violation of their constitutional right to equal protection. Rita Bettis Austen, ACLU of Iowas legal director, said Thursday that Pate is spearheading an effort to disenfranchise Iowa U.S. citizens when he should be protecting voting rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is fueling a false narrative about voter fraud by noncitizens and laying the groundwork to undermine confidence in the election, she said. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said in a statement that LULAC is attempting a last-minute effort to let noncitizens illegally vote. I am fighting to defend our long-standing election integrity laws and ensure Iowans can maintain trust in our elections, she said. The Associated Press left email messages with Pates office on Thursday seeking comment on the ACLUs lawsuit. Election officials routinely check voter lists for anyone who might not be eligible and remove them under processes set by federal and state laws. Some states efforts to remove people from voter lists close to the election have been challenged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since no voter has been removed from Iowas lists, Pate tried to differentiate Iowa from other states, such as Virginia, where more than 1,600 voters were purged from the voter registration list in the past two months in a program enacted through an Aug. 7 executive order from Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. The Justice Department and a coalition of private groups sued Virginia earlier in October, arguing that state election officials violated federal laws 90-day quiet period ahead of elections. The National Voter Registration Act requires that quiet period so that legitimate voters are not removed from the rolls by bureaucratic errors or last-minute mistakes that cannot be quickly corrected. The U.S. Supreme Courts conservative majority said Wednesday that Virginia could continue, overruling a federal judge that said the states purge was illegal. A federal appeals court had previously allowed the judges order to remain in effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a similar lawsuit in Alabama, a federal judge this month ordered the state to restore eligibility for more than 3,200 voters who had been deemed ineligible noncitizens. Testimony from state officials in that case showed that roughly 2,000 of the 3,251 voters who were made inactive were actually legally registered citizens. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. DES MOINES, Iowa Open enrollment starts November 1st, meaning millions of Americans are making decisions about their health care coverage. Thankfully, theres free help for uninsured Iowans to find and enroll in affordable health care called Iowa Navigator. Newton revitalizing former Maytag buildings into new community attraction Program Director Jeremy Smith joined Calyn Thompson on Today in Iowa to talk about how the non-profit organization just added offices in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Sioux City to allow for in-person meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To learn more, call (515) 978-9570 or click here. Open enrollment goes from November 1 through January 15. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing oversees nursing homes in the state of Iowa. (Photo via Getty Images; logo courtesy of the State of Iowa) The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing says it met all federal requirements for the timely inspection of nursing homes during the recently completed federal fiscal year. During the past year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services required state inspection agencies such as DIAL to conduct annual recertification inspections at each Medicare-certified nursing home within 15.9 months of the previous inspection. DIAL met this requirement, the agency said in a press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A recent report from Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand suggested DIAL had not been meeting federal inspection standards. That report, DIAL says, was inaccurate in that it relied on what the agency calls outdated numbers and incorrect federal performance measurements. I am incredibly proud of the work our dedicated staff has done to inspect Iowa nursing homes in a timely manner, said DIAL Director Larry Johnson, Jr., in a written statement. We expect to meet CMS performance guidance for federal fiscal year 2025, as well. In March 2020, in an effort to control the spread of COVID, CMS temporarily halted most nursing home inspections, which created a nationwide backlog of complaint investigations and annual recertification inspections. In December 2023, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported that industry data showed the state wasnt meeting the 15.9-month standard for annual inspections, with some care facilities waiting up to 41 months for their annual inspection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, officials with DIAL noted that the federal standards had been suspended, and that while homes were still considered past due for an inspection after 15.9 months, the standard was not being enforced. Several of the Iowa nursing homes that were inspected in 2022 and 2023 waited close to two years, if not longer, for their annual inspection. For example, the Northcrest Community facility in Ames went 41 months between annual inspections. The Good Samaritan Home in Holstein waited 34 months, and MercyOne Medical Center in Centerville waited 28 months. A U.S. Senate committee reported last year that Iowa ranked 49th among the states in its ratio of inspectors to nursing homes. The report also noted that Iowa had tried to catch up on a backlog of inspections by using temporary contractors that were exceedingly expensive, costing as much as $41,000 per inspection. In its new press release, DIAL noted that in the 2023 fiscal year, CMS required DIAL and other states inspection agencies to reduce the number of past-due recertification inspections by 50%. DIAL says it exceeded that requirement by reducing the number of Iowas past-due inspections by 90%. Inspection reports for Iowa nursing homes and other health care facilities regulated by DIAL can be found on the agencys Health Facilities database website. Iran is capable of making nuclear weapons and will change its doctrine to allow their production if it faces an existential threat, a senior adviser to the supreme leader of Iran has said. Kamal Kharrazi, head of the Islamic Republics strategic council of foreign relations, also said the country was ready for war amid speculation it was planning to launch a fresh attack on Israel. We are ready for war but we do not want to escalate because we have currently proven our ability to deter from doing so, he told Lebanon-based pro-Iran broadcaster Al-Mayadeen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The matter is up to the Israelis, if they really want to continue, we will respond to them. Our missile capabilities are clear to everyone and everyone believes in them, and we have proven that during our operations. Kamal Kharrazi mourning the death of former Iranian foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, who died in a helicopter crash in May - VAHID SALEMI Intelligence officials have suggested Iran could attack within days, possibly through a drone attack launched from one of its proxy groups in Iraq. It is unclear whether Iran plans to attack Israel before or after next weeks US election but Mr Kharrazi claimed Israel was to blame for increasing instability in the region. Tehran was left reeling after Israel used dozens of aircraft, including F35 stealth jets, refuellers and drones, in a retaliatory attack in the early hours of last Saturday morning. Israel was responding after the Islamic Republic launched 180 missiles towards Tel Aviv and Jerusalem earlier in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military avoided directly targeting Irans nuclear programme in last weekends strikes, although it hit a base linked to nuclear experiments. Iran does not currently possess a nuclear weapon and there has so far been no indication that Tehran has decided to weaponise the programme. However, experts believe that it could produce sufficient weapons-grade enriched uranium for a weapon in a week. Developing the weapon would take months and mounting it on a warhead capable of reaching Israel or another enemy could take even longer. Kharrazi said that although Iran has the technical capability to produce nuclear weapons, it is currently held back by a fatwa, or religious decree, issued in the early 2000s by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added this could change if the countrys existence was under threat. If Iran faces an existential threat, it will change its nuclear doctrine. We now have the necessary ability to produce nuclear weapons, and the only obstacle is the fatwa of the Leader, which has banned the production of nukes, Kharrazi said. Irans military General, Mohammad Bagheri (L) and Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, face off against Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu in Tehran - SHUTTERSTOCK Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said that the Islamic Republic of Iran would increase cooperation with Russia, which it has been supplying with drones and missiles. Russia and China seek to build a new international system in order to be free from the Wests hegemony and authority, he said. Kharrazi added that it will increase the range of its missiles beyond a self-imposed limit of 1,250 miles if Europe ignores Irans territorial integrity. While Israel did not attack Irans nuclear facilities, last weekends strikes make it easier to do so, having severely damaged the countrys air defences. Irans nuclear site in Isfahan in April 4, 2024 - AP All four of Irans Russian-made S-300 air-defence systems have now been taken out, meaning it is easier for Israeli fighter jets to safely enter Iranian airspace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chris Biggers, an imagery expert who used to work for Americas National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, told the Economist that satellite images show evidence of a destroyed radar to the south-west of Tehran and another system on the western border. During last weeks strike only F-35 stealth fighters entered Iranian airspace while F-15 and F-16 jets fired long range missiles from neighbouring Iraq. To strike nuclear sites buried deep underground missiles would have to be fired closer to the target but the destruction of air defence systems and radars could make this easier. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. By Ahmed Rasheed and Timour Azhari BAGHDAD (Reuters) -Nervously watching Israel's destructive campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon, Iraq is working to avoid being drawn into the growing regional conflict as Iran-backed armed groups launch attacks on Israel from Iraqi soil, sources familiar with the matter say. Two decades after the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, Iraq is experiencing relative stability with high revenue from oil sales funding a service-based agenda that has turned much of the country into a construction site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iraq does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government is wary of regional conflicts that could affect its delicate balancing act between Washington and Tehran, both states it is allied with. Axios reported late on Thursday that Israeli intelligence suggests Iran is preparing to attack Israel from Iraqi territory in the coming days, possibly before the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5, citing two unidentified Israeli sources. There was no immediate Iraqi comment. Spillover from regional conflict has already resulted in months of tit-for-tat attacks between Iran-backed armed groups and U.S. forces stationed in Iraq and the region that only subsided after Iran intervened in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sudani's government has not been successful in a push to convince the Islamic Resistance in Iraq - a coalition of Iran-backed armed groups - to stop firing rockets and drones at Israel, according to four sources in Iran-backed armed groups and two government advisors. Two visits to Iran by Iraq's top security officials in the past two months, seeking Tehran's help to rein in its allied Iraqi factions, failed, the sources said. "The Iraqi delegation received a cold reception in Tehran ... The answer was: those groups have their own decision and it is their call to decide how to support their brothers in Lebanon and Gaza," said a senior Iraqi security official briefed on the visits. Baghdad turned to Washington, asking U.S. officials to intervene with Israel to prevent retaliation for the attacks, including one that killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded more than 20 on Oct. 4, the sources said, the first time such an attack has been reported to cause fatalities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Washington was understanding of the repercussions of possible Israeli strikes in Iraq and pledged to help," said an Iraqi foreign ministry official. A spokesperson for the U.S. embassy in Baghdad did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Four militia sources said the Kataib Hezbollah and Nujaba groups, which are leading the attacks on Israel, have warned the prime minister against pressuring them to halt their actions and vowed to continue their attacks as long as Israel continued its Gaza and Lebanon operations. The issue has divided parties in Iraq's ruling coalition, all of whom are sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and view Israel as an enemy, though some differ over how involved Iraq should be in the regional confrontation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shi'ite leaders discussed the risk of repercussions from attacks on Israel and possible Israeli retaliation during two meetings in October, said Ahmed Kenani, a Shi'ite lawmaker from the ruling alliance. Key players in the Shi'ite coalition view direct confrontation with Israel as counterproductive and potentially damaging to Iraq, according to four Shi'ite lawmakers. "Those groups who have the rockets and drones should go to Gaza and Lebanon to fight Israel rather than pushing Iraq towards destruction," said Iraqi PM adviser Abdul Ameer Thuaiban. Kataib Hezbollah, the most powerful of the armed factions, said Israel and the U.S. would have to pay a price for Israel's strikes on Iran last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senior Iraqi security sources told Reuters ahead of that attack that any strike by Israel against Iran outside what the sources called the established rules of engagement could prompt pro-Iran armed groups to significantly expand their attacks on Israel and U.S. assets in the region. Mohammed Shummary, chairman of Baghdad-based think tank the Sumeria Foundation, said growing regional conflict risked pulling Iraq's Shi'ite Muslim parties, many of them heavily armed, into a confrontation that few initially had appetite for. "They are torn between maintaining their decision to keep Iraq out of the confrontation and their ideological and political commitments toward the Shia of Lebanon and the broader resistance axis, amid Israeli aggression that has crossed all permissible red lines," he told Reuters. "If the confrontation escalates ... this may not only mean the continuation of attacks on Israeli targets but also the potential involvement of additional factions in larger, more complex operations," he said. (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed in Baghdad; Writing by Timour Azhari; Editing by Daniel Wallis) IRON COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A drug bust in Iron County also led to the confiscation of a gun cache at a residence within the county. Brandon Lee Birdsell, 27, was arrested on Tuesday and faces charges of possession with the intent to distribute, a second-degree felony; purchase, transaction, possession, or use of a firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony; manufacturing or delivery of drug paraphernalia, a class A misdemeanor. 30-year-old foreign national indicted in Utah on federal drug possession charges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a probable cause statement, a drug task force was investigating another man and watched a residence where they suspected drug activity was going on. Police go on to say in the probable cause that two cars made quick stops. Authorities believe that the activity at the residence was consistent with drug-related activity. Authorities also got information about drugs and firearms inside the residence and got a search warrant for the home. When authorities went to execute the search warrant, they made contact with Vladimir Boss, the man they had been investigating, Boss made them aware that he had a roommate, Brandon Birdsell. During a search of the residence agents located a snub nose .38 in the front room hidden in a small wall, arresting documents said. They also found an AR-15 rifle hidden in the ceiling with a round inside of the magazine and another pistol. Boss stated he didnt know if the guns were his and that the downstairs portion of the property was his. Birdsell after stating he had no guns later stated the gun in the living room was his and wanted to take responsibility for it, arresting documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Birdsell was arrested and booked into Iron County Jail on the aforementioned charges. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. WASHINGTON (AP) Halfway through the Biden administration's 30-day ultimatum for Israel to surge the level of humanitarian assistance allowed into Gaza or risk possible restrictions on U.S. military funding, Israel is falling far short, an Associated Press review of U.N. and Israeli data shows. Israel also has missed some other deadlines and demands outlined in a Oct. 13 letter from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The mid-November deadline following the U.S. election may serve as a final test of President Joe Biden 's willingness to check a close ally that has shrugged off repeated U.S. appeals to protect Palestinian civilians during the war against Hamas. In their letter, Blinken and Austin demanded improvements to the deteriorating humanitarian condition in Gaza, saying that Israel must allow in a minimum of 350 trucks a day carrying desperately needed food and other supplies. By the end of October, an average of just 71 trucks a day were entering Gaza, according to the latest U.N. figures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blinken said the State Department and Pentagon were closely following Israels response to the letter, including speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus top aide on Friday. Theres been progress, but its insufficient, and were working on a daily basis to make sure Israel does what it must do to ensure that this assistance gets to people who need it inside of Gaza, Blinken told reporters Thursday. Its not enough to get trucks to Gaza. Its vital that what they bring with them can get distributed effectively inside of Gaza, he added. Blinken and Austins letter marked one of the toughest stands the Biden administration has taken in a year of appeals and warnings to Israel to lessen the harm to Palestinian civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Support for Israel is a bedrock issue for many Republican voters and some Democrats. That makes any Biden administration decision on restricting military funding a fraught one for the tight presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. In hard-hit north Gaza in particular, an escalated Israeli military campaign and restrictions on aid have kept all food and other care from reaching populated areas since mid-October, aid organizations say. It could set the stage for famine in coming weeks or months, international monitors say. Leaders of 15 U.N. and humanitarian groups, including the World Food Program and World Health Organization, warned Friday that the situation unfolding in north Gaza is apocalyptic. And despite U.S. objections, Israeli lawmakers this week voted effectively to ban the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA. Governments worldwide, the U.N. and aid organizations say cutting off UNRWA would shatter the aid networks struggling to get food and other supplies to people in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Catastrophic, Amber Alayyan, a medical program manager for Gaza at Doctors Without Borders, said of the move. Humanitarian officials are deeply skeptical Israel will significantly improve assistance to Gazas civilians even with the U.S. warning or that the Biden administration will do anything if it doesnt. At this point in the war, neither of those has happened, said Scott Paul, an associate director of the Oxfam humanitarian organization. Over and over and again, weve been told by Biden administration officials that there are processes to evaluate the situation on the ground in Gaza and some movements been made to implement U.S. law, and time and again that has not happened, Paul said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the war, an average of 500 trucks daily brought aid into the territory. Relief groups have said that's the minimum needed for Gazas 2.3 million people, most of whom have since been uprooted from their homes, often multiple times. There has never been a month where Israel came close to meeting that figure since the conflict began, peaking in April at 225 trucks a day, according to Israeli government figures. By the time Blinken and Austin sent their letter this month, concerns were rising that aid restrictions were starving civilians. The number of aid trucks that Israel has allowed into Gaza has plunged since last spring and summer, falling to a daily average of just 13 a day by the beginning of October, according to U.N. figures. By the end of the month, it rose to an average of 71 trucks a day, the U.N. figures show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once supplies get to Gaza, groups still face obstacles distributing the aid to warehouses and then to people in need, organizations and the State Department said this week. That includes slow Israeli processing, Israeli restrictions on shipments, lawlessness and other obstacles, aid groups said. Data from COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of humanitarian aid to Gaza, shows aid has fallen to under a third of its levels in September and August. In September, 87,446 tons of aid entered the Gaza Strip. In October, 26,399 tons got in. Elad Goren, a senior COGAT official, said last week that aid delivery and distribution in the north have been mainly confined to Gaza City. When asked why aid was not being delivered to other parts of the north like Jabaliya, a crowded urban refugee camp where Israel is staging an offensive he said the population there was being evacuated and those who remained had enough assistance from previous months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other areas like Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya, Goren claimed falsely there was no population left. COGAT declined to comment on the standard in the U.S. letter. It said it was complying with government directives on aid to Gaza. Israels U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon blamed Hamas for plundering aid. Paul of Oxfam said no aid at all was reaching populated areas in northern Gaza and only small amounts were getting to Gaza City. No way has Israel made progress in getting humanitarian support to the hundreds of thousands of people in north Gaza in particular since the U.S. ultimatum, said Alayyan of Doctors Without Borders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels government appeared to blow past another deadline set in Austin and Blinken's letter. It called for Israel to set up a senior-level channel for U.S. officials to raise concerns about reported harm to Palestinian civilians and hold a first meeting by the end of October. No such channel requested repeatedly by the U.S. during the war had been created by the final day of the month. The U.S. is by far the biggest provider of arms and other military aid to Israel, including nearly $18 billion during the war in Gaza, according to a study for Brown University's Costs of War project. The Biden administration paused a planned shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel last spring, citing concerns for civilians in an Israeli offensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a formal review in May, the administration concluded that Israels use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but said wartime conditions prevented officials from determining that for certain in specific strikes. ___ AP writers Matthew Lee in Washington, Julia Frankel in Jerusalem and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed. Israel hammered Beiruts suburbs overnight with airstrikes as the U.S. pushes for a cease-fire between the Jewish state and Lebanon. Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, the head of the Israeli militarys Arab media branch, shared evacuation orders Thursday night on social media for residents of Beiruts southern suburbs, saying troops are near Hezbollahs facilities. The airstrikes, the Israeli military said, were targeting Hezbollahs command centers and facilities that produce ammunition for the Iranian-backed group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack came just days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told top Biden administration officials that to reach any version of a cease-fire with Hezbollah, Israel must be able to address dangers coming from Lebanon and be able to get Israeli citizens back. The meeting between Netanyahu and Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein, two senior White House officials, took place Thursday, right as Hezbollah reportedly killed at least seven people using rockets. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated in the last month. More than 2,800 have been killed in Lebanon, according to the countrys Ministry of Health, and the majority of the toll came within the last few weeks. Najib Mikati, Lebanons prime minister, said the expansion of Israeli aggression into Lebanese territories, along with repeated threats to evacuate entire cities and villages and renewed airstrikes targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut shows an unwillingness to reach a cease-fire, Lebanons National News Agency reported Friday. World Health Organization spokesperson Margaret Harris told The Washington Post that her group is deeply concerned about the rising attacks on health workers and facilities in Lebanon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Israeli military killed Izz al-Din Kassab, one of the last senior Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip, on Friday, as scores of people were reported dead after strikes in the coastal strip and the UN demanded an immediate halt to fighting. Kassab was a member of the Islamist terrorist organization's politburo and responsible for relations with other extremist groups in Gaza. The military released an aerial video allegedly showing the missile attack on his vehicle. One of his colleagues was also killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas confirmed the deaths of the two men. Since the beginning of the Gaza war, which was triggered by the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023 in Israel, during which the group killed 1,200 and abducted 250, Israel has killed almost the entire leadership of the Islamist organization, including Hamas leader Yehya al-Sinwar. This may hamper efforts to reach a ceasefire and secure the release of the last Israeli hostages, as there are few contacts left alive with whom an agreement could be reached. Around 50 killed in Gaza strike Fifty-five people were killed and many others injured in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly 50 were killed in strikes on the Nuseirat refugee camp and the towns of Deir al-Balad and al-Zawaida, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported earlier, citing medical sources. Residential areas were targeted, where displaced people were being housed. Many of the dead were children, the agency reported. "Eyewitnesses reported that following the initial strikes, residents rushed to help those affected, only to be targeted again by subsequent bombings. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, as efforts continue to locate missing individuals trapped under the rubble," WAFA reported. The Israeli military said it was checking the reports, while operations continued in central Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli operations also continued in Jabalia in the north of the Gaza Strip and in Rafah in the south. In both areas, military positions had been attacked and a number of Palestinians killed, the Israeli military reported, terming them "terrorists." UN demands immediate halt to Gaza fighting The heads of 15 United Nations aid organizations and private groups called for an immediate end to the fighting in the Gaza Strip in a joint statement on Friday, warning that the entire population of northern Gaza is at risk of death. They said the situation in the north of the coastal strip, where Israel's army launched a new ground offensive against the Islamist organization Hamas at the beginning of October, is particularly dramatic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The entire Palestinian population in North Gaza is at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine and violence," said the statement, published by the UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee. The signatories included the heads of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN Children's Fund, the World Health Organization, the World Food Programme and the aid organization Oxfam. They said a permanent ceasefire is long overdue. "The entire region is on the brink of the abyss." Israel expects its Iron Beam laser defense system to be operational within one year, saying it will bring a new era of warfare as it engages in a war of drones and missiles with Iran and its regional partners. The Jewish state spent more than $500 million on deals this week with Israeli developers Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, architect of Israels Iron Dome, and Elbit Systems to expand production of the shield. Dubbed the Iron Beam, the shield aims to use high-power lasers to counter an array of projectiles, including missiles, drones, rockets and mortars, Israels defense ministry said this week. It heralds the beginning of a new era in warfare, Eyal Zamir, director general of the defense ministry, said in a statement this week. The initial capability of the ground-based laser system is expected to enter operational service within one year, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel first unveiled a prototype of the Iron Beam in 2021 and has since been working to get it up and running. The defense ministrys comments come as Israel presses on with wars in Gaza and Lebanon, and after its military engaged twice in direct missile attacks with Iran. Since Israel began its war on Hamas in Gaza last year, following the October 7 attack, it has also been fighting a war with the Iran-backed Axis of Resistance across Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and Iraq. Iran and its partners have been seeking to overwhelm Israels Iron Dome by pelting it with various projectiles, from rockets and drones to mortars and ballistic missiles, experts previously said. From southern Lebanon, where Israel is now waging a ground war, Hezbollahs rockets have reached deep inside Israel. Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus beachside home in the coastal city of Caesarea was damaged in a drone strike claimed by the Shiite Lebanese group. One of the three drones that were launched evaded Israels aerial defense system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts say the Iron Beam could be an added layer of defense for Israel, both in terms of effectiveness and cost. How does it work? The system uses a high-power laser that is stationed on the ground. With a range of hundreds of meters to several kilometers, the laser heats up the targets shell in vulnerable areas, including its engine or warhead, until the projectile collapses. This is different to Israels traditional means of destroying missiles and rockets, where radar is used to identify an incoming threat and then an interceptor missile is fired to destroy the projectile midair. Compared to the Iron Dome, a laser shield would be cheaper, faster and more effective, experts said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each Iron Dome interception missile is estimated to cost approximately $50,000, if not more, according to experts. Israel fires two missiles per interception, Yehoshua Kalisky, a senior researcher the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Tel Aviv, told CNN. Israel has been intercepting projectiles almost daily since the war with its northern neighbor began. Just on Tuesday, some 50 projectiles crossed from southern Lebanon into Israeli territory, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said, adding that some were intercepted and others werent. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which is helping produce the Iron Beam, said that a laser defense system has almost zero cost per interception. In 2022, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said each laser-based interception was expected to cost just $2. Economics is obviously the big point, Sascha Bruchmann, a visiting research fellow for defense and military analysis at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said, told CNN. You wont ruin the defense budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The laser system would be most effective against drones, experts said, which Israels Iron Dome has repeatedly failed to intercept. While Israels Iron Dome does intercept and destroy most projectiles, it is primarily designed to counter rockets and missiles, not drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are small, light and have a low radar signature, which means Israels radar systems will not always detect them the way they detect missiles, which are bigger, experts said. Drones also dont always have a set destination and may change direction mid-travel. The laser system will be very effective against drones, Kalisky said. The laser will be able to effectively heat and destroy drones and UAVs. Who else has it? Other governments have experimented with different types of laser systems. The US Navy has tested high-energy laser weapons that can destroy aircraft mid-flight and the United Kingdom has recently showcased a laser-energy weapon called DragonFire that can be used against aerial threats. The Pentagon has also said that China and Russia are developing lasers that could target satellites. This image shows damage to the exterior of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's beach house in Caesarea, Israel, on October 22, 2024. - From Social Media It is unclear if Iran has developed a laser defense system of its own. In 2022, Iran said it was capable of manufacturing laser weapons to defend sensitive regions, state media said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran is, however, suspected to have the Chinese-made Silent Hunter laser weapon, experts said, adding that the laser is not as high-powered as the ones designed for the Iron Beam. Will it really be a gamechanger? An Israeli Iron Beam would still have its drawbacks. The laser system would not operate well in cloudy, rainy or hazy weather, experts said, adding that this decreases the lasers ability to pass through the atmosphere and reach its target. The system would also require great amounts of power to keep it running. The projects aspirations and expected timeframe also remain unclear. One of the main problems was that to meet their aspirations with this laser technology, governments always needed billions of dollars and decades of research, Bruchmann said. The world is yet to see if Israel actually cracked the code this time, and can operate it by next year, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kalisky of the INSS said that, while it is unclear if the Iron Beam will indeed be a gamechanger for Israel, it will still be another layer of defense, adding that it will likely be most effective against drones and short-range rockets and missiles. It may not be as effective against ballistic missiles, he said, which Israels Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors have traditionally thwarted. Experts say the Iron Beam could also act as a deterrent to further attacks by Iran or its proxies. Last month, The New York Times reported that Hamas was keen to carry out its October 7 attack by the end of 2023, fearing Israel would start deploying its laser system, which would have been more effective against Hamas rockets. The newspaper was citing documents seized by the Israeli military and obtained by the Times. CNN has reached out to the IDF for comment. Iran and its proxies (may) calculate that this would be, from their point of view, a gamechanger, Bruchmann said, that it would seriously devalue the tens or hundreds of thousands of missiles they are building up as a strategic arsenal to deter Israel. CNNs Dana Karni contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Timour Azhari and Laila Bassam CAIRO/BEIRUT (Reuters) -Prospects of a ceasefire between Israel and its foes Hamas and Hezbollah ran aground on Friday as Israeli airstrikes killed at least 68 people in the Gaza Strip, according to medics in the Palestinian enclave, and bombed Beirut's southern suburbs. The Israeli military said it killed senior Hamas official Izz al-Din Kassab in an airstrike in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis and described him as one of the last surviving high-ranking members of Hamas responsible for coordinating with other groups in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. envoys had been working to secure ceasefires on both fronts ahead of the U.S. presidential election next Tuesday. But Hamas does not favour a temporary truce, its Al-Aqsa Hamas television reported on Friday. The ceasefire proposals failed to meet its conditions that any deal must end the year-long war in Gaza and include a withdrawal of Israeli forces from the devastated Palestinian enclave, it said. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his priority was to enforce security "despite any pressure or constraints". His office said he relayed this message to U.S. envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk in Israel on Thursday. Israel meanwhile pressed on with its military offensives against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medics in Gaza said about 68 people were killed and dozens injured overnight and into Friday morning in Israeli strikes on the city of Deir Al-Balah, the Nuseirat camp and the town of Al-Zawayda, all in Gaza's central area, as well as in its south. Fourteen people were killed by an Israeli strike at the gate of a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Nuseirat, according to medics at the camp's Al-Awda Hospital. Another 10 were killed in a car in Khan Younis, medics said. Hours later, residents said Israeli tanks advanced on the northern and eastern sides of Nuseirat, and medics said an Israeli airstrike killed four people, including three children. The Israeli military said its troops killed what it called armed terrorists in central Gaza and the northern Jabalia area. It had no immediate comment on the reported school strike, although it habitually denies deliberately attacking civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The heads of U.N. humanitarian agencies said on Friday the situation in north Gaza was "apocalyptic" with the entire Palestinian population there at "imminent risk of dying from disease, famine and violence" as Israel pursues its offensive against regrouping Hamas militants in the area. Israel also pummelled Beirut's southern suburbs on Friday morning with at least 10 strikes, Reuters journalists said. It was the first bombardment of the area - once a densely packed district and Hezbollah stronghold - in nearly a week. The strikes came after Israel issued evacuation orders for 10 separate neighbourhoods of the Lebanese capital. Hassan Saad, speaking on a Beirut street, told Reuters: "This is a brutal war and Israel does not have the right to do this...There must be a limit put for Israel because it does not abide by any of the laws or human morality." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another Beirut man, Ali Ramadan, said he believed the Israeli airstrikes were a way to put pressure on Lebanon in the ceasefire negotiations. The hostilities have undermined hope a truce could be reached before the U.S. presidential election on Tuesday. Hamas television, quoting a leading source in the group, said the ceasefire proposals did not meet its conditions for a permanent end to hostilities, withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the return of displaced people. Nor did they address Palestinians' need for security, relief and reconstruction and the full reopening of border crossings, the source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer on Friday discussed a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Lebanon as well as ending the war and addressing dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, the State Department said in a statement. 'ISRAELI STUBBORNNESS' Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Friday accused Israel of blocking any progress in the negotiations. "Israeli statements and diplomatic signals received by Lebanon confirm the Israeli stubbornness in rejecting the proposed solutions and insisting on the approach of killing and destruction," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lebanon's health ministry said 52 people were killed on Friday in Israeli strikes on more than a dozen towns in the Baalbek region, which has UNESCO-listed Roman ruins. An Israeli strike on Friday in Syria near northeast Lebanon forced a border crossing to shut, Lebanon Transport Minister Ali Hamieh told Reuters. Israeli bombing closed the crossing last month and it had partly reopened before the latest strike. Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel in solidarity with Palestinians a day after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's retaliatory offensives have killed more than 43,000 Palestinians and reduced most of Gaza to rubble, as well as killed at least 2,897 people in Lebanon, its health ministry said in an update on Friday. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo, Timour Azhari, Laila Bassam and Maya Gebeily in Beirut, Michelle Nichols at the United Nations, Ali Sawafta in Ramallah, Adam Makary in Cairo and Clauda Tanios in Dubai; writing by Maya Gebeily, Timour Azhari and Daphne Psaledakis; editing by Angus MacSwan, Mark Heinrich and Cynthia Osterman) The Israeli military killed Izz al-Din Kassab, one of the last senior Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip, it said on Friday. Kassab was a member of the Islamist terrorist organization's politburo and responsible for relations with other extremist groups in the coastal strip. The military released an aerial video allegedly showing the rocket attack on his vehicle. One of his colleagues was also killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas confirmed the deaths of the two men. Since the beginning of the Gaza war, which was triggered by the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023 in Israel, during which the group killed 1,200 and abducted 250, Israel has killed almost the entire leadership of the Islamist organization, including Hamas leader Yehya al-Sinwar. This may hamper efforts to reach a ceasefire and secure the release of the last Israeli hostages, as there are few contacts left alive with whom an agreement could be reached. At least 10 people were killed Friday when Israeli airstrikes hit the Baalbeck-Hermel region in eastern Lebanon, security sources and eyewitnesses said. The Lebanese Health Ministry said the strikes wounded 28 others. Security sources said some 16 Israeli airstrikes targeted the ancient city of Baalbeck and the Hermel region, Hezbollah strongholds. Israeli airstrikes also hit areas in southern Lebanon and especially the port city of Tyre. In retaliation, Hezbollah claimed to have fired dozens of rockets at Israeli posts in northern Israel. The Israeli government on Friday approved higher military spending and cuts in education, health and social services in a draft budget for 2025. The draft, which still needs parliamentary approval, provides for a total expenditure of 744 billion shekels ($197 billion), according to the Israeli business newspaper Calcalist. It also allocates 161 billion shekels to service debts. The military is to receive 117 billion shekels as Israel fights on several fronts, an increase of 20 billion shekels compared to the current year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aside from the cuts, the budget also raises value-added tax from 17% to 18%, in a bid to close a budget gap of around 40 billion shekels, Calcalist reported. The target for the budget deficit was set at 4.3% of gross domestic product. It is currently 8.5%. The war is putting enormous pressure on Israel's economy, and a 2024 growth forecast has already been slashed from 1.1% to 0.4%. The Israeli military early on Friday carried out strikes on targets in southern Beirut for the first time in nearly a week. At least 11 airstrikes have hit the district of Dahiyeh from about 2 am (0000 GMT), according to Lebanese security sources and eyewitnesses. A dpa reporter saw plumes of black smoke rising over the area. The explosions could be heard across large areas of the Lebanese capital. An Israeli drone also hit an apartment in Qumatiya, in the Aley district, a Beirut suburb some 20 kilometres south-east of the capital, killing at least two people including a member of the Hezbollah militia. The Lebanese Health Ministry said later that three people were killed and five wounded in the drone strike. A few hours earlier, the Israeli military had announced it would attack Hezbollah facilities in southern Beirut. The armed forces published two maps with the targets and called on residents to keep at least 500 metres away from the buildings. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) The Peoria community has come together to celebrate and eat food for almost a century at a staple event. The 97th annual Itoo Supper | WMBD News This Morning The Itoo Supper held by the Itoo Society is a weekend full of food that includes cabbage rolls, chicken & rice, Lebanese green beans, baked kibbeh, Lebanese salad and pita bread. Tickets for the Sunday dinner are $20 a piece. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joe Couri, whose grandparents founded the event, shared the history of the supper. In 1928, the ladies had this idea to do a meal for their friends and neighbors and also as a fundraiser for the society, he said. And here we are 97 years later, were still doing it. Were hoping for over 2,000 [people], he said. People really love Lebanese food and this is a great draw to have them come to us to experience that. In a press release, the society says, The specialty of the supper then, and ever since, was the Lebanese food that is served. Available options include dine-in and takeout. Hours for takeout and drive-through on Saturday are 3 to 6 p.m. On Sunday, hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for both dine-in and carry-out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Email itoosupper@gmail.com with any questions or for additional information. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A year-end deadline is quickly approaching for Jackson County legislators to decide how to spend the remaining $70 million in COVID-19 relief funds. However, during a meeting Wednesday afternoon to discuss how to spend that money, things got heated among some of the members regarding how to distribute the funds. If they dont come to an agreement by December 31, that money is automatically forfeited back to the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislator Jalen Anderson told FOX4 he was close to a deal with Legislator Manny Abarca and Jackson County Executive Frank White but that things went south when Abarca stopped talking with the County Administration. FACT CHECK: Does Missouris Amendment 3 include transgender procedures? Some of us are trying to have real conversations with the county executive instead of trying to get political points as they did today, Anderson said. He went on to explain that five of the countys nine legislators are trying to pass the funds without including County Executive Frank White. We have to spend the money legally. If we dont, its illegal, and the federal government will come back and take it away from us anyway, he continued Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It appears theres two groups with differing ideas. The first includes White and legislators Jalen Anderson, Megan Marshall, and Joanie Lauer, who favor a particular plan. On the other side are legislators Sean Smith, Manny Abarca, and others who prefer broader spending proposals. The reality that I would do something illegal, I would say challenge it. I will invite the FBI in, said Abarca when questioned if his actions were legitimate. Make believe is what you make it and, unfortunately, the county executive, who doesnt even come to these meetings, he doesnt have the ultimate authority here. While both sides want the $70 million in American Rescue Plan funds to stay in Jackson County, they want to spend it in different places, which has led to the current impasse. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im terribly nervous that its not going to come to fruition, said Branden Haralson with ArtsKC Regional Arts Council, one organization that would greatly benefit from the money after struggling during the pandemic. This should represent to everyone why local elections are critically important. Another meeting on the matter is scheduled for Monday, November 4 at the Jackson County Courthouse at 3 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. The 2024 KC Voter Guide is a collaboration between The Kansas City Star and the KC Media Collective. All voter guide content is free and outside of the paywall. Jackson County voters will have the chance to cast a ballot in the elections on Nov. 5 or sooner. Early voting started on Oct. 22, but some voters saw long lines. In addition to the presidential race, Missouri voters could overturn the states abortion ban, and will decide on governor, attorney general, state legislators, Jackson County prosecutor and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Election Day, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can check your voter registration, your voting districts and your polling place through the Missouri secretary of state. And if youre not registered yet, you can do so up until Oct. 9. The 2024 KC Voter Guide is a collaboration between The Kansas City Star and KC Media Collective. See whats on your ballot Find the full 2024 KC Voter Guide at kcvoterguide.org. Jump to the guides for each of the statewide races. Statewide ballot questions U.S. House Missouri Senate Missouri House Jackson County races Behind the KC Voter Guide The Kansas City Star teamed up with local newsrooms in the nonprofit KC Media Collective to create a comprehensive guide to all the races on the Nov. 5 ballot in Clay, Jackson, Johnson, Platte and Wyandotte counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This effort brought together dozens of reporters and editors to provide information about every candidate in more than 100 races across five counties in the Kansas City region, on both sides of the state line. Collaborators include: The Kansas City Star, The Beacon, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, KCUR, Missouri Business Alert and Startland News, along with American Public Square and RevEd. How we reported these guides Reporters in our newsrooms used a variety of methods to compile brief bios and policy positions for each candidate on the ballot. Whenever possible, reporters interviewed candidates directly. In some cases, candidates did not respond to our attempts to reach them or had minimal information available online or elsewhere. We have made note of this in their candidate profiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reporters also utilized campaign websites, social media feeds, press releases and other news articles. We reviewed the legislative records of incumbents, including bills they have sponsored and votes they have taken. Each candidate entry has been reviewed by editors. Sections of the election guide and resources have also been translated into Spanish, with the assistance of our partner organization RevEd and other translators. TOKYO (AP) Japan and the European Union announced a security and defense partnership on Friday as they seek to step up military ties, including joint exercises and exchanges between their defense industries, amid growing tensions with China, North Korea and Russia. It is the first security partnership that the EU has concluded with an Indo-Pacific country, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters. We live in a very dangerous world. We live in a world of growing rivalries, climate accidents and threats of war. And there is only one antidote to this challenging world, which is partnerships among friends, Borrell said. It is an historical and very timely step given the situation in both of our regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Borrell is in Tokyo as part of an East Asia tour that includes South Korea, where he will also hold a strategic dialogue, underscoring the EU's increasing engagement with the Indo-Pacific region, as China and Russia step up joint military activities and North Korea sends troops to Russia. Their talks came a day after North Korea test-fired what is believed to be a new type of ICBM-class ballistic missile. Borrell and Iwaya also shared grave concern over Russia's deepening military cooperation with North Korea, including the North's troop deployment to Russia and arms transfers between the two countries, according to an EU statement. The two officials reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine and condemned Russian aggression. Japan, under a new security strategy adopted in 2022, has been rapidly accelerating its military buildup through its alliance with the United States, its only treaty ally, and other partners, including Australia, the U.K. and a number of European and Indo-Pacific countries, to deter an increasingly assertive China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tokyo has also significantly eased its voluntary arms export ban, seeking to expand its defense industry and play a greater role globally. Japan is jointly developing a next-generation fighter jet with the U.K. and Italy. Under the new partnership, Japan and the EU said Europe and the Indo-Pacific region are highly interconnected and interdependent and agreed to hold a regular working-level security and defense dialogue and joint naval exercises, including other countries, according to a joint statement. They said they will also cooperate in cybersecurity and space defense. The two sides will consider a possible intelligence sharing pact, promote exchanges of defense industry information and cooperate in nuclear disarmament efforts. Iwaya said Japan-EU relations are stronger than ever, and the two sides will continue to closely cooperate in a wide range of areas including security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier Friday, Borrell met with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and shared the view that security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific is interconnected as they agreed to deepen defense cooperation, Japans Defense Ministry said in a statement. The two officials expressed grave concern over North Koreas missile development program and its growing military cooperation with Russia, saying they are significant challenges for the international community. We reaffirmed the need for strengthened EU-Japan cooperation in security and defense, including on maritime security, cyber and hybrid threats amid growing regional and global security challenges, Borrell said on the social media platform X. ___ Associated Press video journalist Ayaka McGill contributed to this report. When JD Vance released his ode to a forgotten Middle America in 2016, he became an instant literary icon. Hillbilly Elegy, his memoir-cum-analysis of the Rust Belts decline, and a candid account of the poverty it had wrought, was a cult success which drew on his first-hand experience of violence and addiction. The timing of the publication was significant. Donald Trump was making his longshot bid for the presidency the same year by tapping into the frustrations of working-class voters who felt left behind by a political elite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps surprise success made Mr Vance a useful intermediary between his blue-collar base and a bemused US news media. Mr Vance held up his fist at the Republican convention, a tribute to how Trump responded after an attempt on his life - Julia Nikhinson Both understood something many establishment politicians had failed to grasp: Americas working class was ready to leave the Democratic Party behind. And yet the two men could not have been more different, both in their backgrounds and visions for the future. Trump, the son of a real estate developer, had enjoyed the high life for decades: gracing the pages of New Yorks gossip columns as a firm fixture of the citys high society. Mr Vance was born into a far humbler environment in the steel town of Middletown, Ohio, raised in an unstable home by a drug-addicted mother, he leveraged his academic talent into a lucrative career as a lawyer and venture capitalist. The change in view of Mr Vance, who had described himself as a 'never Trump guy', secured him the endorsement of the former president in Ohio's senate race in 2022 With the platform Hillbilly Elegy had given him, Mr Vance became bracketed with Trump for his ability to tap into the concerns of blue-collar workers in the Rust Belt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he made his disdain for the Republican 2016 presidential candidate clear, declaring himself as a never Trump guy. More familiar than most with the scourge of Americas opioid addiction, Mr Vance compared Trumps candidacy to cultural heroin, branding him Americas Hitler. By the time he was eyeing a political career of his own in 2021, Mr Vance had made a shrewd assessment of the landscape and underwent a conversion to Trumpism. JD Vance arrives to accept his vice presidential nomination on the opening day of the Republican National Convention - ALLISON DINNER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Ive been very open about the fact that I did say those critical things, and I regret them, and I regret being wrong about the guy, he told Fox in 2021. In his debate against Tim Walz on Oct 1, he said: Ive always been open and sometimes, of course, Ive disagreed with the president, but Ive also been extremely open about the fact that I was wrong about Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His newfound fealty secured him the endorsement of the former president in Ohios senate race, the most competitive of the 2022 midterms, and with it his US Senate seat. His fierce support for Trump in Congress, as well as his skill on both cable news and the campaign trail, has now seen him achieve what would have been unthinkable a few short years ago. Mr Vance pictured with his wife Usha in 2022 - Drew Angerer/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Trumps 2024 running mate, the 40-year-old could become one of the youngest vice presidents in US history. Many see opportunism in Mr Vances about-face, but friends claim the shift was a reaction to what he viewed as the medias hysterical response to Trumps presidency. It was a gradual shift that I think was really triggered by the media and the Lefts overreaction to Trump, one friend told ABC News. Nevertheless, Mr Vances political nous is unmistakable. He endorsed Trumps 2024 presidential nomination in January 2023 when many in the GOP cautiously held back - wondering whether Florida governor Ron DeSantis might be a safer bet to win back the White House. Mr Vance near the US Capitol building in Washington in 2017 - The Washington Post via Getty Images Trump insiders say the 78-year-old, known to place a premium on loyalty, took note of Mr Vances early support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was rewarded when Trump announced at the GOP convention in Milwaukee in July: The person best suited to assume the position of vice president of the United States is Senator JD Vance. Close friend of Donald Jnr His close friendship with Trumps eldest son, Donald Jnr, was instrumental to the decision. Don Jnr has long admired Mr Vances ability to connect with the Trump base and his skills as a communicator. Most important of all, according to Trump insiders, is their conviction that Mr Vances sincerity will make him a more forceful advocate for their America-first platform. He actually believes the policies he is promoting, one source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his brief tenure in the US Senate, Mr Vance has challenged the legitimacy of the prosecutions against Trump and questioned the results of the 2020 election. JD Vance and his wife Usha with Ohio Senate candidate Bernie Moreno at the Republican National Convention - Carolyn Kaster He has been a vocal critic of US aid to Ukraine and moderated his position on abortion to align with Trumps more ambiguous rhetoric on the issue. Able to effortlessly transition between his roles as media attack dog, polished Yale law school debater and a relatable Middle American, he has shown his skill for tailoring Trumps message to the audience at hand. Speaking to the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, the vice presidential candidate suggested white, middle class parents are allowing their children to undergo sex changes because it makes it easier to get into an Ivy League university, in an appeal to the shows majority-male listeners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are a middle class or upper middle class, white parent and the only thing you care about is whether your child goes into Harvard or Yale, obviously that pathway has become a lot harder for a lot of upper middle class kids, he said. But the one way those people can participate in the DEI bureaucracy in this country is to be trans. Doubling down on transgender issues, which the Trump team has hammered in the late stages of the campaign, Mr Vance accused pharmaceutical companies of pushing children to transition in order to profit from the sale of conversation therapy drugs, railed against transgender women competing in sports and said he and Trump were going to win the normal gay guy vote. The Trump campaign believes Mr Vances ability to connect with Rust Belt voters, in the all-important swing state of Pennsylvania in particular, will be a major asset on their path to the White House. His political intelligence has given him a unique ability to connect with both working-class voters, thanks to his blue-collar background, and also highly educated suburban voters who admire his Ivy League pedigree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A gifted student, he served as a US Marine before receiving a bachelors degree in his home state and attending Yale Law School. It was a disassociation with his peers at Yale that is credited with first shaping his conservatism. JD Vance and his wife Usha celebrated a the 2024 Republican National Convention - Carolyn Kaster It was also where he met his wife, Usha, a California native of Indian descent, a highly successful lawyer and until at least 2014, a registered Democrat. The couple have three children. During the vice presidential debate, he referred repeatedly to his children and said he wanted to put forward a pro-family platform at the 2024 election. I have three beautiful little kids at home, seven, four and two, and I love them very much, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a stint in corporate law, Mr Vance relocated to San Francisco making his fortune as a venture capitalist under the tech billionaire and GOP activist Peter Thiel. He left Silicon Valley behind to run for the Senate, and further eschewed the world he had once inhabited with his fiercely pro-Trump posture. Not many people would make the decision to reject the charmed life that came with being the toast of the elites the way JD did, his close friend told ABC News. However, Mr Vance has maintained ties with key players in Silicon Valley in particular the influential Mr Thiel and helped organise fundraisers with deep-pocketed donors for Trumps campaign. Amid the speculation over Mr Vances selection as Trumps running mate, a great deal of attention has also been paid to his beard, given Trumps reported distaste for facial hair. Mr Vance appeared with Trump at the Republican National Convention - Julia Nikhinson Some close to Mr Vance say the focus on the superficial is in fact a good metaphor for his political evolution. The shift from boyish puppy fat to full beard is representative of the severe masculinism he now espouses, one friend told the Washington Post. Trumps senior advisers, Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, believe that Vance can still bridge the divide. Trumps record of success, they said, coupled with JD Vances inspirational biography, military service, and dedication to Americas working families, will appeal to voters of all backgrounds, across the country. Together, the advisers said, the pair are the most unifying and competitive ticket in political history. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. NEW YORK Jerry Seinfeld is slamming his kids former private school in the Bronx for allowing emotionally distressed students to skip school when Election Day results are announced. Psychologists will also be available during Election Week to high schoolers at the pricy Ethical Culture Fieldston School in Riverdale, according to an email sent to the school community Thursday and viewed by The New York Times. Upper school principal Stacey Bobo said in the notice that the $65,000-a-year school will create space to provide students with the support they may need, regardless of who wins the presidency, and that excused absences are permitted the day results are announced. Students will also not have homework assigned on Election Day, nor will any assessments occur Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is why the kids hated it, the titular Seinfeld star and co-creator, 70, told the Times. Though the New York native and wife Jessica sent their sons, Julian, 21, and Shepherd, 19, to the school, the latter transferred in eighth grade to $57,00-a-year Riverdale Country School. What kind of lives have these people led that makes them think that this is the right way to handle young people? To encourage them to buckle, said the Emmy winner. This is the lesson they are providing, for ungodly sums of money. Seinfeld has been outspoken about his support of Israel amid the war in Gaza. The conflict has spurred infighting amongst Ethical Culture students, families, faculty and alumni. The Times reported in August that head-of-school Joe Algrant had stepped down as a result of the tensions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, Seinfeld faced his own backlash after saying he missed dominant masculinity and the social hierarchy of the latter 20th century. Shortly before that, he accused the extreme left and P.C. crap of ruining comedy, remarks he recently walked back. I said that the extreme left has suppressed the art of comedy. I did say that. Thats not true, the comedian said during his Oct. 15 appearance on Tom Papas Breaking Bread podcast. Jerry Seinfeld has slammed his childrens school for offering a day off to students who are distressed by the 2024 US presidential election. The Ethical Culture Fieldston School a school in New York City for students between pre-K and 12th grade sent an email to the community leading up to the election, as reported by theNew York Times. In one section of the message, the principal of the upper school, Stacey Bobo, said that ninth through 12th graders who feel too emotionally distressed due to the election will be excused from class on Wednesday, November 6. Or, instead of taking off the day after the election, high schoolers can be excused from classes when the election results are announced. Speaking to the publication, Seinfeld whose sons attended the school hit back at the institution for offering students a day off because of election stress. He alleged that it was these types of decisions made by the school that encouraged him to transfer his youngest son to a different private school in the eighth grade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is why the kids hated it, he said. What kind of lives have these people led that makes them think that this is the right way to handle young people? To encourage them to buckle. This is the lesson they are providing, for ungodly sums of money. The Seinfeld alum and his wife, Jessica Seinfeld, are the parents of sons Julian, 21, and Shepherd, 20, as well as 23-year-old daughter Sascha. Jerry Seinfeld shares three children with wife Jessica Seinfeld (Getty Images) The Ethical Culture Fieldston School is an elite private school based in the Bronx, New York. According to its website, the tuition cost for all students in all grades during the 2024-2025 year is $65,540. There are also additional fees for Fieldstons middle and upper school sections, including costs for books and supplies for courses. However, students yearbooks, lunches, and accident insurance are included in the tuition. In the recent email to Fieldston Schools community, Bobo also acknowledges that this may be a high-stakes and emotional time, as the upcoming election will see Vice President Kamala Harris go head-to-head with Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No matter the election outcome, [the school] will create space to provide students with the support they may need, she wrote in the email. High school students wont have any homework assigned to them on Election Day, according to the email. There also wont be any student assessment taking place on Wednesday, November 6. Despite Seinfelds disapproval over Fieldstons handling of the election, other parents in the community have applauded the institutions plan. I think its absolutely the right decision, John Couchman, who has one daughter in the 10th grade and another in the 12th grade at Fieldston, said. These students are very astute. I think their rights are on the line, whether its on election night or in five years, and they know it. The Independent has contacted a representative for Ethical Culture Fieldston School for comment. NEW JERSEY (PIX11) On Election Day, New Jersey residents will vote on several local seats in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, along with deciding the next president of the United States. The deadline to register to vote in New Jersey was on Oct. 15. New Jersey voters have several options to cast their ballot, including early voting, vote-by-mail, and in-person voting on Nov. 5. Election 2024: Races to watch in New Jersey Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jerseys primary election was held in June. To see who won their primaries, click here. There was also a special election held in September to temporarily fill the seat of Rep. Donald Payne Jr., who died in April at 65. Democrat LaMonica McIver won the election, taking over Paynes open seat. McIver will again face off against Republican Carmen Bucco in the general election. More News: NJ Elections Heres what you should know before heading into the voting booth on Election Day: Check if youre registered to vote in New Jersey To check to see if youre registered to vote in New Jersey, click here. You had to register by Oct. 15 to participate in this years election. Early voting in New Jersey Early voting will be held from Oct. 26 to Nov. 3. You can vote early and in-person from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays leading up to Nov. 5. Voting hours on Election Day in NJ If you decide to vote on Election Day, polling hours in New Jersey are from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your voting location Every registered voter is assigned a location to cast their ballot on Election Day. New Jersey has a polling place search tool that you can use to see where you should go to vote. To find your voting location, click here. Mail-in voting If you decide to vote by mail, you must request a ballot no less than a week before Election Day, according to the New Jersey Voter Information Portal. You can drop off your ballot to the Board of Elections in person, place it in a ballot drop box, or mail it in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mail-in ballots must be postmarked on or before 8 p.m. on Nov. 5. Who is running in New Jersey? U.S. Senate: Democratic Rep. Andy Kim is facing off against Republican opponent Curtis Bashaw for the Senate seat left open by former Sen. Bob Menendez. Menendez resigned in August after he was convicted on charges of bribery, conspiracy, fraud, and making false statements. U.S. House of Representatives: All 12 of New Jerseys congressional seats in the House of Representatives are up for grabs. To look up your representative and district, click here. Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Jill Stein has refused to drop out of the race for the White House despite calls from more than a dozen Green parties to do so. The US Green Party candidate is under pressure to end her presidential campaign just days before polling day, amid claims that she could fatally wound Kamala Harris and hand the election to Donald Trump. A coalition of European parties across Europe has used an open letter to urge Ms Stein to suspend her campaign and endorse Ms Harris instead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Otherwise, they warn, she risks splitting the Left-wing vote in key battleground states. The Stein campaign told The Telegraph that it was categorically not considering dropping out. Some commentators believe Ms Stein, who is on the ballot in almost every swing state, was crucial to Trumps election in 2016 by siphoning votes away from Hillary Clinton. Polling shows that the contest between Trump and Ms Harris is far closer than eight years ago, when the Republican was predicted to lose by a sizeable margin. The European Greens noted that Ms Stein, who is running in her third presidential election, had no chance of winning and that the race between Ms Harris and Trump was too close for comfort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump has promised that if he becomes president again, he will extend abortion bans, deny members of the LGBTQIA+ community their rights, and deport migrants on masse, it said. Like other ultra-conservative politicians across the globe with whom he has close relationships such as [Russian president] Vladimir Putin he would undermine democracy. Watershed moment The European Greens have no formal link with Ms Steins US Greens, having split from the American wing over its response to Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The letter, signed by Green parties from countries including Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland, Estonia, Belgium, Spain, Poland and Ukraine, argued that Trump would undermine democracy and world peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This election takes place at a watershed moment in the history of our planet, it continued. We face a climate crisis that is worsening every year Climate policies require democratic institutions, which we fear would be dismantled if Trump is elected. On top of this, wars are raging and authoritarianism is growing throughout the world. In this crucial moment, Europe needs Kamala Harris as President of the United States, to be a reliable partner and to take the urgent, decisive action needed on the climate crisis and to bring about a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East. It has previously been reported that Badger Values, a Republican-aligned campaign group, has spent $307,000 on advertising for Ms Stein to peel away votes from Ms Harris in the swing state of Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ralph Nader, the Green party candidate in 2000, is widely thought to have cost Al Gore the presidency when the Democrat lost Florida to George W Bush by 537 votes. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. In August, the Labor Department announced that it had overstated the number of jobs added to the U.S. economy from March 2023 to March 2024 and by quite a bit. The economy added 818,000 fewer jobs than estimated, a downward revision of nearly 30 percent. With an election looming and a presidential race turned upside down just weeks before by the withdrawal of President Joe Biden, the revision took on a political dimension. [The Biden administration] defrauded the people of our country with the job numbers, former President Donald Trump said on Fox & Friends in response to the revised numbers. They thought they were going to keep those numbers until right after the election, when they could announce a revision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Octobers jobs report, the numbers for the previous month surpassed expectations, with the Labor Department reporting the addition of 254,000 new jobs, numbers that would indicate a healthy economy. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who serves on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee for the Labor Department, made a baseless accusation that called the numbers into question. Another fake jobs report out from Biden-Harris government today, Rubio wrote in a post on X. 16 of the last 17 reports have been significantly revised downwards after media helps them with their fake headlines. Rubio is correct that there have been significant recent downward revisions in the monthly jobs reports from the Labor Departments Bureau of Labor Statistics. But the reasons for the adjustments are varied, including survey response timing, not politics, according to Brendan Walsh, a principal at the financial market analysis firm Markets Policy Partners who has studied how the agency compiles the reports. Every month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) conducts two surveys: the Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey and the Current Population Survey (CPS). The CPS, which the Census Bureau conducts by a sample survey of 60,000 households by phone call, is how the BLS arrives at the unemployment rate. The CES, on the other hand, surveys around 119,000 non-agricultural businesses and government agencies, providing the BLS with the data needed for the monthly jobs numbers, which the agency describes as estimates. These businesses respond to the survey voluntarilythey are not required to submit their employment numbers. For the jobs data, the way [the BLS does] it is they ask a company, How many people did you have employed on the [payroll period] that includes the 12th of the month? Walsh told The Dispatch. Businesses often respond to these surveys late, and this data is not included in the data released at the beginning of the next month. This can lead to significant changes in the jobs report numbers as more responses are received, creating the need for revisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CES estimates are considered preliminary when first published each month because not all respondents report their payroll data by the initial release of employment, hours, and earnings, Stacey Standish, a BLS spokesperson, told The Dispatch. For a given month, BLS publishes second preliminary estimates 1 month after the initial release and final sample-based estimates 2 months after the initial release. The estimates published with the second and third (final) releases incorporate additional data from respondents and corrected data. For the October report, the business response rate was unusually low, with only 62.2 percent of businesses filing on timethe smallest response rate for any September survey since 2002. Therefore, the stage is set for a possible large revision. Further, events that have nothing to do with the strength of the economy can affect the jobs reports. With hurricanes Helene and Milton causing severe damage in parts of the Southeast and 33,000 Boeing machinists currently on strike, economists are estimating that hiring last month could have declined by 60,000 to 100,000 jobs. They are expecting 120,000 new jobs, less than half of the jobs added in September. When the BLS makes revisions to its reports, the data may be adjusted either upward or downward. In the October report, the jobs numbers for both July and August were revised upward by a combined 72,000 jobs. In 2022, the BLS revised the jobs numbers for the period from April 2021 through March 2022, adding 462,000 jobs to the initial estimate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the year is over, the BLS conducts a much larger revision based on tax records, which is what led to the significant adjustment in August for 2023. So there youre getting a whole new set of information, and thats where the huge revisions can come from, Walsh said. The BLS also adjusts for seasonal fluctuations in the number of people employed over the year, like the number of teachers decreasing during the summer and the number of truck drivers increasing over the holiday season. Seasonal adjustmentscalculated based on past data patternscorrect for these changes and allow the final jobs numbers to be more indicative of actual growth. Walsh discounts any notion of political influence on numbers reported by the BLS, but he stresses that the bureaus initial estimates are not as accurate as later revisions. You can have huge revisions, and also [the BLS reports] this statistical variance, he said. This variance, similar to a pollsters margin of error, can be significant. In the October report, the BLS estimated that 254,000 jobs were created in September, but that number could vary by as much as 130,000. The actual number of jobs added could be as high as nearly 400,000 or as low as just over 100,000. In months where the number of jobs created is less than the possible variance, what initially looks like positive job growth could actually be job loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you say our margin of error is plus or minus 150,000, from a mathematical standpoint, thats actually very accurate. From a political standpoint, that [variance is] a big deal, Walsh said. Despite the large variance, he emphasizes that the results are apolitical. The people at the BLS are not politicianstheyre mathematicians. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. Joe Scarborough launched an angry tirade against Donald Trump on Friday morning for suggesting Liz Cheney should be shot at with guns trained on her face because she objected to his handling of Jan. 6. Calling Cheney the conservatives conservative, Scarborough denounced the former president for treating her as an enemy of the state because she was disloyal to him. On Morning Joe, he went into chilling detail about the horrors of the Capitol riot and compared Trumps treatment of Cheney with his verbal attacks on Gen. Mark Milley, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Trump said last year that the embarrassing U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan would once have been punishable by death for Milley. "Donald Trump is talking about Republicans, here. He's talking about somebody that has been the conservatives' conservative for years." -@joenbc reacts to Trump saying Liz Cheney wouldn't be such a war hawk if she had guns pointed at her pic.twitter.com/zHwAvhfOHf Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) November 1, 2024 Donald Trump is talking about Republicans, here, said Scarborough, referencing Trumps war hawk remarks about Cheney. Hes talking about somebody that has been the conservatives conservative for years. So more conservative in every way than Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And yet just because shes disloyal to him, just because she said, Theres something deeply wrong with a commander-in-chief allowing riots to go on, refusing to stop those riots. And in fact, he continued, going into his dining room alone, staring and looking at some of the most violent parts of the riot, rewinding them, watching them again, rewinding them, watching them again, while his vice president and Secret Service detail are locked up in the basement... and Mike Pence is calling their families and saying they dont think theyre going to make it out alive. While cops are getting their heads crushed inside doors, getting beaten up, getting clubbed almost to death, within inches of their death, getting bear spray sprayed on them. This is what is so dismissed day in and day out and day in and day out, and that is what Liz Cheney objected to, which is what The Wall Street Journal editorial page objected to at one time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And now, because Liz Cheney objected to those riots and the way things were handled, shes an enemy of the state to Donald Trump, and on his closing weekend hes calling for nine guns to be pointed at her face to execute her. Trump had said of Cheney on Thursday night: Shes a radical war hawk. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Lets see how she feels about it, you know when the guns are trained on her face. You know, theyre all war hawks when theyre sitting in Washington in a nice building saying, Oh, gee, well lets send, lets send 10,000 troops right into the mouth of the enemy." The Trump campaign later released a statement dismissing reports that the former president said Cheney should be put in front of a firing squad as malicious or dumb. President Trump was clearly describing a combat zone, she statement said. Liz Cheney and Kamala Harris, if elected, would continue to plunge the U.S. deeper into war leading to World War 3 and allow innocent men and women to die in that conflict. Rep. John Duarte and Adam Gray faced off on costs, water and abortion in their last debate for one of the nations most competitive House of Representatives elections, with each imploring voters to view their leadership as more down-to-earth than the other. But they did agree during their Thursday night debate on how to respond to several issues, including E-Verify requirements, minimum wage, rent control and electric vehicle policies. Both shied away from direct answers to questions on abortion views. Both affirmed they were supporting the presidential candidate for their respective parties former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wide-ranging and largely civil debate between freshman Duarte, R-Modesto, and former Assemblyman Gray, D-Merced, covered immigration, the economy, water policy, affordable housing, high speed rail, gas prices and more. Each expressed his bipartisan work in this politically mixed district that has more registered Democrats than Republicans. Gray repeatedly tried to tie Duarte to conservative House Republicans and Trump, denouncing the GOP presidential nominees rhetoric concerning immigrants. Duarte did not invoke Grays name in the same way, but frequently mentioned his own votes that bucked is own party and his low score from a conservative organization that rates members of Congress. Gray cited his disagreements with Gov. Gavin Newsom and Sacramento Democrats during his 10 years in the State Assembly over issues like water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A good amount of policy questions yielded similar responses from the Republican incumbent and Democratic challenger. Neither believes the government should require individuals to purchase an electric vehicle. In California, all new passenger vehicles sold in the state are supposed to be zero-emission by 2035. No, I think its something that can be handled in the marketplace, Gray said. This is coming out of Gavin Newsoms crazy California politics, Duarte said. Were a one party state and were doing silly things, and Id like to use whatever federal power I have in Congress to stop it. Neither supports requiring E-Verify for all private employers. E-Verify is a way for employers to check the eligibility of employees to work in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither supports increasing the minimum wage, which is on the California ballot via Proposition 32, with both skirting a question to specify what a livable wage in California is, saying it depends where you live in the state and your economic situation. Neither candidate supports rent control an issue on the ballot through Proposition 33, which aims to repeal rules blocking rent control for a lot of the Californias housing. Rent control, unfortunately, although it sounds good, is a proven failure in terms of the marketplace, Duarte said. Ive talked about having the courage to stand up against those in your own party, and theres certainly many in my party who support rent control, Gray said. I do not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duarte and Gray are in a rematch for Californias 13th Congressional District, a race that nonpartisan election analysts say is a tossup. Their contest could help tilt House control, as Democrats need to flip just four seats nationwide to take the majority. Gray lost to Duarte, a farmer and businessman, by four-tenths of a percentage point in 2022, one of the nations closest House races that year. The 13th district includes all of Merced County and chunks of Madera, Stanislaus, Fresno and San Joaquin counties. On Thursday, both candidates disagreed with Trumps assertion last month that disaster funding for California wildfires be tied to water allocations for the states farmers. These kinds of threats have no business in public policy, Gray said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initially, Duarte answered the question of whether he supported Trumps claim by touting his own moderate profile and bipartisan water efforts. Pressed again, Duarte said, No, we can find better ways than that on supplying water without withholding aid. Each demurred on a question concerning abortion policy, a pivotal issue in the 2022 midterms nationwide after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the near 50-year precedent that had set federal abortion protections. Asked if he would support legislation codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law, Duarte said, I would look at it. Thats a hypothetical. So I cant answer because I cant see the bill. Duarte has previously said that he would not support a federal abortion ban and that states should govern abortion policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gray said Roe v. Wade should be codified into federal law, but would not say whether he supported any limits on abortion when asked repeatedly by the moderator. Thats a conversation and a medical discussion between the appropriate people: a woman and her doctor, Gray said. In closing, asked about their favorite Halloween costumes from their youth, Duarte said mimicking being in an electric chair in college. Gray said dressing as Alfred E. Neuman of Mad Magazine. As mothers, were told to trust our instincts, protect our families, and be vigilant about our own health. But what happens when the systems meant to protect us fail? Joselli Barnica, a 28-year-old mother from Houston, found herself caught in just such a dilemmaa heartbreaking situation that left her family, her doctors, and her community mourning a loss that experts believe never should have happened. Joselli Barnicas story Barnica was expecting her second child when she faced a terrifying medical crisis. On September 5, 2021, she was 17 weeks and 5 days into her pregnancy when she arrived at HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest with intense cramping and bleeding. Doctors informed her that her cervix was open, her baby was about to be delivered, and there was no possibility of saving the pregnancy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under standard medical protocol, her doctors would typically interveneusing medication or surgery to prevent the risk of infection and help her body safely complete the miscarriage. But according to her husband, doctors said that intervening would be illegal under Texass restrictive healthcare laws, because the pregnancy still had a fetal heartbeat. Despite her pleas for help, they held off due to fear of prosecution. For 40 agonizing hours, Barnicas health deteriorated. Eventually, she developed sepsisa life-threatening infection that spread rapidly and took her life just three days after her miscarriage. Her death, according to a recent ProPublica investigation, was preventable. More than a dozen medical experts reviewed her case and agreed that, with the right intervention, she might still be here today. Instead, vague legal boundaries prevented her doctors from providing the care she needed. Erin McCallums story offers another harrowing glimpse into the reality of restrictive abortion laws. Last year in Georgia, she faced a similar medical crisis to Joselli Barnicas, losing a significant amount of blood after her water broke early in pregnancy. Despite her pleas, doctors delayed intervention due to Georgias abortion law, which prohibits medical action if a fetal heartbeat is present. McCallum was ultimately admitted to intensive care with severe sepsis. Thankfully, she survived to tell her story, but her experience underscores the ongoing risks that many women face when legal ambiguity prevents timely, necessary care. Lives on the line: The cost of policy ambiguity Barnicas story is part of a growing concern about how restrictive healthcare laws affect maternal care. In states with strict abortion regulations, doctors face uncertainty about what constitutes a medical emergency. Without clear guidance, some physicians may pause or delay care out of fear for their licenses or even criminal charges if their judgment is later questioned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This legal uncertainty has cost other lives, too. Eighteen-year-old Nevaeh Crain, for example, visited two emergency rooms due to severe complications but was sent home twice, each time in worsening condition. Without intervention, she ultimately lost her life, according to a recent Texas Tribune report. This situation is not limited to Texas. In Idaho, Carmen Broesder experiencing a miscarriage waited 19 painful days for care because her doctors feared legal consequences if they intervened. These maternal deaths as a result of uncertain abortion laws are part of a broader maternal health crisis: maternal mortality in the United States rose 11 percent from 2019 to 2022. In Texas alone, the maternal death rate surged 56 percent, according to an analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data conducted by the Gender Equity Policy Institute. These numbers are not just statisticsthey represent real mothers, like Josseli and Nevaeh, whose lives might have been saved if their doctors had the freedom to act. Mothers deserve medical support, not legal uncertainty Pregnancy requires serious care, and every mother deserves confidence that her health will be prioritized. Yet in this moment, there are laws or even confusion around laws, that hinder doctors from providing care, even when a mothers health is clearly at risk. Building a community of support for mothers everywhere The preventable deaths of Joselli Barnica, Nevaeh Crain, and others highlight the urgent moment for pregnant moment, at a time when abortion rights are evolving. We cannot stand by while mothers lose or risk their lives due to ambiguous laws. Mothers and their families deserve so much better. Sources: BOSTON (AP) A judge ruled Thursday that Karen Read wont have to give a deposition in her wrongful death lawsuit until after her criminal trial in January. The brief from Judge William M. White Jr. on Thursday effectively delays the lawsuit, which blames Read for the death of John OKeefe, the Boston police officer who was her boyfriend. The lawsuit also describes negligence by bars that continued to serve drinks to her despite signs she was drunk. Read has pleaded not guilty and awaits retrial on charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Her two-month criminal trial ended in July when the judge declared a mistrial after jurors said they were deadlocked. The judge dismissed arguments that jurors later said they had unanimously agreed Read wasnt guilty on the charges of second-degree murder and leaving the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read has appealed the ruling to the states highest court. Next week, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court will hear oral arguments in her bid to dismiss the two charges. Reads attorneys had filed a motion to delay a trial on the lawsuit, citing that the criminal action would adversely affect Reads Fifth Amendment rights and her ability to vigorously defend herself from criminal prosecution. Read is accused of ramming into OKeefe with her SUV and leaving him for dead in a January 2022 snowstorm. A second trial is scheduled for Jan. 27. But an attorney for OKeefes brother, Paul, and other relatives who filed the wrongful death lawsuit oppose any delays. They suggested the reliance on the Fifth Amendment ignored that she has spoken publicly about her case several times to the media and will be the subject of at least one upcoming documentary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the barhopping, Read a former adjunct professor at Bentley College dropped off OKeefe, a 16-year member of the Boston Police Department, outside the Canton home of another police officer. His body was found in the front yard. An autopsy found OKeefe died of hypothermia and blunt force trauma. Reads lawyers argued that OKeefe was killed inside the home and that those involved chose to frame her because she was a convenient outsider. GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) Federal judge Ronnie Greer has denied accused child rapist Sean Williams longshot motion to suppress evidence in his child pornography production case, which goes to trial in less than two weeks. COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE SEAN WILLIAMS CASE Had Greer ruled in Williams favor, it would have dealt a major blow to the prosecutors case, which is largely based on part of the evidence Williams sought to have suppressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams defense attorney Mark Brown had contended that Western Carolina University police officer Charles Goodens initial seizure of drugs and other items from the front seat of Williams car when he was arrested in Cullowhee, N.C. April 29, 2023, lacked probable cause and violated Williams constitutional rights. Subsequent searches, whether legal or not, also shouldnt be admissible using a fruit of the poisonous tree legal doctrine, Brown said. Williams, a former downtown Johnson City resident and business owner, faces up to 30 years each on three federal counts of enticing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of manufacturing child pornography. The counts are based on alleged abuse against three different children in his home, which he is alleged to have photographed, and prosecutors have said there is photographic evidence of Williams abusing at least two other children who have not been able to be identified. Hes also suspected on the basis of alleged photo and video evidence of raping more than 60 different women between 2018 and 2021 in his fifth-floor condominium on East Main Street. Williams is also at the center of two major civil lawsuits against Johnson City, alleging that its police department failed to adequately investigate Williams despite multiple rape complaints against him and other readily available evidence he might be a serial sexual predator. The city and other defendants have denied all those claims, which are still pending trial. After the initial seizure, WCU officers arrested Williams and obtained search warrants for later items they found in the car. Those discoveries allegedly included both large amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine, and after search warrants to look at digital devices and hard drives for evidence of drug dealing the alleged photo and video evidence of Williams sexually assaulting women and children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greer, in a 17-page opinion, rejected Browns argument about the first seizure, which happened before Williams was formally arrested or read his rights. The judge instead found ample evidence to support prosecutors arguments that the warrantless search met a probable cause standard due to the totality of the circumstances involved. The totality of the circumstances, in the United Statess view, show that Officer Gooden and his fellow officers had probable cause for the initial search of Mr. Williamss vehicle based on four objective facts leading up the search, even without Williams admission that he had drugs in the vehicle, he wrote. Brown didnt take issue with the propriety of the subsequent searches, instead basing his entire argument on Goodens initial seizure. That happened after he came upon Williams in a closed parking lot next to the Tuckasegee River, where he was passed out with the engine running. Greer cited numerous precedents before summing up his opinion that based on common sense and the law, Goodens initial search was legal. He wrote that the fact Williams was in a closed parking lot late at night, appeared to be passed out and potentially overdosed, acted nervous and didnt offer a good explanation for why he was there, and did indeed have drugs and drug paraphernalia visible in the front seat all supported the warrantless searchs legality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the officers initial search of Mr. Williamss vehicle was constitutional, the Court, for the reasons it has already stated, has no need to address Mr. Williamss argument that the subsequent, warrant-backed search of his vehicle which yielded the hard drives and thumb drives containing the images of child pornography was unconstitutional under the fruit-of-the-poisonous-tree doctrine, Greer wrote. Greer has decided to call 100 people as potential jurors for the trial. Williams case, and the two civil lawsuits against Johnson City that preceded it, have drawn national media attention. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The office of the Utah Attorney General at the Capitol in Salt Lake City is pictured on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) The Utah Attorney Generals Office will continue advocating for the execution of Ralph Menzies, after a judge denied a motion Thursday to disqualify the office from future proceedings over an alleged conflict of interest. In November, a judge will decide whether Menzies, a 65-year old death row inmate with dementia, is competent enough to be executed by firing squad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But his attorneys say the competency review where the states Department of Corrections and Department of Health and Human Services will evaluate whether Menzies is aware of his impending execution and the reason for it will not be fair. Thats because the Attorney Generals Office is communicating with those two agencies, which are tasked with conducting an impartial review, while advocating for Menzies execution, his lawyers argued in court documents. Utah death row inmate Ralph Menzies most recent mugshot, taken on Aug. 1, 2024. (Credit: Utah Department of Corrections) Thats akin to the state putting its thumb on the scales of justice, possibly tainting the competency review, Menzies attorney Eric Zuckerman said in a statement Thursday. Zuckerman had requested the Attorney Generals Office be disqualified from representing the state going forward. On Thursday, 3rd District Court Judge Matthew Bates said he will deny that motion during a virtual court hearing. However, the ruling is not yet public, so its unclear whether there will be any limitations or caveats for the Attorney Generals Office. Bates said the ruling will be public by Friday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the Utah Attorney General is allowed to continue representing the State in this case, we can have no confidence that Ralph Menzies competency proceedings will be fair and impartial, Zuckerman said. Due process requires that the State not put its thumb on the scales of justice by sharing confidential information among entities with conflicting interests. The Attorney Generals Office had not yet responded to Utah News Dispatchs request for comment Thursday afternoon. Menzies kidnapped 26-year-old Maurine Hunsaker in 1986 while she was working as a cashier at a gas station in Kearns. He took her up Big Cottonwood Canyon and kept her overnight in a picnic area, according to court documents. Two days later, her body was found tied to a tree with her throat slashed. In 1988, Menzies was convicted of kidnapping and aggravated murder. He was sentenced to death by firing squad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the decades since the murder, Menzies health has significantly declined, so much that his attorneys are prepared to argue he is not competent enough to face execution. Menzies was diagnosed with dementia in March 2023 after he fell several times, his attorneys write in court filings, and an MRI exam found his brain tissue is deteriorating, causing memory loss and reduced cognitive functions. In a five-day hearing starting on Nov. 18, Bates will hear arguments for and against Menzies competency. Even though court documents suggest Menzies is in a declining mental state, stopping an execution due to incompetency requires a high bar that is rarely met in capital punishment cases, attorneys say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Utah code, the assessment must consider whether Menzies is aware of his impending execution and if he knows his murder conviction is the reason. State code also requires the evaluation of his mental disorder and whether psychoactive medication is necessary to maintain or restore the inmates competency. Because Menzies is in such poor health, his attorneys argued he should be exempt from attending the hearing in person. Having to travel back and forth from the prison to the courthouse, wearing shackles and sitting in the courtroom during the hearing would cause him discomfort, Zuckerman told the court on Thursday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Plus, Menzies presence could delay proceedings if he requires special accommodations or breaks because of his health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Matt Hunsaker, Maurines son, pushed back. If Menzies doesnt attend the hearing and the judge rules he is competent enough to face execution, that could open the door for another appeal. Menzies could argue that his attorneys forced him to not appear, Hunsaker said. He is going to be able to basically say, My attorneys forced me into doing this. I firmly believe that him not being there opens the door to appeals, Hunsaker said during the hearing. Hes the one who brought this challenge to the court, Hunsaker said. Hes the one asking for this. Now hes saying I dont want to be there. Ultimately, Bates ruled that Menzies will be required to attend at least the first day of the hearing. After that, the court will determine whether hell have to come back for the following days. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE NEW YORK Mayor Eric Adams suffered a setback in his federal corruption case late Thursday as a judge rejected his request for a formal inquiry into claims that federal authorities have leaked confidential information to the press about his prosecution. In a 21-page decision, Manhattan Federal Court Judge Dale Ho ruled Adams lawyers didnt lay out convincing enough of an argument that the source of certain media reports about his case could only have been the prosecutors who indicted him or FBI officials. The Court takes seriously Mayor Adamss allegations, but ultimately concludes that he has failed to make a prima facie showing that the Government was the source of these disclosures, Ho wrote, referring to a legal standard that had to be met for the mayors request to be granted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ho reasoned that the news reports in question, most of them published by The New York Times, could have been based on information provided by various individuals outside of the FBI and the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office, which is prosecuting Adams. Mayor Adams has failed to show that Government attorneys or their agents, as opposed to other individuals, were the source of information in the articles, he wrote. Hos ruling came after Adams attorney, Alex Spiro, argued in a filing last month that only the U.S. attorneys office or its agents could be the source of what he described as classified grand jury material about the mayors case reported by various media outlets, including the Daily News. The reports he cited as evidence included those predicting the timing of the Sept. 26 unsealing of Adams indictment. To that end, Spiro asked Ho to schedule an evidentiary hearing into those allegations and slap prosecutors with sanctions, potentially as severe as dismissal of the mayors five-count indictment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though he rejected the demands for sanctions and an evidentiary hearing, Ho suggested he could be open to revisiting the issue at some point, writing: In any event, the Court need not resolve these issues today. Spiro, a celebrity attorney retained by Adams in late September to represent him in the corruption case, declined to immediately comment Friday via a spokeswoman. Hos ruling came hours before Adams was expected to appear in Manhattan Federal Court for a Friday afternoon hearing on a separate motion filed by Spiro seeking the dismissal of the bribery count of his indictment. Spiro has claimed prosecutors failed to meet the legal standard for that charge and that Ho should therefore throw it out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams, the first sitting New York City mayor in modern history to be under criminal indictment, is facing charges alleging he solicited and accepted bribes and illegal campaign contributions from Turkish government operatives and others in exchange for political favors. The bribes came in the form of luxury travel benefits and other perks that Adams is accused of accepting in exchange for helping Turkish government officials with certain issues, like pressuring the FDNY to resolve building safety violations at the countrys Manhattan consulate, his indictment claims. Adams has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Spiro has mocked the indictment as not a real case, arguing that what the feds call bribes are actually nothing more than courtesies commonly awarded to politicians in the U.S. They get corner suites. They get better tables at restaurants. They get free appetizers. They have their ice tea filled up, Spiro said last month. A judge on Friday rejected Elon Musks attempt to move to federal court a lawsuit challenging his $1 million daily giveaways to registered voters in swing states, enabling a hearing to proceed before Election Day. Musks attorneys have accused Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner (D) of attempting to rush a court-ordered stop to the giveaways. By trying to move courts, Musk halted a Thursday state court hearing at which his attendance was required. The District Attorney wants this litigation to be a rushed stage play, and the attendant spectacle and attention that go with it. But this lawsuit belongs in federal court, where it can be decided soberly and in a deliberate fashion, Musks attorneys wrote in court filings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. District Judge Gerald Papperts ruling remands the lawsuit back to state court, siding with the district attorney. A hearing was quickly rescheduled for Monday morning. Musks attorneys have newly asked the state judge to quash the requirement he attend, but it remains unclear if the judge will grant the request. America PAC launched the sweepstakes in late October. The giveaways are restricted to registered voters in seven swing states, including Pennsylvania, who have signed the PACs petition supporting free speech and the right to bear arms. The Philadelphia district attorney sued the billionaire and his pro-Trump super PAC on Monday, urging the court to immediately halt the sweepstakes. Krasner alleged that America PACs daily $1 million giveaways are an illegal lottery under Pennsylvania state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk requested that the case be moved to federal court on Wednesday night, arguing that it has little to do with state-law claims of nuisance and consumer protection, which Krasner raised in his initial complaint. Viewed properly, the Notice of Removal is a stunt to obtain a procedural advantage to avoid a ruling on the Preliminary Injunction and run the clock until election day, Krasners office pushed back. Musks attorneys insisted the case can be moved to federal court because the dispute is inextricably intertwined with questions of federal law related to the upcoming presidential election. Alternatively, Musks lawyers said the case qualified under diversity jurisdiction, referring to the federal courts ability to hear cases if the defendants and plaintiffs are from different states and the amount in controversy is over $75,000. The judge rejected both arguments. He found no question of federal law needed to be decided to resolve the district attorneys lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal question jurisdiction does not turn on a plaintiffs motivations in filing suit; it turns on whether the legal issues arising from the claims originate in federal or state law, Pappert wrote. Pappert was appointed the bench by former President Obama and previously served as Pennsylvanias Republican attorney general. The Department of Justice (DOJ) reportedly warned the super PAC that its giveaways could violate a federal law against paying people to register to vote. However, it has continued to hand out the $1 million checks and insists the amount is instead for the person to serve as a PAC spokesperson. Fourteen swing state residents have received checks so far. Musk, who endorsed Trump in July, has taken on a particularly active role in the former presidents campaign. His super PAC has been central to the campaigns ground game in swing states, and Musk himself has held a series of events in Pennsylvania in the final weeks of the race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the PAC recently announced that the final four checks will go to registered voters in Wisconsin, Arizona and Michigan, a new factor that could complicate the proceedings in Pennsylvania. Updated at 5:34 p.m. EDT Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A federal judge said a woman who accused Sean Diddy Combs of sexually assaulting her cannot proceed with her lawsuit under a pseudonym after finding the rapper has a right to defend himself. The fundamental question is whether Plaintiff has a substantial privacy interest that outweighs the customary and constitutionally-embedded presumption of openness in judicial proceedings, Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil wrote in an opinion Wednesday, adding, Defendants have a right to defend themselves, including by investigating Plaintiff, and the people have a right to know who is using their courts. The Tennessee woman filed a lawsuit as a Jane Doe against Combs and others earlier this month, alleging he raped her in 2004 when she was 19 years old. The Doe lawsuit is one of more than a dozen filed since Combs arrest on sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges in September by John or Jane Does who are represented by the same attorneys. The cases are individually filed and before different judges, but the ruling could impact a number of those cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Vyskocil ruled the woman has to file the lawsuit under her name by November 13 or the lawsuit will be dismissed. Representatives for Combs said, We have no formal statement as the ruling speaks for itself. Combs has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has denied any wrongdoing. CNN has reached out to representatives for the plaintiff for comment. Lawyers for the woman argued in court filings that the case should be allowed to proceed because of the womans fear that Combs would physically harm her. The judge disagreed. As Plaintiffs own submissions make clear, however, Combs has had no contact with Plaintiff for the approximately twenty years since the alleged rape and Combs is currently detained pending trial, the judge wrote. As such, counsel has not identified any present threat of physical harm to Plaintiff, she said. In the lawsuit, the judge notes there is no allegation that Combs threatened this woman about going public with her allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge ruled that public humiliation is not enough to warrant keeping the identity secret and pointed to the multiple lawsuits filed against Combs by people under their real names. The Court appreciates that Combs is a public figure and, therefore, Plaintiff is likely to face public scrutiny if she proceeds in her own name. The Court is not oblivious to the potential toll of such scrutiny on any litigant. However, Plaintiffs interest in avoiding public scrutiny, or even embarrassment, does not outweigh the interests of both Combs and the public in the customary and constitutionally-embedded presumption of openness in judicial proceedings, the judge wrote. The judge said that Combs is entitled to know her identity to investigate her claims. Counsels assertions that Defendants need not know Plaintiffs identity to file an answer and conduct discovery strain credulity, she wrote. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com NEW YORK Mayor Eric Adams historic corruption trial will start in late April 2025 just over two months before hes set to face off against multiple challengers in next summers Democratic mayoral primary. During a Friday afternoon hearing, Manhattan Federal Court Judge Dale Ho, who oversees Adams case, set an April 21 start date for the mayors trial. Adams attorneys had initially asked for the trial to start in March, arguing he would otherwise run the risk of it not being completed before New Yorkers head to the polls for the June 24 mayoral primary. Prosecutors from the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office, which brought the case against Adams, had asked for a May trial start, saying they needed time to filter out classified national security material that has come up in the case before the jury hears it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ho argued in Fridays hearing that the April start is a reasonable compromise that satisfies the demands from both sides. Thats the earliest date I think we can realistically shoot for, Ho said. Adams, whose approval rating has plunged to historic lows amid his indictment, is running in Junes mayoral primary against Comptroller Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, Queens state Sen. Jessica Ramos and Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. All of Adams challengers have called on him to resign since he became the first sitting New York City mayor in modern history to face criminal charges. The trial start date ruling came after Fridays hearing had been called to review a motion filed by Alex Spiro, Adams lawyer, seeking to get the bribery count in the mayors indictment dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors didnt meet the legal requirements for that charge, Spiro has argued in pushing Ho to throw it out. Ho did not immediately rule on Spiros request, but said hell do so soon. Adams has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which also include counts of conspiracy, fraud and soliciting political donations from foreign nationals. Adams is accused of accepting tens of thousands of dollars in lavish bribes like vacation perks, flight upgrades and hotel stays all paid for by associates of the Turkish government who later allegedly cashed in by asking the then-up-and-coming politician to carry out political favors. Adams moved to dismiss the bribery count just days after the indictment was unsealed in late September. Spiro argued in court papers that the allegations against the mayor were extraordinarily vague and based largely on the word of a disgruntled Adams staffer a reference to Rana Abbasova, who is expected to be a star witness for the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abbasova was fired from her City Hall post in October after prosecutors turned over evidence that Adams team said could be used to discredit her. It is at best an allegation that the official intended to curry favor with Adams a classic gratuity (and the kind of gratuity that even federal gratuity prohibitions do not criminalize), Spiro wrote in his Sept. 30 motion to dismiss. On Thursday, in a separate ruling, Judge Ho rejected Adams request to look into the mayors claim that authorities leaked confidential information to the press about his prosecution. Adams team had previously asked for sanctions and an evidentiary hearing to examine possible leaks. Mayor Adams has failed to show that Government attorneys or their agents, as opposed to other individuals, were the source of information in the articles, Ho wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams is facing five criminal counts alleging he sought and accepted bribes and illegal campaign donations from the Turkish government and others in exchange for helping fast-track a Turkish consulate in Manhattan, among other political favors. ______ NEW YORK A Manhattan judge has set Mayor Eric Adams federal trial to start April 21, 2025, just two months before the mayor plans to stand for reelection in the Democratic primary. Arguing for a trial as soon as possible, Adams attorney Alex Spiro said he wanted the mayor to avoid running with this hanging over his head, and that being in court wouldnt give Adams a realistic chance of being actually involved in the process of campaigning. I do think its important for the public to have an answer on Adams case before the primary, Judge Dale Ho said Friday in federal court in Lower Manhattan. The election is set for June 24, and early voting starts June 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams has pleaded not guilty to a criminal indictment alleging bribery and taking foreign campaign contributions in a straw donor scheme. Ho has suggested he expects a trial would last four to six weeks which could mean Adams case could continue into the month of the election. Adams himself appeared in court Friday, where the judge also heard arguments on a motion to dismiss the bribery charge that the mayors lawyers filed soon after he was charged in September. John Bash, a former special assistant to President Donald Trump who recently joined the mayors legal team, argued that Adams calling the Fire Department about issuing a certificate of occupancy to the new Turkish consulate didnt satisfy the elements of the federal bribery statute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If this amounts to pressure, Bash said, then anything does. Hagan Scotten, an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, argued the specifics of federal law on bribery should be addressed when giving instructions to the jury, rather than dismissing the count before trial. Ho said he would attempt to rule shortly on the motion. On Thursday, he denied Adams motion to sanction prosecutors for allegedly leaking secret grand jury proceedings, saying there was no clear evidence they had done so. Prosecutors also declined to provide an update on the status of a superseding indictment that they had previously said was a possibility. And they said Friday they still had not been able to access Adams cell phone to use the records as evidence in the case. Jury deliberations resumed at about 9:15 a.m. Friday and wrapped up around 4 p.m. Jurors will return Monday at 9:15 a.m. to continue deliberations. NBC4 will livestream the reading of the verdict when it happens. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A Franklin County jury will decide if a former Columbus police officer who fatally shot an unarmed man is guilty of murder, without factoring in prior use of force complaints and other related information that was not shared during the trial. Jury deliberations began Thursday in the trial for Adam Coy, 48, who is facing charges of murder, reckless homicide and felonious assault in the death of Andre Hill, 47. If convicted of murder the most serious charge Coy could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. The jury could choose to convict Coy on any combination of charges, or none at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 22, 2020, at about 1:50 a.m., Coy shot Hill four times while responding to a nonemergency suspicious vehicle call on Columbus northwest side. Coy fired at Hill after he began exiting a garage at his request, while holding up an illuminated phone screen in his left hand, and his right hand was not clearly visible due to a parked car. Coy testified he believed Hill had a silver revolver in his right hand, which ended up being a set of keys. While multiple officers began arriving at the scene about five minutes after the shooting, 10 minutes passed before Hill was given any medical assistance. He died at a hospital less than an hour later. The jury did not hear about Coys history, including prior citizen complaints made about his use of force. Coys Columbus Division of Police personnel file showed he received 90 citizen complaints during his time with the department, including an incident where he pulled over a suspected drunk driver and slammed the persons head on the hood of his police cruiser four times. The judge presiding over the case, Stephen McIntosh, ruled that Coys prior use or non-use of force could not be discussed during the trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defense also requested McIntosh prohibit text messages between Hill and the woman he was planning on meeting at the time of the shooting from being presented at the trial. While court records available online do not show whether McIntosh granted or denied the motion, jurors were not shown the text messages. The government is trying to put forth one theory about what may have been going on and why Mr. Hill was in the neighborhood however the defense can prove a different theory, the motion reads. It is a theory collaborated by the witness who was in the house, cell phone extraction as well as her personal record. Regardless, both of these theories should not be allowed in because they were not known to Adam Coy at the time he made the decision to use deadly force. Although changes to both the police department and city law, as well as a lawsuit, came after Hills death, attorneys did not discuss these instances during Coys trial. Days after the shooting, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther called for Coys termination. Coy was fired a week after Hills death, with Ginther applauding the department for its swift action. Columbus Division of Polices core values are integrity, compassion, accountability, respect and excellence, Ginther said in December 2020. From the body-worn camera footage weve seen, these values were absent and not on display while Mister Hill lay dying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the Columbus police department faced national backlash for the shooting, then-police chief Thomas Quinlan stepped down in January 2021, with Ginther stating Quinlan could not successfully implement the reform and change I expect. The mayor launched a national search for a replacement from outside of the department to change its culture. Elaine Bryant, who previously served as a deputy chief in Detroit, was hired later that year and continues to serve in that role. Additionally, in February 2021, City Council passed Andres Law, which requires Columbus officers to have their body cameras on when responding to calls and to provide medical assistance until paramedics arrive. This law will not solve all police violence, but its one more step in the right direction to ensure we know what is happening on the scene based on bodycam footage and ensure that if residents are hurt, police officers are there to render aid and for those who dont comply, there can be greater accountability, City Council president Shannon Hardin said in 2021. A civil lawsuit for Hills death was also not mentioned during the trial. Hills family, represented by nationally recognized civil rights attorney Ben Crump, sought damages from Coy and Columbus police for Hills death, and reached a $10 million settlement with the city in May 2021. As a part of the agreement, a Columbus community center was renamed in Hills honor. When the city announced the deal, Crump called the settlement the largest for a pretrial excessive use of force case in Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jury did hear from the officer with Coy at the time of the shooting, Coy himself and other responders. Jurors also heard from law enforcement expert witnesses from both the prosecution and defense, who gave conflicting testimony on whether Coy followed nationally recognized police practices. The fact that Coy did not give Hill immediate medical attention was only briefly mentioned, since jurors are not considering a now-dropped dereliction of duty charge for failing to provide medical assistance. The jury will deliberate on its own schedule, McIntosh said after closing arguments. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A Columbus doctor was found guilty Thursday for defrauding Medicaid of around $1.5 million. Dr. Robert Florea and his company, Buckeye Health and Research, were convicted by a jury of one count each of Medicaid fraud, a third-degree felony. Florea was originally indicted in December 2022. Jury deliberations to begin in murder case of former Columbus police officer who shot unarmed man Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ohio Attorney Generals Medicaid Fraud Control Unit found Florea, through his clinic on Highview Boulevard, billed the Ohio Department of Medicaid for medical equipment he never purchased, including braces for joints and back pain. In total, Florea claimed he bought more than 5,100 pieces of equipment during a three-year period, but only purchased 460, according to the attorney generals office. Floreas sentencing date hasnt been scheduled. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. A Putnam County jury has found Green Chimneys in Patterson liable for failing to protect a young girl from repeated sexual assaults by the schools barn manager in the late 1960s and early 1970s. On Thursday, the six-person jury of three men and three women found that the Green Chimneys administration was negligent in its oversight of its boarding school, and its negligence was a substantial factor in the injuries suffered by the student, known in the case as MK. The school also showed reckless disregard for the safety of others. The deliberations were completed in less than one hour. The inside of one of the barns at Green Chimneys in Patterson Oct. 21, 2024. On Monday, the jury will reconvene to hear testimony on compensatory and punitive damages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The verdict capped a four-day trial before state Supreme Court Justice Victor Grossman. Its the first of 20 such cases of former Green Chimney students, all brought by the Herman Law Firm, filed in state Supreme Court in Carmel. Jury selection for the second case is scheduled for Dec. 2. Child Victims Act made cases against Green Chimneys possible The cases were filed under the state's Child Victims Act of 2019, which suspended the statute of limitations to allow victims of sexual abuse to address to trauma they suffered as children at the hands of adult predators. Green Chimneys Childrens Service is a well-know private boarding school with campuses in Patterson and Kent for special needs students. It combines nature-based programs with animal-assisted activities and therapies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Green Chimneys' attorney did not dispute the allegations of sexual abuse against Robert Doig, now deceased, a rough-hewn former horse barn manager and dorm parent who spoke with a thick Scottish brogue. He assaulted young girls, ages 8 to 12, over several years, according to court papers and testimony at MK's trial. He molested them in their beds in the bunk rooms of the girls residence, where he and his wife served as dorm parents. He forced himself on them in a hayloft or cornered them in the barns tack room. He threated to harm them if they told anyone of the abuse. Defense attorney David Rutherford delivers his opening remarks in the trial involving Green Chimneys and survivors of sexual abuse in the late 1960s and 1970s at Putnam County Courthouse Oct. 29, 2024 in Carmel. Green Chimneys lawyer said Doig acted in secrecy Green Chimneys did not call a witness in the trial. The schools attorney, David Rutherford, argued that Doig operated in secrecy for years. Once the school learned of Doigs sexual assaults, Headmaster Samuel "Rollo" Ross, who founded the school in 1947, fired him, Rutherford said. More: Lakeland teacher resigned after sex abuse allegations, then got hired in Monroe-Woodbury Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had no idea this predator was molesting the girls, Rutherford said. When he was notified, Green Chimneys acted, and Doig was removed. Said Rutherford: Mr. Doig was the one who did it. Hes the guy who is the responsible one. Green Chimneys was not negligent. On Thursday, Green Chimneys entered into evidence a stipulation noting that Ross children, Laura, and Don, grew up on the campus and attended Green Chimneys during the years under question when Doig worked there. The Ross children are roughly the same age of the women seeking recompense for the trauma they endured, and continue to experience, more than 50 years later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rutherford said it didnt seem plausible that Headmaster Ross would have allowed Doig to remain on campus if the young girls had gone to him with complaints about Doig molesting them. His own daughter was on the campus, Rutherford said. Does it make any sense that he would put her in danger from a person who specifically wanted to molest people her same age? That makes no sense whatsoever. Greg Glazer, attorney for the plaintiff, delivers his opening remarks in the trial involving Green Chimneys and survivors of sexual abuse in the late 1960s and 1970s at Putnam County Courthouse Oct. 29, 2024 in Carmel. Witnesses said Green Chimneys was warned about sexual abuse MKs attorney, Greg Glazer, countered Rutherfords assertions that Green Chimneys remained in the dark until 1971 about Doig's predation. He referred to the testimony of several former students who corroborated MKs recollections of what happened in the late 1960s and early 1970s. More: Woman sexually abused as child at Green Chimneys in 1970s seeks justice at trial Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They wouldnt take responsibility for the protection and care of the kids back then, and theyre still sitting here 50 years later, telling you, Dont hold us accountable," said Glazer. "They are still pointing a finger at somebody else. He recounted testimony from former students about a 1970 meeting at which several girls told of their abuse. One man told of a meeting he had with the administration where he accused Ross himself of molesting him when he was a boy. Glazer also recounted the beating of a student after she made a complaint of sexual abuse in 1970. Doig was dismissed from Green Chimneys in the spring of 1971. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another meeting, Glazer said, two girls met with Ross and his wife, Myra, who asked the girls if Doig had touched them. One girl testified that she looked Headmaster Ross in the eye, and forcibly said, He was touching me, said Glazer. And what did Headmaster Ross do? He laughed. He didnt want to believe the kids. We know that because no action was taken. People go for a hayride at Green Chimneys in Patterson Oct. 21, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses at the trial mentioned another meeting in the fall of 1970 where Ross asked them if Doig had touched them. Multiple girls raised their hands. And what did he tell them? said Glazer. He told them not to talk about this with anybody. That was the response from the school. Ross and his wife are both deceased. Glazer said there was no evidence that Green Chimneys ever investigated the allegations. He said the school, even after being alerted to the abuse, left Doig on the payroll, with access to the girls in their dorm rooms and the horse barn, for as long as a year. MK testifies Headmaster Ross ignored her pleas for help MK offered testimony on what happened after she mustered up the courage to tell Ross of the abuse. At one point in her deposition, she said she never returned to the horse barn after her horse was killed in a Green Chimney's field the night after she led a group of girls to Ross' residence to complain about Doig's sexual assaults. She also said that Doig continued to molest her in the dorm room after she complained about the abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They knew about a pedophile at the school, said Glazer. They knew about a pedophile at a captive institution where children were living, and sleeping and going to classes. And they made a conscious decision to leave him there and to let the children continue to be abused. Sign up for Wilson's weekly newsletter for insights into his Tax Watch columns. David McKay Wilson writes about tax issues and government accountability. Follow him on Twitter @davidmckay415 or email him at dwilson3@lohud.com. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Jury finds Green Chimneys liable for student sexual abuse in 1970s This piece was published in partnership with In These Times. If you step foot on a historically Black campus or university (HBCU) this week, you might see Black Voters Matter signs wedged in the grass or groups of students shuffling to and from class with I voted stickers affixed to their shirts. But while this election has drawn many HBCU students to the polls, some are choosing not to vote in the presidential race in the name of Palestinian solidarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Student activist Ziora Ajeroh, a senior at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, is one of them. Im not seeing or have not been seeing what I need from Kamala Harris to convince me to vote for her, Ajeroh said. And shes funded the occupation and genocide of Palestine. None of the students interviewed said they considered voting for former President Donald Trump, who has positioned himself as a strong supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and criticized calls for a ceasefire. Since Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took 238 hostages on October 7, 2023, Israel has destroyed 60 percent of Gaza and, according to Gazas Ministry of Health, killed more than 43,000 Palestinians (with some estimates putting the death toll much higher). Meanwhile, the United States spent at least $17.9 billion in military aid to Israel between October 7, 2023 and September 30, 2024, according to the Cost of War Project by the Watson Institute at Brown University, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, college students like Ajeroh have been making waves through protests, encampments, divestment campaigns, nationwide walkouts from class and resource drives. Ajeroh started North Carolina A&Ts first on-campus chapter of Dissenters, an anti-war youth organization, in October 2023. The student organizers have since held discussions on Palestinian liberation, collected menstrual products for Palestinians and led campus-wide marches for a ceasefire. Now, they are facing a highly charged voting decision. I think we should explore the idea of abstaining from elections or withholding our vote until our needs are met, Ajeroh said. We just acquiesce too quickly, and a lot of us need to understand the power of our vote and the power of withholding it. Amel Mohdali, a sophomore at Spelman College, an all-womens HBCU in Atlanta, is also active in the movement for a free Palestine and chose to cast a ballot for president. She voted early this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im voting because were not just voting for us, Mohdali told In These Times and The 19th. Black voters bear the burden of a lot of things because were fighting for a broader movement toward equity, human rights and liberation. As a first-time voter, Mohdali said she left the ballot box feeling disappointed that her vote was determined by the same moral dilemma that many Americans faced in 2020: a choice between the lesser of two evils, with democracy at stake. Vote. See how the country will change for the better More than 40 million Gen Z Americans are eligible to vote in the 2024 election and one of their top voting issues is the war in Gaza, according to a national poll of young voters by GenForward. With youth of color making up nearly half of newly eligible voters in this election, the vote of HBCU students could be a powerful factor in swing states like Georgia and North Carolina, where Mohdali and Ajeroh live, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People fail to realize that the HBCU or young Black vote is rooted in historical struggles for justice and equality, Mohdali said. Our vote carries the weight of resisting systemic issues and advocating for policies that directly affect us as communities from education and health care to social justice reform. But its about more than just us being informed on our own issues. It is also about knowing global issues and helping marginalized communities across the globe. Before Vice President Harris became the Democratic nominee in August, President Joe Biden struggled with young voters amid overwhelming youth support for a ceasefire. During 2023, students at the three HBCUs in Atlanta organized as the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC) Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College and Morehouse College rallied together and formed AUCC Students for Justice in Palestine, a chapter organization highlighting Black and Palestinian liberation. The student organization, along with many others throughout the nation, demanded that Biden stop military aid to Israel and force an immediate ceasefire. His failure to do so resulted in nationwide class walkouts and encampments across college campuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the spring of 2024, groups of students at predominantly White institutions like Columbia University and the University of Southern California peacefully camped out on the lawns of their campuses in protest of the war in Gaza. Many experienced a heavy police response that included rubber bullets, tear gas and even arrests. HBCU campuses largely did not participate in encampment efforts. Ajeroh said students at North Carolina A&T didnt camp out in protest because of intimidation tactics that the university police department started inflicting on student activists, including confronting students about their work with the Dissenters chapter and breaking up pro-Palestinian organizing spaces. Ajeroh says she felt cornered. (The North Carolina A&T police department has not responded to a request for comment.) HBCUs have this history of trying to quench radical political activity through strong-arm threats and rules and regulations that prevent students from gathering, Ajeroh said. When that is the culture of HBCUs, of course, nobody is going to think, Lets start an encampment. While HBCUs have a national reputation for being politically active campuses, respectability politics have historically played a role in how administrations across Black institutions silence students to maintain a status quo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Georgia, Mohdali said students pro-Palestinian efforts across the AUCC were met with resistance from the administration. She says the Spelman administration threatened students with expulsion. (Reached for comment, a Spelman College spokesperson expressed the institutions support for peaceful protest while providing a safe space for our campus community to engage in open dialogue, where all perspectives can be heard in an environment free from intimidation, harassment, or violence.) Activism felt like a struggle against the silencing and repression of our voices, Mohdali said. Morehouse, an all-men HBCU, invited Biden to deliver the colleges commencement speech in May and overruled objections by students and alumni concerned with his presence on campus because of the war in Gaza. When Biden spoke at the graduation, students wore Palestinian flags and keffiyehs, and several turned their backs on him or raised fists in protest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Biden announced he would end his bid for the presidency, the attitudes of many young voters shifted toward enthusiasm for Harris. At Spelman, Mohdali saw students begin to envision a future with a Black and South Asian American woman as president and decide to vote. As the daughter of an immigrant, Mohdali says she has always wanted to see a woman who looked like her and graduated from an HBCU Harris is an alumna of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in a position of power like that of the president. Were conditioned as Black and Brown children to believe we have to be in these [White-dominated] spaces to achieve success, [and] thats where Kamala is going to be if she wins this election, so I have a heavy amount of pride in seeing her in such a position, Mohdali said. But that pride is not unadulterated. Im also looking at everything else shes been doing with Palestine and I feel like theres a lack of care, especially since shes the daughter of immigrants. It seems like she doesnt really care about immigrants or refugees. Across Spelman, Mohdali said campaigns and slogans like Vote Blue, Trust Black Women or Vote Blue because reproductive health is on the line abound, even though the institution is nonpartisan. She feels these signs have contributed to a sense that students, faculty and administration must turn out for Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are a heavily liberal campus, so everybody knows that we have to vote for Kamala and that Kamala is the only way, Mohdali said. This sentiment is often true for many Black institutions when Black leaders are placed in positions of political power, but what angers and disappoints Mohdali is when that power is misused. She said that the Biden-Harris administration failed to listen to students like her across the country advocating for the movement for a free Palestine and to stop funding Israel. Nevertheless, she believes that voting is the best way to wield influence. As we are witnessing genocides across the globe and watching our involvement in them, I would like to hope that Kamala could bring in a new age, Mohdali said. If not, I feel like the next best thing is organizing your communities and advocating for policy changes. This fall, Mohdali and students across Spelman continue to organize for Palestinian liberation, rallying students around it and other global issues, like the displacement of Sudanese people by the brutal civil war and the ongoing postcolonial conflict in Congo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This Black and Palestinian solidarity work has also extended to voter education, with students like Mohdali at the helm. Mohdali is on the executive board of Spelman College Fair Fight U, former state Rep. Stacey Abrams student voting rights chapter. She has been informing students of Georgias importance in this election as a swing state. It would take half of the AUCC to turn this state blue. Thats all we need! We know that Atlanta carries weight, but at the same time if were not going out and voting, we dont really hold any power, Mohdali said. Ziora Ajeroh, a student activist at North Carolina A&T State University, collects menstrual products for Palestine on campus. (Courtesy of Ziora Ajeroh) Not voting. A win for her is not a win for us In this presidential election, North Carolina also holds the power of a swing state that could determine the outcome of the presidential race. This has drawn many young first-time voters out to the polls in early voting. Ajeroh said she saw the voting apprehension that existed when Biden was at the top of the Democratic ticket disappear once Harris was the nominee. The once-shared consensus among some students engaged in pro-Palestinian activism to abstain from voting in this election quickly changed, she said. For Ajeroh, the Israeli occupation of Palestine remains top of mind when it comes to her presidential vote. She feels that if enough people withhold their vote, it could send a sign to Harris that what the United Nations has found reasonable grounds to call genocide in Gaza is a hard line for them, forcing the vice president to make it a priority. Its important for her to win over this state, but she hasnt won me over and theres power in that, Ajeroh said. Our votes, or lack thereof, have the power to potentially determine the election. The Biden-Harris administrations inability to accomplish a ceasefire, what she sees as a dismissive demeanor toward the Palestinian plight and financially providing military aid to Israel are all reasons Ajeroh wont be voting for Harris. Regardless of her reasoning, Ajeroh says she has been shamed by several liberal students on campus for her decision. That stings when she has spent the last four years advocating for the power of student voices by building a political home on North Carolina A&Ts campus for students who care about anti-war efforts. A lot of people are only politically engaged during election season but have a lot to say about who does and does not have political power, Ajeroh said. Them casting their vote and disengaging from politics every four years is more surrendering of political power than people choosing not to vote. As a student and organizer, Ajeroh works to dismantle a common mentality she sees on campus when it comes to global issues. People are saying, Its us versus them, and that theyre choosing us even though they feel bad for them. Thats unfortunate because, in parts of this country, we are still them, she said, referring to the Palestinian people. She argues that if people care about reproductive rights and feminist issues then they should care about whats happening in Gaza, especially since more than 90 percent of pregnant and breastfeeding women in Gaza face severe food poverty, less than 17 hospitals are functioning, close to 180 women give birth every day and more than half of the Palestinians killed have been women and children, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. If you care about health care, women, children, people of color or our rights, then all of these issues are intertwined and at risk for us, too, she says. Harris being a Howard graduate and holding some of the same shared identities as many HBCU students was enough to convince many young Black students to get behind a Harris ticket. But none of those things mattered to Ajeroh. Im not proud to have a woman of color sitting in a position of imperial power, especially when the actions of the United States are impacting South Asian, Black women and people of color abroad, Ajeroh said. It doesnt do anything for us. A win for her is not a win for us. The post With just days left to vote, pro-Palestine activists at HBCUs are divided appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) All of the hype and handwringing over the 2024 presidential election is coming to a crescendo as voters get set to head to the polls on Tuesday. Its been a busy few weeks of early voting in the Carolinas. Nearly a third of South Carolinas registered 3.4 million registered voters have already cast ballots. The number is even higher in North Carolina, where nearly 4 million of the states 7.8 million registered voters have already gone to the polls. Early voting ended in both states on Saturday, but voters can still turn in absentee ballots until the polls close on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are some things you need to know if youre waiting to go to the polls on Election Day. What time do the polls open and close in the Carolinas? Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in South Carolina. The hours are slightly different in North Carolina, with polls opening at 6:30 a.m. and closing at 7:30 p.m. All voters who are in line when the polls close will be allowed to vote. How do I know where to vote? In South Carolina, the state Election Commission offers information about poll locations online. Simply choose your county, provide your first and last name, birthdate and the last four digits of your Social Security number to search for information about your precinct and voting districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The North Carolina State Board of Elections offers a similar website with a form that asks voters to provide their first name, middle initial and last name, along with a birthdate and the county where they live. It provides jurisdictions, polling places, sample ballots when available and voter history. The website vote411.org also provides information to help you find out where to vote on Election Day. Do I need to provide identification to vote? The short answer is yes. In South Carolina, you will be asked to show one of the following current and valid photo IDs: a state drivers license, a state Department of Motor Vehicles ID card, a state voter registration card with a photo, a federal military ID, or a U.S. passport card. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Registered voters with an ID can still cast a provisional ballot, but they will need to provide one of the photo IDs to the election commission before the certification of the election to have their vote counted. North Carolina voters will be asked to show a photo ID, according to the state Board of Elections. A drivers license is acceptable, but other photo IDs can also be used. Registered voters who do not have a photo ID can get one for free from their county board of elections or the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Voters without an ID can still cast a provisional ballot, but they will need to present an ID at their county board of elections office by 5 p.m. on Nov. 14. Is it OK to take a photo of my ballot? No. Taking so-called ballot selfies is prohibited in both South Carolina and North Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, voters are not permitted to use a camera inside the voting booth, making it unlawful to take a photo of your ballot and share that photo or allow your ballot to be seen. North Carolina voters are permitted to have phones or electronic devices with them while they are voting but it is unlawful to take photos or videos and to communicate with anyone via text, email or other methods while voting. Voters are allowed to have phones or electronic devices with them while voting as long as the devices are not used to photograph or videotape a ballot or communicate with anyone via voice, text, email, or any other method. Where can I find results on election night? News13 is your local election headquarters. Well feature the results of the most prominent national, state, regional and local races at wbtw.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the South Carolina Election Commission and the North Carolina State Board of Elections will have results online as well. * * * Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. The U.S. Department of Justice will watch for voting rights violations in four Florida counties on Election Day but their observers wont be inside polling locations, election officials said Friday. The DOJ is sending personnel to 86 areas in 27 states, including Broward, Miami-Dade, Orange and Osceola counties in Florida, to ensure compliance with civil rights laws. Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd, a Gov. Ron DeSantis appointee, advised the DOJ on Friday that state law doesnt explicitly permit federal election monitors to be inside polling locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elections officials in Orange and Osceola counties said the DOJ told them that their observers would remain outside. The DOJ declined the Orlando Sentinels request for comment. It announced its Election Day plans Friday but did not explain how it selected the states, which stretch from Alaska to Mississippi, Texas to New Jersey, nor the cities and counties slated to get federal observers. For decades, federal monitors have visited polling locations across the country to check for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits racial discrimination in voting. But recently, GOP leaders in Florida and other states have moved to deny them entry to polling sites. DeSantis administration issued a memo saying that ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We told them that under state law that is not permitted, and we asked them to respect state law, Byrd said at the time. They can go there and do their job, but they have to do that job outside of the polling place.. On Friday, Byrd wrote in a memo to DOJ officials that even if authorized, the presence of federal election monitors would be counterproductive and could potentially undermine confidence in the election. The state will send its own monitors to the four counties on the DOJs list to ensure that there is no interference with the voting process, he wrote. Minnehaha County Auditor Leah Anderson, center, gives advice to post-election audit workers on June 25, 2024. The county is one of four in South Dakota that will be monitored by the U.S. Justice Department for voting rights in Tuesday's election. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) The U.S. Department of Justice will monitor polling places to ensure voting rights in South Dakotas most-populated county and three Native American-majority counties on Election Day. Alison Ramsdell, U.S. attorney for the District of South Dakota, announced via press release Friday afternoon that the departments Civil Rights Division will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Bennett, Jackson, Minnehaha and Oglala Lakota counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal election monitors will work with state and local election officials as needed on Election Day to enforce laws like the Voting Rights, National Voter Registration, Help America Vote, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting, and Civil Rights acts. Monitors will also be on the lookout for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires polling places offer accommodations to people with disabilities, and for instances of voter intimidation. The press release does not say why the four counties were chosen for monitoring. There is a history of voting rights litigation in tribal areas, some of which helped redefine state legislative districts that a federal judge ruled had diluted the representation of Native Americans. The 2024 election will be the first presidential contest overseen by Minnehaha County Auditor Leah Anderson. The auditor, elected in 2022, has courted controversy for public statements questioning the integrity of the 2020 election, for suggesting the countys election system is untrustworthy, and for her willingness to bolster the claims of groups like South Dakota Canvassing, which has spread misinformation about election interference in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the June primary, 132 ballots from one Minnehaha County precinct were successfully challenged at least initially by an activist named Jessica Pollema, who claimed the ballots were fraudulent because the voters listed P.O. boxes for their address. The state Supreme Court later sided with the Minnehaha County states attorney and the Secretary of States Office, denying a request to invalidate the votes. Anderson also recently amended county rules to allow voters to wear election apparel to the polls. A spokesperson from the Justice Department declined to comment on the reasons for choosing the four counties listed in the press release. The press release from Ramsdells office says Civil Rights Division personnel will be available to field complaints on Election Day. Complaints can also be lodged at www.civilrights.justice.gov, or at 800-253-3931. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramsdells U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota office will take complaints on Election Day at 605-838-9446, and the local FBI office can be reached at 605-334-6881. The departments ADA information hotline can be reached by calling 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY). More information about voting and elections, including guidance documents and other resources, is available at www.justice.gov/voting. EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated since its initial publication to include a response from the Justice Department to a question from South Dakota Searchlight. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE By Alimat Aliyeva The European Union and Japan have signed an agreement on strategic partnership, as well as collaboration in the field of security and defense. The documents were exchanged during a ceremony in Tokyo by Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Azernews reports. According to Iwaya, "We exchanged documents on the strategic partnership agreement, which will come into force on January 1, 2025." He also noted that they have agreed on a partnership in security and defense, highlighting that Japan is the first country in the Indo-Pacific region to conclude such an agreement with the EU. Borrell remarked that this is "the first such cooperation program in history concluded by the European Union" with a country in the region. He believes this partnership will "strengthen security" in both Europe and the Asia-Pacific region and will focus on building "a future based on democracy and respect for human rights, as well as maintaining a rules-based world order." "Cooperation and dialogue will develop in all areas of defense and security," Iwaya added. He mentioned that the parties will hold the first meeting of the strategic dialogue to discuss not only cooperation but also regional issues. "Japan-EU relations are stronger than ever. We will work together on a wide range of issues, including security," Iwaya stated. Earlier, Borrell met with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani in Tokyo, where both parties affirmed the indivisibility of security in Europe and Asia. Japan has been increasingly focusing on developing relations with Europe, particularly in security, amid concerns over China's growing maritime activity. After his visit to Tokyo, Borrell will travel to the Republic of Korea, where he will meet with the heads of the foreign and defense ministries and visit the demilitarized zone on the border with North Korea. This trip underscores the EU's commitment to strengthening security ties in the region, as global geopolitical dynamics continue to shift. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) A juvenile was taken to Baystate Medical Center after he was shot near the Racing Mart/Gulf Gas Station in the Indian Orchard neighborhood of Springfield Thursday evening, according to Springfield Police Spokesperson Ryan Walsh. Springfield judge sentences Chicago-area man for using dark web to fund rappers lifestyle The shooting occurred around 8:30 pm on Main Street and Milton Street in Indian Orchard. When officers got there, they found a boy with a gunshot wound. He was taken to Baystate Medical Center with serious injuries. Main Street and Milton Street were closed for some time, but are now open. No arrests have been made at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boys exact age has not been released, however he is expected to be okay. 22News will continue to cover this story and provide updates when available. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Abortion is a critical, if not the most important, issue for many voters especially women, according to polls ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November. Since Vice President Kamala Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee in August 2024, she has been vocal about her support for abortion rights. Specifically, she supports Congress passing a federal law that would protect abortion rights in the wake of the Supreme Court in 2022 overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, which recognized a constitutional right to abortion. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, meanwhile, has boasted about nominating three Supreme Court justices who were among the court majority that voted in 2022 to abandon a constitutional right to abortion. However, in September 2024, Trump said he would not sign a federal abortion ban, reversing course from his previous statements. He also did not answer a question during the September presidential debate about whether he would veto legislation that bans abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris and Trump have starkly different track records on abortion. As an academic, my scholarship focuses on reproductive health law, health care law and family law. In this piece, and in anticipation of the election, I briefly consider the broad strokes of each candidates past positions on and actions regarding abortion. Harris abortion record As Californias attorney general, Harris co-sponsored the Reproductive FACT Act, which, among other requirements, mandated that crisis pregnancy centers inform patients that they are not licensed medical facilities and that abortion services are available elsewhere. These centers are nonprofit organizations that counsel pregnant people against abortion, sometimes using deceptive tactics. Anti-abortion groups sued to block the law once it went into effect. And, in 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the law on First Amendment grounds. In 2017, Harris investigated the tactics of undercover videographers at Planned Parenthood clinics who, through deception and fraud, sought to entrap clinicians into making controversial, though legal, statements, and who possibly contravened state law on secret recordings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a U.S. senator, Harris opposed anti-abortion bills that would have conferred personhood rights on fetuses. None of them ultimately passed. Conversely, Harris championed various bills that would have protected and advanced reproductive rights. In 2019, for example, Harris was a co-sponsor of the Womens Health Protection Act, which would have enacted a federal statutory right to abortion. It also did not pass. Finally, during Harris tenure as vice president, the Biden administration has used its executive power to ease barriers to abortion access, primarily through federal agency actions. The Food and Drug Administration, for example, removed a rule in 2021 that prohibited mailing medication abortion. The Department of Health and Human Services issued guidance affirming that federal law requires emergency rooms to perform an abortion when it is medically necessary to stabilize a patient needing urgent care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden-Harris administration also supported federal legislation that includes accommodations for abortion. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, enacted in 2023, requires employers to provide time off for a workers miscarriage, stillbirth or abortion. Although the Biden-Harris administrations abortion policy is not necessarily based on just the vice president, Harris, since Roes reversal, has been at the helm of the administrations Fight for Reproductive Freedoms tour, speaking nationally in support of a right to abortion. Harris has also stressed the damage done in 14 states, in particular, where abortion is banned throughout pregnancy or after six weeks of gestation. Trumps abortion record During Trumps tenure as president, he supported various changes in the form of judicial appointments, federal funding and agency actions, some led by anti-abortion federal employees in the service of making it harder for people to gain access to abortion care. Trump began his presidency in 2016 by promising to appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade. He nominated three justices Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch who joined the majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, reversing Roe in June 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate confirmed 226 judges whom Trump nominated to the lower levels of federal courts. Trumps nominations followed a campaign pledge in 2016 that he would appoint pro-life judges. Some were on record as being against abortion, and some believed that embryos should be treated like children. From the start, Trumps administration prioritized defunding Planned Parenthood clinics, which offer abortion care and receive federal funding under the federal Title X program for other family planning services. Trump signed a bill in 2017 to allow states to strip funding from Planned Parenthood clinics and other organizations that offer abortion, even though abortion care was not supported by the Title X funding. The Trump administration unsuccessfully tried to replace the Affordable Care Act and undermine its coverage for contraceptives as well as its neutral stance on insurance coverage for abortion. Trump supported bills such as the never-passed American Health Care Act to limit abortion coverage in private health insurance plans. Trump also appointed several people with anti-abortion positions to his administration, including Charmaine Yoest, the former CEO for the anti-abortion group Americans United for Life, who served as a top communications official at the Department of Health and Human Services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration advanced numerous other anti-abortion policies. For instance, the Department of Human and Health Services 2017 strategic plan defined life as beginning at conception a decision that supported funding for crisis pregnancy centers and abstinence-only education programs. People watch Donald Trump on a screen as he speaks during the 47th annual March for Life in Washington in January 2020. Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images Finally, the Trump administration adopted an anti-abortion approach when it came to foreign policy. Trump reinstated and expanded the Mexico City Policy, also known as the Global Gag Rule, which prohibits foreign nongovernmental organizations that receive U.S. funding from performing abortions or referring patients for abortion care elsewhere. Under the Mexico City Policy, Trump in 2017 removed US$8.8 billion in U.S. foreign aid for overseas programs that provide or refer for abortions. In 2017, Trump also suspended U.S. funding to the United Nations Population Fund, an agency focused on family planning for low-income people around the world, among other issues, which does not promote abortion but supports the right of all women to get post-abortion care. Biden restored funding to the U.N. agency in 2021. In the coming weeks, both candidates will have a lot to say about abortion, possibly refining or changing their stances on aspects of abortion law. In assessing what both candidates have to say about how their administration will approach abortion, voters might consider what we know about their past actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Rachel Rebouche, Temple University Read more: Rachel Rebouche does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." On November 5, Kamala Harris could make history in the 2024 presidential election. But it wouldn't be the only way she might break boundaries. Harris' husband Doug Emhoff is Jewish, and the two are in an interfaith relationship. If she wins, he'd be the inaugural First Gentlemanand the White House's first Jewish spouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kamala has connected me more deeply to my faith, even though its not the same as hers, Emhoff said during his speech at the 2024 DNC. So what religion does Harris practice? Here's what to know about her faith ahead of the 2024 election. Kamala Harris is Baptist. The VP said in an October 2020 interview with Interfaith Youth Core that her "faith journey" started when she was young. She prays every daysometimes twice a day, she told Anderson Cooper during a CNN town hall. "On Sundays, my mother would dress my sister, Maya, and me in our Sunday best and send us off to the 23rd Avenue Church of God in Oakland, California, where Maya and I sang in the childrens choir," Harris told Interfaith Youth Core. "Thats where I formed some of my earliest memories of the Bibles teachings. Its where I learned that faith is a verb and that we must live it, and show it, in action." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Harris' 2024 campaign, she visited multiple Baptist churches. I was raised to believe in a loving God, to believe that your faith is a verb, she said during the CNN town hall. Your lifes work should be to think about how you can serve in a way that is uplifting other people, that is about caring for other people. Watch Harris discuss her faith: She grew up in an interfaith household. Harris mother was Hindu, and her father was Christian. She grew up attending services at a Black Baptist church and a Hindu temple, USA Today reports. Harris' mother took her children to a Black church to make sure we would grow into confident, proud Black women, Harris wrote in her memoir. Harris husband, Douglas Emhoff, is Jewish. The couple tied the knot in 2014. According to America Magazine, the couple smashed a glass as part of the traditional Jewish custom at their wedding. Harris told Interfaith Youth Core that she shares "Jewish traditions and celebrations" with Emhoff at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She comes to synagogue with me for High Holiday services, and I go to church with her for Easter, Emhoff said during the 2024 DNC. I get to enjoy her moms chile relleno recipe every Christmas, and she makes a mean brisket for Passover. She was sworn in to the Senate on her family Bible. There were rumors circulating that Harris refused to be sworn in to the Senate on a Bible, but thats inaccurate. She used a family Bible for the occasion, noting that it was "well-worn," per USA Today. "All right, that's a good way to do it," then-Vice President Biden said. She tapped into her faith on the campaign trail. In August 2019, Harris used parallels between what she hoped to achieve in politics and her faith. "Jesus tells us how we should define neighbor," she said during a speech. "Jesus tells us, your neighbor is not just the person who lives next door, who drives the kind of car you drive, the person shares your zip code. Jesus tells us your neighbor is that man by the side of the road who you walk by, who has faced hardship." Scripture teaches us when we fight for justice, it is not only our justice, it is justice for our neighbor. pic.twitter.com/d7QZgOgYVv Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 25, 2019 During a recent visit to the New Birth Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, she told a parable from the Gospel of Luke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parable of the good Samaritan teaches us to love thy neighbor as thyself, she said. It is an essential tenet and a pillar of our faith, and that of so many others. However, one must ask: Are all people of faith living those words? Are all people of faith expressing those words in their actions? Do we have leaders in place who understand that in the face of a stranger, one should see a neighbor? Harris goes to church regularly. Her base church is the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco. The churchs pastor, Rev. Amos Brown, told the Associated Press that Harris is a "spiritual person" and "quintessential scholar." Harris calls Brown to pray over the phone before major decisions, with Brown telling The Washington Post that they prayed together shortly after President Joe Biden told her he was dropping out of the race. Shes always, throughout her career, when she has a major decision, shell call me and say, Pastor, will you pray for me? he said. Even before she decided to run, we had prayer together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris told Interfaith Youth Core that church has been a place where she "draws strength" and reflects. "I also draw something else from it as well: a sense of community and belonging where we can build lasting relationships and be there for one another in times of need," she said. You Might Also Like On June 27 the day of the first and only presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump only 37 percent of Americans said they had a favorable opinion of Vice President Kamala Harris. More than half 54 percent held an unfavorable opinion, according to 538. By August 5, Harris had officially become the nominee and her favorability rate had jumped to 43 percent. As of October 26, it was at 46 percent, meaning Harris had done something virtually unprecedented: She had become more likable since becoming a major partys nominee. Generally, Americans think less favorably of people who are running for president. This has been true, too, of the only other woman to be a major partys nominee; former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons unfavorability rating reached a record high in the final stretch of her campaign for the presidency. So its remarkable that any presidential candidate has seen their favorability continually improve since becoming a major partys nominee. It is even more remarkable that that candidate is not only a woman, but a woman of color. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It remains to be seen whether Harris will be able to clinch a victory in what appears to be a dead-heat race between her and Trump, who is currently underwater with Americans: 43 percent view him favorably and 52 percent unfavorably. But the change in Americans perceptions of Harris sheds light on how they see vice presidents, women in positions of power and the country right now. To understand the striking uptick in Harris favorability is to understand a truth in American politics that the moment anyone becomes a candidate or nominee, scrutiny goes up and likability goes down. Its a dynamic historically exacerbated by sexism. Harris trajectory bucks that trend. The sexism is often fueled by a belief that has historically operated as a standard in American politics: Women cant want it. For women, ambition is a four-letter word, said Amanda Hunter, the former executive director for the Barbara Lee Family Foundation, which for over two decades conducted nonpartisan research into women in politics, especially when in executive office. When women show ambition, they tend to face a backlash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Harris bid has an asterisk: Because of the way she became the nominee, voters perceive her as having stepped up and solved a problem by assuming a duty after President Joe Biden dropped out, Hunter said something that theyre comfortable with seeing women do. I think thats partially why people are reacting so positively. Shes been able to turn all of this around so quickly and really rise to the occasion but shes also done it under the umbrella of serving her party and serving her country, and not under the optics of ambition, Hunter said. Kelly Dittmar, an associate professor of political science at Rutgers University and the director of research for its Center for Women and Politics, said its important to take into account who else has occupied the national stage in the past few months: Biden, post-debate; Trump, swaying to music for 39 straight minutes and praising Hitlers generals; and Sen. JD Vance, Trumps running mate, maligning childless cat ladies and immigrants. Part of whats happening is a credit to Harris, but also something that might be a bit outside of her, in that another solid Democratic person may have also benefited from that moment of change, Dittmar said of the initial bump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris had a net positive favorability with Americans for a short period about a month ago; shes now slightly underwater, but still viewed more favorably than her opponent. Trump is particularly unpopular among women. According to a Quinnipiac University poll from October 30, men back Trump 57 percent versus 37 percent for Harris. Women, meanwhile, back Harris 55 percent and 39 percent support Trump, who has been convicted of 34 felonies and found liable in civil court for sexual assault, defamation and fraud. He has also been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women. Hunter said Harris has had to overcome whats often referred to as the imagination barrier, or the perception among many voters that a woman cant do well in a job that a woman has not held before. When voters are asked to picture a governor, the majority picture a man. A vice president? Also a man and Harris is the first one not to fit the mold. The president of the United States? Well, you get the point. These beliefs mean that the barriers Harris needs to overcome are two-fold. Not only is she running for an office most people can only imagine a man holding because a man has only ever held it, but they also might find themselves questioning her credentials because shes also the first woman to hold her current job. With other vice presidents, people didnt really question it because the man looked, sounded and acted like every other vice president that came before him. They sort of all looked a part, for lack of a better description, Hunter said. And so people werent really asking, What is Mike Pence really doing every day? They just assumed he was probably doing important things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris entered the race with decades of experience navigating the double standards faced by women in politics and especially women of color in politics. A number of former Harris aides who spoke with The 19th for this story said that this dynamic has also made her preternaturally skilled at tuning out the noise, opting to focus on the work rather than others expectations. They say shes also benefited from taking on the top spot in the campaign, allowing her to reintroduce herself. An October survey from KFF, a nonprofit health policy research, polling and news organization, found that a greater share of women voters now say that they trust Harris more than Trump when it comes to the economy, which they also name as their top concern in this election. This marks a notable shift from when this survey was conducted in June. Back then, Biden was still the Democratic nominee and women voters were evenly split on which party they believed could better help them manage rising costs. The more recent survey also found that since Harris became the nominee, 64 percent of women voters say they are satisfied with their choice of presidential candidates for the 2024 race. Only 40 percent said the same in June, when Biden was still the Democratic nominee. In addition, seven in 10 women now say they feel motivated to vote in the presidential election, compared with 45 percent in June. Marci, a 52-year old woman from rural east Texas, is a conservative-leaning independent who was unenthusiastically but definitely voting for Trump when Biden was the Democratic standard-bearer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im just utterly frustrated with the shape of the country right now, and I feel in large part thats due to Biden, she said. But Harris becoming the nominee moved her to the undecided camp. Being a female and having younger female relatives who are going to grow up in this country, I feel like Kamala is a better choice there because I feel like shes going to lead us in a better direction, Marci said. Marci didnt know much about Harris before she became the nominee, but in the months since, Marci has been taking the time to learn more about her. She privately researches claims she hears, including from her husband, whom she describes as a rabid Republican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marci works 40 hours a week at a local Home Depot store. For her, the economy is the biggest issue, followed by immigration. Marci is still concerned about some of Harris policies and Trumps stability but she has concluded that Harris is a very intelligent woman. I know shes struggled to get to where she is and shes had to fight hard for that. So I have to be, being a woman, respect that, Marci said. I feel like shes got some good ideas about how to change things in our country. Makayla, 25, now lives in New Mexico but grew up in Californias Central Valley and describes herself as someone coming from a low socioeconomic situation. She now works at a nonprofit and hopes to work in government herself one day. After she saw the Biden-Trump debate, she wrote to her elected officials asking them to sign on to letters asking for Biden to drop out of the race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marci and Makayla are both respondents to the KFF poll who spoke on condition that only their first names were used. When Biden did and endorsed Harris, Makayla said she was excited but skeptical. She liked her pick of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as Harris running mate, seeing him as someone with a progressive track record. Her initial excitement has waned because, Makayla says, she has seen Harris trying to win over moderate Republican, suburban wine moms and not their actual base. But she is still voting for Harris, even if she wishes Harris had taken a more aggressive stance in outlining a roadmap for a ceasefire in Gaza and a more explicit progressive economic agenda, such as backing a single-payer health care system. Vice President Harris and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, speak to Michigan lawmakers before a rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on October 28, 2024. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post/Getty Images) But, Makayla said, I think she has done a really good job when she became the nominee of really explaining her story and sharing it with the American people where shes from and who she is. Makayla said that Harris doesnt have that kind of political charisma she has typically associated with those running for president but that Harris is who she says she is. Shes a prosecutor thats who she is, Makayla said. Shes a pretty straightforward person, I think, because of that background. Current and former aides also point to Harris background as a prosecutor as the root of her pragmatism, saying it has made her focused on crafting deliverable results from the facts on the ground. Its also made her good at delivering the message, they say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carmel Martin, Harris former domestic policy adviser who began working with her during her 2020 presidential campaign, said she thinks voters are responding to the fact that she has a very positive and very future-looking orientation. Harris is relentless in making sure any policy proposal results in measurable, tangible results and that her team comes up with clear, concise ways to communicate that to those who stand to be most impacted, Martin said. Hunter said that message is also landing in a very different political climate particularly for women voters than it would have eight years ago. The Womens March following Trumps inauguration, the virality of the #MeToo movement, the public reckoning spurred by the Black Lives Matter movement, the election of a record number of women governors and the caregiving crisis crystallized by the Covid-19 pandemic have collectively meant women are at the center of our politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters right now, and over the last couple of years especially, have felt so cynical. In our focus groups, what we have heard is that they have felt like no one cares about them, Hunter said. Harris seems to be addressing this narrative head-on, she added. Shes been able to acknowledge the challenges that people are living through and then talk about how theyre going to fix them. And its resonating. The post How Kamala Harris got more popular appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. Donald Trump cannot win this election. Full stop. Right now, we have the power to make sure that doesnt happen. Not exercising that power only gives him more. And it will result in the loss of power for many of our communities. As the head of this publication, dedicated to young readers, I have been closely following younger generations collective disbelief at the Biden administrations support of the Israeli government during its all-out assault on Gaza, following the brutal terror attack from Hamas last Oct. 7 including the horrific killing of civilians in Gaza, the targeting of journalists and aid workers, and the reports of children being shot in the head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democrats policy on Israel has been disastrous. What is also true: Trump would, somehow, be even worse. The biggest piece of evidence for this is that Benjamin Netanyahu, the right-wing prime minister of Israel who is hellbent on the destruction of civilian life in Gaza as well as subverting democratic processes in Israel itself, almost certainly wants Trump to win. After meeting with Kamala Harris earlier this year, Netanyahu was reportedly furious, including at her statement that the Israeli military should withdraw from Gaza entirely. Trump has said Gaza could be beautiful beachfront property for his rich oligarch friends, we can assume, not for any Indigenous peoples living there. Hes called Biden a Palestinian like its a slur. His running mate, JD Vance, has said they wouldnt micromanage Netanyahu the way Biden and Harris have been. Whats worse than the horrors were currently seeing? More, more, and more of it, if Trump wins the presidency again, with truly no end in sight, giving Netanyahu a blank check for continued destruction. (Remember that Israeli families of hostages still held in Gaza are also deeply angry with Netanyahu and have been protesting his actions and demanding a ceasefire for months.) Bernie Sanders, the most vocal anti-war senator, a Jewish American, and avowed critic of Israels current government, said in a video this week: Let me be clear: We will have, in my view, a much better chance of changing U.S. policy with Kamala than with Trump, who is extremely close to Netanyahu and sees him as a like-minded, right-wing, extremist ally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Muslim-American columnist Wajahat Ali wrote this week in The Guardian, Yes, I think Democrats are complicit in genocide. But Trump would be far worse. Pro-Palestinian voices have no chance of being heard in another Trump administration. While its the bare minimum, Harris has spoken of the Palestinians right to self-determination, dignity, security, and a two-state solution, and supports getting humanitarian aid into Gaza while congressional Republicans have blocked funds for rebuilding in Gaza. Trump has previously outlined a Vision for Peace that would supposedly include a Palestinian state while also giving the green light for Netanyahu to annex portions of the West Bank. He would embolden Israeli settlers already responsible for horrific violence by lifting current U.S. sanctions against them. Allowing Trump back into the White House would create another five-alarm fire every day, making it impossible for us to effectively organize. In his inauguration speech in Jan. 2017, Trump spoke about American carnage, laying out a dark vision for the country, one ruled by fear without any basis in reality. Seven days later, he instituted his Muslim ban, and mass protests erupted immediately. Community organizers rushed to airports in New York where hundreds of travelers were stranded upon landing in the U.S.; immigration lawyers did the same. Refugees couldnt get in. Legal immigrants couldnt get in. It was chaos, and the first week of his presidency. Trump went on to forcibly separate parents from children at the U.S.-Mexico border; ignored a deadly public health crisis with the onset of COVID-19; held congressionally approved aid to Ukraine ransom while he tried to blackmail their leaders into opening investigations about Biden in 2020, in an attempt to help Trump win re-election; and appointed three Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade, paving the way for unnecessary deaths and the criminalization of abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Autocrats thrive on overwhelming people. President Trump overwhelmed us every single day. To stop crises like genocides, climate change, and pandemics, we need strong mass movements, writes Dr. Lucky Tran, a science communicator based in New York City. But when more people are vulnerable to deportation, sickness, poverty, discrimination etc, its much harder to build strong movements. The living conditions under which we organize matter. Allowing far-right governments to hold power harms people and greatly weakens social movements. Voting alone is insufficient to win justice, but ignoring its importance makes it much harder to achieve. To win, we need to use all the tools available, including strategic voting. Dr. Tran is elucidating a conclusion many progressive activists and organizers have come to: that we must view voting as a chess move to get us closer to the outcome we all want. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chase Strangio, a lawyer and trans rights advocate, posted on his personal Instagram recently about voting for Harris: I do not give my vote to a candidate as a prize. Only as a measured act to preserve my ability to engage in the work I believe in. In another post, he wrote that he is a reform worker. I undeniably work within a violent system, he continued. But I do not feel comfortable abandoning that work now. This is our reality. One of two people can win the presidency this November a symbolic vote for a third-party candidate wont lead to a different outcome. Electing Harris and continuing to demand a ceasefire or that the U.S. enforce its own policy regarding foreign assistance to Israel could. I do not feel comfortable watching things get worse for women, LGBTQIA+ communities, Palestinians, Ukrainians, and more when I know I have the power to affect that outcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden-Harris administration has already made progress on eliminating student debt, and Harris has worthwhile policy proposals on abortion, housing, childcare, eldercare, and more. The vice president cast the tiebreaking vote in the passage of the Biden administrations signature achievement on climate change, the Inflation Reduction Act. If you think any of that isn't good enough join the activists voting for her while vowing to continue pushing for better and more comprehensive policies. We would be constrained in even expressing dissent in a Trump administration. He has talked about shooting protesters, jailing his opponents and critics, and taking action against media who dare to report honestly on him, including revoking licenses for broadcast news he disagrees with. Teen Vogue itself could be held liable under a Trump administration there is a world where we could face punishment for publishing something like this. I feel pretty confident that a majority of Americans do not support Trump. Hes lost the popular vote twice now; its why hes set the stage for baselessly claiming election fraud or encouraging political violence as a means to hold onto power. But that majority will only make a difference if we turn out to vote and organize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not enough to beat a fascist with razor-thin margins; ideally, we need to run up the margin of victory so high it becomes that much harder for Trump and his cronies to claim they represent the will of the American people. Its why voting even in safely blue or safely red states matters. To achieve a more equitable America, we need to pay attention to the democratic popular vote and if Harris wins, well have Vice President Tim Walz, who believes, as so many of us do, that the Electoral College needs to go. I know weve all compartmentalized in various ways to even make it this close to Election Day. Weve avoided the news or ignored headlines and stories because we need to get on with our lives. But democracy is not guaranteed. It is a group effort that requires we all be involved. Right now, we have the power to stop Trump. Should he win, we may not have these tools at our disposal again. Trump is on the record telling conservative Christians he just needs them to vote this year and then they wont have to vote again. Four more years, itll be fixed, itll be fine, you wont have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians, he said this summer, one of many comments that should have set off a weeks-long scandalous news cycle but got subsumed by, well, everything else. He has an army of election deniers ready to do his corrupt, anti-democratic bidding. There are any number of things you can do right now through Election Day: volunteer, phone bank, canvass or knock on doors, write postcards or letters, offer to drive people to the polls, volunteer as a poll worker. If youve never called voters in your life, now is the time to try it. It can be challenging, but life under a Trump-Vance administration would be infinitely more so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hillary Clinton comfortably won the popular vote in 2016 by millions but lost the electoral college by razor-thin margins, in part because people thought they couldnt make a difference, or that it was work best left up to somebody else. No one is coming to save us. We have to save ourselves, and each other. Any of the issues you care about will be impossible to fight for under a Trump administration. If youve got any anxiety or concern about this election, I urge you to channel that into action. Theres no more putting it off or tuning it out. This is it. Dont wake up on Nov. 6 and wish you had done more. Do it now. You still have time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article has been updated. Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue Want more U.S. government coverage? Connecting with the community: In her op-ed, Harris connects her policies to the Vietnamese American experience, particularly the sacrifices made by those who fled oppression to build lives in the U.S. She highlights policies aimed at addressing rising costs of living, such as affordable housing initiatives and tax cuts for middle-class families, while also emphasizing support for small businesses, many of which are pillars within Vietnamese American communities. "I want all Americans to achieve their dreams of homeownership," she writes, sharing her personal story of her mothers struggle to buy a first home. Vice President Kamala Harris's Friday evening rally will be held at the Wisconsin State Fair Exposition Center, according to an event posting by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Former President Donald Trump will be holding a competing rally Friday evening just six miles away at Fiserv Forum as both candidates make a final push in battleground states ahead of Tuesday's election. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks at a campaign rally on Wednesday October 30, 2024 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. The unveiling of the Exposition Center location comes as speculation has focused on Veterans Park, where a concert-sized stage was being erected Thursday and where permits filed with the city indicated a Harris campaign event would be taking place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it still remains unclear what will happen at Veterans Park or when Harris's event Friday at the Exposition Center is slated to feature performances from big names like GloRilla, Flo Milli, MC Lyte, The Isley Brothers and DJ GEMINI GILLY. And, Cardi B, one of the most successful female rappers of all time, is listed as a guest speaker. The rally will follow a Get Out The Vote event in Appleton earlier in the evening. Both candidates were in Wisconsin on Wednesday. Harris held a rally in Madison while Trump rallied supporters in the Green Bay suburb of Ashwaubenon. Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kamala Harris rally in Milwaukee to be held at State Fairgrounds Kamala Harris on Friday said Donald Trumps suggestion that Liz Cheney be put in front of a firing squad disqualified him from the presidency. Trump on Thursday conjured an image of Cheneywho along with her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, has endorsed Harriswith a rifle, standing there, with nine barrels shooting at her. After criticizing Trumps suggestion that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would work on womens health in his next administration , the vice president called his comments about Cheney even worse. She argued that hes amped up his violent rhetoric about political opponents and slammed the great detail he used in fantasizing about the former representative getting shot . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This must be disqualifying, Harris told reporters ahead of an event in Janesville, Wisconsin. Anyone who wants to be president of the United States who uses that kind of violent rhetoric is clearly disqualified and unqualified to be president. Harris said that she hadnt talked to Cheney since Trump made the comment about her, but added that it diminishes Americas moral authority. I have also thought a lot about what this means, in terms of our standing in the world, she said. Despite Harris concerns, the comment was a gift to her campaign, which told reporters Friday that Trump has steered hordes of voters who made up their minds this week to support Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the final weeks before Election Day, Harris has played up Trumps antagonistic language towards his political rivals, highlighting his openness to using the military against left-leaning citizens. She hit Trump over his enemies list at an event at a Wisconsin union hall later in the afternoon, though she did not explicitly speak to the crowd about the Cheney comment. Instead, she focused on her support for unionized workers. Kamala Harris is playing up Donald Trump's antagonistic language in the final few days of the campaign. The Trump campaign and the former president himself argued Friday that his critics were taking his rifle comment out of context, and that he was simply making a point about Cheney being a war hawk. But Harris allies had already pounced. Former Georgia Lieutenant Gov. Geoff Duncan, another Republican who has endorsed Harris, suggested that Trumps intent was reckless and malicious. Donald Trumps words are calculated and ignorance can no longer be used to excuse his behavior. This is another reckless example of the seeds of anger and chaos he continues to sow. https://t.co/KhLJkbWilv Geoff Duncan (@GeoffDuncanGA) November 1, 2024 Harris spokesperson Ian Sams told Morning Joe Friday that Trumps dangerous, violent rhetoric would continue to drive Trump-skeptical Republicans to cast their ballots for Harris. You have Donald Trump, whos talking about sending a prominent Republican to the firing squad, and you have Vice President Harris, whos talking about sending one to her Cabinet, he said. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Kansans want the best care for their aging loved ones, but a new survey released this week shows they dont necessarily agree on how to accomplish that. The Kansas Speaks Fall 2024 survey gathered responses from 656 Kansas adults. It shows that 84.3% of them want their elderly family members to be able to stay in their hometowns to get long-term care services, while only 0.7 % disagree. The remaining 15% were neutral on the topic or didnt know. Opinion: Kansans who need long-term care should be able to get it in their own community. Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neutral Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Dont know 53.3% 31% 13% 0.6% 0.1% 2% More than 77% of respondents said Kansas lawmakers play a key role in ensuring the well-being of elderly Kansans. About 4% disagreed. Opinion: State policymakers have an important role in ensuring elderly Kansans are cared for. Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neutral Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Dont know 45.5% 31.9% 16.4% 1.7% 2.2% 2.2% Of those surveyed, 77% want more to be done to develop workers in long-term care services. Most also believe larger investments are needed in services and care. The survey did not specify whether that meant an investment of time or money. Opinion: Kansas should invest more in developing workers for long-term care services. Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neutral Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Dont know 39.2% 37.8% 18.1% 0.8% 0.9% 3.3% Opinion: Larger investments are needed in services and care for elderly Kansans. Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neutral Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Dont know 38% 34.1% 18.7% 3.1% 1.9% 4.2% The majority of those surveyed also want to see mental health support for their aging loved ones. Opinion: Supporting the mental health needs of older Kanans is important. Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neutral Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Dont know 57.9% 25.8% 13.5% 0.7% 2.1% Of the 656 people who responded to the Kansas Speaks survey, 36.3% know someone who requires long-term care and support. Almost 30% have close family members who need care and support, and 63.8% help provide care for their aging loved ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The survey also asked if current state regulations for nursing homes are about right, too much or too little. Most people said they didnt know (33.5%), while 30.5% leaned toward too little, 24.2% thought about right, and 11.9% felt there is too much regulation. The final question was about helping older Kansans stay at home as they age. It asked if the state offers the right amount of support or too little support. Most people said the state offers too little support (51.7%), while 16.1% said the support level is about right. The rest (32.2%) didnt know. Opinion: State support for people to remain home as they grow older is: About right A little bit too little Far too little Dont know 16.1% 18.7% 33% 32.2% MORE Kansas Speaks 2024 results The Docking Institute at Fort Hays State University conducts the Kansas Speaks survey to measure statewide public opinion on key issues. The Wichita Journalism Collaborative which is funded by the Wichita Foundation joined the institute as a co-sponsor of the poll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a complete explanation of the methodology, see page 13 of the 2024 survey. This article was produced as part of the Wichita Journalism Collaborative, which includes KSN-TV and 10 other organizations and community groups. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. Kelly Rippel with Kansans for Hemp and the Planted Association of Kansas addresses the Legislature's special committee on medical marijuana on Oct. 28, 2024. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA A wide majority of Kansans support legalizing medical and recreational marijuana, but a group of legislators assigned to weigh medical marijuana legalization declined to push the issue in the 2025 session. About 73% of respondents to the Kansas Speaks survey either strongly or somewhat supported the legalization of medical marijuana and 12% were opposed. About 61% of respondents either strongly or somewhat supported the legalization of recreational marijuana and about 22% were opposed, according to the annual survey, conducted by Fort Hays State Universitys Docking Institute of Public Affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same day survey results were released, Oct. 28, legislators on the special committee on medical marijuana decided to commission a report informing the Legislature on updated details of a medical marijuana program in Kansas but voted against recommending legislation to their peers in 2025. Alexandra Middlebrook, Wichita State Universitys political science department chair and a policy fellow with the Docking Institute, says marijuana is not a major consideration when voters weigh candidates and head to the ballot box. Because its not a priority for them, its not going to be a priority for elected officials either, she said. The majority of legislators on the medical marijuana committee werent in favor of meeting as a group in the 2025 session, saying it wouldnt be enough time to wade through legal uncertainty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Convening in January would be insufficient, said Rep. Steve Howe, R-Salina. The Nov. 5 election also could change the makeup of the committee. Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overland Park, said legislators keep circling the issue without making progress. We keep rehashing this information, she said. We keep hearing the same debunked theories over and over. This was the first year the Docking Institute directly asked about marijuana legalization, but the survey has contained questions about marijuana irregularly since 2015. Support for both recreational and medical legalization has increased over time. The annual survey asked respondents in 2024 whether they would support recreational marijuana legalization and medical marijuana legalization in addition to questions about taxation and whether theyd vote for a state candidate who supports medical legalization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2015, about 68% of respondents favored medical marijuana legalization. In 2024, that support jumped by five percentage points. The common thread, Middlebrook said, is Kansas is losing tax revenue to the three surrounding states Colorado, Missouri and Oklahoma that have approved some form of a taxable marijuana system. All three of them legalized marijuana by ballot initiative, specifically by initiative petition, she said. Statewide citizen initiative ballot measures are not allowed under the Kansas Constitution, which leaves it to the Legislature to take up the issue. With the states comparatively short legislative session, marijuana takes a back seat to higher priority issues for both political parties, Middlewood said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Monday medical marijuana hearing, lawmakers heard from law enforcement officials, policy advocates, health care professionals, farmers, bankers and cannabis industry professionals. A handful of law enforcement, mental health and medical professionals advocated against a medical program based on personal experiences. Farmers, professionals and policy advocates, on the other hand, testified in support. Kelly Rippel with Kansans for Hemp and the Planted Association of Kansas, emphasized the differences between hemp, a crop used for industrial purposes, and marijuana. The two are different types of the same plant, but hemp contains only trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive component that gives marijuana users a high. Rippel told legislators that hemp grows well throughout Kansas. There are two facts when it comes to drug policy, Rippel said. Having adaptable solutions that are based in accurate information that meet people where they are, and second, a commercially unregulated market of any drug means that market is in the hands of criminals. That opens up a lot of risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marijuana was classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, making all uses federally illegal and warranting the most severe penalties. President Richard Nixon created the Drug Enforcement Administration in 1973 to enforce the act, effectively criminalizing marijuana, despite recommendations calling the total prohibition of marijuana functionally inappropriate, according to an overview of marijuana history from the Kansas Legislative Research Department. Kansas has its own controlled substances schedule on which marijuana is a Schedule I substance. The Kansas Attorney Generals Office has been opposed to any legalization. The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas submitted testimony Monday advocating for decriminalization. In 2023, law enforcement made more than 4,600 arrests for marijuana possession and an estimated 380 arrests for marijuana sales, wrote Rashane Hamby, the director of policy and research for the ACLU of Kansas, in submitted testimony. The majority of the arrests, 91%, were not for drug trafficking or violent crime but instead for simple possession, Hamby wrote. The ACLUs national report on marijuana arrests revealed that in Kansas, Black residents are 4.8 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white residents, despite similar rates of use across racial groups, Hamby wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Wichita, the population is 10% Black, but Black people make up about 45% of all marijuana related prosecutions, Hamby wrote. Research has shown marijuana acts as an effective aid in pain management, and it has been approved for medical use in 38 states. It is regulated similarly to alcohol and tobacco for recreational use in 24 states. Gov. Laura Kelly tours the Axe Shedd during an April 25, 2024, visit to Emporia. Her Middle of the Road PAC since August has spent $470,000 on a dozen Democrats seeking legislative seats. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Kansas Gov. Laura Kellys PAC and the Kansas Republican Senatorial Committee have poured around a half-million dollars each into competitive legislative races across Kansas, campaign finance reports released this week show. The Republican House Campaign Committee spent almost $1 million. More than $470,000 from Kellys Middle of the Road PAC has been spent since the August primary on Democrats embroiled in battleground races, according to records published Monday through the Kansas Secretary of States campaign finance reporting system. The Republican Senatorial committee spent more than $498,000 during the same time period on the four races at risk of flipping to Democrats. The Republican House committee has spent its $978,000 since August on advertising-related costs for a dozen candidates and the state Republican party, finance records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans have held a supermajority in the Kansas House since 2010, and Senate Republicans have held a supermajority since 1997. Democrats must flip two seats in the house and three in the senate while holding their existing cache in order to break the supermajorities. The Senatorial committees treasurer, Michelle Schroeder, said the groups spending was focused solely on protecting and expanding our Republican supermajority. Kelly, a Democrat, launched the Middle of the Road PAC in August 2023 to back moderate candidates, from either major party, and in an attempt to break the Republican legislative supermajority. Recipients of the nearly $500,000 were 12 Democrats. Those expenditures are just a fraction of the nearly $1.5 million the PAC has spent since late July. Senate District 5 incumbent Sen. Jeff Pittman, a Leavenworth-area Democrat, received the highest cumulative dollar amount from the Middle of the Road PAC. Election forecasts favor a Pittman win over his opponent, Republican Jeff Klemp, of Lansing, by a thin margin. The senatorial committee spent almost twice as much on Klemp as Middle of the Road spent on Pittman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State during the Trump Administration and former Kansas GOP congressman, endorsed Klemp on Oct. 30. Both the Middle of the Road PAC and the Senatorial committee spent on the other three toss-up Senate races in Johnson County. Middle of the Road PAC also spent on another Johnson County-area district, Senate District 35, with an open seat thats been held by the same Republican for the past decade. Middle of the Road PAC spent the least on Rep. Jason Probst, a Hutchinson Democrat running for reelection. His Republican opponent, Kyler Sweely, was recently the subject of a Wichita police investigation and online backlash after a video circulated in which he appears to jump on and hold a pillow over the head of a motionless woman on a bed. The Republican House committee spent just under $9,000 on Sweely while Middle of the Road spent more than $13,000 on Probst, according to campaign finance records. Will Lawrence, senior advisor for the Middle of the Road PAC, said in a statement that the PAC invested in hard-working candidates and those who aligned with Governor Kellys values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PAC deployed a strategic program that included mail, digital ads, and support for GOTV (get out the vote) efforts, Lawrence said. Supporters of our PAC can rest assured their investments were well spent. Representatives for the Republican House committee did not respond to Kansas Reflectors requests for comment Friday. The final day for voting in legislative races as well as for U.S. president is Tuesday. Correction: Senate Republicans have held a supermajority since 1997. A previous version of this story misstated the year. The U.K. government has sanctioned a group believed to be behind "a vast malign online network" that reportedly went after Princess Kate amid her health issues Danny Lawson/Getty Kate Middleton at Southport Community Centre on Oct. 10, 2024 in Southport, England. Kate Middleton at Southport Community Centre on Oct. 10, 2024 in Southport, England. The U.K. government has announced sanctions against Russian agencies and figures "who are attempting to undermine and destabilize Ukraine and its democracy The group is reportedly responsible for an online network known as Doppelganger, which reportedly targeted Kate Middleton earlier this year amid her health issues Princess Kate's unprecedented absence from the public eye following her abdominal surgery in January created a demand for greater information, quelled when she announced that she was undergoing treatment for cancer A Russian-based disinformation campaign that reportedly targeted Kate Middleton earlier this year is facing sanctions from the U.K. government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 28, the U.K. government sanctioned three Russian agencies, including Social Design Agency (SDA) and its partner, Structura, for deploying online misinformation, known as Doppelganger, to distort the truth around Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Earlier this year, the Russian-affiliated group allegedly amplified online rumors and conspiracies about Kate's absence amid her abdominal surgery and subsequent cancer diagnosis, leveraging the public curiosity surrounding her health to further pro-Russian narratives. British authorities alleged that those involved are behind "a vast malign online network, also commonly known as Doppelganger, which plagues social media with fake posts, counterfeit documents and deepfake material. These deceitful tactics are designed to mask the truth around Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine and distract from the true nature of the war." Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/Getty Kate Middleton at Southport Community Centre in Southport, England on Oct. 10, 2024. Kate Middleton at Southport Community Centre in Southport, England on Oct. 10, 2024. Related: Kate Middleton Online Conspiracy Theories Linked to Russian-Based Disinformation Campaign Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late March, Martin Innes, the director of the Security, Crime and Intelligence Innovation Institute at Cardiff University in Wales, told NBC News and The New York Times that he and his team identified 45 accounts circulating information about Princess Kate in a method suggesting that the messages were affiliated with Doppelganger. The director alleged that the network did not start the speculation but capitalized on the traffic to disperse pro-Russia content and internet discord. Related: Kate Middleton 'Definitely Going to Be Doing Less' in Wake of Cancer Treatment, Says Source (Exclusive) "Its not as though these Russia-linked accounts were driving the story; they were jumping on it," Innes told NBC. "It was already being framed in conspiracy terms, so foreign actors dont need to set that frame thats already there to exploit." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Its about destabilization. Its about undermining trust in institutions: government, monarchy, media everything," he said. "These kinds of stories are ideal vehicles by which they do that." The Princess of Wales wasn't the only member of the royal family reportedly targeted online by Russian actors this year. Just a few days before Princess Kate announced that she had cancer, an untrue story that King Charles had died was reported by Russian media, The Guardian reported on March 18. The conspiracy prompted the British Embassy Kyiv to say on X that the story was fake. JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Kate Middleton and King Charles at Trooping the Colour on June 15, 2024. Kate Middleton and King Charles at Trooping the Colour on June 15, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! In the statement about the Oct. 28 sanctions from the U.K. government, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, said, "Putin is so desperate to undermine European support for Ukraine he is now resorting to clumsy, ineffective efforts to try and stoke unrest. Todays sanctions send a clear message: we will not tolerate your lies and interference, and we are coming after you. Putin's desperate attempts to divide us will fail. We will constrain the Kremlin, and stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes." The statement from the government added that the U.S. Canada, France, Germany, Australia and the European External Action Service (of the European Union) "join us in calling out the SDA's underhand activity globally." KANSAS CITY, Mo. Leaders in the city have heard business owners complain about crime, and on Monday, October 28, FOX4 learned about cameras on Main Street, in between 39th and 40th Streets. The cameras are still on, and theyre still recording, so if something happens, we can pull the memory, City Emergency Planner Christopher Carroll said. Applebees closing multiple Kansas City area restaurants Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carroll added that the fiber lines coming back to the Emergency Operations Center are severed right now, which means the police and the city cant watch that footage as quickly. If somebody calls in and says, Hey this happened at like 39th and Main Street, we can go to the camera, we can pull the memory from the camera, Carroll said. Carroll says its a lot more efficient if they can just bring the video up right away at their Emergency Operations Center, but in the area where the streetcar construction is taking place, they cant do that. You know at the barbershop, youll hear everything, Phyllis Manley of Phyllis Barber Shop said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The barber shop is in the area where KC Streetcar Main Street Extension (Build KC Streetcar) workers were at on Thursday, in between 39th and 40th Streets. Manley says shes concerned about the construction impacting the cameras. Weve had one break-in, and we were very fortunate, she explained. But you know, the criminal was apprehended, so were very fortunate. Other businesses you know, theyve had multiple break-ins. Metro community stunned as police search for answers in childs death KC Streetcar Main Street Extension wouldnt comment to FOX4 Thursday afternoon, but the extension south to UMKC should be done sometime next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be honest, I dont know, maybe, Phyllis Barber Shop Master Barber Maurice Basey said when asked if the streetcar constructions worth it. I wont know until I see what happens, but right now, its really definitely affecting us. Carroll said the fiber should be replaced in the next few weeks, so by December 1, the cameras should no longer be impacted. He added that once the streetcar construction is done, the number of cameras in that area will nearly double, so the city can make sure they can see the entire streetcar route. That means there will be more cameras focused on the businesses. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. A New York state appeals court suspended Kenneth Chesebros law license on Thursday, a timely reminder of both the failed plot to subvert the 2020 election and the potential consequences for any would-be plotters this go-round. The court cited Chesebros guilty plea last year in Georgia, where, as the court recounted in Thursdays opinion, he was charged alongside co-defendants in a scheme to submit false election results to Congress concerning the 2020 presidential election. Chesebro pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit filing false documents. He has been charged in a similar case in Wisconsin as well. The New York court recalled that the count to which Chesebro pleaded guilty in Georgia alleged that he, along with [Donald] Trump, [Rudy] Giuliani, John Eastman and others, unlawfully conspired in Georgia between December 6, 2020 and December 14, 2020 to knowingly file, enter and record a document entitled Certificate of the Votes of the 2020 Electors from Georgia, in a court of the US, while having reason to know that the document contained a materially false statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court concluded that because Chesebro has been convicted of a serious crime, we accordingly suspend respondent [Chesebro] from the practice of law in New York on an interim basis. Chesebro isnt the only lawyer to face legal consequences from 2020, including, among others, Giuliani, Eastman, Jeffrey Clark and Jenna Ellis, the last of whom also took a plea deal in Georgia. But when it comes to criminal consequences for Donald Trump himself, the election results could determine when and even whether he faces trial for his alleged actions. Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in Donald Trumps legal cases. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Kenneth Chesebro, a lawyer who struck a plea deal with prosecutors in the 2020 election interference case against former President Donald Trump, has been suspended from practicing law in New York, officials announced Thursday. The court ruled that Chesebro's felony conviction in his criminal indictment in Fulton County, Ga., over his efforts to overturn Trump's election loss there "categorically meets the definition of a serious crime in this state" and warranted the decision to bar him from practicing law in New York. Chesebro helped come up with a strategy to create false pro-Trump slates of electors in Georgia and other states he lost to Joe Biden, the indictment alleged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chesebro's lawyer said it was not correct to characterize his client as the architect of the scheme to overrun democracy. Chesebro, along with Trump and 17 other co-defendants, was indicted in Fulton County in August 2023 for his efforts to overturn Trump's defeat in Georgia to Biden. Chesebro was indicted on seven counts, and made a plea deal with prosecutors. He pleaded guilty in October last year to one count of conspiracy to commit filing false documents and agreed to testify in the case. Trump has pleaded not guilty. The New York court ruling on Thursday said Chesebro's suspension was "effective immediately and until further order" of the court. "Ken Chesebro having his law license suspended should serve as a stark warning of what will happen if lawyers violate their oaths as officers of the court to knowingly lie to subvert democracy," said Michael Teter, executive director of the legal watchdog group The 65 Project. Election officials in Kentucky are pushing back on unfounded allegations of widespread voter fraud after a video depicting an apparent technical glitch on a ballot-marking device amassed tens of millions of views on social media. Officials say the video depicts a "voter error" that is easily preventable and did not impact the voter's final ballot. In the viral video, a voter in Laurel County, Kentucky, appears to be attempting to tap on Donald Trump's name on a touchscreen voting machine, which selected the option for Kamala Harris. The video cuts off abruptly and does not show the voter's final ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Election fact check: How voting machines work and why they're hard to hack A spokesperson for the Kentucky secretary of state said that the video shows "voter error." "Our Office has received no complaints about 'vote switching' or other long-ago debunked rumors. We contacted the county clerk, who confirmed voter error and that the ballot-marking device works correctly," the spokesperson said. According to Laurel County Clerk Tony Brown, the voter who posted the original video was able to cast their ballot as intended. The video shows a ballot-marking device that produces a paper ballot after a voter selects their choices, according to Brown. PHOTO: An ExpressVote machine is seen during early voting at a polling station at the Black Mountain Public Library in Black Mountain, N.C., Oct. 21, 2024. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images) Voters have multiple opportunities to confirm their choice before a ballot is printed, and voters can reprint their ballot twice if they are not satisfied with their choice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Once you are satisfied with your ballot, you may place it into the scanner, and it verifies that it has been counted," Brown said. Brown acknowledged that election workers were able to recreate the issue one time, "after several minutes of attempting to recreate the scenario." "This was accomplished by hitting some area in between the boxes. After that we tried for several minutes to do it again and could not," Brown said. Both the Laurel County Clerk and Election Systems & Software -- the company that produces the ExpressVote ballot marking device -- suggested the video inaccurately depicts how the machine normally functions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Laurel County Clerk's Office shared a video of a user tapping through the candidate options without issue, to demonstrate that the machine works well. MORE: Elon Musk pushes false conspiracies about voting machines during swing state town hall "In the video posted you can see us going back and forth through the names with no issues. This is the same machine used by the voter in the video," Brown said. In a statement, an Election Systems & Software spokesperson said that issues with their touch screen voting machines are "rare." Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump noted on X that election officials were unable to find any errors when testing the machine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The legal team at @GOP immediately investigated a voter's report of a machine malfunction that wouldn't select President Trump in Kentucky. We called election officials directly. They separated the machine, conducted proper testing, didn't find any errors, and confirmed that voters could cast their ballots properly," Lara Trump said. The Laurel County Clerk's office said the machine was taken out of service immediately after the incident. "Detectives have been in touch with the county clerk and recommended they change out the voting machine," Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said in a statement. "All Kentucky voters can have confidence that our elections are secure and any potential issues will be addressed quickly." "Touch screen voting machines do not flip votes," Election Systems & Software said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Voting machines are designed to accurately capture a voter's choices, and allow them to see and verify those choices on screen and on a paper ballot before casting that paper for tabulation," the statement said. "There is no scenario in which a voter would be forced to cast a ballot that they believe did not reflect their intentions." Kentucky election officials push back on viral 'vote-switching' video originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Less than a week before Election Day, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he thinks a popular vote system would be "a better form of democracy" than the Electoral College. Beshear made the remarks at his weekly Team Kentucky press conference, saying he would support any change that "gets us closer to every state being a part of the presidential election." "I don't think that the Electoral College will be dissolved anytime soon, but certainly a popular vote would be beneficial to Kentuckians making sure that every single Kentucky voter felt like their vote for the presidency matters," Beshear said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can you take a ballot selfie? You'd be breaking the law in Ohio This year, all eyes are on the seven swing states that are expected to determine the outcome of who gets sent to the White House. Kentucky isn't considered a swing state, and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is expected to again win the deep-red commonwealth. In 2020, Kentucky was the first state that called a victory for Trump, who carried 62% of the state's vote. Moving to a popular vote system, Beshear said, would mean more national candidates would come to Kentucky and "every single American" would "be an important part of the election." "I think it gets us closer to a place where we can govern in a way that lifts all Americans up, that we're not pushed towards any extreme, that we don't write off crazy things that some candidates may or may not say, but that we would truly get an election for all Americans," Beshear said. "I think to do that, we would ultimately have to abolish the Electoral College." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paper? Touchscreen? Scanners? What to expect where you vote At a Fayette County Democrats rally earlier this week, Beshear made similar comments to reporters and said the country needs "to move past a place to where seven states dont decide the presidency in the future." Beshear isn't the only political figure who supports pivoting to a popular vote system. Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz has previously called for the end of the Electoral College, and there is a national movement to do so with the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. The NVPIC is an agreement among 17 states and the District of Columbia to give all their electoral votes to whichever presidential ticket wins the overall popular vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at @hpinski@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Beshear criticizes Electoral College, would prefer popular vote system WALTON, Ky. (FOX 56) A northern Kentucky man pleaded guilty in court Thursday to a charge of extraterritorial production of child pornography. According to the Department of Justice, Robert Werner, 46, of Walton, was living in the Philippines from February 2021 through November 2021. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his plea agreement, Werner told investigators that he was a customer of a Filipino native who would sell him access to dozens of minors for live-streamed sexual acts. For multiple months, Werner said he paid for child sexual abuse material and numerous in-person meetings with underage boys in the Philippines. He admitted to specifically engaging in sexually explicit conduct with at least one minor so that he could produce a visual depiction of the encounter between July 2021 and November 2021, per the agreement. Read more of the latest Kentucky news Werner told investigators that he brought the material into the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOJ announced that Werner faces between 15 and 30 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 7, 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 FOX 56 News. Nov. 1 (UPI) -- A giant thumbtack measuring 21 feet and 7 inches tall in Kentucky was dubbed the world's largest pin by Guinness World Records. Officials at the Transit Authority of Central Kentucky, or TACK, said they came up with the idea of a giant push pin when they were granted federal funds to refurbish their headquarters in Elizabethtown. Glenn Arney, TACK's executive director and CEO, said a portion of the funds had been earmarked for signage, so he started to research companies that would be able to create giant thumb tacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I found one place in Florida," Arney told the Paxton Media Group. "They wanted $109,000, plus shipping, plus installation." Arney and a team of three employees decided to build the tack themselves, which turned out to be difficult as none of them had welding experience. He said one member of his team "did what anyone else would do, he watched a YouTube video." The finished pin weighed in at 3,000 pounds and measured 21 feet and 7 inches tall. A Guinness World Records adjudicator confirmed it surpassed the goal of 19 feet and 8 inches, which the organization had set as the benchmark to originate the record. My husband and I aim to eat out at least once a week. Weve got a homemade paper wheel on the fridge to pick a spot a neighborhood burger joint, a nearby Italian fave or a Pandolfi Pick, i.e., something Enquirer food writer Keith Pandolfi seems to like. Frischs is not on the wheel. We ate there anyway this week, a farewell meal to a dying chain. The Norwood Frisch's will close by next week. Burger, soup and a milk, please I first began frequenting Frischs in the late 1980s when it had a downtown location and The Enquirer operated at 617 Vine St. A burger, a cup of veggie soup and a glass of milk. Milk! It felt like eating at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Doug and I became parents, we liked the Mariemont location. Firstborn Fran, now 30, visited at 10 days old, sleeping in her pumpkin seat during her first time out of the house. She joined her two siblings in the years ahead during after-Mass trips, when the breakfast bar was free for kids. We lost the Frischs habit as they grew, opting for restaurants with patios for noisy, active preschoolers and later, LaRosas, for takeout on busy weeknights. When Dougs mom moved to town late in life, he ran through the Frischs drive-thru to grab the occasional fish sandwich for her. I did the same during Lent from time to time. But really, Frischs faded from our options of interest. This week, with news of another round of pending Frischs closings, we headed to the store in Norwood. No onion rings, but plenty of hot, crisp crinkle fries, sans-ketchup. Crying babies, busy servers The lobby was swarming. The drive-thru was bumper-to-bumper. The dining room was a bit frenetic, especially with crying babies at two tables. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We ordered two Big Boys and a side of onion rings. When they arrived after a full hour we got fries instead of rings. Sorry. Were out of onion rings, our server said. Ketchup? we asked. Were out of that, too, she said. Big Boy holds court in the Norwood dining room, along with the mascots for Norwood High School and Xavier University. 'Welcome to Norwood' adorns walls The sign on the door said Now Hiring. Another advertised free dessert for customers who had downloaded the Frischs app. (Maybe that explains the steady flow of hot fudge cakes coming out of the kitchen.) The walls were an homage to the stores address. Welcome to Norwood, said a sign by the cash register. A dining room mural featured cards made by U.S. Playing Card Co., once headquartered in Norwood, along with pictures of mascots Big Boy for Frischs, D'Artagnan for Xavier University and (cringe) an Indian chief for Norwood High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The restaurant had been packed since news that it would close within seven days broke earlier that day, our server told us. She was dry-eyed as she bid one customer goodbye (Its been good knowing you, Bob, she said) and not at all sentimental when we tipped her nearly as much as our tab. Im not sentimental either. We didnt visit often enough. Im filing my Frischs memories with others of departed Cincinnati institutions: Stein Mart and Parisian, where I blew a lot of paychecks; the Glass Barn, my go-to for cheap holiday gifts; the long list of once-hopping bars and restaurants, now shuttered. (And, now, another Big Lots! Oh, the injustice!) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, being denied onion rings on our last visit made me miss, anew, the long-ago free-for-kids bacon and eggs breakfast spread. Its been good knowing you, Frischs. Patricia Gallagher Newberry is Quality of Life/Enterprise reporter on the team that covers government, politics and business. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Frisch's: Why we'll miss it KETTERING, Ohio (WDTN) A scam is targeting banking customers in Kettering. Kettering Police are warning residents of a scam targeting funds. Are mail-in ballots safe? Voters remain uneasy about election integrity A local bank has received reports of phone calls to customers showing up as the banks actual 800 phone number with caller ID displaying as the banks name, the post reads. The scammer will say that they are part of the fraud team. There have also been instances where debit card information and even full account numbers have been fraudulently requested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scam entails the seizure of financial information. Transactions are then made with the acquired information. Residents are urged to not give out this information over the phone. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Two key senators released a bipartisan plan Friday to require Medicare to pay the same rate for the same service, regardless of where the service is delivered. The site-neutral payment reform plan from Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) is aimed at stopping hospitals from getting more money from Medicare for procedures that can be done in less expensive settings, like a physicians office or an ambulatory surgical center. According to Cassidy and Hassan, the plan will save taxpayers billions of dollars. They proposed equalizing payments for some services provided in off-campus hospital outpatient departments with what Medicare pays for physicians offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patients should not be forced to pay higher bills just because their regular doctors office was purchased by a hospital, Hassan said. There is bipartisan agreement that by pursuing site neutral payment in Medicare, we can lower costs and ensure that more people can get the health care that they need. But hospitals have long fought off any attempts to equalize payment rates, arguing such a move would hurt rural providers and those that rely on a high proportion of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. Hospitals also argue they have higher overhead costs and so need higher reimbursements. To combat that issue, the plan would reinvest some of the savings into rural and safety net hospitals through Medicare. The plan would also create another bonus for hospitals to keep providing services like maternity care, trauma centers, burn units and neonatal intensive care units. If the same care can be safely provided in different settings, patients should not pay hundreds more simply because their doctor works in a hospital. Our framework provides a path to ensure that, Cassidy said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cassidy is the ranking member of the Senate Health Committee and stands to take over as chair if Republicans win control of the chamber. There has been a disconnect between House and Senate Republicans on site-neutral payments, and the proposal faces long odds as currently designed. It was also released as a policy paper, not legislative text. Last year, House Republicans wanted to use the savings from a site-neutral services policy to pay for extending expiring health programs. But Senate Republicans feared rural hospital losses and werent on board. Despite the reinvestment provision, hospital groups immediately blasted the proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simply put, this framework from Senators Hassan and Cassidy will limit and eliminate critical hospital-based care, resulting in increased wait times and decreased access to care for patients, said Stacey Hughes, executive vice president of the American Hospital Association. She said the framework proposes dramatic and untenable Medicare cuts, reducing seniors access to critical hospital-based care. The Federation of American Hospitals similarly said the plan equates to Medicare cuts that threaten access to 24/7 hospital care a framework Congress has rejected time and again, according to Charlene MacDonald, the organizations executive vice president of public affairs. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Election day is here and Alabama voters will head to the polls to vote in the 2024 general election. According to AlabamaVotes.gov, polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can find their polling location here. What central Alabama voters care about most ahead of the election Upon arrival at their location, voters will need to present a valid form of photo identification, which includes any of the following: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valid Alabama drivers license (not expired or has been expired less than 60 days). Alabama Law Enforcement Agency digital drivers license. Valid Alabama nondriver ID (not expired or has been expired less than 60 days). Alabama Law Enforcement Agency digital nondriver ID. Valid Alabama photo voter ID card. Valid State-Issued ID (Alabama or any other state). Examples: Valid AL Department of Corrections Release Temporary ID (Photo Required). Valid AL Movement/ Booking Sheet from Prison/ Jail System (Photo Required). Valid Pistol Permit (Photo Required). Valid federal-issued ID. Valid US passport. Valid employee ID from federal government, state of Alabama, county, municipality, board or other entity of the state. Valid student or employee ID from a public of private college or university in the state of Alabama (including postgraduate technical or professional schools). Digital student ID issued by a state institution of higher learning in any other state. Valid military ID. Valid tribal ID. If an individual does not have any of the above forms of photo ID, they may receive a free Alabama photo voter ID from one of these locations. CBS 42 previously reported on sample ballots in various central Alabama counties. Click here for more information on what people in each county will be voting on. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. DENVER (KDVR) The Boulder Police Department was informed Wednesday of a possible attempted kidnapping that allegedly happened on Monday. According to police, an 11-year-old girl was walking to school at about 8:30 a.m. on Monday when an unknown man started following her while riding a bicycle. She said that as she walked onto 26th Street between Meadow Avenue and Norwood Avenue, the man grabbed her shoulder. The area is near Centennial Middle School. Police said the child grabbed a tree branch and hit the man, causing him to let go. The child then ran to school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, the child told her mother about the incident. The mother called police on Oct. 30. Sterling child fends off would-be kidnapper, suspect arrested Boulder police said the man was wearing all black with a mask and circular sunglasses with colored lenses. The agency said he may have been speaking Spanish. The agency will increase patrols where this incident happened but is asking anyone with information about the suspected kidnappers identity or the crime to contact Detective Taylor Hickam at HickamT@bouldercolorado.gov or by calling 303-441-1936 and reference case 24-11453. Additionally, anyone with possible video or photo evidence can upload it online here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Los Tigres del Norte, one of the most influential Mexican-American musical groups, stumped for Vice President Kamala Harris in west Phoenix on Thursday, with five days to go until Election Day as the presidential campaigns hone in on Latino voters, who make up a quarter of the Arizona electorate. The six-man band consisting of lead vocalist Jorge, guitarist Hernan, and musicians and family members Eduardo, Gio, Luis and Oscar, played five songs ahead of Harris' campaign speech in Maryvale, a Latino-majority neighborhood in Phoenix. They include some of their biggest and most well-known songs including "La Puerta Negra," and "De Paisano a Paisano," which detail the experience of crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in search of a better life for your family, experiencing abuse and discrimination, but wanting to be buried back in your homeland after death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is an honor for us to be here supporting Vice President Harris," vocalist Jorge Hernandez told the crowd of an estimated 7,000 supporters at the Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre. "She has a plan to improve our country and take us forward, (former President Donald) Trump and his Project 2025 agenda wants to takes us to the past," his brother and lead guitarist Hernan Hernandez added, referring to the conservative Heritage Foundation's controversial plan for a new Trump term that Trump has disavowed. Los Tigres del Norte's presence at the rally in Maryvale is a direct nod to the Latino outreach the Harris campaign has centered in the closing days of her campaign. She also held a rally Thursday in Las Vegas with legendary Mexican rock band Mana and superstar Jennifer Lopez. Former president Donald Trump has also been reaching out to Latino voters in this cycle, though his efforts hit a stumbling block this week with the fallout from his campaign rally in New York City where a comedian joked that Puerto Rico was a "floating island of garbage." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The story of Los Tigres del Norte mirrors the experience of many Mexican-Americans living in the Southwest. The band's founding members left the state of Sinaloa as teenagers in 1968 to help support their families. They moved to and settled in San Jose, Calif., which they continue to call home. Jorge Hernandez of the band Los Tigres del Norte performs at Vice President Kamala Harris' rally in Phoenix on Oct. 31, 2024. The band name, which means the "Tigers of the North," came from immigration officials who dubbed them "tigres" after they crossed the border, according to the band. They gained prominence for singing nortenas and corridos, or ballads. Many of their songs touch on the experience of immigrants living and working in the United States. "Los Tigres del Norte, for many years, have sung songs that we can identify with, especially those of us living in this country," said Imelda Harley, a Mexican immigrant who lives in Phoenix and already cast her ballot for Harris. "When you hear the word 'paisano' and listen to the son it makes you want to cry," she added. "The music reflects everything that we've lived through, from discrimination, to the opportunities, or the persecution we've endured." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LA VOZ: "Los Tigres del Norte, por muchisimos anos han cantado canciones que nos identificamos sobretodo las personas que estamos en este pais. El paisano, cuando escuchas la palabra paisano y escuchas la cancion te hace llorar. Como que la musica refleja todo lo que vivimos, desde la discriminacion, desde las oportunidades, desde esa persecucion que hemos tenido." Even younger voters in attendance at the Harris rally said they were very familiar with Los Tigres del Norte, usually because their parents or other family members listen to the band. The band Los Tigres del Norte perform at Vice President Kamala Harris' rally in Phoenix on Oct. 31, 2024. Diego Rivera, 19, said his mother grew up listening to Los Tigres del Norte and can relate to the songs since she's a Mexican immigrant who moved to Arizona. Rivera, who lives in Goodyear, will be voting for the very first time in this election, and despite some hesitancy at the beginning, solidified his support for Harris. He said the election is the chance for him to "be the voice for my mom." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their nearly 40-year career, they've sold over 37 million records, won seven Grammys and 12 Latin Grammys, and continue selling out stadiums and arenas throughout the United States. Los Tigres del Norte has been outspoken in championing the rights of Latinos and immigrants living in the United States. In 2010, they joined a boycott of musical acts and performers after Arizona passed Senate Bill 1070, which was at the time the strictest anti-immigrant law in the country. "It's a law that in the eyes of Americans will make us look like criminals. I believe that will make them happy so they can be even more tough, more drastic and maybe even more exaggerated in pointing and singling people out," Jorge Hernandez told reporters in 2010. LA VOZ: "Es una ley que en verdad nos va a poner en ojos de los americanos como delincuentes, creo que esto le va dar la felicidad para ser aun mas duros, mas drasticos y tal vez mas exagerados en senalar y en acusar." This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Los Tigres del Norte: What to know about pro-Kamala Harris group Election Day is Tuesday, and Bucks County is at center stage. While candidates make their final campaign stops across Pennsylvania this week, voters are preparing to cast their ballot. Some have already done so through mail-in and on-demand voting. Here's a preview what you can expect. An "I voted" sticker that Amy Salzman, from Bensalem, received after dropping off her mail-in ballot at the Lower Bucks Government Service Center in Levittown on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. When will we know who the next president is? If this year is anything like the last general election, it could take days for elections officials to tally all of the votes across the country. In 2020, the Associated Press didn't call the race for President Joe Biden until the Saturday morning after Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first batch of unofficial vote results reported after polls close will likely be published around 8 p.m. Election Day. Results from later in the night are to be updated periodically by elections officials and are expected to be a mix of mail votes and votes cast in person on Election Day. Once the vote counting stretches into the next day and beyond, the vote results are once again expected to come mostly from mail ballots. With that said, candidates have historically conceded the race well before all the votes are tallied. When do polls open and close on Election Day? Polls in Pennsylvania are to be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. As long as you are in line by 8 p.m., you are to be allowed to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can use an an online search tool from the state government to learn where your designated polling place is located. How long does it take for a presidential candidate to concede? In modern history, for the most part, it doesn't take too long to declare a winner of the presidential election, with the losing candidate commonly conceding shortly after Election Day. The tradition of concessions started in 1896, when Democrat William Jennings Bryan conceded to Republican William McKinley two days after the election. According to National Geographic, Bryan sent a telegram to McKinley congratulating him and saying, "We have submitted the issue to the American people and their will is law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since that point, as reported by USA TODAY, most candidates have conceded within a day or two of the election. For example, in 2012, Republican Mitt Romney conceded to President Barack Obama during the early hours of Wednesday, Nov. 7, the morning after the election. In 2016, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton conceded to former President Donald Trump on Wednesday, Nov. 9, the day after the election. Is a concession required to declare a winner? While a concession has become a common courtesy, per National Geographic, it is not a formal part of the election process and there are no legal consequences if a candidate chooses not to concede. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, a concession is not legally binding, as seen during the 2000 election when Democratic candidate Al Gore conceded to Republican George W. Bush. Soon after, his concession was rescinded as the results were too close to call, according to history.com. Weeks of legal battles and the recounting of votes in Florida ended with a controversial decision in the Supreme Court and Gore ultimately conceded to Bush again 36 days after the election. The 2020 election During the 2020 election, the results were declared four days after Election Day, which was Nov. 3. On Jan. 7, 2021, following the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, Trump acknowledged the fact that President Joe Biden would be inaugurated in the coming weeks saying, "a new administration will be inaugurated on January 20th." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the upcoming election, a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS found that 30% of voters believe that Trump, if necessary, would not accept the results and concede once the votes have been certified. Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and former President Donald Trump, right. Who's going to win the presidential election? The last two months worth of national polls have shown Vice President Kamala Harris in the lead for the presidency, but that lead has shrunk week to week as Trump has been gaining ground and taken the lead in most of the seven crucial swing states likely to determine the race. Although most states consistently vote blue or red such as the 38 states that voted for the same party over and over between 2000 and 2016, some lean differently in every election. These battleground states of Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin are swinging so close that it can really go either way. Want to cast your vote before Election Day? On-demand voting available till Friday Bucks County voters now have until Friday to complete the on-demand voting process following a lawsuit filed by the Trump campaign this week. The original deadline was Tuesday at 5 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On-demand voting is essentially voting by mail, but requesting, filling out and returning the mail ballot in one stop instead of mailing the ballot back or returning it to one of 11 drop boxes currently available in Bucks County. But be aware, it could take a few hours for you to complete the process. Bucks County voters can cast on-demand ballots at these locations: Bucks County Administration Building at 55 E. Court St. in Doylestown. Lower Bucks Government Services Building at 7321 New Falls Road in Levittown. Upper Bucks Government Services Building at 261 California Road in Quakertown. Lacey Latch is the development reporter for the Bucks County Courier Times and The Intelligencer. She can be reached at LLatch@gannett.com. Additional reporting by Amanda Wallace for NorthJersey.com. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: When will we know who the next president is? KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) A Knoxville man was sentenced to serve 10 years in the Tennessee Department of Correction after he plead guilty to multiple charges in connection to a fatal June 2023 crash in Powell. The Knox County District Attorneys Office stated on Friday that Timothy D. Hooks, 24, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and reckless endangerment. The judge ordered Hooks to serve his sentence without the possibility of parole. 20-year-old killed in motorcycle crash on Western Avenue Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, prosecutors explained to the court that on June 6, 2023, the Knox County Sheriffs Office responded to a single vehicle crash on Collier Road. Through the course of the investigation, it was determined Hooks was recklessly driving on a blind hill, heading toward oncoming traffic before he lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree, the DAs office said. The impact of the crash killed a passenger in Hooks vehicle, identified by KCSO as April Satterfield, 35 of Maryville. TBI: Overnight officer-involved shooting in Cocke County injures 1 According to the DAs office, Hooks fled the scene but was apprehended by deputies. He reportedly told them another man was driving the vehicle and fled on foot. However, he later told medical personnel that Satterfield had been driving. Forensic testing by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation revealed that Hooks blood alcohol content was 0.17, which is more than twice the legal limit, and had methamphetamine and marijuana in his system, the DAs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The selfish decisions of this driver left parents without a daughter and four children without a mother, said Allen. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Thursday that Ukraine's leadership was clearly nervous about Russian advances along the front line if Kyiv was asking the United States to supply it with long-range Tomahawk missiles. The New York Times reported that President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had asked the United States for Tomahawk missiles, which have a range of 2,500 km (1,550 miles), far greater than any missile Ukraine currently has in its arsenal. Zelenskiy strongly suggested in a video released on Wednesday that Kyiv had made such a request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the trend on the front lines of the war, where Russia has advanced in the past three months at its fastest pace in two years, was clear. "Against the background of this dynamic, the Kyiv regime is beginning to show considerable nervousness," he said. The New York Times said Zelenskiy had asked the U.S. to provide the Tomahawks as part of the "victory plan" he presented earlier this month, parts of which he said at the time were secret. Peskov said Ukraine's plans, whether secret or not, "boil down to Kyiv dragging Western countries completely into the war up to their ears as quickly as possible and legitimising it. All these tricks have this ultimate goal. This is how we view it". (Reporting by Dmitry Antonov; editing by Guy Faulconbridge, Mark Trevelyan and Alex Richardson) Fridays Top Stories Fridays Five Facts [1] Two NM inmates accused of trying to smuggle drugs into prison Two inmates are being accused of trying to get drugs into a New Mexico prison. According to a federal indictment, staff at the Cibola County Correctional Center found a package that was near the rec yard. Through their investigation, they learned the package was intended for inmates Lupe Vargas and Edward Vallez. According to the indictment, federal investigators say Vargas and Vallez go Vargas wife and another person to use a fishing rod to throw drug-filled package into the prison. [2] Former President Donald Trump holds campaign rally in Albuquerque Former President Donald Trump visited New Mexico Thursday. Thousands of people from across the state attended to show their support. He was joined by New Mexican politicians including Steve Pearce, Yvette Herrell and Nella Domenici. Trump covered multiple topics including the economy, the war in the Middle East, and gun control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [3] Brief warm-up then more precipitation ahead for New Mexico Temperatures will continue to rebound through the early half of the weekend as humid air will stick around in The East Plains, setting up a wetter and more-wintry storm system to arrive late this weekend into early next week with a stronger upper-level low pressure system eventually approaching from the northwest. [4] Los Alamos Police investigate political sign vandalism, theft The Los Alamos Police Department released video of a man who is seen placing a swastika sticker on a Trump Vance political sign on Trinity Dr. They also released video showing someone with a child later stealing that sign. Police say both democratic and republican campaign signs have been target. They are offering a $200 reward for information on the suspects. [5] 2024 New Mexico Teacher of the Year announced The Public Education Department presented Lorilei Chavez with the New Mexico Teacher of the Year during a surprise ceremony earlier on Thursday. Chavez teaches Native American studies at Bernalillo High and brought Indigenous-based extracurricular activities to the school. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. After Nhazel Warren was charged this summer with carrying a gun in public, a judge released the 19-year-old on the condition that the Los Angeles County Probation Department track his movements with a GPS device. When Warren was arrested three weeks later on suspicion of robbing an elderly couple, a different judge let him out again with another provision for GPS tracking. But even with the court doubling down on Warren's ankle monitor, prosecutors allege he went on to rob two more people in September and October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an attempt to track his whereabouts, Los Angeles Police Department detectives served a search warrant on the contractor that operates Warren's GPS monitor. The company, which officials said is paid around $350,000 a month by the county to operate the GPS system, could not determine where he was at the time of the robberies or attest to the reliability of its tracking data. Detectives apprehended Warren last week his fifth arrest in five months, court records show. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of evading police, resisting arrest, carrying concealed guns in public, assault with a firearm and four counts of robbery. His attorney declined to comment. Warren's case raises questions about how effectively the Probation Department is supervising pretrial defendants at a time when judges increasingly turn to GPS tracking as an alternative to jail. In an emailed statement, probation officials said the department interviews defendants and conducts a risk assessment before outfitting them with ankle monitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August, the most recent month for which the Probation Department provided figures, 402 of the 1,438 people under GPS monitoring had absconded, according to the statement. An additional 231 defendants allowed the batteries of their ankle monitors to die, meaning they had possibly fled as well, the statement said. In addition, 142 defendants failed to show up to appointments with their probation officers. As the pendulum of public opinion has swung away from requiring cash bail, probation officials have framed the monitoring program as a more equitable way of ensuring people show up to court while still keeping the public safe. Pretrial release allows people to hold down jobs and care for their families instead of awaiting trial in jail. GPS devices are generally seen by probation officials, prosecutors and judges as reducing the risk that a defendant will abscond or commit a new crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Startling videos capture L.A. 'Romeo and Juliet' allegedly robbing pot shops with AK-47 In Los Angeles County, the Probation Department's GPS program was designed to allow law enforcement authorities to track defendants in real time and establish a record of their whereabouts. But records filed in Warren's case show this isn't how the Probation Department and its contractor, Securus, are running the program. When detectives served a search warrant on Securus, the company did not turn over information from Warren's GPS monitor, records show. A Securus analyst said the data were so flawed he would feel "uncomfortable" testifying it was accurate. "To that end," he wrote in a letter to the LAPD, "we cannot certify any of the data during that time frame." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for Securus acknowledged an inquiry from The Times but didn't provide a comment. Warren had already been arrested twice in two months on suspicion of leading police on a high-speed chase and illegal gun possession when LAPD officers stopped him at 55th Street and Denker Avenue on July 15, court records show. They patted him down and found a gun in his underwear. According to a motion filed by his lawyer, Warren said he carried the gun because he feared being robbed of his $20,000 Rolex watch. After pleading not guilty to possessing a concealed gun in public, Warren was released subject to electronic monitoring by the Probation Department, court records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's when probation officers first affixed a GPS device on his ankle. Detectives arrested Warren again three weeks later on suspicion of robbing an elderly couple at gunpoint. Prosecutors charge that Warren, who was not yet on GPS monitoring at the time, and Daelan Reed, 18, broke into the couple's Mid-City home on July 2. The female victim, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation, told The Times she woke up at 4 a.m. to find two men wearing hooded sweatshirts, masks and gloves in her bedroom. They told the couple not to move and they wouldn't get hurt. She watched as they emptied her jewelry box of a diamond engagement ring and necklaces, bracelets and earrings that she'd received as gifts from her parents and husband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He even took the pearls my mother gave me," she said. Read more: The Mexican Mafia Tapes: A mobster helped the feds arrest drug dealers. Local cops suspected him of homicide One of the robbers ordered her husband out of bed, pressed a gun into his back and demanded cash, checkbooks, credit cards and the couple's PINs, she said. The pair took car keys from a kitchen drawer and drove off in the couple's BMW. The following day, the thieves withdrew as much cash as they could from the couple's bank accounts, the woman said. "What they have taken from me, apart from the tangible things, is my sense of security," she said. "My love for my own home. I don't look at strangers the same way. It has flipped me 180 degrees." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After arresting Warren, detectives searched his mother's home in Long Beach. They found four handguns and seized $21,000 from a nightstand and $2,583 from Warren's pocket, his lawyer, Geoffrey Ojo, wrote in court papers. Ojo demanded the return of the $21,000, which he said belonged to Warren's mother, a "gainfully employed" healthcare professional who made $136,859 in 2023. After pleading not guilty to robbery charges, Warren was released again after posting $150,000 bail. A judge ordered the Probation Department to put Warren under a second GPS tracking program, listing the conditions of his release as "no force, violence or weapons." Two weeks later, police say, Warren robbed a man returning to his Bentley SUV after shopping at a Bristol Farms in Woodland Hills. Police say Warren and another man wearing dark sweatshirts and masks knocked the victim to the ground and robbed him of his watch and phone. A black BMW with a stolen license plate waited nearby, Det. Emily Delph wrote in a search warrant affidavit. An hour later, the BMW was seen in the jewelry district of downtown Los Angeles, where the suspects probably were trying to sell the stolen watch, Delph wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives found video of the suspects entering a jeweler's business. Delph recognized one of them as Warren. She requested a search warrant on Oct. 16 to get GPS data from Warren's two electronic monitoring cases. The historical data would determine whether he was present at the Woodland Hills robbery, Delph wrote; live tracking information would help the LAPD locate and arrest him. She got neither. In a letter, a Securus analyst said the data were so imprecise he was unwilling to swear to its accuracy in court. "We would never put you in the position of including our data into evidence that we would feel uncomfortable testifying to the accuracy," wrote the analyst, Jeff Marino. Marino didn't respond to requests for comment. He didn't say in his letter why the data were imprecise or how widespread the problem was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some authorities outside of Los Angeles County have questioned the reliability of contractors responsible for monitoring GPS trackers. Prosecutors in Louisiana this year charged a Mississippi-based contractor, AEM, with negligent homicide after a defendant under its supervision shot his wife to death before killing himself in 2021. The defendant repeatedly violated a court-ordered exclusion zone around his wife's home without triggering a response, prosecutors allege. On Oct. 23, Warren showed up at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles to be arraigned in the gun possession case for which he first received a GPS device. He pleaded not guilty and was allowed to continue with electronic monitoring. Read more: Kidnapping, extortion and OnlyFans: How a mother escaped a gangster's plot Later that day, prosecutors allege, Warren returned to Woodland Hills. A man was talking on the phone when he noticed a black BMW double-park next to him on Ventura Boulevard around 8:30 p.m. The man, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of his safety, told The Times two people stepped out of the BMW. They wore masks and pointed handguns at his face, he said. When he heard them cock the guns, he thought they were going to kill him. He yelled, "No, no, no stop!" They demanded the Breitling Navitimer on his wrist. He loved the silver watch with a stratos gray dial, No. 193 out of only 1,000 made. "It was the first expensive watch that I'd bought," he said. "I'd been working very, very hard." He handed the $10,000 timepiece to the masked men. Warren was arrested the next day. He and two other men were charged with both robberies in Woodland Hills. Warren pleaded not guilty on Monday in a Van Nuys courtroom. Police haven't recovered the Breitling. Its owner wondered whether the robbers would kill someone before they are locked up. "Are we really going to wait until it gets to that point to do something?" he asked. A judge set Warren's bail in the robbery at $150,000. He posted it and was released, still under court-ordered GPS monitoring. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. (Bloomberg) -- The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest in the US, is asking local voters to approve the sale of $9 billion in school construction bonds next week to modernize its aging facilities amid declining enrollment and city budget pressures. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal amounts to the largest bond ballot measure the school district has ever put before voters. Revenue from the borrowing would be used to address a backlog of construction projects, install air conditioning, update Wi-Fi networks and to make spaces accessible for those with disabilities. If approved by 55% of voters in the Nov. 5 election, the funding would be repaid by increases in property taxes that would average about $25 for every $100,000 of assessed valuation on residential properties, according to a district estimate. The bond measure comes as the city faces a potential budget shortfall and as the school district grapples with significant funding gaps exacerbated by a shrinking student population. Advocates argue that revitalizing school infrastructure and educational services is essential to attract families back to the district, which serves a total of about 557,000 students, including areas such as adult education and charter schools. Opponents are raising concerns about the effectiveness of public spending in the face of the fiscal challenges. Los Angeles Controller Kenneth Mejia said in a post on X last month that the city was going broke, noting strains on liability claims funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the city and state are also asking voters to approve several other ballot measures that could raise the burden on taxpayers. Voters in Los Angeles will decide on a sales-tax increase to fund homelessness services. There are also statewide ballot measures that ask voters to approve an additional $10 billion of bonds for K-12 schools and community colleges and $10 billion of bonds for climate-change programs. More than 60% of LAUSD campuses are at least 50 years old, and schools across the district have more than $80 billion of unfunded school facility and technology needs, according to a Board of Education report. The schools funding has steadily declined alongside enrollment, which has dropped from a high of nearly 750,000 in 2003-04 and is projected to keep falling. LAUSDs 2024-2025 budget is $400 million less than the previous years because funding is based largely on enrollment. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The man accused of murdering Laken Riley on the University of Georgias campus in February is expected back in court Friday morning for a hearing on the use of genetic evidence at trial. Attorneys representing Jose Antonio Ibarra are contesting the use of DNA evidence collected during the investigation into Rileys death. They have questions about the underlying data concerning DNA testing in this case. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Channel 2 Action News reported in early October that Ibarras attorneys previously argued in court documents filed in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court that neither the defense counsel, nor state prosecutors, had been provided with the DNA evidence in question, despite repeated requests from both legal teams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without that data, Defendant, cannot properly evaluate whether scientific methods were properly applied to this case. The State does not oppose a continuance, the motion from Ibarras attorneys reads. RELATED STORIES: The genetic evidence itself consists of materials taken from under Rileys fingernails and a sample taken from Ibarra. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to documents filed by Ibarras defense team, the DNA testing performed by a forensic biologist on behalf of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation using TrueAllele Casework Software did not exclude Defendant, but also did not exclude another known individual associated with the case. Further, the defense argued in their motion to exclude the DNA evidence that the results of the tests gave various probabilities of whether or not the sample in question was more or less likely to be a particular individual or a coincidental match, as a reason to not allow its use at trial. Court proceedings for Ibarras hearing on DNA evidence is expected Friday morning at the Athens-Clarke County Superior Court. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] CONNECTICUT (WTNH) Gov. Lamont announced on Friday that he is directing all flags in Connecticut to be lowered to half-staff on Monday to honor late Botsford Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Pete Blomberg, who was hit by a car in Newtown earlier this week. Funeral arrangements made for fallen Botsford assistant fire chief First Assistant Chief Pete Blomberg dedicated his career to fire prevention and the safety of our communities, and his line of duty death is an awful tragedy, Lamont said. My prayers and condolences are with his family and friends, his fellow firefighters who serve with Botsford Fire Rescue, the entire Newtown community, and all first responders who selflessly serve the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A funeral will also be held for Blomberg that day at St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Republican nominee Donald Trump and his supporters repeatedly cast doubt on the integrity of the electoral process. According to one such claim, the former president cannot lose a fair election any outcome other than a Trump victory would be because a massive number of undocumented immigrants broke federal law and voted for his political opponents. (Trump uses the term "illegal immigrants" or "illegals" to refer to this group of people.) We boiled the claims down to the following chain of events: The Democratic Party, under the leadership of President Joe Biden, is transporting a massive number of undocumented immigrants into the United States. These immigrants are then instructed (or bribed) to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris. The number of undocumented immigrants that will supposedly vote in the election is large enough to change the result of the election. Without these supposed "illegal" votes, Trump would win. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each of these claims has been spread both independently and connected with one another. Trump and his supporters use the rhetoric not just to challenge the integrity of the election, but also to attack the Democratic Party's pro-immigration stance and its policies regarding the U.S.-Mexico border. However, Trump's claims are contradicted by the following facts: The Democratic Party is not transporting a massive number of immigrants into the United States. Although there has been a large focus on the U.S.-Mexico border during Biden's presidency, Snopes has repeatedly disproved claims that the Democratic Party is "importing immigrants" and providing them with benefits. It is illegal for any noncitizen, undocumented immigrant or otherwise, to vote in U.S. federal elections. The punishments for doing so are severe and include deportation. There are a large number of protections in place that prevent noncitizens from voting. Because of these protections, noncitizen voting rarely happens certainly not at the frequency required to sway the results of a presidential election. Trump Has Made Similar Claims for 10 Years Snopes found that Trump has publicly stated or implied that undocumented immigrants were voting in elections for at least a decade. In a tweet from October 2014, even before he announced his run for president in 2015, Trump claimed "election officials" said there were no protections preventing undocumented immigrants from voting in elections, which he said was "very bad (unfair) for Republicans." He did not cite any sources. Crazy - Election officials saying that there is nothing stopping illegal immigrants from voting. This is very bad (unfair) for Republicans! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2014 During the 2016 presidential race, Trump made similar comments. For instance, he questioned the security of same-day voter registration and cited a highly criticized set of data to claim that 14% of noncitizens in the United States were registered to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, Trump famously claimed there was a massive amount of voter fraud and refused to concede the election to Biden. Although his allegations of fraud during that election cycle did not focus on immigration, his efforts to sow seeds of doubt about the integrity of the U.S. electoral process took hold. During the 2022 midterm elections, some Trump supporters who believed he won the 2020 election became poll watchers who intensely scrutinized the election process. According to reporting from Reuters, multiple states recorded incidents of poll watchers intimidating voters and election workers, which is illegal. Additionally, the Republican National Committee established a voter integrity program to ensure that the 2022 midterm results were fair. By December 2023, Trump was telling supporters at an Iowa rally to "guard the vote." In April 2024, Trump's campaign announced it would partner with the RNC to continue its voter integrity program in the 2024 election, with the explicit intent, in the campaign's words, to "stop Democrat attempts to circumvent rules." The allegation that undocumented immigrants are illegally registering to vote is only one idea the Trump campaign has used to justify these efforts. The claims spread quickly, however, and were shared by prominent figures like X owner Elon Musk. In September 2024, Reuters reported that Trump's legal team had already filed lawsuits that could be used to challenge the election on the grounds of noncitizen voting in four of the seven swing states expected to decide the election. The Truth The fact of the matter is simply that noncitizens rarely vote in U.S. elections, something the Cato Institute, a conservative think tank, reported on in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2015 analysis of the survey Trump later used to claim that 14% of noncitizens in the United States were registered to vote found that the result was simply due to human error that is, all the "noncitizens" who marked themselves as registered to vote were almost certainly U.S. citizens who accidentally recorded themselves as noncitizens when taking the survey. In 2016 and 2017, the Brennan Institute for Justice, a liberal nonprofit organization, investigated 42 jurisdictions across 12 states to find out whether there was any truth to the claims of voter fraud. Of the 10 jurisdictions across the nation with the highest population of noncitizens, the survey looked at eight of them. According to the institute's report, voters cast 23.5 million votes in these jurisdictions in the election. The institute counted 30 cases of suspected noncitizen voting that required further investigation. That's an occurrence rate of 0.0001% less than the odds of being struck by lightning in your life. Under federal law, states are required to maintain and audit voter rolls regularly to ensure an election's integrity. As an example, the state of Georgia, expected to play a critical role in the 2024 election, audited its voter rolls in 2022. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, announced that the state found 1,634 cases in which a noncitizen attempted to register to vote between 1997 to 2022, about 65 per year. But according to the report, none of the individuals in those cases ever officially voted, thanks to the existing protections that safeguard the voter registration process. Registration Protections In order to illustrate the numerous protections in place to prevent noncitizens from voting in U.S. federal elections, let's go through the steps an immigrant residing in the country illegally would have to take in order to cast just one ballot and have it counted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, this person would have to enter the United States without paperwork and apply for political asylum. During this process, the individual's name and other identifying information would be added to a federal database that marked them as a noncitizen. Second, this person would need to apply to register to vote (except in North Dakota, which verifies voter eligibility using a strict voter ID law). All 49 states with voter registration require the voter to attest under penalty of law that they are a U.S. citizen, that they are over the age of 18 and that they are a resident of the state they wish to vote in. These registration forms require applicants to provide a large amount of personal information. This is a problem for immigrants living in the country illegally, who may be afraid the government could use that identifying information to arrest or deport them. In this case, those fears are valid: Any noncitizen found guilty of such a crime would face prison time or deportation. During the voter registration process, the immigrant would have to prove they are a resident of the state they live in, most commonly using a driver's license or Social Security number. In order to apply for that documentation, the immigrant would have to provide more identifying information to the government alongside immigration paperwork that confirms their status as a noncitizen. At this point in the process, there would now be multiple governmental databases that list this person as a noncitizen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, each voter registration application is reviewed and cross-checked against driver's license and federal immigration databases from the Department of Homeland Security to scan for any discrepancies. If election officials have any suspicions, they can flag the application for further review. That process requires even more personal information from the voter. If there are still questions, election officials can always deny the application. There are a few jurisdictions in the United States, including San Francisco and Washington, D.C., where noncitizens are allowed to vote, but only in some local elections, not federal elections. In San Francisco, for instance, noncitizens are allowed to vote in school board elections only. However, noncitizens in these jurisdictions must register to vote using a specific form in a specific way. This means that such noncitizens are added to the voter rolls with the explicit knowledge that they are noncitizen voters, and their ballots can be tracked as such. All of these are incredibly effective again, Georgia's 2022 audit found that out of the 1,634 cases in which a noncitizen was suspected of attempting to register to vote, not one vote was ever cast. As Gerry Cohen, a member of the Board of Elections in Wake County, North Carolina, told Snopes: "There's a big difference between registering to vote and actually voting." Protections at the Polling Place Taylor Kinnerup, communications director for the Maricopa County recorder's office in Arizona, added an additional distinction: "There's also a big difference between casting a vote and that vote being counted." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October 2024, posts on X surfaced alleging that the Texas secretary of state had instructed poll workers to allow voters who presented an ID indicating they were a noncitizen to vote as usual. The claim quickly morphed into the general idea that Texas was allowing noncitizens to vote. This is untrue, because of the protections in place after a ballot is cast. BREAKING: Texas Secretary of State directs poll workers to accept NON CITIZEN drivers licenses as ID to vote. WATCH Denton County Elections Administrator Frank Phillips telling poll worker trainees SOS elections director advised non citizen ID ok to vote. See receipts pic.twitter.com/MDIuRy2vPD Joseph Trimmer (@JosephTrimmer_) October 9, 2024 In a directive "to all election officials," Texas Director of Elections Christina Adkins told poll workers to acknowledge the noncitizen ID when checking for a valid voter registration, but pointed out that these voters might just be new U.S. citizens who had not yet updated their driver's licenses to reflect their citizenship status. Denying such eligible voters the right to cast a ballot would be a clear example of illegal voter suppression. The directive recommended that these voters present a different form of photo ID if possible to avoid the issue. Regardless, the work done to ensure that those voters are eligible is performed before the ballot is counted. After arriving at a polling place, voters are required to provide their name (and depending on the jurisdiction, their ID). These names are then checked against registration records (again, except in North Dakota). If there's a match, a ballot is printed for the voter. The voter then signs, affirming under penalty of law that they understand the penalties of casting a fraudulent ballot. The voter's signature is a part of the verification process. Kinnerup said that Maricopa County poll workers compare the signature to the voter's other recorded signatures before the ballot is opened and counted. Just like with voter registration, an election official can flag the ballot for further inspection if they have any doubts about the validity of the voter's signature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act, signed into law by then-President George W. Bush in 2002, voters who are not on a voter roll but attest that they are an eligible voter can still cast a provisional ballot in a federal election, something that might initially seem concerning. But even in this case, there are still protections. A provisional ballot is counted only if the voter's identity, citizenship and residency can be confirmed in the days following the election. Kinnerup explained the process using an example she said Arizona regularly deals with. "California is a deep blue state, and some Republicans in Southern California might have the idea to cast a ballot in Arizona because it's a more competitive election," she said. "So there are Republicans in Southern California who drive across the border to Yuma County, Arizona, walk into a polling place and ask for a ballot." By law, election workers are required to provide them with one. However, in order for these ballots to count, these voters would need to provide identification to confirm their citizenship and residency. Their California driver's licenses would be a red flag for poll workers, indicating that these voters were not Arizona residents, and the ballots would not be counted after investigating the voters' credentials. The SAVE Act Some Republicans have claimed these precautions are still not enough. In April 2024, Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson met with Trump to discuss concerns of voter fraud and noncitizen voting. The bill resulting from that conversation, the SAVE Act, would have mandated that those wishing to register to vote show documented proof of U.S. citizenship. This means that in order to register to vote, voters would have to submit their birth certificate a document that 9% of Americans don't have immediate access to, according to research from the Brennan Center. Although the SAVE Act passed the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, the Senate refused to hold a vote on the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September 2024, facing the threat of a government shutdown, Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling for Republicans to reject any stopgap spending bill that did not include "absolute assurances on election security," because Democrats were supposedly attempting to "stuff" voter registrations with undocumented immigrants. The SAVE Act was briefly resurrected at that point, but Democrats objected to its inclusion in the spending bill. Eventually, Johnson partnered with Democrats to pass a bill that did not include the SAVE Act in order to avoid a government shutdown. It is unclear whether Republicans will continue to pursue further legislation at the federal level to require proof of citizenship to register to vote. At the state level, according to the Brennan Center and the Voting Rights Lab, Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire and North Dakota have passed laws since the 2020 election that aimed to address nonexistent noncitizen voting using documented proof of citizenship. A Brief Note on the Democratic Party's Immigration Platform Part of what made Trump's claim of noncitizen voting stick is that it combined two of his favorite targets: election integrity and the U.S.-Mexico border. Much of this story has focused on disproving Trump's claims about election integrity. However, it is also important to examine what exactly Trump and his allies claim when criticizing or attacking Kamala Harris in that regard. The following post on X is a good example: NEW: Kamala Harris says her "motivation" is to allow illegal immigrants to become citizens who will then be able to vote. The comments came during a town hall event with Latino voters. Kamala Harris mentioned multiple times that she would allow millions of illegal immigrants pic.twitter.com/Ctpa0LEQUv Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 11, 2024 The post claims that during a town hall with Latino voters, Harris said she wanted to allow "illegal immigrants to become citizens who will then be able to vote." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an explanation of the Democratic Party's immigration platform and a statement about the privileges of United States citizenship, not an admission that Harris is going to rig the election. Harris is stating a fact: that undocumented immigrants in the United States currently do not have a path to citizenship. Although it is true that giving undocumented immigrants a pathway to citizenship would eventually allow them, as naturalized citizens, to vote in U.S. federal elections, going through that process would likely take a long time. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, lawful permanent residents are required to live in the United States for five years before they are eligible to apply for naturalized citizenship. Conclusion Snopes found no evidence that a significant number of noncitizens are attempting to register to vote in the 2024 election. After explaining the large number of precautions in place to stop noncitizens from voting, both the election officials we spoke to said it is highly unlikely that a noncitizen would be able to successfully cast a vote if they tried, contrary to Trump's claims Cohen, the Wake County Board of Elections member, said he felt baffled by the scale of the claims. "The thought that a large body of people are doing this is stupid," he said. "It's hard enough to get people to vote as is." Kinnerup, from the Maricopa County recorder's office, said she thought people were believing Trump's claims because of a recent change in Arizonan politics. The demographics of Arizona have changed dramatically in recent years, and the media's struggle to predict the winner of Arizona in the last election probably made some voters feel like something had gone wrong. But she also wanted to remind voters that the poll workers were not the enemy. "Everyone, Democrat and Republican, wants the election to be fair," she said. "There's no such thing as a perfect election. But 2020 taught us a lot to prepare for the unexpected." Sources: 203 and 214. Noncitizen Voting: The Missing Millions | Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/noncitizen-voting-missing-millions. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024. 210. Noncitizen Voting Isn't Affecting State or Federal Elections Here's Why | Brennan Center for Justice. 10 Oct. 2024, https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/noncitizens-are-not-voting-federal-or-state-elections-heres-why. 264. Noncitizen Voting Is Already Illegal and Vanishingly Rare | Brennan Center for Justice. 12 Apr. 2024, https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/noncitizen-voting-already-illegal-and-vanishingly-rare. ---. Why the Myth of Noncitizen Voting Persists | Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/why-myth-noncitizen-voting-persists. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024. Ansolabehere, Stephen, et al. "The Perils of Cherry Picking Low Frequency Events in Large Sample Surveys." Electoral Studies, vol. 40, Dec. 2015, pp. 40910. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electstud.2015.07.002. Asylum | USCIS. 4 Sept. 2024, https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-and-asylum/asylum. Berzon, Alexandra. "Republicans Seize on False Theories About Immigrant Voting." The New York Times, 5 Sept. 2024. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/05/us/politics/immigrant-noncitizen-voting-republicans.html. Blitzer, Jonathan. "How Trump Hopes to Exploit the Myth of Voter Fraud in November." The New Yorker, 22 Sept. 2024. www.newyorker.com, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/09/30/how-trump-hopes-to-exploit-the-myth-of-voter-fraud-in-november. Bump, Philip. "Trump's GOTV Pitch: Democrats Are Paying Immigrants to Come Vote for Democrats." The Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2018, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/10/19/trumps-gotv-pitch-democrats-are-paying-immigrants-come-vote-democrats/. "Can Noncitizens Vote in US Elections?" AP News, 19 Oct. 2022, https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-noncitizens-voting-question-d720a6d02e066700d86812dc717906e5. Carroll, Lauren. "Donald Trump Wrongly Says Noncitizens Can Vote When There Is Same-Day Voter Registration." @politifact, https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2016/may/08/donald-trump/donald-trump-wrongly-says-noncitizens-can-vote-whe/. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024. Citizenship and Naturalization | USCIS. 5 July 2020, https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/citizenship-and-naturalization. "Citizenship Audit Finds 1,634 Noncitizens Attempted to Register to Vote ." Georgia Secretary of State, 28 Mar. 2022, https://sos.ga.gov/news/citizenship-audit-finds-1634-noncitizens-attempted-register-vote. Comprehensive Bill Search. http://tracker.votingrightslab.org/pending/search. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024. Debunking the Voter Fraud Myth | Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/debunking-voter-fraud-myth. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024. "Even before Election, Trump, Allies Sue over Claims That Non-Citizens Might Vote." Reuters, 20 Sept. 2024. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/even-before-election-trump-allies-sue-over-claims-that-non-citizens-might-vote-2024-09-19/. Garcia, By Berenice. "A Fox News Host's Debunked Election Conspiracy Appears to Have Prompted a State Investigation." The Texas Tribune, 26 Aug. 2024, https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/26/texas-voter-registration-election-ken-paxton-investigation/. "GOP Targets 'noncitizen Voting.' Experts Agree It's Not a Problem." Los Angeles Times, 12 Sept. 2024, https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2024-09-12/noncitizen-voting-republicans. Graves, Allison. "Trump Wrong on Percentage of Noncitizen Voters." @politifact, https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2016/oct/24/donald-trump/donald-trump-wrongly-says-14-percent-noncitizens-a/. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024. Hartig, Ruth Igielnik, Scott Keeter and Hannah. "Behind Biden's 2020 Victory." Pew Research Center, 30 June 2021, https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2021/06/30/behind-bidens-2020-victory/. Help America Vote Act | U.S. Election Assistance Commission. https://www.eac.gov/about/help_america_vote_act.aspx. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024. "How a Post Falsely Claiming Migrants Are Registering to Vote Spread to Millions in Four Weeks." NBC News, 1 May 2024, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/misinformation-migrants-illegally-registered-vote-rcna149557. "Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996." Ballotpedia, https://ballotpedia.org/Illegal_Immigration_Reform_and_Immigrant_Responsibility_Act_of_1996. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024. Kight, Stef W. "Why There's No Big Wave of Immigrants Voting Illegally." Axios, 30 Mar. 2024, https://www.axios.com/2024/03/30/no-big-wave-immigrants-voting-illegally-trump. Kilgore, Ed. "Mike Johnson's SAVE Act Stunt May Shut Down the Government." Intelligencer, 11 Sept. 2024, https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/mike-johnson-save-act-stunt-shut-down-government.html. Kruzel, John. "No Evidence 'Many' Illegal Immigrants Voted in Midterms." @politifact, https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2018/nov/16/lou-dobbs/no-evidence-many-illegal-immigrants-voted-midterm-/. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024. Lempert, Julianne, et al. "Five Things to Know About the SAVE ACct." Bipartisan Policy Center, 10 July 2024, https://bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/five-things-to-know-about-the-save-act/. Levitt , Justin. The Truth About Voter Fraud. New York University School of Law, 2007. Limited-Term Driver's License and Identification Card. https://www.sos.texas.gov/elections/laws/advisory2024-30.shtml. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024. Major Pending Election Cases | Key Cases Addressing Claims Concerning the 2020 Presidential Election. https://electioncases.osu.edu/2021/01/summary-of-post-election-cases/. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024. Mathis, Joel, and The Week US published. "Why Is a Government Shutdown Possible before the Election?" Theweek, 10 Sept. 2024, https://theweek.com/politics/government-shutdown-2024-election. News, A. B. C. "Democrats Again Help House Republicans Avoid Another Government Shutdown." ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/schumer-senate-ready-pass-bill-avoid-shutdown-house/story?id=114076429. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024. "Noncitizen Voting Isn't an Issue in Federal Elections, Regardless of Conspiracy Theories. Here's Why." AP News, 12 Apr. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/trump-immigrant-voting-noncitizens-elections-explained-cf4c73b336147b5f5d9c2a22b2564994. Non-Citizen Voting Rights in Local Board of Education Elections | San Francisco. https://www.sf.gov/non-citizen-voting-rights-local-board-education-elections. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024. Quick Start Management Guide Provisional Ballots. U.S. Election Commission, Oct. 2008, https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/document_library/files/Quick_Start-Provisional_Ballots.pdf. Replacement Theory | Definition, Conspiracy Theory, Renaud Camus, & Facts | Britannica. 1 Oct. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/replacement-theory. Republican National Committee Election Integrity & Litigation Efforts. Republican National Committee, https://prod-static.gop.com/media/documents/RNC_Election_Integrity__Litigation_Efforts_2.14.24_1708716277.pdf. Roy, Chip. Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE Act. H.R.8281, 5 July 2024, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8281. "Secretary Raffensperger Refers 1,600 Noncitizen Registrants to Local DAs, GBI, State Election Board ." Georgia Secretary of State, 11 Apr. 2022, https://sos.ga.gov/news/secretary-raffensperger-refers-1600-noncitizen-registrants-local-das-gbi-state-election-board. Slattery, Gram. "Trump Campaign Launches Effort to Fight Voter Fraud." Reuters, 19 Apr. 2024. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-campaign-launches-effort-fight-voter-fraud-2024-04-19/. So, Linda. "Insight: 'Stop the Steal' Supporters Train Thousands of U.S. Poll Observers." Reuters, 13 Oct. 2022. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/stop-steal-supporters-train-thousands-us-poll-observers-2022-10-13/. The Myth of Voter Fraud | Brennan Center for Justice. 26 June 2024, https://www.brennancenter.org/issues/ensure-every-american-can-vote/vote-suppression/myth-voter-fraud. "TRUMP CAMPAIGN AND RNC UNVEIL HISTORIC 100,000 PERSON STRONG ELECTION INTEGRITY PROGRAM." Republican National Committee, 19 Apr. 2024, https://gop.com/press-release/trump-campaign-and-rnc-unveil-historic-100000-person-strong-election-integrity-program/. "Trump Suggests Unauthorized Migrants Will Vote. The Idea Stirs His Base, but Ignores Reality." AP News, 9 Jan. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/trump-migrants-border-voter-fraud-campaign-40bbf5748615a3b1f6087ff920f59278. "Trump Tells Supporters, 'Guard the Vote.' Here's the Phrase's Backstory and Why It's Raising Concern." AP News, 6 Dec. 2023, https://apnews.com/article/trump-guard-vote-election-2024-flynn-39d41fe4f7229d4ab7e1956efc428e10. Vo, Joshua Eaton, Lauren Rosenthal,Thy Anh. "A Nonprofit With Ties to Democrats Is Sending Out Millions of Ballot Applications. Election Officials Wish It Would Stop." ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2020, https://www.propublica.org/article/a-nonprofit-with-ties-to-democrats-is-sending-out-millions-of-ballot-applications-election-officials-wish-it-would-stop. Voting Laws Roundup: September 2024 | Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/voting-laws-roundup-september-2024. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024. Why Don't They Just Get in Line? | Immigration Research Library. https://www.immigrationresearch.org/report/immigration-policy-center/why-don%E2%80%99t-they-just-get-line. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024. Wolf, Zachary B. "Analysis: What the Data Actually Shows about Whether Undocumented Immigrants Vote in US Elections | CNN Politics." CNN, 12 Sept. 2024, https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/12/politics/undocumented-immigrants-voting-what-matters/index.html. https://www.cato.org/blog/noncitizens-dont-illegally-vote-detectable-numbers. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Two men allegedly stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from several Las Vegas-area victims as part of a widespread internet scheme, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned. Guo Zhongquin, 44; and Lin Lin, 44; face charges of theft and obtaining money by false pretenses, records said. The charges are connected to five incidents where the men allegedly stole large amounts of money from victims who believed their personal information was hacked or that they had signed up for a service they did not pay. In August, a woman filed a police report saying she paid two men $70,000 after her computer was hacked, documents said. The woman told police the message on her computer said all of her personal information was in jeopardy of being stolen and used so she called the number of the screen and handed over the money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the phone call, a person instructed the woman to pay two $35,000 payments to two runners whom she met at two different locations across the Las Vegas valley, documents said. Police reviewed surveillance video of the two handoffs, finding a vehicle involved matched a California registration for Zhongqui, they said. About two weeks later, a second person reported a similar incident to Metro police. That person received an email about charges for a technology company. The person later deposited a large amount of cash, but the transaction did not clear. However, a person, believed to be Zhongqui or Lin, came to the victims house and retrieved $28,000 in cash. Several weeks later, a third person reported a similar incident involving an email. In this case, a woman handed over $66,000 to a scammer. In a fourth case, a woman handed over nearly $20,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives found Zhongquis car, tracking him and another person and a fifth handoff, they said. Police stopped the car, finding $50,000 in cash. In total, the fifth victim handed over about $200,000 in cash and cryptocurrency, police said. At the time of Zhongquis arrest, Lins actual identity was unknown, according to court documents. Both men remained in custody Thursday on $100,000 bail. Neighbors within Metro polices jurisdiction can find a report at any command center. The FBI warns consumers to be aware of the authenticity of any suspicious email or alert: Companies will not suddenly demand access. Anyone who believes they are the victim of any online fraudulent activity can report it directly to the FBI at ic3.gov. The FBI also offers information on its website about how to spot the most common scams and cybercrimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) Its your last chance to cast your vote early in person for the upcoming election, and most early voting polls will close by 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Massachusetts lawmakers call for permanent Daylight Saving Time Early voting is a convenient option for voters who want to get their vote out of the way ahead of election day. Polls have been available in each Massachusetts town since October 19, giving voters two weeks to get to the polls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of yesterday, the Secretary of States office said over 1.5 million people had already voted five days before election day, thats 29.6 percent of registered voters in Massachusetts. Holyoke City Clerk Brenna Murphy Leary told 22News that early voting in the City of Holyoke was very successful. This was probably the busiest early in-person voting weve ever seen, weve probably had around 1,100 people come through to vote. People started coming right when we opened as well and I anticipate today to be one of the busiest days, said Leary. In-person early voting continues through the afternoon, but if you miss it, your other options are mailing in your ballot or voting in person on Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deadline to request a mail-in ballot was October 29, and all completed ballots must be postmarked by November 5 to be counted. You can also turn your ballot in at a drop-off location in your community. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. After a massive start to early voting and months of anticipation, the 2024 Election Day is almost here. In addition to voting in the presidential election for Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, Kansas and Missouri voters have many state and local issues on the ballot. They will choose Kansas legislators, Missouris next governor, and the future of abortion and minimum wage in the Show Me State. Around Kansas City, tens of thousands have already cast their ballot by mail and using in-person absentee voting. But early voting locations are limited in some counties, creating hourslong lines in Jackson County outside Kansas City. But several chances remain to cast your ballot on or before Election Day, Nov. 5, on both sides of the KC metro area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what Missouri and Kansas voters should know about where and when to vote, what they need to cast their ballot, how to research the options and lots more. When can I vote on Election Day? All polling places in Kansas are required to be open at least 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, but some begin welcoming voters as early as 6 a.m. or stay open as late as 8 p.m. In Missouri, polling places are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. As in all elections, if youre in line when the polls close in the evening, you still have a right to vote, so stay in line until youre able to cast a ballot. How do I find my polling place in Missouri or Kansas? Missouri voters should check with the states voter information search tool at voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov. You can also check directly with your local election board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kansas voters should use the states VoterView tool at myvoteinfo.voteks.org, or consult with their local election board. Keep in mind: Some polling locations may have changed, so its important to make sure you double check your polling location before heading out to vote on Election Day. Voters form a line that snakes around the block during early voting at the Jackson County Election Board polling station in Independence on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Some voters waited up to three hours to cast their vote. Can I still vote early in person? Yes, early voting (also known as in-person absentee voting) continues Friday, Nov. 1; Saturday, Nov. 2, and Monday, Nov. 4, in both Kansas and Missouri. Most counties will operate one or more early voting locations those days, though the locations and hours might vary between the three days. Early votes are accepted until 5 p.m. Nov. 4 in Missouri, but just until noon in Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With early voting reaching near-record numbers in 2024, be prepared for the possibility of lines at the polls. Can I still vote by mail? You can still return your mail ballot if you have one, but its too late to request an absentee ballot be sent to you. Missouri requires absentee ballots arrive at election boards by 7 p.m. on Election Day, whether mailed or dropped off at your local election board. So if youre cutting it close, youre probably better off taking it in person rather than mailing. Note that Missouri doesnt allow ballot drop boxes, so youll have to go during election offices hours. Many election boards do offer curbside assistance. Kansas is a little more flexible with mail ballots, accepting them through Friday, Nov. 8, as long as they were mailed and postmarked by Election Day. And many counties do have drop boxes, including Johnson and Wyandotte counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But be careful if youre just putting it in the mailbox now: Kansas and Missouri have had problems with delayed mail, and in Kansas, some primary ballots did not come early enough to be counted in August. Kansas does offer ballot tracking so you can follow your ballots progress, but many Missouri counties do not. I voted today stickers awaited voters who cast their no-excuse absentee ballots at the Palestine Senior center on Tuesday, Oct. 22, in Kansas City, on the first day of no-excuse absentee voting. What ID do I need in Missouri? 2024 is the first presidential election since Missouri changed its ID requirements in 2022, so make sure you take note if its been a while since you voted. Registered Missouri voters will need a current or recently expired photo ID issued by the federal or Missouri governments. IDs from other states are not accepted. Usable forms of photo ID for Missouri include: A Missouri drivers license or a state ID that is current or expired after Nov. 8, 2022 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A non-expired military ID, including a veteran ID card that is current or expired after Nov. 8, 2022 A U.S. passport or another form of photo ID issued by the U.S. government or the state of Missouri that is current or expired after Nov. 8, 2022 If you dont have one of these forms of identification but registered to vote in Missouri in time, you can cast a provisional ballot. Your provisional ballot will count if the signature on your provisional ballot envelope is determined by your local election authority to match the signature on your voter registration record or you return to your polling place on Election Day with a photo ID. What ID do I need in Kansas? Kansas has more options for acceptable photo IDs. Only voters 65 and older can use expired identification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drivers license or ID card issued by Kansas or another state Military ID U.S. passport ID card issued by a Native American tribe Employee badge or ID issued by a government office Student ID card from an accredited postsecondary education institution in Kansas Concealed carry license issued by Kansas or another state Public assistance ID card issued by a government office Where do I vote early around Kansas City? Kansas City: Jackson County voters living in Kansas City have six early voting locations to choose from. Most are open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 2, from 8 a.m. to noon. Kansas City Election Board office, 4407 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Country Club Christian Church, 6101 Ward Parkway The Mount Christian Worship Center, 1800 E. 79th St. Palestine Senior Citizen Activity Center, 3325 Prospect Ave. United Believers Community Church, 5600 E. 112th Terrace The Whole Person, 3710 Main St. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson County: The Jackson County Election board has three early voting locations for residents of Jackson County who live outside of Kansas City. Hours vary, so check on the election board website. Jackson County Election Board absentee office, 110 N. Liberty, Independence, open Mondays through Saturdays, including Nov. 2 and Nov. 4 Fleming Meeting Hall, 21906 SW Woods Chapel Road, Blue Springs, open Monday through Friday, including Monday, Nov. 4 Ranger Rec. Building, 3310 Rennau Drive, Lees Summit, only open Saturday, Nov. 2 Clay County: All Clay County voters (including those in Kansas City) can vote from Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at these locations: Clay County Election Board office, 100 W. Mississippi St., Liberty Annunciation Community Center, 705 N. Jefferson St., Kearney Gladstone Community Center, 6901 N. Holmes St., Gladstone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Platte County: Voters can cast their ballot early at the Platte County Board of Elections office, 2600 Northwest Prairie View Road, Platte City. The office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., with some later hours listed on their website. Johnson County: Residents can choose from 18 early voting locations, open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find locations on the Johnson County Election Office website. Wyandotte County: Most early voting locations in Wyandotte County are open from Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Wyandotte County Election Office; 850 State Ave.; Kansas City, Kansas Edwardsville City Hall Training Room, 670 S. 4th St., Edwardsville Eisenhower Recreation Center; 2801 N. 72nd St.; Kansas City, Kansas Joe Amayo/Argentine Community Center; 2810 Metropolitan Ave.; Kansas City, Kansas Patricia Diane Kane Community Center; 3130 N. 122nd St.; Kansas City, Kansas Kansas City residents voted early at the Palestine Senior Center on Tuesday, Oct. 22. How can I learn about KS and MO candidates? You can see what your ballot will look like on Kansas VoterView tool or Missouris voter lookup system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a lot more detailed information about candidates on Kansas City area ballots on voter guides put together by The Star and the nonprofit KC Media Collective at kcvoterguide.org. It features races on the Missouri side, including local Jackson, Clay and Platte county offices, and the Kansas side, including Johnson and Wyandotte counties info. How do I learn about ballot issues? Missouri also has a packed list of ballot issues five amendments and one proposition, most of which The Star has covered extensively: Amendment 2, which would legalize sports betting on professional and collegiate teams. Amendment 3, which would overturn Missouris abortion ban and enshrine reproductive rights in the state constitution. Amendment 5, which would allow a gambling boat to operate on the Osage River near the Lake of the Ozarks. Amendment 6, which would charge criminal defendants additional court fees for sheriffs and prosecuting attorneys pensions. Amendment 7, which would specify that ranked-choice voting, open primaries and non-citizen voting are not allowed in Missouri. Proposition A, which would increase the minimum wage in Missouri to $15 an hour by 2026 and require sick leave for more workers. Other ballot issues apply to specific local areas: Jackson County will decide whether to raise property taxes slightly to fund senior services in the county. Kansas City, Kansas will decide on a school bond issue, which would raise taxes to rebuild some schools and consolidate others. Platte County will decide on a sales tax increase to fund childrens services in the county. What should and shouldnt I bring to the polls? You should bring your phone, sample ballot or paper notes so you know who and what you want to vote for. But leave any campaign materials or mailers from political groups at home (take a picture of it if you need it to refer to), because that can be considered electioneering, which is illegal inside polling places. You should also not wear any political shirts, hats, buttons, etc., including those representing campaigns or issues. That again can be considered electioneering, and youll be asked to remove or hide it as you enter the polling place. An election worker waved a ballot as Johnson County residents turned out for the first day of in-person advance voting at The Arts and Heritage Center on Saturday, Oct. 19, in Overland Park. Whats the Election Day weather like? Itll be a cloudy day, with some rain possible during the day. Expect a high of 59 degrees and a low of 42. How do I reach my election office? If you have questions about voting eligibility, accessibility, registration or locations, contact your local election board. Missouri Kansas Where can I get results following Election Day? Results from national, state and local races will be posted on KansasCity.com as they come in Tuesday night. If you have issues voting, let The Star know via our tip sheet at kansascity.com/submit-news. Have more questions about how to vote? Email the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com. George Brauchler is the former district attorney for the 18th Judicial District and is a candidate for district attorney in the newly created 23rd Judicial District. He has served as an Owens Early Criminal Justice Fellow at the Common Sense Institute. Follow him on Twitter(X): @GeorgeBrauchler After a massive start to early voting and months of anticipation, Election Day is almost here. The presidential election isnt the only item Kansans will see on the ballot. There are also several local and state elections, including the Sedgwick County Commission, Kansas Board of Education, Kansas Legislature and more. Early voting in Sedgwick County has already hit record numbers. Heres what Kansas voters should know about where and when to vote, what they need to cast their ballot, how to research the options and lots more. When can I vote on Election Day? Polls are open on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Sedgwick County. Kansas polling places are required to be open at least 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre in line to vote by 7 p.m., you can cast your vote. How do I find my polling place in the Wichita area? Unlike early voting, you need to go to your specific assigned polling place if youre voting on Election Day. You can find your polling place by visiting the secretary of states VoterView tool at voteks.org. From there, enter your full name and date of birth. There you can also find your sample ballot. You might have received a card in the mail from the county election office reminding you of your assigned polling place and any changes. Some polling places may have changed locations or names, so its good to double check ahead of time. Can I still vote early in person? No, the last chance to vote early was Monday, by noon at the Election Office. Monday was the last day for early voting in Wichita and the line at the Historic Sedgwick County Courthouse had a long line waiting to get in. Can I still vote by mail? Anyone voting by mail had to have requested an advance ballot by Oct. 29. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you received your mail-in ballot but have yet to fill it out and return it, you just need to make sure its either returned to a ballot drop box by 7 p.m. on Election Day or postmarked by Election Day and sent to your countys election office. Sedgwick Countys 14 ballot drop box locations are: Bel Aire City Hall (7651 E. Central Park, Bel Aire) Haysville City Hall (200 W. Grand, Haysville) Valley Center City Hall (121 S. Meridian, Valley Center) Alford Branch Public Library (3447 S. Meridian) Maize City Administration (10100 W. Grady, Maize) Derby Public Library (1600 E. Walnut Grove Road, Derby) Goddard City Hall (118 N. Main, Goddard) Park City Administration Building (1941 E. 61st St. North, Park City) Boston Park Recreation Center (6655 E. Zimmerly) Evergreen Park Recreation Center (2700-D N. Woodland) Edgemoor Park Recreation Center (5815 E. Ninth St.) Orchard Park Recreation Center (4808 W. Ninth St.) Linwood Park Recreation Center (1901 S. Kansas) Sedgwick County Courthouse (525 N. Main) What ID do I need in Kansas? Kansas has several options for acceptable photo IDs. Only voters 65 and older can use expired identification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drivers license or ID card issued by Kansas or another state Military ID U.S. passport ID card issued by a Native American tribe Employee badge or ID issued by a government office Student ID card from an accredited postsecondary education institution in Kansas Concealed carry license issued by Kansas or another state Public assistance ID card issued by a government office How can I learn about Sedgwick County candidates? The Wichita Eagle voter guide provides lots of information about the state and local races on your ballot at kansas.com/voter-guide. Whats the Election Day weather like? The National Weather Service forecast for Wichita shows a 20% chance of showers, but mostly sunny. The high is expected to reach 57 degrees Fahrenheit and the low around 37. How do I reach my election office? The Sedgwick County election office can be reached via phone at 316-660-7100 and email at voterinformation@sedgwick.gov. The office is located at 510 N. Main in Suite 101. Where do I go if I have issues voting? If you run into a problem trying to cast your vote Tuesday, there are a few places you can call. Reach out to your local election office or file a report to the U.S. Justice Department at civilrights.justice.gov/report. You can also contact The Eagle by emailing tips@wichitaeagle.com. What if I need help getting to the polls? Wichita is offering free bus service on Election Day for everyone, even if youre not voting that day. See route and schedule options at wichita.gov. Where can I get results following Election Day? We will post live election results through the night on Kansas.com. If you have issues voting, tell The Eagle via our tip form at kansas.com/submit-news. LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) Laurel County officials have shared an update regarding the malfunctioning ballot marking device that became the subject of a viral video that caused some voters to raise questions. On Day One of early voting in the Commonwealth, a viral video surfaced out of Laurel County showing a ballot marking device malfunctioning. RELATED | Viral video shows Laurel County ballot marking machine malfunctioning Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The video took off on TikTok, amassing over six million views since it was posted on Thursday. The video depicts the voter attempting to cast their vote for former President Donald Trump numerous times. However, the machine didnt indicate the voters selection and eventually selected Vice President Kamala Harris. Around 2 p.m. on Thursday Laurel County Clerk Tony Brown said the error was reported, the device was checked, and officials werent able to replicate the error. But later that evening, Brown retracted that claim after the error was able to be replicated. The Attorney Generals office has been to the vote center to check the device that has been shown across social media today. In full disclosure, after several minutes of attempting to recreate the scenario, it did occur, Brown wrote. This was accomplished by hitting some area in between the boxes. After that, we tried for several minutes to do it again and could not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Brown, after the issue was reported the machine was set face down until a representative from the Attorney Generals Office to investigate. There were no claims of any issues with the device prior, and none since it went back into service, Brown said. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: The Attorney Generals Office told FOX 56 that the reported issue was due to user error. On the heels of the video gaining nationwide attention, Brown shared details on how to use a ballot marking device and its purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You insert your blank ballot into it to vote your specific ballot for your precinct. It shows you who you have chosen for each race and notifies you if you didnt make a selection in a race before it allows the voter to continue to the next page, Brown said. When you come to the end of the ballot it shows you how you voted in every race and issue. It confirms with each voter that they are satisfied with their selections twice before printing the ballot. Read more of the latest Kentucky news If youve made a mistake on your ballot, Brown affirms that Kentuckians can receive a new ballot before casting their vote. The voter who posted the video did cast her ballot which she said was correct, Brown wrote. I hate that this has occurred here in Laurel County. We strive to have accurate, secure, and safe elections that we are proud to provide to our citizens. I hope all can get to the polls and make your voice heard November 5th. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For details on how to use a ballot marking device, click here. According to the Attorney Generals Office, Kentuckians who witness election irregularities or possible election law violations are encouraged to call (800) 328-8683. Every Kentuckian can be confident in the security and integrity of our elections. Our dedicated team of investigators, prosecutors, and support staff is working tirelessly to protect every vote. We encourage anyone who suspects election law violations to contact the Attorney Generals Election Fraud Hotline, Attorney General Russell Coleman said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized Turkey's supply of military equipment to Ukraine to help it fight off Russia's full-scale invasion, the Turkish outlet Hurriyet reported on Nov. 1. While Turkey is a NATO member, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has still aimed to maintain positive relations with both Russia and Ukraine. Lavrov expressed his gratitude to the Turkish government "for facilitating the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis," particularly mentioning the talks between Kyiv and Moscow in Istanbul in March 2022, which were eventually abandoned after Ukrainians retook the north of the country and mass war crimes were discovered in the liberated areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet the Russian foreign minister criticized Turkey for supporting Ukraine in the war by supplying military equipment. Lavrov said this "cannot but cause surprise," given the Turkish leadership's statements about its readiness to mediate between Ukraine and Russia. Erdogan has publicly supported Ukrainian sovereignty, and his administration has given significant aid to Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. Ankara also has long been trying to take a leading role in peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. Meanwhile, Turkey has also facilitated the flow of Russian oil to the European Union since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, enabling the Kremlin to circumvent the bloc's sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, Ankara became the world's biggest buyer of Russian fossil fuels, importing around 42.2 billion euros ($45.9 billion) in oil, natural gas, and coal from the country a fivefold increase over the past decade. The Financial Times (FT) on Oct. 22 reported that Turkey had quietly blocked the export of U.S.-origin military goods to Russia following a warning from Washington. Read also: Russian drone strikes on Ukraine soared to record monthly levels during October, military says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Maryland State House steps. File photo by Bryan Sears. Children as young as 10 can be referred to the juvenile justice system for an expanded list of nonviolent crimes under a comprehensive and controversial juvenile justice law that takes effect Friday. Besides exposing 10- to 12-year-olds to Department of Juvenile Services supervision previously 13 was the cutoff age the law requires that any child charged with motor vehicle theft get a Children in Need of Supervision petition, or CINS petition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the CINS petition had not been mandatory before, filing one now will also qualify the youth and the youths family for a variety of services. The law has divided advocates and lawmakers between those who say it closes loopholes in the system and brings greater accountability to the process, and those who say it criminalizes and traumatizes the youngest children with no corresponding gain in public safety. Maryland Public Defender Natasha Dartigue said in an email Thursday that the new law is a major step back for children. By increasing detention for lower level non-violent misdemeanors and expanding the criminalization of children under the age of 13, Maryland is subjecting more children, particularly children of color from marginalized communities, to the harms of detention and the trauma of the criminal legal system while achieving no true public safety benefit, Dartigue wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has been proven that therapeutic and rehabilitative services have both short- and long-term benefits for the child, the victim and the community. All of which can be achieved without the trauma or negative impact of incarceration, she wrote. But backers of the new law say it was needed to respond to public fears of carjackings, among other crimes, by youth. They also said it was needed to fix parts of the Juvenile Justice Reform law of 2022 that said children younger than 13 may not be charged with a crime, unless its a violent offense. Under that law, All the police could do is sort of wag their finger at them (youth) and say, No, no, no and send them home. Then the next afternoon they would be out in the street committing more crimes, said Sen. Chris West (R-Baltimore County). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public defender and some of the people who were opposed to it were predicting the end of the world if it passed, said West, a member of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, who voted for the new law. I dont think were going to find thats the case. Besides lowering the age for DJS referrals, the law expands covered crimes to include crimes such as aggravated animal cruelty or third-degree sex offense. A youth charged with one of those crimes will now have documentation sent to juvenile court and fall under the jurisdiction of DJS. Local states attorneys can review complaints and case files of children charged with a crime who are under juvenile services supervision. But Baltimore County States Attorney Scott Shellenberger (D) said Wednesday that juvenile records are not made public and do not follow a youth, unless the child is charged as an adult. My review of the entire package, I believe, will do a better job of treating the juveniles and trying to get them help. Not only them, but their families, said Shellenberger. He added that the law can help youth receive support sooner and not be prosecuted when theyre 17 and commit a more heinous crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the fears of increased youth crime that spurred the new law, DJS Secretary Vincent Schiraldi said in an interview last week there has been a 26% decrease in juvenile homicide arrests this year compared to the same time last year. In addition, he said 94% of youth who are detained using electronic monitors dont get arrested. Critics of the new law, including criminal justice and civil rights advocates, maintain that the juvenile justice measure passed two years ago was not given enough time to take effect before the new law was pushed through. In addition, they ask: Wheres the data? The laws that we pass today are going to give us results years down the road. We dont even have the data to know if those passed laws have been effective, said Alice Wilkerson, executive director with Advance Maryland, a nonprofit organization that assists other groups with advocacy efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before rushing new laws through, she said, officials need patience because we have to look at the data so that we are making good decisions based the evidence and not based on fear-based responses to the news story of the moment. Juvenile justice commission One part of the law that took effect this summer called for the creation of a Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform and Emerging and Best Practices to assess the states juvenile justice system. While the commission was authorized on June 1, it is only now about to begin. Four lawmakers on the committee Sens. William C. Smith Jr. (D-Montgomery) and Nick Charles (D-Prince Georges) and Dels. J. Sandy Bartlett (D-Anne Arundel) and N. Scott Phillips (D-Baltimore County) were named months ago. The remaining 22 members were finally named Thursday by Gov. Wes Moore, who said the panel will be holding its first meeting Nov. 6 the day after Election Day. Some of the other members of the 26-member panel include Schiraldi; Donna Christy, president of Prince Georges County Educators Association; Nathaniel Balis, director of the Juvenile Justice Strategy Group at the Annie E. Casey Foundation; and Caroline County Sheriff Donald Baker Jr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of the panels responsibilities include evaluating cost-effectiveness of existing and promising programs throughout the state, recommending policies and programs to improve juvenile services and identifying opportunities for greater coordination between DJS, states attorneys offices, law enforcement and local organizations that provide services to juveniles. Commission member Aubrey Edwards-Luce, executive director of the Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts at the University of Baltimore School of Law, is concerned about part of the law that extends the probationary period for youth offenders, from six months to a year for misdemeanors and from one year to two for felonies. Theres ways to do that through policy changes that dont require extending the amount of time that childrens lives are under a microscope, and our systems are just kind of waiting to catch them doing something incorrectly, she said Thursday. If youre still experiencing consequences for something that you did a year and a half ago because youve been on probation, the lesson that were wanting them to learn is completely not happening. One goal Edwards-Luce hopes can be achieved is finding a way to decrease this number: 80% of youth charged as adults in Maryland are people of color. She said the commission should work to transform the system so that were advancing equity and fairness, especially for those community members who are disproportionately pulled into and penalized by our justice system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im really hopeful that as we start thinking through as a commission that we will include time to think about equity and making sure that those places, those decision points in the system as we have it now, that are contributing to disproportionality are addressed, she said. Andre Davis, a retired judge of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, will serve as chair of the commission. He said in an interview Thursday that the first meeting will be held at the Governors Office of Crime Prevention and Policy in Crownsville at 3 p.m. Wednesday. I expect that the work product will be a work product that people can rally around, embrace, and we can improve the system for the children in this state, said Davis, who is also a retired Baltimore City solicitor. He offered some advice for residents who fear theres an increase in crime where they live. Pay very close attention to the work of the commission, he said. Its a process of educating all of the stakeholders about what is best for the community regarding safety and what is best for the children that we all love and care about. (KTLA) A new lawsuit claims that Subway has grossly misled its customers by advertising sandwiches with more meat than whats actually delivered. The proposed class action lawsuit, filed on Monday in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, claims that Subways ads for its Steak & Cheese sandwich show layers of meat, but in reality, the sandwich has more bread than filing, Reuters reported. The lead plaintiff, Anna Tollison of Queens, said she bought a Steak & Cheese sandwich at a local Subway for $7.61. She claims that when she opened the sandwich, she found 200% less meat than she saw advertised, according to Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What to know about E. coli and the McDonalds outbreak Tollison is seeking unspecified damages for anyone who purchased a Steak and cheese sandwich at any Subway in the state from Oct. 28, 2021, to the present. Tollisons lawyer, Anthony Russo, told Reuters that the case is an egregious example of the type of advertising were trying to stop. Similar cases have been filed against McDonalds, Wendys and Taco Bell for skimping out on ingredients. Those cases were dismissed. A similar suit against Burger King is pending in federal court, according to Reuters. Subway did not return KTLAs request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. VERMILION PARISH, La. (KLFY) During a hearing at the Vermilion Parish courthouse in front of Judge Laurie Hulin concerns about the safety and the well being of dogs at the Vermilion Parish Rabies Animal Control were heard. Cortney Himel and Timothy Faul filed a civil lawsuit Oct. 25 against the animal shelter. They claimed 14 dogs that were seized in March lacked proper nutrition, shelter and medical treatment while under the shelters care. The lawsuit showed the Vermilion Parish Sheriffs Office investigated a complaint of animal abuse at the home of Himel and Faul in Rayne on March 12. Court records show they were charged with over 20 counts of simple cruelty to animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My clients had their dogs seized and they are facing criminal charges for which they maintain their innocence, said the plaintiffs attorney, JaVonna Charles. But based on information that weve received through the criminal discovery process, there were some concerns that perhaps the dogs veterinary needs were not entirely met and so we filed a civil suit and we reached out to the district attorneys office to voice our concerns and hopefully have a resolution. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Charles said 14 dogs were seized. We believe there to be five dogs in the custody of the shelter but we learned today that there was only one dog remaining and its our understanding that that dog will be placed with the foster soon, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parties agreed to allow the dogs to be removed from the Vermilion Parish Rabies Control Center and placed into foster homes. Our goal in the hearing today was to ensure the safety and well-being of the dogs belonging to Ms. Himel and Mr. Faul, Charles said. We did have an in-chambers conversation with Judge Hulin and Mr. Paul Moresi, who is representing the Vermilion Parish Police jury, as well as Mr. Aaron Meche, who is representing the District Attorneys office. After that in-chambers conversation, we walked away feeling that our concerns were heard, that everyones on the same page and were all working toward the same goal to ensure the safety and well-being of all of these dogs. Local animal rescuer aids dog left on highway for three days Assistant District Attorney Paul G. Moresi III said the suit was filed by individuals who are charged with cruelty to animals, the allegations of the suit are without merit and that the parish intends to vigorously defend itself and its employees in this matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next steps for us as were going to work closely with Mr. Moresi on behalf of the police jury, Charles said. Were going to work with Mr. Meche on behalf of the district attorneys office, and were all going to figure out how we move from here, how these criminal charges are going to be resolved, and whether or not we can come to a resolution that everyone can live with. Filed-Petition-1_1730126328-1Download Vermilion-Clerk-Crt_20241031_151758Download Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. Tesla CEO Elon Musk during the official opening of the new Tesla electric car manufacturing plant on March 22, 2022 near Gruenheide, Germany. | Christian Marquardt - Pool/Getty Images A federal judge in Philadelphia on Friday sent a lawsuit back to state court to hear allegations that tech billionaire Elon Musk and his Donald Trump-aligned super PAC are running an illegal lottery. Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Angelo Foglietta scheduled a hearing in the case at 10 a.m. Monday at Philadelphia City Hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner filed the lawsuit Monday claiming that Musk and his America PAC violated the state lottery law and consumer protection laws by giving away $1 million a day to randomly selected registered voters in Pennsylvania and other swing states who signed a petition. Musks lawyers filed papers in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Wednesday night to remove the case from Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. His lawyers asserted that because the lawsuit involved issues adjacent to the presidential election, it should be heard in federal court. U.S. District Judge Gerald Pappert said in a memorandum Friday that the federal court has no jurisdiction over the claims. For a case to be heard in federal court it must involve an issue of federal law. Defendants have not identified any question of federal law that must be resolved in Plaintiffs favor in order to prove either state-law claim, Pappert wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Krasners office issued a statement by attorney John Summers who said the ruling was consistent with Kransers position that the case belongs in state court. Musk, the owner of the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Tesla CEO and SpaceX investor, has campaigned for former President Donald Trump in the final weeks of his reelection bid. His attorney Matthew Haverstick did not respond to an email seeking comment Friday. Haverstick filed a motion Friday afternoon to quash the Philadelphia courts order for Musk to personally attend a hearing. The motion asserted that Krasners lawsuit is politically motivated and the requirement for Musk to attend a hearing is meant to harass Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plaintiff seeks to harass Defendant Musk, and improperly sideline him in the final days leading up to a hotly contested presidential election, Haversticks motion says. To say this is improper would be a gross understatement; seeking to chill Defendant Musks exercise of his First Amendment rights is absolutely unconstitutional coming from a government official. Pennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Pennsylvania Capital-Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kim Lyons for questions: info@penncapital-star.com. Follow Pennsylvania Capital-Star on Facebook and X. The headquarters of the Department of Wildlife Conservation pictured in December 2023. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY An Oklahoma County judge on Friday ruled an open records lawsuit seeking a copy of a former state agency heads severance agreement can proceed. J.D. Strong was awarded a $169,341 severance package when he left employment as head of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission met Dec. 6, 2023, in executive session for three hours and then accepted Strongs resignation. The agency denied an Oklahoma Open Records Act request by Oklahoma Voice Editor Janelle Stecklein seeking the details of the severance package. Stecklein filed suit. The agency and governing board asked Oklahoma County District Judge Don Andrews to dismiss the case, saying the agency was within its rights to deny the request because it was not subject to disclosure under the act. Evan J. Edler, assistant attorney general, is representing the agency and commission. He said the panel voted to accept Strongs resignation, the details of which are not subject to disclosure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stecklein is being represented by Oklahoma City attorney Robert Nelon and Lin Weeks, senior staff attorney for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Weeks said the agency is asserting facts that are not in evidence. The department and commission have put the cart before the horse, he said. He said Stecklein has no idea if there was an internal personnel investigation, something that could come out later. Weeks said there is a public interest in a large payment to an agency head who is separating from the agency. Andrews ruled against the motion to dismiss and let the case proceed. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Cortaisha Thompson knocks on doors on Milwaukee's southside. (Photo | Isiah Holmes) A strong, warm fall wind accompanied Cortaisha Thompson as she walked through a south-side Milwaukee neighborhood. I like to be out talking in the community just like, interacting with people, the 26-year-old told Wisconsin Examiner. About 20 canvassers from Leaders Igniting Transformation (LIT), including Thompson, have spent months knocking on doors throughout Milwaukee ensuring voters have what they need in the election on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Calmly walking up a staircase leading to a front door, Thompson knocked and waited. After about 30 seconds without an answer, she left a piece of voter education literature in the door and moved on. At the next house a woman answered the door, saying that she planned to vote on Election Day, but that she didnt know that early voting was an option. Early in-person voting at polling places in Milwaukee began on Oct. 22 and will run until Nov. 3. A voting ward sign in Milwaukee County. (Photo | Isiah Holmes) Whether anyone answers the door when she knocks is a toss up, Thompson said. In some neighborhoods, doors stay shut the majority of the time. Sometimes it depends on the time of day and whether most people are at school or work. Thompson, who lives closer to Racine, has also noticed how different neighborhoods in Milwaukee have different vibes. On the South Side, canvassing walks can be quieter. When Thompson canvassed the North Side, she encountered more residents willing to talk about their political views. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel like I get more contacts and more energized people thats willing to open the door and actually talk, said Thompson said of North Side neighborhoods. Since LITs goal is simply voter education and not candidate endorsement, Thompson doesnt try to convince people to vote one way or another. Especially in Milwaukee, one of Americas most segregated cities, Thompson sees how people can feel pigeon-holed. They feel like they have to vote for Trump, or they have to vote for Kamala, said Thompson. I just tell them like, were not here to tell you who to vote for or anything. We just want to make sure you get out to vote, and get your opinion out there. Signs for both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris sprinkled the diverse neighborhood. Some homes were adorned with colorful decorations. As Thompson approached a couple of doors, where no one answered, she noticed local police association stickers. She said she enjoyed her time in Milwaukee, and even is considering moving to the city. Each day she canvassed a different neighborhood or part of town. When Thompson canvassed in wealthier neighborhoods with residents in those super big houses, people often reacted with hostility to LIT, she said, cussing at us and stuff like that. On the South Side she felt more welcome. Periodically, Thompson would stop to check her phone to see what house is next on the list. Every canvasser is expected to knock on 175 doors a day. A couple months ago, the daily metric shot up to 275, which limited the amount of time canvassers could spend at each door. LIT has a goal to knock on 650,000 doors before election day, and has already reached more than 620,000. Voting rights activists and others gather at the Midtown Center in Milwaukee on the first day of early voting in July 2022. (Photo | Isiah Holmes) Thompson sees a big mix of support for different candidates neighborhood by neighborhood. I havent gotten that yet, an area thats strictly for her, or strictly with him, said Thompson. A Marquette University poll released on Wednesday shows Harris and Trump in a virtual dead heat, 50% to -49% among likely voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, the race between Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Republican challenger Eric Hovde showed Baldwin leading 51% to 49%, a big drop from the seven-point lead Baldwin held in September. Many voters Thompson has encountered also seem squarely focused on the presidential election. Theres also the Republican-backed constitutional amendments on the ballot this year, which LIT is also informing voters of. Theres people that say they dont even go out and vote for no election if its not the presidential one, said Thompson. LIT heard the same thing from voters when knocking on doors for school referendums, mayoral races, and other elections. None of it. That attitude can change, though, when voters are asked about issues instead of about candidates. Thompson recalled speaking to a woman about health care access. Her daughter got into a car accident and was in a coma and all type of stuff and they didnt have the money to pay for her treatment, said Thompson. And then she started crying talking to me about it so I was like, kind of sad about itTheres really people out here affected by not having that type of stuff. Majorly affected. Reproductive rights was another recurring issue Thompson has heard while canvassing. Shortly after telling the story Thompson walked into a local convenience store for some water. When the store manager he realized Thompson was out canvassing voters, he offered the water for free. Prior to getting involved in LIT, Thompson said she never paid much attention to politics. Older relatives of hers, however, were politically active and pushed her to get involved. When she did, and then started working with LIT, her whole perspective changed. They bring a lot of stuff to your attention to make you realize, like, your vote really matters, and it really counts, said Thompson. Especially in times like this where its like if it dont go the way you want it to go, you dont know how its going to go afterward. This article has been edited to update the numbers of doors knocked by LIT, and to correct a misspelled name. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX At least one person was killed in a Russian missile attack on a police station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Friday evening, according to officials. Twenty-six police officers and four civilians suffered life-threatening injuries in the attack, regional military administrator Oleh Synegubov said on Telegram. "The doctors are now fighting for their lives." At least two missiles hit the police station, according to Synegubov. Kharkiv has been the target of repeated Russian missile attacks in recent months, in a bid by Moscow to put pressure on Ukrainian civilians. Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and longtime local talk-radio host. Reach Jimmy online at Jimmysengenberger.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @SengCenter. At least one person was killed in a Russian missile attack on a police station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Friday evening, according to officials. Twenty-six police officers and four civilians suffered life-threatening injuries in the attack, regional military administrator Oleh Synegubov said on Telegram. "The doctors are now fighting for their lives." At least two missiles hit the police station, according to Synegubov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kharkiv has been the target of repeated Russian missile attacks in recent months, in a bid by Moscow to put pressure on Ukrainian civilians. US pledges more military equipment to Ukraine The United States is providing Ukraine with additional military equipment worth $425 million to help fend off the ongoing Russian invasion, the US Defense Department said later on Friday. The latest package includes ammunition for the HIMARS rocket launcher system and NASAMS air defence system, plus 155 and 105 millimetre calibre artillery ammunition. The US is Ukraine's most important ally and largest supplier of weapons and financial aid as Kiev seeks to repel Moscow's full-scaled invasion, launched in February 2022. North Korean minister pledges full support to Russia in war North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui pledged to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine "right up to the day of victory" during talks with her counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Once again, we promise that we will always stand firmly by the side of our Russian comrades right up to the day of victory," Choe said at the meeting according to the Russian translation of her remarks. Lavrov referred to close cooperation between the two countries' militaries and security services amid reports of the deployment of thousands of North Korean troops in Russia close to the border with Ukraine. Choe accused the US and Ukraine's other Western allies of conducting a long-term war against Russia by supplying arms. Pyongyang did not doubt "that the Russian army and people under the wise leadership of valued President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin will without doubt secure a great victory in their absolute struggle to defend the sovereign rights and interests of state security," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, the White House said that up to 8,000 North Korean troops had been deployed to Russia's Kursk region on the border with Ukraine. The region was the target of a surprise incursion of Ukrainian troops earlier this year. Washington assumes the North Korean forces will soon be deployed for combat and predicts that more could follow. Putin has not denied their presence and has noted that Ukraine is also making use of personnel from NATO member countries. North Korea has been delivering missiles and shells to Russia for months. (KSWB) When it comes to balancing free expression and the integrity of the electoral process, MAGA hats supporting former President Donald Trump and clothing apparel championing Democrat candidate Kamala Harris may be at the forefront of the discussion. As the nation prepares for the upcoming November election, those who plan to vote in-person at a polling site should be aware of rules pertaining to what can be worn while voting. A number of states have bans on political apparel at polling places. Whats banned and where? In total, 21 states have regulations on in-person voting attire, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. This includes Arkansas, California, Delaware, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Vermont. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Referred to as electioneering apparel, T-shirts, hats or buttons featuring candidates or partisan slogans are prohibited. This means at least in most of these states MAGA hats and shirts are not allowed, along with Harris buttons and clothing. There is an exception in Maine, where voters can sport campaign buttons as long as the dimensions do not exceed 3 inches. Typically, in-person voters are advised not to wear political attire between 50 to 200 feet from a polling site. A full summary of electioneering prohibitions near polling places can be found here. Why are dress codes put in place? Put simply, these restrictions are aimed at ensuring a neutral environment for voters. Election officials argue that banning all political attire within the voting space helps to maintain an impartial voting environment. The rationale is straightforward: voters should feel free to cast their ballots without fear of intimidation or undue influence from others in the polling place. By restricting such apparel, states aim to prevent opposing viewpoints from creating a hostile environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As seen in circulating social media posts, some voters feel as if the ban infringes on their personal rights to free expression. Videos show voters being asked to remove their political apparel, in many cases prompting heated responses in protest. Many have pointed to the First Amendment, which protects free speech. However, courts have generally upheld the authority of states to regulate behavior in polling places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election officials have encouraged voters to familiarize themselves with their states regulations regarding polling sites before heading to the ballot box, as a means of respect for the democratic process. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Leawood Police have canceled a SILVER Alert for an 83-year-old man with dementia. Joes Blog: A big dose of rain coming (FRI-11/1) Leawood PD said that John C. Gound was last seen driving in the area of West 83rd Street and Somerset Street around 3:40 p.m. today, November 1. Police say he was driving a white Kia Sedona with Kansas plates 066CRU. Around 8:45 p.m., Leawood Police canceled the SILVER Alert as Mr. Gourd was located safe and returned home. He was found near 143rd and Nall Avenue by Overland Park PD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Three people in Lebanon County have been charged after multiple children were sexually assaulted over several years, according to the district attorneys office. Police received an allegation of potential child abuse committed by Christopher and Katherine Longo via a Childline referral. Upon further investigation, it was determined that multiple children endured years of sexual abuse for nearly two decades, according to the DAs office. The alleged abuses began when the victims were as young as five years old. Victims described their experiences, which in some cases involved pain being inflicted on the victims and sexual acts being performed among multiple individuals, the DAs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The District Attorneys office says Kelly Longo was aware of the allegations but did not report them to the police. The extensive abuse alleged by the victims was graphically detailed by the district attorneys office. Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf described Katherine Longo as the lowest of the low. The allegations put forth by the Victims are heinous, said Graf in reference to Katherine Longo. I cannot fathom how a set of facts and string of sexual assaults could be more evil, more disgusting, and more worthy of a Defendants rotting in prison, said Graf. The DAs office said Katherine Longo has been charged with the rape of a child, involuntary sexual intercourse with a child Victim Younger than Sixteen (16), Involuntary Sexual Intercourse With a Child, Indecent Assault Victim Younger than Thirteen, and other related charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police charged Christopher Longo with Rape of a Child, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse with a Child, Statutory Sexual Assault, Aggravated Indecent Assault, Unlawful Contact with a Minor, Corruption of Minors, Endangering the Welfare of Children, and multiple other Counts. Police charged Kelly Longo with Endangering the Welfare of Children, Corruption of Minors, Indecent Assault, and Conspiracy. Kelly Longo is being held in the Lebanon County Jail on $500,000 bail. Katherine Longo is being held without bail and Christopher Longo is being held on $2 million bail. Graf says officials believe additional victims may exist. Anyone with information on the incident should contact the Detective Bureau at 717-228-4403 or the Lebanon City Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. A Lee County Sheriff's Office civilian warrants clerk faces charges, accused of interfering with a narcotics investigation, leaking information through Facebook messages. Savannah Georges, 26, of Lehigh Acres, faces one count of obstructing a criminal investigation by a public servant. She was arrested Monday when she left her home. According to her arrest affidavit, she communicated with the spouse of Michael Banks, 35, of Fort Myers, who was involved in a narcotics investigation involving the sale of fentanyl. Two residential search warrants were also granted involving him, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arrest affidavit says that operation was to be completed Wednesday, the same day Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced the conclusion of months-long Operation Trick Or Tweak with 53 arrests. During the operation, authorities seized 4,500 grams of cocaine; 914 grams of meth; 553 grams of fentanyl; 22 firearms; and $58,000. According to the report, the sheriff's office became aware that Banks was going to attempt to move all his narcotics "and potentially try to evade law enforcement." The sheriff's office said only authorized employees have access to the information. According to the report, Banks indicated he had an informant within the agency, from who he received information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his arrest, the sheriff's office noted in the report, Banks' wife accompanied him. As sheriff's deputies read Banks his rights, they asked him if he had knowledge that law enforcement was after him, to which he replied, "Yes, of course," according to the report. Banks' wife told sheriff's deputies she had knowledge as to who the employee was, and when sheriff's deputies were authorized to search her cellphone, they discovered she had been communicating with Georges. Animal cruelty case: Lehigh Acres man gets 10 days in jail following plea in 'bone chilling' animal cruelty case Georges is friends on Facebook with Banks' spouse, according to the report, which says Georges contacted Banks' wife, saying she had "highly important information to give her ASAP." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both had a video conversation on FaceTime, where Georges alerted authorities were issuing a search warrant for Banks on Wednesday. Authorities said the information included the date they would issue the warrant, the charges and a screenshot of an email from the sheriff's office. According to court documents, Georges told Banks' wife to leave before Wednesday and to "put everything up," referring to the narcotics. The sheriff's office said officials recovered four devices from Georges' home three tablets and one cellphone. At the home, sheriff's deputies spoke with Georges' mother, who denied knowledge of her daughter's involvement with the sheriff's office or the sharing of any criminal justice information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A review of a cellphone in Georges' possession revealed the presence of the conversation Banks' spouse shared with authorities. Sgt. Sarah Rodriguez, spokesperson for the Lee County Sheriff's Office said in an emailed statement that Georges began working for the sheriff's office in 2023, employed as a civilian warrants clerk. "Georges had no concerning or notable incidents in her employee file. She has since been terminated from the agency," Georges wrote. "Whether civilian or sworn, Sheriff Carmine Marceno takes any criminal allegation seriously when it involves one of our own; and affirms no members of the Lee County Sheriff's Office are above the law." Georges is next due in court Dec. 2 for her arraignment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lee County sheriff's civilian warrants clerk accused of obstructing justice NewsNation Chief Washington Anchor and On Balance host Leland Vittert was a foreign correspondent for four years in Jerusalem. He gives you an early look at tonights 7 p.m. ET show. Subscribe to War Notes here. State of play: 4 days to the election Decision Desk HQ average : Kamala Harris +0.3, as of around noon ET today. Click here to see the latest numbers. Polymarket betting odds: 61.7 to 38.4 in favor of Trump. Note : This is tightening in Harris favor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I am watching: This video showing the wild tightening in the Kalshi markets. Watch tonight : Decision Desk HQ data guru Scott Tranter joins us tonight with the difference in the models and betting markets. What I am reading: The GREAT Doug Sosnik with his final prediction and maps. Takeaway quote: I have been working in politics since 1980, and in every single presidential election, at this point in the campaign, I had a clear sense of the winner. (OK, I got it wrong in 2016.) Heading into the final weekend of the race, it is not clear which candidate will win. What I am thinking: The last few days of the campaign make it almost impossible to know in real time who has momentum or where things stand next Friday, Ill tell you with complete accuracy who had momentum today Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we might be missing: In the same way pollsters missed Trump voters in 2016 and 2020, they might be missing Harris voters, especially young female Harris voters. As Sosnik notes from the article above, the election will be decided by working-class men and college-educated women. Go deeper: Why the Polls Might Be Wrong in Kamala Harris Favor, writes Politico. Narratives?! Former President Donald Trump didnt say that Liz Cheney should be executed (as the Drudge Report claimed), but that may not matter in the same way it didnt matter that President Joe Biden probably didnt mean that every Trump supporter is garbage. The actual quote : Shes a radical war hawk. Lets put her with the rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her. OK, lets see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face. Meltdown : Predictably, CNN and MSNBC anchors this morning acted like kids fueled by too much Halloween candy. Case in point : Watch CNNs Kasie Hunt this morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Worth a click: As Chris Cillizza writes, talking about guns trained on your political opponents is never OK. Forget for a second if its OK its also just really bad politics. Campaigns are about narratives. Narrative 1: Democrats have scorn and disdain for Trump supporters Narrative 2: Trump talks in ways that, if acted upon, are un-American. Anytime either side plays into those narratives, they are losing. Rule 1: When the other side is playing into it be quiet! Rule 2: Never underestimate Republicans ability to screw things up. In context: Trumps comments last night talking to Tucker Carlson werent about shooting Liz Cheney he was talking about lining up warmongers like Cheney, putting nine rifles in her face and seeing if they were still warmongers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Danger: Friendly interviews, like Tucker Carlson for Trump and The View for Harris, are the most dangerous. Trumps comments on Cheney were dumb and bombastic Dumb and bombastic comments are why this race is even close. Trump is ahead in high single and sometimes double digits on the issues that matter most to voters (economy and immigration). But hes tied with Harris because swing voters dont like him. Yes, Trump being Trump in the primary was a great strategy, but Trump being Trump in the general election is not helpful. Get out of the way: What makes last night even more egregious is that Trump stepped right in front of a political cannonball coming at Team Harris. About the same time he was on stage with Carlson, new Associated Press reporting showed Bidens White House altered the official transcript to clean up the garbage comment. Wow : When the stenographers have had enough thats something. Dare I say: Changing official documents for political purposes sounds a lot like a threat to democracy. But seriously: What a pathetic attempt at cleanup just apologize and move on. But no, the White House decided to get cute and extend the news cycle another day. The Betting Markets As noted above, the betting markets have tightened significantly in Harris favor. They tend to be leading indicators. Is this the Harris momentum? Ill tell you next Friday. Watch tonight : Scott Tranter tonight will break down two competing narratives: The increase in Republicans voting early vs. 2020 and 2016 The roughly 55 to 45 female vs. male makeup of early voters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tune into On Balance with Leland Vittert weeknights at 7/6C on NewsNation. Find your channel here. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of NewsNation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. An Orangeburg County poll worker struck a voter in the face who was wearing a Lets Go Brandon hat after a verbal altercation turned physical that occurred at an early voting site, according to a police report. South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is actively investigating the incident. A viral video posted by a bystander in the early voting center at the Old County Library in Orangeburg on 510 Louis Street, shows the voter and poll workers verbally fighting and then a physical altercation. According to an incident report by Orangeburg Department of Public Safety, the altercation occurred around 11 a.m. on Oct. 30. and cited an incident of simple assault, and also referred to as third degree assault and battery later in the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report identified the voter as 54-year-Mark Allen Morris and the poll worker as 53-year-old Angela Buchannon-Glover. Morris told authorities he was punched in the face by a county employee who was working the polls, according to the incident report. He was asked to remove the hat by poll workers due to South Carolina state law before the altercation. The report said Morris had a clear and very noticeable swelling under his left eye and red blood which had collected within the corner of his left eye. Morris said he was given a hard time when he entered the voting area because he was wearing a Lets Go Brandon hat., the report said. He said numerous members of the polling office seemed to be coming after him because of his hat, the report stated. Under South Carolina law, it is illegal to wear anything supporting a candidate whose name appears on the ballot. Wearing clothing with a general political message, however, is allowed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buchannon-Glovers description of the event was heavily redacted in the incident report. Morris states that he wanted to press the issue in court, the report said. Video footage shows the man cursing at poll workers, who at one point told them, listen its my (explicit) right here, and shut the hell up and let me vote. On the video the poll manager appears to tell him they can not serve him, but the voter refuses to leave and threw his hat towards the person filming. The multiple poll workers and voters were continuing to verbally fight when the voter told the poll worker, you better back up, and seemed to point in her face before she struck him, the video shows. After, multiple poll workers crowd around Buchannon-Glover and push back against the voter, according to the video. Calls to Orangeburg County office were not immediately returned. An Orangeburg County poll worker struck a voter who was wearing a Lets Go Brandon hat in the face after a verbal altercation turned physical at an early voting site, according to a police report. South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is actively investigating the incident. A viral video posted by a bystander in the early voting center at the Old County Library in Orangeburg on 510 Louis Street, shows the voter and poll workers verbally fighting and then a physical altercation. According to an incident report by the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety, the altercation occurred around 11 a.m. on Oct. 30. and cited a simple assault, then also referred to it as third degree assault and battery later in the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report identified the voter as 54-year-Mark Allen Morris and the poll worker as 53-year-old Angela Buchannon-Glover. Morris told authorities he was punched in the face by a county employee who was working the polls, according to the incident report. Before the altercation, he was asked to remove the hat by poll workers due to South Carolina state. The report said Morris had a clear and very noticeable swelling under his left eye and red blood which had collected within the corner of his left eye. Morris said he was given a hard time in the voting area because he was wearing a Lets Go Brandon hat, the report said. He said numerous members of the polling office seemed to be coming after him because of his hat, the report stated. Under South Carolina law, it is illegal to wear anything supporting a candidate whose name appears on the ballot. Wearing clothing with a general political message, however, is allowed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buchannon-Glovers description of the event was heavily redacted in the incident report. Morris states that he wanted to press the issue in court, the report said. Video footage shows the man cursing at poll workers after multiple of them tell him he can not be wearing the hat inside the polling location. One of the poll workers says listen, dont curse at me. He then takes off his hat and motions at her with the hat and says, listen its my (explicit) right, right here, before putting the hat back on. The poll worker responds to him, well, then take it outside. After more inaudible back and forth, the voter then says all right then shut the hell up and let me vote, the video shows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another poll worker, presumably Buchannon-Glover, tells the other poll worker, its not necessary, we can not serve him, and then proceeds to motion for the next voter in line. The voter then takes off his hat and throws it toward the direction of the person filming. One of the poll workers says no, no, no, as the video pans to the floor, and then Morris told the poll worker, you better back up, and seemed to point in her face before she struck him, the video shows. After, multiple poll workers crowd around Buchannon-Glover and push back against the voter, according to the video. Phone calls to Orangeburg County election office were not immediately returned. Poll workers trained on de-escalation techniques Howard Knapp, state Election Commission executive director, said they are reiterating techniques on de-escalation tactics to county poll workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are voters who may not understand the rules, and you know, just dont match any aggression that you receive. Just stay as calm as possible, Knapp said about what he and other election officials have told county election officials. He also asks voters to be understanding that poll managers are just trying to do their job. Give your poll your managers the benefit of the doubt. Dont assume theyre trying to disenfranchise you or do anything wrong, Knapp said. Everyone just needs to calm down. Knapp said SLED and other law enforcement agencies held statewide security workshop on workplace safety and de-escalation techniques before the election. They also did a state certified poll clerk program, which was three days of intensive training with security experts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knapp said its already difficult to get poll workers in general. There are always a percentage of poll workers and managers who are trained and scheduled to show up on election day and dont show up. I can see these situations having an impact on poll managers just deciding, you know what, Im not working. Its not worth $6 an hour I get paid but we wont know that until election day comes. The $6 is what the state reimburses, the county can pay them whatever they decide, Knapp said. John Michael Catalano, South Carolina Election Commission spokesman, said poll worker recruitment is a challenge for any election. Thats not just South Carolina, thats across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes people arent exactly the friendliest to people working in elections right now, Catalano said. Emotions can run high in elections, and sometimes that bleeds into treatment to voters, treatments of poll workers. And, you know, some people just dont want to put up with that anymore. Some counties are still accepting poll worker applications this week, he added. To the editor: While I appreciate any argument against voting for Donald Trump as someone who could ever bring peace to the world, columnist Robin Abcarian's assumption that voting for a third-party candidate is simply "against Kamala Harris" is misguided about the state of our country and the world. It is insulting to assume that voting for the status quo that Democrats (and non-Trump Republicans) represent is what any logical and peace-loving person would do. It ignores the fact that there has been a bipartisan effort since World War II to foist "free-market capitalism" onto our lives either at the point of a gun, or with the threat of impoverishment if one does not participate in the globalized system of deregulated environmental and economic exploitation and competition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For hundreds of millions of people around the world, freedom consists not only of defeating those who threaten reproductive rights and mass immigrant expulsion. It consists of meaningful social safety nets, actual environmental protections and the end of U.S. economic and military imperialism. Gaza was destroyed on a Democratic president's watch, yet we are to believe a vote for Harris will save it? Pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are toothless, and we are to believe that our grandchildren will not suffer immensely from climate change? Matthew Neel, Sherman Oaks .. To the editor: Abcarian's pitch to voters outraged by U.S.-supported abuses of Palestinians boils down to this: Things are bad for you under President Biden (but not for the rest of us), things will remain bad for you under Harris (but not for the rest of us), we think things will be worse for you under Trump (and probably for the rest of us too), so kindly keep the rest of us comfortable and don't vote your conscience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In effect, Abcarian tells us that we and our concerns dont matter enough to warrant defined policies to end U.S.-funded Israeli war crimes. I hope for her sake and that of others equally comfortable with hollow arguments that Democrats motivate plenty of other voters to join them because we aren't moved by this reasoning. Nadir Elfarra, Los Angeles This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Nicholas Piantanida, MD, MBA, is the president of the El Paso County Medical Society, which voted to support the stance articulated in this op-ed. Kenneth Finn, MD, is board-certified in pain medicine and is the current vice-president of the International Academy on the Science and Impacts of Cannabis. Both live in Colorado Springs. Voters, check the record I have been watching the barrage of political ads and it feels like backwards day when I see the ads run by Republican Jaime Herrera-Beutler and her timber corporation-funded PAC. She slams Dave Upthegrove for not being an environmentalist instead positioning herself as the friend of Mother Nature. The ads mislead the voters. She has a terrible environmental voting record. She just was named to the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) State Dirty Dozen, a national list of candidates for statewide office determined too detrimental to the environment. Herrera-Beutler, while in Congress, repeatedly voted to weaken clean air and water protections. She opposed the Paris Climate Accord, and she is now opposing the Climate Commitment Act. It is cynical and damaging to public trust for her to create these false impressions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upthegrove helped to create the Puget Sound Partnership, has a strong record working on salmon recovery, was named Washington Conservation Legislator of the Year and is endorsed by the Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity, as well as Washington firefighters and teachers. Look at more than the ads. Look at the records. Vote Upthegrove for Lands Commissioner. Kristin Swenddal, Olympia A clear choice to lead DNR I am an avid hiker and backpacker who partakes in the beauty of our forests and parks. I am also an Army veteran and military spouse. We chose to stay in this great state because of its mountains, forests, and rivers. The preservation and management of our public lands for the benefit of all the people in Washington, but especially our region, is a serious and personal issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is why Dave Upthegrove is the clear choice as Public Lands Commissioner. His education and experience in government, conservation and forestry make him the best candidate for this important position. In Congress, his opponent voted to weaken Clean Air and Clean Water laws and opposed the Paris Climate Accord. She is also voting yes on Initiative 2117, which repeals Washingtons Climate Commitment Act and would cut funding for transportation, clean air, renewable energy, conservation, and emissions reduction. Dave Upthegroves priorities are clean air and water, salmon recovery, fire prevention and recreation. The choice is quite clear for Washingtons future! San Juanita Flores, Olympia We need a Workers Bill of Rights Olympia City Council is considering a workers bill of rights that would include an increase in minimum wage. Ive worked for small businesses as well as large corporations, and I understand that labor costs are challenging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the cost of fuel, groceries, and rent are also challenging. The idea that our local businesses cannot support an increase in minimum wage carries with it the grim implication that we as a community ought to bankrupt, starve, and evict our workforce so as to keep those businesses afloat. Happily, we do not have to depend on fearful conjuncture to foresee the possible outcomes of an increased minimum wage. In other cities that have implemented higher minimum wages, there have been carve-outs allowed for businesses under certain sizes, and phase-in periods during which the only businesses paying their employees more are the large corporations that have been raking in record profits ever since the pandemic, paying back into our community only the bare minimum. I continue to hear a disparaging myth about minimum wage workers, that we are merely teenagers looking for some spending money, or somehow too indolent or disaffected to pursue higher education. This bears no resemblance to my experience as a meat cutter in over two dozen grocery stores. My coworkers are single parents, adults burdened with college debt and no better job prospects, all of us hard workers trying to do our best to get by with the hand that we have been dealt. We deserve better. Charlotte Crawford, Rochester DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) A Level Plains man is behind bars facing a hefty bond after police investigators claimed he raped a young relative and got her pregnant. On October 25, Martin Torrez Alonzo was arrested and charged with one count of rape in the first degree and one count of sodomy in the second degree. Police say an investigation into Alonzo was launched when officers were asked to escort DHR workers to a home on County Road 418 in Level Plains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Level Plains Police, when officers and DHR workers arrived at the home, they learned Alonzo, who was at work when authorities arrived, had recently gotten a 14-year-old relative pregnant. Level Plains Police Chief John Summers said officers waited at the scene for Alonzo to return from work, and after taking him in for questioning, he confessed to getting the young girl pregnant after raping her several times. Chief Summers tells WDHN that Alonzo is in the United States illegally from Guatemala and has been in the U.S. for six years. According to Chief Summers, if Alonzo goes to trial and is found guilty, he will serve his sentence in Alabama before being deported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a preliminary hearing on Wednesday afternoon, Judge Stanley Garner gave Alonzo a $250,000 cash-only bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. Fayette County Urban Councilwoman Brenda Monarrez has asked the Kentucky Court of Appeals to vacate a protection order prohibiting Monarrez from going to city hall. The appeal, filed Tuesday, also asks for the disqualification of Fayette Circuit Court Judge Traci Brislin from the case and for any future protective orders to exclude Monarrezs official capacity activities, such as attending city hall meetings and other government functions. The three-year restraining order, imposed by Brislin on Oct. 16, is related to fellow Councilwoman Denise Grays accusations that she was sexually assaulted by Monarrez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brislin ruled that Monarrez sexually assaulted Gray twice over three years, most recently in August. During the Oct. 16 hearing, Gray testified Monarrez tried to kiss and fondle her in August. In another instance in October 2021, Gray said she woke up at Monarrezs home and found her performing a sexual act on her .As part of the protection order, Monarrez cant enter city hall. She has been attending council meetings virtually since Aug. 20, when a temporary restraining ordered was entered. Emma Curtis, who is challenging Monarrez in the councils 4th District, has called on Monarrez to step down from the council race, which will be decided Nov. 5. Curtis has argued that Monarrez cant serve the constituents of the Fourth District because she cant enter the city government center until 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her appeal, Monarrez said the Court of Appeals must offer immediate guidance because the citys most significant budget meetings take place this week. The city allocated $20 million in surplus funds on Tuesday. Monarrezs requests for funding for multiple parks projects were not fulfilled. Other park projects were also not funded. Neither Brislin nor Gray immediately responded to a request for comment Thursday. Both Gray and Monarrez were elected in November 2022. Gray is running unopposed in next weeks election. No criminal charges against Monarrez have been filed. A Lexington police detective testified in October the case was under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brislin has put Monarrez in the impossible position of doing her job as an elected legislative branch official or going to jail, Monarrezs lawyer wrote in the appeal. This is not permissible. Brislins order must be vacated as it constitutes judicial overreach. It violates the separation of powers doctrine by improperly interfering with Monarrezs legislative duties, thus exceeding Brislins jurisdiction. The appeal said Brislins order has also caused irreparable harm to Monarrez and her constituents by restricting her ability to fulfill her role as a council member, depriving the citizens of Lexingtons 4th District of effective representation. It imposes undue restrictions during a critical election period, constituting de facto election interference and undermining the democratic process, the appeal said. Some public funds from the city are given to programs within Fayette County District and Circuit systems, the appeal said.The appeal alleges a conflict of interest involving Brislins connection to a program called You Matter KY, a juvenile court program to which the council has allocated money in the past. Monarrezs statement In a statement issued Thursday, Monarrez again denied any accusations of sexual abuse or misconduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite what any judge may believe from some limited time and testimony in the vacuum of a few hours in a courtroom, I have always maintained my innocence, as I do now and will always do in the future., Monarrez said. The judge making the ruling did not know me personally and knew nothing of my personal beliefs and values. During the recent hearing, I testified and denied each allegation made against me. It was also brought to public light that my accuser had continued to spend time with me numerous times over the past three years. I ask the residents in my District to consider whether, as a matter of common sense, such actions truly align with the nature of the allegations against me. History has shown us that judgments can sometimes be incorrect. Please be mindful that initial rulings dont always reflect the truth. I am confident in my innocence, and I am dedicated to pursuing justice based upon truth. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. For thousands of people across the Natural State, not only is cost a hurdle for justice; but location is, too. The Bowen School of Law is trying to find solutions for rural legal deserts, and it all starts with students. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson joining University of Arkansas law school as a professor For nearly 10 years, Suzanne Penn has been bringing the courtroom to the community, helping those without access to a lawyer and changing lives along the way. As the director of the Delta Divorce Clinic, shes seen firsthand what happens in rural areas without a law office; and how basic rights and freedoms like separating from a partner are just not an option for some. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One woman who when we left the courtroom, Penn said, She let out a whoop, like a wallop, like a wahoo kind of thing. She was so happy to be free people who are in these rural communities who are low income can never afford to get a divorce. Nationally, theres an average of four lawyers for every 1,000 residents. In Arkansas, that number is closer to two. Colin Crawford, dean of the Bowen School of Law, is trying to change that. We have many counties in this state that have not one lawyer, Crawford said. There are possibilities for lawyers there and its our job to communicate that to students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas legal expert explains impact of Supreme Court ruling in Chevron case With the help of programs like the Rural Incubator Project, the Bowen School and Arkansas Bar Foundation are trying to push students outside city limits, showing them the grass can be greener, and the impact more powerful, on the other side. It essentially gives a person who graduates from law school and passes the bar a stipend to go out and hang up their shingle and start a business, Crawford said. And it also connects them to a larger network. If we can attract someone to go to a city, become the city attorney, that can be the beginning of a very solid income for someone. For Penn, its not just about success for students, but also about solving issues like access to justice a founding ideal those at Bowen strive to uphold, and a mission she works to protect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How can we say that there is equal justice under law when people cant get divorced? Penn asked. UAMS using mobile units to improve access to reproductive healthcare in rural areas of Arkansas The Incubator Program is just one of many exciting things happening at Bowen. On Nov. 1, the School of Law will host an alumni luncheon in the grand ballroom of the Double Tree in downtown Little Rock from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. The fate of American democracy probably hangs in the balance, and Im thinking about stickers. Specifically, those oval-shaped stickers with I voted in block letters accompanied by some version of the flag that are affixed to mail-in ballots sent to registered voters throughout Fresno County and most of the San Joaquin Valley and handed out at polling places on election day. In short, theyre ordinary. Plain. Generic. Boring. Uninspired. Totally lame. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nothing about those stickers enhances the act of voting. Or makes me want to stick it on an article of clothing so that others in my general vicinity are pleasantly and sufficiently informed. Opinion Generic, boring stickers arent to blame for why just 31% of Fresno Countys registered voters even bothered during the March primary. That is not what Im saying. Nor are they why the countys average voter turnout in the last five presidential elections is below 70% though Tuesdays should surpass that benchmark. Im saying they certainly didnt help. And that we can, and should, do better. While Fresno is accustomed to being trend-setters (i.e. first credit cards, first McDonalds franchises, first California community college), this is one instance where we should follow the well-trodden path. One blazed by dozens of municipalities whove infused a little fun into the act of voting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From Michigan and South Dakota to San Francisco and San Luis Obispo, I voted sticker design contests open to school-aged kids and the general public are gaining popularity. Beyond encouraging creativity, such activities open up other avenues for civic participation in the democratic process. Voting on election stickers This year, the Michigan Department of State received 480 submissions across three categories (elementary/middle school, high school and general) for its first sticker design contest, according to a news release. More than 57,700 votes were cast to determine the winners. Nine winning designs were selected. One of them, drawn by 12-year-old, seventh-grader Jane Hynous, depicts a werewolf ripping off its shirt in front of the American flag. Another depicts a cartoon cat wearing a red, white, and blue Uncle Sam top hat. Another is of a rainbow trout with I voted blended into its striping. I just wanted to do something that was going to be, I guess, funny and not so serious, Jane told The Washington Post. Because, you know, voting is such a serious topic, and you want to have something fun thats going to lighten it up. We are pleased to announce the winners of the states first-ever I Voted sticker contest. The nine winning designs will be available for clerks to order and give out to voters this fall for the Nov. 5 General Election. Learn more: https://t.co/gDcVRSIl8K pic.twitter.com/DWevfUYdzc Michigan Department of State (@MichSoS) September 4, 2024 In South Dakota, elections officials received 200 design submissions from school-aged children in three categories that were judged by state officeholders. (Hmm, not very democratic.) Out of the four winners, the most striking depicts the black silhouette of an eagle soaring next to a tree stump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Feathered and furred creatures, both real and mythical, is definitely a theme. The winning sticker in Stafford County, Va., shows a red cardinal sitting atop white flower blossoms. In Westminster, Colo., the winning sticker shows Bigfoot raising two fingers toward the sky in a peace sign that forms the v in I voted. The phrase I voted isnt clever enough for the electorate in Bolivia, N.C. So someone drew an eyeball (nerve endings attached) with the word voted beneath. Cities and counties in California are also getting in on the fun. The winning design in San Francisco, out of nearly 10,000 votes cast, shows several local landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, Sutro Tower, elephant seals, parrots and golden poppies as well as I voted in four languages. Meanwhile, San Luis Obispo County solicited submissions from students for its first election sticker contest before the countys seven mayors selected two winners out of 20 entries. Both winning designs prominently featured the bald eagle. One included the words Liberty, Freedom and Justice along with the Liberty Bell, while other featured the countys signature green coastal hills. Sarasota County wins best I Voted sticker pic.twitter.com/zYnsVjSOpz Gator Jen (@jenafish17) October 30, 2024 Social pressures motivate voters One look at any of these original, hand-drawn designs, and youll never want to see a standard I voted sticker again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Am I making a big deal out of a relatively small matter? Perhaps. However, dont underestimate the ability of election stickers to prod people into voting. In fact, a 2016 study authored by researchers at UC Berkeley, Harvard and the University of Chicago entitled Voting to Tell Others found that people are more motivated to vote when they know other people will ask them if they did. Individuals with social-image motives are more likely to vote, the more they expect to be asked, the researchers wrote. In that sense, I voted stickers incentivize people to broadcast their civic engagement. And if the stickers themselves were more artistic and eye-catching, an argument can be made that more people would vote in order to wear them proudly and truthfully. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Would getting rid of mass-produced stickers in favor of original designs by local artists result in a huge voter turnout increase in Fresno County? Probably not. But theyd certainly liven up each election cycle while also giving school-aged kids the chance to participate in local elections, years before theyre old enough to vote. I see that as a win-win. Lets have our own election sticker design contest in 2026. Liz Cheney condemned Donald Trumps use of a violent scenario as he described her as a war hawk. At an event with Tucker Carlson on Thursday, Trump said of Cheney, Shes a radical war hawk. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine guns shooting at her. Lets see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheney, who has been campaigning for Kamala Harris, wrote on X, This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. At campaign events, Trump has chided the U.S. involvement in overseas conflicts, the exception being Israel, in which he has been a defender of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the war with Hamas and Hezbollah. Harris campaign seized on Trumps remark, with spokesman Ian Sams calling it dangerous, violent rhetoric. In the waning days of the presidential campaign, Harris and Trump are trying to reach the remaining undecided voters while energizing their own bases of support. As such, there has been a pitched battle to drown out the other campaigns messaging in a news cycle, seizing on certain comments and gaffes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump campaign said that the former president was talking about how warmongers like Liz Cheney are very quick to start wars and send other Americans to fight them with no regard for the lives lost. The press has been disgracefully covering these remarks by saying that President Trump suggested that Liz Cheney should be put in front of a firing squad, the campaign said. Trump has previously called for Cheney to face televised military tribunals. She served as vice chair of the January 6th Committee, which investigated Trumps role in inciting the attack on the Capitol and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Former President Trump on Liz Cheney: "Shes a radical war hawk. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Lets see how she feels about it, you know, when the guns are trained on her face." pic.twitter.com/CISPyMyiLs CSPAN (@cspan) November 1, 2024 Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney is firing back at Donald Trump after the former president darkly suggested Cheney be put in the line of fire as he criticized her as a "war hawk." "This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death," Cheney posted Friday on X. "We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant." Trump attacked Cheney at an event with Tucker Carlson in battleground Arizona on Thursday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She's a radical war hawk," Trump said of the former Wyoming congresswoman as he went after her and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney. "Let's put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, okay?" Trump said. "Let's see how she feels about it, you know, when the guns are trained on her face." Trump continued, "You know, they're all war hawks when they're sitting in Washington in a nice building saying, 'Oh, gee, well, let's send a -- let's send 10,000 troops right into the mouth of the enemy.'" PHOTO: Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Cumming, Georgia, Oct. 15, 2024, and former Representative Liz Cheney in Malvern, Pa., Oct. 21, 2024. (Elijah Nouvelagebrendan Smialows/AFP via Getty Images) The Harris campaign called Trump saying "nine barrels" a reference to a traditional nine-gun "firing squad." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President Kamala Harris, responding directly to the comments later Friday, said they should be "disqualifying." "Anyone who wants to be president of the United States, who uses that kind of violent rhetoric, is clearly disqualified and unqualified to be president," Harris said. "Representative Cheney is a true patriot who has shown extraordinary courage in putting country above part. Trump is increasingly, however, someone who considers his political opponents the enemy, is permanently out for revenge and is increasingly unstable and unhinged." Cheney, a Republican but a vocal critic of Trump over his behavior after the 2020 election and on Jan. 6, 2021, has endorsed Harris in the 2024 election. While campaigning alongside Harris, Cheney cast Trump as a danger to democracy and the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We see it on a daily basis, somebody who was willing to use violence in order to attempt to seize power, to stay in power, someone who represents unrecoverable catastrophe, frankly, in my view, and we have to do everything possible to ensure that he's not reelected," Cheney told ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl on ABC's "This Week" earlier this fall after publicly backing Harris. MORE: Former GOP Rep. Cheney rips 'petty, vindictive, cruel' Trump at Harris rally Trump's remarks against Cheney are the latest in a string of increasingly dark and violent campaign rhetoric. The former president doubled down on his "enemy from within" language after he previously suggested Democrats are more of a threat to the U.S. than top foreign adversaries such as China and Russia when it comes to the 2024 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We do have an enemy from within," he told Carlson on Thursday. "We have some very bad people, and those people are also very dangerous. They would like to take down our country. They'd like to have our country be a nice communist country or a fascist in any way they can. And we have to be careful of that." PHOTO: Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives for a live interview with Tucker Carlson during the finale of the Tucker Carlson Live Tour at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz., Oct. 31, 2024. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images) Harris campaign senior adviser Ian Sams responded to Trump's comments during an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Friday, during which he called the former president "all-consumed by his grievances." "I mean, think about the contrast between these two candidates," Sams said. "You have Donald Trump who is talking about sending a prominent Republican to the firing squad, and you have Vice President Harris talking about sending one to her Cabinet. This is the difference in this race. Karoline Leavitt, Trump's spokesperson, claimed on Friday Trump's words were being taken out of context. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "President Trump was CLEARLY explaining that warmongers like Liz Cheney are very quick to start wars and send other Americans to fight them, rather than go into combat themselves," Leavitt wrote on X. Trump, too, offered a similar spin on his comments later Friday as they remained a focal point of the campaign trail. "All Im saying about Liz Cheney is that she is a War Hawk, and a dumb one at that, but she wouldnt have 'the guts' to fight herself," Trump wrote on his social media platform. "Its easy for her to talk, sitting far from where the death scenes take place, but put a gun in her hand, and let her go fight, and shell say, 'No thanks!'" Trump wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC News' Lalee Ibssa, Soorin Kim, Kelsey Walsh and Oren Oppenheim contributed to this report. Liz Cheney hits back at Trump's violent rhetoric: 'This is how dictators destroy free nations' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Former Wyoming GOP Rep. Liz Cheney is condemning comments Donald Trump made about imagining her getting shot at. During an appearance with Tucker Carlson in Glendale, Arizona, on Thursday night, Trump called Cheney a radical war hawk, and suggested putting her in a soldiers place, with a rifle, standing there, with nine barrels shooting at her. He added: Lets see how she feels about it, you know, when the guns are trained on her face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheney responded to Trumps attack on Friday by noting its authoritarian bent. This is how dictators destroy free nations, she said on X, formerly Twitter. They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. #Womenwillnotbesilenced#VoteKamalahttps://t.co/URH5s929Sa Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) November 1, 2024 Harris campaign spokesperson Ian Sams said that Trumps suggestion about sending a prominent Republican to the firing squad was a clear and stark contrast with his Democratic opponent, who is considering adding a GOP member to her cabinet. This is the difference in this race, he told the Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of Trumps former allies and advisers also condemned Trumps statement, including Alyssa Farah Griffin, former Trump White House director of strategic communication and current panelist on The View. Its unconscionable, Griffin told CNN Friday morning. I dont know how Republican leaders, many of whom served with Liz Cheney and at one point considered her a colleague and a friend, cannot denounce this. Miles Taylor, former Homeland Security chief of staff, called Trumps comments sick and said on X that any fellow conservative of conscience should condemn this in the strongest terms. But others, such as prominent Trump critic and former Republican congressman Joe Walsh, insisted that the former president did not call for Cheney to be executed in front of a firing line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, he posted on X that in Trumps typically stupid, ugly fashion, hes trying to make a point about Cheneys stance on war. Trump defended his comments Friday on his Truth Social platform. Its easy for her to talk, sitting far from where the death scenes take place, but put a gun in her hand, and let her go fight, and shell say, No thanks! But Harris has latched on to the remark as disqualifying. On Friday, she described him as out for revenge and noted that his rhetoric has grown more extreme as the campaign comes to a close. Related... BOSTON (WWLP) State lawmakers are looking for internal fixes for the Cannabis Control Commission. Servers say wage plan wont solve industry problems The Cannabis Control Commission, or CCC, is the states controversial marijuana regulatory body and was the subject of a hearing on Wednesday. 22News spoke to Payton Shubrick, who is the owner and operator of 6 Bricks in Springfield. At the hearing, she told lawmakers that her business is being negatively affected by the lack of swift reaction from the CCC and the extreme oversupply of cannabis which sells for prices that make it impossible for local businesses like hers to make a reasonable profit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shubrick says the industry originally promised equity programs to certain groups, but they arent coming to fruition. With people who are choosing to leave the industry and shut their doors, its disproportionately women, people of color, and veterans, said Shubrick. The 6 Bricks owner has some tips for western Massachusetts consumers looking to support local cannabis businesses. What I would encourage customers to think through is to better understand who you are shopping with. Are you supporting a Massachusetts-born and bred brand? said Shubrick. As we saw from the pandemic, the notion of buying local shops still has a place in our economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shubrick says that in the future, shed like to see the CCC operate similarly to the Alcohol Business Commission, which she says has better consistency in standards and expectations. Lawmakers say there is potential for the CCC to be moved to a new home within the state governments organizational structure in the future. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. ST. CLAIR TWP., Ohio (WKBN) The St. Clair Township Police Department is helping provide more care at the Joanie Abdu Center. Friday, it gave a $300 check, which came from a t-shirt sale. That was started after one woman who lives and works in the community was diagnosed with breast cancer. The money will go to Joanies Promise Fund, which ensures all women can receive treatment no matter their economic status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is us formally putting out a challenge to local police departments and FOPs to match our $300 donations to this breast care center, said Detective Chase Askounes. We are so happy, and we are grateful for the help of the community, said Rashid Abdu, founder of the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center. According to the St. Clair Police Department, this is the first time it has challenged other departments to match its donation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Lorena, Tx (FOX 44) An 18-year-old Lorena High School student was arrested and transported to the McLennan County Jail after a THC vaping device was recovered on campus. David Angel Sanchez was booked into the jail on a third degree felony charge of possession of a controlled substance penalty group 2 in a drug free zone. An arrest affidavit stated that Lorena police were called to the high school by an assistant principal regarding locating a possible THC vaping device in the possession of a student. The officer arrived and was shown a small black vaping device containing an amber, wax like substance that field tested positive for THC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woman accused of bringing drugs to Mart juvenile facility The affidavit stated the assistant principal conducted an administrative search of the student and located the device she said he had been attempting to hid in his hand. Sanchez was transported to the jail where his bond was set at $3,000. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)As Louisianas deer hunting season starts, the Governor urges hunters to donate part or all of their harvest to families in need this holiday season. For families facing food insecurity, protein can often be the most costly and difficult food source to obtain. Thats where hunters play a crucial role. Governor Landry has declared November Wild Game Meat Donation Month in Louisiana in conjunction with the National Rifle Association (NRA) to promote and protect the future of hunting and promote it as a food source, a right, and a vital wildlife management tool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news release states that the proclamation encourages hunters to donate surplus game meat to local organizations, such as Hunters for the Hungry (H4H) which assist those in need. It also invites non-hunters to consider providing financial support to the initiative. Participating locations in Northwest Louisiana include: In Bienville, Wild Thang Custom Meats, In Bossier, Bellevue Meat Processing; In Caddo, Cottens Grocery; In Natchitoches, K&B Farms & Arms and Demory & Coleman Butcher Shop H4H notes some processors require the deer and hog to be field-dressed, while others will do the skinning for you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We hope that this month will serve as a reminder of the important role that hunting plays in the community and the responsibility we share as the Sportsmans Paradise, said Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Madison Sheahan. According to the news release, hunters can drop off their deer or hog at no cost to any processor participating in the H4H program. The Food Bank or other local agencies collect the meat from the processor for distribution, and the invoice from the processors is sent to H4H. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Blue tarps cover roofs in Larose in October 2021, six weeks after Hurricane Ida. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple wants to make a state roof fortification grant program available to more low- and moderate-income homeowners. (Wes Muller/Louiisiana Illuminator) Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple says he might focus one of the states next rounds of roof fortification grants exclusively on low- and moderate-income households. The program has had no income limits for grant recipients in its five previous rounds of funding, which started when the grants were launched in 2023. Temple is considering a pilot program with nonprofit groups to target homeowners of more modest means, he said in an interview last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the proposed plan, nonprofits would work with the insurance department to identify lower-income homeowners who meet qualifications for roof assistance. The nonprofits would provide supplemental funding to households who might not be able to cover the cost of a roof upgrade that goes beyond the state grant, Temple said. Its not clear what income cut off would be used for such a program yet. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple said he may focus the next round of state roof fortification grants on low-and-moderate income households. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator) Louisiana has set aside $45 million in public funding over the past two state budget cycles for grants to harden residential roofs to standards the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety sets. Officials hope incentivizing the installation of more resilient roofs will lead to lower property insurance premiums, not only for individual homeowners receiving the grant but also their wider communities. Hardened roofs are less prone to harm from hurricanes and other natural disasters, and a roof that stays intact through a storm often leads to less damage in the rest of a house, according to experts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states roof grants go up to $10,000 per homeowner but typically dont cover the full cost of a roof upgrade. This could be why a Times-Picayune analysis last year found that most people selected to participate in early rounds of the program lived in communities where income levels were higher than the statewide average. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Grant recipients are required to cover any costs that exceed the $10,000 grant, pay for their own roof evaluation fee, which usually ranges between $500 and $750, and remit any construction permit fees required locally, according to recent legislative documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These additional costs make it more difficult for people with fewer financial resources to afford to be part of the program. So far, only 78 roof upgrades supported with the grant funding have come in under that $10,000 threshold, insurance agency spokesman John Ford said in an email. In total, the agency paid contractors for a little over 1,400 roof projects that cost the state $10.3 million to complete in 2023, according to legislative documents. The idea to partner with nonprofit organizations to help cover the extra costs for low-and-moderate income homeowners came from Alabama, Temple said. He had already made significant changes to the roof fortification program before it opened up for its fifth round of grant applications in September. In 2023, when former Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon ran the program, the previous four rounds were offered on a first-come, first-served basis and available throughout the state. Temple distributed the fifth round of grants through a lottery system to people who signed up between Sept. 18 to Sept. 24. Temple also limited the grants exclusively to homeowners in parishes most affected by hurricanes: Ascension, Assumption, Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne and Vermilion. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Even with these restrictions, demand for roof fortifications far exceeds the programs capacity. Temple said he awarded 1,000 grants during the September round of funding, but some 12,000 people applied for assistance during the period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge, expects the Louisiana Legislature to take up bills on the roof fortification program during a special session that starts Wednesday. Talbot wants to use reserve funding from Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the property insurer of last resort in the state, for the roof fortification grants specifically for Citizens members, he said in an interview. Next year, Temple said he is going to pitch to lawmakers the creation of a permanent funding stream for roof fortification grants. He wants to take a portion of the fees for state insurance broker licenses and a portion of an insurance premium tax to pay for the grants. The commissioner could run into opposition, however, if that money is already being used to fund other state government needs. By Brendan Pierson (Reuters) - A group of healthcare providers and others on Thursday sued Louisiana in an effort to block a law that classified mifepristone and misoprostol, the drugs used in medication abortion, as controlled substances in the state. "Controlled substances" refer to drugs or other substances that are tightly controlled by the government because they may be abused or cause addiction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit was filed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, state court by plaintiffs including the New Orleans-based Birthmark Doula Collective, a doctor, a pharmacist, and women who said they were denied medically necessary treatment as a result of the law and others. The law at issue was signed by Governor Jeff Landry in May. It designates the two drugs, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved more than two decades ago, as safe and effective for terminating pregnancies, as Schedule IV drugs, typically pain-killers and mood-altering medications that merit greater oversight due to their potential for abuse or dependence. While abortion is illegal in Louisiana, with a narrow exception for medical emergencies, both drugs have other uses. Mifepristone is used to treat a hormonal disorder known as Cushing syndrome, and misoprostol to manage miscarriage and treat postpartum hemorrhage. One consequence of the state's classification is that misoprostol will no longer be immediately available to emergency physicians in delivery wards, according to the lawsuit, potentially endangering patients. It alleges that the law violates women's right to due process under the state constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Restricting immediate access to essential medications like misoprostol compromises our ability to provide urgent, lifesaving care, putting more lives at risk in a system already strained by severe health inequities," Birthmark said in a statement. Landry's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mifepristone is at the center of another high-profile lawsuit brought in 2022 in Texas by anti-abortion groups seeking to undo the drug's FDA approval. A trial judge ruled in their favor, but the Supreme Court ruled that they lack standing, keeping the drug on the market for now. A group of conservative states is pressing forward with its challenge to the drug's approval. (Reporting by Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis) Getty Images The Louisiana Supreme Court issued guidance to state judges Wednesday encouraging them to grant state lawmakers who are attorneys extensions on court proceedings during legislative sessions in most cases. The courts new rule comes less than a week after the justices declared unconstitutional a law that gave lawyers who are legislators a similar but much broader benefit. The defunct statute had granted such lawmakers automatic delays in court actions when they interfered with a wider range of legislative duties, including travel to the State Capitol. The justices were troubled the legislative continuance mandate had essentially no wiggle room. It did not give opposing counsel or judges the discretion to challenge a lawmakers request for a delay in a court case. The Supreme Courts new rule this week hems in the previous privilege for legislators in court while also instructing judges to err on the side of allowing legislators delays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The guidance was issued somewhat urgently because the lawmakers are headed into a special legislative session Wednesday that is expected to last almost three weeks. Legislators who are attorneys have said they have court proceedings that will conflict with the special session calendar. Votes during the session, which will be focused on tax policy, are also expected to be unusually close. This means parts of Gov. Jeff Landrys tax package could fail if just one or two lawmakers are absent. Its fair to say that the session did result with us moving with more deliberation than we would normally do, Chief Justice John Weimer said about the rule in an interview Thursday. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the new legislative continuance rule, opposing attorneys will now have the right to challenge when a lawmaker wants to reschedule court proceedings if they suspect it would cause an unnecessary delay or increase the cost of litigation. They can also ask for it to be denied if it would cause their client substantial and immediate irreparable harm. Attorneys who are lawmakers will also face a new requirement when asking for a legislative continuance. They will have to provide an affidavit showing they will be attending the legislative session that causes a conflict with their court proceedings. The lawmaker will also have to demonstrate that he or she is an attorney actively working on the case in question. Outside of legislative sessions, lawmakers will also only be able to obtain continuances if they present an affidavit that shows good cause for the delay. In the past, judges had no choice but to grant a legislative continuance, regardless of when it was requested. The new restrictions the justices have imposed are supposed to address concerns raised by attorneys who arent lawmakers in recent years. They include that legislators sometimes enroll as counsel on cases where they dont do much work to allow their side to take advantage of automatic delays. Another frustration is that cases drag on for years because lawmakers ask for multiple extensions. The lawmaker complaining in the loudest, most public way about the Supreme Court overturning the state legislative continuance law also happens to be an attorney whose conduct led to the ruling. I think a working knowledge of civics is not required to serve on the Louisiana Supreme Court, Sen. Alan Seabaugh said in an appearance on KEEL-AM in Shreveport. The ruling that the court passed down last week is absolutely nonsensical. Two plaintiffs attorneys asked the state Supreme Court to throw out the legislative continuance statute after struggling to close an automobile accident lawsuit where they faced off against Seabaugh and state Rep. Michael Melerine, Shreveport Republicans who are partners in the same law practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs lawyers said Seabaugh and Melerines legislative extensions had unreasonably delayed resolution of their clients lawsuit over six years. The court sided with the plaintiffs attorneys after describing Seabaughs unusual delays in the lawsuit as reprehensible. Seabaugh has been a state lawmaker since 2012, including 12 years in the Louisiana House of Representatives before he was a stte senator. Melerine took Seabaughs seat in the House in January. In the radio interview, Seabaugh alleged the court ruling was payback for lawmakers scuttling a new Louisiana Supreme Court district map some of the justices had favored. The fact of the matter is it was retaliation because of their redistricting plan, which the Senate killed twice, Seabaugh said. This was the Supreme Court flexing their muscle to the Legislature. This was judicial activism at its worst, he added. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX . Weimer said Seabaugh is entitled to say whatever he wants, but the justices didnt throw out a law because they were upset about the Supreme Court district map. We dont sit around anxiously waiting to strike down a law as unconstitutional, Weimer said. I make decisions based on logic and reason and not emotion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the ruling is less than a week old, Seabaugh and Melerine have already run into personal problems getting at least one trial rescheduled based on the newfound discretion to reject legislative extensions. Judge Nicholas Gasper of the 42nd Judicial District Court in DeSoto Parish denied their motion to move a jury trial scheduled to start Monday because of the special session, which gets underway two days later, according to court filings. Seabaugh and Melerine are appealing Gaspers decision to Louisianas 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal. Other legislators plan to try to resolve the legislative extension issue over the next few weeks. Bills will be filed in the special session to establish a new continuance law, said Sen. Greg Miller, R-Norco, who is an attorney. I want to keep the framework that we had but address the Supreme Courts concerns about abuses, Miller said in an interview Thursday. Miller said he didnt think the courts new rule fully covers the problems that arise from conflicting legal and legislative schedules. For example, under the new rule, a judge could schedule a trial for the day after a legislative session ends, which would give an attorney who is a lawmaker little time to prepare. We are at the mercy of the courts, he said. Sen. Jay Luneau, D-Alexandria, said the Supreme Courts rule also doesnt address scheduling conflicts the Legislatures staff attorneys might have during session. Some work on private cases to supplement their incomes outside of the regular legislative session, he said. The law declared unconstitutional also granted those legislative staff attorneys access to legislative continuances, but the courts recent rule doesnt, said Luneau, who is also a lawyer. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) A Louisiana woman is in custody after leading Mobile police on a chase that ended in Mississippi, according to a police department spokesperson. 1 injured after shoot-out in Saraland parking lot, officials say The spokesperson said the chase ended near Tanner Williams Road and Orso Road near Seward Farms. LOCATION: Mobile police said the chase began on Airport Boulevard, and two vehicles were damaged at U-J Chevrolet. The suspect struck two more vehicles during the chase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UPDATE: Over 150 shell casings collected for evidence after deadly Saraland shoot-out 26-year-old Kathlyne Johnson of Louisiana was arrested and booked into Metro Jail Thursday afternoon. Johnson is charged with felony eluding, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident and trafficking methamphetamine. An MPD spokesperson said additional charges are likely. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Loved ones are searching for a Southern California woman who has been missing for over a month. Kimberly Casarubias, 18, was last seen on Sept. 18, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Her last known location was on the 5900 block of Encinita Avenue in Temple City. Casarubias family said the missing woman has mental health disorders and they are concerned for her well-being. She may have possibly headed to a destination near the 4000 block of West 226th Street in Torrance, deputies said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Casarubiasis is 4 feet 11 inches tall and weighs around 130 pounds. She has long red and black hair, brown eyes, and has scars on her forearms. She was last seen wearing black shorts, a white short-sleeved t-shirt and red Puma brand shoes. Kimberly Casarubias, 18, is seen in a photo from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Anyone who knows her whereabouts or has information on her disappearance is urged to call the LASDs Missing Persons Unit at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.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 KTLA. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Dakin Humane Society has been awarded more than $12,000 in the Im animal friendly license plate grant. The grant awarded through the Massachusetts Animal Coalition will support low-cost spay and neuter services at the non-profit clinic that leads efforts to care for and protect homeless animals. The funds are raised through the sales of rescue groups and animal control agencies across Massachusetts. Northampton cat tested positive for rabies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to a house fire, Phoebe the German Shepard pictured above, and her owner Jonathan had to move into a temporary rental house. In need of assistance for spay surgery, Jonathan contacted Kanes Krusade. The funds were secured through the Massachusetts Animal Coalition and Phoebe was able to receive surgery performed at Dakin as well as a distemper/parvovirus vaccine and microchip as well, provided by Kanes Krusade. According to Meg Talbert, executive director at Dakin Humane Society, Phoebe and Jonathans story is a perfect example of how by working together organizations are making a critical difference in our communities. Our friends at Kanes Krusade alerted us to the hardship Jonathan and Phoebe were experiencing, and the Massachusetts Animal Coalitions generous funding from its Im Animal Friendly license plate program enabled us to help keep Phoebe healthy and by her persons side as they navigated a difficult time. Jonathan noted, The recent events with our house fire added a lot of stress to our lives, but this program helped ease some of that stress by helping Phoebe. I am very grateful. I know Phoebe is grateful as well. For more information about purchasing the Im Animal Friendly license plate visit massanimalcoalition.org. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Europe's luxury carmakers once dominated in China, but are now under intense pressure. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche have all reported slumping sales in the world's largest auto market. They face rising competition from Chinese carmakers offering cheaper high-tech premium vehicles. The days of European carmakers dominating China's luxury vehicle market are over. Germany's BMW and Mercedes-Benz have suffered a sales slump in the world's largest auto market in recent months amid rising pressure from a wave of Chinese EV upstarts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BMW reported a one-third decline in Chinese sales in the most recent quarter, while deliveries of new Mercedes cars dropped 10% in the first nine months of the year. Its high-end S-Class range was particularly affected as some consumers cut spending amid a faltering economy. Aston Martin, a luxury British brand famous for its association with James Bond, said sales in China had fallen by more than half this year in its third-quarter earnings. Meanwhile, Porsche, owned by Volkswagen, said it would shrink its Chinese dealer network amid plunging profits and a 29% slide in sales in China in the nine months to September 30. The German company has seen stalling demand for its luxury vehicles, with sales of the $100,000 electric Taycan down 47% globally in the same period. Porsche is finding it harder to sell the Taycan. Porsche Rolls-Royce, the British marque owned by BMW, has also faced weaker sales in China this year. Its luxury car marker was experiencing "more challenging times," CEO Chris Brownridge told Bloomberg in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chinese market has become increasingly difficult for European brands. Volkswagen was dethroned by BYD as China's biggest carmaker last year, and the share of China's car market held by German automakers has dropped from about a quarter before the pandemic to less than 15%, according to Bloomberg data. "China is an incredible challenge, not just for Porsche," said finance chief Lutz Meschke in comments reported by Reuters. "In the future, we can no longer assume that China will return to where it was for European players." High-tech competition Upmarket European automakers are being squeezed by their Chinese rivals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many are offering vehicles packed full of novel features and intelligent software of them have growing designs on China's high-end auto market, and are Last year Tesla rival BYD launched the Yangwang U8 SUV last year. The $150,000 hybrid has a motor on each wheel that allows it to move like a crab. The U8 also comes with an onboard drone, and BYD says it can even float on water for up to 30 minutes. Other Chinese automakers have gone to even greater lengths to stand out in the country's red-hot auto market, with Zeekr showing off the spacious and luxurious interior of its MIX minivan by having an executive eat a hot pot inside it. Zeekr's eyecatching MIX minivan. VCG/VCG via Getty Images The competitiveness of the Chinese market means consumers don't need to spend a fortune to obtain luxury vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SU7, an electric sedan built by Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi, is packed with high-tech features including a 16.1-inch infotainment screen and remote voice control that allows drivers to control household appliances from the car. But it is also relatively affordable, with the base version starting at 215,900 yuan ($30,300) and the high-end SU7 Max priced at 299,900 yuan ($42,100). Xiaomi has just unveiled a high-performance version of the SU7 that costs 814,900 yuan ($114,000). Steve Dyer, managing director at AlixPartners, a consulting firm, told Business Insider that Chinese manufacturers were encroaching on the premium market from the "bottom up," targeting the lower segment before gradually releasing more expensive vehicles aimed at less price-sensitive customers. "The Chinese companies are doing what the Korean companies did to get market share outside Korea, and that is to offer a lot of feature content for a good price," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dyer said Chinese buyers often focused on luxurious interiors, as well as intelligent technology such as advanced driver assist systems an area in which Chinese automakers excel and their European rivals have struggled to keep up. "They've fallen behind in the sense that they're applying an automotive product development mindset to a fast-moving, rapidly changing, technology space," said Dyer. A study by AlixPartners found that Chinese automakers released 40 over-the-air software updates between March 2023 and February this year, compared with just two from legacy automakers. "It's a typical software mindset. You're willing to launch a product quickly, even though it may need fixing later because you know you can fix it," said Dyer. Hard to quit Despite a challenging environment, Western premium automakers can ill afford to give up on China. It remains Volkswagen's second- biggest global market, behind Western Europe, and Mercedes sold around a third of its cars there last year. The Xiaomi SU7 offers Chinese buyers luxury at a competitive price. JADE GAO/Getty Images They're likely to face a bumpy road as they try to recover, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the premium vehicle market is less price-sensitive, Dyer said more Chinese automakers will move into it to diversify away from China's brutally competitive mass market. As well as increased competition, European automakers face a geopolitical headache. Tim Urquhart, principal automotive analyst at S&P Global Mobility, told BI the European Union's tariffs on Chinese automakers meant Beijing could impose levies on European car imports in retaliation. "They could be facing a perfect storm if those tariffs are imposed as well," he said. Even if that does happen, Urquhart said the sheer size of the Chinese market means it's unlikely that major Western automakers will abandon it anytime soon. "They can't afford to make a full-scale retrenchment and retreat from their current position, especially as they've invested so much there." Read the original article on Business Insider (WIVT/WBGH) M&T Bank is supporting veterans and active service members as they navigate their post-military career path. M&T Bank will host its next Military Monday Virtual Career Event on November 4 from 1 to 2 p.m. The event is open to all local veterans, active service members, military spouses, and more. It will take place on M&Ts virtual Career Fair platform. The career fair will provide attendees the opportunity to network with M&T recruiters and managers from across Upstate New York as they learn about current openings across the organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members from M&Ts Veterans Resource Group will also be available to answer any questions such as updating resumes and understanding how best to describe transferable military skills. They will also share best practices for pursuing civilian opportunities at M&T. Those interested in attending the Military Monday Virtual Career Event may join at any time between 1 and 2. There is no set schedule or webinars associated with the event. For more information or to register, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. WASHINGTON (WCBD)- U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) threatened to issue a congressional subpoena to the Charleston County Sheriffs Office Friday as a House committee probes whether the agency is attempting to withhold information related to its handling of immigration enforcement. Mace, who chairs the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, demanded in October that the sheriffs office hand over copies of all communications with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She said the agency has not cooperated, accusing the office of willful obstruction. Our message is simple: hand over the documents or prepare for a subpoena, Mace said. Stonewalling Congress wont fly, and I wont stand by while public safety is put at risk. Graziano needs to answer for her actions, and were going to do whatever it takes to make it happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The requested documents include details on the law enforcement agencys handling of ICE detainer requests and the termination of the countys 287(g) agreement. If you fail to produce the requested documents by November 15, 2024, the Committee will consider additional measures, including use of the compulsory process, to gain compliance and obtain this critical material, a letter to the agency shared with News 2 stated. In response, the sheriffs office asserted that it is following the law and that enforcing immigration is a job for the federal government. Just because she and her congressional colleagues cannot solve our countrys federal immigration problem doesnt mean they get to make it mine, Sheriff Kristin Graziano (D) stated. It does not make it the problem of the Charleston County Sheriffs Office or any other local law enforcement agency in the United States. Because Congress has failed to do its job, lawmakers like her think its their job to force someone else to do their work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not on my watch, she added. Graziano further claimed that Mace is using her position to nationalize and influence a local election. The sheriff is running for reelection against Republican Carl Ritchie, the former Mount Pleasant police chief. This is an abuse of power, and this what the taxpayers of the United States are paying for, Graziano said. I welcome her and her colleagues to send us a subpoena to prove we are following the law and doing everything by the book. Bring it on. As his execution date looms, South Carolina man appeals to the governor for mercy The threat is the latest development in a bitter battle that has emerged between Mace and Graziano after Mace alleged that undocumented immigrants accused of crimes have been released from the Al Cannon Detention Center under Grazianos watch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Sept. 24 letter, Mace accused the agency of ignoring ICE immigration holds, which are requests to law enforcement to detain a person for up to 48 hours before releasing them to give ICE time to take custody and potentially remove that person from the country. The congresswoman, who is seeking a third term representing South Carolinas 1st Congressional District, further claimed the sheriffs office had released illegal immigrants into the community and by doing so was purposefully putting local residents at risk of danger. She also alleged the sheriffs office has ignored dozens of detainer requests since 2021, noting that the agency is labeled an uncooperative institution by ICE. That designation is shared by more than 550 institutions nationwide, according to a June report. Graziano later blasted Mace as full of s and vehemently denied any wrongdoing by her agency, suggesting that Mace was mischaracterizing events for political gain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were 13 individuals housed in the Al Cannon Detention Center that were on a hold by an immigration judge as of Sept. 25, according to the sheriffs office. Graziano dissolved the 287(g) agreement between the sheriffs office and ICE as one of her first official acts after taking office in 2021, citing the high cost to taxpayers to operate the program. The optional agreement purports to enhance the safety and security of communities by focusing resources on identifying and processing removable aliens who have been arrested and booked into the [law enforcement agencys] jail/correctional facilities. Participating law enforcement agencies select members to be trained to perform some limited functions of an immigration officer. The change that happened when we rescinded 287(g) is that we required ICE to have an immigration judges signature in order for someone to be put on a detainer or a hold in our facility, CCSO spokesperson Amber Allen previously explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only three jurisdictions in South Carolina Horry, Lexington, and York counties currently have 287(g) agreements in place, according to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. This story is developing and may be updated. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. Boeing machinists take to the picket line in front of Boeings Paine Field facility as IAM District 751 workers begin their strike on Friday, Sep. 13, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry) Leaders of Boeings aircraft machinists union are recommending striking members approve a new contract offer from the company that would raise average annual pay for the workers to nearly $120,000. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers scheduled a vote on the proposed agreement for Monday, Nov. 4 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roughly 33,000 factory workers in Washington, Oregon and California have been on strike for about seven weeks, halting Boeings airplane manufacturing around the Northwest and adding pressure to the companys already strained finances. Union members have rejected two contract offers from the company in recent weeks, one before going on strike in mid-September and another in a vote on Oct. 23. It is time for our Members to lock in these gains and confidently declare victory, IAM District 751 said in a statement. We believe asking members to stay on strike longer wouldnt be right as we have achieved so much success. In every negotiation and strike, there is a point where we have extracted everything that we can in bargaining and by withholding our labor, the union added. We are at that point now and risk a regressive or lesser offer in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This marks a shift in tone for the unions leadership. They took a more neutral stance on the last contract offer, which 64% of workers rejected. Boeing did not back down on its opposition to reviving a frozen defined-benefit pension program. Restoring that retirement option has been a key demand for many striking machinists. But the company has said it is not a step its willing to take. With the latest offer, the company proposes a 38% general wage increase over four years, with a 13% bump in the first year. Thats up from a 35% hike in the most recent rejected offer. Boeing said the wage increase will boost the average annual machinist pay to $119,309 by the end of the four-year contract. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Workers were seeking a 40% wage increase. The union says that, after factoring in compounding pay increases, the offer on the table works out to a 43.65% gain. A ratification bonus would rise to $12,000 from $7,000. Wrapped into the $12,000 is $5,000 that the previous offer included as a one-time 401(k) contribution. The union said this would allow members to choose if they wanted the money in their paychecks or retirement accounts. The 401(k) program is otherwise the same in the latest offer, with the company promising a 100% match on the first 8% of pay an employee contributes and an automatic 4% company contribution. Earlier this week, Boeing raised about $21 billion by selling stock. This came after the company reported a third-quarter loss of $6.17 billion and following the companys announcement in early October it would cut 10% of its workforce or roughly 17,000 jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We encourage all of our employees to learn more about the improved offer and vote on Monday, Nov. 4, Boeing said in a statement. Congressional leaders from Washington state, business groups in the region, and others have urged the two sides to reach an agreement. IAM 751 says that Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su has assisted in moving along negotiations between the union and the company. The contract retains a guarantee contained in earlier offers to build Boeings next new airplane model in the Puget Sound region. Like previous proposals, it also calls for a guaranteed 4% annual performance bonus, with payouts up to 6%. Boeing Contract Offer Highlights - Oct. 31 2024 Boeing released the one-page document above on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024 with highlights of its latest contract proposal for striking machinists. The Bibb County School District will receive $2.5 million in federal money to help combat the citys youth mental health crisis and hire more professional counselors in school settings, Sen. Jon Ossoff announced Thursday. The grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Educations School Based Mental Health Grant program, which provides public schools with resources to hire and retain licensed mental health providers that will better support children, Ossoff announced Thursday in a press release. There are real and ongoing mental health concerns for young people, particularly students in K-12 schools, and its an issue parents across Georgia care deeply about, Ossoff said in a statement. These new resources for local school districts will help provide mental health services in schools in Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previous reporting from The Telegraph found that mental health is a critical issue for Macon teens, as the citys rate of 10 to 19-year-olds discharged from hospitals for self-harm exceeded the Georgia state average in 2022. Bibb County Schools Project AWARE coordinator, Tajalyn Woodruff, described the money as a transformative step for the district. This grant will enable us to improve the way we focus on the wellness of our students by increasing student access to mental health professionals while also developing a fully coordinated system of social emotional and behavioral supports for students within our schools, Woodruff said in a statement. Project AWARE is a five-year federal grant program in Georgia that aims to improve the mental health of school-aged youth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr. said the program will help make Bibb County schools safer by ensuring each student receives the necessary care and attention that they deserve. When children in need of help are supported at school, behavior problems are less likely to occur and grades and test scores are more likely to improve, Bishop also said in a press release. Georgia schools are places where every student should feel safe and cared for. The Bibb County School District was awarded about $2.6 million Bibb County Schools intend to use the federal funding to hire 13 new employees, including 11 mental health professionals, according to Ossoffs office. Bringing both political parties together and putting the needs of our kids above partisan interests, I helped pass bipartisan legislation to strengthen mental health services for young people in Georgia across the country, Ossoff said. Its been nearly eight months since former Vice President Mike Pence appeared on Fox News and gave the political world an unexpected jolt. Donald Trump is pursuing and articulating an agenda that is at odds with the conservative agenda that we governed on during our four years, the Hoosier said, and thats why I cannot in good conscience endorse Donald Trump in this campaign. In early August, Pence appeared at a conservative event in Georgia, again refused to extend support to his former boss and said hes staying out of the presidential campaign. Evidently, he meant it. Newsday reported: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite having voted for Democrats when he was younger, former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence told a Long Island audience on Tuesday he could never support Kamala Harris and Tim Walz but declined to say whether he would be casting a ballot for the president he once served, Donald Trump. Pence, 65, in an hourlong appearance one week before Election Day, spoke about his Christian faith, civility in politics and parting ways with Trump after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. I havent endorsed our ticket, the former vice president said at the gathering. I have real concerns about the direction of the Republican Party today. Asked specifically whether hed cast a vote for his partys nominee, Pence added: I said all Im going to say today. This comes on the heels of the Indiana Republican publicly urging Republicans to reject protectionist tariffs and isolationism, which was generally seen as a rebuke of his former partners agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Trump hoped that Pence would eventually come around, put party over country, and grudgingly throw his support behind the Republican ticket, those hopes have been dashed. The Bulwarks Jonathan V. Last made a compelling case in the spring that Pences non-endorsement deserved to be seen as among the years most important electoral developments. No vice president has ever said that his former boss is unfit to serve, Last wrote. It is the most devastating possible observation from the most credible source in existence. This should be part of the context of every single story about this campaign. I mention this because, nearly eight months later, Pences announcement no longer seems to be a major part of the 2024 conversation, and that strikes me as unfortunate. Pence ran with Trump in 2016, before serving at Trumps side for four years. Pence saw how Trump thought, how he led, how he processed information, how he prioritized and how he tried to govern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its against that backdrop that the former vice president has refused to endorse the president with whom he served an unprecedented dynamic in the nations history. Its hardly unjust for Trumps critics to ask, If his own vice president isnt supporting him, why should you? This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays edition of quick hits. * In the Middle East: The death toll from Israeli strikes in the central Gaza Strip rose to 25, including five children, as more bodies have been recovered, while three people were killed in an early morning airstrike near the Lebanese capital, officials said Friday. Sixteen people had initially been reported killed in two strikes on Thursday on the Gaza Strips central Nuseirat refugee camp, but officials from the Al-Aqsa hospital said bodies continued to be brought in. * Unsettling boasts out of Tehran: Iran has the capacity to produce nuclear weapons and is prepared to change its policies on using them if faced with an existential threat, an adviser to its supreme leader said Friday in the latest bellicose statement from the country amid its high-stakes tit-for-tat with Israel. Kamal Kharrazi also said the country is likely to increase the range of its ballistic missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Speaking of adversaries weapons programs: North Korea on Friday bragged of its recently tested new intercontinental ballistic missile, calling it the worlds strongest, a claim viewed by outside experts as propaganda though the test showed an advancement in the Norths quest to build a more reliable weapons arsenal. * And speaking of the Korean Peninsula: South Korea is reportedly considering supplying Ukraine with weapons in response to its northern neighbor deploying troops to Russia. * An investigation worth watching: Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said Friday that her office is investigating whether former President Donald Trumps violent remarks about former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney broke the law. I have already asked my criminal division chief to start looking at that statement, analyzing it for whether it qualifies as a death threat under Arizonas laws, Mayes, a Democrat, said during a taping of Sunday Square Off on 12NEWS in Phoenix. * Floridas latest mass shooting: Two people are dead and at least seven others are injured after a shooting in downtown Orlando, Florida, early Friday as thousands enjoyed the citys Halloween celebrations, police said. Police arrested a 17-year-old man on suspicion of carrying out the shooting. No motive has so far been established and the identities of those killed and injured have not been released, although police said the victims ranged in age from 18 to 39. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Ongoing changes at The Washington Post: Hugh Hewitt, the conservative pundit, said on Friday that he would no longer write columns for The Washington Post, where he had been a regular contributor to the papers opinion pages. Have a safe weekend. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Donald Trump has spent years rewriting the story of the Jan. 6 attack, but in recent weeks, the former president has been leaning into a specific claim: Not one of those people had a gun, the Republican said two weeks ago, referring to the insurrectionist rioters. He added a couple of days later, There were no guns down there; we didnt have guns. The others had guns, but we didnt have guns. (In context, we referred to those attacking the U.S. Capitol, while the others referred to law enforcement.) Soon after, when Trump sat down with Fox News Howard Kurtz, the GOP candidate lied once again about the rioters being unarmed. When Kurtz referenced reality, the former president was completely incredulous as if the very idea that the criminals carried guns was ridiculous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been a rough week for Trumps talking point. Bloomberg Law reported: A Texas man was found guilty of two felony offenses, including carrying a firearm onto Capitol grounds, and two misdemeanor offenses, during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the US Capitol, the Justice Department announced Thursday. According to the DOJ, Mario Mares traveled to Washington carrying various firearms and ammunition. On the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, Mares and others attended the rally on the National Mall carrying handguns on their persons. Afterward, Mares walked toward the Capitol building, entered the restricted perimeter, and remained on Capitol grounds while carrying their handguns. Federal prosecutors, in addition to issuing a press release about a judge finding Mares guilty, released a photograph of the rioters weapons. Two days earlier, NBC News reported, A Donald Trump supporter who, federal authorities say, plotted to kill FBI special agents investigating him on Jan. 6 charges, appears to have been armed with a gun when he became the fourth rioter to breach the U.S. Capitol, prosecutors said at trial Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This, alas, is not the end of the list. It was earlier this year when NBC News reported on John Emanuel Banuelos, who appeared to have been filmed firing gunshots at the Capitol on Jan. 6. NBC News report added, While numerous rioters were armed with guns on Jan. 6, none were known to have actually fired their weapons; Banuelos is the first to be charged with doing so. Despite Republican talk about the rioters not being armed during the pro-Trump violence, the facts have been evident for quite some time. Remember this Washington Post report from two years ago? The full picture of how many among the crowd were armed before the riot occurred is unclear, but court records, trial testimony and accounts from police officers and rioters have supplied growing evidence that multiple people brought firearms to Washington for Jan. 6, 2021. Six men were arrested that day for having guns in the vicinity of the U.S. Capitol, and a seventh who arrived after the riot ended was arrested the following day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same report noted one Jan. 6 defendant explaining at his trial that from his vantage point on the west side of the Capitol, he counted eight firearms carried by five people. Other rioters have been charged with taking guns onto the Capitol grounds. A New York Times report highlighted a series of other specific Jan. 6 rioters who were found to have carried firearms during the attack. Trumps not one of those people had a gun line, in other words, keeps getting worse. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com House Speaker Mike Johnson raised a few eyebrows this week, targeting the Affordable Care Act in ways most congressional Republicans tend to avoid. At a campaign event in Pennsylvania on Monday, the Louisiana congressman told a crowd there would be massive health care changes in the United States if Donald Trump returns to power. Health care reforms going to be a big part of the agenda, the GOP leader added. The House speaker has since claimed that he was taken out of context, but a video from the event doesnt do him any favors. When an attendee asked at the event, No Obamacare? Congress top Republican leader replied, No Obamacare. One far-right lawmaker on Capitol Hill was apparently pleased with the rhetoric. USA Today reported: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Republicans have continued pushing to end the health care legislation. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, reposted Johnsons comments on Thursday and wrote: Kill Obamacare now. This seems like a good time to pause and take stock. While the outcome of the elections remains to be seen, its quite possible that Republicans will soon control the levers of federal power again, at which point Americans health security will be at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Let no one say the public wasnt warned before Election Day. Mike Lees tweet was, if nothing else, a late-in-the-cycle wake up to voters who take health care seriously. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays edition of quick hits. * The latest from Spain: Devastating floods have killed at least 155 people in eastern and southern Spain, local officials announced Thursday, after torrential rain fueled the worst natural disaster in the countrys modern history. * In Lebanon: Nearly a quarter of all buildings in 25 Lebanese municipalities near the Israeli border had been damaged or destroyed as of Saturday, according to an analysis of satellite data by The Washington Post illustrating the far-reaching toll of Israels land and air war against Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * In Iran: Two top Iranian officials on Thursday said Iran planned to respond to Israels recent attacks, according to Iranian media, threatening to continue a cycle of retaliation between the countries. * In Russia: Some 8,000 North Korean soldiers are now in Russia near Ukraines border and are preparing to help the Kremlin fight against Ukrainian troops in the coming days, the Biden administration said Thursday. The new figure is a dramatic increase from a day earlier, when Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin would only say some of the troops had moved toward Ukraines border in the Kursk region, where Moscows forces have struggled to push back a Ukrainian incursion. * In related news: Russian forces have escalated indiscriminate drone attacks against civilians in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, killing and maiming scores of people in what locals have described as a human safari. * The fake electors guy pays a price: Kenneth Chesebro, an architect of Donald Trumps bid to subvert the 2020 election, has had his law license suspended in New York. A five-judge panel from a state appeals court ruled Thursday that Chesebros guilty plea in Georgia last year merited the indefinite punishment. In the Georgia plea, Chesebro admitted to filing false documents during Trumps bid to overturn his loss in that state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Ill be keeping a close eye on this one: Mississippis Republican legislative leaders said Thursday that they plan to push for Medicaid expansion to cover working people who earn too little to afford private insurance a position that business groups have advocated but that Republican Gov. Tate Reeves opposes. See you tomorrow. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Ohio Republican Bernie Moreno is taking aim at another group of migrants arriving in his home state weeks after perpetuating baseless claims about Haitian migrants in Springfield. The Senate hopeful is now taking aim at residents migrating from Mauritania in West Africa who have come to Lockland, Ohio, a 3,500-person village north of Cincinnati. Lockland Mayor Mark Mason Sr has said that the population has nearly doubled as a result of the influx of migrants in the last year, putting a strain on village resources and economy. Fox News host Maria Bartiromo asked Moreno on Wednesday: What can you tell us about this small town that is being overrun by illegal migrants? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You gotta understand how they got there, Moreno begins. So they all fly to Mexico. They get smuggled across our border by the cartels. Theyre explained exactly what they have to do, which is raise their hand and claim asylum. And then the United States government flies them wherever they want. The GOP candidate seemed to be referring to a story in the Cincinnati Enquirer about one Mauritanian migrant and applied it to the entire group. The story described one man who had worked in a gold mine for more than a decade in the West African country to afford to pay a network of smugglers to get him and his family out of Africa, then to Turkey, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico, where they crossed the border into the United States, the publication wrote. This route has become popular, thanks to social media, the Associated Press reported. Bernie Moreno appears at a campaign rally alongside Donald Trump in March 2024. He is now targeting Mauritanian migrants who have arrived in Lockland, Ohio (AFP via Getty Images) Its not clear how many Mauritanian asylum seekers are being smuggled in by cartels and traveling to Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since many of the migrants are unable to work and therefore pay taxes as it takes roughly six months after applying for asylum to get a work permit Mason noted the economic strain that the village has faced. Were looking right now at probably close to a $200,000 shortfall in our earnings income tax revenue, he told WCPO. Many of these migrants are seeking asylum in the US. Mauritania ranks third on the Global Slavery Indexs list of countries estimated to have the highest prevalence of modern slavery, estimating that nearly 150,000 are enslaved. Hundreds from the embattled West African nation have been granted asylum from 2014 through 2023, DHS data shows. So far this year, from January through June, more than 6,000 Mauritanians have arrived in the US, data from the Customs and Border Protection shows. That figure seems to have slowed slightly compared to 2023, when more than 15,000 Mauritanians arrived in the US, a massive surge compared to 2022, when just 330 came. Many are flocking to Ohio. More than 8,500 arrived in Ohio between March and June 2023, the Associated Press reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morenos latest claims come a month after Donald Trump, JD Vance and other Republicans claimed, without evidence, that Haitian migrants in Springfield eat cats and dogs. The bizarre claim stemmed from a Facebook post, where a cat owner allegedly found her dead pet hanging from a tree ready to be skinned, butchered and eaten at a house said to be occupied by Haitian immigrants. Local officials and law enforcement swiftly debunked the allegations but that didnt stop prominent Republicans from repeating it. At the September debate against Kamala Harris, Trump told millions of viewers: Theyre eating the dogs, theyre eating the cats, theyre eating the pets of the people that live there its a shame. Moreno is vying for Democratic incumbent Senator Sherrod Browns seat on November 5. DALTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) A mailbox at a post office in a small Muskegon County community was broken into last weekend, the latest in a string of similar cases around West Michigan, federal postal investigators say. The blue mailbox outside the post office on East Street in Twin Lake, north of Muskegon, was removed after it was damaged in the break-in. Postmaster Noel Goodrow said hes working to replace it. A blue mailbox outside the U.S. Postal Service office in Twin Lake was removed after it was broken into. (Nov. 1, 2024) How election officials are securing Grand Rapids ballot drop boxes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whoever broke into the box took the mail inside, including two absentee ballots bound for the clerks office in nearby Blue Lake Township. I didnt find out until like Wednesday when one of my voters came in and was wondering if we got his ballot. Sure enough, I did not have it, Blue Lake Township Clerk Jeff Abram said. Shortly after that, I had a lady come in, one of my voters, and she too used that box over the weekend and I didnt have her ballot, so I spoiled that one and issued a new one. Goodrow told News 8 that postal workers clear the box every Saturday afternoon and Monday morning, typically finding around 20 pieces of mail. The gap means the mid-weekend break-in wouldnt likely have yielded much mail, even with Election Day looming. If you want to know whether your absentee ballot arrived at your clerks office in Twin Lake or anywhere else around the state you can check online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have an internet connection, I would just go to the Michigan Voter Information Center and you can track your ballot to see if your clerk has received it, Abrams said. If not, go ahead and call your local clerk because they can help you. Dalton Township Clerk Heather Cooley said that she has safely received the ballot of every concerned voter who has contacted her. What safeguards are in place for absentee ballots? Clerks explain She did get word, however, of a check that may have been in the mailbox that was later cashed. A blue mailbox outside the U.S. Postal Service office in Twin Lake was removed after it was broken into. (Nov. 1, 2024) The United States Postal Inspection Service, the federal law enforcement agency tasked with protecting the mail, could not confirm whether a check was stolen from the Twin Lake box, but said in a statement to News 8 that these types of break-ins are increasingly common in Michigan, confirming similar break-ins in Bloomingdale, Spring Lake, Grand Haven and Ionia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It appears individuals are using crowbars or similar tools to pry open collection doors and steal U.S. Mail, targeting personal and business checks or other valuable documents, the agency said. It went on to say the thieves are washing and altering the checks and using mules to cash them. The Twin Lake postmaster said a new blue mailbox should be installed soon, but added there is a 24/7 drop box just inside the doors of the lobby if people would prefer to use that. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. MOAB, Utah (ABC4) A major sediment slump has changed the flow of water in the main channel of Cataract Canyon at Canyonlands National Park, creating a new rapid, according to the National Park Service. Cataract Canyon reportedly contains 14 miles of rapids ranging in difficulty, up to Class V. It is known as a particularly hazardous and isolated section of the Colorado River, and is subject to extreme water level fluctuations, the NPS states. The slump reportedly happened in Narrow Canyon at river mile 175.1 sometime between Oct. 25 and Oct. 29. Around 300-350 meters of shoreline slid from the left bank of the river into the channel, according to the NPS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coordinates of the new rapid are 37.888428, -110.296780. Utah women and aging: Here are the key factors making us more vulnerable as we grow older Courtesy of National Park Service Sediment and mud continue to move and alter river conditions for a three-mile stretch upstream of the slump, a press release from the NPS states. Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) should be worn between Dark Canyon and the North Wash Access point because of the rapidly changing conditions. Additionally, the North Wash take-out conditions for those looking to do a whitewater trip at Cataract Canyon have continued to deteriorate, according to the NPS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trailers cannot be backed down the take-out slope, the NPS said. All gear and boats will need to be carried up the slope. Use of this take-out could result in damage to equipment or injury to people. You are advised to look at the take-out calendar before you launch. The Bullfrog North Launch Ramp, about 50 miles down lake from North Wash, is currently available for take-out to small vessels. The left lane will reportedly become available to large vessels, including houseboats, at 3529 ft. Here is a video to help you prepare for your whitewater trip to Cataract Canyon, provided by the NPS. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) An 84-year-old man died early Friday morning after a crash in the Town of Hopewell. According to the Ontario County Sheriffs Office, Ronald Schanche of Victor failed to yield the right of way to a vehicle in the area of State Route 488 and Freshour Road. On Halloween, Schanche was driving across State Route 488 on Freshour Road when Tara Curia, 47, had the right of way. His 2013 Chrysler was then hit by Curia, who was driving a 2012 Jeep Wrangler down State Route 488, deputies said. Schanche was taken to the hospital where he later died following medical complications Friday morning. Latest Posts: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. A Chesterfield man is accused of stealing over $21,000 worth of tires from a shop in Ballwin. According to the Ballwin Police Department, the incident occurred on July 18 and 22 at a tire shop located in Ballwin. Police say the man, Abdulaal Hassan (age not provided), informed workers that he had approval from the shops district manager to transfer tires worth $21,038.96 to another location, but the general manager later said that he never approved the transfer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where you can vote before election day in the St. Louis area According to police, Hassan was arrested after being recognized from a previous business and was later interviewed. Police say that Hassan admitted to taking the tires after paying around $3,000 for them, but had no receipt and had already sold the tires. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Hassan with one count of stealing$750 or more. Hassan was issued a criminal summons to appear in court on Monday, Dec. 9 at 9 a.m. for a criminal setting. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. A man has admitted firing a crossbow at a police officer during a standoff in Buckinghamshire. Police officers were called to a cul-de-sac in High Wycombe in May this year after Jason King had stabbed his neighbour in the stomach during a row, said Thames Valley Police. When unarmed officers arrived, the 54-year-old shot at them with a crossbow from a window before coming out of a door and hitting PC Curtis Foster in the leg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A police dog handler then confronted King in a nearby park before armed officers shot him in the stomach. Police seal off School Close after the shooting in May (Sam Hall/PA Wire) King was taken to hospital with potentially life-changing injuries but was discharged ten days later and taken to police custody. PC Foster has since made a full recovery and returned to frontline duties. The man in his 60s, who was stabbed in the stomach by King, was treated in hospital for minor injuries. Appearing at Aylesbury Crown Court on Thursday, King, of School Close in High Wycombe, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and affray. He had already pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent over shooting PC Foster as well as possession of the crossbow, and a bladed article. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detective Inspector Nick Hind, of the Major Crime Unit, said: This was a serious incident and thankfully, the victims in this case, including our officer, have made full recoveries. I would like to thank the local community for their support during and after the incident. King has now admitted the offences and will be sentenced in due course. King has been remanded into custody and will appear at the same court for sentencing on 31 January. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A man was arrested Thursday afternoon following a standoff at an apartment complex in Tigard, authorities said. According to Tigard police, officers responded at around 3:30 p.m. to the Sygnii Apartments where they learned that a man had been yelling and attempting to break into an apartment. New details released as suspect still at-large in Vancouver Mall Halloween shooting Police said the man also had weapons and was making threats of harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers surrounded the building and attempted to talk to the man, later identified as Daniel Bean, 38. However, officials said he wasnt cooperating with them. Since Bean had access to weapons, officials ordered a shelter-in-place at the apartment complex. Man killed after being hit by MAX train in North Portland Eventually, officers said they were able to evacuate the residents to a community room in the apartment while they continued working to resolve the situation. At around 8:30 p.m., authorities said they were finally able to take Bean into custody. Bean faces charges including first-degree attempted burglary, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing and disorderly conduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The apartment residents were let back into their apartments at 9:30 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) A man was arrested on Thursday in Hartford in relation to an August road rage incident, according to state police. Waterbury police arrest 2 alleged car thieves Joaquim Pereira, 69, was allegedly traveling on Route 5/15 in Hartford on Aug. 10 when he displayed a firearm during a road rage incident. He surrendered his firearms and Connecticut pistol permit when he was arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is facing charges of threatening in the 1st degree with a firearm, reckless endangerment in the 1st degree and breach of peace in the 2nd degree. He was released on a $75,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court later this month. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. DENVER (KDVR) A 22-year-old man was arrested in connection to an armed robbery of a jewelry store in Centennial on Monday, officials said Thursday. Malachi Salus, 22, was arrested on Thursday at a hotel in Colorado Springs by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force and Colorado Springs Police SWAT team. Woman shot multiple times outside of UCHealth Greeley Hospital Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salus is accused of robbing Rocky Mountain Custom Jewelry and Loan on Monday afternoon, where he walked into the store at about 4 p.m., threatened an employee, stole jewelry and then fled on foot. A manhunt was underway as police searched for him, considering him an armed and dangerous suspect. Investigators said Thursday that Salus is also linked to a bank robbery in Grand Junction that occurred on Oct. 22, and worked with the Grand Junction Police Department to obtain an arrest warrant. As of Thursday night, Salus was in custody at the Arapahoe County Detention Facility where he is facing charges of aggravated robbery and theft. Nick Bostedt, owner of Rocky Mountain Custom Jewelry and Loan, told FOX31s Alliyah Sims that this isnt the first time his business has been robbed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two months ago we had a break-in in the middle of the night by some gang members that came through, he said. This is the first armed robbery we had. The man sought by police had come into the store earlier in the day, Bostedt said, and could be seen on security footage. Luxury home burglaries in Arapahoe County lead to almost $1M in stolen goods He came in as a customer, wandered around the shop, looked at a few pieces of jewelry, Bostedt told Sims. I would say he was in there for about 15-20 minutes prior to the robbery. Bostedt first thought something was wrong when he saw the man on the stores Ring doorbell, which sends a notification to every employees phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He actually thanked Dylan, saying Thank you for cooperating with me, and Im sorry I have to do this, my family is in trouble right now and I need some help, Borstedt told Sims. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 55-year-old Miami man has been indicted more than eight years after his 8-year-old daughter and her mother went missing, federal prosecutors announced. Daniella Moreno and her mother, Liliana Moreno, 43, were last seen on May 30, 2016, at or near a Home Depot in Hialeah, Florida, according to an FBI press release seeking information on their whereabouts. For years, Daniellas father, Gustavo Alfonso Castano Restrepo was considered a person of interest as the last person to see them alive. But it wasnt until Tuesday that federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Florida unsealed an indictment against him, charging him with kidnapping resulting in death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors did not immediately answer questions from HuffPost about what led to the new indictment. According to police documents cited by local TV station WPLG in 2016, on May 30, Castano Restrepo had asked Liliana Moreno and their daughter to come with him to the Home Depot, but he got into an argument with Liliana Moreno while driving. Castano Restrepo told police he pulled over and dropped the two off near a turnpike, after she scratched his arm. Castano Restrepo said he drove to his job at a warehouse, but when he returned to pick Liliana and Daniella up, they werent there. The mother and daughter werent reported missing until Liliana Morenos sister was unable to contact her for days and Daniella was absent from school, police in Doral said at the time, according to NBC affiliate WTVJ. Police suspected foul play after checking Morenos apartment and found it was unoccupied, and that Moreno appeared to have left suddenly. An immense search effort began and was covered closely by local media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days later, police found Castano Restrepo inside a truck parked outside the Home Depot in Hialeah, harming himself with a knife, the Miami Herald reported. He denied his involvement in his daughters and Morenos disappearances, CBS News reported. In 2021, investigators sought to bring new attention to the case, which had by then gone cold, even as Castano Restrepo remained a person of interest. Hes out in the community here in South Florida, Miami-Dade Police Detective Christopher Villano told CBS News at the time. Were dotting all our Is and crossing all our Ts and, in these cases, we dont just want to make an arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An attorney listed as Castano Restrepos representation declined to comment to HuffPost on Friday. Related... A Johnson County man filed new lawsuits against three Missouri senators, alleging they shared posts falsely identifying him as being an illegal alien and a shooter in the February Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rally shooting. Denton Loudermill, an Olathe native, filed new lawsuits Thursday in the U.S. District Court for Western Missouri against against Sen. Rick Brattin of Harrisonville, Sen. Denny Hoskins of Warrensburg and Sen. Nick Schroer of St. Charles County. The suits are similar to the ones filed in federal court in Kansas that were dismissed last week after a judge found that the Kansas federal court lacked personal jurisdiction over the three senators, who were all from Missouri. The new suits, however, contain an added claim of libel per se. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An email seeking comment from Missouri Attorney General Andrew Baileys office, who defended the three senators in the Kansas case, was not answered Thursday. The senators did not immediately respond to a request for comment. We are still very much pursuing this, said Loudermills attorney, LaRonna Lassiter Saunders, during a news conference at the Olathe Public Library Thursday afternoon. As a private citizen, he should have a right to remain private, keep his life private and not have public figures, elected officials, be reckless and make statements and think that theres no accountability for it, Lassiter Saunders said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loudermill said on Thursday that people are still asking questions about the case. He said its hard because they put his life in danger. None of the senators have apologized for misidentifying him. I just want them to pay for that, Loudermill said. The incident has Loudermill thinking a lot about not wanting to go out in public. If the Chiefs were to win another Super Bowl, Loudermill spoke as if he might not want to be at another celebration, but then clarified that he would be there. Im going to be at the party, Loudermill said. Im thinking about not because I dont want to be in that same situation again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its hard, he said, because people he doesnt know now know who is because of the posts. Even at his job in Johnson County, people still pull out their phone and look at a video of him. He said that he doesnt know what they are thinking. The legal action came after an onslaught of false social media posts were shared with photos of Loudermill after the shooting. The suits allege that the senators each shared the posts falsely claiming that Loudermill was an illegal alien and a shooter in the February shooting that killed that killed Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a 43-year-old Johnson County mother of two, and wounded 22 others outside of Union Station. The lawsuits alleged that the Missouri lawmakers posts caused Loudermill to receive death threats, incur damages including humiliation, mental distress, anxiety, and loss of sleep. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar lawsuit filed by Loudermill against U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican, was dismissed last month. Lassiter Saunders said they are looking to refile that case in the federal court in Washington D.C. The Stars Kacen Bayless contributed to this reporting. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Police have released the identity of a man found dead in the Parkrose neighborhood back in August. The early morning of Aug. 25, officers responded to a call that a body had been found in the area of 10700 NE Fremont St. Man killed after being hit by MAX train in North Portland Upon finding the body, police say they could not immediately identify the person as a man or woman, due to the state of the remains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, police have now identified the man was 49-year-old Vincent Buttafuoco. Officials said Buttafuocos cause of death is unknown at this time and the case is still under investigation. If anyone has information about this incident, they are asked 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. KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) A man was found guilty in a December 2022 murder in Kalamazoo. On Friday, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety said a jury found Keyshawn Isreal Givhan, 28, guilty of first-degree murder and weapon charges. The charges stem from the Dec. 30, 2022, murder of James Douglas White, Jr., 29. Man sentenced for 2022 murder in Kalamazoo A co-defendant, Jalani Darshawn Nowling, was convicted of first-degree murder in February and is serving a life sentence without parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Givhan is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 2. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) A judge gave a man probation and a suspended sentence Thursday after he pleaded guilty to attacking a former U.S. senator as she was running along a riverside park in western Iowa. Dominic Henton, 26, was given the suspended sentence and probation for the Nov. 8, 2023, assault of Martha McSally, a former senator from Arizona. Mother delivers testimony during trial for alleged sexual assault at Urbandale school Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McSally, who served in the Senate from 2019 to 2020, had been running in a park along the Missouri River in Council Bluffs, Iowa, when a man assaulted her, she said in an Instagram video posted that day. McSally said the man followed her across a pedestrian bridge and then grabbed and attempted to grope her, but she was able to fight him off and chase him into a thicket. Helped by security camera footage, investigators identified her attacker and arrested Henton the next day in Omaha, Nebraska, across the river from Council Bluffs. Henton pleaded guilty and was released from jail after serving about 90 days. He was given a suspended one-year jail sentence as well as two years of probation. Henton will go to a residential treatment center in Council Bluffs and participate in a sex offender treatment program, Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber told the Omaha World-Herald. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Travis Branson, sentenced and ordered to pay restitution for killing eagles and selling their feathers, walks out of the Russell Smith Federal Courthouse in Missoula in October 2024 with his coat over his head. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan) A Washington man who shot and sold eagles for the price of a bullet and bragged about going on a killing spree was sentenced Thursday to 46 months in federal prison for his role in leading a trafficking scheme on the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana. Travis John Branson, 49, who may have killed at least 3,600 birds in the course of 12 years, also was ordered to pay $777,250 in restitution for the eagles and hawks the U.S. government could prove he killed through text messages and other evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In U.S. District Court of Montana in Missoula, Branson apologized to his family and told them he loved them. He thanked everyone that put time into this. I know what I did was wrong, Branson said. However, in his text messages read in court by a special investigator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Branson was full of braggadocio about the shootings, which he said he had done since as early as the 1980s. Out hear (sic) committing felonies, he said in one text message read in court. He used high powered optics, including expensive spotting scopes, and he killed birds at night, according to the evidence provided in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hit one of them babies bad in the wing flew off and if he lands he going to crash lol bad bad ugly, said part of one text message from Branson read in court. Said another: I was nailing em w/ night vision down south lol. The photograph presented as evidence in the case shows nine sets of feathers. (Courtesy of the U.S. Attorneys Office in Montana) In March, Branson pleaded guilty to conspiracy, two counts of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles and violation of the Lacey Act, which prohibits interstate sale of poached wildlife. He will self report to prison, and he will serve three years of supervised release after his prison term. Judge: Crimes related to shooting, killing eagles and hawks were calculated In pronouncing the sentence, federal Judge Dana Christensen said he was profoundly concerned with Bransons criminal behavior that led to the deaths of golden and bald eagles, immature birds and hawks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think if you had not been caught, youd still be doing it today, Christensen said. The judge said the crimes were calculated. Branson knew he was violating federal law, as revealed in his text messages, and yet he continued to set baits, build blinds, direct others and shoot birds, Christensen said. The judge said Branson did so for the money: You were acting out of greed over and over and over again. From 2009 until 2021, Branson made from $180,000 to $360,000 by selling eagles feathers and parts for profit on the black market, the government estimated. The restitution amount the judge ordered accounts for $5,000 for each of 118 eagles killed and $1,750 for each of 107 hawks killed. Thats the number of birds the U.S. government could prove Branson killed from 2015 through 2021, the period of six years for which he was charged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Determining market value for black market birds is difficult, the judge said. One 2017 study estimated essentially twice the amounts granted in the judgment, but the amounts ordered align with an affidavit used in another federal case and the values sought by the government. However, an alleged conspirator estimated Bransons crew killed 300 to 400 birds a year and had done so for at least 12 years, according to testimony from the special agent resulting in an indictment that calculated some 3,600 birds killed. Special agent says Branson coordinated kills of protected birds to sell feathers On the witness stand, Special Agent Mona Iannelli said Branson was the coordinator of the kills and the sales. She said others who worked with him would send Branson pictures, and he would communicate with purchasers. In some cases, she said, Branson would ask for their help finding other buyers, and in other cases, he would alert them to more kills ahead we gonna go hard in the next few days, he said in a text she read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the crew was particularly interested in immature golden eagles, whose feathers are black and white and highly sought after for many buyers. In one case, she explained a photo captured with a surveillance camera of Branson sitting in the passenger seat of a truck with a firearm pointed ahead. She said the clarity of the picture indicates Branson was driving slowly toward a nearby bait site. She said after eagles eat or overeat on a carcass, they often perch because theyre full, and she believes Branson was waiting to shoot an eagle that would feed and then rest on a large snagged tree nearby. Iannelli, who explained to the court the process investigators used to trace the 118 eagles and 107 hawks directly to Branson, also said those numbers appear to represent a fraction of the actual killings, which took place in and outside Montana: I believe that this is just a small glimpse of the killing that was happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said eagles are not only birds of biological interest, they are a national symbol of freedom and liberty, and laws have been passed to protect bald and golden eagles. Ignoring these laws, Travis Branson and others hunted and slaughtered thousands of eagles on the Flathead Indian Reservation for over 30 years, then sold them on the black market across the United States and elsewhere, Laslovich said. Even after he knew the authorities were onto him, Branson continued to kill and butcher the birds to sell their feathers, he said. Laslovich said Branson was brazen in the conspiracy, untangled through collaboration among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes fish and game department, and the U.S. Attorneys Office District of Montana. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Laslovich said the most offensive thing to him in the case is how numb (Branson) was when he killed these protected species. He thought this was funny, but hes not laughing today, and nor are we, Laslovich said. He was enthusiastic, even giddy, about slaying these protective groups, which makes his conduct all the more unconscionable and grotesque. Laslovich said many people joined forces to resurrect the bald eagle when it was on the verge of extinction, culminating in the passage of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and he said hes proud to contribute to the success story. However, Laslovich also said the case cant bring back the birds Branson killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But we can, and we will, hold accountable those who are doing so, just as weve done with Mr. Branson today, Laslovich said. Co-defendant in the case Simon Paul also has been indicted in the conspiracy. The government said he remains a fugitive. In a statement provided by the U.S. Attorneys Office, CSKT Chairman Mike Dolson said the Flathead Indian Reservation will feel the effects of the loss of the raptors Branson killed for years. We hope this helps put a stop to illegal poaching on our homelands and gives these birds a chance to recover, Dolson said. Eagles are not only a treasured and important part of the Reservations ecosystem, but they also have a profound place in CSKT cultural and spiritual practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daily Montanan, like the Idaho Capital Sun, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Daily Montanan maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Darrell Ehrlick for questions: info@dailymontanan.com. Follow Daily Montanan on Facebook and X. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) A Washington state man accused of leading a wildlife trafficking ring on a Native American reservation that killed thousands of eagles and hawks to sell on the black market was sentenced Thursday to nearly four years in prison. The trafficking ring operated for years on the Flathead Indian Reservation in northwest Montana, exploiting high demand among tribal members for feathers and other bird parts that are used in powwows and sacred ceremonies. The defendant and others killed at least 118 eagles, 107 hawks and as many as 3,600 birds overall, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juvenile golden eagles in particular were targeted because their black and white feathers are highly desired among Native Americans, officials said. The poaching operation centered on the Flathead Indian Reservation in northwestern Montana, which researchers say has some of the highest concentrations of eagles and other birds of prey in the U.S. Members of the trafficking ring would set out carcasses of elk, calves and deer, and then shoot eagles that came to feed on them, officials said. They would also shoot hawks opportunistically off of power poles and other perches. Travis John Branson, 49, of Cusick, Washington, pleaded guilty in March to charges of conspiracy and wildlife trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen in Missoula said during his sentencing hearing that the killing of birds by Branson was calculated, extensive and carried out with full knowledge that he was breaking the law. If you had not been caught youd still be doing it today, the judge said. Christensen ordered Branson to pay $777,250 in restitution $5,000 for each eagle killed and $1,750 for each hawk. The sentence was at the upper end of federal sentencing guidelines. Prior to being sentenced, Branson apologized to the court and his family. Its my own fault, he said. I know what I did was wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In text messages obtained by investigators and presented at the sentencing hearing, Branson wrote of killing birds since the 1980s. So many I cant remember anymore LOL, Branson said in one text. Other texts described eagles being shot in Nevada and Idaho and instances of dozens of birds being shot on a single weekend. This is just a small glimpse of the killing that was happening, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Mona Iannelli said during the hearing. A second defendant in the case told authorities that the trafficking ring had been operating since 2009, killing 300 to 400 birds annually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorneys Office have said others were also involved. But Branson was described during Thursdays hearing as the organizer of the trafficking ring instructing others on where and when to shoot birds, and then arranging for the sale of their feathers and parts. His lack of respect for the sanctity of these protected birds was driven by only one thing: greed, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said following the hearing. Laslovich added that those who purchased the feathers shared responsibility for the killings. The prosecutor said he wanted to put buyers on notice that their conduct is a federal crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors had asked the judge to impose a significant prison sentence and order Branson to pay restitution. He faced up to five years in prison on the conspiracy charge. His public defender asked for a sentence of probation and claimed that prosecutors overstated the number of birds killed. Federal Defender Andrew Nelson also disputed the restitution amount, saying it was too high for the eagles and the hawks should not be counted. Christensen rejected the arguments. Branson had no prior criminal history, according to Nelson. He grew up on the Flathead reservation, home of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of the criminal charges, he lost his job as a maintenance supervisor for the Kalispel Tribe in Washington and suffered a stroke in April, Nelson said. The large numbers of birds killed in the case underscores the persistence of a thriving illegal trade in eagle feathers despite law enforcement efforts over the past decade that netted dozens of criminal indictments across the U.S. West and Midwest. Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Chairman Mike Dolson said the loss of so many birds of prey from the Flathead Reservation will be felt for years to come. Eagles are important to the reservation's ecosystem and also the cultural and spiritual practices of tribal members, he said. We hope this helps put a stop to illegal poaching on our homelands, Dolson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bald eagles, once highly imperiled by the pesticide DDT, have bounced back in recent decades and are now abundant. The recovery of golden eagles has been more tenuous and researchers have warned that the population is on the brink of decline due to shootings, poisonings, electrocutions on power lines, collisions with wind turbines and other threats. Its illegal to buy or sell eagle feathers or other parts. The government has sought to offset strong demand for feathers among Native Americans by providing them for free from a government repository. But theyre unable to keep up with demand and the repository has a yearslong backlog. Branson made between $180,000 and $360,000 from 2009 to 2021 selling bald and golden eagle parts illegally, court records said. Christensen allowed Branson to remain out of custody until he reports for prison. The defendant made an obscene gesture to reporters as he left the courthouse without commenting further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He waived his right to appeal Thursday's sentence, under a plea deal that included the dismissal of additional charges. The second defendant, Simon Paul, of St. Ignatius, Montana, remains at large. A federal judge issued an arrest warrant for Paul in December after he failed to show up for an initial court hearing. Court documents have suggested he fled to Canada. Federally recognized tribes can apply for permits with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to take a bald or golden eagle for religious purposes. Enrolled tribal members can apply for feathers and other bird parts from the National Eagle Repository in Colorado and non-government repositories in Oklahoma and Arizona. FRANKLIN, Ala. (WHNT) A Phil Campbell man was killed in a two-vehicle wreck on Thursday, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. ALEA said the accident happened on Oct. 31, on Alabama 243 just east of Phil Campbell. Multiple crews respond to building fire in Limestone County Kenny R. Petty, 68, was killed when authorities said the truck he was driving collided with another vehicle. Both trucks left the roadway, Petty overturned before hitting a tree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver and his passenger were both injured and taken to Russellville Hospital for treatment. State troopers are continuing to investigate the accident. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) A former San Marcos man was sentenced Oct. 10 in connection with three charges related to the sexual abuse of a child, according to the Hays County Criminal District Attorneys Office. Records showed 34-year-old Joseph Pavelka IX was found guilty by a jury of two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of indecency with a child by sexual contact. A judge sentenced Pavelka to serve six years in prison on all three counts, which will run concurrently. He must also be registered as a sex offender for the duration of his life, according to the DAs office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a release from the county, Pavelka was found guilty of sexually abusing the victim from the ages of six and seven while he was 17 and 18 years old at the time. The evidence showed that the abuse was not immediately disclosed due to the defendants threats made to the victim, including that she would get in trouble and that she would not be believed, the office said. During Pavelkas trial, the victims childhood journals were presented as evidence. They described the abuse and emotional trauma experienced because of Pavelka, according to the DAs office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Cassidy Story and Rowan St. John. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We would like to thank the victim for her patience and courage to face her abuser after years of being silenced, Story said. The jurys verdict sent a message to her and this community that they will not tolerate child sexual abuse, regardless of the time it took for the perpetrators crimes to be revealed. The DAs office said Pavelka was not eligible for probation based on the severity of the offenses. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) A New Jersey man was sentenced to over four years in prison for drug trafficking offenses in Connecticut Friday. Jose Martin Chavez-Valencia, 37, of Bergenfield was sentenced to 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for trafficking heroin. According to statements and court documents, The Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force arranged to buy three kilograms of heroin and fentanyl from Chavez-Valencias associates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sept. 26, 2022, Chavez-Valencia went to a parking lot in West Haven to complete the transaction but was arrested. Windsor man sentenced to 50 years for fatal shootings in Bloomfield Investigators searched his car and found around three kilograms of heroin and another two kilograms of heroin he also possessed. Chavez-Valencia has been detained since his arrest. On March 4, 2024, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ST. LOUIS A St. Louis man was sentenced to prison on Friday after he shot and wounded two police officers last year in the citys Soulard neighborhood. According to the St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court, Cortez D. Sipes, 38, received a 20-year prison sentence after shooting the officers on Feb. 2, 2023, as he fled from police for a suspected robbery. Reportedly, Sipes admitted on Sept. 25 that he fled from officers in his pickup truck around 10:30 p.m. that night in the 800 block of Julia Street. He continued to flee from officers and drove through the Soulard Market, where his vehicle crashed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man accused of stealing over $21K worth of tires in Ballwin: Police After the crash, Sipes opened fire on both officers at their upper bodies, and they returned fire, hitting Sipes in the ankle. Both officers Sean Miskovic and Lucas Roethlisberger survived their wounds and spoke about the shooting while in court on Friday. Reportedly, Miskovic shared with the court that he hopes Sipes will find peace and God while imprisoned. He even offered Sipes a red Bible with a personal message of hope inscribed inside of it. I pray for you, your family, and your soul, Miscovic said Friday. Roesthlisberger also spoke, asking Sipes why he opened fire on them and recalled the moment a bullet entered his side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thought I was going to die, Roethlisberger said. Sipes responded with an apology to the officers for his actions that night. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Sipes received a 17-year term for two counts of first-degree assault and a three-year term for two counts of armed criminal action. He additionally pleaded guilty to counts of unlawful gun possession and resisting arrest. Sipes has a previous criminal history of assault on a law enforcement officer and illegal gun possession. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a man was shot and killed in Northeast D.C. on Thursday night. Police said that on Nov. 1 at about 4 a.m., they were dispatched to the 4400 block of Benning Road for the report of a shooting. MPD arrests man for stealing dog Pepper from boat in Navy Yard, police say When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man not conscious or breathing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man died there. Anyone with information can call the police at 202-727-9099 or text 50411. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. MONROE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A man was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries after he was shot in the parking lot of a Monroe apartment complex Thursday, police said. The shooting happened around 8:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, in the 1600 block of Icemorlee Street at the Icemorlee apartment complex. As officers arrived at the scene they found a man, Brandon Williams, 29, of Marshville, who had been shot. He was taken to a Charlotte-area hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monroe Police said it appears there was an argument in the parking lot between Williams and another person. The two exchanged gunfire and Williams was shot. This remains an active, ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information on this shooting is asked to call the Monroe Police Department at 704-282-4700. MORE FROM QCNEWS.COM Crime & Public Safety Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Early voting concluded on Thursday in Tennessee, but how many people cast their ballots early? The Tennessee Secretary of States office created a dashboard highlighting early voter turnout for this years general election. Overall, there were 2,214,870 votes cast during the states two-week early voting period. Over 96% of those ballots were cast in-person. VIDEO: Mayor OConnell predicts strong voter turnout Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early voter turnout for this general election is comparable to totals from 2020, with just a 2.89% change between them. However, its nearly one-third higher than the early voter turnout for the 2016 general election. A few Middle Tennessee counties saw noticeable changes in estimated early voter turnout compared to estimated early voter turnout in 2020. DeKalb County, for example, saw an increase of over 25%. Maury County saw an increase of more than 14%. When comparing 2024 early voter turnout to 2016, some counties saw even more dramatic increases. For instance, Grundy County saw an increase of 68.15%. Read the full comparison from the Secretary of State here Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Secretary of States office also broke down turnout by day, finding that for every general election year, the busiest day at the polls has consistently been the first day theyre open. This year, more than 215,000 Tennesseans cast their ballot on the first day of early voting. Williamson County had the highest estimated voter turnout, with over 60% of their registered voters casting ballots. Wilson, Cheatham and Rutherford Counties also helped round out the top five counties with the highest voter turnout. Each of those counties saw higher estimated voter turnout than the estimated turnout for the state as a whole, which came in at 45.88%. If youre curious about turnout in your county, the Secretary of State provided a map highlighting early voter turnout. Hover over any county to see how many early voters cast ballots and what preliminary voter turnout looked like. A spokesperson for the Secretary of States office added that early voting numbers do not include provisional ballots, which will not be counted until after Election Day. Provisional ballots will be included on the final voter turnout report provided by the Secretary of States office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FBI setting up election command post ahead of Election Day in Tennessee The final total could also see an increase in the number of absentee ballots recorded as the state continues to receive mail between the end of the early voting period and the close of polls on Election Day. The spokesperson added that counties will have 45 days to submit all data to the state. News 2 will have all the latest election information on Election Day. Follow along online and on-air. You can follow this link to see historical election results provided by the Secretary of State. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. During the first day of Daniel Pennys manslaughter trial in the death of Jordan Neely on the New York City subway last year, the prosecution and defense painted dueling portraits of Penny in opening statements. The prosecution said the former Marine went way too far and violated law and human decency by putting Neely, a homeless street artist, in a fatal chokehold. The defense countered Penny was responding to a threat, and his actions that day prove he is not someone who devalued human life under the circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their opening statement, the defense said while Penny held Neely in a chokehold, Penny did not squeeze him with force the entire time. Lawyers for Penny plan to argue Neely did not die from Pennys chokehold, but rather a combination of other factors including Neelys alleged drug use. Penny, 26, is facing second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges in Neelys death in May 2023. He has said his actions were an attempt to protect people on the subway. The trial touches on the hot-button issues of subway crime, mental illness, race relations and vigilante justice. Neely, who is Black, had boarded a crowded subway in Manhattan and was acting erratically and loudly yelling, according to witnesses. Penny, who is White, then grabbed Neely from behind and put him in a chokehold, and he maintained the hold for about six minutes, including after Neely stopped moving, according to prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neely was later pronounced dead at a hospital. A medical examiner ruled his death a homicide. Several minutes of the chokehold were captured on bystander video, leading to protests and calls for Penny to be arrested. Others have defended Pennys actions and have donated over $3 million to his legal defense fund. Protesters stand on the train tracks at the Lexington Avenue/63rd Street subway station during a "Justice for Jordan Neely" protest on May 6, 2023. - Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images Penny surrendered to police on a manslaughter charge nearly two weeks after Neelys death, and the Manhattan District Attorneys Office announced an indictment at the end of the following month. Jordan Neely took his last breaths on the dirty floor of an uptown F train, Manhattan prosecutor Dafna Yoran said Friday in her opening statement. At the time he died he was 30 years old, homeless, suffering from mental illness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We pass people like Jordan Neely every day in New York City, on our way to the store, on our way to work, on our way back. Yoran continued. We are trained not to engage, to pretend that they are not there. Neely walked into a moderately packed subway car and began screaming threats. He talked about being hungry and thirsty. His voice was loud, the prosecutor said. In response, The defendant Daniel Penny took it upon himself to neutralize him. He wrapped his legs around Mr. Neelys body and held him there. Seconds later the train arrived at the train station, Yoran said. With no one left to protect, the defendant nonetheless kept Mr. Neely in a deadly chokehold for an additional 5 minutes and 53 seconds. He continued to choke Jordan Neely after Mr. Neely had lost consciousness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Penny has specialized training in chokeholds, so he knew that continuing to choke Mr. Neely once he had already passed out could and would lead to his death, Yoran said, detailing the defendants military background. The prosecutor said Penny went way too far. His indifference towards Mr. Neely the man whose life he was literally holding in his hands - caused him to disregard basic precautions, in contravention of the law and human decency. After releasing him from the deadly chokehold, Penny didnt look back, Yoran said. He went and picked up his hat that had fallen off, he dusted himself off and then he stood over Mr. Neely, waiting for the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecutor pointed out despite being trained in first aid, Penny never once attempted to help Neely. Yoran detailed some of the evidence that will be presented to the jury, including video captured by journalist Juan Alberto Vasquez, calling it the single most important piece of evidence. Yoran warned jurors will see Neelys life being snuffed out. Defense Attorney Thomas Kenniff in his opening statement told jurors Penny was responding to a threat on the subway when he moved to restrain Neely and put him in a chokehold. Kenniff said seething, psychotic Jordan Neely displayed unhinged rage, causing the passengers on the train men, women and children to cower in fear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Neely screamed about being hungry and thirsty, Kenniff said, the environment changed when Neely took off his jacket, whipped it around his head and dropped it on the ground with such force the train fell silent. At that moment Danny sees a mother barricading her son behind a stroller just as Mr. Neely appears to go for them, Kenniff said. (Danny) hears the words, I will kill. When Jordan Neely threatened to kill, there was only one thing Daniel Penny could do. In a nod to the evidence in the case, as well as their defense strategy, Kenniff said while Penny held Neely in a chokehold, he did not squeeze him the entire time, noting that Neely never appeared to be choking and he did not say he couldnt breathe. Kenniff said evidence will show Neely did not die from the chokehold but rather from cardiac arrest caused by the use of drugs and likely the excitement of the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Penny took actions anyone of us would want someone to take, Kenniff added. You stand up and protect thy neighbor. Thats what Daniel Penny did. Before opening statements, Penny, dressed in a navy blue suit, light blue shirt and dark tie, could be seen saying good morning to court staff before taking a seat at the defense table. Neelys father along with other supporters are sitting in the back of the courtroom. With protests outside the courthouse audible inside the courtroom, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Maxwell Wiley instructed the jury to not listen to the words being yelled. Anything you should hear outside the courtroom has nothing to do with this, Wiley said. If you hear people expressing opinions outside this court, ignore them. Police officers testify Body camera video from the first responding officer was introduced Friday as the initial piece of evidence in the trial. The several-minute-long video shows Neely lying motionless on the ground, his body limp, as more officers arrive at the scene. The officers check for Neelys pulse and eventually move to render aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After opening statements, prosecutors called three of several police officers who responded to the scene. The prosecution introduced video captured by a body camera worn by Teodoro Tejada, who was one of the first officers on the subway platform. The video shows him running down into the subway from street level and arriving at the subway car to find Neely motionless on the floor as bystanders and Penny stand by. Tejada testified he checked Neely for a pulse. Initially he said he felt a faint pulse later on the stand, he said when checked again, Neely did not have a pulse. Other officers provided similar testimony. Tejada said as he was trying to aid Neely he did sternum rubs while another officer also checked for Neelys pulse and began shouting at him as if trying to rouse him from sleep. The second officer, Dennis Kang, a 6-year veteran of the NYPD, said Pennys eyes appeared to be open and closed at the same time. In the video, Neelys eyes appear slightly open, but his sight does not appear focused as he lays motionless and limp on the ground. When asked by the defense if he had felt a pulse on Neely, Kang replied, yes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sergeant Carl Johnson, in charge of the public safety unit that day, also testified he arrived at the platform but he said he found Neely totally unresponsive. When I came down to the subway, I did not see Mr. Neely breathing, Johnson said. Johnson can be seen on video administering Narcan to Neely. During his testimony, the officer said although he did not know if Neely was a drug user, he administered Narcan while operating under the assumption he was a homeless person and a likely drug user who was possibly overdosing. I came in, we checked Mr. Neely, gave him some Narcan and I asked Mr. Penny what happened, Johnson said. Neelys father, sitting in the courtroom gallery on Friday, could be seen holding his head in his hands, wiping tears. As the video played, he bowed his head, looking away from the screen from time to time, shaking his head. The killing has polarized city residents, many of whom have personal experiences with disorder on the subways, and raised broader questions about the racial dynamics at play and how the city treats people with mental health issues. Former President Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News last week it was an awfully tough case. At jury selection over the last two weeks, most jurors said they ride the subway frequently and have witnessed outbursts from people acting erratically on the trains. Some said these outbursts made them feel personally threatened, while others said the outbursts did not. Penny has said Neely was acting in a threatening manner, and his attorneys have said they are confident a jury will find his actions were fully justified. Penny, who is out of jail on a $100,000 bond, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of manslaughter and up to 4 years if convicted of criminally negligent homicide. Jeremy Saland, a former prosecutor for the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, said the case touches on a lot of major issues and emotions. This is something that is relatable to so many people and thats why its enraged the passion on both sides, from Leave Penny alone, all he was doing was protecting the lives of fellow subway riders, and on the flip side, He needs to be held accountable for taking the life of another person. What happened on the subway The evidence is likely to focus on testimony from witnesses on board the train that day, as well as experts in medicine and restraint tactics. The defense has said they have not decided if Penny will testify. The fatal encounter happened on the afternoon of May 1, 2023, on a northbound F train at the Second Avenue station in Manhattan. Neely, a Michael Jackson impersonator, shouted at passengers that he was hungry, thirsty and tired of having nothing, and he threw his jacket on the trains floor, according to Juan Alberto Vazquez, a witness who filmed the incident. I dont care if I die. I dont care if I go to jail, Neely said, according to Vazquez. Penny then came up behind Neely and put him in a chokehold, and the two fell to the ground and remained there for several minutes. When police arrived at the subway station in Lower Manhattan before 2:30 p.m., they administered first aid to an unconscious Neely. In a court filing, prosecutors said witness accounts differed about Neelys exact words and actions prior to the chokehold. While a few witnesses stated they were fearful of Neely, others felt differently, including one person who described the moment as being like another day typically in New York. None of the witnesses said Neely had physical contact with anyone before Penny came up behind him, according to the prosecution filing. Many witnesses relayed that Mr. Neely expressed that he was homeless, hungry, and thirsty. Most recount that Mr. Neely indicated a willingness to go to jail or prison, the prosecutor wrote in the filing. Penny told police Neely was irate and threatening everybody and others on the train were afraid, according to court records filed last June. I just put him out. I just put him in a chokehold, Penny said. Penny also told the New York Post he was deeply saddened by the loss of life and the incident had nothing to do with race. Neelys family members to attend trial New York police officers respond to the scene of Neely's death on a subway train on Monday, May 1, 2023, in New York. - Paul Martinka/AP Penny is a veteran who served in the US Marines, according to law enforcement and military records. He was a sergeant and served from 2017 to 2021, and his last duty assignment was at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, military records show. Neely was known for his smooth Michael Jackson dance moves that entertained many yet he struggled after the trauma of his mothers murder in 2007, when he was 14 years old. Neely was on a New York City Department of Homeless Services list of the citys homeless with acute needs, sometimes referred to internally as the Top 50 list, a source told CNN last year. Donte Mills, the attorney representing Neelys family, said the street performers loved ones have not moved on from the subway killing and they never will. The fact of the case is this: Someone got on the train and was screaming, and someone choked that person to death, Mills said in a news conference October 21. Those things will never balance out, and theres no justification that can make those things balance out. Mills said there will be as many as 20 family members attending the trial. Saland, the former prosecutor, said a huge factor in the case will be those eyewitness accounts of the interaction and whether the use of force was justified. Was that threat real and imminent? Were basing that on a reasonable persons standard here, Saland said. This is why its not just going to rest on what Penny says but what these other people said in terms of their observations of what occurred. CNNs Rebekah Riess, Jessica Xing, Ray Sanchez, Sharif Paget and Veronica Stracqualursi contributed to this report. This story has been update with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Mark Cuban is taking back some of his questionable political comments. The Shark Tank star recently held nothing back while making an appearance on The View on Thursday, Oct. 31, where he claimed that Republican candidate Donald Trump is "never" around "strong and intelligent women." SIGN UP for Parade's Trending News newsletter & we'll keep you in the know on the viral pop culture moments & celebrity news everyone is talking about Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But his comments ended up leaving some fans offended, claiming that his words were "insulting" to women and specifically, to female voters. As a result, Cuban, 66, took to social media to issue an apology and clarify what he meant with his statement. "When I said this during the interview, I didn't get it out exactly the way I thought I did," Cuban wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Nov. 1. "I apologize to anyone who felt slighted or upset by my response. As I said, it wasn't about trump voters, supporters or employees. Current or former." "And, I set myself up for the 6 sec soundbite. No excuses. Can't nail every interview," he admitted before adding, "My skin is thick enough." When I said this during the interview, I didn't get it out exactly the way I thought I did. So I apologize to anyone who felt slighted or upset by my response. As I said, it wasn't about trump voters, supporters or employees. Current or former And, I set myself up for the 6 https://t.co/u0BNmrHiaL Mark Cuban (@mcuban) November 1, 2024 But Cuban then addressed the level of hate he's receiving online, as he's been dealing with backlash ever since endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What bothers me though is that so many of the comments or media, in support of, or against me, has some level of insult attached to it. Not just here. But everywhere," he said. "I'm not blaming anyone. We are where we are," he continued. "Here is hoping that changes at least a little bit in a week." Cuban, along with several other celebrities, have become increasingly vocal about politics as the presidential election draws nearer. After publicly endorsing Harris last month, Cuban insisted, "Donald Trump is a threat," during a podcast appearance late last month. "If you dont think Donald Trump is a threat, you dont think this is the most important election," Cuban further declared at the time. Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Next: How Barack Obama Really Feels About His Daughter's Name Change The Maryland Attorney Generals Office said Thursday that it is sending a cease-and-desist letter to a pair of Washington D.C.-based nonprofits for threatening to expose individuals voting history. The Center for Voter Information and the Voter Participation Center sent voting report cards to Marylanders that described whether they voted in the previous four elections, according to a news release from the attorney generals office. The report cards also listed the voting histories of two neighbors on the same street while redacting their names and addresses. Let me be clear: these unnerving letters are unacceptable, and Maryland voters should know that their decision to vote this Election Day is entirely theirs to make, Attorney General Anthony Brown said in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mailers also contain a statement that the center will be reviewing these records after the election to determine whether or not you joined your neighbors in voting. Maryland law permits a requestor to receive a copy of the voter registration list with voters election participation history but prohibits actions designed to influence or attempt to influence a voters decision to vote through the use of force, fraud, threat, menace, intimidation, bribery, reward, or offer of reward, according to the release. The recipients to whom our office has spoken have uniformly described feeling intimidated, threatened, shocked, and ill-at-ease by this mailing, the attorney generals office said. This threat to publicly expose the recipients voting record violates both Maryland and federal laws. The nonprofits have previously responded to criticism from officials in other states, noting it is a get-out-the-vote effort aiming to increase participation from underrepresented populations including people of color, young people, and unmarried women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofits have described their mail and digital campaigns as encouraging voter participation and making it easier for people to register. Information about voter registration and participation is public in most states, including Maryland, and is often used by political groups and other get-out-the-vote efforts. That data does not include who voters ultimately voted for. The groups described themselves as nonpartisan, though their founder, Page Gardner, and CEO, Tom Lopach, are both former Democratic strategists. _________ ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) Maryland became the first state on Friday to join a federal program designed to improve health care quality and equity while lowering costs for all health care payers, including Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers. It builds on Marylands Total Cost of Care Model, which sets a per capita limit on Medicares total cost of care in Maryland and encompasses the states unique all-payer hospital payment system, which reduces per capita hospital expenditures and supports improved health outcomes, as encouraged by the Affordable Care Act. This new federal framework, known as the AHEAD model, has been designed to deliver high-quality health care through greater coordination, with a focus on health equity and social needs to support underserved patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AHEAD model is the next chapter in health care, so we are proud to be writing that new chapter right here in the state of Maryland, said Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat who signed the agreement with U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. Since the 1970s, Maryland has had a hospital all-payer system that enables the state to set its own rates for hospital services, and all payers must charge the same rate for services at a given hospital. Its designed to provide equitable access to care, eliminate the need for charity hospitals and ensure patients are treated the same regardless of insurance status. State law authorizes the system, which bases costs on rates set by hospitals. It has continued to be the foundation of each subsequent evolution of the Maryland health care model. Maryland has this unique system that weve developed over a period of decades now, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, told reporters after a news conference in Annapolis. Were taking it to the next level by signing this AHEAD agreement, and the bottom line is it helps us accomplish three top priorities: equity, quality, affordability. Thats the goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Maryland Department of Health will now begin planning to implement the AHEAD model starting Jan. 1, 2025. That will include establishing targets for cost growth, quality and equity improvements, population health, and primary care investments as well as identifying regional partnerships to drive AHEAD goals. Sen. Ben Cardin said the agreement keeps in place state policy that health care providers receive the same pay for services, so hospitals have incentives to provide equal care, whether you have private insurance, government insurance, or no insurance. Secondly, we are now committed to making sure that we have the most effective quality care, said Cardin, a Democrat. So, we invest in primary care. We invest in early detection, prevention, so that we can keep you healthier, so you dont have to spend as much time with health care needs. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has selected five other states Vermont, Connecticut, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and regions of New York for participation in the AHEAD Model. Marylands participation in the AHEAD Model is a critical step forward in improving the overall health of its residents, supporting primary care, transforming health care in communities throughout the state, and addressing disparities in the health care system, Brooks-LaSure said. UPDATE (6:34 PM, November 1): Oneida County Sheriffs have located Melissa Hovancik and her safety has been verified. UPDATE (5:30 PM, November 1): Oneida County Sheriffs are investigating a missing persons complaint for Melissa Hovancik, the female arrested by deputies on Thursday, October 31. She was last seen in the area of Judd Road in Whitestown on Thursday, October 31 at approximately 7:45 pm. She has brown hair and eyes and was last seen wearing a white sweatshirt and blue jeans. Hovancik is approximately five feet, nine inches tall, and weighs approximately 140 to 145 pounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If anyone has any information about Melissa Hovanciks whereabouts, you are asked to contact the Oneida County Sheriffs Office at 315-736-0141. REMSEN, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) A Maryland woman was arrested by Oneida County Sheriffs after leading them on a short chase through the village of Remsen on Thursday. At approximately 3:30 pm on Thursday, October 31, officers with the Oneida County Sheriffs Department observed a truck driven by 44-year-old Melissa Hovancik of Maryland swerving in and out of traffic while traveling southbound on Main Street. Officers also observed Hovancik crossing into oncoming traffic while almost colliding head-on with several vehicles. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Hovancik, who initially pulled over in a nearby parking lot. After stopping for a brief time, Hovancik fled southbound. Sheriffs were able to get Hovancik to stop a short distance later and conduct a traffic stop investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hovancik was subsequently taken into custody without further incident. She was ultimately charged with: Third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer, a Class A Misdemeanor, Driving While Intoxicated Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test, Reckless Driving, and five Vehicle and Traffic Law tickets. Hovancik was arraigned in Oneida County Central Arraignment Part Court. Her drivers license was suspended and she was released on her own recognizance. She is scheduled to appear in the Remsen Town Court at a later date. Oneida County Sheriffs were assisted on the scene by the New York State Police and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. ELKMONT, Ala. (WHNT) The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals has affirmed the conviction of a man who was found guilty of killing five family members in September 2019. Mason Sisk was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Sept. 7, 2023. He did not face the death penalty due to his age at the time of the crime. Sisk was only 14 when he murdered his parents and three younger siblings. After the sentencing, the Limestone County District Attorney told the media, Ive prosecuted a lot of people in my career, and I can tell you that out of all of those people, only four out of five people scare the hell out of me and hes at the top of my list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is being held at William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility in Jefferson 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 WHNT.com. STOW, Mass. (WWLP) The continued lack of rain has caused extremely dry conditions in Massachusetts and a marked increase in wildfire danger statewide. As a result, the National Weather Service issued another Red Flag warning for all of Massachusetts. The Department of Fire Services says that an average of 15 wildland fires are reported each October and this year there have been at least 200 reported last month. This number is also higher than those reported during the early spring brush fire season. Red Flag Warning: Brush fire danger high in western Massachusetts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say that 100 of the fires in the past seven days were caused by human activity. While most of the fires are in remote areas, high winds and dry conditions make it easier for them to spread to residential areas. Additionally, heavy smoke can cause poor driving conditions and impact the health of people and pets, especially those with underlying health issues. Fire officials suggest that people monitor fire conditions closely and follow instructions from local public safety officials by enabling Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) on cell phones and signing up for your communitys alert system if available. More than a quarter of this years brush and wildland fires took place in October, said Chief Fire Warden David Celino of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation. They accounted for more than half of the 1,158 acres burned so far this year. The weather conditions and dry surface fuels that have contributed to these fast-moving fires are expected to continue in the days ahead. Any outdoor fire will grow quickly, become difficult to control, and require numerous firefighting resources. About 45% of Massachusetts homes are in or near wooded areas at risk for brush and wildland fires, said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. In the current fire weather environment, any significant fire could put people and property in danger. In fact, many of them have started with activity around the house, like outdoor cooking and using lawn tractors and other power equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Battling wildland fires is labor-intensive, time-consuming, resource-heavy work for our firefighters, said Foxborough Fire Chief Michael D. Kelleher, president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts. Dead and compromised trees, off-road apparatus, and drought-induced fire behavior all pose a heightened level of danger to our personnel. Were asking all our residents to help us help them by refraining from any activity that could involve sparks, flames, and heat sources outdoors. Fire officials are asking residents to: Remember that open burning is prohibited statewide through January and in many communities year-round. Refrain from outdoor cooking and heating. Sparks and embers from chimineas, fire pits, and grills can easily ignite dry vegetation, debris, and overhanging branches. Use caution with lawnmowers, leaf blowers, all-terrain vehicles, and other power equipment. Hot engines, sparks, and spilled gasoline can ignite dry leaves and grass. Dispose of ashes from fireplaces and wood stoves in a metal can, douse them with water, and cover them with a tight-fitting lid. These ashes can remain hot enough to ignite combustibles long after the fire goes out: never dump them outdoors or in the trash. Extinguish smoking materials in a sturdy ashtray with water or sand. Never toss cigarette butts, matches, or other smoking materials over the edge of a balcony, stub them out on stairs or railings, or toss them in dry vegetation or debris. Currently, there are still several large active fires, most in the eastern part of the state: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VIEW HERE: Live Massachusetts Brush Fire Map Cain Hill Fire in Salem/Lynn: currently at 140 acres and 50% contained Middleton Pond Fire in Middleton: 188 acres and 70% contained Pappas Fire in Canton: 32 acres and 90% contained Wolcott Hill / Blue Hills Reservation: 2 acres and 100% contained Curry 24 Fire in Devens: 100 acres and 99% contained Maple Meadow Fire in Wilmington: 10 acres and 70% contained Mt. Laurel Fire in Holden: 6 acres and 95% contained Traders Way Fire in Salem: 15 acres and 50% contained Old Forest Road Fire in North Andover: 5 acres and 30% contained 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JOHANNESBURG (AP) The government of Mauritius on Friday banned access to social media websites ahead of parliamentary elections on Nov. 10 in which Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth is seeking a second term in power. The directive was announced by the national communications regulator, which said social media sites will be banned until Nov. 11, the day after the election. The unprecedented social media ban follows a wiretapping scandal which rocked the country last month when recorded conversations of politicians, business people, and members of civil society were leaked on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to media freedom advocacy group Reporters Without Borders, the recorded conversations of five well-known journalists were also published on social media. The government of the Indian Ocean island country, which has a population of 1.2 million, has claimed that these leaks are a threat to national security and instructed the communications authority to suspend all access to social media. The ICT Authority wishes to inform the public that in response to concerns regarding illegal postings that constitute a serious threat to national security and public safety, it has received directives in the evening of 31 October 2024, to direct all Internet Service Providers to temporarily suspend access to all social media platforms until 11 November 2024, the Information and Communication Technology Authority said on Friday. Network service provider EMTEL said on Friday it would comply with the directive and user experience will be progressively disrupted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EMTEL understands the inconvenience that this action shall cause to its customers but reiterates that it has no alternative other than to comply with ICTA directive, it said. Local media on Friday quoted a statement from the prime minister's office saying the suspension of social media was essential to protect national security and the country's integrity. It said a crisis committee was meeting to contain existing risks. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) expressed his fears that there may be blood if Democratic nominee Kamala Harris beats GOP rival Donald Trump in the 2024 election. Harris will win the popular vote by 5 or 6 million votes, at least and also win the electoral vote, Cohen predicted on Thursdays broadcast of NewsNations Dan Abrams Live. But Trump, he continued, wont stop at anything and well be in courts and well be in litigation and hell be telling people again to go to the Capitol if you want to have a country and fight like hell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There may be blood, and Im concerned, he added. Cohen also warned there could be behavior thats untoward and violent anytime if Trump doesnt win. There could be chaos, he said. Host Dan Abrams acknowledged its likely Trump will declare victory, even if he loses. Trump has repeatedly flip-flopped on whether he lost to Joe Biden in 2020. He did. Watch the exchange here: Related... NEW YORK (AP) New York City Mayor Eric Adams returned to court Friday, sitting stoically as his lawyers fought to eliminate a key charge in the federal corruption indictment that threatens his political future. The Democrats lawyers are fighting to throw out a bribery charge, one of five counts in a case that U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho said will go to trial April 21, 2025. Brooklyn borough president says Turkish officials offered him trips too Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They argued at a hearing in Manhattan federal court that the charge does not meet the federal standard of a crime, particularly after recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions redefined how bribery is prosecuted. Prosecutors suggested Adams lawyers were splitting hairs because, as they allege, Adams was taking bribes and exerting influence while holding a prior elected office and as he anticipated becoming mayor. Ho said he would take the arguments under advisement and attempt to rule shortly. The bribery charge does not state a federal offense and is insufficiently specific to support keeping the count as part of Adams indictment, his lawyer John Bash argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecutor for the United States had trouble defining what the quo is here, Bash said, referring to the concept of a quid pro quo, a Latin phrase essentially meaning this for that, or something for something. The indictment, which also includes wire fraud and conspiracy charges, accuses Adams of accepting flight upgrades and other luxury travel perks valued at $100,000 along with illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals looking to buy his influence. In exchange, prosecutors say, Adams performed political favors that benefited the Turkish government, including pressuring the fire department in 2021 to approve the opening of a diplomatic tower that it had deemed unsafe. Adams held a different elected position at the time, Brooklyn borough president, but by then it was clear that he would become mayor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams has pleaded not guilty to the charges and vowed to remain in office as he mounts his legal defense. Bash argued the alleged perks dont meet the legal definition of bribery because they predate his time as mayor and have nothing to do with his governmental position. Adams lawyers contend prosecutors are seeking to criminalize normal and perfectly lawful acts that Adams undertook as Brooklyn borough president before he was elected mayor. Under the law, prosecutors must show that Adams took bribes in exchange for using his official office to exert influence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagan Scotten argued that Adams role as borough president gets him in the room, as it were, with the fire commissioner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ho wondered whether, rather than Adams job as borough president, it was Adams impending move to City Hall that gave him the power to pressure the fire department. It seems a little weird when the jurisdictional connection here is that he was Brooklyn borough president but that his ability to exert pressure extends from something else, Ho said. Scotten stood firm, arguing that if Margot Robbie gave him a call and was really persuasive, the Barbie actor and producer still wouldnt be able to influence the fire department without also holding an elected office. He probably wouldve taken that call, Ho quipped, prompting laughter in the courtroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ho allotted the defense and prosecution each 20 minutes to argue the issue. The judge interjected with questions throughout the arguments, at one point asking Bash to consider whether prosecutors would be able to remedy their alleged deficiencies by providing additional details or allegations. Id hate to write the governments superseding indictment for them, if thats the direction theyre going to go, Bash replied before launching into an extended discussion of the intricacies of bribery law. Scotten said at a hearing last month that they are pursuing several related investigations and that it is quite likely prosecutors will seek a superseding indictment charging Adams with additional crimes. Scotten also said it is likely additional defendants will be charged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Late Thursday, Ho rejected another defense attempt to chip away at the case, denying Adams request for a hearing on the mayors claims that the government has been leaking information about the investigation to the news media. The judge ruled that Adams and his lawyers failed to substantiate those claims and, if any leaks occurred, that the government was to blame. In court filings outlining their arguments, Adams lawyers said the years of flight upgrades and other perks the mayor received were at most classic gratuities, which a recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings found were not covered by the bribery statute if they were given for past acts, according to the filing. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal prosecutors, meanwhile, responded that Adams actions were plainly criminal. It should be clear from the face of the indictment that there is nothing routine about a public official accepting over $100,000 in benefits from a foreign diplomat, which he took great pains to conceal including by manufacturing fake paper trails to create the illusion of payment, prosecutors wrote. Several of Adams closest aides including his police commissioner, schools chancellor and multiple deputy mayors have resigned in recent months after federal investigators executed coordinated searches of their homes in early September. Adams has maintained that he can continue to lead the city effectively while fighting the charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But his political future remains fraught and several opponents have announced plans to challenge him in next years mayoral primary. Earlier this week, Adams raised eyebrows after repeatedly declining to criticize former President Donald Trump, refusing to say when he last spoke with the Republican nominee or whether he was angling for a pardon should Trump win reelection. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mayor Brandon Johnsons handpicked school board president resigned Thursday after coming under fire from critics, including Gov. JB Pritzker and the mayor, for social media posts deemed antisemitic, misogynistic and conspiratorial. Today, I asked Chicago School Board of Education (BOE) President Reverend Mitchell Johnson for his resignation, and he resigned, effective immediately, the mayor, who is not related to his appointed school board president, the Rev. Mitchell Ikenna Johnson, said in a statement. Reverend Mitchell Johnsons statements were not only hurtful but deeply disturbing. I want to be clear: antisemitic, misogynistic, and conspiratorial statements are unacceptable, the mayor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayors announcement Thursday afternoon came about two hours after Pritzker called on the Rev. Johnson to step down from his post. Pritzker was openly critical this week about how city officials vetted Johnson for the schools job in light of the Facebook posts, which surfaced after he took his job. The future of the Board of Education remains uncertain. But with the school board having its first official meeting Friday, an election in just a few days and a controversial loan on the line that will greatly affect the district, the governor weighed in at a pivotal moment. Any person charged with the stewardship of the Chicago Public School Board must exemplify focused, inclusive, and steady leadership, Pritzker said in a statement Thursday. The views expressed in the current Chairs posts antisemitism, misogyny, fringe conspiracy theories very clearly do not meet that standard. The Rev. Johnson was appointed by the mayor to the school boards top leadership role after all seven previous members resigned. Some state legislators and City Council members questioned that decision and called for the Rev. Johnsons resignation because of numerous anti-Israel posts hed made, which were first reported by the publication Jewish Insider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack, the Rev. Johnson started posting about the Israel-Hamas war on Facebook. The Facebook posts by the Rev. Johnson about Israel continued into the spring. My Jewish colleagues appear drunk with the Israeli power and will live to see their payment, he wrote in a post Dec. 19. The Nazi Germans ideology has been adopted by Zionist Jews, he wrote in another, dated Feb. 20. The mayor defended his vetting process of the Rev. Johnson in an interview with the Tribune on Thursday, saying the school board president went through the same vetting process that every other personnel has gone through. He said the most important thing is that he asked the Rev. Johnson to resign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Reverend Johnson does in the future to atone or make right for his statements, that is a personal journey that he has to go on and I will support him along that personal journey. But its not going to disrupt my vision for our public education system, Mayor Johnson said. When asked who will take the Rev. Johnsons place, he said: We certainly are not short on talent in this city. But he did not provide insight into when he will appoint a new school board president. Pritzkers call for the Rev. Johnsons resignation illustrates another example of tension between the governor and mayor whove been at odds over issues that include how the state should fund the citys public school system and the migrant crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, aldermen who have been aligned with the mayor historically also voiced their concerns about the posts and the vetting of Rev. Johnson. They wrote a letter, which 40 of 50 members signed, asking for the school board presidents immediate resignation. This situation is a failure of leadership and judgment on the part of Mayor Johnson and his executive team, the letter reads. Earlier this month, Mayor Johnson told reporters his appointees would be thoroughly vetted before they were sworn in. It is clear that did not take place, the letter said. Five years ago, the Rev. Johnson attended several events at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, according to Alison Pure-Slovin, the organizations Midwest regional director. Chicago aldermen and other government leaders took a strong, positive stand against bigotry and for tolerance over the week, as news of the posts slowly emerged online, she said. His resignation is a step toward accountability. The governors leadership was extraordinary. He wasnt silent about this, said Pure-Slovin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their separate statements Thursday, neither Pritzker nor Mayor Johnson cited specific Facebook posts by the Rev. Johnson. But aside from the anti-Israel posts, the Rev. Johnson on May 27 on Facebook appeared to indicate his agreement with a misogynistic comment posted on his account. The post quotes Johnson saying Sad Facts in reference to an image that reads, When a Man earns money he dreams of giving his family and his wife the best. But when a Woman earns money she feels She does not need her man and her family. And a Jan. 11 Facebook post quoted Johnson saying Facts!!! in reference to a conspiracy theory about the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., that 3,000+ EXPERTS AGREE: 9/11 Really Was An Inside Job. The Rev. Johnson did not respond to requests for comment Thursday about his resignation. In a statement to the Tribune the day before, Johnson said he has worked hand in hand with the Jewish community in Chicago to fight antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am deeply sorry for not being more precise and deliberate in my comments posted last year, he said. Since that time I asked for and received feedback from my Jewish friends and colleagues who helped me be more thoughtful in how I address these sensitive matters. Halil Demir, executive director of Zakat Foundation of America, a multimillion-dollar humanitarian aid organization, said he has worked with the Rev. Johnson since the pandemic when the former board president helped with their food distribution efforts across Chicago. Demir hadnt heard about the resignation and was surprised. Come on? Are you kidding me? he asked when questioned about the Rev. Johnsons posts. Hes a solid man of God. A solid man of social justice. Ten members of the Board of Education will be elected in November, and Mayor Johnson will appoint 11, including the president, to join them. Before the Rev. Johnson resigned, the mayor could have decided to keep him on the new hybrid board in January. Now, its unclear when Mayor Johnson will make his pick for president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But theres a lot at stake with a Board of Education meeting scheduled for Friday. There, the mayors newly appointed school board minus the Rev. Johnson may decide the fate of CPS Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez, who has been in the crosshairs especially as he refused to take out a controversial loan sought by the mayor to help fund a new Chicago Teachers Union contract and balance the districts budget. Chicago Tribunes Olivia Olander, Jake Sheridan, Alice Yin and Ikram Mohamed contributed. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Gov. Dan McKee retained a powerful State House lobbyist to help him navigate the ILO investigation earlier this year but has yet to pay him for his services, sparking new questions about potential conflicts of interest. McKee said Thursday he reached out to Dome Consultants lobbyist William Murphy, who previously served as Rhode Islands House speaker, for advice on handling the three-year probe that ended this week with no criminal charges filed against McKee. Late in the [legislative] session, I did talk to Bill about some advice on this issue, McKee told reporters during a news conference as he lambasted Attorney General Peter Neronha over his handling of the ILO investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Neronha spokesperson confirmed Murphy reached out on behalf of the governor on March 19 to say McKee wouldnt be interviewed as part of the probe, but said they had no written communication. McKee said Thursday he didnt trust Neronha enough to cooperate. Asked Thursday who paid for Murphys services, McKee said, Ill be paying for it. It was advice it wasnt like weeks and weeks and weeks, he said. I reached out to him, I know him. He added, If Im billed for the few hours [Murphy] puts in, Ill be paying it. Murphy did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murphy is now one of the most well-connected lobbyists at the State House, and has among the most clients of anyone on Smith Hill. His local clients include Rhode Island Energy, Care New England, Amica Insurance, and Ballys, which operates the states two casinos. His national clients included Apple, Walmart, Anheuser-Busch Companies and Deloitte Consulting LLP. Citizens Bank also brought on Murphy in May as the bank was aggressively pursuing a legislative tax change it argued would make Rhode Island competitive with Massachusetts. Without the change, Citizens officials warned the bank could relocate its headquarters north. Lobbying records show Citizens agreed to pay Murphy a $25,000 annual retainer, and he lobbied for the bank through June. On May 10, McKee filed a budget amendment on behalf of Citizens formally asking lawmakers to make the tax change. Speaker Joe Shekarchi and House Democrats initially nixed it from their version of the state budget, but after protests from Citizens, McKee and Shekarchi announced they would pass the change after all as standalone legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a radio interview Thursday morning on WPRO, McKee boasted that he helped get the Citizens deal across the finish line, comparing it to his current effort to try and keep Hasbro from relocating its headquarters out of Rhode Island. Citizens wasnt a done deal, he said. I stepped in and made sure Citizens is here. The connections have not been lost on political observers, including Common Cause Rhode Island executive director John Marion, who fired back Thursday after McKee shrugged off the possibility he may have violated the states Code of Ethics in his dealings with the ILO scandal. We need to look at how Governor McKee hired, but seemingly has not yet paid, the states most powerful lobbyist, who is also the former speaker of the House, to be his personal attorney, Marion said. Everyday Rhode Islanders dont get legal representation based on a promise to pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steve Frias, a lawyer and Rhode Islands former Republican national committeeman, likewise suggested McKee should have recused himself from any matters involving Murphys clients, arguing that such separation is required under the states Code of Ethics. An attorney and his client are business associates under Ethics Code, Frias wrote on social media. Business association exists until all legal fees are paid. Gov and lobbyist are business associates. The governors office never sought an advisory opinion from the R.I. Ethics Commission about how to manage potential conflicts between Murphys dual roles, according to Jason Gramitt, the commissions executive director. This isnt the first time the governor has faced scrutiny over his personal interactions with lobbyists. The Ethics Commission last year investigated whether McKee violated the ethics code when lobbyist Jeff Britt treated him to a meal at a high-end restaurant during a fundraising lunch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After news broke about the lunch, McKee paid back the more than $200 meal price, saying he didnt know who had paid. The ethics panel tossed the complaint earlier this year, saying there was no probable cause to suggest the governor knowingly or willfully violated the law. Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook. Ted Nesi (tnesi@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesis Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Threads and Facebook. Tim White (twhite@wpri.com) is Target 12 managing editor and chief investigative reporter and host of Newsmakers for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Former White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster on Friday said he doesnt think that former President Trump would mobilize the military against Americans, which the Republican nominee had suggested. I dont think he would mobilize the military against Americans, but I do think that what hes doing is undermining our confidence in our institutions, McMaster said in an interview on Firing Line with Margaret Hoover. McMaster, however, also said during the interview that Americans should take Trumps second-term plans seriously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hoover pressed McMaster on why he thinks Trump wouldnt mobilize the military against people in the U.S., despite the former president suggesting he would. Trump suggested using the National Guard or the military on Election Day to fight what he described as potential chaos from the enemy from within a group Trump said includes radical left lunatics. I think the bigger problem are the people from within, Trump had said. We have some very bad people. We have some sick people, radical left lunatics. And I think it should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard or, if really necessary, by the military, because they cant let that happen, Trump added during the interview last month. McMaster responded to Hoover, saying he has confidence in the separation of powers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because I think there are checks on presidential power. And I have confidence in the separation of powers, McMaster said. He continued, saying that the powers were stress tested during the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021, and on the transition of power after President Biden won the 2020 election but Trump falsely claimed it was stolen. We were stress tested before. There were other times weve been stress tested in our history and I think we have to have confidence in our institutions, McMaster said. Hoover then questioned how institutions can be upheld if Trump wins The White House for a second term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The way that Americans account for it is by who they put into office. Thats really the ultimate check on any candidate or, you know, power is the American voter, McMaster said, adding that Americans need to demand better of politicians. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The Michigan Department of Corrections will implement a new system for verifying confidential, privileged, and special handling mail sent to incarcerated individuals starting Nov. 1st, the department announced Thursday. MDOC currently provides photocopies of standard mail to inmates as a means to deter drug smuggling, which led to some people falsifying privileged mail, which is sent from legal entities, must be opened in front of the inmate, and can not be read or censored by corrections staff due to attorney-client privilege. The new system, TextBehind DOCS, will require attorneys to register with a website that requires them to print a QR code for each piece of mail they send to clients in correctional facilities. This QR code would then be scanned by corrections staff and, after verifying its origin, deliver it to the inmate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, staff would have to individually contact the sender of each item, but the introduction of these QR codes is expected to streamline the process and mitigate exposure to dangerous contraband such as fentanyl. On Nov. 1, attorneys can begin registering for an account by visiting this website. Registration will require attorneys to provide a copy of their state-issued photo identification, as well as a copy of their State Bar of Michigan attorney card. On Jan. 13, MDOC will reject all privileged mail that does not have a QR code issued by TextBehind. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Trick-or-treaters were out Thursday night. The National Retail Federation says Spider-Man, ghosts, and princesses are some of the popular costumes this Halloween. Shopping local this holiday season In Sioux Falls, at least one weatherman collected candy. Six-year-old London Beckman wants to forecast the weather someday. The Sioux Falls boy even has a collection of monitors at home, similar to the KELOLAND Storm Center. Kelli Volk: Why do you like weather? London: Because I want to teach people whats happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lynnette Ingalls is Londons grandma. Hes a little performer, so if someone has time he will explain the different clouds. Sometimes he will say cumulus, Ingalls said. Thats why his Halloween costume this year wont come as a surprise. Volk: What are you dressed as right now? London: Weatherman. London snapped a photo in his costume in front of KELOLAND News over the weekend as he trick-or-treated downtown. Everybody was stopping and wanting to know so many questions. They were like, Weve never seen this before. This is so unique. What a great costume,' Ingalls said. KELOLAND News invited London back to KELO this week where he chatted with Meteorologist Scot Mundt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mundt: Whats your favorite kind of weather? London: Talking about tornadoes. Of course, no trip to KELO would be complete without a peek inside the studio. Theres a lot to see in the studio, especially for a future forecaster. What is this one? London asked as he pointed at a computer monitor. Hes just a learning tool. Hes like a sponge. He just wants to learn it all right now, Ingalls said. And the aspiring weatherman is also dressing the part. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Less than a week before the presidential election, TikTok is full of daughters eager to cancel out their dads votes by casting ballots for Democrat Kamala Harris. The videos usually include a jaunty dance and the women slipping on some sunglasses. Some of the tongue-in-cheek videos feature Taylor Swift the ultimate avatar for childless cat ladies this election season carrying one of her Scottish fold cats and superimposed over a voting center. @thegoodbrowtattoo/TikTok Sometimes, conservative dads even make an appearance in the videos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just a father and daughter cancelling out each others vote, says one clip showing a dad and daughter shaking hands before casting divergent votes. Gia Erichson, a 30-year-old actor who lives in New York City, is among the young women whove jumped on the trend. Every general election shes voted in so far has involved Republican Donald Trump, so Erichson says shes more than ready for a change. I think the on my way to cancel my dads vote trend is not only hilarious, but reaffirms my belief that women, especially young women, are so incredibly powerful when we all come together, she said. @likeachiapet/TikTok The trend highlights the stark gender divide of this election: A USA Today/Suffolk University survey released last week showed Trump up by 16 percentage points with men nationally, while Harris was up by 17 points with women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most obvious reason for that gap is probably the 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade under Trump-appointed judges, and GOP legislators openness to a nationwide ban on abortion. After Senate Republicans blocked legislation designed to protect womens access to contraception earlier this year, many voters are worried about the future of birth control under a potential Trump administration. As a left-leaning bisexual woman from southeastern Louisiana, Erichson told HuffPost that shes no stranger to political arguments over topics like abortion when she returns home. Her dad a logical engineer votes Republican and, more pointedly, for Trump because he appreciates the fact that Trump is a businessman. (Her mother isnt voting for Trump. My parents could not be more different politically, which I guess makes it track that they are divorced, Erichson said, laughing.) Whenever conversations of politics come up with my dad, it devolves into me being called a lost cause or thinking too emotionally, she said. It breaks my heart that my father views logic and emotion as opposites and, even worse, empathy as some kind of weakness. But I will keep having these difficult conversations with him, because I believe real progress lies in the courage to have them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeanne, a 44-year-old writer from Tucson, Arizona, made a TikTok video, too. (Like others quoted in this piece, Jeanne asked to use only her first name to protect her privacy.) Seeing the trend take off made me realize there were so many of us women out there having to grapple with the reality of using our voices and votes to counteract our dads, she said. I posted one [video] to build solidarity and add a little levity to the situation. @jeannereneewrites/TikTok Jeanne said she loves her dad but finds his affinity for Trump to be the most confusing thing. The man who raised me is old-fashioned in the best way generous, loyal and gentlemanly, she said. So to watch him become consumed by xenophobic fears is heartbreaking. It makes me deeply angry with the machine of Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others are just relieved they dont have to cancel out a boyfriends or husbands vote, like some women on TikTok say theyre doing this year. (There are plenty of videos in which women brag about how they dont have to cancel out their dads or their partners vote since theyre all voting similarly.) In a related trend, other women in Generation Z are posting reaction videos to Trumps 2005 Access Hollywood tape. The recording, which surfaced ahead of the 2016 presidential election, included him bragging about being able to grab women by the pussy. The caption to one TikTok video posted by Soleil Golden, 22, and Alex, a 26-year-old content creator who goes by @awalmartparkinglot on the platform reads, this is who fathers. with daughters. are voting for. I see so many people men in particular on TikTok talking about how they want to vote for Trump because of the family values that he and Vance claim to stand on, Golden told HuffPost, referring to GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that fathers and women with daughters, sisters, moms, nieces people who they would want to protect around somebody like that are still voting for that man really made me think, maybe they havent heard this whole tape or maybe theyve forgotten about it, she said. The pair also realized a lot of first-time voters were only 10 or 12 when the Trump audio was released and may not be as familiar with it as other voters. It is super important for young women to hear this audio and really understand who this man is, Alex said of her video, which currently has over 980,00 views. The TikTok trend is tongue-in-cheek, but it gets at real hurt: MAGA stole my father from us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heather, a 48-year-old from Washington state, posted a TikTok on a similar theme, though hers is more somber in tone. My father traded the rights and safety of his two daughters and four granddaughters for low gas prices, she wrote in her video, which has over 300,000 views. My father has always been GOP. But over the past nine years, he has morphed into a closed-minded, aggressive MAGA type who spends hours a day online, doing his own research, she told HuffPost, referencing Trumps Make America Great Again movement. I really feel like MAGA stole my father from us. When Trump surrendered to authorities last year on charges that he illegally plotted to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia, Heather texted her dad a photo of Trumps stony-faced booking shot. My dad responded only with my hero! she recalls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heather and her dad are not estranged, but with three Trump election cycles, she said their relationship is hanging on by a thread. Ive shared my feelings with my father, and he mocked my feelings, she said. He told me, You are making decisions on your feelings? His tone was condescending and patronizing. I have not brought the topic up since that phone call, approximately three years ago. Minna, a 28-year-old from Detroit, Michigan, who describes herself as something of a moderate, said her dad also downplays her political beliefs because she shows her emotions. She tells him she votes for Trump just to avoid drama, but she already turned in her ballot and she, too, canceled out her dads vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another four years of Trump really scares me, she said. I worry about my LGBTQ friends, and I worry about access to womens health care and by that I mean abortion. I feel so disrespected as a woman that my father doesnt see those things as being major issues. Family estrangements are seemingly on the rise in part due to politics. This is not the average differences of opinion debate; the your dad is voting for George Bush while youre voting for Bill Clinton scenario of yesterday seems almost quaint in comparison. Theres a lot of fear around the outcome of the election, understandably, because so many peoples lives and futures are hanging in the balance, said Deborah Duley, a psychotherapist and the founder of the company Empowered Connections in Maryland. What my younger clients are telling me is that theyre hearing their parents spouting the virtues of Trump and ignoring that their child could very well be stripped of their rights and bodily autonomy, she explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And as the TikTok trend suggests, this election is deeply impacting the relationships between fathers and daughters especially. Theres this dichotomy between young womens fathers saying they love them, and then actively voting in a way that says otherwise and doesnt feel like love at all, said Avonley Whitsitt, a marriage and family therapist in Boise, Idaho. For women worried about abortion and health care, not only does it show that their fathers actions dont match their words, but it challenges the trust that daughters have with their fathers, she said. My clients are wondering, What do I mean to my dad when he is willing to put his paycheck before my well-being? Whitsitt said. One of my clients recently said, My dad is actively voting against me and my rights, yet somehow Im supposed to have dinner with him this weekend? She continued, Many dads havent and wouldnt want to miss an important event in their daughters lives, yet they arent realizing that this election is one of them. Minna, the 28-year-old from Detroit, had reassurance for young women feeling disillusioned by their families votes. Its the same advice she gives her sister, who tends to get emotional talking about things shes passionate about. Just because you tear up when you talk about issues doesnt mean its not valid or important, she said. Your thoughts and voice still matter. I dont blame young women for getting worked up; these are real hard issues. It scares me what my friends and loved ones lives will look like based on who my father chooses to vote for. Whitsitt said her advice to young women in situations like this is to prioritize self-care ahead of and after an election. Self-care looks different for everyone. Connecting with a therapist is a great step, setting and maintaining boundaries, and remembering that the relationship you have with yourself is the most important overall, she said. In situations like these, sometimes the best thing we can do is be the people we wish our parents or our fathers were.This article originally appeared on HuffPost. TikTok "I think the 'on my way to cancel my dad's vote' trend is not only hilarious, but reaffirms my belief that women, especially young women, are so incredibly powerful when we all come together," said Gia Erichson, a 30-year-old actor who made a TikTok. Less than a week before the presidential election, TikTok is full of daughters eager to cancel out their dads votes by casting ballots for Democrat Kamala Harris. The videos usually include a jaunty dance and the women slipping on some sunglasses. Some of the tongue-in-cheek videos feature Taylor Swift the ultimate avatar for childless cat ladies this election season carrying one of her Scottish fold cats and superimposed over a voting center. (Click the links in this story to play the videos.) Sometimes, conservative dads even make an appearance in the videos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just a father and daughter cancelling out each others vote, says one clip showing a dad and daughter shaking hands before casting divergent votes. Gia Erichson, a 30-year-old actor who lives in New York City, is among the young women whove jumped on the trend. Every general election shes voted in so far has involved Republican Donald Trump, so Erichson says shes more than ready for a change. I think the on my way to cancel my dads vote TikToks are not only hilarious, but reaffirms my belief that women, especially young women, are so incredibly powerful when we all come together, she said. "Whenever conversations of politics come up with my dad, it devolves into me being called 'a lost cause' or 'thinking too emotionally,'" said Erichson. @likeachiapet/TikTok The trend highlights the stark gender divide of this election: A USA Today/Suffolk University survey released last week showed Trump up by 16 percentage points with men nationally, while Harris was up by 17 points with women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most obvious reason for that gap is probably the 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade under Trump-appointed judges, and GOP legislators openness to a nationwide ban on abortion. After Senate Republicans blocked legislation designed to protect womens access to contraception earlier this year, many voters are worried about the future of birth control under a potential Trump administration. As a left-leaning bisexual woman from southeastern Louisiana, Erichson told HuffPost that shes no stranger to political arguments over topics like abortion when she returns home. Her dad a logical engineer votes Republican and, more pointedly, for Trump because he appreciates the fact that Trump is a businessman. (Her mother isnt voting for Trump. My parents could not be more different politically, which I guess makes it track that they are divorced, Erichson said, laughing.) Whenever conversations of politics come up with my dad, it devolves into me being called a lost cause or thinking too emotionally, she said. It breaks my heart that my father views logic and emotion as opposites and, even worse, empathy as some kind of weakness. But I will keep having these difficult conversations with him, because I believe real progress lies in the courage to have them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeanne, a 44-year-old writer from Tucson, Arizona, made a TikTok video, too. (Like others quoted in this piece, Jeanne asked to use only her first name to protect her privacy.) Seeing the trend take off made me realize there were so many of us women out there having to grapple with the reality of using our voices and votes to counteract our dads, she said. I posted one [video] to build solidarity and add a little levity to the situation. @jeannereneewrites/TikTok Jeanne, a writer who made a TikTok , said she loves her dad but finds his affinity for Donald Trump to be the "most confusing thing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeanne said she loves her dad but finds his affinity for Trump to be the most confusing thing. The man who raised me is old-fashioned in the best way generous, loyal and gentlemanly, she said. So to watch him become consumed by xenophobic fears is heartbreaking. It makes me deeply angry with the machine of Donald Trump. Others are just relieved they dont have to cancel out a boyfriends or husbands vote, like some women on TikTok say theyre doing this year. (There are plenty of videos in which women brag about how they dont have to cancel out their dads or their partners vote since theyre all voting similarly.) In a related trend, other women in Generation Z are posting reaction videos to Trumps 2005 Access Hollywood tape. The recording, which surfaced ahead of the 2016 presidential election, included him bragging about being able to grab women by the pussy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The caption to one TikTok video posted by Soleil Golden, 22, and Alex, a 26-year-old content creator who goes by @awalmartparkinglot on the platform reads, this is who fathers. with daughters. are voting for. I see so many people men in particular on TikTok talking about how they want to vote for Trump because of the family values that he and Vance claim to stand on, Golden told HuffPost, referring to GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance. The fact that fathers and women with daughters, sisters, moms, nieces people who they would want to protect around somebody like that are still voting for that man really made me think, maybe they havent heard this whole tape or maybe theyve forgotten about it, she said. The pair also realized a lot of first-time voters were only 10 or 12 when the Trump audio was released and may not be as familiar with it as other voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is super important for young women to hear this audio and really understand who this man is, Alex said of her video, which currently has over 980,00 views. The TikTok trend is tongue-in-cheek, but it gets at real hurt: MAGA stole my father from us. Heather, a 48-year-old from Washington state, posted a TikTok on a similar theme, though hers is more somber in tone. My father traded the rights and safety of his two daughters and four granddaughters for low gas prices, she wrote in her video, which has over 300,000 views. @thezencherry/TikTok "I really feel like MAGA stole my father from us," said Heather, a 48-year-old from Washington state who made a TiKTok about the presidential election My father has always been GOP. But over the past nine years, he has morphed into a closed-minded, aggressive MAGA type who spends hours a day online, doing his own research, she told HuffPost, referencing Trumps Make America Great Again movement. I really feel like MAGA stole my father from us. When Trump surrendered to authorities last year on charges that he illegally plotted to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia, Heather texted her dad a photo of Trumps stony-faced booking shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My dad responded only with my hero! she recalls. Heather and her dad are not estranged, but with three Trump election cycles, she said their relationship is hanging on by a thread. Ive shared my feelings with my father, and he mocked my feelings, she said. He told me, You are making decisions on your feelings? His tone was condescending and patronizing. I have not brought the topic up since that phone call, approximately three years ago. Minna, a 28-year-old from Detroit, Michigan, who describes herself as something of a moderate, said her dad also downplays her political beliefs because she shows her emotions. She tells him she votes for Trump just to avoid drama, but she already turned in her ballot and she, too, canceled out her dads vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another four years of Trump really scares me, she said. I worry about my LGBTQ friends, and I worry about access to womens health care and by that I mean abortion. I feel so disrespected as a woman that my father doesnt see those things as being major issues. Family estrangements are seemingly on the rise in part due to politics. This is not the average differences of opinion debate; the your dad is voting for George Bush while youre voting for Bill Clinton scenario of yesterday seems almost quaint in comparison. Theres a lot of fear around the outcome of the election, understandably, because so many peoples lives and futures are hanging in the balance, said Deborah Duley, a psychotherapist and the founder of the company Empowered Connections in Maryland. What my younger clients are telling me is that theyre hearing their parents spouting the virtues of Trump and ignoring that their child could very well be stripped of their rights and bodily autonomy, she explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And as the TikTok trend suggests, this election is deeply impacting the relationships between fathers and daughters especially. Theres this dichotomy between young womens fathers saying they love them, and then actively voting in a way that says otherwise and doesnt feel like love at all, said Avonley Whitsitt, a marriage and family therapist in Boise, Idaho. For women worried about abortion and health care, not only does it show that their fathers actions dont match their words, but it challenges the trust that daughters have with their fathers, she said. My clients are wondering, What do I mean to my dad when he is willing to put his paycheck before my well-being? Whitsitt said. One of my clients recently said, My dad is actively voting against me and my rights, yet somehow Im supposed to have dinner with him this weekend? She continued, Many dads havent and wouldnt want to miss an important event in their daughters lives, yet they arent realizing that this election is one of them. Minna, the 28-year-old from Detroit, had reassurance for young women feeling disillusioned by their families votes. Its the same advice she gives her sister, who tends to get emotional talking about things shes passionate about. Just because you tear up when you talk about issues doesnt mean its not valid or important, she said. Your thoughts and voice still matter. I dont blame young women for getting worked up; these are real hard issues. It scares me what my friends and loved ones lives will look like based on who my father chooses to vote for. Whitsitt said her advice to young women in situations like this is to prioritize self-care ahead of and after an election. Self-care looks different for everyone. Connecting with a therapist is a great step, setting and maintaining boundaries, and remembering that the relationship you have with yourself is the most important overall, she said. In situations like these, sometimes the best thing we can do is be the people we wish our parents or our fathers were. Related... Right-wing pundit Megyn Kelly came to Donald Trumps defense over a controversial remark in which he seemed to suggest that Liz Cheney should face a firing squad. Kelly blamed the media for distorting the former presidents ostensibly threatening comment. In an X post on Friday, Kelly shared her interpretation of what Trump meant when he said that he was curious to know how the Republican former congresswoman, who has endorsed his opponent Kamala Harris, would feel when the guns are trained at her face. Kellys post referenced an article from Mediaite about the remark. Look at the dishonesty, Kelly wrote . Trump says Liz Cheney is a war monger who isnt the one endangered by her pro-war decisions. Says lets see her stare down the danger she wants for our kids - and this reporter suggests hes darkly floating her execution. Cheney has been an outspoken critic of Trump and has supported Kamala Harris presidential campaign. Kellys defense was echoed by a Friday release from Trumps campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The press has been disgracefully covering these remarks by saying that President Trump suggested that Liz Cheney should be put in front of a firing squad, it reads. Are these reporters malicious or dumb? President Trump was clearly describing a combat zone. Trumps comment came at a campaign event in Arizona Thursday, as he was criticizing Cheneys stances on keeping troops in Iraq and Syria. After referring to Cheney as a radical war hawk and dumb as a rock, Trumps rhetoric took a violent turn. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with 9 barrels shooting at her, he said. Lets see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face. Trump on Liz Cheney: "Let's put her with a rifle standing there with 9 barrels shooting at her. Let's see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face." pic.twitter.com/Mtx1fbLtwE Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 1, 2024 Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, has been an ardent critic of Trump since the Jan. 6 insurrection. Her father has also opposed Trump and said he will vote for Harris , despite being a Republican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liz Cheney slammed Trump and suggested his comment was a death threat in a Friday X post. A memorial sign marking the entrance to the oblast, known as a stele, has been unveiled in Donetsk Oblast on the birthday of Dmytro "Da Vinci" Kotsiubailo who was killed in a battle against Russian forces. Source: Da Vinci Wolves Battalion on Facebook Quote: "A ceremonial unveiling of a memorial stele in Da Vincis honour took place today in Donetsk Oblast, on his birthday. The erecting of this monument here has profound symbolic meaning, as this is where Dmytro fought against the Russian invaders from 2014 until 2023, when he died heroically, defending Ukraine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The battalion emphasised that Kotsiubailo always brought people together around the cause of fighting for Ukraine's freedom. His charisma, leadership and determination inspired comrades and volunteers, helping forge a strong fighting unit. Even after his heroic death, the memory of him lives on and continues to unite all who value his courage and work tirelessly for Ukraines future. Photo: Da Vinci Wolves Quote: "Dmytro became a true symbol of courage and devotion to his country, the first volunteer soldier awarded the Hero of Ukraine title while still alive. He believed in Ukraines freedom and sovereignty, giving everything he had to defend it, especially in Donetsk Oblast, where he spent most of his years of combat. The unveiling of this stele in his honour is a gesture of deep respect for his sacrifice. It will serve as a reminder of the selflessness and spirit of those fighting for a free Ukraine and the importance of remembering and honouring the heroes who have given their lives for our shared freedom." : PHOTO: DA VINCI WOLVES Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The memorial stele was crafted by Ukrainian artist Oleksandr Komiakhov, who also created the visual identity and combat identification patches for Da Vinci's Wolves battalion, which Kotsyubailo himself presented to the unit's soldiers. Background: On 7 March 2023, Dmytro "Da Vinci" Kotsiubailo, a 27-year-old volunteer of the Right Sector Ukrainian Volunteer Corps and a Hero of Ukraine, was killed at the front line in Donbas. As the Second Lieutenant he headed a separate mechanised battalion known as Vovky Da Vinchi [the Da Vinci Wolves ed.] as part of the 67th Separate Mechanised Brigade. "Da Vinci" had been at the front since the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian war. In 2014, he was seriously wounded by a tank shell in Pisky, Donetsk Oblast. After recovering and three months of rehabilitation, he returned to the front, where he continued to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Kotsiubailo was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine under President Zelenskyys decree of 30 November 2021. The Da Vinci Wolves battalion, previously led by Dmytro Kotsiubailo, has joined the 59th Separate Infantry Brigade named after Yakiv Handziuk and has announced the appointment of a new commander, Serhii Filimonov. Support UP or become our patron! At closing argument time, it turns out that Donald Trump is making Kamala Harriss closing argument. What is it? That women should not vote for him. He is making the case better than she ever could. And it looks like it may be sticking. Lets start with what Trump said to Tucker Carlson about Liz Cheney at a forum Thursday night. It is, straight up, a very strong contender for the most shocking and vile thing hes ever said. I know thats saying something, but judge for yourself: Shes a radical war hawk. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Lets see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face. Cheney is a war hawk. I disagree with her about all that. But thats neither here nor there. A candidate for president of the United States just called for a fellow American to face a firing squad. A firing squad! Whos the last presidential candidate to do that? Maybe someone like 1820 also-ran William Crawford? More likely no one, ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some might argue that Trump was merely noting that Cheney had never been in the literal line of fire in combat, because he went on to talk about the swagger of Beltway interventionists like Cheney and John Bolton: Theyre all war hawks when theyre sitting in Washington in a nice building. Ive opposed most U.S. wars of my lifetime (I thought we were morally and legally justified in responding to September 11 in Afghanistan but worried that wed overdo it, which of course we did), but Ive always found that to be a real cheap-seats lineif youre so crazy about war, why dont you go fight it? No. If you oppose a war, oppose it on serious grounds, not on the basis of peanut-gallery arguments like that. But Trump knew exactly what he was saying hereintentionally suggesting that Cheney should face a firing squad, but doing so in such a way that he could plausibly deny it. No prominent candidate for office has ever taken the next step of saying lets put such a person in front of a firing squad. Its a literal and specific sentence of death for a literal and specific human being, and thats what makes it so outrageous. And its not an accident that he said it about a woman. Trump has contempt for all of humanity, but his contempt for women is special, because women arent full human beings with intellect and agency in the same way men are. Theyre there for sex, and if theyre not hot enough for sex, why are they hanging around taking up space, food, and water? Which brings us to Trumps second hideous comment of the week about women, that hes going to protect them whether the women like it or not. Again, he pulled his usual trick of using plausible deniability language; what he meant, he continued, was that hes going to protect them from migrants and foreign attacks (and I guess his rhetoric has become so offensive on so many levels that the clearly fascist nature of this pledgethat Dear Leader personally will protect themis now worth only a parenthetical). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whatever he meant, whatever was sludging through that sewer in his brain when he spoke the words, lots of people (not just women) took the remark as Trump reminding women of the power he has already exercised over their lives and will exercise again if hes returned to the White House. And that properly freaks a lot of women out. A month ago in Georgia, Candi Miller, a married mother of three who had lupus and diabetes, found that she was pregnant. Shed been warned by doctors that another baby could dramatically endanger her health. She ordered abortion pills online. They didnt quite work. She was in need of a procedure that is fairly commonbut that the state of Georgia had recently made illegal. She died. She didnt want to visit a doctor, her family told the coroner, due to the current legislation on pregnancies and abortions. Thats just one of many stories we now know about in which women and their doctors have been forced into impossible conversations and decisions because of the hideous laws passed after Trumps Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. These stories are abstract to men. I very much doubt theyre abstract to women. And finally: Trump really said Thursday that hes going to put Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in charge of womens health? Does he think women dont hear this, and they dont understand that Kennedy (before he ended his presidential campaign) said hed sign a national abortion ban and that he might deny their children vaccines? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They do. And it seems theyre paying attention. The early voters so far are 54 percent women and 44 percent men. That seems an encouraging sign. People are writing a lot of articles about the gender gap. Supposedly, its lower than expected. Supposedly, men are breaking for Trump by larger percentages than women are breaking for Harris. Of course, this could end up being true. But two points: One, the margin of error on subgroups within polls is high. So say theres a poll that shows Trump leads among men by 14 but Harris leads among women by only 11. But if the margin of error on those numbers is, say, five points, Trump could be winning men by as little as nine, and Harris could be leading among women by as much as 16. Such polls are not useless, but theyre also nothing to freak out about. But second and more important: What matters more than the gender gap per se is what percentage of the overall electorate is female and male. In 2020, according to exit polls, the electorate was 52 percent women and 48 percent men. Isnt it reasonable to think the female percentage might be a little higher? Might women not be a wee bit more motivated to turn out for Harris than they were for Joe Biden? Pollsters generally will not make that assumption; they tend to base their polls on past electorates. But lets say women are, oh, just 53 percent of the electorate. If 180 million people vote, thats 1.8 million voters. If Harris carries them with 55 or 56 percent (which I think is conservative), thats one million more Harris votes. It depends on where theyre distributed, of course. But in a close election, thats a lot of votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The media have obsessed over Black people and Latinos turned off by Harris and various other #Demsindisarray narratives. The enthusiasm of women for Harris is a storyline that has been entirely unexplored. Women, and Black women in particular, are invisible in the media, as I wrote two weeks ago. But they exist. And their votes count just as much as the votes of white working-class men in Wilkes-Barre. Its a close election. But Trump is getting weirder and more unhinged every day. Every hour. Who knows what hell be saying by Sunday? The true nature of the man is finally becoming unavoidable. And Harris is getting sturdier. A lot of men are too blinded by their prejudices or assumptions to notice this. I suspect women are noticing, in big numbers. This article first appeared in Fighting Words, a weekly TNR newsletter authored by editor Michael Tomasky. Sign up here. Methuen Police Department has arrested and charged 3 individuals in connection to a shooting on Boston Street that left 3 people injured. The three individuals arrested 18-year-old Jayden Moreno of Methuen, 18-year-old Reggie Wells of Salem, N.H., and a 16-year-old male. Moreno has been charged with: Armed Assault to Murder Carrying a Firearm without a License Discharging a Firearm within 500 feet of a Dwelling Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card Possession of a Firearm while Committing a Felony Disturbing the Peace Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wells has been charged with: Armed Assault to Murder (3 counts) Carrying a Firearm without a License Discharging a Firearm within 500 feet of a Dwelling Carrying a Dangerous Weapon Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card Possession of a Firearm while Committing a Felony The 16-year-old has been charged with: Armed Assault to Murder (3 counts) Carrying a Firearm without a License Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (3 counts) This is in connection to last weeks shooting on Boston Street, two people, a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old were found to have suffered gunshot wounds. Both received treatment on scene and were transported to a local hospital. Later that night, a 16-year-old came into a local hospital seeking treatment for a gunshot wound. The 17-year-old remains in critical condition while the other two victims have been released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case underscores our departments commitment to addressing violence in our community, stated Chief McNamara. The tireless work of our officers, along with the support of our local and regional partners, exemplifies the strength of collective efforts in ensuring public safety. The incident remains under investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW When developer Paul Lambert needed help winning county land for the Miami Wilds waterpark under Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, he hired a consultant who knows her well: Levine Cavas campaign director, Christian Ulvert. We knew that we needed some help messaging, Lambert said in an interview about Ulverts previously unreported work for Miami Wilds, the controversial project once planned for county land outside Zoo Miami. Just the same way he does for elected officials. It was to give us advice on how to message it. Ulvert, 42, became locally prominent in politico circles for his work running campaigns for Democratic candidates across Miami-Dade County. Though not a registered lobbyist, he also works as a communications consultant for private-sector clients, advising developers and others seeking favorable decisions from Levine Cava and favorable votes from the 13-member County Commission, where Ulvert has three campaign clients: Commissioners Danielle Cohen Higgins, Eileen Higgins and Micky Steinberg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His ties to county office holders could expand even further after the Nov. 5 election, since his company, Edge Communications, is managing the campaigns for the Democratic nominees for sheriff, tax collector, elections supervisor and clerk. The two sides of Ulverts business give him an enviable advantage as a paid consultant. On the one side, hes the top political operative for the countys newly reelected mayor and her slate of candidates seeking to run Miami-Dade agencies. On the other side, hes sought out by companies eager to win deals from Levine Cava and others holding power in Miami-Dade government. Ulverts consulting work doesnt violate county lobbying rules, according to the Miami-Dade Ethics Commission. But it does expand his role and influence in local government with each candidate he helps get into office. While Levine Cava ultimately killed the Miami Wilds project, Ulverts previously unknown work assisting Lambert sheds light on the duality of his role as a paid advisor to both politicians and private-sector executives as they stand on two sides of a given deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lambert told the Miami Herald he wasnt paying Ulvert to pitch the project to Levine Cava or other elected officials. Instead, he said Ulvert was hired to offer advice on the best way for Lambert and partners to make their case to the administration, County Commission and the public. Lambert recalled how Ulvert put it: I can help you figure out how to message this correctly for the mayor, but also for the commission. But Im not a lobbyist. Youll still need to have other people working on the lobbying side. Thats what he told us, Lambert said. Thats what I do. I know messaging. Christian Ulvert, owner of the Edge Communications political consulting firm, readies the lectern for a press conference by his top client, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who is in the background. The event was at the Coral Gables Library early-voting site on Oct. 21, 2024, and Levine Cava was joined by multiple Ulvert clients seeking countywide office on Nov. 5. Ulvert said Levine Cava was aware he was helping Miami Wilds with what he described as a grassroots communications plan focused on the best way to build support for the waterpark in areas around the zoo. In his interview, Lambert also emphasized that Ulverts work focused on a broader campaign to build public support for a project that was largely backed by the countys elected officials until it ran into trouble last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though certainly the mayor was part of the audience and the commission was part of the audience, the public was the main audience, Lambert said of Ulverts work for the Miami Wilds effort. Because at that time, the mayor and the commission didnt have a problem with Miami Wilds. Ulvert told the Herald that he has no role in lobbying any elected officials, including Levine Cava. Instead, he described his work for Miami Wilds and other companies pursuing county deals as focused on communications and not politics. I always make clear: If you are looking for someone to advocate for your cause with a lawmaker or an elected official, you need to go hire a lobbyist, or sometimes a zoning attorney, Ulvert said. I am neither of those things. Ulvert may be the ultimate insider in Levine Cavas orbit, both on and off the campaign trail, but he says his conversations with the mayor never tread into issues that private-sector clients are pursuing with the administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview, Levine Cava said shes never had a conflict with Ulvert running her political operation while working for private-sector clients, too. His private-sector consultation, as I understand it, is primarily around strategic communications, she said. If theres an issue, then we dont talk about it. Christian Ulvert at his desk at Edge Communications on Monday, May 6, 2024, in Miami. The ultimate insider While lobbyists regularly use political contributions to keep on friendly terms with elected officials, no private-sector player has the kind of extensive relationship Ulvert enjoys with Levine Cava. Since she took office in November 2020, Levine Cavas Our Democracy political committee and her 2024 mayoral campaign have paid more than $3 million to Ulverts Edge Communications and its related entities, according to campaign-finance reports. Because those dollars cover payroll for campaign staffers, television and radio advertising, printing costs for materials, polling and other expenses, it is not known how much of the money represents actual profit for Edge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ulvert ran her first political campaign 10 years ago, when Levine Cava, then a nonprofit executive, won an upset in 2014 by unseating the most conservative county commissioner on the board, Lynda Bell. At the time, Ulvert was head of the SAVE Dade gay-rights advocacy group and, along with his husband Carlos Andrade, was suing Florida to overturn the states ban on same-sex marriages. He had clashed with Bell after she blocked adding transgender protections to the countys human-rights ordinance. When Bell declined his request for a meeting on the issue, Ulvert said he told her: Youll never forget me. (In an email, Bell said she did not recall the conversation. I have a pretty decent memory, she said. I doubt that conversation took place.) Ulvert helped Levine Cava win an easy reelection to her District 8 commission seat in 2018 before the two engineered a 2020 mayoral run that, for the first time, tapped Democratic Party resources and organizers to win Levine Cava the countys top job in a race that is technically nonpartisan. When Levine Cava took over the mayoral suite of offices on the 29th floor of the Stephen P. Clark Center, she continued to turn to Ulvert for advice, while paying him $6,000 a month for political consulting work. In 2021, the Miami Herald reported on text messages showing that Levine Cava ran a transit memo by Ulvert Waiting on your last look, the mayor wrote before releasing it to the County Commission and also got advice from Ulvert when she was landing the ill-fated FTX sponsorship deal for the countys Miami Heat arena. Text messages between Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava (left) and her political consultant Christian Ulvert, right, on Jan. 12, 2021, about a transit memo the mayor was preparing for Commissioner Kionne McGhee. In 2022, one of Ulverts publicly known private-sector clients, the government of Qatar, paid for Levine Cava and other county officials to make a visit to the Middle Eastern nation. Ulvert and one of Qatars local lobbyists, Jacqui Carmona, were on the trip, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, Levine Cava left some commissioners annoyed when they learned through her State of the County address that she would ask them to put a $2.5 billion bond package on the November ballot. While the mayor kept her plan under wraps inside county government, Ulvert knew about it months earlier and had already polled the issue with likely voters. In April, Levine Cava said she was shelving the bond plan until 2026. Along with serving as Levine Cavas top political consultant, Ulvert has a hand in shaping the mayors official messaging out of County Hall. Hes in frequent contact with Levine Cavas chief of staff, Johanna Cervone, a former communications director for Floridas Democratic Party, where Ulvert was once political director. Text messages released by the mayors office earlier in the year show Cervone regularly contacting Ulvert for advice on Levine Cavas messaging and public image. Thoughts on posting a pic with Danny Perez from meeting today? Cervone texted Ulvert on the afternoon of Jan. 2 after Levine Cava met with Danny Perez, a Republican state lawmaker in line to be Floridas House speaker later this year. Thanking him for his commitment to Miami-Dade? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The texts, acquired through a public records request, do not show a response from Ulvert. The following morning, Levine Cavas social media feed had a photo of her meeting with Perez and others at Miami International Airport, with the message: We are grateful for the productive meeting with Speaker-Designate of the House, @Daniel_PerezFL. We are grateful for the productive meeting with Speaker-Designate of the House, @Daniel_PerezFL, discussing the future of Miami-Dade County, including major investments happening at our world-class airport, @iflymia. Together, we're working on #FutureReady plans for #OurCounty! pic.twitter.com/Hnidk1wWVX Daniella Levine Cava (@MayorDaniella) January 3, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christian Ulverts clients, known and unknown Ulverts work helping the private sector try to profit off the public sector is partially detailed on the website of Edge Communications. Along with the Democratic politicians who have hired him Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Florida Rep. Ashley Gantt, and current and former state senators Jason Pizzo, Jose Javier Rodriguez and Annette Taddeo there are companies, unions and nonprofits. Those include Miamis Magic City Casino, the Laborers International Union of North America (best known as LiUNA) and the Everglades Foundation. Other clients arent listed but have been publicly disclosed or written about. A Miami Beach developer hired Ulvert in 2016 for public relations help during a fight in that city over a project when his client, Philip Levine, was mayor. That year, Ulvert also made a rare appearance in County Hall when Uber hired him to help with media strategy during its successful fight to legalize ride-hailing apps in Miami-Dade. Political consultant Christian Ulvert, left, and Uber Miami chief Kasra Moshkani address reporters in Miami-Dades County Hall in 2016. Ulverts known clientele also includes developers seeking county deals. Developer Michael Swerdlow has paid him for consulting services, both Swerdlow and Ulvert confirmed. In the last year, Swerdlow secured a no-bid deal on Miami-Dade land for a new Costco near Homestead, and the developer is also pursuing county parcels for a residential and commercial complex in the Liberty City area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Martin, another developer with county projects, has hired Ulvert to run referendum campaigns for municipal deals requiring voter approval including Martins failed bid to redevelop the Miami Beach Marina in 2020. This year, Edge is getting paid to promote the residential and commercial project Martin and partners want to build on land owned by Miami on Watson Island, between downtown and South Beach. But an untold number of other Ulvert clients have managed to stay under the radar. Miami Wilds, for one, isnt listed on the Edge website and had not previously been reported. The countys ethics rules dont require a campaign consultant like Ulvert to register as a lobbyist if hes just giving companies advice on how to persuade the elected officials he works for, Jose Arrojo, then the director of the Miami-Dade Ethics Commission, said in May shortly before leaving the agency for a different job. While lobbyists must disclose the names of clients who are paying them to speak to government officials, consultants can keep their client list confidential. The rules also allow someone who is advising county bidders to regularly communicate with elected officials, provided that person isnt making his or her clients case. Theyre not lobbying, theyre just advising firms on the best way to make their case, Arrojo said. If this person has access to an elected official and is speaking to this elected official on a daily basis because theyre friends or because theyre a paid political consultant, this person should not be advocating on behalf of a third party. That would constitute lobbying. Christian Ulvert, a political consultant in Miami, ran Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cavas four winning campaigns: two for County Commission and two for mayor. Presenting something palatable When Levine Cava took office in late 2020, she inherited a county engineering deal with a private group in talks to build and operate a monorail system linking Miami to Miami Beach. The new mayors administration tried to negotiate a final contract as projected construction costs soared past $1 billion and wealthy South Beach condo dwellers rallied to derail the effort. In 2021, the monorail group hired Edge Communications as the project awaited a final deal from the Levine Cava administration. Christopher Hodgkins, a Miami executive who was part of the monorail team, said Ulvert never joined team lobbyists for meetings with elected officials but instead offered polling data and advice on how the project could be presented as something palatable to Miami Beach, as well as to the Levine Cava administration and to county commissioners. He was never at a meeting we had with the mayor. He never claimed he was talking directly to the mayor, Hodgkins said. He would talk about what the political ramifications were. What people were thinking? What was the Beachs perspective? What would Commissioner Higgins, what would the mayor think, of this and that? While Ulvert was working on the monorail team, one of his political clients was the leading foe of the project. Dan Gelber, Miami Beachs mayor at the time, said he considers Ulvert as something of a son after giving him his start in politics with a paid position fresh out of Florida State University as communications director for Florida House Democrats when Gelber was minority leader in the late 2000s. That led to Ulvert running Gelbers multiple campaigns for office, including a failed bid for Florida attorney general and two successful runs for Miami Beach mayor. Some consultants will do the blocking and tackling of a campaign. And some consultants will give you a visionary path without the detail work. Christian does both, Gelber said. Thats why hes been very successful. Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber speaks as Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava joins him on stage during the gala at the Florida Democratic Partys annual Leadership Blue Weekend at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, on Saturday, July 8, 2023. Gelber said he was aware of Ulverts work for the team pursuing the county monorail project, a transit route that would link Miami Beach to private land on the Miami waterfront where Genting, a Malaysian casino operator, wanted to build a resort. Gelber, who has helped lead the fight against casino expansions in Miami-Dade, said he didnt have an issue with Ulvert quietly being on the opposite side of the monorail debate. Hes entitled to represent anyone he wants to, said Gelber, who last year joined Levine Cava to preside over a waterfront vow renewal ceremony for Ulvert and Andrade. Its not really an issue. For more than a year into her first term, Levine Cavas administration continued negotiating toward a monorail deal. Even after the development budget spiked to more than $1 billion, her administration defended the plan and successfully argued against a transit oversight board endorsing a Metromover extension to South Beach as a more practical alternative. This corridor has been studied since 1988, Eulois Cleckley, Levine Cavas transportation director, told the Citizens Independent Transit Trust board at the Oct. 28, 2021, meeting, urging members to stick with the monorail plan. This quite frankly is the best opportunity to deliver this connection. But her position flipped a year later, when Levine Cava announced the monorail project wasnt feasible and endorsed the same Metromover extension that her administration fought against months earlier. We are officially shifting gears, Levine Cava said at a press conference. And well start working to expand the Metromover system. It will be an easy, familiar, one-seat ride from Government Center all the way to South Beach. Ulvert described his work for the monorail team as focused on grassroots strategies related to building support on Miami Beach. He said he didnt advise Levine Cava on monorail issues and said she has ample help on policy decisions from her mayoral office staff, while he focuses on her political life outside of County Hall. She has a very well-seasoned team, he said. They know what theyre doing. Having a mayors political team overlap with the countys lobbying corps isnt unusual. When Carlos Gimenez was mayor between 2011 and 2020, his campaign manager was registered lobbyist Jesse Manzano-Plaza. The volunteer finance chair for Gimenezs campaigns was Ralph Garcia-Toledo, a registered lobbyist and county contractor who helped win Miami-Dade contracts under Gimenez. As registered lobbyists, Garcia-Toledo and Manzano-Plaza were authorized to pitch their clients plans directly to the mayor, something Ulvert cannot do. But, unlike for Ulvert, county rules required Garcia-Toledo and Manzano-Plaza to add their names to a county registry listing lobbyists and their clients. Three leaders of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenezs 2016 reelection campaign share a light moment in the County Commission chambers on Feb. 21, 2019. From left to right are Ralph Garcia-Toledo, who was Gimenezs volunteer finance chairman; Brian Goldmeier, the hired fundraiser for the 2016 race; and Jesse Manzano-Plaza, the campaign manager. Garcia-Toledo and Manzano-Plaza were part of a proposal by Genting to build and operate a county monorail system. Garcia-Toledo and Manzano-Plaza were at the center of the monorail bid when Gimenez was mayor and remained on the team as Levine Cava took office and Ulvert was hired. Later, Ulvert was on the same team as Garcia-Toledo and Manzano-Plaza for another high-profile effort to win a county contract under Levine Cava. In 2022, Lambert, the Miami Wilds developer, was helping lead a different team pursuing a development deal to build a $241 million hotel at the county-owned Miami International Airport. Operating under the name Parmco Airport Hospitality, the Lambert team was ranked second by a county review board that summer, with the high score going to a hotel venture formed by Fontainebleau owner Jeff Soffer and Stephen Ross, the New York developer who owns the Miami Dolphins. While Parmco got the lower score, the recommendation wasnt binding on Levine Cava. She got to decide who to recommend to county commissioners for the hotel contract. Though not known publicly at the time, Ulvert was advising Lambert and others on the Parmco team in their bid for the hotel deal. He was pretty clear: I can help you figure out how to message this correctly. For the mayor but also the commission, Lambert said. But Im not a lobbyist. You need to have support and other people that are working on the lobbying side. Thats what he told us. As the underdogs after the second-place ranking, the Parmco team hoped to get a leg up from the county with its backing by labor unions. Parmco had already signed preliminary peace agreements with two unions: IBEW, representing electricians, and LiUNA, representing construction laborers. Those agreements commit an employer like Parmco to not oppose organizing efforts to recruit workers to become dues-paying union members. The two unions wrote Levine Cava on Nov. 28, 2022, urging her to throw out the selection panels scoring and start fresh with a new bidding process that would put more weight on labor-friendly elements, including agreements for higher wages and local-hiring pledges. One of the unions, LiUNA had Ulvert as a consultant at the time, paying him about $7,500 that month, according to the unions federal regulatory filings. Less than a month later, Levine Cava largely did what the unions asked. On Dec. 21, 2022, she released a memo saying she would reject the ranked bids and issue a new request for proposals (RFP) for the airport hotel that put an emphasis on those labor-friendly elements. A project of the scale and scope of the airport hotel presents a major opportunity for Miami-Dade County to set a new procurement standard based on our values and priorities, she wrote in a memo to commissioners. A new process designed under our more rigorous procurement standards will help us reach a stronger financial outcome and create the greatest value possible for taxpayers. While the mayors surprise memo gave Parmco a second chance at the top score in a new bidding contest, the change wasnt well received by Lambert and other team members, according to multiple sources involved. By starting fresh, Levine Cava eliminated the chance of using her discretion to overrule the selection board and unilaterally recommend Parmco as the preferred hotel developer to the County Commission, which has the final power to award contracts. The following day, Ulvert was on a conference call with Lambert, lead partner Darryl Parmenter, Garcia-Toledo, Manzano-Plaza and others. Multiple participants described a tense exchange between Garcia-Toledo and Ulvert over Levine Cavas intentions. One participant, who didnt want to be identified discussing the private meeting, said Ulvert replied: The mayor is looking at this closely. Shell do what is right. Nevertheless, that meeting marked the end of Ulverts role on the airport hotel team, according to multiple people familiar with the Parmco team. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava poses with her campaign consultant, Christian Ulvert, during a get-out-the-vote event ahead on Aug. 15, 2024. Five days later, Levine Cava won a second term in the countys Aug. 20 elections. Levine Cava later decided to stick with the original bidding process and in April 2023 recommended the Ross and Soffer team as the airport hotels developer. County commissioners awarded that team the contract 12 weeks later. In describing his role on the Parmco team in an interview with the Herald, Ulvert said it was limited to lining up the union support that the developers thought would be helpful in their pursuit of the county deal. Thats the lens I had, Ulvert said. Its no secret I do a lot of work with labor. In her own interview, Levine Cava cited LiUNA as an Ulvert client that happens to overlap with her policy agenda. Im a LiUNA fan, she said. Im just a fan of the way that LiUNA does its work. She cited her rejection of Lamberts push for the Zoo Miami waterpark as an example of how hiring Ulvert doesnt mean favorable treatment from her administration. You saw what happened with Miami Wilds, she said. Known for her catchphrase, Love ya! Mean it!, Jill Tracey was an institution in South Florida radio who gave listeners all the juiciest celebrity gossip as well as a platform to discuss the issues of the day. She died Friday at age 60. Jills vibrant spirit and infectious laughter will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her, said a statement from the South Florida National Association of Black Journalists that was shared by WPLG news anchor Calvin Hughes. Tracey was actively involved with the organization. Jill Tracey was with WHQT HOT 105 FM on and off for more than 30 years in various roles but was laid off in June along with veteran radio personality, James T. Most recently she hosted a community engagement show on the weekend called Hot Talk with Jill Tracey and the daily morning show from 6-10 a.m. The reasoning behind Tracey and James Ts firings was unclear as representatives from Cox Media Group, which owns HOT 105 and Miami station 99 Jamz, didnt respond to the Miami Heralds request for comment at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is with heavy hearts that we remember Jill Tracey, a remarkable voice in Miami radio and a beloved figure at HOT 105 FM. South Florida has lost a true radio icon and community voice, the station posted in a statement on its website. For years, Jill Tracey graced the airwaves with her dynamic personality, insightful commentary, and passion for serving her community. Known not only for her work as a radio host but also as a community leader, Jills impact extended far beyond the studio walls. Miami radio personality Cindy Doucet, known to fans as Supa Cindy, who worked on Cox Media Group radio station 99 Jamz for two decades, told the Herald in a statement that she considers Tracey a legend. Jill was my sister, said Doucet. I am devastated and heartbroken. She did so much in and for the community and deserves to be remembered as one of the greats. At the time of her death, Jill was running for Hollywoods District 2 commissioner, hoping to replace the citys first Black commissioner Linda Anderson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tracey started her career as a South Beach gossip columnist, which led to radio and TV jobs that took her to Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta and back to Miami. During the late 90s Traceys life as a radio star began to rise on WEDR 99 Jamz. There wasnt a club opening she didnt attend, a celebrity who could sneak into town without her finding out or some dirt she couldnt dig up. A 1997 Herald profile described Tracey, who for years hosted a celebrity gossip segment on air called The 4-1-1, as a gossip guru, entertainment reporter and social butterfly. Traceys business is other folks business. Jill Tracey does her morning show from her apartment on the beach for the Hot105 morning show in March 1997. Tracey died Friday, Nov. 1. She was 60. I am that sister-girl in your kitchen gossiping, Tracey told the Herald. I am giving people what they want. People have a natural curiosity about stars. They want to know who did what to whom and when. Tracey was a past president of the NABJ South Florida chapter and championed diversity and excellence in journalism, leaving a lasting impact on the community she loved. According to the NABJ statement, Tracey recently faced health challenges, but her resilience and determination never wavered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her legacy will continue to inspire and uplift those she touched throughout her life, the statement read. As we remember Jill, we celebrate her contributions, her spirit, and the laughter she brought into our lives. She will always hold a special place in our hearts. Always a cocktail in the mix Friends of Tracey described her as a renaissance woman who was fashionable, a food and music connoisseur and cared deeply about her community. Born and raised in Detroit, Tracey first came to South Florida as a student at Florida Memorial University, where she earned a bachelors degree in clinical, counseling and applied psychology, but she quickly found her true calling in media. Jill Tracey, the iconic voice of South Floridas airwaves, is pictured here in a headshot taken for Essence Magazine. Tracey, who is originally from Detroit and graduated from Florida Memorial University, died Friday, Nov. 1. She was 60. During a brief stint at a radio station in Los Angeles she met close friend Stephanie Anderson, who described Tracey as that girl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She just was so genuinely loving and kind to everybody, Anderson told the Miami Herald. She genuinely cared for everybody that she met even if she didnt agree with you. She was extremely respectful and kind. The two grew closer when Anderson moved to South Florida and were practically inseparable. Anderson said Tracey made South Florida home, adding that she cared about her community and was involved with various organizations such as the Embrace Girls Foundation. Im still very much numb and in shock thinking that at some point, Im going to wake up and this is going to be a dream or a nightmare, she said. Anderson was the one who found Tracey unresponsive in her home Friday morning. Traceys two dogs, Lola Dewberry and Joy, were beside her at the time. Friend and former coworker Suzan McDowell described Tracey as jubilant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was a big deal in radio, especially Black radio, McDowell said, recalling the days when shed listen to Traceys show for the latest celebrity gossip. Theres a few iconic people and shes on that list. Natalie Piner, Senior Director of News Talent, Culture & Training with McClatchy, the Miami Heralds parent company, said she grew to know Tracey after working on a project aimed at helping the Herald have better outreach with the Black community. We just hit it off, she said, recalling that Tracey had invited her to her 50th birthday celebration and they became close friends. She was like the auntie to my kids and would love and be there for us. One of her favorite memories was in August when the two celebrated their birthdays at a rented house in Hollywood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both McDowell and Piner recalled Traceys joy and zest for food and life: Every time I come to her house, she was trying to feed us and give us something to drink, Piner said. Always a cocktail in the mix. Controversies and challenges Traceys life wasnt without controversy. In 1998, she was arrested for shoplifting $300 worth of products, including Prada shoes, at a Neiman Marcus at Sawgrass Mills, according to a Miami Herald article. At the time, Tracey was president of the South Florida chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists and lost her job with HOT 105, the Herald reported. McDowell said Tracey was trying to keep up with the Joneses. She had to keep up with appearances because she was the bon vivant; she was the girl around town, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tracey also struggled with her weight. Tracey appeared on Iyanla Vanzants show Fix My Life and to tackle her weight loss issues. She underwent bariatric surgery a few years ago. In recent years, Anderson said, Tracey had been dealing with heart issues, but there had been nothing recent that indicated anything she was dealing with was immediately life threatening. Two years ago, she lost her mother, Linda Joy, and earlier this year she lost a beloved dog, Princess. And then in June, Tracey was laid off from HOT 105, a surprise that left her and fans reeling. Friend and former co-worker Rodney Baltimore described Tracey as opinionated and bold. She was on the forefront of South Beach before South Beach evolved into what it is. Jill was there already and knew what was happening, he said. Still, Baltimore believed the loss of her job took a toll on her. I think she missed being on the air, he said. Jill, the politician In more recent months, Tracey made a bid for Hollywood District 2 commissioner, where she wouldve replaced Linda Anderson, the citys first Black commissioner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tracey was encouraged to run to help others in her community, friends said. The last conversation she and Piner had was about her campaign and how committed she was to helping those who were less fortunate. She dealt with not having any insurance, not having a job that appreciated her, Piner said. She wanted to be that voice for other peoples stories because she empathizes so much with everybody else. Anderson, who served as her campaign manager, echoed those sentiments adding that she was particularly concerned about the Liberia community, a historically Black neighborhood. Jill Tracey (far right) poses with friend Stephanie Alexander (far left) and a friend at an event honoring Oakland Park Commissioner Aisha Gordon for a decade of service. Tracey, an iconic voice in South Florida, died Friday, Nov. 1. She was 60. She definitely wanted to preserve Liberia because shed been in Miami Beach when it was destroyed by developers, Anderson said, adding Tracey had seen the same thing happen in Overtown. In her last Instagram post, Tracey appeared to be making peace with the loss of her job, thanking listeners for supporting her over her 30-year career. She could be seen in her car, getting ready to cast her ballot for herself as commissioner and hinted at a podcast project shed been working on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sound cuts off toward the end of the video, but you can see her mouth that famous catchphrase, Love ya! Mean it! Bye Bye, as she blows a kiss. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. A GoFundMe has been set up in Traceys memory. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) Michael K. Lane peacefully departed this life for eternity on Monday, October 21, 2024. He was born on July 12, 1955, in Youngstown, Ohio, to the union of Perry and Ida Bell (Dessie) Pearson-Lane, Michael later made Jacksonville, Florida, his home in 1978. Find obituaries from your high school He was a proud member of Youngstown South High Schools class of 1975. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael embarked on a career as a skilled sandblaster, a profession that took him to numerous cities and countries, including Scotland and South America. Michael was known for his exceptional skills in the kitchen, especially for his famous pound cakes. His close bond with his sister, Dewanyer, who was like a mother to him, was a constant in his life. Despite health challenges in recent years, Michael continued to visit her, sharing meals and companionship as a testament to his unwavering love and dedication. He leaves behind a legacy of cherished memories with his sister, Dewanyer Locket of Jacksonville; his brother, Cornell Lane of Youngstown and nieces, Teryle Pearson and Stacey Taylor, of Jacksonville, Lisa Kandawalla of Brandon, Florida, Leslie Turner and Cassandra (Robert) Gilliam, of Cleveland, Ohio and Terriea Mines of Youngstown, Ohio. He is also remembered by nephews, Jason (Tonya) Pearson of Jacksonville, J. Dwayne (Shahara) Heard of Youngstown, Ohio and Terrance (Cynthia) Pearson of Columbia, Maryland. Michaels memory lives on in five great-nieces, 12 great-nephews, eight great-great-nieces and seven great-great-nephews; a devoted friend like a brother, Darryl Presley; along with numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who loved him deeply. Michael was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Eugene (Jeanette) Pearson and Milton (Anita) Pearson; sisters, Delores Lane-McNeil, Anita Lane and Laura Diane Lane and nephews, Eugene Davis and Leonard (Putt) Richardson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michaels warmth and devotion to his loved ones will be dearly missed but fondly remembered by all who knew him. He leaves behind a world forever touched by his presence and a legacy of love that shall echo through the ages. The well lived and well loved life of Michael will be honored publicly. The family invites the community to lovingly recognize Michaels life on Friday, November 1, 2024, at Rosa Glover Holmes Memorial Chapel, 4334 Brentwood Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida, with a public viewing at 11:00 a.m. The Celebration of Life will begin at Noon with Rev. Dr. Christopher McKee serving as the celebrant. At this time of intimate need and personal loss, the beloved family of Michael K. Lane elected to locally entrust the Ministry of Comfort & Care, along with Transitional After-Care Arrangements to the J. E. Washington Funeral Services, 2234 Glenwood Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 330.782.8500. A television tribute will air Sunday, November 3 at the following approximate times: 6:27 p.m. on WYTV and 6:58 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Michelangelo may have depicted a woman suffering from breast cancer in a famous fresco of a biblical flood on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, researchers have suggested. The naked woman, who is wearing only a blue headscarf, was brought to life by the Renaissance figure in his iconic fresco, known as The Flood, which was painted between 1508 and 1512. She is shown clutching her ribs just below her breast as men and women with children attempt to flee Gods flooding of the Earth in a chaotic depiction from The Bibles Book of Genesis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A study published in the medical journal The Breast found the womans breast and the area around her right armpit was disfigured in a way consistent with symptoms of the disease. Dr Raffaella Bianucci, an expert in the medical analysis of artwork known as iconodiagnosis at the University of Paris-Saclay, said the woman appears to have a retracted nipple and areola on her right breast surrounded by lumps and indentations. Researchers also noted a bulge beneath the womans armpit which may portray enlarged lymph nodes. The contrast with the right breast is evident. Although slightly elevated by her right arm, there is a significantly retracted and deformed nipple, the researchers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also believe the potential representation of breast cancer may tie in with the Florentines attempts to portray the inevitability of death. The Flood was painted between 1508 and 1512 - Alamy Dr Bianucci said the finding was particularly significant because it may confirm the incidence of cancer as far back as 1508 when Michelangelo painted the fresco, a mural painting technique that daubs water-based paint into wet plaster. She said the depiction also reflected the scientific breakthroughs in identifying disease in that era. The Renaissance was not only a period of artistic creativity, it marked the dawn of surgery, Dr Bianucci told The Telegraph. Michelangelo was well known for his studies of the human body and had examined and dissected cadavers from a young age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previous ground-breaking research showed he also hid anatomical sketches in the robes and faces of his figures in the Sistine Chapel in an attack on the churchs disdain for science. The woman at the centre of the latest research was shown in one of nine scenes from the Book of Genesis that stretch across the vast ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, located in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican City. Each womans naked breast was carefully examined by our team in order to identify the presence of possible pathological conditions, Dr Bianucci said. The case of The Flood is particularly interesting, especially because it allows multiple levels of interpretation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The researchers said Michelangelo might have had knowledge of healthy breasts of different sizes and morphologies and presenting pathological breast conditions with a theological meaning may have been his intention. Michelangelo painted more than 300 figures across the celebrated ceiling which attracts more than five million visitors a year. Experts have long been fascinated by the accuracy of the artists anatomical portrayal as well as his theological interpretation of biblical events. Researchers have previously identified physical signs of breast cancer including swelling and skin retraction in the breast of a woman Michelangelo depicted in his image of Night above the Tomb of Giuliano de Medici in Florence. 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. [Source] A 19-year-old Chinese citizen studying at the University of Michigan was charged with voter fraud and perjury after allegedly casting a ballot for the U.S. presidential election in Ann Arbor on Sunday. The student reportedly reached out to local election officials later that day to try and retrieve the ballot back. Michigan authorities did not identify the student, noting that he used his university ID and other documents to register on the spot, falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An in-person ballot is placed in a tabulator or ballot box, intermingled with other ballots, Center for Election Innovation & Research founder David Becker told CNN. This is to preserve secrecy, so you cant go into the ballot later and confirm who a particular person voted for. Federal and state authorities are investigating whether this incident was isolated or part of a larger issue. Trending on NextShark: UCLA receives AANAPISI designation Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! Rescuers searched for survivors Friday after Israeli airstrikes killed at least 52 people and wounded 72 others across northeastern Lebanon, the country's Health Ministry reported. The wave of bombings pounded villages that had previously been spared the worst of Israels air campaign against the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Israeli warplanes also destroyed dozens of buildings in Beiruts southern suburb of Dahiyeh, but it appeared most residents had evacuated and there were no reports of casualties. Despite growing pressure from the United States and others in the international community for a cease-fire in Gaza and Lebanon, intensified Israeli strikes against the Hezbollah militant group are expanding beyond Lebanons border areas. Israel is also fighting a seemingly endless war against Hamas in northern Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted last year, at least 2,900 people have been killed and 13,150 wounded in Lebanon, the Health Ministry reports, not including Fridays toll. Health authorities say that a quarter of those killed were women and children. More than a year of Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 43,000, Palestinian health officials say, without distinguishing between civilians and combatants. The war began after Palestinian militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people mostly civilians and abducting 250 others. ___ Heres the latest: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels emergency services says 7 injured in attack in town of Tira JERUSALEM Israels emergency services said seven people were injured before dawn Saturday in attack in the central town of Tira. The Magen David Adom service said two of the casualties were in moderate condition from the attack, which a photo the service released showed damage to what appeared to be an apartment building. The others had milder injuries. Israels military said three projectiles had crossed into Israel from Lebanon, some of which were intercepted. UN peacekeepers insist they will stay in southern Lebanon despite Israel-Hezbollah war Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UNITED NATIONS The U.N. peacekeeping chief says the U.N. force in southern Lebanon is determined to stay, not only because of its mandate monitoring attacks by Israel and Hezbollah but because the departure of peacekeepers would likely mean U.N. facilities would be taken over by one of the warring parties. That would be very bad for many reasons, including the perception of impartiality and neutrality of the United Nations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix said in a U.N. interview Friday. At the start of Israels latest offensive in early October Israel asked the U.N. peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL to pull back 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the Lebanese border for their safety, but the U.N. refused. UNIFIL peacekeepers are staying, Lacroix said. Theyre holding the line and theyre determined to continue doing what theyre mandated to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UNIFIL facilities, including an observation tower, have been hit and Lacroix said eight peacekeepers have been injured since the Israeli ground operation began on Oct. 1. All have since recovered. In the latest incident, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Israeli forces blocked a UNIFIL patrol near the village of Hula, not far from the Israeli border. The U.N. strongly reminds the parties of their obligations to ensure that U.N. peacekeepers have unrestricted freedom of movement in their southern area of operations, Dujarric said. The U.N. International Organization for Migration has recorded more than 842,000 people who have fled their homes in Lebanon since October 2023, and estimates from the Syria Arab Red Crescent say 469,000 men, women and children have fled Lebanon and crossed into Syria since Sept. 23, Dujarric said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Death toll from Israeli strikes in northeast Lebanon climbs to at least 52 BEIRUT Lebanese health authorities said Israel launched dozens of intense airstrikes across Lebanons northeastern farming villages on Friday, killing at least 52 people and wounding 72 others. The strikes pounding rural villages that had previously been spared the worst of Israels intense air campaign against Hezbollah. The governor of Baalbek, Bachir Khodr, reported airstrikes on nine villages across the northeast. The state-run news agency, NNA, separately reported four more people killed in the small farming village of Ollak, also in the Bekaa Valley a rural area of olive groves and vineyards nestled between Lebanons two mountain ranges where the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group draws significant support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel is being attacked daily by one-way drones from Iraq, two officials say WASHINGTON Iranian-backed militias are launching one-way attack drones against Israel from inside Iraq, which U.S. and partner forces have had to intercept, two officials told The Associated Press. Both a U.S. defense official and a regional security official said the one-way drones have been an issue since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, and arent a retaliation from Iran for Israels strikes last week. However the drone attacks have increased in number in recent weeks. Theres been an average of about five launches a day from within Iraq targeting Israel by Iranian-aligned militia groups, and within the last week, eight UAVs were fired in one 24-hour period, the regional security officer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. and partnered forces have been intercepting the attack drones, both officials said. They spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details that have not been made public on the Iraq-launched drone attacks. The ongoing launches have increased the chance that Israel will respond directly to those attacks, the regional security official said. Israel's offensive in northern Gaza has created apocalyptic conditions, say 15 humanitarian agencies UNITED NATIONS The leaders of 15 United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations warned Friday that "the situation unfolding in northern Gaza is apocalyptic and the entire Palestinian population in the territory risks imminent death from disease, famine and violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Israels nearly monthlong offensive in the north, Palestinians have been denied basic humanitarian aid and lifesaving supplies while bombardments and other attacks continue, the leaders said. They said that in the past few days, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed mostly women and children and thousands have been displaced. Hospitals have been attacked and cut off from supplies, dozens of schools serving as shelters have been bombed or forcibly evacuated, and rescue teams have been deliberately attacked and thwarted from attempts to rescue people from under the rubble of their homes, they said. The entire region is on the edge of a precipice, the leaders said. An immediate cessation of hostilities and a sustained, unconditional cease-fire are long overdue. They also demanded the immediate release of hostages taken by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups during the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks in southern Israel. Among those signing the statement were the heads of the U.N. humanitarian office OCHA, World Health Organization, World Food Program, childrens agency UNICEF, the International Council of Voluntary Agencies and Oxfam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some 100,000 people recently displaced from northern Gaza are sheltering in schools, buildings, or makeshift sites in Gaza City, while about 75,000 people are estimated to remain in the north Gaza governorate, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Israel says it killed a senior Hamas political official in Gaza JERUSALEM The Israeli military says it has killed Hamas official Izz al-Din Kassab in a strike in Gaza, describing him as one of the last senior officials from the groups political bureau. Hamas confirmed the death of Kassab in a brief condolence statement, saying he was killed along with his assistant, Ayman Ayesh, in an Israeli strike that targeted their car in Gazas southern town of Khan Younis. Kassab, responsible for coordinating with other groups in Gaza, was not well-known to the public. Most Arab media reports on his death quoted only the Israeli armys announcement. The Israeli military described Kassab as a significant source of power, adding that he was responsible for coordinating between Hamas different factions and other militant groups in the Gaza Strip. Israel has made eliminating Hamas leadership a key aim of its campaign in Gaza. Last month Israeli forces in Gaza killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. In August Israel was believed to be behind an explosion in Iran that killed Ismail Haniyeh, the senior Hamas political leader. UN to move ahead with a smaller polio vaccination effort in northern Gaza UNITED NATIONS A scaled-down polio vaccination campaign is set to begin Saturday in part of northern Gaza, which has seen intense Israeli bombardment. The U.N. World Health Organization and childrens agency UNICEF made the announcement in a joint statement Friday. The second dose of polio vaccine for children in northern Gaza was postponed from Oct. 23 due to lack of access, Israeli bombings and mass evacuation orders, and the lack of assurances for humanitarian pauses, the statement said. The humanitarian pause necessary to conduct the campaign has been assured, WHO and UNICEF said. However, the area of the pause has been substantially reduced compared to the first round of vaccination in northern Gaza. The campaign will now be limited to just Gaza City, compared to the first round of vaccinations on Sept. 5 throughout northern Gaza, the U.N. agencies said. While at least 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate from areas of north Gaza towards Gaza City for safety in the past few weeks, around 15,000 children under the age of 10 remain in northern towns including Jabaliya, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun which remain inaccessible and wont be part of Saturday The final phase of the polio vaccination campaign had aimed to reach an estimated 119,000 children in the north with a second dose of oral polio vaccine, the agencies said, but achieving this target is now unlikely due to access constraints. To interrupt poliovirus transmission, at least 90% of all children in every community and neighborhood must be vaccinated, WHO and UNICEF said. This will be challenging to achieve given the situation. Israeli airstrikes hit northeastern Lebanon, killing 24 there, Lebanese agency says BEIRUT Israeli airstrikes on Friday killed at least 24 people in northeastern Lebanon, the countrys news agency said, raising the death toll from eight there. It was the latest deadly toll in the area since the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah escalated last month. Israels military has said that its operation in Lebanon is targeting Hezbollahs military infrastructure. Lebanons state National news Agency reported four airstrikes in different villages across countrys northeast, saying rescuers were still searching for survivors in Younine, a town in the Bekaa Valley, from the rubble of a targeted house. Hussein Haj Hassan, a Lebanese lawmaker representing the region in Baalbek-Hermel region, said that 60,000 people have already fled their homes in the area due to Israeli bombardment. The death toll from Friday's strikes in the northeast was expected to increase further, reports said. Death toll rises from West Bank raid that the UN says badly damaged its offices Palestinian health officials say the death toll from an Israeli raid in the north of the occupied West Bank has risen from three to four. The Ramallah-based health ministry said two people were killed by gunfire and two by bombing in the two-day military raid, which ended Thursday. The Israeli military said its troops withdrew from the camp after striking two militants who had fired upon soldiers and killing other militants in close quarters combat. Hamas denounced the attack, which it said killed a Hamas leader in the area. The operation in the Nur Shams refugee camp heavily damaged the offices of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. The agencys Commissioner General, Philippe Lazzarini, wrote Thursday on X that it had been put of service by Israeli military bulldozers that partially demolished the building. The Israeli military denied it damaged the building. It said militants had planted explosives nearby and set them off to attack Israeli troops and that the blast likely caused damage to the building. Palestinian health officials say that Israeli fire has killed at least 736 Palestinians in the West Bank since Oct. 7, 2023, including at least 165 children. Israeli Cabinet approves 2025 budget ramping up defense spending amid fighting in Gaza and Lebanon Israels Cabinet on Friday passed a budget for 2025 Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said, ramping up defense spending amid the war in Gaza and Israels invasion of Lebanon. The budget, which must still be approved by Israels parliament before taking effect, increased allotted defense spending to at least $27.2 billion, Israeli media reported, though that could increase to $40 billion pending further cabinet discussions. In the last year, Israel spent $27.5 billion on defense, according to the the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. We have come together for an important, difficult, but necessary budget in a year of war, Netanyahu said after the budget was approved. The budget has been mired in controversy in Israel, with the destruction caused by conflicts on two fronts driving up government expenditures and debt, a mass call-up of reservist soldiers hurting families and small businesses, and international credit ratings being downgraded. Economists have called for an end to the war with Hamas in Gaza and for far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to construct a budget that reduces the countrys deficit something that would require unpopular decisions such as raising taxes or cutting spending. Smotrich on Friday claimed the budget would reduce the deficit and that spending allocations were intended to support all war efforts until victory and allow Israel to emerge from war into accelerated growth. Opposition lawmakers promptly criticized the budget for allocating funds to government ministries run by Netanyahus far-right and ultranationalist coalition partners which they described at superfluous. Yair Lapid wrote on X that the budget distributes billions of shekels to 10 unnecessary government ministries. Theyve lost their shame. Israeli airstrikes on villages in northeastern Lebanon kill 10 people, news agency says BEIRUT Lebanons state news agency says two separate Israeli airstrikes on Friday in the country's northeast have killed 10 people. The National News Agency said eight people were killed when a village home in Amhaz was destroyed while two other people were killed in the village of Taraya. Israel intensified its airstrikes on the northeastern Baalbek-Hermel region earlier this week, killing dozens and leaving tens of thousands displaced. Lebanese legislator Hussein Haj Hassan, who represents the region in Parliament, said that so far 60,000 people have been displaced from the area, many of them moved to safer towns and villages nearby. UN rights office warns of threat to UNESCO World Heritage Site in Baalbek and other archaeological sites BEIRUT The U.N. Human Rights Office on Friday expressed alarm over the continuing grave impact of Israeli military operations on civilians and civilian targets in Lebanon, including the destruction of places of worship and risks posed to invaluable archaeological sites. The office said that since Israels air force ordered the northeastern Lebanese city of Baalbek evacuated, airstrike that followed have come perilously close to the ancient Roman-era temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Destruction of cultural heritage depletes the historical and cultural identity of the communities it represents, it said. The sites destroyed or severely damaged so far include mosques in the southern villages of Yaroun, Maroun el-Ras, Blida, and Kfar Tibnit, OHCHR said, adding that a Melkite Greek Catholic church in the port city of Tyre was also damaged in early October. Civilian objects, buildings dedicated to religion and other sites of cultural significance are protected from attack under international humanitarian law unless they become military objectives, the office said. It stressed that should the sites lose their protection, any attacks upon them must still comply with the principles of proportionality and precaution, and that all parties to the conflict should take special care to avoid damage to buildings dedicated to religion or other sites of cultural or historical significance. Death toll rises to 25 from Israeli strikes on Thursday in central Gaza DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Hospital officials in Gaza said on Friday that the death toll from Israeli strikes on the central parts of the territory the day before has risen from 16 to 25 as more bodies have been recovered. The Palestinians killed in the series of strikes on central Gaza include five children and seven women, the officials said. The Israeli military did not comment on the specific strikes but said it had killed armed militants in central Gaza on Thursday. UN aid agency says there's a new wave of displacement from Beirut after Israeli strikes GENEVA The U.N. humanitarian aid coordination agency is pointing to a new wave of displacement in Beirut after the Israeli army issued new orders for people to leave. Spokesman Jens Laerke of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid, citing local officials, says the new displacement orders for the capitals southern suburbs were followed shortly afterward by heavy airstrikes. He told reporters in Geneva that other recent displacement orders from the Israeli military spurred an estimated 50,000 people to leave the eastern city of Baalbek and head mostly toward the northern Bekaa Valley. We are working to access civilians who remain in hard to reach areas. To date, 15 convoys have successfully been organized to reach areas in four Lebanese cities, including Baalbek, Laerke said. But the insecurity has an impact on what we can do. During the same briefing, World Health Organization spokeswoman Margaret Harris expressed concerns about the malnutrition situation in Gaza. Weve not really seen any food aid into north Gaza since the 2nd of October. People are running out of ways to cope. The food systems have collapsed, she said. The opportunity to care for those who are at the most critical stage is not there anymore. An Israeli airstrike on the edge of Qamatiyeh in Lebanon kills 3 and wounds 5 BERIUT Lebanons Health Ministry says an Israeli airstrike on a mountain town overlooking Beirut has killed three people and wounded five. The ministry gave no further details about the early Friday airstrike on the edge of Qamatiyeh, southeast of Beirut. An Associated Press journalist who visited the scene said the strike was closer to the nearby village of Ein al-Rummaneh, adding that it caused minor damage to an apartment on the first floor of a building. On Oct. 6, an Israeli strike in Qamatiyeh killed six people, including three children, Lebanons Health Ministry said. Thailand tells Israel not to allow workers to enter closed military zones after 4 are killed in northern Israel BANGKOK The employer of the Thai workers killed and injured in northern Israel had received permission from the Israeli military to bring the workers to the area for about 1-2 hours, said Nikorndej Balankura, spokesperson of Thailands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding Friday that the employer was also killed. The worker who was injured was in serious condition and was being treated at a hospital in Haifa, he said, and the Thai embassy was already in touch with the families of the deceased. Projectiles fired Thursday from Lebanon into northern Israel killed seven people, including four Thai workers, in the deadliest such attack since Israeli troops invaded Lebanon in early October. Israels northernmost town, Metula is surrounded by Lebanon on three sides and has sustained heavy damage from rockets. The towns residents evacuated in October 2023, and only security officials and agricultural workers remain there. Nikorndej said Thailand has called on Israel to refrain from granting permissions for Thai workers to enter closed military zones from now on, to prevent such losses from happening again. Thailand reiterates its call on all conflicting parties to immediately cease any retaliatory actions to prevent the situation from prolonging and aggravating, and to restore regional peace and stability in the Middle East region, he said. Israel pounds Beirut suburb overnight with airstrikes BEIRUT Israels air force resumed airstrikes on Beiruts southern suburb, destroying buildings in several neighborhoods, Lebanons state-run National News Agency said Friday. There was no immediate word on casualties. The early Friday airstrikes on Dahiyeh after a four-day lull during which no airstrikes were reported in the suburb destroyed dozens of buildings and caused fires in the area, the agency said. In recent days, Israel has intensified its airstrikes on the northeastern city of Baalbek and nearby villages, as well as different parts of southern Lebanon. In our Reality Check stories, The State journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. Read more. Story idea? Email statenews@thestate.com. As voters in the Midlands have been bombarded by election material this year, they might have noticed something. Multiple candidates are running for school board seats across Lexington and Richland counties, most of them for at-large, multi-candidate seats where the top vote-getters will win seats on the board. But even in this electoral free-for-all where each candidate could be seen as running against all the others, none of them with party labels some are finding ways to signal their agreement with each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In several Midlands school board races this year, several candidates are effectively running as a team, even without labeling themselves as Democrats and Republicans. In South Carolina, most school board races are non-partisan. Candidates might be elected to school boards in the Midlands without party labels, but that doesnt mean they dont run as part of a slate. In many races, campaign material will list candidates in local school board races side by side, whether endorsed by the individual campaigns or not. In Lexington-Richland 5, three of five candidates are effectively running as a team; Jason Baynham for one seat on the Richland County side of the district, and Catherine Huddle and Ken Loveless for two seats on the Lexington County side. The three have cross-promoted each other on social media and appeared on campaign mailers together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lexington-Richland 5 board will change after election. It could look like the old one South Carolina law doesnt prohibit candidates from coordinating their efforts or even from being endorsed by political parties in a non-partisan race. The most limitations the S.C. Ethics Commission imposes is the requirement to set up a separate, joint-fundraising account for any money the candidates raise collectively, according to a 2002 advisory opinion issued by the commission. Some candidates have been grouped together by outside organizations hoping to influence school board races. In Richland 1, four candidates have been endorsed by the group Get Richland One Working, or GROW, a nonprofit organization that focuses on improving educational outcomes for children in Richland County School District One, according to its website, including through endorsing candidates for the school board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Incumbent Angela Clyburn and retired educator Richard Moore received the groups endorsement in the at-large race for two seats on the Richland 1 board, along with Steven Diaz for District 2 and Ericka Hursey in District 4. In Lexington County, Huddle and Loveless have both been endorsed by the Lexington County Republican Party. The county GOP has also endorsed McKenzie Flashnick and Dana Homesley in Lexington 1 and Abbott Tre Bray, Mary Burkett and Cliff Springs in Lexington 2. Those kinds of outside endorsements also arent prohibited by S.C. campaign or ethics laws, the state Ethics Commission confirmed in an email, even when the candidates themselves dont receive the formal nomination of a party when running for a school board seat. So candidates are legally in the clear to coordinate their election runs, and in the process give voters a clearer idea of who will work well together should they get onto the board. Investigative Summary: A former Austin resident described how his wife and daughter were killed in an underride crash when their vehicle went underneath the side of a semi truck. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently considering whether to require trucks install a safety feature designed to prevent similar crashes in what the trucking industry calls a costly unfunded mandate. AUSTIN (KXAN) Two days before she was killed, 19-year-old Sophie Rosenberg was all smiles in her brightly colored dress, face paint and hair full of confetti. An engineering student at Texas A&M, Sophie just attended the Austin City Limits Music Festival when her mom offered a ride back to College Station so she could make it to class the next morning. photo of girl with confetti in her hair They left shortly after midnight, Jay Rosenberg recalled, six years later. Gave them both hugs, told them I loved them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 3:20 a.m. on Oct. 15, 2018, the driver of a semi-trailer truck failed to yield the right of way at a stop sign and pulled out in front of the minivan Leslie, 62, and Sophie were in, according to the crash report. They were within 25 miles of campus. The driver, who was never charged with a crime, told authorities he saw their vehicle but believed he had enough time to make the wide turn. My wife went under the truck, which tore, of course, the top of the van and they didnt survive, he said. She obviously didnt even see the truck because there were no skid marks. What happened is called an underride crash. It is estimated to kill 500 people a year, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). diagram showing how car hit side of a semi He had blocked the entire road with his rig and theres a hill and it was dark and theres no lights there and the truck wasnt illuminated, Rosenberg said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crash happened so quickly that the airbags never went off. If the car hit any sort of guards like they have on the back of trucks they dont have those on the side that would cause the airbags to inflate, Rosenberg said. They might have had a chance, he added. Real world solution Safety advocates and engineers point to an aftermarket device, called a side underride guard, they believe could absolutely save lives. It attaches to the sides of a tractor-trailer with the goal of preventing a car from sliding underneath, like what happened with Leslie and Sophie. Its very hard to hear stories like that, said IIHS senior research engineer Matthew Brumbelow. vehicle with roof off after crash The IIHS has conducted crash-testing in its facility of side underride guards and found that they would save lives if they were required, Brumbelow said. In two tests, the device prevented a car from going underneath the trailer. Its a proven real world solution to a fairly common type of crash, he stressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, if they can save lives, why arent they required? Thats a great question, he said. For decades, different groups like us have been asking (the National Highway Transportation Administration) to require side underride guards and they have declined to do so after studying how much they think it would cost. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires safety bars on the back of trucks, but not the sides. Brumbelow is part of the Advisory Committee on Underride Protection, established by Congress in 2021 and formed last year as part of an infrastructure law. The group is tasked with looking into underride guards for trucks weighing over 10,000 pounds. In its June report, a majority recommended requiring side guards rated to stop a vehicle going 40 m.p.h. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A series of crash tests shows the difference a side underride guard can make in preventing vehicles from sliding underneath in an accident (Courtesy Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) NHTSA, which oversees highway safety, is now considering that recommendation for a possible new rule. video still of car crashing into side guard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Balancing business, safety The ongoing debate comes amid years-long industry opposition. The added weight, the structural integrity of the trailer, with a side guard in place were among the concerns American Trucking Associations president Chris Spear told members of Congress in 2019. Is it [the safety of the truck] compromised? These are valid questions that, I think, need to be fleshed out. In a statement, the ATA calls underride guards an excessive unfunded mandate that would cost the trucking industry $35 billion to install on all existing trucks and would divert money from other safety investments. In its statement to KXAN, the ATA said the trucking industry invests $14 billion a year on safety training and technology and supports solutions to reduce and prevent all crashes, including underride. It stressed equipment mandates should be based on sound engineering while considering real-world operations and weighing unintended consequences. The Texas Trucking Association declined to comment and referred questions to the ATA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a June report, NHTSA estimated the net benefits of side underride guards would be a negative amount between $844 million and $1 billion. It estimated the safety devices would save 17.2 lives and prevent 69 serious injuries a year. Full statements: Brumbelow, however, believes NHTSA is underestimating how many lives can be saved. He predicts the amount to be much higher: 200 lives saved a year, based on IIHS research. It is really frustrating that we have to put a dollar value on human life, he said. This type of counter-measure, he stressed, can improve chances of survival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are not high-tech kinds of devices. Its a pretty simple solution, he said. That just makes it all the more sad and frustrating that we are where we are today. NHTSA didnt address its analysis on the effectiveness and cost of side underride guards, which were based on available information. In a statement, a spokesperson called it unacceptable that more than 40,000 people die every year in traffic crashes. That is why the U.S. DOT launched a local, state and federal effort to address this crisis. The agency pointed to efforts to prevent and mitigate underride crashes and deaths including improving data collection, conducting critical safety research, gathering advice from diverse stakeholders and proposing regulations, including automatic emergency braking systems. man holds photo of wife and daughter In May, the agency published a final rule requiring automatic emergency braking on passenger cars and light trucks starting in 2029. Fighting back tears, Rosenberg said it is still almost impossible to accept the fact that his wife of 35 years and youngest daughter are both gone. He wishes side-guards were required the day they were killed and would absolutely like to see that done today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He plans to contact members of Congress and NHTSA to advocate for a safety change. For him, its a solution that cant afford to wait. Not only for my wife and daughter, Rosenberg said. But for countless of other people. Photojournalist Todd Bailey, Director of Investigations & Innovation Josh Hinkle, Investigative Producer Dalton Huey, Investigative Photojournalist Chris Nelson and Digital Director Kate Winkle 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 KXAN Austin. Military families face steep increases in private school fees from January, despite Labours pledge to shield them from a 20pc tax raid. The Government stopped short of granting a VAT exemption for the children of military parents and diplomats on Wednesday, and instead announced it will hike a form of taxpayer-funded support. Budget documents said the amount of funding allocated to cover the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) which subsidises fees for military families will increase ahead of January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, critics have warned this measure would not shield military families from having to pay higher fees and could still leave the Government battling a recruitment and retention crisis. The allowance is designed to provide stability for children whose parents frequently work away, and can cover up to 90pc of boarding school fees. Around 4,700 children from military and diplomatic families receive the support. Senior defence sources told The Telegraph the CEA is expected to be between 12 and 15pc. A 15pc increase means military families would receive an extra 1,362 each term, equivalent to 4,086 each year, with the allowance rising from 27,240 to 31,236. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a child in receipt of CEA currently attends a boarding school which charges 30,000 a year, the family pays 3,000 in fees while the allowance covers the remaining 27,000. If that school raises its fees by 20pc as a result of the tax raid, fees will go up to 36,000 a year. Assuming a 15pc uplift in CEA, military families would be able to claim the new maximum allowance of 31,236 but they would be left having to foot the difference of 4,764, meaning their fees would increase by 56pc. A spokesman for the Army Families Federation said: While it is helpful to finally be informed that CEA will be increased, they need to know by how much and when they will receive it, as they plan for how they will meet next terms school fees. And as the 10pc parental contribution will still be affected by VAT increases, there may be families who will find this unaffordable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labours analysis estimates school fees will only rise by an average of 10pc. Under this assumption, a military family would be 300 worse off as the schools fees would rise to 33,000 a year and families must pay at least 10pc of the fees themselves. One Army official said: I, and many others, do not have the answers we need to secure our continued service to HM Armed Forces. If this VAT addition adversely impacts my family, I will be forced to seek alternative employment, more than likely overseas. By the age of seven our child had already attended five separate educational establishments due to my military service, I will not make her move again. Despite these promises of an increase in CEA, this policy remains likely to adversely impact those families who have dedicated themselves to the service of this country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others have praised the uplift to the CEA as a necessary step to prevent a military exodus, but called on the Government to urgently issue further details. Lord Kempsell, a Tory peer who campaigned for an exemption for military families, said: I welcome this decision from the Government to make our heroic military and diplomatic families effectively exempt from VAT on school fees. There are still technical questions about how this will be implemented and the details and timing of the CEA recalculation, and we need clarity on this from the Government immediately. The underwhelming support for military families comes as specialist private schools have also complained of paltry support offered by the Chancellor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rachel Reevess maiden Budget offered a faint silver lining to independents who predominantly educate children with special educational needs. Around 50 specialist private schools will be able to claim 80pc tax relief on business rates but will still be liable to pay VAT. Michell Catterson, headmistress of specialist independent school Moon Hall School in Reigate, said that Labour was still punishing families with special educational needs (Send) children. She said: Its great and its a little bit of a silver lining and hopefully it will help me support parents who are struggling to pay the fees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the fact they have made an exception for schools such as mine highlights that schools like us should be treated differently. If they acknowledge that, why are they punishing these vulnerable families who have no other option. Just 7,600 pupils at private schools receiving Send support currently have EHC plans, while 103,000 do not, according to the Independent Schools Council (ISC), an industry body for private schools. A spokesman for the ISC said: While we welcome the recognition of the vital work independent special schools do with and for children with Send, we are disappointed that the same consideration has not been extended to the thousands of families who have chosen an independent school for the specialist support it can offer their children. The majority of children receiving Send support in an independent school do not have an EHC plan. Because of the rush to implement this policy before proper impact assessments, over 100,000 children with SEND now face VAT on their fees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Treasury and the MoD were approached for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Gov. Ron DeSantis is spending the election homestretch focused almost solely on two of the costliest ballot campaigns in the nation, throwing millions of dollars in taxpayer money and a flurry of questionable claims against legalizing marijuana and restoring abortion rights in Florida. Groups spending on Amendment 3, which would allow recreational marijuana, and Amendment 4, expanding abortion access, have raised more than $225 million over the past two years, putting them at the top of more than 150 ballot proposals going before American voters on Tuesday, Nov. 5. TV, radio and digital platforms are ablaze in advertising during the campaigns closing hours. The governor and First Lady Casey DeSantis are central players in the campaign endgame, making daily appearances over the past weeks trashing Amendments 3 and 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor traveled to West Palm Beach on Wednesday, Oct. 30 to renew his attacks on the marijuana amendment, arguing that expanding access to the drug through the states constitution is a mistake that could prove nearly impossible to fix. DeSantis, who has said that permitting the unrestricted use of marijuana would inundate cities with marijuana smoke, make roads more dangerous and expose more people to addiction, reiterated those points during a roundtable discussion at the West Palm Beach headquarters of the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association while emphasizing that a constitutional amendment is not a good way to implement such a complex and risky new policy. When you start talking about amending the constitution, if it doesnt work that cannot be changed by legislation, he said. He said Floridas current medical marijuana program, which requires a doctors prescription to legally purchase the drug, already gives Floridians ample opportunity to consume the drug legally. More than one million Floridians have medical marijuana cards permitting them to do so, he said. Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks Oct. 30 in West Palm Beach against Amendment 3, which would make recreational marijuana use legal in Florida. Florida currently allows medical marijuana, which requires a doctors prescription. DeSantis said the current program already gives Floridians ample opportunity to use the drug legally. DeSantis said more than a million Floridians have medical marijuana cards. Do you think all of them have debilitating illnesses? he said. No. Do you think all of them have debilitating illnesses? he said. No. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors political future also is tied at least partially to keeping the proposals below the 60% level of support each needs for approval. If the measures pass, DeSantis influence could take a hit heading into his final two years leading Florida. He's term-limited and will leave office January 2027. DeSantis defying Trump on marijuana Former President Donald Trump has endorsed the marijuana initiative, which DeSantis is now trying to defeat. DeSantis also is drawing heat for his marshaling of state resources to kill both measures, which made the ballot only after collecting about one million signatures from Floridians. No matter where you stand on this issue, this is still a democracy and in a democracy we do not spend taxpayer dollars in advance of a political issue, said Republican state Sen. Joe Gruters of Sarasota, a former Florida Republican Party chair who supports Trump. Gruters said he opposes the abortion rights measure but ridiculed the amendment spending by DeSantis as propaganda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Amendment 3 campaign estimates $50 million in taxpayer money has been spent by the governor against the measure, paying for 13,000 TV spots, 5,000 radio ads and more. The campaign said the public dollars going to DeSantis effort against abortion rights undoubtedly tops that figure. According to an analysis by OpenSecrets, the nonprofit political money tracking site, the marijuana amendment has drawn $125 million on both sides, with $93 million from Trulieve, the pot industry giant supporting it. Its the most expensive ballot issue in the nation. DeSantis pointed that out Wednesday in West Palm Beach, accusing Trulieve of writing the amendment itself. Thats why, he said, the amendment prohibits residents from growing their marijuana and includes broad protections from lawsuits for companies that sell marijuana. This was written, Amendment 3, by the CEO of the company, he said. Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks in opposition to Amendment 3 at the Police Benevolent Association Banquet Hall in unincorporated Palm Beach County on October 30, 2024. DeSantis spoke for over 20 minutes and explained multiple financial, societal and criminal downsides to the proposed constitutional change that would bring legal recreational marijuana usage to the state. Floridas Amendment 4 supporters have contributed $110 million, far more than the $10 million opponents raised. That could make it the nations second most costly proposal going before voters, according to OpenSecrets data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But campaign spending reports are a snapshot in time, especially so close to Election Day, with dollars still flowing. Presidential spending down Presidential TV ad spending way down in Florida, but amendments draw big bucks DeSantis administration unfazed by criticism Still, the DeSantis administration is unmoved by criticism for directing taxpayer dollars against issues many of those same taxpayers helped get on the ballot. "Critics say its inappropriate, its unusual to do that. Id say its a responsibility the state has to educate individuals to know what theyre voting for," Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez said during a recent appearance in Clearwater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor has spent virtually no time campaigning for Trump, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, or other Florida Republicans on the ballot. Instead, DeSantis has been traveling the state, for example, with doctors opposed to Amendment 4 claiming a host of deficiencies. The measure would erase the states law banning most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which DeSantis pushed through a compliant, Republican-controlled Legislature. If approved by voters, Amendment 4 is intended to bring back the roughly 24-week standard in place in Florida for almost five decades before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. But DeSantis says Amendment 4 lacks definitions even though a majority of the Florida Supreme Court approved the ballot language. Also, he says it will allow abortion at any time for any reason. That's misleading since Florida law defines fetal viability. DeSantis further warns that any health professional could perform abortions if the measure passes, although Florida law separately requires doctors to conduct the procedure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement #FlaDems still hoping for surge: Could Black voter surge for Kamala Harris help Florida Democrats downballot? Background: Why no battleground? How Florida turned red: Changing population, weak opposition, aggressive Gov. Ron DeSantis While clouding what Amendment 4 would allow, DeSantis has lashed out at whether the measure should even be on the ballot. His Department of State, which oversees state elections, recently released a 348-page preliminary report alleging that fraudulent signatures helped vault the proposal to the ballot, while petition-gatherers were paid illegally per signature. DeSantis' efforts have echo of election denialism With the reports release, clearly designed to undermine support for the abortion measure, some critics heard echoes of Trumps election denials, which the Republican presidential nominee is again ratcheting up with unfounded claims of voter fraud in battleground Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From USA TODAY: Trump and RNC claim voter suppression based on unverified social media videos DeSantis' fight against Amendment 3 involves claims that pot smoking will be prevalent and public across Florida. The governor doesn't note, however, that state smoking laws already impose some restrictions and that the pro-Amendment 3 campaign supports the Legislature imposing more limits if the measure is approved. We have seen more and more campaigning with over-the-top claims, demonstrably false claims or outright lies, said Aubrey Jewett, a University of Central Florida political scientist. It seems to be more and more standard operating procedure. Jewett said DeSantis appears to have embraced the tactics of Trump, who crushed his bid for the Republican presidential nomination but who DeSantis endorsed afterward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis is willing to push the limits of whats legal and push past the norms that have sort of existed in Florida politics and American politics, Jewett said. Hes said that hes going to use every lever of power that a governor has to push his agenda, to the limit. And hes done that. Using state resources to fight against these two ballot amendments is just the latest example, he added. Allegations that Amendment 4 is on the ballot fraudulently fit into this Trump-like pattern, voting rights advocates say. The signatures were verified by elections supervisors and the measure was certified for the ballot by Secretary of State Cord Byrd, a DeSantis appointee, in January. Undermining election integrity seems to be part of the GOP playbook, said Brad Ashwell, Florida director for All Voting is Local, a non-partisan, national voting rights organization. The common themes we are seeing are complaints that non-citizens are voting, there are people on rolls that shouldnt be there, and that vote-counting machines are not trustworthy or being hacked in some way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seems to be a coordinated message from the top down, he added. Andrew Marra of The Palm Beach Post contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: DeSantis looks to keep abortion rights, marijuana measures below 60% Archbishop Jerome Listecki has joined a number of faith leaders across the U.S. in lobbying the federal government to change a new work visa policy, implemented last March, that has created a massive backlog and meant immigrant clergy have to leave the U.S. and wait abroad for long periods. The leader of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee told federal lawmakers the work visas of two dozen priests serving at local Catholic churches are in jeopardy because of how the government now processes the green cards of clergy. Some would face danger returning to their home countries, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Listecki joined the leaders of the other four Wisconsin dioceses in sending letters to Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson, and U.S. Reps. Scott Fitzgerald, Glenn Grothman, Gwen Moore and Bryan Steil. The letters asked the lawmakers to encourage the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to "prioritize and expedite" changes that could alleviate the current challenges. "We urgently seek your help in addressing these issues, not only for the sake of religious workers and their employers, but for the many American communities that rely upon them for a wide range of religious and social services," Listecki wrote. The Catholic Church is among many faiths that recruit and hire international clergy to fill staffing gaps that have widened in recent decades. Some serve immigrant congregations in their native language. More: Simbang Gabi's 9 days of prayer, food and tradition connect Milwaukee's Filipino Catholics Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: At Milwaukee's only Catholic Mass in French, African immigrants feel power of language, community Green card line change causes big backlog The archdiocese has 184 parishes across 10 counties in southeast Wisconsin. Because of staffing shortages, priests in several cases serve at more than one parish, traveling between them. Listecki said the archdiocese has 24 priests and two seminarians who will have to return to their home countries after their five-year temporary work visas expire. Previously, religious workers on five-year temporary visas could petition for permanent residency, also known as a green card, within those five years. Religious workers use a special category for green cards called EB-4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But last March, according to the Associated Press, the State Department announced it had been putting tens of thousands of applications for neglected or abused minors from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador in the wrong line. It would begin adding those to the line with the clergy. The move has created a huge backlog that is expected to grow. Now, religious workers on temporary visas are at risk of not being granted green cards within their five-years, and would have to leave after their time is up. Petitions that were filed nearly four years ago are just now being processed. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said religious workers who apply today could wait up to 15 years for a green card. Clergy who have to return home now must stay there for a year, and reapply for a new temporary work visa. Listecki told federal lawmakers that the year-long gap would leave parishes without their leaders, and would require the archdiocese to spend additional money to send priests home for a year, where they potentially would reapply for their temporary visas over and over again. Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki said 24 priests and two seminarians are affected by the visa changes. Bishops' conference urges Congress, immigration agencies to make adjustments After the change last year, the bishops' conference said nine out of 10 dioceses surveyed relied on foreign-born religious workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another issue is the EB-4 category only provides about 10,000 green cards per year, many fewer than the number of people in the backlog. The bishops have recommended that the Department of Homeland Security shorten the length of time clergy must remain abroad while reapplying for a temporary visa, from 12 months to 30 days. Listecki repeated that recommendation in his letter. The bishops' conference also has made the larger case that neglected and abused minors which it said make up about 70% of the approximately 150,000 people in the religious workers' green card line shouldn't be in the EB-4 category at all. It is an employment-based category, and Congress could move them to a humanitarian line, the bishops said. The issue has picked up so much steam in religious circles that the Catholic Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey, sued federal immigration agencies in August, arguing it causes "severe and substantial disruption to the lives and religious freedoms" of the priests whose temporary visas are expiring soon, according to the Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sophie Carson is a general assignment reporter who reports on religion and faith, immigrants and refugees and more. Contact her at scarson@gannett.com or 920-323-5758. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Archbishop Listecki says visas of 24 immigrant priests are in jeopardy WARWICK, Mass. (WWLP) Police in New Hampshire are asking anyone with information to come forward after a woman was found dead in Franklin County. Juvenile taken to hospital with serious injuries following shooting Justina Steffy, 31, was last heard from in early October in Keene, New Hampshire, according to the Keene Police Department. Investigators said that human remains discovered Thursday in Warwick were identified as Steffy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation into her death is ongoing. If anyone has information about Steffy or knows where she might have been before her death, call the Keene Police Department at 603-357-9820. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A woman from northeast Ohio was reported missing on Friday. The Ashland County Sheriffs Office was looking for an 82-year-old woman in Ashland County. Late Friday night, authorities canceled the alert. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. STARKVILLE, Miss. (WJTV) Mississippi State University (MSU) will host an additional spring commencement ceremony in May 2025 to accommodate the growing number of graduates at its Starkville campus. In 2025, MSU will host morning and afternoon ceremonies on both Thursday and Friday (May 15 and 16) at Humphrey Coliseum. Mississippi State, John Deere partner for agriculture research College of Arts and Sciences graduates will take part in the 9:30 a.m. May 15 ceremony, while that days 3:30 p.m. event will recognize College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Education and ACCESS program graduates and completers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement College of Architecture, Art and Design and College of Business graduates will walk the stage at 9:30 a.m. May 16, and those receiving degrees from Academic Affairs and the colleges of Engineering, Forest Resources, Professional and Continuing Studies, and Veterinary Medicine will be recognized at 3:30 p.m. Other commencement events include May 13 hooding ceremonies for College of Veterinary Medicine Ph.D. students and other university-wide Ph.D. recipients at 11:30 a.m. in Humphrey Coliseum and 4:00 p.m. at Lee Halls Bettersworth Auditorium. MSU-Meridians graduation ceremony on May 14, 11:00 a.m., at the MSU Riley Center. Close Thanks for signing up! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) An Ocean Springs woman was charged with felony child abuse after she allegedly participated in a suicide pact with her 10-year-old daughter. WXXV reported Brittney Hensley, 37, was arrested in Huntsville, Alabama, on October 15 and extradited back to Mississippi. MBI investigates death of man in Amite County Jail Ocean Springs police said officers arrived at the Studio 6 Motel on Bienville Boulevard on July 6 after receiving a report about a child overdosing. Investigators said the child was found unresponsive near unknown capsules and empty prescription bottles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, Hensley and her daughter were both hospitalized after the incident. During the course of the investigation, police said Hensley left the Coast, and a warrant was issued for her arrest. Hensley is currently being held in the Jackson County Jail on a $500,000 bond. Her daughter was placed in the custody of Mississippi Child Protective Services (CPS). Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) As the Metro Nashville area has grown, city officials have said that instances of domestic violence has also increased. Domestic violence cases make up 50 percent of the violent crime that goes through the Nashville District Attorneys Office. THP troopers in Nashville capture murder suspect wanted out of East Tennessee Its no secret to anyone here that the population of Nashville has drastically increased in the last 10 years, and with that, you have more folks and understandably domestic violence is, unfortunately, one of those issues, captain Blake Giles with the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said. But we cant put officers in residences and we cant put them in homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the a special committee meeting of the Metro Council, Giles said that so far in 2024, the MNPD has responded to more than 20,000 domestic violence cases. The meeting was called in response to the number of domestic violence cases. I believe, and what our office believes, is that domestic violence should actually be considered a health crisis, Nashville District Attorney General, Glenn Funk, said at the meeting. Funks office provided some suggestions on how to potentially improve the problem. He pointed to the Partners in Care Program, where mental health clinicians are paired with Metro officers. The goal is to improve safety and care for those going through a crisis. The district attorneys office would like to see similar responses for domestic violence cases. If an advocate was present, then they could address issues and get information that just having a police officer on [the] scenemight not get complete information, Funk said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MNPD to increase police presence with the hope of reducing call response times in Antioch The district attorneys office also pointed to the need for a system to make sure offenders could not have access to firearms. As of publication, those convicted of domestic violence are required to surrender their guns. However, Funk explained at the meeting that there is no way to enforce the law. Thats a real hole: weve got it in the law, but then theres no way to enforce it, Funk added. The MNPD would also like to see a staff increase in order to spend more time combing through some of its high-risk cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) Law enforcement overnight confirmed an out-of-state sighting of murder suspect Nicholas Hamlett, who is at the center of a manhunt out of Monroe County. Officials conducted a search for Hamlett in the Town of Chapin, South Carolina, using K-9s and a helicopter. The United States Marshal Service, who is assisting in the search for Hamlett, said he was known to have connections in other states including Tennessee, Montana, Alaska, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Florida. The Marshals Service said on Friday that they had tracked Hamlett to Chapin, S.C. and learned he was camping in the woods on outskirts of town. They went there, but Hamlett had fled on foot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Been searching the area all night and still believe he is on foot in the area, the Marshals Service said on Friday. The Chapin, S.C. Police Department initially shared a community alert on Halloween warning people about Hamlett. The department warned the public to call 911 if they saw anyone matching Hamletts description. A great risk to the public Reward offered for Monroe County murder suspect Later, in an update on the same Facebook post, Chapin Police said Hamlett had been seen in the area of Chapin High School and established a perimeter for the search. After a few more updates overnight into Friday stating Hamlett was not in custody, Chapin Police said Friday morning that the search was continuing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UPDATE 8:30 AM 11/01/2024: The search continues for the suspect in this case and he is NOT in custody. There are multiple law enforcement agencies and resources in and around the Town of Chapin, South Carolina. These resources will remain here throughout the day and into the night if needed. We have also been in contact with School District and will remain in communication throughout. If the suspect is apprehended or confirmed to be out of the Chapin area we will pass that information along accordingly. Stay safe and vigilant and call 911 for anything suspicious. Chapin, SC Police Department, Facebook, Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 Deputies searching for murder suspect after body found with stolen ID in Monroe County Last Friday, on Oct. 25, the Monroe County Sheriffs Office said it was searching for Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, 45, who was charged with first-degree murder. The investigation began a week before then, when on Oct. 18, a 911 call from a man claiming to be a distressed hiker on the Cherohala Skyway brought searchers to the area. A body of a man was recovered in the area and taken to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center. After investigators worked the scene and reviewed information, they found that the identification with the body had been stolen and numerously used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamlett, who was wanted out of Alabama for parole violation, was known to use that stolen identification. He has a criminal history of stealing other peoples identity and living under false identities and then and attacking victims and taking their identity. Hes been living for the past for probably six years under an assumed identity, said David Jolley, the United States Marshall for the Eastern District of Tennessee. He may actually be using a totally different name, you know? And we dont know what that is right now, but we do have reason to believe that he may have stolen another identity. Elmore County, Alabama Sheriff Bill Franklin shared that Hamlett plead guilty to attempted murder and assault in 2011. He was on parole for this charge. This is a developing story. Download the WATE 6 News app or sign up for our email alerts for updates. MCSO said Hamlett had used a false name when speaking to law enforcement in Knox County after the distressed-hiker call. Before his real identity was verified, Hamlett is believed to have fled the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Manhunt intensifies for highly dangerous East Tennessee murder suspect Hamlett is considered armed and dangerous. He is described as 57 and weighing around 170 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone who sees him is urged to call 911 or Monroe County Dispatch at 423-442-4357 and not approach him. Anyone with information is urged to contact local law enforcement or call 1-877-926-8332. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. Montana Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy speaks alongside Donald Trump at a rally in Bozeman, Montana, on Aug. 9, 2024. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan) More than 1,000 Montana women signed a letter calling on Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Tim Sheehy to apologize for describing young women as indoctrinated in his comments about younger people and abortion. Your comments insult the intelligence of all Montana women and suggest that you think we are not capable of thinking for ourselves, said the letter, also signed by some men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheehys campaign did not respond to a request for comment sent Wednesday. Sheehy earlier said the Republican Party must do more to attract young, female voters. He said young people are indoctrinated to support liberal causes, and women who are 19 to 30 years old are single issue voters who only want to talk about abortion and being pro choice. In an email, Betsy Swartz, a Bozeman woman who was named one of the co-chairs of Women for Tester this spring, said she drafted the letter because she found Sheehys comments about women unacceptable. I led and drafted the letter because Tim Sheehys comments calling women indoctrinated and single-issue voters were deeply insulting, demeaning, and unacceptable, as I expressed in the letter, Swartz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Women for Tester group considers health care and reproductive freedoms a priority. Swartz said the one thousand women who signed the letter did so in just a couple of days because Montana women are fired up about this election. Swartz also identifies herself as a founder of Big Sky Rising, which has a mission that includes equality and human rights. Having 1,000 women, from all parts of Montana, sign onto this letter shows that Montana women will not stand by while Tim Sheehy belittles us and attacks our freedoms, Swartz said to the Daily Montanan. We will reject him at the ballot box this Tuesday. The letter calling for an apology was emailed to Sheehy on Wednesday by a different Montana woman who also provided it to the Daily Montanan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The call for an apology comes in the final days of a heated battle for the U.S. Senate as Sheehy campaigns to unseat incumbent Democrat Jon Tester, who is seeking his fourth term. A poll released Tuesday by Montana State University Billings said both candidates are drawing 43% of the vote, although other recent polls have put Sheehy in the lead. The letter from Montana women said Republicans, Independents, and Democrats from every corner of the state express our disgust over your recent comments demeaning us for caring about our reproductive freedoms. Young Montana women care about protecting their freedoms and making their own health care decisions, the letter said, but Sheehy calls abortion murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By demeaning our intellect and threatening our access to health care, you have demonstrated that women across the Treasure State cannot trust you to represent us in the U.S. Senate, the letter said. The letter also said anyone who threatens to strip away womens freedoms is unworthy of representing the great state of Montana. We call on you to immediately apologize for your offensive remarks belittling Montana women, the letter said. Tribal leaders and faith groups earlier called on Sheehy to apologize for other offensive remarks racist comments he made about the Crow Tribe on at least four occasions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a debate in response to a call from Tester that he apologize, Sheehy said he would take accountability. But lets not distract from the issues that our tribal communities are suffering, Sheehy said at the time. The Bozeman businessman has yet to issue a full throated apology for his comments, including describing members of the Crow Tribe as drunk by 8 a.m. Sheehy has described himself as strongly pro-life and in strong support of IVF. On a campaign stop this summer, he criticized a ballot measure for trying to legalize abortion completely. Abortion is legal in Montana through the Montana Constitutions privacy protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Constitutional Initiative 128 would amend the state constitution to directly protect abortion; it would prohibit the government from denying or burdening the right to abortion before fetal viability. Montanans have expressed strong support for reproductive freedom including in the recent MSU-B poll. It found 60% of Montanans approve of CI-128. The public letter to Sheehy lists Montana residents by their first name, last initial and city. The Daily Montanan reviewed full submission information to verify a sampling of the complete names of those who signed. In the letter, the women said they not politicians should make decisions about their own bodies, and Sheehys position on reproductive freedom is disqualifying. We will make our indoctrinated voices heard at the ballot box this November by supporting Jon Tester, who is a true champion for our freedoms, the letter said. Open Letter to Tim Sheehy Inside a Kansas City intensive care unit four months ago, Giovanni Armon DAngelo Carr, his tiny body suffering from brain trauma and internal injuries, took his final breath. Photos taken just before his June 20 death show the 7-month-old boy lying in a hospital bed, tubes and wires covering nearly every inch of his face except his eyes. A worn, stuffed Mickey Mouse, one of his favorite toys, lay at his side. In the months since, no one has been charged in his death. Authorities have refused to release any autopsy information for the baby boy, whose family called him Gio. And Kansas City police have consistently stopped shy of saying they are investigating a homicide, instead calling the case a suspicious death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im just so confused, Armoni Carr, Gios mother, told The Star. I called Saturday and asked her (the detective), like, Was there any other updates in the case? She said, No, we wont have no other updates. I already talked to everyone I needed to, and Im just waiting on the neurology report. That kind of frustrated me because you talk to everybody you needed to, but nobody is in jail? Carr and her family say it doesnt make sense to them why the investigation hasnt progressed further. Kansas City police will only say theyre still awaiting a report from the neuropathologist. Whats taking so long? said Jesseka Walker, Carrs cousin. Why is it not a homicide when he did not die on his own? The injuries he had, he couldnt have done it to himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How could (anyone) do a baby like that? A baby? Giovanni Carr, a 7-month-old baby boy, died June 20 in a Kansas City hospital. He was discovered June 15 with serious injuries, which family members allege occurred while he was in the care of his godmother. On the evening of June 15, police discovered Carrs son unresponsive at a home in the 5300 block of Olive Street, where family say his godmother Carrs close friend since middle school was watching him. Carr said an ambulance report later said that first responders found the baby on the floor wrapped in covers and he was bleeding from his nose. He died in a local hospital five days later. On the day Carrs son died, a police spokesperson said that it was determined at the hospital the child had suffered significant physical bodily trauma. Carr and other family members say Gio had trauma to his brain and eyes. He had fractured ribs, an injured liver, a lacerated spleen and burns on his foot, according to relatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It just really didnt make sense to me at all how none of that happened, Carr, 20, said. The Star requested a copy of the childs autopsy report from the Jackson County Medical Examiners office, as well as the cause and manner of his death. But authorities remain tight-lipped. The case pertaining to the information you requested is still under investigation, said Marshanna Smith, spokeswoman for Jackson County. Therefore, your request has been denied as no records can be released at this time. The boys godmother had offered to watch her son, Carr said, because Carr was starting a job at Amazon that night. The woman had been trusted to babysit the infant for short periods of time before, but never alone, Thea Harris, Carrs aunt, previously has said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I wouldnt have trusted her, I wouldnt have even sent him over there, Carr said. And he would still be here. Waiting on lab results The ongoing investigation into Gios death is the only Kansas City Police Department case currently classified as a suspicious death investigation. Though relatives have described the extensive injuries the little boy suffered before his death, authorities have not released anything about how or why he may have died. Carr, though, said the doctor said it was abuse. Armoni Carr takes a picture with her baby son, Giovanni. His first birthday would have been Saturday. He died in June. Under Missouri law, Smith said, all documents prepared by and in the custody of the Jackson County Medical Examiners Office relating to this matter are investigative reports of a law enforcement agency and are thus closed records until the investigation becomes inactive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police have given little detail about that investigation and why its been months since any updates have been given. The department previously declined to share whether detectives had ever encountered a similarly injured infant. Spleen and rib injuries in young children are often the result of blunt-force trauma, according to the Cleveland Clinic and the National Library of Medicine. Carr said she initially asked the detective if it would take a long time for charges and the detective said it shouldnt take that long, Carr said. And now its taken longer. Police have said it can take time for results to come back. According to the Jackson County Medical Examiners Office website, the full results of an autopsy should take 6-8 weeks to release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives are working the case and pursuing all leads to ensure a thorough investigation has been completed, Sgt. Phil DiMartino, a Kansas City Police Department spokesperson, told The Star in June. Detectives are awaiting lab results still, and unfortunately there is no timeline on when those will return. Alayna Gonzalez, another Kansas City Police Department spokesperson, recently added: Unfortunately, in this instance we do not have a time estimate. Im sorry. I know thats not helpful. The department has not received the results from the neuropathologist at this time and until we do this case will remain a suspicious death. If Gios death is eventually ruled a homicide, he will be at least the fifth young child allegedly killed by a caregiver in Kansas City in the last three years. Giovanni Carr, a 7-month-old baby boy, died June 20 in a Kansas City hospital. He was discovered June 15 with serious injuries, which family members allege occurred while he was in the care of his godmother. Carr said police are still trying to determine when her son was injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I sent pictures, she said. I sent videos of the day before of him acting active and all of that. .... (There) was nothing wrong with him. When Gios godmother picked him up, Carr said her son was sleepy and ready for a nap. She had just fed him. Not long after, she said, she texted the godmother to see how he was doing. She said she texted again a bit later and didnt hear back. Then another set of texts back from the godmother made her worry that her son had been injured. What I had got told, Carr said, was he was just breathing funny. So when I got to the hospital, it was a different story. Mourning a son In late June, Carr posted on Facebook about her sons death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is literally my worst nightmare, she wrote. I cant believe that you got took from me son, you didnt even have the chance to live life. The family created a GoFundMe account to help pay for expenses, including Gios funeral. By the end of October, friends, family and well-wishers had donated just under $5,800. Please please help bring awareness to this awful tragedy, the post said, and help Armoni lay her 1 and only son to rest! Wrote one person who donated: I know $5 isnt a lot but may baby Giovanni rest in peace and may the mother find peace moving forward. About two weeks after his death, Carr posted photos from Gios funeral, his small casket in a white horse-drawn carriage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was just one last ride through the city, Carr said, crying. On the day Armoni Carr buried her baby son, Giovanni Carr, his casket was transported in a white carriage. It was just one last ride through the city, his mother said. Her son, she told The Star, wasnt yet crawling when he died, but he was pulling himself up. He was teething, Carr said, and was goofy and always smiling. If he was crying, it was because, like, maybe his diaper was a little wet, or he was hungry, Carr said. You know, he would never cry, just for no reason, because he had no reason to cry. In early September, Carr, along with Walker and other relatives, held a small protest outside the home where first responders found the unresponsive 7-month-old. Both Walker and Carr posted a clip of the protest on Facebook. A group of relatives held colorful hand-made posters, some with Gios name and picture. No justice, no peace, they chanted on the clip. Justice for Gio. The goal, Walker said, was to draw attention, that this is where it happened. We want to know why nobody is in jail. On Saturday, Gio would have turned one. Its hard because he aint here, Carr said of her son. She said she hopes to visit his grave on his birthday. As Carr continues to struggle through a life without Gio, she said she waits for authorities to put her sons case to rest. Justice for me is someone (being) held accountable, Carr said. And they get what they deserve. Local authorities told PEOPLE in May that the FBI was conducting a "parallel investigation" into John-Paul Miller after Mica Miller's death was ruled a suicide Mica Miller/Facebook; WPDE ABC15/YouTube Mica Miller, John-Paul Miller Mica Miller, John-Paul Miller The FBI searched the home of John-Paul Miller, the South Carolina pastor whose wife, Mica, died by suicide in April. A spokesperson for the FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from PEOPLE, but WBTW, WPDE and The Sun News all reported that agents were seen outside John-Paul Millers home in Horry County, S.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both WPDE and WBTW both reported that an FBI spokesperson said the agency was conducting "court-authorized law enforcement activity" at the home. Millers lawyer, Russell Long, confirmed that the FBI searched the house in a statement to PEOPLE. They executed a search warrant at his house this morning, as expected, Long said. Nothing new really. Hopefully this is the end of it. Related: Local Sheriff's Office Claims FBI Has Launched 'Parallel Investigation' After Suicide of Mica Miller Mica Miller, 30, was found dead in a state park in Robeson County, N.C., from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to local authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mica and John-Paul, who is the pastor at Solid Rock at Market Common in Myrtle Beach, were estranged at the time of her death. Just over a week before she died, Mica filed for Separate Support and Maintenance against John-Paul, which is the same as a legal separation, the Horry County Clerk of Courts Office told PEOPLE. 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. Mica's loved ones have speculated that there could have been foul play involved in her death, but local authorities have adamantly pushed back, saying evidence of a suicide was clear and convincing." The search of John-Pauls Horry County home comes months after the Robeson County Sheriffs Office told PEOPLE in May that the FBI was conducting a parallel investigation that was not involved with Micas death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's no evidence connecting him to her death," Damien McLean of the Robeson County Sheriff's Office told PEOPLE in May. "[The FBI is] investigating separate from her death. Her death has been ruled [a] suicide." The FBI has not said what the nature of the investigation is. Wendy Grossman Kantor contributed reporting MONTREAL (AP) More than 45 nations signed a pledge in Montreal on Thursday to repatriate to Ukraine the civilians, prisoners of war and children taken by Russia since it invaded the country. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said the countries agreed to coordinate efforts to gather information about Ukrainians held in Russia and to create safe pathways for their return. Human lives must be protected. Children, civilians and prisoners of war must be allowed to return home, she said during a press conference at the close of a two-day summit on the human dimension of the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha said nearly 42,000 Ukrainians are missing, and that almost 20,000 children have been deported to Russia. He said 860 Ukrainian children have been returned home to date. Joly said Thursdays joint declaration will help co-ordinate existing efforts to locate missing Ukrainians. She said Qatar, South Africa and the Holy See have agreed to act as intermediaries to negotiate the return of prisoners of war, civilians and children. Lithuania and Qatar will act as transit countries for Ukrainians who are released. Officials did not release a list of the more than 70 countries who sent delegations to Montreal this week, and it was unclear which countries had signed the pledge as of Thursday evening. But several major players were not present, including China, India and Brazil. Mexico and South Africa did attend the conference. Joly said many countries felt direct pressure from Russia not to attend the summit. Russia made many representations in many capitals of the world saying that they should not come to Montreal, she said. It shows that what were doing is shedding light on an issue that embarrasses Russia. The ICC previously issued arrest warrants for both Russian President Vladimir Putin and his childrens rights commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, accusing them of the war crimes of unlawful deportation of children and unlawful transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. Moscow has rejected the allegations. Almost 2,000 people remain missing, Spanish authorities said on Friday, as the death toll from the worst floods in the countrys modern history rose to at least 205. The army joined rescue efforts as teams of workers combed through wrecked homes and cars in a desperate search for survivors. Military pumping vehicles extracted floodwaters from basements and car parks, often disgorging corpses as they worked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, video footage revealed the incredible speed at which floodwaters travelled through the streets of Valencia, submerging the streets as they carried debris from homes, shops and cars. In one clip taken at 7.40pm in the town of Benetusser, cars come to a standstill in the middle of the road as residents flee a deluge of murky water. By 8pm, the footage shows cars being dragged away by the ferocious floodwater. Authorities admitted they were struggling to reach some rural areas where residents are stranded without electricity, running water or phone connections with roads blocked by piled-up vehicles, debris and thick mud. In badly hit areas such as the Valencian suburb of Alfafar and town of Paiporta, locals accused the government of abandoning them to their fate after a long-delayed initial alarm about the floods severity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A further 500 troops will be deployed to the stricken areas on Saturday, bolstering the 1,700 already in place, the government said. The Integrated Operational Coordination Centre (Cecopi), which manages the missing persons database, said it had been inundated with calls from those who have friends and family missing. It is hoped the missing-persons figure will come down as more people are located by rescuers over the weekend. Some 600 of 2,500 people originally reported missing were found on Friday. However, around 70 bodies located by emergency services are also yet to be collected, according to El Diario. Rescuers fear more bodies will be found inside vehicles that teams have been unable to reach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ministry of health warned some hospitals in the Valencia region, where at least 202 people have died, are on the verge of collapse. That includes La Fe Hospital, which has received 75,000 calls since the flash floods occurred on Tuesday. Officials in neighbouring Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia in the south have also confirmed a combined three deaths in their regions. The floods deposited large amounts of mud in Paiporta, Valencia - Nacho Doce/Reuters Nuria Casasus, a teacher in the Valencian town of Benetusser, said the slow warnings meant people did not reach safety in time. We couldnt imagine the magnitude of the flood and the warning was late, she said. If the alert had come earlier, people could have made different decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Alfafar, Laura Prieto said she only saw helicopters flying overhead for 48 hours as residents pleaded for help. We watched the woman who lives on the ground floor opposite with water rising up to her neck, she said. We thought shed died but she survived with her little pet dog. Carlos Mazon, Valencias regional president, asked citizens not to take supplies and water into affected areas, saying that they were blocking the roads and hampering access by emergency services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Credit: radiovalencia/X, WorldCrisisRepo/X, Weathermonitors/X But thousands of Valencians were streaming into the suburb of La Torre on Friday morning with food, water, yard brushes and other equipment to help with the clean-up operation. Amparo Fort, the mayor of the small town of Chiva, described how entire homes had been submerged in the flood waters. Entire houses have disappeared, she told local media on Friday. We dont know if they are with or without people. She added: We continue to ask for food and water. We need milk, mashed food for babies and the elderly. Juan Ramon Adsuara, the mayor of Alfafar, said the aid wasnt nearly enough for residents trapped in an extreme situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are people living with corpses at home. Its very sad. We are organising ourselves but we are running out of everything, he said late on Thursday. We are totally forgotten. The rescue efforts were further complicated as looting broke out, with police making 138 arrests and security personnel being diverted from searching for survivors to patrolling streets. In the Valencia region town of Aldaia, Fernando Lozano said he saw thieves grabbing items from an abandoned supermarket as people are a bit desperate. Until things return to normal and the supermarket opens, its going to be very bad here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Alfafar resident told state television channel TVE that food was running out. This is a disaster. There are a lot of elderly people who dont have medicine. There are children who dont have food. We dont have milk, we dont have water. We have no access to anything. No one even came to warn us on the first day. Locals carry out water in buckets from their house entrances in Paiporta - Antonia Schaefer Margarita Robles, the minister for defence, pledged to send the entire 120,000-strong army if necessary. We must open roads and provide means for supplies, she told reporters. On Tuesday, a years worth of rain fell in eight hours in parts of Valencia. The scale and speed of the flash floods is said to be a result of Spains almost two-year drought that made the ground so hard it could not absorb the rain. 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. Early voting ends Saturday in most Florida counties, with nearly 20 extending theirs to Sunday and two hurricane-ravaged counties keeping it going until Election Day. More than 6.7 million Florida voters have cast their ballots, either at early voting locations or through vote-by-mail, according to the Friday morning report from the Florida Division of Elections. That's just under half of the nearly 14 million registered Florida voters eligible for the Nov. 5 election. In the 2020 election, nearly 80% of the Floridians who voted did so before Election Day. While more Democrats have returned vote-by-mail ballots than Republicans so far, more than 2 million Republicans have turned out to vote early, according to the latest report, compared to 1.1 million Democrats. However, nearly a million early votes have come from Floridians voting outside those two parties. When does early voting end in Florida? Early voting runs through Saturday, per state and federal mandate, but some counties will be open Sunday as well. Early voting for Pinellas and Taylor counties was extended to Election Day due to damage and obstacles from Hurricane Milton in an executive order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vote-by-mail ballots will be counted as long as they arrive at the Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on Election Day, which means it may be too late now to drop them in the mail. Use drop boxes, take them to the elections office, or turn them in and vote in person instead. The general election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Here is how to find early voting locations and times in your county. How many Floridians are registered to vote in the Nov. 5 election? As of "book closings" on Oct. 7, there were 13,949,168 people registered to vote in the Nov. 5 election.Breakdown of the five largest groups were: Republicans: 5,499,717 Democrats: 4,421,790 No party affiliation: 3,616,170 Independent Party: 276,467 Libertarian Party: 35,964 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See breakdown of registered voters by county How many people have voted so far in Florida? According to the Florida Division of Elections, here's how vote-by-mail and early voting is going in Florida as of 8:12 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1: Voted by mail: 2,609,912 (18.7% of registered voters) Mail ballots requested but not yet returned: 914,270 Voted early: 4,122,048 (29.6% of registered voters) Total votes submitted: 6,731,960 (48.3% of registered voters) Want to see the breakdown in your county? When will early voting be counted and when will we know results? Compare voter turnout so far in 2024 to 2020 presidential election During the 2020 presidential election, according to the Election Assistance Commission, there was a 71.8% voter turnout in Florida, broken down by: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Election Day: 1,942,102 (17.4%) Mail-in votes: 4,546,895 (40.9%) Early voting in person: 4,332,912 (38.9%) What's the breakdown between Republicans and Democrats in Florida in early voting 2024? As of 8:12 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1: Voted by mail (and ballots returned) : Republicans : 923,497 Democrats : 1,091,810 Other : 55,372 No party affiliation: 539,233 Early voting: Republicans : 2,072,374 Democrats : 1,126,301 Other : 98,403 No party affiliation: 824,970 Mail ballots requested but not yet returned: Republicans : 286,640 Democrats : 366,673 Other : 24,529 No party affiliation: 236,428 Top 5 Florida counties of those who have voted early in person As of 8:12 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1, here are the top five counties where voters cast their ballots during early voting: Miami-Dade: 441,871 (192,984 Republicans; 126,415 Democrats) Broward: 315,315 (94,999 Republicans; 137,635 Democrats) Palm Beach: 259,163 (108,963 Republicans; 81,090 Democrats) Hillsborough : 228,446 (101,449 Republicans; 72,244 Democrats) Duval: 221,732 (98,663 Republicans; 83,751 Democrats) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Want to see the breakdown in your county? Top 5 Florida counties of those who have returned ballots by mail As of 8:12 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1, here are the top five counties where voters have returned their mail-in ballots: Miami-Dade: 248,387 (73,743 Republicans; 105,668 Democrats) Broward : 219,469 (43,533 Republicans; 123,046 Democrats) Palm Beach: 209,502 (53,320 Republicans; 105,624 Democrats) Pinellas : 198,698 (72,200 Republicans; 81,176 Democrats) Hillsborough: 169,516 (55,174 Republicans; 74,408 Democrats) Want to see the breakdown in your county? When is the 2024 presidential election? The general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. To vote on Election Day, you must vote in your assigned precinct. Want a vote-by-mail ballot? You've missed the deadline The final deadline for vote-by-mail requests was Thursday, Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. When are early voting and vote-by-mail ballots counted in Florida? Florida law allows ballots to be processed as soon as they are received and counted as soon as the county has completed public testing of the automatic tabulating equipment. The results are kept secret and releasing them early is a felony. Will we know the results on election night in Florida? Probably, and there will almost certainly be enough votes counted to project the winners. When the polls close, the already-received results will be posted. More will be added as returns come in from around the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But no state can count every vote by election night and results can change days or even weeks later. Votes that will be counted after election day include: Ballots from absent military and citizens overseas, who have up to 10 days to get their ballots delivered as long as they're postmarked by Election Day. Provisional ballots cast at polls by voters without proper ID or with minor errors that were later "cured" or verified to be eligible. If additional information is needed, Florida voters have until 5 p.m. the second day after the election to present it. Ballots that were challenged and later cured and tallied. Early voting locations, dates, times for your Florida county The state requires early voting from Oct. 25 through Nov. 2, but each county's Supervisor of Elections may choose to offer more early voting days. Early voting will continue until Sunday, Nov. 3 in some counties. We broke down early voting locations, times and dates for many counties, but here are the dates and times for early voting in every Florida county. Here's how to find a sample ballot in Florida You can see a sample ballot on your county's Supervisor of Elections' website. The races on your ballot all depend on where you live. To see your sample ballot, go to the elections website for your county and enter your address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Early voting Florida totals: More than half have voted. Here's where KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) Early voting has ended in Tennessee as attention turns to Election Day on November 5, and thousands have already cast their ballot. Tennessees Secretary of States office has shared early voting numbers ahead of the November 5 Presidential election compared to early voting in 2020 and 2016. In total, 2,214,870 votes were cast and there was a turnout of 45.88%. The state also saw a decrease of 2.89% when compared to 2020s early voting and an increase of 32.18% when compared to 2016. More than 13k people voted in Knox County on the first day of early voting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across East Tennessees 27 counties, a total of 622,384 people voted between October 16 and Oct. 31. Knox County saw the most votes, with 170,736 ballots cast while Union County saw the least with 4,275 ballots cast. When looking at turnout in East Tennessee, Loudon County saw the highest at 60.70%, followed by Knox, Anderson and Cumberland Counties at around 50.7%. The lowest early voting turnout in East Tennessee was in Union County at 34.69% followed by Hancock County (35.02%) and Campbell County(35.75%). Greene County saw the largest jump in voters from 2020 with a 30.43% increase, while Sullivan County dropped by 4.77% when compared to 2020. The jump in Greene County is also the highest across the state. Going back eight years, every county saw an increase of more than 10% when compared to 2016. The biggest jump was in Greene County (74.45%) and the lowest was in Sullivan County (15.93%). County 2024 2020 % Change 2016 % Change Anderson 27,187 27,167 0.07% 21,358 27.29% Blount 50,781 50,954 -0.34% 34,237 48.32% Campbell 8,767 8,499 3.15% 7,134 22.89% Carter 14,753 12,169 21.23% 11,547 27.76% Claiborne 8,776 8,957 2.02% 6,677 31.44% Cocke 10,670 10,325 3.34% 6,965 53.19% Cumberland 25,099 22,821 9.98% 17,746 41.43% Fentress 7,071 6,373 10.95% 4,905 44.16% Grainger 6,732 6,340 6.18% 4,556 47.76% Greene 19,851 15,220 30.43% 11,379 74.45% Hamblen 17,688 16,200 9.19% 13,256 33.43% Hancock 1,565 1,411 10.91% 976 60.35% Hawkins 17,649 16,758 5.32% 12,993 35.83% Jefferson 18,499 17,492 5.76% 12,557 47.32% Johnson 5,474 5,371 1.92% 4,187 30.74% Knox 170,736 171,790 -0.61% 141,111 20.99% Loudon 27,128 24,628 10.15% 18,747 44.71% Monroe 15,778 15,241 3.52% 10,936 44.28% Morgan 4,957 5,009 -1.04% 3,665 35.25% Roane 20,054 18,960 5.77% 14,860 34.95% Scott 6,521 6,840 -4.66% 4,163 56.64% Sevier 27,987 27,340 2.37% 20,715 35.10% Sullivan 52,494 55,121 -4.77% 45,280 15.93% Unicoi 6,067 6,174 -1.73% 4,800 26.40% Union 4,275 4,031 6.05% 2,569 66.41% Washington 45,825 42,909 6.80% 30,613 49.69% Total 622,384 604,100 3.03% 467,932 33.01% Statewide 2,214,870 2,280,767 -2.89% 1,675,679 32.18% Statewide, Shelby County saw the highest number of voters with 257,733 ballots cast, while Williamson County saw the highest turnout at 61.35%. From 2016 to 2024, Bledsoe County saw the highest jump with a 80.39% increase. What is voter fraud? Lawyer explains Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election Day is set for November 5. To find sample ballots for every county, click here. Once polls close on Election Day, 6 News will have election result here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. Chaplain Scott Davis (Nevada Department of Corrections photo) The chaplain at Lovelock Correctional Centers devotion to the Baptist faith is infringing on inmates rights to practice their own religions, says a lawsuit filed Sept. 30 by two prisoners. Its at least the third lawsuit in recent years alleging the prisons officials discriminated against members of certain faiths. Daniel Riggs, a Catholic who is serving time for attempted sexual assault, and Bryan Harmer, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sentenced to prison for lewdness with a minor, allege more than two dozen Nevada Department of Corrections officials, including director James Dzurenda, former director Charlie Daniels, and Lovelock Chaplain Scott Davis conspired to violate inmates religious rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until 2018, the suit says, the chapel at the Lovelock prison was open seven days a week to inmates of a variety of faiths. Today, the complaint alleges, the chapel has adjusted its schedule to provide standard Sunday services and to satisfy the court orders issued by Federal Judge Miranda Du in two previous cases one brought by a Muslim inmate who was denied the opportunity to observe a mandated Friday prayer, and the other by inmates known as The Way prayer group. Lovelock inmate Said Elmajzoub won a settlement of $95,000 after he proved the prison staff violated his right to worship at the times prescribed by the Muslim faith, and The Way group received a $75,000 settlement after it proved prison staff engaged in a conspiracy to deprive Muslim and other members of their constitutional rights to worship. Riggs and Harmer are asking for compensatory damages in excess of $75,000 each. Instead of responding to complaints by restoring times for religious instruction, the current suit alleges Davis, the chaplain, began a bible college that specifically teaches the doctrines of the Independent Baptist Church a Protestant church that is expressly hostile to the LDS and the Catholic churches, and reappropriated chapel time slots taken from other faith groups, including Catholic and LDS, to hold bible college classes in the chapel which were taught by Davis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the chapel closed in June 2020 as a result of COVID, bible college classes alone continued, the suit alleges. In late 2020, an endless loop of video sermons delivered by Davis began playing on the prisons closed circuit televisions, while a plethora of Catholic and LDS instructional DVDs that had been donated to the prison sat unused, the complaint says. Davis, reached via email, referred the Current to NDOC, which did not respond to requests for comment. The defendants violations in the instant case exceed those in the preceding cases and are still continuing presently, says the handwritten complaint from Riggs and Harmer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit alleges that at times, clergy members have not been allowed in the Lovelock prison. The Catholic meetings could not be called Mass, nor could the LDS meetings be called a sacramental service, the complaint says. Plaintiff Riggs had no access to receive Holy Communion, nor to confess his sins to a Catholic priest, nor to any other Catholic sacraments. Harmer was unable to receive a priestly blessing from LDS clergy, receive religious counseling and instruction from an LDS bishop, nor participate in any LDS church practices or sacraments, the suit alleges. For all practical purposes, the plaintiffs had no church services. When the chapel reopened in 2022, Catholic services were scheduled for Thursday and LDS services for Monday, despite prison officials knowledge that it is a fundamental tenant (sic) of both the Catholic and LDS faiths to specifically attend church on Sundays, the plaintiffs assert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs allege inmates, with the exception of those who filed lawsuits over their access to the chapel, were required to submit weekly requests to attend services. Under federal law The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) a prison or jail cannot substantially burden a prisoners exercise of his or her religion unless it can demonstrate that it has a compelling interest that cannot be achieved through any other less restrictive means. However, violations of inmates religious freedom persist not just in Nevada. Inmates have sued in multiple states for a host of violations, including being allowed no reading material but the Bible; for failing to receive kosher meals; for being prohibited from wearing religious headgear; and for the right to receive Christmas and prayer cards. 35,725 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? 35,725 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? Sample ballots for the 2024 primary in Hudson County show an office-block layout for the Democratic race (top) and New Jersey's unique county-line ballot for the GOP primary. Nearly all counties sued by Rep. Andy Kim over New Jerseys county-line primary ballots have settlement agreements in place or awaiting approval, but two counties and two party organizations have yet to reach a deal to settle the lawsuit. Clerks in Bergen and Union counties are the last government officials to remain in litigation over whether New Jerseys system of county lines a ballot design that groups party-endorsed candidates in a single row or column violates First Amendment protections to free association and a constitutional provision that limits state control over election results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit, lodged by Kim (D-03) a few months into his campaign for a U.S. Senate seat, spurred a federal judge to order 19 counties to use a new ballot design in Junes Democratic primaries and spawned a special Assembly committee to legislate new ballot design. I think theres a real opportunity here for everyone to put the case behind them, said Flavio Komuves, an attorney representing Kim and other plaintiffs. I think that the plaintiffs have offered extremely generous settlement terms, and we dont want to see a situation where the remaining clerks are spending tax money on a trial or other hearings that shouldnt be necessary. Attorneys representing clerks in Union and Bergen counties did not return a request for comment. Seventeen county clerks have agreed to settlement terms that require them to print ballots to use what are known as office-block ballots these group candidates by the office theyre seeking and to draw ballot positions randomly for each office. The agreements each call for $32,533 in attorneys fees for Kim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eleven counties have finalized settlements in those terms, and clerks in six other counties Hudson, Hunterdon, Morris, Ocean, Cape May, and Passaic have agreed to them in principle but are awaiting approval from their county commissions. The Camden County Democratic Committee and the Morris County Republican Committee, which both intervened in the litigation, also have yet to reach settlement agreements. Kims lawsuit targeted 19 county clerks, arguing their county-line ballots violate First Amendment protections on free association by denying some candidates the top ballot position unless they share a slogan with a candidate for higher office. The complaint also alleged these ballots impact race results in violation of the U.S. Constitutions elections clause. Critics of county-line ballots say they give party-backed candidates an unfair advantage at the polls by providing them with better ballot placement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, U.S. District Court Judge Zahid Quraishi barred the use of county lines in Democratic primaries, finding Kim and two congressional candidate co-plaintiffs were likely to succeed at trial, and a federal appeals court panel later upheld his ruling. Because the suit had no Republican plaintiffs, Quraishis order did not bar the use of county lines in GOP races. Ballots in Sussex and Salem Counties do not feature a county line, and clerks there were not named in Kims suit. The parties went before Magistrate Judge Tonianne Bongiovanni for a settlement conference Thursday. Bergen County Clerk John Hogan is the only clerk remaining in a related suit lodged by former congressional candidate Christine Conforti, who challenged county lines after her primary in 2020. Camden Democrats and Morris Republicans are also party to that litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The special Assembly committee on Tuesday took testimony from clerks and other election officials, the first step in lawmakers promised process to revamp New Jerseys ballots through legislation. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX I try to be a responsible gun owner. Most of my guns are kept locked up and unloadedthere are places in this world where you need to have a safari rifle ready at hand, but where I live isnt one of them, the occasional bear wandering up to my back porch notwithstanding. The ammunition is locked up separately. The loaded guns I keep for emergencies are secured in biometric safes that require my fingerprint to open. Even so, I sometimes worry that I am not doing enough. Guns are dangerousthat is their reason for existing. Donald Trump cannot legally own a firearm. Theres a good reason we bar felons from doing so. And next week, Americans might very well give him the keys to the most dangerous arsenal in the worldthe one belonging to the U.S. government. Nuclear weapons? I dont think the man should be allowed to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Partisan feelings are running strong right now, with the election coming on Tuesday. But Id like to invite readers to set aside those sensitivities for just a few minutes and think about the presidency itself. Many Americanssomewhere between most and practically all, depending on whom you askbelieve that the coming election will be the most consequential of their lifetimes. According to Rasmussen, only 16 percent of Americans think otherwise. Im in that 16 percenta percentage that may very well make that the most popular political position I hold. There are many Americans who sincerely believe (and many more who pretend to believe) that this election is in fact an existential crisis, that, should it go the wrong way, thats the end of the republic, of American democracy, of the Constitution, etc. If you believe that this election could mean the end of the country, then you should conclude, as I have: The United States does indeed have a Donald Trump problem or a Kamala Harris problem, but those are near-term and relatively minor. The long-term, major problem is the presidency itself. If the presidency has, in fact, grown so powerful that one election going the wrong way could mean the end of the country, then the presidency is a political weapon of mass destruction, an office too dangerous for anyone to hold. The presidency is J. R. R. Tolkiens Ring of Power in a country that is more like the corruptible Boromir than the abstemious Galadriel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is important that such a man as Trump is unfit for the presidency. It is much more consequential that the presidency is unfit for such a man as Trump. And if you think that Kamala Harris is a dangerous Marxist radical or whatever it is you heard from the little man on the radio, the same principle applies. It is really the presidency that is the problem. The American constitutional order is a really lovely piece of political architecture, a feat of balance, harmony, and proportion. It is the greatest instrument of its kind yet devised by mortal men, in no small part because it assumes human limitations and incorporates them into the larger order. Our form of government was not made for godlike philosopher-kings operating dispassionately in the service of the highest things, but was instead crafted for a nation of farmers, merchants, soldiers, pirates, slaveholders, religious fanatics, and ungovernable hillbilliesit is an order designed not for the people we aspire to be but for the people we are. It is a work of genius, but it is not perfect. The framers believedwrongly, as it turned outthat the great vice that needed containing in a republic was ambition. And so they set the organs of government in opposition to one another, trusting that envy, jealousy, and rivalry would do the work that no republican senate or signoria had been able to manage: preventing the excessive accumulation of power in a single office or in a single group of cronies, making it impossible to carry out a successful conspiracy or usurpation. At the time, that looked like the proper priority, and it worked for a timeuntil another vice, one even deadlier than ambition, took root: sloth. Our constitutional order really invests most of the powerand responsibilityfor managing federal affairs in Congress, the branch established in Article 1. But running the affairs of the federal government of this continental republic is a great deal of work, and, over time, members of Congress began to voluntarily cede their powers to the executive branch. That was a development at odds with the framers expectation that each organ of government would jealously guard its own powers. The transformation of the U.S. government from a government of laws made by lawmakers in the legislature into a government that principally does its business via regulation and executive orders originating in the executive branch under the command of the president is probably best understood as an attempt by a lazy Congress to maintain power (via enabling statute) over affairs for which it did not wish to maintain responsibility. And so, to take one example from a million, the difficult technical question of how many gun parts you can sell somebody before you have sold them a gun is punted by the lawmakers over to the regulators at the ATF. That way, nobody in Congress has to go on the record voting for or against any particular legal standard or procedure. In other instances, such as the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, political entrepreneurs who would like to have won a victory in Congress but found themselves unable to do so have used the executive power to make an end-run around the lawmakers and the lawmaking bodies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The result of this has been the accumulation of vast powers in the presidency, an office that never was intended to be the general-purpose receptacle of such powers. Congress has slowly transferred even its most important powers to the president: This country has been in a more or less constant state of war for the whole of my lifetime, but the last time Congress actually declared a war was in June 1942. If you want a sense of how long ago in history that was, consider that it was several months before Joe Biden was born. That date may jump out at you a little bit: In 1942, the U.S. already was involved in World War II, having made a declaration of war in 1941 after Pearl Harbor. The 1942 declaration added Hungary, Bulgaria, and Romania to the listand the fact that Congress felt obliged to act in a formal way to do so rather than in the willy-nilly mode of current practice should be instructive. Today, presidents are empowered to carry out acts of war with very little input from Congress, as Donald Trump did vis-a-vis Iran and Qassem Soleimani, or to assassinate U.S. citizens, as Barack Obama did in the matter of Anwar al-Awlaki, Samir Khan, and 16-year-old Abdulrahman Al-Awlaki. This isnt limited to war powers: Presidents enter international agreements without bothering to ask the Senate to ratify a treaty, as Obama did with the Paris Agreement, or effectively nullify the law, as Obama did with certain illegal immigrants, or spend money without congressional authorization, as Joe Biden attempted to do in his loan-forgiveness scheme and other projects. Congressional Republicans at one point estimated (with CBO confirmation) that Biden had spent more than a half-trillion dollars without proper authorizationand then did approximately squat about it. Presidents act unilaterally to prohibit politically unpopular private-sector developments, as with Biden and the Keystone XL pipeline. Americans can be law-abiding citizens on Monday and be felons on Tuesday without doing anything different and without any lawmaker voting on a change to a single statute, as Bidens ATF has demonstrated from time to time. The American presidency is the most dangerous job in the worldnot to the president, but to us. And if you believe, as J.D. Vance once insisted, that Donald Trump is a potential American Hitleror if you believe that Kamala Harris is the Antichrist, as Trumps excitable friends claimthen you should want to put the presidency back into a relatively small box and nail the lid shut. You wouldnt give a toddler a loaded gunwhy give nuclear weapons to a psychopath, a mental incompetent, or an aspiring tyrant? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Or, you know, to someone who is all three? Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. Sharon Farmer We are the Colored Girls . Combined, we have over a century of political experience. Weve worked alongside civil rights leaders, presidents, labor leaders and community leaders, and witnessed some of historys most pivotal moments. We are among the millions of Americans who have already cast their votes for Kamala Harris for president. It was an informed, and proud, choice. As Maya Angelou said, When people show you who they are, believe them. We closely know Kamala Harris, who she is, what she believes, why she cares and that shes ready to get to work for all Americans. Harris has spent her entire career in public service. Its a path she chose because of her deep belief in freedom, opportunity and justice the promise of America. What distinguishes Harris leadership is her constant awareness of who isnt in the room. That awareness goes far beyond physical presence its about who we hold in our minds, our hearts and our policies. When shes crafting solutions for Americas future, shes thinking about the single parent working two jobs who couldnt make it to the town hall; the rural family struggling with internet access who couldnt join the virtual meeting; the first-generation college student studying late into the night; the small business owner working too many hours to attend a campaign rally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her vision of America includes those whose voices often go unheard but whose dreams and determination are the true measure of our nations promise. This deep understanding shapes not just her policies, but her fundamental approach to leadership ensuring that every American, in the room or not, has a fair shake in our shared future. We are the Colored Girls. Combined, we have over a century of political experience. Weve worked alongside civil rights leaders, presidents, labor leaders and community leaders, and witnessed some of historys most pivotal moments. Through it all, weve learned that true leadership emerges when the moment demands it. This moment requires a leader with vision one who sees Americas promise not despite our challenges, but through them. Vice President Harris is that leader. Each of us came to know Vice President Harris at different points along her remarkable journey, as far back as when she was a student at Howard University. Two of us hosted her first national fundraiser when she ran for San Francisco district attorney, determined to reform the system from within. Some connected with her during her groundbreaking campaign for California attorney general. Others worked alongside her during her presidential campaign, witnessing her early commitment to voting rights and democratic participation. Through every role and every challenge, weve seen her leadership firsthand. Harris has revealed her character through her words and deeds. As a daughter of immigrants who dared to dream, she embodies the promise that brought generations to our shores. As a former caregiver who balanced family responsibilities with professional duties, she intimately understands the struggles of working families. Her story mirrors that of countless unnamed women whove sustained our democracy through their unwavering service and sacrifice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In California, as a prosecutor, she pioneered programs giving first-time offenders a second chance. As attorney general, she secured billions from big banks to help homeowners recover from the foreclosure crisis. As a senator, she championed working families and defended reproductive rights. As vice president, shes helped deliver historic investments in American infrastructure while standing firm against threats to our democracy. This week, as we cast our votes for Vice President Kamala Harris, we felt the presence of every ancestor who paved this path. We thought about Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who led the March on Washington just a few months before Harris was born. We thought of our grandmothers and grandfathers who couldnt vote but taught us the power of persistence. We remembered Fannie Lou Hamer, who endured physical violence for the right to cast a ballot. We honored Shirley Chisholm, who dared to be the first Black woman to seek the nations highest office, making this moment imaginable. We celebrated faith leaders who held our communities together, teachers who nurtured our dreams and domestic workers who sacrificed everything so their children could thrive. This week, as 75,000 Americans from all walks of life gathered on the National Mall, we witnessed a moment of profound symbolism. Harris stood between two monuments demonstrating the long fight toward freedom and justice in America: the Washington Monument and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Between these landmarks one marking the presidencys origins, the other embodying our peoples path from bondage to freedom Harris spoke of Americas next chapter, carrying forward both the weight of history and the hope of tomorrow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every step Harris takes toward the presidency walks on ground made firm by the feet of ancestors. Every word she speaks echoes with the whispered prayers of generations who reached for the possibility of freedom even when it seemed impossible. For us, casting a ballot for Harris carries the weight of history. As Black women who have spent decades in the political trenches, we know the special significance of voting for the first Black and South Asian woman to serve as president. This isnt just about representation its about realization. The realization of dreams deferred. The realization of possibilities denied. The realization of our ancestors faith. On Nov. 5, Americans can choose more than their next president. They can affirm that the dreams of generations who held America to its promises were not in vain. In Harris, we see a leader who carries their wisdom and resilience. This week we cast our votes with joy and determination. We believe in Vice President Kamala Harris. She is the leader America needs now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donna Brazile, Yolanda Caraway, Leah Daughtry, Tina Flournoy and Minyon Moore are known as the Colored Girls. Together, theyve worked with political and civil rights leaders who have shaped our countrys history U.S. presidents such as Bill Clinton, Joe Biden and Barack Obama; well-known political figures such as Terry McAuliffe and Howard Dean; and legendary activists and historical figures such as Jesse Jackson, Coretta Scott King and Betty Shabazz. Their 2018 memoir, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics, is a New York Times bestseller. Related... BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) A mother grieves her sons death as she watched on in court Thursday morning. Kanye Stowers mom Tomeka Love shared her feelings after this being the 6th straight hearing without any movement in the case in McLean County Circuit Court. Im angry. Im mad, Love said. Its been three years, and my son is gone. I cant bring him back. Charged is Tomiyale Anderson of Georgia, who is accused of first-degree murder stemming from the death of Peoria teen Kanye Stowers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another hearing set for Georgia man accused in deadly shooting of Peoria teen Anderson is accused of killing Stowers at a Bloomington house party in April 2022. This was Tomiyale Andersons third appearance since hiring private defense attorney Jennifer Patton. Anderson faces at least 20 years and possibly up to 60 years in prison if convicted. He also faces lesser charges of attempted murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm. Love was joined in court by members of an organization called Moms Demand Action, a nationwide movement of mothers who fight for, as their website says, public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Love reinforced her commitment to her sons legacy and to other mothers whose children have been killed by gun violence. I want to be here every day of that trial, she said. Im not going to miss, not one date, one beat, I promise you that. And Im not just doing this for me as a mother, Im doing it for all the mothers of gun violence who lost their kids. Patton asked the judge for an additional 60 days to go through discovery which is a legal term for evidence. Since 60 days would be around the holiday season, the next hearing was scheduled for Jan. 8. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. JAMESTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) An investigation is underway after a motorcyclist was critically injured in a crash on the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge Thursday afternoon, according to Rhode Island State Police. Troopers were called to the eastbound side of the bridge around 3:30 p.m. for reports of a crash involving a motorcycle. Police said it appears the motorcyclist rear-ended a van while weaving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The motorcyclist was rushed to the Newport Hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to police. The driver and passenger in the van were not injured. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. A moving company representative and lawyers were expected to be given access to Rudy Giuliani's Manhattan apartment on Thursday after the former New York City mayor failed to turn over belongings to two former Georgia election workers who won a $148 million defamation judgment against him. The two sides hurled allegations against each other this week as the deadline for Giuliani to surrender the items passed Tuesday without any of the assets changing hands. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman ordered Giuliani last week to give the election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea Shaye Moss, many of his prized possessions. Among them: his $5 million Upper East Side apartment, a 1980 Mercedes once owned by movie star Lauren Bacall, and a variety of other belongings, from his television to a shirt signed by New York Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio to 26 luxury watches. The moving company representative and lawyers for Freeman and Moss were expected to be let into Giuliani's apartment to see what property was there and estimate the cost of moving items named in Liman's order, according to a court document filed late Wednesday by Aaron Nathan, an attorney for the election workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the document, Nathan said he had talked with Giuliani's lawyers but that they were not ready to turn over any items and could not even answer basic questions about the location of the assets. Giuliani's attorney, Kenneth Caruso, had said in a court filing late Tuesday that his client was ready to hand over the assets but lawyers for Freeman and Moss had not provided instructions on how to do so. Nathan declined to comment Thursday. The Associated Press left phone and email messages on Thursday with a representative and lawyers for Giuliani. Voting in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday afternoon, Giuliani did not confirm that anyone had been in his New York apartment. He said he didn't get a chance to defend himself in the Georgia election workers case and said he believes the judgment will be reversed on appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will probably be one of the most unfair trials in American history, with the exception of the J6 people," he said, referring to the criminal cases against Trump supporters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. In fact, Giuliani was given a chance to turn over information requested by lawyers for Freeman and Moss last year, but didn't do so. As punishment, a separate judge found Giuliani liable for defamation before any trial was held. A trial to determine damages was held later. On Thursday, Liman ordered both sides to submit a status report on any property exchanges by Monday. He said he would hold a status conference on Nov. 7 if the assets arent turned over. Giuliani's legal defense fund sent out emails Thursday asking for donations as he fights Deep State plans to utterly ruin me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They want my home, my belongings, even all of the nostalgic keepsakes that Ive collected throughout my 80 years of life, the email said. Giuliani's lawyers had argued that Freeman and Moss should not be allowed to obtain and sell his belongings while his appeal of the $148 million judgment is pending. But Liman ruled against him last week and set the Tuesday deadline. Giuliani's appeal is currently before a federal appeals court in Washington. A Giuliani spokesperson, Ted Goodman, said in a recent statement that Mayor Giuliani is being unfairly punished by partisan, political activists who are trying to make an example out of him." Also being litigated is whether Giuliani should have to turn over his $3 million Palm Beach, Florida, condo which he says is his primary residence and several Yankees World Series rings he received when he was mayor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pushing Donald Trump's unfounded claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him, Giuliani falsely accused Freeman and Moss of ballot fraud, saying they snuck in ballots in suitcases, counted ballots multiple times and tampered with voting machines. Freeman and Moss sued for defamation and said the false allegations led to death threats that made them fear for their lives. A jury in Washington awarded them $148 million last year. __ Associated Press writer Stephany Matat in West Palm Beach, Florida, contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a man was arrested on Thursday for stealing puppy Pepper from a boat in Navy Yard. On Oct. 11, police were called to the 100 block of Potomac Avenue for the report of a theft. Officers discovered that a boat had been broken into and a 3-month-old black Cane Corso named Pepper was stolen. Soon after, MPD released pictures of the dog and on Oct.19 a good Samaritan returned Pepper to his owner in good condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Puppy Pepper stolen from boat in Navy Yard reunited with owner The person said they had bought the dog from an online ad before discovering that Pepper had been stolen. On October 31, police arrested and charged 18-year-old Dante Eley of Southeast D.C. with Theft in The Second Degree and Destruction of Property. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mr. Beast in March 2024. - Credit: Megan Briggs/Getty Images) On Friday, Jimmy Donaldson, a.k.a. MrBeast, tweeted the findings of a three-month investigation into allegations about his companys workplace environment and culture, as well as specific allegations against current and former employees. According to the email shared by Donaldson, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP found that allegations of sexual misconduct between Company employees and minors as well as allegations of the company knowingly employing individuals with proclivities or histories toward illegal or questionable legal conduct are without basis. The letter is signed by Alex Spiro, who is also the lead attorney in New York Mayor Eric Adams current federal corruption case. The law firm said in a statement that they had nothing at the moment to add. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement https://twitter.com/MrBeast/status/1852410203486183777 The conclusion of the investigation came after a fraught summer for Donaldson, who runs the biggest channel on YouTube. On July 24, Donaldson tweeted that he and his company had parted ways with Ava Kris Tyson, who had been his second in command since the channel was started in 2012 over allegations that she had inappropriate conversations with minors, including her Discord moderator LavaGS. Days after, Tysons former executive assistant, Jess, tweeted a now-deleted thread that she had been sexually assaulted by the creator, who had used her status within the company to coerce sexual favors. Jess also claimed that after she no longer wanted to engage in sexual favors with the MrBeast star, Tyson ended their professional relationship. On July 23 a post on X, Tyson denied any allegations of grooming or sexual misconduct, adding I humbly apologize to anyone I have hurt with my unacceptable social media posts, past actions, and to those who may feel betrayed by how I used to act online. (Tyson did not provide comment to Rolling Stone at the time, nor did she respond to a request for comment about the investigations conclusion.) This is the first public comment Donaldson has made about Tyson since those initial allegations and only the third tweet hes posted since July. According to the email he shared, they did identify several isolated instances of workplace harassment and misconduct but took swift and inappropriate actions to address the incidents. They did not specify what those specific incidents were, or who was disciplined. There are also a series of recommended changes that MrBeast has already implemented or is in the process of implementing, including mandatory corporate training for all employees, developing new policies codified in an employee handbook, and swiftly terminating individuals who violated company policy. The company has already hired a new CEO venture capitalist Jeffrey Housenbold, who came on in June and will hire a CPO, CFO, and General Counsel. In early August, an internal email was leaked to X account DramaAlert, announcing many of these changes internally, including hiring a new general counsel and CFO, mandatory training, listening sessions, and anonymous review. (A MrBeast spokesperson declined to comment.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The email also mentions a cease and desist the law firm sent to YouTuber and former MrBeast employee Dawson French, who, under the name DogPack404, has posted multiple videos alleging inappropriate workplace behavior at MrBeast (though some have criticized him for sharing information that hadnt been completely vetted). If MrBeast wanted the truth to come out, why would they threaten the whistleblower with legal action, French says in a statement to Rolling Stone. While he says that he was not interviewed for this investigation, he notes that they took action against the people I reported. Those whose stories were investigated have mixed feelings about Donaldsons tweet. LavaGS, who was 13 when he first started talking to a then 20-year-old Tyson, tweeted in a response that private investigators reviewed all my DMs and interactions with Tyson. I was not groomed, these were false allegations made up by other people with my name thrown in them. The moderator has been very clear that he was not groomed since his story broke, tweeting on July 23, I am not a victim, and, Nothing bad happened between me and Tyson. When reached for comment, LavaGS directed Rolling Stone to his statement. But Jess says the post made her sad. Though none of the allegations were mentioned by name, her story was the catalyst that got the investigation into misconduct started. She had reached out to MrBeast HR on July 10. Though she had been interviewed as part of the investigation, she says their last correspondence took place on Aug. 14. They stopped answering me, Jess says. This public statement is the only update about this situation that Ive got at all. Correction, Nov. 2, 9:30 a.m. ET: This story previously stated that a new CEO would replace Jeffrey Housenbold. Housenbold will continue in his role as CEO. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A Mississippi Coast worship leader and former real estate agent is set to plead guilty in November following his indictment for producing and distributing child pornography. Tyler Selby, a 34-year-old Saucier resident, was first arrested in September 2023 on a federal criminal complaint charging him with one count each of possession and production of child pornography. A federal grand jury subsequently indicted him in October on one count each distribution of visual depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct by a parent and one count of production of child pornography. Selby appeared in federal court in Gulfport on Wednesday for his arraignment for the crimes that could send him to prison for life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His attorney informed the court of Selbys intent to enter a guilty plea. His plea date is set in November before Judge Louis Guirola. UK investigators alert US authorities The former minister at Robinwood Baptist Church in Sauciers arrest followed an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations Cyber Crime Center after the agency received a tip from the National Crime Agency in the United Kingdom about a Skype user, later identified as Selby, producing and sharing child pornography with someone in the UK. Selby, identified as Skpye user cj dereks, allegedly shared child pornography he produced over the Internet with a person in the UK who poses online (as a minor girl) to obtain child sexual abuse material, the records say. Tyler Selby The UK user, identified by the Emma Long alias, poses as a 17-year-old girl to entice followers like Selby to sexually abuse children and send videos of the abuse for distribution over the Internet. To lure Selby in, the undercover user shared a video of what authorities described as Emmas 5-year-old sister engaged in sexually explicit acts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation in the UK, federal investigators discovered online video footage of Selby masturbating in a bathtub with a small naked boy in the bathtub with him. In the 20-minute video, Selby instructs the boy to wash Selbys genitals with a rag. Selby, who also worked as a Realtor in Jackson County, allegedly committed the crime in a home for sale in Jackson County. HSI investigator testifies After Selbys arrest, HSI special agent Danyelle Evans said federal agents identified Selby as the suspect after tracking down images of him from his drivers license and social media accounts. A subsequent database search led authorities to a home in South Mississippi, where Selby lived with family and worked as a worship leader at a Baptist church in Saucier. Authorities said that in addition to his job as a worship leader, Selby worked for a pest control company and had also worked in real estate sales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities conducted surveillance on Selbys home and arrested him after he retrieved a portable electronic device, or USB drive, attached to a lanyard from a car. According to the investigator, it is common for child pornography suspects to store the images and videos on USB drives and other electronic devices so they can carry them around with them. Selby has remained jailed since his arrest. After his arrest, the pastor at Robinwood Baptist Church announced that Selby had been fired from his job there. We are deeply saddened by the recent developments regarding Mr. Selby, the Rev. Brad Smith said. He was untruthful to us during the interview process and should never have applied for the position. Although an extensive background check was conducted it did not and would not have revealed what Mr. Selby intentionally kept hidden. We have zero tolerance for any inappropriate behavior, especially by those in positions of authority. We will never protect someone who seeks to hurt or take advantage of children. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Horn Lake, Mississippi man was sentenced to 40 years after being convicted for a shooting in a drug deal gone wrong last year in Olive Branch. In September, 20-year-old Brandon Brinkley was convicted of attempted first-degree murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery after a three-day trial. I made a promise to protect this community, and this guilty verdict and sentence is just one step toward fulfilling that commitment, said District Attorney Matthew Barton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ORIGINAL STORY: 1 suspect, victim left injured after armed robbery in Olive Branch This case was investigated by the Olive Branch Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Andrew Wilcutt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MT. MORRIS, Ill. (WTVO) A Mt. Morris man has been arrested on accusations of child pornography. According to the Ogle County Sheriffs Office, police raided the home of Christopher Kaepplinger, 53, around 5:35 a.m. on Halloween. Authorities said Ogle County Detectives along with Illinois State Police investigators conducted the search of Kaepplingers home after a lengthy investigation into child pornography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the collection of evidence, Kaepplinger was charged with 6 counts of Possession of Child Pornography featuring minors under 13 years of age. He was booked into the Ogle County Jail awaiting the outcome of a pretrial detention hearing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. As some major newspapers are declining to endorse this year, The Economist announced Thursday that the outlet is backing Vice President Harris over former President Trump in the upcoming election. Editor in Chief Zanny Minton Beddoes joins Morning Joe to discuss. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Its Friday, November 1. Take a look at our top stories in news and weather with KELOLAND On The GO First@4. The groups promoting ballot measures to add amendments to the constitutions in nine states that would enshrine a right to abortion have raised more than $160 million. Abortion-rights groups outspend opponents by more than 6 to 1 in ballot measure campaigns It was a quiet morning for most of us, but in northeastern KELOLAND, all types of precipitation occurred as temperatures ranged from near to above freezing. The low-pressure system and precipitation will continue to move into Minnesota going into the rest of the afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Storm Center PM Update: More rain over the weekend A drinking water notice has been issued Thursday night in Thurston County, Nebraska. Nebraska County issues drinking water notice Friday afternoon, an aggravated assault case turned into a murder investigation in Sioux Falls. Aggravated assault case evolves to murder investigation Download the KELOLAND News app to find the latest headlines while on the go. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. AMERICUS, Ga. (WRBL) The Americus Police Department is searching for a murder suspect they have listed as Most Wanted. Police say Deavion Lockhart, 28, has warrants issued for his arrest. Lockhart is being charged with murder, two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The charges stem back to July 27 when Deandre Raashod Jones, 28, died in a shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lockharts last known address is in Dublin, Georgia. Anyone with information on Lockharts whereabouts is asked to call 911 if they are in Americus. Additional information can be given to the Americus Police Department at (229) 924-3677. The after hours line is (229) 937-9011. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk participates in a town hall-style meeting to promote early and absentee voting at Ridley High School on October 17, 2024 in Folsom, Delaware County. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA Elon Musk was a no-show in a Philadelphia courtroom Thursday morning for a scheduled hearing over a lawsuit filed by Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, alleging that the $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes Musks America PAC has been conducting in Pennsylvania is an illegal lottery. In a filing late Wednesday, America PACs attorneys argued that the state court was not the proper venue for the lawsuit. This matter involves claims that are inherently federal in nature, due mainly to Krasners allegation that the $1 million giveaways amount to interference in a federal election for President of the United States, the PACs attorneys said. They seek to move the case to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Krasners attorney John Summers said during the hearing that the filing to move the hearing to federal court was cowardly and irresponsible and criticized Musk for not attending. He pointed to a post Musk re-shared on X, formerly Twitter, which Musk owns, that called Judge Angelo Foglietta a leftist judge. The judge said that was irrelevant. Matt Haverstick, the attorney representing Musks America PAC said Musk is a busy man and if required he would be in court. But Haverstick said their position is that the only correct defendant is America PAC. He called the suit a publicity stunt and a circus atmosphere. Summers took issue with the notion that Musk couldnt attend Thursdays hearing, noting hes the richest man in the world and could show up if he wanted to. The fact that four of the 12 winners of $1 million checks from the sweepstakes are from Pennsylvania, a key swing state with 19 electoral votes, Summers said, was not a coincidence. In the Pennsylvania lottery, he added, the winners are selected at random. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Krasner filed the civil suit on behalf of the commonwealth in Philadelphias Court of Common Pleas on Monday, alleging that the $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes Musk has been conducting in Pennsylvania is an illegal lottery. Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner (l) and attorney John Summers were in court in Philadelphia Oct. 31, 2024 for a hearing over Elon Musks America PAC. Musk did not attend. (screen shot of live X feed) To be clear, this is not a case about whether Defendants have violated state or federal laws prohibiting vote-buying. Instead, this case is very simple because America PAC and Musk are indisputably violating Pennsylvanias statutory prohibitions against illegal lotteries and deceiving consumers, Krasners suit says. Krasners suit seeks an injunction to stop America PAC and Musk from continuing the violations. It says allowing them to continue would irreparably harm Philadelphia and Pennsylvania residents and tarnish the publics right to a fee and fair election. In a filing late Wednesday, America PACs attorneys argued that the state court was not the proper venue for the lawsuit, since this matter involves claims that are inherently federal in nature, due mainly to Krasners allegation that the $1 million giveaways amount to interference in a federal election for President of the United States. They seek to move the case to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the Thursday hearing, Foglietta noted that those who win the lottery are only required to be registered voters, and that it doesnt matter which political party they are affiliated with. Summers said that is the case, but those who enter the lottery must sign a pledge of support to the 1st and 2nd amendments. Summers described the speeches Musk is delivering on the campaign trail as weird rallies and noted him jumping around on stage. Summers argued the case is not a federal election code issue. The judge asked what it had to do with the election. Summers responded by providing a hypothetical situation: If someone shot another person while they waited in line to vote, the shooter could be charged with homicide, and it would not be a federal case, even though it would potentially affect the outcome of the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called Musk the 800 pound gorilla in the room and said the PAC was taking information from registrants that could be bought and sold, since there is no transparency around how winners are selected. What America PAC is currently doing, Summers argued, are deceptive practices and not what a good lottery would do. After exiting the courtroom, the lawyers defending Musks PAC did not respond to any questions from reporters. Summers noted that Musks attorneys had filed the federal suit on mischief night, the night before Halloween when some in the Philadelphia region get up to hijinks. DA Krasner was here to testify. Elon Musk didnt show, Summers said. We are going to handle this case and continue to handle this case, adding they would proceed to federal court and seek to have the case remanded back to state court. After all, this is a case that involves state law issues, and Ill leave it at that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk announced on Oct. 7 that the PAC would pay Pennsylvania registered voters $47 to sign its petition in support of free speech and gun rights. The amount offered later increased to $100, then at a rally in Harrisburg for former President Donald Trump on Oct. 19, Musk announced those who signed the petition and were registered to vote in Pennsylvania and six other swing states in the presidential election would be eligible to be randomly selected to win $1 million. Election law experts have told the Capital-Star that the sweepstakes likely violates a federal law against paying people to register to vote. Gov. Josh Shapiro said in an interview on Meet the Press on Oct. 20 that the payments are deeply concerning, although he stopped short of calling for an investigation. America PAC on Wednesday revealed its latest $1 million winner from North Carolina. The PAC said winners would be announced daily through Election Day. This story was updated with details from the courthouse in Philadelphia Oct. 31, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk notice (Pennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Pennsylvania Capital-Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kim Lyons for questions: info@penncapital-star.com. Follow Pennsylvania Capital-Star on Facebook and X.) Elon Musk leaps on stage with Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally from behind bullet resistant glass at the Butler Farm Show fairgrounds on October 05, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. | Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Canvassers and paid door knockers for the campaign of former President Donald Trump say they were tricked into coming to Michigan by a company associated with Elon Musks America political action committee, and then stiffed with hotel bills if they didnt reach certain quotas. Those are the allegations revealed in an article published Wednesday by the tech-focused WIRED magazine, which included accusations that the canvassers worked under poor, and seemingly illegal, circumstances such as being driven to areas of Michigan in the back of a rental truck with no seats or safety restraints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company in question, Blitz Canvassing, is a subcontractor of Musks America PAC, which the tech billionaire created to help Trump regain the White House. America PAC is already being investigated by the Michigan secretary of states office over its efforts to collect voter data in battleground states, accused of soliciting detailed personal information about voters under the guise of helping to get them registered to vote. The Michigan Advance reached out to America PACs email for comment but received back a generic response encouraging people to apply for positions. WIRED said that neither Musk nor the PAC responded for its story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Requests for comment were sent by Michigan Advance to both the secretary of state and the Michigan attorney general, but have yet to be returned. WIRED reported that the canvassers were told if they didnt engage at least a thousand doors a week their hotel bills would not be paid and they would have to pay for their own flight home. Additionally, they were reportedly not told that they would be supporting Trumps campaign or working for a subcontractor for Musks America PAC. Election lawyer Mark Brewer, a former chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, told the Advance that third-party operations are rife with problems like this. These folks didnt even know who they were canvassing for, and so they have absolutely no loyalty, no interest, in whether Trump gets elected or not. Theyre just being mercenaries, said Brewer. On top of that, they are significantly mistreated mercenaries. There might be labor law violations here, in terms of the way these people are being treated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brewer said there could also easily be election law violations and he wouldnt be surprised if Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel or Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson took a look into the accusations. Obviously, all this activity has to be reported by Musks PAC, the firms that he hired and so forth, he said, If those canvassers were doing any state work, there should be state reporting as well. I mean, if they were advocating for any state or local candidates in the course of their canvassing and were spending money in that regard, that should be reported to the state, as well. WIRED reported that Blitz Canvassing had received more than $9 million from America PAC for its services, although Brewer said the specific details of the Michigan operation wont need to be reported until after the election. Another issue brought up in the report were accusations that Blitz Canvassing had issues with what were described as fake door knocks being flagged by Campaign Sidekick, the glitchy app used by America PAC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Dennis Lennox, a Republican consultant and political commentator, says he cant comment on the specifics of the WIRED report, he did tell the Advance none of those details would be a surprise. Its no secret the ground game traditionally implemented by the Republican Party was outsourced to outside groups this cycle. These outside groups are inevitably going to rely upon contractors and subcontractors, which is problematic as we saw with the 2022 petition fiasco, said Lennox. The race remains a toss-up, but a Trump loss in Michigan will almost certainly be the result of poor organizational infrastructure and almost no ground game outside parts of the state within contested congressional races. Deleted America PAC ad | Screenshot Lennox also noted on X, formerly Twitter, that as of Thursday morning there was a more than 15% difference between early balloting in Michigan and Georgia, both important battleground states. I believe the difference is a result of not having a real, organized ground game and effective get-out-the-vote operation in Michigan, he told the Advance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, America PAC has also drawn significant criticism for a series of campaign ads for Trump that have used vulgar and violent language about Harris, including one in particular that called the vice president the C-word before saying she was a Communist. The ad was later deleted from America PACs X account. State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia), who chairs the Progressive Womens Caucus, told the Advance anyone paying attention knew exactly what that ad was trying to say. I dont think anyone is buying this cutesy act about it was meant to mean communist. It was meant to say a thing without explicitly saying it. And its just a play on the same old misogyny that weve been seeing out of Elon Musk and Donald Trump and the entire campaign, she said. If youre going to call someone something, then say it. But I think its cowardly. I think its completely inappropriate. And I think it is not going to do anyone any favors because I think women are fed up with this level of misogyny and politics. Pohutsky says she understands politics can be a contact sport, as the saying goes, but believes attack ads should be based on a candidates positions and track record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But to approximate calling someone one of the most offensive slurs you can call them, a very gendered slur on top of it, just doesnt belong in politics. And I think that women in particular are very, very tired of this becoming more commonplace, she said. A pro-Israel mailer on Vice President Kamala Harris targeting Arab-American voters in Michigan by Future Coalition PAC | Susan J. Demas A pro-Israel mailer on Vice President Kamala Harris targeting Arab-American voters in Michigan by Future Coalition PAC | Susan J. Demas Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A pro-Israel mailer on Vice President Kamala Harris targeting Arab-American voters in Michigan by Future Coalition PAC | Susan J. Demas A pro-Israel mailer on Vice President Kamala Harris targeting Arab-American voters in Michigan by Future Coalition PAC | Susan J. Demas A pro-Israel mailer on Vice President Kamala Harris and Rep. Elissa Slotkin targeting Arab-American voters in Michigan by Future Coalition PAC | Susan J. Demas A pro-Israel mailer on Vice President Kamala Harris and Rep. Elissa Slotkin targeting Arab-American voters in Michigan by Future Coalition PAC | Susan J. Demas On Wednesday, Trump reiterated at a rally in Green Bay, Wisc., that he would be womens protector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said, Sir, please dont say that. Well Im going to do it whether the women like it or not, said Trump. Another group backed by Musk, Future Coalition PAC, has also reportedly sent mailers to Michigan voters that have been called antisemitic for trying to portray Harris as unwaveringly supporting Israel while noting she leans on Jewish husband Doug Emhoff to advise on high level pro-Israel policies. Musk himself has been connected to what election officials have called a firehose of election conspiracy theories, including amplifying claims that Michigans voter rolls were packed with inactive voters and ripe for fraud, which state officials had to rebut as untrue. Also, a dark money network supporting former President Donald Trump, and connected to Musk, has created a website for an initiative called Progress 2028 with ads that falsely purport it is Harris liberal counter to the conservative Project 2025 including policy issues that are counter to her actual positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Text received by an East Lansing, Mich., voter featuring Kamala Harris and gun issues paid for by Progress 2028 | Screenshot Text received by an East Lansing, Mich., voter featuring Kamala Harris and LGBTQ+ issues paid for by Progress 2028 | Screenshot Digital advertisement featuring Kamala Harris paid for by Progress 2028 | Screenshot from Meta Ad Library Text received by an East Lansing, Mich., voter featuring Kamala Harris and gun issues paid for by Progress 2028 | Screenshot Text received by an East Lansing, Mich., voter featuring Kamala Harris and noncitizen voting paid for by Progress 2028 | Screenshot Text received by an East Lansing, Mich., voter featuring Kamala Harris and fracking paid for by Progress 2028 | Screenshot Text received by an East Lansing, Mich., voter featuring Kamala Harris and fracking paid for by Progress 2028 | Screenshot Text received by an East Lansing, Mich., voter featuring Kamala Harris and immigration paid for by Progress 2028 | Screenshot Text received by an East Lansing, Mich., voter featuring Kamala Harris and gun issues paid for by Progress 2028 | Screenshot Text received by an East Lansing, Mich., voter featuring Kamala Harris and LGBTQ+ issues paid for by Progress 2028 | Screenshot SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE (Bloomberg) -- Elon Musk lost a bid to move a lawsuit challenging his daily million-dollar giveaway to voters to federal court, putting the lawsuit filed by a progressive Philadelphia district attorney back in front of a state court judge. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US District Judge Gerald J. Pappart said in a ruling Friday that there was no issue of federal law involved in the case filed by District Attorney Larry Krasner, which says the sweepstakes violates state lottery and consumer protection laws. After the ruling, a hearing was scheduled in state court for Monday morning, and Musk filed a motion asking that he be excused from attending in person. While the ruling is ostensibly a defeat for Musk, the worlds richest man and one of former President Donald Trumps biggest backers, it leaves Krasner with little time to halt the sweepstakes before the Nov. 5 election. Musks pro-Trump America PAC has been giving away $1 million every day until Election Day to a randomly selected registered voter who signs a petition calling for free speech and the right to bear arms. The contest doesnt specify which candidate voters should choose, but Musk has become a famous champion of Trump on his social media platform X and elsewhere and the contest features photographs of Musk handing winners oversize checks. Krasner sued Musk over the sweepstakes, but a hearing in state court Thursday was halted while Musk tried to get the matter before a federal judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Krasners office said they were waiting for the state court to schedule a hearing in the case after the failure of Musks eleventh-hour effort to transfer the matter to federal court. Matthew Haverstick, a lawyer for Musk, didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the decision. (Adds new hearing date in second paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Elon Musk temporarily staved off a challenge to his daily million-dollar giveaway to voters ahead of Tuesdays presidential election, as a judge in the battleground state of Pennsylvania ended a hearing without ruling on the bid to block it. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hearing Thursday came after Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner sued Musk over the sweepstakes, claiming it violates state lottery and consumer protection law. Judge Angelo Foglietta paused the proceedings while Musk tries to get the case taken over by a federal court. A hearing in US District Court in Philadelphia could take place as early as Friday. Musks pro-Donald Trump America PAC has been giving away $1 million every day until Election Day, Nov. 5, to a randomly selected registered voter who signs a petition calling for free speech and the right to bear arms. The contest doesnt specify which candidate voters should choose, but Musk has become a famous champion of Trump on his social media platform X and elsewhere and the contest features photographs of Musk handing winners oversize checks. In a Friday morning court filing, lawyers for Musk told US District Judge Gerald J. Pappart that the case involves a quintessential question of federal law, calling Krasners lawsuit a manufactured and phony emergency. Musks attorneys said the DA is attempting to restrain core political speech that is protected by the First Amendment simply because he disagrees with the speaker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Krasner had argued a day earlier that the case should return to state court immediately, saying the attempt to move it is a stunt to run the clock until Election Day. Federal election law prohibits paying people to register to vote. Whats murkier is whether paying voters who are already registered to sign a petition is a violation. The US Justice Department sent Musks PAC a letter last week warning that the contest might violate federal law. Krasner, one of the progressive prosecutors Trump has singled out for derision, had asked the court to stop Musk from engaging in what he claims is an unlawful sweepstakes. He claims it lulls Philadelphia citizens to give up their personal identifying information and make a political pledge in exchange for a chance at the prize. The suit the first official legal challenge Musk has faced over the giveaway program comes amid a highly polarized and contentious election season, as Trump seeks to regain the White House in a neck-and-neck race with Vice President Kamala Harris. In one sign of the tensions, Krasner requested extra security at Thursdays hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point in the state court hearing Thursday, lawyers for Krasner noted that Musk was absent. The judge had ordered all the parties to appear. Hes a very busy man, Musks lawyers responded, saying their client cant just appear anywhere on 12 hours notice. Krasners lawyer noted that Musk runs SpaceX, to which the judge responded, Hes not going to get on a rocket ship and land on the building lets be serious, drawing laughter in the courtroom. Musks lawyers assured the judge that their client would attend future proceedings. QuickTake: Is Musks $1 Million a Day Election Giveaway Legal? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, the worlds richest person, has tussled with legal and regulatory authorities before. In San Francisco, the US Securities and Exchange Commission has asked a federal judge to impose sanctions on him for skipping a court-ordered deposition by the agency. His lawyer argued Musks absence was justified because he needed to be in Florida to supervise a launch for a commercial spacewalk. The new case is Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. America PAC and Elon Musk, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas (Philadelphia County). --With assistance from Sabrina Willmer and Malathi Nayak. (Adds filings on federal court issues starting in fourth paragraph) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. WASHINGTON (AP) Next week's presidential election isn't just a referendum on Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. It's also a measure of the influence the world's richest man wields over American democracy. Elon Musk, the South African-born tech and business titan, has spent at least $119 million mobilizing Trump's supporters to back the Republican nominee. His social media platform, X, has become a firehose of pro-Trump propaganda. And he's playing a starring role in Trump-style rallies in critical battleground states. All the while, he's coming under growing scrutiny. He skipped a hearing on Thursday in a lawsuit over his effort to dole out millions of dollars to registered voters, giveaways legal experts liken to vote buying. Hes being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. And The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Musk regularly communicates with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a potential national security risk because SpaceX, his aerospace company, holds billions of dollars worth of contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk is hardly the only person whose megawealth places him at the nexus of politics, business and foreign policy. But few are working so publicly for a single candidate as Musk, whose expansive business ties and growing bravado pose a vexing test of one unelected person's political power. His stature is perhaps one of the most tangible consequences of the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision, which eliminated many limits on political giving. This is definitely an election brought to you by Citizens United, said Daniel I. Weiner, the director of elections and government at the Brennan Center for Justice, who added that the phenomenon was bigger that just Musk. What this is really about is a transformation of our campaign finance system to one in which the wealthiest donors are playing a central role. Musk did not respond to a request for comment made through his attorney. Tesla, his electric car company, and X did not respond to inquiries. SpaceX disputed parts of The Journal's reporting in a statement and said it continues to work in close partnership with the U.S. Government. Musk's recent conversion to Dark MAGA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musks conversion to a self-described Dark MAGA Trump warrior is a recent one. In the past, he donated modest sums to both Republicans and Democrats, including $5,000 to Hillary Clinton in 2016, records show. He didnt contribute to Trumps political efforts until this year, according to federal campaign finance disclosures. He was all in once he did. Musk is now leading America PAC, a super political action committee that is spearheading Trumps get-out-the-vote effort. As a newcomer to politics, there have been growing pains. Over the summer, America PAC struggled to reach its voter contact goals. Musk brought in a new team of political consultants, Generra Peck and Phil Cox, who worked on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis losing Republican presidential primary bid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On paper, the numbers have improved. But Republican officials, operatives and activists say in some critical places its been difficult to tell how active the PACs ground effort has been. The PAC's presence is not perceptible in rural Georgia, according to three Republican strategists who are closely monitoring the ground game in the battleground state. For example, America PAC has shown little evidence of leaving literature behind on doorsteps, as is common when a voter is not home, especially in remote places, the three people said. There are also indicators Musk, a tech innovator, has been taken advantage of at his own game. In Nevada, three other people familiar with America PACs efforts said hired canvassers paid tech-savvy operatives to digitally manipulate an app used to track their progress appearing to falsify their data so they could get paid for work that they did not do. Canvassers are typically paid by the number of doors that they knock on. There are signs the practice wasn't limited to Nevada. One person warned America PAC leadership weeks ago that canvasing data from multiple states showed signs that it had been falsified, but their concerns were not acted on, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The individuals, like others who provided details about Musks political operation, insisted on anonymity to discuss the matter out of fear of retribution. Musk has become frustrated with his PAC Musk has become frustrated with the inner workings of his political organization and has brought in private sector associates, including Steve Davis, president of the Boring company, Musks tunnel building company, according to three people with knowledge of the move. Davis role with America PAC was previously reported by The New York Times. A person close to the PAC disputed that the group had been taken advantage of, suggesting it was a conspiracy theory based on a poor understanding of how political canvassing works. The person insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the innerworkings of the PAC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musks leadership of the PAC has not been his only political stumble. On Monday, Philadelphias district attorney filed a lawsuit to halt Musks $1 million cash sweepstakes, which is a part of America PACs effort to garner support for Trump. Musk had pledged to give away $1 million a day until the election to voters in battleground states who have signed a petition supporting the Constitution. Legal experts cautioned that the contest was likely illegal, venturing into vote buying territory because participants were required to be registered to vote to win the money. Democratic District Attorney Larry Krasners suit argues the giveaways amount to an illegal lottery. A state judge put the case on hold on Thursday while a federal court considers taking action. The Department of Justice sent a warning letter to America PAC that the giveaways could violate election law. Musk has more riding on the election than just bragging rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the main agency that regulates Tesla, has repeatedly proved to be a thorn for the electric car maker run by Musk, which is the primary source of his wealth. The agency is overseeing more than a dozen recalls, some that Tesla resisted. It has also opened investigations that have raised doubts about Musks claims that Tesla is close to deploying self-driving vehicles, a key expectation of shareholders and a major driver of Teslas lofty share price. Earlier this year Tesla disclosed that the Department of Justice and the SEC have requested and subpoenaed information about Full Self-Driving capability, vehicle functionality, data privacy and other matters. The social media platform X is another Musk company that has drawn interest of the Biden administration. The Federal Trade Commission has probed Musks handling of sensitive consumer data after he took control of the company in 2022 but has not brought enforcement action. The SEC has an ongoing investigation of Musks purchase of the social media company. Musk has been forceful with his political views on the platform, changing its rules, content moderation systems and algorithms to conform with his world view. After Musk endorsed Trump following an attempt on the former presidents life last summer, the platform has transformed into a megaphone for Trumps campaign, offering an unprecedented level of free advertising that is all but impossible to calculate the value of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of his troubles, which Musk blames President Joe Biden and Democrats for, could go away if Trump is elected. The former president has mused that Musk could have a formal role in a future Trump administration that focuses on government efficiency an enormous conflict of interest given Musks companies' vast dealings with the government. Musk has even offered to help develop national safety standards for self-driving vehicles, alarming auto safety groups, which also worry that he could interfere with investigations of Tesla. Of course the fox wants to build the henhouse, said Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety watchdog group. Why Musk's contact with Putin is concerning Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats also what makes the revelation that Musk has been in regular contact with Putin so troubling to foreign policy experts. The Defense Department and NASA are heavily dependent on SpaceX to launch spy satellites and take astronauts into space. But The Wall Street Journal reported that during one talk, Putin asked Musk not to activate his Starlink satellite system, a subsidiary of SpaceX, over Taiwan as a favor for Chinese President Xi Jinping. Russia has denied that the conversation took place. In a statement posted to X, the aerospace company said the Journal story included long-ago debunked claims and questioned the relevance of the newspaper's reporting on Taiwan. Starlink is not available there because Taiwan has not given us a license to operate, the statement read. This has nothing to do with Russia or China. National security experts say the revelation that Musk communicated with Putin is still troubling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin is "a war criminal who is slaughtering civilians. That makes this wrong in my view, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul told The Associated Press last week. You have to decide what team you are on. Are you on the American team or are you on the Russian team? ___ Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa, and Krisher reported from Detroit. Associated Press writers Alan Suderman in Richmond, Virginia, Barbara Ortutay in San Francisco and Mike Catalini in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (AP) Next weeks presidential election isnt just a referendum on Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Its also a measure of the influence the worlds richest man wields over American democracy. Elon Musk, the South African-born tech and business titan, has spent at least $119 million mobilizing Trumps supporters to back the Republican nominee. His social media platform, X, has become a firehose of pro-Trump propaganda. And hes playing a starring role in Trump-style rallies in critical battleground states. All the while, hes coming under growing scrutiny. He skipped a hearing on Thursday in a lawsuit over his effort to dole out millions of dollars to registered voters, a giveaway legal experts liken to vote buying. Hes being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. And The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Musk regularly communicates with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a potential national security risk because SpaceX, his aerospace company, holds billions of dollars worth of contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk is hardly the only person whose megawealth places him at the nexus of politics, business and foreign policy. But few are working so publicly for a single candidate as Musk, whose expansive business ties and growing bravado pose a vexing test of one unelected persons political power. His stature is perhaps one of the most tangible consequence of the Supreme Courts 2010 Citizens United decision, which eliminated many limits on political giving. This is definitely an election brought to you by Citizens United, said Daniel I. Weiner, the director of elections and government at the Brennan Center for Justice, who added that the phenomenon was bigger that just Musk. What this is really about is a transformation of our campaign finance system to one in which the wealthiest donors are playing a central role. Musk did not respond to a request for comment made through his attorney. Tesla, his electric car company, and X did not respond to inquiries. SpaceX disputed parts of The Journals reporting in a statement and said it continues to work in close partnership with the U.S. Government. Musks recent conversion to Dark MAGA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musks conversion to a self-described Dark MAGA Trump warrior is a recent one. In the past, he donated modest sums to both Republicans and Democrats, including $5,000 to Hillary Clinton in 2016, records show. He didnt contribute to Trumps political efforts until this year, according to federal campaign finance disclosures. He was all in once he did. Musk is now leading America PAC, a super political action committee that is spearheading Trumps get-out-the-vote effort. As a newcomer to politics, there have been growing pains. Over the summer, America PAC struggled to reach its voter contact goals. Musk brought in a new team of political consultants, Generra Peck and Phil Cox, who worked on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis losing Republican presidential primary bid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On paper, the numbers have improved. But Republican officials, operatives and activists say in some critical places its been difficult to tell how active the PACs ground effort has been. The PACs presence is not perceptible in rural Georgia, according to three Republican strategists who are closely monitoring the ground game in the battleground state. For example, America PAC has shown little evidence of leaving literature behind on doorsteps, as is common when a voter is not home, especially in remote places, the three people said. There are also indicators Musk, a tech innovator, has been taken advantage of at his own game. In Nevada, three other people familiar with America PACs efforts said hired canvassers paid tech-savvy operatives to digitally manipulate an app used to track their progress appearing to falsify their data so they could get paid for work that they did not do. Canvassers are typically paid by the number of doors that they knock on. There are signs the practice wasnt limited to Nevada. One person warned America PAC leadership weeks ago that canvasing data from multiple states showed signs that it had been falsified, but their concerns were not acted on, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The individuals, like others who provided details about Musks political operation, insisted on anonymity to discuss the matter out of fear of retribution. Musk has become frustrated with his PAC Musk has become frustrated with the inner workings of his political organization and has brought in private sector associates, including Steve Davis, president of the Boring company, Musks tunnel building company, according to three people with knowledge of the move. Davis role with America PAC was first reported by The New York Times. A person close to the PAC disputed that the group had been taken advantage of, suggesting it was a conspiracy theory based on a poor understanding of how political canvassing works. The person insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the innerworkings of the PAC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk has more riding on the election than just bragging rights. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the main agency that regulates Tesla, has repeatedly proved to be a thorn for the electric car maker run by Musk, which is the primary source of his wealth. The agency is overseeing more than a dozen recalls, some that Tesla resisted. It has also opened investigations that have raised doubts about Musks claims that Tesla is close to deploying self-driving vehicles, a key expectation of shareholders and a major driver of Teslas lofty share price. Earlier this year Tesla disclosed that the Department of Justice and the SEC have requested and subpoenaed information about Full Self-Driving capability, vehicle functionality, data privacy and other matters. The social media platform X is another Musk company that has drawn interest of the Biden administration. The Federal Trade Commission has probed Musks handling of sensitive consumer data after he took control of the company in 2022, but has not brought enforcement action. The SEC has an ongoing investigation of Musks purchase of the social media company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of these troubles, which Musk blames President Joe Biden and Democrats for, could go away if Trump is elected. The former president has mused that Musk could have a formal role in a future Trump administration that focuses on government efficiency an enormous conflict of interest given Musks companies vast dealings with the government. ___ Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa, and Krisher reported from Detroit. Associated Press writers Alan Suderman in Richmond, Virginia, Barbara Ortutay in San Francisco and Mike Catalini in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report. A Muslim civil rights organization and other faith groups on Friday called for for Democratic state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz to resign following a social media post that appeared to back a message the group branded as Islamophobic. Feigenholtz on Friday apologized for her response to a post on X from Mosab Hassan Yousef, a critic of Hamas and Islam, who wrote that Westerners who praise Islam are bootlickers. If they love Islam and Muslims, why dont they move to an Islamic country and stick their heads in the dirt multiple times a day for enlightenment, Yousef said in a post that went up on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MHY you are one badass truth teller, Feigenholtz replied the same day. Her reply has since been deleted and on Friday she called it a mistake. Feigenholtz suggested her post was made in error and said she does not subscribe to or support any inflammatory remarks made on the post where my comment appeared. Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Chicago, said the senators apology was insulting our intelligence. Feigenholtzs post was terrible, offensive and racist, Rehab said at a news conference at CAIRs Loop offices, where leaders from religious and civic groups including Jewish Voice for Peace Chicago and the Muslim Civic Coalition joined in the call for the senators resignation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rehab described Yousef as a professional Islamophobe. Senate President Don Harmons office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday morning about whether any action would be taken against Feigenholtz, who is vice chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and chair of the Financial Institutions Committee. Feigenholtz, who is Jewish, was among state elected officials including Gov. JB Pritzker who earlier this week called for the resignation of Mayor Brandon Johnsons school board president for antisemitic and otherwise controversial social media postings. The Rev. Mitchell Johnson resigned his CPS post on Thursday. Our expectations must be consistent for all our public officials, Dilara Sayeed of the Muslim Civic Coalition said at Fridays news conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Reps. Lilian Jimenez of Chicago and Abdelnasser Rashid of Bridgeview also appeared at CAIRs news conference and criticized the state senators post, although neither explicitly called for her to resign. Jimenez noted that she spoke out earlier this week against anti-Puerto Rican comments made at a rally for former President Donald Trump, and said she was at the Friday news conference for the same reasons. Words spur actions, and so today we are here again because the words that were spoken, Jimenez said. In a statement from Feigenholtzs office Thursday, she suggested that her reply to Yousef was intended as a response to his recent address to the European Union Parliament in which he criticized Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, she simply said she made a mistake and, as a result, I shared a message I do not believe in. It was never my intention to reply to let alone amplify that individuals inflammatory remarks. Feigenholtz, who represents a district on Chicagos North Side, is not up for reelection this year. She served in the Illinois House of Representatives for more than two decades before being elected to the state Senate in 2020. _____ NASA is concerned SpaceX is prioritizing its mission schedule over safety after a recent ocean landing resulted in the brief hospitalizations of all four astronauts. Former astronaut Kent Rominger admonished the company during an October 31 meeting of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, citing a list of recent problems involving both SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule. Both NASA and SpaceX need to maintain focus on safe Crew Dragon operations and not take any normal operations for granted, said the ASAP committee member on Thursday, as first reported by SpaceNews. Rominger also argued that safety requires increased attention on aging hardware, especially as the pace of operations increases. SpaceX has documented multiple equipment malfunctions and setbacks since at least July when a Falcon 9 rockets second stage failed to ignite its second burn, causing it to explode roughly an hour after launch. The uncrewed mission ended a nearly eight-year success streak for the company and grounded launches for roughly two weeks. Similar issues prompted additional mission delays in both August and September. [Related: SpaceXs historic Falcon 9 success streak met a fiery end.] As Gizmodo notes, the most troubling problem appears to have occurred during SpaceXs latest International Space Station return mission. After departing the ISS on October 23, the Dragon capsule made its scheduled water landing two days later off the coast of Pensacola, Florida. NASA subsequently confirmed all four Crew-8 astronauts required transport to a nearby hospital for additional medical evaluations out of an abundance of caution. Although doctors soon released three crew members to continue their post-flight reconditioning at Johnson Space Center in Houston, one astronaut in stable condition was kept overnight at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola as a precautionary measure. To protect their medical privacy, NASA has not confirmed which astronaut required additional observations, or what issue prompted the prolonged hospital stay. SpaceX has solidified itself in recent years as NASAs primary private contractor for satellite launches, astronaut transport, ISS cargo deliveries, and other rocketry needs. Although competitors like Blue Origin seek to cut into the companys industry share, their own setbacks indicate SpaceX will continue to be one of the agencys primary resourcesbut only if NASA can continue to trust the private companys attention to safety. At Thursdays ASAP meeting, Rominger warned that NASA and SpaceX will need to prevent their increasingly crowded mission schedule from clouding their judgment. Polling data expert Nate Silver slammed election forecasts showing a close race between presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump across several states. Silver accused many pollsters of herding to ensure their predictions arent too far off from other predictions. In fact, I kind of trust pollsters less, they all, every time a pollster [says] Oh, every state is just +1, every single states a tie, No! Youre f---ing herding! Youre cheating! Youre cheating! said Silver during a Friday episode of his weekly podcast, Risky Business with Nate Silver and Maria Konnikova. Silver has maintained his prediction that Trump will overtake Harris, 55 percent and 45 percent respectively, to return to the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Silver slammed GOP-leaning polling firms for continually putting Trump at an advantage in many states, accusing them of making a prediction that wont put them too far on a limb. He added, Your numbers arent all going to come out at exactly 1-point leads when youre sampling 800 people over dozens of surveys. You are lying! Youre putting your f---ing finger on the scale! According to Silver, If a pollster never publishes any numbers that surprises you, then it has no value. In a New York Times op-ed, Silver urged not to trust anyones gutnot even his. He pointed to Trumps 2016 win as an example. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not that Trump voters are lying to pollsters; its that in 2016 and 2020, pollsters werent reaching enough of them, wrote Silver. Trump supporters often have lower civic engagement and social trust, so they can be less inclined to complete a survey from a news organization. There is also a chance that the presidential race really is just that close, said Silver. But look, all seven swing states are still polling within it looks like a point and a half here. It doesnt take a genius to know that if every swing state is a tie, that the overall forecast is a tie, said Silver. CHANDAN KHANNA/Getty Images Native people inhabited the land that would become the United States long before the Declaration of Independence in 1776. But it wasnt until 1924, when Congress passed the Indian Citizenship Act, that all Native Americans were granted sweeping access to American democracy. Up until that point, Native people had limited access to civic participation. Some Native people were eager to participate in American politics, while others resisted citizenship because they saw it as yet another erosion of their Tribal independence. Still, many Native activists fought for years to have representation on their own land. Citizenship: born or earned? Before 1924, Indigenous people born in the continental United States were not automatically granted citizenship. This was because the U.S. government had signed approximately 368 treaties with Native nations that established Tribal lands as sovereign states. As a result, Tribes had some degree of self-governance, but Indigenous people were excluded from the rights that came with American citizenship, including voting. These Treaties which are still legally binding documents today notably did not fully protect Native communities. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the federal government routinely tried to undermine Tribal sovereignty and used the treaties to acquire Native land for expansion. Are you registered to vote? Check your voter registration here. One way the federal government worked to undermine treaties and Native life was through the 1887 Dawes Act, which broke up Tribal land reservations and offered ownership of allotments of land to individual Native people and families. The goal of the Act? To divide Tribal communities amongst themselves to cause economic and political divisions. This separation of individuals from the Tribe would, in the words of the Dawes Act, teach them the habits of civilized life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Native Americans did not automatically receive citizenship, there were ways they could earn it. One was through the Dawes Act, which granted citizenship to Indigenous people who left their Tribes for an allotment of land. Another was through military service.Thousands of Native Americans fought in World War I, and, in the eyes of the federal government, serving in the military proved a contribution to the United States. Citizenship and the rights that came with it became a prize for those willing to disregard their Native roots and assimilate into white American life. Taking citizenship to Congress As the federal government attempted to assimilate Native people, white settlers increasingly populated Indigenous lands for resources. This created more friction and prompted the further removal of Tribal sovereignty over ancestral lands. In the early 20th century, Native communities in the Oklahoma territory fought for the creation of two states, one Native and one not, in an attempt to retain some control over their long-held region. Their attempts were unsuccessful, and the territory of Oklahoma became the 46th state in 1907. Through a desire to represent the interests of his people in this shifting landscape, Charles Carter of the Chickasaw Nation was elected to represent Oklahomas newly formed Fourth District in the House of Representatives that same year. He was the second Native American ever elected to the House. As an active advocate for Native rights and issues, he held roles like Vice President for Legislation in the Society of American Indians and Chair of the House Committee for Indian Affairs. In 1920, Carter advocated for Native citizenship in the House, highlighting conflicts between federal and state laws. Indigenous people may have certain rights in say, North Carolina, but if they cross into South Carolina, different laws would apply. A federal law was needed to settle the matter. Carter said that Indigenous citizenship was a simple act of justice to render to the Indian that which has long been due him. He proposed the Carter Citizenship Bill leveraging momentum from the passage of the bill that gave Native World War I veterans their citizenship six months prior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News of the Carter Bill spread, and opinions on the bill were split over the idea of citizenship. Advocates for citizenship and voting rights, such as Zitkala-Sa, or Red Bird, of the Yankton Sioux Tribe, argued that voting rights were long overdue. Zitkala-Sa believed that Native Americans could balance both their heritage and desire for their rights through citizenship. She was an outspoken suffragette and used the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1919 to urge white women to take up the cause for Native voting rights. Her manner of speaking on Native rights was matter of fact: We are in America, and we have, each one of us, a right to express our views. But not everyone agreed with Carter and Zitkala-Sa. In The Albuquerque Morning Journal, a Pueblo man of the Isleta Tribe in New Mexico, Pablo Abeyta, remarked, He [the Native American] lives a life in which politics and political or government issues are Greek to him and yet they [Native Americans] are fully competent to govern themselves in the way which they have done for centuries. Abeyta was firmly against the bill Carter proposed just months prior. When the House Committee on Indian affairs traveled to New Mexico in May of 1920 for a set of public hearings, they were handed a signed petition from 15 Pueblo representatives asking Congress to amend any potential citizenship bill to exclude Pueblo Tribes. Additional cases of inequality were made by Pueblos to show the Committee that as long as economic inequity between Natives and whites persisted, equality via citizenship was meaningless. For the Pueblo, having the power to fully express their Tribal sovereignty was the justice they longed for. They were not interested in shooting their last arrow a ritual practiced in naturalization ceremonies but rather wanted to free themselves of American influence and return to their pre-colonial way of living. Back in Washington, the House applauded Carters work. Still, the bill itself was flawed. While it did provide suffrage, the proposition eliminated Tribal sovereignty, made a distinction between half and full-blood Indians, and appointed competency commissions to determine awards of land allotments. So while the bill passed the House, it died in the Senate. Advocacy for Native citizenship carried on. One step forward, two steps back Despite protests from Tribes like the Pueblo, Congress revived the defunct Carter Bill in February 1924, now as the Indian Citizenship Act. This time, the new bill did not eliminate Tribal sovereignty nor change land allotments. Additionally, Native people did not have to leave their Tribal land in order to gain citizenship, which had been a requirement under the earlier Dawes Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Indian Citizenship Act quickly passed in the House and Senate while the Committee on Indian Affairs debated the legal implications. Some Tribes still resisted the Act. For example, New Yorks Onondaga Nation believed it was another attempt at erasure and called it a destructive and injurious weapon. Meanwhile, President Coolidge who signed the bill into law called it an epoch-making shift in an address to the Oglala Sioux Tribe. In reaction to Indigenous suffrage, Zitkala-Sa and her husband formed the National Council of American Indians in 1926. While access to voting had been secured, she believed that unless Native voters organized, Indians will receive little attention from Congress. The Councils advocacy sought to Help Indians help themselves in becoming a united political force for equal justice. Even after the passage of the Indian Citizenship Act, those exercising their new rights were met with more barriers. While they now legally had the right to vote as citizens, voter suppression tactics were still alive and well in individual states. Some states refused to accept the citizenship status of Native groups living on reservations. Others employed arguments around Native peoples loyalty to America, the issue of taxation, and Tribal sovereignty. Five states Idaho, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Washington used the issue of Native peoples status as non-taxed individuals as justification to refuse Native votes in 1940; although non-taxed whites in those states were not denied voting access. While challenges to these interpretations of the law were slowly corrected, discriminatory practices such as literacy tests remained in place until they were finally outlawed in 1970. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And still, the fight continues. Today, many who live on reservations lack critical access to voting. Indigenous people living on reservations are often without physical addresses to register and may only have Tribe-issued identification, which is not recognized as valid by state election authorities. In addition, questions around Tribal sovereignty are still being brought up, with the Supreme Court hearing over half a dozen cases on the matter in the last five years. As an effort to protect Native peoples suffrage, Native activists have created provisions for the Native American Voting Rights Act which has been spelled out in the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, but the bill is still sitting in the Senate subcommittee. One hundred years later, the fight continues. This article was produced with Made By Us, a coalition of more than 400 history museums working to connect with today's youth. Sam McGirt is the staff assistant for the National Museum of the American Indian's Office of Outreach and Engagement Planning. Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue Want to read more Teen Vogue history coverage? WINDOW ROCK Michael Bia recalls speaking with an elderly Navajo woman in 2019 who, although she only spoke Navajo, still voted, even if she didnt fully understand the issues on the ballot. Shes been voting since she was a young girl, and being an elder, thats so many years, she never understood what she was voting for, said Bia. She said I didnt know what the ballot was. I didnt know what I was voting for. But she knew her duty was to go and vote. Bia, a student intern with Arizona Native Vote, a 501(c) nonprofit focused on increasing voter registration and civic engagement, was part of a voter education symposium Wednesday at the Navajo Nation Museum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just days after Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz visited the Navajo Nation, and as Election Day approaches, voter education and election-related events continue throughout Navajo land. Voting and voter education on the Navajo Nation go beyond attending campaign rallies and witnessing political figures acknowledge Native voters its much more complex. The work includes translating propositions into Navajo, educating young voters through cultural and traditional concepts, and navigating persistent obstacles that aim to suppress the Native vote, highlighting the power and influence of this voting bloc. I feel frustrated everytime I hear about another ballot measure or proposition that is making it harder for us to vote, said Jaynie Parrish, executive director of Arizona Native Vote. In January 2021, the Brennan Center did research and the Arizona State Legislature introduced over 100 voter suppression bills in those early weeks of January 2021. So our voting laws now, that are making it harder for us to vote, they started that in January of 2021 because they knew they could target our community. One issue she stressed for voters is the importance of signing the back of the ballot before mailing it or dropping it off at a polling site. Previously, there was a ballot curing period when the county election office could catch this mistake and contact the voter to sign the ballot for validation, but the window has since been shortened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The last one I am going to mention is the Citizenship law... this is our 100 years of being citizens as Native people," said Parrish. "And, yet, a month or so ago the Supreme Court ruled in favor on the side of Arizona State Legislature ... to show proof of citizenship. Again, they are asking us to prove our citizenship on our own homeland and supposedly its not meant to target us, it's meant to target an immigrant community that they are supposedly fearful of, and wreaking havoc, and voter fraud and all these lies, of things that are not happening. If one community is targeted all of our communities are targeted." Voting rights: Native voters can swing elections, but court ruling suppresses turnout, leaders say Translating the ballots A fluent Navajo speaker, Bia can communicate clearly and eloquently in that language, an ability that is invaluable for connecting with voters who prefer Navajo over English or for elders who speak only Navajo. This skill is a vital asset for the group in engaging and educating both voters and potential voters. Our elders, a lot of them dont speak or understand English so they are left behind, explained Bia in both Navajo and English. So when I came back to the reservation, what I saw was that a lot of our elders were left behind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With significant media attention on translating ballots from English to Navajo and the processes involved, its striking to realize that written Navajo is a relatively recent development, which makes fluent poll workers and educators like Bia even more valuable. Even today, many fluent speakers can understand and speak the language but may not be able to read it. With Navajo, they didnt develop an actual standardized written part of it until the 1940s, said Donovan Pete, community library manager for the Navajo Nation Library, who has a masters in Native American Languages and Linguistics from the University of Arizona. And thats because IBM was the one that developed it with the typewriters. So if you go back and look at old written notes especially with Navajo language, it was IBM that developed a type to do it. He explained that simply writing down what the ballot states and reading it aloud like a script wouldnt fully convey its intent and meaning to a fluent Navajo speaker. While theres often an expectation that written Navajo translations will be easily understood by fluent speakers, this is not always the case. If the approach is to speak with elders especially if you don't have individuals who are not from the communities there not working as a poll worker, then how do you explain these things to the elderly especially when using a script, said Pete. And then their rebuttal in Navajo is something theyre not prepared for. Thats going to be an issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voting rights: Native voters still face serious barriers to voting in Arizona, leaders tell lawmaker Educating the youth on voting Politicians like Walz, Senate candidate Kari Lake, Rep. Eli Crane, and Sen. Mark Kelly visit to win support from a key voting bloc, not only Native voters but specifically the Navajo vote, and afterward, student interns like Bia and organizations such as Arizona Native Vote will carry on with voter education and community engagement long after the election. Our (Arizona Native Vote) whole job is to try to make it easier for people to vote," said Parrish. "Part of why we exist is to help people overcome barriers, if it's explaining it to them, giving them education pieces, helping them through the process." Engaging, assisting and educating elderly Navajo voters is one important approach, but reaching students early before theyre even old enough to vote is just as crucial. Tristan Black, who organized the symposium, works as a Community and Youth Organizer with Arizona Native Vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Young Peoples Project is an approach for Black and other members of Arizona Native Vote to engage with young voters on the importance of voting but in a cultural perspective that delves deep in Navajo traditions. The group plans to visit high schools throughout the Navajo Nation to speak with upperclassmen and those who are 18 to help them register to vote. We go to the high schools and talk to students who are juniors, seniors, and those who are 18 we help register to vote, said Black. One of our first classes with them is to think about voting or to think about democracy." Black's insights are deeply rooted in Navajo teachings, encompassing the Navajo language and the meanings behind certain phrases, as well as oral stories and significant historical events within the tribe. His extensive knowledge frames the concept of democracy and links it to lived democratic experiences, such as voting. "There's a protection aspect when we go out to vote," said Black. "When we talk about 'your vote matters' and voting, it's going back to these understanding of getting out to vote and protecting that right and having information." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arlyssa D. Becenti covers Indigenous affairs for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Send ideas and tips to arlyssa.becenti@arizonarepublic.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Outreach group helps Navajo voters clear language, other barriers An officer in the Navy Reserve will serve 30 months in prison for his role in a bribery scheme to provide unknown Afghan nationals visas to the United States. Cmdr. Jeromy Pittmann, a 53-year-old civil engineer corps officer who deployed to Afghanistan in 2014 and 2015 with NATO Special Operations Command, accepted thousands of dollars for drafting, submitting and falsely verifying phony letters of recommendation for Afghan nationals pursuing a Special Immigrant Visa, according to the Justice Department. Afghans who worked with U.S. troops and diplomats as translators are eligible for a limited number of Special Immigrant Visas from the State Department each year, allowing them to live in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pittmann personally signed off on more than 20 letters in which he vouched for Afghan national visa applicants, claiming they had served as interpreters for U.S. military and NATO troops, the release said. Additionally, Pittmann said these applicants were not a national security threat to the U.S., and that their lives were endangered by the Taliban. Navy officer convicted in Afghan visa bribery scheme But the Justice Department said Pittmann accepted thousands of dollars in bribes and had no basis for recommending the applicants. Pittmann, who first appeared in a federal court in March 2022 on charges of accepting bribes and conspiring to commit visa fraud, coordinated with a co-conspirator in Kabul dating back to 2018, according to court documents. The two met during Pittmanns deployment to Afghanistan in 2014 and 2015, the records indicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pittmann received the money through a Bank of America account in Hayward, California, which then went to an account with USAA in Pensacola, Florida, disguised under a transaction called family support, according to court documents. I got it today. Thank you and thank your friend for sending it, Pittmann said in an email after receiving a payment in 2018, according to court documents. I just wish the money would keep coming. Ha. Maybe one day we will get a business started. It would be nice to pay off my debts. Pittmann commissioned in 2003 and is a civil engineer corps officer, according to service records obtained by Navy Times. A federal jury convicted Pittmann in July of conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, making a materially false writing, and conspiring to commit money laundering. He was facing up to 45 years behind bars prior to his sentencing Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By protecting Afghan nationals who risk their personal safety to help the U.S. government, the SIV program is essential for the security of U.S. military and diplomatic personnel in Afghanistan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole Argentieri, head of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, said in a statement. Jeromy Pittmann, however, used his position of authority over the program to benefit foreign nationals who paid him bribes, falsely asserting that they had served the United States, Argentieri said. Todays sentence demonstrates that the Justice Department has zero tolerance for those who place their self-interest ahead of our national security. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) The 2024 election cycle could determine how North Carolina is governed. With polls giving AG Josh Stein a big lead in the race for governor, many eyes are turning to the races for the state legislature as the Republican supermajority hangs in the balance. In both the NC Senate and House, Republicans hold their veto-proof supermajority by a single seat. That means if Democrats can net at least one seat in either chamber, a potential Governor Josh Stein could reject any bill he does not like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A divided state government isnt common, according to Western Carolina political science professor Chris Cooper. It is pretty unusual, right? I mean, you could look at states like Kansas that have a Democratic governor and Republican legislature, a state like Kentucky that has it, but its very unusual, said Cooper. 2024 Election Guide: Heres what you need to know State Republicans have held their dual chamber supermajority since 2023. In the Senate, Republicans hold 30, while Democrats have 20. In the House, its 71-48. One seat in the House is vacant. With that two-thirds supermajority, Democratic Governor Roy Cooper cannot successfully veto any bill that has complete Republican support, as a two-thirds vote of both chambers can override any veto. So the question for Tuesday is if Republicans can gain, lose, or maintain seats. Experts say it will be tight, specifically in districts in and around Charlotte and Raleigh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats where the Republican gerrymander has tried to what I call the hyper-hyper gerrymander is working to try to carve out some support, said Professor Pope McCorkle with Dukes School of Public Policy. Locally, the race for District 105 in Mecklenburg County has received a lot of attention. Democrat Nicole Sidman is challenging Tricia Cotham. Cotham made headlines in 2023 when she switched parties, giving Republicans their supermajority in the General Assembly. Chris Cooper said it could be a difference-maker: Its an expensive seat. Its a competitive seat. And its got a really fascinating backstory and storyline. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A drinking water notice has been issued Thursday night in Thurston County, Nebraska. People using the Thurston County Rural Water System are told not to drink or cook with the water until further notice. UPDATE: State system back up, voters face long lines A sample collected from the water system showed high levels of nitrate in the water. The levels measured 15 milligrams per liter, and the maximum safety level is 10 milligrams per liter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ukraine is currently in discussions with China to expand exports of various agricultural products, according to a statement on Oct. 31 by Oleh Osiian, the First Deputy Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection. Osiian noted that the intention is to establish seven new markets, and for Ukraine to export peas, wheat flour, livestock feed, beef, corn, poultry, and wild-caught aquatic products. The protocols for these exports are at different stages of development and approval, with the pea protocol nearing completion in Ukraine and awaiting consideration by Chinese authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Draft protocols for poultry and fish are also under review, while the protocol for wild-caught aquatic products has passed domestic approval and is pending final approval from China. Meanwhile, China's already robust economic ties with Russia have grown stronger since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Trade between Russia and China has surged by 121% since 2021, underscoring the Chinese role as Moscow's economic lifeline. Chinas official position on the war has been neutral," and Beijing has tried to play both sides in order to maximize economic benefit and increase geopolitical influence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: EU to increase capacity to export electricity to Ukraine to 2.1 gigawatts ahead of winter Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Despite its size, Nevada is one of the least densely populated states in the U.S, with a little more than 3.1 million residents. However, these voters will play a significant role in next week's election. The outcome of the presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will depend on voter turnout in battleground states like Nevada, which has become one of the country's most diverse. In Nevada, 40% of registered voters do not identify as either Democrat or Republican. Despite this, the state voted Democrat in the last four presidential elections. On Friday, Harris and Trump were nearly tied in the state. PHOTO: A polling place during early voting for the 2024 presidential election at the Reno - Sparks Indian Colony in Reno, Nevada, on Oct. 19, 2024. (Alejandra Rubio/AFP via Getty Images) A significant portion of the votes are expected to be counted by Friday morning, with additional votes coming in through the mail over the weekend, according to Nevada Independent reporter Gabby Birenbaum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to ABC News on Thursday, Birenbaum offered an analysis of Nevada's role as a swing state in the 2024 election as both campaigns make their final appeals to voters. "Right now, Republicans are looking pretty strong in the state," Birenbaum said. "It's a lot of reason for optimism for them. They have a lead of just under about five points in terms of registered Republican turnout versus registered Democrat turnout. That's very different than in past cycles." Even though Republicans are currently in the lead in Nevada forecasts, Birenbaum noted that the outcome will ultimately depend on how nonpartisans vote. PHOTO: Nevada welcome sign at Hoover Dam (Mark Newman/Getty Images) "Right now, registered nonpartisans are the biggest group in the state," Birenbaum said. "Currently, in early voting, they're just about over a quarter of the electorate. And so if you're the Harris campaign, you really need those nonpartisans to break in your favor in order to overcome some of this Republican early vote advantage" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both candidates tried to appeal to those voters in Nevada on Thursday -- Harris held rallies in Reno and Las Vegas, while Trump spoke to supporters in Henderson, southeast of Las Vegas. "In many ways, people think Nevada might be a blue state because it's voted for the Democratic candidate in the last four elections," Birenbaum said. "But it's truly purple. I mean, Biden won by two and a half points [in 2020], Clinton also won by two and a half points [in 2016]." Nevada's swing state status unpacked as polls show close race originally appeared on abcnews.go.com On Oct. 11, 2017, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump pose for photographs at the White House. The United States, Canada, and Mexico were in the process of renegotiating the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement. (Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images) From the ports of Los Angeles to the cornfields of Iowa, the U.S.s international trade policy is a force that shapes the lives of every American. With the presidential election looming, discussing trade policy isnt just an academic exercise its a civic responsibility. As an economist, I have spent years studying this topic. Trade policy has profound effects on how industries operate, from production locations to competitive dynamics. These changes impact everyday life, from the cost of your morning coffee to the job security in your local community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, because the president has extensive control over trade policy, every presidential election is a referendum on the issue. The two most recent administrations President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence from 2017 to 2021 and President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris from 2021 to today have had starkly different approaches to trade policy. The contrast shows how a presidents economic philosophy can reshape the nations global business strategy. Both Trump and Harris are on the ballot in November. Harris is expected to carry on Bidens trade policies if she wins. This comparison offers insight into how the next U.S. president will govern on trade. 2017-2021: Trump and Pence on trade Trump pursued a protectionist trade agenda during his time in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protectionism refers to government policies that limit international trade to benefit domestic industries. These measures include tariffs taxes on imported goods quotas, and regulations that make imports more expensive. One of Trumps first acts in office was withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership a colossal 12-nation pact that would have covered 40 percent of global output. His decision cost America both access to lucrative Asian markets and a powerful counterweight to Chinas economic influence. Closer to home, Trump renegotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) into the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, tightening rules for automakers. The effect? While wages for workers in the automotive industry and vehicle prices for American consumers increased, it barely spurred any additional domestic car production. Trump also launched a tariff-driven trade war with China and the European Union, asserting it would address unfair practices and reduce the U.S. trade deficit. The strategy, however, prompted retaliatory tariffs, resulting in higher consumer prices and job losses in U.S. industries dependent on imported components. While some sectors benefited from the approach, American farmers suffered due to export losses, necessitating government subsidies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and his new running mate, J.D. Vance, have signaled their intent to revive the America First trade strategy. Their campaign platform calls for sweeping tariffs, including a blanket 10 pecent tariff on all goods and a more aggressive 60 percent tariff specifically targeting Chinese products. 2021-today: Biden and Harris on trade In contrast, the Biden-Harris administration adopted a multilateral approach emphasizing cooperation between countries. The administration maintained most of Trumps tariffs on Chinese goods and some on steel and aluminum imports from other countries. However, they reframed the measures as part of a broader push to rein in climate change and protect workers rights. The administration also launched initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, or IPEF, signaling a return to Obama-era trade strategies prioritizing regional partnerships in the Pacific. The IPEF aims to strengthen economic ties with Asian countries by coordinating policies to enhance supply chain resilience and promote clean energy rather than focusing solely on tariff reductions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden-Harris approach emphasizes international cooperation while valuing domestic job creation, particularly in clean energy and manufacturing. However, maintaining many of Trumps tariffs on Chinese goods, steel, and aluminum has kept costs high for some U.S. businesses and consumers. Building on the Biden administrations policies, the Harris campaign has signaled its aim to shield lower- and middle-income households from new tariffs that could raise prices while maintaining a tough stance on China through existing tariffs and trade restrictions. Presidential powers and influence on trade The president plays a critical role in setting Americas trade policy. The president can negotiate international trade deals, although Congress must approve them to become law. The executive branch also controls tariffs; under statutes such as the Trade Act of 1974, the president can impose them without congressional approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, the president can declare national emergencies related to trade, appoint trade representatives, issue executive orders to manage federal trade policies, and impose sanctions that can influence global trade dynamics. Free trade agreements can boost exports and promote economic growth, but they may also displace certain workers. In contrast, tariffs on imports protect some domestic industries but raise prices for American consumers. Studies show that tariffs imposed under Trump, and continued by Biden, have led to higher prices, reduced output, and lower employment, harming the U.S. economy. Trade policies also affect diplomatic relationships and global supply chains. So, as voters sift through the candidates trade policy positions, they must look beyond the soundbites. Understanding how each approach affects job markets, consumer prices, and global competitiveness will help voters cast an informed ballot that aligns with their vision for the countrys future. In the world of trade, every vote counts. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. A New Hampshire teacher was placed on paid administrative leave on October 25, accused of misconduct involving an elementary school student with disabilities. In a letter sent home to parents on Friday, Superintendent Dr. Thomas J. Ambrose said the district became aware of an allegation of inappropriate conduct involving a teacher in the In Step program at the D.J. Bakie Elementary School. Details of the conduct were not immediately available. The name of the teacher is not being released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The well-being of our students is our highest priority, and we are working closely with the necessary authorities to investigate the situation fully and ensure a safe environment for everyone, Superintendent Ambrose said. We will keep you updated with any significant developments as they arise, while respecting the privacy and confidentiality of everyone involved. We are committed to supporting all the students and parents involved, and we appreciate your understanding and trust as we work through the investigative process. Kingston Police and the New Hampshire Department of Education have also been notified and will be involved in the investigation. The In Step program is designed to assist students with social, emotional, or physical disabilities. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Nicolle Wallace delivers a passionate plea to George W. Bush, whom she served as White House Communications Director for in the Bush White House to weigh in on the 2024 Presidential Contest. An effort to catch and charge people soliciting prostitutes around the Lyell Avenue corridor last week arose from community complaints at a neighborhood meeting, Rochester police said. The prostitution detail led to misdemeanor charges against nine individuals, ages 27 to 72, who lived in the city and nearby suburbs, including Greece, Victor, and Webster. RPD Capt. Greg Bello said the detail was the first of its kind in about five years and was prompted by ongoing complaints about prostitution at neighborhood group and business association meetings around Lyell Avenue. The area is known as an open-air drug market where prostitution is prevalent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When we go to neighborhood meetings, we listen," he said. "At times, when we're able to, we take action. This is something they've been pressing for, so we followed through." Bello expects similar details in the coming weeks and months in different parts of the city, based on similar complaints. A separate RPD detail on Lyell Avenue earlier this fall focused on women involved in prostitution. However, Bello said those efforts aimed to connect the women with local services rather than charge them with a crime. "These girls are, to a T, victims," he said. "Whether it's substance abuse, physical abuse, or mental health issues, unfortunately, they're victims of it. This time, we targeted the johns, those preying on these victims." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kayla Canne covers community safety for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on police accountability, government surveillance and how individuals are impacted by violence. Follow her on Twitter @kaylacanne and @bykaylacanne on Instagram. Get in touch at kcanne@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Nine charged during prostitution detail near Lyell Ave. in Rochester Nine Massachusetts men have been arrested for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine from the Bay State to Maine, the U.S. Attorneys office said. Authorities arrested Dorchester residents Cristofel Baez Guerrero, 25; Luis Castillo, 24; Raidyn Hernandez Montero, 24, and Ricardo Canela Soto, 20; Ricky Junior Rodriguez Reynoso, 24, and Waldo Lara Arias, 19, both of Boston; Ernesto Arberty Mendez Herrera, 43, of Roxbury; Yomerli Mendez Arias, 22, of Lawrence; and Estarling Perez Almonte, 28, of Roslindale. All nine men are charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a statement on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The men all appeared in federal court in Boston and Bangor, Maine on Tuesday. According to the charging documents, the men were part of a drug trafficking operation that regularly transported fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine from areas in Boston, Lawrence and Malden to locations in Waldo County, Maine. Prosecutors allege that the men distributed the narcotics in Maine and then returned to Massachusetts with the narcotics proceeds. Approximately 10 kilograms of fentanyl and multiple firearms were seized during the investigation, prosecutors said. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assisting in the investigation were Boston Police, New Hampshire State Police, Maine State Police; Maine Drug Enforcement Agency; the Waldo, Maine County Sherriffs Office; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Maine. The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a multi-agency approach, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Additional information about the task force can be found at this website. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The claim: The WHO admitted mpox is a side effect of COVID-19 vaccines An Oct. 12 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows a screenshot of a headline linking mpox, the disease formerly known as monkeypox, to COVID-19 vaccines. "WHO admits Monkeypox is 'Side Effect' of Covid 'Vaccine,'" reads the headline. The post includes an image of World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The post was shared more than 700 times in less than three weeks. Advertisement Advertisement More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page Our rating: False The WHO made no such admission. The COVID-19 vaccines cannot cause mpox, and the claim originated with a website that has repeatedly shared misinformation. Database does not say injections caused disease The WHO declared mpox a public health emergency in August and continues to monitor a multi-country outbreak of the disease. But the WHO has not linked the disease to COVID-19 vaccines. There is no announcement connecting mpox and COVID-19 vaccines on the WHO's website. There is likewise no credible news reporting about the organization making such an admission. Advertisement Advertisement The Facebook post's caption claims the admission is "buried on the WHOs VigiAccess website," but this is not accurate. VigiAccess is the public-facing tool for searching the WHO's VigiBase database, which logs reports made by individuals to national health authorities. In the database, there are reports of individuals contracting mpox at some point after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. However, the database clearly says that reported events are not necessarily linked to any treatments or vaccinations received. Information in VigiAccess on potential side effects should not be interpreted as meaning that the medicinal product or its active substance either caused the observed effect or is unsafe to use, the website reads. Confirming a causal link is a complex process that requires a thorough scientific assessment and detailed evaluation of all available data. The information on this website, therefore, does not reflect any confirmed link between a medicinal product and a side effect. Fact check: No, Supreme Court hasnt ruled COVID-19 vaccines cause irreparable damage Advertisement Advertisement COVID-19 vaccines cannot cause mpox, as USA TODAY previously reported. Dr. Christopher Sanford, an expert in travel and tropical medicine at the University of Washington, previously told USA TODAY that there is no mpox DNA in the COVID-19 vaccines, the ingredients of which are publicly reported. He also said the spread of mpox does not correlate to the use of COVID-19 vaccines. The headline featured in the post comes from Slay News, which has previously published misinformation that USA TODAY has debunked. The website has falsely claimed that 20% of New Zealanders who received COVID-19 vaccines died, that the World Economic Forum called for using AI to rewrite the Bible and that former Secretary of State John Kerry called for farmers to stop growing food. USA TODAY reached out to Slay News and the social media user sharing the claim for comment but did not immediately receive responses. Advertisement Advertisement Reuters also debunked the claim. Our fact-check sources: Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here. USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WHO database does not link mpox to COVID-19 vaccine | Fact check PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) The Peoria Fire Department is investigating an arson that occurred at 1826 S. Livingston St. on Thursday. According to Battalion Chief Mike Ralston, crews responded to the fire at approximately 3:20 p.m. When they arrived on the scene, firefighters saw significant smoke in the vacant home. While searching the building, crews found flames in the stairwell, the second floor and the basement. The fire was put out within 20 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire department responds to house fire in Normal A fire investigator determined arson was the cause of the fire. The building was deemed unsafe by the city, and was scheduled for emergency demolition. The fire caused an estimated $75,000 in damages. No injuries have been reported. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. CNN host John Berman sparred with Rep. Byron Donalds (Fla.) as the Republican failed to address questions on Thursday following Donald Trumps pledge to protect women whether the women like it or not. Berman hit back at Donalds after he claimed that CNN played a clip lacking context from Trump, who used a Wisconsin rally this week to attack immigrants just before expressing his desire to protect women. His advisers were telling him not to use that type of language and say, I am going to be your protector. And that is the context in that speech, Berman noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John, you need to stop, Donalds said. No, no, no! That was what he was doing. And then he said ... Im going to protect them, the women, whether they like it or not, continued Berman, who added that Trumps advisers clearly knew that his language about women was an issue. He then turned to a clip of Nikki Haley who, prior to Trumps remarks on protecting women, criticized the campaign for pushing bromance and masculinity stuff and warned that it would alienate his female supporters. So, youre telling me theres no concern from Nikki Haley or clearly, as Donald Trump said, from people close to him, his campaign, about the type of language hes using? Berman asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donalds didnt answer the question and accused CNN of selective editing. After more contentious back and forth, Berman played a longer clip, but still, Donalds spun it. If you dont want to answer my question, can you address Nikki Haleys comments then? Berman said. John, Nikki Haleys comments are irrelevant at this point, Donalds interjected. OK, you think Nikki Haleys comments are irrelevant? Thats your answer? Thats your answer to Nikki Haley, then, that Nikki Haley is irrelevant? Berman replied. You can check out more from the tense CNN interview below. H/T Mediaite Related... A viral X post claims that a Republican official in Wisconsin stole ballots and discarded votes for Kamala Harris. Check this out all please! Republician city official actually stealing a whole box full of ballots! the post reads. Where did they go? Word on the street is he discarded Harris ballots in the privacy of his own office. Yet more R vote theft! Name & shame & prosecute! The photo is real, but the claim is false. A Republican official did remove a ballot drop box in Wisconsin, but it occurred more than a month ago and no ballots were affected. On September 22, Doug Diny, the Republican mayor of Wausau, Wisconsin, made local headlines when he removed a ballot drop box from outside of City Hall. Even though authority to manage drop box locations is vested in Wausaus city clerknot its mayorDiny reportedly opposed the placement of the box without the consent of Wausaus City Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The box had previously been present outside of the Wausau City Hall since some time in 2020, but was removed temporarily for repairs earlier this year when its locks were found to be rusted. The city originally intended to return the box in time for the states August 2024 primary election, but the repairs took longer than expected. In a September 25 interview with the New York Times, Diny said he took steps as the senior elected official in the city to get some things corrected, citing that the drop box had not been properly monitored or secured. He moved the box into his office and said that it would be kept there until certain issues that the clerk is aware of [were] addressed. According to Kaitlyn Bernarde, the Wausau city clerk, the ballot box was not yet functional and still being set up. It was locked and clearly labeled, Kiosk Closed, she wrote in a September 25 statement. The X posts claim that Diny discarded ballots that voted for Harris is false: No voters or ballots were immediately affected by the boxs removal. Further, Since the drop box was closed and locked, no ballots could be accepted, Bernardes statement said. Again, the drop box was locked and did not have any ballots, payments, or other documents inside. By the end of September, the drop box had been restored to its location outside of City Hall. An official drop box is now secured outside City Hall for residents to submit absentee ballots, payments, and other important city requests as was intended, Bernarde said in a press release. The drop box has been re-labeled for use and is secured to the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an email to The Dispatch Fact Check, Diny wrote: After directing the securing of the drop box, adding dedicated flood lighting, upgrading box markings, ordering camera resolution improvements, and reviewing compliance with Wisconsin Elections Commission guidelines, early election activity in Wausau is progressing safely. Bernarde did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Dispatch Fact Check. If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. And you thought the scary season ended with the last trick-or-treater ... Well, here are three words that might ignite the spinal shivers on an angler: environmental impact statement. Take a minute to gather yourselves, because it gets scarier. This time, the ominous three-worded warning comes from the feds in this instance, its NOAA Fisheries, the ultimate boss of you whenever it feels the urge. A few years ago, NOAA asked the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council to come up with a plan to reduce the overfishing of red snapper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GATORS VS. BULLDOGS Dawgs had their day as Florida-Georgia punching bag. State rankings and picks. A UCF win? Some would suggest the biggest threat to the red snapper population is the shark. Weird, you might think, since this year there was one day of legal red-snapper harvesting, and the subsequent commercial harvest ended within weeks when the total allowable weight was reached. Too many dead snapper returned to the deep, is a stated issue. There are ways to properly release a red snapper back home, but thats hard to do when an opportunistic shark has left you only half a fish. Or less. NOAA is threatening (my word, not theirs) a Secretarial Amendment to arbitrarily change the snapper law. The secretary of which they speak is the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal laws are generally associated with the executive and legislative branches, but over time, the federal bureaucracies have been allowed to change a lot about our everyday lives some would argue for the better, others would suggest for the worse. The EPA, for instance, determines whats a navigable waterway, which can change everything for a particular pond, lake, ditch or whatever. No fish has generated as much debate as the red snapper. Anyway, the fear among the commercial and recreational offshore angling world is a complete pen-to-paper shutdown of all bottom-fishing in the Southeast Atlantic. This measure could be devastating to the fishing communities (charter, commercial, recreational), along with the countless businesses around the coasts that support the industry, says Capt. Scott Housel, who owns and operates a local offshore charter boat (Sudden Strike). And this social media post from Floridas Coastal Conservation Association: Using the red snapper fishery as a stalking horse, NOAA Fisheries is preparing to take the highly unusual step of a Secretarial Amendment to impose draconian fishing closures on anglers. Measures that not even the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council thinks are necessary or warranted given what is known about the fishery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ask a knowledgeable offshore angler about the red snapper rules, and take a seat. Youll get a long discourse on everything from flawed data to outdated stock assessments. Red snapper season has been on fire Credit:@fishingwithluiza pic.twitter.com/atz6tVo8sH Jennifer (@Jennifer_360_) July 5, 2022 This potential NOAA act comes with a period of public comment. The potentially affected parties are pleading with one and all to weigh in, and if you dont like what youre smelling, you have until Nov. 8 to angrily rap the keypad. You can click "submit a public comment" button here regarding this particular topic at FederalRegister.gov. Halifax/Indian River Capt. Billy Pettigrew (RedfishTails.com) sent along a text to say the intracoastal water looks like coffee, which begs a question Billy quickly answered with a subsequent text. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black coffee. He also confirms the talk about sheepshead beginning their annual infiltration mostly small, but a few keepers. The snook are still plentiful, and Billy says the outgoing tide works best for him. Art Mowery got into a school of big jacks in the Turtle Mound area of the river in Southeast Volusia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Use live or fresh-dead shrimp and fiddler crabs for the sheepshead and drum. Live mullet, croakers and pinfish for the snook, Billy advises. He and Ike Leary (Granada Bait) both talk about black drum making some big noise lately. Ike says some of his regulars are finding drum in the surf, when the seaweed allows. Speaking of which ... Surf If we put this particular weed on the ballot, itd never stand a chance. It not only stinks worse than the Amendment 3 stuff (and thats saying something), it screws up a day at the beach faster than a thunderstorm. Lets go through the midweek chronologically to tell the story, thanks to our longtime contributor here, Marco Pompano. Sargassum seaweed, the beach's poo in the punch bowl. Wednesday morning: Good morning. I must say things have picked up. The best of the rest are actually limiting out on pompano. Most people are getting a few mixed in with some really nice redfish, black drum and, yesterday, I hooked a nice slot redfish and on the bottom hook, on the same line, was a flounder. Seaweed is still a problem, but it comes and goes. Its very beautiful out here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursday, pre-dawn: The seaweed is back with a vengeance. It has totally shut down the beach for now. With the wind from the east until the end of the week it looks pretty dismal for fishing. Thursday, 10 a.m.: I just came back from the beach and it seems like the high tide just now pulled away most of the seaweed. Im gonna try to fish it. Thursday 1 p.m.: Once again, the weeds win. They were clear from the beach, but theyre on the bottom so every cast I got a ton of them until I couldnt take it anymore. At least Marco doesnt need a clean beach to pay his bills. Dustin Smith, who operates NSB Shark Hunters, says hes been shut down all of October, first due to Hurricane Milton and now the seaweed. Seaweed Wrap Sandwich pic.twitter.com/Wgh9fjbqQ6 Tasty UK (@TastyUK) October 25, 2024 Offshore It looks like a no-fly zone for several days ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steady east wind with seas between 4-7 feet at least through Monday. St. Johns Stan Raymond was ready to fill the freezer with specks after a day out of Highland Park with Capt. David Williamson. It seems the only thing thicker than the seaweed on our beaches are specks along the St. Johns and its fishy lakes. Our DeLand-based folks out of Highland Park are putting the filet knife to a whole lot of specks, unless you prefer to call them crappie. Plenty of limits being caught on Lake Woodruff, says Don McCormick, whos also starting to begin organizational prep for the annual Berkeley Labaw Memorial speck tournament (next February). He says the water temp is now in the 70-degree neighborhood, which is a lovely neighborhood for fishing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With cooler nights the water temperature will continue to get cooler, Don says. By the next full moon the big females will move towards the shoreline to spawn. John Patterson two-fisting a pair of the many specks he caught this week on Lake Woodruff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats Nov. 15, by the way. Trolling with jigs is the best method and its all about the speed right now, says Highland Park Fish Camp Capt. Bryn Adams. All about the trolling speed? What, you need specifics? Going a little faster than usual, Bryn says, with 1.2-to-1.3 mph being the best. Hook, line and clicker: Send us your fish pics Rachael and Dawn Hillman with a big haul of specks after a day on the water with Capt. James Hillman. We want to see your most recent catch. Email your fish photos to ken.willis@news-jrnl.com. Please include first and last name of angler(s), as well as type of fish (we're occasionally stumped). Do I need a fishing license? You can find all the license info, including exemptions, on Florida's Fish and Wildlife Commission website: MyFWC.com. But the basics are: No: If you're 65 or older, 15 or younger, you don't need a license. Probably Not: If you're fishing with a licensed guide or charter boat, both of which often purchase commercial licenses that cover their customers. Yes: Most everyone else, including visitors from other states. Yes: Even if you're a shore-based angler (shoreline, dock, pier, bridge, etc.), and even if fishing with a shore-based guide. However: The shore-based license is free . . . But: You still need to register for that free license. Where do I get a license and what does it cost? Many bait shops sell licenses, as do the bigger retailers (Bass, Dick's, Walmart, etc.). Florida's FWC uses a third-party site for buying or renewing fishing licenses: GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. The cost: $17 for an annual license. Don't forget: Whether you're fishing fresh or saltwater, you need the specific license. Freshwater and saltwater licenses are both $17 annually. Im here on vacation, do I need a license? Yes you do, and they're also available at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or certain bait shops and big retailers. Cost: $17 for three days, $30 for seven days, $47 for a year. Also: Non-residents need to purchase that license even if they're just fishing from shoreline or shore-based structures. (Florida residents need that license, too, but they're free.) This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Red snapper called 'stalking horse' by those against NOAA action SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Nominations for the Virginia K. Shehee Most Influential Woman and Young Woman Awards are open now through Friday, November 22, 2024. According to a media release, this award is named after civic leader, businesswoman, and philanthropist Virginia K. Shehee, who passed away in 2015 after decades of service to Northwest Louisiana. It honors women who have made significant contributions to our community and who may do much of their work behind the scenes. Nell Shehee makes USA Todays 2024 Women of the Year list Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A total of twelve women will be honored at this event in two categories: six for the Most Influential Woman Award and six for the Most Influential Young Woman Award. One from each category will be recognized as the Most Influential Woman and Most Influential Young Woman for 2025. Officials say credentials for recipients of the Virginia K. Shehee Most Influential Woman Award include women who have shown a commitment to philanthropy by helping children, the elderly, those in need, the arts, business development, education, or other acts of caring. Nominees must demonstrate influence in their business or organization(s); have a solid reputation based on their experience, leadership, and integrity; exhibit significant professional and/or community accomplishments; and build recognizable and lasting initiatives or changes in and for their business or organizations. The Virginia K. Shehee Most Influential Young Woman award will be given to a female who is a high school junior or senior whose leadership, poise, and determination are demonstrated through meaningful acts of philanthropy for her fellow students or her community. Nominees must be a high school junior or senior in Northwest Louisiana, demonstrate influence in their school and/or community, and have a solid reputation based on their experience, leadership, and integrity. Nominations will be accepted through November 22, 2024. To review the criteria and nominate someone, please visit the website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patrons can support the event by purchasing individual tickets for $75 and table sponsorships for $1,000, which include luncheon tickets for eight, recognition in the program, and on social media and the Holy Angels website. Table sponsorships and individual tickets are available here. MIDNIGHT IN THE CITY: Get ready for a gala in Shreveport This is the ninth year of this Northwest Louisiana honor, and proceeds will benefit Holy Angels, an independent, nonprofit organization serving approximately 185 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Holy Angels provides love, support, and empowerment through job and skills training, education, and community and social integration. Learn more on the website. For more information, please contact Audrey Robinson at 318-218-1845 or at audrey@idea-path.com or Emerie Eck Holtzclaw at 318-469-5642 or emerie@lagniappeprime.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 9th Annual Virginia K. Shehee Most Influential Woman Awards Luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, March 6, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at East Ridge Country Club. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Poll workers in Horseshoe Bend prepare voters to cast their ballot on Oct. 30, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) Distrust of electronic voting machines and tense local political environments have residents in some northern Arkansas counties worried about the integrity of this years election. Immediately upon leaving the United Methodist Church in Horseshoe Bend, one of three early voting polling sites in rural Izard County, voter Monica Rush told the Advocate she was afraid the poll workers inside would change her vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because that machine in there is electronic, you know, Im afraid they can change my vote, and that does worry me, Rush, 55, said. Arkansas voters this year have the opportunity to vote for president, four congressional seats, a state Supreme Court chief justice, state treasurer, two statewide ballot initiatives and various legislative seats and local races. Rush, who has lived in Izard County for 40 years, expressed general dissatisfaction with her voting experience this year and described the poll workers as nosy when they asked her to confirm her identity after they received her identification card. She also said she thought the Horseshoe Bend poll workers were liberal because of the way they act. Theyre like, Oh Im better than you. Izard County residents Jonathan Lundry (left) and Monica Rush stand outside the early voting site in Horseshoe Bend on Oct. 30, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) The three members of the Izard County Board of Election Commissioners are responsible for staffing early voting sites located outside of the county clerks office, and poll workers are not required to share their political affiliation before they start work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kim Dunlap, a state election monitor assigned to the Horseshoe Bend site, said she didnt know the political affiliation of Wednesdays workers. On Thursday, Dunlap said that there was no way the poll workers could change a vote after it was cast unless they broke into the tabulator, which is locked and sealed to protect the ballots. Rush cast her ballot on Wednesday at the same time as two others, one of whom said it was his first time voting. Jonathan Lundry, 56, said he agreed with an assessment from Rush that the results of the 2020 presidential election included millions of modified ballots to support President Joe Biden instead of former President Donald Trump. Lundry also said he was fearful of the electronic voting machines. I seen what happened last year, he said. I dont trust the way it went. I want to see a mountain slide come down on top of their [Democrats] heads. A sticker role in Searcy County sits on a table for voters to utilize after they cast their ballot. Photographed Oct. 30, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) As an election monitor, Dunlaps role is to observe, report and keep the peace, she said. In Izard County, Dunlap has experienced clashing personalities that she said stems from people moving to the area from other states. The area is known as a retirement haven. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Izard County is made up of a collection of citizens from all across the country, and they are very diverse, Dunlap said. And with that diversity comes a difference in thinking. At Ozarka College, an early voting site in Melbourne, voter Christopher Pike said he knew of general cliques in the county. Certain people get to do certain things and not get in trouble, Pike, 66, said. Complaints submitted to the State Board of Election Commissioners from previous elections, which the Advocate received through a Freedom of Information Act request, show residents long-standing concerns with the local political environment, including election officials and past poll workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the three days that Dunlap has monitored the Horseshoe Bend site so far this election, she said there has been distress and hostility with poll watchers people who register with the county clerk to watch the polls for a particular candidate or local issue. On one day she wasnt present, poll watchers were asked to leave, she said. Dunlap said she hasnt experienced any issues with poll workers handling of routine election procedures. Potential paper ballots In Batesville, the seat of Independence County, voters had to pass by several signs indicating support for a paper-ballot initiative before they entered the community center to cast their vote. A bright orange van with secure our elections on the side was also parked at the edge of the centers parking lot. A van depicting language in support of a paper ballot initiative in Independence County is parked in Batesville on Oct. 30, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) Independence County was one of nine counties that attempted to get a paper-ballot measure on its ballot this year, all of which were challenged in court. The Arkansas Supreme Court on Oct. 17 agreed with a lower courts order and certified Independence Countys measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bryan Norris, lead petitioner for the paper ballot initiative, said Thursday that the measure aimed to create a checks and balances system for the existing electronic tabulator count. This way, you have the machines checking the people, and then the people checking the machines, and theres a clear paper trail with a chain of custody that goes back to the voter that made their mark all the way to the individual counting it, Norris said. Norris said a switch to paper ballots would save the county money as it would forego technology costs like software updates, maintenance and machine replacements. Instead, costs would be spent toward pen and paper, which Norris said is inexpensive. He also noted that it is likely payroll costs could be less expensive than expected if people volunteered their time. When asked about the potential for human error in the counting process, Norris said the checks and balance system would allow for the opportunity to find errors while the current machine tabulator doesnt provide that option. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Myra Looney Wood, an election official in Batesville, referred to the states current system as one that already has paper ballots. Election officials Rita Cooke (left) and Myra Looney Wood show how the tabulator machine accepts ballots to be counted in Batesville on Oct. 30, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters in all but one Arkansas county currently vote the same way, which includes getting a paper ballot and inserting it into a voting machine, selecting their choices on the machine and receiving their ballot back for review. The voter then inserts their ballot into a tabulator, which counts the ballot. Looney Wood said that the election machine is just a big ole pencil. She also referred to paper ballots as an antique system. Jerry Bradley, a 68-year-old voter who cast his ballot on Wednesday, called the paper ballot initiative junk and said he thought things should stay the way they are. As far as the rest of the ballot, Bradley said he cast his presidential vote for Trump because the economy has been trash for the last four years; my pocketbook has been empty. He also voiced concerns about illegal immigrants crossing the border and allowing them to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is against federal law for noncitizens to vote, and there have been no widespread incidents of attempts to do so. Deborah Shaver, who said she cast her presidential vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, also said she opposed the paper ballot issue. I do not understand why something that has been working for years and years [it] does not need to be changed, Shaver, 76, said. It is much safer, and they still have not found anything wrong with them [the machines]. I have no desire to go back to paper. Regarding her presidential vote, Shaver said she chose Harris for a better economy and access to abortion. Election distrust The paper ballot system is in full operation in Searcy County, where election officials will be hand counting thousands of votes cast this election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election officials first provided hand marked and hand counted ballots in the March primary election, following a decision from the quorum court. There were some learning pains associated with the process, officials said. County election officials were ultimately sanctioned for mistakes, including inaccurate totals and the failure to report proper election night results to the secretary of states office, post hand-count totals at polling locations and call a public meeting to inform residents that there were issues with nonpartisan and absentee ballots cast. Paper ballots are arranged on a shelf at an early voting location in Searcy County on Oct. 30, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) Laura Gross, chair of the county election commission, said Wednesday that while the commissioners signed the sanctions so they didnt have to proceed with a hearing, they disagreed with the circumstances. Gross said that the commission will never make those mistakes again. Using paper ballots is faster than voting with a machine, Gross said. While voters could take upwards of 15 minutes to use a machine, Gross said the paper version could be completed within three minutes, depending on how prepared a voter is. Theres no doubt that theyre [election machines] easier, Gross said. Theyre easier from the perspective of putting on the election. Theyre not easier for the voter. Under federal law, Searcy County is required to provide one voting machine for people with disabilities. Gross said she thought the feeling of voter disenfranchisement was likely felt by residents across the state, including those who think their vote wont matter. I think in rural counties, you have a lot more distrust of that, she said. And whether thats a legitimate distrust or not, its still the way they feel. Searcy County voters Madison Ratchford (left) and Anna Treat pose outside of an early vote location on Oct. 30, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) The county commission aims to increase voter participation, Gross said, and its possible the transparent process of paper ballots will help bring more people to the polls. Residents Anna Treat and Madison Ratchford, friends who voted early together on Wednesday, were split on using paper ballots. Treat, 32, said she used an election machine last time she voted and had an easier experience. Paper seems shady to me, I dont know, Treat said. Ratchford, 22, disagreed and said that she thought the electronic process was shady and she had concerns about the technology involved. A state election monitor will be in Searcy County on Election Day and during the counting process. Early voting continues through Monday and polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. More information about candidates and ballot measures is available on the Advocates voter guide. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX This article was originally published in The 19th. Olympic track and field star Allyson Felix is helping moms vote in this election. Felix, who has been an outspoken advocate for parents, is partnering with the nonpartisan organization Chamber of Mothers to raise awareness for child care support available to parents voting in North Carolina, New York and Los Angeles this election cycle. This summer, Felix secured the first Olympic child care center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Meet America's High Schoolers Vying for Olympic Gold In North Carolina, Felix and Chamber of Mothers are promoting a program through the nonprofit Politisit that will reimburse up to two hours of child care for parents heading to the polls. Parents just have to fill out a Google Form with information on what care they will need and how much it will cost. In western North Carolina, where Hurricane Helene caused massive destruction at the end of September, Politisit will reimburse up to a full day of care. In Los Angeles, Brella, a child care center known for its flexible hours, will be offering up to a full day of free child care for kids 3 months to 6 years of age. Similarly, in New York City and Westchester, select Vivvi child care centers will offer up to a full day of free care to caregivers who are voting. Bumo, a marketplace for parents to find flexible child care in California, and Smart Sitting, a platform for parents to find babysitters in New York, are also each donating $10,000 in child care services that parents can access by signing up through Politisit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new website is now also available for caregivers who want to book free care though Politisit and its partners. It includes additional free spots in Southern California, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, New York, Brooklyn, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. This election, you dont have to choose between voting and motherhood, Felix said in a statement. This election, you can do both. Caregivers, and especially single mothers, are one of the biggest groups of non-voters in the country. Many say they feel defeated or that their vote doesnt make a difference, said Erin Erenberg, the CEO and founder of Chamber of Mothers. Others cite the challenges of standing in potentially long lines with kids or not being able to secure care as barriers that have kept them from the ballot box. Related America Doesnt Know How to Talk About Child Care But this election cycle, when candidates have spoken about caregiving more than ever, efforts have ramped up to help parents take part in a consequential election. This story was originally published by The 19th. North Korea has boasted that its new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile it test-launched on Thursday was the worlds strongest. The Hwasong-19, which flew higher and for longer than any other weapon Pyongyang had previously tested, stayed in the air for 86 minutes and hit altitudes of 7,000 kilometres (4,349 miles), according to the Japanese Defense Ministry. The new-type ICBM proved before the world that the hegemonic position we have secured in the development and manufacture of nuclear delivery means, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said while overseeing the launch on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its defence ministry released a rare video of the launch, showing the giant missile as it was fired towards space before later slashing down between Japan and Russia. The launch came less than a week before the US presidential election and received condemnation from Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo. On Friday, South Korea imposed new sanctions on 11 North Korean officials and four entities in retaliation for Thursdays missile test. Seoul accused Pyongyang of trying to flex its military muscles in a means to divert the worlds attention from the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers in Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite North Koreas boast that the Hwasong-19 was the perfected weapon system, experts say that images show the missile and its launch vehicle are both oversized, which creates doubt over its wartime mobility and survivability on the battlefield. When missiles get bigger, what happens? The vehicles get larger, too. As the transporter-erector launchers get bigger, their mobility decreases, Lee Sangmin, an expert at South Koreas Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, told the Associated Press. Shin Seung-ki, head of research on North Koreas military at the Institute for Defense Analyses, said the launch was likely a test to improve performance of its existing ICBM, possibly built with Russias help. North Korea will want to keep getting help like this, because it saves time and costs, he said, before adding that it could also be Pyongyangs response to pressure over its engagement with Russia. Kim Jong-un oversees the a test-fire of the new Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile - GETTY The intention may be to show that it will not bow to pressure, that it will respond to strength with strength, and also to seek some influence on the US presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kim Dong-yup, an expert at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said that while existing missiles are already capable of potentially targeting anywhere in the US, the Hwasong-19 is probably aimed at carrying heavier nuclear warheads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Korea may continue testing to see if, during the final re-entry phase, the warheads can separate and each head toward individual targets, he said. Thursdays missile test came as Washington warned that 8,000 North Korean troops are stationed in Russia on the border of Ukraine and that Moscow is preparing to deploy the troops into combat in the coming days. The US and South Korea called on China, which has remained largely silent on the news of the military deployment, to use its influence over Pyongyang and Moscow to prevent further escalation of the war in Ukraine. Kim Jong-un is joined by his daughter as they observe the missile test - GETTY However, the Chinese government said the development is not its concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Korea and Russia are two independent sovereign states. How they develop bilateral relations is their own matter, Lin Jian, spokesman for Chinas foreign ministry, said on Friday. There is also ongoing speculation about what North Korea might get from the Kremlin for sending soldiers to fight alongside the Russian military. John Sullivan, a former US envoy to Russia, told Japanese broadcaster NHK that Moscow could provide North Korea with nuclear and missile technologies. The Hwasong-19 is capable of reaching a height of 7,000 km, some 6,500 km above the international space station - GETTY I think [Putin] is less concerned about the reactions in Seoul, Tokyo, or Washington and more concerned about the reaction in Beijing, which I dont think would like to see the North Koreans enhance particularly their ballistic missile and nuclear weapons program, Mr Sullivan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, analysts say Moscow is unlikely to share sensitive technology with Pyongyang. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui met with Sergei Lavrov, his Russian counterpart, on Friday, and said that Pyongyang will stand by Russia until its victory in Ukraine. The UN Security Council is expected to meet on Nov 4 to discuss Pyongyangs latest missile launch. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. (Bloomberg) -- An intercontinental ballistic missile North Korea fired this week that achieved a record flight potentially allows leader Kim Jong Un to load heavier warheads and help him deliver a nuclear strike to the US mainland. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photos released by North Korean state media Friday showed the missile being launched from what appeared to be at least an 11-axle mobile launcher as Kim watched the firing with his daughter by his side. North Koreas previous ICBM launch in December involved a 9-axle truck. In a dispatch a day after the launch of the long-range missile, the official Korean Central News Agency described it as a new missile, a Hwasong-19. The missile is an ICBM of an ultimate version that will be used by the strategic forces of its military. Kim said the test-fire demonstrated the missiles matchless strategic nuclear attack capability before the world. Coming just ahead of the US presidential election, Kims show of defiance comes as his surprise move to send troops to Russia to support Moscows war on Ukraine has rattled South Korea and its partners. They have said Kims actions mark a dangerous escalation in the two-and-half year-old conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The missile was fired at a lofted angle from an area near Pyongyang early Thursday, flying some 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) into waters off its east coast, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said. North Korea said the missile reached an altitude of 7,687.5 kilometers after flying for some 86 minutes, the longest flight recorded for a missile fired by North Korea. The missile seems to have been developed to carry multiple warheads, Kim Dong-yub, a professor at Seoul-based University of North Korean Studies said, citing the round design of the tip of the missile. Whether the warheads can actually hit the intended targets is a different question. But at least they are saying that they have secured a delivery system for that, professor Kim said. South Korea earlier said the launch may have showcased a new solid-fuel ICBM. Such missiles have propellants baked into rockets that allow them to be rolled out and fired in minutes, giving the US less time to prepare for interception. The challenge becomes even greater if the missile carries more than one warhead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, its unclear whether the countrys ICBMs could avoid anti-missile systems deployed in the US. Its also unknown whether the warheads could survive reentry into the atmosphere. The US and its allies have sought to discourage Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim from deploying North Korean soldiers to the front lines of the war in Ukraine. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday in a joint news conference with their visiting South Korean counterparts that about 8,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russias Kursk region, where they are expected to engage in what Blinken called front-line operations soon. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 Bloomberg L.P. North Korea has tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that it claims is its longest-ranged so far and which is carried on an absolutely enormous transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicle. The announcement of the test of the Hwasong-19 comes amid large-scale U.S.-South Korean military maneuvers during which their aircraft have bombed mock-ups of North Korean ballistic missile launchers. These same exercises have also seen, for the first time, U.S. and South Korean drones working together to hunt targets something that would be critical in a full-scale war to find and knock out North Korean missile launchers as quickly as possible. VIDEO: North Korean state media published footage of the launch of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) model called the Hwasong-19 on Thursday. Read more here: https://t.co/kA8m36NARX pic.twitter.com/CXXlBJX7O5 NK NEWS (@nknewsorg) November 1, 2024 A video and photos of the test of the Hwasong-19 published by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, or KCNA show a huge solid-fuel, multi-stage missile launched from a canister carried by the huge TEL vehicle, in an undisclosed forested location. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in front of the Hwasong-19 transporter-erector-launcher (TEL). KCNA KCNA Launch of the Hwasong-19. KCNA The size of the TEL is immediately impressive. With 11 axles, its notably longer than the nine-axle TEL used in the previous Hwasong-18, indicating that the missile is proportionally longer, too. Moreover, the relatively narrow driver cabs at the front of the Hwasong-19 vehicle also point to a larger-diameter missile. While North Korea has used an 11-axle TEL before, for its Hwasong-17, this missile was a less advanced liquid-fuel missile design. That TEL also didnt feature the smaller cab for the wider missile body as seen in the Hwasong-19s TEL setup. One of the notably narrow driver cabs at the front of the Hwasong-19 TEL vehicle. KCNA KCNA also released photos that it says were captured from an array of cameras mounted on the missile during its test flight. These reveal missile state separations and views of the Earth below while on its extremely steep lofted trajectory. The apparent separation of one of the ICBM stages. KCNA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A view of Earth, as purportedly seen from a camera mounted on the missile. KCNA Pyongyang says that the Hwasong-19 flew higher than any previous North Korean ICBM reaching a maximum altitude of 4,776.8 miles claims that are supported by the armed forces of South Korea and Japan, which monitored the missiles flight path. As in previous similar tests, the missile was fired at a steep lofted trajectory to stay close to the Korean peninsula, although if flown on a standard trajectory it would be capable of reaching cities across the U.S. mainland. MORE ON NORTH KOREAS ICBM LAUNCH THIS WEEK North Koreas state news agency KCNA reported today that the countrys missile test this week used a Hwasong-19, which flew higher than any previous missile the country has launched. "The new-type ICBM proved before the world that the pic.twitter.com/4CXzm44VHU Knightsbridge Research (@KBR_Intel) November 1, 2024 KCNA says the Hwasong-19 flew 622.12 miles for 85 minutes and 56 seconds before splashing down in the sea off the east coast of the Korean peninsula, between Japan and Russia. The duration of the flight compares to 74 minutes for the last ICBM test 10 months ago, suggesting that the missile carries more fuel or that North Korea has improved the technology used in its solid-fuel rocket propellants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Korea ICBM launch data (31 Oct 2024) ~07:11-08:36 (~86mins) ~1,000 km >7000km Source: Japan MoD:https://t.co/llzOA4GUXspic.twitter.com/cJSrctK2Z5 Joseph Dempsey (@JosephHDempsey) October 31, 2024 7:11am-8:36am (estimated): thats an 85 minute (!!) flight time. IIRC, 10 minutes longer than last years Hwasong-18 flight, which was at the time the longest exhibited lofted trajectory flight time for any North Korean ICBM. https://t.co/DazfMSMzkx Ankit Panda (@nktpnd) October 31, 2024 The ICBM was described by KCNA as the worlds strongest strategic missile. A 24-hour Yonhapnews TV broadcast at Yongsan Railway Station in Seoul showing a news broadcast of the test launch of the Hwasong-19, on November 1, 2024. Photo by Kim Jae-Hwan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images SOPA Images Overseeing the launch, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared: The new-type ICBM proved before the world that the hegemonic position we have secured in the development and manufacture of nuclear delivery means of the same kind is absolutely irreversible, according to KCNA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kim was again accompanied by his daughter to observe the launch, according to North Korean state media. Personnel involved in the missile test pose in front of the Hwasong-19. KCNA South Korean reaction to the test was swift, with Seoul imposing new sanctions on 11 North Korean individuals and four entities, which it says have contributed to missile and nuclear development, including by channeling illegal foreign funds into the country. North Korea has already demonstrated ICBMs with long enough range to hit targets almost anywhere in the United States, but the appearance of the Hwasong-19 demonstrates that the country is continuing to develop and refine these weapons as well as use them to signal its military might. At the same time, it should be noted that questions still remain over the reliability of North Korean reentry vehicles and nuclear warheads. There is also the question of just how survivable the Hwasong-19 would be, simply due to its size. Its colossal dimensions mean there is only a limited number of places, including tunnels and some structures, where it can hide and the vehicle itself will be harder to maneuver than smaller TELs. Typically, super-heavy ICBMs of this kind are based in fixed silos, rather than being road-mobile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reportedly, North Korea will field the Hwasong-19 alongside the previous Hwasong-18, which was its first solid-fuel ICBM, with analysts suggesting that the new missiles will offer an expanded capacity within a larger payload section. This would imply plans for it to carry larger warheads and multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs). The Hwasong-18 ICBM was first tested in April 2023. KCNA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we have discussed before, solid-fuel ICBMs, in general, offer huge advantages over previous liquid-fuel designs developed by North Korea. A solid-fuel missile can be brought into action far more quickly since it doesnt need to be fueled before being launched, drastically reducing reaction time from receiving the order to launching. It also makes the missile much more survivable, dramatically reducing the window in which it could be targeted by a preemptive strike. The latest test not only confirms the continued maturation of North Koreas strategic missile forces, and with it a growing deterrent capability, but also appears calculated to send a message to the United States, in particular. The timing of this messaging is notable for several reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most immediately, the U.S. military and South Korean armed forces have been engaged in maneuvers in which aircraft including drones have been used to attack simulated North Korean targets. For the first time, these exercises have also involved drones from both countries. Today, the South Korean armed forces announced live-fire drills that saw U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drones drop GPS-guided munitions on targets while a Republic of Korea Air Force RQ-4B Global Hawk drone carried out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Maintenance personnel standby before a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper takes off in support of Freedom Flag 24-1 at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, on October 30, 2024. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Serrano Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Serrano A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper provides buddy-lase capabilities for a Republic of Korea Air Force F-15K Slam Eagle (not pictured) during a close air support training mission with the Republic of Korea Air Force during Freedom Flag 24-1, on October 30, 2024. ROK Air Force As we have discussed in the past, any military campaign launched by the South against its neighbor would see extensive involvement by drones, which would be especially valuable for scouting for mobile targets, especially missile launchers, as well as keeping tabs on North Korean military movements on the ground. Meanwhile, U.S. and South Korean fighters also took part in the simulated bombing of North Korean targets including ballistic missile launchers on October 30, with 110 aircraft reportedly involved in the Freedom Flag 24-1 maneuvers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through this large-scale joint air training exercise, we have demonstrated the South Korea-U.S. combined defense capability and posture to overwhelm the enemy in response to North Koreas nuclear and missile threats, South Koreas joint chiefs of staff said in a statement. A Republic of Korea Air Force F-15K Slam Eagle prepares to employ munitions during a close air support training mission during Freedom Flag 24-1, on October 30, 2024. ROK Air Force A simulated static target explodes after being struck by a GBU-12 lase-guided bomb during combined South Korean and U.S. air forces precision strike training as part of Freedom Flag 24-1. ROK Air Force Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, North Korea finds itself even more ostracized from the international community due to its support for Russia in its war in Ukraine, which now includes the direct involvement of soldiers from the Korean Peoples Army. Neither Pyongyang nor Moscow have denied that North Korean soldiers are now fighting on the front lines in Ukraine, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has slammed his allies for having made zero response to the development. North Koreas deepening support for Russias war in Ukraine which has also seen it transfer millions of rounds of artillery ammunition and short-range ballistic missiles has sparked concerns that sensitive military technology could flow back to Pyongyang from Moscow in return. In particular, there have been suggestions that North Korea might gain further advantages in its ballistic missile program, aided by Russia. A fragment from the wreckage of a North Korean KN-23 missile after an attack on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on March 14, 2024. Photo by Denys Glushko /Gwara Media/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images Global Images Ukraine Perhaps not surprisingly, given that the Hwasong-19 will have been in development for some time, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the Pentagon did not have any indication at this point that there was Russian involvement in the latest ICBM test. However, Austin did note that the U.S. Department of Defense was still at a very early point in its assessment of the missile test. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is perhaps also no coincidence that the Hwasong-19 comes as the United States prepares for its presidential election, on November 5. Earlier this year, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said that his personal connection with Kim would be an advantage that he would use if elected. Now North Korea is acting up again, but when we get back, I get along with him, he said. Hed like to see me back, too. I think he misses me. Returning to the peninsula, the missile test comes during a period of overall worsening tensions between North and South Korea. Most recently, TWZ reported on North Koreas accusations that South Korea has been using drones to scatter propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang. That development follows waves of excrement and trash-filled balloons that North Korea has launched into the South, a campaign that started this summer. A photo released by the North Korean state news agency KCNA that claims to show a South Korean drone used to drop propaganda leaflets over the North Korean capital last month. KCNA Last month, the North said it said it would sever road and railway access to the South to ensure the two countries are completely separate. A string of incidents and a continued war of words has served to raise tensions and, with them, the risk of an overreaction or a misunderstanding leading to a much more serious escalation. With that in mind, the test of the Hwasong-19 is a sobering reminder of the growing strength of the North Korean strategic arsenal, which has continued to develop despite longstanding sanctions and international pressure. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com North Korea said it tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday morning, a launch believed to have achieved the longest flight time yet for a North Korean missile. The new perfected Hwasong-19 missile was launched just days before the United States presidential election on Tuesday, and after warnings from South Koreas intelligence agency that Pyongyang was planning to launch an ICBM to test its reentry technology around the time of the vote. The test also comes as North Korea appears to have intensified its nuclear production efforts and strengthened ties with Russia, deepening widespread concern in the West over the isolated nations direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Korea on Friday said the new Hwasong-19 missile reached a maximum altitude of 7,688 kilometers (4,777 miles) and flew a distance of 1,001 kilometers (622 miles). The test of the latest strategic weapon system demonstrated the modernity and creditability of its worlds most powerful strategic deterrent, the countrys state-run KCNA news outlet said in a commentary. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un walks around what North Korea state media says is a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on March 24, 2022. - Korean Central News Agency/AP Japanese authorities reported the missile flew for about 86 minutes and to a possible altitude of 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles), before falling into the sea west of Okushiri Island in northern Hokkaido around 8:37 a.m., outside Japans exclusive economic zone, public broadcaster NHK said. The flight time was the longest ever. Possibly the newest missile ever, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the missile was fired at a lofted angle, meaning it flew almost vertically upwards rather than out, and traveled a distance of 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). JCS spokesperson Lee Sung-joon said it could have been a new-type solid-propelled long-range ballistic missile fired from a 12-axis mobile launcher (TEL) which Pyongyang revealed last month. Solid-fueled missiles, such as North Koreas Hwasong-18, would allow Pyongyang to launch long-range nuclear strikes quicker than with missiles that use liquid-fuel technology. Solid-fueled ICBMs are more stable, and can be moved more easily to avoid detection before a launch that can be initiated in a matter of minutes, experts say compared with liquid-fueled missiles that may need hours before launch, giving time for adversaries to detect and neutralize the weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State media published photos of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter at the launch site as well as multiple photos of the missile throughout its journey. North Korean state media issued images that appear to show North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with his daughter. - KCNA Joseph Dempsey, a research analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the pictures released by North Korea showed the latest missile was outwardly similar in design to the Hwasong-18. But when it comes to a road-mobile cold-launch solid ICBM there is a form follows function component so [we] would not expect too much variation in broad design terms, he told CNN. It appears to be North Koreas first ICBM launch since its Hwasong-18 missile test in December 2023. It also launched the weapon in April and July last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the December test, Japanese authorities reported the missile flew at a highly lofted trajectory for about 73 minutes and to an altitude of 6,000 kilometers (3,700 miles). The missile from Thursdays test flew higher than North Koreas previous ICBM test, according to initial analysis by the South Korean military. While the missile exhibited the range to strike anywhere in the United States, it would need to be fired at a flatter trajectory to hit the country. The White House condemned the test Thursday as a flagrant violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said the launch needlessly raises tensions in the region and that the US would take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and Republic of Korea and Japanese allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the missile test, South Korea and the US held a joint large-scale air drill involving some 110 jets simulating precise striking of enemys TEL, Seouls Defense Ministry said. Our military will always maintain preparedness and capability to respond overwhelmingly to any provocation by North Korea, the ministry said. Nuclear weapons tech and ties with Russia Speaking at the launch site, Kim affirmed that his country will never change its line of bolstering up its nuclear forces, KCNA reported Thursday. In addition to an ICBM test, South Koreas military intelligence agency also warned North Korea could soon conduct its seventh nuclear test. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, the agency said Pyongyang had finished preparations for such a test at its Punggye-ri test site, and that the test could happen around the time of the US election, according to two lawmakers briefed during a regular parliamentary meeting. Since conducting its first nuclear test more than a decade ago, North Korea has advanced its weapons capabilities, with the ambition of miniaturizing a warhead so that it can fit on a long-range missile. The launch comes after US and South Korean officials said thousands of North Korean troops are training in Russia, with the expectation that they are being readied for a potential move to the front lines of Moscows war against Ukraine. About 10,000 North Korean soldiers are receiving military training in eastern Russia, the Pentagon estimated on Monday. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday that some troops have moved closer to Ukraine and have been given Russian military uniforms and are using Russian equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun said North Korea is very likely to ask Moscow for advanced technology related to nuclear weapons in exchange for deploying troops to help Russia. Pyongyang will likely request Russian technology transfers relating to tactical nuclear weapons, the advancement of North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles, reconnaissance satellites and nuclear submarines, the minister said. CNNs Brad Lendon and Natasha Bertrand contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com North Korea will stand with Russia until it achieves victory in its holy war against Ukraine, Pyongyangs foreign minister has said. Choe Son-hui made the comments at talks with Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, in Moscow as North Korean soldiers prepared to enter battle against Ukraine. Until the day of victory, we will firmly stand alongside our Russian comrades, she said. Ms Choe praised a new level of relations of invincible military comradeship between Pyongyang and Moscow and said that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un had ordered his officials to provide powerful assistance to the Kremlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have no doubt that under the wise leadership of Russian president Vladimir Putin, the Russian army and people will achieve a great victory in their sacred struggle, she said. North Korean soldiers said to be training in Russia earlier this week. Now many of them are believed to be on the brink of battle with Ukraine - Para Pax Speaking through a translator, Kims top envoy also said that ties between North Korea and Russia needed to deepen because the situation on the Korean peninsula could become explosive at any moment. Analysts have said that in exchange for weapons, Russia will be giving North Korea technological support possibly for Kims nuclear weapons programme. Mr Lavrov responded to Ms Choe by praising the very close military ties between the two countries which he said would help solve important tasks for the security of our and your citizens. Russian forces provocatively planted a North Korean flag next to their own in occupied Ukraine Neither of the foreign ministers directly mentioned the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers in Russia ahead of their expected arrival on the frontline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Korea has become a key ally for Russia since the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, supplying artillery shells and missiles. Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state and Washingtons top diplomat, said he believed Pyongyang may have already stationed as many as 8,000 troops in Kursk, which Ukraine invaded in August. They could be deployed on the front line within days, officials believe, once Russias upper house of parliament rubber-stamps a mutual military assistance pact agreed by Putin and Kim. The sight of North Korean troops at a Russian base about to be sent to the front has caused a stir in the West On Thursday evening, Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, warned that it was now only a matter of days before up to 13,000 North Korean soldiers entered the war and pleaded to the West for a strong response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin is checking the reaction of the West, checking the reaction of Nato countries, the reaction of South Korea, he said of the North Korean troop deployment. The assessment that Pyongyang would soon enter the war was backed up by US officials who have reportedly turned to China to try to use its influence to restrain Kim. Western analysts have said that the quality of North Korean soldiers sent to fight for Russia will be poor and that communication with Russian units will be complicated. The North Korean soldiers are likely to be conscripts with no Russian language skills and no combat experience, used by the Kremlin as cannon fodder for its mass infantry tactics. 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. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui promised that North Korea would stand with Russia "until the day of victory" during talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Nov. 1. Choe's visit comes as 8,000 North Korean troops are reportedly preparing to enter combat alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast. "Our traditional, historically friendly relations, which have traveled the tested path of history, today ... are rising to a new level of relations of invincible military comradeship," Choe told Lavrov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Choe went on to praise Russian President Vladimir Putin's "wise leadership" and said North Korea is convinced Russia will "achieve a great victory in their sacred struggle to protect the sovereign rights and security interests of their state." "And we also assure that until the day of victory we will firmly stand alongside our Russian comrades," she said. Moscow and Pyongyang signed a strategic partnership agreement in June, pledging to provide military support to one another if either comes under attack. The Russian parliament ratified the defense treaty in October, amid reports that North Korea was sending troops along with weapons to aid Russia's war against Ukraine. Kyiv has said that North Korea has sent nearly 12,000 troops to Russia, including 500 officers and three generals, according to Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a press conference on Oct. 31 that at least 8,000 North Korean forces have been deployed to Russia's Kursk Oblast and are expected to participate in active combat in the coming days. "North Korean troops have not yet engaged in combat, but this is a matter of days, not months," Zelensky said on Oct. 31, urging Ukraine's allies to mount a more aggressive response to the Moscow-Pyongyang alliance. "When deployed, they will be pushed forward, sustaining heavy losses, as Russia tries to minimize its own troop mobilization." Choe and Lavrov did not mention the reports of troop deployment in their remarks. Zelensky has said that Russia has confirmed North Korea's direct involvement in the war to the West via military intelligence channels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: A war of two countries against one Zelensky urges Western allies to take decisive action on North Korean troop involvement Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. North Korea launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday, which recorded its longest ever flight time and height in its first test in almost a year. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered the missile test and was at the launch site, calling the launch an appropriate military action to show North Koreas resolve to respond to its enemies moves that have threatened the Norths safety, according to its Defence Ministry. The United States, South Korea and Japan had also identified the weapon as an ICBM and condemned the launch as raising tensions. The launch came as Washington warned that North Korean troops in Russian uniforms are heading toward Ukraine, likely to augment Russian forces and join the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Korea confirmed the launch hours after its neighbours detected the firing of what they suspected was a new, more agile weapon targeting the mainland US. The statement was unusually quick since North Korea usually describes its weapons tests a day after they occur. I affirm that the DPRK will never change its line of bolstering up its nuclear forces, Kim said, according to a North Korean Defence Ministry statement carried by state media. This undated photo provided Dec. 19, 2023, by the North Korean government shows what it says is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) being prepared to launch. - /KCNA South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea could have tested a new, solid-fueled long-range ballistic missile. Missiles with built-in solid propellants are easier to move and hide and can be launched quicker than liquid-propellant weapons. JCS spokesperson Lee Sung Joon said the launch was possibly timed to the US election in an attempt to strengthen North Korea's future bargaining power. He said the North Korean missile was launched on a high angle, causing it to reach more height than distance, apparently to avoid neighbouring countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani told reporters the missile's flight duration of 86 minutes and its maximum altitude of more than 7000 kilometres exceeded corresponding data from previous North Korean missile tests. Lee, the South Korean military spokesperson, said South Korea has a similar assessment on Thursday's launch. Both South Korea and Japan condemned the North Korean launch for posing a threat to international peace and they said they're closely coordinating with the US over the latest North Korean weapons test. Lee said that South Korea and the US plan sufficient bilateral military exercises and trilateral ones involving Japan in response to North Korean threats. North Korean soldiers continue towards Ukraine In the past two years, Kim has used Russias invasion of Ukraine as a window to ramp up weapons tests and threats while also expanding military cooperation with Moscow. South Korea, the US and others have recently accused North Korea of dispatching thousands of troops to support Russias warfighting against Ukraine. They've said North Korea has already shipped artillery, missiles and other convectional arms to Russia. North Korea's possible participation in the Ukraine war would mark a serious escalation. South Korea, the US and their partners also worry about what North Korea could get from Russia in return for joining Russias war against Ukraine. Aside from his soldiers wages, experts say Kim Jong Un likely hopes to get high-tech Russian technology that can perfect his nuclear-capable missiles and build a reliable space-based surveillance system. Kim could also want Russian fighter jets and help to modernise North Korea's conventional weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said North Korean troops wearing Russian uniforms and carrying Russian equipment are moving toward Ukraine, in what he called a dangerous and destabilising development. Austin said the likelihood is pretty high that Russia will use the troops in combat. Austin spoke at a news conference in Washington with South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol last week raised the possibility of supplying Ukraine with weapons while stressing that his government wont sit idle over North Korea's reported troop dispatch. South Korea said Wednesday that North Korea has sent more than 11,000 troops to Russia and that more than 3000 of them have been moved close to battlefields in western Russia. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui pledged to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine "right up to the day of victory" during talks with her counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Friday. "Once again, we promise that we will always stand firmly by the side of our Russian comrades right up to the day of victory," Choe said at the meeting according to the Russian translation of her remarks. Lavrov referred to close cooperation between the two countries' militaries and security services amid reports of the deployment of thousands of North Korean troops in Russia close to the border with Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Choe accused the United States and Ukraine's other Western allies of conducting a long-term war against Russia by supplying arms. Pyongyang did not doubt "that the Russian army and people under the wise leadership of valued President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin will without doubt secure a great victory in their absolute struggle to defend the sovereign rights and interests of state security," she said. On Thursday, the White House said that up to 8,000 North Korean troops had been deployed to Russia's Kursk region on the border with Ukraine. The region was the target of a surprise incursion of Ukrainian troops earlier this year. Washington assumes the North Korean forces will soon be deployed for combat and predicts that more could follow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin has not denied their presence and has noted that Ukraine is also making use of personnel from NATO member countries. North Korea has for months been delivering missiles and shells to Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. North Korean troops are likely to suffer heavy losses in Ukraine, potentially exceeding those of Russia, Estonian Colonel Ants Kiviselg, head of the Estonian Defense Forces Intelligence Center, told the Estonian public broadcaster ERR on Nov. 1. The first North Korean soldiers were deployed to Russia's Kursk Oblast in late October, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) reported earlier. North Korea has sent nearly 12,000 troops to Russia, including 500 officers and three generals, according to HUR. North Korean soldiers are usually trained to fight in mountainous terrain, which means they are not familiar with Ukrainian territory, its climate, and geography, Kiviselg said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Their training does not include combat operations in such conditions, and the training they receive in the Russian Federation is certainly not of a very high level," Kiviselg said. "Therefore, we can expect North Korean units to suffer heavy losses in Ukraine, and probably even more than the Russian Federation's forces have suffered so far." He said that the North Korean troops arrived in Kursk Oblast in "early October," having previously undergone two to four weeks of training. Following this, North Korean soldiers redeployed to the "Ukrainian front," Kiviselg added. "The arrival of North Korean soldiers on the Ukrainian front will likely take place in stages," Kiviselg said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If this additional deployment of (North Korean) units in Russia, their training, and then arrival on the Ukrainian front continues in the long term, it could certainly bring some changes to the front line." Some 8,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia's Kursk Oblast to participate in the war against Ukraine, according to U.S. intelligence. According to the Financial Times, Ukrainian intelligence officials are skeptical regarding the combat effectiveness of the North Korean troops, citing communication issues with their Russian counterparts as the main hurdle Moscow and Pyongyang will have to bridge. North Korea's entry into the war comes when Russia's long and grinding campaign in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast has dramatically gained pace in recent days. Analysts say Russian forces are advancing at a pace not seen since the early months of the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Ukraine facing grim situation in Donetsk Oblast, as Russia claims capture of Selydove Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia's top diplomat on Friday met his North Korean counterpart for talks amid reports that Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to Russia to support its military in the war in Ukraine. Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui's visit to Moscow and her meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov came on the heels of the Pentagon's statement that North Korea has deployed about 10,000 troops to Russia to fight against Ukraine. The Biden administration said Thursday that some 8,000 North Korean soldiers are now in Russia's Kursk region near Ukraines border and are preparing to help the Kremlin fight against Ukrainian troops in the coming days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Western leaders have described the North Korean troop deployment as a significant escalation that could also jolt relations in the Indo-Pacific region. Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang have specified the agenda for Choe's talks in Moscow, but in a closed-door hearing at South Koreas parliament, the Souths spy agency said Choe may be involved in high-level discussions on sending additional troops to Russia and negotiating what the North would get in return. South Korean and Western officials have voiced concern that Russia may offer technology that could advance the threat posed by North Koreas nuclear weapons and missile program. Meeting Choe in Moscow on Friday, Lavrov hailed ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, saying that they have reached an unprecedented high level over the past few years, and proposed discussing the implementation of the strategic partnership agreement the two nations signed earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will have discussions on a series of issues regarding politics and foreign policy as well as matters that require a joint response between the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation, Choe said, invoking the Norths formal name. She reiterated Pyongyang's support "for the just fight of Russias military and people to defend their countrys sovereign rights and security interests in Ukraine. Moscow and Pyongyang have responded vaguely to South Korean and Western claims of the North Korean troop deployment to Russia, emphasizing that their military cooperation conforms with international law, without directly admitting the presence of the Norths forces in Russia. The United States and its allies also have accused North Korea of providing millions of artillery shells and other equipment to Russia to fuel its military action in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia, along with China, has blocked U.S.-led efforts at the U.N. Security Council to tighten sanctions on North Korea over its recent missile testing, which intensified after Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia also vetoed a U.N. resolution to extend the mandate of monitors in March, in a move that effectively abolished oversight by U.N. experts of Security Council sanctions against North Korea. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol last month raised the possibility of supplying Ukraine with weapons while saying Seoul is preparing countermeasures that could be rolled out in stages depending on the degree of military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. South Korea, a growing arms exporter, has provided humanitarian aid and other nonlethal support to Ukraine and joined U.S.-led economic sanctions against Moscow. It has so far resisted calls by Kyiv and NATO to directly supply Ukraine with weapons, citing a longstanding policy of not providing arms to countries engaged in active conflict. In other developments: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia launched three aviation missiles and 48 drones of various types, including Shaheds, at Ukraine overnight, the Ukrainian air force said. One missile and 31 drones were intercepted, 14 drones were jammed and three drones flew to the territory of Belarus, the air force said in a report on Friday morning. Several civilian facilities, as well as apartment buildings and private houses in Poltava, Cherkasy, Kyiv and Odesa regions were damaged by drone debris. The Russian military on Friday said it intercepted and destroyed a total of 83 Ukrainian drones over four Russian regions near the border with Ukraine and the annexed Crimean Peninsula. In the Bryansk region, a drone hit a residential block, local authorities said. No casualties were reported. In the Stavropol region, a drone hit an oil depot, according to local officials. Unconfirmed media reports said the depot caught fire. Lavrov plans to attend an international meeting in December in Malta, which would be his first trip to a European Union country since the start of the war, the newspaper Vedomosti cited ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying. Lavrov plans to make the trip for a gathering of foreign ministers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, according to the report. The OSCE includes countries strongly opposed to the Ukraine war, including the U.S. and many European nations, as well as Moscow's supporter Belarus and former Soviet Central Asian states that have taken neutral stances. NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) The City of Northampton confirmed a feral cat found in the Florence area tested positive for rabies. According to the citys health department, the feral cat was described as large, black, and long-haired, and was found in the area around Clement Street in Florence on Saturday. The positive rabies test results were released on Wednesday at the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory. South Hadley Council on Aging host Winter Preparedness Mini Fair Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Signs of rabies in animals include fearfulness, aggression, seizures, and excessive drooling. Rabies can spread through the saliva through a bite, scratch, fresh wound, feeding, or through cat saliva to the eyes or mouth of infected animals. The best way to protect yourself from rabies is to not approach or touch wild animals, vaccinate your pets, and get immediate treatment if you are exposed. You are not at risk of rabies if you did not have contact with the foxs saliva. If you were in contact with the cat between Wednesday, October 16th and Saturday, October 26th you are asked to contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at 617-983-6800 or your local healthcare provider for a risk assessment. If your pet was in contact with the cat, you are asked to contact the Northampton Animal Control Officer at 413-587-1100 or email aco@northamptonma.gov. What is rabies? Rabies is a very serious disease that affects the brain and spinal cord of mammals (if an animal has hair or fur, it is a mammal). Cats, dogs, raccoons, coyotes and foxes are mammals, as are people. Rabies is caused by a virus and almost always causes death. Rabies is usually a disease of animals, but it can spread from an infected animal to a person. How is rabies spread? Rabies spreads when an animal with rabies bites another animal or person. The rabies virus is in the saliva (spit) of infected animals. Infected animals can also spread rabies if their saliva gets into a scratch or other wound, or the eyes, nose or mouth of another person or animal. Does rabies cause death in people in the U.S.? Yes, but it is very rare for people to get rabies in the United States. Of the 55,000 people who die of rabies every year around the world, only one or two of those deaths occur in the United States. How common is rabies in animals in Massachusetts? Fairly common. Since 1992, more than 5,000 animals have tested positive for rabies in Massachusetts. Most of these cases occurred in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, woodchucks and foxes, but every year some pets (especially cats) and farm animals also get rabies. Fortunately, there is a vaccine to protect dogs and cats from rabies. Can you tell if an animal is rabid? You cannot tell if an animal has rabies just by looking at it. Rabid animals may act strangely after the virus affects their brains, or they may seem just fine. Sometimes, rabid animals may aggressively attack people or other animals. Sometimes, a test is done on an animals brain to find out if it had rabies. How is rabies prevented in people? After a person is exposed to rabies, they can be given shots (called immune globulin) around the bite or scratch to help fight the virus where it entered the body. They will also get 4 or 5 vaccinations (shots) in their arm over several weeks. These shots will also help the person fight the virus. As long as the shots are given before the person starts to get sick, this will prevent them from getting rabies. If a person does not get the shots and then gets sick with rabies, there is no effective treatment. Rabies is almost always fatal at that point. What should you do if you think youve been exposed to rabies? If you are bitten or scratched by an animal: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wash the wound with soap and water right away for ten minutes Call your health care provider or local board of health. They can help you determine if you need to be treated for a rabies exposure Your local animal control officer may be able to catch the animal that scratched or bit you. Wild animals should be tested immediately for rabies. Cats, dogs, ferrets and cows can be watched for 10 days. If they stay healthy, they did not expose you to rabies What should you do if you think your pet has been exposed to rabies? If your pet is bitten or scratched by another animal: Call your veterinarian to help you determine if the animal needs medical attention. Your local animal control officer may be able to catch the animal that scratched or bit your pet. Wild animals should be tested immediately for rabies. In some cases, it may be necessary to confine your animal and watch it to see if it develops signs of rabies. Your local animal inspector can help you determine if this is necessary. How can you help prevent rabies in Massachusetts? Teach children to never approach animals they dont know even if they appear friendly. Report any animal that behaves oddly to your local animal control official. Enjoy wild animals from a distance. Do not keep wild animals as pets. This is against the law in Massachusetts. Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies. By law, all dogs, cats and ferrets must be regularly vaccinated against rabies. Dont feed or water your pets outside. Even empty bowls will attract wild and stray animals. Keep your pets in a fenced yard or on a leash and do not let them roam freely. Keep your garbage securely covered. Open garbage will attract wild or stray animals. Keep your chimney capped and repair holes in attics, cellars, and porches to help keep wild animals like bats and raccoons out of your home. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Overnight storms have triggered floods and landslides in south-western Norway, local media reported on Friday, the latest country in Europe to be hit by severe weather. The rainfall subsided on Friday morning, meteorologist Julie Solsvik Vagane told broadcaster NRK, but flood and landslide warnings remain in place. So far no one has been reported missing or injured due to the storms, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Access to the town of Odda - home to some 5,000 people some 60 kilometres south-east of Bergen - was cut off on Friday morning after a bridge collapsed. All other access roads to the town were closed due to the storms. The mayor of Odda described the situation as "dramatic" when speaking to news agency NTB on Thursday evening. A cellar belonging to the historic Hotel Ullensvang north of Odda was flooded overnight, NRK reported. Numerous antiques and works of art were said to be stored in the hotel's basement. On Friday afternoon, the storm had moved on to Sweden. The Swedish meteorological service warned of strong winds with local squalls, especially in the south and east of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several train connections were suspended, and at times more than 12,000 households in southern Sweden were affected by power outages, electricity provider E.ON said. It comes after more than 200 people were killed by devastating floods in Spain earlier this week, with dozens still missing. LAKELAND Less than an hour after being raped by her adoptive father along the side of a country road, the 13-year-old girl stood in the darkness, clutching the cell phone that held video and photographic evidence of his crime. Preparing to dial 911, the girl paused, thinking back to a year earlier, when she had gone to law enforcement to report Henry Cadles sexual abuse, only to have an investigator from the Polk County Sheriffs Office accuse her of lying. Taylor Cadle worried: Would that happen again? Still, she overcame her fears and made the call in 2017, and hours later she saw Henry Cadle being led from their home in handcuffs, the last time she would ever see him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor Cadle remained anonymous until Tuesday night, when PBS NewsHour carried a 10-minute segment exploring her story in a manner critical of the Polk County Sheriffs Office. The story has since spread on social media, gaining more than 1 million views on TikTok as of Friday. Its definitely scary but also, like, very shocking that it has reached this much attention, Taylor Cadle said. The NewsHour segment emphasized that Taylor felt it necessary to gather evidence on her own to prove that her adoptive father had raped her. She took those brave actions knowing that about a year earlier, the Polk County Sheriffs Office not only declined to arrest Henry Cadle but charged Taylor with filing a false report. At the suggestion of her adoptive mother Henry Cadles wife Taylor pled guilty. As part of her probation, she was required to write letters of apology to Henry Cadle and to Polk County Sheriffs Deputy Melissa Turnage, the officer who interviewed her after the original complaint. Taylor Cadle, 21, said she has never received an apology from anyone with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for an investigator's failure to believe her allegations of rape made against her adoptive father in 2016. She was charged with filing a false report, though a year later she gathered evidence proving that Henry Cadle raped her. Rachel de Leon, a reporter with the Center for Investigative Reporting, based in San Francisco, spent about a year communicating with Taylor before the segment ran on PBS NewsHour. De Leon, featured in the 2023 Netflix documentary Victim/Suspect, specializes in reporting on cases of girls and women who face charges after law-enforcement authorities discount their allegations of sexual assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As The Ledger reported in 2017, Henry Cadle pleaded no contest to sexual battery on a child 12-18 years of age. Circuit Judge Keith Spoto sentenced him to 17 years in prison, along with lifetime probation and a designation as a sexual predator. De Leon reported that the Polk County Sheriffs Office declined her request to interview Sheriff Grady Judd for her report, and Turnage who is still with the agency did not respond to her inquiries. Judd declined an interview request Wednesday from The Ledger through his spokesperson, Scott Wilder. We refused comment to The Center for Investigative Reporting because it became clear they were not interested in accurately reporting an investigation that occurred in 2016, Wilder said in an email. They produced a story with half-truths and a misleading narrative. Henry Cadle was arrested by our agency in 2017 for custodial sexual battery of a minor and he was convicted and sentenced to 17 years in Florida State Prison. Abuse began at age 9 Sitting on the screened patio of her North Lakeland mobile home Wednesday afternoon, Taylor Cadle, now 21, reflected on her experiences with a mixture of lingering anger and mature acceptance. An elfin woman with dark hair and alert brown eyes, she said she has found contentment amid a quiet life with her fiance and her two children, ages 3 and 10 months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor described a chaotic early life with her biological mother. We never had a stable home growing up, she said. We always were either homeless, or we were sleeping on other people's couches. We were sleeping in our car. I never had a place to call home until I was adopted. Authorities removed Taylor from her mother when she was 7, and she spent the next two years shifting through foster care placements before being adopted by her great-uncle, Henry Cadle, and his wife. Cadle began abusing Taylor when she was 9, within months of her arrival in the home, according an affidavit from Cadles 2017 arrest. Taylor told an investigator of a time when she was sick and sleeping on her adoptive parents bed, and Cadle began rubbing her back before molesting her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor did not report the incident for fear of being sent back to foster care, an experience she said had been traumatic. The sexual abuse progressed, and one Sunday morning, when Taylor was 12, she arrived at the familys church in tears, drawing the attention of a youth pastor. Taylor divulged what Cadle had been doing to her, and the pastor called the police. The Polk County Sheriffs Office sent a team to the church, and Turnage led the interviews, Taylor said. Turnage conducted a series of separate interviews with the girl and her parents at difference locations, Taylor said, and appeared swayed by her parents descriptions of her as materialistic and a brat. Rachel de Leon, a reporter with the Center for Investigative Reporting, is featured in the Netflix documentary "Victim/Suspect." She reported on the case of Taylor Cadle, who was charged with filing a false report after accusing her adoptive father of raping her. From the beginning, Taylor said, Turnage spoke to her as if she were an adult, showing no compassion or sensitivity to her allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She looked me in my face numerous times and told me I was lying, that there was no evidence, that they couldn't find anything, that I was going to go back to foster care, that I was turning everybody's world upside down, Taylor said. She never once listened to me, and from the moment that I met her to the last time I had ever spoken with her, she was rude. She spoke to me like I was an adult. There was never a time where she tried to be gentle, tried to see things from my eyes, or anything like that. Taylor told investigators that Cadle had stopped at a store to buy a box of condoms and had later parked along the road and raped her. She said Turnage told her that the Sheriffs Office could not find surveillance footage showing Cadles truck at the store she named and questioned her for not being able to recall what brand of condoms Cadle bought, among other details. The NewsHour story included audio of Turnage interviewing Taylor. If you're mad because you got your phone taken away, lets say that now and be done with it, Turnage said in a flat tone. Do you want to go live back in foster care? Because more than likely, if he's arrested, they're not going to let you stay there. But if it's not the truth, you're fixing to hurt a lot of people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor was taken to a hospital for a sexual assault forensic examination but said she was not told of the results. The tests detected no semen in Taylors underwear and no male DNA in the sample, according to records from the first investigation of Cadle, provided by the Center for Investigative Reporting. Those test results were used to support the charge of filing a false report. The Ledger requested Turnages personnel file Wednesday and had not received it by Friday. Taylor said that she believed her background in foster care made sheriffs deputies less likely to believe her allegations. I was definitely angry, Taylor said. I was a scared preteen that was looking her (Turnage) in the face and bawling my eyes out, and I'm telling her, I'm not lying. This happened. This is where it happened. And it's like she was looking right through me, like everything that I was saying was going in one ear and out the other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Faced with unrelenting skepticism, and afraid of being sent back into foster care, Taylor eventually recanted her story and faced a charge of filing a false report. As she prepared to enter a court hearing, her adoptive mother told her that she had three options: guilty, not guilty or no contest. Taylor did not know what no contest meant, and her mother suggested that she plead guilty and put the matter behind them. Taylor, who had been living with an older sister in Tampa, moved back with her adoptive parents like nothing ever happened. Her probation agreement required her to write letters of apology to Henry Cadle and Turnage. I wrote enough to make it look like an apology, but I also didn't write a whole page of, I'm so sorry. I was mad, she said. Like, that wasn't the case. You did what you did, and you know you did. And in my head, I almost wonder what he felt like, receiving an apology letter, knowing what he did. Teen captures own evidence Taylor said she did not fear violent retaliation from Cadle, thinking he was secure in having gotten away with his crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About a month after Taylors court appearance, she joined Cadle on a drive to his business and as he dropped off a customer. As they headed home, Cadle stopped at a store, saying he needed to get a drink. When he reentered his truck and tossed a pack of condoms on the seat, Taylor then 13 realized what he had planned. If I'm going to be honest with you, I never thought he would have been stupid enough to try it again, she said. I genuinely thought that I would have been 18 years old and packing my bags, moving out of that house, because he completely got away with it. I guess he didn't think I'd say anything, because I wasn't believed the first time. As Cadle drove, Taylor frantically considered ways she might capture evidence she could present to authorities. I had about 10 to 15 minutes to come up with a plan, from the time that we stopped at the store to the time that he pulled over because every time that he had pulled over, it was always in the same spot, she said. So, from then, I knew that I had to come up with something, and I had to come up with something fast. Taylor Cadle of North Lakeland checks her phone Wednesday afternoon, looking at a TikTok post that shared the PBS NewsHour report about her case. She was charged with filing a false report in 2016, though a year later she gathered evidence proving that Henry Cadle, her adoptive father, had raped her. As she sat beside Cadle in the passenger seat, Taylor thought of the evidence the Sheriffs Office could not verify from her previous allegation the time, the location, the condoms. While playing games on her mobile phone, she opened her camera application, which allowed her to take pictures by touching any point on the screen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Cadle parked near the junction of Rockridge Road and Deen Still Road in North Lakeland and left the truck, Taylor took a quick photo of the radios clock. She recorded a video snippet of Cadle walking outside the truck. As her father ordered her to lie with her head on the center console, Taylor surreptitiously snapped photos while Cadle exposed himself. A quick glance confirmed that Taylor had captured at least one incriminating image. Cadle barked at her to put the phone away, and she said she was just closing some apps. She worried that if Cadle realized she had taken photos, he would discard her phone and she would lose the evidence she needed and she would be trapped in a house with a monster until I was 18. Taylor, who weighed about 80 pounds, considered trying to fight off the 200-pound Cadle, but a thought occurred to her: I told myself, in my mind, basically, If I'm going to get this evidence to somebody, I have to be alive for it. So I let it go just kind of sat there and held it in. After Cadle finished his act and returned to the truck, Taylor carefully observed him out of the corner of her eye, mentally marking the spot where he tossed napkins he had used to wipe himself and where he threw out a pair of unused condoms. She secretly kicked the condom package under her seat to save as further evidence. Would she be believed? When Cadles truck arrived at their isolated home, Taylor volunteered to walk the familys two dogs not a task she normally performed so that she could be alone with her phone. She confirmed that she had captured images that would incriminate Cadle. She prepared to call 911. So I walked the dogs, and basically, in my mind, I was like, I'm not going to do this. I'm not going to do this. If I do this, they're not going to believe me again, she said. I had probably a 5-, 10-minute conversation with myself, whether or not I was going to do this. I finally worked up the courage to do it, because I knew once I dialed it and clicked call, there was no going back at that point. And again now or never. Taylor made the call and talked to an emergency operator. Worried that her parents would grow suspicious, she ended the call and went inside, where she anxiously awaited the possible arrival of Polk County sheriffs deputies. I'm pacing around the house, crying, Taylor recalled. I didn't know what was going to happen this time, because I knew what happened the first time. But I kept telling myself, I have evidence. I have evidence. I have evidence. But the trauma that they caused me the first time I still convinced myself that I wasn't going to be believed. When a team from the Polk County Sheriffs Office arrived, heeding Taylors plea to avoid using sirens, she was relieved to see that the unit did not include Turnage. The deputies, all men, seemed shocked by the photos on her phone, she recalled. Still, she waited hours in the darkness, standing outside and sitting in sheriffs office vehicles, before the deputies arrested Cadle. And then, at some point, I was sitting in the cruiser, and I see him, handcuffed, walk by the car, back to the car behind us, Taylor said. And then I seen them back down the driveway, and I never seen him again. Cadles plea of no contest spared Taylor from having to testify at a trial. Court records show that the State Attorneys Office for the 10th Judicial Circuit filed a motion to vacate the previous case and withdraw Taylors guilty plea. The office then entered a no prosecution order, dismissing the charge against her. The false information has since been determined to be true, the order stated. The Ledger asked the Polk County Sheriffs Office about the training given to deputies on how to interview minors who may be victims of sexual abuse and whether the agency has changed any policies or training since Cadles arrest. The communications office did not respond to those questions. No one from the Polk County Sheriffs Office ever apologized to Taylor or acknowledged any errors in investigating her initial complaint, she said. She considered filing a lawsuit but said that she assumes too much time has passed now to take action. Learning to love herself For a long time after Cadles arrest, Taylor carried a deep bitterness, she said. I was, for lack of better words, hell on wheels, she said. I didn't know how to love. I didn't know how to be loved. I was mean, I was angry with anybody and anything. Like, it didn't matter who you were, what you were, why you wanted to talk to me. I hated everybody. I had a very I don't care mindset. Taylor has seen many counselors, starting during her time in foster care. She was ordered to undergo anger management therapy after the Sheriffs Office charged her with making a false report in 2016, on the assumption that she fabricated the allegation out of anger toward her adoptive parents. She credits that counselor with believing her allegations, even before she was vindicated. Taylor continued to live with her adoptive mother until she turned 18. She got pregnant at 16 but took classes online and managed to graduate on time from Florida Virtual School. She has worked as a cook and host in a restaurant, but after she became pregnant with her daughter last year, her fiance persuaded her to give up working. When de Leon first got in touch with Taylor last year, she at first thought it was a scam. After confirming de Leons identity and watching Victim/Suspect, which made her cry, Taylor engaged in a series of conversations that led to the PBS NewsHour story. And I was like, Wait, is this actually happening? she said. Like, am I going to get a chance to tell my story? As for her motivation: Little me wants the department to know the things that they put me through, the trauma that like, specifically, Melissa Turnage, the trauma that she gave me from not listening to me, not believing me, not speaking to me as, something as simple as speaking to me as a child. A small tattoo in black script above Taylors right ear reads, Love fearlessly. Another on her chest, in a place usually concealed by her clothes, declares, Love myself. Though she still carries emotional residue, Taylor said that her experiences have helped make her the person she is today, a devoted mother in a stable relationship. I have, because of my kids, worked hard to be the person that I am today, and I would say that I am a much better person today for those around me and for myself, especially my kids, Taylor said. But I still hold some sort of baggage. I still have my everyday struggles that I fight through and continue to try to overcome and hope to one day be better, even though what happened will never go away. Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Story of Lakeland woman's rape as teen gains national attention A local sheriffs office lieutenant said he would not protect people who voted for Kamala Harris in social media posts that had a lot of people concerned. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Clark County Sheriffs Office Lieutenant John Rodgers has worked at the Clark County Sheriffs Office for more than 20 years and currently serves as the Road Patrol Supervisor, but recent posts have him, and the department, in hot water. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodgers made posts that he would factor in a persons voting record, in regard to the presidential race, when responding to calls. Some of those posts have been shared more than 250,000 times. In a series of posts shown on News Center 7 at 5:00, Rodgers said things like I am sorry. If you support the Democrat Party I will not help you and The problem is that I know which of you supports the Democratic Party and I will not help you survive the end of days. Another post indicated people would need to provide proof of who you voted for if they asked Rodgers for help. News Center 7 reached out to the sheriffs office on Friday and Chief Deputy Mike Young sent a statement about their investigation into the posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is understood that while these comments are highly inappropriate, they in no means reflect the Clark County Sheriffs Office delivery of service to ALL our community and does not reflect the mission and values of the Sheriffs Office. The community has a right to be upset over the actions of Lt. Rodgers and he, as well as the Sheriffs Office in general, will have to work even harder to replenish the trust of members of our community, the statement read in part. The statement referenced a possible medical issue involved in Rodgers actions. News Center 7 also obtained the investigative file and discovered in an inter-office communication with supervisors, Rodgers wrote, I do not remember writing these posts or deleting any posts. Rodgers also wrote that he had been prescribed sleep aids by his doctor to help with a sleeping disorder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It does cause some of my communication to be out of character which is a documented side effect, Rodgers wrote. The department apologized for Rodgers behavior and said he received a written reprimand for a violation of the departments social media policy and will remain on duty. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] NEW YORK (PIX11) Jordan Neelys family sat in the back of a Manhattan courtroom and painfully watched a video of their loved one lying motionless with his eyes glazed over on a subway floor as officers tried to revive him frantically. Some couldnt take their eyes off the screen. Some teared up and looked away. Hes not breathing, an NYPD officer said as another cop was desperately doing chest compressions until her long brown hair unraveled from its bun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More Local News The scene went on for several minutes and was caught on police body-worn camera footage played for the jury Friday in the trial of Daniel Penny, the 25-year-old Marine veteran accused of putting Neely, 30, in a deadly chokehold during an encounter on an uptown F train in Lower Manhattan last year, prosecutors said. He used far too much force for far too long. He went way too far, Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran said during opening arguments. Neely, who was homeless and suffering from mental illness, got on to the F train in the Broadway-Lafayette station on May 1, 2023, and was frightening passengers with his loud, erratic behavior while demanding food and drinks, according to prosecutors and the defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The whole incident happened in 30 seconds. But Penny allegedly held Neely in a chokehold for nearly six minutes, including the last 51 seconds when Neely was unconscious and stopped trying to wrestle free, Yoran said. I got him. You can let him go, another man who was helping Penny subdue Neely told him. But he didnt. This is when he killed Mr. Neely, Yoran said. The defense claimed Penny intervened after seeing a psychotic Neely moving toward a woman who was barricading her young son behind the carriage before Neely screamed, I will kill, according to defense attorney Thomas Kenniff. In that moment, Danny could look away and pray, or he could summon the courage to put the safety of his neighbors above that of himself, to protect those who could not protect themselves, and he did the latter, Kenniff said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It doesnt make him a hero. But it doesnt make him a killer. The defense also argued that Penny used as much force as he needed and the defendant loosened his grip when Neely stopped struggling in the two minutes before the 5-minute, 53-second video was taken by another passenger. He was not squeezing that whole time because [Neely] wouldve been unconscious in the first two minutes, Kenniff said. The lawyer said Penny was pleading with fellow passengers to call the police and that he kept holding Neely because the man periodically flailed or tried to get up. When officers arrived at the scene, Penny, who has a green belt in martial arts, told them, I put him out, according to prosecutors and the body cam footage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cops and emergency personnel spent about 20 minutes trying to resuscitate Neely, who was pronounced dead at the hospital. The medical examiner ruled he died of asphyxiation. Penny, dressed in a navy blue suit and met with demonstrators on his way into court, was charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. The jury has to decide if his actions, not intent, were reckless, prosecutors said. The trial is expected to last four weeks. Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She has been with PIX11 News for two years. See more of her work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. **News Release Submitted by Easton First Selectman Bindelglass** Nov. 1, 2024 Good afternoon, Many of you received a somewhat cryptic and disturbing letter from the Aquarion Water Company regarding lead in pipes connecting to your houses water system. I have spoken to the water company and have been told several things. While the water company owns the water mains, from the house to the road is owned by the homeowner. If you have a well, this does not apply at all. Houses built after 1960, I am told, are unlikely to have lead pipes. The initiative to inventory what types of pipe are where is being driven by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They mandate much of the wording. For more information please see below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is a link to the service line inventory map: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/90037ef48d37404ea44e09efaaddd588. Any resident in our service territory can look up their address to see what we have on record for their service line (both customer and utility side). Aquarion's website has a comprehensive set of lead information as well: https://www.aquarionwater.com/water-quality/learn-about-lead This is a great resource. Also, here is a link to the Consumer Confidence Report for the most recent year for the Bridgeport Main System: https://www.aquarionwater.com/docs/default-source/water-quality/water-quality-reports/ct/2023/bridgeportmain_ccr_2023.pdf?sfvrsn=64d7a1bc_12. Aquarion stresses that they consistently comply with all Federal and State water quality standards, including those for lead. Even if a customer has lead service lines, Aquarion is adjusting the chemistry in the water to prevent corrosion that could result in lead in the tap. Before these new rules, that was the long-standing regulation to protect consumers from lead. The lead service line inventory is a belt and suspenders approach across the country to remove lead from drinking water infrastructure. The water has been, and will continue to be, safe. We are thrilled to announce the Connecticut Paraeducator of the Year as our own Ms. Keysha Evans!! She was also named Paraeducator of the Year in the town of Trumbull. She previously worked at Tashua Elementary School before coming to Samuel Staples Elementary this school year. Trumbull Public Schools Superintendent Martin Semmel called her a shining example. As many Easton parents know, Keysha works for our Extended Day program. What many of you are unaware of, is that Keysha has worked for Easton Park & Recreation Extended Day since 2007. She is the current Director of Extended Day. Keysha was honored at Tashua Elementary School and interviewed by News Channel 8 & 12 on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 View here: https://www.wtnh.com/ and https://connecticut.news12.com/. We are so proud to know Keysha and to have her as part of the Easton Park & Recreation family. Congratulations Keysha, this honor is well deserved! Get ready for the Twelfth Night - William Shakespeare's romantic comedy involves mistaken identities, love, and practical jokes. This version takes place at a beach community in the early 1970s. Presented by the Theater Department at Joel Barlow High School. Shows are scheduled for Friday, November 1st at 7:00 PM, Saturday, November 2nd at 7:00 PM, and Sunday, November 3rd at 2:00 PM at Joel Barlow High School, 100 Black Rock Turnpike, Redding, CT 06896. Friday is student night - free bag of popcorn for students! Visit here for ticket information, or to purchase tickets at the door. $15 adults and $10 students & seniors. JBHS.BookTix.com Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Save the date! Please join us at the Easton Senior Center on Monday, November 4th for a Breakfast (9:30 am) and a Concert (11:00 am) to thank our Veterans. All are welcome. Please call to sign up 203-268-1145. The Senior Centers Annual Holiday Boutique will also be starting on Monday, November 4th at 8:00 am. Cheryl Constand and Piku Barooah are chairing this years boutique and it promises to be sensational due to the wonderful response from our community! The Senior Center will be providing their final vaccinations for Flu, Covid, RSV, pneumonia, and Shingles to local seniors on Friday, November 8th from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (Extensions may be allowed.) Registration is required. The new November Senior Center program has been mailed. Feel free to call for a copy 203-268-1145. Dr. Vivian Hardison, Psychologist and Self-care Expert will be hosting a special workshop Loneliness: How to Conquer it at the Easton Senior Center on Wednesday, November 13th from 11:00 am until noon. Are you ready to explore some new possibilities to experience a more vibrant life? Discussion will include 1) The Power of Your Thoughts, 2) Understanding the Role of Your Emotions, 3) How to Conquer Loneliness, 4) Q&A. Registration is required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Easton Town Hall is partnering with the 300 Boodle Brigade (a West Point parent group) to send holiday care packages to our troops who are deployed overseas during the holidays. Goods may be dropped off at the Town Hall (or at Helen Keller Middle School) by Friday, November 15th. For a list of items to donate please go to: https://www.eastonct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3071/f/pages/holiday_care_packages_for_our_troops.png. Feel free to bring your donations to the Town Hall front desk. To learn more about 300 Boodle Brigade see the following links: Please remember that if you have posted political or event signs, kindly remove them after the date has passed. As I am sure you have heard, Connecticut is in a state of civil preparedness emergency. A ban on all outdoor fires in the Town of Easton has been issued by Easton Fire Marshal Schuyler Sherwood. Please heed this warning. We have a shared obligation to protect our community and our citizens. We ask that everyone remain extremely vigilant and report any concerns immediately by dialing 911. For more information, please click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On October 21st, I had the pleasure of presenting Jennifer Weil, the winner of the Easton Photography Contest! This event is sponsored by the Easton Arts Council. The photo, called House by the Aspetuck, will be permanently displayed at Town Hall. Early Voting is still being held until Sunday, November 3rd from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. in the Easton Public Library Community Room at 691 Morehouse Road, Easton, CT. Election Day voting will be held at Samuel Staples Elementary School on Tuesday, November 5th from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. You can register in person there as well. Our registrars have been working extremely hard so please thank them when you see them. They certainly deserve it. Dont forget to vote! I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween. Best wishes for a great weekend, Dave Nov. 1 Update From Easton First Selectman Bindelglass originally appeared on the Weston-Redding-Easton Patch Strikes planned by London Underground staff in the RMT have been suspended, the union has announced. Workers had been due to walk out on Friday evening and across several dates over the coming weeks in a dispute over pay, sparking fears of severe disruption on the network. However, on Friday afternoon a spokesperson from the union announced they would be suspending the strikes. Planned strikes from the train drivers union Aslef still appear to be scheduled to go ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An RMT spokesperson said: Following intense negotiations with London Underground management and a significantly improved offer, we have suspended the strikes scheduled to start this evening. London Underground have sensibly abandoned their proposed changes to pay structures which now means all our members will receive the same value in any pay award. Further discussions will take place next week regarding the pay offer but progress has been made which would not have been possible without the fortitude and industrial strength of our 10,000 members on London Underground. Before suspending the strikes on Friday, RMT previously said they were prompted to take strike action after rejecting a pay deal, which they deemed as wholly inadequate that left a large number of staff excluded from collective bargaining, which is negotiations between employees and employers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After repeatedly urging London Underground to offer a new deal to cover collective bargaining, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said they had been left with no choice but to take strike action. Claire Mann, Transport for Londons chief operating officer, said: We are pleased that the RMT has suspended its planned industrial action on the London Underground network to allow further talks. We believe that our offer is fair, affordable, good for our colleagues and good news for London. We will continue to work closely with all our trade unions, and urge Aslef to also call off its planned action next week. If it goes ahead, customers should check before they travel as during their strikes on 7 and 12 November, there will be little-to-no service. For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast The final report on a plane crash that killed a Wichita Falls couple on Sept. 13, 2022, cites various factors that likely led to the tragedy with an inexperienced pilot at the controls during thunderstorms. The Federal Aviation Administration had denied a pilots license to Chad Wilson just days before the crash that killed him and wife Brandi, stating he was not eligible for medical certification or for further reconsideration, according to the National Transportation Safety Board's report. Brandi and Chad Wilson The report said the probable cause for the accident was the pilots continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation, a loss of control, exceedance of the airplanes design limitations, and in-flight breakup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chad Wilson, 42, was flying a Piper PA46-310P from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Henderson, Nevada. Brandi, also 42, was a passenger. The final report from the NTSB indicates he was flying into an area of thunderstorms when radar lost track of the plane. Wreckage was later found scattered over a 2-mile area near Seligman, Arizona. More: Plane crash victims' bodies retrieved from site The NTSB said a review of the pilots logbook revealed Chad Wilson had about 47 total hours of flight experience, with about 4 hours of instruction in simulated instrument conditions. Post-mortem examination revealed he had anger and irritability medications in his system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the report concluded the drugs did not affect his handling of the plane since an unimpaired pilot with the pilots relative inexperience would have been likely to lose aircraft control during an encounter with instrument meteorological conditions that is a thunderstorm. The Wilsons were operators of a construction company whose contracts included several with the city of Wichita Falls, as well at least one with Wichita Falls ISD. More: A windy Wednesday kept fire departments hopping with wildfires in Wichita County More: Jury selection remains underway in Anthony Patterson trial This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: NTSB report details cause of crash that killed Chad and Brandi Wilson NEW YORK New York City Department of Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie on Thursday said she has personally asked for an outside investigation of deadlocking extended lock-ins of mentally ill detainees on Rikers Island after reading about it in The New York Daily News. Those are extremely disturbing allegations and upon hearing it, upon reading the article, I personally called the inspector general and referred to them that matter for review, she said at a City Council hearing in her first public comments on deadlocking. I also made it abundantly clear that is against our policy and we have communicated in several meetings that it is prohibited, Maginley-Liddie added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 8, the Daily News published the account of former jail social worker Justyna Rzewinski, who said the practice was common in jail mental health units and often went undocumented. Deadlocking, she said, deprives the detainees of medication and causes them to decompensate, or lose the ability to function. The city Board of Correction will consider a resolution at its Nov. 12 meeting condemning the use of frequent, arbitrary, and unreported individualized involuntary lock-ins. Maginley-Liddie also said she had never heard the term deadlocking. Council Member Tiffany Caban noted that in a recent visit to Rikers Island, a veteran officer told her the term had been in use for a long, long time. Im surprised, given how long youve been working there that youve never heard of that, Caban said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maginley-Liddie has been at Correction for a decade, initially as a lawyer. She was named commissioner in December. Meanwhile, the agency named James Walsh, who previously worked at DOC during Mayor Bill de Blasios tenure, as its new deputy commissioner of security operations, officials confirmed. Walsh replaces Ronald Brereton, who was abruptly ousted and walked away from agency headquarters on Wednesday. DOC has offered little explanation for Breretons removal, but he was under fire from the correction officers union. In a statement, DOC said Walsh will report to Maginley-Liddie and oversee a broad array of units including Central Operations, security intelligence, fire safety, commissary, Correction Industries and Emergency Services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walsh was the deputy commissioner of Adult Programming & Community Partnerships under Joseph Ponte, who was commissioner from 2014 to 2017. The appointment of a former de Blasio era official to a senior post in the jails was interesting because Mayor Eric Adams has often blamed his predecessors administration for problems in the system. In 2015, Walsh touted a 14-point plan to reduce violence in the jails through expanded use of programs. The worst thing in the jail are inmates with nothing productive to do, he told The Wall Street Journal in 2016. Late deciders are more likely to vote for Kamala Harris than Donald Trump because of the way the former president is closing out the election, according to Barack Obamas former campaign manager David Plouffe. Plouffe, now a senior adviser on the Harris campaign, claims Trumps behavior is like nails on a chalkboard to undecided women voters, even some Republicans and Independents. Speaking to CNNs Anderson Cooper, he cited several key issues his data shows might turn people towards Harris in the final few days of the 2024 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the biggest concerns, he says, is Trumps declaration that he might put RFK Jr. in charge of the nations healthcare. With polls still showing a close race in the seven so-called battleground states, Plouffe said he is optimistic because most predictions suggest a tie of around 48-47 points or 47-47, which is still not considering 100 percent of the vote. The question is of the people who have not yet decided who to vote for, who are actually going to vote? he continued. And our sense in the last week is that the people who have made up their mind in the last week were doing quite well with, and we like the people who have yet to make a decision... Its very important to look at who those undecideds are, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plouffe called the Trump campaigns derisive comments about women, Jews, Black people, and Puerto Ricans a terrible way to close a presidential campaign and insisted they do have an impact this late in the race. He said he believes Trump had temper tantrums in Pennsylvania because he was being briefed by his team that they dont like the Pennsylvania numbers. Plouffe believes Trump reacts angrily when he is told he is having problems with women voters and that people believe that Trump is emblematic of chaos and division. He said Trumps suggestion that he will put RFK Jr. in charge of healthcare greatly worries these few percent of voters who havent yet decided to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plouffe said people are worried Trump would be surrounded by the RFKs of the world in the White House. I think that if Im surprised by anything on election night, it will be, that differs from the data that were all seeing, maybe we do a point or two better with women across the board. Theyre obviously more than 50 percent of the vote. Were seeing theyre turning out in large numbers in early vote, so I think theres a potential for that, for sure. That would be with Independent women voters and with Republican women voters. He told the CNN anchor that comments like Trump made about protecting women whether they wanted it or not were like nails on a chalkboard for these voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a final poll in the Detroit Free Press, Harris is three points up on Trump overall, with a four-point lead with Independents. The poll says her lead has grown among women by 5 points since August and by 18 points with Black voters during the same period. An off-duty Cleveland police officer has been suspended after allegedly firing a single shot fired outside of an elementary school on Thursday morning. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Alexander Sinclair, 34, pleaded not guilty on Friday to felonious assault, two counts of kidnapping, and discharge of a firearm on or near a prohibited premise, according to WOIO in Cleveland. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students and staff at Riverview Elementary School in Lake County were placed under lockdown for around an hour on Thursday after a shot was fired in the schools parking lot. The district confirmed the shot was not fired in the direction of the school. Authorities described the incident as a domestic dispute that began off-campus. The victim, who shares a child with Sinclair, said she and Sinclair had gotten into an argument earlier in the day and claimed that he followed her to the school as she was dropping her child off, WKYC reported. Robert Izzo, Lake County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy, said Sinclairs vehicle collided with the victims car before he allegedly got out of his vehicle and went up to the passenger side of the other car. Reports indicated Sinclair then fired a shot through the vehicles windshield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the shot was fired, the schools resource officer ordered Sinclair to drop the weapon. He did and the deputy was able to detain him after a struggle, WEWS reported. In a statement on Friday, the Cleveland Division of Police announced that Sinclair had been suspended. Following the arrest, Alexander Sinclair was relieved of duty and will remain suspended without pay pending the adjudication of the criminal charges, Cleveland police said in a statement obtained by WKYC. Sinclair is being held without bond and is expected to be back in court on Monday. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Investigators patrolling an area last week near the Sacramento International Airport arrested a man driving a vehicle with three large bags allegedly containing more than 66 pounds of fentanyl pills. The Sacramento County Sheriffs Office said the confiscated 330,000 pills is estimated to be enough fentanyl to produce 10 to 15 million lethal doses of the synthetic opioid and kill the everyone living in the Sacramento Metropolitan Area. Can 15 million lethal doses kill the entire Sacramento Metro Area population six times over? Yes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How about 10 million lethal fentanyl doses? Not six times over but four times over. But, it all depends on who is ingesting the fentanyl and whether theyve used the synthetic opioid before, according to federal authorities. Its unclear how much fentanyl is contained in each confiscated pill. But an analysis, using estimates provided by federal authorities for dosages in counterfeit pills, suggests the 330,000 pills could not contain enough fentanyl lethal doses to kill everyone in Sacramento County, let alone the four counties in the metropolitan area. Two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal depending on a persons body size, tolerance and past usage, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Nearly 2.4 million people in 2020 were reported to be living in the Sacramento Metro Area, which encompasses Sacramento, Placer, Yolo and El Dorado counties, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 10 to 15 million lethal doses, sheriffs officials say was confiscated, could be enough fentanyl to kill everyone in the Sacramento Metro Area four or six times over, depending on the amount of lethal doses. A DEA analysis found that counterfeit pills have .02 to 5.1 milligrams of fentanyl per tablet; 42% of pills tested for fentanyl contained at least 2 milligrams of fentanyl, according to federal law enforcement agencys Facts about Fentanyl web page. Assuming that each of the confiscated 330,000 pills contained 5.1 milligrams, a review by The Sacramento Bee determined that the pills seized last in the traffic stop could only produce a maximum of 841,000 lethal doses. Sacramento County has 1.58 million residents, according to the 2020 census. Thats still a lot of fentanyl that can kill. So far this year, 173 people in Sacramento have died from fentanyl, according to the Coroners Office. There were 403 fentanyl deaths in the county last year; 231 in 2022; 215 in 2021; 108 in 2020; 33 reported deaths in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drug dealers mix fentanyl, because of its potency and low cost, with other drugs including heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine, which increases the likelihood of a fatal dose, according to the DEA. Its possible for someone to take a pill without knowing it contains fentanyl or whether it contains a lethal dose of fentanyl. The Sheriffs Office used the Sacramento areas population size to demonstrate how much fentanyl was confiscated and how just a small amount, 2 milligrams, can be deadly. This seizure of fentanyl highlights the very real danger that our community and communities across the country are facing, sheriffs officials said this week in social media posts announcing the fentanyl bust and the arrest. In September, Sheriff Jim Cooper announced his deputies had confiscated 500 grams of fentanyl that newly arrested inmates tried to smuggle into his two jail facilities this year. He said the confiscated fentanyl at the jails was enough to kill everyone living in Elk Grove, which is correct depending on who is ingesting the drug. Investigators in an October 2024 traffic stop near the Sacramento International Airport found and seized 330,000 pills weighing over 60 pounds and suspected of containing 10 to 15 million lethal doses of fentanyl. The fentanyl bust last week near the Sacramento airport was prompted by traffic stop conducted by a sheriffs detective and a California Highway Patrol officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The detective and the officer were working the area as part of the Domestic Highway Enforcement and Regional Enforcement of All Crimes Team, according to the Sheriffs Office. The regional team is a collaborative initiative between the Sacramento Sheriffs Office, the CHP and the Placer County District Attorneys Office. Domestic Highway Enforcement is part of the federal High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program, which incorporates, federal, state and local law enforcement officials. Sheriffs officials said the detective and the officer spotted a Jeep Cherokee commit a moving traffic violation near Interstate 5 and Airport Boulevard. The Sheriffs Office didnt indicate what the traffic violation was. Sheriffs officials said sheriffs K9 Ronan, a drug-detecting dog, alerted the investigators to the odor of narcotics during the stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigators searched the vehicle and found two duffle bags and a shopping bag containing numerous vacuum-sealed packages of M30 fentanyl pills, according to the Sheriffs Office. The investigators said they found over 330,000 pills that weighed more than 66 pounds. Sheriffs officials said the vehicles driver, a 45-year-old man from Washington state, was arrested and later booked at the Yolo County Jail. The largest natural gas utility company in Oregon is being sued by the state for misleading customers about the effects of climate change. The suit is the first to be filed against a utility company for climate-related deception, as The New York Times reported. What's happening? NW Natural has been named by state officials in a $50 billion lawsuit against companies for climate-related deception and contribution to climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit claims that NW Natural, in addition to other companies that include Exxon and Shell, knowingly sold dirty energy products, like natural gas and oil, to customers while covering up and downplaying the adverse effects the products have on the environment. These companies are named as being complicit in a 2021 heat wave that killed at least 69 people, per the Times, and up to 72, per KOIN. The lawsuit said that Multnomah County experienced more than $50 million in immediate damages, contributing to at least $1.5 billion in future economic damages. The lawsuit hopes to claim $50 billion to prevent further harm from climate-related disasters, per the Times. Why is this lawsuit important? According to experts, this is the first instance where a utility company is named in a lawsuit like this. The Center for Climate Integrity vice president of legal and general counsel, Alyssa Johl, told the Times that utility companies are "significant players in the historic and ongoing deception campaigns to mislead the public about the dangers of fossil fuels." While there are no other claims made against other utility companies, they do contribute to a large amount of harmful emissions. The Natural Resources Defense Council said that, per a CDP report, "100 energy companies have been responsible for 71% of all industrial emissions since human-driven climate change was officially recognized." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These harmful emissions can lead to an increase in heat waves and climate-related disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes. They can also contribute to air and water pollution, according to the NRDC. "We're already paying dearly in Multnomah County for our climate crisis with our tax dollars, with our health and with our lives," Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said, per the Times. NW Natural holds to its innocence in this case, according to a statement quoted by the Times: "We believe adding the company to the suit now is an attempt to divert attention from legal and factual flaws in the case. NW Natural will vigorously contest the county's claims should they come to court." What's being done about climate deception? This lawsuit is one of many brought by attorneys general across the country. None have made it to trial because of the decision of whether they should be heard in state or federal courts. According to the New York Times, Republican-led states have also asked the Supreme Court to block these climate-related lawsuits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On a personal level, you can avoid using dirty energy sources like natural gas by switching to solar energy or heat pumps, which can also save money on your electric bills. You can also learn more about greenwashing and avoid deceptive brands and companies. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. CANTON, N.Y. (WWTI) A 21-year-old Ogdensburg man was arrest on Thursday, October 31 for allegedly having a riffle in his car in the parking lot of the St. Lawrence County Courthouse. In a press release from Canton Village Police, they arrested Elliot Roberts and charged him with criminal possession of a weapon in a sensitive area. Guatemalan teen charged with alleged sexual assault in St. Lawrence Co. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the release, authorities received a call of a man with a gun just after 9 a.m. in the courthouse parking lot. A witness stated they found Roberts allegedly leaned his gun against the side of a vehicle. Upon questioning, Roberts denied that he had a weapon. However, he was found to have a warrant from the village of Gouverneur and was taken into custody. A subsequent search allegedly found a .22 caliber riffle, an imitation pistol and various types of ammunition according to police. Roberts was remanded to the St. Lawrence County Jail and held on $10,000 bail. The St. Lawrence County Sheriffs Department and New York State Court Security assisted the Canton Village Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A week after Washington reported human cases of bird flu in the state, officials have announced that three of those cases had traveled to Oregon during their infection and were monitored during their stay. First-ever U.S. pig tests positive for bird flu in Crook County All three cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were reported in Washington after they were exposed to poultry that tested positive for the virus on Oct. 15. As of Thursday, Oct. 31, there have been nine total cases in Washington including those who had traveled to Oregon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PHOTOS: Nine sunken boats removed from Columbia River in St. Helens Oregon Health Authority officials say the cases have returned to Washington and will continue to be monitored by Washington health staff until 10 days following their last exposure. At this time, the risk for the general public remains low, Dr. Melissa Sutton with Oregon Public Health said in a statement. People who have had close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals, or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at increased risk of infection. Washington Department of Health announced another bird flu case that led to 800,000 euthanized birds in Franklin County after they all tested positive on Oct. 15. Another case was recorded at a Clackamas County commercial poultry farm, and those birds were also euthanized to limit the spread of the disease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not clear which Clackamas County poultry facility was impacted in this case, but the ODA said the operation consisted of 150,000 birds. So far, there have been no human cases of HPAI that originated in Oregon. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CINCINNATI, Ohio (WDTN) If youre looking to get into the holiday spirit, a radio station in Cincinnati has started playing Christmas music. While some were playing spooky season music for the ghoulish holiday, Star 93.3 FM in Cincinnati began playing festive music for the holidays on Oct. 31. According to Star 93.3, it is a music genre that is familiar to a majority of people. Christmas music is one of the few types of music that is almost universal. Not everyone listens to Christian music. Nor does everyone listen to country, rock, or pop music. However, Christmas music is different in the fact that almost everyone grew up at one time or another listening to Christmas music. Its familiar to almost everyone! Star 93.3 FM Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mariah Carey, the queen of Christmas, wasnt too far behind, as she revived her Christmas era after breaking free of ice Friday morning at midnight during a social media video. Drivers commuting in the southern parts of the Miami Valley have the ability to reach the radio station in their vehicles and on handheld radios. If you are unable to reach the station, it is available to listen here on iHeartRadio. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. This article was originally published in Ohio Capital Journal. Ohio spent nearly a billion dollars on private school scholarship programs for the 2024 fiscal year, the first full year with near-universal school vouchers. The total scholarship amount for Ohios five private school scholarship programs was $970.7 million, according to final data from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Well more than a third that money ($406.7 million) was from Education Choice Expansion scholarships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think this does have potentially a negative impact on students, on public schools around the margins, as you see those enrollment trends, but then in the big picture, when you have close to a billion dollars in public money thats going to private schools, that means a billion dollars in state money thats not available to meet the needs of the nearly 90% of kids that attend our public schools, said Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The $970.7 million number is higher than the estimated $964.5 million the nonpartisan Ohio Legislative Service Commission predicted when it came to the scholarship programs. The five private school scholarship programs are the Autism Scholarship Program, the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program, the Cleveland Scholarship, the Education Choice Scholarship and the Educational Choice Expansion Scholarship Program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students on the autism spectrum are eligible to receive vouchers up to $32,455 for the Autism Scholarship Program. Students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) from their district are eligible for the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship. The Cleveland Scholarship is for all students living in the boundaries of Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Students living in the boundaries of a low-performing school district are eligible for Education Choice scholarships. Lawmakers expanded the Education Choice-Expansion eligibility to 450% of the poverty line last year through the state budget creating near-universal school vouchers. This means a family of four above the $135,000 income threshold can still be eligible for at least 10% of the maximum scholarship. K-8 students can receive a $6,165 scholarship and high schoolers can receive a $8,407 scholarship in state funding under the expansion. There were 93,159 applicants for the EdChoice Expansion scholarships and 89,794 were awarded scholarships, according to ODEW data. The amount of EdChoice-Expansion scholarship payments more than tripled from fiscal year 2023 to fiscal year 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the traditional EdChoice scholarships, there were 44,020 applicants and 42,779 were awarded scholarships totaling $273.1 million, according to ODEW data. During this time, nonpublic school enrollment increased about 2%, going from 169,807 in fiscal year 2023 to 173,156 in fiscal year 2024, according to ODEW data. Public school enrollment declined slightly dropping about 6,000 students from the 2022-23 school year to the 2023-24 school year. Most of these new EdChoice Expansion scholarships are students who were already attending private schools, DiMauro said. Ohios voucher program started with the Cleveland Scholarships back in 1996. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was intended to help students who didnt have the resources to have options outside of public schools, DiMauro said. (The EdChoice Expansion) is clearly intended to benefit people that had long ago made the decision to send their kids to private schools. In some cases, the universal vouchers have allowed private schools to increase tuition, he said. The increased revenue comes at the expense of the state, DiMauro said. Its the private schools themselves that are directly being subsidized through this program, even more than families are. If private schools are going to accept vouchers, DiMauro wishes there was more transparency when it comes to private school tuition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The OLSC predicts the five scholarship programs payment total will exceed a billion dollars next year. Aaron Churchill, Ohios research director for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, thinks these scholarship payment figures are sustainable year-to-year. I do think we can walk and chew gum at the same time, he said. We can support great public schools. We can provide the resources for them. We can also empower families with greater choice. And I think thats the direction that Ohio is moving. Total payments for the five scholarship programs for the past five fiscal years, according to ODEW data: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement $610.2 million in fiscal year 2023 $554.5 million in fiscal year 2022$444.5 million in fiscal year 2021$394.2 million in fiscal year 2020$346.6 million In fiscal year 2019 Remaining scholarships For the Cleveland Scholarship this fiscal year, there were 8,626 applicants and 8,361 scholarships were given totaling $53.6 million, according to ODEW data. There were 5,610 applicants for the Autism Scholarship and 5,385 were awarded for $141.7 million, according to ODEW data. For the Jon Peterson Scholarship, there were 9,439 applicants and 9,082 scholarships were awarded, totaling $95.6 million, according to ODEW data. Ohio Capital Journal is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Ohio Capital Journal maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor David Dewitt for questions: info@ohiocapitaljournal.com. Follow Ohio Capital Journal on Facebook and X. In a 4-3 decision issued Friday, the Ohio Supreme Court upheld a 60-year prison sentence for a man who went on a two-month kidnapping and robbery spree in Hamilton County. Ohio's criminal sentencing system allows trial court judges to give people convicted of multiple crimes sentences that run either concurrently or consecutively. This can swing prison time from a few years to a few decades. Tommy Glover got a 60-year stacked sentence for forcing people at gunpoint to take him to ATMs and withdraw money. Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Jody Luebbers ruled that consecutive sentences were needed to protect the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier story: 'If you're lying to me I will kill you.' Man accused in St. Bernard kidnapping incident Glover appealed, arguing that the lengthy sentence wasnt based on the case record. He won a partial victory at the 1st District Court of Appeals, but prosecutors then asked the Ohio Supreme Court to overturn that decision. On Friday, the supreme court reversed the appellate court, deciding that Luebbers had followed state law on consecutive sentences. In the bigger picture, the decision will continue to limit appellate courts' ability to review criminal sentences issued at the trial court level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justice Joseph Deters, who was Hamilton County prosecutor on the Glover case, did not recuse himself. It's the second time that the high court has limited review by appellate courts. In a case brought Susan Gwynne, the court upheld a 65-year prison sentence for non-violent theft crimes. Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio Supreme Court limits appeals court review of criminal sentences Attorney General Gentner Drummond speaks during Public Schools Day at the Oklahoma Capitol on Feb. 28. Friday, he terminated a contract for outside legal counsel hired by Gov. Kevin Stitt for the mental health commissioner in a mental health competency lawsuit. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond removed on Friday attorneys hired by the governor to intervene in a mental health competency lawsuit. Allie Friesen, mental health commissioner, and Gov. Kevin Stitt have disagreed with Drummond on accepting a landmark mental health settlement that was given preliminary approval by a federal judge in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A board chaired by Stitt rejected a landmark mental health settlement in October, pushing back against the opinions of Drummond. Prior to the meeting, Friesens office announced it would be terminating Drummond as counsel because he was failing to prioritize her or her agency. Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Allie Friesen speaks to news reporters after a Contingency Review Board meeting Oct. 8. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) The settlement was unveiled in June and is intended to settle a lawsuit alleging the mental health department is failing to provide timely court-ordered competency restoration treatment and violating the rights of defendants, who are mostly indigent, declared incompetent to stand trial, and being held in county jails. According to court documents, a contract with Friesens substitute counsel was authorized by Stitt Monday. Attorneys from Hall Estill law firm appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma on behalf of Friesen Friday. In response to Drummonds action, a spokesperson for the mental health department said in a statement they remain focused on continuing our mission to provide the highest quality of care for all Oklahomans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Governors Office did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication. Stitt notified Drummonds office of his approval of the contract with Hall Estill law firm Thursday, citing an irreconcilable conflict of interest between the Mental Health Department and the Office of the Attorney General as a reason for needing substitute counsel. After their initial appearances, Drummond filed in court Friday to strike their appearances and terminate the firms contract. Drummond did not authorize the firm to represent Friesen in her official capacity as Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and Debbie Moran, in her official capacity as executive director of the Oklahoma Forensic Center, according to the motion. Drummond said that Friesen and Moran were sued in their official capacities which effectively makes this a suit against the State. Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks at the Disagree Better Summit held at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum on Aug. 14. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) In a letter Drummond sent to Stitt Friday, he referenced a precedent from the Oklahoma Supreme Court that gives the Oklahoma Attorney General complete dominion over every litigation in which he properly appears in the best interest of the State without explicit legislative or constitutional expression to the contrary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the letter to Stitt, Drummond said his client is the State of Oklahoma which includes Friesen and Moran in their official capacities. He said he will continue to represent them in their official capacities. Drummond said to Friesen in an email Oct. 9 that he recommended she find outside counsel for her deposition not related to her official capacity due to concerns she would perjure herself. This office will not represent you and serve your personal interests while being distracted from serving the States best interests under these circumstances, Drummond said in the email. The governor and attorney general have previously had disagreements over tribal issues, dual office holdings and the creation of a publicly funded Catholic charter school. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) An Oklahoma lawmaker who has been adamant and a strong supporter towards locking the clock and adopting a permanent Daylight Saving Time, is calling for action. Senator Blake Cowboy Stephens (R-Tahlequah), who served as an author for a trigger bill this year to adopt permanent Daylight Saving Time in Oklahoma, called for Congressional action on Thursday. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Oklahoma approves the adoption of permanent Daylight Saving Time Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, Oklahoma joined 19 other states who have passed legislation in support of permanent Daylight Saving Time. As other states continue to pursue legislative action to lock the clock, I am confident that we are building strength in numbers and that Congress will soon see how widespread the support for permanent DST is across the nation, said Sen. Stephens. I look forward to continuing discussions with Oklahomas federal delegation and other leaders in Washington to encourage them to support locking the clock and end the redundant and archaic practice of changing our clocks twice a year. Senate Bill 1200 was approved by the House of Representatives earlier this year on April 23 and was ceremonially signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt on July 31. Even though SB 1200 was signed and approved in Oklahoma, provisions for the bill will not take place until it is passed by federal legislation. 20 states have enacted the Daylight Saving legislation: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahoma Louisiana Colorado Minnesota Wyoming Montana Utah Idaho Washington Oregon Mississippi Alabama Florida Georgia South Carolina Tennessee Kentucky Ohio Delaware Maine As Daylight Saving Time ends, I encourage Oklahomans to take note of the effects that the time change has on themselves and their families, Stephens added. Losing an hour of daylight in the evenings can take a toll on both mental and physical health as the time change limits opportunities for outdoor exercise or leisure activities in the evenings. This is just one of many harmful effects of the bi-annual time change, as heart attacks, sleeping issues, depression, and other health problems are also known to increase following the switch. On Sunday, November 3, Daylight Saving Time will end as 48 states will turn their clocks back one hour. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Signs direct voters at an Omaha polling place in a church basement. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) A nail-biter of a congressional race. Dueling abortion ballot measures. A presidential election so close it has spurred talk that Nebraskas unique electoral vote split could meaningfully tip the scales. These issues, local to both the blue dot of Omaha and red state of Nebraska, mirror the national picture in attention, vitriol and, safe to say, general anxiety about how and whether political talk turns into violent action. But given our position as a bipartisan city, in the center of our divided nation, Omahans are in a unique position to both observe the threat and work together to counter it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But first, we need to understand what were up against. Images this week of arson attacks on ballot drop boxes in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, were unsettling. But consider other threats: In Philadelphia, a man was arrested for allegedly threatening to skin alive an elections poll worker. In Oklahoma City, an Afghan national was accused of plotting an ISIS-inspired attack on Election Day. And in Washington, D.C., intelligence officials warned that hostile foreign governments were trying to sow discord and shape the outcome of U.S. elections. In 2024 so far, 93 individuals have been federally charged for threatening public officials across the nation. More than one-third of the victims are either in elected office or run elections. This total number marks a 12-year-high, according to an ongoing study we are conducting at the University of Nebraska at Omaha-based National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE) and Chapman University. This sad milestone is likely to be eclipsed by the years end. The rising number of criminal cases appears to have no end in sight, straining law enforcement resources and keeping the fire lit on the slow burn threatening our democracy. Meanwhile, the Islamic State has not given up its interest in attacking the United States. In addition to the recent arrest in Oklahoma, the FBI says it is managing thousands of active investigations in all 50 states. One of its affiliates, IS-K, recently released propaganda targeting elected officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consider state actors. At a time when our national politics are increasingly polarized, hostile foreign governments are doing their best to throw gasoline on an already raging domestic fire. In September, three federal agencies the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released a joint statement that warned about interference from Russia, Iran and China. These nations benefit by exacerbating divisions in U.S. society and see election periods as moments of vulnerability. In September, the Justice Department disrupted Russian-sponsored influence operations, seizing 32 internet domains with the primary purpose of promoting disinformation to influence the general election and spur violence. Weve seen efforts to disturb our democratic processes in the past, but having worked on these issues both within government and academia for the last two decades, we struggle to think of a time when the threat was more complicated and diverse. To address it, a level of federal, state and local coordination is required, along with something all-too elusive in American public life these days: collaboration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Intelligence Community announcement is a welcome step to put foreign countries on notice that attempts to sway the election will not go unchecked. It went hand in hand with a series of federal prosecutions targeting countries such as Russia. These efforts may help tamp down on hostile governments efforts. Looking at threats emanating from within the United States, the Department of Justices Election Threats Task Force continues its breakneck pace of arrests, including four new cases last week alone. Department of Homeland Security-sponsored fusion centers around the country are also ramping up their support, including in Oklahoma, where the ISIS plot originated. Omaha may go blue or red on Election Day. That we dont quite know the result mere days out reveals a third color purple. Its a color of promise in the balance offered by the integrated nature of a congressional district that seems almost quaint these days politically mixed. This mix of diverse thinking and political worldviews could offer some resilience to the forces within our national borders and outside them that want to draw us apart. But also we take solace in the many dedicated public servants, especially election workers, who despite the climate are showing up. We at NCITE will continue to work diligently to help our government partners counter these threats and provide scientific research and nonpartisan, fact-based information to the public. A 60 Minutes correspondent traveled to Belleville in 1993 to film an episode on alleged racism, and one of his backdrops was a steel gate across a road leading from Illinois 157 to Signal Hill. More than 30 years later, a Belleville man is upset that the gate on Kingston Drive and another one on nearby Bluff Hill Road are still in place. He believes they were designed to keep people from predominantly Black East St. Louis out of the neighborhood. Its a hate crime, said Rick Brown, who is white, in a recent interview. You cant block a public street, and if you do it to keep people out because of their race or ethnicity, thats a crime. Its no different than putting a burning cross in someones yard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown, a local businessman who owns rental property, has spoken during public-comment periods at several recent Belleville City Council meetings, mainly about zoning regulations he views as discriminatory against poor people and racial minorities, but also about the gates. Belleville officials have told Brown that they have no control over the gates because theyre not within city limits. Theyre in an unincorporated area in Centreville Township. Just talk to Kern, Brown said at the Oct. 21 meeting, referring to St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern. Tell him, in the words of Ronald Reagan, Tear these walls down. Kern didnt respond to BND calls for clarification on county ordinances or other legal bases for the gates, nor did County Engineer Norm Etling, who heads the highway department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Efforts to reach leaders of Signal Hill Neighborhood Association this week also were unsuccessful. In recent years, association members discussed removing the gates after some residents complained that it was inconvenient to drive the long way around to Illinois 157, according to Centreville Township Highway Commissioner Marty Crawford. The majority voted to leave them in place. Most people dont have a problem with them, said Crawford, who is Black. Two Xs mark spots on Kingston Drive and Bluff Hill Road, between Illinois 157 and the Signal Hill neighborhood in unincorporated Belleville, where steel gates were installed decades ago. Residents reject allegations Signal Hill residents have long rejected allegations of racism related to the gates, which were installed in the late 1980s. At that time, members of the newly formed neighborhood association defended them as a way to increase safety after a violent crime spree, but also to reduce traffic, speeding and trash dumping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, residents include people of all occupations and all racial and ethnic backgrounds, according to retirees Jack and Cindy Leffler, who are white. Their home on Bluff Hill Road is near one of the gates. I love the diversity of the neighborhood, Cindy Leffler said. The couple moved into their mid-century modern home about seven years ago. It formerly belonged to Cindy Lefflers parents. Jack Leffler said the most important reason for the Bluff Hill Road gate today is to limit traffic on the winding, hilly, one-lane, oil-and-chip road, which often develops jagged edges, cracks, potholes and soft spots due to water runoff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This road is incapable of holding heavy traffic, Jack Leffler said, adding that he would rather go through the inconvenience of driving around to Foley Drive or West Main Street to protect it. Centreville Township is responsible for Signal Hill road maintenance. Crawford, the highway commissioner, said workers have to resurface the oil-and-chip roads every year to keep them up. The township doesnt have enough money in its budget for blacktop. Kenneth Ellis, a retiree who lives just southeast of Illinois 157 on Kingston Drive, is a big supporter of the gate near his property. He dreads winter months, when its left open to accommodate snow plows. Is the gate racist? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not to me, said Ellis, who is Black. I love it. Theres no traffic. Theres no speeding up and down the street. I have to drive up to 89th Street to get out of here, but I wouldnt have it any other way. 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft, now retired, is shown in a screenshot from a 1993 episode called A Tale of Two Cities about alleged racism in Belleville against East St. Louis residents. Violent crime spree in 1985 Signal Hill is a bluff-top neighborhood with a mixture of large, stately homes along a grand boulevard and more modest homes on traditional streets or narrow oil-and-chip roads that wind up, down and around heavy woods with steep ravines and natural springs. Residents originally accessed the neighborhood from West Main Street to the east, Foley Drive to the southwest or Illinois 157 to the northwest via Kingston Drive and Bluff Hill Drive. Then they were hit with several violent crimes in the fall of 1985, according to a history written by former BND Answer Man Roger Schlueter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, a 68-year-old woman had a wedding ring ripped from her finger and her home ransacked. Three men invaded another home, scuffled with residents and fired four shots as they fled. In November, a woman was raped in her home on North 88th Street as her husband lay bound on the floor. Another man, 78, was robbed and left in a ditch as he was waiting for a tow truck. Were scared all the time, said one mother who began keeping a gun handy after two nearby houses were burglarized. My kids are petrified. The 6-year-old wont come in the house until we do first and look under her bed. All the victims reported that their attackers were Black, leading some to speculate that the crimes were part of initiations for gangs in East St. Louis, Centreville and Alorton. Signal Hill residents began organizing watch groups, which evolved into the neighborhood association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As it turned out, the crime spree was masterminded by one man: Floyd Robinson, of East St. Louis, who finally was arrested and charged in January 1986, Schlueter wrote in 2013. After two escapes from custody once for nine months Robinson pleaded guilty and was sentenced April 28, 1987, to 35 years in prison. Belleville resident Rick Brown has been speaking during public-comment periods at City Council meetings, criticizing zoning regulations he views as racist. Hes shown in this video screenshot at the Oct. 21 meeting. Neighbors paid for gates Weeks before Robinsons arrest, Signal Hill residents began discussing ways to make the beautiful and usually tranquil neighborhood safer, according to Schlueters history. One idea was installing gates to reduce crime, as well as traffic, speeding and trash dumping. Crawford, who was already working for the township by then, remembers people using Signal Hill roads as shortcuts to West Main Street and driving like bats out of hell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1986, 323 people voted in favor and 120 against the gates in an unofficial referendum. Opponents hired an attorney and explored legal options, citing inconvenience for residents, longer response times for emergency vehicles and discrimination. I believe the issue is racial, one resident said at the time. Once you put gates up in an area where you have haves and have-nots, its like waving a red flag in front of a bull. After a three-year battle, opponents finally acquiesced, and then-Highway Commissioner George Touchette ruled that the gates could be installed, according to a BND story in 1989. The association paid $6,000 for the gates and became responsible for unlocking them each winter and locking them each spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Controversy surfaced again in 1993, when 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft traveled to the metro-east to film an episode titled A Tale of Two Cities, in reference to Belleville and East St. Louis. Kroft focused on an award-winning BND series that revealed the existence of a secret police patrol whose job was to stop, question and ticket Black drivers coming into Belleville from the northwest. Fallout from the series led to an agreement by the city of Belleville to hire more Black employees it hadnt hired one in its first 175 years and send its police officers to racial-sensitivity training to avoid legal action by the Illinois Department of Human Rights. Kroft interviewed then-Police Chief Robert Hurst in front of the Kingston Drive gate, asking if he approved of it, given that it could make East St. Louisans feel unwelcome in Belleville. I dont disapprove of it, Hurst said. Twenty years later, Schlueter interviewed Barb Ducey, former longtime president of Signal Hill Neighborhood Association, who told him that residents were thrilled with the way the gates had reduced traffic, improved safety and contributed to a better quality of life. It makes it much safer for people who walk and bike, she said. It really does lend itself to a family community. Theyre wonderful. Former Belleville Police Chief Robert Hurst, now deceased, is shown in a video screenshot being interviewed in 1993 by 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft, now retired, in front of a gate on Kingston Drive in unincorporated Belleville. Mixed feelings in Black community Black leaders havent always agreed on the Signal Hill gates. In the early 1990s, the Rev. John Curry, then pastor of Belleville Bible Way Church, called them a symbol of racial hatred and demanded their removal. The Rev. Johnny Scott, then head of the NAACPs East St. Louis branch, said he was double adamant that the gates were nothing more than a way to deter crime and traffic problems. If I could put up gates in my neighborhood, I would, said Scott, who is now deceased. Today, Curry is pastor at Conquerors Christian Center in Belleville. He backed off his opposition to the Signal Hill gates long ago, after Chief Hurst retired, Rodger Cook defeated former Mayor Richard Brauer and Belleville began taking steps to improve race relations. (The citys effort to keep Blacks out of Belleville) was my main focus, Curry said this week. The gates at Signal Hill were a symbol of the gates at City Hall. Curry said he has no issues with the Signal Hill gates today. The NAACP branch didnt respond to a request for comment. Brown, the man whos been speaking at City Council meetings against the gates, said they still send a racist message and its unfair that public streets can be blocked off in Signal Hill but not other metro-east neighborhoods that deal with crime and traffic problems. Brown said he has complained to Kern, the County Board chairman, as well as Belleville Police Department, St. Clair County Sheriffs Department, Illinois State Police and Crawford, the township highway commissioner, who also is a County Board member. Does Crawford, as a Black public official, think the gates are racist? I dont believe so, he said. And they dont affect me any. Like I say, they open them in the winter time so we can keep the roads clear. Other than that, I go around like everybody else. ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) The Odessa Police Department and Odessa Fire Rescue responded to a major motorcycle accident Sunday evening, sending one to the hospital. According to OPD, at about 7:19 pm on Sunday, October 27, crews responded to a major accident at 42nd Street and JBS Parkway. Investigation revealed a white 2005 Chevrolet Silverado was heading east on 42nd Street, approaching JBS Parkway. Odessa motorcyclists want the Basin to get serious about motorcycle safety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2007 Harley Davidson, operated by Michael Johnson, was heading westbound on 42nd Street, also approaching JBS Parkway. While still in the eastbound lanes, the Silverado turned north onto JBS, failing to yield right-of-way to the motorcycle, causing the collision. OPD said Johnson was transported to MCH and later airlifted to Lubbock with serious bodily injury. This investigation remains ongoing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. A man was shot and killed during an alleged dispute on Friday in Tacoma. Officers were dispatched at 11 a.m. to the 1500 block of East D Street for a reported shooting. A man had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Tacoma Fire personnel attempted life-saving measures, but he died from his injuries, according to the Police Department in a news release. A man was detained and is suspected to be involved in the shooting. He is cooperating with the investigation, the release said. There is no suspect at large and no threat to the community, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was an alleged dispute prior to the shooting, but police are unsure what the nature of it, TPD spokesman detective William Muse told The News Tribune. It is currently not known what the relationship between the two men was. The investigation is ongoing. It is the 21st homicide in Tacoma in 2024. One person has been seriously hurt following a shooting in University City Friday morning, according to MEDIC. It happened around 3 a.m. on University City Boulevard near North Tryon Street. MEDIC: 1 hurt in northwest Charlotte shooting MEDIC said the victim was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. It is unclear what led up to this shooting. This is a developing story; check wsoctv.com for updates. This story was updated with new information. A 12-year-old was killed by a gunshot in Milwaukee. The same day, a 17-year-old boy was killed by a gunshot in his own living room. Both shootings occurred on Oct. 26 and were part of a spate of gun violence against the citys residents 21 and under. In all, Milwaukee police reported nine others were shot and injured since Oct. 14, accounting for 10 of 26 shootings, with five homicides, across all ages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It definitely feels like a lot, and it is surprising, said Ashanti Hamilton, director of the citys Office of Community Wellness and Safety. With school happening and all of the social media interactions we are seeing an uptick in the youth-involved shootings. The shootings come at a surprising time for officials, as violent crime typically begins and has despite these recent shootings to downturn after the summer. Milwaukee officials largely said they were dismayed by the shootings and said it spoke to the dynamic of escalations between youth through social media, with accessible guns bringing heightened danger in the situations. Milwaukee Common Council president Ashanti Hamilton speaks during a news conference about a new violence prevention program Thursday, April 4 2019 at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center, 8800 W. Doyne Ave. in Milwaukee, Wis. The City of Milwaukee Health Departments Office of Violence Prevention is teaming with Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin and Ascension Wisconsin that will use people trained as "violence interrupters", employing a prevention-based outreach and targeted conflict mediation. The mothers of the two young people who died 12-year-old Marquell Newburn and 17-year-old Monte Edmond could not be reached for comment by the Journal Sentinel. In the case of Newburn, Milwaukee police said on Saturday they took a 15-year-old into custody. The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office later charged the 15-year-old with 1st-degree reckless homicide with use of a dangerous weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The death of Edmond was initially reported as a homicide, with police taking a 26-year-old into custody. However, a police spokesperson said on Thursday the shooting was determined to be made in self-defense and is not reflected in the police shooting data any longer. Alderman Russell Stamper II, whose district was where Newburn died, called for parents to take more responsibility in their kids' lives and to know where they are spending their time. "We try to provide as many resources as possible to our youth and I think the whole focus needs to be on young people and connecting them with mentors and their parents," he said. "Of course theres too many guns in the street. I like to work within our parameters, our local resources, our mentoring groups." Hamilton said some of the shootings in the last week and previously throughout the year are a result of feuds stemming from social media, with things like further intimidation of family members of victims prompting violent responses from them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats striking, because it comes as crime has steadily dropped since it peaked in 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. This year, crime has continued that trend, with it dropping across most violent categories each quarter. Overall, police data shows non-fatal shootings are down 23% year-to-date from last year and homicides are down 22% regardless of age range. In early October, officials reported that a class of crimes, known as Part 1 crimes, including homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and vehicle thefts were down 4% from the prior year at the same time. Crime still outpaces pre-pandemic levels, however. Before the pandemic, Milwaukee's homicides dwindled for three years in a row and totaled 101 in 2018. As of Oct. 30, there have been 113 homicides in Milwaukee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would say the past two years we have seen some steady declines, but one of the problems though is weve seen more egregious types of things, Hamilton said. The types of things that tend to go beyond just reactionary anger. Instead, the level of trauma that causes is really something that we, really want to curb. Thats the challenge we have right now. Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said social media feuds and escalations are not new to Milwaukee. However, he said the access to guns is creating situations where these feuds are turning violent. He said the city's youth are accessing guns through negligent owners, whether that's parents who don't secure guns in the home or in thefts after someone sees a gun inside a parked car on the street. "These young ones are not going into your local store to buy a firearm. There is so much negligence," Norman said. Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman speaks at the Milwaukee Police Law Enforcement Memorial rededication on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. The memorial was relocated from the courtyard to the front of the Police Administration Building. Family members from some of the following officers attended the ceremony. Alderwoman Sharlen Moore agreed the recent number of shootings was striking. She said the recent announcement of a new gun violence prevention initiative by Milwaukee County is a way to address gun violence in the city like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That program, called Advance Peace, is an 18-month fellowship that incorporates things like creating a life plan, three daily check ins with mentors with similar life experiences and offers a monthly stipend for consistent participants. The program is aimed towards 14- to 24-year-old people who have committed gun violence or been affected by it. Officials said it has had success in other cities. In recent months, other programs have received other funding to help with gun prevention efforts as well. In October, Project Ujima, a program at Childrens Wisconsin that connects youth shooting victims with services to help them heal physically and mentally, received $100,000 in grant funding from the Everytown Community Safety Fund. The safety fund is a national initiative that helps fund community-based violence intervention organizations working on the frontlines of gun violence epidemic in the U.S. When we talk about the gun violence that is happening here in the city, we definitely need to have some targeted strategies, Moore said. "There needs to be a multilevel tactic on how we address this issue of gun violence, particularly amongst young people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norman said it is important to teach youth better conflict resolution skills to avoid this in the future. "My response has always been, in regard to any of our crime numbers, one is one too many," the city's top cop said. "I don't look at it from high or low, I look at how we can change." Where to find free gun locks All Milwaukee Fire Department stations and health centers run by the Milwaukee Health Department also hand out free gun locks. Directories for fire stations and health centers are available online United Neighborhood Center of Milwaukee, 1609 W. North Ave. City on a Hill, 2224 W. Kilbourn Ave., during outreach events on the second Saturday of each month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milwaukee Christian Center, 807 S. 14th St, at its food pantry, which operates from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, 2819 W. Richardson Place. Neu-Life Community Development, 2014 W. North Ave. Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, 5460 N 64th St. COA Youth and Family Centers, 909 E. Garfield Ave. and 2320 W. Burleigh St. Northcott Neighborhood House, 2460 N. Sixth St. Journey House, 2110 W. Scott St. David Clarey can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 'One is too many': At least 11 young people shot in Milwaukee in 2 weeks Election workers open mail in a new secure room at Thurston County's elections office. The county invested in a separate room to open mail after it was sent an envelope containing fentanyl last year. (Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard) Missing mailed ballots. Cybersecurity threats. Fentanyl in ballot envelopes. Ballot drop box fires. Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall is prepared for all of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the last four years, Hall and county auditors across Washington have been upping their physical and cybersecurity systems ahead of another presidential election cycle. We didnt start planning three months ago, Hall said. We started planning three years ago. Like other local officials around the country, Hall is navigating an era where threats against election workers have become more common, the possibility of political violence looms, and leading political figures including Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump have stoked unfounded claims about widespread election fraud. Since 2020, Thurston County elections has added locked cages around all computer systems a request from the U.S. Department of Justice. The office has also built a new secure room to open mail to avoid contamination from substances like fentanyl in envelopes and opened a new secure voting center to make the process more accessible and safe for voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Halls preparation mirrors similar updates in other Washington counties. Since 2022, the secretary of state has given out $3.6 million to counties for physical and cybersecurity improvements. The grant program gave counties up to $80,000 to upgrade elections security software, hire information technology specialists or make structural improvements. Snohomish County is using some of this money to invest in monitoring devices, security measures for ballot drop boxes and building security. Stevens County plans to add barriers and lobby management to enhance transparency and security of their systems. Thurston County will build physical vehicle barriers to protect its new voting center, which opened this year. The need for security preparations came into sharper focus this week when a ballot drop box in Clark County was set on fire, destroying hundreds of ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many drop boxes in the state, including the ones in Clark County, have fire suppression units, but its up to each county to determine which kind to use, according to the secretary of states office. Following the incident, Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey said his office was looking to obtain better-working suppressants. In Thurston County, the drop box fire is not scaring Hall. The county will increase the number of times they are collecting ballots from drop boxes, and local law enforcement will be making rounds at all locations throughout the next week. Shes also confident in the fire suppressant the county uses in their boxes. The whole industry is very vulnerable right now, Hall said. But I also know that we are incredibly prepared. I really believe our system will hold. Ensuring safe and speedy results Last November, Thurston County was one of several counties that received envelopes with fentanyl on the busiest day of their ballot processing. The incident forced elections offices across the state to halt processing and evacuate, which slowed down results. Election workers prepare ballots for scanning at the Thurston County Auditors Office. (Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard) Hall does not want this to happen again. In the last year, the county built a separate room to open ballots. It is ventilated directly outside, and anyone who is processing mail must wear protective equipment like gloves, a gown, and a face mask and shield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county paid for it mostly with grants, Hall said, adding that it was a priority for her to keep her staff safe and avoid slowing down ballot processing. Should anyone open mail and discover something in that room, we can simply call the authorities. Theyll focus on that room, and we wont have to evacuate the rest of our facility, Hall said. Hall said shes spent months thinking about what-ifs and has tried to be proactive. The facility also has Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, at every desk. In the final days leading up to the election, local law enforcements drug-sniffing dogs will make their way through the building regularly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As election workers across the country continue to face threats, Hall said she has tried her best to help her staff feel as comfortable and safe as possible. A law enforcement officer walks through the building regularly, and staff have many tools to keep themselves safe when picking up ballots at drop boxes, sorting them at the facility, checking signatures and tabulating votes. As they do all of this, the staff can look up and see a poster hanging high in the countys processing center: Election workers make democracy happen. The country is in good hands, she said. This is what we do, and we do it well. ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Odessa Police Department and Crime Stoppers are looking to identify two suspects involved in a retail theft at Lowes Home Improvement. According to OPD, two unknown male suspects stole approximately $500 worth of merchandise from a Lowes Home Improvement store and then left the scene in a white sedan. Related: OPD investigating Best Buy theft suspects OPD provided the pictures below of the white Sudan, and both suspects, which were seen on surveillance footage: Anyone who recognizes these suspects is encouraged to contact Detective M. Troglin at 432-284-2012 or Odessa Crime Stoppers at 432-333-TIPS and reference case number 24-9000452. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. As of June, more than 50,000 Ukrainians have lost one or more limbs in Russias war against Ukraine, and more than 3 million people10% of the populationlive with a disability. In theory, Ukraine has a legislative framework to protect people with disabilities and ensure their inclusion in society. In practice, however, outdated infrastructure and prevailing social attitudes still uphold significant barriers three years into the full-scale invasion. Modern residential complexes, sleek shopping centers, and trendy restaurants are common in Kyiv, but Soviet-era public infrastructure is still pervasive. Ubiquitous underground crosswalks with long staircases, apartment buildings, government offices, stores, cultural centers, and even the subway remain largely inaccessible. In the Soviet Union, people with disabilities were often viewed as expendable burdensif they were acknowledged at all. After World War II and well into the transition years of the 1990s, people with disabilities were largely confined to their homes: transit was inaccessible, elevators often broke down, and wheelchairs and prosthetics were impractical and scarce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the millions of amputee veterans who returned from World War II, the state saw no reason to invest in accommodations to help them reintegrate into society. Instead, veterans with visible limb loss were considered uncomfortable reminders of the war, incompatible with the Soviet vision of postwar industrialization. The state even went so far as to ban people with disabilities from higher education through a secret decree. There are no invalids in the USSR! was the official response at the 1980 Moscow Olympics when Western journalists asked whether Paralympians would compete. Through forced erasure, an entire population was made invisible. Although conditions have greatly improved since Ukraines independence, significant challenges persist. Simply moving around Ukrainian cities remains challenging as even basic accessibility featureslike rampsare not common. The few that do exist are often too steep, too narrow, or blocked by generators or merchandise displays, rendering them useless. Oleksandr Budko (callsign Teren), a veteran of the Carpathian Sich 49th Infantry Battalion who has experienced double limb loss, is a public figure, activist, and Season 13 Bachelor contestant. Both Budko and Yevhen Syvoplias, a veteran and activist, have been using their respective social platforms to highlight the barriers facing wheelchair users across Ukraine. Their videos capture everything from curbed sidewalks to unreachable call buttons for assisted entry, broken wheelchair lifts, and the indifference of many passersby. Ramps alone, however, are only a small part of the picture, says Oleksandr Bazylevych, a former drone operator with the 3rd Regiment of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, who lost three limbs during an offensive outside Kupiansk in September 2023. In reality, many businesses with visible ramps fail to meet other essential needssuch as wide enough entrances or accessible restrooms for wheelchair users. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dialogue and cooperation from business owners are critical to implementing structural changes that foster a more inclusive society. This would benefit not only wheelchair users but also parents with strollers, seniors, and others with limited mobility. Public transportation also needs an upgrade (and a dedicated city budget) as the subway and private mini buses, or marshrutky, are impossible for wheelchair users to navigate, leaving private taxis as the mainand unaffordableoption. Physical barriers arent the only challenges for veterans with disabilities. A long-standing Soviet belief that people with disabilities cannot live independently continues to permeate society. Bazylevych says he is constantly asked by everyone from taxi drivers to train staff where his attendant isa frustrating assumption rooted in outdated notions of perceived helplessness. Read also: Opinion: Pennsylvanias Ukrainian community could swing the state in the upcoming election Although people often offer to help him navigate difficult situations, Bazylevych emphasizes that universal accessibility must be a priority: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Accessibility is important, because objectively-speaking, there are many people who require it. I dont need any special entitlements, I just want to work and live my life. Society as a whole needs to change its perception of people with disabilities because we can work, we can earn money, we just need conditions that allow this to happen. These (structural) changes only need to be instituted once, its not a years-long processwe dont need much, just the possibility to get around freely and have access to the basics. "Society as a whole needs to change its perception of people with disabilities because we can work, we can earn money, we just need conditions that allow this to happen." Against the backdrop of war, projects promoting visibility, destigmatization, and inclusion are creating a blueprint for true accessibility in Ukraine. One such project is Kurazh, a popular cultural and social event in Kyiv that combines lectures and performances with curated local brands. Known for its focus on tolerance and inclusivity, Kurazh has raised over 50 million hryvnias with the help of 750,000 guests over the past decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, the festival has included a booth for the Superhumans rehabilitation and prosthetics center, sign language interpreters, accessible parking, photo exhibits of people with facial differences, wheelchair-friendly childrens playgrounds, and more. Kurazhs founders say their commitment to accessibility began in 2016 when they defined accessibility as synonymous with freedom, their most valued principle. Each small step brings Ukraine closer to a barrier-free society and a new socio-cultural definition of normal. Fight For Right, an organization taking a service-based approach, organizes evacuations for people with disabilities (who face additional obstacles compared to able-bodied people), advocates for legislative changes, and offers a braille studio, inclusive cinema, and inclusivity workshops and consultations for businesses and communities. Superhumans Center, Ukraines most recognizable full-service rehabilitation and prosthetics center due in part to its large social media presence, goes beyond typical post-injury services. The centers team works daily to destigmatize disability through initiatives like Q&A sessions for school-aged children, introducing them to diversity at a young age and teaching that difference is normal rather than something to fear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a new generation grows up in a war-marked reality, theres hope that indifference and objectification will give way to genuine efforts to prioritize accessibility in a rapidly evolving society. When asked about his future, Bazylevych reflects on his life as someone who has lost three limbs and what he would say to those who question whether it was worth it: My future? I want to leave the military, continue to work and travel, meet new people, and widen my horizons. I would tell them that everythings okay in my life. Im a worthy citizen of my country; I did everything that I felt I needed to do. I have a job, I travel, I have friends, I have many positive and interesting things in my lifeeverythings not so bad after all. Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. Submit an Opinion Introducing official merch from the Kyiv Independent Shop now Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. As we approach Election Day 2024, Utah lawmakers are rightly considering policy reforms to address housing affordability in Utah. According to Sutherland Institutes voter priority poll from earlier this year, housing affordability is at the top of voters list of issues that will influence their vote this year. As Utah policymakers consider reforms, one stands out for its promise borne out by the evidence to significantly address the costs of housing without requiring a dime in taxpayer subsidies: promoting light-touch density (LTD) housing. A new study released by the American Enterprise Institutes Housing Center confirms how a modest increase in density can ignite housing abundance and rein in surging home prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Housing Center studied the 230,000+ single-family detached (SFD) homes that were constructed between 2000 and 2023 and found that the median home sat on one-quarter acre. If the median lot size were one-sixth of an acre instead, 145,000 additional homes for families would have been built. With slightly smaller lots and living areas, their price would be about 10% less, thereby improving affordability. The additional supply and price of these new homes would have reduced price pressures more broadly. If 20% of this SFD land had been used for townhomes instead, the number of new homes built from 2000-2023 would have grown to 476,000 more than double what was actually built. At the median lot size, these townhomes would have still accommodated family-sized living areas, but they would have sold for about 30% less than a single-family home on a quarter-acre lot. Importantly, all these additional homes would have been provided by the private market, with zero housing subsidies required. This approach to housing is called light-touch density (LTD). Utahns are rightfully proud of their homeownership rate of 71.2%, which is 12th highest among the states and about seven percentage points above the national average. However, the homeownership rate for homes built from 2010-2021 in Utah was only 66%. Meaningfully, 89% of the extra homes built with LTD would have been owner occupied. But the past is past. What do we do today? As reported by the Housing Center, in 2023 it was harder for blue-collar workers to buy an entry-level home in Utah than in any other state, including California. In its recent Utah Housing Market Update, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institutes projections indicate Utah will grow from 3.5 to 4 million residents between 2024-2033, an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. This would be nearly double the recent level of new-home construction permits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the saying goes, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today. Going forward, pursuing an LTD approach would double the number of single-family homes currently being permitted for construction in Utah providing 200,000 additional and more affordable homes over 10 years. Where to start? First, the Utah Legislature should allow small lot development by-right not requiring discretionary approval from cities by setting lot size minimums for single-family homes at 5,000 square feet and for townhomes at 1,000 square feet. Second, lawmakers should avoid poison pills like unrealistically low floor area ratios, unrealistically high parking requirements and affordable housing mandates. But isnt it wrong to interfere with municipal zoning prerogatives? The answer is no for two reasons. First, municipalities have largely failed to act, notwithstanding having had decades to address this burgeoning crisis. Second, these legislative actions would promote long-ignored principles of the Utah Constitution. This includes Article 1, Section 1: All persons have the inherent and inalienable right to acquire, possess and protect property. It also includes Article 1, Section 27: Frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is essential to the security of individual rights and the perpetuity of free government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In short, these rights are inherent and inalienable to people, not to cities or the state. Framed in this manner, these suggested legislative actions seem both logical and compelling. The LTD approach to housing would be largely unnoticeable to current homeowners due to its modest changes, but its positive impact would eliminate Utahs housing shortfall and rein in crushingly high home prices. As elected officials consider how to enact that mandate given them by voters this year, promoting light-touch density housing should be high on their priority list. Edward J. Pinto is senior fellow and co-director at American Enterprise Institutes Housing Center. As a physician on the front lines of public health, I find myself in a state of constant disbelief and growing alarm, watching the level of disinformation and dangerous false rhetoric around public health emanating from Donald Trumps presidential campaign. A recent CNN interview with Howard Lutnick, co-chair of the Trump-Vance transition team, has sent shockwaves through the medical community. Lutnicks casual endorsement of long-debunked vaccine conspiracy theories wasnt just a momentary lapse in judgment it was akin to tossing a lit match into a powder keg of public health concerns. But the true bombshell came when Lutnick suggested that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a notorious anti-vaccine activist, might be granted access to federal vaccine data in a potential Trump administration. This isnt just alarming. Its a potential catastrophe waiting to unfold. Imagine, if you will, giving the keys to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions data vaults to someone who has spent years spreading misinformation about vaccines. Its like asking a flat-earther to pilot our next mission to space. The implications are staggering and, frankly, terrifying for those of us dedicated to protecting public health. We are not just talking about a difference of opinion here. This is about the potential undermining of decades of rigorous scientific research and life-saving public health initiatives. Its about potentially reversing the hard-won victories against diseases that once ravaged populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his interview, Lutnick made several troubling claims. He reiterated debunked conspiracy theories linking vaccines to autism in children. He questioned vaccine safety, asking, Why do you believe vaccines are safe? Theres no product liability anymore. And he expressed enthusiasm about potentially giving Kennedy access to vaccine safety data, stating, Lets give him the data. I think itll be pretty cool to give him the data. Lets see what he comes up with. I think its pretty fun. These statements demonstrate a profound misunderstanding of vaccine science and the rigorous safety protocols in place. Lutnicks comments are particularly concerning given his position as co-chair of a potential presidential transition team. His willingness to entertain and propagate discredited theories about vaccine safety could have far-reaching consequences if such views were to influence public health policy. Its crucial to reiterate that vaccines currently authorized for use in the United States have been proven to be safe and effective, with ongoing monitoring for any risks or side effects. The 1986 legislation that Lutnick referenced, which established a federal program to compensate individuals for rare adverse effects, did not alter the stringent safety and approval standards for vaccines. Lutnicks suggestion that Kennedy might be given access to vaccine safety data in a Trump administration is deeply troubling. Kennedy has a history of promoting anti-vaccine rhetoric, and giving him a platform to further these views could seriously undermine public trust in vaccines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scientific consensus on vaccine safety and their lack of connection to autism is overwhelming and based on extensive research spanning decades. Numerous large-scale, well-designed studies involving hundreds of thousands of children have consistently found no link between vaccines and autism. A 2019 study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine examined over 650,000 children born in Denmark between 1999 and 2010. The researchers found no increased risk of autism in children who received the MMR vaccine compared to those who did not. A 2015 study in JAMA involving nearly 100,000 children found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism, even in children with older siblings who had autism. Finally, a comprehensive review by the Institute of Medicine in 2004 examined hundreds of studies and concluded that the evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism. These studies, along with many others, form the basis of the scientific consensus. Major health organizations worldwide, including the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, all affirm the safety and efficacy of vaccines. By promoting discredited theories, individuals like Lutnick are not just contradicting established science; they are potentially endangering public health. Vaccines have been instrumental in reducing infant mortality by 40% globally and by more than 50% in Africa over the past five decades. They have saved an estimated 154 million lives since 1974, including 146 million children under 5 years old. As medical professionals and public health advocates, we must stand firm against the spread of misinformation. The health and safety of our communities depend on it. Vaccines save lives, and we cannot allow discredited theories to undermine this crucial tool in public health. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Kamala Harris is going to be the next president of the United States. On January 20, 2025, she will become Americas first woman president, Americas first woman of color to be commander-in-chief and Americas first person of Asian heritage to become the countrys chief executive. Born in late 1964, she will bring the perspective of a new generation to the presidency. Whereas Joe Biden brought the experiences of growing up middle class in the industrial heartland of America, Harris will bring the views of someone who grew up, lived, and worked in the Bay Area of California as it was transformed by Silicon Valley and the onset of the digital era. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her inauguration will signal a historic watershed in American history, and will also mark the end of nearly a decade during which Donald Trump was a central figure in American politics. He will become an ugly footnote in U.S. history, a name that students will find relegated to worst presidents lists and books and articles about corruption. For students of politics, his rise will be linked to a backlash against irreversible trends in American demographics that will ensure that within just a few years, the majority in the country will look more like Harris than Trump. She is the future. He is the past. And on Election Day, American voters will embrace that change. This will all be made possible because, when the final votes are counted in next weeks election, Harris will have outperformed the vast majority of polls and won by a more substantial majority than most commentators expected. Trump will howl and contest the vote. But in the end his conspiracy theories and unfounded legal challenges and intrigues will again be unsuccessful as they were in 2020 and 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reasons that the pollsters and punditswho have a pretty lousy record in recent yearswill be proven to be wrong again are manifold. First, Harris has run an exceptional campaign, which she and her team have executed flawlessly. She has not set a foot wrong since Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election on July 21, from her first efforts to reach out to party leaders in a wave of calls that Sunday afternoon through to her first statement as candidate appearing at the campaign office in Wilmington the next day. Her first public speeches were suffused with a new energy and vision that was desperately needed in American politics, and her choice of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate was inspired. A flawless convention culminated in a superb speech by her, and she sliced, diced, and julienned Trump like a Veg-O-matic at their debate. Donald Trump, left, and Kamala Harris attend presidential debate hosted by ABC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., Sept. 10, 2024. Her recent closing argument on the Ellipse in Washington, the site from which Trump launched his coup attempt on Jan. 6, 2021, was a perfectly orchestrated and executed finale of a whirlwind campaign in which she made it crystal clear that she was the president American needed nowthat she and this moment were made for each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a consequence of those efforts and of the energy she brought to the race, Harris has also produced concrete results that will soon be recognized to have had a direct and meaningful impact on her victory next week. She raised vastly more money than Trump. Unlike Trump she did not divert any funds to legal defense funds nor did she distract from fundraising efforts with the sale of Home Fascism Network tchotchkes like golden sneakers, overpriced watches, electronic trading cards or souvenir books. Her money went to supporting a grassroots network many times the size of Trumps, run by professionalsunlike Trumps which is being farmed out to the likes of Elon Musk, who knows absolutely squat about politics. Those funds have helped pay for a campaign that has been distinguished not just by massive rallies and big ad buys but one that has mastered digital media like no other campaign in history, recognizing its new preeminence in delivering news to Americans and in shaping their views. It has also paid for a vast, detailed, well-run campaign that has had the benefitted of unprecedented numbers of volunteers from coast to coast. Trumps corresponding efforts were a fraction of Harris everywhere that matters. Buttons in support of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign are pictured at the Gloo Factory in Tucson, Arizona, U.S. July 25, 2024. Harris has mobilized a new coalition that will be responsible for her victory, thanks to a massive GOTV (get out the vote) operation, and carefully targeted messages that have tapped into the gestalt of every crucial group of voters with concrete ideas. She has by aided by the support of the historically productive track record of the Biden-Harris administration, and persuasive, timely, often edgy messaging, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As in 2022 and in interim elections before and after, the modeling of pollsters will have been proven wrong because it underestimated the anger of women at the repeal of Roe v. Wade. Trumps pick of misogynist troll JD Vance as his running mate, his repeated chest-thumping on Roe and his promise to protect women whether they like it or not (a toxic male outlook that has seen him named in accusations of sexual abuse from dozens of women throughout his adult life) have also sent the message that Trump-Vance-MAGA is the most anti-woman ticket in history. Women have noticed and that is why the most striking data from the now over 30 million votes that have already been cast is that the gender gap among voters is approximately 10 percent. Donald Trump sits in the courtroom at New York State Supreme Court in New York, New York, U.S., 30 April 2024. That gender gap is bad news for Trump. Polls have revealed that Harris does much better than Trump with women. But polls may be missing some important women voting groups. These include so-called ghost voterswomen who are not showing up in models, either because they are from groups that have historically performed differently, like young voters; or they are from traditionally Republican voter groups but will not state publicly who they are voting for due to family pressure but who, in the privacy of the voting booth, will vote for Harris. Regarding those who have voted Republican in the past but who are crossing over to Harris, the vice president has wisely made reaching out to them a central goal of her campaign. She has won the backing of notable GOPers including both Liz Cheney and her father and hundreds of former Trump campaign officials or GOP officials nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris will win a previously unimaginable number of Republican voters, perhaps 15 to 20 percent of the GOP vote in some states, and that will also come as a shock to political modelers. So too will higher turnout among young voters more broadly and among voters of color. Since she entered the race, Harris has closed the gap that had Joe Biden lagging Trump by some estimates, and has consistently been tied or ahead of Trump on both national polls and on polls in the seven battleground states. Polling data that you may hear or see on television or the internet is, however, skewed by as many as 100 polls that have been bought and paid for by Trump supporting entities. According to Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg, who was one of the few to call the 2022 election right and dismiss the hype about a Red Wave that never materialized, independent polls have Harris up nationally by an average of 2.4 percent. Further, in battleground states, among independent polls, there has been considerable movement toward Harris. In a YouGov poll, Harris is up by 7 in New Hampshire, by 4 in Michigan, by 1 in Pennsylvania and she is just 2 behind in North Carolina. A CNN poll shows Harris up by 5 in Michigan, up by 6 in Wisconsin, up by 1 in Arizona and it shows Pennsylvania a tie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polls are showing Harris up, and the polls are likely undercounting the number of votes she is likely to get. David Rothkopf Rosenberg wrote on his Substack, Where is the election today? I still think we are up by 2-4 points nationally and in a stronger position in the Electoral Collegedespite what the averages and forecasters say. The VP is far better liked, and likable, something that matters to late breaking voters. Weve closed the gap on the economy with Trumpa huge campaign achievementand the economy itself is doing incredibly well right now. We are closing strong. They are closing ugly, really, really ugly. The key point from all of this is that polls are showing Harris up, and the polls are likely undercounting the number of votes she is likely to get. Further, early voting and voter registration data supports this thesis. Consequently, take the past performance errors of pollsters, the likely skewing of their current models, the fact that most polling, donating, volunteering, registration and early voting trends are in her favor and there can be no other conclusion but that Harris is going to win on Nov. 5 and do so by healthy margins. Kamala Harris and her husband, second gentleman of the U.S. Doug Emhoff, at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), Chicago, Illinois, U.S., Aug. 22, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further proof of this comes from the fact that Trump is already spinning up lies about rigged elections as he has in the past, most recently, for example with a lament about Pennsylvania. In other words, addled as he is, Trump also knows he is going to lose on Tuesday. There is one last factor that I believe Harris will win: the good sense of the American people. The electorate has made mistakes. But it has never had a choice quite as clear-cut as this. This years election pits good against evil, the prosecutor against the felon, the career public servant vs. the most corrupt, self-serving official in history, a dedicated patriot against a proven traitor, a joyful warrior against a merchant of hate and division, and a leader of the most successful first term administration in modern U.S. history against a man historians have voted the worst president of all time. I dont believe the American people will get this one wrong. That said, I have not garnered the view that Harris will win by exploiting a glitch in the time-space continuum and glancing at the headlines from the day after. I could be wrong. But it will be less likely that I am if you and everyone who reads this and all the people you and they know, get out and make sure this prediction comes true. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vote Harris. If you have voted, helped ensure others vote. Help those who cant get to a polling station get to the polling station. Volunteer. Donate. Help ensure the elections are fair. Do whatever you can to make sure that Kamala Harris not only wins but that she does so by a margin so large that it makes it harder for Donald Trump to challenge it. It probably wont stop him. But it likely will make the period of wrangling and MAGA lies that will follow shorter and ensure that it be resolved in a way in which, in the final analysis, the will of the American people is realized and the historical turning point I described at the outset comes to pass. What would Barbara Bush do? If she were still with us, the former First Lady would be jumping up and down to urge her son, George W. Bush, to put country before party and endorse Kamala Harris for president. Her namesake, granddaughter Barbara Pierce Bush, one of the former presidents twin daughters, recently joined the Harris-Walz campaign in Pennsylvania, telling People magazine, Im hopeful theyll move our country forward and protect womens rights. The pressure on her father to voice his endorsement is increasing. During a live interview that aired Friday on The New Yorker Radio Hour podcast, Liz Cheney said, I cant explain why George W. Bush hasnt spoken out, but I think its time, and I wish that he would. Barbara Bush, 42, is co-founder of Global Health Corps, which trains young leaders to address health inequities. Her interest in global health is a natural offshoot of her fathers legacy with PEPFAR (Presidents Emergency Plan for Aids Relief), which is praised across party lines but could come under fire in a second Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the former president declines to follow his daughters lead, it could be a difficult Thanksgiving in Crawford, Texas. Perhaps Bush doesnt want to draw attention to the PEPFAR program he enshrined into law before leaving the White House. Maybe he doesnt want to fall in step with his vice-president, Dick Cheney, who together with Liz, his daughter, has endorsed the Harris-Walz ticket. Barbara Pierce Bush photographed on Nov. 7, 2023. Nearly a year later, she endorsed Kamala Harris for president. The two men had a rocky second term together as Bush refused to pardon Cheneys top aide, Scooter Libby, for lying and obstruction of justice in leaking the identity of undercover CIA officer Valerie Plame. President Trump pardoned him in 2018. Whatever the reasonspersonal or politicalit seems a mystery that the former president hasnt followed his mothers lead. Barbara Bush made her dislike of Donald Trump very well known. In the book The Matriarch: Barbara Bush and the Making of a Dynasty, she was quoted as calling Trump a symbol of greed, and saying she no longer considered herself to be a Republican because of his presidency. In a 2019 Washington Times interview, Trump hit back: I have heard that she was nasty to me, but she should be. Look what I did to her sons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was widely assumed that then-President Trump was not welcome at her funeral in 2018. Four of the five living presidents attended. The White House said in a statement that the president did not attend to avoid disruption and added security. Melania Trump attended in his stead. Earlier this year, George W. Bushs office issued a statement stating the former president retired from presidential politics some years ago, and would not be endorsing in the current race or revealing his vote. Barbara Bush at Republican Party National Convention, 1992. The absence of an endorsement speaks volumes, and it is out of character with the George W. we knew. At Trumps inauguration after his surprise win in 2016, Bush was seated by Hillary Clinton and reportedly said Trumps American carnage speech was some weird s--t. Since then, he appears only rarely at big public events and has not taken any public stand about the direction Trump has taken his party. Painting is his therapy, and he devotes time and money to causes involving wounded veterans. Yet he must be disheartened by the way Trump has targeted immigrants, both legal and undocumented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the former governor of a border state, Texas, Bush saw immigration as a positive, and pressed for much-needed reform in Congress. A version of the Kennedy-McCain bill forged by the lions of both political parties, Ted Kennedy and John McCain, in 2005, passed the Senate in 2006 but never got a vote in the House. Republican presidential candidates Jeb Bush and Donald Trump take part in the presidential debates at the Reagan Library on Sept. 16, 2015, in Simi Valley, California. The Bush family has ample cause to speak out against Trump. Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, ran for president in 2016 and was one of many Republicans ridiculed and driven out of the race by Trumps mean-spirited barbs. Low-energy Jeb, Trump called him, mocking the candidate for bringing his mother on the campaign trail. Bush family endorsements are among the few that are left that could make a difference in a race that is so close, that the elder statesmen of the Republican Party we once knew could change minds. Former National Security Adviser and then Secretary of State Condoleezza Rices voice is also missing in action, as is that of former Secretary of State James Baker. How hard is it to urge Americans in a free society to vote against a candidate who says his political adversary should face a firing squad? Bushs daughter, Barbara, is making her grandmother proud. Theres still time for the former president to take a stand on behalf of the men in his family. His father, former President George H.W. Bush, was not known for taking bold stands on issues (although he did vote for Hillary Clinton, not Trump, in 2016). But he was a war hero who upheld the decency of the office, and he did what his outspoken wife demanded of him when he knew she was right. For 30 years, the Soviet Union was the main supporter of Cubas communist dictatorship, pumping into it more than $29 billion worth of money, weapons, food, oil and technology a debt that Russia ultimately wrote off. In the 1990s, Hugo Chavezs Venezuela became Cubas new lifeline for Cuba, contributing $35 billion over 15 years in oil alone. With Venezuela in shambles, Mexico, the main U.S. trading partner, has become Cubas new lifeline, sending food, oil and anything else it can to support the longest-standing dictatorship in the Americas. Yet nothing is enough. Nothing can rescue Cubas failed communist economy. Mexico promotes a nonsense diplomacy in favor of Cuba. In 2023, Mexico even blackmailed the U.S. by saying that it would cooperate on the migration crisis but would also like the U.S. to resume talks with Cuba. In 2022, Mexico rejected a presidential invitation to the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, solely because the dictatorships of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela were not invited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although few Americans have noticed, Mexico is experiencing an extremely violent period. In less than a month, two car bombs have exploded, a priest was murdered and a mayor was decapitated. States such as Sinaloa have seen nearly 60 straight days of chaos and crime. Despite all this, Mexicos new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has made the crisis in Havana her main priority. In 2023, then-President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador guaranteed 5.4 million barrels of oil to Cuba, a national record. The supply, valued at $391 million, is a solidarity support to the dictatorship that has 1,100 political prisoners and has gone 65 years without free elections. Those are the values that Mexicos government evidently honors and admires. Without even blushing, Sheinbaum promised Cuba everything it wants, thus unwittingly showing that the Cuban embargo is a lie. Her shipment of 400,000 barrels of oil and at least 100 tons of meat to Cuba may or may not reach its people. The Cuban regime blames the blackouts on a combination of lack of oil supply and obsolete machinery. The main problem is not mentioned: poor management, confiscations of private property and an unfriendly investment climate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the Mexican government has maintained an opaque management of cooperation with the island, Havana has paid Venezuela for its oil with Cuban doctors slave labor and military advisors. A similar cooperation scheme could result in Mexico as well. The sick solidarity with Cuba punishes the people of Mexico. In May Mexico experienced one of the largest blackouts in its history, affecting Puebla, Guanajuato, Chiapas, Tamaulipas and Oaxaca. This bears an uncanny likeness to Venezuela before its collapse. In 2023, Mexico went from casual donations to Cuba to being its second largest oil supplier at 13,000 barrels per day. Mexicos solidarity surpassed that of Russia (12,000 barrels) and perhaps soon Venezuela as well (55,000 barrels). Castros dictatorship destroyed agricultural and livestock production. A country that exported food to the world today begs for it. The regime buys $2 billion in basic products, but corruption and mismanagement generate poverty and scarcity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mexico supports Cuba while dynamiting all the democratic foundations of its country. In record time, approved a judicial reform, militarized security and eliminated the agencies in charge of governmental transparency. Let it be clear. Claudia Sheinbaums support is for the dictatorship, not for the Cuban people. If Mexico supported the people, it would at least condition this aid on the release of the 1,100 political prisoners, free elections and an end to torture, the death penalty and forced disappearances in Cuba. Dictatorships like Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela remain standing not only thanks to their brutality and repression, but also because of the shameful support of countries like Mexico that despise democratic values but enjoy democracys abundant benefits. Arturo McFields is an exiled journalist, former Nicaraguan ambassador to the Organization of American States and former member of the Norwegian Peace Corps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. I am one of more than 120,000 Pennsylvanians of Ukrainian heritage who will vote on which presidential candidate best serves our interests. Since only 80,000 votes separated the presidential candidates in 2020, our community's vote could be key to deciding who wins Pennsylvania's 19 electoral votes in November: Kamala Harris or Donald Trump. I have a personal stake in Russias unprovoked war against Ukraine. Just days after the full-scale invasion began, I discovered I had five distant relatives in Ukraine, so I flew there to rescue them. What I saw in their eyes was the same blank, deer-in-the-headlights stare of Holocaust survivors when they were liberated. I realized at that moment I was there to do more than just get my relatives out. Since then, my wife, Ellen, and I have developed a network of angels who have helped thousands of refugees leave Ukraine, provide financial support, and settle in Pennsylvania, other states, and nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Opinion: Rigged elections have stolen Georgias European future After watching news of the full-scale invasion, Trump gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a green light by calling his strategic decisions savvy and genius. When Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last month, he promised to strike a rapid deal to end the war but provided no details. He reportedly said privately that he could end the war by pressuring Ukraine to surrender some territory. Trump has also claimed Ukraine was demolished and that the people are dead. In his debate with Vice President Harris, Trump twice refused to say whether he wanted Ukraine to win the war. In response, members of Pennsylvanias Polish community, veterans, social workers, small business owners, and several elected officials signed a letter last month endorsing Harris and vilifying Trump. Vice President Harris has a long, strong track record of protecting our democracy here at home and standing up for our brothers, sisters, parents, and grandparents in Polandthe same people Vladimir Putin hopes to attack next if Ukraine were to fall, the letter read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polish people in the U.S. and around the world know that our future is tied to Ukraine because if Putin is allowed to trample Ukraine, we know his next target could be Poland. Trump bowed to dictators like Putin before and he will do it again if he is reelected. Equally disturbing, Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance said, I gotta be honest, I dont really care what happens in Ukraine, one way or the other. In contrast, when Harris met with Zelensky last month, she pledged to continue robust U.S. support if she is elected president. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the Biden-Harris administration has allocated nearly $175 billion in emergency assistance to Ukraine. Additionally, the administration created the Uniting for Ukraine refugee program, allowing Ukrainians to come to the U.S. and work legally immediately upon arrival, but only if an American sponsor is willing to support them financially. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since its launch, more than 236,000 cases have been approved, with 187,000 Ukrainian refugees already in the U.S. The resettlement of Ukrainian refugees has been relatively smooth, but their legal stay under humanitarian parole expires every two years. Read also: Opinion: Its time to admit the West is already at war with Russia Tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees have settled efficiently in American communities with minimal controversy, including about 4,500 in Pennsylvania. Those who come to the U.S. under Uniting for Ukraine require an American sponsor willing to assist them financially, and they can work legally immediately upon setting foot on U.S. soil. For decades, America led the world in refugee admissions in a program that enjoyed wide bipartisan support. But Trump dramatically cut the refugee program. By the time he left office in January 2021, fewer than 12,000 refugees from all other countries combined were admitted to the U.S. in his last year. Imagine the hardships tens of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing the war would face without a safe haven in America if Trump is elected president again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike Donald Trump, Kamala Harris recognizes that America and other democracies worldwide have a moral and geopolitical interest in preserving the safety of the Ukrainian people, not just ensuring their survival but enabling them to thrive. I urge my fellow Pennsylvanians and Ukrainian Americans to elect her president. Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. Introducing official merch from the Kyiv Independent Shop now Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The month of October was highlighted by the vice presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz. Our readers participated in a survey during the debate, and they shared their thoughts on whom they thought won. Ryan Walters and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt also were top newsmakers this month. State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters is asking for another $3 million from lawmakers to buy Bibles for classrooms. Chapter not closed on Ryan Walters' Bible mandate READER REACTION: Ryan Walters' mandate of Bibles in the classroom remains a major topic of opinion. In letters to the editor, our readers shared their thoughts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BIG PICTURE: Todd Pendleton's cartoon captured some of the discussions around the issue. CRITICAL JUNCTURE: Ryan Walters' actions breed a culture of uncertainty and anxiety that pervades the entire education system, guest columnist Katherine Bishop wrote. It's time for action and positive change. NO FIX: Ryan Walters' Bible plan is no solution for Oklahoma education, Oklahoma Voice's Janelle Stecklein wrote. At the rate were going, well have bookshelves filled with Bibles, but no trained teachers working in those classrooms. WHICH BIBLE?: The Rev. Michael T. McEwen wrote that Ryan Walters' preferred Bible is not the best choice, and requiring its use in schools violates the separation of church and state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BAD WITH GOOD: Ryan Walters ordered schools to teach the Bible. Guest columnist Kristina Lee asks: Will that include justifying slavery? Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt votes early Aug. 22 at the Oklahoma County Election Board for the hotel tax that is on the ballot. David Holt's take on election Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt shared his thoughts about the presidential election with The Philadelphia Citizen, a nonprofit media outlet. In the column, shared by The Oklahoman, Holt says he's voting for character, competence and commitment. A conservative's disqualifying take on Trump Conservative Jim Young made the case why former President Donald Trump should be disqualified from returning to the Oval Office and why he's voting for Vice President Kamala Harris. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: October opinions: Ryan Walters' Bible mandate, David Holt As the November election approaches, political ads and opinions are filling the airwaves, smartphones and mailboxes, particularly for those of us who live in swing states (in my case, Pennsylvania). It can be challenging for voters to make sense of the messages they are receiving, especially with the growth of misinformation and disinformation. While Americans of voting age struggle to navigate the political landscape, educators, parents and community leaders must also attend to the needs of the next generation. Todays K-12 students will be tomorrows voters, legislators and civic leaders, and teachers play an essential role in helping them develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes they will need to fulfill their civic responsibilities. The role of social studies teachers in fostering civic learning is obvious, but educators in all subjects can contribute to building a more informed and responsible citizenry. Science teachers, for instance, can help students identify misinformation about climate change, vaccines, even Vitamin C. Math teachers can provide strategies for the accurate interpretation of statistics or charts. From the earliest grades, teachers are responsible for helping students learn to interact constructively with their peers, be open to ideas that might differ from their own and apply a critical lens to information they receive. This all directly relates to civic learning and engagement. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Related NYC Civic Org is Educating Teen Voters About Online Political Misinformation At the same time, educators face challenges associated with cultivating responsible citizens, including the increasing politicization of school curricula. In a recent Education Week survey of principals, nearly a third cited the political, controversial nature of civics as a barrier to teaching it. In Wisconsin, educators reported increasing political pressures and restrictions on teaching about elections. Moreover, opportunities for high-quality civic learning are deeply inequitable, with young people in marginalized communities lacking access to experiences that promote civic readiness. These disparities almost certainly contribute to differences in performance on assessments of civic learning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our team at the American Institutes for Research wanted to understand educators opinions about schools responsibilities for supporting students civic learning and the conditions that might influence their teaching in this area. In late 2022, when schools were confronting ongoing challenges such as COVID-19, systemic racism and the role of social media, we surveyed a nationally representative sample of K-12 public school teachers in all subject areas about their views on civics education. Related 5 Lessons From Civics in How to Achieve Agreement Across the Political Divide More than 80% of respondents said it was very important or essential for schools to help students develop civics-related knowledge, skills and attitudes, including a commitment to democracy and an ability to engage effectively in civic life. For the most part, these data points were consistent across subjects, grade levels and geographical locations, even on complicated topics such as the lasting impact of slavery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These results indicate that most teachers are committed to fostering civics learning. They also point to several actions that policymakers and education leaders could take to help advance schools civics goals: Offer better professional learning. Although 84% of teachers said they feel it is very important or essential for schools to promote a commitment to democracy, only half reported being very or extremely confident in their ability to teach this topic. Sixty percent of respondents agreed that they needed more professional learning in this area. Provide guidance on navigating restrictions on civics-related instruction. About 30% of respondents said they had received directives from district or school leadership to limit discussions about political or social issues. By comparison, 70% cited pressure to show progress on standardized tests in other subjects as a significant barrier to teaching civics. Communicate more clearly about state standards. Academic standards can communicate states goals and encourage instruction aligned with those goals but only if teachers are aware of them. Although every state has standards related to civics, 47% of surveyed teachers reported not knowing whether their own states had them. State and district leaders should help teachers of all subjects understand and implement standards related to civic learning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The results from our survey make it clear that teachers nationwide believe schools should foster students civic development, but that they need additional support to do this effectively. It is in the interest of all Americans to help ensure that educators have the resources, guidance and autonomy they will need to fulfill this critical responsibility. Our findings add to a growing body of research that suggests a need for standards, assessment systems, professional learning and instructional guidance that help teachers of all grade levels and subjects integrate civic content into their instruction in ways that are nonpartisan and grounded in evidence. Related The Need to Reboot and Reemphasize Civics Instruction Has Never Been Greater Misinformation and disinformation will continue to threaten political and civic engagement, but by supporting teachers today, policymakers and education leaders can help them ensure that tomorrows voters can handle it. Over the summer, minutes after Donald Trump became the first former president in American history to be convicted of felony crimes, his campaign began fundraising. Emails flooded supporters inboxes with the words IM A POLITICAL PRISONER and Trumps picture. Your support is the only thing standing between us and total tyranny, the appeals declared. Throughout my career, and especially as chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Ive encountered numerous political prisoners and their families. Ive embraced the spouses and partners of individuals imprisoned for speaking truth to power. Ive stood beside the loved ones of journalists and opposition leaders, demanding their immediate release. Ive mourned the deaths of these courageous individuals, whose lives were cut short by authoritarians who saw their dissent as a direct challenge to their rule. Let me be clear: Donald Trump is no political prisoner. However, Narges Mohammadi is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 1998, Mohammadi an Iranian human rights lawyer and activist has faced relentless persecution at the hands of a misogynist Islamic Republic of Iran for her unwavering commitment to Iranians human rights. Her activism has led to repeated incarcerations, with her most recent sentences totaling almost 14 years in Tehran's Evin prison, accompanied by more than 150 lashes. Last month, it was reported that she has once again been sentenced to additional prison time, the latest in a string of sentence extensions, and the Iranian regime continues to deny her critical medical care despite her deteriorating health. Despite countless arrests and threats to her family, Mohammadi remains resolute in her campaign against mandatory hijab laws and the broader repression of all human rights, but especially the rights of women and girls. Around the world, her defiance stands as a powerful testament to resistance. Last year, Mohammadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her human rights work. Her teenage children accepted the award on her behalf and read aloud her speech, which had been smuggled out of her prison cell. I write this message from behind the high, cold walls of a prison. The Iranian people, with perseverance, will overcome repression and authoritarianism, she declared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her plight underscores the growing attempts by authoritarian regimes to stifle dissent and crush fundamental freedoms. Political prisoners like her endure torture, inhumane living conditions, forced disappearances and unimaginable forms of abuse. Despite these harrowing challenges, their courage is profoundly inspiring. It is a level of bravery that Trump can scarcely imagine as he relaxes amid his Mara-a-Lago comforts. Make no mistake: Trump has never had to fight for his survival. But columnist and Pulitzer Prize-winner Vladimir Kara-Murza has. Kara-Murza is a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin who has condemned the dismantling of democratic institutions in Russia and the state-sponsored violence against political opposition and independent voices. Following Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine, he was one of the most prominent figures to denounce the annexation of Crimea and the Kremlins support for separatist forces. His columns, rich in intellectual rigor and emotional depth, painted an unflinching portrait of Russias descent into authoritarianism. His public defiance against Putin, rare in Russia, showcased his staunch commitment to political reform, press freedom and civil rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours after an American television appearance where he was critical of Putins leadership, Kara-Murza was arrested for spreading false information, labeled a foreign agent and sentenced by Russias flawed judiciary to 25 years in Siberian penal colonies. His detention in these notorious prisons underscores the fear he instilled in Putin and his cronies. Until recently, when he was released in a historic prisoner exchange, Kara-Murza was one of an estimated 1 million political prisoners worldwide who have been unjustly imprisoned for defending human rights, advocating for religious freedom, fighting corruption and exposing the dangerous acts of tyrants. These actual political prisoners have endured profound personal and familial upheaval, resulting in irrevocable changes to their lives and the lives of their loved ones. That is not what happened to Trump, who was convicted by a free, fair and legitimate judicial process on 34 felony charges. Real political prisoners, like Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Alvarez unjustly incarcerated for more than 500 days and facing a 26-year sentence often dont get the luxury of fair trial and may be forced to live in exile, never to return to their homes. Alvarez is a fierce critic of Nicaraguas government and has forcefully spoken out against President Daniel Ortegas totalitarian regime and its ongoing persecution of the Catholic Church. On Aug. 4, 2022, authorities blocked Alvarez from leaving his residence to lead mass at the local cathedral. Alvarez had been a vocal critic of the governments shutdown of Catholic radio stations and cruel human rights abuses as tensions deepened over the churchs support for anti-government protests that broke out in 2018 following social security changes. Consequently, he was placed under house arrest and investigated on allegations of organizing violent groups and inciting acts of hate against the population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While detained, Alvarez shared a powerful message of love with the world, asserting we must respond to hate with love, to despair with hope, and to fear with the strength and courage granted to us by the glorious and resurrected Christ. Earlier this year, the imprisoned bishop was finally released and expelled from the country along with 18 other clergy members. They now live in exile in Vatican City. These courageous people merit our sincere respect, collective attention and deepest empathy. Think of Buzurgmehr Yorov, a Tajik human rights lawyer renowned for defending the politically persecuted, who recently saw his 28-year prison term extended by 10 years on dubious fraud charges. Or Dr. Gulshan Abbas, a retired physician and ethnic Uyghur, sentenced to 20 years in prison by Chinese authorities on baseless charges. Reflect on Maykel Castillo Perez, also known as Osorbo, a prominent Cuban musician and human rights advocate, who was arrested by security forces and remains behind bars after his song Patria y Vida become a national anthem for protest against the Cuban government. These are the true faces of resolve and injustice. Trumps sentencing was delayed until after Election Day to avoid any impression of political influence or impropriety. As Justice Juan Merchan wrote in a letter to lawyers in the case, the Court is a fair, impartial and apolitical institution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of your political affiliation or partisan allegiance, we should all agree that Trumps attempt to brand himself a political prisoner in order to fuel his campaign war chest insults the sacrifices of the very real political prisoners who have suffered and continued to suffer around the world. As America votes on Election Day, lets remember those who have actually given up their freedom and even their lives for democracy and the protection of human rights because they think those fundamental principles are still worth fighting for. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Elections are tough. Theyre not easy on those who run; theyre not easy on those who vote. But as citizens of the best state in the best country in the world, we have an obligation to uphold their outcomes no matter who wins. As a former county commissioner, governor and lieutenant governor, I was honored to oversee the administration of dozens of elections in our state. On Nov. 5, we will elect many of our fellow Utahns into high offices on both the county, state and federal levels. We will also elect our next president. Now that we have endured the heat of campaign season, I would like to pause and take a moment to provide some suggestions for how We the People ought to finish this election season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2000, 2016 and 2020, groups from various political backgrounds contested the election results. Each one of their claims of widespread election fraud, rigging or outsized foreign influence has been discredited over time. Election denialism isnt new. Individuals and groups seeking to promote their own party organized to sow doubts and promote false theories that challenged the results of elections. I believe that in Utah we should be better than this. We must all commit, regardless of the election results, that we will not fall into the dangerous trap of election denialism. Political violence or threats against our neighborhood election poll workers, county clerks or the lieutenant governor are not acceptable and should be condemned, particularly when there is no evidence of fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I encourage Utahns on Election Day to act as peacemakers and to be examples of how to interact with others with civility and respect as we exercise our right to vote. The state of Utah, which has been referred to as the brightest star on our American flag, conducts our elections very professionally. We are fortunate to have safeguards and systems in place that ensure election results are reliable at the local and state level. I believe in the system because I know many of the people who are responsible for running it and I trust them to run our elections properly. Our state has consistently demonstrated how elections should be conducted. I applaud our Legislature, state election office, county clerks and neighborhood volunteers for their willingness to consistently improve ballot access while improving efficiency and transparency during the tabulation process. As has been shown in previous years, our election laws provide a process that, when faithfully administered, is both strong enough to provide reliable results and able to promptly correct any mistakes that occur. Where improvements can be made, they should be made. If there are suggestions that anyone has to improve the process, reach out to your state legislator or your county clerk. After serving as Utahs 17th governor, I founded the Herbert Institute at Utah Valley University, and we have recently focused on election integrity. I directed our team to answer the questions that many are asking: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Are our elections secure? Can we trust the election system in Utah? Are the voting numbers accurate? After extensive review and research on this issue, the report concluded, We are fortunate to live in a state that we can say with confidence that our votes count, and the process for tabulating ballots is safe and secure. (You can read the full report, Voter Access and Ballot Security.) If you are still concerned about the security of our elections, I invite you to do the following: First, please use a voting method that you feel confident in using. If you feel better voting in person, please do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second, consider visiting the ballot processing center where mail-in ballots will be counted. The rigorous processes and safeguards our election workers follow may put your mind at ease. In Utah, we have employed some form of voting by mail for more than 30 years. We have had the benefit of good leadership and ample time to ensure we administer mail-in voting in an effective and accurate way. Third, I would recommend, to those people who are able, to contact your county clerk and volunteer to be a poll watcher at your local polling location. This will give you firsthand experience with our democratic process in action. You can help ensure that our laws are followed, and that every effort is being made to keep our elections secure and accurate. The strength of our democratic republic is measured not only by the governmental institutions we have but also by the trust that We the People have in those institutions. As Utahns, we have an obligation to participate in the sacred process of voting. And after we do, we must respect the outcome. I urge you to make your voice heard by voting, and I urge you to peacefully and respectfully accept the results of the election, no matter who wins. The election denial movement has come a long way since Donald Trumps first attempt to Stop the Steal. Ahead of Election Day, MAGA media personalities and a newly institutionalized network of far-right advocacy organizations are better prepared than ever to undermine trust in American elections. Gone are the days of Rudy Giulianis dripping hair dye and hearings in the Michigan state Senate wild enough for an send-up on Saturday Night Live. Today, election conspiracists are on the front foot and holding a powerful microphone. Groups like Election Integrity Network, The Heritage Foundation and Turning Point USA have invested heavily in various election denial initiatives. Together, a supercharged network of professional right-wing election deniers have developed a three-prong strategy to convince the public Trump cant lose and create a predicate for stealing the election. These groups and their leaders, who both regularly appear throughout MAGA media and run their own media platforms, bring unique resources to the sprawling cause. Former Trump attorney Cleta Mitchells Election Integrity Network is the tip of the spear. Mitchell has used her stature and influence from her decades as a conservative movement lawyer to direct millions into funding a permanent election integrity infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mitchell claims to oversee a volunteer army of citizens involved as poll workers and within the Republican Party. The Election Integrity Network (EIN) has chapters across the country, including swing states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia, where they have already worked to undermine the democratic process. We have a presence and we have eyes on the process that we really didnt have in 2020, Mitchell recently boasted. We have so many volunteers who are trained who now know the election code better than most lawyers. The Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank behind Project 2025, is also a central hub of the election denial movement. The right-wing powerhouse is behind voter suppression policies being pushed by election denial groups at the state level and is home to Hans von Spakovsky, another longtime voter fraud alarmist who frequently appears in right-wing media. These groups and their MAGA media allies are collaborating to bring three complimentary tactics together as a comprehensive anti-democracy strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first prong is a messaging war. The powerful right-wing media creates a cocoon of voter fraud conspiracy theories that envelops their audience, fomenting a perpetual sense of grievance and outrage. In 2024, noncitizen voting has become the most common form of fearmongering. Fox News and other like-minded outlets have gone all in on the idea that noncitizens will tip the election away from Trump. Of course, this idea is totally unfounded: Noncitizen voting is exceedingly rare. But though these conspiracy theories have serious consequences, the right is knitting together increasingly bloodthirsty xenophobia with Trumps election denial to fuel distrust, perpetuate racial profiling and sow chaos ahead of this election. Right-wing media messaging has also focused on disenfranchising overseas voters. The conspiracy theory site The Gateway Pundit has spread the false notion that Democrats are weaponizing a law that allows military personnel and other Americans citizens living abroad to vote. Some of these bad actors have faced consequences for spreading election misinformation, yet they are undeterred. Even though Fox News was forced to pay a historic $787 million settlement in its defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems, it has continued to push election falsehoods. And The Gateway Pundit has not been chastened either, despite recently settling a lawsuit with two Georgia election workers it targeted with conspiracy theories in the 2020 elections aftermath. The site is now running the same kind of election misinformation to sow doubts in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election deniers then transform this media conspiracism into grassroots activism the second prong of their strategy. One particularly concerning example is Julie Adams, a member of the Fulton County Board of Elections and an EIN activist. As ProPublica has reported, Adams has been working to change the rules for certifying elections in Georgia. Former Trump campaign official Steve Bannon, newly released from prison, has also been on the front lines, using his popular podcast to push election lies and then organizing his followers to take action through the precinct strategy. Bannon has urged his audience to get involved and fill precinct committee roles with their local Republican Parties. In some states, Propublica reported in 2021, they have a say in choosing poll workers, and in others they help pick members of boards that oversee elections. The Washington Posts Isaac Arnsdorf has documented the impact of the precinct strategy, finding that this approach has driven thousands of new Republican activists to get involved since the 2020 election. If youre not prepared to be sent to a federal prison as a political prisoner, Bannon told his audience this week, then youre not worthy to be in this movement. Finally, the lawyers swoop in. According to Democracy Docket, election deniers have already filed 146 anti-voting lawsuits nationwide so far. As my colleague Abbie Richards explains, these lawsuits primary purpose is to confuse voters and sow chaos for election officials just trying to do their job. Often, the pipeline from right-wing media to the courts is remarkably direct, as in the case of multiple suits in swing states over the Uniformed and Overseas Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) that allows Americans abroad to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one knows which way this election will go. But one thing is for sure anti-democracy activists are digging in, not only in 2024, but for the foreseeable future. We must be fearlessly pro-democracy, in the words of voting rights lawyer Marc Elias, and it will be the citizens themselves who will lead the way. That starts by arming ourselves with facts and standing strong against the alliance of increasingly fascistic right-wing media and professional election deniers, all bent on overturning the outcome. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Shame on Antonio Guterres. The United Nations Secretary-General has every right, and obligation, to meet with all the leaders of the world, even the most odious and criminal ones, if that serves the cause of peace. That is his job. But it is his moral obligation not to make nice with bloody dictators. Alas, thats exactly what Guterres did in attending a BRICS meeting in the Russian city of Kazan last week and bowing before Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of speaking truth to power, Guterres smiled and shook the hand of an accused war criminal, the instigator of Europes bloodiest conflict since World War II. In effect if not in intent, the Secretary-General gave Putin and his crimes the U.N.s imprimatur. The only good thing that can be said about that embarrassing exchange is that Guterres could have genuflected, but didnt. But in bowing before Russias dictator, Guterres lowered himself to the level of the infamous Karin Kneissl, the former right-wing Austrian foreign minister, who literally curtsied before Putin and then danced the waltz with him. Citing persecution in her home country, Kneissl has since fled to Russia, where she holds the position of the Kremlins goodwill ambassador tasked with tiger conservation. Given the damage that Guterres has done to the U.S., he might want to consider joining Kneissl in a Russian exile. After all, the U.N., and not its Secretary-General, is ultimately at issue here. That august body has been criticized for doing too little to stop wars and for being the hostage of recalcitrant members of the Security Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In defense of the U.N., one could say that its very structure militates against effectiveness. The General Assembly is largely powerless and thus prone to grandstanding, while the Security Council concentrates too much power in countries that abuse it. Reforming the U.N. may therefore be imperative, but its about as likely as reforming the American Electoral College. So perhaps the U.N.s ineffectiveness is both understandable and forgivable. And why should the Secretary-General be any better than the institution he represents? That may be true, but the real question is: Why should he be worse and actually condone Putins imperialism, genocide and war by smiling and bowing? Surely Guterres, as a seasoned diplomat, understands the importance of slight gestures and rhetorical nuances in international relations. Surely he had to have known that bowing to a dictator is to show him respect and subordinate oneself to him and by extension to absolve him of whatever crimes he may have committed. Just to prove the point about the Secretary-Generals behavior, imagine that an international diplomat had bowed before Adolf Hitler in, say, 1943, when World War II and the Holocaust were raging in full force. We would have been outraged. Indeed, we would probably accuse him of collaborating with the Nazis and demand that he be punished accordingly after the war ended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Small wonder that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to meet with Guterres in Kyiv. Zelensky wasnt just having a hissy fit. He knew that shaking the hand of the man who shook Putins hand was equal to shaking Putins hand and thereby approving of Putins unprovoked destruction of Ukraine. Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also on target in saying that Guterress visit to Kazan does not advance the cause of peace. It only damages the U.N.s reputation. To make things worse, Guterress bow took place at an especially unfortunate moment just as several thousand North Korean troops arrived in Russia, headed for combat on the Ukrainian front. Just as Guterres was expressing his subordination to Putin, Putin was rubbing it in by reminding Guterres of his ability to do whatever his heart desired from invading Ukraine to threatening to attack Western capitals with nuclear weapons to inviting Kim Jong Uns soldiers to consolidate his fascist regime and kill Ukrainians and get away with it. As the worlds top international diplomat, Guterres had to have known about the North Koreans. He had to have realized that their presence in the war represented a stark escalation by Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And yet the Secretary-General smiled, bowed and shook his hand thereby smiling, bowing and shaking Kims hand. Willfully or not, Guterres sullied the U.N. and the cause of peace. He should resign. Alexander J. Motyl is a professor of political science at Rutgers University-Newark. A specialist on Ukraine, Russia and the USSR, and on nationalism, revolutions, empires and theory, he is the author of 10 books of nonfiction, as well as Imperial Ends: The Decay, Collapse, and Revival of Empires and Why Empires Reemerge: Imperial Collapse and Imperial Revival in Comparative Perspective. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Freshmen head to classes on their first day of school at McKay High School in Salem. (Amanda Loman/Oregon Capital Chronicle) A growing body of research and teacher surveys shows student cell phone use in schools is hindering more than helping the school experience. In response, the Oregon Department of Education issued guidance this week for districts on limiting or ending cell phone use in schools. State law requires every school district to have policies around cell phones and personal electronic devices, but each of the 197 districts in Oregon gets to set its own rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The education department recommended that districts develop policies in collaboration with staff, students and parents; address early on any concerns about theft, loss or damage to devices that are kept in a designated place away from students and refrain from suspending or expelling students for breaking the phone policy. The department also urged schools to teach students about media literacy, digital citizenship and responsible use of technology. We will be challenged to help students achieve their educational goals, like reading and math skills, if students arent focused on learning when theyre in school. Cell phones are a distraction and can harm students mental health and well-being if used inappropriately, Gov. Tina Kotek said in a news release about the new guidance. So far, at least eight Oregon school districts have either banned use in individual classes or in schools altogether, according to the state education department. Full bans have been enacted at some middle and high schools in the Lincoln County School District, Portland Public Schools, and in the Nyssa School District. The Lake Oswego School District has enacted a cell phone ban for students in all schools. It is important for schools to work purposefully to create conditions that promote deep thinking and sustained attention, free from the constant interruptions that cell phones and mobile devices can introduce, Charlene Williams, director of the state education department, said in the news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a May 2023 advisory, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy recommended parents set limits on phone use, and this June, Murthy called for health warnings on social media platforms for younger users, who research shows are suffering from higher rates of mental health issues when spending hours on the platforms each day. State Rep. Emerson Levy, D-Bend, this spring held a hearing before the House Committee on Education to discuss the impact cell phones have had on Oregon students. She and Rep. Lisa Reynolds, D-Beaverton, and a bipartisan group of representatives have signaled that they will propose legislation in 2025 to regulate cell phone and social media use among Oregon students. State legislatures in Florida and Indiana have enacted cell phone bans at schools. Other states have required schools adopt policies to restrict use. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX By Tom Polansek CHICAGO (Reuters) -Bird flu has infected three more people from Washington state after they were exposed to poultry that tested positive for the virus, according to health authorities in Washington and in Oregon, where the human cases were identified. A total of 39 people have tested positive in the U.S. this year, including nine from Washington, as the virus has infected poultry flocks and spread to more than 400 dairy herds, federal data show. All of the cases were farm workers who had known contact with infected animals, except for one person in Missouri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people from Washington cleaned facilities at an infected chicken farm after birds were culled to contain the virus, the Washington State Department of Health said in an email on Thursday. Officials tested workers who had symptoms, including red eyes and respiratory issues, and those with potential exposure to the birds, the department said. People with symptoms were told to isolate and given antiviral treatment, it added. Oregon identified the three new cases after the people traveled to the state from Washington while infected, the Oregon Health Authority said in a Thursday statement. They have since returned to Washington, where public health staff are monitoring them, according to the statement. There have been no infections among people living in Oregon and is no evidence of human-to-human transmission, the Oregon Health Authority said. It said the risk for infection to the general public remains low. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2022, the virus has wiped out more than 100 million poultry birds in the nation's worst-ever bird flu outbreak. H5N1 bird flu was confirmed in a pig on a backyard farm in Oregon, the first detection of the virus in swine in the country, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday. (Reporting by Tom Polansek; Editing by Lincoln Feast) The Elliott State Forest is among the first state-owned forests in the western United States to be entered into a carbon market. (Ali Hansen/ Oregon Department of State Lands) Oregon is one step closer to using a state forest to help capture and store more planet-warming greenhouse gases, and to fight climate change and earn money through the carbon market. Leaders at the Department of State Lands signed a development agreement Thursday to enter all of the nearly 83,000-acre Elliott State Forest near Coos Bay into the voluntary carbon market for 40 years. The project will be managed by the carbon brokerage and development company Anew Climate, with offices in Houston, Texas, Salt Lake City, Utah and Calgary, Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the first such agreement on state-owned lands in the western United States, according to the state lands department. Michigan is the only other state that has entire state-managed forests generating credits for the carbon markets, with two of its state forests listed in the American Carbon Registry, the first voluntary greenhouse gas registry in the world that monitors projects and issues carbon credits. Those projects were developed by Anew Climate. pollution flows into a tree being split open by humans tugging on the branches from the ground below How do forests store carbon dioxide? And how do carbon crediting markets work? In exchange for limiting logging and improving forest management, the Elliott State Forest carbon project is expected to capture and store hundreds of thousands of metric tons of additional planet-warming carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This would generate hundreds of thousands of carbon credits worth millions of dollars for the land department over the next decade, according to a November 2023 draft analysis between Anew Climate and the state. The final agreement shared with the Capital Chronicle on Thursday was heavily redacted and did not include any of the finalized financial aspects of the project. We wont know how many credits will be generated or how much revenue the state will receive until we actually develop the carbon project, said Ali Hansen, a lands department spokesperson, in an email. Its not that were not disclosing, its that this agreement gets the ball rolling on work to make the project happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agreement with Anew Climate follows an Oct. 15 vote by the State Land Board on a management plan for the 83,000-acre forest near Coos Bay that prioritizes research, protecting animal habitat, increasing forest carbon storage to combat climate change and producing income from the sale of carbon credits. Gov. Tina Kotek, one of the three members of the State Land Board who voted for the new Elliott Forest management plan, along with Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade and state Treasurer Tobias Read, said in a news release it will help Oregon meet targets for curbing planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. We need bolder action to fight climate change, Kotek said. Enrolling the Elliott State Research Forest in the carbon market will help meet our states climate goals and respond to a future of increasing uncertainty. Next steps Officials at the Department of State Lands anticipate that the forest management plan, including the carbon plan, will go into effect next year, following finalization of a habitat conservation plan currently being reviewed by federal agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next step for the state and the developers at Anew Climate is to begin inventorying the carbon in the forest, measuring the additional carbon that they expect will be stored as compared with past use and business as usual logging practices in surrounding forests and getting the project independently verified by third-party auditors. Once this is complete, carbon credits can begin to be awarded and eventually sold on the voluntary carbon market. Under the agreement, the forest will be enrolled in the American Carbon Registry. Credits generated will be sold to companies that want to buy carbon credits not because they must under government regulations, but because they want to show that they are trying to reduce the impact of their pollution. The November draft analysis from Anew Climate showed the Elliott State Forest can be managed to capture and store up to 435,000 additional metric tons of carbon dioxide in the next 40 years the equivalent to taking about 100,000 gas-powered cars off roads for a year. Each ton would be worth one carbon credit that could be sold to companies to offset some of their greenhouse gas emissions. The credits could be worth nearly $9 million on the voluntary carbon market over the next decade, Anew Climates analysis said. The voluntary carbon crediting market has come under scrutiny in recent years for lacking regulations and oversight to ensure each ton of carbon dioxide released by a polluter is offset by a metric ton absorbed by a landowner. Critics also say they provide only a temporary solution for harmful emissions that cause climate change. After a 40- or 100-year contract for carbon storage has been fulfilled, a landowner could log it all, or use the land for something else. Others worry the markets only delay a necessary transition away from fossil fuels within the next century by letting polluters buy their way out of making urgent changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the plan, logging will still be allowed in parts of the forest but will be significantly reduced from previous decades. The Elliott was intensively logged for much of the last century to provide revenue for Oregon schools. Between 1993 and 2016, the state averaged 20 million board feet in harvests from the forest per year, but some years were heavier than others, and in the early 2000s, 30 million to 40 million board feet were coming off the Elliott to fund schools. Logging for school revenue largely stopped in 2016, and in 2022, it became a research forest. Today, it is among the largest research forests in the nation. Reporting for this story was supported by the MIT Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowship. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Oregon fish and wildlife officials have notice an uptick in bird flu, especially among migratory cackling geese, seen here on Taken on Oct. 12, 2012 on Sauvie Island outside Portland. (Courtesy of Rick Swart/Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) With the fall migration underway, Oregon officials have noted an increase in birds infected with bird flu. Oregon Department of Agriculture officials said cases are on the rise, especially among cackling geese in the Willamette Valley. Oregon is the first state to report a spike in infections this fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement High pathogenic avian influenza was first detected in wild birds in North America in December 2021 and in Oregon in May 2022. Like previous outbreaks of the virus, this one lingered, infecting backyard flocks that come in contact with wild birds and commercial poultry, egg and dairy operations. This week, pigs in a small farm in Crook County that roamed outside also became infected, the first such case in the U.S. One of the animals had the virus throughout its body. State officials have quarantined the farm and are monitoring it. They indicated that the owners did not become infected. Recently, nine people in Washington state who work at a commercial poultry operation in Franklin County in southeast Washington became infected through contact with the animals. Oregon health officials said Thursday that three of them traveled to Oregon this week and were monitored by public health officials here. They are now back in Washington and will be monitored by health officials there for 10 days after their exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday there have been nearly 40 cases of bird flu in people nationwide this year, and no one has been hospitalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Oregon this year, officials said there have been nearly 40 outbreaks in backyard flocks, with nearly 130 people exposed. None has been infected. Report backyard deaths Report any cases immediately to the Oregon Department of Agriculture by calling 503-986-4711 or 800-347-7028. For more tips on protecting backyard flocks, visit Avian Influenza or en Espanol at Avian Influenza-Spanish. At this time, the risk for the general public remains low, said Melissa Sutton, medical director of viral pathogens at Oregon Public Health. People who have had close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals, or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at increased risk of infection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The virus often causes mild respiratory symptoms in people and pink eye, or conjunctivitis, but it can lead to more severe symptoms and require hospitalization. The current strain known as H5N1 spreads among wild birds, with 10,400 confirmed infections in more than 150 species of birds across the country. Geese are particularly susceptible especially juveniles along with raptors, scavengers such as vultures. Ducks are carrier species and spread it to other birds and wetlands. This strain has also been detected in at least 20 wild mammals, including marine mammals like seals, and scavenger carnivores such as coyotes, foxes and skunks that have likely fed on infected birds. There have been outbreaks among dairy cattle in 14 states, including California and Idaho. State officials advise residents not to touch any wild animals that become sick or die after eating an infected bird and to report them to the states wildlife lab by calling 866-968-2600 or emailing wildlife.health@odfw.oregon.gov. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials track death and collect tissue samples for testing. If necessary to dispose of the carcass, ODFW officials advise putting it in a grave, taking care to avoid cross-contamination. Reporter Ben Botkin contributed to this story. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Oregon wildlife officials are cautioning people to keep their trash secure, as a certain wild animal species is currently foraging for food before going into hibernation. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, bears are beginning what they call a fall eat-a-thon, otherwise known as hyperphagia. This period starts in the late summer when berries and other fruits are in full season. At that point, officials say bears spend up to 20 hours a day foraging, to build up fat stores they can use for energy during hibernation. PHOTOS: Nine sunken boats removed from Columbia River in St. Helens Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the ripe fruit supplies dry up in the cooler months, bears are tempted to go through trash and find other food sources, including bird seed, poultry and livestock feed, and even dirty diapers. (Courtesy: ODFW) As a result, ODFW is urging Oregon residents, vacation rental managers, and visitors to secure their trash, as bears exposed to people food can pose a serious safety risk to humans. Bears have an exceptional sense of smell and can detect food from miles away, said Skyler Gerrity, an ODFW wildlife biologist. Leaving trash cans unsecured or accessible can lead to bears rummaging through garbage, creating a dangerous situation for both parties involved. Movie based on Oregon Trail computer game in early development at Apple Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats more, ODFW says bears not only remember where they have found food before, but female bears pass this knowledge on to their cubs. Given this, unintentionally feeding bears can have negative effects on a family of bears for generations, further preventing a healthy coexistence between humans and bears. ODFW offered the following tips on how you can best make sure bears stay healthy and wild this eat-a-thon season: Never feed or approach bears. This is not only illegal, but it will cause them to associate humans with food. Secure trash, compost bins and dumpsters by using locking or screw-on lids, metal bars over dumpsters, or fully enclosed trash storage. Remove bird feeders. Feed pets inside and store food indoors. Clean and store grills after each use. Alert neighbors to unusual bear activity, such as lack of wariness around humans or pets, or frequent sightings during daylight. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ELYRIA, Ohio (WJW) A man was arrested Friday after crashing into a house in Amherst Township while driving under the influence, according to authorities. According to a press release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, troopers were called to a crash scene on State Route 113 at 4:36 a.m. Cleveland officer accused of shooting gun outside school pleads not guilty At the scene, a vehicle was found crashed into a house, that was found to be unoccupied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the release, investigations found that a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado was being driven west on SR-113 by 36-year-old Bryan Ellis. Ellis traveled left of center, went off the left side of the roadway, and hit the house on Telegraph Road. According to the release, Ellis was not injured during the crash, but was found to be under the influence of alcohol. Akron cop resigns after child porn conviction Ellis was arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. He was then taken to the Lorain County Jail, the release said. A 47-year-old passenger in Elliss vehicle had serious but non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the crash. He was taken to University Hospital in Elyria for treatment, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the release, neither passenger was wearing a seatbelt at the time of 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Election day is just four days away. But with Washington state conducting its elections by mail, much of the vote is already in. The Washington Secretary of States office tracks the number of ballots that have been delivered, cast and challenged in each county across the state, updating a dashboard with its latest data. Heres what we can learn about Pierce County. Pierce County voter turnout Of the 574,517 people currently registered to vote in Pierce County, 220,448 have submitted a ballot, giving the county a voter turnout rate of 38.4% so far in this years election. Thats the sixth-lowest rate of the 39 counties in Washington state, well below the state average of 43.65%, according to the Secretary of States office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just over 60% of Pierce County votes have been submitted through a ballot drop box, compared to 39% by mail. Statewide, those numbers are 58% and 41%, respectively, so Pierce County votes by ballot drop box at a slightly higher rate than the rest of Washington. Age groups most likely to vote early in Pierce Co. According to the Secretary of States office, over 57% of the vote so far has come from people ages 55 and older. Meanwhile, just 14% of ballots have been cast by people between the ages of 18 and 34. Additionally, voter turnout rates are much higher among Pierce Countys older population as well. 61.5% of registered voters ages 65 and older have cast their ballots already, compared to just 19% of the 18 to 24 age group and 22% of people between the ages of 25 and 34. Challenged ballots in Pierce County Before a vote is counted, election officials verify that the signature on a ballot matches the signature on file for that voter. As a result, ballots can be challenged if theres an issue verifying the voters signature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1,307 ballots have been challenged in Pierce County so far, making up 0.59% of returned votes. Thats the seventh-lowest rate in the state, and well below the Washington average of 0.98%. Of Pierce Countys challenged ballots, 1,202 were considered correctable while the remaining 105 were ruled invalid. You can find out more about how election officials address challenged ballots on the countys website. You can check your ballot status at voter.votewa.gov, and you can contact the county elections office if you have any questions about your ballot. How Pierce County voter data compares to 2020 election So how does this years early voting data compare to the last presidential election? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this point in the 2020 election cycle, just over 321,000 votes had been cast in Pierce County. This year, despite an additional 6,800 registered voters, that number stands at 220,448. As a result, voter turnout is down as well. By five days before the 2020 election, 56.6% of Pierce County voters had cast their ballots, compared to under 40% so far this year. Thats in line with the statewide trend, as Washington has seen 43.65% of ballots returned so far this year, compared to 61.47 at this point in 2020. However, that doesnt necessarily mean that, come election day, voter turnout will be lower this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic could have affected how and when people voted in 2020. Following the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of the Peace Formula in Montreal, over 45 countries signed a pledge on Oct. 31 in support of facilitating the return of all Ukrainian captives and deportees taken by Russia. The theme of releasing prisoners and deportees was based on the fourth point of the Ukrainian Formula for Peace, It took place in Montreal, Canada, and was attended by representatives from approximately 70 countries and international organizations. The pledge that was signed outlines shared principles among participants, reaffirms strong support for Ukraines victory, and condemns any nation aiding Russia's aggression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Key agreements include enhancing Ukraine's collaboration with international partners to address humanitarian issues and compliance with the Geneva Conventions, as well as identifying trusted mediating states for negotiations regarding the return of Ukrainian military personnel, civilians, and children. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha highlighted the conference's tangible outcomes, particularly commitments from specific countries to assist in returning children. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly noted that Qatar, the Vatican, South Africa, Lithuania, and the UAE have made specific pledges to aid in the return of deported individuals. Additionally, a coalition of countries will be formed to gather information about captured Ukrainians and assist in data verification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conference participants also committed to supporting Ukraine in reintegrating those who eventually return, and raising awareness about Russia's unlawful detentions and deportations. Russian authorities and their collaborators have illegally deported thousands of Ukrainian children from occupied territories to Russia. At least 19,500 children have been confirmed as abducted by Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and less than 400 of them have been returned home, according to the Children of War database. Russia also holds thousands of Ukrainian prisoners of war, with 3,672 of them having been successfully brought back from captivity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Nations commission has published several reports describing the torture of Ukrainian POWs as widespread and systematic, and the conditions of their detention as "shocking." Some Ukrainian POWs have died in captivity from causes such as "blunt force trauma". Read also: Ukraine names pro-Russian collaborators suspected of forcibly deporting Ukrainian children Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Richard Moore was executed Friday by lethal injection for the murder of James Mahoney, a Spartanburg County store clerk. Moore, 59, is the second person executed in South Carolina in just more than a month after a 13-year pause. Moores death sentence was carried out at 6:24 p.m. Friday over pleas for mercy from three of the jurors who convicted him, the judge who sentenced him and the former head of the South Carolina Department of Corrections who came to know Moore while he was on death row. Moore is believed to be the only person in the history of South Carolinas death penalty executed for an armed robbery who did not bring the fatal weapon to the scene. And he is thought to be the last to have been sentenced to die by a jury where all the Black jurors had been removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a rare dissent to a 2022 opinion upholding his sentence, former South Carolina Supreme Court Justice Kaye Hearn called Moores sentence disproportionate, his conviction by a nearly all-white jury a relic of a bygone era and proof that our system of capital punishment is broken. Moore, an unemployed father of two who struggled for years with a crack addiction, shot and killed Mahoney during an altercation inside of Nikkis Speed Mart, an all night store near Spartanburg. The 42-year-old clerk who loved NASCAR and was remembered as a loving son and uncle was watching TV behind the counter when Moore entered the store. Prosecutors say that Moore, who was unarmed, was robbing the store to fund his addiction. Over the years, Moore maintained that he was there to buy beer and cigarettes. When he came up 12 cents short, an argument ensued over whether he could use coins from the change cup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mahoney drew a gun, which the larger Moore wrenched from his hand. A witness claimed Moore fired a shot at him, while Moores attorneys say forensics support that it was the clerk who fired the first shot. Mahoney drew a second gun and the two men opened fire on each other at nearly point blank range. Moore was hit in the arm; Mahoney was shot fatally in the heart. Dripping blood, Moore grabbed $1,408 in cash and fled the store. He was arrested minutes later when he hit a telephone pole with his truck. I did it, I did it, I give up, I give up, Moore told the officer at the scene. Moore was convicted in 2001 after prosecutors removed all of the potential Black jurors from his jury pool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Moores attorneys argued that the prosecutors had violated a rule that forbids attorneys from removing jurors because of their race, the U.S. Supreme Court declined Thursday to halt Moores execution to hear arguments on the issue. Who was Richard Moore? Born in Michigan, Moore who had eight siblings was the only child in his family to graduate from high school. But an addiction to crack cocaine he developed as a teenager led him on a downward spiral into crime. By 1999, Moore had already been convicted of a number of robberies and violent assaults in both South Carolina and Michigan. He was on probation, recently jobless and with two children, aged four and six. In prison, Moore became a devout Christian, dedicated himself to mentoring other inmates and took up painting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, Moore stayed involved with his family, his son Lyndall Moore told The State, and would encourage his children not to make the mistakes that he did. Hes not some sort of monster, Lyndall said. Hes just a guy who struggled, but always a guy with a good heart, you know, a normal guy trying to be a good father. He is a reliable, consistent force for good, on death row, wrote former S.C. Department of Corrections Director Jon Ozmint. Commutation would have a positive influence on hundreds of offenders who would be impacted by Richards story of redemption and his positive example. In urging clemency for Moore, Ozmint wrote, perhaps the most compelling reason to commute Richards sentence is precisely because he is at peace with whatever decision you reach. Carlos Santiago, an ambassador and driver for the Greater Hartford Harm Reduction Coalition (now known as the Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance), works at a mobile overdose prevention event in 2022 in New Haven, Conn. Nationally, overdose deaths have decreased among white people in recent years but increased among people of color. (Photo courtesy of Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance, formerly known as Greater Hartford Harm Reduction Coalition) The recent decline in overdose deaths hides a tremendous disparity by race: Deaths have fallen only among white people while continuing to rise among people of color, according to a new Stateline analysis of federal data. Health experts in nonwhite communities say theyre finding strategies that work in their areas, but that they still struggle for recognition and funding to address the problems, especially among Black and Native people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In all, nearly 5,000 more people of color died from overdoses in 2023 than in 2021, while deaths among white people dropped by more than 6,000, according to the analysis of provisional data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of early this year, based on partial counts, Black and Native people remain the hardest hit, having earlier in the pandemic surpassed white rates. Hispanic and Asian people are still experiencing more overdose deaths as well. White people had the highest rate of overdose deaths in 2019, before the pandemic, at 25.4 deaths for every 100,000 people in the U.S. population. But rates for Black and Native people quickly surpassed white rates and continued to grow as white rates declined between 2021 and 2023. In 2023, the death rates were 49.5 and 39.8 per 100,000 for Black and Native people, respectively. Tracie Gardner, co-director of the National Black Harm Reduction Network, said Black and Native people often have trouble navigating white-dominated institutions, including many harm reduction agencies. Such agencies need to have more people of color in leadership positions to gain the trust of Black, Native and other people who use drugs, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is our contention that Black harm reduction isnt about drug use, its about the harms of not being a white person in this country, Gardner said. The only people doing worse or as poorly are Native Americans. Different trends Between 2021 and 2023, overdose deaths among white people dropped in all but a dozen states, most of them in the West. But few states saw any decline in deaths among Black or Native American populations. Deaths among Black people did decline, however, in Indiana (-75), the District of Columbia (-29) and Illinois (-22), while deaths among Native people declined in North Carolina (-34), Colorado (-11) and North Dakota (-9). Connecticut was one of the few states to see a small rate drop among its Black residents. There was no change in the number of overdose deaths, but the Black population grew between 2021 and 2023. The Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance is working to bring more harm reduction tools to the Black community and others, with 100 mobile kits available at a moments notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most recently, staff started going to meet people leaving detox programs, also known as withdrawal management, when they choose to leave early and are at especially high risk of overdose. The message is, Even though this didnt work out, we care about your welfare, we care about your safety, we want to see you come back, said Mark Jenkins, the alliances executive director. Too few services are specifically designed for the Black community, Jenkins said, even though data shows that the overdose crisis is hitting that population the hardest. We know that this disproportionately affects people of color, and were right out there where people need to see us, he said of his organizations approach. A lot of our people dont access services if theyre not right there in their path. A lack of funding The overdose death numbers for American Indian and Native Alaskan people may be even higher than the Stateline analysis indicates, because Native people often are misidentified in death certificates, said Philomena Kebec, an attorney and member of the Wisconsin-based Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These numbers about the impact on tribal and Alaska Native individuals are really stark, Kebec told Stateline. Many tribes struggle to provide overdose-halting naloxone and other medications because of chronic underfunding for health services, Kebec, who also is a fellow on addiction and overdose at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said on a Brookings Institution podcast last month. But increasingly, tribes are turning to mobile programs not unlike Connecticuts. The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in Oregon is adapting buses to help people get methadone and buprenorphine that help curb opioid withdrawal symptoms. Kebec said in an interview that her own tribe in Wisconsin began a mail-order naloxone program using private donations, but added it could do more with state funding that has yet to be approved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have programming thats really keyed into how things have to happen in rural communities. We have a lot of people who have transportation issues, so we have to come to them, she said. Tribes and helpers need more funding for research to find root causes and more timely information from hospitals to find overdose outbreaks quickly and intervene, she said. Its a need everywhere, but means even more in Native communities, which are often spread out in rural areas. In the Black community, men older than 55 are especially hard hit, said Gardner, of the National Black Harm Reduction Network. She noticed their deaths start to increase in the mid-2010s, when she served as New York states assistant secretary of health, and later realized those deaths were the canary in the coal mine that signaled deadly fentanyls infiltration into supplies of other drugs. It is our contention that Black harm reduction isnt about drug use, its about the harms of not being a white person in this country. Tracie Gardner, co-director of the National Black Harm Reduction Network During the pandemic, older [Black] men lost their communities, their family supports. There are some men who became homeless and there was no safety network, Gardner said. Plus, men still associate going out and getting health care with a womans thing. A lot of care is geared to women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Edwin Chapman, a District of Columbia physician whose practice serves many older Black men who use drugs, said that like others trying to help Black and Native people, hes had trouble getting funding. His innovations include early use of buprenorphine to curb opioid cravings. There has been more pushback from local officials than help, Chapman said. Stateline originally published this article. Like the Alaska Beacon, Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X. Two candidates are squaring off in Tuesdays general election to represent District 70 in the Florida House of Representatives. Republican candidate Michael Owen has lived in Hillsborough County for 40 years, while Democrat candidate Luther Wilkins is a Parrish resident in Manatee County. The district encompasses parts of southern Hillsborough County and northern Manatee County. Both candidates are hoping to take state Rep. Mike Beltrans spot in the Florida Legislature. The Riverview-based attorney announced in June that he would not seek re-election, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Who is Michael Owen? Background: Owen is an attorney from Brandon with his own practice. He was a Hillsborough County commissioner until June, when he resigned to run for the District 70 seat, according to the Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Top priorities: According to his campaign website, Owen is focusing on the following: Keeping taxes low Investing in roads and infrastructure Requiring a more strict approval process for development Supporting the sheriffs office Promoting Hillsborough County as a place for high-paying jobs Michael Owen Owen has raised over $59,000 in donations, according to campaign finance records. For more information about Owen, visit www.OwenForFlorida.com. Who is Luther Wilkins? Background: Wilkins, a Manatee County resident for more than 20 years, served 12 years in the military and is involved with multiple organizations. They are the Manasota Black Chamber of Commerce (executive member), United Steelworkers (shop steward) and Manatee County NAACP (president). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Top priorities: According to his campaign website, Wilkins is focusing on the following: Education funding to support teachers and student needs Supporting small businesses, creating job opportunities in Manatee County and ensuring workers receive equitable wages Promoting environmental sustainability and protecting natural resources Incentivize more workforce housing for government and essential workers as well as young professionals and their families Supporting veterans Luther Wilkins Wilkins has raised $3,814 in donations, according to campaign finance records. For more information about Wilkins, visit www.Luther4FloridaHouse.com. Owen and Wilkins face off in the Nov. 5 general election. The winner will serve a two-year term in the Florida House of Representatives. (WKBN) Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said Thursday that attempts to turn in fraudulent voter registrations in some counties in the Commonwealth have been defeated. The targeted counties were Berks, Lancaster, Monroe and York. Henry took to social media Thursday afternoon saying that the attorney generals office shares jurisdiction with county district attorneys, allowing them to collaboratively investigate violations of the Election Code. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While we will not be divulging sensitive information about these investigations, we want to clarify that the investigations regard voter registration forms, not ballots, Henry said. Henry went on to say that her office is working with other agencies and partners to ensure a fair, free, and safe election, promising to hold all those involved accountable. In Lancaster County, election workers raised concerns about two sets of voter registration applications because of what was described as numerous similarities. Theyre examining a total of about 2,500 forms. Lancaster officials said they alerted two other counties to check similar registration applications. In Monroe County, the Board of Elections staff identified about 30 irregular forms and referred them to the district attorneys office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement York County Chief Clerk Greg Monskie confirmed this week that his county was reviewing suspect forms. County Commissioner Julie Wheeler issued a statement saying voter registration forms and mail-in ballot applications were among a large delivery containing thousands of election-related materials that the county elections office received from a third-party organization. She said that if a review comes across suspected fraud, the district attorney will investigate. The York district attorneys office said it was in contact with the board of commissioners and elections office. Investigations are ongoing. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (c) Scott Van Blarcom - Stock.Adobe.com The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has granted a request by the GOP to block the Commonwealth Courts ruling this week that the state law disqualifying mail ballots without handwritten dates on the return envelopes is unconstitutional. The courts ruling Friday evening means that the requirement to write the date that the ballot is completed and sealed in the return envelope will remain in effect for Tuesdays presidential election. It is the second time in a month the court has blocked decisions to stop enforcement of the rule, which voting rights advocates say has disenfranchised thousands of voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two-page order does not foreclose further consideration of the decision after the election. Justice Christine Donohue wrote in a concurring opinion that the decision Wednesday by the Commonwealth Court was ill-timed. Although the decision was non precedential, the county boards of election might look to it for guidance in canvassing and pre-canvassing mail in ballots in the upcoming election thus disturbing the status quo, Donohue wrote. In a more forceful opinion, Justice Kevin Dougherty noted the state Supreme Court recently warned of the confusion that might result from changing voting rules on the eve of an election. This Court will neither impose nor countenance substantial alterations to existing laws and procedures during the pendency of an ongoing election. We said those carefully chosen words only weeks ago. Yet they apparently were not heard in the Commonwealth Court, the very court where the bulk of election litigation unfolds, Dougherty said. Todays order, which I join, rights the ship. And it sends a loud message to all courts in this Commonwealth: in declaring we would not countenance substantial alterations to existing laws and procedures during the pendency of an ongoing election, we said what we meant and meant what we said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RNC Chairman Michael Whatley said the ruling was a big win for Pennsylvania voters and claimed it is the fifth time the Republican party has defended the ballot dating requirement. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the law, and the dated ballot requirement will be in effect for this election. Democrats have repeatedly tried to eliminate this important ballot safeguard, and we have stopped them each time, Whatley said in a statement. We are committed to protecting critical ballot safeguards to ensure every ballot is cast and counted properly and will continue to fight across Pennsylvania to Protect the Vote. After the Commonwealth Court ruled 3-2 on Wednesday that the date requirement was unconstitutional, the Republican National Committee and the Republican Party of Pennsylvania filed an emergency petition to stop the decision from affecting Tuesdays vote count. State elections officials and voting rights groups urged the court to resolve the question once and for all before the election. The groups, which include the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and the Public Interest Law Center, have argued on behalf of voters that the date on the return envelope is meaningless and that has been established in case after case since voting by mail without an excuse became an option in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a brief filed Friday morning, the Pennsylvania Department of State joined voting rights groups and the state and national Democratic parties in their calls to uphold a lower courts ruling that the date requirement infringes on Pennsylvanians fundamental rights to vote. The department, led by former Republican Philadelphia City Commissioner Al Schmidt, argued that in addition to protecting voters rights, upholding the ruling that the date requirement should not be enforced would reduce work and eliminate uncertainty for poll workers. Granting a request by the Republican National Committee and Republican Party of Pennsylvania to delay enforcement of the lower court ruling would also not prevent additional challenges to decisions by county elections boards about which ballots to count, the department said. It is almost always better to address questions about which ballots will be counted before an election, when the impact on the results cannot be known, the departments brief said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case is the latest in a long string of lawsuits and appeals seeking a conclusive ruling on the issue, which has disenfranchised thousands of voters and delayed results in every election since 2020, when voting by mail without an excuse first became an option. It follows a 3-2 decision by a Commonwealth Court panel on Wednesday in a lawsuit by two Philadelphia voters that the requirement to date the envelopes is unconstitutional because it denies the right to vote because of minor and inconsequential errors and serves no compelling governmental purpose. That ruling largely tracked an Aug. 30 decision by the Commonwealth Court that the Supreme Court threw out because of a procedural error. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court denied a request to revisit the issue by voting rights groups led by the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and the Public. In its Oct. 5 ruling, the Supreme Court said the risk of confusing voters with a change in voting rules was too great. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This Court will neither impose nor countenance substantial alterations to existing laws and procedures during the pendency of an ongoing election, the unsigned order said. Chief Justice Debra Todd filed a dissenting statement in which she argued that voters and election officials need guidance in the upcoming election. We ought to resolve this important constitutional question now, before ballots may be improperly rejected and voters disenfranchised, Todd said. In the case now before the Supreme Court, voters Brian Baxter and Susan Kinnery sued the Philadelphia Board of Elections after their mail-in ballots were among 69 set aside during special elections for state House seats because they had missing or incorrect dates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Philadelphia judge ruled in favor of Baxter and Kinnery that the ballots should be counted and the elections board appealed. The two voters were represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and the Public Interest Law Center, which also have asked the Supreme Court to decide the case before Election Day in favor of counting undated ballots. In the opinion for the Commonwealth Court majority, Judge Ellen Ceisler concluded, as the court did in its August decision, that various courts have established that the handwritten date serves no purpose and thus disqualifying ballots without the date deprives voters of a fundamental right and is unconstitutional. We cannot countenance any law governing elections, determined to be mandatory or otherwise, that has the practical effect in its application of impermissibly infringing on certain individuals fundamental right to vote, Ceisler said. The Department of State said that it agreed with the Supreme Courts position on the potential for late changes in voting rules to disrupt election administration or confuse voters, but it added not all changes to election procedures are the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The requirement that county boards set aside mail ballots with declaration-date errors and particularly the requirement that they set aside mail ballot envelopes with incorrect dates imposed a significant burden on county boards. Election workers must manually review every ballot envelope to determine whether it has a correct date, the brief said. (This story was updated at 9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, to include the Supreme Courts decision in the case.) (Bloomberg) -- The leader of one of Taiwans last diplomatic allies in the Pacific said his nation is under increasing pressure from China to end its support for Taipei. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palaus President Surangel Whipps Jr also accused China of violating the exclusive economic zone of his nation, an archipelago located north of Australia. Palau is scheduled to hold a national election on Tuesday, the same day as the US presidential ballot. Whipps, in an interview with Bloomberg, said Pacific nations are determined to maintain their sovereignty and territorial integrity, but warned the struggle for geopolitical influence is intensifying and will test them. Washington and Beijing have been vying for sway in a region that is the site of key shipping lanes and communication cables, together with fisheries and seabed minerals. China has been pushing hard, Whipps said in response to a question on whether the result of Palaus Nov. 5 presidential and parliamentary elections would determine its future relationship with Taiwan. Its very clear that they have an agenda, and the agenda is Taiwan, he said. They try to convince everybody that what Palau is doing, and everybody else, is illegal in terms of recognizing the Taipei authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government in Beijing considers the independently-governed island of Taiwan a rogue province. China has deployed its rising economic might to steadily whittle away the number of nations that diplomatically recognize Taipei, particularly among developing Pacific nations where investment and infrastructure are urgently required. Only 12 countries globally maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan after the Pacific state of Nauru announced in early 2024 that it would be switching recognition to Beijing. Thats one of the reasons why foreign ministries and analysts are closely watching elections in tiny nations like Palau, which has a population of around 20,000 people. The country also sits strategically between the US state of Hawaii and Americas diplomatic partner, the Philippines. Whipps has been broadly supportive of the Biden administrations efforts to buttress diplomatic ties with the Pacific, even using the outgoing presidents Build Back Better slogan in his own re-election campaign. The Palau leader has been keen to tighten security ties with Washington as well, even weighing the deployment of US missile batteries to his nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the president has frequently been critical of Chinas actions in the region, he did not provide specific instances of Beijing putting pressure on his administration to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan. In a statement, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the one China principle was the consensus in global society. The very few countries, including Palau, that still maintain a so-called diplomatic relationship with Taiwan should choose to stand on the right side of history, and make a decision thats in line with their foundational and long-term interests, a spokesperson for the ministry said. Whipps faces a tight race for reelection against his predecessor, former President Tommy Remengesau Jr, who has questioned whether Palau needs to further strengthen military links with the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Remengesau was adamant in his support for ties with Taiwan while in office. Bloomberg has reached out to his campaign for comment and hasnt received a reply as yet. Whipps highlighted the exploration of sea floor mining as a point on which he also disagrees with Beijing. While major governments around the world, including some Pacific neighbors, consider the sea floor an important place to explore for critical minerals to support the green transition, Whipps is an outspoken opponent. We have the healthiest tuna stocks in the world, but yet we want to go rip up the bottom of the Pacific and dont know the consequences of it, because supposedly itll help us in the energy transition? We have to look at everything in totality, he said. Whipps said he was frustrated with Chinese vessels repeated, unauthorized entry into Palaus exclusive economic zone, which stretches for 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) around the nation. The president has previously accused Beijing of limiting Chinese visitors to Palau, a particularly sensitive area for the tourism dependent nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is where nations that believe in freedom, believe in democracy, believe in the rule of law, need to stick together and protect that, Whipps said. Because otherwise, we can just be swallowed up. In response to Whipps allegations, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said China is a responsible fishing country. China has strictly adhered to rules of international waters and countries on fishing, and it has insisted on a zero tolerance principle when it comes to illegal fishing, in order to preserve fishing resources and their sustainable use, the spokesperson said in a statement. (Updates with comment from Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. A mother with her newborn. (Thanasis Zovoilis/Getty Images.) An Ohio child advocacy group is making a push for paid family leave, one of many that have been made over the years as child care costs continue to rise. Groundwork Ohio used its newest report to encourage implementation of paid leave policies in a state where the vast majority of residents have jobs that dont offer paid family leave. The benefits are vast, including improved health outcomes for mothers and babies, reduced infant mortality rates and diminished emotional and financial stress, according to Lynne Gutierrez, president and CEO of Groundwork Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the other types of leave that exists in the U.S. is the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which provides leave that keeps individuals from losing their jobs for specific family and medical reasons, but that leave is unpaid. Groundwork Ohios analysis estimated 8.4 million people, about 5.3% of eligible workers those in companies with 50 employees or more who have worked for at least a year use FMLA annually, but also found that FMLA has significant limitations forcing over 40% of the total U.S. workforce to the fringes of a benefit made accessible due to legal technicalities. Under FMLA, family is categorized as spouses, children and parents, but excludes modern families and LGBTQ+ populations, the study stated. To fill the gaps in FMLA coverage, the report argued support for paid family leave should be taken up by state legislatures to not only support families in better ways, but also to bring the U.S. up to par with other countries. Currently, the U.S. is one of only six countries globally without national paid maternity leave, according to Groundwork, an abysmally far cry from the average 29 weeks of paid maternity leave sanctified in most other countries. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the absence of a functioning paid leave insurance system, U.S. workers are likely to repurpose earned vacation or sick time for family and health care reasons, leading to increased burnout, turnover and poorer mental health outcomes, the study stated. The paid family leave gaps come amid a child care landscape that is also considered inaccessible and unaffordable to many in Ohio and across the country. Some state legislatures have already taken steps to fill the paid leave gap, with 21 states and D.C. enacting paid leave laws in 2023. A study of state-level programs conducted by the National Partnership for Women & Families in 2023 found improved labor force participation, less need for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or other public assistance programs, and improvements in health outcomes for children and parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peoples access to paid leave should not depend on where they live or work or what kind of job they hold, the NPWF stated. The success of paid family and medical leave programs at the state level demonstrates that there is an effective, affordable and proven model that works for families, businesses and the economy. Ohios economy could see boosts with the implementation of paid leave policies, according to Groundworks analysis. A full-time employee in Ohio gives up about $3,100 in income if they take one month of unpaid leave. If women in Ohio could participate in the labor force at the same rate as women in countries with paid leave policies, the state would see approximately $3.9 billion more in wages statewide, simultaneously boosting the state economy and helping to stabilize families, the study stated. Citing Federal Reserve estimates, the research stated Ohios overall GDP would have been $67 billion higher between 2005 and 2019 if gender and racial wealth gaps were closed. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong listens as evidence is presented on the first day of the civil trial to determine the validity of the medical marijuana ballot measures at the Lancaster County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Lincoln. (Kenneth Ferriera-Pool/Lincoln Journal Star) LINCOLN A paid circulator for the Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana campaign took the stand in a civil case Thursday in favor of efforts to toss allegedly fraudulent or malfeasant petition signatures. It was the second day in the trial challenging signatures in two medical cannabis ballot measures. Testimony continued Thursday from John Jake Brennan, a fraud investigator in the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office. Jennifer Henning, a paid petition circulator from Omaha for the petitions to legalize and regulate medical cannabis, testified later in the day. John Jake Brennan, an investigator with the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office, answers questions on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, during the civil trial to determine the validity of the medical marijuana ballot initiatives. (Kenneth Ferriera-Pool/Lincoln Journal Star) Regardless of the outcome of the trial, which continues Friday, Nebraskans are voting on the measures, which appear on the general election ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit alleges the campaign didnt collect the necessary 86,499 signatures for ballot access because of alleged notary malfeasance or circulator fraud. First circulator takes the stand Henning, a commercial and residential property inspector, told Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong that she illegally signed off on 18 signatures for the campaign from Seward County that she did not personally collect. She alleged she then passed them off to ballot sponsor Crista Eggers, who Henning alleged illegally notarized those invalid signatures. The only communication I had with her was through text message, and she was asking me about these petitions that I dropped the previous week, Henning testified. Attorneys in the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office, who are representing Secretary of State Bob Evnen in the lawsuit, walked through at least 10 petition pages with Henning that she said she circulated but that Eggers signed about 11 days after Henning dropped them off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, officials with the Nebraska Secretary of States Office said petition circulators must affirm they collected the signatures on the petition sheets in the physical presence of a notary, who must notarize that form in the circulators presence. Henning said she joined the campaign in 2022 to support her children, particularly her son who she said is profoundly disabled and has a variety of symptoms, including severe behaviors and epileptic seizures. Before civil and criminal investigators reached out to Henning earlier this month, she testified, she never knew of the circulator-notary requirement and said shed also dropped off petition sheets to at least two other notaries or incorrectly signed her oath at her kitchen table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thought I was doing Crista a favor, Henning said. I would have never put myself in that position had I known that. Henning said she has been ostracized from the campaign and alleged Eggers instructed campaign workers to delete related text messages. Eggers, a prospective witness in the case, started the campaign to help her young son, who also has severe seizures. Im not on trial Attorney Alex Arkfeld, representing the petition sponsors, homed in on Hennings past interactions with Nebraska courts, including two felony convictions involving fraudulent insurance fraud of more than $5,000. Henning pleaded guilty to those charges in 2022. She is currently on probation and continuing to repay thousands of dollars to the defrauded companies. Attorney Daniel Gutman, left, representing the Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana sponsors, and former State Sen. Adam Morfeld confer during the first day of the civil trial to determine the validity of the Medical Marijuana ballot at the Lancaster County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Lincoln. (Kenneth Ferriera-Pool/Lincoln Journal Star) Henning said the two fraud counts came after her insurance company wouldnt cover a feeding tube formula her son needed, which cost $3,000 per month. She said that her son also needed a wheelchair, and on top of home issues involving a septic tank, her family was in severe debt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I made really, really bad decisions that Im embarrassed by, Im ashamed of, Henning said. Ive taken accountability. Im on probation. I have rebuilt my life. Arkfeld noted earlier interactions Henning had in Nebraska courts where she submitted forged or fraudulent documents and was sanctioned by Douglas County District Judge James Masteller in a 2020 for taking photos of privileged attorney documents in a case against Childrens Hospital and later uploading them to Facebook. Masteller cited at least three other infractions involving various courts in 2013, 2014 and 2015. He wrote that Henning has an extensive history of perpetrating fraud and engaging in misconduct in court proceedings. Ive done a lot of horrible things, and I know you want to keep hitting on those, Henning said. Im not on trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Henning said she walks in daily fear of getting a parking or speeding ticket because of the conditions of her probation. A campaign filled with integrity Arkfeld asked repeatedly whether Henning was offered any benefit in exchange for testifying, she said no and said she understood she could be charged at any time. You can tear my credibility, you can tear my character down, Henning continued. Im not proud of anything that I did in my past, but every day I wake up and put one foot forward, and I try to be as honest and good as I can and make my children and myself and my husband proud. Arkfeld played a 15-minute recording that Henning submitted to Evnens attorneys Wednesday night, of a campaign phone call led by Eggers shortly after the Sept. 12 lawsuit was filed and after the measures were certified Sept. 13. Deputy Solicitor General Zach Viglianco, left, confers with Assistant Attorney General Justin Hall on the first day of the civil trial to determine the validity of the medical marijuana ballot measures at the Lancaster County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Lincoln. (Kenneth Ferriera-Pool/Lincoln Journal Star) In the recording, Eggers said the campaign didnt need to worry about the lawsuit and could be thankful of the efforts of those on the call in getting the petition measures onto the ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our campaign is filled with integrity, and from Day One weve always been fighting for November 5. Thats been our fight all along, Eggers said in the recording. I want us to continue being strong and being absolutely committed to November 5 as the day Nebraskans get the chance to vote on this. Under questioning, Henning confirmed that Eggers never instructed anyone to violate the law or act unethically during the recorded call. Henning, under questioning by Justin Hall with the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office, alleged that in another meeting, Eggers had instructed campaign workers to violate the law, but she did not produce a recording of such a discussion. A culmination of errors Early Thursday, Brennan, a certified fraud investigator, testified that his investigation included circulators who had a signature rejection rate higher than 50%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He confirmed he did not talk to the notaries alleged to have committed malfeasance, which he outlined as: Having no notary signature (nine signatures). No notary stamp (57 signatures). A notarization not completed in the presence of the circulator (583 signatures). A notarization without a circulators signature (110 signatures). Self-notarization (235 signatures). Some other notarial errors (107 signatures). Among those more general errors was crossing out an inaccurate notary stamp or signature, which sometimes incorrectly came from the circulator. On some of the examples shown in court, campaign workers had affixed a corrected stamp or a signature from a different notary. David Wilson Jr., associate general counsel for the Secretary of States Office and director of licensing, including for notaries, testified Tuesday that crossing out bad notarizations is part of the guidance from Wilsons office, but not the law. Wilson did note that the notary is attached to the circulators oath, so a second, new circulators signature might also be required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of 1,110 signatures directly identified as malfeasant, 706 were for the campaigns legalization petition and 394 were for the regulatory petition. David Wilson Jr., associate general counsel and licensing director for the Nebraska Secretary of States Office, gives testimony on the first day of the civil trial to determine the validity of the medical marijuana ballot measures at the Lancaster County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Lincoln. (Courtesy of Kenneth Ferriera-Pool/Lincoln Journal Star) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney Daniel Gutman, representing the ballot sponsors, said the AGs Office is then extending those hundreds of signatures to tens of thousands more the office is alleging 49,187 tainted signatures on the legalization petition and 30,610 tainted signatures on the regulatory petition. Evnen previously certified nearly 90,000 signatures on both measures. Brennan said his investigatory process was about the totality of evidence and circumstances. He noted, for example, that notaries must be state licensed, but circulators do not. When I was looking at these, it would be a culmination of errors, Brennan said of his process. When you see things like multiple instances of missing a notary stamp, multiple instances of self notarization, those types of things come together. Gutman asked Brennan if its possible some of the errors could have been mistakes and not intentional, like forgetting a notary stamp or signature. Brennan responded, Correct. Experience as a fraud investigator Brennan, responding to questions from Deputy Solicitor General Zach Viglianco, said he could certainly draw inferences on the number of times someone had problems and that if someone engages in some sort of intentional wrongful conduct, it calls into question other conduct they engage in. Is that something that happens in your experience as a fraud investigator? Viglianco asked. Yes, Brennan responded. When Gutman asked whether Brennan had investigated Hennings past, Brennan said he found online only what was in the paper and had not looked into Hennings other legal history. The trial continues at 8 a.m. Friday, If needed, it could extend to Monday. The trial was originally scheduled for a maximum of three days. Election Day is Tuesday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BEIRUT (AP) Israel launched dozens of intense airstrikes across Lebanon's northeastern farming villages on Friday, killing at least 52 people and wounding scores more, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported. In central Gaza, Palestinians recovered the bodies of 25 people killed in a barrage of Israeli aerial attacks that began Thursday, hospital officials said. The latest violence comes against the backdrop of a renewed diplomatic push by United States President Joe Biden's administration, days before the presidential election, to reach temporary cease-fire deals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels emergency services said seven people were injured before dawn Saturday in attack in the central town of Tira. Three projectiles crossed into Israel from Lebanon, Israels military said, and some were intercepted. The Magen David Adom service said two of those injured were in moderate condition from the attack, and the others had milder injuries. A photo the service released showed damage to what appeared to be an apartment building. Israel has stepped up its offensive against Hamas remaining fighters in Gaza, pulverizing areas in the north and raising fears of worsening humanitarian conditions for civilians still there. In Lebanon, Israel has broadened its strikes in recent weeks to bigger urban hubs, like the town of Baalbek, home to 80,000 people, after initially targeting smaller border villages in the south, where Hezbollah conducts operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran-backed Hezbollah doubles as a major political party and provider of social services in Lebanon. Hezbollah began firing rockets, drones and missiles from Lebanon into Israel in solidarity with Hamas immediately after the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which triggered the war in Gaza. The yearlong cross-border fighting boiled over to full-blown war on Oct. 1, when Israeli forces launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon for the first time since 2006. In Lebanons Bekaa Valley where small villages, olive groves and wineries nestled between the country's mountain ranges had largely been spared the worst of Israeli bombardment until recently Israel conducted a series of heavy airstrikes Friday, killing at least 52 people, driving more families to flee with whatever they could carry and sending thick plumes of smoke over the horizon. Intensified Israeli airstrikes on and around the northeastern city of Baalbek after Israel issued evacuation warnings have prompted 60,000 people to flee, emptying nearby villages, said Hussein Haj Hassan, a Lebanese lawmaker representing the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Lebanon, rescuers searched for survivors after airstrikes killed nine people and brought down a building that had housed 20 people in the town of Younine. Further Israeli strikes killed 12 people in the town of Amhaz and 31 others across at least a dozen villages in Lebanon's northeast, bringing the total death toll to 52, the Health Ministry said. The bombardment left 72 people wounded, the ministry added. There was no immediate comment from Israel on the deadly strikes. In Lebanons capital, Israeli planes pounded the southern suburb of Dahiyeh overnight and early Friday for the first time in four days, spreading panic after a rare lull. The Israeli military, which warned residents to evacuate at least nine locations in Dahiyeh, said it hit Hezbollah weapons manufacturing sites and command centers. There were no reports of casualties from Dahiyeh, where fears of Israeli bombings drive a mass outflow of residents each night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bulldozers rumbled through clouds of dust and smoke Friday, clearing rubble from the pulverized roads where Israeli warplanes had reduced dozens of buildings to their skeletal remains. Formerly home to families and businesses, mid-rise apartment blocks were left open to the breeze, walls blown off and furniture buried. Hezbollah supporters in several locations raised the groups bright yellow banner atop the rubble. Since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in 2023, more than 2,897 people have been killed and 13,150 wounded in Lebanon, the Health Ministry reports, not including Friday's rising toll. Health authorities say that a quarter of those killed were women and children. Overall, United Nations agencies estimate that Israels ground invasion and bombardment of Lebanon has displaced 1.4 million people. Residents of Israels northern communities near Lebanon, roughly 60,000 people, have also been displaced for more than a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hezbollah has kept up firing rockets into northern Israel, with projectiles launched from Lebanon on Thursday crashing into agricultural areas and killing seven people, including four Thai farm workers. Israel also pressed on with its bombardment of Gaza on Friday, where a barrage of airstrikes hit central Gazas Nuseirat refugee camp and killed at least 21 Palestinians including an 18-month-old and his 10-year-old sister according to health officials at the nearby Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Israeli strikes also hit a motorcycle in Zuwaida and a house in Deir al-Balah, killing four more people, hospital officials said, bringing Friday's overall death toll in Gaza to 25. Israel said it targeted Hamas infrastructure and a militant operating near the Nuseirat refugee camp, but did not comment on the strikes outside the camp. It said it was aware of reports of civilian casualties and was investigating. In a separate announcement, the army said an airstrike on a vehicle in Gazas southern town of Khan Younis killed a senior member of the Hamas political bureau, Izz al-Din Kassab, and his assistant, Ayman Ayesh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas confirmed the death of Kassab, who was not well known to the public. Israel alleged he was a coordinator between militant groups in Gaza. As American diplomats left the region after a flurry of meetings with Israeli officials, there were no signs of a breakthrough on a cease-fire in either Lebanon or Gaza. On Friday, Hamas doubled down on its longstanding demands for a permanent cease-fire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, saying Israel offered only a temporary pause in the war and an increase in aid shipments in the latest negotiations. There was no immediate comment from Israel. The proposals do not meet the comprehensive needs of the Palestinian people in terms of security, stability, relief, and reconstruction, said senior Hamas official Bassem Naem, speaking first to the Hamas-run Al Aqsa TV before confirming the groups position to The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels blistering war in Gaza has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants killed roughly 1,200 people in Israel and took some 250 hostages back to Gaza. Health officials inside Hamas-run Gaza do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but say more than half of the dead in the enclave are women and children. Israeli forces have recently shifted their attention to Hamas militants who they say have regrouped in northern Gaza, renewing an offensive that has trapped tens of thousands of people under intense bombardment without enough food or water. Israeli airstrikes have repeatedly hindered an emergency polio vaccination campaign, which the World Health Organization announced it planned to finally resume on Saturday but only in Gaza City. Towns further north, like Jabaliya, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, remain inaccessible as Israel tightens its siege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N. and other humanitarian organizations warned Friday that the situation unfolding in north Gaza is apocalyptic, citing Israels denial of humanitarian aid to the area, military raids on hospitals, airstrikes on shelters and obstruction of Palestinian rescue teams who struggle to help survivors after Israeli attacks. ___ Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip. Associated Press writers Julia Frankel in Jerusalem; Bassem Mroue in Beirut; David Rising in Bangkok; Isabel DeBre in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Edith Lederer in New York; and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report. Attorneys for a Florida man brutally beaten by Jacksonville officers in a viral video last year announced Thursday a federal lawsuit against the officers involved in the incident. Footage showed LeKeian Woods bloodied and bruised as officers surrounded him after a traffic stop on Sept. 29, 2023. A mugshot showed Woods with two swollen, black eyes and lacerations on his face, sparking public outrage. More than a year later, Woods spoke briefly about the incident alongside his attorneys in a news conference outside the Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse in Jacksonville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was stopped at a traffic stop and I ran. I got kind of scared; I knew they was going to shoot me. I panicked and I ran, Woods told reporters, adding that he continues to endure a lot of migraine pain, a lot of eyesight pain as a result of the beating. An image from cellphone video shows LeKeian Woods surrounded by officers as he's taken into custody. Woods attorney Harry Daniels announced the lawsuit against Detectives Beau Daigle, Trey McCullough and Hunter Sullivan and now-former Detective Josue Garriga, accusing them of excessive use of force. According to the lawsuit, the officers violated Woods Fourth Amendment right when they pulled him over for an alleged seatbelt violation and brutally beat Woods after he fled. The lawsuit states that Woods is still receiving medical care and suffers from myriad mental health symptoms, according to NBC affiliate WTLV of Jacksonville. You had three deputy sheriffs who weighed over 200 pounds beating LeKeian, who may have weighed 150 pounds soaking wet. He had already been tased, he was already disoriented, Daniels said, adding that at least one of the officers kneed Woods in the head multiple times. Officers alleged that they saw Woods engaged in a drug transaction before pulling him over for a traffic stop. He ran as they handcuffed two other people in the traffic stop, according to the body camera video and an arrest report. At the time, the sheriffs office also alleged that the video created the illusion of an inappropriate use of force. Sheriff T.K. Waters said last October that just because force is ugly does not mean it is unlawful or contrary to policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniels, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment, on Thursday denied that Woods was part of any drug deal. Body camera video showed detectives chasing Woods through a yard, a parking lot and a grassy area before they used a stun gun on him. Woods was seen falling first onto a paved street with one arm beneath him. Then, detectives were seen hitting him in his face, bloodying his jaw and kneeing him in the head while they yelled for him to put his hands behind his back. Woods was hospitalized for days after the incident with, his attorneys said, a ruptured kidney and head injuries. Woods later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor resisting police without violence, and all other charges against him armed trafficking in cocaine, armed possession of a controlled substance, armed trafficking in amphetamine, and tampering with evidence were dropped, some as part of a plea deal, according to the Florida Times-Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Department of Justice reviewed the arrest and concluded last November in a letter to Waters: Based on the known information, this incident does not give rise to a prosecutable violation of the federal civil rights laws. As a result, we are closing our review of this matter. The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. What took place was a crime, Daniels said Thursday. Was the running of LeKeian Woods justification of deadly force? I can answer that question: no. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Florida school boards removed more books from school libraries during the 2023-2024 school year than any other state, according to PEN America. (Photo: Getty Images) Florida topped every state in the nation for the number of books removed from school libraries during the 2023-2024 school year. Thats 4,500 books from July 2023 to June 2024, according to an annual report from PEN America, a nonprofit advocating for freedom of expression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That represents nearly half of nationwide removals, which numbered 10,064. Iowa, which removed more than 3,600 books, was next closest to Florida. Floridas 2023 law, HB 1069, created a legal process for removing books, including a requirement that they be pulled while schools respond to challenges filed by parents or citizens. The list compiled by PEN includes books permanently removed from schools, removed pending investigation, and restrictions based on grade level or requiring parental permission. Thirty-three school districts in Florida removed books, according to PENs report. Escambia, Clay, Collier, and Orange counties removal numbers were among the highest in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Escambia accounted for 1,582 of Floridas removals. A great deal of them were banned pending investigation in August 2023, shortly after the book removal law took effect. During the 2024 legislative session, lawmakers passed a law limiting book challenges by residents without a child in school to one per month. A group of book publishers filed suit against the Florida Board of Education in August, claiming the book removal law is overbroad and has caused a chilling effect. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Nationwide The 10,064 removals nationwide included 4,231 unique titles across 29 states and 220 school districts. In 2022-2023, schools removed 1,557; in 2021-2022, the number was 1,643. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of that total, 43% were complete removals. It is important to recognize that books available in schools, whether in a school or classroom library or as part of a curriculum, were selected by librarians and educators as part of the educational offerings to students, reads the PEN America news release. Book bans occur when those choices are overridden by school boards, administrators, or even politicians on the basis of a particular books content. Among the titles removed in more than one district, more than half, 57%, included sex-related themes and 39% included LGBTQ characters or people. The most banned book was Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. Other most commonly removed titles include Looking for Alaska by John Green, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Crank by Ellen Hopkins, The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, and A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having the most banned book in the country is not a badge of honor its a call for alarm, Picoult said in PENs news release. Nineteen Minutes is banned not because its about a school shooting, but [] because of a single page that depicts a date rape and uses anatomically correct words for the human body. It is not gratuitous or salacious, and it is not as the book banners claim porn. In fact, hundreds of kids have told me that reading 19 Minutes stopped them from committing a school shooting, or showed them they were not alone in feeling isolated. The nonprofit states that its numbers present a snapshot of the total number of book bans and the distribution of book bans across states and districts are likely an undercount. Book bans from schools and districts often go under-reported or unreported. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE "What students can read in schools provides the foundation for their lives," says PEN America Eric Charbonneau/Getty; Lou Rocco/ABC via Getty; VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty John Green; Jodi Picoult; Stephen Chbosky John Green; Jodi Picoult; Stephen Chbosky Book bans are sharply on the rise, according to a new study by PEN America. PEN America, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness for the protection of free expression through the advancement of literature and human rights, has released statistics on book bans in schools this past year. Related: Dave Eggers Novel Was Banned From South Dakota Schools. In a New Documentary, the Community Fights Back (Exclusive) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the organization, which was founded in 1922, schools have seen a 200% increase in the banning of certain types of literature which translates into roughly 10,000 books between 2023-2024. A vast majority of those affected by the ban are BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors, said writer Jodi Picoult in a joint social media post with PEN America on Monday, Oct. 28. In the Instagram video, Picoult, 58, says her book, Nineteen Minutes, was the most banned book in the country last year. The book tells the story of a school shooting, however, Picoult claims that had little to do with the reasoning behind the ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Meet the FReadom Fighters Taking On Book Bans and Online Abuse: 'Books Are Not Contraband' Picoult explained that the decision was usually because of a single page that depicts a date rape, and uses anatomically correct words for the human body. The Princeton and Harvard grad said her book has been challenged as porn. Related: John Green and Jodi Picoult Join Publishers, Authors and Advocates in a Lawsuit Against Florida Book Bans Books are on the ballot Nov. 5," the caption read. "Join the fight against book bans at pen.org/action and be sure to vote all the way down to your school board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to Picoult, the next most frequently banned titles included Looking for Alaska by John Green and The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. The Perks of Being a Wallflower cover PEN America states that book banning has seen a significant increase, much higher than in previous years. Florida and Iowa led all states in K-12 book bans during the 2023-2024 school year, due to laws in both states that censor books in public schools. Books are increasingly being banned that depict topics young people confront in the real world: substance abuse, suicide, depression and mental health concerns and sexual violence, PEN America said in a press release shared with PEOPLE. Related: John Green Blasts Indiana Library for Removing 'The Fault in Our Stars' From Young Adult Section Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. This crisis is tragic for young people hungry to understand the world they live in and see their identities and experiences reflected in books, Kasey Meehan, director of PEN Americas Freedom to Read program, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The passage of time when youre in 6th grade or 11th grade is very fast with much to learn about. What students can read in schools provides the foundation for their lives, whether critical thinking, empathy across difference, personal well-being or long-term success. The defense of the core principles of public education and the freedom to read, learn and think is as necessary now as ever, she continued. To learn more about book bans, visit PEN America's website. PHILADELPHIA (AP) A legal fight over Elon Musks $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes is back in state court in Pennsylvania, a loss for the billionaire, after a federal judge said Friday that he doesn't have jurisdiction. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner wants to keep his fight to shut down the giveaways in state court, calling it a violation of state lottery laws. Musk had argued that the case belonged in federal court as it involves claims of federal election interference. A judge scheduled a hearing for 10 a.m. Monday. It wasn't immediately clear whether Musk would attend though Krasner previously argued that Musk should have to appear in court. Musks political organization, which aims to boost Donald Trumps presidential campaign, has organized the sweepstakes as a way of encouraging people to be registered voters in key battleground states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With just days to go until Tuesday's presidential election, the case now returns to Judge Angelo Foglietta, who held a brief hearing Thursday in a courtroom at Philadelphia City Hall. No further hearings were immediately scheduled. U.S. District Judge Gerald J. Pappert, a Republican former Pennsylvania attorney general appointed to the federal bench by President Barack Obama, issued Friday's ruling. "Defendants argue the complaints references to the forthcoming Federal Presidential Election show the lawsuit necessarily raises questions of federal law. But federal question jurisdiction does not turn on a plaintiffs motivations in filing suit; it turns on whether the legal issues arising from the claims originate in federal or state law, Pappert wrote. Krasner lawyer John Summers, in a statement, said he will now ask Foglietta to enter an injunction to stop the defendants lottery and the defendants unfair and deceptive practices. Matthew Haverstick, a lawyer for Musk, did not immediately respond to text and phone messages seeking comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, who owns Tesla, SpaceX and X, has gone all in on Trump this election, saying he thinks civilization is at stake. He is undertaking much of the get-out-the-vote effort for Trump through his super PAC, which can raise and spend unlimited sums of money. He has committed more than $70 million to the super PAC to help Trump and other Republicans win in November. Krasner accused Musk and his PAC in his lawsuit filed Monday of running a dubious lottery in the tense run-up to Tuesdays election. Four of the first dozen winners appeared to be from Pennsylvania, perhaps the key prize in the tight presidential race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Is it just a coincidence that this is the state that has the largest electoral votes? I dont think so, lawyer John Summers argued Thursday. Posts by Musks America PAC on his X platform indicate hes given away 13 checks of $1 million since the first one in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 19. Other winners came from the battleground states of Wisconsin, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina and Michigan. The sweepstakes is set to run through Election Day, open to registered voters in too-close-to-call states who sign a petition supporting the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre doing things in the dark, Summers told the judge. We dont know the rules being followed. We dont know how theyre supposedly picking people at random Its an outrage. Election law experts have questioned whether it violates federal law barring payments for votes. Musk has cast the money as both a prize as well as earnings for work as a spokesperson for the group. Krasner has said he could still consider criminal charges, as hes tasked with protecting both lotteries and the integrity of elections. Both Trump and Kamala Harris have made repeated visits to the state as they fight for Pennsylvanias 19 electoral votes, and both plan several more stops there before Tuesday. Alipay+, a suite of cross-border mobile payment and digitalization technology solutions operated by Ant International, and Windcave, a leading payment technology provider in New Zealand, has announced that the two sides have formed a partnership to bring seamless mobile payment solutions to merchants across Australia and New Zealand. Alipay+ says this collaboration will enable 10,000+ local merchants to connect with travellers from Asia and Europe, by enabling the merchants to accept payments from mobile payment methods across eight countries and regions. According to Alipay, consumers from 15 of Alipay+s mobile payment partners can now enjoy a more seamless payment experience when they travel, shop and dine in Australia and New Zealand: Alipay (Chinese Mainland), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR, China), MPay (Macao SAR, China), Touch'n Go eWallet (Malaysia), MyPB (Malaysia), Hipay (Mongolia), GCash (The Philippines), HelloMoney (The Philippines), Changi Pay (Changi Airport Group, Singapore), OCBC (Singapore), Kakao Pay (South Korea), Naver Pay (South Korea), Toss Pay (South Korea), TrueMoney (Thailand), and Tinaba (Italy). And, Alipay notes that at any Windcave terminal displaying the Alipay+ logo, consumers can simply open their preferred digital wallet app, scan the QR code, and complete their payment in their local currency in seconds. This streamlined process enhances the payment experience for both consumers and merchants, making transactions quick, easy, and secure. Through this partnership, merchants can better serve the growing number of travellers to Australia and New Zealand, who can now use their preferred e-wallets even when abroad. This opens up new sales opportunities and provides a competitive advantage by offering a broader range of payment options, explains Alipay, adding that merchants who have already integrated Alipay+s payment processing solutions through Windcave include the LagardereAWPL group, RealNZ and NZONE Skydive. Daniel Favier, Sales Manager at Windcave, said, The innovation and simplicity of the Alipay+ solution has helped Windcave to provide a seamless way for our merchants to get access to an even greater number of customers. Jonathan Wang, ANZ Regional Director at Ant International said, We are pleased to enhance our support for merchants in Australia and New Zealand by partnering with Windcave, the leading payments platform in this region. We will continue to expand our merchant coverage to better serve both businesses and consumers and make it easier and more efficient for merchants to connect with their customers all around the world. About Alipay+ Alipay+ is a suite of cross-border digital payment, marketing and digitalization solutions that help connect global merchants to consumers. Consumers enjoy seamless payment and a broad choice of deals using their preferred payment methods while travelling abroad. Small and medium-sized businesses may use Alipay+ digital tools to enhance efficiency and achieve omni-channel growth. About Windcave Founded in 1999 in New Zealand, Windcave has emerged as an innovative leader in payment technology. Windcaves comprehensive platform serves a diverse range of clients, from large corporations and banks to small and medium enterprises. By consolidating payment needs into a single provider, Windcave simplifies payment processes and delivers outstanding service to globalbrands. Their offerings span online, in-store, and unattended environments, featuring global acquiring, tokenization, data insights, cross-border services, and support for all popular payment methods. Pennsylvania is arguably the most important individual race in the election, offering both candidates a pathway to the 270 electoral college votes needed to secure the White House. Both the Democrats and Republicans have blanketed the Keystone State in the lead up to election day, making around 50 pit stops over the past three months the most of any of the seven key swing states. The race is on a knife edge, with Donald Trump leading Kamala Harris by an average of 0.34 per cent, according to Telegraph polling data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And with 19 electoral college votes up for grabs the most of any battleground state whoever wins Pennsylvania will have the clearest path to the White House. How much can early voting data tell us? Ahead of election night, early voting may provide some indication of which way Pennsylvania is expected to tilt. Although registered Democrats traditionally hold a narrow advantage when it comes to early voting, the number of Republicans casting their ballots early has surged across Pennsylvania and other swing states, in a potential boost for Trump. What time are the exit polls released? One of the earliest indications for who will win on the night will be the exit poll. However, not all of its projections will be released immediately by TV networks, even after polls have closed and the votes that will decide the next president are being tallied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvania is also one of seven states two of which are swing states that do not allow election workers to begin processing absentee or mail ballots until after 7am on election day. As a result, election workers must count these ballots at the same time as polls open, which can cause delays in unofficial results being available. When will Pennsylvania declare its result? The official Pennsylvania state website will update federal and state election results starting from 8pm on election night. The state department has warned that results of some races may not be known on election night as election officials prioritise making sure each ballot is counted accurately and securely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the closeness of the presidential race, and the states experience in recent elections, it is unlikely that Pennsylvania will be called on the night. What happened in previous years? Having voted Democrat in every election from 1988 until 2012, the Keystone State turned red in 2016 when Trump bested Hillary Clinton by a margin of just 0.8 per cent. The state was called for Trump at 1.35am ET the morning after the election, with Trumps overall victory declared at 2.29am ET. When Joe Biden re-captured Pennsylvania from Trump in 2020 in a razor tight race, the state was left on tenterhooks for four days. Because of demands for a recount, it took until 11.25am on the Saturday for media outlets to call the race, and it proved to be the decisive blow that won Mr Biden the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Mr Biden had already clinched victory in the Blue Wall states of Michigan and Wisconsin, his narrow victory in Pennsylvania pushed him beyond the 270 votes needed to win the presidency. Despite losing by about 80,000 votes, Trump has continued to claim he won the race in Pennsylvania, and election officials are bracing for further conspiracy theories this year ahead of another anticipated delay. That window of time between the polls closing and races being called, I think, has shown to be a real vulnerability, where people seeking to undermine confidence in those results if theyre going to lose have really exploited, Al Schmidt, Pennsylvanias top election official, told CBS. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A voter casts her early voting ballot on October 17, 2020 in Philadelphia. In-person early voting by using mail ballots, enabled millions of voters to cast their ballots. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images) For more than two tense weeks in November 2020, election workers in Philadelphia tallied votes in the presidential election. The slow process of opening and scanning more than 370,000 mail-in ballots delayed certification of Pennsylvanias election and fueled conspiracy theories that former President Donald Trumps supporters grasped at in hopes of overturning the results. Four years later, with the world watching, election workers across the commonwealth have had more practice working within the confines of Pennsylvanias still-relatively new vote-by-mail system and new technology has been deployed to streamline the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Act 77, the state law that allowed no-excuse voting by mail for the first time in 2020, remains unchanged. It forbids preparing mail ballots to be counted before polling places open at 7 a.m. on Election Day. That means election workers face the prospect of processing upwards of 2 million mail-in ballots statewide on Election Day, raising the prospect that the winner of Pennsylvanias presidential election wont be known for days after voting ends. And because questions remain about when mail-in ballots should be disqualified for flaws or counted notwithstanding errors by voters, court challenges could drag on for weeks. The message is please be patient, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt told a national audience in an interview on CBS 60 Minutes earlier this month. Our counties are working night and day to count their voters votes. Theyre doing so as quickly as they can, and with integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With 19 electoral votes in play and polls consistently showing the race in Pennsylvania between Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump neck-and-neck, the Keystone State will likely earn its nickname again in this election, deciding the outcome of the race. Lauren Cristella, executive director of the Philadelphia-based democracy watchdog group Committee of Seventy, said the last four years have brought improvements and election officials are well-prepared. Pennsylvanians have every reason to believe that the election will be free, fair, safe and secure, Cristella said. Problems have emerged across the state, however, with voters in Erie County not receiving mail-in ballots they had applied for, voters who hoped to apply for on-demand mail ballots being turned away in Bucks County, and authorities in Lancaster, Monroe and York counties investigating suspected fraudulent voter registration applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and supporters have cited the irregularities as evidence of cheating or voter suppression. In his daily election update on Thursday, Schmidt said that since 2022, the state has provided $45 million in grants each year that counties can use for election administration improvements such as purchasing equipment to expedite mail ballot processing or hiring additional staff. At the height of the COVID pandemic, about 40% of Pennsylvania voters availed themselves of the ability to vote without going to a polling place resulting in 2.7 million mail-in ballots being cast. This year, the number of mail ballots is closer to 2.2 million, Schmidt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New equipment, more people, more experience, and fewer votes to count, he said And if counties are still counting ballots at midnight on Election Day, they must report the number of ballots counted and the number remaining to count, Schmidt said, which helps tamp down false claims that ran rampant in 2020 about vote tallies changing overnight. Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein, one of the three Board of Elections members, said those measures will allow the city to speed up vote counting significantly compared to 2020. It wont take until the Saturday after the election, Bluestein said in a press briefing last week. The election was decided for President Joe Biden four days after polls closed despite the ongoing count in Philadelphia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the legal restraint on preparing ballots to be counted known as pre-canvassing remains a major vulnerability in Pennsylvanias election system, Bluestein warned. The window of time for when polls close until the race can be called, is the biggest window of opportunity for mis- and disinformation and harassment threats. Thats just a fact, he said, adding that even though counties have worked to make the process faster, it is absolutely unacceptable that we do not have pre-canvassing in Pennsylvania prior to election day. Forty three states, including Florida, allow election workers to begin processing ballots before Election Day, Bluestein said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cristella and others said the failure of the Legislature to pass that and other reforms was a complete abdication of their responsibility to ensure public confidence in the election system. Republican lawmakers, who passed a comprehensive overhaul of the state Election Code when the GOP controlled both chambers in 2021, blame former Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf for vetoing the bill. Wolf said in his veto letter that while the legislation included some improvements such as giving counties more time to prepare ballots to be counted and increasing poll worker pay, it was incurably riddled with unacceptable barriers to voting. Among many criticisms, Wolf cited House Bill 1300s inclusion of voter ID requirements that had already been found unconstitutional by Pennsylvania courts, burdensome requirements for mail-in voting, requiring signatures on mail-in ballots to match those on file and eliminating the use of ballot drop boxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill is ultimately not about improving access to voting or election security, but about restricting the freedom to vote, Wolf said at the time. Since the start of the current legislative session in 2023, when Democrats took control of the state House and Republicans retained a majority in the Senate, progress on election administration has become more deeply mired in partisan politics. An Election Code amendment to give counties more time to pre-canvass mail-in ballots passed the House as a standalone measure in May but is likely to die in the Senate when the legislative session ends next month. We have asked for this bill numerous times, House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery) told the Capital-Star, noting that it has been requested by county officials and voting rights advocates. It seems as though there are those who would prefer to cast doubt and sow seeds of division heading into a contentious election and have failed to learn the lessons of the 2020 election denialism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) said Thursday that Democrats are responsible for creating weaknesses in the election process, and they want to exploit these weaknesses for political gains. Grove also pointed a finger at the state courts, which he accused of creating election laws days before an election and at Democratic-led counties, which he said must not implement ad-hoc policies to benefit their preferred candidate. Philip Hensley-Robin, executive director of Common Cause PA, said the protracted court battles and inconsistent practices between counties are the direct result of omissions and ambiguity in the original language of Act 77. Stakeholders and lawmakers have tried to fix them only to see bills derailed by amendments that were unacceptable to one caucus or the other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the April primary election, state appeals courts have heard arguments and rendered decisions in a range of cases dealing with mail-in ballots. The central issues, left unresolved, are whether mail-in ballots returned on time but with mistakes, such as missing or incorrect dates on the return envelopes or voters not using secrecy envelopes, should be counted. How counties handle such ballots has been inconsistent since 2020 and although courts at every level have weighed in, none has done so conclusively. Those things have resulted in litigation because the underlying legislation isnt making clear that these shouldnt be fatal defects, Hensley-Robin said. Most recently, the state Supreme Court vacated a Commonwealth Court decision that the dating requirement violates the state Constitutions guarantee of the right to vote. The high court declined a request to resurrect the case, saying deciding the issue so soon before an election risked confusing voters. As a result, for this election voters must follow the requirement to write the date on the return envelope of their mail-in ballots. Cases on tangential questions about mail-in ballots are still alive, however, days before election officials are to begin counting. In one case now on emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, the state Supreme Court said county officials must allow voters who make mistakes on mail-in ballots to cast provisional ballots and have them counted. In another, the state Supreme Court agreed to hear a GOP appeal on whether election officials must tell voters if their mail-in ballots are fatally flawed. And on Wednesday, a Commonwealth Court panel ruled, yet again, that the Philadelphia Board of Elections violated voters rights by disqualifying undated mail-in ballots in a September state House special election. The GOP on Thursday asked the state Supreme Court to stay or modify the lower courts decision to ensure that it does not influence the Nov. 5 election. Vic Walzak, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, said Commonwealth Court decisions generally apply across the state. Speaking last week, before the Commonwealth Courts most recent decision, Walczak said he struggled to understand the reluctance of courts and litigants to decide the issue. Resolving the issue before the election avoids the skepticism and distrust inherent when a courts decision determines the outcome of a close election, he said. Its just not as good a look for the courts to be making decisions when everybody can sort of look and say, we kind of know whats going to happen if these ballots are counted, Walczak said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) Around the world, people are honoring their loved ones through Dia De Los Muertos. That translates from Spanish to Day of the Dead. Its a tradition that dates back centuries as a way for people to make sure their dead loved ones are never forgotten. In Hispanic culture, theres believed to be three deaths. The first is when you die, when your body ceases living. The second is when youre put into the ground and the third and most final death is when youre truly forgotten, Onslow Hispanic Latino Association Volunteer Juan Carlos Ortiz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal of Die De Los Muertos is to try and make sure that last death never happens. Click the above video to see 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 WNCT. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) With less than one week before Election Day, Clackamas County is experiencing ballot processing delays amid persistent mechanical issues with a mail ballot sorter, the county elections office announced Thursday. The issue started the week after ballots were mailed to Clackamas County voters, officials said explaining the mail sorter abruptly stops moving ballots. This makes it challenging to process large batches of ballots without interruption. The Clackamas County Elections Office said they previously received on-site help from the mail ballot sorter company, which is returning to the office for the second time for repairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Eye on Northwest Politics Typically, the county explained, all ballot envelopes are processed through the sorter, which takes a picture of the back of the envelope and the barcode is scanned to verify the envelope is valid and from a Clackamas County voter. Those pictures are then reviewed by staff to compare the signature on the envelope with the signature on the voters registration record. After the signature is reviewed, ballot envelopes are processed through the mail ballot sorter a second time and split into two categories: approved ballots and challenged ballots meaning the signature could not be matched. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters who submitted a challenged ballot are contacted to cure the signature, Clackamas County Elections office explained. Pop-up Trump statue makes political point in Portland The elections office said the mechanical issue is also delaying voters ability to look up the status of their ballot. As the elections office awaits repairs, Clackamas County Clerk Catherine McMullen directed elections staff to process ballots using hand scanners. McMullen explained scanning ballots by hand is an established process and is used in smaller Oregon counties. During this process, ballot signatures are still reviewed by staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Wednesday, the county has processed more than 82,000 ballots noting at the beginning of the day Wednesday, the elections office had an estimated 40,000 ballots to process in addition to the 12,000 ballots received in the mail and at ballot drop sites. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. The Arizona State Board of Education has released preliminary school letter grades for the 2023-24 school year. A majority of Arizona's public schools received A's or B's. About 36% received A's, while six schools less than 0.5% received F's. About 41% of schools received B's. Letter grades are released annually as an indicator of school performance, with schools receiving "A" grades described as excellent, "B" schools described as highly performing, "C" schools described as adequately performing, "D" schools described as minimally performing and "F" schools described as failing, according to the board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal law requires states to measure school performance. The A-F letter grading system is mandated by Arizona law. Which school districts saw their letter grades improve? Several school districts in the Valley saw districtwide letter grade improvements from the prior school year: Agua Fria Union improved from B to A, Balsz Elementary improved from C to B, Deer Valley Unified improved from B to A, Fountain Hills Unified improved from B to A, Gila Bend Unified improved from D to C, Glendale Union improved from B to A, Morristown Elementary improved from C to A, Murphy Elementary improved from C to B, Pendergast Elementary improved from C to B, Roosevelt Elementary improved from C to B, Peoria Unified improved from B to A and Wilson Elementary improved from D to C. Jennifer Petty, superintendent of the Morristown Elementary School District and the principal of its only school described the district's jump from C to A as a "remarkable improvement." It reflects "years of focused efforts since our initial identification as a 'D' school in 2020," Petty said in a statement, adding that the improvement "showcases the strength and resilience of our small, rural, Title I school community." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petty said the school's success stemmed from its efforts to implement small-group standards-based instruction to "ensure that each learner's unique needs are addressed," free tutoring services, staff's commitment to meet students' emotional needs, collaboration with families and community, professional development based on data and benchmarks and a "whole-school approach to setting high standards." "We are immensely proud of our students and staff's achievements," Petty said. Peoria Unified attributed its letter grade improvement to "the districts dedicated and talented teachers, the hard work of our learners, supportive parents and community members, and the newly adopted math and science curriculum that was implemented in every classroom," according to a statement released by the district. "We are certainly celebrating these achievements and have our sights set on continued achievement," Peoria Unified Superintendent Kenneth Christopher Somers said in the statement. Which school districts saw their letter grades drop? Other Maricopa County school districts saw their districtwide letter grades drop this year: Arlington Elementary moved from B to D, Chandler Unified moved from A to B, Cartwright Elementary moved from B to C, Kyrene Elementary moved from A to B, Litchfield Elementary moved from A to B, Maricopa County Regional School District moved from B to C, Mobile Elementary moved from B to C, Palo Verde Elementary moved from B to C and Riverside Elementary moved from B to C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chandler Unified is appealing the preliminary letter grades for four of its schools, and if just one appeal is approved, the district will receive an A, according to district spokesperson Stephanie Ingersoll. Ingersoll added that the district has "always been at the threshold of points" between A and B grades because of the variability of its student population and cut scores. This year, 26 of the district's schools received A's, 15 received B's and five received C's. "As a district, CUSD is still doing well, but many schools and districts were not able to maintain the proficiency rate increases they saw" in the prior school year, Ingersoll wrote in a statement, adding that letter grades are "only one data point" and noting that Chandler Unified is ranked the top public school district in Arizona on Niche, a site that ranks schools nationwide. What do Arizona's public school letter grades measure? The grades measure several factors: student growth from year to year, proficiency on statewide assessments, English language proficiency and growth, preparedness for high school among elementary students, preparedness for post-secondary settings among high school students and high school graduation rates. Those measures are submitted to the Arizona Department of Education, and the State Board of Education sets "cut scores" the number of points required for each letter grade. Are these school letter grades final? The letter grades are not yet set in stone. Schools can appeal their grades until Nov. 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Appeals can be made based on factors including incorrect data, adverse testing conditions, and school or community emergencies, according to the State Board of Education. Which schools received F's? Six schools received F's, described by the State Board of Education as having systematic failures in proficiency, growth and graduation rates and performance in the bottom 5% of Arizona schools. One of the schools that received an F was an alternative school in the Navajo County Accommodation District. The Arizona Department of Education defines alternative schools as schools with the sole and clearly stated mission "to serve specific populations of at-risk students." The remaining schools that received F's were the Humboldt Unified School District's Glassford Hill Middle School, the Peach Springs Unified School District's Peach Springs School, and the charter schools Aim Higher College Prep Academy, Imagine Superstition Middle and Step Up School. Where can I find a school's letter grade? The State Board of Education notes that while letter grades are "important considerations" for parents when selecting a school, they're not the only indicators of a school's performance. Things like school programs and extracurriculars, as well as school characteristics like size, should also be considered, according to the board. Additional information about schools can be found at https://azreportcards.azed.gov/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Letter grades can be found at https://azsbe.az.gov/parents/a-f-school-letter-grades. (This story was updated to add new information.) Reach the reporter at mparrish@arizonarepublic.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Which Phoenix-area school districts saw their letter grades improve? Phoenix police detectives have cracked a case of sexual assault on a toddler that went unsolved for almost four decades. One night in 1986, a man abducted a toddler from the child's home and sexually assaulted them at a construction site. The man ran off when the child started screaming, police said. A couple delivering newspapers found the child at dawn the next day and reunited them with their parents. Police talked with the toddler but were unable to identify a suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case was looked at again in 2011 after DNA technology was firmly established as an effective tool for police work. DNA tests conducted on various items returned a DNA profile for an unknown man, according to Phoenix police. Police uploaded the DNA sample into the national criminal database, called CODIS, and got a match for a 1992 sexual assault of a minor in Henderson, Texas. The Texas case was eerily similar a break-in, followed by a sexual assault and then fleeing to the 1986 assault, police noted. Police in Texas were able to get a description and DNA of the suspect, but there were no further leads. Eleven years later, in 2022, the case was picked up once more by Phoenix Police Sgt. Aaron Rodriguez and detective Javier Quezada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After exhausting almost all leads, the pair turned to forensic genealogy, a practice that finds potential relatives through DNA matches to identify a suspect, according to the Justice Department. Through forensic genealogy, they finally had a name: David Roy Mundt. Mundt, now 61, was found in August living in Longview, Texas, nearly 30 miles from Henderson, where the 1992 assault took place, police said. After the Texas Department of Public Safety arrested Mundt, a judge ordered him held on a $1 million bond while awaiting extradition to Phoenix. Though he does not appear to have a record in Maricopa County, the Gregg County Sheriff's Office inmate page shows that Mundt has had a few run-ins with law enforcement in Texas, potentially dating back to 1986. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix police arrest sexual assault suspect after nearly 4 decades DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Families with babies in the NICU got a special treat at Miami Valley Hospital today. The Neonatal ICU at Miami Valley Hospital celebrated Halloween with costumes. Each baby was decked out in a cute outfit, from Barbie and Taylor Swift to cowboys and princesses. View the photos below: (Photo/Premier Health) (Photo/Premier Health) (Photo/Premier Health) (Photo/Premier Health) (Photo/Premier Health) (Photo/Premier Health) (Photo/Premier Health) (Photo/Premier Health) (Photo/Premier Health) (Photo/Premier Health) (Photo/Premier Health) (Photo/Premier Health) Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Videos across social media show the devastation wrought by record flooding which hit Valencia, Spain on Oct. 29. Per the BBC, at least 95 people have lost their lives due to the extreme weather event. Reuters reported that it was the countrys deadliest flood in over 30 years, while meteorologists explained that a years worth of rain fell on Valencia within eight hours on Tuesday. "It's a river that came through," Denis Hlavaty told the outlet. He waited to be rescued from the deluge while sitting on a high ledge inside of a gas station. "The doors were torn away and I spent the night there, surrounded by water that was 2 meters (6.5 feet) deep." Im back in Canada visiting family. But my home in Valencia, Spain is facing massive flooding now. More than 62 people dead so far. Its horrific. Some videos people have sent me privately via WhatsApp. pic.twitter.com/AFeG1yj6ql Duane Storey (@DuaneStorey) October 30, 2024 The flooding led to citywide devastation, piling cars in the street on its way to felling bridges and buildings. Much of the farmland in Valencia, where roughly two-thirds of Spains citrus fruit is grown, was destroyed in the flood. One unbelievable video shows a tidal wave rushing between homes in a residential community. Another taken on a busy highway shows water rushing through traffic, submerging cars and sending terrified passengers onto their hoods. DEVASTATING: Catastrophic flooding in Valencia,Spain 20 inches (491mm) of rainfall in Chiva in only 8 hours One year's worth of rain in less than 24 hours?? At least 72 killed numbers expected to rise pic.twitter.com/cgMHfWD8hQ Julie Jolie (@juliejolie_) October 30, 2024 Heart wrenching images coming out of Valencia today pic.twitter.com/4mpJ69Fq64 Volcaholic (@volcaholic1) October 30, 2024 More than 1,000 soldiers from the countrys emergency response team were sent to the regions within Valencia to rescue stranded citizens. They shared a video showing the rescue of people in flooded streets and stranded on rooftops. Medios del Batallon de Helicopteros de Emergencia #BHELEME del @EjercitoTierra se han incorporado a las labores de busqueda y rescate con tres Cougar y dos EC-135 #JuntosSomosMasFuertes #DANA pic.twitter.com/0XWOHZ7ttk UME (@UMEgob) October 30, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one particularly harrowing clip, residents of a nursing homemany of them in wheelchairscan be seen sitting in the flooded rec room in waist-high water waiting to be evacuated. HAARP WEATHER MODIFICATION: SPAIN A never seen before event has happened in Valencia, as part of the city lies in ruins thanks to an unprecedented tornado which destroyed buildings, houses and vehicles, causing panic and floodings in the region. pic.twitter.com/c0PHI9lVKi Lepa (@lepanigeria) October 30, 2024 On Wednesday morning, regional authorities confirmed that 73 people had died. By the afternoon, that number had risen to 95. It is Spains deadliest flood since a 1996 disaster in the Pyrenees when at least 80 people lost their lives after a campground was flooded. The scale of the flooding currently unfolding in Valencia, Spain is unfathomable. This is footage from Chiva, where a jaw-dropping 343 mm of rain was recorded in just 4 hours earlier today, between 4:30 PM and 8:30 PM. Video credit: Nalabcer pic.twitter.com/WdCgUifavQ Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) October 29, 2024 The National Transportation Safety Board's findings did not indicate what caused the Oct. 20 crash Jon Shapley/Houston Chronicle via Getty Wreckage is seen at the site where a helicopter crashed into a radio tower killing four people on Oct. 24, 2024, in Houston Wreckage is seen at the site where a helicopter crashed into a radio tower killing four people on Oct. 24, 2024, in Houston A helicopter that went on a sightseeing tour crashed into a Houston radio tower on Oct. 20, killing the pilot and three passengers The NTSB said in a preliminary report that the transmission between the helicopter pilot and air traffic abruptly stopped moments before the deadly crash The towers top and middle beacons were flashing as the chopper headed toward the tower, according to the report The pilot of a helicopter that crashed into a Houston radio tower on Oct. 20, killing all four people aboard, was in contact with air traffic control moments before the tragedy occurred, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a preliminary National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report obtained by PEOPLE and issued almost two weeks after the incident, the pilot of the Robinson R44 helicopter, later identified as Samantha Grandbouche, was speaking to the air traffic controller and requested the downtown loop. Then, several minutes later, the air traffic controller issued a traffic advisory for the company tour helicopter, the report stated, with Grandbouche acknowledging that there was traffic in sight through her Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast. The controller requested the accident pilot to maintain visual separation from the traffic, and the pilot was reading the instructions when the radio transmission abruptly ended. No further communications from the accident helicopter were received. Related: 1 Dead After Unauthorized Helicopter Flight Crashes onto Roof of Hotel Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The helicopter, which departed from Ellington Airport in Houston for a sightseeing tour, crashed into the tower about 100 feet from the top of the 1,003-foot radio tower, added the report. According to surveillance footage, the towers top and middle beacons were flashing as the chopper headed toward the tower. During the impact with the radio tower, there was an explosion, and the helicopter fell to the ground, the NTSB preliminary findings stated. The radio tower collapsed onto the helicopter, and a post-impact fire destroyed the helicopter. In addition to Grandbouche, the three passengers killed in the crash were family members Julio Cesar Lerma, Marie Alonso and Dylon Lerma, according to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, the CBS affiliate KHOU reported. PEOPLE has reached out to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Passengers Who Died in Limo Crash Didn't Have Proper Access to Seatbelts: NTSB Report The NTSB report also stated that the debris field contained sections of plexiglass, main rotor blades, console components, upholstery, flight controls, and landing gear. Parts of the forward fuselage were stuck in the tower about 100 ft from the top. The report's findings did not indicate what caused the crash. A final report is expected to be issued in 18 to 24 months, the Associated Press reported. Garrett Kauffman, a friend of Julio Cesar Lerma, one of the four people killed aboard the helicopter, remembered Lerma, who worked in home remodeling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He always came to the rescue, Kauffman told KHOU. He just said, OK, yeah, we can do that, we can figure this out. He was a true friend. Related: 3 Members of Medical Helicopter Team Killed in Crash While Flying to Help Patient: Heartbroken' Lerma was a father to three sons, said Kauffman, Relatives said Dylon Lerma, who also died in the crash, was Lermas youngest son, KHOU reported. I think he lived life to the fullest, Kauffman added of his friend. I think he would do, like I said, anything for those boys. A total professional, always, and hell be missed. I miss him every day." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Ronnie Zepeda, a longtime neighbor of Lerman, told ABC affiliate KTRK that he saw Lerman just hours before the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Crew Member Killed in Medical Helicopter Crash Was Dad-to-Be: 'Nothing in This World That Can Ease the Pain' "Him and his little boy, they were here, Zepeda said. The little boy was running around." Zepeda later fondly said of Lerman: "He was a very fine gentleman. He was a very good human being. Exceptional neighbor. We loved him. We loved him very much." A GoFundMe was launched to raise money for Lermas surviving eldest sons. Meanwhile, Houston-based law firm Sorrels Law announced it is representing the Lerma's family members and the other two passengers killed in the crash and filing a lawsuit on their behalf against Grandbouche, the owner of the radio tower and the helicopter company, NBC affiliate KPRC reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our clients deserve answers, and we are determined to uncover the truth about what led to this tragedy, said attorney Randy Sorrels in a Facebook post on Friday, Nov. 1. By seeking accountability, we hope to prevent future accidents and bring some peace to families who have endured so much loss. PEOPLE has contacted National Helicopter Solutions, the helicopter company, and SBA Communications, the owner of the radio tower, who were named in the lawsuit on Nov. 1. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff on Thursday shared his feelings about Donald Trumps regular personal attacks on his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris, as the White House race draws to a close. Well, as a husband, it pisses me off, Emhoff told MSNBCs The Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell. But as a first gentleman, you know, someone who hopes to be the first gentleman, married to the next president of the United States, we cannot be distracted by it. Emhoff said he has tuned out Trumps insults as both he and the entire family are squarely focused on helping propel Harris to victory in next weeks election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No matter how I feel about it as her husband, Ive got to put it to the side, he said. Were not going to let anything stop her from getting the truth out there and making sure that she is elected as the next president, he continued. Throughout the presidential campaign, Trump has repeatedly leveled personal insults against Harris, including calling her lazy a racist trope to demean Black people. He has also described his Democratic rival as low IQ and called her a stupid person. Apart from condemning the insults against his wife, Emhoff also took time to denounce Trumps reported praise of Adolf Hitler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Chief of Staff John Kelly told The Atlantic that Trump said he wanted his military leaders to be more like Hitlers generals. Kelly also recalled Trump saying Hitler did some good things, according to a book by CNN reporter Jim Sciutto. Emhoff said we should all be chilled to the bone over the alleged remarks. We cannot have a president who has admires Adolf Hitler, we just cant, Emhoff said. We need to move forward, we need to turn the page. Emhoff has served as a top campaign surrogate for Harris. On Friday, Emhoff is due to deliver a speech in West Chester, Pennsylvania, to rally support for his wife in the crucial battleground state. Related... COMPANY NEWS: Netskope Threat Labs, a leader in Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) has releaseed new data which found that, over the past 12 months, 66% of the attributable malware targeted at its customers was linked to state-funded attack groups. Netskope reveals that the largest share of malware attacks came from North Korean threat groups, with Chinese and Russian groups as second and third most prevalent - and a growing number of attacks use cloud applications as a point of entry and exfiltration. The research also reveals North Korea, China, and Russias differing strategic objectives drive very different approaches to cyber attacks, leading to their widely varying market share in the threat landscape, says Netskope. Currently, North Korea accounts for the largest share of malware attacks globally. Unlike Russia and China, North Koreas campaigns are primarily financially motivated, leveraging cybercrime and cryptocurrency theft to fund military programmes. As a result, it targets non-specific population groups in its quest to maximise profits. In contrast, Russia and China use cyberattacks to target their global adversaries critical infrastructure and high-value targets to cause targeted but high-impact disruption and damage. This means that Russia and Chinas share of overall malware attacks is smaller, but the national impact of their attacks has the potential to be more disruptive. Sanjay Beri, CEO and co-founder of Netskope said: There is no doubt that we are witnessing a global escalation of cyber attacks carried out by nation state actors as a form of quiet war on nation states that are currently officially at peace. Under the surface of this worldwide escalation is a varied picture of different states pursuing widely divergent cyberattack strategies. The difference between North Koreas cyber carpet bombing and Russias precision strikes means that if youve fallen victim to an online phishing attack, its unlikely that Russian government-backed actors were the cause. If, however, a critical piece of national infrastructure is down, then its more likely that they are. Understanding these nuances is critical for businesses and individuals operating in todays connected world - because the first and most important step in putting in place the best cyber defence strategy is understanding who is targeting you, what their goals are, and how theyre trying to achieve them. Beri notes that recent research from Netskope Threat Labs has also found that approximately 50% of all global malware downloads now originate from popular cloud apps - and the average global worker regularly interacts with 24 cloud apps each month, with Microsoft tools such as OneDrive (51%), SharePoint (28%) and Teams (22%) being highly favoured. The top cloud apps abused for malware download in the last 12 months are OneDrive (26%), GitHub (13%) and SharePoint (12%). Todays data further proves that businesses will need to enhance their security measures to cloud-native security systems to help prevent such malware attacks. About the research All figures correct as of 8th October 2024. These findings are based on 12 months of data collated about the malicious threats found in Netskope customer environments, which the Netskope Threat Labs team attributed to specific threat actors using multiple sources of information and correlation. About Netskope Netskope, a global SASE leader, helps organisations apply zero trust principles and AI/ML innovations to protect data and defend against cyber threats. Fast and easy to use, the Netskope One platform and its patented Zero Trust Engine provide optimised access and real-time security for people, devices, and data anywhere they go. Thousands of customers trust Netskope and its powerful NewEdge network to reduce risk and gain unrivalled visibility into any cloud, web, and private application activityproviding security and accelerating performance without trade-offs. Learn more at netskope.com. ALLIANCE, Ohio (WKBN) A packaging plant in Alliance is closing its doors, according to a WARN notice. PPC Flexible Packaging announced that it will close its location at 9465 Edison St NE on January 3, 2025. The notice says that 68 people will lose their jobs permanently. The report says that employees will have to assist with the decommissioning of the facility. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. PLYMOUTH COUNTY, Iowa (KCAU) In an effort to get people out to the polls before Election Day, Plymouth County Democrats are offering free rides to polling places. The countys Democratic party says this service is centered around those who are disabled and are senior citizens. They began the free rides back on Oct. 16, the first day of absentee voting in Iowa. Iowa election officials sued by 4 naturalized citizens who say their right to vote was harmed Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rides have previously been available for only Election Day, but this is the first year of them being provided for early voting. I grew up in the period where a citizens duty was to vote, Earl Draayer with the Plymouth County Democrats said. And theres a lot of handicapped people that cant make it in by themselves, cant drive a night or whatever during the day. And so wed like to make sure every voter who wants to vote has the chance to vote. If youre looking for a ride to your local polling place in that area, call the Plymouth County Democrats at 712-541-3620. Although the rides are offered by a Democratic party, any disabled person or senior citizen needing a ride to vote can call for help. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. By Barbara Erling and Karol Badohal WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland is preparing to start talks on ordering over 100 HIMARS rocket launchers under a framework agreement with U.S. arms maker Lockheed Martin Corporation, a senior military official in the eastern-flank NATO country said. "In the near future, we will start negotiations for the first executive contract for HOMAR-A," the head of the Armaments Agency, General Artur Kuptel, told Reuters, referring to the Polish specification for the M142 HIMARS system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have a (framework) agreement for 486, and the first executive contract will be for over 100." Officials from the previous government have repeatedly accused the current ruling coalition, which took power in December 2023, of slowing Poland's arms purchases and hiding intentions to scale down or cancel orders under earlier framework deals in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Poland's government has said it will spend 4.1% of gross domestic product on defence in 2024, the highest among NATO members for a second year, with a pledge to increase this to 4.7% in 2025. Kuptel said that before starting talks to purchase HIMARS, the agency would need to complete negotiations linked to a similar precision rocket system ordered from South Korea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He declined to say whether HIMARS units could start reaching Poland in 2025 nor whether U.S. declarations on prioritising some deliveries to Ukraine could cause a delay. Asked about the prospects for producing rockets for the HIMARS launchers in Poland, Kuptel said: "Our intention is for...every combat means, from the smallest, tiny 5.56 (bullet), to the largest artillery or missile systems, to be manufactured in Poland, but one must measure one's capabilities against one's intentions." In parallel with the HIMARS agreement, Poland in April signed an order for 72 South Korean K239 Chunmoo rocket launchers, under the Polish specification HOMAR-K, with deliveries set to start in 2026. Polish privately-owned defence firm WB and South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace plan to produce ammunition for the launchers in Poland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Armaments Agency has already signed about 100 military contracts in 2024 with several dozen more expected by year-end, Kuptel said. (Reporting by Barbara Erling and Karol Badohal; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) Poland has started building defensive lines on the border with Russia as part of the "East Shield" initiative, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Nov. 1. Presented this May, the "East Shield" program aims to fortify Poland's borders with Belarus, and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. It includes a mix of new physical barriers, modern surveillance systems, and infrastructure development. The program is part of NATOs eastern flank joint regional defense infrastructure plan that Poland is carrying out with Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warsaw allocated a total of 10 billion zoty ($2.5 billion) to strengthen the borders with Russia and Belarus to deter aggression. "This is the largest operation to strengthen Polands eastern border, NATOs eastern flank, since 1945," Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said in spring. Kaliningrad Oblast is a small piece of land measuring 15,100 square kilometers not much larger than the U.S. state of Connecticut sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania. It has a short, western coastline on the Baltic Sea. Its capital is also called Kaliningrad. Though it may be small, strategically it gives Russia a second point of direct access to the Baltic Sea, the other being through its most eastern arm in the Finnish Gulf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's Baltic Sea Fleet has its headquarters and main base in Kaliningrad Oblast. The map of the Baltic Sea region. (The Kyiv Independent) The Suwalki Gap is the closest point between Kaliningrad Oblast, and one of Russia's staunchest allies, Belarus. It's a mere 40 kilometers wide and closely tracks the Poland-Lithuania border on the Polish side. In the event of a war between NATO and Russia, Russian and Belarusian forces linking up across the Suwalki Gap would cut off the only land route to all three Baltic States. In May, Tusk said that Poland had begun strengthening its entire eastern border with Belarus due to a growing "hybrid war" and illegal migration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warsaw for several years accused Belarus of deliberately pushing migrants into Poland in order to pressure the EU over sanctions, a charge Minsk has denied. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has sparked concerns that the Baltic states, which are among Moscow's biggest critics and Kyiv's staunchest allies since day one of the all-out war, could become the next target for aggression. These fears are reinforced by Russian leader Vladimir Putin's repeated threats to NATO countries. Read also: Why the Baltic States fear Russias Kaliningrad exclave Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Oleh Kuts, Consul General of Ukraine in Lublin, stated that the Lublin Voivodeship is prepared for a potential fresh wave of refugees from Ukraine. Source: Radio Liberty, as reported by European Pravda Details: According to Kuts, the city has monthly meetings of the coordination group for the support of Ukrainian citizens in Lublin Voivodeship, which specifically address these issues. The diplomat highlighted that there are no real indicators of a big influx of Ukrainians; however, he added that this issue is garnering increasing attention ahead of winter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "We had a discussion the other day and discussed various scenarios. I believe that Lublin Voivodeship is well-prepared. There is a list of volunteers who assisted our citizens in 2022. This list includes several hundred volunteers who, if necessary, will be contacted and recruited to assist. There is a clear understanding of who will do what, who will work at the border, and who at the train station," Kuts said. In addition to representatives from local governments, non-governmental organisations, volunteers, and Ukrainian diplomats, the coordination group includes representatives from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, who advise volunteers on various grants that can be applied for to receive financial assistance to support refugees. According to Ukraine's Consul General in Lublin, whether there would be a new wave of war refugees to Poland is determined by a number of factors, including Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and the situation on the front lines. Previously: According to recent reports, about a quarter of Ukrainian refugees in Europe do not intend to return home permanently. The German government recommends changing the status of Ukrainian refugees, and the country has begun to discuss limiting humanitarian support for Ukrainian refugees. Lithuania promised to make one-time payments of 176 to freshly arrived Ukrainian migrants. Support UP or become our patron! Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has responded to criticism from Ukraine over the slow supply of fighter jets, insisting on Nov. 1 his country has done more for Kyiv "than any other nation." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Oct. 31 said Ukraine is still expecting to receive Soviet MiG-29 fighter jets from Poland. "We agreed with NATO that they would provide them (Poland) with a police mission, just like our Baltic friends, who do not have their own planes but have such a mission," Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We agreed on this, but after that, did Poland give us the planes? No. Was there another reason? Yes," he added without providing further details. In response, Sikorski told Polish journalists that taking into account "military, financial, economic, humanitarian [assistance], and the assistance for Ukrainian refugees, Poland has done more for Ukraine in terms of GDP than any other nation." He added there are "almost 300 of our tanks, a lot of heavy equipment, and planes across the eastern border." "We're trying to help, but we're also a front-line country. Russia also threatens us, and not everything is possible," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poland has been one of the strongest supporters of Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, providing billions of dollars in military, economic, and humanitarian aid and hosting millions of Ukrainian refugees. The country has also been a vocal supporter of Ukraine on the world stage, campaigning for Ukraine to receive all the required weaponry to win the war that Russia had begun. Yet, bilateral relations are far from perfect, with the two countries sharing long-standing grievances that are far from being resolved. Read also: Poland-Ukraine relations deteriorate as historical grievances resurface, threatening to stall Kyivs EU accession Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A man reported a hit-and-run crash on Thursday in Youngstown. Reports said the victim told police that the incident happened while he was crossing Canfield Road and had the right of way. The victim described the vehicle as a light gray four-door sedan of an unknown make and model. The driver was described as 5 foot 7 inches to 5 foot 8 inches tall with gray hair, that was balding, with thin facial hair. Police said the driver was described as wearing a magenta scrub top and thin glasses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the drivers side mirror of the vehicle hit the pedestrian, the vehicle continued eastbound on Canfield Road, according to a police report. Police said the victim had a small mark on his elbow. Reports said that the victim refused medical treatment. Police have not identified the driver, and no one has been arrested for 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 WKBN.com. The "Reigning Queens" prints, featuring four famous queens, were stolen just weeks before they were to be put on the market MPV Gallery Andy Warhol's "Reigning Queens" (1985). Andy Warhol's "Reigning Queens" (1985). About two weeks after the art gallery advertised the unique showing of Andy Warhols complete series of Reigning Queens, the Netherland's MPV Gallery was robbed in an art heist in which thieves made off with two of the pop artists 1985 prints and ruined the rest of the four-piece set. Mark Peet Visser, the gallery owner, confirmed the costly caper in an interview with the Associated Press on Friday, Nov. 1, saying that in the early hours that day, burglars had bombed the gallery in an attack so violent that my entire building was destroyed in an attempt to steal all four queen prints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing security camera footage of the theft, Visser told the AP the burglary was amateurish, noting that with the four queens in tow they ran to the car with the artworks and it turns out that they wont fit in the car. AP Photo/Peter Dejong Andy Warhol's screen prints of Queen Elizabeth II were displayed at Paleis Het Loo, a palace museum in Apeldoorn, Netherlands in October 2024. Andy Warhol's screen prints of Queen Elizabeth II were displayed at Paleis Het Loo, a palace museum in Apeldoorn, Netherlands in October 2024. Related: How the FBI Tracked Down a Valuable Warhol Print that Thief Allegedly Sold to a Pawn Shop He said the thieves ripped the prints from the frames, damaging them beyond repair, because it is impossible to get them out undamaged. Police have called for witnesses to come forward in the case, per the AP. Visser had planned to sell the four screen prints which Warhol had signed and numbered in pencil together at the art fair PAN Amsterdam 2024 later in November, per the advertisement, which noted that interested buyers could offer up purchases upon request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He declined to release to the AP the total value of the prints, which, per his advertisement, depict the worlds four reigning queens at the time: Elizabeth II of the U.K, Beatrix of the Netherlands, Margrethe II of Denmark and Ntombi Twala of Swaziland. AP Photo/Peter Dejong Andy Warhol's screen prints of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands were displayed at Paleis Het Loo, a palace museum in Apeldoorn, Netherlands in October 2024. Andy Warhol's screen prints of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands were displayed at Paleis Het Loo, a palace museum in Apeldoorn, Netherlands in October 2024. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. According to the advertisement, each of the queens were made aware that Warhol planned to reimagine their likenesses in bold colors and shapes. George Mulder, an Amsterdam gallery owner who commissioned the works in 1983, reportedly claimed, per the advertisement, that the reigning royals had all reacted differently to the project: Elizabeth was positive about the rendering of her likeness, Margrethe griped about the King of Pop Arts bad influence on youth, Beatrix was enthusiastic and Ntombi Twala said she had never heard of the artist. Warhol based his silkscreens off of existing photographs of the queens, creating four portraits of each for a combined 16 works, making up his largest screen print portfolio, per the advertisement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The queens most sold separately were soon scattered across the globe, and Visser claimed in the release that: It is unknown how many Reigning Queens series have been broken up and how many remain intact. The reunion of the four queens to be displayed and sold together at the art fair later this month was one offered only sporadically on the art market, the gallery owner said in the release, adding: This makes the Reigning Queens series one of the most sought-after series for art collectors, bringing record amounts time and again. Early Friday, the thieves ultimately fled with queens Elizabeth and Margrethe. Unable to get the other royals inside the vehicle, the gallery owner told the AP that Beatrix and Ntombi Tfwala had been discarded on the street. LANSING Mich. (WLNS) Police are reassuring the public that voting on Election Day will be safe. Officers with the Lansing Police Department tell 6 News that they do not expect any funny business at the polls on Election Day. Michigan State Police said the same thing. As of now, there have been no signs of Election Day threats statewide. LPD Lieutenant Jillian Colby said they are increasing security on Election Day just to be sure. At this point in time were optimistic that were going to have a successful day, Colby said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone has a right to vote and if youre planning on doing that on Nov. 5, police say things should go smoothly. In Lansing, there is a plan to make sure everyone feels safe when they cast their ballot. We have at least 8 extra officers working and their sole responsibility just going to be to go monitor the polling locations, and that includes the ballot drop boxes, Colby said. Officers said throughout early voting, LPD has kept close communication with city officials. They said so far things have been going well and the police are prepared. Weve touched base, weve confirmed all of the locations, We have plans in place for things, but at this point, we are not anticipating any problems from anybody, Colby said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LPD has crime analysts who keep an eye out for anything that looks threatening. MSP sends them information as well. Lieutenant Rene Gonzalez with the MSP said no Election Day threats have popped up on MSPs radar either. Right now its been kind of quiet, were just hoping for a peaceful Election Day, Gonzalez said. Crime analysts monitor social media and other sites to identify any suspicious activity. Sometimes those analysts are gonna pick up on something, we act on it, and they helped to prevent a crime or some other issues thats gonna go on out there, Gonzalez said. MSP says they dont plan to increase patrols on Election Day, but if they are needed somewhere they will be there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were always ready if something arises. We also ask the public to hear something, if you see something say something feel free to call if you think something is not right, Gonzalez said. LPD said they will have traffic units monitoring the roads near polling locations as well. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. Police pursuit ends in officer-involved shooting in SW Oklahoma City OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) An overnight pursuit ended in an officer-involved shooting in Southwest Oklahoma City. I looked out the window and realized it was a shooting, so I just basically woke my husband up and told him to drop to the floor, said Janie Granados who lives nearby. It was very scary. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Pursuit leads to officer-involved shooting, police say The ordeal started with OKCPD officers trying to make a traffic stop near SW 59th and May around 1 a.m. However the driver did not pull over, sparking a pursuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its important to note that at several points during this pursuit, he stopped to fire at police officers, said MSgt. Gary Knight, with the Oklahoma City Police Department. So several places along the way, he was shooting at police. The suspect led police to a house near SW 66th St. and Penn Ave., where police said the suspect got out of the car and continued shooting at officers. Officers returned fire. The suspect was hit, said Knight. He went inside the residence. Ultimately our tactical unit responded to the scene, made entry, and took the suspect into custody. The suspect was taken to the hospital. He was the only one injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three officers involved in the shooting are now on routine administrative leave. LOCAL NEWS: Not John Wick: Metro robbery victim issues warning after social media sale goes wrong Granados said this type of incident is rare for the area and shes grateful for how it was handled. It makes me appreciate our system, our police, SWAT team, everything that I saw, said Granados. I did pray for them, for their protection. Police said there was a passenger in the suspects car as well. After police tried to make the traffic stop, she jumped out of the car and attempted to run off, but was quickly taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspects name has not been released yet. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 7-5-3 Celebration (Photo courtesy of Nanami Kozasa) If you visit a Japanese shrine or temple in November, you will likely see a lot of young children dressed in beautiful traditional attire and holding colorful envelopes filled with candy. And youll see their proud parents and other family members snapping photos and shooting video. This is shichigosan (seven-five-three), a traditional celebration and rite of passage in the Land of Rising Sun. Tradition suggests that girls ages three and seven and five-year-old boys, should visit a local shrine or temple to drive out evil spirits and wish for a long healthy life every year on Nov. 15. However, since shichigosan is not designated as a national holiday, any day in November is acceptable. I actually took my daughter for her celebration (many years ago) to a local shrine on Nov. 11. 7-5-3 Celebration (Photo courtesy of Nanami Kozasa) 7-5-3 Celebration (Photo courtesy of Nanami Kozasa) 7-5-3 Celebration (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi) 7-5-3 Celebration (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi) 7-5-3 Celebration (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi) Shichigosan is said to have originated during the Edo Period (1603-1867). For centuries in Japan, November has been the month to thank the gods for the years harvest. On Nov. 15, ancestors gave thanks for a bountiful harvest, as well as the growth and health of their children, by offering harvested products at their family altars or to shrine or temple altars. In the Edo era, there were traditional rites of passage for children ages three, five and seven. Girls who reached the age of three were allowed to grow out their hair, 5-year-old boys of were allowed to wear hakama (traditional male pants), and 7-year-old girls replaced the simple cords they used to tie their kimono with the traditional wider and elaborate obi (sash). When my daughter turned three, my wife and I dressed her in traditional attire and took her to a local shrine. We and other participating families were asked to join a procession led by a Shinto priest and shrine maidens, who carried offerings to the gods. We followed the procession and walked along a path to the shrine as traditional music played. Once in the shrine, a priest purified all the children in the Shinto way. He then called each childs name presented them with a chitoseame (thousand-year candy), long, thin, red and white candy in a long envelop decorated with a crane and a turtle. The candy symbolizes healthy growth and longevity. It was a joy watching my daughter answer the priests call and receive her candy. After walking out of the shrine, we took a family photo and had a dinner with my relatives. Some Christians in Japan also celebrate shichigosan at their church, which is what we did the following week at our Catholic church. Traditionally, girls are supposed to celebrate shichigosan when they are three and seven. In fact, we took my daughter to the same shrine when she turned seven. I remember how impressed and proud we were to see my daughter wearing a elaborate kimono, while she had worn only a simple type of reddish padded vest called hifu during her ceremony when she was three. Kimono rental shops are available anywhere in Japan, and most have set ups with studios, so you can have your photo taken at the studio before or after visiting a shrine. The price for kimono rental, hair and kimono preparation and photos may cost between 40,000 60,000 yen ($260-400). Though the expense may seem high to some, celebrating Shichigosan in Japan is a rite of passage that is cherished by families. STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) State College police are looking to identify two persons of interest after a church was vandalized in the area. According to police, the two pictured individuals are suspected of damaging property at Christ Community Church, located at 200 Ellis Place in College Township. The incident was said to have occurred Sunday, Oct. 27 at around 1:04 p.m. Anyone with information is asked to call the State College Police Department at (814) 234-7150. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) The Boulder Police Department is looking for two suspects after someone reportedly flashed what appeared to be a gun during a group altercation in the early morning hours on Friday. Police said the incident occurred just after midnight Friday at the 3200 block of Euclid Avenue, about a mile away from the main University of Colorado Boulder campus. Police said they responded to reports of an altercation between a group of men, where they said one of the men flashed what appeared to be a gun, but no shots were fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers took one of the three suspects who ran away into custody. Police said all three of the suspects who fled were believed to be armed at the time of the altercation. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The apprehended suspect faces two counts of felony menacing and one count of obstruction and was taken into custody. However, two of the other suspects are still at large. Police are still looking for these suspects, who are described as: Suspect one: Male Teen to college-aged Approximately 510 Thin build Wearing a black hoodie and gray pants Suspect two: Male Wearing a white shirt and black pants Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While one of the suspects is described as college-aged, its unknown if either is affiliated with CU. The circumstances around the altercation are unclear as well. Police are asking anyone with information about this crime or the suspects location to contact the Boulder Police at (303) 441-3333 or call Safe2Tell at 877-542-7233 or call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) if you want to stay anonymous. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE: An arrest has been made in connection to this incident. TOPEKA (KSNT) Topeka Police urge residents to avoid a part South Topeka. The Topeka Police Department (TPD) announced in a news release Oct. 31 officers responded to an accident investigation around 5 p.m. Thursday new the Expocentre. During the investigation, officers were led to the 1500 block of Southwest Shunga Drive. This is where one individual from the accident was located in a house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While officers were in the area continuing their investigation, an individual fired shots from inside the home. No TPD officers were injured. Longtime mental health physician, Dr. Roy Menninger dies at 97 The Topeka Police Department posted on social media Thursday, Oct. 31 that people should avoid the area near Shunga Drive and Washburn Avenue. Officers are currently working an incident in the area Southwest Washburn Avenue from 24th Street to Shunga Drive. Restaurant offers $5,000 reward for eating challenge in Manhattan, Topeka According to police, an investigation into the incident is ongoing. Additional information will be provided as the investigation allows, according to the social media post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski has commented on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's remarks. Zelenskyy had earlier reminded Warsaw of his request for the transfer of MiG fighter jets to Ukraine. Source: Polish news channel Polsat News, citing a statement from Sikorski, as reported by European Pravda Details: Commenting on Zelenskyy's remarks, the Polish foreign minister pointed to the amount of assistance his country provides and the fact that Russia also threatens Poland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Among the countries that help Ukraine, if we take into account military, financial, economic, humanitarian [assistance], and the assistance for Ukrainian refugees, Poland has done more for Ukraine in terms of GDP than any other nation." Details: Sikorski recalled that there are "almost 300 of our tanks, a lot of heavy equipment, and planes across the eastern border". "We're trying to help, but we're also a frontline country. Russia also threatens us, and not everything is possible," Sikorski added. Background: Earlier, Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine still hoped to obtain MiG-29 fighter jets from Poland, but Warsaw has not yet provided the aircraft. In July, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk mentioned that Poland might consider transferring additional Soviet-model fighter jets to Ukraine if it can find replacements for them in collaboration with its allies. Later, Polish Defence Minister Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz rejected calls from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to expedite the transfer of MiG-29s to Ukraine, citing the same argument. On 24 October, Piotr ukasiewicz, the temporary charge d'affaires of Poland in Ukraine, said that the country will transfer the remaining MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine once it "fills the gaps" created by the transfer of these aircraft to Kyiv. Support UP or become our patron! PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Most of the elementary schools in Peoria did not get the best grades in this years Illinois Report Card, but were now learning how some of them have actually improved since last year. Superintendent Dr. Sharon Kherat said comparing Peoria Public Schools to other communities like McLean County Unit 5 is like comparing apples to oranges. At Unit 5, most of the schools received exemplary or commendable, the top scores on the Illinois Report Card. And as we know, not all schools are equal, right? Some are much more some have a lot more challenges to contend with than others, said Kherat. Source: Illinois State Board of Education At PPS, 10 of 13 elementary schools received targeted comprehensive or intensive scores requiring school improvement cycles, as they were deemed among the lowest performing in the state. But even though the scores may not look good on paper, Kherat said some of schools have improved from last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had four intensive schools last year. Now we have two intensive schools. We had five comprehensive schools. Now we have four comprehensive schools. And so theyre bumping up to targeted and there are seven targeted. I am convinced and looking forward to the new ranking for next year. And I believe that we we will see continued improvements, said Kherat. More than 70% of PPS students live in poverty and often face traumatic challenges at home, Kherat said. These factors, combined with a high rate of absenteeism, negatively affect their academic performance. Its something a school district like Unit 5 doesnt have to worry about. Were an urban district and thats our public schools and thats why we are here. And its definitely possible. And so we have to continue to be intentional, ensuring that were teaching students at grade level. Were doing the interventions and of course, they have to be at school in order to have an impact on them, she said. Kherat said they are focused on reducing chronic absenteeism and continuing to teach with intention in an effort to improve their school ratings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the first time this year, were really focusing on the chronically absent kids. Weve not really done that in the past. We were just focused on the attendance rates and improving those. And theres a big difference, she said. Kherat also pointed to high school graduation rates, which have improved from 65% in 2015 to 80% last year. I truly, truly, truly, truly believe that all of the schools can can move to the commendable category or exemplary category, she said. Our job is to ensure that they have a fighting chance and theyll be competitive and contributing members of society with a great future. And so thats the journey that were on. Its definitely a journey. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Candace Fails poses for a portrait holding a picture of her late daughter, Nevaeh Crain, at her home in Vidor, Texas on October 24, 2024. Crain passed away on October 29, 2023 at 25 weeks of pregnancy due to preventable causes, including hemorrhaging, after seeking medical help at various hospitals. (Danielle Villasana for ProPublica) Danielle VillasanaDanielle Villasana for ProPublica This story was originally published by ProPublica. Candace Fails screamed for someone in the Texas hospital to help her pregnant daughter. Do something, she pleaded, on the morning of Oct. 29, 2023. Nevaeh Crain was crying in pain, too weak to walk, blood staining her thighs. Feverish and vomiting the day of her baby shower, the 18-year-old had gone to two different emergency rooms within 12 hours, returning home each time worse than before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first hospital diagnosed her with strep throat without investigating her sharp abdominal cramps. At the second, she screened positive for sepsis, a life-threatening and fast-moving reaction to an infection, medical records show. But doctors said her six-month fetus had a heartbeat and that Crain was fine to leave. Now on Crains third hospital visit, an obstetrician insisted on two ultrasounds to confirm fetal demise, a nurse wrote, before moving her to intensive care. By then, more than two hours after her arrival, Crains blood pressure had plummeted and a nurse had noted that her lips were blue and dusky. Her organs began failing. Hours later, she was dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fails, who would have seen her daughter turn 20 this Friday, still cannot understand why Crains emergency was not treated like an emergency. But that is what many pregnant women are now facing in states with strict abortion bans, doctors and lawyers have told ProPublica. Pregnant women have become essentially untouchables, said Sara Rosenbaum, a health law and policy professor emerita at George Washington University. Texass abortion ban threatens prison time for interventions that end a fetal heartbeat, whether the pregnancy is wanted or not. It includes exceptions for life-threatening conditions, but still, doctors told ProPublica that confusion and fear about the potential legal repercussions are changing the way their colleagues treat pregnant patients with complications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In states with abortion bans, such patients are sometimes bounced between hospitals like hot potatoes, with health care providers reluctant to participate in treatment that could attract a prosecutor, doctors told ProPublica. In some cases, medical teams are wasting precious time debating legalities and creating documentation, preparing for the possibility that theyll need to explain their actions to a jury and judge. Dr. Jodi Abbott, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston University School of Medicine, said patients are left wondering: Am I being sent home because I really am OK? Or am I being sent home because theyre afraid that the solution to whats going on with my pregnancy would be ending the pregnancy, and theyre not allowed to do that? There is a federal law to prevent emergency room doctors from withholding lifesaving care. Passed nearly four decades ago, it requires emergency rooms to stabilize patients in medical crises. The Biden administration argues this mandate applies even in cases where an abortion might be necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No state has done more to fight this interpretation than Texas, which has warned doctors that its abortion ban supersedes the administrations guidance on federal law, and that they can face up to 99 years in prison for violating it. ProPublica condensed more than 800 pages of Crains medical records into a four-page timeline in consultation with two maternal-fetal medicine specialists; reporters reviewed it with nine doctors, including researchers at prestigious universities, OB-GYNs who regularly handle miscarriages, and experts in emergency medicine and maternal health. Some said the first ER missed warning signs of infection that deserved attention. All said that the doctor at the second hospital should never have sent Crain home when her signs of sepsis hadnt improved. And when she returned for the third time, all said there was no medical reason to make her wait for two ultrasounds before taking aggressive action to save her. This is how these restrictions kill women, said Dr. Dara Kass, a former regional director at the Department of Health and Human Services and an emergency room physician in New York. It is never just one decision, its never just one doctor, its never just one nurse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While they were not certain from looking at the records provided that Crains death could have been prevented, they said it may have been possible to save both the teenager and her fetus if she had been admitted earlier for close monitoring and continuous treatment. There was a chance Crain could have remained pregnant, they said. If she had needed an early delivery, the hospital was well-equipped to care for a baby on the edge of viability. In another scenario, if the infection had gone too far, ending the pregnancy might have been necessary to save Crain. Doctors involved in Crains care did not respond to several requests for comment. The two hospitals, Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas and Christus Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth, declined to answer detailed lists of questions about her treatment. Fails and Crain believed abortion was morally wrong. The teen could only support it in the context of rape or life-threatening illness, she used to tell her mother. They didnt care whether the government banned it, just how their Christian faith guided their own actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When they discovered Crain was pregnant with a girl, the two talked endlessly about the little dresses they could buy, what kind of mother she would be. Crain landed on the name Lillian. Fails could not wait to meet her. But when her daughter got sick, Fails expected that doctors had an obligation to do everything in their power to stave off a potentially deadly emergency, even if that meant losing Lillian. In her view, they were more concerned with checking the fetal heartbeat than attending to Crain. I know it sounds selfish, and God knows I would rather have both of them, but if I had to choose, Fails said, I would have chosen my daughter. At her home in Vidor, Texas on October 24, 2024, a photograph of Candace Fails with her late daughter Nevaeh Crain, who passed away on October 29, 2023 at 25 weeks of pregnancy due to preventable causes, including hemorrhaging, after seeking medical help at various hospitals. (Danielle Villasana for ProPublica) Danielle Villasana for ProPublica Im in a Lot of Pain Crain had just graduated from high school in her hometown of Vidor, Texas, in May of 2023 when she learned that she was pregnant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She and her boyfriend of two years, Randall Broussard, were always hip to hip, wrestling over vapes or snuggling on the couch watching vampire movies. Crain was drawn to how gentle he was. He admired how easily she built friendships and how quickly she could make people laugh. Though they were young, theyd already imagined starting a family. Broussard, who has eight siblings, wanted many kids; Crain wanted a daughter and the kind of relationship she had with her mom. Earlier that year, Broussard had given Crain a small diamond ring a promise, he told her, that I will always love you. On the morning of their baby shower, Oct. 28, 2023, Crain woke with a headache. Her mom decorated the house with pink balloons and Crain laid out Halloween-themed platters. Soon, nausea set in. Crain started vomiting and was running a fever. When guests arrived, Broussard opened gifts onesies and diapers and bows while Crain kept closing her eyes. Around 3 p.m., her family told her she needed to go to the hospital. Broussard drove Crain to Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas. They sat in the waiting room for four hours. When Crain started vomiting, staff brought her a plastic pan. When she wasnt retching, she lay her head in her boyfriends lap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A nurse practitioner ordered a test for strep throat, which came back positive, medical records show. But in a pregnant patient, abdominal pain and vomiting should not be quickly attributed to strep, physicians told ProPublica; a doctor should have also evaluated her pregnancy. Instead, Baptist Hospitals discharged her with a prescription for antibiotics. She was home at 9 p.m. and quickly dozed off, but within hours, she woke her mother up. Mom, my stomach is still hurting, she said into the dark bedroom at 3 a.m. Im in a lot of pain. Fails drove Broussard and Crain to another hospital in town, Christus Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth. Around 4:20 a.m., OB-GYN William Hawkins saw that Crain had a temperature of 102.8 and an abnormally high pulse, according to records; a nurse noted that Crain rated her abdominal pain as a seven out of 10. Her vital signs pointed to possible sepsis, records show. Its standard medical practice to immediately treat patients who show signs of sepsis, which can overtake and kill a person quickly, medical experts told ProPublica. These patients should be watched until their vitals improve. Through tests and scans, the goal is to find the source of the infection. If the infection was in Crains uterus, the fetus would likely need to be removed with a surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a room at the obstetric emergency department, a nurse wrapped a sensor belt around Crains belly to check the fetal heart rate. Babys fine, Broussard told Fails, who was sitting in the hallway. After two hours of IV fluids, one dose of antibiotics, and some Tylenol, Crains fever didnt go down, her pulse remained high, and the fetal heart rate was abnormally fast, medical records show. Hawkins noted that Crain had strep and a urinary tract infection, wrote up a prescription and discharged her. Hawkins had missed infections before. Eight years earlier, the Texas Medical Board found that he had failed to diagnose appendicitis in one patient and syphilis in another. In the latter case, the board noted that his error may have contributed to the fetal demise of one of her twins. The board issued an order to have Hawkins medical practice monitored; the order was lifted two years later. (Hawkins did not respond to several attempts to reach him.) All of the doctors who reviewed Crains vital signs for ProPublica said she should have been admitted. She should have never left, never left, said Elise Boos, an OB-GYN in Tennessee. Kass, the New York emergency physician, put it in starker terms: When they discharged her, they were pushing her down the path of no return. Its bullshit, Fails said as Broussard rolled Crain out in a wheelchair; she was unable to walk on her own. Fails had expected the hospital to keep her overnight. Her daughter was breathing heavily, hunched over in pain, pale in the face. Normally talkative, the teen was quiet. Candace Fails, right, and Randall Broussard, left, pose for a portrait at her home in Vidor, Texas on October 24, 2024. Fails' oldest daughter, Nevaeh Crain, who was Broussard's partner, passed away on October 29, 2023 at 25 weeks of pregnancy due to preventable causes, including hemorrhaging, after seeking medical help at various hospitals. (Danielle Villasana for ProPublica) Danielle Villasana for ProPublica Back home, around 7 a.m., Fails tried to get her daughter comfortable as she cried and moaned. She told Fails she needed to pee, and her mother helped her into the bathroom. Mom, come here, she said from the toilet. Blood stained her underwear. The blood confirmed Fails instinct: This was a miscarriage. At 9 a.m, a full day after the nausea began, they were back at Christus St. Elizabeth. Crains lips were drained of color and she kept saying she was going to pass out. Staff started her on IV antibiotics and performed a bedside ultrasound. Around 9:30 a.m., the OB on duty, Dr. Marcelo Totorica, couldnt find a fetal heart rate, according to records; he told the family he was sorry for their loss. Standard protocol when a critically ill patient experiences a miscarriage is to stabilize her and, in most cases, hurry to the operating room for delivery, medical experts said. This is especially urgent with a spreading infection. But at Christus St. Elizabeth, the OB-GYN just continued antibiotic care. A half-hour later, as nurses placed a catheter, Fails noticed her daughters thighs were covered in blood. At 10 a.m., Melissa McIntosh, a labor and delivery nurse, spoke to Totorica about Crains condition. The teen was now having contractions. Dr. Totorica states to not move patient, she wrote after talking with him. Dr. Totorica states there is a slight chance patient may need to go to ICU and he wants the bedside ultrasound to be done stat for sure before admitting to room. Though he had already performed an ultrasound, he was asking for a second. The first hadnt preserved an image of Crains womb in the medical record. Bedside ultrasounds arent always set up to save images permanently, said Abbott, the Boston OB-GYN. The states laws banning abortion require that doctors record the absence of a fetal heartbeat before intervening with a procedure that could end a pregnancy. Exceptions for medical emergencies demand physicians document their reasoning. Pretty consistently, people say, Until we can be absolutely certain this isnt a normal pregnancy, we cant do anything, because it could be alleged that we were doing an abortion, said Dr. Tony Ogburn, an OB-GYN in San Antonio. At 10:40 a.m, Crains blood pressure was dropping. Minutes later, Totorica was paging for an emergency team over the loudspeakers. Around 11 a.m., two hours after Crain had arrived at the hospital, a second ultrasound was performed. A nurse noted: Bedside ultrasound at this time to confirm fetal demise per Dr. Totoricas orders. When doctors wheeled Crain into the ICU at 11:20 a.m., Fails stayed by her side, rubbing her head, as her daughter dipped in and out of consciousness. Crain couldnt sign consent forms for her care because of extreme pain, according to the records, so Fails signed a release for unplanned dilation and curettage or unplanned cesarean section. But the doctors quickly decided it was now too risky to operate, according to records. They suspected that she had developed a dangerous complication of sepsis known as disseminated intravascular coagulation; she was bleeding internally. Frantic and crying, Fails locked eyes with her daughter. Youre strong, Nevaeh, she said. God made us strong. Crain sat up in the cot. Old, black blood gushed from her nostrils and mouth. Candace Fails visits the grave of her daughter, Nevaeh Crain, and granddaughter, Lillian Faye Broussard, in Buna, Texas on October 24, 2024. At 25 weeks of pregnancy, Crain passed away on October 29, 2023 from preventable causes, including hemorrhaging, after seeking medical help at various hospitals. (Danielle Villasana for ProPublica) Danielle Villasana for ProPublica The Law Is on Our Side Crain is one of at least two pregnant Texas women who died after doctors delayed treating miscarriages, ProPublica found. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has successfully made his state the only one in the country that isnt required to follow the Biden administrations efforts to ensure that emergency departments dont turn away patients like Crain. After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion, the administration issued guidance on how states with bans should follow the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. The federal law requires hospitals that receive funding through Medicare which is virtually all of them to stabilize or transfer anyone who arrives in their emergency rooms. That goes for pregnant patients, the guidance argues, even if that means violating state law and providing an abortion. Paxton responded by filing a lawsuit in 2022, saying the federal guidance forces hospitals and doctors to commit crimes, and was an attempt to use federal law to transform every emergency room in the country into a walk-in abortion clinic. Part of the battle has centered on who is eligible for abortion. The federal EMTALA guidelines apply when the health of the pregnant patient is in serious jeopardy. Thats a wider range of circumstances than the Texas abortion restriction, which only makes exceptions for a risk of death or a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function. The lawsuit worked its way through three layers of federal courts, and each time it was met by judges nominated by former President Donald Trump, whose court appointments were pivotal to overturning Roe v. Wade. After U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix, a Trump appointee, quickly sided with Texas, Paxton celebrated the triumph over left-wing bureaucrats in Washington. The decision last night proves what we knew all along, Paxton added. The law is on our side. This year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit upheld the order in a ruling authored by Kurt D. Engelhardt, another judge nominated by Trump. The Biden administration appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, urging the justices to make it clear that some emergency abortions are allowed. Even amid news of preventable deaths related to abortion bans, the Supreme Court declined to do so last month. Paxton called this a major victory for the states abortion ban. He has also made clear that he will bring charges against physicians for performing abortions if he decides that the cases dont fall within Texas narrow medical exceptions. Last year, he sent a letter threatening to prosecute a doctor who had received court approval to provide an emergency abortion for a Dallas woman. He insisted that the doctor and her patient had not proven how, precisely, the patients condition threatened her life. Many doctors say this kind of message has encouraged doctors to punt patients instead of treating them. Since the abortion bans went into effect, an OB-GYN at a major hospital in San Antonio has seen an uptick in pregnant patients being sent to them from across Southern Texas, as they suffer from complications that could easily be treated close to home. The well-resourced hospital is perceived to have more institutional support to provide abortions and miscarriage management, the doctor said. Other providers are transferring those patients to our centers because, frankly, they dont want to deal with them. After Crain died, Fails couldnt stop thinking about how Christus Southeast Hospital had ignored her daughters condition. She was bleeding, she said. Why didnt they do anything to help it along instead of wait for another ultrasound to confirm the baby is dead? It was the medical examiner, not the doctors at the hospital, who removed Lillian from Crains womb. His autopsy didnt resolve Fails lingering questions about what the hospitals missed and why. He called the death natural and attributed it to complications of pregnancy. He did note, however, that Crain was repeatedly seeking medical care for a progressive illness just before she died. Last November, Fails reached out to medical malpractice lawyers to see about getting justice through the courts. A different legal barrier now stood in her way. If Crain had experienced these same delays as an inpatient, Fails would have needed to establish that the hospital violated medical standards. That, she believed, she could do. But because the delays and discharges occurred in an area of the hospital classified as an emergency room, lawyers said that Texas law set a much higher burden of proof: willful and wanton negligence. No lawyer has agreed to take the case. Mariam Elba contributed research. Cassandra Jaramillo contributed reporting. Andrea Suozzo contributed data reporting. ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as theyre published. The Scoop Developing country leaders and their allies in the activist community should temper expectations for a deal on climate finance at COP29 that hits the sky-high fundraising target many are hoping for, the UK official who led the 2021 iteration of the summit told Semafor. The main goal for COP29 is to lay out a new strategy for wealthy governments, development banks, and private investors to drastically increase the amount of money they channel to poorer, climate-vulnerable countries for their clean energy and impact adaptation efforts. There are two facets of this strategy: A specific annual fundraising target to replace the $100 billion goal that countries have been chasing since 2009, and a plan for reaching it that will likely require expanding the pool of core donors beyond the US, Europe, Japan, and the World Bank. A growing number of activists, developing country politicians, and researchers have coalesced around $1 trillion as a target commensurate with countries real needs. Anything far short of that will have to be seen as a failure, David Nicholson, chief climate officer for the humanitarian group Mercy Corps, told Semafor. They shouldnt hold their breath, said Alok Sharma, a former British minister who served as president of COP26. While its still urgent and possible to make significant improvements to the climate finance status quo during COP29, he said, political agreement on a target multiples higher than $100 billion will be nearly impossible to get, and could even backfire by eroding the credibility of the COP process if it gets adopted but not followed through on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new goal clearly has to be ambitious, but also has to be deliverable, Sharma, now a member of the House of Lords, said. Tims view Last years COP, in Dubai, was an experiment in taking the summit to an unprecedented scale, with nearly 100,000 people in attendance. The outcome was an agreement that, while it didnt exactly solve the climate crisis, contained the strongest-ever global commitment to transition away from fossil fuels. The challenge this year in Baku will be to keep the momentum going with a much smaller and quieter meeting, and one happening against a lot of political and economic headwinds. The odds of success look steep. The heads of state of the US, China, India, and France, among others, havent confirmed whether they will attend. For a meeting ostensibly focused on finance, many financial leaders will be missing, including the heads of most major banks and the head of the International Monetary Fund. The US delegation includes no senior officials from the Treasury Department. And the top diplomat from Papua New Guinea urged developing country leaders to boycott the meeting, calling it a total waste of time. Meanwhile, evidence is mounting that the core goal of the Paris Agreement limiting global warming to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels is now completely out of reach, and that a slower-than-expected energy transition has the world currently headed for twice that level of warming. The Baku meeting will start less than a week after the US presidential election. A Donald Trump win would augur at least four years ahead with the worlds top historic carbon emitter checking out of global climate negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijans former ecology minister, has the unenviable task of steering the summit. His country has been assailed by climate and human rights groups, and by numerous Western politicians, for the arrests of political opposition leaders and activists, and the persecution of ethnic Armenians during the countrys prolonged territorial conflict with Armenia. Azerbaijan is also a major oil and gas producer, and remains one of Europes top gas suppliers, which has also spurred criticism of its ability to lead decarbonization negotiations. I dont think its disqualifying for a COP host to have a robust fossil fuel industry: The United Arab Emirates, whose oil and gas production dwarfs Azerbaijans, was successful at COP28 precisely because it could speak credibly to peer fossil exporters. Baku may also be well-positioned to mediate between developed and developing countries on finance issues. And as Egypt learned when it hosted COP27, being in the global COP spotlight ramps up pressure to walk back political repression and to adopt stronger domestic climate policies. Last week, a top Azeri diplomat deflected criticism of his country as a hypocrites game and framed the summit as a chance to initiate more extensive peace talks with Armenia. Still, managing a COP is a mighty diplomatic task, and early feedback on Babayevs leadership leaves open the question of whether hes up to it. When you talk to the negotiating teams, they say there hasnt been much hands-on shepherding by the presidency, of forcing countries to talk through the thorniest problems at an early stage, said Ruth Townend, a senior researcher at Chatham House who co-authored a report last week on Azerbaijans COP leadership. Were going into COP with a situation where theres so much still to be pinned down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, debates about the COP presidency are a distraction. Nothing that happens at COP matters unless every country and company, especially the biggest and richest emitters, follows through on the promises they make. Up to now, their general failure to do so remains the biggest reason to be concerned, Sharma said. Some delegations have privately pushed for walking back the transition away from fossil fuels language, he said a sign that stasis may be a more reasonable expectation than progress. If we dont agree on finance in Baku, it just moves the discussion forward a year later to be agreed in Brazil [at COP30], he said. The world cannot afford to wait another year. Room for Disagreement Climate advocacy leaders remain optimistic that the urgency of the crisis will resonate with the summits decision-makers. Theres a deep desire to succeed in Baku, Ani Dasgupta, CEO of the World Resources Institute, told Semafor. My overall impression, surprisingly, is that we will actually come out with a positive outcome. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) With winter just around the corner, experts are encouraging homeowners to start thinking about prepping their furnaces and HVAC systems before its too late. When it gets really cold, more than 80 percent of the calls we receive are related to lack of maintenance, Kalins Indoor Comfort general manager Steve Kistner said. Fire officials say its time to check smoke detector batteries Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kalins Indoor Comfort says the easiest thing people can do to prepare their homes for the upcoming cold season is change their air filters. Some may be surprised to hear the importance of that filter and making sure that it has been replaced, Kistner said. A dirty filter in the system causes it to work harder and harder and harder, stressing components out, causing it to work in a way that will shorten its life. But experts recommend an annual maintenance check on heating systems to ensure furnaces and HVAC systems will run all winter long. If you take care of the little things every year, the equipment will last longer, the equipment will operate more efficiently, more safely, and youll be able to anticipate when more repairs are needed, Kistner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, there are small preparations people can do themselves that will keep their homes warm and energy bills low, like rotating ceiling fans to turn clockwise. When you turn them clockwise during the wintertime it circulates the air, it brings that warm air up and around and just helps keep that warm air circulating in your room, Geoff Greenwood with MidAmerican Energy Company said. But when it does become time to run the heater, keeping the temperature at a comfortable point will be the most efficient way to save money this winter. Wayne to receive $1.3M in funding for park renovations Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not advocating for you to make it cold in your house or your apartment, but every little bit helps, Greenwood said. If you can turn that thermostat down a few degrees, it will help save you energy and it will help save you money. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, preventative HVAC maintenance can result in up to 30 percent savings on energy bills. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Gov. JB Pritzker and more than two dozen aldermen criticized Mayor Brandon Johnson for not fully vetting his choice for school board president citing the hand-picked candidates history of posting repeatedly about Israels yearlong offensive in Gaza. The Rev. Mitchell Ikenna Johnson was appointed by the mayor to the school boards top leadership role after all seven previous members resigned earlier this month. But some state legislators and City Council members questioned that decision and called for his resignation because of dozens of anti-Israel posts hed made, first reported by Jewish Insider. To the extent that someone has been put up for a position, especially one as important as chair of the Chicago schools, I think vetting is vitally important. That doesnt seem to have occurred here, Pritzker said when asked about the posts at a news conference in the Loop about a new state initiative, Help Stop Hate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rev. Johnson, who is no relation to the mayor, has in the past been active with the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Following Hamas Oct. 7 attack, he started posting about the Israel-Hamas war on Facebook. He would often post several times a day, increasing in frequency over the winter. My Jewish colleagues appear drunk with the Israeli power and will live to see their payment, he wrote in a post Dec. 19. The Nazi Germans ideology has been adopted by Zionist Jews, in another dated Feb. 20. The dozens of Facebook posts by Rev. Johnson about Israel continued into the spring. After the posts were made publicly known on social media, more than 20 aldermen signed a letter asking for Johnsons immediate resignation, stating that his continued role on the school board is non-negotiable. They called on both Rev. Johnson and the mayor to correct this terrible mistake. This situation is a failure of leadership and judgment on the part of Mayor Johnson and his executive team, the letter reads. Earlier this month, Mayor Johnson told reporters his appointees would be thoroughly vetted before they were sworn in. It is clear that did not take place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter directly addressed Rev. Johnsons December Facebook post about being drunk with Israeli power. That post was unfairly holding American Jews responsible for the actions of military halfway across the world, the letter states. In a statement to the Tribune Wednesday, the Rev. Johnson said he has worked hand in hand with the Jewish community in Chicago to fight antisemitism. I am deeply sorry for not being more precise and deliberate in my comments posted last year, he said. Since that time I asked for and received feedback from my Jewish friends and colleagues who helped me be more thoughtful in how I address these sensitive matters. Ald. Debra Silverstein, 50th, the councils lone Jewish member, said (her) community is just really upset. She brought up a Saturday shooting in West Rogers Park, noting that the shooting victim attended her synagogue. Silverstein said the shooting didnt get the proper attention from City Hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont feel that this administration has the Jewish communitys back, and I dont know how the vetting process let this person get through onto our school board, said Silverstein. I am so worried about our Jewish students in CPS and their protection. To have somebody on the school board that has tweeted out antisemitic anti-Zionist tweets is appalling to me. Responding to Rev. Johnsons posts Wednesday, Mayor Johnson said the board president has since apologized for the comments made and how harmful they have been to people of the Jewish community. I know hes going to sit down with Jewish leaders in the city of Chicago and beyond to begin to work toward restoration and healing, Johnson said. These are not sentiments that I subscribe to, and I do appreciate Reverend Johnson being willing to be held accountable for statements that he has made that (have) caused harm. The mayor said Rev. Johnsons comments in no way reflect his commitment to ensure that every single child in our public school system is seen and heard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aldermen have long been divided on the war in Gaza. City Council narrowly passed a resolution last year calling for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, after Mayor Johnson cast a tie-breaking vote. It made Chicago the largest American city to call for a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel. Mayor Johnson, a former teacher and CTU organizer, also might have had a hand in the resignations of the previous school board after unsuccessfully pressuring Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez to take out a controversial loan and then threatening to oust him. Ten members of the Board of Education will be elected in November, and Mayor Johnson will appoint 11 next year to join them. If the mayor chooses to appoint the Rev. Johnson, he can stay on as president. This worries some lawmakers. Democrat state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Tuesday night she was shocked and appalled that the Mayor wouldnt vet someone before he appointed them. She asked for the mayor to call for the school board presidents resignation. Otherwise, she threatened state intervention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, NBC reported that the newly appointed president had been disbarred from his job as a lawyer in Ohio and a lien had been placed on his home due to not paying child support. When asked whether the accusations were accurate, Rev. Johnson responded last Friday that he was suggested for this position because of (his) leadership capacity and ability to get things done. Thats the truth, Rev. Johnson said. The good news is, I wasnt hired to be an accountant, and I wasnt hired to be a lawyer. One of the seven appointed school board members, Debby Pope, who recently went private on X, had also reposted several pro-Palestinian and anti-Zionist tweets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school board, which Rev. Johnson currently heads, will likely decide the fate of Martinez and the controversial $300 million high-interest loan sought by the mayor to help fund a new CTU contract and balance the districts budget. The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Friday. Chicago Tribunes Alice Yin and Jake Sheridan contributed. Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect that the Tribunes Olivia Olander reported and co-wrote it. A ballot drop box is seen in Greeley on June 25, 2024. (Andrew Fraieli/Colorado Newsline) A nonpartisan election protection hotline in Colorado received just over 500 calls from voters asking questions since ballots were mailed out starting Oct. 11, an uptick from previous years. Decision 2024: On-the-ground election coverage in Colorado and by local reporters in all 50 states. Fair. Fearless. Free. Common Cause Colorado, a pro-democracy organization with branches in about two dozen states, works with the nonpartisan Just Vote Colorado coalition to run a hotline staffed by legal experts to help answer voters questions and address potential threats to voters and election processes. Aly Belknap, Common Cause Colorados executive director, said the coalition has about 40 partners around the state working to promote the hotline as a resource for voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The election protection hotline is receiving more calls than weve seen in many years from Coloradans, which is great because it means that when folks have issues, they know where to bring them and they know that were a trusted source for information, Belknap said. In prior years, the hotline has received between 200 and 300 calls at this point ahead of the election, Belknap said. She said the length of Colorados ballot, with 14 statewide measures, likely contributed to the increase in calls, as well as the climate around voting and disinformation around election safety and security. Questions about who is allowed to be present around polling centers have also come in. I think folks are on high alert, and peoples nervous systems are activated, Belknap said. We know that most threats and disinformation narratives do not result in real world violence, and voters should feel secure that if theyre going to go in person or dropping off their ballot that they can do so safely and without intimidation. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When early voting kicked off, Belknap said Rio Grande County had a voter intimidation incident reported through the hotline that the county handled exactly the right way she said the individual posing a threat was removed from the polling location and voters were able to cast their ballots. It just goes to show that our county election officials are extremely dedicated to identifying and responding to any forms of intimidation or violence that are happening, and weve been really grateful to have nothing but great conversations so far with those clerks, Belknap said. Voters with questions or concerns can call the hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE. Belknap and Common Cause leaders from other Western states including Arizona, Oregon and California held a press briefing Thursday morning to highlight their election protection efforts. Nonpartisan poll monitors around Colorado Belknap said her organization has 250 poll monitors deployed across the state this week and next, watching out for voter intimidation, accessibility issues, election administration issues and challenges to voter eligibility. She said monitors will also watch for adherence to new Colorado election laws, such as the ban on open or concealed carry near polling places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its extremely important that we have folks out there to ensure and monitor that these laws are being followed and that theres not intimidation happening, and if there is, that we can respond to that, Belknap said. Common Cause will host one more training for interested nonpartisan poll watchers at noon on Friday. The organization also adjusted its poll monitoring program this year to include a larger presence around ballot drop boxes, particularly due to the potential for ill-intentioned drop box monitoring that could interfere with voting, Belknap said. Were shifting volunteer capacity to go cover those locations and make sure that theres no nefarious activity and that were able to work with our election officials to identify anything that needs to be responded to, she said. Our volunteers are everyday folks who are coming together to work and protect democracy because they care so much about it. Belknap said considering the length of Colorados ballot this year, voters need more time getting through their ballots and that high turnout on Election Day is expected. As of noon Thursday, the Colorado secretary of states office reported close to 1.6 million ballots returned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following a Tuesday announcement from Secretary of State Jena Griswolds office that partial system passwords had been exposed in a document published on a state elections website, Belknap said voters should be assured that no voting machine has been compromised. We have many layers of safeguards built into Colorados election system that prevent a single breach from upending the system itself, she said. At this point, we just want folks to know that one breach cannot and should not upend our election system, and nothing will change about your experience voting this year, from getting your ballot in the mail, or going to vote in person, to having your vote counted the way that you intended. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced Thursday that he is deploying state resources to complete the process of securing voting systems in affected Colorado counties. Belknap said she hopes the investigation will lead to more answers for Coloradans. We are concerned that situations like these, even when they occur in an extremely strong and secure election system, have the potential to feed these disinformation narratives that our elections arent secure, that voters votes wont be counted according to their intent, Belknap said. So what were trying to let folks know is you can be reassured that that is not the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Editors note: This story was updated to clarify that Common Cause Colorado works with the Just Vote Coalition to run its election protection hotline at 10 a.m., Nov. 1, 2024. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Election Day is Tuesday. You know about Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, but theres a lot more than that on the ballot. If youve got some lingering questions like where to vote or whether you can vote at all youre not alone. Its time to cram. We can help. Read on for answers to your questions. Am I registered to vote? If not, how hard is it to register? If youve never registered to vote, have recently moved or forgotten whether youre still registered, go to voteidaho.gov. Hover over the Voting tab at the top and click on Registering to Vote. Scroll down and click on the Check Your Registration button and type in your first and last names and date of birth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You will need to update your registration if you recently moved, changed your name or have not voted in the past four years. If youre not registered or need to update your information, you can register at your polling place on Election Day. You can register if: Youre 18 years of age or older. A U.S. citizen. A resident of Idaho for at least 30 days before Election Day. Bring proof of residence and a photo ID card like an Idaho drivers license; a passport; a concealed weapons license issued by an Idaho county sheriff; or an Idaho, federal or tribal ID card. Documents that work for proof of residence include proof of insurance, a rental agreement, a utility bill or bank statement, paychecks or stubs, or enrollment letters from an Idaho high school or university. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre already registered, bring an ID card like a drivers license. In Idaho, people with felony convictions cannot register until after finishing their sentence terms. Idahoans will have plenty to vote on in Tuesday's election. Where do I go to vote? When do I vote? If youre already registered, you may have received a voter information card in the mail recently with the precinct, legislative district and congressional district you live in. It lists your polling place. You can also find your polling place at voteidaho.gov. Hovering over the Voting tab at top and click on Where to Vote. Scroll down and click on Find Your Polling Location, then type in your address and hit Search. In Ada County, you can also visit adacounty.id.gov/elections/election-day-information and click on Find Where You Vote. Type in your address at the top, and it will tell you where to go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you arrive, youll check in with an election worker and will vote in a private kiosk by paper or by machine. Youre allowed to bring notes with you. If you make a mistake, ask a poll worker for a new ballot. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can still vote after polls close as long as youre in line to vote by 8 p.m. If youre voting with an absentee ballot, bring it to an election drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Drop boxes in Ada County can be found at the Eagle, Star, Meridian, Kuna and Boise city halls and the Ada County Elections Office at 400 N. Benjamin Lane in Boise. In Canyon County, absentee ballots must be returned to the county elections office at 1102 E. Chicago St. in Caldwell. People line up at Meridian City Hall to vote early in the Nov. 5 general election. Whats on the Idaho ballot? Youll see candidates for Congress, the Idaho Legislature, county offices, a proposed constitutional amendment and the much-debated Proposition 1. In many places, there are candidates for special districts such as the Ada County Highway District and the College of Western Idaho, school and other property-tax levies, and ballot measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can peruse the list of every candidate and measure on the ballot in Ada and eastern Canyon Counties in our online story, Boise-area voters: See whos running in November 2024 election in Ada and Canyon counties. You can view whats on your own ballot voteidaho.gov/on-the-ballots/. Select the bright red Find Your Sample Ballot button. Idahoans will choose whether to send newcomers or long-term incumbents to Washington D.C. to represent Idahos 1st and 2nd congressional districts. Western Ada County and all of Canyon County fall within the 1st District, which stretches north to the Canadian border. Most of Boise is in the 2nd District, which runs east to the Wyoming and Montana borders. Voters in Ada County will have options to send legislators to the Idaho House or Senate for Districts 14-22 while Canyon County voters will help choose legislators for Districts 9-13. District 23 and 10 cross into both counties and have contested races as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Ada County, voters will have the opportunity to vote on two districts for the Ada County Commission (commissioners represent the districts they live in but are elected countywide), the county prosecutor, sheriff and two positions on the Ada County Highway District commission. In Canyon County, voters will be able to vote on the contested District 3 Canyon County Commissioner seat. All other candidates on the ballot are uncontested Republicans. On your ballot, you will also have a question about whether to add language to the states constitution that would bar non-American citizens from voting in Idaho elections. It is already illegal for non-American citizens to vote in Idaho and federal elections. The question was added after Republican legislators wanted more guarantees that only American citizens could vote. The 2024 ballot will include questions about a constitutional amendment and Proposition 1, which would change how the state elects candidates. You will also see a question over Proposition 1, which would change who can take part in the states primary elections and how the state tallies general election votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Yes vote on Proposition 1 would open the primary elections meaning all candidates would be lumped into one primary election and voters of any party would be able to vote on all candidates. This would change the current system where only registered Republicans can vote on Republican candidates in the primary election. The top four candidates selected in the primary election would face off in the November general election, when voters could rank their favorite candidates from 1 to 4. (If youd only be willing to rank one candidate, you could do that, too.) If a voters top candidate doesnt have enough votes and is disqualified, their second choice would then be factored in, and if necessary their third and fourth choices until there is a clear winner. Opponents say the system would be too complicated, may take longer to count and cost the state money to implement. Proponents say it would be more fair and bring more moderate or third-party candidates to public office. How can I find out more about the candidates and ballot measures? Besides the above-mentioned story listing whos running and whats on the ballot, you can find in-depth stories on key races and campaign contributions at Idahostatesman.com/election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There, youll also find the Statesmans Voter Guides for contested races that include candidates photos, bios and unedited answers to key questions. Another way to find the Voter Guide stories fast is to go to the Idaho Statesman app or website and choose Latest. Select the story, Voter Guide 2024: Read candidates answers before you head to the polls in Boise area. How do I find out who won? Statesman reporters will bring you live results on Election Night starting when the polls close at 8 p.m. Check your Statesman app or go to Idahostatesman.com. Kamala Harris, the US vice-president, has described the ultra-conservative instruction manual known as Project 2025 as an assault on democracy. Trump has eschewed the 922-page document, which called for the appointment of vetted Trump loyalists as civil servants, enabling them to enact sweeping tax cuts and other proposals. What is Project 2025? Produced by a conservative think tank, the document sets out a potential blueprint for a Trump administration, should he win the election in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats are hoping that it contains enough ammunition to take down Trump. What is included in the document? The Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind the project, says that it paves the way for an effective conservative administration and can be used to prize the country from the hands of the radical Left. In several key areas, the document echoes positions that Trump has set out in the past and outlines how he could implement them as president. It proposes mass deportations of more than 11 million illegal immigrants; Trump has pledged to carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history. It proposes giving the executive power to sack thousands of civil servants in favour of political appointees a move Trump ordered but did not have time to usher in before leaving office. Kamala Harris told a rally on Tuesday that, among other things, Project 2025 abolish the department of education - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America And it proposes bringing the justice department and FBI under the presidents control. Trump has called for both to be defunded following his criminal indictments, and said he would weaponise them against political rivals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Harris has said that Project 2025 will cut social security, remove the price cap on insulin and abolish the department of education. But most worryingly, Ms Harris told supporters: If implemented this plan will be the latest attack in Donald Trumps full-on assault on reproductive freedom. Abortion access would be further restricted and limits on birth control introduced, she added. Does Trump support Project 2025? Trump has reportedly eschewed the document, with reports saying the project was killed off following the intervention of a senior Trump campaign official, Chris LaCivita. President Trumps campaign has been very clear for over a year that Project 2025 had nothing to do with the campaign, did not speak for the campaign, and should not be associated with the campaign or the president in any way, the Trump campaign said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports of Project 2025s demise would be greatly welcomed and should serve as notice to anyone or any group trying to misrepresent their influence with President Trump and his campaign - it will not end well for you. In a bid to appear more moderate on issues such as abortion access, Trump had already sought to distance himself from the project in recent months, even though many of the groups and individuals that support it are closely linked to him. Those behind Project 2025 have floated in and out of Trump orbit over the last eight years. In some areas the sprawling policy document goes well beyond Trumps publicly stated views. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Ms Harris said, it endorses limiting access to the abortion pill mifepristone. Trump was forced to furiously backpedal earlier this year when he appeared to be considering cuts to Medicare - Brian Snyder/REUTERS The official Republican platform, released this week, omitted a national abortion ban as an ambition for the first time in 40 years. Project 2025 also calls for limits to be placed on Medicare claims, to disincentivise permanent dependence on the health insurance programme among over-65s. Trump was forced to furiously backpedal earlier this year when he appeared to be considering cuts to Medicare. The newly released Republican platform vowed to maintain current levels of spending softening another longstanding position. Who is behind Project 2025? Kevin Roberts, the foundations president, had said he believed the document would help transform US politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the Left allows it to be, he said. In total, 31 authors and editors of Project 2025 were Trump administration officials, according to the Biden campaign. The director is Paul Dans, who served in the Office of Personnel Management during Trumps term in the White House. The document was co-edited by Steven Groves, who spent three years in the administration, while Spencer Chretien, the former special assistant to the president, is the projects associate director. One chapter was written by Russ Vought, Trumps director of the office of management and budget. Earlier this year, Trump named Mr Vought as policy director to craft the Republican party platform ahead of its national convention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ed Martin, the platforms deputy policy director, leads a conservative pressure group listed on the Project 2025 advisory board. Stephen Miller, a longtime Trump adviser, is the president of America First Legal, which also advises the project, and appears on a video promoting its presidential transition academy. Ben Carson, Trumps former housing secretary; Peter Navarro, the former White House trade adviser; and Mark Meadows, Trumps final chief of staff, are all involved in the project. 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. Getty Images Project 2025 has been mentioned a lot on the campaign trail, but we need to recognize that its more than a talking point. Its a very real, very extreme agenda that, if placed in the hands of those in power, would do harm to someone you care about, regardless of your ZIP code, your income or your political leanings. The 920 pages of Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise from the Project 2025 Presidential Transition Project at the Heritage Foundation outline a clear plan to systematically disinvest in people and communities across our country and state, resulting in devastating impacts, including increased poverty, decreased opportunities and attacks on individual rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For one, Project 2025 puts food assistance for children and families with low incomes in its targets, calling for significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which 1.4 million Michiganders rely upon. It would limit states freedom to set income eligibility criteria and would strip benefits from people due to rigid work requirements and associated red tape. Hunger is on the rise and SNAP benefits are already too low to cover the full cost of a meal, but Project 2025 also sharply criticizes science-based updates to SNAP benefit levels, which are required to happen every five years. If these updates were re-evaluated, as Project 2025 proposes, future SNAP benefits for Michigan families could be slashed by $970 million over the next decade. To make matters worse, Project 2025 would keep children from receiving nutritious meals at school and during the summer, as it proposes to reject universal free school meal programs and roll back summer food assistance. This could include the program that provided nearly 900,000 Michigan children with access to healthy meals this past summer. Beyond reducing access to food and other basic needs, Project 2025s tax proposals are particularly unsettling. We would see harmful tax increases for low- to moderate-income households and major tax breaks for the wealthiest households and corporations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, the plan proposes to reduce the federal governments seven personal income tax rates10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37% down to just two a 15% beginning rate and a 30% rate that would start near the Social Security wage base, currently $168,000. This means an increase in taxes for the majority of Michigan households. According to the Center for American Progress, a Michigan family of four earning the states median income of $106,979 would see a tax increase of $2,797, while a single-person household making the state median income of $35,533 would see a tax increase of $860 under the proposed system. Meanwhile, the wealthiest households would pay less in taxes. 2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Project 2025 also targets immigrants who are valuable and vital members of our communities. Here in Michigan, immigrants play an important role in our population growth and bolster the state economy by participating in the workforce and creating businesses and jobs. Additionally, according to recent research from the American Immigration Council, the approximately 687,000 immigrants living in Michigan in 2022 held $23.1 billion in spending power, paid $5.5 billion in federal taxes and paid $2.6 billion in state and local taxes. They are also our neighbors. But Project 2025 seeks to intimidate immigrants from taking part in the Census, paying taxes and obtaining benefits they are eligible to receive. The plan would even strip lawful immigration statuses away from some victims of crimes, including trafficking victims. These harsh immigration policies would only add to the damage caused by the hateful anti-immigrant rhetoric and fear-mongering that have permeated the national conversation. What about health care? If the architects of Project 2025 are able to implement their plan, tens of millions of Americans would lose Medicaid coverage, while others would face significantly higher premiums. The plan proposes huge cuts to this long-standing health care program, which provides comprehensive health care services to adults and children who are struggling to make ends meet. These proposed cuts would have a significant impact on the household budgets and health outcomes of the more than 2.6 million Michiganders enrolled in Medicaid as of June 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This only touches the surface of all that is included in Project 2025 an extreme agenda for our federal government that also contains blatant attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, guts protections against sex discrimination, and dismantles access to reproductive rights, workplace justice, housing programs and more. Michiganders must fully understand what Project 2025 would mean for our communities and democracy. It would drastically overhaul our federal government and worsen the existing inequities in economic security, health and overall well-being for children and families across our state and country. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX For the record: 12:39 p.m. Nov. 1, 2024: An earlier version of this article stated there were nearly 60,000 prisoners with jobs in California, based on incorrect data provided by prison officials. There are 35,000 prisoners with jobs. Gathered on a sunny morning in Los Angeles on Wednesday, a coalition of criminal justice reform advocates urged voters to pass Proposition 6 and finally rid California of slavery nearly 175 years after it joined the union as a free state. "We're here to confront the uncomfortable truth that in our beautiful, great state of California, slavery still exists in our Constitution," Tanisha Cannon, managing director of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, told the crowd of supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her message was part of a broader campaign pitching support for Proposition 6 as a vote to "end slavery." Yet according to the official state voter guide, Proposition 6 has nothing to do with slavery. Read more: Your guide to Proposition 6: Ending forced prison labor Instead, the measure asks voters whether to remove a provision in the California Constitution that uses language similar to the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution allowing jails and prisons to use "involuntary servitude" as a punishment for crime. If it passes, Proposition 6 would ban that practice, effectively putting an end to mandatory work assignments for prisoners. Proposition 6 proponents say there is no difference between slavery and involuntary servitude in prisons because inmates typically have no say over their job assignments and often face disciplinary action if they refuse to work. And, they argue, today's prison labor industry is an extension of a law California passed soon after joining the union in 1850 that criminalized fugitive slaves and sent them back to plantations in the South. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Involuntary servitude is slavery by another name," Cannon said. "Prop. 6 will finally end that cruel practice." Despite efforts to peg Proposition 6 as a simple anti-slavery measure, some voters aren't reading it that way. Only 41% of likely voters said they planned to vote for Proposition 6, according to a recent Public Policy Institute of California poll. One of the surveyed respondents, Greg Schulter, a registered Republican in Oceanside, said Proposition 6 was "way down on the bottom of importance." "We're already spending tens of thousands of dollars to incarcerate somebody, I mean it's astronomical," Schulter said. "Working in the laundry, working in the kitchen, things like that, it's legitimate work. It needs to be done by somebody. And it doesn't make sense to pay a civilian $20 an hour for work they can do." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign supporting Proposition 6 has raised roughly $2 million, a pittance in a huge state with multiple expensive advertising markets. No formal opposition has been filed against the measure or money spent to defeat it. Prisoners attend a class for mental health at California State Prison, Sacramento, in 2023. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) Supporters say Proposition 6 would allow incarcerated people to focus more on their rehabilitation by freeing up time in their schedules to enroll in classes that focus on mental health, substance use disorders, anger management and a variety of other self-improvement programs that better prepare them for life after prison. "When we prioritize work, which is what our current system does ... it limits those that are in our carceral system to have personal growth, to successfully reintegrate," said Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson, a Suisun City Democrat who chairs the California Legislative Black Caucus and wrote the legislation that put Proposition 6 on the ballot. The caucus backed a recommendation by the California Reparations Task Force to end forced prison labor as a way to address the "ongoing and compounding harms experienced by African Americans as a result of slavery and its lingering effects on American society today." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure doesn't mandate wages or outline working conditions, details the Legislature, the governor and prison officials may begin to negotiate if the measure passes. Read more: California Democrats talked a big game on reparations. They're off to slow start There are roughly 35,000 job assignments in California prisons, according to Terri Hardy, a spokesperson for the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Assignments include service dog training, construction work, clerking positions, computer coding, hospice care and janitorial jobs. Approximately 5,700 prisoners have work assignments under the California Prison Industry, which runs factories that employ incarcerated people to build office furniture, make license plates and manufacture other items that are sold to state agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most jobs pay less than a dollar per hour, while a select few offer higher wages. Inmate firefighters, for example, are in some cases paid up to $10 per day. Last year, prison officials announced plans to nearly double most hourly wages for incarcerated workers. Unpaid work assignments were also eliminated, Hardy said, and most jobs will transition to part-time positions. Read more: California prisoners could get higher wages under new plan but still less than $1 an hour Some proponents worry that voters might be confused because the ballot measure includes the term "involuntary servitude" rather than "slavery." Other states that passed similar measures, including Oregon, Tennessee, Colorado and Nebraska, typically included the term "slavery" in the official language, though several of those propositions did little to affect prison labor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jay Jordan, founding partner of the advocacy organization Center for Social Good and a longtime criminal justice reform activist in California, said he understands why voters might be skeptical of eliminating job requirements. But he said most prisoners want to work, and that won't change if Proposition 6 passes. The measure would instead allow people to work part-time and use the rest of their days attending classes that will better prepare them to successfully return to their home communities, Jordan said. Besides, he added, the prisons don't have enough jobs for the roughly 94,000 incarcerated people in California, nor the necessary number of rehabilitative programs. So many inmates already sit around without anything productive to occupy their time, he said. Jordan spent seven years in prison on a robbery charge from when he was a teenager. He said he spent much of that time painting truck beds for Caltrans, making roughly 6 cents an hour, or $14 per month. A good chunk of that money went to paying restitution, while the remainder helped him stockpile cheap soups from the canteen. Jordan said it took more than six years to finally land in programs that helped address his problems with substance use and anger management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I actually got worse," Jordan said of his time in prison. "Lets create something that actually works." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. As the state staggers out of back-to-back hurricane hits, the number of claims filed for damage to residences is already in the six figures. Property owners who have filed claims have done what experts on all sides recommend as paramount: Report damage to your insurance company as soon as possible before you start thinking about calling a contractor. Thats number one, said Don Phillips, past president of the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, with 49 years in insurance claims including stints with insurers and as a public advocate representing policyholders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read full story: You have storm damage. Here's 5 things to know to get insurance money Here are some other key considerations. Will 2024 hurricane damage to vehicles increase car insurance costs? Damage from a tornado spurred by Hurricane Milton at the Windgate community in Palm Beach Gardens at about 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. Eva Kelly-Cubells knows her 2016 Chevy Cruze and tens of thousands of other cars swamped in hurricanes Helene and Milton did not go quietly. The 86-year-old Punta Gorda resident and her cat evacuated to a friends house on Sept. 26. There, Kelly-Cubells thought, she would be a safe distance from the canals and ponds that surround her manufactured home for Hurricane Helenes anticipated visit. Deep in the night, though, she heard the water surging across the nearby road and then something even more ominous: a cacophony of car horns going off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then it would stop, and youd know that was the end, Kelly-Cubells said. Read full story: Hurricanes might mean Floridians get swamped again: With a car insurance increase Storm emergency offers reprieve from insurance deadlines, policy expirations and cancelations The McMasters family in front of their tornado ravaged home in Wellington. The day before Hurricane Milton landed twisters in Palm Beach County damaging 315 homes in a neighborhood about 15 miles from her house Patricia Cramer went online to pay her insurance bill and made a startling discovery. The West Palm Beach residents policy with Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which she had bolstered just a few months earlier, had been canceled, she learned. The cancelation went into effect Oct. 5. That was the same day that Gov. Ron DeSantis had included Palm Beach County in an emergency declaration ahead of the oncoming storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was on pins and needles, Cramer, 79, said. Read full story: Storm emergency offers reprieve from insurance deadlines, policy expirations and cancelations Hurricane Milton likely to be a first test of insurance reforms and spawn a recurring argument With Hurricane Milton's passage, storm assessments are well underway across Florida. But one likely outcome, insurance industry watchers fear, is that owners of shredded and torn properties are in for a financial soaking. A vulnerability in Florida's property insurance market finger-pointing over whether water damage was caused by flood inundation or breaches in the structure that let rain through is likely being exposed again by Milton's sea surge, devastating winds and torrential downpours along a vast swath of the state, from Siesta Key on the west to Daytona Beach on the east. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read full story: Flood or wind? Milton may expose, again, Florida insurance coverage gap Hurricane Milton's hit: How will it affect our insurance premiums in Florida? A mounted deer head is part of the debris washed out onto the street by storm surge after Hurricane Helene hit the area on September 27, 2024 in Steinhatchee, Florida. Even though the one-two punch of hurricanes Helene and Milton caused immense, widespread damage and killed hundreds of people, it wont be a disaster for the states insurance industry, according to early assessments. However, homeowners will not know how or if those storms affect their rates until next year. Read full story: How bad will one-two hurricane punch be for insurance policyholders? After '60 Minutes,' Palm Beach County legislator calls for probe of Ian insurance payouts Destruction caused by Hurricane Ian on Sanibel Island, FL., is seen on Saturday, October 1, 2022, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even as Florida continues to clean up after back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton, news broke recently on another major storm that hit Florida this one from two years ago. Reports that damage claims from 2022's Hurricane Ian were systemically downgraded have a Palm Beach County state lawmaker leading a call for a Florida grand jury and a select legislative committee to investigate. Read full story: PBC lawmaker: Investigate '60 Minutes' report on Hurricane Ian claims Hurricane Helene exposes flood insurance as nation's slow-moving crisis Oct 2, 2024; LAKE TAHOMA, NC; Members of the Indiana Task Force 1 Search and Rescue team search for a missing woman along the Buck Creek. Her fiancee was also swept into the flood in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, but was rescued. Heleneas swath of destruction brought historic rainfall, flooding, power outages and 140-mile-an-hour winds across the Southeast. North Carolina that bore the brunt of damage, with vast swaths of cities like Asheville underwater, residents trapped in their homes with no lights or food and few functioning roads for rescue workers to help them. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Costello Ii/USA TODAY NETWORK While she baked cookies at her home at the foot of the Smoky Mountains, Vicki Hunter heard a flood alert for the other side of the river. An hour later, she was hanging on for life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunter, 62, like countless others in the inland counties of Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, was completely unprepared for the events of Sept. 27 as Hurricane Helene came to call. The death toll of 215 deaths and climbing is already the most deadly of a mainland weather event since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Beyond the heartbreak, though, financial trauma from the event promises to linger into the future. Little of the damage is covered by insurance and that reality has already filled GoFundMe with pleas for help, spotlighted the ailing National Flood Insurance Program and spurred leaders to call for a re-evaluation of how flood insurance works and who should buy it. All as another tempest, Hurricane Milton hammered another part of the already-battered Florida Gulf Coast this week. Read full story: Majority of homeowners left to clean up without insurance after Hurricane Helene Expert advice: My mortgage is paid off, can my HOA still make me get homeowners insurance? Live in a home governed by a condominium, co-op or homeowner's association? Have questions about what they can and cannot do? Ryan Poliakoff, an attorney and author based in Boca Raton, has answers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Question: I live in a villa which is attached to another villa, of which there are six on my street. The whole subdivision has attached villas which total about 190. All are single story with a garage. I have lived in the development for over 20 years and own my home free and clear with no mortgage. Read full story and get the answer: My mortgage is paid off, can my HOA still make me get homeowners insurance? This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida homeowners, property insurance facts: Hurricane damage claims The state agency overseeing Western State Hospital is accused of gross negligence after a 69-year-old psychiatric patient was strangled to death by his roommate, according to a recently filed lawsuit. Stephen Kellogg was discovered in his room by hospital staff in October 2022, The News Tribune previously reported. He had bodily injuries, a cord wrapped around his neck and a deep bite wound on his wrist. The Pierce County Medical Examiners Office determined he died of strangulation. Kelloggs roommate, Jason Conrad Day, was charged with Kelloggs killing but acquitted in March after pleading not guilty by reason of insanity and could spend the rest of his life institutionalized, Pierce County Superior Court records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is responsible for administering adult psychiatric inpatient programs operated by the state, including at Western State Hospital. DSHS knew or should have known that Day was dangerous and should have taken steps to prevent him from hurting fellow patients, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed Monday. Western State Hospital was aware that Jason Day had a history of violently assaulting other patients, the suit said. In addition, patients of Western State Hospital directly reported that Jason Day was known to be violent and had previously attacked other patients. The lawsuit, filed by Kelloggs brother as the personal representative of his estate, alleges that DSHS failed to properly monitor the patients or perform searches for anything that could be used as weapons. It said that Kellogg had been found on the floor, covered with a bloodstained blanket, and a watch had been laid on top of his bloody left eye. Kellogg was pronounced dead by emergency responders 34 minutes after Day reported to a nurse that he had killed him, according to the complaint. The two men had shared a room for about three months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A DSHS spokesperson declined to comment on the allegations Friday because the litigation is ongoing. In 2022, DSHS said that the fatal attack occurred during a 15-minute window between hospital staff rounds. The building that housed the men maintained a higher level of security than the hospitals general campus but wasnt the highest-security unit. Day, who had been at the psychiatric hospital in Lakewood for nearly a decade, had been involved in several documented incidents there in the years prior to the killing, including biting and choking another patient, The News Tribune previously reported. Day, 53, was also charged with biting the nose off a patient at a psychiatric hospital in King County in 2013, leading to his admission into Western State Hospital, and accused in 2021 of biting the nose off a patient at WSH. He was not charged in the latter case due to a lack of sufficient evidence and conflicting statements, court records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kellogg had been at the hospital since 1989 after pleading not guilty by reason of insanity to a first-degree murder charge, according to DSHS and court records. Meaghan Driscoll, an attorney representing Kelloggs brother and estate in the lawsuit, said in a brief interview Thursday that Western State Hospital was supposed to be a place that protects and cares for its patients. Under their watch, a patient was allowed to be killed in a very violent and brutal way by another patient, she said. The suit is seeking unspecified damages to be proven at trial and legal fees. OUTER BANKS, N.C. (WAVY) The OBX Marine Mammal Stranding Network wants the publics help in locating an injured manatee. It was last spotted near Kitty Hawk Bay on Tuesday, Oct. 29. It also has healing propeller wounds near its tail. Courtesy: NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island Courtesy: NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island Courtesy: NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island If you see the manatee, immediately report the sighting to the Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline at 252-564-2733 with an exact location. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) observe that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is showing a clear lack of interest in a negotiated ceasefire, remaining intent on destroying Ukraine's statehood. Source: ISW Quote: "Russian President [sic] Vladimir Putin continues to communicate that he is uninterested in a negotiated ceasefire and is committed to achieving his goal of destroying Ukrainian statehood." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Bloomberg reported on 30 October that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic had a conversation with Putin in early October 2024, marking their first communication in two and a half years. Vucic mentioned that he had brought up the subject of a ceasefire in Ukraine, but Putin responded that Russia intended to accomplish all its objectives for its so-called "special military operation" [a term used in Russian state rhetoric to describe the war against Ukraine]. According to the ISW, these objectives equate to destroying Ukrainian statehood and its government. Analysts noted that Putin explicitly dismissed the idea of a negotiated ceasefire during a press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on 5 July, arguing that a ceasefire would enable Ukraine to regroup and rearm. Quote from ISW: "A negotiated ceasefire on current lines and under current circumstances will only benefit Russia and will afford the Kremlin time to further radicalise and militarise Russian society against Ukraine and the Russian military time to rest and reconstitute, likely before conducting a future attack on Ukraine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 31 October: North Korea and Russia signed an agreement on 30 October to cooperate in the sphere of digital communications the latest development in Russian-North Korean cooperation likely aimed at enhancing the Kremlin's digital authoritarianism tools to increase domestic repressions. The South Korean government reportedly intends to send an unspecified number of South Korean personnel to Ukraine to monitor North Korean troops. Russian President [sic] Vladimir Putin continues to communicate that he is uninterested in a negotiated ceasefire and is committed to achieving his goal of destroying Ukrainian statehood. Ukraine's Western partners continue to provide military aid to Ukraine and ensure future aid provisions over the long term. The Russian military command continues to commit seriously wounded personnel to highly attritional infantry-led "meat" assaults in the Kurakhove direction as Russian President [sic] Vladimir Putin attempts to posture himself as deeply concerned with the medical treatment of Russian veterans. The Moldovan Constitutional Court confirmed on 31 October the passing of the 20 October European Union (EU) referendum with a 50.72 per cent turnout rate. Russian forces recently advanced near Kupiansk, Svatove, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Vuhledar, and Ukrainian forces recently regained lost positions near Kurakhove. Support UP or become our patron! Ahead of the upcoming election, Capital B Gary is giving readers the chance to learn more about the candidates appearing on their ballots. These candidates represent the interests of Gary and other Lake County residents and bring their unique perspectives and goals for the community. This year, incumbent Democratic state Rep. Vernon Smith faces Republican challenger Ivan Ursery II in the race for the Indiana State House District 14 seat. In his Q&A, Ursery shares his motivation to run for office, legislative priorities, and hopes for Garys future. In lieu of responses to our questions, we have included a breakdown of Smiths 2023-2024 legislative term, as he did not respond to Capital B Garys questions for this Q&A. Ivan Ursery II What is your most fond Gary memory? I have so many fond memories of Gary: Cletus Green walking me to Franklin Elementary every morning, Vacation Bible School each summer at Deliverance Temple, watching my 50-year-old uncle Tony Baker known as The Whiz schooling younger guys on the court at Ironwood Park. Summers were for walking to the beach from my aunt Gloria Tollivers house, and as a teenager, going to concerts at Marquette Park. I babysat my cousins at my moms childhood home on Pennsylvania Street, celebrated Christmas at my grandmas in Glen Park, and always hoped my cousin, Avery Ursery, would hook us up with the latest FUBU gear. What was your biggest motivation to run for office this term? My biggest motivation for running for office this term was the mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic at both the federal and state levels. I watched my small children suffer, hardly able to breathe, wearing masks all day at school. I watched loved ones not able to visit their family in the hospital or properly lay their family members to rest. I am motivated to ensure masks are never mandated, churches and businesses are never closed, and people are never again threatened or coerced to take a vaccine. Tell us about a bill you would propose in the state house that would benefit the residents of Gary. I would propose a bill to create a Family Fun and Recreation (FF&R) fund and a business tax break for Gary. The money in the FF&R fund would be used to build free, family-friendly attractions like a giant splash pad comparable to the one at Deep River Waterpark. The business tax break would be used to attract major corporations to build family-friendly attractions like theme parks in Gary. What areas do you find the most opportunity to work with Democrats in the state legislature? I see the greatest opportunities to partner with Democrats in Health (physical and mental), public safety, and economic development. What is your biggest hope for Gary? My biggest hope for Gary is for it to be rebuilt by its own citizens into the technology, transportation, and recreation hub of the Midwest. Rep. Vernon Smith Smith was elected to the Indiana House in 1990 after serving on the Gary Common Council since 1972, with over two decades in education as a teacher and principal in Gary public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He currently serves on the House Education Committee and the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. Below are highlights of legislation sponsored by Smith during his 2023-2024 legislative term. HB 1263 , a bill looking to abolish money bail in Indiana; however, the bill did not pass the House. HB 1483 , a bill aimed at strengthening school rules regarding bullying. Passed SB 72 , a bill requiring all public and state-accredited nonpublic elementary schools in Indiana to provide the Department of Education with information on whether they provide instruction on cursive writing, including the grade levels where it is taught. Passed SB 168, a bill requiring the Indiana Department of Education to include in its contract with a statewide assessment vendor, entered into or renewed after June 30, 2023, a requirement that the vendor provide a summary of a students statewide assessment results. Passed The post Q+A with Vernon Smith and Ivan Ursery II: Candidates for Indiana State Rep. District 14 appeared first on Capital B Gary. GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) The Congressional District 1 race in our state is a highly-anticipated one with high stakes in the House of Representatives. One of the most watched races in the country, Republican nominee Laurie Buckhout is looking to upset Democratic incumbent Don Davis. Both Congressional District 1 nominees have made their campaign pushes clear in Eastern N.C. and have even shown support at presidential rallies for their respective parties. Everybody needs to go out. And I mean everybody, regardless of your party, we got to break together and you got to vote for Donald Trump between now and November. Buckhout said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a son of Eastern North Carolina, I throw my full support behind Kamala Harris for president of the United States. Congressman Davis said. Republicans currently have 219 seats in the House of Representatives and Democrats have 213. Any movement on Nov. 5 could mark a significant shift in Washington D.C. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, Australia, is an unlikely place to debate geopolitics. That is doubly true when the 13,000-capacity venue on the banks of the Yarra River is hosting a concert. Such obviously unfavourable conditions for an argument did not dissuade a pro-Palestine activist at Thom Yorkes Melbourne gig this week from heckling the Radiohead frontman about the war in Gaza. A man in the crowd on Wednesday night was heard yelling about the Israeli genocide of Gaza and, in an apparent reference to the death toll, that half of them were children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was shortly before the end of the encore and Yorke, 56, was unimpressed. Come up here and say that. Right here, come on. Hop up on the fing stage and say what you wanna say. Dont stand there like a coward, come here and say it. You want to ps on everybodys night? Seemingly engaged, the protestor then yelled: How many dead children will it take for you to condemn the genocide in Gaza? Yorke gave a curt reply OK, you do it, see you later then before walking offstage. After a few minutes, he returned to sing Radioheads 1997 hit Karma Police. Yorke would appear to be an unlikely character to harangue over the bloodshed in Gaza, especially when he is performing more than 8,500 miles away, but the altercation in Australia is not the first time that Radioheads ties (real or perceived) to Israel have been in the spotlight. That they make the news is largely because the band do not subscribe to the Left-wing groupthink of their fellow celebrities and mindlessly espouse an anti-Israel/pro-Palestine stance. It was in Israel that the boys from Oxfordshire had their earliest breakthrough with the release of Creep in 1991. The single was initially a disappointment, but became popular on Israeli radio and from there became an international hit. Radiohead quickly arranged gigs in the country to capitalise on the enthusiasm. They played eight concerts in Israel over this period, the last of which was in the summer of 2000, to increasingly large crowds. Then things changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The big flashpoint came in 2017, when Radiohead organised a gig in Tel Aviv. It was the first time that the band had arranged to play in the country since the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement launched in 2005, in an attempt to pressurise Israel to withdraw from occupied Palestinian territories. The likes of Elvis Costello, Devendra Banhart and Gorillaz had all cancelled Israeli concerts under pressure from BDS activism. That April, three months before Radioheads concert, more than 50 prominent figures including Pink Floydss Roger Waters, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Ken Loach, the film director signed an open letter urging the band to pull out because if making a stand against the politics of division, of discrimination and of hate means anything at all, it means standing against it everywhere. Protesters waving Palestinian flags calling for Radiohead to cancel a concert in Tel Aviv, Glasgow 2017 - WireImage There was much hullabaloo, but the band held firm and played the gig to a rapturous crowd. Yorke admitted in advance that he found the whole experience extremely upsetting and gave an interview to Vanity Fair about it. Theres an awful lot of people who dont agree with the BDS movement, including us. I dont agree with the cultural ban at all, along with JK Rowling, Noam Chomsky and a long list of others, he said. Yorke went on to criticise the worldview of those who urged an Israeli boycott for trying to make a complex situation a simple moral binary. The kind of dialogue that they want to engage in is one thats black or white. I have a problem with that. Its deeply distressing that they choose to, rather than engage with us personally, throw st at us in public. Its deeply disrespectful to assume that were either being misinformed or that were so retarded we cant make these decisions ourselves. I thought it was patronising in the extreme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its fing weird. Its such an extraordinary waste of energy. Energy that could be used in a more positive way, he added. Part of me wants to say nothing because anything I say cooks up a fire from embers. But its really upsetting that artists I respect think we are not capable of making a moral decision ourselves after all these years. They talk down to us and I just find it mind-boggling that they think they have the right to do that. Its extraordinary. Replying to Loach directly, Yorke said: Playing in a country isnt the same as endorsing the government. Weve played in Israel for over 20 years through a succession of governments, some more liberal than others. As we have in America. We dont endorse Netanyahu any more than Trump, but we still play in America. Some Radiohead fans may be disappointed with their heroes stance or otherwise on events in the Middle East because they have previously made their political views abundantly clear. Yorke, who is interested in Buddhism, has spoken out against the treatment of Tibet by Communist China, while the bands 2003 album Hail to the Thief was a thinly-veiled swipe at George W Bush and the war on terror. The first lyrics on the first track, 2 + 2 = 5, are Are you such a dreamer, to put the world to rights? The situation of Radiohead vis a vis Israel is made more complicated by the fact that guitarist Jonny Greenwood, with whom Yorke has played since he was 13, is married to an Israeli Arab Jew, Sharona Katan. A visual artist, her nephew was killed earlier this year while fighting in the Israeli Defence Force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This May, after the terror attacks of October 7 and the start of the Israel-Hamas war, Greenwood was criticised by pro-Palestine activists for playing a live show in Tel Aviv with the Israeli artist Dudu Tassa. The previous day, Greenwood had taken part in a protest calling for the release of Hamas-held hostages and new elections in Israel. The criticism of Greenwood raised some eyebrows as Tassa, and other performers taking part in the gigs, are of Kuwaiti origin. I think an artistic project that combines Arab and Jewish musicians is worthwhile, Greenwood said in June. And one that reminds everyone that the Jewish cultural roots in countries like Iraq and Yemen go back for thousands of years, is also important. Greenwood lashed out at the silencing of this or any artistic effort made by Israeli Jews by those who are now attempting to ascribe a sinister ulterior motivation to the bands existence. No art is as important as stopping all the death and suffering around us, he added. How can it be? But doing nothing seems like a worse option. And silencing Israeli artists for being born Jewish in Israel doesnt seem like any way to reach an understanding between the two sides of this apparently endless conflict. Sally Rooney, one of many authors calling for a boycott of Israel - Sophie Davidson Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many in the cultural world seem to think doing nothing is the best way to make their views on the war known. In the past week alone, hundreds of authors including Sally Rooney, Arundhati Roy and Percival Everett, this years Booker Prize favourite signed a pledge promising to boycott Israeli book festivals and publishers that have not explicitly condemned the Gaza war, which it describes as a genocide and the biggest war on children this century. Culture has played an integral role in normalising these injustices. Israeli cultural institutions, often working directly with the state, have been crucial in obfuscating, disguising and art-washing the dispossession and oppression of millions of Palestinians for decades, the pledge continues. We cannot in good conscience engage with Israeli institutions without interrogating their relationship to apartheid and displacement. There are, however, tentative signs after more than a year of turmoil in the Middle East that independently-minded celebrities and artists are willing to challenge the cultural orthodoxy. Lee Child, the Jack Reacher creator, criticised the attack on the very people whose hearts are still in the right place Israels creatives and intellectuals, who are that nations only voices for peace and common sense. Thom Yorke in Sydney was extraordinary as always. Voice still absolutely perfect after all these years, absolutely remarkable pic.twitter.com/tmEJ8YHEbF Lachlan Drummond (@ljdrummond24) November 1, 2024 They are firm allies in the struggle for an equitable outcome, and to demonise them is to shoot the Palestinian cause in the foot, Child added. Personally I support a full two-state solution, and Im a pragmatic person, so my instinct is to partner with Israelis who think the same way. Building bridges with them is the way to go. Cancelling them is nuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The authors Lionel Shriver and Howard Jacobson, rock stars Ozzy Osbourne and Gene Simons, historians Simon Schama and Niall Ferguson and David Mamet, the playwright, have all put their names to a letter countering the view of Rooney et al. The exclusion of anyone who doesnt unilaterally condemn Israel is an inversion of morality and an obfuscation of reality, it said. Radioheads Yorke appears to be unmoved by the latest blow-up. On Friday night he played another gig outside the Sydney Opera House. The concert went off without a hitch. If anyone heckled him about his views on Palestine, Yorke did not hear 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. The streak of 32 days with no rain in Birmingham ended last night. We picked up rain at the Birmingham airport just a few hours before the end of the day. Today: The cold front will stall over North Alabama on Friday and weaken. It will be mostly cloudy with a few showers. Areas along and north of I-20 could see some rain, including Birmingham. Areas south of I-20 will stay dry. Unfortunately, Central Alabama will not receive much-needed rain and the drought conditions will worsen. It will be a tad cooler with highs around 80. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rain should end before high school games kick off tonight. Temperatures in the 70s with a mostly cloudy sky on the gridiron tonight. Weekend Outlook: High pressure will build north of Alabama this weekend. Southerly winds will make it warmer, with plenty of sunshine. We expect temperatures to top out just a bit shy of record highs this weekend; in the lower 80s. The record high on Saturday is 85 in 2003, and Sunday is 84 set in 2016. We may not quite hit those numbers but the unseasonably warm start to Fall continues. Next Weeks Outlook: The week will start dry and unseasonably warm as high pressure sits NE of Alabama. Possible record highs in the lower 80s are expected. A cold front will move toward Alabama from the northwest on Wednesday with a few showers and near-record highs in the lower 80s. The front will move across Central Alabama on Thursday with spotty showers and near-record highs in the lower 80s. We will dry out on Friday with highs still in the 80s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Be sure to follow the CBS 42 Storm Team: Follow Us on Facebook: Chief Meteorologist Dave Nussbaum, Meteorologist Michael Haynes, Meteorologist Alex Puckett, and Meteorologist Jacob Woods. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) A Beckley man pleaded guilty to playing a part in a drug trafficking organization. According to a press release, 32-year-old Demetrius Terrell Burns, of Beckley, pleaded guilty on Thursday, October 31, 2024 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine base. Indiana man found guilty of First-Degree Murder, Kidnapping Burns also revealed his involvement in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine base, also known as crack, in Beckley, and other areas in southern West Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The press release stated that according to court documents, Burns was given fentanyl in April 2024 by a Beckley supplier, and Burns used the fentanyl to supply co-defendant Tilford Joe Bradley Jr. On April 12, 2024, Burns informed Bradley over the phone that he had a shipment of raw fentanyl. Burns revealed that he planned to sell $1,800 of raw fentanyl to Bradley, as well as adding cutting agent to the fentanyl to make a bigger profit when sold. Burns admitted that he knew Bradley planned to redistribute the drugs in areas in southern West Virginia. Burns sentencing is scheduled for February 14, 2024, and he faces up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of three years of parole, and a $1 million fine. Wyoming County man pleads guilty to conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The announcement was made by United States Attorney Will Thompson, who thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit for their work on the investigation. Members of the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriffs Office, and the Beckley Police Department make up the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime 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 WVNS. A Lecompte man is in jail after an argument escalated to a shooting, killing another man, according to the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office. Arcenio Ramon Bowie, 35, was booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center on charges of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. He remains in custody with bail set at $1.5 million. The Lecompte Police Department responded to a shooting call about 1 a.m. on Thursday, finding a victim who was not responsive. He was identified as James Barfield, 34, also of Lecompte. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Appeal continues: Kayla Giles' attorney to argue her appeal before Louisiana Supreme Court on Dec. 9 New mayor: Joe Bishop to resign Rapides Police Jury seat after appointment as interim Pineville mayor He died at the scene, reads the news release. Sheriff's detectives and crime scene personnel were called to the scene. Detectives found that the two men had been arguing "when allegedly Bowie brandished a firearm and began firing multiple shots at Barfield, striking him and causing fatal injuries." Bowie also allegedly fired at witnesses before leaving, reads the release. Warrants were issued for Bowie, and he turned himself in about two hours later. An investigation is continuing, and anyone with information is asked to call Detective Shannon Hanks at (318) 473-6727 or the main office at (318) 473-6700. This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Man killed in Lecompte shooting identified as James Barfield, 34 Atlanta Rapper Young Thug, whose legal name is Jeffrey Lamar Williams, has accepted a plea deal, changing his plea to guilty on gang-related charges in Fulton County, Georgia. Williams pleaded guilty in court on Thursday afternoon. He was sentenced to time served and 15 years of probation and is expected to be released on house arrest Thursday. "Is it your decision to waive these rights and enter a guilty plea because you are in fact guilty?" Superior Court of Fulton County Judge Paige Reese Whitaker asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Yes," Williams said before his attorney interjected on one of the counts. PHOTO: Young Thug attends the 3rd Annual Diamond Ball in New York, Sept. 14, 2017. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) According to an ABC affiliate in Atlanta, WSB-TV, which was in the courtroom on Thursday, the rapper's plea deal is non-negotiated, which means the final decision on sentencing is up to the judge. He pleaded nolo contendere to two charges, including violation of the RICO act, which is a plea of no contest or no defense, meaning the defendant neither admits nor denies the charges against them, WSB-TV reported. Williams' attorney Brian Steel, his co-counsel and Williams' father spoke outside of the courthouse after the hearing. Steel said that this was not the verdict he had wanted but that "it is justice for Jeffrey Williams, and he is delighted as are we, I'm thankful." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeffrey Williams Sr. also addressed his son's plea deal, saying, "I feel great that he's going home, but at the same token, I still wanted him to fight but that's his decision. That's his decision. You know?" hich is home to Young Thug's YSL Records "On God, Words cant express the incredible happiness and relief I feel to learn of Jefferys freedom," Kevin Liles, the CEO of 300 Entertainment, the home of Williams' Young Stoner Life label, said in a statement Thursday evening. "There will be a time to discuss the criminalization of hip-hop lyrics and the use of bond denial as a weapon against defendants, but in this moment everyone should feel nothing but joy that this amazing artist and even better man can hug his children, parents, siblings, and other loved ones tonight," Liles continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams was initially charged on May 10, 2022, with one count each of conspiring to violate the state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and participating in criminal street gang activity, and was later charged with an additional count of participating in street gang activity, three counts of violating the Georgia controlled substances act, possession of a firearm while committing a felony and possession of a machine gun. Before the plea deal was struck, Williams had pled not guilty and his attorney had repeatedly told ABC News that his client was innocent of all charges. Throughout the racketeering trial, which began in November 2023 and has been the longest-running trial in Georgia so far, prosecutors alleged that the Grammy-winning rapper is a co-founder and "proclaimed leader" of an alleged criminal street gang in Fulton County, Georgia, known as "Young Slime Life" or "YSL." "The members and associates of YSL they moved like a pack with Jeffrey Williams as its head," Fulton County Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love alleged during opening statements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Love claimed that the alleged members of YSL committed "criminal street gang activity -- that is crimes that were intended to further the purpose and advance the directives of YSL itself." "For 10 years and counting, the group calling itself Young Slime Life dominated the Cleveland Avenue community of Fulton County," Love said on Monday. "And created a crater in the middle of Fulton County's Cleveland Avenue community, that sucked in the youth, the innocence and even the lives of some of his youngest members." The Grammy-winning rapper was charged in May 2022 in a sweeping RICO indictment in Fulton County, Georgia. He was among 28 individuals charged but stood trial with five co-defendants after many of those indicted took plea deals, while the judge ruled that others will be tried separately. The rapper's star power drew nationwide attention to this case and the prosecutor's controversial use of his lyrics, as well as lyrics performed by some of his defendants, as alleged evidence in this case further propelled it to the national spotlight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The use of lyrics sparked outrage from freedom of speech advocates and prominent musicians and producers in the hip-hop world, who argued that rap music and the writing process is a form of artistic expression and not necessarily a reflection of reality. Prosecutors argued in the indictment that social media postings, images and various song lyrics released by several defendants, including Young Thug, are "overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy" to violate the RICO Act. Although the scope of the indictment went far beyond the use of rap lyrics, the inclusion of lyrics prompted outrage from artists across the music industry and helped spark a movement that came to be known as "Protect Black Art." Steel filed a motion in December 2022 asking Judge Ural Glanville, who was removed from the case after meeting with a witness and prosecutors, to stop prosecutors from using lyrics as evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steel argued that "[Lyrics] cannot be used as evidence of crime if they are simply connected to music/freedom of expression/freedom of speech/poetry." Glanville denied the motion in a November 2022 ruling, where he determined that 17 sets of lyrics mentioned in the indictment could be preliminarily admitted in the trial. "I'm conditionally admitting those pending lyrics, depending upon or subject to a foundation that is properly laid by the state or the proponent that seeks to admit that evidence," Glanville said. The judge added that if prosecutors intend to include additional lyrics as part of the alleged evidence in this case, they can be submitted for the judge's review. Rapper Young Thug to be released on house arrest for time served as part of plea deal in Georgia RICO case originally appeared on abcnews.go.com (Bloomberg) -- Ray McGuire has dipped his toes into political arenas for more than a decade. Most Read from Bloomberg He was floated as deputy Treasury secretary to Jack Lew under President Barack Obama. He was a finalist to become president of the influential Federal Reserve Bank of New York in 2018. In his run for New York City mayor three years later, he lacked widespread support like the eventual winner, Eric Adams, who is now facing federal bribery and fraud charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But with the way things have shaken out in the unpredictable and unprecedented 2024 election, the 67-year-old president of Lazard Inc. is on the cusp of his greatest shot at parlaying Wall Street success into his next high-profile act. Thats because, as much as anyone in finance, McGuire has had the trust of Vice President Kamala Harris as she mounted a hastened push for the Oval Office after Joe Bidens withdrawal from the race. He and his wife, Crystal McCrary McGuire, played a major role in introducing Harris to Wall Street VIPs in New York ahead of her first presidential campaign, and have been loyal supporters ever since, including over the past three months. (Crystal canvassed for Harris in Philadelphia just last weekend.) If things break the right way for Harris, those close to her say, he could be a contender for a top appointment, potentially even Treasury secretary, which is one of just two Cabinet positions to have never been held by a Black person. McGuire, who started on Wall Street around the same time as JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Jamie Dimon and spent much of his career climbing the ranks at Citigroup Inc., has been sensitive about his name being thrown around for the job, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private conversations. Hes become a trusted adviser because he gives her good advice, said Ken Chenault, the former CEO at American Express Co. Whether Treasury or Commerce, Ray is someone who is very well-equipped to be successful in a range of the most senior jobs in a Democratic administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGuire and Lazard declined to comment for this story. The Harris campaign also declined to comment. Earliest Supporters McGuire and his wife were some of Harris earliest supporters in the business world; they hosted the then-California senator at their New York home in 2018 to hobnob with prominent Wall Street leaders and investors. The next year, he hosted a fundraiser for Harris in Manhattan along with Blair Effron of Centerview Partners and Avenue Capital Managements Marc Lasry. As vice president, she has returned to the McGuires Central Park West apartment for a handful of events since then, including in May for a gathering of women coordinated by Crystal in support of what was then the Biden-Harris ticket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGuire has given Harris advice over the years, ranging from the economy to her art collection. He has attended gatherings at her house, including one this year for Black male leaders. McGuire has worked to build support for Harris both publicly and privately, whether strategizing on conference calls or showing up at the Pennsylvania rally when Tim Walz was revealed as her running mate. McGuire was also behind two days of meetings in mid-September that introduced Tony West and Brian Nelson, two advisers to Harris who are shaping her economic plan, to more of the New York business community at Lazards New York offices, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter. Alongside McGuires partner at Lazard, CEO Peter Orszag, more than 100 economists and executives from top businesses shuffled in and out of meetings to give the Democratic candidate a better view on how to deal with top issues facing the corporate world. You can put him in front of anyone and he can connect with them, hold their attention and earn their trust, Chenault said of McGuire. Hes someone who will give you his best thinking, and hell explain his rationale for coming to that conclusion or perspective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Modest Circumstances McGuire rose to Wall Street from modest circumstances. And like the Democratic presidential nominee, he knows the obstacles she has already overcome and still faces. Raised by a single mother and his grandparents in Dayton, Ohio, McGuire earned a scholarship to the prestigious Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, and then attended Harvard University for college, law and business degrees. He has the relationships, high and low, said Deborah Wright, who sat on Citigroups board and has known McGuire since his first year at Harvard. He grew up in these neighborhoods and therefore knows what they need, and also has the credibility to walk into financial institutions and other places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout his four-decade Wall Street career, which has included stints at First Boston Corp., Wasserstein Perella, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley, McGuire has balanced self-confidence with acknowledgement of where he started. Harvard takes the cream of the crop I pride myself on being the film off the top of the cream, he said in one of his first Wall Street job interviews, according to a 2023 address to the graduating class of Harvard Business School. The metaphor got me the job. Still, he said, I encountered every imaginable obstacle: embarrassment, classism, racism. As he became a prominent executive on Wall Street, advising on hundreds of billions of dollars in corporate transactions, he sought to mentor both those in finance and politics, including Compass Inc. co-founder Robert Reffkin and Maryland Governor Wes Moore. At Citigroup, where he rose to vice chairman, McGuire was known to bring analysts and associates to his corner office, demanding they be on their A-game about their business and the company a rite of passage for mentorship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But during the Covid pandemic, frustrated by the US stock markets surge while many others suffered, he left Citigroup and ran for mayor of New York his first try at elected office after decades of serving on boards of the citys nonprofits. He set out to address wealth inequality and take on politicans who he said had become the gatekeepers of poverty. It didnt land. The packaging didnt work, McGuire said in the 2023 speech. The neighborhood didnt trust the corporate world. Laurie Tisch, the finance chair of McGuires mayoral campaign, said he thinks carefully about every word he says an important trait for a government leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He doesnt just fill up the air with words, she said. Public Service Still, people close to McGuire said, hes been quick to brush off speculation of a high-level position in a Harris administration when it comes up. Hes focused on Lazard, and sees himself as already functioning as a quasi-public servant as a board member of nonprofits including the Black Trustee Alliance for Art Museums, the New York Public Library, the Studio Museum in Harlem and the Whitney Museum of American Art. That said, if he were selected for a role in Washington, hed be by Harris side, the people who know him said. In addition to his banking background, McGuire is an advocate of public-private partnerships and has global ties that stretch from New York to Saudi Arabia to Beijing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes demonstrated an interest in public service, but Id hate to see him leave New York, said Kathy Wylde, CEO of Partnership for New York City. Over the years, I think weve done best when there are people whove truly understood the financial sector in those key positions in Washington. While Wall Street knowledge is key at Treasury, leading the department also involves navigating political tensions and serving as an economic diplomat across the globe. Donald Trumps pick, Steven Mnuchin, was a rare example of a secretary with no prior governmental experience. (John Paulson and Scott Bessent, two of the top contenders to head Trumps Treasury if he wins, also have spent their careers outside the public sector.) Other executives that Harris is close to, who could be in the conversation for a Cabinet position, include Chenault, Effron and Orszag. The vice president lunched with Dimon in March. Among those already in the Biden administration, Wally Adeyemo, the Treasury deputy secretary, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard are viewed as potential Treasury secretaries, Bloomberg has reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for McGuire, in his speech to newly minted Harvard MBAs, he offered an explanation of why he took his job at Lazard one that could be a description of why a Cabinet role would appeal to him. I wanted a platform that was global. I wanted to be in a leadership role, McGuire said. I wanted to make certain that I would have the visibility, availability, accessibility to continue to have an impact. --With assistance from Saleha Mohsin and Laura Davison. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) This years election is already seeing a historic surge in early voters, with 225,696 Kentuckians casting their ballots on Halloween alone, according to Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams. Voters FOX 56 spoke with described their wait times ranging from 20 minutes to over an hour. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though the lines are long, thats a good thing. That means that we are celebrating democracy and dont be intimidated by the long lines. Theyre moving very quickly. The people in the polling places are working very efficiently, Leah Schade said. Adams highlighted the turnout, comparing it to previous elections: 57,154 people voted early in 2020, while 81,961 participated in 2022. Many voters expressed their views on why this election is drawing increased interest. This is a crucial, crucial election I feel. Not just for the presidency, but also for the Senate seats and stuff like that because thats very determinative of whats going on right now, said Linda Whitfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked why they chose to vote early, Whitfield said she thinks lines will be even longer on election day. Tuesdays going to be worse because they said we have 166% more registered voters this year than we had in the last election. So I figured I dont like that far and get it done today; I dont want to miss it all because thats super important to me, she added. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Schade said she decided to vote early in support of young voters like her daughter. I have a daughter who is in college, and she was able to get off on this day, but not on the actual voting day. So I wanted to be with her and support her as a college student who is voting. Its so important that our young people are coming out. Im seeing more of them, and I wanted to be supportive of her and come out for early voting. Adams reported that among Thursdays early voters, 53.7% were registered Republicans and 39.8% were registered Democrats. Early voting will conclude on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. More than 225,000 Kentuckians cast ballots on the first day of early voting Thursday, signaling a stronger voter turnout than in the 2020 presidential election, Secretary of State Michael Adams office said Friday morning. Adams said 225,696 Kentuckians voted on Halloween, the first day of a three-day, no-excuse early voting period. That amount far exceeds first-day early voting totals in the last two general election cycles: In 2020, 57,154 people cast ballots on the first day of early voting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, a non-presidential cycle, 81,961 people cast ballots on the first day of early voting, Adams posted to the social media site X on Friday. Voters also have all day Friday and Saturday to cast ballots ahead of Election Day on Nov. 5. To find your countys locations, use the states polling place locator. Of the 225,696 ballots counted Thursday, 89,782 were from registered Democrats, and 121,081 were from Republicans, according to data from Adams office. Early voting lines wrapped around the Eastside Branch Public Library in Lexington, KY, causing voting poll workers to loop citizens around the rear of the building as early as 7:30 a.m. on October 31, 2024. Long lines to get into polling places were reported statewide, with wait times topping an hour in some cases, including at Bowman Field in Louisville and Tates Creek Library Branch in Lexington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Fayette County, early voting locations saw 8,153 votes cast on Thursday, making up 3.3% of all eligible voters in the county. And Friday turnout may be even higher. As of noon, the expected wait time to vote at the Tates Creek Library was more than three hours. If trends continue, around 10% of eligible voters will cast early ballots in Fayette County. Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith said his office saw record turnout on the first day of early voting Thursday, as did Rowan County Clerk Elwood Caudill, who said said 1,203 voters cast ballots on Thursday Thats the most in one day that we have had in early voting, he posted on Facebook. Across the state, McCracken County also reported busy polls. The West Kentucky county, which added a second early voting location for the first time since early voting began in Kentucky, saw 2,585 ballots cast Thursday. County Clerk Jamie Huskey posted on Facebook: Although everyone had to wait in long lines, it was good to see a large voter turnout. Early voting lines wrapped around the Eastside Branch Public Library in Lexington, KY, causing voting poll workers to loop citizens around the rear of the building as early as 7:30 a.m. on October 31, 2024. High turnout was foreshadowed by the volume of absentee ballot requests made before the Oct. 22 deadline. Adams said at the time the volume indicated massive voter turnout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michon Lindstrom, spokesperson for Adams office, said the state is sure to surpass turnout in the 2020 presidential election, when the country chose between then-incumbent President Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Upwards of 60% of eligible voters cast ballots, or more than 2.1 million Kentuckians This year, 130,464 absentee ballots were sent out. And in all 120 counties but four, upwards of 70% of those ballots were returned, according to data from Adams office. Drawing Kentuckians to the polls this year is the race for president between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump. But so are several state and local issues on ballots across the state, including General Assembly seats, medical marijuana referendums, and two proposed constitutional amendments. A divisive measure called Amendment 2 asks permission from voters to alter the state constitution and pave the way for the legislature to divert money away from the public school system to private, Christian and charter schools. Thousands of buildings in Lebanese border towns have been damaged or destroyed by Israeli attacks, the Washington Post reported on Thursday. At least 5,858 structures in the border area have been affected, the US newspaper reported, citing its own analysis of satellite imagery and video footage. Almost a quarter of all buildings in 25 towns along the border with Israel have been affected. Most of the damage - about 80% - occurred since the beginning of the Israeli ground offensive in southern Lebanon in early October. Since then, the extent of the destruction has doubled about every two weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video material analysed by the Washington Post also shows that at least nine religious sites were damaged or destroyed in controlled explosions. The current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began more than a year ago with rocket attacks by the pro-Iranian Lebanese militia in support of the Palestinian militant organization Hamas, against whom Israel is waging war in the Gaza Strip. The trigger was the massacre by Hamas and other extremists from the Gaza Strip in Israel on October 7, 2023, with 1,200 dead and 250 abducted. A press flak jacket is seen among wreckage of a compound housing journalists which was hit by an Israeli airstrike in the Lebanese town of Hasbaya, southeast Lebanon. Three journalists were killed in the attack that Lebanon's Information Minister Ziad Makary described as a "war crime". Stringer/dpa BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Detectives first asked about the dark purple bruising to the toddlers back. Then they questioned him about marks on the 2-year-olds lower jaw and upper lip. Gregory MacDonald, the boyfriend of the childs mother, said they occurred while he tried to help her. He told police he struck her back really hard to get her to spit out a large piece of ham, and, in a separate incident, he pried her mouth open when she bit his finger as he removed food. Detectives then asked about other bruises found after the girls death on Oct. 10, those visible on her feet, forehead, buttocks and the back of her ears. MacDonald denied knowing how they occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They pressed him. Not all those injuries were accidents, were they? Noting he and his girlfriend had recently moved in with several other people, they asked if hed lost his temper under the stress of adjusting to the new living situation. Chandy McCarthy, file image MacDonald remained silent momentarily before saying, Probably had a bad day, probably was hard for me that day, according to newly available police reports. Both MacDonald and the childs mother, Chandy McCarthy, are charged with second-degree murder, assault on a child under 8 resulting in death and child cruelty. Theyre being held without bail and are due back in court in January. Police say MacDonald who was previously arrested in Nevada on suspicion of harming the child abused the girl for months. McCarthy knew about it, police say, didnt get help and likely contributed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 10, police were called to a home in the 300 block of Vernal Place in central Bakersfield to a report of a child in medical distress. The girl was taken to Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Bruising was visible over much of her body, reports say. McCarthy denied knowing about the abuse, saying she noticed the bruises about a week ago but MacDonald explained them as accidents, like the child falling off the bed, according to the reports. She said sometimes she heard the twins crying and saying ouchie. That morning, McCarthy told police, the child had been vomiting and napping often. She said she called 911 after noticing her lips turned blue and her eyes rolled back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MacDonald told investigators he tried to help the girl by forcing her to vomit and giving her CPR, and the injuries likely occurred then. A detective asked if he agreed the injuries appeared excessive. Yeah, I mean, like I said, like I said, (Im) new, I never really went to CPR class, never did anything like that, so on whatever I was doing, I was trying, learning as I was going, he said according to the reports. MacDonald denied shaking the child, but McCarthy said after the girl became lethargic she saw him drag her from the bed to the floor, blow in her mouth and shake her, the reports say. Regarding their contacts with Child Protective Services and Reno police in Nevada, the couple said they believed McCarthys mother who previously lived with them lied in police reports about MacDonald hurting the girls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCarthy said MacDonald was arrested earlier this year in Reno for a couple of knots and things on the girls head. Everything was dropped, she added. The reports confirm the case wasnt prosecuted. MacDonald said he took anger management classes as a result of the Reno investigation. He said they helped. Police say neither McCarthy nor MacDonald showed any emotion when told the child had died. I made a mistake, okay, I made a mistake, alright, MacDonald said. Im sorry, I made a mistake. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. At least 47 people have been killed and many others injured in Israeli overnight airstrikes on the centre of the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Friday, citing medical sources. The strikes hit the Nuseirat refugee camp and the towns of Deir al-Balad and al-Zawaida. Residential areas were targeted, where displaced people were being housed, according to WAFA. Many of the dead were women and children, the agency reported. "Eyewitnesses reported that following the initial strikes, residents rushed to help those affected, only to be targeted again by subsequent bombings. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, as efforts continue to locate missing individuals trapped under the rubble," WAFA reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they were checking the reports. An IDF statement said that operations were continuing in the centre of the Gaza Strip "The troops identified and eliminated a number of armed terrorists operating in the area," the IDF posted on X. IDF operations also continued in Jabalia in the north of the Gaza Strip and in Rafah in the south. In both areas, military positions had been attacked and a number of Palestinians killed, the IDF reported, terming them "terrorists." Long lines for early voting across Indianapolis this week led the Marion County Election Board to propose adding two extra morning hours to the eight early voting township satellite locations this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. But the lone Republican on the Marion County Election Board blocked the change at a public meeting Thursday. Jennifer Ping, the GOP member and vice chair of the Marion County Election Board, voted against adding 9 to 11 a.m. hours at the eight township early voting centers. The Friday, Saturday and Sunday hours at these locations will remain 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. State law requires the election board to have a unanimous vote to change its vote center plan. Marion County Clerk Kate Sweeney Bell and Anne OConnor, a stand-in Thursday evening for the election board chair, voted in favor of the additional hours at the township sites. Sweeney Bell also proposed picking one north side and one south side satellite location to add morning hours to this weekend, which also failed due to a no vote from Ping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sweeney Bell said the extended hours would give more options and make it easier for voters ahead of Election Day, especially as some people might seek to avoid downtown due to Taylor Swifts Eras Tour wrapping up its U.S. leg here this weekend. The City County Building in downtown Indianapolis is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, and Sunday, Nov. 3. I think it is a common-sense approach to this problem of people waiting and waiting and waiting to cast your ballot, Sweeney Bell said. Why the Republican member voted no In remarks at the meeting, Ping said she was against extending the hours in the middle of the election and after voting has already started. The first day of early voting in Indiana was Oct. 8. She also highlighted the number of early voting locations in Marion County this year, which she said is the most the county has made available during a presidential election. Election 2024: Early voting is underway in Indiana. Where to vote and what not to wear or bring to the polls Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In all fairness for everybody whos actually on the ballot, too, I believe that its important not to change the rules for people in the middle of an election mid-voting, Ping said at the meeting. Joe Elsener, the Marion County Republican Party chairman, in a statement also said he viewed it as wrong to change the guidelines for early voting that Democrats and Republicans agreed on. Elsener said in 2022 he advocated for two early voting locations per township, but Democrats said it would be too many to staff. Early voting gets underway at the City County Building on Tuesday, October. 8, 2024, in Indianapolis. While we understand that staffing is a concern and a serious challenge, we are eager to analyze the data after this election and work with our Democrat counterparts to determine what we need to do in future elections to continue to make it easy to vote and harder to cheat, Elsener said. Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Mike Schmuhl in a statement condemned the move and said Republicans in Indiana are "becoming experts at disenfranchising voters." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is something voters want they do not want to wait in lines, or can't afford to, even in the best weather," Schmuhl said. Where to vote early in Marion County this weekend Nine early voting locations are available in Marion County this weekend. You can check the wait times for each voting location at this website, provided by the Marion County Election Board. Indianapolis City-County Building Decatur Township Government Center Franklin Township Government Center International Marketplace Coalition MSD Lawrence Education & Community Center Perry Township Government Center St. Lukes United Methodist Church Thatcher Park Community Center Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warren Township Government Center Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter/X@CarloniBrittany. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Plan to add early voting hours in Marion County blocked by Republican Thursday was the perfect weather to do some last-minute voter canvassing. Larry Hogan said he might just do that. Marylands former two-term governor is in the home stretch of a Senate campaign which began only in February a run, he says, that was born out of frustration over the inaction just a short drive away in Washington, particularly as the Senate this year failed to reach a compromise (once again) on border security and immigration reform. He was outside of the Odenton library on Thursday with less than a week to go in the election, revving up a small crowd of volunteers who were greeting early voters. Hogan spoke to a handful of supporters and journalists on scene and projected confidence, remarking that in every race hed run, everyone has always counted us out, and weve always come out on top. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A line for early voting stretched out the door and around the corner of the library behind him as he spoke. Tuesday may be the sharpest challenge to that attitude yet. Hogan is facing Angela Alsobrooks, county executive of Prince Georges County, in a highly unique race for the US Senate defined in many ways by the ex-governors rejection of former President Donald Trump and the MAGA brand. Months of campaigning on both sides have focused on efforts to define his image Hogans team painting him as an independent, John McCain-style maverick unafraid to stand up to party and willing to work across the aisle; Democrats writing him off as as willing to hand the Senate gavel over under a possible second Trump presidency. Recent polling of the race from the University of Maryland and Washington Post has the governor trailing his opponent by 12 points. Rhetoric from both candidates suggests that the margin may be slimmer, though Alsobrooks still heads into Election Day with a clear advantage. She was in Annapolis on Wednesday, speaking with her campaigns volunteers in a nearly identical setting outside of a rec center, where voters were shuffling in to cast ballots. I love the energy. I feel really good about the turnout. We've received a lot of very positive feedback at the polling places, the county executive told reporters on Wednesday outside of the voting center. Angela Alsobrooks greets supporters and volunteers at an early voting center ahead of Election Day in Marylands Senate race. On Wednesday, she campaigned in Annapolis and Baltimore. (The Independent) Adding that she was not taking anything for granted, Alsobrooks called the race competitive while explaining the issues she was finding resonated the loudest with suburbanites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I can tell you is that we do all want the same thing, said Alsobrooks. I am feeling convinced, I've been able to talk to families all over the state, and most are concerned about economic opportunity tax cuts for the middle class, want to bring down the cost of goods. Choice is a huge issue. I'm seeing cross-generational voters who are coming out, from the youngest voters to the oldest voters, and fathers and uncles and grandfathers who are very concerned about choice. Alsobrooks allies have hammered the former governor over reporting in Time claiming that Hogans family benefited from state programs to convert properties into affordable housing complexes, and separately claiming that he used the powers of his office to enrich his real estate firm. Hogan has said the claims reported by Time are false. One Hogan campaign ally who spoke to The Independent on Thursday noted the appearance of Barack Obama at a New Carrollton phone bank for Alsobrooks, following President Joe Bidens visit to an ice cream parlor in the city all within the past few days. Theyre running scared, and completely desperate, said the GOP operative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alsobrooks, meanwhile, faces her own gauntlet on the issue of crime. Prince Georges County has struggled with waves of crimes, including armed carjackings. Republican groups are attacking her over this issue, as well as a tax issue where she was found to have improperly claimed some deductions which she has since promised to repay. On Wednesday, the county executive followed up her meet-and-greet with early voters with a visit to First Baptist Church, a historic place of worship open since the late 1800s, and gave her stump speech. The crowd, a group of a few dozen mostly Black residents of Annapolis, indicated that most of them had already cast ballots, but were still excited for her visit. Marylands Senate race is coming down to a turnout battle, and its being fought in the final days in the states mazelike suburban neighborhoods. For Alsobrooks, it will mean turning out voters in and around Annapolis, Baltimore, and around the DC beltway. Her opponent, meanwhile, is hoping places like the red-purple suburb of Severna Park and other communities separating those three cities will push him over the top. The states hyperpolitical atmosphere is a residual symptom of Marylands cessation of territory to create the District of Columbia in 1790. Its still home to a sizable and seemingly ever-growing contingent of federal employees, a trend that is continuing with the relocation of the FBIs headquarters to Greenbelt, down the road from NASAs Goddard Space Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, that raises a peculiar dynamic. While the state is heavily Democratic in its congressional delegation, it often flirts with Republicans in the governors mansion, including with Hogan for two terms and Bob Ehrlich in the 2000s. Nowhere else in the country sees a Republican candidate running competitively in a blue state with the backing of many Democrats, particularly given the MAGA bent of the GOP. And none of the other 2024 Republican Senate candidates were vocal supporters of the effort to impeach Donald Trump after the 2021 insurrection. But many residents especially including Democrats who may have supported Hogan when he was governor are squeamish about the idea of a Republican majority in the Senate, and are being bombarded with ads claiming that electing Hogan will be a vote for Trumps agenda in the upper chamber. Larry Hogan speaks with supporters outside of a polling place in Odenton, Maryland, a suburb where he is hoping to turn out moderate Democrats and independents as well as his GOP base. (The Independent) One older Democratic voter named Janet who left her polling place in Annapolis on Wednesday as Alsobrooks was out front told The Independent that she was having nightmares over the idea of Rick Scott or another Republican senator in control of the upper chambers agenda. The former governor has sought to belay these concerns by tying himself to McCain and other politicians known for being decisive votes on key legislation a prospect, he says, that is more valuable to Maryland than a party-line vote. He also stressed in a brief interview on Thursday, as he has in the past, that he does not believe the path to a GOP Senate majority runs through his state. That fate is sealed, he argues, by the dynamics of races in West Virginia, Montana, and possibly even Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Hogan campaign volunteer outside the Odenton polling place, Vickie Calhoun, confirmed that the argument over the specter of a Republican Senate majority was the toughest (and most frequent) sell that canvassers were making to voters. Retired from the Army, Calhoun added that she was supporting the governor in part due to her frustration with Marylands Democratic establishment and the mismanagement of resources by local and state agencies. Polls indicate that Angela Alsobrooks is ahead of her opponent, Larry Hogan, as the race enters the final days (The Independent) The former governor, asked by The Independent on Thursday to grade the success of his work to convince suburban Democrats to back him, responded: My opponent is running her entire campaign based on [the idea that] you have to vote Democrat because we have to have control. Noting that he had seven different commercials running with Marylanders including Democrats voicing them, Hogan went on to say that he was confident that he had been successful in persuading voters of the value of an independent vote. I think we're convincing a lot of folks, he said. I think we have more crossover votes than any Senate candidate in America. I think I'm the only one that's running ahead of the top of the ticket, and it's a close race, but I believe next Tuesday, we're going to surprise a lot of people and pull off another big upset. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump watches a video of Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, during a campaign rally on Sept. 13, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Credit - Justin SullivanGetty Images With the general election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump upon us, endorsements from high-profile figures hold much significance. Especially those that involve crossing party lines. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican and the former Governor of California, spoke out on Wednesday, Oct. 30, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), endorsing Harris over Trump. He joins a growing number of Republicans who have decided to vote Democrat this November. Here is a list of the prominent Republicans crossing party lines and voting for Harris over Trump in the 2024 election: Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Actor and former Governor of California Schwarzenegger endorsed Democratic nominee Harris for President over his fellow Republican, Trump, in a lengthy social media post. Schwarzenegger said he does not typically give endorsements, as he doesnt trust most politicians, but he understands why people want to know his opinions since he is not just a celebrity, but also a former Governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To someone like me who talks to people all over the world and still knows America is the shining city on a hill, calling America is a [sic] trash can for the world is so unpatriotic, it makes me furious, he wrote. And I will always be an American before I am a Republican. Thats why, this week, I am voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Im sharing it with all of you because I think there are a lot of you who feel like I do, he elaborated. You dont recognize our country. And you are right to be furious. Former Vice President Dick Cheney On Sept. 6, Former Vice President and influential Republican Dick Cheney released a statement announcing his endorsement of Harris for President. Speaking out against the Republican nominee, Cheney said that Trump can never be trusted with power again. Cheney, who served as Vice President under President George W. Bush between 2001 and 2009, went on to say that American citizens have a duty to prioritize the nation over partisan politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In our nations 248 year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump, Cheney said in his statement. He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him, he continued, referencing the events of Jan. 6, 2021. Former Representative Liz Cheney Dick Cheneys endorsement came a week after his daughter, former Wyoming Republican Representative Liz Cheney said that shed vote for Harris. As a conservative and someone who believes in and cares deeply about the Constitution, I have thought deeply about this. And because of the danger that Donald Trump posesnot only am I not voting for Donald Trump, but I will be voting for Kamala Harris, Cheney said on Sept. 4 at a Sanford School of Public Policy event at Duke University in North Carolina. Cheney served as vice-chair of the Jan. 6 committee and was one of two Republicans on the panelsomething that Trump called to have her jailed for. Former Representative Adam Kinzinger Former Illinois Rep. and Republican Adam Kinzinger became a staunch critic of Trump after the events of Jan. 6, 2021, and spoke about endorsing Harris on the Democratic National Convention (DNC) stage in Chicago in August. He encouraged other Republicans who wish to defend democracy and decency to do the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was a Republican for 12 years in Congress, and I still hold on to the label, he said. I know Kamala Harris shares my allegiance to the rule of law, the Constitution, and democracy, and she is dedicated to upholding all three in service to our country. Anthony Scaramucci Anthony Scaramucci, the businessman who served as White House Director of Communications under Trump for 10 days in 2017, endorsed Harris, and has even said he is working alongside Harris on her campaigns crypto policies. Kamala Harris is capable and has a great team, he said in July, via a social media post. Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan spoke at the DNC, arguing that he stands in front of the crowd as an American though he is a Republican too. He focused his speech on other Republicans who may be watching, saying that the party is not civil or conservative. Its chaotic and crazy. Duncan referred to Trump as a direct threat to democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To my fellow Republicans at home that want to pivot back towards policy, empathy, and tone, you know the right thing to do. Now lets have the courage to do it in November, he said. Former Senator Jeff Flake Republican former Senator and Arizona representative Jeff Flake posted a statement to X on Sept. 29, announcing his support of the Harriz-Walz ticket, though he still calls himself a conservative Republican. He noted that he served with both Harris and Walz in Congress and that he knows first hand how much they love America. I want to support a Presidential candidate who seeks to unite our country rather than one who divides us, he wrote. In times like these, there is nothing more conservative than putting country over party. 200 former Bush, McCain, and Romney staffers More than 200 Republicans who worked for both Bush Presidents, the late Sen. John McCain, and Sen. Mitt Romney released an open letter in August, declaring endorsement of Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their letter, which was first reported by USA Today, the former staff members wrote that they were reiterating the 2020 decision by George W. Bush, McCain, and Romney alumni to warn against re-electing Trump. Now, they are reuniting to endorse Harris in 2024. Of course, we have plenty of honest, ideological disagreements with Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz. Thats to be expected, they wrote. The alternative, however, is simply untenable. Alberto Gonzales Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales endorsed Harris in an opinion piece published by Politico on Sept. 12. As the United States approaches a critical election, I cant sit quietly as Donald Trumpperhaps the most serious threat to the rule of law in a generationeyes a return to the White House, he wrote, pointing specifically to the events of Jan. 6. For that reason, though Im a Republican, Ive decided to support Kamala Harris for President. Former Congressman Denver Riggleman Former Representative Denver Riggleman, who represented Virginia as a Republican, has endorsed Harris. In an appearance on Bloomberg TV on Aug. 9, Riggleman said: Whats really going on is I think truth and facts need to be the baseline for this election. You cant have an inveterate liar as President of the United States Its not about policy but the real reasons why Republicans should have the permission structure to vote for the Democratic ticket. Former Representative Fred Upton Former Michigan Republican Congressman Fred Upton, who served for three decades in the House of Representatives, endorsed Harris on Oct. 24 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watching Trump day after day, he's ignored the advice of many senior, respected Republicans to stay on the issues, Upton told The Detroit News. Instead, he's still talking about the election being stolen, trashing women left and right. He's just totally unhinged. We don't need this chaos. We need to move forward, and that's why I'm where I am. Upton retired in 2022 after voting to impeach Trump the year before. Former New Hampshire Attorney General Tom Rath Former New Hampshire Attorney General, Republican Tom Rath spoke to a local news station during the final week of October, stating that this is an extraordinary moment in our history, and explaining his endorsement of Harris. "I think this is an election that completely oversteps any partisan identification," Rath said. "This is not a Republican vote or a Democratic vote. This is a vote that speaks to what we want ourselves to be and what we want our government to be." Former New Hampshire Senator Gordon Humphrey Former New Hampshire Sen. Gordon Humphrey also shared strong words against Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He's dangerous to our safety, dangerous to peace, dangerous to democracy and freedom, Humphrey, who served two terms in the Senate from 1979-1990, said in the same local news interview with Rath. I voted for Republicans for more than 50 years. I can't vote for Trump, as a father, as a grandfather, as a veteran, as a former U.S. Senator. Stephanie Grisham Former Trump White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham, who also served as Melania Trumps Chief of Staff, appeared at the DNC, where she shared that Harris has [her] vote. At the convention, Grishamwho resigned after Jan 6.took to the stage and said she felt very strongly about speaking out. I love my country more than my party, Grisham said. Kamala Harris tells the truth. She respects the American people and she has my vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jimmy McCain Jimmy McCain, son of former Arizona Senator and Republican presidential candidate John McCain, endorsed Harris in September, also stating that he had changed his voter registration to Democrat. Shell bring everyone together. She'll bring that moderation, that bipartisanship that we've been missing for so long, McCain told 12 News on Sept. 8, sharing that the Trump campaigns conduct at Arlington National Cemetery was what instigated his Harris endorsement. Senator Robert Cowles State Senator for Wisconsins 2nd District, Republican Robert Cowles called Trump a totalitarian in an interview with Rational Revolution on Oct. 24, and stated he would be voting for Harris. Cowles said he is ready for the blowback of publicly announcing his decision. We have to make a change here and Trump has to be defeated and we have to protect the Constitution and the country will go on, even with some liberal things that Harris might do, he said. Mayor John Giles John Giles, Republican mayor of Mesa, Arizona, shared his endorsement of Harris in an opinion piece for the Arizona Republic in July. Giles has been Mayor of the third largest city in Arizona, a notable swing state in the upcoming election, since 2014. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican Party with Trump at its helm continues down the path of political extremism, away from focusing on our fundamental freedoms, Giles wrote in the op-ed. He went on to argue that Trump did not support Arizona cities and that Harris is the competent, just, and fair leader that the country deserves Contact us at letters@time.com. The worlds largest rats could help conservationists in the ongoing fight against the illegal wildlife trade. Researchers have trained African giant pouched rats to pick up the scent of highly-sought elephant tusks, rhino horns, African blackwoodand pangolin scales. The rare wood is threatened and the animals are critically endangered. The rats weigh as much as nine pounds and measure up to 35 inches long from snout to tail and are classified an invasive species in Florida. In the past, the rats have been used to detect explosives. The rats are able to remember specific wildlife targets for several months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our study shows that we can train African giant pouched rats to detect illegally trafficked wildlife, even when it has been concealed among other substances, Dr. Isabelle Szott, a researcher at the Okeanos Foundation, said in a statement. In real life settings, rats will be able to pull a small ball attached at the chest of their vest, which emits a beeping sound. This way rats will be able to alert their handlers when they detect a target. (Image: APOPO) Scott and other researchers from around the world conducted research at APOPO, a Tanzania-based non-profit organization. APOPO is also training rescue rats to potentially save lives. The work was published Wednesday in the journal Frontiers in Conservation Science. The researchers worked with 11 rats, including some named for wildlife conservationists and advocates. The rats went through several stages of training, learning how to hold their noses for several seconds in a hole where the scent of the target was placed. If they performed the task correctly, they were rewarded with flavored rodent pellets. The rats went through several stages of training, learning how to hold their noses for several seconds in a hole where the scent of the target was placed (Image: APOPO) Next, they were introduced to other smells, including coffee beans, laundry detergent powder and electric cables. These scents are all used by traffickers to mask the scent of wildlife. The rats were taught to single out the wildlife target smells. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were also taught to remember scents after not smelling them for months. After periods of five and eight months, they were re-introduced to those scents. Despite months without exposure to the smells, the rats showed perfect cognitive retention. The researchers said, their scent memory resembled that of dogs, which are often trained to sniff out bombs. But, dogs often cant reach places that rats can. Existing screening tools are expensive and time intensive and there is an urgent need to increase cargo screening. APOPOs rats are cost-efficient scent detection tools. They can easily access tight spaces like cargo in packed shipping containers or be lifted up high to screen the ventilation systems of sealed containers, Szott said. The rats learned to identify and remember the scent of pangolin scales, elephant ivory, rhino horn and African blackwood. These animals and plants are listed as threatened and at high danger of extinction. (Image: APOPO) Next, the researchers will develop ways for their rats to work within ports used by wildlife smugglers. The rats will be outfitted with custom vests, and can use their paws to pull small balls attached to the chests that emit beeping sounds to signal their handlers that they have detected a target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were some limitations to the study. It was conducted in a controlled environment that is not reflective of the settings in which wildlife is commonly trafficked or screened by scent-detection animals. The researchers said new methods need to be developed. More than 4,000 species are affected by wildlife trafficking around the world, according to the United Nations. The majority of those species are endangered. Nearly 6,000 species were seized from every country between 1999 and 2018, according to a 2020 report from Faunalytics. The wildlife trade is the second-largest threat to species after habitat destruction, according to the World Wildlife Foundation. Illicit wildlife trafficking is estimated to gross between $7.8 billion and $10 billion per year, and illegal timber trade is estimated as much as $7 billion per year. CLEARFIELD, Pa. (WTAJ) Numerous residents called for the resignation of multiple council members, citing they missed too many council meetings. The meeting was originally scheduled for Oct. 17, but it had to be rescheduled when there werent enough council members to hold the meeting, something that caused a stir throughout the community. I dont think its fair for the public or anyone else on the council to carry the weight of somebody who is never here. If someone from the borough council does not attend these meetings, I suggest they resign and we find or appoint a replacement, resident Christina Fulton said at the meeting. 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. Another item that caused a stir at the meeting was the proposed white water park which is currently being walked on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may be poised to play a key health role in the next administration should Donald Trump get re-elected, according to two people close to the campaign and familiar with the plans. The current thinking is that the role for the former independent candidate would be spearheading what one of the people described as the Operation Warp Speed for childhood chronic disease, referring to the title of the Covid vaccine development project during Trumps first term. Kennedy is well-known for his criticism and skepticism of the Covid vaccine and other immunizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy, for example, has repeatedly claimed that vaccines are linked to autism, even though for decades numerous studies across several countries have debunked the association. Concerns about a potential link between autism and the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine have persisted for years after a now-retracted 1998 paper claimed a connection. There is significant common ground between the Trump campaign and Kennedy, on preventing conditions such as obesity and diabetes in children, a person familiar with the plans said, stressing that plans are still fluid and nothing has been decided. Obesity and diabetes are major issues in the U.S. Obesity affects nearly 15 million children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; thousands of kids and teens have Type 2 diabetes, a condition linked to obesity, and numbers are increasing. On the campaign trail, both Trump and Kennedy have pitched a Make America Healthy Again movement. Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia who has been an open critic of Kennedy, said that, despite the missteps, Operation Warp Speed during Trumps term was the single greatest achievement of the administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, he wasnt sure how Warp Speed would apply to childhood chronic diseases or in what way Kennedy would be helpful. I think his science denialism makes him the wrong person for any kind of progress, Offit said. In an interview Wednesday, former CDC director Robert Redfield compared the project to President John. F. Kennedys pledge to set foot on the moon. He didnt know how it would work but he believed it was possible and he made it happen, Redfield told NBC News. Sometimes seeing the possible and being a leader and leading the nation to act can make things that many people think are not possible become reality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt also emphasized that there still are no formal decisions about positions in a potential administration, but that Trump has said he will work alongside passionate voices like RFK Jr. to make America healthy again by providing families with safe food and ending the chronic disease epidemic plaguing our children, referring to type 2 diabetes. President Trump will also establish a special presidential commission of independent minds and will charge them with investigating what is causing the decades-long increase in chronic illnesses, she added. At a rally in Nevada Thursday night with Kennedy, Trump said Kennedy was "going to work on health and women's health." He said he told Kennedy that he wanted him to "look at the food in the food supply and what we put on the food." "He can do anything he wants," Trump added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy, for his part, said Trump told him to "end the chronic disease epidemic." "And he doesnt want me to take vaccines away from people," Kennedy said. "If you want to take a vaccine, you ought to be able to take it. We believe in free choice in this country, but you ought to know the risk and benefits of everything you take." Kennedy has recently claimed that Trump promised him control of the public health agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and its sub-agencies the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health. Hell get appointed to the Department of Agriculture as well, Kennedy claimed, which is which, you know, is key to making America healthy. Thats not off-base, according to one of the people familiar with the planning. If the plan goes forward, Kennedys mandate would be an all-of-government-project and allow him to marshall resources from all of these agencies for childhood chronic disease. How the project would be paid for is unclear, although Operation Warp Speed which operated between May 2020 through February 2021 had a budget of as much as $18 billion for the development of Covid vaccines, funded by the private sector and U.S. taxpayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to NBC News, Kennedy said he was grateful to the former president for his commitment to ending the chronic disease epidemic that now affects 50% of our children. I stand ready to help him rid the public health agencies of their pervasive conflicts and corruption and restore their tradition of gold-standard, evidence-based science, he said. Kennedy may also be interested in heading up an agency like HHS or CDC, but that would require Senate approval, which could be an uphill battle depending on the partisan breakdown in the chamber after Election Day. Drew Altman, the CEO of KFF, a nonpartisan group that researches health policy issues, said Kennedys anti-vaccine views and other controversial past positions could pose a problem there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im sure they would like to avoid a show in the Senate and an ugly confirmation process, he said. Whats still to be determined, Altman said, is how much if any authority the Warp Speed role would give Kennedy to command agencies such as the FDA or CDC. The role, the source said, would be appointed by the president and wouldnt require congressional approval. Altman was skeptical. It allows them to give him a position, a position they promised to him, as a reward for however many votes they received from welcoming him into the fold but without any real power or authority for a major agency or department, Altman said. Kennedy is already getting to know public health leaders from Trumps world. That includes former HHS Secretary Eric Hargan and former CDC Director Robert Redfield an unlikely alliance given Kennedy attacked Redfield multiple times in his book. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Redfield, a former HIV researcher, headed the CDC during the early days of the pandemic and was often criticized for missteps, including controversial Covid testing guidelines. Trump transition co-chair Howard Lutnick also praised Kennedy in an interview with CNN Wednesday night, and questioned whether vaccines are actually safe. Kennedy is also making the rounds with state agriculture leaders like Sidney Miller of Texas, given that food will be a central focus for this possible undertaking. Celebrity Kennedy ally Russell Brand has also been involved in some meetings and conversations, according to one source. Brand, the comic actor-turned-wellness influencer, has been accused of sexual assaults by four women, allegations which he has denied. Addiction and how it affects children and families is expected to be another top priority, which is a pet issue for Brand who himself is in recovery. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Russia, China and Iran view next weeks presidential election as an opportunity to weaken American democracy by sowing doubt about the voting process and targeting one of the governments key tenets the peaceful transition of power, several cybersecurity and military experts said Thursday. Americas election infrastructure is safe and secure, and voters should feel confident in the process, said Suzanne Spaulding, a former undersecretary for the Department of Homeland Security who now works with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. However, some foreign actors are trying to persuade voters to view the process as too corrupt to participate in, and these same actors will likely try to convince Americans after Election Day that the results were illegitimate, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2016, our assessment was that it would be extremely hard, virtually impossible, for an adversary to change votes or tallies in order to change the outcome of a national election, said Spaulding, who was working with DHS that year. I think that is only more true today. Weve gotten better at shoring up the cybersecurity of election infrastructure. Spaulding spoke Thursday on a panel hosted by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a research group focusing on foreign policy and national security. Earlier this month, the group flagged an Iranian-linked website that was attempting to stir up antidemocratic sentiments among veteran voters. Iran-linked website targets vets with disinformation, think tank warns Disinformation experts have been warning for months that malign actors, both foreign and domestic, would attempt to weaken the democratic process this election year. Spaulding and other experts who spoke Thursday said the efforts would likely result in some voters not believing the outcome of the election next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The elections are going to be secure, but we are going to have a meltdown on Nov. 7 or 8 no matter what happens because of peoples perceptions of what happened, said Mark Montgomery, who works with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Russia, China and Iran are targeting Americans in order to paint a negative picture of democracy and eventually sideline the U.S. military, added Bradley Bowman, an Army veteran who focuses on U.S. defense policy for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Part of their strategy is to encourage isolationist beliefs among the U.S. population and encourage citizens to oppose intervention in overseas conflicts, he said. They want us so weak, divided and distracted that we question ourselves and dont have the time or the will to go and defend our interests abroad, Bowman said. Divide us at home, degrade our democracy in our own minds and the minds of others, and then deceive us into believing falsely we have no core interests to defend in places like Taiwan, Ukraine, Israel. Then, they dont need to worry about our military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In order to combat the foreign influence campaigns, Montgomery suggested Congress provide more funding to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, a component of DHS that works to protect the country from cyber threats, as well as the State Departments Global Engagement Center, which exposes and defends against foreign propaganda and disinformation. Government leaders should also pay more attention to information from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, he said. Spaulding said the U.S. population should work to become more resilient against disinformation, in part by improving civics education in American schools. Kids should learn the fundamentals of American democracy and the role individuals play to preserve it, she said. The target is every single American. Americans should not take that lightly, Spaulding said. They should be demanding [that] policymakers ... have a vigorous response to counter this activity. This story was produced in partnership with Military Veterans in Journalism. Please send tips to MVJ-Tips@militarytimes.com. Alicia Upton paced the concrete floor of her jail cell. She looked around the cramped quarters. Then she pressed the alert button on an intercom attached to the wall. What is your emergency? responded a voice, captured on video footage from a camera in the cell. It was a deputy about 50 feet away, in the control room of the womens mental health unit where Upton, 21, was being held. Its not an emergency, but she began, then the deputy cut off the call before she could finish. Charged with a misdemeanor, Upton was awaiting a court-ordered evaluation to determine whether she was competent to stand trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She took a few more listless steps, the video shows. She paused beneath a buzzing fluorescent light, then picked up a white bedsheet and said, Its time to hang myself. She was found, limp, 20 minutes later. In the interim, the camera recorded the young woman preparing to end her life. But no guards, who were tasked with monitoring the video feed, noticed until it was too late. The Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside. Nineteen detainees died in Riverside County jails in 2022, and 14 in 2023. (Alex Welsh) Upton was the first of 19 detainees at Riverside County jails to die in 2022. That total, the highest the department had reported in at least three decades, ranked the jail system among the most lethal in the nation that year. The deaths, attributed to homicide, overdose, natural causes or suicide, reflected troubling patterns: neglect by jail employees, access to illicit drugs, and cell assignments that put detainees at increased risk of violence or did not allow for close oversight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suicides at least three of the deaths, but most likely four offer particular insight into some of those institutional problems and lapses, an investigation by The New York Times and The Desert Sun found. The county Sheriffs Department failed at times to adequately monitor detainees and intervene when they attempted suicide. Guards did not always enforce rules prohibiting detainees with mental illnesses from blocking cell windows and cameras, which hinders the required safety monitoring. The department has often isolated detainees with severe mental illness, which can exacerbate suicidal intentions. And, the investigation found, the department has omitted pertinent facts about the deaths in communications to the families of the dead and to the public. The department has assumed no responsibility for these deaths. Californias attorney general last year opened an ongoing civil rights investigation into the increase in deaths in custody, and Riverside County agreed to pay more than $12 million to settle lawsuits linked to detainee deaths going back to 2020. At least a dozen cases are still pending. Sheriff Chad Bianco of Riverside County speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on May 15. (Kent Nishimura / Getty Images) The county sheriff, Chad Bianco, did not respond to interview requests or comment on detailed questions about the news organizations findings. But on an episode of his podcast this summer devoted to inmate deaths, he said that it can be extremely difficult at times to prevent suicides, and falsely claimed that there had never been any allegation that the department had somehow done something wrong, or mishandled inmates, or mistreated inmates, or caused their death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president of the deputies union declined to comment. To understand how the suicides occurred, The New York Times and The Desert Sun interviewed dozens of people including current and former jail employees, relatives of the dead, independent medical examiners and civil rights lawyers. The news organizations also reviewed court documents, including arrest records, detainee medical and mental health records, and department notes on jail housing decisions. Many of the details in this article have never been publicly reported, including the jail security camera footage reviewed by a reporter material that is rarely seen by outsiders. The department has not released that footage or a dozen other videos requested by the news organizations under the California Public Records Act. The suicides strongly suggest that, despite a federal class-action suit a decade ago that exposed deficiencies in mental health treatment in Riverside County jails and resulted in new court-ordered requirements, problems persist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One detainee in 2022, who told guards that he was suicidal, was cleared after a medical check to return to his cell without any suicide-watch protocol. He was found dead about an hour later. He had been in custody for one day. Another man, who suffered from schizoaffective disorder, had been mostly segregated from other detainees for two years when he was found hanging, and later died. To conceal his actions, he had covered his cell window and camera without any intervention from guards. There were 14 deaths in Riverside County jails in 2023. No suicides were reported, though the cause of death in five of those cases is still "pending investigation," according to the California Department of Justice. Earlier this year, a man hanged himself while another detainee tried to alert jail guards but couldnt get their attention. That suicide and a separate drug overdose prompted Capt. Alyssa Vernal, then the head of the jail, to warn staff members that they were failing to maintain basic jail operating standards including some of the same lapses identified years ago by the federal court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vernal, who did not respond to requests for comment for this article, wrote in an internal email reviewed by the news organizations, It has become obvious we are not keeping house or following the rules we should be. Kept saying she was fine When she was 19, Alicia Upton hit the road and left everything behind. She piled into a friends car in West Virginia and embarked on what would become a cross-country trip. In an interview, her mother, Nichole Thompson, recalled believing that she was going on a fleeting adventure before settling back home. She was resolute when she fixed her mind on something, said Thompson, a librarian who raised Alicia and her older sister in the Appalachian town of Lost Creek. From a young age, Alicia was an animal lover who would bring home rabbits and raccoons she hoped to keep as pets. At 14, she sold the Xbox she had gotten for Christmas to buy a horse, which she trained herself. To raise money for the road trip, she sold her four-wheeler and some goats, but not the horse, which she left in the care of a friend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upton had shown no signs of mental health problems when she left home, her mother said. She had gone to counseling years earlier after the suicide of a close friend, and her mother felt that she was resilient. The road trip took Upton to Florida, Texas, and across the country through New Mexico and Arizona. Finally, she called home from Hemet, a former farming town now sprouting strip malls and tract houses. It is near the western end of Riverside, one of the states fastest-growing counties, which extends from the Arizona border almost to Los Angeles. She sounded happy, her mother recalled. She said California was beautiful. As the weeks wore on, though, she mentioned that the car needed costly repairs and that she was often looking for places to sleep. On Nichole Thompson's West Virginia property, she has left the area open where her daughter Alicia Upton used to ride her horse. Deer and other wildlife roam through it. (Kristian Thacker) I walked a fine line, trying to coax her to come back, but also let her have her freedom, Thompson said. While some companions left for new destinations, Upton stayed put. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the months turned into a year, it became clear to Thompson that her daughter was living on the streets. She always knew coming home was an option, Thompson said. If I pushed her, I felt she would disconnect. She just kept saying she was fine. Soon, Thompson became concerned that her daughter might be struggling with drugs. She recalled Upton saying irrational things on the phone, like describing seeing relatives who were thousands of miles away. Eventually, Upton was arrested twice for minor offenses shoplifting and trespassing. Both times, she was released. But a third arrest was different. On April 19, 2022, a woman found Upton on her land in San Jacinto. She later told deputies the young woman appeared to be looking for something. When the landowner found a knife on the ground, the two had a confrontation. Upton left and no one was injured. But she was arrested nearby and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and making criminal threats, both misdemeanors. The Cois M. Byrd Detention Center, also referred to as the Southwest Detention Center, in Murrieta. (Alex Welsh) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The paper trail of Uptons incarceration describes her as distraught and combative on arrival at the Robert Presley Detention Center in the city of Riverside. Of the five jails in the county, it is the facility where detainees who need mental health care are most often sent. Reports from the booking note that she did not sign several required documents. One jailer wrote on the signature line that she could not be trusted with a pen. Thompson poses for a portrait in her home with her daughter's urn. (Kristian Thacker) She was given a mental health rating of severe and placed in the womens mental health housing unit, where each cell was monitored by camera. She was not prescribed any medication. When asked if she had ever attempted suicide, she would not answer. But, deputies wrote in her file, she said she had multiple personality disorder and stated that she always kinda wanted to die. A surge in jail deaths Long before Upton was sent to the jail, the Sheriffs Department had struggled to treat mental illnesses among the nearly 3,700 detainees it housed on any given day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In jail and prison systems across the country, the population of people with mental health needs has surged in recent decades. More than half the detainees in Californias jails have such problems, a 2023 study found. As Riverside Countys jails began to operate as de facto mental health facilities, some detainees who claimed mistreatment took action. Four sued the county in federal court in 2013, in what would become a class action, claiming the department was not providing adequate care. When a judge ordered experts to inspect the claims, Dr. Bruce Gage, then chief of psychiatry for the Washington State Department of Corrections, found multiple problems. Some detainees were not receiving prescribed medications. Others were being medicated indefinitely on mere suppositions of mental illness. It was unclear whether the call buttons in the cells even worked. Gage reported that the jails didnt monitor suicidal detainees who were awaiting transfer to psychiatric facilities. The jails had no protocol in place to transition someone who was no longer considered suicidal into less-restrictive living conditions. Detainees either were in a general population and could be outside their cells for hours a day, or confined for all but 15 to 45 minutes. Riverside County jail system is amongst the most restrictive correctional settings I have visited, Gage wrote. Those struggling with mental illness, he added, are placed at greater risk of harming themselves under these conditions. Based on the reports, in 2016 a judge ordered a remedial plan that included ongoing inspections of the facilities and the threat of court intervention. Gage noted that the department had faced a staffing shortage since the 2009 recession, but emphasized that basic standards of care were required by law. Sara Norman, one of the plaintiffs lawyers in the case, said that the jail had made progress in improving medical care, but less so with mental health care. We have been concerned for years about the dearth of programming and group and individual therapy for people struggling with mental illness in the jails, she said. Meanwhile, the county system experienced an increase in jail deaths over the past decade. Among them was a man in 2020 who had been arrested for drug possession and was to be released with a citation for a later court appearance. Instead, he died after being violently extracted from his jail cell by guards while experiencing symptoms of psychosis. His relatives received $7.5 million this year to settle a lawsuit. The surge of 19 deaths in 2022 made Riversides rate the second-highest in the state, behind Kern County, which had a much smaller jail population. Among the nations 15 largest jail systems, Riverside was the second-most deadly, with a rate more than twice that of Chicago, Philadelphia and Dallas. While some people at the Riverside jails were serving criminal sentences, most including those who died by suicide were detainees awaiting trial or other resolution of their cases. Robert Robinson, 41, was arrested in September 2022 for trying to cash a fraudulent check at a casino. Because he was a gang dropout, he was considered a likely target of violence and was housed alone. He told jailers while being booked that he was having suicidal thoughts, according to a lawsuit filed by his relatives. He was placed in a cell without a camera and was not put on suicide watch, records show. The next day, he told deputies he was suicidal, and he met with a medical provider and a mental health nurse, according to court documents. Both cleared him to return to his cell alone. About an hour later, a deputy discovered that he had hanged himself. Riverside County settled the civil suit with his relatives this past August for $1.8 million, with no admission of wrongdoing. His family did not respond to requests for comment. Aaron Aubrey, 28, had an extensive history of mental illness and violence. During his three-year incarceration awaiting trial on a murder charge, he was housed in a mental health unit. He spent significant time in isolation after he was charged with killing another detainee in 2020. In December 2022 a guard saw that Aubrey had blocked his window and covered his camera, but took no action, according to the coroners report. During another security check 40 minutes later, the detainee was found hanging. He died six days later at a hospital. And this year, Reynaldo Ramos, 55, hanged himself even as a cell neighbor twice tried to alert guards over the intercom, according to a complaint filed with the county by the mans relatives. The guards didnt respond, the complaint said. The claim attributed that account to an anonymous letter sent to the familys lawyer and separately to a reporter for The Times and The Desert Sun, containing those closely guarded details. A person who had reviewed jail surveillance video of the unit also described the failed alert efforts. Ramos, who had been given a mental health rating of severe when admitted to the jail on drug charges, was discovered unresponsive during a routine safety check, according to an internal incident report provided to the Times. Man down! In the days after Uptons arrest, her mind continued to fray. On April 28, 2022, a judge ordered her to undergo a mental competency evaluation. Her criminal case was suspended, and with it the possibility of bail, until the findings were reported. When she was admitted to the jail, she had briefly been placed in a safety cell, without access to items that could be used for self-harm. Soon after, she was placed in the mental health unit. That evening, the surveillance video showed, she was restless. Her cellmate was asleep on the top bunk as Upton paced and looked out of the cell doors window. Meal trays were stacked at the foot of the bed and clothes were scattered nearby. At 8:13 p.m., she pressed the intercom button, but got only a few words out before the deputy hung up. Moments later, Upton can be heard in the video saying she intends to hang herself. She looped the bedsheet around her neck and, for a few minutes, tried anchoring it. She smacked her head three times. She looked toward the camera. At one point, it sounded as if she was weeping. Sitting on the bottom bunk, she tied the sheet above her and tightened it around her neck. An envelope Thompson sent to her daughter sits atop a photo covered in photos of Alicia. Thompson wrote to her after learning she had been arrested, but the letter arrived after her death and was returned. (Kristian Thacker) At 8:18 p.m., Upton raised a middle finger to the cell camera. Over the next few minutes, the video captured her final movements. By 8:22, she was still. It all unfolded in view of the deputies who were supposed to monitor the feed from her cell. A guard at a workstation near the control room was responsible for constantly tracking the video footage of the unit, according to three former jail employees speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals from the department. Meanwhile, a deputy in the control room reminded a trainee to occasionally scan the images. They looked up at the feeds from the roughly 40 cameras, two of the former employees said. Spotting Upton, the deputy shouted over the radio, Man down! She had been hanging by the bedsheet for 16 minutes before guards flashed lights signaling an emergency, video footage shows. Two deputies and a jail nurse entered her cell and began resuscitation efforts, but it was futile. The next morning, back in West Virginia, Uptons mother woke to pounding on her door, she recalled in an interview. It was a local deputy, who told her to call the Riverside County Sheriffs Department. She remembers asking, Does this mean shes dead? Yes. I thought my heart would stop, she said. The sheriff is the coroner In Riverside County, the final accounting of how people die depends to a large extent on Sheriff Bianco. A veteran of the department, Bianco was first elected sheriff in 2018. He has cast himself as a right-wing firebrand at odds with the states left-leaning legislature and governor. He has also criticized Atty. Gen. Rob Bontas investigation of jail deaths as a political stunt. California is one of just three states that allow elected law enforcement officials to oversee coroners offices. Until recently in Riverside County, that meant the Sheriffs Department typically investigated deaths at its jails while also supervising the pathologists conducting the autopsies. (This year, the department began outsourcing those autopsies.) The final report about the cause of death is signed by the sheriff, who also serves as the coroner. The state Legislature has considered bills to separate the offices but none have passed. The California Medical Assn. has long advocated a separation, saying that the consolidation of the responsibilities of sheriff and coroner is an immense conflict of interest. The New York Times and The Desert Sun found discrepancies when comparing the departments public death summaries of the 2022 suicides against jail records turned over in civil suits, the video of Uptons death and information provided by current and former employees. Hugo Solis, Sara Solis, center, and Naomi Arias brother, mother and sister of Mario Solis, sit with his photograph. Solis died by suicide in jail in a Riverside County jail in Murrieta. (Alex Welsh) Mario Solis, who had a history of mental illness, was jailed after a scuffle with a grocery store security guard over a stolen bag of Skittles, according to court records. In September 2022, his mother, Sara Solis, was told that he had died alone in a cell but not much else. About six months later, she received the departments summary report. It included findings from an autopsy conducted days after Solis, 31, died in the mental health unit of the jail in Murrieta. Inside his mouth and throat were two pencils, a toothbrush, a plastic cap and bars of soap, the report said. It also noted cut marks on his arms. A deputy coroner wrote that Solis had an unspecified mental health history and had been prescribed two psychiatric medications. Sheriff Bianco attributed Soliss death to suffocation and blood loss after his jugular vein was punctured. He certified the death as an accident. More than a year later, a lawyer representing the Solis family in a suit against the county received a trove of information the Sheriffs Department had not previously disclosed. Jail medical staff had treated Solis for schizophrenia, including with antipsychotic medication. On three occasions, he said he was suicidal and talked about stabbing himself with a pencil. Mr. Solis pleaded for help on an inmate grievance form. (Riverside County Sheriff's Department) During a chaotic five-month incarceration, he was transferred 10 times among four county jails and did two stints in intensive psychiatric treatment. From the start, Solis had pleaded for help and medication, his scribbled notes show: I am not well. Please help me before things worsen, one read. In another, he requested a psychiatric visit, which was arranged but later canceled. On Sept. 2, 2022, Solis was ruled incompetent to stand trial and ordered to a hospital for treatment. The next day, he was found unconscious in his cell. He had lacerations on his wrist and neck, a nurse wrote. His neck was red and bruised. His mouth and nose were bloody. Photos of the cell show flooding from the toilet that soaked books and trash. One wall was filled with erratic writing. Mario Solis died in his cell in the mental unit at the jail. (Riverside County Sheriff's Department) The departments reports do not explain why Sheriff Bianco determined that the death was accidental. Bianco has accused media outlets and advocacy groups of misrepresenting the jail deaths to the public, including on his podcast episode on the topic, which was promoted on the departments social media channels. Without naming names, the sheriff said that a detainee who had died after swallowing objects, including a pencil, had a propensity to eat things. They suffocated themselves, basically, Mr. Bianco said. But we dont believe it was a suicide. In 1,600 pages of jail medical notes, there is no mention of Solis habitually swallowing harmful objects, as the sheriff claimed. This is not someone who accidentally died, Hugo Solis, one of Soliss brothers, said in an interview. He killed himself in despair. And the sheriff knows that. The Cois M. Byrd Detention Center, also referred to as the Southwest Detention Center, in Murrieta. (Alex Welsh) A forensic pathologist and a medical anthropologist reviewed the coroners report for this article. Both said that, aside from the mention of Soliss psychiatric history and prescriptions, it was unclear whether the coroner staff had reviewed his extensive mental health records or knew about his suicide threats. Both said that information was crucial for determining whether the death was a suicide. Dr. Judy Melinek, a board-certified forensic pathologist, asked, Why was he left alone and unsupervised after showing severe signs of mental health deterioration? It was their job Thompson, Alicia Uptons mother, said she was stunned at how little information the Riverside County Sheriffs Department would share about her daughters death. For weeks, she said, she struggled to learn even basic details about the events leading up to the suicide. She asked to see any reports and obtain any surveillance video, though she wasnt sure if she could bear to watch it. But the department declined to provide much of the material she requested. Thompson sued the Sheriffs Department last year, saying that it had failed to monitor and protect her daughter. In its response, the county denied that deputies had failed to monitor Upton at the time of her suicide. However, according to two former employees, two jail workers faced discipline for lapses. When a reporter described to Thompson the footage from the jail cell, she said she had long suspected that her daughter had been desperate for help but had been ignored. It was their job to keep her safe, Thompson said. It was their job to monitor her. They didnt care to do it. Christopher Damien is a reporter with the Desert Sun, reporting about law enforcement in Southern Californias inland and desert communities. He is part of The New York Times Local Investigations Fellowship. This article is co-published with the Los Angeles Times. Justin Mayo and Ana Facio-Krajcer contributed reporting. Julie Tate contributed research. This article was reported in partnership with Big Local News at Stanford University. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for a list of additional resources. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) A powerful bomb attached to a motorcycle exploded near a vehicle carrying police officers assigned to protect polio workers in restive southwest Pakistan on Friday, killing nine people including five nearby children, and wounding 17 other people, officials said. Local police chief Fateh Mohammad said the attack occurred in Mastung, a district in Balochistan province. He said a motorized rickshaw carrying schoolchildren was nearby when the bombing happened, resulting in the deaths of five children, a police officer and two passersby. Some of the wounded were moved to a hospital in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, said Wasim Baig, a spokesman for the health department. He said seven people died on the spot, while two men who had been critically wounded died at a hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack on police, but suspicion is likely to fall on separatist groups and Pakistani Taliban that have stepped up attacks on security forces and civilians in recent months. The police chief in Mastung, Rehmat Ullah, said a police van came under attack when it was heading to a health center to escort polio workers for the door-to-door campaign that began on Monday to vaccinate 45 million children under 5, following a surge in new cases. Pakistan has recorded 41 polio cases across 71 districts so far this year. The latest attack came days after militants attacked a health center used in the ongoing anti-polio campaign in northwestern district of Orakzai, triggering a shootout that left two policemen dead. Three of the attackers were also killed in the exchange of fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Militants in Pakistan often target police and health workers during campaigns against polio, claiming the vaccination drives are a Western conspiracy to sterilize children. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where the spread of polio has never been stopped. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the chief minister of Balochistan, Sarfraz Bugti, both denounced the bombing and vowed to continue the war against insurgents until they are eliminated from the country. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the attack, calling it unacceptable and urging the government to investigate and ensure those responsible are brought to justice and held accountable, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Balochistan is the site of a long-running insurgency, with an array of separatist groups staging attacks mainly on security forces. The groups, including the Baloch Liberation Army, demand independence from the central government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BLA has also attacked foreigners. Last month, it claimed responsibility for a bombing that targeted Chinese nationals outside an airport in the southern city of Karachi, killing two workers from China and wounding eight people. Thousands of Chinese workers are in Pakistan as part of Beijings multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, which is building major infrastructure projects. Beijing has frequently demanded better security for its nationals in Pakistan. China's ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, urged Pakistan at a seminar this week to take action against the insurgents responsible for unacceptable attacks on Chinese working on projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a sprawling package that includes road construction, power plants and agriculture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Thursday expressed her surprise over the ambassador's remarks, saying that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also attended the seminar, had said Pakistan is committed to providing full security to Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan. Our commitment has been conveyed at the senior most levels of the Chinese government. She said Jiang's statement was perplexing in view of the positive diplomatic traditions. One Pakistani hotel chain, Avari, said the government has instructed that transportation and airport transfers for Chinese guests must be arranged by the host or sponsor via a bomb/bullet-proof vehicle with security protocols. ___ Associated Press writers Munir Ahmed in Islamabad and Asim Tanveer in Multan, Pakistan contributed. Rudy Giulianis sexual assault case hearing spiraled into chaos for two hours that ended with the former New York City mayor being muted by the judge. The first oral arguments in the civil suit, brought by accuser Noelle Dunphy, unfolded on Wednesday after a series of delays in the case that was first filed in early 2023. Dunphy, who claims to be his former employee, is accusing Giuliani of wide-ranging misconduct, including sexual harassment, assault, battery and a hostile work environment. The hearing was streamed online and journalists were allowed to watch. The remote hearing was plagued by technical difficulties, high-pitched acoustic feedback and confusion. At one point, Lev Parnas, a Ukrainian businessman and former Giuliani associate-turned-critic, tried to be admitted to the virtual meeting a move that the ex-mayor vocally objected to. The judge didnt let Parnas in. Justin Kelton, Dunphys lawyer, said he was a potential witness in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adam Katz, the lawyer representing Giulianis businesses in this matter, struggled to be heard during the Microsoft Teams call as his connection kept dropping while the former mayor spoke when the judge expressed wanting him to be muted. Almost immediately, confusion ensued. The judge asked whether Giuliani who appeared in black suit and a yellow and purple striped tie was representing himself in the case or whether Katz was. Judge Nicholas Moyne clarified: I ask not because Im attempting to criticize you. Im wondering if theres any confusion on your end, Mr Giuliani, pointing out that earlier in the case, the former mayor had told another judge that Katz would be representing him. Giuliani replied: Can I talk to Mr Katz about it? I am confused. This matter didnt come up again until the end of the hearing, when the judge warned Giuliani about the risks of representing himself. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani departs the U.S. District Courthouse after he was ordered to pay $148 million in his defamation. At a Wednesday court hearing with a sexual assault accuser, Giuliani launched into personal attacks and was confused at his representation (REUTERS) You were a lawyer. Now youre representing yourself pro se. You know the pitfalls of thatI would encourage you to find counsel, the judge said emphasizing that the former mayor would be held to the same rules and ethical guidelines that a lawyer would be. Giuliani, once the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, is now disbarred in New York and Washington, DC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Giuliani said he understood and that he preferred Katz represent him. He then requested a chance to be heard. The judge allowed Giuliani to make his legal arguments, with a caveat. Please do not go on a soliloquy. I believe that would not be in your best interest, anyway, Moyne said, and urged him to avoid personal attacks. Thats when the hearing went off the rails. The former Trump lawyer made a series of salacious attacks against Dunphy, who was also on the call, wearing a white blazer, mint green shirt and round glasses. The case should be dismissed based on injustice, Guiliani said, alleging that she previously sued her ex-boyfriend in a similar way. Moyne directed his staff to mute Giuliani. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even with his sound turned off, Giuliani kept talking. Giulianis remarks were inappropriate, the judge said. Speaking directly to Giuliani, he explained that he muted the former mayor because you are going to cause yourself harm by doing this, so Im going to protect you from yourself. Moyne then encouraged Giuliani to find counsel. Giuliani is accused of wide-ranging misconduct, including sexual harassment, assault, battery and a hostile work environment (AP) After some time, Giluliani unmuted himself and promised to ask the judge a question that was not inflammatory. He asked about the legality of Dunphys recordings. Much of Dunphys complaint involves comments that Giuliani allegedly made that she recorded; she claims it was with his permission. Her complaint even states: At times, Giuliani pressed record himself on Ms. Dunphys cell phone to record their conversations. The judge told Giuliani that he could raise these arguments in a formal response: either an answer to the complaint or a motion to dismiss. Giuliani and his team still have not filed a formal answer to Dunphys lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former mayor replied apologetically: I made a mistake. Im sorry. Because [an argument] was brought up, I thought I had a right to respond to it. While a comedy of errors reigned at Wednesdays hearing, it was scheduled to address both sides motions for sanctions and Giulianis motion to strike parts of Dunphys May 2023 complaint from the record. The judge rejected both motions for sanctions. The temperature on this case is already sky high...This case has taken a very very long time to get to a point and we are still at a preliminary point, Judge Moyned said. Were not going to get tracked down in side issues. Im not going to get tracked down in side issues. What we need now is a formal response to the complaint. As for the motions to strike, Giuliani had requested to remove portions of the complaint that include references to his drinking, derogatory comments he made about famous people, a claim that he was selling pardons for $2 million, his appearance in the second Borat film and allegations of other affairs all of which Giuliani described in a filing as unnecessary, inflammatory, scandalous, and unduly prejudicial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regarding the many references in the complaint that suggest Giuliani was rarely sober when interacting with her. The former mayor shook his head with his head in his hands while the judge summarized the allegations. Noelle Dunphy, Giulianis alleged former employee, accused him of sexual assault in the 2023 lawsuit (Courtesy of Noelle Dunphy) Katz argued they should be stricken because these have nothing to do with Ms Dunphy, but the judge disagreed, and decided to keep these portions. He argued the allegations are at the heart of the claims, as they refer to hostile work environment and sexual harassment. For example, Moyne said, her claims say that the former mayor allegedly forced her to watch movies and TV films that she felt uncomfortablethat would be a claim for hostile work environment. Dunphys complaint also mentions a few alleged affairs that Giuliani had, including with Maria Ryan. The judge ordered to strike any mentions to the affairs unless the affairs occurred in an employment context or there was an employment relationship when the affair was going on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moyne also agreed to strike the sale of pardons allegation, calling them clearly prejudicial. He said the claim doesnt seem to be relevant to the case and also accuses [Giuliani] of a serious crime. Then there was the Borat reference. In Dunphys complaint, she describes the alleged assault and includes a photo of Borat Subsequent Moviefilm that depicts Giuliani lying down on a bed in a hotel room with his hands down his pants. Kelton argued that this should be included because the image as close an illustration as possible to the situation that Dunphy allegedly experienced. Katz, though, said that this comparison is like apples and oranges: Its comparing what happened in a Hollywood movie in a fake interview to Dunphys allegations. The judge ultimately sided with Katz, and struck the photo and the reference to the comedy movie. At one point during the hearing, Giuliani appeared to be munching on cookies before sipping on a white mug with a tiny red heart. At another, he seemed to be fiddling with his iPad while the hearing was ongoing. At others, he appeared to be talking to a brunette woman, whose manicured nails sometimes tapped his mute button on his behalf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge directed the defense to file an answer to the complaint within 45 days of Wednesdays hearing, adding that he gave Giuliani extra time to figure out the matter of representation. This hearing comes after the case was stalled for months as Giulianis bankruptcy case played out. He was ordered to pay nearly $150 million to a pair of Georgia election workers that he defamed. The pair are now preparing to seize a long list of valuables, including his 1980 Mercedes Benz once owned by Lauren Bacall, 26 watches, and his Manhattan penthouse after a federal judge ordered him to turn over his possessions to the court. A moving company representative and lawyers were expected to be given access to Rudy Giulianis Manhattan apartment on Thursday after the former New York City mayor failed to turn over belongings to two former Georgia election workers who won a $148 million defamation judgment against him. The two sides hurled allegations against each other this week as the deadline for Giuliani to surrender the items passed Tuesday without any of the assets changing hands. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman ordered Giuliani last week to give the election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea Shaye Moss, many of his prized possessions. Among them: his $5 million Upper East Side apartment, a 1980 Mercedes once owned by movie star Lauren Bacall, and a variety of other belongings, from his television to a shirt signed by New York Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio to 26 luxury watches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The moving company representative and lawyers for Freeman and Moss were expected to be let into Giulianis apartment to see what property was there and estimate the cost of moving items named in Limans order, according to a court document filed late Wednesday by Aaron Nathan, an attorney for the election workers. In the document, Nathan said he had talked with Giulianis lawyers but that they were not ready to turn over any items and could not even answer basic questions about the location of the assets. Giulianis attorney, Kenneth Caruso, had said in a court filing late Tuesday that his client was ready to hand over the assets but lawyers for Freeman and Moss had not provided instructions on how to do so. Nathan declined to comment Thursday. The Associated Press left phone and email messages on Thursday with a representative and lawyers for Giuliani. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voting in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday afternoon, Giuliani did not confirm that anyone had been in his New York apartment. He said he didnt get a chance to defend himself in the Georgia election workers case and said he believes the judgment will be reversed on appeal. It will probably be one of the most unfair trials in American history, with the exception of the J6 people, he said, referring to the criminal cases against Trump supporters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, Giuliani was given a chance to turn over information requested by lawyers for Freeman and Moss last year, but didnt do so. As punishment, a separate judge found Giuliani liable for defamation before any trial was held. A trial to determine damages was held later. On Thursday, Liman ordered both sides to submit a status report on any property exchanges by Monday. He said he would hold a status conference on Nov. 7 if the assets arent turned over. Giulianis legal defense fund sent out emails Thursday asking for donations as he fights Deep State plans to utterly ruin me. They want my home, my belongings, even all of the nostalgic keepsakes that Ive collected throughout my 80 years of life, the email said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Giulianis lawyers had argued that Freeman and Moss should not be allowed to obtain and sell his belongings while his appeal of the $148 million judgment is pending. But Liman ruled against him last week and set the Tuesday deadline. Giulianis appeal is currently before a federal appeals court in Washington. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A Giuliani spokesperson, Ted Goodman, said in a recent statement that Mayor Giuliani is being unfairly punished by partisan, political activists who are trying to make an example out of him. Also being litigated is whether Giuliani should have to turn over his $3 million Palm Beach, Florida, condo which he says is his primary residence and several Yankees World Series rings he received when he was mayor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pushing Donald Trumps unfounded claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him, Giuliani falsely accused Freeman and Moss of ballot fraud, saying they snuck in ballots in suitcases, counted ballots multiple times and tampered with voting machines. Freeman and Moss sued for defamation and said the false allegations led to death threats that made them fear for their lives. A jury in Washington awarded them $148 million last year. __ Associated Press writer Stephany Matat in West Palm Beach, Florida, contributed to this report. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A man from Rushville was charged with manslaughter after a fight earlier this year in Gorham led to his neighbors death. On April 14, investigators said 32-year-old Nicholas Pascazi III got into a fight with another man on Arnold Road. His neighbor, 55-year-old Teddy Read, tried to step in and stop the fight. It was alleged that Pascazi punched Read in the head, which led to Read falling and hitting his head on the concrete ground. Read was taken to FF Thompson Hospital for treatment, but was then flown to Strong Memorial Hospital. He died from his injuries on May 5, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Pascazi was arraigned in Ontario County Court on a sealed indictment. He was charged with second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and third-degree assault. He was taken to the Ontario County Jail and was released after posting bail. He will return to court at a later date. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said he is "surprised" that Turkey is continuing to supply weapons to Ukraine while offering to act as mediator in the conflict. NATO member Turkey has been trying to strike a balancing act between the two countries since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ankara supports Ukraine's territorial integrity and has provided the country with armed drones and other military support, but it is also strengthening its energy ties with Russia and opposes Western sanctions on Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkey hosted peace talks between the two nations shortly after the invasion in 2022, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly discussed brokering further discussions. Ukraine has since remained firm on not engaging directly with Russia on peace negotiations, and Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that Kyiv had already twice rejected ceasefire initiatives from Moscow. In an interview with the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, Lavrov said: "Turkish weapons are used by the Ukrainian armed forces to kill Russian military personnel and civilians." "This situation cannot but cause surprise, given the Turkish government's statements that it is ready to provide mediation," he said in the interview published on Friday. Turkey has supplied Ukraine with Bayraktar TB2 drones, heavy machine guns, laser-guided missiles, electronic warfare systems, armoured vehicles and protective gear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Turkish defence and aviation industry achieved record exports in 2023, which totalled $5.5 billion, up 27.1% on the previous year, according to a report by the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM). About 5.3% of those exports went to Ukraine, which was a similar share of exports to Azerbaijan (5.1%) and Poland (4.9%), but considerably less than the proportion that went to the US (16.7%), the report said. Related Turkey's tightrope As part of the Military Framework Agreement between Turkey and Ukraine in October 2020, both countries agreed to the exchange of military intelligence, cooperation between the armed forces and defence industry, mutual education and training activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Erdogan's visit to Kyiv on 4 February 2022 before Russian's full-scale invasion the two countries signed a dozen other agreements, including a free trade deal. Speaking to Euronews Turkish, IYI Party Ankara MP Kursad Zorlu said: "Turkey has a comprehensive and future-oriented defence industry cooperation with Ukraine. It is also known that some inputs for the Turkish defence industry are supplied from Ukraine." "Turkey's goal of ensuring the sustainability of this is understandable," said Zorlu, who is a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Nevertheless, Ankara is also seeking to improve ties with Moscow, and they have increased cooperation on trade, tourism and energy since Russia's full-scale invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent months, Turkey has expressed a desire to join the BRICS economic union. Named after original members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, it has this year expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Erdogan met with Putin on the sidelines of a BRICS summit last month in Kazan, Russia. The Russian president said his Turkish counterpart had again put forward proposals on shipping in the Black Sea and establishing a grain corridor, while Erdogan told reporters he wanted to start "peace negotiations between the two countries as soon as possible". Military observers say Russian forces have significantly intensified their advances in Ukraine since September, highlighting Russia's huge advantage in manpower and arms, while Kyiv has been demanding more aid and weapons from its Western allies. Its the kind of fine you might want to consider paying off in instalments. A Russian court has demanded Google pay a number so large that even the Kremlin conceded to NBC News on Thursday it was more a symbolic gesture than a sum it soon expects to bolster its war funds. The fine amounts to around $20 decillion 20 followed by 33 zeros or two undecillion rubles, a 37-digit figure. According to the Russian news outlet RBC, the fine is the total amount demanded by 17 Russian television channels and other media outlets whose output has been blocked from YouTube the video platform owned by the tech giant as sanctioned supporters of President Vladimir Putins regime and its invasion of Ukraine. The court that imposed the fine might be in for a long wait for Google to pay up, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not only does the figure eclipse Googles $2 trillion market value, but its also far larger than the size of the entire global economy, which the International Monetary Fund puts at around $110 trillion a figure with a mere 13 zeros. That said, at least the fine is not as large as a googol, which has 100 zeroes. Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin picked the number as the name of the search engine they then hoped would organize large quantities of information. Although it is a specific amount, I cannot even say this number, it is rather filled with symbolism, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday when asked by NBC News how Google was expected to pay such a large sum. The company should not restrict our broadcasters on their platform, he added, on his daily briefing call with reporters. This should be a reason for the Google leadership to pay attention to this and improve the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amount the court says Google owes is growing, too. While the case was first opened in 2020, when Google blocked channels that then belonged to Wagner Group mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and oligarch Konstantin Malofeev, it was expanded when YouTube banned further channels after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The court ordered Google to restore the accounts within nine months, with a fine of 100,000 rubles (around $1,000) levied for each day after that period. The size of the fine was to double each week for every week of noncompliance, with no limit on its size, RBC said. Some of those Russian media outlets have also appealed to courts in Turkey, Hungary, Spain and South Africa to enforce court decisions made against Google in Russia. In June, South Africas High Court granted a motion to seize some of Googles assets in that country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shares in Google parent-company Alphabet ticked down 1.2% in premarket trading, after closing almost 3% higher Wednesday when the company released quarterly earnings that were received well by investors. In the section of its third quarter earnings release titled 'Legal Matters,' Alphabet said: We have ongoing legal matters relating to Russia. For example, civil judgments that include compounding penalties have been imposed upon us in connection with disputes regarding the termination of accounts, including those of sanctioned parties. The company added: We do not believe these ongoing legal matters will have a material adverse effect. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Russian forces used 2,023 Shahed attack UAVs and unidentified drones against civilian and military targets in Ukraine in October 2024. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Details: Of these Russian air targets, 1,185 were destroyed/suppressed by Ukrainian defenders, 738 disappeared from radar, and another 29 UAVs left the airspace of Ukraine. The General Staff reported that in total, since the beginning of 2024, the Russians have launched 6,987 attack UAVs at the territory of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mostly, Russian drones targeted Ukraine's civilian and critical infrastructure facilities. Quote: "Thanks to the professionalism and skill of the servicemen of the Ukrainian defence forces, thousands of lives of our people were saved from Russian air terror, hundreds of homes of Ukrainian citizens and important state facilities were saved from destruction. The anti-aircraft missile troops, aircraft, electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups continue to defend the Ukrainian sky around the clock." Background: On the night of 31 October-1 November, Russia launched 48 attack UAVs and drones of unspecified type at Ukraine and fired three Kh-59/69 missiles; 31 Russian drones and a missile were destroyed by the defence forces. Support UP or become our patron! Russian troops are not advancing in the embattled towns of Chasiv Yar and Toretsk in Donetsk Oblast, and the contact line has been stabilized, spokesperson for the Operational Tactical Group Luhansk Anastasia Bobovnikova, said on Nov. 1. Speaking on national television, Bobovnikova refuted Russian claims that the two towns had been captured by Moscow's forces. Toretsk and Chasiv Yar have become one of the hottest spots in Donetsk Oblast in recent months as Russian troops continue advancing in Ukraine's east. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At the moment, they do not have an advantage in these towns. The contact line is stabilized," Bobovnikova said. According to the spokesperson, Russian troops have not crossed the Siverskyi Donets-Donbas canal in Chasiv Yar, but are moving there in small groups trying to gain a foothold. "The purpose of such actions is to accumulate as much as possible before the attack. However, such attempts are detected by our drones and are targeted," she added. The Donetsk Oblast city of Chasiv Yar has been partially under Russian control since Ukrainian forces withdrew from the eastern Kanal neighborhood in July, establishing the Siverskyi Donets Donbas Canal as the new front line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyiv controlled roughly 40-50% of Toretsk as of mid-October, while Russia had captured the remainder. The loss of Toretsk and Chasiv Yar would be another blow to Ukraine in Donetsk Oblast after its forces were forced to withdraw from Vuhledar in the south early last month. Russian forces also continue pushing toward Kurakhove and Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub roughly 50 kilometers (30 miles) west of Toretsk. Read also: Ukraine facing grim situation in Donetsk Oblast, as Russia claims capture of Selydove Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian forces have managed to occupy approximately 150 sq. km in Donetsk Oblast over the past week. Source: Estonian public broadcaster ERR, citing Colonel Ants Kiviselg, Head of the Estonian Defence Forces Intelligence Centre, as reported by European Pravda Details: Kiviselg highlighted that Russian troops were advancing in Donetsk Oblast, noting that the Russians still hold the initiative along the entire front line, forcing Ukrainian forces into a gradual retreat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "The Russian Armed Forces have been most successful in capturing areas in Donetsk Oblast, including towns of Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, Vuhledar and Velyka Novosilka. The Russian Federation has occupied an additional 150 sq. km in these areas over the past week." He also mentioned signs suggesting that Russia might be preparing for ground offensives in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Quote: "It is highly likely that the 76th Guards Air Assault Division, based in the Russian city of Pskov, will be involved in future assaults. The aim will be to capture new territory and further engage Ukrainian forces in this area." In his summary, Kiviselg noted the possibility of a local Russian breakthrough this year in the Pokrovsk, Kurakhove or Vuhledar areas. Background: UK intelligence has recently analysed Russian advances toward the town of Selydove in Donetsk Oblast, located en route to Pokrovsk. On 30 October, analysts from the DeepState project reported that Russian forces had occupied three more settlements in Donetsk, including Selydove. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff reported that Russian forces had attempted to breach Ukrainian defences in the Pokrovsk area, particularly near Selydove, but were repelled. Support UP or become our patron! Russia has seized more territory in its war with Ukraine over the past week than at any point in 2024, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 1, using Bloomberg Intelligence calculations based on the DeepState map service that tracks battlefield changes in coordination with Ukraine's Defense Ministry. In recent months, Russian troops carried out a grinding advance in eastern Ukraine, making territorial gains while incurring heavy losses. Russia has captured 1,146 square kilometers (442 square miles) in Ukraine since Aug. 6, about a quarter more than in the first seven months of the year, the media outlet said. The Russian military also advanced by 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) over the past week, Bloomberg reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Russia makes gains on the battlefield, Ukrainian officials are growing more despondent about the future course of the war, according to one official close to President Volodymyr Zelensky's office who spoke to Bloomberg. Meanwhile, according to Estonian intelligence, Moscow has seized 150 square kilometers (58 square miles) in the Donetsk sector of the front line over the past week. Russian troops have reportedly captured the town of Selydove, but Ukraine has not yet confirmed the reports. Bloomberg said Russia's next targets are the towns of Poskovsk and Kurakhove, important logistical hubs for the Ukrainian military. Observers and the Ukrainian military have previously warned of an increasingly difficult situation in the town as Russian forces have been pushing forward over the past few weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian military said on Oct. 29 that it had repelled 11 Russian attacks in the Pokrovsk sector, including near Selydove. Read also: Ukraine facing grim situation in Donetsk Oblast, as Russia claims capture of Selydove Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Russia's envoy to the United Nations on Wednesday questioned why its allies like North Korea could not help Moscow in its war against Ukraine given Western countries claim the right to help Kyiv. Vassily Nebenzia faced a blunt argument at a Security Council meeting from the United States, Britain, South Korea, Ukraine and others, who all accused Russia of violating U.N. resolutions and the founding U.N. Charter with the deployment of troops from North Korea (DPRK) to help Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Supporting an act of aggression, which completely violates the principles of the U.N. Charter, is illegal," South Korea's U.N. Ambassador Joonkook Hwang said. "Any activities that are entailed with the DPRK's dispatch of troops to Russia are clear violations of multiple U.N. Security Council Resolutions." Some 10,000 North Korean troops were already in eastern Russia and it appeared likely that they would be used to support combat operations in Russia's Kursk region, near the border with Ukraine, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday. Nebenzia said Russia's military interaction with North Korea does not violate international law. Russia has not denied the involvement of North Korean troops in the war, which it has been waging in Ukraine since February 2022. "Even if everything that's being said about the cooperation between Russia and North Korea by our Western colleagues is true, why is it that the United States and allies are trying to impose on everyone the flawed logic that they have the right to help the Zelenskiy regime ... and Russian allies have no right to do a similar thing," Nebenzia said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's U.N. Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya responded: "None of the countries that provide assistance to Ukraine is under Security Council sanctions." "Receiving assistance from the fully-sanctioned North Korea is a brazen violation of the U.N. Charter," he added. "Sending the DPRK troops to support Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is a flagrant violation of international law." North Korea has been under U.N. Security Council sanctions since 2006 and the measures have been steadily strengthened over the years with the aim of halting Pyongyang's development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. North Korea has not acknowledged the deployment of troops to Russia, but said any such move would be compliance with international law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If Russia's sovereignty and security interests are exposed to and threatened by continued dangerous attempts of the United States and the West, and if it is judged that we should respond to them with something, we will make a necessary decision," North Korea's U.N. Ambassador Song Kim told the council. "Pyongyang and Moscow maintain close contact with each other on mutual security and development of the situation," he said. However, deputy U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood warned North Korean leader Kim Jong Un: "Should DPRK's troops enter Ukraine in support of Russia, they will surely return in body bags. So I would advise Chairman Kim to think twice about engaging in such reckless and dangerous behavior." (This story has been corrected to fix the name of the US envoy to Robert Wood, not Woodward, in paragraph 13) (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Eric Beech and Deepa Babington) Russian attacks against Ukraine killed two people and injured 24 others over the past day, regional authorities said on Nov. 1. Ukrainian forces downed 31 out of 48 Shahed-type drones and other unidentified drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Fourteen more drones were "lost," and three others flew towards Belarus, it added. Drone debris damaged several civilian enterprises, apartment buildings, and houses in Poltava, Cherkasy, Kyiv, and Odesa oblasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian forces also reportedly fired three Kh-59/69 cruise missiles against Ukraine, with one of them shot down by air defenses. A Russian missile attack injured two first responders in the city of Odesa, damaging a fire station and cars, Governor Oleh Kiper said. A Russian attack on the town of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast killed a 75-year-old man, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov. Five more men and one woman were injured in attacks on the city of Kharkiv, and the settlements of Derhachi and Kucherivka. A 78-year-old woman suffered injuries after Russian attacks near Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Governor Serhii Lysak said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces targeted 19 settlements, including the regional center of Kherson. One person was killed, and 13 were injured, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported. Two people were injured as a result of Russian attacks on the town of Kurakhove and the village of Dronivka in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin said. Read also: As drone strikes surge, Russias next mass missile attack on Kyiv likely imminent, experts and weary residents say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia launched more than 2,000 strike drones against Ukraine during October, the General Staff reported on Nov. 1, breaking the previous record set in September by nearly 700. A total of 2,023 were recorded, according to the report. Of these, 1,185 were downed, 738 were "lost," and 29 flew back out of Ukraine's airspace. No information was given about the remaining 71, but numerous strikes by Russian drones were reported during October, such as attacks that killed two people including a 15-year-old girl in Kyiv in recent days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the General Staff, Russia has launched a total of 6,987 strike drones since the start of the year, meaning 29% of them were launched during last month. The total number is significantly higher than September's previous record tally. According to Ukraine's Air Force, 1,339 Shahed-type kamikaze drones targeted the country in September, 1,107 of which were shot down, with some others being jammed by electronic warfare and flying into Russian or Belarusian airspace. Around 45 were unaccounted for with no further details given. Moscow has ramped up drone strikes, while dialing down the use of more powerful and harder-to-intercept cruise and ballistic missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts who spoke to the Kyiv Independent said this may well be in preparation for an unprecedented mass attack rather than any sort of restraint from the Kremlin. "UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/drones) can be used as pathfinders, Sidharth Kaushal, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Service Institute (RUSI), told the Kyiv Independent. "A tool to force (an air defense) radar to light up, allowing the Russians to map the layout of defenses around Kyiv and other fairly well-defended cities." Kaushal and other experts warn that Moscow's reliance on drones over missiles is likely a sign of a particularly large aerial attack in the near future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's been quite a while since we saw a large-scale missile strike, which worries me," Fabian Hoffmann, a defense expert and doctoral research fellow at the University of Oslo, told the Kyiv Independent. "Part of this could relate to the fact they are ramping up not just for one or two mass strikes, but perhaps several more with the objective of fully disintegrating Ukraine's electrical grid within a short period of time," he said. "It could also be to allow for comprehensive follow-on attacks after initial blows have been dealt to make sure it cannot be effectively repaired." Read also: As drone strikes surge, Russias next mass missile attack on Kyiv likely imminent, experts and weary residents say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Sergei Lavrov, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed regret that Turkiye continues its military supplies to Ukraine. Source: Lavrov in an interview with the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, writes the Russian Foreign Ministry, as reported by European Pravda Details: Lavrov expressed gratitude to Turkiyes efforts "to help resolve the Ukrainian crisis [the war ed.]," mentioning in particular the so-called "peace agreements" in Istanbul in March 2022 (which, according to him, were "undermined by the Anglo-Saxons"). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Regrettably, Ankara continues its military-technical cooperation with the [Kyiv] regime. Turkish weapons are being used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to kill Russian soldiers and civilians," Lavrov added. According to him, this cannot but cause surprise given the Turkish leadership's declarations about the willingness of mediation between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Turkiye criticised Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine from the start and gave military and humanitarian aid to Kyiv. At the same time, Ankara has not suspended economic cooperation with Moscow or joined international sanctions against it, despite US attempts to gradually close loopholes to avoid its limits. In September, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described his country's relations with Russia as multifaceted and said they will continue to grow. Support UP or become our patron! Editor's note: This story was updated with comments by Ukraine's Interior Ministry. Search and rescue operations at the sites of a Russian missile attack on the city of Kharkiv concluded on Nov. 2, the Interior Ministry said. The attack reportedly killed a police officer and injured 46 other people. Two S-400 missiles hit a police station on Nov. 1, killing police officer Andrii Matvienko. Thirty-six police officers, nine civilians, and one rescuer were injured in the attack, according to the ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two explosions sounded at close to 4 p.m. local time. The strikes damaged 20 residential buildings, as well as heating and water supply networks, and 19 vehicles, local authorities said. The northeastern city of Kharkiv has suffered relentless Russian attacks over the past two years of Russia's full-scale war. In recent months, Moscow has intensified aerial strikes, often targeting densely populated neighborhoods. A Russian attack on Oct. 28 damaged the Derzhprom building (the State Industry Building), a historic landmark that has been under enhanced UNESCO protection since 2022. Russia on Oct. 30 attacked a residential neighborhood in the city of Kharkiv late in the evening, killing a man and two boys aged 12 and 15, and injuring 36 others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Kharkivs historic Derzhprom skyscraper becomes latest victim of Russian bombardments Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Lithuanian Defence Minister Laurynas Kasciunas believes that the relocation of Russian troops from Kaliningrad Oblast, located on the Baltic country's border, exemplifies a clear link between the war in Ukraine and Lithuanias security. Source: Kasciunas at the 10th Kyiv Security Forum for Youth, cited by Ukrinform, as reported by European Pravda Details: Kasciunas said that Lithuania considers the Suwaki Gap "a very sensitive spot" near the country. Now, analysing the presence of Russian troops in Kaliningrad, the country sees that it is empty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Why? Because many troops of the Russian army from Kaliningrad now are deployed in the fight against Ukraine. In the fight against Ukrainians in the Kursk region," he explained. Kasciunas stressed that the transfer of troops from Kaliningrad is a connection between the struggle of Ukraine and the security of Lithuania. "I called this process two months before the demilitarisation of the Kaliningrad region. So it is in direct dependance with your fight, which breaks the Russian military machine, pushes Russia back from all different and difficult possible scenarios which Russia could try to create for us, for all NATO. So this is evidence how your fight is helping us," the minister concluded. The Suwaki Gap is a geographical corridor that links Lithuania and Poland. To the south is Belarus, while to the north is the Russian Federation's Kaliningrad area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October 2023, Pavel Muraveyko, First Deputy Secretary of the Belarusian Security Council, advocated "breaking through the corridor" to the Russian Federation's Kaliningrad Oblast, inciting outrage in Lithuania. In March 2024, self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko contemplated a possible invasion of the Suwaki Gap. In a recent large-scale analysis, the Lithuanian broadcaster LRT discovered that Russian Federation units stationed in the Kaliningrad region could be involved in preparing sabotage activities in the Baltic states and Poland. Support UP or become our patron! Russian forces have launched 170 assaults on the positions of Ukrainian troops over the past 24 hours, focusing on the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk fronts. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 08:00 on 1 November Quote: "Updated information indicates that yesterday, the enemy targeted Ukrainian positions and settlements with three missile attacks involving seven missiles, along with 57 airstrikes. They also dropped 108 guided aerial bombs and launched 1,366 kamikaze drones. Additionally, they conducted 4,241 bombardments, including 160 from multiple-launch rocket systems." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Over the past 24 hours, Ukraine's Rocket Forces and Artillery units struck a Russian artillery piece and nine clusters of military personnel and equipment. On the Kurakhove front, Ukrainian troops repelled 60 Russian attacks near the settlements of Novoselydivka, Kreminna Balka, Novodmytrivka, Ostrivske, Maksymilianivka, Antonivka and Yelyzavetivka. The Russians were most actively trying to advance near Antonivka and Yelyzavetivka. On the Pokrovsk front, Ukrainian defenders repelled 35 Russian assaults and offensive actions near the settlements of Promin, Lysivka and Vyshneve. On the Lyman front, Russian troops mounted 21 attacks, seeking to advance near the settlements of Katerynivka, Stepove, Hrekivka, Terny and in the Serebrianka Forest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Kupiansk front, the Russians have launched 15 attacks over the past 24 hours. Ukrainian forces repelled Russian assaults near the settlements of Petropavlivka, Kolisnykivka, Zahryzove, Lozova, Berestove and Vyshneve. On the Vremivka front, Russian troops attacked Ukrainian positions five times. On the Prydniprovske front, they mounted four attacks. The Russians actively used attack and bomber aircraft. Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions three times on each of the Kharkiv, Toretsk, Orikhove and Kramatorsk fronts. The Russians are actively using artillery and aircraft in and around Ukrainian settlements on the border with Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No signs of Russian offensive groups being formed on the Volyn and Polissia fronts have been detected. The Ukrainian operation in Russia's Kursk Oblast continues. Over the past 24 hours, Russian aircraft have carried out 21 strikes involving 33 guided aerial bombs on the territory of the Russian Federation. Support UP or become our patron! Russian forces have conducted 49 attacks on over 10 hromadas in Sumy Oblast on the past day, injuring a person and causing significant damage. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.] Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration Quote: "[A total of] 82 explosions were recorded. Khotin, Yunakivka, Bilopillia, Myropillia, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Shalyhyne, Esman, Seredyna-Buda, Druzhba and Svesa hromadas came under fire." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Svesa hromada was hit by artillery and mortars (4 explosions). The Russians used five air-dropped mines and FPV drones to attack Shalyhyne hromada (7 explosions). Yunakivka hromada came under artillery fire (11 explosions). Bilopillia hromada was hit by 15 air-dropped mines and was struck by artillery and an FPV drone. A house was damaged as a result of the attack. Myropillia hromada was attacked with a guided bomb (1 explosion). Velyka Pysarivka hromada was targeted by explosives dropped from UAVs and FPV drones (6 explosions). Krasnopillia hromada suffered nine explosions from explosives dropped from UAVs, mortar fire and a guided bomb. The guided bomb strike injured one civilian and caused extensive damage to seven non-residential buildings, an office building, two shops, two multi-storey apartment buildings and roofs, windows, facades and fences on five properties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Esman hromada was hit by FPV drones and artillery (3 explosions). Seredyna-Buda hromada was attacked with FPV drones and mortar fire (15 explosions). Damage to a non-residential building was recorded. Khotin hromada was hit by FPV drones (2 explosions). An FPV drone strike (1 explosion) was also recorded in Druzhba hromada. Support UP or become our patron! On the evening of Friday 1 November, the Russian army targeted a police deployment point in the city of Kharkiv, leaving one officer dead and 26 officers and four civilians injured. Source: Ivan Vyhivskyi, the head of the National Police of Ukraine, on Telegram Details: According to law enforcement, the Russians fired two missiles. Photo: National Police of Ukraine Photo: National Police of Ukraine According to preliminary information, they used S-300 missiles. Photo: National Police of Ukraine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: National Police of Ukraine Police Colonel Andrii Matviienko was killed in the strike. Updated: Later, Syniehubov released a photo of the deceased. Quote from Syniehubov: "Police Colonel Andrii Matviienko was tragically killed in an enemy bombardment of Kharkiv. The law enforcement officer was 40 years old. He served society and the state with dedication, ensuring law and order near the line of contact." Andrii Matviienko. Photo: Syniehubov on social media As of 22:00, it was reported that 30 police officers, a rescue worker and 9 civilians were injured in the strike. It has been confirmed that the Russians attacked the police with S-400 missiles. Previously: On Friday, the Russian forces struck the city of Kharkiv. Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration reported that a residential building was hit, and dozens of houses and apartment buildings were damaged. Support UP or become our patron! By Dmitry Antonov and Mark Trevelyan MOSCOW (Reuters) - A treaty that Russia and Iran intend to sign shortly will include closer defence cooperation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday. Military ties between the two countries are a source of deep concern to the West as Russia wages war in Ukraine while Iran and Israel have exchanged missile and air strikes in the Middle East. "The treaty on a comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Iran that is being prepared will become a serious factor in strengthening Russian-Iranian relations," Lavrov told state television. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the agreement was being prepared for signing "in the near future". Russia has said it expects Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian to visit Moscow before the end of the year. "It will confirm the parties' desire for closer cooperation in the field of defence and interaction in the interests of peace and security at the regional and global levels," Lavrov said. He did not specify what form the defence ties would take. Russia has deepened its ties with Iran and North Korea, which are both strongly antagonistic towards the United States, since the start of its war with Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a similarly titled "comprehensive" treaty in June, including a mutual defence clause, and the U.S. and NATO say Pyongyang has sent some 10,000 soldiers to Russia for possible deployment in the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has not denied their presence, and says it will implement the treaty as it sees fit. The United States accused Tehran in September of delivering close-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine, and imposed sanctions on ships and companies it said were involved in delivering Iranian weapons. Tehran denies providing Moscow with the missiles or with thousands of drones that Kyiv and Western officials have said Russia uses against military targets and to destroy civilian infrastructure, including Ukraines electrical grid. The Kremlin declined to confirm its receipt of Iranian missiles but acknowledged that its cooperation with Iran included "the most sensitive areas". (Reporting by Dmitry Antonov in Moscow and Mark Trevelyan in London) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov plans to visit Malta this December to attend the Organization for Security and Cooperation Ministerial Council (OSCE) meeting, the ministry's spokesperson Maria Zakharova told Vedomosti newspaper on Oct. 31. If the visit takes place, it will be Lavrov's first trip to an EU country since the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The last time Lavrov visited an EU country was in 2021, when he traveled to the OSCE meeting in Stockholm, Sweden. He also visited the U.N. General Assembly in New York several times during Moscow's all-out war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While both the EU and the U.S. imposed sanctions on Lavrov in February 2022, they did not impose a travel ban as the EU and U.K. wanted to keep open diplomatic channels with Russia. According to the Maltese embassy in Russia, the decision to hold the meeting of OSCE's Council of Foreign Ministers scheduled for Dec. 5-6 "applies to all [its] members, including the Russian Federation," the Russian newspaper wrote. In 2023, Lavrov attended the OSCE summit in North Macedonia, which sparked a rift among the OSCE members, leading to a boycott of the meeting by foreign ministers of Ukraine, Poland, and the Baltic states. The OSCE was formed in the 1970s as the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, which provided a platform for dialogue between the Eastern Bloc and Western Bloc during the Cold War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, Lavrov warned in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly that Ukraine and its Western allies should not try "to fight to victory with a nuclear power." 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. In his General Assembly address, Lavrov called Western attempts to defeat Russia "a suicidal escapade." "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," Lavrov said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: As drone strikes surge, Russias next mass missile attack on Kyiv likely imminent, experts and weary residents say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is to travel to Malta for a foreign ministers' meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), despite EU sanctions on him, the Vedomosti business daily reported on Friday. The report cited Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. The trip would be the first by Lavrov to an EU country since the European Union imposed sanctions on him and President Vladimir Putin in February 2022 immediately after the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The talks, the 31st ministerial council of the OSCE, are to be held in Malta on December 5 and 6. They are being hosted by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ian Borg. Lavrov was last in an EU country in December 2021, also at an OSCE meeting. When the OSCE met in odz in Poland in December 2022, Warsaw refused Lavrov entry, even though the EU sanctions do not stipulate this. While Moscow has withdrawn from a number of other European institutions, it has remained in the OSCE, seeing it as a platform for communicating its position on the war. In a newspaper interview, Lavrov criticized Turkey for its arms deliveries to Ukraine, saying they were killing Russian soldiers and civilians. Russia has taken back some of its territory that Ukraine seized in the Kursk region. Warfare experts said that it was land that's easiest to retake and that it'd get harder for Russia. Ukraine can strategically pick where to defend in Russia but still has a big challenge ahead. Russia is retaking territory in its Kursk region, but efforts to drive Ukrainian forces out of the country entirely may only get more difficult. Ukrainian troops invaded the Kursk region in southwestern Russia in August, and at one point they held roughly 500 square miles of Russian land. Russia's response to the shock assault was slow, but a larger effort to drive the Ukrainians out is now underway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement William Alberque, a warfare expert at the Stimson Center, told Business Insider that Russia had been reducing Ukraine's hold of "the easy parts to take back," adding that "they'll have a much harder time with the rest of the Ukrainian salient, which is still very large." Ukrainian troops, he said, are "giving up the open land and open forests, the territory that's very difficult to defend, and moving back." Matthew Savill, a former intelligence analyst at the UK Ministry of Defence who is now a military-strategy expert at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, similarly said that, so far, Russia had taken back "the easier parts." A destroyed Russian tank outside the Ukrainian-controlled Russian town of Sudzha in the Kursk region. YAN DOBRONOSOV/AFP via Getty Images Ukraine has been able to slow the Russian advance through steps like blowing up bridges critical for moving in troops, weapons, and ammunition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Russia has taken back 46% of what Ukraine once held in Kursk, the US-based Institute for the Study of War said in an update earlier this month, citing visual evidence. A harder fight for Russia Ukrainian forces have options for defending and moving in Kursk that typically only Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine have had in this war. They have flexibility. Unlike at home, where Ukraine fights to defend all of its territory, inside Russia, it can be more mobile and strategically give up some land in favor of more strategic defensive positions. Michael Bohnert, a warfare expert at the RAND Corporation, noted that Ukraine didn't have to defend Russian cities. "You just fight where it's advantageous and pull back when it's not," he said. "And that's a really efficient way of fighting." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not clear how much of the territory that Russia took back was deliberately given up by Ukraine, but experts say they never expected Ukraine to hold all of the territory it seized. "While someone might look at the recent advances and say they're big, I would also say it's because Ukraine just took so much territory, more than they even intended to defend," Alberque said. "So it's very easy now for Ukraine to do some sort of fighting retreats and seed territory that they could never legitimately hold," he added. Russia's initial reaction to Ukraine's unexpected incursion was slow and messy. Russian President Vladimir Putin froze at first but eventually put the FSB Russia's security and intelligence agency in charge of a complicated response involving other groups. A Ukrainian soldier in Sudzha, in Russia's Kursk region. AP Photo That time gave Ukraine a certain defensive advantage, experts said, though it is unclear to what extent Ukraine leveraged that opportunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've always thought that if Russia attacked much, much more quickly against the Ukrainian salient, Ukraine would've withdrawn more quickly," Alberque said. Savill said Russia's botched response had enabled the Ukrainians "to hold on for a lot longer than they might've expected," which "should give them an opportunity to do some serious digging in." No easy fight for Ukraine Ukraine still faces significant challenges in Kursk. Russia's military is larger than Ukraine's, and the more resources Russia uses, the harder it will be to defend. Russia has not focused a huge share of its efforts on Kursk, instead focusing on attacking Ukraine's east, continuing to advance, but there are indications it may be preparing to use as many as 10,000 North Korean troops in Kursk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has to make calculations about what sort of resources and losses it wants to have in Kursk when its ultimate priority is taking back its own country from Russia. It may decide that defending all or much of Kursk is ultimately not worth it, and Alberque said Kursk was "very, very hard to defend in terms of geographic outlay." A Russian soldier firing a howitzer toward a Ukrainian position in the Kursk region in September. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his forces took territory in Kursk because it could help it negotiate with Russia and create a buffer zone along Ukraine's border. Warfare experts said Ukraine was probably also trying to boost the morale of its troops and to send a message to Western allies whose support was waning. The Kursk incursion also gives Ukraine a chance to bleed the Russians and draw some Russian forces away from the front lines in Ukraine. But Zelenskyy said Ukraine's plan was not to hold the territory forever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Savill said the Kursk invasion had "value" by helping Ukraine's efforts in its own country and might have prevented more Russian troops from going into Ukraine through the Kursk region. But he said it had not been "a hammer blow to the Russian war effort," and Russia's recapture of territory makes it less effective for Ukraine as a bargaining chip. It did manage to shake up the war for the first time in months and allow Ukraine to finally regain the initiative in at least one sector of the conflict. But given the unknowns about each side's next steps and the resources they are willing to commit, Savill said that ultimately, "it might take weeks or months to work out the value." Read the original article on Business Insider RUTLAND, Vt. A Rutland City police officer pleaded not guilty Friday to charges related to a 2023 shooting that wounded twin brothers according to Vermont State Police. Andrew Plemmons was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and reckless endangerment. The Attorney Generals Office recommended the charges following a state police investigation of the July 2023 incident. Burlington man arrested after hitting victim with a baseball bat Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plemmons shot Randy A. Perez-Coiscou and Andy H. Perez-Coiscou, both of Springfield, Massachusetts, and sent them to the hospital. They have both since recovered from their injuries. The brothers were also charged in connection to the incident. An affidavit revealed details of the encounter which led to the charges filed against the Perez-Coiscou brothers. The charges include aggravated assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon and possession of fentanyl. Plemmons was released on the condition that he not contact the victims. No new court date has been set. ABC22/FOX44 will update this story as more information becomes available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. As Sacramento Countys district attorney, Ive dedicated my career to pursuing justice and protecting public safety. Ive prosecuted the most heinous crimes, and Ive witnessed firsthand the profound impact of crime on victims, families and communities. While accountability is an essential foundation of justice, we must always strive to improve our criminal justice system. To end the cycles of harm and recidivism, we need to stop the continued use of forced labor in our prisons a practice rooted in our countrys dark history of slavery. California voters have the opportunity to abolish this outdated practice by voting yes on Proposition 6, which seeks to eliminate forced labor in our states prison system, ensuring that incarcerated individuals can access the rehabilitative programs they need to re-enter society successfully. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion Prop. 6 is not about eliminating work in prisons; its about making work voluntary and focusing on rehabilitation. Under the current system, incarcerated individuals are often forced into work assignments that conflict with educational or rehabilitative programs. These mandatory work schedules prevent individuals from participating in critical services such as addiction treatment, anger management and educational opportunities. Forcing someone to work while denying them the chance to better themselves through rehabilitation is not justice and does not promote public safety. As a prosecutor, Ive seen the consequences of a system that doesnt prepare individuals for life after incarceration. In California, approximately 35,000 people are released from state prisons each year. If we want to reduce the likelihood of reoffending, we need to ensure that these individuals have the tools they need to reintegrate into society successfully. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Studies show that participation in rehabilitative programs, such as education and cognitive-behavioral therapy, can significantly reduce recidivism rates. In fact, individuals who engage in educational programs while incarcerated are far less likely to return to prison compared to those who do not. Prop. 6 aims to expand access to these life-changing programs by making work in prison voluntary. This will allow incarcerated individuals to prioritize rehabilitation, gain valuable skills and reconnect with their families. Research has shown that maintaining family connections is one of the most effective ways to reduce recidivism, yet forced labor often prevents incarcerated individuals from having the time and flexibility to nurture these relationships. The economic case for Prop. 6 is just as compelling as the moral one. California spends approximately $134,000 per year to incarcerate a single person. In contrast, rehabilitative programs cost a fraction of that amount. By reducing recidivism through education and rehabilitation, Prop. 6 has the potential to generate substantial savings for California taxpayers funds that can be reinvested into our communities, schools and mental health services. Some might argue that forced labor has no place in modern-day California, but its important to remember that our states constitution still allows for involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime. By passing Prop. 6, we will join states like Alabama, Tennessee and Colorado in removing this shameful language and ending forced labor in our prisons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not only a matter of justice, but also of dignity and humanity. As district attorney, I believe that when a justice system balances accountability and rehabilitation, we better serve the long-term safety and well-being of our communities. Prop. 6 offers a path forward that prioritizes accountability, rehabilitation and helps individuals re-enter society as productive members. Thien Ho is Sacramento Countys district attorney. The most important job of The Sacramento Bee Editorial Board is to research and interview the candidates seeking elective office, as well as the advocates for and against the local measures and statewide propositions on your ballot. Once the research and interviews are done, we deliberate and do what you do on Election Day: We make a choice. Then we explain the choice to our readers in our endorsement editorials. Opinion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of our editorials are unsigned because they represent the editorial positions of The Bee and the members of our board. Those board members are: Executive Editor Colleen McCain Nelson, California Opinion Editor Marcos Breton, Op-Ed Editor Hannah Holzer, and columnists Robin Epley, Tom Philp and LeBron Antonio Hill. Unlike bettors in NFL games, our job is not to handicap winners; the goal is to be informative. We do the work, learn the issues and explain our endorsements in the races we cover as a resource for our readers as they consider their own ballots. This years general election ballot is filled with a presidential race, a U.S. Senate race, congressional races, legislative races, local government races, school board races, local measures and statewide propositions. All await your important selections ahead of Election Day on Nov. 5. In the Sacramento area alone, this Editorial Board has made endorsements in nearly 40 races. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are the endorsements of The Sacramento Bee Editorial Board in Sacramento County races. Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, D-Sacramento, speaks during a news conference at the rail station in Sacramento on Thursday, April 17, 2014. California Legislature California Assembly, 6th District The Bees Choice: The Bee Editorial Board endorses a veteran prosecutor for the California Assembly California Assembly, 7th District The Bees Choice: Heres The Bees endorsement in one of Californias most-watched legislative elections Mayoral candidate Flo Cofer puts up a yard sign Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, at the home of Land Park resident Ashley Osterlund home while out canvassing for voter support. Sacramento City Council Mayor The Bees Choice: For Sacramento mayor, The Bee endorses a candidate who can disrupt City Hall Sacramento City Council, 2nd District The Bees Choice: If one area of Sacramento needs leadership this election, its Council District 2 ELK GROVE CITY COUNCIL Mayor, District 1, District 3 The Bees Choice: Elk Groves leaders should take responsibility for their decisions before election City of Folsom Folsom City Council, District 2, District 4 The Bees Choice: Two candidates will strengthen a Folsom City Council facing challenges Measure G The Bees Choice: Folsoms city finances are ailing. Is a sales tax hike called Measure G the cure? Rancho Cordova City Council District 1, District 3, District 4 The Bees Choice: This Sacramento suburb is lucky to have smart incumbents in the 2024 election Sacramento Municipal Utility District Ward 1, Ward 5 The Bees Choice: The Bee endorsements in SMUD board elections: Is the utility heading in right direction? Sacramento County elections office assistant Kinu Van Vorhis passes out ballets during a mock election at West Campus High School in Sacramento on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. Students picked between fictional candidates, such as superhero secret identities Tony Stark and Peter Parker, as they learned about the voting process. Sacramento City Unified School District Area 3, Area 4 The Bees Choice: The Bee endorses these two candidates for the Sacramento City Unified school board Sacramento County Measures Measure D The Bees Choice: Measure D funds $543 million in renovations for Sacramento schools. Should it pass? Measure E The Bees Choice: Parcel taxes for Sacramento libraries will expire. Measure E would extend funding Measure O The Bees Choice: Sacramento Metro Fires Measure O would upgrade equipment in a first-ever voter appeal Sacramento police and city leaders met Friday with groups from across the community to tackle violent crime. The daylong Violent Crime Reduction Summit at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center wouldnt solve the issue in a single sitting leaders on Friday said the work remains ongoing. More such meetings are planned, officials said. Gun violence is down significantly in the city, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said before the summit, but this weeks headlines show the challenges law enforcement, leaders and the community continue to face: a shooting in South Natomas that killed two teens and left another wounded; and a man critically injured by gunfire in the citys North City Farms neighborhood, his wounds so severe that homicide detectives are now leading the investigation; six weeks ago, a string of shootings across the city left five dead in less than 26 hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But leaders Friday said bringing police, City Hall and Sacramento neighborhoods impacted by violent crime under the same roof was a key step to curb violent crime. Thats the benefit of being a big city big, but small enough where we know each other, said Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester. That, too, is public safety; the benefits and relationships we build here. Topics at the summit organized by the Sacramento Office of Violence Prevention and the Police Department emphasized the importance of collaborations between community organizations and law enforcement; and collaboration between community partners to reduce violence. The event was closed to reporters. Sacramento is a progressive city, but its not anti-police. They want a strong police department, Steinberg said. That requires an emphasis on prevention (and) working with community-based organizations that know where the hot spots are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community organizers said building and maintaining trust in the neighborhoods officers serve must also be part of that equation. For 16 years, Damond Dorrough has worked with Del Paso Heights community advocates Neighborhood Wellness, a group working to reduce gun violence on its blocks and forge a more productive relationship with the police who patrol the North Sacramento neighborhood. That relationship building starts and ends with trust, he said, but also includes faster response times and other on-the-ground results to curb violent crime. Dorrough said it also demands a different way of policing neighborhoods like Del Paso Heights, one built far less on profiling and more on fairness, justice and community connection. He hoped Fridays summit could be a step in that direction. We want things to be fair. We want to get rid of the old way of policing in our community. We live in a community with a lot of racial profiling, Dorrough said. We just want everything to be on the stand-up. We respect policing because we need to have police, but we want it to be fair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steinberg, who will leave office in December after eight years, said the work to make Sacramento safer must also include building the communitys trust in its leaders and the people charged with serving and protecting them. Trust is earned and it must continue to be earned. Where trust doesnt exist, we must work to make that better, Steinberg before the summit convened. This is about building trust, he continued. Were never 100% perfect, but you work toward a more perfect union. Where historic inequities and negative history exist, it requires we double and triple our efforts. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A four-story apartment building that caught fire on Thursday afternoon was on fire once again early Friday morning. The initial fire at the Chateau Normandie Apartments located near 70 South and 400 East in downtown Salt Lake City sparked just before 4 p.m. on Oct. 31. Authorities at the time said the fire appeared contained to just one floor and damaged multiple units. One person was injured in the earlier fire. That individual was treated on the scene before being taken to the hospital for further care as a precaution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chateau Normandie Apartments caught fire again just hours later with firefighters responding around midnight on Friday morning. Upon arrival, firefighters say they saw visible flames and smoke coming from the top of the building. Suspect in custody after hours-long SWAT standoff in Salt Lake City When battling the second fire, crews took a defensive position, saying they could not enter the building as they were unsure how well it was going to hold up. Crews were able to tame the flames utilizing fire ladders to battle the fire from above. There was nobody in the building when we arrived and there are no reports of injury, Salt Lake City Fire Captain Chad Jepperson told ABC4. The biggest effect on the neighborhood here is that there is a considerable amount of smoke and there can be for some time still. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters will likely be on scene at the abandoned apartment complex throughout the day on Friday, Nov. 1, as fire investigators work to find the cause of the two fires as well as containing any remaining embers. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) With a major general election less than a week away, Salt Lake City Police and many other departments are preparing to aid county, state, federal, and other local officials with election safety. The election, which will include the race for Utahs governor, the 47th president of the United States, and the Salt Lake County Mayor, is an election with high stakes, especially on the presidential side with nominees and parties taking jabs at one another. Utah on alert after laced letters sent to election offices nationwide Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Closer to home, the Salt Lake City Police said they are taking an approach that is proactive, careful, and vigilant on Election Day. People engaging in violence or property destruction will be investigated, subject to arrest, and criminal charges will be referred to prosecutors, the department said. According to SLCPD, there are no known threats related to the election that they know of at this time. SLCPD says that while they support First Amendment rights and activities, criminal behavior will not be tolerated. The Salt Lake City Police listed several examples of criminal behavior, including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assaults Blocking access to public buildings and/or election interference Blocking streets or vehicular traffic, especially on freeways or major roads, [which] poses significant safety risks Criminal mischief and/or damaging property Intimidation Reckless burning/arson Unlawful possession or use of weapons Nationwide, three states have already had ballot drop boxes set ablaze by incendiary devices, which has put other states, Utah included, on alert. Ballot fires have also caused residents to worry about their ballots making it to their county clerks office. Community members are urged to report anything suspicious by immediately calling 9-1-1. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Above: Previous report regarding stricter pedicab regulations by FOX 5/KUSI reporter Delaney White. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) After receiving numerous complaints from members of the public regarding price gouging and excessive noise, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria signed a new ordinance on Friday aimed at regulating pedicabs in the city. The new ordinance, introduced by city councilmember Stephen Whitburn, incudes measures that would require pedicab operators to have clearer pricing guidelines, ban the use of amplified sound and ensure compliance and safety in designated areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SO Honored: U.S. Navy warships are open to the public this weekend Earlier this month, FOX 5/KUSI reported on the council voting unanimously to pass amendments to the city code that would regulate speakers in pedicabs and require drivers to display their license and fare rates clearly. Arguments against the stricter regulations included pedicab drivers being concerned about the financial impacts on their business. However, Whitburn said the pedicab ordinance is a direct response to the voices of our community. These common-sense regulations ensure that pedicabs can continue serving our neighborhoods while addressing the concerns of residents, business owners and visitors by banning excessive noise, preventing price gouging and increasing transparency for riders, Gloria added in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Its been an eventful year for Sandia National Laboratories, celebrating its 75th anniversary. And to cap off the festivities, a ceremony was held Thursday to unveil relics of its past. Opening the time capsule invites us to reflect on where weve been, where we are today, and where we are headed, said James Peery, director of Sandia National Laboratories. Before popping off the lid of the 25-year-old time capsule, lab leadership and dignitaries emphasized Sandias impact on national security, scientific breakthroughs, and local economic growth.The last transformational era that we have had was the coming of Sandia Labs, said City of Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conservation groups sue U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, seek protection of native cactus in New Mexico The mayor made an official proclamation saying, I, Tim Keller, Mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico, do proclaim November 1st as the 75th anniversary of National Sandia Laboratories Day in the city of Albuquerque. Its fitting that we commemorate this anniversary by opening a time capsule, because Sandias story has always been one of looking forward while never losing sight of the past, the generations of scientists, engineers, and visionaries who have walked these halls created a legacy of innovation that endures today, said Peery. Among VHS tapes, floppy disks, and photos of employees from the past, was a letter from then-lab director, Paul Robinson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greetings from 1999 as I write this, Sandia is in the midst of its 50th anniversary celebration, honoring its past and acknowledging its achievements, said Peery on behalf of Robinson, giving insight into what they imagined for the future. Everyone here wonders and imagines what Sandia will be like in 25 years. We wish you success in your endeavors. We hope that the international science and technology community continues to recognize the stellar contributions made by the National Laboratories, said Peery read aloud. In scientific fashion, the capsule revealed an array of technology and mementos. From Sandias Z-machine, molten salt from early solar research, and a melted steel artifact. Sandia can destroy stuff, right? So, we got proof, said Sandia Historian Rebecca Ullrich. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we open the time capsule from our past, we also have the privilege of bearing a new one today, one that will be unearthed by future generations of Sandians, said Peery. Lab staff added a secret last-minute addition before the burial of the new time capsule. There are two Taylor Swift friendship bracelets in there and they were offered up by protocol to add to the capsule. Its not on the inventory so well just have to see if the future can figure that out, said Ullrich. The time capsule items will be on display at the labs for the rest of the year. The new capsule is set to be opened in 2049. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) Commercial satellite images reveal that North Korea has carved at least two large trenches across roads and rail lines on its heavily armed border with South Korea since it blew up the northern sections of cross-border routes earlier this month. Tensions between the Koreas are at their highest point in years as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has repeatedly showcased his expanding nuclear weapons and missile programs, while reportedly providing Russia with munitions and troops to support President Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine. Kim has vowed to sever relations and abandon the long-standing goal of reconciliation with South Korea, whose conservative government has taken a hard line on the North's nuclear ambitions. Satellite images taken Wednesday by Planet Labs PBC showed a trench cut across a road and a rail line running through the western part of the Demilitarized Zone between the Koreas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Work on the trenches appears to have begun shortly after North Korea staged choreographed demolitions of a road near Kaesong, a western North Korean border city, and a combined road and rail section near the Koreas eastern border on Oct. 15. In Planet Labs images examined by the Associated Press, the first sign of the trenches appeared on Oct. 17, after cloud cover blocked the view for the four previous days. The western trench is 1.7 kilometers (1 mile) west of Dorasan Station, the last station on the line on the South Korean side that used to run to a now-shuttered factory complex in Kaesong. The factories, which symbolized a past era of rapprochement between the rivals, were jointly run by the Koreas until Seoul shut it down in 2016 over a North Korean nuclear test. Some vehicles could be seen at the site of the trench, including what appeared to be earth-moving equipment. Similar work was observed at a crossing between the two countries along the Korean Peninsulas eastern coast. It slices across the road just before a North Korean border gate in the DMZ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analysts at the North-Korea focused website 38North, who first reported the existence of the trenches, said the work began almost immediately after North Korea blew up the roads and rail sections. The analysts estimated that the western trench is about 125 meters (410 feet) long and about seven meters (23 feet) wide, with large piles of dirt on either side of it. The purpose of the trench and dirt is unclear beyond it being some type of blockade that is intended to sever the transportation links. The mound could be part of the barrier, or it could be a temporary product of the construction work, the analysts wrote. They said several trucks were still visible at the site, indicating that work is not yet complete. They estimated the trench at the eastern crossing is slightly longer at 150 meters (492 feet) and has dirt and land clearance only on one side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time in almost a year, possibly taking another step in building an arsenal that could viably threaten the U.S. mainland. Kim observed the launch, calling it an appropriate military action to show North Koreas resolve to respond to its enemies moves that threaten the Norths security, according to state media. ___ Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report. Satellite imagery of a Russian naval base in September revealed strange movements at the facility. On multiple occasions, Russia partially or completely dispersed its naval vessels at Novorossiysk. The weird behavior follows devastating Ukrainian attacks on the Black Sea Fleet. Satellite imagery of a key Russian naval base along the Black Sea has revealed strange behavior, specifically dozens of military vessels dispersing from the facility, only to return a little later. The images, collected by BlackSky in September and obtained by Business Insider, show Russia either partially or completely dispersing its naval vessels from the port of Novorossiysk for brief periods on three separate occasions that month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The puzzling behavior has not yet been attributed to anything in particular, but it comes against the backdrop of a Ukrainian long-range strike campaign against the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The Black Sea Fleet was long headquartered at Sevastopol, in the southwestern corner of the occupied Crimean peninsula. But a series of high-profile Ukrainian missile and naval drone attacks on the port forced Russia to withdraw its warships to bases in Feodosia, on the other side of Crimea, and Novorossiysk, in western Russia. Russian warships during a naval celebration in Novorossiysk in July 2022. AP Photo The attacks have not ceased, and Ukraine has targeted Novorossiysk with drones multiple times this year. More than 50 vessels a mix of surface warships, submarines, supply ships, and tugboats are typically stationed at Novorossiysk, according to BlackSky's imagery and analytics. The company provides space-based real-time intelligence and has collected hundreds of port images since June 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in September, BlackSky detected some unusual behavior for the first time: the military vessels left Novorossiysk briefly before returning. It observed three separate instances revealing a partial and complete dispersal of ships from the port. Imagery from September 2 shows the Black Sea Fleet actively abandoning the port at Novorossiysk, with over two dozen vessels observed leaving the port for the harbor. A satellite image shows the partial Russian dispersal from the Novorossiysk naval base on September 2. BlackSky Automated vessel detections capture the scope of the September 2 dispersal. BlackSky According to BlackSky's imagery and analytics, similar activity was detected the following week on September 11, with just seven vessels remaining in the port. And then a few days later, on September 14, there were no naval vessels at Novorossiysk for the first time. Some were seen hiding in the nearby commercial port, though. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An intelligence analyst familiar with the imagery and data, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described the Russian behavior as "a new tactic," though it is unclear to what end. A satellite image shows the partial Russian dispersal from the Novorossiysk naval base on September 11. BlackSky Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Automated vessel detections capture the scope of the September 11 dispersal. BlackSky "The most fascinating thing is when the ships cleared out, there wasn't an attack that followed," the analyst told BI, adding that such activity hasn't been observed before at Novorossiysk. "It's a brand-new phenomenon of naval ships completely evacuating the port. They just have nowhere else to go." The analyst said the vessels don't go very far when they disperse, noting that "they mostly sit and loiter outside of the port where they cluster up and are still susceptible to an attack." A satellite image shows the complete Russian dispersal from the Novorossiysk naval base on September 14. BlackSky Automated vessel detections capture the scope of the September 14 dispersal. BlackSky It's not clear why Russia moved its vessels around in such a way, as the ship movement doesn't appear to align with any publicly disclosed attack on Novorossiysk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was some locally reported naval drone activity near the port in early September; however, Ukraine did not announce its involvement, which it normally does after an attack on the Black Sea Fleet. Russia held large-scale naval exercises between September 10 and 16, but there was no involvement from ships in the Black Sea. Western intelligence said this was "highly likely" because of Ukrainian attacks during the first half of the year. Some analysts have speculated that the dispersal may have been Russia's reaction to reports at the time that said the US and UK were getting closer to dropping restrictions on Ukraine's use of their long-range missiles. Kyiv has long been barred from using these powerful weapons to strike military targets inside Russia. While these restrictions are still in place, Ukraine has demonstrated throughout the war that it has a long reach with its own domestically produced cruise missiles, long-range attack drones, and naval drones. A collection of satellite images showing the movement at the Novorossiysk naval base. BlackSky Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brady Africk, an open-source intelligence analyst and associate at the American Enterprise Institute think tank, told BI that Ukraine has steadily developed its long-range strike capabilities, which can threaten an increasing number of Russian military assets. "When it comes to Sevastopol and Novorossiysk, we've seen Ukraine succeed in targeting Russian vessels in these harbors several times," said Africk, who works with satellite imagery to track Black Sea activity. "That's prompted Russia to not only add layers of defenses to harbor entrances but further disperse their assets within these sites," he added. Satellite imagery has captured Russia's extensive efforts to shield its ports from Ukrainian attacks. For instance, at Novorossiysk, Moscow has placed barges and floating boom defenses to add more protection. Ukraine's Sea Baby drones have been a weapon of choice during the Black Sea campaign. AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka Russia has increased its combat air patrols in other areas of the Black Sea and put more guns on its warships, a general in the Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, previously told BI, but attacks continue to get through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Africk said that, unlike the significant Russian dispersal from Sevastopol, which was a significant reaction to Ukraine's increasing ability to strike the Black Sea Fleet at longer distances, the situation at Novorossiysk has been more piecemeal. In other words, naval assets have been moved on less consistent bases and under certain conditions, like when Moscow is concerned about a potential attack. Ukraine's Black Sea campaign has been a defining success in the war. A senior US defense official said last month that Kyiv has sunk, destroyed, or damaged at least 32 medium and large Russian naval vessels and, in the process, driven Moscow's naval forces away from Crimea. Africk said "Ukraine has created a situation where Russian naval assets have fewer and fewer places to hide, especially the closer they are to territory controlled by Kyiv." Read the original article on Business Insider SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) Sioux Falls Parks & Rec is hosting the Great Pumpkin Roll at Tuthill Park. Participants will roll pumpkins down the hill with prizes awarded for the farthest and shortest distances. The contests start at 2 p.m. There will also be pumpkin-flavored snacks, games and crafts, plus a reading of Its the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Bring your own pumpkins and a blanket. The First Lutheran Church Bazaar in downtown Sioux Falls features holiday treats, a Norwegian buffet, Christmas shopping and live music from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. Other holiday shopping options for locally-made products include the Crooks Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crooks Elementary School; the Holiday Fest at the Nest at Robyns Nest in Sioux Falls from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a Craft Show at Grand Falls Casino & Resort in Larchwood, IA from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Center of Hope Fall Benefit is taking place at Celebrate Church in Sioux Falls. There will be a buffet meal, auction and door prizes from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. Homestead Orchard near Parker, SD is hosting a free Chrysanthemum Show. Take a relaxing stroll through the greenhouse to see more than 80 varieties of mums from 1-5 p.m. today and Sunday. You can also enjoy a free cup of coffee and sample some apples. Trinity Lutheran Church in Tea, SD is hosting a Turkey Dinner & Country Store. Serving time is 4-7 p.m. The cost is $12 for adults, $5 for children, free for ages 5 and under. Carry-out is available. Its Blackout Night at the Jaycees Feargrounds at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds. Visitors get a finger LED light to walk the completely darkened haunted house from 7 p.m. to midnight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sioux Valley Model Engineers Society is hosting an open house at their club building on the north side of the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds. The free open house runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Sunday. Movies playing at the historic State Theater in downtown Sioux Falls include Coco, rated PG, plus A Different Man and Idiocracy, both rated R. The Wells Fargo CineDome & Sweetman Planetarium features T. Rex, Cities of the Future and Unseen Universe. New in theaters this weekend: Here, rated PG-13. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Pesha Magid RIYADH (Reuters) -Saudi Arabia denounced Israeli attacks in northern Gaza as genocide on Thursday, telling foreign investors that some bilateral agreements it has been negotiating with Washington are "not that tied" to normalisation of its relations with Israel. Speaking on stage at an investment conference in Riyadh, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said Israeli actions in northern Gaza could only be described as a form a genocide that was feeding a cycle of violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He reiterated the kingdom's position that it would not recognise Israel without a Palestinian state, adding on that proposed step, Saudi Arabia is "quite happy to wait until the situation is amenable," before moving ahead with normalisation. "We look at just what's happening now in north (Gaza) where we have a complete blockade of any access for humanitarian goods coupled with a continued military assault without any real pathway for civilians to find shelter, to find safe zones, that can only be described as a form of genocide," he said. "It is certainly against humanitarian law, international humanitarian law, and is feeding a continuing cycle of violence." In Jerusalem, there was no immediate response from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel says it has continued food deliveries into Gaza and blames the United Nations for failing to feed Gazans. Prince Faisal added that potential U.S.-Saudi agreements about trade and artificial intelligence are "not tied to any third parties" and "can progress probably quite quickly." "Some of the more significant defence cooperation agreements are much more complicated. We would certainly welcome an opportunity to finish them before the (end of the Biden) administration's term, but that's reliant on other factors outside of our control," he said. "The other work streams are not that connected, and some of them are progressing quite quickly, and we hope to see moving forward." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SECURITY COMMITMENTS Saudi Arabia and the U.S. are looking into a set of agreements on nuclear energy, security and defence cooperation, which were originally all part of a wider normalisation deal with Riyadh and Israel. U.S. President Joe Bidens aides originally envisioned, in three-way negotiations before the Oct. 7 attack, for Saudi Arabia to gain U.S. security commitments and U.S. nuclear cooperation in exchange for normalising ties with Israel. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said in May that Washington and Riyadh were close to concluding a set of agreements but cautioned that for normalisation to proceed there must be calm in Gaza and a path to Palestinian statehood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fears of the Middle East conflict further widening peaked earlier this month after Tehran's missile attack on Israel on Oct. 1. Israel responded by striking military sites in Iran on Saturday but stopped short of attacking nuclear or oil facilities. Gulf states had sought urgent de-escalation, fearing they could be caught in the crosshairs of a widening conflict. Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia has had a political rapprochement with Tehran in recent years, which has helped ease regional tensions, but relations remain difficult. I think our relations (with Iran) are moving in the right direction, but of course, they are complicated by the issues of regional dynamics," Prince Faisal said. (Reporting by Andrew Mills and Pesha Magid; writing by Maha El Dahan; Editing by Alex Richardson, William Maclean) Neighbors Terry Graham and Kristi Peterman show off Halloween decorations at Liberty Landing Cooperative in Liberty, Mo. Residents collectively purchased the mobile home community in 2021 from its longtime owner a model more state lawmakers hope to emulate to preserve affordable housing. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline) Read more Stateline coverage of how communities across the country are trying to create more affordable housing. LIBERTY, Mo. Over her 25 years living in a quiet suburban mobile home park, Kristi Peterman got to know the neighbors directly next door and a few across the street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But since she and her neighbors collectively purchased the sprawling park outside of Kansas City from its longtime owner in 2021, shes gotten to know just about every resident. Its a community, and not just a neighborhood, she said. A neighborhood is a group of houses or homes that are in proximity of each other. A community is something entirely different. Housing prices are soaring across the country, and the shortage of affordable housing is a primary concern for many voters. As the crisis continues, an increasing number of policymakers are championing laws that promote the type of collective ownership at Liberty Landing Cooperative. Manufactured homes, long known as mobile homes, are widely viewed as the last bastion of affordable housing. Millions of Americans own mobile homes but rent the ground beneath them. And despite the mobile moniker, these factory-built homes are difficult and costly to relocate. That makes owners of such homes particularly susceptible to rent hikes especially as longtime communities get bought up by big investors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents at Liberty Landing were phenomenally lucky, Peterman said. The parks longtime owner was looking to get out of the business and suggested the resident-owned model. Working with a nonprofit organization, residents bought the park by securing a $9.5 million loan debt that is being repaid by monthly lot rents. Its a community, and not just a neighborhood. Kristi Peterman, who owns a mobile home in Liberty, Mo. Though they hired a property management firm, co-op board members, including Peterman, are now responsible for the finances and upkeep of the park. Like a homeowners association, they ensure residents are maintaining their lawns and homes. And the board evicts those who neglect their property or dont make rent payments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The co-op requires more work from residents, Peterman said, but assures they will control their own destiny. We really try hard not to have people come in with a renters mentality, because its a lot different than just going in somewhere and paying your rent, she said. Youre an owner here. Earlier this year, the federal government made available $225 million in grants for improvements at mobile home communities, including those owned by residents, and announced plans to allow resident-owned parks to access federally insured financing to keep rents low or make improvements. But park owners and a leading trade organization for manufactured homes and park owners question the actual benefits of resident ownership and have expressed concern over governments tipping the scales in favor of the model over private ownership. States embrace resident ownership Because they dont own the land beneath their homes, mobile home residents are at the mercy of the parks owners, who could raise their rents or even shut down the park altogether as the land is redeveloped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, 12 private equity funds own more than 1,300 American mobile home communities, home to more than 250,000 lots, according to the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, a nonprofit watchdog group that tracks the impact of private equity investors. It can cost thousands of dollars to move a manufactured home, and some older models are essentially considered immobile. Without long-term land leases, that leaves many residents vulnerable, said Carolyn Carter, deputy director of the National Consumer Law Center. Residents in manufactured home communities, while theyre subject to a lot of the same abuses as apartment renters, they need even more protection, she said. Currently, 22 states have laws requiring or encouraging owners of manufactured home parks to give homeowners the opportunity to purchase their land collectively. Those laws can vary wildly, with some requiring that the residents be given the right of first refusal, while others simply require park owners to provide notice of their intent to sell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres lots of interest in the states, Carter said. More than Ive ever seen. Last year, six states enacted or strengthened laws encouraging resident ownership, Carter said. This year, Illinois passed legislation requiring community owners to give residents advanced notice of potential sales and an opportunity to purchase the park collectively. Last week, New Jersey Democratic Assemblyman David Bailey Jr. introduced a bill to strengthen the states resident ownership law after visiting several mobile home communities. This model works. It has worked. Its extremely successful, Bailey said. A sign in the clubhouse at Liberty Landing Cooperative in Liberty, Mo., touts the residents collective 2021 purchase of the mobile home community from its longtime owner. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline) A bill passed in Maine last year requires park owners to give residents and the state 60 days notice of a potential sale. The owner also must disclose the sale price and give residents the option to make their own offer and negotiate in good faith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For me, it was a matter of fairness and providing an option for people in that situation, so they dont lose their home, said Maine Democratic state Rep. Traci Gere, who sponsored the bill. Residents in Brunswick, Maine, were the first to benefit from the new law. They paid $26.3 million, raised through loans and grant money, to purchase the Linnhaven Mobile Home Center, which has nearly 300 homes. Its an example to others not only in Maine, but across the country that you can do this and you can take control of your own futures, Gere said. And its such an empowering feeling for everybody. But park owners have pushed back on some of these laws, which they argue can complicate sales. Another mobile home community owner in Maine, for example, told The New York Times that the notification and negotiation process can drag out the sale, creating a horrible, horrible experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the industry doesnt necessarily agree that resident ownership is good for homeowners. In some cases, it could be beneficial to the residents, and there are other cases where a lot of problems can come from that, said Lesli Gooch, the chief executive officer of the Manufactured Housing Institute, a trade group that includes manufacturers, retailers and community owners. She said cooperatively owned communities may not have the same resources available to private owners to invest in long-term maintenance and infrastructure needs. And many residents just dont want to be in the business of property management. There are various structures of resident-owned communities involving assistance from nonprofits or government groups. And homeowners may never see a financial return on the purchase of land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The residents need to make sure that they understand what theyre getting into, Gooch said. And so, if theres legislation that puts the finger on the scale toward one form of ownership over another, we are concerned about that. The stigma is changing Manufactured homes face unique financing and land use challenges not to mention growing concerns over their ability to withstand disasters in the face of climate change. But many site-built homes face the same issues as those built in factories, said Arica Young, an associate director at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, a research organization that studies the issue and advocates for the use of manufactured homes. Given how critical our housing issue is, we need everything on the table, she said. On a square-foot basis, manufactured homes cost 45% less to build than site-built homes, according to Freddie Mac. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But many communities have resisted their use, either with outright bans or with more subtle regulations on design features such as roof pitch or windows that effectively keep out factory-built homes, Young said. A lot of the regulations, a lot of the unease around it, comes from stigma, she said. That is the underlying problem that I think not a lot of people are willing to talk about. Local opposition has pushed some legislatures to step in. This year, Maine and Maryland enacted laws allowing manufactured housing in any location that allows single-family homes. And in New Hampshire, a bill was signed into law that requires municipalities to provide reasonable and realistic opportunities for new manufactured housing parks and blocked zoning codes that effectively bar housing parks. I think the stigma is changing, but slowly, said Republican state Rep. Joe Alexander Jr., who sponsored the New Hampshire legislation. Alexander views manufactured homes as a viable option for many young people, who simply cant afford to purchase a site-built home in a high-cost state such as New Hampshire. Aside from their affordability, he said, manufactured homes are more energy efficient than many other homes. He hopes to bring a manufactured home to the statehouse lawn in Concord next year to show off their benefits. These units are a lot nicer than some of the old trailer park ideas from the past, he said. Whats the goal? In Massachusetts, mobile home park owner Tom Lennon came under fire for raising mobile home lot rent by nearly 150%. In February, the monthly rent at his West Street Village Mobile Home Community in Ludlow rose from $207 to $503.06. That move was sanctioned by the towns mobile home rent review board a decision being challenged in court. Lennon, who owns eight mobile home communities, said that increase was needed because the previous owner was charging too little for too long the park has only seen two rent hikes over the last five decades, he said. That left the park poorly maintained, he said, with a backlog of costly upgrades needed. Since his purchase, Lennon has paved roads, added fencing and installed new mailboxes, among other improvements. Lennon, who also sells mobile homes, noted they offer big cost savings compared with other types of housing. But residents in co-ops are not building long-term wealth on their investment in the land because theyre still paying rent on their lot, he said. Whats the goal for these people? he said. There isnt one. Mike Bullard, vice president of communications at ROC USA, an organization that works with mobile-home owners across the country, acknowledged that owners generally dont buy their parks with hopes of a big financial return. They do it to keep their rents affordable and ensure stability over the long term, he said. The mobile home park in Missouri, for example, doesnt expect residents to ever fully pay off its debt. Rather, the co-op plans to refinance over time and draw on equity to fund needed infrastructure improvements. ROC USA has helped create more than 330 resident-owned parks across the country. Bullard said the organization generally helps communities secure a 10-year loan with a balloon payment toward the end. The idea is that communities build a financial track record within a few years of conversion and can refinance in traditional lending markets. They have the equity, so they can pull some equity out and repave their roads or replace their, you know, septic systems, he said. Thats a sound and smart approach. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X. The state Department of Education has rejected Richland District 1s financial recovery plan and ordered another audit of the Columbia school system. Richland 1 was required to submit a recovery plan after the department placed the district on fiscal caution following a critical report from the state Inspector General. That report raised concerns about the districts efforts to build an early learning center in Lower Richland and about the districts procurement practices. Richland 1, which had already been on fiscal watch, submitted the recovery plan in October. Fiscal caution is the second most serious designation from the Education Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a letter to the district dated Oct. 31, the education department called the plan deficient and incomplete. Some of the Districts seemingly cursory responses have amplified the Departments concern regarding the Districts apparent failure to grasp the gravity and full implications of the SIGs findings, wrote Kendra Hunt, the departments chief financial officer. Hunt said that the most prudent path forward would be to conduct an independent audit. The State has reached out to the the district for a response. The plan had shared intentions to better train staff, but denied the claim that it has mismanaged $31 million since beginning to build the still-defunct Vince Ford Early Learning Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The districts plan said that while officials believe they complied with the districts own guidelines, they intended to implement training and professional development courses on procurement code, follow state requirements and update how procurement records are digitized and secured. In response to the finding that the district had mismanaged $31 million for the Vince Ford Early Learning Center, the district said there was not criminal activity or indication of fraudulent activity and did not provide plans on how to rectify it. Richland 1 had already spent more than a year on fiscal watch, a state-designated status. The state Department of Education first raised concerns about the districts financial practices in 2022. That year, an audit discovered significant deficiencies and material weaknesses that could affect the financial well-being of the district and improper use of procurement cards or p-cards. Richland 1 attempted to appeal the departments decision, but it was denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The finding of significant and unremedied procurement deficiencies require me to escalate your District to a declaration of Fiscal Caution, Weaver wrote in an Aug. 2 letter to the district. Criticism from the education department stemmed from the scathing report from the state Inspector General in July. It determined that while Richland 1 had not committed any criminal activity in its conception and construction of the early learning center, the district had broken state and local building and zoning codes and cost taxpayers more than $350,000 when it began construction on the early learning center without the proper permits. The report also found fault with the districts policies regarding procurement and solicitation of services. Weaver asked the Inspector General to investigate Richland 1 after the district failed to obtain permission from Richland County and the state Education Department before beginning construction on the Ford center on Caughman Road. After construction started, the Education Department said that because the center would serve children as young as infants, it could not be considered a school, which meant the Education Department couldnt approve it. Richland One continued construction anyway, and the county issued a stop work order in January. Election Day is less than a week away and voters around the United States will visit polling places to cast ballots in the general election. In South Carolina, in-person voters can either vote early or on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5. Early voters can cast their ballots at any polling location in their district from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm through Saturday, Nov. 2. Election Day voters must visit their precinct between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. As long as a voter is in line at their polling place by 7:00 p.m., they are allowed to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After those votes are in, the South Carolina Election Commission will report the unofficial results in real time on election night on scVOTES.gov. Depending on your county, results may also be reported locally by the countys voter registration and elections board. We anticipate to have results for all offices and questions on the ballot reported by election night, or the early morning hours of the following day, said South Carolina Election Commission public information officer John Michael Catalano. However, those election night results arent official until theyre certified. The Friday after an election, which will be Nov. 8 this year, county voter registration and elections boards add eligible provisional ballots and certifies the results of local, county-level elections for offices like sheriff, coroner and treasurer. Then, the South Carolina Board of Canvassers has 10 days after the election to meet and certify state-level results. This year the board will meet on Thursday, Nov. 14, according to Catalano. About 25 people protested Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, outside Broad River Correctional Center calling for an end to South Carolinas death penalty and clemency for Richard Moore an hour ahead of his scheduled execution. (Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA Richard Moore was executed Friday by lethal injection, despite calls for clemency from three jurors and the judge who sent him to death row 23 years ago. Gov. Henry McMaster denied Moores request for clemency. The governor was Moores last chance at avoiding the death chamber after the U.S. Supreme Court declined Thursday to halt the execution. Protestors hoist signs and a photo of Richard Moore ahead of Moores scheduled execution Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Broad River Correctional Center in Columbia. (Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette) I have carefully reviewed and thoughtfully considered the application, matters of record, including transcripts, briefs, and judicial decisions, he wrote in his denial, noting hed also spoken to family members of Moores victim, James Mahoney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore was pronounced dead at 6:24 p.m., 23 minutes after pentobarbital began flowing into his arm. Moore kept his eyes closed and his face pointed toward the ceiling. He took several deep, loud breaths that sounded almost like snores, followed by short, shallow breaths. He seemed to stop moving around 6:04 p.m., said the three media witnesses who watched the execution. He did not show any outward signs of pain, they said. Moores attorney, Lindsey Vann with Justice 360, cried and held a small cross. His spiritual advisor held her hand after Moore appeared to take his last breath. Two unnamed members of Mahoneys family and 7th Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette watched stoically, media witnesses said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore, 59, was sentenced to death in 2001 for killing Mahoney, a gas station clerk, in Spartanburg County two years prior. He was the second death row inmate to die since executions resumed in September. In his final statement, Moore apologized to Mahoneys family and told his children he loved them. To the family of Mr. Mahoney, I am deeply sorry for the pain and sorrow I caused you all, Moores last statement read, said prison spokeswoman Chrysti Shain. To my children and granddaughters, I love you, and I am so proud of you. Thank you for the joy you have brought to my life. To all of my family and friends, new and old, thank you for your love and support. Media witnesses did not hear his statement read. Richard Moore and his daughter, Alexandria, as a baby. (Provided/Justice360) Two jurors, the trial judge, and the states former corrections director were among more than two dozen people who wrote letters to McMaster as part of a clemency application, submitted Wednesday, asking the governor to instead give Moore life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A third juror joined their calls Friday, saying Moore appears to be a positive influence on his peers while in prison, according to an email provided by Moores attorneys. I understand that Mr. Moore has shown much regret, and changed his life, juror Jennifer Stone wrote. I also see that he has children that love him and want him in their life. Four more inmates have exhausted their appeals processes, making them eligible for death warrants. Executions in the state are expected to continue every five weeks through March. The crime Moore entered Nikkis Speedy Mart in Spartanburg around 3 a.m. on Sept. 16, 1999. He went first to the stores cooler, then to the counter, where 42-year-old clerk Mahoney was watching the news for information on a hurricane, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Terry Hadden, a regular customer playing video poker nearby, testified during Moores trial that he turned after hearing Mahoney say, What the hell do you think youre doing? Hadden, who was blind in one eye, told jurors that when he turned, he saw Moore holding both of Mahoneys hands in one of his own, with a gun in the other hand. What happened between Moore and Mahoney that night remains unclear. Prosecutors said Moore, who entered the store unarmed, took the gun the store owner kept behind the counter. Moore, who had just lost his job, wanted to rob the store to get money to buy crack cocaine, prosecutors argued. Moore didnt testify at his original trial, but in a later appeals hearing, he said he and Mahoney got into an argument because Moore was a few cents short on his purchase. Mahoney took out his gun, which he kept in his waistband for protection. Moore managed to get the other gun from behind the counter and shot Mahoney in self-defense, his attorneys have said. Moore fired at Hadden, who fell to the floor and played dead, Hadden testified. He didnt see what happened next. At some point, Mahoney shot Moore in the left arm, and Moore shot Mahoney through the heart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before he left, Moore stepped over Mahoneys body and took a blue vinyl bag containing $1,408, according to court documents. Moore, still bleeding, drove to his drug dealers house and asked to buy cocaine, or for his dealer, George Gibson, to take him to the hospital, Gibson testified. When Gibson refused, Moore drove off. On his way out, he hit a pole, attracting the attention of a police officer. The officer came over, and Moore got out of the car, allegedly saying, I did it. I did it. I give up. I give up, the officer later testified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stolen money, covered in blood, sat in the front seat of Moores truck, alongside an open pocket knife, the officer testified. Moore, who is Black, was convicted two years later, in 2001, by a jury with no Black members. His attorneys have argued repeatedly and unsuccessfully that prosecutors struck potential Black jurors because of their race. The states prosecutors have maintained the attorneys in that trial did not consider race in removing jurors. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Thursday in an order declining to halt Moores execution. Moores attorneys claim they can prove Mahoney fired the first shot, which struck the wall above Hadden. The placement of shell casings found at the crime scene supports Moore firing in self-defense, private forensic investigator Robert Tressel said in a statement included with Moores clemency application. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But no court ever agreed to hear that evidence because the rules around appeals are so strict, said Vann, Moores attorney. Mims Rust, of Columbia, is brought to tears by the reading of names of 44 other South Carolinians executed under the states death penalty since 1976 in the minutes before Richard Moores scheduled execution Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Broad River Correctional Center in Columbia. (Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette) Worst of the worst Retired Circuit Court Judge Gary Clary, who oversaw Moores 2001 trial and death sentence, called for Moore to receive clemency in a letter submitted to the governor Wednesday. In no way do I quibble with the jurys verdict, and I make no excuse on behalf of Mr. Moore for his actions that resulted in the death of James Mahoney, wrote Clary, a Republican who was elected to the state House after he retired from the bench. Over the years, I have studied the case of each person who resides on death row in South Carolina, his letter continued. Richard Bernard Moores case is unique, and after years of thought and reflection, I humbly ask that you grant executive clemency to Mr. Moore as an act of grace and mercy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clary, who represented part of Pickens County for three terms, did not elaborate on what he felt made Moores case unique. But what stood out for former Corrections Director Jon Ozmint, he wrote in his own letter, was that Moore entered the store unarmed. People have received life sentences for much worse crimes than Moores, Ozmint wrote. There simply is no rational argument to be made that the death penalty is sought and applied consistently county by county in our state, Ozmint wrote to the governor. That does not make the death penalty ineffective or unconstitutional. However, it seems fair consideration for you as chief magistrate in our state in making a clemency decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 2022 dissenting opinion to the state Supreme Court upholding Moores sentence, then-Justice Kaye Hearn made a similar argument. In my view, entering a convenience store unarmed falls well short of engaging in a cold, calculated, and premeditated murder, Hearn wrote. While tragic and heinous to the victim and his family, Moores crime does not represent the worst of the worst in terms of those murders reserved for the death penalty. Moores sentence also highlights how Black people who commit crimes with white victims, like in Moores case, are more likely to be considered for or receive the death penalty, Hearn wrote. Between 1985 and 2001, the time of Moores trial, the solicitors office in Spartanburg County sought the death penalty for 21 cases. In all but one, the victim was white, Hearn wrote. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, Moores case highlights many of the pitfalls endemic to the death penalty, beginning with the role race plays, Hearn wrote. Of the 31 men on death row Friday, including Moore, 14 are Black and 17 are white, according to the Department of Corrections. The population of South Carolina is 27% Black and 64% white, according to Census data. James Mahoney Mahoney started working at the convenience store three years earlier, after a broken leg made him unable to do his previous job at the car wash down the street. A lifelong fan of NASCAR, Mahoney was known to help customers with car trouble, even lending someone his own tire iron the night he was killed, the two store owners testified during Moores sentencing. Mahoneys parents had been trying to convince him to move to Pennsylvania with them so they could help him with his health issues. But Mahoney wanted to stay in Spartanburg, where he had grown up, with his sister, his father testified. He and his younger sister, Kathy Kelley, were close. Mahoney had dinner with her and her three children every Sunday night, and he regularly came over to help quiz them on spelling words before quizzes. He taught Kelleys oldest daughter, his goddaughter, how to drive, Kelley told the jury. On the childrens birthdays, Mahoney would take them to the mall and let them buy whatever they wanted to buy, Kelley told the jury during Moores sentencing trial. In fact, a week before he was killed, he told my youngest daughter that he would take her to Nikkis when they relocated, and they would have lunch together. They would have hot dogs, Kelley said, according to court documents. And now that will never happen. Mahoneys family has not spoken publicly in the weeks leading up to Moores execution. Richard Moore Moore grew up in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, with seven siblings, a counselor who evaluated Moore during his appeals process wrote in a letter to the governor. A painting by Richard Moore. (Provided/Justice 360) Friends and relatives recalled Moore as a quiet, respectful child who enjoyed hunting and fishing with his grandfather, they wrote in letters included with his clemency application. As he got older, he was swept up in the crack epidemic along with many friends and neighbors, wrote childhood friend Daryl Talley. Moore moved to Spartanburg when his partner at the time, Lynda Byrd, got a job there in 1991, Byrd said during Moores sentencing trial. Byrd and Moore had two children, Alexandria and Lyndall. Moore was helping Alexandria, 8 at the time, learn Spanish by sending letters back and forth, Byrd testified. Before 1999, Moore had been convicted of several other assaults and robberies in both Michigan and Spartanburg, prosecutors said during his sentencing. But Moore has changed during his time in prison, people who know Moore wrote to the governor in requests for clemency. Two jurors pointed to Moores rehabilitation in brief notes asking McMaster to instead give him life in prison. On death row, Moore was baptized as a Christian. Every Sunday several years ago, he called Pastor Rick Russ, who he met while Russ was preaching on death row, to do virtual communion together. One day as they chatted, Moore asked Russ to buy him some painting supplies, Russ said during a Thursday night vigil. Rick Russ, of Georgetown, shows a painting Richard Moore sent him during a vigil in Columbia on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. (Skylar Laird/Staff) In 2018, Russ received a package. Inside was an acrylic painting depicting the Nativity scene, with a note on the back that read, Artist: Richard B. Moore. During the 23 years Moore spent in prison, he had only two disciplinary infractions, Ozmint wrote to McMaster. One was for having Skittles outside his cell, and the other was for using disrespectful language toward an officer. Both were in his first few years in custody, Ozmint wrote. If Moore was allowed to live out the rest of his life with the general prison population, he would have been a powerful force for good, helping younger offenders get on the right track, Ozmint wrote. Moore was a true believer, Ozmint said in a video included with Moores clemency application. When Ozmint oversaw executions as prison director between 2003 and 2011, the last thing he would tell inmates was, Ill see you on the other side, he said. I know Ill see Richard on the other side, Ozmint said. Moores top priority always remained his children, advocates for clemency wrote. Alexandria Moores 5-year-old daughter, Amaya, has gotten to know her grandfather through virtual calls. When she hears the phone ring, she asks, Is that Pa Pa? Moores attorneys wrote in his clemency application. A painting by Richard Moore. (Provided/Justice 360) Even though my father has been away for a lot of my life, that still has not stopped him from making a big impact in my life, a positive impact, and I would love for Amaya to get that from him as well, Alexandria Moore said in a video. He is a great man, and I want her to know her grandfather as the man that he is, and thats wonderful. Moores children, who were 7 and 8 at the time of his trial, were not always receptive to Moores attempts to contact them. But over the years, they came to forgive him for what he had done, according to a letter written by his son, Lyndall Moore. My father has grown into a person committed to taking responsibility for his actions and to doing his absolute best to lead a life of faith and good deeds, Lyndall Moore wrote. Should he be executed, we would not be ridding ourselves of a violent criminal nor a threat to others; rather, we would be losing a clear testament to the fact that human beings are capable of reflecting on and seeking redemption for their worst actions, and that a troubled past is not guarantee of a troubled future. Moores last meal was a steak cooked medium, fried catfish and shrimp, scalloped potatoes, green peas, broccoli with cheese, sweet potato pie, German chocolate cake and grape juice, said Shain, spokeswoman for Corrections. The protest About 25 people protested outside Broad River Correctional Center while awaiting McMasters decision on clemency. For Chris Bryant, a firefighter who lives in the Lowcountry, Moores execution flies in the face of the life-saving service hes devoted his life to. With four more executions expected in the coming months, Bryant called the pace abhorrent. Protestors read the names of 44 other South Carolinians executed since 1976. Richard Moore became the 45th on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette) The state should be focused on helping people, he said. Moore doesnt have to be dead for us as citizens to be safe. Before Moores execution, Regina Moore, (no relation) a Methodist minister and director of the SC Christian Action Council, said it had been 30 years since she had participated in an anti-death-penalty vigil. I felt numb, she said about the service she attended Thursday night at Washington Street Methodist Church. But it did not stop her from returning Friday to protest outside the prison gates. Im not discouraged. Im not hopeless. Im hopeful that state killings will stop in South Carolina when people rise up and make their voices heard, she said. This is inhumane. In the minutes before Moores scheduled 6 p.m. execution, the protesters read out loud the names of the 44 South Carolina inmates prior to Moore who have been executed since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976. The Rev. Hillary Taylor, director of South Carolinians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, said Moore was not the monster that he was branded during his trial process, but rather someone who took full responsibility for Mahoneys death and managed to become a different person in prison. The state has murdered Richard in our name, she said. SC Daily Gazette reporter Jessica Holdman contributed to this report. South Carolina authorities are searching for a man wanted for murder, advising the public to remain vigilant. The Chapin Police Department is working with the U.S. Marshal Service in trying to locate Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, who is wanted for Murder out of Tennessee, according to a news release. Hamlett, police say, is believed to have family in the Chapin area, and was last seen near Chapin High School and Generations of Chapin near 431 East Boundary St. early Friday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, converged on the area, setting up a perimeter using a helicopter and K-9s, but to no avail. Police say while they continue to search for Hamlett, the public should use extreme caution in the Chapin area. There is still a heavy law enforcement presence in the Town of Chapin, and this presence will remain in place until the suspect is apprehended or confirmed to no longer be in the area, Chapin Police Chief Thomas Griffin said in the release. Anyone who sees anything suspicious or has information about Hamletts whereabouts is urged to dial 911. Griffin advised the public will be updated through the Chapin Police Departments Facebook page. With Election Day just four days away, the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump remains an extremely tight one. With just about every vote in every swing state primed to make a difference, the venerated New York Times Editorial Board made it crystalline where it stands by outlining first in huge, bold font on the top- and bottom-fold of its Oct. 27 Sunday Opinion section what Trump has said hell do if elected again. The text ends with the foreboding phrase: Believe Him. Full Page in The New York Times: TRUMP IS TELLING US WHAT HE'S WILL DO. BELIEVE HIM.https://t.co/LJsCMzrUxJ pic.twitter.com/xAIdLrlCkb Anna Nunez (@nunez_anna) October 27, 2024 As the Times pointed out, one of the most disturbing promises Trump has made is that he will employ the Justice Department to punish people he doesnt particularly care for. During an interview with Fox News earlier this year, Trump stated that he would use the Justice Department to go after his political opponents after he was criminally convicted in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Look, when this election is over, based on what theyve done, I would have every right to go after them, and it would be easy because its Joe Biden, Trump told Fox News Sean Hannity. He also repeated this sentiment during an interview with Newsmax. Its a terrible, terrible path that theyre leading us to, and its very possible that its going to have to happen to them, Trump reiterated. In the past, he attempted to use the I.R.S. and his attorneys general to investigate rivals like Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and former F.B.I. director James Comey. No charges were filed against them, but if Trump is re-elected, he will most likely try again. He has also promised to collect immigrants and launch the largest deportation effort in American history, the LA Times reported earlier this month. Trump made similar promises during his 2016 presidential campaign and deported around 325,000 immigrants during his tenure, according to CBS News. This time around, the former president is ready to mobilize government resources to deport far more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with Fox News on Oct. 13, Trump also claimed that as president he will also deploy the American military against its own citizens as he infamously cited the enemy within. I think the bigger problem are the people from within. We have some very bad people. We have some sick people, radical left lunatics, he stated. And I think theyre the and it should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military, because they cant let that happen. After Trump refused to lose the 2020 election, he incited rioters to storm the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 to deny President Bidens victorywhich led to the deaths of several people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has also claimed he will allow vigilante violence to end crime, will punish blue states by refusing disaster relief, abandon U.S. allies and use ideological tests to allocate federal money to certain public schools. The former president has been extremely vocal about his plans for this country its up to voters to take him seriously. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Pupils at an elite progressive school in New York City will be given the day off after the election to cope with emotional stress. The decision was announced to parents by Stacey Bobo, principal of the upper school at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School. According to an email, seen by The New York Times, Ms Bobo said: This may be a high-stakes and emotional time for our community, adding that the school would create space to provide students with the support they may need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will include counselling as well as allowing students to stay at home if they felt unable to fully engage in classes. They will also be spared homework. The school, which has around 1,700 students, prides itself on fostering intellectual curiosity, ethical responsibility and social justice. Teaching costs $65,540 a year. Jerry Seinfeld had two sons at Fieldston, but transferred his youngest boy to another school. This is why the kids hated it, he told The New York Times. What kind of lives have these people led that makes them think that this is the right way to handle young people? To encourage them to buckle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the lesson they are providing, for ungodly sums of money. The comedian and Democrat donor has frequently railed against political correctness which he blamed for television no longer being funny. Very astute However, another parent, John Couchman, who has two daughters at Fieldston, defended the move. I think its absolutely the right decision, he said. These students are very astute. I think their rights are on the line, whether its on election night or in five years, and they know it. It is not the first time this year that the school has encountered political problems. Divisions over pro-Palestinian activity led to the resignation of the schools head, Joe Algrant, in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school is not the only academic institution to be worried about election anxiety. According to a poll conducted earlier this year, a third of students at Harvard, Americas oldest university, said they felt uncomfortable sharing their view on campus. A few months earlier, the Journal of Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology warned of sociopolitical stress during the election season, writing: Our findings showed that groups of young people were distinct in their sociopolitical stress trajectory over an election season, and those who manifested the most elevated sociopolitical stress experienced the worst psychological well-being. Another elite institution, Stanford University in California, published a guide for its 16,000 students on how to cope with election stress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Difficult conversations with peers, family, and community members can leave us feeling more stressed than before, they were told. Striking a balance between fruitful discussion and divisive dialogue can be tough, but its important to find outlets that help you lessen your mental load, however, that might look. Tips included practising self-compassion, choosing empowering actions including respectfully spreading awareness and unplugging from social media. Social media and online forums can generate extreme anxiety. If you feel overwhelmed and overstimulated, its okay to log off. The Telegraph has approached Ethical Culture Fieldston School for comment. 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. Axions are the most compelling hypothesis for explaining dark matter, but physicists havent been able to confirm their existence for nearly 50 years. A new study now proposes that axions should theoretically form potentially observable clouds around neutron stars due to their incredibly strange magnetic fields. The authors say theyre already working on new research examining how these hypothetical axion clouds could impact the behavior of neutron stars themselves. Today, many scientists believe that 85 percent of the content in the universe is dark, meaning our current understanding of physics cant explain its existence. In 1978, two physicists independently theorized an extremely light particle known as an axion, named for a brand of detergent because this particle cleaned up some of the mathematical mess observed in the universe. Almost 50 years later, the theory remains one of the best explanations of dark matter, but these extremely light particles have yet to be directly observed. Now a new study from physicists at the University of Amsterdam, Princeton, and Oxford have found the best location for possibly finding these ever-elusive particlesneutron stars. The results of their study, a follow-up on a previous study about how these ultra-dense stars theoretically eject axions, were published in the journal Physical Review X. Neutron stars are some of the most intense celestial objects in the known universe, perhaps only second to black holes. The collapse core of these dead stars can pack in the mass of our Sun in a package thats only 12 to 15 kilometers in diameterthe Suns diameter is 1.4 million kilometers in comparison. Because scientists believe axions can convert to light (and vice versa) when exposed to a magnetic field, this has led physicists to consider whether these dead stars, which contain magnetic fields billions of times stronger than whats found on Earth, could be essentially a breeding ground for this hypothetical particle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The authors previous work focused on how these particles escaped the confines of neutron stars and charted what paths theyd take in that interstellar journey, but this new study instead focuses on the particles left behind. Because axions are believed to have very weak interactions with other particles (hence why theyve so far been impossible to find), theyd likely stick around the neutron star in immense numbers. In fact, there might be so many of them that theyd eventually form very dense clouds that should, at least theoretically, be detectable. The researchers estimate that the densities of axions should be twenty times higher than local dark matter densities, leading to a detectable signature. Wehave demonstrated that axion clouds will, for most axion masses and axion-photon couplings, generate radio emission via resonant axion-photon mixing, the physicists said in the paper. These signatures are not only unique, but also arise rather generically, with no underlying dependence on the distribution of axions in the Universe. This study focuses on only single neutron stars, but its very common for these objects to be locked in a binary with other objects, whether other neutron stars or even black holes, so further refinement of this theory will need to include these other permutations if physicists hope to cast a wider observational net. And according to a press statement, the authors are already working to determine how these axion clouds could impact the behavior of neuron stars themselves. Nearly 50 years after their theoretical discovery, scientists are still eager for observational evidence, but now they have a compelling place to look. You Might Also Like Scientists from the Rwanda Forestry Authority have discovered two types of trees that could produce clean electricity, providing power to isolated communities. Rwanda aims to achieve complete electricity access by 2030, yet rural regions still need more power availability. In response, scientists are investigating the possibility of producing electricity from biomass sourced from sustainably cultivated plants, evaluating the energy capacity of different tree species. Replacing conventional fuels Bonaventure Ntirugulirwa, a senior researcher spearheading the initiative, mentioned that biomass has mostly been overlooked, even though it has the potential to serve as a high-energy substitute for traditional fossil fuels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This project was designed to meet the electricity needs in rural areas," he said. After examining the biomass potential of various rapidly growing trees and shrubs, the researchers pinpointed Senna siamea and Gliricidia sepium as top contenders for electricity production. The dense wood and elevated calorific values of these trees ensure they burn effectively, offering a high-heat option compared to fossil fuels. Ntirugulirwa clarifies that the study's objective was to identify trees that combust effectively and find sustainable solutions for energy shortages in isolated regions. He noted that the study "would aid in achieving multiple goals, including safeguarding land, enhancing soil quality, ensuring food security, combating climate change, and reducing rural poverty." Multipurpose tree species The researchers investigated the possibilities offered by versatile tree species like Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea), Calliandra calothyrsus, Hagenia abyssinica (African redwood), and Senna spectabilis (whitebark senna). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These trees provide not only a source of fuel for generating electricity but also essential resources for farmers and their communities, according to Ntirugulirwa. "Farmers were allowed to test a given set of practices on their farm and select the ones that work best under their conditions," he explained. He stated that farmers across various areas recognized their favored species according to the local circumstances and requirements. Having pinpointed the most promising tree species, the researchers indicate their current focus is on producing electricity. According to Ntirugulirwa, the initiative will depend on farmers' engagement in cultivating sufficient biomass for energy generation to achieve this. Generating electricity Up to this point, the team has assessed the heating value of the biomass at the Rwanda Standards Board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, testing for additional essential elements like carbon and hydrogen will have to be done in Sweden since Rwanda needs specialized equipment. Babatunde Ajayi, a professor specializing in Wood Products and BioResources Technology at the Federal University of Technology in Akure, Nigeria, commended the project's method to tackle food shortages, poverty, and electricity deficiencies in rural regions. "It's good the initiative is resolving these issues," he said. "Using biomass to generate electricity is a welcome idea, especially in rural areas where access to power is extremely poor," added Ajayi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He likened the procedure to solar energy, which harnesses sunlight to produce electricity. "Once you put the biomass into a machine, it will convert it into electrical energy," Ajayi said. "It is like using solar, whereby a panel is outside, the sun beats the panel, and it is converted to electricity." Riling up voters to support Democratic congressional candidate Jessica Morse a few weeks ahead of election day, Robert Sherriff, a retired science teacher, wore a hat he designed himself that read, "Make America Think Again." The silver-mustached 63-year-old, who also wore a shirt that read "Save Democracy, vote nonfiction," has lived in Placer County for more than 20 years. Once a more moderate, no party preference voter, Sherriff is now a registered Democrat and fed up with Donald Trump supporters like his congressman, Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin.) He thinks his conservative neighbors here in the Sierra foothills where old gold country merges with swanky Sacramento suburbia are, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "[Kiley] has tied himself to many of the MAGA policies, but a lot of Republicans here have become disenfranchised with all that," Sherriff said at a Greek restaurant in a Rocklin strip mall this month where Morse held a campaign event. Robert Sherriff, 63, hands out donation envelopes for congressional candidate Jessica Morse at a campaign event at 4 Heroes Grill in Rocklin, Calif., on Oct. 22, 2024. (Mackenzie Mays / Los Angeles Times) Placer County is home to more than half of voters in California's sprawling 3rd Congressional District, a 450-mile swath of the state that spans the Nevada border from Lake Tahoe to Death Valley. About 39% of voters in the district are Republicans, but it's bluer than it was years ago probably in part due to a migration of residents from the liberal Bay Area to more affordable inland cities such as Rocklin and Roseville during the pandemic. Trump beat Joe Biden here by just 1.78% in 2020. Democrats scrambling to flip some of California's red districts in an effort to win control of the House hope enough Republicans and independent voters will be turned off by Kiley's Trumpisms and instead vote for Morse, a former national security expert for the U.S. Defense Department who has campaigned on popular issues such as abortion access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morse, 42, of Roseville, is a wildfire resilience specialist for the state who spent time in Iraq working for the federal government after studying international relations at Princeton. In 2018, she lost a bid against Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove) in another attempt to turn a red district blue. Kiley, a Harvard- and Yale-educated attorney who grew up in Granite Bay, a wealthy Placer County suburb, was considered a moderate Republican when he was elected to the California Assembly in 2016, supporting former Ohio Gov. John Kasich for president over Trump. But he has since marched further right, championing opposition to California's vaccine and mask mandates during the worst of COVID-19. The 39-year-old freshman congressman has emerged as a relentless critic of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, a fact that helped him receive Trump's endorsement for Congress in 2022. As some Republicans have distanced themselves from the controversial presidential nominee, Kiley has remained in lockstep with Trump on issues such as immigration and gender identity; shared stages with top MAGA activists such as Charlie Kirk and frequented right-wing media. "Kevin Kiley represents the next generation of the MAGA movement," Morse said. "He and JD Vance are trying to normalize this, which is why we have to flip this seat." Jessica Morse holds a "Morse for Congress" sign alongside supporters near her campaign headquarters in Rocklin, Calif. (Mackenzie Mays / Los Angeles Times) Kiley's brand is centered on a constant churn of blog posts and dissenting speeches in Congress railing against Democrats and how their policies have hurt California. In news releases promoting Morse, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has said Kiley embodies "the worst kind of hyper-partisan, power-craven politics." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on the ground campaigning for reelection, Kiley said that he is focused on issues such as crime and the cost of living and that politics comes up "hardly ever." He pointed to his recent support for the Lake Tahoe Restoration Re-authorization Act alongside Democrats in Congress as a proud and bipartisan accomplishment. "I get the need to try to create sort of a partisan angle on everything, it's the nature of our current political climate. But that's just not the way that I approach my job. And it's frankly not the sort of feedback I get from voters," said Kiley, who unsuccessfully ran for governor in the 2021 Newsom recall election. Just as Morse ties Kiley to Trump and Vance, Kiley ties her to Newsom. Morse was appointed by Newsom as deputy secretary of forest resources management for the California Natural Resources Agency in 2019. His unrelenting focus on Newsom could work: More than 56% of voters in District 3 voted for Republican state Sen. Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) for governor over the Democratic incumbent in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In this area, we have maintained a quality of life that doesn't exist in other parts of California. We don't have the level of waste and crime and homelessness that you have in places like L.A. and San Francisco and even Sacramento," Kiley said during a TV debate with Morse hosted by KCRA this month. "But that could change if we don't have the right representation." Kiley and his supporters have thrown water on Democrats' attempts to make the district seem competitive in the final weeks leading up to election day, saying the support for Morse is because of her association with Newsom and not because they think they can actually flip the district. Newsom's Campaign for Democracy PAC recently sent supporters an email naming Morse among four candidates who could help Democrats win control of the House, painting it as a way to ensure "Trump Protection." But the California Democratic Party has not prioritized her campaign or financed it in the way that it has done in the most competitive congressional races. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has labeled several California districts as competitive toss-ups but rated District 3 as "likely Republican." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is embraced by some constituents in the massive district, which includes conservative rural counties such as Plumas, Sierra and Inyo. Just last month, the Nevada County GOP hosted an event in Kiley's district featuring Laura Loomer, a far-right activist and Trump ally who even Republicans have condemned for her spread of conspiracy theories. Despite Trump's pattern of lies, Betsy Mahan, chair of the Sacramento County Republican Party, praised the presidential nominee as "authentic" and said California voters view him as someone who keeps his word and disrupts the status quo. "I don't think [Kiley] is in any danger at all, to be honest," Mahan said. "This is just gaslighting by the Democrats." Kiley, though, seems less sure. In a text message sent to voters by his campaign on Wednesday, Kiley said the success of his race "will come down to getting out the vote this last week" and "we need all the help we can get." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked by The Times if he is worried about his district going Democrat, he said, "Every district in the country all 435 are competitive." Morse, who was beaten by Kiley in the primary by more than 13 percentage points, is optimistic. Jessica Morse gives a speech to supporters at 4 Heroes Grill in Rocklin, Calif. (Mackenzie Mays / Los Angeles Times) After a debate watch party at a gyro and kebab shop in Rocklin a suburb at the center of her district that is both whiter and more conservative than most of California she warned that the state and nation are at a crossroads. Supporters cheered as she told them that "the swingiest" voters can be convinced in the final days leading up to the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are going to go find them. We are going to get them," she said. "We are going to flip the seat because the issues we face are real. They are serious. We can actually shape the future that we want and that we deserve." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. APALACHICOLA, Fla. (WMBB) The 61st edition of the Florida Seafood Festival at Battery Park in Apalachicola is now officially underway. The gates opened at 10 oclock Eastern time on Friday, November 1st, and will stay open until 10 p.m. Friday. Then on Saturday, November 2nd, the gates will open again at 10 a.m. and the fun will go on until 11 p.m. Some of the biggest moments of the two-day festival include the blessing of the fleet on Friday at 4 p.m., and the festival parade Saturday at 10 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will also be plenty of variations of shrimp, mullet, and oyster dishes for all to enjoy. Panama City set to transform into walkable art gallery One of the many aspects that make the Florida Seafood Festival so special is the total team effort required from the Franklin County community to put it on. It takes a village because we dont have masons running the gates, the churches running the booths, said the President of the Volunteer Board John Solomon. Without the community support, this wouldnt happen and we appreciate the entire community because Franklin County is one big community and we all love each other and we all love to show off what we have because thats what brings people here to enjoy our piece of paradise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no cost to enter the festival on Friday and Saturday every person age 13 and up will have to pay a small fee of $5 to get into the festival. The festival also has some new components this year including carnival rides and over 100 arts and crafts vendors. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. The U.S. Attorneys office for the Southern District of New York has just delivered multiple mic drops on the incarcerated Sean Combs. As well as rejecting efforts by the Bad Boy Records founders defense team to name names when it comes to Combs multiple accusers, the prosecutors are back with a federal grand jury this week. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As one would expect, no one from U.S. Attorney Damian Williams office is talking today about what may or may not be going on behind closed doors. When contacted by Deadline, a spokesperson for the prosecutors declined comment on the latest gesticulation in the Combs case. However, according to sources, the grand jury will be hearing new evidence today in Combs criminal case. As a part of that, there will be new testimony from a male witness, Im told. To that end, new charges or a revamping of the charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution could be in the cards. Just hours before the grand jury reconvened in the increasingly sordid Combs case, the prosecution filed a long and detailed response Wednesday night addressing the defenses desire to have the names of Combs accusers made public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 56-page documents childing the Marc Agnifilo- and Teny Geragos-led defense, the feds again swatted aside the idea that they leaked the 2016 hotel security footage that showed Combs beating then-girlfriend and future short-lived litigant Cassie Ventura. As the defendant is fully aware, the video was not in the Governments possession at the time of CNNs publication and the Government has never, at any point, obtained the video through grand jury process, the filing by Williams states. The defendant also complains about purported law enforcement sources leaking other alleged grand jury material to the media in several news articles cited in his papers and set forth in the attached table (the Cited Articles), the response document goes on to say, noting a Deadline story among the said Cited Articles the defense claims are making it hard for their much accused client to get a fair trial next year. Here, too, the defendant is grasping at straws. Because the defendant cannot show that the information in the Cited Articles is grand jury material, and because he cannot show that Government agents with access to grand jury material leaked the information, he cannot make the prima facie showing required for the relief he seeks. This comes against the backdrop of the dozens of women and men over the past year who have accused Combs of drugging, beating and threatening them, forcing them to participate in his so-called freak offs, and raping them. In a pattern of new filings ever week, the civil cases are running parallel to some extent to the criminal case and Combs appeal on being denied pre-trial release. In fact, Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee promises that he has over 100 more Combs victims soon to come forward with lawsuits of their own. Among those victims are the criminal cases Victim-1 aka Ventura, who in lawsuit last November accused Combs of years of abuse and assaults; the $30 million suit was quickly settled. More recently, there is Buzbee-represented John Doe who alleges that when he was 10 years old, Combs sexually assaulted him in a Manhattan hotel room with promises of a career in the music biz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrested on September 15 by the feds in the lobby of another NYC hotel, Combs is incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. He faces life behind bars if found guilty at a trial set to start on May 5, 2025. Heading towards that trial before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian, the government pushed back especially hard Wednesday on the defenses wish to unmask the accusers and potential witnesses at the trial. As they wrote in their submission to the court: The Victim Gag Motion should be denied as an attempt to backdoor the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to compel the Government to prematurely disclose its witness list. Indeed, by seeking a preemptive gag order under Local Criminal Rule 23.1 preventing potential witnesses in the criminal case and their counsel from making extrajudicial statements, the defendant is essentially asking for either a blanket order that would apply indiscriminately to any individuals with claims against Combs and their lawyers, or for a more limited order that would require the Government to identify its witnesses six months before trial. Not only would such relief be unprecedented, but the defendant should not be permitted to use a local criminal rule as a sword to gag civil claimants whether or not their statements were connected to this criminal proceeding, or to evade established case law in this Circuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Subramanian will decide remains to be seen. However, today the court received a letter from the Government supplementing the Governments October 30, 2024 filing. Clearly that letter wasnt your run-of-the-mill correspondence. Having considered the Governments stated justifications for sealing the letter and considering it ex parte, the Court finds that it is appropriate to accept this letter ex parte and under seal, Subramanian wrote today. What was in the letter and why it was sealed remains unknown, with neither the defense nor the feds commenting. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. CHICAGO A search is underway for a teen boy who Chicago police say went missing this week. According to officers, 14-year-old Demarrion Ray has not been contacted since around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Officers said the teen boy was last seen in the 8600 block of South Lafayette Avenue, in Chatham, on the citys South Side. Ray, who stands 5-foot-6 and weighs around 140 pounds, has black hair and brown eyes. According to officers, 14-year-old Demarrion Ray has not been contacted since around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3. The missing teen was last spotted wearing a navy blue jacket, black pants and a baby blue polo shirt with Perspectives Leadership in white letters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago police notified the public about the teens disappearance in a news release that was sent out on Thursday afternoon. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Anyone with information on the whereabouts of 14-year-old Demarrion Ray is asked to contact the CPD Area Four SVU at 312-746-8251 or dial 911. Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. EAST MEADOW, Long Island (PIX11) A wide-ranging search is on for whoever shot and injured a state trooper whos got a strong reputation for being kind and helpful. Trooper Thomas Mascia, 27, thought that he was providing aid to a motorist, according to state police, when he pulled up behind what appeared to be a stalled car late Wednesday night, and then, somebody in the car shot at him, multiple times. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mascia is stable, after recovering from surgery on Thursday, but the situation has unnerved the troopers family and his many friends, as the search for the shooter continues. At around 11:45 on Wednesday night, Mascia pulled up behind a dark-colored Dodge Charger sedan that was parked on the left-hand median of the westbound Southern State Parkway, state police said. As Mascia approached the sedan, someone opened fire on him, hitting him in the right thigh, just above the knee. One witness, who was walking nearby, described the incident as being intense. All I hear is, Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop!' said the man, who did not want to be identified. Within minutes, he said, I see ambulances, and the whole highway, and a lot of detective cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The car from which the shots were fired sped off. Police seek the publics help in tracking down whod been inside. If someone that will target one of those that is out there to keep all of us safe, said Maj. Steve Udice, the State Police Troop L commander, at a late morning news conference, he or she is of great danger to every single one of us. Trooper Mascia wrote down the license plate number of the car. It had a New Jersey temporary plate, numbered 997636T. A variety of police departments are on the search, including New York State Police, as well as officers from the Nassau and Suffolk County Police Departments, and the NYPD. The information is also in national police databases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The head of the entire state police force, Superintendent Steven James, was at the news conference on Thursday. He expressed gratitude that his trooper is okay but also voiced concern about whoever carried this out still being on the run. We will not stop until the person is in custody, the superintendent said. In the West Hempstead neighborhood where Mascia, a lifelong Long Islander, grew up, people were also confident that the hunt for the shooter would be productive, soon. Theyll get caught, said Shahzeel Farooqi, who was at a home a few doors down from where Mascia grew up. Theres no way theyre going to get away with this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other neighbors have known the trooper for most of his life. They said that hes always been very helpful to them, very reliable, and kind. He knew he wanted to join the police from the time that he was young, said Diana Sherin, who said that that interest came from Mascias lifelong desire to help people. She said that the trooper, a five-year veteran, had been injured on patrol two years ago, as well. He was hit by a car, [while] helping someone else, Sherin said. So this is his second time trying to help someone, where he gets hurt. I guess it comes with the job. Mascias body camera didnt automatically activate, state police said, because hed turned his rear lights on at the scene, to ensure that other motorists saw him. Bodycams turn on, troopers said, when front service lights are activated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police also said that Mascia may have saved his own life by rendering first aid on himself, immediately after being fired on. They said that its not clear how long his recovery may take. On Thursday afternoon, Gov. Kathy Hochuls office confirmed that shes aware of Mascias situation, and intends to call him and his family when his recovery allows. State Police ask anyone with any information to call them at (631) 756-3300. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MARSHALL, Ark. Searcy County election officials are planning a hand count of ballots. County election officials said the Nov. 6 hand count at the county civic center is being undertaken to assure election integrity and transparency. The officials said Searcy is the only county in Arkansas with a planned ballot hand count. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin supports state Supreme Court decision upholding voting machine ruling Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said undertaking the hand count was a matter of instilling confidence in the process. The hand count will determine the final and official vote tally, providing an additional layer of confidence beyond the preliminary count, which will be obtained on election night through electronic tabulation, officials said when they announced the hand count. Voters in Independence County will decide if elections will continue to use electronic tabulation or paper ballots going forward in the Nov. 5 election, as cited by Searcy County officials, who said that the ballot question illustrates a broader movement within the state toward more transparent polling methods. Election officials are fighting a tsunami of voting conspiracy theories Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, state lawmakers began to question the Independence County ballot question, citing issues with the petition signature gathered and the group behind it: Restore Election Integrity Arkansas. REIA was behind an effort to place the paper ballot question on the state ballot but failed. It also worked to have a paper ballot question in seven Arkansas counties but was turned down by county clerks due to issues with the petition signature gathering for the same issues cited by state lawmakers. County clerks in the counties where the petitions were rejected cited the paid canvassers gathering signatures as being from out of state in violation of state law. Lawmakers are calling for an investigation. Russian actors made fake video depicting mail-in ballots for Trump being destroyed, FBI says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Searcy County officials cited the Independence County ballot question, along with college professor Andrew Appel of Princeton University, who advocates for paper ballots and hand counts as part of the decision process to make the Wednesday count. The Oct. 31 email announcing the Searcy County hand count decision had AVII.org as its sender, a national organization pushing for hand-counting of ballots. Its Arkansas chapter has a Conway address. Arkansas lawmakers investigate paper ballot initiatives, possible petition problems Officials said the count will take place beginning at 9 a.m. Nov. 6 at the Searcy County Civic Center, 515 Zack Road in Marshall, Arkansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. A security guard has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 32-year-old man he is accused of shooting at a hookah lounge early Sunday, police in Texas said. Teddy Lee Mills is accused of shooting Dayshaun Colen shortly after 2 a.m. at the Bravo Hookah Lounge in Abilene, where Mills was working a private security detail and Colen was a would-be patron, police said. Mills was arrested Wednesday and taken to the Taylor County Jail, where he remained Thursday. His bond was set at $250,000. An attorney was not listed for him in court records. Day'shaun Colen. According to a complaint obtained by NBC News, Abilene police responded to a call about an injured person at the lounge shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday. Abilene is about 150 miles west of Fort Worth. When officers arrived, Colen had already been taken to the hospital. Two of Colens relatives and the building manager of the lounge said in separate interviews Wednesday that Colens friends took him to a hospital, where he was declared dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills and witnesses told officers that Colen was shot after a large group of people had tried to push through the lounges entry door, according to the complaint. The lounge had reached its capacity of 160 people when Colen and others tried to enter, the building manager, J.R. Rounsaville, said in an interview Wednesday evening. The complaint does not name those who were trying to enter the lounge. Mills, who had a firearm, and another unarmed security guard were at the door, according to the complaint. When the crowd pushed through the door, it says, Mills fired two rounds and struck Colen twice. Mills told officers at the scene that Colen had been getting mouthy and threatening him, that people at the door had ignored orders to back up so security could shut the door and that the crowd told him he was not shutting the door before they started pushing their way in, the complaint says. Mills also told officers that Colen said he was gonna get him and that when the crowd was pushing in, he felt them grab his Taser. Mills said he was trying to push back and he was getting tugged on, at which point he went for his firearm, according to the complaint. Mills then refused to speak further without representation, the complaint says. A witness named in the complaint told NBC News that he told police that Colen and the shooter had gotten into an argument and that he tried to get between them before things escalated. He said he told police that he put his arm around Colen but that they were both pushed forward by the crowd and stumbled toward the man, who then fired his weapon. The witness said he told police Colen was not trying to push his way into the venue. The Bravo Hookah Lounge in Abilene, Texas. Rounsaville said he and his parents own the building. He said he had turned over video to police hours after the shooting. He declined to share any video with NBC News, citing the ongoing criminal investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reached by phone Thursday, a representative of Apex Tactical Security, which police said was providing security at the lounge, confirmed the company had employed Mills but declined to comment further. The company did not immediately reply to an email inquiry about Mills employment status and how long he had worked for Apex Tactical Security. As of Thursday morning, his photo and work history were still listed on the companys website. According to the site, Mills spent 10 years in the Army, three years with the Knox County Sheriffs Department and nine years with a sheriffs department in Indiana. Colens cousin Charles Reynolds and Lawrence Glover, another cousin who lives in Abilene, said Colen had been grieving the sudden loss of his mother, who died in August. They said Colen was an outgoing person and a loving father of three girls. Reynolds, who lives in Florida, said that he and Colen had a very close relationship and that the last time they spoke weeks ago, they were planning for Colen to visit him. Reynolds and Glover wonder why it took police three days to make an arrest when they had video of the shooting and said they believe the delay had to do with Mills law enforcement background. Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Reynolds and Glovers remarks. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Key Points The predictive performance of an African ancestryspecific polygenic risk score (PRS) was comparable to a European ancestryderived PRS for kidney traits. However, multi-ancestry PRSs outperform single-ancestry PRSs in Black American populations. Predictive accuracy of PRSs for CKD was improved with the use of race-free eGFR. Background CKD is a risk factor of cardiovascular disease and early death. Recently, polygenic risk scores (PRSs) have been developed to quantify risk for CKD. However, African ancestry populations are underrepresented in both CKD genetic studies and PRS development overall. Moreover, European ancestryderived PRSs demonstrate diminished predictive performance in African ancestry populations. Methods This study aimed to develop a PRS for CKD in Black American populations. We obtained score weights from a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for eGFR in the Million Veteran Program and Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study to develop an eGFR PRS. We optimized the PRS risk model in a cohort of participants from the Hypertension Genetic Epidemiology Network. Validation was performed in subsets of Black participants of the Trans-Omics in Precision Medicine Consortium and Genetics of Hypertension Associated Treatment Study. Results The prevalence of CKDdefined as stage 3 or higherwas associated with the PRS as a continuous predictor (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.35 [1.08 to 1.68]) and in a threshold-dependent manner. Furthermore, including APOL1 risk statusa putative variant for CKD with higher prevalence among those of sub-Saharan African descentimproved the score's accuracy. PRS associations were robust to sensitivity analyses accounting for traditional CKD risk factors, as well as CKD classification based on prior eGFR equations. Compared with previously published PRS, the predictive performance of our PRS was comparable with a European ancestryderived PRS for kidney traits. However, single-ancestry PRSs were less predictive than multi-ancestryderived PRSs. Conclusions In this study, we developed a PRS that was significantly associated with CKD with improved predictive accuracy when including APOL1 risk status. However, PRS generated from multi-ancestry populations outperformed single-ancestry PRS in our study. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) With Election Day quickly approaching, security is a top priority for the San Diego County Sheriffs Office, which is assuring voters that polling sites will be safe. The Registrar of Voters office is currently bustling with early voters, some of whom are choosing to vote in person to ensure their ballots are counted accurately. Were trying to hedge our bets as close as possible to doing it and making sure our vote counts, voter Greg Smith said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Your Local Election Headquarters 2024 The Registrar of Voters is promising that security precautions are in place, including surveillance cameras to monitor ballots throughout the process. Security outside voting locations is also a concern, given recent incidents nationwide. In Washington state, multiple drop boxes were targeted by an arsonist, destroying hundreds of ballots, while in Florida, an 18-year-old was arrested for allegedly using a machete to intimidate voters. Local law enforcement is prepared to respond to any potential disruptions. We are prepared to provide the highest quality of public safety services, said Lt. Chris Galve from the Sheriffs Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leave your MAGA hats and Harris apparel at home on Election Day: this is why Deputies have been coordinating with other agencies, including the FBI, to ensure a unified response on Election Day. An increased presence of law enforcement is expected around the Registrar of Voters office and other locations. Lt. Galve urged the public to stay vigilant. If you think there is any sign of danger to yourself or others, thats the appropriate time to call 911, he said. So far, officials report no credible threats in the area, but safety remains a shared goal for law enforcement and community members alike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Selfies of people with I voted stickers are all over Instagram but that might be as close as many across the US get to sharing that theyve completed their civic duty this election cycle. The question of whether a voter is legally allowed to snap a selfie with their filled-in ballot solely depends on where they live. Ballot selfies are permitted in half of US states but are prohibited in 13 states, according to a report by the nonprofit Lawyers for Good Government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specifically, seven states ban selfies at polling locations but allow photos of a voter with their mail-in or absentee ballot; the other nine dont clarify the location or type of ballot, the nonprofit said. The seven states that explicitly ban voting booth selfies are Arizona, Texas, West Virginia Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Some may recall Justin Timberlake posting a selfie at a polling booth in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee while casting a vote in the 2016 election. Voters make selections at their voting booths inside an early voting site - but taking a selfie could land many in hot water. (Getty Images) But the practice was banned in 2015. The law states: Any voter using a mobile electronic or communication deviceshall be prohibited from using the device for telephone conversations, recording, or taking photographs or videos while inside the polling place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Timberlake was not punished for the selfie. The Shelby County District Attorney at the time said that it had no plans to look into the incident: No one in our office is currently investigating this matter nor will we be using our limited resources to do so. He told Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon at the time that he had no idea that ballot selfies were illegal in his home state. In theory, breaking the law would be a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a fine of $50, CNN reported. Meanwhile in three states New Hampshire, Georgia and Indiana courts ruled that these laws prohibiting the practice were unconstitutional. Justin Timberlake posting a voting booth selfie on Instagram in 2016. He was never formally accused of any wrongdoing. The law is currently being challenged in North Carolina, where a woman is suing election officials and Wake County after she posted a selfie with her completed ballot, arguing the law violates her right to free speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secret ballots are a fixture of modern American elections. But they only started coming into play in the late 1800s, aiming to eliminate intimidation and bribery from the process that occurred when casting votes was public, according to Campaign Legal Center. But the ubiquity of cellphones has thrown a wrench into these centuries-old laws. In its report, the Lawyers for Good Government called for more transparency around ballot selfie bans due to this potential conflict. Although it would be rare for a state to actually arrest and charge a person solely for taking a ballot selfie, it is important for states to update their laws to make them clear, understood, and enforceable, the report states. The nonprofit continued: They should narrowly tailor the language to apply only when a selfie is evidence of an actual crime, and investigate coercion, bribery, and other elections crimes without undermining protected political speech. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) You still have a chance to help those on the East Coast recover after Hurricane Helene caused widespread destruction. Thanks to a partnership with Herb Easley, the team at KFDX, Union Square Credit Union, the Junior League and Fowler Freight, a semi-trailer full of essentials will be delivered to Bristol, North Carolina. Fundraiser helps injured DPS trooper with medical bills Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herb Easley general manager Ryan Decker saud hes been blown away by the amount of donations received so far, adding that these items are just a small Texas gesture for these victims. Everybody here has probably seen the tragedy thats occurred in North Carolina. I mean, theres people living in tents, no electricity, no telephones, he said. So, all these supplies that weve acquired over the past month are going to be in great need there and help a lot of people. The semi-trailer will be heading to North Carolina on Monday, November 4, so you still have time to drop off your donations at Herb Easley. Find a list of needed items below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bottled water Electrolyte drinks, such as Gatorade or Powerade Peanut butter and jelly Pouches of chicken, tuna or salmon Canned goods with pop-tops Protein bars Hand sanitizer Blankets Baby wipes Diapers, various sizes Baby food pouches Dog food Cat food You can also contact their office and theyll send someone to you to pick up your donations if you arent able to make it to the dealership. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) Holiday trees at the West Virginia Capitol building will honor service members who have dedicated and given their lives. There will be three recognition trees in the west rotunda of the main Capitol building in Charleston this year: One to honor members of the U.S. military, one to honor first responders, and a third to honor those who gave their lives while serving. Family members and loves ones can submit photos to be featured on the trees by mail or email. To participate, download and fill out either the military recognition form or first responder recognition form and send it with a photo of the person you want to recognize to joslyn.n.barnhart@wv.gov by email or the following address by mail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Virginia Governors Mansion ATTN: Joslyn Barnhart 1716 Kanawha Boulevard East Charleston, WV 25305 All sent photos should be photo copies because photos will not be returned to the senders. West Virginia State Parks offering veterans 50% off lodging Cathy and I really treasure this holiday tradition, Gov. Jim Justice said in a press release. Our United States Military and first responders are true heroes, and it means a lot to honor them in the West Virginia State Capitol. The photos on the recognition trees remind us all of the sacrifices made by these amazing folks. Each picture sent in by West Virginians tells a story of courage and commitment, and I cant wait to see this years tribute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All submissions must be received by Nov. 25 to be featured on the tree. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. Australian firm C2 Robotics has partnered with Thales to improve the capabilities of its large unscrewed underwater vehicle (LUUV), also known as the Speartooth underwater drone. The two companies' collaboration aims to integrate Thales Australias sovereign sonar sensor technology into the Speartooth drone. Upon integration, it will enhance the LUUVs long-range autonomous navigation capabilities. This will make it a better fit for performing a wide variety of operations with increased safety, precision, and reliability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the agreement entered into by both companies, all the parts for integration will be produced locally at a Thales facility in Sydney, Australia. Collaborating with Thales, whose proficiency in sonar and acoustic payloads is world renowned, has the potential to accelerate Speartooths capabilities and footprint on an AUKUS stage, Dr Tom Loveard, Chief Technology Officer, C2 Robotics. The announcement was made during the Royal Australian Navys recent Exercise Autonomous Warrior Maritime Big Play 2024, which took place at Jervis Bay in October 2024. The exercise tested a range of autonomous technologies for use below and on the surface of the ocean. Speartooth LUUV Speartooth is a LUUV designed for long-range and long-duration undersea operations. C2 Robotics states that its modular and reconfigurable design allows manufacturing scalability at a competitive cost point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 26-foot (8-meter) low-cost drone has a 3.2-foot (1-meter) beam. Its electric direct propeller propulsion allows it to operate discreetly in all kinds of areas. According to a report, the drone is powered by Lithium-ion batteries. It has a range of 1242 miles (2000 kilometers) and can operate efficiently at depths of 6561 feet (2000 meters) in the ocean. Speartooth has a customizable payload bay and a flooded hull. Moreover, it has advanced high-quality sonar mapping abilities, making it a worthy tool for tracking and surveillance. Drone developed for Australian Navy and the new Thales partnership The drone has been developed keeping the needs of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in mind. It had completed trials during the Autonomous Warrior 2023 exercise and was ready for the next stage of development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company had also been awarded development contracts under Warfare Innovation Navy (WIN) funding to bring the concept to a reality. The partnership with Thales will enable its sonar solutions to be scaled appropriately for performance and cost when integrated into the Speartooth LUUV. This will allow C2 Robotics to achieve its goal of delivering affordable, long-range platforms that can be produced at scale in Australia. Troy Stephen, Vice President of Underwater Systems, Thales Australia and New Zealand, added, This exciting partnership represents a significant opportunity to develop Australias sovereign autonomous maritime capability by leveraging the expertise of an innovative Australian SME. C2 Robotics has been collaborating with Navy for several years on Speartooth and in that time they have demonstrated the maturity of the vessel. We are very pleased to be able to support C2 Robotics focus on manufacturing scalability and their speed to capability ethos. Louise Mcloughlin found out when she was 13 that she had been conceived by a sperm donor. She said when her parents told her, it "felt like the rug was just pulled from underneath my entire life." McLoughlin was raised in Dublin as an only child. When at-home genetic testing became available in 2006, she signed up, and she discovered that she had a half-sister. Not long after that, there was another match. "I just went, oh my God. We found our biological dad," she told CBS News. Within a few hours McLoughlin found a website belonging to her biological father and, later that same day, she called him. Louise McLoughlin, right, is seen with her half-sister. / Credit: Courtesy of Louise McLoughlin "I know I've caught you off guard," McLoughlin told the man on the other end of the phone line. "I have a million questions. You may have a million questions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her biological father said the call came unexpectedly, but he did acknowledge donating sperm at a clinic in London years earlier. He said he thought the donation would remain anonymous, but he told McLoughlin that he welcomed her call. "To hear this man say, 'you're very welcome,'" McLoughlin told CBS News, "I feel guilty, because I know that's not the happy ending that everyone gets." McLoughlin now hosts a podcast called You Look Like Me, which explores the lives of donor-conceived people. Some have faced the discovery of hundreds of half-siblings. Louise McLoughlin records an episode of her podcast You Look Like Me, which explores the lives of donor-conceived people. / Credit: CBS News A recent Netflix documentary highlighted the case of one prolific sperm donor from the Netherlands, Jonathan Jacob Meijer, who has fathered hundreds of children. Some of his donations may have reached the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meijer told CBS News he believes he has about 550 children, but admitted it could be many more. The sperm banks he's used do not need to inform him how many children have resulted from his donations. In 2023, a court in the Netherlands banned a man, identified only as Jonathan M. under Dutch privacy laws, from donating any more sperm, saying he had fathered about 550 children. The court noted that under national guidelines, donors are allowed to produce a maximum of 25 children with 12 mothers, and the judge said the man had "deliberately lied about" the extent of his donations "to persuade the parents to take him as a donor." "Donor conceived people have been sounding the alarm on this for years," McLoughlin said. "We are seeing men who are donating hundreds and thousands of times. They're doing it in small areas. They're doing it within the same kind of years. So you're ending up with kids who are growing up knowing each other or meeting each other in later adulthood, which is just incredibly, incredibly dangerous." One of the dangers is that donor offspring can end up in incestuous relationships without knowing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Connecticut woman revealed last year that she unknowingly had a relationship with her half-brother in high school, saying her mother was a victim of fertility fraud having been inseminated by her doctor with his own sperm. More than 50 fertility doctors in the U.S. have been accused of using their own sperm to inseminate patients. "We regulate gasoline more comprehensively, driving more comprehensively. And yet, here we're actually creating lives," Indiana Law Professor Jody Madeira said. She's trying to get a law passed in Indiana that would make fertility fraud a felony. Madeira said the U.S. was like the Wild West compared to European countries in terms of regulating sperm donations. "If you think that something like, a guy with a thousand kids, donor conceived kids, is possible in Europe, then the chances are exponentially higher in the United States," she told CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are several known prolific sperm donors in America, including New Yorker Ari Nagal, who's said he has 165 kids, and is still counting. There are no national databases tracking sperm donations in America, nor is there a legal limit on how many donations a person can make. There is also no requirement for donors to disclose genetic medical conditions that could affect offspring. Madeira said it is possible to regulate sperm donations, but "in the United States, our cultural orientation just prioritizes the market, and the industry, and the wishes of parents. Whereas in Europe, they prioritize the rights of donor conceived individuals." Louise McLoughlin said says the industry could improve, and she said if donor-conceived people cshould be part of the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are not babies. We have been able to contribute to this conversation for a really long time, and we actually haven't been allowed a space This journey of conception, this journey of fertility treatment, it does not end when you have a baby. It does not end when you conceive. It ends, you know, all the way in the future when your child is grown up into a person, and they these are real world issues that they have to deal with." Trump says of Liz Cheney, "Put her with a rifle standing there with 9 barrels shooting at her" Trump uses garbage truck to needle Biden, Harris Sneak peek: Fatal First Date WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Services will take place Saturday for former Wichita State University Dean Dr. James Jim Rhatigan. Rhatigan, 89, died Sunday. Rhatigan spent decades at WSU, beginning in 1965. He was Vice President of Student Affairs from 1970 until 1996 and then Senior Vice President for six years. He retired from the position in 2002. He then served as a consultant for the WSU Foundation until 2014. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Union representing Spirit AeroSystems engineers announces tentative agreement A Celebration of Life for Rhatigan will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the University Congregational Church. A reception will follow from 2:30 to 4:00 pm at the building named in his honor, the Rhatigan Student Center at Wichita State. The University Congregational Churchs website will also host a live stream of the service for those who cannot attend. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. In the Jackson area, seven food-service places and restaurants received a failing health inspection grade in October, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health. As of Nov. 1, five of the seven facilities had conducted follow-up inspections and had rectified the failing grades. Below are the restaurants and food service facilities in District V, including Hinds, Rankin and Madison counties, that received a failing grade of "C." Hinds County health inspections Barack Obama Magnet School, located at 750 N Congress St. in Jackson, received a failing grade during a scheduled inspection on Oct. 17. The school was marked "not in compliance" for adequate hand-washing facilities. A follow-up inspection has not been completed as of Nov. 1. Previously, Barack Obama Magnet School had not received a grade below a "B." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New pizza place: Jackson State University opens this HBCU-founded pizza restaurant location. What to know Madison County health inspections The Links of Madison County, located at 147 Links Dr. in Canton, received a failing grade during a permit inspection on Oct. 10. The inspection notes a lack of a certified manager. As of Nov. 1, a follow-up inspection has not been conducted. Previously, the Links received a failing grade during a permit inspection in 2017, which was rectified during a follow-up. Bumpers Drive-In, located at 937 Hwy 49 in Flora, received a failing grade during a scheduled inspection on Oct. 29. The inspection states the restaurant was deemed "not in compliance" regarding several categories including proper sanitization of food-contact surfaces, presence of insects, rodents or animals, properly installed plumbing backflow devices and displaying previous permit inspections. The next day, on Oct. 30, a corrective follow-up was conducted and the restaurant earned a "B" rating. Previously, this Bumpers location had received a failing grade on six occasions since 2017. Staybridge Suites, located at 801 Ridgewood Road in Ridgeland, received a failing grade during a permit inspection on Oct. 7. The inspection cites a lack of a certified manager. On Oct. 17, Staybridge Suites earned a "B" during a follow-up inspection and had not previously received a grade below an "A." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rice Cafe, located at 102 Dees Drive in Gluckstadt, received a failing grade during a permit inspection on Oct. 10. The restaurant was found "not in compliance" regarding a certified manager and adequate hand-washing facilities. On Oct. 14, the restaurant earned a "B" during a follow-up inspection. Rice Cafe had not previously received a failing grade. Compare to last month: These three Jackson area restaurants failed September health inspections. See details here Rankin County health inspections El Ranchito, located at 1172 Hwy 49 S in Richland, received a failing grade during a permit inspection on Oct. 22. The inspection notes the restaurant's lacked proper cold holding temperatures for food. On Oct. 29, the restaurant received a follow-up inspection and earned a passing grade of "B." Previously, El Ranchito had not earned a grade below "B." Fueltime 8 Exxon, located at 484 South Pearson Road in Pearl, received a failing grade during a permit inspection on Oct. 16. The facility was found "not in compliance" regarding adequate hand-washing facilities. On Oct. 29, a follow-up inspection brought the facility up to a "B." Previously, this Exxon location had received one failing grade in 2021 which was rectified during a follow-up. Health inspection grading system The MSDH grades health inspections on an A, B and C scale, with C considered a failing grade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The MSDH website states the following regarding the grading scale: A rating: "The facility inspection found no critical violations. Critical violations of the state Food Code are those more likely to lead to food contamination, illness, or other health risk." B rating: "Critical violations were found, but corrected under the supervision of the inspecting environmentalist. No further corrective actions are required." C rating: "Critical violations were found, but some or all were not corrected during the inspection. The facility will be re-inspected, and all violations must be corrected in a time period not to exceed 10 days. The re-inspection date is posted on the graded report. If violations are not corrected in the specified time, steps are taken to suspend the facility's permit to operate. A grade of C is also given if critical violations are repeated from the last inspection, even if they were corrected at that time." Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@jackson.gannett.com This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: 7 Jackson area restaurants failed October health inspections Israeli authorities have detained several people on suspicion of leaking secret information from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, Israeli media reported on Friday. The reports were made after an investigating judge partially lifted a news embargo on the case. The judge said the leak could jeopardize Israel's military objectives in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu's office rejected media reports that its own staff were among those detained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prime minister said the news embargo should be immediately lifted. "It only serves as a cover for the malicious and intentional denigration of the prime minister's office," the government's press office said. According to the media reports, the Israeli domestic secret service Shin Bet, the army and the police are involved in the investigation. SAN DIEGO (Border Report) U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents interdicted three maritime human smuggling attempts within a 24-hour period this week, the agency said. One event took place about 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. Agents from CBPs San Diego Air and Marine unit reportedly spotted a 23-foot fishing vessel as it dropped off four individuals at Dana Landing in Mission Bay, about 5 miles north of downtown San Diego. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to CBP, agents immediately approached the four subjects onboard and determined they were illegally present in the U.S. The four were placed under arrest, along with captain of the vessel and a crew member. Pleasure craft used to smuggle four individuals into Dana Landing near San Diego. (Courtesy: CBP) CBP says another man was detained in a car nearby as he waited for the smuggled migrants. All individuals were transported to a local Border Patrol station for further processing. Later that morning, agents working in Orange County were notified of an active maritime smuggling event near Crystal Cove in Newport Beach. When they arrived on scene, they were informed that 16 individuals had jumped out of a boat and ran toward a nearby roadway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surveillance blimps on Southwest border could be upgraded, lawmaker says After searching the area and with the help of an Air and Marine Operations A-Star helicopter, CBP says San Clemente-based agents encountered 16 people, who were found to be illegally in the U.S. All were transported to a local Border Patrol Station for further processing. Smugglers consistently put migrants at risk, with disregard for their safety, said Brandon J. Tucker, director of Air and Marine Operations, San Diego Air and Marine Branch. The ocean is one of the most dangerous routes to attempt illegal entry into the United States. Our agents are dedicated professionals who use advanced technology and teamwork to safeguard our coastal and maritime regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A third incident occurred early Monday morning when agents noticed a suspicious panga boat 3 miles off the coast of Solana Beach, California. The agents then witnessed the same vessel drop off a group of individuals near Beacons Beach in Leucadia, according to CBP. Report: Migrant drownings in Pacific Ocean up 3,200% since border wall got taller Agents were able to stop 15 migrants who were reportedly in the U.S. unlawfully. The group was taken for processing at a nearby Border Patrol station. CBP says the captain of the panga was able to maneuver his boat back into the ocean and eventually fled south into Mexican waters without being stopped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border With the winter months approaching, these extremely dangerous smuggling routes may lead to injury or even fatal situations, said San Diego Chief Patrol Agent Patricia McGurk-Daniel. Our message has been consistent, do not to place your life in the hands of smugglers who promise you safe passage, but only have money and their own interests in mind. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. A Democratic-aligned PAC and two other shadowy groups in a competitive House district are seeking to boost the chances of an independent candidate running against Republican incumbent Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.). A mailer from the Voter Protection Project, a Democratic-aligned PAC, says Robert E. Reid will represent true conservative values and bashes Kiggans. A copy of the mailer was shared with The Hill. Another new PAC called Save Western Culture, which has not yet reported its funding sources, similarly sent out a mailer shared with The Hill that called Kiggans a globalist RINO, while tying Reid to Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A third group identified as Fight Big Pharma sent a mailer, a photo of which was shared with The Hill, that negatively compares Kiggans to Reid regarding how the two discussed the 2020 election. Kiggans in the mailer says President Biden won in 2020, while it says Reid argued, falsely, that the election was stolen. Kiggans, who is facing Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal in a race rated lean Republican by the Cook Political Report, criticized the games from a group that recruited the independent candidate in a September House GOP press conference. While Democrats pretend to be defenders of democracy, theyve proven yet again they will resort to lying and cheating in an attempt to trick voters. They know they cannot beat me in a fair fight straight up on my record and policy priorities, so they resort to unethical and shady tactics like this, Kiggans said at the press conference. Virginias 2nd Congressional District is not the only one in which a Republican is facing an apparent effort by outside groups to siphon votes away from Republicans to independent and third-party candidates. Save Western Culture is also supporting other third-party candidates in competitive races. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reid has not reported raising any money to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), and he has no campaign website. He is one of several candidates across the country who was recruited by Patriots Run Project, The Associated Press reported in September. The group, which is reportedly connected to Democratic firms, recruited the widowed retiree and other individuals to run as independent candidates in competitive races, the report said. Republicans say the efforts to boost the independent candidates are clear attempts to siphon votes away from GOP candidates by appealing to conservative voters who would not otherwise vote for a Democrat. In an interview with local outlet 13 News Now that aired at the start of October, Reid who reportedly does not live in the district said he did not decide to run in order to siphon votes away from Kiggans. But he also said he is not sure if people should vote for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just found out yesterday I have cancer, Reid said. I dont know where my health is at. And I dont want people to waste a vote if Im not going to be here that long. And thats the truth. Reid did not respond to phone and email inquiries from The Hill on Thursday about his health and his thoughts about the outside efforts to get voters to support him. The mailer from the Voter Protection Project accused Kiggans of working for her wealthy donors, not Virginia taxpayers, citing a Politico story about earmarks in her district, and urging voters to support Reid. Robert Reid Jr. is the only candidate we can trust, the mailer said, to cut wasteful federal spending, drain the DC swamp and represent true conservative values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Voter Protection Project website, however, aligns with Democrats and says on its website that it is fighting against Mitch McConnell, Mike Johnson, and conservative legislatures around the country. Independent expenditure reports show that the Voter Protection Project spent $30,750 on a digital buy and $72,119.56 on the direct mail to boost Reid in his race. The group did not immediately respond to an inquiry from The Hill about why it is supporting Reid, and whether the group stands for cutting spending and conservative values as articulated on the mailer. Save Western Culture aggressively tied Reid to Trump in another mailer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Globalist RINO Jen Kiggans stood by while we faced tyrannical COVID jab mandates, the Save Western Culture mailer said on one side, while featuring a quote from Reid supportive of Trump on the other picturing him a collage that included former President Trump, a statue of confederate general Robert E. Lee, and an American flag. The photo of Reid used on the mailer was taken from the local news interview in which he said he is not sure people should vote for him due to his cancer diagnosis. A recent independent expenditure report showed that the PAC spent $29,163.20 targeting Reid and $14,581.60 targeting Kiggans. The group has also spent money to prop up independent and third-party candidates in other races, the New York Post reported. In Marylands Senate race, Save Western Culture boosted Libertarian candidate Mike Scott, as former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and Angela Alsobrooks (D) are seeking the open seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Save Western Culture registered with the FEC on Oct. 11 and reported raising $0 through Oct. 16 but it has since filed independent expenditure reports totaling more than $1 million in various races. Its donors may not be known until after the election. The group did not return phone and email inquiries from The Hill about its funding sources and decision to support Reid. A third group sending mail to voters to boost Reid identifies itself as Fight Big Pharma. Its mailer aims to show where Kiggans and Reid stand on our values, with an apparent attempt to appeal to conservative voters. It says that Kiggans said Biden won the election, while Reid believes the 2020 election was stolen, and claims that while Kiggans supports tax increases citing a vote on a massive GOP bill that would have repealed energy tax credits Reid supports a flat tax for everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hill could not find any FEC, IRS or corporate records for Fight Big Pharma. A message to a Facebook group of the same name went unanswered. A disclaimer said that the group does not endorse or support candidates, but instead provides this educational information so that you can make an informed decision on voting, indicating it is not a PAC. Taylor Giorno contributed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Denali Brehmer was sentenced to 99 years in prison after being convicted of killing Cynthia Hoffman It was a game of catfish being played both ways and it wound up deadly. The story of convicted murderer Denali Brehmer is the focus of the latest episode of Court TVs Interview With a Killer, featuring the first in-depth sit-down interview with the Alaska woman who shot and killed her friend on a hike after forming an online relationship with an Indiana man who convinced her he was rich and willing to pay her $9 million to murder a person of her choosing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new episode, titled Catfishing for Murder, airs at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 3, and includes exclusive new interviews with Brehmer, now 23, and former FBI agent Brad Garrett, who helps host David Scott analyze the shocking case. Brehmer was sentenced to 99 years in prison for the 2019 murder of her friend Cynthia Hoffman, the Alaska Department of Law announced in February. According to authorities, Brehmer carried out the killing after Darin Schilmiller, a 21-year-old Indiana man living in his grandparents basement, catfished her online and solicited the murder of Hoffman from Brehmer in Anchorage. But as Scott and Garrett learn through their own deep dive into the case, Brehmer was no naive, unwitting victim of a bad online influence, the Court TV host says in an exclusive new clip of the episode shared with PEOPLE this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not clear to me who was the predator and who was the prey in this case of catfishing, Scott says at one point in the new clip. In addition to Brehmer and Schilmiller, Alaska men Kayden McIntosh and Caleb Leyland were convicted for helping Brehmer carry out the murder, the Alaska Department of Law said. Both were convicted of second-degree murder. CourtTV Denali Brehmer Denali Brehmer Brehmer tells Scott in the new interview clip that Thunderbird Falls, where she, Leyland and McIntosh took Hoffman hiking the day she was murdered, was merely a place of opportunity for them to carry out the killing. Initially, when we all came up with it, I agreed and said yeah because I was mad at her and she was mad at me and I was just over her s---, Brehmer tells Scott, referencing a falling out the pair had over another man named Zack. I wanted to make amends, I did want to make amends but she needed payback for what she did with Zack. CourtTV Denali Brehmer and David Scott Denali Brehmer and David Scott Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Brehmer says the killing is on me though she wavers back and forth about whether she wanted to murder her one-time friend or to simply put a scare into her. The Anchorage Daily News reported the victims family said she had a learning disability and functioned at a younger developmental age than 19. Hoffmans father, Timothy Hoffman, told the paper his daughter considered Brehmer her best friend after they met in high school. Interview With a Killer: Catfishing for Murder, airs on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 8 p.m. ET on CourtTV. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) After an hours-long search, two suspects including one who was armed were taken into custody by Gresham police on Friday night in Damascus, officials said. The shelter-in-place was lifted and traffic on SE 222nd Dr. and SE Bohna Park Rd. was opened to all traffic. A large police presence responded to the scene in Gresham on Friday. A large police presence responded to the scene in Gresham on Friday. Residents in Damascus were told to shelter in place Friday afternoon as law enforcement searched for a possibly armed suspect in the area, according to authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gresham police said officers attempted to stop a vehicle near SE 222nd Drive and Bohna Park Road when the driver eluded officers and crashed before running from the car. New details released as suspect still at-large in Vancouver Mall Halloween shooting Deputies surrounded the area and called for a SWAT team to search for the suspect, who reportedly had a gun, officials said. KOIN 6 News learned on Friday evening that a second person who was not armed was also in the car and ran from police after it crashed. Both people are now in custody. A neighbor who wished to remain anonymous told KOIN 6 that one of the suspects entered his home at one point before he turned them away, once he realized they were on the run from authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My mother had came in with a stranger and she had been in an accident and she needed help and wanted to call her mother, the neighbor said. As I talked more with her tyring to make sure she was okay and trying to understand why a stranger walks into my house, thats when it came out more that they had decided to run from the police. The neighbor eventually encouraged the woman to turn herself in, saying youre putting me in a tough position. She slipped out the back door. I went out the front door to tell the sheriffs deputies where she was, and they had already seen her and she was walking down the driveway towards the sheriffs officers, by the time I got out there, he said. Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Torrential rains flooded ravines, inundated highways, and killed over 150 people this week in Spain. Before-after-after photos show the destruction floodwaters wreaked on Spain's Valencia province. Satellite images show the scale of the floods, stretching from Alzira toward Valencia. At least 158 people were killed and more remain missing this week in flash floods after intense rainfall struck Spain's eastern province of Valencia on Tuesday. The flooding is some of the worst that Spain has seen in decades. Satellite images released by the European Space Agency capture the scale of the devastation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other images, which Business Insider geolocated and compared with images from Google Street View, show how the rainfall badly affected certain places in and around Valencia. Satelite images show floods that stretch from Alzira toward Valencia. US Landsat-8 satellite images show the Valencia region before and after torrential floods. USGS, processed by ESA This image from the US Landsat-8 satellite shows the landscape around Valencia on October 8, before the flash flood, and October 30, after it hit. For scale, it's about 28 miles from the city of Alzira, shown in the lower left of both images, to Valencia, shown in the upper left. Satellite images show the destruction of a highway in Spain. The before-after photo shows a highway in Valencia, Spain that was damaged from floods this week. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies Before-and-after satellite images captured by Maxar Technologies show widespread destruction across the Valencia Province. Depicted here is a highway that was damaged by floodwaters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Thursday, about 300 people remained cut off from rescue due to damaged roads, EFE Spain's state news agency reported. Flash floods treated cars like legos, piling one atop the other. Flash floods piled cars and other debris in the streets. Google Maps; David Ramos/Getty Image The Sedavi area of Valencia is almost unrecognizable in these images from before and after the flash floods. The floodwaters flipped cars on their sides, inundated highways, cut off main roads, and damaged many homes. Some were forced to flee to their rooftops to await rescue. Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez said on Thursday that the government had deployed more than 1,800 police officers, 750 civil guards, and 200 soldiers to help in rescue and recovery efforts, EFE reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Muddy waters stained the people, streets, and buildings brown. Before and after photos show flooding outside a bank in Paiporta, Spain. Google Maps; Pablo Miranzo/Anadolu via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bank is in Paiporta, south of Valencia City, where at least 62 people were killed by the floods, some of whom were elderly. A ravine cuts through the Paiporta municipality. When the storm came through, the ravine overflowed, flooding the entire central area where older houses and older people live, the Spanish broadcaster RTVE reported. Paiporta's mayor, Maribel Albalat, told RTVE that they hadn't received a warning of the imminent danger and people were ambushed by the floods. It's the worst flooding Spain has seen in decades and people weren't prepared. Cars piled up outside an architecture studio in the Catarroja municipality of Valencia. Google Maps; Ahmed Abbasi/Anadolu via Getty Images The storm was caused by what's called a cold drop, when warm air rises rapidly forming huge cumulonimbus clouds that can then release torrential downpours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sudden, catastrophic rain events are becoming more of a problem worldwide as global temperatures rise, largely because warmer air holds more moisture. In a phenomenon that some scientists call "weather whiplash," many parts of the planet are swinging violently between extreme drought and extreme flooding. "You can really go to any continent, in any season, and find something at this point," Daniel Swain, a climate scientist who studies the phenomenon at the University of California, Los Angeles, told BI in January 2023, after powerful floods briefly broke the drought in California . Thousands have been rescued but many more remain trapped. A before and after of a highway in the Quart de Poblet municipality of Valencia. Google Maps; Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images The number of people unaccounted for remains unclear, EFE reported. That said, about 3,400 people have been rescued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the planet heats up for decades to come, droughts and rain events will likely become more and more extreme. That's one of many reasons scientists have been calling for companies, countries, and industries to drastically cut their carbon emissions. If business continues as normal, research suggests there will be more floods like this in the future. Read the original article on Business Insider Shonda Rhimes will join Debbie Allen alongside other castmembers from Greys Anatomy and Private Practice in a Get Out the Vote trivia event Sunday, presented in partnership with MoveOn political advocacy group. The livestreamed competition will be free to the public, though organizers ask that attendees remind three of their loved ones to vote before joining. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to Rhimes and Allen, Florida rep. Maxwell Frost will attend the event, along with Shondaland actors Kate Walsh, Amy Brenneman, Jessica Capshaw, Midori Francis, Jason George, Anthony Hill, Chris, Lowell, James Pickens Jr., Harry Shum Jr. and KaDee Strickland. The group will split into two teams, competing in Greys Anatomy and Private Practice trivia questions, while also giving away prizes and encouraging all attendees to vote and volunteer for Kamala Harris and the Democratic ticket. There are just four days left until polls close and we have to leave it all on the field and leave no stone unturned to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz and progressives up and down the ballot, Walsh said in a press release. On TV, weve overcome hurricanes, sinkholes, ferry accidents and more, but that didnt stop us, so dont let anything stop you from getting out the vote. George added, We may play fake doctors on TV but we know the stakes are very real in this election. There might only be a few days left until Election Day, but its not too late to use our power and make our voices heard at the ballot box. After doing all of our research, the answer for us was clear: Were voting for Kamala Harris and Democrats all the way down the ballot to protect our freedoms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MoveOn Political Action spokesperson Britt Jacovich said her organization is spending the final days before Tuesdays election reminding voters to use their power and elect leaders who will protect your freedoms, including your rights to abortion and reproductive healthcare. She continued, Healthcare decisions should be between a patient and their doctor not dictated by Donald Trump and rightwing extremists. The trivia competition will occur Sunday at 5 p.m. PT. Attendees can join at MoveOn.org/CodeBlue. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Shoppers are mourning their favorite Stop & Shop locations after three in the region officially closed on Thursday. Stop & Shop initiated the closures after announcing earlier this year that it would be shuttering 32 underperforming stores to strengthen the brand and ensure long-term stability. The company has remodeled nearly 200 stores in the last five years, which have outperformed their older counterparts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This week, the Johnston location, Eastside Marketplace in Providence, and one in Raynham opened and closed their doors for the last time. MORE: Stop & Shop closing 32 underperforming stores I love coming here and now they closed it after so long what, 30 years? Yeah. Breaks my heart and my youngest daughter worked here for over 20 [years], Johnston shopper Virginia Gladue said. Shoppers like Karina Papineau said it will be strange without the grocery store. People I went to middle school with. I would always come and see familiar faces. So I dont know, its kind of sad, Papineau said. I know its just a grocery store, but its just super weird and unexpected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the company said each location in the Northeast is partnered with a local hunger relief agency through Feeding America. For the closed stores, the grocer said it will ensure unsold products are donated to those in need, and local animal shelters will also receive pet food and supplies. The Johnston and Providence locations that closed will be donating to the following Rhode Island organizations: We Share Hope East Providence St. Roberts Bellarmine Church Cranston Maureens Group Home Providence Providence Animal Shelter St. Edwards Food Pantry Friends Of The Providence Animal Care and Control Center Day One Womens Shelter Stop & Shop stated that all affected employees will be offered opportunities within the company. Following the closures, Stop & Shop will still have more than 350 stores across five states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. Shots were fired at a Collierville gas station on a busy corner Thursday night. Late Thursday night, police say someone in a Chevy fired four shots at another vehicle at the Circle K at the corner of West Poplar and Byhalia. No one was injured, but the incident left shattered glass at the convenience store. Police are still looking for the shooter. Crime is everywhere. No matter where you go, you cant run from it, said Collierville resident Dwight Moore. You just need to take the precautions and be careful, but I am kind of surprised it happened here in Collierville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting comes on the heels of a development application that was submitted to bring another convenience store to the area at Shelby Drive and Houston Levee. Collierville Middle School teacher under investigation Some believe the proposed new business could bring crime with it. That concern led dozens living in Collierville to share their opinions about the planned convenience store, in some 20 pages of public comments. It will create more crime and vandalism, one said. Another said it could increase crime rates in Collierville. But others were supportive of the business, saying, We sure do need a store in that corner. Another said, it will be a wonderful addition to this side of the bridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Talks surrounding the planned convenience store were on the agenda last month at the Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting. The applicant asked that the issue be delayed. It was moved to the Nov.r 25 Board of Mayor and Alderman meeting. Those who call the area home say they are really at a crossroads. They want to continue seeing this area grow, but there is concern it could bring with it crime. They are hoping what happened here overnight is simply an isolated case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. OREM, Utah (ABC4) Shots were fired in Orem as officers were investigating a pair of robberies on Halloween evening. Orem officers responded to the first robbery around 9 p.m. in the area of 500 South State Street. The initial report said the suspect allegedly had a weapon at the time of the robbery. While officers were investigating the initial robbery, reports of a second robbery came in just south of their location. Are LDS missionaries safe? Horror movie Heretic raises question in church community Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say the information received in the second robbery matched the description of the suspect from the first incident. Officers searched the area of 600 East and 1600 South where they reportedly found a man, who has yet to be identified. Details on the confrontation are limited but the Orem City Police Department said during their interaction with the suspect, a report of shots fired was made. The suspect was later taken into custody. Neither the suspect nor responding officers were injured in the reported shooting. As a result of the shooting, the Utah County Officer Involved Critical Incident Team took over to conduct an investigation. Orem City Police said they will publicly release further details as they become available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. [Source] Two Asian American political candidates in Milpitas, California, have been targeted with hate crimes twice within a week. Campaign signs for city council candidate Bill Chaun and mayoral candidate Hon Lien on the 500 block of Jurgens Drive were first discovered to be vandalized on Oct. 24. After replacing the signs, both candidates found they had been defaced again on Oct. 30. Chaun's sign was defaced with the phrase "No Asians," while Lien's had "No No" scrawled in red ink. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lien expressed dismay, stating, "Hate divides us. But love and understanding will bring us together," while Chaun reaffirmed his commitment to continue campaigning. Milpitas police have launched a hate crime investigation. Trending on NextShark: Silicon Valley Asian candidates' campaign posters hit with hate graffiti Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A man from Simpsonville was sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child and having explicit pictures and videos of children. According to the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office, Andrew Scott Walker pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of criminal sexual conduct with a minor. The Simpsonville Police Department responded to a call in January 2021 of a citizen claiming she discovered nude images of children on the phone of a man she knew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers seized Walkers cell phone and discovered more pictures and videos of Walker sexually assaulting one of the children. His voice and the children were identified. Walker received 10 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of a minor charge and 15 years in prison for the criminal sexual conduct with a minor charge. He must register as a sex offender upon his release, has consented to a forfeiture order, and a permanent restraining order was signed for the victims Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Calli, a mother from Kootenai County, and her 1-year-old son. (Erick Doxey/InvestigateWest) This story was first published by InvestigateWest on Nov. 1, 2024. The day after Calli gave birth to her first child in November 2021, a Coeur dAlene police officer showed up in her hospital room. It had been a relatively easy delivery. Callis daughter was a normal weight and appeared healthy. But Callis urine test had come back positive for marijuana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hospital notified the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, which handles reports of child abuse, triggering a response from law enforcement. A police officer met Calli in the postpartum ward of Kootenai Health and reminded her that marijuana is an illegal drug in Idaho. It could harm her baby, he told her. She could temporarily lose custody of her daughter and could even face jail time. My blood went fing cold, said Calli, 26, who asked to go by her first name for this article. I was holding my daughter, and I was like, Oh my god. (They were) in my hospital room, threatening to take my baby away over this. Calli had been open with her doctor about her marijuana use, in the hope that her honesty would allow the doctor to provide the best care possible. Shed explained how she would sometimes smoke weed to help with her social anxiety and pregnancy symptoms like nausea. Calli remembers her doctor warning her that if she tested positive for illegal drugs when the baby was born, it would be reported to child welfare. I was scared, she said. I mean, I didnt know how severe it was going to be. I thought it was just gonna be them kind of warning me about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These admissions to her doctor, along with her babys medical records, later appeared in a police report alleging that shed committed the crime of injury to child, an Idaho statute meant to protect children from abuse thats used by some prosecutors to convict women based on their drug use while pregnant, police and court records show. Prosecutors declined to file charges against Calli, and the state did not take her baby. But her name was added to Idahos Child Protection Central Registry a list of individuals substantiated for child abuse, neglect or abandonment. Calli, who had been a preschool teacher before going on maternity leave, had to find a new career path, since background checks now exclude her from many child care jobs. Callis case fits into a pattern of heightened scrutiny from police, prosecutors and social workers faced by pregnant patients in Idaho a pattern that attorneys and reproductive rights advocates say has been amplified since the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization case in May 2021. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added Calli to a central registry of people substantiated for child abuse, neglect or abandonment because she used marijuana during pregnancy, even though her daughter is healthy and developing normally. (Erick Doxey/InvestigateWest) After U.S. Supreme Court released Dobbs, Idaho officials use decision as legal rationale Idaho has not prosecuted anyone under its near-total abortion ban, passed by state lawmakers in 2020 and enacted just two months after the Dobbs decision took away the constitutional right to abortion in June 2022. But public records show that Idaho officials are deploying Dobbs and state policy protecting preborn children as legal rationales to allege that mothers abused or neglected their children before giving birth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys, physicians and pregnant patients worry that this interpretation of state and federal law, along with prosecutors use of personal medical information, is previewing the ways Idaho may decide to more vigorously enforce its abortion laws. Though the Biden administration has taken steps to protect abortion access and medical privacy, including suing Idaho over its abortion law regarding medical emergencies, a second Donald Trump presidency could put those federal efforts at risk. To me, it looks like theyre testing the waters in terms of, What are the legal challenges going to look like? said Jay Logsdon, the states head public defender for North Idaho. The main thing has been going after moms for using drugs while they were pregnant. While charging mothers and putting them on the registry for substance use while pregnant has been happening in Idaho for well over a decade, Logsdon said hes seen more prosecutors seeking prison time in these cases in Kootenai County. Thats something he said would almost never happen before. Research indicates that prosecuting people for using drugs while pregnant is not an effective way to improve the health of mothers and babies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pre-Dobbs, from 2006 to June 2022, at least five Idaho mothers were convicted of crimes relating to substance use during pregnancy, according to data provided by Pregnancy Justice, a national nonprofit that provides legal defense for pregnant people. In less than two and a half years following Dobbs, at least another five mothers have already been convicted of misdemeanor or felony injury to child for using illegal drugs while pregnant, according to an InvestigateWest review of Department of Health and Welfare reports, court records and over 50 police reports from across the state. One case was in Kootenai County and four were in Bannock County, after mothers gave birth at the Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello and tested positive for drugs including methamphetamines, amphetamines and fentanyl. Idaho authorities interpretation of the same injury to child statute has long been controversial, but for a different reason: It has protected parents who use faith healing instead of medical treatment on children, even if it results in a childs death. In the last several years, Idaho has added hundreds of women like Calli to its central registry for using drugs while pregnant, sometimes even when child welfare workers noted that the baby appeared healthy and the parents were attentive. The number of people on the registry for prenatal substance use grew 45% between March 2021 and 2024, from 1,955 to 2,843, according to Idaho Department of Health and Welfare records released in an ongoing federal lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those mothers are designated as posing a medium to high risk to children, and are put on the registry for a minimum of 10 years. They must petition to remove their names once those years are up. Only 26 people were removed from the list during that time period, according to the departments records. While the registry is confidential, records indicate that many of these mothers were likely added due to marijuana use. In over half of the 27 intake reports that the Department of Health and Welfare sent to InvestigateWest involving mothers whose umbilical cord testing came back positive for drugs since 2021, marijuana, cannabinoids or THC the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis was the only substance that came back positive. Mothers medical records and conversations with their health care providers were often used by police and social workers to build cases against them. I think what Dobbs did was it really lifted the veil and emboldened state actors who want to upend and roll back the rights of pregnant people to be able to have the clearance to do so, said Kulsoom Ijaz, a Pregnancy Justice senior staff attorney. Idahos child protection registry In March 2023, another Idaho mother who had been added to the child protection registry for using marijuana during pregnancy, Keeva Rossow, filed a class-action complaint in federal court against the director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Rossow argued that placement on the registry violated her constitutional rights to due process, in part because there was nothing to show that an existing child had been abused, neglected or abandoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our claim is that the state of Idaho violated due process when it defined the fetus as a child within the mothers womb, said Rossows attorney, Richard Hearn. The pregnant woman is not, until the fetus is born, the mother of a child, and therefore is not abusing her child. The department directors attorneys with the Idaho Attorney Generals Office fired back, using the Dobbs decision to strengthen their contention that someone who is pregnant while using illegal substances is, in fact, abusing a child. The premise of this argument that a child who is not yet born does not exist is one that Idaho law emphatically rejects, the attorneys wrote in support of the directors motion to dismiss. Under Dobbs, Idaho is entitled to do so. And because the State has done so, the Court must therefore reject Plaintiffs claims to the contrary. The Department of Health and Welfare and the Idaho Attorney Generals Office declined to comment on the lawsuit due to the pending litigation, though the welfare department did talk about how it responds to instances of prenatal substance use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under a 2016 federal law, medical professionals are required to notify child protective agencies when newborns are affected by prenatal drug exposure. Almost half of U.S. states and the District of Columbia have passed laws that consider substance use during pregnancy to be child abuse or neglect, or to count as evidence of it. Idaho is not among those states, according to a June 2024 analysis by the Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association. Yet, in effect, some attorneys are interpreting Idaho law in this way by drawing on Dobbs and existing statutes like the states 2021 fetal heartbeat law, which declares that the life, health and well-being of preborn children should be protected. It would be an odd construction of the law to forbid providing controlled substances to a child out of the womb, yet to allow them to be given to an unborn child, the directors attorneys argued in the lawsuit. And that is especially true because Idaho recognizes and protects life beginning at conception. Rather than passing a law that explicitly addresses this issue, Idaho tucked a new section into its administrative code in 2007 which, the state argues, allows it to add pregnant patients to the child protection registry since it specifies that child abuse or neglect can be based on prenatal substance use. Though the administrative code is approved by the Legislature, Hearn notes that lawmakers never voted specifically on the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Politicians that are going to run for re-election did not have to vote on an issue that says a fetus is a child, Hearn said. They would have had to do that if they came out with a change in the criminal law. So theyre doing it under the table. In Idaho, when a health care provider notifies the Department of Health and Welfare that a newborn has been affected by illegal substances, a department worker is assigned to respond, according to Autum Ferris, the departments child welfare program specialist. These instances are typically categorized as Priority I, which also requires department workers to request that law enforcement come with them. The worker then assesses the safety of the infant and develops a safety plan if needed. If a baby is determined to be unsafe and the family doesnt cooperate with the safety plan, the baby might be taken into state custody. In some instances, law enforcement sends the case to prosecutors. When it comes to adding mothers to the registry, it doesnt matter which illegal drug the mother took marijuana is treated the same as harder drugs like fentanyl under state policy. We have to follow the federal and state guidelines that have been put in place for us, Ferris said. The intention is really to work together so that we can keep that child in the home, get all the services that might be needed to ensure their safety. Pregnancy-related prosecutions in Idaho In the first year after the Dobbs decision, at least three people in Idaho faced criminal charges for conduct related to their pregnancies, according to a recent Pregnancy Justice report. Idaho was one of 12 states that saw such charges that year, totaling at least 210 criminal cases nationwide the largest number identified in a single year since the organization published its first national report on pregnancy-related arrests in 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The majority of charges involved substance use during pregnancy and didnt require any proof that the pregnant person actually harmed the fetus. Nearly half of the cases were in Alabama, the first state to include a fetal personhood clause in its constitution granting unborn children the right to life. And in nearly 60% of cases, information was obtained or disclosed in a medical setting. Prosecutors who charge women for using illegal drugs argue its necessary for the protection of vulnerable children and adults. One of the many goals is to protect the public, Kootenai County Prosecutor Stanley Mortensen said. If this person isnt going to be able to control themselves and stop using drugs on their own, theyre going to continue to put this child at risk and themselves at risk. Opioid use among pregnant women is a growing public health concern recognized by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its been linked with preterm births, stillbirths and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome among infants. Opioid-related overdoses are a leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum people, with one study finding an 81% increase in overdose deaths from 2017 to 2020. The CDC also advises against cannabis use during pregnancy, as some research shows that it can cause lower birth weight and abnormal neurological development for newborns, but notes that more research is needed to better understand how cannabis can affect a babys health. We dont want dead babies, and we dont want dead moms. And unfortunately, sometimes the only way to make somebody stop is to lock them up, Mortensen said. Yet research shows that punitive approaches to prenatal substance use like prison time for using drugs while pregnant dont improve the health of mothers or their babies. In fact, there is some evidence that the opposite is happening, said Angelica Meinhofer, an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicines Department of Population Health Sciences who co-published research on the impacts of prenatal substance use policies in 2022. Rather than deterring women from using substances during pregnancy, punitive policies have been shown to deter women from seeking substance use treatment and prenatal care, Meinhofer said. She added that more supportive policies that increase access to treatment, on the other hand, are more effective at improving prenatal and birth outcomes. In Kootenai County, Mortensen said that injury to child is typically prosecutors go-to charge for cases involving prenatal substance use. It can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony felony charges might be filed if the baby suffered from symptoms of withdrawal or other medical issues relating to the drug use. He noted that he doesnt view the Dobbs decision as having an influence on these charges because mothers arent prosecuted until after the baby is born. Were charging these after birth, he said. Its not an unborn fetus or a clump of cells, or whatever we want to talk about, anymore. This is a living, breathing child thats been born. But court records show that some Idaho prosecutors are finding ways to charge people for actions that occurred before the baby was born. In May, for example, prosecutors charged a Kootenai County mother with delivery of a controlled substance after her babys urine analysis came back positive for amphetamines and fentanyl. Her public defender moved to dismiss the charge, arguing that it would be an absurd application of Idaho law to conclude that the passive act of allowing blood to flow through ones own body and coincidentally to an in-utero fetus constitutes the delivery of a controlled substance. The mother ended up pleading guilty to felony injury to child and drug possession charges. The judge sentenced her to a rider, which gives her a year to complete a treatment program. The court will then decide whether to put her on probation or have her serve a prison term of 12 to 17 years. In another high-profile case in Bannock County last year, a mother and son were charged with second-degree kidnapping after allegedly driving a teenage girl to Oregon for an abortion without her parents consent. Pocatello police used their cellphone records to show that the devices associated with all three phone numbers had traveled together to Oregon, according to the police report. Some reproductive rights advocates argued that the case was tied to Idahos 2023 abortion trafficking law that makes it a crime to help minors get out-of-state abortions without their parents permission. The Bannock County Prosecutors Office has stated that the case had nothing to do with the law, which cant currently be enforced due to an ongoing lawsuit challenging its constitutionality. Dobbs was never about abortion any more than Roe was ever about abortion, said Jamila Perritt, president and CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health, a national nonprofit of medical providers that advocate for reproductive rights. This is about power. Its about control. And so we have to start understanding and talking about it that way, because if we are very fixated on the impact of this one particular kind of care, then we are missing the bigger picture. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Medical privacy concerns post Dobbs Since Idaho enacted its near-total abortion ban in 2022, physicians and pregnant patients have voiced fear and confusion about how the laws will be enforced and how patients medical data and records could be used against them. In the first year following the Dobbs decision, as abortion clinics in Idaho shut down, Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette located in Oregon and Southwest Washington saw 500 Idaho patients for abortion appointments. They saw 1,000 Idaho patients the year after up from less than 50 people who traveled to Oregon from out of state for an abortion prior to Idahos ban, according to data provided by the organization. Patients have definitely shown more stress and anxiety. Theyre asking lots more questions about privacy, said Mariah Galaviz, director of health centers and telemedicine at Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette. Theres lots of confusing information out there about whether its legal to seek care if you are coming from a state with bans. Theyre concerned about even getting a dating ultrasound where theyre from. Galaviz tries to quell patients fears by reminding them that abortion is legal in Oregon and Washington. And that privacy is very important to us. It always has been and always will be. In response to these sorts of concerns across the country, the Biden-Harris administration issued a change to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, in April to strengthen privacy protections around reproductive health care. The updated privacy rule prevents protected health information from being used to investigate someone for obtaining or providing an abortion in states where its legal. In Idaho, this means that if patients get legal abortions in neighboring states like Oregon and Washington, health care providers and insurers cannot share that information with Idaho agencies. Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador was one of 19 attorneys general to oppose the rule in a June 2023 letter to the U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services, claiming that it would unlawfully interfere with States authority to enforce their laws. Trumps vice-presidential running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, signed onto a similar congressional letter urging the HHS secretary to immediately withdraw the rule and supporting law enforcements use of protected health information to investigate abortion cases. Abortion is not health care it is a brutal act that destroys the life of an unborn child and hurts women, the letter says. In September, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Biden administration officials in an effort to block the rule. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix, an appointee of former president Donald Trump with a history of ruling against Biden administration policies. On the same day that the attorneys general and Vance sent their letters, Pregnancy Justice also sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services. It urged the department to include drug testing and treatment for substance use during pregnancy within its proposed privacy rule. The practice of drug testing pregnant people and reporting the results of those tests to state authorities is the leading reason why pregnant people face criminalization and other punitive state actions due to their pregnancy status or outcomes, Pregnancy Justice wrote. Urine drug screens are a common way for hospitals to identify newborns affected by drugs during pregnancy and then refer those cases to child protective services. But they can have false positive rates as high as 50%, The Marshall Project reported in September. Drug tests are also often done without the mothers knowledge or informed consent, reproductive health experts say. In Idaho, prosecuting a mother or adding her to the child protection registry typically requires more than a positive urine drug screen. Police reports show that if a woman tests positive for illegal drugs when she gives birth, the umbilical cord is often sent to a lab for further testing. These tests become key evidence used by the Department of Health and Welfare, police and prosecutors to indicate that drugs were not only present in the mothers body, but in the babys body, too. Were finding that the umbilical cord blood is often used as a so-called backdoor entry method to getting a toxicology screen, said Perritt with Physicians for Reproductive Health. These are the results that are then used to criminalize people, to remove children from custody, to launch CPS investigation cases. When Callis umbilical cord was taken for drug testing following her daughters birth in 2021, she felt like she didnt have a choice. There was no no about it, Calli said. I wasnt interested in keeping the placenta and umbilical cord and stuff, but they didnt even talk to me about that. When she became pregnant with her second child last year, she and her husband decided to have the baby in Washington, where public defenders say they arent seeing mothers being prosecuted for using drugs while pregnant and where recreational marijuana use is legal. Her doctors in Washington warned her that smoking weed during pregnancy came with risks, Calli said. But they also talked more deeply about why she was smoking and how Calli could weigh the risks. It keeps me calm, keeps my blood pressure down. And those are all also good for the baby, she said. In Idaho, they just were like, Thats bad for you. That could kill your baby. Callis daughter is almost 3 now. Shes talkative and articulate, Calli said. Her son, who just turned 1, can walk and is learning to jump. Theyre both healthy and seem to be developing normally. We have so many other things to be worried about than weed, Calli said. It felt like a waste of everyones time, resources and everything, just to intimidate me. This project was made possible with support from the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment. InvestigateWest (invw.org) is an independent news nonprofit dedicated to investigative journalism in the Pacific Northwest. Reporter Kelsey Turner can be reached at kelsey@invw.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) A Sioux City man was sentenced to life in prison Friday after being found guilty of first-degree murder in a fatal Sept. 2023 shooting on West 19th Street. Court documents say that Mario Corona-Ruiz was given the life sentence for the murder of Michael Schwebach. He was found guilty by a jury on Aug. 22. On Sep. 21, 2023, Corona-Ruiz was driving down an alleyway near West 20th Street in a full-size white SUV, approaching the intersection of the alley and Center Street where the vehicle came to a stop. Ruiz spoke to Schwebach at the stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the conversation, Schwebach turned and walked away from the vehicle and Ruiz shot him, court documents say. Two witnesses called the police. Later that morning, Sioux City police officers were dispatched to the location. Spirit Lake man accused of attempted murder sentenced on lesser charge Schwebach received first aid from officers and was taken to the hospital via ambulance, where he was later pronounced dead. Corona-Ruiz was found and arrested the next day in South Sioux City. He was then transferred to the Woodbury County Jail on Oct. 5, 2023, and would plead not guilty on Oct. 18. Gage Teunissen contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A Florida man is the latest person to be sentenced in connection to a scam ring that federal prosecutors say netted $11 million by targeting elderly people around the country, including in Michigan. Everette Thibou, 32, of Tampa, was sentenced to 14 years in prison, the U.S. Attorneys Office said on a Thursday release. Federal authorities say the group Thibou was part of perpetrated a scam that started when victims got pop-up messages saying their computers had a virus. When they called the number provided in the messages, they got people claiming to be from a well-known company but they were really scammers in India. The scammers put forth different stories to scare the victims into giving them money: Sometimes, they said the victims needed to pay for technical support for the fake virus. Other times, they said the victims bank accounts were compromised and they should take out all their money. Sometimes they said the victim had been named in a crime and needed to pay to make the allegations go away. The victims were told to meet in person to give money to so-called federal agents who were actually more crooks or funnel the money to the scammers via wire transfers or gift cards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities say 50 people around the country, most of them elderly, fell victim to the scam. Five other defendants who investigators say collected money from the victims were previously sentenced, including a New York man who authorities say got nearly $400,000 from a woman in Michigans Lake County and a Flint woman. Two sentenced in $11 million fraud scheme Authorities say theyre still looking for a seventh suspect: Pragneshbhai M. Patel, of Amityville, New York. A warrant was issued for his arrest last year. The victims in this case suffered anxiety, fear, humiliation and devastating financial loss, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said a Thursday statement. The defendants were relentless, preying on the elderly, often revictimizing their targets. They didnt care that they were stealing from vulnerable senior citizens; all they cared about was making money. In this case and beyond, we are committed to holding fraudsters accountable, especially when they target vulnerable members of our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI Elder Fraud website has information about how to identify and avoid scams. If you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, call the Elder Fraud Hotline at 1.833.FRAUD.11 (372.8311) between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. UNION COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) The SC Law Enforcement Division announced that a Union County man was arrested Thursday in Newberry County. According to the arrest warrant, on Oct. 10, 54-year-old James Aaron Leonard, of Carlisle, arrived at a Whitmire residence unannounced to the victims home and pointed his firearm when he exited his vehicle. It was reported that Leonard then holstered the firearm, approached the victim who was on the porch and pointed the firearm toward the individual again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two witnesses were at the residence when the incident occurred according to SLED. SLED charged Leonard with pointing and presenting a weapon. He was booked into the Newberry County Detention Center. The incident remains under investigation by SLED. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, underlined its efforts to protect voters access to the ballot box as early voting continues in advance of Election Day. (Getty Imges) Voters cant wear campaign garb into polling places. Its a law, not a courtesy, that sparked a scuffle at an Orangeburg County early voting site thats under investigation by state law enforcement. But the phrase on the hat that started the dispute could be legal following President Joe Bidens withdrawal from the race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State law doesnt allow campaign materials within 500 feet of the entrance to a polling location. That rule isnt limited to candidates. It also means voters cant broadcast their support of anyone on the ballot by distributing or wearing hats, shirts, buttons, pins, posters and flyers. The State Election Commission has posters at every polling place to remind voters of those rules. In Orangeburg County on Wednesday, a voter didnt want to remove his hat, which said, Lets Go Brandon, according to WIS-TV. (Its a phrase that took off last October among fans of former President Donald Trump as a substitute for using profanity about Biden.) An argument escalated between the voter and poll workers. After cursing and being told he couldnt vote, the voter threw his hat toward the bystander in line who was videotaping the dispute. He turned to confront a poll worker who told him to leave. She appears to slap him, and people stepped in to hold him back, according to the video circulating on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokeswoman for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division confirmed Thursday that it is investigating the scuffle. It could be the first SLED investigation of conflict at the polls for this general election. Spokeswoman Renee Wunderlich did not know of any others. As per state law, poll managers shall use every reasonable means to keep polling places clear of political literature and displays within 500 feet of the entrance. At poll managers request, law enforcement officers will remove anything distributed or displayed in violation of the law. According to a state Election Commission spokesman, voters who show up to a polling place wearing campaign gear will be asked to remove it or cover it up so its not visible to other voters. Poll workers had been trained to not allow Lets Go Brandon clothing as electioneering, Howard Knapp, director of the state Election Commission, told The Post and Courier. However, since Biden is no longer on the ballot, he believes the phrase no longer violates the law, he told the newspaper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are other legal no-nos at the polls. State law also bans people from carrying a handgun at a polling place. Having a concealed weapon permit doesnt exempt voters from that law. Voters also cant show their ballots to anyone. That includes taking a photo of it, so selfies at the ballot box are not allowed. Early voting continues statewide through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. By the close of polls Wednesday, 1.1 million South Carolinians had voted early in person. On Election Day, all precincts open at 7 a.m. The cutoff for anyone to join a line is 7 p.m. Anyone in line at that point can stay in line as long as it takes to vote. NoCampaignMaterials_SEC BSL 2072-202209 If youre tempted to take a photo of your ballot in a voting booth in South Carolina, dont. Its illegal and could land you in jail, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. SLED is cautioning voters against taking a ballot selfie, or a photo of their ballot, as doing so is against the law in South Carolina, punishable by a fine or up to a year in jail, according to a news release. Under South Carolina law, voters are prohibited from taking photos of their ballot and sharing that photo or allowing their ballot to be seen in any way, the release said. South Carolina voters are not allowed to use a camera inside the voting booth, the release said. BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) Slovakias populist Prime Minister Robert Fico reacted angrily on Friday after the U.K. ambassador to Bratislava criticized his interview with Russias Rossiya 1 state-owned television, saying, Slovakia is not Britains colony. I dont know what gives you a right to interfere in my media activities, Fico said in a video sent by his office. He is currently on a visit to China. That you represent a bigger and stronger state in Slovakia does not justify your unacceptable behavior, Fico said, calling on Ambassador Nigel Baker to stop interfering in his government's sovereign foreign policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his interview for the Russian propaganda channel, Fico condemned Western support for Ukraine that is fighting the Russian aggression, repeating his opinion it only prolongs the war and accusing the European nations of not being interested in a peaceful resolution. Baker said on X on Wednesday he regretted that Fico agreed to talk to a presenter who is under British and European Union sanctions and said Ficos claim that the West doesnt want peace is not true. He also said that the fastest way to peace would be the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. Fico returned to power for the fourth time last year after his leftist party Smer (Direction) won parliamentary elections on a pro-Russia and anti-American platform. His views on Russias war on Ukraine and other issues sharply differ from the European mainstream. Fico ended his countrys military aid for Ukraine, opposes EU sanctions on Russia, and wants to block Ukraine from joining NATO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the interview with Russian TV, he said it would be an honor for him to attend a traditional military parade in Red Square in Moscow to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII on May 9 next year. The interview was condemned by Slovakia's opposition and politicians in the neighboring Czech Republic. SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio (WJW) The Summit County OVI Task Force will conduct sobriety checkpoints across the county this Friday, Nov. 1, into early Saturday morning, Nov. 2, as part of its ongoing efforts to combat impaired driving. Law enforcement officials will set up checkpoints at various locations to assess drivers for signs of impairment. Click here for weekend forecast details Friday morning, the department did not release a specific location and instead noted their checks would be across Summit County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The primary goal of the checkpoints is to deter impaired driving. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Alice Ford, an outdoor content creator and show host, has spent a decade centering conservationist education on her YouTube channel. She said the glut of nature photos and short videos on social media is resulting in just people wanting to see a place more than they have respect for the place. Photo courtesy of Alice Ford. Dont pet the fluffy cows. Thats the Instagram bio tagline for the National Park Services popular account, which showcases stunning photos of the diverse terrains of the United States 431 national parks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cheeky statement, followed by a buffalo emoji, is meant to make its 6 million followers laugh, NPS social media specialist Matthew Turner says, but its also a very real warning. We want you to be really prepared to stay this distance, and be aware of your surroundings at all times, Turner said. And to know that if you dont, there are consequences where you can get hurt. Technology and the rise of social media has driven new people to visit public parks and lands, as the platforms make it easier to showcase the great outdoors. But outdoor enthusiasts and environmental conservationists say social media has also contributed to selfie tourism or the influx of visitation to specific landmarks that go viral on social media. It also can describe the behavior of those that crowd a landmark or ignore safety protocol to get the perfect shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every year, there are incidents of people having such dangerous interactions with wildlife, or getting lost in the parks, or even losing their lives. Its hard to quantify how exactly social media influences the decision making or behavior of park visitors, but several nearly-fatal and fatal incidents have been connected to attempting to capture content. In 2018, a 29- and 30-year-old couple fell to their deaths in Yosemite National Park in California while attempting to take a photo at Taft Point. Several people have been attacked by bison in Yellowstone National Park over the last three years at least one was a tourist trying to touch a bison while recording with her phone. A selfie in and of itself can inspire others. Maybe you see a friend post from a great trip, and it inspires you to go, Phillip Kilbridge, CEO of NatureBridge said. But you better do it thoughtfully. You better realize that when theres a fence, its because theres loose rock on the other side, or theres a steep fall, or so many other unintended consequences. Loving our parks to death Kilbridge runs NatureBridge, an organization that teaches young people how to explore the outdoors without technology. The organization was initially founded with the intention of exploring parks in their off-peak seasons, and teaching kids to learn more about themselves and the environment with low barriers to entry on cost and prior education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parks have seen a surge in visitors in the last few years, crossing more than 300 million visitors nearly each year since their centennial celebration in 2016. Attendees of NatureBridges outdoor environmental education program explore Olympic National Park. Photo courtesy of NatureBridge. NatureBridge has brought more than 1 million kids through the program over its tenure and operates in Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California, Olympic National Park in Washington, Prince William Forest National Park in Virginia and Yosemite. It makes a conscious effort to explore areas and trails that are outside the most popular ones, but high visitorship is putting strain on the hotels and areas surrounding the parks, and as a result, its more expensive to operate the program. The social media effect on certain areas of the parks might be evident in some data from Yosemite National Park. Many drive in, take pictures at the iconic Half Dome and El Capitan rock formations, and then they head out, Kilbridge said. The focus is on documenting the visit and putting it on their checklist or bucket list, to prove that theyve done it. Youve probably heard the phrase, were loving our parks to death, Kilbridge said. But the truth is, were loving certain parts of certain parks to death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cynthia Hernandez, the National Parks Systems public affairs specialist, said the agency uses social media to show examples of good environmental stewardship. Staff love and encourage new visitors to the parks, but they want them to be educated on preserving the trails, picking up trash, and learning the history and culture of where theyre visiting. We ask visitors to be adaptable and to listen to the park rangers, Hernandez said. You know, if the parking lot is full, dont drive wherever. We like to say, what is your plan B? New Hampshires public and private lands are feeling the impact from some not-so respectful visitors this year, as its peak fall foliage season a few-week stretch in late September and October is bringing an estimated 3.7 million visitors this fall, the Washington Post reported. New Hamshirians, and their neighbors in Vermont, are dealing with clogged roads, crowded hiking trails, trespassing on private property and trash left behind by their visitors, many of whom are doing so in the pursuit of the perfect fall photo. Some towns have closed roads to non-local traffic, while others have had to pay for extra patrols during on routes leading to lookouts or popular spots. One group of neighbors in Pomfret, Vermont, has raised $22,500 in a GoFundMe to save their road from the surge of influencers, with the funds planned to go toward temporary closures and increased signage, the Post reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wesley Littlefield is a Salt Lake City-based marketing manager and outdoor content creator, and the effects Kilbridge described and New Englanders are experiencing are some of the many reasons hes become mindful of not overexposing certain locations. Littlefield has been posting on social media and making YouTube videos about fishing, kayaking and other outdoor adventures for a few years, and focuses on educating people on leave no trace principles. He loves exploring the Southwest, but some of his favorite trails and natural wonders have become overpopulated after gaining attention on social media. Horseshoe Bend in Arizona is a prime example, he said, as is Antelope Canyon, which sits on Navajo land. What was once a peaceful overlook is now packed with people looking to snap that perfect shot, often at the expense of the environment around them, he said of Horseshoe Bend. Youll notice things like litter, soil erosion and even permanent damage to local ecosystems. In extreme cases, wildlife habitats can be disrupted or destroyed, which takes away from the natural beauty and balance of these areas. Responsible exploration Littlefield said he loves that technology has allowed people to discover new places and share experiences. But carelessness in certain areas has made him more conservative with geotagging certain areas or fragile locations. Its his way of protecting them while still sharing his love for the outdoors, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want these places to remain as beautiful and untouched as possible for future visitors, Littlefield said. Alice Ford is another content creator who is sharing her outdoor adventures online as a way to educate others about conservation. She hosts a show on PBS called Alices Adventures on Earth, has a masters degree in environmental management and has been making Youtube videos showcasing outdoor traveling, hiking and sustainable living for about a decade. Her bread and butter is in longer-form content where she gets to place the focus on education. I think theres an issue with these three-to-10 second videos showcasing a place, Ford said. Where youre just seeing the most beautiful part, and youre not learning anything about it, and youre then not doing any research. And youre just showing up because you want to get the exact same shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Ford travels, shes looking for those less-busy places, not just to discover somewhere new to her, but also to not contribute to the demand of places that dont have infrastructure to support an onslaught of visitors. Pulling off the side of a road inundated with visitors may not just cause traffic chaos, but also could damage wildlife and road infrastructure, she said. I think also another thing that Ive seen globally is just people wanting to see a place more than they have respect for the place, Ford said. There are very real physical dangers to jumping head-first into a hike or a trip without proper preparation, Ford said. Shes seen a rise in visitors to national parks and other places around the world attempting grueling hikes or exploring dangerous areas in extreme heat without the right footwear, food or water. Two people died during this summers brutal heat waves in Death Valley National Park in California, including a 57-year-old man who attempted a short hike on a day when temperatures reached nearly 120 degrees, which can quickly cause serious dehydration and heat stroke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Michigan, The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore a state park featuring miles of sand and bluffs has a dune climb thats been well-documented on social media. The hike includes 3.5 miles of sandy, steep terrain and can take three or four hours. The Lakeshore gets an average of 1.5 to 1.7 million visitors a year, and reached its peak visitorship in 2020 and 2021, Emily Sunblade the parks lead education ranger said. The climb has long been a rite of passage, but the park rangers said visitors have been recognizing the location because of social media posts of the famous sign outlining the $3,000 fee incurred for being rescued if you get stuck. The park instituted a preventative search and rescue program where volunteers stand at the top of the dune and check in with visitors before they attempt the hike in order to quell the strain on local rescue resources, which are performed by township emergency services. The volunteers ask visitors if they have enough water, and if theyre prepared for it to take two or more hours. It dramatically lowered the number of rescues needed, Sunblade said. The social media posts we are seeing are having a positive impact as people share their experience of what the hike was like, and what they wish they knew before starting, Sunblade said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As much as social media has the ability to overexpose and overwhelm one area with visitors, it remains an essential tool for the Parks Service and for content creators who aim to educate others on responsible visitorship. Its an important component of the digital toolbox for the Parks Service, Turner told States Newsroom. Their online profiles allow them to engage in real time with visitors and connect with people around the world. They use it as a forum to ask and answer questions, respond to outreach and share resources. And they do lean on memes and humor to get peoples attention and have people learn without maybe realizing theyre learning, Turner said. There are ways to add a photo-worthy spot to your travels, if you do so responsibly, Ford said. She suggests trying to research whats nearby those locations, and if the local community has been negatively impacted by visitors. If theres not enough restaurants, stores and accommodations, tourism may hurt the community or put a strain on its resources. Her hope is that folks are making informed decisions about their travel plans and considering the impact that social media may have on driving them to visit. I wish people would have more respect, not only for each other, but for the places that we visit, Ford said. And to just think a little bit more before we act in general, like whether thats the time youre taking to take a selfie at a popular destination, or the place in which were walking. Snapchat accounted for up to half of the recorded cases of children groomed online by paedophiles, according to police data. The figures, obtained from police forces by the NSPCC, showed that a record 7,064 offences of sexual communication with a child were reported to police last year, up 89 per cent since 2017 and an increase of 11 per cent on the previous year. Of the 1824 offences where the means of communication was recorded, Snapchat, the messaging app, accounted for 48 per cent or 867 of the grooming cases. That compares with fewer than a third (32.9 per cent) in 2021/22 and 20 per cent in 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meta-owned platforms including Instagram, Facebook and WhatAapp accounted for 6 per cent, 10 per cent and 12 per cent respectively. That represents a cumulative 28 per cent, down from a high of 53.6 per cent in 2017. The figures come just days after police exposed the UKs most prolific catfish who ran a paedophile enterprise targeting 3,500 children in 30 countries, largely through Snapchat. Alexander McCartney was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years after posing as a teenage girl to befriend young girls on Snapchat before blackmailing them. Police said the 26-year-old stole childhoods and shocked communities around the world with his depravity. We need ambitious Ofcom regulation Child abuse experts said it believed Snapchat had become a target for paedophiles because of the way it operated, with disappearing messages, the ease with which users including children could be added to groups and the facility to create large communities of people on the platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We held a session of young people and asked them what they thought about the safety of Snapchat. The first thing they said was non-existent, said an NSPCC source. Girls were predominantly targeted by offenders for online grooming, comprising 81 per cent of the cases in 2023/24 where the gender was known. The youngest victim of online grooming in 2023/24 was a five-year-old boy. Sir Peter Wanless, the NSPCCs chief executive, said: One year since the Online Safety Act became law and we are still waiting for tech companies to make their platforms safe for children. We need ambitious regulation by Ofcom who must significantly strengthen their current approach to make companies address how their products are being exploited by offenders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is clear that much of this abuse is taking place in private messaging which is why we also need the Government strengthen the Online Safety Act to give Ofcom more legal certainty to tackle child sexual abuse on the likes of Snapchat and WhatsApp. The NSPCC said Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok were all used in cross-platform grooming where the first point of contact between children and would-be offenders was on the open web. This could include social media chat apps, video games and messaging apps on consoles, dating sites and chat rooms. Children were then encouraged to continue communication on private and encrypted messaging platforms where abuse could proceed undetected, said the NSPCC. One victim, Thomas, who was 14 when he was groomed online, told the NSPCC he had been chatting with someone who was like the most supportive person that you could ever meet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the pressure started to build on him to prove he was gay, leading to the pair sharing explicit pictures, he said. Thomas added: He said he had saved the images and would send them to everyone if I stopped sending more pictures. There was a constant fear in the back of my mind. It wasnt easy but I managed to block him on all sites and carry on with my life. The NSPCC said the regulator Ofcom currently put too much focus on acting after harm has taken place rather than being proactive to ensure the design features of social media apps are not contributing to abuse. The NSPCC is also calling on the Government to strengthen legislation to ensure child sexual abuse is disrupted in private messages such as on Snapchat and WhatsApp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Home Office minister Jess Phillips said: Child sexual abuse is a vile crime that inflicts long lasting trauma on victims and the law is clear the creation, possession and distribution of child sexual abuse images, and grooming a child is illegal. I met with law enforcement leads and the NCA only last week to hear about the tremendous work they do to bring these offenders to justice. Social media companies have a responsibility to stop this vile abuse from happening on their platforms. Under the Online Safety Act they will have to stop this kind of illegal content being shared on their sites, including on private and encrypted messaging services or face significant fines. The shocking case involving Alexander McCartney, who alone groomed over 3,500 children, demonstrates more clearly than ever that they should act now and not wait for enforcement by the regulator. Snapchat said it had a zero tolerance of sexual exploitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman said: If we identify such activity, or it is reported to us, we remove the content, disable the account, take steps to prevent the offender from creating additional accounts, and report them to the authorities. We have extra protections including in-app warnings to make it difficult for teens to be contacted by strangers, and our in-app Family Centre lets parents see who their teens are talking to and who their friends are. Meta was contacted for comment. A WhatsApp spokesman said: End-to-end encryption is one of the most important technologies to keep everyone safe online, including young people. No one wants us reading their private messages, so weve developed robust safety measures to prevent and combat abuse while maintaining online security. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Editor's note: This story was updated to correct when the animals were euthanized. The same day he was seized from his home in New York, Peanut the Squirrel was euthanized. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Chemung County Department of Health announced through a statement on Friday afternoon that both a squirrel and raccoon were confiscated from a residence on Wednesday had been euthanized to test for rabies. The statement said a person involved in the confiscation investigation was bitten by the squirrel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peanut the Squirrel, who boasted 534,000 followers on Instagram, was taken from his home in Pine City, New York, by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation on Wednesday morning. Peanut, also known as PNUT, was the beloved pet of content creator Mark Longo. In more than 1,400 posts shared to Instagram, Peanut can be seen munching on waffles, jumping through hula-hoops, and greeting Longo home from work. According to DEC and health department statement, rabies have been found in raccoons in New York's Southern Tier, which includes Pine City, for more than 30 years. Over the past several days, Longo has shared several statements on Peanut's Instagram account, keeping fans updated, in hopes that Peanut may return home. At the time of publication, Longo had not posted in regards to the recent news. "It has been a terrible nightmare for me," Longo said in his most recent video, posted Friday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peanut the Squirrel euthanized: Social media users weigh in on Peanut the Squirrel being euthanized: 'This cant be real' In response to Peanut's seizure, a Change.org petition and GoFundMe campaign were created to "return him (Peanut)" to his family. As of Friday afternoon, the petition had 28,025 signatures, and the GoFundMe has raised $7,875. Why do animals have to be euthanized to test for rabies? According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, animals showing signs of rabies must be euthanized for the submission of specimen to a qualified rabies laboratory for testing. This is because a rabies test includes a "full cross-section of tissue from both the brain stem and cerebellum." There are no approved methods for testing rabies in animals ante-mortem. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Chemung County Department of Health advised that anyone who has been in contact with the seized squirrel or raccoon consult a physician. Who was Peanut the Squirrel? Peanut was a rescue squirrel who had lived under Longo's care for seven years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Longo first connected with Peanut when he saw the squirrel's mom get hit by a car, per previous USA TODAY reporting. Unfortunately, the mother passed, leaving Peanut an orphan. Longo was unsuccessful in finding a shelter that would take him in. Longo ended up feeding baby Peanut for about eight months before attempting to release him back into the wild. "I released him in the backyard, and a day and a half later, I found him sitting on my porch, missing half his tail. So here I am, bawling my eyes out, like, I failed you as your human," Longo told USA TODAY in 2022. "And I kind of opened the door, he ran inside and that was the last of Peanut's wildlife career." For the first five years, Longo, Peanut, and Longo's cat, Chloe, lived together in harmony. Last year, Longo established P'Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary in Pine City. The nonprofit serves as a "haven where neglected and homeless animals receive a second chance at life," according to its website. To date, 18 horses, one mini horse, four cows, three alpacas, one parrot, one pig and two geese call the sanctuary home, according to its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USA TODAY contacted Longo but was unsuccessful in connecting with him for an interview. Is it legal for squirrels to be kept as pets in NY? The New York Department of Environmental Conservation states that it is illegal for young wildlife to be kept as pets. "Inappropriate care given to young wildlife often results in abnormal attachment to humans," the Department of Environmental Conservation states. "After release, some return to places where people live, only to be attacked by domestic animals or to be hit by cars. Some become nuisances getting into stored food, trash cans or dwellings. And some may be thrust as unwelcome intruders into the home range of another member of their species." If an individual finds a young wild animal that is injured or orphaned, the department recommends making a call to a wildlife rehabilitator, who "are the only people legally allowed to receive and treat distressed wildlife." The goal of rehabilitators is to safely release the animal, when healthy, back into the wild. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story has been updated to correct a grammatical error and spelling error of the word "raccoon." Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Peanut the Squirrel euthanized 2 days after NY home removal UPDATE: The missing teens have been found, according to the City of Socorro Facebook page. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The Socorro Police Department is asking for the publics help in locating two missing teens. Dominic Blu Vasquez Lothario Rosellio Matell Dominic Blue Vasquez: Age 16; Hispanic male; 5-foot-9; 110 pounds; black hair and brown eyes; uses glasses; last seen wearing a black shirt and light-colored pants; missing since Wednesday, Oct. 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lothario Rosellio Matell: Age 16; White male; 5-foot-10; 140 pounds; black hair and brown eyes; uses glasses; last seen wearing Nike shoes, black pants, and a black short sleeve shirt; last seen on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Socorro PD did not specify if the missing teens were separate incidents. If you have any information or have seen either of these teens call Socorro PD at (915) 858-9237. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. A soldier stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, has been charged with murder in the death of a sergeant whose body was found in a dumpster at the base, officials said. Spc. Wooster Rancy, 21, of the 5th Engineer Battalion, is also charged with obstructing justice in connection to the death of Sgt. Sarah Roque, 23, the Army said Thursday. Roque, who was killed Oct. 20, was found in a dumpster near single soldier housing, officials said. Sgt. Sarah Roque. Rancy is in pretrial confinement awaiting a preliminary hearing, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The relationship between Rancy and Roque, if any, was not clear. Officials said at a news conference Friday that the two were in the same battalion. Attempts to reach Rancys family were unsuccessful. Roque's relatives also could not be reached for comment. Roque was reported missing after she failed to show up for her units morning formation on Oct. 21. Her body was found hours later, authorities have said. Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, commanding general of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood, said at a news conference this month that the community at the base was devastated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beck described Roque as a leader who served with honor and distinction." This is something we never want to happen, we never want for the family to have to endure or the unit to have to endure, he said. Roque, of Ligonier, Indiana, enlisted in 2020 and was decorated, receiving the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Army Service Ribbon, officials said. She was assigned to the 5th Engineer Battalion as a bridge crewmember and mine dog handler with the K9 detachment, the Army said. Rancy, who joined the Army in 2022 and attended basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood, is from Miami, officials said. He is a combat engineer with the 509th Clearance Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, according to the Army. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com SOMERSET, Ky. (FOX 56) A modern-looking building in a Somerset neighborhood seems like a pleasant place to visit, but you might think twice when you see the sign out front. Its called The Paranormal Roadtrippers Nightmare Gallery. Some of the things on display inside are indeed the things nightmares are made of. Its a celebration of all things that go bump in the night, said curator Zach Bales. Halloween trips in Red River Gorge lead to Trail of Terror Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bales is the so-called Paranormal Roadtripper. He and his wife have traveled to 49 states and 29 countries, collecting souvenirs related to horror movies, investigating ghost stories, and talking to people who said theyve encountered aliens and monsters. In 2022, he put his 30-year collection on display. Bale said he decided it wasnt worth having all those things if he was the only one who got to look at them. I thought maybe it was time to give backthat perhaps other people would enjoy sharing my passion. Its a passion hes had since childhood. Bales said it helps that Kentucky is a gold mine for spooky stories. The state has had reported alien abductions, legendary monsters, stories of little green men, and maybe the very first sighting of Bigfoot. Bales museum has a display describing Daniel Boones reported sighting of a large, hairy creature in the Kentucky wilderness in the late 1700s. Most things in the gallery that seem horrific are harmless, but a few have a haunted history, such as two dolls given to him by a local woman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunken treasures: Lake Cumberland divers help boaters find lost items Her children had been complaining about these dolls, saying they were moving around at night. She didnt believe them. But after the children showed up with scratch marks on their arms, she put those dolls in a garbage bag and tied it off and brought it straight over here, Bales said. He said dozens of visitors to the museum have told him they have seen those same dolls moving in the cabinet where he keeps them. Even in the light of day, the gallery has a dark feel, with props from such horror classic movies as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, and Pet Sematary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bales teaches high school English and has written several books on the paranormal. He tells his students that its important to keep folklore alive, whether you believe it or not. The most important thing for him is that visitors come in with an open mind and go away with good memories. Contestants go the distance in skillet-throwing contest at Woodford County fair I think that theyll leave realizing that Kentucky is a pretty special place, that here in the Commonwealth, our legends arent just born on the first Saturday in May, he said, referring to the Kentucky Derby. Theres no charge to visit the gallery but tours are by appointment only. Bales sells books and gifts to keep the lights on and you definitely want him to keep the lights on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (myCV) As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, both nationally and in Vermont, one South Burlington fitness center is making more space for some friendly competition. Were super excited to kind of accommodate all kinds of players, said Zack Dupont, director of pickleball at The EDGE. The EDGE in south Burlington is expanding their offerings. According to Dupont, their Twin Oaks Terrace location now has nine fully climate controlled, state of the art indoor courts in addition to the eight outdoor courts they opened in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dupont noted that there was a need for more space, especially when they had four courts at Eastwood and three-hundred members on with a waitlist of two-hundred. So, they got to work, turning a former workout space into a pickleball players dream. David Grippo, a well-seasoned player, told us that its so cool to be back inside again, not fighting the wind, were just getting started here. For anyone who may be mourning the loss of the old workout facility, fear not, because Dupont said that they transferred all the fitness gear from here over to eastwood, theres now a new state of the art fitness facility over there, its lovely, its sort of an opportunity to rebuild for both departments, right? And everyone has adapted really well and accepted it really well. The EDGE offers an eclectic range of programming from leagues and open play to clinics and private lessons for players of all skill levels. Dupont told us that theyre actively taking memberships, but theyre filling up quick. If youre interested, you can stop by the Twin Oaks Terrace location November 15 and 16 for their open house event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to offer a variety of open plays for all levels, also catering from el gato cantina, also a full bar, so come out, come play with us, wed love to have you guys, Dupont concluded. Information about the upcoming open house, pickleball memberships and programing can be found at The EDGEs 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 ABC22 & FOX44. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office has announced the arrest of a South Carolina man in connection to a child solicitation investigation from October 20. On Sunday, October 20, deputies responded to a call regarding a suspicious person trespassing at a home. Responding officers were unable to immediately find anyone at the scene; however, South Carolina resident, Allen Blake Brown was allegedly later found on a road near that location. During an investigation, it was learned that Brown was allegedly involved in explicit conversations with a juvenile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff looking for info in Madison Heights drive-by shooting investigation Allen Blake Brown from Easley, South Carolina has been arrested and charged with the following: Possession of obscene material using minors Contributing to the delinquency or abuse of a child Obscenity-electronic means for procuring minors for obscene material Two counts of child solicitation Taking indecent liberties with a child under fifteen It was later learned by investigators that Brown was previously involved in other similar pending investigations in Virginia, South Carolina, Washington, and Michigan. Brown is currently being held at the Western Virginia Regional Jail without bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We encourage parents to be vigilant with your children and know what they are doing on social media and who they are talking to. If you have further information or need to report a crime, please contact the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office at 540-382-6915. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The U.S. Supreme Court has denied the final appeal of Richard Moore, paving the way for his execution in South Carolina Friday evening. File Photo courtesy of the South Carolina Department of Corrections Nov. 1 (UPI) -- South Carolina is set to execute Richard Moore on Friday evening after the U.S. Supreme Court denied his final appeal. Lawyers for Moore have also written to Gov. Henry McMaster asking for clemency. The judge and two jurors from Moore's original trial are among those who have signed a petition calling for McMaster to commute his sentence to life in prison. "The trial judge who ultimately imposed the death sentence after the jury made their decision that the death penalty was appropriate," Moore's lawyer Lindsey Vann said in an interview with WYFF TV in Greenville, S.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He has spent years reflecting on this case. and he has discovered that Richard's case is unique among all death penalty cases in South Carolina. And as a result of those years of reflection and thinking on this case, he has asked the governor to commute Richard's sentence." McMaster, a Republican, is expected to wait until the last minute before announcing his decision. Moore is set to be executed at the Broad River Correctional Institution Columbia for the 1999 killing of convenience store clerk James Mahoney during a robbery in Spartanburg S.C. If the sentence is carried out, Moore would become the second inmate executed in South Carolina in 13 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state executed Freddie Owens in September, the first death sentence carried out in South Carolina in over a decade. South Carolina paused executions in 2011 when they could not get the lethal injection drugs required. Moore was originally scheduled to be executed in 2022, choosing death by firing squad rather than the electric chair. His lawyers and supporters have argued his case does not meet the requirements for capital murder. Prosecutors contend Moore showed no remorse, leaving the scene of the robbery with $1,400 in cash and failing to call for help. "There's no question in my mind that this wouldn't have been a death penalty case in most counties. There might've been some other solicitors that would've T'd it up and tried it that way but wouldn't have been successful," former South Carolina Department of Corrections Director John Ozmint told the Greenville News in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ozmint has signed the petition asking for clemency, adding Moore has changed for the better during his decades in prison. "I hope that Governor McMaster will give Richard the rest of his life to continue to pour into the lives of others." The News South Korea is reportedly considering supplying Ukraine with weapons in response to its northern neighbor deploying troops to Russia. Around 8,000 North Korean troops are now stationed near Russias border with Ukraine, according to US intelligence, and Seoul plans to send a delegation of military observers to Kyiv to monitor Pyongyangs forces. SIGNALS South Koreas government is divided over how to respond Source: Financial Times The South Korean government is caught between foreign partners asking for it to do more, and an opposition demanding it does less, a Seoul-based analyst told the Financial Times. The countrys leaders also risk angering the public: Only 13% of South Koreans surveyed said they backed military action in response to North Korea deploying troops to Russia, while 66% said support for Ukraine should be limited to non-military and humanitarian aid. However, South Korea providing direct military support to Ukraine could boost its standing on the international stage by effectively allowing it to repay a debt to the countries that defended it during the Korean War, a defense expert argued. NKoreas troops are inexperienced, but deal with Russia will boost Pyongyang Sources: Financial Times, The Guardian NATO has said North Koreas involvement in the war marks a troubling escalation, but experts question the fighting ability of Pyongyangs troops: They have never left their country beforeThey have never fought in actual combat, a Ukrainian intelligence official told the Financial Times. Plus, Pyongyangs reluctance to risk widespread defections by sending many of its citizens abroad will likely limit the deployment, a North Korea expert said. Nevertheless, first-hand experience of the battlefield will provide North Korea with a useful test of its soldiers and weapons, another expert told The Guardian. And the deal with Putin details of which are unknown could secure Kim Jong Un billions to help him evade Western sanctions and may boost his nuclear programme, a national security expert said. The death toll following severe storms in Spain passed 200 on Friday as the government promised to send in hundreds more troops to help residents of flood-hit areas. There were at least 202 victims from the eastern region of Valencia alone, the regional government's emergency services posted on X. The authorities have stated that two more people lost their lives in the region of Castile-La Mancha, and there was one fatality in the region of Andalusia. They had previously reported a total of 158 confirmed deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dozens of people are still missing. Defence Minister Margarita Robles said on the broadcaster RTVE that they expect to potentially find more bodies in vehicles. During the storm on Tuesday, numerous vehicles were stranded in the flash floods. Robles said an additional 500 soldiers have been sent to the affected region, primarily to the coastal city of Valencia and surrounding areas. More than 1,200 soldiers are already deployed in addition to the rescue services. The troops will work to reach every affected village, Robles continued. In the greater Valencia area, 80 kilometres of roads and local transport connections have been destroyed, Transport Minister Oscar Puente said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Municipalities like Catarroja to the south of the city of Valencia, which can still not be accessed by road, are preparing to provide residents with essentials. Catarroja Mayor Lorena Silvent told RVTE: "Everything is welcome; food, drinking water, equipment to repair the water supply, clothing." She noted that power and telecommunications had not been fully restored in all areas. Silvent is planning to set up supply points in the town of almost 30,000 residents for distributing donations. A 24-hour reception point for medical supplies is also being planned. The mayor did not say when state aid to clear blocked streets could be expected. Juan Ramon Adsuara, mayor of the neighbouring municipality of Alfafar, told broadcaster A Punt: "We had to clear out a supermarket to distribute food to the people." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were still people in the municipality of 20,000 living with dead bodies in their homes, he said. An increasing number of volunteers are gathering in Valencia, collecting donations for distribution in the affected areas, the Las Provincias newspaper reported. They are also assisting with the clean-up. Reception centres have been set up to provide food and water to people arriving on foot covered in mud from surrounding areas, RTVE reported. Spain is reeling from its worst flooding in decades, after a years worth of rain fell in just hours this week in the countrys southern and eastern regions. The storm began on Tuesday and has so far killed at least 205 people, including 202 killed in the worst-hit Valencia region, emergency services in the region said Friday, while dozens more remain missing. The storm flooded towns and roads, caused rivers to burst their banks, and left thousands without power or running water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are dozens of missing people. We cannot confirm that number. But it is clear that as more days pass and they do not appear, the more likely it is that we will have no hope of finding them alive, Torres added. Valencia saw its heaviest rainfall in 28 years with people caught off guard and trapped in basements and lower floors of buildings. Emergency workers are still fighting to rescue those who are trapped, with operations underway to recover bodies and clear debris. Authorities warned Friday that roads have collapsed in some areas, with emergency services unable to get access. Heres what we know. Where is the worst damage? Spains eastern and southern regions often see autumn rain, but this years downpour was unprecedented. Most of the deaths occurred in Valencia, which is located along the Mediterranean coast and is home to more than 5 million people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flash flooding in the region, a tourist hotspot during summer months, saw rural villages submerged in water and rendered main highways unusable on Tuesday night and into Wednesday. A courthouse was turned into a temporary morgue in the regions capital, the city of Valencia. Members of the emergency services work in a devastated street in the Spanish town of Letur, southwest of Valencia, on Wednesday. - Oscar Del Pozo/AFP/Getty Images At least 40 people, six of whom were in a retirement home, died in the town of Paiporta in Valencia, Spanish news agency EFE reported, citing its mayor. Trains have been suspended in Valencia, as have other major public services in other affected regions. In Utiel, one of the worst-affected towns of the Valencia region, the suffering is palpable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My father is going to be 100 years old now and he doesnt remember a flood like that. It was terrifying to be here, Jose Platero, a 69-year-old resident, told CNN. We found him looking for personal belongings near his home. On Utiels Avenida del Milagro, residents have been working together to remove muddy water from their homes, using brooms to help sweep out the mess covering their bedrooms and kitchens. I started by putting towels on the door so that the water wouldnt get in. But suddenly the garage door burst open, Carmen told CNN. The scene was terrifying, as the mixture of water and mud began to occupy the kitchen with so much force, it knocked down the refrigerator. unknown content item Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - This has never been seen here, adds Angel, another resident. He showed CNN the state of his flooded home. My finances are in tatters. If the insurance company doesnt compensate us now, if they dont take responsibility for the damage, were going to be in a very bad situation. Flooding was also reported in and around the cities of Murcia and Malaga with more than 100 mm (4 inches) of rain falling in some areas. Speaking to CNN, one traumatized survivor said the flooding made him feel powerless. In half an hour, we lost almost everything My wife had to carry my daughter in her arms when the water was almost chest-high to escape to a hotel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Valencias La Torre neighborhood, where the water rose to chest level, volunteers were out on the streets Thursday attempting to clean up. Rescue teams in La Torre discovered the bodies of seven people in a garage on Thursday, according to national broadcaster TVE, citing police. Some of the local residents voiced their frustrations to a CNN team on the ground, saying that they did not receive a government alert warning that there would be a flood or even possibility of a flood until it was already happening. What has the response been? Five hundred Spanish soldiers have joined the operations in the Valencia region, bringing the total deployed across the country to 1,700, the Ministry of Defense said Friday. Some areas can only be reached by helicopter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valencias regional leader Carlos Mazon told reporters early Wednesday that bodies were found as rescue teams began to reach areas previously cut off by the floods. As of Thursday morning, emergency services said they had reached all the affected areas. The Spanish government sent emergency alerts on Tuesday asking people to stay indoors or seek high ground. Extreme rain warnings were put in place for some areas including around Valencia, according to Spains Meteorological Agency, AEMET. These warnings called for the potential of 200 mm (8 inches) of rain in less than 12 hours. In some locations, the rainfall estimates were exceeded in even shorter periods of time. Chiva, which is east of Valencia, received 320 mm of rain in just over four hours, according to the European Severe Weather Database. The Valencia area averages 77 mm (3 inches) for the entire month of October. However, many people were caught off guard, leaving it too late for them to seek safety. Some took to social media to vent their frustrations, claiming that they received the emergency alert in the midst of the storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hannah Cloke, a professor of hydrology at the UKs University of Reading, said the high death toll suggests Spains regional emergency alerts system failed. It is appalling to see so many people dying in floods in Europe, when yet again weather forecasters had predicted extreme rainfall and issued warnings. The tragedy of people dying in cars and being swept away in streets is entirely avoidable if people can be kept away from rising flood water, Cloke told CNN. This suggests the system for alerting people to the dangers of floods in Valencia has failed, with fatal consequences. It is clear that people just dont know what to do when faced with a flood, or when they hear warnings. Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez offered support, pledging his government would do all it could to help flood victims, as he urged people to remain vigilant. Damaged cars are seen along a road on the outskirts of Valencia on October 31, 2024. - Eva Manez/Reuters The Spanish government has also decreed three days of official mourning, starting on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Extreme weather warnings continue for portions of eastern and southern Spain, according to AEMET, with more rain expected. Authorities issued a red warning overnight for the Huelva coast, in Andalusia, which had 140mm (5.5 inches) of precipitation in just 12 hours and continues to see intense rainfall on Friday. Orange and yellow alerts also remain in place in isolated parts of Valencia. What caused the disaster? The torrential rain was likely caused by what Spanish meteorologists call a gota fria, or cold drop, which refers to a pool of cooler air high in the atmosphere that can separate from the jet stream, causing it to move slowly and often lead to high-impact rainfall. This phenomenon is most common in autumn. Climate change is the most likely explanation for the intensity of the downpours, according to a preliminary rapid analysis by scientists from the World Weather Attribution initiative. They found global warming, driven by fossil fuel pollution, made the torrential rainfall that hit Spain about 12% heavier and twice as likely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are loading the dice of extreme weather in the worst way possible, said Ben Clarke, a researcher at Imperial College London, and an author of the analysis. A separate study from Climate Central found climate change also made the warm Atlantic Ocean temperatures that fueled the heavy rain 50 to 300 times more likely. Hotter oceans provide more energy to storms, while warmer air is able to hold more moisture, soaking it up like a sponge to wring out in the form of torrential rain. In the context of climate change, these types of intense and exceptional rare rainfall events are going to become more frequent and more intense and, therefore, destructive, said Ernesto Rodriguez Camino, senior state meteorologist and a member of the Spanish Meteorological Association. How does this compare? This weeks floods are the most deadly Spain has suffered in decades. In 1959, 144 people were killed by a flood in the Spanish town of Ribadelago. However, that disaster was caused by the failure of a dam, releasing water from the Vega de Tera reservoir, rather than a natural event. The last comparable natural disaster was in 1996, when floods killed 87 people near the town of Biescas in the Pyrenees mountains. While Spain has experienced significant autumn storms in recent years, nothing comes close to the devastation wrought over the past few days. This story has been updated with additional developments. Lauren Kent, Atika Shubert, Madalena Araujo, Taylor Ward and Mauricio Torres contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By David Latona and Charlie Devereux ALFAFAR, Spain (Reuters) -More than 90% of the households in eastern Spain hit by catastrophic floods that killed at least 205 had regained power on Friday, utility Iberdrola said, though thousands still lacked electricity in cut-off areas that rescuers struggled to reach. Spanish rescuers opened a temporary morgue in a convention centre and battled to reach areas still cut off on Friday as the death toll rose to 205 people, most of them in Valencia, the eastern region that bore the brunt of the devastation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some 500 soldiers were deployed to search for people who are still missing and help survivors of the storm, which triggered a fresh weather alert in the Balearic Islands, Catalonia and Valencia, where rains are expected to continue during the weekend. Officials said the death toll is likely to keep rising. It is already Spain's worst flood-related disaster in modern history and the deadliest to hit Europe since the 1970s. Emergency services working to clear cars piled up at the entrance of a flooded underpass in the suburbs feared finding more trapped bodies. "We're trying to remove vehicles bit by bit to see if there are victims," one rescue worker told state television. "We don't know." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Resident Isabel Santiago, 49, watched the scene with tears in her eyes: "There have been so many losses, which could have been avoided. There must be a lot of people in that tunnel because they didn't have time to get out. This is inhuman." Valencia's regional government said people seeking to help should gather at the capital's Arts and Sciences museum complex at 7 a.m. on Saturday to ease coordination. On Friday, regional leader Carlos Mazon urged volunteers to stay put, saying the large numbers on the streets were hampering rescue and clean-up efforts. In order to avoid any road-blocking, the government said all movements in the area would be restricted on Saturday, except for major reasons such as health, legal or work issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You are being a great example, a great explosion of solidarity. We still need you," he said on a video posted on his X account. In Alfafar, a suburb outside the city of Valencia, Spain's third-largest, drone footage showed the tangled wreckage of dozens of vehicles strewn across rail tracks. "It's all destroyed, shops, supermarkets, schools, cars," said local resident Patricia Villar. Close by, a boat that had been carried by the floodwaters lay on a muddy street corner. A YEAR OF RAIN A year's worth of rain fell within just eight hours on Tuesday night, destroying roads, railway tracks and bridges as rivers burst their banks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flooding also submerged thousands of hectares (acres) of farmland in the region, which produces nearly two-thirds of citrus fruit in Spain - the world's top exporter of oranges. "The magnitude of the catastrophe has no precedent," Transport Minister Oscar Puente told local television. While the waters have subsided in most parts of Valencia, emergency services have still not been able to reach a few areas due to blocked roads. They included Albal, a neighbourhood close to Alfafar, one resident said. Supplies of bottled drinking water were running low in some places and residents in the Valencia suburb of Paiporta were taking turns to guard shops after authorities said 50 people had been arrested for looting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Standing in a churned up street as neighbours and volunteers did what they could to clean up in Paiporta, resident Amber Gonzalez, 72, said rebuilding and recovering from the floods would take time. "No matter how much help we get, it is not enough," she said. "This is not going to be fixed in a month or two." As the death toll rose, a temporary morgue was set up at the Feria Valencia convention centre on the outskirts of Valencia city, emergency services said, and the first bodies started to arrive early on Friday. The number of deaths has prompted anger as well as grief in Spain, with some people accusing authorities of being poorly prepared and not having warned people soon enough about the dangers posed by the storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valencia resident Hector Bolivar, 65, questioned why a text message alert was only sent out at 8 p.m. when the heavy rain had begun several hours earlier. Mazon has said all protocols for disaster management were followed and that authorities had begun warning people from Sunday. The death toll is the highest from floods in Europe since 1970, when 209 people died in Romania. Scientists say extreme weather events are becoming more frequent in Europe, and elsewhere, due to climate change. Meteorologists think the warming of the Mediterranean, which increases water evaporation, plays a key role in making torrential rains more severe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Regarding these environmental catastrophes, we pray for the people of the Iberian Peninsula, especially the Valencian Community, swept away by the storm," Pope Francis said on Friday as he led prayers in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. (Reporting by David Latona, Ana Cantero, Raul Cadenas and Eva Manez; Additional reporting by Pietro Lombardi; Writing by Charlie Devereux;Editing by Andrei Khalip, Helen Popper, Hugh Lawson and Sandra Maler) The News More than 200 people were killed in floods in eastern Spain this week, many of them in the Valencia region where a years worth of rain fell in eight hours, leading to torrents of water that trapped people in homes and cars. Opposition politicians accused the regional government of acting too slowly to warn residents, sending an emergency alert 10 hours after the National State Meteorological Agency warned of extreme danger in the region. Those people wouldnt have died if they had been warned in time, Laura Villaescusa, a manager of a local supermarket, told Reuters. European officials said the flooding, the worst in Spains history, was a warning of Europes unpreparedness for climate change. Greece, Belgium, and Germany have also seen devastating floods in recent years. SIGNALS Floods should be final wake-up call for fast-heating Europe Sources: The Guardian , Politico Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the Industrial Revolution, Europe has warmed quicker than any other continent, at almost twice the global average, The Guardian reported. Rising temperatures bring more intense rainfall, leading to the monster flooding seen in Spain, and also across Germany last year. This is the dramatic reality of climate change. And we must prepare to deal with it, Politico reported European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as saying. However, a report by the European Environment Agency in March states that Europe is not prepared for the growing climate dangers it faces. The risks are simply outpacing the developments of policies, an official at the European Environment Agency said, while another expert noted, This should be the final wake-up call. Authorities blamed for prioritizing economy over safety Sources: Politico, Le Monde Valencian authorities have drawn widespread criticism over waiting hours to warn residents of the floods in an apparent attempt to maintain business as usual. Their reluctance may have stemmed from an emergency alert sent by the Madrid regions president last year urging people to stay home over an expected flood that turned out to be a false alarm, Le Monde wrote, which drew ire over the economic cost. The economy and the freedom of all must be reconciled with safety, she said at the time. The eastern Spanish regions government was slammed in particular for having dissolved the Valencian Emergency Unit, an elite rapid response unit meant to tackle natural disasters. There are political responsibilities behind this tragedy, one lawmaker told Politico. The storm may have been inevitable, but there are people who have died because they were forced to go to work. (Bloomberg) -- Spanish rescue teams are searching for dozens of missing people in the flood-hit city of Paiporta as the death toll from this weeks storms surpassed 200. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paiporta, just inland from Valencia on Spains east coast, is still largely inaccessible, leaving many of its 27,000 residents trapped without water or electricity. The national government increased the number of soldiers deployed to assist emergency services to 2,000, according to General Fernando Carrillo, whos leading a special military unit in the region. I left the General Air Academy 36 years ago, and believe me when I tell you that Ive never seen anything like this, he said in a television interview. I have never seen this degree of desolation. Record rains triggered Spains largest natural disaster in more than six decades as rivers in Valencia overflowed, flooding buildings and destroying roads and bridges. So far, there have been 202 fatalities in the region, plus three in other parts of the country. The death toll now exceeds that from the floods which struck parts of western Germany around the Ahr River in 2021. Such extreme storms, known in Spain as danas, are likely to become more common as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of heat waves. Record temperatures in the Mediterranean are strengthening their effects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city of Valencia was spared the brunt of the damage thanks to river-rerouting measures that were implemented after a devastating storm in 1957 killed as many as 100 people. Places such as Paiporta did not have any such protection, according to Luis Mediero, a professor of hydraulic engineering at the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid. Rains have subsided in Valencia but a yellow alert is still in place. Further north, there are orange warnings for severe rain in the provinces of Tarragona and Castellon, according to national forecaster Aemet. There is also a red alert for rain in Huelva on Spains southwest coast. The magnitude of the catastrophe is unprecedented, Transport Minister Oscar Puente said in an interview with public radio RNE Friday. There are many places that cannot be accessed by any type of vehicle. The national government has started emergency works on an overpass that collapsed on the A-7 highway outside Valencia. Daily traffic on the key part of the citys ring road exceeds 77,000 cars, which cant be redirected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to local roads, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) of national highways in the region have been affected and parts of the rail network have been destroyed, the minister said. It will take several months to rebuild. World Weather Attribution, a scientific organization that studies how climate change influences extreme weather events, said this weeks rain in Valencia was 12% heavier and twice as likely compared to the cooler pre-industrial climate. Historical weather observations indicate that one-day bursts of rain in this region are increasing as fossil-fuel emissions heat the climate, WWA said in a report. The torrential rain this week centered on the city of Utiel, some 100 kilometers inland from the city of Valencia. One inland town, Chiva, saw as much rain in eight hours as it normally gets in a year, according to the national weather agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rain then streamed down to the coast. While the city of Valencia Spains third-largest and the regions namesake wasnt as badly harmed as parts of its metropolitan area, suburban towns such as Paiporta suffered dramatically. Spains interior minister is joining the regional crisis committee, which means the central government is effectively taking control. Under the countrys decentralized political system, regional governments have primary oversight for such emergencies and Valencias president, Carlos Manzon of the conservative Peoples Party, has been leading rescue efforts so far. Questions are being asked about the efficiency of Spains storm alert procedures. Although the national weather system issued a red alert early on Tuesday, the Valencia government didnt send out a mass alarm via mobile phones until around 8 p.m. By then, heavy rain was already falling and many people were out on the streets. --With assistance from Clara Hernanz Lizarraga, Thomas Gualtieri and Julius Domoney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updates with soldiers deployed in second paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. WARSAW, Poland (AP) It's the time of year tradition says when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is lifted. That traditional belief has morphed over the centuries into the spooky and secular celebration of Halloween. But on Friday, Christians in many countries around the world are celebrating All Saints' Day, a somber and spiritual day in the church's liturgical calendar that shares pagan roots with Halloween. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The word Halloween derives from All Hallows Eve, which means the eve of All Saints Day, a holiday that has also been known as All Hallows. It honors martyrs and saints those who were hallowed, or deemed holy a tradition begun by the Roman Catholic church in the early medieval period. Scholars believe that the spectral aspects of Halloween emerged primarily from Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival that occurred during the harvest season, said Morgan Shipley, a professor of religious studies at Michigan State University in East Lansing. It was a time when people were transitioning from harvest and bounty and the fullness of summer to the desolation of winter, he said. And it was said that in this time the veil between the physical, material human world and the spiritual world essentially dissipates away. Some of the spirits or spectral beings were viewed as demonic in nature, and bonfires became a way to ward them away, or were used in divination by druid priests and priestesses when the veil between the material and spiritual world broke down, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Christianity spread, many pagan rituals were adapted to the new faith to be more attractive to converts. The period of reflecting on the dead continues though Nov. 2, which is All Souls Day. In Central Europe, the Slavic and Baltic populations had their own rituals in which the living communed with the dead between Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Believers and non-believers alike in many traditionally Roman Catholic societies observe the day. Finka Heynemann, 34, visited Warsaw's Brodno cemetery on Friday morning with her mother. The two had plans to visit six cemeteries in Warsaw over three days even though they are not religious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's just important to keep the tradition and visit the graves and to respect and honor ancestors, Heynemann said. This day is more important than Christmas or Easter," added her mother, Maja Gassowska, who paused to drop money in a collection box for a Polish cemetery in the Ukrainian city of Lviv, which was once part of Poland. In Poland, many travel back to their family homes to gather with those still living and reflect on those who have left them. So many people observe the holiday that cemeteries are transformed into flickering carpets of light so impressive that even the most secular cannot help but feel moved. Cities, including Warsaw and Krakow, run additional tram and bus lines to ferry the huge numbers to and between cemeteries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the reflections are mostly personal, people also leave candles at the graves of national heroes. So many people visit cemeteries at the same time that the celebration takes on a communal quality. It has become so much part of the wider culture in Poland that people visit Orthodox Christian, Jewish and Muslim cemeteries as well. In the Philippines, millions visited the tombs of their loved ones on Friday. Even if Im old, I still visit the tombs of my relatives, especially my husbands, during All Saints Day," said Manila resident Dory Oliquino, who was among thousands arriving with flowers and candles at the Manila North Cemetery in the country's capital. As long as I can walk, I will visit him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Italians traditionally visit cemeteries to light candles or lay flowers to pay tribute to deceased family members on All Souls' Day, this year falling on Saturday. Pope Francis will visit Romes third-largest cemetery, the Laurentino Cemetery, to celebrate Mass and lead prayers for the dead. The pope visited the same cemetery in 2018, stopping to pray in an area dedicated to fetuses. In recent years as the holiday approaches, there are discussions about Halloween and its compatibility with Christian beliefs in the afterlife. Poles began to celebrate Halloween after the fall of communism in 1989, but some worry that the foreign cultural import could eventual dilute the tradition of All Saints' Day. Some Catholics worry that it also might be sinful due to allusions to devils and ghosts. Pushing back, some church groups have begun holding alternative events for All Saints Day. This week, a church group organized the 3rd All Saints Ball in the Polish town of Plock, according to a Catholic news site, Niedziela meaning Sunday which reported that the children came dressed as saints and blessed of the Catholic Church and as angels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Brazil, home to the worlds largest Catholic population, All Souls Day is a traditional religious holiday celebrated on Nov. 2, with hundreds of thousands of Brazilians visiting cemeteries to honor deceased family members. In Rio de Janeiro, a theater group has adopted Nov. 1, All Saints Day to hold a procession every for the past 25 years. In the citys port area, Company of the Mysteries on Friday portrayed saints, angels and deities from various traditions particularly Afro-Brazilian religious deities known as orishas throughout the streets of the area known as Little Africa. They performed alongside drummers playing traditional Catholic and Afro-Brazilian religious music. The celebration in Brazil is always on All Souls Day; thats why we had the idea of holding the procession for All Saints. Were establishing All Saints Day as a day of life, blessings and joy, Ligia Veiga, the theater companys director, told the AP by phone. ___ Associated Press writers Colleen Barry in Milan and Basilio Sepe in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report. ST. CHARLES, Mo. After a court hearing this morning, a judge dismisses a lawsuit that could have prevented early voting in St. Charles County. St. Peters resident Travis Heins filed the suit earlier this week. Heins claimed that poll watchers and challengers should be allowed into the two early voting sites in St. Charles County. Kurt Bahr, the Director of Elections in St. Charles County, says the statute reads that poll watchers and challengers are allowed inside polling places on election day. But he says there is no clear direction when it comes to early voting. At this point, he was not allowing the monitors into the early voting sites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where you can vote before election day in the St. Louis area This morning Judge Dwayne Johnson threw out Heins suit, saying it did not comply with the rules of procedure in Missouri. Heins and a spokesperson for St. Charles County talked after the hearing. We just need to have the same levels of security on every single day that were voting. Thats all the ask is. Its not one days weaker than the other. Its that were including a certain level of security on what were calling election day and now weve opened up for two weeks lets include all of it, said Heins. Kevin Killeen, a spokesperson for St. Charles County, said, In order to have a (TRO) and say there ought to be a halt to this early voting they would have had to have shown immediate harm that without these poll watchers there would have been some sort of damage done that was evident and it didnt rise to that level. We respect the courts decision, we also respect the plaintiffs sincere interest in election integrity but I do note that they said they dont see any evidence of irregularities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heins says he has not decided whether he plans to refile the suit in the future. LEARN MORE ABOUT WHATS ON MISSOURI BALLOTS Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) A last-minute lawsuit seeking to remove the Headlee Override millage proposal from the ballot in St. Johns because of misleading language was dismissed by a Clinton County judge Thursday morning. Judge Shannon L. W. Schlegel, who presided over the case, called the lawsuit an eleventh-hour challenge, that could have potentially disenfranchis[ed] thousands of St. Johns voters. She ruled to dismiss the complaint by citing the Michigan Court of Appeals, which holds that a party guilty of laches is estopped [prohibited] from asserting a right it could have and should have asserted earlier. Earlier this month, St. Johns resident James M. Terpening filed a lawsuit against the City of St. Johns on Oct. 18, alleging that the language of the Headlee Override millage proposal was designed to obscure the long-term financial impact on the residents of St. Johns, according to a copy of the initial complaint obtained by 6 News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal reads as follows: Shall the authorized charter millage for the City of St. Johns, established by operation of law at 10 mills ($10.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) and reduced to 9.7818 mills ($9.7818 per $1,000 of taxable value) by Headlee rollbacks, be increased and the City be authorized to levy annually a new additional millage in an amount not to exceed .2182 mill ($0.2182 per $1,000 of taxable value) against all taxable property within the City in perpetuity beginning with the 2025 levy, for the purpose of restoring the full amount of the original authorized rate (10 mills) and providing funds for all City and municipal purposes authorized by law? The Headlee Override millage proposal, as has and will appear on the ballot on Election Day Terpening claimed in his initial complaint that the proposal violated Michigan election law and previous legal precedent by being misleading and non-transparent, saying that the proposal does not make it clear that the millage would both restore the millage rate to 10 mills and tax a separate, additional 0.2182 mills. This, Terpening claimed, would raise the effective tax rate in St. Johns to 10.2182 mills. However, the city says differently. In a release from the City of St. Johns obtained by 6 News, they say: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City of St. Johns has a maximum tax rate of 10 mill. If the Headlee Override proposal passes, the Citys tax rate will increase 0.2182 mills restoring the Citys tax rate to 10 mill. This equates to an increase of about $1.82/month for a property with $100,000 taxable value. If the proposal fails, the Citys tax rate will remain at its reduced rate of 9.7818 mill. There is no circumstance under which the resulting millage rate will exceed 10 mill. Press release from the City of St. Johns, Oct. 31, 2024 With the dismissal of the lawsuit, the proposal will remain on the ballot for the upcoming election. See the full copy of the initial complaint below. Final-Lawsuit-on-SJ-BPpdfDownload Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ST. LOUIS A St. Louis County woman appeared in U.S. District Court on Wednesday after being indicted for assisting in a romance fraud, committing mortgage fraud, and even pandemic loan fraud. Prosecutors with the Eastern District of Missouris U.S. Attorneys Office said Shirley Waller, 42, applied for and received nearly $40,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for a Michigan business and a St. Louis area resale shop. In May 2022, Waller allegedly applied for a home loan worth more than $196,000 by lying about her salary, marital status, job, and submitting counterfeit W-2 forms and paystubs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Check wait times for St. Louis County polling places here Lastly, prosecutors alleged Waller helped scammers who conned a 71-year-old St. Louis County woman into thinking she was in an online romantic relationship with a U.S. military surgeon stationed overseas. The victim in that scam ultimately forwarded $30,000 in cash to Wallers home. Waller would then forward the cash to others using cryptocurrencies and other means. Waller was charged with three counts of wire fraud, two counts of mortgage fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and use of an assumed name to commit mail fraud. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. ST. LOUIS Rather than face trial next week for pulling a knife on a Juvenile Detention Center counselor, a St. Louis man appeared in court on Thursday to plead guilty and hear his sentence. The St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office said Brandon Terry, 21, pleaded guilty to second-degree kidnapping and attempted escape from custody. Terry faced an additional three felony charges; those were dropped as part of a plea agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Terry told the court that he pulled a makeshift knife on a counselor who was working at the detention center on July 15, 2021. Terry was 18 at the time. Prosecutors said Terry hid the weapon under his shirt and told the counselor that they would be leaving together. When the counselor tried to get away, Terry grabbed her by the hair and threatened to stab her. Additional employees at the detention center raced to the counselors aid and disarmed Terry. A St. Louis Circuit Court judge sentenced Terry to seven years in state prison, with a little over three years of credit for time served. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. ST. PETERSBURG At the first public meeting since a toppled crane destroyed an office building during Hurricane Milton last month, downtown residents pleaded for city leaders to take action on safety for future high-rise construction projects. The subject became one of the top concerns in a nine-hour meeting Thursday where officials went over the fallout from back-to-back record-breaking storms. Residents made their comments as the City Council considered the citys newest tallest building, a Waldorf Astoria condo, and greenlit a future discussion on crane safety. A crane at the construction site of The Residences at 400 Central broke off six stories from the top of the citys tallest skyscraper Oct. 9 during Miltons peak gusts. It fell on top of the office building at 490 First Ave. S that housed the Tampa Bay Times and other companies and caused significant structural and water damage. No one was injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some residents at the meeting quoted a Times investigation, which found that Florida has no laws on crane safety during high winds, not even for hurricanes. Lawmakers banned local governments from passing their own rules at the urging of construction lobbyists. City Council member Gina Driscoll, whose district includes downtown, has asked the city attorneys office to see what elected officials can do. Her proposal to hold a discussion on crane safety at a future meeting was supported by the St. Petersburg Downtown Neighborhood Association and approved by her colleagues on the council. We urge the Mayor and City Council to act expeditiously on this issue as the consequences of inaction could result in an incalculable amount of damages and possibly even deaths, the neighborhood group wrote. Driscoll told the Times she had discussions with Mack Feldman, vice president of Feldman Equities, one of the groups behind the Waldorf Astoria, about crane safety two days after the hurricane. At a planned 49 stories, the condo would surpass The Residences at 400 Central as the citys tallest building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The citys building official had said the cranes at 400 Central were safe up to 110 mph winds with 120 mph gusts. Feldman was present at Thursdays meeting and his team voluntarily pledged to use two tower cranes during construction that would be rated to withstand sustained winds of 149 mph. In a written offer, the team also said they would use more braces tying the crane to the building if St. Petersburg is under hurricane watch and would make the crane more stable at its foundation. Were going to have a work in progress that serves as an example of how you can do things right, Driscoll said. Residents of the Saltaire building next door to the planned Waldorf Astoria spoke out about needed crane safety provisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I stand here as a concerned resident, reflecting the voices of many who believe immediate action is critical, said resident Paul Amorello. Without these measures, the risk of future crane related incidents could lead to severe damage being a loss of life. A downtown resident, Bill Herrmann, suggested the city through its Community Redevelopment Agency could require that any projects over 200 feet tall, with or without a tower crane, should be required to carry an additional $100 million umbrella insurance policy. He said it would protect surrounding properties and defend the city from any liability and insurance claims. ATLANTA Not too long ago, Stacey Abrams had reason to believe that she, not Kamala Harris, would be in a tight presidential contest. In 2020, Abrams and Harris were on the top of Joe Bidens list of vice presidential choices, and Abrams was fired up: As a young Black girl growing up in Mississippi, I learned that if I didnt speak up for myself, no one else would, so ... Yes, I would be willing to serve, she declared on NBC in April of 2020. That chance went to Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Harris fate is again intertwined with Abrams, as the vice president tries to replicate Bidens surprise victory in Georgia a victory largely credited to Abrams vision and fundraising prowess. But compared to 2020, when she was at her political peak, Abrams is something of a diminished figure, and there are doubts about whether her legacy is strong enough to rouse voters and help Harris eke out a victory even if she makes a real effort. Despite their parallel paths, Abrams and Harris have had little interaction over the years. After appearing together at the very first Georgia rally after Harris secured the nomination in July, Abrams was largely invisible on the campaign trail for weeks. Now, shes stepped up her appearances, but few people expect that she can be the decisive political force that shes been in past elections. Leader Abrams played that role when the president won in 2020. I think that the machine that she helped build facilitated the Georgia wins at the U.S. Senate level for Warnock and for Ossoff, said Kasim Reed, the former Democratic mayor of Atlanta. She paid a price for her organizing work, but I dont think any serious person would argue that Leader Abrams is the same messenger today as she was in 18 or 20 or 22. There are similar doubts about Abrams vaunted network of nonprofit groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofits she founded, which once spurred widespread voter registration in Black neighborhoods and engaged low-propensity voters, are struggling. Fair Fight Action has been beset with fundraising woes, starting the election year $2.5 million in debt, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution in 2020, it started the year with almost $1 million in the bank, according to its annual tax filing. The New Georgia Project, which specialized in community organizing, is trying to recover from financial scandals that led to a state ethics probe and the departure of its longtime leader. Though she is no longer directly involved in the groups, they drew heavily on the power of her political brand. But that brand suffered after her surprisingly large 7.5-point loss to GOP Gov. Brian Kemp in their highly touted rematch in 2022. (Four years earlier, the margin was just 1.4 percent for Kemp.) From the start of her 2018 campaign for governor through the end of her second gubernatorial run in 2022, Abramss campaign committees, PACs and the nonprofits she founded raised and spent $460 million for her own bids for public office and to organize, register and inspire Democratic voters in Georgia. But in 2024, Abramss fundraising has brought in less than $4 million: less than $200,000 to a state PAC that also reported about $800,000 cash on hand and is in debt for about the same amount due to expenditures from her 2022 gubernatorial campaign, according to the most recent financial disclosure; and an additional $3.6 million to a newly formed federal PAC founded by Abrams, Speak Up PAC, according to an October financial disclosure filing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic officials in Georgia say those numbers dont reflect all the fundraising shes done for other groups and for Harris directly. Plus, shes stepped up her activity in the final weeks of the campaign, headlining a rally the day before early voting began and multiple canvassing kick-off events. In recent days, Abrams has joined former President Bill Clinton in Fort Valley and Julie Roberts in Atlanta and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff in Athens. Abrams did not respond to an interview request made through Fair Fight Action. The Harris campaign declined to comment. Other leading Democrats expressed hope that the structures Abrams built are strong enough to propel the party forward, even if she is no longer at the vanguard of the movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stacey Abrams was very keen on making sure it was not about her being on the ballot or not about her just doing the organizing work, said Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), who is also chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia. There are so many organizations and so many organizers on the ground that benefited from the training and the investment that she made in the state of Georgia. Rev. Al Sharpton, who has been close to both Abrams and Harris, predicted that Harris would benefit from Abramss emotional presence in the minds of Georgia voters. I have an office in Atlanta for the National Action Network. I had young people that were not interested in the electoral process and Stacey brought them in, and they never left because Stacey gave them an identity, said Sharpton. She was young, she was energetic, she could talk their language. They became the infrastructure [and] it was built by Stacey Abrams. Nonetheless, some political observers see Georgia slipping away from Harris. The polls remain very close, but the 538 polling average gives Donald Trump a two-point advantage. And despite the states purple status, Republicans have won more statewide races than Democrats since Bidens shocking 12,000-margin victory in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black voters Abrams organizing specialty are a challenge for Harris in Georgia. The state electorate is about 25 percent Black, one of the highest percentages in the country, but Harriss polling margins within that group arent as strong as those of Biden in 2020 or even Hillary Clinton in 2016 in public surveys. Last weekend, former First Lady Michelle Obama visited the state, in an implicit acknowledgment of the need to rally Black voters for Harris. A surge in activity by Abrams in the final days could be a difference-maker, according to Georgia Democrats, but the campaign declined to share information about where Abrams would be deployed. Abrams is important to Harris for another reason, because each represents a different face of a Black womans experience in America: Harris, the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica, grew up in liberal Northern California; Abrams, the second of six children of United Methodist ministers, was raised in conservative Gulfport, Mississippi. After moving to Atlanta, Abrams worked the back roads of Georgia politics to become Democratic leader in the state legislature. Harris, meanwhile, was a protege of legendary San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, and rose through the legal ranks as San Francisco DA and state attorney general. Since the 2020 election, Harris and Abrams have been frequently lumped together as Black trailblazing women in the party. They were credited for increasing enrollment at HBCUs. They were both shortlisted in speculative media stories to fill a Supreme Court vacancy that would eventually go to Ketanji Brown Jackson. And they were each floated as possible replacements for Biden before the 2024 election cycle kicked off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But during Harriss tenure as vice president, the two have rarely crossed paths in person, according to a POLITICO review of press clips and event archive pages. The last time before Julys Atlanta rally that both Harris and Abrams were on the campaign trail together was in November of 2020 when then-Sen. Harris was stumping in Georgia as Bidens running mate. Abrams stock was high in anticipation of her 2022 gubernatorial comeback run, but some local Democrats had felt disappointed by Bidens selection of Harris over their home-state favorite. Sharpton was one of many Black leaders who had pressed Biden to pick a Black woman as his vice presidential nominee. I said [that] to Joe Biden, and I said that Stacey Abrams, Kamala Harris or [former Florida Rep.] Val Demings are certainly qualified, he said, recalling his personal shortlist. Abrams was not shy about wanting the number two job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would be an excellent running mate, Abrams said in an interview with Elle Magazine. I have the capacity to attract voters by motivating typically ignored communities. I have a strong history of executive and management experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Ive spent 25 years in independent study of foreign policy. I am ready to help advance an agenda of restoring Americas place in the world. If I am selected, I am prepared and excited to serve. Abrams was also insistent that Biden pick a woman of color for his number two in 2020, saying on The View that April that failure to do so would be a slap in the face to a key cohort of the Democratic Partys base. Coming from a working-class background, Abrams regularly related her personal story on the campaign trail with that of the broader Black and Southern experience. Harriss upbringing in urban California as the daughter of immigrants represents an entirely different dimension of the Black experience in the U.S. Its also something Harris has steered away from making a focal point of her campaign. Though Trump has attacked her, saying she became a Black person a statement that is false Harris has given the comment as little oxygen as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrams has been less hesitant to talk about the role of race and gender in politics, defending Harris from criticism that she deemed racist and sexist while serving as vice president. We are not always great with new," Abrams told MSNBC in late-2023. "But more importantly, I know if you filter through the critiques, if you think about how she is castigated, it is inextricably linked to race and gender. I applaud the poise with which she has responded. After Abramss surprisingly lopsided loss to Kemp in 2022, her campaign manager and longtime political ally, Lauren Groh-Wargo, blamed the defeat in part on the work Abrams did for other Democrats, including Biden and Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. In the end, Stacey leveraged her time, talents and organizations to secure the wins of 2020 in the major battleground states as well as Georgia in 2020 and 2021. In doing so, she also made the 2022 gubernatorial race against a well-funded incumbent nearly impossible, Groh-Wargo said in a 52-post thread on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2022 defeat depleted Abramss stock. And the dimming of her personal star coincided with hard times for the flagship nonprofits she founded, even though she was no longer involved in them. Fair Fight Action, the largest of the Abrams-founded nonprofits, spent most of its fundraising haul on a sweeping voting-rights lawsuit in federal court, which it lost. The law firm overseeing the case headed in part by Abrams former campaign chair and friend from law school took in more than $19 million over four years. Groh-Wargo returned to lead Fair Fight Action in January, telling the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the nonprofit was $2.5 million in debt and that it had laid off 75 percent of its staff. She did not respond to an interview request for this story made through her communications team. Fair Fight Action is still operating and recently claimed that it aired a TV ad to call attention to potential changes to state election laws implemented by a Republican-controlled State Elections Board though there is no record of the TV spot on the ad-tracking website, AdImpact. Fair Fight Action did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Also on the sidelines is the formerly litigious and often victorious in its cases New Georgia Project, another Abrams-founded nonprofit that has had significant turnover since the 2022 election. Days before the 2022 midterm, Abramss hand-picked leader of the New Georgia Project was fired and accused in federal financial disclosures of owing $27,127 for unauthorized expenditures in 2021 and 2022. The New Georgia Project still focuses on voting rights but has broadened its mission to include access to affordable housing, environmental justice and childcare, according to its website. The New Georgia Project did not respond to an interview request. In their prime, those groups vacuumed up money, but left little room for more locally focused grassroots organizations. As millions flooded into Georgia campaigns, smaller nonprofit organizations often found themselves left out of the financial windfall. Now, those groups are promising to fill the gap and deliver for Harris. Christine White, head of Georgia Alliance for Progress, which helps to fund hyper-local and smaller nonprofit groups for year-round organizing, said she had never heard from small grass-roots groups about having received money from Abrams network, even though some donors were under that impression. The need for greater funding of what White described as an entire ecosystem of organizing including the campaigns, parties, PACs and nonprofit groups has been a constant since Georgia first became a swing state. With only days before the election, the Harris campaign is outspending the Trump campaign on airwaves in the state. The vice presidents ground team was faster to open field offices across the state than Trump. Democrats involved in the campaign insist that smaller nonprofit organizations are succeeding in their goal of filling the void left by Abramss network. But whether Georgia stays blue is far from a settled question. Abrams told MSNBC during the Democratic National Convention in August that she believes Harris can win Georgia. And she feels her own campaigns helped laid the groundwork. Part of the challenge was building, first and foremost, the imagination: people believing that this was a possibility, Abrams said. The second was the conscience: showing the people the consequence of not acting. So I would look at my 18 race as the imagination race, showing people you should pay attention to Georgia. 2020 and 2021 and again in 2022 was the conscience race, heres what happens in America and in Georgia if we dont act. And this third race, which will be our third cycle, will be the opportunity to show change. On Election Day, as adults cast their votes, high school students across Stanislaus County will be at polling stations, assisting in the democratic process. At Johansen High School, 21 students from David Muncriefs AP government class are working the polls, both on Election Day and in the days leading up to it. For many, this is their first job experience. Being a part of that process hopefully gives them a better idea of whats going on in elections and how the entire process works, Muncrief said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said it looks good on their resumes, while giving students a chance to fulfill their civic duty. About two-thirds of the students who applied for the program were chosen, he said. Countywide, about 375 students are serving as poll workers this election across 14 high schools, according to Registrar of Voters Donna Linder. Before starting their roles, students completed a three-hour training session with the Stanislaus County Registrars Office, where they learned how to operate the voting equipment and properly greet and assist voters. Georgina Marbina, a senior in Muncriefs class, first heard about the student poll worker program in class. After working last weekend, she said she enjoyed interacting with voters and gaining insight into how the process works. It inspired me more to get involved in the political space because I feel like its really important for all Americans to care and be involved in their government, Marbina said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said that among her responsibilities are maintaining a respectful atmosphere and ensuring everyone feels comfortable casting their votes. She said that learning about the voting process gave her greater confidence in its security. Theres a lot of unrest in our political climate right now with people feeling insecure about where their votes are going and stuff like that, so it was really nice to see how secure it was and how there was nothing shady going on, she said. Katerina Smith, another senior in the class, believed it was a valuable opportunity to engage with the community and help ensure the election runs smoothly. Its just really interesting to learn how it all worked, she said. Smith appreciated how accessible the voting process can be for individuals who speak different languages or have disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One thing she learned is that voters can recast their ballots by visiting the voting office. For example, if people already submitted a mail-in ballot but realize they made a mistake, they can void that ballot and vote again. Johansen AP government student Katerina Smith talks about her experience working in a Stanislaus County voting center as a poll worker during this election. Photographed at Johansen High School in Modesto, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. Though she isnt old enough to vote in this election, Smith said she feels prepared for the next one, knowing how the process works and that her vote will be counted. Gabriela Verduzco Jacobo, a senior at Denair High School, said a key thing she learned was how to help voters to the best of her ability, without interfering with their decision. I think the most important part of my job as a poll worker is helping people with any doubts they have, to an extent, so they can successfully fill out and submit their ballots so all votes count, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August 1996, the California Legislature passed Assembly Bill 1856, allowing high school students to serve as poll workers if they meet specific eligibility requirements. This law aims to foster a greater understanding of the election process and the civic responsibilities associated with voting. To qualify, students must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, at least 16 years old on Election Day, have parental and school permission and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA. High school students can take one excused absence per year to participate in a civic or political event, such as serving as a poll worker. Students get paid $150 each day and $235 on Election Day. Johansen AP government teacher David Muncrief talks about his students participating in the election as poll workers. Photographed at Johansen High School in Modesto, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. Starbucks getting rid of one of its most controversial drinks. The coffee giant confirmed to TODAY.com that it will be removing its line of Oleato beverages from U.S. stores in early November. When the drinks debuted in early 2023, they were described by the coffee giant as arabica coffee deliciously infused with Partanna cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. The beverage lineup, an idea from former CEO Howard Schultz, had olive oil infused into Starbucks Caffe Latte, Iced Shaken Espresso and cold foam, and had received mixed reviews from customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Starbucks spokesperson says that as a standard course of business, it regularly updates its menu. The decision to nix Oleato was made prior to Brian Niccols appointment to chairman and CEO, adds the company rep, but that it aligns with his strategy to simplify the menu. After the drinks dropped, some Starbucks customers claimed on social media that the drinks were causing them stomach issues. In March, an anonymous Starbucks worker posted on Reddit that Half the team tried the drinks ahead of its launch and a few ended up... Needing to use the restroom, if ya know what I mean. Similar claims popped up on other platforms, like X, where one person wrote that Starbucks Oleato is a legit laxative. On the other hand, there was one Redditor who said, I tried all 3 and loved all of them. Had no problems whatsoever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Castor oil has long been a cure for constipation. Oil of any kind can help stool move through the digestive tract, especially if youve been constipated for a while, Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, told TODAY.com in 2023. Olive oil can certainly have this effect too, especially if youre drinking a venti or grande. Oleatos departure comes after a few recent changes at Starbucks. The chain also announced itll no longer charge extra for nondairy milk starting Nov. 7 at company-owned and operated stores in the U.S. and Canada. The policy change comes after years of complaints from vegan and lactose-intolerant customers, PETA protests and even a personal letter from Sir Paul McCartney. Niccol said in a press release that this move is just one of many changes he plans to make at Starbucks like scaling back discounts and promos. Starbucks cafes in China, Italy and Japan will continue to serve the Oleato drinks. This article was originally published on TODAY.com LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) Hundreds of Kentuckians have started making their voices heard at the ballot box. On Thursday, many voters in Lexington found lengthy lines at the polls. Weve got four days to vote. We have no extended absentee. And were going to have, I think, more voters vote in 2024 than we had in 2020, Sec. Michael Adams told FOX 56. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX 56 heard from voters who waited anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours in line. Adams has stressed to voters to use their early voting days to avoid a potentially longer wait come Election Day. He said absentee ballot requests are up 58% from the 2020 election, and excused in-person voting was up by 164%. While high turnout is welcomed, Adams has some concerns if its been a few years since a voter was last at the polls. We had 38% turnout in 2023 in the gubernatorial election. This time will be close to double thatthe 60s, maybe 70. What that means is you have a lot of people who have not voted for years. They have no idea what to expect, what days to vote, what the hours are with locations are, what the rules are, Adams said. Adams encourages voters to be prepared and check with either their local county clerk or the secretary of state website for information about early voting locations and times, as well as a sample ballot. You can bring notes; you can prepare in advance. And this is really important because most of whats on your ballot is not partisan. If youre a Democrat or a Republican, you vote straight party. Thats your right. Go ahead. But youre missing most of the election if you do that, Adams said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kentucky general election: View 2024 sample ballots by county For anyone who encounters issues at the polls, Adams said to first connect with their county clerk. Theres also a hotline available to report any concerns: 1-800-328-8683. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. One state is taking a stand to cut out single-use plastic, banning hotels from providing personal care products in those tiny little bottles. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed the bill in August, and it will take effect July 1, 2025, for hotels with more than 50 rooms, NBC 5 Chicago reported. Smaller hotels have until Jan. 1, 2026, to comply. Individuals can still request and receive the toiletries at a place other than their rooms or public hotel bathrooms. Violators will be issued a warning at first, with each subsequent infraction resulting in a fine of up to $500. Do you think we use too much plastic in America? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind The law includes shampoo, conditioner, and bath soap "intended to be applied to or used on the human body in the shower or bath." It bans single-use plastic bottles of less than 6 ounces that are "intended to be nonreusable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California, New York, and Washington have implemented similar regulations, according to The Columbia Chronicle. The more of these statutes, the better it is for us and the planet. That's because plastic bottles and other disposable containers are a significant source of pollution that dirties our environment, clogs our landfills, and breaks down into microplastics that infiltrate soil, water, food, and our bodies. Because plastic doesn't degrade quickly, it builds up in natural settings, altering habitats and reducing ecosystems' abilities to adapt as the rising global temperature creates new problems. Each year, 19-23 million tonnes (21-25 tons) of plastic waste reaches waterways, according to the UN Environment Programme, where it can be ingested by or entangle wildlife. You can help end the problem by taking simple steps to consume less plastic. Don't buy single-use water bottles from the store; switch to a reusable container instead. Support brands that are committed to non-plastic packaging and other sustainable initiatives. And use your voice to make changes in your community with corporations, government, and even friends and family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I like the fact that if there are things that sort of corporations can do that limit single-use plastics, we all benefit without it being something we have to pay for," Beth Davis-Berg of Columbia College Chicago told the Chronicle. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. BOSTON (WWLP) In the final days before the November 5th general election, 22News spoke to western Massachusetts lawmakers and locals about what is important to them this election season. This week at the State House, local legislators reacted to Trump rally comments, lawmakers gathered to celebrate their heritage, and a local business owner spoke out about what shed like to see from her elected officials. Western Massachusetts lawmakers react to Puerto Rico comment at Trump rally Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following a Trump rally last weekend, where a comedian called Puerto Rico a floating island of garbage, Springfield Representative Carlos Gonzalez and Senator Adam Gomez released statements. Both lawmakers spoke about their Puerto Rican heritage and the many contributions their community has made to Massachusetts. 22News joined a local senator for a ceremony celebrating organizations that honor Polish-American heritage. Both organizations celebrate Polish Americans, which are such an important part of the ethnic makeup of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, particularly in western Mass. and my hometown of Ludlow, said Senator Jacob Oliveira. Senator Oliveira says his community has the Polish Krakus festival to look forward to, coming up on November 10. Following a meeting about the dysfunction of the Cannabis Control Commission on Wednesday, 22News spoke to a Springfield dispensary owner about how western Massachusetts consumers can support local businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I would encourage customers to think through is to better understand who you are shopping with. Are you supporting a Massachusetts-born and bred brand? said Payton Shubrick, who owns the 6 Bricks cannabis dispensary. Also this week, 22News broke down the for and against arguments for each of your ballot questions. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Unable to keep up with the growing number of leaking and erupting wells in the states oil fields, the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the states oil and gas industry, has asked lawmakers for an additional $100 million in emergency funding which would be equal to about 44% of the agencys entire two-year budget. Danny Sorrell, the agencys executive director, sent the letter two months after the commission filed its annual budget request in August, according to the Houston Chronicle. He said the agencys $226 million budget request did not include enough money to protect the groundwater and the environment from increasingly common well blowouts. The agency follows a rating system to determine which wells it needs to plug first, according to Texas law. Priority 1 wells are leaking wells that pose environmental, safety, or economic risks. An uncontrolled flow of water occurring at a well constitutes an emergency, said R.J. DeSilva, a spokesperson for the agency. In an emergency, agency staff respond immediately to plug it, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency said that it addresses actively leaking wells regardless of whether it has enough money in the designated budget for well remediation, a practice that Sorrell said has become unsustainable and caused the agency to plug fewer non-emergency wells each year. These high-priority wells need to be taken care of before they themselves become emergency wells, he said. There are approximately 140,000 so-called orphaned wells in the U.S. and more than 9,000 of them are in Texas, according to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. These are abandoned wells that have been inactive for at least 12 months and have no clear ownership. When left unattended, orphaned wells are prone to blowouts that spew contaminated water onto the surrounding land. Experts said the routine industry practice of injecting fracking wastewater called produced water into underground rock formations, contributes to the problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least eight wells have leaked and burst since last October, Sarah Stogner, an oil and gas attorney, told the Texas Tribune earlier this month. Stogner has tracked such wells for years. In December 2023, an abandoned well that blew out in Imperial, southwest of Odessa, took more than two months to plug. That well alone cost regulators $2.5 million to cap and clean up. In October, another well in Toyah burst and released a torrent of water that took weeks to contain. Kinder Morgan, the energy firm that assumed responsibility for the well, did not say how much it cost to seal. The briney water is laden with chemicals it collects underground, including hydrogen sulfide, a toxic and deadly gas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congress approved $4.7 billion to plug orphan wells on public and private lands as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021. Texas received $25 million of that money in 2022 and another $80 million in January. The Railroad Commission used that money to plug 737 wells 10% of the estimated orphaned wells in Texas. It also plugged 1,754 wells through an initiative funded by $63 million in state money. The efforts have not been enough. Sorrells letter to Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan said that regulators need the money to staff a team of inspectors who can investigate the cause of the blowouts, which they associate with produced water injections. Sorrells said the agency's ability to assess, characterize and evaluate these events is limited by the currently available resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sorrells said the cost to plug wells, which includes labor and materials like cement and rigs, has increased by 36% since 2022. Both oil and gas industry leaders and environmental advocates in Texas applauded the commissions request. We have long supported increases in funding for the Commission in this and other areas, said Ben Sheppard, president of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association. We would support the Legislature going above and beyond the Commissions request for plugging and remediation funding. The industry generates billions of dollars every year, and it seems appropriate that more of these dollars could be utilized for this important purpose. Julie Range, a policy manager for Commission Shift, an oil and gas watchdog group, commended the agencys request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We hope the investigation team will prompt the Railroad Commission to scrutinize their approval process and deny more injection wells that pressurize underground aquifers and cause many of these wells to reach emergency status, she said. For years, a growing chorus of experts and ranchers have warned the commission about the rising threat the wells pose to the environment and the regions vulnerable groundwater resources. In August, researchers at Southern Methodist University found a link between the common practice of injecting wastewater from fracking underground and the blowouts occurring across the oil-rich Permian Basin a 75,000-square-mile region straddling West Texas and New Mexico. Disclosure: Permian Basin Petroleum Association and Southern Methodist University have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. The Attorney General's Office has sent a cease-and-desist order to an organization sending Maryland voters letters that report their voting records and the records of their neighbors. Photo by Danielle J. Brown. The Maryland Attorney Generals Office sent a cease-and-desist letter Thursday to a national voter engagement organization that the state says is sending out mailers that threaten to publicly expose voting records of Marylanders just days out from the 2024 election. The attorney generals letter is in response to an unsolicited Voting Report Card being sent to people across the state by the Voter Participation Center, a nonprofit that claims its trying to drive more voters to the polls, specifically unmarried women, people of color and young voters. A sister organization, the Center for Voter Information, has also been sending out mailers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mailer that Marylanders have been receiving lists the voters name, address and voting records beginning with the 2016 general election. It also allegedly shows what it claims are voting records of neighbors, though names and addresses are censored. The letter also states that the Voter Participation Center will be reviewing these records after the election to determine whether or not you joined your neighbors in voting. The letter has led some voters to feel intimidated, threatened, shocked, and ill-at-ease, said the letter from Attorney General Anthony G. Brown. But more than that, he said, the letters could violate Maryland law. Significantly, your communication to review these records after the election to determine whether or not you joined your neighbors in voting, is intimidating registered voters who are concerned about the repercussions for voting, or for not voting, Brown wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [2024 Voter Guide: The candidates and tools you need to cast your vote.] In Maryland, it is a criminal misdemeanor to: willfully and knowingly influence or attempt to influence a voters decision through use of force, fraud, threat, menace, intimidation, bribery, reward, or offer of reward, whether to i) go to the polls to cast a vote; or ii) vote by any other means,' the letter says. Importantly, Marylands law does not only prohibit behavior aimed at suppressing the franchise, but also restricts inappropriate attempts to compel voting behavior. The letter says the Voter Participation Center and the Center for Voter Information must stop sending mailings that contain such threats, and must refrain from sending out future mailers that report Marylanders voting records. The Attorney Generals Office also wants the organizations to enter into a binding and enforceable agreement memorializing these commitments. If the organizations do not respond, Brown said his office will seek additional legal actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Tom Lopach, president and CEO of the the two organizations, defended the mailings, saying the language is the most effective strategy for getting people out to vote. I recognize that some people find the language in our letters off-putting, Lopach said during an interview before the cease-and-desist letter was sent. But again, for well over a decade, weve used letters like this. And weve used and tested letters with softer language, and what we have found is that this is the most effective get-out-the-vote letter that we can use. Lopach said the centers have been working for over 21 years to increase voter participation. In everything we do, we run a randomized control trial. We test different language year after year, in special elections, in general elections, off years, midterm elections, and we have found that these letters are the most effective tool at increasing voter turnout, especially among the young population we serve, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jared DeMarinis, Maryland State Board of Elections administrator, said voter registration information is public record, so long as it is used for electoral purposes. Voter registration, voter registries are public records, DeMarinis said. The only restriction on their use is it has to be for electoral purposes. Getting individuals to vote is an electoral purpose you could not use it for solicitations. DeMarinis would not speak to the legality of the letters, but acknowledged that the board has received calls from concerned voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether they receive this letter or not, they shouldnt be deterred from voting, DeMarinis said. I just hope that Marylanders always come out and vote, because I want their voices to be heard. Nikki Tyree, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Maryland, believes that the letters are well-intentioned, but that the language missed the mark. I think the letters were very misguided, she said. Right now we live in a time where people are not feeling as secure as they should. I think that the letters were trying to get someone to go, Hey, do you want to come with me? Tyree said. And it just didnt land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think right now, especially with all the rhetoric around voting, nobody wants to appear like theyre trying to intimidate voters into going to the polls, she said. People want to be reminded to vote. They dont want to feel like they have to vote because theyre being watched. While Tyree said the league appreciates any efforts to improve voter turnout, she wishes that national voter groups like Voter Participation Center would reach out to state voting organizations first. If this group had reached out to us, or Common Cause, we would have been able to tell them very quickly, Dont do that, Tyree said. It seems that they are removed from the actual rhetoric going on around voting. And that is concerning, because when it comes to the state groups that are actively trying to fight back on misinformation sending things out like this can really be a detriment. Lopach said the centers consult with lawyers to make sure that all of their efforts are 100% legal. But the goal remains, of ensuring that as many people vote as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the current environment, it is all the more important to use the most effective tools to turn out the voters that many folks are trying to keep from voting, Lopach said. If a person finds the letter not to their liking, they should recycle it and turn out the vote, he said. Many state lawmakers want to take action on teen mental health and say they believe restricting cellphone use in schools is a solution. But opinions and research on the topic are mixed. Among those who oppose a full ban: Two high school students from opposite ends of the state. Kate Riddle, a senior from Lafayette County School District, told Mississippi Today that her social media experience has always been positive and uplifting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Social media can be a positive or negative tool; it just depends on how you use it, she said. Riddle said she uses it for communication, news and entertainment. Crosby Parker, a junior from the Gulfport School District, also said social media hasnt had a tangible impact on his mental health and that he uses it on a need-to basis to talk to friends. Neither supports a full cellphone ban. But Riddle acknowledged that phones are an immense problem in school districts and finding a way to navigate the challenges that they will bring in the coming years is vital to the success of all, Riddle supports a phone ban for elementary school students, but not necessarily for older students. She suggested schools restrict cellphone use without banning phones entirely, such as taking them up before class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parker supports his schools current policy, where students can use their phones anywhere except during class. This allows students to stay in communication with their family throughout the day, and it limits the phones to any time that doesnt distract others from learning, he said. Earlier this month, the state youth mental health task force released their recommendations. Among them was that all school districts implement policies on cellphones and social media use in classrooms. House Rep. Sam Creekmore, R-New Albany, listens to discussions regarding the cost of Medicaid expansion, during a public meeting held at the state Capitol, Tuesday, April 23, 2024. At the same time, Rep. Sam Creekmore, R-New Albany, a task force member, is drafting a bill to ban cellphones in schools statewide with possibly leaving it up to each of the states 144 school districts to determine how to do that.. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we recognize the importance of technology, we also have to recognize the importance of our childrens health, which includes mental health, he said. Cellphones are ubiquitous in American culture. Pew Research Center found that 95% of American teenagers between 13 and 17 have a smartphone and 23% reported using social media for four or more hours a day. Many educators, parents and researchers fear phones are driving the nations youth mental health crisis with 72% of high school teachers telling the Pew Research Center in June that they think cellphones are a major problem in classrooms. Jonathan Haidts The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness describes how teen mental health has declined sharply since 2010. In 2020, teen suicide rates increased 91% for boys and 167% for girls. The percent of teens who reported having at least one episode of major depression increased 145% for girls and 161% for boys. Haidt and many other researchers attribute this decline to the rise of social media and cellphone use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released a report warning about how social media harms teen mental health, citing statistics that 46% of teens said social media makes them feel worse about their body image and 64% said they were often or sometimes exposed to hate content. Creekmore said Haidts book and the surgeon generals report are major influences for his bill. According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 68% of American adults support banning cellphones from middle and high school classrooms. Eight states have passed bans and/or restrictions on cellphones in schools so far. In Mississippi this year, Marshall County School District and Greenwood School District introduced bans on cellphone use during school hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vast research connects the decline in mental health among children and adolescents in part to the near constant use of smartphones and social media, Lt Gov Delbert Hosemann said in a statement to Mississippi Today. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann answers questions during a press conference after a special session at the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson, Wednesday, November 2, 2022. Touching on the concerns about school safety in the wake of multiple school shootings, he said, School safety and ensuring parents can stay connected with their children are also important concerns. We are confident local districts can negotiate these competing concerns and implement policies protecting instructional time from distraction. Cellphone bans have their drawbacks. They can be difficult to enforce, and some parents want to be able to reach their children for pick-ups and emergencies. However, the National School Safety and Security Services says that using a phone during an emergency can actually cause more trouble by distracting people, overloading cellphone systems, disrupting evacuation efforts and more. The research on cellphone use and its impact on teens is more mixed. There are several places where the research is lacking, including what types of content cause the most harm and how exactly social media creates/exacerbates mental health problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Academy of Sciences report on the topic pointed out the positives to using social media, such as communication, learning and connection. The surgeon generals report also found that 58% of teens said that social media made them feel more accepted. Lynda Stewart, a mental health counselor and director of the Division of Children and Youth Services at Mississippis Department of Mental Health, is also part of the state task force. While she said she has no opinion on cellphone bans, she pointed out that theyre not the only factors harming youth mental health. Adolescence is a very, very difficult time. Its a time when children are growing and changing, she said. Stewart cited the pandemic and academic and social pressures as major problems. Young people are also more aware about mental health and are less afraid to reach out for help than previous generations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One thing we know about our youth today is that theyre strong and theyre brave, she said, and theyre more willing than any other generation of youth to let somebody know when theyre not okay. The task force made several recommendations, including more schools partnering with community health centers, more mental health professionals on school staff and universal mental health screenings for students. Stewart advised parents to check in with their kids daily and look out for behavioral red flags. This includes them always being alone, dropping hobbies they used to love, getting bad grades, and drastic changes in their style and friend groups. Mental Health Mississippi provides information on mental health providers in the state. For mental health crises, dial the national suicide and crisis line at 988. You can also dial the DMH helpline at 1-877-210-8513 for help and information about mental health services. As many anglers know, steelhead fishing season is fully underway. However, some people who frequent Avonia Beach in Fairview may have noticed dozens of fish dying along Trout Run. We spoke to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) which is already working on addressing concerns in our creeks. A lack of rain and warm weather is to blame for low water levels in the trout run at Avonia Beach, which is causing a big problem for the steelhead that make their way into the creek this time of year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since last Monday, several dozens of steelhead trout have been spotted dead in Trout Run. In a time when they normally move into creeks to spawn throughout Erie, PFBC authorities said the weather has not been kind for the fish. Weve been spawning fish here for decades, and this is the first time I really recall a fair amount of mortality associated with low water, said Tim Wilson, area fisheries manager for NWPA, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. This time of year, the stream is usually much deeper and the water is much colder. But this year, due to a lack of rainfall, theyre seeing Trout Run at ultra-low water levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats more is that a sand bar has naturally formed in the creek due to a lack of rain, resulting in steelhead flopping out of the crowded stream and suffocating on land. Weve put in a temporary cage right now in Trout Run to limit their access to the sand bar and weve removed a small portion of the sand bar to allow them to get by it and hopefully limit that mortality thats associated with them getting stranded, said Mark Haffley, Lake Erie research unit leader with PFBC. Haffley called the flows of the creek an extreme abnormality this year. Fish were even entering the stream as early as August this year, which he said is unheard of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were monitoring the situation. We certainly dont want these fish to die. We want to keep as many of them as healthy as possible because this is our nursery waters. This is where we get our fish to continue our program, said Haffley. Beyond small fixes like this, some consistent rain will help set things straight naturally. This low water is affecting all of our tributaries. We need flows to get fish into the creeks for anglers to access them. Right now, other than a couple of our bigger streams, Elk and Walnut, were not getting much return because the fish just cant get into the creek, said Wilson. In the meantime, officials are advising people to give the fish a bit of distance if youre nearby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spawning and being in low waters already stresses out the fish enough. And the closer you get to them, the more theyll stress, which impacts their life and the quality of eggs. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein (L) and Lt. Governor Mark Robinson (R) (File photos) Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein raised 11 times as much as his Republican opponent Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in the North Carolina gubernatorial contest during the third quarter, according to the latest campaign finance reports. Stein received $44.6 million in the fundraising period between July 1 and Oct. 19 while Robinson brought in about $4 million. Reports for the third quarter were due earlier this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democrats bank account already greatly exceeded Robinsons heading into the final fundraising period before the election. Stein also spent nearly six times more than Robinson during the period. The attorney general reported expending about $59 million, listing ad buys, payroll, campaign merchandise, software fees, and the like. He has $2.2 million left in the bank. Robinsons campaign spent just under $10 million in the third quarter. His largest individual expense was for online advertising. He also had four expenditures marked as legal expense. Two of these took place in July for a combined value of $11,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His campaign reported paying $100,000 to Binnall Law Group in Alexandria, Virginia on Sept. 24 his attorney in his defamation lawsuit against CNN is Jesse Binnall and $18,000 to Dickinson Wright PLLC in Washington on Oct. 17. This leaves Robinson with just $680,641 left in campaign funds. In the lieutenant governors race, Democrat Rachel Hunt outraised and outspent Republican Hal Weatherman. Hunt, a state senator representing Mecklenburg County, reported raising about $1.5 million and spending about $1.7 million, resulting in $842,099 left in her war chest. Weatherman, a nonprofit founder and former political staffer, received $709,212 during the fundraising period. After spending $633,041, he has $190,025 remaining in cash on hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funding for the attorney generals contest is interesting because both major party candidates are incumbent members of Congress. Since theyre running for a race in North Carolina, that means theyre filing their campaign finance reports at the state level instead of federal. Democrat Jeff Jackson filed a termination report with the FEC last month. He donated the bulk of his money $657,744 to the North Carolina Democratic Leadership Committee before doing so. Its cycled back to him. Jackson reported receiving $3.4 million from the North Carolina Democratic Leadership Committee this period, making up nearly half of the $8.2 million that he brought in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After spending $11.3 million, Jackson has about $2.6 million left on hand. Republican Dan Bishop made a similar move. He kept his federal campaign bank account open, but he donated $1.2 million to the North Carolina Council of State Committee. That same committee gave about $4.7 million to Bishop during the fundraising period, a substantial portion of the $5.9 million that Bishop reported receiving in the third quarter. The Republican spent $7 million and has $1.5 million remaining in the bank. "The investigation and search efforts continue for the others still listed as missing, an Asheville Fire Department spokesperson told PEOPLE Mario Tama/Getty FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force search flood-damaged property in Asheville, N.C. FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force search flood-damaged property in Asheville, N.C. As of Thursday, Oct. 31, four people in Asheville, North Carolina, have been unaccounted for since Hurricane Helene hit the city, an Asheville Fire Department spokesperson told PEOPLE The number of deaths in Asheville related to the storm remains at nine "[Officers] were able to just help a lot of people, between the evacuations and the rescues, Asheville Police Chief Mike Lamb recalled of search and rescue efforts to The Asheville Citizen Times One month after Hurricane Helene hit the city of Asheville in North Carolina, four people from the city remain missing while authorities recently recalled search and rescue operations following the storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an email to PEOPLE on Thursday, Oct. 31, a spokesperson for the Asheville Fire Department confirmed that four people in Asheville have yet to be accounted for with one of them presumed dead. The Asheville Police Department has been working with the family. The three people who remain missing, according to the Asheville Fire Department spokesperson, are Stephanie Lynn Hudgins, Marcus Aaron Sexton and Crystal Frances Merritt. Related: More Than 100 Dead After Hurricane Helene Ravages the South and 600 Remain Missing in 1 N.C. County: Officials Meanwhile, the investigation and search efforts continue for the others still listed as missing, reflecting the ongoing complexities of the case, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokesperson added that the death toll in Asheville linked to Helene is currently at nine. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Helene has been responsible for 101 deaths in the state as of Oct. 31. Mario Tama/Getty Hurricane Helene flood damage in Asheville, North Carolina Hurricane Helene flood damage in Asheville, North Carolina In an interview with The Asheville Citizen Times, Asheville Police Chief Mike Lamb recalled a detective seeing resident Megan Drye floating down the river. Drye was rescued, but her parents and son, Micah, 7, died after their home collapsed into the Swannanoa River. Related: I Thought I Would Die When I Got Crushed by Tree During Helene. Being Able to Tell My Kids Daddys Okay Was a Gift Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "[Officers] were able to just help a lot of people, between the evacuations and the rescues, Lamb told the newspaper. It was really, you know, they saved a lot of lives that day. Captain Joe Silberman of the Asheville Police Department also recalled search and rescue efforts in the aftermath of Helene when the number of missing people grew. I think we ended up at about 410 different address locations that we had to go to, Silberman told ABC affiliate WLOS. We came close to around 1,000 individuals that we were deeply concerned about. There was seven people who were in dire circumstances. Related: 11 Members of the Same Family Killed During Hurricane Helene: 'An Unimaginable Tragedy' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres not a doubt in my mind that were the FBI not here, we wouldnt have been able to find a good deal of those 400 people, added Silberman. At one point, the National Guard sent a gargantuan amount of people for one last push of targeted searches for high-concern areas. That allowed us to be as successful as we were in this. Lamb told the Citizen Times that, amid the loss of cell phone service at the time, police received an influx of emails from people checking on the status of their loved ones. A list of 350 people was compiled, which took a week to run through as officers searched in neighborhoods. The number of those actively missing later dwindled down to nine as of Thursday, Oct. 24. There were three others that we couldnt find initially, but knew that they went into the water, Lamb told the Citizen Times. Of those three, we were able to recover two. Theres still one that we havent recovered yet. Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP/Getty Destroyed cars remain in a river after the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina, on Oct. 30, 2024 Destroyed cars remain in a river after the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina, on Oct. 30, 2024 Jason Cimbolo, an Army veteran who was evacuated when Helene first hit Asheville, told WLOS that he noticed that police officers have remained active in the search operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive seen a daily presence from them every single day, he said. Theyve been doing their job the best they can. Well be sitting here late at night, and well hear one of their cars go screaming into the night. Theyre going to save somebody else. In addition to North Carolina, Hurricane Helene, which made landfall near Perry, Florida, on Sept. 26, and has also resulted in fatalities in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Virginia. As of Oct. 23, the overall death toll from Helene stands at 224, the USA Today reported. Nashvillians will see more buses and sidewalks after a referendum establishing a dedicated funding source for transit passed by a landslide on Tuesday. (Photo: John Partipilo) A group pouring more than $2 million into passing Metro Nashvilles transportation referendum is being ordered to register as a political action committee in an effort to show who is funding it. Whether that will bring transparency remains unclear because numerous groups with nonprofit status, most of them supporters of private-school vouchers, have skirted state campaign finance laws to hide their benefactors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Registry of Election Finance sent a letter Tuesday to the attorney for Nashville Moves Action Fund a nonprofit entity with a 501(c)4 tax designation that, technically, enables it to avoid listing donors notifying him the group needs to file as a PAC because of the way its operating. The letter from Bill Young, executive director of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance, to attorney Ben Gastel points out Nashville Moves, the entity behind Green Lights for Nashville, has received numerous contributions from registered multi-candidate campaign committees for the third quarter and pre-general reporting periods, factors that make it a political campaign committee under state law and require it to register. Youngs letter also says a website paid for by Green Lights of Nashville, hownashvillemoves.com, has a donate button that directs people to a page soliciting contributions for Nashville Moves Action Fund. As such, it meets the definition of a referendum committee and must register with the state by Nov. 5, Election Day. The Registry believes Green Lights for Nashville PAC and Nashville Moves Action Fund are related because they share the same physical address and web address. In other words, Nashville Moves is doing the same thing for a liberal mayor that dark money forces do for ultra-conservative candidates. If donors were unveiled in this new case, people likely would see a major coalition of businesses and political shakers who think Metro Nashville needs a modern transportation system. Some who are Republicans just dont want to be linked to Mayor Freddie OConnell, even if he is good at being the neighborhood mayor and a business community backer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nashville Moves Action Fund. Registration Demand Letter Getting lost in all of this is OConnells proposal to pass a referendum raising the local sales tax to 9.75% from 9.25% to pay for miles of new sidewalks, more bus routes and better safety for bicyclists and walkers. It could cost about $3.1 billion, but the city also could receive $1.4 billion from the feds over 15 years, according to Axios. Green Lights for Nashville PAC reported $707,122 in receipts at the end of September and disbursements totalling $542,342, in addition to $87,221 in in-kind contributions. Of that total, $620,000 came from Nashville Moves Action Fund, then Green Lights paid for nearly $530,000 in TV ads and another $12,000 for digital media and yard signs. In its defense, in-kind contributions came in from TIRRC Votes PAC (Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition), Stand Up Nashville Inc., the Davidson County Democratic Party and the Equity Alliance Fund, so not all of its support was derived from one group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group raised the ante after that. Green Lights for Nashville PACs recent amended filing from Oct. 26 shows another $1.3 million donation from Nashville Moves Action Fund, about $100,000 in in-kind contributions and $1.3 million in expenditures for TV ad buys and $10,300 for radio ads. TIRRC Votes PAC provided $34,689 for canvassing and phone banking and Nashville Moves gave another $65,400 in campaign services and field work. Because of nonprofit status, the groups declined to show who made contributions. That could be reconsidered, according to Young. The entity was created solely to support the transit plan, and not identifying contributors to a large group that funnels money from a PAC seems problematic, according to Young. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gastel didnt return a phone call. Green Lights treasurer Jeff Morris also declined to comment. Registry letters followed a sworn complaint by Bill Howell of Property Tax 4 Nashville Transit, an opponent of the mayors transportation plan, who asked the district attorney general and Registry to look into the matter. The refusal of the parties to provide meaningful information about their campaign activities and finances deprives the voters of relevant information for their voting decisions and will adversely affect the confidence of the public in the outcome of the referendum, Howells letter says. Another opposition group, the Committee to Stop Unfair Tax, which is solely funded with $50,000 from former car dealership magnate Lee Beaman, is said to be bent out of shape, too, about dark money behind Nashville Moves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Registrys next meeting is set for Jan. 23, but members could hold a special session in November if they can drum up support to bring in members from across the state to consider this question: Why not show your donors? To which Green Lights could answer: Why are we being singled out? Or are they? At least they havent been subpoenaed. The Lee trip debate As it tries to follow the money, the Ethics Commission also continues to probe the group and its nonprofit entity that paid for Gov. Bill Lee to speak at its summer conference in sunny South Florida. Attorneys for the state watchdog group recently sent letters to Alliance Defending Freedom and Alliance Defending Freedom Action asking it a litany of questions about the relationship between the two. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of this is geared toward a decision by the Tennessee Ethics Commission, which Lee asked to determine whether he broke any rules. The entities defend themselves by saying the nonprofit entity employs a Tennessee-registered lobbyist, Matt Lorimar, but that the main entity paid for the governors trip to an upscale beach for a conference speech. Ethics staff, though, asks whether the two groups are affiliates as defined in a court case over whether corporations are related as subsidiaries, parents or siblings. The letter also seeks a list of the entities officers to determine whether any are shared and a copy of a shared services agreement. It also wants to know amounts paid from one entity to the nonprofit, and the percentage of funding the operating group receives from the action group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, it asks several questions about Lorimar and whether he attended the event or had any part in it. Other queries focus on the groups missions, the location of physical offices, dates and places for board meetings and even whether the two file consolidated or separate tax returns. Ethics staff wants answers returned by Nov. 4. Special session for what? Lawmakers can be an irritable sort, especially when they feel theyre being forced to vote for something that could hurt them at the ballot box. The idea that the governor could call a special session to take up private-school vouchers whether before Christmas or in early January has them grabbing at their throats like someone who needs the Heimlich maneuver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Key lawmakers have floated the governors plan to pass universal vouchers, even as eight counties in East Tennessee try to survive the Hurricane Helene flood. But rather than use untouched voucher money, Gov. Lees plan is to tap $100 million in TennCare funds to provide no-interest loans to damaged counties. Thats not cutting it for some. Most lawmakers call talk of a special session pure speculation. If anything, though, they say a special session should be called to approve grants for damaged counties, not loans. Customarily, an early January session would be for emergency situations, such as the special session Lee called in early 2021 to deal with the effects of COVID-19 on public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jury is still out on whether that yielded anything consequential. Another session called by lawmakers in October 2021 tried to bend the business community to the Legislatures will, forcing some lawmakers to question whether they were giving up their deeply held beliefs. But when they wanted to tell businesses how to handle the pandemic, they almost sent Ford Motor Co. running back to Michigan, just after giving the company nearly $1 billion for an electric pickup truck plant in West Tennessee on state property. In this era, lawmakers seem more interested in getting out of sessions and going home to raise money or at least make money off ham breakfasts. Talk about a special session for private school vouchers is making them antsy, especially when its not clear the plan has enough House votes to pass. The Senate likely would be much easier work. While people are still uncovering from flood-swept rubble in East Tennessee, lawmakers really dont want to think about spending a big chunk of the budget on shipping students and funds to private schools. Pressuring the DA Republican Sen. Brent Taylor of Memphis is continuing to put heat on Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, a Democrat, this time urging him to seek the death penalty in connection with a recent murder. Taylor started threatening to remove Mulroy from the post earlier this year, claiming he is soft on crime. He says he can oust Mulroy for cause, and he likely has enough votes in the Senate to do it that is if Republican senators feel they should micromanage the Shelby County DA. In his latest, missive, Taylor says the district attorney should go for capital punishment against the man charged with killing 22-year-old Ellie Claire Young of Hennings during a breast cancer awareness fundraising event at Shelby Farms Park on Oct. 23. Sen. Brent Taylor, a Memphis Republican, is pushing Shelby Countys District Attorney ask for the death penalty in the case of a man who shots ex-girlfriend. (Photo: John Partipilo) Asked Thursday whether he thinks its appropriate for a senator to get involved in the day-to-day operations of the district attorney, Taylor said if Mulroy had done his job the last two years, the ouster threat wouldnt be necessary. Its amazing, when I started putting the pressure on back last June, he suddenly found religion on prosecutions, so my pressure works, and as long as its working, Im going to continue to keep it up, Taylor said. Mulroy recently got a guilty plea with life without parole in the murder of Eliza Fletcher. Her killer gave up his right to appeal. Taylor points out he didnt relinquish his right to have an opinion on criminal matters when he became a senator. The question is whether district attorneys across the state should be forced to worry about where lawmakers none of whom are trained prosecutors stand on high-profile cases as they try to execute the law. What, me worry? Gov. Lee is set to start budget hearings Tuesday at the Capitol for the fiscal 2025-26 spending plan, according to the Tennessee Journal, setting up a bit of a conflict with another little affair happening that day: the 2024 election. The governors super-scintillating, sensational hearings provide a bit of a window into the coming years budget, as long as you can stand the excitement. This exercise in openness, though, will go head-to-head with a somewhat important day of American political life. Love it or not, the daylong tour will help journalistic types get in shape for the 2025 session, which is critical when youre getting a little long in the tooth. So dont double-dog dare me now / Cause Id have to call your bluff. * *As Good As I Once Was, Toby Keith SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Too many commentators to count have spotlighted Donald Trumps use of divisive language. His objective is and always has been to drive a wedge between Americans, between his supporters and his critics. To this end, his capacity to bully and make nonsensical and divisive statements is bottomless, from suggesting injecting disinfectant into peoples bodies to combat COVID-19 to his recent claim that immigrants are eating dogs and cats. His intent to divide us is repetitive, transparent and vacuous. Its his only device. After every new ludicrous remark he makes, Im reminded of what my parents taught me: You cant control the behavior of others. You can only control yourself. On the eve of the election, Americans would do well to recall a moment in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic when journalists did just this, controlled their response and came together in the face of Trumps abuse. It was at a May 11, 2020, White House press conference addressing the coronavirus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump stood at a podium buttressed between two billboards that read, America leads the world in testing. CBS reporter Weijia Jiang asked a simple question, why leading the world in testing should matter. Why is this a global competition to you, she asked, if every day, Americans are still losing their lives and were still seeing more cases every day? Trump responded by telling the Chinese American reporter to ask China, then dismissed her question as nasty. As usual, the American media focused on Trumps response, calling it racist, sexist, rude, pathetic and ugly in essence, divisive. And yes, while these descriptions are accurate, Trump has demonstrated repeatedly his capacity for this kind of language, and the fact remains that his boorish behavior is an asset to him. It is what his critics dislike about him, and what his devotees love the very characteristic that his supporters pray will help this outsider presidential candidate dismantle a system thats rigged against them, that counts them out. So, frankly, one more loutish word from Trump is never interesting. What was interesting in that moment was the way most journalists handled it. They did exactly what psychologists say is the best way to stop a bully. They activated bystanders and came together in support of the woman Trump was trying to bully. Rather than compete against one another to curry favor so the president would call on them to ask the next question, they chose a different response. They united in their support of Weijia Jiang, allowing her the courtesy of a follow-up question and this exposed Trumps shallow and simplistic mode of operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps sole method to get what he wants is to sow division by bullying, to divide and conquer whomever and wherever he deems it necessary, a method at least as old as Rome and expressed in the Latin adage, Divide et impera. But Trumps modus operandi is losing effectiveness. Its getting thin. Its run its gamut. And this press conference put Trumps weakness on display. The strength and solidarity of journalists Weijia Jiang and Kaitlan Collins, among others, exposed the impotence of Trumps sole tactic. Near the end of the press conference, Trump was flustered. He could do nothing but retreat, escape before the situation got worse for him, but this revealed him as the one-trick pony he is. Divide and conquer is his only scheme. He grows agitated when it fails and, as inconceivable and frightening as it is to witness, he retreats also, because he cant offer anything substantive. Gregg Primo Ventello is a former tax accountant, corporate auditor and university administrator turned English professor. He lives in Lawrence. FAIRFIELD BAY, Ark. A disaster and a half is how the Office of Emergency Management described what strong winds did to docks overnight in northern Arkansas. Over a dozen boats capsized, washed ashore, or broke free. A crane attempted to clear the area all Thursday so people could assess the damage near Cherokee Drive. National Weather Service confirms EF-1 tornado in Prairie Grove According to the Office of Emergency Management, two other docks in the Drasco area had similar, but not as widespread, damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fairfield Bay Mayor Jackie Sikes stated no one was injured from the storm which came through around 3 a.m. Near the docks, one tree fell in the middle of a home. That homeowner also owned a boat on the dock. It just comes in this cove, and its like whoosh, like Mother Nature was ticked off last night. She was mad about something, Sikes said. Jeff Wingo is one of several boat owners who got the call overnight of heavy damage, but what he saw far exceeded his expectations. Im going to have a few problems because our boat is upside-down, Wingo admitted. Prairie Grove damage from overnight storms, possible tornado Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A crane eventually towed his boat away. It is just property damage, but at the same time, these are memories, Wingo said. All boats were removed from the water by late Thursday afternoon. One of the reasons that they needed to get the boats out of the water so quickly was because damage could cause them to leak oil and gasoline. Boons were deployed to prevent leaking from going into the rest of Greers Ferry Lake. Sikes said she expects dock repairs to take months though and she doesnt expect them up and running by Spring. All God: North Carolina couple recounts surviving Helene by floating on couch Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will not prevent us from getting out on the lake. We will build back. Well continue creating memories, Wingo promised. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UNC Charlotte campus police arrested student Luke Castaneros, 18, after they said he went into the womens bathroom in Colvard North and recorded them using the restroom. Nail salon owner, wife accused in sextortion and felony peeping scheme at Charlotte spa Honestly, in todays world, nothing like that is surprising anymore, said Avery Flynn, a UNC Charlotte student. Its still incredibly disappointing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Someone caught Castaneros and called the police, according to the universitys police log. He allegedly confessed to officers. The police department uses a sophisticated camera system across campus to help identify and catch suspects. Behind the Scenes: First look at UNC Charlottes high-tech security tools Despite that, many students feel its important to take safety and security into their own hands. Bathrooms are kind of a scary place because there (are) a bunch of stalls and I always look to see if there (are) people in the stalls, said Sophia Diciaula, a student. You have to be aware of your surroundings and be ready for anything. Its a sad reality, said Amira Hartman, a student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School officials would not get into specifics about the case but said, typically, a suspect would be suspended immediately. Castaneros had his first appearance in court Thursday afternoon. He was given a $50,000 unsecured bond for felony secret peeping. If he comes back on campus, he will be arrested for trespassing. VIDEO: Man shoots at peeping Tom looking through daughters bedroom window BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) A recent study by an Australian company shows West Virginians pay more for their utilities than those living in the rest of the United States. The study by Eden Emerald Hot Water compared the average annual bills from each state, as reported by This Old House, against average annual salaries in each state, as reported by Forbes. The study showed West Virginians pay an average of 16.28 percent on utility bills, spending $8,007 per year, while earning $49,170 annually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The national average is 12.61 percent, with West Virginians paying 29.1 percent more of their paychecks for utilities than the national average. Gary Raines of Shady Spring, a retired fire captain, said the data needs addressed in the state. It strikes me odd that we are right here, on top of all the resources, the coal that produces all the electricity, and weve got natural gas in leaps and bounds, that our rates would be higher than other areas, said Capt. Raines on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Men accused of burning down mansion formerly belonging to Gov. Hulett Smith no longer employed at Southern Regional Jail Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, West Virginia produced six percent of the total energy in the nation, the fifth-highest, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and was the second-highest producer of coal in the U.S. in 2022, at 14 percent, ranking only behind Wyoming. Mississippi paid the second-highest rate at 15.5 percent, followed by Maine (14.7), Hawaii (14.4), Alabama (14.39), Arkansas (14.29), Oklahoma (14.2), Kentucky (14.1), South Carolina (14.07) and Louisiana (14.02). The lowest payers were Colorado at 9.86 percent, Washington (10.18), California (10.28), New York (10.59), Utah (10.9), Massachusetts (10.91), Minnesota (11.05), New Jersey (11.12), Maryland (11.43), Virginia (11.43) and Oregon (11.44). Hearings for Beckley Water rate increase set by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nick Wallace, CEO of Eden Emerald Hot Water, said low worker salaries likely contribute to the findings, suggesting more needs to be done to ensure salaries match expenses in these 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 WVNS. BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) Senator Lea Webb is inviting students to express their gratitude through creative projects ahead of Thanksgiving. Webb announced the launch of her 2024 Thanksgiving Day Celebration program. The program is an initiative to engage young people in the local community through creative expression as they reflect on what they are thankful for. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade living in the 52nd Senate District are invited to submit essays, artwork, poetry, or other creative works to the senator before November 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we enter the holiday season, its important to take a moment to reflect on the things were thankful for and the people who make a difference in our lives, said Webb. Gratitude is a vital quality that fosters a sense of community, empathy, and appreciation. By encouraging students to explore these themes through art, writing, or poetry, were helping them engage in self-expression and allowing them to think deeply about what Thanksgiving truly represents. Im excited to see the creativity and heartfelt reflections that will emerge from this program. All students who participate in the program will receive a certificate of recognition signed by Webb. Submissions must be submitted electronically at webb.nysenate.gov. If you have questions about the program, you can email NYSenateServices@nysenate.gov or call (518)455-2558. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here for the program flyer. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. Sun Country Airlines will cut five routes out of Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport for summer 2025, the company has confirmed to Bring Me The News. After adding routes in recent years, seasonal routes to Asheville, N.C.; Billings, Mo.; Cleveland, Ohio; Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Omaha, Neb. will not return in 2025. "These cities were seasonal routes in 2024 and some in prior years," a Sun Country representative says. "We continuously evaluate performance of routes and customer demand and adjust our network accordingly." Sun Country Airlines Colin Brown, Flickr They add that the cancelation of the Asheville route is "related to hurricane recovery," but did not elaborate on details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it's a handful of fewer routes out of MSP, Sun Country says that they may return at some point in the future. Meanwhile, Delta launched nonstop flights to Dublin earlier this year and announced that it will introduce nonstop flights to Rome from MSP in 2025. Related: MSP Airport named best in the country EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A vehicle caught on fire Friday, Nov. 1, in Sunland Park, and the fire is now under investigation, according to the Sunland Park Fire Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fire Department says it responded with the Dona Ana Fire Rescue Team to a vehicle that caught on fire on Pete Dominici. The fire was quickly extinguished and one person refused medical treatment. The fire is under investigation by the DAFR FMO. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 message "PATRICIA MORGAN WORKING FOR YOU" overlays an image of the Point Judith Lighthouse on Roosevelt Society Action's website. This site is now linked at the end of the super PAC's commercials. Previously it was for the Roosevelt Institute, a New York City-based progressive economic think tank. (Screenshot) The super PAC supporting Republican Patricia Morgans bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) has revised its commercial after Rhode Island Current reported Thursday that a website at the end of a 30-second ad spot was associated with an unrelated New York-based think tank. Rhode Island Current found the ad from Roosevelt Society Action referred viewers to rooseveltinstitute.org, the website for a progressive economic think tank in New York City connected to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The use of the URL came as a shock to the institute, whose spokesperson said it planned to take action against the PAC after it was alerted to its existence by Rhode Island Current. Now listed in an ad posted on the PACs YouTube channel is rooseveltsocietyaction.com. The website includes an all caps message PATRICIA MORGAN IS WORKING FOR YOU along with a headshot of Morgan inside a Rhode Island map and a photo of her shaking hands with a member of the military. The PAC was formed in mid-September and has at least $200,000 to spend in Rhode Island, according to filings with the Federal Elections Commission. But who exactly is behind the group is somewhat of a mystery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas Datwyler, a consultant who has headed up financial operations for dozens of GOP candidates and causes, told Rhode Island Current Thursday that a Florida couple are supposedly the primary funders. He declined to reveal their names. The PACs listed treasurer, Kayla Glaze, did not immediately respond to request for comment Friday. Perfect example of creepy dark money: Rhode Islanders dont know who funded this, where they got candidate footage, why they lied about website, or how the out-of-staters figure in their apparently false filings, Whitehouse wrote in a post on X. No wonder people are fed up. Morgan declined to comment on the sudden correction of the website address on the commercial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im running my campaign, Im not worried about what theyre doing, Morgan said. I have no control. I have no communication with them. The Whitehouse campaign did not immediately respond to request for comment on the PACs website correction. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NORTH SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) The North Syracuse Central School District has revealed that Dr. Terry Ward is expected to be appointed the new superintendent at a Nov. 4 meeting. If appointed, Ward will begin on Jan. 6, 2025. Interim superintendent selected for North Syracuse Central School District He is currently the Cato-Medidian Central School District superintendent and has been there for over six years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Wards career spans notable accomplishments, including his expertise in strategic planning, capital project completion, and the development of an award-winning Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) plan that serves as a model for districts across New York State. Under his leadership, his current district doubled its 3-8 ELA proficiency outcomes, implemented a robust Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and launched innovative student programs to enhance learning opportunities. Dr. Wards fiscally responsible approach has also driven the successful development of a 5-year strategic plan, completed a $43 million capital project and led an Energy Performance Contract, benefiting students and stakeholders alike North Syracuse Central School District Board of Education In mid-June, the departure of Dan Bowles was made public. He retired after five years of being superintendent. Michael Schiedo was appointed months later at a board meeting to be the districts interim superintendent while they searched for a permanent replacement. We are excited to welcome Dr. Ward to NSCSD, stated Board President Michael A. Mirizio. His proven track record of advancing academic excellence, commitment to students and staff and engagement with the community align seamlessly with our districts mission and values. We are confident Dr. Ward will help lead to a successful future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information about Dr. Wards appointment and future district initiatives, click here. Latest local news Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. The Supreme Court on Friday turned down an appeal from the Republican National Committee and refused to disqualify Pennsylvania voters who had sent in a mail ballot with an error on the envelope. There were no dissents. The decision is a victory for voting rights advocates who fought the issue in Pennsylvania courts. They said voters should not lose their right to vote because they made a minor error on the mailing envelope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court did not issue an opinion explaining its decision. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., in a separate statement, said the Pennsylvania ruling was controversial and questionable, but there were procedural reasons for not ruling on the matter now. Fellow conservative Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil M. Gorsuch said they agreed. In response to the decision, Witold Walczak, legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said a petty error that is irrelevant to a persons eligibility to vote should never interfere with the counting of ballots, and provisional ballots are a decades-old fail-safe, a backup, for voters. Were grateful that the RNCs argument has failed and that voters can count on provisional ballots as a way to make sure that their vote counts. The Harris-Walz campaign also applauded the outcome. Todays decision confirms that, for every eligible voter, the right to vote means the right to have your vote counted, a campaign statement read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A decision in favor of the RNC could have affected several thousand voters across a state that is pivotal in the presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump. Last month, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court gave legally registered voters a second chance to cast a ballot. By a 4-3 vote, the state justices ruled that voters who sent in a defective mail ballot could go to their polling place on election day and file a provisional ballot that would be counted. Trump and the Pennsylvania Republicans were highly skeptical of voting by mail four years ago, contending that it could lead to fraud. The Supreme Court conservatives have also been skeptical of judges making last-minute changes in voting rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the RNC filed an emergency appeal in the Supreme Court and argued that the state court had dramatically changed the rules on mail voting ... in the midst of the ongoing general election. They said Pennsylvania law did not create a cure process for mail ballot errors. Their appeal asked the justices to either throw out the state court ruling entirely or order the segregation of affected provisional ballots so they can be counted separately. Election officials in Pennsylvania said the RNC claim is wrong. They told the court that many counties have offered provisional ballots to voters whose mail ballot was flawed. They said it would be a dramatic change in the law to revoke that standard practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its 4-3 decision, the state court said voters should not lose their right to vote because their mail ballot had an error on the envelope, such as a missing date or signature, or it was not mailed in a cover envelope. The state judges agreed those defective ballots were void and could not be counted, but they said the voters should be permitted to cast a provisional vote in person. What honest voting principle is violated by recognizing the validity of one ballot cast by one voter? state Justice Christine Donohue said for the majority. The ACLU and other voting rights advocates defended that decision in response to the RNCs appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The provisional voting process ensures that, for each voter, one ballot will be counted not two ballots, and not zero ballots, they argued. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. While it may be a common misconception that lightning doesn't strike the same place twice, apparently the same myth can be ruled out when it comes to shark attacks. Case in point, a Florida surfer was recently bitten by a shark on the same beach he was bitten more than a decade ago. Cole Taschman, who runs the fishing company Cole Tashy Charters, was surfing at Bathtub Beach in Martin County, FL when he suddenly noticed a "beast" of a shark behind him. He later recalled to the local NBC affiliate WPTV 5 News that he believed it to be a tiger or bull shark. And then the shark chomped down on his feet. "I looked behind me and he was he kind of was just like, on the back of me," Taschman explained of the shark, which he estimated to have been seven to eight feet long. "I just looked and I saw last-second him kind of going under and then he just kind of moved towards the side. I could kind of see his silhouette." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thankfully, Taschman was able to catch a wave and swim to shore, where his friends and girlfriend were waiting. With the help of a local food truck operator, they were able to use surfboard leashes at a tourniquet for his legs and rush him to the hospital. They felt it was faster to drive for help than call 911 and wait for an ambulance. "I actually blacked out. I almost passed out from shock or losing enough blood," he continued. "So [my girlfriend] is in the back slapping me, and [my friend] is driving like a madman trying to get me to the hospital. Hes dumping water on my head. They kept me awake, so thank god." All told, he required two surgeries to repair three severed tendons, as well as 93 stitches. But the most bizarre detail about the story is that Taschman was bitten by a shark on the same beach back in 2013. However, his injuries this time around were much more severe. "There's no comparison," he added. "It's like comparing an Olympic athlete to a high school athlete like, you know, the amount of trauma. It's so hectic how much worse this one was." With Election Day just days away, the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump remains as tight as ever. As we inch closer to Nov. 5, here are the list of Republicans, known conservatives or conservative-adjacent folks who are publicly supporting Harris in her journey to be the nations next president. Barbara Bush, George W. Bushs Daughter Photo: Taylor Hill (Getty Images) On Tuesday (Oct. 29), Barbara Pierce Bush daughter of former President George W. Bush shared that shes supporting Harris in next weeks election. It was inspiring to join friends and meet voters with the Harris-Walz campaign in Pennsylvania this weekend, Bush told People magazine. Im hopeful theyll move our country forward and protect womens rights. Dick Cheney, Former Vice President Photo: Brendan Smialowski (Getty Images) In a statement last month, Former Vice President Dick Cheney said he will vote for Democrat Kamala Harris over Republican Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In our nations 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump, Cheney said, per CNN. He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him. He can never be trusted with power again. Liz Cheney, Daughter Of Dick Cheney Photo: Taylor Hill (Getty Images) Earlier this month, Vice President Kamala Harris held a series of moderated conversations with former Wyoming Republican Rep. Liz Cheney in battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. If youre at all concerned, you can vote your conscience and not ever have to say a word to anybody, and there will be millions of Republicans who do that on Nov. 5, vote for Vice President Harris, Cheney said to Republicans in support of Harris at the Michigan event, per ABC. Stephanie Grisham, Former Trump Press Secretary Photo: Ricky Carioti (Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the Democratic National Convention in August, ex-Trump press secretary Stephanie Grisham criticized the former president and expressed support for Harris. Now here I am behind a podium advocating for a Democrat, and thats because I love my country more than my party, Grisham said per NBC. Kamala Harris tells the truth. She respects the American people, and she has my vote. Jimmy McCain, Son of Sen. John McCain Photo: Kris Connor (Getty Images) In September, Jimmy McCain son of former Arizona senator and 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain shared that he registered as a Democrat and will vote for Vice President Kamala Harris. Im a center man who cares about his country more than anything, McCain said, per Associated Press. Anthony Scaramucci, Trumps White House Communications Director Photo: Drew Angerer (Getty Images) On Oct. 31, former White House communications director for former president Donald Trump penned an essay for Fortune explaining why hell be supporting Harris on Nov. 5. I am supporting Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024 because I believe she is the candidate who can break us out of the cycle of ideological governance, he wrote. Her commonsense policies align most with economic growth and social inclusion. Ex-Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan Photo: Tom Williams (Getty Images) In an interview with NPR last month, former Georgia Lieutenant Gov. Geoff Duncan, a lifelong Republican, explained why hes supporting Vice President Kamala Harris this election. If you vote for Kamala Harris in 2024, youre not a Democrat, youre a patriot, he said. Olivia Troye, Former Counter-Terrorism Adviser To Mike Pence Photo: Ricky Carioti (Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former counterterrorism advisor to former Vice President of the United States Mike PenceOlivia Troyenot only endorsed Harris at the Democratic National Convention but wrote an essay for MSNBC explaining her decision. Vice President Kamala Harris is building a broad coalition that includes everyone because, unlike her opponent, she knows that a presidents job is to serve all Americans, not only those who vote for her, Troye stated. John Giles, Republican Mayor Of Mesa, Ariz. Photo: REBECCA NOBLE (Getty Images) Politico reported last month that the Republican mayor of Mesa, Arizona, John Giles, has endorsed Harris. Kamala Harris is a much better Republican than Donald Trump, he stated. She governs from the center. Shes pragmatic. Shell help us to solve problems. Ana Navarro, Republican Co-Host Of ABCS The View Photo: REBECCA NOBLE (Getty Images) Ana Navarro, the Republican co-host of ABCs The View, compared former President Donald Trump to dictators around the world during an appearance at the Democratic National Convention in August. Navarro said these figures attack the free press and put their unqualified relatives in cushy government jobs, MSNBC reported. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Former Republican Governor Of California Photo: Gisela Schober (Getty Images) Former Republican governor of California and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, said last month he will be voting for Vice President Kamala Harris Walz in a shocking endorsement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To someone like me who talks to people all over the world and still knows America is the shining city on a hill, calling America is a trash can for the world is so unpatriotic, it makes me furious, he stated in a post on X. And I will always be an American before I am a Republican. Thats why, this week, I am voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Alberto Gonzales, George W. Bushs Attorney General Photo: Larry Busacca (Getty Images) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alberto Gonzales, who once served as attorney general in George W. Bushs administration, endorsed Harris in September. As the United States approaches a critical election, I cant sit quietly as Donald Trump perhaps the most serious threat to the rule of law in a generation eyes a return to the White House, Gonzales explained in an op-ed for Politico. For that reason, though Im a Republican, Ive decided to support Kamala Harris for president. Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger Photo: Nathan Morris (Getty Images) Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger is one of Trumps most vocal critics. At the Democratic National Convention in August, he encouraged Republicans to vote for Harris on Election Day. Donald Trump has suffocated the soul of the Republican Party, he said CBS News reported. His fundamental weakness has coursed through my party like an illness. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. In 1872, Anthony was arrested for voting in the presidential election. Today, New York residents can cast early ballots in the same location AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey Gavin Neville, 72, puts an "I Voted" sticker on Susan B. Anthony's grave on Nov. 2, 2020 Gavin Neville, 72, puts an "I Voted" sticker on Susan B. Anthony's grave on Nov. 2, 2020 Susan B. Anthonys home in Rochester, N.Y., is now an early voting location, honoring the women's rights activist who played a significant role in progressing the suffrage movement. Voters in Monroe County, New York, are now heading to the National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House for the first time to cast early ballots in this years election. The new polling location makes it easier for voters to continue the tradition of placing I Voted stickers on Anthonys gravestone at the nearby Mount Hope Cemetery. We had hoped to be busy, but Saturday was kind of overwhelming, Deborah L. Hughes, the president and CEO of the museum, told The Washington Post. Related: Yes, You Can Face Criminal Prosecution for Removing or Stealing Someone's Campaign Sign Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to the Monroe County Board of Elections, there is more early voting taking place this year than in the 2020 early voting period. The tradition of placing I Voted stickers on Anthonys gravestone became a huge hit during the 2016 election when Hilary Clinton was the first woman to be on the top of a major party ticket. That year, the gravesite saw more than 10,000 visitors. In 2020, the cemetery added plexiglass to Anthony and her sisters gravestones to protect the marble. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dennis Carr, vice president of the Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery, told the Washington Post he expects the number of visitors to near 15,000. Although she never lived to see it, Anthony advocated for a womans right to vote. Fourteen years after her death, the 19th Amendment which banned denying the right to vote on account of sex was ratified in 1920. Related: They Voted! See All the Celebrities Sharing Selfies After Casting Their Presidential Ballot In 1872, Anthony cast a vote in the nations presidential election. Two weeks later, a deputy federal marshal visited her home now the museum to arrest her. Its just so cool to be able to vote at the place where Susan B. Anthony was arrested for voting, Rebecca McGinnis, a New York voter, told The New York Times. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) The Asheville Police Department said officers apprehended a man who had forced entry into a home attempting to steal items early Friday morning. Officers responded to a call of someone breaking into a home on Glen Falls Road around 1:47 a.m. Upon arrival, police made contact with 49-year-old Ryan Douglas Ross as attempted to exit the home. Residents inside the home during the incident reported that they were unharmed, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities took Ross into custody and charged him with the following: First-degree burglary Larceny after breaking and entering Breaking and entering of motor vehicle with theft Injury to real property Simple possession schedule II Ross was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility under no bond due to the Pretrial Integrity Act according to officials. Anyone with information about this break-in or any other illegal activity you are urged to contact the APD at (828) 252-1110. Anonymous tips can be sent using the TIP2APD smartphone application (search Asheville PD in your app store) or by texting TIP2APD to 847411. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Authorities in Chicago have charged a suspect accused of shooting a Jewish man walking to a synagogue in the city, then engaging law enforcement in a firefight over the weekend, with federal hate and terrorism charges, alleging he planned the attack and was targeting those of the Jewish faith. Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, was in the hospital Thursday as Chicago authorities announced the new and rare charges against him. He was already facing numerous charges, including six counts of first-degree attempted murder, in connection with the Saturday morning shooting, when police said he opened fire and wounded a 39-year-old Jewish man walking to a synagogue in the West Rogers Park neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Abdallahi then shot at law enforcement and paramedics "multiple times from various locations" and was taken into custody after he was wounded in law enforcement return fire. His victim, who has not be identified, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. On Thursday, Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling told reporters during a press conference that a search of Abdallahi's smartphone conducted since his arrest produced evidence that showed he had "planned this shooting and specifically targeted people of Jewish faith." Details of what was found on the phone was not shared with the press, but authorities said it supported both the federal hate crime charge and the rare terrorism charge levelled against the suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We were able to determine that this individual plotted on this particular community, sought out this particular community, sought out this particular faith, that the efforts to engage in this crime were not spur-of-the-moment, they were not simply to rattle at the time, but to inflict terror," Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx said, noting that the terrorism charge underscores the gravity of the alleged crimes. The shooting has sent fear through Chicago's Jewish community. Mayor Brandon Johnson came under criticism from Debra Silverstein, alderman for the 50th Ward, for not originally identifying the victim in his initial statement to the crime as "a Jewish man, wearing traditional Jewish garb, walking to a Jewish place of worship on the Jewish day of rest." With Silverstein the stage with him, Johnson explained that he is working to ensure the safety of the Jewish people of the city. "Our words are not as powerful as my actions," he said. "And our actions are clear: Charges have been brought, the full force of government is in display and the Jewish community can be assured we're using every aspect of the government to ensure they are safe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abdallahi was scheduled for his initial court appearance on Tuesday, but was unable to attend due to his injuries. He is set to go before the court on Nov. 7, if he is able. During the press conference, Johnson said that antisemitism has no place in his city and that the crime Abdallahi is accused of was motivated not only by hate but hatred specifically of the Jewish community. "It's not only hideous, it is wicked and as a leader of this city, as a husband, as a father, it grieves me and it breaks my heart knowing that our Jewish community doesn't feel safe in our beloved city," he said. "This is not just an attack against our beloved community of Jewish people, it was an attack against us as a city." The Anti-Defamation League Midwest issued a statement on Thursday thanking the Chicago Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We must all turn our attention to supporting the victim and the West Rogers Park Jewish community as they recover from this heinous act," the Jewish organization said in a statement. "We need a whole society approach to stop the rise in the antisemitism in Chicago, in Illinois and across the country." Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect that a person was detained, but not arrested or in custody in relation to this investigation. DENVER (KDVR) Police are investigating a deadly shooting at an Aurora apartment on Friday morning. The Aurora Police Department responded to a reported shooting around 1:45 a.m. on Wednesday at an apartment in the 10900 block of East 16th Avenue. The area is near Spencer Garrett Park. Aurora police said they found an adult male with apparent gunshot wounds when they arrived on the scene. Police performed lifesaving measures and the man was taken to the hospital, where he died shortly after he arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Police said an adult male was detained after the shooting and the homicide unit is leading the ongoing investigation. As of 2:30 p.m., Aurora PD says there have been no arrests and no formal charges filed. At this time, it is unclear what led up to the incident and there is no further information on the circumstances around the shooting. Anyone with any information is asked to reach out to the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and earn up to a $2,000 reward. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A 40-year-old man was taken into custody after a SWAT standoff lasting nearly four hours in Salt Lake City on Thursday evening. The standoff started around 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 when police received a call about the man, identified as Michael Dayley, refusing to let a woman leave an apartment located near 1900 West North Temple. Are LDS missionaries safe? Horror movie Heretic raises question in church community Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police previously told ABC4.com that Dayley went into the unit that was not his, but that he knew the woman from a previous relationship. Officers and crisis negotiators arrived on the scene and tried communicating with Dayley and the woman, though Dayley refused to leave the apartment. The woman was reportedly able to escape the apartment using a ladder to safely climb out about an hour into the standoff. The Salt Lake City Police Department said she was taken to a secure area and was uninjured. Around 11 p.m., about four hours after the incident began, SWAT officers entered the apartment and began having direct conversations with Dayley. He was then safetly taken into custody. Dayley was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail and is reportedly facing charges of aggravated kidnapping, violating a protective order, possession of a dagnerous weapon by a restricted person, interfering with an arresting officer, and intoxication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. A suspect is in custody after running from officers following a pursuit in New Hampshire, state police said Friday morning. The unidentified suspect ran from a vehicle following a pursuit in Strafford. Troopers and local police officers actively searched the area of Strafford Road in Strafford for the suspect, a man who is wanted on multiple warrants. Residents were asked to avoid the area as officers searched for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State police said additional information would be released later Friday. Strafford is a small town northeast of Concord. The towns population was 4,230 at the 2020 census. 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 CHICAGO (CBS) -- Authorities on Thursday announced terrorism and hate crime charges against the man accused of shooting an Orthodox Jewish man in the West Ridge neighborhood last weekend, and then opening fire on police and paramedics. Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, had already faced six counts of attempted first-degree murder, seven counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, and aggravated battery. On Thursday, Police Supt. Larry Snelling announced Abdallahi also has been charged with one felony count of terrorism and one felony count of a hate crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Abdallahi shot a 39-year-old man in the 2600 block of West Farwell Avenue in the West Ridge, or West Rogers Park, neighborhood around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. After first responders arrived at the scene, the suspect is alleged to have opened fire on them and struck an ambulance. No officers or paramedics were hit. Chicago police officers returned fire and hit the suspect multiple times. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition. "We want everybody to know that we will never tolerate violence that's rooted in hate and bigotry. This shooting is deeply personal to members of our Jewish community. We know that. But this shooting should be personal to everyone across the city," Snelling said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, police had said there was not sufficient evidence to bring hate crime charges against Abdallahi, but Snelling said further investigation has since determined Abdallahi targeted the victim because of his Jewish faith. The superintendent said it was important for detectives to take their time to confirm the shooting was indeed a hate crime before filing such charges. "I want to make this clear to everybody in every community. We did not secure these charges because of public pressure, or because of media attention," he said. "Gathering evidence and facts takes time, and we have to do it in a timely fashion so that we don't impede the possibility of getting charges. We will never do things just based on a belief. We need proof." Snelling said, because Abdallahi is still in the hospital after being shot by police, detectives have been unable to question him, but were able to sift through evidence on his phone indicating he was specifically targeting people of Jewish faith. Mayor says shooting "clearly was motivated by hatred." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snelling would not provide details of what was found on Abdallahi's phone, saying that evidence would come out in court. Because Abdallahi remains in the hospital, he has not yet appeared in court to face the charges against him. The victim, an Orthodox Jewish man, was wearing a kippah while walking to his synagogue at the time of the shooting. Asked what police have learned about Abdallahi's country of origin, or any criminal background, Snelling said "those things are still under investigation, because we're still working with our federal partners to get more information on this individual." Mayor Brandon Johnson, who earlier this week had stressed patience regarding the investigation into the motive for the shooting, said Thursday it "clearly was motivated by hatred." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is absolutely no place in Chicago for antisemitism. There's no place in our city for hatred directed towards our Jewish community," he said. "Hatred towards our Jewish community, it is not only hideous, it is wicked, and as the leader of this city, as a husband, as a father, it grieves me and it breaks my heart knowing that our Jewish community doesn't feel safe and secure in our beloved city. This is not just an attack against our beloved community of Jewish people, this was an attack against us as a city." Johnson, who did not mention the victim's religious faith in his first public statement on the shooting, had faced criticism from Silverstein and others for not sooner calling the shooting a hate crime, but has said it would have been irresponsible for him to weigh in on the shooter's motive before police completed their investigation. "I'm appalled and sickened by the wicked behavior that came from this individual," Johnson said after the hate crime charges were announced. Snelling also defended the mayor on Thursday, saying police had told him previously that they had yet to prove the shooter's motive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have to be careful when we put ethnicities out there, or religious connections, because if we put something out there that sounds like the only reason that we had for trying to call this a hate crime is that one person was of Muslim faith and the other person was of Jewish faith, that would be irresponsible of us if we don't have the proof to back that up. That's why we continued to work toward gathering the information to get that done," he said. Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx called the shooting an "utterly senseless act of violence." "These charges reflect our unwavering commitment to justice and our determination to confront acts of hate and violence. When an individual targets someone based on their faith, their ethnicity, or their identity, it goes beyond an attack of a single person. It becomes an attack on the entire community," she said. Foxx said terrorism charges are rare, but warranted in this case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th), in whose ward the shooting happened, and who is the only Jewish member of the Chicago City Council, was among several Jewish leaders who had been pushing for hate crime charges in the shooting. She applauded police and prosecutors for bringing those additional charges on Thursday. Silverstein also thanked her community for their patience as police investigated the motive for the shooting. "I know that public safety is our highest concern, and I give my community my word that I will continue to advocate for the safety of everyone in my community, and I will work together with our friends in the Police Department to make sure that they stay safe," she said. Silverstein said she has also been reassured that there will be increased police patrols Friday night during Shabbat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Silverstein has said she and the victim belong to the same congregation. She said she visited with the victim on Saturday night after he was released from the hospital, and he is doing "OK." The alderwoman has attended rallies, and called out Mayor Johnson for his initial comments on the shooting in which he failed to mention that the victim was Jewish. "I think he should have said he was Jewish," said Silverstein. "I think it's important his identity is acknowledged." On Thursday, Mayor Johnson said: "My words are not as powerful as my actions, and our actions are clear. Charges have been brought." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abdallahi remained in the hospital on Thursday, but police did not have an update on his condition. According to a CBS News Data Team analysis of Chicago Police hate crimes data, the West Ridge community has recorded a dozen anti-Jewish hate crimes so far this year, including two assaults, a bomb threat, and vandalism to property and a car. Anti-Jewish hate crimes rose sharply in Chicago overall this year, with 70 documented incidents, a 46% increase over last year's high of 48, with two months left to go in 2024. "We were definitely relieved to hear tonight that both hate crime and terrorism charges were added to the investigation," said Sarah van Loon, Chicago regional director for the American Jewish Committee. "We thought this was a huge step forward." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Van Loon said the shooting is a reminder of the threats currently facing the Jewish community. "It's definitely been a tough week for the Jewish community," she said, "and I think as we approach Shabbat, and we head into another weekend of services, I would be lying if any of us weren't thinking twice about that, or thinking about our additional safety as we head to synagogue." Trump uses garbage truck to needle Biden, Harris Sneak peek: Fatal First Date Trump puts focus on Biden's "garbage" remarks Election workers process ballots at the Arapahoe County Elections Facility in Littleton, Colorado. (Carl Payne, for Colorado Newsline) This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Two Pennsylvania counties have identified an Arizona-based company as the source of thousands of last-minute voter registration applications that they are investigating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company, Field+Media Corps, which conducts voter registration and outreach programs, is run by Francisco Heredia, a Mesa councilman and a longtime voting activist in Arizona. In Monroe County, around 30 forms the company was responsible for submitting, which also included mail ballot applications, were irregular and included what the District Attorneys Office described in a Facebook post as several that were fraudulent as they were not authorized by the persons named as applicants. In at least one example, the named applicant is in fact deceased, District Attorney Mike Mancuso wrote in the post, saying several of the forms he described as fraudulent had been traced to a specific person. York County Chief Clerk Greg Monskie confirmed to Votebeat Wednesday that Field+Media Corps submitted the forms that the county is investigating. Monskie said the company submitted the forms on behalf of the Everybody Votes campaign, a national nonprofit voter registration organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everybody Votes said in a statement that the company has not been contacted by officials in Lancaster, York, or Monroe counties about ongoing investigations, but would help resolve any issues with the forms if contacted. Our partners work diligently to ensure all forms collected comply with all rules and regulations, the statement said. In a press release Wednesday, the county said that of the 3,087 applications under review, it had found that roughly 47% were legitimate, 29% had incomplete information, and 24% were undergoing further review by the York County district attorney. Heredia told Votebeat that the company has not heard from any county officials in Pennsylvania, or received any information about problems with the forms it submitted there, but he said that the company would fully cooperate with any investigation in Pennsylvania. Companys voter registration efforts were flagged in Arizona Heredia has been a councilman in Mesa, a Phoenix suburb of about a half million people, since 2017. He was reelected in July. Before joining the council, he was for years a leader of Mi Familia Vota, a prominent Latino voter advocacy group, according to his LinkedIn profile. For a short period in 2017, he was the community relations manager for the Maricopa County Recorders Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Field+Media Corps operates voter registration drives for clients in Arizona, too. Last year, both Navajo and Mohave counties flagged voter registration forms from the company and sent them to the Arizona Attorney Generals Office for investigation, office spokesperson Richie Taylor confirmed to Votebeat Thursday. Taylor said that Maricopa County prosecutors took the lead on investigating, because the forms were initially submitted there before being sent on to Navajo and Mohave. The Maricopa County Attorneys Office confirmed the office opened a related investigation, but was unable to immediately provide more detail. Asked about the Pennsylvania and Arizona investigations, Heredia said the company trains workers to fill out forms accurately. When asked about the characterization of some submitted forms as fraudulent, Heredia said Field+Media Corps has a zero tolerance policy for workers who submit fraudulent forms. He said the Maricopa County Attorneys Office contacted his company last year in connection with an investigation into two canvassers the company employed. Field+Media Corps fired those two workers, Heredia said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clients or past clients of Field+Media Corps in Arizona include several prominent Arizona voter advocacy groups, including LUCHA, Chispa AZ, and CPLC Action Fund, according to the companys website. This election cycle, the Maricopa County Recorders Office has flagged FieldCorps, the parent company of Field+Media Corps, for submitting a high percentage of incomplete or inaccurate forms, office spokesperson Sierra Ciaramella confirmed Wednesday. Heredia said that he is in regular contact with the Maricopa County Recorders Office, and has been for years, since he began doing this work in Arizona. He said that he is open to ways that the company can turn in more accurate forms and that his company has a good working relationship with the county. Arizona has long dealt with problems with incomplete, inaccurate, and potentially fraudulent voter registration forms. A Votebeat analysis earlier this year found that the problem leaves potentially eligible voters off the voter rolls just before the states voter registration deadlines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When county officials receive an incomplete or inaccurate form, county workers reach out to voters to complete the forms. If they cannot do so, the registration is not processed. False claims arise as Pennsylvania continues investigating Heredia noted that his company reviews forms collected by workers in Pennsylvania before submitting them to check for things like similar signatures across multiple forms. But even if they spot problems, under state law, they must turn them in. Heredia confirmed his company did voter registration work on behalf of Everybody Votes. He said his company worked in Pennsylvania for more than five months leading up to the registration deadline, submitting forms just about every other week. Election officials did not tell the company of any problems with their forms during that time period, he said. His company no longer has workers in the state now that the voter registration deadline has passed, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvania is a hotly contested swing state, widely viewed as key to the presidential race, and its elections are under heavy national scrutiny. Former President Donald Trump this week alluded to the counties announcements in social media posts, falsely claiming fake ballots had been found in Pennsylvania. Election experts pushed back, noting that the applications were flagged by election officials as potentially problematic, a sign the system is working, and that no ballots were involved. In a third Pennsylvania county conducting an investigation, Lancaster County, officials have declined to identify the group or person who submitted the 2,500 forms they are investigating. District Attorney Heather Adams, a Republican, announced at a press conference last week that roughly 60% of the applications her detectives have reviewed so far were allegedly fraudulent, while others were legitimate. She has since described hundreds of the applications as fraudulent, but has not given an exact number or announced any criminal charges related to the investigation. Adams declined to comment about whether Field+Media Corps had submitted the applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monroe Countys Mancuso wrote on Facebook that his office is working with investigators from the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office and others as they continue to investigate. The Pennsylvania Department of State emphasized in a statement Wednesday night that York and Lancaster counties had identified the potential irregularities only in voter registration applications, which they did not process not in ballot applications or returned ballots. The counties process to flag and investigate these potentially fraudulent voter registration applications show the safeguards built into our election system are working, Department of State spokesperson Geoff Morrow said. Jen Fifield is a reporter for Votebeat based in Arizona. Contact Jen at jfifield@votebeat.org. (Bloomberg) -- A right-wing campaign to cap Switzerlands population is dangerous and threatens businesses ability to attract top talent, the countrys finance chief said. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigration has long been a hot button issue in Switzerland. The far right Swiss Peoples Party, the countrys largest, is behind a push to limit the number of inhabitants to 10 million that will probably be on the ballot from 2026. But the propaganda behind the initiative rests on a misconception, Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said at a Bloomberg event on Thursday. When people talk about immigration or migration, what they mean is asylum seekers, she said. They dont really mean the qualified staff in hospitals, the doctors we need. We couldnt work without them. More than one out of every four Swiss residents is a foreigner, one of the highest rates in Europe. Last year, some 180,000 people immigrated into Switzerland, most of them coming for work. Switzerlands population recently reached 9 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foreigners have contributed significantly to offsetting the shortage of skilled and unskilled labor, the Federal Office for Migration said. The population cap proposal doesnt distinguish between newcomers arriving for work and those who seek to flee war or poverty. This clashes with the needs of Swiss businesses, which rely on talent from abroad. Executives have warned that a population cap would force firms to expand elsewhere rather than in Switzerland. We have to hire people. And if we cant get them in Switzerland, we have to hire them somewhere else, Roche Holding AGs Chief Executive Officer Thomas Schinecker has said last month. I dont mean that as a threat, by the way. Its simply a reality. At Thursdays event in Zurich, Keller-Sutter said that theres also a responsibility of Swiss businesses to try to recruit Swiss people whenever possible. But she acknowledged that the countrys aging population poses a challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) A powerful typhoon made landfall in Taiwan on Thursday, killing two people and bringing high winds and floods to much of the islands east coast and northern areas, after barreling past the northern Philippines. Flights and train service were suspended in Taiwan and 8,600 people moved to shelters. Typhoon Kong-rey was blowing at 184 kilometers per hour (114 miles per hour) with gusts of up to 227 kph (141 mph) as it moved over the eastern county of Taitung. Parts of Yilan and Hualien counties were inundated by heavy rain, but many farmers in the largely rural areas had already brought in their crops in anticipation of damage from the storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kong-rey's winds weakened to 144 kph (89 mph) as of Thursday night, according to Taiwan's Central Weather Administration, and the center of the storm moved off the main island. It is expected to move northeast and will hit Taiwan's outlying islands. Taiwan authorities reported two dead and 205 injuries from the storm as of Thursday afternoon. One of the deaths occurred when a tree fell on a vehicle. Taipei police reported that another person was killed when an electricity pole fell over, according to Taiwan's Central News Agency. Officials also said they were trying to contact a pair of Czech tourists who had been hiking in Hualien's Tarako National Park, famed for its steep cliffs and mountain trails. Other travelers were advised to stay where they were. The capital, Taipei, was largely shut down as it was hit by high winds and heavy rains. Offices and schools across the island were closed. Off the north coast, a tugboat was dispatched to tow a Chinese-registered freighter that floundered and had been abandoned by its crew amid heavy seas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier Thursday, the typhoons eye blew about 110 kilometers (68 miles) east of the northernmost Philippine province of Batanes, a cluster of islands and islets of about 19,000 people. Villagers in northern Philippine provinces evacuated to shelters on Wednesday. The Philippines weather agency had warned the the storm could blow away roofs and shatter windows and wreak extensive damage to farmland, but there were no immediate reports of casualties. Its so, so powerful and we havent seen the extent of the damage yet because the wind outside is still so strong, Batanes Governor Marilou Cayco told The Associated Press by cellphone before the line was cut off. Kong-rey, the 12th weather disturbance to hit the Philippine archipelago this year, lashed the Southeast Asian nation while it's still recovering from a storm last week that left 179 dead and missing. Hundreds of thousands of people are still in emergency shelters from Tropical Storm Trami. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory and regularly sends planes and warships around the island, largely suspended its patrols, with just eight planes detected around the island between Wednesday and Thursday, according to Taiwan's Defense Ministry. ___ AP writer Jim Gomez contributed from Manila, Philippines. New footage of Taiwan's domestically developed "Huilong" (Smart Dragon) unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) has been released. Captured by military enthusiasts, the new footage shows interesting features about the previously unknown UUV. The footage shows the UUV being inspected by presumably technicians under a floating shelter. It is then seen being towed as a support vessel. One of the most striking features is the apparent presence of a pair of bow torpedo tubes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also added to previously speculated details about the rear of the UUV clearing, showing its propeller and X-shaped rudder. Taiwan's Defense Minister has previously confirmed the UUV's existence, emphasizing that it is a test bed for sonar and subsea mine operations. It cannot move under its own steam and requires towing when conducting sea trials. "Smart Dragon" is reportedly a joint effort between Taiwans National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology and Lung Teh Shipbuilding, with development initiated in 2020. Rise of the "Smart Dragon" Concrete information about the UUV is sparse, but according to reports, it displaces around 100 tons. The "Smart Dragon" is also around 98 feet (30 meters) long, 12 feet (3.6 meters) wide, and 20 feet (6 meters) tall (including the conning tower). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speculation about the torpedo tubes is reinforced for previously released times of the craft in dry dock with what appear to be yellow-painted cradles typically used to maneuver and load torpedoes. It has also been speculated that these tubes could house torpedo-sized smaller UUVs. From the released footage, the UUV resembles a miniaturized submarine and can deploy its fleet of small unmanned vehicles. This would drastically increase the craft's surveillance, target acquisition, and strike operation capabilities if true. https://twitter.com/taiwanplusnews/status/1849375284761333824 While still under development, the UUV or a similar craft would prove useful for Taiwan's sovereign defense. Its sophisticated sonar could, for example, provide an invaluable underwater monitoring craft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This could be used to track and monitor enemy submarines and surface vessels over an extended period. If China ever attempted an invasion, the "Smart Dragon" would enable Taiwan to increase its situational awareness, potentially in real-time. The presence of what appears to be torpedo tubes could also point to the UUV's ability to engage enemy targets. But this is just speculation at this point. Much-needed anti-submarine capability Taiwan's fleet of submarines is relatively small and would be vulnerable in a conflict, though the nation has committed to adding more than half a dozen more over the coming year. However, integrating unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) like the Huilong could act as a force multiplier. When deployed alongside or supporting manned submarines, these UUVs could undertake high-risk reconnaissance missions or even offensive roles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This would enable manned vessels to operate with reduced exposure to detection or attack. Taiwan's strategy would likely depend on asymmetric tactics in a conflict scenario involving a larger naval power such as China. Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) are cost-effective for deploying various weapons or conducting sabotage missions against high-value enemy assets, such as aircraft carriers or amphibious assault ships. CHICAGO Authorities have announced new charges against a man accused of shooting at CPD officers and paramedics shortly after he shot a Jewish man who was on his way to synagogue on the citys Far North Side over the weekend. Chicago police said 22-year-old Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, who has already been charged with six felony counts of attempted first-degree murder, seven felony counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm and one felony count of aggravated battery with the discharge of a firearm, has additionally been charged with one felony count of terrorism and one felony count of a hate crime. The charges stem from a shooting that officers said allegedly unfolded in the 2600 block of West Farwell Avenue, just after 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, officers were initially called to the scene following reports that a person had been shot in the area. As officers began arriving on the scene, Abdallahi allegedly began firing in their direction, hitting a CFD ambulance. Officers said the suspect allegedly continued to fire at officers from various locations. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines A gunfight then allegedly broke out between Abdallahi and officers after they located him in the 6800 block of North Washtenaw Avenue. Abdallahi was hit by gunfire during the shootout and was treated at the scene before he was taken to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim of the initial shooting, a 39-year-old man who suffered a gunshot wound to his shoulder, has not been identified and the extent of his injuries is unclear. A spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed to WGN-TV on Thursday that officers had lodged an immigration detainer with Cook County Jail on Abdallahi, who is a Mauritanian national. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx gathered for a press conference to announce the new charges against Abdallahi on Thursday. The most important thing I want to come out of this press conference is we want everybody to know that we will never tolerate violence that is rooted in hate and bigotry. This shooting is deeply personal to members of our Jewish community, we know that, but this shooting should be personal to everyone across the city, Snelling said. We have a diversity, we live in a very diverse city, and anytime somebody someone suffers violence, especially a shooting, we should be outraged, no matter where it occurs in our neighborhoods and across our city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snelling said during the investigation, authorities learned that Abdallahi had allegedly been targetting Jewish communities. We do know that, based on information that was gathered from his phone, that he was targeting Jewish communities, Snelling said. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland The additional charges against Abdallahi come after the shooting sparked concern among members of Chicagos Jewish community after reports indicated that the suspect had allegedly used discriminatory language during the shooting. On Tuesday, several Jewish organizations held a joint news conference ahead of Abdallahis detention hearing to address the shooting and community concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of those who spoke said the victim would usually walk with his daughters to synagogue, but for some reason, he decided to go by himself on Saturday. In a statement shared Thursday, a spokesperson for the American Jewish Committee (AJC) Chicago said it welcomed the additional charges. Since Saturday, Chicagos Jewish community has been seeking reassurance that authorities were investigating this attack as a hate crime because we were deeply concerned that a member of our community was violently targeted. With that said, we continue to urge a thorough investigation so that justice can be served, Regional Director Sarah van Loon said. Mayor Johnson also issued a statement calling the alleged shooting a heinous attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The heinous attack that took place was clearly motivated by hatred towards the Jewish community. I want to be clear that there is absolutely no place in Chicago for such hatred and antisemitism, and we have followed all of the necessary steps to ensure that we could charge this suspect with a hate crime and act of terror, Johnson said. Officials from the FBI said they are aware of the incident but are not actively investing. The Federal Bureau of Investigations Chicago Division is aware of the referenced event and continues to work diligently with local, state, and federal partners to provide critical resources and assistance as we learn more. Residents of Illinois deserve to feel safe while walking our neighborhoods streets, and we are committed to doing our part to return a sense of calm to the community. Should members of the public have information to provide related to this incident, we encourage them to reach out to our office at (312) 421-6700 or via tips.fbi.gov to submit a tip (even anonymously), a spokesperson for the FBI Chicago Public Affairs Team said. No CFD members or officers were injured in the incident and a weapon was also recovered at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abdallahi remains hospitalized due to injuries sustained in the shooting. Chicagos Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) is also investigating the shooting. Watch Thursdays full press conference in the video player below. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. NEWPORT, Tenn. (WATE) The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating after an overnight officer-involved shooting in Cocke County. According to the TBI, deputies with the Cocke County Sheriffs Office spotted a vehicle being driven by someone with an outstanding warrant just before 1 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 1. The deputies tried to stop the vehicle, however, TBI said the driver refused to stop and a pursuit began. Monroe County murder suspect spotted in South Carolina, search continues Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 1700 block of Neddy Mountain Road in Del Rio, deputies tried to take the driver into custody and during this encounter, deputies fired shots, hitting the driver. TBI said the reasons for the shots being fired are still under investigation. The driver was taken to an area hospital for treatment. This is a developing story. Download the WATE 6 News app or sign up for our email alerts for updates. 5 missing persons cases remain unsolved in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park The TBI is working to determine what led up to the shooting. Their findings will be shared with the 4th Judicial District Attorney General James Dunn for his further review and consideration. The agency said they act only as fact-finds and the DA will make any decisions about whether an officers actions were justified in these types of matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. Donald Trumps campaign may have been riding high in a garbage truck earlier this week, but the latest numbers out of Pennsylvania have them feeling pretty trashed. In Pennsylvania, more than 100,000 new voters have already cast their ballots ahead of Election Day on November 5, dwarfing the 80,000 vote margin by which Joe Biden beat Trump in 2020, according to NBC News. That means that if everyone who voted in 2020 cast their ballots the same way this year, this group of new voters would decide the race. Unfortunately for Trump, this group is dominated by female registered Democrats, who are likely to split for Kamala Harris. Nearly 62 million early votes had already been cast nationwide as of Thursday evening, with 54 percent of ballots having been cast by women and 44 percent cast by men, according to Newsweek. Early voting in Pennsylvania mirrors that trend.* Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While this data comes days ahead of Election Day, and women are more likely than men to vote early, the number of female voters has regularly exceeded the number of male voters in every presidential election since 1980. And this trend in early voting isnt just contained to Pennsylvania. Across several battleground states, there is a 10-point gender gap in early voting so far, according to Politico. In an essential battleground state such as Pennsylvania, where polls have shown a particularly tight race, turnout and enthusiasm could be the key for Harris to claim victory in a state Trump plainly needs to win. And apparently, Trumps team is panicking, according to Puck News. Theyre going so crazy here, one campaign source told Pucks Tara Palmeri. Anyone who hears how rabid they are about this issue cant walk away from this and think they feel comfortable about where theyre at in PA. Theyre talking about criminal referrals, the source continued. They want to find poll watchers who they feel are engaged in voter suppression so that they can refer criminal prosecutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump campaign has already set to work making their desperate attempts to smear campaign officials in Pennsylvania. Earlier this week, the Trump campaign and Republican National Committee Co-Chair Michael Whatley accused election officials in Delaware County of actively suppressing voters after one woman, a Trump supporter, was arrested at a polling station, according to ABC News. Delaware County officials said that the woman had been disruptive, belligerent, and attempting to influence voters waiting in line. Later, officials said that the woman did not get in line for any service, loitered in the lobby for nearly two hours, and approached various individuals, which prompted complaints. In a video with Whatley, the woman claimed she had been arrested for exercising my First Amendment right as she tried to get the vote out. The Trump campaign has continued to push narratives of alleged voter suppression by election officials. In Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Trump and Senate candidate David McCormick sued the county over long lines at polling stations as people tried to register for mail-in voting. A judge has since extended the deadline to sign up for mail-in voting in the county. Both Delaware County and Bucks County supported Biden over Trump in 2020. * This article previously misstated the number of early votes cast in Pennsylvania. Elon Musks America PAC has Republican operatives more than a little concerned about Donald Trumps ground game. Nine Republican operatives and canvassers seemed alarmed about issues with the super PAC, which has reportedly collected a plethora of faked canvassing data, NBC News reported Friday. As the PACs phony canvassing numbers were revealed, an operative close to the effort told NBC that all hell has broken loose inside the America PAC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PAC has reportedly received a large quantity of suspicious data from its canvassers, following reports that some had learned how to spoof their location to create the impression that theyd visited voters homes. Earlier this month, data leaks revealed that roughly 24 percent of door-knocks in Arizona and 25 percent of door-knocks in Nevada in a single week had been flagged as unusual, an internal metric used to indicate fake door-knocks. America PAC has spent more than $54 million on its vendor in those states, Blitz Canvassing, which is also organizing efforts in Michigan and North Carolina. Blitz Canvassing is one of four vendors employed by the PAC. The PAC has pushed back on reports that fake canvassing was impeding Trumps get-out-the-vote effort. America PAC has also reportedly engaged in dubious treatment of its canvassers. Two canvassers anonymously told NBC News they were made to knock on doors outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, as Hurricane Helene rolled in on September 27. One of them said that their direct manager told them to go door to door, despite leadership instructing them to make calls instead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I go into the troubles that we went through just getting into the field, working, Im talking about soggy literature, right? the canvasser told NBC News. Ponchos on ponchos. It was very bad, they added. The second canvasser said that many canvassers quit after that experience. In Michigan, some canvassers funded by America PAC were reportedly given unrealistically high expectations, under extremely poor working conditions. They claimed that they were threatened financially if they performed poorly. Canvassers said that theyd been misled by the PAC and a video showed that theyd been carted around in the back of a U-Haul, instead of the rental cars they were promised. One canvasser even said they were surprised to learn that they were canvassing on behalf of Trump. Trumps allies have practically begged the former president to ditch Musk, and his malfunctioning canvassing efforts, as conservative activists and leaders in battleground states reported that theyve seen little return from the America PACs efforts. CLEVELAND (WJW) The Fox 8 I-Team has found a Cleveland police officer, shot and killed in the line of duty in July, had planned to leave the department and return to his hometown. He never got the chance. Jamieson Ritters parents, Karen and Jon, told the I-Team that their son had plans to move back home in September. Gunman outside school was off-duty officer: I-Team He was applying to the Rochester Police Department and he was signed up to take the exam for the New York State Police, Karen Ritter told the I-Team. Jamieson was moving home. We were looking at homes to purchase for him. He had decided he was ready to come home and be with his family again. It was a dream come true. That is exactly what I said and he said I miss you and dad dearly and he said Im ready to come home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ritters welcomed the I-Team into their home near Rochester, New York opening their hearts about the murder of their son and the time leading up to it. The 27-year-old was murdered July 4 while trying to arrest DeLawnte Hardy, who was wanted for killing his own grandmother. This is my new life, Karen Ritter said. I get to visit him in the cemetery, I get to stare at pictures. Its all I have left. Vehicles pulled from Cuyahoga River are not linked to Keshaun Williams case, police say Every room of the house, now, filled with pictures and memories of Jamieson. The family tells us the house feels empty without him. I can tell you to this day I still have difficulty believing it actually happened, Jon Ritter said. Our lives have changed forever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parents said Jamieson Ritter took the job in Cleveland because he wanted to make the area safer. When he called me he said Im gonna apply for the Cleveland Police department, Jon Ritter recalled. I took my phone out and googled, how safe is Cleveland? And, I said, Are you sure this is what you want to do? I said, It doesnt look like it was one of the safest places. Karen Ritter also said she always worried about her sons safety. She told us, after Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin was killed, she worried even more about her son. Watch: Dirt bike takeover that left officer hurt Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Jake Derbin was killed I called Jamieson immediately and I said please come home Im very concerned youre gonna be next, his mother told us. They both loved their community so much that they both died trying to make the communities safer. Now Jamiesons parents take care of his two dogs and two cats. They still keep his sneakers at the front door, and every member of his family wears something of his to honor his memory. Justice for us is public safety, Jon Ritter said. Public safety. Number one. When society becomes so brazen this becomes almost normal, not only are your officers not safe, your entire community is not safe. Karen Ritter also asks people to start their day by saying a prayer for first responders, who risk their lives every day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How AI tech is enhancing local school safety Before Jamieson died, he gave his parents one more reason to be proud. His last conversation with his mom came after he and his partner had been named officers of the month. He ended the topic by saying, Mom, Im just doing my job, Karen Ritter said. He stressed he was just doing his job. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz rallied supporters in the Fort Worth Stockyards on Nov. 1, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming election. While noting that politicians often talk about the importance of elections, Cruz said the 2024 race is exceptionally important. Holy cow! Have you ever seen a starker difference between presidential candidates? Cruz said. He was introduced by Tarrant County Judge Tim OHare, who called Cruz a fighter for conservative values in the U.S. Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ted Cruz has moved the needle in the way we look at government and the way we look at our country, and the way people are now willing to stand up and fight for America, OHare said. OHare termed Democrats the greatest threat to American exceptionalism in the history of our country and encouraged people to get out and vote. Cruz repeated a statement from his Oct. 5 rally in Keller, Texas, that the race was a battle between sane and crazy. He hammered his Democratic opponent, Colin Allred, for his support of transgender rights and his voting record in line with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was like he walked into the House, pulled out his voting card, walked up and said, Here, Nancy, you take that, Cruz said. His speech centered around the themes of jobs, freedom and security. He referenced a satirical article from the website Babylon Bee that joked Texas was building a border wall with U-Haul trucks from California. There is truth to that, Cruz said, noting that Texas has seen roughly 1,000 people a day moving to the state in the past few years. Many of them to Tarrant County, Cruz said, eliciting a groan from some of the roughly 100 people in attendance. People are coming from so-called blue states where they have high taxes, regulations, crime and idiot politicians, Cruz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The key to keeping Texas economy strong is to support low taxes and cut regulation, Cruz said, framing the statement as part of his campaign theme of keeping Texas Texas. In speaking about freedom, Cruz spoke about protecting the Second Amendment, preserving freedom of religion, and preventing boys competing in girls sports. One of the major parties doesnt know what a woman is, Cruz claimed, adding: That didnt used to be a trick question. Cruz also talked about supporting tougher immigration policies and supporting law enforcement. He blamed the Biden administrations border policies for letting millions of undocumented immigrants into the country, saying some of them would go on to commit crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He referenced the story of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray of Houston, who was sexually assaulted and slain in June. Two Venezuelan men, who had previously been apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol, are on trial for her killing. This is happening every day, every day, another American murdered every day, another womans raped every day, another child is brutalized by violent criminal illegal aliens, Cruz said, blaming Allred and Vice President Kamala Harris. Cruz vowed that a new Trump administration would find, arrest and deport undocumented immigrants whove committed murder. Internal polling released from the Allred campaign shows the race in a dead heat. However, poling aggregators including 538 and RealClearPolitics have Cruz ahead by roughly three to four points. Early voting in Texas wraps up at 7 p.m. Nov. 1. Election Day is Nov. 5. Police say Mary Collier's 18-year-old son will be booked into the Pinal County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder GoFundMe A photo of Mary Collier as seen on GoFundMe. A photo of Mary Collier as seen on GoFundMe. An Arizona 18-year-old has been accused by authorities of murdering his mom after police say he called 911 reporting that she'd been kidnapped minutes after she was found dead by a jogger. The Pinal County Sheriff's Office shared on social media that officers received a call on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at around 9 a.m. from a jogger who located a body in a farm field in San Tan Valley and reported it to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said they identified the body as that of 38-year-old Mary Collier, and they said she appears to be the victim of a homicide, in their release. According to police, less than ten minutes after they received the call from the jogger about finding the deceased woman, her teenaged son placed a call to 911 regarding a kidnapping at their home. Officers say they confirmed that the subject in both calls was the same woman. Deputies found the son who has not been publicly named suffering from self-inflicted wounds after they arrived at his home and he was taken to the hospital. Police said he has been identified as the homicide suspect, and he would be booked into the Pinal County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder following his release from the hospital. Police did not release a possible motive for the homicide, however, they believed it could have stemmed from a possible argument that happened on Tuesday night that carried through to the next day, according to reports from KTVK-TV and Fox 10 Phoenix. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jogger who found Colliers body, James Richey, told KTVK-TV that he initially thought the body was kinda like a Halloween scarecrow or something like that when he passed by. However, as he got closer and closer, it was starting to look like a real person, and he found a blade next to her body. Instantly, when I saw the blood on the blade it was like, no, this is a dead body. This is a crime scene, Richey told the outlet. The handle was broken in two pieces and then like the blade was just sitting there and there was blood all over the blade. 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. Colliers niece Rebecca Hatch remembered the victim as an incredible human being" to Fox 10 Phoenix, adding that she was so passionate about her faith and was also selfless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm sure that if I could've heard her last word, it would've been about her family, about the people that she loved," Hatch said. "That's the kind of person that she was." Hatch also noted that it was "completely incomprehensible" that her son is accused of committing the crime, adding, "Of all the people in the family, Mary was the one he loved the most; she was the one he respected the most. It's inexplicable." According to a GoFundMe set up for her family, Collier leaves behind a husband and four children, with the youngest being 10-years-old. The Pinal County Sheriff's Office said the incident is sill under investigation. A teenager was arrested for attempted murder in connection with a stabbing attack in San Bernardino County. The teen suspect was only identified as a 17-year-old male by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department. On Oct. 7, deputies from the Victor Valley Station responded to investigate a stabbing victim who was admitted to the Victor Valley Global Medical Center. Authorities learned the attack occurred near Seneca Road and Bellflower Street in Adelanto at around 3:15 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies headed to the crime scene where they spotted the suspects vehicle still in the area. They pulled the teen over and inside his car, evidence connecting him to the assault was reportedly found. The 17-year-old was arrested for attempted murder and booked at the High Desert Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center. 2 Southern California gang members sentenced for violent robbery of elderly couple at mall The motive behind the attack remains unclear and investigators did not release more information about the victim or their relationship with the suspect. The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to call Deputy S. Alvarez at the Victor Valley Sheriffs Station at 760-552-6800. Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Teen visitor policy changing at The Greene BEAVERCREEK, Ohio (WDTN) A local outdoor mall is changing its rules for when certain individuals can visit. Beginning Nov. 7 at 10 a.m., people below the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 years old when visiting The Greene Town Center. According to The Greene, the change is being made due to concerns voiced from different groups of people who frequent the area. Significant delays: Fire closes busy bridge over Ohio River Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to concerns raised by our tenants, residents, and shoppers, we believe this is whats best for the overall safety of the tenants, the youths that are under 16, and customers of The Greene Town Center, said The Greene. Children who are below age 16 can be banned and/or prosecuted for trespassing if they refuse to leave when asked by security. Identification may be required for the teens, as well as for certain accompanying adults. Those who are below age 16 and work at The Greene will not be impacted, but are ordered to leave The Greene as soon as their shift is over for the day. Proof of work status may be required. To learn more, view the rules here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. When a Republican is elected president, he often brings loads of Texans to Washington with him. Thats because of the states size, influence and political leanings. Itll likely be no different now that Donald Trump has won a second term next. He has close ties with many Texans. Some of his most prominent donors come from here. Our politicians proudly support him. And judges from the state could be on his list for any openings on the U.S. Supreme Court. Heres a look at some of the Texans who might see their influence rise on a national stage with Trump back in the White House. The donors Kelcy Warren Kelcy Warren is Dallas billionaire who founded and runs the pipeline company Energy Transfer. He has donated millions to Republican politicians inside and outside Texas. His giving to Trump has been consistent since Trump was elected president in 2016. In 2020, he hosted a fundraiser for Trump at his home that reportedly raised $10 million. This May, he contributed $5 million to Trumps campaign. When it comes to politics, hes particularly interested in energy and climate policy. He has expressed concern about proposals to ban fracking which Harris supported in 2020 but has said during this years campaign that she would oppose and Democrats efforts to promote green energy. Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune, interviewed Tim Dunn, CEO of CrownQuest Operating and chairman of Empower Texans, at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2016. Photo by Brett Buchanan Tim Dunn West Texas oil tycoon Tim Dunn has typically used his fortune to reshape state politics. But the hardline conservative megadonor who just added at least $2 billion more to his net worth with the sale of his company emerged as one of Trumps largest donors this cycle. He also further enveloped himself in MAGA world, quietly launching business partnerships with Trumps former campaign director and joining the board of the America First Policy Institute, which could play a major role in staffing a second Trump administration and guiding its policies. Rather than angling for a position in the new government, Dunn is likely content to continue wielding his power quietly and behind the scenes maybe pushing the new government to develop social policies that resemble those of the Texas GOPs right wing. Already, there have been some signs of that influence: The Texas Public Policy Foundation, where Dunn is the longtime vice chair, helped craft Project 2025; and Heritage Foundation leader Kevin Roberts, whose organization took point on the plan, spent five years with Dunn at TPPF before joining the Washington, D.C.-based think tank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elon Musk is a relative newcomer to Austin, but is poised to play perhaps the biggest role of any Texan in the new Trump White House. Already, the worlds richest man has offered crucial help to Trumps campaign. Hes appeared at rallies. Hes donated at least $75 million to his pro-Trump political action committee. And he has used his ownership of X, formerly known as Twitter, to stifle negative stories about Trump while spreading pro-Trump conspiracy theories and pushing the former presidents anti-immigration talking points to his 202 million followers. Trump is reportedly considering Musk to lead a new office that focuses on government efficiency but, given Trump and Musks political leanings, it maybe more likely focus on massively downsizing the federal government and the many regulators it includes. Lets start from scratch, Musk said of the federal bureaucracy last month. The proposal has already raised concerns from ethics groups given that Musk, whose companies received billions of dollars in federal subsidies and contracts, could theoretically help decide who does and doesnt get to do business with the U.S. government. The policy minds Kevin Roberts Project 2025, the agenda to remake the federal government on conservative lines, was one of the biggest flash points of the 2024 election. Democrats routinely evoked it when criticizing Trump, describing it a policy map for Trump second administration. The Heritage Foundation crafted Project 2025 under the leadership of Kevin Roberts, the group's president. Roberts took the helm of the Heritage Foundation in 2021 after serving as CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, the states biggest think tank. Under his leadership, TPPF doubled in size. He has continued focusing on many of the same issues at Heritage on a federal level, including elections, education and the border. He also leads Heritage Action, the sister group to the Heritage Foundation directly involved in elections. A storied institution at the heart of conservative policy making, the Heritage Foundation has taken steps to the right in recent years, including under Roberts. The Trump campaign disavowed Project 2025, saying it was solely a Heritage Foundation project. But over half of its authors served in the Trump administration, campaign or transition team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brooke Rollins A native of Glen Rose and a graduate of Texas A&M University, Brooke Rollins left her job as CEO of the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation in 2018 to oversee the Office of American Innovation in the Trump White House. She currently serves as the chief executive of the America First Policy Institute, a think tank that has employed many former Trump administration staffers and has been preparing for a second Trump term. The institute has prepared scores of executive orders Trump could deploy upon taking office and has issued policy proposals like banning federal funding for Planned Parenthood, increasing oil and gas production and eliminating civil-service protections for nonpolitical appointees in the federal workforce. The New York Times has reported that Rollins, who is close to Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, is being considered by Trump as a potential chief of staff. Jonathan Mitchell Jonathan Mitchell, the former Texas Solicitor General, is best known for designing Senate Bill 8, the Texas law that allowed private lawsuits against anyone who performed an abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy. Since then, Mitchell has continued waging audacious legal battles on everything from removing books he views as sexually explicit from libraries to limiting the Affordable Care Act and stopping affirmative action. His main target, however, remains abortion: He filed a wrongful death lawsuit against two women who helped a friend terminate her pregnancy, has tried to get information on out-of-state abortions, and is helping towns and counties try to ban people from using their roads to travel to abortion clinics. During the last Trump administration, Mitchell was unsuccessfully nominated to lead a small federal agency. This time around, he will likely be considered for higher power, especially after he successfully convinced the Supreme Court to reject Colorados attempt to remove Trump from the ballot. The judges Judge James C. Ho answers questions from members during a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to confirm him and fellow Texas judge Don R. Willett to the 5th Circuit Court, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C, November 15, 2017. (photo by Allison Shelley for the Texas Tribune) Judge James Ho Former Texas Solicitor General James Ho currently sits on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where he has staked out a position to the right of even this most conservative federal appellate court. On issues from abortion to LGBT rights to environmental regulation, Ho has earned a reputation for brash, sharply worded opinions and eyebrow-raising rulings, at least some of which have been knocked down at the Supreme Court. He has written that abortion is a moral tragedy and that judges apply our written Constitution, not a woke Constitution, and in speeches, railed against what he sees as censorship of conservative ideas. Ho was appointed to the 5th Circuit by Trump in 2018 and is seen as a Supreme Court contender, possibly to replace his former boss, Clarence Thomas. Kacsmaryk, a former religious liberty lawyer born of the anti-abortion movement, has become a key conservative player since Trump appointed him as the only federal judge in Amarillo in 2019. Kacsmaryk has authored opinions that stopped Texas teens from getting confidential birth control, blocked the Biden administration from ending Trump-era immigration policies, and overturned guidance requiring workers be allowed to use a bathroom consistent with their gender identity. In a case later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, Kacsmaryk ruled that mifepristone, a common abortion-inducing drug, should be removed from the market. Even without the Biden administration to battle with, Kacsmaryks courtroom is expected to remain a popular destination for conservative cases, unless he ascends to a higher role on the 5th Circuit or in the administration. The elected officials Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during the Texas GOP Convention Thursday, May 23, 2024 in San Antonio. Attorney General Ken Paxton The polarizing attorney general has long had a close relationship with Trump and the former president said at a rally earlier this year that Ken Paxton would make a good U.S. attorney general. In 2020, Paxton challenged Trumps electoral loss in four battleground states and then spoke at a rally before the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trumps supporters. Trump rewarded that loyalty with an endorsement in 2021 when an embattled Paxton faced a crowded field in the GOP primary for attorney general. Trump came to Paxtons aid again in 2023, threatening to target any lawmakers who supported the attorney generals impeachment in the House. He later took credit for Paxtons acquittal in the Texas Senate. Paxton frequently meets Trump on airport tarmacs during Texas visits and he recently got one of the loudest cheers at a Trump event in Austin during the final days of the 2024 presidential campaign. Sid Miller, Texas Agriculture Commissioner, speaks to delegates at the 2024 Texas GOP Convention in San Antonio on May 25, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sid Miller Youd be hard-pressed to find a bigger cheerleader for Trump than Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, who spent much of the summer on a bus touring swing states on the former presidents behalf. The Gas and Groceries Tour was Millers response to what he claimed was an attempt by Democrats to prevent Trump from campaigning by tying him up in legal battles, and it put him feet from the former president during Julys assassination attempt. Expect Miller to be high on Trumps list to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture a lesser-known but incredibly powerful agency that oversees, among other massive programs, food stamp allocations. Miller thinks its possible he recently told The Texas Tribune that, before Trumps 2020 loss, he was in early talks with his administration to lead the sprawling agency. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Few Texas politicians are more closely tied to Trump than the ultra-conservative lieutenant governor. Dan Patrick has served as Trumps Texas state chairman in every presidential cycle since 2016 and seems to have a direct line to the former president. The support appears to be a two-way street with Trump occasionally attacking Patrick enemies, like House Speaker Dade Phelan, and endorsing relatively obscure politicians supported by Patrick who a national politician would not likely know. He frequently sits front row at Trumps Texas appearances. But with Patrick holding such a strong grip on Texas politics, its unclear why hed want to leave for a national job or what potential administration job hed want to fill. Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during the opening keynote lunch with Texas Governor Greg Abbott at the Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Policy Summit 2024 in the AT&T Hotel & Conference Center in Austin, Texas on Mar. 20, 2024. Some key points Gov. Abbott spoke on was border security and cartels, school choice for parents of Texas children and the ban of DEI at Texas universities. Gov. Greg Abbott There has been all kinds of chatter about where Gov. Greg Abbott might fit into a future Trump cabinet, speculation that was thrown into overdrive earlier this year when Trump said he might tap the governor as his vice presidential running mate. Though Abbott never emerged as a serious contender, his name has been connected with cabinet posts like attorney general, the position he held in Texas before his elevation to governor. Whoever occupies that job would be a leading player in advancing and defending Trump's immigration policies an area where Abbott has made his name under the Biden administration, dramatically expanding Texas' border presence and at times emerging as the main foil to Biden on border issues. Another possible landing spot for Abbott could be secretary of state, a position that would mesh with his experience making overseas economic development trips during his time as governor. It may also be one of the few offices with a high enough profile to lure Abbott away from the governor's office at a time when he is arguably at the height of his political power, having shored up his right flank after a 2022 primary challenge and sent a clear message in the primaries by ousting a host of Republican lawmakers who defied him on private school vouchers. Abbott quickly shot down the vice presidential speculation earlier this year, so its uncertain whether hed even be interested in a spot on Trumps team. Congressman Ronny Jackson, R-TX, at the 2022 Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Ronny Jackson U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson is one of Trumps biggest supporters in Congress a loyalty born from his years serving him as White House physician. Jackson has used his medical experience to defend Trumps physical and mental acumen and to accuse President Joe Biden of cognitive decline. After Trump was shot in the ear during an assassination attempt this year, Jackson traveled with Trump and treated his injury. Trump appointed Jackson to be secretary of veterans affairs in 2018 but withdrew the appointment amid allegations of improper and hostile conduct as White House physician. Jackson accused Democrats, particularly Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Jon Tester, and then-White House Chief of Staff John Kelly of undermining him with a smear campaign. Jackson ran for Congress in 2020, winning his ruby-red Amarillo-based district. He often uses his perch to spread conspiracy theories about Biden and call for Bidens impeachment. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks to residents at his bus tour rally in Huntsville on October 8, 2024, finishing his six-city tour campaign for reelection against U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, in the 2024 reelection race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ted Cruz Once Trumps biggest adversary in the 2016 presidential primaries, Cruz was one of Trumps biggest allies in the Senate during his presidency. Cruz supported Trumps federal court appointments from his perch on the Senate Judiciary Committee and tapped into his constitutional expertise to lead an effort to overturn the 2020 presidential race. Cruz and Trump shared a bitter relationship during the 2016 primary, with Trump repeatedly calling Cruz a liar and ridiculing his wife and father. Cruz in turn called Trump a sniveling coward and refused to endorse him at the 2016 Republican National Convention. But Cruz changed his tune, recognizing the political necessity of backing Trump in the modern Republican Party. Now that he easily won reelection in Texas, Cruz will likely continue being an ally for Trump in the Senate, particularly on the Judiciary and Commerce Committee, where he currently serves as ranking member. The Dallas-Fort Worth pastors Trump may be able to lean on a team of veteran Texas politicos in his second term. But his power is only as strong as his base and the pastors who shepherd them. White evangelicals in Texas have always played an outsized role in Trumps political rise nearly 25% of his 2016 spiritual advisory team was based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Many have remained in Trumps orbit, so expect to hear from pastors such as Kenneth Copeland, Jack Graham and Robert Jeffress in a second Trump term. At the same time, white evangelicalism has undergone stunning shifts since 2016. The former titans of the Religious Right are graying or dead, their spheres of influence filled by a younger generation of leaders who have put their predecessors calls for spiritual warfare into political practice. In Texas, figures such as Lance Wallnau have for years been laying the groundwork for movements to tear down church-state separations and reclaim America for God. They may get less attention than the megachurch pastors huddled laying hands on Trump in the Oval Office. But the last eight years have shown that they are coordinated, energized and almost unflinchingly loyal to Trump. Correction. Nov. 1 at 4:35 p.m.: A previous version of this story had a photo of the wrong Kevin Roberts. Disclosure: Energy Transfer, Planned Parenthood, Texas A&M University, Texas Public Policy Foundation and The New York Times have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. The GOP leader in the nation's most populous Republican county will not face consequences for his repeated use of slurs, as his party seems to have no problem with his language. Bo French, chair of the Republican Party in Tarrant County, Texas, has made several foul comments in the months leading up to the election. He last month called one Democratic advertisement featuring men voters "the gayest ad in history," writing on Twitter/X: Guarantee every one of these dudes is a homo. There is literally nothing manly about any of them. The conservative also around the same time used a slur for people with developmental disabilities against former Republican U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, responding to her remarks at a Harris campaign rally in Wisconsin with: "Never go full retard." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a poll posted for his followers, French asked if those who "believe Harris policies are better for Americans than Trumps policies" are Ignorant, A liar, Retarded, or Gay. He most recently wrote under a video from the recent World Series: Retard strength." In response to a post from Harris telling voters to "trust women" to make their own decisions about their health care, French wrote: "There are just some things where you can't trust women TBH." French has previously said that he aims to make Tarrant County inhospitable for Democrats," who he has also accused of trying to rid the earth of the white race. He came under fire in August after trying and failing to pressure local Republican election officials to close college polling locations, explicitly stating that it was because young voters historically have "voted with Democrats." The response from Texas Republicans to French's hateful and false comments has been mixed Tarrant County Precinct Chair Sheena Rodriguez wrote an email to other party leaders, viewed by the Texas Tribune, demanding French apologize for his outright vile and dehumanizing language and resign, but only after the elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Frenchs counterproductive and outright destructive rhetoric is detrimental to the Tarrant County GOP, Rodriguez wrote. Conservative members, supporters and constituents of the Tarrant County GOP deserve a new, humble, respectful, and productive leader one who is capable of being a decent human being. Rodriguez's message did not go over well with other Republicans, who accused her of sowing division in the party to influence the election. Carlos Turcios, a precinct chair, responded that it's "not appropriate to create fights within the party a week before election day." Larry Carpenter Jr., another precinct chair, responding by saying Rodriguez was trying to "censor free speech" and is a sell out to the actual conservative movement. I would highly recommend you switch parties, Carpenter wrote. All of this evidence you sent to me is gay, retarded, ignorant and waste everyones [sic] time as it truly is a joke. PROVIDENCE (WPRI) Farm Fresh Rhode Island has a 20-year history of bringing community together around locally grown food, and this Thanksgiving is no different. The Providence-based food hub is selling its popular harvest boxes so you can make a great holiday meal yourself or donate one to a family in need. You can donate a box to those in need. You can buy one for your family. You can donate four, Farm Fresh Rhode Island Director of Giving Nikki Ayres said. We really leave it open for the public to be able to make that choice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each harvest box contains an array of fresh seasonal vegetables, an 8-inch pumpkin pie and a jar of cranberry sauce. Everything is sourced directly from farms and producers in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. The only thing missing is a turkey. This is the majority of what will go in the box, Market Mobile Program Director Cayne Cabral said. Aside from some herbs, were going to have a turkey rub down in the box. But this is the cream of the crop, so to speak. LEARN MORE: Thanksgiving Harvest Box Program The Thanksgiving Harvest Box program has been going strong for four years, but it wasnt until last year that Farm Fresh Rhode Island opened it up to donations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We worked with the Coventry Community Food Bank and we donated 181 boxes, Ayres said. This year, Farm Fresh Rhode Island has partnered with the West End Community Center to distribute donations to families in the Providence area and theyre already on track to give many more meals. DoorDash has pledged $5,000 to the program, which is about 500 meals, or 58 harvest boxes, for families in need. Ayres said giving families the ability to access locally grown food that they can prepare themselves is a win for both farmers and the public alike. By being able to buy and/or donate one of these boxes, youre not only helping farmers get their food into the food system, but youre also helping farmers feed people in need. Ayres explained. And thats not always a straightforward thing for a farmer to be able to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The harvest box sale runs through Nov. 15, although Ayres warned that it often sells out before then. Orders are picked up at Farm Fresh Rhode Islands headquarters at 10 Sims Ave. in Providence on Nov. 26 and 27. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Good News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Some readers will think me naive, but I used to believe that this was an uncorrupt country. In many ways, I still believe it, and it is a reason for legitimate pride. I would never expect to offer a bribe, or be offered one, however politely. I have never ever been asked to favour anyone applying for admission as a student to Cambridge, or to write a dishonest reference. I would not expect to give a box of chocolates to an archivist to get access to public records. But I know that in many countries, such practices are common, indeed normal, something of a joke. I have close connections with France, where le piston (string-pulling) is almost a national sport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in recent months, my complacency has crumbled. Not because of experiencing petty corruption on a personal level I havent but because of institutional scandals which put questions of corruption on a quite different plane. We have a tainted blood scandal dating back to the 1970s, 80s and 90s. So does France. In 1999, the French charged the Prime Minister in office during the scandal, the social affairs minister, and the health minister with manslaughter, and the health minister was convicted, though not imprisoned. The director of the French blood transfusion service was sentenced to four years imprisonment. And here? Twenty-five years after the French put their politicians in court, we finally had the report of a public inquiry, whose chairman stated that: This disaster was not an accident those in authority doctors, the blood services and successive governments did not put patient safety first. Shall we soon see the politicians and officials those still alive in the dock? I think we know the answer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If this was the only scandal we had lived through, we might think it an exception. But we have had a series of appalling failures, none of which was an accident. The grooming gangs who were ignored by local authorities, social workers and police. The Grenfell Tower disaster, when so many people knew that cladding was dangerous and hid it. The Post Office scandal, in which hundreds of innocent people had their lives ruined by a well paid but indifferent bureaucracy. Recently, there have been the plausible accusations of abuse of power made by Alan Halsall about his mistreatment by the Electoral Commission, egged on by anti-Brexit lawyers, politicians and newspapers to accuse a scrupulously honest Leave campaigner of dishonesty. This is fully documented in his recent book Last Man Standing. Now we have the disgusting behaviour of Mohamed al Fayed seemingly being overlooked by the police and perhaps by colleagues and senior employees. Readers will doubtless add to the list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This deplorable record displays corruption in a very different and more alarming form than the banal exchange of cash-filled envelopes. In some ways, each case is very different. Some concern local authorities, others the police, or independent public bodies, or officials, or private enterprise. But what they have in common seems to me more important than their differences. First, there is a lack of effective accountability to any outside body, whether Parliament or the public. Second, the evident lack or at least inadequacy of people within these organisations who might have had the power and the courage to put a stop to what was being done at an early stage. Instead, there must have been a widespread culture of wilful ignorance or indifference. This is surely and sadly a cultural change. I am not saying that there was ever a golden age of honesty and public spirit. There have always been crooks and amoral careerists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But recent corruption has been on such a scale, and has involved so many otherwise decent people one of the Post Office bosses had not only been publicly honoured, but had been considered for a bishopric that I think something important has shifted. Was there no one to say We cant do this, its wrong? Did they feel that no one would support them? Did they shrug and say Not my business? So many people running our institutions have the same background, the same opinions, the same ambitions. They progress from quango to quango, from boardroom to boardroom. Gamekeepers eagerly turn poachers. The result of failure or even misbehaviour is simply to move on. They are the epitome of the anywhere people, with little connection to place or community, and little loyalty to institutions that are merely stepping stones to something more lucrative. There are, fortunately, exceptions. But the scandals show that the exceptions are not enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The causes seem plain. We live in a more diverse and mobile society. Old inhibitions against misbehaviour are weakened: we dont worry about what the neighbours might say if we dont know who they are. But there is another problem, which can be mitigated, though with difficulty. We have far too many unaccountable institutions. Partly because of an old liberal tradition of limiting central authority, and party through a Gladstonian/Thatcherite belief that markets themselves create discipline, we have created a horde of arms-length bodies that behave as a law unto themselves. We have charities that do not depend on individual charity but on the largesse of government departments. Quangos, NGOs and public corporations like the Post Office exist on public money, but are not accountable to the public. They also provide vast amounts of taxpayers money to each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the beating heart of the Blob. We have encouraged its expansion because we mistrust politicians. But at least we vote politicians in and out. We must increase their authority over unelected bodies. Perhaps too we could learn something from the Jacobin traditions of our French neighbours: instead of peerages, a few jail sentences for ministers, officials, quangocrats and even chief constables might concentrate minds very effectively. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Troopers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) captured a murder suspect wanted out of East Tennessee on Thursday night. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts According to a social media post, troopers captured Travien Reddick on Centennial Boulevard in Nashville. Reddick had been wanted for homicide out of Hamilton County. Reddick was booked into the Davidson County jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. DES MOINES, Iowa At the start of the 2024-2025 school year, Iowa schools became part of a national trend: non-credible threats against school safety. This uptick created fear and disruption for school districts, even resulting in criminal charges against students. Many of these threats were reported through Safe and Sound Iowa. An online anonymous reporting system that parents, students, and school staff can use to notify school leaders and law enforcement agencies of any school safety concerns. As the tip comes in, it goes to our dispatch center, and they are going to review it. And based upon that initial review, theyre going to determine which avenues the tip goes. So, depending on what that is, that determines the urgency, you know, which also then determines the response, said Matthew Anderson, Bureau Chief for the Governors School Safety Bureau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This uptick in non-credible threats has resulted in school lockdowns, and police investigations, often sending schools into a panic. Anderson said that each tip of danger is thoroughly investigated. You dont want to cause additional alarm, but you also dont want to dismiss anything, he said. In Iowa there have been over 100 threats made so far for the 2024-2025 school year, and over a dozen arrests have been made as a result. Parents dont want the extra anxiety of sending their kids to school. Law enforcement doesnt want to be spending their resources responding to these types of things and ultimately with the criminal penalties that come along with it, said Anderson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mother delivers testimony during trial for alleged sexual assault at Urbandale school Criminal penalties like acts of terrorism, a Class D felony, which students as young as 14-years-old have been charged with. Its a high price to pay for making a really bad decision, said Anderson. And it has experts wondering: is this a downward trend, or a modern example of kids being kids? Any kid at that age is impulsive, right? [At that age] we make choices without understanding everything that happens. But with that being said, you cant make a broad generalization that none of these kids have ever understood that or are incapable of understanding that, said Cassidy Wagner, a Pediatric Mental Health Therapist at UnityPoint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the intent of the threat was to cause fear, panic, anxiety, to generate a law enforcement response, well, then thats absolutely going to land in the county attorneys lap for prosecution purposes. And that can be a felony, said Anderson. A charge that can halt a young persons life before its even truly started, even if the charge is dropped. The stories that you tell yourself hold very true to you. So, trying to break that stigma is going to be hard when everyone around you is telling you, you know, that you cant do something right, said Bella Mujeeb, Behavioral Health Nurse at UnityPoint. Social media only heightens the issue, as Iowa saw non-credible threats made from out of state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These social media threats, as they start working their way through social media, made it appear because the name of the town was the same as when it was an Iowa town, said Anderson. Those threats, no matter the distance, are having an impact on Iowa students and their mental health. There is a concept known as vicarious trauma or secondary trauma that can come from seeing the things that are happening, said Wagner. And the first line of defense starts at home, with parents having real and honest conversations with their kids. Kids just want to be heard and listened to, right? And feel like theyre part of that conversation, said Mujeeb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On top of my school administrators, teachers, educational professionals, I mean, parents are absolutely in that chain of prevention, said Anderson. Guilty verdict in Fort Dodge teens murder Prevention includes parents continuously monitoring what their children are consuming and communicating online. Theyre having conversations with each other that were just not a part of and parents are not a part of. And those conversations have happened rapidly, and they happen with folks all over the world, said Wagner. Anderson said when it comes to monitoring your kids digital footprint, trust, but verify, because its not like as a parent you want to not trust your child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This use of social media was an issue highlighted during the Perry school shooting investigation, as those conversations were the first warning signs of shooter Dylan Butlers interest in violence. During the Perry investigation press conference, Iowa DPS Commissioner Stephan Baynes said that Butler had stated interest in prior school shootings. We can say that some of those prior conversations happened online, in the sense of chat rooms and those sorts of things. During the press conference, Baynes urged parents to make themselves aware of what their children are doing on social media. Parents need to be involved, willful blindness is not a parenting strategy, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And experts agree. In general, I think kids are much more capable than we give them credit for and are very capable of having mature conversations about difficult topics. The best way to stop school violence is to prevent it. And the best way to prevent it is to talk to them and be educated, said Anderson. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) Booker T. Washington STEM Academy in Champaign went on its second lockdown in two days after a group of four tried to escape the police. On Oct. 31 at approximately 3:05 p.m., Champaign Police conducted a traffic stop near the 2000 block of N. Market St. after seeing someone armed with a weapon entering a vehicle. Urbana man acquitted of murder in 2023 shooting The vehicle tried to speed away from officers when they attempted to get the vehicle to stop. Cops chased the vehicle until it stopped at the 1100 block of N. Sixth St. because of a mechanical failure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All four individuals in the vehicle then ran away on foot. After they tried to escape, officers from multiple local law enforcements located and apprehended three of the four individuals. The three men arrested are William Laws, 25 of Champaign; Anthony Wilkins, 29 of Rantoul; and Tony Fonville, 28 of Champaign. They are currently being held at the Champaign County Correctional Facility. Three illegally possessed firearms were recovered during the incident. Champaign Police notified Booker T. Washington STEM Academy school officials at 3:20 p.m. of the situation. Out of safety, the school went into a soft lockdown. The lockdown ended at 3:55 p.m., causing a delayed release for students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UPDATE: Teen arrested following shooting incident in Champaign This remains an ongoing investigation despite the arrests that have already been made. Officers are continuing to search the area for witnesses and video footage. Any resident/business nearby with exterior surveillance camera systems are encouraged to notify Champaign Police. Future updates may be provided as they become available. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Champaign Police Department at 217-351-4545. People who wish to stay anonymous can submit their tips to Crime Stoppers by phone at 217-373-8477 (TIPS), online at 373tips.com, or the P3 Tips mobile app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. RICHLAND, Miss. (WJTV) Richland police announced three Florida men were arrested after authorities intercepted more than $115,000 in fraudulent checks. Investigators said members of the Pearl-Richland PACE Team intercepted the fraudulent checks on October 29. The checks had been forged with fake signatures. Mississippi woman charged after alleged suicide pact with child A detective later initiated a traffic stop on Highway 49 for a traffic violation, involving a vehicle occupied by three men. Police said a search of the vehicle revealed 20 fraudulent checks worth more than $115,000, $3,500 in U.S. currency and marijuana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives said the suspects were traveling from Florida to Texas, attempting to cash the checks along the way. Raymond Varona Garcia (Courtesy: Richland Police Dept.) Darian Jesus Caceres (Courtesy: Richland Police Dept.) Jahiron Boloy Valdes (Courtesy: Richland Police Dept.) Police arrested Raymond Varona Garcia, 20; Darian Jesus Caceres, 24; and Jahiron Boloy Valdes, 26. They were charged with felony possession of counterfeit instruments, including checks. Investigators said detectives have been in contact with all five victims, located in Ohio, Texas and Florida. They said one victim had previously been targeted by the suspects, suffering a loss of $29,000. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO/AP) Neither of South Dakotas senators representing the state in Washington is up for reelection on Tuesday, but one of them does have a significant contest just eight days later when GOP senators are set to pick their next leader. South Dakotas John Thune is campaigning for the role. When we get past the election, obviously itll be a real push because the election will happen the week after that, the leadership election, Thune said. Therell be a real push to start locking people down. But weve got a good number, feel good about our commitments that weve already received. Sex offender charged with child porn possession Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican senators will cast secret ballots for their new leader on Nov. 13; Thune said Thursday hes one of three senators running at the moment. Whether or not that person is the majority or minority leader depends on the outcome of Tuesdays Senate races. Right now there are 49 Republican senators, Thune said. After this election were, we think it could be in the 50s. The winner of the vote needs a majority of their colleagues support to become leader. Thune says he represents a new generation of leadership. I have an approach thats built around consultation, listening, allowing the committees to work, Thune said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only one other South Dakota lawmaker has served as Senate majority or minority leader in Washington: Tom Daschle, who spent time in both roles. Thune says becoming his partys leader in the Senate would lift up his home state, too. It keeps South Dakota at the forefront of every debate at the national level, he said. Thune says Rick Scott of Florida and John Cornyn of Texas are also running. Thune is the youngest of the three; he will turn 64 in early January. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Peoples Choice Kitchen teamed up with the YMCA to get into the Halloween spirit Thursday night, with all treats and no tricks. Nearly 20 local organizations attended the free event, which also worked to provide necessary resources and information to community members. Safety was the number one concern, according to one group in attendance. Mary Cariola students dazzle during Halloween tradition Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the safety component, Cam Lewis with UPrep Charter School for Young Men began. Theres a lot of crazy things happening in the city, and in the world, and we want to first of all, just be mentors and give them a positive space with people that look like them and that are doing professional things things that they can aspire to. But, when youre a kid, you deserve to play and have a good time. Attendees included Rochester police officers, firefighters, and officials from the mayors office. Numerous children came out as well, including this young man who seemed extra excited to be featured! Thursdays Halloween bash included a costume contest, a raffle to win two bicycles, pumpkin painting and, of course, plenty of candy for the sweet tooths out there. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Election officials said Friday that it's probably too late to be sure an absentee ballot sent via regular U.S. mail will arrive by 7:30 on Election Day as required; they offered a list of other ways to make sure one's vote is counted. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images) As the end of election season approaches, state elections officials offered some advice for people who have not yet cast their ballots. Absentee ballots: Dont put your absentee ballot in the regular mail and expect it will get to your county board of elections on time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It may be too late to put your ballot in the regular mail stream and ensure that it gets back to your county board of elections office by the deadline, state Elections Director Karen Brinson Bell said Friday. The deadline for absentee ballots to arrive at local boards of election offices is 7:30 pm on Tuesday. People planning to vote by mail have several options. Send ballots overnight or express using the postal service or a private delivery service. Hand deliver ballots to an early voting site before they close. Early voting ends at 3 pm on Saturday. Hand deliver ballots to county elections offices during operating hours before the 7:30 pm Tuesday deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just because you have an absentee ballot doesnt mean you have to use it. You can still vote in person during early voting or on Election Day. Ballot selfies: A Wake County voter sued over the state prohibition on ballot selfies. The case has not been resolved, and a federal judge ordered the Wake County District Attorney not to prosecute the voter while it is ongoing. Photographing a completed ballot remains illegal, state election officials said. That order applied only to that one plaintiff, said Board of Elections lawyer Paul Cox. Broadcasting an image of a voted ballot is against the law in North Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People who want to show theyve voted can take photos at selfie stations or with their I voted stickers, Brinson Bell said. Everyone should be very mindful of the importance of a secret ballot, and a ballot selfie erodes that, she said. Voter ID: This is the first general election where voters will be asked to show an acceptable photo ID. People who vote in person and dont have photo ID will be able to vote a provisional ballot and fill out an exception form explaining why they dont have one, or will be able to vote a provisional ballot with the understanding that they will return to their county board of elections before Friday, Nov. 15 to show their ID in order for their votes to be counted. TIDGEN Power System, a tidal turbine system that has allowed 100 million sockeye salmon smolts to pass while being fully operational, has entered a new testing phase. After seventeen deployments across North America, the system is being trialed at Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, a press release said. With demand for renewable energy increasing worldwide, researchers are keen to deliver cleaner forms of energy with increased predictability of power output. Since wind and solar-based power plants can only supply intermittently, tidal energy is an area of focus for research institutes and companies alike. Interesting Engineering has covered multiple tidal energy turbine designs so far, with each deploying a different approach to maximize power output and operational efficiency. ORPC's approach stands out for its design and efforts to monitor its turbines' impact on marine life. What is the TIDGEN Power System? The TIDGEN Power System is a tidal energy approach that uses a crossflow turbine generator unit to maximize power output from tidal waves. The turbine design uses advanced composite material to ensure that the equipment can handle the harsh conditions of the deep-water sea where it is deployed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The entire system operates underwater with no features visible over the water surface. However, to reduce the cost and time of installation, the system uses a buoyant mooring system and ensures that it has a minimal footprint on the seabed. At an installation site in Alaska, ORPC used a video feed to monitor the turbine's operation's impact on marine life. After studying hundreds of hours of video footage, the team determined that the turbine design allowed more than 100 million sockeye salmon smolts and more than 10 million adult sockeye salmon to pass through its blades without observable evidence of mortality or injury. The TidGen Power System during one of its deployments in Alaska. Image credit: ORPC/X Testing outside North America After seventeen such developments in North America, ORPC is now testing its tidal turbine at the Strangford Lough Tidal Test Site in Northern Ireland. The trial is part of the X-Flow project, where Queen's University Belfast (QUB) and Applied Renewables Research and Shell Technology Marine Renewable Program are partners. ORPC has previously deployed its turbine at the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche's large towing tank in Rome, Italy, as part of a previous European Commission initiative. However, the Strangford Lough deployment will help gather data in real tidal environments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Queen's Marine Laboratory (QML) Tidal Test Site in Strangford Lough is a unique facility providing developers the opportunity to deploy and monitor their technology in real tidal flows," said Carwyn Frost, Senior Lecturer at QUB, in a press release. "The X-Flow project will provide unique insight on the impact of turbulent flow conditions on the control of the crossflow turbine and its blade loading." "ORPC are bringing clean, predictable, emission-free tidal and river energy to markets around the globe, and this deployment and research is helping to maximise design efficiency and performance of our power systems," added Patrick Cronin, Director of European Operations at ORPC Ireland in the press release. According to the press release, the deployment has been completed, and testing has commenced. In the next testing phase, the researchers will also monitor the turbine through various operating conditions. The X-Flow project aims to validate numerical models of tidal energy turbines and determine the benefits of tidal energy to Northern Ireland's electricity system. SAN DIEGO (Border Report) Tijuanas secretary of public safety announced extra patrols in and around the citys 13 cemeteries during the Dia de los Muertos holiday on Friday and Saturday. The agency said its goal is to provide a safe environment for families visiting their deceased loved ones. Officers will also be deployed to key intersections around the city as a way to maintain traffic flow near graveyards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US residents travel to Mexico to visit their dead The police department says it will also fly drones to conduct aerial surveillance. In the past, thieves have raided family plots and taken food items, drinks and valuables set up at family burial plots. Auto theft is another concern, and there have also been disputes that escalate into disturbances and fights when groups try to use the same public spaces. Worlds biggest Dia de los Muertos bread display to be set up in Tijuana Tijuanas public safety secretary is also asking the public to take precautions and to remain courteous to others, and to report any suspicious activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border Some cemeteries have also announced restrictions, limiting the number of people who can come in at one time to reduce congestion at the sites. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are battling for the White House, with polling showing it will be one of the closest presidential races in history. It could take anywhere between hours and weeks for the winner to be declared, depending on their eventual margin of victory and whether the result spawns any legal battles. One of the earliest indications for who will win the White House will be the exit poll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, not all of its projections will be released immediately by TV networks, even after polls have closed and the votes that will decide the next president are being tallied. What time are the exit polls released? The embargo period for exit polls will end at 5pm ET on polling day, after which news organisations are allowed to begin reporting results from individual states. However, at this point they are not permitted to project a winner while voting is still taking place. Exit polls will only be announced in states where the margins are large enough and they will not be used in the battleground states to project whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump have won. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, statisticians will use a combination of the exit poll, actual declared votes and other data to forecast a winner. Along with establishing how respondents voted, the exit poll also questions voters on their demographics and what motivated their decision. When will we know who won the election? If one candidate has a significant lead over the other, then the result may be clear within a matter of hours. However, a fine margin of victory will mean delays in how long it will take for experts to declare whether Ms Harris or Trump has come out on top. Previous contests have taken days or even weeks to be called. In 2000, when Al Gore and George W Bush competed for the White House, polling day was on Nov 7 but the election was not called until Dec 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It hinged on the result in Florida, where votes were subject to an automatic recount because of Mr Bushs fine margin of victory. The saga eventually ended in the Supreme Court, where justices voted to terminate the recount, prompting Mr Gore to concede shortly afterwards. If the 2024 election hinges on a handful of votes in a single state, a similar legal battle could break out between the two parties. When will the election results be announced? Although the result will likely be called well before, the winner will not officially be announced until January. First, the states need to certify the results for the presidential election, with that taking place in either November or December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A joint session of Congress then counts the electoral votes and will declare the election winner on Jan 6 2025, as set out by the 12th Amendment. It was the certification process in 2021 that prompted the storming of the Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump. When was the 2020 election result called? The 2020 election was called for Joe Biden by TV networks on Nov 7 four days after polls closed and ballot counting began. CNN was the first to break cover, and was followed in a matter of seconds by CNS, MSNBC, CBS and a series of other networks. The latest batch of votes counted in Pennsylvania had put Mr Biden out of reach by Trump by giving the Democrat a lead of more than 30,000 votes. Trump had declared victory in the state three days earlier even while more than a million ballots remained uncounted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement America, Im honoured that you have chosen me to lead our great country, Mr Biden wrote on social media later the same day. The work ahead of us will be hard, but I promise you this: I will be a president for all Americans whether you voted for me or not. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The second major step in the process of the Ocmulgee Mounds becoming Georgias first and only national park will take place in just over two weeks. A federal bill to make Macons park a national park will be considered by the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Nov. 19 to further the legislation determining whether Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park will be promoted to a national park and preserve. There are two prospective, identical bills that could make the Ocmulgee Mounds a national park and preserve: one in the House and one in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whichever bill moves quicker would need to pass through the full House and Senate and then be signed by the president. None of those milestones have been reached, but if the Senate bill gets through the committee on Nov. 19, it will move to the full Senate. One bill was sent to each branch of Congress so that multiple members of both chambers could sign onto the bills, according to Seth Clark, the executive director for Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative and a Macon-Bibb County commissioner. This effort has overwhelmingly gotten bipartisan and bicameral support with Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff and Republican Rep. Austin Scott as standard bearers for the issue, according to Clark. What would this bill do? In addition to making the mounds a national park, the bill would also draw a brand new boundary for preserved land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boundary for the preserve could span up to 25,000 acres through Twiggs County and into Houston County, following the floodplain of the Ocmulgee River, according to Clark. In 2019, the mounds were renamed from a monument with 750 acres to a national historical park with around 2,900 acres. Today, the National Park Service owns around 2,000 of the 2,900 acres, according to Tracie Revis, the director of advocacy for the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative. The remaining thousand or so acres are privately owned. The National Park Service doesnt claim land by eminent domain, which is the process of the government seizing private property for public use. If Congress passes the bill, the boundary of the national park will not be expanded, just the boundaries of the preserve, according to Revis. Protecting land can help fight climate change I think its underappreciated what the expansion of these public boundaries in Middle Georgia mean for climate change mitigation, Clark said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the most effective ways to offset climate change is the protection, restoration and mitigation of wetlands and tree forests, according to Clark. Its really one of the only ways out, he said. Additionally, this expansion at any scale will constitute one of the largest expansions of public hunting and fishing access in my lifetime, Clark said. The Ocmulgee corridor is home to an isolated population of black bears and shoal bass, which is endemic to only three rivers in the world. Its the spawning ground for the American sturgeon and is also one of the largest, longest undammed sections of bottomland hardwood swamp habitat in the American southeast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Those animals) are all still here because that floodplain is protected, Clark said. The habitat itself lends to offsetting carbon emissions and its great. Annual visits could surpass 1 million If passed by Congress, the national park and preserves visitor count is expected to increase more than six-fold by 2031, going from nearly 208,000 visitors annually to over 1.3 million visitors annually, according to Diamonds in the Rough, a study commissioned by the National Parks Conservation Association. The study was released in 2017 and was conducted by economists at the University of Tennessee Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. The National Park and Preserve could take Macon to another level and make us a destination city where people really want to travel, not just to stay a weekend, but to live here, Macon attorney Brian Adams said in the study. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The national park and preserve is projected support over 3,000 jobs and add $206.7 million in annual economic activity in the region, according to the study. Its a very ambitious reimagining of the Middle Georgia economy, Clark said. Its reimagining Macons economy into one focused on national park conservation. Partnership with native tribe The bill also creates a co-management partnership with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. There are only four other parks in the country that are co-managed by tribes, according to Revis, whos also a citizen of Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Muscogee (Creek) Nation is the fourth largest Native American tribe and is native to Middle Georgia but is now located in Oklahoma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is our ancestral homeland, said Revis. These are ancestral mounds and our people are buried here. Prior to the Muscogee Creek tribe being exiled to Oklahoma in the 1830s, they stewarded this land for over 17,000 years. I dont think that this community and this region should continue stewarding this land without reconciling with its original stewards and reconciling with what we did to them, Clark said. Plus, the tribes technical expertise in land management is well documented, according to Clark. They have thousands and thousands of acres of conservation in Oklahoma, Clark said. And they do a fantastic job. What Were Tracking Rainy weekend Showers to start the week Drying out mid-week Temperatures for tonight will not be quite as cold as last, we are falling into the mid-50s. Winds will remain light and from the southeast. Clouds will gradually increase during the overnight hours. Scattered showers and storms are expected over the next four days. Rain will arrive in southwest counties on Saturday, starting as early as 8 AM to 10 AM. By noon, widespread showers will move into northeast Kansas. Expect on-and-off rain throughout the weekend, bringing beneficial rainfall across the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Showers and storms will continue into the start of the work week. Scattered showers pushing through Tuesday with temperatures near seasonable. Some areas locally could see an additional 3-4 of rainfall by the end of it. KSNT Storm Track Ashton Rizzo Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Adan Ortell Mor had a 7:30 p.m. appointment to cut a clients hair at his salon in La Torre, Valencia, on Tuesday night. But when the client called to cancel because traffic was bad, it may have saved Mors life. Instead, he went home and saw reports of cars floating in floodwaters in a town upriver. I said to myself: That water is headed this way, he told CNN as he shoveled mud from his home. I dont think itll take long. I rushed to the balcony, looked around the side and there the water was coming. It was already at my door. No warning. No alerts. That came about an hour later on his mobile phone. A blaring alarm sent to all residents in Valencia, telling them of heavy rains and to stay at home. Far too late for the many people already trapped in rising floodwaters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the worst natural disaster Valencia has seen in decades. A years worth of rain dumped in less than 8 hours, according to Spains meteorological agency. The water came rushing down the rivers and tributaries towards the Mediterranean Sea, picking up cars and destroying bridges along the way. More than 200 people have been killed, with authorities warning the death toll is likely to rise. But it is not unprecedented. Valencia suffered a similar deadly flood in October 1957 caused by the same seasonal weather phenomenon known as a Gota Fria or a Cold Drop. That disaster killed dozens of people when the Turia burst its banks in the crowded neighborhoods of Valencia city. It was so deadly that the city spent millions to reroute the river years later. People try to clear mud from a house on October 31, 2024 after flash floods affected La Torre, in Valencia, eastern Spain. - Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty Images So, how did Valencia get caught unawares again? Spains AEMET weather center in Valencia warned of heavy rainfall at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, raising the alert level to red in some areas and warning residents to stay off the roads in case of floods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By 10:30 a.m., firefighters in interior towns like Llombai were rescuing people from the floods. AEMET warned residents to be vigilant, even if there was little rainfall in their areas, as ravines and gullies were quickly filling with water streaming down from the mountains toward the sea. At noon, Valencias regional president, Carlos Mazon, seemed to downplay the crisis by saying the storm was subsiding, contradicting the warnings of emergency services. The statement was posted by his office on X but has since been deleted. By 5 p.m., Valencias emergency services were swamped by hundreds of pleas for help throughout the region. It was at 8 p.m. that cell phones finally buzzed with the public alert telling residents to stay indoors. Much too little, much too late, even for those downstream of the raging water who might otherwise have had time to prepare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Politicians are pointing fingers at each other for the failure to act quickly enough. In the end, however, its residents like 70-year-old Valentin Manzaneque Fernandez who are suffering the consequences. He is furious. The politicians are all scoundrels. Are they out here there removing mud? They fill their pockets to give us this? he told CNN as he joined the line of residents walking into the city for help. The storm hit in the morning. But the water didnt get to us until 8 in the evening. Yet, nobody warned us, nothing. Nobody cared. He spent two nights sleeping outdoors on a neighbors roof terrace before deciding to slog through hours of mud and debris from his home in the suburb of Sedavi to get food and water in Valencia city. A man reacts in front of houses affected by floods in Utiel, Valencia, on October 30, 2024. - Manu Fernandez/AP The waters have receded, but recovering from the destruction will take weeks and months. Valencias highways remain blocked or only partially usable, many choked by washed-up vehicles. Train tracks are so badly damaged that service is not likely to resume for weeks, according to Adif, Spains rail authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mor isnt waiting for any government help. When CNN spoke to him, he was caked in mud, clearing out the debris piled up in his family home with his own broom and shovel. Neighbors were pitching in too, while volunteers arrived carrying water proof boots, buckets and a grocery cart filled with food and water. His salon business, he says, is completely ruined. But he counts himself lucky. His parents survived the 1957 flood and he managed to get them to safety during this disaster. Its just material stuff that got ruined. The main thing is, my family is safe. We will get through it, my family is all right, he said. All we can do now is get to work and clean up. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com VERNAL, Utah (ABC4) A man from Tooele, Utah, has been charged with the 1974 murder of 21-year-old army veteran Gregory Dahl Nickell, according to new court documents filed on Friday, Nov. 1. Fifty-two years after Nickells violent murder, investigators and detectives have identified Darrel Eugene Choate, 74, as the second suspect involved in his death. Choate was charged with first-degree felony murder. In 2022, the Uintah County Sheriffs Office announced the first break in the case, identifying Daniel Arthur Bell as one of the suspects involved. However, investigators confirmed Bell had died in Yakima, Wash., and his body was cremated in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At that time, investigators did not know who the second suspect was, hoping that the breakthrough in the 50-year-old cold case could lead to more answers. Are LDS missionaries safe? Horror movie Heretic raises question in church community The 1972 murder On the night of Nov. 26, 1972, Nickell was on a date with an 18-year-old woman. The two were parked at a rest area on Highway 40 just west of Vernal, Utah. As the two were enjoying the evening, they were approached by a male subject who shot Nickell multiple times. The woman told investigators at the time that Nickell had attempted to shield her from the barrage of bullets, believing some of the shots were also meant for her. The suspect then hijacked Nickells car with the woman inside, meeting up with a second suspect further down the highway. The two drove to what is now known as Brough Reservoir where they allegedly burned Nickell and his car and raped the 18-year-old victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two suspects reportedly held the woman against her will for several hours before releasing her just east of Duchesne City where she later found help and DNA evidence was collected. For years, then-Uintah-County-Sheriff Arden Steward investigated the case but was unable to identify or locate the suspects and the case eventually went cold. Major sediment slump creates new rapid at Canyonlands National Park A breakthrough in the case In 2019, DNA evidence collected from the victim was forwarded to the Utah State Crime Lab for DNA processing. New technology was able to extract DNA samples of two male individuals from the evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DNA was matched to Daniel Arthur Bell through a national database. It was discovered that Bell had died in 2019 but lived in Ballard and Price, Utah, as well as Bend, Ore., and Yakima, Wash. In 1987, he was also convicted of another rape he had committed in Oregon. His wife later told investigators that Bell revealed his friend Gene had been involved in the rape. Gene also allegedly stole Bells marine uniform and was last seen in the 80s or 90s. Unfortunately for prosecutors, the national database was unable to find a match for the second DNA sample, leaving the case cold once again. 2002 Olympian turned drug lord wanted by FBI for drug trafficking, murder Darrel Choate identified The DNA of the second man was sent to a private lab for additional processing. The price lab was able to determine that the man was linked to the family surname Choate, according to charging documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A records search was later able to locate a man identified as Darrel Eugene Choate who had connections to Oregon, Washington, and Ballard and Price, Utah. The Uintah County Sheriffs Office said Choate also had an extensive criminal record, including sexual offenses in Price. Officers responding to Choates residence on an unrelated matter collected a surreptitious DNA sample which was later compared to the DNA sample from the 1972 murder. The two samples were allegedly found to be a match. This direct DNA match is proof that Darrel Eugene Choate is one of the two suspects and is not just a close familial match to one of the suspects, charging documents state. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TOPEKA (KSNT) A north Topeka flower and tuxedo rental shop is shutting down this month after serving the community for more than two decades. 27 News spoke with Brenda Wenrich, owner of Heaven Scent Flowers and Tuxedos, who confirms she will close up shop for the last time on Friday, Nov. 22. Her business has been around for 21 years, serving locals with flowers, gifts and tuxedo rentals for everything from weddings to proms. I didnt know anything about north Topeka when we bought this building, Wenrich said. Over the 21 years Ive made so many friends. All the people in north Topeka are just so sweet. Brenda Wenrich, owner of Heaven Scent Flowers and Tuxedos, speaks with 27 News about buying flowers ahead of Mothers Day in 2024 New roundabouts in the works for Topeka, Shawnee County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wenrich said another small business from north Topeka will be moving into her building once she officially retires. She didnt say which business would be taking her place. I just cant say enough with how pleased Ive been with all the support over the years, Wenrich said. Im gonna miss the people obviously. Heaven Scent is a small store, employing only a handful of people at a time, and is a family-run business. Wenrich and her staff have helped supply people with flowers and gifts for all sorts of occasions, whether that be celebrating new beginnings at weddings or saying a final goodbye to a loved one at a funeral. What Id just like to say is a big thank you to all the people whove supported me over all the years, Wenrich said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Wenrich plans to get out of the flower and tuxedo rental business, she wont fully retire quite yet. She said she is looking forward to continuing to help locals any way she can. She hopes to pick up work as a para in a local elementary school after spending some time visiting with family after Nov. 22. I have to do something that makes me feel good, Wenrich said. New Kansas historic artifacts arrive at Topeka museum You can find Heaven Scent Flowers and Tuxedos at 1802 Northwest Topeka Boulevard. Learn more about the shop by calling it at 785-232-3961, or by visiting its website. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. TOPEKA (KSNT) Topeka police have identified the victim of a recent homicide case in the Little Russia neighborhood. Rosie Nichols with the City of Topeka said in a press release that police have identified the victim as Peter J. Blancas, 58, of Topeka. Investigators are continuing to look into the situation that brought about his death and are asking for the public to submit tips. Police were called around 9:15 a.m. on Oct. 30 to the 500 block of Northeast Gordon Street on a medical call. After an initial investigation, they later declared a man had died due to a homicide. Blancas death is being investigated as the 16th homicide case of 2024. People who have information to share with police can send an email to telltpd@topeka.org or call 785-368-9400. You can also reach out to Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007 or by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Topeka flower shop to close after 21 years as owner retires For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Topekan arrested after Halloween standoff incident Context: The above video aired on Oct. 31 on the day of the incident. TOPEKA (KSNT) Topeka police have arrested an individual following a Thursday night standoff incident. Officers with the Topeka Police Department (TPD) received a call for an accident investigation around 5 p.m. on Oct. 31 near the Stormont Vail Events Center that later led them to the 1500 block of Southwest Shunga Drive. While officers were in the area continuing their investigation an individual fired shots from inside a nearby home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court denies City of Topekas request for new trial in police gender discrimination lawsuit LT. E. Stanley with the Topeka Police Department said, as a result of the investigation, a 57-year-old man from Topeka was taken to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for the following charges: Aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer. Criminal threat. Battery. Duty of driver to report an accident. Interference with a law enforcement officer. Topeka police identify man killed in Little Russia neighborhood Police are asking people with information related to this incident, such as security camera footage, to get in touch with law enforcement by sending an email to telltpd@topeka.org or by calling 785-368-9400. You can also make anonymous tips to Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007 or by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore had a meeting with his superior on Sept. 23, two days before he was informed hed be placed on paid administrative leave. The matter at hand, records show, boiled down to a cell phone. City Manager Elizabeth Pauli aimed to discuss the top cops city-issued phone, according to documents obtained by The News Tribune namely, personal charges racked up while Moore was on vacation. Pauli recently stated that Moores leave was tied to his personal use of a city asset, the newspaper reported last month. The issue was investigated, and Moore returned to work the next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The News Tribune requested records related to the chiefs administrative leave. Some still havent arrived, but the ones received so far paint a picture of what led to the controversy. What prompted the Sept. 23 meeting? The president of the Local 6 police union, Sgt. Henry Betts, called Pauli about some concerning charges to the chiefs city-issued cell phone during a vacation, per a summary of the Sept. 23 meeting written by a deputy city manager. The union head pointed to a large bill more than $1,000 that Moore had apparently incurred. Pauli told Betts that she would need to talk it over with the chief, and the two met on Monday, Sept. 23, the notes say. The Chief responded that he had no knowledge of any personal charges to his city issued cellphone plan, according to the meeting summary. He stated that he had taken his department issued cellphone out of the country and had used it for GPS navigation due to his unfamiliarity with the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore explained that his personal cell phone was neither accessible nor working, documents state. He said he had no knowledge of the work-phone charges and expressed genuine confusion about how he could have known about them. He stated that had he known, he would have taken care of the charges, the summary says. From there Pauli directed Moore to pay up, according to the notes. She also addressed with the Chief the continual need to address perceptional issues at the Tacoma Police Department. Moore was then accompanied to the finance office to deal with the issue, per the records. The city would not provide additional comment when contacted by The News Tribune on Thursday. Efforts to reach Moore and the Police Department by phone and email were unsuccessful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Betts acknowledged to The News Tribune on Thursday that he called the city manager with concerns, but he declined to elaborate. It is unclear how he came to know about Moores cell-phone charges. The News Tribune requested comment from Pauli via email on Friday, to which a spokesperson replied: The City Manager does not have anything further to say on this topic, since the statement she had shared on October 2, 2024. How much were the charges? Phone records for Moore show $1,082.54 in international charges on an invoice due Aug. 27. That amount included $55.49 in international minutes and $1,020.90 for international data in Sweden, plus additional smaller costs. While the chief told Pauli during their Sept. 23 meeting that he had no knowledge of the charges, another document obtained by The News Tribune indicates that he did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Sept. 26 email to Pauli, a woman who now works as a public safety labor negotiator with the city noted that shed learned about the work-phone problem in July. The woman, who worked as Moores chief of staff at the time, said she tried getting in touch with the chief to schedule a meeting but only got his voicemail. When she eventually talked with the chief via his personal phone, he was upset and said his work phone was out of commission, she wrote. On Monday, July 22, 2024, [Moore] said he learned Verizon had turned off the phone, her statement said. He further stated that two days into his trip (he was out of the country on vacation), he began receiving text messages indicating payments due of $250, $500, etc., and then the phone was shut off. I asked what he was doing that ran up the bill so quickly, and he said he was using it for GPS to get around, to which I replied, I think you will need to pay that bill, she continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Afterward she followed up with someone in the IT department who helped to get the phone restored, she wrote. IT explained that Verizon automatically pauses service following a certain number of unbillable charges. She then gave Moore an update on what shed found out. Local 6 has also sought records pertaining to Moore, documents show. On Sept. 25, a lawyer writing on behalf of the union requested the chiefs recent city-issued phone bills and other related information. LOUISIANA (KTAL/KMSS) Three north Louisiana men have been arrested in the trafficking of methamphetamine. The U.S. Attorneys Office, beginning in March 2020 and continuing through August 2022, agents learned through their investigation in the Many, Louisiana area that the three men were selling methamphetamine to individuals in and around that area. On April 26, 2022, through text messages and the audio and video recordings, agents learned that Holden met an individual and drove with them to a store close to Stacy Norvell Perrys residence, got out of the car, and walked toward the residence. Holden shortly thereafter returned to the individuals car with methamphetamine to sell to them, detailed the news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The District Attorney sentenced the three defendants: Royshun Avair Newton , 38, of Bossier City, Louisiana, was sentenced to 188 months (15 years, 8 months) in prison. Stacy Norvell Perry, Jr. , 32, of Many, Louisiana, was sentenced to 97 months in prison. Jessie Kenneth Dewayne Holden, 34, of Many, was sentenced to 72 months in prison. The Organized Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) agents work to combat the distribution of drugs, money laundering, gangs, and high-level drug trafficking said on August 16, 2022, agents were able to secure information from an individual about the confirmed purchase of methamphetamine from Newton in exchange for cash. The individual went to Newtons house to purchase meth and encountered Perry, who sold the narcotics. The suspected drugs from both transactions were sent to the crime lab for analysis and confirmed to be methamphetamine, detailed the news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newton, Perry, and Holden were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and each pleaded guilty to the charge. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Sabine Parish Sheriffs Office investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Across the world, this has been a good week for feminists and a bad one for trans activists. Sadly, it shows the shocking extent to which the two groups interests are now opposed. Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis centre announced it will not be a part of the Rape Crisis Scotland service after the CEO said there was no reason why transgender people (aka men) could not work in rape support centres. The Glasgow Centres priority is to provide a single-sex service by an all-female workforce. In a victory for women facing some of the worst-imaginable circumstances, it will no longer accept the dogma peddled by other trans inclusive rape crisis centres across Scotland. It beggars belief that women have to now fight through potential controversy and cancellation for something that, only 10 years ago, was an inalienable right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another win for common sense, this weeks Charity Commission report into the trans charity Mermaids has unveiled mismanagement and poor governance rife at the heart of the organisation. Supposedly set up to relieve the mental and emotional stress of children and young people affected by gender identity issues and their families, there have been several huge scandals attached to Mermaids. Also this week, a New York Times investigation exposed the decision to apparently cover up the results of a study into the effects of puberty blockers on the mental health of young people with gender dysphoria. Johanna Olson-Kennedy, the lead researcher, vociferous trans activist and lobbyist for gender-affirming care, had set out to show that young patients given puberty blockers would experience decreased symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma symptoms, self-injury and suicidality. But the evidence, which Olson-Kennedy is said to have suppressed, showed nothing of the kind. Olson-Kennedy said that she was worried the studys findings would be weaponised by those opposed to gender ideology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite these significant wins beginning to turn the tide on trans ideologys choke-hold on the establishment, feminists must not be complacent. The war is not yet won. Far too many institutions are still enthralled by this madness. Women (and men) across the UK have been forced to take employers to court over bullying and discrimination in the workplace simply because they hold the view that there are only two biological sexes, rather than hundreds of gender identities. Some police forces still record the preferred gender of male sex offenders when they are arrested. As a result, a number of female victims of male violence have been compelled to refer to their perpetrator as she; and other equally horrific stories prevail. And, the British Medical Association advised medics not to trust the findings of the impressive, rigorous and impartial Cass Review because it doesnt align with their blinkered view on social transitioning. When I recently interviewed a number of parents of young people who were being encouraged by school teachers to socially transition for my podcast series, I was shocked. I heard that these parents were threatened with having their children taken away if they refuse to affirm their child as the opposite sex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the Cass Review being conclusive and hard-hitting, that medical professionals, social services, police forces and other pillars of society refuse to accept its conclusive findings show there is still so much more to be done. While these atrocities continue to happen, we cannot rest on our laurels. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. AUSTIN (KXAN) On Thursday, the Travis County Clerk Office issued a reminder to voters with mail-in ballots. The office said voters should vote their ballot and send it back as soon as possible. The ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 5, and received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6. As of Oct. 30, the office said it had received 16,290 mail ballots. Texas law also allows mail ballots to be hand-delivered on Election Day to the early voting clerk at their main office. Travis County voters who received a mail ballot can hand-deliver their voted mail ballots Nov. 5 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the countys main office, located at 5501 Airport Blvd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters may only hand-deliver their own carrier envelope, present an acceptable form of ID, sign a signature roster, and deposit their mail-in ballot in the ballot box, the office said. Was your 2024 election ballot counted? Texas voters can check here Those who wish to track their ballot can visit the VoteTravis.gov website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. CARTER/WASHINGTON CO., TENN (WJHL)- Hurricane Helene not only brought heavy rains to the area but also produced estimated wind gusts of 70 to just over 100 mph, which downed thousands of trees across the central Appalachians. With the increased tree debris, Tennessee Division of Forestry workers, like Austin Vines, are worried about an active fire season. We do have some places that are excessively windblown with damage, which has added more fuels on the ground for the fire to get bigger and worse, Vines said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wind: The second half of Helenes story, Roan Mountain tree loss was significant Not only do the trees provide fuel for the fires, but they also create physical obstacles that force local firefighters to change their suppression tactics. Normally to fight a forest or brush fire, firefighters will dig a straight line as close to the blaze as safely possible to contain it. The downed trees will not allow the cut lines to be as straight this year. Were going to have to go around the large patches of trees, Chris Isaacs, Hampton Fire Chief, said. Were afraid that small fires may end up having to be much larger fires this year just due to that fact, because of the extensive manpower that would be required to cut through those patches would be exhausting on them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With elevated fire danger forecast this fire season, make sure to use discretion if burning outdoors. Changing weather conditions can also greatly impact the severity of the fire season. Firefighters say that temperature and relative humidity play large roles in fire danger. Right now with the temperatures going up and the RHs going down, thats causing our fire danger to be elevated. Were just asking people right now to be safer about their burning, Vines said. Very mild temperatures and low relative humidities of 15% or less aid in drying out the vegetation increasing fire danger; while strong winds promote rapid fire spread. On days with high fire danger, you may see a Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service. Safe burning starts with obtaining a burn permit by visiting the Tennessee Wildland Fire website. Burn permits are required during the fire season which spans from Oct. 15 through May 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If planning to burn outside here are just a few safety tips to follow: Make sure to notify your neighbors when planning to burn. This will keep them aware of what is going on and safe. Keep water and tools such as a rake close by. Both the water and rake can be used in fire suppression. Never leave the fire unattended since a stray ember could start a new blaze. For a full list of safe burning practices refer to the BurnSafeTN website. If you are wondering what debris from Helene you can or cannot burn, click this link. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) A state judge is allowing Lonna Carroll to have a forensic accountant and a psychologist as well as more time before she goes to trial for allegedly stealing more than $1.7 million from the South Dakota Department of Social Services while she worked in the child protection office. 44-year-old woman killed in Monday homicide Circuit Judge Christie Klinger on Friday granted motions made by Carrolls defense attorney Timothy Whalen to spend up to $10,000 on the services of a forensic accountant to go through hundreds of financial records and to spend up to $5,000 for a Pierre-based psychologist to explore whether Carroll suffers from a mental-health condition known as hoarders disorder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Klinger also granted Carrolls request for a continuance. Her trial was supposed to start on December 4, but the judge on Friday told the attorneys to work out a later date. Her attorney also asked for a change in the $50,000 cash or surety bond. Carroll has been behind bars since she was arrested in late July. Judge Klinger is considering reducing the bond to $35,000 but said she would wait while state prosecutors check with the department whether the lower amount is acceptable. Carroll was transported from Hughes County jail to the Hughes County courthouse where she met with Whalen before the hearing on Friday morning. She was transported back to jail immediately after the hearing, which began about 40 minutes late and lasted about 30 minutes. Chief deputy attorney general Brent Kempema and assistant attorney general Nolan Welker represented the prosecution Friday. The two sides are still trying to reach agreement on discovery procedures. It came to light Friday that Carrolls attorney recently had some health issues but he said they could wrap up a final discovery order and submit it to the judge within 10 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court filings reveal more about $1.7M DSS theft Kempema said he has been sending reports to the jail for Carroll to review and Whalen confirmed thats been happening. Regarding the defenses request for a forensic auditor, Whalen had originally proposed a spending cap of $5,000 but asked for $10,000 after speaking with a firm. He told the judge that the primary experts hourly fee was $360 and assistants would be $260. Noting that there will be substantial time involved in reviewing the records, Judge Klinger set the cap at $10,000. On the request for a mental health professional, Whalen said he wasnt necessarily looking at presenting an insanity defense, which the state had claimed could happen. Whalen said he needed to know whether Carroll suffered from hoarders disorder and, if so, to what extent. Under the law that is something I should explore in detail for my client, he told the judge.. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whalen is seeking to hire a local psychologist who has previously testified in other cases. But Welker said it remained unclear how the mental-health expert would be used and that Whalens statements were vague enough to morph into an insanity defense. He said that a second person, namely a psychiatrist as required by state law, would have to be hired if Whalen does pursue an insanity defense. Judge Klinger said Whalen had an obligation to Carroll as her defense lawyer to explore Carrolls mental health. The judge granted Whalens request to hire a psychologist but capped the amount at $5,000 and said Whalen would have to return and ask for permission to hire a psychiatrist if he decides to go that route. Regarding the request for a continuance, Whalen said hes been busy with two other cases and his health issue has further delayed him. I just need more time, he told the judge. Welker said the prosecution was sympathetic to Whalens health issue but wanted the trial to start on December 4 as scheduled. Judge Klinger said the defendant has a right to waive the guarantee of a speedy trial. This is a document-intensive case, the judge said, then asked Carroll whether she understood the request. Carroll said she did. The judge directed the attorneys to work on scheduling a later date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whalen brought up the bond question. My client is still in jail, as the court can see, he said, as Carroll sat next to him in an orange-and-white prison jumpsuit, her wrists and ankles in shackles. He told the judge that Carroll could stay with her daughter in Sioux Falls or return to Algona, Iowa, where she owns a house and her son lives. Whalen said Carroll continues to have health problems and it would be easier for him to see her outside jail. Welker said Carroll continued to be a flight risk and wanted the bond to remain at $50,000. The judge looked at Carrolls record and noted the defendants otherwise lack of criminal history before proposing it be reduced to $35,000. The judge told prosecutors they had until Friday, November 8, to see whether the department objected. Judge Klinger addressed a final item: The defense had brought up that the judges stepdaughter works for the Department of Social Services. Whalen replied that he had since realized his daughter also works for the department. Referring to Carroll, he said, She is comfortable with you sitting on this case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Nov. 1 (UPI) -- The Daniel Penny subway manslaughter trial began in New York City Friday. The ex-Marine held the troubled, homeless Jordan Neely in a fatal chokehold after Neely made verbal threats that scared subway passengers. Neely had said "I will kill" within earshot of passengers on the subway train full of passengers in May 2023. He did not brandish a weapon. Prosecutors told the jury Friday that while Penny may be an "honorable veteran" and "nice young man," Penny used too much force for too long, resulting in Neely's death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defense countered by using their opening statement to say Penny acted to protect passengers from Neely's erratic behavior. Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran said Penny "was aware of the risk his actions would kill Mr. Neely and did it anyway." She added, "Jordan Neely took his last breaths on the dirty floor of an uptown F train." Penny has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and negligent homicide charges. Defense attorney Thomas Kenniff said in the opening statement, "When Neely threatened to kill, there was only one thing that Daniel Penny could do." The defense lawyer said Neely was raving with verbal threats, acting erratically and passengers were afraid. He said Penny was trying to defend against Neely's threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is a case about a young man who did for others what we would want someone to do for us," Kenniff said. "It doesn't make him a hero, but it doesn't make him a killer." Penny held Neely in a chokehold on the train floor, maintaining his hold that had cut off oxygen to Neely's brain even after Neely had lost consciousness. In court, jurors saw body cam video of paramedics attempting to revive Neely and one could be heard saying, "He's not breathing." The video showed Penny waiting nearby, seemingly composed. He was heard on the video saying to officers that he put Neely down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutor Yoran pointed at Penny as she told jurors he took it upon himself to take Neely down. "To neutralize him," she said. Yoran said Penny maintained the chokehold for 51 seconds after Neely went limp and that "pushed Mr. Neely to the point of no return." Kenniff described Neely as "seething and psychotic" and told jurors he stormed onto the subway train and Penny heard Neely say that he would kill. He said Penny did not intend to kill Neely. He said Penny borrowed "a bit" from Marine martial arts training to apply the chokehold that killed Neely. WILDWOOD, Mo. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office issued charges against suspects in connection with a kidnapping and assault over multiple days in Wildwood. On Wednesday, charges were filed against Melissa Faix of Chesterfield and Robert Crutcher of Ballwin. The two are accused of stealing a motor vehicle and stealing a firearm in connection with a kidnapping by going to a mans home in the 19300 block of Babler Forest Road on Sept. 13. They observed Cejay Young pistol whipping the victim on multiple days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defendant Crutcher and Faix are accused of taking two ATV vehicles, along with a 9 mm Canik pistol. Prosecutors said defendant Young beat the victim every day, bloodying his nose, making the victim clean up the blood, and forcing the victim to take unknown pills at night to make him sleep. 5 Missouri Senate debate moments everyone will be talking about On Sept. 19, police arrived at the victims home to investigate a different crime. The victim told officers he was being held hostage by someone in the house. According to the probable cause statement, Young fled the scene, leading police on a three-and-a-half-hour chase. The ATVs were recovered at Crutchers property, along with the 9 mm inside defendant Faixs vehicle, which was also parked on Crutchers property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the prosecuting attorneys office, Cejay Young was charged with kidnapping, assault, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, robbery and burglary. Prosecutors said defendants Melissa Faix and Robert Crutcher are convicted felons. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Troopers with the Washington State Patrol are trying to track down a driver who hit and killed a woman who was trying to cross the road. It happened around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday on State Route 523/North 145th Street, near Stone Avenue North in North Seattle. The location is near State Route 99 and not far from Shoreline. Troopers say a vehicle traveling eastbound in one of the lanes came to a stop to allow the pedestrian to cross. A black 2007 GMC Yukon SUV, which was in the other lane, did not. Troopers say the Yukon hit the 23-year-old and kept driving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troopers arrived to find the woman dead in the street. WSP issued a Blue Alert for the Yukon with Washington license plate #BIS1792. It will have front-end damage from the crash. WSP detectives are seeking any information that would lead to the location of the SUV and the person who was driving it. If you see the Yukon, call 911 right away. The News Republican-leaning US-Africa specialists are predicting that a second Donald Trump administration would take a more transactional, realistic and pragmatic approach in dealing with Africa. With just days to the US election on Nov. 5, Africa has not been anywhere on the agenda for either candidate. But the Kamala Harris campaign has been reaching out to Africa policy specialists to pull together a strategic plan for the Democratic candidate. Trumps four years in office were characterized by reports of a reportedly dismissive attitude towards Africans, most famously his reference to s-hole countries but his supporters say he was the first to raise awareness about what a huge threat China is to US interests in Africa. You will again see aggressive countering of Chinese influence in Africa, Tibor Nagy, a former assistant secretary of State for African Affairs under Trump and a former ambassador to Guinea and Ethiopia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One key focus of this transactional approach will be on starting to lock down supply chains for critical minerals in Africa used for green energy batteries used in electric vehicles and phones. There is no denying that access to the many critical minerals that Africa has in great abundance is needed for Americas economy today as well as for the technologies that will lead us into the future, said Ambassador J. Peter Pham, a former US Special Envoy for the Sahel Region of Africa under Trump. Also, the monopolization of supply chains for those strategic resources by any single country, much less a revisionist power like China, is a threat to U.S. security. Know More The Trump agenda, which was presaged by the publication of the controversial 900-page Project 2025 document from the Heritage Foundation, had indicated a fairly traditional approach to US-Africa affairs in its foreign policy section. But the furor that surrounded some of the more radical proposals that would have given the president more executive power, has seen Trump distance himself from it as have some of those involved with authoring the Africa section. There are often few major material differences between the Republicans and Democrats on US-Africa policy. But conservatives have been openly critical of what they have called a preachy approach by President Joe Biden, and his vice president Harris, in championing so-called cultural issues, such as support for LGBTQ issues, rather than focusing on trade and business. I think therell be a more pragmatic, interest-based approach to the continent with less emphasis on preaching but also less on democracy and human rights, said Joshua Merservey, fellow at Hudson Institute, a Washington DC think tank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In particular, conservatives have called out what they see as the mishandling of relationships in West Africas Sahel region after a series of military coups between 2021 and 2023 in Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Therell be more skepticism [under Trump] as to how publicly berating our partners just hurts our relationships with those countries, said Merservey. Pham, who spoke in a personal capacity and not for the Trump campaign, is widely believed to have some role to play in a possible second Trump administrations approach to Africa. He said Biden had placed social engineering and lectures above pragmatism and diplomatic engagement. He argued that this approach has opened the door to US adversaries including Russia and China in security and economic terms. Yinkas view One area of the Biden-Harris approach that has not been criticized is the Lobito Corridor, a multibillion-dollar logistics and communications infrastructure project which connects the Lobito Port in Angola to the critical mineral mines of Zambia and DR Congo. Conservative Africa watchers see the project as a model to build on, or replicate, particularly with a view to wresting some control of the critical minerals supply chains back from China. Nagy argues that this will be good for African countries because it creates options for governments rather than having only one game in town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is clear is that whether a Democrat or Republican White House, Africa may not be at the top of foreign policy agenda but it has definitely moved up as the US worries about the different forms of great power rivalry beyond security. But the simple truth is that there is little substantive difference between US-Africa policy thinkers on either side of the aisle in Washington DC. And in their quiet moments, away from the politicking, they acknowledge this. Most experienced African diplomats and government officials also know this. What is less clear is if they know how to take advantage. The View From Somaliland One possible winner if Trump returns to the White House might be Somaliland, the unrecognized country in the northwest of Somalia. The de facto state has many supporters on the political right in the US and might be able to move forward with its attempts to become a fully recognized state. On Nov. 13 it will hold its fifth presidential election since 1997, even as Somalia struggles to find political stability. Somalia will be concerned if Trump wins, said Hudsons Merservey. Nagy says there will be more sympathy for places like Somaliland in a Republican administration. Somaliland stands on its own feet, Its very pro-West, very free market oriented and it takes care of the security of its own territory and it holds regular elections. Room for Disagreement Under the Biden-Harris administration, the White House and the US State Department have been one of the most engaged with Africa with a series of high profile visits to countries on the continent. Vice President Harris last year visited Ghana, Tanzania, and Zambia. Other visits have includedTreasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. The administration has also been keen to point to the successful hosting of the US-Africa Leaders Summit in December 2022, the first such event in eight years and the rollout of the Lobito Corridor project. Ive written a few times in recent weeks about the pretzels into which Donald Trumps Republican allies are twisting his words as they try to defend and explain away his sinister remarks about deploying the military domestically to go after his enemy. The rhetoric has been a throughline of Trumps campaign, as he and alumni of his first administration threaten to use the military as a goon squad to crack down on Americans if elected. His Republican allies have defended the remarks in all sorts of creative and interesting ways, with many offering alternative ideas for who he might be talking about instead of his political rivals. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin got imaginative recently when he suggested that Trump is actually talking about undocumented immigrants when he says enemy from within. What I want to just make very clear is that its my belief that what former President Trump is talking about are the people that are coming over the border, that in fact are committing crimes, that are bringing drugs, that are trafficking humans, and that are turning every state into a border state, Youngkin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in recent weeks Trump has doubled down on his remarks, and has made it clear repeatedly that he does, in fact, actually mean his political rivals: Democratic politicians. Specifically, Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff. During his rally in Albuquerque, New Mexico this afternoon, he reiterated that hes talking about Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the person he blames for his impeachments. Today, he called him total scum. Theres no tougher job than being president and we get hit from the enemy inside, you know that right? We get hit by the Adam Schiffs of the world, he said. Hes scum, total scum. They made up Russia Russia Russia hoax, they made up all the impeachment hoaxes, they make it up. Theyre bad people. Cant be more explicit than that. The Best Of TPM Today Battleground State Election Officials Are Preemptively Shutting Down Rogue Clerks Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police Say Suspect Behind The Ballot Drop Box Fires May Be Planning More Attacks Judge Extends Block On DeSantis Admin Anti-Abortion Pressure Campaign As State GOPers Turn On Gov Yesterdays Most Read Story You Know Whats Really Garbage? Tired, Old Political Reporting Tropes What We Are Reading Dems see signs for optimism in gender gap in early vote Jeff Bezos Doesnt Understand That He Is the Problem Jesse Watters Warns Wife That Secretly Pulling The Lever For Kamala Harris Would Be Like Having An Affair: D-Day! If God was the vote counter, Donald Trump says hed win in a landslide. The Republican nominee suggested on Thursday that divine intervention in next weeks election would reveal him as the rightful winner of even Democratic bastions like California. On one level, Trumps comment shows how his false election fraud claims have entered the outer realms of absurdity. But this goes beyond hyperbole. Trump who altered reality for tens of millions of Americans by claiming he was cheated out of power four years ago is creating a sinister threat to the 2024 election and spinning a legacy of fractured trust that could taint presidential votes long after hes left the stage. The election fraud claims that Trump most notably supercharged in 2020 to salve his humiliation at losing to Joe Biden are already at high intensity this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After laying out the darkest closing argument in modern American history, Trump is now increasingly turning to poisoning public confidence in the election. In New Mexico on Thursday, he falsely claimed the state was actually in his column in 2016 and 2020. I believe we won it twice, he said. If we could bring God down from heaven and hed be the vote counter, wed win this, wed win California, wed win a lot of states. You have just got to keep the votes honest. In reality, Trump lost New Mexico twice, by 8 and 11 points, and his claims he could win Democratic strongholds like California but for vote fraud are wildly off base. But they are part of a clear and deliberate strategy that is unfolding before the eyes of millions of voters to create an impression that Tuesdays election will be fraudulent. This might seed ground for legal challenges if Trump loses, and it also serves to crank up fury among his supporters already primed by past false fraud claims. Trump is also working in conjunction with the conservative media machine to create an impression that his victory is a certainty and that a win for Vice President Kamala Harris and Democrats can only be the result of fraud. The ex-presidents increasing efforts to shatter the credibility of the 2024 election, as an apparent Plan B if he loses, coincide with a widening effort by GOP officials and Make America Great Again activists to position to undermine any Harris victory in courts, local election jurisdictions and even in state legislatures. Comprehensive recent reporting by CNN has detailed these schemes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For instance, an investigation published on Thursday showed that some of the same activists who tried to overturn Bidens victory in 2020 are building a step-by-step plan to undermine the results if Trump falls short again. Trump and Republican National Committee officials have increasingly floated claims about potential issues with mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania. House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, a Maryland Republican, said that it makes a lot of sense to allocate North Carolinas electoral voters before votes are tallied because of the risk that the aftermath of Hurricane Helene could make it hard for some voters to cast ballots. The congressman later said the comment was taken out of context, but it revived fears that some GOP state legislatures acting on hyped-up claims of fraud or other reasoning could ignore the will of voters and award election victories to Trump. Republicans have also made extensive efforts, including in the House of Representatives, to highlight what experts say is the almost non-existent problem of voting by non-citizens. In one case this week, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin pushed an 11th-hour effort to remove 1,600 suspected non-citizens from the rolls despite concerns the move will sweep up and disenfranchise some American citizens. A divided US Supreme Court allowed it. CNN reported Thursday that a misinformation microphone wielded by X owner and Trump supporter Elon Musk has become impossible for election officials in key battleground states to counter. This catalogue of challenges to the fairness of the 2024 election, taken together with Trumps increasing, bellicose claims of corruption, is creating a surreal new reality, given that the United States is the worlds most important democracy and has long been regarded by outsiders as the gold standard of self-governance. Former President Donald Trump delivers remarks at Albuquerque International Sunport, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on October 31, 2024. - Brendan McDermid/Reuters A former and possibly future president who trashes elections as a tool of power There is nothing unusual about extensive litigation in election season by both parties, which maintain armies of lawyers to challenge voting arrangements, counting practices and even results every election cycle. The 2000 election between then-Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush caused weeks of bitter legal fights over the close result in Florida, which was eventually resolved in the 43rd presidents favor by the US Supreme Court. Gore conceded that election, thereby guaranteeing an uncontested transfer of presidential power a step Trump refused to take four years ago. Declining to accept the result of elections has not exclusively been a Republican transgression. Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, for instance, refused to concede her race against Republican Brian Kemp in 2018, citing voter suppression allegations, though the Democrat did accept her rival was elected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it is new to have a major presidential candidate slamming the fairness and legality of successive elections ahead of time and warning they will only accept results based on their arbitrary and often evidence-free evaluations of fairness. Trumps intentions shone through a Truth Social post on Thursday in which he seized on incidents in Pennsylvania to claim that the results in the crucial swing state are fraudulent. The cases concern a potential irregularity in Lancaster County involving around 2,500 voter registration forms. In York County, election officials have declined more than 700 questionable voter registration applications and referred them to the district attorneys office for investigation, CNNs Danny Freeman reported on Thursday. Investigations are still pending and its possible fraud could be unearthed. But Trump is already off and running without waiting for the facts. We caught them CHEATING BIG in Pennsylvania. Must announce and PROSECUTE, NOW! This is a CRIMINAL VIOLATION OF THE LAW. STOP VOTER FRAUD! Trump wrote. WE ARE ON THEM ALL THIS TIME! Who would have ever thought that our Country is so CORRUPT? Incidents in Pennsylvania show how the vortex of conspiracy theories created by Trump about US elections become self-fulfilling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alleged violations were discovered, which ought to underline how secure American voting really is. But instead, every new glitch becomes grist for yet another false claim. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, told CNNs Kaitlan Collins on Wednesday that Trumps claims of cheating in the commonwealth were more of the same from the ex-president. Donald Trump wants to, again, use the same playbook, where he tries to create chaos and stoke division and fear, about our system. But again, we will have a free and fair, safe and secure election, in Pennsylvania, and the will of the people will be respected and protected. A dark new election tradition with a potentially devastating legacy Trumps assaults on the probity of American elections have made clear that a cycle of pre-election attempts to crush public confidence in the results has become as much of a presidential election tradition as primary season, the conventions and the historic moment when TV networks call the eventual winner. The ex-presidents attempts to instill doubt in the system could also have a long-lasting legacy. Many polls show declining trust in the election system and a new survey from CNN this week showed Trumps antics have left the electorate jaundiced about his likely conduct next week. Just 30% of registered voters think Trump would accept the results of the election and concede if he loses, while 73% say that Harris would accept an election loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, even if Americans may have concerns about their votes being counted, its not stopping them from casting ballots. More than 60 million Americans have already voted ahead of Tuesdays election. And for all the tumult caused by Trumps refusal to admit defeat and attempts to steal power after the 2020 election, the system did, eventually, ensure that the rightful winner of the presidency ended up in the Oval Office. The ex-presidents persistent and baseless claims of widespread fraud were thrown out by multiple courts at all levels including the Supreme Court. Voters wait in line to cast their ballots on the first day of early in-person voting in Marion, North Carolina, on October 17. - Jonathan Drake/Reuters Yet the longevity of a democracy rests on retaining the trust of the people. And if one of the candidates in a presidential election wont accept that principle, the essential bargain between the governed and those who govern, which lies at the heart of the republic, is at risk. For all Americas deep cultural and ideological divides, there was always a sense that elections could provide at least a temporary resolution to national disputes. That mythical trust in democracy was partially fractured in 2020 simply because Trump refused to admit defeat and then laid the foundation of his subsequent presidential campaign on the false premise that he won. Gabriel Sterling, the Republican chief operating officer for Georgia secretary of state office, became a hero of democracy in 2020 with his clear denunciations of false fraud claims by the Trump campaign in his state. He is already warning that Americans need to recommit to bedrock values before next weeks election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have had a history of over 200 years of the person who comes up short shaking the hand of the person who won and moving on, Sterling told CNNs Jake Tapper on Thursday. One side, in perhaps the most fraught and portentous election in modern US history, will face this painful choice whenever this years result becomes clear. Trump has already signaled hes unlikely to admit defeat whatever happens. And Harris, if she loses, will face the prospect of conceding to a rival she has called a fascist. But such dilemmas represent the essence of democracy. We are going to have the most secure election in American history across the country, Georgia included, Sterling said. We have to learn to accept outcomes. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com At a campaign event in Arizona on Thursday, Donald Trump continued his pattern of using violent rhetoric to attack his political rivals, criticizing former Rep. Liz Cheneys hawkish foreign policy stance and suggesting she might not be a war hawk if the guns are trained on her face. Shes a radical war hawk, Trump told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson onstage, calling Cheney a very dumb individual. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Lets see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face, the Republican presidential nominee said. You know, theyre all war hawks when theyre sitting in Washington in a nice building, saying, Oh, gee, well, lets send lets send 10,000 troops right into the mouth of the enemy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has used increasingly crude and violent rhetoric to attack his opponents in recent weeks, as polls show him and Kamala Harris in a dead heat in this election. At the Thursday event, he also called President Joe Biden a stupid bastard and referred to Harris as a sleazebag. Trump has vowed to use the powers of the executive office to punish and prosecute his political rivals if elected to a second term a scenario that former federal law enforcement officials and legal experts told NBC News would cause chaos and division. He has also singled out Cheney, who became one of his major targets for vocally criticizing his efforts to steal the 2020 election. In June, Trump shared an image on Truth Social calling for a televised military tribunal for Cheney. She has recently campaigned with Harris, urging her fellow anti-Trump Republicans to vote for the Democrat. Her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney an architect of the Iraq War in the early 2000s has also crossed party lines to support Harris this election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The younger Cheney responded to Trumps remarks early on Friday, saying they amounted to a death threat. This is how dictators destroy free nations, she wrote in a post on X. They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. #Womenwillnotbesilenced #VoteKamala https://t.co/URH5s929Sa Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) November 1, 2024 This article was originally published on MSNBC.com At a campaign event in Allentown, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, former President Donald Trump asked the crowd a question Ronald Reagan also asked voters in the 1980 election against Jimmy Carter, and one many presidents before have asked. Are you better off now then you were four years ago? Trump said. Despite a mixed bag of Reagan's escalation of the War on Drugs, Reaganomics, and his response to the AIDS crisis, the majority of Americans apparently did think they were better off after Reagans first term in office, and he won in a landslide victory. When Trump asks the question, however, he is zeroing in on the height of the COVID-19 pandemic before stay-at-home orders were initiated and vaccines were rolled out when the Trump Administration was discouraging mask wearing and toying with the idea of trying to reach herd immunity while public anxiety went through the roof. Trumps question reflects a widespread public amnesia that has clouded over our collective memory of COVID. In a poll from the New York Times/Siena College, just 4% of voters said COVID was the thing they remembered most about Trump's presidency. Instead, most respondents remembered his behavior, followed by fond memories of his economic policy and stance on immigration. Yet despite the fact that life as we knew it was shut down and morgues were running out of capacity to handle the sheer volume of dead bodies from COVID four years ago, more than half of voters in a recent Gallup poll said they did indeed feel like they were worse off today than they were four years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Politicians began to use that old question, Are you better off than you were four years ago? during this campaign, where four years ago we were in the middle of one of the greatest public health catastrophes in the last century, said Dr. George Makari, a psychiatry professor at Weill Cornell Medicine. People are still framing questions like that as if where we were four years ago was not in the early stages of a pandemic when deaths were piling up in hospitals and in nursing homes all around the country. Its common for a misremembering to occur after a pandemic or collective traumatic event occurs, said Guy Beiner, a Boston College professor who studies the history of remembering and forgetting. Theres even a term for this phenomenon: post-pandemic amnesia. Georgia Election Officials Counting Ballots 2020 There is a lot of preoccupation during the pandemic and we are completely engaged with a pandemic, and when it ends, it kind of ends quietly with a diminuendo," Beiner told Salon in a phone interview. Think of the end of COVID: We cant quite pinpoint when it happened, and it kind of ended when we no longer had the patience to deal with it. After the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 killed 675,000 people in the U.S., it became known as the Forgotten Pandemic, because governmental and scientific institutions, along with the public, largely stopped talking about it, said George Dehner, a historian at Wichita State University who studies public health. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. Even though, at the time, we tend to say, This is so bad and is going to have so much impact and is going to be instructive going forward, the reality is that oftentimes it is shoved into the back corners of our minds and doesnt command much attention, Dehner told Salon in a phone interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While cases are low right now, COVID has still not gone away, and for many who lost family members or are still suffering from long-term consequences of the virus, the pandemic is a traumatic event that is still very much present. But for the general public, COVID seems to be a distant memory, in part due to how it was handled by government leadership. Anti-science movements have always challenged public health, but they are increasingly moving their way toward the heart of U.S. politics. What sets COVID apart from prior pandemics was how rapidly and deeply public health became politicized. Add on confusing and conflicting messaging coming from leaders in public health and government, and it becomes easier to forget what happened in early 2020 than to try to find an anchor of truth in a soupy mess of misinformation. The whole point of fake news is not only to circulate different narratives but to undermine our ability to distinguish between these narratives and to trust authoritative sources of information, Beiner said. During a tour of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) facilities in Atlanta in March 2020, Trump, whose grandfather died in the 1918 influenza, said something that quintessentially defines his presidency during the Covid-19 pandemic and its ensuing amnesia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Does anybody die from the flu? he said. I didnt know people died from the flu. Trumps time in the White House during the pandemic was fraught with stream-of-consciousness sound bites that often contradicted national or global health advisories. He suggested injecting bleach to fight COVID, recommended people take the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine, which had not shown to be safe, and encouraged people to protest social distancing restrictions. In the early months, he denied the threat of the pandemic, saying some iteration of the fact that the COVID pandemic was going to disappear, over 40 times. The Trump Administration was engaged in trying to disremember and trying to engage in kind of obfuscating the record of COVID-19 throughout, Beiner said. Prior to the pandemic, Trump dismantled a pandemic preparedness initiative that Barack Obama had started in his presidency. During the pandemic, he fired top public health officials and withdrew funding to the World Health Organization (WHO). Overall, he responded in a political manner rather than one based on science, which created an opposition to public health among many of his supporters, said Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that political framing has really done everybody a disservice, Rasmussen told Salon in a phone interview. Its going to take a long time for the damage thats been done by this to be repaired. The Trump Administration did authorize Operation WarpSpeed, which brought life-saving vaccines to the U.S. public in record time. However, these vaccines wouldnt reach many of his supporters. During the pandemic, counties that voted majority Republican had significantly more deaths than counties that voted Democratic, in part due to reduced vaccine uptake. Overall, U.S. life expectancy dropped 2.7 years between 2020 and 2021 the largest two-year decline in life expectancy since the 1920s. This nosedive was largely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, of which 450,000 Americans died during Trumps last year in the Oval Office. According to a study published in The Lancet, the Covid-19 death rate in the U.S. was 40% higher than it was in similar high-income countries, and the Trump Administrations undermining of science and public health agencies directly impeded the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The denial, confusion and misinformation that was so characteristic of the pandemic response also made it more challenging for the public to remember what happened. In many instances, it was left to the individual to determine which political party was telling the truth, rather than being able to rely on objective scientific truths. The fact that we had almost no common ground in our narratives between different kinds of political parties in this country about what happened is, ultimately, very disruptive, Makari said. Having some common understanding of what we went through is a way of also putting things to bed. The Biden Administration made huge strides in making vaccines more accessible, reopening schools, and reducing racial disparities in COVID deaths. However, Biden's response remained political and he for the most part has been criticized for not being able to build back much of the trust in public health that has been lost. This lack of action allowed the Republicans and the far-right interests that have been active to promote their anti-vax stuff without much of a challenge from the other political party, Rasmussen said. There are anti-vaxxers in Congress and in the Senate who are really mainstreaming this now, and this is going to have an effect on the budget that can be allocated toward pandemic preparedness and scientific research in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public health experts have repeatedly said it is a matter of when and not if the next pandemic occurs, and their concern is that the politicization of public health will again undermine the governments response when that time comes. Already, threats of infectious diseases like bird flu are demonstrating what happens when public health falls to the wayside, Rasmussen said. Were not doing enough testing and were just kind of hoping and praying that this burns out in cows, which it is clearly not doing because it has been going on for almost a year now, Rasmussen said. The lack of urgency we see in this is a direct consequence of a political decision to not prioritize the response to infectious threats and pandemic preparedness. To some degree, the collective amnesia that seems to have occurred was a protective mechanism from the trauma of the great loss and uncertainty that sprang from COVID. Like with any traumatic experience, our collective fight or flight mechanisms were triggered to help us escape the threat, and this may have pushed the memories of early 2020 to the recesses of our minds. Plus, there were plenty of other crises the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas war, climate change and the battle for reproductive rights to dominate our immediate attention. Yet unless these memories are processed and commemorated, they will remain dormant in our collective memory, where they run the risk of being triggered, Makari said. All of the fear and the anxiety and the threat lingers unattached to anything, Makari said. You can make the argument that some of the intensity of the division in our country is hypercharged and is made to some extent worse by all of this emotional remainder from COVID that hasnt really been fully processed. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Former President and Republican nominee for the highest office in the U.S., Donald Trump, stopped in the Las Vegas valley Thursday, continuing his blitz of swing states leading up to Election Day. Trump took the stage just after 4 p.m. at Lees Family Forum in Henderson. The former President made his final pitch to voters in the pivotal swing state of Nevada ahead of the Nov. 5 Election Day. Trump to hold rally on Halloween in Henderson Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am asking you to dream big again, dream big again. This will be Americas new golden age. That is what we are going to do, Trump expressed to supporters. Every problem facing us can be solved but now the fate of our nation is in your hands. This is a very big state for us. I love it! The former presidents speech focused on border security. At one point during the rally, Trump brought the Quets family on stage. Their son Nicholas, a Marine veteran, was killed across the border in Mexico on Oct. 18 by a cartel member. We need to speak for Nicholas and all the faceless, nameless victims of cartel violence, Patricia Quets said at the rally. The former presidents speech focused on border security. At one point during the rally, Trump brought the Quets family on stage. Their son Nicholas, a Marine veteran, was killed across the border in Mexico on Oct. 18 by a cartel member. (KLAS) Im hereby calling for the death penalty for any migrant that kills an American citizen or law enforcement officer, Trump told the crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters at the rally wore bright yellow safety vests and even Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sam Brown revealed one himself. I went through a box of some of my old stuff and I pulled that out of my box. I was proud to have worked in a fulfillment center, he said. In Clark County, many have already cast their votes, as a reported 300,000 ballots have been processed as of Wednesday. 307,000 people have voted early in the election. Former President and Republican nominee for the highest office in the U.S., Donald Trump, stopped in the Las Vegas valley Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, continuing his blitz of swing states leading up to Election Day. (KLAS) Trumps stop in Southern Nevada comes before a visit to Georgia on Thursday evening and stops in Michigan and Wisconsin on Friday. Republican Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance is set to visit Las Vegas on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former president wrapped up his 90-minute speech and said that Nov. 5 is the most important day in the countrys history. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Once again, Donald Trump is fuelling the fear among his supporters that the only way he would lose the presidential election on Tuesday is if there is cheating. It is the same claim he made four years ago when US President Joe Biden beat him at the polls, though Trump and many of his supporters still refuse to acknowledge their defeat. "The only thing that can stop us is the cheating," Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an appearance in Arizona, Trump claimed that he was leading in each of the seven battleground states that would decide the election. "I'm leading in every single swing state," he claimed. There is no evidence behind the former president's statements. In fact the Washington Post reported on Thursday that among voters who already cast their votes - Harris was leading - and by a lot. Recent national surveys of those who have already cast their vote give Harris a 19 to 29-point lead over Trump. Those figures are lower than for Biden during the 2020 election, when more US voters cast their ballots early due to the coronavirus, but higher than seen for Hillary Clinton in 2016, the Post said. In a conversation with right-wing host Tucker Carlson, Trump maintained that various attempts at fraud had already been uncovered. He did not provide any evidence. Once again, Donald Trump is fuelling the fear among his supporters that the only way he would lose the presidential election on Tuesday is if there is cheating. It is the same claim he made four years ago when US President Joe Biden beat him at the polls, though Trump and many of his supporters still refuse to acknowledge their defeat. "The only thing that can stop us is the cheating," Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an appearance in Arizona, Trump claimed that he was leading in each of the seven battleground states that would decide the election. "I'm leading in every single swing state," he claimed. In a conversation with right-wing host Tucker Carlson, Trump maintained that various attempts at fraud had already been uncovered. There is no evidence behind the former president's statements. In fact, the Washington Post reported on Thursday that among voters who already cast their votes - Harris was leading - and by a lot. Recent national surveys of those who have already cast their vote give Harris a 19 to 29-point lead over Trump. Those figures are lower than for Biden during the 2020 election, when more US voters cast their ballots early due to the coronavirus, but higher than seen for Hillary Clinton in 2016, the Washington Post said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall polls show the two neck-and-neck. Trump filed dozens of lawsuits after Biden won in 2020, which failed in court. On January 6, 2021, his insistence that he won and his "victory" was stolen from him before a supportive crowd led to the storming of the Capitol in Washington, the seat of the US Congress, by his supporters. Trump files lawsuit against CBS TV over Harris interview Earlier in the day, Trump filed a lawsuit aginst US broadcaster CBS, alleging it manipulated an interview with his rival Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Trump is demanding $10 billion in damages and filed the case in a Texas court, seen as a calculated move to ensure the case is assigned to a conservative judge. However, the chances of success are considered low given the US First Amendment, which offers strong freedom of speech protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dispute ignited in early October over an interview with Harris on the popular political programme "60 Minutes," during which she was questioned about Israel. CBS aired two different excerpts of her answer on two consecutive days. That led to Trump's supporters accusing CBS of deliberately portraying Harris in a more favourable light. Trump's lawyers subsequently demanded the release of the full interview transcript, which CBS refused. The broadcaster dismissed the manipulation allegations and stated segmenting sections of an interview is common to fit the programme's time constraints. US courts have historically granted the media extensive editorial freedoms especially since the Constitution's First Amendment explicitly safeguards press freedom. CBS emphasized that its editorial decisions are part of journalistic freedom. Donald Trumps presidential campaign is launching another frivolous legal attack against a media outlet. This time, its The Washington Post. The Trump-Vance campaign filed a Federal Election Commission complaint against the Post, alleging that the newspaper made illegal in-kind contributions to [Kamala] Harris for President. In their complaint, the campaigns lawyers said that the Post spent money boosting stories on social media that were critical of Trump, citing a Wednesday report from Semafor. The FEC complaint, filed Thursday, came despite the Posts decision not to endorse any presidential candidates and nix an already written endorsement of Harris from its editorial board, due to an order from the papers owner, billionaire Jeff Bezos. The decision has cost the Post more than 250,000 subscribers but apparently didnt curry any favor with Trump or his campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also on Thursday, Trumps campaign filed a $10 billion lawsuit against CBS, claiming that the network engaged in election interference for favorably editing a 60 Minutes interview with Harris. Previously, he threatened to have CBSs license revoked because of the edits, and had backed out of a planned interview of his own with 60 Minutes. After his poor showing at ABCs presidential debate with Harris in September, Trump complained that it was rigged and called for that networks broadcast license to be revoked. With Election Day only four days away, Trumps attacks on the media appear to be calculated attempts at intimidation in order to force favorable coverage and undermine trust in political journalism. The former president has reportedly asked Rupert Murdoch, the owner of Fox News, to hide negative political ads against him. On Wednesday, Trump even proudly bragged, at a rally in Allentown, Pennsylvania, about driving down trust in the news medias credibility. His plan seems to be ensuring that critical reports of his behavior wont be believed and that if election returns come in showing him losing, his supporters wont trust them, creating chaos. Donald Trump suggested former Republican congresswoman from Wyoming Liz Cheney should stand in front of a firing squad during a conversation with Tucker Carlson on Thursday night. Cheney, the daughter of ex-Vice President Dick Cheney, has been a vocal opponent of Trump and supported his second impeachment after the Jan. 6 riots. She has even held a series of town hall sessions with 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, dubbed Country over Party, in critical states including Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump sits down for a conversation with Tucker Carlson during his Live Tour at the Desert Diamond Arena on October 31, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. With less than a week until Election Day, Trump is campaigning for re-election in New Mexico and the battleground states of Nevada and Arizona on Thursday. Trump has previously lashed out at Cheney on social media, labeling her dumb as a rock and a war hawk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former president echoed those criticisms on Thursday night at a campaign rally in Glendale, Arizona, claiming Cheney is a very dumb individual, very dumb and a moron He then added: Lets put her with a rifle standing there with 9 barrels shooting at her. Lets see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face. Trump on Liz Cheney: "Let's put her with a rifle standing there with 9 barrels shooting at her. Let's see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face." pic.twitter.com/Mtx1fbLtwE Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 1, 2024 This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death, Cheney wrote in response to Trumps remarks. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. Trumps comments represents a rapid uptick in the language used by the former president surrounding perceived political enemies in the lead-up to the election. He has already faced backlash for comments surrounding the enemy within, in which he pointed the finger at Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi and suggested a military intervention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without naming names, Trump repeated and even defended those comments to Carlson Thursday night. Trump: "We do have an enemy from within. We have some very bad people. They would like to take down our country." pic.twitter.com/Ft8sWIkV9Y Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 1, 2024 We do have an enemy from within, we have some very bad people and those people are also very dangerous, they would like to take down our country. Theyd like to have our country to be a nice Communist country or fascist in any way they can, and we have to be careful of that. Trump said those who criticized him were the greatest con artists of all. Donald Trump fantasized about former Rep. Liz Cheney staring down gun barrels during a campaign event in Arizona. The former presidents remarks have led to widespread condemnation, and even an investigation from the state attorney generals office. Shes a radical war hawk. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Trump told Tucker Carlson on Thursday night. Lets see how she feels about it, you know, when the guns are trained on her face. Theyre all war hawks when theyre sitting in Washington in a nice building, saying, Oh gee, lets send 10,000 troops right in the mouth of the enemy, he said of his critics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheney who has campaigned with Vice President Kamala Harris as one of the most vocal Republican detractors of the former president responded to the comments on Friday morning. This is how dictators destroy free nations, she wrote on X, formerly Twitter. They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. Vice President Kamala Harris called Trumps remarks disqualifying while speaking to reporters later on Friday. Anyone who wants to be president of the United States who uses that kind of violent rhetoric is clearly disqualified and unqualified to be president, she said. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, said her office will investigate whether the comments violate state law against death threats. I have already asked my criminal division chief to start looking at that statement, analyzing it for whether it qualifies as a death threat under Arizonas laws, she said on 12NEWS in Phoenix. Cheney has firsthand knowledge of Trumps desire to weaponize the military against his critics. In July, the former president reposted an image on Truth Social accusing Cheney of treason and demanding she be subjected to a military tribunal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elizabeth Lynne Cheney is guilty of TREASON. Retruth if you want televised military tribunals, the post read. The standard penalty for treason is death. In the final weeks of the campaign, Trump has delivered increasingly fascist rhetoric while leveling threats against his political opponents. Earlier this month, he suggested that radical left lunatics the enemy from within should be very easily handled, if necessary, by the National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military. Cheney is not the only Republican publicly warning that Trump will govern as an authoritarian. Former Trump White House Chief of Staff John Kelly stated recently that the former president fits the definition of a fascist, and as president repeatedly expressed a desire to have generals as loyal to him as Adolph Hitlers. As previously reported by Rolling Stone, ahead of his 2024 campaign Trump repeatedly asked his close advisers how they felt about bringing back firing squads as a method of execution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The [former] president believes this would help put the fear of God into violent criminals, one source told Rolling Stone. He wanted to do some of these [things] when he was in office, but for whatever reasons didnt have the chance. With his latest attack against Cheney, it seems that alongside fantasizing about lording over a cadre of blindly loyal military leaders, Trump is also mulling over exactly how he would put them to use. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. DAVID DEE DELGADO/Getty Images I wonder if elections everywhere around the world always feel like Groundhog Day, or if thats just a special American thing. If you thought 2024 would be a rehashing of 2020, now that its Trump vs. Harris and not Trump vs. Biden, weve been dragged back to the horrors of 2016. Part of that re-run effect is the Green Party campaign of Jill Stein. When Hillary Clinton lost, liberal politicians and commentators made that loss about everything but the candidate they chose and the platform they ran on. They blamed the voters who wanted Bernie Sanders, a candidate and campaign that arguably changed the litmus for what progressive policies were able to be incorporated into a presidential election. Even more vitriol was saved for those who voted for Stein as a protest vote after Sanders conceded to Clinton; Clinton actually called out Stein in her 2017 memoir. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This time around, there are already several pieces floating around the internet preemptively blaming third party candidates and the voters interested in them for the Democrats potential loss, calling them a de facto vote for Trump. The Democrats, who have previously mostly ignored Stein, have come out swinging, running ads calling her a spoiler, showing theyre threatened by the possible margins they fear she could tip in swing states. The Washington Post reported last week that Steins campaign is receiving funding from a GOP-linked PAC, suggesting they think it might work to their favor, too. (Ill note here that WaPo owner and Amazon overlord Jeff Bezos decided the publication would not make an endorsement in the election, leading to rightful concern that Bezos is attempting to pave the way for a more corporate interest-friendly admin with Trump, which he denies.) These screeds on Stein dont really dig into her politics at all; fair enough, given that she doesnt stand a chance in hell at the presidency. Shes never held office, beyond a local position in Massachusetts over a decade ago, and her track record is one of consistently losing elections and then doing little besides preparing to run again. (Stein took a break from being the Green Party candidate in the 2020 election, which as you may recall had a 20-person Democratic primary.) Slates David Faris argues, The Green Party is not a particularly serious political operation. Its candidates have never won a federal election, and its vanishingly small number of successful candidates have been mostly at the municipal or state legislative level. There are also valid strikes against her, like that she was endorsed by white supremacist David Duke, a former Ku Klux Klan leader. Thats really bad! (Stein, for her part, condemned Duke and rejected the endorsement. Its also worth noting that Duke is antisemitic and Stein is Jewish.) She inveighs against corporate money having too much power, but has maintained significant investments in funds which buy into some of the largest and most influential corporations in the country. Slates Faris accuses Stein of serving as a tool for Republicans to rat-f*ck the Democrats' chances in swing states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and especially Michigan, where the Arab population, disproportionately impacted by the war on Gaza, is twice as large as the margin by which Joe Biden won the state in 2020; and of benefitting from Russian disinformation activists. (Again: 2016 ugh.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A major reason people are looking to Stein is her choice to actively court the Arab and Muslim voters the Harris campaign has largely blown off, proudly running against the war on Gaza, which neither major party has attempted. Indeed, many potential Stein voters are openly admitting they want their vote to send a message to the Democrats about the war. Over half a million people voted uncommitted, or some similar option, this year to rebuke Biden on Gaza; many members of those campaigns then pivoted to rebuking Harris once she established she wouldnt break with the admins policy. Young Muslim and Arab-American Voters Say Kamala Harris Isnt Addressing Their Concerns on Gaza The community is feeling like they've been truly left out. Michigans Muslim American-led Abandon Harris campaign has endorsed Stein. Meanwhile, surrogate Bill Clinton also accused of sexual harassment offended Michigan Arab and Muslim voters yet again just days shy of the election, leading liberal commentator Mehdi Hasan to opine, At this point the Dems *deserve* to lose Michigan. Sheesh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So yes, Jill Stein is a deeply problematic candidate. But what exactly is shaming disappointed voters accomplishing? What is the alternative vision for the future that Democrats are pitching? What is their plan to turn out the vote from people who arent hypothetical waffling Republicans? And why are they courting the center and ignoring the policy demands of the youth vote, while worrying about third-party votes, which maxed out at 5% of the overall electorate in 2016 and down to 2% in 2020? In 2022, youth voters made the midterms what they were for Democrats, and it was clear that what brought them out was the concept of more progressive policy. But that move wasnt a static one: It was even at the time one of skepticism that the commitments being made would be followed through on. Now, young people are choosing between a vote for Harris and not voting at all, disgusted to choose between another four years of Trump and a Harris admin thats disappointing them on climate, immigration, and trans rights. Heres the sum-up of the Democrats and the Harris campaign, specifically rightward shift, from Semafor (which is no lefty rag): Facing Donald Trump for the third consecutive election, Democrats are making rhetorical and policy concessions that they didnt want to, or think they needed to, in 2016 and 2020. Theyve adjusted to an electorate thats shifted to the right, toward the Trump-led GOP, on issues that progressives once hoped were non-negotiable immigrant rights, LGBTQ rights, climate change policies, and criminal justice reform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That phrasing blames the shift on the electorate, but what about the people Democrats often talk about as their base? Voters are told that the Democrats are in an impossible bind, up against the bipartisan nature of our political system; that this will have to be a vote between the lesser of two evils, to hold your nose and suck it up or risk your own death. Colleges Are Still Arresting Students Over Palestine Campus Protests Over 30 schools are implementing new policies that affect everything from masking to distributing literature, per a *Mother Jones* investigation. For starters, young people are beyond sick of hearing this, of the presumption that they should just put up or shut up, when they know that things are only impossible until they arent just remember what they were told about the chances of Joe Biden dropping out despite their opposition to his candidacy. Some of those young voters are among the thousands that were arrested on college campuses this year for protesting the war, where their attempts to engage in the political process were brutally crushed, likely contributing to the disillusionment that may impact their votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And you really cant blame young people for wanting other options. If youve been paying any attention at all to politics over the last few years, then it should be no surprise that the presidential election is again neck-and-neck, likely to go down to the wire. I shouldnt even have to say this: Donald Trump is a fascist, a racist, a sexual abuser, and a bigot. This is all public information that I really do not think will change the minds of his supporters; in fact, a lot of them want to vote for him for these express reasons. Some of those pieces against third party candidates make good points about the risks of Trumps foreign policy, which I think should be pretty obvious to everyone, like his support for seemingly everything Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to do. Trump will undoubtedly cause more suffering in the Middle East. Vice President Kamala Harris is promising to uphold repro rights and build a "care economy" and generally govern like a serious person. But she's also a former prosecutor who is second in command in an administration funding what the medical journal the Lancet estimates as the deaths of some 186,000 Palestinians, whose campaign is seemingly in a race to out-Republican the Republicans, who cant even muster the bravery to invite a trans person or a Palestinian to the main stage of the DNC. Even that is a pretty paltry ask, considering that I know multiple people who have lost 50, 60, even 90 members of their families through the U.S.-backed Israeli bombing of Palestine and now Lebanon. Listen to what young people actually have to say about this stuff. They are desperate for a candidate that takes the issues as seriously as they do, more seriously than electoral polling, more seriously than silly corporate consultants or memes. Here are concerns from two trans youth who recognize that under a Trump administration, access to gender affirming care is under extreme risk: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I used to think that we needed to vote for these Democrats because the threat of Trump was too high, and I needed to vote for the lesser evil. Then in 2022, Roe v. Wade was overturned. I spent all of my energy organizing and speaking at protests while I watched Democrats turn a potential movement into a get-out-the-vote campaign, just like they did with BLM Its insulting to have my rights be used as fodder for elections. Democrats guilt trip working people into voting for them every 4 years and Im simply tired of it. Why Won't Democrats Like Kamala Harris Embrace Trans Rights This Election? In this op-ed, college student and contributor Alessandra Kahn calls on the Harris-Walz campaign to speak on trans issues just as much as abortion, especially while Trump keeps targeting trans rights. The Democrats timidity to engage in these issues feels hopeless and confusing. When I listen to Republican legislators brag about enshrining transphobia into law, Im nothing short of terrified. And when no one is there to defend me? Thats just frustrating Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Or what a young voter told me at the protests outside the Presidential debate in September: I think the fact that we haven't really had a say in who represents us is sh*tty. I still believe that voting is important, I'm still gonna exercise my right, but this is my second presidential election, and both times, I've just felt really disheartened, and I am tired of it. It is without a doubt that there will be Democrats who will blame a Harris-Walz loss on third party voters. But its worth asking what margins could have been made up by actually speaking to the half a million uncommitted voters in Wisconsin, Michigan and beyond, by mobilizing young climate organizers fighting for a livable planet, by boldly supporting and protecting trans healthcare in an election where many are considering leaving the country if Trump wins. The most recent New York Times-Siena College poll shows Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump polling in a dead heat at 48% each, with Jill Stein polling at 2%. Tens of thousands of people mightve gone to Harris if shed committed to a policy shift on Gaza. Days away from Election Day, well see where this got her. One thing we know for sure: Jill Stein wont be winning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue Want more U.S. government coverage? Donald Trump is suing CBS News for $10 billion, alleging that the network deceptively edited an interview with his rival Kamala Harris to unlawfully influence the 2024 presidential election. The lawsuit, filed in Texas, accuses CBS of partisan and unlawful acts of election and voter interference through malicious, deceptive, and substantial news distortion calculated to confuse, deceive, and mislead the public and attempt to tip the scales in favor of the Democratic nominee. His legal team filed the lawsuit in a federal court in Amarillo, where the case is expected to land in front of a judge he appointed. Any appeal of a decision in the case would go to a Louisiana-based appellate court that is dominated by conservative judges that have routinely sided in Republican-backed legal challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A case from Trump who lives in Florida, and who is suing a New York-based company incorporated in Delaware is likely to be handed to conservative District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who Trump nominated to the bench. Judge Kacsmaryk notably reinstated Trumps so-called remain in Mexico program and ruled to strip government approval of a widely used abortion drug. Both decisions were struck down by the Supreme Court. Trump has demanded a jury trial and wants to be awarded $10 billion in damages. The lawsuit spends several paragraphs on political attacks, calling President Joe Bidens decision to end his re-election campaign an unprecedented and anti-democratic political coup and accusing CBS and other media outlets of going into overdrive to get Kamala elected. The document only references Harris by her first name. Donald Trump, spealking to supporters in New Mexico on October 31, has sued CBS News, alleging election interference over its interview with Kamala Harris. (Getty Images) Trumps attorneys claim news outlets have tried to falsely recast her as the candidate of joy, whitewashed her lengthy record of policy failures, and painted over her repeated, disqualifying gaffes, including word salad and jumbles of exceptionally incoherent speech that have drawn disapproval even from dyed-in-the-wool Democratic commentators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursdays long-shot claims, filed just six days before Election Day, follow Trumps obsessive attacks baselessly alleging that the network did something illegal and doctored her responses. He also has repeatedly threatened to revoke CBSs broadcast license, along with other television networks that have aired critical coverage of his administration and campaign. Trump has previously launched unsuccessful lawsuits against CNN and The New York Times. A judge this year determined that the former president owes the newspaper and three reporters nearly $400,000 for their legal fees after his failed lawsuit against them. The Republican presidential nominee also backed out of a chance to appear on 60 Minutes himself. Anchor Scott Pelley told viewers during the Harris broadcast that Trumps campaign complained that we would fact-check the interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We fact-check every story, Pelley said. The network has since refuted Trumps false accusations, and an attorney for the network said there is no legal basis for a legal challenge after a legal threat from Trumps team to turn over unedited transcripts. Donald Trumps lawsuit against CBS accuses Kamala Harris of disqualifying gaffes. (AP) At issue is how 60 Minutes aired Harriss answers to a question from host Bill Whitaker about whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is listening to the US. A preview of the interview that aired on CBSs Face the Nation shows her responding by defending Americas influence, while the 60 Minutes broadcast includes an answer that we are not gonna stop pursuing what is necessary for the United States to be clear about where we stand on the need for this war to end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBS has said that the network aired the entirety of her answer; a first half aired on the Sunday program and the second half aired on Mondays broadcast as two parts of the same answer to the same question. Same question. Same answer. But a different portion of the response, the network said in a statement earlier this month. When we edit any interview, whether a politician, an athlete, or movie star, we strive to be clear, accurate and on point, the statement said. The portion of her answer on 60 Minutes was more succinct, which allows time for other subjects in a wide ranging 21-minute-long segment. On a sunny Friday afternoon last month in Hamtramck, across the street from a Republican campaign office, a Muslim woman with a mauve headscarf and others on a sidewalk chanted in support of the former president: "We want Trump, we want Trump!" A wide banner outside a juice cafe on the block owned by an Arab immigrant declared: "Hamtramck Welcomes Trump." And some in the crowd held up signs that read: "Trump Secure Border Kamala Open Border." A few minutes earlier, Donald Trump's SUV had rolled down Jos Campau Avenue, a commercial strip in the heart of the working-class city led by Muslim elected officials with the highest percentage of immigrants among municipalities in Michigan. The Republican nominee for president had arrived to speak at the GOP office to a small group of Arab American and Muslim leaders and elected officials, led by Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib, who endorsed him a few weeks earlier. The intense enthusiasm from the cheering crowd and those assembled inside on Oct. 18 illustrated how the Trump campaign's outreach to Arab Americans and Muslims in Michigan has become the most extensive by a Republican nominee since George W. Bush came to Dearborn 24 years ago to meet with its Middle Eastern communities. Trump is expected to visit Dearborn on Friday to speak at a halal cafe. The outreach also reflects the political rise of Michigan's Yemeni American community, which has struggled for years to gain recognition by Democrats, and at times facing discrimination. Many of the imams and groups who have endorsed Trump are of Yemeni descent, though he has gained support from others as well. Belal Alzuhiry, a Yemeni American cleric who preaches at the Islamic Center of Detroit, speaks to the crowd at a large Trump rally at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan, Oct. 26, 2024. "We as Muslims stand with Trump because he promises peace ... not war," Imam Belal Alzuhiry, a Yemeni American cleric who preaches at the Islamic Center of Detroit, said to the crowd at a large Trump rally Saturday in Novi, a row of other Muslim leaders standing behind him. "We are supporting Donald Trump because he promises to end war in the Middle East and Ukraine. The bloodshed has to stop all over the world and I think this man can make that happen." Kamala Harris campaign reaching out to Muslims The campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris has been fighting back, but has struggled to find acceptance amid growing anger in Wayne County over the deaths of tens of thousands of people in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Yemen. When Arab American leaders who endorsed Harris, such as Ahmed Chebbani of the American-Arab Chamber of Commerce, held a press conference in Dearborn on Sunday to express their support for the Democratic nominee, protesters outside chanted: "Shame, shame!" and confronted them as they left, social media posts show. But Harris has gained the support of a small number of Arab Americans and Muslims, some of them with ties to local Democratic Party political machines that help fund some Arab American groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When people say, 'vote your conscience,' I say, 'vote strategically,'" argued Wayne County Deputy Executive Assad Turfe, the highest ranking official of Arab descent in Michigan's largest county. Turfe had endorsed Harris in August, taking heat from Arab Americans who accused him of being a sellout. But he and others argue Harris is listening to them and that Democrats are their partners. On Monday, he spoke at a rally in Ann Arbor for Harris, saying she supports a ceasefire that "allows displaced families in Lebanon to return to their villages and gives the Palestinian people the dignity and self-determination they deserve." His remarks on Lebanon were different from Harris' usual ceasefire remarks and may help persuade some in Wayne County, which has the highest percentage of Lebanese Americans among all counties in the U.S. Michigan has the highest percentage of residents of Middle Eastern descent among all states. Supporters of Trump say he will be more supportive of Arabs, but when Trump landed at Detroit Metro Airport before driving to Hamtramck, he told reporters Biden was restricting Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he said is "doing a good job. Biden is trying to hold him back and he probably should be doing the opposite." Wayne County Deputy Executive Assad Turfe, of Dearborn, Michigan, speaks during a campaign rally for Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and concert in Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. October 28, 2024. On Wednesday, Trump posted on X a tweet about Lebanon, saying he will bring peace to the Middle East. "Your friends and family in Lebanon deserve to live in peace, prosperity, and harmony with their neighbors, and that can only happen with peace and stability in the Middle East," Trump wrote. "I look forward to working with the Lebanese community living in the United States of America to ensure the safety and security of the great people of Lebanon." Three members of Hamtramck's all-Muslim city council have also endorsed Harris: Councilmen Mohammed Hassan and Muhith Mahmood, who are immigrants from Bangladesh, and councilman Mohammed Alsomiri, an immigrant from Yemen. Alsomiri may be the only elected official of Arab descent in Wayne County who has publicly endorsed Harris; the Free Press was unable to find any others, but did not contact all of them. On Saturday, the three councilmen who support Harris helped organize a car rally and gathering in support of Harris in Detroit and Hamtramck that featured some Biden administration and Harris campaign officials, including Nasrina Bargzie, director of Muslim and Arab American outreach for the Harris campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Harris has been steadfast in her support of our country's diverse Muslim community, including ensuring that they can live free from the hateful policies of the Trump administration," Bargzie said in a statement Thursday to the Free Press. "She will continue working to bring the war in Gaza to an end in a way where Israel is secure, the hostages are released ... and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination. She is also working to address the suffering in Lebanon." Biden's support for the new government in Bangladesh led by Muhammad Yunus after the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina this summer may have led to Harris getting some support from Bangladeshi Americans who supported the removal of Hasina, such as Hassan. Another city councilman of Bangladeshi descent who was supportive of Hasina, Abu Musa, has endorsed Trump and was one of the Hamtramck officials who awarded him a certificate of appreciation at the Hamtramck rally. On Thursday, Trump posted a statement on X condemning the recent violence in Bangladesh against "Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos." Dearborn Heights, Hamtramck mayors back Trump The Monday after Trump's Hamtramck rally, Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi joined Ghalib and an Islamic Shia cleric of Iraqi descent, Imam Husham Al-Husainy of Karbalaa Islamic Education Center in Dearborn, on a press call organized by the Trump campaign. Both have endorsed Trump. "We need a commander in chief to come in and stop the wars," Bazzi, a Muslim immigrant from Lebanon who served in the Marines for 21 years before becoming the first Muslim mayor of Dearborn Heights in 2021, said on the Oct. 21 call. "The home that my grandparents built was just destroyed a few days ago in south Lebanon." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bazzi, who leads a city that is 39% Arab American, also railed against "illegals ... coming in" who commit "atrocities against the American people. It's pretty disgusting." Later that week, on Oct. 26, Alzhuriy and about 20 other Muslim leaders met with Trump backstage at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, local leaders said. Some of them and others met with Trump previously in Detroit, Warren or Flint. Part of the group then took the stage in one of the more striking scenes ever seen at a big Republican presidential rally: a row of clerics in Islamic garb and caps strode on stage as Trump greeted them with smiles, shaking their hands. Donald Trump meets with Muslim leaders in Michigan backstage in Novi, Michigan, on October 26, 2024, when Trump held a rally at Suburban Collection Showplace. On the left of Trump is Imam Belal Alzuhiry, who addressed the crowd at the rally with other Muslim leaders behind him on stage. The Novi rally "was an astonishing event to see," said Dr. Yahya Basha, of West Bloomfield, a longtime Arab American and Muslim community leader in Michigan who endorsed Biden in 2020 and Trump this year. It represented "a major shift" as Republicans were publicly associating themselves with groups they have demonized for years in the war on terrorism, he said. "I was happy (Trump) did it," said Basha, who met with Trump earlier in Warren. Dressed in traditional Arab dress and a dark blue suitcoat, Alzuhiry's remarks in Novi were publicized by Trump campaign accounts and supporters on social media who said it showed support for Trump among Muslim leaders. But a majority of imams of the largest mosques were not at the event, and those who usually are public voices for Muslims and hold press conferences in Michigan did not attend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Echoing the views of some evangelical leaders who believe divine intervention saved Trump during an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, Alzuhiry talked about a higher power and how Trump shares the values of their community. "I believe personally that God has saved his life for a reason, which is to save the lives of others," Alhuiry told the crowd. "We support Donald J. Trump for his commitment to promoting family values and protecting our children's well being, especially when it comes to curriculum and schools. We as Muslims support this man because he will be a president for all Americans, embracing every race, color and religion. We are with President Trump because we want a strong border. And we agree with President Trump that anyone who wants to come to this county is welcome, but he has to do that through legal pathways. We are with President Trump because we want a strong economy." Alzhuiry says on the homepage of his Facebook account that he is opposed to "all forms of Extremism in the name of Islam especially ISIS, ALQADAH, HOUTHI, HIZBALLAH," referencing militant groups the U.S. labels as terrorists. Alzhuiry did not return messages from the Free Press seeking comment. Other Muslim leaders who joined Trump on stage were Sheikh Saleh Aljahim of the Iman Islamic Complex in Detroit, who has been a community leader for decades in the Yemeni American community; Dr. Ghaus Malik, one of the cofounders of the Islamic Association of Greater Detroit and active in Pakistani American causes; Sheikh Ali Suleiman Ali of the Muslim Community of Western Suburbs, a large mosque in Canton; and Yasser Abu Ammar with the Islamic Center of Hamtramck. It's unclear if they have endorsed Trump or just attended to hear him speak. None of the prominent imams in the Shia community were at the rally. Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump greets Sheikh Saleh Aljahim, a religious leader at Iman Islamic Complex, at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan, Oct. 26, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Many of the religious leaders are staying neutral," said Sally Howell, professor of history and Arab American studies at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, who has studied local Arab American and Muslim communities for decades. The small number who are backing Harris are part of an older generation of Arab American leaders who are not as influential today, she said. Meanwhile, younger leaders and "the Yemenis feel they have been shut out" and "can't get a toe in the door" of establishment groups and parties. In recent years, Muslim activists in Dearborn and Hamtramck have fought back against LGBTQ+ curriculum in public schools and on city property, shutting down a school board meeting two years ago. In 2022, Republican leaders and Moms for Liberty came to Dearborn to rally alongside Muslims against some LGBTQ+ books in the school district they felt were too explicit, resulting in Democrats such as U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer losing support in Arab-majority precincts. That anger has pushed many Muslims towards the GOP even before the Israel-Hamas Gaza war started last year, Howell said. Al-Husainy said he supports Trump "because I found him closer to the Bible and Torah and the Quran," expressing concern that under Harris and Democrats, "the boys will turn to girls and the girls will turn to a boy." Hassan Aoun, of Dearborn, one of the leaders in 2022 against the controversial books in Dearborn schools, also has endorsed Trump, saying he will bring peace, improve the economy and fight against what he called "homosexual and transgender ideology." Several Arab American leaders not supporting anyone A number of Arab Americans and Muslims are not endorsing Trump or Harris. Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, who leads a city that has the highest percentage of residents of Middle Eastern ancestry among cities in the U.S., said he's not endorsing any candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We cannot condone any president that uplifts, any administration that bombs every school, decimating children to smithereens," Hammoud said on Sept. 25 at a rally for Lebanon held a couple of days after more than 500 were killed in Israeli strikes on one day. "Those are the values that we will take with us through November. I am not here to endorse any single candidate for no candidate has earned my vote. ... The one thing that I do endorse is ... you cast your ballot and that you vote. ... Vote your moral conscience." Dearborn City Council President Michael Sareini, who was the top vote-getter in the 2021 city council elections, also is not endorsing anyone, he told the Free Press. Another city councilman of Arab descent, Mustapha Hammoud, said he is not endorsing anyone. And the Arab American Political Action Committee, formed in 1998, said it is not endorsing anyone for president, criticizing both Harris and Trump for their support of Israel. Another PAC in Dearborn, the American Arab and Muslim Political Action Committee endorsed Jill Stein, saying that "after extensive dialogue with both the Harris and Trump campaigns, we found no commitment to addressing the urgent concerns of our community." The Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee, led by Asad Malik of IAGD mosque in Rochester Hills, endorsed Trump, disappointed with what they said was Biden's lack of support for democracy in Pakistan. A local government official of Pakistani descent, Madiha Tariq, a deputy Oakland County Executive, has endorsed Harris. State Reps. Alabas Farhat, D-Dearborn, and Abraham Aiyash, D-Hamtramck, the two state representatives of Arab descent, did not return messages asking about their endorsements, but have not said publicly they are endorsing anyone. U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, has also not said publicly if she is endorsing anyone. Black Muslim leaders in metro Detroit are divided, with Imam Mika'il Stewart Saadiq of Detroit endorsing Harris while others are neutral; some Black Muslim leaders did attend Trump's rally in Novi. "I will not support Harris, who along with Biden, could have ended this genocide and ... the weapon shipments used to fuel it," said Dearborn attorney Majed Moughni, a longtime community activist of Lebanese descent who is voting for Cornel West. "Trump is no better and will allow Netanyahu to fast-forward the genocide and ethnic cleansing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moughni said Arab Americans who support Trump fail to take into consideration he may reinstate the travel ban that included some Muslim-majority nations and has talked about deporting some antiwar protesters accused of sympathizing with Hamas and reinstating the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 that could target many immigrants. Speaking at the Hamtramck rally, Ghalib addressed the issue of whether Trump will target Arabs for deportation, telling Trump that "one thing the Democrats keep sending to our community is to scare them, that you will ... deport them although some of them are second and third generation immigrants. So I want you to respond to these accusations and fear delivered to our community." Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib speaks at a visit by Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump at a campaign office in Hamtramck, on Oct. 18, 2024. The crowd then shouted "Fake news!" Trump repeated it, saying "Fake news," adding that he's often attacked: "Is this the new one? 'I'm going to come and we're going to deport, but just your community.'" Trump then praised the predominantly Arab American crowd as "great people great workers." The issue of undocumented immigration is not as big an issue in Arab American communities as it is in other groups, but ICE did target some Iraqi Americans when Trump was president, leading to protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ghalib also said earlier that Trump apologized for calling people from Yemen extremists at a recent rally in Pennsylvania. GOP outreach developed over years Last year, Ghalib visited an evangelical church in Sterling Heights to meet with Michael Flynn, a retired Army general who was once Trump's national security adviser before pleading guilty to lying to the FBI over his Russia ties. Flynn later came to Hamtramck to hold a town hall in September 2023 with Muslims and Republicans cohosted with Ghalib. It was the beginning of a relationship with the GOP that continued to build until Ghalib's endorsement of Trump one year later. Part of the frustration in Hamtramck was that several Democrats, including state Attorney General Dana Nessel, had criticized their city for banning LGBTQ+ and other flags on city property even though another city in metro Detroit, Livonia, had passed a similar bill, but did not face similar condemnations. Trump's family ties with Lebanese Americans also played a role in developing relationships. A son-in-law of Trump of Lebanese descent, Michael Boulous, and his father, billionaire businessman Massad Boulos, came to Troy in May along with Richard Grenell, Trump's former director of national intelligence, to meet with Arab American and Muslim leaders. Massad Boulos has visited Michigan several times this year, meeting with various Middle Eastern leaders to encourage them to support Trump. Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump stands with supporters on stage during a campaign rally at Suburban Collection Showplace on October 26, 2024 in Novi, Michigan. Trump is scheduled to hold rallies in Michigan and Pennsylvania today and a rally on Sunday at New Yorks Madison Square Garden. The Middle Eastern communities of Michigan are not a monolith and have diverse backgrounds and views. Chaldeans, who are Iraqi Catholics, have also been courted this year by the Republicans. The group usually votes Republican, said Martin Manna, head of the Chaldean Community Foundation. Manna attended the Hamtramck rally with Trump along with another business leader, Nasser Beydoun of Dearborn, who ran for U.S. Senate earlier this year as a Democrat, but was disqualified from the ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hassan, who introduced the resolution to ban LGBTQ+ flags last year in Hamtramck, has endorsed Harris, but has posted a couple of photos on his Facebook page this week showing he's still opposed to LGBTQ+ flags. His posts sought to portray Trump as being anti-Muslim and pro-LGBTQ. "Salam Brothers and Sisters in the USA. Dont forget same guy more crazy," Hassan wrote Tuesday, with one photo showing a news story of Trump saying in 2015 he wanted to stop Muslims from entering the U.S. and another photo showing Trump holding a Pride flag with the words "LGBT for Trump" written on the flag. The posts indicate Hassan is trying to convince Muslims to not vote for Trump because he is pro-LGBTQ. Democrats have said that Harris is more supportive of LGBTQ+ rights than Trump. Hassan also claimed that Harris will appoint three Bangladeshi Americans to her administration if elected. On Wednesday night, another controversy erupted as former President Bill Clinton spoke in a west Michigan church about Arab Americans and the Israel-Hamas war. Clinton said Hamas was to blame for using civilians as shields and that Jewish people lived in that region before Islam existed, drawing criticism from some Muslim advocates and Hammoud, who said Thursday on X that Clinton has "no respect for this community." U.S. Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-South Carolina, who in May suggested the possibility of dropping nuclear bombs on Gaza, visited Hamtramck and other cities last week, meeting with Ghalib and other Arab Americans. In a Facebook post, Graham praised Arab Americans, saying: "If you care about what happens in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and other Arab nations, you want a President who will stand up to Iran." Basha said the Republican embrace of Muslims shows that "people can change." Reporter Clara Hendrickson contributed to this report. Contact Niraj Warikoo:nwarikoo@freepress.com or X @nwarikoo This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump, Harris court Arab American, Muslim voters in Michigan Former President Donald Trump is wrapping up his campaign in part with a series of rallies in North Carolina over the weekend, ending in Raleigh on Monday. More than 4 million North Carolinians had cast ballots by mid-afternoon Friday, with registered Republicans making up the largest group of voters through Thursday something unheard in previous elections early voting periods. But they still have only a slight lead over Democrats and unaffiliated voters. And its unclear how any of them are voting, especially the unaffiliated. Trumps multiple campaign stops may be a last-minute push to change voters minds before Election Day on Tuesday. His running mate, Sen. JD Vance, kicked off the final series of stops by the Republican ticket in the state on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance addressed supporters Friday evening in Selma, while Trump will hold rallies in Gastonia and Greensboro on Saturday. The campaign announced Friday Trump would stop in Kinston, in Eastern North Carolina, for another rally on Sunday, and then in Raleigh on Monday at Dorton Arena, on the state fairgrounds. The former president held a rally in Rocky Mount on Wednesday, just a few hours after Vice President Kamala Harris rallied supporters at Coastal Credit Union Music Park in Raleigh. North Carolina is one of seven major battleground states where polling averages show an incredibly close race. As of Friday, 538 and RealClearPolitics showed Trump leading on average by 1.4 and 1.5 percentage points, respectively, both of which are well within the margin of error of most reputable polls. Republicans are confident about Trumps chances in North Carolina, which he won both in 2016 and 2020, although by a smaller margin of just 1.3 percentage points four years ago. At the same time, theyre aware that North Carolina is likely a must-win state for Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While campaigning in Greenville back in September, Vance acknowledged that it would be very hard for us to win unless were able to get North Carolina, NBC News reported. Early voting has been underway in North Carolina since Oct. 17, and ends on Saturday, Nov. 2. More than half of the states 7.8 million registered voters have cast their ballots either during in-person early voting, or by mail. Vance and Donald Trump Jr. urge supporters to overwhelm turnout At his rally in Selma on Friday, the vast majority of supporters in the crowd raised their hands when Vance asked how many had voted early. Vance said it was great that Republicans were banking their votes by heading to the polls early, but urged those who had already voted to make sure their friends and family vote as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont want to win North Carolina by 20,000 votes, I want to win North Carolina by 200,000 votes, he told the cheering crowd. Supporters were thrilled to hear Vance announce that Donald Trump Jr., who had not been previously announced as a speaker at Fridays rally, was on his way and would be speaking as well. The message from Trump Jr. about the urgency of getting to the polls, given how close the race is, was similar. For the next few days, we gotta run, we gotta fight, we gotta vote like youre the third monkey in line for the ark, and its starting to rain, Trump Jr. said to laughs from Vance, and the crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GOP nominees eldest son said the answer to polls showing an effectively tied race, was to overwhelm through turnout. He said the contrast between Trump and Harris could not be clearer. Were used to politicians making promises, theyll tell you everything you need to hear, they get your vote, and they do whatever the swamp or their special interest billionaire friends tell them to do, he said. This election is actually different. Youve actually lived under the policies of both administrations. Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley and the GOP candidate for state auditor, Dave Boliek, addressed the crowd prior to Vance and Trump Jr. taking the stage. Other notable Republicans attending the rally included state Sen. Benton Sawrey of nearby Clayton, and Michele Morrow, the partys nominee for superintendent of public instruction. Ahead of Vances visit to the state Friday, N.C. Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton said Trumps blitz across the state in the final three days before Election Day shows that hes worried about his chances in the state this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clayton also issued a similar reminder to Harris supporters to take advantage of the last full day of early voting Saturday, send their mail-in ballots by Friday at the latest, or head to the polls on Tuesday. We know that Republicans dont win the White House without winning North Carolina, so Id say hes pretty (expletive) scared, Clayton said during a press conference at the office of the Johnston County Democratic Party in Smithfield. N.C. GOP spokesman Matt Mercer said in response Friday that Trump and Vance have been outworking Harris and her running mate Tim Walz. I guess theyre just exhausted and dont have the ability to show the American people that they deserve to be elected on Tuesday, Mercer said. Under the Dome Get the latest news about North Carolina politics from The News & Observer's award-winning team. Get the free digest sent to your inbox by signing up here. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Former president and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump spoke in Warren at 4:30 p.m. Friday afternoon. He spoke at Macomb Community College This campaign trip comes after Trumps visit to Traverse City and Novi this past Friday and Saturday. Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) was recently in Holland, Auburn Hills and Marne. Harris has slight lead over Trump in new Michigan poll Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the presidential and vice presidential candidates have been in and out of swing-state Michigan this election seasonand will likely continue to do so as Election Day rounds the corner. Vice President Kamala Harris will hold a rally on Michigan State Universitys campus on Sunday. Meanwhile, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will make three campaign stops in Michigan this week. He will speak Friday in Detroit at 12:45 p.m., Flint at 3:30 p.m., and Traverse City at 6:45 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. Explosive new audio reveals that Donald Trump detailed how he really felt about his White House staff to Jeffrey Epstein, and Epstein touted old photos of Trump with half-naked women taken at the site of the pedophiles rampant sexual abuse of young girls. On author Michael Wolffs Thursday episode of his podcast Fire and Fury, Wolff shared a recording of a conversation with Epstein from 2017, in which the convicted sex offender and alleged human trafficker recounted Trumps true feelings about members of his administration, The Daily Beast reported. His people fight each other and then have outsidershe sort of poisons the well outside, Epstein told Wolff. Epstein went on to paraphrase Trumps candid statements about his former strategist Steve Bannon, former chief of staff Reince Priebus, and counselor Kellyanne Conway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will tell 10 people, Bannons a scumbag and Priebus is not doing a good job and Kelly has a big mouthwhat do you think? Jamie Dimon says that youre a problem and I shouldnt keep you. And I spoke to Carl Icahn. And Carl thinks I need a new spokesperson, Epstein said. So Kelly[anne]even though I hired Kellyannes husbandKellyanne is just too much of a wildcard. And then he tells Bannon, You know I really want to keep you, but Kellyanne hates you, Epstein continued. Wolff said that he had recordings of roughly 100 hours of Epstein talking about the inner workings of the Trump White House and about his long standing, deep relationship with Donald Trump. Epstein also shared photos from the late 90s of Trump surrounded by topless young women at Epsteins home in Palm Beach, Florida, where the disgraced financier victimized dozens of underage girls alongside his friend Ghislaine Maxwell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in some of the pictures, theyre sitting in his lap, Wolff said. I mean, and, and then theres one I especially remember where theres a stain, a telltale stain and on the front of Trumps pants, and the girls are pointing at him and laughing. Wolff claimed the FBI discovered the photos in Epsteins safe when the agency raided his home in 2019, but never released the images to the public. Wolff described the photographs when discussing how he used Epstein as a main source for his book Fire and Fury, which focused on the Trump White House. Wolff said that Epstein was afraid of Trump, believing that he was capable of doing anything. The Trump campaign dismissed Wolffs claims in a statement to The Daily Beast. Michael Wolff is a disgraced writer who routinely fabricates lies in order to sell fiction books because he clearly has no morals or ethics, a spokesperson said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He waited until days before the election to make outlandish false smears all in an effort to engage in blatant election interference on behalf of Kamala Harris. Hes a failed journalist that is resorting to lying for attention. Last week, a former model came forward with allegations that Trump had once groped her at a party, as part of a twisted game he was playing with Epstein. Trump recently praised Epstein, calling the sex offender, who died in prison before ever standing trial for sex trafficking charges, a good salesman. He had some nice assets that hed throw around, like islands, Trump said in September, clarifying that hed never been to Epsteins infamous hub of sex trafficking. Trump waffled for years on the prospect of releasing files on Epsteins known associates, and claimed that they likely contained phony stuff. This story has been updated. GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump stumped Thursday evening for the opponent of one of the last remaining U.S. House Republicans who voted to impeach him after the Jan. 6 riots. Conservatives already have solid control over the 4th Congressional District in Central Washington, but the former president still took time out of his busy schedule to remind Republicans why they should vote for Jerrod Sessler over the five-term incumbent, Dan Newhouse. Both are Republicans and will face off in the Nov. 5 general election. Ballots have been mailed to registered voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dan Newhouse is really a liberal, when you think of it, Trump said, trying to tie Newhouses voting record to the Biden Administrations agenda. I guess most would call him a RINO, Id say hes far left of a RINO. I just want to see Jerrod Sessler get in and hes going to be fantastic. Were going to work to seal the border, stop the invasion of criminals at a level weve never seen before coming into our country, and begin the largest deportation of these criminals in American history, the former president continued. The Trump campaign held a 15-minute telephone rally Thursday evening in support of Sessler, the former regional circuit NASCAR driver and U.S. Navy veteran, whos trying a second time to oust Newhouse. He previously ran in 2022, but placed fourth in Washingtons jungle primary. Trump took the opportunity to urge Central Washington to support he and Sessler as voters begin to turn in their ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will not disappoint you. Youll look back and youll say, This is one of the best votes two votes weve ever given, he said. Trump also touched on tax cuts for workers, his no tax on tips proposal, plans to cancel electric vehicle mandates, cut regulations and a vow to prevent World War III. He said a second Trump Administration would also cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, and that he would work to keep men out of womens sports. He also took time to shoot down recent advertisements from the Newhouse campaign that highlighted Sesslers history of support for the FairTax Act, which would replace all federal taxes with a blanket 30% sales tax. Hes playing dirty pool, Trump said. He just made this statement that Jerrods going to raise your taxes by 30% or 35%, and it was just made up out of clear blue. Its just like Kamala (Harris) saying that Trump is gonna not drill for oil he doesnt want to drill for oil, he doesnt want to drill for liquid oil and he doesnt want to frack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said Sessler would be a phenomenal congressman for Washingtons 4th Congressional District. Sessler, in turn, vowed to be the best ally that President Trump has in Washington D.C. Newhouse voted to impeach President Trump and for the Jan. 6 commission, but that isnt the main reason we need to retire Newhouse, Sessler said. President Trump is going to win on Tuesday, and he deserves a congressman and a Congress that will fully support his agenda and make America great. WA-04 and the Nov. 5 election Trump on Tuesday also doubled-down on his endorsement of Sessler in posts to social media, calling Newhouse a weak and pathetic RINO, or Republican in name only, who voted to, for no reason, impeach me. He wished he didnt do what he did, but its too late, and besides that, he didnt represent the people nearly as well as Jerrod will. Jerrod will do an incredible job he is MAGA all the way, and has my complete and total endorsement, Trump wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sessler recently backed out of two planned TV debates after making a late request to include a write-in candidate, Democrat Cherissa Boyd. Oddly enough, the Sessler campaign in recent weeks has been promoting Boyd as a viable candidate, hoping to peel away enough Democratic votes from Newhouse to secure a victory. With Sessler out, KNDU and the Tri-City Herald canceled one of the debates. The other, on KIMA Action News, went on as a 30-minute forum that hosted Newhouse on Monday. The Sunnyside Republican said Sessler is not from here, he doesnt really understand all the issues and challenges we have in Central Washington. Sessler is originally from Burien, King County. Newhouse is one of the last two remaining U.S. House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for fomenting the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol building. The other Republican, U.S. Rep. David Valadao, is seeking reelection to his seat in a tight toss-up race in Central California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also helped out another Washington candidate this week. On Tuesday, he held a similar telephone rally with Republican Joe Kent, a candidate hoping to oust Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez in Southwest Washington. Washingtons 4th Congressional District stretches from the U.S.-Canada border down to the Columbia River, and includes the Tri-Cities, Omak, East Wenatchee, Moses Lake, Yakima and the Yakama Indian Reservation. It is the states most Republican-leaning congressional district. A majority of its votes have gone for Republican presidential candidates every cycle since Richard Nixon in 1968. But it also narrowly elected a young Jay Inslee as its congressman in 1992. If Donald Trump wins the presidency, 5% of the U.S. population will face an administration whose top advisors on immigration dont blink at the idea of deporting a million undocumented immigrants a year from the interior of the United States at a cost of as much as $80 billion a year. Thats what Tom Homan, the man who led Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the end of the Trump administration, and who is cited by Trump as the man he wants to lead the deportation effort, told TV newsmagazine 60 Minutes earlier this week. Almost instantly in the press and online there was a backlash to one of his ideas. A new Trump administration, he says, is planning to deport the American citizen children of undocumented immigrants right along with their parents in order to avoid separating families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN political analyst and longtime Los Angeles Times reporter Ronald Brownstein called the plan ethnic cleansing in an X post that was retweeted more than 6,000 times. A Georgetown law professor wrote we would be forcing kids into exile. In prime time, MSNBC called it chilling. Mother Jones is outraged. What hes confirming is that every hateful word spewed at Trumps fascist rally is in earnest with a policy proposal to back it up, blared The New Republic. Whats clear is that if Trump is elected, the 4 million American-born children of Americas 20 million undocumented immigrants will be at the center of the political debate. One side will be arguing to keep the families in the U.S. while the other says ship them to the parents home. Whats ironic is that just a decade ago when Trump was first running for president and using the disparaging term anchor babies this whole debate was deemed a myth by the press, fact-checkers and immigration activists alike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Politifact checked whether it was such a big phenomenon concluding the claim was half-true because we cant read the minds of mothers who come here and give birth. Maybe it is just a coincidence that their children are born here. Vox ran a column by an undocumented immigrant from Europe saying whoops, her baby was an accident and in the headline said Anchor babies are a myth. Deep inside the article it admitted that tens of thousands of rich women from all over the world come to the United States every year specifically to have their children born as U.S. citizens by birth. Forbes, too, said Myth. The Washington Post did, too. Georgetown Law School agreed. Human Rights Watch said the same thing. Who knows, maybe at the time all those experts were right. Maybe immigration judges were fine with sending Mexican moms home to Yucatan without their American babies, coldly splitting up the families or like Nazis out to ethnically cleanse America, the judges sent the kids into exile with their moms. I doubt it for certainly immigration-friendly liberals would have been screaming like they are now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But now now the children of undocumented immigrants are moving to the center of our debate about what to do about our unregulated immigration problem, just like the kids who were brought here as children took center stage in the Obama administration now known as the DACA kids. For me, I am on the side of keeping the kids and their parents here. But I sure understand how Trump and his followers would feel that theyve gotten the bait and switch: First, in 2015, the problem is imaginary nobody is letting the undocumented parents of American citizen children stay in the United States and then when they try to solve it starting in 2025, suddenly everybody says, of course, we have to let the undocumented parents of American citizen children stay here. Donald Trump cant win. It cant be true that he is making a problem up and that he is a fascist for trying to solve it. His liberal opponents need to pick one. You may have seen the political ad featuring three Jewish women talking about the election in a deli over breakfast. They lament the rise in antisemitism, threats to Israel, and campus unrest, and despite honest misgivings about his character, all agree that they will be voting for former President Donald Trump. The key reason for their support is punctuated by a camera close-up of one of the women, who leans forward and says, At least hell keep us safe. She lingers on articulating the word safe the way Jews linger on the final word of the central declaration of Gods unity in the Shema prayer, echad, which means one. The ad speaks effectively to a central concern in the American Jewish psyche going into Election Day, as we have just marked the anniversary of the collective memorytriggering Oct. 7 mass slaughter in Israel only to be followed by the six-year mark of one of the worst attacks against Jews on American soil, at Pittsburghs Tree of Life Synagogue. But its not the compounding of these tragedies that is most disturbingits the comparatively dissonant responses to those two events many of us in the Jewish community have received from our allies, neighbors, co-workers, and friends. After Pittsburgh, my community was surrounded by the support of the larger community, who wrote notes, dropped off baked goods, sat with us in our sanctuary, and wanted us to know that our safety was important to them. The response to Oct. 7 was slower and more cautious. We could feel the equivocation. Although I had multiple conversations with communal leaders explaining why this was so painful for the Jewish community, a twentysomething member of my community told me, After the murder of George Floyd, we were told to read in order to understand why this was so painful for African Americans and not ask them to explain it to us. Why is the same not true for us? Then there were the rallies supporting Hamas and its eliminationist ideology. Whether or not the participants really understood what they were saying, trusted leaders and institutions should have. For my community, it has created an unprecedented moment of feeling simultaneously unsafe and misunderstood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a rabbi, I have spent my career partnering with interfaith leaders to address all kinds of injustice in our society. This past year has been the first time Ive taken care of my community and our friends and family in Israel and, outside of that, done no meaningful interfaith work. So in this circle-the-wagons context, its not surprising that we would see a resonant political ad depicting three Jewish women in a deli talking about prioritizing their safety. But as disturbing as the violence in Pittsburgh was, and as disturbing as the postOct. 7 abandonment felt, there is something even more troubling hinted at with this political ad: the temptation to give up on democracy as the source of our safety and return to the historical Jewish communal bargain of protection with the emperor, the caliph, and the czar. The bargain with the former president is reminiscent of arrangements with these historical leaders not only because of the idea that one person can keep us safe (which doesnt have a great track record) but because that safety may come at the expense of the security of others. We have 11 million noncitizens in the United States whom the former president has identified as candidates for mass deportation. Many of them have been in the country for decades, and millions have American children from whom they would be separated. Advisers to the former president have promised that they have learned from the obstacles they faced in his first term and would be better prepared this time to push forward with widespread raids, erecting holding camps near the border, and increasing expedited removal. Those who claim that its simply overblown rhetoric or who point to legal, economic, and social obstacles to implementing these threats must understand that not only are the legal barriers this time around much lower, but the previous time the administration tried to do it, just the threat was enough to incite panic. In our local immigrant community, children went to school with go bags containing their next meal and the phone number of an adult should they come home to find their parents gone. Our own custodian, who had been in the U.S. for 30 years, was swiftly deported and left on the other side of the U.S.Mexico border with no money, no phone, and no ID. It was bad last time, and it will be worse if Trump is given another chance. So what does it mean for the Jewish community to receive protection from someone who creates fear and dehumanizes these immigrants by saying they are poisoning the blood of our country? Is a blood libel bad only when its about us? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am indeed worried about Jewish safety in an era of rising antisemitism on the left and the right, and it has been shocking to feel distanced from liberal-minded communal partners, but allyship is not about the transaction. I dont show up for someone so that they will show up for me. I show up because its right. Because it strengthens democracy. Because none of us is safe unless all of us are safe. You cant linger on the word safe without lingering on the word one, but the central declaration of faith is not in one person. The only one we put our faith in is God. In society, true safety is always a shared enterprise realized when we live out e pluribus unum: from the many, one. Former President Donald Trump shakes hands with Gov. Glenn Youngkin at a rally in Chesapeake, June 28, 2024. Youngkin said he will also attend Trump's rally in Salem this weekend. (Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury) Former President Donald Trumps decision to hold a last-minute rally in Salem, Virginia, on Saturday, just days before the Nov. 5 election, has raised eyebrows, as most polls show Vice President Kamala Harris who has not campaigned in the commonwealth since becoming the Democratic nominee last summer with a comfortable lead. The event will mark a nostalgic moment for Rich Anderson, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, who attended a gathering with President Richard Nixon at the same venue over half a century ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A little tidbit for you, Anderson shared in a phone interview Thursday, when I was a little kid, and I remember it like yesterday, I went to the rally in 1969 where President Nixon came to the same Civic Center and campaigned for (former Virginia Gov.) Linwood Holton, who was elected governor that year. Nixons visit 55 years ago, Anderson said, reverberated through the Roanoke Valley at the time, and he and other high profile Republicans hope that Trumps event will have a similar effect. Polls vs. perception According to a Washington Post-Shar survey released Saturday one of the most recent presidential polls available for Virginia Harris holds a six-point edge over Trump, similar to her eight-point advantage in a previous poll from September. A new poll released Friday by the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College shows Harris with a 10-point lead over former President Donald Trump (51%-41%). Independent Cornel West and Libertarian Chase Oliver both poll at 2%, and Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate, takes 1% of the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And an earlier poll from Oct. 7 by the Wason Center for Civic Leadership at Christopher Newport University had the Vice President up by 11 points (52-41%) among likely Virginia voters. But Republicans insist that a victory remains within reach in the commonwealth, where no GOP candidate has won a presidential race since George W. Bush in 2004 and where Trump lost in both 2016 and 2020. Virginia, I believe, is in play, said Anderson. While the polling generally has Harris up, a lot of it is within the margin of error. What Ive told people is, dont get fixated on these polls, regardless (of) where they are. If it shows Trump in a comfortable position, then the danger is that people start relaxing on our side. And if its not good news for us, then people get demoralized, Anderson said. Just work like were 10 points down and thats the surest path to victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeff Ryer, a spokesman for the Trump campaign in Virginia, cited a Republican-leaning poll from Monday, which has Harris at 48% and Trump at 46% and is within the margin of error. Whether youre looking at polling showing a margin-of-error race or Republicans strong showing in early voting, its clear that Virginia is a battleground, Ryer said. President Trump is holding a rally in Virginia because Virginia is in play. But Democrats have pushed back against the notion that the presidential race in Virginia has become more competitive in recent weeks. Donald Trump has been soundly defeated every time hes run in Virginia, and while hes welcome to waste his time campaigning here, Virginians are going to once again reject his extreme plans to roll back our rights and freedoms, wreck our economy, and raise taxes by nearly $4,000 for hardworking families, said Aaron Fritschner, a spokesman for the Harris campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Susan Swecker, the chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia, in a text message suggested that Trumps choice to visit the commonwealth this close before the election might reflect his campaigns dwindling options for large rallies, especially in competitive states where his standing is uncertain. The planned Salem rally, Swecker said, was another tired Trump gimmick to counter that his show has grown stale in the core battlegrounds, as his crowd sizes have plummeted and exhausted people walk out of his rallies. Trump is looking for fresh crowds in New Mexico and Virginia to rant and rave about conspiracies like Youngkins false conspiracy theories about voting, Swecker added. Trump has done the same last-minute stunts in places like New Mexico in 2016 and Minnesota in 2020, only to get crushed. Although Trump has never shied away from campaigning in Democratic-leaning areas as his recent visits to Monterey, California, and New York City have demonstrated political analysts are also skeptical, noting that Trump lost Virginia in two previous elections and that the state has become more solidly Democratic in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some suggest Trumps visit could be an attempt to create the appearance of momentum in the commonwealth, while others speculate it might serve as a rallying cry for his base in case he contests the results after a potential defeat. As recently as last week Trump said on the Joe Rogan Show that he doesnt trust the polls, but I cannot imagine his campaign thinks that Virginia is in play, especially since the most recent polls I have seen show Harris with a small, but outside-the-margin lead in the commonwealth, said John Aughenbaugh, an associate political science professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. I have to wonder if there are other reasons why he would spend valuable campaign time in Salem, when he could be visiting the truly competitive battleground states Pennsylvania, Wisconsin or Michigan. However, Aughenbaugh said, in 2016 most experts stated that Trump did not have a chance in either Pennsylvania or Wisconsin, yet he ended up winning there in part because his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton stopped campaigning in those states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aughenbaugh added that the Trump campaign also may be seizing on the heightened tensions over Gov. Glenn Youngkins recent executive order, which led to the removal of thousands of Virginians from the voter rolls and sparked legal challenges and national scrutiny. The controversy culminated Wednesday, when the U.S. Supreme Court granted a temporary stay in the ongoing legal dispute over the governors order a ruling in the Republicans favor. Political forecaster Larry Sabato, the director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, said that with Trumps rally in Salem a Republican stronghold the former president might not have a rational purpose and that he was simply playing to his base by projecting strength through crowd size. Trump is in part a creation of TV and The Apprentice, Sabato said, referring to NBCs reality television series which Trump hosted for 14 seasons. He knows that actual reality can be shaped by the projection of his preferred version of reality. His version right now is, Were going to win in a landslide and that includes Virginia. His MAGA troops will certainly buy it, and it will whip them up even more than they already are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while Salem is a four-hour drive from Washington, D.C., it is close enough to the networks so that coverage will be extensive on the final weekend, Sabato said. Rural areas are Trumps greatest strength, far more than urban-suburban territory. But Virginia is not competitive. If it was, wed be flooded with TV ads and boasts from the campaigns. But Anderson, the RPV chair, said he suspected that the Trump campaign may be trying to win Virginia by replicating Youngkins strategy during the 2021 gubernatorial election. President Trump has not been to Southwest Virginia, which is obviously a major Republican enclave that must be turned out in order to offset the blue areas of the state, principally the urban crescent that runs from Fairfax all the way down to Richmond and then turns east toward Norfolk, Anderson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, Youngkin successfully aimed at losing Northern Virginia by fewer voters than some Republicans before him while focusing on increasing GOP turnout in Southwest Virginia, Southside and other Republican areas, Anderson said. And Youngkin who during his gubernatorial bid managed to flip the commonwealth red by skillfully balancing his stance on a former president who remained highly unpopular with a significant portion of Virginia voters has now become one of Trumps biggest cheerleaders, willing to reiterate the campaigns message that the state is in play. Virginia is far more competitive than any of the pundits would believe, Youngkin told Fox Newss Bret Baier on Wednesday, vowing to attend the Salem rally. Editors note: This story has been updated at 9:24 a.m. to include a new presidential poll released Friday morning by the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE With days to go until America decides who will become the next president, there are concerns among some US allies over one of the most important aspects of their relationship with the worlds most powerful nation intelligence sharing. While a Kamala Harris presidency is expected to fit into a more predictable pattern of intelligence handling, security experts say some US allies have more anxiety about the alternative: Donald Trumps return to the White House. The Independent spoke to experts in intelligence, national security, and foreign policy from the UK, Australia, and Canada on the implications of a second Trump term. They all agree that the stakes couldnt be higher and suggest that the Republican candidates track record when it comes to leaking secret information is one of their causes for concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is trepidation about Mr Trump in the US intelligence community and throughout the Five Eyes network, Dr Michael Fullilove, executive director of Australias Lowy Institute for International Policy in Sydney, tells The Independent, referring to the intelligence-sharing network made up of the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The handling of secrets requires people to follow rules, Fullilove says. But Mr Trump doesnt seem to believe that rules apply to him. He sees himself as existing in a rule-free zone. When youre talking about the handling of classified intelligence, thats a problem. Experts are concerned about Donald Trumps intelligence handling (Getty/Donald Trump/X/The Independent) During Trumps first administration, the White House leaked like a sieve, Dr Daniel Larsen, a lecturer in intelligence and war studies at Scotlands Glasgow University and previously at Cambridge, tells The Independent. As a matter of law, a sitting president can declassify the most secret classified information, but US defense experts say even presidents have to transmit declassification orders through the proper channels. Trump and classified information In May 2017, months after taking office, Trump shared classified Israeli intelligence, concerning an undercover operation to infiltrate Isis, with the Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and the Russian ambassador to the US at the time, Sergey Kislyak, during a meeting in the Oval Office. Amid uproar, Trump insisted he had every right to do so, tweeting: As President I wanted to share with Russia (at an openly scheduled W.H. meeting) which I have the absolute right to do, facts pertaining to terrorism and airline flight safety. Humanitarian reasons, plus I want Russia to greatly step up their fight against ISIS & terrorism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, Trump tweeted a classified satellite image of a failed Iranian rocket launch to his millions of followers. Critics said that by doing so he risked revealing information about US surveillance techniques. Trump responded by telling reporters: We had a photo and I released it, which I have the absolute right to do. Trump is accused of illegally hoarding thousands of classified documents including papers relating to nuclear weapons and spy satellites at his Mar-a-Lago resort after his term as president ended. Criminal charges brought by special counsel Jack Smith were sensationally dismissed by a federal judge who was appointed by Trump, but Smith has appealed that decision. Meanwhile, Trump has said he will fire Smith for investigating him if he is elected, and has suggested that Smith should be forced to leave the country. Trump allegedly shared classified information about nuclear submarines to an Australian billionaire at Mar-a-Lago. In 2019, Trumps administration was accused of leaking information from the investigation into a terrorist attack on an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, which left 22 people dead. In response, British police briefly stopped sharing information with the US, although the UK intelligence agencies did not. Trump with Sergey Lavrov, left, and Sergey Kislyak in the Oval Office in May 2017. During the meeting Trump revealed secret information to his Russian guests about an Israeli intelligence operation. He later insisted he was entitled to do so (EPA) Despite the leaks from Trumps first term, experts largely agree that intelligence sharing between the allied nations would continue under a second Trump administration, but they acknowledge there would be some level of risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Professor Thomas Juneau, a former defense analyst with Canadas Department of National Defense, explains that his country relies heavily upon the network as it gets way more than it gives. Is Trump going to kill the Five Eyes on day one? No. Thats way too extreme. But it is conceivable, says Juneau, an associate professor at the University of Ottawa. Is it conceivable that in four years, the Five Eyes are weakened and that we dont necessarily get as much through as we used to? Yes, of course it is. Fullilove, of the Lowy Institute, maintains that the Five Eyes will survive Trump, and says the assertion that US allies would stop sharing information with the Americans if he were elected is unrealistic. But he adds an important caveat: Trust is critical. Kim Darroch, a former British ambassador to the US who resigned in 2019 following the leak of some of his dispatches that were critical of Trump, told The Independent that the relationship between the UK and US intelligence communities is close, strong and durable and will flourish whatever the political climate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christopher Steele, the former head of MI6s Russia desk who found himself at the center of a worldwide controversy after he authored the so-called Steele dossier, a series of startling allegations suggesting Trump might have been compromised by Moscow, has a much graver assessment. He tells The Independent that concern among British intelligence officials should be very high if Trump is re-elected. I dont think we can feel confident that any information that we give America as part of our very close and very important intelligence and security alliance would be safe, Steele says. In my 40-year career, Ive never felt so concerned about the state of the world. In 2019, a US Department of Justice report found that the FBI had raised doubts about the reliability of some of Steeles reports. However, Steele maintains to this day that the dossier an intelligence report collated for a private client contained original intelligence [and] was obtained from credible sources. In a new book titled Unredacted, Steele warns of a new world disorder if Trump takes back the White House next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The view on Trumps home turf was that some of his behavior was very disturbing to those in the intelligence world, according to former New York Times correspondent Thom Shanker, who covered the Pentagon, the military and national security for the paper. In June 2023, prosecutors unsealed an indictment that contained photographs of boxes of classified information stacked in Trumps Mar-a-Lago bathroom. Thats kind of what really shocked people, Shanker, George Washington Universitys Project Director for Media and National Security, tells The Independent. Boxes of classified documents found at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort (US Department of Justice/AFP via Getty Images) They were just in the open, where countless numbers of people just walked by and could have reached in and grabbed some or read them. So I think that was very disturbing to a lot of people who work in that world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joe Bidens home was also raided by the FBI in early 2023 after it emerged that he, too, took classified documents home with him when he was vice-president. Biden complied with the investigation, and no criminal charges were brought. Trump, however, was accused of a cover-up. When confronted with it, one cooperated with investigators, one obstructed, Shanker says. Taking the classified documents home is less telling than how they responded once they were confronted with it. So what do US allies think Trump 2.0 might look like? Darroch says he is more concerned about a potential second term. Back in 2016, Trump had never served in any level of government, so was entirely inexperienced on how to make things happen, he tells The Independent. And he brought some mainstream Republican figures into government who turned out not to share his ideas and objectives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He continues: If he wins a second term, its clear that he will appoint only supporters to positions around him, and he will have learnt from his first four years how to deliver. So bad ideas are much less likely to get stopped. Kim Darroch resigned as UK ambassador to the US in 2019 after dispatches critical of Trump were leaked (Getty) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juneau says it would be naive to assume Trumps second term would be like the first. My fear is that Trump two will be different, he warns. And the assumption that many are making here in Canada, but elsewhere too that we survived Trump one, so well be OK with Trump two I find that thats a naive assumption, even if its not completely impossible. Trump two will hit the ground running. Allied security services will be keeping a watchful eye on anyone Trump potentially nominates to head up the CIA and the NSA if he wins a second term. The thing that British intelligence would be watching like a hawk would be who he appoints to those positions, says Larsen, the British intelligence historian. There would obviously be more anxiety about a Trump administration just because of the much greater uncertainty as to who he might appoint and what those appointees might do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement British officials, Larsen adds, would consider whether Trump appointees might do something that would fundamentally change the bureaucratic relationship between these agencies on both sides of the Atlantic. [Whereas] with the Harris administration, you could count on the pretty traditional appointees to these organizations who would leave the relationship in place as it is, he says. Trump and Vladimir Putin shake hands at the beginning of a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland on 16 July 2018 (AP) Differences in foreign policy could include Trumps attitude to Nato, the 32-member Western defense organization, which he has repeatedly criticized. In February, he said the US would not help defend members who failed to spend 2 per cent of their GDP on defense, as per NATO targets. Instead, he said, he would tell the Russians to do whatever the hell they want. John Bolton, who served as Trumps national security adviser, has said he feared Trump was planning to pull the US out of NATO completely. Some observers suggest he may do that in a second term, or perhaps just make clear that he would not back NATOs Article 5 commitment to come to the defense of any member that is attacked. Trump has also repeatedly praised Russian president Vladimir Putin, among other dictators. At a joint news conference in Helsinki in July 2018, Trump surprised onlookers by taking Putins word over that of US intelligence agencies on the issue of whether Russia had interfered in the 2016 US election. Unlike the first administration, Juneau says, Trump would surround himself with people who will loyally implement his true vision from day one. Jim Mattis, the first secretary of defense, some of [Trumps] first national security advisers, some of the people at the CIA, like [Mike] Pompeo, they were Republicans. They were conservatives, but they were professionals, and they were actively blocking Trumps craziest ideas, says Juneau. The fear has got to be, from a Canadian national security perspective, [that] that wont be the case under Trump two. Fullilove agrees that Trump leant on the so-called adults in the room when he was first in office. This time, he has said that he doesnt want those kinds of people in the room, and many of them will choose not to be in the room with him because theyve seen what happened to the people who served him in his first term, he adds. So you are likely to see more Maga characters in senior positions. Trump in the Oval Office during his first term (EPA) But Fullilove stresses that while it would be harder a second time round, Trump would not go completely unchecked. On the other hand, dont underestimate the resilience of the American system: the permanent civil service, the military, the Congress, the courts. He is also encouraged to hear JD Vance express his support for AUKUS, the trilateral security and defense partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US but warns that there is still some nervousness because of his running mate. I asked JD Vance about AUKUS at the Munich Security Conference in February, and he said that hes a fan, Fullilove said. The problem is that Mr Trump has no personal stake in AUKUS, and he has made a habit of ripping up deals that his predecessors signed. So, there is some risk to AUKUS. I wouldnt overstate it, but there is some nervousness in Canberra. When approached for comment, the Trump campaign claimed that the Harris-Biden administration has put our national security at risk more than any administration in history. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaigns national press secretary, said in a statement to The Independent: When President Trump was in office, NATO was strong, there was no war in Ukraine, and the Middle East was stable. Under Kamala Harris, the entire world is on the brink of a major war as Putin continues his crusade into Ukraine and Iran is funding terrorist attacks against our ally, Israel. Leavitt added: President Trump will restore world peace through American strength and ensure European nations carry their weight by paying their fair share to our mutual defense to lighten the unfair burden on American taxpayers. As Americans head to the polls on Nov. 5, the world holds its collective breath as the count to determine the most powerful politician in the world goes down to the wire. The world is in the most fragile and dangerous state that it has been for a generation with war in Europe, conflict in the Middle East, and tension with China, Darroch said. Against this backdrop, the American peoples decision on who leads them for the next four years is more consequential than ever. Arizona's top prosecutor is investigating comments former President Donald Trump made on Thursday night about former Rep. Liz Cheney. Trump called Cheney a "radical war hawk" for her stance on foreign policy and suggested the Republican wouldnt be willing to send troops into battle if she faced a firing squad herself. Attorney General Kris Mayes said Friday she was going to see if what Trump said "qualifies as a death threat under Arizona's laws." Speaking at a rally in Arizona alongside former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Trump was asked whether it was weird to see Cheney campaign against him. Trump responded that Cheney was a deranged person who disagreed with him because she always wanted to go to war with people and fought against Trumps decision to pull troops from Syria and Iraq. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes a radical war hawk, he said. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? And lets see how she feels about it, you know, when the guns are trained on her face. Later in the day, at a rally in Michigan, a state with a large Muslim population, Trump called Cheney a "Muslim-hating warmonger." He also again invited his audience to imagine guns being pointed at Cheney, saying, "If you gave Liz Cheney a gun and put her into battle facing the other side with guns pointing at her, she wouldn't have the courage or the strength or the stamina to even look the enemy in the eye." Cheney, a fierce critic of Trump who has campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris, likened Trumps earlier remarks to a death threat. This is how dictators destroy free nations, Cheney responded on X. They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris told reporters on Friday that she had not had a chance to personally speak to Cheney since Trump's comments were made. "I know Liz Cheney well enough to know she is tough, she is incredibly courageous and has shown herself to be a true patriot," Harris said. "We see this kind of rhetoric that is violent in nature where we see this kind of spirit coming from Donald Trump that is so laden with the desire for revenge and retribution." Cheney, a lifelong Republican and the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, has endorsed Harris for president and has accompanied the Democratic nominee to several swing-state rallies. Her father also announced in September that he would be voting for Harris. Who is Liz Cheney, and whats her relationship to the Republican Party? Cheney represented Wyomings congressional district from 2017 to 2023 and was the chair of the House Republican Conference from 2019 to 2021, where she served as Congresss highest-ranking Republican woman. She was ousted from her position after she criticized Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When her father was vice president to former President George W. Bush, she held several positions in the State Department. Cheney voted for Trump in 2016 and again in 2020 as they both aligned on being against issues like Obamacare, environmental regulation and gun control. But after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, Cheney told NPR, Theres simply no defense, no excuse for putting that power back in the hands of Donald Trump, who attempted to seize power and stay in office already one illegally. She later voted to impeach him. Look, I was never going to support Joe Biden, and I do regret the vote, Cheney said in March 2021. I will do everything I can to make sure [Trump is] not the nominee. Trump and Cheneys conflict goes back years Trump and Cheney have butted heads for a while, but it crescendoed when Cheney took a seat on the congressional committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Later that year, Trump said in a speech, The Liz Cheneys of the world, we got to get rid of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, Trump suggested that Cheney and other members of the committee should be jailed. Cheney on the campaign trail with Harris Cheneys role with the Harris campaign is to reach undecided voters and conservative voters especially women who do not support Trump. Its not about party; its about right and wrong, Cheney told a crowd in Michigan. I certainly have many Republicans who will say to me, I cant be public. They do worry about a whole range of things, including violence, but theyll do the right thing. And I would just remind people, if youre at all concerned, you can vote [with] your conscience and not ever have to say a word to anybody. Cheney joined Harris for several battleground state stops, including Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. A Washington Post-Schar School Deciders poll conducted Sept. 30 to Oct. 15 found that 26% of voters in those states were still undecided. If people are uncertain, if people are thinking, Well, you know, Im a conservative, I dont know that I can support Vice President Harris, I would say, I dont know if anybody is more conservative than I am, Cheney said at the Michigan campaign stop. I understand the most conservative value there is: to defend the Constitution. GLENDALE, Ariz. At an on-stage event dominated by extensive rambling and derogatory attacks against his opponents, former President Donald Trump just four days out from Election Day suggested that one of his top Republican critics would not be such a "war hawk" if she had guns "trained on her face." Trump, sitting in a chair next to right-wing media personality Tucker Carlson for what was billed as a live interview event, told an arena of thousands of supporters Thursday that President Joe Biden was a stupid bastard and his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, was a sleaze bag. He also said that he would let Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, do anything he wants in his second administration related to healthcare policy, noting that his newfound political ally wants to look at the vaccines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He really wants to with the pesticides and the, you know, all the different things. I said, he can do it, Trump said of the former independent presidential candidate. He can do anything he wants. He wants to look at the vaccines. He wants everything. I think its great, Trump continued. But the former president, no stranger to personal attacks, reserved his most violent comments for former Rep. Liz Cheney. They were the latest example of Trump using violent rhetoric against his perceived foes. In a lengthy and uncompromising riff on Cheney, Trump seemed to insinuate that the former congresswoman would be less of a war hawk as Trump referred to her if she was in a war herself with guns trained on her face. Shes a radical war hawk. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, Trump said. Okay, lets see how she feels about it. You know when the guns are trained on her face you know, theyre all war hawks when theyre sitting in Washington in a nice building, Trump continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Friday, President Trump was clearly explaining that warmongers like Liz Cheney are very quick to start wars and send other Americans to fight them, rather than go into combat themselves. In an updated statement later Friday morning, Leavitt said Trump's remarks were "100% correct" and claimed the backlash over the comments was "the latest fake media outrage days before the election in a blatant attempt to interfere on behalf of Kamala Harris." In a post on his Truth Social website Friday afternoon, Trump said that Cheney "wouldnt have the guts to fight herself. Its easy for her to talk, sitting far from where the death scenes take place, but put a gun in her hand, and let her go fight, and shell say, 'No thanks!'" In the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, the relationship between Trump and Cheney frayed. Cheney and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, one of the architects of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, have endorsed Harris over Trump. Cheney, here on NBC News' Meet The Press, has been a vocal critic of her party's presidential nominee. Shes a stupid person, Trump said on Thursday night about the Republican former congresswoman, also calling her a bad person and a very dumb individual. Carlson referred to her as Dick Cheneys repulsive little daughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump explicitly told the Arizona crowd that he will only lose next Tuesdays election if there is cheating, setting the stage to dispute a potential loss. Just keep the cheating down, he said. The only thing can stop us is the cheating. Its the only thing that can stop us. Liz Cheney has recently appeared on the campaign trail with Harris, warning of Trumps efforts to subvert the will of voters. Cheney responded to Trump on social media early Friday. This is how dictators destroy free nations," she posted on X. "They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. #Womenwillnotbesilenced #VoteKamala. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaigns spokesperson, Ian Sams, said in a statement blasted Trumps comments and said that the former president is so all-consumed by his grievances, the people who he disagrees with and who he sees as opposing him politically, he treats as enemies." Former Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., who survived an assassination attempt in 2011, called for other Republicans to rebuke Trump over his comments and appealed to voters to reject his "calls for violence and retribution" in a statement posted to X by her gun violence prevention organization. "Declaring that a person should be shot and killed simply for supporting a different candidate is un-American," she said. "Any Republican who claims to respect the constitution and rule of law has a responsibility to speak out against Donald Trump's dangerous comments immediately." In other instances, Trump has suggested during the campaign that Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, deserved to face the death penalty. He has also called for shoplifters to be shot on sight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The degrading comments from Trump about his perceived enemies come as polling shows a consistent reticence among many women toward his candidacy a gender gap that benefits Harris in most polling, nationally, by more than double digits. Women, also, are early voting at a significantly higher rate than men so far. Harris has sought to emphasize this in the closing stages of the race. She told NBC News in an exclusive interview on Thursday that Trumps remarks this week about protecting women whether they like it or not is another sign of how he devalues women. Trump delivered the harsh remarks in pivotal Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix and has the biggest population in Arizona. In 2020, voter defections from Trump driven by independents, women and suburban voters led the county to vote against the Republican presidential candidate for the first time in decades, costing Trump Arizonas 11 electoral votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, from the stage, also touted what would amount to a staggering and consequential proposal: That he would turn to Elon Musk to help massively shed the federal budget, potentially by even one-third of its current annual spending level. Neither Trump nor Musk has offered any specifics about what programs or even agencies it would eliminate to fulfill such a staggering cut. He thinks he can save $2 trillion in which case we dont have a deficit, Trump said. Two trillion dollars a year, by the way! After two earlier campaign rallies in the day in New Mexico and Nevada Trump concluded his final stop late into the western night with demeaning name-calling and semi-tangential commentaries that lasted several minutes. Trump with Carlson at the end of the lengthy live interview in Glendale, Ariz., on Thursday night. Before Trump took the stage, Carlson delivered an oration about masculinity, in which he mocked Second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Gov. Tim Walz, who he referred to as the creepy guy thats following [Harris] around on the campaign trail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the closing days of his third presidential campaign, Trump has hit the road without his one-time GOP rivals, like former Amb. Nikki Haley, Gov. Ron DeSantis or Sen. Tim Scott. He has also not rallied with Georgias popular GOP Gov. Brian Kemp. Instead, Trump has chosen to align himself on the trail with provocative figures like Charlie Kirk, who said this week that wives who secretly vote for Harris in the election would undermine their husbands, and Carlson, who was fired by Fox News. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Former President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he would "protect" women "whether the women like it or not," a comment the Harris campaign immediately pounced on. Trump said at his rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, that his "people" previously told him they did not think he should say that he wanted to "protect the women of our country," comments he has previously made on the campaign trail. "I said, 'Well, Im going to do it, whether the women like it or not,'" Trump said. "Im going to protect them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President Kamala Harris and her campaign quickly highlighted his comments on X. "Donald Trump thinks he should get to make decisions about what you do with your body," Harris said in a post. "Whether you like it or not." A Harris campaign spokesperson, Sarafina Chitika, also said on X that Trump "thinks he knows better than the women of America." Reached for comment, Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said: "Harris may be the first woman Vice President but she has implemented dangerously liberal policies that have left women worse off financially and far less safe than we were four years ago under President Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Women deserve a President who will secure our nations borders, remove violent criminals from our neighborhoods, and build an economy that helps our families thrive and thats exactly what President Trump will do," Leavitt added, pointing to the White House's record on migration and the economy. Harris has centered much of her campaign on preserving and expanding reproductive rights after the end of Roe v. Wade. She frequently says at rallies that she wants to sign a bill reinstating the protections of the landmark Supreme Court case into law. Trumps campaign is trying to win over female voters in a race in which polling indicates razor-thin margins across several battleground states. Trump, already facing criticism from within his Republican ranks for being overly masculine and for underperforming among female voters in recent polling, has taken credit for the end of Roe v. Wade, saying he was able to kill it, and he has lauded the issue of abortions being sent to the states. Trump has also said he would not sign a federal abortion ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An NBC News poll this month indicated a large gender gap in voter preferences for the candidates, with women backing Harris by a 14-percentage-point margin and men supporting Trump by a 16-point margin. The same poll found that voters considered abortion to be their top motivating issue, with 22% saying they consider it important enough that they would vote solely on the issue. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Donald Trump has said those who consider him "a friend of Russia" are "sick," in an interview with controversial far-right commentator Tucker Carlson in Arizona on Oct.31. "They love to say that I was a friend of Russia. I worked for Russia, I was a Russian spy these people are sick," he said. According to journalist Bob Woodward's new book, Trump secretly spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin as many as seven times after he left office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has repeatedly backed and praised Putin and rarely criticized him. He described Russia's invasion of Ukraine as "genius" and "savvy" in 2022. Later, Trump blamed President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Joe Biden for Moscow's all-out war. In 2018, Trump accepted Putins denial of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election over an assessment from his own intelligence services. The interview with Carlson comes less than a week before the U.S. presidential election, when Trump will face the Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris. On the campaign trail, Trump has repeatedly said he could end Russia's war within 24 hours if elected president, without elaborating on how he plans to achieve it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A recent article by the Financial Times (FT) claims that Trump aims to effectively freeze the war and reject Ukraine's NATO membership in the foreseeable future, at least "until Putin leaves the stage." In an interview with Carlson, Trump claimed actions he took related to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline showed he wasn't friendly with Russia. Under Trump, the U.S. government imposed sanctions against Russian companies and the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. "I killed. Nobody would kill it but me. I stopped it," Trump claimed. Read also: Trumps reported plan to freeze Russias war unrealistic, Ukrainian lawmaker says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, filed a lawsuit on Thursday - just days before Tuesday's election - against US broadcaster CBS, alleging it manipulated an interview with his rival Democrat Kamala Harris. Trump is demanding $10 billion in damages and filed the case in a Texas court, seen as a calculated move to ensure the case is assigned to a conservative judge. However, the chances of success are considered low given the US First Amendment, which offers strong freedom of speech protections. The dispute ignited in early October over an interview with Harris on the popular political programme "60 Minutes," during which she was questioned about Israel. CBS aired two different excerpts of her answer on two consecutive days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That led to Trump's supporters accusing CBS to deliberately portray Harris in a more favourable light. Trump's lawyers subsequently demanded the release of the full interview transcript, which CBS refused. The broadcaster dismissed the manipulation allegations and stated segmenting sections of an interview is common to fit the programme's time constraints. US courts have historically granted media extensive editorial freedoms especially since the Constitution's First Amendment explicitly safeguards press freedom. CBS emphasized that its editorial decisions are part of journalistic freedom. Donald Trump is rebutting the fascist charge in the final days of the campaign by publicly fantasizing about one of his leading critics facing what sounds an awful lot like a military firing squad. Speaking with Tucker Carlson, an ex-Fox News anchor who recently interviewed a Holocaust denier and claimed that he was physically attacked by a demon such is the state of American conservatism Trump lambasted former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., as a deranged person who only dislikes him because, in his telling, hes reluctant to invade other countries. The reason she couldnt stand me is that she always wanted to go to war with people. If it were up to her wed be in 50 different countries, Trump claimed. Shes a radical war hawk. Lets put her with the rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her. OK, lets see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former president and three-time Republican nominee has in recent weeks repeated his call for using the military to go after the enemy within. Over the summer, he also shared a post on social media declaring Cheney GUILTY OF TREASON and calling for her and other such traitors to be subjected to TELEVISED MILITARY TRIBUNALS. A generous assessment of Trumps remarks would be that hes just engaged in typical antiwar rhetoric, lambasting the militarism of those who would start a war but never fight in one themselves. In this telling, Trump is not calling for Cheneys execution, as the Drudge Report put it, but merely engaged in some opportunistic criticism, if not rank projection. During the Vietnam War, a 22-year-old Trump got out of the draft by having a friend of his father claim that he had bone spurs (that friend later described the diagnosis as a favor). There is no record of him then protesting that conflict. As president, the 78-year-old Republican was anything but antiwar, escalating every military conflict he oversaw, from Syria to Yemen to Somalia within hours of taking office, he authorized a disastrous Special Forces raid that killed an 8-year-old girl (and U.S. citizen) while eliminating safeguards meant to protect civilians from American drone strikes. He threatened to start a war with North Korea, before befriending its dictator, and dropped a $16 million MOAB (or, Mother of All Bombs) on Afghanistan the largest non-nuclear munition in the U.S. militarys arsenal. Thousands of people were directly killed by the U.S. military during Trumps four years in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I do is authorize my military, Trump said as a way of explanation, meaning: He got the lawyers out of the way and told the armed forces to do as they please, at whatever cost to foreign life. The man who campaigned in 2016 on not just killing terrorists but their families took that ethos to the presidency. As The Washington Post reported, Trump, as president, was shown a video of a CIA air strike in Syria, in which the operator opened fire only after the target walked away from the home in which their wife and children resided. Instead of praising their diligence, Trump demanded to know: Why did you wait? All of which is to say: When Trump criticizes Cheney for being a war hawk he does so because her last name is Cheney and thats the most obvious criticism. Its no different than Trump calling his former ally Chris Christie fat: Its an easy, superficial attack that many critics would say applies to him too. Consider Iraq: In 2000, per CNN, Trump was advocating a preemptive strike. Im no warmonger. But the fact is, if we decide a strike against Iraq is necessary, it is madness not to carry the mission to its conclusion, he wrote. Two years later, he told Howard Stern that he backed a U.S. invasion, lamenting only that it hadnt been done correctly during the first Gulf War. He turned against the war only after everyone else did, around 2006; by the time he was running for president, in 2016, he was attacking former President Barack Obama for getting out, accusing him of founding the Islamic State by ending the U.S. occupation. Cheney, recall, voted for Trump twice, while her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, even appeared at a Trump campaign fundraiser in 2020. Both only broke with Trump after Jan. 6, 2021, when they saw him incite a mob and try to seize power after losing a free and fair election. They may well be hawks, but that is not their issue with Trump and it is certainly not Trumps real issue with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having established that Trump himself is a militarist one actively encouraging his allies in Israel to ignore the haters (from human rights lawyers to President Joe Biden) and do what you have to do to Gaza and Lebanon; one who argues that might makes right and that Ukraine should have never even tried to fight off Russia we can safely dismiss his fantasy about Liz Cheney as being about matters of war and peace. It seems, really, that the former president cant get over Cheney abandoning him (for a Black woman, no less) and that hes treating his narcissistic injury by publicly imagining scenarios in which she might die, complete with the number of armed men (nine, the same as a U.S. Army Infantry Rifle Squad) who would be pointing their guns at her. To Cheney, at least, the implication was clear. This is how dictators destroy free nations, she wrote on social media. They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. Donald Trump said former Rep. Liz Cheney is a war hawk who should be fired upon, as he raged against one of his most prominent intra-party critics while campaigning Thursday night in Arizona. Shes a radical war hawk. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? the former president said at a campaign event in Glendale with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Lets see how she feels about it, you know, when the guns are trained on her face. Trump also hurled insults at Cheney, once the third-ranking Republican in House leadership, calling her very dumb, a stupid person and the moron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps suggestion that Cheney should face gunfire represents an escalation of the violent language he has used to target his political foes. And it comes days before an election in which the former president who never accepted his 2020 loss has already undermined public confidence. In recent weeks, he has also suggested a military crackdown on political opponents he has described as the enemy within. Cheney is perhaps the most vocal Republican critic of Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and his role in his supporters January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol. She played a leading role on the House select committee that investigated the attack, and later was ousted from her deep-red Wyoming House seat by a Trump-backed primary opponent in 2022. Cheney responded to Trumps comments overnight, saying: This is how dictators destroy free nations. In a post on X, the former congresswoman went on to say: They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent weeks, Cheney has campaigned alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, urging Republicans to set aside party differences to back the Democrat and reject a candidate she says poses a threat to democracy. Harris, who told reporters traveling with her Friday that she hadnt spoken with the former congresswoman since the comment, said anyone who uses such rhetoric is clearly disqualified and unqualified to be president. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, on Friday said that her office is investigating whether Trumps comments are a death threat under state law. I have already asked my criminal division chief to start looking at that statement, analyzing it for whether it qualifies as a death threat under Arizonas laws, Mayes told Arizona station 12 News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not prepared now to say whether it was or it wasnt, but it is not helpful as we prepare for our election and as we try to make sure that we keep the peace at our polling places and in our state, she added. Following outrage over the remark, the Trump campaign on Friday issued a statement, which it later elaborated on, defending the former president. President Trump is 100% correct that warmongers like Liz Cheney are very quick to start wars and send other Americans to fight them, rather than go into combat themselves. This is the continuation of the latest fake media outrage days before the election in a blatant attempt to interfere on behalf of Kamala Harris, Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said. Dick Cheneys Harris support surprised Trump On Thursday, Trump also told Carlson he was surprised former Vice President Dick Cheney also endorsed Harris because he had pardoned Cheneys former chief of staff Scooter Libby, who was convicted of perjury in 2007. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont blame him for sticking with his daughter, but his daughters a very dumb individual very dumb, Trump said. Trump said Cheney is a stupid person and claimed that when the Wyoming Republican was in House Republican leadership, she always wanted to go to war with people. You know, theyre all war hawks when theyre sitting in Washington in a nice building, saying Lets send 10,000 troops right into the mouth of the enemy, he said. The office of former President George W. Bush, in whose administration Dick Cheney served as vice president and Liz Cheney worked in the State Department, declined to comment about Trumps remarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump continued his attacks Friday, calling Liz Cheney a disgrace and saying, If she had to do it herself and she had to face the consequences of battle, she wouldnt be doing it. Long history of violent rhetoric Trumps use of violent language dates back to his first presidential campaign, in 2015 and 2016, when he suggested a heckler deserved to be roughed up and said hed like to punch another in the face. Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper wrote in his memoir that while in office, Trump raised the idea of shooting protesters who took to the streets around the White House after the killing of George Floyd in 2020. Cant you just shoot them? Just shoot them in the legs or something? Trump asked, according to Esper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He began his bid for the 2024 Republican nomination by telling the Conservative Political Action Conference gathering, I am your retribution. Days later, he said at a rally in Waco, Texas, that the 2024 election would be the final battle. And throughout his campaign, he has described those convicted for their actions during the Capitol riot as hostages. Harris has pointed to Trumps actions and rhetoric including in a speech she delivered this week from the Ellipse in Washington, the same site where Trump delivered his January 6, 2021, speech as she tries to court independents and moderate Republicans. Donald Trump intends to use the United States military against American citizens who simply disagree with him. People he calls the enemy from within. This is not a candidate for president who is thinking about how to make your life better, Harris said in her Tuesday night remarks. This is someone who is unstable, obsessed with revenge, consumed with grievance, and out for unchecked power. This story has been updated with additional developments. CNNs Jamie Gangel, Kristen Holmes and Kate Sullivan contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Elisabeth Warren, Democrat Senator from Massachusetts joins Nicolle Wallace on Deadline White House to discuss Donald Trumps latest obscene comments about women and how they could impact undecided women 5 days out from the Election. Former President Trump is spurring backlash with his comments about former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) in which he described her having guns trained on her face while criticizing her foreign policy. Ian Sams, senior adviser for the Vice President Harriss campaign, slammed Trump for dangerous, violent rhetoric. You have Donald Trump, whos talking about sending a prominent Republican to the firing squad. And you have Vice President Harris talking about sending one to her Cabinet, Sams said Friday morning on MSNBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On MSNBCs Morning Joe on Friday, host Joe Scarborough said Trump was calling for Cheney being shot in the face by nine guns nine rifles the closing weekend of the campaign. Not only what it says about the Republican Party in 2024, but also what it must look like in London, in Paris, in Madrid, in Warsaw, across the world, Scarborough said. Trump made the comments about Cheney during a fireside chat with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson in Arizona on Thursday evening, while criticizing Cheneys father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, for endorsing Harris. I dont blame him for sticking with his daughter, but his daughter is a very dumb individual, very dumb, Trump said Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes a radical war hawk, Trump said. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK. Lets see how she feels about it, you know, when the guns are trained on her face. You know, theyre all war hawks when theyre sitting in Washington in a nice building saying, oh, gee, well, lets send lets send 10,000 troops right into the mouth of the enemy. Cheney has emerged as one of Trumps most vocal Republican opponents since the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, and has jumped into the race this cycle on behalf of Harris and a handful of downballot Democrats. She responded to Trumps remarks, posting on the social platform X that it was akin to a death threat. This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death, Cheney said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump Campaign National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to the backlash by saying that said that Trumps words were being taken out of context. President Trump is 100% correct that warmongers like Liz Cheney are very quick to start wars and send other Americans to fight them, rather than go into combat themselves. This is the continuation of the latest fake media outrage days before the election in a blatant attempt to interfere on behalf of Kamala Harris, Leavitt said. Former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.), who is running for Congress against Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), took a swipe at his opponent for supporting Trump in light of the comments. As Donald Trump calls for the murder of Liz Cheney, it is despicable and disqualifying that Mike Lawler continues to support him, Jones posted on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 11:05 a.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (The Hill) Former President Trump is suing CBS News over a 60 Minutes interview it broadcast with Vice President Harris earlier this month that he and his allies have claimed was edited to cast her in a positive light. The lawsuit, which seeks $10 billion in damages and was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in the northern district of Texas alleges the network engaged in partisan and unlawful acts of election and voter interference through malicious, deceptive, and substantial news distortion. To paper over Kamalas word salad weakness, CBS used its national platform on 60 Minutes to cross the line from the exercise of judgment in reporting to deceitful, deceptive manipulation of news, the lawsuit reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBS News did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump and his allies have railed against CBS for weeks over the wide-ranging interview with Harris, pointing to an answer the vice president gave to a question about the war in Gaza that was not included in the full broadcast and instead published by the outlet online. It is standard practice for broadcast outlets to edit questions and answers during interviews with major newsmakers for clarity, accuracy and time. Trump initially agreed to sit for a similar interview with 60 Minutes, the network said at the time it broadcast its conversation with Harris, but the former president backed out after the program said it would fact check him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump first teased a potential lawsuit against CBS earlier this month, saying the network should lose their license and take 60 Minutes off the air. CBS is one of several mainstream news networks Trump has threatened to use the federal government to crack down on over coverage that is critical of him. Trumps lawsuit was filed in federal court in Amarillo, Texas, which guaranteed it would be assigned to U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk. His single-judge division has become an attractive forum for Republican-led lawsuits challenging Biden administration actions. Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee, last year suspended the federal approval of the abortion-pill mifepristone before he was overturned by the Supreme Court and in 2021 reinstated the Trump Remain in Mexico asylum policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zach Schonfeld contributed Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Donald Trump is suing CBS News for $10 billion over claims the network doctored an interview with Kamala Harris to make her appear more coherent. The network was accused of bias with Trump and his supporters claiming it had deliberately edited a word saladanswer given by the vice-president during a 60 Minutes interview. In a preview aired a day before the interview, Ms Harris was seen giving a rambling response to a question about Israel, but in the actual interview the following day her answer to the same question was significantly shorter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The network later admitted it had clipped the vice-presidents answer to make it more succinct, but rejected Trumps claim that its editing was deceitful. CBS '60 Minutes' The president is now suing CBS for billions in damages, claiming that its actions amounted to voter interference and were an attempt to tip the scales in favor of the Democratic Party in the election. Trumps lawyers filed the lawsuit on Thursday in response to what they called CBSs partisan and unlawful acts of election and voter interference through malicious, deceptive, and substantial news distortion calculated to confuse, deceive, and mislead the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump brings this action to redress the immense harm caused to him, to his campaign, and to tens of millions of citizens in Texas and across America by CBSs deceptive broadcasting conduct, the lawsuit, obtained by Fox News Digital, said. It comes after Trumps representatives wrote to CBS News urging the network to release the full transcript of the interview with Ms Harris. They have also asked CBS to hold onto all records of the interview pending a potential legal fight. CBS refused to release the transcript, citing its First Amendment rights, adding that the interview was not doctored and that the programme did not hide any part of the vice-presidents answer to the question at issue. Response more focussed In the preview clip, Ms Harriss answer was: The work that we have done has resulted in a number of movements in that region by Israel that were very much prompted by, or a result of, many things, including our advocacy for what needs to happen in the region, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when the interview aired on Mondays show, Ms Harris appeared to give a more focused response: We are not going to stop pursuing what is necessary for the United States to be clear about where we stand on the need for this war to end. The vice-presidents response to host Bill Whittakers question was mocked by Republicans at the time, with Trump later calling the editing incident the single biggest scandal in broadcast history. To paper over Kamalas word salad weakness, CBS used its national platform on 60 Minutes to cross the line from the exercise of judgement in reporting to deceitful, deceptive manipulation of news, the lawsuit read. Trumps lawyers accused the network of distorting the interview to boost their preferred candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit said CBS was responsible for accurately representing the truth of events, not distorting an interview to try and falsely make their preferred candidate appear coherent and decisive, which Kamala most certainly is not. Due to CBS actions, the public could not distinguish which Kamala they saw in the Interview: the candidate or the actual puppet of a behind-the-scenes editor, the lawsuit continued, adding that the question on the war in Gaza was of the utmost public significance. In addition to the $10 billion sum, Trump is demanding a jury trial. A CBS News spokesman said: Former President Trumps repeated claims against 60 Minutes are false. The Interview was not doctored; and 60 Minutes did not hide any part of the Vice Presidents answer to the question at issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 60 Minutes fairly presented the interview to inform the viewing audience, and not to mislead it. The lawsuit Trump has brought today against CBS is completely without merit and we will vigorously defend against 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. During an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson in Arizona, former President Donald Trump on Thursday suggested that former Rep. Liz Cheney one of his highest-profile Republican critics should be shot for being a radical war hawk. On stage, Carlson asked Trump how he felt watching Cheney, whom the conservative media host described as Dick Cheneys repulsive little daughter, campaign against him alongside Vice President Kamala Harris. Cheney has joined Harris on the campaign trail to display political unity in an appeal to moderate Republicans and never-Trumpers. Well, I think it hurts Kamala a lot, actually. Look, shes a deranged person, Trump said. But the reason she couldnt stand me is that she always wanted to go to war with people. I dont want to go to war. She wanted to stay in Syria. I took em out. She wanted to stay in Iraq. I took em out. If it were up to her, we would be in 50 different countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes a radical war hawk. Lets put her with a rifle standing there, with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Lets see how she feels about it when the guns are trained on her face, he said. In response on Friday, Cheney likened Trumps comments to a death threat. This is how dictators destroy free nations. They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant. #Womenwillnotbesilenced #VoteKamala, Cheney posted on X, formerly Twitter. Cheney lost her seat in Congress in 2022 after becoming an outspoken Trump critic. She was the top House Republican on the committee investigating the January 6 Capitol insurrection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head and critically injured in 2011 while meeting with constituents in Arizona, condemned Trumps comments on Friday. She previously condemned all political violence following one of the assassination attempts against Trump, describing the incident as an indefensible act of violence. Following Trumps remarks about Cheney, Giffords similarly denounced Trumps suggestion that Cheney should be shot. Declaring that a person should be shot and killed simply for supporting a different candidate is un-American. Any Republican who claims to respect the constitution and rule of law has a responsibility to speak out against Donald Trumps dangerous comments immediately, Giffords said in a statement. To check your voter registration status or to get more information about registering to vote, text 19thnews to 26797. The post Trump suggests Liz Cheney should be shot appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. Donald Trumps bizarre closing message Friday to supporters in Michigan: Dont pay your bills if youre not satisfied with the job done. I pay more than Im supposed to when they can do a good job, but when they dont do a good job, dont pay your damn bill, Trump said during a a meandering rally in which he also spoke of his beautiful white skin and wrongly claimed the U.S. is in a recession. The off-the-cuff comment about stiffing workers was declared to a packed arena just four days before Americans are set to decide who will become their next president: Trump or Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. And he hinted that hed be stiffing his own campaign contractors as he struggled with his podium microphonesomething he indicated has been a regular issue on the campaign trail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican nominee was speaking about manufacturing jobs when, all of a sudden, his microphone got louder. The 78-year-old Trump appeared ecstatic with the adjustment, but the person who made the fix may not be so happy should Trumps accountants follow through with their boss demand. Thats better with the mic, thats better. Backstage, these mic guys, Im telling you, Trump said, clearly irritated. Im having a lot of problems with mics lately. Im not happy, Trump said before raising his voice. Get yourself a new contractor, please, and dont pay the bill for this contractor. Trump: "These mic guys. I'm telling you I'm having a lot of problems with mics lately. I'm not happy. Get yourself a new contractor please. And don't pay the bill for this contractor ... when they don't do a good job, don't pay your damn bill." pic.twitter.com/QKuqmLmDrT Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 1, 2024 Trump then went on to mock one of his favorite targets: the media. He predicted the press will write articles about him stiffing the mic guys, as theyve done previously in reporting on the people Trump has refused to paysuch as the municipalities who said last month they were being stiffed out of a combined $750,000 from Trump rallies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump eventually got back on topic after issuing one final grumpy complaint: I gotta do these speeches like three, four times a day for 62 days, almost. And then on top of it, I have a mic that doesnt work half the time. With the microphone annoyance out of the way, Trump went on to claim that the U.S. economy is headed for a recession if he isnt voted back into the White House. That claim contradicts what Trump said himself earlier this week at an event in Texas, where he said he is to thank for the booming U.S. economy because Wall Street experts think hes going to win next week. Trump also claimedwronglyon Friday that Harris, 60, had referred to Trump supporters as being garbage, total garbage. He repeated his usual insults, calling her a very dumb woman and a low IQ individual. Trump: That beautiful white skin that I have would be nice and tan. I have the whitest skin because I never have time to go out in the sun. I have that beautiful white. It couldve been beautiful tan. pic.twitter.com/EWteCNVahP Acyn (@Acyn) November 1, 2024 Perhaps the the clearest proof that Trump arrived in Michigan with no hard talking points to stick to came when he rambled about his beautiful white skin, suggesting he could be much tanner had he not dedicated nearly the last decade to politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Somebody said to me, are you glad you did it? I said, absolutely. But I could have been on the best beaches in the world, Trump said. I could have had suchI could have been at the great Turnberry [hotel] in Scotland. I could have been anywhere I wanted to be. I could have had those waves smacking me in the face. I could have that white, beautiful white skin that I have, would be nice and tan. I got the whitest skin because I never have time to go out on this sun but I have that beautiful white and, you know what, it could have been beautiful tan, beautiful. Crowd: *chants fix the mic* Trump: Do you want to see me knock the hell out of people backstage? I get so mad, I'm up here seething. I'm working my ass off with this stupid mic. pic.twitter.com/tCwpNY4xFF Acyn (@Acyn) November 2, 2024 Hours later in Milwaukee, another faulty microphone frustrated Trump even more. Do you want to see me knock the hell out of people backstage? he asked the crowd while using a corded microphone as a backup. Its a pretty stupid situation, but thats OK. I get so angry. Im up here seething. Im seething! Im working my ass off with this stupid mic. Audio failures at Trumps rallies have been occurring more frequently of late. At a Michigan campaign stop a couple weeks ago, his microphone cut out, leaving him pacing the stage for nearly 20 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, as he did Friday, Trump said he would refuse to pay for the equipment set-up. If it goes out again, Ill sue the ass off that company, said the litigious former president, who recently filed a $10 billion lawsuit against CBS News because of its interview of Vice President Kamala Harris on 60 Minutesa move that legal experts call frivolous and dangerous. Trump, of course, backed out of his interview on the program. Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally on Saginaw Valley State University campus in Michigan on Oct. 3, 2024 ahead of the presidential election | Photo: Anna Liz Nichols Abortion is on the ballot, Planned Parenthood Action Fund President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson told the Michigan Advance in an interview this week. But she added that just about every freedom Americans hold is on the line. And people are connecting the dots on former President Donald Trumps current plans for freedom, Johnson said, as he has adopted a states rights approach, similar to arguments from slave-owning Confederate states during the Civil War, so that each state makes their own policies on abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a patchwork for freedom bringing [us] to before the Confederacy, Johnson said. How can that be your blueprint for freedom? Trump has said everybody wanted Roe v. Wade to be overturned in 2022, he takes pride in being the person who appointed three of the U.S. Supreme Court justices who did so. Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democratic leaders have decried the decision as unjust, and assert that Trumps true plan is to institute a national abortion ban. Alexis McGill Johnson, the president of Planned Parenthood, talks to a crowd during a campaign event for U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) in Grand Rapids on June 20, 2024. | Lucy Valeski Although Trump declined in his only debate with Harris to say he would veto a national abortion ban, he later said in October that he would. Johnson was in Michigan over the weekend campaigning with two Democrats in tight races: U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly), whos running for U.S. Senate against former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-White Lake), and state Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City), whos facing former Trump immigration official Paul Junge in the 8th Congressional District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It starts with stripping away health care rights for women, Planned Parenthood Action Fund of Michigan President Paula Thornton Greear told the Michigan Advance this week. But Trumps efforts to strip away autonomy from all Michiganders are clear as Trump has advocated for shutting down the U.S. Department of Education, which currently mandates funding for things like schooling for students from low-income families and students with disabilities. Lets not fool ourselves here, right? This is not solely about abortion. This is not solely about reproductive and sexual health care. This is about education. This is about the economy, Greear said. They are really trying to push Michiganders and people across the country back to before Jim Crow. Trump has maxxed out his support in Michigan, effectively getting the same percentage of votes in Michigan in 2020 as he did in 2016, with fewer people voting third party in 2020, Johnson contended. However, many Arab-American leaders in Michigan have endorsed Trump or Green Party nominee Jill Stein over Vice President Kamala Harris, citing President Joe Bidens support for Israel in the war in Gaza that has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-controlled health agency. The uncommitted movement has not endorsed any candidate for president. Paula Thornton Greear, president of Planned Parenthood of Michigan , talks about voting intersectionally during an LGBTQ+ rights roundtable in the Grand Rapids Pride Center on June 21, 2024. | Lucy Valeski Johnson said she is worried for the future of freedoms in the U.S. Utilizing political leverage is an important part of democracy, and thats how the system should work, she said, but those in the uncommitted movement will not be able to appeal to Trump for a ceasefire in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are literally fighting for our very democracy. So the very ability of a movement like the uncommitted movement to exist depends on a proper functioning democracy, Johnson said. Our ability to be able to cast our vote in private, our ability not to have somebody in there with us monitoring us, thats also on the line. Democrats are banking on women voting for Harris on the platform of abortion rights and reproductive health care, so much so that there are ads reminding married women that their vote is private and their husbands will never know if they voted for Harris. Actress Julia Roberts narrates one such ad. Someone came to me at one of the rallies and she told me a story about her abortion. She was a teen, pregnant as a teenager with her high school sweetheart that shes still married to. She said, This is the first time Im actually not voting with my husband. I think about her often, Johnson said. I think, more than ever, what we are seeing, particularly given the last two years, [is] more people saying, Im going to make a decision for myself in this moment. And just like we dont want politicians in the exam room, no one else is in that voting booth with you. Michigan has been a beacon of hope for reproductive freedom as Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and abortion rights groups fought to maintain abortion access in 2022 until voters could approve a constitutional amendment enshrining the right to an abortion into the state constitution, Greear said. Other states that have rolled back abortion rights have sought care in Michigan, tripling Planned Parenthoods out-of-state patient caseload. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Infringements on reproductive freedoms are harbingers of intent of future infringements on other freedoms, and Michiganders are voting accordingly, Greear said. There is hope that Harris will win and Trump wont have the opportunity to impose a national abortion ban. But Greear said hope is not a strategy; voting is. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BALTIMORE Vice President Kamala Harris, a Democrat, and former President Donald Trump, a Republican, have been campaigning vigorously in the closing months of the historic 2024 presidential election. Now, its time for voters to have their say. Though there are some third-party candidates on the ballot in Maryland, an overwhelming majority of Americans will choose between Harris and Trump, who clash on multiple policies and the best direction of the country. Heres a look at where they stand on key issues: Economy Harris: She has proposed multiple plans that would provide money for first-time homebuyers, expand tax credits for low-income and middle-class families, ban price gouging, boost the Biden administrations infrastructure spending and raise taxes on corporations and wealthy Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump: He said he would cut taxes in a second term more than he did in his first term, making individual tax cuts permanent and slashing the corporate tax rate to 15%. He also wants to eliminate taxes on tips, overtime pay and Social Security benefits. Public safety Trump: He has called for deploying the military to cities run by Democrats to combat crime, he opposes gun restrictions and said he supports reclassifying marijuana for medical use. Harris: She supports boosting funding for police, decriminalizing marijuana and restricting guns. That includes banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Abortion Harris: She supports abortion rights and said she would sign a bill that would enshrine federal protections. She wants to prevent states from passing restrictions before a fetus is viable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump: His Supreme Court picks overturned Roe v. Wade, but he has said he would not sign a federal abortion ban. He supports states passing whatever laws they choose. Health care Trump: He has vowed to replace the Affordable Care Act and wants to address opioid addiction by closing the southern border and using military force against Mexican drug cartels. Harris: She supports the Biden administrations expanded insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, plans to lower drug prices and have Medicare cover long-term care at home. Immigration Harris: She supports restrictions on asylum seekers and wants to address the causes of migration. She backed a bipartisan immigration bill that would have hired thousands of border security agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump: He said he would launch the largest deportation effort in American history, including detaining in camps the immigrants who enter the country illegally. Climate Trump: He has denied climate change and said he would get rid of numerous environmental regulations that would protect clean air and water. Harris: She supports environmental justice programs, subsidies for renewable energy and has reversed her position on a fracking ban, saying she would no longer ban it. Education Harris: She wants to increase funding for public schools and supported the Biden administrations plan for student-loan forgiveness. She opposes laws that restrict what can be taught about race, history and gender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump: He wants to abolish the Department of Education, give parents financial support for school choice and restrict what schools can teach about race, history and gender. He opposes student-loan forgiveness. Democracy Trump: He has not accepted his loss in the 2020 election and has not committed to accepting 2024 results. He opposed voting rights bills from Democrats. Harris: She has said she will accept the results of the 2024 election and has condemned Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. She has supported efforts to expand voting rights. Ukraine Harris: She would continue to send military aid to Ukraine, but she has not shared many foreign policies related to China. She has said its important for the U.S. to defend Ukraines sovereignty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump: He said he would eliminate the countrys economic dependence on China, but he has not said if he would send more aid to Ukraine. He has claimed without details that he would end the war in a day. Israel Trump: He supports Israel but encouraged it to end the war in Gaza. He doesnt think a two-state solution is possible. Harris: She supports a two-state solution, Israels right to defend itself and has also called for a cease-fire. ------- A version of this story appeared in CNNs What Matters newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. Anyone who doubts that a second Trump term would take vaccine skepticism into the mainstream of American government and life should watch Kaitlan Collins interview on CNN Wednesday with the co-chair of Donald Trumps presidential transition team, Howard Lutnick. On the one hand, Lutnick disputed the vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s recent assertion to supporters that he would be in charge of the US Department of Health and Human Services if Trump is elected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, Lutnick sounded convinced, after spending a few hours with Kennedy this week, that the government is hiding something about vaccines. When Collins noted that neither of them are doctors but that vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective, Lutnick asked, Why do you think vaccines are safe? Collins told him that kids get them and theyre fine. Why do you think theyre fine? Lutnick asked. He pointed to the disproven theory that vaccines cause autism and said, quoting Kennedy, that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is blocking data about vaccines. (Kennedy) wants the data, so he can say these things are unsafe, Lutnick told Collins. He says, If you give me the data, all I want is the data, and Ill take on the data and show that its not safe. And then if you pull the product liability, the companies will yank these vaccines right off, off of the market. So, thats his point. Hes not trying to do anything, but things that made sense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regarding Kennedys goal. If it is as Lutnick says, it seems that Kennedy is interested in opening up a wave of vaccine lawsuits to get manufacturers to yank vaccines. Regarding liability. Congress responded to a wave of lawsuits related to vaccines in 1986 to create the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, which is intended to compensate the extremely small portion of the population that develops adverse reactions to vaccines. The program, which is funded by an excise tax on recommended vaccines, has paid more than $4.5 billion to around 9,500 people since 1988, according to the Department of Justice. Vaccine manufacturers can be sued for injury in state court. Regarding the allegation of blocked data. What are Kennedy and Lutnick talking about? Its not at all clear. Kennedys Make America Healthy Again PAC directed me to a spokesman for his shuttered presidential campaign, which has not returned a request for comment. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. listens during a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump at Desert Diamond Arena on August 23 in Glendale, Arizona. - Rebecca Noble/Getty Images/File Lutnick tried to moderate his position in a post to X after the CNN interview, saying he does support vaccines, but he also wants to respect people who dont and he repeated that there is data the government is blocking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We would be doing everyone a service if the government respected Bobby Kennedys request to make the full data available, Lutnick wrote on X. When I asked the CDC for quick comment on this story about whether there is blocked data, they noted its a difficult subject to address and wanted a specific example to respond to. Lutnick clearly didnt have specifics. But hes an investment banker, not a medical researcher. Jerome Adams, who was US surgeon general under Trump, said Kennedy should not get a senior role in a Trump administration. Bottom line: Its hard to implement your other political priorities if youre busy dealing with a measles or polio outbreak, he told The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, the CDC offered this statement from a spokesman: What does the government do to review vaccine safety? The system by which the ongoing safety of vaccines is monitored is multilayered and complicated. It involves a government-run reporting system, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, which is essentially a tip line where anyone can make a claim, for any reason. Those complaints are searchable, including by the public, but they arent vetted, and reports may have nothing at all to do with a vaccine dose. The searchable data is also nonspecific. The CDC also maintains the Vaccine Safety Data Link, a collaborative effort between the CDC and health care organizations like Kaiser Permanente, and the data has been used in many studies. Sharing specific information about some of these cases publicly could violate privacy laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDC is also involved with the Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment Project, which coordinates a nationwide network of experts and also conducts vaccine safety research. The point is not that any of these things is perfect, but rather that there is a lot of work that goes into assessing the safety of vaccines with help from government agencies on an ongoing basis. There are also independent organizations like the Institute for Vaccine Safety at Johns Hopkins University. Drop in faith in vaccines But while the system satisfies the medical community, it is increasingly not satisfying the public, a phenomenon that was turbocharged by the Covid-19 pandemic and related vaccines, as well as recent politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whereas in 2001, 94% of Americans said that parents getting their children vaccinated was extremely or very important, that figure has dropped to 69%. Its still a strong majority, but it hides a remarkable partisan shift, according to long-term polling by Gallup. In the years since the pandemic, the portion of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents who say it is extremely important for parents to get their children vaccinated has fallen from 52% in 2019 to 26% in 2024. A strong majority of Democrats and Democratic leaners, 63%, still say childhood vaccination is extremely important. Dr. Daniel Salmon, director of the Institute for Vaccine Safety, wrote with colleagues for the New England Journal of Medicine this year that more needs to be done to maintain public faith in vaccines. They noted that extremely rare adverse reactions no longer seem rare when vaccines are given to millions or billions of people. They recommended taking excess money from the VICP, the fund for people who have adverse reactions, to more robustly fund safety research and help build up public trust in vaccines. They also recommended a holistic, independent review of the vaccine safety system. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com (NewsNation) With just days to go before the election, former President Donald Trump traveled to Michigan and Wisconsin to talk to voters in the battleground states. The crowd in Milwaukee rose to its feet as Trump listed off the actions he would take against migrants who commit crimes. Trump has centered his campaign on hardline tactics to stop illegal immigration, including the death penalty for migrants who are in the country illegally and kill an American citizen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is also spending significant time insulting Kamala Harris and saying she does not care about the country. My closing message is that I love America and Im inviting you to join us in building an extraordinary future for our nation, Trump said. Milwaukee is home to the most Democratic votes in Wisconsin, but its conservative suburbs are where most Republicans live and are a critical area for Trump as he tries to reclaim the state he narrowly won in 2016 and lost in 2020. One reason for his defeat was a drop in support in those Milwaukee suburbs and an increase in Democratic votes in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump vs. Harris: Where they stand on issues that matter to voters Trump was also in Michigan hoping to pick up voters in the blue wall area that could prove critical in determining the next resident of the White House. Trump has been trailing in the latest polls, but the difference between the two candidates is well within the margin of error, making the race a toss-up. His team is trying to clarify comments the former president made about former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney during a hurricane relief benefit with Tucker Carlson in Arizona. Shes a radical war hawk, he said. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting there; lets see how she feels about it when the guns are trained on her face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump campaign is pushing back against claims it was a threat, saying he was talking about people like her who advocate for wars they dont fight in. That was not how the comment was perceived, and Cheney herself responded on X. This is how dictators destroy free nations, she said. They threaten those who speak against them with death. In Michigan, Trump will be meeting with business owners in Dearborn, Michigan, an area with a large Arab American community. DC businesses board up before Election Day, blocks away from White House Many have objected to the Biden-Harris administrations handling of the war in Gaza, sparking a movement during the primary to vote for uncommitted delegates not committed to President Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though Biden later stepped down from the ticket and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, many in the Arab and Muslim communities have said they will not be voting or will be voting for third-party candidate Jill Stein instead. Trump will be hoping to try to pick up those voters, though he has expressed strong support for Israel and its military actions in the Middle East region. 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. (Bloomberg) -- World Liberty Financial, the crypto project being promoted by former President Donald Trump, disclosed that its $300 million offering of tokens is primarily being marketed offshore, with fewer than 350 US investors buying the digital asset so far. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based in Wilmington, Delaware, but run from Puerto Rico, World Liberty filed a notice with American regulators this week on the offering, stating that it currently only plans to sell $30 million of tokens in the US. After reaching the $30 million threshold, World Liberty will terminate the US offering, even though the company has some $288.5 million of tokens available for sale, according to the document. Zachary Folkman, a World Liberty co-founder, said during a September interview streamed on Elon Musks X that the company would sell some tokens through an exemption to the stringent US requirements for companies raising capital. The exemption, known as Regulation S, is only available for tokens sold to non-US investors. World Liberty representatives didnt respond to requests for comment. Most token issuances are done offshore because the industry has been subject to heavy scrutiny in the US, where the Securities and Exchange Commission has sought to regulate these assets as securities. In addition, trading in tokens is usually much more robust offshore, another reason that companies such as World Liberty prefer to market their offerings to non-US investors. World Liberty Financial is being promoted by Trump and his sons as part of the decentralized finance movement, democratizing access to financial services. The filing lists Trump and two of his sons, Don Jr. and Eric, while adding a caveat that says this person is included for informational purposes and does not reflect a determination that they are officially promoting the offering itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Folkman and Chase Herro, another World Liberty co-founder, are listed as its executive officers in the filing. They also run a company called Axiom Management that is located in Dorado, Puerto Rico, which offers big breaks from US taxes to people who set up businesses there. The token sale started soon after Trump launched his fourth collection of nonfungible tokens, which are digital depictions of himself. The former president headlined the worlds largest Bitcoin conference this summer in an effort to appeal to crypto voters and donors. During the Sept. 16 interview streamed on X, formerly known as Twitter, Folkman said that any potential non-US sale would be conducted through Regulation S. But he didnt give a breakdown on the number of tokens that would be sold domestically or overseas. World Liberty is tapping US investors through a different exemption, known as Regulation D. This exemption permits US companies to raise as much money as they want from an unlimited number of US investors, as long as they are institutions or wealthy individuals who meet certain financial criteria, such as having a net worth of more than $1 million, excluding the value of their home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Regulation D and Regulation S are intended to help companies save time and money when they raise capital. But Regulation D has more investor protections and disclosure requirements. For example, companies that sell securities through Regulation D must file a public notice that provides some details on the offering, such as the amount raised, the number of investors involved, and the principal officers and sponsors of the sale. It also requires issuers to make sure each buyer is wealthy enough to participate in the offering, a task that Folkman alluded to in the X interview when he said World Liberty could only sell tokens to US buyers if they have been reasonably verified as accredited investors. World Liberty said in the filing that, since Oct. 15, it has raised $2.7 million under Regulation D by selling tokens to 348 investors. Roughly 17,000 addresses have held the asset once, according to analytics firm Kaiko. The gap may be partly explained by sales through Regulation S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US private companies dont have to report any information on capital-raising through Regulation S. Nor is there any requirement to determine whether buyers are rich enough to qualify as accredited investors under US law. The catch: the offering can only raise money from foreign investors. We would expect that any potential non-US token sale would be limited to non-US persons and comply with applicable restrictions under what is known as Regulation S, Folkman said during the X interview. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. It is no secret that Donald Trump hates former Rep. Liz Cheney (RWyo.), a leading critic of the former president who joined nine other Republicans in supporting his second impeachment, served as vice chair of the House select committee that investigated the 2021 Capitol riot, and is now campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris. But contrary to what you may have heard, Trump did not say Cheney "should be fired upon" (as CNN reported), recommend "executing her" (as CNN anchor Sara Sidner claimed), suggest that she "go before a firing squad" (as The Atlantic's David Graham averred), or make "a dark and ominous threat" of "death" against her (as The New Republic's Hafiz Rashid asserted). Here is what Trump actually said about Cheney during an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson at a campaign event in Glendale, Arizona, on Thursday night: "She's a radical war hawk. Let's put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Let's see how she feels about ityou know, when the guns are trained on her face." Referring to politicians who are inclined to favor U.S. military interventions, Trump added: "You know, they're all war hawks when they're sitting in Washington in a nice building, saying, 'Oh, gee, well, let's send, let's send 10,000 troops right into the mouth of the enemy.'" Trump's remarks about Cheney reflected a standard complaint about armchair interventionists: that they are insulated from the consequences of the wars they support and do not give adequate consideration to the human costs. Although he may have expressed that point in especially vivid terms, he did not argue that Cheney deserved to be shot or killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheney nevertheless joined other Trump critics in portraying his comments as a death threat. "This is how dictators destroy free nations," she wrote on X. "They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant." The blatant distortion of Trump's comments is part of a pattern, and it reflects a broader problem. With four days to go before the presidential election, people who rightly worry about what a second term for Trump could mean might have a chance to persuade on-the-fence voters that his authoritarian instincts, reflected in his frequently expressed desire to punish his political opponents after he regains power, make him unfit for office. But when Trump's critics try to do that by misrepresenting easily checked facts, they encourage potentially persuadable voters to dismiss the case against him as mendacious fearmongering. This episode is similar to what happened after Trump, during a Fox News interview with Maria Bartiromo a couple of weeks ago, was asked whether he was "expecting chaos on Election Day" if "you win." Trump said the "National Guard or, if really necessary, the military" could "handle" rioting by "radical left lunatics," because "they can't let that happen." The New York Times inaccurately reported that Trump had "openly suggested turning the military on American citizens simply because they oppose his candidacy," and other news outlets offered a similar spin. Although Trump did not say what the Times claimed, he said other things during that interview that were more than a little troubling. "We have two enemies," he said. "We have the outside enemy, and then we have the enemy from within. And the enemy from within, in my opinion, is more dangerous than China, Russia, and all these countries, because if you have a smart president, he can handle them pretty easily." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an example of "the enemy within," Trump cited Rep. Adam Schiff (DCalif.), who managed Trump's first impeachment and is now running for the Senate. "The thing that's tougher to handle are these lunatics that we have inside, like Adam Schiff," he said. "Think of it. This guy is going to be a senator." Trump described Schiff as "a total sleazebag" who has "put our country" in "danger." Those comments illustrated Trump's tendency to portray his political opponents as traitors, conflating his enemies with the nation's. He has similarly called journalists who offend him "enemies of the people" and described Americans who disagree with him as "communists," "Marxists," "fascists," "radical left lunatics," "sick people," and "vermin." All this is bad enough without falsely claiming that Trump told Bartiromo he favors deploying the military against anyone who dares to oppose him. Trump's actual threats against Liz Cheney likewise are genuinely alarming, especially because they reflect his general tendency to endorse the arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment of people who cross him. In March 2023, Trump said the January 6 committee's members "should be prosecuted for their lies and, quite frankly, TREASON!" A year later, Trump declared that Cheney "should go to jail along with the rest of the Unselect Committee!" In June, Trump shared a Truth Social post that said Cheney "is guilty of treason." The post added, "Retruth if you want televised military tribunals." Since Trump did "retruth" that message, we can reasonably infer that he thinks Cheney, whom he had already accused of treason, should face a military tribunal. Again, this is bad enough without inaccurately claiming that Trump told Carlson that Cheney should "go before a firing squad." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump campaign quickly made hay of such false characterizations. "Even Leftists Are Debunking Latest Fake News Hoax," says the headline above a press release the campaign issued today. It quotes "Never Trumper Joe Walsh," who noted that "Trump did NOT call for Liz Cheney to be executed"; Vox writer Zack Beauchamp, who likewise observed that "Trump didn't threaten to execute Liz Cheney" but was instead "calling her a chickenhawk, something liberals said about her for ages"; and Reason contributor Kat Rosenfield, who said journalists are "lying to their audiences" when they equate his criticism of Cheney with recommending her execution. Even while debunking that misrepresentation, the press release illustrated Trump's reflexive mislabeling of his critics. Walsh, now a radio talk show host, is a former Republican congressman who was endorsed by the Club for Growth and holds generally conservative views. He is a former Trump supporter who turned against him in 2018. While no one would mistake Beauchamp or Rosenfield for a conservative, that does not make them "leftists." But as Trump tells it, anyone who opposes him is a "radical left lunatic," part of "the enemy from within." That attitude illustrates Trump's vindictive demagoguery, which combines narcissism with authoritarianism. It is an important consideration in deciding whether he should again be entrusted with the powers of the presidency. Instead, we are talking about the dishonesty of journalists who distort reality in their desperation to avoid that outcome. The post Trump's Critics Keep Undermining Their Case by Lying About Stuff He Supposedly Said appeared first on Reason.com. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is investigating comments by former President Donald Trump wondering how former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney would feel if guns were "trained on her face" as a potentially prosecutable offense. "I have already asked my criminal division chief to start looking at that statement, analyzing it for whether it qualifies as a death threat under Arizona's laws," Mayes, a Democrat, said during the Friday taping of the Channel 12 news show "Sunday Square-Off," according to 12 News. "I'm not prepared now to say whether it was or it wasn't, but it is not helpful as we prepare for our election and as we try to make sure that we keep the peace at our polling places and in our state," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richie Taylor, Mayes' spokesperson, told The Arizona Republic the office is looking into whether "Trump's comments about Liz Cheney violated Arizona law." He added the office has no other comment for now. Trump campaign National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Friday that Mayes' investigation of the comments "is just a desperate attempt to help out Kamala Harris' failed campaign." Trump made the comment while disparaging Cheney, a harsh critic of the former president, in an appearance with conservative pundit Tucker Carlson Thursday at Glendale's Desert Diamond Arena. It's drawn strong pushback from Cheney, Vice President Kamala Harris and others. Claiming Cheney's a "radical warhawk" who would send Americans to war, Trump remarked at the event: "Let's put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her. OK? Lets see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is how dictators destroy free nations," Cheney said on X.com Friday about Trump's comments. "They threaten those who speak against them with death. We cannot entrust our country and our freedom to a petty, vindictive, cruel, unstable man who wants to be a tyrant." It's unclear what the "nine barrels" might reference. Some, including Harris, suggested Trump had implied he wanted to see Cheney executed by a "firing squad." "Donald Trump sat down with Tucker Carlson in a late-night town hall where he suggested that Republican Liz Cheney should face a firing squad," Harris' campaign said Friday morning. Trump's statement that Cheney would have "a rifle standing there" came in framing his apparent point about her being a "war hawk." After the violent imagery, Trump continued saying to Carlson: "They're all war hawks when they're sitting in Washington in a nice building saying 'Oh gee, we'll, let's send 10,000 troops right into the mouth of the enemy.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump emphasized his meaning on the comment Friday, telling reporters Cheney "kills people... She wants to go kill people unnecessarily." Mayes has faced criticism by Republicans for politicizing enforcement actions by her office, particularly with the state indictments of 18 people in the fake elector case related to the 2020 election. That investigation deemed Trump an unindicted conspirator. Prosecutors asked the grand jury to back off after jurors considered indicting him. Reach the reporter at rstern@arizonarepublic.com or 480-276-3237. Follow him on X @raystern. Arizona's in the political spotlight. Don't miss the action. Sign up for azcentrals Republic Recount newsletter. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kris Mayes investigating Trump's 'nine barrels' comment about Liz Cheney VCG/Getty Images When Kahwit Tela, 25, thinks of the male influences in his upbringing, his father is top of mind. Telas Congolese dad taught him and his brother principles like putting faith into action by helping others, centering care and empathy principles that Tela now believes are the true cornerstones of masculinity. But growing up in the U.S., Telas definition of manhood didnt exactly align with what he saw represented in culture at large, which was particularly true in politics. That is, until he learned about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I'm originally from a red state, Tennessee. The politics that I saw back home [were] like discouraging critical race theory or banning drag shows, and then going from that place to Minnesota and seeing the governor actually welcome immigrants was a contrast to back home, Tela says about Walz, Vice President Kamala Harriss running mate on the Democratic ticket for the 2024 presidential election. Minnesota was a safe haven for folks who wanted to get an abortion, it was a safe haven for folks who wanted to get gender-affirming healthcare and free lunch. That was the first time I saw someone in politics that wasn't trying to tear people down and make people small. Ahead of the election, one that holds the potential for the first Black and Asian American woman to become president, masculinity is playing a different role on the campaign trail. From Walzs empathetic and kind brand of masculinity, to his sons emotional tears, to Harriss husband Doug Emhoff endlessly cheerleading his wife, Democrats seem to be leaning into a softer version of masculinity. On the right, Trump leans into what The Conversation called protective masculinity, while his followers glorify him using hyper-masculine depictions and toxic masculinity. Teen Vogue spoke to young men planning to vote on Tuesday to see how these depictions of masculinity are playing out for them. For Tela, there arent any characteristics of Trumps masculinity that resonate with him. Trumps comments about Haitian immigrants during his debate with Harris in September were hurtful to Tela as a son of African immigrants, and he says these kinds of disparaging attacks speak to his masculinity. I think you're not the bigger man if you just tear people down because they're different from you. Whether it's anti-immigrant rhetoric or homophobic, transphobic, or sexist rhetoric, he says. I think you're a bigger person if you show that you care about people who are different from you, as opposed to just ostracizing them and tearing them down because you never know what someone is going through. Want more Teen Vogue coverage of masculinity, the manosphere, and its role in U.S. politics? Check it out here. Stefano Forte, the chairman of the Queens Caucus for the New York Young Republicans, aligns with Trump and Vances display of manhood, criticizing Walzs ability to protect the state he governs. Forte, 26, says Walz didnt properly protect Minnesota during the 2020 George Floyd protests, which he equates to a lack of masculinity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Forte points to Walzs 17-year-old son Gus emotional response to his father being nominated at the Democratic National Convention as evidence that he must be a great father, which he says is admirable. Fortes maternal grandfather, who immigrated from Greece, and his father are some of his greatest influences on what it means to be a man. He describes his late grandfather as both a hard-working man who provided for his family and also as the strong, silent type. Forte recalls hurting himself as a kid and crying in public. While his grandfather told him that boys dont cry, his father encouraged him to express his emotions in private. Forte says his father instilled in him respect for women and the importance of listening to others. Still, Forte says he values Trumps brand of masculinity because he sees it as necessary for being a leader. The bottom line is, when Trump was president, he acted like a man, Forte says. He wanted to protect the country. He wanted to make sure that migrants weren't over the border. He wanted to make sure that the country was safe. People could actually have a chance in this country, like my father. I don't know if a lot of people who are in my father's position, who were living in poverty essentially, would be able to lift themselves up in this economy. That is not what a leader does. Jeff Perera, whos been traveling the country to speak about healthy masculinity since 2008, sees a split in young peoples expression of masculinity. People like Tela are embracing a newer definition of masculinity, more open to empathy, softness, and communication. Still, there are countless young men who stick to more traditional ideas like Forte boys and young men are trending more conservative, polling shows, and are increasingly following hypermasculine and far-right manosphere influencers. Research has shown that traditional and narrow definitions of manhood can be harmful one study from 2017 found that the more a man subscribes to manhood that values emotional repression, self-reliance, dominance, and control, the more susceptible he is to depression, anxiety, bullying and sexual harassment of women, and suicidal thoughts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our ideas of manhood traditionally are that men are the providers, men are strength, men are protectors, Perera says. What comes out of this? The harmful notion of masculinity is that you have to become the solution. You're not the problem, you're the solution. So, you're the fixer. You take care of everything, you do it on your own. You don't need to ask for help And if you need to ask for help, you're weak and soft. And anything that's outside of that impossible standard that we're striving for as men is considered soft or weak and feminine. In this way, he says, vulnerability feels like a threat, and to avoid that, Perera says many resort to hypermasculinity, a sort of masking technique thats more about bluster than actually coping with ones feelings. This kind of masculinity is returning, he thinks, as a reaction to the pandemic, which left many people feeling uncertain about the future, about their financial stability, and coping with the scars of lockdown. For men, who Perera says often feel they are expected to be the problem solvers, this can be particularly difficult. Its like we're in these emotional stormy waters. You have men who don't have the emotional literacy and don't give each other permission to develop what I call emotional muscle. So love, empathy, being able to read and understand your emotions and take action. A lot of women and gender-expansive people have been given permission from a young age to be emotional, he says. Perera believes that leaders like Trump who lean into hypermasculinity are standing on the shore and giving men temporary and quick fixes to navigate the choppy emotional waters. He lists manosphere influencers like Andrew Tate as those who are selling young men a quick-fix solution to deal with their emotions that ultimately wont keep them afloat. Given the expansive reporting on young men entering the manosphere, its clear this brand of masculinity is attractive for many. On the contrary, 25-year-old Jonah Bryson thinks the Trumpian view of manhood is actually a sign of weakness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think strength and confidence is shown through how you take care of people, our planet and our country, Bryson says. How you help out the least of these, so to speak, and how you support those who maybe aren't as fortunate as you are. Bryson values protection, but doesnt seem to view it in the same way Forte does. One of Brysons greatest influences was his grandfather, who grew up during World War II in Haguenau, a small French village near the German border. His dedication to safeguarding our nation, he says, comes directly from his grandfather, who often spoke to him about the fragility of democracy. Bryson appreciates Walzs portrayal of masculinity, denounces Vances comments about childless women, and hopes to celebrate the first female president something Bryson thinks would be a sign of progress for all. When [some] folks do better, we all do better. This is about lifting everybody up and when women do better, men do better, he says. When young people do better, the older folks do better, and vice versa. That should be something that is exciting for us. So many other countries have not even gotten to that point yet. Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) Nearly three years of war has greatly strained Ukraines health care and staff. Two Upstate University Hospital urology doctors made the trek to the war-torn country to help injured soldiers. Dr. Gennady Bratslavsky, MD, and Dr. Dmitriy Nikolavsky, MD returned to Syracuse after spending a week in Kyiv on their latest medical mission. This is not the first time either doctor has given aid in their homeland. Dr. Bratslavsky was born in Kyiv and Dr. Nikolavsky in Odessa. Latest local news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both doctors said every time they travel to Ukraine, the patients injuries worsen. This time, we operated on 24 patients in four days in three different bedsand it seemed like the second time, the injuries were even more complex than the first time, Dr. Nikolavsky said. They had two goals in mind. They wanted to treat as many victims with their team as possible and teach other Ukrainian doctors how to treat complex injuries. During the time they spent in Kyiv, they worked through air raid sirens, curfews, and bombs exploding near the hospital. The air raid alerts started happening at, like, midnight or 1 oclock and we had never heard anything like this, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Bratslavsky said no matter how scared they were in the operating room, they had a duty to represent the United States and help the wounded soldiers to the best of their abilities. He added that his life motto is G.B., which means: give back. Each one is a hero, Dr. Bratslavsky said. They risked their lives. They came very close to losing their lives so it does have a very special meaninggiving back to them for protecting us all. Both doctors plan to travel back to Ukraine as many times as they need to until the war ends. Dr. Bratslavsky runs a foundation, the Ukraine 1991 Foundation, which provides financial assistance to those in need overseas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. Police arrested two suspects and were searching for a third after a shooting near the San Diego State University campus Thursday evening, authorities said. One person was injured in the incident. Police responded to a call of a man shot at 5100 College Ave. near a trolley stop at 4:38 p.m., according to the San Diego Police Department. One victim was transported to a hospital in unknown condition, according to a statement from the university. Neither the suspects nor the victim are affiliated with the school community, according to the university. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 5:30 p.m., the university said that one suspect had been taken into custody. The school asked everyone on campus to remain indoors and be on alert. About 15 minutes later, the university released a statement saying that a second suspect, believed to be the shooter, had been taken into custody and a weapon was recovered. All university classes and activities were canceled for the rest of the night, according to the university. Police asked everyone to remain indoors until 7:35 p.m. as they searched campus for a third suspect believed to be connected to the shooting. Following the search, police declared an "all clear," concluding that the third suspect was not on or near campus or a threat to the school community, the university said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Typhoon Kong-rey's passing over Taiwan caused at least two deaths and injured 580 people, the Central Emergency Operation Centre (CEOC) said on Friday. The storm made landfall and left Taiwan on Thursday, bringing strong winds and heavy rains to the island. On Friday, the typhoon alert was lifted, however one more death was reported. In Taipei, a street tree in Neihu District was blown down late of Thursday by strong winds, crushing and killing a 48-year-old male motorcyclist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, 580 people across the island were injured in accidents linked to the typhoon, according to the CEOC. The centre reported more than 9,993 accidents, such as fallen trees, mudflows and road damage, island-wide. During the passage of the storm, at least 11,588 people in disaster-prone areas in different cities and counties were evacuated, officials said. On Friday, the Taipei City government said it was focusing on cleaning up in the typhoon's aftermath. In both Taipei and neighboring New Taipei City, over 2,000 street trees were uprooted or snapped. Typhoon Kong-rey's passing over Taiwan caused at least two deaths and injured 580 people, the Central Emergency Operation Centre (CEOC) said on Friday. The storm made landfall and left Taiwan on Thursday, bringing strong winds and heavy rains to the island. On Friday, the typhoon alert was lifted, however one more death was reported. In Taipei, a street tree in Neihu District was blown down late of Thursday by strong winds, crushing and killing a 48-year-old male motorcyclist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, 580 people across the island were injured in accidents linked to the typhoon, according to the CEOC. The centre reported more than 9,993 accidents, such as fallen trees, mudflows and road damage, island-wide. During the passage of the storm, at least 11,588 people in disaster-prone areas in different cities and counties were evacuated, officials said. On Friday, the capital Taipei and its adjacent New Taipei City focused on cleaning up the aftermath, as more than 2,000 street trees were brought down. In the Minsheng community of Taipeis Songshan district, several uprooted trees and damaged cars were observed, with multiple intersections blocked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A female resident in her 50s told dpa on Friday that she and her dog were searching for her car, which she believed was buried beneath the fallen trees by a small park. The wind and rain here were really terrifying yesterday, she said. The Taipei Zoo urgently announced late Thursday that it would be closed on Friday due to severe damage from the typhoon and the need to clean up the environment. One person was killed and two were injured following a shooting at the Vancouver Mall in southwest Washington Thursday night. Our sister station in Portland, KOIN, reported the mall was full of families and children who came there to trick-or-treat. At 7:30 p.m., Vancouver Police were dispatched to the mall at 8700 Northeast Vancouver Mall Drive for a report of a shooting. Vancouver Police said witnesses reported that someone in the food court area shot and killed one person and injured two others. Police arrived to find one person dead. Two others who were hurt were taken to a local hospital to be evaluated and treated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Employees and customers were ordered to shelter in place as police and SWAT teams arrived. About an hour later, police told people they could leave the mall. Police confirmed in a press conference on Thursday night that the suspect was still on the loose. Detectives from the Vancouver Police Department Major Crime Team are reviewing videos from the mall in an effort to identify the suspect. On Friday, police provided additional details about the suspect and the victims. The two victims who were injured were both adult men, 30 and 40 years of age, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were treated and released from the hospital. No additional injuries were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim who died at the scene was also an adult man, but his exact age and identity have not yet been confirmed. According to Vancouver PD, the suspect was wearing a Halloween-type mask at the time of the shooting. Detectives are still working to identify the suspect, adding, Detectives believe the shooting was a targeted attack. The two individuals who were injured were not believed to be intended targets, but rather were just in close proximity to where the shooting occurred. Anyone with information is asked to call the VPD Tip Line at 360-487-7399. Long before she uttered the words "F the police," Los Angeles City Council candidate Ysabel Jurado made clear she was not happy with the city's approach to public safety. In a candidate questionnaire last year, Jurado promised to move money out of the LAPD and into other programs. She said police should be removed from K-12 schools. And she described herself as an "abolitionist" someone who favors the "abolition of police and the prison industrial complex." "I believe that we keep ourselves safe," she wrote in the 20-page questionnaire she provided to the Democratic Socialists of America now one of her most crucial supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday's election will determine whether Jurado and her allies can push City Hall further left on public safety by expanding the bloc of council members who want to rein in police spending and reallocate the savings. Jurado, a tenant rights attorney, is looking to unseat Councilmember Kevin de Leon in an Eastside district. Another DSA-backed candidate, business owner Jillian Burgos, is gunning for a seat in the San Fernando Valley. In both contests, police abolition and law enforcement spending overall has emerged as a political fault line, particularly for voters worried about crime and disorder. Jurado, through a spokesperson, has described abolition as an aspirational goal, one that would take many years and many steps. De Leon says Jurado's words should be taken literally, and seriously, by voters in his district, which stretches from downtown to El Sereno and Eagle Rock. Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de Leon, pictured in 2023, has sent campaign mailers assailing his opponent's stances on public safety. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) De Leon, who has highlighted the issue in campaign mailers, calls Jurado's approach to public safety "elitist and irresponsible," saying low-income neighborhoods would suffer the most. He ramped up his attacks over the last week after Jurado told a group of college students, "What's the rap verse? F the police, that's how I see 'em," in response to a question about abolishing the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We need the police to keep our communities safe. It's just that simple," De Leon said. "Every nation in the world, including the most progressive nations Scandinavian countries, Sweden, Finland, Norway they have police." Jurado has disputed the idea that she would defund the LAPD, telling audiences she still wants officers responding to violent crime. At the same time, she has argued that with 1 in 4 city dollars going to the Los Angeles Police Department too much is being spent on police. "The safest cities in America invest in recreation and parks, libraries and our youth, but we're not doing that," she said. Three of the council's 15 members voted against Mayor Karen Bass' budget this year, in large part because of their objections to police spending. Jurado and Burgos, if elected, could add two more votes to that bloc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement De Leon and former state Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, who is facing off against Burgos, support Bass' push to hire more police and return the department to 9,500 officers. Both are in favor of the mayor's decision to give a package of raises and bonuses to police, which is expected to add $400 million to the city's yearly budget by 2027. Jurado opposes both efforts. So does Burgos, an optician and part owner of a murder mystery theater company. On the day the council approved the police raises, Burgos accused city leaders of choosing "militarization" over humanity, saying the money should have gone to housing and community services instead. "Crime is down overall," she said in an interview. "I think we can invest in other solutions." Like Jurado, Burgos identified herself as an abolitionist in her DSA questionnaire. Like Jurado, she told the DSA she would remove police officers from K-12 schools. Both said police unions should not be part of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, which represents about 300 union groups and is a major fixture in city politics. Los Angeles City Council candidate Jillian Burgos, pictured in January, has come out against the mayor's effort to hire more police and return the LAPD to 9,500 officers. (Michael Blackshire/Los Angeles Times) The DSA's L.A. chapter has become a powerful political force, pushing city leaders for stronger tenant protections, higher wages and lower law enforcement spending. Over the last four years, the group has worked to successfully unseat three City Hall incumbents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has been a key supporter of Burgos, sending 167 people to knock on doors for her, according to a spokesperson for the L.A. chapter. Nearly 330 DSA volunteers have done the same for Jurado, the spokesperson said. The Los Angeles Police Protective League, which represents rank-and-file officers, has sought to counter those efforts, sending campaign mailers that call Burgos' public safety platform "dangerous." The union has allocated $445,000 for canvassers, digital ads and other efforts to defeat Jurado and reelect De Leon. "Ms. Jurado told [voters] loud and clear that if she wins, it will be 'F-the police,' and that means fewer officers patrolling neighborhoods and enforcing the law," Police Protective League President Craig Lally said in a statement. The two council contests come as LAPD sworn staffing has shrunk about 12% over the last five years, to about 8,800 officers the lowest point since 2002. Bass and the council have attempted to reverse the slide by giving raises, increasing starting pay and offering retention bonuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those measures are expected to take a big bite out of the city budget, adding an estimated $1 billion in costs over a four-year period. With city leaders struggling to balance the books, many other city agencies have had to make cuts, leaving positions vacant or eliminating them entirely. Even with a smaller LAPD, homicides in the city have declined 29% this year compared with the same period in 2022. The number of gunshot victims dropped 27%, according to the LAPD. Jennifer Macias, who co-chairs the DSA's L.A. chapter, said her organization added the abolition question to its candidate surveys after George Floyd was murdered by police in Minneapolis. She called the question an important part of the endorsement process and "integral" to the group's values. Macias, who lives in Jefferson Park, said the city needs a way to respond to emergencies without involving police who are "systemically violent." She described police abolition the idea of getting to zero officers as "a North Star goal" that will be achieved only over time, after other programs are put in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Not having the police doesn't mean that we're not responding to harm," she said. Burgos said that, for her, abolition means moving away from "reactive" law enforcement responses and toward expanded social services, such as job training, job placements and mental health care. "All of that is community care, and that's what I am for," the North Hollywood resident said. Nazarian, like the three other candidates, said he wants to expand the city's network of unarmed responders to assist people experiencing nonviolent mental health crises. At the same time, he slammed the idea of police abolition, saying there's "nothing progressive" about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The rich and the upper class will always find a way. They will hire their own security," the North Hollywood resident said. "What will be left is the majority of the population the middle class and the poorer working class who will be left to fend for themselves." Los Angeles City Council Candidate Adrin Nazarian says there's "nothing progressive" about the concept of police abolition. (Michael Blackshire/Los Angeles Times) Nazarian, whose family fled Iran when he was 8, said there will always be people who seek to victimize others, and therefore, a need for police. Jurado, for her part, said she has never used the phrase "defund" while referring to the LAPD. At the Cal State L.A. event where she said "F the police," she also argued that police should be focusing on gangs, violent crime and "the drugs that are invading our communities." In an interview, Jurado said she does not yet know whether she would routinely vote against LAPD spending proposals that come before the council, as one of her closest allies, Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, has done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We check boxes" on questionnaires, Jurado said. "But at the end of the day, we use our best judgment." Over the last week, Jurado has dismissed the criticism of her "F the police" remark, saying it was "just a lyric" from a rap song. She called the attack ads from the police union "noise." Los Angeles City Council candidate Ysabel Jurado said the attacks on her campaign from the police union are just "noise." (Michael Blackshire/Los Angeles Times) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If recent L.A. elections are any guide, the Highland Park resident has reason to be confident. Hernandez, who also represents part of the Eastside, defeated two-term incumbent Gil Cedillo in 2022 while identifying herself as an abolitionist. She scored that victory even after the police union sent mailers warning that her policies would result in the release of rapists and violent criminals. Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, while running in 2022, also identified himself as an abolitionist in his DSA questionnaire. He defeated the incumbent, Mitch O'Farrell, by a wide margin. "Abolition gets thrown out as a scare tactic and a way to divide people," he said. "But many abolitionists believe that the way we root out crime, the way we stop crime, is by putting resources into families and into communities, and that will eventually lead to a society where we don't need police officers. It's very utopian when you think about it." Soto-Martinez pointed out that De Leon courted the Democratic Socialists in 2018, when he was a state lawmaker seeking to unseat U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Although De Leon's DSA candidate questionnaire did not include a question about police abolition, he came out in favor of abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency that polices the border. These days, De Leon is slamming Jurado as the "handpicked" DSA candidate, calling her public safety views "too dangerous" for L.A. That shows that De Leon is "a hypocrite," Soto-Martinez said. De Leon, in response, said this year's DSA is "not the same as the Bernie Sanders DSA in 2016 or 2018." Abolition of police, he said, is just one area where the group has become too extreme. De Leon, who lives in Eagle Rock, has been at odds with Hernandez and Soto-Martinez over copper wire theft, which has left many streets including the newly built 6th Street Bridge in darkness. Hernandez and Soto-Martinez cast the only votes against De Leon's plan to create a task force to combat such thefts. Last summer, De Leon credited the task force with making 82 arrests and recovering 2,000 pounds of copper. De Leon's approach to public safety has resonated with at least some constituents. Last week, dozens gathered in Highland Park to denounce Jurado's use of the F-word and voice support for the LAPD. "In this crazy world that we live in, we need to fund the police, not you-know-what the police," El Sereno resident Eddie Santillan said. Times staff writer Libor Jany contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Two high-profile, back-to-back reports slam UCLA for a confusing breakdown in its police response leading to violence at a pro-Palestinian encampment in April, with one investigation also calling out the universitys dramatic failures in confronting antisemitism. A draft report to the Los Angeles Police Commission released Friday cited a lack of coordination between UCLA, the LAPD and the California Highway Patrol and smaller municipal police agencies that were hastily called to campus in the spring. UCLA, which has its own police force, had distanced itself from relying on the LAPD in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests four years ago, a practice that contributed to the poorly coordinated response, the report suggested. Some arriving teams of officers did not even know their way around the sprawling campus and were subjected to conflicting orders about what to do as a melee unfolded for hours in front of them the night of April 30. Los Angeles police officers walk onto the UCLA campus during a pro-Palestinian protest on May 1, 2024. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times) The LAPD should take the lead on campus law enforcement ahead of future "large scale events" if university staffing isn't adequate, said the report, which was compiled by the LAPD and submitted by Interim Police Chief Dominic H. Choi to the commission. The civilian agency, which is tasked with LAPD oversight, could approve it as early as its next meeting Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report to the commission came on the heels of a congressional probe that pilloried the university for allowing antisemitism to foment on campus during pro-Palestinian protests. Read more: UCLA students and faculty raise alarm on antisemitic and anti-Palestinian hate amid ongoing protests The Republican-led U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce criticized UCLA and other elite universities, including Harvard and Columbia, for "dramatic failures in confronting antisemitism." The report which drew upon emails between UCLA police, UCLA administrators, UC President Michael V. Drake and UC regents followed explosive committee hearings in the last year that contributed to the resignations of presidents of Harvard, Columbia, Rutgers and the University of Pennsylvania. In a statement, UCLA Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Safety Rick Braziel said the findings and recommendations sent to the police commission were under review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Meanwhile, both UCLA and the University of California Office of the President are conducting separate reviews of the events that took place last spring, and UCLA has already been implementing a host of measures to improve campus safety, Braziel said. In a separate university statement on the congressional report, UCLA said it was "committed to combating antisemitism and fostering an environment where every member of our community feels safe and welcome. We have learned valuable lessons from the events of last spring, and ahead of the start of this academic year, instituted reforms and programs to combat discrimination and enhance campus safety." In August, Drake directed chancellors of all 10 campuses to strictly enforce rules against encampments, protests that block pathways and masking that shields identities amid sharp calls to stop policy violations during demonstrations. Early signs of trouble The combined narrative of both reports offers the most detailed timeline on events leading up to the night of violence that began April 30, with repercussions spanning through May 2, when a massive police sweep of the encampment led more than 200 arrests and six uses of police force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a UCLA police message thread on April 25, five days before the violence, a patrol officer suggested police should identify and remove people who were not UCLA students, staff and faculty from the recently formed encampment at Royce Quad in the center of campus, the House report said. An unidentified individual responded that UCLA had decided to "hold off." Barricades surround a pro-Palestinian encampment as a member, right, is punched by a counter-protester, left, at UCLA on April 30, 2024. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times) Around 5 a.m. on April 25, then-UCLA Police Chief John Thomas texted LAPD commanders Steve Lurie and Jonathan Tom to inform them that multiple tents were being set up on campus and that UCLA "may need some assistance as the day progresses," said the police commission report. On April 25, a UCLA police lieutenant informed Thomas that more than 50 unidentified people were unloading wood, tents and other materials from a truck at Royce Quad. UCLA closed off a nearby street to prevent further access, but the erection of tents in the area of Royce Quad and Powell Library continued, the House committee report said. The encampment grew to more than 150 people with tents surrounded by wooden pallets, with the university fire marshal warning that the use of wood was not advised, the House committee report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Over the course of the next day, it became apparent to UCPD and campus administrators that the university was underequipped," according to the House report, which largely summarized university emails. "UCLA leaders worried that they would be unable to restrict access to the area or prevent further expansion of the encampment without a significant surge in manpower, with one senior administrator warning that 'no temporary fence is going to keep these people out,'" the House report said. On April 27, Choi approved the deployment of two LAPD mobile response squads to campus to stand by. Thomas told Choi that Beverly Hills, Culver City and Santa Monica were also sending squads and that the LAPD would be the last resort. The following morning, Thomas wrote in a group chat with other law enforcement leaders that more pro-Palestinian protesters planned to go to campus. A few minutes later, an LAPD lieutenant texted his colleagues to say that UCLA had "no plans" to clear out protesters, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Mace, green lasers, screeching soundtracks: Inside the UCLA encampment on a night of violence By 10:30 a.m., more than 1,000 pro-Israel counterprotesters arrived by the encampment. That morning, a single squad car from West L.A. was dispatched to monitor the protest. By 10:41 a.m., police began receiving reports that protesters and counterprotesters were "getting physical." Additional LAPD officers were sent to campus. About 11:14 a.m., the LAPD lieutenant texted Lurie to say that UCLA had requested the LAPD's help in clearing out the protesters. But he responded that the LAPD would not participate in making arrests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 1:34 p.m., Lurie texted a group of LAPD senior staff to inform them that the pro-Israel protest crowd was thinning out and UCLA administrators were discussing how and when to clear the encampment. Choi responded that the LAPD would not be involved in clearing out the area. About 90% of the pro-Israel group left within the hour. There were further moments of tension during the next two days, as coordination with the LAPD showed signs of being disjointed, the report to the police commission indicated. It exploded the night of April 30 as vigilantes arrived to attack the encampment. As reports of clashes began to increasingly pick up, UCLA police leaders contacted Lurie to let him know that campus police were being overwhelmed by the crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the initial message was sent at 11:07 p.m., campus police officials didn't make an official request for mutual aid until 11:31 p.m. and again 10 minutes later, the commission report said. The first LAPD units arrived on campus by 12:12 a.m. By about 1:45 a.m., several mobile response squads waded into the melee to try to separate protesters and counterprotesters who'd converged near a flagpole. Protesters sit on the steps near the encampment at UCLA on May 1, 2024. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times) But they took "no further action to clear the crowds" because they were still formulating a plan and awaiting backup, the commission report said. Under the department's crowd control rules, officers are supposed to wait for "sufficient personnel" before entering a crowd to make arrests. It was at least another hour before CHP officers began to clear the rest of the courtyard near the encampment. By 3:48 a.m., the area was cleared although the encampment remained. By the next night, multiple law enforcement agencies participated in clearing the encampment with more than 200 arrests. Read more: Students kick off fall semester with protests that adhere to UC/CSU zero-tolerance bans Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report to the commission recommended that UCPD, LAPD and other police agencies "establish procedures" for who is in control when officers in the primary jurisdiction over "overwhelmed," as was the case at UCLA. It said combining different agencies together can be "problematic" because of "varying use of force policies and tactics." It also said that LAPD officers should better coordinate with UCLA so they are more aware of how to navigate campus and that the LAPD should improve on its record keeping and training to improve response to similar future protests. The president of the Federated University Police Officers' Assn., which represents 250 UC police officers across 10 campuses, said in a statement that the report to the commission validated longstanding calls for UC police departments to "conduct annual planning and scenario training with partner police departments likely to respond to campus protests." "This report highlights the need for the various UC's to implement that training and planning, and what can go wrong when that mandate is ignored by campus administrators, such as what happened at UCLA, said Wade Stern, who is an officer at UC Riverside. Protests fomented antisemitism The House committee's findings accuse UCLA of largely ignoring the growing encampment while being aware as early as April 27 of campus accusations of antisemitic language or acts stemming from it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 'Are you a Zionist?' Checkpoints at UCLA encampment provoked fear, debate among Jews Chaired by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), the committee has been accused of bias. Democrats, who make up 20 of the 44 members of the committee, have criticized Republicans as not being serious in their pursuit to combat antisemitism. Members of the House minority have called the hearings an attempt by the chambers Republicans to use campus unrest for political gain, pointing out that equal attention has not been given to anti-Muslim or anti-Arab hatred, which have also increased since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. The committee grilled former UCLA Chancellor Gene Block in the spring along with the presidents of Northwestern and Rutgers universities but questions to Block about the violence at UCLA largely came from Democrats. USC escapes harsh criticism Separately on Friday, the Los Angeles Police Commission also released a report on USC, where LAPD arrested 94 people on April 24 as police and campus safety officers swept a pro-Palestinian encampment at Alumni Park. LAPD officers detain protesters at USC during a pro-Palestinian demonstration on April 24, 2024. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles) That report, which is significantly shorter than the UCLA one, was less critical. USC did not reply to a request for comment about on the finding, which said that LAPD deployed 619 officers the campus over three days between April 24 and May 5. The report's recommendations included that police do a better job at "tracking personnel" in order to estimate costs and more closely follow reporting procedures on use of force. Police used force on two occasions at USC. In one, an LAPD officer fired a 40mm round at a protester, and in the other an officer used a baton. Neither incident resulted in injuries, the report said. But, the cases weren't immediately investigated, as required by department policy, because of the department's reliance on paper records. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Two New Mexico inmates are accused of trying to get drugs into a New Mexico prison, and its part of a much bigger investigation. According to a federal indictment, on the morning of Aug. 10, staff at Cibola County Correctional Center found a package near the recreational yard. Inside it, they found 26 grams of heroin, 62 grams of tobacco, THC wax, suboxone, and drug paraphernalia. There were also two cell phones. The federal documents said one cell phone could sell for as much as $2,000 inside a prison. Through the federal investigation, law enforcement learned the package was intended for cellmates Lupe Vargas and Edward Vallez. Those names might sound familiar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teen shot in the head in Rio Rancho, police say News 13 has reported on Vargas before. In February, he led law enforcement on a violent chase in Albuquerque and even shot at Bernalillo County deputies before crashing into a hotel. He then walked out of the hotel property in different clothing, acting like nothing happened before being caught. News 13 has also previously reported on Vallez. Police said he led them on a high-speed chase with 230,000 fentanyl pills in the car. According to the indictment, federal investigators said Vargas and Vallez, who are believed to be involved with gangs, asked Vargas wife, Monalisa Vargas, and another person, Michael Garcia, to use a fishing rod to throw over the drug-filled package into the prison. Monalisa Vargas, Garcia, and a fifth person outside of prison, Theresa Atencio, are also facing federal charges for the attempt to bring contraband into the correctional facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is also not the first time Vargas is accused of breaking the law while behind bars. The new federal indictment says while he was in jail at MDC, Vargas asked his wife to get him a gun so he could escape during a medical visit. He detailed his escape plan in a letter that was intercepted by law enforcement. This case is part of a bigger, federal investigation were expecting to learn more about. News 13 has learned federal officials are holding a press conference on Friday about the investigation into Cibola County inmates working with gang members on the outside to bring contraband into the facility. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) An early-morning fire in Danville resulted in the complete loss of an abandoned building. Danville Firefighters Local 429 received a call at 4:15 a.m. Thursday morning. They were dispatched to 17 N. Jackson St. for reports of a large fire and heavy smoke on the second floor of a building with flames visible through the roof. Two squatters were located on the first floor in moderate smoke conditions and quickly rescued. They were examined by EMS personnel from an AMT ambulance, but no injuries were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The departments ladder truck was set up and placed into operation, putting water onto the fire from the roof area. The fire alarm assignment was upgraded to a third alarm assignment which brought in an additional 15 off-duty fire department personnel to assist. City of Danville begins process of demolishing old building The fire was contained to the second floor and roof area. According to Assistant Fire Chief William Ryan, the structure had been vacant and fenced in for 10-15 years. The first level used to be a commercial taxpayer building that was a barbershop, and the second level used to be apartment units. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but Ryan said it might be incendiary, as the building had not had utilities for years. The initial fire was put out after an hour, with firefighters checking for hot spots before closing the scene at 9:23 a.m. The structure had a covered passage between it and a building that used to be Model Star Laundry that took laundry from local hospitals. Part of the laundromat had already recently collapsed. Crews battle ravine fire at Fox Ridge State Park overnight The property at this location consisted of three separate buildings that were connected by various walkways and shared roofing components. All were owned by the City of Danville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after the fire was put out, Owens Excavating & Trucking LLC tore down what remained of the structure. Danville Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. took to Facebook to thank the company for a safe excavation. These structures were already scheduled to be torn down, but the city hadnt gotten around to doing it yet. The full destruction of the building ended around noon. Danville Public Works, Ameren Illinois and the Danville Police Department all assisted in setting up barricades and redirecting traffic while the fire and excavation were taking place. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Two teens were wounded after a gunman opened fire on a crowded Manhattan street filled with trick-or-treaters on Halloween night, cops said. The victims, a 17-year-old boy and 19-year-old man, were with a group of other teens shooting craps against the wall of a McDonalds on W. 71st St. near Amsterdam Ave. on the Upper West Side when the shooter fired three shots around 6:32 p.m., a law enforcement source told the Daily News. The younger teen was spotted limping into a nearby McDonalds where his friends bandaged a wound to his right leg, one witness told the Daily News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He ran into the McDonalds and sat down, said the witness, a street vendor who declined to share his name. He was shot in the right leg. His friends were surrounding him and helping him. Medics rushed the teen to NY Presbyterian Weill Cornell Hospital in stable condition, cops said. The older victim with gunshot wounds to the arm and shoulder who arrived at Mt. Sinai Hospital by private means was later connected to the shooting, police said. The gunfire sent costumed kids and their parents running in terror, the vendor said. There were lots of kids out here trick-or-treating with their moms. They all ran screaming, the vendor said. You cant even go trick-or-treating out here anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One dad out trick-or-treating with his 5-year-old daughter when the gunfire erupted complained that a group of youngsters hang out smoking weed, playing dice and fight at the intersection. These kids are always under my scaffolding smoking marijuana and shooting craps on the sidewalk, 51-year-old Eric Papa told The News. Papa was dressed as King Triton, while his daughter dressed up as the Little Mermaid. There are always fist fights. I told them to leave I dont know how many times. Its madness. None of them live around here. Where are the police? Police were searching for two suspects last seen fleeing south on Amsterdam Ave. on a bicycle. No arrests have been made. The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy, or PLAN has for the first time conducted dual-carrier operations in the South China Sea. The drills, involving the countrys first two in-service carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, as well as at least 11 other vessels, also showcased the PLANs fast-growing air wing. This revealed that both the upgraded J-15B single-seat multirole fighter and probably also the J-15D two-seat electronic warfare jet are likely now in operational service. Between them, these new versions of the J-15 Flanker carrier-based fighter point to the rapid progress made by the PLAN in developing more advanced aircraft that operate from its expanding aircraft carrier fleet. Photos and a video of the dual-carrier maneuvers were recently released by Chinese state media, although its unclear exactly when they date from. While clearly engineered for public consumption including a flyby conducted by a dozen J-15s overhead the flotilla the photo opportunity also points to how the PLAN is developing its wider blue-water capabilities, including the vessels required to support carriers on long, out-of-area deployments. At the same time, the similarity between this photo exercise (PHOTEX) and the kinds staged by the U.S. Navy including in the Indo-Pacific region is remarkable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dramatic overhead formation of J-15 fighters something that is also familiar from U.S. Navy PHOTEXes involving carriers includes a group of 12 jets, also seen separated into six-ship flights. Meanwhile, another 18 J-15s were visible on the deck of the Shandong at the time of the flyby, with at least two more spotted on the Liaoning. J-15B has light grey radome, are the CATOBAR compatible, 4.5th gen (new weapons, avionics AESA etc) variant, marked red J-15/A has dark grey radome, STOBAR production/old version, 4th gen, marked green In flight I see 9 J-15B, 2 J-15A, but happy for other opinions. https://t.co/vdflozAB3K pic.twitter.com/4Hgl43P9bq Rick Joe (@RickJoe_PLA) October 31, 2024 The fighters include both the original J-15 versions, which are equipped for short takeoff but assisted recovery (STOBAR) operations, and the more modern J-15B, which can also conduct catapult takeoff but assisted recovery (CATOBAR) operations. Bearing in mind the J-15B wasnt known to be in operational service, the number of these particular versions involved (at least 15) makes it all the more notable. What do you think about this J-15-count? I see 16 regular J-15, 13 J-15B and maybe 2 J-15D! pic.twitter.com/g7KFRhXiue @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) October 31, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The J-15B is significantly more capable than the earlier J-15 and J-15A. Its CATOBAR features were first tested on the J-15T prototype, which added a strengthened nose landing gear with an accompanying catapult launch bar. The series-production J-15B also has a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar (under a darker-colored radome, with no pitot tube) and a more modern cockpit. While most J-15Bs still retain the tried and tested AL-31F engines, this version has also been tested with domestically produced WS-10 turbofans. This could be another major surprise The PLAN Naval Aviation converted at least one J-15 to WS-10B engines replacing the standard Russian AL-31F, so after only a few prototypes tested it in the early phase, this is eventually a hint that the WS-10 is ready for the J-15 too. pic.twitter.com/sTwdVnQU2k @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) November 23, 2022 Less obvious, however, are the two J-15D electronic warfare jets, broadly similar to the U.S. Navys EA-18G Growler, but likely also possessing a secondary strike mission. These are seen parked immediately alongside the island on the Shandong. While they appear to be distinguished by their tandem two-seat cockpits and humped forward fuselages, we cannot entirely rule out the possibility that these are single-seaters. Reports suggest that the prototype J-15D first flew in late 2016. Like the land-based J-16D, this variant is characterized by large wingtip electronic warfare pods and it has the standard infrared search and track (IRST) sensor and cannon removed. Additional conformal and blade antennas are located around the airframe and further EW pods can be carried under the wings and below the fuselage. A prototype J-15D with its characteristic wingtip electronic warfare pods. Chinese Internet via X Neither the Liaoning nor Shandong have catapults, but these are a feature of the new Fujian. Instead, the PLANs first two carriers use a ski-jump takeoff ramp to launch fixed-wing aircraft. A useful comparison of the Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning (CV-16), Shandong (CV-17), and Fujian (CV-18): Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As well as the two carriers, the maneuvers included an expanded surface action group, with various surface combatants and support vessels. This ships can be identified are three Type 055 Renhai class destroyers, four Type 052D Luyang III class destroyers, one Type 054A Jiangkai II class frigate, and two Type 901 Fuyu class fast combat support ships. Twelve J-15s over the PLAN dual-carrier group. Chinese Internet via X Two support vessels were at the rear of the flotilla. Chinese Internet via X Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typically, the Liaoning and Shandong go to sea with air wings made up of up to a maximum of 24 J-15 fighters. These are generally supported by around two Z-18F anti-submarine warfare helicopters, two Z-18JA airborne early warning helicopters, and a pair of smaller Z-9 helicopters for plane-guard and general utility duties. It should be noted that the Liaoning and Shandong have been at sea simultaneously before but have never been seen in such close proximity. There were also reports last month that the PLAN put three aircraft carriers to sea at the same time, although one of these, the Fujian, is not yet operational, while the Liaoning and Shandong were operating a significant distance apart: in the Philippine Sea and off Hainan Island, respectively. The aircraft carrier Liaoning at the front of the flotilla. In this photo, the censor has removed the pennant number from the front end of the flight deck. Chinese Internet via X The fact that these recent maneuvers were documented in the highly strategic South China Sea is also no coincidence. Beijing claims almost all of these waters as its own, resulting in numerous disputes and standoffs with other nations in this region, and these kinds of naval drills are very much in keeping with Chinas military signaling here. Looking at the development of the carrier-based Flanker versions in more detail, the J-15 is the Chinese equivalent of the Soviet-designed Su-33 Flanker, a prototype of which China secured from Ukraine to assist in reverse engineering it. Unlike the Su-33, the J-15 has a multirole capability, since it incorporates avionics from the land-based J-11B fighter, although it retains the Russian-made AL-31F turbofans, unlike other Chinese Flanker versions now in production. The J-15A designation is sometimes applied to a slightly improved later-production version, with some additional precision-guided weapons options. As for the new J-15B, as well as its enhanced capabilities, this provides the PLAN with its first experience of CATOBAR operations, which will be fundamental to getting the most out of its future carriers, starting with the Fujian, which is equipped with an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), something that remains a relatively new and complex technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, the J-15B and J-15D can clearly also be operated in STOBAR mode, which provides the air wings of the Liaoning and Shandong with a more capable fighter compared to the original J-15. It should be noted that the PLAN is also exploring other carrier-based Flanker versions, to further expand the mission spectrum and capabilities of its carrier air wings. These include the two-seat J-15S, which some analysts assume will be initially used as a trainer, but which will likely also inform the development of a two-seat carrier-based multirole strike and electronic warfare platform, which may be designated J-17. A multirole-capable two-seater would also be relevant for other more complex missions, including long-range air defense or even working as a command and control platform for combat drones. Taken from a TV news report, this image shows an operational J-15S in its PLAN colors, parked alongside a single-seat J-15. Chinese Internet via X Ultimately, however, the CATOBAR-capable J-15 and other new Chinese carrier-based Flanker versions will likely be a stepping-stone toward the more advanced capabilities that will be offered by the PLANs next carrier fighter, the stealthy J-35, developed from the land-based FC-31. While the J-35 was designed from the ground up for CATOBAR operations, aboard the Fujian and subsequent carriers, there are also signs that it, like the J-15B and J-15D, might also eventually embark on the Liaoning and Shandong. A close-up view of mockups of the J-35 and a J-15 variant aboard the Liaoning earlier this year. Chinese Internet via X Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we have discussed before, having the J-35 join the air wing of the Liaoning and Shandong would be a significant boost. In addition to its low-observable characteristics, its assumed that the production aircraft will feature an advanced AESA radar among a host of modern sensors and very capable weaponry. The downside, as with putting the J-15B aboard the Liaoning and Shandong is that all these aircraft would have to launch off the bow ramp, limiting their payloads. However, as weve pointed out in the past, the J-35, which is intended to carry more limited stores internally, may be less dramatically affected than other types. A J-35 carrier-based stealth fighter prototype. Chinese Internet via X The navalized J-35 this time not a mockup. Chinese internet Perhaps most importantly, integrating the CATOBAR-capable J-15B and J-15D and perhaps also the J-35B into the air wings of Chinas first two carriers will provide very valuable experience for pilots, maintainers, and the wider PLAN. After all, the PLANs carrier aviation arm is still very much in its infancy, but it has bold ambitions. As well as the Fujian, which is now under test, and the J-35, the PLAN is looking forward to introducing the KJ-600 carrier-based radar plane, which will play a role analogous to the E-2 Hawkeye as a critical force-multiplier. The size and weight of the KJ-600 will preclude it from going to sea aboard the Liaoning and Shandong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carrier-based drones, including unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs), are also a growing area of interest for the PLAN and its now widely expected that the Fujian, at least, will eventually embark a low-observable UCAV that will offer strike, surveillance, and targeting capabilities. An artists concept of a future Chinese aircraft carrier. Chinese internet via @HenriKenhmann After the Fujian, China is also widely expected to introduce more fully locally designed carriers, perhaps even with nuclear propulsion rather than the conventional powerplants used in its first three flattops. In the meantime, the recent photo opportunity showing the PLANs dual-carrier operations and the expanding capabilities of its air wing, provide yet another indication of Chinas expanding naval presence, especially in terms of its steadily growing carrier force. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com ATLANTA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) The Texas Department of Transportation will begin resurfacing parts of Farm to Market Road 989/Kings Highway in Bowie County in January 2025. RK Hall, LLC of Paris was awarded the $2,429,230 contract for the project which will extend from 0.1 mile south of US Highway 67 to 0.1 mile north of US Highway 59. Single-vehicle crash on Louisiana Hwy 153 kills North Carolina man; state police say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All lanes will receive asphalt concrete pavement and pavement markings. Safety improvements will include upgrading metal beam guard fence and safety end treatments, said Texarkana Area Engineer Tommy Bruce. Work is expected to begin in January and is scheduled to take about five months. The estimated completion date is subject to change due to weather and/or other unforeseen circumstances. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Heavy rains and high winds lashed Taiwan on Thursday as the largest storm to hit the island in nearly three decades made landfall along its southeast coast, killing at least one person and injuring dozens. Typhoon Kong-rey packed winds approaching 200 kilometers per hour (125 mph), equivalent to a Category 3 Atlantic hurricane, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), as it made landfall in Taitung county on Thursday afternoon. Kong-reys radius of maximum wind how far the strongest winds are from its center measured 320 kilometers (nearly 200 miles) on Wednesday evening, making it the largest storm to hit Taiwan since Typhoon Herb in 1996, said Chang Chun-yao, a forecaster with the islands Central Weather Administration (CWA). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least two were killed and more than 500 storm-related injuries were reported, according to Taiwans Central Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) A 56-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree while traveling by car in the central county of Nantou, and a 48-year-old man died on Thursday night after he was hit by an electric pole that fell during the typhoon in Taipei. Heavy downpours in Keelung, Taiwan on October 31, 2024. - I-Hwa Cheng/AFP/Getty Images Ahead of the powerful storm, local authorities ordered offices and schools to temporarily close, while Taiwan suspended trading on its stock market. Taiwan generally has a strong track record of responding to major typhoons, though remote villages in more mountainous regions can be particularly vulnerable to landslides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taiwans military put more than 34,000 soldiers on standby to assist with rescue efforts and over 8,600 people had been evacuated from high-risk areas on Wednesday, the CEOC said. Strong winds from Kong-rey tore down a roof in Hualien county, eastern Taiwan on October 31, 2024. - Hualien County Fire Department/AP More than 500 flights, including 300 international journeys, have been canceled, and all ferry services to Taiwans outlying islands have been suspended, according to Taiwans Civil Aviation Administration. High-speed rail services are operating at limited capacity, according to the rail operator, while the Taipei metro said it had suspended services on open-air sections. Images from Taiwans official Central News Agency and social media showed ferocious waves slamming into the coast of Taitung county, while parts of neighboring Hualien county were submerged in floodwaters. Toppled road signs and traffic lights were also seen across Taiwan, social media images showed. Kong-rey rapidly intensified to reach super typhoon strength on Wednesday as it barreled toward Taiwan after bashing the Philippines. Though the storm weakened slightly ahead of making direct landfall in Taiwan, has unleashed intense downpours, bringing flash flooding, storm surges and the risk of landslides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The heaviest rainfall was expected across eastern Taiwan. Taiwans weather agency on Thursday issued an extremely torrential rainfall warning, its highest level, for parts of Yilan, Hualien, Taichung and Taitung counties along the east coast. The rest of eastern Taiwan and parts of the islands north, including Taipei, are under a torrential rainfall warning, the second-highest level. Additional rainfall of over half a meter (20 inches) is still possible across parts of eastern Taiwan, which could lead to flash flooding and landslides, according to the CWA. Warmer oceans from the human-caused climate crisis are leading storms to intensify more rapidly, according to scientists. Kong-rey is the third typhoon to make landfall on Taiwan this year, after Krathon and Gaemi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, Typhoon Krathon killed four people as it brought particularly heavy rains to the south of the island. In recent days, northern parts of the Philippines main island of Luzon have been lashed by the outer bands of Kong-rey, known locally as Leon, as authorities ordered evacuations and warned of its impacts after already seeing devastation last week from Tropical Storm Trami, known as Kristine, which killed at least 130 people. After moving into the northern Taiwan Strait, the storm is forecast to head into the East China Sea and toward Japan. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) The University of Illinois Police Department is investigating after a Campustown bar was robbed at gunpoint early Friday morning. The robbery happened at Joes Brewery at Fifth and Green Streets. UIPD officials said that at 1 a.m., the department received a report of an armed robbery at the bar and an officer was on the scene within one minute. The suspect had fled by that point. Bar employees told the officer a man entered the building through an exit and pointed a gun at three employees, one of whom was standing near a cash register. The man grabbed money from the register and fled through the same door he had entered through. No shots were fired and no one was hurt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three arrested, one escapes after fleeing traffic stop in Champaign The robbery prompted an Illini Alert that was sent to all students, faculty and staff at 1:05 a.m. UIPD officers searched the area for the suspect, but he was never found. A follow-up Illini Alert sent at 1:51 a.m. stated that the suspect was believed to have left the area and that it was safe to resume regular activities around Joes. Investigators are reviewing security camera footage and data from automated license plate readers to locate additional evidence. They are also looking for photos and footage recorded by witnesses. Anyone who has such photos or video, or any other information related to the robbery, is asked to contact the UIPD at 217-333-1216. Alternatively, witnesses can remain anonymous by submitting a tip to Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477 or visiting their website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Days after a Catholic mission that treats up to 30,000 poor people a year became the latest target of armed gangs in a new wave of coordinated attacks, the Biden administration deported dozens of people back to Haiti in the midst of worsening humanitarian conditions and rampant violence. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement charter flight left from Miami on Thursday morning and landed at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince shortly after 1 p.m. Haitian authorities had been told to expect 77 people onboard the aircraft, which like a U.S. deportation flight last month arrived in the volatile Caribbean country amid a surge in ramped up attacks by the gang coalition known as Viv Ansanm, Haitian Creole for Living Together. For weeks, heavily armed Viv Ansanm members have been launching attacks on multiple fronts, overstretching the Haiti National Police, the countrys small army and the Kenya-led multinational police force. The spreading violence has caused widespread hunger and triggered mass displacements. Thousands of Haitians living in and around the capital, in its outskirts and in the neighboring Artibonite region have been forced to flee their homes. The United Nations International Organization for Migration said.Since the start of this latest violence, more than 21,000 people have been displaced, including residents in the town of Arcahaie, which has had 12 days of successive attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, Viv Ansanm members targeted the compound of the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation in Port-au-Princes Delmas neighborhood that Mother Teresa opened in 1979. After breaking into the nuns home, gang members looted the convent and hospital, then set them on fire. Though many people in the area have been injured or killed by the intense violence, none of the nuns were injured because police had asked the order to leave the area in August after shootings picked up in the area, according to one of the nuns. The sisters provide free healthcare to 30,000 people a year through an outpatient clinic, and offered free hospitalization to hundreds. The incident marked the first time that the beloved religious community, which has been serving the poor population in the Lower Delmas community of the capital for nearly 50 years, was attacked. Many houses were set on fire. People had to leave their homes and lost everything, the nun said. This fight has been going on for a very long time, but nobody thought they would touch the sisters house because everyone in the neighborhood knew how much the poor people of the area benefited from the free service of the sisters, especially in terms of free medical care. The Biden administration continues to deport Haitians to Port-au-Prince, Haiti despite a worsening security and humanitarian situation. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told the Miami Herald that the agency is monitoring the situation in Haiti and coordinating closely with the State Department and international partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the past four years DHS deported 2,803 Haitians, according to government data. That does not include thousands of Haitians expelled at the U.S.-Mexico border through a pandemic-era public health rule. The DHS spokesperson said irregular migration from Haiti remained low and that the agency would continue to enforce U.S. laws and policy at the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as throughout the Florida Straits and the Caribbean. The federal government has rolled out several policies to reduce irregular migration from Haiti and other countries, including by expanding legal pathways. That includes a parole program that has brought nearly 214,000 Haitians to the U.S., along with around 317,000 Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, and Cubans. The number of Haitians crossing the border unlawfully has also drastically dropped as they have become the top nationality to use a mobile application that allows people to schedule appointments with border authorities. The resurgence in violence is unfolding as both the political and security situation in Haiti worsens. Despite the presence of 416 foreign police and soldiers, the Multinational Security Support has not been able to get the violence under control due to a lack of resources and personnel. On Wednesday, El Salvador became the latest country to join the effort, approving a proposal to send a contingent of soldiers to assist with medical evacuations. Its unclear how many Salvadorian soldiers will be involved or if they will be stationed in Port-au-Prince or in the Dominican Republic, which has agreed to provide care for injured members of the multinational mission and a holding space for its helicopters. Earlier this month, Dominican President Luis Abinaders government announced the deportations of up to 10,000 Haitians a week, sparking fury and exacerbating an already tense situation in Haiti. The country, along with the U.S. and the Turks and Caicos, has continued to return Haitians despite calls by the U.N. and others to halt deportations due to the worsening crisis. In recent weeks, smugglers have abandoned Haitians on remote islands off Puerto Ricos coasts, and Haitian migration to the U.S. has been at the forefront of the national election cycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, gunmen targeted two U.S. embassy armored vehicles as well as a U.N. World Food Program helicopter with 18 people aboard flying over Port-au-Prince. No one was hurt in either case. But the chopper incident led to a temporary suspension of flights by Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways and the U.N. The U.S. State Department planned to evacuate 20 non-essential diplomatic staff, a source told the Miami Herald. The U.N. says gang violence has forced more than 110,000 Haitians to flee their homes in the last seven months, bringing the total number of people internally displaced to more than 700,000. The violence has also triggered a crisis of hunger, with one in two Haitians, or 5.4 million people, facing acute hunger. After temporarily halting deportation flights, the U.S. resumed them into Port-au-Prince on Sept. 26, a week after armed gangs slaughtered at least 115 people in the central Haitian town of Pont-Sonde, north of the capital. Until last month, U.S. deportation flights had been arriving in the northern coastal city of Cap-Haitien, where the longtime director of the regional migration office was recently murdered. Thursdays flight made a stop in Kingston, Jamaica, before arriving in Port-au-Prince, said Thomas Cartwright, an independent analyst who tracks ICE deportation flight. There was no filed flight plan for Thursdays flight, Cartwright said, presumably due to safety concerns over ongoing gang violence in Haitis capital. The flights arrival was confirmed by several Haitian authorities to the Herald. For years, the U.N. and immigration rights advocates have urged that the United States stop deportations to Haiti. Just because your car has been stolen does not always mean that it is gone forever. A trove of 30 luxury cars stolen nearly a decade ago has finally been returned to their rightful owners in the U.K., according to the BBC. The collection of automobiles is believed to have a value of nearly $8 million. More from Robb Report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stolen vehicles were recovered thanks to an investigation dubbed Op Titanium by the countrys National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS), an industry-funded police group hosted by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary. They were all reportedly stolen between 2016 and 2017. The perpetrators would acquire the vehicles via hire-purchase agreements, air fright them to Singapore with false papers and then ship them to Thailand. Each of the cars was found more than 6,000 miles away from where they were originally stolen. After 8 years, 35 vehicles, original value over 6million were returned from Thailand following Op Titanium. These were obtained on fraudulent finance and within a few days were shipped to Bangkok. It took years of work and fantastic assistance from Thai authorities. pic.twitter.com/Ig0H5L2i97 NaVCIS (@NaVCIS_UK) October 31, 2024 NaVCIS has spent the last seven years tracking down the cars with the help of Thailands Department of Special Investigation (DSI). Raids at nine locations across Bangkok helped turn up the stolen vehicles, many of which were found in showrooms or on industrial estates, according to DSI. The operation has resulted in charges being filed against 13 people, including the alleged ringleader. The illegal scheme saw 35 vehicles stolen, all but five of which have since been recovered. Among the cars stolen was a handful of BMW M4s, a Lamborghini Huracan Spyder, a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, and three R35-generation Nissan GT-Rs, according to Road & Track. NaVCIS put the value of the stolen cars at more than 6 million, which works out to around $7.8 million. Many of the stolen vehicles belonged to finance companies, according to the BBC. The Huracan, in particular, belonged to a business that rents out luxury vehicles, and its theft led to the end of the company. The head of NaVCIS, Sharon Naughton, told the news service he couldnt be more pleased to have it back seven years later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today is a good day to demonstrate how NaVCIS can dedicate resources and expertise to tackling vehicle crime, Naughton said. Combating all manner of vehicle crime appears to be something of a priority in the U.K. Earlier this year, London police launched a program to seize vehicles from drivers engaging in anti-social driving. During its first week, authorities took possession of over 60 supercars valued at a combined $7.8 million. Best of Robb Report Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. U.S. Marshals Service has collaborated with 112 law enforcement agencies in over 22 states to conduct Operation Trick or Treat 2. The U.S. Marshals Service District of New Hampshire worked in part with the New Hampshire State Police Sex Offender Registry to create a state-wide strategy. Departments that also contributed to the operation include Concord, Manchester, and Nashua Police Departments, as well as all ten County Sheriffs Offices. The participating New Hampshire departments performed over 400 sex offender compliance checks, 20 of those being non-compliant offenders, and 12 of the non-compliant have been under federal investigation by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The operation has resulted in a total of 331 arrests, 129 of those for sex offenders failing to register as a sex offender, 74 for sex offenders committing other offenses, and 128 arrests for other criminal activities. Law enforcement also conducted over 3,334 sex offender compliance checks and seized 40 illegally possessed firearms. Some of the significant arrests made include: On October 18, U.S. Marshals and the Newbury Police Department arrested Marc Jacques, who was wanted on warrants for allegedly violating bond conditions while on release. Jacques was due to report to the Bureau of Prisons in December to serve a 5-year federal prison sentence resulting from a conviction for distribution of child pornography. On October 22, U.S. Marshals and the Merrimack Police Department arrested Roderick Chubb on Douglas Street in Merrimack. Chubb was arrested on warrants for sexual assault of a minor out of Union County, New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On October 24, U.S. Marshals arrested Douglas Reynolds, who was wanted by multiple jurisdictions in New Hampshire and Vermont. As a result of Reynolds arrest, additional federal charges are being considered by the United States Attorneys Office. On October 26, U.S. Marshals in the Mexico foreign field office arrested John Ellsey in Playas del Carmen. Ellsey was wanted on a New Hampshire parole warrant and for failing to register as a sex offender; he had been on the run since January 2020. Operation Trick or Treat 2 reaffirms one of our Agencys highest priorities to ensure safety of children in our communities, said Director Ronald L. Davis of the U.S. Marshals Service. I applaud the women and men of the Marshals Service and all of the agencies who participated in this operation. 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 (Bloomberg) -- UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds accepted that tax hikes announced in the governments budget this week might hinder companies ability to hire workers and raise salaries. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reynolds, speaking to Bloomberg Television, said the rise in employer national insurance contributions and an uplift in the minimum wage would affect companies, including how many people they employ and what they can pay them. Nevertheless, he defended Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves budget. If you look at the overall tax position within the UK, if you benchmark some of these changes that weve had to introduce, there is no doubt the UK is still a globally competitive market, Reynolds said. Where you have any kind of pressure on business, of course, that will ultimately be something which affects how that business operates, what they can do in terms of recruitment and pay. We accept that. He spoke before the open of UK markets, when a selloff of UK government bonds resumed, reinforcing the challenging outlook for the government as it seeks to persuade investors that its restoring stability to the British economy after years of uncertainty under the Conservatives. Prime Minister Keir Starmers government has spent its first few months in office trying to convince global investors the UK is a desirable location. It held an international investment summit and appointed former Darktrace Chief Executive Officer Poppy Gustafsson as investment minister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reeves unveiled the new Labour governments first budget on Wednesday, including 40 billion ($51.6 billion) of tax hikes she said are necessary to strengthen the UKs fiscal position. But her plans to ramp up spending and investment led to official projections suggesting around an extra 142 billion of borrowing will be needed over the next five years, unnerving the bond market. The chancellor on Thursday tried to reassure markets by saying in an interview with Bloomberg Television that the governments No. 1 commitment is to economic and fiscal stability. But yields continued to rise on Friday morning, with the yield on the two-year bond up about 3 basis points and the 10-year up 4 basis points at the market open. The two-year yield is on track for a 10th day of increases, the longest streak since 2006. Businesses were also unsettled by the budget, in which Reeves raised the national insurance payroll tax levied on employers, and increased the national living wage. UKHospitality, a trade body, said the increased burden on employers will make it harder for businesses to support employment and invest in their businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supermarket chain Tesco, the countrys largest private-sector employer, faces a cost rise thats equal to about 4% of 2026 consensus earnings, according to analysis from Bloomberg Intelligence. Reynolds said Labour, which took over from Rishi Sunaks Conservative Party in July, had been put in a very challenging position by the previous government. The Tories failed to budget enough for day-to-day spending, he said. Reeves deputy, Darren Jones on Friday morning also defended the budget. He told Times Radio that the tax-raising measures were necessary to fund a broad package of interventions to boost growth in the UK, and dismissed movements in the gilts market as normal. Reynolds spoke to Bloomberg in Dubai. Hes in the United Arab Emirates to address trade ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council, as the UK attempts to get a free trade agreement with the bloc. Its his second visit to the Gulf since Labour won the general election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We see a real opportunity here, a real partnership that is very strong, he said. A trade deal can substantially improve on that. The oil-rich UAE is enjoying a boom, with its population rising rapidly as hedge funds and artificial intelligence firms move to or increase their staff in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The latter, the capital of the UAE, has more than $1 trillion of sovereign wealth fund capital. Still, there are some UK-UAE tensions. Last month, Labour was forced to appease Dubai-owned business DP World after it threatened to pull out of the UKs investment summit. That was after the UKs transport secretary criticized the employment practices of P&O Ferries, a DP World subsidiary. The Dubai company ultimately took part in the summit. Reynolds said there would always be a need for dialog over such issues, but that the UK did not conduct explicit foreign policy questions through our trade negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We should never dodge difficult questions if they need to be had through proper dialog and understanding, Reynolds said. But we should also be making the case that bringing economies around the world together is in itself a good thing. (Adds bond markets starting in fourth paragraph; context throughout.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has strongly condemned the latest launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile by North Korea on 31 October 2024. Source: comment by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Details: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that this launch was another provocation that undermines peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the world as a whole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns another launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile by North Korea on 31 October 2024. This is yet another irresponsible provocation that undermines peace and stability both on the Korean Peninsula and in the world at large." Details: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the launch of the missile, which reached a record height compared to previous tests, indicates progress in the DPRK's missile programme. Quote: "We call on our partners to take immediate action to resolutely counter the Russian and North Korean regimes from increasing sanctions pressure on Moscow and Pyongyang to maximising Ukraine's capabilities within the framework of the Victory Plan presented by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy." Background: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US condemned the test of an intercontinental ballistic missile by the DPRK, which was launched towards Japan. According to a statement by a representative of the US presidential administration, this launch is a "flagrant violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions". North Korea is known to have fired a ballistic missile toward Japan on the morning of 31 October local time. The launch came hours after the defence ministers of South Korea and the United States condemned North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia. North Korea last fired several short-range ballistic missiles on 18 September. Support UP or become our patron! By Anastasiia Malenko and Tom Balmforth KYIV (Reuters) - For many Ukrainians, the outcome of the U.S. election next week and its impact on the war with Russia feels less likely to be pivotal than it once did. Even with the Democrats' unprecedented military and financial aid, battlefield losses have accelerated in the east and Ukraine has grown impatient with President Joe Biden's reluctance to let it unleash Western weapons on targets deep inside Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, meanwhile, has criticised the level of U.S. support for Kyiv, refused to say he wants Ukraine to win the war and promised, if elected, to end the conflict before he takes office in January, without explaining how. That has led some ordinary Ukrainians and officials to be less categorical about who they want to win the White House - Trump or Democratic contender Kamala Harris. "If Harris wins, it will be a continuation of the sham assistance to Ukraine, which means that they will talk and do nothing," said Viktor Tupilka, 70, a former coal miner from the eastern region of Donetsk. "If Trump wins, he will most likely push for an end to the war and give away a share of Ukraine's territory," Tupilka added, speaking in Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In either case, Ukraine loses (something). All our hopes are not to look at the election, but to think about how to provide for ourselves both through internal resources and otherwise." The United States has given Ukraine tens of billions of dollars in military and financial assistance - more than any other ally - since Russia launched its full-scale war on Ukraine in February 2022. That assistance has provided Ukraine with a lifeline for its much smaller army, but President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said throughout the conflict that U.S. and Western support has been too little, too late to turn the tide in Ukraine's favour. A senior European diplomat based in Kyiv said Ukrainian officials were less worried about a Trump victory than some might expect, in part because Ukraine was losing territory even with the military and economic support it receives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At least Trump might shake things up a bit," the diplomat told Reuters. Trump's stated intention to try to force an end to the war in Ukraine before taking office would almost certainly require Washington to say or give something to Kyiv that is threatening to Russia, the diplomat added. But the uncertainty over what Trump would do to try to end the war is causing considerable unease. Volodymyr Fesenko, a Kyiv-based political analyst, said that while Trump could increase aid to Ukraine and use economic leverage to force Russia to the negotiating table, he could also threaten to cut off aid to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The main problem is that Trump promises to initiate negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine immediately after his victory, but we do not know on what terms," Fesenko said. COURTING BOTH CAMPS Zelenskiy and his government have been careful to avoid publicly siding with one candidate over the other, wary of alienating the eventual winner. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Thursday Ukraine was confident of continued U.S. support regardless of who wins the election. Following a visit to the U.S. in September, during which he met Harris and Trump, Zelenskiy said the Nov. 5 election would be likely to have an impact on Russia's readiness for negotiations even before the winning candidate assumed office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The United States will demonstrate the policy very quickly, after the elections, in my opinion. And from this information that I have received from the candidates, this is a positive from my meetings with them," he said. Moscow says it wants peace, but has set conditions Kyiv regards as unacceptable. Zelenskiy has also underlined the need for a fair resolution to the war and talked of a summit later this year that could include a representative from Moscow. Fesenko saw promises of continued support from Harris' camp as good news for Ukraine, but warned that were she to win the election the future shape of U.S. support was unclear. "Almost no one doubts that she will continue Biden's policy of supporting Ukraine, but will this policy be more decisive or will Kamala Harris, for example, also be inclined to initiate negotiations to end the war?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to pushing for permission to use Western missiles against targets inside Russia, Ukrainian officials have publicly pointed to problems with prompt delivery of approved American aid and urged allies to deliver more air defences. Vitaliy Novak, 53, a commercial director in the media industry, felt the significance of the outcome of the U.S. election was more clear-cut than some other Ukrainians. "Our future depends on what happens on Nov. 5, no more, no less," he said. "This will be a pivotal moment in how events unfold - whether they will continue along the same path or we will see radical change." But amid the debate, many Ukrainians agree it is hard to see a quick fix to the war after territorial losses in the past year, heavy military and civilian casualties, and relentless Russian attacks on energy infrastructure before winter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "On the one hand, a horrible end is better than a horror without an end," said 20-year-old Hlib Astahov, referring to Trump's promise of a swift end to hostilities. "On the other hand, I would not want this ongoing war - with so much effort and the lives of the best of us already spent - to simply end in some kind of fudged peace because of our Western partners." (Tom Balmforth reported from London; additional reporting by Olena Harmash; Editing by Mike Collett-White and Timothy Heritage) Kyiv is preparing a bilateral cooperation document with Budapest "to clear up misunderstandings" between the two countries on an number of issues, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Oct. 31. No information was provided on what specific agreements the bilateral document seeks to reach, however, Zelensky said that the document would likely involve issues pertaining to national minorities as well as security cooperation. "The least we ask of Hungary is not to block Ukraine's invitation to NATO. That is, do not support, do not vote for us, and do not block," Zelensky said during a conference with community leaders in western Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Relations between Kyiv and Budapest have continued to sour as Hungary, led by strongman Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has repeatedly blocked aid to Kyiv, pushed for negotiations with Moscow, and spouted Kremlin talking points. On Oct. 17, Orban referred to Ukraine's five-point victory plan, which includes NATO accession atop of the list, as "more than terrifying." In a socia media post, Orban urged the EU to change its strategy regarding the war in Ukraine and reiterated calls for "a ceasefire and peace talks." "There are many things there to clear up misunderstandings or to answer the challenges of the present, the future and the past," Zelensky said in regards to the document being prepared. Zelensky added resolving issues related to national minorities should be addressed "so that no issues arise between our states." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Budapest has repeatedly accused Kyiv of discriminating against the Hungarian ethnic minority concentrated in southwestern Ukraine, an accusation that the Ukrainian leadership denies. The two countries have in recent months sought to mend relations on the issue. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Sept. 30 after talks with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto in Budapest that both sides see "positive dynamics" in resolving issues related to national minorities, as reported by European Pravda. In September 2023, the Ukrainian parliament approved changes to national minorities law, which was one of seven steps recommended by the European Commission in June 2022 for Ukraine's accession to the European Union. The changes were signed into law by President Volodymyr Zelensky in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Hungarian FM to attend and speak at Eurasian security conference in Belarus this week Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Key developments on Nov. 1: US announces new military aid package worth $425 million Ukrainian drone targets oil depot in Stavropol Krai, Russian governor claims Russia seizes more territory over past week than at any point in 2024, Bloomberg reports Russian drone strikes on Ukraine soared to record monthly levels during October, military says North Korean troops could suffer even greater losses in Ukraine than Russia, Estonian intelligence says Washington announced on Nov. 1 a new military aid package for Kyiv worth $425 million, according to a U.S. Defense Department press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A day prior, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a joint press conference that the U.S. would "soon" provide Ukraine with another aid package in light of North Korean troops' involvement in Russia's war. The recent military assistance is provided under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) which pulls weapons from U.S. stocks. The aid list includes munitions for NASAMS missile systems, Stinger missiles, ammunition for HIMARS rocket systems, tube-launched, optically tracked, and wire-guided (TOW) missiles, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems, as well as 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition. Washington will also provide Kyiv with air-to-ground munitions, Stryker armored personnel carriers, counter-unmanned aerial systems (c-UAS) equipment and munitions, some medical equipment, and spare parts, among other contents of the package. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. recently allocated another military assistance package for Ukraine worth $400 million, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced during his visit to Kyiv on Oct. 21. Austin had arrived in Kyiv unexpectedly to discuss further support as the U.S. presidential election draws near. Concerns are growing that if Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump wins against Democratic challenger Vice President Kamala Harris, he may withdraw or reduce U.S. support for Ukraine, potentially forcing the country into painful concessions. Despite U.S. assistance, Russian forces continue grinding forward in eastern Ukraine, while the country braces for renewed strikes against its energy grid as winter approaches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Volodymyr Zelensky on Oct. 30 said the U.S. has transferred to Ukraine nearly 10% of the $61 billion aid approved by Congress in April 2024. Read also: A war of two countries against one Zelensky urges Western allies to take decisive action on North Korean troop involvement Ukrainian drone targets oil depot in Stavropol Krai, Russian governor claims A Ukrainian drone fell on the territory of an oil depot in the town of Svetlograd in Russia's Stavropol Krai overnight on Nov. 1, Governor Vladimir Vladimirov claimed. According to Russia's Defense Ministry, Russian air defenses overnight shot down 36 drones over Kursk Oblast, 20 over Bryansk Oblast, 12 over occupied Crimea, eight over Voronezh Oblast, four over Oryol Oblast, and three over Belgorod Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian Baza Telegram channel posted a video purporting to show a drone exploding at the oil depot in Svetlograd. The town of Svetlograd has around 35,000 residents and lies over 600 (372 miles) kilometers southeast of Ukraine's border in Donetsk Oblast. No casualties or damage have been reported. Emergency services were at the scene, Vladimirov said. Alexander Bogomaz, Bryansk Oblast governor, claimed that a drone hit an apartment building in the city of Bryansk overnight, injuring one person. Kyiv has not commented on the reports, which cannot be verified independently. In recent months, Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia's oil industry, whose profits fuel Moscow's war efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Ukrainian drone reportedly struck on Oct. 31 an oil refinery in the city of Ufa in Russia's Bashkortostan Republic, which lies some 1,500 kilometers from Ukraine's border. Read also: Ukraine expands long-range drone strikes target list, alcohol now on the menu Russia seizes more territory over past week than at any point in 2024, Bloomberg reports Russia has seized more territory in its war with Ukraine over the past week than at any point in 2024, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 1, using Bloomberg Intelligence calculations based on the DeepState map service that tracks battlefield changes in coordination with Ukraine's Defense Ministry. In recent months, Russian troops carried out a grinding advance in eastern Ukraine, making territorial gains while incurring heavy losses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has captured 1,146 square kilometers (442 square miles) in Ukraine since Aug. 6, about a quarter more than in the first seven months of the year, the media outlet said. The Russian military also advanced by 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) over the past week, Bloomberg reported. As Russia makes gains on the battlefield, Ukrainian officials are growing more despondent about the future course of the war, according to one official close to President Volodymyr Zelensky's office who spoke to Bloomberg. Meanwhile, according to Estonian intelligence, Moscow has seized 150 square kilometers (58 square miles) in the Donetsk sector of the front line over the past week. Russian troops have reportedly captured the town of Selydove, but Ukraine has not yet confirmed the reports. Bloomberg said Russia's next targets are the towns of Poskovsk and Kurakhove, important logistical hubs for the Ukrainian military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Observers and the Ukrainian military have previously warned of an increasingly difficult situation in the town as Russian forces have been pushing forward over the past few weeks. The Ukrainian military said on Oct. 29 that it had repelled 11 Russian attacks in the Pokrovsk sector, including near Selydove. Read also: Ukraine facing grim situation in Donetsk Oblast, as Russia claims capture of Selydove Russian drone strikes on Ukraine soared to record monthly levels during October, military says Russia launched more than 2,000 strike drones against Ukraine during October, the General Staff reported on Nov. 1, breaking the previous record set in September by nearly 700. A total of 2,023 were recorded, according to the report. Of these, 1,185 were downed, 738 were "lost," and 29 flew back out of Ukraine's airspace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No information was given about the remaining 71, but numerous strikes by Russian drones were reported during October, such as attacks that killed two people including a 15-year-old girl in Kyiv in recent days. According to the General Staff, Russia has launched a total of 6,987 strike drones since the start of the year, meaning 29% of them were launched during last month. The total number is significantly higher than September's previous record tally. According to Ukraine's Air Force, 1,339 Shahed-type kamikaze drones targeted the country in September, 1,107 of which were shot down, with some others being jammed by electronic warfare and flying into Russian or Belarusian airspace. Around 45 were unaccounted for with no further details given. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow has ramped up drone strikes, while dialing down the use of more powerful and harder-to-intercept cruise and ballistic missiles. Experts who spoke to the Kyiv Independent said this may well be in preparation for an unprecedented mass attack rather than any sort of restraint from the Kremlin. "UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles/drones) can be used as pathfinders," Sidharth Kaushal, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Service Institute (RUSI), told the Kyiv Independent. "A tool to force (an air defense) radar to light up, allowing the Russians to map the layout of defenses around Kyiv and other fairly well-defended cities." Kaushal and other experts warn that Moscow's reliance on drones over missiles is likely a sign of a particularly large aerial attack in the near future. "It's been quite a while since we saw a large-scale missile strike, which worries me," Fabian Hoffmann, a defense expert and doctoral research fellow at the University of Oslo, told the Kyiv Independent. "Part of this could relate to the fact they are ramping up not just for one or two mass strikes, but perhaps several more with the objective of fully disintegrating Ukraine's electrical grid within a short period of time," he said. "It could also be to allow for comprehensive follow-on attacks after initial blows have been dealt to make sure it cannot be effectively repaired." Read also: As drone strikes surge, Russias next mass missile attack on Kyiv likely imminent, experts and weary residents say North Korean troops could suffer even greater losses in Ukraine than Russia, Estonian intelligence says North Korean troops are likely to suffer heavy losses in Ukraine, potentially exceeding those of Russia, Estonian Colonel Ants Kiviselg, head of the Estonian Defense Forces Intelligence Center, told the Estonian public broadcaster ERR on Nov. 1. The first North Korean soldiers were deployed to Russia's Kursk Oblast in late October, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) reported earlier. North Korea has sent nearly 12,000 troops to Russia, including 500 officers and three generals, according to HUR. North Korean soldiers are usually trained to fight in mountainous terrain, which means they are not familiar with Ukrainian territory, its climate, and geography, Kiviselg said. "Their training does not include combat operations in such conditions, and the training they receive in the Russian Federation is certainly not of a very high level," Kiviselg said. "Therefore, we can expect North Korean units to suffer heavy losses in Ukraine, and probably even more than the Russian Federation's forces have suffered so far." He said that the North Korean troops arrived in Kursk Oblast in "early October," having previously undergone two to four weeks of training. Following this, North Korean soldiers redeployed to the "Ukrainian front," Kiviselg added. "The arrival of North Korean soldiers on the Ukrainian front will likely take place in stages," Kiviselg said. "If this additional deployment of (North Korean) units in Russia, their training, and then arrival on the Ukrainian front continues in the long term, it could certainly bring some changes to the front line." Some 8,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia's Kursk Oblast to participate in the war against Ukraine, according to U.S. intelligence. According to the Financial Times, Ukrainian intelligence officials are skeptical regarding the combat effectiveness of the North Korean troops, citing communication issues with their Russian counterparts as the main hurdle Moscow and Pyongyang will have to bridge. North Korea's entry into the war comes when Russia's long and grinding campaign in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast has dramatically gained pace in recent days. Analysts say Russian forces are advancing at a pace not seen since the early months of the war. Read also: As drone strikes surge, Russias next mass missile attack on Kyiv likely imminent, experts and weary residents say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia has launched 48 attack drones and UAVs of unspecified type at Ukraine, and conducted an attack with three Kh-59/69 air-to-surface missiles on the night of 31 October-1 November. A total of 31 Russian drones and a missile have been destroyed. Source: Ukraine's Air Force Details: The Russians launched 48 Shahed attack drones and UAVs of unspecified type from Russias Orel and Kursk. They also struck with three Kh-59/69 air-to-surface missiles from the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson Oblast. In addition, Russian tactical aircraft conducted attacks with guided bombs on Kharkiv, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the combat efforts, aircraft, anti-aircraft missile forces, mobile fire groups and electronic warfare units of Ukraines defence forces downed 31 Russian drones. In addition, 14 drones disappeared from radar and three flew toward Belarus. The Ukrainian air defence also managed to shoot down one Kh-59/69 air-to-surface missile, and the other two did not reach their targets due to active countermeasures. Air defence systems were responding in Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Cherkasy, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Chernihiv, Odesa and Poltava oblasts. Background: The Russians launched attack drones into the territory of Ukraine in the evening of 31 October. At night, Ukraine's Air Force reported the movement of Russian drones toward the city of Kyiv. Support UP or become our patron! Rustem Umierov, Ukraines Defence Minister, spoke with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin on Russia's involvement of the North Korean military in its conflict with Ukraine. Source: Umierov on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda Details: Umierov stated that the heads of defence departments discussed the current situation at the front, specifically the Pokrovsk and Kursk fronts, as well as Russias involvement of the DPRK's military forces in the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials also discussed additional US help for Ukraine's defence industry. Background: The latest US estimate suggests that North Korea has sent about 10,000 troops to Russia to train and join the war against Ukraine. As highlighted by Estonian Defence Intelligence, the deployment of North Korean troops to the Ukrainian front will not bring much change for the time being, and they are likely to suffer heavy losses. The Ukrainian military also stated that over the last week, the Russian army occupied around 150,000 square kilometres in Donetsk Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! By Yuliia Dysa and Tom Balmforth KYIV (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy blasted what he called his allies' "zero" response to Russia's deployment of North Korean troops for the war in Ukraine, saying on Thursday a weak reaction would encourage Russia's Vladimir Putin to beef up the contingent. The Ukrainian leader, in an interview with South Korea's KBS television channel, said he believed Moscow was already trying to agree for North Korea to send engineering troops and a "large number of civilians" to work at Russian military plants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Putin is checking the reaction of the West ... And I believe that after all these reactions, Putin will decide and increase the contingent ... The reaction that is there today is nothing, it is zero," Zelenskiy said. He began publicly warning of North Korean involvement in the war on Oct. 13. Western allies have since described the move as a major escalation, but have not announced retaliatory measures or said they are preparing to implement any. South Korea has offered intelligence assistance and wider cooperation on the matter, and it is considering sending a team of military monitors to Ukraine, according to South Korean officials. In prepared remarks to the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday, Ukraine's delegation named three North Korean generals it says are accompanying thousands of Korean People's Army troops deployed to Russia in aid of Moscow's war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has not denied the involvement of North Korean troops in the war. North Korea initially denied involvement, but has since defended the idea of deploying troops as being in line with international law. Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Robert Wood told the Security Council on Thursday that Washington had received information indicating that "right now" there are 8,000 North Korean troops in Russia's southern Kursk region, which borders on northeastern Ukraine. In his interview comments, Zelenskiy said he was surprised by the "silence" out of China, the world's second economy, over the troop deployment. Zelenskiy said that Ukraine had "clear information" that Russia had confirmed the deployment of the North Koreans directly to the West via intelligence channels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Russian Federation discussed this issue with the West and confirmed that yes, there are military personnel from North Korea who will fight against Ukraine," he said. The direct tone of Zelenskiy's rhetoric pointed to mounting Ukrainian frustration over the extent of Western support for Kyiv at a critical time in the war with Russia, with the clock counting down to Tuesday's U.S. presidential election. Russian troops have been slowly advancing for months in eastern Ukraine and Kyiv's outgunned and outnumbered forces have struggled to find a way to hold them back. (Reporting by Yuliia Dysa, writing by Tom Balmforth) Soldiers of the Shkval Battalion of the 57th Separate Motorised Infantry Brigade named after Koshovyi Otaman Kost Hordienko have captured 15 Russian soldiers during an assault on the ruins of a high-rise building in Vovchansk. Source: Militarnyi; report of the 57th Separate Motorised Infantry Brigade Details: The brigade reported that they mopped up the building within this assault operation, killing a Russian soldier, and taking 15 others prisoner. The Shkval Battalion consists of ex-convicts who voluntarily joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The video published by the brigade shows how five captured Russian fighters are being led away after the battle. Support UP or become our patron! Democratic candidate Kamala Harriss campaign promises to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia would seemingly make her the obvious choice for Ukrainians in the U.S. in the 2024 presidential elections, but the diaspora is anything but united in their choice for president. Despite Republican candidate Donald Trumps open hostility to aid for Ukraine and apparent close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, some Ukrainian American voters feel hes the one who could end the war swiftly. If there is any president who would be able to get Putin to negotiate a deal that Putin would agree with because he can go back to his people and say hes a winner but leave most of Ukraine intact, I think its Trump, Ukrainian American Dennis Goldenberg told the Kyiv Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As voters head to the polls on Nov. 5 in a presidential election that is predicted to be decided on razor-thin margins, many voting Ukrainian Americans will be doing so with the war in mind, but with competing visions of which president could better serve Ukraine. Ukrainians in the U.S. who cant vote are watching the election with the hopes that their would-be pick for president will be the one to bring peace to the nation at war. In the run-up to the election, the Kyiv Independent asked Ukrainians in the U.S. who can and cant vote about the outcome theyd most like to see. Eugene Luciw In Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state with 19 Electoral College votes that likely provides a path to victory for either presidential candidate, the Philadelphia area is home to one of Americas largest Ukrainian communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eugene Luciw, president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of Americas Philadelphia Branch says that as a resident of the area, he knows Ukrainian Americans across the political spectrum. He says its not surprising that many Ukrainians will vote for Trump, but emotionally, its a bit surprising. As a registered Republican, hes familiar with the argument Ukrainian Americans make for Trump. Eugene Luciw, a registered Republican and leader in Philadelphias Ukrainian community in Philadelphia, U.S., on Oct. 27, 2024. Voting for Kamala Harris is an easy decision for Eugene Luciw. (Owen Racer/The Kyiv Independent) The case with which he doesnt agree they make goes as follows: Russia illegally annexed Crimea while the U.S. was under a Democratic administration, then under Trumps four years, Russia didnt invade Ukraine only to launch a full-scale invasion once a Democrat was back in the White House. They see a pattern of weakness (with Democrats), a pattern of strength (with Republicans), and I think that translates into a hope and belief that Trump, if elected president, will provide that strong man motif. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They believe Trump will respond strongly and back down the adversary despite what he says on the trail," he says. I believe Trump (when) he says he is going to try and resolve the (war) in one day, and the fact that he will resolve it in one day, the only way youre going to do that is to force Ukraine to give up its current territory, Luciw says. I think thats abundantly stupid for Ukraine. I am going to cast my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris. Dennis Goldenberg Goldberg has never doubted his decision to vote for Trump on Nov. 5. For the Ukrainian American from Philadelphia, the best election outcome for Ukraine is a powerful U.S. leader, which he says he sees more in Trump than in Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think his view on this war matches mine, which is that, ultimately, I fear that if the war continues, its going to get bogged down in a stalemate. I think (Trump) understands a little bit better how Putin operates, Goldberg says. If there is any president who would be able to get Putin to negotiate a deal that Putin would agree with because he can go back to his people and say hes a winner but leave most of Ukraine intact, I think its Trump. It isnt just the war in Ukraine that Goldberg is voting on. He supports Trumps proposed tax cuts and thinks he put the Middle East closer to peace than any president. He also supports the building of a wall on the U.S. southern border with Mexico to stymie illegal immigration. Read also: Boosting US support for Ukraine proves difficult in final pre-election push Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Half of Goldbergs family is from Moldova, and the other half is from Kamianets-Podilskyi, in the west of Ukraine. Goldberg says he believes in Trumps alleged ability to end the war within 24 hours of taking office. I kind of do get that he doesnt want to say how he is going to do it because then he loses leverage because once you tell your plan, your enemy knows your plan. Goldberg told the Kyiv Independent that he thinks Trump will be best for Ukraine because hes been the only president of the last four under which Russia hasnt taken more territory. Putin illegally annexed Crimea and invaded Ukraine's east during the term of Trumps predecessor, President Barack Obama, and invaded Georgia under the last Republican administration before Trump during President George W. Bushs term. Anton Tatus Days out from the election, Tatus shares the mindset of Americas undecided that both campaigns have spent millions of dollars and traveled thousands of miles across the country trying to reach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 22-year-old Manhattan banker and Ukrainian citizen is not only undecided about who he hopes wins on Nov. 5, but hes also limited in his power to make an impact. He cant vote. After completing four years of undergraduate studies in the U.S., the Kyiv-born numbers cruncher isnt convinced his long-term future is in the U.S., so he hasnt bothered with citizenship. Anton Tatus in New York City, US, on Oct. 30, 2024. Tatus left Kyiv at the end of the Trump presidency and is unsure when hell return to Ukraine. (Owen Racer/The Kyiv Independent) He left Kyiv at 16 years old with a dream to work on Wall Street. Now that most nights are spent wide-eyed in Microsoft Excel for work, hes questioning when he could go back to Ukraine, if he can. The stakes are high for this Ukrainian citizen. During the next U.S. presidential administration, he will turn 25, the conscription age for the Ukrainian military, which means if he does return to Ukraine, he would be eligible for the draft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know who I want to win. Its a very complicated question (for) a Ukrainian citizen someone who cares for Ukraine, Id probably have a controversial answer, Tatus says. I think Trump might be potentially better for Ukraine than Kamala, which I know doesnt align with the consensus view on this topic. Despite believing that neither Harris nor Trump could end the war immediately, Tatus reserves a touch of hope for Ukraine in Trump's uncertainty. Trump is a wild card. I dont think he himself knows what hes going to do. I think its going to be fully dependent on who he appoints as secretary of state and defense. "Trump is a wild card." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kamala, in terms of her foreign policy on Ukraine, it will be just an extension of the Biden Administration. Well get some aid but barely enough to survive. Despite the widespread expectation that Harris will continue Bidens approach to Ukraine, some view her broader candidacy as too progressive. If it were 2020, Tatus says hed hands down be a Biden supporter. Like other Ukrainians who cant vote, his perception of the nominees platforms would be less single-issue focused on foreign policy if he was a citizen. If I was an American citizen, I wouldnt be so confident in Trump, it becomes very complicated, it becomes fifty-fifty. Elyse Demkiw Demkiw has spent the last few months selling Ukraine to American investors. The Ukrainian Canadian from Kyiv has worked in Kyiv and New York for a venture capital startup investing in Ukrainian technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She wishes she had the citizenship to vote and the time to canvas for Harris. Knowing some Americans wont vote at all is as infuriating as knowing those who will vote for Trump, Demkiw says. Once Russias full-scale invasion began in early 2022, Demkiws once-moral opposition to Trump grew to include foreign policy concerns as she began to see through her venture capital work how American Democrats as a party tended to back Ukraine more than Republicans. Elyse Demkiw, a Ukrainian Canadian living in New York, in New York City, US, on Oct. 30, 2024. Demkiw wishes she had the citizenship to vote for Kamala Harris. (Owen Racer/The Kyiv Independent) In terms of Trump versus (Harris) on Ukraine, I think neither one guarantees anything but Trumps action is worse than (Harriss) potential inaction, Demkiw says. While (Harris) might not be able to convince Congress to pass aid, at least shell be open to the idea of Ukrainian victory. Trump had two opportunities to express (interest in Ukrainian victory) during the presidential debate and did not. "In terms of Trump versus (Harris) on Ukraine, I think neither one guarantees anything but Trumps action is worse than (Harriss) potential inaction." Although she doesnt subscribe to the Trump-supporting view of some Ukrainians, Demkiw understands the thinking of many who arrived in America after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The equation of the Democratic party to communism, the appeal of capitalism, the promise of the American dream, and upward mobility that Trump sells to his base are elements Demkiw says she speaks to some Ukrainians planning to vote for Trump vote on Nov. 5. Trump will ride on the victory of wiping Americas hands of the Ukraine war; thats enough for him, so itll be a rapid ceasefire and no extension into NATO. The future of my country lies in this election. Introducing official merch from the Kyiv Independent Shop now Alyssa Lytvynova Lytvynova is nearly 5,000 miles away from the front lines of Russias war in Ukraine, where her partner is serving in the Ukrainian military. Because of this, the New York resident is much more in touch with how decisions in the White House impact Ukraines front line. When Russia first invaded Ukraines eastern Donbas region in 2014, Lytvynova fled the steel-producing city of Alchevsk, where she was born. Ten years on, she works for a U.S. media monitoring startup focused on Ukraine that looks at narratives around her home country. Prior to her relocation to New York in the fall of 2024, Lytvynova says the image of the Democratic party abroad that she was told to expect is one of liberal wokeism and anti-family values, none of which have proven to be accurate she says. Shes concerned that some in the right-leaning international media present the Democratic party as somewhat anti-everything Ukraine stands for right now, which she says is not true. Im not sure who I would vote for. I dont think I would vote for Trump, but Im not sure I would vote for (Harris) either, says Lytvynova, who does not have citizenship and thus cant vote. Alyssa Lytvynova in New York City, US, on Oct. 24, 2024. With her partner serving on the frontlines in Ukraine, Lytvynova will feel the impact at home if the next presidency backs down from supporting the Ukrainian military. (Owen Racer/The Kyiv Independent) But I still think she could do better in explaining what she really means behind those ambiguous lets not turn back phrases, Lytvynova says, referencing Harriss campaign phrases similar to when we fight, we win, that often serve as reference to Trump-era turmoil or as crowd pleasers. Lytvynova says a vote for Harris is the choice between two evils. Too many people are putting trust in Trumps word that hell end the war in Ukraine in a day, she says. I dont think that is the case. And if reporting from acclaimed Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward is true that Trump has been speaking with Putin repeatedly, Lytvynova asks why hasnt he done anything about the war he claims hell have immediate authority over. Both parties will continue the same approach. They will give some money, and they will fund us a little bit, but they will not give us enough to have a turning point in the war." Dariia Ordynat Trumps unpredictability is terrifying, Ordynat says, but so too is the fear of isolation that a Harris White House could bring to Ukraine. The 23-year-old public health professional, from Rivne in Ukraines west is worried Harris will continue President Bidens policies toward Ukraine of delaying and limiting aid based on fears of escalation. Ordynat feels defeated by her inability to vote and frustrated by the reality that not every eligible voter exercises their right to do so. If she could, shed vote for Harris. The vice president is reasonable and predictable, she says. The elections are making me feel uneasy for the future of Ukraine. I believe both presidential candidates have made a lot of promises to Ukraine but havent necessarily upheld them in the past, Ordynat says. Dariia Ordynat, an active member in the Ukrainian community in New York City, US, on Oct. 25, 2024. (Owen Racer/The Kyiv Independent) I would still vote for Harris. However, Im still a little scared of her candidacy as well because sometimes her approach lacks strength with the situation in Ukraine. Were just prolonging something inevitable. Ordynat says that while Harris has made it obvious she stands with Ukraine, she fears she will continue to give Ukraine only some aid but without taking an aggressive enough approach to end the war. Despite a distaste for Trump, shes not surprised that some Ukrainians in the U.S. support Trump. Theyre conservative in their nature. They tend to overlook how awful Trump might be for (Ukraine). Read also: Ukraines diaspora loudly backs Harris, quietly behind Trump in swing state Pennsylvania Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Admiral Ihor Voronchenko has been dismissed from the post of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's chief inspector, online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda reported on Nov. 1, citing the ministry. The Main Inspectorate of the Defense Ministry audits the ministry's activities, including monitoring the quality of military training and staffing, overseeing military aviation safety, and conducting technical investigations, among other functions. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov signed the order to dismiss Voronchenko on Oct. 31. The ministry did not provide any reasons for Voronchenko's dismissal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not yet known who will replace Voronchenko. In September, controversial lawmaker Mariana Bezuhla said that Umerov had allegedly fired Voronchenko after his report on military training centers at a meeting of the headquarters of the supreme commander-in-chief. The admiral's report was very critical and allegedly "angered" Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Bezuhla said. Yet this information has not been confirmed by any official. In 2003, Voronchenko began serving in the Ukrainian Navy. He was in Crimea when Russia invaded and illegally annexed the peninsula in 2014. At that time, he served as a deputy commander of the Navy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voronchenko was the chief commander of the Navy from 2016 to 2020, after which he was appointed inspector of the Defense Ministry. Read also: As drone strikes surge, Russias next mass missile attack on Kyiv likely imminent, experts and weary residents say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraines defenses in the Donetsk region are continuing to crumble. In the past week alone, the Russians have gained more land than at any point this year. The gain of more than 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) adds to territory taken in a grinding summer offensive thats involved huge losses of Russian troops and equipment, Bloomberg News reported, citing maps compiled by the DeepState open-source intelligence groups map service maintained in cooperation with the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. Russia has captured 1,146 square kilometers in Ukraine since Aug. 6, about a quarter more than in the first seven months of the year. Russian Army advances in Ukraine this year (2024). pic.twitter.com/Gy1Jva4Biv Clash Report (@clashreport) October 29, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russians are chewing up large chunks of Donetsk in a move to capture the key logistics hub of Pokrovsk which could lead to a further breakout west toward Dnipropetrovsk and south toward Zaporizhia. Having captured the town of Selydovo earlier this week its biggest regional prize since seizing Avdiikva Russian forces are now pushing toward Kurakhov. Sitting astride the N-15 highway, the settlement is just south of a mile-wide stretch of the Vovcha River and supports the movement of troops and materiel in the region. As such, it is a bulwark on a Russian advance toward Pokrovsk about 20 miles to the north. Russian forces are now less than three miles from Kurakhov, according to DeepState. Control of that city is key to a pocket of Ukrainian-held territory that Russia is pushing toward from the north, east and south. A Russian mechanized column has already pushed into the citys eastern outskirts.., the independent Russian Meduza media outlet reported. Additional Russian units are pressing in from the north (from the direction of Selydove), and from the south (from the direction of Vuhledar), which as we previously reported was captured early last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian defenses to the south of the city appear especially weak, Meduza added. After a chaotic retreat from Vuhledar, the brigades seem worn out, and even reinforcements sent from Zaporizhzhia havent been enough to help. As Meduza and other media outlets have noted, the advances are not without [Russian] equipment losses along the way. Defenders managed to hold the encroachment at bay in part because of a line of dragons teeth that impeded the Russians, according to the Ukrainian Militarnyi outlet. A Russian armored convoy tried to break through this line of fortifications, but Ukrainian paratroopers of the 46th Separate Airmobile Brigade stopped it, the outlet reported, citing the brigades Telegram channel. The Russians were trying to bypass the road through a field from occupied Maksymilianivka towards Kurakhov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The brigade claimed that four Russian armored vehicles and two tanks in the assault were destroyed by artillery fire, FPV-drones, and remote-mining means. Russian armor destroyed attacking Kurakhove. (46th Separate Airmobile Brigade screencap) Still, the defense of Kurakov is becoming increasingly difficult. The situation is really tense, Orest Drymalovsky, a representative of the press service of Ukraines 79th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade said on national television, according to Radio Libertys Telegram. The enemy is trying to probe our defense every day. Every day they strike, every day they attack to break through the defense of the 79th Brigade and to encircle the city of Kurakhov even deeper. Drmyalovsky added that the Russians are sending entire columns of equipment and personnel in the direction of the village of Konstantinovka near Kurakhov, and they are not sparing either soldiers or equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apparently, it is very important for the occupiers to straighten the front line in the Kurakhov direction, to push through the defense of the 79th Paratroopers in the area of the villages of Konstantinovka, Antonovka, Yekaterinovka, where the enemy has not had success for a long time, Drymalovskiy noted about settlements less than seven miles south of Kurakhove. And without this success, the occupiers will not be able to advance closer to the city of Kurakhov. Russian sources, however, claim that at least part of that area has been captured. Ukraine has been knocked out of Ilyinka, according to noted Russian milblogger Yuriy Podolyak. That is a small settlement less than a half-mile north of Yekaterinovka. We are waiting for confirmation, he added. What a great day. Kurakhov is quickly losing its significance for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to preliminary information, Ilyinka and Stepanovka have been liberated by the Russian Army as part of the Russian Armed Forces advance north of Kurakhov, the Russian Warrior Kitten Telegram channel posited. Despite the Russian claims, the latest DeepState map shows that all five of those towns remain in Ukrainian hands. Fighting in the Kurakhov direction continues, the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff stated on Facebook. Near Ostrivsky, Illinka, Novoselidivka, Kreminnoi Balka, Novodmitrivka, Vovchenko, Maximilyanivka, Dalnyi, Antonivka and Katerinivka, 24 combat clashes took place during the day, 13 attacks by the occupiers are ongoing. There have been two dozen battles near Kurakhove today with more than half ongoing, according to the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff. (Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff) Regardless of exactly where Russian troops are on the southern end of their push toward Kurakhov, their objective of taking the town appears to be gaining traction. Its fall would mark the latest in a string of defeats Ukraine has experienced in Donetsk against an increasingly overwhelming adversary that is willing to sacrifice large amounts of troops and equipment in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian push is not limited to Pokrovsk. It is attacking all across Donetsk to press its advantage in personnel. Moscow is recruiting about 30,000 troops a month, according to The Economist, citing a NATO official. That is less than government targets, but is still enough to cover even the gargantuan losses of recent months, the publication noted. On manpower, too, Russia remains solvent. Its army is recruiting around 30,000 men per month, says the nato official. That is not enough to meet internal targets, says another official, but it is adequate to cover even the gargantuan losses of recent months. pic.twitter.com/HAL6LcRtm4 Rob Lee (@RALee85) October 30, 2024 In addition to increasing the number of its own troops, Russia is seeing an influx of North Korean soldiers. As Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) told us, there are some 12,000 North Korean troops in Russia, a figure that we noted could expand. Of those, about 7,200 are now in Kursk, Budanov told The War Zone on Friday. It is unclear at the moment how many North Korean troops might be sent into Ukraine or if more might be sent to bolster Russias fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine too is seeking to quickly bolster its forces. A further 160,000 people are to be drafted into the Ukrainian armed forces, which will raise the manning of units to 85%, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksandr Lytvynenko said on Oct. 29 during a session of the Ukrainian parliament, the Kyiv Independent reported. Ukraines parliament adopted an updated mobilization law in mid-April to ramp up mobilization amid Russias ongoing war, according to the outlet. The new law simplifies the process for identifying eligible conscripts and includes additional penalties for those dodging the draft. According to Lytvynenko, 1,000,050 citizens have been drafted into the military so far since the beginning of martial law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine is set to mobilize around 160,000 troops over the next three months. pic.twitter.com/a9jxt8iXEq Clash Report (@clashreport) October 29, 2024 With the speed and scope of this push picking up, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has increased the urgency of his complaints about Western support. Ukraine has received only 10% of the aid package approved by the U.S. Congress in 2024, he said. This isnt funny. The issue isnt money, its bureaucracy and logistics. Ukraine has received only 10% of the aid package approved by the U.S. Congress in 2024. This isnt funny. The issue isnt money, its bureaucracy and logistics, Zelensky said. pic.twitter.com/6zWBw5jjAN KyivPost (@KyivPost) October 30, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coming days of rain and mud will make maneuver across the open plains of this region much more difficult, adding to the importance of taking Kurahkov and the tactically significant east-west highway it straddles. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com A Ukrainian drone struck an oil refinery in the city of Ufa in Russia's Bashkortostan Republic, the head of the republic, Radiy Khabirov, said on Oct. 31. According to Khabirov, three Ukrainian drones fell within the facility of the oil refinery, with one falling on the refinery itself. The drone caused minimal damage with no casualties reported, Khabirov claimed. The Kyiv Independent cannot immediately verify the claims of the official and Ukraine has not yet commented on the alleged attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident appears to be just the second time since the start of the full-scale invasion that Ukrainian drones attacked facilities in Bashkortostan, which lies some 1,500 kilometers from the country's border. On May 9, a Ukrainian State Security Service (SBU) source told the Kyiv Independent that a long-range drone operated by the SBU attacked the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat oil refinery. It was not immediately clear to which refinery the drone allegedly fell on during the most recent attack. Ukrainian forces have repeatedly launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia's oil industry beginning in the spring of 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alleged strikes comes as Ukraine and Russia are reportedly holding preliminary discussions about stopping attacks on each other's energy infrastructure, the Financial Times reported on Oct. 29 although Russia has denied being involved in the talks. In a show of strength, Kyiv has regularly attempted to strike long-distance targets since the start of the war. In April, Ukraine hit production facilities in Russia's Tatarstan Republic, 1,300 kilometers away from the state border, while in September, Russian officials claimed that Ukrainian drones attacked targets in Murmansk Oblast, located behind the Arctic Circle. Ukraine's Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said in April that the country has domestically-produced attack drones capable of flying over 1,000 kilometers, as Kyiv intensifies its efforts to ramp up domestic production of drones. Fossil fuels are the primary drivers of the Russian economy and the main source of revenue for the Kremlin's war machine. Despite Western sanctions, Russia still provides oil and gas to other countries around the world, primarily India and China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Russian drone strikes on Ukraine soared to record monthly levels during October, military says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Ukrainian drone fell on the territory of an oil depot in the town of Svetlograd in Russia's Stavropol Krai overnight on Nov. 1, Governor Vladimir Vladimirov has claimed. According to Russia's Defense Ministry, Russian air defenses overnight shot down 36 drones over Kursk Oblast, 20 over Bryansk Oblast, 12 over occupied Crimea, eight over Voronezh Oblast, four over Oryol Oblast, and three over Belgorod Oblast. The Russian Baza Telegram channel posted a video purporting to show a drone exploding at the oil depot in Svetlograd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The town of Svetlograd has around 35,000 residents and lies over 600 (372 miles) kilometers southeast of Ukraine's border in Donetsk Oblast. No casualties or damage have been reported. Emergency services were at the scene, Vladimirov said. Alexander Bogomaz, Bryansk Oblast governor, claimed that a drone hit an apartment building in the city of Bryansk overnight, injuring one person. Kyiv has not commented on the reports, which cannot be verified independently. In recent months, Ukrainian forces have launched a series of drone strikes aimed at damaging Russia's oil industry, whose profits fuel Moscow's war efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Ukrainian drone reportedly struck on Oct. 31 an oil refinery in the city of Ufa in Russia's Bashkortostan Republic, which lies some 1,500 kilometers from the country's border. Read also: Ukraine expands long-range drone strikes target list, alcohol now on the menu Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian troops in Russia have an advantage that they haven't had before in this war. Being on foreign soil means less pressure to defend and more strategic options, war experts say. One expert told BI that Ukraine could "fight where it's advantageous and pull back when it's not." Ukrainian troops fighting on Russian soil have a kind of flexibility in combat that they haven't had before in this war. Ukrainian forces surged into the southwestern Russian region of Kursk in August, and at the peak of the incursion, they held about 500 square miles. Russia has taken back some territory, but the Ukrainians still hold ground inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's fight against Russia's invasion had, prior to the Kursk incursion, taken place exclusively on Ukrainian soil, its long-range drone strikes on military facilities and oil refineries and Black Sea battles aside. Though there are certain advantages to fighting in your home country, the desire to defend as much as possible hinders the ability to be brutally strategic in combat, conflict experts told Business Insider. Michael Bohnert, a warfare expert at the RAND Corporation, said Ukraine's advantage in Kursk is that "they don't have to defend any of those cities" because they're Russian. "You just fight where it's advantageous and pull back when it's not. And that's a really efficient way of fighting," he said. A new advantage Fighting at home, Ukraine's forces have clung to some cities fiercely, battling the Russians for them until they have no other choice but to fall back. Bakhmut is one example, but there have been others as Ukraine focuses its efforts on defending as much territory as possible. Destroyed Russian military vehicles on the outskirts of Sudzha in the Kursk region. KIRILL CHUBOTIN/Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been an unusual one, at least as far as major wars go, in that it has largely taken place on only one country's soil, which has put Ukraine at a big disadvantage and often left its troops stuck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that's no longer the case. The Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in September 2023. Libkos/Getty Images Inside Kursk, Bohnert said, "they can just take advantage of the terrain, fight in the most efficient way possible, and ultimately they can leave" if they need to protect their forces or equipment or pursue some other objective. And they can do so without repercussions, which isn't the case inside Ukraine, he added. He said of settlements in Kursk that "they're not Ukrainian towns, so they can choose to fight and defend from the most advantageous positions so they can make fortifications," continuing: "If you're outnumbered, just pull back to the next one." Russia is advancing and taking back territory in Kursk, and it's unclear how Ukraine will ultimately fare against its forces there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement William Alberque, a warfare expert at the Stimson Center, said that Russia was so far taking "the easy parts to take back" and that "they'll have a much harder time with the rest of the Ukrainian salient." "It's very easy now for Ukraine to do some sort of fighting retreats and cede territory that they could never legitimately hold," he said. Bohnert said that "it's going to be very costly for the Russians to take back" because Ukraine can now "pick when and where they defend." Ukraine has signaled that its Kursk operations are aimed at seizing territory it could trade in negotiations, but there are other advantages to the fighting there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Savill, a military-strategy expert at the Royal United Services Institute think tank who was formerly an intelligence analyst at the UK Ministry of Defence, previously told BI that a Ukrainian motivation to hold territory in Kursk might be the idea that "if they set themselves up in a strong defense, they can effectively bleed the Russians." Alberque said that in Kursk, Ukraine could ask itself: "Where can we actually defend? What are the good places to really fight the Russians?" He said Ukraine could create "kill zones" and "traps to slow Russia down," adding: "They don't have to defend the entire salient." Less need to defend Looming over Ukraine's military at home is the threat that Russia will keep any territory they capture indefinitely. Russia has been holding territory like Crimea since 2014, while Russian-backed separatists have been trying to tighten their grip in the Donbas. Russia has already declared that area a part of its sovereign territory and clearly intends to keep it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Ukraine doesn't need to worry about what happens to the territory they give up in Russia, and that allows it to approach war in this area differently. It's unclear to what extent Ukraine is taking advantage of the possibility, but it's there. Ukrainian soldiers in the Ukrainian-controlled city of Sudzha in the Kursk region. Ed Ram/For The Washington Post via Getty Images "It's a huge operational advantage for a commander, where you don't have to draw any lines in the sand," Alberque said. He said that when choosing where to defend in Ukraine, Ukrainian forces were "not only looking at terrain," adding: "They're not only looking at defendable positions, but they're also looking at the symbolism of different villages that are Ukrainian, that have Ukrainian citizens, that have deep, deep roots in Ukrainian history," "The demoralization of losing a Ukrainian village is entirely different than giving up a Russian village that the Ukrainians don't care about at all," Alberque said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In contrast, in eastern Ukraine, where the war has been focused, "Ukraine really has to feel the pain of surrendering a village that they had retaken from the Russians, or a historic location that Russian forces haven't been to before, or something like that," he said. Destroyed buildings in the Ukrainian village of Avdiivka in March. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine is now fighting on someone else's territory, giving Ukrainian commanders more freedom to design the fight based on what it actually needs, Alberque said, unlike back home, "where every single inch of territory lost is a dagger into the heart of all Ukrainian." Correction: October 31, 2024 An earlier version of this story misstated the location of the Kursk region. It's in southwestern Russia, not southeastern Russia. Read the original article on Business Insider UNITED NATIONS (AP) Russias torture of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war is a crime against humanity, U.N.-backed human rights experts said Thursday. Erik Mse, chair of the independent commission investigating human rights violations in Ukraine, told reporters that the panel previously described Russias widespread and systematic use of torture in Ukraine and Russia against civilians and prisoners, both men and women, as a war crime. Our recent findings demonstrate that Russian authorities have committed torture in all provinces of Ukraine that came under their control, as well as in the detention facilities that the commission has investigated in the Russian Federation, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's U.N. Mission said it had no comment on the press conference or the report by the commission, which is appointed by the Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council. Mse said the commission is an investigative body. He noted that Ukraines prosecutor general and the International Criminal Court are investigating possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine and the commission may be asked for evidence. The commissioners examined reports from 41 different detention centers, from makeshift centers to well-established facilities, in nine occupied regions of Ukraine and eight areas in Russia, Mse said. He said the commission identified further evidence that violent practices common in Russian detention facilities were also practiced in similar facilities in Russian-occupied areas in eastern Ukraine, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission also found additional evidence of the recurrent use of sexual violence as a form of torture, Mse said. Detainees were subjected to rape, long periods of forced nudity, body searches and more, commission member Vrinda Gover said. She said most prisoners of war reported being subjected to sexual violence and suffering long-lasting psychological trauma. Ukrainians in detention facilities in Ukraine and in Russia also reported a brutal so-called admission procedure, Gover said. Harsh practices designed to scare, break, humiliate, coerce and punish detainees were used routinely, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surveillance cameras were used to watch detainees and severe collective punishment of detainees was imposed for every breach of rules, while interrogations were accompanied by some of the most violent treatment documented, Gover said. Commission member Pablo de Greiff told reporters it now has evidence of the Russian organizational structure that coordinated and enabled torture in the detention facilities. Moreover, the Commission now has evidence that the leadership of detention facilities or other higher ranking Russian authorities ordered, encouraged, tolerated or took no action to stop torture or ill treatment, de Grieff said. Mse said the commissions investigation also found that the violent practices against detainees in Russia were transferred by Russian security forces and staff to detention facilities run by Russia in areas it occupied in Ukraine. Based on this body of evidence, we have concluded that the Russian authorities acted pursuant to a coordinated state policy of torturing Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war, he said. Therefore, in addition to torture as a war crime, they also committed torture as a crime against humanity. Good morning and welcome to the Under the Dome newsletter. Im Caitlyn Yaede. Saturday is the last day of early voting in North Carolina and more than 3 million residents have already cast their ballots. The presidential race remains close, according to a poll released by the UMass Lowell Center for Public Opinion on Thursday. Donald Trump polls 47% of likely voters, a near tie with Kamala Harris 45%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This same poll revealed that few North Carolinians are undecided only 4% indicated they were not sure who they would vote for president. Early voting ends at 3 p.m. Saturday, and both candidates will take stage in the Tar Heel State in what could be their final efforts to rally support as Election Day draws near. Harris is expected to host a rally in Charlotte, while Trump will be in nearby Gastonia and then Greensboro. WESTERN NC TURNS OUT TO VOTE AFTER HELENE Despite the continued recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, voters turned out to cast their ballots in the 2024 election. Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Kyle Ingram report that, during the first eight days of early voting, turnout in this region averaged higher than voter turnout statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, some residents said Helene continues to disrupt voting for some in particularly hard-hit areas, like Old Fort, where the early voting location is closed. Voters were rerouting to nearby Marion. Other residents in Helene-impacted counties said personal hardships and lack of transportation after the storm also make it more difficult to vote. Marion couple Bruce and Gail Evans lost their camper to flooding during the storm, yet made their way to Marion to cast their ballots. Theres too much on the line, Bruce Evans said. The News & Observer went to early voting sites in the mountains, like the one at the McDowell County Board of Elections in Marion, and found vastly different circumstances across the region. Check out the full story. WHAT ELSE WERE WORKING ON If elected, Kamala Harris will break barriers as the first woman to hold the presidency. Supporters who visited her Raleigh rally on Wednesday shared enthusiasm over her candidacy, Dawn Vaughan reports, and women from across the state reflect on why Harris campaign matters to them. Doubts being cast about the election could fuel challenges to the results. Kyle Ingram investigates how Republican-led lawsuits and election misinformation now may lay the groundwork for legal challenges later. WHAT ELSE WERE READING Thank you cookies sent to the Wake County Board of Elections prompted a hazmat response from the Raleigh Fire Department, ABC11 reports. While the cookies donated from Hawaii were just a kind gesture for election workers, according to a Wake County election specialist, others are discouraged from sending treats of their own. VOTER GUIDE In the latest candidate questionnaires from our 2024 NC Voter Guide, see what candidates for state Senate District 18 have to say about the issues, and learn more about their biographies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two candidates answered our questions: Republican Ashlee Adams Democrat Terence Everitt Todays newsletter was by Caitlyn Yaede. Check your inbox tomorrow for more #ncpol. Gov. Dan McKee defends his involvement in the awarding of a $5.2 million school reopening contract to the ILO Group in 2021 while speaking to the media in the Governor's State Room at the State House on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 31, 2024. (Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current) The conclusion of a state criminal investigation into a multimillion education contract awarded by Gov. Dan McKees administration has reawakened a feud between the governor and Attorney General Peter Neronha. A day after Neronha outlined the findings of the joint investigation by his office and Rhode Island State Police yielding insufficient evidence for criminal charges but plenty of insinuations of wrongdoing by McKee and his advisers McKee fired back at a State House press conference Thursday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its clear hes got a political motive, McKee said of Neronha. Peter Neronha should have recused himself [from the investigation.] Instead, he pitched a lengthy editorial to the media under the guise of a report, a response the U.S. Attorneys office said it would have never created. McKee gestured to a quote projected on the screen beside him with a response that Jim Martin, spokesperson for the Rhode Island U.S. Attorneys office, previously gave reporters regarding the federal side of the probe. As a matter of general principle and longstanding practice, the Department of Justice does not comment upon matters that it does not litigate or charge, Martin said. McKee also referenced an April 2024 profile piece on Neronha published by Rhode Island Monthly, in which the attorney general said he voted for McKees primary opponent, Helena Buonanno Foulkes, in 2022, and still talked to Foulkes often. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He clearly doesnt want me to be in office, McKee said of Neronha. Hes continually trying to undermine me. Neronha in his own, hourlong press conference Wednesday morning acknowledged his longstanding beef with McKee but said it had no influence over the investigation. Neronha emphasized McKee was cleared of criminal charges, but also said the governor displayed hamhanded-ness in handling the school reopening contract in question. Peter Neronha should have recused himself. Instead, he pitched a lengthy editorial to the media under the guise of a report, a response the U.S. Attorneys office said it would have never created. Gov. Dan McKee Questions over the $5.2 million deal awarded to ILO Group in July 2021 prompted a three-year long state probe into McKee, his advisers, and the leaders of the bidding company, results of which were first shared Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What state investigators found fell short of the standard of proof needed to press criminal charges. Nonetheless, the trove of text messages, emails, witness interviews and other documents suggest McKee steered the money to ILO Group versus the less expensive bidder recommended by the procurement team while also benefiting from $90,000 worth of in-kind consulting services from a firm indirectly connected to ILO. McKee says moment demanded action McKee adamantly denied any wrongdoing or unkosher involvement on his part in the state procurement. Standing below a portrait of George Washington in the Governors State Room at the State House, McKee painted himself as a wartime leader battling the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, his rise to the governorship, created by then-Gov. Gina Raimondos appointment as U.S. Commerce Secretary, in March 2021 came as Rhode Island was still struggling with rising deaths and illness and a slow rollout of vaccines, along with educational and economic consequences. The contract to ILO aimed to help reopen schools and set up programming for students suffering from learning losses. McKee acknowledged he was aggressive in trying to get the contract out the door, but in no way overstepped his bounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our kids were at risk in terms of academic, physical health and mental health, McKee said. The motivation behind my actions was to get the support to our schools, teachers and students who needed it urgently. And, according to McKee, it worked. The contract helped with immediate education needs and also led to subsequent programming in his administration, such as municipal learning centers and student attendance initiatives. The state ultimately cut the ILO contract short halfway through its one-year tenure, though, paying ILO $1.8 million. McKee on Thursday said public scrutiny surrounding the contract drove them out of the state, and caused ILOs leaders, along with members of his administration, to face personal attacks and career setbacks. Julia Rafal-Baer, co-founder of ILO and a key character in the investigation narrative, still serves as company CEO, according to its website. Mike Magee, McKees adviser who worked alongside Rafal-Baer in a separate education firm called Chiefs for Change, now serves as president of Minerva University in San Francisco. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the most damning exchanges included in the state investigative report was a March 23, 2021, email Rafal-Baer sent to an out-of-state colleague, the same day the state issued its solicitation for the reopening contract. Its a fixed RFP and I know the person its fixed for, Rafael-Baer wrote, with a winky-face emoji. McKees response? Shes wrong, he said. It wasnt a fixed contract. McKee also denied any knowledge of or involvement in the $90,000 payment Chiefs for Change gave SKDK, a political consulting firm that advised McKee during the first six months of 2021. Whats next? Government watchdog Common Cause Rhode Island is considering filing an ethics complaint against McKee for the in-kind services he received from SKDK, which could violate state ethics laws barring public officials from accepting gifts over $25. Neronhas office also looked into the state ethics code as part of its investigation, but did not consult with the Rhode Island Ethics Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Marion, executive director for Common Cause, issued a statement after McKees press conference concluded. Common Cause doesnt need anyones permission to hold power accountable, Marion said. Marion also called for legislation preventing political interference in the procurement process, along with stricter campaign finance laws, both of which are policy priorities for Common Cause. Jason Gramitt, executive director and chief prosecutor for the state ethics panel, said in an email Thursday that his staff was also looking over the findings from the state investigation. Beyond that, I have no comment at this time, Gramitt wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKee insisted that any additional probes would end with a similar exoneration. They could open this till hell freezes over, and they will not find any level of fraud or any level of bribery, McKee said. Brian Hodge, a spokesperson for Neronha, said in an email Thursday the attorney general stands by his previous comments made at his own press conference. However, Neronha fired back via his personal X account. ILO: Republicans say we covered for McKee. McKee says it was a witch-hunt. Guess we got it right, Neronha wrote on Thursday morning, just after McKee appeared on WPRO to talk about the ILO findings with Gene Valicenti. Memo to McKee: better read RISP Detective Sgt. Mike Brocks report again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKee told Valicenti, and repeated for reporters at his press conference, that he refused to be interviewed for the investigation because he didnt trust Neronhas motives. Neronhas response on X: This is incredibly insulting to the State Police. And if Gov is going trick or treating tonight he should wear Pinocchios nose. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BOSTON (WWLP) As we head into the final weekend before the general election, 22News is wrapping up our unpacking your ballot series with a window into the debate surrounding question 5. The final ballot question asks voters if the minimum wage for tipped workers, like wait staff and bartenders, should be raised to $15 an hour. The core disagreement between the yes and no sides of the argument is whether tipped workers will make more or less money with a higher minimum wage. Understanding your ballot with 22News: Question 4 psychedelic substances Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A yes vote on question 5 would support raising the minimum wage for tipped workers to 15 dollars an hour over the course of five years and allow restaurants to pool tips to distribute to all non-management workers. A no vote would make no change to the minimum wage for tipped workers. 22News spoke to a western Massachusetts server who supports question 5. She says a higher minimum wage will make her less dependent on tips, and she would not have to deal with inappropriate behavior just to ensure she gets tipped. Theres a lot of sexual harassment, a lot of wage theft, and a lot of economic instability for tipped workers, especially tipped workers who are women and women of color, said Erica Thomas, who works at a restaurant in East Longmeadow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As it stands, employers are required to bridge the gap to minimum wage if employees tips do not get them over the state threshold. Opposition to the ballot question says restaurant workers make much more without a higher minimum wage. 22News spoke to the No on 5 campaign spokesperson, who expressed concerns that local restaurants will have to increase prices and lay off workers. What about small towns? What about western Mass? If you only have three or four restaurants in a community, and all of a sudden two of them are closed, theres not a line of restaurants getting ready to open in these neighborhoods, said spokesperson Chris Keohan. You are killing the lifeblood of these neighborhoods. The yes and no sides also disagree on the value of tip pooling, which is an option for employers where all non-management workers get a share of the tips, including non-customer-facing workers like cooks and dishwashers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The yes side told 22News that they feel this would be a fair policy, while the no side said employees should be able to keep the entirety of the tips they personally earn. You can make your voice heard on minimum wage for tipped workers this coming Tuesday, November 5. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. DRAPER, Utah (ABC4) Emergency protocols were briefly put into place at Corner Canyon High School in Draper after reports of an unfamiliar man and a nearby suspicious car raised concerns among the administration. Jeff Haney with the Canyons School District told ABC4.com that staff members at Corner Canyon High saw the unfamiliar man walking in the hallways without first reporting to the office. Per the Canyons School District security measures, the Draper Police Department was notified and called in to investigate. At the same time, a student had called and reported that a person in a suspicious car had uttered some threatening language, according to an email sent to parents from the school district. Haney confirmed with ABC4.com that the car also had extreme political messaging concerning Utahs gubernatorial race and weapons in schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Draper police responded and after a preliminary investigation, found the two incidents were unrelated and there was no threat to the school. The unfamiliar man was in fact a substitute teacher at the school and previously approved to be on campus. Officers also did not find any credible threat to the campus from the man in the car with the allegedly extreme political messaging. Canyons District appreciates the prompt and thorough response of the Draper Police and the dedication of the officers to ensure the safety and wellness of the school community, Canyons District said in an email to parents. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) Nothing stops supporters who choose to hold signs beyond the 150-foot boundary at Florida polling sites, but there is something to say about individuals intimidating and threatening voters casting their ballots. The 2024 Florida statute states in Chapter 104.0515, No person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, shall intimidate, threaten, or coerce, or attempt to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of such other person to vote or not to vote as that person may choose, or for the purpose of causing such other person to vote for, or not vote for, any candidate for any office at any general, special, or primary election held solely or in part for the purpose of selecting or electing any such candidate. Even with that penalty in place, as recently as Oct. 3 and Oct. 24, two incidents of voting intimidation were reported in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida teen arrested for waving machete toward women at polling site: police | WFLA Florida man arrested for intimidating voters at polling place: deputies St. Pete College Political Analyst Tara Newsom said that this election needs to bring peace rather than violence. When you have political violence like a machete at a polling place or an antisemitic rhetoric being yelled at voters, it really shows the culture that has come in the last decade with the change in our politics, Newsom said. That its normalized not just divisiveness, but political violence. And that is just unacceptable. Newsom added that voters should feel safe heading to the polls, with trust in local law enforcement and supervisors of elections. But she said to be ready for the political divisiveness and to remember to model unity, because no matter who wins the 2024 Presidential Election, there is no room for violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are all Americans and Floridians before we are Republicans and Democrats, Newsom said. Supervisor of Elections in Pasco County, Brian Corley, added to the discussion, sharing that in the past few weeks of early voting, there has seemed to be a sense of civility, despite the two recent events. At our early voting sites and I can only speak for my countys voters theres definitely a sense of civility back. Voters seem more jovial and talkative than they have in elections past, Corley said. As an American, it is so refreshing to see that you can have your disagreements and come out and have your voice heard, but just be nice about it and dont be rude. Corley assured voters that Pasco County poll deputies are the eyes and ears of polling sites and are doing perimeter checks to allow them to have a safe and enjoyable voting experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The supervisors of elections in Pasco and Hillsborough County have reported no incidents of voter intimidation. Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer said all poll workers are trained in de-escalation to help with any problems that may arise. If somebody has a problem at a polling site, they should be sure to let one of the poll workers know right away, Latimer said. News Channel 8 reached out to the Florida Department of State on the issue, and they said the department facilitates weekly calls with law enforcement partners to develop strategies to address any issues that arise during elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The departments full statement is below. We work closely with our state, local and federal law enforcement partners to prepare for any threats to election security in Florida. The Department of State facilitates weekly calls with our law enforcement partners to assess the threat landscape and develop strategies for addressing any issues that arise. Should someone observe or witness a potential case of elections fraud, please complete and submit a complaint form so it may be further investigated. Provide us with the date, time, place, and as much specific information and credible evidence as possible. Voting in Florida is accessible, convenient, and secure, and Florida voters today have more options available than ever before. Whats more, were a national leader in providing secure, reliable options to our voters. Florida Department of State Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Iowa DNR is investigating manure runoff into an unamed tributary of Sevenmile Creek. (Photo courtesy of Iowa DNR) The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating and helping to clean up an unnamed tributary of Sevenmile Creek in Montgomery County that had reports of manure runoff this week from a nearby feedlot. The runoff occurred during recent rain events at a small feedlot of around 100 cattle. Kaitlynne Henriksen an environmental specialist with DNR, said it is unknown how much manure washed into the small creek. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident was reported Thursday morning by Secondary Roads employees, according to Henriksen. The feedlot is located northwest of Morton Mills. Henriksen said she suspects the tributary was dry prior to the recent rains, and there is no evidence of any fish in the tributary, nor were there any fish reported dead downstream in Sevenmile Creek. Duane Bergren, Jr., the owner of the small feedlot, has been assisting in cleanup efforts and the runoff has been stopped. Henriksen said she was headed to the site to help pump the runoff out of the tributary bed. The landowner is currently working on preventing any future manure going into the creek, Henriksen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department has taken water samples and is waiting on test results. Iowans are advised to avoid using water from Sevenmile Creek until DNR has determined it is safe from contamination. Henriksen said the investigation is ongoing. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BOSTON (WWLP) Next up in the 22News ballot question series is a closer look at question 4, which asks voters where Massachusetts should draw the line on the legalization of certain psychedelic substances. Local dispensary owner on what the CCC can do better Some studies say the use of psychedelics could be a breakthrough treatment for PTSD, anxiety, and depression, but its up to voters to decide if Massachusetts should be the next state to legalize these drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A yes vote would allow legal adults to use certain psychedelics, to grow and possess psychedelics in their homes, as well as create a commission to regulate these substances. A no vote would make no change to the current laws. 22News spoke to an actress and advocate who explained her personal experience. and why she believes question 4 can save lives. We are in a mental health crisis and we need new medical tools, said Eliza Dushku, who is best known for her role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the shows spinoff. It was such an extraordinary and transformational thing that changed my life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some voters oppose question 4 because they do not support any use of psychedelics, but for others, its more complicated. The spokesperson from the No on 4 campaign told 22News that their opposition stems from concerns about how the question is written. They explained that the bill says that communities will not be given the option of opting out of having dispensaries, or the option to require a medical professional to be present for psychedelic usage. If home growth wasnt allowedand they required a medical professional on-site, Id be working for the yes side, said No on 4 spokesperson Chris Keohan. But thats not what this is. This is a giveaway to corporations who are looking to make more money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is another side to the no on 4 argument as wellsome pro-psychedelic organizations are concerned that if the question were to pass, access to these mushrooms would become increasingly expensive. From our perspective, if these treatments are not affordable, theyre not really legal, said James Davis, the co-founder of Bay Staters for Natural Medicine. So for us, we want to see a system where we regulate this correctly and its not just a repeat of the cannabis fiasco of 2016. While the yes argument says legalization is the quickest path to expanding access, both sides say there is more work to be done on the language of the bill before it should be passed. You can chime in on whether its time to legalize psychedelics in the commonwealth on your general election ballot on November 5. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Reuters) -Israeli bulldozers damaged the office of U.N. aid agency UNRWA in the West Bank's Nur Shams camp on Thursday, the agency's chief said, with Israel disputing his account in the latest exchange between both sides. Philippe Lazzarini, who heads the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency, said on social media platform X that the office was severely damaged and was no longer usable. The Israeli military, however, issued a statement denying responsibility for any damage to the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The claim that the UNRWA offices in Nur Shams were destroyed by IDF soldiers is false," the statement read, in reference to Israel Defence Forces. "Terrorists planted explosives in the proximity of the UNRWA offices that were then detonated in an attempt to harm IDF soldiers. The explosives likely caused damage to the structure," the IDF statement said. On Monday, Israel passed a law banning UNRWA from operating in the country, legislation that could impact its work in war-torn Gaza. The lawmakers who drafted the law cited what they described as the involvement of some UNRWA staffers in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel and staffers having membership in Hamas and other armed groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N., after an investigation, said in August that nine UNRWA staff were possibly involved in the Oct. 7 attacks and fired them. UNRWA says the overwhelming majority of its staff adheres to its principles of neutrality. Lazzarini called the vote to ban UNRWA a "dangerous precedent" that opposes the U.N. charter and violates Israel's obligation under international law. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said UNRWA workers "involved in terrorist activities" must be held accountable. (Reporting by Hatem Maher and Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Leslie Adler, Diane Craft and Lincoln Feast.) Washington announced on Nov. 1 a new military aid package for Kyiv worth $425 million, according to a U.S. Defense Department press release. The day prior, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a joint press conference that the U.S. would "soon" provide Ukraine with another aid package in light of North Korean troops' involvement in Russia's war. The recent military assistance is provided under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) which pulls weapons from U.S. stocks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aid list includes munitions for NASAMS missile systems, Stinger missiles, ammunition for HIMARS rocket systems, tube-launched, optically tracked, and wire-guided (TOW) missiles, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems, as well as 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition. Washington will also provide Kyiv with air-to-ground munitions, Stryker armored personnel carriers, counter-unmanned aerial systems (c-UAS) equipment and munitions, some medical equipment, and spare parts, among other contents of the package. The U.S. recently allocated another military assistance package for Ukraine worth $400 million, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced during his visit to Kyiv on Oct. 21. Austin had arrived in Kyiv unexpectedly to discuss further support as the U.S. presidential election draws near. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concerns are growing that if Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump wins against Democratic challenger Vice President Kamala Harris, he may withdraw or reduce U.S. support for Ukraine, potentially forcing the country into painful concessions. Despite U.S. assistance, Russian forces continue grinding forward in eastern Ukraine, while the country braces for renewed strikes against its energy grid as winter approaches. President Volodymyr Zelensky on Oct. 30 said the U.S. has transferred to Ukraine nearly 10% of the $61 billion aid approved by Congress in April 2024. Read also: A war of two countries against one Zelensky urges Western allies to take decisive action on North Korean troop involvement Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The US Department of Defense announced a new military assistance package to Ukraine worth US$425 million on Friday, 1 November. Source: European Pravda with reference to the Pentagon Details: The new US military aid package is provided under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which means a supply of weapons from US army stockpiles. The package includes ammunition for NASAMS and HIMARS systems, Stinger missiles, c-UAS mobile missile systems, air-to-ground munitions, 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, TOW anti-tank projectiles, and Javelin and AT-4 anti-tank systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The list also includes Stryker armoured personnel carriers, small arms and ammunition, medical equipment, explosive munitions, spare parts, support equipment, services, training and transportation. "The United States will continue to work together with some 50 Allies and partners through the Ukraine Defence Contact Group and its associated Capability Coalitions to meet Ukraine's urgently needed battlefield requirements and defend against Russian aggression," the Pentagon added. Background: The current package of arms for Ukraine was announced by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on 31 October. The previous US$400 million military aid package was announced on 21 October during Austins visit to Kyiv. Support UP or become our patron! California-based aerial technology firm Kraus Hamdani Aerospace has been awarded a contract by the United States to develop and produce ultra long endurance unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drones for the Army. The contract is for $20 million through the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) program. The contract is for the delivery of K1000ULE drones to two organizations, the first being U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (1 MDTF), and the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kraus Hamdani Aerospace says that the K1000ULE is a next-generation UAS for long missions. It will provide the U.S. Army with Aerial Tier Network Extension (ATNE), Electronic Warfare (EW), and Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for deep sensing and communication extension over large distances. The K1000ULE drone is positioned to provide Group 2 and Group 3 UAS capabilities with a logistics footprint of Group 2 UAS, as per the company. K1000ULE drone specifications According to Kraus Hamdani Aerospace, the K1000ULE drone has persistent airborne capability of up to 24 hours. The electric drone also offers an exciting 1,000 mile (1609 kilometers) flight range. It can cruise at speeds of 46 miles per hour (40 knots) at a ceiling height of 20,000 feet. Moreover the 9.8 feet (3 meter) lengthy drone has a wingspan of 16.4 feet (5 meters), and can fly with a maximum takeoff weight of 42.5 pounds (19.3 kilogram). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its launch and landing is runway independent, meaning it can take off and land in contested situations with ease using its vertical take-off and landing capabilities. Moreover, it also has the ability to carry on operations beyond line of sight, alongside autonomous features, an open architecture, and the ability to be operated by just a three person team. The drone will also give users the much-needed fly and forget mechanism at a cost-effective price. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4eO-jEimJI Surveillance, electronic warfare, and more capabilities One more benefit is that it is completely made in the US, with parts that are not locally-made, ensuring there is no reliance on other countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drone can carry an impressive range of electro optical, communications, and electronic warfare equipment to meet the desired goals. It is also fit to carry any other payload which is compliant with US DOD MOD. The U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) had recognized the K1000ULE's deep reconnaissance and sensing capabilities as a critical need for the U.S. Army in 2022. This led to the K1000ULE becoming a platform that was included in various exercises and operations across various Pacific areas of operations. "Over time, we have matured our technology in line with the requirements of the U.S. Army and continue to align the K1000ULE to meet the needs of the warfighter in a dynamically changing environment. The APFIT award validates our learning from conflict areas across the globe and our alignment to delivering mature technology that gives our warfighter an asymmetric advantage over our adversaries in modern warfare," stated Fatema Hamdani, CEO and Co-founder of Kraus Hamdani Aerospace. By Timour Azhari and Laila Bassam BEIRUT (Reuters) -A U.S. official asked Lebanon to declare a unilateral ceasefire with Israel to revive stalled talks to end Israeli-Hezbollah hostilities, a senior Lebanese political source and a senior diplomat said - a claim denied by both sides and the U.S. official. The sources said the request was made by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein to Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati this week, as the U.S. stepped up diplomacy in search of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is false" Hochstein said in a post on X, commenting on a Reuters journalist's tweet about this story. In a statement to Reuters, Mikati's office denied the U.S. had asked Lebanon to declare a unilateral truce. It said the government's stance was clear on seeking a mutual ceasefire and implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the last round of conflict between the two foes in 2006. A U.S. official also denied such a proposal had been made. "The U.S. is working with both parties to achieve an enduring ceasefire. Senior (White House) officials visited both Lebanon and Israel in the last several days to advance this effort," the official said. The sources said the U.S. sought to persuade Beirut to take back some initiative in the talks, particularly given the perception that Israel will likely continue military operations that have already killed most of Hezbollah's leadership and laid waste to swathes of Lebanon's south. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lebanon's armed forces are not involved in the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which began firing rockets at Israel a year ago in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas in Gaza. Any effort to reach a ceasefire would need a green light from Hezbollah, which has ministers in Lebanon's cabinet and whose members and allies hold a significant number of seats in parliament. Diplomats mediate with Hezbollah through the group's ally, Lebanese speaker of parliament Nabih Berri. Hezbollah has said it supports efforts by Berri to reach a ceasefire but that it must meet certain unspecified parameters. But the sources acknowledged that a unilateral declaration would probably be seen as a non-starter in Lebanon, where it would likely be equated with surrender to Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVE Another diplomat told Reuters that Hochstein had made a similar proposal months ago to Mikati and Berri. Hochstein told them, according to the diplomat, that if Hezbollah unilaterally declared a ceasefire, he "could have something to present" to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a diplomatic initiative. "His exact words were, 'help me, help you," the diplomat said, adding that then-Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah rejected the idea. Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli air attack on Sept. 27 on Beirut's southern suburbs. Despite its losses, Hezbollah has maintained that its chain of command is intact and its fighters have kept at bay Israeli forces making ground incursions into Lebanon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel says it is undertaking limited ground operations to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure and degrade the group's fighting capacities. The U.S. has been pushing for a 60-day ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel as a prelude to a fuller implementation of U.N. Resolution 1701, sources told Reuters this week. Hochstein was in Israel on Thursday with White House envoy Brett McGurk, but they did not continue on to Lebanon. Speaking about Lebanon on Thursday, Netanyahu said that "agreements, documents, proposals....are not the main point." He added: "The main point is our ability and determination to enforce security, thwart attacks against us, and act against the arming of our enemies, as necessary and despite any pressure and constraints. This is the main point." (Reporting by Timour Azhari and Laila BassamAdditional reporting by Maya GebeilyEditing by Alison Williams, Sharon Singleton, Mark Heinrich and Frances Kerry) By Gwladys Fouche OSLO (Reuters) - The United States is watching growing cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic closely and some of their recent military collaboration in the region sends "concerning signals", the U.S. Arctic ambassador said. Russia and China have stepped up military cooperation in the Arctic while deepening overall ties in recent years that include China supplying Moscow with dual-use goods despite Western sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia and the United States are among eight countries with territory in the resource-rich Arctic. China calls itself a "near-Arctic" state and wants to create a "Polar Silk Road" in the Arctic, a new shipping route as the polar ice sheet recedes with rising temperatures. Michael Sfraga, the United States' first ambassador-at-large for Arctic affairs, said the "frequency and the complexity" of recent military cooperation between Moscow and Beijing in the region sent "concerning signals". "The fact that they are working together in the Arctic has our attention," Sfraga, who was sworn in last month, told Reuters in a telephone interview from Alaska. "We are being both vigilant and diligent about this. We're watching very closely this evolution of their activity." "It raises our radar, literally and figuratively," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sfraga cited a joint run by Russian and Chinese bomber planes off the coast of Alaska in July, and Chinese and Russian coast guard ships sailing together through the Bering Strait in October. He said these activities had been conducted in international waters, in line with international law, but the fact that the bombers flew off the coast of Alaska had raised concerns for U.S. security. "We do need to think about security, heighten our own alliances, our own mutual defences," Sfraga said. "Alaska, the North American Arctic, is NATO's western flank and so we need to think about the Arctic that way." The activity was also a concern for U.S. allies as the Bering Strait and the Bering Sea give access to the North Pacific and South Pacific, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pentagon said in a report released in July that the growing alignment between Russia and China in the Arctic was "a concern". China and Russia are trying to develop Arctic shipping routes as Moscow seeks to deliver more oil and gas to China amid Western sanctions. Beijing is seeking an alternative shipping route to reduce its dependence on the Strait of Malacca. The Arctic also holds fossil fuels and minerals beneath the land and the seabed that could become more accessible with global warming. (Reporting by Gwladys Fouche in Oslo, Editing by Timothy Heritage) The News A recent video falsely showing non-citizens voting illegally in Georgia is part of a broader Russian influence campaign to sow discord and doubt about the integrity of the Nov. 5 presidential election, US officials said Friday. Intelligence agencies warned that they expect Moscow to release more content to undermine trust in the integrity of the election and divide Americans in the lead up to election day, as well in the weeks and months after. The election is not over the night of Nov. 5, the head of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency told Foreign Policy, warning that foreign adversaries will ramp up interference efforts right after polls close and before the vote is certified potentially fueling political upheaval in what is expected to be a close race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These foreign operators are merely pushing on an open door unlocked by Donald Trumps campaign, FP wrote, given that the former president has already claimed he has a lead in the election, setting the stage to challenge an unfavorable result. SIGNALS Foreign powers exploit the First Amendment to influence elections Sources: Historian Tyson Reeder, The New York Times David Sanger Democracies like the US are uniquely exposed to foreign interference because bad actors have historically exploited the countrys freedom of speech, American historian Tyson Reeder said at a recent panel. Foreign adversaries simply amplify the already divisive messages Americans are hurling back and forth at each other. The conundrum lies in determining whether such actions constitute foreign interference or public diplomacy: If the Russians are taking the actual words of Americans and amplifying them, its a little hard to find the crime there, New York Times correspondent David E. Sanger said at the panel. Pennsylvania is ground zero for election fraud claims Sources: The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given Pennsylvanias status as a crucial swing state, it has become ground zero for election fraud claims, The Wall Street Journal reported, with one fake video purporting to show Pennsylvania poll workers appearing to rip up ballots already linked to Russia. Such attempts create an environment where anything could be interpreted as being intentional and malicious and seeking to alter the outcome of the election, Pennsylvanias top election official told The New Yorker, and the states efforts to increase transparency have failed to combat conspiratorial doubts: Whats very frustrating on my end is that someone will come in and theyll ask a question and they dont accept the factual answer, one county commissioner said. US allies also have vested interest in election outcome Sources: Dynamic References, Times of Israel, CNN, DW A Chinese nationalist WeChat blog argued that Washingtons allies, who have their own vested interests in the US election, can make decisions that favor their preferred candidate. Analysts believe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would prefer Donald Trump to win, and Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, who sits on the Foreign Relations Committee, recently told CNN that it was possible the Israeli government was not going to sign any diplomatic agreements before the US election as a means to potentially try to influence the result. The EU, which largely favors Kamala Harris, has imposed high tariffs on Chinese EVs, while enacting minimal duties on US competitors, the Chinese blog argued, in active [support] of the Biden administration. The United States is providing Ukraine with additional military equipment worth $425 million to help fend off the ongoing Russian invasion, the US Defense Department said on Friday. The latest package includes ammunition for the HIMARS rocket launcher system and NASAMS air defence system, plus 155 and 105 millimetre calibre artillery ammunition. The US is Ukraine's most important ally and largest supplier of weapons as it seeks to repel Moscow's attacks. So far, Washington has provided Kiev with military aid worth more than $60.4 billion since the war began, according to the Pentagon. As many as 8,000 North Korean troops are in Russias Kursk region and are expected to enter combat against Ukraine in the coming days, top US officials announced Thursday. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking alongside Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and their South Korean counterparts in Washington, said the troops have been trained in artillery, UAVs, basic infantry operations, including trench clearing, indicating that they fully intend to use these forces in frontline operations. Although the US has not yet seen the troops engaged in the actual fighting, Blinken warned Thursday that should these troops engage in combat or combat support operations against Ukraine, they would become legitimate military targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 8,000 North Korean troops now in Kursk represent a majority of the 10,000 the US says were deployed to Russia. The announcement of their impending use in combat comes as the US and its allies weigh how to respond to the escalating military partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang. We are consulting closely with our allies and partners in other countries in the region on these reckless developments and on our response, Austin said at Thursdays press conference. The US will announce additional military support to Ukraine in the coming days, Blinken said. Ukrainian forces have held territory in Kursk since launching a surprise incursion into the Russian border region in August. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who called for South Korea to take a more active role in supporting Kyiv, warned Thursday that when the North Korean troops are deployed, they will be pushed forward, sustaining heavy losses, as Russia tries to minimize its own troop mobilization. Asked if he believed Ukraine would be able to hold its territory in Kursk with the additional North Korean forces deployed to the region, Austin said the answer is yes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian troops have suffered heavy losses throughout the more than two years of full-scale war against Ukraine. The US defense secretary noted Thursday that the number of North Korean troops sent to Kursk pales in comparison to the number of casualties Russia sees regularly. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday praised what he called very close contacts with the North Korean military and intelligence services. This helps to solve very important tasks for the security of our and your citizens, Lavrov said at the start of a meeting with his North Korean counterpart Choe Son Hui. The meeting in Moscow marked the sixth time the Russian and North Korean foreign ministers are meeting this year, according to Lavrov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Blinken and Austin redoubled their calls for China to use its influence with North Korea to stem its provocative actions. Weve had communications with China in fact, we had a robust conversation just this week, and I think they know well the concerns that we have and the expectations that, both in word and deed, theyll use the influence that they have to work to curb these activities, the top US diplomat said. He added that Beijing should be concerned by the deepening cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. Were very focused on and concerned about what Russia might be doing in order to enhance the (North Korean) capacities, its military capacity that too should be a real concern to China, because its profoundly destabilizing in the region, Blinken noted. Im surprised by Chinas silence on North Koreas support for Russia, Zelensky said in an interview with South Koreas KBS. I cant say that China is on our side, but as a regional security guarantor, its silence is striking. This story has been updated with additional developments. CNNs Anna Chernova and Lauren Kent contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON (AP) The Pentagon announced Friday it was sending an additional $425 million in military assistance to Ukraine as Kyiv prepares to face Russian forces augmented by more than 10,000 North Korean troops. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had said more aid was coming, and soon, during his visit to Kyiv last week. This aid package includes weapons that will be pulled from existing U.S. stockpiles, including air defense interceptors for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and 155 mm artillery, and armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons. Ukraine's eastern cities continue to face an onslaught of Russian missile strikes, including one on Kharkiv by a 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) glide bomb. The attack Thursday hit an apartment complex, killing three and injuring scores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Ukraine is facing new uncertainty as waves of North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia have arrived near Ukraines border and are preparing to join the fight against Ukrainian troops in coming days. Russia has increasingly used powerful glide bombs to pummel Ukrainian positions along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) line of contact and strike cities dozens of kilometers (miles) from the front line. Kharkiv, a city of 1.1 million, is about 30 kilometers (less than 20 miles) from the border. The aid package announced Friday by the Pentagon brings the total amount of military assistance the U.S. has provided Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022 to $60.4 billion. By Andrew Chung (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court rejected on Friday a Republican bid to block the counting of provisional ballots cast by voters in the election battleground state of Pennsylvania who make mistakes on their mail-in ballots in a decision that could affect thousands of votes in Tuesday's presidential election. The justices denied an emergency request by the Republican National Committee and Republican Party of Pennsylvania to put on hold the Oct. 23 Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling in favor of two Butler County voters who sought to have their provisional ballots counted after their mail-in ballots were rejected during that state's primary election for lacking secrecy envelopes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvania is one of a handful of closely contested states expected to decide the outcome of the presidential race between Republican former President Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. The Supreme Court, as is common in emergency matters, issued the decision without explaining its reasoning. Provisional ballots generally protect voters from being excluded from the voting process if their eligibility is uncertain on Election Day. The vote is counted once officials confirm eligibility. Harris campaign spokesperson Michael Tyler and Democratic National Committee spokesperson Rosemary Boeglin said in a joint statement after the Supreme Court acted: "In Pennsylvania and across the country, Trump and his allies are trying to make it harder for your vote to count, but our institutions are stronger than his shameful attacks. (Friday's) decision confirms that, for every eligible voter, the right to vote means the right to have your vote counted." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pennsylvania court's ruling could apply to thousands of ballots, possibly more, according to elections experts. The ruling let individuals who learn that their mail-in vote packages were rejected for lacking a mandatory signature, date or secrecy envelope to cast a provisional ballot on Election Day, and for that vote to be counted. Attorneys for the Butler County voters who brought the case called Friday's decision a win for democracy. Ben Geffen, a lawyer with the Philadelphia-based Public Interest Law Center, said it ensures that "all qualified voters deserve a chance to vote, even if they have made a technical error on their mail ballot. This is a step toward a more inclusive election process that respects the rights of all Pennsylvanians." The Republicans had told the justices that "tens of thousands of votes" could be at stake and should not be counted "in a state which many anticipate could be decisive in control of the U.S. Senate or even the 2024 presidential election." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If mail-in ballots are received on time but are defective, under the text of state election law those voters should not get a "redo via provisional ballot," the Republicans said in a filing. Pennsylvania's top court has usurped the state legislature's authority and changed rules too close to the election, the Republicans said. Unlike Butler County, the majority of Pennsylvania's 67 counties already counted provisional ballots from voters whose mail-in ballots are rejected. 'CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE' While no dissents were noted in the Supreme Court's action on Friday, conservative Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch said that the request by the Republicans raised a "matter of considerable importance." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, these justices said in a statement authored by Alito that they could not offer relief in part because the case involved just one county dispute, and blocking the state court's decision "would not impose any binding obligation on any of the Pennsylvania officials who are responsible for the conduct of this year's election." Though the case began with two voters challenging a single county's refusal to count their provisional ballots, Republicans intervened to defend the county's decision. Democrats intervened on the side of the voters, contending that if a defective mail-in ballot cannot be counted, that person has not yet voted and a provisional ballot must be counted. A divided Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed, saying that provisional ballots serve the "dual purpose" of preventing double voting while protecting voter's right to have one vote counted. The state constitution's voting protections do not allow for the "disenfranchisement of voters as punishment for failure to conform to the mail-in voting requirements when voters properly availed themselves of the provisional voting mechanism," the state court said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans had asked the U.S. Supreme Court to apply its 2023 ruling that allows the justices to second-guess state courts in certain cases to ensure they do not "arrogate to themselves the power vested in state legislatures to regulate federal elections." In another election-related case, the court on Wednesday reinstated Virginia's decision to purge from its voter rolls about 1,600 people who state officials concluded were not U.S. citizens, though Biden's administration and voting rights advocates said some actual citizens were struck. The court did not disclose its reasoning. The three liberal justices dissented. (Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Additional reporting by John Kruzel; Editing by Will Dunham) By Maya Gebeily BEIRUT (Reuters) -American efforts to halt fighting between Israel and Hezbollah have failed after the U.S. drafted an "unrealistic" ceasefire proposal and Israel's insistence on being able to enforce a truce directly, people briefed on the diplomacy told Reuters. With no workable proposal on the table ahead of Tuesday's U.S. presidential election, the conflict could drag on for months, according to a Lebanese political source close to Hezbollah, two diplomats and a person briefed on the talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They all spoke on condition of anonymity. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not respond to questions from Reuters. A U.S. official said talks between U.S. envoys and Israeli officials on Thursday yielded better results than expected. A second U.S. official described the meetings as "substantive" and "constructive" but said the U.S. would not negotiate in public. The State Department referred Reuters to comments by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said Israel and Lebanon were moving toward understandings on what was required to end the conflict but more work was needed. Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire for a year in parallel with the Gaza war but fighting has escalated in recent weeks. Israel says it has uncovered Hezbollah tunnels and weapons stores in south Lebanon, and that the Iran-backed group had planned an incursion into Israel even larger than the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. had drafted a 60-day truce proposal that would see Hezbollah pull back from Lebanon's southern border, both sides cease attacks and 10,000 Lebanese army troops deploy in the south, according to Israel's public broadcaster Kan. But two diplomats told Reuters the diplomatic efforts had failed because that draft was not viable. "It was totally unrealistic because of the onus it places on the Lebanese army to solve these problems," a Western diplomat told Reuters. A regional diplomat echoed those doubts, specifically pointing to elements of a "side letter" between the U.S. and Israel published by Kan which gave Israel the right to take action against imminent threats to its security. The diplomat described this proposal as "unworkable". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lebanon's government has not commented publicly on the draft, but officials told Reuters that Israel's insistence on "direct enforcement" of a deal would breach state sovereignty. U.S. envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk, who were in Israel on Thursday to discuss a ceasefire with Israeli officials, did not continue on to Lebanon for talks. "After Hochstein's attempt yesterday, that's it. It seems only the battlefield will decide," the Lebanese political figure close to Hezbollah told Reuters. 'STUBBORNNESS' The U.S. has struggled to break the deadlock in talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This week, Hochstein asked Lebanon to declare a unilateral ceasefire with Israel to make headway, two sources told Reuters - a claim denied by Lebanon's premier and Hochstein. Netanyahu is facing pressure in Israel from the tens of thousands evacuated from northern areas to make sure that Israel would be able to ensure that any agreement was respected and that Hezbollah and other militias would not be able to return. "It is essential, therefore, that Israel insists on retaining security freedom of action to enforce an agreement in Lebanon," the conservative Israel Hayom daily said. Netanyahu's office said he told Hochstein on Thursday that Israel's main concern was not "this or that agreement on paper but Israel's ability and determination to enforce the agreement and thwart any threat to its security from Lebanon". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Lebanese leaders blamed Israel for undermining any deal. "Israeli statements and diplomatic signals that Lebanon received confirm Israel's stubbornness in rejecting the proposed solutions and insisting on the approach of killing and destruction," Lebanon's prime minister Najib Mikati said. Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah and the main diplomatic channel used to mediate with it, said Israel had "wasted more than one opportunity" to reach a ceasefire. In comments to pan-Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat, Berri said Netanyahu had rejected a roadmap that Lebanon and Hochstein had been on board with, and said any diplomacy had been postponed until after Tuesday's U.S. presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The most likely scenario now is that the Israelis will keep doing what they want to do - with no ceasefire," the Western diplomat said. (Reporting by Maya Gebeily and Laila Bassam in BeirutAdditional reporting by James Mackenzie in Jerusalem, and Trevor Hunnicutt and Simon Lewis in WashingtonEditing by Ros Russell and Frances Kerry) "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Usha Vance, 38, entered the national spotlight in July 2024 when presidential candidate Donald Trump named her husband, Senator JD Vance, as his running mate. Now that the Republican ticket has won election, Usha is set to be the second lady of the United States. Come Januarys inauguration day, Usha will make history as the first Indian American second lady. She will also be the youngest second lady since the Harry S. Truman administration when 38-year-old Jane Hadley Barkley married Vice President Alben Barkley in November 1949. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leading up to election day, Usha joined her husband, along with their three children, on the campaign trail. The former lawyer is an avid reader, and she was seen with a book under her arm at multiple campaign stops. She told NBC News in October she provides companionship on their travels but also offers her perspective on how JDs appearances went. In addition, she helped JD prepare for the vice presidential debate at the beginning of October. Heres what to know about Usha Vance, including her background, career, religion, and how she met her husband. A California native, Usha was born to Indian immigrants Usha Vance was born Usha Chilukuri in San Diego in 1986 to parents who had immigrated from India. Her father, Krish, worked as an engineer and became a lecturer at San Diego State University. Her mother, Lakshmi, is a microbiologist who became a provost at the University of California at San Diego. Usha and her sister grew up in the suburban San Diego community of Rancho Penasquitos. She thrived at the public Mt. Carmel High School before heading to Yale University. After graduating in 2007, Usha had a teaching fellowship in China. She next earned a masters degree from Cambridge University as a Gates Cambridge Scholar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since entering the public eye, Usha has been the subject of racist attacks for her Indian American identity. For his part, JD has defended his wife on multiple occasions. What kind of man marries Usha? A very smart man and a very lucky man, importantly, he said. Usha and JD Vance met in law school and have three children Getty Images In 2010, Usha started at Yale Law School. In her first year, she took classes with JD Vance (who then went by the name J.D. Hamel). Usha and JD soon became a couple; their closeness led classmates to merge their names and dub the pair Judusha. In his 2016 memoir Hillbilly Elegy, JD credited her as being his spirit guide at Yale when he struggled to fit in. In 2014, Usha and JD were married in Kentucky, and she became Usha Vance (JD changed his last name the previous year). After living in California and Washington D.C., the Vances relocated to Cincinnati in 2018. They have three children, including two sons and a daughter. Ewan was born in June 2017 followed by Vivek in February 2020, and Mirabel in December 2021. She worked at the U.S. Supreme Court and a private law firm Usha held prestigious clerkships after law school including for Brett Kavanaugh when he was a judge of U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. In 2017-18, she had a Supreme Court clerkship with Chief Justice John Roberts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond court positions, Usha was an associate at Munger Tolles & Olsen, a law firm with a self-described radically progressive culture, until her July 2024 resignation when JD became the Republican vice presidential pick. Usha was raised Hindu but attends Catholic Church with her family Her familys Hindu faith was an important part of Ushas childhood. In a June 2024 interview with Fox News, she said: I did grow up in a religious household. My parents are Hindu, and that was one of the things that made them such good parents, that make them really very good people. When the Vances got married in 2014, their wedding events included a Hindu blessing ceremony. JD converted to Catholicism in 2019, but Usha didnt. However, she supported his decision and accompanies him to church with their children. The former Democrat fully backs her husband and Trump Usha was registered as a Democrat until 2014. After her husband became the Republican vice presidential nominee, an anonymous friend told The Washington Post Usha had been appalled by Trump and disturbed by the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. However, like JD who also had an about-face on Trump, The Post reported comments from a Republican strategist and family friend who said Ushas views had changed and that she now supported both her husband and Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When JD faced criticism this year over a 2021 remark about the United States being run by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives, Usha defended her husband. In an interview with Fox News this August, she described JDs statement as a quip. What he was really saying is that it can be really hard to be a parent in this country, and sometimes our policies are designed in a way that make it even harder, Usha said. You Might Also Like Utah County Clerk Aaron Davidson is being asked by a county commissioner to recuse himself from overseeing the election. Multiple people have reached out to me, everyone from average citizens to city council members to mayors to state legislators to statewide officeholders, all of whom are concerned about his ability to conduct the election in an unbiased manner, Utah County Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner said. I cant disagree with them. She said Thursday she will ask the countys other commissioners to join her in calling for Davidson to step aside to get the unnecessary drama away from the election. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray confirmed Wednesday his office is investigating Davidsons tracking of how politicians cast their ballots, first reported by the Deseret News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gardner pointed out that Davidson also has sided with write-in gubernatorial candidate Phil Lyman, filing a brief supporting one of Lymans legal challenges to the election and suggesting Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, who is on the ballot with Gov. Spencer Cox, should be punished for election fraud. But the biggest issue Gardner says shes hearing about is Davidsons ballot tracking. Davidson, who discourages voting by mail, told the Deseret News earlier this week that state Sen. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, returned his primary election ballot without a stamp, something he knew because he was keeping track of the way a list of politicians cast their ballots. The thing that these people are calling me about the most is the ballot tracking, Gardner, a former county clerk, said. In order for him to accurately track these ballots, he has to be manually isolating them. The machines that scan our ballots, they dont determine whether or not a ballot was returned via drop box or the mail. They dont determine whether or not, if it came through the mail, it has a stamp or doesnt have a stamp, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats raising concerns Davidson may be looking at more than just how a ballot arrived, she said. Ive had the inquiry, Is there a way hes opening these ballots outside of their process and seeing how I voted? Ive had multiple people asking me that. They just dont have confidence that hes not looking at their ballot if hes isolating their ballot, Gardner said. Davidson did not respond to requests for comment, but told Fox 13 that Gardners recusal request is just ridiculous. He has said he did not look at who the politicians he tracked voted for and claimed the data he had about how their ballots were cast was available to anyone willing to pay a $15 fee. Gardner said publicly available voter information only states whether someone voted in person or by returning the ballot mailed to them. She said when Davidson revealed that McKell mailed back his ballot without a stamp, and reportedly told state Rep. Stephanie Gricius, R-Eagle Mountain, that he knew she mailed back her primary ballot, hes absolutely violating their privacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres also the issue of whether Davidson is using taxpayer resources to further a personal vendetta with an elected legislator. He has called out Sen. McKell and the two of them have had a spat, Gardner said, referring to their social media exchange during the primary over Davidson telling voters they needed to pay for the return postage if they wanted to mail back their ballots. Now, Gardner said, Davidson is utilizing county resources to gather information to utilize against elected officials with whom he disagrees. And thats quite disturbing. McKell confirmed he made his voter file private, something Gardner said about 40% of Utah County residents have done, including herself. She said if theres the potential that the law was violated, the county attorneys investigation is appropriate. Im not privy to that information, Gardner said. Im not in that office and Jeff Gray is an independently elected official but I could see why he would feel that that investigation would be warranted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Alliance for a Better Utah said Davidson should resign. The left-leaning organizations executive director, Jeff Merchant, said in a statement that while Davidson might be citing technicalities to justify his unethical behavior, we find the pattern of behavior to be immoral and frankly dangerous. Additionally, undermining faith in our extremely secure election process is fueling harmful conspiracy theories and potentially inciting violence. Early voter turnout numbers Amid the calls for Davidson to recuse himself or resign, Henderson reported that as of Thursday morning, Utah County has the lowest turnout so far for the general election of any of the states 29 counties at just over 25%. Statewide, more than a third of Utahns have already voted and of the 608,488 ballots processed, 590,607 were returned by mail while 17,881 were cast in person. Hendersons office, which oversees elections, has not commented on the ballot tracking controversy. Voters walk into cast their ballots at the Center Point Church on Nov. 8, 2022 in Orem, Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) When Utah County Clerk Aaron Davidson publicly revealed the voting method of a lawmaker, it prompted an investigation from the county attorney and calls from a predecessor to recuse from his functions this election cycle. Now, some mail-in voters are questioning whether their ballots will be counted. The controversy started when Davidson, who has asked voters to prioritize drop boxes and in-person voting over mail-in ballots, said he kept track of how public officials vote, and even provided names. Sen. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, for example, didnt put a stamp on his ballot last election, Davidson told The Deseret News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tracking that information was described as voter intimidation by Utah County Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner, also Utah Countys previous county clerk. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Its incredibly abnormal. Its not only abnormal, its inappropriate. He should be worried about counting the votes and ensuring that every person who has a right to vote has the opportunity to do so in whatever way works best for them, Powers Gardner told Utah News Dispatch. However, Davidson defends his statements, arguing that voting methods arent private information. Anybody can go to a drop box and watch who drops their mail-in (ballot) in a drop box, Davidson said Thursday. This whole controversy is completely made up. Its just Michael McKell trying to make drama out of whats not drama, Its public information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKell said this is not only about him, as Davidson reached out to other lawmakers such as Rep. Stephanie Gricius, R-Eagle Mountain, to tell them he knew their voting method. The other thing that is really troubling to me is that my voter file is private. Initially, he cant disclose that I even voted. Thats a violation of statute, McKell said. And, I dont think its maybe a violation of statute. I think its black and white, a violation of statute. He cannot disclose that I voted at all because my voter file is private. Davidson disagreed. He said anyone could track some voter information, such as ballot type and date with the Has Voted Subscription. He added he only tracked the voting method of just a few politicians. According to his comments, Davidson bases his decisions on who he tracks on personal interactions. Its just a couple of them, the people that are vocal about me not putting stamps or me not paying for postage, Davidson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With a ballot-sorting machine, his office tracks a number associated with the envelopes that contain the ballots, he explained. When his ballot came through, our system logged it as Mike McKell voted on a specific date, and it tracks how they returned the ballot, Davidson said. I never saw the ballot, I never opened the ballot, I never pulled the ballot out. My staff does that. Targeting politicians Davidson disagrees with, McKell said, makes it worse. Its almost a threat that hes made. Hes going to look at my ballot as a way to call me out and hold me accountable, McKell said. I use a legal method of voting. The vast majority of Utahns support mail-in voting, and he wants to call me out for exercising my constitutional right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKell was also skeptical of the process described by Davidson. I have zero confidence that he didnt look at how I voted, as well, he said. Ive talked to some folks about the process in the election office. To isolate my ballot takes a significant amount of work. Aaron Davidson is misrepresenting it as a simple process. Simply pay $15 to get that kind of data. That gets you aggregate data, but to isolate and individualize my ballot took a lot of work. Let us know what you think... While Davidson denies any wrongdoing, the County Attorneys Office called him inquiring about the incident, which he believes wont result in any criminal consequences. The Utah County Attorneys Office confirmed it received a report of Davidson tracking the voting method of some elected officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Utah County Attorneys Office is conducting a preliminary investigation into that report and reviewing the applicable laws to determine whether any law was violated, a spokesperson wrote in a statement. That investigation is expected to take some time. The results of that preliminary investigation will determine if further digging is needed and whether the Utah County Attorneys Office will keep conducting it or refer it to another agency. But for Powers Gardner, potentially violating elected officials privacy rights should still be investigated, especially in a climate in which elections are under much scrutiny. But, there may not be time to conduct a thorough investigation before Election Day on Tuesday. Which is one reason I asked him to recuse himself from this election, let himself step away, let the professionals in the office focus on doing the job, she said. And then that would give assurance to the individuals who are nervous that their rights have been violated, that things were going to happen in a non-political neutral manner in the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davidson defended himself on Thursday, saying he saw no reason to recuse himself from his duties. Mail-in ballots will count with or without stamp, Utah County clerk says After the controversy, Powers Gardner said some voters in the county have contacted her with questions on whether their mail-in ballots will be discriminated against. Utah County doesnt prepay the postage to send ballots. But the postal service will return them even if theyre missing stamps, since there are federal laws against poll taxes. That includes Utah County. [2024 Voter Guide: The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote.] Davidson said on Thursday that votes without postage will be counted. However, he has advised residents to pay the $0.73 for the stamp for the convenience and leave the free mailing for those who really need it. About 75% of mail-in voters do put a stamp on their ballots, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you can afford it, why raise the cost of running the election and making other taxpayers pay for your convenience?, he said. Powers Gardner believes that distinction shouldnt be made. It shouldnt matter how you return your ballot. It shouldnt matter if youre sick that day, if you are busy, if youre a single mom working two jobs, if youre an elderly person whos confined to their house, she said. Whether or not you can find a stamp, you still have a right to vote, and you should be able to, and the clerk should not be discriminating nor segregating your votes because of it. It will take a long time for Utah County residents to regain trust in the office, she said. She, herself, is on edge about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have not returned my ballot yet, and I was this morning telling someone that I dont know if I should put it in a drop box so that I dont hit his hit list because I actually want my vote to count, she said, or whether or not I should put it in the mail just to see if he tries to shame me, because Ive heard hes harassing other people, and I think thats voter intimidation. However, both Powers Gardner and McKell advised voters to track their ballots to make sure they were counted. McKell also questioned Davidsons neutrality, as the clerk posted a letter on social media asking for Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson to be prosecuted after the highly controversial gubernatorial primary election, which, according to The Salt Lake Tribune, fired up write-in candidate Phil Lymans followers. On social media, some of Lymans supporters called for Henderson to be executed, which lawmakers, including McKell, condemned. I trust our election system, but this is really a difficult one for me, because we do have a clerk whos politicizing an election, McKell said. I agree with Commissioner Gardner he should recuse himself. His actions show a clear bias. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) One person suspected of sexual assault has been taken into custody after reports made on the Utah Tech University campus. The suspect, who has not yet been identified, is reportedly connected to multiple reports of sexual assault in Campus View Suites 1 on the morning of Friday, Nov. 1. Upon receiving the reports, the Utah Tech Police Department secured the building and set a safety notice to alert the campus. Are LDS missionaries safe? Horror movie Heretic raises question in church community Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police were able to narrow the investigation to a single male suspect and eventually brought the man into custody. The safety and security of our students and campus community remain our highest priority, and we are committed to supporting those affected, Utah Tech said in a statement. Students can access that support from UTs Booth Wellness Center by walking in or calling 435-652-7755. An investigation into the reported incidents is ongoing. Anyone who may have additional information is asked to call dispatch at 435-627-4300. In the meantime, the Utah Tech Police Department reminds its campus to lock doors to their residence and to not let anyone without a key into their buildings. Anyone who sees or hears anything suspicious should also call dispatch at the above-listed number. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Hundreds of Canutillo Independent School District (CISD) teachers, nurses and support staff will receive mental health training during the 2024 Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Bowl held on Friday, Nov. 1 at the Garcia Elementary School, 6550 Westside Dr. The event focuses on providing Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in children, read the news release sent by the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). This district-wide event is part of the ongoing Mental Health Service Provision and Awareness Program, a partnership between UTEP and CISD, according to the news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UTEP said the event will provide approximately 784 CISD staff members with YMHFA training. Certified YMHFA trainers from UTEP and partner organizations, like Emergence Health Network, will conduct sessions to enhance mental health awareness and support among educators, according to UTEP. UTEP said Rosario Olivera, MSW, an instructor in the UTEP Department of Social Work, is the principal investigator behind the project, which is supported by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Happy Friday, Utah! After a mostly dry and pleasant Halloween evening, were looking at a chilly and dry start to our Friday around the Beehive state. Bottom Line?! Partly cloudy, mild Friday, but more rain and snow returns this weekend. Friday will remain dry, with some morning sunshine and then a few more clouds returning during the afternoon and evening hours. High temperatures will likely warm into the mid-50s across northern Utah and into the mid-60s for southern Utah! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our next storm system will quickly approach the area late Friday night into Saturday. This system will have more moisture to work with and will increase the chances of valley rain in the area on Saturday afternoon. The chances for widespread moisture will increase even more Saturday night through Sunday, bringing rain and maybe a bit of valley snow. By early next week, another storm might bring colder air and some light valley snow, especially in areas like the Wasatch Back and Cache Valley. Theres a slight chance of strong east winds around Wednesday night as this second storm moves through something to watch for. Stay tuned! Well keep you posted on the latest developments in our 4Warn Weather forecast both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah! Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. With days until Election Day, GOP vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance appeared on the "Joe Rogan Experience" Thursday and voiced skepticism about the COVID-19 vaccine. During the three-hour conversation on Thursday, Vance talked about the vaccine to Rogan, who himself has pushed false claims about vaccines on his show, which has millions of followers. The COVID-19 vaccines have been proven effective in preventing serious illnesses and death from the virus. Some side effects of the vaccine include "pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea," and typically resolve themselves in a few days, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: 2024 election updates: Trump uses violent rhetoric to attack 'war hawk' Liz Cheney Vance, who said he's had COVID-19 five times, claimed on the show he was "red-pilled" after he had side effects following taking an unidentified vaccine. "We're not even allowed to talk about the fact that I was as sick as I've ever been for two days, and the worst COVID experience I had was like a sinus infection. I'm not really willing to trade that," Vance claimed. PHOTO: Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance comments during a town hall meeting at the Bedford County Airport in Bedford, Pa., Oct. 30, 2024. (Gene J. Puskar/AP) Vance also said he's worried that there may be a "conflict" in 30 to 40 years with developing countries because they have a negative perception of Westerners for "giving them health care that isn't actually health care," referring to vaccines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance's comments are notable given that his running mate, former President Donald Trump, has also sent mix messages on the COVID-19 vaccine. Trump has called it "one of the greatest achievements," but then said people have a choice to get it and has slammed vaccine mandates. RFK Jr. recommends fellow vaccine skeptic, Florida's surgeon general, to Trump for HHS secretary Vance spoke with Rogan amid news that Trump surrogate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has spent years fueling misinformation around the safety of vaccines, has been privately advising the Trump transition team on prospects for Cabinet positions -- including recommending a fellow vaccine skeptic, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, as a candidate to serve as secretary of Health and Human Services. Also, Kennedy said earlier this week that Trump has "promised" him "control of the public health agencies" should Trump win back the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ladapo drew criticism for repeatedly questioning the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, which were developed under the Trump administration. Under Ladapo, Florida defied guidelines from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. PHOTO: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks ahead of a live interview with commentator Tucker Carlson and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, during the finale of the Tucker Carlson Live Tour in Glendale, Arizona, Oct. 31, 2024. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images) Recent comments from both Vance and Kennedy could be signaling how a Trump administration could undermine confidence in vaccines. In August 2024, a Gallup poll found that fewer Americans today consider childhood vaccines -- with 40% saying it is extremely important for parents to have their children vaccinated, down from 58% in 2019 and 64% in 2001. The New York Time's reported that Trump's former Surgeon General, Jerome Adams, said at the American Public Health Association Annual meeting on Monday that if Kennedy has any influence on the next administration, it would hurt America's health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If RFK has a significant influence on the next administration, that could further erode people's willingness to get up to date with recommended vaccines, and I am worried about the impact that could have on our nation's health, on our nation's economy, on our global security," Adams said at the conference. Also during Vance's Rogan interview, falsely claimed that people become transgender or gender nonbinary to reject their white privilege and participate in diversity, equity and inclusion programs to get into Ivy League colleges. "If you are a, you know, middle-class or upper-middle-class white parent and the only thing that you care about is whether your child goes into Harvard or Yale, like obviously, that pathway has become a lot harder for a lot of upper-middle-class kids, but the one way that those people can participate in the DEI bureaucracy in this country is to be trans, and is there a dynamic that's going on where, if you become trans, that is the way to reject your white privilege," Vance said. Vance pushes anti-vaccine message during Joe Rogan podcast, says people become trans to improve Ivy League chances originally appeared on abcnews.go.com VERMILION CO., Ill. (WCIA) A former Danville resident is heading to prison after he pleaded guilty to possession of controlled substance with intent to deliver. On Oct. 30, Richard Tyler, 47, was sentenced to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections to be followed by one year of mandatory supervised release. Decatur man gets 18 months in 2022 animal cruelty case Judge Mark Goodwin heard evidence from the people that on June 28, 2019, an agent with Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group executed a search warrant on Tylers residence in Danville. Inside the kitchen, agents found a container filled with 25 packages of a substance that tested positive for crack cocaine at the Illinois State Police Forensic Science Laboratory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of the packages together weighed 4.8 grams. Agents also found packaging materials and a paper with a list of names and amounts of money on it, as well as a cell phone and money. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Nineteen House and Senate races this cycle will feature two veterans vying against each other for a seat in Congress. In several cases, the results could determine which party controls either chamber next year. Here are several of the most competitive vet-versus-vet contests, and a closer look at the candidates involved: Here are all the veterans running for Congress in 2024 Virginia 2nd House District This southeast Virginia district which includes Hampton Roads and a large number of military voters has been represented by a series of veterans since 2010 and three different Navy veterans since 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, Republican Rep. Jennifer Kiggans unseated former Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria in a contest that featured two former sailors. This year, Kiggans is facing Democrat Missy Cotter Smasal, another Navy veteran. Cotter Smasal is a former Navy surface warfare officer. Kiggans is a retired Navy helicopter pilot who currently sits on the House Veterans Affairs and House Armed Services Committees. The incumbent Kiggans has made her work on the veterans panel a key campaign talking point, promising better care and more accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs. But Cotter Smasal has criticized Kiggans votes on limiting VA funding and restricting abortion access for military women. The Cook Political Report rates the race as slightly favoring the Republican candidate. Pennsylvania 17th House District Democrats have occupied this western Pennsylvania seat since 2002, and will likely need to keep hold of it if they hope to take a majority in the chamber next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Chris Deluzio, a Naval Academy graduate, won the seat in 2022 by fewer than 7% of the total ballots cast and is facing a similarly tight election battle this year. His opponent, Republican Rob Mercuri, is a West Point graduate who has served in the Pennsylvania state legislature. Both men deployed to Iraq during their military careers and have prominently featured their military service in their advertising campaigns. Deluzio serves on the House Armed Services Committee and briefly sat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Mercuri has vowed to make reforming VA and strengthening national security key priorities if elected. The Cook Political Report rates the race as slightly favoring the Democratic candidate. Iowa 3rd House District This central Iowa district has switched party control three times in the last 12 years. Republican Rep. Zach Nunn, an Air Force veteran, unseated the previous Democratic office holder in 2022. Now, Democrat Lanon Baccam, an Iowa National Guardsman, is hoping to flip it back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Nunn and Baccam deployed to Afghanistan as part of their time in the military. Nunn still serves in the Iowa Air National Guard, and flew more than 700 combat hours during missions in the Middle East. Baccam served as a combat engineer, focusing on explosive demolitions. Nunn served on the White Houses National Security Council prior to his time in Congress. Baccam worked in the Department of Agriculture, overseeing veterans programs there. The Cook Political Report rates the race as a toss-up. All of Iowas four House seats and two Senate seats are currently held by Republicans, making the state a key battle point if GOP leaders hope to hold on to their House majority. Virginia 7th House District Of the 19 vet-versus-vet races this cycle, three are in Virginia, the most of any state. Virginias 7th House District, located just south of Washington, features a matchup between two challengers bidding to replace Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who is running for governor of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district was held by Republicans for 46 years before Spanbergers victory in 2018. Now, Republican Derrick Anderson and Democrat Eugene Vindman both Army veterans are looking to fill the vacancy. Vindman is a former White House National Security adviser and brother of Alexander Vindman, a witness in former President Donald Trumps first impeachment trial. He deployed to Iraq during his military career but sparred with the Trump administration over his own role as a whistleblower in the impeachment. Anderson deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as a Green Beret. He served in the White House during the Trump administration in the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The Cook Political Report rates the race as a toss-up. CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Veterans day is approaching. On November 11, the country will honor and thank all the men and women who served our country. KTAL is spotlighting local veterans making a difference in Shreveport Bossier. Before serving the community of Shreveport on city council, Caddo Parish District 10 Commissioner Ronald Cothran served his country. Commissioner Cothran has retired from a more than two decade military career. Although he was born and raised in Shreveport, he has been stationed all over the country, beginning his military career in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After several assignments, including stops in Alabama, Texas, Georgia, he eventually got stationed overseas in Berlin, Germany. My entire career, I never had a bad assignment. Never. Every assignment I went to it was just something very special, Cothran told KTAL. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I had control of the United States of America, I would request that all young people do a minimum of two years active duty military job corps, something to this nature, to actually understand what this country is about, he shared. Veterans for Veterans Annual Bike Rally Returns November 2nd Honoring Veterans Through Community Support Within Cothrans own family, multiple generations have served in the military, including his father and three of his children. When my youngest daughter went into the military, it really kind of blew my mind from the perspective like I hope shell be okay. And she did really well, he expressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cothran is grateful that he now gets to serve the large veteran community in Shreveport-Bossier. When you look at my district, District 10, we have one of the largest military presence of all the districts here in Caddo parish, he said. I remember when I was campaigning, I would go up to people, I would see the flag. That tells me something right there. Because most of the time, most military people are going to have a flag in their yard or something nearby. He believes his experience in the military prepared him for his current role, as District 10 commissioner. In the military, you get trained first before you get the position. It appears to me in the civilian world, you get the job and then hopefully you learn. Thats one of the things that I really like about the military is the actual training. Because we went from school to school to school to the get the leadership skills needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commissioner Cothran also exemplifies leadership in other areas of the community, teaching Sunday school at Bright Star Missionary Baptist church. When hes not at church or city council, he likes to ride motorcycles with the Buffalo Soldiers organization. Most of the people in our organization are retired military, military, or law enforcement, said Cothran, who shared that hes been riding motorcycles himself for about 15 years now. The commissioner also shared a message of patriotism. In spite of everything that we see going on in America, this is the greatest country Ive ever lived in, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Vice President Kamala Harris will spend Sunday campaigning in Michigan, making stops in Detroit, Pontiac and East Lansing ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, officials said. Harris will then close out her campaign Monday in Pennsylvania, another key battleground state in what is expected to be a close election between Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, and former President Donald Trump, the Republican. Sunday will be the 16th day Harris has spent in Michigan this year, though she made four visits before launching her presidential campaign in August. Most recently, she held a Monday rally near U-M in Ann Arbor. Trump is to appear in Warren on Friday, speaking at Macomb Community College, in what will be his 16th day in Michigan this year. Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. October 28, 2024. A senior Harris campaign official, who declined to be identified, said Harris will attend church in Detroit on Sunday and visit the city's Livernois area. Strong turnout in Detroit is generally critical to Democratic success in Michigan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris will then make a stop in Pontiac, another city with a significant Black population and historic ties to the auto industry, the official said. Harris is then expected to move on to East Lansing, where the official said she will court another key constituency, young voters, delivering remarks at around 6:30 p.m. at Michigan State University. MSU is also located inside the congressional district of what is seen as a key race nationally between Democrat Curtis Hertel, Jr. of East Lansing and Republican Tom Barrett of Charlotte. Both are former state senators. The presidential candidates' running mates are also active in Michigan as Election Day draws near. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democrat, has stops planned Friday in Detroit, Flint and Traverse City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the Republican, is to speak Friday at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport in Portage. Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on X, @paulegan4. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: VP Kamala Harris to campaign Sunday in Detroit, Pontiac, East Lansing What hes saying now: Thanh, who lied by saying a Vietnamese gang is threatening his life to get into the U.K. asylum system, said he now regrets his life of crime. He hopes that sharing his story will discourage others from following in his footsteps, saying, I just want people in Vietnam to understand that its not worth borrowing lots of money to travel here. Its not so easy for illegal arrivals to find work or make money, he said. When BBC pointed out his hypocrisy by continuing his illegal activities, Thanh justified it by saying they are not forcing anyone to do what they do, adding, They ask us for help, as they would from any business. Theres no trafficking involved. The Scene The final scramble for votes has been underway for weeks in the battleground states. Democrats, liberal nonprofits, and labor unions all hit go on interlocking persuasion, get-out-the-vote, and ballot chase programs that they had tested in lower-turnout races. Republicans, who spent years warming up their voters to the idea of voting early after Donald Trump derided the practice in 2020, have built a lattice-work of local parties, political action committees, religious charities, and grassroots groups to find unlikely voters. Over the past month, I followed a few different types of canvass operation in the key swing states. What I saw was an election in which Democrats and Republicans are connecting with intensely motivated voters, but face open questions that will only be resolved on election day: Can Harris overcome a residue of skepticism with some historically Democratic voters? And can Trump win converts and find supporters who didnt participate in the last election? Here are a few looks under the hood. The View From Wisconsin MARSHFIELD, Wis. The door to a ranch house opened, and Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Ben Wikler said hello. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im checking with folks about the election, he said. The voter, a middle-aged woman who appeared on his list as a likely Democrat, did not want to say directly who she supported. I do like that sign, she said, pointing to a HARRIS-WALZ sign in a neighbors yard. I do not like the sign over there, she said, pointing across the street to a TRUMP 2024 sign. She confirmed that she had a plan to vote, and Wikler moved on. Wikler, who Democrats elected to lead their party seven years ago, had developed year-round voter contact operations, which ramped up when each election got closer. This was the first presidential election of his party chair career with traditional canvassing; the party had incorporated lessons from 2020, when COVID caution kept many Democrats on Zoom calls, but its thousands of volunteers and 250 paid staff were now doing traditional outreach. Volunteers are knocking on doors in their own communities, he said. Its not at all uncommon for someone to discover that they went to kindergarten with the person that theyre talking to, or go to the same church, or have kids that are in 4-H together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the run-up to Nov. 5, Wikler was stopping in every Wisconsin county, meeting with the local Democrats, and getting a read-out on what they saw before helping them chase votes. At a meeting in Wood County he delayed his entrance until after a come-from behind Packers win he fielded questions about close polls, asked what local Democrats heard at the doors, and emphasized that the partys final persuasion message should be simple. I feel like our two central arguments right now one is around freedom, he said. That includes abortion, but also contraception and IVF. And then the other is around economic opportunity for everybody. He went back to the doors. Some voters didnt want to talk; one was the brother of a former state legislator Wikler knew in Madison, and they took a selfie to send to him. Another voter, a woman playing with her toddler, wanted to know how exactly Harris would restore abortion rights. Easy, said Wikler: Harris needed a congressional majority to restore Roe. Im not happy with how the economy has been during their current reign, the voter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When she was attorney general of California, she had a reputation for going after big corporations, said Wikler, touting her plan to crack down on price gouging. The toddler ran back and forth across her driveway. Wikler handed his mother more literature, urging her to look up the Harris agenda before voting. He moved to the next house. The View From Arizona APACHE JUNCTION, Az. On the western edge of the Valley of the Sun, Turning Point Actions year-long ballot chase strategy was in the capable hands of Ken and Barby. Ken Taylor had signed up months earlier to canvass infrequent Republican voters, people who had skipped a few elections but would likely support Donald Trump. Last month, on the first Saturday of early voting, he walked from the home he shared with Barby Ingle and checked in on his neighbors, wearing a shirt from his wifes state legislature campaign: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Would you like a lawn sign? Taylor asked a neighbor who was reluctant to vote before Election Day. Im your man. He moved on to the home of Darla Talbot, whose dogs scampered out the front door as he offered to help her figure out the measures on Maricopa Countys ballot. They sent out a phone book this year, he said, handing her some literature. These are some conservative views on the ballot measures. He helped chase the dogs back inside. There were 598 neighbors left to talk to. Turning Point Action, the electoral offshoot of Charlie Kirks Turning Point USA, was headquartered in the Phoenix suburbs. Its Chase the Vote program used relational organizing to encourage early voting, combating the skepticism Republicans felt toward voting before election day some of it, previously, fed by Kirk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre locals, said Tyler Bowler, the COO of Turning Point Action, talking through the strategy in his office last month. They can literally knock on the door of a person who hasnt returned a ballot and say: Im your neighbor. The theory behind the campaign was that Republicans were leaving hundreds of thousands of votes on the table sometimes literally, when mail ballots got ignored at home rather than being returned. In 2022, a significant number of voters in Maricopa County, who had heard two years of negative thinking about early and mail voting, showed up for Election Day and ran into problems with voting equipment. The goal this time was to prevent that, and find more Republican votes. Taylors neighbors always intended to turn out (Talbot had a Gadsden flag in her yard and marveled that anyone could vote for the modern Democratic Party.) A 5% increase would obliterate them, said Bowyer. Once the early vote rolled in, on X, Bowyer marveled at how Republican turnout was indeed running ahead of 2020. The View From Pennsylvania PHILADELPHIA, Pa. Rafael Algarin set up his table outside of a Dollar Store, near the temporary offices of the Vote Rev Action Fund. For months, the 34-year old Algarin had registered Black voters, adding a few hundred to the rolls. When the registration period wrapped up, he pivoted to site-based vote tripling getting voters to tell friends that they, too, should turn out for the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Would you like anything from the table? he asked one passerby. He pointed to the bottled water, Halloween candy, and wristbands behind him. She declined, but took a photo of the Vote Rev QR code, agreeing when Algarin asked her to send it to five friends. That was enough. That was the whole point. Democrats easily win West Philadelphia in presidential elections. In the precinct that Algarin was assigned to, Donald Trump won just 10 votes in 2020, to 355 votes for Biden. But Democrats have been winning the city by less and less in every election since Barack Obama left office, and the goal of Vote Rev executive director Robert Reynolds Gambhir was reminding people who were likely to vote Democratic to turn out. We have over a thousand canvassers doing this, Gambhir said. We are stationing them at high traffic sites, and waiting for pedestrians to come by them. They ask them to stop and they remind them to vote, and send that message to five friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The canvassers did not attempt to persuade the passersby on policy or candidate virtues. There was no pro-Harris, pro-Democratic literature on hand, though it was nearby at several locations. Interest was mixed; at one stop, the number of people slowing down to talk to the canvasser was similar to the number taking a look at the Final Call newspaper flogged by a Nation of Islam member nearby. And some passersby sped up. I aint playin with those QR codes, one said, shaking his head, crossing into a CVS pharmacy. But Gambhir, who founded the group after Democrats 2016 shocker, believed that there would be enough quick contacts to drive up the vote. These contacts are fueled by the very best form of voter contact, which is friend to friend, he said. They had tried this in Arizona two years ago, and found that each canvasser could reach a total of 30 voters per hour. And that year, they won. Davids view Its dangerous to read early vote data or see a canvass and predict how an elections going to break. Nothing I saw looked like it was flopping, despite some skepticism among political veterans in both parties about newer conservative efforts like Kirks, in particular. I followed some door-to-door labor work for Hillary Clinton in 2016 that didnt seem promising for her, but I saw energy for Democrats and Republicans in each state I reported from this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was, unmistakably, some standoffishness in Philadelphia. It would be hard to attribute that entirely to feelings about the Democrats; people are busy and dont always stop for clipboard-holders who want their time. In Arizona, TP Action claimed to have located voters who skipped 2020 altogether. That wasnt what I saw: Whatever lists they were using seemed to turn up solid Trump voters in our walk. My main takeaway, which polling about voter enthusiasm picks up, is that both sides are well-organized and energetic. Democrats are facing some skepticism about Harris, but nothing like 2016, when voters marked as likely for Clinton were telling canvassers about the conspiracy theories they see online. Republicans have a massive pool of Trump lovers to draw on; I was less sure if they were converting anyone who who wasnt leaning toward him before the campaign started. Notable WASHINGTON Virginia GOP congressional candidate Derrick Anderson has issued a warning to his Democratic opponent, Eugene Vindman, over campaign ads accusing Anderson of trying to pass off someone elses wife and three daughters as his own family. Anderson, who is unmarried and has no children, made national headlines in September after The New York Times discovered his campaign was using footage of him posing with the woman and children in what could easily be mistaken for a family photo shoot, except it turned out to be a friends family. One video featuring Anderson with the woman and girls was shared on Andersons YouTube channel and posted on a website paid for by the National Republican Congressional Committee. In another video his campaign filmed for a possible ad and that was posted on the NRCC-run website, Anderson is shown sitting around a dining room table with the same woman and girls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Anderson used that footage of him sitting with the woman and her daughters in a new campaign ad focused on abortion. They appear around the 20-second mark. His campaign told HuffPost in September that this footage was simply Anderson appearing in a normal campaign video with female supporters and their kids. But in the final days of this election cycle, Vindman and Democratic groups are running a barrage of campaign ads accusing Anderson, who reportedly lives with his dog and is engaged, of trying to give voters the impression that hes a family man. And on Monday, Andersons campaign responded with an official-sounding letter declaring that Vindman and local TV stations dont have the right to air images of the family seen in Andersons videos. HuffPost obtained a copy of the letter, which identifies this family as Ashley Cremisio and her three daughters. It notes that Cremisios lawyer sent a separate cease-and-desist letter to House Majority PAC, a Democratic political action committee running ads against Anderson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This letter is to serve as written notice to your station that Vindman for Congress did not obtain the permission of Mrs. Cremisio to use her image or the permission of Mr. or Mrs. Cremisio on behalf of her three minor daughters, to use their images in their advertisement, read the letter. Furthermore, Mr. and Mrs. Cremisio would never have granted Vindman for Congress permission to do so given the manufactured and false narrative around the image, it said. In light of this unauthorized use, we are writing to request that your station remove this advertisement from your airwaves immediately to prevent further harm and distress to Mrs. Cremisio and her daughters. Heres a copy of the letter, signed by a campaign adviser: The ads hitting Anderson over his fake family range from serious to comical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Vindman ad called What Is Real flashes an image of Anderson with this family as ominous narration says the Republican candidate got caught lying again, faking a family. And in one hilarious ad paid for by House Majority PAC, an Anderson look-alike arrives home from work to hang out with cardboard cutouts of the family. Ready, sweetie? says the Anderson look-alike, tossing a Frisbee at a cutout of one of the girls and watching as the disc falls to the ground. This ad, called Fake, warns that the Republican candidate is trying to fool people about lots of things, including his extreme views against abortion. Vindman has made protecting abortion rights a central issue in his campaign. Anderson, by contrast, celebrated the Supreme Court overturning the Roe v. Wade ruling that had legalized abortion nationwide, and has said he supports leaving womens access to reproductive health care up to individual states to decide. The problem with the Anderson campaigns demands is that the images of him with the woman and children are still publicly available on the National Republican Congressional Committees so-called red box website, where campaigns publish materials available for super PACs to pick up and use in ads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other words, Anderson is claiming Vindman and Democratic political groups cant use these images in political ads at the same the NRCC is making them available for use in ads. Andersons campaign said in a Thursday statement that Vindman is unfairly using the woman and children to lie to voters about who they are. Vindmans been using a mother and her underage daughters in our district to lie to voters for weeks, and hes arguing legal technicalities to far-left media outlets? Thats very telling, and very gross, read the statement. Hes ginning up false attacks to avoid talking about lying about his military background, his shady business dealings, and his support for open borders, higher costs, and far-left party politics. The campaign also emphasized that Anderson has never claimed that the woman and children were his family, and that their images were never used in any pro-Anderson campaign ads (except Andersons latest ad about abortion uses this footage of him with this woman and her daughters, and he previously shared the footage of him with this family on his YouTube channel). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andersons campaign did not respond to a question about why Vindman wouldnt have permission to use images of this family in his political ads when the NRCC is still making them available for use in political ads. Vindmans campaign did not respond to a request for comment about the demands from Andersons campaign. Beyond his ads, Vindman has been making cracks about Andersons fake family on the campaign trail. At a recent rally in the Virginian town of Dumfries, he reportedly brought up his real wife and real kids to laughs in the crowd. Derrick Anderson poses in a holiday card-style image shared by his campaign but he's standing with someone else's family. National Republican Congressional Committee Vindmans name might sound familiar. His twin brother, retired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, made international headlines in 2019 when he testified during then-President Donald Trumps impeachment inquiry hearings about his shady dealings with Ukraine. Both Vindmans were whistleblowers amid those hearings, and Trump ended up firing both of them from their government jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anderson has aligned himself with Trump, who endorsed him Wednesday. Derrick is America First all the way, and he is running against a weak and pathetic Democrat named Yevgeny Eugene Vindman who, along with [California Democratic Rep.] Adam Shifty Schiff and others, lied to push the Ukraine Impeachment Hoax, a continuation of the greatest and most dangerous Political WITCH HUNT in the History of our Country! Trump wrote on social media. Derrick Anderson has my Complete and Total Endorsement - HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN! he said. Anderson and Vindman are running to represent Virginias 7th Congressional District. Both are new to politics, both are lawyers and both have military backgrounds: Anderson is a former Green Beret who completed five deployments, while Vindman is a former Army colonel who served for 25 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre competing for the seat being vacated by Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who is running for governor. Its a tight race: The Cook Political Report ranks this seat as a Democrat Toss Up. Vindman is leading by 2 points in the most recent poll in this district, according to polling aggregator FiveThirtyEight. CORRECTION: This article has been updated to correctly characterize the letter sent by Andersons campaign. SHADY SPRING, WV (WVNS) Virginia Tech hosted an initiative allow students at a local high school to experience what its like to drive a big rig on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Students at Shady Spring High School were able to experience what it was like from the perspective of a CDL driver. Some students say it helped them put driving next to semi-trucks into perspective. It gives me a lot of more respect towards them. It makes me want to feel more cautious around them, said Drivers Education student Isabella King. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark Petersen, the senior research specialist at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, said one of the goals of the program is reducing the number of accidents. Because we are interested in high school aged drivers because crashes are the number one cause of death for that age group. So we bring a truck, we share five different strategies that we put together after showing them some statistics to show videos that we got from our research. And our whole goal is to try to reduce the amount of crashes, Petersen said. The initiative aims to reach more students and help make them safer drivers by teaching them to be safe around big rigs. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. It was an explosive claim of possible voter fraudexactly the sort of thing that former President Donald Trump and conservative pundits have spent years warning Republican voters to fear: more than 50 voters registered to a single address in Erie, Pennsylvania. "NO ONE lives there," claimed Cliff Maloney, a Republican canvasser who discovered the alleged fraud, in a post on X that went viral and has racked up over 2.8 million views. "We will not let the Dems count on illegal votes," he added. Just one problem: A lot of people do live there. The address in question is a monastery belonging to the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, a group of "nearly 70" nuns who have been based in Erie since the 1850s. The names of the nuns living there match many of those listed as "illegal votes" by Maloney. In a statement responding to Maloney's post, the group called the claim "blatantly false" and encouraged everyone to be more careful about what they see and read before the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A free republic depends on free and fair elections," Sister Stephanie Schmidt said in that statement. "It depends equally on a discerning and conscientious citizenry who do not unquestioningly accept the word of anyone who has a social media platform." Good advice. Actual, proven instances of mass voter fraud on the scale necessary to shift the outcome of an electioneven in a super competitive state like Pennsylvaniaare virtually nonexistent, despite seemingly nonstop claims to the contrary. Voter fraud is a fact of life in any democracy, but it is usually the result of carelessness on the part of single voters or ballot-counters, and there are ample processes in place to identify and correct those mistakes when they occur. After the 2020 election, the Associated Press found 475 instances of possible voter fraud in six states where a combined 25 million ballots were cast. High-profile claims of voter fraud in Arizona, Georgia, and everywhere Rudy Giuliani looked evaporated upon closer inspection. At a certain point, the lack of evidence for widespread voter fraud ought to make Americans more skeptical of these claims. Instead, it looks like the opposite might be happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just 39 percent of respondents to a recent University of Massachusetts Amherst poll said they were "very confident" that their voters would be counted accurately in this year's election. That includes just 26 percent of Republicans and 16 percent of independents. Even when including those who say they are "somewhat confident" that votes will be tabulated correctly, only about two-thirds of the country have faith that the outcome of the election will reflect the votes cast. A similar partisan divide emerged in a recent Pew Research Center survey that asked whether "it will be clear who won the election" after all the votes were counted. Just 58 percent of Trump voters are "very" or "somewhat" confident that those final counts will be clear, compared to 81 percent of Vice President Kamala Harris voters who are prepared to trust the process. This is a potentially worrying problem since a lot of the legitimacy of any democratic system is tied up in the public's perception of the electoral system. Even if voter fraud or other electoral shenanigans are exceedingly rare, the belief that they are rampant undermines that essential trustupon which the entire edifice of the "of the people, by the people, for the people" government is built. A cynic might believe that Republican partisansfrom Maloney to Tucker Carlson to Trump himselfare deliberately spreading lies and exaggerating claims of voter fraud to sow doubt that could metastasize into full-blown chaos later this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, like with those rare instances of actual voter fraud, it's always better to assume incompetence (or at least self-serving willful ignorance) rather than malice. Probably more important is the point made by Sister Schmidt: Don't believe everything you see on social media. The post Voter Fraud Is Rare, but Many Americans Believe Their Votes Won't Be Counted Correctly appeared first on Reason.com. Key: Navy - D+5,000 or more, Blue - D+1,001 to D+4,999, Light Skyblue - D+1 to D+1,000. Light Salmon - R+1 to R+1,000, Red - R+1,001 to R+4,999, Maroon - R+5,000 or more. (Map by Nick Field via Daves Redistricting) Were here at last, the final voter registration update before the 2024 Presidential election. As you can clearly see from the map above, Pennsylvania Republicans continue to eat into the Democratic registration advantage that was built up during the Obama years. In late October of 2016, for instance, Dems held a 911,621 registration lead statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four years later, the GOP was able to reduce that down to 700,853. Today, the Democratic margin stands at just 281,091. Now, such momentum doesnt guarantee a victory for former President Donald Trump in the Keystone State. Its worth reiterating, with Election Night days away, that voter registrations tend to be lagging indicators. Essentially, its not that new voters are necessarily joining the rolls to vote for Trump; instead were likely seeing ancestral Democrats who voted for Trump in the past now making their official switch to the Republican Party. That being said, with the election nearly here and this commonwealth favored to be the tipping point state this is the perfect time to not only to dig into these latest registration numbers, but also to analyze what Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump will need to do in these regions in order to win Pennsylvanias 19 electoral votes. So lets dive in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A quick note: I explore our changing voter trends by tracking the gains one party accumulated in registrations over the other party. For example, R+500 means that the Republican Party gained a net 500 more registered voters in that county than the Democratic Party did over this period, while D+500 indicates the opposite. Central Blair: R+1,444 Bradford: R+793 Cameron: R+56 Centre : R+145 Clearfield: R+1,055 Clinton: R+491 Columbia: R+755 Elk: R+384 Huntingdon: R+440 Juniata: R+254 Lycoming: R+1,128 McKean: R+450 Mifflin: R+541 Montour: R+154 Northumberland: R+945 Potter: R+219 Snyder: R+422 Sullivan: R+70 Tioga: R+478 Union: R+276 Even with an influx of new students entering Penn State University, Democrats still failed to make gains in Centre County. Donald Trump is seeking to cut into Harris support with young men, and to that end, he made a visit to State College last week. While it would certainly be a surprise to see the GOP win this county for the first time since 2004, the margins will matter everywhere, even in this mostly rural central part of the Commonwealth. Northeast Carbon: R+716 Lackawanna: R+1,357 Luzerne: R+2,904 Monroe: R+792 Pike: R+636 Schuylkill: R+1,710 Susquehanna: R+554 Wayne: R+679 Wyoming: R+364 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since my last update, weve seen Republicans overtake Democrats in registrations for Luzerne County, a development a long time in the making. After all, Trumps already won Luzerne twice by double-digits. Despite that, Scranton Joe made real in-roads throughout the Northeast four years ago, benchmarks that Harris may well struggle to hit next week. To that end, the White House just approved nearly $9 million in Amtrak funds to give a late boost to Sen. Bob Casey and U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright here. Northwest Clarion: R+506 Crawford: R+1,020 Erie: R+1,310 Forest: R+55 Jefferson: R+701 Mercer: R+1,379 Venango: R+592 Warren: R+353 Theres a reason all four Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates Harris, Trump, Vance and Walz have all held rallies in the lakeside community of Erie. The bellwether county voted for the statewide winner in 18 of the 19 post-WWII Presidential elections, and I imagine it will be 19 out of 20 next week. In terms of registration numbers, Erie is like many of the most crucial counties in this commonwealth: Republicans have the momentum, while Democrats still maintain a lead. South Central Adams: R+1,078 Bedford: R+624 Cumberland: R+1,061 Dauphin: R+856 Franklin: R+1,422 Fulton: R+225 Lancaster: R+3,987 Lebanon: R+1,351 Perry: R+533 York: R+3,688 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The South Central region contains the college-educated white voters that Harris is trying to reach with arguments about Trumps threat to democracy and her long list of Never Trump Republican endorsements. Janelle Stelson is also depending on these voters to lift her to an upset over GOP firebrand Rep. Scott Perry in PAs 10th Congressional District here. Nevertheless, the PA GOP continues to rack up registration gains in the region, particularly in highly-populated Lancaster and York Counties, where Dems were aiming to reduce Trumps margins. Southeast Berks: R+3,566 Bucks: R+4,437 Chester: R+1,391 Delaware: R+298 Lehigh: R+1,103 Montgomery: R+2,002 Northampton: R+712 Philadelphia: D+8,146 The good news for Democrats is that they were able to pad their numbers in Philadelphia, yet the bad news is that Republicans still posted real gains in the collar county suburbs. As Ill illustrate in a bit; Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery are the key to Harris path to the White House and she absolutely cant afford to underperform here. All that being said, we shouldnt underestimate the Lehigh Valley, especially cities like Allentown, where the Philadelphia Inquirer recently reported that Puerto Ricans make up 27% of the total population. The Harris campaign was already targeting these voters as a demographic where they could improve upon Bidens performance, and that was before the racist comments at Trumps MSG rally. Now Democrats are hopeful that the controversy could swing thousands of late-deciding voters their way. Southwest Allegheny: D+2,134 Armstrong: R+1,032 Beaver: R+1,554 Butler: R+2,431 Cambria: R+1,509 Fayette: R+1,849 Greene: R+421 Indiana: R+1,118 Lawrence: R+985 Somerset: R+1,002 Washington: R+2,499 Westmoreland: R+3,932 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Southeast is bound to be pivotal, we still cant overlook this vote-rich region. Trumps 2016 upset was powered by the Southwest after all, and Bidens efforts to eat into Trumps margins here four years later were an integral ingredient to his success. To that end, the Harris campaign sent the VP to places like Aliquippa and Johnstown in the hopes of once again nullifying some of Trumps support there. Moreover, Harris will need to top Bidens strong performance in Allegheny County, the only other place where Dems picked up registrations over the past month. The home to the Steel City has been a foundational piece of Democratic victories this decade John Fetterman and Josh Shapiro both won big here in 2022 so Harris will look to become the first Presidential nominee to break 60% in Allegheny since LBJ in 1964. How many votes will Harris need out of Philadelphia and its suburbs? Elections really are all about the margins. The Trump team is trying to maximize its margins in the rural areas of Pennsylvania while aiming to reduce Harris margins in the urban and suburban areas. Conversely, Harris is trying to eat into Trumps rural margins while running her numbers up as much as she can in urban and suburban areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the closeness of the 2020 result (50.01% to 48.84%) each campaign will be comparing how county vote totals on Election Night differ from the 2020 numbers. Harris will seek to rack up gains in the South Central region of the Commonwealth whereas Trump is attempting to grow in the Northeast. Then there are the areas both campaigns are targeting, including: Erie, the Lehigh Valley and the counties surrounding Allegheny. For all intents and purposes, however, one region stands out from all the others. Philadelphia and its four collar counties made up one third of the total vote four years ago, and Harris margin there is bound to be pivotal. I compiled this list of SEPA margins that various statewide Democratic candidates have accumulated over the past few decades to illustrate. SEPA Vote Margins (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties) 2022 Shapiro: 749,865 2022 Fetterman: 588,575 2020 Biden: 764,144 2018 Wolf: 754,020 2018 Casey: 704,428 2016 Clinton: 663,630 2016 McGinty: 504,264 2012 Casey: 639,536 2012 Obama: 615,666 2008 Obama: 682,392 2006 Rendell: 712,080 2006 Casey: 464,857 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As you can see, for years Ed Rendells landslide gubernatorial re-election in the Democratic wave year of 2006 was the high-water mark. Hillary Clinton aimed for it in 2016, and while she did better than several others, she failed to reach Rendells high. In a race Clinton lost by 44,292 votes, that 48,450 vote gap with Rendell made all the difference. In the 2018 midterms, however, Tom Wolf and Bob Casey both won landslide victories, with then-Gov. Wolf even managing to set a new SEPA vote margin record of 754,020. This list also allows you to chart Caseys growth in turning out votes from this region, which will be critical for his re-election hopes. Just two years after Wolf broke Rendells record, Joe Biden was able to top Wolfs mark by running up a 764,144 margin. Biden accomplished this mostly through his performance in the suburbs, as his advantage in Philadelphia (471,050) not only fell off from Obamas record 2012 margin in the city (492,339) but Hillary Clintons 2016 margin as well (475,277). In his own 2022 landslide victory, Shapiro set a new mark in the suburbs (388,273) but with turnout down in Philadelphia (361,592), came up just a bit short (749,865) overall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ideally for the Harris campaign, shed combine a Shapiro-like performance in the suburbs with a return to Obamas margins in Philadelphia. Thats almost certainly too optimistic, but in a very real sense, Harris White House hopes depend on raising her ceiling in the Southeast. While her campaign is smartly contesting the whole Commonwealth, that work will likely still go unrewarded if Harris ends up with a SEPA margin in the range that Hillary Clinton (663,630) received. Instead shell have to aim closer to the 800,000 vote margin range to give her as much leeway in the rest of the state as possible. So thats the state of play heading into Election Night. Considering the stakes of this election, and the importance of PAs 19 electoral votes, a Pennsylvanians vote has never mattered more than it does right now. Choose wisely. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Republican voters fleeing California could help Donald Trump win the swing state of Nevada, it has been claimed. I think ex-Californians could certainly be a significant help [to making Nevada red in November], Jeff Stone, a Nevada State Senator, told the Politico news website. They can also explain to Nevadans what Kamala Harris did as a district attorney in San Francisco, as the attorney general in the state of California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 150,000 Californians have moved to neighbouring Nevada since 2020, and now make up 20 per cent of the states population. Many became disillusioned by state politics in California, where Ms Harris was attorney general and a senator, it was reported. It is not known exactly how many of the transplants are Republican voters, but the gap between registered Republicans and Democrats in Nevada has closed from 111,000 in 2020 to 71,000 in 2023. Joe Biden carried the state in 2020 by 2.39 per cent or 33,596 votes meaning any migrating Republicans could leave a sizable impact on next weeks election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man who describes himself as the cowboy Willy Wonka of Nevada is one of the staunch Republicans to have made the move. Joe Dutra started a candy business from his trailer in the Californian capital of Sacramento. In 2006, with both his business and the tax burden of the Golden State growing, he decided to up sticks and open a facility in Reno, Nevada. In California, you were just a business, he said. Here, youre somebody thats bringing jobs to the community [Nevadas government] was easy to work with, as compared to doing something in California. He claimed most of the Californians moving to Nevada were just like him, Republicans that just believe in less regulations and lower taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think Ive seen a lot more people moving out in the last four years, Mr Dutra added. Its been a big push. California just got to be a communist state, Jim DeMartini, a farmer from California, who moved across state lines, said. Escape Harris politics He said he blamed Ms Harris and Governor Gavin Newsom for the leftist, anti-business legislature, which included a ban on single-use plastic straws. Chuck Muth, a Republican consultant in Nevada, believes many of migratory flows are down to those wanting to escape a kind of politics associated with Ms Harris, the Democratic nominee for president. He said: There are Californians who fled California and moved to Nevada because they wanted to get away from [Harriss] types of policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Muth said that you sure as hell dont want the policies in Washington, DC. The results of recent opinion polls in Nevada have put both Trump and Ms Harris in the lead, revealing a neck-and-neck contest between the two candidates. A Cooperation Election Study survey had Ms Harris leading by 50 per cent-47 per cent in the state, while a CNN/SSRS study had Trump ahead on 48 per cent-47 per cent. And more Republicans than Democrats have already submitted a ballot in Nevada, according to a recent Telegraph analysis. 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. (This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.) The last day of on-demand voting in Bucks County, which got an extension of two days after a Trump campaign lawsuit alleged "our voters were turned away," was marked by long lines, confusion and frustation. Voters were still waiting to cast their on-demand ballots at 5 p.m. Friday, though the line was cut off to new voters. Many came to the county building in Doylestown and government satellite offices in Levittown and Quakertown to "early vote," but were instead greeted with the long process of on-demand voting. Last voters who waited hours to apply, receive and fill out on-demand ballots for the presidential election seal their secure envelopes at the government services office in Levittown on Friday Nov. 1, 2024. Pennsylvania, unlike other states, does not have early voting, where you vote just like going to the polls on Election Day, despite the presidential campaigns on both sides urging voters to make thir choice ahead of Tuesday in this critical swing state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On-demand voting, which is essentially filling out a mail-in ballot in one step that includes applying for, receiving, filling out, and in some cases, returning the ballot at a government office, has been a long process for Bucks County voters this election cycle. Friday proved no different. Levittown office sees huge lines for voting In Levittown, voters reported waiting up to six hours in line to cast on-demand ballots. Amid gripes from voters in line that the tedious process was government incompetence, county employees prepared to announce that anyone arriving after 4:30 p.m. would not be able to vote. The announcement was in accordance with a court order earlier this week that said votining would close at the end of the day, which is 4:30 p.m. at the county satellite office on New Falls Road and another office in Quakertown. The office closed at 5 p.m. in Doylestown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive waited here four hours and crawled 50 feet. How much longer? said Rick Wilson, 75, of Lower Makefield, who was a little more than half way to the spot where ballots could be filled out. Total incompetence, he said. A line of about 200 people waited to cast mail-in ballots in Lower Bucks on Friday, November 1, 2024. The backup occurred when a crush of Republicans arrived to vote and the county had four clerks and one secure, state-approved ballot printer on hand. Folding chairs were set up for older voters, and a Republican team set up a tent for anyone who needed cold water. It was said the Trump campaign ordered pizza for those waiting into the evening. Most people said they were voting with on-demand ballots for the first time, like Denise Somers of Fairless Hills. I figured it would be two or three hours at most, she said. Ive been here four hours and forty minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters said they found the process confusing from application to ballot to voting, and others mistakenly thought they were voting early at a precinct with the machines they use on Election Day. County officials had warned of a process that could take up to 15 minutes per voter due to limited equipment, a state-approved secure printer, to print the ballots and limited personnel specifically trained to process the ballots. Our staff will be working until every voter waiting in line in Levittown is served, said county spokesman Jim OMalley on Friday evening. The problem is largely a misunderstanding about early voting, he said. Pennsylvania has no early voting. This is mail-in voting. Its not a polling place where you go in, fill out a ballot and it goes into a scanner, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lines last week and earlier this week brought a lawsuit from the Trump campaign, who argued that voters had been turned away before the Oct. 29 deadline for on-demand voting. A judge ordered voting reopened through Friday in Bucks County. Back in line Friday, some decided to bail and vote Tuesday in the presidential race between former GOP President Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, who are virtually tied in the latest polls coming out of Pennsylvania, which has 19 electoral votes and is considered a must-win state on the road to the White House. Bucks County GOP Chair Pat Poprik urges voters to stay in line, Friday, November 1, 2024, so they can cast their votes by mail-in ballots for the 2024 presidential election. County employees would stay as long as they had to process ballots, she said. Its about a three-hour wait, a county employee told Dan Dunham, 71, of Fairless Hills, who arrived in his wheelchair. He has MS and had eight seizures a decade ago, he said. In my condition, I cant wait here three hours, I wont last, he said, before leaving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even the wife of former Pennsylvania Republican Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley had to wait. I got here at 8:25 this morning, so I waited six hours, said Suzanne Cawley, after successfully casting her ballot. The whole system shut down for an hour, she said, extending the wait. After hours of waiting, three voters fill out their mail-in ballots at the Bucks County government services center in Levittown on Friday, November 1, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bucks County GOP Chair Pat Poprik arrived late in the afternoon and assured people the main problem was the single printer. If we had two or three more, things would be going quicker, she said. Mail-in voting requires a unique ballot for each person who requests one. A special printer scans the ballot so its secure. The county has four such printers for mail-in ballots, O'Malley said. The county has three offices offering on-demand voting. Four clerks were processing ballot applications and printing secure ballots as quickly as possible, she said. Mike Bannon, of the Bucks County Consumer Protection department, went about the crowd as an informal goodwill ambassador, calming peeved voters. I wish it was a better system, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anna Tiberi, of Levittown, didnt blame county employees, but was perplexed at how things could be so screwed up. She had filled out her mail-in application a week ago, but hadnt received it in the mail. I was told they were mailing my ballot today, but I just didnt think it would be here in time, she said.She filled out a special form and was sent to a quicker line to cast her vote. They probably need more workers, she said. Its not the employees fault, its governments fault. Theyve known since COVID that this is how a lot of people vote. Why weren't they prepared? Another issue was the Trump campaigns urgent texts, calls and emails on Thursday and Friday to Bucks County Republicans to take advantage of a court-ordered extension to on-demand vote. That sent a crush of people to all three county offices seeking mail-in ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think the county was expecting this many people, Poprik said. Trump aide Peter Navarro greets voters waiting in line to cast mail-in ballots at the government services center in Levittown, on Friday, November 1, 2024. Navarro arrived along with representatives of Elon Musk to talk to people about the hours-long wait to vote in Bucks County. Peter Navarro and reps of Elon Musk show up in Levittown As the lines in Bucks County continued to make national news, activists on social media urges folks outside the county to come support voters on line. On Friday night, former Trump advisor Peter Navarro greeted voters waiting line to cast on-demand ballots at the government services center in Levittown. Navarro arrived along with representatives of Elon Musk to talk to people about the hours-long wait to vote in Bucks County. Navarro spent four months in federal prison for refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into Jan. 6 Capitol riot, according to the Associated Press. He has been campaigning for the former president. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Levittown, Bucks County on-demand voting sees long lines for ballots DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) The Supreme Court on Friday rejected an emergency appeal from Republicans that could have led to thousands of provisional ballots not being counted in Pennsylvania as the presidential campaigns vie in the final days before the election in the nations biggest battleground state. The justices left in place a state Supreme Court ruling that elections officials must count provisional ballots cast by voters whose mail-in ballots were rejected. The ruling is a victory for voting-rights advocates, who had sought to force counties primarily Republican-controlled counties to let voters cast a provisional ballot on Election Day if their mail-in ballot was to be rejected for a garden-variety error. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Supreme Court action was a setback for Republicans, the GOP separately claimed victory in a decision by Pennsylvanias Supreme Court. That court rejected a last-ditch effort by voting rights advocates to ensure that mail-in ballots that lack an accurate, handwritten date on the exterior envelope will still count in this years presidential election. The rulings are the latest in four years of litigation over voting by mail in Pennsylvania, where every vote truly counts in presidential races. Republicans have sought in dozens of court cases to push the strictest possible interpretation for throwing out mail-in ballots, which are predominantly cast by Democrats. Taken together, Friday's near-simultaneous rulings will ensure a heavy emphasis on helping thousands of people vote provisionally on Election Day if their mail-in ballot was rejected and potentially more litigation. As of Thursday, about 9,000 ballots out of more than 1.6 million returned have arrived at elections offices around Pennsylvania lacking a secrecy envelope, a signature or a handwritten date, according to state records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvania is the biggest presidential election battleground this year, with 19 electoral votes, and is expected to play an outsized role in deciding the election between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris. It was decided by tens of thousands of votes in 2016 when Trump won it and again in 2020 when Democrat Joe Biden won it. A voting-rights lawyer in Pennsylvania who helped bring both cases said it is almost certain that another case over undated ballots will be back before the state Supreme Court within days after the presidential election if it is close. Its almost certain that this is going to be raised again after the election, especially if its a close election, Witold Walczak, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, said in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its unsigned, two-page order, the states highest court put a lower court ruling on hold that would have required counties to count the ballots. The high court said the case wont apply to the presidential election being decided next week, but held out the possibility that it would still rule on the case at a later time. The rulings came as voters had their last chance Friday to apply for a mail-in ballot in a bellwether suburban Philadelphia county while a county clear across the state gave voters who didn't receive their ballot in the mail another chance to get one. A judge in Erie County, in Pennsylvania's northwestern corner, ruled Friday in a lawsuit brought by the Democratic Party that about 15,000 people who applied for a mail ballot but didn't receive it may go to the county elections office and get a replacement through Monday. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot has passed in Pennsylvania. But the judge's ruling means that Erie County's elections office will be open every day through Monday for voters to go in, cancel the mail-in ballot they didn't receive in the mail, and get another one over the counter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In suburban Philadelphia's Bucks County, a court set a deadline of 5 p.m. for voters there to apply for and receive a mail-in ballot after a judge had ordered a three-day extension in response to a Trump campaign lawsuit that accused the county of breaking the law by turning voters from election offices that had struggled to keep up with demand. Lines outside the county's elections office in Doylestown were long throughout the day snaking down the sidewalk with the process taking about two hours by Friday afternoon. Nakesha McGuirk, 44, a Democrat from Bensalem, sized up the line and said: I did not expect the line to be this long. But Im going to stick it out. McGuirk, a Harris supporter, faces a long work commute next week and worried about her ability to make it to the polls on Election Day. I figured that rather than run into the risk of not getting home in time to go and vote, that it would be better to just do it this way early, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican voter Patrick Lonieski, a Trump supporter from Buckingham, also found it more convenient with his work schedule to vote Friday in a county he called pivotal to the outcome. I just want to make sure I get my ballot in and its counted, said Lonieski, 62, who was joined by his 18-year-old son, voting for the first time. The line steadily dwindled as 5 p.m. approached. One last straggler broke into a run to make it by the deadline as elections workers cheerfully counted down the seconds. Lets go! Hurry up! You can do it! a bystander yelled. People broke into applause as she walked through the door just in time. ___ Associated Press writer Mark Sherman in Washington contributed to this report. Levy reported from Harrisburg. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Voters are heading to the polls, not only to cast their vote for their desired politician but to grab the limited edition I Voted stickers that won this years contest ran by the Michigan Secretary of States Office. The agency said 480 designs were submitted from across the state for the 2024 election. Three were chosen from each category: elementary and middle school students, high school students, and an all-ages bracket. Nine winners were selected, and the different designs have been popular among voters. SOS launches states first I Voted sticker contest Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Friday before Election Day, News 8 headed to a Grand Rapids early in-person voting site to see which designs were the most popular. While many people opted to skip a sticker all together, several went for the generic I Voted Early sticker. Of those who chose a new design, some were passionate about their choice and were eager to get their sticker, while others had no clue the new designs were the result of a contest. Jackson Whitman chose the werewolf sticker because its on John Oliver the past two, three months. Whitman said that he was excited about the fun designs to change things up. The I voted sticker design submitted by Jane Hynous of Grosse Pointe. (Courtesy MDOS) I got the werewolf one because it was funny, Andrew Burns said, adding that he thinks the contest was a good way to get kids involved and interested in the voting process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there wasnt any hard data available, the city of Grand Rapids said the werewolf sticker seemed to be the favorite. Ionia County Clerk Greg Geiger told News 8 the werewolf sticker has been very popular among voters there, as were the Fatcat and the fish' stickers. The I voted sticker design submitted by Kelsey Winiarski of Livonia. (Courtesy MDOS) The I voted sticker design submitted by Madelyn VerVaecke of Livonia. (Courtesy MDOS) Muskegon City Clerk Ann Meisch said that in her jurisdiction, the werewolf was a close second behind the lighthouse in terms of popularity. We never thought they would be so popular! People have contacted us who voted early in other areas who were without stickers and asked if they could come and get one of ours! Ive never seen that before, she said in an email. Margarite Jenkins, who hasnt voted in 10 years but came out to vote early in person in Grand Rapids Friday, chose the lighthouse sticker because its pretty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I like the lighthouse and I like the water, she added. The I voted sticker design submitted by Andrew Brasher of Saint Louis. (Courtesy MDOS) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juan Ramirez also chose the lighthouse design. He said he liked all the different colors and how unique it was. Anne Donahue chose the Im cool. I Voted sticker, saying it reflected her opinion. Other voters, like Annette OBrien, went for the deer-themed sticker. The I voted sticker design submitted by Katelyn Stouffer-Hopkins of Lansing. (Courtesy MDOS) The I voted sticker design submitted by Michelle Lekhtman of West Bloomfield. (Courtesy MDOS) It was just kind of a fun sticker. Im not sure if its a dog or a deer, but its an animal of some sort. And I like the red, white and blue and the rainbow, OBrien said, adding that she loves that the contest got students involved and interested in the voting process. Kalamazoo City Clerk Scott Borling told News 8 in an email that some people dont get the OPE, I VOTED design at all, while others instantly get the reference to a uniquely Michigan expression. It seems to be one or the other, with no middle ground. Grand Rapids voter Mackenzie Bronkema picked the Ope I voted sticker. She said that its because its applicable to Michigan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We always say it, she said with a laugh, adding that she thinks that the state should run the design contest again in the future. Some voters couldnt choose just one and ended up taking a few home. The I voted sticker design submitted by Breanna Tanner of Grand Rapids. (Courtesy MDOS) I chose the Ope I voted (sticker) because ope is very Michigan and I love saying it. And then I also got the cat sticker because we are cat people through and through, Serena Chapman said. Perfectly said, Brandon Joachin added. They both agreed that the sticker artists did a great job. I want to collect them all, Joachin said. The I voted sticker design submitted by Gabby Warner of Rockford. (Courtesy MDOS) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The I voted sticker design submitted by Olivia Smiertka of Holly. (Courtesy MDOS) The desire to have more than one was a little bit of a problem in Battle Creek, City Clerk Victoria Houser said. As we did not receive enough stickers for all of our voters, we have had to ask some voters to put some back as they are taking one of every design. We are asking voters to only take one so that all of our voters may also choose one, she wrote in an email to News 8. While everyone has their own opinion on which sticker is the best, the general consensus was that the new stickers add a fun twist to voting this year. All my staff agree that the stickers have brought an element of levity and fun to the process and have given them an opportunity to connect with voters, Borling told News 8 in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election Day is 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 WOODTV.com. With less than a week to go until Election Day, the political spotlight was once again shining on Erie. Vice presidential candidate Tim Walz flew into Erie International Airport on Thursday where he was greeted by local Democratic leaders. Its great to be a part of one of the last stops the campaign is going to be making here in Erie County. Theyve shown that they are really dedicated, and they know how important Erie County is to winning the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, so I think this demonstrates the level of commitment they have to us and our people and to the voters here, said PA State Representative Ryan Bizzarro, (D). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursdays visit marked Walzs second visit to Erie after he came to Liberty Park in September. Gov. Tim Walz rallies support at Puerto Rican restaurant in second visit to Erie, PA And with the November election just around the corner, Erie is still a point of interest for the presidential and vice presidential candidates. People seem to believe that Erie will have lots to do with Pennsylvania because the rest of the state is kind of balanced, so whichever way Erie goes is the way Pennsylvania goes, and Pennsylvania is a state that one side or the other needs, said City of Erie Mayor Joe Schember. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After landing at the airport, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz came to Vilmas Kitchen on State Street where he spoke to an intimate crowd of about 20 people, talking about Puerto Rican rights. We have got to redo that grid in Puerto Rico making investments. We have got to have a specific Puerto Rico strategy, and I think we have to I say this as a teacher, weve got to educate our fellow Americans about our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico, why its important, why were investing there, said Walz. Erie County mail-in ballot debacle continues with Thursday hearing Vilmas Kitchen is a Puerto Rican restaurant that closed its doors to the public for Walzs visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He only spoke for about 5 minutes but also spoke about the importance of getting out to vote. We understand that this election is going to be a tight one. Its going to come to folks on the ground. Its going to come right through Pennsylvania. Its going to be on the margins, but Im feeling incredibly optimistic, Walz told supporters. Walz left shortly after his speech at Vilmas Kitchen, on his way to Michigan for more visits on Friday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. WACO, Texas (FOX 44) A Mexican holiday honoring the lives of deceased loved ones will again be recognized in Wacos Indian Spring Park. Wacos Dia de los Muertos celebration will take place from 4 p.m. 10 p.m. Saturday. This year is The Year of the Monarch (El Ano de la Monarca), and festivities will include a vibrant parade, live music and a variety of family-friendly activities. Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is rich in tradition and symbolism. Altars are adorned with offerings of food, flowers and candles in order to guide the spirits of the departed back to Earth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Event organizers say the El Ano de la Monarca theme centers around the Monarch Butterfly, which symbolizes the souls of ancestors returning to visit during Dia de los Muertos. The Monarchs migration is a natural wonder that connects people across countries, and symbolizes the journey their loved ones souls make back to their families for Dia de los Muertos. Saturdays event will begin with a vibrant parade down University Parks Drive toward the Waco Suspension Bridge. This is the largest procession since Dia de los Muertos Waco was founded, with over 50 entries representing local businesses, organizations, individuals and duos (also known as novios) showcasing colorful costumes, floats and music. SEE ALSO: Dia de los Muertos celebration coming to Carl Levin Park Following the parade, the festivities will continue at Indian Spring Park with a variety of activities for the whole family. Enjoy live music featuring DJ Terko, Johnny Joe, Zamora County Line, Ziztema, traditional folklorico dancers, a vendor market, food trucks and a kids zone in partnership with the Hispanic Leaders Network. The kids zone will offer Dia de los Muertos-themed activities like sugar skull painting, calavera face painting and more! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Waco community is invited to join in the festivities, learn more about Hispanic Heritage, and embrace the spirit of Dia de los Muertos. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as a catrina or calavera (skull), adding to the festive atmosphere. This free event is presented by Creative Waco and TFNB Your Bank for Life. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. In a lengthy post on social media on Oct. 31, President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western allies to develop "concrete solutions" to provide additional supports for Ukraine as North Korean troops prepare to engage Ukrainian forces on the battlefield. North Korean soldiers were deployed to Kursk Oblast in late October in preparations to fight alongside Russian troops. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a press conference on Oct. 31 that at least 8,000 North Korean forces have been deployed to Russia's Kursk Oblast to participate in the war. "North Korean troops have not yet engaged in combat, but this is a matter of days, not months," Zelensky wrote in his post on X. "When deployed, they will be pushed forward, sustaining heavy losses, as Russia tries to minimize its own troop mobilization." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Blinken, Russia has been training North Korean soldiers in artillery, drones, and basic infantry operations, including trench clearing, indicating that they "fully intend" to use these forces in front-line operations. Urging Western powers to stand united behind Ukraine, Zelensky said that Russian President Vladimir Putin was "testing the worlds reaction" with the influx of North Korean troops along the country's border. Zelensky's comments, made ahead of an interview on South Korean television, are aimed at encouraging allies, including South Korea, to reconsider their positions in light of the deepening cooperation between Russia and North Korea. The statement comes as Kyiv prepares for a visit from a South Korean delegation seeking to share intelligence on North Korean soldiers and discuss mutual cooperation. "We are particularly interested in South Koreas expertise in air defense and hope to collaborate further in the defense sector," Zelensky wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yonhap news agency reported on Oct. 30, citing a senior South Korean presidential official, that the country is not currently considering directly providing 155 mm artillery shells to Ukraine. Experts previously told the Kyiv Independent that South Korea could provide the most significant support to Ukraine through ammunition shells. Ahead of the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5, Zelensky also called on the next U.S. president to maintain the country's commitment to back Ukraine: "The next U.S. president may strengthen or weaken support for Ukraine. If that support weakens, Russia will seize more territory, it would prevent us from winning this war," Zelensky said. "A genuine desire from the United States to end this war swiftly is crucial." While Democratic candidate Kamala Harris has criticized calls for concessions from Ukraine, Republican candidate Donald Trump has suggested that Ukraine could cede territory in exchange for peace. "Ukraines territories are not negotiable. Our constitution doesnt allow us to abandon our rightful lands, regardless of Russias claims or constitutional manipulations," Zelensky added. Emerging alliances Amid increased military casualties and concern over the Russian public's reaction to domestic mobilization, Putin visited Pyongyang in June to ratchet up support for Russia's war in Ukraine signing a mutual defense pact with the country's dictator Kim Jung-Un. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his post, Zelensky called for new military alliances to emerge to counter the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. "It may be time for an Asian Security Alliance," Zelensky said. "Both Japan and South Korea are strong, civilized nations, and reaching out to China could be essential in countering North Koreas aggression, as North Korea is actively pulling that region into a war." U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has been urging China, which maintains relations with North Korea, to put pressure on Pyongyang to withdraw North Korean troops from Ukraine's front line, CNN reported on Oct. 29, citing a U.S. official. "Im surprised by Chinas silence. I cant say that China is on our side, but as a regional security guarantor, its silence is striking," Zelensky said on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the urging of the United States, some Western officials are pessimistic about the country's ability to pressure China into helping pull back North Korean troops, with a NATO official telling CNN that China has been a "critical enabler" of Russia's war in Ukraine. China's support for Russia's defense industry has played a significant role in shifting the battlefield momentum in Ukraine in Moscow's favor. Reuters reported on Sept. 25 citing European intelligence sources that Russia has secretly established a development and production program in China for attack drones to be used in the war in Ukraine On Oct. 24, China denied that it was of any North Korean troops inside Russia preparing to join Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, despite warnings from the U.S. and South Korea. "Testing the worlds reaction" As Ukraine continues to fight off Russian attacks along its easter front, it will soon be forced to fend off attacks from another aggressor as world leaders continue to deliver "only bold political statements," and not concrete actions, Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "(Putin) is testing the West, NATO, and even South Korea, observing their response to North Korean forces joining his campaign. If the response is weak, we should expect the numbers of foreign soldiers on our soil to increase." Ukraine has said that North Korea has sent nearly 12,000 troops to Russia, including 500 officers and three generals, according to HUR. Despite North Korean troops not having any live combat experience, Zelensky argues that they are gaining "invaluable combat experience, learning artillery, drone warfare, and modern combat tactics" warning that what is happening in Ukraine may one day occur elsewhere. "Consider how close North Korea is to Seouljust 40-50 km, the range of modern artillery, not even missiles," Zelensky wrote. "Our own towns were obliterated by artillery. I hope South Korea never faces this, but preparation is critical." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fearing that little action will be taken to curb a major escalation in the war, Zelensky invoked memories of world leader's unwillingness to act to prevent an imminent full-scale war. "When Russia invaded and occupied Crimea ten years ago, there was little global reaction, aside from a few quiet statements. Its the same today with North Koreas involvement," the president wrote. Despite Zelensky's outcry, some experts fear the damage has already been done. "When North Korea began supplying Russia with artillery shells in late 2022, the West took no action. A year later, the first reports started to emerge of Russia launching North Korean ballistic missiles at Ukrainian targets," Peter Dickinson, an expert at the Atlantic Council wrote. Now, Ukraine not only has to contend with a Russian army that seeks to increase its fighting force by 180,000 troops, but a North Korean regime that gains "military technologies and the invaluable experience of its people," Zelensky concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: 8,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Kursk Oblast, Blinken says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Travis Branson, sentenced and ordered to pay restitution for killing eagles and selling their feathers, walks out of the Russell Smith Federal Courthouse in Missoula in October 2024 with his coat over his head. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan) A Washington man who shot and sold eagles for the price of a bullet and bragged about going on a killing spree was sentenced Thursday to 46 months in federal prison for his role in leading a trafficking scheme on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Travis John Branson, 49, who may have killed at least 3,600 birds in the course of 12 years, also was ordered to pay $777,250 in restitution for the eagles and hawks the U.S. government could prove he killed through text messages and other evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In U.S. District Court of Montana in Missoula, Branson apologized to his family and told them he loved them. He thanked everyone that put time into this. I know what I did was wrong, Branson said. However, in his text messages read in court by a special investigator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Branson was full of braggadocio about the shootings, which he said he had done since as early as the 1980s. Out hear (sic) committing felonies, he said in one text message read in court. He used high powered optics, including expensive spotting scopes, and he killed birds at night, according to the evidence provided in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hit one of them babies bad in the wing flew off and if he lands he going to crash lol bad bad ugly, said part of one text message from Branson read in court. Said another: I was nailing em w/ night vision down south lol. In March, Branson pleaded guilty to conspiracy, two counts of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles and violation of the Lacey Act, which prohibits interstate sale of poached wildlife. He will self report to prison, and he will serve three years of supervised release after his prison term. In pronouncing the sentence, federal Judge Dana Christensen said he was profoundly concerned with Bransons criminal behavior that led to the deaths of golden and bald eagles, immature birds and hawks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think if you had not been caught, youd still be doing it today, Christensen said. The judge said the crimes were calculated. Branson knew he was violating federal law, as revealed in his text messages, and yet he continued to set baits, build blinds, direct others and shoot birds, Christensen said. The judge said Branson did so for the money: You were acting out of greed over and over and over again. From 2009 until 2021, Branson made from $180,000 to $360,000 by selling eagles feathers and parts for profit on the black market, the government estimated. The restitution amount the judge ordered accounts for $5,000 for each of 118 eagles killed and $1,750 for each of 107 hawks killed. Thats the number of birds the U.S. government could prove Branson killed from 2015 through 2021, the period of six years for which he was charged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Determining market value for black market birds is difficult, the judge said. One 2017 study estimated essentially twice the amounts granted in the judgment, but the amounts ordered align with an affidavit used in another federal case and the values sought by the government.) However, an alleged conspirator estimated Bransons crew killed 300 to 400 birds a year and had done so for at least 12 years, according to testimony from the special agent resulting in an indictment that calculated some 3,600 birds killed. On the witness stand, Special agent Mona Iannelli said Branson was the coordinator of the kills and the sales. She said others who worked with him would send Branson pictures, and he would communicate with purchasers. In some cases, she said, Branson would ask for their help finding other buyers, and in other cases, he would alert them to more kills ahead we gonna go hard in the next few days, he said in a text she read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the crew was particularly interested in immature golden eagles, whose feathers are black and white and highly sought after for many buyers. In one case, she explained a photo captured with a surveillance camera of Branson sitting in the passenger seat of a truck with a firearm pointed ahead. She said the clarity of the picture indicates Branson was driving slowly toward a nearby bait site. She said after eagles eat or overeat on a carcass, they often perch because theyre full, and she believes Branson was waiting to shoot an eagle that would feed and then rest on a large snagged tree nearby. Iannelli, who explained to the court the process investigators used to trace the 118 eagles and 107 hawks directly to Branson, also said those numbers appear to represent a fraction of the actual killings, which took place in and outside Montana: I believe that this is just a small glimpse of the killing that was happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said eagles are not only birds of biological interest, they are a national symbol of freedom and liberty, and laws have been passed to protect bald and golden eagles. Ignoring these laws, Travis Branson and others hunted and slaughtered thousands of eagles on the Flathead Indian Reservation for over 30 years, then sold them on the black market across the United States and elsewhere, Laslovich said. Even after he knew the authorities were onto him, Branson continued to kill and butcher the birds to sell their feathers, he said. Laslovich said Branson was brazen in the conspiracy, untangled through collaboration among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes fish and game department, and the U.S. Attorneys Office District of Montana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Laslovich said the most offensive thing to him in the case is how numb (Branson) was when he killed these protected species. He thought this was funny, but hes not laughing today, and nor are we, Laslovich said. He was enthusiastic, even giddy, about slaying these protective groups, which makes his conduct all the more unconscionable and grotesque. Laslovich said many people joined forces to resurrect the bald eagle when it was on the verge of extinction, culminating in the passage of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and he said hes proud to contribute to the success story. However, Laslovich also said the case cant bring back the birds Branson killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But we can, and we will, hold accountable those who are doing so, just as weve done with Mr. Branson today, Laslovich said. Co-defendant in the case Simon Paul also has been indicted in the conspiracy. The government said he remains a fugitive. In a statement provided by the U.S. Attorneys Office, CSKT Chairman Mike Dolson said the Flathead Indian Reservation will feel the effects of the loss of the raptors Branson killed for years. We hope this helps put a stop to illegal poaching on our homelands and gives these birds a chance to recover, Dolson said. Eagles are not only a treasured and important part of the Reservations ecosystem, but they also have a profound place in CSKT cultural and spiritual practices. This article was first published by the Daily Montanan, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Daily Montanan maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Darrell Ehrlick for questions: info@dailymontanan.com. Follow Daily Montanan on Facebook and X. The Washington Post reeling from a mass exodus of subscribers over its refusal to endorse Kamala Harris aggressively ramped up its paid advertising campaign on social media platforms that boost stories critical of Donald Trump, according to a report. Owner Jeff Bezos has faced backlash over his decision last week to kill the endorsement for the vice president, which has led to the resignations of several high-level staffers and a loss of more than 250,000 digital subscribers. On Thursday, the news site Semafor reported that the publication had rolled out an ad blitz at the start of the week on social media sites such as Facebook that boosts its anti-Trump coverage. The newspaper has been in turmoil in recent days over owner Jeff Bezos decision not to endorse a candidate. AP The promoted stories centered around the former presidents campaign rhetoric, misstatements, supporters leaving his rallies early and Trumps controversial comments about migrants in Ohio eating dogs, Semafor reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By contrast, the promoted stories about his Democratic challenger were neutral in tone and informative, Semafor found. Before Monday, the newspaper had run around a dozen ads on Facebook for the month of October, mainly promoting the Washington Post brand and steering clear of any mention of Trump. The New York Post reached out to the WaPo for comment. A source close to the situation told the New York Post that the Washington Posts promoted stories on social media reflect high-performing content. The content of the advertising posts is directly pulled from the respective reporting, according to the source. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt new, the source insisted. The Washington Posts promoted posts span a mix of its content across all of its verticals, including climate, style and other sections, the source added. The Beltway papers increase in paid ads this week could also be a reflection of Facebook parent company Metas policy that prohibits new ads during the week of the election, which is set for Tuesday. The Washington Post is promoting ads on social media that promote stories critical of former President Donald Trump. REUTERS A source said the Washington Post was likely getting some new ads up before the tech giant freezes new ad buys. As of Thursday, at least 250,000 readers or 10% canceled their digital subscriptions to the Washington Post in apparent protest of Bezos move to end the papers decades-long practice of endorsing a presidential candidate, according to National Public Radio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon, published a guest essay Monday saying the decision to forgo endorsements was a matter of principle intended to dispel the notion that his newspaper was biased. But the move elicited howls of protest from readers on social media as well as journalists who are either current or former employees of the Washington Post, such as award-winning Watergate sleuths Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. At least three editorial staffers resigned from the paper. After Bezos decision was announced last Friday, some of the papers top editors and columnists met to discuss the controversy. Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon, said blocking an endorsement was a matter of principle. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images David Shipley, the newspapers opinion editor, listened as his colleagues blasted Bezos for harming the publications reputation as an independent journalistic organization, according to the Washington Free Beacon, which obtained audio of the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One staffer reportedly told Shipley that the one thing that cant happen in this country is for Trump to get another four years. Shipley responded by telling staffers that they were welcome to vent their frustration but that they would then need to either come to terms with Bezos decision and move on or resign. Whatever you decide, Im good with it, Shipley said. What I really do want to impart is that you do not get stuck in the middle. Dont be here if you dont want to. Shipley told his colleagues that he spent an hour on the phone with Bezos in an effort to get him to change his mind and allow the editorial board to issue its endorsement of Harris but the mogul refused to budge. The Washington Post editorial board reportedly had an endorsement of Harris drafted and ready to be published. Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that while he agreed with the principle that you do not have to do presidential endorsements, he took issue with Bezos timing, and the way in which the timing could be read. A similar dynamic has been playing out at the Los Angeles Times, where billionaire owner Patrick Soon-Shiong blocked the editorial board from publishing an endorsement of Harris. Soon-Shiong said he wanted the editorial board to present a side-by-side comparative analysis of the two candidates and their positions so that readers could decide for themselves whom to support. At least three LA Times staffers quit in protest and between 10,000 and 18,000 readers canceled their subscriptions to the paper, according to reports. On Election Day, voters around the country will eagerly wait to hear if former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris comes out on top in the race for the White House. ABC News will have full coverage of the presidential election results and many other key down-ballot races on Election Day and the days afterward as votes continue to get counted. Here's what to know about how to get the latest election results: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: What you need to know about the Electoral College as 2024 race nears end PHOTO: Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican opponent former U.S. President Donald Trump are seen in a combination of file photographs taken in Chandler, Arizona, October 10, 2024, and in Evans, Georgia, Oct. 4, 2024. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters) How to watch or live stream election coverage and results ABC News will broadcast and publish election results as they come in. Coverage will air live on the ABC television network and on the 24/7 streaming channel ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. Viewers can also stream coverage through the ABC News app for smartphones and connected TV devices as well as on ABCNews.com. ABC News Digital and 538 will have comprehensive coverage on Election Day, including a live blog with up-to-the-minute analysis and reporting from the field, as well as highlights of notable races and voting trends. You can also get the latest results on the presidential, Senate, House and gubernatorial races on ABCNews.com and on the ABC News mobile app. PHOTO: Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at McCamish Pavilion, Oct. 28, 2024, in Atlanta. (Mike Stewart/AP) What time does ABC News' live coverage start on Election Day? ABC News Live will begin Election Day coverage at 8 a.m. ET. In addition to ABC News Live coverage during the day, ABC network coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET when polls close in several states. Coverage will continue through the evening and into early Wednesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "World News Tonight" anchor and managing editor David Muir will lead the coverage. He will be joined by "World News Tonight" Sunday anchor and ABC News Live "Prime" anchor Linsey Davis, chief global affairs correspondent and "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz, chief Washington correspondent and "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl, chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce, senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott, senior national correspondent Terry Moran and Washington, D.C., bureau chief and vice president Rick Klein. Chief justice correspondent Pierre Thomas, correspondent and senior investigative reporter Aaron Katersky, chief legal analyst Dan Abrams and U.S. Supreme Court contributor Kate Shaw will comprise the "Ballot Watch" desk, led by the ABC News investigative unit, monitoring all storylines related to election integrity. Additionally, there will be correspondents in all seven battleground states, plus reporters in others. PHOTO: Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris holds a campaign rally and concert in Ann Arbor, Mich., Oct. 28, 2024. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters) What time do polls close across the country? The polls close at 6 p.m. ET in: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement parts of Indiana (ET) parts of Kentucky (ET) The polls close at 7 p.m. ET in: parts of Florida (ET) Georgia parts of Indiana (CT) parts of Kentucky (CT) parts of New Hampshire South Carolina Virginia Vermont MORE: 2024 Election: How to track your ballot and what to do if it's been damaged The polls close at 7:30 p.m. ET in: North Carolina Ohio West Virginia The polls close at 8 p.m. ET in: Alabama Connecticut Delaware parts of Florida (CT) Illinois parts of Kansas (CT) Maine Maryland Massachusetts parts of Michigan (ET) Mississippi Missouri parts of New Hampshire New Jersey parts of North Dakota (CT) Oklahoma Pennsylvania Rhode Island parts of South Dakota (CT) Tennessee parts of Texas (CT) Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The polls close at 8:30 p.m. ET in: Arkansas The polls close at 9 p.m. ET in: Arizona Colorado Iowa part of Kansas (MT) Louisiana part of Michigan (CT) Minnesota Nebraska New Mexico New York part of North Dakota (MT) part of South Dakota (MT) part of Texas (MT) Wisconsin Wyoming The polls close at 10 p.m. ET in: part of Idaho (MT) Montana Nevada part of Oregon (MT) Utah The polls close at 11 p.m. ET in: California part of Idaho (PT) part of Oregon (PT) Washington The polls close at 12 a.m. ET in: part of Alaska (AT) Hawaii The polls close at 1 a.m. ET in: Alaska (HT) When will we know the results of the presidential election? Election Day doesn't mean its the day we will get final election results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So when will we know the winner this year? That depends on two things: how close the election is and how quickly states count their ballots. The trick is, each state is different: Some count quickly because of laws that speed up the process or a low rate of mail-in voting; others count slowly because they dont have such laws, but do have a lot of mail-in ballots. Read more from 538 on when to expect election results to be reported in every state. How to watch ABC News live coverage of 2024 election results originally appeared on abcnews.go.com All products featured on Teen Vogue are independently selected by Teen Vogue editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Conde Nast may earn an affiliate commission. Getty Images The 2024 election is finally underway with early voting underway across the country. But when do we find out who our new president will be? Weve got you covered on how to watch the election results, whether you have cable TV or not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This election year has been one for the books. First, Donald Trump became the first impeached former president to run for office and the first ex-president to be convicted of felony charges. Second, President Joe Biden resigned from the race. Lastly, Vice President Kamala Harris became the first Black woman and first Asian woman to become the official Democratic nominee. Now, were down to the wire. But first and foremost, its important to remember that because of the influx of mail-in ballots, votes can still roll in after polls have closed, so you probably wont find out who the winner is on election night. Because of this, its best not to read too much into early projections and to take a deep breath until a majority of the votes are counted. As The New York Times wrote back in 2020, the keywords here are patience and caution. Do not expect states to be called quickly, and do not draw conclusions from partial results, which are likely to be misleading. According to 270 To Win, polls will begin to close at 6 p.m. EST and continue until Alaskas voting locations shutter at 1 a.m. EST. Some polling places close earlier, so be sure to check your polling site hours of operation day-of. Official election results will be posted by the Federal Election Committee, not presidential campaigns or social media. Back in 2020, Trump tweeted that he was leading the vote the day after the election until surprise ballot dumps took his lead away. This was a false statement that many believed to be true. He also claimed that he won the election earlier that night, which was also inaccurate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With these disclaimers in mind, we break down exactly how to watch the election unfold in real time below. How to watch the election on cable What time is the election on TV? News networks like CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News have already started their election day coverage with real-time analysis provided by their respective political correspondents. The traditional breaking news reports calling different results will begin later in the evening after polls begin to close. Big networks like NBC, ABC News, and CBS will also be airing coverage during primetime in addition to their online streams. How to watch if you dont have cable Watch online or on apps You dont need cable TV to watch the election results live. Networks like CNN are streaming their coverage online with no cable login required. During the 2020 election, CBS News streamed their election coverage for free on YouTube and will most likely be doing so again. Prime Video will be streaming election night coverage with anchor Brian Williams set to lead the live news event. You can also sign up for free trials of services like Peacock, YouTube TV, Sling, PlayStation Vue, FuboTV, and more for the live TV experience sans the commitment (just dont forget to cancel). Watch live-streams or blogs Live-streams and live-blogs are an easy way to watch election night results without cable. The Washington Post is streaming their Post Live Election Daily show and updating their live-blog throughout the day. The Associated Press will also be updating their live coverage throughout the day and offering a digital livestream of results and electoral college map updates. If youre taking a long road trip the day of the election and want to listen to the radio as the results come in, NPR is hosting coverage on its site and app. If you want to laugh through the pain, Stephen Colbert is hosting an election night special. Check social media for updates Sites like X are a great source of live stream updates from news outlets just make sure youre doing your due diligence and not believing parody or fake accounts. Just because an account has a blue verified checkmark does not mean theyre reputable. Anyone can buy verified status now on the platform. The same goes for TikTok, where there will be plenty of videos sharing election information. Be sure to fact check anything you see and dont take it at face value. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stay up-to-date with the politics team. Sign up for the Teen Vogue Take Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue Want more U.S. government coverage? Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Hundreds of people gathered on the streets of Dublin, Ireland, to attend a Halloween parade that turned out to be a complete hoax. The would-be spectators gathered in the Dublin City Center on Thursday evening after a website called My Spirit Halloween spread false rumors of a Halloween parade that was supposedly going to make its way from Parnell Street to Christchurch Cathedral from 7-9 p.m. The Gardai, Ireland's national police, issued an alert on social media warning that the parade was a hoax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Please be advised that contrary to information being circulated online, no Halloween parade is scheduled to take place in Dublin City Centre this evening or tonight," the post said. "All those gathered on O'Connell Street at present, in expectation of such a parade are asked to please disperse safely." The gathered crowds caused problems for public transportation, with Red Line services between Smithfield and The Point and Green Line services between St. Stephen's Green and Dominick Street being interrupted for about half an hour. Ciaran O'Connor of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue think tank said the hoax was apparently perpetrated as a means of generating ad revenue for the My Spirit Halloween website. O'Connor said on social media that the "site claims to be based in Illinois but all signs point to person(s) behind it being based in Pakistan." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said people started to share the site, thinking the information was genuine, and posts proliferated on Facebook and TikTok, leading to the large turnout for the fake parade. The owner of the website, who identified himself as Nazir Ali, said the fake parade listing was a simple mistake. "It was our mistake and we should have doubled checked it to make sure it was happening. But newspapers are reporting that we posted it intentionally and this is very, very wrong," he told The Irish Times. President Biden is in Philadelphia Friday afternoon to tout the administrations support for unions across the U.S. He is expected to announce actions his administration has taken that would prevent cuts to pensions held by nearly 30,000 United Food and Commercial Workers(UFCW) and retirees. Ensuring that union workers and their families enjoy the retirement security they earned through a lifetime of work is just one of the ways that the Biden-Harris Administration has kept its commitment to workers and delivered on being the most pro-union administration in American history, the administration said in a statement announcing the visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His remarks are scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. EDT. Watch the live video above. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Vice President Harris took her campaign to battleground Nevada Thursday evening, rallying voters with two late-night events. With nine Electoral College votes up for grabs, Harris was set to give her closing arguments in the critical swing state. The vice president has also upped her outreach to Black and Hispanic voters, who make up a significant portion of the Silver State. The vice president will also speak to supporters in Las Vegas late Thursday, after she became the first presidential candidate to advertise on the infamous Sphere. She will be joined by musician and actress Jennifer Lopez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lopez is also expected to deliver remarks focused on the importance of voting, with less than a week until Election Day. She voiced her support for Harris after a comedian made controversial jokes about Puerto Rico at former President Trumps recent rally in New York City. Trump is also campaigning in Nevada on Thursday. The Hill/Decision Desk HQs polling index shows the former president leading Harris by less than 1 point in the state 48.1 percent to 47.4 percent. The vice presidents remarks from Reno were expected to begin around 8:30 p.m. EDT. Watch the video replay above. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Vice President Kamala Harris is looking to secure Latino votes from battleground states, including Nevada, where shes participating in a Las Vegas rally Thursday night (Oct. 31) with Mexican rock band Mana performing. The Harris-Walz campaign also confirmed that Jennifer Lopez will be in attendance, where she is set to speak about the importance of voting. These artists and public figures are trusted voices for millions of Americans, who listen to their music, follow them on social media, or otherwise are inspired by them, the campaign said in a press release. The Harris-Walz campaign believes that by using their voices to lay out the stakes of this election, it will further encourage and mobilize people to go vote. More from Billboard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With five days until Election Day on Tuesday (Nov. 5), Nevada, considered a swing state, is expected to play a decisive role in the presidential election. Latinos represent about 30% of Nevadas population and, across the country, an estimated 36.2 million Latinos are eligible to vote this year, up from 32.3 million in 2020, according to the Pew Research Center. Mana has a long history of using their platform to encourage Latino voters to make their voices heard during U.S. presidential elections. Theyve also denounced Donald Trumps racist rhetoric since he launched his first presidential campaign back in 2015, when the Republican candidate called Mexicans rapists and criminals. During their Latin Grammys performance that year, Mana, along with Los Tigres del Norte, pulled out a banner that said Latinos, united, dont vote for the racists. This time around, theyre being just as vigilant. After Nicky Jam endorsed Donald Trump in September the reggaeton star has since withdrawn his support Mana removed its 2016 reimagining of De Pies a Cabeza, a collab with Nicky, from streaming services, explaining that the group didnt work with racists. With their performance in Las Vegas on Thursday night, Mana doubles down on their efforts to secure the win for the Democratic ticket. Earlier Thursday, Los Tigres del Norte performed at a Harris rally in Phoenix. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below, watch the rally in Nevada, where Lopez will speak and Mana will perform: Best of Billboard Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Donald Trump doubled down Friday on his disturbing comments about placing Liz Cheney in front of a firing squad. During a noisy campaign stop in Warren, Michigan, Trump refused to back down on his wild comments attacking Cheney, a moderate Republican who has been campaigning extensively with Kamala Harris ahead of the election. Shes a war hawk. She kills people. She wanted uh, even in my administration, she was pushing that we go to war with everybody, Trump said. And I said that if you ever gave her a rifle, [indistinguishable] if you ever do that, she wouldnt be doing too well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If she had to do it herself, and she had to face the consequences of battle, she wouldnt be doing it. So its easy for her to talk, but she wouldnt be doing it, Trump continued. Shes actually a disgrace. Trump defends his Liz Cheney comments by amping up the incitement even further: "She kills people." pic.twitter.com/ObIwZsTm46 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 1, 2024 Trump also called Cheney a disaster and a coward, during his stop in Dearborn, Michigan, according to the Associated Press. Trumps original remarks to Tucker Carlson from a rally Thursday night suggested that Cheney ought to be viscerally confronted with her own hawkishness. Theyre all war hawks when theyre sitting in Washington in a nice building saying, Oh gee, lets send 10,000 troops into the mouths of the enemies. She always wanted to go to war with people, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes a radical war hawk, he continued. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Lets see how she feels about it. You know, when the guns are trained on her face. (Trump reportedly dodged the Vietnam War draft by saying he had bone spurs.) Arizonas attorney general announced Friday that she will be investigating Trump over his violent comment about Cheney and whether it qualifies as a death threat. The Republican ticket has redoubled its efforts to paint Trump as a peacemaker as it attempts to siphon support from Arab and Muslim voters in Michigan, who have expressed disappointment with Harriss nonstatements about Israels genocide in Gaza. (A particularly ridiculous pitch given Trumps insistence that Israel should go further in its military campaign in the Middle East.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps phony antiwar farce also comes as he faces criticism from moderate Republicans such as Cheney and retired generals, including Trumps former Chief of Staff John Kelly, former Secretary of Defense James Mattis, and former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley. Cheney is a veritable war hawk, but Trumps pitch as an antiwar president is blatantly dishonest and evidence of some strange memory hole about the Trump presidency. During his campaign, Trump has repeatedly asserted there were no wars under his administration and claimed that not a single U.S. soldier in Afghanistan was killed for an 18-month stretch while he was in office. Both claims are completely untrue. During Trumps presidency, there were U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as ongoing civil wars in Yemen, Syria, and Ethiopia. While he was in office, there were 45 hostile deaths and 63 total deaths in Afghanistan, with no alleged 18-month gap in casualties. In fact, Trump increased the number of airstrikes in Afghanistan, which led to a 330 percent increase in civilian casualties. The reality of Trumps time in office was much more volatile. Trump regularly stoked international conflict, nearly tweeting us into a nuclear war with North Korea on several occasions. He withdrew from a nonproliferation agreement with Iran, allegedly helped to incite a failed coup in Venezuela, and supported a Saudi-backed war in Yemen. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), Vice President Harriss running mate, is campaigning in Michigan Friday afternoon, making several stops in the battleground state. His first stop will be Detroit, as early voting starts to wind down. Here, he will make his final pitch to voters in the critical swing state with the election just days away. Harris is expected to visit the Great Lakes State later this weekend. Former President Trump and his running mate Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) will also be in the state throughout the last days of the campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hill/Decision Desk HQs aggregate of polls shows the vice president leading her GOP rival in Michigan by a slim margin 48.6 percent to 48.1 percent. The event is scheduled to begin after 12:15 p.m. EDT. Watch the live video above. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WEBSTER PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) A Sibley man has died following a single vehicle crash in in Webster Parish. According to a media release from the Louisiana State Police, Friday morning, at approximately 11:45 a.m., Troop G responded to a single-vehicle crash on Dorcheat Road north of Grigsby Road in Webster Parish. Trafficking of Methamphetamine in Louisiana; three men sentenced Troopers found that the crash claimed the life of 70-year-old John Waldron of Sibley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say the preliminary investigation revealed that a 2013 Ford pickup, driven by Waldron, was traveling north on Dorcheat Road. For reasons still under investigation, Waldrons vehicle exited the roadway and collided with a tree. Waldron, who was unrestrained at the time of the crash, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Although impairment is not suspected, routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains 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 KTALnews.com. DES MOINES, Iowa A West Des Moines man has been charged in connection to a crash that killed a pedestrian in a parking lot. On October 21 the Des Moines Police Department and Fire Department responded to a grocery store parking lot in the 2500 block of East Euclid Avenue on a report of a crash. When first responders arrived on scene they found 67-year-old Sheila Kay Albert had been hit by a car and was critically injured. Albert was transported to a nearby hospital, but died from her injuries a few days later. Iowa Navigator helping uninsured during Open Enrollment Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordan Allen, 35, was identified as the driver of the vehicle that struck Albert. According to police, evidence gathered during the investigation revealed that the crash could have been avoided. On Friday Allen was arrested and charged with Involuntary Manslaughter (aggravated misdemeanor) in connection to the crash. Allen is currently being held at the Polk County Jail. Latest Metro News: Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. (WSYR-TV) We talk often on Bridge Street about the critical need to fight food insecurity here in our area. Though this is a serious struggle, there are so many organizations within our community who are doing their part to help, including West Herr Chevrolet of East Syracuse. Thats where we found our Tim Fox to tell us how theyre giving back. From now until November 16, West Herr will be having a massive Thanksgiving Food Drive at all their dealerships to donate to those who need it most. They are looking for canned and dried goods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their goal is to provide 500 bags of groceries in Central New York. On top of these donations, West Herr as a company is also going throw in an additional donation of $100,000 in turkeys. West Herr Chevrolet of East Syracuse is the only West Herr dealership in Central New York. They are working with numerous local charities to make this food drive happen. Anyone donating a non-perishable item at any West Herr location may enter for a chance to win an autographed Josh Allen jersey. Five people will be chosen at random among those who donate to win. Learn more at WestHerr.com/Thankful. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. ALLEGHANY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) The Alleghany County Sheriffs Office is reporting the arrest of a West Virginia man for allegedly knowingly communicating with a minor over the internet. According to the sheriff, an internet investigation was started with a man, later identified as 50-year-old Phillip W. Crossland from Davis, WV, who was believed to be contacting a child. Investigators confirmed Crosslands address and then contacted the West Virginia State Police. Crossland was interviewed at his home in West Virginia where he allegedly confessed to four counts of Virginia Code 18.2-374.3, Use of Communication Systems to Facilitate Certain Offenses Against Minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On October 31, Crossland was taken into custody by authorities in West Virginia. He is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail in West Virginia, awaiting extradition back to Alleghany Regional Jail. South Carolina man charged in connection to child solicitation investigation in Montgomery County We are committed to safeguarding the innocence of our communitys children and we stand united with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who threaten the safety of our children will be held accountable, said Sheriff Moore. The Alleghany County Sheriffs Office will always consider these types of investigations as priorities. Sheriff Moore would like to remind parents and guardians to always stay alert to what their children and those in their care are viewing on the internet. It is a dangerous world out there for todays youth. To make a complaint, please notify the Alleghany County Sheriffs Office at 540-965-1770. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WFXR News will continue to update you on this story in the future. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. With less than a handful of days until the general election on Nov. 5, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump remain locked in a tight race for the White House, particularly in the seven battleground states controlling 94 of the 270 Electoral College votes a candidate needs to win. Both candidates are working hard to convince the remaining sliver of undecided and independent voters in those swing states to vote for them while encouraging their respective base supporters to vote early or show up at ballot stations on Tuesday. More than 64 million people have already voted through in-person early voting and mail-in ballots, according to the University of Floridas Election Lab on Thursday. Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris gestures during a campaign rally in Reno, Nevada on October 31, 2024. On Friday, all eyes will be on the Badger State as both candidates will hold competing rallies in southeastern Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps event is set to take place at the Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee, which hosted the Republican National Convention in July. Meanwhile, Harris rally will be held at the Wisconsin State Fair Exposition Center Expo, according to reports from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network. The Harris-Walz campaign confirmed Fridays When We Vote We Win concert will feature performances by Flo Milli, GloRilla, MC Lyte, DJ Gemini Gilly, and the Isley Brothers, along with remarks by rapper Cardi B, who has been a vocal supporter of the vice presidents run for the 2024 presidential election. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris running mate, returns to Michigan on Friday to campaign in Detroit, Traverse City and will be joined by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in Flint. On the final weekend before Election Day, Harris is expected to visit Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday to hold one final rally in the Peachtree State before heading to Charlotte, North Carolina, on the last day of early voting in the state before Nov. 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Walz and GOP running mate Sen. JD Vance will head to the Southwest over the weekend, hosting Get Out The Vote events in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday. The governor will also travel to Flagstaff and Tucson, Arizona. Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris acknowledges supporters as Vice-Presidential candidate Tim Walz applauds next to her during a campaign rally and concert in Ann Arbor, Michigan on October 28, 2024. More: Still not registered to vote? These states allow same day voter registration In the final 48 hours of the campaign, the vice president will be in East Lansing, Michigan on Sunday and close out the election in Pennsylvania on Monday with rallies in Allentown, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh before returning to Washington, D.C. On Tuesday, the Harris-Walz campaign will host its election night event at Howard University in Washington, D.C., Harris alma mater. Trumps campaign will host an election night watch party at a convention center in West Palm Beach, Florida, but has not announced the former presidents election night plans, according to the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contributors: Francesca Chambers, Joey Garrison, David Jackson, Alison Dirr, Mary Spicuzza, Antonio Fins; USA TODAY Networks and Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kamala Harris schedule Friday: A look at campaign schedule Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump have widely differing positions on many policy issues. (Getty Images) WASHINGTON As the last weekend before Tuesdays presidential election approaches, voters who want more insight on where the candidates stand on major policy issues can get up to speed through a States Newsroom Washington Bureau series. In these 10 articles, States Newsroom reported on the policy positions taken by Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, ranging from education to taxes to Social Security and Medicare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX They are: Reproductive Rights After the conservative-dominated U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 struck down the constitutional right to abortion, Democrats made restoring access to reproductive care a core campaign issue. The story is here. U.S. Supreme Court reform The U.S. Supreme Court has been mired in controversy, from several ethics scandals to calls from Democrats to expand the number of justices on the court. The story is here. Immigration One policy issue that Trump has made central to his campaign is immigration. At his campaign rallies across the country hes promised mass deportations of millions of immigrants living in the country without authorization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris has mainly stated that she would revive a bipartisan congressional agreement when it comes to addressing U.S. immigration policy. The story is here. Social Security and Medicare Addressing the Social Security and Medicare trust funds will become an increasingly important job for the incoming president and Congress for the next decade. The story is here. Climate and Energy As several states like North Carolina and Tennessee recover from Category 4 Hurricane Helene, climate change has taken up little attention in the 2024 presidential race, despite its wide-ranging effects. The story is here Housing While housing is typically handled at the local level, both presidential candidates want to tackle the housing crisis at the federal level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The story is here. Education On the campaign trail, education policies have rarely been in the spotlight, though the candidates policies on K-12 and higher education widely differ. The story is here. Taxes A 2017 tax law crafted under the Trump administration is set to expire next year, meaning whichever candidate wins the White House will either overhaul the previous law or extend it. The story is here. Guns Both candidates agree that gun violence is a problem, but thats the end of where Harris and Trump are in concurrence. The story is here. Foreign policy Regardless of who wins the White House, the next president will have several international crises to address. That includes the Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East, Russian President Vladimir Putins refusal to retreat from Ukraine and U.S-China trade relations. The story is here. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE As the holidays approach, teens may be on the lookout for a job to make some money of their own. In Texas, they can start as young as 14 years old. Anyone under the age of 18 is considered a minor. Minors must make at least the federal minimum wage $7.25 an hour. What are the laws surrounding minors in the workforce? What Texas law says about children who work In Texas, it is illegal to hire a child under the age of 14 years old (unless under special circumstances). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minors who do work are not allowed to be scheduled for more than eight hours a day, and 48 hours in a week. And for children who are enrolled in school, they are not allowed to work between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. on school nights. On weekends and in summer recess, children are allowed to work until midnight. Where can minors work? According to the Texas Workforce Commission, 14- to 15-year-olds are allowed to work in retail, food service or gasoline stations in the following capacities: Office or clerical work Artistry or intellectually creative work Cooking with electric or gas grills that dont involve cooking over an open flame Cooking with with deep fat fryers that are equipped with and utilize devices that automatically lower and raise the baskets into and out of the oil or grease Cashier or advertising Price marking and shelving inventory Carrying out customer orders Errands and deliveries Housekeeping/clean-up work Kitchen work/food service Cleaning kitchen equipment/cleaning food Loading and unloading on vehicles Lifeguarding (15 years old and up, with proper training) Car/truck washing or gas pumping What are the child labor laws? Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, children who are 14 to 15 years oldmay not: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Work during school hours Work more than three hours on a school day, or 18 hours during a school week A 16 or 17-year-old child doesnt have restrictions on the number of hours or times of day they may work, according to the FLSA. Penalties for those who do not follow child labor laws If someone does not obey child labor laws, they can face a Class B misdemeanor a fine of up to $2,000 and up to 180 days in jail. If one makes a child solicit, they can face a Class A misdemeanor which can be a fine of up to $4,000 and up to a year in jail. In addition to the criminal penalty noted above, if an employer violates the provisions of this Act, the Commission may assess an administrative penalty against that employer in an amount not to exceed $10,000, the TWC says. With just days to go until Election Day 2024, voters across Wisconsin continue to cast their ballots early with turnout surpassing that of the 2020 and 2016 elections. Early in-person voting wraps up in many municipalities on Friday, Nov. 1, though Milwaukee and other places across the state will still offer it into this weekend. To find your specific polling place, click here. Heres what you need to know about early voting in Wisconsin this weekend: Where can I vote early this weekend in Milwaukee? All Milwaukee early voting locations will be open Saturday, Nov. 2, the Milwaukee Elections Commission confirmed to the Journal Sentinel. Residents can vote at the following locations: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American Serb Hall, at 5101 W. Oklahoma Ave. Capitol Drive Voting Center, at 6001 W. Capitol Drive Clinton Rose Senior Center, at 3045 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive Good Hope Library, at 7715 W. Good Hope Road MATC's S Building, at 700 W. State St. Mitchell Street Library, at 906 W. Historic Mitchell St. Tippecanoe Library, at 3912 S. Howell Ave. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Zelazo Center, at 2419 E. Kenwood Blvd. Washington Park Library, at 2121 N. Sherman Blvd. Zeidler Municipal Building, at 841 N. Broadway Ave. Additionally, five of Milwaukees polling places will be open on Sunday, Nov. 3. These locations are: American Serb Hall Capitol Drive Voting Center Good Hope Library Tippecanoe Library Zeidler Municipal Building For a map and the hours of these locations, click here. Where else can I vote early in Wisconsin this weekend? Some municipalities across the state are also continuing early voting into this weekend. There will be no early voting on the day before the election Monday, Nov. 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To see if your municipality is holding early voting this weekend you can contact your clerk here or visit myvote.wi.gov. The Town of Erin is offering early voting at Town Hall, 1846 Highway 83, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, according to its website. The last day of early voting in the Town of Farmington is Saturday, Nov. 2. Early voting is being held at Town Hall, 9422 Highway 144, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, according to its website. Town of Genesee voters can head to Town Hall, at S43 W31391 Highway 83, on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon, according to its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early voting in the Village of Germantown ends Saturday, Nov. 2. Voters can cast their ballots at Village Hall, N112 W17001 Mequon Road, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, per its website. Green Bay voters can vote at City Hall, at 100 N. Jefferson, from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Nov. 3., according to its website. Residents in the City of Madison have several options for in-person absentee voting this weekend. Early voting can be done on Saturday, Nov. 2 at the following locations: Alicia Ashman Library, at 733 N. High Point Road Central Library, at 201 W. Mifflin St. Global Market & Food Hall, at 2161 Zeier Road Goodman South Madison Library, at 2222 S. Park St. Hawthorne Library, at 2707 E. Washington Ave. Lakeview Library, at 2845 N. Sherman Ave. Meadowridge Library, at 5726 Raymond Road Monroe Street Library, at 1705 Monroe St. Pinney Library, at 516 Cottage Grove Road Sequoya Library, at 4340 Tokay Blvd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early voting locations for Sunday, Nov. 3 in Madison are: Badger Rock Neighborhood Center, at 501 E. Badger Road Central Library Fountain of Life Church, 633 W. Badger Road Global Market & Food Hall Goodman South Madison Library Lakeview Library SS Morris AME Church, at 3511 Milwaukee St. Urban League of Greater Madison, at 2222 S. Park St. Warner Park Community Recreation Center, at 1625 Northport Drive For a full list of Madison early voting locations and hours, click here. The Town of Port Washington is still holding early voting at Town Hall, 3715 Highland Drive. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 2, according to its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City of Racine is offering early voting this weekend at City Hall, 730 Washington Ave., according to its website. Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 3. Early voting is being held at Trenton Town Hall, 1071 Highway 33E, from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, according to its website. West Bend Town Hall, 6355 County Highway Z, is hosting early voting for residents from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 2, according to its website. Where can I drop off absentee ballots? Wisconsin residents have multiple options to submit their mail-in absentee ballots. You can drop off your ballot in a drop box, an early voting location or your clerks office. You can also bring it on Election Day to your polling place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each municipality may have its own rules for returning absentee ballots. To find out yours, you can look up your clerks information here. Can I still request a mail-in absentee ballot? No, mail-in ballots applications are no longer being accepted in Wisconsin per state law, according to the MEC. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot was Thursday, Oct. 31, per myvote.wi.gov. When is the last day to register to vote? You must register to vote in person by Friday, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m., according to myvote.wi.gov. You can register to vote in person either at an early voting polling place or a municipal clerks office. If you miss Fridays deadline, you can register to vote on Election Day. For more information on same-day registration, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Here's how you can return your absentee ballot instead of mailing it More: Early voting starts today in Wisconsin. Here are locations, dates and times for Milwaukee and the suburbs This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Where can I still vote early in Wisconsin this weekend? Photos of Caley Koppler provided to WEWS by family and friends of the Koppler family. Graphic by WEWS. Ohio has had a nearly 10% decrease in accidental overdose deaths, but a victims closest friend says much more needs to be done to save lives. It has been a year since, and not a day goes by that Brevin Bryant doesnt think about his best friend, Caley Koppler. If there was one thing I could say to her its I miss you,' Bryant said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is one of the nearly 3,500 fentanyl-related deaths Ohio saw in 2023, with the drug making up 78% of the years overdoses. Deputies with the Ashland County Sheriffs Office confirmed that they are still investigating Kopplers death. What is being done about this? Bryant asked. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine tried to answer that question Wednesday. He announced that the state is making progress in combating unintentional drug overdoses. There was a 9% decrease in deaths in 2023 compared to 2022, according to a new state report. There is still much, much work to do, DeWine said. But I do want to let Ohioans know that we are seeing some progress. Graphic of overdose deaths from the Ohio Department of Health. He credited the success to naloxone or Narcan, expansion in access to treatment and cracking down on drug trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year alone, the Ohio Department of Health confirmed more than 20,000 overdoses were reversed with naloxone obtained through our administrations Project Dawn,' the governor continued. Narcan is a great start, Bryant said, but it isnt going to help someone who is using it by themselves, so the government needs to think bigger. Depression, anxiety, the price of housing, food, gas all these things are adding up, Bryant said. Theres so much stress for people and some people dont know how to handle it. We asked what is being done to stop substance abuse before it starts, other than law enforcement intercepting the drugs or locking up dealers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We also are helping to spread evidence-based prevention curricula in more schools across the state, said LeeAnne Cornyn with the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DeWine explained that there is a holistic approach to helping people. We asked how many people were in active addiction in 2023 compared to 2022, and they are checking to see if they have hard data or estimates on it. In the meantime, the governors team linked us to a national report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For 2021-2022, there are likely 1,095,000 Ohioans ages 12 and older with a drug use disorder, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported. Drug use, however, includes marijuana products. Specifically for opioid use, there were likely 253,000 Ohioans ages 12 and older with a disorder from 2021-2022, the report continues. Bryant hopes that the state will continue to work to save lives so that people like Koppler can get the help they need. Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on X and Facebook. This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Election Day countdown clock is ticking with just 5 days left to vote. While there are many local and state races to be voted on, the biggest question is: Who will be the 47th president of the United States. Two months worth of poll data have shown what a contentious and tight presidential race this has become. It has also shown that the crucial swing states of Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin are all but certain to decide the race next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will Former President Donald Trump be returned to the White House with JD Vance at his side or will Vice President Kamala Harris become the first female president with progressive partner Tim Walz at her side? The answer to those questions depends on whom you ask and which polls you read. Here is what the polls, odds and historian are saying now as we head into Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5. To see the latest swing state polls and odds, click here. Who is leading in the polls and favored in the odds? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polls and odds are constantly changing. These numbers were reflected as of Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, at 12 p.m. What did Allan Lichtman predict for presidential election of 2024? Presidential historian Allan Lichtman, 77, is a distinguished professor of history at American University and lives in Bethesda, Maryland. The presidential historian has predicted that Vice President Kamala Harris will win the 2024 presidential election over former President Donald Trump. He claims to use a set of 13 "keys" to make his picks, which range from economic indicators to candidates' charisma. Lichtman has correctly predicted the outcome of almost every election over the last half-century, except for the race in 2000, in which Republican George W. Bush defeated Democrat Al Gore. How accurate have election odds or polls been in past presidential elections? The betting favorite has only lost twice since 1866, according to the Conversation, a nonprofit news organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The track record on polling is more challenging as different pollsters asking different varieties of the population can often draw higher margins for error. According to Pew Research, confidence in the public's opinion polling has suffered given the errors in the presidential elections of 2016 and 2020. In both of these general elections, many polls underestimated the the strength of the Republican candidates, including Donald Trump. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Who is winning presidential election? What the Harris Trump polls say Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Besides electing a new president and vice president, Tennesseans will also be voting on several other key races, including seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. One of the top races in Middle Tennessee is the fifth congressional district, where incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, is seeking reelection. The freshman congressman is facing opposition from first-time candidate and longtime political activist, Maryam Abolfazli, as well as independent candidates Yomi "Fapas" Faparusi and Jim Larkin. Tennessee's fifth Congressional District includes Marshall, Maury and Lewis Counties as well as parts of Davidson, Williamson and Wilson Counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what to know about the candidates and their respective priorities. U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, Republican Ogles, a former Maury County mayor, previously worked as a lobbyist for Americans for Prosperity Tennessee, a conservative advocacy group that has backed his Congressional bid both with grassroots outreach and ad buys. His top campaign priorities include immigration enforcement, school choice and Second Amendment issues. Backed by the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, Ogles has faced criticism for embellishing details on his resume, including misrepresenting the degree he received from Middle Tennessee State University, which he has characterized as an unintended mistake, previously reported the Tennessean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ogles has also faced scrutiny and multiple complaints over his federal campaign finance disclosures for over two years. He recently admitted that a a self-loan of $320,000 that he had reported as cash to the FEC for two years was in fact a pledge for funding for which the need never arose. He was required to pay $5,750 in civil penalties for campaign finance violations after the 2022 cycle. Ogles is also currently facing an ethics complaint filed by the Campaign Legal Center in January requesting an investigation into discrepancies in the congressman's financial disclosures, including the personal loan of $320,000. Ogles, who has presented himself as a fiscal conservative, has spent tens of thousands in taxpayer funds this year to buy digital and physical advertising burnishing his freshman congressional record. FBI agents recently confiscated Ogles cell phone in what he believes to be a probe related to his campaign finance filings. Stay in the know: Download our app for breaking election news and alerts Maryam Abolfazli, Democrat Abolfazli is a Nashville native and activist. A Hume Fogg High School graduate, Abolfazli has worked on economic development in several former Soviet and Middle Eastern countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to her campaign website, Maryam has served in a multiple executive roles with nonprofit organizations, including Project Return, Brave New Software, Millions of Conversations, and Atlas Project. She has also served as board chair of AWAKE Tennessee and Chair of the Metro Human Relations Commission. Following a deadly shooting at the Covenant School in March 2023, Abolfazli organized a rally of thousands that converged on the state Capitol, calling for lawmakers to pass gun control legislation. Months later, during a special legislative session, she was removed by state troopers from a committee hearing room for holding a sign calling for gun control. Abolfazli was one of three plaintiffs that sued the state on First Amendment grounds, successfully challenging a ban of signs in the House of Representatives gallery, adopted by Republican leadership. She is founder of the organization Rise and Shine Tennessee, which advocates for community engagement in state legislative issues. Among her top campaign policies are reproductive rights, gun safety and economic growth and affordability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign up: Get election and other breaking news delivered to your email Yomi "Fapas" Faparusi, Independent Dr. Yomi "Fapas" Faparusi, of Brentwood, is a physician and immigration attorney. According to his campaign website, his policy priorities include job creation and economic growth, securing the southern border, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, and working to prevent the threat of government shutdown, which he says "have caused significant pain and instability for many Americans." He pledges to prioritize the interests of his constituents over political partisanship. Jim Larkin, Independent Jim Larkin is an independent candidate with a limited campaign presence outside of social media. In a series of posts regarding his policy platforms, Larkin said he supports lower tax rates for lower-income households and is critical of public dollars flowing to corporations. He opposes private prisons, supports legalizing marijuana and is critical of abortion bans with zero exceptions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A gun owner himself, Larkin supports background checks on all purchases, a bump stock ban and a magazine capacity cap. Your daily briefing: Start your day with the mornings top news Bob Titley, Independent Bob Titley, a longtime music manager of acts like Brooks and Dunn and an entrepreneur from Nashville, is running for the 5th Congressional District as an independent. Titley is passionate about energy issues and the impact of natural resource shortages on the economy. Titley has also advocated for shifting more tax burden back to corporations. The Tennessean staff contributed to this report. Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Who's on ballot for Tennessee District 5: Andy Ogles, Maryam Abolfazli Can U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Clarksville, defeat former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry to secure another congressional term? Thats the question in the race for Tennessees 7th Congressional District, one of the higher profile races that will be on some Middle Tennesseans ballots on Election Day. Its Greens seat to lose, given his incumbency and the tightly drawn district that skews comfortably Republican. But Barry, always highly popular in the Nashville area, has raised significant funds and charted a heavy ground game across the entire district during the campaign. The district spans part of Davidson County, including North Nashville, and stretches from Montgomery County down to the Alabama border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what to know about the candidates. U.S. Rep. Mark Green, Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Clarksville, Tenn., Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Green is a physician and retired U.S. Army major, and was elected to Congress in 2018. He is currently chair of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee. Of the three members of Congress who represent Nashville, Green is the only member to locate a field office in the city. He is at times a firebrand on immigration issues, though he tells The Tennessean he supports increasing pathways like farm visas for immigrants, and is an advocate for increased action on cybersecurity issues. He said he would not support a national abortion ban, nor does he support national protections for IVF treatments. Prior to his election to Congress, Green served two terms in the Tennessee state legislature. Green was nominated for U.S. Secretary of the Army by then-President Donald Trump in 2017, but withdrew after drawing criticism for previous statements about the LGBTQ community and Muslims, among other groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, Green announced he would not seek reelection, amid rumblings he was eyeing a 2026 gubernatorial bid. But he quickly reversed course, launching a reelection campaign at the request of Trump. In an interview, he told The Tennessean he would serve one more term. Stay in the know: Download our app for breaking election news and alerts Megan Barry, Democrat Megan Barry, speaks with supporters during a meet and greet at 100 Taylor in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. Megan Barry was the first female mayor of Nashville, elected in 2015 after two terms on the Metro Council. During her administration, Barry advocated for a business-friendly, socially progressive agenda. She resigned from the office in 2018 after pleading guilty to felony theft related to a nearly two-year affair with her police security detail. Barry was sentenced to probation and her charge was later expunged. Despite her resignation, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barry has remained a prominent and well-respected voice in Nashville Democratic circles, and has advocated for addiction research, among other topics. Her son, Max, died of an opioid overdose while she was in office. Barry's campaign platform highlights the ongoing opioid crisis, health care disparities and gun violence, in addition to rural infrastructure issues. Barry has criticized Greens record on reproductive healthcare issues and his initial reticence to run for reelection. Sign up: Get election and other breaking news delivered to your email Shaun Greene, independent Shaun Greene, of Greenbrier, is a political newcomer. A native of Boynton Beach, Florida, Greene graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2012, teaching 7th grade civics in Florida before moving to Tennessee in 2017. As of this publication, Greene's campaign website is not active. According to a BallotPedia candidate survey, his policy priorities include addressing the national debt and deficit, supporting public education, ending "partisan tribalism" and limiting the influence of money in politics. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Who's on ballot for Tennessee District 7: Mark Green faces Megan Barry WASHINGTON Former President Donald Trump is involved in four criminal cases, but the most important verdict in his legal future may be delivered on Election Day on Tuesday. If he wins, all his charges could be dropped or postponed for at least four years. If he loses, he could face swift sentencing in one case and trials in the other three. If Trump were not a candidate for president, his legal trouble would be unavoidable. He is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 26 on 34 felony counts in his New York hush money case. Two trials loom one in federal court in Washington, D.C., and one in Georgia state court on charges he tried to steal the 2020 election. In Florida, a Trump-appointed federal judge dismissed charges that Trump mishandled classified documents after leaving the White House. But that reprieve could be temporary; prosecutors have appealed the decision. Being elected president would give Trump an out because legal experts say serious action in the New York and Georgia cases would likely be postponed until after he serves his four-year term. Trump has said he would fire Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith in the two federal cases; he also could try to pardon himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But if Trump loses, all of his cases can move forward assuming he doesn't succeed in his various legal gambits to delay and derail them, including his argument that he is protected by the Supreme Court's ruling in July creating expansive presidential immunity from criminal charges. A USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll in October found a majority of 58% of likely voters think it would be wrong for Trump to direct the Justice Department to dismiss the federal charges against him. A similar majority of 56% of respondents said prosecutors should continue to pursue the criminal cases if he loses the election. A Trump campaign spokesperson didn't respond to a request for comment. Former President Donald Trump campaigns for reelection in Las Vegas on Oct. 24, 2024. Heres where the cases stand: Sentencing in New York hush money case looms Nov. 26 Trump was convicted of falsifying business records to hide a $130,000 payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels to silence her about an alleged sexual encounter before the 2016 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Juan Merchan will decide Nov. 12 whether Trump is immune from the charges under the Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling. Trump has argued some evidence in the case should be thrown out, along with the conviction, because of the high courts decision. If Trump isnt shielded from the conviction, Merchan set sentencing for Nov. 26. But a Trump victory could mean Merchan would postpone the sentencing or the punishment until after his administration is over. And even if sentencing went forward, a sentence that would significantly interfere with Trump's presidential responsibilities, such as a prison term, probably couldn't be implemented, according to legal experts. A 2000 Justice Department memo that lays out federal policy argues it would be unconstitutional to imprison a sitting president because it would "preclude the executive branch from performing its constitutionally assigned functions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's a sense out there that they would follow the norm of the feds and therefore delay the sentencing in the New York case until after he finished his presidency," Robert Weisberg, a Stanford law professor who teaches criminal law and procedure, told USA TODAY. An election loss would leave Merchan to sentence the real estate mogul to anything from nothing at all to several years in prison. Trump could direct Justice Department to abandon federal cases Trump has said he would fire the federal prosecutor, Smith, and possibly even jail him. Its so easy I would fire him within two seconds, Trump told radio host Hugh Hewitt on Oct. 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump opponents would view that as an attack on the Justice Department's historic independence. Rep. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, introduced a bill to prevent a president from dismissing a criminal prosecution against himself, but it is unlikely to pass the Republican-majority House of Representatives. "The rule of law is a core foundation of our nation, Schiff said in a statement. "No one, not even the president, is above it." Trump has said Smith treated him unfairly. They ought to throw Deranged Jack Smith and his Thug Prosecutors in jail, with Meritless Garland and Trump Hating Lisa Monaco, Trump said in a post on Truth Social in July 2023, referring to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. They have totally Weaponized the Department of Injustice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garland has repeatedly denied that the prosecutions were politically motivated. Justice Department prosecutors are nonpartisan," he said. "They don't allow partisan considerations to play any role in their determinations. Attorney General Merrick Garland gives remarks during a meeting of the Department of Justices Election Threats Task Force at the Justice Department in Washington, on Sept. 4, 2024. Trump contends he could pardon himself Article 2 of the Constitution states the president shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. The power applies to federal cases. Trump has said he could pardon himself, but that remains a subject for legal debate. As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, Trump said in a 2018 post on X, formerly Twitter. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith looks on as he makes a statement to reporters after a grand jury returned an indictment of former President Donald Trump in the special counsel's investigation of efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat, at Smith's offices in Washington, on Aug. 1, 2023. Where do federal charges stand alleging Trump tried to steal 2020 election? U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan is weighing whether to dismiss any of the charges against Trump accusing him of conspiring to steal the 2020 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court ruled that former presidents are shielded from prosecution for official acts but vulnerable to charges for private acts while in office. Trump and his lawyers contend the entire case should be thrown out based on presidential immunity. But Smith has argued that Trump was acting for his private gain rather than the public duty of serving in office when he tried to reverse his defeat in 2020. Classified documents case already dismissed, but appeal could be abandoned Besides firing Smith, Trump could direct the Justice Department to abandon the appeal of the dismissal of his other federal case, which charged him with hoarding classified documents at Mar-a-Lago after leaving the White House. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the charges by ruling that Smiths appointment was illegitimate because the post was powerful enough that it should have required congressional authorization or Senate confirmation, as with U.S. attorneys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith has asked the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn her decision. He cited federal laws authorizing the attorney general to appoint officials and numerous court decisions upholding special counsel appointments for decades. The charges accuse Trump of unlawful retention of more than 100 national security documents for a year and a half after leaving the White House. Trump, who has pleaded not guilty, has argued repeatedly that he could take records with him after leaving the White House and that he declassified them despite the lack of documentation for his assertion. A photo published by the Justice Department in their charging document against former President Donald Trump shows a box of documents, including one classified document, spilled onto the floor in a storeroom at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida in early 2021 as seen embedded in the document released by the Justice Department in Washington, on June 9, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgia charges loom even if federal charges are dismissed Trumps Georgia trial on election racketeering charges could be postponed under the Constitution's supremacy clause if he wins back the White House. If Trump loses the election, the Georgia Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear arguments Dec. 5 about whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the case. Trump has argued Willis should be removed and the charges dropped because her romantic relationship with another prosecutor, Nathan Wade, spurred her to pursue the case. The charges accuse Trump of conspiracy for urging state lawmakers to replace the states presidential electors with Republicans despite Democrat Joe Biden winning the state. Trump also is charged with soliciting a public official to violate his oath of office for asking Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find him enough votes to win. Trump has pleaded not guilty. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How the election could shape Trump's legal fate In the closing weeks of the 2024 presidential election, no issue has animated Donald Trump more than his obsession with CBS' 60 Minutes. To briefly recap, Vice President Kamala Harris sat down for an interview with the news program in early October; some of her answers were edited for time a standard practice in broadcast journalism and the former Republican president has spent nearly every day since pretending that this is some kind of scandal. Trump has, among other things, called for CBS to lose its broadcasting license, asked for 60 Minutes to be pulled from the air, labeled the show and the network a threat to democracy, described the imaginary controversy as the single biggest scandal in broadcast history, and even characterized the non-story as totally illegal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The network has patiently explained that the claims are baseless and that the editing process was routine and fair. Trumps lawyers nevertheless recently wrote to CBS News, threatening litigation. Evidently, they werent kidding. Reuters reported: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump sued CBS on Thursday over an interview of his Democratic rival Kamala Harris aired on its 60 Minutes news program in early October that the lawsuit alleged was misleading, according to a court filing. The complaint, filed in federal court in the Northern District of Texas, alleges the network aired two different responses from Harris responding to a question about the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The GOP candidate is seeking I kid you not $10 billion in damages. Former President Trumps repeated claims against 60 Minutes are false, a CBS News spokesperson said. The lawsuit Trump has brought today against CBS is completely without merit and we will vigorously defend against it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a legal matter, the idea that CBS News engaged in election interference is difficult to take seriously. The former president recently wrote on his online platform that he has PROOF to substantiate his bizarre claims, but to date, he hasnt shared any such evidence. As a political matter, the Harris campaign has invested quite a bit of time and energy telling voters that Trump is overly fixated, not on problem-solving, but on vengeance and retaliation. The Republican shifting his focus to CBS in the races final days seems to reinforce the Democratic framing: Trump has an enemies list, while Harris has a to-do list. But my favorite part of this story is the fact that the lawsuit was filed in federal court in the Northern District of Texas. Why, pray tell, would the former presidents lawyers file the case there? Im glad you asked. CBS isnt located in Texas. Trump doesnt live in Texas. The Trump campaign isnt located in Texas. The 60 Minutes interview with Harris didn't happen in Texas. Nothing about this story has anything to do with Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Republicans attorneys filed the case there anyway, and The Washington Post ran a report that helped explain the reason: The long-shot claim was filed in the Northern District of Texas courthouse where Matthew J. Kacsmaryk, a Trump nominee, is the sole judge. To be sure, the official explanation for filing the litigation in the Northern District of Texas is that the 60 Minutes interview was aired by the CBS affiliate in the area, where some Texans presumably saw it. But theres no reason to play games here. Trumps lawyers wanted to get this case in front of a highly controversial Trump-appointed judge, whos quickly become the go-to jurist for GOP plaintiffs looking for a legal ally on the bench. It was, for example, Kacsmaryk who took it upon himself to suspend the FDAs approval of mifepristone last year, relying in large part on highly dubious studies which have since been retracted. (The ruling was ultimately overturned for procedural reasons.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When a federal judge blocked the Biden administration from enforcing a new rule in Texas that would require firearms dealers to run background checks on buyers at gun shows, that was Kacsmaryk, too. When a conservative group wanted to challenge energy efficiency standards, they figured itd be a good idea to file the case in Kacsmaryks district. When a conservative group wanted to challenge the administrations protections for LGBTQ+ students, they did the same thing. Its as if Trumps lawyers decided to offer the legal and political world another case study for why reforms are necessary to curtail judge shopping. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com In a visit to Milwaukee Thursday evening, former President Bill Clinton made the case that Kamala Harris' plans for America would leave people better off than Donald Trump's policies would. Clinton's speech was wide-ranging, from job growth and infrastructure funding under President Joe Biden, to gas and insulin prices, to mentions of former U.S. Sen. Joe McCarthy, who represented Wisconsin from 1947-57, and the Los Angeles Dodgers' World Series win Wednesday. Speaking to a few hundred mostly Black supporters, including pastors and members of local Black churches, the popular Democrat said his goal for the evening was to "explain things to people" rather than give a conventional stump speech. And especially as Black voters' enthusiasm for Harris has been uncertain, the hope was Clinton could energize the faith community to turn out to vote in a must-win swing state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The future of the country is on the line, and it may be decided in Wisconsin," Clinton told the crowd. He said former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, was motivated by a desire for power and wanted to sow division in the country. "Trump's goal is to keep you torn up and upset," said Clinton, who served as president from 1993 to 2001. As an example, Clinton mentioned the question of whether transgender athletes should compete in the NCAA, which he said is the sports organization's decision and not Trump's, but still stirs up discontent and motivates people to vote for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It won't create a single job, it won't resolve the border chaos, it won't do anything," Clinton said of the transgender athlete issue. More: 5 takeaways from Kamala Harris' rally-concert in Madison where she targeted young voters More: Former president Donald Trump speaks to reporters from garbage truck in Green Bay Former President Bill Clinton shakes hands with people, as he campaigns for Vice President Kamala Harris, on Thursday at The Institute For The Preservation of African-American Music and Arts in Milwaukee. Clinton compares Harris, Trump policy plans Clinton also struck an optimistic tone about the country's future, rattling off several statistics about the country's demographics and job growth. He mentioned new immigrants who start small businesses, the $1 trillion infrastructure bill that will upgrade roads and bridges, and an increase in clean energy production like solar and wind power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This country has the best future prospects of any country on earth," he said. He said the most important issue was that Trump proposed a 20% tariff on all imported goods to the U.S. "Just to put an across-the-board tariff, with no resolution of how you're going to make a living and buy this stuff, is a terrible mistake," Clinton said. Clinton said voters should consider three questions: Are people better off now than before, do children have a brighter future, and "are we coming together instead of tearing each other apart?" The campaign stop is part of a tour of swing states for the 42nd president. Clinton was in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, and in Michigan on Wednesday. He visited Arizona last week and has also campaigned in Nevada, Georgia and North Carolina for Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: As election day nears, campaigns make their final pitch to Milwaukee Black voters Supporters see apathy in some would-be voters Once his roughly 30-minute speech at the Institute for the Preservation of African American Music and Arts ended, supporters hurried to the front of the room to take selfies with Clinton, who has remained a popular figure even two decades after his presidency ended. Tarrazonia Green, 75, understands Clinton's appeal. She likes his charisma and considers him the "people's president." "People surely do love and appreciate his leadership, what he brought to the table while he was in office, and even after that," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Green is a longtime Democrat who grew up in a family of Democrats. She says she's a fan of Harris and worries about a lack of turnout from younger people who may be uninterested in the political process and misinformed about the issues. And she's incredulous that one of her younger relatives is considering voting for Trump. Larry Johnson, 74, a retired Teamster, is also trying to combat apathy for Harris. He says he hears from friends and men at the barber shop that they won't vote for Harris because they don't know anything about her. "I said, 'Well, we know she's not a convicted felon,'" Johnson said. He felt so strongly that people should vote for Harris that he spent $1,300 to put up a billboard at North 47th Street and West Silver Spring Drive. It reads, "Vote Kamala Harris. She has the best plan for this great land. With her America stands." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic Partys confidence in the support of young Black men in particular has wavered as some Black residents doubt Harris will deliver on her economic promises. And enthusiasm is down. In majority Black wards in Milwaukee, turnout has been declining in recent elections, including 58% turnout in 2016 and 51% in 2020, compared with nearly 79% in 2012. The latest USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll finds that Harris has lost ground nationally among Black voters over the seven weeks between the two polls. They favor Harris 72% to 17%, a 55-point advantage that is well below where Democrats traditionally fare. Harris and her surrogates, including former President Barack Obama, have been working since then to revive that support. The culture and events center where Clinton spoke is affiliated with Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ, founded by the prominent Bishop Sedgewick Daniels, who died last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniels, who considered himself an independent, wielded significant political influence, and his church was a popular place for politicians to visit. He supported both Clinton and former President George W. Bush and even served as a delegate for the 2004 Republican National Convention. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bill Clinton visits Milwaukee to campaign for Kamala Harris Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert! WHO WILL WIN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION? MATH MODEL MAKES PREDICTION Want a spoiler for next Tuesdays presidential election? Itll be close. OK, so you want a real spoiler? A retired Cal State Fullerton professors math model is predicting that Donald Trump will win the presidency next week. The model, from Professor Emeritus Chandrasekhar Putcha uses engineering principles based on probability and statistics to analyze polling data from various well-known sources, according to a Cal State Fullerton press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the polling is correct, the mathematical model should accurately predict the outcome of the presidential election, Putcha said in a statement. The model predicts that Trump will win 47.95% of the popular vote and 271 electoral college votes. It takes 270 to win. Vice President Kamala Harris, by contrast, is predicted to receive 46.12% of the popular vote and 267 electoral votes. A squeaker. So how good is this model? It correctly predicted three of the last four presidential election outcomes. It successfully predicted that Joe Biden would win in 2020, and also that Barack Obama would win in 2008 and 2012. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They cant all be winners. The model also predicted that Hillary Clinton would take the 2016 election that Trump ultimately won. Still, Putcha has confidence in his model. How much confidence? Putcha said his team calculates a 97.4% confidence level in the polls, according to the release. REPORT URGES STATE TO RESTRICT HIGH-POTENCY CANNABIS California should take significant steps to restrict cannabis in the state, a new report urged Wednesday. The report was prepared by an independent panel of scientists convened by the California Department of Public Health, and warns that high-potency cannabis poses a threat to public health, particularly for young people, pregnant people and people with mental health conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As cannabis legalization advances, our report underscores the urgent need for stronger regulatory protections and public education about the dangers of high-potency cannabis, said study co-author Daniele Piomelli in a statement shared by the public health advocacy group Getting It Right From The Start. In addition to tamping down on the THC content in Californias weed, the report advises banning marijuana-related billboard advertising, requiring cannabis retailers to offer lower potency options to customers, tax the THC content of the weed, regulate the packaging and marketing of cannabis products by requiring plain packaging, banning flavors that can be attractive to children, educating the public about the risks associated with high-potency cannabis and tracking health outcomes related to product potency. These new products bear little resemblance to the traditional plant; from high potency flower to concentrates for dabbing and vaping they pose significantly greater risks of dependency and triggering psychosis, Lynn Silver, a report co-author and director of Getting It Right From The Start, said in a statement. Given the growing toll of addiction and mental illness, there is no excuse for further delay in public policy., Silver said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report urges action from CDPH, the Department of Cannabis Control, the Legislature and any other agencies with the power to act. You can read the report here. REPUBLICANS URGE PAUSE ON REFINERY STORAGE MANDATE Two Assembly Republicans urged Gov. Gavin Newsom in a letter Wednesday to put the brakes on the recently passed refinery storage mandate, as well as the California Air Resources Boards proposed Low Carbon Fuel Standard update, warning that allowing them to stand will result in driving businesses out of the state. The letter came as Phillips 66 announced plans to close its Wilmington refinery next year. Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher, R-Yuba City, and Assemblyman Joe Patterson, R-Rocklin, noted in their letter to Newsom that the Wilmington refinery accounts for more than 8% of the states oil and gas refining capacity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The closure will directly eliminate roughly 900 jobs, with exponentially more job losses in light of the fact that each direct refinery position results in the creation of an additional 14.5 jobs in the rest of the economy, the lawmakers said in the letter. They added that the CEO of Valero also is considering closing one or both of its California refineries. The looming decrease from nine to eight oil refineries in the state will result in significant impacts on the energy market and the states economy. Fuel prices will rise, unemployment will increase, and California will be forced to import energy from states and countries that do not share our environmental goals, undermining the policies you promote, they wrote. Gallagher and Patterson called on Newsom to convene yet another special session, in December, to repeal the refinery mandate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While we support efforts to stabilize gas prices, Californias web of regulations and mandates, including ABX2-1,has created an environment where oil refineries cannot survive. That will inevitably result in higher energy prices for California consumers as gasoline is purchased from overseas to make up the difference, they wrote. They also urged Newsom to direct his CARB appointees to refrain from updating the LCFS until the negative implications of the loss of multiple oil refineries in the state have been accurately reflected. Reached for comment, Newsom spokesperson Alex Stack told The Bee in a statement, Were protecting Californians from price hikes at the pump and cleaning our air. These Republicans are trying to take us backwards because it would be good for Big Oil and their profits. By helping protect against price spikes and cutting pollution, these policies will save Californians billions every year in lower fuel costs and better health outcomes. QUOTE OF THE DAY Turn the page and put this junk behind us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - Republican former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who endorsed Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris over Republican former President Donald Trump. Read the story here. Best of The Bee: With just five days to go until the election, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris remain locked in a tight battle in Arizona, a swing state for the presidential election where a narrow margin could determine the outcome. Both candidates and their vice presidential running mates have combatively campaigned in Arizona in the weeks leading up to the election. They have rallied, visited border towns and targeted diverse demographics. Trump and Harris both visited metro Phoenix on Thursday, indicating how important the Grand Canyon State is in this election. The vice president's visit was for an election event with the musical group Los Tigres del Norte, while the former president was in town to participate in a live show with Tucker Carlson. Advertisement Advertisement Polls and odds have shown a change in momentum and how close the presidential race has become in the last months. But who is more likely to win the battle in Arizona and in the nation, and could the ground game help tilt the scales? Here is what the polls, odds and historians are saying as we head into Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Who is leading in the polls in the US? Polls and odds are constantly changing, but here's where each candidate stood as of 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2024: ABC News project 538 shows Harris leading in the national polls 48% to Trump 46.8%. In the past, Harris has led Trump by as many as 4 percentage posts, though more recent polls show them much closer. 270towin shows Harris leading the national polls by 1.2% over Trump. Realclearpolling shows the betting odds are in Trump's favor with a spread of +0.3. Advertisement Advertisement More: Is Arizona a swing state in the 2024 presidential election? Here's what to know Who is leading the polls in Arizona? Trump has had a growing lead over Harris in most Arizona polls throughout the past weeks, but surveys show that the race is still incredibly close in the battleground state. Here's where each candidate stood as of 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2024: ABC News project 538 shows Trump leading Harris in Arizona polls by 2.3% over Harris. 270towin shows Trump leading the Arizona polls by 1.8% over Harris. Realclearpolling shows the betting odds to win Arizona are in Trump's favor with a spread of +2.3. Advertisement Advertisement Arizona's in the political spotlight: Don't miss the action. Sign up for azcentrals Republic Recount newsletter Historian who has predicted 9 of 10 elections weighs in Allan Lichtman is a distinguished professor of history at the American University in Washington, D.C. He earned a doctorate from Harvard, specializing in modern American history and quantitative methods. He has correctly predicted the outcome of nine out of the past 10 presidential elections and has confirmed his prediction on which candidate will reclaim the White House. This year, he predicts Vice President Kamala Harris will win. How accurate have election odds or polls been in past presidential elections? The betting favorite has only lost twice since 1866, according to the Conversation, a nonprofit news organization. Advertisement Advertisement The track record on polling is more challenging as different pollsters asking different varieties of the population can often draw higher margins for error. According to Pew Research, confidence in the public's opinion polling has suffered, given the errors in the presidential elections of 2016 and 2020. In both of these general elections, many polls underestimated the strength of the Republican candidates, including Donald Trump. Arizona Republic reporters Stephanie Murray and Zach Bradshaw and USA TODAY Network reporter Maria Francis contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Who is winning the presidential election right now? What polls predict TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Wisconsin sex offender was sentenced to decades in prison for traveling to Florida to meet with a 12-year-old after sending her fast food, cash, and other gifts, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Mohammad Ali Hemmat, 29, of Milwaukee, was sentenced to 45 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release, officials said. He must also forfeit electronic devices and must register as a sex offender in any state he lives. Mailman charged with lawncare workers senseless murder in Lithia: HCSO Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hemmat groomed the girl between April 2022 and March 2023 through social media and text messages, officials said. He also shared obscene material with the child. In February 2023, Hemmat traveled from Wisconsin to Florida to engage in sexual activity, according to the DOJ. A month later, he traveled to Florida again but got caught by law enforcement in Indiana while returning to Wisconsin. Hemmat also previously groomed a 13-year-old in the United Kingdom. He has a prior conviction for an offense involving a minor, officials said. The crime of sexually exploiting a childs vulnerability through manipulation and bribery demanded a severe consequence, and this 45-year sentence is evidence of justice served, Homeland Security Investigations Tampa Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mica McCombs said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caught on camera: Gunman opens fire at crowd in downtown Orlando The Department of Justice thanked the Pasco Sheriffs Office, the Jasper County Sheriffs Office in Indiana, the Sussex County Police Department in the U.K., and the U.S. Marshals Service for assisting in the case. Hemmat was found guilty by a jury in April. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Tribal leaders in Wisconsin are applauding President Joe Bidens historic apology on Oct. 25 for the federal Indian boarding schools that abused Indigenous children. The presidents apology is an important step that acknowledges the voices of our survivors, the spirits of those who did not make it home, and the strength and resiliency of our communities who have had to deal with decades of intergenerational trauma that resulted from this shameful and dark chapter in American history, said Gena Kakkak, chairwoman of the Menominee Nation, in a statement. Our communities, and particularly our elders who survived these schools, have waited a long time for this, and while this formal apology matters deeply, we also look forward to what comes next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were hundreds of Native American boarding schools in the U.S., part of a federal policy from the 19th and early 20th centuries to assimilate Indigenous youth into western society. At least 13 were in Wisconsin, including the Good Shepherd Industrial School, opened in 1877 in Wauwatosa, just across the Milwaukee border. Thousands of Indigenous children from Wisconsin attended these boarding schools, some because their parents hoped for a better life for their children. Many others were sent involuntarily. Many of the schools were government-funded and based off the model at Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania, one of the largest boarding schools in the country. Its founder, Richard H. Pratt, famously espoused, Kill the Indian in him, and save the man. The schools stripped Native American children of their language, culture and customs. Youth were discouraged or forbidden from speaking their Native languages and forced to speak English. Their long hair, an important part of their identity and culture, was cut short. Traditional Indigenous clothing was replaced with uniforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many children later reported physical and sexual abuse at these schools; many died while there from abuse and illness. Biden is the first president to issue a formal apology for the boarding schools. "After 150 years, the United States government eventually stopped the program, but the federal government has never, never formally apologized for what happened, until today," Biden said to an audience of more than 1,000 tribal and local leaders and tribal members at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona. "I formally apologize as the United States of America, for what we did." In 2021, Gov. Tony Evers became the first Wisconsin governor to issue a formal apology for the states role in allowing the boarding schools. Evers made the remarks and signed the proclamation on the Oneida Nation Reservation on Indigenous Peoples Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oneida tribal officials praised Bidens apology. We are hopeful that meaningful and better relations can be cultivated between the Indigenous nations and the United States government following the apology from President Biden, said Tehassi Hill, chairman of the Oneida Nation, in a statement. It is imperative that the United States recognizes this painful history and its ongoing repercussions. Healing requires not only acknowledgement but also a commitment to support Native American communities in reclaiming their heritage and fostering resilience. In 2019, Oneida Nation Councilman Kirby Metoxen helped secure the return of Oneida students who died while at the infamous Carlisle Boarding School. Their remains returned home on the Oneida Reservation for proper internment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement True healing requires tangible actions and continued dialogue between the U.S. government and Native nations, Metoxen said in a statement. Kakkak, the Menominee Nation chairwoman, had accompanied Biden on Air Force One on his way to the Gila River Indian Community Oct. 25 for the apology. Kakkak spoke with the president about tribal sovereignty, trust and treaty obligations and the importance of investment in Indigenous language and culture revitalization to help tribal communities heal from the impacts of boarding schools. Advocates maintain that many of the problems in Indian Country today, such as addiction, suicide and domestic abuse, stem from generational trauma from loss of land, loss of culture and the abuse endured at the boarding schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it was an historic and important day, this is just part of the reparative journey and paves the way for much needed work ahead, Kakkak said in a statement. The impact of intergenerational trauma this era caused cannot be overstated. This requires purposeful investment in the very things taken from us and I have great hope we are taking a step forward. More: 'A sin on our soul': Biden delivers formal apology for Native boarding school abuses More: 'Not in the history books': The dark history of Native American boarding schools is getting new attention in Wisconsin, U.S. The Mikwendaagoziwag Heritage Center, a former boarding school on the Lac du Flambeau reservation, on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 in Lac du Flambeau, WI. Sign up for the First Nations Wisconsin newsletter Click here to get all of our Indigenous news coverage right in your inbox Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frank Vaisvilas is a former Report for America corps member who covers Native American issues in Wisconsin based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact him at fvaisvilas@gannett.com or 815-260-2262. Follow him on Twitter at @vaisvilas_frank. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin tribal leaders applaud Biden's apology for boarding schools A witness has testified in front of a grand jury in the case against Sean Diddy Combs, claiming to have physical evidence to back up their allegations. According to TMZ, Courtney Burgess took the stand on Thursday (Oct. 31) and claims he was contacted by agents from the Department of Homeland Security to appear in court. He claims to not personally know Combs, but is affiliated through his work in the music industry and relationship with Frank Lucas. Burgess lawyer, Ariel Mitchell, informed the tabloid that her client was subpoenaed for the case. He also claims to have the authentic, unedited version of the diary allegedly written by the late Kim Porter, as well as video evidence. Sean Diddy Combs with his girlfriend Kim Porter attend the 2004 NBA All-Star Game held on February 15, 2004 at the Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California. It was the book, says Mitchell of the alleged words of Porter on a flash drive he has possession of. Nobody altered it or nothing, added Burgess. Together they asserted the memoir released earlier this year and slammed by Porters friends and family was edited. The work titled Kims Lost Words, published by Chris Todd has been removed from Amazon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of stuff their mother did, they didnt know, alleges Burgess, offering an apology and questioning why the family did not speak out against the alleged abuse Porter faced at the hands of Combs. Mitchell says she has been contracted to go to Amazon to republish the actual unedited version. Justin Dior Combs, Sean Diddy Combs, Kim Porter, DLila Star Combs, Jessie James Combs, Quincy Brown, Al B. Sure! and Christian Casey Combs attend The Holiday Calendar Special Screening Los Angeles at NETFLIX Icon Building on October 30, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Claims that our mom wrote a book are simply untrue. She did not. And anyone claiming to have a manuscript is misrepresenting themselves, shared a joint statement from Porters children after the now-removed memoir was released. Please understand that any so-called friend speaking on behalf of our mom or her family is not a friend, nor do they have her best interests at heart. According to Eboni Elektra, a close friend of Porter, Kim Porter never drafted nor wrote a book, memoir, or manuscript. She exclaimed on social media, Now its getting out of hand. THERE IS NO BOOK! There never was. Several people continue to speak about and spread blatant lies regarding this mystery manuscript as if it were true. People ITS NOT. Kim would never do such a thing, and thats the honest to God truth. The truth is the truth. Be blessed. Sean Diddy Combs attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mitchell also informed the tabloid that there is an additional hearing to determine what they would be forced to turn over to government agencies. Per TMZ, this includes thumb drives, hard drives, electronic storage devices, or devices containing videos and/or other files. According to a previous VIBE report, Mitchell claimed that a more high-profile person was featured in one of Combs pornographic videos. In addition to Burgess, she also represents an unnamed accuser who detailed her alleged assault by Combs. We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorneys Office, detailed Combs lawyer, Marc Agnifilo. Sean Diddy Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children and working to uplift the Black community. He is an imperfect person but he is not a criminal. Sean Diddy Combs attends TimesTalks Presents: An Evening with Sean Diddy Combs at The New School on September 20, 2017 in New York City. Combs was arrested this September and faces charges of racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, the disgraced Hip-Hop mogul was accused of drugging and raping a 10-year-old boy during an audition, as well as forcing another to perform sexual acts. The civil suit claims that the alleged victim encountered Combs during an audition in a New York City hotel room in 2005. An additional plaintiff alleges in a separate lawsuit, that he was 17 when he was assaulted by Combs while auditioning for the MTV reality series, Making the Band. As weve said before, Mr. Combs cannot respond to every new publicity stunt, even in response to claims that are facially ridiculous or demonstrably false, Combs attorneys said in a statement. Mr. Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyoneman or woman, adult or minor. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office is still considering criminally charging a woman who is accused of fabricating evidence in a paternity suit against a former "Bachelor" contestant from Scottsdale. Laura Owens of Scottsdale filed a petition for a court order of paternity seeking child support from Clayton Echard in Maricopa County Superior Court in August 2023. Owens initially claimed that she became pregnant with twins after having sexual intercourse with Echard. Advertisement Advertisement Echard claimed Owens' paternity lawsuit was filed as a form of harassment and denied paternity. In court filings, he said they had oral sex, but "that was all." Echard accused Owens of lying and fabricating medical documents. His attorneys also submitted examples of Owens threatening to take the story to the press. Owens subsequently filed a motion to dismiss the petition to establish paternity, saying she was "no longer pregnant." Judge Julie Mata granted Owens' motion to drop the petition for paternity but said the issues of sanctions and attorney's fees still needed to be resolved. Advertisement Advertisement Both parties addressed those issues at a trial on June 10, which was attended by close to 100 people from around the country who had been following the case due to the celebrity connection. Mata found Owens had altered documents, changed the results of a pregnancy test, given false testimony and potentially perjured herself in what the judge said appeared to be "a case of serial fabrications." Mata found Owens admitted to altering and fabricating ultrasounds and sonograms. Owens provided a sonogram to Echard, supposedly showing her pregnancy, which Mata said had actually been posted to YouTube seven years ago. Ultimately, Mata found that no pregnancy could be confirmed, saying the test results provided fell "woefully short" of meeting the burden of clear and convincing evidence needed to prove Echard was the father of the alleged pregnancy. She granted Echard's petition for non-paternity. Advertisement Advertisement Mata wrote that Owens had acted unreasonably, saying she had initiated litigation "without basis or merit." "Without an authentic ultrasound, sonogram, physical examination and in conjunction with a belief she passed tissue in July 2023, the Court finds the underlying Petition premature at best," Mata wrote. "At worst, however, fraudulent and made to incite communication, a relationship, or both, with (Echard)." "The petition was filed for an improper purpose, such as to harass the other party, to cause an unnecessary delay or to increase the cost of litigation to the other party," Mata said. Mata found Owens provided false testimony about her pregnancies in three other cases and presented false claims. Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Mata referred Owens for felony prosecution for violating Arizona's laws regarding perjury and evidence tampering. "It is further ordered, the Court having determined that Laura Owens has a pattern of similar, if not identical behavior, and court involvement, referring this matter to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for review of Laura Owen's actions," Mata wrote. On Oct. 31, the County Attorney's Office released an update on the case. The Maricopa County Attorneys Office is continuing the process of reviewing the referral from Superior Court on the case of Laura Owens," County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a statement. "Further information is forthcoming when a charging decision has been made. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Woman could still be charged after losing 'Bachelor' paternity suit An aesthetician in suburban Boston is accused of injecting thousands of vials of counterfeit Botox into unsuspecting clients faces for three-plus years, buying the bogus medication online. Rebecca Fadanelli, who falsely claimed to be a nurse with a degree in anatomy from Havard [sic], paid $50 for each vial of fake Botox she ordered from the Chinese e-commerce platform Alibaba.com, compared to $650 a vial for the real thing, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Friday. It says Fadanelli also administered knockoff Sculptra and Juvederm, bringing in nearly $1 million before she was arrested on federal charges that could land the 38-year-old in prison for decades. Fadanelli, whose Skin Beaute Med Spa has locations in Randolph and South Easton, Massachusetts, was finally caught when a patient became suspicious following a botched procedure and contacted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Individuals who dispense and administer counterfeit injectable cosmetic drugs put the health of unsuspecting American consumers at significant risk, Special Agent in Charge Fernando McMillan of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations said in a statement. We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who choose to subvert the safeguards of the legitimate drug and device regulatory regime and supply chain and jeopardize the public health. Tom OConnor, a court-appointed lawyer representing Fadanelli, did not immediately respond to The Independents request for comment. Rebecca Fadanelli claimed to be a nurse with a degree in anatomy from Havard [sic] (Getty Images) In September 2022, a woman identified in the complaint only as Client 1 showed up at Skin Beautes office in Randolph for a lip filler treatment, according to the complaint. Fadanelli injected Client 1s lips with an unknown substance, and evaded questions about what it was, saying only that she purchases her products from Brazil and China, the complaint states. After injecting Client 1s lips, Fadanelli also injected Client 1 between her eyebrows using the same syringe, reportedly without Client 1s permission, the complaint goes on. At some point after the procedure, Client 1 experienced bumps in her lips and tingling in her forehead where Fadanelli had injected her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unnerved, Client 1 contacted Fadanelli and asked her for a copy of the prescription for the lip filler, but Fadanelli refused, the complaint alleges. So, Client 1 conducted online research and found information indicating that Fadanelli was not a registered nurse and may not have been certified to conduct the procedure she had performed on her, according to the complaint. The client got in touch with the FDA, which launched an investigation, the complaint states. It says a parallel investigation was opened by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and its investigative arm, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in response to at least half a dozen parcels from China addressed to Fadanelli or her employees. Rebecca Fadanellis shipments from China left an extensive paper trail investigators used to connect the dots (AFP via Getty Images) All of the packages contained prescription drugs labeled as Botox, Sculptra, and Juvederm. However, when investigators contacted the manufacturers of those products, they confirmed they were counterfeit, according to the complaint. In October 2023, upon Fadanellis return home from a trip to Brazil, she was stopped for inspection by CBP officers at Logan International Airport. They discovered she was carrying a variety of prescription drugs and devices, including several vials of liquid labeled as Sculptra and vials of bacteriostatic water (sterile water used to inject diluted or dissolved medication into a patients body), in addition to several other vials of liquid with labels in foreign languages, and some 50 Ozempic pens, the complaint says, adding that all were misbranded or unapproved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The feds sent an undercover operative in April to Skin Beaute, who made an appointment for a Botox consultation with Fadanelli, who quoted her a price of $450 per treatment, according to the complaint. Fadanelli assured the operative that she used only authentic Botox, and that results lasted up to four months, the complaint states. Rebecca Fadanelli allegedly sourced bogus meds on Alibaba.com, where the fakes were far cheaper than the real thing (Getty Images) On June 28, federal agents executed a search warrant at both of Skin Beaute locations and intercepted Fadanelli pulling up in a Range Rover to the Randolph office, the complaint says. She was carrying several bags loaded with counterfeit Sculptra, Juvederm and Restylane, along with 16 empty vials of fake Botox and various unlabeled vials and foreign-labeled drugs, according to the complaint. They seized more of the same throughout Fadanellis offices, as well as digital files and patient records that show Fadanelli was performing the injections herself, the complaint says. Fadanelli sourced the phony drugs on Alibaba because they were cheaper, a former employee told the feds. They were shipped to her home, employees homes, or a clothing store owned by Fadanelli, who then brought the injectables to the office in, alternately, a silver briefcase or a lunchbox, the employee said. Under questioning by investigators, Fadanelli insisted such services were provided only by a certified nurse (not Fadanelli) employed by Skin Beaute Med Spa, the complaint alleges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Fadanelli, the nurse most recently employed had left several months prior, and Skin Beaute Med Spa had not yet hired a new nurse, the complaint states. However, her story fell apart further when the feds learned a client present at the Randolph office when they descended on the place was scheduled to receive filler injections from Fadanelli, according to the complaint. Fadanelli is charged with knowingly selling or dispensing a counterfeit drug or counterfeit device, and importing merchandise contrary to law. If convicted, she faces a combined sentence of up to 30 years in prison. The case involves hemorrhages, broken bones and bruises, and while the suspect was convicted, so many domestic violence cases like this never make it that far. Channel 9 Crime Reporter Hunter Saenz learned that Wesley Smith was found guilty of beating his girlfriend so badly she passed out. It happened on Aug. 1, 2021, in an apartment off Glenfiddich Drive. Smith was upset about a social media post and began arguing with his then 30-year-old girlfriend. She went to the bathroom, but Smith barged in, punching her so hard her head hit the shower wall. Then, he beat her with a belt and metal shower rod and strangled her twice, causing her to pass out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO READ >> Serial rapist convicted in Charlotte cold cases The victim survived, and thanks to her testimony in Mecklenburg County Court, Smith was sentenced to up to seven years in prison. To be able to do something like that is just so courageous, Michelle Brammer said about the victims testimony. Brammer is with Safe Alliance, an organization that helps roughly 8,000 domestic violence victims in Mecklenburg County every year. Having to testify and take this stand against someone who you have had a personal relationship with that has exerted just power and control just adds such an extra layer of fear and anxiety, Brammer told Saenz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She says its rare for a domestic violence case to play out all the way through a trial for various reasons. That includes plea deals, the intimidation a courtroom may bring to victims, or victims not wanting to relive their trauma or to stick up to their abusers. SEE MORE: 19-year-old convicted for string of car break-ins through Charlotte Brammer just hopes victims know help is there. You are not alone, we are here to provide that support, Brammer said. The district attorneys office says under North Carolina law, a person who strangles someone could receive the same probation as someone who broke into a toolshed. They want lawmakers to take another look at this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith will spend between four to seven years in prison. If you are experiencing domestic violence, the Safe Alliance of Greater Charlotte has a hope line available 24 hours a day at 980-771-4673. (VIDEO: It wasnt fair: Victims family disappointed by parole for convicted murderer) A Kansas woman is dead after walking back into an airplane propeller. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Around 2:40 p.m. on Oct. 26, Sedgwick County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to the Air Capital Drop Zone in Wichita, Kansas on reports of a public accident, according to a Facebook post from the Sheriffs Office. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the post, the woman was identified as 37-year-old Amanda Gallagher of Wichita. Gallagher was taking photos at the Air Capital Drop Zone of people getting on and off planes when she backed into a moving airplane propeller, Wichita-based news station KWCH reported. The plane was grounded and stationary according to the Sheriffs Office, but was still running. Gallagher was taken to Wesley Medical Center with critical injuries. She was later pronounced dead at the hospital, according to the Sheriffs Office. The FAA and the NTSB were notified and the incident remains under investigation. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] BESSEMER, Ala. (WIAT) A woman killed when a train on its way from Birmingham to New Orleans hit a car earlier this week was identified Friday morning. Bessemer Det. Justin Burmeister said the collision happened around 1:43 p.m. on October 30 at the crossing near the intersection of Caroline Avenue and 32nd Street. Burmeister confirmed that two people were ejected from the car in the crash, killing a woman and leaving one man, the driver, with serious injuries. UAB Health System officially takes over Ascension St. Vincents Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the woman killed as 21-year-old Claudia Mae Dreffs, of Hayden. The circumstances surrounding the crash have not been released. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. "All I remember was opening my eyes to him above me with a knife at my throat," the victim told KSL-TV after being stabbed in May 2022 Davis County Sheriff's Office Kane Fairbank Kane Fairbank A woman who was stabbed after meeting a then-18-year-old Utah man on a dating app has spoken out about the May 2022 attack "I remember turning around and seeing him standing there, staring at me covered in my blood," Hadlie Monroe told KSL-TV of being stabbed by Kane Fairbank She said she'd spoken to Fairbank for hours on the phone and had met up with him once before the incident, as well as meeting some of his family A woman who was stabbed after meeting an 18-year-old Utah man on a dating app is speaking out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 12, 2022, Hadlie Monroe met Kane Fairbank in Mueller Park in Bountiful months after first meeting on Tinder that February, per KSL-TV. Monroe is now telling her story after being stabbed multiple times in her face and back after she got in Fairbank's car to drive somewhere else, the outlet reported. In June, Fairbank who pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of two women in the park after stabbing another elderly person that same day was sentenced to 18 years to life for the crimes in Davis County, according to a sentencing order obtained by PEOPLE. Judge Michael DiReda said in court that he wondered if the suspect was "a serial killer in the making," per KSL-TV. While speaking to KSL-TV in an interview published on Wednesday, Oct. 30, Monroe said they'd had many phone calls before the park meeting, adding that she'd speak to Fairbank for hours, sometimes "until one in the morning." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She'd also met up with him two days prior to the attack, as well as meeting "his mom, dad and niece," the victim told the outlet. Google Maps A photo of the Mueller Park Trail in Utah A photo of the Mueller Park Trail in Utah After Fairbank had wanted to go to "an area that was more secluded," according to Monroe, she explained they went somewhere with no phone signal, spoke for a few hours, and ate, but she "doesn't remember getting back in the car," per the publication. All I remember was opening my eyes to him above me with a knife at my throat, Monroe who was luckily strong enough to fight her way out said. I remember turning around and seeing him standing there, staring at me covered in my blood," she told the outlet. He was just so focused on me and so angry I had gotten away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Insisting there were no signs her date would do something like this, Monroe who now has permanent nerve and tendon damage to her hand from trying to block the blade told KSL-TV: I think thats what terrifies me... is because he was so good at fooling me. In a way, Im happy it was me. Because according to him, me fighting back deterred him, Monroe told the outlet, urging anyone meeting someone off a dating app to "take him out with a couple of friends." As previously reported by PEOPLE, Fairbank "was detained by a Good Samaritan before his arrest," following the May 2022 attack, the Davis County Sheriff's Office said in a news release at the time. "The victim fought back, broke away, and was able to flag down nearby witnesses. Those witnesses took action and helped create a barrier between Fairbank and the victim. Among the witnesses were two nurses and an EMT who all provided first aid while another witness called 911," the release stated. Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty A photo of the Tinder logo A photo of the Tinder logo The sheriff's office confirmed the second victim was a 64-year-old woman, "who was previously unknown to him" before he "stabbed her." She hasn't been identified, but also managed to fight back before being treated at a nearby hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While speaking with investigators, Fairbank allegedly said he planned "to kill other people," KUTV reported at the time. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. ABC4 and KSL-TV reported in January that Fairbank had pleaded guilty to the crimes, but had been mentally ill at the time of the stabbings, citing court documents. ABC4 stated that the suspect said he "should have picked a sharper knife" when he was questioned by investigators about the attacks. A Durham man will spend 27 years in prison after pleading guilty to sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, federal prosecutors said Thursday. DAngelo Taborn, 31, and his girlfriend, Imani Franco, 30, of Durham, were arrested in Jacksonville on Aug. 12, 2022, as part of an FBI human trafficking sting, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Michael F. Easley, Jr. After responding to online ads for commercial sex, an undercover officer met with one of the couples victims in a motel room, where the woman said Taborn and Franco had been trafficking her across North Carolina and Virginia, the criminal complaint states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [The victim] reported she was afraid of Taborn, as she had seen him be physically abusive towards Franco, the complaint says. In addition, [the victim] knew Taborn to carry a pistol with a mounted flashlight, laser, and an extended magazine. The pair forbade the victim from leaving her hotel room and would often deprive her of food and water, according to the complaint. [The victim] reported she had last eaten over 24 hours ago when Taborn and Franco provided her four left-over chicken wings they did not consume, the complaint states. Offered work as models Investigators found messages on Taborns phone where he offered women money working as models or dancers, promising them almost $1,000 per day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon picking up the women, Taborn and Franco would hold them hostage, threatening them with Taborns gun, according to the criminal complaint. Franco would take pictures for the online advertisements and Taborn would post them, arrange the encounters and set the prices. It was unclear how long Taborn and Franco conducted the operation. According to the criminal complaint, police were called to a motel in Smyrna, Georgia, on Dec. 15, 2015, after a woman accused Taborn of threatening her. Police learned Taborn was staying at the hotel with five females and, according to [the victim], they were being forced to engage in commercial sex to earn money for Taborns legal fees, the complaint states. [The victim] reported they traveled state-to-state, including North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Police found receipts and surveillance footage indicating the couple had trafficked women in Jacksonville, Charlotte, Durham and Danville, Virginia, the complaint states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franco pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion on April 25 and was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Sept. 23, court records show. Upon her release, she will be on parole for five years and may not own or use cameras or any devices that can connect to the internet without approval, according to a sentencing document. It is difficult to hear these victims literally felt caged by these offenders, said FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina Robert M. DeWitt. To be forced into sex trafficking, to have to ask for food, those are deplorable conditions for any human being to endure. The FBI and our local law enforcement partners will never stop working to combat human trafficking. Anyone with tips on human trafficking cases can text 233733 to provide information to the Human Trafficking Task Force operated by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina. (COLORADO SPRINGS) On Thursday, Nov. 7, the Pikes Peak Workforce Center (PPWFC) will host the Community & Veterans Job Fair sponsored by USAA at the Colorado Springs Event Center, located at 3960 Palmer Park Boulevard. The job fair is open to the general public, as well as transitioning military, guard or reserve personnel, veterans, and their families. Poster for the Community and Veterans Job Fair on Nov. 7, 2024 We look forward to having more than 150 employers from a variety of industries at the Community & Veterans Job Fair, said Becca Tonn, Communications & Public Relations Manager at PPFWC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PPWFC said the following industries would be represented at the job fair: Construction Customer Services/Sales Cyber security Department of Defense contractors Drivers/Transportation Education Financial/Insurance/Business Food Service Government Health care Hospitality Information Technology/Technical (non-defense related) Law Enforcement Federal/State/Local Manufacturing Staffing Agencies These hiring managers and recruiters are enthusiastic to connect with job seekers, with open positions ready to fill. We encourage members of our community to take advantage of this opportunity, whether theyre looking to start a new job or explore a career change. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) WorkForce West Virginia recently announced a Statewide Virtual Job Fair date for November. The virtual job fair will be on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is open to job seekers and employers. 14th Annual Christmas Barn Decorating Contest announced by the State Fair of West Virginia With WorkForce West Virginias virtual job fairs, job seekers can take advantage of a seamless and convenient way to meet employers, ensuring they never miss out on employment opportunities in the Mountain State. Since the launch of these events, more than 19,000 West Virginia job seekers have registered to connect with nearly 3,200 West Virginia employers. Scott Adkins | Acting Commissioner of WorkForce West Virginia Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To participate in the Statewide Virtual Job Fair on September 4, 2024, employers and job seekers will need to register for the event. Job seekers who attend the event are advised to have a clutter-free background and to dress professionally. The job fair portal will include a list of participating employers, channels for attendees to register and log in, and a Job Seeker Training video. Rodney Carrington to have three Mountain State performances in 2025 Once employers register for the event for the first time, they will be able to create a Virtual Booth that will let them connect with job seekers. Once the booth is created, the booth will be available at following job fairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More information about WorkForce West Virginia and the Statewide Virtual Job Fairs can be found by emailing wfwvvjf@wv.gov or by visiting the WorkForce West Virginia website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. The international community is "merely watching" as the threat of North Korean military aggression grows, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a social media post on Nov. 1. Zelensky said that if Ukraine had permission to use Western long-range weapons on Russian territory, it could preemptively target "every camp" in Russia where North Korean troops are gathering. The president's warning follows reports that 8,000 North Korean troops are amassed in Kursk Oblast and preparing to enter combat alongside Russian forces in the coming days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "North Korea has tested a new ballistic missile just yesterday, achieving record time and sufficient altitude," Zelensky said on X. "Yet the world is just watching, observing as this threat grows." Pyongyang's cooperation with Moscow has enabled improvements in North Korean military technology that are "already evident," he said. With North Korean troops joining Russia on the battlefield, Pyongyang will also have the opportunity to learn the tactics of "modern warfare." Read also: Russia helping North Korea with sanctions evasion, nuclear technology in return for soldiers, arms, Budanov says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The first thousands of North Korean soldiers are already near Ukraine's borders, and Ukrainians will be forced to defend themselves against them," Zelensky said. Ukraine is able to see "every site on Russian territory where these North Korean soldiers are accumulatingevery camp," Zelensky said. With permission to launch Western long-range weapons at these targets, Ukraine could potentially prevent the deployment of North Korean troops on the front lines. "Instead of providing the crucial long-range capabilities, however, America is watching, Britain is watching, and Germany is watching." Zelensky also called on China to exert its influence over Russia and North Korea, urging Beijing to prove its commitment to ending the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there have been growing reports that the U.K. may amend its position on Ukraine's of its Storm Shadow missiles for long-range strikes, the U.S. and Germany continue to insist that such a move would lead to unnecessary escalation with Russia. Read also: A war of two countries against one Zelensky urges Western allies to take decisive action on North Korean troop involvement Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Wright Patterson Air Force Base will offer a hiring event for Veterans and military personnel in November. Disabled American Veterans and RecruitMilitary will cohost a hiring event on Nov. 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will take place at Hope Hotel & Richard C. Holbrooke Conference Center. Home Alone star is Joe Burrow for Halloween Veterans, their spouses, active duty military personnel and members of the National Guard and Reserve can attend the event for free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 35 employers seeking the unique talents of Americas Veterans will be on-site, representing a range of industries. Jobseekers can talk with representatives from construction, medical and administrative fields, as well as many more. Veterans can also find career counseling and resume assistance during the event. Attendees are also encouraged to network with fellow Veterans and military personnel, and get support with their Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and claims assistance, all at no cost. To register for the Wright-Patterson AFB Hiring Event and access additional no-cost resources for veterans and their families, go to jobs.dav.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 WDTN.com. The 2024 KC Voter Guide is a collaboration between The Kansas City Star and the KC Media Collective. All voter guide content is free and outside of the paywall. Wyandotte County voters will have the chance to cast a ballot in the elections on Nov. 5 or sooner. Early voting started Oct. 19. In addition to the presidential race, voters will decide on U.S. congressional representatives, state legislators, a school bond, the state school board and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Election Day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can check your voter registration, your voting districts and your polling place through the Kansas secretary of state. And if youre not registered yet, you can do so up until Oct. 15. The 2024 KC Voter Guide is a collaboration between The Kansas City Star and KC Media Collective. See whats on your ballot Find the full 2024 KC Voter Guide at kcvoterguide.org. Jump to the guides for each race. U.S. House Kansas Senate Kansas House State Board of Education Wyandotte County races Behind the KC Voter Guide The Kansas City Star teamed up with local newsrooms in the nonprofit KC Media Collective to create a comprehensive guide to all the races on the Nov. 5 ballot in Clay, Jackson, Johnson, Platte and Wyandotte counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This effort brought together dozens of reporters and editors to provide information about every candidate in more than 100 races across five counties in the Kansas City region, on both sides of the state line. Collaborators include: The Kansas City Star, The Beacon, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, KCUR, Missouri Business Alert and Startland News, along with American Public Square and RevEd. How we reported these guides Reporters in our newsrooms used a variety of methods to compile brief bios and policy positions for each candidate on the ballot. Whenever possible, reporters interviewed candidates directly. In some cases, candidates did not respond to our attempts to reach them or had minimal information available online or elsewhere. We have made note of this in their candidate profiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reporters also utilized campaign websites, social media feeds, press releases and other news articles. We reviewed the legislative records of incumbents, including bills they have sponsored and votes they have taken. Each candidate entry has been reviewed by editors. Sections of the election guide and resources have also been translated into Spanish, with the assistance of our partner organization RevEd and other translators. Kansas City, Kansas, leaders on Wednesday formally called upon Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Wyandotte County Election Commissioner Michael Abbott to provide local election materials in Spanish by 2025. During a meeting in City Hall, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution urging the election officials to fulfill a demand forwarded by civic groups and naturalized citizens. The charge is one the American Civil Liberties Union, or ACLU, has pushed over the past 18 months alongside other area organizations, including Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation and El Centro, Inc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wyandotte County is home to 165,000 residents and roughly 29% speak a language other than English in the household, according to U.S. Census data. Spanish is the most common language after English spoken in the home, and Hispanic or Latino residents account for approximately 34% of the countys population. Nearly one in five county residents were born outside the U.S., and about one-third are naturalized citizens, Census data show. Only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote. The resolution passed Wednesday urges Schwab and Abbott to create Spanish-language ballots and sample ballots available for in-person and advance voting; provide all local local election materials and online information in Spanish; and print and publish online information letting voters know of the right to receive language assistance at the polls. Abbott is appointed to his role by Schwab, a Republican. He referred questions to Schwab in an email to The Star. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked for comment on the countys resolution, a spokesperson for Schwab shared a statement identical to one from early October that notes federal requirements under the Voting Rights Act. We believe in following federal laws and guidelines, Schwab said. Despite its high number of Spanish speakers, Wyandotte County fails to meet a threshold established by federal law that would require election materials be provided in a language other than English. Kansas has six counties that meet the requirement. Still, the ACLU and civic leaders say the federal law is the floor not the ceiling and other counties voluntarily provide materials in other languages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Micah Kubic, executive director of the ACLU of Kansas, encouraged commissioners to support the resolution Wednesday evening, saying the measure was a way for the governing body to affirm its values. He attributed the countys lower-than-average turnout rates in part to the absence of that service. This need for language access is not speculative. It is not theoretical. It is real. Because as you well know, this is one of the most diverse places on Gods green earth, Kubic said. Along with greater turnout, advocates say those who lack English proficiency or learned English as a second language would benefit from translation because of the complex wording often used in ballot questions. Noting he is the younger of two elected Latino members, Commissioner Christian Ramirez, 3rd District, said he wholeheartedly believes in expanded access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe it is my responsibility to fight for my community, to advocate for my community, and that is what I am doing tonight, he said. Commissioner Melissa Bynum, 1st District at-large, said she knows a number of naturalized citizens who call Wyandotte County home, including a woman who spent 10 years working toward that achievement. It is not easy, and it is not fast, Bynum said, adding she wants naturalized citizens to feel as comfortable voting as anyone born in the U.S. My position is that we are better when more of us participate. It makes our community stronger. Mayor Tyrone Garner referenced Dotte Proud awards handed out to residents earlier in the evening for exemplary community service. To truly be Dotte Proud, we need to make sure that everybody that has an opportunity to vote is given the appropriate tools to be able to make an informed decision when they vote. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Kids at at least 20 Head Start programs in New Haven and Waterbury will have the opportunity to get dental care right outside the centers over the next year. An additional $50,000 grant from the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation is funding Yale New Haven Childrens Hospitals Expanding Dental Homes for Head Start Children program, according to an announcement made Thursday about Halloween care. HHC hosting statewide Medical Mission event Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The programs mobile unit has been offering pediatric dental care throughout the New Haven community for more than two years. On Halloween, they were parked outside LULAC Head Start, Inc. for a few hours. Children from 6-months-old to 5-years-old can receive preventative dental care and education in the mobile unit, which is furnished with equipment and supplies thanks to grants from Delta Dental. The pediatric dentists and residents provide dental exams, x-rays, dental cleaning, fluoride treatments, and home care instruction. Yale New Haven Childrens Hospital provides mobile dental care outside LULAC Head Start, Inc. on Halloween. Yale New Haven Childrens Hospital provides mobile dental care outside LULAC Head Start, Inc. on Halloween. Yale New Haven Childrens Hospital provides mobile dental care outside LULAC Head Start, Inc. on Halloween. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The state Capitol. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury) This yes or no question is on every single ballot across Virginia.WTOP Donald Trump gambles with late-stage trips to Democratic New Mexico and Virginia.Associated Press 800 kids are waiting to be adopted in Virginia.WSLS Underage Albemarle students sent to hospital after high dose of THC.WVIR Animals you may not know are found in Virginia.WRIC SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) -New York City Mayor Eric Adams will go on trial on corruption charges starting April 21, 2025, a U.S. judge ruled on Friday, placing the proceedings in the middle of what promises to be a bruising reelection campaign for the embattled Democrat. U.S. District Judge Dale Ho set the date at a hearing in Manhattan federal court over the opposition of Adams' defense lawyer Alex Spiro, who wanted the trial over the mayor's alleged dealings with Turkish officials to end by March, well before the Democratic primary election in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams, 64, pleaded not guilty last month. Spiro predicted he would be acquitted at trial, and warned of "grave, grave democratic concerns" if he does not have enough time to clear his name before voters go to the polls. "It doesn't give him a realistic chance," Spiro said. Ho said prosecutors needed more time to review their evidence and hand it over to the defense, which is known as discovery. Some of the material could be classified, resulting in more complex procedures. "I do think it's important for the public to have an answer one way or another, but I also have to be mindful of the discovery process," Ho said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal prosecutors in Manhattan in September charged Adams with accepting bribes including flight upgrades and luxury hotel stays, as well as illegal campaign contributions, in exchange for pressuring city officials to allow Turkey's new 36-story consulate to open despite safety concerns. The trial is expected to last about a month, prosecutors have said. A former police officer who rose to the rank of captain, Adams is the first of the city's 110 mayors to be charged with a federal crime while in office. At least seven senior officials in his administration have resigned in recent months as multiple federal corruption probes engulf City Hall. Adams, who took office in January 2022, has declined to resign despite calls to do so from several senior Democrats in the largest U.S. city, including U.S. Representative Jerry Nadler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spiro last month told reporters the case rests on the assertions of a staffer who falsely implicated Adams. He has also minimized the severity of the charges, calling the case the "airline upgrade corruption case." Turkey's foreign ministry has said Ankara was following the proceedings in Adams' case closely and that its diplomats adhered to protocol. Adams last month received an unlikely message of support from former U.S. President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for president in Tuesday's upcoming election, who faces federal charges over efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democratic President Joe Biden. Trump, who has pleaded not guilty in that case, also was convicted of 34 felony counts in state court in New York City. "Good luck with everything, they went after you," Trump said in a light-hearted speech at a charity gala in New York on Oct. 17. "I don't like what they do." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams has not been as critical of Trump as other Democrats. Asked earlier this week if he believed Trump was a "fascist," as Vice President Kamala Harris has asserted, Adams said no. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by David Gregorio) An 82-year-old wrong-way driver was more than 200 miles from home when he got got into a head-on crash on Interstate 82 in Kennewick. William D. Shuck of White Bird, Idaho, believed he was heading back home after a failed trip to the coast, when he got onto the off-ramp from Highway 395 to Interstate 82 about 9:45 p.m. Thursday, Washington State Trooper Sarah Clasen told the Tri-City Herald. The first 911 call about the wrong way driver heading south in the northbound lane came in just minutes before his Chevy Equinox slammed into a Kia Sport, Clasen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the Sport, Jizelle Gonzalez, 20, of Hermiston, was taken to Trios Southridge Hospital. Her immediate condition was unknown, but Clasen said she had a severe cut on her hand. Her 11-month-old son was also in the SUV, but not hurt, according to Washington State Patrol. Shucks family wasnt aware that hed made the more than 200 mile trip from Idaho to Kennewick. Its believed he has dementia. Clasen said his daughter had to make the three-hour trip to pick him up. Shuck was cited by WSP for driving the wrong way, the state patrol said. A Fulton County judge sentenced the rapper to time served and 15 years of probation for several organized crime charges Paras Griffin/Getty Young Thug in 2021. Young Thug in 2021. Young Thug pleaded guilty and was sentenced to time served and 15 years of probation on Thursday, Oct. 31, ending his nearly year-long racketeering trial in Atlanta the longest criminal trial in Georgia's history. According to WSB-TV, Rolling Stone and ABC News, the 33-year-old rapper whose real name is Jeffery Williams entered into a plea deal with the Fulton County District Attorneys Office on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced Williams to 40 years but commuted to time served and probation, per CNN and the Associated Press. He will be released from custody on Thursday and have to serve 15 years on probation. If he violates probation, he could serve 20 years, per the judge's ruling. As a part of the deal, Williams pleaded guilty to several charges, including three drug charges, two gun charges and one gang charge. He also pleaded no contest meaning that he accepted the conviction but did not admit guilt in the crimes to racketeering conspiracy and participation in a criminal street gang in a leadership role. Related: What to Know About the High-Profile Young Thug RICO Case Prince Williams/Wireimage Young Thug in 2021. Related: Young Thug's Lawyer Held in Contempt During Rapper's Trial, Ordered to Spend 10 Weekends in Jail Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The "Go Grazy" rapper was first indicted in May 2022, along with 27 others including rapper Gunna, of violating Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO. The group is accused of taking part in an alleged street gang, Young Slime Life, or YSL (named similarly to the chart-topping artists label Young Stoner Life Records). Members are accused of committing several crimes, including murder, armed robbery, dealing drugs and carjacking. A second indictment was brought forth in August 2022, bringing six more felony charges against Williams, per the Associated Press. Among the most serious charges in the case, Williams was accused of being connected to the killing of Donovan Thomas Jr., a rival gang member who died in a January 2015 drive-by shooting. Prosecutors allege Williams rented the vehicle that was used in the shooting. 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. Paras Griffin/Getty Young Thug in March 2022. Young Thug in March 2022. Williams has been in custody since 2022, and attorneys have filed multiple motions for a mistrial, including a filing last week. The jury selection process took more than a year, CNN reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams' case has also been marked with controversy and drama, including past judges being recused from the case and the rapper's attorney, Brian Steel, being charged with contempt of court. If he was convicted at trial, Williams could have faced a maximum of 120 years in prison, Rolling Stone reports. Three of Young Thug's co-defendants Quamarvious Nichols, 29, Marquavius Huey, 28, and Rodalius Ryan, 18 also took plea deals this week, CNN reported. PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. Crowds of revelers lined the streets of Dublin, Ireland, this week for a Halloween parade, but there was one major problem: The city was not hosting a parade. Residents were duped by fake, AI-enhanced ads that reportedly originated on a Pakistan-based Facebook page called My Spirit Halloween, according to Stephen McDermott, an editor at The Journal FactCheck, a publication focused on tackling misinformation in Ireland. The Facebook page included costume contest guidelines and promised a "spectacular display." Other social media accounts shared the event, widely disseminating the false information and leading the Gardai, or Irish national police, to issue a statement last night: "Please be advised that contrary to information being circulated online, no Halloween parade is scheduled to take place in Dublin City Centre this evening or tonight." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some posts featured Halloween-themed images generated by AI, captioned with hashtags that helped them become discoverable in Google search results. The page owners have since deleted all posts and removed their location. Those behind the Facebook page were presumably trying to drive traffic to their similarly named website to cash in on ad revenue. The website is still live and advertising events in more cities, including three on Nov. 1one in Canada and two in Australia. As Ireland-based publication Goosed notes, "running a website is relatively cheap, [and] for niche seasonable topics like Halloween, it can be easier to rank" on Google. According to The Journal FactCheck, Dublin has held Halloween parades in the past (pictured above) but did not have one scheduled for this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So people might expect one, both down to our enjoyment of parades in general and Ireland being Halloweens spiritual home," Goosed says. (Halloween's origins trace back to a Celtic celebration in Ireland, celebrated over 2,000 years ago.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This particular incident is pretty harmless, and people appear to have left the area without incident. But online misinformation has been used for more nefarious purposes. False reports on X about an illegal immigrant stabbing a 5-year-old girl fueled violent far-right protests in 2023, spreading at a rate that "surprised" the Gardai, the Irish Times reports. A similar incident happened in the UK this summer following a stabbing rampage that left three children dead. Anger Management Tesla CEO Elon Musk not known for his thick skin has fired back at a fellow tech executive who had the gall to criticize the automaker's self-driving technology. On Wednesday, Jesse Levinson, cofounder and CTO of the robotaxi company Zoox, dismissed the idea that Tesla could launch its own driverless robotaxi service next year. The "fundamental issue is they don't have technology that works," Levinson said at the TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 conference, as quoted by the news site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And by works, I want to differentiate between a driver assistance system that drives most of the time except when it doesn't, and then you have to take over versus a system that's so reliable and robust that you don't need a person in it," he added. Musk had a below-the-belt rejoinder. "If he hadn't gotten bailed out by Amazon, his company would be dead already," Musk wrote in a tweet responding to the comments. New Kid in Town Zoox was indeed bought out by Amazon in 2020. It hasn't generated the same levels of hype as the likes of Tesla and Waymo, but it has seemingly made big strides in the years since, with its vehicles logging 22 million miles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In San Francisco and Las Vegas, the company expects to start giving driverless rides in the coming weeks, according to Levinson. It will use its toaster-shaped and unorthodox four-seater cars that feature no driver's seat, no steering wheel, and no pedals. Seemingly a rite of passage for any self-driving company, Zoox was recently under investigation by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration after two of its test vehicles different from the robotaxis it will be deploying suddenly braked and injured motorcyclists. Nothing has come of that probe yet, however, and it hasn't stopped Zoox from obtaining regulatory approval to test its cars in more cities across the US. Glass Houses With that rundown out of the way, it's telling that Musk didn't have any other material to clap back with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After unveiling Tesla's long-awaited robotaxi at a hugely hyped event earlier this month, it became apparent that the automaker didn't have a lot of meaningful insight to share on the vehicle's progress, with many investors doubting Musk's heavily hedged promise that the vehicle would "probably" enter production in 2026. Tesla's struggling semi-autonomous driving efforts have been in a rut for years now, with both Full Self-Driving and Autopilot being the center of countless lawsuits and investigations. Neither system has surpassed Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities, meaning they still require humans to take over, as Levinson alluded to. Zoox, meanwhile, is rolling out cars with at least Level 3 autonomy. Need we say more? Well, here's another zinger: as Electrek's Fred Lambert pointed out, Tesla was once bailed out by another company, too. Ouch. More on Tesla: Tesla on Full Self-Driving Mode Plows Through Deer Without Even Slowing Down Following the illustrious line of calendar-spanning corporate events like Lobsterfest and Shark Week, Apple tried something new this year with a celebration unofficially known as Mac Week. (Fortunately for Apple, it just so happens to coincide with its earnings call on Thursday!) The companys three-day product rollout for desktop hardware centered around the M4 chip, built for Apple Intelligence. We recount everything Apple spit out this week, including a new iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Pro and other goodies like Apple Intelligences official arrival on iOS, iPadOS and macOS. iMac (M4) Standard product shot of the new iMac The M4-powered iMac has the same design (apart from some new colors) but with more horsepower inside. Apple says the all-in-one desktop is 1.7 times faster for daily productivity and 2.1 times faster for more demanding tasks like gaming or photo editing. Like all new Macs announced this week, it loses the measly 8GB of RAM previously seen in the cheapest Macs, jumping to 16GB as the baseline. (Woo!) The new iMac still has a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display encased in an aluminum unibody design. However, it adds a new nano-texture glass screen option for reduced glare and a 12MP Center Stage camera that supports Apples Desk View. Advertisement Advertisement You can pre-order the M4 iMac now, starting at $1,299. Deliveries and in-store sales begin on November 8. Mac mini (M4, M4 Pro) Closeup of a person's hand holding the new (tiny) Mac mini Apples little Mac that could lives up to its mini branding more than ever. The 2024 Mac mini is a mere five-inch by five-inch box, two inches tall. (Thats only slightly bigger than the Apple TV 4K!) The new Mac mini is available in M4 and M4 Pro configurations. Apple says the M4 variant is up to 1.8 times faster than the M1 model from four years ago. Its graphics are up to 2.2 times faster. It should also be much better for Apple Intelligence: It supports 38 TOPS (tera operations per second) of AI processing power. That dwarfs the 18 TOPS from the (only one-year-old) M3 chip. It, too, starts with 16GB of RAM. For the first time, the machine ditches legacy USB ports. It has two USB-C ports on the front and three Thunderbolt USB-C ports on the back (along with HDMI and Ethernet). Advertisement Advertisement The M4 Mac mini is available to pre-order. It starts at $599, while the souped-up M4 Pro variant starts at $1,399. It arrives on November 9. MacBook Pro (M4, M4 Pro, M4 Max) A person sitting in a lab, using the new MacBook Pro with M4 chip. Most of Apples Mac sales are in the MacBook lineup, which makes sense. Not only can you use them on the go, but you can also grab a Thunderbolt cable and hook them up to the monitor of your choice to double as a desktop. So, the climax of Mac Week was the new M4-powered MacBook Pro. The only new Mac with three chip tiers, the MacBook Pro comes in M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max options. Apple says the M4 Pro is up to three times faster than the M1 Pro, and the M4 Max is up to 3.5 times faster than the M1 Max. The M4 variant is up to 1.8 times faster than the M1-powered 13-inch MacBook Pro for photo editing. That jumps to 3.4 times faster for demanding work like rendering scenes in Blender. Its Neural Engine for Apple Intelligence (and other AI) is over three times as powerful as the M1. Helping out on the AI front (and for all-around performance) is the same 16GB of RAM as a baseline. Advertisement Advertisement The laptop offers the same nano-texture display option as the iMac and up to 1,000 nits of brightness for SDR content. It also adopts the 12MP Center Stage camera for much better built-in video call capabilities. The device has three Thunderbolt 4 ports and an estimated 24 hours of battery life as Apple puts it, thats the longest ever in a Mac. The new MacBook Pro is available in familiar 14-inch and 16-inch models. The smaller model with the M4 chip starts at $1,599, the M4 Pro variant starts at $1,999, and the ultra-high-end M4 Max will set you back at least $3,199. The 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,499 with the M4 Pro chip, while an M4 Max flavor is $3,499 and up. Apple Intelligence cometh Apple's Craig Federighi standing in front of a screen that reads Advertisement Advertisement Apples first wave of on-device AI features is now in consumers hands, with no beta software required. This round includes writing tools like proofreading, rewiring and summaries, live call transcriptions and notification summaries. The beginnings of a more intelligent Siri also arrived with this batch, including typed queries and an improved ability to recognize stutters or self-interruptions. You also get a neat new glowing border that announces to the world, This aint the shitty Siri youre used to! But youll have to wait for the next wave of Siri upgrades for a more significant overhaul, like a better understanding of personal context. Now, the bad news. Apple Intelligence is only available on a handful of recent devices in each of Apples major product categories. For the iPhone, thats the iPhone 15 Pro / Pro Max and the new iPhone 16 lineup (including non-Pro models). Youll need a model with an M-series chip on the iPad, although the new iPad mini (with an A17 Pro chip) is an exception. As for Macs, youll also need a model with M-series Apple silicon, which stretches back to the last four years of models. Apple Intelligence (round one) requires iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 or macOS Sequoia 15.1. The X.2 variants of each OS will bring the next wave of AI features, like ChatGPT integration and Image Playground. AirPods Pro 2 hearing features Screen of an Apple hearing test Not to be missed among the higher-profile announcements is a new series of hearing health tools for AirPods Pro 2 owners. Advertisement Advertisement Announced at Apples September iPhone launch, the hearing features include a clinically validated hearing test, hearing protection (like for concerts) and the ability to use the device as a hearing aid if it detects mild to moderate impairment. (If severe, it will nudge you towards a professional.) Engadgets audio guru, Billy Steele, is the person to follow for more on these features. Hes extensively trialed them, including taking hearing tests with an Apple rep and test-driving AirPods-powered hearing protection at concerts. Did OnePlus, in October 2024, just announce one of the best smartphones of 2025? It very well may have, because OnePlus has officially launched the OnePlus 13. Well, sort of. The OnePlus 13 is now available in China, though itll be a while before it comes to the U.S. and other parts of the world. Although itll likely be December or January before you and I get our hands on the OnePlus 13, the wait should be worth it. The OnePlus 13 already looks like one of next years best phones and it may have simultaneously caused the premature death of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The OnePlus 13 looks fantastic OnePlus OK, so the OnePlus 13 is official but whats so special about it? Ill start with the hardware, which, to my eyes, is fantastic. Ive been a fan of OnePlus design for the last couple of years, and the OnePlus 13 looks like a great evolution of it. The round camera housing is cleaner and a bit simpler than it was on the last couple of OnePlus flagships, the accent line to the right of it is a nice touch, and Im happy to see the introduction of a flat frame. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The colors are equally fantastic. Secret Realm (aka the black option) has a gorgeous texture/pattern across the entire backside, Dew Dawn (the white version) looks like a better version of the white OnePlus 12, and Blues Hour (the blue one, shocker) has a gorgeous navy blue color that contrasts beautifully with the silver camera circle. Even better, it has a leather finish instead of glass. Take my money right now. OnePlus Then theres the display. As much as I love the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R, Im not the biggest fan of their curved displays. Good news: the OnePlus 13 doesnt have one. It technically has 2.5D curved glass on all four edges, but the curves appear to be far less dramatic than the distinct curved sides of the OnePlus 12 series. The 6.82-inch size is a little larger than Id like, but Im all for a flat screen. It also has every spec you could ask for: an AMOLED panel, a 3168 x 1440 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 4500 nits of brightness. Something else thats caught my eye is a small, but important detail: the vibration motor. Good haptic feedback is, in my opinion, a critical, but often overlooked aspect of many Android phones. OnePlus says the OnePlus 13 has the largest vibration motor ever used in an Android phone. Whether its a high-quality motor remains to be seen, but its nothing if not encouraging. And, of course, there are the specs. The Snapdragon 8 Elite which has already proven to be an incredibly fast chip is here. Theres also a massive 6,000 mAh battery, 100-watt wired and 50W wireless charging, and triple 50MP cameras for the primary/telephoto/ultrawide snappers. Theres a lot to like here. What this means for the Galaxy S25 Ultra Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra render Android Headlines Of course, we also expect the Galaxy S25 Ultra to match many of these specifications. Samsungs flagship should also have the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a powerful camera setup, and a big battery. But based on the S25 Ultra leaks weve seen so far, nothing is blowing me away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Samsung appears to be sticking with the same design it has used since the Galaxy S22 Ultra, which is disappointing. Yes, OnePlus has also done roughly the same thing, but its at least found interesting ways to shake up the camera design and consistently uses fun colors/materials. The OnePlus 11, OnePlus 12, and OnePlus 13 all look like theyre part of the same family, but they still look like different phones. Samsung, not so much. The S25 Ultra looks like the exact same phone weve had since 2022, just with a flatter frame. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Andy Boxall / Digital Trends Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres also no indication that Samsung will upgrade its battery or charging tech next year. Rumors suggest the Galaxy S25 Ultra will have a 5,000 mAh battery and 45W charging, just like the Galaxy S24 Ultra. If true, that would leave the S25 Ultra with a 20% smaller battery and considerably slower charging speeds than the OnePlus 13. For some context, Samsung has offered 45W charging since the Galaxy S20 Ultra was released in 2020. Then theres the matter of software. Neither OnePlus OxygenOS nor Samsungs One UI are my preferred Android interfaces, but if I had to choose one, Id go with OxygenOS. Though its certainly not perfect, I find OnePlus software much easier to use and far less bloated than Samsungs. Both companies have big plans for their next major software updates, and while weve yet to get an official look at One UI 7, our first glimpse at OxygenOS 15 is promising. Finally, theres the matter of price. We dont know what U.S. prices will be for the OnePlus 13 or Galaxy S25 Ultra, but based on their predecessors, OnePlus should have a pretty big advantage. The OnePlus 12 costs $800, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra costs $1,300. Even if the OnePlus 13 gets a price increase, it should still be considerably cheaper than the S25 Ultra and still meet or outclass it in almost every way. The fights already heating up OnePlus To be clear, dont take this as me completely dismissing Samsung in 2025. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is one of our best-reviewed phones this year; of course Im interested to see how Samsung follows it up. Ive also yet to use the OnePlus 13 and need to wait and see how it performs in the real world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, based on the OnePlus 13s China release and the latest reports about the Galaxy S25 Ultra, I know which phone Im most eager to use. Both should be among next years most capable smartphones, but OnePlus has my attention right now. Based on the design, screen, battery, charging, and more, Im just about sold. I hope Samsung surprises me and the S25 Ultra ends up being an impossible to ignore phone. But from where Im standing right now, its the OnePlus 13 that I cant wait to get my hands on. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Future / Mike Lowe Quick summary Samsung One UI 7 has leaked, giving us a closer look at some of the changes it will bring. There will be new design in places and new software features, including more Galaxy AI. Samsung is one of the top phone manufacturers in the world, the most popular Android brand as well as being behind some of the best phones you can buy. Any change in the software, therefore, has a big impact on a large number of people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve known for some time that Android 15 will be launching on Samsung phones along with a number of changes ushered in by One UI 7. Its not just about updating to a new version of Android, its a chance to usher in new features and give the design a refresh as well. Thanks to Android Headlines, we can now have a good look at what One UI 7 will offer. Starting at the top, Samsung is giving its icons a refresh with more detail. Theyre not going to change dramatically and this is only for Samsungs own apps which you might not use the full selection of because they often duplicate core Google app functions. Weve previously seen that Samsung will be offering a combined or separated Quick Settings and Notifications area, but now were getting to hear about a full range of features too. There are more parental controls that include site access controls and location monitoring, although its worth noting that this is already accessible through Google Family. One UI 7 icons To also help kids will be Circle to Search for homework, so you can circle an equation for example and get an answer, along with all the workings. This is again powered by Google and was announced at Google I/O earlier in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will be new camera features, allowing portrait restyling, AI-powered artistic effects, AI Zoom and an expansion of Sketch to Image that made its debut on the Galaxy Z Flip 6, so you can start any image from scratch and have that rendered in a number of different styles. The Energy Score feature we saw launch alongside the Galaxy Watch 7 is getting updated too, including tips to help you improve your score. Android 15 isnt the biggest update that weve seen in the history of Android: in fact, youd be forgiven for barely noticing any changes if my Pixel phone is anything to go by. But there are changes behind the scenes, many of which will come with One UI 7. The important thing for Samsung users is that the company is adding in new features too, so theres definitely something to look forward to. The exact date that One UI 7 will land is currently unknown, but a beta is expected before the end of 2024 and the first updates in early 2025 we suspect it will be timed nicely to coordinate with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series. PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. Flash flooding in Spain this week caused torrential downpours, creating havoc in eastern Spain and killing at least 158 people, The New York Times reports. Satellite images from the European Space Agency show the extent of the flooding. The images below were taken with the the US' S Landsat-8 satellite on Oct. 8 (left) and Oct. 30 (right), before and after the flood. They will help "support rescue and recovery efforts," the European Space Agency says. The city of Valencia was particularly affected, receiving a year's worth of rain in just eight hours. The deluge turned streets into rivers, destroyed homes, and created a pileup of vehicles. Many municipalities reported not having power or clean drinking water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valencians have criticized city authorities for not sending out an evacuation alert text message early enough, according to Le Monde. They did not receive an alert until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, the day of the flooding, and the damage was already significant by that time. The roads had flooded and completely covered cars, forcing owners to abandon their vehicles and seek refuge. "By the time I got the message, it was too late for all those who had already been trapped by the floodwaters while trying to get home from shopping or work," Anna Martinez tells Le Monde. Apple CEO Tim Cook says the company will make a contribution toward relief efforts, as he did for Hurricane Milton. "Were thinking of all those impacted by the devastating flash floods in the region of Valencia, Spain," Cook says. "Apple will be making a donation to help with relief efforts on the ground." The Spanish government has declared three days of official mourning starting today. Gone are the blissful days of only having to remember a four-digit debit card PIN or alarm code. Now, with our increasingly digital way of living, everything requires a password - and a complex one at that. Whether you are trying to order groceries for delivery or schedule a medical appointment through an online portal, a password protects your personal information and keeps you securely connected to the online world. As important as passwords are, though, password amnesia is a near-universal condition. "I've forgotten many passwords because different applications have different conditionals about the password," says Texas resident Bruce Krutt, 68. After forgetting the passwords to financial accounts more than once, Krutt sought out a secure way to manage his login information. He also leveled up his skills with a technology class offered at The Senior Source in Dallas - where password management best practices are part of the curriculum. We consulted Jean Aponte, one of the technology instructors at The Senior Source, about what makes passwords strong and how to safely keep track of them. Start with strong passwords A strong password is your first line of defence when it comes to navigating life online. First and foremost, never use the same password twice. Then there's the content of your password. It can be tempting to use names, birth dates or other easy-to-recall details, but this is risky. "I advise [students] not to use personal information, birthdays, their family members' names or birthdays, things that they can remember but [are] very easy to guess," Aponte says. When it's something hackers can guess - or infer from other sources, like your posts on Facebook - it's much more likely your accounts will be compromised. Instead, Aponte recommends using a random word and a combination of capital and lowercase letters, symbols and numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 16-character password offers a high level of strength - but length isn't the only factor for password safety; the combination of characters matters, too. Make sure that the characters you string together are random rather than repeating patterns, phrases or words. Of course, long, random passwords don't lend themselves to quick recall. But as you might imagine, there's an app for that. Keep track of your passwords, securely While it may seem like a good idea to write your passwords on a piece of paper, you could easily misplace your list. Instead, Aponte recommends two methods: a password manager or a secure note saved on your smartphone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A password manager is a digital tool that securely stores usernames and passwords for your accounts. The benefit of this tool is that you only have to remember a single master password to unlock an index of all of your other passwords. In Aponte's technology class, the platform 1Password is used as an example, but there are others, like Bitwarden, Keeper and plenty more. In addition to securely storing all of your passwords in a digital space, a password manager may have an autofill feature that enables the secure password to populate a login page with your username and password. This means that you don't have to manually enter your login credentials each time; the password manager will do it for you. Some password managers also offer a username and password generator that can help you come up with lengthy, unique, hard-to-guess credentials. Even with a password manager, though, you'll have to remember your master password. If you forget it, there are few things you can do to recover your account, and you may have to start over by resetting all of your passwords on other sites. Some managers, including 1Password, do offer a feature that enables other users within a family to help recover a forgotten master password, so consider a shared plan. If you use an iPhone and prefer a written list of passwords, Aponte says you could use the lock feature on your Notes app. You'll still have to remember a master password to unlock the note where you store your list, but this may be more accessible for someone looking to enhance their password security without learning a new application or system. (If you're an Android user, check to see if your phone's notes program offers similar protection.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some browsers and devices come with integrated systems, such as iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager, which store your credentials and auto-populate login fields. While these systems are convenient within a single device or browser, keep in mind that a dedicated password manager will be consistent across multiple devices (e.g., your smartphone and your laptop), as well as offer added layers of security. Use two-factor authentication and other security measures Two-factor authentication - which requires you to use both a password and a second key usually sent to you via text, over the phone or through an authentication app - provides an extra layer of security. While two-factor authentication may not be available for every online account, you should have the option for email, online banking, social media and other critical accounts. You can typically enable this when setting up your account, or, if you'd like to add it to an existing account, check your security settings to see if it is offered. Additionally, Aponte advises internet users to think before they create an account on various websites. Check out online reviews, look for "https" in front of a URL (the "s" indicates "secure") and even read the "About" page to determine if the site is credible. When browsing the internet, keep an eye out for too-good-to-be-true deals or errors that can point toward a scam (for example, phishing emails often contain misspelled words). Don't create an account or enter any personal information on a site that looks suspicious. Transformational technologies and their impacts on filmmaking, along with both the growing attraction and remaining challenges of shooting in Japan, were the focus of this years edition of the Motion Picture Association (MPA) seminar at Tokyo International Film Festival. Before a packed house, leading off the event on October 30 was Edward B. Neubronner of the MPAs Asia Pacific division, who pointed to the popularity Japanese content is enjoying worldwide, the global anime market being valued at more than $31 billion and the number of international creators eager to bring their visions to life on Japanese soil. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evan Felsing, representing the U.S. embassy in Tokyo, grabbed the audiences attention by delivering a speech on the importance of Japan and the U.S. collaborating on misuse of AI, preventing disinformation, and protecting IP, before confessing his remarks were the product of generative AI. The production incentive scheme launched last year was cited as helping further boost interest in Japan with its rebate of up to 1 billion yen ($6.6 million at current rates), something that Maxs Tokyo Vice took advantage of when shooting both of its seasons in the country. Alex Boden, a producer on Tokyo Vice, spoke about some of the problems facing a major shoot in Japan, from permits to a shortage of crews to language barriers. It required more solutions than any other production Ive worked on anywhere, said Boden. Issues on season one of the Max series were compounded by the pandemic, during which Japan imposed strict border controls. Nevertheless, Boden said he was getting inquiries every week from people asking for advice about shooting in Japan, In fact, I got a call this morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next up was filmmaker Ryo Nakajima, who spoke about his experience embracing CG and generative AI, as well as the different reactions to the new technology he witnessed at film festivals in Europe and Asia. A music video created by generative AI was famously booed by the audience at Annecy, while his own film using the same tech Who Said Death is Beautiful, was received more warmly. He also noted that while AI was being seen in many quarters as a threat to jobs in the film and creative industries, in Japan it was more widely perceived as a solution to the labor shortage and brutally long working hours. Rounding out the presentations was Oscar-winning VFX artist George Murphy, who highlighted the advances in virtual production and the issues and opportunities that arise with it. The three speakers then came together for a panel discussion moderated by Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporters Asia bureau chief. Kicking off the panel, Boden pointed out that training programs to upskill local talent are essential for Japan to position itself as a hub for high-budget global projects: The wheels are turning in the right directionto make Japan a top destination for all scales of projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virtual production and LED volume technology were key topics, as these tools enable filmmakers to create authentic settings without some of the logistical challenges of on-location shooting. Boden described a specific example from Tokyo Vice, where they filmed in Naganos mountainous terrain, known for harsh reflections from snow and ice. We created our own rig with multiple cameras to shoot visual plates then brought those plates back to the volume stage at Toho Studios, he explained. This setup allowed them to replicate a natural setting within a controlled studio environment, minimizing disruptions and maximizing creative possibilities. Turning to the cultural and economic impact of generative AI, the panelists discussed differing global perceptions of the technology. Nakajima emphasized the importance of creating ethical standards, particularly in relation to copyright and intellectual property, which are sensitive issues in AI-assisted work. George Murphy expanded on these ethical concerns, discussing the notion of digital talent twins and how actors could potentially maintain rights over their digital likenesses to prevent unauthorized use. He noted that such practices can be protective, giving actors and creators more control over their digital identities: You have to be careful and taking proactive action by allowing talent to own their rights offers them recourse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An audience question brought up the issue of how filmmakers ensure cultural authenticity when using virtual production to depict foreign locations. Murphy responded that physical engagement with real settings is essential, as it deepens the connection between actors and their environment, which is difficult to replicate in a virtual setting. You want to introduce that firsthand experience the texture and reality of things, he said. Boden echoed those sentiments, highlighting the flexibility and creative freedom that on-location filming affords, even though it can be logistically complex. Ultimately, the panelists agreed that AI and virtual production are powerful tools that, if used thoughtfully, can elevate storytelling. However, they stressed that these technologies require careful ethical considerations, particularly regarding authenticity and IP rights. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. Uruguay is becoming a burgeoning Tesla hotspot despite the EV company having no official presence in the country. Uruguay is not a Tesla-supported country, with no dealerships or online sales. Any vehicles registered in the country have been imported through unofficial channels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Imports are cheapest from China, where half of all Teslas are manufactured, Ramiro Duer, owner of AutoImport, tells Rest of the World. He has imported 80 Teslas from China in the past year through a confidential agreement with Chinese partners. They purchase the vehicle from Chinese Teslas dealerships, and work with shipping agents to find a spot on a ship and complete the paperwork to ship to Uruguay. The process takes several weeks, and the vehicles arrive with the clock set to China Standard Time. It's unclear how many Teslas are in Uruguay; the numbers are all over the place. The first, a Model 3, arrived in 2020. By 2021, there were 42 registered in the region, Bloomberg reports. One government agency says Uruguay imported only 80 Teslas between 2020 and 2024, 50 of which came from the US. However, the number is likely higher if Duer says he alone imported 80 from China in the past year. "I have a 2021 US Model Y LR in Uruguay, South America, and there are more than 100 Teslas here," writes one Redditor in 2022. "Of course there is a risk but I am very glad I bought it." They installed a SIM card for connectivity, and noted that third-party mechanics in Mexico have learned to repair Teslas. Getting parts can take months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In Costa Rica we have 100+ imported Teslas," adds another commenter. In the wealthy coastal town of Punta del Este, Uruguay, "Teslas have become a regular sight in school parking lots and outside bars," according to Rest of the World. Tesla's inroads to South America have been slow. It set up its first dealership in Chile in February 2024, Reuters reports. Its first Supercharger in the region went up this month. Meanwhile, sales for Chinese EV giant BYD are booming in Uruguay. BYD became the second top-selling brand there in July, up 879% year-over-year and has 26 official dealerships in Uruguay, which has "a robust public charging network, tax cuts for EVs, and minimal bureaucratic hurdles for car imports," Rest of the World says. Tesla Cybertrucks have been discovered in other far-flung places, such as two that were seized by border control being smuggled into Russia. In September, a Russian military leader accused Tesla CEO Elon Musk of disabling his Cybertruck remotely, CNN reports. He had outfitted it with a machine gun for combat. Musk denied sending the Chechen leader a Cybertruck. "Are you seriously so retarded that you think I donated a Cybertruck to a Russian general?" he said in an X post. It was likely imported. State lawmakers are considering making it a traffic violation to operate a vehicle in Arizona with an animal on the drivers lap. The violation would come with a fine. Do you agree? You voted: The municipal assembly of Budapest adopted a package of proposals aimed at securing government assistance to the city's housing programmes and to promote optimum use of the existing housing stock and other properties. In his introduction to the package, Mayor Gergely Karacsony said the housing crisis in Budapest called for the initiatives of the city and its districts, targeted use of European Union funding, and a more active role by the central government. Under the adopted package, the government is requested to publish without delay tenders for municipal housing programmes to be financed from EU structural funds. The body has authorised the mayor to propose that the government should provide capital funding to municipalities as well as subsidised loans to increase the municipal rental stock. The package also aims to obtain funds from central coffers or EU funding to top up municipal subsidies for energy-saving home renovations. The assembly expressed its approval of the government's position that the practice of using flats in Budapest for tourism should be restricted, but suggested that the government's two-year moratorium should be further shortened "to a legal minimum". Meanwhile, Szentkiralyi: Multiple Fidesz proposals voted down by Budapest assembly The Budapest municipal assembly voted down several of ruling Fidesz's proposals concerning housing affordability, Alexandra Szentkiralyi, the head of the party's Budapest chapter, said on Thursday. Fidesz's proposals had been aimed at getting the city council to take more effective steps towards resolving the housing crisis, Szentkiralyi told public news channel M1. She said the municipality's housing agency had only managed to rent out eight flats over the last six months. "The capital will be receiving billions in European Union funds, and the proposal was to use those funds to help build dorms or company flats instead of channelling the money into the housing agency," she said. "There's no shame in admitting that you can't do something and asking for help," Szentkiralyi said. "If the city council is incapable of resolving the housing problem, the government will help." She added that she had held "promising talks" in the matter with the national economy minister. Meanwhile, she said the city assembly had also voted down a proposal from Fidesz which would have called for exploring whether city housing stock could be used to resolve the housing crisis. Szentkiralyi added, at the same time, that the assembly had approved a proposal to look into the city council's "inefficient" model aimed at keeping utility prices low. Szentkiralyi: Tisza votes down low household energy bills 'yet again' The opposition Tisza Party in the city assembly has yet again voted against the government scheme which saves Hungarian households hundreds of thousands of forints each year on utility bills, Alexandra Szentkiralyi, the leader of the Fidesz-Christian Democrat group in the assembly said on Thursday. Szentkiralyi said the party led by Peter Magyar had effectively voted in the energy committee to abolish the scheme, and she cited him as saying previously that the country had been held back because of the "useless" subsidy. She noted that Fidesz put forward a motion in the city assembly on protecting and maintaining the utility scheme. "But all they could say -- led by the Tisza Party -- was that they did not support our proposal, and they voted it down," she said. The Fidesz politician said Hungarians paid the lowest utility bills in Europe, yet Tisza would "put an end to this in Hungary and Budapest as well". "They have proven this for the second time..." she added. Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. The Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MKIK) on Thursday announced the launch of a HUF 2bn, European Union-funded programme to support digitalisation at SMEs without a homepage or a presence on social media. The programme targets over 10,000 SMEs of which 5,000 could draft digital development plans, the chamber said. A similar programme launched during the last EU funding cycle supported digital developments at over 25,000 businesses, it added. Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. New Delhi: In Singham Again, Deepika Padukone has taken the screen by storm with her portrayal of Shakti Shetty, dubbed by fans as the fierce "Lady Singham." Her characters commanding presence and intense introduction have left audiences thrilled, with fans praising her as a fresh powerhouse addition to Rohit Shettys action-filled cop universe. Known for her versatility, Padukone brings an undeniable strength and charisma to her role, balancing seamlessly with Ajay Devgns iconic Bajirao Singham. Padukones portrayal has sparked a flurry of excitement across social media, with fans eagerly requesting a standalone film focused on "Lady Singham." Many netizens have tagged director Rohit Shetty, urging him to give Shakti Shetty her own film to explore the characters depth and story further. One fan wrote, "Just finished #SinghamAgain, and the theater erupted! #AjayDevgn delivers his iconic punch with even more fire, while #DeepikaPadukone as *Lady Singham* steals the show with fierce intensity. #AkshayKumar and #RanveerSingh bring their own charm, making this star-studded action-packed film a total thrill ride! This ones going to be huge!" Just finished #SinghamAgain, and the theater erupted! #AjayDevgn delivers his iconic punch with even more fire, while #DeepikaPadukone as *Lady Singham* steals the show with fierce intensity. #AkshayKumar and #RanveerSingh bring their own charm, making this star-studded pic.twitter.com/3QvkvVVNPd Vivek Mishra (@actor_vivekm) November 1, 2024 One fan expressed their admiration for Deepika Padukone's performance in Singham Again, praising her as a "force of nature" who brings "fierce power and magnetic presence" to the role of Lady Singham. #SinghamAgain #DeepikaPadukone is here as *Lady Singham*, and shes nothing short of a force of nature! Her entry has transformed the screen into her own arena, bringing fierce power, unshakable intensity, and a magnetic presence like never before. Deepikas pic.twitter.com/MuDcJR2EF3 Vivek Mishra (@actor_vivekm) November 1, 2024 One more fan expressed, "My bestie and roommate loved #DeepikaPadukone in #SinghamAgain! She really enjoyed the movie I cant wait to watch this soon!" My bestie and roommate loved #DeepikaPadukone in #SinghamAgain! She really enjoyed the movie I cant wait to watch this soon! pic.twitter.com/t2u6fBkvIW PS (@Neelaasapphire) November 1, 2024 Reactions online reflect the widespread enthusiasm, with users hailing her entry as epic and describing her performance as magnetic and fiery. Critics have echoed these sentiments, noting Padukones ability to make a lasting impression in her action-packed scenes. The fan response has drawn comparisons to her earlier success with Shettys Chennai Express, where her character Meenamma left a lasting mark. The role of Shakti Shetty could mark a new era for female-driven action in Shettys cinematic universe, and if the fans response is anything to go by, Singham Again may only be the beginning for Lady Singham. New Delhi: Mythri Movie Makers has shared behind-the-scenes (BTS) footage from Jai HanuMan, part of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU), creating a storm of excitement among fans. This sequel has already captured attention with its first look, showcasing Kantara star Rishab Shetty as Hanuman, a sight that left audiences in awe. Now, the newly released BTS footage highlights the energy and commitment behind the project, featuring National Award-winning actor Rishab Shetty and director Prasanth Varma in action. The production team posted the footage on social media, captioning it with "When Focused Vision meets Meticulous Perfection Team #JaiHanuman is beyond grateful for the outpouring of love and all the EPIC RESPONSES for the #JaiHanumanFirstLook A BTS click of National Award Winning Actor @shetty_rishab and Visionary Director @PrasanthVarma from the photoshoot session" Watch The Instagram Post Here: Adding his own excitement, Rishab Shetty shared the BTS photo on his social media, writing, "Dear brother @prasanthvarmaofficial, your vision and creativity is incredible! Loving these BTS moments, Your direction brings magic to life on screen." As Jai HanuMan kicks off the PVCU, this first look hints at the creation of a monumental superhero universe, blending iconic Indian mythology with high-caliber production. Producers Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar, renowned for their high production standards, assure fans that Jai HanuMan will feature groundbreaking visuals and technical brilliance, setting a new benchmark for Indian cinema. Panaji: With festive spirit around, firework displays, feasts and prayers taking over the celebratory zeal of Diwali, the people of Panaji in Goa burned the effigy of the demon Narakasura. The effigy of Narakasura was burned by the residents of Panaji on Thursday to celebrate the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king, Narakasura. This tradition symbolises the triumph of good over evil and the welcoming of the new year in the lunar calendar. Narakasura is an Asura king in Hindu mythology. According to Goan legend, the land of Gomantak was ruled by the Asura King. The King was arrogant and spread terror. The people of Goa prayed and asked Lord Krishna for help. A great battle was fought between Narkasura and Lord Krishna in which Lord Krishna shot his famous Sudharshan Chakra to end the Asura and bring peace and joy to the Gomantak people. Across India, the cities are all decked up for Diwali celebrations. People from across the country have decorated their houses with colourful lights, rangolis, and flowers to celebrate the festival of joy. After burning effigy, one of the locals present at the celebration told ANI, "We make Narakasur for Diwali. To make it we use wood and grass. It takes 15-20 days. Narakasur is different in every area. On Narak Chaturthi we burn it at 5 o'clock. This is our tradition." Another local, stated, "In Goa, especially in Panaji, there is a lot of celebrations of Narakasura. It is made for Diwali. Tradition of Narkasura is only in Goa. This tradition has been going on since 80-plus years." #WATCH | Goa: As part of the Diwali celebration, the people of Panaji burnt the effigy of the demon Narakasura. pic.twitter.com/IpCcepSIVB ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2024 Diwali is one of the most significant festivals in India and around the world. This vibrant festival, known as the Festival of Lights, signifies the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Families prepare for the festivities, homes will be adorned with colourful rangoli patterns, illuminated with diyas and fairy lights. The celebrations typically involve performing prayers to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity, sharing delicious sweets and snacks, and exchanging gifts with loved ones. Fireworks light up the night sky, creating a dazzling display that adds to the joyful atmosphere. As November begins, the festive glow of Diwali continues to light up the nation. The first week of the month offers a long weekend. Diwali, the festival of lights, spans five days, beginning with Dhanteras and ending with Bhai Dooj. In 2024, Diwali is celebrated today, October 31, with many others observing it on November 1. This timing means that November starts with a holiday. Following Diwali, several states, including Madhya Pradesh, will observe a public holiday on November 2 for Govardhan Puja, resulting in school and college closures. Bhai Dooj will be observed on Sunday, November 3, granting a holiday in states like Uttar Pradesh. Most educational institutions are set to reopen on November 4, allowing students to enjoy a long break at the start of the month. However, the holiday season extends beyond this. Some states will observe closures for Chhath Puja, a major Indian festival. The Bihar government, for instance, has declared a four-day break from November 6 to 9, giving families and students an extended holiday. Schools in states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh will also benefit from this holiday period, making it an ideal time for trips or relaxation. Childrens Day on November 14 will be celebrated in schools with activities and picnics, with some institutions offering a half-day schedule while others may have a full day off. Additionally, schools will close on November 15 for Guru Nanak Jayanti, and some may extend holidays to Saturday, November 16. November is an excellent time to plan a vacation or spend quality time with family and friends. Mark your calendars to enjoy the extended Diwali festivities and a month filled with holidays and leisure. Renowned economist Bibek Debroy, who served as Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, passed away at 69 on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his condolences on X and described Debroy as a "towering scholar" with expertise in various fields, including economics, history, and spirituality. PM Modi also said that Debroy's influential works significantly shaped India's intellectual landscape. Dr. Bibek Debroy Ji was a towering scholar, well-versed in diverse domains like economics, history, culture, politics, spirituality and more. Through his works, he left an indelible mark on Indias intellectual landscape. Beyond his contributions to public policy, he enjoyed pic.twitter.com/E3DETgajLr Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2024 Bibek Debroy's Early Life Debroy was born on January 25 in a Bengali family in West Bengal's Shillong and began his educational journey at Ramakrishna Mission School, Narendrapur, followed by studies at Presidency College, Kolkata, Delhi School of Economics and Trinity College, Cambridge. He also works in the education sector including stints at Presidency College, Kolkata (1979-83), Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune (1983-87), and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi (1987-93). Bibek Debroy career Bibek Debroy was renowned for his significant contributions to economic policy and research. He also chaired the Finance Ministry's "Expert Committee for Infrastructure Classification and Financing Framework for Amrit Kaal," an initiative aimed at enhancing India's economic position over the next 25 years. He served as Director of a Ministry of Finance and UNDP project on legal reforms from 1993 to 1998 and also worked with the Department of Economic Affairs from 1994-95. Since its inception, Debroy has been an essential part of NITI Aayog, the government's primary think tank. He made significant contributions to economics, with interests spanning game theory, income inequality, poverty, legal reforms and railway policy. He leaves behind a legacy as a thought leader who profoundly impacted India's intellectual and economic landscape. (With ANI Inputs) New Delhi: The Government has approved the Central Sector Scheme Namo Drone Didi for providing Drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) under DAY-NRLM, with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores. The scheme aims to provide drones to 14500 selected Women SHGs during the period from 2024-25 to 2025-2026 for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purpose (application of liquid fertilizers and pesticides for the present). The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has released the Operational Guidelines this scheme and all the stakeholders have been requested to make meaningful use of these operational guidelines to ensure prompt roll out and implementation of the Namo Drone Didi Scheme. The major components of the operational guidelines are as under: - The Scheme will be governed at the Central level by the Empowered Committee of the Secretaries of Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Department of Rural Development, Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Women and Child Development. - The Implementation and Monitoring Committee headed by the Additional Secretary, Department of Rural Development and having representation from all other stakeholders will be responsible for effective planning, implementation and monitoring of the scheme and it will provide overall advice and guidance to all technical matters related to the implementation of the scheme. - Under the scheme, a Central Financial Assistance @ 80% of the cost of drone and accessories/ancillary charges up to a maximum of 8.0 lakhs will be provided to the women SHGs for purchase of drones as a package. - The Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) of SHGs/SHGs may raise the balance amount (total cost of procurement minus subsidy) as loan under National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility (AIF). Interest subvention @ 3% on the AIF loan will be provided to the CLFs/SHGs. - The CLFs/SHGs shall also have the option to access loans from other sources/programmes/schemes of Ministry of Rural Development. - Under the scheme, not only the drones but, drones as a package will be supplied. The package will consists of basic drone with spray assembly for spraying liquid fertilizers and pesticides, Drone carrying box, standard battery set, downward facing camera, dual-channel fast battery charger, battery charger hub, anemometer, pH meter and 1 year onsite warranty on all items. - The package also includes 04 spare battery sets, one spare propeller set (each set contains 6 propellers), nozzle set, dual channel fast battery charger, battery charger hub, 15 days training for drone pilot and drone assistant, one year comprehensive insurance, 2 years annual maintenance contract and applicable GST. The additional sets of batteries will ensure continuous drone flying which can easily cover 20 acres in a day. - One of the members of the women SHGs will be selected for 15 day training comprising of mandatory drone pilot training and additional training for agriculture purpose for nutrient and pesticide application. The other member/ family member of the SHG with inclination to take up repairs of electrical goods, fitting and mechanical works will be trained as drone assistant. The drone manufacturers shall provide these trainings as a package along with the supply of drones as per the training schedule indicated in the Operational Guidelines. - The Lead Fertilizer Companies (LFCs) responsible for the States will be the implementing agencies of the scheme at the State level and they will establish necessary coordination with the State Departments, Drone manufacturers, Cluster Level Federations of SHGs/SHGs and the farmers/beneficiaries etc. The drones will be procured by the LFCs through a fair and transparent process and the ownership of drones will be placed with the CLF of SHGs or SHGs. - Implementation of the scheme hinges on rightful selection of the area/cluster and SHG group where there is demand for drone to provide agriculture services. As the introduction of drones in agriculture is at nascent stage, the States will closely monitor the interventions, provide handholding support to the women SHGs and help them in getting the business to cover an area of at least 2000 to 2500 acres in a year. The State Departments of Agriculture & State Mission Directors of DAY-NRLM will have a very strong convergence and they will take the ownership of the scheme for its successful implementation at the ground level with the help of State Level Committee. - Effective monitoring of the scheme will be through an IT based Management Information System (MIS) i.e. Drone Portal which will act as end-to-end software for service delivery and monitoring, funds flow and disbursement of funds. The portal will also track operations of each drone and provide live information on drone usage. - It is envisaged that the initiatives under the scheme will provide sustainable business and livelihood support to SHGs and they would be able to earn additional income for them. The scheme will help in infusing advance technology in agriculture for improved efficiency, enhanced crop yield and reduced cost of operation for the benefit of farmers. UP Police Constable Result 2024: The Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPRPB) is expected to release the results of the Constable recruitment exam soon at the official website. Once announced, candidates can check their scorecards and category-wise cut-off marks on the official website, uppbpb.gov.in. Earlier this month, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructed the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPBPB) to finalize and announce the results for the Constable recruitment by the end of this month. He also emphasized the need to expedite the recruitment process for vacant posts while maintaining the integrity of the examinations. The Uttar Pradesh Constable recruitment exam was conducted in two phases. The first phase took place on August 23, 24, and 25, 2024, and the second phase on August 30 and 31, 2024. Each exam day had two shifts: from 10 AM to 12 PM and from 3 PM to 5 PM. The UPPRB examined approximately 18 lakh candidates across 1,174 exam centers located in 67 districts throughout the state. To ensure fairness in the examination process, the board implemented biometric verification methods, including fingerprint and facial recognition of candidates. The UP Police Constable result was anticipated by the end of October, but it has not yet been released. A notification regarding the result date and time is expected to be available soon on uppbpb.gov.in. UP Police Constable Result 2024: Steps to check here Visit the official website uppbpb.gov.in. Click on the Constable Recruitment Exam Result link available on the homepage. Enter the required login details on the new window. Submit the information to view your result. Download and save a copy of the scorecard for future reference. After the results are announced, candidates who qualify will advance to the next stages of the recruitment process, which include: Physical Efficiency Test (PET): Candidates must clear the physical test, which assesses their fitness and endurance. Document Verification: Qualified candidates will be required to present their original documents for verification. The provisional answer keys for each exam day were released individually, with separate objection windows provided for each. The deadline for submitting objections for the final exam date was September 19, 2024. After the provisional answer keys were released, the UPPRPB invited candidates to submit objections. These objections will be reviewed while preparing the final answer key. The final answer key and cut-off marks will be published together with the announcement of the results. In a recent press conference, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad has demanded an apology from Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress National President, and Rahul Gandhi over 'Shakti Scheme' review in Karnatka, asserting that Congress has misled the public through its unfulfilled promises. According to Prasad, Kharge's recent advice to Congress units preparing for elections represents an implicit admission of past fiscal missteps. Kharge advised party units to make guarantees only within budgetary limits, warning that financially unplanned promises could have lasting repercussions for future generations. Has the Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge taught this lesson to Rahul Gandhi? Prasad questioned, accusing Gandhi of making frequent, unfeasible announcements without budgetary backing. He highlighted the potential for financial strain if the government fails to meet its obligations, adding, "If theres no money for roads, everyone will turn against you... future generations will be left with nothing but a bad name." Review of Karnataka's 'Shakti Scheme' The Congress governments recent suggestion to review Karnatakas Shakti schemewhich offers free bus transport for womenalso attracted criticism from Prasad. He argued that the Congresss proposed reconsideration of the scheme further demonstrated its inability to fulfill promises. However, Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy clarified that there would be no review or discontinuation of the scheme. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar further defended the scheme, describing Karnataka's "guarantee model" as exemplary and noting that BJP and other parties are also adopting it. Addressing alleged misinterpretations of his statement, Shivakumar said, Whatever our elders say we follow that. My statement was twisted... there is no question of closing the schemes. Himachal Pradesh Financial Crisis Prasad also pointed to Himachal Pradesh, where Congress Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu recently advised state employees to forgo their salaries due to financial constraints. Highlighting Congresss apparent inability to deliver on promises in states like Himachal Pradesh, he noted that the administration even attempted to introduce a tax on toilets before withdrawing the proposal following public backlash. What about their announcements and promises in Himachal Pradesh? Prasad asked, emphasizing what he described as a repeated pattern of fooling the public for votes without meaningful implementation. They just make announcements and fool the public for the sake of votes and then they dont implement their promises, he asserted. Prasad Accuses Congress of Public Deception and Demands Accountability Prasad reiterated that the Congress Partys acknowledgment of its financial limitations represents an admission of having previously misled the public. He stated that Congress leaders Kharge and Gandhi should apologize to the nation, particularly to voters in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, for what he described as deceptive practices. "For the first time, Congress has accepted that they have misled the public... Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi should apologize to the nation," Prasad insisted, adding that the BJP, by contrast, fulfills the promises it makes. With Inputs From ANI Air Quality Post Diwali: After the nation celebrated the festival of Diwali on Thursday, several cities across India were left reeling under deteriorating air quality. The issue of pollution was not limited to the national capital; several other cities across India, including Punjab, Haryana, and metropolises like Chennai and Mumbai, reported similar conditions, with smog and poor air quality causing severe impacts on large areas. According to the CPCB data, significant pollution levels, especially after Diwali celebrations, raise concerns about air quality and potential health impacts nationwide. Delhis neighbouring state, Haryana, reported an air quality index (AQI) in the 'poor' and 'very poor' categories on Diwali night on Thursday. Many places in Punjab as well as in the Union Territory of Chandigarh reported air quality index in the 'poor' category. #WATCH | Maharashtra | Parts of Mumbai city wake up to a layer of smog lingering in the air, as the overall air quality deteriorates. Visuals from BKC pic.twitter.com/3AJQox1yjH ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2024 On Thursday, as of 11 pm on Thursday, the AQI in Gurugram in Haryana was recorded at 322, 336 in Jind, and 306 in Charkhi Dadri, according to the Sameer app that provides hourly updates of the national AQI published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: A thin layer of smog engulfs Hapur city as the air quality continues to deteriorate. pic.twitter.com/EYEq3PnDrr November 1, 2024 Among other places in Haryana, as of 11 pm, AQI in Ambala was recorded at 201; in Bahadurgarh it was 292, Bhiwani 278, Ballabhgarh 211, Faridabad 245, Kurukshetra 270, Panchkula 220, Rohtak 222, and Sonipat at 258. Chandigarh's AQI was recorded at 239 as of 11 p.m. on Thursday. In Jalandhar, the AQI at 11 pm was 256, while at Ludhiana, it was 234, Mandi Gobindgarh 266, while Patiala recorded an AQI of 244. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', 401 and 450 'severe' and above 450 'severe plus'. Meanwhile, Diwali was celebrated with great fervour, gaiety, and enthusiasm in Haryana and Punjab on Thursday. Candles, diyas (earthen lamps) and electric lights dotted houses as people exchanged sweets and gifts on the occasion and burst firecrackers. The authorities granted permission to burn only "green crackers" for a restricted period of time on Diwali day. In Chandigarh, the twin capital of Punjab and Haryana, use of only green crackers was allowed within a designated time limit between 8 pm and 10 pm. However, in many parts of Chandigarh, people continued to burst firecrackers well past the 10 p.m. limit. The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government recently said that only green firecrackers will be allowed during festival celebrations for Diwali, Gurpurab, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. Only green crackers, which are free from barium salts or compounds of antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, lead, or strontium chromate, were permitted for sale and use in Punjab, an official statement released earlier said. Kerala Lottery Results Friday 01-11-2024 LIVE: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "Nirmal NR-404" Lucky Draw Result today Nirmal NR-404, November 01, 2024. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2024 for "Nirmal NR-404" 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 Nirmal NR-404 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 Nirmal NR-404 results today. Kerala Lottery Result 01-11-2024 November: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR NIRMAL NR-404 Draw LUCKY TICKET NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 70 LAKHS IS: NG 619722 LUCKY TICKET NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 10 LAKHS IS: NM 882002 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 Lakh ARE: NA 508411 NB 533488 NC 861865 ND 657400 NE 518208 NF 687283 NG 186099 NH 780305 NJ 329568 NK 765707 NL 527500 NM 608470 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: To Be Announced (For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below) LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: 0022 1360 1979 2677 3163 3523 3629 3874 4677 5487 6619 7067 7397 7660 7773 8299 9099 9850 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: 0510 0560 0789 1009 1410 2362 3726 4006 4173 4763 4789 4891 4965 5427 5431 5510 5814 6358 6560 6670 6871 7120 7286 7309 7577 7801 8017 8153 8289 8891 9101 9140 9179 9734 9847 9942 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: 0150 0163 0213 0585 0612 0754 0960 1181 1278 1578 1718 1755 1773 1983 2007 2181 2426 2436 2869 3147 3312 3356 3484 3678 3951 4082 4408 4546 4548 4837 4997 5036 5504 5632 5774 5821 5954 5993 6029 6043 6055 6156 6438 6446 6825 6865 6997 7230 7715 7867 7921 7934 7982 7995 8057 8151 8233 8254 8318 8398 8445 8457 8466 8658 8750 8769 9087 9243 9424 9443 9500 9501 9518 9576 9581 9616 9720 9841 9912 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: 0060 0072 0077 0103 0157 0232 0271 0273 0300 0311 0529 0912 0953 0970 1028 1480 1590 1632 1681 1715 1769 1816 1919 1996 2228 2371 2466 2487 2503 2631 2645 2652 2699 2811 2928 2977 3062 3076 3209 3261 3287 3522 3558 3619 3724 3736 3990 4057 4076 4124 4270 4831 4980 5011 5012 5161 5177 5231 5285 5345 5412 5475 5498 5577 5585 5699 5779 5783 5895 5928 5975 6167 6332 6341 6365 6433 6452 6482 6571 6639 6686 6723 6872 6994 7066 7278 7355 7517 7528 7533 7829 7842 7884 8024 8068 8127 8185 8239 8272 8284 8363 8366 8554 8650 8668 8849 8896 9030 9032 9131 9170 9194 9279 9327 9332 9438 9447 9490 9601 9905 9918 9951 KERALA LOTTERY RESULT TODAY 01-11-2024 November: NIRMAL NR-404 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS 1st Prize: Rs 70 Lakhs 2nd Prize: Rs. 10 lakhs 3rd Prize: Rs. 5,000 4th Prize: Rs. 2,000 5th Prize: Rs. 1,000 6th Prize: Rs. 500 7th Prize: Rs. 200 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.) Maharashtra Election 2024: With the withdrawal of nominations for the Maharashtra assembly election ending on November 4, the BJP is facing a fresh challenge, not from the opposition, but from the rebel leaders who have either filed their nominations as independents or are willing to campaign against the candidate nominated by the party. BJP has dropped at least eight MLAs and now facing a rebellion in most of these seats. The party faces a dual challenge now- to get the rebel leaders back in its fold and tackle the fight posed by the Congress-Shiv Sena UBT and NCP-SP alliance. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior party leader Devendra Fadnavis expressed confidence that the aspirants who rebelled against the party will be convinced to work in the interest of the party. "They are our own people and it is our responsibility to talk to them and convince them. Many times there is displeasure (over ticket distribution), but we are confident of convincing all of them to work for the party," said Fadnavis. Fadnavis noted that the BJP runs on its organisational set-up and workers and derives its energy from its workers. Fadnavis said for the last 30 to 32 years, he has been visiting the party office in Nagpur with other BJP workers on the occasion of Laxmi Pujan. The 288-member legislative assembly will go to the polls in a single-phase on November 20 and the counting of votes will take place on November 23. (With agency inputs) Delhi Crime News: In a bizarre incident that surfaced in the national capital, a man and his teenage nephew were shot dead while his 10-year-old son was left injured after two armed men opened fire outside their residence during Diwali celebrations in northeast Delhi's Shahdara on Thursday, police said. The victims were identified as Akash Sharma, his nephew Rishabh Sharma, and his son Krish Sharma. They were celebrating the festival of Diwali during the night time. The incident took place at around 8 PM when they were attacked. The family members and eyewitnesses informed the police that the accused men arrived on a scooter and touched Akash's feet, after which they opened fire on him and the others. A video of the incident surfaced on social media in which Akash and Rishabh were both seen wearing yellow kurtas, gearing up to burst firecrackers when the accused reached the spot. As Akash tried to move inside his house, one of the accused got off the scooter and fired at him. Warning: Disturbing Video Below, Viewer Discretion Advised Akash's nephew Rishabh was also shot when he ran behind the accused to catch them. The three victims were rushed to a hospital, where Akash and Rishabh were declared dead while Krish was undergoing treatment. "At around 8.30 pm, we received a PCR call informing us that there had been firing in the Bihari Colony and some people were injured. Upon reaching the spot, it was known that Akash (40), his nephew Rishab (16), and his son Krish (10) were shot. Akash and Rishab have lost their lives. In the prima facie investigation, we have found that 5 rounds of bullets were fired," police told news agency ANI. #WATCH | Delhi: DCP Shahdara Prashant Gautam says, "At around 8.30 pm, we received a PCR call informing that there had been firing in the Bihari Colony and some people were injured. Upon reaching the spot, it was known that Akash (40) his nephew Rishab (16) and his son Krish (10) https://t.co/BqAwGVwH9E pic.twitter.com/swBryX1AXc ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2024 Akash's wife claimed that she knew the attackers. She further stated that there had been a dispute between them over land for many years, as per an India Today report. According to his brother Yogesh, their family was falsely implicated last month after the accused fired shots at their own house but filed a case against them. He further stated that the footage of the incident was deleted from their phones and instead accused them of getting into fights. According to the police, the case seemed to be of personal enmity. Statements of the victims' family members will be recorded, and further investigations into the matter are on, they further stated. Junior doctors at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata protested on Friday against the rape and murder of their colleague, voicing frustration over the slow pace of the CBI's investigation. Organized under the West Bengal Junior Doctors' Forum, the doctors expressed disappointment with the agency's chargesheet, which named only one individual as an accused in the case. Forum spokesperson Debashis Halder raised concerns, citing media reports that suggest the involvement of 'other perpetrators' has not been adequately addressed. He questioned whether the investigation had fully examined the roles of other arrested individuals, including former hospital principal Sandip Ghosh.He also announced a slew of fresh agitations by the protesting doctors. According to a report by PTI, Halder said, "We will take out a rally in Kolkata on November 9 from College Square to Esplanade along with members of civil society organisations. There will be similar rallies in different parts of West Bengal. A mass convention will also be held on November 9 on Rani Rashmoni Avenue in the Esplanade area, demanding justice for the murdered medic. "We are also giving a call to light lamps at every locality of Bengal on November 4," he added. The doctor was found murdered inside the seminar hall of the hospital on August 9. The police arrested a civil volunteer named Sanjay Roy for the crime. The CBI, which took over the probe, arrested the former principal of the RG Kar Medical College, Sandip Ghosh, and the now-suspended officer-in-charge of Tala Police Station, Abhijit Mondal. On October 21, the agitating junior doctors called off their fast-unto-death, which started on October 5, following a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who assured them of looking into their demands. The spokesperson on Friday said that junior doctors apprehend that such a probe may help the accused get bail. "Why such a routine kind of investigation was held? We wish to know what steps the central agency has undertaken against higher authorities in the hospital and whether the sleuths talked to higher-ups in the health department," Halder said, according to PTI. He also added that junior doctors had organised a rally to the CBI office in Kolkata before Diwali to press for expediting the probe, but given the present situation, they are now forced to intensify" their stir. With Inputs From PTI Bihar Election 2024: Testing the waters for the first time as a founder of a political party, Prashant Kishor is holding small rallies across Bihar. Up against two giants - Nitish Kumar's JDU and Tejashwi Yadav's RJD, political strategist turned politician, Kishor is trying to hit the rivals where it hurts the most in Bihar's political landscape. In his latest political campaign, Jan Suraaj founder Kishor made three promises to the people of Bihar. This included a monthly pension for the elderly, jobs for youth and free education in private schools funded by the state government. Addressing a gathering, Kishor said that once voted to power, the Jan Suraaj government would ensure that people who are going out of Bihar in search of unskilled jobs would get similar jobs in the state and would be able to earn Rs 10,000-Rs 12,000 per month. The Jan Suraaj founder then promised to increase the monthly pension amount five times. "The Nitish government is giving Rs 400 pension like distributing alms. Once our government is formed, we would give Rs 2,000 pension per month to every man, woman aged over 60," he said. Kishor further said that poverty cannot be eliminated without a good education. "Until Bihar's government schools become better, children aged below 14 years would get state-sponsored education in private schools," he said. Bihar would go to the polls around November next year where Jan Suraaj would compete against the NDA (BJP, JDU, LJP-RV, HAM) and the INDIA bloc (Congress, RJD, CPIM). Since migration and poverty are two big concerns for Bihar which have remained unsolved for decades, Kishor is trying to strike a chord with the people of the state by making promises around these burning issues. However, only the result would tell the magnitude of success cashed in by the debutant party. With Maharashtra and Jharkhand set to vote in the coming weeks, the BJP has got a fresh weapon to counter Congress. The BJP has latched upon the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's caution to his party leaders against promising 'guarantees' without budgetary considerations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the poor, youngsters, women and farmers are victims of the Congress party's fake promises. Taking to X, PM Modi said that Congress is realising the 'hard way' that 'making unreal promises is easy but implementing them' is impossible. "The Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible. Campaign after campaign they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly exposed in front of the people," said PM Modi. Prime Minister Modi said that Congress-ruled states are facing a difficult financial situation due to unreal promises made to the voters. "Check any state where the Congress has Governments today - Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana- the developmental trajectory and fiscal health is turning from bad to worse. Their so-called Guarantees lie unfulfilled, which is a terrible deceit upon the people of these states. The victims of such politics are the poor, youngsters, farmers and women, who are not only denied the benefits of these promises but also see their existing schemes diluted," added PM Modi. The Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible. Campaign after campaign they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2024 He said that while the Karnataka Congress is busy with intra-party politics and loot, in Himachal Pradesh, the salaries of Government workers are not paid on time. PM Modi said that the Karnataka government is now going to roll back existing schemes. "In Telangana, farmers are waiting for the waiver they promised. Previously, in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan they promised certain allowances which were never implanted for five years. There are numerous such examples of how the Congress works," said PM Modi. Warning people against such promises, PM Modi said that the people will have to be vigilant against the Congress-sponsored culture of fake promises. Citing the example of Haryana where Congress suffered a poll loss, PM Modi said, "There is a growing realisation across India that a vote for Congress is a vote for non-governance, poor economics and unparalleled loot. The people of India want development and progress, not the same old 'Fake Promises Of Congress." Earlier today, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge meted out advice to the Congress units headed for polls cautioning them to announce guarantees on the basis of their budget. During a press conference, he underscored the importance of fiscal responsibility, stating that if the government fails to deliver on its commitments, it could result in a bad reputation and hardships for the community. Kharge said, "In Maharashtra, I've said that they shouldn't announce 5, 6,10 or 20 guarantees. They should announce guarantees based on budget. Otherwise, there'll be bankruptcy. If there's no money for roads, everyone will turn against you. If this government fails, the future generation will be left with nothing but a bad name. They'll have to live in exile for 10 years." (With agency inputs) Senior BJP leader and Nagrota MLA Devender Singh Rana died on Thursday at a private hospital in Haryana's Faridabad. He was the brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh. He died at age 59. According to a senior BJP leader, Rana was undergoing treatment at the hospital. He is survived by his wife, Gunjan Rana, their daughters Devyani and Ketki, and son Adhiraj Singh. Following his demise, hundreds of people, including political leaders, gathered at Ranas residence in the Gandhinagar area of Jammu. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also rushed to his house. Rana turned to politics from business as he built a multi-crore business from scratch and was a strong voice for Jammu's Dogra community. He was recently re-elected to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly from the Nagrota segment of Jammu district, securing the seat for a second term. Following the death of the senior BJP leader, reactions started to pour in, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressing shock and grief over Rana's sudden demise. "In his passing, we have lost a patriotic and widely respected leader who was committed to the well-being of the people of J&K. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends. Om Shanti," the LG's office said in a post on X. I am deeply grieved to learn of the untimely demise of Shri Devender Singh Rana Ji. In his passing away, we have lost a patriotic & widely respected leader, who was committed to well-being of the people of J&K. I extend my deepest condolences to his family & friends. Om Shanti. October 31, 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary also offered his condolences. "This news is especially disheartening on an auspicious day (Diwali). My condolences are extended to his family and PMO @DrJitendraSingh ji on the loss of his younger brother. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Om Shanti," Choudhary wrote on X. PDP chief and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti also offered her condolences. "Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Devender Rana Ji. Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones," Mufti said on X. The Jammu and Kashmir BJP said his untimely demise is a great loss to the party and to the people of J&K. "His contribution and dedication to society will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace, and may God provide strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss," the party posted on X. Congress National General Secretary and MLA Ghulam Ahmed Mir expressed his shock and sorrow over Rana's death. "My heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, and friends of the deceased. Having interacted with him in politics and beyond, Rana was a great, supportive, and visionary leader, an entrepreneur whose business acumen created opportunities for many in J&K," Mir wrote on X. Other political leaders, including Sajad Lone, Junaid Matoo, Sunil Sharma, Tarun Chugh, Sham Lal Sharma, and Choudhary Zulfikar Ali, also offered their condolences on Rana's passing. Rana was once a trusted lieutenant of National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and his political advisor during his previous tenure as chief minister. He held considerable sway among Muslims, particularly the Gujjar community in Jammu. Mumbai: Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who is awaiting the release of his upcoming streaming movie Vijay 69, has shared the details of the injury that he suffered on the sets of the film while portraying 69-year-old triathlete. The actor told IANS that he suffered a serious injury to his shoulder but that didnt bog him down, as he continued to work despite the unbearable pain. He told IANS, It was a serious injury. I had a broken shoulder, dislocated, it was thrown out of my socket. But then work has to go on, I think that's what training teaches you. When you're a drama school product, the show must go on, that's the first thing that they teach. When asked as to how did he cultivate this fighter mindset, he said that he learnt it at a very young age as he comes from a humble background where injuries dont change the course of routine life. He said, Life has to go on. I've seen my father, unless he was bedridden, I saw him going to the office every single day. Leave at 8 in the morning, come back at 8 in the evening, walk 14 kilometres one side, 28 kilometres both sides. So I think it was part of our life that we never saw anybody in the family. We were a family of 14 in a small room. Complaining was not a luxury. I think complaining about smaller things is a luxury for different people. He further mentioned, So I learned it from there and plus I've made it with great difficulty. I don't want to romanticise my sleeping on the railway platforms, I was homeless for some time. So it was when I used to always say, God give me work, I'll never complain. And I think that's how I have dealt with it. The actor always looks upto international talent because thats where his competition lies. He told IANS, My competition in my mind is never with the local actors. With my love and respect for all actors from Indian cinema, I aim at international people and think about what Mr. Robert De Niro would have done, what Al Pacino would have done, what other people would have done. They would have not stopped shooting. You think in Raging Bull De Niro did not get hurt? These are all tantrums that I don't want to do, he added. Vijay 69 is set to drop on Netflix. Mumbai: As the festival of lights is celebrated across the country, Bollywood celebrities joined in with enthusiasm, sharing glimpses of their Diwali celebrations. From Shraddha Kapoor to Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, the stars brought festive cheer to their fans with adorable pictures and stylish looks. Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor were also spotted celebrating Diwali as the trio were seen visiting Ranbir's mother, Neetu Kapoor on Thursday. The couple was spotted in their car, with Ranbir driving while Alia sat in the front seat holding baby Raha on her lap. Alia looked stunning in a yellow suit paired with a pink dupatta, while the highlight of the moment was Ranbir and Raha twinning in beige kurtas. Veteran actress Neena Gupta, who recently became a grandmother, also joined in the Diwali fun. She shared a couple of family pictures on Instagram, showcasing her time with loved ones during the festival. Ayushmann Khurrana also took to Instagram to share his Diwali celebrations. The first photo showed him posing with his wife, Tahira Kashyap, both looking stunning in black traditional outfits. The couple was all smiles as they embraced the festive spirit. Ayushmann even shared a video where he was seen playing the dhol, adding a lively touch to the celebrations. His post was captioned, "Chandigarh Diwali celebrations with every generation," giving a glimpse into his joyful family time. Ananya Panday shared a cute picture on Instagram, offering fans a look at her Diwali celebration. The 'Pati Patni Aur Woh' actress posted an adorable photo with her cousin Alanna Panday's little one, melting hearts with her sweet moment. Sonam Kapoor also delighted fans by sharing a beautiful family photo on Instagram. The picture featured Sonam with her husband, Anand Ahuja, and their little son. Rashmika Mandanna was another star who wowed fans with her festive look. The actress, dressed in a white chikankari kurta, took to Instagram to share a series of pictures from her Diwali celebration. Her simple yet elegant outfit, paired with her radiant smile, made her a sight to behold. Janhvi Kapoor was spotted at her father Boney Kapoor's Diwali puja, making heads turn as she arrived at his office on Thursday evening. Janhvi greeted the paps with a bright smile, wishing everyone a happy Diwali. The actress looked absolutely stunning in a pastel saree, a gorgeous mix of mint green and blush pink, embroidered with delicate floral designs. She completed her look with subtle jewellery, soft curls, and minimal makeup. Earlier in the day, Varun Dhawan was spotted with his wife Natasha Dalal at their office for a Diwali puja. The 'Bhediya' actor looked dapper in a white kurta as he got out of his car. His wife, Natasha, looked stunning in a pink kurta sharara. The couple smiled and posed for the paps stationed outside. On Thursday, Shraddha Kapoor gave fans a peek into her Diwali festivities through her Instagram account. The 'Stree' actress looked adorable in a floral Anarkali dress. In the first picture, Shraddha posed with her puppy, sharing a sweet moment. Another image showed her celebrating with family, including her father, Shakti Kapoor, and her aunt, veteran actress Padmini Kolhapure. Parineeti Chopra also shared a series of beautiful pictures from her Diwali celebration on her Instagram account, giving her fans a glimpse of her special day. ( With ANI Inputs) Mumbai: In 2019, the late actor Rishi Kapoor attended a grand Diwali party, hosted by Ekta Kapoor. Accompanied by his wife, Neetu Kapoor, Rishi arrived in high spirits but found his patience tested by the paparazzi gathered outside. In an old video that has resurfaced from the event, Rishi, visibly irritated, addressed the photographers, saying, Dont shout! You keep shouting look here, look there. Please dont do that. Calming himself, he reminded them, Dont make noise. We have to maintain our dignity. People shouldnt look down upon us film industry folk. Take your photographs, do your jobs, but dont make noise. Even as he posed with Neetu, Rishi repeated his appeal to the paparazzi: Dont shout. Its worth noting that Rishis father, the legendary Raj Kapoor, used to host lavish Diwali bashes that were iconic events, uniting the biggest stars of Bollywood under one roof at RK Studios. These parties werent just gatherings, they were emblematic of the industrys camaraderie and glamoor, a tradition cherished by the Kapoor family. Watch The Video Here: The Kapoor family continues to celebrate Diwali with the same spirit, honouring their legacy. Last year, Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan hosted a Diwali party at their Mumbai home and it was attended by Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. Meanwhile, Rishi Kapoor, a National Film Award recipient, enjoyed a career spanning over 50 years. He made his debut with his fathers film Mera Naam Joker and post this, he delivered numerous hits. Rishi passed away at the age of 67 on April 30, 2020, after a two-year battle with leukemia. He sought treatment in New York and, following a year of successful therapy, Kapoor returned to India in September 2019. On April 29, 2020, he was admitted to Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital due to breathing difficulties and passed away the following day. New Delhi: Google smartphones, including the popular Pixel series will no longer be available for sale in Indonesia due to new regulations mandating that at least 40 per cent of a devices parts be locally sourced. This move follows a similar decision by Apple, which has halted the sale of the iPhone 16 for the same reason. As a result, consumers in Indonesia will miss out on these devices until manufacturers can meet the country's production requirements. "We are pushing these rules so that there's fairness for all investors in Indonesia," said Febri Hendri Antoni Arief, spokesperson for the industry ministry, on Thursday. "Google's products have not adhered to the scheme we set, so they can't be sold here." He noted that consumers can still purchase Google Pixel phones from abroad, provided they pay the required taxes. He further mentioned that the country may consider deactivating phones that are sold illegally. Febri stated that consumers can still purchase Google Pixel phones from other countries as long as they pay the required taxes. He also mentioned that the government may consider deactivating phones that are sold illegally. This ban follows Indonesia's recent decision to restrict iPhone 16 sales in the country due to similar violations of local content regulations. Companies have various options to comply with the ruling. For instance, different smartphone manufacturers established production facilities in Indonesia at different times: Samsung and Xiaomi invested in assembly plants, while Apple has focused on developer academies to enhance local expertise. These proactive steps enable them to meet local content requirements and maintain a presence in Indonesia's smartphone market. Local content regulations are part of a wider industrial policy aimed at leveraging Indonesia's large consumer market to boost domestic economic growth. Violating these regulations can result in significant sales restrictions, making it difficult for local companies to compete effectively against foreign giants like Google and Apple. New Delhi: Meta-owned WhatsApp on Thursday made it easier to organise messages filling up users inbox, which will help them keep track of conversations with family members, work colleagues, college friends and more. Earlier this year, the popular messaging platform introduced chat filters as a way to find messages faster. Weve had great feedback that they help you keep track of your chats, and were excited to have quickly evolved them into Lists, said the social media company. How To Filter Chats With Customised Lists On WhatsApp With Lists, you can now filter your chats with custom categories of your choice. Whether thats a list for family, work or your local neighbourhood, Lists help you focus on the conversations that are most important, when you need them. You can create and edit your lists easily by tapping the + in the filter bar at the top of your Chats tab, or edit by long-pressing a list, said WhatsApp. Similar to your favourites, you can add both groups and one-on-one chats to a list, and any list you create will appear in the filter bar. Were rolling Lists out to users today, and will be available to everyone in the coming weeks. We look forward to expanding the functionality of Lists to help you focus on the people and conversations that matter most, the company informed. By default, WhatsApp will still open to the All category, which displays all messages in chronological order. Notably, WhatsApp already had a way to look at unread messages through a filter in the search bar. But with the new filter bubbles on top of the chat screen, the option is easily available. Gmail users might find these filter bubbles familiar as the Google-owned email service introduced a similar feature in 2020 to make search simpler. Israel-Hezbollah Conflict: Hezbollah's rocket attacks on northern Israel have resulted in the loss of seven lives in agricultural fields near Metula and Haifa, marking one of the deadliest days for Israeli civilians in months, according to a report by Times of Israel. According to the authorities, tragedy struck near the border town of Metula on Thursday morning when a rocket fired from Lebanon slammed into an apple orchard, claiming the lives of five people. Hours later, two more people were killed while in an olive grove outside the Haifa suburb of Kiryat Ata, as Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets at the area, Times of Israel reported. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also confirmed the attack by Hezbollah in a statement. Sharing a post on X, the IDF wrote, "Hezbollah rockets killed 7 innocent civilians inside Israel today. We will not let Hezbollah's deadly attacks go unanswered." All the victims were agricultural labourers who had been working in the orchard at the time of the strike. While one of them was an Israeli citizen, the others were foreign nationals. Meanwhile, Israel on Thursday targeted weapons storage facilities and command centres used by Hezbollah's Radwan Forces and its munitions unit in Syria. Sharing a post on X, the IDF wrote, "A short while ago, following IDF intelligence, the IAF (Israeli Air Force) struck weapons storage facilities and command centers used by Hezbollah's Radwan Forces and its Munitions Unit in the area of Al-Qusayr, Syria." It added, "Hezbollah's Munitions Unit is responsible for storing weapons inside Lebanon and has recently expanded its activities into the town of Al-Qusayr, near the Syrian-Lebanese border. With this, Hezbollah is establishing logistical infrastructure to facilitate the transfer of weapons from Syria into Lebanon via border crossings." The IDF further said that the strike on the weapons storage facilities is part of a larger effort targeting the infrastructure of Unit 4400, the Hezbollah unit responsible for smuggling weapons from Iran, through Syria, and into Lebanon. The IDF further said that it launched a strike on weapons storage facilities, targeting the infrastructure of Hezbollah's Unit 4400, responsible for illicit arms smuggling from Iran through Syria into Lebanon. "The strike on the weapons storage facilities is part of a larger effort targeting the infrastructure of Unit 4400, the Hezbollah unit responsible for smuggling weapons from Iran, through Syria, and into Lebanon. This includes recent strikes on several border crossings between Syria and Lebanon used by Hezbollah for weapons smuggling," IDF said. Brazilian artist and activist Mundano recently used some unusual substances to paint a picture on a building in Sao Paulo. The paint included materials, such as ash and mud, collected from natural disasters. Mundano created the mural to highlight the issue of climate change. Extreme weather events have been causing destruction across Brazil. The mural is very large over 30 meters high and 48 meters wide. The artist used ash from wildfires and mud from floods. His painting shows the gray remains of trees on a brown land so dry it is cracked. The picture represents the deforestation and severe drought in the Amazon rainforest. The mural also shows Indigenous activist Alessandra Korap wearing a circle of flowers around her head. She holds a sign that says: Stop the destruction #keepyourpromise. The artist says those messages are directed to Cargill, a massive soybean producer based in the United States. Soy farming is one of the biggest causes of deforestation in the Amazon. Cargill says on its website that it will eliminate deforestation from its supply chain in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay by 2025. Mundano is seeking to hold the company accountable. We are tired of being a country, a continent where we and the natural resources we have here are exploited. ... We have to regenerate our planet instead of destroying it, the artist said in an interview. Cargill did not immediately answer a request for comment. Over the past few months, human-caused wildfires have severely damaged protected places in the Amazon area. The fires burned in parts of both the large Cerrado savanna and the worlds largest tropical wetland, the Pantanal. Smoke spread over a very large area and affected the air quality in some Brazilian cities. Drought has caused a critical situation nationwide. Weather predictions show that this will continue in much of the country through at least the rest of October. This information comes from Cemaden, Brazils disaster warning center. Droughts & floods On October 22, the depth of the Amazons Negro River measured 12.46 meters, representing a small increase from 10 days earlier. At that time, the river was at its lowest point since measurements started 122 years ago. And this last reported measure is still about 6 meters below normal for the same date in earlier years. Rivers in Brazils Amazon always rise and fall with its rainy and dry seasons. But the dry season this year has been much worse than usual. Earlier this year, a severe flood in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul killed more than 180 people, affected over 2 million people, and destroyed city communities. Mundano, who calls himself an artivist (a combination of "artist and activist), used mud from that flood to create the new mural. The activist group Movement of People Affected by Dams collected the materials. Mundano also used ashes from Brazils fires in the Atlantic Forest, the Pantanal, and the Cerrado. He also used earth found in waste containers in Sao Paulo and clay collected from the Sawre Muybu Indigenous land in the Amazon, where Alessandra Korap is from. From floods to droughts, everything is connected! Mundano said recently in an Instagram post. He included a video showing the mural in Sao Paulo. The artist said it is his biggest mural ever. Three years ago, he used ash from the Amazon to create a similar mural in Sao Paulo. That work showed a firefighter standing in deforested areas. It also showed a cow farm and trucks loaded with cut trees. Im Anna Matteo. Eleonore Hughes And Felipe Campos Mello reported this story for the Associated Press. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English. ______________________________________________ Words in This Story cracked adj. broken (as by a sharp blow) so that the surface is fissured drought n. a long period of dry weather eliminate v. to put an end to or get rid of supply chain n. the chain of processes, businesses, etc. by which a commodity is produced and distributed : the companies, materials, and systems involved in manufacturing and delivering goods accountable adj. responsible for giving an account such as one's action exploit v. to make use of meanly or unfairly for one's own advantage savanna n. a tropical or subtropical grassland (as of eastern Africa or northern South America) containing scattered trees and drought-resistant undergrowth tropical adj. of, being, or characteristic of a region or climate that is frost-free with temperatures high enough to support year-round plant growth given sufficient moisture We want to hear from you. Do you have a similar expressions in your language? In the Comments section, you can also practice using any of the expressions from the story. Our comment policy is here. Former US President Donald Trump vowed to safeguard the interests of Hindu Americans, protecting them from the "anti-religion agenda of the radical left." He also expressed his desire to boost partnership with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and referred to as a "good friend." is a post on X. "We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi," Trump wrote on X. Trump also condemned the recent violence against the Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina as a Prime Minister. He added, "I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos." The former president also criticised President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of polls in the US. He alleged that they have ignored Hindus globally and in the United States. He said, "It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength!" I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos. It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2024 He also targeted Kamala Harris over economic policies and said, "Kamala Harris will destroy your small businesses with more regulations and higher taxes. By contrast, I cut taxes, cut regulations, unleashed American energy, and built the greatest economy in history. We will do it again, bigger and better than ever before--and we will Make America Great Again." Trump also extended his Diwali wishes and said, "Also, Happy Diwali to All. I hope the Festival of Lights leads to the Victory of Good over Evil!" US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken recently made a striking revelation, stating that around 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently stationed in Russia, with approximately 8,000 of them deployed in the Kursk region. He also exaggerated that while these troops have not yet been engaged in combat against Ukrainian forces, he anticipates their involvement in the coming days. During a press conference with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III, Republic of Korea Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul, and Republic of Korea Minister of Defence Kim Yong-hyun on Thursday, Blinken said, "We now assess that there are some 10,000 North Korean soldiers in total in Russia. And recent information indicates that as many as 8,000 of those North Korean forces have been deployed in the Kursk region. We have not yet seen these troops deployed in the combat against Ukrainian forces but we expect that to happen in the coming days." He added, "Russia has been training Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) soldiers in artillery, UAVs, and basic infantry operations, indicating that they fully intend to use these forces in front-line operations. Should these troops engage in combat or combat-support operations against Ukraine, they would become legitimate military." The U.S. Secretary of State issued a strong condemnation of Russia, asserting that President Vladimir Putin is "throwing Russians in a meat grinder" and is now seeking support from North Korea is a "clear sign of weakness." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also responded to the situation by highlighting the involvement of North Korean soldiers in the conflict. He shared a post on and said, "They are even bringing in North Korean soldiers because they lack sufficient forces of their own. Our strategy has been to counter their attempts to invade and kill our people in northern Ukraine near Sumy. We made a preemptive move to prevent this, denying them the opportunity to inflict harm." Zelenskyy also spoke about China on the current situation and added, "North Korea's actions aren't random; they have strategic goals. I'm surprised by China's silence. I can't say that China is on our side, but as a regional security guarantor, its silence is striking." He added, "It may be time for an Asian Security Alliance. Both Japan and South Korea are strong, civilised nations, and reaching out to China could be essential in countering North Korea's aggression, as North Korea is actively pulling that region into a war. Their actions aren't coincidental--they want Russia's support in return." (With ANI Inputs) As the U.S. presidential election intensifies, the influence of Hindu voters has taken center stage. In an unprecedented move, former President Donald Trump has raised the issue of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh and spoken out in support of Hindu interests. This marks a historical shift, as a prominent U.S. leader has publicly addressed global Hindu concerns. Could this signal recognition of the strength of the Hindu community? Or has the Hindu vote become increasingly pivotal in American politics? In today's episode of DNA, Zee News explains how Donald Trump is leveraging Hindu influence in presidential elections. With the election only three days away, Trump has made a strong statement on social media, voicing concern for Hindus in Bangladesh who are facing violence and persecution. He openly condemned these acts, stating that the violence and lawlessness seen in Bangladesh would not have occurred under his administration. Trump's comments have drawn praise from some quarters, while others see it as a calculated political maneuver. Watch Full Episode Here Trumps First Tweet I strongly condemn the brutal violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities in Bangladesh, who are being attacked by mobs and looted in a state of utter lawlessness. This would have never happened under my watch. Kamala and Joe Biden have neglected Hindus worldwide and in the U.S. as well. Trumps remarks acknowledge a series of recent attacks in Bangladesh, where Hindu and Christian minorities have reportedly been targeted. His timing raises questions, with political analysts viewing his words as more than just sympathythey could be an attempt to consolidate Hindu American support, which has historically leaned towards the Democrats. Trumps Message to Hindu Americans: Defending Faith and Freedom Continuing in his tweet, Trump emphasized his commitment to protect Hindu Americans from the "radical lefts anti-religion agenda" and promised to fight for their religious freedom. He further expressed a desire to reinforce the U.S.-India relationship, mentioning his personal friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Trumps Second Tweet: We will also defend Hindu Americans against the radical lefts anti-religion agenda. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi. Mixed Reactions from Political Circles Trumps statements have sparked mixed reactions in the U.S. While some, including Hindu leaders and supporters, view this as a genuine acknowledgment of Hindu struggles, others argue that Trump is merely seeking to win over a crucial voting bloc. With just days to go before the election, his comments have sparked discussions about the growing influence of Hindu Americans in U.S. politics. Trumps Strong Bond with Modi and the U.S.-India Partnership Trumps longstanding rapport with Prime Minister Modi is no secret. Over the years, theyve shared warm exchanges and appeared together at high-profile events, such as the "Howdy Modi" rally in Texas and Modis visit to Gujarat. The close ties between the two leaders have not only underscored a strong U.S.-India partnership but also strengthened Trumps appeal among Hindu American voters. In the 2020 election, Trump won only 22% of the Hindu American vote, while the majority supported Joe Biden. However, recent polling data indicates that Trumps support among Hindu Americans has risen to 31%. As he highlights Hindu issues and affirms his friendship with Modi, Trump may be playing a strategic trump card to secure Hindu American votes. Could Trumps Focus on Hindu Issues Shift the Election Outcome? With days to go before the election, Trumps outreach to Hindu Americans and acknowledgment of Hindu concerns could influence the results. While Democrats continue to hold significant support among Hindu Americans, Trumps recent focus on religious freedom and international Hindu issues may signal a shift. Whether this will be enough to sway Hindu American voters remains to be seen, but it certainly points to the growing influence of the community in U.S. politics. Researchers say a large fish that was thought to have disappeared from Asias Mekong River has been seen in the waterway in recent years. The fish is called a giant salmon carp. A recent study detailed the most recent sightings of the fish. The lead writer of that study said the fish was seen at least three times between 2020 and 2023. The predatory fish can grow to more than one meter in length and has an identifiable yellow spot surrounding its large eyes. The Mekong River is Southeast Asias longest river. It passes through China, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam. About 60 million people depend on the river for food and survival. It is also an important environment for numerous river creatures. The leader of the research was Chheana Chhut. He is with the Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The giant salmon carp is like a symbol of the Mekong region, Chheana recently told The Associated Press. He was the co-writer with other researchers of a study announcing the findings in the publication Biological Conservation. Chheana said researchers had believed that the last confirmed sighting of the fish in the Mekong was in 2005. But since 2017, biologists following the movements of migratory fish in Cambodia developed relationships with local fishing communities. They asked people in the communities to inform them of any unusual sightings. That process led to the finding that three giant salmon carp were identified in the Mekong River and a neighboring waterway in Cambodia between 2020 and 2023. Bunyeth Chan is a researcher at Cambodias Svay Rieng University. He helped lead the research. Bunyeth told the AP, I was really surprised and excited to see the real fish for the first time. Researchers say the sightings give them new hope for the future of the species. Another name used for the species is ghost fish. This rediscovery is very exciting, positive news, said Zeb Hogan. He is a fish biologist at the University of Nevada, Reno, who was part of the research team. But the problems the fish experienced also demonstrate the dangers facing all migratory species in the Mekong. The huge river faces industrial pollution and overfishing, among other problems. Brian Eyler is director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C. He was was not involved in the research. Eyler said one issue is that more than 700 dams are built along the river and neighboring waterways. In addition, there are very few workable fish passages that help species avoid obstructions. The Greater Mekong area includes Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar. The researchers said they hope that cooperation with local communities in Thailand and Laos will permit them to confirm whether the fish also still swims in other parts of the Mekong. Im Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. __________________________________________ Words in This Story predatory adj. a predatory animal kills and eats other animals symbol n. a sign or objected used to represent something species n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants positive adj. something good obstruction n. something that blocks something or someone from being able to do something Halloween is one of the most anticipated holidays for Hollywood stars. It is on All Saints' Day, which is traditionally celebrated on October 31, that celebrities hold an unofficial "competition" for the best costume. ADVERTISIMENT Some choose glamorous images of witches or famous people, while others emphasize realism, impressing with their transformations into cult characters. OBOZ.UA has collected the most striking costumes celebrities wore to impress their fans on this year's Halloween. Heidi Klum 51-year-old model Heidi Klum, who is also called the "Queen of Halloween" because of her love for large-scale costumes, did not disappoint her fans with her new outfit. The day before, the star appeared on the red carpet, repeating the image of the main character from Steven Spielberg's "E.T." movie. The celebrity posed for the camera in a huge alien girl costume, while her husband, German musician Tom Kaulitz, dressed in a similar look, held his beloved's hand. ADVERTISIMENT Kim Kardashian This year, socialite Kim Kardashian surprised fans with a realistic albino alligator costume. Thanks to professional makeup, the businesswoman was hardly recognizable the star wore green lenses and her skin was covered with white scales. The costume was accented by a huge tail. Elsa Hosk This Halloween, Swedish model Elsa Hosk was inspired by the legendary image of British Princess Diana. The Victoria's Secret angel wore a copy of Lady Dee's "revenge dress," complementing it with pearls and a large stone necklace. ADVERTISIMENT Paris Hilton Paris Hilton ditched her iconic blonde locks in favor of a dark bob. The model recreated the image of Uma Thurman from Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction." Hilton skillfully repeated the cover of the movie and shared the photos on her Instagram page. ADVERTISIMENT Christina Aguilera Singer Christina Aguilera has created a real Halloween chic. The singer tried on a Dracula costume, paying attention to even the smallest details. The singer put on a red corset with ties and wore her hair in a high ponytail. The look was completed with vampire makeup and fake blood. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! In New York in the fall of 2024, a real buzz began around a brown, slightly faded oversized leather jacket. Not only fashionistas have already appreciated the vintage wardrobe item, but also many celebrities. ADVERTISIMENT According to Vogue, a jacket that looks something like a pilot's bomber jacket is undoubtedly a trend this season. A brown leather jacket is an ideal option for those who are tired of ordinary black ones. Celebrities such as Bella Hadid, Jill Courtlev, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and many other famous women have complemented their fall looks with a vintage jacket. It is not surprising that this wardrobe item is incredibly popular, as it makes any look look stylish, fresh, and extraordinary. ADVERTISIMENT The bonus is that a vintage jacket will match any outfit. You can combine a denim or business skirt with a sweater and comfortable sneakers to create a comfortable and fashionable version of the look. For cooler weather, it is better to choose jeans or pants. Boots or trendy shoes with a pointed toe and low soles are suitable for footwear. Throwing a leather jacket over your shoulders, basic bows will sparkle with new colors. A rebel look is a bold challenge for those who are used to minimalism and sophistication. Only verified information is available in our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! At least eight people have been killed and several wounded after Viet Cong artillery shelled the South Vietnamese capital, Saigon. Altogether about 30 shells were fired into the city centre. The first round came as troops and spectators were getting ready to watch a parade to mark National Day, the third anniversary of the overthrow and assassination of former Prime Minister Ngo Dinh Diem. There was a lull and then a second round of shells exploded as Prime Minister Nguyen Kao Ky was saluting his troops. There was chaos as crowds tried to find cover on foot or by motor scooter. Many found their way blocked by American and South Vietnamese armoured vehicles coming from the opposite direction. One shell hit the Chapel of Saint Anthony of Padua in the cathedral. And another exploded just outside the cathedral killing an American officer. Five other Americans were wounded and at least two Vietnamese killed when a shell hit the crowded central market. The Viet Cong were firing from bases at the edge of the jungle some three and half miles away from Saigon and amazed military observers with their accuracy. They also sank an American minesweeper in the Saigon River with a mine later in the day, killing several crew members. So far US armed helicopters and South Vietnamese ground forces have failed to track down any Viet Cong bases. Yesterday, former US President General Dwight D Eisenhower called for more troops to be sent to Vietnam to bring about a swift end to the conflict. He told the US News and World Report that the war had been going on too long and said America should be putting in the kind of military strength we need to win as soon as possible. Courtesy BBC News In context The Viet Cong was a communist movement dedicated to the union of North and South and had been fighting a guerrilla war against South Vietnam since 1954. They were reinforced by North Vietnamese troops in 1959 in an effort to overthrow the South Vietnamese Government. In 1961 the US began sending troops to the region to bring a halt to what it saw as the spread of communism in South-East Asia. In 1965 the US started air raids on the North. Peace talks in 1969 saw American involvement decrease but war took hold once more in 1970 when the US and South Vietnam invaded Cambodia. A major communist offensive in 1972, coupled with strong opposition at home to US involvement in the war, led to further peace talks and the Paris Agreement in January, 1973 and the withdrawal of US troops. Saigon fell to communist forces on 30 April 1975. Some 900,000 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese, 50 000 Americans, and about 400,000 South Vietnamese had died. Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications can be powerful and useful tools to help journalists and media professionals but AI requires thorough, informed, and ethically responsible humans to take control of it and to supervise the outcome. These were the general conclusions of a panel of journalism and media production specialists, as well as news controllers and journalism ethics experts. They were invited by the School of Communication of the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBP) for a symposium Wednesday which debated the innovations and the risks AI technology presents for the profession. The symposium, titled, When Journalism Meets AI, discussed the challenges and opportunities Artificial intelligence (AI) tools pose for both journalists and media organizations. The symposium noted that, in an era where AI is reshaping industries, journalism is at a crossroads. While Al promises to revolutionize news production, enhance storytelling, and redefine audience engagement, it also poses challenges and ethical considerations. Though they discussed different aspects of AI according to their fields of expertise and professional experience, all the speakers agreed AI can help journalists and media professionals do their jobs in many different ways. This included tasks that are traditionally time-consuming and tedious. But new technologies still need human judgment, demanding more attentive and ethically responsible professionals to control them. Haris Amiri, senior machine learning engineer at Ground News said AI helps journalists and the public to understand the tone and political inclination of a news report. It can help journalists to produce more balanced and trustworthy news stories because it helps them find original sources and original quotes that may have become distorted due to the way different people have treated the information. Amiri said the technology is great and useful but it needs to rely on guardrails. He said that in some cases, while trying to balance news with no sources from a particular point of view, AI tools had generated what he termed hallucinations. That is, the AI produced a false and non-real view contrary to the one originally suggested. Eric Wishart, Standards and Ethics Editor of Agence France-Presse raised the same issue, noting the difficulty of using AI-generated images in news stories. Wishart said there is a risk AI might amplify stereotypes in images. Human oversight is the basic principle. AI can be a great tool, very useful, but needs human oversight, he said. He noted AI is now so significant that it has forced most news agencies to update their charters. He said that while AI can help with many time-consuming aspects of journalistic work including research, fact-checking and translations, it cannot do one thing that is crucial, and that is to replace the reporter in the field. He noted a study from Trusting News and Online News Association found 94% of people want journalists to disclose their use of AI in the production of news stories. A very significant portion of the public (news consumers) tend to distrust content created using AI, he said. The study notes that while consumers are mostly very comfortable with the use of AI for checking spelling and grammar, this comfort drops drastically when the topic involves news anchor/presenter tasks and drops even further when it comes to writing headlines, even if there is a human review in place. Wishart showed how media companies that use of AI-generated images to report on news stories have lost consumer trust. I dont think it does much for your credibility and your media organization [if you publish AI-generated images] unless it is a story about AI-generated images, he said. Doing real news with AI images raises a lot of questions and distrust from users. It needs to be real and not how AI thinks it should look. Wang Yi, deputy director of the Technology Research and Development Centre of the Xinhua News Agency, and Echo Wai, Controller (Production Services) at RTHK, have shown how both organizations are using AI to enhance some aspects of reporting. They showed how AI can help the restoration process and enhance the quality of old, low-resolution archives as well as to prepare topics and help to choose the best images to illustrate a given story. Wang also showed how Xinhua uses AI tools to track, for example, copyrighted materials and how it tracks the original source of a given image for written content. She showed how the same agency uses AI to make its content available in many languages to reach a broader audience. Wang and Wai joined with other speakers to highlight the need to double-check stories with the objective of aiding and assisting rather than replacing a humans job. The symposium Convener, professor Raymond Wong from the HKBP opened the discussion by saying that intelligence, being a human quality of its very nature, can never be artificial. I always advise my students, dont trust Google, said Wong. You can google as a reference but once you get the references go back to the original sources otherwise you will end up with misleading statements every day of the week. Likewise, what is artificial intelligence, these two words are contradictory. If it is artificial, it isnt intelligence. If you want good journalism, you need to do it the hard way, ask the sources, and dont go to Google, Wikipedia, or ChatGPT. Trust yourselves, use your intelligence, not artificial intelligence. An exhibition featuring artworks from Hong Kong and Macau opened at the Gongwang Museum in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in late October, aiming to fuel exchanges between artists from Hong Kong, Macau and the mainland, according to a China Daily report. The exhibition Integration and Dialogue: Hong Kong-Macau Visual Art Biennial 2024 includes three sections Hong Kong Snapshots & City Walks; Not Macau, But Named Macau; and Landscapes in Hangzhou. The Hangzhou section displays paintings, videos and installations by 16 local artists who create works focused on landscapes. The Hong Kong section, curated by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, reflects how young Hong Kong artists revitalize traditional crafts through the inheritance of the Lingnan School of painting and innovative approaches to intangible cultural heritage. The local section focuses on ordinary stories from the perspective of artists living and working in Macau. It narrates the ever-changing region in the realm of peoples knowledge and understanding. After Hangzhou, the exhibition will continue its tour to Nanjing, Jiangsu province, as well as Guangdong provinces Guangzhou and Shenzhen, ending the tour in Beijing. The biennial in Hangzhou will be on display until Nov. 14. The biennial was established in 2008 with themes of past biennials ranging from calligraphy, painting, photography, and graphic design to contemporary art, new media art and design, and the intersection of art and technology. It has become an important platform for fostering exchanges between young artists from the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau. MDT/China Daily A 40-year-old unemployed male suspect was arrested due to suspicion of operating illegal currency exchange activities, by the Judiciary Police (PJ). According to the PJ, the suspect was found speaking with a witness in a private room at the venue. The suspect presented a QR code on his mobile phone, and after the witness confirmed the payment, the suspect handed over HKD21,000 in gaming chips. Further investigation revealed the suspect was profiting HKD80 for every HKD10,000 exchanged, indicating an illegal currency exchange operation. In the same operation, authorities seized HKD25,900 in gaming chips, HKD500 in cash, and the mobile phone used in the transaction. The detention is the second in two consecutive days as authorities have launched a crackdown on unlawful currency exchange operations related to gambling activities. This comes after the recent enactment of Law No. 20, which targets illegal gambling crimes and includes a provision to turn currency exchange into a criminal offense. Offenders may face up to five years in prison, and any money or valuables associated with these activities will be confiscated. On Wednesday, the same police force uncovered the first case of illegal currency exchange for the purpose of gambling since the new law came into effect, on the same day. In this first case, the police arrested two mainland Chinese suspected of committing the same crime that took place at a Cotai casino smoking room. At that time the PJ seized over RMB51,000 in cash. Since the law came into force, authorities have been urging the public to conduct currency exchanges only at authorized financial institutions or legitimate shops to avoid involvement in unlawful activities. Victoria Chan On The Agenda The first Greater Bay Area (GBA) Cultural Heritage Forum began yesterday The Forum invited experts from Macau, Hong Kong, and Guangdong province to discuss topics such as the integration and sharing of cultural heritage in the GBA. It also invited experts, scholars, and practitioners in the field of cultural heritage from China and abroad to discuss six major topics. There will also be discussion about the connections and value of cultural heritage in the GBA, adaptive reuse concepts and practices for heritage buildings, the use of technology in archaeology, the resources of the revolutionary cultural relics, and exchanges about the Maritime Silk Road and cultural heritage, as well as the sharing of practical experiences and research results. The Forum comes after a memorandum of understanding signed between the three sides in 2022 to hold a Forum regularly with the cities taking turns on its organization. The Forum has the patronage of the National and Cultural Administration of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and Macaus Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture. It was jointly organized by Macaus Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province and the Development Bureau of the government of Hong Kong being supported by MGM China Holdings Limited. Cultural Heritage Tour Trail website launched Besides the Forum, organizers yesterday launched for the first time a website titled GBA Cultural Heritage Tour Trail. The website includes some 99 cultural heritage buildings from Macau, Hong Kong and the different cities in the Guangdong province. It collates the results of an archeological collaboration between the three sides. It includes the GBA educational theme trail, which features educational historical buildings to allow the audience to gain an in-depth understanding of the historical significance of the buildings through text, photos and audio guides. Organizers said the platform will be improved, with more diverse types of content to be added. CCM exhibits national culture in historical buildings Alongside the Forum, which is taking place at the Small Auditorium of the Macao Cultural Centre (CCM), the CCM is also hosting an exhibition at the ART Space titled Shared Roots and Interconnected Branches: The Importance of National Culture and Sentiment within the heart of Macaus Historical Buildings. The exhibition features a series of elements that depict the citys diverse cultural coexistence alongside the legacy of Chinese historical buildings and culture. Beyond the sites historical and cultural value, there is also information about how the sites over the years have served as venues for intangible cultural heritage activities that are integrated into the daily lives of local residents. The exhibition features many buildings including the Mandarin House, General Ye Tings Former Residence, as well as buildings such as Kiang Wu Hospital, Tung Sin Tong Charitable Society and Kun Iam Tong. It includes posters, newspaper clippings, historical documents and other relics that provide proof of the uses and activities hosted by them. By Renato Marques, MDT The United Nations, scientists and governments made an urgent call Wednesday for increased funding to protect coral reefs under threat of extinction. Research this year shows that 77% of the worlds reefs are affected by bleaching, mainly due to warming ocean waters amid human-caused climate change. Its the largest and fourth mass global bleaching on record and is impacting both hemispheres, United Nations Capital Development Fund said. The findings prompted a U.N. special emergency session typically called to address escalating conflicts or natural disasters on corals to be convened on sidelines of the U.N. biodiversity summit, known as COP16, nearing its end after two weeks in Cali, Colombia. Coral reefs are vital ecosystems that support over 25% of marine life and nearly a billion people, many relying on reefs for food security, coastal protection and livelihoods, the U.N. development fund said. After the emergency session, the governments of New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Germany and France made new pledges totaling around $30 million to the U.N. fund for coral reefs established in 2020. By 2030, the fund seeks to leverage up to $3 billion in public and private finance to support coral reef conservation efforts. Around $225 million has been raised to date. Protecting our ocean and its precious habitats is fundamental to life on earth, said U.K. Minister for Nature Mary Creagh. But without urgent action, the worlds coral reefs face extinction from global heating, acidification, disease, and pollution; a vital ecosystem lost within our lifetime. Next year, a U.N. ocean conference will take place in Nice, France, and countries are being urged beforehand to pledge more to the U.N. global fund for coral reefs with the aim of mobilizing an additional $150 million in donations by the conference. In 2024, climate change and other human impacts triggered the fourth mass coral reef bleaching event, the most extensive and devastating on record, said Peter Thomson, the U.N. Secretary-Generals Special Envoy for the Ocean. With the window to protect these ecosystems closing rapidly, world leaders must act now. We must secure a sustainable future for coral reefs and the countless lives that rely on them before its too late, Thomson said. STEVEN GRATTAN, CALI, MDT/AP Authorities say amendments to criminal provisions for sexual offenses are unnecessary despite lawmaker Wong Kit Cheng appeals. In response to Wongs inquiry, the government rejected the suggestion for stricter penalties for sexual offenses, arguing the current legal framework and preventive measures adequately address the issue. In the inquiry, Wong advocated for the abolishing of suspended sentences and the implementation of harsher punitive measures. In the response, the Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ) said the 2017 amendments to sexual crime provisions were designed to enhance victim protection. The bureau said judges consider various factors when determining penalties, including the severity of the act, the perpetrators intent, the crimes consequences, and the need for deterrence, emphasizing the authorities commitment to preventing and addressing sexual crimes. While the Penal Code allows for suspended sentences and the replacement of prison sentences with fines, such alternatives are contingent on specific legal conditions and the necessity for both general and special deterrence. Moreover, the government has implemented community measures to prevent sexual crimes, including educational lectures and the dissemination of materials through social media aimed at raising awareness among children and youth. DSAJ also noted the Education and Youth Development Services Bureau has incorporated sexual education into various subjects, and student counseling agents have been organized to provide related activities. In the first three quarters of this year, the Judicial Police conducted 62 lectures on sexual abuse prevention, reaching over 14,000 participants. Additionally, the Public Security Police Force conducted 70 community outreach initiatives, engaging more than 8,000 attendees. Victoria Chan Lawmaker Ella Lei has requested the government assess the supply and demand of veterinary care following a new law regulating the profession. Lei has submitted a written question requesting the executive assess the veterinary industry and address the alarming rise in animal slaughter in the region. Her inquiry comes amid the implementation of a new law governing veterinary practitioners, which has raised concerns about the availability and accessibility of veterinary services. The law has raised concerns about the adequacy of qualified professionals to meet market demand. According to data presented by the lawmaker, the Council of Veterinary Medicine Professionals (CPMV) had received 117 applications for professional accreditation of veterinarians by June this year, with 101 individuals successfully passing the assessment and receiving their Professional Accreditation Certificates by Sept. 30. However, Lei said some individuals have struggled to transition and obtain their qualifications since the new law took effect, which could impact the publics choice of services and the fees associated with veterinary care. To address these concerns, she has called for increased monitoring of medical expenses in private veterinary clinics and greater transparency regarding price changes and clinic operations. Alongside her inquiry into the state of veterinary services, Lei also highlighted the alarming rise in the number of animals slaughtered at the Municipal Kennel. The lawmaker criticized the Municipal Affairs Bureau, which had previously reported success in its capture, sterilization, and adoption measures. Data from January to August indicates a rise in the number of dogs slaughtered compared to previous years. To address these issues, Lei has demanded explanations from the government about the rise in animal slaughter and sought information on plans to mitigate pet abandonment among residents. Victoria Chan Macaus gaming revenue soared in October, marking a 6.6% year-on-year increase, thanks to a surge in visitors during Chinas Golden Week holiday, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau revealed today (Friday). The citys gross gaming revenue reached MOP20.8 billion ($2.6 billion), the highest since COVID-19 halted travel. According to a Bloomberg report, the numbers align with analysts predictions and represent a 20% rise over Septembers revenue, although they remain 21% below pre-pandemic levels from 2019. During the seven-day Golden Week holiday, Macau saw a significant influx of visitors, with average daily tourist numbers reaching nearly 142,000 surpassing 2019 levels. September alone saw 2.5 million arrivals, roughly 91% of pre-pandemic figures, with the majority of tourists arriving from mainland China. In addition to the Golden Week boost, Macaus casinos benefited from concerts by popular Hong Kong and Korean artists in late October, which resulted in another Golden Week for the operators, drawing additional crowds, industry analysts point out. However, the gaming industry is facing regulatory challenges as China tightens its stance on capital outflow and money laundering. Macaus legislature recently criminalized unlicensed money exchanges, a practice common around casinos. Adding to the citys regulatory shift, former judge Sam Hou Fai, elected as Macaus new leader in October, has expressed concerns over the gaming industrys dominant influence, signaling a possible push for economic diversification. Meanwhile, the financial impact on casino operators has been mixed; the Bloomberg Intelligence index of Macau casino operators dropped 11.4% in October, and the Hang Seng Index, Hong Kongs main benchmark, declined by 3.9%, reflecting investor caution amid regulatory uncertainties. PC Monthly GGR in 2024 and 2023 Monthly Gross Revenue Accumulated Gross Revenue 2024 2023 Variance 2024 2023 Variance Jan 19,337 11,580 +67.0% 19,337 11,580 +67.0% Feb 18,486 10,324 +79.1% 37,823 21,904 +72.7% Mar 19,503 12,738 +53.1% 57,326 34,642 +65.5% Apr 18,545 14,722 +26.0% 75,872 49,364 +53.7% May 20,188 15,565 +29.7% 96,059 64,929 +47.9% Jun 17,694 15,207 +16.4% 113,753 80,136 +41.9% Jul 18,595 16,662 +11.6% 132,348 96,798 +36.7% Aug 19,754 17,213 +14.8% 152,102 114,011 +33.4% Sept 17,253 14,937 +15.5% 169,355 128,947 +31.3% Oct 20,787 19,501 +6.6% 190,142 148,449 +28.1% Source: DICJ North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time in almost a year yesterday, demonstrating a potential advancement in its ability to launch long-range nuclear attacks on the mainland U.S. The launch was likely meant to meant grab American attention days ahead of the U.S. election and respond to condemnation over the Norths reported troop dispatch to Russia to support its war against Ukraine. Some experts speculated Russia might have provided technological assistance to North Korea over the launch. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed the launch, calling it an appropriate military action to show North Koreas resolve to respond to its enemies moves that have threatened the Norths safety, according to the Norths state media. Kim said the enemies various adventuristic military maneuvers highlighted the importance of North Koreas nuclear capability. He reaffirmed that North Korea will never abandon its policy of bolstering its nuclear forces. North Korea has steadfastly argued that advancing its nuclear capabilities is its only option to cope with the expansion of U.S.-South Korean military training, though Washington and Seoul have repeatedly said they have no intention of attacking North Korea. Experts say North Korea uses its rivals drills as a pretext to enlarge its nuclear arsenal to wrest concessions when diplomacy resumes. The North Korean statement came hours after its neighbors said they had detected the Norths first ICBM test since December 2023 and condemned it as a provocation that undermines international peace. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea could have tested a new, solid-fueled long-range ballistic missile on a steep angle, an attempt to avoid neighboring countries. Missiles with built-in solid propellants are easier to move and hide and can be launched quicker than liquid-propellant weapons. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani told reporters the missiles flight duration of 86 minutes and its maximum altitude of more than 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles) exceeded corresponding data from previous North Korean missile tests. Having a missile fly higher and for a longer duration than before means its engine thrust has improved. Given that previous ICBM tests by North Korea have already proved they can theoretically reach the U.S mainland, the latest launch was likely related to an effort to examine whether a missile can carry a bigger warhead, experts say. Jung Chang Wook, head of the Korea Defense Study Forum think tank in Seoul, said that its fair to say the missile involved in yesterdays launch could carry North Koreas biggest and most destructive warhead. He said the launch was also likely designed to test other technological aspects that North Korea needs to master to further advance its ICBM program. North Korea has made strides in its missile technologies in recent years, but many foreign experts believe the country has yet to acquire a functioning nuclear-armed missile that can strike the U.S. mainland. They say North Korea likely possesses short-range missiles that can deliver nuclear strikes across all of South Korea. There have been concerns that North Korea might seek Russian help to perfect its nuclear-capable missiles in return for its alleged dispatch of thousands of troops to support Russias war against Ukraine. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday that North Korean troops wearing Russian uniforms and carrying Russian equipment are moving toward Ukraine, in what he called a dangerous and destabilizing development. Lee Choon Geun, an honorary research fellow at South Koreas Science and Technology Policy Institute, said the early results of Thursdays launch suggested Russia might have given a key propellant component that can boost a missiles engine thrust. He said that a higher thrust allows a missile to carry a bigger payload, fly with more stability and hit a target more accurately. Jung said he speculates Russian experts might have given technological advices on missile launches since Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea for a meeting with Kim in June. Kwon Yong Soo, an honorary professor at South Koreas National Defense University, said that North Korea likely tested a multiple-warhead system for an existing ICBM. Theres no reason for North Korea to develop another new ICBM when it already has several systems with ranges of up to 10,000 to 15,000 kilometers (6,200 to 9,300 miles) that could reach any location on Earth, Kwon said. The North Korean confirmation of an ICBM test was unusually quick since North Korea usually describes its weapons tests a day after they occur. North Korea could have probably thought that its rivals could look down it after it gave away so much in military resources to Russia, Yang Uk, an expert at South Koreas Asan Institute Institute for Policy Studies. The launch may have been intended as a demonstration to show what its capable of, regardless of troop dispatches or other movements. U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett called the launch a flagrant violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions that needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region. Savett said the U.S. will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and its South Korean and Japanese allies. HYUNG-JIN KIM, KIM TONG-HYUNG & MARI YAMAGUCHI, SEOUL, MDT/AP Chief Executive-designate Sam Hou Fai will retain at least three key secretaries from the current administration in his new cabinet, signaling an emphasis on stability in Macaus governance, sources familiar with the matter told the Times. An official announcement on the new government lineup is expected in the coming days. As the former top judge prepares to take office, reliable sources indicate that Andre Cheong, the Secretary for Administration and Justice; Wong Sio Chak, the Secretary for Security; and Elsie Ao Ieong U, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, are expected to stay on. While Sams choice appears to favor continuity, there is notable speculation regarding Raimundo do Rosario, the current Secretary for Transport and Public Works. Although Rosario was reportedly invited to continue in his role, an insider told the Times that Raimundo is leaving the post; hes already packing. Final confirmation is pending, and people close to Rosarios office hint that his decision could be influenced by personal factors rather than policy shifts. An observer of these matters, who asked to remain anonymous, said that beyond seeking stability and continuity, if that is confirmed, it shows the new leaderships recognition of the work done well by some policy secretaries and their loyalty over the last five years. In contrast to Raimundos uncertain position, sources indicate that the current Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lei Wai Nong, will be replaced. Ip Sio Kai, a prominent lawmaker and the Deputy General Manager of the Bank of China (Macau branch), is the leading candidate for this role. Having served as the director of Sam Hou Fais campaign office, Ips close alignment with Sams vision makes him a strong contender to drive Macaus economic agenda in the upcoming administration. Sam Hou Fais strategy appears to blend experienced leadership with fresh perspectives, the observer added, particularly in areas critical to the citys economic future. The Chief Executive-elect is currently in Beijing to receive formal recognition from the State Council confirming his official appointment as the sixth-term Chief Executive. His tenure begins on December 20, the 25th anniversary of the Macau SAR, following a decision made at a State Council meeting presided over by Premier Li Qiang. The State Councils appointment confirms the Oct. 13 election results, in which Sam secured the top post with 394 out of 398 possible votes. Paulo Coutinho & Renato Marques A powerful typhoon made landfall in Taiwan yesterday, killing one person and bringing high winds and floods to much of the islands east coast and northern areas, after barreling past the northern Philippines. Flights and train service were suspended in Taiwan and 8,600 people moved to shelters. Typhoon Kong-rey was blowing at 184 kilometers per hour with gusts of up to 227 kph as it moved over the eastern county of Taitung. Parts of Yilan and Hualien counties were inundated by heavy rain, but many farmers in the largely rural areas had already brought in their crops in anticipation of damage from the storm. Taiwan authorities reported one death and 73 injuries from the storm as of Thursday afternoon. The fatality occurred after a tree fell on a vehicle. Officials also said they were trying to contact a pair of Czech tourists who had been hiking in Hualiens Tarako National Park, famed for its steep cliffs and mountain trails. Other travelers were advised to stay where they were. Taipei was largely shut down as it was hit by high winds and heavy rains. Offices and schools across the island were closed. Off the north coast, a tugboat was dispatched to tow away a Chinese-registered freighter that floundered and had been abandoned by its crew amid heavy seas. Earlier yesterday, the typhoons eye blew about 110 kilometers east of the northernmost Philippine province of Batanes, a cluster of islands and islets of about 19,000 people. Villagers in northern Philippine provinces evacuated to shelters on Wednesday. The Philippines weather agency had warned the the storm could blow away roofs and shatter windows and wreak extensive damage to farmland, but there were no immediate reports of casualties. Its so, so powerful and we havent seen the extent of the damage yet because the wind outside is still so strong, Batanes Governor Marilou Cayco told The Associated Press by cellphone before the line was cut off. Kong-rey, the 12th weather disturbance to hit the Philippine archipelago this year, lashed the Southeast Asian nation while its still recovering from a storm last week that left 179 dead and missing. Hundreds of thousands of people are still in emergency shelters from Tropical Storm Trami. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory and regularly sends planes and warships around the island, largely suspended its patrols, with just eight planes detected around the island between Wednesday and Thursday, according to Taiwans Defense Ministry. MDT/AP CROSS PLAINS Kathy Moran never thought shed be standing on the street at sunset, political flyers in a bag slung over her shoulder, trudging door to door trying to persuade people to vote. But Moran, a 64-year-old retired employment attorney, said on a crisp late October night that she couldnt sit on the sidelines any longer. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which I couldnt imagine, I just had to get involved, she said while canvassing the streets of Cross Plains, a village of about 4,000 people on the outskirts of Wisconsins liberal capital city of Madison. Its volunteers like Moran who Democrats hope will make the difference in swing states like Wisconsin, where four of the past six presidential elections have been decided by 21,000 votes or less. At this stage of the election, the arguments have been made, the airwaves flooded with ads, the inboxes and doorsteps stuffed with flyers. Whats left is to get out the vote. Its a crucial step that can make or break campaigns, turning Americans into voters by nudging them to the polls or the mailbox or ballot drop-box with their choices. Democrats this year are relying on a traditional strategy of targeted phone calls, text messages and door-knocking, from the party and its allies, to encourage turnout for Vice President Kamala Harris. Former President Donald Trump has outsourced much of the Republican operation to groups such as America PAC, the organization supported by billionaire Elon Musk, which has taken the unorthodox and possibly illegal step of giving away $1 million a day in prize money. Now the two sides are going head-to-head to get their voters out in battleground states. The Democrats approach is clear: they are tapping a vast network of activists, volunteers, Democratic Party faithful and others to spread out across the country to ensure their voters go to the polls. What America PAC is doing for Trump is less clear. America PAC is targeting infrequent voters in Wisconsin by canvassing neighborhoods and sending mailings and digital and text ads, said the organizations spokesperson, Andrew Romeo. However, America PAC refused a request from The Associated Press to observe the work in person. Republicans have privately expressed concerns about whether America PAC is doing enough to get out the vote for Trump in crucial battleground states. Whatever their methods, more Republicans are voting early than in past elections, another sign of high enthusiasm. A get-out-the-vote operation cant turn a jump ball into a landslide, said Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler. But it can absolutely turn a 50-50 race into a 49.5-50.5 race. Moran said she logs between 8,000 and 14,000 steps on a typical night of canvassing and encounters mostly Harris voters as she knocks on the doors of houses decorated with skeletons, grave markers and a few political signs. One woman refuses to engage with Moran, saying through the closed glass screen door its none of her business. Another man says hes already voted but wouldnt say for whom. Another spots her Harris/Walz and , la buttons, smiles and says, I see youre with Harris. He assures her that everyone in his house is voting for her. Moran enters notes on an app so voters committed to Harris arent bothered again. A lot of ground to cover In Georgia, another swing state, the Harris campaign has more than 40,000 volunteers plus a staff of 220 working out of 32 field offices. The campaign says its volunteers and staff have knocked on more than a million doors, including more than 100,000 last weekend alone, and has made two million phone calls. The ground game is very, very busy, said state Sen. Freddie Powell Sims, a Dawson Democrat. We are knocking on doors every day, but the communities are huge. Theres a lot of ground to cover, but we have extremely diligent volunteers going out and putting their all into this race. Sims said shes unsure who will win Georgia because shes seen similar on-the-ground enthusiasm from Republicans. The Trump campaign says it has nearly 25,000 volunteers working in Georgia, and has hosted more than 2,000 events there over the last three months. At one event, eight women in matching pink Trump jackets with 47 emblazoned on the sleeves and personalized etchings of their names marched into a spacious ranch south of Atlanta as part of Team Trumps Womens Tour. The audience in South Fulton was small, but RNC co-chair Lara Trump and former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler urged supporters to rally their friends to vote for Trump. Kim Burnette signed up to phone bank with the Trump campaign this year, calling infrequent voters who are registered Republicans. A lot of people are saying theyre going to vote, Burnette said. Its looking good. Candace Duvall drove about 30 miles to the event and showed up decked out in gold Trump merch she patched sparkly letters spelling out his name onto her T-shirt and wore earrings that displayed his mug shot. She rushed to the polls on the first day of early voting to vote for Trump, but shes still receiving a flurry of texts, calls and paper flyers from his campaign. Hes our only chance, Duvall said. I really think he was chosen by God, and I think this is good vs. evil. Camilla Moore and Lisa Babbage, chair and vice chair of the Georgia Black Republican Council, also showed up to support the women for Trump. The pair has been mobilizing Black voters in South Fulton through events over the last few months. It has been easier this time than ever before, Moore said. People are less shy about supporting Trump now than they were in 2020, Moore said. Theyre more open to conversation as they make the case for the former president. Ready for it to be over Charles Benson, 68, of Kinston, North Carolina, said hes getting contacted several times a week, mostly by text, about the election and voting. Benson, who is retired, attended Trumps rally in nearby Greenville in late October, two days after he voted early in person. Still, candidate mailers keep filling his mailbox. Im ready for it to be over, Benson said. Im tired of taking that stuff out of the mail every day. Emma Macomber, 76, of New Bern, another Trump supporter at the Greenville rally, said shes been contacted regularly, largely through text, being asked for political donations and to make sure that she votes. Macomber said shes already cast her ballot and has made some contributions. I want it to be over, but Im scared for it to be over, she said. Because I dont know whats in the future, and I think everyones afraid of the unknown. KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 Malaysia Airlines proudly presents a showcase of its iconic sarong kebaya uniforms highlighting its evolution since the debut in 1963 in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of its signature Kuala Lumpur-London route and part of its Heritage in the Skies campaign. The special showcase will feature cabin crew wearing six distinct kebaya designs onboard selected flights from November 3 to 16. A special exhibit will also be set up at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 from November 3 to 14, allowing travellers and visitors to explore the timeless beauty and craftsmanship of all six sarong kebaya uniforms up close. Malaysia Aviation Group group chief branding and customer experience officer Lau Yin May said the Heritage in the Skies campaign is more than a celebration of its 50 years of service to London. Its a heartfelt tribute to our nations spirit and an opportunity to honour the enduring legacy of Malaysian Hospitality. As we commemorate this milestone, we proudly embrace the unity and pride that define our nation. ADVERTISEMENT This campaign not only highlights our rich national identity and deep-rooted values but also underscores our commitment to exceptional service. We are thrilled to offer this exclusive experience to our passengers and look forward to the continued growth of our connection with London and beyond. Malaysia Airlines began a new journey in 1963 with its cabin crew uniforms, beginning with a chilli red sarong kebaya featuring a traditional kutu baru bodice and nine pleats. The year 1967 design introduced a striking earth-toned pattern, while the 1972 update incorporated batik motifs to mark a new era for the airline, and by 1976, the uniform showcased green, blue, and yellow hues, celebrating Malaysias natural beauty. In 1986, the redesign combined traditional batik with Sarawakian kelarai defined as checkered weave patterns, a craftwork passed down through generations in Malay culture and Southeast Asia. In 1992, Italian fashion house Gherardini added local floral patterns to the design. Today, the current kebaya, is recognised as one of the worlds most beautiful cabin crew uniforms. ADVERTISEMENT Updating the Gherardini reiteration from 1992 with deeper hues of pink and purple, this kebaya melds bamboo and kelarai motifs with local flowers champak, jasmine and hibiscus. This infusion of traditional Malaysian flora and fauna with the art of batik creates a rich tableau that captures the essence of Malaysia. The uniforms intricate floral designs, paired with batik elements, reflect Malaysias vibrant cultural tapestry while offering modern functionality. Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines invites passengers to join in this milestone celebration by capturing and sharing their experience on social media. Passengers on board and guests visiting the exhibit at KLIA Terminal 1 can participate in this nostalgic journey by capturing photos with the crew and entering an exclusive social media contest. ADVERTISEMENT To enhance this memorable experience, the airline will provide limited instax photo prints, courtesy of Fujifilm, as keepsakes for passengers on selected flights. Passengers are also encouraged to take photos using their personal devices to participate in a contest, simply by posting their photos on social media, tagging Malaysia Airlines with the hashtags #malaysiaairlines and #heritageintheskies. The most creative submission will win two return tickets between Kuala Lumpur and London. Visit the official Malaysia Airlines website at for more information. TOKYO Japan and the European Union were set Friday to announce a new security partnership which local media said would include more joint military drills, senior-level dialogue and defence industry cooperation. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell will meet his Japanese counterpart Takeshi Iwaya, who told reporters this week that the pact comes as Japan and the EU face an increasingly challenging security environment. - Advertisement - He did not mention China, but Japan has previously called its neighbour its greatest security challenge as Beijing builds up military capacity in the region. After the Tokyo talks, Borrell will head to South Korea, where concerns about North Korea will top the agenda. The United States has said thousands of North Korean troops are in Russia readying to fight in Ukraine. Pyongyang also test-fired one of its newest and most powerful missiles on Thursday, demonstrating its threat to the US mainland days ahead of elections. My visit to two of our closest partners in the Indo-Pacific is a key milestone in our efforts over the past five years to strengthen the EUs active engagement, Borrell said in a statement Thursday. We have secured alignment on geopolitical issues and advanced the values we share, he said, promising a new chapter in our ever-closer relations. The Japan-EU Security and Defense Partnership, expected to be announced on Friday, aims to further develop, deepen and strengthen cooperation and dialogue in all areas of security and defense, Iwaya said on Tuesday. Specifically, we envision cooperation in the areas of maritime security, space, cybersecurity, and hybrid threats, including foreign disinformation and interference, he said. The security of the Asia-Pacific region is inseparable from that of Europe and the Atlantic, Iwaya added. Japan is ramping up defence spending to the NATO standard of two percent of GDP by 2027, partly to counter China, which is increasing military pressure on Taiwan. Beijing claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under its control. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who could head a minority government after a disastrous general election last week, has said that todays Ukraine could be tomorrows East Asia. Ishiba has also called for the creation of a NATO-like regional alliance with its tenet of collective security, although he has conceded this will not happen overnight. The same warning was issued by Ishibas predecessor Fumio Kishida, who was hosted by US President Joe Biden for a state visit in April at which the allies announced plans to boost their defence partnership. Japan, which for decades has relied on the United States for military hardware, is also developing a new fighter jet with EU member Italy and Britain set to be airborne by 2035. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Don't automatically throw out that old COVID-19 at-home test you just came across in your medicine cabinet. It might still be good, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Some over-the-counter COVID tests have had their expiration dates extended beyond the date displayed on packaging, the FDA said. The FDA has set up a website people can use to check and see if their COVID tests are still good, or if they've expired and need to be replaced. "Search the current list of authorized at-home COVID-19 tests that have extended expiration dates," the FDA said in a consumer advisory. "If your at-home tests do not have an extended expiration date and they have expired, do not use them." The expiration date on a test's packaging reflects its expected shelf-life how long an individual test should work as expected from the date of its manufacture. However, some test expirations have been extended based on data provided by manufacturers showing that the shelf-life is longer than what was known when the test first received FDA authorization. Cards reminding people to check test expiration dates are also being included in the free test kit packages that the U.S. government started shipping in late September. American households can once again order four free COVID-19 tests by going to COVIDTests.gov, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "The tests you receive may show expired dates on the box," reads the card included with the free tests. "The FDA has extended those dates." The federal government restarted the free COVID test program in preparation for this year's cold and flu season, as well as the Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings that will bring many into close proximity with each other. "Use an at-home test if you feel sick, have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 and you do not have symptoms," the FDA says in its advisory. Federal health officials also encourage people to get the new COVID vaccine, which targets the most dominant strains of coronavirus. More information: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has more on at-home COVID tests. Copyright 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Cellular composition and architecture of breast tissues. Credit: Journal of Biological Chemistry (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107637 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and fittingly, University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center biologist Curt Hines, Ph.D., has published a pair of papers that comprehensively describe the 12 major types of cells in the human breast. "We are trying to understand all the different cell types that are collaborating and coordinating to make a tissue function," he says, "and how these processes can go awry in a tumor." Over the past several decades, breast cancer has become a leading cause of cancer deaths among women, second only to lung cancer. Of all cancer types diagnosed in women each year, a third will be breast cancerand there is a one in eight chance that a woman will develop breast cancer over her lifetime. According to the National Cancer Institute, between 75% and 80% of breast cancer cases have features of luminal epithelial cells, which are a special cell type that forms the milk ducts of the breast. Cancers of this type are called ductal adenocarcinomas. Organs and tissues comprise different types of cells that work together to form a functional unit. This normal balance of cell types is disrupted in tumors. These other non-cancerous cells influence how tumors behave. "You need to know all the cell types in a tissue," Hines says. "Tumors are diseases of the tissue. You really need to understand all the players." For the past 10 years, Hines' laboratory has been compiling information about the types of cells in human breast tissue. Recently, he and his team published a pair of papers about their work. The first paper, "Comprehensive identification, isolation, and culture of human breast cell types" published in Journal of Biological Chemistry, describes the process they used to identify, purify, and grow every major cell type in the human breast. The second paper, "Transcriptomic analysis of the twelve major human breast cell types reveals mechanisms of cell and tissue function" in press at PLOS Biology, describes in great detail each of the 12 major types of cells in a human breast. Hines used non-diseased breast tissue that was discarded in breast reduction surgeries. He then used two different technologiesflow cytometry and RNA sequencingto find, select and describe the cell types in those tissue samples. Hines began his work using tissue staining and flow cytometry, which can analyze hundreds of thousands of cells by their specific traits, utilizing the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center's Flow Cytometry Shared Resource. After unlocking the combination of specific antibodies required to detect all cell types, he and his team used flow sorting to isolate the different breast cell types. They then used RNA-sequencing to analyze the RNA transcripts made by each cell type. RNA sequencing determines the sequences of all the different ribonucleic acid (RNA) transcripts in a cell. RNA transcripts are molecules that are copied from the DNA genome. These transcripts carry the code for the proteins that accomplish the cell's processes; they define the nature and properties of that cell type. "Every cell in an individual has the same DNA," Hines says, "but they don't have the same RNA. And it's the RNA that tells the cell what to do, what their function is." Flow cytometry enabled Hines to identify the 12 different cell types composing the breast. He and his team purified each cell type to study them in greater detail. Guided by the differences in the RNA transcripts, they closely examined the biological nature of each cell type. The resulting information was immense, as each cell type was found to express more than 20,000 individual genes. Among their findings, Hines and his team discovered a rare epithelial cell type which appeared to have stem cell properties. Stem cells have the ability to mature into an array of different cell types and serve as part of the body's repair systems. To further explore how the cells function, it was necessary to keep the cells alive in the laboratoryby growing them in plastic tissue dishes with cell mediuma mixture of sugars, amino acids, vitamins, and serum. Hines and his team created cell models from nearly every cell type, expanding on the two to three that are commonly used in breast research. Their cell models are grown in the laboratory, and these cells retain the defining characteristics that they exhibit in the body. These cell models will enable scientists to study the behavior of the different cell types and explore how each cell type may contribute to the malignant process of tumor formation. The cell types and their descriptions are summarized in the published papers, and full data about each type is available online. "We were really trying to get to the essence of each cell type," Hines says. "There's so much information." Hines says that the reference can help biologists who want to understand what all the different types of cells in a human breast do and how a disturbance in the balance of these cells can lead to cancer. Hines and his team are now studying pericytes and how these cells may influence the growth of breast tumors. They are also using the breast cell reference to study how breast cells influence their microenvironment and how their microenvironment influences them. The single-cell RNA sequencing capabilities at UNM Cancer Center's Analytical and Translational Genomics shared resource have permitted Dr. Hines to explore the heterogeneity within the breast's pericyte population. Their next grant proposal aims to elucidate the pericyte's contributions to breast malignancies. "We know that disturbing the microenvironment can propel tumor growth," Hines says, but he also marvels that many cancer cells do not turn into tumors. "It is amazing that our tissues work in the way that they do." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Lukas Dekker and Carlijn Buck in consultation with their digital twin. Credit: Catharina Ziekenhuis Eindhoven Imagine you have a virtual copy of your own body. This digital twin, an accurate computer model, can help doctors better understand your health, personalize treatments, and intervene earlier to prevent more significant problems. What sounds like science fiction now is becoming more and more of a reality, and in the (distant) future, it could revolutionize health care. A digital twin is actually a kind of digital version of yourself, based on data from your body, but also on information from many other people. This technology is already being used in sectors such as industry and urban planning, where these virtual copies can be used to predict how machines or traffic systems will behave, for example. Now, this technique is also increasingly finding its way into health care. What does this mean for the patient of the future? Lukas Dekker, cardiologist-electrophysiologist at the Catharina Hospital and professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), explains, "In the future, we will be able to provide tailor-made care with the help of a digital twin." "This means that we are better able to determine the best treatment for each patient, instead of giving everyone the same standard of care. This not only makes health care more personalized but also more efficient and affordable. We move away from the idea of one size fits all." A digital twin is not a simple model that doctors use to try out surgeries in advance but a smart collection of data that uses real-time information to simulate and predict your health. "We combine medical scans, data on how your body moves and how it responds to treatments. This allows us to calculate, for example, how your heart functions," says Dekker. Saving lives This opens the door to new possibilities. Let's say you've had a heart attack. With a digital twin, doctors would be able to predict who has an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias after such an attack. That can save lives. Carlijn Buck, Ph.D. candidate in cardiovascular biomechanics, is working on the development of digital twins of heart patients within the COMBAT-VT project. "It's still a long way off to make a complete digital copy of the body, but the first versions of digital twins of the heart have already been created," she says. "The next step is for such a model to adapt as new data comes in, and then quickly predict whether something will go wrong." This means that doctors can predict your health better and better without you having to go to the hospital constantly. "In the future, more and more devices you wearsuch as smart watches or heart monitorswill pass on data to your doctor." "They can then monitor your health remotely and intervene if necessary," explains Dekker. "When something is measured, you don't just want the data in question to be analyzed, but also to be analyzed in a certain context. After all, one person differs significantly from another, whether that is due to age, weight, or medical history." No unnecessary burden on health care One of the most significant advantages of a digital twin is that it helps doctors estimate when you need what type of medical care. "Some patients may need to be checked more quickly than others. With a digital twin, we can better assess this in the future and offer tailored care," says Dekker. This also means that the health care system is not unnecessarily burdened. "Not every patient needs a complicated model," Buck explains. "For some patients, a simple risk model is sufficient, based on data such as age and weight. But if there is a high risk, we can create a more detailed model to get a better understanding." She explains that this requires more complicated data, such as an MRI scan of the heart. This means more impact for the patient, a more labor-intensive job for the medical engineer who assembles the twin, and higher health care costs. "So if you don't need such a detailed model, you shouldn't do it." Human side remains crucial Creating a digital twin is an intensive process in which technicians and doctors work closely together. The technician builds the twins while the doctor determines how they will be used in practice. "For example, in the case of ablation, a procedure to treat cardiac arrhythmias, the model could help determine when and how the heart can best be treated," says Buck. But, she emphasizes, a digital twin does not replace the doctor. "The model doesn't tell you how you feel or how you view surgery. It can't take the context into account; it's only useful for what it's made for. It is, therefore, a tool for the doctor to provide the best possible care. The human side and the overall context remain crucial, and that's why we will still need a doctor." Although the technology is still in the early stages of development, the possibilities of digital twins are enormous. The combination of data, technology and medical expertise ensures that we can provide more and more tailor-made care in the future. Assyrian Bishop: 'The Whole Middle East is Burning' Archbishop Bashar Warda, Archbishop of Erbil in Iraq. ( Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk) Ten years ago he was on the frontline over helping over 13,000 families who fled the terrorists of ISIS and found refuge in Erbil -- since then he has overseen the reconstruction of towns and villages, but has also watched tens of thousands of his faithful leave the country in search of stability and peace abroad. In recent months, the archbishop has also been a prominent figure in an internal and unresolved dispute between the patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, and a group of bishops which includes Warda . Warda sat down with The Pillar at the end of a recent visit to Europe, made at the invitation of Aid to the Church in Need. The archbishop addressed briefly the burgeoning rift in the Chaldean Catholic Church, while refusing to discuss the details. But he did speak in length about the experience of Christianity in Iraq after ISIS, of the sometimes difficult relationship with Islam, of the role Christians play in the Middle East at the moment and of his hopes for a lasting peace in the Holy Land. This interview has been edited for length and clarity Ten years ago, you were already the bishop of Erbil when ISIS took Mosul and then the Nineveh Plains. What was that like? It was a terrifying moment, with a lot of confusion, especially seeing so many people arriving with nothing to find shelter in churches, shrines, schools and centers, filled with fear, anger and tears. It was a shocking experience, not only for us as a Church, but also for them, and for the priests and the sisters who lost all of their pastoral work. But we quickly responded, and with other bishops, and with the priests, we worked together to face that genocide, to accompany our people, to provide them with a minimally dignified living, food, shelter and education, and we were able to get past that period. What is the situation now? There is no persecution now. ISIS has been defeated and Christ is victorious! This is something we are very joyful for. But the whole of the Middle East is burning with more crises, more disputes: the Gaza war, now the south of Lebanon, more difficulties and challenges, internally displaced persons. This sense of lack of security, that the war might escalate and reach us, and the feeling of political instability is still hanging over the region. When there is no security there is no investment, the private sector does not develop, and this leads to unemployment, which affects everybody, but being a minority, we feel all of these difficulties as a pressure on us. We have lost two thirds of the Christian presence because of all of these disputes. In the Middle East in general, or in Iraq? In general! Fifty years ago, we were 20% of the population of the Middle East, today we are talking about less than 4%. And when it comes to Iraq, in 2003 we were over 1 million, today we are 250,000, maybe even less. Your archdiocese covers the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. Less than a century ago the Kurds actively took part in massacres of Christians, but more recently Christians found safety in Kurdistan from the ISIS onslaught. What is the situation like at the moment? Is there trust between Christians and the Kurds? The history of Christians in the Middle East, and also in Iraq, is marked by all of this lack of trust, and there were some dark pages. When it comes specifically to the question you asked, the Kurds did commit some massacres against us. But at the moment I cannot say this is the situation. In 2004 and 2005, when all of the sectarian strife happened in Baghdad and Mosul, and many Christians moved to the north, that was, for us, a return to our historical villages. The Christians were welcomed and helped by the Iraqi Kurdish government, which spent hundreds of millions renovating all of these villages. The policy of the Kurdish government is to encourage more coexistence, to try and help the Christians, not just to survive but also to thrive. There is a trust which is being built and is strong, and which we need in that part of the world. In 2003 there were some 2,000 families in Erbil, especially in the district of Ankawa. Today we are talking about 8,000 Christian families, the largest Christian gathering in the Middle East. Those numbers show that things are different now. In Erbil, for example, I have four schools, all of them established after 2010; a hospital -- I would say one of the best -- and a Catholic university, where we have Christian and Muslim students, from different nationalities. This shows us that life has changed and that these difficult pages in our history are behind us. There has been tension between Kurdistan and the Iraqi federal government over independence and disputed territory. How has that issue affected Christians, who live in some of these territories? I cannot deny that there was a lack of trust and communication between Baghdad and Erbil, which resulted in more political disputes. Whenever there is a political dispute our people will suffer more, because we are a minority. Regarding the Nineveh Plains, the southern and northern parts are Christian. This is one of the issues, among many, which is not being solved according to Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, concerning disputed areas. At the moment, even if the dispute is heated, there is a new atmosphere of dealing with these issues through politics, and on the ground there has been peace, and no arms were used, which is quite an achievement, because we are fully aware how many weapons there are, and God forbid they should be used stupidly, because this would affect so many people. There are Christians who defend that there should be an independent, or at least autonomous homeland for Christians in the Middle East, possibly in the Nineveh Plains. Do you believe that could be a good idea? Personally -- and I stress this is a personal opinion -- I think that before ISIS things were different. On the ground, in Nineveh alone there were around 125,000 Christians. Today that is not the case. I was one of the people who, at that time, said that yes, maybe we could have a more independent administration, more autonomy within federal Iraq. But today life has changed, facts on the ground have changed, and so it is not really that easy to decide. If we were to go for that project, would it benefit Christians or other parties? This is an open question. Before, things were different. Today we have maybe half of the original number. Circumstances are different and we have to reconsider according to the current situation. Christianity in the Middle East can sometimes be more of an ethnic identity than a lived experience of faith. Is that the case in Iraq, do you feel it is changing? One of the effects of the persecution and pressure of the past four or five decades is that the people who were most qualified, pastorally and educationally, have left the country. So many of the people who are better educated are now serving in the diaspora, and we have been left with those who, as in any community, are more concerned with their day-to-day lives. That is why, as a Church, we are focusing on catechism and youth activities, because I believe that our strength comes from the awareness of every Christian about his Christian vocation, that is the strength of the Christians in Iraq. More catechism, and more evangelization of our community is needed. I am on this trip to Europe at the invitation of Aid to the Church in Need, and every year they support our catechism and youth programs, and we have Radio Maria, as an instrument of education. I personally give 30 to 40 public conferences every year, focusing mainly on the Bible. And we keep publishing books, and using the media to try and evangelize, so yes, it is really an important issue, that each Christian should be aware of his or her vocation, to be a man and woman of faith, rather than just ethnicity. Does the Church enjoy religious freedom in Iraqi Kurdistan? For example, could you accept a convert from Islam in your Church? One of the facts that we have to be fully aware of is that once you live in the land of Islam, there is no freedom of religion, though there is a freedom of worship. The Iraqi constitution is based on Islamic Shariah, which means that evangelization outside the Christian community is forbidden. We have 1,400 years of dialogue of life with Islam, and we know that we cannot do that. We sometimes hear reports that there is no freedom of religion in this part of the world, but where is the surprise? This is something that we know as Christians. We cannot [convert Muslims], because that would be endangering the lives of the Muslims seeking baptism, or endangering the Christian community. If someone comes and asks about the Church, about Christianity, it is our duty to respond. But baptism? That would be the person's choice, but they cannot do that in an Islamic country. It is simply forbidden. The world has to understand that this is the fact. For Muslims, Judaism and Christianity are just steps on the way to Islam, because Islam is the honorable religion of God. That is why they treat us as a "People of the Book", with some tolerance, but evangelization means that you are waging war against Islam. In a recent conference hosted by ACN you said you have yet to hear an apology from Muslim leaders for the persecution carried out by ISIS. Is that really necessary? An apology is needed. Not for us, but for them, for their young people, for their future generation, to tell their young people that some Muslims committed crimes against humanity in the name of God, in the name of Islam. I am always urging my brothers, the Imams, to think deeply about this, it is not an act of weakness! It is for the future Muslim generation, to prevent their young people from going in that direction, because the temptation is always there. You mentioned that two-thirds of Christians have left Iraq. When young Christians tell you they are planning to leave, what do you say to them? This is one of the most difficult questions we are asked. Usually this person will have reasons: no job, for example, or concern about the future of the Middle East, another war, or economic difficulty, the future of one's family. It is very difficult... I always say that I know that migration is a right, I cannot stop that, because it is a right to try and find a dignified life wherever one wishes. But I tell them to be careful not to be smuggled, not to pay, and not to become victims of people who would use them as a means to commit crimes. And sometimes we can help with finding a [local] job. Through our schools, our hospitals, the NGO that we have, the radio station, we have over 830 jobs. It is just a contribution, but thanks to all the donors and benefactors, the Church can really be part of the solution. If they tell me they want to leave because everyone else is leaving, then I will encourage them to stay, but if there are other issues, I'll say "think twice before you leave, but I cannot decide for you". As we know, the Chaldean Church has been embroiled in controversy over the past years. Part of that controversy appears to be a campaign against Patriarch Sako, which led to the president of Iraq revoking a decree which recognizes him as head of the Chaldean community. He has accused Rayan al-Kildani, the Christian leader of the Babylon Brigades militia, of being behind this, and there have been charges that you are close to al-Kildani. Is this true? I am not a politician, I am a bishop, and as such my door is open to everyone. Of course, it should be said that Rayan al-Kildani works in Baghdad, not in Erbil, politically he is completely outside of my region. But people should know that I have welcomed, and will welcome, anyone, because the role of the Church is to be a bridge of peace and reconciliation. Throughout history, and especially recent history, the Catholic Church has played a role in really creating an atmosphere of reconciliation, and as far as I know there was no Vatican decree listing names of people the Church cannot deal with internationally or locally. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the door of the office is open, people can come without appointments. They don't need an appointment to see me. If I am there, I will see them immediately. If a person or a group is acting in a wrong way, then I have to be able to say so. But if I shut the door, then to whom would I say it? If they did anything wrong, I have the right to say that what is happening is wrong. The Pillar has reported on a dispute between you and the patriarch. This reached its height, at least publicly, when you refused to attend the most recent synod of Chaldean bishops, and the patriarch threatened ecclesiastical sanctions. Is that a decision that you regret? This was an internal Church matter; it was not supposed to become public. Disputes among brothers happen all the time. The patriarch is the head of the Chaldean Church, he has our full respect, we pray for him and for the Pope every day, in every mass. I would just say that these things happened in the Church and we don't need to make a big case of it, just leave it to the Church and it will be solved. But do you think that that dispute has damaged the image of the Chaldean Church? I don't think so. The Chaldean Church, with Patriarch Sako, is strong. The patriarch's voice is loud and clear when it comes to speaking about Iraq in general, and we have to give him credit for that. He sometimes even puts the interests of Iraq above the interests of the Christians, because his aim is to help Iraq and all Iraqis, but when it comes to Christian issues, he has also been a strong voice around the world for the protection of the persecuted and oppressed Iraqi Christians. What is your hope for the Christian community in Iraq in another ten years? My hope right now is that the war in Gaza and Lebanon should stop, that the violence should end, and to give time and space for a just political solution that might really last, not just something temporary. My hope for the Christians in Iraq -- and I will be working with all the bishops and Church leaders to this end -- is how to make this community thrive, how to make it influential in Iraq, and to be the voice of Christ in Iraq. Our Muslim brothers and sisters tell us that we are the salt of the earth. When we ask them if they read that in the Gospel, they say no, it is that we are truthful, honest, responsible, committed, decent, peaceful, and that we need these values, because without them no community can be sustained. We thank God that we have this mission, not just that we have these values. And when we say that we have this mission we mean that God wants us there to carry on this mission of kindness, gentleness, peacefulness, truth, honesty, and to spread them there. The goal is to be the voice of Christ. You visited Europe at the invitation of ACN. How important are NGO such as that in supporting the Church in your diocese? ACN were the hand of mercy, the hand of God. I should also mention others, like the Knights of Columbus, bishops' conferences, the Chaldeans in the diaspora, all of those, but especially ACN, because they have been working with us for so many years. Just since 2013 the reports show that they raised around $60 million for the region, not just Erbil, but in general, over the time of displacement and of the rebuilding of these villages. Without them, we would probably be telling a different story today. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Vaccination activity in Mauritania in 2022. The recent emergence of Rift Valley Fever has sparked fears of a repeat of the 2022 outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease, which can spread to people as well as animals. Credit: Courtesy of WHO Mauritania Rwanda has been stepping up measures to combat Rift Valley Fever (RVF) following the country's second outbreak in two years, amid concerns it could spread to humans. The re-emergence of the disease among livestock, near the border with Tanzania, sparked fears of a repeat of the 2022 outbreak, in which more than 20 people and hundreds of animals died. Since the start of the latest outbreak in mid-August, authorities have stepped up surveillance and launched a vaccination campaign for livestock. However, the absence of rapid diagnostic tests remains a major challenge, disease specialists told SciDev.Net. What is Rift Valley Fever? RVF is a viral disease that primarily affects animals but can also infect humans. No human-to-human transmission has been reported to date. The virus is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes and through contact with the blood or organs of infected animals. This includes consuming raw meat or unpasteurized milk from infected animals. In its mild form, humans experience mild, flu-like fever symptoms, or even no symptoms at all. But a small percentage of people affected develop a more severe form, which can result in eye disease and life-threatening conditions such as hemorrhagic fever. The 2022 outbreak In 2022, Rwanda experienced its first major RVF outbreak, resulting in 173 human cases and 22 deaths, according to a recent study of the outbreak. The investigation revealed that delayed screening and testing may have contributed to the spread of the disease. The findings highlight the urgent need for rapid and accurate diagnostic tools, says Edson Rwagasore, co-author of the study and division manager for public health surveillance and emergency preparedness and response at the Rwanda Biomedical Center. "We need rapid tests to deliver instant examination results," Rwagasore told SciDev.Net. "We use Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to test for the RVF," he said, adding: "It takes up to six hours to deliver the results of tests. We have been looking for rapid test kits [but] they are unavailable on the market." Race against time The current outbreak triggered a swift response from Rwandan health authorities, employing a one health approach that integrates human and animal health interventions. Julien Niyingabira, head of communication at the health ministry, told SciDev.Net: "There is an ongoing testing of people screened for coming into contact with infected animals or their products to determine if they are not positive with the Rift Valley Fever." Niyingabira added that more than 100 individuals have been tested using PCR, and none have shown positive so far. However, Rwagasore told SciDev.Net that a lack of rapid test kits was hampering efforts for early detection and timely treatment. Vaccination efforts In addition to human surveillance, authorities have launched a vaccination campaign targeting livestock in affected areas. As of 30 September, 28 positive cases had been identified in livestock, according to the Rwanda Biomedical Center. "So far, 8,410 of 32,999 (25%) of earmarked livestock in the area have been vaccinated against RVF in an exercise that started on 7 September, 2024," reports Fabrice Ndayisenga, who heads the Animal Resources Research department at the Rwanda Agriculture Board. There is currently no licensed vaccine for humans, but a promising human RVF vaccine candidate, ChAdOx1 RVF, entered Phase II human trials in Kenya earlier this month (13 October). This marks a significant step towards developing a vaccine to protect vulnerable populations. Developed on the University of Oxford's ChAdOx1 vaccine platformthe same technology behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccineChAdOx1 RVF has already shown positive results in the first stage of human testing conducted in the UK earlier this year. "The launch of a Phase II clinical trial of a Rift Valley fever vaccine candidate in an endemic country is a crucial milestone in our efforts to control this disease," said Jean Kaseya, director general of Africa Centers for Disease Control, when the new trial was launched. "The ChAdOx1 RVF vaccine offers hope to vulnerable populations who are disproportionately affected by the growing impact of climate change," he said. Looking ahead While the current outbreak is contained, the risk of future outbreaks looms large. Experts emphasize the need for continued vigilance, enhanced surveillance, and investment in research and development. "We need analytical skills in bioinformatics, the analytical part that leads to accurate scientific conclusions," said Rwagasore, speaking about the need for capacity building in genomic sequencing analysis to better understand and track the virus. He said the international community supports research and development of RVF diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics through collaboration and information sharing among countries. This, he says, is crucial to combat this recurring threat effectively. Provided by SciDev.Net This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: This image shows a cross section of a kidney. Credit: Holly Fischer/Wikipedia Boys and men carry a greater risk for acute kidney injury (AKI) than women and girls across all age groups, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases. "Acute kidney injury is not a monolithic disorder, but rather a response to numerous different renal insults," said Ladan Golestaneh, MD, Professor of Medicine (Nephrology) at Yale School of Medicine and corresponding author of the study. "In this context, the sexual disparity we found was present across a wide spectrum of AKI causes." The team, led by researchers from Yale School of Medicine and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, examined data from more than 235,000 hospitalizations at a single health system from 2015 to 2019, including 53,926 occurrences of AKI. Stratifying the results by age and sex, researchers found men and boys had higher odds of developing AKI in all three age groups: 6 months to 16 years (OR 1.13), 17 years to 54 years (OR 1.7), and 55 or older (OR 1.35). The increased risk for men and boys was highest in the 1754 age group, where researchers found male sex was associated with 70% greater risk of AKI. Researchers say estrogen and other female sex hormones may offer pre-menopausal women added protection. "Numerous other studies have primarily included post-menopausal women with low estrogen levels, thus masking the protective role of female sex," Dr. Golestaneh said. "Our study shows that the protection afforded by female sex is highest among menstruating women, is absent in prepubertal females and declines with the onset of menopause." Researchers say prior studies in animals have shown a protective role for estrogen in acute kidney injury. "Our population-level study suggests estrogen is likely protective in human AKI as well," Dr. Golestaneh adds, "which could open the door for research into new therapeutic options." More information: Ladan Golestaneh et al, Sex, Acute Kidney Injury, and Age: A Prospective Cohort Study, American Journal of Kidney Diseases (2024). DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2024.10.003 Journal information: American Journal of Kidney Diseases Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Langat reported that at least 97 women were killed in the past three months, raising alarm about the escalating femicide in the country. During a media briefing, Langat urged Kenyans to collaborate closely with security agencies to combat gender-based violence. Murders against women have increased, with 97 cases reported in the last three months, Langat stated, emphasizing the urgent need for focused action and collaboration to address the vice. Langat also disclosed that police have arrested and arraigned several suspects linked to the murders. This alarming update follows a recent call from the Federation of Women Lawyers-Kenya (FIDA), which urged President William Ruto to declare femicide a national crisis. On Tuesday, October 29, FIDA raised concerns about the rising murder rates of women and girls, demanding that President Ruto address the nation and declare femicide a national crisis and disaster. FIDA also called on Ruto to assure the public of his administrations commitment to protecting women and girls across the country. The organization stressed that both domestic violence and increasing femicide are acts that must be unequivocally condemned. President Ruto must address the nation and speak to women and girls, providing a clear and unwavering commitment to their right to life, safety, and security, FIDA demanded. The President should officially declare femicide a national crisis and disaster, assuring the public that his administration is actively working to protect women and girls. Additionally, FIDA called for the National Police Service to issue a comprehensive update on the status of investigations within the next 14 days. In 2024, FIDA-Kenya is aware of at least 30 cases of women who have died at the hands of intimate partners due to domestic violence and femicide. The brutality of their murders reflects a dangerous and unresolved national crisis, FIDA observed. Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has revealed that a coup against President William Ruto was planned for June 25, 2024. However, the former Defense CS refrained from naming the individuals behind the alleged plot, asserting that it was not his responsibility. June 25th, there was a planned coup. There was a serious plan for regime change, he said during an interview on Citizen TV. On that same day, protesters stormed Parliament Buildings, forcing Members of Parliament and staff to evacuate. Weeks later, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki informed the National Assembly about a second attempt to set fire to Parliament, which authorities successfully thwarted. Duale mentioned that he plans to write a book detailing these events after his retirement but noted that he is bound by oath and cannot reveal certain secrets. When I retire, Ill write a book, he stated. Im still under the oath of Cabinet collective responsibility, but Ive told you there was a coup attempt, and thats why some of the charges in the impeachment motion involved national security. Furthermore, Duale criticized impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for publicly questioning the countrys Intelligence Service and its leadership. He emphasized that such actions have never occurred before and are not trivial matters. There are certain institutions in our country that you dont disparage or indict, Duale declared. He added, Not only the National Intelligence Service but also the security organs, the Kenya Defense Forces, the Judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. Most importantly, the NIS provides crucial information to protect our country and collaborates with key intelligence partners. The Kenya Army has officially received a fleet of refurbished Z9 helicopters from the China Aviation Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) at the Kenya Army Corps of Aviation in Embakasi Garrison. Lieutenant General David Tarus, Commander of the Kenya Army, commissioned these helicopters on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. This partnership between the Kenya Defence Forces(KDF) and CATIC marks a significant advancement in enhancing Kenyas military capabilities. The collaboration includes military equipment acquisition, technology transfer, joint training, and strategic cooperation, all aimed at improving Kenyas operational readiness and defense infrastructure. Lt. Gen. Tarus praised CATICs support, calling the partnership a vital step forward for Kenya Army Aviation in protecting the nation and ensuring regional security. He highlighted that the refurbished helicopters would enable soldiers to carry out their duties more effectively. Our partnership fosters a culture of collaboration and trust, Lt. Gen. Tarus stated. Together, we will continue to innovate, improve, and push the boundaries of military aviation. Success in the airspace relies not only on advanced technology but also on strong relationships between nations. Mr. Li Houding, Vice President of CATIC, expressed confidence in the partnership, stating that the collaboration would leverage aviation technology expertise to drive progress. Through joint research and development and the sharing of best practices in aircraft maintenance, we aim to enhance the capabilities of Kenya Army Aviation, he added. The Z9 helicopter, designed primarily for troop transport, represents a sophisticated addition to the Kenya Armys aviation arsenal. Wayne T. Pitard is the recipient of the 2024 Delta Award by SIU Carbondales Friends of Morris Library for his book on John J. Bird, a highly respected civil rights, political and education leader, who lived in both Cairo and Springfield. (Photo by Spurlock Museum of World Cultures) Book about forgotten Black leader in Illinois wins SIUs Friends of Morris Library Delta Award by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. John J. Bird was a well-known and highly respected leader in civil rights, politics and education more than 150 years ago in Illinois. A recently published book about Bird who lived in both Cairo and Springfield by Wayne T. Pitard looks to renew interest in a man who broke many racial barriers but whose statewide impact is overlooked. Pitard will be honored Tuesday, Nov. 12, with the 2024 Friends of Morris Library Delta Award at Southern Illinois University Carbondale for Watchman, Tell Us: John J. Bird and Black Politics in Post-Civil War Illinois. The free, public presentation and award ceremony is at 5 p.m. in the librarys John C. Guyon Auditorium. A reception and book signing will follow at 6 p.m. in the first-floor rotunda. SIU Press published the book in September and will have copies available for purchase. Pitard has done a remarkable job in uncovering and chronicling Birds story, said Judy Travelstead, Delta Award committee chair. His achievements as the first in so many different fields are historic, and yet Bird is not known today. Pitard, in telling the story of Bird, also provides us with a history of Cairo from a different point of view, that of the Black community. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Illinois and particularly Southern Illinois. The award makes 121 Delta Awards given annually since 1976 by the Friends of Morris Library to individuals who have contributed significantly to the preservation of the history and culture Southern Illinois region, either by their writing, or by other service. Circuitous route to learning of Birds story Pitard, who lives in Champaign, said hes delighted and honored for the selection. Having looked at the list of previous honorees, I find myself in very good company, he said. An emeritus professor of religion and director emeritus of the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), Pitard said he became fascinated with Bird in 2015 when he came across a brief paragraph on Bird while doing research for a museum exhibit honoring the universitys sesquicentennial. Bird was appointed in 1873 by then-Gov. John Beveridge to the board of trustees of Illinois Industrial University, which later became UIUC, who were otherwise all-white. Pitard became curious and delved further into Birds background, and when historians seemed unaware of him, he began searching for 19th century information from resources, including newspaper clippings and city directories. Pitard worked exclusively on the book for about 4 years after retiring in 2016. What I discovered is that there was much more to John Bird than his board appointment and that, although now forgotten, he had been one of the most significant Black civil rights leaders and politicians in post-Civil War Illinois, Pitard said. I found him so remarkable that I couldnt stop looking into his life until I wound up with a book-length manuscript. Bird was dedicated to civil rights, a natural leader and organizer, an eloquent orator, Pitard said. He was admired as a man of integrity in both the Black and white communities, by his political allies and his enemies. He showed a remarkable facility for working with and gaining the confidence of people from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, both in the Black community and among whites. SIU Carbondale connection Bird broke another racial barrier when he was invited to speak at the opening ceremonies of then-Southern Illinois Normal University in 1874, the first time an African American had taken part in and addressed such a celebration, Pitard said. Beveridge, along with the presidents of Northwestern University and Bloomington Normal School (now Illinois State) and Robert Allyn, the new SINU president, also spoke. Bird and Allyn came to be longtime colleagues. In 1889, Allyn wrote a letter to Gov. Joseph Fifer in support of Bird for a state position, in which he refers to Bird as my friend, Pitard said. This honorific occasion was tempered, however, by the fact that the local planning committee, which had made hotel and dining reservations for the other speakers, failed to do so for Bird, who had to walk 2 miles out of town to stay with a friend. This is an instance of the kinds of racist treatment that Bird, as a successful Black man, had to endure. Breaking racial barriers Pitard said Bird, born in 1844 in Cincinnati, Ohio, to free parents who educated him well and gave him a strong sense of duty traveled to Cairo in 1864 with the intention of aiding and organizing the large population of refugees from enslavement in the South who had settled there into a new, cohesive community, Pitard said. He immediately became the primary voice representing this community through the 1860s, 70s and most of the 80s. He fought tirelessly for their civil rights and was remarkably successful. He became a role model for activism in the late 19th century. Birds other accomplishments included: Being elected police magistrate in Cairo in 1873, becoming the first Black elected judge in Illinois. Leading the fight to create the first Black public school in Cairo. Becoming the most prominent Black Republican in Southern Illinois and a leader in the Black convention movement in Illinois from the 1870s through the 1890s. Becoming editor of three newspapers in the 1880s and 1890s, including The State Capital newspaper, which played an important role in guiding political thought throughout the Midwest. Birds entire career was influential across the state. In Cairo, he led the second largest Black community in Illinois to unparalleled political influence in the city, opening numerous opportunities of its citizens to enjoy wider rights than communities elsewhere in Illinois, Pitard said. He became a heroic figure with his appointment to the university and his election as judge in 1873. He played an important role in increasing the influence of the Republican Party in heavily Democratic Southern Illinois. His work with the state and national Black conventions allowed him to influence the way Black communities understood and acted upon the most significant issues that they faced. Forgotten until now Pitard firmly believes Bird belongs with the ranks of other major Illinois Black leaders of the 19th century civil rights struggles who are remembered. Those leaders were mostly based in Chicago, where their stories continued to be told, Pitard said. Very little is currently known about the civil rights activities south of Cook County, and I think it is important to see and understand that major work was being done in Southern and Central Illinois that deserves to be an important part of the public narrative about the extraordinary struggle for rights in this state. Pitard added he hopes that people will be fascinated by Birds extraordinary life and achievements and that they will gain an interest in the post-Civil War civil rights movement in the North that brought about great advances, although it was largely crushed by the two major political parties by the end of the 19th century. However, forgotten leaders like Bird had a strong impact on the next generation of the Black community, many of whom took up the mantle of civil rights themselves and passed it on to the following generations. The annual fall iron pour hosted by SIU Carbondales School of Art and Design is Nov. 9. (Photos by Alex Lopez) SIU School of Art and Design 2024 Iron Pour is Nov. 9 by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. The work and precision that go into making sculptures from cast iron molds will be highlighted when students in Southern Illinois University Carbondales School of Art and Designs sculpture program host their free, annual fall cast iron pour, beginning at noon Saturday, Nov. 9. The event will be held at the School of Arts Foundry Complex at 1520-1560 W. Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale. Those attending will have the chance to create their own cast iron artworks on scratch blocks comprising resin-bonded sand used in making molds. The festivities will include other activities, such as T-shirt printing by Southern Illinois Print Works and demonstrations from the blacksmithing department. The pouring activity will continue until all the pours are finished. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, and guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs. The event is co-sponsored by Critical Forum, also known as C4, the sculpture clubs registered student organization. Cybil Johnson, a second-year graduate student in SIUs sculpture program, said that the iron pour offers a glimpse of the amount of work that goes into making art. It is also an activity that allows all ages a chance to participate. The process is laborious and intense; the heat, the movement and the lava-like iron pouring out is such a rush, she said. My favorite part is the younger generations eyes lighting up when the iron starts pouring out into the molds. When the public receives their finished product, they have a piece of SIU forever. Since the fifth century B.C., pouring hot iron into molds has been a trademark of art and industry. Irons range of uses is seemingly limitless, from fabulous architectural feats to one-of-a-kind objects meant for gallery display. The event is an opportunity to watch the casting process and behind-the-scenes work involved. Those attending will see a running furnace fire and molten metal included with hot iron poured into ladles, which SIU students then use to transfer the molten metal into molds. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Indiana University Kokomo in 2023. She chose SIU Carbondale because the sculpture program is interdisciplinary and incorporates metal fabricating, casting performance, video and sound, and woodworking techniques and methods. Another critical component in her decision was space. Johnson makes large outdoor fabricated public art sculptures, and SIU has the tools and space to achieve such art. The foundry was another reason I was attracted to the program, Johnson said. Learning to cast and be a part of the process has been a dream of mine. Watch a video of the 2023 Iron Pour. Several young men participate in an exercise during the 2023 Metro East Youth Leadership Weekend hosted by SIU Carbondales Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. (Photo provided) SIUs Paul Simon Public Policy Institute to host Metro East Youth Leadership Weekend CARBONDALE, Ill. Southern Illinois University Carbondales Paul Simon Public Policy Institute will host the 19th Metro East Youth Leadership Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 2-3. The institutes retreat will welcome young Black males from the Metro East to participate in events that foster personal development and civic engagement. The theme for this years event is Leadership: Young Men Making Your Mark in a Digital Age. Between 40 and 45 students in eighth through 12th grade will engage in activities designed to promote career awareness, servant leadership and political involvement. Media availability Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the leadership weekend activities. For more information on events and times, contact Linda Renee Baker, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute university professor and project director, at 217-553-6660 or lrbaker@siu.edu, or Will Becque, institute communications and marketing coordinator, at 618-453-4009 or william.becque@siu.edu. The program will feature a variety of activities, including breakout sessions with local leaders and group activities at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center. Alderman Ronnie Mosley, who represents Chicagos 21st Ward, will deliver the keynote address at 12:45 p.m. Saturday inside the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. Mosley is the youngest alderperson serving one of the citys largest wards on the far south side. On Sunday, students will hear from Christopher Swims, senior pastor at Hopewell Baptist Church in Carbondale, also at Touch of Nature. They will then participate in various leadership activities before returning to SIUs campus for a panel discussion. John Shaw, institute director, will then announce the 2024 Paul Simon Leadership and Character Award recipients. This is one of the key programs of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, Shaw said. Its very inspiring to see these young men work together and develop leadership skills that will grow and flourish in the years to come. The alumni of this program are hugely impressive and underscore the power of this leadership weekend. The late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, who founded the institute, along with then-associate director Mike Lawrence and Linda Renee Baker, a university professor with the institute, established the program in November 2003. Simon participated in the inaugural event shortly before his death a month later. The leadership weekend ran through 2019 when it was paused until 2023 due to COVID-19. Im delighted to welcome this group of students back to campus as we continue advancing Paul Simons mission to build African American male leadership in the Metro East area, Baker said. Our program's success over the years is due to the crucial support of our community partners. Their continued support makes all the difference, and this year will be no exception. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, concluded his visit to Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated on Friday.During his visit, Goyal participated in the Plenary Session of the 8th Edition of Future Investment Initiative (FII), with representatives from global Governments and the industry. He highlighted the critical role of international partnerships and economic diplomacy in fostering global cooperation, innovation, technological advancement, and investment, the ministry said. He urged global investors to seize emerging opportunities in India, particularly in high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. Goyal also co-chaired the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the Economy and Investment Committee under the India-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) along with Minister of Energy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud on 30th October 2024 in Riyadh, the ministry stated. The Strategic Partnership Council was established in 2019, following the visit of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in October 2019. The Committee reviewed the progress achieved by the four Joint Working Groups: Agriculture and Food Security; Energy; Technology and Information Technology; and Industry and Infrastructure. They noted the deepening of bilateral economic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia and deliberated on ways to enhance trade and investment. The Minister held ministerial engagements in Riyadh, including with the Minister of Energy, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources and Minister of Investment. These engagements focused on collaborative initiatives in trade, energy, and technology. These discussions culminated in a series of actionable agreements, aimed at enhancing trade volumes and facilitating a smooth flow of investments between the two countries. The agreements emphasise cooperation in energy transition, digital transformation, and the exchange of expertise to accelerate economic growth, as per ministry's release. The Union Minister also met with Peter Herweck, CEO of Schneider Electric and William E. Ford, Chairman and CEO of General Atlantic, to discuss India's economic landscape and investment opportunities across sectors. India and Saudi Arabia have formalised many bilateral agreements in recent years, covering sectors such as food exports, pharmaceuticals, electrical interconnectivity, energy, small and medium enterprises, digitisation and electronic manufacturing.Both countries are also exploring collaboration in emerging fields like fintech, new technologies, energy efficiency, clean hydrogen, textiles, mining, etc., the ministry added. The Committee Meeting reviewed these developments and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation across various areas of shared interest, as per the commerce ministry. The Union Minister also interacted with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) chapter in Saudi Arabia and emphasised the role of chartered accountants in supporting India's expanding global trade network. Discussions highlighted ICAI's efforts to promote Indian standards globally, including initiatives to upskill professionals and bolster India's position in global financial services. The Minister launched the Lulu Wali Diwali Festival at the Lulu Hypermarket by lighting a Big Diya made with LED, furthering India-Saudi cultural and economic ties.The launch was followed by unveiling of a giant product wall comprising 10,000+ Indian products including Ghee from Uttarakhand, Ladakh Apple, Indian Cavendish banana, Dragon Fruit from Maharashtra, new range of Millets based breakfast cereals, and Qaadu Organic beauty products. At the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, the Minister unveiled the One District, One Product (ODOP) Wall, featuring unique products from various districts across India. The outcomes of the discussions are expected to unlock new avenues for investment and trade, driving economic growth and innovation in both countries, the ministry added. (ANI) On July 15, HUL's Board gave approval for the sale and divestment of 'Pureit' including the trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual properties and identified assets and contracts associated with the business, to A. O. Smith India Water Products Private Limited. Pureit offers a broad range of residential water purification solutions, primarily in India. "Pureit complements our premium brands in the market and their strength in e-commerce will allow us to expand our presence in that channel," said A. O. Smith Corp's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kevin J. Wheeler, said in a statement today. "This acquisition aligns with our strategy of adding scale and enhances our premium water treatment product portfolio and distribution footprint," Wheeler added. Pureit was first launched in 2004 in Chennai, to provide accessible and safe drinking water to the fast-growing populations of South Asia, and beyond. Sreenivas Narayanan, General Manager - Pureit said that this partnership with A. O. Smith empowers us to deliver even more advanced, reliable, and accessible solutions to address the evolving water purification needs in India. (ANI) Netflix released the first look of the 'Saltburn' actor in the upcoming movie spinoff of the popular gangster series on Friday. In the photo, Keoghan is seen driving a truck, sporting the signature Peaky Blinders cap, a leather jacket, and a fresh cut on his face, teasing his intense new role. While the first look has left fans excited, details about Keoghan's character or the role he will play in the film are still awaited. https://x.com/netflix/status/1852351249095459276 This is the first time Keoghan will be joining the world of 'Peaky Blinders.' Keoghan will be working alongside his fellow Irish actor Cillian Murphy, who is returning to reprise his iconic role as Tommy Shelby, the fierce leader of the Peaky Blinders gang. Other stars from the original series, including Stephen Graham, Sophie Rundle, Ned Dennehy, Packy Lee, and Ian Peck, are also returning for the film. Apart from this, Keoghan, Jay Lycurgo has also joined the cast. The movie will be directed by Tom Harper, who previously directed several episodes of the series. Although much of the plot remains undisclosed, the movie is being described as "an epic continuation of the multi-award-winning gangster saga, set in the lawless streets of Birmingham in the 1900s," according to Variety. Production on the film began in September, and fans got an exciting glimpse of Cillian Murphy back in character as Tommy Shelby. Steven Knight wrote the script for the "Peaky Blinders" film and is co-producing alongside Murphy, Caryn Mandabach, and Guy Heeley. The executive producers include Tom Harper, David Kosse, Jamie Glazebrook, Andrew Warren, and David Mason. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes to the states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, and Kerala on their foundation day on Friday. Wishing each state individually in various posts on X, he highlighted the contributions of each state to the country in various fields including cultural heritage, development, preservation, and natural resources, posting in various languages. "Best wishes to all the residents of Madhya Pradesh on the State Foundation Day. I wish that this state, rich in natural wealth and cultural heritage, continues to set new standards of development in every field," read a post by the PM. "Our Haryana, known for its rich historical heritage, has always contributed significantly to the development of the country. On the foundation day of the state, along with extending my heartfelt greetings to all my brothers and sisters who are partners in the progress of this state, I wish them happiness, prosperity and good health," said another post. For Chhattisgarh, he said, "I wish that this state, adorned with a wonderful confluence of glorious folk traditions and tribal culture, continues to progress rapidly on the path of development." "Kerala Piravi greetings! The state is known for its mesmerizing landscapes, vibrant traditions and hardworking people. People from Kerala have made their mark all over the world, across different fields," said a post for Kerala. "Kannada Rajyotsava is a very special occasion, recognising the exemplary culture and traditions of Karnataka. This state is blessed with outstanding people, who are powering growth and innovation across sectors," the PM added, highlighting the contributions of Karnataka. Additionally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also highlighted the unique heritage and contribution of each state while extending his warm wishes Wishing Chhattisgarh's continued growth and preservation of rich tribal culture, he said in a post on X, "I wish that the journey of preservation and promotion of tribal culture and art in Chhattisgarh continues at an uninterrupted pace and the state reaches the pinnacle of development and progress." For Madhya Pradesh, he highlighted how the state is going through a "golden period of preservation of its rich cultural heritage." "Madhya Pradesh is witnessing a golden period of preservation of its rich cultural heritage and public welfare works. I wish for the progressive progress of the people of the state," read another post by Shah. Putting the spotlight on the farmers, sportspersons and the soldiers from Haryana, he said, "The hardworking farmers of the state, the soldiers dedicated to the nation's defence and the energetic sportspersons are playing a leading role in accelerating the country's development journey, making it secure and bringing glory to it on global platforms. The way Haryana has been progressing on the path of development and progress for the last decade, I wish that this journey of prosperity continues uninterrupted." Wishing people on Kerala Piravi, Shah said, "Over the years, Kerala has strengthened Bharat by leveraging its unique cultural heritage. May God bless the state to prosper further." Mentioning Karnataka, Shah added, "As proud inheritors of a glorious heritage, the people of Karnataka have contributed immensely to enhancing the nation's pride. Praying for the state's continued progress." Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also extended his warm wishes to all the states on their foundation day, a statement by the CM's office said. "Under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he wishes that all the states continue to move towards progress and establish new dimensions of development," the statement read. (ANI) Stubble burning continues in Haryana, with an incident being reported in a field in Farwai Kalan village of Sirsa, Haryana. On Thursday, as the stubble burning continued in the region, a farm leader Lakhwinder Aulakh requested the government to provide good facilities and equipment to the farmers, as it has become a "compulsion of farmers" to burn stubble. "It is the compulsion of the farmer to burn the stubble. The small farmers, who only have 1 acre, 2 acres, 5 acres, they do not have the required machines, their tractors are smaller. Also, even more of a problem the farmers have to wait for 5-7 days to sell the paddy in the mandis, if one wants to get DAP (Di-ammonium Phosphate) then even their family is standing on a line to get it for long periods," the farm leader said. On October 26, farmers also protested against police action taken on farmers due to stubble burning, starting a "chakka jam," and also demanding assured paddy procurement. On the same day, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, JP Nadda, met Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to discuss the availability of DAP (Di-ammonium Phosphate) fertilizer for Punjab's ongoing agricultural season. The Chief Minister highlighted Punjab's need for DAP supplies during this critical time. Following this, JP Nadda assured him of the centre's commitment and ensuring sufficient supplies of DAP for Punjab. Besides Mann, the meeting was also attended by the Secretary (Fertilizers), Chief Secretary of Punjab, and Additional Chief Secretary (Punjab). CM Mann said that it is understandable that as 70 per cent of DAP is imported from other countries so due to the Ukraine conflict and other international reasons there is a shortage of DAP. He, however, also added that the need for DAP in the state is mainly till November 15, so the central government should accord priority to allot DAP to the state in comparison to other states that need it later. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday offered his condolences on the demise of Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Devender Singh Rana and said that the BJP leader worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmir''s progress. div align=''center''> "Shri Devender Singh Rana Ji''s untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmir''s progress. He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J-K. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti," PM Modi posted on X. Earlier today, Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina got emotional while remembering Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Nagrota and said that the entire J-K is mourning the death of the BJP leader. "Devender Singh Rana was a very hard-working leader of the BJP...The entire J-K is mourning the death of BJP leader Devender Singh Rana. He worked for every section of the society...He was recently elected as an MLA from the Nagrota assembly constituency by a very big margin...He will always stay alive in the hearts of the public of J-K," Ravinder Raina told ANI on Friday. Bharatiya Janata Party National General Secretary Tarun Chugh said that he is deeply shocked by the demise of Devender Singh Rana. "Deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely passing of Sh. Devender Singh Rana Ji, MLA, Nagrota, J-K. A dedicated BJP leader and a true representative of the people of J-K. His invaluable contributions, warmth, and commitment to service will be remembered by all. This is an immense loss to our BJP family and to the people he served so selflessly. My heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may God grant his loved ones strength to bear this profound loss," Tarun Chugh posted on X. Bharatiya Janata Party leader and sitting MLA of Jammu and Kashmir''s Nagrota, Devender Singh Rana, passed away on Thursday night at the age of 59. Rana is the brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh. Devender Singh Rana was one of the key candidates in the recently held Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. He emerged victorious from the Nagrota, defeating his rival, Joginder Singh of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC). (ANI) A firing incident in Delhi's Farsh Bazar on Thursday resulted in the deaths of two people and leaving one injured, in what appears to be a case of personal enmity, according to the Delhi Police. Based on CCTV footage from the scene, the police have detained a minor, and questioning is underway. The victims were identified as Akash (40) and his nephew Rishab (16), while Akash's son, Krish (10), sustained injuries. According to the Delhi Police, there were previous cases registered against deceased Akash and his family and also the minor detained by the police. As per the probe, the accused had planned the murder 17 days ago. Further is was noted that there was an on-going dispute over money between the deceased and the accused. The mother of the deceased, Akash, recounted the events leading up to the shooting, which took place in Shahdara on the eve of Diwali. While speaking to the reporters, she said, "One man named Lakshay had been visiting our lane for the past three or four days. Yesterday, he came to our house with a box of sweets and urged me come downstairs to receive it personally. At the time when my son was preparing to burst firecrackers, two people including Lakshay came and then I heard shots being fired. Next, I saw that my son was shot..." Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shahdara, Prashant Gautam, reported that the PCR call was received around 8:30 pm. Upon receiving the information, the police reached the incident spot. When authorities arrived, they found that Akash, his nephew Rishab, and his son Krish had been shot, with Akash and Rishab succumbing to their injuries. "At around 8.30 pm, we received a PCR call informing that there had been firing in the Bihari Colony at the Farsh Bazar area and some people were injured. Upon reaching the spot, it was known that Akash (40) his nephew Rishab (16) and his son Krish (10) had been shot. Akash and Rishab have lost their lives," DCP Shahdara said. The DCP further noted that five rounds were fired during the incident. (ANI) On the 68th Kerala Formation Day, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan warned the people about "communal political forces" attempting to undermine the state's progress, which has been built on the foundations of the renaissance and the national movement. He also called upon the people of the state to embrace humanistic values that transcend religious, caste, and regional differences. "Kerala has always maintained the values of democracy, secularism and social justice and has grown as a model for the entire country in terms of quality of life and people's welfare. Kerala's achievements in many fields including health and education have attracted worldwide attention," Vijayan said in a post on X. "We have built all these achievements on the foundation laid by the national movement and the renaissance movement. The current situation where communal political forces are trying to weaken it adds to the relevance of this Kerala Formation Day celebration. This is the time when everyone should be ready to understand the great cultural heritage of modern Kerala," he added. The Chief Minister said that the people of the state must ensure that the efforts of leaders who fought for united Kerala will not go in vain. "Let's take on the challenges of the new age and make the glory of Kerala brighter. Let us embrace humanity beyond caste, religion and regional differences and move forward hand in hand with each other. Wishing everyone a very happy Kerala Formation Day," the Chief Minister. Later in the day, while speaking at a Kerala Police event on the 68th anniversary of Kerala Police Formation Day, the Chief Minister said his government has consistently upheld a clear police policy with a focus on ensuring justice for the people. "Today, on the 68th anniversary of Kerala Police Formation Day, I am delighted to participate in the celebrations. Kerala has implemented several exemplary initiatives that serve as a model for the world. Our state's unity in times of crisis has been widely recognized. The growth of Kerala Police is unparalleled, and the Left government has consistently upheld a clear police policy with a focus on ensuring justice for the people...We've made significant progress in tackling online financial fraud. Of the 31,107 complaints registered through our portal, over Rs 79 crores have been recovered, and 37,807 bank accounts have been frozen," he said. Kerala foundation day, also known as Kerala Piravi marks the birth of the state of Kerala. It is celebrated every year on November 1st. (ANI) The 15th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar 2024, a joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the US Army Special Forces, will take place at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA, from November 2 to November 22, according to an official Indian Army statement. "The aim of Exercise Vajra Prahar is to promote military cooperation, strengthen interoperability, jointness, and mutual exchange of special operations tactics between the Indian Army and the US Army," the Indian Army said via a post on X. The post also added, "Two nations, one mission: Training together for peace." https://x.com/adgpi/status/1852201879901487554 Last year, as part of Exercise Vajra Prahar 2023, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Individual Augmentees (IA) conducted various joint drills. During this exercise, troops from both countries conducted operations in a Mi-17 helicopter at Shillong's Umiam Lake. Additionally, helocasting operations were performed to showcase high standards of precision, synergy, and professionalism. The 14th edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise, Vajra Prahar 2023, was conducted at the Joint Training Node in Umroi on November 21, 2023, as reported by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in an official release. The US contingent was represented by personnel from the 1st Special Forces Group (SFG) of the US Special Forces, while the Indian Army contingent was led by Special Forces personnel from the Eastern Command. The ministry added that the joint exercise, conducted between the Indian Army and US Army Special Forces, aims to share best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and operational tactics. The first edition was conducted in 2010 in India, and the 13th edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise took place at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. The current edition is being conducted in Umroi Cantonment, Meghalaya, from November 21 to December 11. During the exercise, both sides will jointly plan and rehearse a series of special operations, counter-terrorism operations, and airborne operations in simulated conventional and unconventional scenarios in mountainous terrain. Key highlights include "combat free fall insertion of troops from stand-off distances," "waterborne insertion of troops," "precision engagement of targets at long ranges," "combat air control of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft," and "airborne insertion and sustenance of troops," the MoD release added. Exercise Vajra Prahar has evolved as a mechanism to exchange ideas and share best practices between the Special Forces of both nations. The previous release also reiterated that it serves as a platform to enhance interoperability and strengthen defence cooperation between the armies of India and the United States of America. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid obeisance to Lord Shiva at the Kedarnath Dham on Friday. The doors of Kedarnath Dham will be closing for the winter season on Sunday, November 3 at 8:30 AM. The Kedarnath site opened its doors on April 25. Kedarnath is part of one of the four high-altitude Dhams in Uttarakhand, consisting of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The shrines remain shut for around six months every year, opening in the summers during April or May generally, and closing usually around October or November. The holy pilgrimage starts from Yamunotri, proceeds towards Gangotri, onto Kedarnath, and finally ends at Badrinath. This year, there have been more than 40 lakh visitors across all four shrines. According to the Chief Minister's office, 27,789 pilgrims travelled to the Char Dham on October 14. Out of this, Kedarnath witnessed the highest footfall of 11,309 pilgrims followed by 6644 pilgrims in Badrinath, 2406 in Gangotri, and 3290 in Yamunotri. This year the Char Dham Yatra started with a delay of 17 days from May 10, whereas last year the opening of the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham on 23 April started the journey. The state government had made extensive preparations, with CM Dhami overlooking the preparations for the pilgrimage. He said that a smooth and organised Char Dham Yatra has been the top priority of the government and it is committed to providing a safe environment to the pilgrims. "Chardham Yatra is also linked to the economy of the state. In view of the speed with which the number of devotees is increasing in the state today, we have to expand the travel arrangements further. Its exercise has also been started," he added. Last year 56.13 lakh pilgrims visited during the entire Yatra period. Similarly, 46.29 lakh pilgrims arrived for Char Dham Darshan in the year 2022 and 34.77 lakh pilgrims arrived in the year 2019. The yatra was affected due to corona infection in the years 2020 and 2021. The number of pilgrims in these two years was 3.30 lakh and 5.29 lakh respectively. (ANI) Karnataka's Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "Nationalise Waqf Assets", alleging Waqf board of "blatant violation" in claiming of the lands of Farmers, temples and mutts. Taking to his social media, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal posted on X, saying "I have written a letter to the hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji to Nationalize the Waqf Assets in view of the arbitrary, blatant violation in claiming of the lands of Farmers, Landowners, Temples, Trusts and Mutts across the country by the Waqf board. All the citizens of the country have equal rights on the land. If the motive of Waqf is welfare and social service, this has to be done without bias and religious discrimination as India is a secular nation." https://x.com/BasanagoudaBJP/status/1852197116384354551 Additionally, Vijayapura MLA also attached the letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his post. Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Tejasvi Surya had accused the Waqf Board of encroaching on thousands of acres of farmers' lands with the support of the Karnataka government. Speaking to ANI, Surya stated, "There have been multiple press conferences and videos in the public domain where the Minister himself has admitted that these Waqf adalats are being conducted under the Chief Minister's instructions. This is a grave matter, where thousands of acres of farmers' lands are being encroached upon by the Waqf Board with the active support and collusion of the State Government." He mentioned that, in recent days, farmers from various districts across Karnataka have reported that, without prior notice, ownership of their lands has been abruptly transferred to the Waqf Board. Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge criticised BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, claiming he has done nothing for Bengaluru. Kharge's remarks came in response to the BJP MP's accusations regarding Waqf Board land encroachment. The Congress leader assured that the Karnataka government is committed to protecting farmers' properties. Kharge further questioned the BJP's record on protecting temples during its previous government, stating that the Karnataka government is committed to safeguarding temples and common people's properties. (ANI) The Hyderabad Fire Department on Thursday responded to sixteen fire-related calls, with notable incidents reported in Himayat Nagar and Secunderabad. No casualities were reported in the either incidents. "Sixteen fire-related incident calls were received by the Hyderabad Fire Department on October 31," according to a fire official. The first major incident occurred at Keerthi Shikara Apartments on Street No. 18 in Himayat Nagar, where a fire broke out on the locked third floor. The fire department was alerted about the incident, and fire tenders quickly arrived at the scene to extinguish the fire. According to the preliminary investigations, the fire was caused by an unattended lit lamp, according to officials. Another fire incident was reported at a Bata shop in Secunderabad. Fire tenders quickly reached the site and contained the fire. On October 31, the Himayat Nagar incident was the most significant out of the sixteen fire-related calls the Hyderabad Fire Department received. Meanwhile, n the national capital, the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) received over 300 calls reporting fire-related incidents on Diwali, though no life-threatening cases were reported, an official said on Friday. Speaking to ANI, Delhi Fire Services Director Atul Garg said that between midnight and 6 am, approximately 158 fire-related incidents cases were reported. "There were no major calls but we received many. From 5 pm yesterday until midnight, around 192 calls were logged, and between midnight till 6 am around 158 more were reported. From 5 PM to 5 AM, in just 12 hours the 300 mark was crossed," Atul Garg said. He further said that there was no major fire as they had increased the fire force this year for Diwali. "There were minor fire incidents, including one in Vikaspuri where two people became unconscious. Another incident was reported in Mangolpuri, where a woman and two children were injured. There was no major fire because we had increased the fire force this time. There were definitely a lot of calls but there were no life-threatening cases," DFS Director Atul Garg said. (ANI) An award ceremony for the 15th China Cultural Center art competition, themed "a carnival float portraying Maltese and Chinese cultures," took place on Thursday at the China Cultural Center in Malta. Six Maltese students received first, second, and third prizes across two categories: group A (grades 7-8) and group B (grades 9-10). This year's competition encouraged participants to blend cultural elements from China and Malta by drawing inspiration from Malta's vibrant carnival floats. Sandra Ebejer, director of the early years, languages and humanities of the Maltese Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, praised the art competition for fostering creativity. The competition offers young Maltese artists a platform to showcase their talents and serves as an important bridge between China and Malta, Ebejer said, reaffirming the ministry's support for events like this, which enhance youth cultural education between the two countries. "These colorful, imaginative floats symbolize the friendship and cultural bonds between China and Malta," said Yuan Yuan, director of the China Cultural Center in Malta. "It's inspiring to see how each piece of art tells a story, that bridges East and West, reflecting the respect and curiosity we have for each other." Jointly hosted by the China Cultural Center in Malta and the Maltese Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, the art competition has been warmly welcomed by students and teachers in Malta. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday reconsidered his statement a day after Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge pulled up D K Shivakumar over his statement that the state government would review the 'Shakti' guarantee scheme. The scheme offers free bus travel to women in the state. While speaking to the media reporters, DK Shivakumar said that my statement was twisted and whatever the elders say we have to follow that. "Whatever our elders say we follow that. My statement was twisted. A few have suggested is what I have said. There is no question of closing the schemes. I had just said that we will discuss it. But the BJP just wants to do politics. They have nothing to do better," he said. DK Shivakumar further stated that this was the first time such incident has ever occurred. He said, "Since the day I became the Deputy CM have you seen or heard a single incident. No word of interference". On being asked about Basanagouda Patil Yatnal letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, DK Shivakumar said, "I don't want to speak on people who are mad and who needs to hospitalized. He first had to be treated." Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday pulled up Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister over his statement that the state government would review the 'Shakti' guarantee scheme. The Congress government here has introduced Shakti scheme, one of the five guarantees offering free ride for women in the non-luxury government buses. Kharge's statement came after the Congress government in Karntaka suggested that it could review the Shakti scheme which ensured free buss transport for women. Mallikarjun Kharge also assured that the Karnataka government is committed to protecting farmers' properties. The Congress leader further questioned the BJP's record on protecting temples during its previous government, stating that the Karnataka government is committed to safeguarding temples and common people's properties. Shivakumar on Wednesday said that the government would revisit the Shakti scheme as some women have expressed their wish to pay for travelling in the government buses. (ANI) Calling BJP MLA Devendra Singh Rana the voice of Jammu, JKNC Provincial President (Jammu) Rattan Lal Gupta on Friday said that it will take time to fill his loss. "It is a great loss for Jammu. He was the voice of Jammu... It will take some time to fill this loss. His behaviour with people was very good... Till date, no one has pointed a finger at him... He did whatever he could for the people of Jammu, especially for the Nagrota assembly constituency... May God rest his soul in peace and may God give courage to his family," Gupta said. Several political leaders expressed condolences on the passing away of the senior BJP leader. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the demise of Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Devender Singh Rana is an irreparable loss for the BJP family, and added that the leader was dedicated to the peace and development of Jammu and Kashmir. "I am deeply saddened by the untimely demise of senior Jammu and Kashmir BJP leader and MLA from Nagrota Assembly Devendra Singh Rana ji. Devendra ji, who was always dedicated to the peace and development of Jammu and Kashmir and the interests of the people. He made an invaluable contribution to the progress of the region. His demise is an irreparable loss for the BJP family. I express my condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti Shanti," Amit Shah posted on X. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered his condolences and said that the BJP leader worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmir's progress. "Shri Devender Singh Rana Ji's untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmir's progress. He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J-K. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti," PM Modi posted on X. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah offered his condolences on the demise of Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Devender Singh Rana and shared some of the fun moments spent with the BJP leader. "The terrible news from late last night isn't really sinking in. I know the last few years have been marked by our differences Devender but I prefer to focus on the fun times we shared together, the excellent work we did together and the memories. You have been taken from us all too soon and will be missed. May your soul rest in peace now DSR. My heart goes out to your family as I struggle to find the words to convey my condolences to them," J-K CM posted on X. Bharatiya Janata Party leader and sitting MLA of Jammu and Kashmir's Nagrota, Devender Singh Rana, passed away on Thursday night at the age of 59. Rana is the brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh. Devender Singh Rana was one of the key candidates in the recently held Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. He emerged victorious from the Nagrota, defeating his rival, Joginder Singh of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC). (ANI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is touring 59 villages in Baramati on Friday, starting his visit from Malad village, to address key local issues ahead of the upcoming elections. During his visit, the Deputy CM discussed the Dhangar reservation issue and assured residents that the government's popular "ladki bahini" scheme would continue, underlining that no one's reservation would be taken away. When questioned by ANI about Nawab Malik receiving a ticket amid controversy, Pawar stated, "On the 4th, we will get a clear picture of who will be a candidate or not and from which party. We will get a complete picture by the evening of the 4th." During his tour, Pawar addressed several issues, including the Dhangar reservation matter and the Mahayuti's "ladki bahini" scheme. The Deputy Chief Minister assured that the government's "ladki bahini" scheme, which has been well-received by the public, will continue and that no one's reservation will be taken away. Pawar then emphasised the government's commitment to supporting the Dhangar community, which has long sought reservation. Currently categorised under the Nomadic Tribes (NT) or Bhatakya Vimukta category, they have a reservation of 3.5 percent. Additionally, Pawar mentioned various schemes implemented for the benefit of Muslim communities and the Dhangar community, including the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana, aimed at uplifting nomadic tribes, and the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, which provides financial assistance to farmers. Pawar has focused on the government's commitment to social welfare, economic development, and inclusive growth. The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with the results to be announced on November 23. Following this year's Lok Sabha elections, Baramati is once again witnessing a contest between the Pawar family members, with Ajit Pawar's nephew, Yugendra Pawar, contesting from the NCP, Sharad Pawar faction. (ANI) The 9th edition of India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise Garud Shakti 24 will be conducted from November 1 till 12. The Indian Army personnel will be reaching Cijantung in Jakarta, Indonesia. "The exercise is designed to develop bilateral military cooperation and strengthen bond between two armies through conduct of discussions and rehearsal of tactical military drills," said a statement from the Ministry of Defence The Indian contingent is being represented by troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and Indonesian contingent of 40 personnel is being represented by Indonesian Special Forces Kopassus. According to a statement by the Ministry of Defence, the joint exercise aims to familiarise both sides with each other's operating procedures, enhance mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the Special Forces of both armies. "The Exercise will involve planning and execution of special operations, orientation to advance special forces skills, sharing of information on weapon, equipment, innovations, tactics, techniques & procedures," the statement added. Moreover, the exercises will also involve practicing Jungle Forces Operations in a jungle terrain, strikes on terrorist camps and an validation exercise integrating basic and advance special skills. "This is apart from gaining an insight into the lifestyle and culture of both countries to foster military cooperation," the statement read further. Moreover, on October 24 , External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono in Kazan, Russia, on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit, in an effort to bolster and discuss strategic partnerships. "Delighted to meet FM Sugiono @Menlu_RI of Indonesia today in Kazan on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. Congratulated him on his new assignment. Discussed further strengthening our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," Jaishankar said on X. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami praised the arrangements made for the Char Dham Yatra by the state's administration, claiming that this year's Kedarnath Dham has set a new record of receiving devotees this year. "Even after the disaster this year, the number of devotees coming to Kedarnath Dham has set a new record as a result of the better arrangements made by the administration. The smooth, safe and well-organized Char Dham Yatra is the top priority of our government," he said. Earlier today, the CM visited the Kedarnath Dham and paid obeisance to Lord Shiva, wishing for the happiness, prosperity and well-being of the people of the state. Kedarnath Dham is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Moreover, the CM also took some feedback regarding the arrangements by talking to the devotees who came from all over the country. Kedarnath is part of one of the four high-altitude Dhams in Uttarakhand, consisting of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The shrines remain shut for around six months every year, opening in the summers during April or May generally, and closing usually around October or November. The holy pilgrimage starts from Yamunotri, proceeds towards Gangotri, onto Kedarnath, and finally ends at Badrinath. The doors of Kedarnath Dham will be closing for the winter season on Sunday, November 3 at 8:30 AM. The Kedarnath site opened its doors on April 25. This year the whole Char Dham Yatra started with a delay of 17 days from May 10, whereas last year the opening of the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham on 23 April started the journey. Last year 56.13 lakh pilgrims visited during the entire Yatra period. Similarly, 46.29 lakh pilgrims arrived for Char Dham Darshan in the year 2022 and 34.77 lakh pilgrims arrived in the year 2019. The yatra was affected due to corona infection in the years 2020 and 2021. The number of pilgrims in these two years was 3.30 lakh and 5.29 lakh respectively. (ANI) Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Friday said that the demise of his brother and Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Devender Singh Rana is not only irreparable and painful, but the void created will continue to haunt him for the rest of his life. "Untimely demise of my brother Sh Devender Singh Rana is a deep personal loss, which is not only irreparable and painful, but the void created will continue to haunt me for the rest of my life. I sincerely thank all those standing by me and the family in these testing times. Singh posted on X. Bharatiya Janata Party leader and sitting MLA of Jammu and Kashmir's Nagrota, Devender Singh Rana, passed away on Thursday night at the age of 59. Rana is the brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered his condolences and said that the BJP leader worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmir's progress. "Shri Devender Singh Rana Ji's untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmir's progress. He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J-K. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti," PM Modi posted on X. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the demise of Devender Singh Rana is an irreparable loss for the BJP family, and added that the leader was dedicated to the peace and development of Jammu and Kashmir. "I am deeply saddened by the untimely demise of senior Jammu and Kashmir BJP leader and MLA from Nagrota Assembly Devendra Singh Rana ji. Devendra ji, who was always dedicated to the peace and development of Jammu and Kashmir and the interests of the people. He made an invaluable contribution to the progress of the region. His demise is an irreparable loss for the BJP family. I express my condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti Shanti," Amit Shah posted on X. Devender Singh Rana was one of the key candidates in the recently held Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. He emerged victorious from the Nagrota, defeating his rival, Joginder Singh of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC). (ANI) Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi greeted the people of several states and Union Territories on their Foundation Day, underlining the importance of India's cultural diversity. On Friday, several states and Union Territories are celebrating their formation day. On this occasion, Congress MP Gandhi said on X, "Greetings to the people of Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Lakshadweep on their Foundation Day today. These vibrant cultures, diverse languages, rich histories, and enduring traditions are the very heart of India's strength and give our nation its resilience. Let us celebrate and safeguard this unity, recognizing that each state's unique contribution enriches and strengthens the bonds that hold us together." https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/1852203242437890203 Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also shared his wishes, stating, "Our diversity is India's strength. We extend our warm greetings on the Formation Day of Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu. We wish each of the States and Union Territories peace, prosperity, and boundless progress." Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes to the states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, and Kerala on their foundation day. Wishing each state individually in various posts on X, he highlighted the contributions of each state to the country in various fields, including cultural heritage, development, preservation, and natural resources. "Best wishes to all the residents of Madhya Pradesh on the State Foundation Day. I wish that this state, rich in natural wealth and cultural heritage, continues to set new standards of development in every field," read a post by the PM. "Our Haryana, known for its rich historical heritage, has always contributed significantly to the development of the country. On the foundation day of the state, along with extending my heartfelt greetings to all my brothers and sisters who are partners in the progress of this state, I wish them happiness, prosperity, and good health," said another post. For Chhattisgarh, he said, "I wish that this state, adorned with a wonderful confluence of glorious folk traditions and tribal culture, continues to progress rapidly on the path of development." "Kerala Piravi greetings! The state is known for its mesmerizing landscapes, vibrant traditions, and hardworking people. People from Kerala have made their mark all over the world, across different fields," said a post for Kerala. "Kannada Rajyotsava is a very special occasion, recognizing the exemplary culture and traditions of Karnataka. This state is blessed with outstanding people who are powering growth and innovation across sectors," the PM added, highlighting the contributions of Karnataka. Additionally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also highlighted the unique heritage and contributions of each state while extending his warm wishes. Wishing for Chhattisgarh's continued growth and preservation of its rich tribal culture, he said in a post on X, "I wish that the journey of preservation and promotion of tribal culture and art in Chhattisgarh continues at an uninterrupted pace and the state reaches the pinnacle of development and progress." For Madhya Pradesh, he highlighted how the state is going through a "golden period of preservation of its rich cultural heritage." "Madhya Pradesh is witnessing a golden period of preservation of its rich cultural heritage and public welfare works. I wish for the progressive progress of the people of the state," read another post by Shah. Putting the spotlight on the farmers, sportspersons, and soldiers from Haryana, he said, "The hardworking farmers of the state, the soldiers dedicated to the nation's defence, and the energetic sportspersons are playing a leading role in accelerating the country's development journey, making it secure and bringing glory to it on global platforms. The way Haryana has been progressing on the path of development and progress for the last decade, I wish that this journey of prosperity continues uninterrupted." Wishing people on Kerala, Shah said, "Over the years, Kerala has strengthened Bharat by leveraging its unique cultural heritage. May God bless the state to prosper further." Mentioning Karnataka, Shah added, "As proud inheritors of a glorious heritage, the people of Karnataka have contributed immensely to enhancing the nation's pride. Praying for the state's continued progress." (ANI) Ahead of the Jharkhand Assembly elections, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Friday said that JMM and Congress are going to form a government in Jharkhand, no matter what BJP leaders propagate in the state. "JMM and Congress are going to form a majority government. No matter what BJP leaders propagate there, people are very satisfied with the work of JMM and Congress, so there is full hope of our government being formed with a full majority," Gogoi told ANI. Earlier today, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal and Congress state in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir arrived in Jharkhand and tried their hands on the traditional dhol at Ranchi airport. Upon his arrival at Jharkhand, Venugopal said that JMM-Congress will fight the elections and form our government again in Jharkhand. "They (BJP) will say new things to divert the issue...We are very confident that we will win and form our government again," Venugopal told reporters in Ranchi," Venugopal said. Jharkhand Minister and Congress candidate from Jamshedpur-West Assembly seat, Banna Gupta said that the INDIA bloc will deliberate on how they can perform better in the state. "Congress general secretary KC Venugopal has arrived in Jharkhand. Certainly, our candidates and the people of the INDIA bloc who are contesting the elections will deliberate on how they can perform better and form the government in Jharkhand again," Gupta said. The BJP has alleged that Hemant Soren's age increased by seven years in the last five years. Soren declared his age to be 42 in 2019, but this year, he mentioned in the affidavit that his age is 49. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren will contest from the Barhait Assembly constituency. Elections for 81 seats in the Jharkhand Assembly will be conducted in two phases on November 13 and November 20, with the counting of votes scheduled for November 23. (ANI) Reacting over the ongoing controversy over Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's age, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Friday said that the BJP will bring up new things to divert the issue, adding that JMM-Congress is doing good work in the state. "They (BJP) will say new things to divert the issue...We are very confident that we will win and form our government again," Venugopal told reporters in Ranchi. He further said that JMM-Congress will fight the elections and form our government again in Jharkhand. "The atmosphere is very good here. I have come here for the Jharkhand Assembly Elections. We will fight the elections and form our govt again. The JMM-Congress is doing good work here. The results will be better this time," he added. Jharkhand Minister and Congress candidate from Jamshedpur-West Assembly seat, Banna Gupta said that the INDIA bloc will deliberate on how they can perform better in the state. "Congress general secretary KC Venugopal has arrived in Jharkhand. Certainly, our candidates and the people of the INDIA bloc who are contesting the elections will deliberate on how they can perform better and form the government in Jharkhand again," Gupta said. The Congress general secretary and Congress state in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir arrived in Jharkhand and tried their hands on the traditional dhol at Ranchi airport. Meanwhile, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha said that the people of the BJP have become distracted as everything is "crystal clear." JMM Rajya Sabha MP and candidate from Ranchi, Mahua Maji said that JMM will win the elections and form the government. "BJP raises all kinds of issues. They do not want to fight the election on the issue of development. They try to stab you in the back, but they will not succeed. We will win and form the government here," Maji said. JMM Leader Manoj Pandey suggested the BJP to not lose their "mental balance," adding that the people of the BJP have become distracted. "We do not hide anything, nor do we try to hide anything. Everything is crystal clear. Documents are attached and it is verified... They are seeing a huge defeat in front of them, do not lose your mental balance, keep your political spirit, victory and defeat keep happening. The people of the BJP have become distracted. We are those people who do not hide information," Manoj Pandey said. Earlier today, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla said that JMM stands for 'Jhol, Muslim appeasement and Mafia'. "JMM means 'Jhol, Muslim appeasement and Mafia'. The JMM govt which has set new standards of corruption is now doing corruption in affidavits also. Mr Hemant Soren has aged 7 years in the last 5 years. Similarly, they did corruption and scams," Shehzad Poonawalla said in a self-made video. The BJP has alleged that Hemant Soren's age increased by seven years in the last five years. Soren declared his age to be 42 in 2019, but this year, he mentioned in the affidavit that his age is 49. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren will contest from the Barhait Assembly constituency. Elections for 81 seats in the Jharkhand Assembly will be conducted in two phases on November 13 and November 20, with the counting of votes scheduled for November 23. (ANI) Shah expressed the sorrow through a post on his X handle highlighting Debroy's impact on various fields, reflecting on the loss felt by the academic community and the nation. "Deeply pained by the demise of Bibek Debroy Ji, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the PM. Debroy Ji was a scholar with unparalleled versatility who made prolific contributions to the fields of economics, history, and philosophy. He will always be remembered for his distinguished contributions to Bharat's development journey. My sincerest condolences to the bereaved family, his friends, and admirers in this hour of grief," read Shah's post. Debroy passed away on Friday morning. He was 69. Debroy received his education at Ramakrishna Mission School in Narendrapur, Presidency College in Kolkata, the Delhi School of Economics, and Trinity College, Cambridge. His professional experience includes positions at Presidency College in Kolkata, the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in Delhi, and serving as the director of a legal reforms project for the Ministry of Finance and UNDP. An esteemed author and scholar, Debroy is recognised for his significant contributions to economic policy and Sanskrit literature, playing a vital role in shaping India's economic landscape. His expertise spans various areas, including macroeconomics, public finance, and infrastructure. Debroy has published extensively on issues such as economic reforms, governance, and the Indian railways. Additionally, Debroy gained acclaim for translating classical Sanskrit texts, including the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita, making ancient Indian wisdom accessible to contemporary audiences. (ANI) You are here: Arts The Lao-Chinese Food Festival was held in Lao capital Vientiane, offering participants a taste of unique Lao and Chinese dishes and insights into the food culture of the two countries. The event was held at the Confucius Institute of the National University of Laos. Speaking at the event on Tuesday, Dexanourath Seneduangdeth, acting president of the National University of Laos, said this is a wonderful chance for students to experience China's long-standing culinary heritage. "Beyond flavor, these foods carry the rich cultural traditions of diverse regions across China," he said. He also highlighted the Confucius Institute's role in fostering Lao-Chinese cultural exchanges and advancing language education, contributing significantly to bilateral cooperation. The festival highlighted the depth of Chinese food culture, where each dish symbolizes heritage and tradition, enhancing the deep bond between the two countries. National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Friday expressed condolences over the death of BJP MLA Devender Singh Rana, describing him as a "wise man" and acknowledging their past ties. "We had good relations with him, but in 2021 he left the National Conference. We never made any statement against him. Death is inevitable and spares no one. Whoever has come has to go," Abdullah said. Offering support, he added, "May God give courage to his family to bear this shock... We are with them in this grief." Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered condolences on Rana's passing, recognizing the BJP leader's commitment to Jammu and Kashmir's development. "Shri Devender Singh Rana Ji's untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmir's progress. He had just won the Assembly polls and also played a noteworthy role in strengthening the BJP in J-K. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti," PM Modi posted on X. Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina also mourned the loss, recalling Rana as a hardworking leader. "Devender Singh Rana was a very hardworking leader of the BJP... The entire J-K is mourning the death of BJP leader Devender Singh Rana. He worked for every section of society...He was recently elected as an MLA from the Nagrota assembly constituency by a very big margin...He will always stay alive in the hearts of the public of J-K," Raina told ANI. BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh shared his sorrow, posting on X, "Deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely passing of Sh. Devender Singh Rana Ji, MLA, Nagrota, J-K. A dedicated BJP leader and a true representative of the people of J-K. His invaluable contributions, warmth, and commitment to service will be remembered by all. This is an immense loss to our BJP family and to the people he served so selflessly. My heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may God grant his loved ones strength to bear this profound loss." Devender Singh Rana, a BJP leader and MLA from Nagrota, Jammu and Kashmir, passed away on Thursday night at the age of 59. He was the brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh. Rana recently won the Nagrota constituency in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, defeating his opponent Joginder Singh from the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC). (ANI) On the occasion of the former Andhra CM and TDP founder N.T. Rama Rao's Centenary celebrations, his statue was unveiled in Atlanta, US. The event, which was marked by the inauguration by General Secretary Nara Lokesh, represents a tribute to N.T. Rama Rao's enduring legacy. "The legendary NTR Garu stood for more than just cinema and politics--he was a movement, a symbol of Telugu pride, and a fearless voice of our people. He championed our culture, our language, and our people, redefining Telugu identity both on and off the screen. From unforgettable characters to visionary leadership, NTR Garu taught us to dream big and devote ourselves to serving the people. He remains a timeless icon, and a symbol of Telugu pride worldwide. I'm honoured to unveil his statue in Atlanta today. Proud to see him celebrated on foreign soil, reminding us of both, the power of our dreams and roots anchored in Telugu Atmagouravam," Nara Lokesh posted on X. Venigandla Ramu, MLA from Gudivada, said "There is no other leader who has gained as much fame and reputation in the Telugu community as NTR. The name of NTR will remain forever in the pages of history as long as the Telugu community exists." He expressed his delight at the unveiling of NTR's statue and praised Nara Lokesh as the 'beacon of hope' for the future of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). "Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Minister Lokesh are tirelessly working for the state, and NRIs should support their efforts. Minister Lokesh is meeting dozens of investors in a single day for investments. Lokesh is a beacon of hope for the future of the Telugu Desam Party, and he will lead the party effectively. The unveiling of NTR's statue today made us forget the struggles of the past five years," he said. Gannavaram MLA Yarlagadda Venkata Rao on the NTR Centenary Celebrations, said "NTR, a great personality who established a regional party at the age of 60, brought it to power within nine months. The revolutionary reforms he introduced serve as a model for today's leaders. No government has dared to provide rice at two rupees a kilogram, but our leader NTR did during his period. NRIs play a crucial role in the economies of India and Andhra Pradesh." Gannavaram MLA further said "NTR was a great personality who brought the Equal Rights Act for women in property. Unfortunately, former Chief Minister Jagan does not respect that law and has wronged his mother and sister." He urged for investments in Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. He called for support for Chandrababu and Lokesh, who are working towards the goal of providing 2 million jobs in five years. Nagari MLA Gali Prakash emphasized that the enthusiasm displayed by NRIs in the area creates an atmosphere reminiscent of Andhra Pradesh. "Lokesh played a key role behind the grand victory with 164 seats. He undertook foot marches to save the state's future and the TDP. As the Minister for Panchayati Raj, he has constructed 25,000 kilometres of rural roads and provided LED lights in ways no other minister has. The party's future will be bright under Lokesh's leadership. There is so much to say about NTR, yet it feels insufficient. After the establishment of the TDP, Telugu people gained recognition on a global scale. He called upon all NRIs to be partners in the state's development in the coming days" he said. Udayagiri MLA Kakarla Suresh also mentioned that Nara Lokesh is the only leader among Indian politicians who studied at a prestigious institution like Stanford and entered politics. He acknowledged Lokesh's role in his election as an MLA. USA NRI TDP President Komati Jayaram stated that they celebrated NTR's centenary events grandly.,"As long as the Telugu community exists, NTR's name will remain immortal. We NRIs will always support the government. He urged recognition for the NRIs who selflessly worked for the party, believing that they would lead the state on the path of progress." He affirmed that they will continue to support the party's success in the future. (ANI) Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], November 1: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday stated that the goal is to make Kannada the "language of life" while speaking at the 69th Kannada Rajyotsava celebration at Kanteerava Stadium. Shivakumar said, "Our aim is to make Kannada a language of life. All of us need to show our respect to our motherland by hoisting the flag of the land high." He then noted that it has been 50 years since the state was named Karnataka, emphasizing, "We believe that our land is heaven, our language is divine, and the waters of Tunge, Bhadra, Cauvery, and Krishna are sacred." He extended his greetings for Kannada Rajyotsava to everyone in the state, both personally and on behalf of the state government. "Kuvempu's message of Vishwamanava is showing us the way even today. Kannada is our pride, it is our duty to offer our respect and prayers to our Karmabhoomi. Kannada is in every breath we take. We have ordered all schools, colleges, and private firms to celebrate Kannada Rajyotsava in their premises," he added.. Shivakumar stated, "Many states don't have a Naada Geethe (state song) or a flag, but Karnataka does. Our land is a place of diversity and peace, attracting people from all over the world. Kannada has a history of over 2,000 years, and many Kannadigas from various countries are making efforts to spread the joy of Kannada globally. The whole world is looking at us. All of us have a responsibility to protect the language and the culture of the land." CM Siddaramiah also urged the people to have pride in the Kanadda language which has a proud history. "2023 after I became CM I announced in the budget that Karnataka day must be celebrated mandatory. We should teach Kannada to people. Kannada language has 2000 years of history. We at any cost not sacrifice our language. Never give up the pride of Kannada," the CM Said. Earlier in his post on X the CM said, "Kannada Rajyotsava is a day when we should dedicate ourselves to the task of saving and growing Kannada, including our people, language, culture, land and water. Let the love and concern for Kannada not be limited to today, but let it be a daily celebration of all our lives." (ANI) Congratulating each state and union territories on their foundation day on Friday, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra highlighted how across the country contains distinct cultures, languages and history. She wished Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana and Punjab on their foundation day earlier today in a post on X. "From East to West, North to South, each of our states is proud of its distinct culture, diverse languages, rich history and unique traditions. These diverse specialties bind the entire India in the thread of unity. Let us together celebrate the great Indian identity of 'Unity in Diversity'. Jai Hind!," the post read. https://x.com/priyankagandhi/status/1852235587798917626 Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended their wishes to the states celebrating their foundation day. Wishing each state individually in various posts on X, he highlighted the contributions of each state to the country in various fields, including cultural heritage, development, preservation, and natural resources. Moreover, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi also greeted the people of several states and Union Territories, underlining the importance of India's cultural diversity. "These vibrant cultures, diverse languages, rich histories, and enduring traditions are the very heart of India's strength and give our nation its resilience. Let us celebrate and safeguard this unity, recognizing that each state's unique contribution enriches and strengthens the bonds that hold us together," read the post of Rahul Gandhi. Additionally, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also shared his wishes, stating, "Our diversity is India's strength. We extend our warm greetings on the Formation Day of Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu. We wish each of the States and Union Territories peace, prosperity, and boundless progress." (ANI) The mortal remains of Jammu and Kashmir BJP MLA from Nagrota, Devender Singh Rana who passed away yesterday were brought to his residence in Jammu on Friday. Bharatiya Janata Party leader and sitting MLA of Jammu and Kashmir's Nagrota, Devender Singh Rana, passed away on Thursday night at the age of 59. Rana is the brother of Union Minister Jitendra Singh. Jammu and Kashmir Deputy CM Surinder Kumar Choudhary said that he has no words to express his condolences on the demise of Devender Singh Rana. "It is a big loss for the people of J-K...I have no words to express my condolences on his demise," Surinder Kumar Choudhary said. Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said that the demise of his brother and Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Devender Singh Rana is not only irreparable and painful, but the void created will continue to haunt him for the rest of his life. "Untimely demise of my brother Sh Devender Singh Rana is a deep personal loss, which is not only irreparable and painful, but the void created will continue to haunt me for the rest of my life. I sincerely thank all those standing by me and the family in these testing times. Singh posted on X. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered his condolences and said that the BJP leader worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmir's progress. "Shri Devender Singh Rana Ji's untimely demise is shocking. He was a veteran leader, who worked diligently towards Jammu and Kashmir's progress. He had just won the Assembly polls and had also played a noteworthy role in making the BJP stronger in J-K. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with his family and supporters. Om Shanti," PM Modi posted on X. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the demise of Devender Singh Rana is an irreparable loss for the BJP family, and added that the leader was dedicated to the peace and development of Jammu and Kashmir. Devender Singh Rana was one of the key candidates in the recently held Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. He emerged victorious from the Nagrota, defeating his rival, Joginder Singh of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC). (ANI) Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijju celebrated Diwali with Indian Army soldiers at Bumla Pass in Arunachal Pradesh, where he praised India's border developments while comparing them to those of their Chinese counterparts. Rijju via a post on X said, "After talking to Chinese soldiers and seeing the infrastructures, everyone will feel proud of India's border development now." He added, "Celebrated Diwali at Bumla with our Army Jawans in Arunachal Pradesh." "Earlier in the day, we celebrated Diwali at Tawang Army Helipad. Celebrating Diwali with our brave soldiers made me feel proud and grateful. It is because of their dedication and courage that our country is safe. Jai Hind!", said Rijju in another tweet. Earlier on Thursday, Kiren Rijiju joined the flagging off the Run For Unity and the nveiling of 'Desh Ka Vallabh' Statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as well as the inauguration of Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing Museum of Valour at Tawang. The minister also interacted with a Tangkhul Naga Group from Manipur who had come for the unveiling of the statue of Major Bob Khathing. Meanwhile, earlier in the day, following disengagement between India and China, Indian troops started patrolling the Demchok sector in eastern Ladakh. This development comes after both countries agreed to disengage and initiate coordinated patrols based on their perception of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Demchok and Depsang sectors. Indian Army sources indicated that patrolling in the Depsang sector is expected to begin soon. Coordinated patrolling means that both sides will be aware of each other's patrol schedules. Earlier on Thursday, the armies of both countries exchanged sweets at various border points in the Ladakh sector to celebrate Diwali. The Indian and Chinese armies exchanged sweets at Hot Springs, Karakoram Pass, Daulat Beg Oldi, KongkLa, and the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point in Ladakh. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on Friday welcomed the idea of implementing One Nation One Election, saying that the demand for its implementation has been going on for a long time. "We welcome the one nation one election. There has been a demand for one nation one election for a long time. One nation one election will be implemented under the leadership of PM Modi...BJP will get the support to implement the one nation one election," he told ANI Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that his government was working towards achieving One Nation One Poll which will ensure simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and state assemblies. "We are now working towards One Nation One Election, which will strengthen India's democracy, give optimum outcome of India's resources and the country will gain new momentum in achieving the dream of a developed India. Today, India is moving towards One Nation One Civil Code that is a Secular Civil Code," he said. The PM, while speaking at Kevadia, Gujarat was paying tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary, and also highlighted the "unprecedented" achievement for the unity and integrity of India. "Today, commitment to national unity is visible in every work and every mission of the government. As true Indians, we must celebrate every effort towards national unity with enthusiasm and energy, strengthening new resolve, hopes, and excitement," PM Modi said. However, Congress has rejected the idea of implementing One Nation One Election, saying that the PM has to take everyone in Parliament into confidence for this issue. Following PM's speech, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge dismissed the One Nation and One election concept as 'impossible.' Speaking to reporters, Congress President Kharge said, "What PM Modi has said, he will not do it, because when it comes in the parliament, he has to take everybody into confidence, then only this will happen. This is impossible, 'One Nation One Election' is impossible." (ANI) Delhi's Rohini Court has recently dismissed a bail plea of a man accused of cheating of Rs 62 lakh on the pretext of the sale of 16 acres of agricultural land. While dismissing the bail plea, the court considered the reply filed by the Delhi Police and the fact that a case was against the accused for absconding. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Sushil Kumar dismissed the bail plea of accused Jaiveer alias Jassu on October 29. " Keeping in view of the above discussion as well as facts and circumstances of this case and also considering the seriousness of the offences alleged against the applicant/accused Jaiveer alias Jassu, this court is not inclined to grant bail to the accused at this stage," ASJ Sushil Kumar said in the order dated October 29. The court observed, " In the present case, no recovery of cheat money has taken place to date. Further, the accused was declared absconder on 06.04.2024 as he was evading his arrest and he had absconded. In this case, an FIR was registered at PS Prashant Vihar Under sections. 420,.406, 34, 174A IPC in 2022 with the allegations that the accused has cheated the complainant to the tune of Rs. 62 lakhs on the pretext of selling an agricultural piece of land measuring about 16 acres. The court noted that as per the reply of the Investigation Officer, it has been found during the course of the investigation that accused Jaiveer alias Jassu had also taken byana from one Ajmer with respect to the same property but did not disclose anything about the same to complainant. During the course of arguments, it was stated by the complainant that the accused had also tried to sell the property in question to his neighbours through the registry, but the same was cancelled as there was a stay on the property in question by the Judicial Magistrate. It was also mentioned in the reply filed by the investigation Officer that the accused is also involved in an FIR registered at Police Station Pillukheda, District Jind, Haryana with the allegations that he had entered into an agreement to sell a piece of land to a person who committed suicide when the accused cheated him. Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) strongly opposed the bail application and submitted that allegations against the accused were serious in nature. It is prayed that the application should be dismissed. Counsel for the accused submitted that he has been in Judicial custody since 17.07.2024 and he has been falsely implicated in the present case. It was further submitted that allegations made by the complainant relate to an agreement to sell 16 acres of land, which was entered into on 23.08.2021 between the complainant and the applicant. He further submitted that an amount of Rs. 2,00,000 was given as token money for this agreement and it was clearly communicated by the accused to the complainant that the entire 16 acres of land was not under the exclusive ownership of the accused. It was further submitted that the accused only owns 71 kanals of the total 109 kanals of the land in question and the accused had informed the complainant of issues with his brothers regarding the remaining portion. (ANI) Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, on Friday, warned the Congress government that the people would not remain silent if deceived and would fight back. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was responding to questions about the Shakti scheme, one of several Congress poll guarantees, which provides free bus services to women in Karnataka. "The guarantee (Shakti scheme) should last as long as you (Congress) are in power. You came to power by promising these guarantees to the voters. Your statements (about the Shakti scheme) could turn Congress into a party that betrays the people. People will not remain silent if they feel cheated. They will fight back," he asserted. This response follows advice from Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge to party units preparing for elections, urging them to announce guarantees aligned with their budgets. Kharge advised careful consideration, warning that a poorly planned approach could lead to financial strain and negatively impact future generations. During a press conference, he highlighted the importance of fiscal responsibility, cautioning that failure to fulfil commitments could result in reputational harm and challenges for the community. Kharge said, "In Maharashtra, I advised that they shouldn't announce 5, 10, or 20 guarantees. Guarantees should be based on budget. Otherwise, there'll be bankruptcy. If there's no money for roads, people will turn against you. If this government fails, future generations will inherit only a bad reputation. They'll face a decade in exile." Kharge's comments came after indications that the Karnataka Congress government might review the Shakti scheme, which provides free bus transport for women. However, on Thursday, Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy clarified that there would be no review or suspension of the scheme. Earlier today, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar revised his statement, saying, "Karnataka's guarantee model is an example for the entire country. The BJP and other parties are also adopting it, and we're proud to have implemented and delivered it. The people of Karnataka and the country are very pleased with our model," Shivakumar told reporters. (ANI) Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC on Friday took a jibe at Shiv Sena UBT leader Arvind Sawant after he called her 'imported' maal. Earlier in the day, Arvind Sawant commented on Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC. He said, "Look at her condition. She was in the BJP all her life and now she has gone to another party. Imported 'maal' does not work here, only original 'maal' works here." Speaking to ANI, Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC said Now you will be 'behaal' because you called the woman 'maal'. "You cannot respect a woman. You use such words for a capable woman who is in politics. Now you will be 'behaal' because you called the woman 'maal'. Whether I take action or not, the public will make him 'behaal'", she said. Shaina NC further stated that I think this objectification of women is not only their mentality but Congress MLA Amin Patel was present there laughing. "On one side there is Eknath Shinde's Ladki Behan Yojana, on the other side there is Prime Minister's Ujjwala, Mudra Banking, Housing Scheme, where women are empowered. Droupadi Murmu, a tribal woman, becomes the President and on the other side Mahavinash Aghadi's Arvind Sawant calls me 'Imported maal'", she added. The Shiv Sena leader further went on saying that I think this objectification of women is not only their mentality but Congress MLA Amin Patel was present there laughing "I think this objectification of women is not only their mentality but Congress MLA Amin Patel was present there laughing. You will have to apologize at the Nagpada Police Station. Mahavinash Aghadi which is going to be 'behaal' on 20th November," she said. On Monday, Shiv Sena released the list of 15 candidates for the assembly polls, in which Shaina NC was fielded from Mumbadevi constituency. Shaina will be contesting against incumbent Congress' MLA Amin Patel who also filed his nomination on Tuesday. The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23. In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena 56, and the Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI) The Symposium on the Translation and International Communication of Chinese Nuo Opera and the 2024 Annual Conference of the China Nuo Opera Research Institute were held in Beijing from Oct. 26-27. The two-part event was hosted by the China Nuo Opera Research Institute and Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and was organized by the School of International Journalism and Communication and the School of Art and Research, BFSU. The gathering aimed to be a platform for in-depth conversation on the protection, inheritance and worldwide promotion of the opera form. Participants of the Symposium on the Translation and International Communication of Chinese Nuo Opera pose for a group photo at Beijing Foreign Studies University in Beijing, Oct. 26, 2024. [Photo courtesy of BFSU] The symposium featured two keynote speeches and six panels. Experts and scholars from around China and Osaka, Japan engaged in discussions on topics such as the innovative development and cross-cultural research of Chinese Nuo Opera, historical and theoretical research on Chinese Nuo culture and new media dissemination of Chinese Nuo Opera. Three youth forums were also held, giving a platform for young scholars to share their ideas and youthful insights related to the inheritance, development and dissemination of Chinese Nuo Opera. Nuo Opera is a traditional form of folk drama where practitioners wear masks and perform dances intended to drive away ghosts and disease. The symposium received 73 paper submissions, including 38 for the youth forums, with 83 scholars presenting academic reports and engaging in discussions. The symposium also assembled an expert committee to select the top ten papers for the inaugural Chinese Nuo Opera Research Youth Forum. Officials and guests launch a Nuo Opera mask exhibition at Beijing Foreign Studies University in Beijing, Oct. 26, 2024. [Photo courtesy of BFSU] Ning Qiang, dean of BFSU's School of Art and Research, said in his speech that promoting the translation and international communication of Nuo Opera not only helps increase the international community's awareness and appreciation of Chinese traditional culture but also enhances China's international competitiveness. "Our school will take this conference as an opportunity to further promote the translation and international communication of Nuo Opera, allowing more people to understand and appreciate this intangible cultural heritage and contribute anew to the promotion of excellent traditional Chinese culture and the diversity of world cultures," he said. Ning's sentiments were echoed by other speakers at the two-day event, with professor Yuan Jun, director of the Academic Committee at BFSU, stating his advocacy for the academic community to invest more in the development and preservation of Nuo Opera, such as more "academic support for international communication" and engaging in more Nuo Opera research. Li Zhiyuan, president of the China Nuo Opera Research Institute, mentioned that more than 30 types of Nuo Opera have been listed in the national intangible cultural heritage inventory, underscoring the unquestionable status of Nuo Opera as an essential component of traditional Chinese culture. Li believes that Nuo Opera, characterized by its national distinctiveness, can become more globally recognized through both the research institute's and BFSU's efforts. A corner of the Nuo Opera mask exhibition at Beijing Foreign Studies University in Beijing, Oct. 26, 2024. [Photo courtesy of BFSU] After the opening ceremony, all participants attended an unveiling for a Nuo Opera mask exhibition and mask-making workshop. The masks displayed as part of the exhibition were primarily provided by Qin Fazhong, director of the Guizhou Anshun Nuo Carving Culture Museum and council member of the China Nuo Opera Research Institute. Qin explained the selection rationale for the masks on display and guided visitors through the exhibition, sharing stories and information behind the masks. The exhibition will continue until early November. A scene from the Nuo Opera performance that took place during the two-day event at Beijing Foreign Studies University in Beijing, Oct. 27, 2024. [Photo courtesy of BFSU] On Oct. 27, the Chizhou Nuo Opera Art Troupe from Anhui province joined the Art Troupe of BFSU for a cultural performance along with interactive sessions such as a Nuo mask carving workshop. Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde expressed strong confidence in the Mahayuti alliance's prospects in the upcoming Maharashtra elections, highlighting the achievements of the current government under Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, particularly the 'Ladki Behin Yojana', which has reportedly benefited 2.15 crore women across the state. "Mahayuti is confident of winning. The way our government, under the leadership of CM Eknath Shinde, has worked--especially through schemes like the Ladki Behin Yojana--gives us confidence as we approach the people with our development agenda. Maharashtra leads in infrastructure, startups, and welfare schemes," Shrikant Shinde told ANI. Shinde also criticised the opposition, accusing them of fearing the success of the Ladki Behin Yojana and resorting to unfounded allegations against it. "Seeing the reach of Ladki Behin Yojana, I am pleased to say that 2.15 crore women have benefitted. We are taking our development agenda to the people. Over the last two years, the Chief Minister has focused on the state's progress. The opposition is so unsettled by Ladki Behin Yojana that they keep levelling baseless allegations against it. But if you ask women what Rs1,500 means to them, they will tell you. Congress, over the years, has not delivered on its promises, whereas our government has focused on women's empowerment," Shinde stated. Earlier, Maharashtra minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Girish Mahajan stated that the Mahayuti government needs to return to power to continue welfare initiatives for the underprivileged, farmers, labourers, and students. "I prayed to Lord Hanuman today for the Mahayuti government's return so we can continue welfare measures for the poor, farmers, labourers, and students. We need to expand irrigation and education facilities and provide farmers with 24-hour electricity," Mahajan told ANI. The assembly polls for the 288 seats are scheduled for November 20, with vote counting set for November 23. The Model Code of Conduct for the Maharashtra Assembly Election took effect on October 15, 2024. The election notification was issued on October 22, with Tuesday as the final day for filing nominations. Meanwhile, the C-Vigil app, which enables vigilant citizens to report code of conduct violations, received 1,648 complaints from October 15 to 29, of which 1,646 have been addressed by the Election Commission, according to the Chief Electoral Officer's office. The C-Vigil App, available on any app store, allows citizens to register complaints of code violations. Once a complaint is submitted, the relevant team investigates and takes appropriate action. (ANI) According to an official release, based on specific intelligence, officers of DRI, Hyderabad intercepted two Indian passengers coming from Bangkok at Hyderabad International Airport on October 31. Upon systematic search of their check-in luggage, 13 vacuum-packed transparent packets were found inside the packets of chocolates. The DRI said that a greenish substance in lumpy form was recovered from all 13 packets, and when tested with a field test kit, it indicated positive for Marijuana. The packets containing 7.096 kgs of hydroponic weed have been seized, and the passengers have been arrested under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985, and remanded to Judicial Custody, the DRI said in a release. Further investigation is in progress, it added. Earlier Telangana Police recovered 150 grams of MDMA drugs and arrested an individual for selling drugs, said police officials. Acting on credible information, Chanda Nagar police conducted a raid on a house and arrested an individual for selling drugs for easy money. The arrested person has been identified as Krishna Ram, a native of Rajasthan. Speaking on the raid, Raghu, Sub-inspector of Chanda Nagar police station said, "We conducted a raid near Thimappa House No. 56, based on credible information, and found 150 grams of MDMA drugs in possession of Krishna Ram (28), a native of Rajasthan." "Ram, who was visiting his relatives, allegedly sold drugs for easy money and had a history of doing so, with no prior cases against him," added the Chanda Nagar Sub-inspector. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has declared a public holiday on November 7 for Chhath Puja, calling it an "important festival" for the residents of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. In an official announcement, Chief Minister Atishi stated that the Delhi government has decided to observe a holiday on 7 November for Chhath Puja, enabling the Purvanchal community to celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm. In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary of Delhi, Atishi wrote, "Chhath Puja is an important festival for the people of the NCT of Delhi. Accordingly, the Government of NCT of Delhi has decided to declare 7th November 2024 as a Public Holiday on account of 'Chhath Puja'." The announcement follows a request from Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena, who had urged the Chief Minister to declare a full public holiday on the third day of Chhath. "In just a few days, we will be celebrating Chhath, a grand festival observed over four days, with the third day being particularly significant as offerings are made to the setting sun. This year, this important day falls on November 7, which has already been declared a restricted holiday. I urge the government to declare November 7, 2024 (Thursday) as a full holiday and to expedite the necessary process," LG Saxena wrote in his letter to Atishi. In recognition of Chhath Puja's significance in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Indian Railways is running special trains across the country to ensure safe travel for those returning to their hometowns for the festival. Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity for the Railway Board, stated that the Indian Railways operated over 160 trains on Thursday, with plans to run more than 170 trains today. Kumar added that Indian Railways has made special arrangements at major stations nationwide, including New Delhi, Anand Vihar, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Mumbai, Bandra, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru. "These arrangements are made for people travelling home during Chhath Puja. We are running additional trains to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to manage the rush. Yesterday, we operated over 160 trains, and today we plan to run more than 170. Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff are deployed to manage crowds, and Rail Sewaks are on hand to assist travellers," Kumar said. Chhath Puja 2024, celebrated on November 7, is a vibrant festival dedicated to the Sun God and his consort, Chhathi Maiya. Celebrated mainly in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and among the Indian diaspora, the festival spans four days and includes rituals of fasting, bathing in rivers, and prayers at sunrise and sunset. Devotees, particularly women, prepare special offerings, including *thekua* (a traditional sweet) and fruits, gathering at riverbanks to pay homage to the Sun, seeking health and prosperity for their families. (ANI) Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, on Friday criticised Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren for inconsistencies in his stated age on nomination papers, claiming that even the gods are astounded to see Soren age seven years within a span of five. Addressing a press conference here, MoS Seth remarked, "We guarantee that the information we provide on nomination papers is accurate. In 2019, Hemant Soren declared his date of birth on his nomination papers, yet in 2024, he appears to have aged by seven years in just five. What magic is this? Aisa jaadu ki Devta bhi hairaan hai (such magic, even gods astonished)." He further alleged that this discrepancy amounts to fraud and deceit against the Election Commission. "Since the beginning, whenever the INDI alliance loses elections, they question the Election Commission of India and EVMs. Now, they have even attempted to deceive the ECI. They have not only misled everyone but have also attempted to deceive the ECI this time. Declarations in nomination papers become public property, accessible to the public online," Seth added. The MoS for Defence urged the ECI to thoroughly investigate whether the discrepancy occurred in 2019 or 2024. "The ECI should take strict action. This is not a simple mistake but a deliberate fraud. The BJP believes in the ECI, the Constitution, and the public, while others do not," he said. Speaking on the Assembly polls, Seth expressed confidence in BJP's support. "Everywhere I go, people express a desire to oust this deceptive government. The public is determined to establish a BJP-led government. The NDA will lead in all six seats in Ranchi, and we are confident that under BJP leadership, the government will be formed," the BJP leader stated. Additionally, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the Ranchi seat, CP Singh, expressed confidence in his victory and said that the people are enthusiastic about voting for the Lotus symbol. "On November 13, the people of Ranchi are excited to vote for the Lotus symbol. I am holding Padyatras, engaging with residents, and urging everyone to vote to ensure no vote is wasted," he said. (ANI) The Odisha government has downgraded the security cover of the state's five-time former Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, from Z to Y category, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Amar Patnaik said on Friday. He described the state government's decision as "extremely unfortunate." "It is extremely unfortunate. Naveen Patnaik has been Chief Minister of Odisha for five terms and, I believe, holds the longest tenure as CM in the country. He is one of India's most respected political leaders, beloved by the people of his state. The people of Odisha see Naveen Patnaik as a father, brother, son, and their leader," he said. "It is unfortunate that his security has been reduced. While it is within the government's prerogative to do so and there is no question of its legality, there is something called political decorum. I believe the current government has failed in this regard by taking such an action. For every instance that belittles Naveen Patnaik, the people of Odisha will remember," the BJD leader added. He further advised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government that if it continues with this practice, the people of Odisha will never forgive them on their political journey. Naveen Patnaik was elected Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly on June 19, after the BJD lost the Assembly polls and the BJP formed its first government in the state. The BJP secured 78 seats in the 147-seat assembly, the BJD won 51 seats, and the Congress won 14 seats. Assembly polls in Odisha were held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls. (ANI) After facing backlash for allegedly calling Shiv Sena candidate from Mumbadevi for upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls, Shaina NC "imported maal," UBT faction MP Arvind Sawant on Friday claimed that did not mention Shaina's name and said that he is the true victim of defamation. Sawant clarified that his remark was about outsiders not being suitable in the local context, adding that Shaina is a friend whom he respects. "I never mentioned her name. I only said that someone who is an outsider will not be able to work here. It's their habit to create uproar," he said while speaking to ANI. He also criticized PM Modi, accusing him of experties in falsehoods and referencing the alleged Rs 75,000 crore irrigation scam involving NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who was later made Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. "The PM is an expert in lying. He alleged an irrigation scam of Rs 75,000 crore and later made that person the minister. The party which has such character - will they speak the truth? PM Modi said nothing about the Manipur incident. When PM Modi went for his election campaign - the Prajwal Revanna case was before everyone, who went to campaign for his father?... The party which has such a weak foundation will blame others. They want to set a narrative," Sawant said. Sawant further defended his 55-year political career, saying he has always respected women and accused his opponents of trying to tarnish his reputation. "They file defamation cases, yet it is they who are defaming me. I condemn their intent. I have been in politics for 55 years, and have always respected women. Those who are supporting her - ask them to answer whatever questions I have asked... Shaina NC is my friend, she has worked for me, and I respect her... They are 'satta jihadi' people, as our leader Uddhav Thackeray says," Sawant added. Meanwhile, a case has been registered against Sawant at Nagpada Police Station following a complaint from Shaina NC over his "imported maal" remark. The case has been registered under sections 79 and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). This controversy began when Sawant allegedly referred to Shaina as "imported maal," saying, "Look at her condition. She was in the BJP all her life and now she gone to another party. Imported 'maal' doesn't work here; only original 'maal' does." In response, Shaina NC criticized Sawant, questioning his respect for women and warning that public opinion would hold him accountable. "You cannot respect a woman. You use such language about a capable woman who is in politics. Now you will be 'behaal' because you called a woman 'maal'. Whether or not I I take action, the public will," she said. Shaina further condemned the "objectification of women," alleging that Congress MLA Amin Patel, present at the time, laughed along. She also contrasted the incident with women-empowerment initiatives by Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde's 'Ladki Bahin Yojana' and the central government's Ujjwala and Mudra Banking schemes. "You will have to apologize at Nagpada Police Station. The 'Mahavinash Aghadi' will be 'behaal' November 20," she added. The Maharashtra Assembly election is set to take place on November 20, with vote counting for all 288 constituencies scheduled for November 23. (ANI) The individuals, identified as Kobir Sikhdhar and Md. Selim, were caught during a routine patrol aimed at curbing illegal infiltration. Praising the efforts of the Assam Police, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X, "In yet another successful operation of nabbing illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators, two Bangladeshis were apprehended near the International border at Karimganj and pushed back across the border." Earlier in October, CM Sarma had said that the state police had apprehended another Bangladeshi national, who was also sent back across the border. In a post on X, he stated, "In a successful pushback of an illegal infiltrator in Karimganj district, one Bangladeshi national was apprehended and sent across the border by Assam police." Similarly on October 2, the Border Security Force's Meghalaya division apprehended five Bangladeshi nationals traveling in an auto rickshaw from the Dalu side towards Purakhasia. "On October 2, a patrolling party of BSF observed an auto rickshaw halting some distance away from where the troops were performing duty. Five suspected Bangladeshi nationals got out and attempted to flee. The troops chased them and successfully apprehended them," the PRO of BSF Meghalaya Frontier had said in a statement. On October 1, Assam Police apprehended fourteen illegal Bangladeshi nationals in the South Salmara and Karimganj districts of the state. (ANI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu visited Edupuram in Srikakulam district on Friday to launch the Deepam 2.0 scheme, distributing free gas cylinders to women. During his visit, Naidu personally handed over a free gas cylinder to a woman and lit her stove, even preparing tea at the residence of beneficiary Santhamma. Naidu was accompanied by Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and state ministers Nadendla Manohar and Achchennayudu. This initiative aims to empower women by providing access to clean cooking energy. The Deepam scheme is part of Naidu's efforts to improve living conditions in Andhra Pradesh. "We are delighted to launch the scheme offering three free cooking gas cylinders per year in Idupuram, Srikakulam district, fulfilling one of our 'Super 6' election promises. The joy on the faces of women receiving these free gas cylinders was deeply satisfying. It was particularly heartening to see that Shanthamma, who received a free gas cylinder today, had also benefited from the Deepam 1 scheme I introduced previously," Naidu wrote in a post on X. "My best wishes to all beneficiaries of the free cooking gas scheme. My aim is to bring a meaningful change to the lives of women by eliminating smoke from kitchens and reducing financial burdens. Helping women and girls has always been a priority... their happiness and blessings mean everything to me," Naidu wrote on X. In a commitment to the Andhra Pradesh electorate, Naidu had promised to provide Rs 1,500 per month to every woman, three free gas cylinders annually, and free bus travel for women on state-run RTC buses. "We will provide Rs 15,000 annually to each school-going student through 'Thalliki Vandhanam'. Every woman will receive Rs 1,500 monthly through 'Aadabidda Nidhi'. Under the 'Deepam Scheme', three free gas cylinders per year will be given, along with free RTC bus travel for women," Naidu said at a public meeting in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. On his dedicated efforts for women's empowerment in the state, the Telugu Desam chief stated, "My commitment extends not only to the state's progress but also to ensuring the security and future of its women." The Deepam 2.0 scheme in Andhra Pradesh aims to assist women in acquiring and managing gas connections. It promotes clean cooking fuel, enhancing health and safety in households by reducing reliance on traditional cooking methods. Through this scheme, eligible women receive subsidies to cover the costs of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) connections and equipment. (ANI) Delhi Police have detained a juvenile in connection with a double murder case in Shahdara area, officials said on Friday. The 17-year-old accused has turned out to be the main conspirator in the case. According to officials, the minor, a distant relative of the deceased, hatched the conspiracy to kill a 40-year-old Aakash Sharma due to an old enmity over a debt of Rs 70,000. The incident occurred on the evening of Diwali when two persons on a motorcycle attacked victim, Aakash Sharma, leading to deaths of both Aakash and his nephew Rishabh. DCP Prashant Gautam said that the accused had a dispute with Aakash Sharma, who had promised to lend him Rs 70,000 but later refused. In retaliation, the minor contacted friends and hired a shooter to kill Aakash. The DCP said that the accused minor hatched the conspiracy in 15 to 17 days after surveilling. "The accused confessed that he intended only to kill Aakash, but Rishabh was killed after he attempted to catch the shooter, who fired one round at him, resulting in his death," he said, adding that Aakash's son, Krish Sharma, was also injured in the attack. Yesterday evening, the Police Control Room (PCR) received a call about a firing incident in Bihari Colony, Shahdara. The call was directed to the Farsh Bazar Police Station. Upon arrival, police found that three injured individuals had already been rushed to the hospital. Aakash Sharma, a resident of Bihari colony in Shahdara (aged 40 years) was declared dead at 8:15 PM upon arrival at the hospital, while his son Krish was also admitted, and Rishabh succumbed to his injuries, DCP Gautam said. Police recorded the statement of eyewitness Yash Sharma, who revealed that the minor accused is a distant relative of the victims. According to Yash's statement, he, along with both the victims, was celebrating Diwali outside their house when the accused minor arrived on a scooty with another person who was wearing a facemask. The accused minor instructed the other person to kill Aakash, and shots were fired at all three of them," DCP Gautam added. A case has been registered against the accused under sections 103, 109, and 351(3) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with other relevant sections at the Farsh Bazar Police Station, and a hunt to nab the other accused was on. The police were further looking into the case. (ANI) ID Singh, DIG (PSO) of Frontier BSF Meghalaya, along with Sector DIGs and Commandants of various units, celebrated the festival with BSF troops deployed at the international border The event highlighted the steadfast dedication and sacrifices of BSF personnel, who remain on duty during the festive season to ensure the safety and security of the nation, the BSF Meghalaya said in a release. BSF commanders spent time with the troops conveying them heartfelt Diwali greetings and appreciating their unwavering commitment to their mission. They extended warm wishes for peace, prosperity and strength, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by border personnel who vigilantly guard the nation, day and night. The dedication of BSF troops exemplifies their strength, resilience, and patriotism. We are deeply proud of each individual who protects our borders with unyielding commitment, the release added. This Diwali gathering underscores the BSF's ongoing commitment to supporting its personnel and honouring the sacrifices made by those serving on the front lines. The celebrations reflect the spirit of solidarity and respect for the men and women who protect our borders, it added. (ANI) The formations of Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carry out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea in late October 2024. The exercise was part of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation's regular real-combat training in the high seas, which concluded recently. [Photo/Xinhua] The formations of Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carried out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea, according to the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. Aiming to enhance the integrated combat capability of the aircraft carrier formations, the exercise was part of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation's regular real-combat training in the high seas, which concluded recently. The training was conducted in waters including the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea, featuring multiple subjects under real-combat circumstances, the navy said. Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, was delivered and commissioned to the PLA Navy in September 2012. Both the apprehended Rohingya illegal migrants are residents of the Rohingya Refugee Camp located in Cox Bazar, Bangladesh. Indian currency, mobile and UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) card were recovered from their possession, the release stated. In addition, alert troops of BSF Tripura in different operations foiled various attempts of trans-border smuggling along the Indo-Bangladesh border and seized 1,600 kgs of sugar and other contraband items worth Rs 4,76,479. BSF has enhanced the surveillance along the border to prevent trans-border crime and infiltration, post-political crisis in Bangladesh, the release stated. In August 2024, a student-led movement ousted Bangladesh's Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, after weeks of protests and clashes that killed over 600 people. Hasina, 76, fled to India on August 5 and an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was formed. (ANI) As per the officials, four fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire. Firefighting operations are underway and no injuries have been reported yet. More details are awaited. (ANI) After the Rajasthan government recalled textbooks on the 2002 Godhra train incident, State Education Minister Madan Dilawar said on Friday that the previous Congress government was responsible for introducing two controversial books in the school syllabus of the state. Minister Dilawar alleged that spreading discord in the society is the nature of Congress, and stated that the current government has no involvement in their selection. "They were selected by the then Education Secretary on September 19, 2023, and after that, the final test was conducted on October in two parts by the then Education Secretary and the then minister," he said. "That is why the current BJP government has nothing to do with this. The selectors were from the Congress government. During the BJP regime, only two books have been added, including the 'Vaccine ki Gatha' and 'Chidi Ko Moti Ladyo'. Whatever selection has been made regarding other books, it has all been done by the Congress," the Education Minister clarified. Meanwhile, the Rajasthan government has recalled two books "Adrashye Log" and "Jeevan ki Bahar" that are based on the 2002 Godhra train incident. On September 29, 2023, the selection committee, led by the then Education Secretary, approved 99 additional books, bringing the total to 105. These books were submitted on September 19, 2023, with final approvals granted between September 29 and October 3. Following recent concerns, both controversial books have been recalled, and a thorough investigation is underway. Content related to the Godara incident is under legal review, in compliance with Supreme Court orders, with further action pending. The State Education Ministry emphasised that these books are intended for library reference only, with no link to the academic curriculum. Earlier today, former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot responded to Education Minister Dilawar's remarks about the lack of textbooks related to the Godhra incident during Gehlot's previous administration where he said, "I don't have any information on this matter, but you know the minister. He can say anything about anyone. The Chief Minister hasn't commented on this. I have said that I don't have any information, but adding or removing subjects from textbooks is not a good tradition. There should be a committee that decides which subjects to include and which to exclude, and there is indeed a committee for that." (ANI) The victim, identified as Gagan Oberoi, was a property dealer, they said. According to officials, the accused attacked him with knives and stabbed him. Upon receiving information, a police team reached the spot. The victim was taken to the Mata Chanan Devi Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries due to excessive blood loss. A case under Section 109(1) and 3(5) of the BNS has been registered based on a complaint. The accused have been identified and a hunt to nab search for them is underway, police added. More details are awaited. (ANI) Karnataka minister G Parameshwara on Friday dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's allegations saying that the Congress Party has failed to deliver on their promises in Karnataka, noting that the PM's criticism is merely a "jealousy factor" driven by election politics. Parameshwara pointed out that the government has allocated Rs 56,000 crores in the budget for these guarantees, questioning PM Modi's motives behind his criticism. "We have been repeatedly saying that whatever guarantees we announced, we are implementing in Karnataka. Yes, it is a challenge for us. But definitely, we promised the people of Karnataka that we are implementing. We have made a provision of around Rs 56,000 Crores in our budget for these guarantees. What is he talking about? The PM should know that whatever we promised, we are delivering," he said. "This is nothing but a jealousy factor...They pick up something whenever there is an election. Why didn't he talk about these things earlier? PM has every right to talk about something, he should have talked about this when we started implementing this," the Karnataka Minister added. Congress MP Kunwar Danish Ali also reacted to PM Modi's allegations and said that the PM's words are an acceptance of his own unfulfilled promises. "After Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's statement, PM Narendra Modi's tweet proves that such promises should not be made that can't be fulfilled. Narendra Modi has accepted that he could not give 2 crore jobs to the youth. He accepted that he could not provide Rs 15 Lakhs to every account. He accepted that he could not double the income of farmers. So, for the first time PM accepted some of his mistakes. This acceptance has come under pressure from Congress," he said. Congress leader Udit Raj hit back at PM Modi for criticizing the Congress party, and said, "nobody in Congress can lie like PM Modi". "Nobody in Congress party can lie like PM Modi. He had spoken about 2 crore jobs, about Rs 15 Lakhs in accounts, about doubling of farmers' income, about houses for everyone till 2022...He did not do anything but didn't even apologise for it. But Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress party have warned that we should promise only that much as much as it can be implemented. They are liars. We speak the truth," he said. Former Jharkhand Congress chief Rajesh Thakur said that PM Modi's remark lacks substance and only makes baseless allegations. He pointed out that the Prime Minister should focus on his own accomplishments instead of targeting others, specifically mentioning unfulfilled promises like providing 2 crore jobs and depositing Rs 15 lakh into every citizen's account. "PM doesn't talk about himself, that he spoke about providing 2 crore jobs, about giving Rs 15 lakh in accounts and what not. PM Modi tweets for others, he should have tweeted for himself - that he have these many jobs, that he did this then it would have felt the fight is issue-based. But just be levelling allegations he shouldn't hurt the dignity of PM post. I urge the PM to speak with base. He can be forgiven if he is speaking as a BJP leader but if he is speaking as the PM, it is not right," Thakur said. Telangana Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu asserted that Congress is the only party that delivers on its electoral promises. Mallu pointed to Telangana's successes, including providing free bus rides to women, which costs the state Rs 400 crores monthly, and subsidized gas cylinders for just Rs 500. "Congress is the only party which can implement the promises and assurances given at the time of elections. In Telangana, we promised that we will give a free bus ride to women wherever they travel in the state. We are implementing it. I, as the State's Finance Minister, am paying Rs 400 Crores every month to the RTC for the women to go around and it has become very successful," he said. "We promised a gas cylinder for just Rs 500. We have started implementing it in Telangana. They can come and verify...We had promised 200 units of free electricity, we have started implementing it already. They can come and verify," Mallu added. Meanwhile, coming down heavily on PM Modi over his remark on Congress' promises in Karnataka, party President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said that lies, deceit, fraud, loot and publicity are the five adjectives that best define the BJP government at the centre. "Lies, Deceit, Fakery, Loot & Publicity are the 5 adjectives which best describe your Govt! Your drumbeating regarding a 100-day plan was a cheap PR stunt! On May 16, 2024 you had also claimed that you took inputs from more than 20 lakh people for the road map for 2047. RTI filed in PMO declined to put forth details, exposing your LIES!" Kharge posted on X. This comes after PM Modi on Friday criticized the Congress Party for failing to deliver on their promises in Karnataka and urged the people to be vigilant and not fall prey to the Party's false promises. PM Modi emphasized the Congress Party's history of making empty promises, citing their unfulfilled loan waiver commitments in several states, including Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, and Rajasthan. "The Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible. Campaign after campaign they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly exposed in front of the people," PM Modi posted on X. (ANI) Coming down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remark that the Congress Party failed to deliver on their promises in Karnataka, party President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said that lies, deceit, fraud, loot and publicity are the five adjectives that best define the BJP government at the centre. "Lies, Deceit, Fakery, Loot & Publicity are the 5 adjectives which best describe your Govt! Your drumbeating regarding a 100-day plan was a cheap PR stunt! On May 16, 2024, you also claimed that you took inputs from more than 20 lakh people for the road map for 2047. RTI filed in PMO declined to put forth details, exposing your LIES!" Kharge posted on X. Launching a scathing attack on the central government, the Congress chief said, " The 'B' in BJP stands for Betrayal, while the 'J' stands for 'Jhumla'.Setting the record straight." He further highlighted several areas where the central government has allegedly failed, and said, "Why is India's Unemployment Rate at a 45-year high? Why are stampedes witnessed wherever there are vacancies for a handful of jobs? Who is responsible for 70 paper leaks in 7 years? Who snatched 5 Lakh Govt jobs by selling stake in PSUs? Why have the household savings plunged to a 50-year low? Why has the cost of a common thali increased by 52% in just last year? TOP -- Tomato Prices increased by 247%, Potato by 180% and Onion by 60%? Who levied GST on essential food items such as Milk, Curd, Atta, Dal? Who is penalising Middle Class through LTCG by indulging in Tax Terrorism?" "Rupee is at an all-time low. Is it in ICU or in Margdarshak Mandal? Your Govt has borrowed Rs 150 lakh+ crores in past 10 years, amounting to a debt of Rs 1.5 lakh on every Indian. MSMEs have been destroyed through DeMO + Flawed GST. Economic Inequality is at a 100-year-high. Average Growth is below 6% in this lost decade, while during UPA it was 8%. Private Investment is at a 20-year low, while average growth in Manufacturing is just 3.1% in the past decade, while it was 7.85 during Congress-UPA, flopping tall claims of 'Make in India'," he added. The Congress chief questioned the BJP's track record on infrastructure development and alleged corruption. Kharge cited several high-profile projects that have faced issues, including the Shivaji statue in Maharashtra, the Delhi Airport roof, and the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, which has reportedly developed leaks. "Everything you claim to construct is collapsing like a pack of cards -- Shivaji statue in Maharashtra inaugurated by you, Delhi Airport roof, Ram Mandir leaks in Ayodhya and Atal Setu develops cracks. Bridge collapses in Gujarat (Morbi), while new bridges falling is a regular feature in Bihar! Innumerable Railway accidents have taken place, while Minister is busy in REEL PR! We have only two words for you -- Modani Mega Scam & SEBI Chairperson. Looting through Unconstitutional Electoral Bonds by extortion is BJP's biggest financial crime. Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Vijay Mallya et al facilitated to run away looting thousands of crores!" he said. "We have only two words for you -- Modani Mega Scam & SEBI Chairperson. Looting through Unconstitutional Electoral Bonds by extortion is BJP's biggest financial crime. Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Vijay Mallya et al facilitated to run away looting thousands of crores!" Kharge added. Criticizing the central government's performance on various fronts, the Congress chief said, "India's rank in Global Hunger Index is at 105 (2024), while its rank in UN Human Development Index is 134 and Global Gender Gap Index is 129. Clean chit to China post Galwan, Red Carpet for Chinese investments and ruining relations with every neighbouring country." "46% increase in crimes against SCs, while 48% increase in crimes against STs. Crimes against SC/ST women and children saw a 1.7 time increase in 2022 as compared to 2014.(NCRB) Snatching Govt jobs from SC, ST, OBC & EWS communities by 91% increase in Casual/Contract hiring. JUMLA of doubling Income of Farmers by 2022. Refusing Legal Guarantee for MSP. GST on 35 Farm articles. Turning permanent recruitment to Armed Forces to a temporary one through Agnipath! " he added. Continuing his attack on the BJP, Kharge said, "Modi ji, before finger-pointing, please note that - MODI KI GUARANTEE is a cruel joke on 140 Crore Indians!" This comes after PM Modi on Friday criticized the Congress Party for failing to deliver on their promises in Karnataka and urged the people to be vigilant and not fall prey to the Party's false promises. PM Modi emphasized the Congress Party's history of making empty promises, citing their unfulfilled loan waiver commitments in several states, including Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, and Rajasthan. "The Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible. Campaign after campaign they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly exposed in front of the people," PM Modi posted on X. Citing the example of Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, the Prime Minister said that the Congress Party's promises to these states remained unfulfilled, which is a terrible deceit upon the people of these states. "Check any state where the Congress has Governments today - Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana - the developmental trajectory and fiscal health is turning from bad to worse. Their so-called Guarantees lie unfulfilled, which is a terrible deceit upon the people of these states. The victims of such politics are the poor, youngsters, farmers and women, who are not only denied the benefits of these promises but also see their existing schemes diluted," he said. PM Modi alleged that the Congress is busy in intra-party politics in Karnataka, adding that the salaries of Government workers are not paid on time in Himachal Pradesh and farmers are waiting for the waiver they promised in Telangana. "In Karnataka, Congress is busier in intra-party politics and loot instead of even bothering to deliver on development. Not only that, they are also going to roll back existing schemes. In Himachal Pradesh, the salaries of Government workers are not paid on time. In Telangana, farmers are waiting for the waiver they promised. Previously, in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, they promised certain allowances which were never implanted for five years. There are numerous such examples of how the Congress works," he said. PM Narendra Modi urged the citizens to be vigilant against the Congress party's culture of making false promises, emphasising that the people of Haryana have already rejected Congress' lies and opted for a stable, progressive, and action-driven government. "The people of the country will have to be vigilant against the Congress-sponsored culture of fake promises! We saw recently how the people of Haryana rejected their lies and preferred a Government that is stable, progress-oriented and action-driven. There is a growing realisation across India that a vote for Congress is a vote for non-governance, poor economics and unparalleled loot. The people of India want development and progress, not the same old #FakePromisesOfCongress!" he posted on X. (ANI) According to a press release, 11,000 diyas were lit with Vedic chants and rituals at the event. The event symbolised the state's cultural heritage and unity, showcasing Chhattisgarh's rich cultural traditions. The radiance of the diyas (earthen lamps) infused new energy and enthusiasm that will elevate the state's glory. During the event, 11,000 diyas were lit together at Ekatma Path. The Chhattisgarh Foundation Day program in Nava Raipur featured spectacular fireworks and colourful lights that thrilled everyone. Melodious music further enhanced the ambience. At the event, attractive rangoli designs were created, and people took selfies at designated points with Foundation Day symbolic markers, expressing their joy. As part of the celebrations, labourers and sanitation workers near the newly constructed CBD railway station in Nava Raipur were distributed sweets on the occasion of Diwali. This beautiful initiative honours state employees and recognizes their significant contributions. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, MLAs Purandar Mishra, Motilal Sahu, Guru Khushwant Saheb, Indra Kumar Sahu, Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Secretary to the Chief Minister P. Dayanand and Basavaraju S. along with many public representatives, senior officers, dignitaries were present at the event. (ANI) Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks regarding Congress' promises in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state's Congress government has delivered "five out of the ten guarantees" made during the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections and the government is "steadfastly dedicated" towards fulfilling the promises and fostering inclusive development across the state. In a post on X, Sukhu wrote, "Sh @narendramodi ji, The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh is steadfastly dedicated to fulfilling our promises and fostering inclusive development across the state. We are proud to have already delivered on five out of the ten guarantees made during the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections." https://x.com/SukhuSukhvinder/status/1852374484616908924 Sharing details of state's government works, the Himachal CM said that they reinstated the Old Pension Scheme for state employees, secured a monthly allowance for women, launched a startup fund to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship and became the first state to implement Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for milk. CM Sukhu said on X, "Here's what we've achieved: Reinstated the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for state employees. Secured a monthly allowance of Rs 1500 for eligible women. Introduced English-medium education starting from Class 1. Launched a startup fund of Rs 680 crore to drive innovation and entrepreneurship across the state. First state to implement MSP for milk: Rs 45 per liter for cow milk and Rs 55 per liter for buffalo milk." "Ahead of Diwali, we disbursed salaries and pensions on October 28th and increased the Dearness Allowance by 11% for government employees within just 22 months of governance. Through the "Vyavstha Parivartan" initiative, we are working toward self-reliance despite a challenging financial situation: Rs 75,000 crore debt inherited from the previous BJP government and Rs 23,000 crore still pending from the Union Government," the post further reads. Counting the achievements of the state government, he said that they boosted Himachal Pradesh's economy by 20 per cent by generating Rs 2,200 crore revenue. Highlighting the government's vision, CM Sukhu said that the government is focused on making Himachal Pradesh a self-reliant state by 2027 and a most prosperous state by 2032. On X he wrote, "In just one year, our government has: Boosted the state's economy by 20%, generating an additional Rs 2,200 crore in revenue. Our Vision is to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant by 2027 and the most prosperous state in India by 2032 and to create an empowered, opportunity-rich environment for every individual in Himachal Pradesh, and we are working every day to make this vision a reality." Meanwhile, in a blistering attack on PM Modi, Senior Congress leader Subodh Kant Sahai said that Congress never dared to call their promises 'jumla' and PM Modi should know that promises made to people are connected to democratic values, to trust, to relations, to connectivity. He further took a jibe at BJP recalling the promises that the party had made during the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections campaigning. "I get surprised when PM speaks on promises. What he had not promised in the 2014 elections, from Rs 15 Lakhs in accounts to doubling of farmers' income, 2 crore jobs every year, facilities for women... Congress has the tradition to fulfil what it promises...PM should know that promises made to people are connected to democratic values, to trust, to relations, to connectivity. We can never dare to call our promises 'jumla' and let them be...PM should think that democracy means commitment - for the right, for the compliance of promise. If you fail to do that, look into a mirror. Don't raise the mirror for Congress," he said. Earlier on Friday, PM Modi criticized the Congress Party for failing to deliver on their promises in Karnataka and urged the people to be vigilant and not fall prey to the Party's false promises. PM Modi emphasized the Congress Party's history of making empty promises, citing their unfulfilled loan waiver commitments in several states, including Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, and Rajasthan. "The Congress Party is realising the hard way that making unreal promises is easy but implementing them properly is tough or impossible. Campaign after campaign they promise things to the people, which they also know they will never be able to deliver. Now, they stand badly exposed in front of the people," PM Modi posted on X. Citing the example of Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, the Prime Minister said that the Congress Party's promises to these states remained unfulfilled, which is a terrible deceit upon the people of these states. "Check any state where the Congress has Governments today - Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana - the developmental trajectory and fiscal health is turning from bad to worse. Their so-called Guarantees lie unfulfilled, which is a terrible deceit upon the people of these states. The victims of such politics are the poor, youngsters, farmers and women, who are not only denied the benefits of these promises but also see their existing schemes diluted," he said. (ANI) In view of the rising deaths of several elephants at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) in the Umaria district, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav chaired an emergency meeting in Bhopal on Friday. As per the latest data, the death toll of elephants at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) rose to eight, and one elephant is undergoing treatment, said P K Verma, Deputy director of BTR on Wednesday evening. On Tuesday four elephants, from a herd of 13 elephants, were found dead in the BTR while four others were found ill during normal patrolling. On receiving the information, the forest official reached the spot and identified that it was a herd of 13 elephants. Among them two were normal and healthy while the treatment of the remaining ill elephants was initiated, the officer said. He further said that during the treatment three more elephants died on Tuesday night and one more died on Wednesday, taking the toll to eight. Department of Forest, Madhya Pradesh posted on X, "Latest update on Bandhavgarh Elephant death incident. A total of eight elephants died, one is undergoing treatment, two are fully recovered by treatment and two are healthy and normal." (ANI) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a warning regarding North Korea's involvement in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and said that North Korean troops have not yet engaged in combat and emphasised that "this is a matter of days, not months," before they are drawn into battle. Zelenskyy also questioned China's silence on the issue, highlighting that as a regional security guarantor, China's "silence is striking." Sharing a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote, "I gave an interview to South Korea's KBS, stressing North Korea's official role in this war. It's not just weapons or workers in Russian factories--North Korean soldiers are in Kursk, our occupied territories, preparing to fight Ukraine. This is a war of two countries against one." Zelenskyy strongly condemned Russia's decision to involve North Korean troops in the ongoing war against Ukraine. He emphasised that Russia has openly partnered with North Korea, acquiring approximately 3.5 million artillery shells. "More than two years into this war, and soon, we'll reach 1,000 days of Russia's brutal aggression against Ukraine, against our people, our cities, and our very way of life. It is no surprise that, as the war drags on, Russia seeks to escalate in new ways. One of these escalations is the involvement of North Korean forces. Russia has begun to openly partner with North Korea, even boasting about this alliance. They started by acquiring millions of artillery shells--around 3.5 million--from North Korea," Zelenskyy said. He added, "Those artillery shells and missiles were used against our people, but now it's no longer just weapons. We have information that 3,000 North Korean troops are currently in a training camp, and that number is expected to rise to 12,000 soldiers and officers soon." He further said, "North Korean troops have not yet engaged in combat, but this is a matter of days, not months. When deployed, they will be pushed forward, sustaining heavy losses, as Russia tries to minimise its own troop mobilisation..." Zelenskyy also spoke about China on the current situation and said, "North Korea's actions aren't random; they have strategic goals. I'm surprised by China's silence. I can't say that China is on our side, but as a regional security guarantor, its silence is striking." He added, "It may be time for an Asian Security Alliance. Both Japan and South Korea are strong, civilised nations, and reaching out to China could be essential in countering North Korea's aggression, as North Korea is actively pulling that region into a war. Their actions aren't coincidental--they want Russia's support in return." Zelenskyy also reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to upholding international law regarding the treatment of prisoners of war. In the context of North Korea's involvement in the ongoing conflict, Zelenskyy emphasised that any captured North Korean soldiers will be treated humanely. He said, "As for how Ukraine will treat captured North Korean soldiers, our stance is clear. Unlike Russia, which has tortured our POWs, we follow international law and will treat all prisoners humanely. We aim to use captured soldiers to negotiate the release of Ukrainians." Notably, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Thursday revealed that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently in Russia, with around 8,000 deployed in the Kursk region. He further said that while these troops have not yet been engaged in combat against Ukrainian forces, he anticipates their involvement in the coming days. The remarks by Blinken came during a press conference with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III, Republic of Korea Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul, and Republic of Korea Minister of Defence Kim Yong-hyun. Blinken said, "We now assess that there are some 10,000 North Korean soldiers in total in Russia. And recent information indicates that as many as 8,000 of those North Korean forces have been deployed in the Kursk region. We have not yet seen these troops deployed in the combat against Ukrainian forces but we expect that to happen in the coming days." He added, "Russia has been training Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) soldiers in artillery, UAVs, and basic infantry operations, indicating that they fully intend to use these forces in front-line operations. Should these troops engage in combat or combat-support operations against Ukraine, they would become legitimate military." NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on October 28 confirmed the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, following reports from Ukrainian military intelligence that noted their presence in the Kursk border region, Al Jazeera had reported. (ANI) You are here: China Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, has signed a decree to promulgate a set of interim regulations on the management of reserve personnel. The regulations aim to facilitate the implementation of China's law on reservists. The regulations focus on establishing a systematic management structure for reserve personnel in the new era, detailing processes for their selection, rank promotion, role assignments, training, assessments, benefits and retirement from reserve service. An important outcome of China's military human resource reform, the promulgation of the regulations marks a key step to improve the legal, standardized and scientific management of reservists and develop a high-caliber, professional reserve force. Tokyo [Japan], November 1 (ANI/WAM): Japan has lodged a protest with a UN human rights watchdog that called for reviewing a domestic law that limits imperial succession to male heirs on the emperor's father side, the top government spokesman said on Wednesday. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the imperial succession system is linked to the foundations of Japan as a country, and that the government had told the UN panel, which aims at eliminating discrimination against women, before the release of the review that it would be "inappropriate" for it to take up the issue, according to Japan Today. "It is extremely regrettable that the final report included a reference to the Imperial House Law," Hayashi said at a press conference. While the panel acknowledged in its report released Tuesday that the 1947 Imperial House Law is "not within the purview" of its competence, it said it considers the succession rule "contrary to the object and purpose" of the UN convention to eliminate discrimination against women. "We have lodged a strong protest with the committee and called again for the removal of the reference," he added. (ANI/WAM) US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recently spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to explore opportunities for de-escalation amidst rising Middle East tensions. Their conversation highlighted the US' support for Israel's security, particularly in the face of threats from Iran and Iranian proxies. Sharing a post on X, Austin wrote, "I spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today to discuss opportunities for regional de-escalation. I reaffirmed that the United States remains fully prepared to defend US personnel, Israel, and partners across the region against threats from Iran and Iran-backed proxies." Austin further reiterated US' commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution in Lebanon, ensuring the safe return of both Lebanese and Israeli civilians to their homes. "I reiterated US commitment to a diplomatic arrangement in Lebanon that allows both Lebanese and Israeli civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border. I also reviewed steps Israel is taking and should continue to advance to improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, and prospects for a hostage release and ceasefire deal," the post further said. Notably, Hezbollah's rocket attacks in northern Israel have resulted in the loss of seven lives in agricultural fields near Metula and Haifa, marking one of the deadliest days for Israeli civilians in months, Times of Israel reported. According to the authorities, tragedy struck near the border town of Metula on Thursday morning when a rocket fired from Lebanon slammed into an apple orchard, claiming the lives of five people. Hours later, two more people were killed while in an olive grove outside the Haifa suburb of Kiryat Ata, as Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets at the area, Times of Israel reported. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also confirmed the attack by Hezbollah in a statement. Sharing a post on X, the IDF wrote, "Hezbollah rockets killed 7 innocent civilians inside Israel today. We will not let Hezbollah's deadly attacks go unanswered." All the victims were agricultural labourers who had been working in the orchard at the time of the strike. While one of them was an Israeli citizen, the others were foreign nationals. (ANI) Vice President Kamala Harris strongly criticised former President Donald Trump for his remarks on women, stating that Trump doesn't believe women should have the autonomy to make decisions about their own bodies. Harris further emphasised that Trump disregards women's freedom and intelligence to make decisions in their best interest. Notably, Trump had said during a campaign in Wisconsin that he would "protect" women. "I want to protect the people. I want to protect the women of our country. I want to protect women... I'm going to do it whether the women like it or not," The Washington Post had reported. The remarks by Harris came while addressing a rally in Phoenix, Arizona. Sharing a post on X, Harris wrote, "Did you hear what Donald Trump said yesterday? That he will do what he wants, whether the women like it or not." Addressing the rally, Harris spoke about Roe v. Wade and said, "And remember how we got here. Donald Trump hand selected three members of the US Supreme Court with the intention that they would undo the protections of Roe v. Wade and they did as he intended. Now in America, one in three women lives in a state with the Trump abortion ban... And Donald Trump is not done. Did everyone hear what he said yesterday? That he will do what he wants whether the women like it or not." She added, "He does not believe that women should have agency and authority to make decisions about their own bodies. This is the same man who said that women should be punished for their choices. He simply does not respect the freedom of women or the intelligence of women to know what's in their own best interest and make decisions accordingly but we trust women." The Vice President sounded alarm on Trump's potential policies if he's elected, stating that he would ban abortion, restrict access to birth control, put IVF treatments at risk, and even force states to monitor women's pregnancies. "If he was elected, he has been pretty clear in his behaviour and his deeds, he will ban abortion nationwide. He will restrict access to birth control, put IVF treatments at risk and force states to monitor women's pregnancies," Harris said. (ANI) At least five people, including three schoolchildren and a police officer, lost their lives in a targeted explosion in Balochistan's Mastung district on Friday morning. The blast, which was reportedly aimed at a police mobile van near Civil Hospital Chowk, also injured more than a dozen people, many of whom were children, Dawn reported. The tragic event took place close to the Girls High School in Mastung, with the explosion causing extensive damage to vehicles in the vicinity. According to District Police Officer (DPO) Miandad Umrani, "Five people, including a policeman and three schoolchildren, were martyred in the blast." DPO Umrani further confirmed that 12 people, including four police officers, were injured in the explosion. Initial investigations revealed that the explosives were planted in a motorcycle and detonated remotely as the police van passed. "The blast occurred near a police van at the Civil Hospital Chowk," DPO Umrani explained. He added that the blast had damaged the police vehicle and several auto-rickshaws that were nearby, reported Dawn. Footage from the scene displayed severe wreckage, with emergency responders and local residents gathering to assist the injured and secure the area. Witnesses reported a police van charred by the blast as smoke filled the air. Most of the injured individuals were schoolchildren, who were quickly rushed to Civil Hospital Mastung for treatment. The ages of the deceased children ranged between 5 and 13 years, as stated by police officials. The explosion also led to significant damage to nearby vehicles, including several auto-rickshaws that were stationed at the site. To address the scale of injuries and casualties, Balochistan's provincial health department declared an emergency across Quetta hospitals, including Civil Hospital, BMC Hospital, and Trauma Centre. "All doctors, pharmacists, staff nurses, and other medical staff have been summoned," said a health department spokesperson. Some critically injured patients were transferred to Quetta's Trauma Centre, with reports indicating that one victim remains in critical condition, Geo News reported. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the act, expressing deep grief over the loss of lives. Offering condolences to the families of the deceased, he stated, "Terrorists have now targeted innocent children along with labourers." The Chief Minister emphasised the importance of communal vigilance, saying, "Locals among the civilian population also have to keep an eye on the terrorists. The monster of terrorism can only be fought together." Acting President and Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani also voiced his sorrow and condemned the violence, affirming national solidarity against such actions. "Terrorist elements are an enemy to humanity. The nation stands strong beside the security forces and law enforcement agencies against terrorism," he remarked. Police and investigative teams have launched a search for those responsible, emphasizing that all available resources will be used to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but security officials are continuing to investigate, vowing to bring those behind the tragedy to justice. (ANI) The National Police Agency (NPA) announced on October 30 that a specialised task force has been established to investigate the illegal online sales of these weapons, which are reported to possess lethal capabilities, Taiwan News reported. Preliminary ballistic testing indicates that the cloud arrows, imported from China, are equipped with a metal barrel, grip, and firing mechanism. When loaded with gunpowder, these firearms can launch steel ball bearings, categorising them as "other types of firearms capable of firing metal bullets or pellets with lethal force" under Taiwan's Firearms, Ammunition, and Knives Control Act. The Act prohibits the manufacture, sale, transportation, or possession of such firearms, as outlined in Article 8. Multiple individuals, including a man surnamed Lin, have been identified as suspects in the illegal sale of these firearms. Lin was arrested on October 17 in New Taipei City but has since been released by prosecutors, according to reports from UDN. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover and apprehend additional parties involved in this illegal operation, reported Taiwan News. In response to this concerning issue, the Criminal Police Bureau has directed online platforms to eliminate listings for these cloud arrows and has requested increased customs inspections to prevent future illegal imports. Authorities are taking these actions seriously as they seek to crack down on illegal firearm sales and ensure public safety across Taiwan. As the investigation unfolds, the public is strongly advised to refrain from purchasing or possessing these illegal firearms to avoid legal repercussions, Taiwan News reported. The NPA emphasises the potential dangers these weapons pose to society and reiterates the importance of adhering to firearm regulations. The government remains committed to addressing the illegal arms trade and enhancing public safety, ensuring that citizens are protected from the risks associated with unregulated firearms. (ANI) His video, which highlighted severe ecological damage and corporate negligence, gained significant traction in mid-October, prompting local authorities to summon him and other villagers on October 26. While the villagers returned home, the whistle-blower remains missing, Save Tibet reported. The International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) has expressed deep concern for his well-being, pointing out that Tibetan environmental defenders face increasing persecution for their activism. This case underscores the substantial environmental challenges confronting Tibet under Chinese administration, particularly for those advocating for ecological preservation. In his video, the whistle-blower detailed the illegal activities of Anhui Xianhe Construction Engineering Company, which has been extracting sand and gravel from the riverbed of a local tributary. This extraction process has led to severe soil erosion and threatens local ecosystems, posing risks to water security across Asia, including the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. The river flowing through Tsaruma township in Kakhog (Hongyuan) County is crucial for these major Asian river systems, reported Save Tibet. The young man's public appeal has drawn attention to the ongoing tensions between economic development and environmental preservation in Tibet. It also highlights the significant obstacles Tibetans face when advocating for their local environments under Chinese rule. The rapid censorship of the whistle-blower's video and related content on Chinese social media further emphasises the sensitive nature of environmental activism in the region. The situation remains precarious, and the international community is urged to advocate for the release of the detained whistle-blower while addressing the broader issues of environmental degradation in Tibet. The region faces pressing environmental challenges driven by climate change, resource overexploitation, and human activities. According to Tibet Watch, biodiversity is at risk, with habitat destruction from urbanisation, agriculture, and mining contributing to the decline of endemic species such as the Tibetan antelope and snow leopard. (ANI) As Diwali celebrations continue across the world, leaders from the top brass of the American polity expressed their heartfelt greetings towards the South Asian community which celebrates this festival with fervor. Through personal messages and official posts on X (formerly Twitter), the leaders conveyed their wishes, underscoring the international significance of this revered Indian festival. American Vice President Kamala Harris on X shared how the Vice President's Residence lit up to celebrate Diwali. She shared on X, "In celebration of Diwali, we illuminated the Vice President's Residence and remember to see the light in our world, in each other, and in ourselves". https://x.com/vp/status/1852141874963796140?s=48 Harris had also participated in Diwali celebrations with the members of the Indian-American community. https://x.com/VP/status/1852077234225582404 Kamala Harris is the daughter of Shyamala Gopalan who was an Indian immigrant scientist in the US and worked extensively in the field of cancer studies. Tim Walz, who is running as the Vice-President candidate for the upcoming US Elections, also took part in the Diwali celebrations in the country. In his post on X, he said, "Honored to light a diya today to celebrate Diwali and recognize the many contributions South Asians have made to our nation". He added, "Diwali is a reminder that light always triumphs over darkness. I'm inspired by the love, community, and joy I felt today". "Happy Diwali to everyone! You can feel the sense of community here. You can feel the sense of love". He said to the Indian American community. On these days of light over darkness, I hope you all find peace, find the calm", Walz said in the video message shared on the social media platform, X, where he interacted with the Indian American community for the Diwali celebrations. https://x.com/Tim_Walz/status/1852108429332029594 On X, Foreign Secretary Anthony Blinken said, "Diwali is more than just a festival; it's a powerful reminder of the values we all cherish: patience, togetherness, kindness, and unity". He noted in the post, "To all who celebrate, all over the world, and with us here in the U.S., I wish you a Diwali filled with joy, peace, and prosperity". https://x.com/SecBlinken/status/1852176232562999653 Anthony Blinken is the top diplomat of the US who is currently serving as the 71st United States Secretary of State. Wishes have been pouring in from people across the world for the celebration of the festival of Diwali. (ANI) The government's initial attempt to privatise Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) faced a significant setback on Thursday, as the only bidder, Blue World City, proposed a mere PKR 10 billion for a 60 per cent stake in the loss-making airline--far below the government's minimum sale price of PKR 85.03 billion, the Express Tribune reported. During a publicly televised bidding event, Blue World City, a real estate developer, presented its offer, which accounted for only 12 per cent of the government's stipulated price. In dollar terms, the bid equated to approximately USD 36 million, starkly contrasting with the minimum sale price of USD 305 million set by the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation. Prior to the bid opening, the Privatisation Commission board and the Cabinet Committee convened separately, yet no government ministers attended the ceremony, which was only attended by two federal secretaries. The Cabinet Committee had approved the minimum sale price following recommendations from the Privatisation Commission board, and despite being invited to match the government's offer, Blue World City declined to raise its bid. "We have considered the government price and decided to stand with our best price of PKR 10 billion," stated Saad Nazir, the owner of Blue World City. The firm was the only one to submit a bid after five other pre-qualified parties withdrew, citing the government's strict conditions regarding tax liabilities, guaranteed investments, and employee retention, reported the Express Tribune. The government's efforts to privatise PIA, which ranks as the fourth-largest loss-making entity in the country, reached a disappointing conclusion as Blue World City was the only firm to participate. The government had anticipated stronger interest, especially after it carved out approximately PKR 625 billion in PIA debt into a separate holding company, leaving PIA with PKR 202 billion in liabilities and about PKR 163 billion in assessed assets. Seham Raza, Chief Operating Officer of Blue World City, expressed disappointment over the lack of competition. "I wished there would have been healthy competition and feel sad that all other bidders have pulled out," she remarked. The government had offered between 51 per cent to 100 per cent stakes in the airline but ultimately decided to sell a 60 per cent share. Additionally, it declined bidders' requests for reduced duties and tax waivers and required the buyer to inject USD 500 million to USD 700 million into PIA to ensure operational sustainability, the Express Tribune reported. Privatisation Commission secretary Usman Bajwa highlighted that PIA would not achieve operational sustainability without new investments and resolution of its outstanding liabilities. The failed attempt to privatise PIA may have broader implications for the government's overall privatisation strategy as it seeks to address its financial challenges. (ANI) Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek I Insaf (PTI) leader, Asad Qaiser announced plans to launch protests and rallies across the country to secure the release of Imran Khan and oppose the incumbent regime, according to the Express Tribune. Asad Qaiser made the announcement on Thursday, that they plan to launch protests and rallies across Pakistan after uniting political parties at the national and provincial levels, as per Express Tribune. Earlier in the day, six PTI leaders were denied permission to meet with Imran Khan, as prison authorities reportedly demanded a written undertaking that no political discussions would take place during the meeting. They further claimed that the party founder was being denied basic human rights and facilities, Express Tribune reported. On October 4, the Pakistan Punjab government had placed a ban on prisoner visits, citing security concerns ahead of the SCO summit in the federal capital, which hosted top government officials from several regional states on October 15 and 16. Following resistance from PTI's legal team, the government removed restrictions on October 26. Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail alongside other party leaders, Qaiser criticized the current government, calling it "fascist", and saying, "they falsely present themselves as proponents of democracy". "What else would elected representatives discuss with their leader if not political matters?" Qaiser asked. He accused the Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz of running the province with authoritarian tactics, adding that PTI leaders were being deprived of their democratic rights. Speaking on the occasion, Opposition Leader in the Senate and PTI leader Shibli Faraz criticized Adiala Jail authorities for denying party leaders a meeting with Imran despite a court order granting permission after six weeks. "Everyone has seen the treatment the PTI founder has endured over the past three weeks. The intent was to break his spirit, but with faith and resolve, he remains unbroken," he said. "Commenting on the situation, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly of Pakistan, Omar Ayub stated that the "establishment and Form 47 government" should also provide an undertaking to refrain from interfering in political matters. PTI leader Zartaj Gul accused the government of "shameless conduct", warning that it would be held accountable for its actions. She appealed to human rights organizations to visit the jail and assess the situation, Express Tribune noted. Zartaj noted that they had come to meet Imran after the restrictions on visits were lifted. "The leadership of a political party was told to give in writing that they would not hold political dialogue with their leader." Separately, during a news conference in Lahore, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja announced nationwide protests against the recently passed 26th Constitutional Amendment, which focuses on judicial reforms and was strongly opposed by the former ruling party during its passage in parliament earlier this month. Pakistan is seeing a great turmoil as the country continues to reel under severe economic stress, is seeing extrajudicial killings and the imprisonment of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan which has drawn criticism from various quarters of the society. (ANI) Chinese authorities have intensified their crackdown on Tibetan Buddhism, forcibly relocating hundreds of young monks from Kirti Monastery to state-run boarding schools in Ngaba County, Sichuan Province. Reports indicate that these students, aged 6 to 17, are subjected to prison-like conditions, where they receive instruction solely in Mandarin. They are prohibited from leaving the school grounds or contacting their parents, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported. Those who attempted to escape have faced severe consequences, treated "like criminals" and subjected to further restrictions. In July, the closure of the monastic school at Kirti Monastery left over 1,000 young monks without their educational institution, as they were transferred to state-run "colonial-style" boarding schools. Around the same time, Lhamo Kirti Monastery in Dzoge County also closed its school, affecting more than 600 students. Authorities coerced parents into signing agreements that committed their children to government-run institutions, where they would receive state-sanctioned "patriotic education." Beijing's regulations on religious affairs dictate that students at monastic schools must be at least 18 years old, demonstrate patriotism, and comply with national laws. Tibetan advocates view these measures as part of a broader campaign to eradicate the Tibetan language, suppress Tibetan culture, and enforce "patriotic education," which requires loyalty to China and the ruling Communist Party in all aspects of life, reported RFA. Once removed from their monasteries, the students face isolation from their families and receive inadequate medical care. Parents who attempt to visit their children encounter various excuses about needing higher-level approval and are often threatened with imprisonment for their persistence. Following the closures, authorities have ramped up surveillance and restrictions on Tibetans in Ngaba County. A senior official from China's United Front Work Department has been stationed in the area for several months to oversee these measures, affecting both the monastery and the local community. The crackdown on communication with the outside world has also intensified. In September, four Tibetans--two monks from Kirti Monastery and two laypeople--were arrested for contacting Tibetans outside the region. In Dzoge County, officials confiscated the phones of monks and teachers at Lhamo Kirti Monastery, accusing them of spreading information about the school closures, RFA reported. The Chinese government claims that restricting communication between Tibetans and their relatives abroad is necessary for national unity. However, Tibetans contend that this surveillance violates their human rights and seeks to erase their religious, linguistic, and cultural identity. (ANI) A few pieces of U.S. weaponry will not close the cross-Strait military power gap, and they will definitely not stop the historical trend of China's reunification, a Chinese defense spokesperson said on Thursday. Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to a media inquiry on the United States' new plan to sell arms to China's Taiwan region, reportedly including the surface-to-air missile system and radar system. The U.S. arms sales to Taiwan severely violate the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and send very wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, Zhang said. "The United States has reneged on its own promise and is intensifying efforts to arm Taiwan, emboldening the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces and pushing Taiwan closer toward the abyss of military conflict," the spokesperson stated. It has been proven time and again that "Taiwan independence" separatists and foreign interference are the sources of chaos that undermine the status quo, cause cross-Strait crises, and disrupt regional stability, Zhang said. The spokesperson reiterated that the Chinese military will improve its combat readiness continuously, comprehensively enhance its capability to fight and win, and safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity firmly. The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to the Cabinet Division and the Ministry of Law and Justice on Thursday regarding two constitutional petitions challenging the validity of the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The petitions, filed by three lawyers, seek to declare the amendment ultra vires to the Constitution, raising significant concerns about the independence of the judiciary in Pakistan, Dawn reported. The two-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice Mohammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Jawad Akbar Sarwana, has also notified the attorney general and the advocate general of Sindh, scheduling a date for further proceedings in approximately two weeks. The petitions have cited various federal and provincial authorities as respondents. During the hearing, the bench acknowledged that the petitions were intended to challenge the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which has reinstated certain articles. "We are cognisant of the fact that in terms of the amendment such questions are to be brought before the constitutional benches," the bench stated. It added that the application of Article 202A, which facilitates the establishment of constitutional benches for provinces, could only proceed once the relevant provincial resolutions are passed, reported Dawn. In the absence of such resolutions, the bench confirmed that the SHC was exercising its jurisdiction according to the roster assigned to different benches. The petitions claim that the amendment has compromised the structure of justice, particularly concerning the articles related to judicial dispensation. Representing the petitioners, advocates Ali Tahir and Ebrahim Saifuddin argued that the amendment allows parties such as the federation or province to "pick and choose benches for their own cause and for their own litigation." This approach, they contend, undermines the universal principle that justice should not only be done but should also be seen to be done. The advocates further asserted that the amendment demonstrates how parliamentarians have overstepped their bounds by exerting influence over the judiciary, particularly through the formation of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, Dawn reported. They expressed concern that the executive's introduction of the amendment has effectively "stamped down the court" and permitted litigants to evaluate judges' performance, potentially coercing future benches and compromising judicial independence. The bench recognised the importance of the issues raised, stating, "Points raised require consideration. Since some of the articles through a recent amendment via the 26th Amendment of the Constitution have been challenged, therefore, it requires a notice to the attorney general for Pakistan as well in terms of Order XXVII-A CPC." In addition to the federal ministries, the petitions also name the chief secretary of Sindh and the secretary of the Sindh Assembly as respondents, emphasising the widespread implications of the 26th Constitutional Amendment on the rule of law and fundamental rights in Pakistan. (ANI) Up to 80 per cent of government school buildings in Malakand have been deemed unsafe, jeopardising the safety of students, teachers, and education staff, according to the Communication and Works Department of Swat district, the Express Tribune reported. Many of these structures are at risk of collapsing, including primary schools built as far back as 1912 and 1926, which puts students' lives in danger. The District Education Officer (DEO) of Malakand confirmed that 80 per cent of the school buildings in the district are in poor and hazardous condition. In the PK-23 constituency, which encompasses Batkhela and Baizai tehsils, there are 11 school buildings that require complete demolition and reconstruction. Sources from the DEO office indicate that provincial authorities have consistently documented the poor condition of these schools, yet no action has been taken so far. The public is calling for the reconstruction of these unsafe school buildings to protect the safety and future of the students. The situation has already led to incidents of injury. In early July 2024, six children were injured when the roof of a classroom collapsed in Tangaar village, located in the Gwalerai union council of Matta tehsil, Swat. Shafiqa Gul, a spokesperson for Swat's Rescue 1122, reported that three of the injured children were in critical condition. After receiving initial treatment at the Matta Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, the children were transferred to Saidu Teaching Hospital for further care, reported the Express Tribune. This incident followed another tragedy in which a school bus plunged into a ditch in Khwazakhela tehsil, Swat, leading to the death of one child and injuries to 41 others. In June, education officials and experts pointed out that many schools in Swat, damaged by floods, are still waiting for rehabilitation. They called on both government and non-government organisations to help ensure adequate facilities, especially for girls' schools. Education in Swat is confronted with multiple challenges that jeopardise student safety and the quality of their learning environment. Key concerns include inadequate school infrastructure, natural disasters, security threats, and a lack of resources, all of which hinder educational advancement in the region. Many schools, particularly those in remote and flood-prone areas, have deteriorating and structurally unsound facilities that are at risk of collapse, as demonstrated by the recent roof collapse in Tangaar village, the Express Tribune reported. The issue is worsened by frequent landslides and floods during the monsoon season, which damage buildings and create hazardous conditions for students attending classes. Despite the severe flooding that occurred in 2022, many schools in Swat remain unrepaired, leaving students vulnerable every day. As calls for action grow, the future of education in Swat hangs in the balance. (ANI) Dubai [UAE], November 1 (ANI/WAM): Dubai South, the largest single-urban master development focusing on aviation, logistics and real estate, and INDU Kishore Logistics, broke ground on a new facility that will be built at Dubai South's Logistics District. This development marks a significant milestone in the company's expansion plan, supporting its ambition to evolve into a multi-industry logistics leader. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Abdul Basit Al Marzouqi, Deputy CEO of the Logistics District, Dubai South and Kishore Lakhani, Chairman INDU Group, in the presence of senior executives from both entities. The facility, spanning approximately 23,000 square meters and a storage capacity of 75,000 pallets, is scheduled for completion by Q3 2025. Designed to handle spare parts of all sizes, it will leverage data-driven automation to streamline processes, enabling rapid turnaround times and ensuring an efficient, optimised flow of shipments. Mohsen Ahmad, CEO of the Logistics District, Dubai South, said, "We are pleased to witness the groundbreaking of INDU Kishore Logistics' new facility, which will be of added value to the logistics sector and our portfolio of leading logistics companies. At Dubai South, our mandate is to support the government's vision of positioning Dubai as a leading global logistics hub. We are committed to fully supporting INDU Kishore Logistics in its expansion endeavours, and we look forward to the successful completion of this facility." Kush Lakhani, Managing Partner at INDU Kishore Logistics, said, "This strategic investment is driven by a surge in demand within the automotive and aerospace sectors. With the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, we believe the timing is ideal, and we are truly grateful for the trust and support extended by the Dubai South team in bringing this project to fruition." (ANI/WAM) All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partners and ironclad friends, China and Pakistan seem to be drifting away after Beijing's ambassador to Islamabad raised concern over the security of its nationals working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. In a rare public response to security for Chinese nationals in Pakistan, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Thursday described a recent statement by Beijing's ambassador to Islamabad as "perplexing" and a departure from the longstanding diplomatic norms between the two nations, Dawn reported. "The statement from the Chinese ambassador is perplexing, especially considering the positive diplomatic traditions between Pakistan and China," she said during the weekly media briefing. The response was made to China's Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong's remarks which were delivered at a conference held earlier this week to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. The remarks came amid the background of the recent escalation in violence against Chinese nationals in Pakistan. Such incidents have amplified Beijing's security concerns, especially over progress on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. Earlier this month, a suicide attack near Karachi's airport, claimed by the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), left two Chinese citizens dead and injured ten others, Dawn reported. In another incident in March, Chinese workers were targeted in Besham, reportedly carried out by affiliates of either Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), resulting in five Chinese fatalities, as per Dawn. Speaking at the event, 'China at 75: A Journey of Progress, Transformation and Global Leadership' on Tuesday, Jiang Zaidong expressed frustration over the attacks, stating it was "unacceptable" and urged Islamabad to strengthen security measures for Chinese nationals and crack down on the anti-China elements. "The security of Chinese citizens is paramount for President Xi," he noted, adding that this priority has been reiterated in Xi's discussions with Pakistani leaders. It was noted that Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang's recent visit was conducted under what Jiang termed "unique circumstances," because of the two attacks on Chinese workers. The visit took place to emphasize China's expectations for Pakistan to prioritise security of its nationals. "Without a safe and secure environment, nothing can be achieved," the Chinese envoy stressed. Security concerns are also expected to be a central focus of President Asif Ali Zardari's upcoming visit to China next week. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had previously indicated that Pakistani officials would directly update Chinese President Xi on the investigation into recent attacks on Chinese nationals, Dawn reported. At Thursday's briefing, the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson reiterated Pakistan's commitment to ensuring the security of Chinese nationals, which, she said, had been conveyed at the highest levels, most recently during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the SCO Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad. "We will continue to work closely with our Chinese counterparts to reassure them of Pakistan's unwavering commitment to their security and well-being here," she said while referring to an ongoing dialogue on safety and security. She declined further comment when pressed for more details, as per Dawn. (ANI) The recently held London Ram Leela, on October 26 and 27, mesmerized the audience with a vibrant showcase of the Ramayana, bringing the timeless story to life through grand performances, music, and stunning visuals. The Ram Leela was organized by Sutton Friends and the event took place at Tolworth Recreation Centre, which attracted thousands of people, both in-person and online, reflecting the deep community spirit and cultural pride of London's Indian diaspora. BSutton Friends is a community group representing over 3,000 Indian-origin families residing in Sutton and surrounding areas. Operating under "Indian Friends of Sutton," these members share a commitment to preserving and celebrating their cultural heritage and introducing it to a wider London audience. The event was a success because of the tireless dedication of volunteers, who supported the program in every aspect, right from the actors and makeup artists to costume designers, hall, and backstage management. Praveen Kumar led the undertaking with essential support from Ashish Jain, Amol Chaudhary, Anup Kabra, Manish Sahal, Ashish Aggarwal, Abhinav Pathak, Manish Gupta, Sachin Shelke, and Bhavesh Jhaveri. Notably, all performers were local community members, fostering a sense of connection and inspiring new talent within the audience. The London Ram Leela welcomed esteemed guests, including Kuldeep Shekhawat, President of Overseas Friends of BJP UK and Europe; Shashi Patel, Vice President and Treasurer of the same organization; Members of Parliament Bobby Dean (Carshalton), Luke Taylor (Sutton), and Virendra Sharma (Southall); Parveen Rani, Deputy Mayor of Hertsmere; Shri Ram Ambarakar, First Secretary at the Indian High Commission, London; Ajay Kumar Thakur, Attache (Coordination) at the Indian High Commission; and Hirdesh Gupta, Co-Founder and Director of the Indian Diaspora in the UK (IDUK). In addition to the Ramayana performances, the event embraced the Diwali spirit with food stalls offering delectable Indian cuisine and shopping options for festival essentials. The Diwali-themed market added festive flair, while a grand fireworks display concluded each evening, lighting up the London sky in celebration. "This year's London ki Ram Leela is not just a theatrical performance but a platform to connect communities, foster cultural understanding, and celebrate Diwali's spirit," said Event Director Parveen Kumar. "We are deeply honored to welcome dignitaries and Members of Parliament, which reinforces our shared values of unity and compassion." Key highlights of the Ram Leela included live theatrical performances, which blended traditional storytelling with contemporary staging. It also had various cultural performances which were a mix of classical and Bollywood dance routines, devotional music, and stunning visual effects to bring the tale to life. After the overwhelming success of the London Ram Leela, Sutton Friends plans to bring even more spectacular and expansive celebrations in the future, enriching the cultural tapestry of the UK's Indian community. (ANI) Abu Dhabi [UAE], November 1 (ANI/WAM): The United Arab Emirates announced the successful entry of twelve trucks carrying aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, via Erez Crossing (northern Gaza) and Karam Abu Salem crossing (southern Gaza), in cooperation with the American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera). The new shipment, one of the first to enter the Gaza Strip since October, comprises twelve trucks carrying 150 tonnes of urgent relief and humanitarian aid to meet the needs of 30,000 people. In this regard, Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Development Affairs and International Organisations, emphasized that the continuous UAE humanitarian aid to Gaza reflects the country's historic and steadfast commitment to support the brotherly Palestinians. The UAE is implementing wide-ranging endeavors to address the disastrous and deteriorating humanitarian situation in the strip. He added, "The UAE is steadfastly committed to extending a helping hand to the Palestinians and implementing humanitarian relief initiatives whether via land, sea, or air routes. So far, the UAE has provided more than 40,000 tonnes of urgent aid, and will continue its extensive work and leading role alongside the United Nations, and international partners to ensure the immediate, safe, unhindered, and sustainable delivery of aid on a wide scale, through all possible means." (ANI/WAM) Dubai [UAE], November 1 (ANI/WAM): Participants in the 2nd Global Government Leaders Programme (GGLP) were briefed on the UAE's best practices in economy, tourism, trade, financial and logistics services and youth empowerment, during a series of discussion sessions where they met a host of officials including Mohammad Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers; Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM); Mohammed Al Muallem, Executive Vice President of DP World; Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar and e-commerce platform Noon; Khaled Al Nuaimi, Director of the Federal Youth Authority; and Mohammad AlBlooshi, CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub. Emirati officials showcased key national strategies aimed at driving government development, highlighting GGLP as an initiative offered by the UAE to enhance leaders' capabilities with modern tools and innovative methods for effective policy development and achieving sustainable development goals. They noted the program's role in fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange for innovative solutions to global challenges and a more prosperous future. Mohammad Lootah highlighted Dubai Chambers' pivotal role in diversifying Dubai's economy, driving its competitiveness, and fostering international cooperation. He explained Dubai Chambers' recent restructuring into three entities all operating under the umbrella of Dubai CHambers, namely, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Dubai International Chamber, and Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy. "The Dubai International Chamber, with its 31 global representative offices, facilitates international trade and attracts investments while supporting the expansion of Dubai-based companies with opportunities worldwide," Lootah said. "The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy focuses on fostering the growth of the digital sector, supporting tech startups, and collaborating with policymakers to shape a conducive regulatory and legislative environment that facilitates digital business operations." Lootah emphasised Dubai's commitment to innovation and the digital economy, citing the success of the Expand NorthStar exhibition, hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, in connecting startups with venture capital. The largest event for startups and investors worldwide, Expand NorthStar has attracted 1,800 startups and around 1,200 global investors. Lootah also discussed Dubai Chambers' commitment to supporting international businesses seeking expansion in Dubai, by providing valuable resources and facilitating connections with legal and regulatory authorities, ensuring a smooth transition for foreign companies. Such efforts, he noted, further boost Dubai's attractiveness to foreign direct investments, in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. Lootah introduced the newly established Dubai Chambers Family Business Centre, and its focus on promoting good governance, developing future family business leaders, and advocating for the vital role family businesses play in the growth of Dubai's economy. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said that the tourism sector in Dubai has undergone a remarkable transformation in a relatively short period of time, guided by the directives and vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the strategic objectives set forth in the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. Issam Kazim commented, "In the words of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 'development is an ongoing process, and the race for excellence has no finish line'. This inspiring message continues to motivate us to enhance Dubai's position as a leading global destination. Our city's proactive approach to innovation, market diversification, and global partnerships, has positioned us as a leader in the international travel market, with a focus on continuously elevating our offerings and expanding our reach". "In line with the forward-thinking directives of our visionary leadership, we have emphasized flexibility and rapid development, launching targeted marketing campaigns and embracing technology to enrich the visitor experience. Significant investments in iconic projects further reinforce Dubai's global standing, ensuring we remain a premier destination on the world tourism map. This approach has resulted in ongoing growth across various tourism performance indicators, including the number of international guests" Kasim said. "As we look ahead, our goal remains clear: to elevate Dubai's position as not only a must-visit destination but also the best city to live and work in, aligning with the overarching goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai's status as a leading global city for business and leisure. With strong public-private sector collaboration, we are confident in our ability to continue to attract international visitors, talent and investment, contributing to significant economic growth", Kasim noted. Mohammed Al Muallem, Executive Vice President of DP World, emphasized the role of UAE leadership's insightful vision in enhancing the DP World's ability to expand its growing business portfolio and meet the evolving needs of customers. Al Muallem reviewed DP World's journey of growth and diversification, from its initial focus on port operations to its current comprehensive suite of supply chain solutions, now spanning more than 80 countries. He stated, "DP World's investments in infrastructure, technology, and crucially, its people, have enabled it to become a strategic partner for companies globally. This success is driven by a commitment to agility, adaptability, customer focus, and contributing to economic diversification." He also highlighted DP World's innovative solutions and focus on advanced technologies like AI, data science, and robotics, along with its ongoing efforts to simplify customs procedures and enhance operational efficiency and security. Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar and e-commerce platform Noon, said the UAE offers an ideal investment environment thanks to its visionary leadership. He told GGLP participants that Noon was established to support the UAE economy and compete with global giants, and has quickly become a leading regional e-commerce platform, crediting the UAE's supportive policies and dynamic environment for the success of Emaar and his other ventures. Alabbar attributed his success to Dubai's strong leadership and the competitive spirit of its people. He stressed the importance of adapting to global changes and investing in infrastructure and human capital. He noted that Emaar's ability to navigate the 2008 financial crisis while building projects like Burj Khalifa was due to Dubai's resilience and decisive leadership. Alabbar urged governments to develop clear visions for urban planning and leverage technology to enhance competitiveness, emphasizing that efficiency is key to progress. Khaled Al Nuaimi, Director of the Federal Youth Authority, said, "Our visionary leadership recognizes youth as our true wealth, essential for building a bright future. They are the cornerstone of our comprehensive national development." He highlighted the government's approach, which supports youth through three strategic objectives: instilling Emirati values, creating a world-class ecosystem for positive outcomes, and maximizing youth participation in local and international forums. Al Nuaimi outlined several Foundation initiatives designed to amplify youth voices and integrate them into decision-making. These include mentorship programs with government leaders and ministers, career guidance, skills development courses via the 'Jahiz' platform, and youth hubs fostering collaboration and entrepreneurship. Youth circles and councils further facilitate dialogue with officials. He then showcased the National Youth Agenda 2031, focusing on economic empowerment, global leadership, national identity, and future skills development. Key objectives include doubling youth-led projects in promising sectors, increasing the number of qualified Emirati youth for the labor market, and positioning the UAE among the top 10 countries for youth quality of life.Finally, Al Nuaimi stressed the importance of a comprehensive youth database, equal access to education and training, and youth participation in institutional decision-making, including board representation. Mohammad AlBlooshi, CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub, said the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has evolved to become an active player in the global financial services sector, and a key contributor to Dubai's leading status and growing economy. This growth, he notes, stems from DIFC's vision to diversify Dubai's economy, evident in the fact that it now hosts 27 of the world's 29 globally systemically important banks and over 6,000 firms, thanks to its business-friendly environment, regulatory and legal framework and world-class infrastructure. AlBlooshi further highlighted the DIFC's expansion beyond traditional finance to become a leading fintech and innovation hub in the MEASA region. This was achieved through initiatives like the accelerator program, tailored licenses and incentives for startups, co-working spaces, and the Dubai Future District Fund to address funding gaps. These efforts, he said, have fostered a thriving ecosystem of over 1,000 startups, contributing significantly to economic growth and job creation, exemplified by the success of unicorn company Tabby. The DIFC has launched the Dubai AI Campus with a focus on AI and Web 3.0 companies, leveraging Dubai's ability to attract global talent and its unique data protection laws. The Global Government Leaders Program, jointly organized by the Government Experience Exchange Office at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development (MBRCLD) operating under the Executive Office of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, empowers first- and second-tier government leaders from participating countries with the goal of enhancing their leadership and management skills. Through a series of field visits, the program introduces them to project management approaches and best practices, gaining insights they could apply to improve government performance in their own countries. Participants in the 2nd cohort of the Global Government Leaders Programme come from 31 countries, namely: Azerbaijan, Mongolia, the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, Bermuda, Ethiopia, Georgia, the Maldives, Andorra, Kyrgyzstan, Egypt, Barbados, Romania, Costa Rica, Madagascar, the Seychelles, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Fiji, Rwanda, Senegal, Colombia, Paraguay, Brazil, Turkmenistan, Guyana, Brunei, Malta, Zimbabwe, Serbia and the UAE. (ANI/WAM) The Taliban have imposed a new, oppressive rule that silences Afghan women's voices even further, the latest step banned them from hearing each other's voices to erase "women entirely from public life and society," reported the New York Post. The Talibani Minister for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Khalid Hanafi, banned Afghani women from hearing each other's voices. "Even when an adult female prays and another female passes by, she must not pray loudly enough for them to hear," he said in his message, as reported by NY Post. A woman's voice is considered "awrah" - meaning that which must be covered and shouldn't be heard in public - Hanafi said, as per NY Post. "When women are not permitted to call takbir or athan [Islamic call to prayer], they certainly cannot sing songs or [make] music," NY Post quoted Hanafi as saying. "How could they be allowed to sing if they aren't even permitted to hear (each other's) voices while praying, let alone for anything else." Further details of the Taliban's ruling are not clear, as per NY Post. Hanafi said it "will be gradually implemented, and God will be helping us in each step we take". Human rights activists from the country and around the world have criticized the move, claiming it would mean that Afghan women would be banned from holding conversations with one another. "It is hard to imagine the situation getting worse after the Taliban banned women's voices and faces in public last month, but with this latest decree, we have seen that the Taliban's capacity to inflict harm on women has no limits," Zohal Azra, from the Australian Hazara Advocacy Network, told news.com.au. "Since returning to power in Afghanistan the Taliban has effectively erased women and girls from public life in a methodical, and systematic approach involving over 105 decrees, edicts, and orders that are enforced violently and arbitrarily, including through detention, sexual abuse, torture and cruel, inhuman, or other degrading treatment and punishment such stoning and whipping women and girls," she added, as per NY Post. "The situation is so dire that it requires urgent global intervention to support women in Afghanistan. Through these decrees the Taliban has established a system of gender apartheid," Amnesty International Australia's Strategic Refugee Rights Campaigner, Zaki Haidari, told news.com.au. She added that the situation for women and girls in Afghanistan is "growing darker by the day", NY Post reported. "The Taliban is methodically punishing women, seemingly testing how far they can push before the world responds," Haidari, who is of Hazara background, said. Earlier, on September 29. 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. Notably, the Taliban have attempted to partially defend their new laws by claiming they are intended to safeguard women. 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) The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has published its quarterly report on the situation in Afghanistan, covering incidents from July to September, as reported by Tolo News. As per Tolo News, the UN Report addressed various topics, including the law of the Vice and Virtue Ministry, women's and girls' rights, civilian casualties, border incidents, freedom of expression, corporal punishment, and judicial actions. A section of the report also discussed the anti-security incidents in the country. According to this part, four security incidents occurred in Kabul, Nangarhar, and Ghor during this period, resulting in 28 civilian deaths and injuring 50 others. Additionally, the report notes that six people were killed and ten injured in three border skirmishes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Tolo News noted. The report mentioned the incident on September 2 in Kabul, when a suicide attack occurred outside the de facto High Directorate of Supervision and Prosecution of Decrees and Orders, killing at least seven civilians and wounding more than 29 others. Another section of the report highlights that new restrictions have been imposed on women by Afghanistan's Ministry of Vice and Virtue. As per Tolo News, the report stated, "Between 1 July and 30 September, UNAMA Human Rights documented at least 24 instances of arbitrary arrest and detention, at least 10 instances of torture and ill-treatment, verbal threats and at least five killings of former ANDSF members." Aziz Stanekzai, a political analyst, commented to Tolo News on the nature of such reports, saying, "Recently, UNAMA or the United Nations or their representative, Richard Bennett, has been publishing biased reports about Afghanistan, which stems from their lack of knowledge about the country." "UNAMA's duty is to resolve Afghanistan's political and economic issues, not to exacerbate them and add more complications every time it issues a report," said Sayed Qareebullah Sadat, another analyst. While Afghanistan has not commented on UNAMA's quarterly report, a spokesperson stated that criticism from this organization of the Ministry of Vice and Virtue is unfounded. (ANI) A senior minority leader from Bangladesh on Friday partially supported former US President Donald Trump's Diwali message where he condemned the atrocities faced by Hindus in Bangladesh, especially after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. Subrata Chowdhury, a Presidium member of the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddha, Christians Okkay Parishad said, "It is partially correct. Because of the recent occurrences after 5th August, there are politically motivated occurrences. About 60 per cent of occurrences were reported with those who were the supporters of the then Sheikh Hasina regime. Most of the victims belong to the Awami League", he said. Earlier on Thursday, Trump condemned the "barbaric violence" against Hindus in Bangladesh and slammed Kamala Harris and Joe Biden in his Diwali message, saying they "ignored" them across the world and in America. Donald Trump said, "I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos." "It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America," the former US President wrote on X. Chowdhury, while exclusively speaking to ANI, said, "In addition to that there are some miscreants or communal forces who targeted the Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians community." "In the last 15 years, in many occurrences, all the victims were Hindus, Buddhists, Christians. At that time, no cases were filed against the miscreants. They were not prosecuted by the then regime. Even the law enforcing agencies and administration took part with the miscreants," he said. "We hope this time every occurrence should be tried by the law-enforcing agencies. We want to see the activism of the judiciary so that no one can be exempted from any anti-Hindus, Buddhist, and Christian activities. This time Chief Adviser also assured us that they will try all miscreants and every miscreant will be punished," said Chowdhury, who is also a senior lawyer of the Bangladesh Supreme Court. He alleged that false cases are used as weapons to target minorities. "Some incidents are still going on in some places because there are so many demonstrations by the Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians." He said, "Some people in the society do not like it. They are trying to attack the demonstrations not physically but by filing cases against these forces, who are on the street or who took part in a mass gathering." Chowdhury also noted that recently there was an incident in Chittagong, where a big gathering raised its voice against communalism. Similar gatherings took place in Dhaka also. He said, "But in one incident in Chittagong, a person filed a case against some monks and Shadus. We are raising the subject to save the persons who have been implicated in the cases. We also took measures against the filing of false cases against Sadhu, Sannashis." "The situation is improving and you know during mass movement and after the fall of Hasina's regime, there was no administration, there were no law enforcing agencies, some police stations were vacated by the police force, so there was a serious law and order situation in the whole country," he said. "Not only the minority, but all citizens were passing through their lives in an alarming situation. Now the situation is going to normal day by day. Law enforcement agencies are very much present in all the police stations. The administration also took so many steps so that there is no law and order situation time and again. I hope the administration should act as usual," said Chowdhury who was also a former President of Puja Celebrations Committee of Bangladesh. Accepting that there have been problems in the country and areas which require reforms, he said that in the last 53 years, people had been suffering problems such as Rule of law, human rights issues, judiciary and even election process issues." Two months ago, a student-led movement ousted Bangladesh's Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, after weeks of protests and clashes that killed over 600 people. Hasina, 76, fled to India on August 5 and an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was formed. (ANI). You are here: China China's Ministry of Water Resources on Thursday launched a Level-IV emergency response to flooding in the provincial-level regions of Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian as Typhoon Kong-rey approaches. Typhoon Kong-rey made landfall in southeastern Taiwan's Taitung at around 1:40 p.m. Thursday, according to the local meteorological agency. The typhoon was forecast to move north and then northeast at an estimated speed of 17 to 24 km per hour, packing winds of up to 184 km per hour near the center, the meteorological agency said. China's National Meteorological Center on Thursday evening renewed a yellow alert for rainstorms as heavy rainfall is expected in the eastern part of the country. From 8 p.m. Thursday to 8 p.m. Friday, heavy downpours are expected in parts of Fujian, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Taiwan. Some areas in Zhejiang, Shanghai and Taiwan will see precipitation reaching 450 mm, according to the center. The ministry has dispatched two working groups to Shanghai and Zhejiang to guide flood control work. China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level-I being the most severe response, and a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe level, followed by orange, yellow and blue. In a post on X, the department stated, "Paank expresses deep concern over the forced disappearance of ten NUML students, who were taken during a raid by Pakistani forces at their residence near IJP Metro Station, Rawalpindi, on October 31, 2023. The students, hailing from Balochistan and preparing for midterm exams, have vanished abruptly, raising serious alarm." https://x.com/paank_bnm/status/1852312805594038667 Paank identified the missing students as Salim Arif, Balach Fida, Khuda Dad, Khalil Ahmed, Hammal Hassani, Babar Atta, Noor Muheem, Iftikhar Azum, and Ahssam, who were enrolled in various disciplines at NUML. This incident highlights the troubling reality faced by Baloch students in Pakistan, where numerous reports of enforced disappearances and state repression persist. Advocates argue that this trend reflects a systematic effort to suppress dissent and intimidate individuals voicing concerns about the political and human rights situation in Balochistan. There have been multiple reports of extrajudicial killings of Baloch activists and students, often occurring amid state operations against perceived separatist movements, leading to allegations of state-sponsored violence. Furthermore, Baloch students frequently encounter discrimination in educational institutions regarding both access and the quality of education. Reports indicate harassment and intimidation targeting those who express political dissent or advocate for Baloch's rights. More than a hundred cases of mass abduction by Pakistani forces have been documented in Balochistan, instilling a climate of terror and anxiety among the populace. The Pakistan armed forces have employed various violent measures to quell protests, yet the Baloch Youth Congress (BYC) and the Baloch people continue to fight against enforced disappearances. These cases have fostered deep-seated fears within the Baloch community, as such abductions are seen as violations of their rights and freedoms. (ANI) The European Commission in a report raised concern over China's aggression against Taiwan and suggested that the EU step up exchanges with Taipei, Taipei Times reported on Friday. The 'Safer Together: Strengthening Europe's Civilian and Military Preparedness and Readiness' report assessed the geopolitical challenges facing the EU and presented recommendations to decision-makers in the bloc's institutions and member states through 2029, Taipei Times reported. Former Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, a special advisor to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and author of the report, said, "China's rise and the rapid increase in its comprehensive national power are profoundly altering the strategic balance in the Indo-Pacific" region, as per Taipei Times. "Beyond its long-held ambitions to take over Taiwan, which it considers indispensable ... China's coercive foreign and security policies toward neighbours, including India, the Philippines and Vietnam, are undermining regional stability," creating "a risk of escalation" that could trigger local and global impacts, Niinisto said in the report, Taipei Times reported. "The potential economic and security impact of Chinese aggression against Taiwan or in the South China Sea would be staggering for Europe and the world," the report said. European and global supply chains could be severely disrupted if China attacks Taiwan or "escalates drawing on coercive measures, such as other forms of coercion, including the seizure of outlying islands, selective quarantines where China restricts traffic to and from Taiwan ... or even a full-blown blockade," it said, Taipei Times reported. "Given our deep economic ties with China, including asymmetric dependencies in key sectors, as well as supply chains from Taiwan (in particular in advanced semiconductors), this would lead to a drastic shock causing ripple effects around the world," it said. "The security and prosperity of the Euro-Atlantic region are closely interconnected with those of the Indo-Pacific" region, the report added. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it welcomed the EU's continued attention to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, as well as the bloc's willingness to boost collaboration and exchanges with Taiwan. (ANI) The bill to increase the number of judges in the Pakistani Supreme Court may be presented in the National Assembly (NA) next week, ARY News reported on Friday, citing sources. The ruling government is still at loggerheads among themselves on the bill that aims to increase the number of Pakistan's Supreme Court judges, as per ARY News. Following this lack of agreement, the government decided to postpone the legislation on the matter to next week, ARY News's sources privy to the matter said. The bill would probably be presented in the House after a consensus is reached. With the bill, the government is mulling to increase the number of SC judges to 23 including the CJP from 16, as per ARY News. Barrister Danyal Chaudhary of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) presented the bill. For the approval of the bill, the duration of NA session which was supposed to end on Tuesday was extended till Friday. The amendments to the Practice and Procedure Act are also under discussion, ARY News reported. The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to the Cabinet Division and the Ministry of Law and Justice on Thursday regarding two constitutional petitions challenging the validity of the 26th Constitutional Amendment. Earlier, the government passed 26th amendment to the constitution of Pakistan to revise the appointment procedure of the CJP and fix the tenure of the post to three years. The Pakistan Senate passed the 26th constitutional Amendment Bill with a two-thirds majority on October 20, ARY News reported. The bill aimed at ensuring quick justice had received push back from opposition, mainly from Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf which held various protests alleging that the bill would undermine the judiciary's powers. The bill has 27 clauses and amenedments to various Articles of the constitutions have been proposed. The amendment suggested by Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has been incorporated. JUI-F earlier protested against the bill but was later convinced by the ruling government. (ANI) Abu Dhabi [UAE], November 1 (ANI/WAM): The United Arab Emirates has dispatched the fifteenth aircraft carrying additional aid to the brotherly Lebanese, delivering 40 tonnes of essential food packages, particularly for children. The provisions are part of the "UAE Stands with Lebanon" national campaign, which was launched following the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President. With this flight, the UAE has delivered 672 tonnes of relief to the brotherly Lebanese since the beginning of October 2024, with close follow-up from Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and under the supervision of Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs and Chair of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council. In this regard, Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Development and International Organisations and Member of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council, affirmed the wise leadership's commitment to urgently respond to humanitarian needs and provide essential relief supplies to the people of Lebanon in the face of ongoing adversity and challenging circumstances. These endeavors reflect the enduring humanitarian legacy left behind by the late Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, as well as the values and principles deep rooted in all segments of UAE society. Notably, the UAE continues to provide an urgent response via air bridge and through the sea to support the brotherly Lebanese people. Furthermore, the UAE is providing support to the Syrian people returning from Lebanon to Syria, through humanitarian institutions, and Emirati charity organizations. These efforts aim to ensure early recovery, achieve security and stability in the region, and mitigate the repercussions of the ongoing crisis. The total amount of UAE humanitarian aid reached 2,772 tonnes, which included 772 tonnes dispatched to Lebanon and Syria. Additionally, 2,000 tonnes of aid were delivered through the UAE relief ship that recently arrived in Beirut. (ANI/WAM) The IDF also stated that they uncovered over 3,000 explosive devices, found and dismantled 2,500 anti-tank missiles, and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) in the last month. The IDF stated that they eliminated over 1,500 terrorists since the beginning of the war. In a post on X, the IDF posted "1 month recap of limited, localized & targeted IDF operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon". https://x.com/IDF/status/1852361762068111869 The IDF earlier stated that they found a statue of Adolf Hitler and Nazi symbols in one of the civilian homes in Lebanon. The IDF claimed that the Hezbollah always aimed to annihilate Israel. "It's no coincidence these were found in civilian homes exploited by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah's goal has always been the same: annihilate Israel," a post read. https://x.com/IDF/status/1852255906852999656 Earlier in the day, the IDF claimed that Hezbollah rockets killed seven Israeli civilians. "Hezbollah rockets killed 7 innocent civilians inside Israel today. We will not let Hezbollah's deadly attacks go unanswered," the IDF said. https://x.com/IDF/status/1852088366965178688 US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recently spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to explore opportunities for de-escalation amidst rising Middle East tensions. Their conversation highlighted the US' support for Israel's security, particularly in the face of threats from Iran and Iranian proxies. https://x.com/SecDef/status/1852130379651756516 Notably, Hezbollah's rocket attacks in northern Israel have resulted in the loss of seven lives in agricultural fields near Metula and Haifa, marking one of the deadliest days for Israeli civilians in months, Times of Israel reported. According to the authorities, tragedy struck near the border town of Metula on Thursday morning when a rocket fired from Lebanon slammed into an apple orchard, claiming the lives of five people. Hours later, two more people were killed while in an olive grove outside the Haifa suburb of Kiryat Ata, as Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets at the area, Times of Israel reported. (ANI) Former President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai met the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative in Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Roza Otenbayeva and stressed the urgent need for reopening schools and universities for girls in Afghanistan. On social media platform X, Karzai reiterated his call for the reopening of educational institutions for girls, emphasizing the importance of education in empowering girls and women and fostering a more inclusive society in Afghanistan. Former President Hamid Karzai met with Roza Otenbayeva, Special Representative of the Secretary for Afghanistan. In this meeting, in addition to the discussion and exchange of views on the current situation in Afghanistan, the former president expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of the United Nations in various fields, especially in relation to the provision of educational facilities and attention to the strengthening of the economic power of women. "Their constructive role in society demanded more cooperation in this matter. The former president considered national understanding to be essential for lasting peace and stability in the country and emphasized the reopening of schools and universities for girls," read the post. https://x.com/KarzaiH/status/1851926915885477974 The head of UNICEF, Catherine Russell on Wednesday said that Afghan girls face few prospects beyond early marriage after being confined at home. In a post on X, Russel said, "We should all raise our voices for #Afghan girls and women whose voices are being silenced and dreams denied. Locked out of schools, confined to home, rights denied, they have few prospects beyond early marriage. No country can get ahead if half its population is left out." https://x.com/unicefchief/status/1851692584692744291 According to a recent UN survey, Taliban policies have altered family attitudes toward girls' education in Afghanistan, with fears of the Taliban and strengthened patriarchal norms leading to reduced support for girls' education, as per Khaama Press. Khaama Press reported that the UN report highlighted that over 50 per cent of Afghan women and girls feel that community support for girls' access to both primary and higher education has declined. The Taliban have imposed a new, oppressive rule that silences Afghan women's voices even further, the latest step banning them from hearing each other's voices to erase "women entirely from public life and society," reported the New York Post on Wednesday. The Talibani Minister for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Khalid Hanafi, banned Afghani women from hearing each other's voices. "Even when an adult female prays and another female passes by, she must not pray loudly enough for them to hear," he said in his message, as reported by NY Post. (ANI) Spain reels from its deadliest natural disaster in decades as catastrophic floods claim more than 200 lives, with Valencia bearing the brunt of the devastation, according to a report by CNN. The storm has claimed at least 205 lives, with 202 fatalities reported in the hardest-hit region of Valencia, according to regional emergency services. This catastrophic event marks the country's deadliest natural disaster in decades, with the death toll expected to rise as rescue efforts continue. Authorities issued a warning on Friday, highlighting that roads have collapsed in some areas, with emergency services unable to get access. More details are emerging of the devastation in the Valencia region, with residents reporting large amounts of damage and horrific encounters with the rapidly rising water. A courthouse was turned into a temporary morgue in the region's capital, Valencia city, CNN reported. In the La Torre neighbourhood, where waters swelled to chest level, volunteers continue their search for missing individuals. Rescue teams discovered the bodies of seven people in an underground parking garage there on Thursday, according to national broadcaster RTVE, citing police, according to CNN. Parts of the country were still battered by heavy downpours on Friday. Authorities sounded the alarm overnight, issuing a red warning for Andalusia's Huelva coast, which was deluged with 140 millimetres (5.5 inches) of rain in 12 hours. Orange and yellow alerts remain in effect for isolated areas of Valencia. Meanwhile, in light of the floods, Spanish President Pedro Sanchez chaired the Crisis Committee to monitor the effects of the DANA. Sharing a post on X, the Spanish government said, "The President of the Government, @sanchezcastejon, has chaired the Crisis Committee to monitor the effects of the DANA. The Government is committed to continuing to allocate all necessary resources for as long as necessary." Amidst the devastating floods, Spain's Defence Ministry deployed two helicopters to Valencia, loaded with humanitarian supplies for those affected. "Two CH-47 Chinook helicopters #FAMET @EjercitoTierra have taken off from their base in Colmenar Viejo, #Madrid, heading to Valencia with supplies for those affected by #DANA: water, food rations and clothing donated by Caritas Colmenar," the Ministry of Defence said in a post on X. Notably, the torrential rain was likely caused by what Spanish meteorologists call a "gota fria," or cold drop or DANA, which refers to a pool of cooler air high in the atmosphere that can separate from the jet stream, causing it to move slowly and often lead to high-impact rainfall. This phenomenon is most common in autumn, according to CNN. (ANI) In an address at the State Department's Diwali reception, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasised the significance of the festival and reflected on the tradition's decade-long history at the State Department, which began under Secretary John Kerry. He also highlighted Diwali's message by quoting Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore's words: "Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark." The remarks by Blinken came as he addressed the Diwali reception on Friday. He said, "It was 10 years ago that Secretary John Kerry hosted the first Diwali reception here at State Department. A decade later, this annual gathering has become a tradition, one I am very proud of and pleased to continue. This year, more than one billion Hindus, Buddhists, and Sikhs, from around the world are celebrating Diwali and decorating homes in vibrant patterns, rangoli, hanging garlands of flowers, lighting diyas." He added, "Diwali holds different meanings and practices for different communities. But Bengali poet Tagore captured it the best when he wrote 'Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.' Diwali is about the idea that light will push back against darkness." Blinken emphasised the significance of South Asian culture in the United States, highlighting that the country derives strength from its diversity, including the contributions of South Asian Americans. "It's also a reminder of many ways of South Asian culture. The United States derives so much strength from this diversity, including the truly remarkable public service... The Vice President of United States Kamala Harris, World Bank President Ajay Banga, our very own Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma." Blinken concluded his remarks with a heartfelt wish and said, "So as we celebrate Diwali, may we keep working to shape a world more peaceful, more prosperous and do it together. Happy Diwali." Diwali is an auspicious festival that symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Spectacular lights, firecrackers, irresistible traditional sweets and exchanging gifts mark the festival. (ANI) SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Come Tuesday, voters could decide to change the way South Dakota does primary elections. Amendment H would allow for a top-two open primary system. Right now, when South Dakota voters head to the polls to vote in a primary election there are two different ballots. No place to play: Sioux Falls Storm pauses operation for 2025 One for Republicans and a second for Democrats, Independents and voters without a political affiliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The top Republican and Democrat in each race moves on to the general election. If Amendment H passes, there would be one primary ballot available to all voters. The top two candidates from this primary, regardless of party, would advance to the general election. Be informed on the seven 2024 ballot measures Joe Kirby, the chairman of South Dakota Open Primaries, helped get Amendment H on the ballot. We think our closed primaries system, which worked OK when we had a two party state, now doesnt work so well when were a one party state, Kirby said. According to Kirby, Amendment H will give independent voters a fair shake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main advantage is fairness. This would allow 155,000 independent South Dakota voters to have a meaningful role in the primary election process. Right now, the only election that matters in South Dakota is the Republican primary, and half the voters in the state dont participate in that, which means a lot of our elected officials are put into office with only half of us deciding who is going to be elected, Kirby said. Ezra Hays is the committee chair for Vote No on Amendment H. Independents are some of our biggest donors. So theyre using this campaign to say, Well, 150,000 independent voters dont have a choice. Well, theyre not all telling me that,' Hays said. Hays also believes that Amendment H puts voters at a disadvantage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democrat Party, the Republican Party, the Libertarian Party, theyre all against it. And we dont want to muddy the waters. We want lines because what voters want from each side of the aisle is they want to be able to vote their values. And Amendment H takes that away from voters, Hays said. Washington and California have a top-two primary election system. Nebraska has one as well, but they use it for their state legislative elections. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. The head of a special commission investigating Russian and Belarusian interference in Poland announced on Wednesday that he is referring a former defence minister to prosecutors. General Jaroslaw Strozyk, who also chairs the Polish Military Counterintelligence Service, accused Antoni Macierewicz the defence minister from 2015-2018 under the right-wing Law and Justice Party (PiS) of impairing Polands defence capabilities before Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Strozyk was appointed by Prime Minister Donald Tusk to head the commission when it was established in May. Tusks pro-EU coalition tasked the commission with investigating cases of Russia and Belarus exerting influence on Poland's politics over the past two decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tusk says that Poland, which has remained a stalwart ally of Ukraine, is facing intensifying hybrid attacks from Russia and Belarus, including sabotage, cyberattacks and manufacturing migrant pressure along the Poland-Belarus border. Some of the documents reviewed by the commission suggest direct influence by Russia, Strozyk said, without providing further details. Many of the documents remain classified, he noted. A personal aversion to the EU Presenting the commissions first unclassified conclusions after months of extensive research and interviews, Strozyk said that Macierewicz had taken a series of decisions detrimental to Polands defence. For example, Macierewicz cancelled, without commissioning any expert analysis or consultations, seven tanker aircraft for Polands fleet of 48 F-16 fighter jets, reducing their airborne time and defence capabilities, according to Strozyk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission said the decision was dictated by Macierewicz's personal aversion to partners in the EU, calling it a diplomatic treason". Macierewicz is also blamed in the report for hurting the operations of Poland's special services and intelligence by closing 10 out of their 15 regional bureaus in 2017. Macierewicz denied wrongdoing on Wednesday, calling the report "absurd." Donald Tusk (centre) stands behind Antoni Macierewicz (left) at a memorial - Czarek Sokolowski/Copyright 2022 The AP. All rights reserved. Macierewicz is a member of the national-conservative PiS, which often locked heads with officials in Brussels, notably over the countys interpretation of the rule of law and a perceived bias in the Polish judiciary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Strozyk stated that the wider PiS government, which was voted out in 2023, refused to heed US warnings that Russia was preparing to invade Ukraine, and took no pro-defence decisions. He also suggested that the office of President Andrzej Duda, who also hails from the PiS, could be withholding information pertinent to the Macierewicz investigation, according to Polish media. Responding to the findings, foreign minister Radosaw Sikorski criticised Macierewicz, telling a Polish broadcaster: Macierewicz should have been in prison for what he has been doing to Poland for 30 years. I hope he will finally be in prison." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Macierewicz were a Russian agent, he could not have performed his task better, Sikorski added. Strozyk said the commission will refer Macierewicz to prosecutors, who will decide whether to take further action. President Xi Jinping meets with Sam Hou Fai, who was newly elected as the chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and recently appointed by China's central government, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Sam Hou Fai, who was newly elected as the chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and recently appointed by China's central government. The meeting took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Witnessed by Xi, Premier Li Qiang presented Sam with a decree of the State Council appointing the latter as the sixth-term chief executive of the Macao SAR. Xi congratulated Sam on his appointment, and commended him for holding a firm stance of loving the country and Macao, conscientiously fulfilling his duties, and making contributions to Macao's prosperity and stability during his long tenure as the president of Macao's Court of Final Appeal. President Xi Jinping meets with Sam Hou Fai, who was newly elected as the chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) and recently appointed by China's central government, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 1, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] "In the election, you were nominated and elected by an overwhelming majority, which demonstrates the broad recognition and support from the society of Macao. The central authorities fully acknowledge this and have full trust in you," Xi said. Over the past 25 years since Macao's return to the motherland, the practice of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics has achieved remarkable success, Xi said. He said that the central authorities will stay committed to fully and faithfully implementing the "one country, two systems" principle under which the people of Macao administer Macao with a high degree of autonomy. Xi told Sam that assuming the chief executive office comes with significant responsibilities, and urged him to fulfill his mission by leading the new SAR government in uniting various sectors of the Macao society and continuously breaking new ground in the practice of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics. Sam said he felt deeply honored for the appointment and pledged to, under the leadership of President Xi and the central government, implement the "one country, two systems" principle fully, faithfully and unswervingly and lead Macao toward comprehensive progress. Senior officials including Li Qiang, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang attended the meeting. Despite the escalating regional conflict at its doorstep in neighboring Gaza, Egypts future has become inexorably tied to events far south of its borders. This article may contain affiliate links that Yahoo and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links. With Ethiopias Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, or GERD, on the Blue Nile having become a fait accompli, Egypt had already been feeling the need to step up its presence in the Horn of Africa. But the need to exert influence in the region became more urgent after Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel last year and the ensuing Israeli offensive in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a stated bid to support Hamas, the Yemen-based Houthi militia has regularly attacked commercial shipping on the Red Sea. This has reduced transit through the maritime lane leading to the Suez Canal, cutting canal crossings by 66 percent and dealing a severe financial blow to the Egyptian economy. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. With both its water resources and Suez Canal revenues now dependent on events in the region, the Horn of Africa has become a strategic focus for Cairo, which is now anxiously attempting to enhance its presence there. Over the summer, Egypt established a defense and cooperation agreement with Somalia. The deal, signed during a visit by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahamoud to Cairo in August, envisions closer economic, diplomatic and defense ties. Since then, Egypt has sent at least two shipments of weapons to Mogadishu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More importantly, the agreement includes the deployment of up to 10,000 Egyptian troops to Somalia over the coming months. As many as 5,000 of them will operate within the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia, which has been helping the government fight Al-Shabab militants. But the deal envisions Cairo sending an additional 5,000 troops, with a mandate that remains unclear. If they are deployed along the border between Somalia and Ethiopia, for example, there is a risk of military tensions between Ethiopia and Egypt, and potentially skirmishes between the two sides, Nael Shama, a Cairo-based scholar specializing in international relations in the Middle East, told WPR. Sending troops to Somalia indicates that Egypt wants a military presence there, Shama added. But at the moment, it is unclear how this deployment might influence negotiations with Ethiopia over the GERD. For years, Egyptian officials attempted to secure an agreement with Ethiopia to ensure a steady flow of water to the Nile River, 80 percent of which comes from the Blue Nile upstream. In 2015, Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia signed a declaration of principles that was supposed to lead to a formal agreement sponsored by the African Union on how to share the rivers water resources. It never materialized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ethiopia began to produce electricity from the $4.2 billion dam in early 2022. When Addis Ababa announced in September 2023 that it had filled the dam, Cairo called the measure illegal, because a final deal had not been reached between the countries in the Nile Basinmost prominently Sudanthat will be affected by the dam. Egypt is arriving comparatively late to the Horn of Africa compared to other outside powers, and under the duress of geopolitical and economic pressures. This is unlikely to inspire clear thinking and strategic planning from Cairo. The Nile provides about 90 percent of Egypts fresh water supply. Egyptian authorities have argued that a mere 2 percent loss in Nile water flow would eliminate 200,000 acres of Egypts irrigated land, imperiling the countrys agricultural sector and overall economy. But with the GERD now completed, Cairo enjoys little leverage to secure the water volumes it needs. As such, Egypt saw an opening in Somalias own tensions with Ethiopia, with Mogadishu particularly angered by Addis Ababas apparent readiness to recognize the breakaway Somali province of Somaliland. In January, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somalilands leader, Muse Bihi Abdi, signed a memorandum of understanding that will pave the way for landlocked Ethiopia to secure a 50-year lease on a 13-mile stretch of Somalilands coast, where it would build a maritime base. In exchange, Ethiopia, which lost access to the sea when Eritrea seceded in 1991, will be the first country to recognize Somalilands self-declared independence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Ethiopian presence on the Red Sea would further challenge Cairos weight in the region. Historically, Egypt thought about the Red Sea as its backyard, says Shama. When new powers began to increase their influence in the area over the past decade, it was not necessarily a problem, Shama explained, because they were largely Egyptian allies. But if Ethiopia gets a naval base on the Red Sea, Cairo will face an adversarial power that controls both the Blue Nile water flow and can influence Red Sea trade routes. More adversity in the Red Sea would only compound Egypts economic difficulties. As noted, the Houthi attacks on commercial shipping have cratered Egypts Suez Canal revenues, with shipping companies now choosing to redirect traffic around Southern Africa to avoid the Red Sea. Before the crisis, about 70-80 ships passed through the strategic crossing daily. That number has dropped to roughly 20 today. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stated in September that since the Houthis began targeting Red Sea shipping, Egypt had lost roughly $6 billion in Suez Canal revenues, or about 50-60 percent. In that same speech, he went on to say that if the situation were to go on, there would be serious consequences in our region and possibly around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unluckily for Egypt, however, major shipping companies now seem to be willing to absorb the costs and operational realities of redirecting maritime traffic around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa to move goods between Asia and Europe for the foreseeable future.* Larger vessels with valuable cargoes continue to avoid the Red Sea, mainly because the combined cost of more expensive insurance and Suez Canal fees remains, in general, higher than what shipping companies pay in extra fuel to go around Africa, according to research by Azure, a consultancy. Despite operations by Western navies in the Red Sea and the bombing of Houthi targets in Yemen by the U.S. and Israel, freedom of navigationespecially in the strategic Bab al-Mandab straightremains elusive. Western countries appetite to commit additional military assets to the region to secure trade routes seems minimal, especially at a time when other military contingency plans for the regions escalating conflict are likely being considered. This means that commercial shipping is unlikely to return to its normal patterns in the short term. Economically, Egypt has the most to lose from this new normal in the Red Sea, but Cairo remains unable to influence events in the region by itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a strategically important region for global trade and regional security, the Horn of Africa is one of the main arenas in which the rise of a multipolar world is playing out. Independent of the resources it can channel toward boosting its position there, Egypt is arriving comparatively late compared to other outside powers, and under the duress of geopolitical and economic pressures. This is unlikely to inspire clear thinking and strategic planning from Cairo. For years, the U.S., China and Russia have aimed to extend their presence in the Horn. But it is the Gulf statesespecially the UAE, but also Saudi Arabia and even Iranthat are successfully securing political allegiances to cement their hold on resources, trade assets and military outposts in the region. Turkey is also expanding its military and economic influence there. Rather than being able to depend solely on its military to shape events in the Horn of Africa, Egypt will instead be forced to navigate complex networks of transactional and often contradictory regional alliances, at a time when it has few economic tools at its disposal due to its own financial and economic crises. Cairo is aiming to secure leverage, but the impact that Egyptian military influence can have in the Horn of Africa remains uncertain. More importantly, a deepening of Egyptian military involvement in the region might help inflame tensions without necessarily allowing Cairo to secure its interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement *Editors note: Due to an editing error, the original version of this article incorrectly identified the southern tip of Africa as Cape Horn, which is instead found at the southern tip of South America. WPR regrets the error. Francisco Serrano is a journalist, writer and analyst. His work has appeared in Foreign Policy, Al-Monitor, Weapons of Reason, The Outpost, Foreign Affairs and other outlets. His latest book, As Ruinas da Decada, about the Middle East in the decade after the 2011 popular revolts, was published in 2022. The post Egypts Future Increasingly Passes Through the Horn of Africa appeared first on World Politics Review. A soldier has been charged with murder after the body of a sergeant was found in a dumpster on a Missouri Army base last week. US Army Sergeant Sarah Roque, 23, of Ligonier, Indiana, was reported missing on Monday 21 October after she failed to show up for duty that morning at Fort Leonard Wood and her family and commanders were unable to reach her, according to officials. Her body was found the next day in a dumpster on the base close to housing for single soldiers, US Army Major General Christopher Beck said in a press conference last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Wooster Rancy, 21, a specialist soldier with the 5th Engineer Battalion, has been charged with her murder and obstructing the due administration of justice, Fort Leonard Wood officials announced on Thursday. Rancy, originally from North Miami, Florida, was serving as a combat engineer with the 509th Clearance Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, after enrolling in the Army in 2022 and undergoing his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood. He is currently being held in pre-trial confinement while awaiting a preliminary hearing. It is currently unclear how Roque died and what connection she may have to the suspect. Sergeant Sarah Roque (pictured), 23, of Ligonier, Indiana, was found dead in a dumpster on Tuesday 22 October said Fort Leonard officials (US Army Fort Leonard Wood) Army officials had previously announced on October 24 that a person of interest had been taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roque was a bridge crewmember serving as a mine dog handler with the K9 Detachment in the Army. She enlisted four years ago when she began basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood and went on to receive several awards including an Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon, according to Army officials. Sergeant Roque was a daughter, sister, friend, and Soldier who chose to serve our country bravely and honorably, Beck said at last weeks press briefing. Her passing has caused a tremendous void throughout our team, and while there are no words to ease the pain, we continue to provide care, resources, and support to those who are affected during this difficult time. Fort Leonard Wood officials are expected to hold a press conference on Friday. DURHAM One Durham man has requested the new voter registration form and affidavit of 136 individuals in the town, seeking to make sure they meet the qualifications to vote. Real estate broker Jeffrey Berlin has repeatedly sent in requests under New Hampshires Right to Know Law to the Durham town clerk's office for new voter registration forms and affidavits for the sole purpose of determining the accuracy of the qualified voter affidavit. He had also requested all new voter registration forms/affidavits in Durham in the calendar year of 2024 until the end of the election on Nov. 5, 2024, a request that was denied by the New Hampshire attorney generals office. After that, he started requesting the information for individual voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar requests have been seen around the country as false theories that noncitizens are voting in large numbers has mobilized Republican activists to scrutinize voter rolls, even though election officials already carefully maintain voter lists. New tools have popped up to challenge voter registrations, and, in a recent episode of "Last Week Tonight," host John Oliver explained how one woman in Georgia has sent in thousands of voter challenges. Durham Town Administrator Todd Selig said the town has been receiving many requests for information on new voters from one resident. On the, I think, Republican side, they're watching closely in terms of who's registering to ensure that folks registering to vote are, in fact, qualified to vote, which is a theme we've seen in past cycles, Durham Town Administrator Todd Selig said. He said that it is an "extraordinary busy time" in the town clerk's office, but part of their job is to respond to questions that people raise. It reflects the high tensions heading into the presidential election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan said voters "should be confident that the voters on the checklist are United States citizens." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election 2024: Seacoast NH and Maine polling places and times While he said there have been some isolated instances where a person was mistakenly registered using their green card, those instances were caught and those people removed from the voter checklist. Berlin said he had "no comment at this time." when reached via email about his requests for voter information in Durham. Town officials in Stratham, Rochester and Exeter said they have not received any similar requests. Voter challenges at the polling place Voter challenges, or when someone questions the eligibility of a voter to cast a ballot, are permitted by statute at the polling place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Individuals can challenge a particular voter for a specific reason by notifying a moderator and filling out a form. Then it is up to the moderator to make a ruling on whether it is a valid challenge. Bottom line is, if a voter is willing to sign a challenge voter affidavit, then they will receive a ballot. It may be marked by the moderator on the back, challenged voter number, and then a sequential order, and then that voter will be allowed to proceed to vote, Scanlan said. New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan at a polling place in Londonderry on Sept 10, 2024. Selig said there are typically challenges at the polls, but they are not handled by his office. In reality, we have very few challenges, but there are people observing, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rochester City Clerk Kelly Walters said there were a few challenges the last election, but the ballots were ultimately all accepted. She expects nothing out of the norm this election. Tensions high, but expectations of conflict low Selig and other Seacoast town officials do not anticipate conflict at the polling places this election, but said they are prepared. Exeter Town Moderator Kate Miller said police officers will be present in Exeter to make sure they can help cool things down if anything gets too heated. However, she said, Exeter voters tend to be super well behaved, and she is not anticipating any problems. Police officers will also be on site in Durham, said Selig, as they are every election. They will address any kind of issue that might arise: usually, the biggest problems stem from traffic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 5 takeaways: Ayotte, Craig spar on Trump, abortion, border in NH governor's debate: Selig said the Durham Police Department is also monitoring for any indications of election-focused violence, and they have not seen any so far. Scanlan said the secretary of state's office is taking polling place security very, very seriously. They have encouraged all local election officials to have a police officer present at polling places, and the attorney generals office will have dozens of representatives out in the field. Seacoast towns bracing for a busy Election Day In Durham, Stratham, and Rochester, officials are seeing higher than usual absentee ballot requests, suggesting overall turnout will follow suit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2016, 770 absentee ballots were cast in Durham. This year, the clerks office has distributed more than 1,000 already, according to Selig. The local officials' predictions are in line with Scanlan, who predicts a record voter turnout in New Hampshire. The local officials are also expecting high numbers of same-day voter registrations. Usually, Durham sees around 3,000 same-day registrations in presidential general elections, driven largely by University of New Hampshire students. This year, Selig said they are expecting 4,000 because of high interest in the election. The supervisors of the checklist in Durham have been running voter registration sessions at the Town Hall and on UNHs campus to register students and residents alike. While towns have been doing their best to register as many people as they can early, town officials say there may still be lines to register to vote on Election Day. But they emphasized they are doing everything they can to make the process smoother and quicker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters may have to wait in line to vote, too, but the secretary of state has directed polls to keep it under 30 minutes. Town officials on Election Day: 'Bring it on' Local election officials have been working hard to prepare for the election. Selig and Miller said that Durham and Exeter have tested the ballot machines and that the machines are ready to go. Bring it on, is what I say, Selig said. Stratham Town Clerk Deb Bakie said she and her office have done numerous trainings with the secretary of state. Myself and my staff feel confident that we're going to get through this election with flawless results, said Bakie. Seacoast NH election 2024 voter guide: Read about candidates, poll times, how to register Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officials encouraged everyone to come out to vote. Were hoping to see you, said Miller. Come early! This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Durham voter scrutiny doesn't change consensus: NH elections secure TOKYO, Nov 01 (News On Japan) - Eleven individuals suspected of laundering money gained through criminal activities were arrested for allegedly facilitating gambling through an online casino. Sotaro Ishikawa, one of the suspects, commented, "I wonder if I'll be arrested at home, or if they'll take me in. Which will it be?" The suspects, including 35-year-old Ishikawa, were taken into custody. According to police, since September of last year, these individuals are believed to have enabled gambling activities for eight customers on online casino slot machines, among other games, on a regular basis. Police have not disclosed whether the suspects have admitted to the allegations. The suspects allegedly operated under the name "Riverton Group," creating around 4,000 bank accounts under a non-existent paper company to deposit funds obtained through fraudulent activities. The group is suspected of repeatedly engaging in money laundering to conceal these crime proceeds. Police estimate the total sum laundered to date is approximately 70 billion yen, and further investigations are ongoing. NAGOYA, Nov 02 (News On Japan) - Ninoike, a 3,067 meter lake once shining in cobalt blue near the summit of Mount Ontake, has entirely dried up, leaving only mud in its place. Takashiro Kunitomo from the Ontake Volcano Research Institute said, "Not much is known about Ninoike, but one theory is that it was created by a phreatic eruption. It is believed to have formed between 30,000 and 10,000 years ago." The lake formed in a volcanic crater filled with water. But why has it disappeared? Kunitomo explained, "It was buried by volcanic ash from the 2014 eruption." In 2014, Mount Ontake experienced Japan's worst post-war volcanic disaster, with 58 people killed and 5 reported missing. Over the past ten years, volcanic ash from that eruption has continued to flow in, erasing a lake that is thought to have existed for over 10,000 years. Could the lake ever return to its former state? "I think it would be difficult," Kunitomo said. "The quickest way would be another phreatic eruption that could create an opening in that spot, but that would also bring damage, which is something we dont wish for." Source: ANN TOKYO, Nov 02 (News On Japan) - The Japan Association of Corporate Executives has expressed support for Prime Minister Ishiba's goal of raising the minimum wage to 1,500 by the 2020s, calling for it to be achieved within three years. Japan Association of Corporate Executives Representative Director Tsuyoshi Niinami: "I believe that setting the minimum wage at 1,500 is a significant litmus test for steering Japans economy toward genuine recovery." On October 31st, Niinami outlined the rationale behind this target, emphasizing the need to drive productivity through increased reliance on tools such as IT and AI (artificial intelligence), which improve efficiency. Source: ANN Every business in todays digital world depends on a strong online presence. Though building a website is an initial step, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a strategic method that guarantees it ranks well in search engines and reaches the proper audience. Selecting the correct SEO partner is an important choice that will greatly affect the online performance of your company. Improving the search engine presence of your website depends on an SEO partner. Hiring an appropriate SEO partner will evaluate a thorough examination of your website to pinpoint areas for development including keyword research, content optimization, link building, and technical SEO. SEO Goals and Objectives Before searching for an SEO partner, establish your goals and objectives. Understanding your goals will help you find an SEO partner who can adjust their approach to align with your unique requirements. Having well-defined objectives enables you to assess the competency of potential SEO collaborators. An experienced partner in san antonio seo company will inquire about your objectives initially, as having this knowledge enables them to develop a customized strategy. They will apply this information to determine the appropriate keywords, content emphasis, and strategies to assist you in achieving your goals. Having specific objectives helps monitor advancements and determine if the SEO partner is achieving the desired outcomes. Assessing the Skill and History of an SEO Partner Look for an experienced SEO who has demonstrated a history of success. Make sure to investigate potential partners by examining their portfolios, case studies, and client reviews. Search for an SEO company that has effectively assisted comparable businesses in reaching their objectives, particularly if they have expertise in your particular sector. You should also assess their knowledge of various aspects of SEO. SEO consists of technical optimization, on-page and off-page SEO, content generation, and additional components. A proficient SEO will possess a diverse range of skills and demonstrate success in different areas. Evaluating Communication Having an SEO partner in San Antonio SEO company who is transparent and responsive will ensure that you feel assured and well-informed during the optimization process. During the first meeting, focus on how the SEO Company explains its strategy, timeframe, and anticipated outcomes. Do they have a clear understanding of the actions they will implement to reach your objectives? Good communication is crucial for success in any business partnership, including in the field of SEO. Transparency Transparency is also essential, especially when it comes to outcomes and communication. A reliable SEO will offer consistent reports and updates on the advancement of their tasks. They will exchange information about important metrics including traffic increase, keyword positions, and conversion rates. This degree of transparency enables you to monitor your ROI and grasp how the SEO tactics are helping your company. Examining Their Tools and Technologies A skilled SEO collaborator utilizes a range of instruments and technologies to improve their offerings and effectively evaluate performance. While searching, inquire with potential SEO partners about the tools they utilize for keyword research, tracking, and analytics. Reliable SEO tools offer valuable information on how your website is performing and the success of your SEO approach. The tools that an SEO partner uses can indicate how dedicated they are to offering quality services. Reliable tools aid in maintaining accurate data, enabling the SEO partner to make well-informed decisions and changes using real-time information. A partners ability to use advanced tools indicates their expertise and potential to achieve positive outcomes. Bobrisky Social media personality Okuneye Idris, widely known as Bobrisky, was detained and removed from an Amsterdam-bound KLM flight late Thursday night by immigration officials while attempting to leave Nigeria. Bobrisky shared the incident on Instagram, alleging he sustained injuries during a confrontation with officers and accusing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of orchestrating his detention. He posted, Nigerians help me, EFCC just arrested me. Im badly injured. Bobriskys troubles started on October 22 when he was stopped at the Seme border while reportedly trying to flee the country. His legal issues stem back to April 2024, when he was sentenced to six months in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos for naira abuse. Although assigned to Kirikiri Prison, rumors surfaced that Bobrisky was relocated after three weeks, allegedly in exchange for a ?15 million bribe. In late September, the situation intensified when influencer VeryDarkMan leaked an audio recording in which Bobrisky purportedly claimed that music artist Falz and his father, human rights lawyer Femi Falana, sought ?10 million to secure him a presidential pardon. On October 16, the Falanas demanded a public apology and retraction, calling the statements defamatory. Bobrisky denied making the claims, asserting that the Falanas should direct their concerns at VeryDarkMan instead. By Ariyo Orukotan Famous American rapper, Jeffrey Williams widely known as Young Thug, has been released after accepting a plea deal in his racketeering trial. Gistreel recalls that Young Thug was arrested and imprisoned in May 2022 on racketeering and gang-related charges, alongside several affiliates of his record label, YSL Records. According to The New York Times, Young Thug was released on Thursday, resulting in a 15-year probation sentence. As part of his 15-year probation sentence, Young Thug must serve 100 hours of community service and deliver four annual anti-gang presentations to children. Its worth noting that the Grammy-winning rappers trial has been one of the longest in Georgias history. By Rachel Okporu Fadoju Nigerian comedian, Oluwaseyitan Aletile, also known as Seyi Law, has queried the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the arrest of Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky. Naija News reported that the EFCC confirmed the re-arrest of Bobrisky, in Lagos. The prominent crossdresser took to his Instagram account to inform his followers about the incident, claiming he had sustained injuries during a confrontation with the immigration officers. Bobrisky accused the EFCC of being behind his detention. He posted, Nigerians help me, EFCC just arrested me. Im badly injured. Sources suggest that his arrest was due to his lack of response to several invitations from the commission following his accusations against the EFCC. He was removed from a KLM flight bound for Amsterdam at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and subsequently detained by immigration officials late Thursday night while attempting to depart for London, United Kingdom. In a post via X, Seyi tackled EFCC for allowing Bobrisky to get on the plane before re-arresting him and questioned if any court had issued a travel restriction to the crossdresser. He said, I dont understand this Bobriskys case abeg. Did any court ask him not to travel? Why allow him to get on the plane and humiliate him like this? Senegal has entered a crucial phase of political maneuvering as parties vie for control of the national assembly in the upcoming November 17 legislative election. The contest represents a critical test for President Bassirou Diomaye Fayes reform agenda, following his decisive victory in the recent presidential election. The dissolution of parliament last month set the stage for an intense campaign season, marked by elaborate rallies and nationwide political caravans. Fayes Pastef party seeks a parliamentary majority to implement its ambitious 25-year development strategy, which promises economic diversification and expanded employment opportunities. However, an unexpected alliance between former ruling parties poses a significant challenge to Fayes agenda. The coalition, uniting the political forces of former presidents Macky Sall and Abdoulaye Wade, commanded a substantial majority in the previous assembly with 106 of 165 seats. Adding complexity to the political landscape, Pastef has chosen to campaign independently rather than forming traditional coalitions, though it has recruited some former allies of the previous administration. The race also features participation from additional opposition groups led by former Prime Minister Amadou Ba and Dakars mayor Barthelemy Dias. Political analysts view this election as a crucial indicator of public support for Fayes reform program, particularly given his decisive presidential victory. The outcome will determine the governments ability to implement its proposed economic and social reforms effectively. The UN Security Council decided on Thursday to extend the MINURSO mandate for another year, until 31 October 2025, reaffirming support for Moroccan autonomy initiative offering lasting & peaceful solution to the Sahara regional conflict. The new resolution 2756 was adopted with an overwhelming majority. Twelve members of the Council voted in favor, two abstained (Russia and Mozambique), while Algeria, a non-permanent member chose not to vote for the resolution to avoid humiliation as it failed to serve its own geopolitical agenda because it is the main party to the Sahara regional conflict. For the Security Council, the realistic, serious and credible autonomy plan offered by Morocco for the Sahara under its sovereignty is the benchmark and the only doable solution to the Sahara regional conflict Algeria has been called back by the Council to the roundtable talks to advance the UN-led political process engaged to find a last solution to the Sahara issue. The United States, the penholder on the Sahara at the Security Council, has rejected a proposal submitted by Algerias delegate to UN for extending MINURSO mandate to include human rights monitoring. The amendment was also rejected by France, another permanent member of UN Security Council with veto power. The penholder also ditched another amendment put forward by Russia which did not support the Algerian proposal, reflecting the deep crack between Moscow and Algiers. Algeria uses constantly its non-permanent seat at UN Security Council to undermine Moroccos territorial integrity derailing UN debates and unveiling its advocacy for separatism threatening regional peace and stability. This year, Algeria, which is sitting at the Security Council, finds itself in an extremely uncomfortable position as everybody knows that it is the main stakeholder in the Sahara issue, fueling a proxy conflict against neighboring Morocco. Moroccan military and defense cooperation with the United Arab Emirates and Cape Verde was discussed on the sidelines of Marrakech Air Show 2024 held October 30 through November 2. In this connection, Inspector General of the FAR and Commander of the South Zone, Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid, held separate meetings Thursday with Chief of Staff of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, Major General Issa Saif bin Ablan Al Mazrouei, and Chief of Staff of the Cape Verde Armed Forces, Rear Admiral Antonio Duarte Monteiro. Talks with the Chief of Staff of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces focused on training, exchange of visits and expertise, as well as the defense industry. During the meeting, the two officials welcomed the level of this cooperation, and reiterated their willingness to further bolster it, in line with the supreme will of the two brotherly countries leaders, a statement from the FAR General Staff said. Cooperation between the FAR and the UAE Armed Forces dates back to 1980, when the first military agreement was signed. It was subsequently strengthened by the framework agreement signed in May 2006. The meeting with the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Cape Verde reviewed various aspects of military cooperation between the two countries armies, in particular in the fields of training and participation in multinational exercises. The two officials welcomed the level of bilateral cooperation and discussed ways of strengthening and extending this cooperation to other areas of common interest. Based on mutual trust and respect, relations between Morocco and Cape Verde are steadfast, contributing to attaining common objectives and the promotion of the African continent in a stable and secure framework. The 7th Marrakech Air Show, an international exhibition dedicated to aeronautics and space, is hosted by the citys military airbase, and is organised jointly by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the National Defence Administration and MEDZ, a subsidiary of the Caisse de Depot et de Gestion. Since its launch in 2008, the MAS has steadily grown over the years, testifying to its appeal and Moroccos positioning as a global aerospace industry hub. The countrys strategic position, combined with its world-class infrastructure and investment in technology, makes it a key regional hub for the aerospace and defence industry. The Marrakech Air Show has established itself as a unique platform for the exchange and collaboration of key players in the global aeronautics industry. This new edition promises to be even richer in novelties and business opportunities. Thanks to the Royal vision, a strong aerospace industry has developed over the last 20 years, offering incredible potential opportunities to global players in the sector. Today, there are more than 147 companies operating in Morocco, creating over 20,000 jobs and a 40% integration rate, one of the highest in the world. Some 300 exhibitors are participating in this years show, displayed over 12,500 m2 of exhibition space, and featured spectacular aerial demonstrations, a dynamic exhibition, and a rich program of high-level conferences dealing with emerging trends and current and future challenges in the sector. This years event focused on innovation and new technologies, with an area dedicated to start-ups and research projects. The challenges of energy transition and sustainable mobility were also at the heart of the debates. The event stood as a platform to strike new partnerships and discover the latest innovations and technologies in the presence of the worlds leading players in aeronautics. The Marrakech Air Show is held every two years. Morocco welcomed the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2756, which stressed the need for all four parties to the conflict- including Algeria- to return to the round tables process, while considering the Moroccan autonomy plan as serious and credible. The resolution extended the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission MINURSO for another year till October 31, 2025 and urged the cessation of all hostilities to facilitate the resumption of the political process, echoing the Moroccan stance. The text was adopted with 12 votes and two abstentions while Algeria, a non-permanent member, did not participate in the vote. The resolution, adopted today, preserves all Moroccos achievements, while introducing new important elements for the issues future development within the UN, Moroccos foreign ministry said in a statement. The resolution cited Algeria as many times as Morocco as a main party to the conflict and reaffirmed the need to work towards a political solution that can only be realistic, feasible and based on compromise. In this respect, the resolution highlights the pre-eminence of Moroccos autonomy plan. The delusional and autocratic Algerian regime has suffered in New York its worst ever diplomatic setback at the UN Security Council over the Sahara issue. Serving as a non-permanent member at the Security Council for a limited period, the reckless Algerian rulers, who are suffering from delusions of grandeur, thought their country has become a global influential power which can shape the world the way they want it to be. However, they were hit by reality of international relations. They bitterly realized their countrys weight on the international scene after Washington and Paris rejected the amendments made by Algeria UN Delegate to the resolution circulated by Washington, penholder on the Sahara. On Thursday, Algeria watched helplessly the Security Council adopting the resolution 2756 (2024) which extended by an additional year the MINURSO and praised the autonomy plan offered by Morocco for the Sahara under its sovereignty for a lasting resolution of the Sahara issue. The resolution was passed with an overwhelming majority by the 15-member of UN Security Council with 12 votes in favor, zero against and two abstentions. Algeria did not participate in the vote which has crushed all its dreams of reversing the dynamic of growing international support for Morocco territorial integrity. Commenting the resolution, the Representative of the United States reiterated support for Moroccos autonomy described as serious, credible and realistic solution to the Sahara regional conflict. He stressed the need to build on the current dynamic gaining momentum, affirming that negotiations for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution are urgently needed without further delay. The representative of the United States said it is more urgent than ever to reach a political solution for Sahara and that Council members should lend all possible support for a solution that is just, lasting and mutually acceptable. For his part, the Representative of France reiterated Paris supportive stand for Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara as stated by President Emmanuel Macron during his latest state visit to the North African Kingdom. He affirmed that for France the present and the future of the Sahara lie within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty, reiterating his countrys clear and constant support for the autonomy plan as the only basis for resolving this regional dispute. The French diplomat has commended the inclusive socio-economic development achieved in the southern provinces of Morocco. The low-intensity hostilities should not make us forget the risks that this conflict poses to the stability of the region and to the local populations, he added. The French speaker welcomed the resumption of refuelling operations at its observation sites east of the Berm, underscoring the importance of respecting MINURSOs freedom of movement. He added that his delegation did not vote on Algerias proposed amendment because it believes that the mandate in its current form is adapted to the situation in Sahara. This resolution reaffirms the Councils commitment to assisting the parties in achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution based on compromise, said the United Kingdoms representative. Several other speakers saw renewing MINURSOs mandate as key to the regions well-being. We think this is critical to maintaining stability in the area, Ecuadors delegate said. For his part, the Delegate of Sierra Leone urged all parties to the conflict to resume round-table engagements, highlighting the international momentum for the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative. The UN Security Resolution 2756 called upon the parties (Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania and Polisario front) to negotiate under the Secretary-Generals auspices in good faith, building on progress achieved. The Security Council reaffirmed commitment to assist the parties to the conflict to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, based on compromise. Gotion Power Morocco, a subsidiary of Chinese giant Gotion High Tech, signed a deal under which Saudi Arabias ACWA Power will build a 500MW wind plant, worth 800 million dollars. The plant will be equipped with 2000 MW battery storage system and will help power the EV battery plant that Gotion Power Morocco is building in Kenitra. The company said the deal with ACWA Power marks a significant milestone in our commitment to sustainability. Gotion Power Morocco becomes the first Gigafactory with its own dedicated solar and wind farm, the company said on its Linkedin account. This positions us as a leading, sustainable player in EV and BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) across the EMEA region, paving the way for a cleaner, more affordable energy future, it said. The $1.3 billion gigafactory will start production in 2026 and will export 85% of its output. The plant will be located in Kenitra and will start with a capacity of 20 gigawatts per hour and eventual capacity of 120 gwh. The investment is the first of its kind in Africa and the Middle East and is conducive to Moroccos push to be a leader in EV battery manufacturing. The plant is also part of Moroccos plan to attract 50 billion dollars in high added value investments between 2022 and 2026 with a potential to create 500,000 jobs. Despite fierce competition, Morocco attracted these major investments thanks to its assets, including political stability, geographic location, investment-friendly climate, and skilled labor force. Moroccos free trade agreements also offer access to major markets, further encouraging EV battery makers to set up plants in the country. Gotions investment is the largest in the EV battery field in Morocco, where other Chinese manufacturers have already announced big plans. In May, Chinese auto battery manufacturers Hailiang and Shinzoom announced two separate plans to produce copper and anodes respectively for a combined total nearing 1 billion dollars in Tanger Tech. In April, BTR New Material Group signed a deal with the Moroccan government to set up a cathodes plant, critical to EV battery manufacturing. In September last year, CNGR Advanced Materials partnered with Moroccan private investment fund Al Mada to build an electric vehicle battery plant in Jorf Lasfar worth 2 billion dollars. Besides phosphates, Morocco is rich with cobalt, a critical requirement in EV battery manufacturing. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images To anybody interested in contesting the 2024 election: Go right ahead. But please take a lesson from (very) recent history. If you cross the line, there will be consequences. Heres a handy list of some things you might be considering that are sure to land you in varying depths of shit. First, check your states rules, and, if permitted, request an official recount. Most (not all) states allow some form of recount, either automatic or by request, typically depending on the vote margin. You may also have a legal right to request a post-election audit (emphasis on post-election), but remember, this is a mechanical process and not some inquisition for digital hanging chads. If youve already filed a lawsuit challenging mail-in ballots or vote tabulation, then best of luck to you. But to manage expectations, keep in mind the broad legal principle that courts shouldnt make changes to voting methodology shortly before an election. So for the sake of your lawsuit, I hope you filed it a long time ago. Ill assume nobodys seriously thinking of storming anything. If you need a reminder on that, heres a handy database, created by the United States Department of Justice, to track the 1,200-plus federal criminal prosecutions of folks who attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Click around for some specific reminders: You could get 35 to 43 months, like Charles Donohoe of Kernersville, North Carolina, or 57 months, like Ryan Swoope of Perry, Ohio. And for those considering inciting a mob, or sowing chaos to create delay and confusion, even from a safe physical distance highly recommended that you give that a pass. Feeling like you might want to seek a remedy in court, rather than at the end of a sharpened flagpole? Okay, but lets be responsible. As we discussed up front, go ahead and request a recount, if your states law allows. But lets steer clear of making up facts and inventing conspiracy theories and filing patently false court papers. Thatll get you indicted, sued, or disbarred maybe even all three, if you aspire to become the next Rudy Giuliani. Relatedly: If anybody approaches and asks you to sign on to a slate of electors for the candidate other than the one who your state actually voted for, thats a red flag. I recommend you politely decline. A few dozen folks tried that last time, and now many of them are criminal defendants. Heres another handy database, compiled by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, tracking those cases. (Anytime its in database form, take that as a warning.) Another sure way to avoid landing at the defendants table in criminal court: Dont tap into voting machines, either digitally or with a hammer and a screwdriver. Yes, some states allow for post-election audits, but the thing is theres no do-it-yourself option on the menu. Leave it to the actual public officials in charge of elections. This next part is directed at an admittedly niche audience. If you happen to be a leading constitutional scholar, or if you sometimes pretend to be one, lets tread carefully with bad-faith legal justifications for coup attempts. Im all for creativity and aggression in legal proceedings. But when you know your argument is doomed, and when you make it to help out a broader effort to throw the electoral system into chaos, you do so at your own risk. You might find yourself listed as a co-conspirator in a federal case (not great for the old professional reputation) or even facing state-level indictment. Finally, lets watch what we say out there. Yes, its an election, and yes, political speech is entitled to the broadest First Amendment protection. But if we intentionally lie about folks, they might sue for defamation. If you feel like promoting bogus theories about election fraud on a broad scale, I hope you have $787 million or so to spare. Or if youd just prefer to fabricate and spread vicious lies about completely innocent election workers, $150 million or so should do the trick. Dont let me bring the mood down. The election is right around the corner, and its a wonderful time to express and exercise the whole gamut of constitutional rights. Vote, talk smack, knock on doors, post on social media, stare at the shaky probability needle on those data-analytics websites, donate money to your favorite candidate, give somebody a ride to the polling place (totally legal, by the way), get in arguments with your family members over text, call in to a radio show, put up a lawn sign, watch the returns, yell and scream in delight or frustration. Its a dramatic time. Its how our system works. Lean into it. But lets also learn a lesson from the past few years. This isnt The Purge, a special day when no laws apply. The lines are fairly well defined now, given all weve been through the past four years, and theyre pretty far out on the extremes. So lets respect those boundaries, lets protect ourselves, and lets practice some democracy. This article will also appear in the free CAFE Brief newsletter. You can find more analysis of law and politics from Elie Honig, Preet Bharara, Joyce Vance, and other CAFE contributors at cafe.com. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer Reddits first year as a publicly traded firm is going great. The company, which is nearly 20 years old, shared an extremely strong earnings report this week: Revenue is up 68 percent year over year, daily active unique visitors are up 47 percent, an Reddit turned a profit for the first time in its entire history. The earnings exceeded analyst expectations, and the stock price shot up more than 40 percent. Reddit had no shortage of other good numbers to share. Ad revenue increased 56 percent year over year to $315 million, while other revenue, mostly from AI licensing deals, went up 547 percent to $33 million, a number thats comparatively small but that contributes heavily to the companys profitability. Its revenue per user is also up slightly, meaning that visits are being monetized more effectively on average. After years of slow growth and a stubborn inability to make money despite its size and influence, Reddit is blowing up. Reddits growth and trajectory are undeniable. In its news release and letter to investors, though, theyre also somewhat underexplained. Why might a mature, mostly unchanged platform suddenly start growing like a viral start-up? (Reddits last quarterly report included similarly eye-popping growth numbers.) The company suggests a number of factors machine translation to localize content for new markets, better posting interfaces and tools for users but ends up talking around the obvious answer: Google, the most popular website in the world and largest traffic referrer on the internet by far, is sending more people to Reddit. Way more. The backstory here is a bit fuzzy and contested, but the basic outline is this: Late last year, Google began prioritizing certain sources of user-generated content in Search in an effort to surface more first-person perspectives in response to queries. This, among other less clearly explained changes, seemed to result in more visibility for forumlike sites like Quora and especially Reddit, which some users were already adding to queries as a sort of hack to make search results better (best iphone battery reddit, for example). It also corresponded with a massive drop in traffic to a range of online publishers, caught the attention of Google analysts and search-engine optimization (SEO) experts, and sent waves of panic through online media, which depends heavily on Google for finding readers. Reddits surge is unprecedented, says Lily Ray, a VP at marketing consultancy Amsive. Weve never seen anything like it in the SEO space. Between July and August of 2023, Ray says, Reddit really started to take off in terms of visibility across thousands of popular searches. Now, for informational searches a term of art referring to queries in which the user has a specific question to answer youre going to see reddit.com ranking near the top. (Among web publishers and SEO experts, theres a widely held belief that this change is related to Googles AI licensing deal with Reddit, which was disclosed earlier this year; the companies deny that the two are related.) The source of Reddits growth is also evident in its official numbers, although it doesnt break out Google or search traffic specifically. For example, its logged-in daily active-unique-visitor numbers are up 27 percent globally, while its logged-out daily active-unique-visitor numbers are up 70 percent. In Q3 of last year, logged-in users accounted for a slim majority of daily unique visits to Reddit; this year, logged-out visitors have taken the lead. This is consistent with growth driven by people tapping on Reddit links in Google rather than organic growth from people seeking out Reddit specifically. In his letter to investors, CEO Steve Huffman mentions how important Reddit has become to Google Reddit was the sixth most Googled word in the U.S., he notes but is somewhat more oblique in talking about how important Google has become to Reddit. This is as close as he gets (bolding mine): Looking ahead, improving the search experience on Reddit is a key part of our strategy. We want to ensure that all users have the best experience possible. This includes users coming to Reddit from external search and those searching directly on Reddit looking for recommendations on what to buy, what to watch, or which products or services are the best. We know many users are looking for more than just answers; they are looking for authentic, real-world insights and advice from the communities on Reddit. We are focused on making the experience of navigating conversations and content on Reddit easier and more intuitive. Again, things are going well for Reddit, and getting lots of new visitors, some of whom will become active users and contributors to the platform, making it more useful and valuable, is good news in multiple ways. But getting a majority of your traffic your main source of revenue as an ad-supported business from a much larger partner is not without risks. Just ask those websites that just watched their previous visitors get redirected to Reddit en masse. Or the collapsing American news media! Reddit built its reputation as a community of communities, a site where people intentionally spend time and occasionally contribute in the form of posts, conversations, or volunteer moderation. Its users were motivated by the presence of other users; relatedly, for better or for worse, the company had to be at least somewhat responsive to the demands of Redditors, whom it depended on both for advertising revenue and as a source of free content and labor. (In the run-up to its IPO, however, Reddit ran out of patience for this dynamic and reasserted its authority over a restless mod community.) If Reddit begins to function more as a de facto extension of Google as a website full of highly searchable content rather than a mostly self-contained community it will have to deal with different challenges. Already, spammers trying to take advantage of Reddits visibility in Google are pumping the site full of inauthentic and often AI-generated parasite SEO content, creating new work for already-beleaguered volunteer moderators. In 2007, Demand Media, a company that existed to get Google traffic, rode a mutually beneficial arrangement with the search engine to a valuation that briefly exceeded that of the New York Times. Demand Media was a fairly cynical content farm that paid freelancers small fees to produce huge quantities of passable search fodder, which for a brief period filled gaps in Googles results pages. Reddit, which couldnt be more different in terms of history, its role within the broader web, and its relationship with users, nonetheless finds itself performing a similar function and deriving similar benefits. Its not a bad deal! But its potentially a risky one, especially now that Reddit is refusing indexing from other search engines with connections to AI firms, which is basically all of them. Reddits new success is at Googles mercy, in other words, a fact of which both firms are acutely aware: If the search giant decides to start showing fewer Reddit links, or perhaps starts summarizing more of them with AI it paid for access to all that data, after all the companys wild growth could stall or reverse, which is a bit more of a problem now that it has a ticker symbol. Reddits current task is to try to convert its new traffic into users wholl stick around, talk to one another, and keep producing enough actual credible, interesting, or useful content to keep other users around but also for Google to harvest and advertise against. For years, Reddit had to answer to its investors and its users, whose desires werent always aligned. Now, it has to answer to the most powerful website on the internet. A week ago, renewables utility company NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE) delivered a healthy third-quarter earnings report. During the third quarter earnings call, CEO John Ketchum told investors that the company is currently evaluating the possibility of reopening its Duane Arnold nuclear power plant in Iowa amid growing interest from data center companies. According to Ketchum, Duane Arnolds boiling water reactor makes it easier to restart and operate economically compared to other nuclear power plants. However, Ketchum said he was not bullish on small modular reactors (SMRs), adding that the companys in-house SMR research unit has so far not drawn favorable conclusions about the technology. A lot of [SMR equipment manufacturers] are very strained financially, he said. There are only a handful that really have capitalization that could actually carry them through the next several years. Ketchum might have a valid point. Small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors with power capacities that range from 50-300 MW(e) per unit, compared to 700+ MW(e) per unit for traditional nuclear power reactors. Given their smaller footprint, SMRs can be sited on locations not suitable for larger nuclear power plants, such as retired coal plants. Prefabricated SMR units can be manufactured, shipped and then installed on site, making them more affordable to build than large power reactors. Additionally, SMRs are supposed to offer significant savings in cost and construction time, and can also be deployed incrementally to match increasing power demand. Another key advantage: SMRs have reduced fuel requirements, and can be refueled every 3 to 7 years compared to between 1 and 2 years for conventional nuclear plants. Indeed, some SMRs are designed to operate for up to 30 years without refueling. Related: New Survey Shows Grim Outlook For Oil Markets The U.S. Department of Energy has so far spent $1.2B on SMR R&D and is projected to spend nearly $6B over the next decade. Last year, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) certified NuScale Power Corp.(NYSE:SMR) VOYGR 77 MW SMR in Poland, the first ever SMR to be approved in the country. But theres a big problem here because the fuel required to power these novel nuclear plants might be really expensive. Three years ago, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved Centrus Energy Corp.s (NYSE:LEU) request to make High Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) at its enrichment facility in Piketon, Ohio, becoming the first company in the western world outside Russia to do so. A year later, the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) announced a ~$150 million cost-shared award to American Centrifuge Operating, LLC, a subsidiary of Centrus Energy. HALEU is a nuclear fuel material enriched to a higher degree (between 5% and 20%) in the fissile isotope U-235. According to the World Nuclear Association, applications for HALEU are currently limited to research reactors and medical isotope production; however, HALEU will be needed for more than half of the SMRs currently in development. HALEU is only currently available from TENEX, a Rosatom subsidiary. Centrus estimates that a full-scale HALEU cascade--which involves scaling-up its 16-centrifuge cascade at the Piketon plant to 120 centrifuges--could produce ~6,000 kg/y of the fuel. However, the company says that ramp-up will require sufficient funding and offtake commitments. Still, it represents a fraction of the 40 metric tons of HALEU the DoE estimates will be required by the sector by 2030. A 2023 survey by the Nuclear Energy Institute on U.S. advanced reactor developers estimated that the total market for HALEU could reach $1.6 billion by 2030 and $5.3 billion by 2035. Last year, the Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA) published a report wherein they discussed production costs for HALEU. Heres an excerpt from the report: Calculated HALEU production cost for uranium enriched to 19.75% is $23,725/kgU for HALEU in an oxide form and $25,725 for HALEU in a metallic form under baseline economic assumptions but could be higher. The report claims that a SWU (Separative Work Unit) is going to cost a lot more in a HALEU enrichment cascade compared to a standard LEU (Low-Enriched Uranium) enrichment cascade. SWU is the standard measure of the effort required to separate isotopes of uranium (U235 and U238) during an enrichment process in nuclear facilities(1 SWU is equivalent to 1 kg of separative work). NIA estimates that a LEU SWU will cost $150 but that a HALEU SWU will cost $1,000. According to the NIA, to save money, youd make low-enrichment uranium first, then use the produced LEU as the feed for a HALEU enrichment cascade. Source: Energy From Thorium NIA reckons it might cost ~$2000/kgU to make HALEUF6 into HALEUO2, and as much as $4000/kgU to make HALEUF6 into HALEU-metal. At the end of the day, you'd end up with HALEU with 28 times the fissile content of natural uranium at over 100 times the price. In an interesting blog, Kirk Sorensen, founder of Flibe Energy, has worked out that it would cost anywhere from $10-$20/MWh on fuel costs alone to generate electricity from HALEU, multiples higher than for standard nuclear plants where fuel costs account for a small part of the overall electricity bill. But, dont give up on SMR tech just yet: Centrus shares have tripled over the past five weeks after the company signed a nuclear fuel supply deal with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP). The purchase commitment from KHNP covers a decade of deliveries of Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) to help fuel Korea's large fleet of reactors. Source: Seeking Alpha By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com OPECs production increased by 370,000 barrels per day in October, a new Bloomberg survey has found. OPECs October production increasethanks to Libyas political resolution and its resultant 500,000 barrel-per-day output boostadds another layer of complexity to the groups ongoing struggle to manage global oil markets. Libyas output recovery led OPEC to raise its production to nearly 30 million barrels daily, even as Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia lowered their output. The backdrop of the groups production boost is a murky market landscape: Brent crude oil prices have dropped nearly 19% since early April, falling to below $74 per barrel, driven by demand fears in China and production from OPEC that exceeds its quota. At $74 per barrel, many OPEC+ nations may find it difficultor impossible--to cover government spending, even for key players like Saudi Arabia, which has been strategically cutting production to support prices and pushing other members to stick with the plan. OPEC+ now faces a critical choice. The group is scheduled to begin monthly output increases in December, but given the current market fragility that several anonymous delegates spoke to Bloomberg about, theres little faith that they will follow through with this plan. The group has always maintained that its planning production cuts rollback would depend on market conditions. The question now is, are the current market conditions sufficient for OPEC to increase production even more? Many delegates suggest that proceeding with scheduled hikes could intensify market oversupply issues, keeping prices uncomfortably low for many members. OPEC+ ministers will meet on December 1 to lay out the plan for next year, but in the meantime, they face a near-impossible balancing act. A resolution to Libyas crisis is a short-term boon, but without clear and consistent quota compliance from members like Iraq, the group risks intensifying a market imbalance. Its becoming clear that OPEC+ may need to implement stricter compliance measures or risk losing control over the very markets it has worked to stabilize. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com World War III is a proxy war, almost in its entirety. And Russias proxies are no longer simply its non-state (formerly Wagner) mercenaries, which Putin now fully controls. Now, its North Korea, which is desperate for the leverage it can win by being one of Putins puppets. The origins of the narrative that places North Korean troops in Ukraine, fighting for Russia, are found in South Korean intelligence. While there have been wild estimations of how many North Korean troops have been sent to Russia (first for training and then allegedly for deployment to Ukraine), South Korean intelligence has so far put the number at 1,500. Such a number suggests we are talking about snipers or special forces, not front-line cannon fodder. The South Korean intelligence combined with the June agreement between Putin and Kim Jong Un to hasten their military cooperation has given longer legs to this narrative. More recently, this week, the U.S. said there are 8,000 North Korean troops in Russias Kursk, where Ukraine is holding territory. For now, this is only a developing situation, even if Kyiv is keen to inflate reports of sightings of North Korean combat forces on the ground in Ukraine. The military partnership between North Korea and Russia will be tricky and it is extremely fragile. But its a deal that North Korea is desperate for, and we expect Pyongyang to be fairly exuberant with its offers to help out in Ukraine. But it will come at a price for Putin sooner rather ExxonMobil has completed the sale of the Fos-sur-Mer refinery in France, its only processing facility in the Mediterranean region, to a consortium composed of Entara and Trafigura, the buyers said on Friday. The deal includes the Toulouse and Villette-de-Vienne terminals, operated by Exxons local unit Esso. The consortium, Rhone Energies, has committed to a long-term agreement with Esso SAF to continue to supply to its downstream business in the region. With the sale of the 140,000 barrels per day refinery, Exxon is thus reducing its total refining capacity in Europe to about 1.1 million bpd, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Still, Exxon remains the second-largest refining capacity holder in northwestern Europe, after Frances TotalEnergies. Exxon is also close to divesting its 25% stake in a German refinery, MiRO Mineraloelraffinerie Oberrhein GmbH. Last year, Exxon agreed to sell its stake in MiRO, the second-largest refinery in Germany, to Alcmene, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liwathon Group, which specializes in midstream oil and commodity trading. However, the deal has yet to be completed. Oil trading houses have recently moved to scoop refining assets from Big Oil, which is divesting non-core downstream capacities to reduce emissions and focus on core key growth upstream areas. After two years of exceptional profits in 2022 and 2023, the worlds biggest independent traders are looking to expand their reach and to reinvest part of the cash, including in refineries. Vitol Group, for example, last year signed a deal to buy 35% of the Saras refinery in Italy after reaching a deal with members of the Moratti family. Glencore also made the list of the biggest oil traders buying refineries from Big Oil. In May, Shell reached an agreement to sell its refining and chemicals assets in Singapore to CAPGC Pte. Ltd., a joint venture company between Chandra Asri Capital and Glencore Asian Holdings. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Crude oil prices are on course to end the week with a loss, weighed down by demand concerns and a hypothetical increase in supply. Prices started the day trending higher following the news that Iran may be planning its retaliation against Israels latest attack and that the retaliatory strike could take place over this weekend, according to Israeli intelligence sources, cited by media. Per the reports, the attack was going to be carried out from Iraq and involve drones and ballistic missiles. The benchmarks ticked up following the news, with Brent crude trading at $74.16 per barrel at the time of writing, and West Texas Intermediate changing hands at $70.63 per barrel. Still, prices remain susceptible to downward pressure, with the prospect of OPEC+ bringing back close to 200,000 bpd in supply from next month front and center in traders mindseven though there are doubts the group will indeed bring any supply back. Earlier this week Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources close to OPEC+ as saying the cartel was considering a delay in the planned easing of production cuts because of the price environment. The December hike could be postponed as the market is not healthy enough, one of the sources told the publication. OPEC+ is collectively withholding some 5.86 million barrels daily in oil supply. The December rollback was planned at 180,000 bpd but if prices remain vulnerable, the rollback is going to be delayed. According to three of the Reuters sources, the delay would be at least a month. In fact, it could be longer because OPEC+ has made it abundantly clear it would not simply proceed with the return of supply on the market unless prices are high enough to justify such a return. Meanwhile, prices remain volatile. Despite the crude oil market looking to lock in a third straight day of gains, it has been unable to completely erase the large gap lower that followed Monday's re-open, IG analyst Tony Sycamore told Reuters. Looking ahead, the top factors affecting oil will be the U.S. presidential election and Chinas new stimulus package. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Slovakias state-owned gas buyer SPP said on Friday that Europe is not on the verge of reaching a deal to replace pipeline Russian gas with Azerbaijans gas. Europe is scrambling to replace supply from Russia from January 1 because the remaining pipeline gas flows from Russia to the EU via the Ukraine transit route are set to stop from December 31 when the five-year transit deal with Ukraine expires. Ukraine has already said on several occasions that it would not extend the current gas transit deal. Russia has signaled willingness to negotiate an extension of the deal, but Ukraine has been firm in saying it wouldnt engage with Russia in discussions about prolonging the deal. Several EU member states, including Slovakia and Hungary, continue to receive Russian pipeline gas via Ukraine, although Russias Gazprom has cut off many other EU customers from its supply. Slovakia has said it would like to continue using the route via Ukraine. The EU energy ministers have been discussing replacing Russia with Azerbaijan as a supplier, but no particular details have been revealed so far. On Thursday, Bloomberg News reported, citing sources familiar with the plans, that companies from Hungary and Slovakia are close to signing a deal to receive 12-14 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year from Azerbaijan. However, Slovakias state-owned gas firm and buyer SPP told Reuters on Friday that there isnt an imminent deal for replacing Russian gas. We regularly discuss the topic with our partners, but the information about the upcoming conclusion of a gas supply contract with the participation of SPP is not true, SPP said in a statement to Reuters. The EU is nowhere near an agreement on replacing Russian flows, and a possible deal could even be struck at the 11th hour or early next year, anonymous sources familiar with the discussions told Bloomberg last month. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The UK offshore oil and gas industry says that the recent standoff with the government over tax policies is over, even as the Labour cabinet proceeded, as planned, with a tax hike that further raised the fiscal burden on the sector. Earlier this week, the UKs Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, unveiled her first budget for the Labour government. In the Autumn Statement on Wednesday, Reeves confirmed that the windfall tax on UK North Sea operators, officially known as the Energy Profits Levy (EPL), is rising to 38% from 35%, effective November 1, 2024. The tax will now expire on 31 March 2030, a year later than the previous tax regime. The government is also removing the 29% investment allowance. However, it is maintaining the 100% first-year allowances and the decarbonization allowances, to ensure the oil and gas industry can protect jobs and support our energy security, the Chancellor said. Offshore Energies UK, the leading trade body, said in a response to the tax hike that with an increase in tax despite commodity prices at recent lows, there is no hiding that this is a difficult day for the sector. However, OEUKs CEO David Whitehouse said We welcome that the government will consult in early 2025 on how the oil and gas tax regime can encourage investment and respond to changes in the oil price. OEUKs sustainability and policy director, Mike Tholen, told The Scotsman that the prospect of a dialogue is a positive step toward more constructive government-business talks regarding the UKs energy sector. We've moved to a point where probably there was a standoff, to one where people are engaged and talking and trying to think about how we actually make this all work, Tholen told The Scotsman. Oil and gas companies operating in the UK North Sea have been calling for certainty in the regulatory and tax framework. Recent changes in policies and the rising taxes have driven away operators, who say that a lack of North Sea investments would only make the UK more dependent on oil and gas imports. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Sports 6 views Victor Osimhen To Galatasaray | Did Napoli Make A HUGE Mistake? | Serie A Vs Super Lig Analysis Webby - March 11, 2025 Was SSC Napoli right to loan Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray? In this video, we break down the controversial transfer of Nigerias inspector general of police, Mohammed Adamu, has said principal officers of the Nigeria Police Force will be sanctioned if personnel under their supervision is found guilty of the misuse of firearms. I have already ordered that a signal be circulated to all police commands and formations, warning of dire consequences against any personnel that, by their incorrigible acts, deviate from accepted police culture and values, Adamu said during a visit to Lagos State Police Command. Furthermore, the line supervisors of such officer, including the Area Commander, Divisional Police Officer or Sectional Head, shall be held vicariously liable for lacking supervision and shall, be similarly sanctioned. About six persons, particularly youths have been killed in the last three weeks as a result of indiscriminate use of firearms by police officers. The month of March 2019 had recorded the most number of reported killings by the police in the country in recent times. It began on March 2 with some trigger-happy police officers shooting a bus driver dead in Mosan, Ayobo area of Lagos for refusing to part with money. Two weeks after, a teenage girl was killed by a stray bullet in a shootout between policemen and some cultists in Ikorodu, while on March 25, last week Thursday, an Okada rider was shot dead in Kilo, Surulere area of Lagos. A young man, identified as Kolade Johnson, was shot dead on Sunday, March 31 by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). And most recently, trigger-happy policemen attached to the Lagos State police command shot two persons at the weekend. Nigeria police boss Adamu said the killings by the officers was not a true reflection of the force and promised to put a stop to the stern. I must emphasise that enough is enough. The nation and indeed the police under the current leadership can no longer tolerate abuse associated with the police either in Lagos or any other part of the country, Adamu said. My visit has become expedient in view of the recent trend of unprofessional conducts by some personnel who, in utter disregard of their professional training, international protocols, constitutional dictates, Force policies, and ethical standards, have continued to drag the Force into acts that pitch us against the citizens we were engaged, paid, and statutorily obligated to serve and protect. While lamenting the killings, Adamu said an administrative approach has been put in place to curb unprofessional conducts in the police. From January to April 2019, Lagos State has recorded four incidents of misuse of firearms which have resulted in extrajudicial killings of young citizens of this country and injury to others. Our visit is to reinforce the extent Force Accountable Policy which holds any officer professionally and criminally liable for the consequences of their actions, particularly, if such misuse of power resulted into the death, injury or indignity of citizens. He warned any police personnel that insists on being incorrigible by engaging in abuse of his or her powers or misuses his weapons with fatal outcomes and in utter disregard of statutory provisions will be arrested, investigated through our internal disciplinary machinery and if found culpable, shall be dismissed from service. Post Views: 18 The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has said that Boko Haram fighters are dying of hunger, scampering for their own safety, as survival has become almost impossible for them due to the renewed firepower of the Nigerian military. BMO said this in reaction to the report that Boko Haram members receive as much as $3,000 daily as against the Nigerian troops who are only paid N1,000. In a press release signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju, and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, in Abuja, BMO said the true situation was that the insurgents were in disarray, lacking in supplies, foodstuffs and logistics. According to the group, the current unenviable state of the terrorist was due mainly to the renewed offensive by the Nigerian military. The statement reads: Obviously these deficiencies do not support the reckless views expressed in some quarters about the lucrative pay of the insurgents. A terrorist group that is buffeted with hunger and starvation can definitely not be in a position to withstand the unrelenting bombardment by the Nigerian military. We also note that based on the renewed firepower of the Nigerian military, the Boko Haram terrorists are now scattered and scampering for their own safety, as survival has become almost impossible. Dozens of the insurgents were recently killed by the Nigerian troops within the Kimba-Sabon Gari-Damboa axis in Borno State. The group, therefore, commended the Nigerian military for their commitment towards eradicating the scourge of insurgency in the North-East of the country, in line with the policy of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. Veteran actor, Abdulsalam Ishola Sanyaolu popularly known as Charles Olumo or Agbako in the Yoruba sector of the movie industry, was down with a strange ailment that rendered him incapacitated and made him disappear from the scene for some time. Now, the 94-year-old thespian is back on his feet and he opened up to this reporter on sundry issues. Papa, its been quite a while, where have you been? Thanks so much. I have been sick but thank God Im back on my feet. What was the nature of the ailment? Its heart-related. After series of test, I was told that my heart was weak, coupled with the fact that I often forgot things, so I was placed on drugs that must be used to avoid any crisis. What of surgery? Did they perform any surgery on you? No, the doctors said there was no way they could perform surgery on me. They said the drugs were very essential and must not be skipped. Though, I was operated upon when I had urinary ailment recently, Im free from that now. Is your association, ANTP or TAMPAN aware of this? Different people with different characters; some members were aware but its only Esther Idowu Philips aka Mama Rainbow that came to my rescue. She sent money to me regularly to feed and buy drugs. Do you have any regret going into acting? No. Our generation suffered a lot; we didnt make money from acting. During our time, we worked to entertain people. I started as an entertainer, whereby 12 people will be pounding (yam) on my chest. At times, I would be dancing on broken bottles. How did you get such power to withstand 12 people pounding on your chest? Its by practice not by any power. Also, with constant practice, I was able to jump down from a 10-storey building. That means the ailment could be as a result of those dangerous things youve done in the past? Yes, we took a lot of risks to entertain our audience in those days. At 94, do you still act? Yes, I do, but not regularly as before. You mean you didnt make money from acting? Yes, all we were looking for in those days was fame and not money. What then can you say youve achieved in the movie industry? Thank God, I have a house. I also have children but some of them are still young. At your age, you still have little children, how come? I have grown up children who are doing fine. But I have some younger ones who are still living with me. It means you have many children? No, I only have five children from two wives. Do you have any regret so far? No. I thank God for the fame He gave me. Right now, what do you want the government to do for you? I want financial assistance from the government. How many films have you produced so far? I have produced three films such as Agba Aja, Ajana Oro and Nkan Se, but I didnt make money from them. Why do you always play a wicked man in films? I dont play wicked roles but that of a bad man. I play bad man to educate people, most especially, evildoers that the wages of sin is death. What are the differences between Agbako in films and Agbako at home? Is Agbako a good thing? (Laughter). At home, Im Sanyaolu; but as soon as I put on the costume, its as if another power has come over me and Im possessed. Do you take any stimulant before going on stage? No. I dont smoke, I dont take alcohol or any stimulant; my acting is natural. Do you worship an idol that possesses you while acting? No, Im a Christian and an Anglican for that matter. It was the late Abdul Jabar that sponsored me and my other colleagues to Mecca sometimes ago, thats when I became an Alhaji. As an elder, what do you think caused the industry crisis that led to the formation of ANTP, TAMPAN etc.? They (actors) are simply being childish. I pray they get mature with time. What lessons can the younger ones learn from you to make it big like you? They should be honest with themselves. They should not be diabolical because I am not fetish; I only play a fetish man in films. No one lives forever, so how do you want to be buried when you die? I have instructed my children, and Im saying it again, that I should be buried the same day I join my ancestors. I should not be taken to any mortuary. What of your colleagues? Have you told them this too? I have told them, and Im also using this opportunity to inform them, that nobody should come and shed crocodile tears at my burial. If they do, my spirit will flog them, because when I needed their help, they were nowhere to be found. Did you mentor any of the young ones? Yes, I mentored many; some are dead while others are alive. One of those still active is Muyiwa Ademola also known as Authentic. What else do you do now aside acting? As you are aware, I was a mechanic before I started acting. I cant do any other job except acting, the only snag is I didnt make money form acting, I only made name. The Belgian striker has been pushing for a move away from Old Trafford all summer with Serie A giants Juventus and Inter Milan both in for the 26-year-old. But with a move failing to materialize, report reaching National Daily has it that the United forward has returned to Anderlecht, the club where he began his professional career, as his transfer saga continues. The United striker man is currently training with Anderlecht while hes waiting for a move. One of those unexpected twists and turns. Post Views: 1,506 The Egypt international limped out of the Reds dramatic victory over Leicester on Saturday but could be fit to face Manchester United on October 20 National Daily confirmed that the Liverpool talisman has avoided serious injury following Liverpools victory over Leicester City on Saturday. The Egyptian was forced off after a challenge from Foxes midfielder Hamza Choudhury in the closing stages of the Reds 2-1 win at Anfield. Salah left the ground limping, while manager Jurgen Klopp condemned Choudhurys tackle as dangerous as hell while urging the England Under-21 man to calm down. Fortunately for Liverpool, initial scans show no significant injury beyond a twisted left ankle, with no ligament damage or fracture leaving the Reds fans in wild jubilation. Salah will continue to be monitored closely at Melwood this week, but Liverpool sources have told Goal that he could yet feature in the Reds next game, away at Manchester United on October 20. His recovery will be aided by the fact that he has already been excused from international duty with Egypt in their forthcoming friendly against Botswana. PV: 0 A mortuary attendant, Seun Falana, has been arrested for allegedly exhuming a corpse from where it was buried and severing the skull at the Trinity Cemetery, Ajegunle, in Lagos State, which was sold to a herbalist, Olawale Shodolamu, for N10,000. It was gathered that the duo of Falana and Shodolamu met their waterloo when one Dauda Tijani, whom the herbalist had sent to pick up the skull from the mortuary attendant, was accosted by policemen, who were on stop and search around the Alakija bus stop on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said in a statement on Sunday that during interrogation, Tijani confessed that Shodolamu sent him to pick up the skull, adding that when the herbalist was arrested, he revealed the identity of the mortuary attendant, who was also apprehended. He added that all the suspects would be charged. Elkana stated, On Sunday, March 1, 2020, around 1.30pm, a team of policemen from the Area E Command, Festac, while on routine stop and search patrol at the Alakija bus stop, along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, intercepted one Dauda Tijani, 42, of No. 23 Omowunmi Street, Orege, Ajegunle, with a black polythene bag containing a human skull. He confessed that he was sent by one herbalist, Olawale Shodolamu, 70, to collect the skull from a cemetery attendant. The said herbalist was also arrested. He claimed that he bought the human skull from one Seun Falana, 37, an employee of Trinity Cemetery, Ajegunle, for the sum of N10,000. Shodolamu said he usually grinds the human skull with other substances to prepare charms for his customers. The third suspect was equally arrested. He confessed to digging out graves to remove human skulls to sell to herbalists. An investigation is ongoing. The suspects will soon be charged. A woman who tested positive for coronavirus gave birth to a healthy baby at an Athens hospital, Greek media reported on Thursday. The 24-year-old woman and her partner had both tested positive before the delivery on Wednesday, but the first test on the baby came back negative for COVID-19. The virus is not transmitted by the placenta, the director of maternity at Attikon Hospital told Greek national broadcaster ERT. The hospital had prepared for the birth by installing a confined area in the ward and the doctors all wore three pairs of gloves, protective glasses and masks to perform the caesarean section. It was a unique experience, an obstetrician told ERT. The mother must remain in isolation for the next 14 days and will only be able to hold her baby at the end of that period. AFP PV: 0 Flash The China-U.S. financial working group has held its sixth meeting in the U.S. capital of Washington, D.C., China's central bank announced Thursday. Xuan Changneng, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), and Brent Neiman, deputy under secretary for international finance at the U.S Department of the Treasury, co-chaired the meeting. According to a PBOC statement, the two sides had "professional, pragmatic, candid and constructive communication" on a range of financial policy topics of mutual interest, including the macroeconomic and financial situations of the two countries, monetary and financial policies, financial stability and regulation, capital markets, anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism. The Chinese side briefed the U.S. side on a package of measures rolled out by Chinese financial regulators to support stable economic growth. Meanwhile, the Chinese delegation expressed concerns to the U.S. side regarding certain issues. At the meeting, the participants heard reports from Chinese and U.S. experts on the compilation of balance of payments, crisis communication for global systemically important banks (G-SIBs), climate and insurance industry risks. The two sides exchanged views on how to enhance cooperation on the supervision of cross-border financial services, the PBOC statement read. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also met with the Chinese delegation. The top five most spoken languages in the world today are English, Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, Spanish and French. English is widely recognized as a global lingua franca, facilitating communication across diverse cultures. Mandarin Chinese holds the title of the most-spoken native language, reflecting its significance primarily in China. Similarly, Hindi is predominantly spoken in India. Advertisement Spanish has a vast global presence, especially in the Americas, while French is celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and is used in many countries around the world. 1. English: 1.5 billion speakers English holds the title of the most-spoken language in the world, boasting around 1.5 billion speakers, both native and non-native. Its global reach has made it a common lingua franca, serving as a bridge for communication among people from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Whether in business, travel or online interactions, English often becomes the go-to language, allowing individuals to connect across cultures. English as a Second Language One of the key factors in English's dominance is its status as the most widely taught second language worldwide. From grade schools to language institutes, millions of learners are picking up English, driven by its importance in global communication and commerce. This widespread education contributes to the proliferation of English speakers and reinforces its position in international contexts. English Dialects The reach of English has also given rise to numerous dialects and varieties, each influenced by local languages and cultures. From American and British English to Indian and Nigerian English, these adaptations enrich the language and reflect the unique identities of their speakers. 2. Mandarin Chinese: 1.1 billion speakers Mandarin Chinese is the second-most spoken language in the world, boasting around 1.12 billion speakers. This includes about 921.2 million native speakers and 198.7 million people who use it as a second language. Native Speakers and Official Languages If we're just looking at native speakers, Mandarin takes the crown as the most widely spoken language, beating out Spanish and English. Its significant presence is not just limited to mainland China; Mandarin is also an official language in Taiwan and Singapore. Chinese is one of multiple official languages in Hong Kong and Macau, but Cantonese is more prominent than Mandarin in those regions. Multiple Dialects The language encompasses a range of varieties, with Standard Mandarin (or Putonghua) being the official form used in education and media. However, other dialects such as Cantonese, Hokkien and Wu also contribute to the rich tapestry of the Chinese language. In fact, about 1.3 billion people speak some variant of Chinese, making it a linguistic powerhouse. Mandarin's status is further cemented as one of the six official languages of the United Nations, highlighting its global significance. A Challenging Language Learning Mandarin can be a challenge, primarily due to its tonal nature, where the pitch of the voice alters a word's meaning. Mastery requires familiarity with around 2,000 to 3,000 characters to read basic materials like newspapers. While it may seem daunting, Mandarin lacks verb conjugations, tenses and gender-specific nouns, which can make it easier for learners, especially those with a musical ear. 3. Hindi: 609.5 million speakers Hindi is the third-most spoken language in the world, with around 610 million speakers. Modern Standard Hindi is primarily used in the north-central part of India, where more than 26 percent of the population speaks it as their first language. While Hindi is one of India's official languages, it's important to note that it isn't the national language (the country doesn't have one). Hindi Around the Globe You can find Hindi-speaking communities all over the globe, including in countries like the U.S., Mauritius, Yemen, Uganda, Singapore, Pakistan, Nepal and even New Zealand. In Fiji, Hindustani (a blend of Hindi and Urdu) is an official language alongside English and Fijian. English speakers might recognize some Hindi words like "jungle," "karma," "yoga" and "bungalow." These are just a few examples of Hindi terms that have made their way into the English language, reflecting Hindi's global influence. Roots of Hindi The roots of Hindi can be traced back to Sanskrit, and its name comes from the Persian word "hind," which means "Land of the Indus River." This rich history adds depth to the language, making it not just a means of communication but also a connection to a vibrant cultural heritage. With its global presence and historical significance, Hindi continues to play a vital role in the tapestry of world languages. 4. Spanish: 559.1 million speakers Spanish is the fourth-most spoken language in the world and holds the title of the second-most spoken native language, with nearly 493 million native speakers. It serves as an official language in 22 Spanish-speaking countries across four continents, including Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and Spain. In the Americas, Spanish is one of the predominant languages alongside English, Portuguese and French. A Relatively Easy Language Spanish is also the second most-studied language globally (it is the easiest language to learn for native English speakers), and researchers predict that within three generations, about 10 percent of the world's population will be able to communicate in Spanish. 5. French: 309.8 million speakers French is the fifth-most spoken language in the world, with over 300 million speakers globally, including around 80 million native speakers and about 220 million people who use it as a second language. Latin Roots Belonging to the Indo-European family of Romance languages, French has deep historical roots that trace back to the introduction of Latin by the Romans to the Celtic-speaking inhabitants of Gaul. This rich linguistic heritage has not only influenced its speakers but has also significantly impacted English, with about 45 percent of modern English words having French origins. Global Reach Once a favored language among European nobility, French is now an official or co-official language in many countries, including Belgium, Canada and many African nations like Senegal and Madagascar. Its reach extends from the streets of Paris to French Polynesia and the Caribbean. A Growth Spurt Interestingly, while many lesser-known languages are facing decline, French is among the 10 fastest-growing languages today. This growth indicates that French continues to thrive and adapt, cementing its place in global communication. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Youth unemployment has been a problem in Nigeria for decades. This is why policymakers are increasingly turning to entrepreneurship education as a solution. It is hoped that entrepreneurship will reduce reliance on formal jobs and create more opportunities for self-employment. The unemployment rate stood at 5.3% in the first quarter of 2024, representing a third consecutive increase since the second quarter of 2023. This is close to the 2023 global unemployment rate of 5.1%. Researchers and policymakers globally view entrepreneurship education as a key solution to youth unemployment. Nigerian universities have been required since 2006 to teach at least one entrepreneurship course to undergraduates before graduation. All university undergraduates, no matter their course of study, receive entrepreneurship education before graduation. This is clearly motivated by evidence that graduates who start businesses are most likely to start businesses that employ more workers over time. This should reduce unemployment, especially youth unemployment. Admittedly, not all high-growth businesses are started by university graduates. However, global evidence shows that the most successful entrepreneurs are also highly educated. 18 years of entrepreneurship education It has now been 18 years since Nigerian universities were first required to teach entrepreneurship. There have been limited studies evaluating the impact of the program. Also, many of these evaluations use small samples and cover only one or two years. Their methodologies equally do not allow for definitive conclusions about the policy's effectiveness. As experts on innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development, we recognize that rigorous, long-term evaluations can provide deeper insights. We decided to address these limitations by employing a more robust research design. Our study sought to determine whether entrepreneurship education has had an impact on students. We used data from a sample of over 12,000 Nigerian undergraduates. The results show that despite a strong positive impact at first, the longer the policy has been in place, the weaker its effect. Declining impact over time Our latest analyses were based on a pooled dataset from four waves of surveys collected in 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2020/21. We found that the entrepreneurship course initially had a strong positive impact on students' expressed intent to start a business. However, this effect had weakened by 2021. The later sets of students did not express as strong an interest in starting a business as the earlier sets of students did. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. We compared 12,000 students from six universities. Three started teaching entrepreneurship in 2007, others after 2011. We used advanced statistical methods to compare the students from the two groups of universities. One method helped us see the changes over time in each group. The other method ensured we compared similar types of students to get a fair result. In 2007, 89% of the students expressed interest in starting a business, while in 2021, 82% did so. Initially, more (93.7%) students from the universities that started the course earlier were interested in becoming entrepreneurs compared to (73.1%) students at universities that introduced the course later. By 2016, the difference between the two groups of universities had disappeared (91.4% v. 93.6%). By 2021, students from universities that started the course later showed greater (95.7%) interest in entrepreneurship than those (70.1%) from the earlier-starting universities. The results imply that the longer the policy had been implemented in a university, the less its effect. This raises the need for continuous monitoring of the policy's effectiveness. Our research shows that the entrepreneurship course does not fully meet students' needs. Further, the quality of teaching fluctuates as lecturers change. More importantly, neither the universities nor the national universities commission consistently monitor the course success. Policies can have different effects In our study, we introduced a new way to categorize the different types of effects that a policy or program can have. This helps us understand the immediate effects and how a policy works over time with different target groups. For example, if the entrepreneurship education policy improved students' interest in entrepreneurship last year, will it have the same effect on a new group of students this year, assuming nothing else changes? Answering questions like this will support the design of effective policies. We identified instantaneous impact as the immediate effects observed shortly (five years) after the policy was implemented. Persistent impact means that the effects of the policy on a group of students last for a long time. This is usually between seven and 10 years after the course. Cumulative impact involves the additional effects that stem from subsequent interventions. Such include business incubation or small grants to start a business. Consistent impact describes the recurring effects observed across different student cohorts over time. This helps in assessing the broader implications of policy initiatives. This categorization offers a plausible explanation for our result. While the policy had an immediate positive effect, it did not have the same impact on different groups of students over time. This highlights an important issue: the lack of ongoing evaluation and adaptation of how the policy is implemented. Policies, especially those aimed at education and skill development, must respond and adapt to changing circumstances. Without continuous monitoring, even the most well-intentioned policies can become ineffective. A way forward Evaluations of educational interventions should be carefully designed to capture both immediate and long-term effects. Then the curriculum and teaching methods can be modified to better align with the diverse needs of studentsand the demands of industry. The results of these evaluations should be openly shared with university administrators, lecturers, students and the public. There should also be clear accountability for making any recommended changes. This approach fosters trust and ensures that the system evolves to meet the demands of the labor market. This approach is used in Finland, where the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre's enhancement-led evaluation ensures that institutions consistently improve their educational offerings. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Photon density modes in bent waveguides. Credit: Nature Physics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-024-02665-z Scientists have taken inspiration from the way sunlight passes through clouds to discover an entirely new way of controlling and guiding light. The breakthrough research, led by physicists from the University of Glasgow, allows light waves to be guided around curved paths tunneled through opaque materials that would normally scatter them in all directions. The findings could find applications in future generations of medical imaging technology, providing new ways for doctors to look inside the human body. The research could also be adapted to guide heat instead of light, opening up new applications in thermal management for computing systems, and to confine particles like neutrons instead of light waves, which could find use in nuclear technologies. The "waveguiding" effect the team have discovered is analogous to fiber optic cable, which carries light through its core by using a process called total internal reflection. In fiber optics, the core is surrounded by a cladding material with a lower refractive index, which keeps the light bouncing along the core's length, allowing it to travel long distances with minimal loss. The researchers' new waveguiding mechanism instead relies on a very different physical process. Instead, light is transported through a solid core of weakly scattering material, which is in turn encased in a material which scatters much more strongly. The contrast between the scattering properties of the materials confines the light to the core and enables it to be guided with unexpectedly high precision. The research, which is showcased in a new paper published in Nature Physics, was sparked by lab discussions about clouds, says the paper's corresponding author, Professor Daniele Faccio. Professor Faccio, who leads the University of Glasgow's Extreme Light research group, said, "Tall cumulus clouds are often bright white at their tallest point and dark gray at their lowest because sunlight is scattered through the countless water droplets which are contained in the cloud's interior. "The light decays exponentially as it scatters through the cloud, making the lower part darker, and is reflected at the top, which makes it white. "We started to wonder whether it might be possible to harness that scattering effect in a controlled way, and to use it to create a path to guide light through scattering materials." The team used a 3D printer to make highly scattering opaque white resin structures with a low-scattering core, and began to experiment with guiding light through the structures. They found it was possible to transmit more than 100 times more light through the low-scattering core than in structures without it. They showcased the phenomenon with both straight and curved structures which both display the effect. The team also developed a comprehensive mathematical model to explain the physical processes of diffusion which underpin their results. Remarkably, the model is very similar to equations which explain the transport of heat through solid materials. Because of this crossover, the researchers expect that their new technique could have wider use beyond light. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Professor Faccio, of the University's School of Physics & Astronomy, added, "It's remarkable that even in well-established fields like optics, there's always room for fundamental new discoveries. When we began thinking about clouds, we weren't necessarily expecting to discover an entirely new method of waveguiding, but that's where our experiments have led us. "We're still learning new tricks about light, in this case by a process that we were surprised to discover has more in common with our understanding of the way heat travels than light. "That means that we can expect to use this technique to find new ways to see inside opaque biological tissue using light, but also that we can apply it to guide more than just photons. We could create new ways to carry heat through systems which need to be cooled, like data center computers, or to transport particles like neutrons, which could open up new applications for nuclear power plants, for example." Dr. Kevin Mitchell, a member of the Extreme Light research group and lead author of the paper, said, "The strength of this paper comes from the comprehensive approach we took to exploring the possibility of an entirely new approach to guiding light. "We started with a key question, demonstrated it experimentally, then proved it mathematically with real rigor. Now that we've built a strong practical and theoretical foundation, we'll continue to explore how we can find new ways to use this in the future." Professor Ewan Wright from the University of Arizona also contributed to the research. More information: Kevin J. Mitchell et al, Energy transport in diffusive waveguides, Nature Physics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-024-02665-z Journal information: Nature Physics This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Due to loopholes that remain despite recent reforms to corporate criminal law in the UK, University of Surrey academics are calling for a new legal approach that could hold companies accountable for economic crimes, even when no single employee possesses the complete mental state required for a conviction. In cases where senior managers deliberately interfere with the flow of information within a company to prevent any individual from having sufficient knowledge to be guilty of a crime, the "collective knowledge" of the company's employees could be used to obtain a conviction. The study, which appears in the Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, examines the limitations of the UK's Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. While the Act introduced significant reforms, such as expanding the identification doctrine, Professor Alexander Sarch argues that these changes are insufficient to address sophisticated forms of corporate misconduct aimed at evading liability for the company. To illustrate this, the study examines scenarios involving sophisticated efforts to evade corporate liability: Imagine a company that submits a false report to a regulator. No single employee is aware of the false statements in the report. However, different employees possess fragments of information that, if combined, would reveal the report's fraudulent nature, but which these employees were deliberately prevented from sharing in reasonable ways. The company benefits from this deception, while no individual employee can be held criminally liable. Alexander Sarch, lead author of the study and Professor of Legal Philosophy at the University of Surrey, said, "To deal with efforts to evade criminal liability by interfering with the normal flow of information within a company, I suggest we should aggregate the divided knowledge of employees to construct a distinct 'corporate mens rea'a legal term for a company's guilty mind. "This approach, known as the 'collective knowledge doctrine,' is not without controversy. However, I argue that its application has significant benefits if it is restricted to cases where senior management demonstrably interferes with information flow to evade legal consequences." The paper focuses on scenarios where senior managers, aware of potential wrongdoing, create informational barriers within their organizations to prevent any individual employee from gaining a complete understanding of the criminal activity at issue. This deliberate compartmentalization of knowledge allows the company to benefit from causing harm or risks of a criminal nature while claiming ignorance. Professor Sarch continues, "Even with the very welcome reforms in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 to expand corporate criminal liability, current law struggles to address instances where corporate structures are deliberately constructed to obscure knowledge of wrongdoing. "My research suggests that prosecutors should invite courts to apply the 'collective knowledge doctrine' to extreme cases of evasion involving informational abuses within companies. When applied judiciously, the collective knowledge doctrine can be a powerful tool to hold companies accountable in these complex cases." The research utilizes legal, conceptual and doctrinal methodologies, analyzing realistic scenarios to test the boundaries of current legislation and legal precedent. This approach clarifies the legal arguments that prosecutors can use in litigation and offers a framework for courts to consider when dealing with similar real-world situations. More information: Alexander Sarch, Collective Knowledge and the Limits of the Expanded Identification Doctrine, Oxford Journal of Legal Studies (2024). DOI: 10.1093/ojls/gqae025 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Zhangs lab uses Arabidopsis thaliana, a model organism in research, to explore fundamental processes in molecular genetics and RNA biology. Credit: Xingxing Yan/Texas A&M AgriLife Texas A&M AgriLife researchers uncovered a promising target for controlling gene expression and other cellular processes, which could lead to advancements in crop resilience and our understanding of certain human diseases. This target centers on RNA regulation, which, when disrupted in humans, is often linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, as well as many types of cancer. On the other hand, improvements in certain RNA production processes can lead to new therapeutics and improved crop resilience in plants. With this in mind, a group of researchers led by Xiuren Zhang, Ph.D., Christine Richardson Endowed Professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and jointly appointed professor in the Texas A&M College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biology, aimed to explore how RNA processes are coordinated within cells. Their study, published in Nature Cell Biology, shows that a protein called Serrate connects RNA modification and microRNA production, two essential cellular functions, in a way previously unknown. "We found that, instead of working in isolation, certain RNA processes influence each other," Zhang said. "These new insights could allow us to regulate gene expression more precisely for applications in crop science and human health." The study was led by Zhang and performed by postdoctoral researcher Songxiao Zhong, along with support from other scientists within Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Texas A&M College of Medicine, the University of Nebraska and the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Plant Development. RNA's role in plant and human health RNA plays critical roles in the cell, ranging from acting as messengers to translating genetic code into proteins, catalyzing reactions and even regulating other RNA molecules to adjust gene expression. All of these are necessary to keep cellsand entire organismsfunctioning properly. With RNA's diverse roles, Zhang said its production requires steps to ensure each molecule is precisely produced and properly decorated to perform its specific task. That's where RNA modifications come in. "You can think of RNA modifications like punctuation in a sentence," Zhang said. "These modifications can act like an exclamation mark to emphasize certain instructions, like a comma to pause others, or even like a period to stop some RNA from being used altogether." Serrate's role in RNA modification Zhang and Zhong investigated the processes behind these modifications in their recent research study. In particular, they looked at the most abundant kind of modification, which involves adding a small chemical group onto the RNA moleculecalled N6-adenosine methylation, or m6A modification. In agriculture, the yield of rice and corn has been shown to be influenced by m6A levels on messenger RNA, or mRNA, which are eventually translated into proteins. Levels of m6A also impact plant resilience to viral infections. Zhang's team examined the molecular machine responsible for making this type of modification to the mRNA. They found that the protein Serrate interacts with this molecular machine to keep a disordered part of the machine from becoming too tangled to function. They found that Serrate can also streamline the m6A modification process, making it more efficient, and prevent other enzymes from breaking it down. While Serrate's roles in other biological processes were already well documented, its role in maintaining the m6A-adding machine is new. The discovery of Serrate's role in RNA modification reveals a connection between this process and the production of a different type of RNA: microRNA. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. mRNA and microRNA connection Zhang's lab has been investigating Serrate protein for years, but not for its role in mRNA modificationinstead, they'd been studying it for its more well-known role in producing microRNAs. In the cell, microRNAs act as quantity control agents in protein production. These molecules can regulate gene expression by eliminating unnecessary RNAs or preventing certain RNAs from being translated into proteins. Zhang and Zhong's findings that Serrate is involved in both microRNA production and mRNA modifications show its unique position as a regulator of the fate of cells' RNAs. "Both of these processes have been studied separately, but their cross-regulation has remained largely unnoticed until now," Zhong said. "We found that Serrate acts as a bridge between these two crucial mechanisms. This is an important step in our fundamental research. Understanding the coordination is essential for developing new treatments." Impacts on health and agriculture Zhang said this discovery opens the door to treatments that could target this RNA modification process to correct problems in gene regulation, in addition to telling scientists more about these fundamental processes. "We now have a clearer understanding of how m6A is regulated in the cell, which opens up new possibilities for drug discovery," Zhang said. "By targeting the pathways we've identified, we could develop treatments for diseases that occur when these processes go wrong." Zhang said these findings are just as important for agriculture. RNA modifications help plants respond to environmental challenges like drought, unfavorable salinity conditions, and pressures from pathogens. The team believes that by manipulating these RNA processes, they could improve crop resilience and productivity. Looking ahead, the research team plans to expand their work to study how these RNA processes operate in other crops and in human cells. "This study gives us a new way to understand RNA regulation in a variety of species," Zhang said. "We're excited to explore how we can use this knowledge to improve the future of human health and agriculture." More information: Songxiao Zhong et al, SERRATE drives phase separation behaviours to regulate m6A modification and miRNA biogenesis, Nature Cell Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01530-8 Journal information: Nature Cell Biology This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Hurricane Helene in the Gulf of Mexico on September 25. Credit: NOAA's GOES-16 satellite When Hurricane Helene struck the Southeast in late September, it quickly became one of the deadliest U.S. hurricanes of the last 50 years, second only to Hurricane Katrina. At least 228 people died as a result of the storm. Helene was also one of the largest storms in recent decades, similar in size to Katrina at 400 miles wide. Nearly 2 million people lost power as unprecedented winds and rain hit Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. But in a changing climate, what does it mean for a storm to be unprecedented? How are hurricanes changing, what are the impacts, and what does the future have in store? Two Tufts representatives joined a group of 21 researchers from around the world who were given 48 hours by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) to conduct a rapid study in the wake of Helene. Tufts climate risk expert, Erin Coughlan de Perez, helps explain how climate change is affecting the severity of hurricanes like Helene. The cone of uncertainty "As hurricanes become more intense, one of the most important tools in our toolbox are weather forecasts," says Coughlan de Perez, associate professor in the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. Coughlan de Perez works with groups like the American Red Cross and the United Nations to incorporate climate models into contingency and financial planning for storms and other weather events like droughts, floods, and heat waves. In hurricane forecasting, the most likely path a specific storm might take is marked by a "cone of uncertainty," which gets updated as the storm progresses. "Because of good forecasting and early warning systems, people deployed well in advance of Helene. So many people evacuated, which takes courage. Forecasting can be a matter of life and death," Coughlan de Perez says. But Coughlan de Perez also says that hurricane assessments are far too focused on wind speed, which dictates the category of a hurricane. Categories, therefore, have nothing to do with the expected amount of rainfall or the storm surge from the ocean. "One of the major reasons Helene caused so much damage is because of the water that it dumped in North Carolina," Coughlan de Perez says. Extreme rainfall from tropical storms is increasing due to climate changewarmer air holds more moisture at a rate of 6 to 7% per degree Celsius. In today's warmed climate, rainfall of the level brought by Helene occurs every seven years in coastal areas and every 70 years in inland regions. According to the WWA report, climate change made the rainfall about 10% heavier and 70% more likely in the Appalachian region and 10% heavier and 40% more likely in the southern region. The WWA report also notes that tropical storms in the North Atlantic that make landfall also tend to meander at slower speeds across the landscape and stall more frequently, which means they can sit over one area for a long period of time, dumping more rain than any one place can handle. During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, sea level rise due to climate change created a higher storm surge, directly causing an additional $8.1 billion in damages. Storm surge forecasting is based on many factors, but the key to forecasting storm surges is locating the eye. "Storms move counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere, so one side of the storm (the 'dirty' side) pushes the water into the land and the other side of the storm pulls it away from the land," Coughlan de Perez says. "But getting the location of the eye forecasted perfectly is really difficult." The 15-foot-high storm surge that hit the Florida coast during Helene broke records. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Unprecedented extremes "Unprecedented" can mean a lot of things: a hurricane can hit at an unprecedented time of year; wind speeds and rainfall can be at unprecedented levels; and hurricanes can hit in unprecedented locations. "To study unprecedented extremes, we run weather models thousands of times to determine all the possible weather scenarios, only one of which we will end up experiencing. We look at what happened in the other 'worlds' and factor that into scenario planning," Coughlan de Perez says. The WWA report found that hurricanes as intense as Helene are now 2.5 times more likely and expected to occur once every 53 years because of climate change. Their intensity is determined by several complex factors, like sea surface temperature, air temperature, and humidity. Helene's wind speeds on the coast of Florida were about 13 miles per hour faster (or 11% more intense) because of climate change. Helene was fueled by high sea temperatures made 200 to 500 times more likely by climate change. Climate change is also contributing to the rapid intensification of hurricanes. The Gulf of Mexico was 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit above average when Helene formed. The storm intensified rapidly, transforming from a Category 2 to a Category 4 in just a few hours. Hurricane Milton, which hit the Florida coast a couple weeks after Helene, was the third-fastest intensifying storm on record in the Atlantic, moving from a Category 1 to a Category 5 in less than a day. Coughlan de Perez says that rapid intensification makes forecasting much more difficult. Compounding extremes, like heat waves, also complicate hurricane assessments. The highest density of power outages during Helene were observed in areas with the highest temperatures. Many areas of Florida declared heat advisories after Helene made landfall and, without power, people lacked air conditioning. Heat waves are the leading cause of death from climate-related disasters in the U.S. Vulnerability & risk perception The WWA report found that, in the 88 counties that declared disasters after Helene, 30% of people are below 150% of the federal poverty level, 29% are minority populations, 16% have a disability and 6% don't have a vehicle. 22% of the housing units were mobile homes. "Identifying who the most vulnerable people are allows us to create systems that prevent them from being disproportionately impacted by something like Helene or Milton," says Carolyn Van Sant, project manager for the Feinstein International Center and one of the WWA report contributors. Even evacuating is a privilege. Van Sant notes that it might require paying for a hotel and owning a car, and that it is made easier by having a remote job or some form of disaster insurance. But whether someone has disaster insurance largely depends on their long-term risk perception. Leah Poole, a Ph.D. student in the Agriculture, Food, and Environment Program at the Friedman School and one of the contributors to the WWA report, says that even though tropical storm Fred brought flash flooding to the North Carolina mountains in 2021, killing six people, she found that those communities had very low risk perception. According to the WWA report, enrollment in flood insurance was two times higher in Florida than in North Carolina. The future of storms The WWA report found that if warming reaches 2 degrees Celsius, storms similar to Helene will become an additional 3% more intense and 25% more likely in the Appalachian region, as well as 3% more intense and 16% more likely in the coastal region. "Most studies on climate change adaptation find that what we're doing is not fast enough to keep up with the current climate, so looking at the past is not helpful in understanding what is possible today and in the future. It's like driving while looking in the rearview mirror," Coughlan de Perez says. Yet despite the work that still needs doing, Coughlan de Perez remains hopeful. "I find it extremely encouraging to see how people came together, not only to respond to these hurricanes, but to prepare for them," she says. More information: B Clarke et al, Climate change key driver of catastrophic impacts of Hurricane Helene that devastated both coastal and inland communities, (2024). DOI: 10.25561/115024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain In South Sudan, there is an age-old practice called bride price. A groom's family pays a bride's family for the marriage, usually in cattle. As the Dinka tribe in South Sudan has a largely cattle-based form of wealth, this practice is a big part of the local economy. The custom is problematic enough in South Sudan, where it is still widely practiced. But it has even more issues when practiced by migrant families in suburban Melbourne or Sydney. There are over 24,000 South Sudanese people in Australia, and almost half of them live in Victoria. Like all first- and second-generation migrants, they bring the customs of the old country with them. So here, the bride price is still paid, but usually in cash. A bride can 'cost' a young man's family AU$50,000 to AU$100,000. This means some young men cannot afford to get married and other young men take out big mortgages to get married. Those young men who manage to save up and get married, with the financial help of their male relatives, may then find themselves divorced and alone, but still heavily in debt. For young women, it is a complicated picture. Traditionally, girls are raised to take great pride in winning a high bride price, both because it goes to their 'value' as women and because the wealth helps their families. But some brides go on to find that their husbands believe they own them and in some cases, that attitude can lead to family violence. Cultural justifications for bride price Bride price is viewed as serving many purposes in terms of South Sudanese traditions. Firstly, it signifies the union in customary law between the groom and the bride, which, more broadly, is also a union between their families and clans. Any marriage where a bride price is not paid lacks customary legal validity and certainty and risks being canceled by the bride's parents. Secondly, it establishes the customary legal paternity of children of the marriage, thereby preserving patrilineality (the father's line). Finally, it gives the bride value and status in her husband's family, which she joins indefinitely upon marriage. The higher her bride price, the more valued and respected she might be. While there is immense cultural value attached to bride price, it is inherently problematic from three standpoints: moral, economic and human rights. Moral issues Bride price is a form of sale and purchase. In most cases, the price is negotiated between the groom and the bride's families without the bride's consent or involvement, especially when it comes to young girls. This reduces the bride to the level of an object or commodity to be sold, and it is morally wrong to put a price on another human being, whatever the claimed justification. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Economic stress Because it has become commercialized, especially in Western countries like Australia where it is now paid in whole or in part in cash, bride price has become extremely expensive. The price is now in the range of AU$50,000 to AU$100,000, or 50 to 100 cows if paid in-kind in South Sudan. If the marriage involves competition between two or more suitors, which is not uncommon, the price in South Sudan can go up to 100 cows, or 500 cows in rare cases. High bride prices have many serious consequences. On the one hand, they leave men financially worse off, as they give everything to pay the price. On the other hand, they put women in a weaker position in terms of the emotional dynamics of the marriage. For example, some men would expect their wives to be submissivean expectation that, if not met, can lead to physical violence as a form of discipline. Human rights law Bride price is incompatible with international human rights law. Many international human rights conventions recognize equality between men and women and require state parties to take decisive measures to outlaw customs and practices that deepen gender inequality. The Supplementary Slavery Convention of the United Nations treats bride price as a slavery-like practice and mandates its abolition: "Each of the State Parties to this Convention shall take all practicable measures to bring about a complete abolition of [a]ny institution or practice whereby [a] woman, without the right to refuse, is promised or given in marriage on payment of a consideration in money or in kind to her parents, guardian, family or any other person or group." South Sudan and Australia have both ratified many of the international human rights conventions. Thus, the two countries have binding international obligations to bring an end to practices like bride prices in their respective jurisdictions. South Sudan has enacted laws that prohibit customs and practices that are harmful to women, for example, the Transitional Constitution and Child Act. What it still lacks, however, is decisive action by the government to implement the laws. This inaction by the government is a large part of the reason child marriage is very common in South Sudan. Recent surveys show that 52% of girls in South Sudan are forced into marriage before they turn 18, which is the legal age under the Transitional Constitution, and 9% of them are forced into marriage before they turn 15. Australia does not have a law that specifically prohibits bride price. However, slavery-like practices are prohibited under Division 270 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995. So, implicitly, Australia has obligations under its domestic law to act against such practices. Such action would also bolster the government's policy to close the gender gap and gender inequality in Australia. Reducing the reliance on bride price So, what should Australia do about this custom, which does not sit well with today's views on the relationship between women and men? Using the law to make bride price illegal would, at first glance, look like the obvious solution. But it is not the most effective response because it would not stop people from obeying the custom; it would just send it underground. What might be most effective for Australia and South Sudan, would be for the governments to help start an open conversation with the people concerned, or even for the communities to initiate a debate. A community education campaign that aired the moral, economic and human rights issues that underlie the custom would not be resisted as an imposed solution and would be more likely to change people's views gradually. Also, as more and more people in the Dinka community in particular and South Sudan in general become educated, and thus have independent means of financial support, there will be less reliance on bride price for families' financial survival. But while it is likely to die out gradually over the years, a gentle push in the right direction could make a big difference to individual lives in the meantime. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A parking spot shuffle coming up this weekend more than 250 miles above Earth will mark a unique feat for a pair of NASA astronauts who will become the first to fly in both Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft. NASA's Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who flew up to the International Space Station in Starliner, but remained on board when NASA opted to return it back to Earth without a crew, are now part of the four-member crew that will fly home on the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom next year. Freedom arrived on the ISS on Sept. 29 with just two crewNASA's Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov leaving room for Wilmore and Williams on that flight home targeting February 2025. But because parking space is limited at the ISS, all four will climb on board early Sunday for a short trip moving from the Crew Dragon Freedom from the front-facing port of the space station's Harmony module, and redock it to the space-facing port of the same module. That will make room for the planned launch of a SpaceX Cargo Dragon on the CRS-31 mission launching from Kennedy Space Center's Space Launch Complex 39-A as early as 9:29 p.m. Monday carrying 6,000 pounds of supplies. The ISS has only two ports capable of parking either SpaceX Dragon or Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The Russian side of the station has its own spots for Soyuz crewed vehicles and Progress cargo vehicles, while the Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo spacecraft can connect on the ISS' Unity module. For Dragon and Starliner, NASA prefers to bring on new spacecraft to the forward-facing port, so each time a new ship is coming, they have to move the one that's already there. So, while Crew Dragon Freedom's trip will take less than an hour, it will be the first time Williams and Wilmore will have traveled in it under its own propulsion. It will also mark their fourth spacecraft within which they will have traveled, not including the ISS, as both had previously flown on both space shuttle and Soyuz missions. That's similar to the record set by NASA's John Young, who flew in four spacecraft. He flew on two Gemini missions, two Apollo missions, one with a landing on the moon, so it meant a ride down and back up to the surface in the Apollo lunar lander, and then two missions of the Space Shuttle Program, including the first. Because of the moon lander's liftoff from the lunar surface, Young would still hold the record for the number of different spacecraft launching off of the surface of a planet or moon. Other astronauts have at least been inside at least four spacecraft in space, as they are either assigned duties such as unloading cargo from visiting vessels like Cygnus and Dragon, or get a little tour from their fellow space station crew of the ships they flew up on. The first person to be inside any of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft in space was when NASA astronaut Bob Hines floated in after the uncrewed Orbital Flight Test 2 in 2022 after it docked with the ISS when he was part of Expedition 67. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The ISS is now amidst Expedition 72, having been continuously occupied since Nov. 2, 2000. SpaceX and Boeing were awarded contracts under NASA's Commercial Crew Program to provide U.S.-based launches to and from the ISS until it's decommissioned. SpaceX is now in its ninth rotational mission, having flown the test Demo-2 mission in 2020 followed by operational flights about every six months since. It has Crew-10 scheduled for February and Crew-11 for as early as next July. Boeing, meanwhile, was unable to complete its version of the Demo-2 flight called the Crew Flight Test this summer, four years after SpaceX accomplished the feat, but could still find a way to certification by NASA to begin operational missions beginning with Starliner-1 before the end of 2025. NASA and Roscosmos, meanwhile, continue to do seat swap missions, allowing for cosmonauts to ride up on the Crew Dragon flights while astronauts take one of the three seats on board the Soyuz missions. 2024 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Flash The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) conducted a "crucial" test of its latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasongpho-19 on Thursday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Friday. The missile flew a distance of 1,001.2 km for 5,156 seconds before landing on a preset area in the open waters off the country's east coast, and the test-fire had no negative effect on the security of neighboring countries, the KCNA report said. The test updated the recent record of the strategic missile capability of the DPRK and demonstrated the modernity and credibility of the country's powerful strategic deterrent, and the latest strategic weapon system will function as "the primary core means" in defending the country, the KCNA said. Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, guided the event, calling the test-fire "an appropriate military action" to show the country's counteraction will in response to the escalating security situation on the Korean Peninsula and part of "an indispensable process" in the course of constantly developing the DPRK strategic attack capabilities, the report said. Citing "the security situation and ever-aggravating prospective threats and challenges" the country faces, the DPRK leader stressed the necessity of continuing to bolster up modern strategic attack capabilities and perfect the response posture of the nuclear force, and reaffirmed that "the DPRK would never change its line (policy) of bolstering up its nuclear forces," the report added. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Student behavior is one of the biggest issues facing Australian schools. A survey of Queensland teachers earlier this year found "managing student behavior" was the main thing taking their time away from teaching. Along with students talking out of turn, using their phones or not paying attention, there are regular reports of students being violent and abusive towards teachers. Australian classrooms are rated among the "least favorable" for discipline in the OECD. Amid a push to include more classroom management training for teachers, what other approaches could we look at to improve behavior? What happens in Norway? For several decades, Norwegian school children have been assessed twice a year on their sense of personal order (being punctual, well-prepared and following up on homework) and social behavior (showing care and respect for others). In some schools, this might involve following rules against throwing snowballs, eating in class or leaving school grounds. Until Year 8, students receive comments and then they also get a grade (good, quite good or not so good). Teachers in all subjects report to the child's home base teacher who calculates an average, noting any poor examples of poor personal order and social behavior. The overall report is shared with the student and parents receive a copy. The goal, as specified in Norway's Education Act, is to ensure a good and safe school environment and "social learning." This means learning to behave around others through observing, modeling and imitating the behaviors of others. This is on top of learning knowledge and skills. Does it work? Norwegian society takes these grades seriously. It has been part of the Norwegian schooling system since 1939. Research on teachers and students describe it as a valued tool for dealing with students who disrupt the learning environment in the classroom. Even when young adults apply for jobs after university or vocational study, employers can be interested in the grade received for order and behavior at school. Students and their teachers are aware it can indicate trustworthiness and employability. A not uncommon story repeated by Norwegian parents to their teenage children is "if you have a record of behaving poorly or arriving late at school it doesn't bode well whether you want to work on a construction site, in an office or on a hospital ward." There are Norwegian critics of this approach. Some researchers argue behavior grades can sometimes say more about who are the "teachers' favorites." But despite some limited trials to refine Norway's behavior grading, there are currently no plans to remove it. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. What about Australia? There is some precedence for reporting on behavior in Australia. For example, Queensland public schools report about effort and behavior against a five-point scale: excellent, very good, satisfactory, needs attention and unacceptable. But assessment criteria and evidence for the reporting of student effort and behavior seems to be a more subjective appraisal than reporting against other standards in the curriculum. School is about more than math and reading Schools can teach students more than academic knowledge or vocational skills. And while addressing behavior in schools is complex (and will not be solved by any single thing), reporting on behavior could provide a regular opportunity for Australian teachers, schools and parents to reflect on how a student is progressing. Grading students could make students more accountable for how they interact with their peers and their teachers. It could also help build their understanding of what is acceptable, not just in the classroom but in the community more broadly. For example, if there are specific rules about how you speak to others, whether you are safe in the playground and respectful in the classroom. This type of social learning is important, because it can help teach students to be inclusive and responsible towards others. It can also help to create a safer school environment for all students and staff. At the moment, there is a general requirement in the Australian Curriculum to teach students social and emotional skills across all subjects. But it is up to state and territory education authorities to work out if and how students are assessed about this. This includes any reasonable adjustments for students with disability or other special needs. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Ghost forest in North Carolina. Credit: Justine Neville, NC State Sea-level rise caused by climate change poses a serious and often unpredictable threat to coastal forests, and new tools are needed to help mitigate damage and allocate conservation resources. A new study from North Carolina State University and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) details how satellite imagery may help identify forested areas that are being transformed into marshes and open water by sea-level rise, a process known as regime change. The study, "Detecting trajectories of regime shifts and loss of resilience in coastal wetlands using remote sensing," is published in Ecosystems. Marcelo Ardon, associate professor at NC State and co-author of a paper on the study, said that by predicting how an area is changing, this new modeling tool may help conservationists apply their limited funding in areas where it will be the most effective. "We know that these coastal ecosystems are changing, and it's hard to predict where and when the change is going to happen. What we found is that through remote sensing, you can get a trajectory of where an area is going," Ardon said. "That way you can identify which areas might be better to put funding into; if an area might not need help, or if it is just too far into the regime change to pull it back. That in turn can help allocate those limited conservation dollars where they will make the most difference." Initially, researchers set out to determine if satellite imagery could be used to detect regime change in coastal wetlands ahead of time by identifying the kinds of early-warning signals that have been found in other ecosystems. These results proved inconsistent, Ardon said. While the data could sometimes detect those signals, it also returned false positives and negatives. Instead, researchers were able to use the same satellite data toola metric called the Normalized Difference Vegetation Indexto identify how vegetation health was changing. The NDVI works by using multiple wavelengths from satellite sensors that scan the earth at different times, collecting data on how much red light plants absorb and how much near-infrared light they reflect. Using these values, researchers can estimate the NDVI, which effectively measures the greenness and health of plants in the area. The NDVI of a forest is higher than that of a marsh or open water, so it can be used to detect the changes of these systems. Lead author Melinda Martinez, research ecologist with the USGS, first worked on the study as a Ph.D. student at NC State. She said that the study uncovered stark differences in regime changes between areas that were close together. "In some areas where regime change was happening quickly, the transitions from forest to marsh or even open water happened within the span of five to six years," Martinez said. "But then in other areas, sometimes places within the same site, it would happen over much longer periods of time. We knew there would be variation, but we didn't expect that level of difference between areas in such proximity." More information: Melinda Martinez et al, Detecting Trajectories of Regime Shifts and Loss of Resilience in Coastal Wetlands using Remote Sensing, Ecosystems (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s10021-024-00938-5 Journal information: Ecosystems This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Augmented Physics visualizes electric currents flowing through a circuit. Credit: Gunturu et al., 2024, UIST '24 With just an iPad, students in any classroom across the world could soon reimagine the ordinary diagrams in any physics textbooktransforming these static images into 3D simulations that run, leap or spin across the page. These new, living textbooks are the brainchild of a team of computer scientists led by Ryo Suzuki at the University of Colorado Boulder. The research is published as part of the Proceedings of the 37th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology. "Usually, those diagrams are fixed. We have to imagine what happens," said Suzuki, assistant professor in the ATLAS Institute and Department of Computer Science. "But what if we could take any static diagram from any textbook and make it interactive?" He and his colleagues recently took home a "best paper" award for their work at the 37th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology this October in Pittsburgh. Picture this: You crack open your high school physics textbook to a drawing of a skier teetering at the top of a jump. The diagram is supposed to teach you about topics like kinetic energy, such as the energy of a skier zooming down a hill. But the skier never actually moves. He just sits there. Until now. For the new study, Suzuki's team designed a tool that allows students to record that diagram with their iPads. Then, after users adjust some settings, the tool draws on artificial intelligence to get the skier to move across the screen. He zooms down the hill, hits the jump and soars. It's scientifically accurate, too: Students can adjust the friction of the snow, making their skier zoom faster or slower with a few swipes. Suzuki sees the project as a chance to reinvent the textbookgiving learners the opportunity to not just read about physics but see topics like momentum and electrical currents in action. "We believe the future of education and learning should be more interactive and personalized," said Suzuki, who began the project as a researcher at the University of Calgary in Canada. It's alive! Aditya Gunturu, first author of the study, remembers his own days learning about physics. He used to sit in science class in high school, thinking there must be a better way to visualize topics to convey motion. "I was so frustrated," said Gunturu, a master's student in computer science at the University of Calgary. "I wanted to visualize these concepts." He's not alone: Gunturu's mother is a biology teacher in India and often draws on a blackboard to show students, for example, how cells dividea phenomenon textbooks can only capture in snapshots. The team's invention, Augmented Physics, could help. The tool relies on a model called Segment Anything from the tech company Meta. It's a computer visualization tool that allows users to click on a photo to isolate particular objectsa dog, or maybe a face. Similarly, through Augmented Physics, students and teachers select various objects inside a diagram, such as the skier and the ski jump, and assign those objects roles. The AI then applies some basic physics, such as the force of gravity, to make those objects move. It works for a several different kinds of diagrams, too. They include optics diagramsso students can simulate how a prism refracts sunlight, for exampleand electrical circuitsso they can see currents zip along wires. In a full circle moment, the researchers tested their tool out on some of those same diagrams in Gunturu's physics textbook from years ago. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Beyond physics The team also designed its product with feedback from real students studying physics and with science teachers. One educator was impressed by the tool's ability to help students lead their "own little experiments." The tool isn't perfect yet, Suzuki noted. So far, it can only turn a brand new diagram into an effective simulation about 60% of the time. But the team is working to improve those success rates. Ultimately, the researcher and his colleagues would like to move beyond physicsusing similar technology to transform any diagram in any kind of document into a vivid, 3D world that students can step into with the aid of augmented reality glasses. "That's our goalto escape from static 2D into the interactive 3D world," Suzuki said. Gunturu's mom, meanwhile, can't wait for him to design a tool that works on biology textbooks. "That would be her dream come true," he said. Other co-authors of the new study included Rubaiat Habib Kazi at Adobe Research; Nandi Zhang and Jarin Thundathil at the University of Calgary; and Yi Wen at Texas A&M University. More information: Aditya Gunturu et al, Augmented Physics: Creating Interactive and Embedded Physics Simulations from Static Textbook Diagrams, Proceedings of the 37th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (2024). DOI: 10.1145/3654777.3676392 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Matej from Pexels Over the last decade, hundreds of reports have cropped up across the Chicago area of people's horrifying encounters with a large, winged creature with glowing red eyes. Last month, Park Ridge residents looked out their windows to the creepy sight of a hairless, dog-sized creature crawling around the suburb. Earlier in the summer, visitors flocked to Lincoln Park's North Pond trying to find a mysterious creature lurking under the water. Some may think these were sightings of the Mothman, a chupacabra and maybe a Nessie-like monsterwhich like Bigfootare mythic, improbable creatures at the center of urban legends and folklore. In most cases, Chicago's urban wildlife might offer a simpler explanation. But residents might not be familiar with the variety of animals that thrive in the region. And humans tend to want to make sense of what they don't readily understand. "A lot of people just may be completely unaware of how much mammalian diversity we have throughout Chicago," said Mason Fidino, a quantitative ecologist at the Lincoln Park Zoo's Urban Wildlife Institute. "But also some species that people may not think of as adaptable to urban environments." The legend of the Mothman originated in Point Pleasant, Virginia, in the mid-1960s and has since spread across the country and around the world. Witnesses describe terrifying encounters with a human-like creature more than 6 feet tall, with large wings and bright red eyes, that many believe to be a bad omen. In Latin American folklore, the chupacabraa name that means "goat sucker" in Spanishhas fangs and lizard-like skin, and terrorizes livestock. Across the pond, in Scotland, the mythical Loch Ness monster, with its long neck and back humps, has drawn adventurers and visitors to the lake many believe it inhabits. In Chicago, misconceptions about what animals belong in the city can easily lead to misidentifications, especially as viewers try to find recognizable traits in something strange and unknown. For instance, the creature in Park Ridge wasn't looking for goats to sink its teeth into; rather, it was a scraggly coyote sick with mange, a skin disease caused by parasitic mites, experts say. It's a common misunderstanding. "Human beings are primed to see faces, and our brains tell us a story about the information we process with our eyes," said Lisa Brown, an anthropology and sociology professor at Florida International University. "So we might see a mangy coyote and say, 'Oh, that's a chupacabra.' Because we've seen lots of pictures of chupacabras before, as far as like, drawings and images. But we might not have ever seen a picture of a mangy coyote." Hidden just under the murky surface of the pond by the zoo was likely a big turtle, or possibly an alligator. And large birdssuch as barred owls, sandhill cranes or great blue heronscan be misidentified as the Mothman, which urban legends say is a harbinger of doom. "If you actually spent (time) walking around the city and just took a second to look up more often, it's actually pretty surprising, the diversity, especially of large birds, that you'll actually encounter," Fidino said. One such case of mistaken identity was featured in an episode revisiting local Mothman sightings, part of the latest season of the documentary series "Unsolved Mysteries." A cyclist captured a GoPro video of a big, dark creature flying in broad daylight over a Pilsen street, thinking it could be unique photographic evidence of the winged humanoid. Paranormal investigator Tobias Wayland, from Wisconsin, examined the video and determined with the witness that it was more likely than not the silhouette of a great blue heron. The thin, tall birds with long legs and a wide wingspan of up to 7 feet are the largest herons native to North America. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Wayland and another longtime investigator, Lon Strickler, began looking into Mothman sightings around Chicago in 2017. The pair have mapped over 175 credible area sightings of what Strickler initially called the "Chicago Phantom"beginning in 2011, spiking in 2017 and 2018, and as recently as summer 2024. Most non-credible reports from densely populated areas, Wayland said, are probably of large bird speciesespecially as urbanization encroaches in their habitat and climate change affects their roosting patterns. In fact, Strickler said, their first question for people who report having seen the Mothman is, "Are you sure it wasn't a bird?" "There are so many people who live in Chicago, and many of them are probably not used to seeing, just for the sake of argument, a great blue heron flying," Wayland said. "Probably most of them are going to figure it out and be like, 'That's a bird.' But there's a percentage of them who are just profoundly baffled by what they're seeing because it is outside of their experience. And in all earnestness, they will report this sighting of some unexplained phenomenon." He said it is still helpful to investigate sightings that end up being misidentifications because it allows him to compare reports. For instance, the video of the great blue heron flying over Pilsen provided him a point of reference for other cases of daytime observations that lack "all of the paranormal elements" as opposed to other strange, vividly paranormal encounters. "Everybody's got their own perception of what they're looking at," said Strickler. "And you kind of got to separate the wheat from the chaff." They try to validate people's experiences regardless. "It is not necessarily invalidating to hear a prosaic explanation for your sighting, as long as it is presented in a way that doesn't invalidate the experience itself," Wayland said. "At no point did I imply that he had not experienced something that he couldn't explain. I firmly believe that he did. I don't think he was lying. I think he saw something, he didn't know what it was and the narrative that he created for this mystery was of this flying humanoid." While urbanization and gentrification have certainly disturbed animal habitats and lifestyles, many have adapted to new environmentsand, for the most part, have gotten good at keeping their distance from humans. Fidino recalled going on a lunchtime walk with some co-workers on the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park a few years ago when they came across a coyote under some brush. "There were hundreds of people out, enjoying the park, walking dogs, things like that," he said, "and absolutely none the wiser that there was a coyote within 20 meters of them." Thousands of coyotes live in and around Chicago, and people have likely walked past one without noticing. When one of them gets infected with mange, it's more likely to be drawn to human food, which leads to increased sightings and interactions. This, in turn, generates more confusion among curious bystanders who think it might be a chupacabra or an undiscovered species. "More often than not, people have not seen a coyote with no hair. So I could see where the people might make that jump," Fidino said. "But there is, of course, a much more logical explanation." Brown said humans have a basic understanding of animals, but they either don't encounter them as often or don't pay attention when they do. "So part of it is just not having this familiarity," Brown said. "We're natural storytellers, so why not lean on the funner story, the more exciting story that we can't prove it's not true?" Fidino studies animals, not people, but he has a theory as to why humans might be more open to the idea of elusive monsters living, mostly hidden, among them. "Isn't it kind of fun for there to be a bit of magic around, to let there be a little bit of mystery in the world?" he said. But there is something more special to Fidino about the creatures he studies, which others can also delight in if they, too, look more closely. "They'd be absolutely amazed by how much wildlife they share Chicago with," he said. 2024 Chicago Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Older spacesuits were designed with male astronauts in mind. Credit: NASA / Mike Hopkins In the past, spaceflight was the preserve of government-funded astronauts who had to meet stringent physical, cognitive, psychological and social requirements for selection. But in recent years, that has all been changing. In September 2024, two non-professional astronauts completed the first privately funded spacewalk, using the Crew Dragon spacecraft built by Elon Musk's company SpaceX. Meanwhile, Houston-based private company Axiom Space is conducting regular flights to the International Space Station (ISS), carrying a mixture of government-funded astronauts and paying customers. In the last few years, nearly 100 people have become private astronauts through the space tourism companies Blue Origin, operated by Jeff Bezos and Virgin Galactic, by Sir Richard Branson. While the price of a seat on these vehicles remains out of reach for most of us, prices are expected to drop as more players enter the market. Despite the rapid growth in the number of space travelers, underrepresented population groups are still left behind, particularly those with disabilities. So how can space agencies and "space tourism" companies make spaceflight more inclusive for disabled astronauts? The European Space Agency (Esa) recently recruited John McFall, who lost his right leg aged 19, as the world's first disabled astronaut. McFall, who is a surgeon and former paralympic sprinter, will participate in a feasibility study to improve understanding of, and overcome, the barriers that spaceflight presents for astronauts with physical disabilities. Esa's most recent selection of astronauts was entirely of white European background, showing how far things still have to go. But its move to recruit McFall marked a significant milestone towards a more inclusive approach to spaceflight. Designing effective systems for the inclusion of disabled people is a longstanding challenge on Earthand space presents a whole new paradigm. The very specific demands of spaceflight mean we can't assume that traditional adjustments and assistive technology will work beyond Earth's atmosphere. So, making spaceflight more inclusive requires looking at each step of going into space. Astronaut training is a complex process, designed to simulate the space environment and enable candidates to perform well under a variety of conditions they may encounter in orbit. But in many cases, the training facilities are not well designed for individuals with physical or sensory impairments. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. For example, in order to get on the plane that flies in an arc to simulate microgravity (colloquially referred to as the "vomit comet"), astronauts must climb a set of stairs, which presents a hurdle to anyone with a mobility impairment. Ironically, impairments that restrict the use of stairs on Earth might be much less of a restriction once in space. Spacecraft and space suit design will be another key focus. The space suits onboard the ISS were originally designed with male astronauts in mind, meaning that female astronauts have to "make do" with what is there. This has caused challenges as the number of female astronauts has risen. In 2019, Nasa had to postpone the first all-female spacewalk because the torso of a space suit was too large for one of the spacewalkers. The Moon suit developed by Axiom Space in collaboration with Italian fashion house Prada is a step towards inclusivity, with anthropomorphic sizing to accommodate a wide range of crew members. Yet, future disabled astronauts might still encounter challenges if they have differences in their limbs or impairments to their dexterity. Interestingly, the new SpaceX Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) suits have something called "embedded modularity"each section of the suit is customized to the intended astronaut, and all sections fit together. While intended to help with joint positioning, these suits present a unique opportunity to support disabled astronauts with limb differences. Inclusive suits could include a single fixed leg portion for individuals with paralysis, and removable parts for those with limb differences. Haptic gloves could provide tactile feedback through the space suit for astronauts with limb differences. For individuals with visual impairments, incorporating augmented reality (AR) heads-up displays (transparent displays that show the user data overlaid over their environment) and AI-powered image-to-voice software that can translate purely visual information into audio explanations could make a huge difference. Technological support similar to the app "Be My Eyes", pairing sighted assistants with visually impaired people to help explain their environment, could also find uses in spacesuits. Thriving in space An often overlooked part of astronaut life is maintaining physical fitness through intensive exercise regimes. Exercise is required because both muscle and bone waste away quickly in microgravitybut the fitness equipment aboard the ISS, such as the treadmill and bike, is difficult to adapt for disabled people. Both require use of both feet to operate. Re-engineering the systems for exercise, eating, working, going to the toilet and other essential activities is critical for enabling disabled astronauts to thrive in space. Assistive technologies that could be used inside a spacecraft, as opposed to within a spacesuit, are continually evolving and taking many forms. As such, there are always opportunities to improve the environment on a space mission to make it more inclusive for disabled astronauts. Examples could include virtual reality (VR) for use in ground training, smart prosthetics that enable the completion of complex tasks, and computer vision with AI guiding visually impaired astronauts. Policies implemented by space agencies have traditionally been exclusionary, focusing on able-bodied individuals and ignoring the potential of those who are different. And while some space agencies are establishing advisory committees and promoting diversity, this work is often limited to narrow purposes within these agencies. Despite the UK and many other countries having specific laws to reduce discrimination in the workplace, the international nature of the space sector can cause difficulty. For this reason, policies mandating inclusion and equity across the space sector are crucial. Most importantly, space agencies should ensure adequate funding and resources to support any inclusion initiatives and work with disability advocacy groups. Often, the root causes of inclusion barriers are a lack of understanding or awareness of disabilities. In many cases, consulting and involving disabled people in decision-making processes reduces these barriers. It is essential the space sector recruits individuals from diverse backgrounds to begin with. Although the concept of "diversity quotas" has historically been divisive, the first place to start is to understand the diversity both of current and potential space travelers. Publicizing diversity statistics can help hold agencies accountable, and encourage initiatives aimed at greater inclusion. There remains a lot to do, but with a collaborative approach, the new commercial space race could act as a shining example to the rest of the world in its approach to disability. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Flash People attend a ceremony commemorating Hashem Safieddine, head of Hezbollah's Executive Council, and other slain leaders and commanders of the regional resistance groups, in Tehran, Iran, on Oct. 31, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Iran on Thursday held a ceremony in Tehran to commemorate Hashem Safieddine, head of Hezbollah's Executive Council, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut earlier this month. The ceremony, during which other slain leaders and commanders of the regional resistance groups were also commemorated, was attended by Iran officials, as well as the representatives of Hamas and Hezbollah. During the ceremony, the attendees waved flags of Iran, Hezbollah, and Palestine and chanted slogans against Israel and the United States, according to the official news agency IRNA. Speaking at the ceremony, Hezbollah's representative in Tehran and Hashem Safieddine's brother, Sayyed Abdallah Safieddine, hailed Iran for its support for the Lebanese group. In remarks at the ceremony, Mohammad-Hassan Akhtari, head of Iran's presidential Committee of Support for the Islamic Revolution of the Palestinian People, said that the deaths of the resistance front's commanders "will not affect the resistance movement and Hezbollah will continue its path with strength." The Israeli military confirmed earlier this month that Hashem Safieddine had been killed in a bombing carried out by Israeli warplanes on Beirut's southern suburb of Dahieh on October 3. Hezbollah also confirmed Hashem Safieddine's death in a statement issued later. Flash Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Philemon Yang, president of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 31, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Thursday with Philemon Yang, President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, calling for deepened cooperation with the United Nations. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that as the UN's most representative charter body, the UN General Assembly is a significant platform for consultation and coordination among countries, and China is willing to continue to deepen cooperation with the UN. Wang said as a UN founding member and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has all along been a supporter and a contributor to the cause of the UN. He said the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China embody the fundamental guiding principles for China's participation in the cause of the UN. They have also contributed Chinese wisdom to addressing the common challenges facing mankind. China stands ready to work with the UN to consolidate its authority, keep global governance reform on the right track, and make unremitting efforts to build a community with a shared future for humanity. Philemon Yang said that China has continuously made new achievements in modernization and has become a model from which other countries can learn. Noting China is a stable and constructive force in international affairs, Philemon said that the UN appreciates China's long-term firm support to the cause of the UN and will continue to abide by the one-China principle firmly. It is believed that China will continue to play an indispensable role in implementing the Pact for the Future and promoting cooperation in sustainable development and other fields, Philemon Yang added. The two sides also exchanged in-depth views on the reform of the UN Security Council and other issues. Scott County Auditor Kerri Tompkins is emphasizing her experience in conducting elections the past three years in a run for a full four-year term. Challenging her for the office, Democrat Matt Trimble has been critical of mishaps in recent elections and touts his information technology systems experience. The Auditor's Office handles county elections, is the financial officer for the county and acts as the clerk to the Board of Supervisors. Tompkins, a Republican, was appointed in 2021, won election to the Auditor's Office in 2022 to finish the term and is running for her first full term in 2024. Tompkins previously served as a Davenport city council member. Trimble chaired the Scott County Democrats for the 2022 election cycle and works in IT for the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency. He has criticized Tompkins' handling of the 2022 election, in which there was an initial discrepancy in absentee ballot totals that prompted an office-ordered recount; a precinct that mistakenly handed out dozens of the wrong ballots; and a lengthy candidate-requested recount of a close House District race. Tompkins has said her office learned lessons from 2022 and purchased new absentee ballot counting machines that count the ballots more slowly and, as a result, jam less frequently. For candidate-requested recounts of close races, Tompkins has said state law severely limits the auditor's role in candidate-requested recounts, and it's up to the recount board members selected by the candidates to choose how to do the recount and resolve any discrepancies. Trimble has also criticized Tompkins for offering to keep the names of applicants for a vacant Scott County Supervisor seat confidential, which two local residents have sued over. Tompkins has said she did so on the advice of the Scott County Attorney's Office and would comply with the court's decision on the matter. Tompkins has campaigned on her making the office more efficient and her experience in running three years of elections in the county. Read Kerri Tompkins' responses to the Quad-City Times' survey Age: 50 Occupation: Scott County Auditor Education: Master of Social Work, Concentration in Administration from St. Ambrose University Relevant local government or leadership experience: I bring over 25 years of management experience in the for-profit, nonprofit and public sectors. Recipient of the Quad-Cities Area Leader Under 40, served on numerous local boards and committees (St. Ambrose and Visit Quad Cities), completed the National Association of Counties High Performance Leadership Academy and State Election Administrator Training III certified. Government experience includes serving on Davenport City Council for six years (Chair of Finance and Mayor Pro Tem) and serving as the Scott County Auditor since June of 2021 with 11 confirmed successful elections. My previous experience includes facilitating process improvements to streamline efficiency and increase financial performance. Developed and secured numerous new programs through grant and collaborative initiatives and was responsible for the successful service administration ensuring funding, state and accreditation standards were maintained. What would be your top priorities if elected? To continue to improve efficiency throughout the office, identify partnerships and advocate for legislative change. Under my leadership, I have restructured the office, reduced staff, reduced a level of management and replaced this with an election IT/security position, implemented cross training, updated technology (website, social media, software and hardware) and cut the administration budget by 15%. Learning and doing things better should never stop. Iowa legislators review election law annually. This is appreciated as technology advances. Therefore, change is inevitable. As an office, this process is routine. Collaboration takes place via other county staff, training opportunities (in state and national) and meetings throughout the state. Community partnerships assist in building trust and educating the community. Empowering Abilities is one partnership initiated since holding office. This community asset provides dedicated staff to assist in preparing election resources during critical times. It has proven to be a valuable partnership and one truly appreciated. Numerous conversations have already taken place to advocate for election law changes in regards to the recount process. As Iowa legislators review the laws each year, these conversations must continue to provide education and keep Iowa as an election model for the country. What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the auditors office? And what would you do to address it? Misinformation is one of the biggest challenges. It is unfortunate there is so much false information. One area of great confusion is people want circumstances handled differently, but the law does not provide authority for the auditor to interfere. Examples include election recounts and the county budget process. According to the law, the auditor is limited to ballot security for recounts. In addition, there is no authority for the auditor to modify another county departments budget. Each department head or elected official creates their own budget and the final budget is approved by the Board of Supervisors. Another challenge is protecting county assets from fraudulent expenditures. Procedures are in place to minimize risk, but it is imperative to be one step ahead. It is unfortunate so many neighboring communities have had to deal with this issue and I am grateful for the commitment to financial reporting, communication and transparency. Scott County has been nationally recognized for 36 years and if reelected, I will continue to collaborate with county staff. In each instance of misinformation, it is important to communicate accurately. I will continue different methods via press releases, website, social media, in-person presentations and individual meetings. How can the Auditors Office encourage turnout and boost trust in elections? Multi-faceted communication and voter opportunities are important for voter turnout. A few areas of improvement since I have served include an updated election website, a postcard mailed to registered voters with absentee/early voting information and a social media account to push relative information and deadlines. In addition, I have provided more opportunities to vote via a record number of satellite (early voting) locations in Scott County. Again, educating people with accurate information will build trust. Under my leadership, the Scott County Auditors Office is well prepared for the upcoming 2024 General Election. Numerous changes have been implemented since lessons learned from the 2022 General Election. These include proactive projects, well trained staff ready to serve voters, updated equipment and a streamlined reconciliation process for daily ballot tabulation. These processes have proven effective with a total of six confirmed elections since the GE of 2022. Last, it is important to remain non-partisan and follow the law. My office has a proven track record of not only success, but also of choosing to the do the right thing in accordance with the law. That is the duty, and I have demonstrated that it can be done. I value Iowa law and will always uphold it. Read Matt Trimble's responses to the Quad-City Times' survey Age: 53 Occupation: Information Technology Professional Education: St. Ambrose University: BA - Secondary Education History MBA - Business Administration Relevant local government or leadership experience: My background as a teacher, 24 years in information technology, and being a former Scott County Democratic Party chair working with the Auditors Office on behalf of political campaigns are unique qualifications for the requirements of this office. I have volunteered for local nonprofit organizations providing technology support and expertise for many years. I currently work at the Mississippi Bend AEA in IT and serve the staff as Chief Steward for the Communications Workers Union. I have volunteered for nonprofits for many years sharing my business, MBA from St. Ambrose University, and technical expertise to support service organizations. My work in IT has been in healthcare and education where compliance is required by law. Much of my work experience has been in large-scale, complex environments focused on implementing cybersecurity best practices to protect the organization while serving thousands of people. Working in this field requires constant learning and training and teaching others complex tasks and ideas. I will carry this practice into the office. Each of these experiences closely matches the duties and responsibilities of the County Auditor position. What would be your top priorities if elected? 1. Implement proper chain of custody best practices for all election-related equipment and materials. These documented procedures and processes would be made available to the public for review. 2. Implement ongoing staff training and education on Iowa election laws and code to keep current with frequent changes in state law with the expectation of staff and leadership gaining Certified Elections Registration Administrator (CERA) certifications. 3. Increase voter turnout and voter registrations through enhanced communications and educational programming. Voting is the bedrock of our democracy and its important that Scott County voters have the resources they need to know when, where and how to cast their ballot in every single election. What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the auditors office? And what would you do to address it? The biggest challenge facing the Auditors Office is reestablishing trust and ensuring transparency. To address this, strong leadership and a customer service-focused environment are crucial. I would prioritize: 1. Building Trust Through Transparency: Share clear, accurate information about how votes are counted and ensure visible auditing processes. Publicly address any issues, like the 2022 wrong ballots incident, with open communication about how errors are corrected and prevented. 2. Ongoing Staff Training and Accountability: Ensure all staff are trained on current best practices for their relevant positions, follow strict procedures and build quality assurance checks into every process. Regular training sessions would focus on accuracy, customer service, and continuous improvement to maintain the highest standards of election integrity. This approach fosters trust, transparency, and operational excellence. How can the Auditors Office encourage turnout and boost trust in elections? The Auditors Office can boost voter turnout and trust by focusing on education, inclusivity, and tailored outreach. First, launch educational campaigns that clearly explain voting processes and the importance of participation. Engage diverse groups through specific initiatives. Tailor communication based on demographic preferences: traditional media for older voters, social media for younger voters. Enhance accessibility by promoting early voting, consider additional secure drop boxes, and be open to pursuing new ways to work with our community. Promote trust with transparent vote counting, audits, and combating misinformation through clear, accurate messaging. Flash A Chinese envoy on Thursday called on the United States not to obstruct peace efforts in the Ukraine crisis, as U.S.-led arms transfers to Kyiv continue. Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, made the remarks at a UN Security Council meeting, where UN Undersecretary-General for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu noted that the Ukrainian armed forces continue to receive arms transfers and other forms of military support, including heavy conventional weapons. Nakamitsu expressed concern over the use and transfer of cluster munitions, highlighting their indiscriminate nature and potential for widespread pollution. Geng said the immediate priority is to adhere to the principles of no battlefield spillover, no escalation of hostilities, and no incitement by any party to quickly de-escalate the situation and seek a political solution to the crisis. China urges parties involved in the conflict to demonstrate political will and engage in peace talks as soon as possible, Geng said. He also called on the international community to create favorable conditions and provide constructive assistance for this process. It is the United States that has been aggravating security tensions in Europe, increasing trust deficits and promoting divisive confrontations, Geng said, adding that after the conflict broke out, the U.S. continued to send weapons to the battlefield, openly advocating for the weakening and defeat of Russia, pushing its geopolitical strategy in a blatant manner. It is also the U.S. that has repeatedly smeared China's peace efforts, tied China to Russia, tried to drive a wedge between China and Europe, and deliberately fostered camp-based rivalry, said the Chinese diplomat. Selling fear, creating enemies and inciting confrontation will not only bring disputes and chaos to the world but will also ultimately harm the U.S. itself, Geng warned. China has not provided weapons to any party in the Ukraine conflict and has strictly controlled dual-use items, Geng said in response to Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood's accusations that China has provided decisive support for Russia. Chinese companies engage in regular trade with countries worldwide, including Russia and Ukraine, in compliance with World Trade Organization rules and market principles, and are beyond reproach, Geng added. From the very beginning, China has called for a ceasefire, an end to hostilities, the resolution of disputes through diplomatic negotiations, and a push toward a political solution, according to the Chinese envoy. Over the past three years, China has been vocal and active in these efforts, he said. "Who is truly supporting peace, and who is obstructing it? I think the international community sees this very clearly." China opposes the United States' use of the Ukraine issue to discredit and pressure China, imposing unilateral sanctions and illegal "long-arm jurisdiction" on Chinese entities and individuals, Geng said, adding that China will take all necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and citizens. CSCEC KCC Mall of Cotabato project donates supplies to orphanage in the Philippines People's Daily Online) 17:30, October 31, 2024 Five representatives of the CSCEC KCC Mall of Cotabato project visited the Markazul Aytam Cotabato Orphanage in Gang, Sultan Kudarat Maguindanao Delta Norte, the Philippines on Oct. 15, conducting a donation event themed "Building Happiness, Sharing Future." Project members take photo with the children from the orphanage This event aimed to provide essential supplies and express concern to the orphanage's children, showing the fulfillment of CSCECs corporate social responsibility and strengthened its ties with the local community. Since its launch in July 2021, KCC project has been committed to promoting localized employment policies. Currently, the project has employed 2,300 local management and labor personnel, achieving a localization rate of 98.9%. Through this localized approach, the project created new job opportunities for residents and provided skills training, contributing to regional economic and social development. "The KCC project is not just a construction project; we also aim to give back to the local community by providing better living conditions for residents." said the project manager Yao Shanfa. As the project progressed, the KCC team would continue to focus on the community's well-being, particularly in education, healthcare, and culture, further deepening communication and cooperation with the local community. China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) has always upheld the international business philosophy of "harmony and win-win", integrating social responsibility with business profitability. While ensuring the high-quality advancement of the project, the KCC project also incorporated sustainable development into its core agenda, actively promoting social progress and economic growth in the host country through high-quality construction and services, and establishing a responsible and sustainable international corporate image. In the future, the project team will continue to contribute to community development, working hand in hand with local governments and residents to build a harmonious and prosperous future. (Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang) In the final few days of a campaign, candidates try to project a closing message that they believe will win over any remaining undecided voters. Kamala Harris gave a speech outlining her version of this message on Tuesday, which went something like this: Donald Trump wants to be president so that he can order the military to imprison his enemies, whereas I want to be president to do normal Democratic president stuff. The Trump campaign, as always, is approaching things more creatively. Related From Slate Once Upon a Time, This Would Have Been a Hell of an October Surprise Read More Howard Lutnick, a finance industry CEO who is the co-chair of Trumps White House transition planning team, appeared on CNN on Wednesday and said that if Trump wins, anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be given access to government data that he could use to yank vaccines off of the market. Kennedy has for years claimed on the basis of discredited evidence that vaccinations cause autism and was involved in an anti-vaccination campaign in American Samoa which resulted in the deaths of 83 individuals, most of them young children, from measles. Trump, holding a Thursday event with Tucker Carlson, said that he would assign Kennedy to work on health and womens health. This is, frankly, an ominous promise: Among the stories about RFK Jr. and women that circulated during the campaign were decade-old reports about diaries in which he recorded having cheated on his then-wife 37 times in one year, present-day accusations that he helped break up the engagement of a journalist who covered him by sexting with her, and a Vanity Fair piece in which a woman who worked for him as a nanny said he had repeatedly harassed and touched her sexually without her consent. (Kennedy Jr. does not appear to have commented on the diaries and denied having an inappropriate relationship with the journalist. He responded to Vanity Fairs report by saying that the behavior was typical of his rambunctious youth, although at the time the alleged incidents occurred he was a married 45-year-old with five children. He later apologized to the woman involved via a text that said he has no memory of behaving inappropriately toward her.) On Wednesday, Trump also said that as president he would protect the women of the U.S. whether the women like it or not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At another point during the Carlson event, Trump said the following about former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, who renounced her support for the former president after the Jan. 6 Capitol riots and has campaigned with Harris: Shes a radical war hawk. Lets put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK? Lets see how she feels about it, you know, when the guns are trained on her face. The comment was ostensibly about Cheneys support for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which Trump said he supported (and referred to as a tremendous success) before it became unpopular and he began claiming that he had been against it. The idea seems to have been that Cheney is a chickenhawk because she advocates for wars she herself doesnt serve inbut it did veer pretty quickly into a sort of firing squad fantasy scenario, didnt it? The Harris campaign, reportedly, believes that undecided moderate women are the group with which it has the best chance of making gains in the closing days of the campaign. The Trump campaign, apparently, does not believe this, or at least believes some strange things about what undecided moderate women want to hear. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241101/air-defense-shoots-down-83-ukrainian-drones-over-russian-regions-last-night---mod-1120743527.html Air Defense Shoots Down 83 Ukrainian Drones Over Russian Regions Last Night - MoD Air Defense Shoots Down 83 Ukrainian Drones Over Russian Regions Last Night - MoD Sputnik International Russian air defense systems destroyed 83 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over the Kursk, Voronezh, Bryansk, Oryol and Belgorod Regions, as well as over Crimea, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday. 2024-11-01T05:20+0000 2024-11-01T05:20+0000 2024-11-01T05:20+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine russia kursk the united nations (un) russian defense ministry kursk voronezh https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/01/1119211006_0:173:3025:1875_1920x0_80_0_0_da8604db882a151fae9070b52fb86252.jpg "The air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 83 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles; 36 UAVs were shot down over the territory of the Kursk Region, 20 over the territory of the Bryansk Region, 12 over the territory of the Republic of Crimea, eight over the territory of the Voronezh Region, four over the territory of the Oryol Region and three over the territory of the Belgorod Region," the ministry said.Ukraine has been sending drones and missiles into Russia almost daily since it launched its counteroffensive in early June 2023. The United Nations said in August last year, following a botched drone strike on Moscow, that it did not want to see any targeting of civilian infrastructure. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241029/russian-air-defense-destroyed-7-ukrainian-drones-overnight---mod-1120712590.html ukraine russia kursk Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International air defense shoots, ukrainian fixed-wing drones, russian regions https://sputnikglobe.com/20241101/democrats-playing-long-game-to-convert-migrants-into-their-future-voters---experts-1120747355.html Democrats Playing Long Game to Convert Migrants Into Their Future Voters - Experts Democrats Playing Long Game to Convert Migrants Into Their Future Voters - Experts Sputnik International The Democrats are playing the long game with their immigration policies, staking on dividends from changing the makeup of the US population, Dr. Nicholas Waddy, associate professor of history at SUNY Alfred told Sputnik. 2024-11-01T15:37+0000 2024-11-01T15:37+0000 2024-11-01T15:37+0000 analysis 2024 us presidential election us donald trump kamala harris election fraud election fraud joe biden republicans democrats https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/1d/1109962983_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_278382d4bb378b27aa1f9eab0e24c448.jpg The Democrats are playing the long game with their immigration policies, wagering on dividends from changing the makeup of the US population, Dr. Nicholas Waddy, associate professor of history at SUNY Alfred and Trump supporter, told Sputnik. States like Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada, which used to be red states, have become purple," or "swing" states, the pundit explained, because their populations have changed over time.Some exit polls during the 2020 election showed that 65% of migrants voted for Biden, while 32% voted for Trump.A lot of these illegal immigrants coming in, theyre trying to get them to vote. They cant even speak English. They dont even know what country theyre in, practically. And these people are trying to get them to vote. And thats why theyre allowing them to come into our country, said Trump in September.SpaceX CEO and X owner Elon Musk, who threw his weight behind Trump in the summer, similarly warned on social media that and 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. Trump vowed to end this border nightmare in his Republican National Committee (RNC) 2024 acceptance speech in July.Furthermore, Democratic lawmakers have been actively campaigning to pass voting rights legislation in Congress aimed at reducing or eliminating election restrictions. They argue that strict identification requirements and in-person voting, often championed by Republicans, hinder low-income individuals, African Americans, and other minority groups from exercising their right to vote.Republicans are understandably concerned about Democrats employing tricks such as a fraudulent turnout of people who are not eligible to vote, or people that don't exist using somebody else's identity, for example, a dead person's identity," American political analyst Don Debar told Sputnik."This is not so uncommon, he said.He referenced an opinion, ostensibly backed by historical data, that the larger the turnout in a presidential election, the better the Democratic Party does and the lower the turnout, the better the Republican Party does.As for the Democrat-advocated watering down or abolishment of strict ID rules, the pundit noted that most people in the world are required to produce some sort of proof of who they are when they go to vote, for the obvious reasons. But that is not the case here. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241005/with-election-a-month-away-nearly-60-of-americans-fear-potential-vote-fraud-1120430303.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240912/how-to-steal-an-election-us-conservatives-expose-democrats-playbook-ahead-of-2024-vote-1120119743.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko will 2024 election be stolen, could 2024 election be stolen, how could 2024 election be stolen. will there be election fraud in 2024, us 2024 election, donald trump, kamala harris, trump-harris poll numbers, trump-kamala debate, kamala harris poll rates inflated, us polls oversample democrats, is harris leading in swing states, election irregularities, election theft, us 2020 election controversy, was election stolen from trump in 2020, rigged election, election interference https://sputnikglobe.com/20241101/idf-bulldozers-damaged-unrwas-office-in-west-bank---chief-1120743176.html IDF Bulldozers Damaged UNRWA's Office in West Bank - Chief IDF Bulldozers Damaged UNRWA's Office in West Bank - Chief Sputnik International United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said on Friday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) used bulldozers to seriously damage one of the organization's offices in the West Bank. 2024-11-01T04:37+0000 2024-11-01T04:37+0000 2024-11-01T04:37+0000 world philippe lazzarini palestinians israel west bank israel defense forces (idf) palestine war crimes genocide ethnic cleansing https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/01/1120743302_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_f4f2e862829d20a3781b5c6fc1f6d561.jpg "Using bulldozers, Israeli Forces severely damaged today (Thursday) the UNRWA office in the Nur Shams Camp, north of the WestBank. The office can no longer be used. It was the hub to deliver basic services to more than 14,000 Palestine Refugees in the camp," Lazzarini said on X. He added that roads, as well as water and electricity networks, were also destroyed in the camp during the Israeli military operation. The Israeli parliament passed two bills on Monday banning UNRWA from operating within Israel and barring Israeli authorities from making contacts with the UN agency, the main provider of relief aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Lazzarini warned that the move effectively delegitimized the agency's efforts to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240513/israel-stopping-all-aid-to-gaza-journalist-tells-sputnik-1118416062.html israel west bank palestine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International unrwa office, aid to gaza, demolishing unrwa, unrwa in gaza, genocide, ethnic cleansing, humanitarian disaster, humanitarian catastrophe, humanitarian ceasefire, israel-hamas conflict, gaza strip crisis, shelling of gaza, gaza devastation, israel-palestine conflict, palestine-israel conflict, israeli-palestinian conflict, palestinian-israeli, zionist regime, zionists, killings of civilians, civilian infrastructure, civilians dead, civilians die, israel kills civilians, civilian casualties, civilian deaths, indiscriminate shelling, indiscriminate killing, war crimes https://sputnikglobe.com/20241101/russian-n-korean-commission-on-trade-cooperation-to-meet-in-pyongyang-in-november---lavrov-1120747857.html Russian-N Korean Commission on Trade Cooperation to Meet in Pyongyang in November - Lavrov Russian-N Korean Commission on Trade Cooperation to Meet in Pyongyang in November - Lavrov Sputnik International A regular meeting of the Russian-North Korean intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation will be held in Pyongyang later this month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday. 2024-11-01T12:48+0000 2024-11-01T12:48+0000 2024-11-01T12:48+0000 world sergey lavrov choe son hui pyongyang russia north korea https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/01/1120747696_0:195:2947:1853_1920x0_80_0_0_12674d512b077fb16adc0e235f88e8cc.jpg "The intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation is working in a good pace. It met in November last year, and the next, eleventh meeting is scheduled to take place in Pyongyang this November," Lavrov said at a meeting with his North Korean counterpart, Choe Son Hui. The top Russian diplomat expressed his confidence that the commission would be able to develop recommendations that would allow to continue the progressive expansion of our trade, investment and economic ties between the two countries. Moscow values cultural, humanitarian and educational exchanges with North Korea and is "committed to their further development," Lavrov added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241024/russias-state-duma-ratifies-russia-n-korea-comprehensive-strategic-partnership-treaty-1120665040.html pyongyang russia north korea Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian-n.korean commission on trade cooperation, russian foreign minister sergey lavrov, economic cooperation https://sputnikglobe.com/20241101/tricks-of-the-trade-how-the-white-house-and-legacy-media-concoct-pro-democrat-narratives-1120748951.html Tricks of the Trade: How the White House and Legacy Media Concoct Pro-Democrat Narratives Tricks of the Trade: How the White House and Legacy Media Concoct Pro-Democrat Narratives Sputnik International Donald Trump recently announced his intention to sue CBS News for $10 billion, claiming that the network's editing of Kamala Harris's interview on 60 Minutes constituted "election interference." 2024-11-01T17:12+0000 2024-11-01T17:12+0000 2024-11-01T17:12+0000 americas us joe biden kamala harris donald trump taiwan milwaukee white house fox news cbs news https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/0b/10/1090761374_0:0:2271:1277_1920x0_80_0_0_ecac81b21a3ffae5b7732895e4966925.jpg In a parallel move, House Republicans are contemplating an investigation into how the White House edited President Joe Biden's controversial "garbage" comment. They argue this might violate the Presidential Records Act of 1978.The GOP contends that both the White House and the media are engaged in efforts to portray Biden and Harris more favorably as Election Day approaches. This appears to be part of a larger trend of collaboration between the press and White House staff that has been ongoing for some time.In mid-August, The National Interest lambasted the US mainstream media for what it referred to as Kamala Harris's "rebranding." The publication pointed out that Harris received "glamorous cover profiles" and positive coverage, despite her historically low approval ratings as vice president and her inability to address the border crisis after being appointed by Biden as "border czar."In mid-October, Fox News anchor Bret Baier confronted Harris with a series of challenging questions regarding migration, her economic agenda, and her vice-presidential record. This line of questioning led Harris's aides to cut the interview short after less than 30 minutes.Earlier, the White House repeatedly downplayed and sugar-coated Joe Biden's "gaffes", including the one concerning US "military defense" of Taiwan.In July, Civic Media, a radio station in Milwaukee, acknowledged that it had made two edits to a July 3 recording of an interview with Biden that aired later, following a request from his campaign. This interview came on the heels of Biden's poor performance in his June 27 debate against Trump. In early July, Andrea Lawful-Sanders, a host on Philadelphia's WURD radio, conducted a separate interview with Biden and later admitted that she had asked four out of the eight questions that had been drafted for her by Bidens aides. Michael LaRosa, a former press secretary for First Lady Jill Biden, commented to Axios that the practice of "pre-submitting questions" for interviewees has long been a strategy of the Biden team.In February 2024, the White House pressured Fox News to revise its coverage of corruption allegations against President Biden, arguing that the claims were based on misleading data provided by FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, who allegedly fabricated the accusations against the president. Fox News declined the request, citing broader corruption allegations put forth by House investigators concerning the Biden family. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241101/trump-files-lawsuit-against-cbs-over-refusal-to-release-unedited-harris-interview--report-1120742927.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20241031/hollywood-for-harris-vs-the-trump-train-who-endorsed-who-in-2024-1120738994.html americas taiwan milwaukee Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova joe biden's garbage comment, white house edited biden's garbage comment, trump sued cbs for editing harris' interview, 2024 us election, us legacy media is rebranding harris, broadcaster edited interview with biden at request of his campaign, white house retracts and sugar-coat biden's gaffes https://sputnikglobe.com/20241101/turkiye-hopes-to-launch-international-gas-hub-in-2025-1120745188.html Turkiye Hopes to Launch International Gas Hub in 2025 Turkiye Hopes to Launch International Gas Hub in 2025 Sputnik International Turkiye hopes to launch an international gas hub in 2025 in cooperation with Russia's Gazprom, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on Friday. 2024-11-01T09:11+0000 2024-11-01T09:11+0000 2024-11-01T09:11+0000 economy vladimir putin recep tayyip erdogan turkiye russia istanbul brics gazprom nord stream gas https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105815/80/1058158069_0:71:1349:830_1920x0_80_0_0_4b03da8eb30f50285b0ba94025a4ed76.jpg "We have created a strong infrastructure to launch operation of a trading platform within the Istanbul Financial Center in 2025 under the BotasGazprom partnership," Bayraktar told Turkish newspaper Milliyet. The minister said that gas prices would be determined under the Istanbul gas index. Turkiye also hopes to get a discount, which means Turkiye will get a special price when the existing contract terminates in 2025, the minister added. In his opinion, even if Ukraine does not extend the contract on Russian gas transit, there will be no problems with the security of supplies, but there could be an increase in gas prices. Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia's Kazan that both countries are continuing to work on the creation of a gas hub, and that Russia remains a reliable supplier of gas to Turkiye. Turkiye expects that a gas hub will help it become a strategic center for gas pricing in the region and also increase gas imports from 50 billion cubic meters to 70-80 billion cubic meters. The gas hub was first discussed in October 2022. At the time, Putin suggested redirecting gas transit from the blast-damaged Nord Stream pipelines to Turkiye. In July, Bayraktar said that Turkiye was close to realizing the gas hub project and had the necessary infrastructure in place. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240607/russias-gazprom-turkiye-discuss-construction-of-intl-gas-hub-at-spief---company-1118840487.html turkiye russia istanbul Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International international gas, russia's gazprom, turkish energy minister alparslan bayraktar, international gas hub https://sputnikglobe.com/20241101/ukraine-loses-over-5390-soldiers-in-battle-with-russian-forces-in-past-week---mod-1120746565.html Ukraine Loses Over 5,390 Soldiers in Battle With Russian Forces in Past Week - MoD Ukraine Loses Over 5,390 Soldiers in Battle With Russian Forces in Past Week - MoD Sputnik International Russia's Battlegroup Yug has eliminated more than 5,390 Ukrainian servicepeople over the past week, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday. 2024-11-01T10:51+0000 2024-11-01T10:51+0000 2024-11-01T10:51+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine sputnik russia ukraine kiev russian defense ministry m113 https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/08/09/1119692176_0:123:3204:1925_1920x0_80_0_0_f21a92f33d39ef7575298f63827d1a16.jpg "The enemy's losses amounted to over 5,390 servicepeople, two tanks, including a German-made Leopard tank, two US-made M113 armored personnel carriers made, eight other combat armored vehicles and 51 automobiles," the ministry said, adding that the southern group has repelled 10 counterattacks. Russias Battlegroup Zapad repelled 35 counterattacks, and Kiev has lost over 3,620 soldiers, while Battlegroup Tsentr has repelled 72 counterattacks and eliminated up to 3,840 Ukrainian troops, the ministry said. In battles with Battlegroup Sever, Kiev has lost over 2,810 soldiers, the ministry said, adding that a total of 54 Ukrainian soldiers surrendered to the Russian armed forces. Additionally, the Russian forces have taken control of the village of Leonidovka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), as well as the settlements of Novoukrainka and Shakhterskoye in the DPR. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241024/ukraine-loses-up-to-280-soldiers-in-kursk-area-in-past-day---mod-1120665676.html russia ukraine kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia's battlegroup yug, ukrainian servicepeople, russian forces https://sputnikglobe.com/20241101/us-defense-secretary-discusses-de-escalation-in-middle-east-with-israeli-counterpart-1120743847.html US Defense Secretary Discusses De-Escalation in Middle East With Israeli Counterpart US Defense Secretary Discusses De-Escalation in Middle East With Israeli Counterpart Sputnik International WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant have discussed de-escalation in the Middle East during a... 01.11.2024, Sputnik International 2024-11-01T06:14+0000 2024-11-01T06:14+0000 2024-11-01T06:14+0000 world gaza strip yoav gallant us israel austin hezbollah https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0a/10/1120570808_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_e56663e00881e0d506eceebc5f66785e.jpg "Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today to discuss opportunities for regional de-escalation," the spokesman said in a statement. During the phone call, the US defense secretary also reaffirmed the United States' commitment to "defend U.S. personnel, Israel, and partners across the region against threats from Iran and Iran-backed proxy groups," the statement said. Moreover, Austin and Gallant discussed the steps Israel is taking and should continue to take to "improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza," as well as the prospects for a hostage release and ceasefire deal, the statement added. Earlier this week, Axios reported that Israeli intelligence believed Iran was preparing to attack Israel from the territory of Iraq, possibly before the US presidential election on November 5. Since October 1, Israel has been conducting a ground operation against Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon while continuing airstrikes. Despite its losses, Hezbollah has been fighting Israeli troops on the ground and launching rockets across the border. Israel says its main objective is to create conditions for the return of 60,000 residents who fled shelling in the north. The situation has been aggravated by growing tensions between Israel and Iran. On October 1, Iran struck targets in Israel. In response, Israel attacked military targets in Iran at the end of October. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241028/us-played-critical-support-role-in-israels-strike-on-iran--analyst-1120708837.html gaza strip israel austin Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International gaza strip, yoav gallant, us, israel, austin, hezbollah This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Hagenia abyssinica. Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Krzysztof Golik Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. Scientists at Rwanda Forestry Authority have identified two tree species with the potential to generate clean electricity, bringing power to remote communities. Rwanda has set a target of 100% electricity access by 2030, but access to power in rural areas is still limited. To address this, researchers are exploring the potential of generating electricity from sustainably grown plant biomass, assessing the energy potential of various tree species. Bonaventure Ntirugulirwa, a senior researcher leading the initiative, said biomass had largely been ignored, despite its potential to replace conventional fossil fuels as a high-energy alternative. "This project was designed to meet the electricity needs in rural areas," he said. After studying the biomass potential of a number of fast-growing trees and shrubs, the researchers identified the species Senna siamea and Gliricidia sepium as prime candidates for electricity generation. These trees' high wood density and calorific values mean they burn efficiently, making them high-heat alternatives to fossil fuels. Ntirugulirwa explains that the research aimed not just to find trees that burn efficiently, but to address energy gaps in remote areas sustainably. The research, he said, "would contribute to several objectives, such as protecting land, improving the soil, securing food, mitigating climate change, and alleviating rural poverty." The researchers explored the potential of multipurpose tree species such as Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea), Calliandra calothyrsus, Hagenia abyssinica (African redwood) and Senna spectabilis (whitebark senna). These trees not only offer fuel for electricity generation but also provide valuable resources for farmers and their communities, said Ntirugulirwa. "Farmers were allowed to test a given set of practices on their farm and select the ones that work best under their conditions," he explained. Farmers in different regions identified their preferred species based on local conditions and needs, he added. With the most promising tree species identified, the researchers say they are now focused on generating electricity. To make this happen, the project will rely on the active participation of farmers to grow enough biomass for energy production, Ntirugulirwa said. So far, the team has measured the heating value of the biomass at the Rwanda Standards Board. However, testing for other key elements such as carbon and hydrogen will need to be carried out in Sweden, as Rwanda lacks the specialized equipment. Babatunde Ajayi, a professor of Wood Products and BioResources Technology at the Federal University of Technology, in Akure, Nigeria, praised the project's approach, particularly for addressing food shortages, poverty, and electricity gaps in rural areas. "It's good the initiative is resolving these issues," he said. "Using biomass to generate electricity is a welcome idea, especially in rural areas where access to power is extremely poor," added Ajayi. He compared the process to solar power, which uses sunlight to generate electricity. "Once you put the biomass into a machine, it will convert it into electrical energy," Ajayi said. "It is like using solar, whereby a panel is outside, the sun beats the panel, and it is converted to electricity." Provided by SciDev.Net Women for Change, a South African womens rights organization, launched a petition calling for the cancellation of Grammy-winning artist Chris Browns December 2024 Johannesburg performances due to his history of domestic abuse. The change.org petition, which surfaced on Oct. 2, 2024, asks concert promoters and the government to reconsider allowing Brown to perform at the FNB Stadium, the largest stadium in Africa, where over 94,000 tickets sold out in less than two hours. The controversy reflects growing concerns over gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa. According to the BBC, South Africa is grappling with some of the highest rates of femicide and GBV in the world. A rape is reported every 12 minutes, and a woman is murdered every three hours, often by an intimate partner. Statistics show that between 25% and 40% of South African women have experienced sexual or physical intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime. Women for Change highlights Browns 2009 felony conviction for assaulting fellow artist Rihanna, as a symbolic issue in the ongoing struggle for womens rights. They argue that allowing such a public figure with a history of abuse to perform in South Africa sends the wrong message to survivors of violence. Speaking to CDI, Siki Dlanga, project leader for The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa (TEASA) on GBV, commented: There has been much criticism regarding the response to stop Chris Brown from performing in SA given that there are other SA celebrities who have not been held accountable by the public such as Somizi. This is how SA social media users who support Chris Brown chose to respond. The fact of the matter is that the campaign to stop Chris Brown is an important call to stop normalising GBV. Dlanga, who is also a renowned author and poet, notes that whether Brown ends up performing or not, the awareness campaign on GBV will have achieved something important a national conversation about the state of GBV in SA. She added, It has also exposed why GBV continues, as women and men continue to participate in a culture that is still willing to dance to the tunes of an unapologetic abuser. In an Oct. 17, 2024 Business Live piece, columnist Chris Roper highlighted a provocative comparison made by fellow columnist Fred Khumalo in City Press. Khumalo wrote, Michael Jackson was accused of paedophilia but where would pop music be without his contribution? Khumalo used this argument to defend fans of Brown, urging critics not to condemn them solely because of Browns domestic violence conviction. However, Roper pointed out the problematic nature of the word but in these discussions. He stressed that for groups like Women for Change and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), there is no but in GBV. TEASA has been actively involved in efforts to combat GBV, emphasizing the theological imperative for Christians to stand against all forms of violence. In 2021, TEASA released a statement on GBV, expressing deep concern over the churchs failure to adequately address the issue. Their statement lamented the reality that GBV exists even within Christian communities, undermining the Churchs witness to the world. TEASAs statement also outlines a plan for churches to be salt and light in society, drawing from the biblical commandment to love ones neighbour as oneself (Matthew 22:3739). The alliance acknowledges that while many women in South Africa endure violent rape, beatings, and economic exploitation, the Church has often taken a band-aid approach to what is a systemic issue. TEASA has argued that the Church must first confess its own failings and turn to Gods enabling power to transform both its internal culture and external witness. Faith without action is hypocritical, read TEASAs statement. It included calls on churches to commit to changing beliefs and behaviours that devalue women, to preach that womens lives matter, and to ensure that churches are safe spaces for women. While the petition continues to gain signatures, the broader conversation remains: how can South Africa, a nation with some of the highest GBV rates globally, confront the normalization of violence in its culture? For advocates like Women for Change, the concert is an opportunity to remind the world that South Africas women deserve safety, dignity, and justice. Frost & Sullivan occupies a floor in the Northwest Center at 7550 Interstate 10 West. It recently settled a lawsuit over a 2023 data breach. Monte Bach / Staff In December, Kansas resident Don Hays filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against Frost & Sullivan Inc. over a data breach that occurred at the San Antonio research and consulting firm last year. The ex-Frost & Sullivan employee alleged the hack injured at least 279 current or former employees and clients through exposure of their personal information. He would serve as the representative of a proposed class in the lawsuit filed in federal court in San Antonio, the suit said. The classs damages exceeded $5 million. Hays, though, recently worked out a confidential resolution regarding his claims against the company and dropped the suit. Advertisement Article continues below this ad U.S. District Judge Fred Biery issued an order of dismissal of the case Monday. The class, which was never certified, will get nothing. Why Hays chose not to proceed with class claims couldnt be determined. Samuel Strauss, a Chicago lawyer for Hays, didnt respond to a request for comment. Gregory Hudson, a Houston attorney representing Frost & Sullivan, said he was unable to comment. The settlement terms are confidential, as is any comment concerning the underlying lawsuit, he said in an email response to questions. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Notice of the settlement came about a month after Biery accepted U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Betsy Chestneys report and recommendation denying Frost & Sullivans motion to dismiss the claims against it. Frost & Sullivan prevailed in getting Hays claims for breach of fiduciary duty and invasion of privacy tossed, but his other claims, including for negligence, breach of implied contract and unjust enrichment, survived the companys challenge. The company sent letters in September 2023 to those individuals who may have been affected by the data breach, explaining that it had been the victim of a cyberattack. An unauthorized individual accessed certain systems in its network containing names and Social Security numbers belonging to current and former employees, it said. Hays lawsuit highlighted the irony that Frost & Sullivan advertises itself as a cybersecurity expert, publishing articles such as Three Promising Solutions to Mitigate Cyberattacks. Frost & Sullivan has had other problems of late. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Over the summer, it cited cash flow challenges for failing to pay its employees on time over a period of several weeks. A company official allegedly told employees they could borrow against their 401(k) retirement plan if they needed cash. In September, Frost & Sullivan and former CEO Darrell Huntsman confidentially settled dueling legal claims. The company first sued Huntsman in San Antonio for fraud, misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of fiduciary duty. Huntsman countered with his own lawsuit, accusing the company of terminating his employment in retaliation for him alerting its board to falsified information on a loan application to obtain $2 million through the federal Paycheck Protection Program. The Small Business Administration program provided forgivable loans to companies to cover payroll and certain other expenses to keep workers employed during the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jorge Sandoval, a San Antonio actor, writer, director and photographer, died Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at 71. Sandoval worked in many artist fields, including acting and stage production, but friend and fellow actor Jesse Borrego said his keen eye made Sandoval an exceptional photographer. Courtesy of the Sandoval family Ernestine Leos can tell a lot of stories about her brother Jorge Sandoval, the beloved San Antonio actor, writer, director, filmmaker and photographer, who died Wednesday at 71. But theres one she especially likes. A world traveler, her brother managed huge adventures on tiny budgets. Hed save for airfare but embark on trips with little to nothing in his pocket for food or lodging. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In Spain, for example, he was roaming the countryside on foot, enthralled by its beauty with no particular destination in mind. Then the universe stepped in. All of a sudden this car was honking and honking, so he moved to the side, Leos said, recounting his story. It was filled with Spanish college boys on a break. They offered him a ride. Where are you going? one asked. He said, Nowhere. Im just walking. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For the next week, they hosted him in a beautiful country home, where one young mans parents fed him, charmed by Sandovals intelligence, command of the Spanish language and his smile. Jorge Sandoval, a San Antonio actor, writer, director and photographer, died Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at 71. Sandoval worked in many artist fields, including acting and stage production, but friend and fellow actor Jesse Borrego said his keen eye made Sandoval an exceptional photographer. Courtesy of the Sandoval family He always met people, his sister said. When he didnt have shelter, he would stay in hostels. He wasnt particular. Except when it came to his art, his writing, his stage work, his photography and his films. Then he demanded the best of himself. Sandoval died of non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, his sister said. A living donor never materialized. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A few weeks ago, he talked about his diagnosis and need for a living donor on social media, first saying how proud he was to be a West Sider and praising his sisters, Chatita (Leos) and Chata (Luz Dominguez) both playful Mexican nicknames that refer to someone whos flat-nosed. Family is what defines me, he said. They keep me reaching for the stars. He was a Lanier High School graduate as were his parents and siblings. He never graduated from college but did coursework at San Antonio College and Our Lady of the Lake University. He educated himself in every aspect of the arts, Leos said. They were a family whose mother took them to the Alameda Theater to see movies of the golden era of Mexican cinema and variedades, variety shows that brought top talent to San Antonio. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sandoval worked for an insurance company for a time, the Witte Museum in some capacity and for KLRN, where he produced Latino content, she said. He picked up other jobs but mostly lived the life of an artist. A resume of his work couldnt be found. Sandoval called himself an artist and activist who worked for more than 45 years. He was famous for his travels to Mexico he was a dual citizen as well as Peru, Cuba, Belize, Guatemala, England, France, Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, Holland, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, South Korea and more. The only painful journey he endured began in 2022, after receiving his diagnosis. Leos was his caregiver. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sandoval was an influencer long before that term began to trend, especially with his nephew Omar Leos, the fine arts coordinator at the Harlandale Independent School District. The two worked on plays together, and Sandoval often acted in work that his nephew staged. The nephew recalled the first play he ever saw his uncle do, Blood Wedding at the Guadalupe Theater. I was in second grade, he said. San Antonio actor Jesse Borrego (Fame, Blood In, Blood Out) starred in the show in which Sandoval served as stage manager. It was at the Majestic Theater with the San Antonio Symphony. Uncle hired nephew as assistant stage manager. It was my first professional production, Omar Leos said. One night just didnt go right at all. There was something in lighting mix-ups and stuff like that, and (my uncle) got really upset about it. I remember him saying its OK to be upset, but you have to just keep going. I learned a lot of that from him. He was so good at his craft, he said. Sandoval picked up photography along the way. Last year, Centro Cultural Aztlan exhibited his work. He knew it would be his last. He practiced a lot of disciplines, Borrego said, calling Sandoval a Renaissance man and the type of artist that could get projects to the finish. But his visual eye was keen. It was his photography. He had an incredible eye, he said. Borrego recalled Sandovals theater work at OLLU with other Chicano artists of the day. Sandoval was also involved in the Borrego familys Lupita Productions, which put on concerts. Sandoval was part of a troupe called Los Actores de San Antonio that performed at The Guadalupe, and another called Latins Anonymous at Jump-Start Performance Co., Borrego said. Sandoval was working on his last project, a book about Los Actores, Borrego added. A few nights ago, Borrego went to his friends bedside and sang to him. Borrego sang from his own fathers conjunto repertoire. Sandoval responded. He smiled. The homeowner is looking for a plant to replace several holly ferns in the front landscape bed that is no longer in the shade after losing a post oak tree. Courtesy photo Q: Im looking for a plant to replace several holly ferns that used to be in shade until we lost a post oak tree. The ferns have been barely hanging on since we had the tree removed. Id like a low-growing perennial that would be a nice contrast to the existing tri-color iris, asparagus fern and boxwoods. A: If it were my landscape, Id want something permanent in appearance to bring stability to your attractive home and landscape. I would also want it to be rather bold not soft textured. I would go back to a favorite of 30 years ago dwarf Chinese holly for its rounded growth habit and large, dark green leaves. Granted, it doesnt bloom, but the flowering plants that might grow well for you there have seasons where they dont look as good as youd like. And granted it has spines on its leaves, but youre not going to be sitting in it. Ive grown it beside our entryway beds for 46 years, and I love it. Sperry recommends replacing the struggling holly ferns with dwarf Chinese holly. Courtesy photo The side of the driveway in this Bermuda lawn has bare spots. Courtesy photo This side of the house with Bermuda grass has no issues. Courtesy photo The front lawn of Bermuda grass also has bare spots and appears dry. Courtesy photo MORE SPERRY: These plants thrive in Texas landscapes Advertisement Article continues below this ad Because there is a gap in the wall on the upper level where the bricks fold back, I really feel the need to have some kind of evergreen there. The bed appears to be rather shallow, so you may be limited to a mid-sized evergreen. Dwarf Burford holly would be excellent with its large red berries all winter. Or you could plant a Warrens Red possumhaw holly in the lower bed and use low shrubs or giant liriope in the upper level. If you did that, youd be able to use an attractive groundcover to finish it all off. Purple wintercreeper euonymus would be stunning. Dark green all summer, with its leaves shading to rich maroon all winter. Its good in full sun to half sun. I have used a lot of it in my landscape where Asian jasmine has worn out its welcome. Another option would be to put three large decorative pots in the lower level, in a grouping, and fill them with seasonal color, then surround them with an evergreen groundcover. That could give you variety and good looks. Q: Some of the areas of my Bermuda lawn look OK. They are mainly the sides and the patch out by the sidewalk and curb. My main issue is with the front where areas are bare and thin of grass. Im not sure what I can do at this time of year to make it more robust next year. I have a lawn care company that takes care of weeds and fertilizes as needed. Ive attached photos and a soil test report from this past July. Any suggestions will be appreciated. A: Several things could be responsible. Let me develop a list for you, and then Ill let you check them off. Most obvious to my eye is that the entire lawn, even the green portion, looks dry. Its been a brutal late summer and fall for the past 10 weeks or so for much of Texas. But you had the soil test run in July, so the problem must have been showing before that. Still, you need to determine how well the grass is being watered when you irrigate. It should be soaked deeply, then allowed to dry before you water again. Too many people water daily or every other day and their grass never develops deep roots. So thats one thing. There is also the possibility of Bermuda grass mites. I cant tell by looking, but I can describe their damage. They are microscopic mites that cause the runners (stolons) to be very shortened and clubby. They end up looking like tufts of short leaves, almost like an old-fashioned shaving brush. You need to pull a few runners up and see if that matches at all. If so, you can learn a great deal more by Googling Bermuda mites online. I usually add the word university into any search of that sort so that Ill be put into the websites of the major agriculture colleges of America. I will warn you: Bermuda mites are difficult to eliminate. Armyworms, I suppose, are worth mentioning. Their damage might vaguely resemble what youre seeing. They have been a problem across Texas these past several weeks. They tend to show up after an area gets late summer rains and a flush of fall growth. Theyre the larval form of a small gray moth that you may not even notice. You may see flocks of birds feeding on your lawn good evidence of their presence. Most general-purpose insecticides, organic and inorganic, will control them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Finally, I want to go back to that soil test. You had it done by what appears to be primarily a farm testing company 1,200 miles and four to five states from your home. Those folks probably give very good results, but theyre dealing with pounds per acre, and they probably are unfamiliar with the unusual soil profile you have in your part of Texas. I had a hard time figuring out how I would interpret the results that I saw. I really would suggest that you (or your lawn maintenance people) tie directly to the dependable Soil Testing Lab at Texas A&M in College Station. They are completely familiar with all of the different types of soils in our state, even county by county even parts of various counties. Their advice would be far more reliable for you. Youll find all the instructions on sampling and mailing on their website. Discuss all of this with your lawn service company. If you know any of their other clients, compare notes with them to see how their Bermuda is looking. Hopefully something can be addressed yet this fall to strengthen the grass over the winter, so it can zoom out of the blocks come spring. Before sunrise on a Monday in September, Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai and San Antonio City Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda gathered with other South Texas leaders at the local Amtrak station, near the Alamodome, to board the once-daily train to Austin. They werent taking the train, known as the Texas Eagle, to make appointments up north with frequent delays on the route, hardly anyone does. The purpose of their 2.5-hour ride was to raise awareness for their campaign to develop reliable passenger rail service between San Antonio and Austin the kind that people might actually use to get to work or to a business meeting, or for a day trip to watch the Spurs play or catch a show at Austin City Limits. Upon reaching Austin, they laid out their case for rail in a news conference led by Travis County Judge Andy Brown, who helped launch the campaign last year: Austin and San Antonio are growing into a booming super-region, Brown said, and commuters need an alternative to the dangerous and congested Interstate 35. Better rail service could spur economic growth and help the environment. Passengers board the Texas Eagle train serviced by Amtrak on Wed, Oct. 30, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer With the federal government making $66 billion available for rail projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the local region has a once-in-a-generation opportunity, he said, calling upon state legislators to provide the required matching funds. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Despite the enthusiasm on display that day, area officials and transportation experts acknowledge the campaign faces long odds. As of now, advocates can offer few specifics as to what the rail service might look like or how it might be achieved. No budget has been proposed, and it's not clear if needed funding could be obtained. It's also not the first attempt to make a San Antonio to Austin commuter rail a reality. A similar push failed less than a decade ago, though it was well-funded and overseen by a team of rail professionals. Known as the Lone Star Rail District, it attracted broad support among municipalities along I-35, but in the end it floundered because it couldnt win over the most crucial stakeholder of all: the rail company Union Pacific. If more passenger trains are to be run between San Antonio and Austin, it will almost certainly need to be with some level of cooperation from Union Pacific, the freight giant that owns the only route linking the cities a route that functions as a crucial link in the U.S. supply chain, carrying manufactured goods and produce from Mexico to consumers across the nation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And Union Pacific has made it quite clear, in a letter to Brown about two weeks before that news conference, that it isnt interested in more passenger service on its tracks. New passenger service would likely put freight back on I-35 increasing gridlock, accidents and greenhouse gas emissions, Mark Bristol, the companys general director of interline operations and network planning, wrote Brown on Sept. 6. Our Austin-San Antonio rail corridor is a critical freight route in Texas, and available capacity is reserved for the states future freight transportation needs. I encourage you to review the Lone Star Rail Districts environmental studies and track designs that made it clear to us that additional passenger rail service, including increased Amtrak service, does not work on this route, Bristol wrote. Nelson Wolff, who advocated for the Lone Star Rail District while serving as Bexar County judge until Union Pacific pulled its support, once said it would take "God's intervention for us to have high-speed rail." He served as San Antonio's mayor during another failed attempt, in the early 1990s, led by a consortium of U.S., French and Canadian companies known as Texas TGV that envisioned a bullet train linking San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Houston. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "It crashed," he said of the rail district in a recent interview. "Union Pacific has their right-of-way and they're proud of it and they aren't going to let anyone screw around with it." "What's going to come of this, I don't know," Wolff said. "I don't know if they're going to be able to pull a rabbit out of the hat or not." MORE COVERAGE: Neighborhoods near VIA's Green Line not ready to hop on board Campaign in its infancy Trains sit at the Union Pacific East train yard near downtown San Antonio on Oct. 30. The existing Union Pacific tracks between San Antonio and Austin would likely be key in expanding commuter rail service between the cities, but the railroad has so far said it's not interested. Christopher Lee Staff Photographer Even after Union Pacific's letter, rail supporters such as Brown and Havrda say they remain hopeful. Brown, in an interview, said he interprets the letter as Union Pacifics way of establishing a posture until realistic funding is presented. He has drafted a letter to state legislators asking that they invest $300 million in intercity rail statewide in the upcoming legislative session. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Along with that stash of federal funding that didnt exist before, they point to other factors lending fuel to their campaign, including a widespread sense that congestion on Interstate 35 has grown intolerable and cannot be overcome by adding more highway lanes. Traffic counts kept by TxDOT bear out that perception: A stretch of I-35 just north of Loop 1604, near the crossing with Retama Parkway, had an average daily vehicle count of nearly 194,761 last year, according to the agency's website. That's an increase of 36.6% from the count of 141,827 in 2013, and of 60.1% from the count of 121,000 in 2004, the first year for which data is available. Havrda, who represents District 6 on the San Antonio City Council, which includes much of San Antonios far West Side, said traffic congestion has reached a pain point on I-35. We werent always there. It was an inconvenience to drive to Austin, but it wasnt just a nightmare like it can be now," said Havrda, a mayoral hopeful who is also vice chair of the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, or AAMPO, which oversees transportation planning for the San Antonio metro area. This latest campaign for San Antonio to Austin rail service is very much in its infancy. The most significant step to be taken is Brown and Sakais formation of a committee, the Texas Passenger Rail Advisory, which meets once a month. They have established contact with Union Pacific, meeting with executives in their Washington D.C. office. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sakai described the process as an ongoing conversation, downplaying the possibility that anything substantial might be accomplished in the near future. Its just my leadership style take one step at a time; be very methodical, he said in an interview. I dont want another high-speed-rail excitement and then find out theres no political will. I believe if we talk very thoughtfully, deliberately and with much strategic planning, we can at least get the public buy-in. Can I get it done before the end of my term? Probably not, he said. But if I can start the train rolling no pun intended then Ill let the community figure it out. 'The time is now' Passengers at the San Antonio station board the Texas Eagle train line on Oct. 30. Officials in San Antonio and Texas are pushing to expand commuter rail service between the two cities. Christopher Lee Staff Photographer In arguing for investment in passenger rail, former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros points out that in the coming decades the Austin-San Antonio region is set to grow by a number greater than the current population of the city of Chicago. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hes right, according to projections from the Texas Demographic Center, a state agency that tracks Texass population based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau. In 2020, the seven counties bordering I-35 between the San Antonio and Austin metro areas Bexar, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays, Travis and Williamson had a combined population of 4.5 million, according to the agency. By 2060, the agency projects that their population could double, to a total of 9.1 million, assuming that migration rates continue on the same trajectory as in the decade between 2010 and 2020. Thats an increase of nearly 4.6 million. The Windy City's population last year was 2.7 million, according to the Census Bureau. In 2060, then, the Austin-San Antonio region could host more residents than now live in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, which hit a population of 8.1 million last year. Anticipating that growth, the Texas Department of Transportation is working on two major expansions of I-35, one in San Antonio and one in Austin, with a combined budget of $8.7 billion. Work on both is likely to stretch at least into the early 2030s. On San Antonios Northeast Side, the agency is adding three elevated lanes in each direction, increasing the total number from eight to 14. Yet the San Antonio expansion is designed to accommodate increasing traffic only as far ahead as the 2040s when daily traffic counts are expected to approach 400,000 raising the question of when the interstate will again become overloaded. Cisneros said he has been trying for years to launch regular bus service between San Antonio and Austin, but has struggled to raise funding. He calls the bus route a first step to prove that mass transit can work along the I-35 corridor. This takes a concerted effort to work with the railroads, that have jealously guarded those lines for freight, Cisneros said. But the time is now, with infrastructure money allocated and a clear priority for getting rail built on the national level. Never has there been a moment like this, where theres a realization of what the implications are. Its almost transportation planning negligence to think we can rely on I-35, he said. The interstate is just simply not capable of carrying any further load, and the situation is just going to get worse. What's in it for Union Pacific? Trains sit at the Union Pacific train yard near downtown San Antonio on Oct. 30. The existing Union Pacific tracks between San Antonio and Austin would likely be key in expanding commuter rail service between the cities, but the railroad has so far said it's not interested. Christopher Lee Staff Photographer Union Pacific, a publicly traded company based in Omaha, Nebraska, operates nearly 33,000 miles of rail in the U.S., all west of the Mississippi River, linking cities such as Chicago, New Orleans, Denver, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Seattle. Since the 1990s, it has had something close to a monopoly on rail in San Antonio, owning the roughly 80-mile line to Austin, which passes through the cities of New Braunfels, San Marcos and Kyle along the way. With so much of the land between San Antonio and Austin already developed, it would be difficult to find the space known as right-of-way to wiggle a new line between the two cities while hitting all the booming communities in between. As a result, the path of Union Pacifics line hugging I-35 for much of the way is widely seen as the logical route for a high-capacity passenger line. As a for-profit company, Union Pacific wont allow more passenger trains on its line unless it makes financial sense to do so. And freight is more lucrative than passenger service especially on the San Antonio-to-Austin line, which originates in the booming Port of Laredo on the Texas-Mexico border. The Port of Laredo has lately emerged as the nations top port, due in large part to the growth of the Texas-Mexico manufacturing ecosystem with products such as Toyota Tundra pickup trucks assembled with parts from either side of the border after the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994 eased barriers to border trade. The recent trend of nearshoring whereby companies shift production from China to North America to avoid tariffs and simplify supply chains has also fueled the ports growth. Auto parts, home appliances and produce such as avocadoes, berries and tomatoes pass through the port every day onto Union Pacifics line. The ports growth has increased San Antonios importance as a hub for freight traffic. After arriving in San Antonio, those Mexican-made products might keep going north on Union Pacifics line through Austin to Dallas, St. Louis and Chicago. Or they might change course onto other branches in the companys rail network, toward Houston or Los Angeles. Union Pacific has made very clear from day one that they cannot share their lines that are very profitable at this time, Sakai said. They will not take a cut in profit in order to accommodate passenger rail. Union Pacific has made major investments on its South Texas rail network over the years, including $100 million on its 300-acre San Antonio Intermodal Terminal in southwest Bexar County and $90 million on its facility at the Port of Laredo, doubling its size and allowing it to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Company spokeswoman Robynn Tysver declined to comment apart from providing the companys letter to Andy Brown and pointing to a joint study conducted by TxDOT, AAMPO and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization AAMPO's counterpart in Austin on traffic congestion between the two cities which concluded, among other things, that a significant number of trips only use I-35 to travel one or two interchanges. The bypass option The Lone Star Rail District effort, which was started in 2003, did accomplish some things. One of them was a memorandum of understanding and deal points with Union Pacific, signed in 2010. It provided an outline of a deal in which the company agreed to consider relocating its freight line. The districts three employees drew up plans to lay new tracks east of San Antonio, roughly along the path of todays Texas 130 toll road. After the new rail line was built, plans called for Union Pacific to take it over so the existing line could be devoted to carrying passengers. The district proposed what it called the Lone Star Rail System, or LSTAR, a 118-mile route stretching from Texas A&M University San Antonio on the South Side to Georgetown, north of Austin, with 16 stations along the way outfitted with "ample parking, comfortable waiting areas and connections to local transit," according to an LSTAR documents. The goal was to offer between 28 and 32 round-trip services each weekday on an improved version of Union Pacific's current tracks. The project, had it been executed in its most ambitious form, was expected to cost $2.4 billion. The district proposed splitting the bill between taxing jurisdictions along the route. Joe Black, who served as the districts director, said he still thinks that what he calls the bypass option is the most sensible way forward. He now sits on Brown and Sakais Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee, and says he hopes his experience can come of use. Black says the existing rail line is far from ideal for Union Pacific, with its twists and inclines. A new line could be laid straighter, allowing for greater speeds and higher freight capacity, he said. The bypass route would also eliminate the nuisance of freight trains snaking through the central areas of San Antonio, San Marcos, New Braunfels and Austin, where they not only block traffic, putting a strain on emergency response services, but pose the risk of catastrophic derailment such as occurred last year in East Palestine, Ohio, Black said. I actually saw the bypass, moving the freight trains out of those downtowns, as one of the primary benefits, he said. The passenger service was kind of the icing on the cake. Problems with the bypass But the bypass option has its downsides. For one thing, some major business operations have located along the current line to make use of the freight capacity, including the massive Balcones Cement Plant in New Braunfels. Acquiring land for the new route would carry a huge cost, possibly requiring the use of eminent domain, which might cause public support to plummet. An effort by a private company to build a bullet train between Dallas and Houston has struggled for more than a decade, largely due to problems with land acquisition. Other rail advocates are focusing on the option of improving Union Pacifics existing line to allow it to carry more passenger trains, or laying new tracks beside it though to do that would also likely require land acquisition, with Union Pacifics right-of-way narrowing to about 40 or 50 yards in some locations in Kyle and New Braunfels. Andy Brown, the Travis County judge, said he wanted to work with TxDOT and Amtrak to figure out how to make those improvements. A bypass would be wonderful, he said, but it's important to not get bogged down in trying to get the perfect solution right away. I would like to get what is most achievable, and to me it seems like increasing what we have right now and improving what we have right now is that solution, he said. What went wrong last time Passengers board the Texas Eagle train serviced by Amtrak on Wed, Oct. 30, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer The Lone Star Rail District's last push for passenger train service was effectively ended in 2016, with a letter sent from Union Pacific to Sid Covington, the district's chairman, terminating the 2010 memorandum of understanding. After six years of meetings, discussions and studies, the company had concluded that the goal of increasing passenger service on its San Antonio-to-Austin line was unattainable, wrote Jerry Wilmoth, then the company's general manager for network infrastructure. Union Pacific had earlier struck an optimistic tone about the project, with Wilmoth writing in a 2012 letter to then-Travis County Judge Samuel Biscoe that the company believed it had made "substantial progress" and that "an eventual agreement will result in the ability of the District to provide passenger service" and relocation of the company's freight traffic onto a bypass route. But Nelson Wolff, who then was serving as Bexar County judge, recalls meeting with the then-CEO of Union Pacific, Lance Fritz, who told him definitively that the company would not allow more passenger service. Wolff said he urged Fritz to make the companys position public, leading it to send that letter, which effectively brought an end to the Lone Star Rail District. In the following months, many of the municipalities that had joined the effort withdrew their support. Their freight had picked up substantially over the years and it is of course profitable. Passenger lines are not that profitable, if profitable at all, Wolff said. Ross Milloy, who worked closely with the district as president of the Greater Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council, described Union Pacific's as the worst transportation decision since the Donner Party took the Hastings Cutoff." As the time, the district was within about a year and a half of getting final environmental approval from the federal government, which would have opened the door for federal funding, he said. For years they had been telling us that it was a good idea for them to get out of this corridor that they wanted to get out of this corridor, he said of Union Pacific. I dont think theyre a rational actor. I think they have so many other issues going on. Signs of hope for rail Amtrak employees wait at the San Antonio station to greet passengers for the Texas Eagle train line on Oct. 30. Officials in San Antonio and Texas are pushing to expand commuter rail service between the two cities. Christopher Lee Staff Photographer Though TxDOT focuses nearly all of its resources on building and maintaining roads and highways, it plans to study the possibility of running three passenger trains per day on the Union Pacific line using the existing Amtrak stations in Austin and San Antonio, agency spokesman Adam Hammons said in an email. Depending on how the study goes, TxDOT might apply to get the route into the Federal Rail Administrations Corridor Identification and Development Program, which could make it eligible for a slice of that $66 billion in funding, Hammons said. The Federal Rail Administration has already selected routes between Houston and San Antonio and between Dallas and Houston under that program, awarding them grants of up to $500,000. According to Browns letter to the legislature, the federal government could foot 80% of the bill for the projects costs, with the state covering the rest which is why he and others are eager to win an appropriation in the upcoming session, beginning in January. But the funding request could have a hard time gaining traction in a session that is likely to be dominated by debates over school choice, reducing property taxes and securing the state's water supply, said Matt Mackowiak, a campaign consultant and chair of the Travis County Republican Party. Mackowiak predicted the recent "intramural squabbling" among Republicans including between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan could lead to a "defensive" session in which few bills are passed. "My hesitance really revolves around the timing. This is not expected to be a session where a lot of things are going to get done," he said. Given the astronomical growth of Austin and San Antonio and the inadequacy of I-35, Mackowiak said he could imagine a rail project gaining bipartisan support among the region's legislative delegation. Even in that case, it would likely take more than one session to gather momentum for the project in the legislature, he said. "It would give this effort a decent chance of success over the medium-term," he said. "Generally these things don't happen in one session. They take more time." The legislature is a difficult environment for rail, especially after the controversies surrounding the Dallas-to-Houston project, said Milloy, who also sits on Brown and Sakais Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee. Amtrak, the federally funded corporation that manages inter-city passenger rail in the U.S., is throwing some of its weight behind the project. Among those who rode the Texas Eagle last month was Andy Byford, who last year became Amtraks senior vice president for high-speed rail development after serving as president of the New York City Transit Authority and commissioner of transport for the city of London. While on the train, he filmed a Facebook video with Brown, saying that Amtrak has big plans for Texas all three sides of the Triangle. He was referring to the Texas Triangle, the booming region bounded by San Antonio, Dallas and Houston. Well certainly need political support. Well need buy-in from the state, Byford recently said in a television news interview, speaking of rail projects across Texas. Theres a lot of lobbying to do. Theres a lot of talking to officials, a lot of meeting with advocacy groups, to make sure that everyone understands the benefits and what the prize is. Also among the train's passengers was Emmanuel Loo, deputy secretary of economic development for the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon, which borders Texas and includes the city of Monterrey, a major trading partner with San Antonio and South Texas. At the news conference, he spoke of seeking a new alternative for cargo and passengers to get from Nuevo Leon to Texas. The new Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has announced a plan to expand passenger rail throughout Mexico, including to Nuevo Laredo, across the border from Laredo. Cheerleaders for the Austin-San Antonio line point out that other municipalities have managed to strike deals with Union Pacific to boost passenger service, including between Chicago and St. Louis and on the Capitol Corridor route between the Sacramento and Bay Area in California. Ive never had anybody tell me they thought this was a bad idea. All of the studies showed that people wanted it, Milloy said. I think it has to happen. Mainly, because you just cant continue to load population growth and NAFTA trade onto Interstate 35.